Identity (5) - A Monster

While Stigma was creating his personal servant, some turmoil had come before the market as night drew near.

Before anyone foresaw it the ground below them started to shake uncontrollably like a small volcano was causing the earthquake, drawing panic to the faint-hearted as they remind themselves of the surrounding cliffs crashing down on them. The ones who had stayed in the market for more than five days had noticed the earthquakes were not rattled yet the magnitude this time was alarming even for them.

On the other hand, the new residence have started to panic from the unfamiliar feeling of the earth being unstable. From each quarters, glassware and pottery of all kinds were starting to fall of the selves making servants and even the owners to panic from the sheer frequency of the quakes.

With the present danger, the guards didn't falter and used their horses to shout warning of the earthquake and prepare for any accident.

After a few minutes, the earth shaking event ceased and every resident had sigh a relief, but many have began their plans in leaving or wearing their clothing to complain to the Top. The Top had already investigated on the lands before and found that steam was escaping from the ground, summarizing that is was from accumulated rain water.

To lessen future dangers such as earthquakes, the guards were ordered to dig up holes in the far side of the market and into the forest to prevent any poisonous fumes from escaping to the market.

To avoid any danger on the first day the matter about the steam or sudden earthquakes were announced on the first day then posted by the plaza for everyone to know the moment they entered.

A total of over sixty seven holes were dug up to prevent any steam from escaping in the market, but with the rise of the earth quake, the Top may decide another twenty five holes or maybe fifty to be dug up tomorrow to prevent anymore mishap.

As the news of the market created panic, several figures with mask were started to appear from above the forest as they watch the scene with deadpan expressions, as if the earthquake was but a minor matter. Whatever their reason for these figure to appear, it was clear their focus was on the market below them.

"The plan is proceeding well, but with the rising alert of the market sacrifices have become, scarce....What shall we do?" A figure with a blue mask appeared and turned to the one one his left, the mask worn had the feature of a fox with yellow eyes.

"Shall we enter the market in secret and proceed in kidnapping small groups to make the sacrifices, it will take time thought..." The figure who spoke had the mask of a black rat, his voice sounded bored, as if the thought of working was but a hassle not a responsibility.

The echoes around the trees had voiced out their take as well, but when a hand raised, the surrounding had immediately silence as they waited for the response of their leader.

"....The plan will proceed without delay, if you find them bring them to me alive, if not then make sure to you silence them and bring them here but find out if there are any rare beast. Understood, remember, no news should be leaked out until then, now go!"

"Roger!"

As the figure gave his orders, about ten or so figure in black robes made way to the entrance like specters, because of the recent earthquake the guards by the entrance had dwindled to calm the masses so only a handful were left, leading the invaders to enter and avoid detection.

As the ten figures disappeared into the market, the moonlight had shined upon the leading figure wearing a mask painted with a red monkey with a wooden casket and disappeared within the forest.

***

Just as the incident continued to draw anxiety to the masses below, Stigma finally woke up from his Unique Cultivation. But his mood being tired or groggy lasted for only a moment as excitement was plastered on his face, because his plan in making his subordinate was proceeding without delay, and it wouldn't take long for him to gain loyal subordinates.

Stigma then noticed his surroundings turned dark, so he grabbed a lamp and made a small fire with a flint.

'I wonder if it was already midnight, sometimes when I really need a clock I can't get one, haa....'

Due to having his soul separated from his body, Stigma's sense of time had dulled so the concept of time does not follow him correctly, which may lead to his demise if not for Demon's aid.

Having a soul linger without a body was dangerous, especially when Stigma is able to completely separate his soul from his body. If not for his payment to the Demon to act as the anchor, Stigma would had most likely lost any contact to the physical world.

Based on how much Zen Stigma had accumulated, the total time he could had stayed is equivalent to one hour by using one hundred Zen. (10000 + 1700 = 117 hours) Therefore, Stigma could stay in the inner world for as long as one hundred and seventeen hours.

And Stigma had used seven hours in crafting a soul alone. The concept of hunger does not occur when his soul is separated nor exhaustion as his body may give him signs, but that was only present if his soul returns so he most likely feel the urge of hunger, dehydration or even pain like being hit by a rock.

'So making a servant may have been a good move, Dusk is capable but what if an army came after ... I suppose I should call of my personal servants as Yokai then to avoid making mistakes...'

But he didn't care about his groggy feeling and immediately check his stats. For obvious reasons, he wanted to check of what the Demons said was true.

'Essence Reader'

[Name: Stigma Falsus

Age: 10

Rank: Unique (I)(Early stage)

0 / 10000

Strength: 150

Agility: 170

Vitality: 250

Zen Reserves: 1700 / 1700

Skills: Essence Reader(V) 0%, Poltergeist (III) (1) 60%, Soul Eater (V) 0%, Taboo(III) 45%, Demon's Soul 5%

*

Current Souls Absorbed: Soul of Impurity (I), Wolf Soul (II), Snake Soul (I), Stag Soul (I), Bear Soul (I), Eagle Soul (I), Bull Soul (I), Boar Soul (I), Monkey Soul (I), Cheetah Soul (I), Rabbit Soul (I), Rat Soul (I), Goat Soul (I), Bat Soul (I)

*

Pure Energy: 220%

Grudge Energy: 104%

Wrath Energy: 120%

Fire Energy: 330%

Earth Energy: 105%

Water Energy: 320%

Wind Energy: 120%

Light Energy: 80%

Lightning Energy: 30%

Metal Energy: 10%

***

Stock Piled Souls:

Soul of Wrath: (Complete - 100%)

Snake Soul: 80%

*Familiars:*

1. Dusk (I)(1) (300 / 2500)

2. Brunhilda (I) (300 / 3000)

3. Kirin (I) (185 / 2000)

Transmutation in progress...

*

Scrolling through his stats he found what he wanted to check the transmutation...then a countdown appeared....

*Bing!*

[Soul Transmutation in progress:

Tsuchigumo: 1d:23:59:58]

....

"Like what the imp said, I can make each of them in less than a day, but if make them in bulks they had to be the total amount. *sigh* Can't help it, everything has to have a limit, but why the hell is everything have to use Zen energy anyway."

Stigma's grumbling was due to him finding out that for him to speed up the process of the 'Soul Transmutation', he had to give up as much Zen energy by a hundred from his total amount. And yet just by making one was capable of draining him of eight thousand in on go just for payment, making him go through training for only a few hours.

"Well can't complain if it's my life....But the Imp said the reason for the large expenditure was due to it being powerful...How strong was that thing...?"

Accumulating the Zen energy alone takes time, now he had to decide whether to strengthen himself to train or make room for make his subordinates with his limited time.

Just by making one had took up most of his time, a whole seven hours is what took Stigma to create the exact image he wanted for his new servant 'Tsuchigumo' in his world. But his reason for choosing such a great Yokai as the base of his first servant was very simple.

In the future, once Stigma gains infamy in the underworld, Stigma's fame will eventually lead him into danger beyond his abilities and so a great deterrent is needed, from a strong shield and a headstrong vanguard to protect him and avoid larger groups aiming for him until then.

Another reason for making a powerful subordinate would be to satisfy Stigma's curiosity of how strong or useful the new soul would be. Based on the stored energy alone from the horn, it must have have been an apex predator of its territory, by the Demon's definition it was truly a 'treasure'.

Just by the Spider soul alone, any soul he tried to mix it with had completely been overwhelmed and looked more like an insect than an actual beast. By doing some repeated experimenting, Stigma came into a conclusion that the Ancient Predator Spider was the strongest within his material list.

So he only had one chance to make a powerful beast, such that he cannot hope to obtain another one, as it would be out of reach with his current cultivation level.

To begin his soul fusion he tried calling out the souls by pointing out it then went to their respective circles, in total he can fuse about ten souls at once. However, the greater the fusion the greater the reserves was needed as payment as equivalent exchange.

At most Stigma can do at least three soul merging, which was enough for know.

The first thing Stigma began with was pick out the materials souls, the Yokai he was making was based on the description of the actual "Tsuchigumo" in some text on a website; having a body of a tiger, limbs of a spider and having a face of a man or a oni, but he tried doing a modified version to be more appealing to him.

Stigma began by using the 30% soul of the Tiger which appeared like a sleeping cub that was larger than normal, then the 10% soul of the Ancient Predator Spider appeared as a spider with a thick carapace on its body and limbs with two black marble which looked rather bizarre.

But before he started he kept looking at it with a little fear, after all the size was alarming to him and Stigma had compared it to a fully grown pig as it lay perfectly still.

If the current form was what the Arachnoid Heavenly Beast looked like when it was young, Stigma would only shudder from the thought of an enormous spider rooming the lands as it ate large prey like humans without worry.

A monster - is all what Stigma could thought about after seeing it when brought towards his face. But he pushed the thought aside, Stigma realized that if a Cultivator was capable of slaying such a beast, then he should be no different in the future when he encounters one.

There was a possibility of a mishaps when he started, as the soul may not appear as he wanted it to be once he made it, but his worry was for naught when the screen in front was able to produce a 3d image of the Yokai, so he molded it as so he desired.

From what he had experimented the dominant soul always takes the base form, while weaker souls either strengthen or fill up the empty spaces in the body like a limb would take its place.

Because the Tiger soul Stigma absorb was originally large enough to rival the length of a school bus, the base of the Yokai was similar in size. Even though the soul of the Ancient Predator Spider was weaker, it was still capable of altering the entire shape to the beast, so he did the best as he could to work with it.

But as expected, the souls Stigma chose were impossible to merge due to it being an incomplete and that is where the Demon approached Stigma and gave its form of support. It claimed that by using its demon energy, sufficient soul material can be made as substitute for the fusion, while making sure the new soul bound servant will remain loyal to Stigma without the thought of betrayal.

With twenty percent used he added the some Wrath and Earth energy to increase its attack and defense. Stigma was going to add a human soul for the ability to think, but the Demon told him that Heavenly Beast are inherently capable of learning by themselves and gain the deceased beast personality so there was no need to waste a human Cultivators soul on a powerful beast as it may be a waste.

So with that new found knowledge he didn't delay, Stigma used the new energies to form with the body and he began his transmutation. The process would be described as having the souls collide with one another and slowly forming into one forming into a ball of light with the sols merging like oil forming inside a water container.

With all his hard work done, Stigma was excited to see his very first subordinate be born. Unfortunately, a notification appears stating that the soul had to be cultivated in a cocoon like environment after the merging, which was to be expected so until it was finished he can't make anymore or use it.

Not only that a notification appeared with a countdown. The entire process of modifying alone took about ten hours, while the remaining fourteen hours was Stigma trying fill in holes of the souls using the elemental and the result.

Without not much choice, Stigma used the remaining twenty nine or so hours to continue with his training with how to form his elemental energy to wrestling with the Heavenly Beast up by the tree. In all honesty, Stigma had more fun beating down the heavenly beast with his bare hands.

Like always Stigma tried wrestling each of the Heavenly Beast until he would wrestle by twos or threes.

His recent victory, he gained victory over: Wolf, Stag, Bear, Bull, Boar, Goat when he incorporated speed as his main fighting style. Yet he still lose over Eagle, Snake, Monkey, Cheetah, Rabbit, Rat, Goat, Bat, as he still lacked better control over dexterity and flexibility to make last second maneuvers.

Since Stigma changed his strategy to a more smarter approach, rather than being headstrong and tackling the them to meet the challenge. At the same time Stigma used his two new techniques to better use them, the more experienced he gained the more flexible his style will be.

But he soon noticed, Stigma's body was going to change in size and weight so he had to exercise and perform proper training in the real world, if his ignored the setback the damage could only be imaginable.

"Like playing a video game character who knows boxing, it won't matter if the one copying it isn't properly trained. *Sigh!* So much to think about, no wonder professional athletes train under a trainer or a veteran."

Remembering only made Stigma sigh from ever more, he had a goal but his schedule on which to take first is driving him to be a half-ass cultivator if he wasn't careful.

Stigma then recalled the last words the Imp told him before he left:

'Sir a word. You may have recalled some memories correct, this humble servant assumes that it may belong to the original Stigma or the souls you have absorbed. Dear Sir may encounter some form of relapse or headaches, but that is one of the consequences of gaining abilities from the deceased. Memories are a form of treasures to most about to meet their end, but to those who suffered are but a curse, do not forget to mend the memories once you discover them or you will suffer their everlasting torment. But that is up to you Dear Sir, the name Jaculus may have no significance to you, but to those that you had gained the grudge energy to form the 'Grudge Soul' are living resentment. I humble request Sir, to at least settle their grudges as it is out of my authority and it will help you gain more strength.....'

....

'....what the Demon said, got me thinking...who the hell is Jaculus that had caused me to have these memories of a snake.'

So far the memories Stigma saw was a man with a gauntlet on his arm, watching from the sideline will people were being hunted down in masses. Each time he remembers, the more his heart was pounding at a alarming pace, but it wasn't excitement nor is it anticipation.

...

Stigma was to go back to sleep, but he soon noticed the sound of horses galloping along the multiple voices coming from outside.

'What the hell is happening here?' Stigma's confusion was reasonable, from the outsiders point of view he had sleeping for more than four hours, but from his perspective he was dead for more than twenty or so hours. The events that were transpiring outside did not register as he was not awake.

"Good evening Master!"

Stigma turned his head to the source of the voice and found Hilda the talking sword leaning against the bed, turning his head back to the bed, he found something bulging underneath the cover, only by removing the cover did he find one of his missing familiars Kirin.

From the side, Dusk was still standing by the side as if the disturbance was not its worry. Surveying the surrounding did Stigma notice the siblings and the self proclaimed princess had yet to return, with no one else to get information on what was happening Stigma asked Hilda for the recent updates.

"Of course, what happened was ....." Thus she began her narration of events, to the earth quake, to the panic of the crowds, to the soldiers and horse shouting to calm the masses. All in all there was still unanswered questions like where are Veil, Hans, the self proclaimed princess and Felix's group.

"Do not worry Master! From what I can tell those people can handle themselves, if you move around to much you may encounter only the roar of the crowd."

....

"Hilda I'm stepping out for a walk, want to come with...."

"Of course Master! You need someone to guide you anyway..." Although Hilda could not stop her master, she was delighted to feel wanted and was asked before he left.

"Dusk is coming anyway, so Kirin....you want to come with me?" Stigma ruffled the sleeping blue wolf head with a soft void on his leg, who eventually stood up with a yawn then went into his robes and continued to sleep in peace.

"That's a yes then..." Stigma didn't take long and wore a new pair of shoes Veil bought for him an brought a shield just in case something happened.

It didn't take long for Stigma to step out his tent, only to jump back to avoid a knife trust at his face. After jumping back he grab the knife by wrist, pulling the attacker near him, Stigma did step in and delivered a palm trust to the chest of the assailant, only to be guarded by his free hand.

*Thump!* *Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!**Chatter!*

The force behind his trust was enough to send the assailant back ten feet away, but the repeated clattering was starting to draw Stigma's attention, however...

'What did he use to guard, it felt weird? It wasn't hard enough to be metal, nor was it soft enough to be leather. What the hell is protecting him...'

Every time the figure moved the sound of clattering continued to annoy him, though Stigma had little time figure out or question the man as he found a second person wearing a fox mask was standing by the sidelines.

'Fuck, got only a few reserves for a short bout, gotta finish quickly before the other one joins in....'

Without wasting time, Stigma made a praying gesture and molded his Zen on his hands and formed a veil of light on his hands. Stigma had noticed that he needs to use his reserves more carefully, until he was strong enough or had enough to waste he will have to make his forms into his palms for now.

'....Looks like the system recognizes this as a deviation from my Phantom Limb technique, oh well, better to learn a few techniques than have too many to use. Might as well call it Ghost Palm or something'

Before Stigma had any chance to get ready the chattering figure attacked him without warning, while the second figure stood his ground and watched the scene before him, as Stigma's struggle was some form of entertainment.

'Fucker! He thinks I'm a small fry!' With thoughts entering his head, Stigma calmed down and focused his attention to the chattering figure.

The figure moved faster than Stigma anticipated and was making full body swings or kicks to care little to block any of Stigma's attacks.

'You little!' As the chattering figure was starting to annoy him, Stigma made a stance and swung his fist over his head, only to have the figure to dodge, if it didn't the figure would have its head bleeding just as how Stigma's fist contacted the ground and left a small hole from where he stood.

"Tsk! Looks like I need more practice...."

Currently Stigma's control in forming his aura was slightly better, recognizing his efforts with his training. Like performing a jab, Stigma relaxed his control on his arms, then release a small burst of aura after making contact of an object.

Stigma dashed towards the clattering figure, before he could grab it the figure starting to swing its knife at him as it chattered, after dodging a knife trust, Stigma clench his fist he slammed his fist to face.

Without wasting anytime, Stigma slammed his fist to the legs joints and grabbed the figure clothes to him it closer and performed a repeated knee strikes to the face, yet the figure refuses to scream in pain or pull back and only stabbed at Stigma in close range.

Stigma narrowly dodged from a hairs breath and did a heel drop kick on its shoulder, using the shoulder as a foot hold Stigma used his did another palm trust and aimed for the back head of the figures. Before he landed Stigma's clenched his fist and punched the figure gut.

'What the hell, I can understand if its not just the arm and his whole body was covered in it, but why the hell is he wearing something like that on his head.'

As if the damage Stigma inflicted was nothing, the figure continued to stood back up and performed another knife trust with a charge confusing Stigma even more. He was sure he heard something breaking after each strike, and he definitely felt something had cracked under his fist.

To test something Stigma dodged the knife attack and delivered a series of punches to the face and chest, finally giving a strong kick to his neck yet the figure merely landed on his feet and was still standing.

After seeing the figure stand up Stigma could only stare at it in shock, although he only used this technique for the first time on combat, his fist coated in Zen aura were still capable of causing some great damage along with his physical strength.

Stigma was sure that after each attack had landed, loud cracks can be heard that made it sound like all the bones were breaking finally with his kick he definitely heard something familiar after his foot separated.

But Stigma wasn't the only one to be shocked, the figure standing by was surprised to see a child was capable of attain such speed and cause his companion to be sent pack with just physical strength alone despite the size difference.

The figure in the mask also noticed that Stigma had moderate control on his Zen aura which could be considered prodigal at his age. Yet he wasn't the only one to notice as Veil, Han and the leader were hiding from the ripples and watched Stigma's battle with pure glee.

It wasn't long when Stigma started his battle ans his companions would had exit their ripples, yet they have not seen Stigma in combat so they all had the same idea and watched from the sidelines. With tent protected by a barrier, Stigma would not be harmed unless he left willingly.

They also noticed that there were two more four more figures watching from the sidelines, so Veil, Han and the leader decided to watch then make their move and save Stigma as the priority.

But as they watch the battle, with Stigma's display of power and speed, coupled with his control of Zen adding to his age in account, they all had the same thought as the masked figure.

'He's a monster!!!' As the adults were praising Stigma in secret, Stigma had a different thought in mind such as his unsatisfied progress in his control.

Not only that, irritation was driving Stigma on edge, he was about to go to sleep now he had to fight some annoying figure that only makes noise and can take hits and some masked person watching the sidelines enjoying his struggle.

"I have no time to waste here, hey you the one in the mask tell me why you attacked me or else!!!"

"...Humph! Like a child can threaten, either come with me quietly or just grovel and die so I can take your corpse..."

'So he wants me dead huh?...Then no hard feeling then....' Stigma slowly walked towards the masked man, but before he could reach, Stigma disappeared and felt his side receive pain and was flying to the side.

After puking a mouthful of blood, the mask man looked at Stigma in shook as he had no idea what had happened and had difficulty standing up. But Stigma wasn't as kind as to let some bastard have a chance to fight back and used his technique again repeated his action but this time he did a hammer arm more slamming both his fist on the ground, causing a slight tremor.

The figure managed to dodged but lost on his legs, with the unfamiliar pain rising in him, the masked man can only scream in pain.

"AH!!!!! FUAK!!!!FUAK!!!!!!!!!! DAM YOU BRT!!!!!!I'LLL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!I'LLL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!"

"Yeah, yeah shut the hell up, cause I'm about to..." Before Stigma could finish his sentence another figure showed up using an ax to almost cleave Stigma in half, if he delayed for even a second he would gained a large cut wound.

It wasn't long about two more figure wearing different mask appeared and stood by the man wearing the fox mask, armed with a sword and another with daggers.

"Seniors!! Avenge me and kill that brat!!!! Kil-" Before the fox mask can have the chance to say anything else, the man carrying the sword had swung his sword and sliced his head. After looping the head that landed by the ground, everyone apart from their group, had great confusion from the development.

"Apologies, he was but a nuisance, shall we continue...."