Isolated

Time goes by as we converse throughout the oni village. We talk about their own perspectives and how did they deal with it.

Xoto fought multiple Dire Gray Wolves and a Ashen Claw Wolf. An Ashen Claw Wolf is a Rank C-B monster who invaded his swamp. However, swamps aren't places where everyone can move easily.

Swamps in the game slows down movement speed which can range from a minor inconvenience or a death sentence to certain builds. But it doesn't apply to those who can fly.

For Lizardmen, they not only nullify the penalty, they gain a speed buff by being near or on the swamps so it should be no problem for them.

But for them, especially Xoto to struggle and be covered in scars, it fits that the Ashen Claw Wolf is a Gray Wolf who mutated and is stronger than normal. Most prominent one is Ash Magic.

The Ashen Claw Wolf must've used Ash Magic to dry up the swamp and travel better.

As in this world, if someone mutates while evolving or mutate alone, their evolution tree becomes more complex just like Santrasa and Yakumo.

I checked Xoto's stats.

This is the results of his scars. In some races, having battle scars can be viewed as a sign of respect. But I already noticed that Xoto has been limping occasionally.

Now, to Azul's stats.

Azul is orientated in Water Magic and has skills that can deflect other magic, usually she'll struggle with Lightning Magic, but with Pure Water skill, most people with lightning based builds will struggle.

With the Mermaid Blessing on her, exclusive to Seakins, she not only gets a 25% Agility buff, her regeneration is doubled. However, desert or volcanic areas cuts her stats by half.

Azul did have monsters attack, but it was more of a sabotage than an attack. They sent small and poisonous monsters like Black Serpents, Bush Spiders, Purple Jackets, and Green Scorpions to poison the water and food supply.

However, Azul saw it coming and put at close watch at all times. But she couldn't send her people to help other tribes as she'll spread her forces thin.

With the Hellkins gone, they can recover sooner or later.

When this is said and done, I'll recruit more Heavenkins and Hellkins when possible. But first, I have to take Friis back to his village.

I also wanna turn back into a human so Hyoran doesn't freak out.

"We'll be heading back first y'all, Friis got a village to tend to." I said.

"That's understandable, we have to ensure stability for many years to come." Yakumo said.

"Then again, thank you for saving my mother." Onizakura said sincerely.

"And thank you for saving our friend." Azul bowed.

"Anytime, y'all, anytime." I said. I walked out of the yurt and called Zala.

*Shoom!*

I let Friis climb on and then I climbed on. Fennec and Paura jumped on to ride with us as well.

"Onwards, Zala!" I yelled.

*NEIIIIGH!!*

Zala neighed and began dashing through the village and we quickly disappeared into the forest. Dichrome also followed suit.

It was at this point, I can hopefully turn back into a human.

"System, can I turn back into a human?"

[It is not possible since you have evolved.]

[However, you can change your appearance. Displaying relevant skills...]

{Relevant Skills}

[Disguise]

[Mimicry]

"Then I'll take both."

[Acknowledged, 2000 EP deducted. Mimicry and Disguise acquired.]

*DING!* *DING!*

[Skill acquisition conditions met.]

[You can now acquire Polymorph.]

Ahh, when it came to getting all the basic elements, I got the Elementalist skill, but this time it's when I have Mimicry, Disguise, Camouflage, Falsify, and Obscurity.

{Unique Skill: Polymorph}

{Skills to be merged: Mimicry, Disguise, Camouflage, Falsify, Obscurity}

{Cost: 100,000 EP}

"Do it."

[Acknowledged. Now merging...]

[Skill merging completed. Unique Skill acquired, Polymorph.]

I stopped Zala in the middle of the forest and jumped off.

"Why did you stop, Young Kain?" Friis asked.

"Friis, did you know that Hyoran never saw me in my oni form?" I said.

"Oh...she might be disturbed. What should we do?" Friis said.

*Fwooo...*

I covered myself in gray fog and I can see myself changing, shrinking, and becoming slimmer. My entire body is morphing into the body that I previously had. Including my clothes as an oni.

*Foom!*

The gray fog dissipates and I soon got my body back through Polymorph.

"Well, ain't this convenient. I can change clothes just as I expected to." I smiled to myself.

"You mutated back into a human?" Friis was flabbergasted again.

"Not really, I'm still an oni. I used Polymorph to make myself look like me before evolving." I explained. I covered my mouth, realizing that I no longer have my deep voice as an oni. Polymorph really doing its job.

I jumped back onto Zala and spoke again. "Before we return, can you keep this a secret from Zherk and Hyoran?"

"I don't know...Beastkins are known for their keen smell." Friis said. "But, if it fails you'll have to explain it."

I nodded and resumed our travels through the forest until we reached Friis' village. We see Zherk and the goblins, but Hyroan is not seen.

"You're back. If you're looking for that Beastkin, she's sleeping with the goblin children in that hut over there." Zherk said, pointing at the wooden house behind him.

I went inside to see Hyoran sleeping, surrounded by 10 sleeping goblin children. Gris and Noire are also sleeping as well.

I wanted to wake her, but she probably fought hard out there along with Gris and Noire. So, I decided not to.

"When she found a bed after she ate, she fell asleep almost instantly." Zherk explained.

"Thank you for guarding my people while we're gone, Zherk." Friis said, bowing slightly. Zherk shook his head.

"It's that Beastkin and those wolves who did most of it. I merely assisted in guarding the village." Zherk said. "If you're here to stay, then we'll return to our village as well."

Zherk turns around and began walking away, we see him off until he disappears into the forest along with his fellow orcs. I turned to Friis to tell him what I'll do next.

"I'll return to my cabin. I have a feeling some monsters must've gotten in while I am away for a little while." I said.

"It's fine, you still have your wolves guarding them so it's easier for us." Friis waved.

*Voom!*

I opened the rift to my cabin and motioned Paura, Fennec, and Zala to come with me. I closed the rift behind us and saw the cabin is seemingly in one piece.

I used Perception to find anyone invading the cabin until the system informs me.

[Notice. One Heavenkin detected.]

"A nameless Heavenkin?" I thought to myself. It doesn't show Arex, but I assume that it should be.

I begin to assume that it's one of Arex's allies that worked with her. But with the Deity threat being above 0 percent, 0.106 percent to be exact, it could happen and send a Heavenkin to kill me despite my Heavenkin Threat is at zero along with me being a Celestine.

I ready my halberd to get prepare for the worst when a Heavenkin decides to fight me without hesitation and I advance carefully.

As I walk further in, the sounds of the forest suddenly went silent. The wind, the rustling of the leaves, the cries of distant monsters, and even the buzzing sounds were instantly silenced, cut off from my ears.

I look around and I can no longer see Fennec, Paura, Dichrome, nor Zala.

I've been isolated.

*BREEEP!!* *BREEEEP!!* *BREEEP!!* *BREEEEP!!* *BREEEP!!* *BREEEEP!!*

[EXTREME DANGER!!! A hostile with unfathomable power is within your vicinity!!]

Extreme danger!? The system is implying that it's a Heavenkin that can end the world just happen to suddenly be in my cabin!? This is the worst possible outcome!

But I am a Celestine. How can any Heavenkin want to kill me?

Apart from the alarming messages, a series of messages came through.

[Warning, you are inside the influence of Holy Law of Dominance Aura.]

[Polymorph nullified.]

[Terror nullified.]

[Valorous nullified.]

[Concealment nullified.]

[Camouflage nullified.]

[Shadow Sneak nullified.]

[Mental Magic nullified.]

[Dark Magic nullified.]

[Curse Magic nullified.]

[Inferno Magic nullified.]

[Holy Resistance reduced.]

[All Magic Tiers halved.]

[Magic Power halved.]

[Oni Terror nullified.]

[Oni Berserk nullified.]

[Tyrant Spirit nullified.]

[You cannot use EP at this time.]

[You cannot summon the Undead.]

[You cannot summon the Hellkin.]

[You cannot summon the Heavenkin.]

I instinctively dashed back to get away from whatever I walked into. This is bad news, very bad news. I already knew the risks of unlocking hidden skills, but for it to get a world-ender at my doorstep!?

"I gotta get out of here." I thought to myself.

*BONG!*

I hit something that blocked my path. I looked back to see a ripple from the impact traversing through the air.

[Caution, you are trapped inside of a pocket space. Escape is very unlikely.]

"I've been trapped." I said. And a good number of skills has been nullified or cut in half.

"That is correct, anomalous one." a female voice said. A calm voice that carries power, authority, and dominance.

I looked back and I see white snow. But there is no cloud nor cold air. What it showed is a golden light. I looked up.

I see a woman in shining armor. Shining plated armor with shining white crystals, accented with pulsating yellow light. Underneath the armor is a pure white dress.

Her weapon is that of a two handed sword, but it is segmented in 10 pieces, completely white in color with a golden handle and guard.

Next, she has 3 shields. One on her hand that is a small circular shield, but not a buckler and two larger rectangular tower shields floating beside her on each side.

This...this no doubt a Valkyrie. It had no halo, but it definitely have golden feathers coming from her head along with her golden white eyes.

Wait...Golden white? Do I dare...?

"You gotta be shitting me...an EXT rank Heavenkin..." My mouth was agape, I tried to step back, but I couldn't go any further.

The Valkyrie points her sword at me and spoke again.

"You have grown too powerful far too quickly. For that, I, Solufreya shall ensure the Deities will has been realized." Solufreya declared.

Messages soon rang in my head again.

[Compensator activated.]

[Magic power and Magic Tiers restored. However, Dark, Curse, and Inferno are still nullified.]

[Holy Resistance restored.]

[Light Resistance gained.]

[Solar Resistance gained.]

[Tyrant Spirit restored, but it will produce half of its effectiveness.]

[Berserker restored.]

[Due to the difference in rank, Compensator has reached its limit. Skill restoration is slowed.]

I ready my halberd and formed my Kibuki into an axe while summoning 10 swords out of ice. All of them at the highest tier I could muster.

[Tyrant Spirit activated.]

[Berserker activated.]

My dark purple aura slowly emerged due to it being half as effective, but it'll do.

Solufreya widened her eyes.

"You retained your powers while underneath my aura's effect?" Solufreya said. "You are truly an anomaly that must be removed."

Solufreya began emitting a gold and white aura around her with rising sparkles of light around her. This could be a battle far worse than the Demon Lord.

Unlike the Demon Lord, Solufreya ambushed me, cut connections from everyone I knew, and sealed my skills. Far stronger and more prepared.

My goal here is to last long enough to let my Compensator to get me back on track.