Chapter 9: Ive

Jin's POV

"Hoo, that last dungeon is tough" Eva complained.

"Well, at least we leveled up" Mark said.

"Good for you, ten levels in one dungeon tsk" Kyan replied.

"Stop it Kyan. By the way, I think I'll be out for a while so I can't help with your next task" Jane said.

"Where are you going?" Mark asked.

"I'll be picking up a package. The destination is far so it may take up a whole day but once I got that package, I'll be a lot more stronger" Jane explained. Package huh? Is she getting an item perhaps?

"It's fine, as long as you'll still help us tomorrow or the day after" I said.

"Thanks, and Jin, I think your presence is giving as natural enhancement" Jane said.

"Enhancement? What do you mean?" Kyan asked.

"You haven't noticed it since I'm just a support, but my spells was more efficient. My cube that can trap enemies for only a mere minute, improved whenever I'm with you Jin. Right now, I can trap enemies with it for a day or a week. My other spells enhanced too, firmness, sharpness, toughness, corrosion and many other spells have improved" Jane explained.

"Is that true Jin?" Eva asked astonished. True? I don't know. Can I really do that?

"Kyan, you also felt that right?" Jane asked.

"What do you mean?" Kyan asked.

"Your Fairy King state, before you can only maintain it for a brief minute and it will exhaust your body. Yesterday, you just ran out of mana and no side effects occured. Isn't that a bit of suspicious? Jin, how come you've acquired such... Such amazing ability? Even the strongest support, or mages out there can't have that kind of power. That's why I decided to get stronger too. I bought a power enhancement item so that using that item together with your passive, I can support you guys... For real this time" Jane said.

"I never thought you would feel that" Mark said while Kyan just fixed his gaze on the floor.

"I'm never strong like you guys and I'll never be. I have this power but it's only for support. I'm always at the back of everyone! You guys rose faster than me and left me on your foot! I also want to be strong just like you guys!" Jane exclaimed and burst into tears.

"I know what you feel" Mark replied while cracking his fingers. Eva and I just stayed quiet, it's not our place to butt in.

"How could you!?" Jane shouted.

"I'm always in front of everyone, taking the hit all the time. That's my job, I'm a tank. My role is to protect you guys... All these years I thought I'm doing my job but that's all bullshit! Two of our friends get taken away because of my foolish thoughts. I really thought I served that purpose but the bitter truth slapped me hard. I'm weak, I can't protect anyone" as Mark said those words the room was enveloped into silence.

That's when I decided to speak.

"I have made a promise, I'm going to help you guys get your friends back" I said.

"Then I also promise, I'll help you" Eva added.

"Thanks" Mark replied with a dull voice.

[Jin, I think it's time]

Ive? What's up?

[I think it's time to introduce myself]

What? Introduce you? But how?

[First, let them know about me as a system]

Ok.

"Guys, I have to tell you something" I said and get no response, they just looked at me. I guess I have to continue "There was someone who was helping me this whole time. She refers to herself as a system. This system helped me throughout my battles and dungeon explorations. She's also responsible for the inventory, the abnormal speed of leveling up and also my spells. I named her Ive. Those times when I zoned out, I'm talking to her"

"So that's how you become a zero to ho ho" Kyan said.

"I don't think that's the right saying though but who cares" Jane added.

[Can you guys hear me?]

"Is this her?" Eva asked "is this her talking?"

[Yes, it's me]

"That's awesome. You can communicate with us" Mark said.

[Wait a minute, I'll gonna take my form]

Then a tall and dazzling woman appeared in front of us.

"Is this really what you imagined I looked like, Jin?" She asked.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Hahahahaha, I'm Ive" She replied.

"So you're with this woman this whole time?" Eva asked with sharp glares.

"But how can you become a... Human?" I asked.

"Your imagination plus my power. Your image of me helped me to create this form. I have no form of my own but with my picture carved in your mind, I can do this. Whenever you talk to me, you always pictured me as if someone is in front of you talking to you. You're the chosen user Jin. You're my god." Ive explained.

"Wait, wait, wait... Let me process it first" I said "God damn it, say it to a more understandable way!"

"I was created to find a human being that have the power and will to change the world. Your will to protect and help alone is enough, but you lack power. Thanks to your will, you're now gaining power." Ive explained.

We're just listening, for your information -Kyan

"To change the world? I have no reason to do that, why would I change the world?" I asked her.

"Soon, beings you can't even imagine will come out and rule over the lands. A human then will appear, wielding a strong power with vast army to stop those beings. He will ascend to the skies of souls and be the god that would change the world. That's the prophecy." Ive explained.

"So you're helping me to prepare for that. That means all those times I thought you cared for me was-" I said.

"That's not a lie. I kind of like you Jin. Not in a special way but as a person. I admired your will and your character. You have what it takes" Ive said.

"Thanks but why all of a sudden you appeared?" I asked.

"It seems I'm needed" I said "I can grant everyone here 1% of my power but only 1%. For you Jin, I'll give you my 20%. Last time it's just 5% but now, I'm making it 20"

"Grant us your power? Is that even possible? Can you really do that?" Jane asked.

"You're going to acquire a demonic item right? The 'Ring of Grim' is a very dangerous item to begin with. Why risk it Jane?" Ive asked her.

"What? You're buying a demonic item Jane? You can be devoured by that item. That item might possess you!" Mark said.

"It's the only way" Jane replied.

"Wrong. You can always train, level up and be stronger. The problem is, you're afraid. You're afraid of everyone leaving you because you're weak. Aren't I correct?" Ive said.

"That's not wrong" Jane replied with a low voice. Acquiring a demonic item just to become strong? She would go that far?

"Here, I'll give you a quest. All of you I mean" Ive said "Jin, you still haven't finish your quest. Finish that this afternoon"

"Alright" I said and then quest notifications popped out in front of them.

"What is this?" Eva asked.

"That's a quest notification. That gives you quest, I'm the one giving those quest to Jin" Ive replied "Just tap them and follow the directions"

[Jane's Quest

Use Cube 30 times (0/30)

Quest Reward:

Aquarius]

[Kyan's Quest

Summon all of the fairies (0/5)

Quest Reward:

Gemini]

[Mark's Quest

Take 1000000 damage (0/1000000)

Quest Reward:

Taurus]

[Eva's Quest

Use Magic Beam 20 times (0/20)

Quest Reward:

Virgo]

"Those rewards are all part of the Zodiac Collection. You must work hard for it and those quests can only be completed during the dungeon raid. Now go!" Ive said.

"Will you stay on that form?" I asked.

"Of course but it would suspect some people. After the dungeon raid, I'll join spectre too" Ive replied.

[Name: Jin

Type: Fighter

Role: Brawler

Level: 28

Party: Spectre

Title: Novice Blacksmith

Strength: 50

Agility: 50

Intelligence: 40

Vitality: 5

Sense: 5

Items:

Leo

Andromeda

Aqua Blade

Helen's Wings

Helen's Heart

Helen's Feathers

Skills:

Splitter level 4

Lions Pride level 3

Accelerate level 4

High Jump level 3

Magic Blast level 3

Magic Beam level 3]