Vision 6 - Flipping it Up (4)
Swinging down the flaming sword with all my stats, the sword covered in flames cut through the air and touched the surface of the lake water. A small ripple formed on the surface where the sword made contact.
The ripple moved outward, and then the water suddenly rose to nearly a meter in height before slamming hard back into the lake. The water parted, and the lake was cut in half. A path opened up in the middle of the lake, revealing the surface beneath the water for the first time.
If anyone were to see the bottom of the lake now, they would get goosebumps. The bottom was filled with bones and skulls of human-like creatures. The beautiful lake was hiding a terrifying sight underneath.
It was filled with the bones of people who had entered the forest to find the legends and investigate the rumors. This was the reason no one ever left the lake alive.
As the bones revealed themselves, Zoe spoke, stating the reason I already knew.
"Everything needs to be balanced. The power to upgrade required something to sustain its energy. It used the life force of the living."
But there's no reason for you to tell me that, I grumbled internally.
I already knew the reason, but I didn't want to keep information I didn't need. Who wants to know about the cause of thousands of deaths?
I focused and channeled all my magical stats into the flaming sword. The bones began to burn, and a thick gold chain revealed itself. The flames shot from the sword and struck the chains.
Crack.
The flames devoured the chain, and it started to melt. My stats depleted rapidly, and the flames burned at an extremely fast rate. This was the power of a sentient weapon's replica. Cracks began to form on the surface of the chain.
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[You have exhausted your stats.]
[The skill 'Any Sword' has been deactivated.]
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In no time, I used up all my stats, and then fatigue hit me hard. My legs buckled, and I fell to my knees. The fire on the sword was also exhausted, and the sword returned to its original form.
Shit! My stats are still too low.
Swishhh...
The sword I held no longer had any flames, but the flames that had struck the chains were still burning.
The flames of the Flaming Sword were trying to break the chains. Even if it was a replica, these were the flames that had cut through the gates of heaven.
Crack... crack... ting.
The sword returned to its original form, but the flames already on the chains finally broke them.
As the flames disappeared, water began to fill the path, and after a few seconds, it was completely filled. The lake returned to its usual calm state after multiple ripples.
I sat on the ground on my knees and looked at the sword in my hand. It began to shine, and a message appeared in front of me.
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[You have used the Laevateinn-Replica to its maximum power.]
[The durability of the sword has run out.]
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The sword started to rust at a speed visible to the naked eye. It first turned orange, then brown, and then it got darker until it was pitch black. Finally, it turned into powder and flew away with the wind.
I turned to look at Zoe. She was looking at me with regret. I didn't like it and spoke with annoyance.
"What?"
"...I don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything."
I was exhausted after using all my raised stats. It was great to share stats with Persephone, but the fatigue was still there, even with False Awakening.
"I don't know how to repay you."
I tried to sit on the ground more comfortably. Persephone flew toward me and helped me sit.
"I asked you if living alone isn't fun, right?"
Zoe looked at me, and I let out an audible sigh. Zoe spoke with the same depressing tone again.
"...Yes, you did."
"Then come live with me."
"Huh?"
"What I mean is, live with me and protect me."
"What? Am I not enough?"
I ignored Persephone's last question. She didn't realize what I was talking about, but Zoe did.
"So?"
"I will."
She answered almost instantly, which made me smile. I like it when people answer as I want.
Zoe closed her eyes, and soon her body began to shrink until it became human-sized. She floated from the middle of the lake toward me.
She reached the shore and placed her feet on the ground, no longer bound by the chain. She walked toward me, looking happy.
Zoe came closer and crouched down in front of me. Then, suddenly, she cupped my cheeks with her right hand.
"I will live with you."
As she spoke, her body began to shine, and water droplets floated around her.
"I will protect you."
The water droplets also shone like fireflies, and her body began to become transparent.
"I will live for you, the one who gave me my life back. My king."
Her body became faint, like a ghost, and then her faint self entered my body. I felt something wrap around my heart, and a message appeared in front of me.
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[You have acquired a passive skill: 'Zoe's Heart Lvl. 6']
[Skill: Zoe's Heart Lvl. 6
Description: Zoe has a literal translation to life. It is the heart of life. You will not have any impurities or imbalances in your body. Because of the heart of life, your body will be in its best condition.]
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[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars and Candy' comments, "Why did you get the lady's heart?"]
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What does he mean by that? I got the skill.
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[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartbroken' is jealous of Zoe.]
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And why is she jealous? Nubeculas like them are tough to understand.
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[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is satisfied with the reward you got.]
[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is happy watching the story he is associated with have a good ending.]
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At least some Nubeculas were acting the way they should. Hwang Jini seems to like the whole script. She might have figured out that I made it all happen.
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[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments, "I will make you famous."]
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This message almost gave me a heart attack, but I won't have one now. I know Gumiho is going to go around telling everyone about it. Nubeculas watching me are extremely weird.
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[You have cleared the Hidden Script.]
[Rewards are being processed.]
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[Rewards: 6,000 points and passive skill 'Zoe's Heart.']
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I received the clearance message from the Hidden Script and the rewards, which were much higher than those of a normal Hidden Script. Still, I didn't get any "first found" rewards. Someone else must have discovered it before me—perhaps that person is among the pile of bones inside the lake.
I leaned back, resting against the tree trunk behind me. I tried to relax, but I felt someone staring intensely at me. It was bothering me.
"What is it?"
"You womanizer."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
I waved my hand dismissively. I was tired and didn't want to deal with Persephone's teasing. Through our Soul Contract, I could feel no jealousy from her, only a little anger.
"Nothing."
She grumbled something, but I couldn't hear her. I wasn't sure why I felt anger through our connection, but I thought it wise not to question an angry woman.
After half an hour of rest, I felt completely recovered. Zoe's Heart improved my body, and I could feel the energy returning to me. This skill was truly amazing; in such a short time, I was fully restored.
I got up and stretched my legs. I felt no discomfort—in fact, I felt like I could run a marathon.
"You should rest some more. You exhausted all your stats."
As I stretched my arms and legs, I heard Persephone's cold voice. I looked toward her while stretching. She was sitting on a small boulder near the lake, looking more beautiful than Zoe ever did to me.
Although it seemed she had returned to her normal self, I could still sense some anger. I really didn't know why she was angry. I shook my head helplessly.
"I'm fully recovered. Now, let's get out of the forest."
Since I was recovered, it was wise to leave the forest. Even though we hadn't encountered any evolved animals on our way, we were still deep inside the forest, and danger could be lurking anywhere.
"You're going in the wrong direction. It's this way."
As I stepped forward to leave the forest, I halted at Persephone's words and turned around with a smile on my face. I walked in the direction she pointed.
"What would I do without you by my side?"
As I walked past her, I said those words in a low voice. I felt the anger she was harboring slowly dissipate.
I didn't exactly know the reason for her anger, but I remembered how she had asked me if she wasn't enough to protect me. That was all I could think of to restore her mood. I had to—constantly feeling someone else's emotions was troubling.
After walking for a while to exit the forest, I found Bob outside, fidgeting. He was pacing in circles with an anxious expression. When he saw me, his anxious look turned into a happy one.
"I'm glad you're safe. I was worried."
I smiled at his words, feeling a little guilty because I had technically used him.
"I was going to ask the Church to send someone into the forest if you didn't come out by sunset."
That statement almost made me frown. The Church acted as both a police station and a place of worship. It would be problematic if I were recorded here.
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine," I reassured him.
"Yes, I can see that, and I'm glad."
He truly looked happy to see me. He then gestured toward the city with open arms.
"I remember you said you're here for travel."
"Yes?"
"Since that's the case, I urge you to spend the night at my house."
I was a little shocked by the sudden invitation. I hadn't spent a night anywhere because it would require registering my name. Even if I used a fake name, they would still record my facial features.
"Please accept it. Even though we've known each other for a short time, so many things have happened that I feel close to you."
I understood that. He felt closer to me as a fellow woodcutter and someone with whom he had experienced a Hidden Script. If I had to guess, he probably thought of me as a friend.
"Okay, but it will be just for tonight."
Bob smiled widely. He really was an honest and good man—good enough to trigger a story of an honest woodcutter.
"Of course! You can visit for as long as you like."
"It will just be for tonight."
I was serious. Tonight was the only night I would stay in the city. Tomorrow, I would leave for Trivia—or rather, I had to leave.
Thinking about tonight, a smile formed on my face, and I started walking toward the city as Bob walked beside me.
I didn't see the three axes he had gotten from Zoe. He must have gone home first to leave them there. That was good; I didn't want to be seen with a man carrying axes made of gold and silver.
We casually chatted as we walked through the streets of Brigians. It was evening now, and people could be seen heading home. Some were roaming around, enjoying the streets.
The place was lit up, stores were open, and I could see all kinds of humans and demi-humans. There were also many other kinds of people as well.
"It sure looks peaceful."
"Yes, the Church really maintains the city well."
I just smiled as Bob went on praising the city.
After walking for a while, we reached a typical house with an American-style design, made of high-quality wood. It looked sturdier than a brick house back on Earth.
"Come in."
Bob held the door open and invited me inside.
I nodded and stepped in.