chapter 2
I stood there stunned, staring at the lizards corpse.
"Hey, kid!"
It took me a second to realize that they meant me, I looked up and saw a small group of people heading towards me.
"You ok? We saw you running from that monster, and we decided to help, humans should stick together, that's the only way we can keep alive in this god-forsaken world,"
Collecting myself I shook my head, "I'm fine, It was just leaving, It would have been fine,"
The guy stopped about 10 feet away and shouldered his rifle, "Yeah, I saw that, How did you manage to get it to leave? Usually once they see prey they hunt it down to the ends of the earth,"
I stopped myself from saying 'It was leaving because of my skill, instead I muttered "Apprasial" under my breath, covered my silence with a big swig of water.
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Mark
Race- Human
Age- 34
Level- 18
HP- 99%
MP- 7/10
SP- 9/10
Will- 9/10
Disposition- Cunning
Skills-
*Leadership
*Tracking
*hiking
*Detection
*Current Statuses
*Charmed
*Hysteria
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My natural distrust of humans made me say "I dunno, probably just got tired of chasing a bean pole like me," I ran my eyes over the rest of his followers.
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Samantha
Race- Human
Level- 12
Bob
Race- Human
Level- 15
'Gregory'
Race- Doppelgänger
Level- 56
Mark
Race- human
Level- 9
Tay
Race- Human
Level- 17
Beth
Race- Human
Level- 13
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I choked on my water, there's a Doppelgänger!? Aren't those bad?
'Ding' *Doppelgängers kill, eat and take the place of a human, to seduce another human into carrying their child, more often than not they will kill and eat humans just because they like the taste of them*
Nice to know, anything I could do to help them?
'Ding' *the average level of all present humans is 11.833, if you try to expose the Doppelgänger, it would result in a total Wipeout.*
I growled in Frustration, my eyes being drawn to Mark as he took a step back and put his rifle in a ready position. "What? You see something?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, "You aren't a human," the rest of his group also got their weapons ready.
Baffled I stood up slowly, "What are you talking about man?"
He leveled his rifle, aiming at my face. "Only monsters can do that,"
"What?"
"The Lizard left you alone way to easily, and you feel like a monster,"
'Ding' *He detected Bloodlust, which was enhanced by the Wrath skill.*
Oh, raising My hands slowly I started in a calm tone. "It's not what you thin-"
"Shut up! I have seen monsters talk people into their own mouths! Another word and your brains will be coating the road!"
I closed my mouth and took a step back, This was not a good situation.
He started ranting about how it was disgusting that monsters mimed at being human, and that all monsters needed to die, very slowly I walked backwards, trying to put distance between us. I didn't want to use Skills on humans, who knows what kind of side effects would happen!
A loud roar stopped his rant and pulled all of their attention, mine still stuck on the barrel of the gun, there was a crash and a deep hiss, then sounds of two gigantic creatures fighting.
'Ding' *It is recommended that you escape while they are distracted.* almost before I read it my feet were already pumping to quickly take me away.
At first the fear of death kept me running, but that slowly turned to rage, could I really do nothing? I could have at least tried to save them, am I really that useless?
'Ding' *It is recommended that you calm down.*
"Really!? Calm down?! I am leaving people to get eaten and r-" I choked on the word, a new surge of all consuming rage made me stumble.
'Ding' *You don't really feel tha-*
I angrily dismissed the notification before I read the rest of it. "Oh so I am not angry that I am killing who knows how many people? And forcing them to carry a flesh-eating monsters child!?"
'Ding' *You need to calm down.*
That pushed me over the edge, I stopped and my vision turned red.
===
I have no name, as a White Fenrir, No one bothered to give one to me, I am pretty young compared to my mother and father, only a little over 5 and a half centuries. I lept sideways crashing into one of those flimsy human buildings, causing it to fall on top of the two of us, for the most part the debris just bounced off of my snow white coat, it definitely bothered the Titan boa more. Leaping forward I snapped my jaws on the Boa's neck, but let go and jumped backwards to dodge its whipping tail, It hissed at me in defiance, so I growled back, it may be twice my size, but It isn't nearly as experienced in battle as I am. A burst of wind almost pushed me sideways, distracting me for a moment, as inexperienced as the Titan Boa is, it isn't stupid, It took that chance to Flee. I decided to look other places for entertainment, and the odd wind is definitely interesting. There are sudden changes in weather, but never so much so fast, It went to a windless day, to a gale that could push me if it hit my flank. Looking up I saw clouds gathering, circling a place not too far, I felt my body shrink, no longer in a battle I returned to the size of a large wolf. with a fierce grin I bounded my way to the center of the storm. Passing some Humans and a Doppelgänger on the way, the Doppelgänger noticed me, but discreetly guided the humans out of the way. By now it was starting to rain, the wind furiously clawing at the falling droplets, causing them to fall almost horizontally. As I rounded a corner I saw a Human, standing in the middle of a small clearing, I turned and got to a good vantage point, curiosity peaking, I have seen Elementals cause shifts in weather, I have even seen Godlings do minor changes over a long period of time, but never a human. As I watched, the human screamed out in guilty rage, I immediately recognized it, I felt the same way when my Young and foolish self led my whole pack to be slaughtered. The storm roared with him, as if it felt his rage as well. A small flock of Axe-Beaks ran from the cover of a building and charged the human, a young Axe-Beak could split the average human in half from skull to feet with their Claw sharp beaks, as they rushed the Human I waited to see if it would run, but It didn't. It's gaze locked on the Axe-Beaks and roared again, this time more rage than guilt, as I watched the Human lunged forward and grabbed one of the birds by its leg, I couldn't stop a scoff, they may look light, but each one weights almost thrice as an adult wolf. As another Axe-Beak positioned itself and slammed its head down, the human pulled the original Axe-Beak in the path, and beheaded it, he then took the head and used it as a flail, deftly dodging the remaining birds, using the head, he slammed It into the body of the nearest bird, cutting very deep, almost deep enough to cut all the way through. After a few seconds of fierce battle the human stood victorious, after a couple of seconds a few valley lizards rushed the human fangs bared, but as soon as they got close they noticeably stalled, as a Ætherial line lashed out and clung to them, as I watched they started losing volume, within seconds I could see ribs as if they were starving, their scales growing grey, the human on the other paw straightened, as if his energy got renewed, then lept after the Lizards, quickly dispatching them. having seen enough, as well as growing hungry I slunk back and headed out to hunt, At least I saw something interesting today.
===
The crash of lightning jolted me back to consciousnes, soaking wet I looked around in the tempest I was surrounded by the bodies of many creatures, some ostrich sized birds with axe shaped beaks, a few lizards, a couple panther looking creatures, and a humanoid tree thing.
'Ding' *welcome back to reality.*
I shook my head, trying to clear it a little. "What happened?" My voice was hoarse like I have been talking for hours without rest.
'Ding' *You lost control of yourself because of the skill Wrath.*
"I don't remember Activating it,"
'Ding' *Wrath is a passive skill.*
Finally noticing the stature of the Lizards, "They look like they were starving,"
'Ding' *that is the result of completely draining a creatures energy.*
I could only stare in horrified fascination. The storm started dying down noticeably, bringing a soothing calm through me. "What is with this storm? It was a nice day last I remember,"
As an answer my stats came up.
--------------------------------
Alex
race- Error
age- 19
level- 11
HP- 65%
MP- Error/-0
SP- 1/10
Will- 1492/Error
Disposition- Kind {Really Too kind for your own good, it baffles me how you are still alive}
Skills-
>Vamperic Empath >Wrath >:ŒĮĐ ÞÆĮŅÞ< {just nonsense, even I can't read it}
>Child of the Storm< {Nature rages at her children's pain}
>'Apprasial' *Depression[Chronic] {if I wasn't omnipotent I would seriously doubt this}
*Voids Blessing {The god of the void gave you their blessing so you wouldn't die immediately, so you would be more entertaining to them}
*Exhaustion[Greater] {You are really tired}
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I just stared at the screen in blank shock, I thought that the God of the void was just going to enhance my abilities?
'Ding' *You always had an affinity with the wind. And you would literally take others pain upon yourself. And your emotions have always been... intense*
I guess it does make sense in a twisted fashion, "But," I looked back towards the emanciated lizards.
'Ding' *Emotion is a type of energy.*
"Oh if I killed all of these creatures, how come I am only level eleven, when the lizard shot me up to level 4?"
'Ding' *Experience is directly proportional to the difficulty and length of a battle.*
"So the fighting these creatures are easy?"
'Ding' *False, with your Wrath peaking you completely dominated the creatures, as you are now, you could only run away from a single one.*
"How much stronger does Wrath make me?"
'Ding' *quite a bit, but it also makes you not fear death, as well as feel pain.*
"How much is 'quite a bit'?" I wanted to know my strengths.
'Ding' *Quite a bit*
Not wanting to dance around Apprasials vagueness I muttered. "I just want to take a nap," I started heading back to my current base of operations, which looks like a hotel room crossed with an apartment. The journey there was uneventful, the only thing of note was the complete lack of life. Not even a bird flew overhead.
That night I slept like the dead, when I woke up it was nearly midday.
'Ding' *Good morning sleeping beauty.*
Grumbling about Apprasial as well as my empty stomach I rooted through my bags, looking for anything I may have missed, but finding nothing. My eyes fell upon a small berry vine growing through the window, "Hey Apprasial, can you tell me if something is edible or not?"
'Ding' *Affirmative.*
I walked over to the berries, "well?"
'Ding' *What?*
Exasperated I sighed, "Apprasial," I muttered towards the pure yellow berries.
'Ding' *Lightning berries- Edible.*
"Awesome!" I took one and popped it into my mouth; which spasmed and went numb as if shocked, the berries tasted like fully charged batteries crossed with lemons and oranges. I tried to say, 'Aghh! Apprasial I thought you said they were edible!' But what came out was "Aghh! A'aith'el, I 'augh' ou thai' 'ey 'er 'e'i'al,"
'Ding' *Lightning berries- Edible, contains equivalent voltage as a 9 Volt battery, can be used as a power source.*
The numbness already started fading, after a few minutes I could finally speak, although I had a lisp. "You could have let me know,"
'Ding' *You didn't ask.*
Wishing that I could strangle Apprasial I looked around, there were a couple more plants, so I Appraised them.
'Ding' *Heartroot- Inedible. Deathweed-Center Edible, exterior contains powerful neurotoxin. Doomleaf- Edible when cooked. PoisonBloom- Edible, inedible when cooked. Cottoncone- Inedible*
"Seriously? The names are kind of ominous,"
'Ding' *Yes, Would recommend care when harvesting.*
"Obviously, Any gimmicks with these?"
'Ding' *No, Poisonbloom become a extremely powerful tetraplegic when cooked, and Cottoncone juice Numbs anything It touches, put a drop on your tongue, and you wont be able to speak properly for Weeks*
"What does 'tetraplegic' mean?"
'Ding' *It will paralyze you.*
I looked at the black and dark purple flower dubiously, "How am I supposed to eat the poisonbloom?"
'Ding' *As is, just pluck the flower and chew.*
"Isn't purple a bad color to eat?"
'Ding' *In a mundane world. For the most part yes.*
"But how can I trust you?"
'Ding' *If you die, I also perish.*
That surprised me, "Really?"
'Ding' *You are the only one with the Apprasial skill, yes, although If you have children they have a high chance of inheriting me.*
"Cool, well Yolo," I tossed the flower into my mouth, It tasted like wild huckleberries with a hint of wild onions, but in a good way. "Mmm, I like it,"
'Ding' *What does 'Yo-low' mean?*
I let out a laugh, "it's spelled Y-O-L-O, And it means 'You only live once',"
'Ding' *in many cases that is true, but why did you say it?"
shrugging I explained, "I don't know off the top of my head, but it is just something that you say before you do something potentially dangerous, I think it is supposed to mean 'you only live once so live it to the fullest' or something along those lines," After a short pause the first part of what Apprasial said hit me, "What do you mean 'in many cases' people live more than once?"
'Ding' *I never said that.*
"Yes you did!"
'Ding' *Did not.*
"Did- you know what, I'm not doing this today, but for the record you did,"
'Ding' *I never said anything of the sort.*
Vexed I ignored Apprasials last comment and picked as many flowers as could fit in my food bag, which was a insulated cloth grocery sack. I looked over at the other plants, "Those could be useful..." following my whim I harvested them as well, "Hey Apprasial why are there so many plants here?"
'Ding' *The previous owner had a surplus of exotic plants.*
"Huh," deciding not to question Apprasials odd knowledge and lack thereof I continued on with my careful picking.
Bags bulging of various plants I headed out to continue my journey.
'Ding' *Where are you heading?*
"This way," I said cheerfully.
'Ding' *No I mean where is your end goal.*
I shrugged. "Wherever I end up,"
There was a noticeable pause, 'Ding' *You are lost aren't you?*
I grinned, "Sounds that way huh? But nope, Just wandering. With a slight shift of wind I stopped, then started heading in that direction.
'Ding' *Why are you changing direction?*
"Just 'cause I felt like it, every time I follow the wind, I end up somewhere interesting,"
'Ding' *do you feel anything different?*
I stopped, "What do you-" then it hit me, I have been in a abnormally cheerful mood since I left the building. "I don't feel depressed at the moment, and very upbeat,"
'Ding' *PoisonBloom may be a powerful antidepressant.*
"Huh, that's neat,"
'Ding' *You are fine with your emotions being altered by outside means?*
"Dude I used to take like six different pills daily, I'm used to it,"
'Ding' *...*
After a while of walking, I came across a music store, and after only a moments hesitation I walked in.
'Ding' *What are you doing?*
"Getting materials,"
'Ding' *For...?*
"Snares and stuff, just about anything could be repurposed, and Guitar strings will be very useful,"
'Ding' *So you are going to destroy someone's hard work because it would be useful?*
A little indignant my words had more heat than necessary. "It's not like they will be using it," inside the building, it's walls were covered in various instruments with ivy growing through them, there was a checkout desk with a cash register, and in the center of the whole room was a glass case, so throughly coated in plant matter that I had to move a little to see that it was glass. Curiosity peaking I spent a while clearing it off, revealing an obsidian masterpiece of a guitar, I don't know the difference between a Gibson or a Martin, but even I can tell that this is master craftsmanship. Awestruck I whispered "Apprasial,"
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Bulletproof glass
Rarity- Rare
Level 8 bulletproof glass, about as strong as a dragon's scales, there is a battery operated alarm connected to the case, as well as 20 different sensors to activate separate alarms.
--------------------------------
"Not that, the guitar," I was too enamored with the work of art in front of me to be Mad at Apprasial.
--------------------------------
'Heartsong'
Rarity- Unique
An acoustic guitar made by Arcoa Witherman, It took him 15 years after mastering the construction of guitars. He decided to make one last one before he died, he was found dead at the age of 85, laying at the base of this guitar. it was made with such precision and care that it easily took in the natural mana of the new world and become magical, before it became magical, anyone could play it and make money off of it, but now it would put any professional guitar player to shame, if played by a professional, it could stop the world in place to listen.
There is a GPS tracker hidden inside of the body, but it no longer works.
--------------------------------
"Wow," That is the longest description I have ever seen, but it just fit, I felt a presence when looking at the guitar, it felt alive.
'Ding' *It is just a hunk of wood, are you going to use it for a fire?*
I couldn't fathom destroying such a masterpiece, "hell no, I could never destroy something so... amazing,"
'Ding' *You don't have the keys to open up the case, Nor do you have a safe place to keep it, so why are you drooling over it?*
"You're right, too bad I didn't bring my lockpicking set, I'm not great at it, but I could probably get a lock open, well let's go and get what I came here for," tearing my gaze away from 'Heartsong' I started gathering extra guitar strings, and various bits of metal that used to be Instruments.
On my way out I took one last look at the guitar, and sitting on the case was a metal guitar case, fairly plain, but obviously sturdy, and a ring of keys. "Where did those come from?"
'Ding' *No idea, there was no other presence while you were in the back.*
I couldn't stop a victorious grin, "well it would be a shame to leave such a beauty gathering dust in the dark," I took the keys and started unlocking the case, there was quite a bit of trial and error, there were nearly 20 different keys on the ring, and only 8 locks, the first one I got wrong, a light flashed and a low wail started, but it quickly died off. After about ten minutes of fiddling with the keys and locks the glass case popped off, breathless I gently took the guitar and held it like I was about to play it, it's weight dissolved, and it sat across me like it was custom made to fit me, experimenting with a couple notes I tuned it to the best of my ability, and a played a little tune, it felt like I played this specific instrument all of my life, my body knew every small detail of 'Heartsong' I didn't play even one sour note, it was an incredibly intoxicating sensation.