Chapter 5 The Voice Within

Issei felt chills run down his spine.

'A-A-Another monster?!'

[If you wish to "see me," boy, then look to the device located on your left arm. ]

Issei hesitantly moved his eyes down towards the gauntlet.

[As I said, you will not "see" me, for I reside within you. This voice and this gauntlet is merely the greatest representation of my current self.

In other words, I am part of you. ]

(—!)

"You. .

. You're.

. .

inside of me. .

? Am I. .

. p-possessed?"

[No, I am not "possessing" you. Your body is your own.

I have no control over your thoughts, nor your actions. I am no more than a voice in your head.

My spirit is simply sealed within your "gear," foolish boy. ]

"G-Gear. .

?"

[—"Sacred Gear. " Devices created by the Biblical God.

This device on your arm, which I am contained in, is known as the "Boosted Gear," one of the 13 "Longinus": god-slaying weapons. It is a "Mid-tier" Longinus, to be precise.

As it is now, however, it won't display much potential. The fact that you were even able to unlock it through sheer will is remarkable on its own, especially considering your age.

The potential will most likely come from you. .

. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you are capable of activating its power yet.

If you had done so, then you would have surely collapsed. Even whether you would survive that or not is uncertain as well.

Be grateful that the beast had fled when it did. ]

". .

I…. .

D. .

. "

Issei had no words. If anything, he didn't have thoughts either.

Hardly anything the voice said was being properly processed within his young mind. Too many "big words" didn't help his case much either.

[It seems that I was the foolish one to believe that you could comprehend such complex and foreign concepts. Forget about what I've told you for now, that can be discussed later.

More importantly, you must find somewhere safe to hide. ]

The disembodied voice's words reignited the fear in Issei.

"W-What?! Why?! Is there another monster?!"

[Quiet, boy. Do not speak aloud.

You can communicate with me through thoughts alone. You needn't announce yourself to anything else.

]

'Eh? I can "think" to you? Oh. .

! O-Okay! T-Then, what's the problem— um. .

'

[I am the Welsh Dragon Emperor, "Ddraig. " You may address me as such when needed.

]

'O-Oh, okay. .

. Um.

. .

D-Ddraig. .

. ? What's the problem now? Why do I need to hide? Is the monster from before coming back?'

[Well, as of currently, there is no immediate threat within about twenty-five meters of you. The problem lies outside of that radius.

]

'R-Radi. .

. us? Uh, "Immediate" means "now," right? So, I'm not in danger now, but something far away is dangerous? Twenty-five "meters?" Um, okay.

. How far is that?'

[Unimportant. The main issue is what, not where.

]

'Oh, okay. .

. Then, "what" is it?'

[Many things. Magical beasts of different variety, measuring in completely different levels of strength.

The one you faced was a major weakling. Much of its power outside of physical capability was nothing to note.

It's only because you're a child, let alone a mere human before unlocking me, that it even posed a threat to you. Had those people from before not been measly humans like you, they might've survived their encounters.

]

(—!)

Issei remembered the woman's severed head from before, and was then suddenly reminded of the girl in his arms. She was unconscious.

Maybe it was during the roll or the initial mayhem, but she ended up passing out. What was he supposed to do with her now?

[Focus, my young partner. We have greater issues at hand.

If you don't find somewhere safe soon, then you will surely perish. There are many approaching threats far greater than the measly Nightwalker roaming about.

They are all moving in separate directions, at random. They are most likely like-minded beasts with no true direction, wreaking havoc across this village you reside in.

They're bound to find you at some point. .

Tell me, boy. Is this a capital?]

'Uh. .

. I don't know.

This town is called Kuoh. .

'

[I see. I cannot fully grasp the size of your town because you are still too weak.

Our connection isn't very strong yet. There is a limited range that I have with this body of yours.

And even now, it is taking most, if not all, of my focus in order to create a "radius" for the purpose of keeping you aware. If our connection was stronger, or perhaps if your body was, then I could do more.

But for now, this is the extent of it. So the greatest estimation I can make about how many "beasts" are located in your town is limited.

]

'So… How many monsters do you think there are?'

[Hmm. .

I can't give you a proper estimate, but the unsettling truth is: You are surrounded by them. ]

CHILLS. .

!

Issei's throat felt unbelievably dry. He couldn't even begin to imagine what else could be out there, even more dangerous than the "Nightwalker.

" He needed to find somewhere safe. He needed to go hom—

[—?!]

"OKAA-SAN! OTOU-SAN!"

Issei shouted unintentionally.

His parents. That's right, Issei was so distracted by thoughts of self preservation that he'd forgotten about his own mother and father.

[Your family, is it? That is troublesome. If you truly care for them, then I believe this is more of a disadvantageous situation than I thought.

Are they regular humans?]

'Yes! They don't do anything crazy or have anything like this! We don't have special powers! . .

. I think…'

[Hmm. I also don't believe that they possess any abnormal qualities.

If they had, then at the very least, the mere exposure to it would stir me in my sleep, even if just a bit. I experienced no such thing in my short time with you.