Chapter 15: the chameleon's games!

When a Filipino got Isekai'd with a twist!

Volume 2 "only I can summon those!" (Pinoy Isekai)

Chapter 15: the chameleon's games

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as Keith and Galahan made their way toward the church. The towering spires of the cathedral loomed ahead, their intricate designs glinting in the fading light. Keith felt a mix of excitement and anxiety; he had heard tales of the church's power and the significance of the appraisal process.

"Are you sure this is necessary?" Keith asked, glancing sideways at Galahan. "I mean, what if they find out I'm just a regular guy?"

Galahan chuckled, his rugged face breaking into a grin. "You underestimate yourself, Keith. The church's appraisal will reveal your true potential. It's not just about your abilities; it's about understanding your role in this world."

"Well, it might turn out handy, maybe."

Keith nodded, though he still felt a knot of apprehension in his stomach. What if they deemed him unworthy? What if they discovered he had no special powers? He pushed the thoughts aside as they approached the grand entrance of the church.

The heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing a vast interior filled with the soft glow of candlelight. The scent of incense hung in the air, and the sound of hushed prayers echoed off the stone walls. Keith felt a sense of reverence wash over him as they stepped inside.

A priest, clad in flowing robes, approached them with a fake smile. "Welcome, travelers. How may I assist you today?"

Galahan stepped forward, his voice respectful. "We seek an appraisal for my friend, Keith Martin. He has encountered a great darkness and wishes to understand."

As they stepped out of the church, Keith couldn't help but feel disappointed. "A normal fighting knight class? That's it?"

Galahan chuckled. "Don't underestimate it, Keith. A normal class can still be powerful with the right training and strategy."

Keith shook his head. "But I was expecting something more... extraordinary."

Galahan clapped Keith on the back. "You'll learn to appreciate your class, Keith. Now, let's focus on training and preparing for the journey ahead."

As they walked away from the church, Keith glanced back at the priest, who was watching them leave. The priest's expression was unreadable, but Keith sensed a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"What did he murmur about?" Keith asked Galahan.

Galahan's expression turned serious. "I'm not sure, but it sounded like he was commenting on your skills. Maybe he was surprised you only have one skill?"

"Well, yeah, it seems that I only have one. I told you I'm not that special," Kieth replied and smiled at Galahan. "Tsk, status window!"

# Divine Blessings

1. *Body and Health Protection Blessing (Goddess Lycana)*: This blessing enhances Keith's physical resilience, allowing him to withstand more damage and recover faster from injuries.

2. *Protection and Advanced Human Tactics and Perception (God of War Antares)*: This blessing grants Keith improved combat tactics, perception, and reaction time, making him a more effective fighter.

3. *Elemental Boost and Resistance Blessing (Goddess Dern Riona)*: This blessing enhances Keith's elemental resistance, allowing him to withstand elemental attacks more effectively. It also boosts his elemental damage output.

4. *Poison Resistance and Holy Light Blessing (God of Knowledge Clique)*: This blessing grants Keith resistance to poison and allows him to harness holy light for various purposes, such as healing or smiting enemies.

# Class and Skills

1. *Class: Fighting Knight Level 90*: Keith's high level indicates extensive experience and training in combat.

2. *Skills:*

1. *Appraisal Max (Hidden)*: Keith can accurately assess the value, properties, and potential of items, people, or situations.

2. *Item Box Max (Hidden)*: Keith has access to a mystical storage space, allowing him to store and retrieve items quickly.

3. *Charge Punch Max (Hidden)*: Keith can perform a powerful, charged punch that deals significant damage.

4. *Heal Level 1 (New Hidden)*: Keith has a basic healing ability, allowing him to restore health to himself or others.

# Special Skill

1. *Super Luck! Max*: Keith's luck is amplified based on his desire to win and emotions. This skill can influence probability, chance encounters, and unexpected events. With Super Luck, Keith can:

- Increase critical hit rates

- Avoid danger or find opportunities.

- Encounter beneficial events or NPCs

- Influence probability in his favor

The effectiveness of Super Luck depends on Keith's emotional state and determination. When he's confident and focused, his luck increases, granting him an edge in various situations.

As they disappeared into the crowd, Keith couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to his class and skills than met the eye.

The priest's words echoed in Keith's mind: "What a weird skill to have; he only has one skill."

Keith's sarcastic inner monologue continued as he walked alongside Galahan. "Yeah, because Super Luck is exactly what I need to fight a demon god. I mean, who needs actual combat skills when you can just rely on luck?"

Galahan glanced at Keith, noticing his friend's distant expression. "Hey, Keith, is everything okay?"

Keith shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine, just processing everything that's happened."

Galahan nodded understandingly. "I know it's a lot to take in, but we'll figure it out together. We've got a long journey ahead of us."

As they walked, Keith couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay in store for him. Would his Super Luck skill prove to be a game-changer, or would it fall flat in the face of danger?

The city's streets were bustling with activity, people going about their daily lives. Keith felt a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos, but he knew his life was about to take a drastic turn.

Suddenly, Keith's thoughts were interrupted by a commotion up ahead. A group of guardsmen were surrounding a figure, shouting and pointing their swords.

"What's going on?" Keith asked Galahan, nodding toward the scene.

Galahan's expression turned serious. "Let's go take a look."

"How about we meet that Antares dude, shall we?" Kieth said, and Galahan just nodded, and they proceeded to ride to their horse and go to their next destination.

Meanwhile, at the present time

Our four heroes are getting surrounded by the knights of the kingdoms because they've been framed by someone.

The four heroes, Cain, Vismond, Chris, and Josh, stood tall, surrounded by the village's knights. The villagers, who had moments before been grateful for their heroism, now gazed at them with suspicion and fear.

"You're under arrest for the murder of the four champions," one of the knights declared, his voice firm but laced with doubt.

Cain's eyes narrowed. "We've been framed again. We didn't kill anyone. We saved a villager from being attacked."

Vismond's voice was calm, but his eyes flashed with anger. "We have witnesses who can vouch for us. This is a setup."

Chris's hands were clenched into fists. "We're not going down without a fight. We've done nothing wrong."

Josh's expression was grim. "Let's not escalate this. We'll clear our names."

The knights hesitated, seemingly uncertain about how to proceed. One of them stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"We have evidence. The villagers saw you near the scene. You match the description of the attackers."

Cain's voice rose in frustration. "That's not evidence. That's circumstantial. You're letting prejudice cloud your judgment."

The situation was volatile, with tensions running high on both sides. It seemed the heroes' fate hung in the balance.

Meanwhile, in the distance.

Frank Abignale, the chameleon, sneered at Ted the Butcher. "You think I'd let this operation fall apart because of one little slip-up? I've been planning this for years."

Ted's face reddened. "Years? You've been dragging this out for years, and now we're the ones taking the fall."

Jack the Ripper chuckled. "Ah, come on, Ted. Don't be so uptight. We've got the heroes right where we want them."

Serena, the lone survivor of the village, limped through the shadows, her injuries aching with every step. She knew she had to keep moving, to find help and bring these monsters to justice.

As she stumbled upon a hidden entrance, she whispered to herself, "I won't let them get away with this... I'll make sure they pay."

Meanwhile, Frank Abignale's group continued to gloat about their plan. "The heroes are trapped, and soon they'll take the fall for our crimes. The world will believe whatever we want them to believe."

The scene cut back to Frank Abignale, Ted the Butcher, and Jack the Ripper, who were discussing their plan to frame the four heroes.

"Ow... This is great development. Did you find that rat?" Frank Abigneil asked, pointing at Serena, who had managed to escape their massacre of the whole village.

Ted the Butcher shook his head. "That bitch is slippery, but she hasn't been far because she suffered a serious injury. Maybe she already died by this time, so don't bother about her."

Jack the Ripper chuckled. "Man, you're always like that. We told you to clean up the mess and not leave any lead or evidence towards us. Now because of that, we almost got caught."

Ted the butcher sneered. "Heh, mess? This is your mess! You're the one who let that bitch go in the first place, dumb fuck! Be thankful I'm helping!"

Meanwhile, the four heroes, Cain, Vismond, Chris, and Josh, were still surrounded by the knights.

"You're under arrest for the murder of Keriel, Lariel, Grath, and Luigie," one of the knights declared.

Cain's eyes narrowed. "We've been framed. We didn't kill anyone. We saved a villager from being attacked."

Vismond's voice was calm, but his eyes flashed with anger. "We have witnesses who can vouch for us. This is a setup."

As the situation escalated, Serena, the lone survivor, was determined to bring justice to the real culprits.

The four heroes, Cain, Vismond, Chris, and Josh, stood before the judges' bench, their wrists bound by heavy iron cuffs. The trial was about to begin, with the kings and queens of the allied nations serving as the jury.

Malukis, the Beastman King, gazed at the heroes with a stern expression. Jessabel, the Queen of the Mermaids, leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. Valeria Eragon, the Queen of the Dragonoids, sat tall, her gaze piercing.

King Eldrin, the ruler of the elves, looked on with a mixture of curiosity and concern. King Youm, the Dwarven King, stroked his beard thoughtfully.

The prosecutor, a stern-looking woman, began her opening statement. "The accused are charged with the brutal murder of four champions: Keriel, the Dragonoid; Lariel, the Mermaid; Grath, the Beastman; and Luigie, the Human."

Cain spoke up, his voice firm. "We're innocent. We were framed. We have evidence and witnesses who can testify to our innocence."

The trial began, with both sides presenting their cases. The heroes' fate hung in the balance as the kings and queens deliberated.

The prosecutor presented various witnesses and evidence, including testimony from villagers who claimed to have seen the heroes near the scene of the crime. The heroes' defense team countered with their own witnesses and alibis, but the prosecutor's case seemed strong.

As the trial drew to a close, the kings and queens of the allied nations conferred, their expressions grave. After a tense deliberation, Malukis, the Beastman King, stood up to deliver the verdict.

"The evidence presented suggests that the accused are guilty of the crimes charged," Malukis declared, his voice firm but sorrowful. "We find the defendants, Cain, Vismond, Chris, and Josh, guilty of murder and conspiracy."

The courtroom erupted into chaos as the heroes' supporters protested the verdict. The heroes themselves looked on in shock and despair, knowing their fate was all but sealed.

King Eldrin stood up, his eyes flashing with concern. "Wait, we can't just condemn them to prison or execution. We need them to help us fight against the demonic force of the Demon Kings."

Malukis, the Beastman King, frowned. "But they've been found guilty of murder. We can't just let them go free."

Valeria Eragon, the Queen of the Dragonoids, nodded in agreement with King Eldrin. "We need all the help we can get against the Demon Kings. If executing or imprisoning them would weaken our chances of survival, then perhaps we should consider alternative punishments."

Jessabel, the Queen of the Mermaids, spoke up. "I agree with Valeria. We can't afford to lose any potential allies in this fight."

King Youm, the Dwarven King, grumbled. "But justice must be served. We can't just let murderers go free."

The argument continued, with the kings and queens unable to reach a consensus. King Eldrin's words, however, had planted a seed of doubt in the minds of the jury.

As the debate raged on, it became clear that the fate of the four heroes hung precariously in the balance.

The new emperor stood up, his voice booming through the courtroom. "I know your concerns; we will come up with another solution, but for now, my final verdict is: Execute them publicly!"

As the emperor's words hung in the air, Josh and Cain exchanged a glance, their eyes locking onto the emperor's face. And then, they saw it—a faint, eerie glow emanating from the emperor's eyes.

The glow was subtle but unmistakable—a deep, burning red that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. Josh and Cain's eyes widened in shock as they realized the horrifying truth: the emperor was under mind control.

The implications were dire. If the emperor was being controlled, who was behind it? And what was their ultimate goal?

As the guards moved to escort them away, Josh whispered to Cain, "We need to get out of here. Now."

Cain nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. They had to escape, and fast, if they were going to uncover the truth behind the emperor's mind control and clear their names.

The emperor's eyes seemed to bore into their souls, as if daring them to defy him. But Josh and Cain knew they had to try. Their lives depended on it.

As the guards led them away, the heroes made their move. Vismond and Chris created a diversion, fighting off the guards and creating an opening for Josh and Cain to escape.

"We'll cover you!" Vismond shouted. "Get out of here!"

Cain and Josh took advantage of the distraction, sprinting down the corridor as fast as they could. But Chris stayed behind, determined to buy them time.

"I've got this," Chris said, his voice steady. "You guys go."

Vismond hesitated, but Chris's determination was clear. "Be careful," Vismond said, before turning to follow Cain and Josh.

Chris stood alone, facing the oncoming guards. And then, he saw him—the chameleon, disguised as a royal knight, his grin creeping across his face like a crack in the wall.

"This is bad," Chris muttered, his heart racing.

The chameleon's grin grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You think you can outsmart me?" he sneered. "I'll enjoy watching you beg for mercy."

Chris steeled himself, ready to face whatever lay ahead. He knew he'd made the right decision, but that didn't make it any easier.

The chameleon took a step closer, his movements eerily silent. Chris prepared to defend himself, knowing he had to hold out for as long as possible.

Chris stood tall, his eyes locked onto the chameleon's grin. The air was electric with tension as the guards closed in, their swords drawn.

"You think you can take us down, hero?" the chameleon sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "We'll show you the true meaning of pain."

Chris smirked, a fierce determination burning within him. "Bring it on," he growled, charging forward.

The guards attacked, their blades flashing in the dim light. Chris dodged and weaved, his fists flying as he took down the first few guards with swift precision.

But there were too many, and soon Chris found himself surrounded. The chameleon watched with amusement, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.

"You can't win," the chameleon taunted. "Surrender now, and maybe—just maybe—you'll live. This is check mate!."

Chris laughed, a fierce glint in his eye. "I'll never surrender," he snarled, launching himself at the guards.

The battle raged on, Chris fighting with every ounce of strength he possessed. He took down guard after guard, but the chameleon remained elusive, watching with an air of superiority.

Just as Chris thought he was gaining the upper hand, the chameleon struck, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Chris barely dodged the blow, his heart racing with adrenaline. He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. The chameleon was too strong, too fast.

But Chris refused to give up. He fought on, determined to buy his friends enough time to escape. The outcome was far from certain, but one thing was clear: only one man would walk away from this fight alive.

To be continued