Chapter 163: Proudly Awake


    <strong>163. Proudly Awake</strong>


    It seemed like it took a day for me to regrow my wings after it was shattered by the Lich. Considering that this was a Skill that produced magical wings, it made sense that it could just regenerate with enough time. My real limbs, on the other hand, couldnt just grow back.


    I sighed as I took a look at myself. My body was transformed, [Demonic Essence] taking effect hours ago when the sun rose, making merger, with more arms, a more terrifying appearance all throughout. However, something was missing. The arm I had ripped out and thrown at the Lich was gone. Even after I applied some healing potion on it. Even after I waited a day to transform back.


    It wont regrow, Salvos. Thats not how transformations work. If it did, you can recover from any wound you take in your transformed state just by reverting to your normal self.


    But my wings


    Are made of magic and blood.


    Edithe gestured at the ck ooze dripping from my bone-like wings. I grimaced.


    At least I have [Faux Limbs] now, right? Although


    I focused on the Skill, activating its effects. It could only create up to two limbs at its current level, and they onlysted for about an hour.


    Flexing the ming wed arm recing my missing limb, I hesitated.


    It feels a bit weird. Like its not at full strength yet.


    Thatll probably only happen when you maxed the Skill. Come on, lets go already.


    Edithe grabbed hold of one of my arms, and I nodded. I held a hand out for Daniel too, but he scratched the back of his head.


    Uh, are we sure this is safe?


    Why wouldnt it be?


    I cocked my head. He murmured something.


    Well, you see, uh, if something happens like, if we you know, drop?


    Youll live. You have like 200 [Vitality], dont you?


    Just about, yeah. But


    And youve got a second ss now, too! Stop whining and hurry up already!


    I rolled my eyes, emphatically waving my four free arms at him. He sighed, edging forward.


    If I die


    Daniel was cut off as I yanked him up into the air. With a single beat of my wings, we were off, the fallen castle disappearing rapidly behind us. I soared over the clouds of blight,ughing as the Human man screamed, begging me to slow down.


    I did not. Mypanions wanted to return back to the Humannds as soon as possible, so I would ensure it happened.


    I wasnt sure how long the trip would take. I caught sight of the blight flower fields, the ruined viges once home to so many people, and the undead lurking far beneath me. They scoured the barren earth, a relentless hunger driving them, insatiable, in search for something they would never find.


    I almost pitied them. They were wild creatures. No thoughts beyond the barest instincts that drove them. Worse than rocks.


    It was a long trip. A whole adventure. But finally, it was time for us to leave the gunds, returning stronger than ever.


    <strong></strong>


    --


    <strong></strong>


    Uh, oh. I spot people.


    In the distance, a group of adventurers were entering the gunds. I wasnt sure if they caught sight of me. But I hurriedly dipped down, hiding behind a nket of blight beforending.


    Oh thank


    Daniel fell to the ground, practically hugging it like he was Zacharius and the earth was Lilian.


    I scrambled to put on my clothes. My blue jacket, my pants, my shoes my everything as I transformed back from [Demonic Essence] into my regr form. I tossed the hood over my head, and it got caught by my horns.


    Umm, we have to avoid those adventurers!


    They were just up ahead. We had to go around them. I frantically gestured to our right, trying to get mypanions to move.


    Whats wrong, Salvos?


    Edithe blinked as I yanked the fighting Daniel to his feet. He was trying to equip my Ne of Obfuscation. I pointed.


    Theyreing!


    Cant you just transform?


    Yes, but


    <em>Hey! </em>


    An unfamiliar voice called out. I instantly spun around, hiding behind Edithe as panic settled in. <em>Oh no, if they see me like this </em>


    We saw your summon fall from the sky! We just wanted to check if everything was alright?


    A group of four approached us. They wore uniforms I recognized these uniforms from somewhere. Were they a part of apany?


    The one who spoke was the leader of the group, a rather burly woman with an axe on her back.


    Is everything alright?


    I couldnt see them, but I was pretty sure she was looking at me. I took a deep breath, and stepped out.


    Y-yes, everything is f-fine.


    I barely managed to speak. They exchanged a nce. Edithe and Daniel looked over at me. I was a Human now. There was no sound, no slow transformation that alerted others that something was happening. [Partial Mortality] allowed for rapid shapeshifting, unlike [Mortal Form].


    Its only downside was


    I stumbled forward, grasping at Edithes shoulder. The red-haired woman steadied me, and the adventurers frowned.


    Are you alright?


    The adventurers they were around Level 105 had looks of concerns on their faces. I was about to fall asleep right there, the drowsiness taking over me, clouding my vision. They seemed to identify each of us, and one of them, a young man, snickered.


    These idiots are too low leveled for the gunds. Of course theyre having a hard time dealing with the blight.


    I snapped awake.


    Impletely fine!


    That was a lie. I was doing my best to not fall asleep there and then. But it wasnt because of the stupid blight


    Go home, little girl. This isnt the ce for someone at your level.


    I narrowed my eyes. The man wore a smug look on his face. He was only a level above me, the lowest of his group. But he adjusted his badge as if it was something important, only for the burly woman to snarl.


    Cody, shut up!


    Yeah, shut up!


    I echoed her sentiment, stepping forward on wobbly feet. I was too angry to fall asleep right now.


    Were not low leveled! Ill have you know, we just came back from killing the Lich of the gunds!


    Edithe and Daniel stared at me. The red-haired woman hesitated.


    Salvos, maybe we shouldnt


    I ignored her. Instead, I emphatically stamped a foot on the ground and crossed my arms.


    Thats right! We just killed [The Remnants of Zacharius (Quisling of Fate)]! Ill have you know, he probably could kill all four of you with the snap of his bony fingers!


    Cody, the jerk who mocked me, paused. He looked back at hispanions. Then he burst outughing.


    This girl is actually delusional ha, good one.


    Even their leader seemed to be slightly amused. She tried to stymie her teamsughter, but a grin crept across her face betraying her words.


    I scowled.


    Whats so funny?


    Look, Im sorry Miss, while I respect any adventurer willing to take a risk out here in the gunds, what youve said is just, well, ridiculous.


    She shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye. I red at her with a single open eye. The other one was shut, the bags underneath my eyes weighing my eyelids down.


    Its the truth.


    Do you have any proof?


    I-I


    I didnt think of taking anything. I always created my own weapons, and everything else was provided by mypanions. I had nothing to show.


    I pursed my lips, trying to think of anything I could show them to prove I was better than them. Maybe if I challenged them to a duel


    Actually, I recovered this.


    A voice came from behind me.


    Daniel produced an object in his hand. It shed into existence, the magic of his Dimensional Storage Unit conjuring it out of nothing. It was a skull. But not just any ordinary skull. It had a pair of dim green mes glowing in the center of its eye sockets.


    I blinked as I realized what that was.


    <em>[Skull of Zacharius the Quisling: Unique Grade Item - It is the skull of Zacharius the Quisling. Having been turned into a Lich at the moment of his death, the former [Hero] Zacharius haunted the gunds for many millennia before being vanquished in battle.] </em>


    Thats


    The burly womans eyes grew wide. Cody stepped back, his jaw hanging open.


    T-this has to be a trick!


    Its real.


    Another man spoke. He adjusted his sses, his voice steady.


    The magic emanating from that it cannot be a fake.


    But


    See? I told you.


    I smirked. The burly woman bit her lower lip. Then she took a deep breath, bowing as Cody sputtered.


    I apologize for our disrespect, truly. We were just skeptical because the Lich has existed for thousands of years. The idea that it would just perish never crossed our minds.


    You are forgiven.


    Edithe red at me as I spoke in a haughty voice. The burly woman proffered me a hand.


    Im Katie, the leader of our group. It is an honor to meet you, Miss?


    Me?


    I raised my chin as my eyes closed.


    Im Salvos, the<em> Liberator of the gunds.</em>


    She shook my hand as I felt satisfied with myself. Now that that was settled and I proved my point...


    <strong></strong>


    <em>General Skill [Racial Skill: Partial Mortality] has leveled up!</em>


    <em>[Racial Skill: Partial Mortality - Lvl. 1] -> [Racial Skill: Partial Mortality - Lvl. 2]!</em>


    <em>Experience is awarded for the leveling of a General Skill! </em>


    <strong></strong>


    Huh.


    The words resounded and I cocked my head. Then I copsed, snoring.


    <strong></strong>


    --


    <strong></strong>


    When I woke up, I no longer smelled the blight and death. The putrid stench of the gunds was nothing but a memory in my nostrils, something that seemed like from a time long ago. I sat up abruptly, rubbing my head.


    Ow, ow, ow. Why does waking up feel so painful? Did I travel through time?


    You fell asleep, idiot.


    Daniel stared at me. I frowned.


    Rude.


    Sorry, it sounded funnier in my head.


    I nced around at the room we were in. It was a ratherrge room with a desk and three beds. The floor was carpeted. The drapes were a colorful red, hung over the windows. It seemed like the kind of ce Saffron would stay in. By that, I meant rich.


    Where are we?


    Were in the Crystal Pce, the most expensive inn in Huthwaite.


    I narrowed my eyes.


    Wait, you have money?


    Katie is paying for us. And we <em>will </em>have money once we collect our reward.


    Reward for what?


    For killing the Lich. The Adventurers Guild and various otherpanies, including the Forsaken Company, have a bounty on the Lichs head. Literally. And since you decided to make a scene earlier Edithes collecting that reward now.


    Huh.


    Daniel didnt look away from me. I felt like he was ring.


    What?


    You better not ruin this. If you get us in trouble so we have to pay a thousand tinum fine


    I wont, I wont.


    I snorted, getting to my feet. I dusted myself down my clothes were especially dirty juxtaposed to the fancy carpeted floor.


    How did I get here?


    I had to carry you all the way here. You were pretty heavy, you know?


    He rubbed his shoulders as he made thement. I didnt react.


    Of course you wouldnt care about that.


    I stumbled forward, heading for the doorway. Daniel watched me go.


    Where are you going?


    I gritted my teeth, not feeling like answering him. But my silence was betrayed by the sound that came from my stomach. I nced back at him, apprehensively speaking, not meeting his gaze.


    I, um, feel hungry.


    And Danielughed.


    So, Salvos, are you ready to have some delicious Human food?


    For some reason, Daniel was the one with a hungry look on his face. I raised a hand slowly.


    Maybe I dont feel so hungry anymore?


    My stomach growled.


    Fuck