Chapter 373: Empathy, Probably


    <strong>373. Empathy Probably</strong>


    The [Lesser Wyvern] loomed over me. It was massive, even in therge cave chamber. Butpared to the Mistress of Remnants or the Frost Lord, it was rtively small. Perhaps it was an adolescent or maybe that was simply because it was lower-leveled at Level 125. However, that didnt matter. Here, in this enclosed space, the Wyvern didnt have much space to fight.


    I leapt forward, flipping over its swiping ws. Daniel moved in front of Edithe and blocked the attack with his Primordial Longsword. He continued parrying its attacks as the redhead sted the Wyvern with fire and ice. I stood on the ceiling, looking down at the battle while I considered my Skills.


    <em>Secondary Skills: </em>


    <em>[Avable Secondary Skill Points: 30]</em>


    <em>[Draconic Fury] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Fragmented Pocket Dimension] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Full Phase] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Greater Teleportation] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Manifestation of the Old Gods] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Truth Divination] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Warped Time] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>


    <em>[Passive - Dragon Scales] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Passive - Master of Material Maniption] - Lvl. 1</em>


    <em>[Passive - Weaker Regeneration] - Lvl.1</em>


    I had Skills. Plenty of new Skills to try out. I hadnt distributed most of my secondary Skill Points yet because I hadnt used most of them just yet. But there were few that piqued my curiosity. One in particr that I wanted to try.


    I raised a hand and pointed at the Wyvern.


    Take this [Truth Divination]!


    There was a sh. A bright light filled the dark cavern. It caused Edithe and Daniel to recoil. Even the Wyvern shielded its eyes with its wings. I waited for something to happen. For the Wyvern tobust or maybe to disintegrate.


    But it just stared up at me, confused.


    Huh.


    I looked down at my finger. Daniel called up to me.


    What was that?


    I dont know


    And the Wyvern roared. It unleashed a st of cold air my way, knocking me off my feet. It didnt hurt as much as I expected it to, even without a ming armor. My [Passive - Dragon Scales] really did its job well. The frostyered over my arms cracked off as I pounced forward.


    I raised a fist, grinning.


    What about this? [Draconic Fury]!


    A red aura overcame me. Like kes of ember or trails of vapor. I swung down as the image of a fierce w oveid with my hands. It was like a Kobolds w, exceptrger. If I had to guess, this was what a Dragons w looked like or at least an imitation of it. I struck down, tearing through the Wyverns hide with ease. It reeled back, stumbling into the rock wall.


    Interesting. This could work well together with [Barrage of Cinders].


    I stared down at these ethereal ws covering my hands. They were a simple buff to my attack it could be quite useful in helping me whittle down a strong enemy. However, I was hoping itd have been a single powerful attack like [Demons Mark] and the like.


    Whoops.


    I ducked under the chomping bite of the Wyvern, then easily danced around a series of follow-up strikes. I shouted at Edithe and Daniel.


    Hey, its your guys turn!


    I wanted them to get some experience from this, after all. They both moved forward as I leapt back,nding right next to a cold hard object. I nced down at the odd sensation and blinked at what I saw. It was the Wyverns egg. But it was only the upper half. It was broken. I stared at it as mypanions assailed the Wyvern for a moment.


    The Wyvern suddenly screeched. It knocked aside both Daniel and Edithe, barreling straight for me. I braced myself, readying the next Skill I wanted to try out.


    [Manifestation of the Old


    And I paused. Something rolled back against my leg. An unbroken egg came to a halt at my feet. I stared down at it, then I looked up at the angry Wyvern. I narrowed my eyes. Even without words, somehow, I could sense the Wyverns feelings and thoughts.


    <em>Wait.</em>


    My voice echoed in the cave chamber. The Wyvern swung down for me with its ws, but I raised a hand. There was a flicker in space. A crack in reality. The air around the Wyvern cracked as it was encased in a fractal dome. The Wyvern struck against the ss-like wall, only for its ws to go sliding off. It backed up, only to find the same translucent dome at its back.


    <em>[Fragmented Pocket Dimension]. I told you to wait.</em>


    I straightened, rolling my eyes. The Wyvern let out a soft growl, and I strode forward.


    <em>Are you going to speak?</em>


    Edithe and Daniel stared at me, puzzled. They exchanged a nce, and the redhead spoke out.


    Salvos, are you saying something?


    Im talking to the Wyvern. I think shes just protecting her nest because we intruded.


    I turned again to the Wyvern, raising a brow.


    <em>Is that right? </em>


    She whimpered, lowering her wings and staying close to the ground. The Wyvern unleashed a frost breath that only filled the room with snow, beforeshing out once again and fell back. There was nothing she could do to break through that. It was my own space, and it wouldnt be easy to prate.


    I watched her fall down, lying with her belly exposed in the sleet. And I saw a cut across her stomach. A deep cut. And it wasnt one that was dealt by either myself or mypanions. I frowned and leaned forward.


    <em>Are you injured?</em>


    The Wyverns eyes darted over to me. She wheezed out tiny snowkes and sighed.


    <em>So what if I am, monster? </em>


    <em>Monster? I am not a monster. I am Salvos.</em>


    I harrumphed, crossing my arms.


    <em>You are the one who killed my leader. You who have doomed my people. You are a monster.</em>


    I was being called a monster by a monster! Seriously? I wanted to argue then I caught myself. The same feeling from before came to me like I could understand how she felt. From her perspective, it did kind of make sense that shed think I was a monster. I was the one responsible for defeating the Frost Lord, after all. Still, I shook my head.


    <em>Even if Im a monster, Im not the one who did that to you. What happened?</em>


    I had an inkling of a feeling. This Wyvern was over Level 120. Gold Ranked monsters wouldnt even be able to touch her. The fact that she was hurt in this cave meant that she had encountered something even higher-leveled than her. And the only possible option was


    <em>A Demon attacked me.</em>


    The Wyvern finally answered. She shook her head and nced towards the exit of the cave.


    <em>It came here and killed my children before they were even born. I only managed to save three of my children before I could chase it away.</em>


    <em>Only three of them?</em>


    I looked back, and sure enough, there were only three Wyvern eggs that remained unshattered. The resty in pieces throughout the nest. I pursed my lips. This was one of thest few Wyverns of wherever they came from. Sharik, or whatever. They hadnt evene here until they were forced out of their homes. Against their own volition.


    I remembered a plea. The Mistress of Remnants begged me to save thest of her people. I didnt like the Mistress of Remnants I tried not to think about what she asked of me. But this Wyvern here was innocent. She didn''t wildly attack us. All she was doing was protecting her children, like I protected mypanions.


    But more than that, the same feeling that pushed me to stop made me reconsider. I stepped back and turned to Edithe and Daniel.


    We shouldnt kill her.


    Edithe blinked, and Daniel stared at me as he spoke.


    Are you serious, Salvos? This is one of the Wyverns that attacked Catark


    Actually, we killed all of those Wyverns. This is a different one. She was with the Frost Lord, but not the Mistress of Remnants. And all she wants to do is protect her children. Plus, she can help us. Im sure she knew where the [Savage Agarat] went, right?


    I looked over at the Wyvern, repeating the question in her tongue. The Wyvern slowly nodded.


    <em>I can tell you where that Demon went.</em>


    See?


    I grinned at Daniel, and he shifted back.


    Still, this Wyvern was one of the ones who attacked our caravan.


    And you attacked me when we first met, remember?


    I waved a hand dismissively. I looked at the [Hero], and he hesitated. Edithe stepped forward, speaking up.


    Maybe its because I wasnt there, but I think Salvos is right. We have no reason to kill this Wyvern if its not going to harm anyone.


    Well, I wouldnt say that.


    I shrugged. Wyverns had to eat, and that meant shed be hunting down monsters, animals, and maybe even Humans. Edithe shuffled her feet.


    I think I may know a [Beast Master] who may be able to help with that. And hell probably be interested in learning more about Wyverns.


    Huh. That''s good. So, what do you think, Daniel?


    The [Hero] looked between Edithe and I. He raised his hands resignedly.


    Youre both probably right. But if anything goes wrong, we me Salvos, alright?


    Edithe nodded.


    Deal.


    Hey, wait what do you mean by that


    I sputtered. Then theyughed. I protested, smiling as I went with the joke. Then I heard a thud. I nced back at the Wyvern as shey sprawled on the ground. Her chest rose withbored breath as her eyes barely hung open.


    I ran over to her side, dismissing my little [Fragmented Pocket Dimension].


    <em>Whats wrong?</em>


    The Wyvern gasped and raised her head slightly.


    <em>I cant</em>


    And that was when I realized her injuries were even worse than I thought. I quickly produced a healing potion and poured it onto the wound. But the blood didnt stop pouring; the cut didnt heal. Daniel and Edithe rushed behind me as I spoke in a reassuring voice.


    <em>Youll be fine. Youll be </em>


    But the Wyvern raised a w. She pointed past me, towards the cave exit.


    <em>The Demon went east. Away from the mountains. Towards the edge of the ins.</em>


    <em>What?</em>


    I stared at her. She met my gaze before looking towards her eggs. The Wyvern ced her w on my chest, and I knew her feelings were true.


    <em>Please, protect them. They are thest children of Sharik. I am sorry. If only that apparition hadnt showed up. If only</em>


    Her eyes rolled up. The connection I felt with her vanished. Shey there, dead, no longer breathing. I drew to my feet, looking down at my hand. A shimmer ran through it as the Skill finally ended. And I realized what had happened from the start.


    [Truth Divination]. I could sense the truth in her words. More than that, I felt her feelings. Her dying breath I could understand the emotions whirling inside of her. She didnt want to leave her children with us, but she had no other choice.


    It was like when I left Haec alone. I had to just trust hed be safe. Like the Wyvern believed that wed keep her children safe. I closed my eyes and nodded.


    Dont worry. Well find that wild Demon and kill it. I promise.


    I got back up and turned to mypanions. A notification resounded in my head one I didnt want and I looked back at Daniel and Edithe who were both a level stronger.


    Come on.


    I ushered them to follow. They exchanged a nce.


    What about the eggs?


    I snapped my fingers as a pair of clones appeared at my side.


    Theyll be fine.


    My clones scooped up the eggs, and I walked out of the former Dungeon. Mypanions followed as I spoke simply.


    Now lets get going. We have a wild Demon to hunt down.