ã€ŠI got a divine life simulation system, but the women i saved won&#x2019;t leave me alone.ã€‹


 Saint academy

    I was accepted into Saint Academy after fighting hard for my place, but doubt still lingered¡ªhad I done enough? Each day, I pushed myself from the bed into my wheelchair, facing the reality that I had always battled weakness, never imagining it would confine me so completely..

    I was accepted as a scholarship student after showing above-average mana skills for my age, and after living my life as an unwanted stepchild, I decided to take the offer and come to study here.

    I was fairly confident with my abilities and felt this was my chance to start fresh, but the academy isn''t without flaws.

    Nobles and royal families attend this school, and it isn''t a fair playing ground for a commoner like me.

    To navigate the academy''s challenging terrain, students underwent three entry exams that determined their class placement: S for the top tier¡ªpredominantly filled with royals and those with extraordinary talent; A for exceptional abilities; B for above-average talent; and C for the average. As a commoner, my path felt uncertain.. The S class was reserved for the very best, and they were often royals or people with godlike talent who just won the genetic lottery.

    The A class was for those with exceptional abilities, the B class was for those with above-average talents, and the C class was for those with average abilities.

    I scored well on the written and magical exam, and just when I thought I had done good enough to make it to one of the higher classes, the physical exam began.

    They partnered up all of the new applicants at random, and I just happened to get the star pupil of the academy, the prince of the glorious empire, Lambert, his royal Highness Lancelot.

    A dubious name for an unpleasant bastard.

    His handsome facade was enough to capture the heart of any woman unlucky enough to get close to him.

    I was called onto the dirt stadium by the instructor, in which we were to duel until one of us conceded.

    I could feel the pressure mounting as I faced off against the prince, knowing that my performance would be scrutinized by everyone watching. Despite his royal status, I was determined to prove myself worthy of being in the same class as him.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Blocking his swift attacks, he swung the wooden training sword down at my head. I turned my body and allowed the sword to smash into the ground where I was.

    Stepping hard onto the blade, I threw my fist into the would-be king''s face and watched as the princely-like smile that he had plastered on his face was wiped clean off and what replaced it was anger.

    "How dare you¡ªa mere commoner¡ªlay your hand on me!"

    Lancelot began to channel his aura into his sword and ran straight toward me.

    "Hey¡ªhe can''t do that"

    As the sword struck my stomach, a sharp pain radiated through me, forcing the air from my lungs. I was flung back onto the hard ground, a dull thud echoing in my ears. "I concede¡ª" I choked out as pain surged through my body, desperately trying to salvage the words that slipped away with my consciousness..

    ¡°Lancelot wins the duel¡±

    I look toward the instructor as he calls out the obvious and I run my eyes among the people standing watching the duel.

    The uncomfortable feeling was palpable and I could see the sweat drench the brows of most of the commoners here. This wasn¡¯t a place to learn, it was a place to survive.

    Crouching down on one knee Lancelot whispered something to me before the instructor got to us at the center of the courtyard.

    ¡°You will never be able to stand up to anyone again, including myself. I hope I taught you what no school can¡­ the cruelty of the world. You will never be able to return the favor.¡±

    I watched as he turned to the watchers of the duel and smiled and persuaded them to cheer for him.

    As the reluctant applause echoed in my ears¡­.

    I felt horrid pain¡­.

    pain from my bones in my legs being turned into dust¡­.

    I felt my consciousness slip away from me.

    ======================================

    I still worked hard even with my new disability graciously provided by Lancelot.

    Valerie, my teacher, became my anchor in this relentless environment, providing not just ingredients for my experiments but faith in my abilities. Her unwavering support shone like a beacon in my darkest times, reminding me I wasn¡¯t alone.. Valerie, my teacher, supported me and provided ingredients for my experiments.

    =================================================

    ¡°Thank you Miss Valerie you have always been there for me even when no one else would.¡±

    ¡°Of course Al, if no one else has you I will I promise¡±

    Albert felt blessed to have someone so reliable in this horrid place.

    ¡°You ready to begin your work, my little apprentice?¡±

    Giggling to herself she began to bring out her potion book in preparation for their experiments.

    "I can¡¯t wait!" I exclaimed, feeling excitement bubbling within me as I resolved to transform every obstacle into my strength, ready to embrace the trials of alchemy and prove I could thrive in this academy!¡±

 A chance to be more

    Under Miss Valerie¡¯s guidance, my days at Saint Academy became bearable, even meaningful. The jeers and sideways glances of my classmates still stung, but they felt bearable when I was Here. With her, I could forget the harshness of the outside world.

    ¡°Miss Valerie, is this mana potion supposed to look like this?¡± I asked, holding up a flask with a weird jade-like swirl that shimmered like glitter under the bright lights of the Alchemy lab. My brow furrowed as I swirled the liquid, watching the faint traces of mana ripple inside.

    She walked over, her steps as light as ever, her presence warm and comforting. Bending down, she leaned close. Close enough to feel the soft brush of her breath tickling the back of my neck. ¡°Let me see,¡± she murmured, reaching around me to take the flask in her slender fingers.

    Her hair, fragrant with hints of mint and earthly herbs, brushed against my cheek as she inspected the potion.

    ¡°Hmm... Well done, Al. That¡¯s a low-grade mana potion,¡± she said with a soft laugh, her voice carrying the warmth of an almost motherly pride..

    I let out a deep breath I was holding in apprehension of possible disappointment. ¡°It is?¡±

    ¡°It is.¡± Her arms encircled me from behind in a gentle embrace, her chin resting lightly on the top of my head. ¡°Congratulations, my little alchemist,¡± she teased, her voice playful but laced with tenderness.

    Heat radiated from my checks that could rivaled one hundred suns at that moment.

    The feeling of achievement made me feel good. I have finally made something with my own hands accomplishing what I wanted to.

    ¡°Miss Valerie...¡± My voice faltered, and I turned in my wheelchair to face her, meeting her gaze directly. The scarlet pools for eyes staring at me were the most enchanting thing I have ever seen.

    ¡°Thank you,¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve always been there for me, even when no one else was. I wouldn¡¯t have come this far without you.¡±

    Her smile softened, and she knelt so we were at eye level.

    ¡°Al...¡±

    Smiling gently at me she calmly stated

    ¡°Even if I weren¡¯t here, you¡¯d still achieve everything you set out to do. You¡¯re talented, determined, and far more capable than you give yourself credit for. All you needed was a little guidance, and I was more than happy to give it.¡±

    The sincerity in her words struck something deep within me, making me feel both seen and valued in a way I hadn¡¯t experienced in years. A smile crept across my lips, and I felt a rare flicker of pride in myself, sparked by her unwavering belief.

    ¡°Well... I couldn¡¯t have done it without your guidance. So, for now, let¡¯s call it a team effort,¡± I said, my voice lighter as the tension in my chest eased.

    She laughed softly, standing and ruffling my hair. ¡°Fair enough, Al. Now, let¡¯s see what else we can accomplish together.¡±

    I watched as she turned back to the shelves, pulling down more ingredients for the next experiment. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged somewhere in this cruel academy. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    =================================================

    The quiet hours of the academy were a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. The late moon casted its shining lights illuminating my room.

    ¡°I can¡¯t sleep¡± Pressing the pillow on my bed against my face in an attempt to block out the hateful moon, I decided to at least try to be productive.

    The quiet invisible silence permeated from every corner of the academy.

    ¡°It was the perfect time to work.¡±

    Wheeling myself toward the alchemy lab, I reveled in the silence. No jeering nobles, no dismissive glances, just a crippled student trying to make the most of the cards I was dealt.

    Pushing the door open, the familiar sight of the lab greeted me: rows of glass flasks, neatly labeled jars of powdered reagents, and shelves filled with books far older than I was. The hum of the mana crystals, Vibrant potions flashing sparkles of light against the dark room and the aroma of freshly picked herbs wafted through the lab.

    It was my home, my escape from everything that made Saint Academy unbearable.

    I moved toward my usual workstation, but a radiant glow caught my eye. It came from the far corner of the lab, where Miss Valerie kept her personal experiments locked away. The bright glow illuminated its location pulsing, almost like it was alive, spilling through the cracks of an unlocked cabinet.

    ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± I murmured.

    Valerie never left anything unlocked. The call of the unknown got the better of me, and I wheeled closer, the wooden floor creaking softly under the weight of my chair.

    Inside the cabinet was a single potion vial resting atop a rune-inscribed pedestal. The liquid inside shimmered and swirled, shifting between gold and vermillion as though it were alive. Strange symbols danced along the vial¡¯s surface, their meaning just out of reach, but they tugged at something deep in my mind¡ªsomething unnatural.

    However it was oh so promising.

    A note was pinned to the inside of the cabinet door in Miss Valerie¡¯s neat handwriting: ¡°Do not touch under any circumstances.¡±

    I hesitated, glancing around the empty lab as if someone might catch me. My fingers hovered over the vial, trembling slightly.

    Don¡¯t touch it. Valerie wouldn¡¯t leave this here by mistake.

    I knew that I shouldn¡¯t, But something about the potion called to me. A faint hum filled my ears, drowning out the sound of my breathing, and I felt a strange pull, like it was meant for me.

    I was like a sailor entranced in a siren''s call. I knew that it could end in disaster but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to turn away.

    Before I knew it, I had reached out and wrapped my hand around the vial.

    The moment I lifted it from the pedestal, the room shifted. The air grew heavy, thick mystery. Mana swirled around me and the runes on the pedestal flared to life.

    The potion in my hand grew warm¡ªto the point of being unbearably hot. My chest tightened, In fear and the fear was swiftly delivered. The swirling mass of mana turned frenzied and shot toward my chest as the pain almost made me unconscious.

    I gasped, my vision blurring as the room seemed to dissolve around me. The pain was unbearable, but  the pain wasn¡¯t the only thing left behind. a voice¡ªcold, mechanical, and emotionless¡ªechoed in my mind.

    ¡°System initialization complete. Welcome, host. Preparing Life Simulation interface.¡±

    Squirming at the relief of the once ever present pain gone, I turned my vision to what had caused this.

    The vial in my hand was empty now, the golden liquid gone. I stared at it, trying to process what had just happened.

    ¡°What... what was that?¡± I whispered, my voice shaking.

    Before I could make sense of it, translucent blue panels appeared before my eyes, filled with strange text and symbols.

    [Welcome, Albert.]

    [Choose your starting talents for this simulation. Options will be randomized.]

    [Options Generated: 1) Beast Taming, 2) Mana Weaving, 3) Weapon Mastery, 4) Elemental Adaptation, 5) Flesh Regeneration.]

    [Please make a selection of three host¡­]

    My hands gripped the edges of the wheelchair as the reality of what was happening set in. This wasn¡¯t some hallucination caused by mana overdose. Whatever I¡¯d just awakened... it was real.

    The words hung in the air, waiting for my response, and a strange excitement began to stir in my chest. The fear and caution was there but this was my chance to become something more.

    My life has been a series of struggles, with nothing but sheer willpower keeping me going. But this... this felt like a chance to change everything.

    ¡°What do I do now?¡± I muttered, staring at the floating options before me. Slowly, a smile crept across my face as I reached for the first choice.

 My selection

    The glowing panels in front of me pulsed softly, waiting for my decision.

    [Choose three talents.]

    My mind raced as I studied the options, each one holding untold potential. Flesh Regeneration seemed like a no-brainer. It wasn''t very specific but if my real life body gets transported I will be in trouble if I couldn¡¯t rely on my legs, I needed a way to stay in the fight. Elemental Adaptation was next; it sounded versatile, something that could help me survive against the unknown dangers of wherever I¡¯d end up.

    Looking at the last choice I could make I mentally debated at which one would provide the best chance at survival.

    Finally, my eyes landed on Beast Taming. A strange thrill shot through me at the thought of commanding creatures to fight at my side. It was the sort of power that felt almost mythical¡ªsomething no one at the academy could ever dream of.

    An ability unique to this system is the ability to influence animals to help me.

    ¡°Flesh Regeneration. Elemental Adaptation. Beast Taming,¡± I said aloud, my voice echoing in the empty lab.

    The panels flashed brightly, and the voice returned:

    [Selections confirmed. Beginning simulation: Location world 6753 - Type Wuxia]

    ¡°What in the world is Wuxia¡±

    Before anyone could give an answer a blinding light enveloped me before I could react. The lab dissolved into nothingness, and the sensation of falling gripped me. I clenched my teeth, bracing myself for whatever lay ahead.

    ==================================================================

    [SYSTEM EXPLANATION]

    [Host.. Wuxia is a martial art-based ecosystem where humans aspire to evolve using internal energies and to cultivate to the peak]

    [Danger Level:......HIGH]

    [SYSTEM wishes you good luck]

    [You awake in a forest alone with you lying on the ground¡­You notice you are no longer the same height as you were in the real world¡­ this is really happening.]

    [You gather your courage and decide to get your thoughts together]

    [Simulation prologue ends.]]

    When the light faded, I found myself lying on the damp, mossy ground. The scent of earth and dirt, and the distant chirping of birds and unknown creatures echoed off the trees.

    Above me, the dark green canopy of the huge trees created a lovely roof as sunlight filtered through the leaves.

    I pushed myself upright, pressing my weight on my legs, expecting the worst, but I was surprised to see my guess had paid off. Tentatively, I stood, half-expecting to collapse, but my body felt stronger than it ever had before.

    A grin spread across my face as I took a step, then another.

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    ¡°It worked,¡± I whispered, running my hand over my leg.

    ¡°It actually worked.¡± But I didn¡¯t have much time to celebrate.

    A low and bassy growl rumbled through the forest, and my attention snapped to the underbrush.

    The foliage rustled violently, and a pair of glowing amethyst eyes emerged from the shadows.

    A massive fox flew into the open from the brush, its fur shimmering like molten silver and its tails¡ªeight of them¡ªspread out behind it, fanned in a captivating picture, swaying hypnotically.

    I froze, my heart pounding as if it wanted to jump out of my chest.

    Hoping for this to play out nicely, I stayed optimistic till the beast growled again and bared its fangs.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I muttered, taking a shaky breath.

    I tried backing up but tripped over a tree limb on the forest floor.

    ¡°Beast Taming. Please work.¡±

    The skill felt instinctual, as though the knowledge had been imprinted in my mind. I raised my hand, focusing on the fox and reaching out with my intent.

    I wanted to close my eyes and accept my fate, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to.

    It started moving towards me as I helplessly tried scooting back to get away from the massive beast.

    Thankfully it seemed to have some effect as the huge fox slowed its pace. The beast stopped, its growl softening as its eyes locked onto mine.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the panic swirling inside me. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡±

    The fox hesitated, then tilted its head, studying me with a piercing gaze.

    Slowly, I extended my hand, and to my surprise, the massive creature took a step closer; however, this time it seemed less likely to devour me, thankfully.

    ¡°Good,¡± I murmured, letting the skill guide me. ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m here to help.¡±

    The fox sniffed my hand, then, to my astonishment, it spoke.

    ¡°You¡¯re bold for a human,¡± it said, its voice smooth and feminine, laced with curiosity.

    ¡°Most would have run by now.¡± It said so and it was right I definitely would have been sprinting out of here if I hadn¡¯t tripped.

    ¡°Wait, who just spoke?¡± As this thought bounced around my head, I looked back to the majestic fox.

    I blinked, my mind seemingly unable to say anything but the obvious. ¡°You... can talk?¡±

    The fox chuckled, a sound that was equal parts alluring and dangerous. ¡°I¡¯m no ordinary beast. I am a yokai, a being far beyond your comprehension. And you... you have a strange power about you.¡±

    The glow in its eyes intensified, and suddenly, the air around me shifted.

    Before I could react, the fox¡¯s form shimmered and shrank, morphing into the figure of a woman.

    She stood before me, tall and ethereal, with silver hair cascading down her back and fox ears poking through the strands. Her Amethyst eyes held the same intensity as before, and her eight tails swayed gracefully behind her. She wore a flowing, ornate kimono that seemed to be woven from moonlight itself.

    ¡°Beautiful¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The fox lady seemed to be confused by my sudden compliment, but if nothing else, I¡¯m great at redirection.

    ¡°What...? How did you do that?¡± I hurriedly followed up to throw her off my trail.

    She smirked, stepping closer until she was just inches away. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m a yokai.

    "You¡¯ve tamed me, little human. You are not physically strong but somehow I am called to serve you.¡± Her gaze softened, and a strange smile played on her lips.

    ¡°You... interest me.¡±

    I swallowed hard, unsure whether to feel relieved or terrified or perhaps even flattered.

    ¡°Interest you in what way?¡±

    Her smile widened, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°Who knows?¡±

    Shrugging off her ominous response, she reached out her hand to help me up and with her assistance I stood on my feet.

    Something about her presence sent a shiver down my spine. It was alluring but not malicious, but perhaps something even slightly dangerous..

    ================================================================

    Over the following days, the fox-turned-yokai¡ªwho I now knew as Akari became an invaluable companion. Her knowledge of the forest¡¯s dangers and her combat prowess kept me alive, her possessive nature was...unnerving but I would be lying if some part of me didn¡¯t like it. The way she would knowingly smile after such incidents told me she knew it too.

    Whenever I so much as looked at another creature with the corner of my eye, she was quick to step in, her tone dripping with jealousy.

    She would smile sweetly in my presence but turned cold and cruel to anything¡ªor anyone¡ªthat dared approach me.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t deny her. She may have her quirks but Akari was my friend. In a strange new world she was a welcome change.

    Together, we began to carve a path through the forest, my newfound abilities  filling me with strength to walk with confidence in every step. Little did I know, this was only the beginning of the chaos her presence would bring into my life.

 Clinic is now open

    The forest¡¯s dense lining of foliage thinned out as we got closer to civilization.

    Akari and I walked along a worn dirt path, sunlight spilling through the gaps in leaves and space between the tree limbs.

    She walked a step behind me, her eight tails swaying behind herself lazily as she hummed a tune I didn''t know.

    The atmosphere might have been peaceful if not for her snapping her head at any small rustling around us. Nothing escaped her notice.

    ¡°So,¡± Akari began, breaking the silence. ¡°What¡¯s the plan, little human? Are you just going to wander around or do you have something planned?¡±

    I glanced back at her, thinking about the question.. ¡°I was thinking about heading to the nearest town. If this world is anything like the ones I¡¯ve read about in books, there¡¯s bound to be one nearby.¡±

    ¡°And what will you do there?¡± She asked, raising her sweatless brow

    .¡°You don¡¯t strike me as the martial-art type.¡±

    To make sure I understood, she moved her hands into a kung fu stance before chuckling and returning her hands to where they were.

    I chuckled, sounding just a bit more bitter than I would have liked. ¡°You¡¯re right about that. However I don''t plan on causing death. I hope to prevent it¡± holding up my hand, watching as faint green light flowed across my palm like an electric current.

    the subtle activation of my Flesh Regeneration ability permeating from my hand.

    ¡°If this world is filled with cultivators and warriors, there¡¯s bound to be plenty of people getting injured. I could start a clinic, help heal them.¡±

    Akari stopped in her tracks, her amethyst eyes squinting as she struggled to see the meaning of my words. ¡°How... noble of you.¡±

    Her tone was flat, but there was a faint edge to it like she was disappointed or worried.

    ¡°I hope you aren¡¯t being too optimistic.. You¡¯re mine, after all. I won¡¯t have you overworking yourself.¡±

    I shake my head at her obvious disappointment, trying to find the best words for what I want to say..

    I turn my head to look in her eyes as we both stop in the middle of the road.

    ¡°Akari, it¡¯s not about being noble. It¡¯s about survival. I need money in this world, and while I can¡¯t fight well, this will help us create something of a foundation, at least.. And besides...¡±

    a small smile raised on my face. ¡°I don¡¯t mind helping people.¡±

    Her expression smoothed and looked slightly less tense; regardless, it was something, but there was still a glint of something darker in her eyes

    . ¡°Just remember, little Al, you are my priority. Don¡¯t expect me to play nice with anyone else.¡±

    ==================================================================

    By the time we reached the town, the sun was beginning to set, casting shadows of the buildings in front of us. The streets bustled with human bodies, cultivators in flowing robes flew above those who were weaker than them. The surrounding air of the markets carried the fragrance of fried food.

    The sun had set but it was like the city had just begun living.

    Nerves began to creep in as we stepped through the entrance to the village, unsure of how we¡¯d be received.

    I looked over to Akari as we entered expecting to find the same nerves displayed on her but, she was sweeping over the crowd with an almost predatory confidence.

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    ¡°Stay close,¡± I murmured, glancing around trying to secretly keep an eye behind us. ¡°We don¡¯t know what kind of people live here.¡±

    ¡°Trust me,¡± she said, smirking. ¡°If anyone tries anything, they¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    We didn¡¯t attract much attention at first, Thankfully but it seemed like the group of young ¡°masters¡± we had walked past had a different idea.

    One of them, a tall cultivator with a scar running down his cheek and an air of pretentiousness, stepped forward, cutting us off from moving forward..

    ¡°Hey beautiful¡± he spoke sleazily, his lustful eyes fixed on Akari. ¡°A beauty like you shouldn¡¯t be strolling around with him.¡±

    Akari¡¯s smile turned factitious. ¡°Oh? Then I should be with you? Surely you jest?¡±

    I watched as Akari spoke, her tails standing on end as if to warn those around her of what is to come.

    ¡° I will ask you once please go away, we don''t have time for¨C¡±

    I tried inserting myself into the conversation but got cut off by the man in front of us.

    The man chuckled, clearly taking my words as a challenge. ¡°You should be with someone stronger, then this tra¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Akari¡¯s hand shot out from behind her back with a single nail extended, punching her nail under his solar plexus.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand,¡± she said sweetly, her nails digging through his flesh.

    ¡°I already belong to someone. And he is stronger than you ever can be.¡±

    With a slick finesse, she slid her nail out of the cavity that she made, flicking the blood off before retracting her claws..

    The once menacing cultivator stumbled back falling to the ground grasping at his chest with a look of shock on his face.

    ¡°What¡­. What did you do to me¡±

    The other cultivators took a step back, clearly rethinking their options.

    ¡°I can¡¯t feel my qi¡­¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said swiftly as we moved through the crowd that had gathered at this confrontation, tugging at her sleeve. She followed me weaving through the ground with a joyous smile on her face.

    =================================================================

    Over the next few days, I did small jobs for the locals gathering enough coins to buy an abandoned building on the outskirts of town and began setting up my clinic for the people of this town.

    The renovation was hard work, but with Akari¡¯s help and persistence, we cleaned the space and gathered basic supplies to begin clinical work.

    I used my Flesh Regeneration skill to test potions and remedies on myself to gather the effects of each of the herbs around us, gradually building a reliable reputation among the locals.

    At first, business was struggling, barely getting any customers. A sectless commoner with no cultivation ability?

    How could I possibly heal injuries that even spiritual doctors struggled with?

    I was constantly questioned and ridiculed.

    But as word spread of my successes healing and fixing broken bones in minutes and healing severely burnt people within hours¡ªmore and more people began to believe and like a wildfire business was at our front door.

    One evening, as I was cleaning up after a long day, Akari appeared at the door, her arms crossed.

    ¡°Hey Akari, I don¡¯t know if I ever had thanked you but I really appreciate what you did when we first got here. Who knows what type of trouble I would be in without you.¡±

    Smiling sincerely at her I returned to sweeping.

    ¡°Al, it is the least I can do for my favorite human¡±

    I glanced up at her, smiling faintly. ¡°I am truly blessed....¡±

    Switching the topic I decided to ask her about the clinic ¡°Have you noticed we have gotten busy as of late?¡±

    Akari¡¯s smile slipped slightly as she moved to sit on a crate of supplies left in the interior of the building.

    ¡°There are a lot of flies swarming, you are correct on that Al¡±

    Listening to her I looked around the room noticing a lack of ¡°Flies¡± she was talking about.

    Sliding off the box she decided to speak her mind

    ¡°Is that all this is?¡± she asked, stepping closer. ¡°truly just a way to survive?¡±

    I thought for a minute, standing the broom against the corner of the wall. ¡°No,¡± I admitted. ¡°If I wanted to purely survive I would have stayed in the forest¡­¡±

    Pausing for a bit to gather my thoughts ¡°I think I.. like helping people. I have these strange powers and I want to do something with them.. Become someone or something.¡±

    Akari studied me looking deeply into my eyes,  after a moment of contemplation her expression softened. ¡°You¡¯re a strange human,¡± she said quietly. ¡°But I suppose that¡¯s why I like you.¡±

    I loved hearing those words. The heat of this type of confession ran to my head and I wanted to say the same, ¡°I like y¡ª¡± but I was too late. In the middle of my reply, a desperate banging sounded at the door.

    Walking toward the door I ignored Akari¡¯s whispers about ¡°Killing whoever interrupted our moment¡±

    Opening the door swiftly, I was met with a teenage girl around fourteen clutching the top of her arm, blood seeping through her sleeve.

    ¡°Please,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°The people said you could help¡±

    I nodded, stepping slightly out of her way allowing for her to walk through the door but the girl tried taking a step and failed falling against my chest.

    Supporting her body weight, I picked her up and carried her to the makeshift bed we made for patients.

    As I ripped the fabric of the shirt surrounding the wound I could see the large chunk of flesh in her arm was missing.

    I could feel Akari¡¯s gaze on me, her expression unpleasant to say the least.

    I needed to do something about this bleeding and fast.

    I began to channel my Flesh regeneration ability allowing the power to flow through my hands.

    I pressed my fingers into the wound and with time the blood clotted and the flesh began to fill the once empty cavern left in her arm.

    However I needed to understand how this girl got such a sizable wound on her.

 The thrill of the hunt

    Looking back at Al I got out of our lovely bed allowing my tails to lovingly brush against his arm sticking off the bed.

    That girl was attacked by cultivators.

    She told us as a thank you for treatment and I just happened to know just the type who would do something like that.

    I moved as quietly as I could making sure not to disturb him in any way possible.

    slickly hopping through the window and dropping to the ground, my feet hitting the earth.

    It is time to hunt.

    The moon held itself high above the sky, a white tear in the endless black void.. The forest buzzed with the sounds of animals.

    Rustling leaves, the occasional distant howl of a beast, the whisper of wind serenading my ears as the wooded fortress that I was moving through flowed by me.

    A beautiful night for many.

    A death sentence for my targets.

    I moved through the trees with practiced finesse, my bare feet leaping tree limb to tree limb quietly pushing off the rough bark to my destination..

    My tails swirled in rhythmic motions in anticipation, the thrill of the hunt sending an intoxicating rush throughout my being.

    The scent of blood still trailed through the forest leaving a path right to my prey, a indicator of the bandits who had injured the girl and the horrible stench from the ¡°Mutt¡± that tried to snatch me from Al

    Albert, my beloved, sweet Al¡­ He was too weak of the heart, too forgiving. If it had been up to him, he would have healed that woman and sent them on their way, believing justice will be served through karma.

    But I wasn¡¯t him.

    I knew what had to be done for the betterment of us.

    Perched in the shadows of a tree.

    Watching the dead men make crass jokes at the cost of others¡­

    A group of eight sat around a dying fire laughing and relaxing, their weapons resting far enough out of their reach that most wouldn¡¯t get a chance to respond

    They were providing themselves a luxury they couldn¡¯t afford.

    laughing, drinking, completely unaware of the guillotine hanging above their heads..

    "That stupid girl actually survived," one of them ridiculed, taking a swig from a silver flask.

    "Should¡¯ve just killed the girl," another muttered. "I don¡¯t like leaving loose ends."

    A third, a bald, scarred man who looked to be their leader, scoffed. "Relax, there is nothing to worry about¡­ Perhaps we would feel better if we got a piece of that foxy lady¡­ with all of us they wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything"

    Cheers refunded from the men spread around the fire all excited at the prospect.

    ¡°To tomorrow!¡¯ The men all drank to the future, thinking about their prospects in life.

    I smiled.

    How amusing they thought they had any chance of seeing tomorrow.

    Dropping like a rock in water, I landed behind them, my tails fanning out like a peacock, casting a menacing shadow in the flickering campfire.

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    "You really should¡¯ve finished the job," I whispered.

    If nothing else the men weren¡¯t deaf¡­ one of them turned to the commotion behind them

    I kicked of the ground heading for the person in front of me

    ¡°Who is this bit¡ª¡±

    My claws sliced through the man''s vocal cords, before he had a chance to finish speaking. Blood sprayed from the open geyser in his neck, warm against my fur. His body collapsed on itself hitting the ground with a wet thud, gurgling on his own blood as he suffocated on the dirt.

    It was chaos.

    A smile spread to my face as I bewitched another to stab his companion in the neck when he was looking for the perpetrator

    My bewitched pest then swiftly disposed of himself so I didn¡¯t have to

    Weapons were rushed for. Panicked hands sliding against their blades scrambling to gather a semblance of defense, feet moved to take a stance. But it was useless.

    I twirled by the overhead swipe aimed to kill me, Taking my hand I rammed it hard against his head...

    with a sickening crack the man dropped to the ground.

    I felt my lips curling into a grin. Slow. Sloppy. pathetic.

    A second man lunged at me with a dagger fueled by fear, he missed by a large margin.

    I parried his lunge with a swift punch to the elbow from the outside angle.

    The dagger flew past me as it slipped out of grasp, standing before me gasping for air in between his cries of pain.

    "Worthless," I murmured before discarding the trash in front of me with a backhand sending him crashing through the woods.

    The leader barked orders, trying to use his military to protect him but I wasn¡¯t concerned.

    My tails moved like snakes, wrapping around constricting the neck of another who thought he would try to run.

    He choked trying to draw more breath, clawing desperately at the soft silver fur constricting his airway. I watched as the strength dwindled from the man''s prying hands and his face turned a delightful shade of purple as I released the limp corpse.

    six down.

    The last two backed away, their bravery crumbling before my eyes.

    I revel in the fear these trash are showing .

    They should be scared of me.

    "You should never have never crossed paths with us¡­. Now die," I said sweetly, wiping the blood from my claws.

    The bald leader contorted, making a hideous face, masking his palpable fear behind a attempt of intimidation.

    "You¡¯re just a beast. A monster hiding behind a pretty face. We¡¯re cultivators, you stupid animal. We don¡¯t fall to creatures like you!"

    I tilted my head. "Oh? Is that what you think?"

    Wind stood in my place as I closed the distance between us, a speed unable for either of them to react. My fingers wrapped tightly around the leader''s neck, lifting him effortlessly off his feet. Kicking against my legs the man tried freeing himself using his fingers to pry my hand off him¡­..

    but I barely felt the struggle.

    I leaned in, my lips whispering my sincere intentions. "You will die by my hand."

    With a thought I conjured a fire to the hand I held him with using my skill of pyrokinesis.

    I Channeled the increasing ravaging fire as the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

    In mere moments the man was nothing more than ash surrounding the now burnt tree.

    He didn¡¯t even have time to scream.

    I shook my hand allowing any residual ash to cascade into the wind, I knew the last one would run¡­..

    I let them.

    Just for a moment.

    Just to allow them to think they had a chance of getting away.

    Then, with the speed only Yokai could possess, I decided to chase the last one...

    The last one made it the farthest¡­ a true coward, stumbling through the underbrush tripping over any and every root or branch, panting, weeping for the gods to save him.

    I dashed behind him watching as his face contorted into fear, claws tearing into his back, severing his spine.

    He tumbled, losing control of his body twisting and bouncing off the forest floor, paralyzed, his body twitching in the dirt.

    I crouched beside him, brushing his dirtied hair from his eyes¡­ I wanted him to see my face.

    His lips trembled as he tried to speak.

    "P-please¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have done it if I knew"

    I ran a finger against the familiar scar on his face.

    "Shh," I whispered. "It¡¯s already over."

    And with a swift stomp to the ground, it was done.

    The forest fell into the same rhythmic sounds of howls and wind.

    Standing before the scene, I exhaled softly, letting the high of the hunt settle.

    Blood caked my body, my skin, my tails, and the ground beneath my feet.

    It was intoxicating, exhilarating.

    But more than just pleasurable, it was necessary.

    Because Al wouldn¡¯t.

    Albert would never raise a hand against those who wronged him unless pushed to the edge.

    He would forgive, try to heal, and move on.

    That was why he needed me and that''s why I needed him.

    To deal with the world that dared to threaten him.

    I wiped my hands clean and turned back toward the town, my work here finished.

    By the time I returned to the clinic, Albert would be waking up, completely unaware of what had transpired tonight. He would greet me with that soft smile, his voice warm and kind.

    And I would smile back, content in knowing that he was safe.

    Because no matter what it took, no matter how much blood I had to spill, I would always protect him.

    Whether he knew it or not.

 Plans

    The whispers of the night still clung to my clothes like a ghost when I stepped into the clinic.

    I made sure to wash the evidence in a local creek before coming back. Albert hated the smell of blood, and while he never asked me where I went at night since he respected my freedom, I knew he was smart enough to make some conclusions if I smelled like blood.

    I found him in the back room, hunched over his desk, frantically scribbling notes by the dimmed lantern light. His soft brown hair was a mess, and his dark tired eyes were scanning over pages of formulas and medicinal compositions he had been testing as of late.

    He was so¡­ focused, so immersed in his work that he didn¡¯t even notice the familiar footsteps that trailed behind him.

    My heart throbbed at the thought.

    This was why I did what I did.

    Not because he asked me, but because he deserved it even if he himself didn¡¯t request it.

    With silent flat footed steps, I moved closer, before quickly wrapping my arms around his shoulders from behind.

    He froze for a moment before recognizing the familiar hands.

    ¡°Akari,¡± he muttered, face still pressed toward his notes. ¡°You smell like the woods again.¡±

    I chuckled, nuzzling against his neck. ¡°Maybe I went for a little walk.¡±

    ¡°A walk, huh at this time of night?¡± He finally glanced at me, his sharp eyes searching. ¡°And what did you find?¡±

    I smiled. ¡°The moon¡­ ¡±

    Softly sighing I decided to give a half-truth.

    ¡°I needed time to think about what¡¯s next¡±

    Albert leaned his head pressing against my chest, folding his arms.

    ¡°Could you be less vague please?.¡±

    I sighed dramatically as if he were asking for the sun.

    Firmly but comfortably I brought his weight against me.

    ¡°Fine. If you want me to spell it out¡­ we¡¯re in trouble. You¡¯re making a name for yourself as a healer, but that means people are watching. Cultivators are like wolves. They are worse than animals. At Least animals can be loyal¡­¡±

    Scoffing, I continued ¡°They respect power, not kindness. You can fix all the wounds in the world, but eventually, someone is going to see you as a threat.¡±

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    He frowned slightly. ¡°I know¡­so what do you have planned?¡±

    I smirked. ¡°Simple. If we¡¯re going to survive in this world, we need people who are willing to fight for you.¡±

    He didn¡¯t flinch at my words.

    That was something I adored about him.

    Even if the truth was hard to swallow he at least thought about it.

    Albert was no fool; he knew the people of this world.

    He just preferred to let me handle the ugliness of the world.

    Still, he had his own sense of morality. ¡°I won¡¯t become a warlord, Akari.¡±

    I laughed. ¡°Who said anything about that? A king doesn¡¯t need to be a warlord. You just need people who see your value and are willing to fight for it.¡±

    I leaned forward, lowering my voice. ¡°And I happen to know where to find them.¡±

    Albert in response began to rhythmically tap his fingers on the desk, in an attempt to facilitate thinking.

    He didn¡¯t dismiss me without giving me a chance.

    He never did.

    Al tensed his hand and laid it flat on the desk. ¡°Who are you thinking of?¡±

    I grinned, tails flicking behind me in excitement of him possibly accepting my proposal. ¡°There¡¯s a rogue cultivator in the slum working as some type of hitman. She goes by Lian the Ghost-Hand. Rumor is she is an outcast among cultivators due to her killing her master. She¡¯s the kind of person who will try to survive by any means possible and we can use her to our advantage.¡±

    He raised a brow. Intrigue riddles his face ¡°And why would she have any need of us?¡±

    I shrugged, discarding his suspicion. ¡°Because she¡¯s got nothing. No sect, or master will take her, and she¡¯s hunted and is forced to hide in the slums. If we offer her protection, a purpose¡­ she might just take the hand we extend¡±

    Albert hummed in agreement, then asked, ¡°Who else?¡±

    ¡°An information broker in the city¡¯s underground. They call her Madame Silk. She¡¯s got ties to mercenaries, smugglers, even some sects. If we want leverage and power, we¡¯ll need information, and she¡¯s got plenty.¡±

    He gave me a flat . ¡°And I assume you¡¯re planning to¡­charm her or something?¡±

    I grinned innocently. ¡°Just a little bit. I promise I won¡¯t kill anyone¡­..

    ¡°unless I have to.¡±

    That second part was whispered under my breath

    Albert sighed, leaning his head against his arm. ¡°Akari, one day I¡¯m going to wake up and find you¡¯ve convinced the world I''m some divine being.¡±

    I tilted my head. ¡°Would that really be such a terrible thing?¡±

    He gave me a long look, then shook his head in a whimsical manner. ¡°We¡¯ll start with Lian. If she¡¯s as skilled as you say, she could be useful. But Akari¡­¡± His voice softened slightly. ¡°Promise me you will be careful.¡±

    I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against his neck, feeling the warmth rise to his skin. ¡°Always,¡± I whispered.

    Standing up from the desk I dropped my ultimate ultimatum

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave in three days! I need you to help me recharge my energy by spending time together¡­¡±

    ¡°Hehe...maybe even a date will help!¡±

    Twirling my hair around my finger I sheepishly tried to convince him

    An uncertain smirk plastered itself on his face as he asked ¡°Is that even a real thing?¡±

    Holding my tails as still as possible I decide to lie for my future.

    ¡°Yes without a doubt one hundred percent the truth!¡±

    Holding my thumb up as if to accentuate my truth telling capabilities I stared waiting for a positive response.

    ¡°Okay! Whatever you need, Akari.¡±

    Until that moment I had never thought my name would sound so sweet.

 Elder Xu

    The next morning, I rolled over from the side of the bed I was laying on.

    Squinting due to the bright rays of light that seemed to bounce throughout my eyes.

    Rubbing my eyes revealed a most welcome find.

    Akari perched on the windowsill, Turned to the outside scenery, her foxtails swaying lazily in the sunlight.

    She turned to me, her usual playful smirk was absent, replaced by an expression of  stillness fixated on her face as she slightly tensed causing her eyebrows to droop.

    ¡°Something on your mind?¡± I asked, stretching as I moved off the bed, setting my eyes on a disorderly shelf in the room..

    Her Amethyst eyes drifted over toward me, a hint of amusement displaying itself with the small smirk she gave.

    . ¡°Just thinking about how quickly you¡¯ve settled in. You have affected quite the amount of people in this short time.¡±

    Amused by her response I playfully shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m nothing special. I¡¯m just doing what I can to survive.¡±

    ¡°Survive?¡± she echoed, voice infused with intent..

    ¡°You¡¯re not just surviving, Albert. You have become a pillar of this community.¡±

    Her canine teeth pressed lightly into her lip as if to help her think¡­ ¡°People are starting to notice you. that¡¯s not always a good thing in this world.¡±

    I paused, considering the reality of her words.

    She wasn¡¯t wrong. I knew that.  Over the past few days, cultivators have been flocking to this clinic in droves, many of them curious about my abilities trying to poach my ¡°talent¡±.

    Some were grateful for my help, the few who were truly grateful, but some...

    I could tell they had bad intentions, their eyes clouded with hate and jealousy.

    Before I fully had decided on what to say to appease her, there was a loud  bang at the door.

    Akari¡¯s ears cutely twitched, opening my mouth to comment. I was quickly silenced.

    She was by my side in an instant, Her slender hands across my mouth.

    Akari¡¯s playful demeanor was replaced by something deadly and protective.

    ¡°Stay back,¡± she whispered, her voice low.

    ¡°Let me handle it.¡±

    I tapped her hand that was covering my mouth, stopping her.

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    ¡°It¡¯s a clinic, Akari. We can¡¯t turn people away without a good reason.¡±

    Her lips pressed into a thin line debating on arguing, but thankfully she stepped aside, her gaze drilling into my back as I reached toward the door handle and opened it.

    Standing on the threshold was a tall man clad in ornate robes, his long black hair tied back in a neat ponytail. His presence exuded authority, Strength.

    A flawless jade talisman hung from his neck resting flat against his chest.

    Looking past his figure I spotted two guards behind him, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

    ¡°You are the healer that the people of this town have been praising right?,¡± the man said, his voice firm with authority carrying the same air of superiority he held himself with.

    ¡°I am Elder Xu of the Jade Serpent Sect. May I come in?¡±

    I hesitated, glancing back at Akari, who was trying to stare him to death.

    ¡°Of course, please excuse our humble abode¡± I said, cautiously stepping aside to let him enter in front of me.

    ¡°What can I do for you Elder Xu?¡±

    He confidently strode into the room, his bright yellow eyes scanning the clinic checking for something. He stayed like that for a moment before settling on me.

    ¡°Word of your¡­¡± His hand pressed against his mouth in a brisk movement before taking it off his face in an attempt to accentuate his next words.

    ¡°...Talents have reached my sect. I¡¯ve come to see if the rumors were true.¡±

    I forced a smile, hiding my displeasure of iterating with the man in front of me.

    ¡°I¡¯m just a servant of the people, Elder Xu. I¡¯m not sure what kind of talents a non-cultivator like myself would have that you would be referring to.¡±

    He chuckled, but the sound was drained of the fake warmth that laced his words before.

    ¡°Humility is admirable, but unnecessary at this moment. People have been spouting about a regular man healing any and all wounds. an ability that few immortals possess, let alone a regular human like you. Excuse me if I am being unkind but I must ask, where did you acquire such power?¡±

    Akari stepped forward placing herself in front of me separating me and the Elder, her hair on her tails standing upright

    ¡°You have no right to stand before us in our house and question him,¡± she said coldly. ¡°If you¡¯re here for treatment, then so be it; however I don¡¯t see any visible ailments so, I suggest you leave.¡±

    Elder Xu¡¯s gaze flicked to her, his expression unpleasantly forming as he looked her up and down. ¡°And who might you be? His... assistant?¡±

    Her lips curled into a sharp smile as her tails lightly moved behind her. ¡°I prefer a partner.¡±

    I stepped between them, stopping them before the situation became dangerous.

    I raised my hands in a placating gesture.

    ¡°Please, there¡¯s no need for hostility. Elder Xu, if you¡¯re curious about my methods, I am sorry to disappoint you but I am just a regular doctor. I simply use what I¡¯ve learned from herbology to help people.¡±

    Elder Xu studied me for a long moment, not fully satisfied by my answer, he stared into my eyes trying to analyze me.

    I felt as though he could see straight through me.

    Finally, after some time in silence he nodded and resigned. ¡°Very well. If what I¡¯ve heard is true, then you¡¯re a valuable asset to this town. I will take my leave¡­¡± A smile forming on his face.

    "Thank you Elder Xu, please don''t be afraid to return if you have any ailments"

    I subtly looked through the corner of my eye at Akari and with the the look she gave me I knew we both had the same evaluation of what just happened.

    With that, he turned and left his smile dropping as he reached outside, his guards following information behind him.

    As the door slammed shut behind them.

    I exhaled heavily from this unwelcomed discussion.

    ¡°They¡¯ll be back,¡± Akari said quietly, her expression grim.

    ¡°I know¡­ people like him always come back¡±

    ====================================

    Elder Xu¡¯s feet stepped through town, his shoes covered in the filthy dirt roads of the town where the ¡°Healer¡± resided.

    Without turning back he channeled qi throughout his body allowing his body to fly.

    His golden core allowing him to control his internal energy completely.

    ¡°Have people watch him¡­ I won¡¯t let any threats grow under my watch.¡±

 Lian... and giggles

    Over the next few days, I felt as if I was being watched.

    That uneasy feeling of being stared at often struck me, but when I looked back, nobody was there.

    The townsfolk came to the clinic. Their gratitude and praise boosted my confidence. Still, Elder Xu¡¯s warning hung over me.

    I understood what he meant. It was hard to ignore.

    He saw me as a threat for reasons I couldn''t grasp.

    Anxiety welled up in me, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt trapped.

    Akari stayed on high alert. I could see it in her face, the way her eyes darted around the market when we shopped together.

    Akari seemed to share my concerns. Something was brewing.

    Despite her protective nature, I found myself relying on her more.

    She was my only ally here, and I didn''t know what I''d do without her.

    She had a knack for sensing trouble before it arrived. Her sharp wit and loyalty were my greatest assets.

    One evening, after closing the clinic, she turned to me, her expression serious.

    ¡°You can¡¯t keep this up forever,¡± she said.

    ¡°Healing people is good, but someone will see you as a threat. That time is now. We are being watched like hawks, and there''s nothing we can do.¡±

    I frowned. Her words hit close to home. ¡°What do you suggest?¡±

    Her smirk widened, her amethyst eyes shining. ¡°Simple. We need to stand on our own. We need allies who will fight for you.¡±

    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you have any idea how to do that?¡±

    Her grin widened, and her tails swayed in a playful manner. ¡°Leave that to me.¡±

    As the sun set, I wondered what her plan was and what the repercussions would be.

    =================================================

    The sun rose, and I noticed Akari was gone.

    Her absence wasn¡¯t unusual. She often vanished like the wind to handle important matters, but she usually gave me a heads-up.

    Yet, the uneasy feeling in my stomach wasn¡¯t normal.

    I sensed that something big was about to happen.

    I busied myself in the clinic, treating patients and finding cheaper ways to make potions.

    No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to Akari¡¯s words.

    Allies. People who could fight for me. It was tempting, but why should they fight for me when I didn¡¯t even belong here?

    By midday, the clinic was filled with injured patients.

    Young people with broken bones from fights, an elderly woman struggling to breathe, and a cultivator with a festering wound.

    Big or small, I worked hard; my Flesh Regeneration ability healed them in a short time.

    As I worked, I chatted with my clients, but I couldn¡¯t ignore the whispers.

    The townsfolk whispered about a tough group of cultivators that had vanished. They noted more bandit attacks and new sects moving in.

    More than a few glances were cast my way.

    I didn¡¯t need to hear the rumors to know that Akari and I were somehow involved.

    As my day ended, I wiped my brow and heard the clinic door creak open.

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    ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re closed for the day,¡± I sighed, turning to deal with the annoyance.

    Fortunately, it was Akari. Her silver hair shimmered, and her amethyst eyes glowed with pride.

    She moved with her usual grace, but there was a new energy in her.

    ¡°I found her,¡± she said, excitement in her voice.

    ¡°Found who?¡± I played along, already guessing.

    ¡°Lian the Ghost-Hand,¡± Akari replied, her smile sly. ¡°She¡¯s as dangerous as they say, but she¡¯s willing to talk.¡±

    ¡°For a price.¡±

    I sighed, wondering if it was worth it.

    ¡°What kind of price?¡± I asked, running a hand through my hair.

    ¡°Nothing we can¡¯t handle. She wants protection, a place to lay low. In return, she¡¯ll help us.¡±

    I frowned, considering. Lian sounded like the kind of person Akari would recruit. But her wanting protection raised alarm bells in my head.

    Lian was likely hunted by cultivators and wanted revenge. Our goals aligned, but I wasn¡¯t thrilled about the situation.

    Bringing an unknown variable into our plans feels risky.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather not get burned.¡±

    ¡°And what about the other one we talked about?¡± I tapped my foot, trying to recall her name.

    ¡°Madame Silk, I think¡­ What about her?¡±

    Akari¡¯s tails swished lazily behind her. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with her tomorrow. She¡¯s a bit more complex. For now, let¡¯s focus on Lian. I¡¯ve set up a meeting. She¡¯s waiting for us at the edge of town.¡±

    ¡°Fine, let me finish up here, and we¡¯ll go.¡±

    Akari turned to the door, her tails happily following her. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll be outside. Just come out when you¡¯re ready.¡±

    ================================================

    The cracked stone beneath my feet revealed that the edge of town felt very different from the busy market square.

    The buildings were old and worn. Their walls had cracked and rundown.

    People huddled together to stay warm to fight off the bitter cold.

    Akari led the way, her silver hair a guiding beacon while I followed closely.

    My Flesh Regeneration ability eased the burden of the long walk, but I still felt uneasy.

    A shadow rested against the alley wall as I followed Akari inside.

    Lian waited for us, barely visible in the dim light. She was tall, lean, and moved with fluid precision.

    Her dark hair was tied back with a blue gem nestled in the makeshift hair tie.

    Her clean blue eyes stood out, deep as the ocean, masking her true danger.

    Lian¡¯s calculating gaze flicked over me, mixing curiosity and disdain.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re the reason I¡¯m here,¡± she said, her voice gritty. ¡°I expected someone more dependable.¡±

    I forced a smile, masking my unease. ¡°And I expected someone less intimidating. Maybe even someone nicer.¡±

    ¡°Guess we¡¯re both full of surprises.¡±

    Lian¡¯s lips twitched, but her expression remained guarded.

    ¡°Akari says you¡¯re looking for help. What¡¯s in it for me?¡±

    ¡°Protection,¡± Akari interrupted, taking charge. ¡°A place to lay low. Safety. And a chance to get back at the sects that cast you out.¡±

    Lian narrowed her eyes, weighing her options. Sticking around in alleys in the slums didn¡¯t leave her with many choices.

    I thought she might refuse out of spite.

    But to my surprise, she nodded slowly. ¡°Fine. But if this falls apart, I¡¯m not picking up the pieces.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough. I wouldn¡¯t either,¡± I said, extending my hand. ¡°Welcome to the team, Miss."

    Lian hesitated for a moment, then shook my hand, her grip firm. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret this.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to, Lian.¡±

    As we walked back to the clinic, the silence allowed me to think.

    I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that we were stepping into something bigger than us, a battle we weren¡¯t ready for.

    The Jade Serpent Sect was watching us closely.

    Their interest in me was anything but benign. With Akari by my side and Lian¡¯s skills, I felt a flicker of hope. I just hoped I wouldn¡¯t drag them down.

    We might not be ready for what was coming, but at least we weren¡¯t alone.

    That fact eased my mind a little.

    That night, as I lay in bed, Akari curled beside me, her head resting on my chest, her silver tails draped over my legs. Her amethyst eyes were the only light in the dark, and for a moment, I felt peace.

    ¡°You did well today, Al,¡± she murmured, her voice soft as silk. ¡°Lian¡¯s not easy to win over.¡±

    I chuckled, running my hand through her soft hair. ¡°What can I say? I had a good teacher.¡±

    Akari smiled, clearly pleased with our exchange. She pressed her head softly against my neck trying to get comfortable, her breath warm as it radiated on my neck.

    ¡°Get some rest, Al okay? Tomorrow is going to be a busy and exhausting day.¡±

    A snappy remark seemed impossible for me to respond with so I just shut my mouth and prepared for bed.

    ''After all who would I be to ignore such a beautiful woman?¡¯

    A chuckle came almost immediately from Akari as I thought so.

    ¡°What is so funny Akari?¡±

    ¡°Oh nothing now let''s sleep..¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but be a little suspicious at her chuckle but I was too tired to think about it for too long.

    I wondered what the future held. The Jade Serpent Sect was a formidable enemy, and they didn¡¯t seem to type to just let us slip through their fingers.

    Regardless, with Akari by my side I felt confident that no matter what happens we''ll be alright.

 The price of information

    The next morning, the clinic was still with silence. The town around us seemed to notice something was amiss, even the normally crowded  pavilion seemed to be dulled.

    Akari, like most days, was up before me, her beautiful silver hair catching the rising sun as she pranced around the room in playfulness. Her amethyst eyes flicked toward me as I stretched my tense muscles.

    ¡°Sleep well?¡± Akari¡¯s voice asked, riddled with amusement.

    ¡°Good enough I can¡¯t complain too much¡± I replied, though truthfully my sleep was as restful as I could have hoped. Lian¡¯s arrival was something new to digest and while I didn¡¯t hate her it was just a unique situation we were faced with. Still, I couldn¡¯t deny that having someone like her on our side was a relief.

    Akari¡¯s smile widened, as if she had an uncanny ability to read me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Al. Lian while dangerous she is useful, And besides,¡± she added, with an alluring confidence, I¡¯ll be watching over her¡± Chuckling at her playful response I clapped back. ¡°Somehow, I don¡¯t know if that makes me feel any better.¡±

    After a quick morning meal of eggs and local beef we got from a farmer as a thanks for healing his daughter,  Akari had decided that it was now the time to meet and discuss with Madame Silk.

    The mysterious information broker worked and hid in the city''s underground, reaching her location was as easy as navigating a labyrinth, so I let Akari take the reins as she seemed to know where she was going.. I tailed behind her as Akari led the way, her silver tails acting as a safety rope, while I followed close behind.

    Lian had decided to stay behind uttering something uninteresting about ¡°knowing the town and their people¡± but I bet she just wanted to get away from us. Chuckling at the image of her trying to get out of a trip with me and Akari.

    This area of the so-called underground allowed me to understand the infamy of this place. It was dark like the sun refused to shine in this area. While there was still people on these streets they were not at all like the ones near the clinic. Instead of the bright l;oud conversations between families, vendors and friends that I was used to, it was a stark difference.

    It was quite people seemingly afraid to talk over a whisper in fear of drawing attention to themselves. Worst of all however was the air¡­ It was heavy with the metallic stench of blood.

    Akari moved through the chaos with ease thankfully, She scanned our surroundings in an aggressive manner as if daring someone to interfere with us.. I followed as close as I could to make use of the environment that Akari¡¯s presence was providing us. I clutched the dagger I had hidden in myself to help calm myself.

    Madame silk¡¯s ¡°lair¡± nested within an alley deep into the dilapidated buildings of the underground. A red velvet curtain hid away the entrance to her place.

    Akari pushed it out her way in a single movement. The room itself wasn¡¯t anything remarkable, it was your ordinary trinket shop. Rows of bookshelves filled with manuals on cultivation, techniques most likely not worth the price they were displayed for.

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    The air was thick with the powdery scent of perfume which gave me a headache.

    Paper lanterns provided stagnant images of shatters flickering with the flame inside.

    Madame Silk was sitting in a corner of the room. She lazily leaned over a low brown table which was sat on a tatami mat.

    Madame Silk was older than I had imagined. Her brown hair was streaked with gray leaving an even blend of colors. However age meant nothing in fact it was probably even more impressive that someone in her line of work has made it to be this old.

    ¡°Akari¡± she raised her head off the table and look towards us ¡°to what do I owe the pleasure to be blessed with the great yokai herself¡±

    Akari smirked as she walked to the mat and plopped down resting her head on her hands as she leaned on the table. ¡°We need information. And we both know you are the best in the business.¡±

    Madame Silk¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile at Akari¡¯s carefree attitude. ¡°Though I do love to talk to you Akari, You know information isn¡¯t free¡­there is always a price.¡±

    ¡°Spit it out already, no need for unnecessary suspense,¡± Akari said, her tone casual, though I noticed that she wasn¡¯t as careless as she wanted to portray.

    Madame Silk noticed that Akari wasn¡¯t the only one in her shop ¡°And who would our little friend be Akari?¡±

    I was a little offended that it took her this long to notice me but truthfully it was water under the bridge.

    ¡°My name is albert¡± I stepped forward and took a seat at the table so we could be at the same eyesight ¡°I run a clinic¡±

    Her smile widened, as she brought a finger to her lips. ¡°Ah, yes. Albert certainly does seem to ring a bell, you have recently been quite the craze as of late.¡±

    I forced a smile, trying to not allow her to get under my skin. ¡°What can I say, when you are good at your job people can¡¯t help but talk.¡±

    Madame Silk leaned back in her chair, letting out an exasperated laugh ¡°What you say does have some truth to it Albert¡±

    her fingers in front of her rhythmically tapping against the wood grain underneath them..

    ¡°Very well. What do you need?¡±

    ¡°Information on a certain sect,¡± Akari said, her voice firm. ¡°The Jade serpent¡­ we need their plans, their weaknesses, anything and everything you¡¯ve got on them.¡±

    Madame Silk¡¯s smile dropped in an instant as if it was just an illusion, replaced by a look of genuine concern and contemplation.

    ¡°Akari.. You know the Jade Serpent Sect is nothing to play around with. They are one of the largest sects in this continent and have been spreading like wildfire.¡±

    ¡°I want you to reconsider your plan¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re aware,¡± Akari said, her tone sharp. ¡°And I''m sorry but I can''t. I wouldn''t have come to disturb you if I didn¡¯t think it was necessary.¡±

    Madame Silk studied us for a long moment racking her brain for an answer, thankfully she nodded after her spell of contemplation. ¡°Very well I will help. But don¡¯t be mistaken, this information doesn¡¯t come cheap. I hope you are prepared for the price. I want protection. The underground has been volatile as of late and if the Jade Serpent sect finds out my involvement I will have to leave this town.¡±

    Akari¡¯s Lips curled into a beautiful smile as she placed a bag of gold on the table.  ¡°Consider it done.¡±

    It took some convincing from me to fork over twenty percent of our earnings but she promised the information would be worth it.

 Fighting for something more.

    Walking out of the shady alley I appreciated the fact that the deal was struck.

    The price was hefty sure, but I believed it to be worth it.

    Akari hasn¡¯t let me down before and by my own evaluation having critical information on the Jade Serpent Sect was worth its weight in gold.

    The Jade Serpent Sect was a powerful foe, one to not overlook in the slightest.

    While we had our two new ¡°Allies¡± this battle wasn¡¯t going to be a cake walk by any means..

    Regardless, I had a good feeling about us, our group that is. I felt proud of myself for building something, being a part of something even if it may be fragile.

    The next few days rapidly flew by as we prepared for the inevitable conflict..

    Lian proved to be as useful as we thought. While I believed in Akari vouching for her I just couldn¡¯t help but be slightly suspicious of her usefulness.

    Thankfully my suspicions turned out to be unneeded as Lian proved herself quite quickly as we prepared for the Jade Serpent Sect.

    Lian was out always trying to gather intel about the sects movements.

    In the meantime me and Akari worked hard to at least try to fortify our surroundings somewhat. We hid our prized possessions under the floorboards of the clinic and while it was an obvious hiding place, if our robbers even made it here we would have bigger problems.

    The community around us has also been useful with word spreading of the upcoming conflict. The people around us were kind and often gave us food and supplies as a thank you for our services.

    One evening, after we had finished our work, the sun set casting long shadows across the clinic.

    Akari and I were in the backroom going over the books, and information Madame Silk has been providing. We stood side by side going over the information Madame Silk had provided methodically. This daily activity had become a bit sacred between us and I enjoyed it even if the circumstances around it weren''t great.

    The scrolls spread out on the desk in front of me were filled with details about the Jade Serpent Sect. Their hierarchy, their movements, and most interestingly the influx of practitioners being sent to our area.

    ¡°They¡¯re planning something without a doubt,¡± Akari said, as she spread out a map next to the scrolls Madame Silk sent.

    She ran her slender finger over the locations described on the scrolls ¡°Not only have they been placing more units in the surrounding areas. They also have been deploying more spies in our town, and if that alone wasn¡¯t alarming, look at this.¡±

    She slid over the scroll she was holding in her hand over to me ¡°They have been buying up local businesses in this town.¡±

    Akari¡¯s face turned sour as she made her final statement ¡°They are planning a total takeover.¡±

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    I frowned, leaning back in my chair. ¡°Who would''ve thought a simple healer like me would''ve ruffled their feathers like this. It is ridiculous.¡±

    Akari¡¯s amethyst eyes stared at me down, her expression seemingly upset by the way her brow was frayed . ¡°You can not be serious Al. Be serious with yourself! Everyone who knows you knows you are not just a ¡°Simple Healer¡±. You display unnatural powers from the people of this world. If not just your healing powers, then the way you calm me. I hate humans and if I could, I would tear them apart on sight. The old me wouldn¡¯t have given you a second to scream. But I can¡¯t anymore. It isn¡¯t like I lack strength¡± She looked down at her hands between clenching them

    ¡°I just can¡¯t bring myself to do it¡­. You changed me in a way I would have never thought possible.¡±

    Had I changed the person Akari was before I met her? it seemed like a logical conclusion, but the moral implications made my stomach hurt. Does the beast-tamer skill have this affect on demi humans and Yokai? The thought freaked me out.

    I had come to this world hoping for a chance to be different, a fair  ground level chance to prove myself¡­ to be someone. But in this chase of self-satisfaction, I am caught in a spiral of political power struggles and war.

    I regret how I have lived this life but still, I can¡¯t waste it. I have affected the people around me and I can¡¯t help but to care about them.

    I will take responsibility, because this won¡¯t be my only life, but it might be theirs.

    ¡°We need to be ready, they obviously see us as a threat¡± I said, my voice firm with resolve. ¡°If they want to have a problem we can¡¯t back down.¡±

    Akari nodded in response to my speech, an approving smile displaying on her lips. ¡°It will be hard Al..¡± She said as she took my hand in hers ¡°but I will be here for you¡­ to the end¡±

    Smiling in response to her beautiful words, I echoed her ¡°to the end..¡±

    The following days were tense with apprehension. The clinic continued to operate, and the townsfolk seemed to sense the growing tension in the air. The usual chatter in the market square was subdued, and more than a few glances were cast my way as I moved through the streets. It was clear that the Jade Serpent Sect¡¯s presence was felt by everyone, not just us.

    Lian returned one evening with a sweat trodden face. Her panicked ramblings rang through the clinic and turned the air heavy.

    She had spotted a group of Jade Serpent Sect cultivators setting up camp just outside the town. They weren¡¯t even hiding anymore and that told me they were finally prepared for a frontal confrontation.

    ¡°They have to be proven wrong,¡± Lian said, catching her breath as she leaned against the wooden interior of the clinic

    ¡°They are testing the waters and they want to see how they will react.¡±

    Akari¡¯s tails flicked lazily behind her as if she had heard the most boring news, but I knew she was stressed, I could see it in her eyes. Akari¡¯s eyes were sharp, calculating and deep as a ocean.

    ¡°If they want a reaction they can have one. They think we are weak, but we will show them the effects of their hubris.¡±

    I glanced between the two of them, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety.

    Akari and Lian were both formidable in their own ways, but the Jade Serpent Sect was a powerful enemy and even worse a organization.

    We were outnumbered and underprepared for a battle of attrition like this one.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that we had the ability to do it. While they fought due to orders. We were fighting for something more than power or control. We were fighting for each other.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± I asked, my voice steady despite the unease in my chest.

    Akari¡¯s smile widened, and she leaned forward, her amethyst eyes gleaming with determination. ¡°We hit them first. Before they can make their move, we strike at their camp. We¡¯ll show them that we¡¯re not to be underestimated.¡±

    Lian nodded in agreement, her expression grim but seeming resolute.

    ¡°I won¡¯t lie¡­ it is dangerous but I can¡¯t see any other path before us. If we can disorganized their approach we can buy some time, and if we can remove a leader it is even better for the all of us¡±

    I took a deep breath considering the plan, weighing the risks. She was right. It is dangerous but we can¡¯t run. The plan seemed the only viable option at the moment.

    ¡°Alright, you win.¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°Let us all make it back home together after this, okay guys?¡±

    Akari was the only one who broke the silence as she spoke the words I wanted to hear most

    ¡°Of course Al¡­ Always and forever!¡±

 War

    Light spread through the poorly illuminated trees above me, the moon peaking over the dark clouds surrounding it letting slivers of white light bounce off the leaves above us.

    Akari, Lian, and I silently rushed through the forest we were in, our footsteps making soft crunching noises as the leaves beneath us were broken under our shoes. The Jade Serpent Sect¡¯s camp was just ahead, the obvious tell of someone residing in this area being the flickering of the campfires around the area.

    Akari signaled for us to stop, her tails spread out behind us to accentuate her intent.

    ¡°This is it,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°Remember the plan. We hit them hard and fast. No hesitation. No survivors.¡±

    I nodded, my heart pounding hard against my chest. This was the point of no return. We had been pushed up against a wall and forced to attack. I felt no sorrow for their choices; it was either them or us.

    As we crept closer to the camp, I could make out the shady silhouette of the cultivators that were sitting around the fire in front of us. They were laughing and joking in a light tone as they spent their final hours with the people surrounding them. Not that any of the people here knew they would be dying soon.

    Akari moved first. The flicker she left behind a testament to her speed. Her claws'' metallic composition flashed in the firelight, and before they could even react, two of them were down, their throats slit pouring blood on themselves in a gruesome mess. Lian followed close behind, her movements fluid and precise as she brandished her slick daggers rushing toward another group of cultivators.

    I stayed back, and pulled on one of the skills I was given when I first came to this world. I could feel the beastly figures of the creatures I was calling upon from the woods. My talent of beast taming once again showing its true power. I commanded the animals to surround the camp in swarms. The fierce thumps of animal limbs filling the forest around me as a confirmation that it had worked.

    Those who were smart enough to run after witnessing the slaughter fled into the woods to escape. Unfortunately the only escape they found was death..

    I stood behind Lian and Akari not because I was a coward but because I was the one who would keep them alive if things went south. To be honest with myself I was fearful of taking a life with my bare hands, but to choose between killing and letting the people I love die was a simple choice for me.

    The camp had turned chaotic as the battle grew in intensity. The element of surprise was all but lost for us due to the screams of the enemies that ran into Akari and Lian.

    The battle had become more difficult for sure but my allies seemed barely affected,

    Akari and Lian moved like a well-oiled machine, their movements fluid and deadly. Working together as if they had fought each other their whole lives..

    If it was as easy as this to end a sect they wouldn¡¯t exist¡­..

    and it seemed our adversary thought so as well.

    A dust cloud caked the center of the camp as a loud boom echoed from the crater caused by the man standing in it.

    ¡°Did I train cowards?¡±

    The jade talisman that hung from the man berating the dead cultivator who was running from the battle told me exactly who had arrived.

    The dead would be fleeing cultivator a crumpled mess under him.

    ¡°I CAN¡¯T BELIEVE MY EYES!¡± he roared, his voice assaulting my ears. The fighting halted to a standstill as the cultivators turned to him, their expressions a mix of fear and relief.

    Akari and Lian stepped back, their eyes locked on Elder Xu as he approached. His golden eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, the air around him filled with killing intent.

    ¡°You¡¯ve made a grave mistake¡­ ,¡± he said, his voice cold and menacing. ¡°You think you can challenge the Jade Serpent Sect¡­? You¡¯re nothing but disgusting insects beneath our feet.¡±

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    He turned to the members of the sect that were still alive "And you pathetic bastards lost to a demi-human, a she-devil and a peasant. You are all useless!¡±

    Akari¡¯s lips curled into a smirk, not responding but by the way her tails flickered behind her I could tell she was excited.

    The tension in the air was palpable as silence filled the space between us and the sect.

    Elder Xu raised his hand quickly, a surge of qi gathering in his palm. But before he could go for a kill shot, Akari moved quickly, her form blurring as she blitzed toward Elder Xu clearing the distance. Her claws slashed through the air, but Elder Xu was faster, his hand snapping up parrying her initial attack.

    The two of them clashed, their movements too fast for me to follow. Lian joined the fray, her daggers flashing as she struggled to find an opening in their opponent, but Elder Xu was a formidable opponent. His control over Qi was unmatched, and as the battle continued Akari seemed to be struggling.

    I knew I had to do something. I couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch and possibly be responsible for my friends'' deaths. Taking a deep breath, I focused on my Flesh Regeneration ability, channeling it into my hands. If I could disrupt Elder Xu¡¯s Qi, even for a moment, it might give Akari and Lian the opening they needed.

    As Elder Xu prepared to unleash another attack, rushed forward running toward the battle determined, my hands glowing with a faint green light. ¡°Hey!¡± I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Over here bit¨C!¡±

    Elder Xu¡¯s eyes flicked to me, and in that moment a smile spread to his face¡­. The only reason was probably the satisfaction he was getting from crushing my wind pipe with his hand as he attempted to choke the life out of me.

    Tears filled my face as the pain was so immense I couldn¡¯t think of anything else. However this move wasn¡¯t a elaborate attempt at suicide, I had a plan and it seemed it was about to work.

    Normally this would be more death but with my ability to heal flesh I was able to constantly regenerate my flesh stopping him from breaking my spinal cord with his strength.

    I raised my hands to his arm as I channeled my flesh regeneration ability from my neck into my arms and allowed it to run rampant as It directed it to his diaphragm.

    ¡°Tell me how does it feel to die?¡± His smug voice whispering into my ears as I gripped the hand that was choking me.

    The intense qi he was releasing around us was preventing Akari from getting to me. Not that I had the chance to look over and check with me barely keeping myself alive but by the desperate cries that were coming from the camp I could only hypothesize.

    However, my desperate gamble had allowed me to disrupt his constant flow of Qi by treating his golden core inside his body as a tumor which allowed my flesh regeneration ability was able to disrupt his internal cultivation for at least a few moments.

    That was all the opening Akari and Lian needed. The sharp noise of air being sliced as Akari¡¯s claws slashed through his neck, and Lian¡¯s daggers followed behind, piercing his inner core.

    Elder Xu staggered back, his golden eyes wide with shock. A gurgling sound coming from his throat due to him possessing sliced vocal cords

    Thankfully for all of us, before any gurgled speech could be made, Akari delivered the final blow, Her hand flashing out turning his head to red mist.

    Elder Xu collapsed to the ground with a thud at least what was left of him, his body lifeless as the qi around him dissipated.

    The camp fell silent as the remaining cultivators realized their leader was dead. Without a word, they turned and fled into the night, leaving the beast in the forest to clean up the rest of them.

    Akari and Lian stood over Elder Xu¡¯s body, their chests heaving as they caught their breath. I approached them, tired and I didn''t feel great¡­

    ¡°Are you two okay?¡± I asked my throat in pain.

    Akari turned to me, her amethyst eyes gleaming with worry. ¡°We¡¯re fine, Al. but why did you do that?¡±

    ¡°I did what I thought would allow us to win¡±

    Lian nodded, her expression grim but satisfied. ¡°We did. But this isn¡¯t over. The Jade Serpent Sect won¡¯t take this lightly.¡±

    I knew she was right. This was just the beginning.

    But as I looked at Akari and Lian, Fatigue filled my body. I tried moving toward Akari to celebrate with something silly but pain spread through my throat. The blood that spread into my hands from me coughing was also very alarming.

    ¡°Al are you okay?¡± A worried Akari walked toward me

    ¡°Ye¨C¡± but my response was cut short as an intense sickly filling ran through my body..

    I fell to the ground barely conscious enough to catch myself with my hands before I hit the earth.

    I tried channeling my regeneration ability to make myself feel better all I was met was with pain filling my body.

    I felt like I was dying¡­ and maybe I was but I wouldn¡¯t die here I still had things to do.

    My strengthless body was carried back to the clinic....

    I was determined to end the Jade Serpent sect.

    I could protect Akari from the mess I had dragged her into. I just needed a little bit more time.

 A promise of love

    Wind brushed my hair against my forehead causing it to slightly tickle me.

    I squeezed my eyes tightly closed in an attempt to keep the sun from disrupting my peaceful rest.

    I mentally prepared to brush my hair off my forehead but I felt someone move it for me.

    ¡°Akari?¡± my own voice sounding raspy and dry called out to her.

    ¡°Yes Al what do you need?¡± A quick and somber response responded quickly

    ¡®System display¡¯

    [Selections, Location world 6753 - Type Wuxia]

    [Skills: Flesh Regeneration. Elemental Adaptation. Beast Taming.]

    [WARNING LIFE FORCE DANGEROUSLY LOW, RECOMMENDED TO REST FOR 20 YEARS]

    Well that is not happening¡­ I can¡¯t willfully put myself in a coma. Even if I could I wouldn''t¡­ I have to see this through.

    ¡®System close¡¯

    ¡°Hey Akari..¡±

    ¡°Yes Al?¡±

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    ¡°I think I am dying¡­¡±

    ¡°I know¡­. I¡±

    Her voice was muffled as she choked on her tears.

    ¡°Al I don¡¯t know how to help you..¡±

    ¡°I know Akari, I don¡¯t even know how to help myself.¡±

    A wet droplet fell on my forehead as I laid in Akari¡¯s lap.

    I finally opened my eyes and a beautiful scene revealed itself to me,

    The setting sun''s vibrant colors bounced off the tree leaves we were sitting under.

    The sunset was gorgeous. The type you would only see in art or dreams.

    As I stared at the sunset I brushed my hands on one of Akari¡¯s many tails.

    ¡°Akari¡­ Life has been wonderful with you. I don¡¯t know how much time I have left in this world so I think I should say this now. I love you Akari¡­ More than I could ever express.¡±

    The tears continued to pour as my forehead caught more droplets.

    I couldn¡¯t help but look up at Akari¡¯s tear stricken face becoming dazed by her smile.

    Perhaps the sunset was second only to this beautiful fox lady I was staring at.

    ¡°I love you too Al. So So much..¡±

    Her tails coiled around me as she brought herself closer to my face.

    I raised one of my hands to her face and cupped it. Looking intently at her crimson lips. I felt the beautiful tails of her push me to her face as she teased me.

    ¡°Just kiss me already Al.¡±

    With these words I would be some type of bastard to deny her.

    I pressed my lips against hers as we sweetly kissed before we slowly tried to devour each other. The sunset fell, as did our clothes¡­ The night is filled with the comforting sounds of wildlife and sweet nothings. This night we found solace in each other under this tree in which our love was spoken.

    Tomorrow we did not know if we would ever be afforded this chance again but at this moment tomorrow didn¡¯t matter¡­ Akari was the only thing that mattered to me.

    ==============================================================

    The sun rose again as Akari laid next to me, my hand stroking her hair as she rested her head on my chest.

    Maybe there was something more important to do, but as of now this is where I wish to be.