-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Recruiting Chiba(1)-

[Yamamura Ichiban][Human]

[Lv 97]

[HP: 70/700][MP: 50/2000]

[ATK: 124][DEF: 54][AGI: 90][INT: 1000][WIS: 579][PHY: 70]

[Skills]

Soul Trapping Lv 9 Soul Boost Lv 8 Bone Shield Lv 17 Bleeding Lv 9 Confusion Lv 14 Magic drain Lv 5 Astral Body Lv 1

Now that the man was taking his last breath, Kenshin could now see his name and stats. Turns out he really was a tough and tricky opponent among the three. Among all the skills, although he couldn’t see the explanation of the skills, he could still somewhat guess what they imply. Among them, only three attracted his attention, and they were, bleeding, confusion, and magic drain.

Soul Trapping and Soul Boost, well, from what he could tell from Ena’s expression, it wasn’t something he should take. The name also sounds too sinister, as much as Kenshin didn’t want to believe in gods and demons, after today’s events, he had to. He didn’t want to dabble with stuff related to soul and stuff. Besides from what he had seen, Soul Trapping was a skill that let this man summon zombies, while soul boost boosted their strength by a tiny margin. Compared to it, he had better skills that can summon intelligent zombies and they don't need buffing up either.

[Replication succeeded. You got the skill ‘Bleeding Lv 0’]

[Replication Succeeded. You got the skill ‘Confusion Lv 0’]

[Replication Succeeded. You got the skill ‘Magic Drain Lv 0’]

Zombie 1 and zombie 2 unsheathed their swords and came closer to the necromancer who backed away in fear.

“What do you guys want? Don’t come close!!” he yelled pathetically and continued to back away. Suddenly Zombie 2’s sword extended, going through necromancer’s heart in an instant. At the same time, Zombie 1 sent crescent moon shaped energy blade aiming at necromancer’s neck.

He died in an instant.

[+248,997 EXP]

“Sigh! Finally, that man died. It's so tough…” Joy shouted and sat down where he was. His leg was bleeding profusely with no sign of stopping. From a glance, Kenshin could tell that it was the effect of bleeding skill. A living being would continuously bleed until a designated time or until he or she dies, whichever comes first.

“You okay there?” Kenshin asked as he came closer to Joy. Ena returned to Zombie 1 and Zombie 2’s side and started to say something excitedly. Compared to these two zombies, her INT and WIS was low, but still, she was as clever and intelligent as a hyperactive teenager.

“Yeah…I am okay. This damn bleeding didn’t stop, and I am losing blood at a rapid pace. At this rate, I think I would pass out from blood loss and probably would die.” Joy joked while taking on a deep breath to calm himself down. Retrieving an HP potion, Kenshin threw it at him.

“here! Drink it until the wound heals.”

“You still have these?” when Joy saw what it was, he couldn’t help but gasp in surprise. One had to know that coming across a single bottle of HP potion was considered lucky. Now Kenshin had already handed him over two bottles. It would be abnormal if he didn’t get surprised. These potions were expensive too.

“Yep. I got many, don’t worry.” After saying that, he observed the box for the time being. Using his system to scan it intensively. After some time, he sighed and used his magic on it. Instantly it lighted up and opened like a suitcase. Inside he saw a deep well-like space, where two children were sitting, huddled closer to each other.

“Hey!” Kenshin said, making the two look upwards. Instantly both Axel and Ellie’s eyes lighted up as they shouted together “Brother Kenshin!!”

…

Both Ellie and Axel cried after rescued from that dark space in the embrace of Kenshin. They started to complain about how these bad guys beat them and then put them inside that dark place. Ellie especially was very afraid as she was scared of darkness.

“Okay, okay. Don’t cry. Those bad guys are all gone, don’t worry. Ellie, Axel, promise me that in future you wouldn’t believe any unknown man or woman. Okay?”

“yes! We promise.”

“Good. Now, don’t mention anything to your mom until I say so, okay? She would worry, needlessly.” Kenshin warned them and prepared to leave. Turning around towards his three zombies, he signaled them with his eyes, which they understood and vanished from view without a trace.

Joy was already healed by then, and he was as lively as a chicken. Kenshin handed him the [Pandor’s box], and he grabbed on to Ellie and Axel. One on his back and other in his arms, they started to run back toward their home.

…

“Where did you go?” when they returned, Mrs. Yui asked.

“Well, I just received an emergency call, so…” Kenshin told a half-truth which she didn’t suspect. Before they returned, they left Ellie and Axel in their corresponding classes, while apologizing profusely to the teachers. Kenshin was one of the legal guardians of both Ellie and Axel, so it was normal if he comes to school to receive them.

As he was a hunter, the school authorities didn’t make matters worse for him and understood where he came from. Now everything depends on Ellie to hide today’s matter from her mom.

“Ah! Yes, Mrs. Yui, this is my friend. His name is Joy.” Kenshin introduced Joy to her, who was standing silently as they both talked.

“Hello, Joy. Thank you for taking care of Kenshin.” She politely greeted with a bow, which the bulky man returned with equal politeness.

“No, it’s actually him who is taking care of me.” Joy embarrassingly said. He wasn’t telling lies as he was the one who had been taken care of by Kenshin both the times.

“Haha!” covering her mouth with her palm, she laughed lightly and returned to the kitchen while saying: “Come, sit and make yourself comfortable. I will prepare lunch for you two.”

“She is a nice lady.” Joy exclaimed with a smile, feeling very happy with the comely nature of Mrs. Yui.

“That she is.” Kenshin also smiled as he remembered all his years with this lady and her daughter. These were his cherished moments after his parents died, which he wouldn’t trade for anything in this world. It was also the reason why he didn’t want to leave here even though he had more than enough money to buy a big villa.

After half an hour, lunch was served by her. Both Kenshin and Joy ate a sumptuous meal as they joked around with each other while Mrs. Yui just sat on the side, listening to them talking an laughing. Every now and then she would input her own opinion and share some of their laughter. It was a harmonious afternoon.

5 PM

“So, where are we going?” Joy asked, sitting on the passenger seat of the car.

“To a neighboring town. Don’t worry, it will be a short ride.” Kenshin said. To make his own party, he wanted to recruit Chiba. With her added to mix, they would have 3 active members, enough to officially register as a party.

Of course, he first thought of calling Maria. But since she was part of a guild, there would be no way she would agree to register for a party with him.

“Would she agree?” Joy asked.

“I don’t know. I have a feeling that she would. Let's see what happens.” Kenshin shook his head. He also didn’t know if she would agree or not. After all, she was living in a different town than his and had a single mother to take care of. How could she leave her alone to hunt dungeons with them?

He could only try, though. There might be a chance of her agreeing with them.

“Heh! I see. But, if she didn’t agree, what would we do?” Joy asked in worry. If they didn’t get enough members, they couldn’t register for a party and their dream to attack higher level dungeons would dash out.

“We could only post the advertisement online. I don’t believe there would no one join our party since you are a level 100 powerhouse.”

“True enough! Let’s go.”

With that, Kenshin started his car, and they both left for the neighboring town where Chiba lived.