Chapter 48

This is not a magic spell like the Earth Spikes she knows of—no magic fluctuation, no mana resonance either, not even an elemental formation. What’s more, Rain cannot use magic with his mana veins blocked. That is a truth that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, looking at the skill closely, this is almost similar to Monster Skills- the Bone Eater's [Bone Spike] Skills!

But how could a human use a Monster Skill?

There’s a high chance of a human obtaining a Monster Skill, only if he is a descendant of one.

However, if Rain has such Monster Bloodline in his blood to be able to inherit a Monster Skill, I would have felt it. Furthermore, he is a human—the purest human she had ever seen in fact. He cannot be a human with pure blood if he possesses even the slightest monster blood!

And besides, humans might inherit a monster skill from their ancestor or their bloodline, but the Monster Skill would turn into that of human skill or unique gifts of Gods. Not retain its original form as a Monster Skill.

Just like these bone spikes, if this was turned into a human skill, it would have turned into elemental ones, such as wooden, earth, or rock spikes. Not bone spikes that were almost similar to Bone Eaters.

Most humans, especially those who deemed themselves talented possess bloodline other than humans. Mythical beasts, Monsters, Demi-humans, Demons, Gods, and many more. The denser the bloodline one has, the stronger they are, and the bigger their potential is. One can even say a pure human is almost extinct. But if Rain is of Pure Human Bloodline, how could he exhibit Monster Skills?

Zarda couldn’t help but stared at Rain, the fog in her head becoming even thicker. And as she watched him, fight her eyes continued to widen in shock and astonishment.

What is going on here?

Rain slashed his rapier, slicing the limbs off another of his assailants. The sharp limb arched in the air, a plume of blood like a liquid sapphire curved trailing behind them. He didn’t end with that, Rain surveyed his surrounding as he heard a cry, not too far away, a Lamia was sprawl on the ground, heavily wounded, and was being besieged by three Antmen. The others tried helping her but they clearly can’t make it in time.

Enhancing his strength by activating all his skills available, Rain jump and with a loud cry and kicked a Giant Black Ant as hard as he could, sending it flying.

Bang!!

The Giant Ant managed to hit the two Antmen that were going to attack the heavily injured Lamian, sending them a bit away from her but one still remained.

Rain estimated that he can’t make it in time either with all his abilities cooling off. Without hesitation, he opened his palm, and bluish-pale lightning spark along with a piercing cry of birds resounded.

[Lightning Bolt]!

Rain aimed his hand towards the Antmen. With the love of God, he was lucky and the lightning bolt hit the face of the almost humanoid monster that was raising its halberd prepared for the kill, and boooom! It staggered. Though, not enough to even leave a fatal blow it's enough to earn more time and the fallen Lamian was able to stand up and attack the monster back.

At this moment as well, another Lamian finally arrived and immediately supported the injured Lamian.

Seeing that, Rain sigh in relief. But before he can relaxe, however, his nerve tightened as he felt a terrifying danger behind him. He hurriedly turned around, only to see four Antmen and two Giant Ants frozen, with icicles protruding from their chests.

“That’s not good, Rain,”

Zarda smiled helplessly.

“I said, be careful and never turn your back on your enemy,”

The Medusa slithered along the frozen ground. Around her stood full of blocks and statues of ice- it was incredible. Rain grinned. A cold wind brushed his face and his nose started to redden from cold. Zarda walked over and rubbed her hand against his cold cheek.

“Cold?”

Rain shook his head, “A bit, actually. However, not something I cannot endure,” then he turned towards the direction of the injured Lamian and finally heave a sigh of relief when he saw her being healed by another Lamian. He hated to see even one of them dying.

“Rain those skills, how did you do them?”

Zarda hesitated for a moment, and then finally ask what has been bothering her all this time.

“… …”

However, she waited for a while and she heard no response. Seeing Rain didn’t respond and seemed to be ignoring her while having a long face, Zarda felt quite disappointed as she thought that he didn’t want to disclose his secret.

He’s acting like a stranger, or perhaps despite what he said, he didn’t trust them, or want to disclose whatever mystery he was holding?

I guess it’s only natural…

Skills such as Unique Skills and the Blessing of Gods had always been the greatest secret by many men.

In the first place, telling a stranger the skill you possessed is somewhat difficult.

Skills and abilities one possessed were deemed very important by every individual. They will try to hide it as much as they could because these skills are their trump cards in battle especially the so-called unique skills, or the God's Blessings. They are their most treasured lifelines. If the other party, especially an enemy were to know them, they will have time to prepare for it and you will certainly suffer a loss.

[God's Blessings] are skills unique to one person. If you were known to have some unique and amazing skills then you will probably be envied or targeted, making your life chaotic. And if these skills were among the trash, then you will be scorned and laughed at. You will be bullied by others; no one wanted to end up either the former or the latter.

And there were also skills that aren’t good for others to know, and the Rain's skill, judging from what she saw is certainly one of them!

...even still, despite understanding this, Zarda was disappointed and somewhat hurt that Rain would still be reserved with them, the ad didn't trust them enough to tell them his deepest secrets. Although she was not really that interested in the skill, still, what she wanted was his trust.

Realizing that she had not obtained it after all this time, was a shock and painful.

Zarda smiled wryly. Her expression flashing a moment of disappointment. However, at this moment Rain seemed to notice her strange stare and tilted his head in confusion.

“Hm? Did you say something?”

Rain asked, confused. Actually, her voice was quite soft and it was thus, covered by the noises of the surrounding; shrieks, screams, metal clashing each other, and explosion. Furthermore, with his attention and worry on the injured Lamian, Rain not hearing what she had said was normal. All his attention was towards the Lamian he had just saved, barely.

At this moment, Zarda finally realized something. “You are not listening?”

“Oh, sorry, did you say something?”

Rain scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. Then, he looks at her, somewhat confused, somewhat baffled as well. However, he still notices her stare, the one he could only describe as hungry. A chill crept up his bare arms.

“I’m sorry, I was checking the surrounding carefully so that there’s no other monster appearing all of a sudden…just like you said,” he said, trying to give a proper reason that can save him from, whatever is boiling on the Medusa.

Zarda's expression softened. So it was just her misunderstanding… a smile returned to her face and she spreads her arms, pulling him in a hug.

“Hey!”

Rain exclaimed. His face grew warm amidst the cold. He ignored the flutters in his stomach and the tingling sensation on his skin. He was not about to let this hungry Lamian know how flustered he was, or else, she would surely misunderstand something. Actually, what is suddenly wrong with her? Did she forget the place and situation they were in?

“Say, what did you do back there? Your speed and strength seem to have increased not to mention that bone spikes… isn’t that the skill Bone Eaters have? Especially about the lightning bolt. How are you able to use magic? If I’m not mistaken, your mana veins are blocked. Hence you should be unable to use it—right? In fact, that magic skill seems to be similar to the Lightning Rabbit. So how did you that?”

"Ah, them, you ask?" He gave her an innocent look. “Those skills can only be used for a moment– at least for a few breaths in between, my speed and strength will be doubled. It's a skill called [Agility EX] and [Strength Ex]. As for the Bone Spikes, I got it from the Bone Eaters I had eaten before, while the Lightning Bolt is indeed from the Lightning Rabbit. I don’t know how or why, but it seems like I can acquire abilities when I eat monsters, though it’s not all the time.”

He answered honestly because he realized from her expression he had seen just now, the relationship that he had finally build would form a crevice if he refused to say anything now…

Her expression had said it all just now.

And so he knows he cannot lie.

That would be bad… in a lot of ways…

It wouldn’t give him anything but only disadvantages…

Now that I think about it, I never told her or even Lafetti about it, didn’t I?

Rain didn’t say anything before because he was still wary towards them and just like what Zarda thought, he still didn’t trust them. Even though he loves Lafetti, trust is different. However, as days passed by he somehow felt he had found where he truly belongs. And he had thought of coming true to them. Sadly, he had forgotten about it, up until now that is.

Furthermore, most of his acquired skills were enhancing abilities without change, while there were only several which he rarely uses due to his training routine which centers on a melee fight and using a sword. Hence, perhaps this was the first time he had truly let other people witness his amazing abilities.

“What?!”

Rain’s answer went beyond Zarda’s expectations.

He can acquire abilities from the monsters he had eaten?

What kind of logic is that!!?

Her gaze flitted down and then back to his face.

No! That shouldn’t be possible… but, she grimaced.

Rain wouldn’t lie to her.

“You’re not joking, right?”

Zarda’s expression immediately turned severe. Her playful tone had gone somewhere off, probably taking a vacation as seriousness took charge. Rain shook his head. Zarda took a deep breath and stared at Rain.

“Who else knows about this matter?”

“Two people,” Rain showed two fingers. “...I think,”

“Two? Are you saying aside from me, Lafetti also knows?”

Zarda frowned – well, at least she had expected this.

But Rain smiled and pointed his chest and at her, “Me, and you, two people!” his mouth curled up in amusement. Zarda's panicking expression was beautiful/

Zarda’s mouth twitched.

A loud ‘Thud’ rang out.

“What did you do that for!?”

Rain clutched his head after Zarda drops a fist on it. It really hurts you know.

“No joking right now!” Zarda said angrily. However, on hearing that, she relaxed and sighed in relief. Then she stroke his head gently, at the place where she drops his fist. She then touched his hair and rubbed a strand between his thumb and forefinger.

“This is a serious matter… this ability, you can’t tell anyone about this, understood?”

Her voice started getting softer. She lowered her head till her mouth was a mere inch from his. Rain could even feel her breath upon his cheek. And he gazed at her delicious pouty lips and subconsciously licked his lips as if he was spellbound. The gleam of her eyes, or perhaps the flower scent coming from her did the magic?

“L, Lafetti?” he tried to ask, as he held himself back from fear of kissing her. If he did that, he surely would not be able to explain himself and he might even trigger a consequence he would never be able to stop anymore. Though, it is inevitable…not now. Especially in the middle of a battlefield.

Zarda frowned and ponder for a moment. “Well, if she asks, you can tell her about it but not to anyone, you understand?” the crimson flecks in her eyes gleamed, along with the glaring countless pair of eyes from the slender and small snakes hissing at the top of her head.

“Understand?” she rubbed the tip of her nose against his.

Rain, of course, understands. It’s not like he was the type that runs around boasting what he had. However, truthfully, he never expected Zarda to react like this. And so, his impression of her rose up quite a bit. It was apparent, clear as spring that she said this not for any reason but due to worries of his own well-being. After all, no one knows more than himself how cheaty and unfair his ability [Predation] was.

This could arouse jealousy that could burn the heavens.

“Tell me, how many abilities have you acquired up until now?”

She can’t help but asks her eyes extremely curious.

Rain pondered for a bit, “I think ten, no perhaps over twenty already…”

“That’s quite a lot!” Zarda exclaimed.

Twenty new skills and all of them were Monster Skills from different monsters. So this is the reason why, despite being weak, he can still easily defeat monsters stronger than him, and even rival those he shouldn’t be able to touch. This had already gone beyond logic. Zarda can’t help but feel astonish, fear, and many other things.

Gaining abilities of the monsters you have eaten—in this place, no rather, in this world, Rain perhaps was the strongest and greatest predator there is!

“What are they?”

Rain opened his status and it immediately reflected on his retina. “Let’s see, including those who I had used just now; [Agility EX], [Strength EX ], [Bone Spike], [Stealth], [Horn Manifestation], [Claws Manifestation], [Hardened Skin], [Lightning Bolt], [Seismic Sense], [Night Vision], [Menace], [Bark Skin], [Vine shackles], [Lesser Vitality], [Alertness], [Athletic], [ Courage], [Web Creation], [Spins Web], [Toughness], [Keen Eye], [Reflect Damage], [Luck]…also, I was able to acquire several useful resistances such as several [Elemental Resistances], including [Physical Pain Resistance] and [Physical Attack Resistance].”

Zarda’s expression abruptly changed. Although not were powerful skills but having many skills was of itself, an incredible matter. Chosen ones have one or two unique skills while normal people don't have even a single unique skill… but this guy, he actually possesses so many skills that can even be said to rival that of unique skills and probably it would even increase in the future…

Damn it! How enviable!

He would become a monster among monsters if nurtured properly… Zarda really felt that way, assuming he can take as many skills as he wanted if he continued eating monster flesh. Though it’s not really a problem, however, a day might come when they wouldn’t be able to contain him… if that really happened...

Should she forbid it? No, how is that even possible. It's not like Rain can even control gaining abilities from the things he was eating. She can only stop it if he forbids Rain from eating... but how could she do that? That would be like killing Rain!

Her nostrils flared and her chest expanded as she took a deep breath. She really cannot do that. Not to mention, she cannot do anything like that if she wanted Rain to accept her, to trust her and to believe in her.

And so she can only sigh.

“You better not tell anyone about this, Rain…”

In any case, what should happen will always happen. Rain, having this power is the will of the world. A sad emotion momentarily flashed on her face.

Rain was confused but he shut his mouth. Probably she was feeling conflicted or feeling envious, However, for sure, she was worried about him when she said that. A small fissure zigzagged across his defenses and tugged at his heart. In spite of Zarda's beautiful, cold and sexy demeanor, all this time, he suspected there was a sweet and vulnerable goddess underneath. And it seems like he was not mistaken.

“I’ll do, I’ll promise I won’t tell it to others without your permission,”

Anyway, he will respond appropriately if something really happens…

Zarda smiled sweetly. She grazed her fingers gently along her cheek as if she was touching the most fragile thing work of art in the world. Her eyes were hooded as she focused on his mouth. She’s going to kiss him. Should she let her?

Rain didn’t know what to do as he stared at her eyes, seemingly bewitched. If he didn’t know her that well, Rain would surely doubt she was using Charm on him. But Zarda knows better not to do something like that. What she wanted was his heart, his love, and his trust.

Zarda’s forefinger skimmed over his bottom lip, and a deep longing flooded her senses. It consumed her body, making her greedy for his touch, his kiss. Rain gave her a smile, and she groaned before suddenly cradling his face in her hands.

This was the first kiss they had shared with each other.

--- ---

After a short moment, Rain separated himself from Zarda and returned his sight to the battle.

Currently, things are not happening as Rain wanted. The wind had blown, not on their side but to the other side. They were being pushed already… not in power or skill but in numbers. Many giant ants and Antmen started coming out from deep within the forest and flood the battlefield.

“Chief,” Rain immediately called out.

“Hm?”

Zarda was still feeling out of sort from their kiss, and she was in ecstasy.

She wanted more

Rain accepted it...accepted her kiss, and he even responded to it!

If not for the battle, perhaps she would have jumped on him without hesitation.

Hearing Rain’s call, she responded with a smile so sweet it’s as if it was laced with honey or sugar.

“Do you think we can win this war…?”

Rain asked, somewhat anxious.

“Of course, we will,” She touched his face.

What kind of question is that? This battle is not even a battle, but rather a Massacre! And so, he should focus on something else, instead. Can she have another serving of a kiss?

However, she noticed Rain’s anxious and worried expression and she shrugged, regaining her calm. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his brow, wanting to make him relax.

"Relax, everything is under control."

“But the difference in number is too large!” Rain muttered anxiously. “I don’t think they can still hold on without losing anyone…”

From what he knows, the favor of war always leans against the larger number.

Zarda caressed Rain’s head lovingly, obviously different from the usual. But then, suddenly, at this moment a new change occurred.

“Drova!!”

Rain suddenly cried out and almost rushed towards her, if not for Zarda stopping him.

“Chief! What are you doing!? Drova is-!!”

Drova was already being besieged by several giant ants and Antmen and was on the verge of losing. She was still holding on with her somewhat huge halberd wherever she got it and her own personal sword. But anyone with the right mind would have given up already, there’s no hope anymore. Dozens of Antmen had rushed over and brandished their spears and polearms and stabbed through Drova’s tail and left shoulder, pinning her.

Seeing this, Rain wanted to help but he was being held down by Zarda.

“Chief!!”

He couldn’t believe it. Is she just going to let her die?!

But, contrary to his anxiety, Zarda still wore a faint smile.

“It’s fine, look”

Rain was confused and turned his head, there his eyes widened in shock. Drova who should have been pinned down suddenly stood up, ignoring the sharp spears piercing her body. She grabbed the ant leg of the nearest enemy and broke it as if she was just breaking a small stick before pulling it with an angry expression.

Her eyes turned crimson red and she let out an angry howl, stopping the enemies around her for a moment. Her figure was obviously much bigger than before, even taller and her muscles expanded, almost reaching Granite's burly size. Her strength had also risen to a whole new level, as she was now capable of grabbing and pounding monsters with bare hands.

And unbelievable as it seems, like the Incredible Hulk who nonchalantly grabbed Loki in the movie The Avengers, she easily lifted the giant ant up and smashed it like she was swinging a rug on the ground, and then used it as a beanpole, attacking the other monsters sending the giant ants around her flying without wings. Then, she seized an over two-meter tall Antmen who cried out in shock and horror, and then throwing it into a knot of another group of monsters, seizing the halberd that had fallen.

She hefted its weight, feelings her biceps tense as she took a double grip and raised it just in time to cleave the thick head of a giant Ant that was rushing at her, this time coming from her rear left quarter, hoping to blindside her. Watching this scene, Rain's eyes widened and his jaws almost fall to the ground in shock.

What happened to her?!