V2 Chapter 32

“Shhh, brave one,”

The strange girl said, stopping him.

“You’ll know when the time comes. Nevertheless, let’s return back to the topic before we set off course. We don’t have unlimited time, do we?" she said as the cool breeze blew and fishes started jumping of the surface of the ocean. It was beautiful to behold. But strangely enough, his gaze never left her. Like his eyes were attracted by her, like different poles of a magnet.

She smiled, "....Truthfully, I was left amazed and awestruck by the sudden turn of events. Mind you, it’s quite a surprise that you were able to understand what was going on, and even able to infer the way out much sooner than I expected. It’s not an often thing to happen." she said with a very amused, but curious expression. She looked at him, regarded him with a staring one will give when you're trying to see through someone.

"But I fail to understand why you did that… if you know that you cannot die, you should have persisted in fighting, aim for a victory, or at least, a close one. You can use that trial to enhance your power, and increase your physical attributes, perhaps? It could be very beneficial to you,” she said with a strange probing expression.

“Perhaps, but it’s not like I had known about it for sure.”

Rain shook his head with a wry smile.

“I’m not omniscient to know that what I did was the correct choice or not. However, what I’m certain is that I’m the one who brought my companions in, and so I thought that if I died, there’s a high chance that Lafetti and the others would be kicked out of the Dungeon. And that’s what I am hoping for, truthfully.”

"... ..."

“…if I’m not mistaken, then they are not considered as players by the Dungeon like me, instead, treated as monster companions. And so, I’m actually the lynch that’s keeping them in the Dungeon, trapped… or so I thought. Hence, the sudden gamble. Thinking if I’m out of the equation, they would be forcefully kicked out before something worse could happen. Or at least, that’s what happens in movies,”

“I’m surprised you even know that,”

The beautiful girl chuckled in amusement, though the glint in her eyes shows that she was not surprised at all. In fact, would anything actually surprise her?

“Indeed, they are considered your familiars, so when you die they will be sent out forcefully. The Dungeon is not for Demi-humans and Monsters, hence, they would never be acknowledged as Trial Takers. As for the possibility of them being trapped forever inside, it’s not even a matter of consideration. As you can see, the ecosystem and nature of a Dungeon are much more complicated than you can ever imagine. Especially, for a Dungeon like this. One unexpected factor could lead to an irreparable mistake, leading to a complete breakdown. Even a Dungeon Core didn’t have the power to control and manipulate a person’s heart, much less, it’s the Lamians. They have always been troublemakers wherever they go…I fear they would just try to conquer the Dungeon, and in the end, lose its meaning…and true purpose. That would be bad,”

The beautiful girl giggled in amusement.

"So, I'm planning to kick them out sooner or later, if they don't have you..."

The Dungeon was made for the future of the human race, or at least, find the acceptable successor that would carry the fate and destiny of humanity in their shoulders.

If all of that went into a Monster’s hands, or at least to Demi-human's hands, it would all be for nothing. In fact, the Lamians existence has already deviated from the creator's plans, but the Dungeon just turned a blind eye to it because of a single reason.

Thinking about it, the beautiful girl turned towards Rain, and look at him with a complicated expression.

“But you sure treasure them so much to the point of gambling with your own life just for their sake. If you are wrong, you could have died for real.”

Rain shrugged his shoulder.

“What’s wrong with that? Even if without doing that, we will still die anyway. I’ll just think of it as bad luck. If I die now, that’s simply the end of my life. Lafetti and the others are already exhausted, and even if I tried to struggle, with my current strength, defeating the Goblin Shaman Lords and Mages would already be difficult in that situation—I would just suffer to death.”

"...that's quite cold..."

“...And besides, isn’t that what you really want to say to the people who comes to challenge the Dungeon- the message that Caesar wanted to tell before his end; ‘Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. It seems to me most strange that men should fear. Seeing death, a necessary end will come when it will come.’"

Rain said Caesar's words in a theatrical tone and gesture as if emphasizing his meaning.

Seeing that, the beautiful woman's attention was brought away from what he had actually said to what he was doing, and she giggled in amusement, not refuting or denying his claims.

"...That’s why you placed that part in the entrance of the Mausoleum, instead of putting it inside, or beside the second phrase of Caesar's quote. To warn us before we enter the Mausoleum, where the true trap lies. That no matter how much we struggle, we still die in the end. If the third stage couldn’t kill us, there will be fourth, then fifth and so on. You wanted to convey that- when it’s time to die, no matter what you do to change your fate, the inevitable will always come. And one should just accept it. Is that not it?”

“Hmmm, there is that as well. Though, it comes to me that you are the type that would never succumb to fate.” She smiled wryly.

“Perhaps… it’s natural for human beings to struggle against death until the very last moment. But if something precious is on the scale, then it’s another matter. I would rather succumb to fate than see them suffer a grievous fate—and if there is a chance that my death could lead them to safety, then all the more reason not to hesitate,” Rain said with a helpless smile.

He was never the type to care for his life and struggle to survive in an inevitable fate. But if his life weighs against the lives of the people he loved, then more so.

“That’s naïve, Rain…" but the beautiful woman thought differently. She stared at him with a sorrowful, and dissatisfied expression. "... though, I guess it’s because it’s you… you have always been a contradictory person,”

“You talk as if you know me… more like, how did you even know my name?"

“You talk in your sleep.”

The beautiful girl grinned in amusement.

Rain’s eyes widened in surprise, then he blushed. Did he mean before he woke up in this world?

“Yeah. I’ve been…uh, told that before. So, I did, huh.”

“Yeah, you did…but never in my wildest dream that you would be with a Monster…so, even ‘I’ would make a mistake. Lafetti was her name, wasn’t it? A Lamian. I guess history repeats itself…”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nah, just an old tale…about an old friend. An unspoken tale about a man who gave up everything for love…well, it was in the past, an ancient story forgotten by the world.”

Rain looked at her and was suddenly struck by loneliness, and sadness that dyed her expression—one that can make any being, dead or alive, mourned and cry—yeah, she mourned. Perhaps, the man she was talking about someone very important to her.

“You still mourn…?” ...even after all this time?

Rain was suddenly assaulted by nostalgia, but pain, as if his heart was seeing squeezed by an invisible hand coursed through his chest. It’s as if, there was something familiar, or perhaps a sudden emotion of wanting to ease her pain… an incredibly strange and foreign feeling taking over.

Rain didn't know why, or the reason behind it. In fact, he didn't even have the drive to pursue the reason of that foreign feeling, as all his attention was focused on her.

The beautiful girl’s eyes widened in surprise. But it was only for a moment, as it immediately returned back to normal.

“I have mourned, yes, but now, no longer… I find time for myself to cultivate the virtue of patience,” she said with a jest. “...And I think, it’s pretty rewarding,”

Was there a flicker of a smile on her narrow lips when she looks at him?

She stared at him with an amused smile and said; “…anyway, I praised you and your companion. You did well lasting that trial with only four people. That’s not even a full party…even an adventurer party consisting of more than ten people would not even pass the second stage. But to think you would even reach the third stage like that. Truthfully, I’m impressed.”

Rain shrugged. “Well, it’s because Lafetti and the others are strong,”

“I guess there’s also truth in those words. They are the descendants of that woman, after all. Though, I never expect her descendants would still exist even in the current era..." a strange glint appeared on her gaze, but it disappeared a moment after. She look at him with a playfu smirk, mixed with a strange feeling of pride- "... nevertheless, they mght be strong... but for me, I believe it's also because of you as well?”

“… ??”

“The Lamians are indeed strong…more so, because they are the true descendants of that witch. But you didn’t shame yourself either. I watch your fight, and I can say, despite having the lowest level, you’ve already entered the realm of a monster…one that already transcended humanity.... and that's only with your own strength. In fact, compared to people of the same level you can even be said to be the strongest human in the world. And if you increased your level, even more, you would surely topple even the gods,”

“That’s exaggerating,”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

She gave him that laugh again.

“However, it’s closer to the truth. After all, just by looking at your personal status, even those who are considered monsters in this world pale in comparison, don’t you think so?”

“Yeah, perhaps,” Rain shrugged. Even he himself had already noticed how abnormal he had become. Even still, “This power can be said to be not mine, however. Even my ability is a gift given by the Gods themselves,”

“Ahh, well, that’s where you are mistaken,” as if to illustrate her assertion, she reclined languidly on the rock she was leaning to. Although she was smiling, there seems to be something hidden behind her gaze.

“Excuse me?”

Rain tilted his head, bewildered by her sudden reaction.

The beautiful girl suddenly stood up, fair skipped through the swaying grass, her feet barely making a sound upon the grassy plain. She looked like the most delicate art piece in the whole world as she walked, her white dress draping across the ground.

She was like a fairy from paintings. This scenery fascinated him. This was the first time that Rain had noticed, she was bare feet. She walks towards the edge of the cliff, facing the beautiful sea horizon that has been painted by the setting sun.

“The power you possess is not something given by the Gods like you were thinking. It’s a misconception,” she said, her gentle voice somewhat low, seemly ill at ease. Perhaps the very concept of his skills presented from the Gods themselves is an absurd thing for her? Unpleasant, perhaps? But why? Rain wanted to ask, but he held himself.

Whatever the ill fate between her and the Gods, he has no right, nor in position to know. And he has a very weird premonition that if ever he heard the reason, he would then be drag into something very troublesome. I might as well not hear it.

“A Misconception? What do you mean?” he asked, trying to shake the feeling.

“You should have heard about chosen ones, those possessing Unique Skills, and abilities. And in fact, only be obtained the moment one received a patron, right? In fact, you are one yourself. So I think, that’s a given.” The beautiful girl asked. Her voice turning soft and melodic, in the mention of him.

“Actually, having a patron doesn’t mean they are the ones who had given you a gift, instead, they are only responsible for unlocking the hidden potential within you.”

“Hidden potential? What do you mean by that?”

“Yeah, the hidden potential… the power quietly sleeping inside you.”

The beautiful girl nodded her head with a faint smile.

“You have it all along, supernatural powers, abilities, skills, you already have it within you long ago, only waiting to be unveiled. They came from many reasons, you will know in the future…maybe. Perhaps. Probably. Well, as long as you stay true to your course, the answer to everything will be revealed to you.”

She said with a mysterious smile.

“As for why the existence of a God is needed to acquire it again. It’s due to a curse placed on humanity itself. Because of the various seals placed on Humanity, known by the Gods as [The Curse of Mortality], they remained hidden. Never to be unveiled. And that’s where the importance of the God Patrons comes from. It means someone had claimed you, supported you. And so, with this parental-like bond, they would then help you break the seal that limits your power, and obtained an ability that would manifest after the seal is broken. Of course, this can only be done by a God…well, at the very least, a Celestial, with a power of one.”

“…?!!”

“The stronger the God is, the more hidden potential they can unearth from you…though, sadly you can only choose one skill out of all the powers that you could have possessed—I don’t know why, however, they seemed to think it’s what they call fairness,” she said. Her thin and beautiful lips curled into a smile that would have seemed warm and genuine were it not for the coolness in her glazed eyes.

“God’s ego…pride, what you call it. When, in the truest sense, they are all scared of what humanity can really do- when all the seals placed on them released. Humanity is a creature of potential…one that is personally created by [The One Above]."

"..?!"

"...They possess possibilities that even the Celestials and the previous or the current Gods would never able to imagine.”

“So you are talking about the skill [Predation] I got, was my already my own and not been given by Atria,” Rain narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised by the sudden revelation.

“Atria… now, that’s a very nostalgic name. But yeah. For a human to release from the seal, he must need a God’s permission, and that is by claiming. Though, in this world, they call it [Divine Blessing].” she nods.

"Though, not all Gods would claim someone, or take a Champion, for the claiming of a person requires the Blood of God to be instilled within those are claimed, to successfully released them from the seal, and unearth their hidden powers. And that means the more people or the stronger someone they claimed was, the more power that will be taken from them. That's the truth of the Divine Blessings."

Rain furrowed his brows. Then, he shook his head. He had always wondered why a God would give such a cheaty skill like [Predation] to a human. So it’s not that at all… if what she said was true, then this overpowered ability was not given to him, instead, it was his all along? Just released.

But how?

How did humans even have such scary power?

“I said, many reasons, which, unfortunately, I cannot say… it’s an unspoken rule. It involves the law of the world, after all. Besides, it will only do you more harm than good if you know it at this time." she said a matter-of-factly as if she had heard his question directly. "... So, let’s set aside that topic, for now, I want to know how’s life been treating you, Rain? We have time, so if possible, I wanted to hear the story of your life,”

“Though, I don’t mind since I’m stuck in here, anyway. However, wouldn’t it be better if you come clean to me as well? Your identity, life, though I already have guesses of my own, it would be better to hear it from you directly. I don’t like making assumptions.”

“That’s something I cannot do, unfortunately. My own existence will only disturb your life, as well as your future. So, it would be better if you rein that curiosity, for now. Knowing a bit more than you should, do you little good, my dear Rain, and it may even put you in danger. Sometimes, the hardest path is the one we must tread alone while blind... though, I believe, it is also the most rewarding.”

Rain stared at her in doubt, but she just brushed it off with a smile.

“Sometimes, one needs to be patient, as the answer you are looking for, will certainly come to you when you need to know it.”

“That’s completely unfair!”

Rain felt his color rise, somewhat upset, disappointed even. He shrugged it off, however, as he was never the type to be stubborn in topics like this. For he knows, he would never get anything from the other party, only riddles and more questions, like amused old women trying to play around with kids.

Though, it would perhaps be somewhat strange to compare someone as young and beautiful as her to cunning old women similar to those that like to stay in the orphanage, gossiping about things that happen in the neighborhood.

“Nothing is fair, in this world, Rain. Especially for the weak. And although I hate to say this, you are still weak. If you want to satisfy your curiosity, then you need to increase your strength first. And quick. If that day comes, then no matter what it is, everything will come to you,” she said with an affectionate tone.

Seeing her expression, Rain felt a strange feeling. Though those words she said had indeed possess more power to calm his heart.

“…fine, I’ll humor you,” he gives up with a sigh. “So, what do you want to hear…?”

The beautiful girl thought for a moment and then said, “Anything. About your world, the Earth, your life, anything…”

“… ..”

There was something strange about her manner when she replied, but he could not decipher it.

Rain thought for a moment, feeling somewhat weirded out. But he shook his head and then took a deep breath and started.

… …