The Cataclysmic World Of Alheira 30 Chapter 1: Things Changed

"It's true, Yakiro."

I can't believe it. Mr. Arthur said that the village that I had saved appointed me as their new landlord. I mean, I am happy but Elena wouldn't be so happy about that.

"I can't. That village is a part of Chesprych nation. Elena wouldn't be so happy about that."

"The thing is, that village was no more. They are planning to rebuild the village far away from the reach of Elena. They were thinking to build it inside the border of Warrenio."

"How would that be fine?"

Elena wouldn't allow something like this. I'm sure if she ever heard about this, she would slaughter all the survivor. That witch is the devil of this land. Always driven by power and money.

"We will. You were head to head with Elena. Isn't that enough to prove your power? And what's more. You just defeated a Cataclysm Boss."

"Hey. I was just lucky."

"Don't you trust in your power? You're pretty strong."

"Me? I'm not strong. You know that Mr. Arthur."

He laughed. He rubbed my head and smiled.

"You are strong because you're my student." He said while beaming ear to ear. His grin was firm and pure. He was confident in himself that he believed that I'm strong like him. I'm nowhere close to his level, I mean, he got a limit break and he's level seventy-six. I'm still at my level 30 gap and I still don't have a proper cla.s.s.

"Just trust me. Besides, the only way we can limit break is through a Zeus Fountain. Each country has one and these fountains can unlock your level gap. It's better to go to Warrenio than to die here in Chesprych."

"I see. Still, Elena wouldn't be so happy about this."

"Don't worry. A word has not spread that you are here. A group of mages had erased every memory of the adventurers and knights. The only people who remembered your heroism were us and the surviving villagers."

"..."

"So what is it? Will you accept? You'll become a n.o.ble."

"I... I don't really know..."

"I'll give you time to think about it." He patted my shoulder and went off.

These things are to sudden and I really don't know what I would do. I just can't let these people fall right into Elena's hand but the responsibility will burden me a lot. I'm no hero. I'm just a boy sent to another world.

Maybe things could work out well. But we can't really say for sure. The world is a cruel place and I still need to find a proper cla.s.s. I was thinking that I could get a swordsman cla.s.s. Just my Calibur and light armor. Everything will work perfectly after then.

Being a n.o.ble is really amazing. Fame, wealth, acknowledgment, n.o.bility and owners.h.i.+p is just a single yes away. But still... There are consequences that awaits me as soon as I accepted that request.

I should focus more on myself. I need to take out this limiter then I'll have no problems in leveling up. I just need to work this off and I'll probably meet Namimi on the other side. Until I prove my worth.

Come to think about it. There's an icon popping on and off in my vision. It looked like a symbol. I opened it then suddenly my 2nd sphere skill tree appeared.

-Rank Up-

Several branches soon unlocked as I opened the skill tree.

=

Gained 3 Armor

Gained 6 Attack

Gained 4 Strength

Gained 7 Health

Gained 2 Dexterity

Gained 1 Defense

Gained 9 Agility

Gained Effect: Mauler Resistance 15%

Gained Effect: Poison Resistance 5%

=

That's pretty much each of them. Most of them were status boost and the only thing that mattered was my resistance. Mauler Resistance was basically physical damage resistance. Maybe I got that from the Minotaur King?

I had laid back and stared upon the large tree that is sheltering me from the rays of the sun. The sky reaches out widely with a backdrop of blue and the birds were flying down the south.

I got back inside the room and found both of them sleeping. They must be tired from all that quarrel. Ayumi has changed so much. I thought she's that haughty kind of type. I hope I won't just b.u.mp into someone with a haughty behavior. It'll get me in trouble.

Koneko still had her childish behavior. Her lips, as far as I remember, were soft and gentle. I know G.o.d Tier pets are actually G.o.ds with thousands of age. But her behavior and demeanor, I could still mistake her as an energetic little girl.

Ayumi had pretty much matured. She's well open and she's able to decide for herself. In a way, she was able to act on her own. I realized that she needed a master to command her but now that she's matured, she's well on her own. I think I don't need to protect her anymore. But, I still want to. My feelings of love when I first met her hasn't returned after she had betrayed me. But I still like her though and I still care about her.

I went into the kitchen as my tummy rumbled. I'm famished, not being able to eat two weeks straight, and decided to check out the food. As soon as I got into the kitchen, all their eyes locked into me. Their lips started to reach wide and an aura of joy filled the air.

"Hero! Welcome! Welcome! What can we do for you?!" A large man with a suave mustache approached me. He looked like the main chef and he holds the parsley by his hand.

"Hero! Here! Have some lemon juice!" A cook approached me. He reached out a gla.s.s of lemon juice and smiled at me.

"Thanks."

"Here! Have some gingerbread!" A girl approached me then.

"Umm. Thank you."

"Accept this! It's a dragon soup!" A man around his thirties approached me with a bowl of hot soup.

"Woah! Dragon soup?" I sat down by the table and tasted the soup. Suddenly, I found myself digging in. It was unique! It's mildly spicy and there's a sweet and sour flavor. The meat is pretty tender and the soup was filled with thick broth. It tasted like chicken. No, like a beef. No, like a pork. No, like a turkey! GEEZ, I CAN'T EXPLAIN!

It was flavourful and it was tasty.

All of them were waiting for me. Staring embarra.s.singly at me. Their eyes were wide with expectations and they had their hat's down to their hands.

"S-so, how is it?" The man who gave me this soup asked.

"It's marvelous!"

Suddenly they all rejoiced and each of them patted the man's back. The man who cooked it left a tear in his left eye. He smiled and happily rejoiced. The main chef approached him and patted his back.

"You're promoted!"

"Thank you!"

What a crazy and weird bunch they are.

"Why are you guys being kind to me?"

"Hero, we should be kind to you. Even when you slaughtered a whole village, you still saved ours! We came from Flinn Village and we are thankful for protecting our family there!"

Yeah, but I'm not a murderer. But I guess it's alright. At least they saw me as a hero. It feels weird since their idea about me contradicts.

They continued feeding me and I ate a lot. I didn't care if I was full but this food they're serving me is an epitome of heaven. It's such a waste to deny. It's flavorful! Yummy!

I ate and ate till I can't swallow anymore. I laid back as I puff an air out of my mouth. Then I burped.

-Gluttony-

*Endless Devourer: Conditions Met*

Gluttony: Endless Devourer: Conditions met.

A panel of information popped up. Come to think of it, I remember a similar panel like this. First, it was Wrath, now it's Gluttony?

I opened my help settings but none of them cared to show any information. It was not on the help list and definitely not found in my skill tree. It's funny because it sounds like seven sins. Wrath and Gluttony are one of them.

"Did our food fill you up, Monsieur?"

"Yes, it did. I find it extremely satisfying. It was delicious!" He rubbed my head.

"Good! Come here anytime!" Everyone returned to their work and started to busy themselves.

Why do people always rub my head?

I strolled around the building and found a training room. It was wide and full of equipment. I found a dummy and it was enhanced by a spell.

-Dummy For Swords-

Apparently, it was a dummy capable of enduring cuts and hits. It was a good target practice for my Calibur.

"Calibur." I pulled out my sword. It basically hurts. If I explain how it feels like to pull out a sword from a different dimension inside your palm it feels like a needle piercing your skin. It doesn't hurt that much but it still hurts.

I started slas.h.i.+ng the dummy. It cut in half but it suddenly regenerated its part and the part that fell off, faded.

"Awesome!"

I started practicing my blade until my sweat came out. It drenched my bandages and I felt exhausted. My hands began to hurt but I didn't stop.

-New Personal Quest: Training!-

Training!:

Do Push-ups

Do Sit-ups

Do Squats

Objective:

100 each of them

Reward:

Mana Cost And SP Cost Reduction

Health Boost+

Strength Boost+

Well, I guess I still have time to do some exercise. Funny because it seems that my system wants me to recover.

I started doing each of them until I get a hundred.

I felt my skin soak in sweat and heat as I continue to work. Slowly and firm, I felt my stats increase.

I decided to continue to work out and I started to do pull-ups. I just felt like doing today. I didn't want these injuries to hinder me. My Resiliency skill is already helping.

I looked behind me and Ayumi was there. I was surprised and I jumped down from the pole. I went to approach her and she was doing some stretches.

"Look! Master! I'm going to lift!"

Koneko grabbed a dumbbell sitting on the floor. She tried to pull it up to her arm.

"Emf! Mmmmm! Emf!" Her face was red and the veins started to bulge on her forehead. It was only five kilos but I guess her body couldn't handle it. She gave up.

"Hahaha, Konekoooo!" Koneko's pretty adorable. I rubbed her head and she smiled at me.

"I'll try again!" Koneko clasped her hand around the handle of the dumbbell and started to grip stronger. She looks very funny and her eyes looked like it would pop out at any moment.

Suddenly the dumbbell lifted about an inch above the floor. She released it and glanced at me.

"Did I do it?"

"Well, not really. Haha!"

"Geez! Master you meanie!"

She kicked my leg but I just laughed at her. She pouted and sat by the corner.

"What's so heavy about this?"

Ayumi pulled a dumbbell on the floor and she did it without a sweat. I felt a cold sweat drop from my forehead. That dumbbell weighted heavier than her. That dumbbell was self-weight and different from the one Koneko was trying to pull.

"G-go..."

"What?"

"G.o.dly, that's awesome!"

"I don't see anything awesome about this." She laid the dumbbell back to where it belongs.

I was about to say gorilla but I don't want to die yet. I'm too young. It feels weird. If she's energetic and angry, her strength reaches the sky but when she's down and sad, her strength is like a girl.

I just went to the corner and rested. She was wearing her pants and her chest was wrapped and covered by bandages. She looks like those anime girls in kendo clubs. She started to do squats and her sweat drops by the floor.

I don't want to sound perverted, but she's hot.

I stood up and sat by Koneko. It kinda feels weird without her resting on my shoulder. I kind of miss that. But since I was able to conquer my trauma, it didn't matter if she was with me or not.

"Master, I'm hungry..." She cradles her stomach.

I was full but I never thought about Koneko and Ayumi.

"Then let's buy some food."

"Really? Yay!"

"Yes. Hey Ayumi. Want to come with us and buy some food?"

"Sure. I mean l-like if your paying for it. And it's not like I want to eat. Idiot... I just want to make sure that Koneko doesn't try anything out of the ordinary." She fiddles with her finger.

"Right. Get dressed and we'll go."

"Right."

She got out and went to get her clothes. I can't have people staring at her especially her skin. Somehow, I want her all by myself.

Koneko suddenly pulls my sleeve and I found her biting her lip. She was nervous and her face was red.

"M-master... Do you hate me?" She asks.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Because Koneko kissed master without permission."

She must be guilty for stealing a kiss. I can't blame her. I mean, I don't want to be angry at her. She had done everything to help me in the past.

"No. I was just surprised that's all."

"Really? T-then are you happy?"

Geez, it's starting to get awkward. I don't want to say I enjoyed it, it'll sound wrong. But she's a thousand years old. Still, she looks like a loli. But she's a thousand years old. GEEZ! MY MIND IS RATTLING!

"Hmmm.. Maybe? Yes? I don't know."

"T-then kiss me again..." She asks me as she pulls my sleeve.

What?! What? Wait, wait... I'm confused now. I'm really confused. She looks at me with her puppy eyes and I clearly don't want to break her heart. I might leave a scar for her entire life.

"But Ayumi will get angry, Koneko..."

"I won't tell..."

"I..."

"Do you hate me, master?"

Okay, there are these options. I can walk out and never think that this happened ever again but it'll break her heart. I can deny but it'll break her heart. I can tell her excuses but it'll break her heart.

Or I can kiss her and Ayumi will break my bones.

Either way, something will break.

Man!

"Just... Just don't tell her okay?"

"Yes!" She smiles happily. She closes her eyes and leans right in front of me. Her lips are waiting and her face glows red. She's blus.h.i.+ng and she's trying hard.

I just can't find myself to do it.

"Geez! Master! Don't make me wait!" She pouted.

"Heh heh... Sorry... Alright, Koneko..."

She closes her eyes again. Her lips parted and I held her cheek. She breathes slowly and she waits for my lips to touch her.

I covered her lip with my finger in hopes she'll think those are my lips. But she opened her eyes and she bit my fingers.

"Ah! Koneko!"

"Master! That's not fair!" She's starting to cry.

"Okay! Okay! I won't tease you anymore. Okay... I'll do this once. Just this once, alright?"

"Okay!" She smiled.

I held her cheek and I kissed her lips.

It was smooth and soft. Her lips were like cherries and the smell of her hair permeates the air. I held her cheek and she held my hand.

After that, I stopped kissing her and we both opened our eyes. Suddenly she bursts out in tears.

"H-hey! Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry master..." She snivels. Her tears were falling down and her face twisted in sadness.

"W-why? What do you mean?"

"I... I'm sorry for leaving you... Huhuhu..."

She must mean about what happened months ago. When Ayumi and Koneko betrayed me. But she didn't really betray me. She just had to convince Elena and the others that she betrayed me in order to communicate with G.o.ds. Ayumi told me that she tried to communicate with Nas.h.i.+ki but Nas.h.i.+ki didn't reply. She tried to free me from this curse too.

I held her between my arm and she continued to cry on my shoulder. She embraces me as her eyes drop tears.

"I really loved master... I really love you, Yakiro-sama..."

"Hey... Don't cry..."

Suddenly an icon popped in my vision.

-Crescent G.o.ddess Kiss Of Memory-

Effect: When Koneko kisses her master, she is able to see his memories.

Koneko... You...

She kissed me because she wanted to see my memory. I guess she felt guilty. I really didn't want to break her heart that's why I allowed her to kiss me. But in the end, I still broke her heart.

"Koneko. Don't cry. It's not your fault, okay?"

I faced her and wiped her tears. She looked hurt.

"Will you still forgive me, Master?"

I rubbed her head and smiled.

"Of course. Now go and wash your face, Koneko. We're going to eat."

As soon as she heard "eat", her face lightened up.

"Okay!" She smiled and ran off. She went to wash her face.

I went outside and saw Mr. Arthur walking with Ayumi. They have bags on their back.

"What's with the bag?" I asked.

Mr. Arthur: "We're moving out. We don't want to take s.p.a.ce here. We'll stay by the inn. I've already bought us some rooms there."

Ayumi: "I brought your stuff and Koneko's."

"Give me that bag, Ayumi."

"I don't need help, Idiot. I can do this."

"Just give me the bag."

Mr. Arthur went first and Ayumi gave me her bag with our stuff inside it. Suddenly, Ayumi bit her lip.

"Umm... Yakiro..."

"Alright! There's Koneko right there! Let's go!"

I lied about that. From the looks of it, I've heard those lines before. I had enough kissing for today, so thank you very much! I looked at her and she was clenching her fists. Her head hangs low and when she faced me. She was scarlet red and her eyes were teary.

SMACK!

"STUPID!" She slapped me.

Geez! What's going on today?!