2 days later since Bandit Incident!
Change of POV: Velzard
2 days since I eliminated Death Spreading Brigade has passed.
And 1 whole day since Brain Unglaus joined my team, the Frost Knights.
Rumors already spread like fire, with him on my team, people are already calling us 'unofficial Adamantite-Class Team.
At first, people though Brain Unglaus was leader of my team, but after words of me being Leader spread, people doubted it but once Brain himself announced it, waves calmed down.
At first, Brain was arrogant and prideful man who wanted to surpass Gazef. But since I humbled him 2 days ago, he changed slightly, he did not become depressed like he did in canon after his defeat by Shalltear.
It might have something with my 'Human' identity. He might be thinking that he may be able to reach my level. But honestly, that's not possible at all in my opinion.
While I do think he can reach level 40 with his own efforts. All this time he fought brainless monsters and people weaker than him.
But what if he fights against me who restricts my strength so he can adapt and surpass that restricted version of me?
It might work, but it will some time.
And I could get some decent battle experience with this too, besides just swinging my weapon as an amateur.
And as I mentioned, Brain has been promoted to Platinum-Class the moment he registered as an Adventurer by Guildmaster himself.
Apparently, even if you have confirmed strength as an Adamantite-Class warrior, you can only get promoted to Platinum-Class as highest class upon registration.
Well, honestly they should have made tests so people could have just picked tests for appropriate class upgrade they wanted to try out their luck.
My current objective is to get hard grasp on Martial Arts and get Clementine to fight Brain.
Clementine was former Black Scripture member and she should be at least Brain level, and I want to see how fight of their level would look like. Obviously, I would interfere if Brain is about to get killed or seriously injured.
My goal is to Capture her, take her swords and Crown of Wisdom. And then literally sent her back to Slane Theocracy's dogs who were tailing her.
You might ask why not kill her?
Well, by killing her I would be able to get maybe 1-2 levels. But If I return her, I would negotiate for gold in exchange for her and Crown of Wisdom. Since that would help me get in contact with Theocracy and maybe I could get on their good side in future..
I just want one cool sword and shield..
You know.
But let's return to reality.
I'm currently in forest outside of E-Rantel, so I and Brain could train without anyone noticing nor bothering us. Mind you, this is so I could get 'grasp on Brain's skills' while In reality, this so I can farm battle experience from fighting against him.
I dodged downward swing from his katana by jumping backwards.
"Why did you want me to join your team? Your strength is obviously far above mine, you don't need my help nor a team to work with." Brain asked he took another stance, gripping handle of his katana with both hands while pointing it at me.
"I need someone to deal with small fries." I told him blankly, causing him to "Tsk."
"[Ability Boost]!" He recited his Martial Art before lunging at me, his body twist as fast as normally.
I blocked his attack with my unsheathed [Ice-Sword], but this was not end of his rush. After my block, he attempted to kick me with his right leg into my stomach. But even though i'm trying to restrict my physical strength to be equal to his, my time perception is still much greater.
In other words, his attack is moving slowly at me, as if in slow motion.
I grabbed his right foot before throwing him at nearby tree four meters away. But mind you, since I held back he managed to plunge his Katana on tree before stomping with his foot on said tree. He leaped from tree at me once again, with his katana aimed to pierce my forehead.
I squatted down.
Only then did I realize my mistake. A terrible mistake which could have cost my life if I fought against someone like Antilene.
My squat was opening for him to change his swing in mid-jump to slash me with downward swing.
I rolled from the way, causing him to slice air.
"You fight like an amateur. Why is that? Your sword skills are decent, almost comparable to mine, but the way your body moves or rather your decision making is terrible. Just now, you made terrible mistake by squatting down, if your body was not as strong as you showed it to be, you would have been cute in half." Asked Brain as he stood up from ground before turning his head to look at me with questioning gaze.
I grunted.
"You have sharp eyes, no wonder." Was my reply, he is dangerous. Just from two fights he noticed it so easily...
He grinned.
"But beside that, you did not show me any Martial Art skills. Why is that?" He asked. " Could it be that you underestimate me that much?" He frowned for a second.
I remained silent for next two seconds, processing on how to respond.
I'll be honest.
"No, that is not the case. I'm gifted with unparalleled physical prowess, but since nothing is free in this world, this gift did not allow me to learn any Martial Arts in exchange for strength." I'm not lying, Player's supposedly can't learn Martial Arts, but their descendants can.
"Ah I see." He muttered before grabbing his chin in thinking pose.
"And since I posses unparalleled strength, there was rarely anyone challenging enough for me to use all my strength, that's where lack of my battle experience comes from." Well I'm not lying, I indeed do have such strength, i'm reincarnated with it thus born with it. I'm telling truth, but not complete truth.
"So besides being Adventurer in your team, you want me to be your punching bag so you can train yourself more?" He asked me, while looked at me with annoyed look on his face.
I grinned beneath my helmet.
He is not wrong after all.
If he tries to runaway I'll just catch him and beat him up. But I don't think he will try anymore, since he noticed how much money he could earn while being Adventurer and just 'Platinum-Class' no less.
I noticed him drooling once while imagining what he would buy with money once.
"[Ability Boost]!" Brain rushed at me from his position at me. When he was in cutting distance he swung at me with his sword horizontally . "[Heavy Blow]!" His katana gloved for moment, increasing his weapons crushing capability.
I parried it once with my [Ice-Sword] but Brain was not ready to yield surrender yet.
He swung several more times at me, each time i parried it.
"[Heavy Blow]!" He used once again that same Martial Art, but this time force of me parrying his attack sends him flying meters away.
I did hold back, but I accidentally used more strength than level 30-40. I have yet to learn a lot when it comes to holding back.
Brain slowly stands up, cleaning his clothes off the dirt.
"That one hurt. No matter what I do, I cannot reach you. It's like you immovable fortress."
"Brain, I want to ask you. Why do you seek strength. What is your reason for seeking strength so much you even joined Bandits?" I already know reason, but I want to hear it from him. I want him to make character development like in the original timeline he did.
He only truly changed once he saw Climb managing to stay alive under Sebas' murderous intent and after understanding that strength for protecting people is greatest from Sebas' words, he only then become 'hero' material.
I need to direct my [Murderous Intent] at him and also fill his head with strength to protect people.
"Hmm, why would you ask that question out of nowhere, Capitano?" He asked me ." My goal has been only to become strongest in Re-Estize Kingdom, and to surpass Gazef. But since you defeated me, you showed me new heights that might yet to be reached. World is a lot bigger place than I though if people like you walked on it."
Then he closed his eyes, before snorting. "I seek strength to surpass that man. And once I do so." He stared at me before pointing at me with his right hand. " I plan to surpass the heights he has yet to touch!"
Hmm.
"Then let me tell you something. The true strength does not come from one individual only but also to their ability to protect. If two individuals with same strength fought, the one with need to protect those behind him will survive and defeat the other one."
His eyes furrowed with confusion for a moment before realization flashed through his eyes.
"I can make you stronger now. I can make your will stronger and decisive, but it may result in your death. Would you like to overcome the fear of death?" I sheathed my [Ice-Sword] back into it's sheat.
I'm gonna use [Murderous Intent] on him, right here and right now.
He clenched his Katana in front of me. Silent agreement for my next action.
"If your will is weak, you will die."
'Activate [Murderous Intent].'
Change of POV: Brain Ungluas
[Author Note: Might as well enjoy writing story in other POV's beside MC's only.]
"If your will is weak, you will die." Proclaimed Capitano, causing me to tighten my grip on my sword once again.
But what came next, no matter how many preparations I took, it wouldn't have helped me at all.
After Capitano's words.
Coldness enveloped his body which spread in all direction, as the air itself froze at his behest.
But main force of the coldness was aimed in my direction.
A hallucination manifested itself behind Capitano, his presence once stoic and peaceful turned into raging blizzard.
Hallucination behind Capitano manifested into blue Dragon with striking eyes. But instead of whole body appearing, only head of the Dragon appeared.
On both left and right sides of Dragon's forehead is forward facing horn, Dragon's scales are colored blue, upper part of it's head is covered in blue-ice colored scales while lower part, the part of it's jaw and neck is covered in snow-white colored scales.
Dragon's head must be at least several times higher than both me and Capitano combined.
The same Dragon's head released roar.
But I could bet that I was the only one who could hear it.
~ROOOAAAAARRRR!!!!!
This presence is terrifying! I screamed in my mind, all meanwhile looking at slowly approaching fist from Capitano at my head.
I heard from other people this, when you are about to die, everything slows down so you can see your life flashing by.
Is this how my life ends? Because I'm weak? Because I can't act?
...
No, that is wrong answer!
I'm Coward! Once in my life time I meet such impossibly strong presence and being that my first instinct was to run! Me?! Who always prided itself in being called second strongest in Re-Estize Kingdom! Me who proudly proclaimed it so many times by now!?
What would they think if they had seen me now?!
What would Gazef though if he looked at my pitiful appearance right now?!
What is Capitano thinking when he is looking at me right now?!
No! I cannot die till I have re-match once again with Gazef!
I'm such disappointment!
I yelled at myself in my mind before tightening hold on my sword once again, even stronger than before.
Fist approaching my head, with my last strength and will, I managed to turn my head sideways .
Fist passed by my head, leaving traces of coldness in the air.
And the Murderous Intent disappeared, leaving nothing.
I fell on my knees, gasping for air. I couldn't get enough of it.
Then I felt clawed and familiar gloves tightening my right shoulder.
I turned my head to stare at Capitano's helmet.
"Congratulations. You fought and defeated fear of death. Some people would have died from it, yet you succeeded to survive and prevail. "
Was the last thing I heard before falling unconscious on hard and cold ground.
Chapter Word Count: 2172
[Name: Velzard]
[Race: True Dragon {Expand}]
[MP: 100]
[Titles: None]
[Level: 70+14]
[Job Classes: Fighter LVL: 9 {Expand}, True Dragon LVL: 5 {Expand}]
[Un-Added Levels: 0 ]
[Skills: [Murderous Intent] [Expand], [Slash] [Expand] ]
[Ice-Magic Moves] : [Minigun] [Giant Sword] [Ice Trail] ]
Explanations of Skills:
[Slash] is Skill that can be used 5 times per day. It doubles the strength of sword attack. It does not have cool down and it's [Basic] skill.