Chapter 23 - Time To Just Relax..... Maybe?
I wake up from a dead sleep covered in the fur of some boar like creature.... 'Oh yea I remember, I had used a new skill to temporarily absorb Marico's energy and then while running back to camp I found and insta-killed a boar for Master.'
Looking up I could see that the others were still asleep except for Desmaros who was watching the cave entrance. I get up with a audible groan as soreness racked my body. He turns around with surprise on his face then with a concerned look he says. "Man, you shouldn't even be awake right now. After you passed out Master told us he could tell you had used up all of your energy and even the energy of another to get back to us. You are insane Vexsus, I've heard of using others life and soul to strengthen yourself but to use it just to run a little faster for a short time and even when your own power was weakened to such an extent? That's just unheard of."
"Yea I hear ya, trust me if I had my say in the matter I would be but my body is screaming for food." As if it was summoned by my words a loud growl emanated from my stomach to confirm my words. Desmaros chuckles.
"Yea we had a feeling this might happen and since we don't want a repeat of the last time you were hungry I went ahead and hunted a little bit before the others went to sleep. Here is a pile of some rabbits and even a big piece of the boar from last night, which by the way your gonna have to fill me in on how you managed to kill a rank 3 monster."
"Rank 3? what do you mean I just shot it in the head with an icicle while I was running back? but thanks I'll eat it all hahaha. Come to find out I can eat way more than my body suggests, its almost like I have an void for a stomach sometimes."
Ding 'Hidden Skill: Abyssal Stomach has been revealed'
'Are you kidding me system you mean I have hidden skills that I don't know about? just great what next you mean to tell me can open my stomach open like some sort of Scientifically created humanoid and swallow things into another dimension?'
Ding 'Hidden skill: Abyssal Consumption has been revealed'
'System you are killing me here, did you originate in this world or my old one?'
After the little surprise my system gave me I went over to the pile of meat and dug in. I didn't hold back and ate everything as it would be easier for me to just go hunting for the others later on. Thankfully I wasn't starving so I was able to keep in control, I could tell I was on the brink as the first bite weakened my consciousness. However using Mental Fortitude I was able to keep calm enough to not look like a ravenous monster, well after I look up and see the look on Desmaros' face I can assume that I only thought that.
"Dude are you ok? your Sin must be overwhelming if it can cause you to lose your composure like that I mean I've never seen carnage like that before."
"Yea I'm fine, just still having to get used this insane hunger sometimes."
'Great just Another thing to worry about but I guess if this is a condition of my power, I'll just have to grin and bear it.'
After I finish eating I say goodbye to Desmaros and tell him to let the others know I'm going hunting for a bit. He looked concerned considering not even 5 minutes ago I was groaning from soreness. But nevertheless he agreed and went back to focusing on guard duty.
I ofcourse was going to do some hunting but first I had to get away and go through my stats, it had been a while and I was excited to see what new things I had acquired. I reached a tree that overlook the clearing from before. I knew it could be a potentially bad idea if they caught me here, but if I was close to home it would be nice to see mom or dad or Gaia again.
I opened my Menu and was shocked that I had gotten an auto assimilation from the food I ate. I swore I didn't hear a ding or notification pop-up.
'Flesh of the Raging Tusk Boar consume. Auto assimilation commencing.'
'Skill list generating'
[Wrathful Charge] - User charges the enemy with nothing but pure malice and the urge to kill whatever is in it's way.
[Unyielding Vitality] - The user gains Immunity from damage after receiving a fatal blow.
I chose the [Unyielding Vitality] just because it sounds like a great fall back should things get out of control and I face something I couldn't handle.
"huh only 2 skills this time I'm still unsure of the requirements the system uses to determine the skill choices." I say out loud for nobody but the woods to hear and to stop the silence that was unnerving me. Now that I paid attention a little bit I could tell that there were actually no sounds except the wind. No insects, no birds, no forest animals nothing. Only the wind.... 'Oh shit'
I drop to the ground as a wind blade passes just centimeters above my head.
"Dammit you little bastard, think you can hurt my sister and get away with it!"
I look up to see Salus, and I smiled as I was thinking of getting some wind magic. But then I frowned as 3 figures walked out of the woods.
"So Runt been a little bit hasn't it, I see you gained some skills, but as you can see... So have I."
There stood Aurum but instead a bright and shining golden red scale covered body, his scales were tinted with a blackness that oozed strength, and a red outlining of the scales gave him an even bigger fear factor.
But what shocked me, and hurt a part of me was that standing next to him was Gaia. With Marico strapped to his back by Vines that writhed around like they had a mind of their own. Regaining my composure I Hid away my fears that Gaia had turned on me and instead hoped that this was some sort of undercover thing he was doing.
"Ah Aurum I see your scales have changed to match your soul, very nice I especially like the black and red theme you have going. Very scary, but Gaia what are you doing with these guys Shouldn't you be training to join me when I return after my training with master?"
Gaia puffs his chest out and with a snort he looks down on me. "Vexsus, I was a fool to have followed you for the short time you were here, I have been turned onto the right path by Salus and Aurum and have been told of how manipulative you were. To think that until yesterday I was happy to hear that you had grown so strong but then to be told that you attacked poor defenseless Marico and even go so far as to steal her power while she begged for her life. You are not my brother anymore Vexsus, you are just another enemy to us."
He turns and leaves without another word. "I see so that's how it is. You guys told him lies to get him onto your side. You guys are very sneaky, but my question is who did it was it you Aurum who decided to have Gaia betray his trust in me? Or was it you Salus who decided to snake his way into Gaia's mind and convince him I would attack Marico without provocation?"
They both look at me but I can see that Aurum has a look of doubt in his eyes, while Salus has a look of hatred and Jealousy in his.
"I wasn't the one Vexsus, Salus did it without talking to me. But nevertheless you attacked Marico and stole her power this I cannot allow as the Oldest and Strongest."
Aurum says this and I can see the look on Salus' face get even more foul, as his plan is advancing so flawlessly.
"Yes Elder Brother Aurum, This worm had the audacity to harm little Marico as her Elder brother it is your duty to protect her and avenge her if necessary."
After hearing this I couldn't hold it in any longer as I start to laugh uncontrollably.
"Hahaha, Good gods above do you really believe this Aurum. Listen I know you and me do not see eye to eye especially because of how big you are but let me fill you in on something, Salus and Marico were out here training last night except Salus was in the form of a wolf. I was excited to see a member of my family even if it was someone who did not want anything to do with me. I still rushed over and let her know I was there then the supposed 'wolf' attacked me and then turned into his normal form . Then when I tried to attack him back Marico send me hurtling with a huge Icicle and little Salus ran away in wolf form again, I asked Marico to please stop as I just wanted to talk to her but in the end she wouldn't even listen to a word I said so using a new idea for a skill I had I sucked out her power and used it to escape back to my camp, I left her alive because I wanted that to be a warning for him. I see now that it backfired as he turned the situation around and instead turned the one brother I liked against me."
Aurum seemed a little confused after hearing me explain what happened but then shook his head before turning around. He looked over his shoulders at me one more time. "Vexsus, mom and dad want to see you but I suggest you only come back when your ready to face me." He walks into the forest while Salus stands there with disappointment on his face.
"Vexsus, I wanted Aurum to kill you here and now but it looks like that won't happen today, But rest assured it will eventually and when it does I will be there to laugh over your dying body and then take your power for my own. Because you see little worm I awakened my Sin aswell can you guess what mine is." He said this with an ever widening grin. "My sin is Envy and with it I will absorb your power and gain the Sin of Gluttony and propel myself into the Legends amongst Dragons and rule the world."
Before I could say anything a strange mist appeared around him and covered my vision. This was different from my smoke. Shortly after it appeared it dissipated and with it Salus.
'Great I have a brother who doesn't trust me anymore, A brother who wants to take my place as the eldest which I'll be damned if that happens, and finally a brother who is so crazy he plans on absorbing my sin to start conquering the world. Just great this isn't what I wanted to happen today.'
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Hidden Skill: Abyssal Stomach - Able to consume vast amounts of materials for use as sustenance.
Hidden Skill: Abyssal Consumption - User will attack and devour enemy using gateway that is directly connected to an Alternate Dimension created within users stomach.
Unyielding Vitality - The user gains Immunity from damage after receiving a fatal blow.