by Yuu Tanaka
“Do you know of the skill called Oracle of the Gods?”
“Nope.”
Never heard of it.
“It allows you to expend mana to ask a question of the gods themselves. And the gods will reply, although their answer depends on the amount of mana and the value of the information given. This scroll was produced when someone asked about the existence of the Godswords.”
The list looked incomplete. Did the skill deactivate midway through?
“The questioner didn’t have enough mana to ask for information about the Godswords. Once they ran out, they began to pay with their life. They couldn’t get all of the names of the Godswords or the ones who crafted them.”
What about the Xs?
“Godswords which were destroyed for some reason or another. It makes you wonder about the force able to destroy such a powerful artifact.”
Cherubim, Fanatic, Judgment, and Meltdown were gone. I didn’t expect Godswords to be so readily destructible.
“This scroll was written over five hundred years ago. More Godswords might have been made since then,” said Lumina.
“I see.”
“Now, see this Godsword called Explorer?” Lumina pointed to a portion of the scroll.
“The Searching Godsword?”
“Yes. There is a skill like Oracle of the Gods called Encyclopedic Index. It can tell you everything there is to know about an object, as long as you know its name. At the cost of mana, of course.”
I’m getting bad vibes from this… Lumina had mentioned trading mana for information.
“It is as you suspect. Explorer’s wielder wanted to know more about their sword. They cast Encyclopedic Index to learn about it, and lost their life in the process.”
I knew it!
“They did manage to learn a few things about the blade before they expired, however. The Godsword Explorer grants its user investigative and sensory skills while possessing less-than-impressive combat prowess. It is only as strong as an average enchanted sword.”
Seriously?
“Indeed. There are Godswords that can destroy continents, but also Godswords that are not fit for battle.”
Wait, does that mean—
“Although, I do not think it applies in your case.”
Dang it!
“You said you did not come with a name. Having a name is a prerequisite for a Godsword.”
That’s what I thought when I first looked at the list. Still, I’d grown fond of Fran’s name for me, even proud of it. I would not accept another.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Intelligent Weapons are as legendary as Godswords. You are very impressive by yourself.”
“Hm. Teacher’s the best,” Fran agreed.
The compliment would have made me blush if not for my lack of cheeks. Any chance you know about the one who made me?
“Unfortunately, no. This is my first time encountering an Intelligent Weapon. I don’t know much about the Haunt called the Demon Wolf’s Garden, either. But one thing is for certain.”
And that is?
“Only a Godsmith could’ve brought you into existence.”
But I’m not a Godsword.
“Godswords aren’t the only products a Godsmith can make, you know,” Lumina said, as if reading my mind.
Godsmiths might be known for creating legendary Godswords, but their trade allowed them to craft other tools and equipment. Who knows? Maybe one of them even made kitchen knives. Although, a kitchen knife crafted by a Godsmith… Now there was a utensil that could make ingredients taste better with every cut.
“Also, only twenty-six of these superweapons are ever allowed to exist at the same time. They are not things you make in your spare time. Rumor has it that crafting a single Godsword can take up to ten years, and that’s only in preparation.”
Ten years? What are you supposed to do in all that time?
“Who knows? These are rumors, to be sure. I do not know the details.”
I see. So you think a Godsmith crafted me to occupy time between Godswords?
“A possibility, yes.”
I didn’t know whether to be proud of the fact that I was made by a Godsmith or ashamed that I wasn’t a Godsword. Still, finding out more about these Godsmiths might give me a lead on my origins. Before that, though, I wanted to address something that had been bothering me.
You’re radiating a lot of malice, Lumina. What’s up with that?
“Hm. Your skin’s turning black.”
“Oh, this…I can’t say. But give me a few days and I’ll be back to normal. In fact, I’ll be stronger for it, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Lumina was still in control. I didn’t quite understand what she was saying, but Fran massaged her chest in relief at hearing she would eventually be back to normal. Lumina was still herself, despite looking like a Fiend, but I couldn’t shake off that last bit of discomfort.
Did the gods punish the Black Cats by taking away their ability to evolve?
“Yes.”
Why’d they do it?
“That…I cannot say.”
I thought so. But at least we’d confirmed Aurel’s hypothesis of divine punishment.
I heard about the Ten Ancestors the other day. Are the Black Cats among them?
“Can’t say.”
Lumina’s unique circumstance turned her denial into a confirmation, and I was just getting started.
I saw a piece of equipment called the Black Sky Tiger Cloak once. Does that have anything to do with the Black Cat tribe?
The cloak had belonged to Salut, a Raydossian spy and personal bodyguard to the Phyllian twins Fult and Satya. Was the cloak produced by doing unspeakable things to an evolved Black Cat? Skinning a person and wearing their hide as armor was an inhuman act by any standard, but considering the lengths Raydoss went to in search of power, I assumed the worst.
“Allow me to explain it in terms of the White Snow Wolves. There is a monster called the White Snow Wolf, quite separate from the White Snow Wolf of the Ten Ancestors. They are both children of the White Snow Wolf Godbeast. It is said that when the Godbeasts procreated with people, they produced the White Snow Wolf Beast Tribe. When they procreated with animals, they produced the White Snow Wolf monster.”
Legends of gods mating with beasts and man had existed back on Earth, and apparently they did here, too.
“Though they have the same origins, they are completely different now. One is human, the other beast. The White Snow Wolf monsters of today only vaguely resemble their ancestors. They are certainly more beast than man, and no longer deserve to be worshipped. Although these monsters are occasionally hunted down and killed, they are not the natural enemies of the White Dog Tribe. The same applies to the other Ten Tribes. You have nothing to worry about.”
Well, that was a relief. I guess it was like if a human were to kill a monkey—even though we had a common ancestor, it wouldn’t amount to murder. So the Black Sky Tiger Cloak Salut wore had come from a monster.
“I hear that the Beast King has arrived in Ulmutt,” said Lumina. “Careful that you don’t run into him. I hear nothing but bad things about the man.”
“Hm.” Fran winced at the mere mention of the Beast King. Their encounter had left a mark on her.
We’ve met.
“What?! Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
Kind of. Fran got caught in the crossfire of his Intimidation. To be fair, the Beast King hadn’t seemed like he was targeting her on purpose.
“I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hm.”
“Even so, you mustn’t let your guard down as long as the Beast King is in town. You don’t know what he might do to you!”
Lumina hated the Beast King as much as Dias and Aurel did. The incident fifty-three years ago was still fresh in her mind. We asked her about Kiara, but she only knew what the other two had already told us, and could tell us even less because of the speech restrictions imposed on
her by the goddess.
“You cannot trust anyone related to the Beast King!”
“Got it.”
“Awful rumors surround that man like thick smoke. You would do well to keep a safe distance,” Lumina warned with a grim look on her face.
She certainly hated him, but I wondered if her reasons were personal. There were rumors that the Beast Kings were to blame for the slavery of the Black Cats, and it might just be true. Lumina clearly knew more about it than we did, though she wasn’t allowed to tell us.
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
We will.
“Hm.”
The day after Lumina learned of my existence, she sent us a personal invitation to come meet me. Lumina greeted us with a smile as we came out of the teleportation room.
Seeing her was enough to make Fran sigh with relief. “Good.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re back to normal.”
Her skin had returned to its normal color and there wasn’t a trace of malice left in her. I didn’t know what had happened over the course of the day, but she was back to the Lumina we knew and loved. However, despite her best efforts, she still looked a bit pale. She had yet to make a full recovery. “I’ve been busy,” said Lumina.
Fran tilted her head to one side, and Lumina smiled. Her familiar emerged from the back room and started gesturing towards us.
“It looks like everything’s ready.”
Ready for what?
“Come and see,” Lumina said as she guided us down the hallway.
We followed her, frantic with worry.
“What’s going on?”
“Wait…” Lumina said, evasive.
She was looking more than a little worse for wear, like she had just lost a huge amount of blood. We arrived at our destination just as her footsteps were beginning to waver. The room looked familiar—it was where Fran and Lumina had their mock fight. But it was different now, and that difference declared itself to us as we entered.
Is that a magic circle?
“It’s huge.”
The diagram was about a hundred meters in diameter. The pattern began in the middle and broke outwards, creating patterns within patterns. I’d never seen a magic circle of this scale before. What was she going to do with it?
“Huff…”
“Lumina, are you okay?”
Yeah, you don’t look so good.
“I really am all right. Don’t worry.”
A tall request, considering she practically collapsed into the chair her familiar brought out for her.
“The reason why I’ve called you here today is because I’ve prepared a test for you,” she said cryptically, pressing on through her pain. “Will you accept?”
A test?
“Yes,” she said. “What do you say?”
I wasn’t expecting a test…but refusing Lumina when she was in so much pain was difficult, if not impossible. Fran felt the same way.
“Hm.” She nodded.
Fran, we don’t even know what it’s going to be.
“Lumina prepared it. I’ll take it.”
“Thank you. But I warn you that it will be dangerous. You might lose your life if you are not prepared. I am giving you a chance to walk away.”
What?! We might die?! Now hang on just a second!
“We’ll take it.”
Fran!
“Teacher, please.”
Urgh… Fran’s kitty-cat eyes were the most powerful weapons in her arsenal. Still, I had to make sure. Are you sure about this?
“Of course.”
Lumina’s warned you about the dangers. You might die out there.
“That’s okay.” Her mind was made up.
All right…
“Thanks, Teacher.”
We would just have to give Lumina’s test our all. Besides, I knew she wouldn’t put Fran’s life in danger for nothing.
“Will you accept?”
“Hm!”
Whatever this test is, I assume Fran needs it.
“Yes.”
Essence of Falsehood did its thing. She was telling the truth. Well, we had to take it now.
Can Jet come with us?
“He may.”
“Grr!” Jet roared, showing us that he was ready.
“I’m going to summon a monster. Destroy it!”
“Hm. Got it.”
“Woof!”
Monster extermination. That was it? It seemed a little odd, but maybe we’d figure something out once we saw it…
“Get ready!” Lumina shouted.
The circle glowed as massive amounts of mana gathered in its center. Fran’s hair flapped about in the powerful gusts of wind. She squinted at the concentration of mana. When the light subsided, a lone monster stood there.
“Huff…huff…” Lumina was doubled over.
You okay, Lumina?
“I’m all right… Worry not…”
No time to check that against Essence of Falsehood. We had to focus on the monster. This was Lumina’s test.
The thing looked humanoid and was pitch-black from the top of its head to the tip of its toes. We couldn’t see its body past the black miasma, but we could make out the fur covering it. It looked like some kind of Kobold, if Kobolds were a hundred times fiercer and more terrifying. The thing was stronger than the pillbug. Fran had to control her breathing, and it was just standing there!
“Groooooar!”
“Ah…!”
The jet-black creature roared murderously, making Fran’s hair stand on end. Her reaction was similar to when she ran into the Beast King. This creature had a powerful aura—if she’d not had her chance encounter with the tyrant, she probably would have been overwhelmed. This beast was not to be trifled with.
Fran stood her ground in the midst of the pressure and looked the creature right in the eye. “Teacher, Jet… Let’s go!”
Right!
“Woof!”
“Grrrrr!”
“Haaaa!”
Fran charged, drawing me from my sheath as if to cut through the murderous air. We would pass Lumina’s test with flying colors.
Name: Corrupt Beastman
Race: Fiend; Monster
Level: 50
HP: 822; Magic: 927; Strength: 335; Agility: 1028
Skills: Evasion 9; Fang Arts 8; Fang Mastery 8; Presence Sense 9; Instant Regeneration 8; Blink 8; Magic Resistance 5; Enhanced Fur
Class Skill: Awaken
Lore: Unknown
This thing…had Awaken?
“Destroy it,” Lumina whispered. “Absorb its crystal…”
I knew it! She’d summoned this so Fran could evolve!
It had taken a lot out of her. The beast was costly to summon, even for a Dungeon Master. She was as white as paper, her cheeks were sunken, and her skin had dried up. That was how far she was willing to go to prepare this test for Fran. Fran knew it, too, and she steeled herself for the fight.
“I’m going in, Teacher!”
Go for it!
She started slashing.
“Raaaaargh!”
“Ungh!”
“Groar!”
“Urk!”
This thing was fast! And it could heal itself as fast as it could move, too! It easily weaved between Fran’s attacks and countered her perfectly.
“Aaaaargh!” The monster let out another terrifying roar as it grew in size. Its fangs and claws grew longer and its stats jumped upward.
“Hrmph.”
It Awakened!
“So fast…!”
I can’t track this thing!
The Corrupt Beastman moved so fast that it was practically invisible. We defended ourselves as best we could with Presence Sense, but it gave us no room to counterattack. As if that weren’t bad enough, it kicked into even higher gear. Claws clanged against steel as the creature scratched at Fran over and over.
“Urgh!”
Heal!
The beast was starting to wear her
down. Fran couldn’t strike back, lest she be torn to shreds. None of our enemies had been this fast. I didn’t know how dangerous speed could be! Fran was still the superior swordsman, but the vast difference in speed made it impossible for her to respond.
We’re going nowhere fast! I’m warping us in for an ambush!
“Hm!”
I teleported us to the creature’s rear, but Presence Sense allowed it to react. It immediately moved in to exploit the gap in our defense. Hitting this thing with magic might be easier than melee. I didn’t think it would be that effective, considering its Magic Resistance, but we had to try.
Take this!
I launched an Inferno Burst at the monster as Fran ducked under one of its swipes. The spell caught the creature off guard. A circle of flames consumed it, but the creature soon leaped out, damaged but not dead. The spell worked better than fighting it head-on, but its vast health and Magic Resistance kept it alive. Instant Regeneration would soon recover whatever health it had lost.
“This thing’s dangerous.”
You can say that again. We have to kill it in one hit.
“Hm.”
A one-hit kill was the only way of nullifying its regeneration. We formed a plan. Jet and I would distract the creature as Fran prepared to attack at full force. She looked for an opening where she could counter the creature with a Pressurized Quickdraw. Jet clamped on to the thing’s ankle as it tried to dodge, and I held it in place with a fully charged Telekinesis.
We had to kill this thing in one strike, durability be damned! I put all of my mana into my skills, bowing under the weight of multiple Elemental Blades—Fran with her Thunder, and me with Flame and Storm.
Come ooooon!
“Tssshhh!”
“Graooooorgh!”
The beast tried to get away, but it was too late. I cut it in half, starting from the tip of its head down to its groin. I felt the sensation of slicing crystal as I slashed its heart in two.
“Gwaaaooo—”
Multiple Elemental Blades took their toll on me, knocking my durability down by a good eighty percent. Cracks spiderwebbed up my blade as it threatened to shatter.
But we held. The creature’s corpse lay on the ground, split in half. The fight had left us in tatters, but we’d won.
That didn’t matter as much as the skill we just got. I frantically looked for it in my Skill Memory.