Chapter 48: To the Tower of Hunters
One week.
That was all it took for the mysterious girl who named herself Kyriaki to become a core member of the survivors.
At first there were conflicts. Like the high priest Warkan and some people who couldn't believe her statement of getting out of this hellish place.
「 We have to go towards the Tower of Hunters. The journey will approximately take six weeks. On the way, I'm planning to gather my teammates. This makes us tight on schedule so we'll depart tomorrow. Are there any objections? 」
She had a commanding presence. The authority she held was clearly something she was born with. She was rather precocious for a child. And her every gesture was noble and elegant, making it all the more clear that she was no ordinary person.
No, it was so clear she wasn't even human. There were too many hints. She wasn't hiding it in the first place.
At first, although the people followed her, they had their doubts. The reason everyone cling to the faint hope, even though it felt too unrealistic, was because they silently agreed for a one last struggle.
But all their doubts faded away after one incident.
It was just a day after the mysterious girl had defeated the High priest Warkan verbally, leaving a lasting impression.
A group of C rank Orc monsters ambushed them on their way.
That was when they truly grasped that the little girl wasn't someone they could measure with their common sense.
She summoned a beautifully crafted jet black sword out of thin air, and single handedly handled the monsters after advising the Romanov couple to not interfere.
Her strength was monstrous. She had a personal unique color to her Mana and Sword Aura, indicating she's of higher core rank. Not to mention, her elegant sword techniques and the way she used magic, everything about her made her identity more and more mysterious.
By the third day, she even became the food donor of the group after noticing they were eating monster meat.
It was a truly astonishing moment when she pulled out various dishes from her space storage like it was nothing.
「I made them myself, please enjoy.」
Food they had never seen before. By the look of it, everything was undeniably appetizing and luxurious. Like it came straight from a King's dining table.
At first people were wary. Only when Mr. And Mrs.Romanov took the lead without hesitation when the others followed.
If one was to give points to the food it would be as followed;
Beauty: 100
Taste: 100
Satisfaction: 100
And that wasn't all, she occasionally gave elixir based food to those who act as a shield and spear to the group without hesitation. It was still a mystery how she knew about their attributes without them personally telling her. Somehow, she gave elixirs that boost their attributes and stats like she knew almost everything to know about them.
It was terrifying, yet comforting.
By the fourth day, The mysterious little girl—Kyriaki became someone irreplaceable.
It was because she revealed she had healing abilities, shocking almost everyone.
「You are injured, Miss Marina. My apologies for not noticing it earlier. Here, I'll heal you.」
Healing ability manifests for Light attribute users and some wood and water attribute users. And they were so rare that only nobles and temples could afford that luxury.
But Kyriaki nonchalantly healed the people as if it wasn't anything special. Her demeanor was always calm and elegant, with a hint of indifference. She treated everyone equally, politely and meticulously. Well— perhaps not everyone. She seemed to ignore the High priest from day one.
There was no respect in her eyes when their eyes met occasionally. Kyriaki gave minimal supplies and left him isolated. But her prowess made it harder for the priest to complain.
After all, he was getting human treatments after two years stuck in the Void Plane. He couldn't afford to miss this chance.
Now, a week later, everyone thought only one thing:
Even if she cannot take them back to the Primal Plane, just her being together with them gave them a sense of comfort and relief.
She truly was a Goddess to the people at that point.
Slash!
"Done here!" The same calm and polite voice, like the sound of a dream, melted their tension.
"Here too!" Mrs.Romanov cheerfully reported.
"Well done." Kyriaki nodded in acknowledgement.
"Wow…" Oscar glanced at the pile of Kobolds and the girl with golden eyes sitting on them with a slightly opened mouth.
"Close your mouths before flies get in." Marina said in a daze.
"Look who is talking." Oscar talked back, still staring at the girl who held all the authority in the group.
Marina couldn't argue. They, who had become useless for a week as they weren't able to lift a finger, just stood far behind and observed the three strongest warriors taking care of everything.
Today, they raided a small kobolds village to obtain water.
And as always, Kyriaki and Mr.Romanov took the lead.
"Just who the hell is she?" Oscar couldn't help but question Kyriaki's identity.
"Not a human for sure." Marina replied.
Kyriaki hadn't eaten or taken a wink of sleep for the past week. Constantly monitoring the map and guarding the surroundings like some kind of guardian Knight. Even though her eyes or expression didn't show it, her actions looked somewhat cautious.
When asked the Romanov couple, who looked like they knew her personally, they avoided the conversation saying;
「Don't mind it. Her kind is born to protect, even among them, she is special. Just think of her like a guardian deity.」
That was the answer they got. And all those hints they displayed were pointed at one thing; the little mysterious girl wasn't human.
"True. She looks like a five year old human, but she's far too mature and powerful for a human child." Clever Oscar agreed instantly with Marina.
"Then, perhaps a beastkin?"
"No." He immediately denied, shaking his head. "Beastkin has their own distinct features. Like their beast body parts, scent or habits. Just look at me and the Romanov couple. But she looks perfectly like a human."
"Then an elf?"
"...if not for her shorter ears, I might have believed she was a high elf."
"Then what is she?"
"That's what I want to know too!" Oscar's former dull eyes gleamed with newfound life as he whispered excitedly.
"Do you think she's…you know." Marina silently stared at his lively brown eyes for a moment and whispered back, trailing on her own words at the end.
"I know what?"
"...you know—a true God?"
"... don't talk nonsense."
"Hey, Look. You are also unsure!"
"Shhh…" Oscar jabbed Marina with glittering eyes, looking straight. Marina clicked her tongue at the sight of him turning red once again. She knew without looking, the reason he acted that way.
Every time Kyriaki was near him, he turned tomato red and acted all shy and docile like a fawn. Well—technically, he was one.
"Let it rest, I'll use my purification skill on it later." The two of them heard Kyriaki's calm command to the people who collected water barrels.
Marina's eyes turned to Kyriaki, who was walking towards them with her gaze intently fixed on the strange magic tool.
That tool was also a bit mysterious, just like the owner. Marina had never seen something like that in her life. Even when she worked as an adventurer and met many nobles, she never saw something like that within the upper class of humans.
It was a mysterious object that produced small and realistic images of maps and information.
Even right now, Kyriaki was observing the realistic map of Void Lifianest.
Four red dots scattered around the vast land, and Kyriaki's gaze was practically observing those dots. She always did it without a delay when she got a chance in the past week.
Just then, something happened to one of the two red dots that were together for a few days.
It flickered and disappeared as if a dying firefly.
Kyriaki flinched. Her golden eyes wavered a little and settled with a cold and calculating gaze.
It was so cold that for a moment, it felt like the winter had arrived like a silent assassin.
A chilling, merciless winter that wouldn't hesitate to freeze life with a small breath.
"Kyriaki!" Upon witnessing the change first hand, Marina unconsciously called out to the girl.
Kyriaki lifted her head forcefully and locked eyes with her. Those golden eyes, like the blazing sun itself, seemed to ask why she was called.
The winter hadn't gone, but the sun had finally risen, even for a fleeting second.
"What's wrong?" Marina cautiously asked, gesturing to the map still unfolding before them. Kyriaki slowly looked at the map, especially at the remaining dot and lifted her head once again.
This time, she was wearing a mesmerizing smile. But for some reason, her big golden eyes had no gentleness. If anything, they were…
Indifferent.
Cold.
And…
Almost maniacing.
Marina fought hard to surpass her urge to shiver and step back in fear.
"Nothing is wrong. It's just that everything is too loud, the world is too unpredictable and I feel violent."
An honest, or not-so-honest, answer was given.
'Please don't feel too violent. The world might collapse from Divine wrath.'
Not only Marina, but also Oscar who was busy stealing glances at Kyriaki while blushing felt her killing intent, albeit very slightly.
Both of them froze. And Kyriaki smiled brightly like nothing was wrong.
And just like that, another week passed.
They advanced towards the Tower of Hunters as cautiously as possible.
Killing.
Protecting.
Getting protected.
Hiding.
Moving on.
Everything repeated like they were trapped in a death circle like ants.
Until, something expected yet still surprising and intriguing happened once again, just like the day Kyriaki appeared before them.
It was two whole weeks after they met Kyriaki.
One dim evening—the time for their regular rest period—they gathered around a bonfire.
Since there was no sun or moon, there was also no sense of day and night. It all depends on one's own perspective of time. So the sky was still the same, the density of air, ground beneath, environment everything was the same.
Thanks to an artifact Kyriaki had, they were out of sight from monsters and could rest without the fear of death. It also hid their scent and the smoke coming from the bonfire, forming a special kind of barrier.
Mrs.Romanov, who treated Kyriaki with utmost respect and care, was having a light conversation with Oscar. Sandwiched between the two beastkin, Marina just blankly stared at Kyriaki, who was standing still with an elegant and dignified posture.
Marina had a hobby these days.
She liked to just stare blankly at Kyriaki and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty whenever she got the chance. And she knew almost everyone in the group found entertainment and joy in doing exactly that.
'To be honest, when else would we get to see such bewitching beauty?'
As Marina enjoyed the beautiful view, she noticed a subtle change in Kyriaki.
Kyriaki froze.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly before fire ignited inside them. The kind that only the hot and burning sun could produce. Her jaw tightened and she clenched her tiny fist as if she wanted to punch someone.
Not only Marina, but the two beastkin on either side of her also noticed Kyriaki's sudden change.
They all stimulusly looked at the direction Kyriaki was glaring at.
Thud!
The bow in Marina's hand dropped. Her jaw dropped at the same time the bow did.
From far ahead, 10 meters away stood a boy the same age as Kyriaki.
There was no movement. Not even an attempt to move a finger. It was as if someone had put a very realistic looking doll there.
The boy stared back.
The unwavering color of his eyes was a cold and transparent ocean blue. Those stunning eyes, framed by long eyelashes and eyebrows the color of white pearls, looked as if a god had trapped the ocean in a jewel. One glance was enough to send chills down one's spine the moment they met his eyes.
Hair the color of freshly fallen snow with tips the color Aquamarine of shallow ocean water was impressive. His flawless porcelain skin glimmered like the radiant moonlight. It was an unforgettable beauty that could silence even the most eloquent poets and sculptures.
Truly, It was nothing short of eternal, defying mortal comprehension. His demeanor was charming, yet it held an air of cold indifference only few could notice.
Was he the personification of the Winter ocean?
No one knew.
But one thing was certain. He was the same kind as the girl named Kyriaki.
Just as everyone held their breath, lost in the charming beauty of the boy, he opened his tightly pressed pinky lips. His eyes slowly curved into crescent moons along with his rising lips. A bright smile formed on his adorable face, blinding the spectators.
"&$#@*€!" His voice was enchanting as it flowed leisurely like reciting beautiful poetry.
Marina immediately recognized the flow and pronunciation of the words he spoke. It was the same language Kyriaki used the first time she met the survivors.
It sounded so…
Divine.
mythical.
And ancient.
Marina barely managed to take her gaze away from the pretty boy to look at Kyriaki. Then, she froze as if caught in a freezing spell upon seeing the expression Kyriaki made.
Kyriaki's formerly burning eyes turned cold. Like they were the incarnation of a cold glacier under the northern lights. Compared to this, the coldness she displayed to the high priest Warkan felt like a child's play.
The mysterious sunset afar horizon and the deep ocean of the dashing winter season. Opposite colors clashed without blinking in the air.
"&$#@*€? £¥^¢ $#€¢¥?" The boy tilted his head.
Gasps of admiration escaped from the lips of almost everyone at the sight.
Marina felt her cheeks dye red at the sight of the adorableness. She felt like lowering her guards. Her protective motherly instincts flared to life, and she felt like she wanted to shield this boy from every threat that might come their way. It was as if he had charmed the entire group with just a tilt of his head.
However, there was someone who seemed to be immune to all of this charm.
Kyriaki gritted her teeth and walked forward with hasty steps.
"^££¢ _®~$@# €%£ @£¥~?!" She grabbed him by the collar and shouted in that ancient and holy language.
Marina couldn't understand a word, but she felt like Kyriaki was extremely irritated and asking a curse-like question. Even so, her words still sounded divine.
"^££¢ $# @#_& €¥£~?" The boy's smile never vanished. He let her grab his collar and just stared at her with unreadable eyes.
"$#&—"
"&$#@ ¢€¥|π,§~£¥^¢ #@$£&?" He then cleanly cut off Kyriaki's words in the middle and gestured at the crowd looking at him with his chin playfully.
Kyriaki paused and looked back. Her yellow diamond like eyes were filled with vivid annoyance and displeasure. Quarter of a minute passed and with a sigh, Kyriaki released him from her grasp.
She then dusted off imaginary dust from her black & white clothes and gestured at the boy with her head calmly.
"This is one of my teammates." She said with a hint of apathy.
Her language switched back to their usual smoothly like she had never used another language. It was amazing how her mood could change so fast too, but nobody dared to question any of it.
'Thought so.' Marina also nodded.
The charming boy bowed just like Kyriaki did before with a smile and spoke in fluent common language;
"Pleasure to meet you, My name is Euclid."
His name held a noble and mysterious air, just like Kyriaki's. Both names were never-heard-of weird names after all. This confirmed it further. Both of them were of the same kind.
Kyriaki grabbed him by his wrist and pulled him closer, glancing at the Romanov couple. Marina noticed the subtle surprise and ears that turned slightly pink from the boy named Euclid.
"I need to talk to him alone. Is that okay?" Kyriaki, who was oblivious to it, earnestly looked at Mr.Romanov.
"Yes. Please catch up with your teammate. You must have a lot to talk about." Mr.Romanov immediately nodded. His eyes twinkled in a rare show of emotion.
"Thank you." A faint smile appeared on her lips, and Kyriaki dragged the boy away with a much more calm and dignified demeanor than before.
"Wow…I thought there wouldn't be anyone as beautiful as Kyriaki, but I think I was wrong?" Oscar's absentminded tone reached Marina's ears, prompting her to chuckle.
"You do know that he was a male, right?"
"Of course I do!!!" Oscar expressed his displeasure at her teasing words.
"But seriously…just who are they? Their appearance, language and tools… everything is otherworldly." Marina whipped her teasing smile off and glanced at the place where the two children disappeared to with deep thoughts.
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