Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Floating Island Siege Battle
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"Revenge? And what if I am? What are you gonna do about it, Dre?"
The initial demure vibe was gone, replaced by a highly aggressive tone.
This must be Almiraz's true nature.
"Hmm... cut me some slack."
"Oh my. That's awfully meek coming from you."
Her eyes were blazing like she might actually lunge at me any second.
I shrugged and started making excuses.
"Well, yeah. My muscles are sore from my own flames, and believe it or not, I got grilled by the gods..."
"Grilled... Hngh."
Almiraz suddenly lost her hostility, her face twisting into a strange expression.
"I figured as much. That's why I thought the gods would come hounding me right away after prodding you... but they didn't?"
Huh. She buys it.
Then again, given the gods' nasty tendencies, they must've put insane pressure on Almiraz back in the day too.
"Besides, I just made up with a friend, so my heart's at peace right now. I don't feel like fighting."
"Hngh."
"Well, if it's not a fight but a spar, I'd be game."
Almiraz rested her chin in her hand, gazing at me with a relaxed smile.
The aggressive grin was gone.
Having a beauty stare at me up close felt pretty damn good.
"A date?"
"Hm?"
"That vessel girl was super pretty."
"A date sounds nice."
Almiraz burst out laughing, kyahaha, like something was hilarious.
"You're dense. Doesn't seem like you're pretending like you were in battle."
"Wha?"
"Nothing. Just saying."
A brief silence.
Almiraz spoke first.
"I'm on the run, so I can't chat for long."
"Got it."
"An hour or so?"
"That's plenty. But you're being chased—sure you can afford to be this chill?"
Why was she here in the first place?
No matter how dark it is under a lamp, the floating island and kingdom's forces aren't incompetent.
They'd sniff her out soon enough.
Plus, with the gods gunning for Almiraz, the players were obviously tracking her too.
"Doesn't seem like you came to fight. So why'd you come to me?"
"When did you figure it out?"
The question lacked a subject, but genius that I am, I got it instantly.
"Suspected it from the start. You were too polished for a dancer—couldn't take my eyes off you."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"And those floating rocks? Magic tools? Anyway, seeing them in action screamed 'that's Almiraz'."
"Hngh."
"Got a few more reasons, wanna hear?"
"Nah. That's enough."
I'd thought she was insanely well-trained for a dancer from the get-go, but now that it's confirmed she's really Almiraz, it feels surreal.
"So, you were moonlighting? I thought the whole troupe was in on it."
"The troupe members were great—felt bad they were just a one-day fling. But the director was a creepy perv who kept groping people."
"And you just took it?"
"Nah. I caved his face in."
"......"
A quiet breeze swept over us.
"Dre."
"Yeah?"
"Why'd you let me live?"
"......"
I stared right back at Almiraz, who was staring holes through me.
Mostly at her chest, abs, and such.
"Where're you looking?"
"Boobs. Navel. Shoulders now."
"You're hornier than I thought, Dre."
"You're brighter than I thought in person."
That power suit made her look like some monster.
Her speech matched—a post-apocalyptic cult leader vibe.
"Thought the chuunibyou speech was deliberate. Honestly, who would've guessed girl? Even I was confused after seeing the dancer."
"My speech... well..."
"Isn't it tiring faking that? Some kinda fetish?"
"You know why and still ask."
Almiraz furrowed her pretty brows.
Yeah, I knew.
"Instills fear. Solid concept."
"Fear's key in battle."
"True."
"But up close, you're all woman."
"Attitude? Or figure?"
"Figure."
Almiraz cracked up again, kyahaha.
"You're the first user to know I'm a girl."
"Really?"
"Wore enhanced suits even as a mage. Not the monster ones now, though."
"Hmm."
"So, what do you think?"
"Of what."
"Wanna do it?"
Do what, you ask?
Rub my dick on those abs and tits till I blow my load like doing laundry? Hell yeah, scrub 'em full.
"Hmm..."
"Why hesitate? I was asking if you wanna capture me now."
"That'd be a bad move on your part?"
She laughed at my reaction again.
She laughs a lot more than expected.
"Okay, lemme ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Why'd you spare me?"
Same question.
How to answer.
Could sweet-talk my way out smoothly, but didn't feel right with Almiraz.
I learned a ton from fighting her.
In a way, she's like my master.
"Dunno. Felt like it."
"Just 'felt like it'? I'm a mass murderer who's killed over a thousand, you know."
"Yeah. But you tried not to cross lines."
"Lines?"
She blinked, demanding an answer.
"Other murderers? No lines. Acted on whims, consequences be damned—others' suffering, lives at stake, whatever profited them."
She stared, urging me on.
Pushy.
"Guys like that? Don't care how many die. Hope they drop."
".........Hngh."
Long silence.
What're you thinking?
"But you were different. Villain, sure, but taking civilians hostage would've made it way easier. You prepped items to avoid victims."
"But you tried to sacrifice your cute girlfriend?"
"Asita's not my girlfriend."
"I know. Just meant friend."
She's really toying with me.
Got a bit annoyed glaring, but Almiraz was skyward.
Then she spoke self-mockingly.
"Plus, summoning the Forgotten God? Who knows the massacre that'd cause."
"Hm... yeah, would've regretted that."
"......"
"Still, you hesitated on Asita. Hated White Horse Lord pushing it. Your suicide talk later was real."
Yeah.
Almiraz is a killer, villain to some, but to me, she had a shred of conscience.
Not defending her, not saying I'm right.
Just did what I wanted.
"Killing you felt excessive."
"'Cause I seemed conscientious, you took all those losses to save me?"
"Dunno. Losses? Didn't think that far... Not just about you—rebelling too. Everyone around, gods, all screaming kill you. I'm contrary."
Forced? I push back.
"I see."
Almiraz watched passing clouds, then spoke.
"Planned to spare me from the start?"
"Why?"
"Bruises the ego. I fought to kill you, but you never intended to? Losing despite resolve means huge skill gap."
Sounds super pride-wounded.
"No plans. That floating item I gave? Kept it thinking might use someday."
Reflected on my actions.
No perfect plan.
High chance I'd lose.
Couldn't arrogantly decide life or death.
But.
"Never thought to kill you, though."
"Why? I caused you tons of trouble."
"More fun than trouble. And like I said, you've taught me more than anyone since coming here. Kinda master? Nah, too grand—adjunct instructor?"
"Hngh."
"Adjunct instructor" brought back her aggressive smile.
Why now.
"Wow. What a boring guy."
Sincere or bait? Cry if former, bolt if latter.
"Yeah, pretty much."
Not denying widened her eyes.
Then kyahat laugh, adding,
"Boring good Samaritan."
Good guy? Me?
Dunno.
Still, closing eyes brings that day vivid.
Screams, blood stench.
Wanting it again... good guy?
I said seriously.
"Nah."
"Hm. Whatever. Yeah, you're an idiot."
"Why insult me, you bitch."
Fragile mentality here.
Almiraz suddenly closed in.
Floral? Pine? Anyway, unique good scent hit.
Panicked, I said,
"What? Hug time?"
"Not what you want?"
Deep cleavage on healthy brown skin visible.
Swallowed hard, played cool.
"Wanna, yeah."
"Hngh."
Almiraz spread arms.
Eh? For real? Hug okay?
"Don't get ideas. Not fondness—this checks if you know the Forgotten God. Figuring if you're contracted to one like me."
"Oh?"
"Might play weird footage, but harmless?"
"Worried."
Still, if that's intent, I can counter.
Even if not, wanna hug this hot bod.
Spread arms silently; she hugged without hesitation.
Moment I embraced firm-yet-soft dream body...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You haven't forgotten our promise, right, kid?] "...!"
Snapped to; I stood in a bizarre space.
Dark, full of remains.
Not Almiraz's trap.
The space of that guy lurking inside me.
"Yep. Forgotten God, as you suspected."
The speaker-like voice rang clear.
Genderless, yet pleasant—weird.
Shadow atop remains peak...
Yeah, just "shadow".
Proper clothes, but body inside shroud-like garb pure black shadow.
"Don't wanna creep you, but think male, takes male form; female, female."
"Nice service."
"Hmph."
Thought neither; stayed shadow, rose.
Leapt from peak, landed lightly beside me.
"First face-to-face, kid."
"Yeah."
"Why informal?"
"Huh? Formal?"
"Kukukuku."
His laugh shook space like laughing.
Chills.
This guy's insanely strong. Different league.
Not strong enough to gauge fully, but top-tier like Naar or Onist... maybe Dragon God level.
But his words deflated me.
"Whatever's comfy."
"Then informal."
"Sit comfy too."
Chairs spawned behind us instantly.
Grotesque remains space, but chairs normal.
Mystery guy sat first; I followed.
"What to call you."
"Whatever."
"Lemme see..."
"You picked a name already—don't play dumb. Sensed me ages ago."
"Nuh-uh."
"Bull. I leech off you, so no hiding. Wondered sometimes? Really Loveheart sending these? Loveheart gives quests like this?"
"......"
"Surface cursed Loveheart; deep down doubted me."
"Ugh... yeah."
No point hiding.
"Splitting surface/deep habit from 'that time' with 'that bitch'. Still cautious post-isekai. Or big grudge."
"Yeah. You see my past?"
Calling her "bitch" confirms.
Embarrassing.
Gave him loaded glare; he said,
"Not important, newbie. Remember our promise?"
"Why else listen quietly."
"Phew. Good. Then I'll say it."
Shadow curved into smile.
And.
"You little shit kid!!"
💥 CRITICAL HIT! 💥 Kuaaaang!
Typhoon rages in space.
Ears ring, blood boils body-wide.
Just yell; feels like bursting.
"Did I ask hard shit, you brat?! Win-win!! Just fuck as told!!"
"Fuck what."
"Women!! Fuck 'em, kid!"
"......"
...This fucker.
Thought dignified; snaps suddenly.
"Ero quests, messages—I supported, nurtured... yet married one, knight one, witch one. Just three?!"
"No, that's..."
"Others'd have bagged teens easy."
"So?"
Go to them then.
Probably can't.
"High-tier tough, sure. But lowbies—guild girls, barmaids, fellow adventurers—plenty fuckable!!"
Fantasy smut reader, huh.
...Porn god.
Mangsin fits.
"So, name? Mangsin. Who're you?"
"Spot on, why ask."
Mangsin slumped back, voice limp.
"Mangsin? Fits essence, but intent/vibe shitty, kid."
"Fuck, pick a name then."
"Name whatever. Forgotten God, loser, voyeur. Good?"
"Way short. How's Forgotten God suddenly chatty?"
Just occasional voice till now.
Now full space chat.
"Kid curiosity overload. Get what you want? Do pretty, I'll spill premium info."
"Pretty = fuck girls...?"
Didn't wanna say fuck, but he kept it, stuck.
Sorry ladies. Normie virgin, but gentleman.
Doubt it? Shut up fuck.
"Felt my aura + massive 'participants' vibes. Hence."
"Vague as fuck..."
Got gist.
Almiraz summoning triggered; felt him.
Participants... 999 gods? What?
Mangsin said,
"Luckily, situation's not bad."
"...?"
What ain't bad?
His bod?
Nah, extended fuck talk.
"Lowbie fucks wouldn't build this."
"Build what."
"Loser but god. Meet conditions, make you Pryunar."
Dodges questions, but hooks.
Godly even rotten; Pryunar possible.
Blue dude Poseidon said same.
"......Pryunar what?"
"What users/gods aim ultimate. Old sealers of True Demon King."
"Know that."
"Yeah. Omnipotent gods can't now. 'One' splintered to thousands."
"......"
Yeah, too many gods weird.
"True One acts freely. Absolute God."
Got it.
Question popped.
"User wins contest, handler Absolute? Users gain... wait."
Rubbed face, pieced info + gods' votes.
Opened mouth.
"It's a game."
"Real world. But yeah. Gods' game."
"To be king/god of gods."
Yeah. Gets why users grind quests post-levels, gods can't meddle Elryunar.
Not why Elryunarians ignore myriad real gods, but one clear.
"Events here... proxy war."
Yeah.
Handler-user: proxy.
Gods' proxy war.
Proxy war.
I'm embroiled.