Chapter 123: Adventurers Vs. Onnikais.

Chapter 123: Adventurers Vs. Onnikais.

[Music Resonation (Moderate)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]

You know, when I first came into this world and learned the meaning behind my two titles [The Light] and [Bearer of Kargryxmors Blood], I was extremely hesitant about actually meeting Aurena and Kargryxmor. Gods in stories were usually depicted as either unsympathetic or benevolent towards humans, and it would be a coin toss until you find their true personality out.

Now, I knew from the start that those two gods had something planned for me, I mean, it was obvious with how they transferred me to their world after my death on Earth. I really wanted to avoid them. I had my own dream and plans, and I had no intention of being caught up with all those divine Quests and duties that I would probably consider too much of a hassle. It would especially tear me apart if it conflicted with my idol life.

So, it was understandable for me to feel some fear of them after I somehow usurped control over their titles. Like, how did I do that with my abilities back then? I dont think I could have avoided the gods forever it would be wishful thinking to believe I could do so when the Origin Gods call themselves the Primary Administrator of Peolynca.

That changed a bit when Aurena sent me her missive. Regardless of my doubts about her, it cant be argued that she did, in fact, grant me an unquantifiable favor in the form of my second life. Yes, she did want to erase most of my memories, and the current Hestia Atsuko wouldnt have existed if she had her way. I do feel some resentment towards Aurena and Kargryxmor, as the loss of most of my memories, aside from my idol aspiration, would mean a proper death for the Earthen girl that I once was. However, that didnt happen my lucky stars prevented the worst outcome, and Ive already come to terms with putting aside the useless parts of my past so I can walk forward with my head held high. I dont want to become an edgy, revenge-filled psychopath.

To some, like Saori, my decision to become Aurenas official champion might seem too reckless. Any plans she made would now be set in motion with my acceptance, and it will undoubtedly plunge me into some massive political and religious problems; just look at my current task of somehow reforming the highly-influential religion of the patron goddess of the humans, probably the most populated race on Peolynca. Saori wasnt wrong to question me about it. Plus, I didnt need to join Aurenas faction, I could have joined Plesia or maybe Crustacia, who already had experience working with an otherworlder. I was also aware that any of the Origin Gods, aside from Shiterno probably, could have fulfilled my wish to visit my parents again on the condition I become their champion.

However, the reason why I chose Aurena specifically was purely cause of my debt to her. Ignoring my memory problem, I was able to fulfill my long-lasting promise to my parents and finally become a real idol. I witnessed the happy faces of people watching me perform on my very own concert stage, cheering me on and encouraging me to continue singing despite breaking in tears not even one song into the show. The baggage of my past just fell off on that day. It felt good.

Of course, indebted or not, I still made sure to get a good enough reading on Aurena. I didnt want to help an abusive goddess. Aurena still seems a bit fishy to me, but not dangerous. I think she genuinely cares about her church a lot - like a lot, a lot. She said it herself, as a goddess, she could have just waited for the collapse and eventual reconstruction of her church, so why does she need me? There might be a hidden agenda, but Im giving her the benefit of the doubt for now.

Anyway, after I accepted to become her champion, I didnt think my first task was to simply get to know Peolynca better. What a weird first divine Quest, right? Well, it seems like the time for my first official divine Quest as a champion of Aurena has finally come Well, I didnt expect to get two at once.

...And one of them is a request from another Origin Goddess.

Divine Quest Option #1: Destroy the Onnikai Leader residing inside the Ruins of the Fenrirs Eclipse and purify the remaining onnikais

Quest Giver: Origin Goddess of Light, Healing, Miracles and Kinship, Aurena

Description: Aurena here, just to inform you, Hestia, you will receive two divine Quest and you may choose which one you will fulfil. So, I would ask you to read the Quests details properly before you accept, alright?

....

Divine Quest Option #2: Aid Silva Fleurette Breezeflower in performing the Rite of the Fading Winds on the Onnikai Leader residing inside the Ruins of the Fenrirs Eclipse and free the onnikais from their torment

Quest Giver: Origin Goddess of Winds, Celebrations and Travels, Zephira

Description: Good Morning, Champion of Aurena and Otherwordly Reincarnator to our World, Hestia Atsuko. It is thrilling to finally meet you, although, through text. My name is Zephira and I am currently sending you this Quest with Goddess Aurenas help.

....

I wasnt actually able to read most of the Quests descriptions, but from the sound of the Quest titles, I was able to kinda understand the meaning and intentions behind them. Regardless, I had to concentrate on the situation on hand.

Ahh, fuck, I dont have time for this! I get the gist, so let me answer it later, System voice! Horrible timing! Sending it to me now, Aurena, Zephira! Fucking hell!

[Tasianna, go into your shop and upgrade [Mana Leak Resistance] to the maximum now! Youve leveled up enough!] My first priority was to reassemble my party and get our teamwork back in order; otherwise, this might be too chaotic to do on my own. Through [Telepathy], I told Tasianna what to do, since I couldnt speak in my current form.

Hueck! Y-Yes, by your will, Lady Hestia! Tasianna gritted her teeth, her eyes shook as she glanced at the giant onnikai beast, then her hands went into action as two cyan-colored magic circles appeared around her hands. I bought it! I bought it! Its at maximum level!

[Proficiency requirement fulfilled. [Mana Leak Resistance Lv. 2] evolved into [Mana Leak Resistance Lv. 10]. 4550 SP remaining

Urgh, wait, are you serious?! My Mana is still getting depleted?!

It was a good choice to save up my SP for a situation like these. If I had bought or upgraded a skill beforehand then I wouldnt have had enough SP to upgrade this skill up to level ten, even after leveling up. The amount of experience I needed to level up since I evolved was staggering.

However, despite my investment, my Mana was still getting drained? Why? Was it cause the skill was only level ten and not something explicit like [Abnormal Status Nullification] that tells you directly with its name that youre immune? Then again, didnt [Physical Resistance] evolve into [Physical Super-Resistance] instead of giving me immunity to physical damage?

My Mana was getting drained but at a slower rate. Considering how much Mana I have in the first place, isnt worrying about this redundant?

Wrong.

Princess Hestia! We cant stay here and fight! The more mana a faefolk loses, the weaker they become! It is life threatening for Sister Tasianna and Igniculus to stay here for any longer! Silva shouted as she blew a zombie away from the barrier of light.

The fact that [Mana Leak Resistance Lv. 10] wasnt a full 100% immunity against mana being stolen from your body was the worst for Tasianna and Silvas light elemental Igniculus. As faefolk, their bodies were made completely out of mana and lived by a different rule compared to beings of flesh and blood. If her Health sank to zero, she would fall unconscious; however, not only does her stats decrease in proportion to how much Mana she loses, she will die if it reaches zero.

I dont know how this giant shadow onnikai thing was able to absorb the mana from people around it, but it wouldnt be good to drag this battle out for too long. We only have a limited amount of dragorade and mana potions, after all.

Sister Tasianna, I shall assist you by giving you my mana! Seemingly realizing that Tasiannas ice magic was more suitable in controlling the horde of zombies that was rushing over to us, Silva held her shoulders and began sharing her mana with her.

Understanding her intent, Tasianna nodded and spoke to me, Lady Hestia, we will keep the onnikai at bay from the rear. Please, you must calm Miss Saori! Her status in the party menu doesnt look good!

Part-Oh right!

Party Leader

Name: Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor

Level: 81

Job: Cleric

Health: 4981/4981

Mana: 14411/17891

Stamina: 3412/2931

Effects:

[Humanized (Minor)][Music Resonation (Moderate)] [Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Moderate)] [Sanctified Blaze] [Various Spell Buffs] [Insatiable Glutton][Shadow Armament (Minor)]

Name: Saori Segawa

Level: 73

Job: Fighter

Health: 3151/3513

Mana: 1089/1571

Stamina: 1981/2655

Effects:

[Humanized (Minor)][Music Resonation (Moderate)] [Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Moderate)] [Sanctified Blaze] [Various Spell Buffs] [Lifetaker (23 Kills)][Shadow Armament (Full Body)] [Mental Attack (Major)]

Name: Tasianna Marina Silverpond

Level: 55

Job: Torrent Sorcerer

Health: 1741/1741

Mana: 4041/4671

Stamina: 1290/1370

Effects:

[Elvenized (Major)] [Music Resonation (Moderate)] [Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Moderate)] [Sanctified Blaze] [Various Spell Buffs] [Shadow Armament (Minor)] [Glacial Protection]

Name: Silva Fleurette Breezeflower

Level: 56

Job: Light Elementalist

Health: 1896/1896

Mana: 2561/3709

Stamina: 831/901

Effects:

[Music Resonation (Moderate)] [Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Moderate)] [Sanctified Blaze] [Various Spell Buffs] [Shadow Armament (Minor)]

Saoris Health was doing just fine. Considering how agile she was, dodging slow onnikai zombies must be easy for her, although her Stamina was taking a bit of a hit and it seemed she couldn't dodge every single scratch from the horde of zombies. Nevertheless, with [The Will to Fight and Survive] playing, nobodys Stamina could reach zero. What concerned me was her Mana. It dropped too much. It would be problematic if she doesnt buy [Mana Leak Resistance] soon.

Wait? What is that? [Mental Attack (Major)]? Where did I hear that before?

I didnt know very much about dungeons in Peolynca, so if Tasianna or Silva told me that it was dangerous to be inside a place that was turning into a dungeon then I really, really should listen. The safety of my party had to be prioritized. Also, I cant believe I forgot about this, but wasnt this whole situation scary for Tasianna? She lost Princess Schuri to an accident like this, so she might have been projecting it to Saori and me.

The realization of how selfish it was of me to end this fight now instead of worrying about my partys health was baffling to me. It calmed down my mind. I shouldnt be this hot-headed.

[Alright! Hang on for a few more seconds, Tasianna! Ill prevent this ruin from turning before we go!] While I heard a dungeon brought riches to a town, I believe having a dungeon spawn next to the village was not ideal. Our Quest was to destroy all the enemy in the ruin and assure the safety of the Rashan Village. For that, I needed to stop this ruin from turning into a dungeon.

It was a bit of a gamble, but I had to try it. Whether it succeeded or not wasnt important, really. I just want to make sure I tried every single method, leaving no stone unturned.

I took out a ball of mana threads that I had in my storage and wrapped Saori up in it. Although she was still flailing like a madwoman, I could now carry her around with one arm. Urck, I groaned as her [Shadow Armament] claws were scratching my [Draconic Barrier]. Ill have to endure the pain and heal through it for now. Hopefully, my parallel minds will be finished soon.

Jumping out of my barrier, holy fire spewed out of my mouth, clearing the way from any zombie and keeping the zombie garms at bay. I wanted to kill them now for what they did to Saori, but letting my anger control me wasnt the answer.

Noooo! Staaayyy aaawaay! Probably realizing I was running towards it, the orb on the pedestal began talking again. The beast frozen by Tasiannas [Cryokinesis] was breaking through so I had to hurry up. The zombies and garm surrounding me were trying to prevent me from coming closer to the orb but I used my scale-dust to create a minefield of explosions.

[Hey, onnikai, you better say your thanks to Zephira and Tasianna for making me spare you, otherwise, youll already be toast. Until I return, Ill take away some of that mana of yours!] Taking out a bag of macula plant seeds, I quickly stuffed each seed into the black slime that was surrounding the pedestal with the orb like a tree.

When I used my [Mana Eyes] I caught a quick glimpse of an immense concentration around this area, to be more specific, the orb and black slime. This was the boss, after all, right? It probably was the reason for the giant shadow beast and the dozen of onnikais. I could destroy it now, I was close enough to strap scale-dust onto it like dynamite, after all. However, due to a certain benevolent Goddess, I chose not to.

As expected, the dozen macula plant seeds matured so quickly I couldnt keep up with them. It was payday, to say the least. Once a macula plant matured, I stuffed them into my storage and placed another seed in its place. Meanwhile, I could hear Tasianna freezing everything while my explosions handled the garms.

Arck! Ahhhhhh, kuso! Ano kuso yar-domo! Sent sutairu ga mechakuchada! (Arck! Ahhhh, shit! Those fucking bastards! Thats such a messed up fighting style!)

Midway, Saori woke up. I naturally undid the mana threads but I was left speechless as Saori began cursing quite intensely with bloodshot eyes, cradling her head with a pained expression. Also, since when was she able to talk in her beastman form?

Hestia! Stop looking at me like that and give me that bag! Argh! Kuso, kono yaro! (Fuck, you bastard!) Like a crazed berserker, she began shoving seeds into the black slime at a frightening rate. The orb was actively shrieking in desperation; the garms suddenly teleported to our shadows in the short moment I was baffled by Saoris sudden behavior change.

With Saori concentrating on draining the orb from its mana, I protected her back with my parallel minds that returned. I was aware of the debris falling from the ceiling and the cracking floor and walls, but we were gonna escape out of this place anyway.

The total mana inside the area [Ruins of the Fenrirs Eclipse] has been lowered under the maximum safe mana threshold. The dungeon transformation has been forcibly canceled

Good!

Eeeek!

Graaaaa!Killl!

The moment I got that System message, a loud glass shattering into pieces could be heard as two familiar shrieks escaped from that direction. Saori and I turned around to see the onnikai beast roaring after destroying my [Sanctuary], as a horde of zombie began to approach the frightened Tasianna and Silva in a crazed run.

Saori immediately grabbed me and pushed me into her shadows. Knowing what she was planning without saying anything, I channeled a dragon breath and unleashed it once light reentered my eye. Glaring at the onnikai beast, the white dragon fire exploded in its face and shot it crashing to the wall. Saori then moved my body like a flamethrower and countless zombies began to turn into ash.

As we finally reunited with Tasianna and Silva, a loud banshee-like screech echoed through the room, originating from the onnikai beast. Its black slime convulsed in rage, influencing the onnikai beast to quickly regenerate from its wounds. It roared and its form became more detailed. Fine muscles appeared on its body, its claws and fangs grew, and a lilac glow could be seen growing from underneath its black body.

The beast is adapting to its situation! Silva shouted.

The path to the exit is being blocked by the garms! Lady Hestia, we need to fight through them! Tasianna stated.

True. It didnt matter if we could fly over the horde of zombies when the entrance was guarded by the zombie garms. No matter how strong I was, they were still C rank monsters. They could still delay us until the giant onnikai beast caught up. However, I had a different plan.

[Warp Point: Exit!]

It was my insurance that I set up before we entered the room. It was one of the three ways to use this portal spell an emergency escape path and I placed it right next to the stairs. As the hallway between the stairway to the boss chamber was pretty long, I knew if we had to escape that this would give us some distance between us and our pursuers.

A large amount of mana escaped my body, a sign that the spell was successful. A crevice opened up in the air, showing a staircase leading up. I pushed our party into the portal and deactivated it immediately so no zombie could enter.

I completely forgot about that! Tasianna expressed before quickly turning back into her fairy form and holding onto my clothes. Silva quickly understood what was going on and leaped onto Saoris back.

Without worrying about anything else, Saori and I sprinted up the stairs once we found the mana thread she left behind to lead us back out. The hordes of zombies naturally followed us, but what surprised me was the onnikai beast and garms.

The garms were far too large to fit through the entrances the reason why we didnt transform back into our true forms. However, they managed to follow us by slipping into shadows and teleporting. The onnikai beast, on the other hand, didnt need the shadows as it simply changed its form like water, thinning its body into something snake-like.

As the zombies who fought us during our descent werent there anymore, our run was left uninterrupted, if you ignored the onnikais chasing us. We managed to reach the third floor before the floor suddenly cracked open.

Graaaaa! Giiiivee! Maaanaaaa, baaaack! The onnikai beast transformed back into its centaur form and broke through the floor to intercept us. I thought it was an angry mindless beast, but it seems to have some semblance of intelligence.

I blasted the beast back down with [Hellflame Breath] and began creating [Terra Walls] to stop the garms from attacking us. Were we becoming slower, or were they becoming faster? Nevertheless, I didnt let that thought dawdle as I pushed Saori forward.

After what felt like a marathon, we finally reached the ruins exit. The light of the sun wasnt as intensive as expected it looked like it was dawn. Whatever time it was, we didnt care. We ran away from the ruins and into the forest, but we could still hear the onnikais screams. At the same time, Saori collapsed onto the ground.

Saori!

Name: Saori Segawa

Level: 73

Job: Fighter

Health: 3216/3513

Mana: 0/1571

Stamina: 649/2655

Effects:

[Humanized (Minor)][Music Resonation (Moderate)] [Mana Stress (Minor)]

Tsk.

[Its mana stress!] I told Silva and Tasianna. [You two, get Saori out of here and treat her! Ill make sure the onnikais dont follow us.]

[Humanized (Moderate)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]

My [Humanized (Minor)] dragonewt form might be stronger and superior to my moderate form, but I felt more comfortable and normal in my moderate form. I wasnt planning to fight the onnikais, I was simply planning to scare them away.

As the onnikais ran at me, I walked slowly towards them. You know, this would be a great time to baptize [Imperial Hellfire]s successor, but I havent finished the spell yet. It would be pretty embarrassing to fizzle the spell now. So, let me show you something even more frightening. Purple Flash.

When I last used [Purple Flash], it was during my fight with the guild master. It was an extremely powerful spell that allowed me to cast any spell that required a long casting time to be cast instantly; however, this ablity came with the price of thrice the base mana cost. When I fought Farron, I used this spell on the two warp point spells, but underestimated the mana cost and the feeling of losing a lot of mana within a second. I left an opening from the surprise.

For that reason, I tested out every single spell with [Purple Flash] for the pure intention of being able to anticipate the mana cost. I wont let myself get caught off-guard again.

Omnictus!

A massive white circle around the size of a baseball field immediately appeared in the sky. It shined for a moment before a gigantic beam of holy fury crashed onto the ground where the approaching onnikais stood. If I were to compare the size and intensity of the spell to something similar, then I think the Death Star from Star Wars would fit. Of course, it didnt destroy the whole planet, but the power of this terrifying death ray coming down to smite my enemies gave off a similar feeling.

If I remembered correctly, the level six lightning spell was called [Ramuh], right? Astalos, the lightning wyvern, activated the spell on a group of grimgarians and a large crater was left behind after the cast. Honestly, if the other level six advanced-magic System spells were similar to [Omnictus] and [Ramuh], then wouldnt a mage turn into a tactical nuke or something?

UrghThe mana cost is no joke, I complained as I checked my depleting mana. My sun core was regenerating this lost mana instantly, but it didnt feel good to lose so much... Additionally, [Omnictus] cost more mana to keep active. No matter how much my core was producing mana, I shouldnt be using this spell for too long.

[Omnictus] was able to eradicate every single thing that was under it, leaving neither corpses nor onnikais behind. However, compared to [Ramuh], the destructive power of this spell was rather lackluster. The grass on the ground was singed and a few insects looked like they were barbecued, but the earth itself was left unharmed.

Omnictus

A mighty beam of the sacred fury will descend onto the ground, exterminating any fauna. This spells magic circle can only be created in the sky and can only release the spell down. This spell cannot damage non-organic objects. Creatures caught in the beam will be separated into friendly, neutral, and enemy. Damage against friendlies will be reduced tremendously, neutrals received suppressed damage, enemies will received the full damage of the spell

I felt a bit bad for the onnikais, as I knew their backstory and that it wasnt their fault for feeling resentment, but Ive long accepted my new life in Peolynca. Death was everywhere in Peolynca and to become stronger, I needed to kill. If I could, I wish to protect those dear to me without resorting to killing, but that would be too nave, even for me.

Zombies or not, your fault for fighting against me.

In this case, I had to send a message to the onnikai beast.

You, I called at the frightened centaur-dinosaur. Ill come back for round three next time. We will end it then. Until then, you can either get stronger and come to me or await your purification like a good boy. I know the pains that you and the onnikais have faced, but this anger of yours will only be your downfall. It wont bring you happiness.

With those words, I went back to my party. Seeing as I couldnt hear footsteps approaching me, I think the onnikais mustve retreated back into the ruins. Reunited again, I took out a bottle of dragorade and handed it over to Tasianna who was taking care of Saori.

Princess Hestia, what are we supposed to do? Silva asked me. Her intentions were clear to me.

Dont worry, I fully promised to free the onnikais as I said. Im just sorry that we cant free all of them, now.

Silva, having read between the lines, shook her head. Her eyes were devoid of anger or disapproval, they looked only sad. Please, that isnt necessary. Ive experienced for myself how destructive these onnikais have become. Even if it isnt a proper purification, I am sure they wont bear any grudge towards you. That spell of Goddess Aurena probably gave them a swift, painless death. It is mercy.

I nodded my head, accepting Silvas words. She was right.

We waited in the forest until Saori woke up. Before we returned to the village, I stopped them as I had something important to announce.

I want to talk to you guys about something. I received two Divine Quests from Goddess Aurena and Zephira, and I have to choose one of them.