428. Reveal and Return

Temporary Skill [Superior Strength] has become Temporary Skill [Heroic Strength]!

Temporary Skill [Superior Endurance] has become Temporary Skill [Heroic Strength]!

Temporary Skill [Champion’s Slash] has become Temporary Skill [Heroic Champion’s Slash]!

Temporary Skill [Heroic Aura of Protection] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Heroic Divine Essence] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Heroic Sword Arts] Obtained!

Daniel stared at himself as his mind was bombarded with a myriad of notifications. But he didn’t pay attention to any of that. Instead, he only looked down at himself— at the pure white aura wisping off him. It wasn’t like Salvos’ Grand Skill which wreathed her body in sharp and jagged flames. Rather, it was like his body was twinkling. Like the glimmering night sky speckled with bright white stars, but overlaid on his body.

He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten this power— it was like he’d somehow attuned himself to the Sword of Alexander. As though it opened itself up for him and only him, unlocking a power it had hidden away. And now it coursed through him, giving him the strength needed to win the fight.

The [Hero] raised his head and looked on at where Gula had been. The [Fiend] was gone. She’d been blasted away by his [Heroic Champion’s Slash], leaving behind nothing where she once stood. The suddenness of it all had taken everyone else off guard too— not just Daniel himself.

Edithe blinked at him, and Hadrian stared with wide eyes. Amanda shuffled forward, mouth hanging agape.

“Daniel…?”

It looked like she was unsure if he was even the same young man from Earth as before. He wanted to explain to his friends that he himself had no idea what just happened, but they weren’t the only ones who were staring at him in shock.

A susurration swept through the soldiers and adventurers gathered near the city’s wall. Alyrsian guards and troops from all around the Human lands pointed and whispered.

“Wait, that’s a—”

“Impossible.”

“But he has the Sword of Alexander!”

They weren’t being subtle about it at all. Daniel spun around, taking in the stares and the looks. That of adoration and of disbelief. He heard their gossiping, and he knew that it was finally out there.

“I thought there hasn’t been a summoning since the Quisling…”

“There hasn’t. At least… I don’t think there has been one.”

“I’ll have to tell King Artik about this—”

A man strode forward as the voices grew louder. More excited. Xyren shook his head and crossed his arms.

“I thought I was imagining it earlier, but you really are a [Hero], aren’t you?”

Daniel nodded simply.

“I am.”

He thought he’d feel more nervous about revealing it to so many people at once. But even though he knew this was finally it— there was no more lying low and avoiding his responsibilities— he was completely at ease. Perhaps it was because he’d already went through this revelation a few times before, albeit at a far smaller scale, although this was going to be the last time that was necessary.

His voice didn’t shake. He held the gaze of Xyren the Ranger of Zelios. The other man just patted Daniel on the shoulder.

“Good to have you here. Should’ve killed that Demon sooner, though.”

Daniel blinked. He looked down at the Sword of Alexander before glancing over at the rubble where Gula had been. He shook his head.

“She’s not dead. I don’t know what happened to her, but that Demon is still alive.”

“What?”

Xyren narrowed his eyes. He looked towards the sky— the parting between clouds towards the sunrise— where Gula had been blasted to.

“How could that Demon survive that?”

Daniel’s gaze flickered as he saw the looming shadow. A darkness enveloped the light of dawn, and he took a wide stance. The distant roaring grew louder as a strong wind blew into the city, sending bits of rock and small rubble tumbling and clattering.

“Don’t know, but right now, we have bigger problems.”

He raised the Sword of Alexander as the dark inferno of the [Jinn] continued its expansion.

Defeated [Mammon Changeling (Duke of the Netherworld) - Lvl. 148]!

Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others

Class [Draconic Apprentice] Level Up!

[Draconic Apprentice - Lvl. 110] -> [Draconic Apprentice - Lvl. 111]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Class [Draconic Apprentice] Level Up!

[Draconic Apprentice - Lvl. 111] -> [Draconic Apprentice - Lvl. 112]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Temporary Skill [All Surface Walking] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Enhanced Agility] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Greater Haste Obtained]!

I stepped out of the Forbidden Prison, clinking my newly-equipped boots together. The Boots of Alexander. It looked nice and fancy, although it was just like the other Treasures of Alexander in how it blended into my clothing if I didn’t want it to stand out.

I was also in my Human form again. I wasn’t dumb enough to forget to transform out of my normal self when returning to a Human city. I looked around the ruins of this wing of the palace of Alyras and spotted Saffron running towards me, accompanied by one of my clones. I waved at her and smiled.

“Saffron! How are you doing?”

“Salvos!”

The pink-haired Vampire came to a halt as heard the clink. She saw me tapping my Boots of Alexander together, and I grinned at her.

“What do you think?”

“I… that’s—”

Her eyes went round. She caught herself from gaping and cleared her throat.

“So, I take it you’ve won?”

She stood tall and straightened her dress, speaking in a proper voice. I nodded at her, giving her a thumbs-up.

“Yep! He wasn’t that strong, but I did struggle a little bit.”

“That’s a relief. So I take it there’s only two Demons left?”

Saffron glanced towards the city’s walls. I corrected her.

“Three, actually. One of them is keeping Helena Warshade and three of my— um, I mean two of my clones. One of them died, huh.”

I didn’t expect that. I quickly looked through my clones’ eyes, and I saw the two that remained were focused on taking apart a fractal dome. The one that perished had tried to help Helena, but was ultimately killed by the Level 155 [Cambion] fighting the Archmage.

He seemed strong. I would’ve liked to test out the Treasures of Alexander against him, but I wasn’t sure if I’d get the chance. I shook my head, dismissing the thought.

“Anyway, Daniel and Edithe went to fight the other two Demons. I’ve got to help them.”

Saffron hesitated. Saffron looked back towards the two injured figures, lying unconscious in the rubble.

“Lofus and Zin… I don’t know if they’ll..”

I pursed my lips.

“I used the last of my Potion of Regeneration for Orgaf, but here—”

I produced a set of healing potions and handed it to my Vampire companion. I also handed her a vial of my blood, grinning.

“Take care of them. I’ll deal with the remaining Demons.”

Saffron nodded.

“Thank you.”

With that, I spun around and spread a pair of flaming wings wide. The iridescent flames unfurled from my back, wreathing over the bone-like [Wings of the Netherworld], blazing like the feathers of a majestic bird. I leapt forward.

“Now, let’s see how [Greater Haste]—”

And in mere moments, I was already there, standing at the city’s walls, and staring down the black firestorm raging outside of Alyras. I heard the roaring— no, it sounded more like a scream. A deep, resounding cry.

I stared into the abyss before me. The darkness that shrouded the rising sun. It looked like a black curtain at first, before it drew back and the realization dawned that I was staring into a face. The raining cold ash was its jagged and terrible teeth, and the little bits of light flashing were its hollow eyes. A twisted, melancholic, and suffering thing.

Finally, I saw the [Jinn].

I produced my Divine Nebular Scythe as I stared down this Demon.

“Alright, how do I deal with you?”