Part-1
One week passed by like a passing wind. The taking in, maximising and output of world's energy was thoroughly polished between these days. I can tell, that I am capable of taking most of the energy around me. Because of the increase in strength in me, the log of wood which I pushed all the way with all my strength is now just like a stick to me; which I can lift easily.
We spent time running around the forest, which helped in increasing stamina, which is a basic physical training but why is she still infront of me.
"Huff..! Whoa! How can you run like that? Don't you get exhausted?"
Didn't she used to run on earth too?!
Was her strength like this from the start.
"I can do anything because I am special, ain't I?"
Ha! Mimicking me again!
"If that's the case let's race then!"
I thought after saying this, she will be surprised but her face is lit of an annoyingly malicious grin.
"The loser will do anything the winner says!" with a grin she says.
Eh? So this is what that grin was about! But I am special too. Let's see who the winner is!
After 10 mins.
Let's start!
"Go!"
I purposely decided this path because the snow is thick here. I'll just jump on trees to get the head start.
After 5 mins.
Huh? Why am I lying down.
"This.. This is cheating!"
Lucy in a surprised manner says-
"Oh, what? Is it my fault that you slipped on the snow that were accumulated on branches of trees"
Urgh... Why am I always the stupid one?!Even though I acquired this boost, I still have ways to go.
"So.. I am the winner!" with a devilish grin she says.
What is she planning to do to me?
Gulp*
"Oh.. K! Tell me what it is?"
"Ummm.. I'll tell you when the times comes!" she smiles at the last sentence.
Sigh*
I was worrying for nothing.
I smile too to feel the moment and make the most out of it. To relax myself just by not overthinking this moment and letting myself be just.
We started vigorous training. Like punching the tree continuously or chopping trees by my hand(it was not possible though). And sometimes in the middle of the training she would turn into someone else.
"What are you doing!!" in an intense voice Lucy questions me.
"But.. But I can't go on like this. I am hurting myself."
"That's just your excuse! Go on again or you'll have to suffer a painful punishment."
What? What is she talking about!
"Hey! Can't you see my fingers are bleeding?"
Seeing the tiny drops of blood she changes back!
"Huh? Sorry! Sorry! I'll quickly bandage it"
"No! I'm okay it's just that you were very harsh right now!" with a pout I said.
Feeling sad for me she apologised again.
But I said it wasn't necessary and we went back to our training.
My training is going smoothly.
Lucy is still finding answers about how I learnt it immediately, but I'm special, ain't I?
"Keep it up!" After every training session, she patted my back. As if honouring my skills.
Even though I am special, Lucy helped me with lot of things.
She is amazing!
Just amazing!
Now for the next step. In wrestling , what is the point of building muscles if you don't know how to fight.
Skills! Next step is acquiring fighting skills.
Lucy gives me a dagger of her collection. The dagger's blade was hued with prussian blue colour giving it a calm and menacing look. The blade's curved shape excels at slicing, allowing for deeper and deadly cuts. It also has a secondary blade at its tang. And the handle is round and comfortable to hold. These daggers are commonly used in close combats.
Isn't it too small though? Daikins are bigger and stronger. I doubt it will help me with anything.
"Take this! It's yours now. It should be enough to protect yourself with your current self."
It is not given to me as a tool to fight rather a tool to protect. Its not like she looked down on me and questioned my progress. It is the concern, a sense of caring, that are reflecting from these words.
We started to train. She takes me to a tree and starts to explain basics.
She goes like this -
"There are two ways of holding a dagger!
-First, keeping the blade on top of your hand.
- Second, keeping the blade below your writ."
Well, to be honest, I know the basics. Atlast my shut in life wasn't that useless, its helping me climb here.
"Keep your eyes on me and follow my movements."
She takes a step forward toward the tree. Gets in stance and swings the dagger back and forth.
(Hmm?! Nothing happened!)
Suddenly the pieces of wood that she cut falls off.
I am in awe. She just comfortably carved out the wood like a bread. She's something else while using weapons. First the chain sword and now the dagger.
Wait!
"Why did you carve out a heart with an arrow in it?"
"Eh?.. It's nothing!" she replied.
Moving on forward, she teaches me various moves with it.
We take wooden daggers and fight off each other as another training session.
"Here I come!"
She deflects my attack easily.
"Too shallow! Keep in mind, the more you show your intent to attack, the more is the possibility that you will fail." she tells after pushing me down on the ground with one of her attacks.
"You want to become strong right?"
"Yes.. Yess!" in a painful voice I said.
"Then you better grit your teeth, this isn't gonna be easy."
We continue this severe training for days. And a week passed by, I am starting to see her attacks in slow motion. The credit of my progress will be given to world's energy and Lucy's training. So far, I am having no trouble with world's energy inside me. In few more days I will be able to move like Lucy if this training continues. That's a good thing. But on the contrary, Lucy is worried about my fast progression.
Daikins, I wonder if I can take them head on now.
For the best of all of us, the Daikins are yet to show themselves.
Part-2
We run out of firewood. It is unavoidable to go outside. To keep ourselves protected from this chilly weather, one of us has to go outside.
"I will go!" It is time to shine in front of Lucy.
"Did you forget what happened last time? Leave the axe here, I will make a fast trip myself." she says .
Logically she is right but I insist on going outside by myself. I want to test what I have learnt so far...
"No! Let me go! Please!" with a resolve in my eyes I say.
I think it was my glowing eyes or my charisma that let Lucy to give me permission or was it my bribe of making curry thrice a week. Whatever I am finally outside....
"Wuff! Wuff!"
With a nuisance called Kuro!
It was Lucy's idea. She said "it isn't safe to go alone!" and I couldn't agree more after my encounter with a Daikin. But what's with him why does he always give me that damn look.
"Wuff!! Grrr!!!"
I don't like dogs. Especially him, who gets to get close with Lucy.
Argh! I must be insane getting jealous by a dog. But its a feeling I can't unsee.
Kuro belongs to a rare species found in this world. Lucy told me most of the creatures are blessed with Goddesses blessings and are evolved into something greater than a human can expect. Fast evolution, intelligence, adapting ability.... All in one blessing.
By the time I got to question about the gods in this world, my limit was reached. Now I have to wait three more days to ask that question.
Sorry! We were talking about Kuro! I didn't intentionally avoid him Ok! Just saying!
Although he looks like a harmless dog; a vicious and dangerous creature is residing inside him. It comes out whenever he transforms. Lucy had taken him as a pet in her younger days. From that time a master-servant relationship dwelled between them. I would rather call it a friendship. His type aren't meant to be served, they specialise in hunting including persons. She was lucky to befriend him.
Not only his attacking ability is good but also his survival instincts and capabilities. It's mainly because of his fur. The fur on him is not ordinary, it can withstand extreme cold which a person of this world struggle to handle. His fat storing ability, can help him go without eating for a week. This makes him a A-rated animal, overall. But there's a loophole, the transformation is temporary. If it is extended beyond its limit,the body takes a lot of toll and death is inevitable in some cases.
Even though he is so extraordinary, something in me just hates him. God knows for what reason..
Part-3
I think this place is safe. There are no tracks of Daikins and any other animal so far. Though this place is far but will do just fine. I will quickly take some firewood from here. And then we will disappear in thin air.
"Oii! We will stop he...?"
(Hm? What is this warmness)
In the midst of this cold mild-snowing, getting a little taste of hotness is giving me unimaginable pleasure.
Ahhh...
But why does my legs are only getting warm. I look down.
"Huh?! You little... What the heck are you doing get away from me! "
The momentary pleasure was shattered as soon as I realised that Kuro was relieving himself on me.
I push him back with my leg.
"Pour your waste on some damn tree, not me!" I scolded him in an annoying way.
My pants! They are all wet now. And the smell..
Yack! It will not go away quickly.
I am already angry of Daikin disturbing my work. On top it this dog annoys me more.
For a moment I was lost and he comes from the left side. And does that thing again!
"Hey!!"
After this happens my anger explodes in some explosive words.
"Is this how you treat your guests, you disgusted dog." Not loudly like frantic person. But yes in a calm and disgusting manner I say to him.
"Didn't Lucy send you to protect me huh?"
Again he gives me his that look.
At this point I can't control my tongue nor my body.
"You bullhead dog! You think you are the greatest of all because you can transform... Huh! Then you are dreaming! You know what you can help with.. You can be the cleaner of our world who collects shits of all the living being and makes it your own home. Where you shit!" I say with a scrunchy face but in a calm manner.
He stares at me like I am the idiot one, who is spouting nonsense!
"I will gouge that eyes of yours for sure.. "
Usually I don't behave like this. Usually I would just get a little mad and let it slide.
Why am I getting worked up before a dog. Have I fallen my standards? I surely don't like dogs but this is too much.
Ahh!? I know why this is happening. I am feeling inferior to this dog right?.
I am insane for comparing myself to a dog. But there were many incidents where I felt useless before him. I felt little. One of the main reasons was that he always stayed close to Lucy.
What? I want to be Lucy's dog. No! It's the other way around. I am jealous of their mutual trust in each other and how they got each other's back. He transforms and helps out most of the time.
Where I, on the other hand, took a full day to just cut down a tree. Whereas, he just smashes his body against the tree and it goes down in a go. Which I can only dream of...
I want to be the one, the powerful enough to be on Lucy's side. But she refuses my friendship every I time request her. In truth I am mad at myself. I am useless. I admit it.
I was useless when I faced the Daikin.
It's eating me up and down. At least I should be able to take care of myself so I can be less burden on her, given she's taking care of me.
This hatred of myself was holed up for a long time. And it's bursting now like a hot lava.
"Woof!! Woof!! Grrr! Grr!" He grits his teeth in response to my actions.
"Hehe! You think you can make me feel fear or hopeless with this, then you are dreaming. I ain't afraid of that loosy transformation either." by saying this I bent down and flicked his head.
Saying I am superior.
"Grrr.. Grrr! Wuff!" In response he bites my leg. But it doesn't hurt much probably because he still hasn't transformed..
"Get a grip! You little ugly!" I swing my leg and throw him aside on the ground.
I wish I hadn't provoked him.
He transforms.
"..."
And dashes toward me.
There are no chances that I will dodge him.
He sprints and collides me, knocking my back against the tree.
"Oww! Ouch! My back!"
My body indeed got stronger but the monster infront of me is way stronger.
Somehow in a pain I get back up. He glares at me from a distance.
The sudden attack and pain cause my voice to crumble and I am unable to speak properly.
"Ge..t the.. He..ll outtaa my way...! J..ust leave me alone!"
It is a pain to deal with this dog. So I will just get out of here. I think the impact shook my legs too.
Limping and groaning in pain I leave the place.
He doesn't bark, doesn't groan, just glares at me with malice in those eyes and watch me as I leave.
I run away once again.
The hatred which was loitering around between us all the time, finally took a form.
Violence was the form it grew up into.
Part-4
Although we were not on good terms, we kept our act together while being with Lucy. Neither me nor Kuro intended to hurt her.
But as she is absent today, being in each other's company opened up the smaller fragments of cracks which were formed over these days.
I should have come alone I think to myself as I wander through the woods.
"If it wasn't for Lucy I would have been alone right now."
Argh!! Just how badly my back is hurt.
How much power does that dog have.
I can still feel the pain...
As soon as we separated our path, snow started to fall a little faster.
I wandered and found an open place where I can see the mountain's top.
Tired and pissed from the early commotion, I laid my back on the snow.
*Sigh
This world isn't that good how I thought it would be..
The falling snowflakes fall on my face, as I close my eyes to forget everything.
It's delicacy reminds me of my past self that how easily one can be broken. It doesn't hurt much now beacuse I started not to care about feelings and emotions...
The coldness of snow ran through my nerves. It feels more relaxing and fitting treatment to my back pain.
A sad and gloomy quietness, I longed for. Falling snow. And no care of the world. I feel like I am in heaven....
Why did I come here again... I was good on earth.
No people, no interaction. Me to myself all alone. Enjoying my noodles, my video games. What was it lacking?
Atleast, there was no threat to me so far..
As I lose myself to this feeling; I get sleepy and pain starts to fade..
(Rumble!) (Rumble!) (Rumble!)
Hm? What is this noise?
An unknown rumbling sound wakes me up.
Ehh.....!!!
Why's the ground shaking so violently?
I look around in confusion.
I look at the top of the forest's mountain. I see something terrible!!
"You are kidding me right? Of all the times why did I leave my house today?" keeping calm and without panicking I say to myself
"Just to die by an Avalanche!" I panicked atlast..