Ren's eyes flickered, his memories hazy as he delved into them, akin to an ocean, its steepness unknown; he drifted into these memories as he slept.
The memories hazy started to clear, revealing greenery in front of him and a beautiful park was revealed, autumn leaves fell gently on the waving grass, from the brightly shining sky rays of sunlight fell through the cracks of the clouds bringing a slight warmth and vibrancy in the atmosphere.
With the sound of chirping birds Ren looked down his hands were holding onto the push handles of a wheelchair he soon stopped next to a bench and sat down, the person sitting on the wheelchair turned,
Was it a sad frown or was it a happy smile? Ren couldn't tell because their face was blurred, their body shape indicated no gender or familiarity yet they seemed important to Ren, or to the former Ren, important to the memories in his past life on Earth.
Though in his journey in the Abyss these memories started to fade now only fragments of a whole, oddly enough only the memories of the game he played Chronicles of Terra could be remembered with clarity
But a strange vertigo struck deep into his mind, pain welled up as he awoke from his short slumber, his eyes fluttering open.
Sleeping next to him leaning on his shoulder, Aria's face slightly reddened as she breathed heavily, reaching up to his head a familiar red liquid covered his fingers.
'Shit it's bleeding, did I fall asleep?'
Looking around I stared at the stone walls of the cave, after the fall Into the water I managed to swim out and carry Aria to a nearby cave barely making it in before collapsing in exhaustion,
I grit my teeth, forcing my body up and kneeling next to the sleeping Aria, placing a palm on her forehead. From the redness, heat, and heavy breathing her condition was clearly dire.
'A fever.'
I take off her cloak and spread it on the cave floor before moving her into a laying position using my own cloak as a blanket. I pull up the Atlas a window with various tabs appears, focusing I am able to split the tabs into two separate windows, and I look towards the condition tab.
|Condition|*
I frown looking at all of Aria's conditions briefly pausing on a certain one under [Lasting] before continuing, there were more injuries that couldn't fit in the window such as [Bruising] but it was clear that the most pressing concerns were put at the very top of the tab such as [Fever] or my [Bleeding].
Since Aria had a fever I needed to get fire wood and start a fire while also making sure she stays hydrated and for food..
With my functioning right arm I rummage through Aria's bag which to my surprise was dry, looking closer I noticed that our clothing though damp wasn't as wet as it should have been considering we took a swim in a river after the tall drop.
Looking at the clothing I think of the Atlas and a window soon appears
[???'s simple adventuring set]
-Tier 5
-Quality: Expert
[Effect: Temperature control, Auto cleaning, light mending, Quick feet, Defense IV]
'So the whole get up is considered a set and this term 'tier' it is similar to the game Chronicles of Terra where each tier gives a effect slot'
'Then that should also mean the quality should go from poor, fine, better, great, excellent, expert, masterful, legendary, mythical'
'Could this world also be a game?'
I shake away my thoughts, I look surprised at the different effects especially [Quick Feet] which increased speed when running away that was probably how we got away from the dragon especially with my terrible stamina, I then look at the effect [Defense IV]
[Defense IV : Reduces damage from the 4th rank by 30% while rank 1-3 is reduced 40%]
'Wao!'
Without this enhancement less a broken arm I wouldn't have a arm to use anymore, looking at Aria it seemed we had the same clothing except hers was the female version,
I pull out many things from Aria's pack, so many in fact I check the bag with the Atlas.
[Simple Magic Pouch]
-Tier 2
-Quality: Great
[Effect: Light Weight III, Expanded Storage III]
[Expanded Storage I: Increase storage by 300%]
[Lightweight I: Decreases weight by 300%]
'So that's why there so much inside'
It was an impressive bag. Its effects complimented one another and I pulled out many things. It was a bag of jerky, 2 pairs of utensils, 2 bowls, a fire starter, and towels. There were also various magic tools but I didn't want to touch them lest they get broken.
'It seems the food situation is sorted out..'
For now anyways we would have something to eat, now for something to drink, I couldn't find a water pouch inside Aria's bag but when I first woke up I had one on me, taking it out I looked at the leather pouch with great expectation.
'Since the other stuff was well enchanted I wonder what pouch has in store!'
[???'s Repurposed's Chalice]
'This leather pouch, a chalice?'
-Tier 1
'A tier 1?', Disappointment blooms as I frown
'Well beggars can't be choo-'
-Quality: Legendary
'VAS! A Legendary!', A bright smile replaces the frown
[Oceanic soul]
'Oceanic soul?'
|Inspect|*
"Restorative water!?"
Excited, I exclaim before shutting my mouth and looking back, Aria still sleeps peacefully, thankfully I didn't disturb her sleep. Anyone could see that such an item was incredibly useful.
'When I was in the Abyss something like this wouldn't have been that impressive but changing the properties of the liquid is an extremely difficult task and considering it didn't require mana to use this was an incredibly useful tool.'
Looking at all the various items I sigh lightly, my thoughts wandering to the purpose of this all.
'Did something or someone send us together intentionally?'
The theory came whenever I thought of the Atlas and how it only activated when we had physical contact and that it seemed designed for two people.
Coupled with the fact that my equipment was similar and that Aria had a pack while I didn't, while I had a water pouch while Aria's didn't, as well as the pair of utensils. It felt as if we were being pulled along by strings and someone in the background was pulling those strings.
'Is it because we complimented one another?'
I was a frontline fighter while Aria was obviously a wizard or witch would be more fitting, we could watch out for each other's weakness and from the way Aria had acted it was clear she wasn't a slouch in her previous life, for all I knew she could have lived more than 2 lives.
Aria had only mentioned Earth and Witch's Wandering but she could be hiding something more from me,
'Like I am to her..'
I focus on the condition tab of the Atlas and a window materializes a window only I seem to see.
|Lasting Condition|*
'Effect….Distrust, Self-loathing, and Guilt….'
It appeared when I was prompted to reveal "█ █ █ █", It seemed the window could only be seen by me and the effect as well, could Aria have also seen the same thing but for the "█ █ █ █" on my side of the status window? If so..
'I wonder what it showed.'
Assuming the |Condition| was related to the psyche like Aria's, it could be that this [Lasting] condition was related to her past life or hell or maybe even her life on earth as well.
'Or maybe the condition had nothing to do with my past maybe it has to do with the person I transmigrated into of course I don't have any memories of this body'
Unlike my body in the abyss which I did have memories from after transmigrating, this body did not give any such memories.
'But would Aria really tell me if a new |Conditon| appeared?'
I don't know.
I rid my head of the thoughts moving towards the exit of the cave cautiously inching out, I looked up and saw that the sky had cleared and the bright sun illuminated the foliage of the forest
'Oh how I miss you sun!', I feel myself tearing up still amazed at the sunlight
As I moved towards the river we fell into, the sight greeting me was astonishing causing me to stare incredulously,
'Crazy'
Instead of a complete lake a large chunk of the cliff fell inside completely covering part of the lake and perched on top was the desecrated dragon hatchling.
'It's nearly unrecognizable'
Its head was torn off and there were multiple clean tears all across its scales, these cuts were so precise and clean in fact that I would've mistaken them for the attacks of a master swordsman rather than of a bird's talons.
'That Roc, Wrenia the Titanic Thunderer level 240..'
The max level in Chronicles of Terra is 270 and if they rank up every 30 levels then that would put the Thunderer at…
'Rank 8 and a 2nd order transcendent, creatures that can affect a nation to an entire continent'
The 'entire continent' part is quite literal whether that be changing the weather over the entire continent through magic or a swordsman splitting the sky and that was considering the fact that Chronicles of Terra was set in a world much larger than Earth.
Above that is the 9th rank where the world is affected, There were only two 9th ranks in the Abyss and the 9th rank I had the most interaction with was the Ash God or the Embered Deity of the 4th order when he descended and made the ash sky that was the [9th Tier Spell: Smoldering Cataclysm].
'Of course being a 4th order deity he was more like a semi 10th rank.'
The Ash God was the only 9th rank god to be at the 4th order and undoubtedly strongest in the Abyss, but there were others whose powers were right under in the 8th to even rivaling the 9th rank such as his Ashen generals or the Heavenly Demon, Maiden of Seasons, The Emperor of Hyperion, the companions of the hero's party, and lastly the Hero who was the second 9th rank.
"Huuu"
Breathing out I came to a realization of how lucky we've been, if the Roc had decided to kill us we wouldn't have stood a chance. But a bright smile appeared on my face as I looked around.
'This dragon body… is mine!'
I jumped onto the rubble and touched the scales of the dragon, they were smooth and layered beautifully, the obsidian color that was extremely dark to the point of being pitch black took on a lighter hue than yesterday.
'Since it died the corpse is releasing the mana stored in the body as its element was dark it the scales are taking a light hue due to the release of the dark element'
Even so since the body and the mana are heavily connected although the scales take a lighter hue the effects of the dark elements are still potent.
'Such as against the light element whether that be person or environment'
I smiled with nostalgia remembering a man, a certain womanizer who was the only user of the light element in the Abyss.
I gathered the scales that fell off, some were stuck to the body requiring me to use a sword to cut it off, following that I unsheathed my sword.
"Oh!"
The blade that had been bent when it was hit by the dragon's tail was as good as new, without hesitation I activated the Atlas,
[Enchanted Silver Short Sword]
-Tier 4
-Quality: Great
[Effect: Metal Maintenance, Spell Sheath III]
'Tier 4 but with two 2 enchants? But these echants…'
[Metal Maintenance] was an obvious one, it maintained the condition of the blade, it gave me no need to oil, clean, and fix broken parts of the blade, this was why the sword wasn't bent anymore.
[Spell Sheath III: Store a spell up to the 3rd tier, the spell requires no casting time but must be recharged after every use]
'Useful but…'
Without mana I wouldn't be able to put anything in much less cast a 3rd tier spell, even Aria barely casted a 1st tier spell at the mountain.
'Though with the thunder storm the power of that spell was far from the 1st tier'
As I sorted out my thoughts while walking back to the cave I heard whimpering, pausing my thoughts I quickly entered.
"Aria?"
"Mmnng.. teacher.."
I slowly approach Aria. Her breathing is heavier than when I left, I frowned,
'This isn't good'
With firewood I collected I made a small campfire nearby and unload the different things I brought back,
Vines, berries, and mushrooms.
I stare at the stuff before taking out a bowl and boiling some water from the [Chalice],
'I don't know any of these plants.'
Although the Abyss had no sun there were many plants that persisted relying on mana to grow, there were also plants that didn't need sunlight to grow. But even throughout his many adventures Ren had never encountered plants like these before.
'Should I just test my luck and eat them?'
I shake my head chuckling as I hear movement behind me,
Turning around Aria sweating and breathing heavily had a frown on her face, I approach putting my hand to her forehead once more,
'About the same.'
But as I pulled away her hand reached out grabbing mine and her eyes fluttered open causing me to smile.
"You're awake?"
"Enng, how long was I out?", Aria stared at me with tired eyes
"About a day"
I take out the water pouch and show it to her,
"Here, drink this."
Moving the pouch near her mouth, although tired she seemed to understand my intention, grasping the water pouch and drinking it greedily. Soon she drifted in and out of sleep,
It seemed the condition [Insomnia] was the cause but thankfully the water from the pouch improved her recovery greatly as after a couple hours her condition improved noticeably although she still burned with a fever it was a much lower level than a couple hours ago.
We sat side to side facing the small campfire, her eyes stared with the same listless expression she always seemed to have, I stared with a similarly expressionless face there wasn't much fun to find to a fire.
"Did you have a teacher?" I ask lightly
"?"
There is a shift in movement before Aria looks at me, her expression says nothing about what she is feeling.
"Yes, how did you know?", Aria answers
"You were muttering it in your sleep, I thought they must have been an important person to you"
"And what does it matter if they are?"Aria's voice, despite sounding the exact same, seemed a bit more guarded than before.
"I guess it doesn't…", I responded in a light tone as we continued looking at the fire.
…
Ren smiled focusing of the fire with Aria and after a while Aria turned her head staring at me,
"Why…"
"?", He turned to Aria whose mouth opened and closed before asking
"The Dragon only saw mana since you're manaless why didn't you leave me? Weren't you scared?"
Her dull gold eyes shimmered brighter, her face though reddened from the fever had more life than before. Ren turned away looking at the fire.
"Of course I was scared"
"You were?"
"Yes, isn't it normal to be scared of pain?"
"Scared of pain? Don't you mean death?"
"No I don't mean death, I mean pain."
"Why?"
"Because I won't die."
"What do you mean 'You won't die'? Everyone dies."
"I believed even if I stayed with you I wouldn't die there."
"You believed? On what basis?"
"On myself"
"That's foolish Ren.", Aria admonished him
"I know it is... Did you not like me staying by your side?"
Aria staring at the fire turned her head her expression blank as she stared at Ren,
"I live by logic. How could I not like it if someone risked their life to help me?"
Aria thought back to the events, if Ren had not been there she would have been dead the same could be said for Ren as well had she not cast the spell the dragon wouldn't have been temporary stunned and would have eaten them,
"I am much weaker than in my past, so I should use whatever I can to survive"
Ren laughed at Aria's words
"That's quite the way of thinking then let me ask.."
"Why didn't you attack me and use me as bait then?"
Aria paused staring at the flickering flames of the campfire,
"You'd be more useful alive."
Aria spoke plainly her eyes flickering the same as the fire
"Would I now?" Ren turned to Aria
"But you took quite a lot of gambles to keep me alive, how is that logical?"
Ren was right there were too many variables to the chase, what if she couldn't resonate, what if the cliff broke off, what if there wasn't a mana potion in the bag, what if the dragon caught up too quickly.
Aria turned staring at Ren who had turned back to the fire, his pale face was illuminated by the small flame his eyes seemed like the endlessly dark blue ocean yet his attitude was anything but dark,
"I also had a teacher before..", Ren spoke softly reminiscing about the past
"A teacher?"
"Yes an amazing one, he taught me everything I needed to survive in the Abyss"
Memories past, under the Ash Sky I swung my sword thousands of times everyday, hoping to one day cut the Ash Sky that doomed the world, in front of me was a temperamental man who whacked me with a stick when I messed up but left ointment and snacks on my bedside when I wasn't looking.
"He also taught me about hope."
"About Hope?", Aria's focus shifted from the fire to Ren
"Yes he said that Hope was the cruelest and most beautiful feeling…"
"That having hope in yourself pushes you further while having hope in others is no different than believing in miracles"
"Your teacher seems like the distrusting type"
Ren chuckled in agreement
"Yes he was, I even disagreed with him calling his distrust silly"
"Do you know what he said?"
"What?"
"He agreed with me and disagreed, he said both options were foolish, if a person only has hope in themselves they become deluded in self importance, if a person only has hope in others they are incompetent only relying on others to continue."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"You remind me of him and because just as I had hope in myself I had hope in you Aria."
Aria stared in curiosity her mouth closing before opening again,
"Hope in me? Do you mean you trust me?"
"Yes I do"
"Even though I thought of betraying you?"
"But you didn't betray me"
Aria's eyes flickered at the words
They locked eyes for a couple of seconds before both turning back to the fire. As the sound of crackling echoed through the cave the warmth of the fire remained strong, the two side by side watched, Aria was expressionless while Ren had a small smile. They had no thoughts on their minds except for the sight in front of them.
"Thank you…", Aria said softly
"Thank you for trusting me" Aria gave a slight smile
Ren smiled back offering her a beef jerky from the bag to which she accepted, reaching out to grab it and as their hands briefly touched. The Atlas appeared.
[Congratulations on survival!]
[Recalibrating status]
[Title: Dragon Slayer Obtained!]
[Special Attribute Tab unlocked]
[Special Attributes Dexeterity and Maximum Output awakened.]
[Never Give Up]