A System That Beats Death

Despite being glared at by a creature that dwarfed all humans, he did not falter. Instead, he stared right back with an even greater intensity that seemed to convey dominance despite the possibility of having his arm severed. The beast even started to hesitate as it was used to its prey cowering or desperately struggling to survive. Instead of fear or caution, the only thing it felt from this person was intense hatred which was confusing as that was an emotion it was not familiar with.

Aster watched on with great concern as despite having the means to defeat the creature, all of the methods would end up with Atlas losing an arm. Even if he knew the Sage had spells which could bring back lost limbs, he also knew firsthand that the returned limb would be weaker and take years to return to what it once was. The Golden Mane was a beast that would cause its slayer to be nominated as a hero so it could not be underestimated.

As he prepared to stun the Golden Mane, it abruptly bit down. A torrent of blood gushed everywhere in that instant. Rushing forward, Aster struck a severe blow to the injured lion's abdomen.

He then turned to where Atlas should've been to find a bloody patch and his expression darkened.

Behind him, he then heard Atlas state in an irritated manner, "Tch, I couldn't even cut its tongue off".

Turning around, he found Atlas intact and was slightly shocked as in that brief moment he could not sense Atlas at all.

The injured lion stopped writhing in pain and gritted its sharp teeth which were covered in a layer of its own blood. Raising its head high, its mane started to glow. Turning into the color of gold, its mane then began to stand on end.

"Its fur resists swords and regular spells, I'll handle it", Aster said.

"That will be unnecessary", Atlas said as he maintained eye contact with the beast.

[Skill Intimidation Activated]

In an eerie tone, he stated, "It is time to return the favor and disintegrate your kind to ash"

For the first time, fear gripped the beast. However, that did not deter it as it had its pride as an apex predator. Roaring in defiance, it then took a step forward which left a deep crater. Atlas then rushed forward with a sword imbued with mana. The blade collided with its golden claws which easily cleaved through the metal.

Noticing that the mana coating the blade seemingly evaporated, he felt something was off. Since he had only been learning magic for 2 months, he was not proficient at using magic. But his affinity with magic was strong enough that he could sense the oddities. Instead of running out of magic or being destroyed, it felt as if the lion was able to repel mana itself.

When the lion raised its claws to slash him, he then gripped the lion's paw. Feeling the iron grip on its forelimbs, it attempted the ignore the sensation and tried to overpower its prey. When it was unable to, it unhinged its jaw and then saw hell itself. Before the Golden Mane could maim its prey, it set itself on fire.

_____

Another one has arrived…

A tenth addition to the pantheon of monstrosities.

The one which they abide by. The one seeking what they lost. The forlorn lovers seeking peace. The tormented siblings seeking affection. The shunned nobleman seeking nobility. The chivalrous knight seeking honor. The one seeking purpose. And now the one seeking strength.

Like everybody else in this town that was the size of a city, they were damaged in some way. However, one need not glance at them to realize the difference. What distinguished them from the rest was their insatiable d.e.s.i.r.e which manifested itself through their ability and actions.

After having met all of them, he could instinctively recognize another. Each shook him to the core and deeply unsettled him. First, it was the man that scorned honor and believed in only strength. Then there was the noble that worshiped sacrifice and believed in martyrdom even more than the most pious of clergies. The knight that breathed righteousness as if it could substitute the innate need for air. Finally, there was the person which wanted something to lose themselves in as if they did not want a consciousness and only d.e.s.i.r.ed to be a vessel for something greater. There was also the Sage that harbored a hidden frustration.

None of them could compare to him though. Like how he could see through others, that monstrosity could also see through him. The way he looked at others was like how one appreciated art or set pieces. Not because it was beautiful, shocking, or attractive but as if he could glean something from understanding them which he always did. He was unreadable despite not actively hiding it as if it was a deep-seated instinct. As for why he was associated with strength, it was merely due to his fervent pursuit of it. He could not tell if that was his objective and left it at that.

When the light dimmed and the moon was supposed to rise and substitute the Sun as the universal lantern for travelers, he packed his belongings and prepared to set off on the journey. The journey to where? He did not know as what people would refer to as home would have long since forgotten him. The destination did not matter to him, but he knew he could not stay here. There was too much volatility and too much potential for chaos.

He then reflected a bit and chuckled to himself.

'Then again, maybe I also view others as set pieces. Not wanting to interact and only watching because I'm not a part of it but am still interested in it', he thought as he neared the entrance.

Before he could leave, a familiar presence revealed itself.

"Why not leave in the morning? At least, then you can properly say goodbye"

"Ah! I've been meaning to say farewell, but your slumber took too long", he said in a slightly raspy tone.

"Slumber?", she muttered in surprise.

"You really are more than you let on", Eliza stated in an amused tone.

"My departure has been overdue so my knowledge should not concern you", he said with a smile.

"Where will you head to next? Maybe, we can meet again"

"I doubt it. However, I will keep you in my memory. After all, this place is striking but I don't belong here", he said with a slight sigh that revealed more anguish than he intended.

"People who say that also don't believe in the place where they actually belong"

"You may be right but it's different for me. Ah! Maybe he is the same?!", he said with a mysterious chuckle.

"He?"

"It's nothing. I thank thee for the hospitality and bid you farewell", he said with a bow and then promptly left. Another century had ended for him but it was not as dull as the previous.