Death Leveling Chapter 36

[ … words ]

The perspective of a stranger in dark woods:

*SKREEE!! SKREE!!*

“Hmm?”

I stopped and turned around.

“Name thyself, beast,” I voiced in a firm tone.

*SKREEE!! SKREEEEKK!!*

“It is not here?—then how comes it to watch me?” I whispered to myself.

No—I shall entertain. It is here.

Suddenly, it appeared. “A human?”

Could have sworn it was a monster.

Already lunging at me, its arm outstretched.

I placed two fingers upon the sheath.

*GUUUUUSHH!!*

What seeks it to do?—bite me? Very well. I shall allow it.

A tender smile graced its face as it bit into my palm. I stared at it as it withdrew from me.

Has that thing been reincarnated once more?

“What business hath an infant ghoul with me?”

A moment of docile silence.

“What ails thee? There is no need to fret, beast—you would be dead were I so inclined.”

It doth appear to bear markings of a scripture as well.

Took one step forward.

Then it ran away.

Sighed. “This Realm is ever so troublesome.”

Well, it is not my concern.

I took out a cigarette—a Marlboro.

Back to the perspective of Dante:

Saliva dripping… I can’t hold back my excitement!!

By the time I set out, my raven had already been close to that man—attentively stalking every step he took.

“These trees…”

They’re in my way—I proceeded to climb up on one, then jumped across from one to another until finally reaching Dream Town yet again.

He’s a good distance away from the town; I need to run across the whole region to get to him.

Jumping from building to building… with darkness and a sinister grin polluting the atmosphere.

As I was at the tip of the town, my raven had reached him.

A man coated in gold—dark golden armor, spikes jutting from his shoulders, dark crimson hair, and a white blindfold obscuring his eyes. He gave off the air of some knight or royalty.

I could tell he was mumbling something, but I wasn’t focused enough on the raven to pick up what he was uttering—no matter, soon enough I’ll greet you!

Jumped onto a tree branch, letting it kneel before me and then used it as a spring to lunge at him—the branch immediately snapped and my arm was going straight for his throat!—I wasn’t going to take any chances!

Right as it was about to reach him, his fingers merely draped over the sheath, hanging loose from a limp wrist—how are you going to take it out like that? I grinned at the sight.

*GUUUUUSHH!!*

Wha— my arm is flying!?

I— I didn’t even see the blade—how is that real?!

The hair on my body immediately stood up in panic and instincts took over—his left arm was open—I can.

Bit his palm—I won—I thought to myself intuitively, without any words actually crossing my head.

Instantly, jumped away with wide eyes.

Afterwards, he began glowing in gold—his MANA was being physically manifested.

He raised his left arm and the MANA got denser, surrounded his palm, and dispersed.

Did— he nullified it?!

What the fuck is this man?!

“What business hath an infant ghoul with me?”

Ghoul?—what is he talking about?!

Now that I’m taking a closer look at his MANA, it is odd—it’s so stable and elegant, without any fluctuation.

I didn’t even consider the possibility that he was suppressing it, because the time I ran into someone doing that, their MANA was bouncing all over the place inconsistently.

“What ails thee? There is no need to fret, beast—you would be dead were I so inclined.”

I— I can’t do anything to him.

I took just one step forward… and like an animal in front of a much, much more dangerous predator, all my instincts began yelling at me in agony.

Sweat began dripping across my face and body.

I saw it clearly—I’d die instantly had he desired it—I stood less than no chance, this man was beyond anyone I’ve ever seen.

Need— I need to get away.

Began running away—on all fours—or threes, my arm was still regenerating—I wasn’t thinking, I was operating purely on instinct and fear.

Breathing heavily, I put my hand on my chest—why is my chest aching?!

“I have no fucking heart!!—how is my fucking heart hurting?!”

Suddenly, I felt it—I was trembling, teeth chattering and lightheadedness overflowing.

“Shit!!”

“At least…” he’s not chasing me…

…wait… am I not threatening enough for him to even chase me?!

A tiny flood of anger began overshadowing my fear—he didn’t even kill me!!—when he could’ve easily done that!!

Started clenching my teeth.

“How… fucking dare he not kill me!!” I shouted as I ran further and further away.

It’s not like I read him wrong, he was just suppressing his fucking MANA—or was he?—the possibility had never crossed my mind before, but what if MANA is actually not that good of a metric to judge someone’s power?

I’ll… need to be more vigilant from now on—can’t get ahead of myself like this again—what’s the point of this kill-for-power ability if I can’t pick my opponents correctly?

With my arm half-way healed, I was next to the town yet again—hungry and frustrated with what happened, I was desperate for victims.

Jumped into a bush and waited, with wide eyes and saliva drooling out of my mouth.

Lots of people—just need someone to get closer to the exit and I’ll grab them, nothing serious—a quick meal before bed, is all.

The way that guy spoke though… he pisses me the fuck off!!

Why was he talking like that?!

People in this town spoke normally, so is he some foreigner or whatever?—do they speak like that elsewhere?!

And he called me “an infant ghoul”… what does that even mean?!

Is that what I am?! How would he know and I wouldn’t?!

Began clenching my teeth harder and harder—blood began pouring out of my mouth as well.

I— I can’t believe he showed me mercy!!

When I attacked him without the slightest consideration for his life!!

This fucking man!!

Suddenly… my teeth fractured because of the pressure… multiple teeth in my mouth…!!

Slipped my hand into my mouth and touched the missing teeth—they were abruptly growing out yet again.

While this didn’t soothe my anger, I did feel a small rush of relief.

Then… a guy went up next to the bush I was in and…

…stood there.