Chapter 168 Dumb, Dumber And Dumbest

Day 50

We managed to get out of the location where I couldn’t use magic. So obviously, the first thing I tried to do was create a portal. I managed to do that. That was how far I got before…

“Found you!”

DING!

[Notice: Sensing Incoming Waves of Immense Chaos Energy]

Behind me, moving as fast lightning was a blackness. In fact, I couldn’t say it was moving. It was basically flashing before me, closing the distance in mere seconds. And I knew for a fact that I was looking very far away.

[You have been inflicted with [Absurd Fear]]

[You will not be able to move till you overcome this fear]

My body was stuck in place. Behind me, the princess on the other hand was moving towards the portal. Kawaii grabbed me, it would seem she realised that I was stuck. But that wasn’t the important thing here. What the heck was this thing coming after us.

I blinked, then there was a hand over my body. It grabbed me hard and it felt like my bones were shattering.

[You have received the status [Broken Bones]]

[You have received the status [Internal Bleeding]]

‘Mawste-?’

“No. You two aren’t needed.”

The thing that was holding me spoke up, before flicking Kawaii away into the portal. The princess herself was already through the portal. She was grinning at me, completely unfazed by the sort of aura this thing was releasing. The portal closed up, leaving me alone with it.

DING!

[Congratulations! You have completed your quest!]

[You will receive your reward if you arrive in the Atlantis Capital]

‘Ah- N-Now isn’t the time for this!’

“You! I have been searching for you.”

Her voice sent powerful waves my way. My eyes were spinning in their sockets and I was starting to think a lot. It would seem I was about to die yet again in not even two months. Wow, how many times was I supposed to be in such a state before life would go easy for me?

Well, now that she was closer, I could make out her features better. She was, well, a shark fishman. Unlike the princess, she didn’t possess human-like skin, but was covered in scales entirely. She looked like a shark with two arms, a bit bigger than the princess. She had short-cut, navy blue hair, with dull purple eyes. She was grinning at me, displaying her very sharp razor teeth. I didn’t know whether she was naked or not, but she had basically no covering on herself other than her rough scales, with fins on her elbows and back. Her entire front was white, whereas the other parts were a cerulean blue.

“You are the one that attacked my men, right?”

She asked me a question clearly, but I couldn’t even think up a response. This [Absurd Fear] status was interfering with my very thoughts. I just stared wide eyed at her two eyes. She shook me like I was some sort of broken toy.

“Huh? Did you die?”

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

“Damn… maybe I shouldn’t have used my [Demon Eye of Intimidation]. Gaah, but I just got it!”

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

“I thought this thing was going to be strong after what it did to the crew.”

[The skill [Fear Resistance] has become [Super Fear Resistance]]

[Due to the skill [Super Fear Resistance] you have offset some of the shock from [Absurd Fear]]

[Your stats are still lowered, but you can move now]

‘Huh?!’

I internally screamed, and she looked at me.

“Oh? You’re still alive?”

I kept quiet, avoiding telepathy. If she assumed I was dead, she would probably leave my body here. That would work out just fin-

“If it isn’t, I guess I’ve got a snack at least.”

‘Oi, oi, oi! I’m too young to die! Please don’t kill me.’

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Super Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Super Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

“Huh? If you aren’t dead, then why were you pretending to be?”

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Super Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

‘Um… reasons?’

“Obviously because you are going to kill me, you monster!”, is what I wanted to shout, but I kept it to myself while trying to avoid eye contact. To hell with my 360-vision!

“Yeah, yeah, my name’s Daxia. What’s yours?”

‘H-Huh? Why are you giving me your name?’

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Super Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

“Well, so that we fight. It’s always best to introduce yourselves first in a battle.”

‘B-But, not everyone has a name, right?’

“Yes, but you do.”

‘What?’

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Super Fear Resistance] has levelled up]

“Yeah. Your name is… Hinotori, right?”

‘Eeehhhh?!’

“Don’t bother trying ta hide that from me. I can see anybody’s name. Now, let’s fight.”

‘How does she kn-‘

<<Most likely the skills [Appraisal], [Demon Eye of Investigation], [Investigator], [Namer] or [Soul Dive]. There are more skills that could reveal a person’s name, but these are the most likely for a being on this level.>>

'Are they 100% accurate?'

<<Mistakes can be made with them>>

‘Is that so? Time to bluff then.’

I prepared myself, and cleared my mind.

‘Do you really think that Hinotori is my real name?’

“It is.”

‘Um, well, it isn’t. I have a different name that’s true.’

Technically what I was saying wasn’t a lie since my original name was Akira.

After I said this, her grip on me loosened.

[You are being scanned for the truth]

‘Scanned?’

<<Another function of the skills [Investigator] and [Demon Eye of Investigation]>>

[Your statement has been confirmed. You are telling the truth.]

‘So, you managed to reduce it to only two skills? Which one is it most likely to be?’

‘My bet’s on the demon eye.’

‘Same.’

<<It is a 50-50 situation at the moment>>

‘Hmm, in that case, I could try bluffing my way out of this. Bluffs have never failed me!’

I thought to myself and prepared mentally for whatever would happen.

[Warning: You are being exposed to Chaos Energy. Prolonged Exposure can lead to severe obstruction of system and soul functions.]

I received a scary warning, making me want to speed up what I was about to do.

‘I see. You were using that skill so you assumed that you could figure out my name easily.’

“Eh?”

‘Don’t “Eh?” me. I am saying that if you want to figure out more about me, using such a skill won’t be enough.’

I could see obvious confusion in her eyes. My bluff was working. Her grip had loosened enough for me to actual push apart her fingers.

‘You can’t challenge me without knowing my name, right? I won’t tell you my name.’

Well, I was hoping she was a weird type that wouldn’t fight unless certain conditions are met. What I got in response was rather disappointing.

“Yes! You’re more than what I was expecting! You! Join my crew!”

‘No.’

I rejected the offer without even thinking about it. The words flew right out of my mind at her. Well, technically I wasn’t the one to do this. It was my more blunt and violent natured other. Kira was now on the stage.

“What?”

‘First of all, you chase me till I have to run away. Then you use your chaos energy in a massive area, making it impossible for me to use magic. Do you know how much time I wasted trying to gather mana particles? It was like searching for a needle in a mountain of hay. That’s worse than a simple haystack, you know? Of course, you wouldn’t! You’re stuck at the bottom of wherever this is!’

‘K-Kiraa!’

Akkun was the first to react.

‘Gaah! This is so frustrating. I came here close to a month ago and all I’ve seen is bull after bull. If you aren’t going to complain, Tori. I will for you, cause honestly, how many people want to make us their slaves? First was the girl you stupidly almost sold your soul to. Diane forced us into fighting against Krull who wanted to kill us. Next there was the entire West basically begging us to become their ruler, essentially finding someone to put all their complaints to expecting them to be resolved. Also, there was the Necromancer who would have actually succeeded if it wasn’t for that damned brat who stabbed us through the heart. Oh, I swear if I find that brat I will reduce her to ash. I am not even going to try this time with that princess or you even if you could quite possibly kill me.’

‘Um… why is he getting emotional? I thought he didn’t have my emotions.’

<<It is possible to be frustrated, especially when one’s life is in danger even if they don’t “feel” your emotions>>

‘Hmm, I guess so?’

‘So, to you, I say, no. I will not join your crew. Just leave me alone.’

He voiced my thoughts better than I ever could. I guess it always was easier to complain in your head? Something like that, maybe?

‘T-This could end badly.’

Akkun was terrified. So was I. Akira was smart sometimes, but he was also annoyingly stupid at other times. I thought he could read the room better than I normally did. In fact, there were varying levels to dense! No matter which side of me he was, he couldn’t be this dense. No! I refused to believe that I had a stupid side this stupid. At this point, I should change our names to Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest, because if I had this in me, I-

“Hmm, I see. So, you already have a gang of your own… take me in!”

She didn’t take it how we assumed she would.

‘No.’

Again, Akira responded without asking us anything. This shitty bastard.

“Whaaaa-? Why? Just take me in!”

‘Why should I?’

<A/N: Please leave a comment or review to help in getting more readers! Also join the discord here: https://discord.gg/Ew44jhbVym or message me on discord here: Rados47#5271 to get invited>