Chương 186: Chapter 172-Chosen... Where Did That Go?

.. Where Did That Go?

Look on the bright side. At least that's what Smelly Doug used to always say. What? Doesn't sound like him? That's probably because he said that when we were walking the plank after he… had relations with a fine maiden. What's wrong with that? Well, that fine maiden was the wife of the captain that we were sailing with. Almost cost us our lives. We were lucky a stray dolphin was passing by, or else we would've drowned. With a sigh, I sit up on my beach chair. So what if I have corrosive mana?

It's not like I haven't had it my entire life, or at least that's what Professor Stargazer said. Apparently it's something I'm born with, a mutation of sorts. A true rarity. Just my luck. The one time I actually want to learn something, and I can't even do it. I bet you I would have been amazing at it. Now, I just get to sit here on the beach with a coconut in hand. A coconut lands straight into my empty hand. Me and the ocean.

Definitely not thinking about how I can't use any magic items that require me to supply it with mana or even touch a mana pool, lest I corrode it. Honestly, I probably won't run into any real problems. I still have Stovey. She works just fine.

"Blue, console me," I say as I let out a long sigh.

"Sorry, what?"

"Console me. I've been diagnosed with being awesome," I [Lie].

"I wasn't paying attention. What are you talking about?" Blue asks with a hint of confusion.

"I apparently have corrosive mana," I say as I look out at the endless sea and empty beach. It really is nice outside of that cold and dark alcove. Definitely not jealous or anything. I mean, Penelope and Hopper can learn all about magic circles, Initiators, Inhibitors, and Impacts all they want. I'll chillax with Blue.

"You have corrosive mana? How are you alive?"

"Should I not be? Blue, you're kind of worrying me here."

"Ah, I see. My fault. Back in the Era of Strife, it was superstition that those with corrosive mana would bring bad luck. I suppose that hasn't survived the centuries."

"Whoa. Are you saying that they used to kill people like me? That's fucked. Well, I really shouldn't be surprised. It hasn't even been a century since this part of the continent has considered killing a Vashrin murder. Used to call it pest control," I say, remembering some history.

"I do remember. Vashrins were certainly some of the fiercest warriors I fought back when I was alive. Ah, I miss those days. The only person I get to fight now is Yellow," he says with a hint of sadness. Odd. A rare moment between just Blue and me. He did say that the rest of them were away, but for Black to not chime in once about the rules is… promising. Wait. Should I really be taking advantage of my friendship with Blue? Of course I already know the answer.

"So, Yellow is close by? Do you live in the same soul street?"

"Funny. Not really. It's hard to describe. You appear where you want to go. Distance isn't real here, I think? I have been here for quite some time, but I still don't understand fully. Let's just say that Yellow is my neighbor."

"Okay. So, what is The Chosen Blade in this analogy, your clubhouse?" I ask in confusion.

"You could say that. Right now I'm in a space that only The Chosen Ones can reach, and when I say place, it's not really physical, but it is at the same time," Blue says as I look at the blade in confusion.

"What?"

"I'm not great at this. This is more Green's realm of study. Basically, this place is both a location and a part of us. That's why we can speak to you from outside this room. Although if we want to see through the blade, we actually have to be in the room. It's the same when we wish to do a Spirit Connection?" Blue rattles on as I carelessly open up the coconut.

"Well, at least I know that the lot of you aren't spying on me all the time. Also, Spirit Connection?" I ask, hiding my true intentions.

"Yes, it's what I did to share my… Wait a minute! I'm not supposed to be telling you this! CJ, how dare you?" he asks with a hint of surprise.

"Oh, Blue. I have no idea what you're talking about. We were just talking," I [Lie].

"I really don't understand how you are so good at that. I need help." The waves of the ocean crash against the sand and then retreat back into the sea.

"If I ask you where everybody else is, are you going to say they're busy?" The blue gem hums with a low glow.

"They're dealing with something of importance. Once they are done dealing with the situation at hand, they will return. Probably to tell me how terrible a job I'm doing," he says with a sigh.

"Don't worry. I won't tell if you don't."

"That is… somehow reassuring… I have to go. Try not to die in the meantime." The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The blue gem suddenly grows dull. What in the hells is happening up there to have even Blue worried? Actually, what even got them all to gather like that? The last time that happened… was when I picked up the blade. Did they find the real Chosen One? That would explain the secrecy. Now, the question is, how would this work with my [Contract]?

No matter how I shake it, this would nullify my reward, and I've put in too much work to give up on that now. What would I do if the real Chosen One showed up? A sudden spark of danger pulls at me. Without missing a beat, I turn to the source. A familiar sight graces my vision as he walks up the beach. Obsidian-black skin that drips with ichor, a pair of large leather wings, pointy demon horns, rippling muscles, and a sword of fire in his hand.

"Gryn of House Vyrn, come to have a coconut?" I ask as I stand up.

"Chosen One, I have come to reclaim my honor and your head," he says, pointing his sword at my head.

"Do we really have to do this now? I just learned that I have corrosive mana, and I'm kind of bummed out about it. Can't your honor reclaiming quest wait until after my vacation?" I ask as I carefully place my coconut on the sand.

"I will not listen to your silver tongue this time, Chosen One. I have come to you so that you may be prepared. I will not dishonor myself by performing a surprise attack like before," he says, standing a good distance away from me.

"You say that, but you do understand that I'm not really dressed for battle, right?" Gryn looks me up and down, stopping at my sandals for quite some time.

"As I said. Chosen One, I have come to reclaim my honor. Fight me!"

"You're not even listening. How am I supposed to fight you when I'm wearing sandals? Do you understand how hard it is to move in these? They chafe against my big toe. I don't want to fight you," I say as I forcibly palm a pebble until I bleed.

"Stand ready. I will soon attack you!"

"For the love of the Gods. What don't you understand? I don't-" Mid-sentence, I [Throw] the pebble straight for his head. He easily slashes it out of the air with his fancy dancy fire sword. The look of displeasure and disgust on his face almost makes me laugh. Didn't think he could make that face.

"A futile and barbaric attempt. I expected more from you, Chosen One."

"Which one of us are you talking to?" I ask as I [Disguise] the split rock into two copies of me.

"How are you doing this?" he asks, wary of the [Disguised] rocks. [Throwing] my voice, I respond from the one behind him, "You speak of honor?" The moment he turns, I [Throw] another rock, right in front of him.

"You speak of a fair fight?" I ask from the one to the side. My heart hammers away at my chest as I take a step forward. Gryn whips his head back to me and then to the other two, unsure on which me to focus on. This needs to be seamless. Even the smallest deviation could give me away. Which is why I have to [Gamble] it all on scaring him away.

"I have been taking it easy on you because I like you. You have gumption. Resolve that no other Demon has shown, but there is a limit to what I will tolerate," I [Lie] as I grab a pebble from Baggy and show it to him.

"I said I'm not going to-"" Far from the reach of man. The [Skill] that was never outran." Using [Disguise], I make the pebble in my hand start to glow with a bright white light.

"What is that?" he asks as the final me appears in front of him with a devilish smile." Shall destroy the fool who came in without a plan. Be [Thrown] to where you-" In the blink of an eye, he disappears. Did that get him? A sudden rush of mana pulses through me, confirming my suspicions. Good thing that worked, or else he was going to be surprised by a bright white light. I swear, this is too easy. I mean, come on. Although I won't blame him.

If The Chosen One was threatening to annihilate me while he was wearing sandals and a flowery shirt… I would definitely run away. No way I'm sticking around to face whatever is going on there. Trudging back to my beach chair, I don't even get to sit down before Penelope pops her head out of the alcove.

"Charlatan, have you fallen asleep?"

"I was hoping to."

"Professor Stargazer says it's time to head back. Get your stuff and hurry up," she says in a bossy tone.

"Yes, yes. I'm on it," I say as I begin to pack up my stuff. Skill <Disguise> has Leveled Up +1 CHA A sudden burn permeates my body. Oh, that's familiar. Why do I know that? Soul Damage Detected. Oh. That's why. Fuck. The pain burns deep. Skill <Soul Res. > has removed the Soul Damage. Skill <Soul Res. > has Leveled Up +1 LCK Well… fuck. That's not good. It's good that it healed the damage, but now I have 7 [Skills] higher than [Level 5]. I'm almost certain that's not a good thing.

As I lament my mistakes, I spot something on the horizon. A single red ship looms in the distance. Then, in seemingly a blink of the eye… it's gone? I hate this island.