Chương 100: A Scowly Kind of Peace

This head was grinning, the same expression he had when I shot him. He must have thought he was a real tough guy, not even attempting to dodge. He still had all his teeth, so he was unlikely to whistle. We were already off to a great start. I cast [Artifact Index] [Headhunter - Sambor Kurek, Tvardziel] Weapon modification: Successful hits restore your barrier based on a percentage of damage dealt. +12 Barrier Gear modification: You can link with a party member. A percentage of damage is redirected from them to you.

+12 Barrier"Oh yes, exactly what I needed, a way to take even more damage."

"I could see it being useful," Vasil commented.

"You could use it to keep Kasia safe."

"Yeah, but it specifically says 'party member', and Kasia won't be able to join any parties until she's eighteen." Kasia raised her hand.

"I have a suggestion. You just mentioned selling the heads. What happens if someone else equips the head? Can't you just have Vasil equip it and absorb damage for you?" I shook my head.

"Unfortunately that's not how it works. You need the [Headhunter] skill to be able to equip them, and you need to be at least level five before you can equip the first one. After that you can equip one more every five levels. Unless… Unless Vasil can also just take the [Headhunter] skill!"

"What would I even attach it to?" Vasil asked.

"I don't know! Your leg? Your ear-disc? Your eye? It's not like you feel pain, so it doesn't really matter what you attach it to."

"I feel pain!"

"Maybe not your eye then. Check if you have access to [Headhunter]." He went quiet for a few beats, then shook his head.

"I'm afraid not."

"I guess that would have been too good to be true," I said.

"It's still pretty good as an attachment to my gun. And I suppose alright if I need to protect Kasia later." I examined the head.

"It's also not as ugly as Jerzy, even though it does look a bit smug with that grin. It might send the wrong message. People might think I'm some kind of delusional, narcissistic, self-important lunatic who needs constant validation and makes everything about herself while refusing to take accountability for anything." I frowned.

"Which couldn't be further from what I am."

"Heh," Vasil said. Kasia shifted uncomfortably.

"Wouldn't want that." I deposited Sambor back into my satchel and grabbed the next head. This time the chuckler was the lucky one. [Headhunter - Vulkan Kaminski, Lithomancer] Weapon modification: You may increase the size of projectiles fired by you based on your Strength. +0 Strength. Scales with Earth Resistance +5 Attunement +10% Mana Regeneration Gear modification: +7. 5 Strength. Scales with Earth Resistance +5 Attunement +15% Fire Resistance +15% Earth Resistance"Hah!

This guy's parents seriously named him Vulkan and then he grew up to throw flaming boulders at people. What are the odds?"

"Pretty high," Vasil said.

"One or both of his parents likely had similar builds, which is why they gave him that name, and why he became a [Lithomancer] in the first place. Children often follow in their parents' footsteps." The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. That was true even in Graecia. Even I'd been pushed from birth into taking [Katarologa]. I didn't, of course, but it wasn't due to my mother's lack of trying. The gods simply had other plans for me.

Plans that they still hadn't shared beyond making me this class. Perhaps they actually didn't have any plans and just liked creating new classes? Unlike my mother, Mēnē and Ambelios never tried to tell me what to do. Except for that one time when I was taking a bath, they never communicated with me at all. Did that mean I was doing the right thing? No way to tell for sure without any feedback. It was possible that they didn't care, but why would they have made me this class then?

No, I figured they liked me for some reason. Which was why they made the class, and why they never told me what to do. They knew I didn't like being bossed around. They probably wanted to see me thrive, become the best version of myself, and hand out justice wherever I saw fit. Yes, that made sense. They trusted my judgement, and why wouldn't they? If there was anyone that was known for their capable and sagacious decision making it was me.

I tried to think back, attempting to recall any bad decisions I'd made, but wasn't able to remember any. Every choice I'd made in my life had been solidly supported by logic and reason, and the outcome was always exactly what I'd anticipated. It wouldn't be bragging to say I was wise beyond my years; it would merely be stating facts.

"Well?" Vasil asked, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? What?"

"What do you think of the head?"

"Oh. Right. It's interesting, but at the same time it seems to favor Strength and Earth Resistance, both of which I don't have. Putting points in Strength wouldn't help me at all, and this is the first time I've found anything with Earth Resistance. It does make me curious about his build. It seems like it had been something unconventional, although the flaming boulders kind of gave that away. A magic user that scales with resistances and Strength is pretty uncommon as far as I know." Vasil nodded in agreement.

"Attunement is generally favored by casters, for obvious reasons. There are however combinations that reward going off the beaten path, like our disembodied friend here demonstrates perfectly."

"Does it, though? His reward was death by my hand. I believe investing heavily into Attunement is still superior."

"It's not that his build was flawed or inferior. He was unprepared for you, specifically. Most, if not all people are. Your class and… personality make you exceptionally suited for killing other warriors." I tapped my chin.

"My personality? Yeah, I guess you're right. My unflappable and patient nature makes it hard for people to get under my skin, so my decision making is never impaired. Everyone always seems to get so angry while fighting. When you're angry you make mistakes. I never have that problem. I'm a peaceful person." Vasil squinted.

"Peaceful?"

"Oh yeah," I said, flipping my hair and catching a whiff of the scent.

"They don't call me Saint Hecate for nothing. Also my hair smells nice." Vasil blinked and his mouth fell open again. He'd been doing that a lot lately. I wondered if he was alright, then remembered he was immortal and indestructible so he could only ever be alright. Maybe he was hoping a mosquito would fly inside, seeing how he loved those things. Maybe he thought that if a mosquito flew into his mouth on its own it wouldn't be shameful that he ate one, because he wouldn't technically have caught it for eating.

He could pass it off as chance. A smart strategy that might have fooled a lesser mind, but I saw right through him. I waggled my finger at him.

"Clever old man. I can see why you were advisor to the king."

"Two kings."

"So you keep reminding us. Look, you don't have to be ashamed for liking what you like. We don't judge, right Kasia?"

"I'm confused," she said. Vasil tilted his head.

"I also don't understand what you mean."

"The mosquitos, of course. I know you're ashamed to be seen eating them, so you keep your mouth open, hoping one will fly in, giving you a tasty treat. We don't think it's weird or disgusting. I don't understand why you would be ashamed of that."

"Right Kasia?" I said, turning to Kasia, who was standing there with her mouth open. I put my hand in front of her mouth.

"Not you! We don't eat mosquitos! He's a frog, for him it's normal." Kasia slowly pushed my hand down then put her hand to my forehead.

"Are you alright, Hecate? It's been a stressful day. It's okay if you need to rest a bit."

"What are you talking about? What was stressful? The day was fine." Vasil hopped closer to me.

"I believe that we should rest before we move along. I am sure you are fine, Hecate, but Kasia and I are tired." That made sense. They probably still weren't used to all the fighting and killing, and we did walk a long way. For me it was just another day, but for them it was probably pretty intense. Since they were under my care, I should have noticed that instead of pushing through right away, barreling on to the next destination. Most people needed rest. Kasia didn't even have a class, of course she needed rest.

I had been thoughtless.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"That was inconsiderate of me. I will try to consider your needs more in the future. After I inspect this last head we will find a place to rest." I put Vulkan with the other heads and took Bogumir out. I turned him in my hand so he was facing me. He looked kind of peaceful in a scowly kind of way. Then his eyes snapped open, and suddenly, I was the one being watched.