CASE 204: WAR OF GODS.

*****

''Um...''

''Why so nervous? I'm not doing anything to you.''

A woman whose silhouette always seems to emit a fluorescent green sits opposite a terrifying existence, feeling her stomach aching.

Even though she doesn't have a stomach.

Her name is Skylar, the guardian spirit tasked with overseeing Claire—the heroine's growth. Just now, she has been idling around, snacking on some novels in Claire's room, when a figure creeps up from the shadows.

Skylar was a great heroine of her time, inheriting the goddess's will and blessings almost perfectly. It's also the reason she was chosen as the guardian spirit for the eventual last heroine, who would end it all.

In many ways, she was regarded as the greatest heroine. Yet, in front of this Aurora, she is but a mere mortal.

''It's an honor to meet you... my goddess.'' She forces a smile.

''Call me Aurora. Casually.'' The goddess remains expressionless.

''...Miss Aurora. I apologize for not greeting you until now. I thought you might have wanted to stay hidden within that owl girl's body.''

When Skylar honestly says so, Aurora finally smiles—it's her usual, thin smile.

''I was. I almost had to do something... distasteful to you should your mouth slipped itself. Glad you made the right call.''

''Y-Yes! Indeed...''

Skylar felt cold sweat soaking her palms, even though she shouldn't have been sweating in the first place. That was how terrifying Aurora was to someone like her.

''So... um... do you have something to tell me, Miss Aurora...?''

''I don't, but Neveah does. I'm here to relay her message.''

Hearing the name of someone she worships, Skylar instantly perks up, ''You mean Goddess Neveah?''

As Aurora nods, a different sort of anxiety softly takes over her mind. Excitement might be a more suitable word.

Ever since taking on this guardian role, Skylar had anticipated Neveah's praise, her console—any communication—so she could rationalize her effort and know that what she was doing was not in vain. 

But Neveah was a renowned hermit. Her sightings were as mythical as real unicorns and giant sea leviathans, and even long after Skylar had taken on the job, not a trace of that white-haired deity could be seen.

Now, receiving her message... well, not personally, but it might as well count. Skylar is thrilled.

As if waiting for her to finish the monologue, Aurora holds her words for a long bit, ''...She wants you to teach those kids.''

''Huh?''

''The kids. Those around Claire. You'll be their teacher—how wonderful.''

''...''

And the first thing Neveah has for her is... more work. Not a praise. Not asking if she's doing alright. 

'Oh, my life...'

But ultimately, it makes sense. Whether this world is 'scripted' like a play or not, the star players—the true talents—are all gathered at this very place. The people around the heroine indeed possess immense potential.

Not everyone can reach heights like Aurora can, even with the world pushing them fervently. A person's true limits often have to do with their soul—its grade or purity.

From Amelia to Chloe, Scarlett, Luxia, Nydia, or Sierra, every one of these girls is outstanding.

''It's a tough battle ahead. For an individual to destroy all calamities with their formidable army... sounds epic and all, but having reliable allies is better.''

''...I understand.''

Skylar reluctantly nods to those words. For one, she doesn't really have any other options anyway, considering the person she is talking to. 

Being a mentor to those girls feels somewhat unusual, but not so bad, perhaps.

Just... her free time will be reduced to nothing.

'My life...'

*****

''Hold its legs for me!''

''Roger!''

Feeling uncharacteristically energetic, I draw handfuls of mana to my hand, channeling it into my blade.

It is as though my heart is blasting mana across my body, forcing it to move. Massive adrenaline surges, together with the pain of my veins stretching over their limits to accommodate the swirling mana. 

My sword is clearly bearing loads it shouldn't bear. Bright, skin-piercing cold cracks run along its spine, and there's a slight tremble as I swing, one that shouldn't be present in a sword of this quality.

But after getting a good look at the abomination below, at the shackles binding it in place. Calculating the distance...

''Gauntlet of Severance.''

As the quivering explosive is transferred straight into the giant thing's stomach, it lets out an indescribable... frequency. Not really a sound.

But it seems that the monster is on its last breath. After a brief struggle, it ceases all movements, the overly ridden red 'pupils' losing their color rapidly.

''...I leveled up.'' Kyomu briefly nods as we gather near the corpse. ''It's been a long time.''

''Me too.'' Sikare follows.

Of course, Nova as well.

Kyomu is now level 69, Sikare 66, and Nova 63... considering they were all at upwards of sixty before this, the amount of experience they gained is drastic. The system sucked the appropriate 'soul' out of this abomination according to their contribution, but there's quite a lot left.

These monsters... they're an experience mine. It does take all four of us to take down one of them reasonably well, but that's okay.

Heart racing, I touch the giant carcass, now as cold and rigid as a real rock. Something tells me I should have a harder time absorbing this one than Sikare's simple stone, but strangely enough, it's the opposite.

There's a vague... sense inside me—like a beast wanting to devour each and everything in this realm. It's helping me, but I also seem to be sucked into it, albeit slowly. 

Is it... my other self?

''How's it now, boss?'' Sikare peeks in from the side, her hands already moving to collect the monster's materials.

''Seventy.''

The system now registers me as a level 70—a grandmaster. Well, based on my output earlier, I'm sure I'm at that level alright.

Even before that, I had a vague feeling I would be able to face off one. But I guess things like levels and stats won't really matter anymore. From now on, we'll be fighting enemies that are outside of the system's bounds... like this one.

''...''

Thinking back, the fight was indeed one-sided, but that's because I have three powerful teammates assisting me with competent synergy. If I were to face it alone, maybe it wouldn't have gone so well.

But now, having completed one expedition successfully, we decide to first retreat.

I'd like to stay on the safe side for the moment, and the increasingly thick red fog here is making me uneasy. We need a way to resist the madness.

So, I teleport back to Zircon with the other three, savoring the fresh air among the ghastly trees.

''You guys can rest now. If you have any idea for the next outing, tell me then.''

Feeling somewhat snuggly, I take several of my sibling owls and walk through the forest for a while. That brings me back... why was I put into an owl egg in the first place? Wouldn't reincarnating me as a noble make things much easier?

''That's because I like owls.''

''...?!''

''They're so cute, aren't they?''

''...''

There, in the corner of my vision, a woman whose form blends into the darkness sits, smiling thinly.

''...What are you doing here?'' I ask, sighing. ''We just killed an insect outside.''

''I know. But the kids are coming this way.''

''The kids?''

''Your friends. I told them to practice here. So... just a heads up.''

''???''

Excuse me? Since when did I lose control of my territory?