Kumi sat at the lower deck of the ship, in the corner between barrels of bones and sealed up boxes.
The merchant, although seemingly a kind businessman, had not yet gained Kumi's trust. Obviously.
Kumi rested her head against one of the barrels as she sat on the wooden floor, hugging her knees.
'There isn't much I can do right now. But I finally have a moment to actually rest after completing that mission, so time check my Properties.'
And with that thought...
{Level has Increased to 40}
{Unknown Becomes Level 7}
{Caution Becomes Level 8}
{Stamina Use Reduction Becomes Level Max}
{Deep Sleep Becomes Level 7}
{Art of War Becomes Level 6}
{ Battle Records Becomes Level 5}
{Unnoticeable Concentration Becomes Level 9}
{Cautious Intelligence Becomes Level 6}
{Mana Prediction Becomes Level 5}
{Pain Resistance Becomes Level Max}
{Heat Resistance Becomes Level 6}
{Shock Resistance Becomes Level 6}
{Cold Resistance Becomes Level 5}
{Bleeding Resistance Becomes Level 5}
{Ace Becomes Level 5}
{Fire Magic Resistance Becomes Level 4}
{Aegis of Adaptation Becomes Level 2}
{Resistance Skill: Lightning Magic Resistance Level 1 Is Acquired}
{Resistance Skill: Blood Magic Resistance Level 1 Is Acquired}
{Slash Becomes Level 7}
{Elemental Power Increase Becomes Level 7}
{Unreadable Illusion Becomes Level 5}
{Preparation Becomes Level 7}
{Residue Reduction Becomes Level 9}
{Basic Mana Manipulation Technique Proficiency has Increased}
{Name: Kumi
Gender: Female
Race: Angelic Devil
Rank: High-Mortal
Level: 40
—Titles: Dragon Slayer, Demon Slayer, Hero Slayer, Empress's Heir, Calamity Killer, Celestial Lotus Host, Potential Shatterer, Soul Witness
Potential: Z±
—Properties:
Vigour: E (100%)
Mana: E- (92%)
Strength: E-
Agility: D-
Mind: E-
Endurance: E+
Arcane: E
—Elements: Lightning, Curse, Rot
—Passive Skills:
High Regeneration Level Max;
Free Footwork Level Max;
Brutal Strength Level Max;
Dragon Heart Level Max;
Growth Acceleration Level Max;
Highest Holy Blessing Level Max;
Highest Demonic Blessing Level Max;
Heavenly Demonic Pressure Level Max;
Unknown Level 7;
Caution Level 8;
Stamina Use Reduction Level Max;
Deep Sleep Level 7;
Training Level 9;
Art of War Level 6;
Perfect Fighter Level 4;
Battle Records Level 5;
Unnoticeable Concentration Level 9;
Cautious Intelligence Level 6;
Mana Prediction Level 5
—Resistance Skills:
Time Magic Resistance Level 6;
Weakening Magic Resistance Level 5;
Space Magic Resistance Level 4;
Pain Resistance Level Max;
Heat Resistance Level 6;
Shock Resistance Level 6;
Water Magic Resistance Level 5;
Cold Resistance Level 5;
Bleeding Resistance Level 4;
Mana Loss Resistance Level 5;
Stamina Loss Resistance Level 4;
Health Loss Resistance Level 3;
Fear Resistance Level 3;
Ace Level 5;
Wind Magic Resistance Level 2;
Earth Magic Resistance Level 2;
Fire Magic Resistance Level 4;
Lightning Magic Resistance Level 1;
Blood Magic Resistance Level 1;
Poison Resistance Level 1;
Aegis of Adaptation Level 2
—Active Skills:
Empress's Soul Sword Level 1;
Slash Level 7;
Elemental Power Increase Level 7;
Unreadable Illusion Level 5;
Preparation Level 7;
Preparatory Item Creation Level 4;
Instinct Blocking Level 2;
Residue Reduction Level 9
—Personality:
Kumi let out a soft breath.
'Guaranteed proof that a Skill reaches Max Level at 10. Still, if this is the growth limit for Skills, I need to start searching for some that match me better. Vaeril spoke about a Skill Limit, since I don't know my own limit yet it isn't a priority but still something to plan for.'
Kumi's eyes caught sight of a single Skill she hadn't used in a long while.
'Empress's Soul Sword. I remember that I used it against the big animals when stuck in the flower but the mana cost is huge. If I leveled it to Max, would the cost be reduced as well?'
These thoughts all came to a halt in a single short moment.
The air turned stiff and her surroundings silent.
She suddenly felt slower physically. As if everything was moving in slow motion.
It was a familiar feeling.
And that familiar feeling caused dread to creep up.
Just at that moment.
{Time Magic Resistance Becomes Level 7}
{Aegis of Adaptation Secondary Effect has Increased Resistance Skill Levels}
'...fuck.'
Kumi knew of only one person who could use this Element.
And the fact that she could feel it activate enough to resist it means that Ayaka is too close for comfort.
'They actually sent her on a field op? Damn it! She should have just stayed back and brewed tea!'
Without a moment wasted, Kumi got up from the corner and hid herself as best as she could.
A few moments later, she could hear footsteps coming down to the lower deck.
"Hey! Lass?"
Thankfully, it was just Thursdon. He yelled from the bottom of the stairs. Presuming that Kumi was sleeping, he shouted out.
"There's a maid looking for you top deck! She refuses to pay for transport so we can't leave until she's off the ship and she is way too scary for me to try and force her off!"
'Fuck you Merchant Boy!'
Kumi peeked her head out from behind the luggage.
"What are you sleeping all the way back there for? Having a snack on my merchandise are ya? You know that'll cost extra."
Thursdon commented with a smirk as he pushed his hat back.
"Come on up! I'll get ready for departure while ya talk to the scary maid lady."
Kumi was resigned to her fate at this point.
There was no way that she could defeat or kill Ayaka. Even if she miraculously did, the pursuit of Death's Doorstep would only grow to unimaginable heights.
'The one chance is basically over... Eternal imprisonment and slave labour it is then... Damn it. That's what I get for making an abrupt decision without a proper plan.'
Kumi could feel her face heating up slightly.
Taking in a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.
She slowly walked up the steps and reached the main deck of the ship, where Ayaka stood facing away from her.
She was talking into an object similar to the watch that Kumi broke after killing the man who found her.
"Yes. I'm in the process of searching the city now. It will take a while so I would request all nearby members to isolate the city with a perimeter just in case."
Hilde's voice could be heard from the other side.
"Don't make too much trouble for the locals."
"I will not. I am searching through all the docked ships right now before letting them carry on with their business."
"Good. Keep me updated."
"I will."
The image of Hilde in the water became blurry and disappeared as Ayaka placed it in her pocket and turned around with a scowl on her face.
"Kumi. What in the Halos of Hell were you thinking?"
Ayaka stood there, arms crossed and tapping her foot.
Kumi had little time to theorise or think up any proper excuses or lies.
There was just one thing that she managed to make out.
'Ayaka hasn't reported that I have been found yet.'
The chance was miniscule. But if Kumi could use, what she thought was a miniscule amount of affection that Ayaka still had for her effectively.
Then a chance. A small possibility remained.
And to maximise that possibility, Kumi couldn't lie. If Ayaka saw through or even felt a single lie or half truth, it would instantly be over.
Kumi and Ayaka faced each other, Kumi lowered her gaze as she looked to the side.
It was true that lying currently wasn't an option, but acting? There were no lies in faking physical reactions.
An averted gaze, a half step back, a flinch in response to sudden movement. Fraud that was nearly impossible to identify as outright Fake.
Ayaka let out a sigh as she saw Kumi's physical reaction.
Fear, anxiety and a tinge of guilt. Ayaka could make it out from how Kumi's body moved.
Ayaka sat down on her knees.
"Answer my question, Kumi."
Ayaka seemed to take the bait.
This would be a tremendously difficult act of Fraud.