Chapter 274: Weird..

"Hmmm... alright, whatever..." Maria finally muttered with a slow shake of her head. Even though she heard Razeal’s explanation, something about it didn’t sit right with her. His tone, his expression, even that stupid confidence of his everything felt like one big suspicious performance.

Because one thing she knew from staying with him:

Razeal never acts helpful. Like.. Never and now he was..

So the logical part of her brain whispered:

Don’t believe a single thing he just said.

And the other side was like:

Yeah, just leave it. Pretend you trust him. You’ll suffer less.

Still, despite her suspicion, she tucked his "information" somewhere in the back of her mind. Not accepting or trusting it Just... storing it there..

Maybe for future use or to throw in his face one day if he found out he was bullshiting. She hadn’t decided yet.

"So... what abilities does a devil have?" Maria finally asked, lifting her head to look at him directly.

Razeal stopped rubbing his chin. He blinked.. then shrugged casually.

"Well... I really don’t know. I’ve never been a demon. So you’ll have to find them out yourself."

Maria stared at him.

"Wow. Very helpful. Amazing," she muttered sarcastically, putting a hand on her forehead dramatically.

She let out a breath long and tired but she was also undeniably excited. She couldn’t help it. Her mind was racing with possibilities. Her whole being felt different now. She felt her skin vibrating with new strength, her breath colder, her senses sharper.

Could she fly?

Could she turn invisible?

Could she burn someone alive by blinking??

Her imagination ran wild.

She rubbed her chin, thinking deeply, wondering how she could test those "devil abilities." But then suddenly, another memory struck her hard.

"That pain... that horrible burning in my heart... my body freezing... paralysis... I won’t feel that again, right?"

She turned to Razeal quickly, that worry she tried to hide bubbling to the surface.

That pain when her heart was bubbling up she had felt like lava squeezed into her veins. She would rip his throat out if she had to feel that again.

Razeal shook his head.

"No, don’t worry. You won’t," he said calmly. "It was just your race changing. The demonic heart was altering you. Turning you into... well, what you are now."

He paused and pointed lazily at her.

"Lucky for you, you have a noble-ranking bloodline. Otherwise you would’ve exploded like wet clay getting stepped on. But you handled it. So yeah... you’re half human, half demon. Or devil, actually. Devils are titles for high-ranking demons."

His tone was cold but matter-of-fact, like he was reciting a grocery list instead of telling her she nearly died.

"So don’t worry now," Razeal added. "Whatever was gonna happen already did. You’re on your own from here."

Maria nodded slowly, mind sinking into deep thought again her heart beat differently her blood felt different ever her senses were shifting.

There was something intoxicating about the power she felt now.

But before she could sink too deep into her own thoughts

Razeal spoke again.

"Though... I think I deserve a nice and desirable thank you," he said, lifting a brow, voice dropping into his usual irritatingly smooth tone. "Don’t you think?"

"For what?" Maria blinked at him.

Razeal spread his arms slightly.

"I literally made you powerful. From a fourth rank to almost touching the seventh. Without me, you would never be as strong as you are today."

He tilted his head, hair swaying lightly as he stared at her with his cold, sharp eyes.

"Don’t you think I deserve a thank you for that?"

Maria stared back at him silently for several seconds.

Her eyes narrowed.

Then

"...No thanks."

She said it flatly and dismissed him entirely, turning her head away as she sank back into her internal exploration.

Razeal’s eye twitched.

Maria didn’t care.

Thoughts flooded her mind again.

Do demons have wings? Angels have wings... demons should too, right?

She imagined herself with huge white beautiful wings, beating dramatically as she flew.

And what about a tail...? Do devils even have tails? Or horns? Dragons have horns... Some devils should too...

She looked left, right, up, down trying to feel if something was hiding beneath her hair or skin.

Nothing.

How do I even get them out??

Her mind spiraled deeper and deeper into the possibilities.

Unknown to her, Razeal slightly lowered his chin, listening to her muttering and watching her think. He almost smirked but held it back.

Inside his head, Villey spoke up.

[ What do you even want a thank you for? What use is that going to have? ] the system asked, sounding offended and exhausted.

Razeal shrugged mentally.

Nothing. I’m just asking. She’s a demon now of course I’m interested in what she can do. And well... she can be useful. Her stats improved a lot. She might be useful in some... grandeur fights we have later.

[ What grandeur fight are you talking about, Host? I don’t remember any fight pending... ] Villey sounded confused.

"Ohhhh come on... I am not that naïve, Villey. Not enough to think I wouldn’t have to fight," Razeal muttered inside his head, running a hand through his hair as he looked out at the coral city ahead of them.

Even with the calm expression on his face, his mind was nowhere near calm.

"We are literally going against fate, Villey... against fate itself. Against whatever that asshole Riven is planning... against the chosen one... against destiny... you think there’s going to be an easy way out?"

He let out a low breath, dark and deep, the kind that carried exhaustion and amusement both.

"There is no way out of that. At one time or another, we’ll have to face them. Straight on. Head first. No hiding behind anything. No running. We’re trying to shift fate. Change it. Break it. That alone makes us enemies of everything that’s been written. So yeah... they’ll come. And I’ll.. no we’ll have to face them."

His fingers twitched.

"And fighting alone would be stupid. Really stupid. Believe it or not villains only lose because they always do that stupid thing. Sending their lackeys one by one. Letting the heroes defeat them one by one with.. Big strong team of theirs because one on one they never are a match. And then in the end..."

"In the end the villain stands alone. Alone against the entire hero squad. The chosen one’s companions. The armies. The friends. The side characters. All that bullshit."

"That’s why they lose. Not because heroes are strong... but because the villain was stupid."

He took a slow breath.

"I mean think about it," Razeal continued in his head. "Areon, Selena, Celestia... even Sylva. They already are my enemies now. Then take Riven and whatever stupid plans he’s cooking... The side forces... The empire... The fate threads... They’re all on the same side. And here I’m alone."

His inner voice lowered.

"Well... for now."

Inside his mind, Villey finally spoke, sounding like a very tired grandfather listening to a kid talk nonsense.

[So you think she’s gonna help? That Maria girl? For this fight? This destiny-breaking nonsense?]

Villey sighed loudly.

[I wouldn’t believe you’re that dreamy or dumb, Host... Seriously. Did turning into a vampire short-circuit your brain circuits?]

Razeal rolled his eyes mentally.

"At least I’ll get something. A start is a start, Villey. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s low-level."

His eyes narrowed.

"I can’t wait for the strongest warriors in the world. If I wait for that, I’ll be dead before they arrive. A beginning is a beginning. And beginnings look pathetic at first, but they grow. We need people ..someone to hold our inconveniences. I can’t do everything alone."

His mental tone turned serious.

"I won’t be stupid and think I can handle everything alone. It sounds cool in stories, I know one man army, solo destroyer, lone hero, lone villain. But in real life? That’s just dumb. Why give myself more work when I can make someone else handle some shit for me? That frees my time... for the important things."

Villey clicked his tongue mentally.

[Yeah, I know, I know... Is that also why you took Levy in?]

Villey sounded fed up.

[Because if you tell me you want him as your ’warrior,’ I swear I will uninstall myself. He’s literally nothing. What help is he gonna give? He’s.. what? a walking useless ornament?]

Razeal stayed silent letting Villey finsih before..

"Levy is not what you think he is."

[He’s exactly what I think he is. A side character with a mouth and illusions.]

Razeal shook his head slowly.

"He is special."

[Special? Special where? In what? In uselessness?]

"No. Special in ways others don’t know yet."

Villey paused.

[And what exactly are those ’ways’? And why am I not aware of them? I literally read the entire original novel. There was NOTHING. NOTHING written about this. Levy was just a bullshit side character who made little illusions.. illusions that tricked poor people into believing they saw their dead loved ones. And because the people in that region were stupid and illiterate, they thought he was a god. That’s it.]

Villey continued ranting.

[He didn’t even have real power. He didn’t fight. He wasn’t special. He wasn’t a chosen anything. He was just a con artist. And then he died. Got chopped by Areon. End of story. Just a stepping stone for the chosen one’s moral development. A footnote villain.]

Razeal let the rant finish. Then he spoke slowly.

"You read what was written," Razeal murmured, "but I remember something that wasn’t explained well."

His eyes narrowed sharply.

"That illusion he cast on Areon when he died... You remember the Chapter?"

[Yeah. It was dramatic. Whatever.]

"No. It wasn’t just dramatic."

Razeal’s tone deepened.

"It was werid."

Villey went silent.

"Areon is the son of the Sun God. You understand?" Razeal’s voice lowered even more.

"God-blooded beings cannot be manipulated. They are resistant to illusions. Resistant to mental attacks. Resistant to everything that involves mind tampering. They stand above that."

He let the thought sink in.

"So how did Levy a tiny, nobody illusionist trap him? Even if for a moment. Even if just briefly. How did he make.. AREON see something he shouldn’t be able to see?"

Villey didn’t answer.

Razeal continued:

"I don’t think that was a normal illusion. I don’t think Levy even knows what he’s capable of. Something is inside him. Something that wasn’t explored in the novel... something hidden."

He exhaled slowly.

"He’s special, Villey. I don’t know why. I don’t know how. But I can feel it."

Villey sighed.

[You and your feelings...]

Razeal chuckled coldly in his head.

"And besides... he’s a villain in this story too. Not a hero. A villain. Our side."

His lips curled faintly.

"We villains deserve to be in the same squad. Don’t you think, Villey?"

[Hmm well... do whatever you want. It’s your choice, Host.] Villey grumbled inside Razeal’s head, voice sounding like a tired parent watching their chaotic child wander too close to a cliff. [Not like I want to babysit you. Just don’t die... which.. you should know if YOU die... that means I die. So let’s not fuck it up. We have only one life.]

Razeal snorted under his breath.

"Don’t worry," he said casually, rolling his shoulders as if death was the last thing on his mind. "I don’t think I can actually die now. Maybe before I could. But now? Definitely not."

He motioned at himself.

"I mean heyy? I’m literally a Vampire. An SSS-ranked endurance now. My healing effect upgraded to SS. I can regenerate even from a single drop of blood. One drop. I’m basically unkillable."

He shrugged like it was obvious.

"Anyway.. tell me. What abilities does Maria have now? You must’ve gotten some idea, right?"

Because honestly? Even he wasn’t completely sure. He could guess a few things he saw her stats shift, her aura, her body adapting but exact abilities? No clue.

Villey sighed dramatically.

[Well... you should read about that in your Book of Eventual Evil. I’m sure there must be many things in there you can learn about. And maybe go into the system space and ask some demons.. I mean, as usual, I can’t help you with information.] Villey said

Razeal expected that answer. He always got that answer. This damn system never gave him anything helpful unless it was being dramatic or sarcastic.

But Villey wasn’t done.

[Though I can tell a little about it, since I feel generous...]he added begrudgingly.

Razeal lifted an eyebrow.

[She can regenerate from lustful contracts with opposite gender. Very strong. She gained very strong resistance and endurance. Her mental stats are hard because she’s half demon she won’t be easily tempted or mentally manipulated. AND OH. Of course she also has... Sin Eye.]

Villey paused dramatically.

[You saw that demonic red eye, right? That’s not just for decoration. That’s a Sin Eye.]

Razeal blinked.

Not because he was shocked but because the only NEW thing Villey had said... was the Sin Eye. Everything else he already suspected or could guess from her stats.

He rubbed his temple.

Honestly, sometimes he wondered if this system was trolling him on purpose. It always acted like it was giving him the biggest revelation of the century and then ended up telling him something he already knew.

But the last part?

Yeah. That one word caught his attention.

Sin Eye.

"What’s that?" Razeal asked, eyes narrowing slightly. Curiosity and caution mixing.

Villey immediately clammed up.

nThat’s all I can say, Host. The rest you can find out yourself.. from system space or that book.]

Razeal stared into the air blankly.

Of course.

Of fucking course.

"Whatever. I’ll find out myself," he sighed internally, already used to the system being unreliable. He didn’t even bother reacting at this point.

He took a breath.

"Anyway.. let’s go, guys. If not, that original Antonio guy might still be behind us."

His attention returning to the outside world. Neptunia, walking beside him..

"Don’t worry," she said. "This sea is under the control of the Second Sea’s Sea Lord. Antonio can’t come inside, even if he wants to."

She crossed her arms proudly.

"And besides, he has a BAD relationship with the Second Sea Lord. They’re enemies."

Razeal blinked.

"I see, I see." He shrugged lightly and continued walking. Two steps forward.. Calm and very relaxed.

But then

"STOP!!" Maria yelled from behind.

Both Razeal and Neptunia paused mid-step.

Razeal let out the most exhausted sigh.

"What is it now?" He asked, turning around with narrowed eyes, tone visibly irritated.

Maria took a breath, straightening herself, looking much more serious than usual.

"I have a question."

"Of course you do. What is it?" Razeal replied, voice flat and already tired.

Maria stepped closer, her face serious, eyes narrowed.

"I’ve never heard about a technique or spell that can heal people by a kiss," she said carefully. "I want an explanation. A REAL one."

Razeal’s eyebrow twitched.

"What? You think I wanted to kiss you? You think I made up a reason to kiss you?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah," Maria replied instantly. "I mean.. it sounds more believable than you saying you have an ability to heal with a kiss. Don’t you think so?"

Razeal stared at her.

She stared back.

He wanted to smack his head into the coral wall.

"First of all.. I never said I have an ability that heals with a kiss. I said I can heal YOU with a kiss. It’s a big difference."

Maria narrowed her eyes further.

"And what difference is that?" she demanded. "Is there something you want to explain to me?"

Razeal... Umm Paused a little.

For the first time, he actually had NO idea what to answer. Should he tell her the real reason? But then again.. This women will go kissing around everyone?

He blinked slowly.

His mind raced.

Then...

"I mean..."He looked at her emotionlessly.. "In simple words... I can’t heal everyone from injuries with a kiss. It’s special. Only you. Only I can heal YOU that way."

Maria stared.

Neptunia stared.

Even Villey paused.

[...Ummmm Host? Villey whispered in his head. [What exactly is going on here? Because this is sounding weird. Really weird.]

Maria’s eyebrows lifted then she leaned back slightly.

"Okay... now Are you SURE you’re in love with me," she said, eyes full of suspicion. "Because this is getting weird. Genuinely weird. I feel SCARED now."

Neptunia almost chocked suddenly..

"Because you sound creepy! ’Only you I can heal...’ What does that even MEAN?! What am I supposed to think?!" Maria asked again..

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