V2 Chapter 8 Cost of Greed

V7 POV

 

" And there! That should do it! I told you I could do it with my eyes closed! Satisfied?"

 

I proudly chimed with my chest puffed out with pride.

 

" You just had to change its default destination? Then why give me a tour?"

 

Rookie exclaimed as he stared at me with wide eyes.

 

" I just wanted to see if you trust me, but what I totally forgot is that humans can only be transported and not actually browse through the options of portals since there's low oxygen there. You must be a very special being to be able to walk around there without gasping for breath. .... or was there enough oxygen for one human? Maybe it accumulated after all those years? I think you're the first human to ever browse through in 19 years. "

 

" Really? Cool!"

 

" Cool indeed! Let's go!"

 

I happily said as I jumped off the back of my Caravan.

 

" Aren't you glad that we managed to pull out your mirror?"

 

Rookie asked as he tapped on the frame of my mirror that now hung on the back door of my caravan.

 

" Extremely glad, I think from now on I'm just going to leave it hanging on the back of the door. Hopefully, it doesn't break, I don't want 7 years of bad luck... Or second thoughts.. ah whatever! We can always figure it out later. Right now, I really want to see your fighting style. "

 

" Excited for your field trip kid?"

 

" YESSS!! Let's go already!"

 

He chuckles as he got down from the Caravan. That actually sounds familiar. ..

 

" Wait a minute. ... Hey! That cheating!"

 

I frowned at him when I finally noticed he called me kid.

 

" You could have just pulled a long face as I did earlier. I didn't expect you to *laughing*"

 

" Now you, done it! I challenge you to a duel!"

 

I announced with a pointed finger.

 

" Whoa! Whoa! What happened to hunting demons?!"

 

" I changed my mind!"

 

" Then let's take this somewhere far from the village. Don't want a crowd to gather and risk injuring them... "

 

" Fine! But I pick the spot!"

 

I then turned and headed towards the forest.

 

" * Chuckles* Don't go too far! Remember we have to get back before dusk."

 

" Yeah! Yeah."

 

" Aren't you forgetting something?"

 

"?"

 

I turned to face him, I tilted my head to the side as I looked at him in confusion.

 

" Or are you fighting me without your helmet?"

 

Helmet?! You mean! I'm not wearing it right now?! Shocked at first, I touched my face just to confirm. I then sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

 

" When did I take it off?"

 

" Yesterday night?"

 

" That's what I thought. ... *Sighs* I must have left it back at the campsite. No wonder no one recognized me earlier."

 

I frowned, slightly annoyed that I lost my fame just because I lost my helmet.

 

" Should we go back and get it?"

 

" Na, it's better like this. No one knows who I am. It's nice to have fans crowd around me but not all the time."

 

I looked down at what I was wearing which was my Version trainee uniform. A sleeveless shirt with a hood with my symbol above my heart and normal long black pants.

 

" Don't you need it to protect yourself?"

 

" .... no... Not really... I just use it so that no one can see my face. People are looking for me."

 

I answered casually as I checked all my gears.

9 daggers strapped on my belt along with a bottle of oil, healing potions in my pouch, and a protection scroll.

 

I can use the scroll one more time but I used it yesterday during my battle with Soul Ripper.....

I still have 3 more hours until it wears off but it's not as if any normal blade can go through my Version uniform. Misaki made this out of fire rat's fur, it's fire and slash-resistant.

 

" Here."

 

" Hm?"

 

I look up just to have something going over my head and before I knew it I was staring at Rookie's ocean blue eyes through bars.

It seriously looks very familiar..... but I can't remember who!!

 

" It's a knight helmet where the chin piece is able to come off. It makes it easier to drink or eat but the visor is on the inside. So it's unable to slide upwards like other helmets, but that's good for you since you're hiding from someone... right?"

 

" It's perfect, but what about you? Don't you need it?"

 

" I'm wearing full armor, I think I can avoid landing on my head for a couple of days."

 

" But!"

 

" No buts. This is yours now. Take good care of it."

 

I order as he taps the helmet.

 

"..... Thanks. "

 

.... This is my first time receiving something from someone. Rookie just smiled happily at my response.

 

" Weren't you about to pick a place?"

 

" Right! Follow me!"

 

I snapped back to reality and led him deeper into the forest when I smell something. ....

 

" Wait."

 

I signal him to stop as I sniff the area carefully.

Fear suddenly hits me as the familiar strong smell of rot and human blood. .... fresh human blood and grime. Hits my nose like a slap to the face. This could only be the smell of!! I thought as I dashed into the forest.

 

" V7 wait!"

 

The smell is close.

 

(Flashback: *Screams. Even with my eyes open, I still could hear the cries of those girls. Those screams... Sometimes still, haunt me through the starless nights.)

 

Very Close. I thought as I followed the smell to a narrow cave where there was a staff with a skull on it along with twigs and feathers. A Goblin totem there must be a mage goblin down there.

 

(Flashback: *huge flames* *People screaming* Even with my eyes open I could see the bright blaze spreading throughout a village as everyone screamed and ran.)

 

Rage filled me as I take the totem and smashed the top against the cave opening.

 

(Flashback: " It hurts! *Sobs* Please. .. stop! * whimpering *" I could still remember how I begged and begged that day. Begged alongside countless other girls in the same situation as me, but no matter how we begged, they didn't stop. * Goblins laughing * Rather, those green demons laughed at our faces, amused at it all.)

 

I ran deeper into the cave while holding the staff again the cave wall until it lit up from all the fiction, creating a torch.

 

" Stay back!!"

 

(Flashback: I could still remember gasping for breath as I did my best to stay conscious as they... as those... Goblins took turns.)

 

The screams came from my right. I stopped and started walking down the tunnel.

 

(Flashback: I could remember myself choking as those... evil Goblin pushed it deeper down every hole I had.)

 

"* Sinister * Where the Goblins at?"

 

I laughed this time more powerful than I used to be, this time ready to kill every last one of them.

 

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Hikaru POV

 

" Annnddd... He's gone. Man! I should have kept him on a leash.... Wait.. Can you keep a cat on a leash? Don't think so, might end up with a very angry kitty. V7! V7!!!!"

 

I called out to him but still no reply.

 

" Must have caught wind of something.... but what?"

 

I start scouting around for any traces of him but I soon came upon a very familiar footprint.

 

" As big as my palm. Must be a Goblin.... maybe he caught wind of this?"

 

* High painful screams*

 

What the fu** was that?! I thought as I turned to the sound.

 

* Muffled screams*

 

I cautiously walked towards the sound which led me to a hole with smoke coming out of it.

 

" What the?!"

 

Suddenly someone grabs my arm and pulls itself out of the hole.

 

" V!- Shinigami?! I almost didn't recognize you with all that blood!"

 

I said in shock as I helped him out of the hole. He didn't give me any eye contact and kept staring at a sword in silence.

 

" 7? What's wrong?"

 

" I was too late. "

 

He said sadly as he warps 5 porcelain tags onto the sword and slowly walks towards a tree.

 

" Rookie mistake, using a long sword in a narrow cave."

 

He whispers to himself as he stabs the sword in front of a tree. The tags hung from it like a grave.

 

May you run under the pale moonlight, once more."

 

" Shinigami...."

 

" Funny isn't it? Demons may be raging war but our future dies with Goblins... I give up. You win. Leave me be."

 

" Shinigami!"

 

I grabbed his arm and pulled him to face me but V7 immediately pulled his arm away from me and ran deeper into the forest.

 

" Shinigami... He.. he. ...."

 

In all the time I spent with him... he has never shed a tear..... I did go further back in time than I did last time..... Anger suddenly consumes me.

This is all the Hilldale Guild's Fault!! I checked which guild they came from. Adventure Guild! No surprise there! I ran back to the village and stormed right into the Guild's front desk.

 

" Hikaru! What a surprise! Are you?"

 

The guild worker chimed but I didn't bother to let him finish.

 

" How can you do it? How can you sleep at night knowing that you just sent five rookies to their death?!!!"

 

I thundered as I smashed my fist onto his desk breaking the wood where my fist impacted on.

 

" What?!"

 

He squeaked out as he leaned backward away from me.

 

" You knew! You knew that those Rookies had no chance against a Goblin Nest!! And yet you allowed them that quest!!"

 

" It was an emergency! They had kidnapped the client's daughter but he was just a farmer. So the pay was low! No one else that was experienced enough wanted to take the quest!!"

 

" AND NOW THERE IS 6 DEATHS CAUSE OF YOU!! "

 

I yelled at the worker with all my breath and my voice echoed throughout the whole guild.

 

" HEY!"

 

A person from one of the tables yelled out at me. I turned to the person, he was a ruby-ranked member and he shot me a glare.

 

" You may be a big shot from where you came from but that doesn't mean you can go around bullying people! They deserved what they got!"

 

" You're telling me an innocent girl whose only mistake was being in the wrong place at the wrong time deserves to be raped to death so that those Vile creatures could reproduce! AND The people who actually give a damn about saving that girl deserve their death?!"

 

" Yup, that's what she gets for not being more valuable to her father and that's what those greenhorns get for being careless."

 

The ruby rank knight chimed as he took another swing of his beer. The urge to jump at him and rip his throat out was screaming into my every muscle, but I knew if I did that here..... I would lose the backup V7 might need.

 

" There's no need for demons to destroy us, we are already doing that to ourselves. "

 

I spat back at him and left. No wonder V7 will grow to hate humans, I always thought it was because he was bullied for being different.

 

I sigh.... but it's still wrong to hate all humans just because some were bad or being a retard.

I better go check on him.... he was covered in blood earlier. ... I thought as I bought supplies to treat his wounds. He can't stand the horrid smell of goblins more than he's afraid of water..... He should be looking for a lake of some sort.

 

Me" Any rivers or lakes nearby?"

 

Merchant" There is one just beyond that there's a forest to the east. "

 

Me" Thanks. "

 

I better hurry, it's going to be dusk soon, or should I transport the villagers without him? He does need his space, especially after what happened. ... but he could be badly injured! Or even poisoned! Goblins are known to lace their blades! I hurried towards the forest as my thoughts were overcome by panic. Fearing V7's well-being, but when I got to him I... I froze.

 

There he was, standing naked in the river washing away the blood on his clothes. I watched as a drop of water fell from the tips of his wet raven black bangs that almost touched one of his pale green eyes. The drop hits his chest and travels down his slim-fit torso. I could feel myself heating up, I immediately looked away embarrassed and guilty as if I was peeking at a lady but I wasn't!! Why did I stop myself from seeing it all?? Wait!! Why am I asking myself this??!! Did I want to see it all?!?! I have seen men bathing before!! So why is this so different?!!!

 

*Splash sounds*

 

Oh good! He's coming out of the water, I still have a chance to see it...Brain..... what's wrong with you?

 

* Sounds of putting wet clothes on*

* Sounds of V7 using speed magic*

 

"* Sigh* I'm the only being that uses speed magic and yet all I could do was watch as the poison spreads through their bodies."

 

V7 brought his knees to his face and hugs them tightly. I then noticed something in the water. There's something shining in the water.... could it be the sun reflecting on something? Suddenly a familiar deep soothing singing fills the air.

 

" nagekanaide anata wa doushitara watashi wo yurushitekuremasu ka."

 

( Don't cry... What can I do for you to forgive me?)

 

V7 is singing?! Holy S**** He can sing?! And this well??!!!!! Why did he stop??? I stood in shock as the familiar song softly lulls me. It was the traditional Version's song, a prayer for forgiveness to those who met their end before fulfilling their purpose in life because they were too late or incompetent to save them.

 

Starting to think about it his daughter did have a beautiful singing voice. I always thought it came from the mother.... since V7 never talks about her... Whatever did happen to her?

 

I thought as I watched his green eyes, which used to burn with determination and glow with passion, were now replaced with dim, fearful eyes that were clouded with tears as they stare down at their own reflection in the river.

 

" Sono kawaki wa watashi no sei anata wo koko ni houridashita.

ido na nake de wa shiawase datta soto no koto nani mo shirazu.

Watashi Datte sagashiteiru kono mi ugatsu anata wa dare

waratteita koro no anata wa

nani yori mo mabushikatta kara

torimodoshitemiseru yo

doredake no toki ni kaetemo

hitori dake de kakaekomanaide

douka kowagaranaide

 

(Your thirst for air..... is all my fault- I abandoned you here...

In this well... I was happy, not knowing anything of the outside world.

Even I am searching. .... Who are you, to pierce right through me?

When you used to smile,

it was more dazzling than anything else.

I'll find a way to bring that smile back,

No matter how long it takes.

Don't hold everything in all alone.

Please, don't be afraid. ...)

 

If I remember correctly...Version 4 told me that. V7's wife was murdered by a pirate and he sails the corners of the seas looking for his revenge, returning only once in 3 months to see his daughter. Around the time she turned 1 was when he stopped because his daughter started crying for him. That was when he realized that if he kept revenge in his heart, he would miss out on everything.

 

"Kataku tojita mabuta no ura de negau koto wa

ushinawareta inochi ni yasuragi wo

kidzuiteagerarenakatta kokoro ni sukui wo

mata au toki ni wa douka kiseki wo

 

( Behind my firmly shut eyes I pray:

Peace for those lives that were lost,

Salvation for those hearts that did not realize,

a miracle for the next time we meet.)

 

Pity that kid had to grow up without a father. ... Well, that's if I fail here!! 7th time the charm!

I thought as I was about to walk up to him when suddenly something came out of the water!! Or should I say, someone?

 

" Colours on the wind flowing from a different world

Greet the dawn with a song to welcome the daybreak

It's a melody I hear in my memory

Where I watch birds take flight off into the eastern sky

No time to waste, can we escape?

To a place where the treasure lies."

 

In front of V7 was a young mermaid, with glowing blue eyes, Dark blue hair, light blue tail. I thought I was dreaming of the goddesses of beauty for a minute. She starts singing a beautiful melody as she swims further into the river and then circles back again...Is this supposed to happen?. .... or this could be one of the effects of my traveling back in time! I worried as I watched his reaction.

 

" Out here on the 7 seas we will find, our paradise

Can we be reborn at the wake of a storm?

So that I can tell you the words of my heart?

There is so much I would give to you but in one life there is not enough time

Underneath the waves there is a melody!

Tell our stories to a faraway lands

I'll sign along so I won't forget, so through this song may the tale live on."

 

Come brain!! Did he mention meeting a mermaid?! I wreck my brain trying to remember while I watched them. V7 looked like he was deep in thought but he snaps out of it when he makes eye contact with her. He gave her a weak smile which made the mermaid blush and dives into the water. She was so shy that she ran off?! Aww! How cute.....

 

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Song

(Foreground Eclipse - Noble) (Mermaid Melody - "Legend of Mermaid")

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ICW V2

 

V2" Today our guest is V6! So tell me V6 why would you throw away all pride and honor as a version to be the princess's fat cat?"

 

V6" Well, that went south fast... And to be honest, it wasn't my decision. One day I fell unconscious from stopping a flood, the next I was in the palace being fed and pampered by the princess. It's a wild ride but it was all worth it just to see her that adorable smile on a little girl's face."

 

V2" *Groans* God you sicken me!"

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