My steps stamped the sand, but the steel balls landed where I had stood, blowing my footprints away. When I looked back, the scattered grains obstructed my vision, but the impact roared in my ear, and I knew better to not get hit. Still, Omenrex's decision raised my suspicion. For what purpose did the Troll sacrifice accuracy of the attacks for the explosive strength. I desired to find out.
I pivoted my direction and charged toward him. Steel balls flew toward my direction, but with a linear course, I easily sidestepped them. I spun my body in the air, passing over another attack. As I reached him, I delivered a kick on his chin. My feet immediately landed on the sand, but I lifted them again in quick succession to his right ankle. Just like what I predicted, the giant troll knelt, and I chopped his temple with my heel, hurtling him away.
As his body skidded on the sand, a few steel balls suddenly appeared out of thin air. No, they were too quick for my eyes. Luckily, I had predicted his behavior and placed my arms and knees before my vital spots. Roaring, I sent them all away.
"Hahaha, so that's how your magic works. You need to get hit to increase your accuracy," I said.
"Humans really have a sharp perception as they say, but so what? Humanity has a bigger ego than their body size!"
The balls I had sent away suddenly stopped mid-air and spun toward my direction again, but I could perceive their fuzzy shapes this time. Still, only an idiot just stood like a statue when reacting to dangers.
I recalled the sensation of unleashing [Thunder Annihilation Fist]. Lightning branches swayed like a big tornado swirled upon them. The imaginary eye of the storm pulled each of them, converging them into a single orb. As I extended my fist, this unstable ball followed my guidance before exploding, annihilating the steel balls into cinder.
As the flash of lightning vanished, I already stood before the Troll, pushing another lightning orb toward him.
Nearby, Butler Jin exclaimed, "Impossible! Double casting?!"
Omenrex had no chance to appreciate my feat. He urged his legs to leap back, but as he tiptoed, the orb sprang lightning nets, petrifying him. His red eyes reflected the incoming ball, but it suddenly vanished, making him blink.
I lowered my hand and turned around. "You win. Welcome to the crew, First mate," I said, waving my hand.
"Wait, why did you stop the attack? Does Human think this mighty troll can't take it?"
I glanced over my shoulder and replied, "You could shape the metal into something sharp, but you didn't. If you did, I would have no chance from the start. It's clear that I am weaker here, but thanks to you, I successfully learned a new technique and my own talent. Besides, I can feel your hidden power. You can take my strongest attack, alright?"
"Human could tell Omenrex is hiding his strength? Haha, Omenrex acknowledges your talent. Visiting Earth seems to be a wise choice."
"That's my line. My random trip wasn't so random at all. Well, you can follow Butler Jin. He will explain the contract and our team's future schedule. I want to train a bit more."
"This way, Mr. Omenrex," Butler Jin said.
As their footsteps vanished, only the sea waves spoke in my ears and touched my feet, but maybe I gave the sun less appreciation because her light kept me warm. Often times, humans contradict their own heart. Just like me at the moment, standing alone on the beach filled me with bliss. When I was still a convict, loneliness gnawed my heart.
Freedom. In the dark, we desired her light, but closer, she only blinded our vision. Only our strong purpose truly showed us the way to balance, so no darkness pulled hostage of our heart, and no light took our vision.
As for me, an empty pot could not germinate a seed, but I could fill it with a good soil too. I had two paths around me: finding out about my past or letting it go and starting anew.
Starting anew looked like infertile soil in my occasion. My unknown past would just corrupt my life. Only facing my past would I obtain fertile soil to germinate a good seed called my life purpose.
The Hundred Demons Parade. The demon who cursed me, she would definitely attend the festival. I needed to be ready in this short amount of time.
Filling my lungs with determination, I called, "System!"
Grandpa System
Menu:
1. Character information
2. Quest
3. Shop
4. Grandpa list]
I opened the shop and browsed the item list. With around 1000 AP, I could buy a lot of things, but what did I really need to prepare myself against that mysterious demon?
I spotted the search function and clicked it. "Ah, this is going to be useful," I said as I noticed A.I that could assist me in many ways.
[Your A.I Grandpa is here to help you. What is my grandson looking for? Maybe Grandpa can help you find it]
"Great. The system acts like my grandpa. Anyway, how much do you know about my situation?"
[Grandpa knows everything about Grandson from the moment he cried for the first time in his mother's embrace]
"Wait, you know about my past? Then, can you tell me about it?"
[The Diary of Ryder costs 100.000 AP. Grandson does not have enough AP]
"Oh, why are you so stingy? And why is that fucking expensive? Come on, give it to me for free, Grandpa. See, I even call you grandpa."
[Grandpa is an artificial intelligence to assist you following the system rules. Grandpa cannot break the rules]
"Tsk. So petty. Alright, so you know about the bitch who has cursed me?"
[Grandson can find any information regarding your own life in the Diary of Ryder]
"You know I cannot buy that. I just want you to look for an item that I can buy to protect myself against her. Is there something like that?"
[There are a few. Would Grandson want to see the list?]
"Fuck yeah. Show me."
[Item List:
1. To be continued in the next chapter]