Kabanata 23
Greed

Celestia Rogue

NAPANGITI AKO habang nagsasanay sa likod ng bahay bago muling umalis. Isang linggo din akong tambay dito sa bahay.

Hapon na nang magdesisyon akong maghanda bago pumunta ng kapital

I made some clones of myself, changed their appearances into different people and attacked them.

I smirked when even an SSR level of monster like attack is not enough to defeat them.

I can create countless of clones that has the same level as I am and they will only be gone if I want to.

Saakin lang makikinig ang mga ito at namomonitor ko rin sila at ang mga nangyayari sa paligid nila.

They can even have different faces.

"You.."

I called one of them.

"You'll secretly protect the village."

I ordered, ngumiti ito saakin at binago ang kaniyang muka. I looked into my mother's memory and used the faces she knows as a disguise for my clones.

This one has curly hair and silver eyes. She's my mother's cousin base on what I saw on her memories.

I kinda see the resemblance between them.

"You on the other hand will be entering in the kingdom as a knight. And try to find traces of two great god's core if there is."

It's a tall man with brown eyes, my mother's neighbor back in earth.

"All of you will scatter all around Zaveri, pretenf like a normal citizen of this kingdom. And secretly find other traces of where the shattered cores are. Report to me once you find a lead."

I ordered.

"Understood."

The one who looks like my mother's sister said making me grin as they all teleported into their spots.

"That's such a lazy way to find the cores."

Komento ni Leonard na kumakain nanaman ng mais sa gilid. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya kinukuha iyon.

"Nope, it's smart and convinient."

Pagtatama ko saka muling ibinalik ang maskara at nagteleport na sa capital. I went to find some ingredients to make chocolate first. Since mama likes the chocolate I made yesterday, I want to see her smile like that again.

Unti unti ay bumabalik siya sa dati.

Hindi na din siya gaanong napapatulala at mas masigla na din siya ngayon.

Although she don't recognize papa yet, but she's not annoyed with him anymore since she thought papa is a nurse which is funny.

Itinago ko na ang mga pinamili ko saaking pouch at lalabas na sana nang matanaw ang isang komosyon sa labas.

Another guardian bullying a commoner.

Malamig ko siyang tinitigan saka naglakas paalis. I hid in the corner and saw him about to burn her.

Napangisi ako doon.

"I'm quiet hungry..."

I mumbled as I used my light and secretly devoured all of his mana dry.

"You don't deserve your power anyways."

I said while grinning as I look at the flame in my hands and left. It can't even considered a snack with the amount of his mana and here he is acting all powerful just because he has a tiny bit of power compared to a commoner.

They are so pathetic.

Napangisi ako nang makita ang isa sa mga clones ko na nakangiti lamang habang pinanonood ang nangyari saka nagtungo na sa pag tatrabahuang shop.

Nailing akong naglakad patungong guild para humanap ng location ng leak na kailangang isarado.

"I want to take this mission."

I said.

Nangunot ang noo roon ng staff.

"A-Alone? An SS class mission?"

Nanlaki ang matang tanong niya na nagpatango saakin.

"Yes."

Simple kong sagot.

Wala din itong ibang nagawa kung hindi pumayag sa gusto ko. Tumingin ako sa lokasyon ng leak at napatango saka lumabas ng guild.

Paglabas ko ay umihip ang hangin dahilan upang bumaba ang cloak ko. Mabuti nalang at nakamaskara ako.

Doon ko nalamang napansing kasalubong ko muli si Drashit. Unlike before, I couldn't feel his presence again. Mukang dinoble nito ang pagtatago sakaniyang presensya.

"Your hair..."

He mumbled while passing by.

"What?"

I asked, napailing lamang ito.

"Nothing, It just looks... Familiar."

Malamig na sambit niya saka nilagpasan ako. Nailing ako doon saka nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad paalis ng lugar.

Nang medyo makalayo ay nagsimula ako sa pagtakbo patungo sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang leak.

I just feel like running, so I did.

I don't know what that god is planning, but I just hate how many leaks is around. Mas dumami pa ito sa loob ng limang taon.

I also heard that theians being born without mana also increased.

Just what could that god gain from this?

If I were the old Celestia, I would probably worship that god. But right now, I just think there is something deeper and more dangerous behind it.

Napangisi ako habang mabilis na tumatakbo. The wind feels so good and I feel satisfied as I run.

It took me a minute to reach the border, where the leak is.

Napansin kong nalason ang lugar na nakapalibot dito. he plants, animals and the soil are poisoned by what's inside the leak.

Mabuti na nga lang daw at nakalikas ang mga nakatira sa malapit. Ngunit marami paring nagkalat na mga bangkay.

Even the birds passing by, died.

This is an SS class leak, malayo palang ay ramdam ko na ang mga halimaw sa loob na nagbabadyang pumasok sa mytheia.

Napairap ako doon saka umapak na papasok ng leak at bahagyang napangisi nang maramdaman kung gaano kapanganib ang lugar.

I can smell bloodlust everywhere and the lands are made of pure poison. I can feel my skin rotting and burning but since I heal faster, I won't really be affected.

The air is even poisonus and the monsters are eating each other to see who's the strongest.

"I wonder which is more poisonus?"

My blood or this place?

Nailing akong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Monsters then started attacking me. I can defeat them at once but that will be no fun.

I started running towards them as I formed a bow and arrow with my shaddow magic and shoot them.

Napangisi ako nang mabilis na nawala ang mga S class monsters sa bawat tira ko.

I ran through the tall rocks and then swiftly slashed them with a sword I also formed with a shaddow.

Mabilis kong pinalitan iyon ng pana habang tinitira sila mula sa ere habang tumatalon sa malalaking mga bato at iniiwasan ang nakalalasong asidong tinitira nila sakin.

One of it is even about to hit me but I absorbed it with my shaddow.

I can't use my light magic so I am using it covered with my shaddow magic to devour the monsters.

The guild is monitoring me.

I can see the hidden camera that they put in the leak. Maybe because it's my first time raiding a leak and they want to know what I can do.

"I'll give you a good show then."

I chuckled. As my light that I covered with the shaddow devoured all the S class monsters while I am attacking the monsters in the sky with a shaddow arrow.

They won't even feel that I used light magic to devour since I hid it so well.

I kicked the other monster that attacked me that immidiately got him devoured.

I fought all of the S class monsters untill I reached where the boss is.

Napangisi ako ng malapad doon. At mabilis na iniiwasan ang mga atake.

It almost seems like I'm teleporting.

Pinaglalaruan ko lamang siya sa laban namin. Mabilis pa sa hangin ang mga galaw ko at natatawa nalamang sa tuwing hindi ako tinatamaan ng kaniyang mga tira saakin.

I smirked as I look at the poison monster. I moved my hand that it looks like I'm lifting something as his shaddows started moving to slowly devour him making him growl loudly.

"Now you're gonna be my meal."

I smirked as I watch him get devoured by my light covered by my shaddow power, making those bastards believe that it is a shaddow power.

After that I looked at the magic device they use to spy on me and showed them my middle finger as it also got slowly devoured by the shaddow.

It is not because I don't like them watching me.

It is a warning

A warning that they shouldn't try to mess with me if they are planning to.

I know some will want me to use and manipulate me for their own gain. And they will all get devoured by me first, before that happens.

AFTER THAT I gathered all the monster cores and the mana crystals. Then I also got the main core.

Main cores are natural minerals of each worlds that can be used to close the leak since we can use our power on it to make it like a magic item.

It's like the diamonds of earth.

Matapos kong kunin ang mga iyon ay isinira ko na ang leak.

I can heal this place right away, but no one should know about my light power. Sila na ang bahala sa lugar na ito.

I teleported to the guild after that.

They didn't even feel my presence going inside. Abala silang pag usapan ang napanood na laban. They are comparing me to Drashit and wondering who's stronger.

Which I don't really care who's who.

What I want to do with that Ice burg is not a duel but to pay my debts to him. Wala na sana ang mama ko ngayon kung hindi niya kami tinulungan.

And I will carry that debt, maybe forever?

But he still has that terrible cold personality. I don't like him at all, but I do feel something like wanting to see him every now and then.

But I don't like his poor choice of words and how denial he is.

Ano bang nagustuhan ko sa lalaking iyon? I somewhat just realized it before I died. Away lang naman kami ng away and nabubwiset lang naman ako sakaniya madalas kaya hindi ko maintindihan.

Well whatever, I just won't think about this anymore.

"Here is the main core of that leak in the border."

I said lazily, halos mapatili pa doon ang staff dahil sa bigla kong pagsulpot. Natigilan din doon ang ibang guardians na hindi man lang naramdaman ang presensya ko.

"What? still talking about the movie? the show is over, move on."

I hissed when they just won't shut up, natahimik na sila doon.

"O-Oh yeah...the guild will send you the money right away."

Pilit na ngiti niyang nagpatango lamang saakin.

"It's you!"

An annoying voice said behind me, nakahalukipkip lamang akong lumingon sakaniya.

"Who are you?"

I asked Ayesha, uninterested.

She even dared to look offended. Is she trying to make me laugh?

"How dare you!---"

Sambit ng isa sa mga kasamahan niyang natigilan nang makita ang tingin ko. She probably sensed the dangerous aura I have and almost forgotten about it.

"Why should I know her? and yes I'm quiet daring."

I shrugged and turned my back.

"I challenge you to a duel bitch, I will introduce myself to you properly."

Ngisi niyang nagpangisi saakin.

"I'm not wasting my time to someone not worthy of it."

I said making her glare at me.

"What? you're afraid you'll loose?"

Ngisi niyang nagpatawa saakin.

"I know I won't."

I said while looking at her with disgust behind my mask. Mariin niyang naikuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao.

"Let's see about that."

Sambit niya.

"What will I gain with this duel?"

I asked.

"Well you could be part of my group once you win."

Taas noong sambit niyang nagpatigil saakin saka malakas na natawa. I can't believe how confident she is while saying those words.

"Being in your group will just make me feel like I am in a dumpster."

I shrugged making her snap as she started attacking me inside the guild. Mabilis ko iyong naiiwasan.

"See? you can't even hit me, stop wasting everybody's time."

I said lazily and was about to leave when she continued attacking me. I managed to absorb all of it.

After a second I am already infront of her.

"Oh.. you asked for this, don't regret it later..."

I whispered and then attacked her with my shaddow, pinning her to the wall while my shaddow is choking her and her team.

"W-What is this...I can't use my power..."

Hirap na saad niya.

"Should I devour you?"

I whispered looking at her pathetic weak state.

"I can kill you right here, right now if I want to, I can even ruin your face infront of everyone."

I said.

"H-how dare you! let go of me this instant!"

Nanginginig na sambit niyang nagpatawa saakin.

I saw fear and hatred filled her eyes.

"You look pathetic."

Napangisi ako doon at pwershang ibinalibag siya dahilan upang tumalsik siya sa. Nailing nalang ako doon.

"She actually easily defeated Ayesha!"

I heard them say.

"Does that mean she's the new 2nd rank?"

"Well she should be! bagay lang iyan kay Ayesha!"

"I agree, I can't take how awful she is with everyone."

"Ha! good for her!"

"Do you think the shaddow guardian is thinking of forming a team?"

They continued whispering.

"Just use my payment for today, to fix the guild."

I said then left.

Paglabas ko ay may humarang pa saaking karwahe.

"Buti naman at naabutan pa kita."

Ngiti nito.

It's the Duke Higgins.

Another trash. Is this place some kind of wasteland? it's full of trash here. And I couldn't take how nasty they are.

"May I have some of your time, guardian?"

He said.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nilagpasan lamang, ngunit humarang saakin ang mga gwardiya niya.

"I mean no harm, I just wanted to discuss something with you."

Ngisi niyang nagpataas ng isang kilay ko.

"I am not interested."

I said coldly.

Hindi ko kailangang pakinggan ang nasa isip niya para malaman kung ano iyon.

"I can give you everything guardian, everything you desire."

He said then as his guards showed me a bunch of golds.

"I a not interested."

I said lazily, nangisi padin siya doon.

"Really even being the number one? I can help you, I can see potential in you. And you're the only one who can help me. I can make your greed come true."

Ngisi niyang nagpairap saakin. Is this man a fool?

"Do you know what I desire? Do you know what I am greedy for?"

I chuckled, nanatili ang nakakabwiset niyang ngisi habang lumalapit ako sakaniya.

"No, but I can assure you that I will give it---"

I didn't let him finish and pointed my shaddow blade on his throat.

"Death..."

I whispered while looking at him, napaatras siya doon. Akmang aatakihin pa ako ng kaniyang mga gwardiya, ngunit hindi na sila makagalaw.

He wants me to be the tool to defeat the Ice guardian and to be the reason of the current emperor's downfall.

Since Drashit is supporting Emperor Seth and they saw my ability, they saw an opportunity and wanted to use me.

"I am not a tool for anybody, you should be careful. I can take your life right now if I want to..."

I chuckled while looking at her.

"No..you can't or the law won't---"

"And who can punish me? who do you think has enough power to punish me? For what? for getting rid of a trash? I think the emperor would even reward me for it."

Isang nakapangingilabot na tawa ang pinakawalan kong nagpalunok sakaniya.

"Don't mess with me and don't get in my way ever again."

Bulong ko saka naglakad na paalis.

They are all pathetic.

Specially Ayesha, I'm not even interested in getting revenge anymore. Seeing how nasty she is, It feels like I'm just gonna waste my time for someone who's gonna fall horribly because of her own actions.

Natigilan ako nang maramdamang nanonood pala saamin si Drashit mula sa loob ngmalapit na bar. Nailing akong nagtungo sa sa bar na iyon para umorder ng maiinom.

"You're quiet troublesome for someone new in the guild."

He said coldly while drinking a liqour in the bar counter. Natawa ako doong inagaw sakaniya ang iniinom at nakangising itinaas ng kaunti ang maskara hanggang saaking labi at ininom ang kaniyang inumin.

I saw how his forehead creased as I look at me.

"Just taking out the trash, I suppose."

I shrugged.

Iniba ko ang boses ko kapag ako si Shadow guardian, I know that he might figure out if I didn't change my voice.

"Why are you drinking here alone?"

I asked then ordered something to the bar tender.

"Watching you take out the trash."

He shrugged.

"Yeah, I'm quiet the clean freak. And it looks like they want to use me against you."

I said.

"Why don't you try it? Don't you have the greed to be the number one?"

He asked coldly, nailing ako doon.

"Being at the top is such a hassle. And yeah, I do have greed. Too greedy that this wasteland won't be enough for me to devour."

I said then took the glass of wine and drank it with a straw this time.

"What are you planning?"

He asked while looking at me blankly.

"Why should I tell you? Ano ako tanga?"

Irap ko.

"I don't like you even from the start."

Naiiling na sabi niyang nagpangisi saakin.

"You don't like everyone."

I chuckled as I look directly to his cold eyes.

"I guess."

He shrugged.

"I don't like you either."

I chuckled as I watch him stood up.

"I'm watching you Shadow guardian."

He said coldly on a threatening tone. Malapad akong napangisi doon.

"Then don't forget to bring pop corn and enjoy the show, Drashit."

I said as he turned his back on me.

"What?"

Tanong niyang muling tumingin saakin.

"What did you call me?"

Muli niyang tanong.

My heart pounded looking at his reaction.

"Piece of shit?"

I said on a teasing tone.

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin saka nagmartsa na paalis ng lugar na nagpatawa lamang saakin.