I Became An Eldritch Horror-Chapter 23: Mystery, Magic And Mayhem (4)

"Captain!"

The wooden door of a small cabin burst open as a small child rushed inside. He had green hair and eyes, and wore an oversized shirt that nearly reached his ankles, with two horns framing his face.

Panting heavily, the child placed his hand on his knee and bent slightly. "Ca-Captain, I just got a report that Fate is..."

Before he could finish, the man standing in the living room raised his hand. "Enough, Cheo-ma. I’ve already informed the captain."

Cheo-ma glanced at the man speaking to him. He had raven black hair, scarlet red eyes, and a cold expression paired with a presence that could kill.

"Vice-captain, this is serious. If we don’t do something, the lady will die. You know even she can’t escape her own fate. Only the captain can change it."

The red-eyed man clenched his jaw and stared back at Cheo-ma. "You think I don’t know that? The lady and the captain saved all of us. You think I don’t want to run there and save her right now?"

Cheo-ma clenched his fists, then turned his gaze to the person sitting on the wooden chair.

After a moment, the man finally spoke. "We move tonight. Call all members of Flawless."

Both Cheo-ma and Red Eyes lit up instantly, although it was far less noticeable on the vice-captain.

Letting out a breath of relief, the young dragon pumped his fist, his eyes blazing with will. "I’ll call everyone, Captain. Either we save the lady, or we die trying."

———

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Yeah. That was exactly what he said. I still remembered it clearly. His last moments in that battle, the screams of the entire crew, and the first moment I truly went mad.

My hand flew to my mouth as the shower poured over my head. The urge to throw up was even worse than usual.

When I fought "Amon", I was more than sure it was him, I was fighting. So how did I end up killing Fate? How did my blade pierce her chest?

"I’m having these damn visions again." I let out a loud sigh, tilting my head back into the falling water.

The shower drowned out my ragged breathing. I usually couldn’t feel most emotions, but during times like this I was the most vulnerable. Fear, anger, pain, sadness. Maybe that was why I never erased these memories. Because deep down, I knew letting go of these feelings would be the end of me.

’Even the epitome of nothingness is scared of the unknown.’ How ironic.

I glanced at the nearly transparent tiles of the bathroom walls. My face had finally returned.

Dark purple eyes that could lure in anyone who stared too long. Lush black hair that looked more valuable than silk. Fair skin no surgery could replicate.

A face and body that could only be described as one thing. Flawless.

Turning off the shower, I moved toward the mirror.

I stared at my reflection, then muttered under my breath,

«Let my hair be barbed to the best style of this era.»

Purple mana, or rather qi, coated my skin, while a dark fog enveloped my hair. In an instant, it vanished, leaving my hair neatly trimmed.

Back on Earth, I would have called this a two-block cut with a tousled front. "Reminds me of Solo Leveling." A small smile crept onto my face at the memory of those days.

I yawned, stretching my arms wide. Even after experiencing another nightmare, I felt completely fine.

Emotions visit for only a moment. If they linger longer, they become gluttony. Anything I cannot control is not mine.

And knowing myself, getting used to these emotions would surely lead to losing control of them.

With nothing else to do, I opened the bathroom door. Beyond it was clearly a laundry room. A washing machine, dirty clothes, and some clean ones that were probably meant for me.

A black turtleneck, trousers, and a pair of indoor shoes. She had even gotten underwear, which was strange. I doubted most girls kept men’s underwear lying around.

Pushing the thought aside, I slipped on the large boxers from the basket. Before I could grab the trousers, the door swung open, and my eyes locked with the girl’s.

"Uhmm..." Her face instantly turned crimson. Even then, she didn’t look away.

After a moment, she finally turned aside, fiddling with her fingers. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just, you look very different from before."

I smirked, grabbed the turtleneck and trousers, and began putting them on. "Is that so? Didn’t I tell you I was quite the looker?"

She giggled nervously, her head turning just enough to sneak glances at me. "I guess so."

Once I pulled the turtleneck on and folded the sleeves to my elbows, I asked, "So why did you walk in while I was bathing? I’m starting to see you as a pervert."

"No!" She immediately protested, turning fully toward me. For a split second, I noticed disappointment flicker in her eyes as she looked at my now-covered torso, though her eyes didn’t lose their sparkle. "I just wanted to make sure you had everything."

I nodded halfheartedly. "Of course. I understand perfectly."

She puffed her cheeks for a moment, then sighed. "Enough teasing me. You’re hot, I won’t deny it. But I came to tell you something else."

I raised a brow. "And what’s that?"

"The academy entrance exam is coming up. And the portal closes this evening, since the Temple’s baptism is tomorrow morning."

I placed a hand under my chin. "Does that mean I need to finish submitting my application this afternoon?"

She nodded, leaning on the doorframe. "If you miss the deadline, not even I can help you."

"So you work for the academy?"

She stared directly into my eyes, almost confused that I didn’t know who she was.

"It struck me as strange that you approached me with such confidence, but do you truly not know who I am?"

I shook my head. "Never seen or heard of you. I told you I lived in a village, didn’t I?"

The girl remained silent for a moment. Then:

"Then I should introduce myself."