Chapter 8: Scared of Little'Ol Me?
Nex followed the Lizard outside.
He finally saw the Orphanage for what it was: a perennial old Church with too many ancient gargoyle statues.
As for the town, the Alcove, it was an architectural mess. The people had used whatever they could get their hands on to build. Heck, was that support beam a wriggling monster?!
People were already gossiping about his identity.
- Midnight's boy toy
- Razark's long lost relative
- A foul-mouthed stalking Zombie
- …
Some were already talking about enslaving him, eating his body, or turning him into a leather coat. Compared to them, the Lizard seemed like an angel.
"Ignore them, and keep walking."
"No. I don't think I will."
On the way, Nex had asked plenty of questions only to be given the silent treatment. Instead of faltering under the evil gazes, he stepped up.
"Hello, Alcove peeps, let's chat!"
Was he brave or completely retarded?
Slightly Conspicuous —> Under the Spotlight
It was the moment a powerfully-built frogman decided to make a move. As soon as he approached, the Lizard tensed, sparks flying between the two.
"Razark, it seems your pet is misbehaving. Should I train it for you?"
"Kero, little Kero, how about I train you instead?"
"Hehe, Asher might disagree."
As the two were facing one another, a bird man in a gossiping mood approached Nex. "You see, it's like that…."
The Alcove had two overlords:
- Lizard Monk Razark'Oph —> Protector of the Orphanage
- Shadow Assassin Asher Black —> Boss of the Shadow Corp Mercenaries.
- Both hated one another but had to remain civil to protect the Alcove and their interests.
"For one to stay, one must go. What's this about?" Nex asked.
"Oh, that's…"
It was the Alcove's rule.
Newcomers had to win an Honor Duel to join, the loser leaving. Over time this would increase the settlement's strength, the weak residents banished.
Nex was still considered a visitor but would have to leave very soon. But one thing, in particular, attracted his attention.
"Oh, the challenged chooses the duel's time and location so—" The bird said.
"REALLY?! Hahahaha!" Nex's outburst was so loud that it interrupted the Lizard and frog staring contest. Had he gone crazy?!
Suddenly he felt incredibly relaxed. This would have been resolved so easily if the stupid Lizard had obediently given him the info from the start!
He swaggered right in front of the frog, observing it from head to toe.
"Wow, did this random frog just talk?!"
"This place sure is fun! Oh, it can even turn red? So cool!"
"You know what, little frog, I like you! If we ever duel, I'll pick a rainy day so you can feel at ease. It will be just like a small pond!" Nex patted the frogman's shoulder.
The entire Alcove turned silent.
There was mad, and there was Nex MAD!
"W-what are you doing?!" The Lizard growled.
"Oh? Nothing much, merely jesting. The frog won't dare to challenge me anyway. Look at how it's shaking in fright." Nex pointed out.
Was he blind or delusional?! Fright?! —> This was 100% anger!
The spectators were already rejoicing. This show was so freaking awesome!
As Asher's right hand, Kero liked acting superior to most people. It felt amazing to watch someone straight-up insult him.
As for the fool's horrible end, that too would be entertaining to watch.
"You bastard, I challenge you to a—" The frog thundered, stopping himself in shock. What if Nex was actually strong? Could this be a trap?!
"See? Told you." Nex scoffed, casually strolling away.
The dazed spectators didn't bother him, even wondering if they were dreaming. As for the frog, he left to investigate under the weight of all the stares.
As soon as Nex and the Lizard were alone…
"Are you insane?! You bought yourself a bit of time, but Kero WILL kill you!"
"No, no, we're good. He'll be investigating, so we just have to scare him off." Nex chuckled.
He quickly went to give instructions to the kids. After all, they were the only ones that had ever seen him fight.
The kids received an invitation to visit the Shadow Corp Mercenaries' HQ an hour later. It didn't take long for the frog to "interrogate" them.
"He can cast tornadoes and meteors like ba-bam!"
"He once beat Razark with a finger!"
"I heard he killed a dragon!"
"He's invincible!"
That's when the frog started to have cold feet. Good thing he hadn't challenged this crazy guy! Yes, their tales were exaggerated, but he saw genuine admiration in their eyes.
Little did he know all the respect came from the stories…but just as he was about to give up, he finally received an offer from Midnight:
Resources for the Orphanage —> Inside information.
He agreed instantly, learning how weak Nex actually was. He even used a truth serum to confirm it, and it was true! It didn't take long for him to stand at the Alcove's plaza.
"I challenge Nex Xander to a duel!!" He shouted.
"A duel? I don't mind, but are you sure?" Nex really looked concerned and assured of his victory. But this time, Kero wouldn't be fooled!
"Of course, I'm sure! I'll show you how red blood is!"
"Oh? Nice! Great minds think alike!"
Even then, he didn't show any fear. As Midnight escorted him back, her eyes were moist, and her voice trembling. "You truly are a good man. Sacrificing yourself for us."
"Sacrifice? What sacrifice? Plus, the information you sold is literally worthless. It's a win for us." He shrugged.
Worthless? It concerned his very life! How could a man so weak have such resolve?! Nex would have laughed had he known what she was thinking.
Sera cried a river as she learned of the duel.
"Sob, sob, I don't want you to die!!"
"Don't worry, I won't…."
They talked a lot. For instance, he learned of her Aether intolerance. Getting sick from mana in such a world wasn't just a curse but a disability.
That's why she couldn't touch others easily and was ostracized. But he was different for some reason. Perhaps because he had no potential? They spent so much time together.
"Brother, what if we both flee to the wilderness?!" She even proposed while clinging to his arm. He had to reassure her once more that everything would be fine.
—
Days passed until it was finally time for the duel. At the Alcove Plaza, a lone Nex courageously stood.
"Where are you, little frog?! It's time for our duel! Come on out!"
"If you don't show up, it will be considered your loss!"
"Guess that means I won, right?!"
The mighty Kero had actually fled from the duel. Nex had stayed true to his promise, the fight happening during a heavy downpour…of acidic blood rain.
The sound of the residents going crazy was music to his ears. Every time they heard him holler, they'd scream in shock. Why wasn't he melting?!
"Ah, it sure is lonely to be peerless…." As he was sighing, he saw the old Lizard coming over, his scales sizzling. Ah… perhaps the peerless was an overstatement.
In the blood rain, they faced one another.
"I hate schemes."
"So?"
"You seem good at them."
"So what?"
"Tch— If you keep scheming for the Orphanage's sake, I'll teach you how to fight, just like you wanted."
"REALLY?!! Haha, just watch me! In a year, I'll be the strongest warrior ever!"
"Sure…"
"What?! You don't believe me?!"
Nex had appeared in a sea of blood and now had found a teacher/home in a rain of blood. It was almost poetic.
Back at the Orphanage, the kids and Midnight couldn't tear their gazes away. How was he still alive?! But while they were shellshocked, a moth-girl dived in his embrace.
"I'm back, just like I told you." He gently patted her head.
The next day he officially started training.
~ Just like that, five years passed.
~ Nex Transmigration End ~
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ClasslessAscension
ClasslessAscension If I had to say, this event was the one that allowed me to regain control of my destiny....or so it seemed. It could also be considered my respite before all the craziness started... *sigh*
Bloody Journey! 🩸🔥🐥
Weakest SSS-Rank —> Top of the world All for a simple dream...
-- Gift
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