Chapter 34: [Ch. 34] A Useful Affliction
The sword swung down at me with enough power to cut me in half.
Why had I jumped in front of this little brat just now? It wasn't that I was particularly attached to the kid. Sure, I was good friends with his father until my ultimate downfall. However, even for Michiya, I still wouldn't have jumped out.
Truthfully, it was more from habit.
For me, it felt like only a few months ago I was Moao. I could catch a blade in my hand and shatter it without even batting an eye. In the past, I had jumped out in front of many swords and weapons without any fear of possible consequences. Thanks to muscle memory, my body still acted in the same way as if it was an instinct.
In this moment, I felt really foolish.
What was I doing giving up my life for a kid who fainted at the sight of blood?
Well, no matter. It's not like there is anything I can do now. All I can do is close my eyes before my death and regret that it wasn't Raylon who had caused it.
I wonder what world I will wake up in next...
For a brief moment, a look of fear passed through Raylon's eyes. However, I didn't have the honor of seeing it.
The blade collided with my palm.
However, instead of tearing apart flesh and sending blood everywhere, a cloud of black smoke billowed out from where it struck my palm. It completely surrounded the blade, latching onto it greedily as if it was a parasitic worm. The smoke quickly devoured the weapon, leaving nothing but the decorative hilt.
Then, the smoke rushed back into my hand completely disappearing as if nothing had even happened. The attacker staggered back with large eyes. He shook the hilt in an attempt to call back his weapon, but nothing happened. He was completely powerless.
Prince Leon, Raylon, and Hatsuyo were frozen as they stared at the empty hilt in disbelief. Even I was stunned by what had just happened. I looked at my palm expecting to see a cut but saw nothing there instead. I tapped my hand entranced by what had just happened.
As soon as I did, an unmistakable power rushed through my veins.
I gripped my hand and slowly stood to my feet. I tossed my head as I bellowed out in mad laughter, "HAHAHA! So that's how it is, is it?"
My dull eyes turned deadly as I turned to the attacker. A wicked grin spread across my face as I watched the distinct look of fear pass through his eyes. I made a fist and summoned the same black smoke around it. Even though it was my first time using it, I felt like this power was just another piece of my body.
I could feel its chilling strength wrapping around me, begging to be used.
I lunged forward, throwing my fist towards the attacker. It pierced through his chest as if it was nothing more than jelly. My hand gripped his heart, causing it to explode. As he slid to the ground like a lifeless corpse, I shook off the blood on my hand.
I turned to the other's with an ominous smile, "You didn't think I was completely useless, did you?"
Hatsuyo stared at me with his mouth agape, "Y-You… H-How did you…"
Prince Leon was the first to walk over to us, "This was your so-called affliction?"
I shook my hand to dispel the smoke that was still surrounding me. This technique is almost exactly like Sylvia's. After I had brought her back to the land of the living, she was also unable to use magic. But when she fought, she discovered that she had the ability to use this black smoke to essentially consume the magic and use it herself. It was the same exact case for me just now.
However, if I use this, aren't I giving my secret away that I am a reanimated corpse?
Or it would be more accurate to say I was a bodysnatcher. Sylvia showed clear signs of being reanimated. At first, she couldn't talk nor could she move her body. She also could remember the afterlife or the world between the living and the dead. However, I remembered no such thing. It felt as if I closed my eyes as Moao and opened them as Mo Zao.
Regardless, this black smoke was a clear indicator of the necromancy I had invented. But would any of them recognize it?
My eyes cautiously turned to Raylon who had suddenly appeared beside us. His permanent scowl was still on his face, but for some reason, it seemed a bit softer around the edges. I didn't have time to ponder its meaning before he suddenly spoke, "If we stay any longer more will come."
He violently pushed me to the side as he strode past me without another word. Perhaps I only thought I saw his expression soften. I helped Hatsuyo to his feet which earned a hateful glare from Raylon.
Prince Leon scratched his head as he looked between me and Raylon, "You two… Are you two lovers or something?"
Raylon and I both flinched. I let out a suggestive laugh, "Oh my. Were we caught?"
Raylon growled at me, "Keep talking and I will cut off that tongue."
I stuck my tongue out, "I'm waiting~"
Hatsuyo looked at his feet and spoke in a low voice, "...I'm sorry."
We all turned to him.
He continued slowly, "It's all my fault that this is happening…"
I looked at him closely, "Why is it your fault?"
"They want to kidnap me in order to use me against my father. This is exactly why I should just stay in the Palace… If I stayed, then no one could use me as blackmail against my father nor would anyone get hurt."
Raylon rolled his eyes, "Stupid."
Prince Leon sneered, "Instead of crying like a baby, why don't you learn how to actually fight?"
Hatsuyo flinched and lowered his head even more. I tossed Prince Leon a warning glare that made him shut his mouth immediately. I reached out and pet Hatsuyo's head, "You have the ability to get strong. Don't run away just because you have experienced some difficulty."
Hatsuyo sighed, "I don't have the ability. I wasn't born with any natural talents. I'm not even a good healer."
I shook my head calmly, "It's true that having a natural talent helps someone get stronger faster. However, they still have to work hard even with their innate abilities. Strength doesn't come free."
Hatsuyo rolled his eyes, "Pah! Moao was born with god-like magical abilities. She didn't have to work hard at all."
I narrowed my eyes, "Why does everyone think of Moao as a god? Even Moao was born weak and had to learn how to properly use magic. She didn't just suddenly wake up and understand how everything worked."
Raylon interrupted, clearly irritated by the conversation. "I hate to ruin the moment, but we can't stay. Or would you two rather die?"
I grinned at him coyly, "If you wrap your rough hands around my throat, I would gladly die with a smile on my face."
Hatsuyo smacked his forehead, "Mo Zao... Can you be less shameless?"
I ignored him and waited patiently for my neck to be grabbed once more. However, it never happened. Raylon had grown sick with the conversation and picked up the hilt from the now dead body. He forced it into my hands and sneered, "If you walk around without a weapon, then it won't be me who kills you."
I nodded in understanding, "Ah, that is true. Only you are allowed to kill me. Anyone else would just put a bitter taste in my mouth... And not the good kind."
The corner of Raylon's lip curled in disgust. I ignored his look as I took the hilt from him and looked at it closely. I suddenly felt a bit sad that I no longer had my old one. It seems I am still able to get attached to objects even in this world.
Raylon glared at me, "This time, do a better job at protecting him."
I nodded and we all departed for a safer location. We didn't get far before a new group of attackers jumped down to attack us. I instantly stuck to Hatsuyo as Raylon and Prince Leon began to slaughter them. I summoned the blade paying extra attention not to turn it into the usual shape I had often used. I focused hard to turn the smoke that poured out into the shape of a sword.
However, it was too much for me.
My body seized up and I coughed out a mouthful of blood. I crashed to my knees with my body completely paralyzed.
My eyes shuddered from the pain.
How?! How is it like this?! The magic I consumed was more than enough to keep fighting! So why is it suddenly gone!?
Hatsuyo suddenly shouted, "Mo! Look out!"
Raylon and Leon both looked at me after they heard Hatsuyo's shrill cry. My vision turned dark and I collapsed to the ground.
My consciousness faded in and out.
I could hear the sounds of weapons exchanging blows around me.
The sight of cobblestone came into view before fading away.
I no longer cared about the fight.
I just wanted to sleep.
I just wanted to sleep and never wake up.
Then, a cold and detached voice whispered into my ear, "Useless. Completely useless."
Suddenly, I felt like I was floating.
My usual cold body felt a heat emanating towards me. My body reacted instinctually as I leaned towards the source of the heat.
I have been cold for far too long.
The heater flinched from my sudden movement and tensed up as I burrowed into it. Thankfully, it didn't pull away.
I mumbled under my breath, "...It wasn't me…"
A husky voice answered me, whispering almost inaudibly in my ear. "I know."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nekoru
Nekoru Ohoho~
Just what was that at the end?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone