Arpious of the Planes

[Titles: [Blessed by the ********* Spirit of *************] [Savage Assassin] [Heartless] [Blessed by a Star] [Chief of the Fire Harpies] [Blessed by the Overlord Spirit of Curses] [Blessed by the Phoenix Mountain Guardian] [Blessed by the Overlord Spirit of Blessings] [Strong Willed] [Catastrophic Level Monster (2814 / 20000)] [Blessed by the Moon] [Blessed by the Emperor Spirit of Gold] [Ruler of the Mountain of Twilight] [Blessed by the Emperor Spirit of Ice] [Blessed by the Emperor Spirit of Snow] [Blessed by Mother Nature] [Alchemist] [Saintess] [True Hero] [Grand Holy Healer] [Grand Bowswoman] [Hard Worker] [Commander] [Respectable Figure] [Grand Assassin] [Blessed by the Overlord Spirit of Light] [Grand Swordsman] [Grand Spearman] [Enchantress] [Jewelry Designer] [Jewelry Maker] [One Who Lost Their Pride] [Naturally Talented] [Godly Spearman] [Respectable Figure] [Godly Swordsman] [One with the Earth] [Plane Guardian] [Enemy of the Succubi]

…

Geez… My status is so fucking big compared to these knights and warriors here… and I guess some of them are even adventurers.

Just like every other kingdom and empire I've visited, it has an adventurer guild and many professions that require fighting.

It's the perfect give and take scenario as the adventurers gain XP and locations on monsters, then the guilds gain the monster parts, which the adventurers are required to hand over after the payment of a few gold.

These guilds can then sell the monster parts and make a huge profit… which is also why some adventurers smuggle parts out of the adventure guild after clearing a quest, because most of the time, they can sell for more profit.

But then why are they even doing the quests then and not just taking the parts? Well, it's apparently hard to find monsters here, and they also want XP, which is also a kind of payment that is used.

You may not get much money as a reward because the amount of XP is basically the equivalent of the money you would've gotten.

There is so much to explain, and I'm thankful I have Mia because she completely saved my ass when I was trying to learn about the guilds and how they work.

"Alright… I guess I'm next," I muttered as I stepped into the ring with a tall and well-built older man who had scars lining his entire body.

He was wearing just training pants, revealing his upper toned body that didn't look too shabby for his age.

"Young lady, how much experience do you have in fighting?" He asked, and I replied with a simple,

"Enough experience,"

The man smiled gently before picking up his longsword and taking a deep stance which almost made me laugh out loud.

The way he crouched down and then shifted his weight onto his back right foot was hilarious, but it seems I slightly underestimated him as his body was then suddenly covered in bright yellow light.

I was blinded for a split second, allowing the man to get super close in, surprising me as, judging from his status, he wasn't that fast.

He wasn't that strong either, but I guess skill can make up a large gap… and I was far too familiar with that.

TING

I deflected the sword with my own metal katana that I had picked just as I entered the ring, surprising the man, and just as I had expected, he used one of his skills.

I kinda… want to eat this guy.

A mix of [Flash Step] and [Body Acceleration], plus that footwork and muscles that are so toned and trained you'd think he'd be a god or something… wow, that's a body and combo that I want.

After making up my mind, I decided to "accidentally" cut off one of his fingers and freak out after it happened.

I won't heal it back because they'll probably think I'm an elven priestess or something, and even more, sponsors will try to recruit me, despite me already being under the possession of Ysal, who hates these competitors.

"You're pretty good, girl. That was my best move today, and you still managed to block it," He said, and he gave me a gentle applause.

"Thank you very much," I said with a humble smile, and then the old man also humbly smiled before we took a deep stance.

My katana was right next to my hip, and my head was pointed downwards, ready to take the man's finger at a moment's notice.

FWOOSH… SHING

Our blades collided, and I deflected his sword, then "accidentally" shifted it forward, cutting off the very tip of his pinky, which was a bit disappointing because I thought I'd be able to cut off the entire thing.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" I shouted and faked my empathy as I helped the old man get bandaged up.

And while everybody was distracted with calling a priestess or some healer to come to help us, I popped the tip of the finger in my mouth… though it seems I was found out.

Coincidentally, an eager and curious little girl popped her head around the corner of the small arena I was fighting in to see what the commotion was all about, but her luck wasn't that good today… since she saw me.

"I don't normally kill kids… But if you saw me, I can't let you live," I muttered as I flashed stepped over to her while the crowd was still distracted.

"H-Huh? But didn't you just eat a rock?" The girl stuttered, and her innocent eyes seemed believable… but I couldn't be too sure.

"Did I really eat a rock?" I asked in my creepiest voice possible, and the little girl almost seemed to faint, but she replied with a,

"Y-Yes… I'm sorry for seeing you," She said, and her innocence didn't break in the slightest, so I sighed and let her go.

'You've gone soft,'

Shut the hell up…

After I and my inner demon bantered back and forth a bit, I then walked over to the old man who was shooing away all the guys trying to help him.

He then made way for me to step up, and with a proud smile, he put out his hand, and I shook it with absolute confidence.

"You'll go far," He said, and his smile was completely genuine.

Not an ounce of anger, sadness, or grief was inside of it, as he was genuinely proud of me for managing to cut off his fingers.

"I'm sorry… We should've just used wooden swords from the beginning," I apologized with fake empathy, and it seemed nobody noticed it, so I just continued.

Eventually, we all split apart, I said goodbye to the older man on amazing terms, but just as I turned into an alleyway to check my new skills, I ran into a brick wall.

A squishy brick wall, actually.

"Lily… or should I say Arpious, what are you doing?" A woman's voice asked me, and I froze while my face paled.

Just being honest, I wasn't supposed to be fighting as it was going to potentially ruin all the beauty we had built up… and of course, the one person I run into is Ysal.

"I-I was just getting some exercise, y'know. I was feeling like a caged animal in that mansion, so I believe I deserve some exercise," I said, but Ysal wasn't amused.

"Just go for a run… geez," She said after flicking the back of my head, and we walked home together.

But, just as we were about to arrive, I suggested something that made Ysal's ears perk up.

"How about we go get some food…." I said, and Ysal's face was something I wasn't expecting… it was still stern instead of the embarrassed and teased girl she always acts like.

It seems she's still mad…

"Are you suggesting we go on a date?" She asked with full confidence.

"Yeah, I guess,"

Ysal began to smile so wide you'd think it would touch her ears, and before I could suggest a place that I found on our way here, Ysal dragged me into the streets, where she led me as we danced together.

This was part of my etiquette class, and I'd say I was doing well, so I just followed her lead, and we drew the eyes of some people.

But, as the sun had already set, parties had begun, so it wasn't rare for a few people to be dancing in the street… though when it's such a fancy and noble dance, it's almost impossible not to draw attention.

"Alright, this is cringe as fuck," I muttered, and we both pushed away as Ysal agreed.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's stop this,"

We were both on the same wavelength, and since we continued to persist on this same wavelength, we both chose a restaurant that fit our tastes.

A greasy burger with some amazing fries and some bowls of pasta right after… Damn, that shit was good.

But, even till then, there was no confession, so I decided to make a move.

The scenery, mood, lighting… everything was perfect.

A rose of love began to bloom as we arrived back at the mansion, and I said,

"I love you,"