The Ultimate Support Character

"Daisuke! You finally came back!"

Avelin said as she dropped what she's doing to jump into my arms and hug me. Compared to when last I saw her, a lot has changed in her, well, except for a certain part.

However, her innocence is still there and her affection towards me not only didn't change but it even leveled up.

Those last few days I spent with them became the factor and well, it's also because she's already one of my Companions. The convergence of our destinies happened back then when we made that pledge at the location of her previous tribe.

Err... They still didn't know that this is not my real body. I'm just an Incarnation of the original. I thought I would be depressed by realizing that I was just an incarnation. My Adaptability that was keeping me calm was still here along with me.

"You monster! I thought you'll let us wait for long!"

Erin shouted as she also dropped a Wild Beast's leg bone that she was working on before jumping in my arms like Avelin.

Unlike Avelin, she grew on that certain part. How did that happen? It's only a few months. This straightforward and headstrong girl clung to me even tighter than how Avelin was clinging to me. That look on her eyes couldn't really mask what she's feeling.

Err… in any case, it's really nice to see them again. After leaving them with responsibility for the Whiteshade Division as well as giving the 2-year ultimatum, I somehow felt guilty for that.

"I'm sorry but I'm still not here. This is just my Incarnation."

When Avelin heard what I said, she tilted her head, confused.

"Eh? What's that?"

"Is that why you felt so weak right now? But still… you're a monster."

Erin somehow got it though. She's always been this kind of a genius. Because of that, her growth along with the boost she got from me, she's already a 5th Stage Saint Realm. However, her Power Level is already close to a Rank 5 Mortal, one more breakthrough and she would reach it. A King Realm is already no match for her.

After Erin said that, she explained it to Avelin who was still confused as to what's an Incarnation.

When she found out this is not my real body, Avelin almost cried, her innocence is still too adorable. If not for me pulling her in my embrace, she will really bawl her eyes out. Even if she's almost as strong as Erin now, this trait of her didn't change.

Erin could only shake her head and let me comfort Avelin. For sure, she'll ask for the same treatment later.

After a while, she asked me the important question.

"How long will that Incarnation last?"

"One day. I'll be with you two until tomorrow at the same time as I appeared."

Hearing my own answer, I also bitterly smiled. That's not nearly enough to make up for the days that I'm not with them.

Err… Zerina also needed something like this. Even though Yuko was there occasionally, they're not as close like Yumiko and Jayna.

For Zerina, Yuko's a Hero while she's only her party member. She's probably restraining herself due to some kind of guilt when she knew I am Yuko's fiance but I still made her my Companion.

I knew Yuko didn't mind that, it's only Zerina who kept on thinking about it. Maybe it will change if I spend some time with her.

-

-

When Avelin calmed down, the two of them took me to the tent I used to stay before, the place where they would often crash in to stay with me.

I learned about how the Whiteshade Division now boasted almost the same strength as Raiden's army but still stuck to their principle, saving the subordinate tribes who were in need.

From that, I started catching up to what happened to them after I left the World of Barbarians. Meeting Old Man Reol was put up for later, he supposedly went to a Dark Beastmasters' camp to decimate them.

Yes. He's now an Emperor Realm, he really became one and according to Erin, he always mentioned that it was because of me. That enlightenment back then was the trigger.

Because of Raiden annexing the large tribe from before, the other large tribes started to show their hostilities towards the Heavenly Lightning Tribe.

However, with the Old Man reaching Emperor Realm, he became the new deterrence that made the large tribes cower and hole themselves up. The Old Man gave an ultimatum that if ever they succumb to the whispers and become corrupted, he will personally crush their tribes.

With that threat in place, they could only employ cheap tactics like harassing the small and medium tribes affiliated to the Heavenly Lightning Tribe.

When the two girls heard of it, they led the Whiteshade Division to drive them away which earned them the fame of being a strong division under the Heavenly Lightning Tribe.

During those days as well, Avelin continued her absorption of the Beast Core plus she kept on stumbling with lucky encounters, such as a legendary fruit that would only appear in the Desolate Plain every 20 years. That fruit boosted Avelin's absorption or maybe it's a fruit that added Intelligence stats.

Contrary to Avelin, Erin was feeling the pressure from her which led to her to diligently cultivate and compete with Avelin's luck using her own genius.

The two of them have now left behind Ophelia in strength, well, she still got some progress to herself. From 2nd Stage, she's now 4th Stage Saint Realm which according to her, was the fastest she got in terms of cultivating during all the years she had been living.

Maybe she was also influenced by me or the two girls who easily bypassed her. In any case, they became somewhat of a celebrity. Whenever they appeared, the names Erin and Avelin would be cheered out by the small and medium tribes, sometimes Ophelia too. There are those who like mature beauty after all.

And of course, with fame comes those idiots who think they could get lucky with them.

"I think I defeated more than 10 King Realms from various large tribes who are trying to court me. If not for the Old Man telling me that they'll be a valuable resource to the war against the Invading Forces, I would've castrated them all."

Erin irritatedly declared.

But Erin, you're talking about scary things. Why not just kill them?

"Well, Erin has grown this attractive, more so if you pull that cloth down and reveal your whole face."

Upon hearing my words Erin visibly blushed and stood rooted on the spot. This is the first time I complimented her appearance and that surely caught her off guard.

"… You monster, when did you learn to talk like that? You seem like you're running away from me the last time you're here."

It took her a while to think of a response and while avoiding my eyes, she grumbled to me.

However, she's right. Back then I'm too confused at why she seems so attached to me despite not pledging with her. Turns out, at some point, the convergence of our destinies already happened without me noticing.

With an explanation as simple as that, I got to rethink the 2 years I put up to deter them. I'll change that the next time my real body comes here. I'm just an embodiment of energy, even if I appeared like my true self, I didn't have any organs nor blood inside me. At least this memory where I'm spending time with them will be sent back and be relieved by my true self.

"I'm just stating the truth, Erin. Also, Avelin is still this adorable. Thank you for the Orb, I've been using that properly and it probably saved my life many times already."

With her not leaving my side, Avelin showed her delight from my words by snuggling closer to me. For her, even if this is not my real body, it's still me.

"Ah. Right, when Raiden comes back, he'll give you my gifts for you two. I got it from another world so use them for your benefit, alright?"

Raiden hasn't been summoned back here so he's still holding the Necklaces for the people I left here.

"Alright. Move over then, I also wanted to be that close to you."

It looks like the word 'gift' didn't have that much appeal to them.

"You're still as straightforward. Come here."

I smiled and beckoned towards her to take the free side next to me which even if she still looked a bit embarrassed from my words earlier, she comfortably snuggled to me.

"Wanna spar later? I've grown stronger than you already. However, this one's only carried half of my real capabilities."

After a while, I asked her. I also wanted to try the capabilities of this Incarnation with only half of my abilities against someone nearing Rank 5 Mortal.

"Later then, I'll thrash this arrogance you seemingly built up."

Erin looked up and smugly declared.

"It's not arrogance. I needed to be stronger for all of you, you know? And you'll catch up soon and when the crisis in this world is over, I'll take you both with me."

Right. It's for me to stand next to them. It's not just Yuko now and surely she's also thinking about that. That image she saw. Every one of them will grow with me and I'll be there as their Ultimate Support.