Beyond the Virge

Chapter 21: Hampfer

We were in the skies. Soaring across the dark clouds as it rains upon the land below us. Umi was fast asleep with a filet of salmon hanging from her mouth. Yuki on the other hand was sharpening her Kunais. She looked at me wondering about something.

"Yuki, is there something wrong?"

"I'm just curious. I thought using other weapons won't work?"

"What do you mean?" I ask, grabbing the salmon out of Umi's mouth.

"If we were to use any other weapon, we wouldn't be able to use them at all."

"I don't really know. I just made a gun when I was inside of the dungeon." As I take a swig of gin, I would hear movement behind me.

Turning around, Ms. Kazumi and Rebekka woke up, stretching and yawning.

"Good morning."

"What? Where are we?" Rebekka says.

"We are currently, about thirty-five thousand feet up in the air. I wouldn't make sudden moves if I were you."

"Clover? Where is the rest of SF?"

"Knocked out or killed. Ask Trarkoz if you want that information."

Trarkoz chuckled. Evilly...

"What happened to my team?"

"I might've killed a few...or all...depends on how many of them attacked me."

Rebekka drops to her knees. Feeling of sadness, anger, loss fills her.

"Where are the others?" Ms. Kazumi asks.

"Down in the ground. Jack got injured heavily, but I bet Katsumi will heal him back to life."

"Clover...What have you become?" Ms. Kazumi asks.

"I've become an oh so powerful dear teacher," I said lifting her head up to me. "In both worlds, I was looked down upon, and being kicked into the dungeon gave me power. It gave me the strength to become stronger."

"You became a monster."

"I became a menace to anyone that opposes me!" I shouted. "They've seen what I can do to villages, to cities, to an entire fucking kingdom!" I take a deep breath in. "You were the only one that counted on me. That helped me. Not them. They threw me out like trash. I was always the last one picked. The last one. If my objective is to kill everyone just to get home. I'll do it. I have the power to fight and defeat anyone." I wipe my mouth. "You two are the only ones I trust in this world. I know that both of you are strong and I want you to join me. If its death and betrayal you want. So be it."

"Clover...:"

"Then kill me," Rebekka says.

"I can't. I don't want to." I exhale.

"You are a good person compared to everyone else. You will live best with me."

The rest of the ride was quiet most of the time. "Where are we going anyway?" Trarkoz asks.

"Humpfer," I respond.

"That's the kingdom of trades."

"Exactly. Food's on me. By the way, you know how to jump right?" I ask Ms. Kazumi.

"What do you mean?"

In a matter of seconds, we started to descend. Rii dips down, taking us lower and lowers to the ground. Ms. Kazumi and Rebekka were scared, not knowing what to do. In five minutes, we were close to the ground.

"Jump!" I say.

Jumping down, we hit the ground, landing. Looking around, Hampfer was a calm place. Every species coexisted like in Gargolas. Buildings skied high and thousands of markets fill the roads of food, clothing, weapons, antiques, and collectibles.

"Let's find an inn, we should rest after what happened."

"About time!" Rii says, hanging on my shoulder.

"Clover, how are you fine with something like this?" Ms. Kazumi says walking with us.

"After murdering thousands of innocent lives? I'm totally fine. You have to realize that this isn't our world anymore. Our limits are almost nothing. Rules don't exist."

"It's inhumane, you should know that."

"If it's all just to go home, so be it. If you want to leave the group, then fine by me. I don't have a problem with anyone leaving if they pull me back. Including you dear teacher," I say as we reach the nearest inn.

As we walked in, the receptionists were some sort of demon and the other was an elf. There was a quest board on the right of the lobby and tables and chairs all over the place for the guests to sit and rest.

"Welcome travelers to Hampfer inn, what can I do for you?" the demon asks.

"I'll have two rooms please."

"Clover, the rooms here are expensive!"

I sigh and take out a sack stacked with gold coins. "How long will this be?"

The demon popped in surprise. "As long as you want sir. All-access to our restaurant is included if you want as well."

"Thank you, I'll check that out with my acquaintances later."

The demon bows, giving the keys to the rooms. "Enjoy your stay!"

Reaching the rooms on the upper floor, we discussed the roommates.

"Okay, Rii, Umi, and Yuki are with me, the rest can stay in the other room."

"Aww, I have to stay with humans..." Trarkoz whines.

"Don't worry," I sigh, "Yuki will switch with you."

"What? Clover!"

"Sorry sister, it doesn't feel right sleeping with you y'know. We're siblings."

"Hmph!"

A few months have passed. Yuki, Rii, Rebekka, and I have been doing quests. Ms. Kazumi suddenly left a week after we arrived. I assumed the rest of the class would regroup with her here. If push comes to shove I wouldn't mind gaining my kill count a few points higher. I was close to ranking Demon Lord. Each time I killed a thousand, I felt more power bestowed upon me. I felt no longer human. I felt like a demon. One that punishes those I thought bothered me without remorse. I was surprised to see that Rebekka started to work with us really well. I couldn't feel regret, sadness, anger, nor depression within her. She felt like she wanted to be here.

One day we decided to do some grocery shopping. We had plenty of money to spend due to the high reward quests we did. Walking around the wharf, I noticed my class there. With the robe I was wearing at the time, I covered up with the hood and walked past them as they were chowing down with some soup. I didn't see Jack nor Katsumi with them. I assume that they were left behind. I told the others to get some seaweed, rice, and some beef. We then met up at an open campfire. I asked Yuki to cook up some beef.

"Hey, girls, I want to teach you something. Remember the onigiri I made?"

"Are you going to make them again!?" Trarkoz says. I could feel the sparkle in her eyes.

"No, I'll teach you how to make them."

"Aw."

"Here's what you do." I first grab a handful of rice. "You get a handful of rice, then shape it into a triangle, but don't complete the triangle just yet." I grabbed a spoonful of beef. "Next pack the beef into the rice, then finish the shape of the rice." I grabbed some seaweed from the Umi. "Lastly take a slice of seaweed and place it on the bottom side of the onigiri. Then there you go."

"Woah..."

"I want you girls to make five if you want one."