ALIRA: The Lost Soul

Chapter 5: Hunt for a Grant

Nakatulala pa rin ako habang hila-hila ng lalaking mukhang knight. Nakagapos ang aking mga kamay ng kadenang hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling at hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang battle arena na sinasabi nito. How did I ended up here? Sinundan ko lang naman ang daan diba? Did my clumsiness strike again? Dapat ba isinama ko nalang si Cole?

I glanced at the person holding the chain that's connected to the cuff in my hands. Will he try to kill me now? Anong klaseng battle ba ang nangyayari sa lugar na ito? Is it battle of the fittest? Battle with the beasts? Paramihan ng mapapatay ganun----

I gasp when a huge snake appeared in front of us. Mukhang alam ko na kung anong klaseng laban ang idinadaos ngayong taon. I want to smack myself for forgetting this year's highlighted event. This must be the Beast Hunting Competition! Participants mostly call this a battle arena too dahil literal na mag-aagawan kayo ng beasts na papatayin which at times would lead into killing other participants for the sake of points and benefits for their region/town.

These beasts are those that roam on the woods near my place kaya malaking posibilidad na ang tahimik na daang aking nakita kanina ay parte ng portal patungo sa lugar na ito. A move to eliminate them as they attack and feed on crops, livestock and even people when they escape the barrier around the woods.

Sigh. Siguro ay ito nga ang pinakamadaling paraan upang makalapit sa palasyo. Hindi na din pala masamang maging tanga. I almost snicker at my own thoughts.

"Are you really thinking about other things in front of a beast? Mamaya natutunaw ka na sa tiyan niyan."

I rolled my eyes and didn't answer him. I intentionally allowed him to bind me to observe what he's gonna do. Isama mo pa ang pagkabigla ko sa nangyari kanina. I may be quite smart but I process really slow, especially for unforeseen circumstances.
Now that I get the situation, might as well make the best out of it, right?

Nakamasid lang ako sa dambuhalang ahas na nasa aking harapan na tila ay binabantayan ang aming kilos.

"Anyone can join this competition, right?"
Tanong ko dito. I hope the rules are the same. May matutulungan pa ako pag nagkataon.

"Are you really that clueless? Of course it's open to anyone. The notice was all around Monlaz, saang mundo ka ba galing? As long as you sign up a town you wish to benefit from your points, you're eligible."
Namamangha ngunit pilosopo ding saad nito.

I turned to him and looked up straight to his eyes before saying:

"See you when you see me then."
I said before clicking my tongue. I noticed the cracks showing on the cuff that's holding both of my hands til' it broke down and fell on the ground. My mind slashes almost anything, you see. Hehe.

"Thanks for whatever reason you saved my clumsiness earlier! Til' next time, Mr. Knight!"
Paalam ko rito bago ko gamitin ang aking kakayahang mawala sa paningin ng mga namumuhay na nilalang. I vanished before the snake could reach my direction kaya lumusot lamang ito sa aking katawan nang ito ay umatake. The guy, on the other hand, quickly jumped away and prepared to attack the beast. But it seemed to track my scent kaya paulit ulit itong umatake sa aking direksyon.

Before the guy could even whip and capture it's head ay nailabas ko na ang aking maliit na punyal.

Lend me your power, Sword of Aereña.

[*Aereña - goddess of wisdom.]

I chanted in my head before the dagger's blade grew in length and became a long sword. This'll be long enough to chop this thing that's hissing towards me.

I waited for it to lunged again towards my direction. When the distance is enough, I swung my sword and slashed it's head as I moved around, the severed part fell in a loud thud. It's still twitching and moving kaya ay mabilis kong sinaksak ang natirang parte ng ulo nito bago buong lakas na pinutol ito.

Ugh, my arms hurt a bit. I don't really like using this as a long sword because it demands more strength and power. But then, the situation called for it. Sa laki ba naman ng ahas na yan, I doubt my mind-piercing/slashing ability could kill it.

I'm just really thankful I don't have to deal with the mess myself dahil ang dugo nito ay nagkalat sa paligid.

The guy on the side seemed astonished by what happened. Prente na itong nakatayo at tila ay naaliw sa nasaksihan.

"Hmm. Not bad for a clumsy one."
Saad nito na nagpasama ng aking mukha. Tsk.

I know very well that clumsiness is my nickname but hearing it from a stranger is quite annoying. My tiniest grain of gratitude towards him vanished just like that.

Hindi ko na lamang ito pinagtuunan ng pansin at dali-daling kinuha ang mga energy core na nakadikit sa ulo ng ahas. It's filthy because of the blood but what can I do, I need to collect them.

I allowed myself to be visible after I hid my dagger and left the man with some words.

"Thanks but you're really annoying."
I said on a straight face and vanished once again before leaving the area to look for more beasts.