I Became A Bat

15: Change of Heart

I'm feeling a strange sensation in my body. It's as if something is pushing down on me, making me feel weak and helpless as those huge red eyes glowered at me. The Draconian Bat screeches, sending a chilling jolt through my spine.

I-is this the legendary aura of racial superiority commonly seen in fantasy novels? Whatever it is, one thing's for sure. It's going to get me!

At the back, a sudden movement catches my attention. It's actually the mage named Eris. She's preparing a huge lightning arrow at the moment, her forehead dripping with sweat while doing so. The cloaked man also made his move, his figure disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Good. It seems that they haven't abandoned me. I can't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Now is a great time to distract this boss so they can prepare a good attack. I can't waste it. My mouth opens and once again starts forming a bullet made of mana. After a small sound of explosion, it travels through the air and starts approaching the enemy.

The Draconian Bat's pair of membranous wings suddenly moves. Like a blanket, they wrapped around the boss monster. I just noticed right now but it seems that its wings are also covered with scales. My mana bullet collides with the scales and disappears into thin air. There's only a small piece of scale that fell off but nothing serious happened.

"Kuweeek!" The Draconian Bat screams with pride. It unfolds its wings, revealing its glowing red eyes that seem to contain disdain towards a lower ranked creature such as me.

You actually dare look down on me? My attack might have dealt little damage but don't think it was for nothing!

A flash of bright white light appears. It's too fast that it's gone as fast as it appeared. The Draconian Bat is now screaming in pain. On its back, smoke is rising, carrying with it the smell of barbequed meat. It seems that the arrow made of lightning was finally fired by the mage.

While the Draconian Bat is still wailing from the pain of being electrocuted and burnt, a shadow flashes by and lands a solid hit to the monster's head with a shortsword.

A loud scream of a dying creature fills the cave. Soon, it stopped as the enormous body of the Draconian Bat lands on the ground with a loud thud.

Silence permeates the cave as we take in the feeling of victory against the seemingly unbeatable monster. It only lasted for a few seconds though before someone from the adventurers screams from delight. A domino effect happens as the other adventurers are now celebrating.

Eh? This is... A warm feeling appears on my chest before the crimson symbol of a crown with four inlaid jewels appears. It releases a red light that scans the dead Draconian Bat before returning back inside my chest. The only evidence that it once appeared is the mall whirlpool of mana at my chest.

[Acquired Phantom Shift Level 1]

Phantom Shift. Isn't that the skill the Draconian Bat used to suddenly move fast in the blink of an eye? I didn't expect to get this one.

I scan the scene of the adventurers celebrating with my eyes. It seems they're too busy congratulating each other that they haven't noticed what just happened. My gazes shifts back to the little screen hovering back right in front of me.

Right now, I can imagine a lot of scenarios where I can use this new skill of mine but I guess what's most important is that I finally have a skill I can use to escape when I'm in danger.

Eh? What's that? I think I just saw something moving. Above the fallen Draconian Bat, there's a health bar with a barely noticeable red color. It's actually still alive? Then why...

"Hey, what do we do with this bat?" An adventurer's voice sounds out. Like a hammer bashed on a glass, it breaks the atmosphere of celebration that permeates the place. It came from the healer whose right forefinger is now pointing at me.

I don't know if it's because of the Draconian Bat or something else but my fur starts rising. My eyes move to meet his gaze and I think I can see...hatred? It's probably my mind playing games with me.

"Eh? What do you mean Willis?" Eris, the mage, asks with confusion visible on her voice.

Willis, who I can safely assume as the healer, grips his staff tightly and then points it towards me before saying. "What else could I mean? Shouldn't we get rid of it?"

"But it just helped us deal with the Draconian Bat, didn't it? Bro, don't be so ungrateful," This time, its the man with the sword and shield who is speaking. He approaches Willis with a frown befote he sends me a short glance.

"Ungrateful? I don't think I am. Isn't it strange for a Dungeon Bat to suddenly help us? I don't know if I'm just overreacting but I think there's something wrong with this little guy," Willis pauses for a bit before his grim expression turns one degree higher. "I suspect that he's a demon. You know what demons can do. They mercilessly wiped our village before. My family, they..."

Now, it is the warrior guy's turn to fall into deep contemplation. He seems to be hesitating, his face is showing how confused he is.

While the adventurers are talking, I can slowly feel my body turn cold. T-the can't be thinking of getting rid of me right? With all the help I gave them. I see, I see. Is it because I'm a monster now?

I turn my head to the Draconian Bat. Its health points are steadily rising as seconds passed. My head inclines downwards to hide my eyes. Since you're planning on getting rid of me, then there's no reason for me to help anymore with this.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Sorry for the late update. I slept the whole afternoon and just woke. Up since I caught the flu once again lol. Thanks for reading!