ROTLE- Chapter 161- Nightcrawler

Ted’s footsteps were quiet as he approached Aiden. He walked slowly, cautious but not stealthy. At least Aiden didn’t think he was trying to be stealthy.

Aiden took a moment to raise his head up from the enchantment he was engraving. He paused, but his hand continued to move. With his knife, his hand continued to engrave, carving the enchantment into the tree.

“How many trees so far?” Ted asked, opting for a casual tone.

Aiden knew that his brother was worried. Everyone was worried.

“Sixteen,” he answered. His hand continued to carve even with his eyes on Ted.

Ted paused, looked from Aiden to his still engraving hand then back. He folded both arms over his chest. “Is this like those support officers who type while looking at you?”

Aiden paused. “What?”

Ted unfolded his arms just so that he could gesture at the tree with one hand. “That,” he explained, “engraving without looking. I don’t think it’s part of the skill’s function.”

Aiden’s brows furrowed, his hand slowed. “I feel like you’ve told me at one point in time that you have the [Enchant] skill.”

“That’s not what I’m here for, Aida,” Ted said softly.

Aiden nodded slowly. “I see.”

He turned away from his brother and returned his attention to the tree. He was on the eight chain of the script. Before the last six days, he could not remember the last time he had used a script.

You’ve been waiting for level fifty.

Even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew that it was a lie. Scripts were the domain of an [Enchanter] with time. It took work and time to create an enchanted script, especially when it wasn’t one done on a piece of paper. Creating an enchanted script with so much space between them didn’t necessarily require levels after you’d hit level fifty, it required skill.

“You’ve been engraving away every day since we got out of the cave, Aida,” Ted said. “You’re not fine.”

“I never said I was,” Aiden grumbled, images of his teammates dying from a timeline he had reset four days ago flickering through his mind.

Two nights ago, he had finally allowed himself to sleep, and he had ended up dreaming about the fight, about the loss.

He frowned as the thought came to mind. In his dream, Ted did not die from a spear to the back off in the distance while he was escaping. The Immortal had run him through the chest with a spear right in front of Aiden.

Dreams. That’s all they were. Aiden knew this, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth when he woke up. It still left him in a bad mood.

“If that’s your answer,” Ted said simply, “then I think it is safe to say that you, in fact, do not see.”

Aiden finished the engraving and moved on to the next tree.

Ted followed him like a brother who was curious about a secret he was certainly not supposed to be a part of.

“Is this what you look like when you’re sulking?” Ted asked.

Aiden frowned as he started on another tree. “I’m not sulking.”

“You’re definitely not thinking.”

“Never said I was thinking.”

“Well, you’re definitely not doing anything healthy.”

Aiden wanted to answer, but he chose not to. He had something important to finish doing. Then he had more things to think about.

He caught movement from the edge of his vision and his free hand moved faster even than his thought. He grabbed the wrist of the descending hand and paused.

Ted raised a brow at him before looking from him to his wrist in Aiden’s hand.

“I just need to confirm something,” he said very carefully, intentionally. “Are you threatening me right now?”

“I’m…” Aiden’s voice died on his lips as he frowned. In the end, he sighed and released his brother’s wrist.

Ted nodded proudly. “I thought so.”

Then he knocked Aiden on the head.

It wasn’t anything painful or serious. Ted did it often when they were children. It was a light tap on the head with his knuckles. It was often designed to force Aiden to focus on something other than whatever he was focused on.

Once he was done, Ted bent his head to look at Aiden as if he was half a feet taller.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked.

Worse, Aiden thought. “Not so horrible.”

Ted sighed. “For all your past life experience, you’re still a shitty liar.”

Aiden opened his mouth to refute but stopped himself. Instead, he sighed deeply and went back to his engraving.

“Is this a side effect of your experience?” Ted asked when Aiden said nothing more.

Aiden wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “Explain.”

“When we were kids, back on Earth, you ignored people when you had a problem because you didn’t want to talk about it.”

Not very different from what’s going on right now, though.

“Now, however,” Ted continued, “You aren’t ignoring people.”

Aiden looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

“I’m serious,” Ted said. “Ignoring people implies that you know that they are there, you’ve just chosen not to acknowledge their presence. But now? You aren’t ignoring us, instead, it feels like we actually no longer exist to you. At least not as people.”

Aiden made another curve to the sigil, making sure that it didn’t crack the wrong way. “And the problem I don’t want to talk about?”

“You’re working on it,” Ted said. “Anyone with half a brain can see that.”

Aiden nodded slowly. “So, I don’t see what the problem is.”

“The problem is that in the past you ignored people because you didn’t want to talk about your problems. Now, the people aren’t people to you because you think you are the only one that can solve your problem.”

Aiden understood the difference. In the past he didn’t talk to people because he didn’t want to and he ignored them which was still treating them like people. In the present, he stopped seeing them as people and didn’t think that they could help. In the former, he suffered alone while in the latter those around him were quite literally discarded.

Anyone who was really paying attention would think that he was looking down on them.

Aiden paused at the final line of the sigil he was drawing. “You have the [Enchant] skill, right?”

Ted nodded.

“What of the [Engrave] skill?”

Ted shook his head, causing Aiden to pause.

“How do you get the [Enchant] skill without the…” Aiden’s words came up short as he answered his own question.

It was possible to get the [Enchant] skill without the [Engrave] skill. People did it all the time. It allowed them to purchase and engraving that could not be activated until they enchanted it. It was also done by lazy people since engraving was more difficult than enchanting. Engraving required actual knowledge and hard work.

“That’s just lazy of you, Ted,” Aiden muttered under his breath.

Ted grinned. “Says the guy in love with taking people to the forest.”

This was their third forest in four days.

“Forests are safer,” Aiden explained.

“And who are we being safe from?” Ted asked.

Aiden patted his chest. The [Crystal of Existence] rested against his chest, strapped into place. “We just acquired something that a lot of powerful people would kill for.”

“Misdirection,” Ted muttered as if he had just tasted something bad. “I’ve never been a fan of it. Who are we being safe from?”

Aiden paused just before finishing the final part of engraving. Then he sighed.

He looked past Ted to the others sitting patiently at the camp. It was the peak of afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and they had finally convinced Aiden to allow them to rest during the day. Zen, Feira, and Fjord were talking quietly between themselves. Elami had Valdan in his laps. He had promised Aiden that Valdan would be fine in a few days, but a few days had turned into six days.

How much longer? Aiden wondered impatiently.

Oncot was the only one completely on his own. He sat against a tree and ran a soft finger over his cleaver that was rested on his lap.

“If they look patient and peaceful to you,” Ted said, “they are not.”

Aiden almost smiled. “They do not.”

“That’s good. At least your eyes are still working.”

They are, Aiden agreed.

He and his brother lulled into a moment of silence, a moment during which Aiden just stared at the final engraving of the script without really looking at it.

“They call him the Immortal,” he said in the end.

“They?” Ted asked.

“Everyone,” Aiden corrected. “The system gave him the title for an achievement he reached even before gaining his own interface.”

“So he’s more badass than you,” Ted mused. “That’s interesting.”

Aiden agreed. “But its not about just being more badass. He’s earned that title because nobody has been able to kill him.”

“Because they’ve tried and failed or because he just won’t die?”

“Because he just won’t die.”

“Well, I’m sure we can handle it.”

Aiden thought back to the dream, then the reality. He shook his head as he placed his hand on the engraving on the tree in front of him.

“No, we can’t.”

[You have used skill Basic Enchant]

The engraving glowed a deep blue color as mana filled the engraving. In response to the engraving, the other trees slowly began to emanate their own glows. Each engraving came alive. Ted turned to watch them as they did, studying them, or perhaps appreciating them.

“Times like these are what remind me that Nastild is a fantasy world,” Ted muttered as all the engravings lit up and the script came to life.

“I just told you about an immortal man,” Aiden pointed out. “It doesn’t get more fantasy than that.”

Ted shrugged. “I still don’t believe that there’s nothing that can’t be killed, only something that hasn’t been killed. Why do you even think we can’t win? Why have you been so paranoid for the last few days?”

Aiden sighed. “Because we’ve fought him before and lost.”

“We have?”

Aiden nodded.

“In your…” Ted lowered his voice. “Past life?”

Aiden shook his head. Following Ted, he lowered his voice, watching the others as he spoke. “We fought him about five days ago, and I found out about six days ago.”

Ted’s brows furrowed. He scratched his head. “Time travel?”

Aiden nodded. “Time travel.”

Ted looked around now. It was a very suspicious action. Anyone who saw him would know that they were talking about something that they didn’t want others to know.

“Did you see the Time mage this time?” Ted asked. “Was it the same person?”

Aiden shook his head. “I was the time mage.”

“I thought you don’t have magic.”

“Enchanting things is also magic, Ted.” Not having magic was still an annoying thing to think about for Aiden. A lot of things could be handled a lot easier if he could cast spells.

Ted rolled his eyes as if Aiden was being a petulant child. “I meant [Mana mastery].”

“I don’t—”

“So, how?”

“—But I have a skill,” Aiden finished.

“That turns back time?” Ted asked, impressed.

Aiden nodded. “Something like that. But the cool down is high and the requirements are confusing.”

“Hold up, your skill has requirements? Let me see.”

Aiden opened his entire interface and showed his personal details to Ted. Ted looked at it for a moment, then frowned. He opened his own, allowing Aiden to see it.

Looking at his brother, confused, Aiden asked, “What am I looking for, exactly?”

“Why does your affiliation say Nastild?”

“It doesn’t…” Aiden’s voice trailed off as he looked at his affiliation. It stared right at him.

Affiliation

[Nastild]

When had it changed? And how had he not gotten a notification informing him of the change. His frown deepened. Things like this didn’t change without the interface notifying you.

“Those are a lot of question marks you’ve got going there,” Ted muttered. “Even the interface thinks you’re a mystery?”

Aiden checked his interface once more, looking for the question marks. He found none.

“What question marks?” he asked. “Where do you see them?”

Ted moved so that he stood beside Aiden and looked at his interface from the same angle.

“Here,” he said, pointing one out.

[Locked (Mastery 2.50%)]

That was… interesting.

“Where else?” he asked.

Ted pointed out the next one. “Here.”

Dimensional Skills

[Reverse Summoning], [Fractured Tongue]

“This one, too,” Ted continued. “And the thing next to it.”

Aiden looked down at what Ted was pointing out and froze.

When did it start showing the skill?

Traits

[Dimensional Crack (Level 75)] – Dimensional Touch

Aiden stared at it a little longer. He looked at Ted after a while.

“You can’t read this?” he asked.

Ted looked at him. “Nope.”

“Interesting,” Aiden mused. If Ted couldn’t read the dimensional related abilities, even after he had granted him permission, then maybe the others would not be able to.

The problem, however, was that while not being able to see his dimensional affiliations was a good thing, those in power would definitely take an unhealthy interest in him if they see parts of his interface that cannot be translated.

“What kind of OP-ass side character are you?” Ted muttered.

Aiden paused, snapping onto the surprising part of his brother’s speech. “Side character?”

“Uh-huh,” Ted muttered absently, still looking at the interface. “I’m the protagonist, and you’re the side character. An important side character, but still a side character.”

Aiden rolled his eyes at his brother. “Whatever floats your boat, brother.”

“So, what are they?” Ted asked.

“What are what?”

“The question marks.”

[You have used Class skill Walking Canvas]

…

[You have used Class skill Lone Weave]

…

[You have used Lone Weave of Silence]

Ted cocked a brow at him. “That was fast.”

“Not really.” Aiden shook his head. “Had to…”

“Aida,” Ted said with a sigh. “I didn’t even blink and I still didn’t see what you did. I just know that you did something because of the way the mana feels. Also, isn’t this a careless use of your skill.”

“They don’t have cool down, they just cost mana.” Aiden folded his arms, a new thought coming to mind. “Using your skills should come as naturally as any other average skill you have.”

“Like walking and eating and talking?” Ted said.

“Exactly, now, on to something curious.” Ted leaned against the tree. “What did you mean by the way the mana feels?”

Ted was giving him a curious look. “Why are you looking all too casual?”

“Because I want the others to think I’m fine.”

“Are you?”

“For now.”

Ted opened his mouth to say something, seemed to think about it, then closed his mouth.

“What?” Aiden pressed. “Just say it.”

“You are a walking lie sometimes.”

Aiden nodded. “I’m aware of that. Lies aren’t only told with words. The best lies are told with all types of language. Body language included. It’s part of the reason I’m also good at fighting.”

“Of course,” Ted rolled his eyes. “And not because some shady organization taught you.”

Aiden couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Jealous?”

Ted smiled back. “Oh, shut it. I want to say I’m your older brother and I’ll still wipe the ground with you, but… we both know that’s not true.”

“You’ll get strong enough to do that eventually.”

“Will I?”

“Yep.”

Ted paused, thought about it, then shook his head. “Anyway. The mana question you were asking is quite simple. It feels like a cold but loving embrace.”

“That’s creepy,” Aiden said.

“It also feels like a confused tree at times if you really try to pay attention to it, like really pay attention. Anyway, what are the question marks?”

“Demonic traits and skills,” Aiden answered as casually as he could.

Luckily for him, Ted was backing the rest of the group. If he hadn’t been, the look on his face would have told them that something very important was being discussed—important and shocking.

Ted’s facial expression changed very slowly. It went from shock and confusion to cocky and self-satisfied.

He folded his arms and relaxed. With a smirk, he said, “Who’s on the path to [Demon King] now?”

“Oh, you’re an asshole,” Aiden snorted.

“Language.”

“Oh, please.” Aiden rolled his eyes. “Also, I’m not going to become the [Demon King]. It’s just a side effect of this.”

He raised his blackened arm. It had developed a crack in it recently, a small silver line at the wrist. Aiden had an idea where it was from so he wasn’t too bothered by it.

“Is that new?” Ted asked, pointing at the mark.

“Sort of. I think I got it for completing the [Crystal of Existence] quest. Ended up with something called a world fragment.”

Ted said nothing. Instead, he gave him a questioning look.

Aiden sighed. “It’s new to me, too.”

“You don’t know what it is,” Ted gasped in faux amazement.

Aiden gave him a flat look. “I don’t know everything, brother. I’m only human.”

“Says the guy who goes around acting like he knows everything. Anyway, we’ve got to find some way to figure out what’s happening with your hand and make sure it’s safe.”

“Later,” Aiden told him. “Right now, we’ve got to keep on traveling, and you’ve got to learn how to fight with a new tool. And when I say fight, I mean fight properly.”

“Why are we still traveling?” Ted slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “I would think your arm would be more important.”

“We are traveling because I’m weak, Ted, and you are strong. I’ve got to catch up.”

“You beat me in a fight. Hell, we have a very tender bet that all of us cannot take you in a fight even if we gang up on you.”

Aiden paused at that. He looked past his brother at the others. Could they take him in a ganged up fight?

It was a curious question.

He discarded the thought with a shake of his head. “I’m not stronger than you, Ted. I’m more skilled. There’s a difference. I’ve seen what you can become. Without me, you’ll reach those heights again.”

“And you don’t want me to so that I don’t go crazy,” Ted said, finishing for him.

Aiden chuckled. “Oh, Teddy.” His smile turned feral. “I want you to completely decimate those heights. I want you to look down on them.”

“That’s… that’s kind of scary.”

“Perhaps.” Aiden shrugged. “What I’m trying to do, however, is make sure that I can, at the least, stand toe to toe with you.”

“Alright,” Ted conceded. “That explains why your arm isn’t important to you. What about the weapon?”

“That is something more interesting.” Aiden held up his hand and the space above it shifted as he summoned the weapon from his storage space. “This is a weapon that can make a lot of difference when used properly. This is a—”

“Dagger?” Ted finished when the weapon landed in Aiden’s hand.

It was a simple dagger, boring and uninspiring. It had an enchantment engraved into the hilt.

“Not just a dagger,” Aiden corrected. “It’s a blink dagger. Unlike the actual blink daggers, this one’s a one time use. But I’m still working out the kinks to make it more than just that.”

“You’re going to teach me how to…?”

“Teleport during fights.”

Ted’s face lit up suddenly with glee. He turned around and waved to the others suddenly.

“Hey! Guys!”

No one answered him so he turned and frowned at Aiden.

With a sigh, Aiden deactivated [Walking Canvas]. The moment the skill came down, Ted turned back to the others, waving with both hands.

“Hey! Guys!”

Everyone looked at him with mixed expressions. At the heart of them all was curiosity.

“Guess what?” he called out to them.

They remained confused, but Zen was more than happy to answer.

“What?”

Grinning from ear to ear, Ted said, “I’m going to be Nightcrawler!”

Everyone exchanged looks, including Elami who was still holding onto an unconscious Valdan, and Oncot who sat away from them.

Zen shrugged. “What the hell’s a nightcrawler?”

…

Boten hated this part of the job as he walked onto the star-silver saucer. He stood quietly next to the only other person on the flat yet wide saucer. He took in a deep breath, wondering why they were sending him when there were others of lower stations than him.

“Greetings,” the man next to him said in a calm voice.

Boten gave him a once over. “Jan’Uk?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” the man nodded. “I will be assisting you on this task.”

That pleased Boten slightly. At least they had thought to send an aide with him. Standing straighter, he adjusted his blue robe.

“That will be acceptable,” he said. Then he returned his attention to the vast blackness around them. “Set the course, please.”

The man, Jang’Uk, raised his hand and a series of spells appeared around them, at least ten spellcrafts in total, all of the same white color. The saucer beneath their feet reflected the exact same spellcrafts, its silver sheen slowly turning white.

“Where to, sir?” Jan’Uk asked.

Boten did not look at him when he answered.

“Nastild.”