Chapter 361: Answering Irja's Questions

Back at that Irreverent Dungeon, my first impression of Irja was that she's somewhat crafty. She pulled me into their conversation just like that. Perhaps she only did that to get Klement off her shoulder and turn his focus on me. Nonetheless, that's a fairly great first impression.

When I first saw her appearance after being freed, she appeared to be more mature than how I imagined her to be. Not mentioning her alluring face which was as radiant as her Transcendent Pathway, she also has her sexy curves that despite being locked up in there for 20 years, she maintained it perfectly.

With all her curiosity and suspicions, she started approaching me. I once threw her into confusion but that ended when I stopped holding back at that space. She told me that she's only curious because if I'm really the reason why they were released, they wanted to properly express their gratitude.

After that, she eased up on her suspicion but our interaction didn't end at that.

In the end, with our experiences together, I ended up getting drawn closer to her that I'm already about to break what I said about never telling her my identity. Well, at least I saved it a bit by saying I will answer her questions. I'm not obligated to tell her everything.

"How long are you going to continue staring?" With one of her brows raised, she jumped down from where she was and closed the distance between us. We're now alone and without the teasing of Monady or minding the eyes of others, she's back at how she used to be.

"I'm just wondering how come you found me this fast. Have you hurried thinking I'll go against my word?"

Without the existing tension from before, we're standing head to head, although I know I already grew up a bit, she's still a little taller than me.

I'm still in my growth period so I'm bound to surpass her height.

"Don't ask the obvious, I'll have you answer me…"

"You're that curious, eh? Say, are you interested in me?"

"It depends on your answer."

Now that there's no one else around, she's not denying it.

"Why? Will you say no if my background isn't as special as you think?"

"It's the other way around, actually. I'm now an outcast of my tribe and I have nowhere to go after this…"

"So you're basically saying you're interested in me. And if there's a chance, you want to come with me, is that right?"

Upon hearing that, Irja clicked her tongue. Perhaps I got her intention correct.

"Stop going on circles. Will you tell me or not?"

The way she didn't want to openly admit it was adorable. I guess she'll be like Nysia who can be so satisfying to tease.

"I said I'll answer your questions, not me telling you my life story. Ask away." I stepped forward and closed our distance even further. Although she's acting as if my words weren't affecting her, her ears and neck were turning red. "Ah, by the way, let's clear up the remaining statue while we're at it."

"Ugh… alright."

"Great. And by the way, I'm interested in you."

"Hearing that doesn't make me happy…"

That's a confirmed tsundere, alright. In any case, there's no point rushing this just like how I did with Fleur. We'll eventually get to that if what we're feeling for each other grows to that point.

"And I expected that answer," I smirked before turning my feet towards the distant giant statue. Casting a 4-nodes Elemental Flash Step variation, my sword that had just calmed down buzzed in excitement once again as it gradually glowed with its lightning properties and Swordforce.

This place is just like that first fortress, there are only four giant statues located at the four corners. I already destroyed one so there are three left.

At this point, I'll shamelessly steal the kill from her. My time here is running out and I'm feeling a sense of urgency.

Although I can choose to stay for a little bit longer, I know I will just keep on worrying about the Companions I left behind.

Back in that space, the memory of the Support Incarnation I sent to Nysia has long merged with mine. The situation there was about to take a bad turn. The United Alliance was gradually getting overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Dark World and the Healing Faction of the Anzeans. Even if Nysia could take on 10 Transcendents at once, there are just too many of them. Even my Incarnation couldn't do much in there except abating some of their burdens and lifting their spirits up by giving them some victories. With too few Transcendents on their side and with the heroes not being back yet, they're starting to feel tired defending against the enemies.

"It's rare for you to crease your brows. Are you thinking about something?" Catching up from behind me after I stabbed and jumped back from the statue, Irja asked.

It's showing on my face, eh? It's really different if I'm thinking about them.

"Are you sure you want to use up your limited chance to question me like this?"

"Huh? You didn't tell me there's a limit. Forget about that then. Tell me, are you connected to the Great One Illiana?"

"I am, in a way. But as to our real connection, I'm still not clear yet."

I'm just suspecting that she's a previous companion, without confirmation, I couldn't truly bank on that.

"… I see. You're really the reason why we're released." Irja muttered before sending consecutive energy-based attacks on the giant statue. "Who are you, really?"

"My name is Daisuke. I'm just a normal teenager that got caught up in this mess of world-hopping and defending various worlds."

That's a proper introduction and answer to her question, right?

"Teenager?! I'm sure you're already nearing 100."

… This woman, why are you focusing on that point and not on my name or the other details included in what I said?

"Not really. I'm probably younger than you for at least 100 years."

Nysia is in her 50's, Fleur is in her 80's and Sofiel is in her 100's. Well, that's just a number. Being a Transcendent, they're still at their prime age and appearance.

"You! I'm only nearing my 100!" Hearing my reply, Irja couldn't help but flare up that her chest heaved up and down from exasperation.

To alleviate that, she pointed her broomstick at the giant statue who's just about to stand up after tumbling down from her attacks. Without holding back, a rain of energy-based attacks fell on it. If she continued, I wouldn't be able to steal a kill.

"Is that so? So you're hoping I'm in the same age range as you."

"Don't make things up! Haa... Why am I getting caught in your pace? Nevermind that. So Ember's not your real name but Daisuke. Then what do you mean by that? Being caught up? I can't understand."

"You will not understand if I tell you."

"Then explain it to me. We have all the time here."

"Let's just say… I'm living a normal life recently."

"I still couldn't understand."

"That's what I told you. Perhaps there will come a time that you will understand it but I can't tell you everything about me at the moment."

Although I promised to answer her question, I still can't be relaxed and tell her my real origin. I don't know if her interest will last once I leave their world. Even if we both have the crystal, it's not like we'll spend our day talking to each other like a normal high school couple.

"By the way, I will be leaving once the restriction to exit this Dimensional Space was lifted," I added.

Before she could ask why, I already jumped in and finished the cracked giant statue embedded on the ground. Using the same Sword Skill, a number of Claymores alongside Energy Explosion Projectiles rained down on the helpless giant statue.

When I landed on top of it, I picked up the stone and threw it in Irja's direction.

Although she caught it perfectly, her eyes were focused on me.

"You're leaving. Why?"

"Why, huh? If I tell you I have something I need to finish doing, will you believe me?"

"I don't know. I still can't get what or who you really are… You're special but you're hiding your identity. I'm thinking, aside from the Exalted who picked us up in that Dungeon and the one who monitored us outside, no one knows about your existence."

"That's correct. There's a reason why I need to keep my identity a secret. Even though I'm a mere Rank 1 Transcendent, I have a sensitive role. Besides, Monady will look for me soon, she's trying to recruit me into their tribe but I can't join any so I will truly have to leave."

"… Can't you take me with you?"

"Why?"

"I told you I have nowhere to go."

Why is she so attached like this? That might be true but the Dark World is huge, she could find a place or join another tribe if she so wishes for it. Besides, she has companions in the form of those two.

"What about old rug Klement and Yatapa?"

"I will say goodbye to them and follow you."

Looking at her eyes, these words are her sincere intentions. She's more than willing to follow me.

She's a Rank 2 Transcendent. There's a possibility that she will not be able to pass through the Portal. Besides, if I take her with me, I have to tell her everything and make her my Companion…

Now, this is a hard choice. I'm going back to this world in the future anyway… But if I reject her this time… I might not be able to see her again.