Chapter 378: Life in the hidden village (1)

"Are you sure about this...?"

The little blue undead breathed out and asked the outstandingly cute powder-pink-haired elven boy.

"Definitely! I couldn't forget how cool you looked fighting that ant monster! I'm nowhere near your level yet, but I think that a training fight will help me improve greatly!"

Cranbie, because that was the young elven boy, cheered out trying to look very serious but his flushed face filled with anticipation was kind of ruining the effect.

The elven boy was wearing surprisingly tight clothes that could only be compared to a bodysuit that did not cover the shoulders nor the back and leaving the legs bare from half the thigh down, and since Cranbie apparently realized how doubtful that outfit looked, he tied a large scarf around his waist to add even a little bit of decency to his image.

It wasn't like he was dressed like that for no reason either – those clothes were in fact an equipment set that fit him the best for his current level.

Cranbie was a gifted child and once he reached level ten, he received a unique job from the system – blade dancer – which was agility and evasion-based attack class that could use some support skills to help their party members.

Of course, it could be trained and raised to a high level without ever joining up with others, but the blade dancer's abilities shone in group fights.

The class also came with a requirement for certain types of swords – sabers.

One of those, a brand-new shining karabela was hanging from Cranbie's waist in an ornamental scabbard.

"Whether I'm stronger or not is up for a debate – or rather a test – Dying and being brought back to life had made my stats plummet since I became a level 1 undead. Even sword mastery level 3 will not help when my physical strength is below 20 and agility is even worse."

Zombie shook his hand dismissively and patted Kopia's crossguard – for some reason it seemed like she was raring to go and fight because she literally popped up from her scabbard and her blade reflected the sunlight.

"If so then there's more reason for us to train together! Status point increase much easier in a fight! Same with skills! Please...! The effectiveness of my mend skill increased thanks to my job, even if you will hurt me I will heal right up!"

"I see..."

Cranbie declared with a little bit too much excitement and put his hands together, swaying from side to side, looking at the much shorter undead with puppy-dog eyes.

|Playboy.|

Patience snorted, sounding as if she turned around, fuming with anger.

|Excuse me? But I'm not doing anything!|

Zombie asked confused on the inside while on the outside he looked as if he was considering Cranbie's request.

|I'm going to make Kopia tell Cranberry that you are flirting with the pretty elf boy instead of increasing your status points while she is working hard, trying to learn spells without a need to level up herself.|

Patience sounded as if she turned around even further and scoffed at her blue host while pouting.

|Pati, this is training, or at least this is the preparation before the training – you heard him yourself – stats increase more if you are practicing with others. You know that he is right about that.|

Zombie responded calmly, pointing out the obvious things that Patience was missing.

|Yeah, sure, and little hurt-me-plenty boy isn't getting excited to get beaten up by you at all.|

The sealed overseer sounded as if she shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

|Little hurt-me-ple... what? Don't call him weird names! Cranberry doesn't mind him, so there's no reason to be mean to him.|

|Pffft! Yeah, sure, whatever. If that's what you believe.|

Zombie scoffed back at her and finished the internal conversation, but Patience had to have the last word and snorted mockingly.

"Sounds good – truth to be told training on the dummies seemed to start losing the effectiveness, so a change of pace is welcomed."

"Really?! Thank you!"

The blue undead went ahead gave the thumbs up to Cranbie's proposition, making the powder-pink-haired elf jump up with joy.

"Kopia, Cranbie's sword seems to be quite good so keep your durability up but lower your attack power, please."

"..."

Zombie tilted his head and spoke down to the shortsword at his waist, but got no answer despite the fact that he could clearly feel Kopia vibrate in anticipation.

"I've seen you practice with that sword – it is really cool that it can change her shape according to your will!"

Cranbie pulled out his saber and took a peculiar battle stance that was a part of the blade dancer's skillset.

"This could be fun."

Zombie smirked and unsheathed Kopia, standing lightly on his feet without assuming any particular stance.

There two of them looked at each other for a few seconds – there was no one to call the beginning of the practice match, so it was up to them to start.

"Hmph!"

Cranbie grunted and spun around as his body shone with white light.

*clang*

"kyaaah...!"

"Too obvious, not fluent enough."

The metal clashed against metal as Zombie parried the powder-pink-haired boy with ease and threw him off balance with a tap on the butt as he passed him – making the elf let out an embarrassed high-pitched voice.

"You are a dancer – that was just a slash with additional wind-up that didn't add anything except more time for me to read your move – don't slash at me, shred while you dance."

Zombie instructed the other boy as he was getting back in position with a bright red face.

"A-alright..."

Cranbie nodded, relaxing his muscles and trying to be lighter on his feet just like the blue undead in front of him.

"Don't rely too much on your equipment – your sword might be good but you..."

"UGH! NO! STOP!"

Zombie was in the middle of advising the young elf when his own suddenly growled angrily and shone white.

The next moment a crimson-haired girl in a frilly dress was standing in front of him, staring at the blue undead with tearful piercing blue eyes.

"Kopia?! What are you...?"