From Player To Npc

The stories about the Tower impressed Ketnas and Greg, as they never had the chance of meeting one who had recently gone there or anyone who would tell how being in the Tower was like. So instead, Shingi used his MINOR ILLUSION or sometimes his MAJOR ILLUSION to present the different creatures they faced, and since he made them with mana, he could shape them in great detail.

But the stories ended, and awkward silence, except for some background noise outside, existed in the room.

Everyone felt bad about Shingi's situation, and especially Volig, as he knew what the cost would be to have a chance to heal these wounds. But he was also confident that if a person could do it, that was Shingi.

"Come on, let's not let the mood go downhills. I am still alive and able to fight. You don't need to worry, and I have a plan as always." [Shingi]

He had a few ideas to try, but there was no certainty of any to work.

He had thought of calling Aella to send Nalrin, but even he wouldn't be able to heal those wounds. Soren wasn't much on using healing magic so that he wouldn't be helpful, either.

The only other people that could have a chance to help him would be Varan or Beliss. But, unfortunately, both of them were hard to find and communicate with.

He could try to use Spirit Magic to heal his eyes slowly, but he didn't know how long and if that would work. He really needed to communicate with Syra, but he couldn't use the chat System as he wasn't part of their party anymore.

The only way to speak with them would be through the Blue Moon Guild, as most of his students were part of it, and they could at any time get a message from their Leader, meaning Marcy.

He had to tell them to keep going until the next ruin city and wait for him there, and they should try to help Dark Shadow level up but not get any risks. He had already discussed a few of the floors to come with them, but he needed to give them more tips, and also, he was making adjustments to his plan, depending on how much the floor had changed.

They shouldn't have any problem reaching the next city unless they encountered a powerful Evolved monster or many high-level Dark Guild Members. He had told Karemon to speak with Marcy about his arrival and let his party know about it, so he didn't have to worry about it for now.

As for talking with Syra, that was the hard part, as he didn't want others to know about the Spirit Element. But he couldn't speak with her in person, but only through someone else.

He had to try what he could on his own, and if he didn't have any other option, he would try to get in touch with her.

After having some more small talk and catching up and getting to know a little more about Ketna, Shingi left for his house, which he hadn't visited for a long time. Volig wanted to get with him to help him, but Shingi told him that he would be fine and he should get some rest himself.

He reached the door, and he was ready to open it, it actually opened by a person who was in the house.

"You are finally back, son." [Garry]

Shingi recognized the voice, but for the first time, he noticed something he hadn't before. Garry had a Mana Pool, and it seemed to be of Earth, Fire, and Water Element.

Shingi had checked Garry multiple times in the past, and he had no sign of producing any mana or having a Mana Pool. However, he remembered the mysterious Earth Mana dust he had encountered in the shop and always wondered how it came to be.

"Come, let's talk. I am certain we both have tales to share." [Garry]

Shingi was curious about what Garry was doing all this time, but he had no time to research it.

They went to the kitchen and sat at the table. Shingi could detect an empty bowl on the table, still somewhat warm, and could smell some of its soup remains on it. It seemed Garry had his dinner recently.

Shingi took a seat, as also Garry.

"What's with the mask? If Karemon didn't tell me you got the clothes left by your mother, I wouldn't know it was you." [Garry]

'So she left them. I should have expected that.' [Shingi]

Shingi always wondered how Karemon came to possess those and why he gave them to him, but it seemed that it was another gift from his mother.

"I have my reasons for the mask. I will explain, but it should remain where it is." [Shingi]

"I guess it is fine. I heard you visited my big brother. How is he holding?" [Garry]

"Harbin was pretty well last time we met. He and his family seem to have a happy life there. He told me about us and our eyes, by the way." [Shingi]

Shingi held a little chuckle coming from Garry as he finished his sentence.

"I guess he told you more than just our abilities. He told you about Angel, didn't he?" [Garry]

Shingi told him about his meeting with Harbin and what he learned about his eyes.

"How interesting. I was never much about that ability of ours. It helped me in the past, but I haven't used them for a long time."[Garry]

"Do you know of someone named Mikhail?" [Shingi]

Shingi thought of trying his luck, and he noticed a change in Garry's heartbeat, showing that the name wasn't unfamiliar to him.

"I… where did you learn this name?" [Garry]

"It is a long story. But he has to do with the kidnapping of Annoue." [Shingi]

"That can't be true. He promised he wouldn't mess with us." [Garry]

This confused Shingi, but he actually was close to a breakthrough.

"Who is he? Is he one of us?" [Shingi]

Shingi could feel Garry's reluctance and him thinking of his next words.

"*sigh* I guess there is no other way but to tell you everything." [Garry]

Garry took a bottle he had nearby that Shingi could smell having booze in it and not one of high quality.

"If you want to clear your mind, this should help more." [Shingi]

He brought out some of his special wine that wasn't too strong but was perfect for calming the nerves.

Garry inspected it and took a sip. His surprise was clear even for blind Shingi.

"How did you get that? This costs a fortune. Does the shop go that well?" [Garry]

Shingi just smiled at him. It seemed that Garry hadn't been here for long to investigate all the changes.

"Well, there is only one person who I know going by the name of Mikhail, and I doubt he would allow anyone else to use it. He isn't one of us, but his origin is ancient and is connected with our people. I have never met him in person, but I have heard stories about him, and my father warned me that if I ever met him to either do everything I could to help him or stay out of his way. There are stories that he had lived longer than any human is supposed to live, longer than ever the oldest Elf, but nobody knows how he keeps himself alive." [Garry]

He took another sip of Shingi's drink before continuing his story.

"Even if I have never met him, in my travels, I had heard rumors of a man fitting his description. Each story had one similarity, it involved many people dying. Sometimes it was an entire village, but never anything bigger, probably because it would draw too much attention. Although I don't know if he would have any problem even facing the King's Guards, it probably would just be a waste of time for him. He seems to be some kind of researcher, but I never learned what he tried to find the answer for. But my father told me something while on his deathbed. 'War is coming. Mikhail is our only hope or our doom. We need to lead him to the right way.'" [Garry]

Garry got a bigger sip this time, and Shingi could understand that he had almost gotten into a drunken state with the few drinks he already had.

"I… I hadn't found a way to speak with him before… but I had some years ago. I had talked through a messenger only, but It was clear that the messenger had someone powerful as his master. I had tried to help him, as he had asked me to craft a few things for him, but nothing too complicated or powerful. But they seemed to be just parts of something bigger. After you were born, though, I cut any ties with him until not long after you woke up, the messenger returned. So I had to got visit one of his master lackeys. I can't say much about what I created for them, as I am uncertain of that myself. Followed a blueprint of theirs, and afterward, they erased any memories of it from my mind." [Garry]

'Mind erasing abilities? That is rare.' [Shingi]

Mind control wasn't too rare as an ability, but not common either, but one to erase memories wasn't something many had. Even the memory eater Slimes' ability wasn't completely mine erasing, as the memories were still there, just it was harder for one to access them. Truly mind erasing abilities just made those memories disappear, like his MIND WIPE.

Shingi shared with Garry what he knew about Annoue and Mikhail. He even mentioned An and finished talking about Nivlek and their encounter.

"She… she is alive?" [Garry]