Refusing My God’s Advances

Once Mary dragged us outside, both of us were tossed into the grass, making some demons scatter. 

“Get up,” Mary growled, and I did as I was told without any complaints.

I didn't really like this person, but I also didn't want anyone hurting people close to me. The only way I could make sure that didn't happen was to get stronger.

“Is everyone as fast as you guys?” I asked as I pulled myself up, but it was Aria who answered. 

“No. This is part of the reason why demons don't attack humans. The moment one of them attacks, a Bard Class Knight or greater will be dispatched at high speeds. This doesn't happen up here on the islands, but it happens quite often on the surface of Garlandia, but more near and within the capital,” Aria explained, I tried to tap my chin but was forced to catch a wooden sword.

Mary had thrown it at me, but it looked like she had pulled it out of thin air.

“You can use the inventory skill as well?” I asked, looking down at the wooden sword. It was covered in strange black marks That looked like vines.

“It is a skill that can be learned with the proper scroll, but it is expensive to buy,” Mary explained as she tossed another wooden sword to Daryle. “I want the two of you to have a fight at normal speed. The point of this is to learn through experience. If you do have the legendary system, then you should have no problem adapting, and learning anything you are shown.”

Before moving, I looked down at my practice sword again. I concentrated on it, mentally activating my Identify skill. I wasn't sure if I needed to say anything, but the holographic display that appeared answered my question.

Item: Enchanted Reshan Practice Sword

Type: Enchanted Weapon

Durability: 10000/10000

Rarity: Rare

Description: Wooden Sword that deals no damage and self-regenerates all damage as long as the total damage doesn't exceed the total durability. While the weapon cannot cause slashing or piercing damage, the impact from the Enchanted Wooden Sword is not negated.

Well, this sword was pretty handy for training, but the Identify skill was amazing. It was your typical otherworld skill, but that didn't make it any less awesome when you were the one using it firsthand.

Getting distracted, I was about to start scanning more things around me, but Daryle suddenly came at me and put my sword up just in time to block the overhead strike, but the moment our swords connected, Daryle was already making another slash from the side. I hopped back, But the head knight refused to give me any space to breathe as he rushed me with another heavy slash from the opposite side.

I was just barely able to keep up with the assault, but all I could do was defend myself. Each strike felt like it was going to knock me off my feet, but I slowly started to pick it up. 

After 30 minutes, I was finally able to make my first strike, but it was easily parried, and then I had the tip of Daryle’s sword at my neck. I thought that would be it, but the knight only backed up with a smile, taking another sword stance.

“Again,” Mary ordered, and Daryle attacked me again without hesitation.  As he did, Mary continued. “I am impressed that you can hold his attacks off at all, but this is only the beginning. Each morning you will fight and do basic training with Daryle.”

I jumped back and then put up my hand to stop Daryle, turning to Mary. “I thought you were going to train me?”

I didn't have a chance to react. Mary's fist sunk into my stomach and I coughed out bile as I dropped to the ground.

“If you can't stop a simple attack like this, then there is no point in me trying to train you yet. If Daryle wouldn't have shown up, I would have had you running and fighting monsters,” Mary explained as I gasped for air.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Aria with a placating smile on her face. She was stronger than Mary and I was sure she must be looking down on me. 

I suddenly felt inadequate, and I pulled away from Aria and forced myself to stand up. 

Suddenly, I didn’t want to be here anymore.

Without a word, I dialed in my perception and took off to the northern part of the island. I zipped past the village, but my only focus was on getting away from everything. Mary, Aria, and Daryle were there, so there was no reason why I couldn’t step away.

Once I reached the edge of the island, I sat down and hung my legs over the edge. Discounting what had just happened, I let out a long breath and focused on the scene before me.

This was a brand new world, and so far I had gathered a massive party. Definitely not what I had planned, but I wasn’t a killer.

A person that gave no fucks and would push people to get the results I desired, but I couldn’t kill the demons. A part of me knew that they weren’t monsters, but the same part knew that my peaceful loving hippie side was going to clash with this world. I had already pissed off the god that brought me here, so there was no way he wasn’t going to retaliate.

I just wished that was my only problem. If that were the case, then my last 24 hours wouldn't have been such a pain in my ass.

My real problem was trusting the people around me. 

Mary seemed like she had good intentions, and even after a short time, Daryle was starting to grow on me. Both of them were people I could handle given time, something I didn’t seem to have a lot of. 

My issue was with Aria.