章 11: A man of culture and a broken heart

Akun carefully walked closer to a woman named Azra. She had a special shade of blue skin and stood next to a very loyal guardian.

But what caught Akun's attention the most was the worried look in her eyes.

As he got closer, Akun saw that Azra seemed surprised and a little nervous. She was curious and said, "Wow, you have a nice face! You're different from anyone I've seen. Who are you?"

The guardian, who protected Azra a lot, stepped forward and said firmly, "Azra, be careful! We can't trust this creature."

Akun raised his hands calmly to show he wasn't a threat. "I'm here peacefully, not to hurt anyone. No need to worry," he said to them with a grin on his face.

Even though the guardian was unsure, Azra's curiosity won, and she calmed him down. "It's okay, relax. Let's listen to what he wants to tell us," she said kindly.

Taking this as a glimmer of opportunity, Akun gracefully bowed in a display of respect and gratitude. "Thank you for your trust. I am Akun, an evolved silver-armored monster ant. I believe our meeting is not by chance," he revealed, leaving an air of mystery around the purpose of their encounter.

The guard didn't believe in the idea of a "silver-armored monster ant" evolving. This kind of change seemed impossible, and no stories mentioned such a creature.

Akun, on the other hand, stayed calm and smiled. He didn't seem bothered by the guard's doubt. "You know a lot about monster ants. So, you probably know they produce poison. Let me show you," he said calmly.

Quickly, Akun released a bit of venom on the grass nearby. Soon, the once-green grass turned brown and died. It showed how strong his venom was.

Azra looked amazed and impressed. "Wow! You're really incredible. I'm sorry for not believing you," she said honestly, her doubt replaced by real wonder.

The guard was amazed by what he saw. He couldn't understand what was happening. "I've never seen anything like this. You really are an evolved monster ant," he said in awe.

Akun felt happy that they believed him. "Thank you for apologizing and listening. I want to help you in your mission. Even though I look like this, I'm really strong," he said sincerely.

The guard's protective posture changed as he felt defensive about seeming weak. But Azra stopped him with a strong voice.

"I don't need strength," Azra began, her voice sounding like she wanted something deeply. "I want a partner, someone to be with forever. Someone who gets me and makes life peaceful. I imagine spending quiet days together, understanding each other."

Azra blushed and kept talking, showing her feelings. "Since you want to help, how about being that partner?" Her voice shook a little, showing she was nervous. "I... I would like that, with you."

A profound silence enveloped the trio, a moment suspended in time as the weight of Azra's heartfelt words settled upon Akun. Taken aback, his thoughts tumbled like autumn leaves in a tempest.

"Huh?... Huh?!" Akun stammered, his usually composed demeanor now faltering.

In the depths of his mind, Akun grappled with conflicting emotions. "What an idiot, who goes on a search for love, Damn it, it seems I was wrong about her. What a waste of time."

The guard's voice carried a tone of protest, fervently trying to dissuade the princess from her course of action. "Princess, you can't be serious! He is not worthy of you--"

But before the guard could finish talking, Akun let out a tired sigh, like he was dealing with something he didn't want to. "I'm sorry, but I must decline," he said strongly, surprising both the princess and her loyal guard.

"What!?" they both exclaimed in unison, their astonishment painted clearly across their faces.

Heartbroken by his response, the princess gracefully lowered herself to her knees, her face now reflecting deep sadness. Her eyes lost the glimmer of hope they held.

Akun, in response, spoke honestly while still showing empathy. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, and you're really nice," he began, "but I can't marry someone I've just met, even if they ask politely." His words were direct, showing the difference in their viewpoints.

Inside his mind, Akun was struggling. "I can't commit to someone I don't know," he thought firmly, his mind going back to a personal goal he hadn't achieved yet. "I still need to get my own issues sorted out."

Seeing that they wanted different things, Akun spoke with a firm tone. "You and I have different goals, so I'll say goodbye now."

As Akun turned to walk away, Azra looked sad. But the guard spoke up, sounding upset. "How dare you." He took out his sword and his hair and eyes burst into flames, even his sword was on fire.

The guard introduced himself, saying, "I'm Salelvrin from the great orc tribe. The one who will be taking your life."

Salelvrin was really angry, looking at Akun with a mix of fury and determination. He shouted and rushed at Akun, trying to slice his neck.

Akun quickly covered his right hand in silver, then used his thumb and ring finger to stop the blade. He said, "Why attack me without reason?"

Salelvrin then said. "You dishonoured the princess, for that, I will be taking your head!"

Akun exuded an unwavering determination as he held his ground, his intentions shining through. "I wasn't planning on attacking," he stated firmly, his voice filled with resolve, "but your challenge has just flipped the script. Brace yourself!"

With those words hanging in the air like an electrifying promise, the battle erupted, and the forest bore witness to their explosive clash. Akun's control over the silver power materialized in breathtaking displays, a true testament to his mastery over this enigmatic force. With finesse and precision, he effortlessly evaded Salelvrin's swift sword swings, orchestrating a mesmerizing dance with the elements themselves.

"Hey, nice moves with the sword," Akun complimented, his determination still going strong. "But don't underestimate me. I've tackled a bunch of challenges and evolved a ton, getting stronger every time. Now I've got some seriously cool powers you wouldn't believe!"

Their swords clashed, and you could feel the forest buzzing with energy. In the middle of all the sword noises, it was like they were artists painting a fight, mixing old and new moves, curious to see where it'd lead. Who'd come out on top? It wasn't clear, since both were really into winning with all their might.

Salelvrin's frustration showed on his face, clearly annoyed by Akun's silver tricks. "Silver manipulation? Your fancy stuff won't beat me! I'm good at fighting!" he declared, his eyes defiant.

As time went on, Akun's control over His silver manipulation got even clearer. He used it to make strong shields that blocked Salelvrin's attacks with uncanny precision. The sound of their weapons meeting echoed through the forest, like a mix of determination and skill in action.

Yet, beneath the surface, emotions swelled within Akun, a flood of memories threatening to overcome him. "You remind me of my classmates," he confessed, his teeth clenched as he spoke, slightly irritated, "they underestimated me, they laughed and mocked me. But this time, I won't let such things slide so easily!"

His resolve solidified, Akun harnessed an unyielding surge of energy. The silver essence coiled around him, spinning with intensity, until a dazzling vortex of radiant silver encircled his form. In this climactic moment, he summoned forth his ultimate technique, a manifestation of his growth and determination.

"'Fire Silver Rail Gun!'" Akun proclaimed, his voice resolute and unwavering.

The vortex condensed into a single, colossal silver rod, rising like a celestial spear. With a burst of explosive force, the silver projectile hurtled forward, propelled by Akun's unwavering will. Its speed was unfathomable, a testament to his unyielding resolve and refined control over the silver essence.

The impact was devastating. The ground shook as the rod struck Salelvrin, unleashing a massive explosion of silver energy. Trees were uprooted, and the force of the blast reverberated through the forest.

Akun stood amidst the aftermath, Salelvrin lay defeated, his body scorched and unconscious. his body was so badly burned, it was impossible to make out his face.

In the aftermath of the intense clash, Akun's mind churned with astonishment as he observed Salelvrin's condition. "He got this badly wounded?" he mused silently, his thoughts betraying a sense of surprise. "That wasn't even up to 15% of the rail gun's full power."

The gravity of the situation settled upon Akun as he acknowledged the unfortunate outcome of the battle. He had hoped to avoid such an escalation, but the relentless provocation had left him with no alternative. The warrior within him had been pushed to the brink, his mercy tested and ultimately surpassed.

With a somber determination, Akun addressed his fallen adversary. "I didn't want it to come to this," he spoke with a mix of regret and resolution, "but you pushed me too far. Remember this lesson well."

Princess Azra rushed over to Salelvrin, her hands glowing with a healing energy. She cast the spell, and Salelvrin's burns began to heal, his pain dissipating.

Princess Azra's concern flowed like a gentle stream as she pleaded for Salelvrin's awakening. "Are you alright? Wake up, Salelvrin!" Her voice held a tinge of worry, echoing through the clearing where the battle had unfolded.

With a slow return to consciousness, Salelvrin's eyes fluttered open, widened with both surprise and trepidation as they settled upon Akun's form. He stammered, his voice trembling with awe and fear, "Y-You... You're a god! Please, spare me!"

The air grew tense as Akun raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the perception projected onto him. Yet, with an aura of composure, he swiftly dispelled the misconception. "No," he calmly retorted, "I am not a god. However, I do expect compensation for the way you treated me earlier."

Princess Azra stepped forward, her expression apologetic.

"I extend my sincerest apologies for his impulsive behavior," she spoke with a touch of remorse in her voice. "His actions were rash and thoughtless, and I implore you to understand that we are committed to rectifying any inconvenience he may have caused you. "