Chapter 225

I hate being a pacesetter.

I’ve many causes, like managing the infinite stream of trivial and never so trivial particulars. Even a small, hundred-person retinue has too many issues to maintain monitor of, break schedules, rations, ammunition, camp particulars and extra. Whereas I attempt to delegate most issues, its nonetheless my ass on the road if issues go poorly, so my apprehensive nature forces me to micromanage issues to a ridiculous diploma.

Then theres the heavy duty and soul crushing guilt which comes with making life and demise selections for different folks. Ive misplaced many from my retinue, greater than half my former cripples and a handful of Sentinels, principally impressionable children who appeared as much as me. Survivors guilt is shitty sufficient by itself, however its attainable my errors truly price folks their lives. Each time I shut my eyes, Im haunted by crippling doubt and self-recrimination, questioning if I may have accomplished issues in another way. Although Im now not suffering from the Spectres, I nonetheless have my very own ghosts to take care of, and all of the coin on the earth will not assist me sleep higher at evening.

If I needed to decide one thing to hate probably the most, it wouldnt be any of the above, nor wouldn’t it be the meagre rewards of honour and glory, or the staggering payments for drugs for troopers and meals for quins. What I hate most about being a pacesetter is the barrier between me and everybody above or beneath me. Neglect the individuals who outrank me, I dont care about climbing the ladder, however in entrance of my retinue, I at all times must watch out how I act. Gone are the times of sitting round dicing and consuming with Bulat and the gang, or complaining to Yan concerning the crappy meals or climate. Each second of each day, I want to pay attention to my standing as commander and sustain appearances because the consultant of my retinue. I dont get to be Rain, transmigrated mountain villager anymore. Each minute of each day, I play the a part of Warrant Officer Falling Rain, Khishig of the Bekhai, The Timeless Savage and so forth and so forth.

Being that man is exhausting. Simply saying the entire identify makes me drained.

I miss complaining probably the most. Its one among my responsible little pleasures, declaring flaws with no intention to repair them. Nobody desires to observe a grumpy whiner and its been powerful conserving all my bitching and moaning internalized. I miss having somebody like Yan to vent to, unloading all my worries and insecurities to a different human being even when they cant do something about it. With Baledagh out of motion, Im left with valuable few choices. Mila, Huu and Fung wouldnt perceive and I cant burden candy, harmless Lin with any of this, so right here I’m voicing all my complaints to an amorphous blob of water, solely barely sentient sufficient to convey its full and utter lack of concern or sympathy.

My new roommate is form of an asshole. Unwell identify him Blobby. Or her. Or it. No matter, this isnt about Blobby. That is about me.

Spectre devouring and Demonic blood neutralizing apart, there are upsides to conserving Blobby round, like its willingness to hear, or somewhat, it is unwillingness to flee. Taking full benefit of my captive viewers, I unleash a torrent of grievances whereas using in direction of the Defiled military with Main Yimu and Senior Captain XinYue. I didnt even get to take a nap. Whats the purpose of working so laborious to retake a robust defensive place if weren’t gonna use it? Why not let your drained troopers take a break and ship these contemporary, well-rested mercenaries to scrub up? Itd be the logical factor to do, however Justice of the Peace Chu Tongzu desires all of the glory for the courageous heroes of Sanshu, giving the great comfortable job to the schmucks who confirmed up late to the job. We dont even get to check out any of XiaoGongs pretty little catapults, the stingy fatty unwilling to lend us the weapons.

Its cool, sleeping can wait, its no large deal. Ive solely been drowned, starved, overwhelmed, traumatized, and denied sleep over the previous few weeks, however yea, I can preserve combating. Who wants sleep?

Im so exhausted I may cry.

Oh proper, one other factor to complain about, fortunate you Blobby. Normally, channelling the Power of the Heavens helps preserve me alert, however as we speak meditation has been about as helpful as nipples on a breastplate. I dont know what it’s, I used to run on 4 hours of sleep whereas dwelling within the village, however recently I really feel drained on a regular basis. It may very well be the lengthy hours and heavy abuse, nevertheless it may be a vitamin deficiency or plain outdated melancholy. Nothing a pleasant, lengthy nap will not assist, however Id accept a sizzling cup of espresso. I miss it a lot, the candy, scrumptious nectar of the gods, much more helpful than another celestial fluids Ive come throughout. Oh man, the Blessing of Espresso could be superior. I may preserve a whole military alert, energized, common, and nicely hydrated, all whereas tempting my foes with its candy, intoxicating aroma. Then, once they come shut for a sniff, BAM, scalding sizzling espresso to the face.

Are you able to high that Blobby? If not, then perhaps I ought to put up advertisements for brand new tenants.

In response to my needling, my new pal emanates a way of smug superiority and imprecise dismissal, wholly assured in its supremacy to espresso but too lazy to hassle proving it. Its solely been a couple of hours since our reunion, however Im making nice strides in understanding my deific excrement compatriot. A whimsical, boastful entity, it refuses to behave with no profit to itself, completely happy to camp out and indulge in my Chi with out a care on the earth. Regular dialog with it goes unanswered, solely responding with imprecise feelings to ideas and queries which threaten its snug existence. Im guessing it likes to eat Demonic power, nevertheless it appears completely happy sucking down on my Chi, which raises a number of uncomfortable questions.

Why is Blobby right here with me? If Im Baledaghs Demon, why didnt it attempt to eat me prefer it did the Spectres? Why does it need to eat Baledagh? Is it the explanation Im so drained? So many questions, all ignored with out clarification, although I dont assume its out of malice. Blobby doesnt know why, appearing out of intuition for lack of a greater phrase, unable to clarify its reasoning or logic as a result of it lacks each. Like a white blood cell devouring dangerous cells, Blobby merely fulfills its function, which appears to be glomping onto me and any Demonic energies in my neighborhood, the parallels of which Im selecting to disregard for now.

Hopefully it has different redeeming attributes, however up to now Im mildly dissatisfied. I wouldve thought having Heavenly Water in my… pocket? Could be extra helpful, nevertheless it doesnt appear to need to do something. Water bullets, shields, blades, and even condensing a tiny droplet on my finger, Blobby ignores all my efforts to convey it out for present and inform, although everybody within the know takes my phrase at face worth. I havent had time to clarify issues to Mila, however Tenjin defined issues to Tursinai, Mila, and Music on the off-chance one among them knew one thing he didnt.

My beaming bride-to-be rides at my facet, her bandaged face doing nothing to mar her lovable expression of pure bliss. Although she doesnt know what Blobby’s presence means, shes thrilled by my nice fortune and our present circumstances. Ive acquired Heavenly Water hanging out in my physique cavities and weve acquired front-line tickets to the ultimate battle within the Struggle on Sanshu, so to her, every little thing goes completely.

Warrant Officer Falling Rain, your presence is requested on the entrance strains. XinYues Sending echos in my thoughts, eliciting an aggravated tch. I hate having folks intrude on my ideas. I ponder it theres any solution to flip down Sendings, or arrange name ready or an answering machine. One thing with a enjoyable tune, like Imagine it or not, Rain isnt at house. Please go away a message, on the beep. Hmm… I ponder if I can weaponize Sendings. Milas Sendings is likely to be an asset, making enemies flinch although sheer quantity. Listening to Shock Motherfucker thundering by way of your cranium may have fascinating outcomes.

Seconds move in silence because the Defiled stand in wait, the three Champions not budging from their positions. What the fuck? Do I actually must do the entire spiel? Inwardly sighing, I announce my identify with as a lot authority I can muster. I’m Falling Rain, the Timeless Savage… Yadda Yadda.

Oddly sufficient, when my introduction involves an finish, nobody steps ahead to greet me. This isnt how Id envisioned issues going. Why arent they popping out to duel? C’mon, I am a weak, helpless little runt and also you’re all large, sturdy Defiled. Come out and struggle. Time is of the essence, I have to kill all three Aura-capable Champions and their five-hundred buddies earlier than the reinforcements arrive.

Fuck. I didnt assume theyd be so cautious. I assume theyre being prudent, why danger it? Their reinforcements are in all probability already on the best way, and Im a useless man strolling. Ive by no means heard of a Defiled turning down a problem, however now once I’m banking on it, I run into the one three spineless Champions in all of Sanshu. I am by no means fortunate.

Whereas I battle with indecision and confusion, Blobby continues to specific its displeasure, giving off a sensation of animation with out motion, saying lower it out earlier than I do one thing about it. Its not thrilled concerning the lack of Chi, however theres nothing I can do. I want all my Chi, there are three Auras to take care of and Im straining to maintain up.

Wait… I am not straining, that is surprisingly simple. Stress-free the strain of my Aura, Blobby instant settles down whereas my enemies Auras slacken, now not pushing in opposition to mine however nonetheless resisting, like a desk for my arm to relaxation on. Bizarre, did all three Champions simply sigh with reduction? With three Auras, shouldnt they be capable of put extra strain on me, or does it not work like that? Can I crush their Auras like Lins Guard tried to crush mine? In the event that they wont come out to struggle, that is my solely possibility wanting attacking head on.

Unwell name that plan D, as in Dont wanna do it, or ‘We’re all gonna Die’.

Specializing in the closest Champion, I amp up the strain, wrapping my Aura round my chosen foe and directing all my righteous anger, steadfast conviction, gut-wrenching nervousness, and heart-stopping terror in direction of him. Sweat drips down my neck as I channel the Power of the Heavens instantly into my Aura, slamming my opponent with a bevy of feelings. Fingers bruising as I grip my weapons, my Aura mimics my actions, squeezing round my opponents Aura in an try to pop it like a balloon.

Tense moments move because the Champion struggles in opposition to me, my efforts failing regardless of giving it my all. As Im about to surrender and name a retreat, Blobby figuratively rolls its non-existent eyes, transferring by way of my physique just like how Chi strikes, a heat, acquainted feeling, but additionally international and unusual. It does nothing to assist in my Aura battle, solely flowing by way of Peace like I might Hone my blade, the power turning into a skinny chain manufactured from sharp, interconnected hyperlinks, your complete chain revolving even because the hyperlinks spin like blades on a chainsaw. In a second of readability, I understand what Blobby is attempting to say, nevertheless it takes a couple of seconds to determine how. Randomly giving it a strive, I image my Aura as a swirling whirlpool made up of jagged edges, rotating round my opponent in a storm of movement.

The outcomes are instant as I shred the Defiled Champions Aura to items, his physique stiffening in shock as my Aura takes maintain. Driving the momentum of my first victory, I goal the opposite two Champions in succession, tearing their Auras to items with my very own in a matter of heartbeats. My Chi reserves drain away nevertheless it doesnt matter. With their Auras defeated, it solely takes a modicum of effort to maintain them from condensing once more, permitting me to replenish my Chi reserves with ease. Happy by the restoration of Chi circulate, Blobby returns to wherever it usually stays, radiating pompous conceit and self-satisfaction.

Nearly like its saying, Lets see espresso do this.

Elevating Peace within the air, I yell, Troopers of Sanshu. Cost!

Roaring with delight, I lead my troopers and crash into the Defiled line, slicing down quasi-defenceless Butchers with ease as they battle beneath my Aura, drowning beneath the identical concern and desperation I continuously battle with. Their limbs chained by terror and desperation, the Butchers are not any match for our fiery fury, the dark-armoured warriors overrun by the stalwart defenders of Sanshu. Scything by way of them like chopping wooden, theres no finesse or talent concerned right here, no Varieties to show or elegant maneuvers, solely overwhelming energy within the type of Aura and muscle. When the mud settles, 5 hundred enemies of the Empire lie useless with out a single loss, our voices rising in cheers of victory.

Grinning by way of the fatigue, I flip in direction of the alley entrance, darkened by the oncoming Defiled reinforcements. Stopped of their tracks, they gaze upon my triumphant military, their hesitation and uncertainty thick within the air, anticipating to return upon a struggling foe however discovering their buddies crushed into oblivion. My orders echo off the alley partitions. Ravil stand down. Bulat, with me! Joined by the second half of my forces, I cost these new foes, unleashing the raging blades of my Aura to tear aside all opposition. One Aura falls, adopted by one other, however the third offers me pause, resisting the storm of Chi. Whereas combating on the entrance strains, I battle in opposition to my unseen foe in a metaphysical battle, setting upon him from all sides like a ravenous wolf.

Taking chunk after chunk out of my opponents aura, its solely a matter of time earlier than it too crumbles earlier than my savage may. Letting free with an exultant howl, my Aura crashes into the Defiled Butchers, their final line of defence crushed and their Champions vanquished. My Aura is gentle and unable to wholly restrain them, however nonetheless we maintain the higher hand, with no quarter requested and no quarter given. Pushing them again step-by-step, my troopers ravage by way of the Defiled forces with me main from the entrance, every of us lined within the blood of our enemies. My world dissolves right into a repetitive trance of hack and slash, killing any who stand in opposition to me with out mercy.

Stepping out of the alleyway and onto the avenue, I watch the Defiled remnants flee earlier than me, panting with effort and coursing with adrenaline. Unable to consider its lastly over, I look at my drained, bloodied troopers, triumphant disbelief etched on each face. Laughter cuts by way of the silence as Bulat grins again at me, sporting a mess of minor accidents however in any other case in a single piece. Snapping to consideration, he salutes and shouts, The Timeless Savage, Unrivalled Beneath Heaven!

The troopers take up the cheer, virtually a thousand voices shouting Unrivalled Beneath Heaven, in unison. Mouth dry and head gentle, I struggle to remain on my ft and look suitably heroic, hoping Bulats silly title doesnt chew me within the ass. Im beginning to perceive why everybody craves honour and glory. Its not too shabby, however Unrivalled Beneath Heaven? No thanks.

Thats simply asking to be challenged.

Chapter Meme