Chapter 15: Chapter 15: It's My Land
[New function unlocked]
[.... Emotions]
Suddenly, my mind went blank.
Memories flooded into my brain—my past life, my current life, the monsters, the beasts, the battles, the skills, and... Shein.
My head spun violently. My body felt crushed under the overwhelming weight of emotions.
I screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Everyone panicked.
"Shein, what's wrong?!"
"Shein, are you okay?!"
I crashed onto my knees, grabbing my face in pain. Blood started to flow from my eyes, nose, and mouth.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" I screamed in even more pain.
[Pain nullification failed]
[Healing failed]
Everyone around me rushed toward me in panic. Shein's mom held my hand and cried out,
"What's wrong, Shein?! What happened?!"
[New skill unlocked]
[Mental Healing]
[Using Mental Healing...]
A green light glowed from my body. I slowly started to calm down, then I lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
---
Later, when I slowly opened my eyes, I saw a wooden roof above me. Beside me, there was a woman with black hair and black eyes.
(Who... is she... again?) I asked myself.
Then suddenly, I remembered.
Shein's mom...
My eyes widened, and I suddenly sat up. Shein's mom looked at me and gave a warm smile.
"Shein, you're awake!" she said.
I looked at my hands, then my legs, then my chest...
"Human... human body," I muttered.
I looked around and saw Shein's mom, the mayor, Bokkon, and some other Beastmen.
"S-Shein..." Bokkon spoke hesitantly.
(Oh... yeah, Shein... she...) I thought.
I slowly spoke in a small, soft voice.
"Shein is dead."
As I said that, everyone looked at me in shock and surprise.
Then I spoke again.
"I am... Sumi."
After that, I explained how I absorbed Shein and how she offered me her body. As they listened, Shein's mom started to cry, and even the mayor had tears in his eyes. The others looked devastated.
I looked at them. For the first time, I felt pain in my heart...
I slowly spoke in a low voice.
"Sorry... I couldn't save your daughter..."
Shein's mom wiped her tears, smiled, and said,
"No... my daughter isn't dead... she is here... right in front of me."
She looked at me and slowly hugged me.
I felt warm... I felt good...
Then, slowly, I felt something on my cheeks. I touched them with my hands and saw...
Tears...
---
A few days later, I was sitting in my church. The carpenters had replaced the dirt square with a comfortable couch.
The Beastmen accepted me, saying that since I now resided in a body from their race, it was a blessing. They still came to worship me, whether I was asleep or just sitting.
But this time, I could eat their offerings. I could eat the fruits, wear any clothes I wanted. So, I made a white dress for myself and wore the flower hairband that Shein had given me...
"Aries," I spoke in a low voice.
[Yes] she replied.
"Thanks for saving me," I said.
[Positive. I just did my job. You are my master, after all.]
I smiled and softly replied,
"Hmmm... yeah."
[So, what will you do now?] Aries asked.
"Me... I am going to be strong," I replied.
[Strong? But you already are.]
"If I was strong... then I would have saved Shein," I answered.
[...]
Then suddenly, I heard Beastmen rushing outside, followed by loud noises.
I slowly stood up and walked outside. There, I saw bird-like creatures, and beside them stood people wearing silver armor. At the front was a man in golden armor...
Many Beastmen gathered at the village gate.
I slowly started to walk toward them. As I got closer, one of the Beastmen saw me and shouted,
"L-Lady Sumi!"
Everyone turned to look at me. As I walked further, they moved aside, making way for me. When I reached the front, I saw the mayor standing before the golden-armored man. They both looked at me.
"Lady Sumi..." the mayor spoke.
I slowly stepped forward, stopping in front of the golden-armored man, and spoke in a small, soft voice.
"Hello there."
The tall, golden-armored man looked at me and scoffed.
"And who are you, little kid?"
"I am Sumi Hana, the leader of these people and the ruler of this island. And who are you?" I replied.
"I am Haijo, the captain of the Great Stellar Kingdom's army. And what do you mean by 'ruler of this island'? Did you lose your mind or something, kid?" he scoffed.
The mayor quickly stepped forward and spoke,
"Sir Haijo, she is not the kid you think she is. She is the Great Heaven God who protects this island!"
Haijo burst into laughter. The men behind him also laughed.
"This little bitch? A god? Ahahahaha! Don't make me laugh!"
Bokkon, standing behind me, got furious.
"Don't disrespect our Lorddddd!!!" he screamed, dashing forward and jumping toward Haijo, aiming to punch him.
Haijo easily dodged it and sneered.
"Who the fuck even are you, little shit?!"
Then, he pulled out his sword and slashed toward Bokkon. But before the sword could hit him, it stopped mid-air.
Haijo's eyes widened in shock. He looked at his hand and saw green vines wrapped around it, restraining him.
"What the fuck?!" he yelled.
"I haven't allowed you to touch my people," I said from behind.
Haijo looked back and saw my right hand raised. Suddenly, more vines erupted from the ground, capturing all the men and their bird-like creatures, lifting them into the air.
"W-Whoa!"
"What the hell?!"
"What is this?!"
They all started to panic.
I looked up at them, a small smile forming on my lips.
"I didn't say anything when you entered my land without permission. But now, you're trying to hurt my people?"
Haijo struggled to cut the vines, his face twisting in frustration.
"Damn it!!" he screamed.
Then, in a soft tone, I spoke.
"Your presence disgusts me, you filthy humans... If you dare to return, I will erase you from existence."
With that, I used the vines to fling them high into the sky.
Haijo screamed in anger,
"I won't forget this disrespect, you bitch! I'll kill youuuuu!!!!"
Then, he vanished into the distance.
I slowly turned around. All the Beastmen were looking at me, smiling.
"Thank you, Lady Sumi," the mayor spoke beside me.
I nodded my head and softly said,
"Let's return to our work."
Everyone nodded and resumed their tasks.
I also turned to leave, but then Aries spoke.
[You know what you just did, right?]
"Yes," I replied.
[He might return with an army to attack this land.]
"Let them come... I will kill them."