Alexandra's expression turned glacial, a stark contrast to the warmth she previously exuded. Her knuckles whitened as her fist clenched, a subtle movement that didn't escape Draven's keen observation.
"A monster named Boco is the one terrorizing us," she stated, her voice tight with suppressed anger and a hint of fear. "We believe he splintered off from the main invader forces and established his own, and they've become far more formidable than anything we can currently handle. Whenever he desires women, he dispatches his forces, and they attack."
"Yet you endure," Draven countered, his gaze sweeping over the sturdy wooden gate and the glimpses of buildings within. "Your resilience speaks volumes."
"We are not that strong," Alexandra corrected him, her eyes downcast for a fleeting moment. "I... I always hid during the attacks." A shadow of shame crossed her face. "But the most disturbing aspect of all this... is that a human is aiding him. And she is a truly vile and powerful woman!" The cuss escaped her lips with venomous force.
"A woman? Human?" Draven's interest sharpened instantly. The pieces of a puzzle he hadn't even known existed began to form in his mind.
"Yes..." Alexandra confirmed, her brow furrowed in distaste. "She spoke of being blessed by the demon king or some such nonsense. She is undeniably human, yet one of her eyes is completely black. A stark, unsettling void. Though," she added, a touch of her practical nature returning, "she does possess two eyes."
'Blessed by the demon king? Is that ancient codger still flinging his marks across countless realities? Randomly branding women? But those bearing his mark are forbidden to mate with other men... Isn't that more of a curse than a blessing?' He mused internally, his thoughts a whirlwind of speculation. Aloud, he asked, "How can I encounter her?"
"Hmm..." Alexandra pondered, her gaze drifting towards the distant treeline. "I don't know for certain, but when they next attack, you might have your chance. Wait!" She turned back to him, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. "Why are you asking?"
"Merely curious," Draven replied smoothly, his expression carefully neutral. "And there's a matter I need to investigate."
Alexandra regarded him for a moment longer, her initial confusion slowly giving way to a cautious acceptance. "Is there anything else you wish to know?" she inquired.
'I already possess a considerable understanding of the situation, but what if...'
He turned his attention back to her, a new line of questioning forming in his mind. "What is your power ranking within this continent?" He asked.
"Power ranking?" Alexandra echoed, a hint of surprise in her voice.
She paused, her brow furrowed in thought as she considered the hierarchy she knew. After a few moments, she nodded. "Alright... We have a total of five recognized classes here. I'm uncertain if there are more beyond that, but the fifth is currently considered the pinnacle of strength. Within these five classes, we have subdivisions: Low, Mid, and Upper. The classes themselves are: Soul Class, Elite Class, Sky Class, Master Class, and Hero Class. I've never personally encountered someone of the Hero Class, but I've heard tales of their exceptional power." Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of awe and longing.
'Powerful? Sofia is an Upper Hero class, and she would eagerly share my bed at any hour I desire... I am far above such rudimentary classifications...' He thought , staring at Alexandra.
'She has no comprehension of the higher echelons of power, but perhaps this guy possesses some insight.'
{Indeed, Host.}
{There are three additional classes beyond the five you've been informed of. And these three are further divided into four stages, the fourth being the Peak stage.}
{The Divine Class, the Ascended Class, and finally, the Immortal Class.}
"Alright..." Draven murmured aloud, absorbing this new information. "This will prove useful in navigating my endeavors... But if the situation is as perilous as you describe, why don't you all relocate?" He posed the logical question.
"Meaning?" Alexandra turned to him, her expression questioning.
"Abandon this village," Draven clarified.
"No," she stated firmly, her voice resolute. "We cannot abandon our homes. No one should be forced to flee their ancestral lands because of some green-skinned monstrosity. Boco can be defeated, and we firmly believe it. He is not invincible."
'So stubborn, clinging to familiarity in the face of danger... Well, then. I will simply have to delve into this matter myself. Human with the devil's eye, I am coming to find you.' A subtle smirk played on his lips, a hint of the intrigue and anticipation stirring within him.
The remainder of their walk towards the village was tranquil, the silence punctuated only by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of unseen birds.
_____
"Sister Alexandra is back!!!"
A voice, filled with unrestrained joy, pierced the relative quiet. A young boy, no older than six, darted towards the approaching figures as they entered the village gate. Alexandra's face softened instantly. She rushed forward and swept the boy into a tight embrace, lifting him high above her head, eliciting a string of delighted giggles.
"How is my sunshine doing?!" she asked, her voice brimming with affection and a wide, genuine smile.
"Good! But sister..." the boy began, his brow furrowing into a miniature frown. "The villagers are talking. They said you are the only healer here, and it should be your sole responsibility to heal everyone. That doesn't seem fair! Just because you possess the gift of healing doesn't mean you should have to work yourself to exhaustion." His lower lip protruded in a pout of concern.
"My brother is so incredibly caring..." Alexandra cooed, gently pinching his cheek. "Don't you worry your little head about your sister. I was successful today, and I now possess all the necessary herbs to create the potions for everyone!" She added with a reassuring smile, patting the satchel slung across her shoulder.
"Sister, who is this?" the boy asked, his attention shifting to Draven, who was slowly surveying the bustling settlement before him.
'I thought she meant a small collection of dwellings when she kept referring to it as a village, but this is clearly a substantial town... With easily over three hundred inhabitants. How can this possibly be considered a village?' He mused, his initial assumptions proving wildly inaccurate.
"Draven... This is my adopted brother, Atticus," Alexandra explained, turning to the young boy. Then, addressing Atticus, she said, "Atticus, this is Draven. He saved me." Her smile held a depth of gratitude.
The boy blinked slowly for a few moments, his large, innocent eyes taking in Draven's appearance. He then offered a polite nod. "Hello," he said softly, while Draven returned the gesture with a curt nod of his own.
"You have returned, Alexandra."
An elderly man, his face etched with the lines of time and worry, approached them, accompanied by two younger men. They stopped a respectful distance away.
"Old man, John... Why are you out here?" Alexandra asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Don't fret over me, child, I am quite alright..." John reassured her with a gentle wave of his hand. "But the villagers are not. We have more than thirty wounded from the latest attack. They require your immediate assistance."
Alexandra gently placed Atticus back on the ground, her expression turning serious. "You need not worry. I was successful in my endeavor today and managed to gather all the necessary herbs for the healing potion. They are safely within my bag." She tapped the aforementioned satchel for emphasis.
"That is indeed splendid news, Alex! But tell me... who is this young man accompanying you?" John inquired, his gaze now fixed on Draven.
"Oh... This is Draven, a friend I encountered in the forest. He... he saved me from those monstrous creatures. They ambushed me and attempted to..." She trailed off, her eyes catching Atticus's innocent, wide-eyed stare.
"Ahem... Well, he arrived just in time and rescued me," she finished, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.
"Thank goodness!" John exclaimed, a wave of relief washing over his weathered face.
He stepped forward and clasped Draven's hands in his own, his grip surprisingly firm. "Thank you so much, young man! Alexandra is the sole healer in our village. If anything were to befall her, we would all be in dire straits. We are eternally grateful for your bravery in saving her life."
"It was nothing of great consequence, actually," Draven replied smoothly, his gaze flicking towards Alexandra, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "And besides, she has already expressed her gratitude."
"A mere thanks is hardly sufficient!" John declared with a hearty shake of his head. He then turned to a visibly stunned Alexandra.
...He might be oblivious to the undercurrents, but she was acutely aware of Draven's earlier insinuations. During their journey, he had asked for a blowjob, twice, albeit in a seemingly jesting manner, which she had promptly dismissed.
"Alexandra will treat you to a fine meal," John announced with a warm smile, completely unaware of the internal turmoil he was causing. "She is not only a gifted healer but also an exceptional cook! She will prepare a special dinner for the two of you!"
'What in the world is this old man planning?' Alexandra thought, her brow furrowing into a deep frown.
"Oh!" Draven exclaimed, clasping the old man's hand with exaggerated enthusiasm. "You are far too kind to me! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!" A wide, seemingly genuine smile stretched across his face.
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