I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Hybrid is Too Strong (1)

I have a new follower.

So suddenly that the past me who seriously contemplated how to make followers looks like a fool.

Why did Rake become one when Kanto couldn’t?

“My name is Muri, daughter of Dokin and Muta, and priestess of the Brown Rock Tribe. It is a great honor for this old woman to meet Loa-nim in person before I die.”

While I was spacing out, Muri approached and knelt. Next to Rake.

“I will serve Malak-nim as I served Rakan-nim.”

[Muri has become a follower.]

Huh?

Another follower so suddenly? Hmm… Let’s think calmly.

Paya and Muri are priestesses, and Rake is a Loa hybrid.

The common denominator is that they are related to Loa and possess spiritual power.

Could it be that Kanto and others couldn’t become my followers because they don’t have special powers?

This makes sense. I should assume that only priestesses or those related to Loa can become my followers.

━ Rake and Muri. Welcome to becoming my followers.

“Your exclusive followers.”

“It is an honor.”

Rake and Muri bow their heads and answer simultaneously.

I sent Kanto and Paya, who were going to treat Muri, who was tired from the long journey, and the newly joined barbarians, and faced Rake alone.

Rake’s eyes, as she sat back in the chair, were still directed towards me.

━ Hmm.

This is uncomfortable.

Even as I thought that, my body was reminiscing about the feeling of Rake’s touch from earlier.

Was the warmth of a human, felt after such a long time, that much of a shock?

I clenched and opened the hands of my virtual body, enjoying this familiar yet strange sensation.

My virtual body was originally modeled after Paya’s form. So, at first, it was Paya’s appearance.

I didn’t want to be in the form of a nearby girl, so I molded my body with my consciousness, and it changed into my form when I was a convenience store worker.

I don’t know the principle. My body changed as I kept thinking about my image in my head.

Perhaps because it’s a virtual space, when I imagined a keyboard, a keyboard appeared right in front of me. Thanks to that, I could comfortably use the community.

Why was Rake the only one who could make physical contact with me?

Even though she’s a hybrid, is it because we’re technically the same race? It’s a plausible setting.

“It’s a shame. If I had strong spiritual abilities, I could have seen your true form. You must be showing off a dignified and handsome figure.”

Rake sighed as she stared intently at my handsome totem body.

No. Don’t do that. You’ll only be disappointed if you see my convenience store worker form.

I told her that I would keep Not a Netkama imprisoned until a decision was made about his fate.

“I don’t mind, it was a small gift I prepared for Malak-nim anyway. I’ll leave everything to Malak-nim.”

I’m grateful for that.

I explained the plan after joining to Rake. I also added explanations about my blessings and abilities.

Since she’s now my greatest strength, I had to share information.

I don’t know what kind of person she is yet, but at least she seems loyal to me, so it can’t be bad.

“You’re saying we’ll attack the village near the mountain. It’s the only way to strengthen Malak-nim’s blessings.”

━ That’s right.

“I see….Could you bestow a blessing upon me? I’m curious if Malak can be with me.”

Be with me? That’s an odd way to put it.

━ Sure.

I bestowed the Divine Possession blessing on Rake’s body.

My senses feel greatly expanded. The world Rake feels comes to me.

The rustling sound of bugs moving near the altar. I can hear even the sound of leaves falling and birds chirping.

Is this the world a superhuman feels?

“Malak-nim, I heard you can take away control of the body. Would you like to try?”

━ Sure.

Where should I try? I guess it has to be the lips, right?

I want to see her surprised look when a man’s voice comes out of her mouth for the first time.

Now, let’s take the lips… It’s not working?

Unlike Paya, taking Rake’s lips was a very difficult act. I couldn’t take control even though I was concentrating.

It feels like something is blocking my consciousness.

“It seems I can resist. I apologize.”

Whatever was blocking my consciousness disappeared, and I was able to take Rake’s lips.

“Hmm. Confirmed.”

I just confirmed that I could take it and released the Divine Possession. It’s not fun because I was the one who got flustered first.

I only realized that Loa hybrids can resist my consciousness.

“Now, shall we go hunt some demons?”

━ What?

A bomb-like statement automatically elicits a question.

“Shouldn’t you get a new blessing?”

That’s true, but… So suddenly?

“Don’t worry. I’ll show you a great side of myself, Malak-nim.”

Rake grinned. Unlike before, it was quite a belligerent smile.

* * * * * *

Rustle━

Rake’s feet moving through the bushes were so fast they were invisible. Almost like a cheetah or a leopard.

It’s impressive how she dodges the Demon’s Eye, a round, one-eyed creature floating in the air, while moving so fast.

I didn’t see it during the last infected cleanup. Kanto’s words about going to a place without Demon’s Eye must have been true.

“Are you not feeling nauseous?”

Rake, who was descending at a tremendous speed, spoke.

I didn’t answer because I felt like I was going to throw up.

Even though I feel exactly what she feels, she’s a superhuman, and I’m an ordinary convenience store worker.

It’s normal to be out of it when you experience this kind of speed that transcends human limits.

By the way, it’s strange that I want to vomit even though I don’t have a stomach to vomit with. Is it because my brain is sending a signal that ‘I want to vomit’?

“Malak-nim? Are you with me?”

━ Yes.

Ah, I should have told her to slow down first.

I should have agreed when Kanto tried to stop Rake at the small meeting we had.

‘No, you’re going to fight a whole village alone right now? Chieftain Rake, even if you’re confident in your skills, that’s arrogance.’

‘Arrogance? It’s confidence. I’ll take care of the demons, you just take care of the aftermath.’

Rake retorted very coldly. I was a bit surprised because it was completely different from her attitude towards me.

‘Chieftain Rake! Aren’t you making Malak-nim uncomfortable too!’

‘Malak-nim, is Kanto right?’

━ I don’t mind as long as I can get the blessings quickly.

Ah, I should have said that at that time. I overdid it because I wanted to get stronger quickly.

‘See? We’re wasting time. Just follow my tail with the warriors.’

As soon as I gave her Divine Possession, Rake coolly departed.

Even though we met for the first time today, I knew that this woman wasn’t fit to be a chieftain.

She’s definitely not the leader type.

“We’ll be arriving soon. I’ll increase the speed. Newly awakened one, please tell me if it’s too much for you to bear.”

As if I would say that. It’s embarrassing.

Rake, who was running like a paladin with her cape fluttering, stopped in front of the village.

Unlike a village occupied by demons in a ruined world, the buildings are neatly maintained.

It must all be a disguise. If we go in, it’ll be swarming with worshippers.

“I’ll infiltrate.”

Then, with tremendous leg strength, she jumped like a rabbit and went over the wall.

Wouldn’t most blockbuster movies be boring to Rake, who always sees this kind of world?

Rake, who succeeded in entering the village without witnesses, quickly hid herself in a back alley.

I can see the villagers through Rake’s eyes. They look like ordinary people like this… They must be demon worshippers.

“As I said before, I’ll prioritize killing only the low-ranking demons.”

Rake said it would be inefficient to deal with the worshippers as well because it would take too long.

So she’s saying she’ll leave the worshippers to Kanto and the warriors who will follow.

“From now on, I’ll speak softly enough that they can’t hear me.”

Rake, who whispered softly, moved swiftly.

Her keen and wide senses detect the worshippers nearby. She looks like a skilled assassin, heading to places with as few people as possible while searching for where the demons might be.

“Low-ranking demons usually make the village chief’s house their base. It’s the largest and widest building, so it makes sense.”

The house that Rake put in her sight, as she said that, looked like ‘the richest house’ at a glance.

“There’s a worshipper on the way, I’ll kill him quickly and go.”

Rake, who was dodging the worshippers, encountered a child in a secluded place.

It was a little girl with fair skin.

“Mom…?”

The girl, who seemed to have just woken up, rubbed her eyes and looked at Rake. She was holding a small teddy bear in one hand.

“Mom? I’ve never even met a man, let alone been married.”

Rake chuckled and quickly approached the girl, snapping her neck.

Crack━!

The girl contorts with a horrible sound.

Rake stepped on the girl’s head before she could scream.

Squish!

Green blood spreads on the floor.

━ Hmm…

I closed my eyes unconsciously.

Even though she was a worshipper, it was too brutal a sight.

“Malak-nim, you said you’ve never seen a worshipper in person, right?”

Rake spoke in a soft tone, as if she had heard the groan I made. She’s a perceptive woman.

━ …That’s right.

“They are not human. They are toys that have been robbed of their selves by demons, leaving only empty shells. The words she just said to me were just repetitions of what she said when she was alive to lure me into letting my guard down. Killing them is mercy.”

━ I know.

I knew, but I didn’t know they would look like ordinary people like this.

━ I was just surprised for a moment, so don’t worry too much. You did what you had to do.

“I’m glad you say that. I was worried you might start to hate me.”

…To be honest, you are a little scary.

But well, this is a world that has been destroyed by demons. It’s also a world where children throw axes and play.

It can’t be helped that you do terrible things.

Rake, who will protect me and earn points, is a reliable ally, not someone I should hate.

“We’re here now.”

Rake carefully took out the weapon she had on her back.

It was a curved sword, about halfway between a longsword and a dagger in size.