A month later, in the new city of Neo Zhou, pandemonium erupted at a monastery. "Kyaaaaaaaa!" screams mixed with the guttural sounds of the creatures: "Graaaaaah!" "Krieeeeeek!" Inside, a mixed pack of Shifters and Cherubs had materialized and were already facing off. As the building emptied, "Tap… tap… tap," echoing footsteps announced an arrival. The initial six monsters turned to see a cloaked figure stepping inside.
"Sreeeeg." Grey, powerfully built and bare-chested under a short, fur-lined cloak that only partially covered his lower armor, ripped off his hood and robe. His eyes locked onto the monsters, who instantly froze. "Trek." Grey reached behind, gripping the hilt of the massive sword on his back. He then raised his hand, a cynical smile on his face, gesturing for the monsters to attack.
"Krieeeeeeeeek!" "Greeeeaaah!"
The Shifters and Cherubs charged. Grey drew the hilt and pressed a button. "Buuuung!" A two-handed laser sword, split black and white, materialized. "Sreeeet." With one sweeping side-slash, Grey cleanly severed two Cherubs. "Braaak!" They fell, smashing the furniture. Grey spun, taking out another Cherub.
"Sreet… sreet." He dodged a Shifter's claws, extended his arm, and plunged his great sword through a Cherub's face. "Syuuut." He ducked a claw from behind, swept the attacker's legs, then rose, cleaving the Cherub in two. With the last Cherub down, Grey looked over the remaining Shifters with a grim smile.
"Your turn."
Suddenly, Grey's body pulsed with bright light. "Tap." He back-flipped onto a chair. As the light vanished, Gizelle stood in his place. She wore all-black spandex armor and carried twin carbine rifles. "Heee." Gizelle grinned, facing the charging Shifters.
"Braaaak!" Gizelle executed a high back-somersault, making the Shifters' attack demolish the chair. "Bratat… bratat… bratat!" She opened fire with bursts of white laser beams. "Greaaaaah!" The Shifters' bodies were instantly shredded. All six dropped instantly. "Tap." Gizelle landed softly on the floor.
"Easy," Gizelle chirped.
"It's not over yet," Grey replied.
"Blak." The monastery doors burst open. A horde of twenty or more Cherubs and Shifters poured out, surrounding them. Gizelle only smiled. Her body glowed brightly, forcing the horde to cover their eyes. "Sreeet!" Grey's laser sword tore through the light. From the smoke, they stood fused in Ultimate Double mode—half Grey (holding the sword) and half Gizelle (holding the carbine).
"Dark Slash!"
Grey swung his sword down, releasing a black energy wave that scattered and killed several Cherubs. The monsters charged, converging on them. "Brataat!" Gizelle instantly sprayed the Shifters while Grey cleaved the Cherubs. They moved in perfect, synchronized harmony, dancing through the attacks as their dual-faces clearly enjoyed the carnage.
Within thirty minutes, the monastery's interior was a charnel house, slick with black blood and littered with monster parts. "Klek." Grey sheathed his sword. They were immediately enveloped in a light, and only Grey emerged.
He raised his hand. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of glowing orbs—the monsters' consumed souls—flew out of the body parts. "Swoooosh." They zipped toward Grey's hand. He opened his mouth, and all the light orbs poured in, one after the other, until they were completely consumed.
"Status," both Grey and Gizelle thought simultaneously, checking the holographic screens.
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Name : Grey.
Level : 9 > 12 / 999 (Exp: 1,000 / 26,000)
SP (Soul Point) : 1,300 / 10,000
Element : Dark
Job : Dark Berserker.
Str : 10,000 > 12,000 (+ 5,000 beserker power)
Agi : 3,000 > 5,000
Dex : 3,000 > 5,000
Def : 8,000 > 10,000
Sta : 12,000 > 14,000
Luck : 1,000 > 3,000
Soul Capacity : 3,000 > 3,500 / 99,999
****************************************************
Skill book : Berserker skill book, weapon and armor craft catalogue
Body skill : Switch body, item box, analyze, soul devour.
Special : Ultimate Double mode, Goddess Machina blessing.
****************************************************
Weapon selection : Light beam beserk great sword.
Armor selection : Dark Berserker armor, utility belt, pelt robe.
Accessories : Protection leather armband.
****************************************************
Name : Gizelle.
Level : 9 > 12 / 999 (Exp: 1,000 / 26,000)
SP (Soul Point) : 1,300 / 10,000
Element : Light
Job : Holy Gunner.
Str : 3,000 > 5,000
Agi : 10,000 > 12,000
Dex : 10,000 > 12,000 (+ 5,000 marksman mark)
Def : 3,000 > 5,000
Sta : 7,000 > 9,000
Luck : 8,000 > 10,000
Soul Capacity : 3,000 > 3,500 / 99,999
****************************************************
Skill book : Gunner skill book, alchemy scroll.
Body skill : Switch body, item box, analyze, soul devour.
Special : Ultimate Double mode, Goddess Machina blessing.
****************************************************
Weapon selection : Dual laser carbine M4.
Armor selection : Holy Soldier armor, utility belt, shoulder pad.
Accessories : Protection leather legging.
****************************************************
"Hmm… we only got 500 Soul Points?" Gizelle asked in his head.
"Yeah, and I still can't unlock the rest of my skills," Grey replied.
"Skill," they both opened their skill books.
*********************************
Berserker skill book:
1. Dark Slash / active / SP: 100.
2. Berserker taunt howl / active / SP: 50.
3. Berserker power / passive.
4. ??? (Need soul: 7,000).
5. ??? (Need soul: 10,000).
6. ??? (Need soul: 25,000).
7. ??? (Need soul: 76,000)
8. ??? (Need soul: 99,999).
*********************************
Gunner skill book:
1. Auto reload / automatic / SP: 150 per reload.
2. Focus light shot / active / SP: 300.
3. Marksman mark / passive.
4. ??? (Need soul: 7,000).
5. ??? (Need soul: 10,000).
6. ??? (Need soul: 25,000).
7. ??? (Need soul: 76,000)
8. ??? (Need soul: 99,999).
*********************************
"Still a long way off," Grey observed.
"Yep, for sure," Gizelle agreed.
"But why did you pick your Job from the third life, anyway? It's an SP hog, you know," Grey asked.
"Well, I couldn't use any element but Light (Holy) or Dark, and you snagged Dark first. Why did you choose the Demon Job from the fourth life? Isn't shooting better?" Gizelle countered.
"Just like it, I guess. We could only pick one, right? Besides, we need the Job for the raw power boost," Grey said simply.
"Yeah, true. We can use our knowledge without the specific skills, but we need the Job. Come on, let's get out of here," Grey urged.
"Yep, let's head back to our apartment," Gizelle replied.
"Just try not to pull any stunts, okay?" Grey warned.
"What do you mean?" Gizelle asked, feigning confusion.
"Nothing, don't worry about it. (Don't do anything weird—don't suddenly transform in the middle of the night and do stuff to my body. You crazy yandere sister.)" Grey answered.
They walked out, grabbed their robes, put them back on, and pulled up their hoods before exiting the monastery.