Time With Ai
Gu Erin found himself back in Haymire, his arm clutched tightly by Ai, Gu Erin had asked himself how he had gotten into this situation. However, each time he thought back he understood his own reasoning and sided with himself each time. It did not however, stop Gu Erin from trying to understand how it all happened.
Was he manipulated? It honestly felt that way, the way Chan Ai used her emotions and Gu Erin's response to them was honestly masterful enough to make him instantly forgive her. To say that she was angry would be a lie. It was more of a cover to get what she wanted more than anything else. That apparently was Gu Erin to herself for a few hours.
Why? Gu Erin had no idea, but he would not look a gift horse in the mouth, as his goal was to spend more time with Ai as she was his first choice if he ever had to form a relationship.
On Earth, that obsessive loyalty and near fanatical dedication was called a red flag, and was to be avoided. However, Gu Erin learned that in the world of cultivation there was no better girl than a yandere.
One could never know who was truly on their side, one would and could be backstabbed whenever and wherever they let their guard down. Which is precisely why Gu Erin hesitated to invest more of himself in this group.
Even if he planned to be the sect master of a sect, he had no intention of prioritizing others before himself. The sect in this sense was a mere gathering place for talented individuals who are willing to pool their resources. Gu Erin would have no shame in taking what he needed to succeed. However, he would not hesitate to make sure that those who follow him are well taken care of.
"What are you thinking about Eri?" Ai suddenly asked, breaking Gu Erin out of his thoughts as they walked alongside each other on the cobbled road.
"Hmm." Gu Erin smiled slightly as he looked to Ai. "I'm thinking about the future; Ai what do you think of Heaven's Mercy?"
It was an answer that Gu Erin was genuinely curious to know, he would not trust many with his thoughts, nor would he really value anyone else's opinion. As he truly believed he knew best at this point. Although he may leave management to others he would not allow anyone else to dictate the direction of the group. Thankfully in that aspect he remained unchallenged. But, he knew that wouldn't be for long as the shock will soon wear off.
Once it does and all needs are met, people will begin to want more. Gu Erin did not blame them; it was human nature after all.
Chan Ai smiled humming slightly as she thought for a second. 'This place seems both magical, and… dark?" She paused as if unsure of her own words. "I'm not sure, but I always feel like the other shoe is about to drop. Do you know what I mean?'
Chan Ai looked questioningly at him, so far Gu Erin in her eyes was an idol that was raised to a near divine status in her mind. She listened to him and his advice all her life and it had done her well. Especially now that they were in this mysterious place called heaven's Mercy. After the sky broke on Earth, Gu Erin's image in her mind had become an unfathomable existence.
Gu Erin not knowing how much he was revered simply smiled in response, he applauded her keen sense. Not many could feel the looking danger, but indeed it was getting closer. As Gu Erin returned to Earth in his last life he realized that the 'Events' weren't a pointless culling. They were lessons meant to engrave the rules of the new world into their minds.
Finally, he answered her, "Your right, I feel it too, soon we will undergo our first trial." Gu Erin answer her, he felt Ai's arm tighten around his slightly. Reminding him that this was not the battle-hardened berserker of his past life.
Gu Erin patted her hand softly, which made her ease up a bit, she was abnormally strong for just entering the first stage of the Blood Transforming Realm. He was actually curious on how strong she would be at the peak of the Blood Transforming Realm, hopefully she would be able to reach it within these remaining days.
"Oi, boy beat it, this is our street." Just then a small group of three or four men stopped the two of them who were just strolling around.
Gu Erin cursed in his heart, what was this? A novel? Why did he have such stupid luck to run into the scum of the human race today? This was meant to be his time to connect to Chan Ai, not to deal with filth that belonged under his shoe.
Seeing Gu Erin's frown made a few of the men immediately flare up, but immediately after they were cowed. Not just from Gu Erin's aura, which indeed was quite terrifying now that it was released. No, it was the little girl next to him. What looked like a cute girl they planned on soliciting after the boy left, somehow turned into a demon.
Shadows covered her eyes as a demonic smiled curled up her face, as her lifeless eyes ran over the small group, yet no recognition reached them. It was like she didn't see them, or she just didn't acknowledge them as living beings.
"A-A-Ah e-excuse us, w-we w-were j-just l-leaving." With a flash the group of men scampered off to the side as they each fled into the nearest alley.
Gu Erin watched them go with a confused look. He checked Chan Ai's expression but she only greeted him with a bright and brilliant smile. Like the men were never there in the first place. His danger senses warned him that he should drop it and force himself to think of it as a figment of his imagination. Because, he knew that if he dug for the truth he would see… that face.
He liked Chan Ai, and he almost thought that her other side was convenient for him and their potential relationship, where he did not have to worry about trust. But, he was still not mentally prepared to face that side of her head on. He wondered if she knew that he already understood that side of her. Would it change the dynamic in their relationship?
"Come on Eri, lets go over there." Seeming to feel the slight tension in Gu Erin, Chan Ai directed his attention towards the loudest shop that was approaching the town's center. This was a blacksmith that delt in weapons and armors. All of which Gu Erin wasn't really interested in.
All of them were subpar in Gu Erin's eyes, the true weapons and armors had to be obtained around Heaven's Mercy. It was unfortunate that all equipment was taken away when you left, that was unless it was bound to your divine soul. However, such items were rarer than a unicorn that shits rainbows.
Helplessly Gu Erin followed Chan Ai as they watched the blacksmith shape what Gu Erin assumed to be a tang dao blade. It was a long and narrow sword, although Gu Erin had some basic experience with the blade he had to shake his head at the blacksmith.
Both the materials used and the way he quenched the blade would limit its flexibility, it would no doubt shatter or bend.
Gu Erin instead nudged Chan Ai. "Ai lets go to the Temple of the Heavens. We have to pick something up."
Chan Ai tilted her head, slightly confused about what they needed at the tower, by this time wouldn't have their group already have left the tower? Why didn't they go with them at the beginning? All these questions were asked, but none of them were important enough to voice, all because Chan Ai's attention was glued to Gu Erin's side profile.
Gu Erin had long sense gotten used to Ai's gaze on him, he accepted that it would be a constant now. So, she no doubt was surprised when Gu Erin brought her off to the side with a far more relaxed expression. She noticed this change in him as soon as they entered the temple, and like this version of him far more, instead of him always looking stiff.
"Ai, I'm going to tell you a secret, okay?' Gu Erin said to her.
Although the Temple of the Heavens had more than a few people in it, there weren't enough to make talking privately impossible. With a happy expression Chan Ai nodded to Gu Erin's request. She saw this as a major victory as she assumed she was making progress in breaking through to him. Just having Gu Erin's undivided attention made her feel butterflies.
Gu Erin checked around him first before leaning in closer to Ai, which made those butterflies multiply dramatically. However, all of those feelings were ruined by his next words.
"I'm being watched." Gu Erin saw Ai slowly look around, so he shook his head. "No, they're not the type that you can see, they're using their divine soul to spy on me. I'm limited by what I can tell everyone outside the temple. Only the Heavens can see us here. If you ever need to talk about something really important we have to come here first. Understand?'
Chan Ai nodded, slightly serious, but Gu Erin didn't miss the flash of slight disappointment. Feeling the urge to poke the dragon Gu Erin decided to tease her a bit.
Gently brushing her cheek Gu Erin got even closer to her ear and whispered softly. "Were you hoping for something else?"
He had to admit feeling her body tremble made a side of him he never knew about come to the forefront of his mind. With a force of will, he suppressed that feeling for now, he would address it later.
Seeing Ai still in a daze Gu Erin chuckled internally. "Well for now let's go get a technique we'll need."