[Chapter 166] Are We Going To Be Okay?

It has been 2 days since then, and I have been watching over construction, a few of the houses have already been built. I chose a few families to enter the houses, excitement on their faces as they entered the new homes. I taught everyone how to use the functions of the air conditioners that I had them building.

Luckily, I had thought of using anyone with water and fire affinities to temper the metal while using smiths to point out any tempering mistakes. The metal and parts were created by the tools the shadow soldiers wore on their hands, the utility showing. This would increase unity of the people while also making them feel more included in the creation of their kingdom.

The filters I had to make myself, but they will be useable for a lot longer thanks to that. As I was walking out of situating the last house, I notice a figure in a black cloak watching me. Even if this figure is halfway across the plain, I could see him clearly. His metallic spear like tail, his blood red eyes, and his diamond shaped pupils.

He moves a metallic talon out of his cloak as he motions for me to follow, and how could I not. This is the same figure that saved me from being gassed by a Divine Beast! And he even messed with my identity feature!

I bolt across the field as I take measured steps, avoiding each flower as I do so. As I get closer, the cloaked figure jumps gracefully over the wall, his metallic tail gleaming in the light as he disappears.

I push myself even harder, not wanting to lose this chance. But I am careful, ready to activate my abilities at any moment. As I bolt, I become nothing but a streak, jumping over the wall and disappearing into the forest beyond the wall.

As I run, I catch glimpses of his figure, jumping between trees swiftly. I inwardly begin to scream, 'How the hell is he so fast?! Even I have to push myself to my limit to keep up with him!'

After running for several miles, we come face to face with a mountain. But I don't slow down for a second, knowing that someone who could take down a Divine Beast, which is more than 10 times his size, wouldn't be stopped by a mountain.

And as I guessed, he reaches out with his clawed hands as he pulls himself up, launching himself upwards like a rocket.

'What the fuck? Is he a squirrel?' I inwardly ask myself as I turn my hands into dragon claws as I spread my wings. 'Do you know what's faster than flying? Climbing to launch myself up in the process.'

I grip the wall as my hands break into the stone, hauling myself upwards with full force as I flap my wings. I slowly begin to catch up to him when I see him look down and...a smile rests on his face. Moments later, the stone shatters in his grip as his speed suddenly increases, leaving me behind as a sonic boom sounds behind him. I stare at his figure in shock as I yell, "What rank are you?!"

But no response comes as his silhouette disappears over the edge of the mountain. I grit my teeth as I push myself past my limit, breaking the sound barrier as I push myself forward.

After climbing for about 20 seconds, I finally reach the top, exhausted as I heave in air. I pull myself over the last hump as I take in heavy breaths, the thin air making it even harder to breath. I didn't want to lose him. I wanted to ask him many questions, What is he? Who is he? What rank is he? How does he know about the system? So many questions I need to ask.

I hear a voice to my side, a western accent in it as he speaks.

"You were really after me. I'm impressed you even kept up that far, not many can keep up with my speed." I look over as I see him smiling at me with one that screams kindness. His hood is down as his brown hair is a mess, his tan skin causing his eyes to seemingly glow.

I heave in a few breaths as I prop myself up, seeing how he isn't winded causing me to relax. Since he isn't winded means that he definitely has the power to end my life, but he isn't and instead being friendly. Which means he has one of two motives, a friendly one, or one that requires me alive.

I lean myself up on a rock as I continue to breath, but slower thanks to the dragon's uncanny ability of breathing at high altitudes. After waiting a minute in silence, sizing eachother up, I ask him a question.

"Who are you?"

He smiles, "My name is The Author. It's more of a nickname but I like to use it to introduce myself." He holds out his hand towards me, a silver talon gauntlet covering it. I grab it and shake it, "My name is Kurayami. Nice to meet you finally."

He nods, "I know that. I know more about you than you could even imagine."

I nearly jump, 'So he is a stalker then!' I then hear Sky in my mind.

"Who is this guy? You pushed yourself so hard to catch up to him but you don't even know him." She asks in a curious tone. I activate Parasitic Telepathy as I tell her, 'This guy is even stronger than me, he knocked out a Divine Beast and was able to outrun me. Someone who is guaranteed to be at or slightly past the Continental Class.'

She lets out a shocked gasp as she begins to ask a flurry of questions. I let her go as I know hearing this could be worrying, but after that, she asks one final question.

"Are we going to be ok?"

I inwardly nod, 'I won't let anything happen to us willingly or without a fight.'