Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 30 - 19: Death Harpy

Upon realizing her lack of strength to confront other Goiglers, Aurianna retreated into the depths of the forest, determined to face more spiders and monsters for combat. After enduring numerous intense battles, Aurianna’s perseverance paid off, propelling her to an impressive level 36 before returning to the domain of the Goiglers.

As Aurianna journeyed, her keen eyes caught sight of a towering hill, which she deemed perfect for scouting her adversaries. With utmost agility, she sprinted up the hill, although the ascending process took longer than anticipated, causing her to question whether it was more of a mountain peak than a mere hill.

Reaching the summit, Aurianna swiftly summoned her trusty Sniper Shot skill and gripped her rifle, employing its scope to meticulously survey the surroundings for any sign of enemies. Maintaining focus on the task at hand, she muttered, "Let’s check the quest."

In a timely fashion, the quest interface materialized before her, yet she cleverly ensured that her attention remained fixed through the rifle’s scope. In her peripheral vision, she glimpsed the quest details outlined as follows:

[ Quest ]

[ Defeat 50 Goiglers before leaving the training grounds. ]

[ 9 / 50 Goiglers defeated ]

From a distance, Aurianna’s sharp gaze detected the presence of four fully grown Goiglers and seven fledgling ones. However, her attention was soon captured by an intriguing discovery.

[ You have encountered a Death Harpy! ] the system chimed, prompting Aurianna to utilize her scope for a closer examination of this strange being.

In front of Aurianna stood an unusually tall and feminine being, surpassing the height of anything she had encountered before, perhaps even rivaling the stature of the white statue she had previously envisioned. This woman possessed long, flowing black hair and two horns emerging from the locations where her eyes should have resided. Her lower limbs resembled those of a bird, complete with sharp claws on her hands. Sprouting from her back were immense black wings, and her skin boasted a gray complexion. The only semblance of modesty came from the feathers adorning her feminine areas; otherwise, she would have been entirely exposed.

The system’s warning echoed in Aurianna’s ears:

[Enemy is too strong for you, please run away.]

[I advise you to retreat; the current enemy surpasses your capabilities].

Despite having already received this cautionary message, Aurianna’s body quivered uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the immense pressure emanating from the Death Harpy.

"How could something positioned so far away, at least two hundred meters, create such an overwhelming pressure?" Aurianna questioned, her thoughts racing. Suddenly, a strange and unsettling voice urged her to take her own life. Aurianna fiercely resisted the temptation to turn the gun upon herself, but it felt as though an invisible force had taken hold of her, manipulating her actions.

In a bewildering turn of events, Aurianna’s mind went blank, her consciousness fading away. Unknowingly, she mechanically spun her rifle around, succumbing to an irresistible compulsion, and pulled the trigger, causing a bullet to be discharged into her own skull.

[You have been killed by a Death Harpy.]

"What the hell?!" Aurianna exclaimed, jolting up from the ground, her heart racing with surprise and alarm. The last memory she could recall was the disturbing notion of wanting to end her own life. Wait... she had actually taken her own life.

"I know I never intended to kill myself, but something planted those suicidal thoughts in my mind. It happened so abruptly, I barely had time to realize it was manipulating me!" she murmured, shuddering as she replayed the encounter in her thoughts. She sat in silence, reflecting on the chilling impact it had left on her, a bone-deep coldness lingering within her.

"System, could you please give me some information on what exactly a Death Harpy is?" Aurianna inquired, her voice still carrying a tremor. The encounter had left an indelible mark, and she sought to understand the nature of this formidable entity.

[ A Death Harpy is an incredibly intelligent being known for driving those around it to commit suicide. These dark creatures thrive on the negative emotions of others, utilizing such emotions to manipulate their victims into taking their own lives. Possessing formidable combat and mental prowess, Death Harpies are known for their ability to control their enemies. They exhibit astonishing speed both on land and in the air, while also exerting influence over their immediate surroundings. Some Death Harpies can even assume a fully human form. Due to their immense threat, they are classified as Disaster Class Monsters, capable of driving hundreds of thousands of individuals to suicide. The highest recorded death toll caused by a single high-level Death Harpy stands at sixty million people, making them exceptionally dangerous entities.] As the system provided this explanation, an image of a Death Harpy materialized before Aurianna, emphasizing its ominous presence.

Aurianna couldn’t help but shudder, her entire being affected by the chilling revelation of the Death Harpy’s capabilities. Who could have fathomed that such a creature had the power to claim the lives of millions with just a gaze?

"So, is it possible to access the stats of the Death Harpy?" Aurianna clenched her teeth, determination etched on her face.

’I need to find a way to defeat that creature,’ she thought resolutely.

[Your current level is too low to view the Death Harpy’s stats.]

She let out a sigh of frustration. "Well, that’s just great. Is there any way to defeat it?"

[With your current level, it is highly unlikely unless you possess the Death Master class.]

"I suppose I’ll have to do my best to avoid it at all costs and focus on completing my quest," Aurianna muttered to herself as she rose to her feet, ready to resume her search for the next Goigler to kill.

_______

As Aurianna continued her exploration, she stumbled upon a previously uncharted region. Taking in a deep breath, she was taken aback by the sight that unfolded before her. "How beautiful," she whispered in awe. The landscape comprised majestic peaks, numerous canyons, and a meandering stream of crystal-clear blue water. Yet, everything was enveloped in a thick blanket of pristine white snow.

Eager to descend and immerse herself in the serene environment, Aurianna began carefully making her way down the slope. However, in a momentary misstep, her foot slipped, and she tumbled down, crashing into the soft snow below.

[ You’ve entered the Frost Domain. ]

"Brrr, it’s freezing!" Aurianna muttered, her breath visible in the chilly air. She begun to quickly rub her hands together in a feeble attempt to generate some warmth. She hoped and prayed for even a hint of respite from the bone-chilling cold.

[ -2 HP deducted by frost ]

"What? Are you kidding me?" Aurianna exclaimed in disbelief as she felt an unfamiliar sensation in her hands. She glanced down and gasped as she saw her feet rapidly turning into ice. Panic surged through her veins.

"Oh, fuck!" she cursed, attempting to climb back up the slippery slope but finding little success. Frustration gripped her as she realized her predicament.

In the distance, Aurianna spotted a Goigler, its silvery body blending with the snowy landscape as it locked eyes with her. Knowing she had been spotted, Aurianna swiftly retrieved two guns, using them to anchor herself and gain leverage against the slippery slope. She ascended without looking back, hoping to evaded the creature.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she believed she had successfully evaded the relentless beast.

"Now I just need to get out of here... aacckk!" Aurianna suddenly coughed up blood, her hand instinctively reaching towards her abdomen. To her horror she discovered an icicle protruding from her flesh. The light in her eyes dimmed as she toppled backward, descending once again into the icy grasp of the Frost Domain.

With a gradual return to consciousness, Aurianna slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself face-to-face with the Goigler once more. In a swift and merciless strike, it severed her head.

[ You were killed by a level 40 Goigler. ]

"Damn it, a level 40? What kind of breed is this?" Aurianna cursed, wincing in pain as she gingerly rubbed her throbbing head. She realized that she had been transported back to the land before the Frost Domain. She sighed filled with frustration and disappointment at her untimely demise.

"Most level 40 beasts I fought with the knights were much weaker. And they didn’t even show signs of such high intelligence," Aurianna remarked, a mix of intrigue and excitement painting her expression.

"These Goiglers are becoming more and more interesting to fight," she continued, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. The challenges they presented only fueled her determination further.

With a deliberate stomp of her foot on the ground, Aurianna invoked her Earth magic, causing a tent-like structure made of stone to rise up, towering above her small frame. Satisfied with her new shelter she mused, "Ah, the Earth magic I learned from the Goigler proves to be quite convenient," a sense of satisfaction emanating from her. She raised her hand, and the stone covering the entrance obediently shifted, granting her access and once she entered in closed up.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Aurianna clasped her hands together, a serene expression gracing her features. Slowly, she opened her hands, and a radiant ball of white light materialized before her.

"Lutter, Lutter," the adorable ball of light chimed, its gentle glow illuminating the surroundings as it floated and danced with apparent delight.

"To think I could still create lutter," Aurianna murmured, a genuine smile tugging at her lips. She settled down, lying on the ground within her stone sanctuary, finding solace in the presence of the playful light orb.

As sleep gradually claimed her, the ball of light continued its enchanting dance, its soothing presence providing a glimmer of comfort in the midst of Aurianna’s arduous journey through the hellish realm.

Eva glanced at her phone to check the time and saw that it was six in the morning. She let out a sigh, realizing that it was time to bring the training session to an end.

"I wanted Aurianna to continue fighting, but it seems I must conclude the training for now," Eva said, rising from the chair she had been sitting in. She was dressed in light blue pajamas adorned with white clouds scattered across the fabric.

"Now, let me check Aurianna’s stats," Eva said, her voice filled with anticipation. She accessed the relevant information on her phone, eager to see how Aurianna had developed.

[ Aurianna ]

[ Age: 21 ]

[ Class: Gunner Mage ]

[ Race: Diamond]

[ Level: 36 ]

[ Exp: 5000 / 260,000 ]

[ HP: 8000 / 8000 ]

[Magic power: 36,000/ 36,000 ]

[ Stamina: 260/260 ]

[ STR: 170 ]

[VIT: 290 ]

[ INT: 85 ]

[ Agility: 365 ]

[ Defense: 160 ]

[ Charm: 271]

[ Luck: 22 ]

[ Skill points: 13 ]

[ Quest points: 4,680 ]

Skills: Ice Magic <21>, Healing Magic <20>, Revival <6>, Mind Shatter <1>, Death Magic Gunner’s Despair <15>, Sniper Shot <5>, Guncicles <14>, Smooth Trigger Pull <30>, Enraged <1> , Magical Arsenal <2>, Sharp Eyes <3>, Improved Critical <3>, Ace Kick <2>, Rejuvenation <1>, Illusory Reality <1>, Magical Resistance <3>, Quick Dodge <3>, Quick Shot <2>, Sprint <2>, Double Jump <4>, Ghost Feet <2>, Air Dash <1>, Night Walker <1>, Multicast <3>, Crystalline Rose <3>, Crystalline Tears <1>, Initiate Spell Casting<3>, Ring of Light <5>, Headshot <4>, Explosive Bullet <4>, Smell Fear <3>, Bond With Elements <1>.

Wind Magic <1>, Earth Magic <1>, Fire Magic <6>, Water Magic <2>, Dark Magic <5>, Invisibility Magic <2>, Light Magic <5> ]

"Seriously, what’s up with these flashy gun skills? Didn’t I explicitly tell her to be more mindful about spending her skill points? Ugh, why do I have to deal with such a frustrating master!" Eva lamented, scratching her head in frustration, while carefully examining Aurianna’s stats.

"And how in the world did her charm increase so drastically? I don’t recall charm being capable of such rapid growth," Eva’s eyebrow arched in confusion as she noticed the significant difference in the stat.

"Did this brat secretly acquire a charm skill?!" Eva exclaimed, pulling at her hair in exasperation.

"No, I don’t see any purchased charm skill. Then how did she manage to achieve this? And why on earth did she choose to be a Gunner Mage?" Eva pondered aloud, her mind filled with questions.

"Moreover, her proficiency in light magic is exceptionally high. I suppose being the White Diamond grants her a natural affinity for Light Magic," she mused.

Letting out a weary sigh, Eva concluded, "Well, I suppose it’s about time I bring her back from her training session."

Stretching her body, Eva’s customary Pearl attire, complete with a dress, materialized around her. She had been slumbering in her nightgown, patiently awaiting Aurianna’s growth. It was essential for her to appear composed and presentable. The Pearl attire floated gracefully towards her, enveloping her form without the need for a spoken command.

With a snap of her fingers, Aurianna abruptly vanished from the training grounds, reappearing in the familiar comfort of her own personal quarters.

Aurianna groggily opened her eyes, greeted by the familiar surroundings of her room. The intensity of the sunlight pierced through her sensitive eyes, causing her to flinch and hastily shield them with her hands.

"Damn, why does the sun have to be so bright?" Aurianna hissed, feeling the searing brightness more intensely than others. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden shift from the dimness of the training ground.

Lost in her thoughts, Aurianna muttered to herself, "I wonder how long I was away." Almost instantly, she sensed a presence nearby and swiftly turned her head to find Eva standing by her bed, wearing a curious expression. It seemed Eva had observed Aurianna’s initial shock at the abrupt change in lighting since she embarked on her training.

"Oh, you’ve been gone for about nine hours in real time since it was nighttime when you left. However, in the training ground world, it amounted to thirty-six years," Eva replied, answering Aurianna’s unspoken query, which she had intended only for herself.

Eva’s face broke into a wide smile as she eagerly inquired, "So, how was it?" Despite the apparent cheerfulness on Eva’s face, Aurianna couldn’t discern if it was genuine or feigned. At this point, she hardly cared either way.

A heavy sigh escaped Aurianna’s lips as she responded in a monotone voice, devoid of the life and vitality it once possessed, "It was...horrible." The weight of those thirty-six years of relentless battles had taken its toll on her spirit. The spark that once danced in her eyes had faded into nothingness.