Chapter 774: Reunited
"It won’t be anything like a missing leg or something, right? Just a change of hair color or appearance?"
"Ummmm... at least you will get your original physical form back eventually... maybe after a month or two..." The being nervously chuckled before Orion let out a long exasperated sigh.
"Well, that’s fine. Propose a contract so I know you aren’t going to try anything fishy," Orion ordered.
The being quickly agreed and sent a contract through the system. It took a bit for Orion to read through it, making sure there was no subtext secretly hiding a way to fuck over him and his family. And upon confirming it was safe, he signed it, causing his vision to instantly swap into a sky of rolling clouds.
"Foooo..." He let out a long breath. "How wonderful fresh air is."
A canyon stretched out before Orion, its vast expanse a deep, verdant chasm carved into the earth by the relentless passage of time. Towering rock formations, their surfaces weathered and worn by millennia of wind and rain, loomed high above, casting long, shifting shadows across the canyon floor. The rocks were a tapestry of earth tones—deep reds, muted browns, and mossy greens—each layer telling a story of ages long past.
Far in the distance, a waterfall cascaded down from a jagged cliff, its waters tumbling in a silvery torrent before crashing into the mist-filled depths below. The sound of the water, a constant, soothing roar, echoed through the canyon, blending with the whispers of the wind that wound its way through the narrow passages. The mist that rose from the base of the waterfall created an ethereal atmosphere, shrouding the lower reaches of the canyon in a soft, ghostly veil.
Clinging to the cliffs, ancient ruins stood as silent sentinels of a forgotten era. These remnants of a once-great civilization were now little more than crumbling stone and overgrown vines, but their presence hinted at a time when this canyon had been a place of life and activity. The ruins were scattered along the cliffside, with precarious stone stairways leading to what were once grand halls and towering temples. Now, they were mere echoes of their former glory, their stones chipped and cracked, with the creeping vegetation slowly reclaiming them.
The air was thick with a sense of ancient mystery, a feeling that the canyon held secrets long buried beneath the layers of rock and time. Every corner of the landscape seemed to whisper of forgotten tales, of people who had once thrived in this remote, secluded place. The solitude was palpable as if the canyon itself had been left behind by the world, existing in a space where time moved differently, slower, more deliberately.
Yet, despite the overwhelming sense of abandonment, the canyon was alive with subtle movements—small creatures darted between the rocks, and the wind rustled through the leaves of the few tenacious trees that clung to life in the harsh environment.
"Now... where are they?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AGHHHHHH!"
All of a sudden, he heard multiple screams come from above.
BAM... BAM... BAM... BAM... BAM
"You all..." Orion muttered, a swell of emotions clashing within him.
Five figures crashed down around him, dazed. And as they took a look around, they greeted each other, indicating that even after Orion had disappeared, they met up with each other and continued to keep their bond between all of them.
First, there was Findir who somehow became a human. Findir stands as a towering figure with a lean yet muscular build that exudes both strength and agility. His sharp, beautiful features are striking, with high cheekbones and a chiseled jawline that give him an almost otherworldly elegance. His eyes are a stark white, glowing faintly with an ethereal light, giving him an intense and piercing gaze. His long white hair cascades down his back, flowing like a river of silk, adding to his imposing and graceful presence.
Then there was Luna. Luna stands tall with a beautiful, slightly curvy body that exudes both grace and strength. Her sharp, beautiful features are captivating, with defined cheekbones and a delicate, yet strong jawline. Her piercing dark purple eyes hold a mysterious allure, drawing attention and holding it with their intense gaze. Her long pink hair flows down her back in soft waves, adding a striking contrast to her overall appearance and enhancing her enchanting presence.
Then there was Aisa. Aisa is a striking figure with a towering presence, her slightly curvy body reflecting a balance of beauty and strength. Her physique is lean and muscular, hinting at both agility and power. Her sharp masculine features give her an intense and commanding appearance, with a strong jawline and defined cheekbones. Her sharp dark blue eyes are piercing, filled with an unwavering focus and determination. Medium-length light blue hair flows just past her shoulders, adding a touch of softness to her otherwise formidable appearance.
Then there was Cy. Cy is a towering young man with a lean and muscular build that conveys both strength and agility. His sharp masculine features are prominent, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones that define his striking appearance. His pitch-black pupils contrast starkly with his pale skin, adding a mysterious and intense quality to his gaze. His short, wavy black hair falls just past his ears, framing his face in a way that enhances his rugged and commanding presence.
Then finally, there was Bella. Bella is a towering young woman whose lean and muscular build highlights her curvy features with an impressive blend of strength and grace. Her appearance is a unique fusion of sharp masculine and feminine traits, combining the boldness of strong jawlines and high cheekbones with the softness of her curvaceous form. Her stunning vibrant green eyes are mesmerizing, with flecks of white that shift and glimmer within her pupils, adding a dynamic and captivating quality to her gaze. Her short, wavy green hair falls just above her neckline, accentuating her striking features and enhancing her overall commanding presence.
Nobody had changed drastically except for Findir who was now a human. It was a feeling Orion had seemingly long forgotten. A sense of comfort when with these five. This caused Orion to chuckle yet strangely, the five stopped conversing with each other and turned towards him, a confused look on their faces.
"Who are you?" Bella asked, the five instantly putting their guard up as they felt the difference in power between them and him.
"Huh? It’s me... Orion," He responded, cursing inwardly at the sin of gluttony who may have tampered with the contract in some way.
’Did he make it so they won’t remember me? But I’m sure I looked over the entire thing. There is no way he hid something as memorable as that...’ Orion thought to himself as the five all turned to each other with confused expressions.
"Orion... is a man," Luna started.
"And you are... ummm... a woman," Cy continued.
"Eh?"
Luna’s eyes narrowed with concentration as she invoked her illusion magic, a delicate weave of pink light swirling around her. With a graceful gesture, she conjured a mirror, its frame adorned with intricate, decorative patterns that seemed to shift and shimmer with every angle. The mirror’s surface was a soft, glowing pink, reflecting a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the intensity of the situation.
"Hm?" She muttered off puttingly as she looked at her hands.
As the mirror stabilized, it revealed Orion’s new appearance. His once-imposing, muscular frame had undergone a subtle yet significant transformation. He still stood tall, his stature unchanged, but the hardness of his muscles had softened, giving him a more fluid, graceful build. His chest and lower body exhibited a slight curvature, adding an unexpected element of beauty to his imposing presence.
The changes were not drastic but noticeable—his physique now suggested an unparalleled beauty that was both striking and ethereal. His previously sharp, angular features had taken on a more refined and feminine quality, with longer, more pronounced lashes and a softer jawline. His long, flowing purple hair remained a cascade of vibrant color, contrasting beautifully with his now more delicate and elegant facial features.
The sharp, dark red eyes, though still present, seemed to pierce through the illusionary mirror with a newfound intensity, their gaze still as commanding and enigmatic as ever. Yet, the overall effect was one of a majestic, almost otherworldly beauty—a transformation that accentuated his regal and otherworldly nature rather than diminishing it.
"WHAT THE FUCK! THIS IS WHAT IT MEANT BY MY APPEARANCE MIGHT CHANGE!?" Orion quickly stood up, cursing at the sky. "YOU TURN ME INTO A GIRL!?"
"Oh shit, it really is Orion," Cy chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Findir followed up.
"What the hell... PFFFTTT! AAHAHHAHAHAHHA!" Aisa laughed her ass off while Bella just lightly snickered to herself.
Luna on the other hand conjured up her status, looking in horror. Clearly, she had realized the conditions of the contract Orion had made.
"Everyone... check your status," Luna muttered softly.
After the laughter died down and Orion felt defeated enough to just sit on the ground and look at the green grass below him, everybody opened their status. And to their horror, they witnessed just how weak they had become.
『Status』
[Name: Findir Adthana]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Windwalker]
[Title: Conquerer of Senselessness]
[Level: 3/100] (20/100) XP Needed
[HP: 200/200 MP: 100/100 SP: 150/150] - Above Human
[Strength: 100] - Above Human
[Defense: 80] - Above Human
[Magic: 120] - Above Human
[Speed: 140] - Above Human
[Skills: [Void Dagger Coating] [Haste] [Empower] [Eagle Eye] [Silent Flight] [Wind Manipulation]
[Passive Skills: [Dark Elven Nature Affinity] [Iron Speech] [Potion Organs] [Windborne Resilience]
[Equipment: [Wind Dagger] [Basic Armor]
...
『Status』
[Name: Cy Benoit]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Warrior of the Abyss]
[Title: King of Burden]
[Level: 1/100] (10/100) XP Needed
[HP: 300/300 MP: 150/150 SP: 200/200] - Above Human
[Strength: 150] - Above Human
[Defense: 100] - Above Human
[Magic: 90] - Above Human
[Speed: 100] - Above Human
[Skills: [Spear Coating] [Haste] [Empower] [Shadow Strike] [Abyssal Shield]
[Passive Skills: [Iron Speech] [Potion Organs] [Water Affinity]
[Equipment: [Basic Spear] [Armor of the Abyss]
...
『Status』
[Name: Bella Wony]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Flame Adept]
[Title: Promethean Sky Snatcher]
[Level: 10/100] (50/100) XP Needed
[HP: 80/80 MP: 60/60 SP: 30/30] - Above Human
[Strength: 50] - Above Human
[Defense: 40] - Above Human
[Magic: 150] - Above Human
[Speed: 50] - Above Human
[Skills: [Flame Manipulation] [Haste] [Empower] [Fireball] [Flame Shield]
[Passive Skills: [Iron Speech] [Potion Organs] [Heat Resistance]
[Equipment: [Basic Staff] [Flame Robes]
...
『Status』
[Name: Aisa Hayha]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Ghostly Blade]
[Title: Princess of Primordial Demon Realm]
[Level: 2/100] (30/100) XP Needed
[HP: 250/250 MP: 150/150 SP: 200/200] - Above Human
[Strength: 80] - Above Human
[Defense: 60] - Above Human
[Magic: 90] - Above Human
[Speed: 200] - Above Human
[Skills: [Dagger Coating] [Haste] [Empower] [Ghost Step] [Silent Blade]
[Passive Skills: [Iron Speech] [Potion Organs] [Cold Affinity]
[Equipment: [Daggers] [Ghost Armor]
...
『Status』
[Name: Luna Evernight]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Illusionist of the Eternal Night]
[Title: Witness of Existence Incarnate]
[Level: 1/100] (0/100) XP Needed
[HP: 100/100 MP: 250/250 SP: 50/50] - Above Human
[Strength: 25] - Above Human
[Defense: 30] - Above Human
[Magic: 200] - Above Human
[Speed: 100] - Above Human
[Skills: [Illusory Magic] [Mirror Image] [Haste] [Mind Fog]
[Illusionist Skills: [Arcane Illusions] [Shadow Play]
[Passive Skills: [Mind’s Eye] [Twilight Affinity]
[Equipment: [Magic Ring] [Storage Ring] [Moonlit Staff]
...
『Status』
[Name: Orion]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Sovereign of Blood and Battle]
[Title: King of All Flesh and Blood]
[Level: 21/100] (0/500) XP Needed
[HP: 750/750MP: 500/500 SP: 500/500] - Above Human
[Strength: 220] - Above Human
[Defense: 100] - Above Human
[Magic: 150] - Above Human
[Speed: 100] - Above Human
[Skills: [Blood Manipulation] [Flesh Manipulation] [Battlefield Mastery] [Haste] [Blood Sacrifice]
[Sovereign Skills: [Commanding Presence] [War Cry]
[Passive Skills: [Lord of War] [Warbound Vitality] [Iron Will]
[Equipment: [Magic Ring] [Storage Ring] [Warrior’s Armor]
...
"Shit... all my goddamn skills are gone," Orion sighed.
