Chapter 9 Scarred by Curses, Bound by Steel

The mecha goblin army was defeated, their battlefield left looking like a scrapyard of discarded metal.

Rachel sat down, leaning against her cursed blade that was embedded into the ground. She spoke: "How’s it look, ZeroOne?"

ZeroOne replied, "No more mecha are in the vicinity, and the mecha kobolds fled once they could no longer successfully gather bodies toward the end of the battle."

"Tell me, ZeroOne, why don’t I get assimilation from all these mechas to make me stronger?" Rachel asked.

ZeroOne answered, "From what I analyzed from the last assimilation, it will only take parts that can help with the armor’s evolution, increasing its strength and power. Not all mechas will grant you an assimilation."

"I see. Anyway, I’m going to shut my eyes for a moment. Alert me if anything approaches." Rachel lay back, resting her eyes, her armor scarred from the battle and dry blood on her neck and chest showing the marks of the recently won battle.

In a pitch-black building where the only light came from the flicker of electronics and machinery, a sudden glow lit up a tube.

Inside was a man, half-human and half-robot—a cyborg. His eye opened as a translucent screen appeared before him, hovering in front of the tube as he glanced at the information scrolling across it.

He pressed a button, the liquid draining as the cybernetic man stepped out. His frail body showed his old age; only his cybernetic frame and constant medical treatments kept him alive.

Approaching a machine, he read over its data with a smile. "Good. Another one has arrived," he muttered to himself.

The door slid open, and a seductive, well-endowed woman with a perfect figure entered. Her hair and eyes constantly shifted colors.

As she approached, her hair and eyes both turned red, and she scolded him: "Demon Lord! Why are you out of your tube? The treatment isn’t finished. Get back in—your body is decaying faster and faster. Why did you have to be such a fragile human? Get back in before I get really angry."

But the Demon Lord spoke with delight, "Lulu, this is a great day. After hundreds of years, we have forced the god to summon a third hero.

Our efforts are paying off. Another hero has arrived. Were you able to successfully analyze the portal this time?"

Lulu’s hair turned black and her eyes purple as she replied, "Yes. With the new micro-sensors and the ability for the AIs to network together, we gathered millions of readings the moment the portal appeared. Each AI collected as much information as they could. The information is being transmitted to me now. Once I receive it, I will compile it and give you my findings."

"Good, good," the Demon Lord smiled, madness flickering in his eyes.

Lulu pressed against him, slowly pushing him back toward the tube. "Shall we continue to attack the settlements?" she asked.

"Yes. We will keep doing what we always have—pushing them, but letting them escape or survive. The more heroes that can be summoned, the better. This world must continue to maintain a fragile balance that we can flip at any time."

"And what of the hero?" Lulu asked.

"Kill them," the Demon Lord said. "We must stop them before they grow strong and unite. So far, you have failed."

Her hair and eyes turned blue with sadness. "I’m sorry, Demon Lord. These heroes keep slipping away. But we’ll get them eventually.

Our surveillance is always trying to track them, and the AIs in their vicinity will be alerted whenever they draw near."

Now her hair turned brown and her eyes blue, her voice softening. "We’ve talked enough. Get back in the tube and finish the treatment before I get angry and lock you in."

The Demon Lord stepped back into the tube. Lulu activated it, green liquid filling the chamber as his eyes shut and he drifted into slumber, his body restarting its treatment.

Lulu’s hair and eyes shifted to pink. She spoke lovingly, "Now, my perfect Demon Lord, sleep well." She kissed the glass tube before turning and leaving the room, deactivating the lights behind her.

Rachel opened her eyes, adjusting to the light of the room.

She noticed her armor had been removed and her wounds tended to. Sitting up, she grabbed her helmet, slipped it onto her head, and asked, “What happened?”

ZeroOne responded, “The soldiers carried you to Eldon’s spare room, where I ejected your armor so the doctor could tend to your wounds.”

“I see,” Rachel said as she set the helmet aside.

She rose and walked into the living room, where she found Eldon.

He quickly averted his eyes and muttered, “You should put on the clothes we left in the room. You’re still in your undergarments.”

Rachel shrugged. “I don’t mind. There’s nothing to look at anyway—unless you enjoy staring at a mutilated body covered in countless scars and black and blue bruises from head to toe. It’s a good breather from that stuffy armor. Got any more food? I’m starving.”

The elder hurried off to gather more food and drink. When he returned, he tossed her a robe and said, “At least put this on.”

Rachel slipped into the comfortable robe and began to eat. She noticed Eldon’s gaze lingering on her and said, “Interested in these scars, are you?”

Eldon hesitated, then asked, “I was just wondering what you went through before coming here that left you with so many.”

Rachel answered bluntly, not wanting to talk much as she focused on her meal. “I was cursed by a goddess as a child. I suffer from many curses, born to endure them my entire life. One curse ensures that every wound I receive leaves a scar that never disappears.”

Eldon sighed. “Poor child… but why were you summoned as a hero then?”

Rachel responded, “I was getting revenge on the goddess who did this to me when I suddenly disappeared, moments away from destroying her prayer statue. I have a feeling she had a hand in me being summoned away—the timing was just too convenient.”

Rachel shifted the conversation. “So, what’s next?”

Eldon spoke, “We ask you for help in dealing with the Goblin King and Queen before you head on your journey. Their lair must be nearby, unless they’ve moved it.”

Rachel spoke with interest, “Their goblin lair can move?”

Eldon nodded. “Yes, it’s something you’ll have to see for yourself. We’ve gathered some supplies, and a group of soldiers will accompany you in destroying the lair. We leave first thing tomorrow, so get some rest. If you need anything, just ask.”

Rachel finished her meal, then stepped outside. She gazed up at the star-filled sky and whispered to herself:

“Mother, aunties… I hope you’re all okay. I’m doing my best, so just hold on. I’ll be back as fast as I can.”

Rachel enjoyed the night sky and the cool breeze before returning to her room, letting the quiet wash away the fatigue of the long, hard-fought battle.

The next day, Rachel was up and ready.

Eldon asked, “You all set?”

Rachel replied, “Yeah, let’s get this over with so I can start my journey forward.”

Eldon then said, “We acquired some new armor for you, if you’d like. It’s over there.”

Rachel shook her head. “Impossible. I cannot wear anything other than what I already have. Just like me, that armor is cursed and bound to me. I can’t go far without it returning to me.”

“I see. Well then, shall we go? The soldiers are waiting outside for you.”

Rachel stood, exited the house, and only a few steps away her body was shrouded in pure darkness as the armor reformed around her—still torn and damaged, yet refusing to release its hold on her.

Rachel reached the gate alongside Eldon and the soldiers, and the massive doors groaned open, allowing them to pass through.

Eldon remained behind at the gate, watching them depart with a solemn expression. He clasped his hands behind his back and whispered a quiet prayer for their safety,

his eyes lingering on Rachel as she strode forward with the soldiers. Though he would not walk beside them, his hopes and worries followed every step of their path.

Then a sudden shout rang out from behind. It was Abby, her voice filled with warmth as she called, “I believe in you, Rachel! You can do it—good luck!” She smiled and waved happily.

Rachel turned, offering a small wave in return, before following the soldiers toward the goblins’ lair as the crumbling ruins of the world stretched out before her.