Chapter 22
Today had been a hectic day for Nikolai. Although he hadn't brought back any meat from his hunt, he'd managed to defeat three hideous giants—and in just a week's time, he'd gain a new ability because of it. The gains easily outweighed the losses.
That ability to enlarge its muscles, increase strength... and that grey aura—it looked badass, he thought, vividly recalling the power one of those giants had displayed.
As he neared the cabin, a delicious aroma caught his nose.
Something smells amazing.
"Everyone! Nikolai the Great is home!" he announced, flinging open the door. The heavenly scent of meat pulled him straight to the kitchen, where he saw Rosseweisse and his sons setting the table.
"Looks like I'm just in time."
Rosseweisse turned, and his sons immediately rushed to him.
"PAPA IS BACK!"
He laughed as they clung to him. Seeing them smile like that always warmed his heart. Coming home to a place filled with joy like this—it made every battle worth it.
Rosseweisse smiled at the scene. It reminded her of her own childhood, waiting eagerly for her parents to come home. These days, they were rarely present, always away on duty in Niðavellir. Sure, they still messaged her online, but it wasn't the same as being together in person.
"Oi, Rosseweisse," Nikolai called softly. He was looking at her with concern. "You alright?"
"I'm fine. Just remembered something, that's all."
He stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, making her jump slightly in surprise.
"If there's ever anything on your mind, you can talk to me. Who knows—I might actually be useful."
Such a kind man.
"If I can't do that, what kind of husband would I be in the future, eh? My beautiful wife?" He chuckled, grinning at the now-blushing Valkyrie.
"W-What nonsense are you spouting?!" she protested, trying to sound indignant, but his beaming smile and confident tone made it impossible to stay mad.
How can he say such things with a straight face? I'm just a bookworm and a nerd—neither of those things are attractive to anyone…
"I'm not that beautiful," she muttered under her breath, hoping he wouldn't hear. But he did.
"Haha! You sure are a good comedian. You're the most beautiful person I've ever met," Nikolai replied instantly. "And that's not all—you're smart, kind, wise, and good with magic! Like I said before—only a blind idiot wouldn't see your beauty. Honestly, I'm shocked you don't have admirers chasing you."
He meant every word, even though they'd only known each other for a few days. Nikolai prided himself on being a good judge of character, and everything about her had impressed him.
You think too little of yourself.
"Well, I better wash up," he said, turning to head outside. "I can't wait to taste your cooking."
Rosseweisse stood there in stunned silence, his words echoing in her mind.
No one except Sigrun has ever said things like that to me...
When her Valkyrie training began, she had thrown herself into her studies and isolated herself from everyone. People respected her focus, but they were too intimidated to approach her. She'd been alone for a long time—until Sigrun entered her life.
Sigrun had been the older sister she never had, the one who reminded her that life wasn't just about training and grades. Sigrun excelled in combat, while Rosseweisse specialized in Nordic magic. Socially, they were opposites—Sigrun was outgoing, Rosseweisse was reserved.
And now, just like in the romance novels she secretly loved, a man like Nikolai had appeared in her life.
"Mama?" a small voice tugged her from her thoughts. It was Artom. "Can you tell us more stories about the god Thor?"
---
After enjoying the most delicious meal they'd had in seven years, the Volkov family lavished praise on Rosseweisse despite her shy protests. A few hours later, they stood outside the cabin, preparing for their nightly undead extermination. With Rosseweisse joining them, the task was completed in record time.
As Nikolai reflected on the day, one event stood out the most.
"Hey, Rosseweisse," he called suddenly, gaining her attention.
"Yes?"
"Today, while I was hunting… I found something strange."
"What did you find?"
"I found a human soul underground."
"…Huh?"
"And get this—it was surrounded by those symbols you use. The ones from your magic. Right after that, I got attacked by three ugly undead giants."
"What?!" Rosseweisse was stunned. Could this be related…?
"Do you remember any of the symbols, Nikolai?"
"Yeah, kinda." He knelt and drew two Nordic runes into the dirt with his fingertip. "This is all I could remember. Sorry it's not much. I figured you'd know more about this stuff… Rosseweisse?"
She stared at the runes, her face pale. "These runes… I recognize them. 'Summoning' and 'Undead.'"
"I need to report this to Lady Eir."
"Is everything okay?" Nikolai asked. Her expression worried him. His gut said something was very, very wrong.
"I need to return to the village. I have to report this to my supervisor. Can you show me the place where you found those runes? I need to verify them myself."
"Sure." He turned and whistled to his sons. "Boys, we're heading to the village. Let's go!"
"We're going to the village? YAY!"
It had been seven long years since they'd seen another human being. Nikolai felt both excited and anxious. But none of them could've guessed how quickly things were about to take a darker turn—especially for Nikolai.
---
Three hours later, they arrived at the spot where Nikolai had discovered the soul and runes. Nikolai wore his full armor, just in case. He turned to his sons.
"Artom, Igor, scout the area. If you see anything weird, don't fight—just come back and tell us."
"Yes, Papa!" they nodded, transforming into their monstrous forms and flying off.
Nikolai activated his skill: "UNDEAD VISION."
His eyes glowed red. The world around him turned to monochrome. He scanned the ground and spotted the soul flame, still surrounded by dense Nordic runes and strange magic.
He pointed. "It's over there."
"What do you see?" Rosseweisse asked.
"It's big. And there's too many runes for me to remember. It's like… uh…" He struggled to describe what he was seeing. If only she could see it too… wait. That's it!
Suddenly, he turned and began frantically searching the area. Moments later, he found a rodent.
"What are you doing?" Rosseweisse asked, confused, as he handed her the small creature.
"Remember how I told you my Sacred Gear lets me steal powers from magical beings? Well… it can also share them. I just need a soul to do it."
Black mist swirled, enveloping the rodent. Its soul was consumed instantly, leaving behind only a lifeless husk. Rosseweisse watched in both fascination and horror.
This Sacred Gear… it's terrifying.
> [THE SKILL 'UNDEAD VISION' WILL BE GIVEN.]
[PRICE OF THE ABILITY HAS BEEN PAID.]
[THE SKILL 'UNDEAD VISION' HAS BEEN GIVEN.]
Pain exploded in Rosseweisse's skull. It felt like a red-hot nail being hammered into her brain. She cried out, falling to her knees—but Nikolai caught her before she hit the ground.
When the pain faded, she blinked up at him. "Oi, you okay? I'm sorry—I should've warned you."
"I-It's fine. Just… please warn me next time." She stood, legs shaky. "But… I understand it now. The ability. I get how it works."
"UNDEAD VISION."
Suddenly, her world turned monochrome. She looked at the ground—and saw it. The soul. The runes. The foreign magic.
A summoning array… and if I'm right, it's been summoning all those undead that attacked the village over the years. I need to report this to Lady Eir immediately.
"Nikolai, this is a summ—" She stopped. She had turned to face him… and saw his soul.
It was calm, like the steady flicker of a candle. Bright, like a torch in the dark. And warm… warm like a hearth in winter.
"Um… Rosseweisse? You're spacing out again," came the voice of the flame's owner.
"Oh! I was just… I saw your soul," she said, still dazed. "It's very… intrig—"
"What's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost or something."
Nikolai's attempt at humor landed flat. Rossweisse stood frozen, horrified by the thing clinging to him.
Something had latched onto his back—something dark, demonic, and utterly monstrous. It had wrapped its long, sinewy legs around his waist and one grotesque arm across his shoulders, clutching at his neck like a child clinging to its mother.
Its beardless face was split into three mouths, each drooling a thick, black saliva, and it had three twitching eyes that moved independently of each other. Every part of it jittered unnaturally, like a puppet pulled by broken strings.
Suddenly, all three of its eyes locked onto Rossweisse.
"Nikolai," she whispered, almost too softly to hear.
"Rossweisse? Rossweisse!" Nikolai turned toward her, his brow furrowed in confusion.
But then—
"ROSS-WEISS? ROSSWEISSE!"
All three mouths spoke at once, mimicking Nikolai's words in a perfect, unholy chorus.
Then they all smiled.
She stumbled back, unable to breathe. Her heel struck a loose rock, and she collapsed onto the ground with a muffled gasp.
"Rossweisse! Are you okay?"
Nikolai reached out to help her, offering his hand, concern etched across his face.
WOOOSH!
Something whistled through the air.
Nikolai yanked his hand back just in time, leaping several feet away on instinct.
THUD!
A spear slammed into the ground right where he had been standing, buried halfway into the dirt.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!!!"
The voice boomed from above—a voice Rossweisse recognized instantly.
"Sigrún?" she whispered, eyes widening.
Descending at terrifying speed from the heavens, the brown-haired Valkyrie crashed toward them like a meteor of wrath. Her war cry echoed off the trees.
"Die, you undead bastard!"
Nikolai barely had time to look up. His armor—dark, battle-worn, and eerily similar to that of the undead who had attacked the village—gleamed in the light. It was the worst thing he could be wearing right now.
"Ai, blyat!" he cursed, scrambling backwards.