Extra in a Parallel World Is a Night Elf and Has Beautiful Wives

Chapter 15: Athena's abilities

Noah teamed up with two other couples and descended into an eerie corridor lit by red torches. Their light did not bother Noah's eyes, and he could see far ahead. The corridor was wide enough for Eleonora and Athena to walk beside him. Nothing stopped them so far, so Noah spoke with Athena.

"Are you really immortal?" he asked.

Athena inclined her head. "Aye, I am. My body cannot perish, and my lifespan exceedeth that of elves or wise dragons. My abilities art also linked to my immortality. The more blood and stamina I shed, the mightier I become. Afterward, my wounds mend on their own without leaving scars."

"I think my lifespan is longer now because I awakened a Night Elf's bloodline. We'll be together for a long time," Noah said. "Your abilities sound reckless, though. Immortality doesn't mean you can't lose or suffer. I hope you'll rely on us and not handle everything by yourself."

"Handsome's right!" Eleonora added with a bright smile.

These two accepted Athena for who she was and did not try to limit her. Instead, they wanted her to depend on them instead of fighting alone like she had done in her prime. Noah was genuinely worried about Athena and wished her the best.

She understood it, smiling softly. "I am in thy care."

"Likewise," Noah and Eleonora replied, nodding.

"I… I truly like that," Athena said quietly, looking down. "Thy concern meaneth much to me."

Noah heard her and blushed. "It's fine. We're in this together."

She was different from the expressive Eleonora, who threw herself at Noah whenever she felt affectionate. Athena was much more reserved. Noah knew he had to be more assertive, so he held her hand tightly to help her open up and feel like a valued woman.

Soon, the first monster appeared. It was an armored ghoul wielding a long sword. It looked more human and far less insane than the previous ghouls Noah had faced.

"Allow me, dear," Athena said, letting go of Noah's hand and stepping forward.

A single opponent was a perfect chance for her to display some of her power. She wanted Noah and Eleonora to see she could handle herself. The ghoul dashed with its sword raised high and aimed to cleave her in two.

Athena calmly caught the blade with her bare hand and squeezed it. Blood slid down her arm and dripped to the floor. The ghoul tried to pull the sword free, but it could not even budge it now that Athena gripped it like it belonged to her. She summoned a burst of strength and shattered the blade into fragments.

Her glare pinned the unarmed ghoul in place. Two red wolves made of mana materialized at her sides, growling at their prey. They looked transparent but still dangerous.

They pounced, biting into the ghoul's calves and forcing it down. Athena then spun and kicked, beheading the monster, its skull slamming into the corridor wall in a bloody, mangled mess.

She lowered her leg and took a relaxed stance. Glancing at her palm, she said, "Two wolves from but a shallow wound is not so poor," then licked her wound.

She let her aura wolves lick her palm, too. They grew more solid, as if her blood fed them. Athena sent them forward to scout the area, then turned to Noah and Eleonora.

"As ye have seen, dear and Eleonora, I can endure attacks with my body alone. I turn pain, blood, and stamina into my wolf pack. Each wolf is bound to me and can be used in many ways. I can also fuse them to armor myself if I meet a strong foe."

Eleonora beamed. "You're one of us! Our abilities work in a similar way."

Noah nodded. "I need to learn more about Nocturne so I can raise it well."

Athena showed her palm, where the wound was already closing on its own. Noah touched her skin, amazed at how it healed so fast.

"It may sound odd, but I don't mind pain and the taste of my blood," Athena admitted, worried Noah might think she was strange.

Noah smiled. "That's normal for a strong woman like you, especially with your immortality. It's fine as long as you're not forcing yourself."

"…I love thee," Athena whispered, too softly for him to hear.

Noah blinked. "Did you say something?"

She shook her head, then looked down. Noah took her hands and gently bumped his forehead against hers. "Own up."

"…I said I love thee," Athena spoke louder, enough for him to hear.

Noah beamed and leaned in to kiss her. It was a soft kiss, full of his feelings.

"I'll cherish those words," he said.

Athena curved her lips in a broad smile, feeling more sure about herself and her emotions. She still needed many more moments like this to be as open as Eleonora, but she had taken the first step.

Right then, her wolves discovered an army of ghouls heading their way.