《Game, Second autumn》 1 The beginning. With legs... -Grass, dirt, trees, unidentified roars every now and then¡­ there''s no mistaking it! STATUS! Or not, I am¡­ fuck me, it worked! [You have performed a special action! Wisdom +1] Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Class: none Subclasse: none General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 5 Massage Lv 1 Meditation Lv 3 Pain resistance Lv 1 Anger Lv 1 Sleep resistance Lv 1 Demonology Lv 5 Disease resistance Lv 1 Identify Lv 1 Attributes: Vitality: 5 Endurance: 5 Strength: 5 Dexterity: 5 Intelligence: 5 Wisdom: 6 Health: 50/50 Stamina: 50/50 Mana: 60/60 In a forest that could be considered normal if not for its extensive mass of land, such a scene happened. In six or seven far away places. -What is this?! -Where am I? -Come out whoever thinks this is funny! -This can''t be happening again, I was sure I took my medicine this time¡­ And many other common reactions could also be sighted. Many people, men and women, young and old, with no apparent country or religion in special linking them all. -Calm down everyone! Whatever is happening involves all of us, and it won''t change with panic in our group. Let''s all calm down and find a way out. Said a blonde man with good features in the middle of other ten people. Some people were grouped from the start and some even knew each other, but ultimately, they were all alone. -Children, listen to me. A maternal, calm voice spoke out, and it reached all the corners of the vast forest. The space distorted and a hundred people appeared in a white room at the same time. In front of all of then a resplandecente and infinitely beautiful woman shrouded in light. So beautiful that she appeared to be the dream woman of all present and turned indescribable. -I am the goddess Amengh, the one who brought you all here. This may be hard to believe, but this is not your world, but one full of magic and much less technology. One where levels and classes are essential to the daily live of all instead of a mere fantasy. I''ve called you all here because like other gods I wish to stop a calamity that is fast approaching this¡­ -So a goddess called a bunch of earthlings to do her job. I know gods have restrictions and can''t act for your own interests easily, but your world should also have several someones that are as much or more qualified than the people from earth. Someone interjected. The goddess smiled, as if she didn''t care about being interrupted at all. -This calamity has already stopped many of our tentatives to detain it. Calling upon heroes of another world is the newest method. The goddess eyes looked very warm, and she directed such gaze directly at Aki, who was questioning her. -If that is so than I apologize. (Because I don''t even believe you''re a goddess at all! Even if you throw your charm on me I will only feel jealous and angry!) -There is nothing to apologize about child. I shaw go on then¡­ So as to not lose much time, let me just say that they want everyone to live in this forest for a week 1 so they can train themselves to better adapt in the new world. This forest is called "The forest of beginning". It will give an XP bonus of 100% to all actions performed inside of it, but only for people below a certain level. Many such places exist around the world, and they are commanded by the gods and other great power with maximum vigilance. "The forest of beginning" has helped raise many champions for the gods during its long existence, and is known as one of the sacred hunting grounds. To acquire a class, one needs to perform certain actions or reach certain goals. If a normal man trains with the sword, he can achieve the job of warrior or swordsman, if he is elected by one with the power to do so, he may advance to Knight, if he kills a dragon through a hard life and death battle, them he will turn into a dragon knight, so on and so forth. Obviously you need to have skill and power enough to do so, but one can always choose a second class or simply throw away their current class in case there is need to do so. -Unfortunately, we can''t help you much more, magic or other abilities, we do not have the authority to simply bestow these Into you. I ask for your help children. The goddess pleaded. None refused to help. All went on, now knowing about status, classes and skills. And that upon dying in this forest they would be sent back to Earth. (Ulter chickenshit! You might as well tell us the demon king is the culprit of bringing back the calamity, or maybe the elven matron! Let''s play bitches!) As Aki cursed and stared at the "goddess"''s large breasts, for no other reason than pretending to be charmed, she sent everyone back to their own bodies in the forest and Aki finally paid attention to the various notifications in the corner of his eye. [Special action has been performed. Charm resistance is now level 1] [*Ding* charm resistance is now level 2] ¡­ [Maximum experience reached, charm resistance is now level 6] [*Ding* mind resistance is now level 6] [You have performed a special action. Wisdom +2. Intelligence +2. Endurance +1] -Being separated from your body and into a "divine space" already gave points, but this is not even close to enough. I need to get stronger if I wish to survive. And so, Aki went to look for a stick. ¡­ -We need to put a bigger restrain on that guy, he seems to be short out of my charm. -But ma''am, that''s one of the candidates that have shown the biggest potential. A weak voice replied. -That''s exactly why I didn''t tell you to kill him right now. *Slap* Do as I say and direct a monster to him, a goblin or a wolf will do. After he defeats it send the rest of the pack. It should I enough to get him distracted and vulnerable again. Said "Amengh". The self proclaimed goddess now had a more describable appearance. One that could be resumed to "a bombshell brunette wearing a skin tight slutty outfit that didn''t really leave much to the imagination and horns", or in a easier fashion, a very powerful succubus. Her skin was rosy like any human, a defined, slim figure, but her human similarities stopped there. An hourglass figure that would make models say "impossible", smooth and soft skin that modeled to the touch, black eye sclera and golden irises, a long and rubber like tail that ended in a leaf pattern and black horns like those of a goat coiling around her head. Through and through a succubus. A very powerful and slack faced one at that. -Start this at once. I will be taking care of the losers and resting in my chambers. Call me only in a emergency. """"YES MY LADY!"""" ¡­ -Alright, this one should do it. The now awaiting Aki, finally found it''s first pray, a very big bull. After many failed attempts, he now had a sharpened tree branch (plus twenty other broken ones) and had climbed a tree to get a vantage point. He just didn''t expect that while he was waiting for the bull to get closer, a wolf would appear and start growling at him. The demon controlling the wolf was not in a body suited for it and knew he couldn''t simply climb the tree, so he started howling, as if to call more of it''s breathen, so the human would be scared and try to attack. He just didn''t notice the charging bull the other side of the tree. The bull was scared, and thought the howling was for him, so he charged head first into the wolf and tried running in the opposite direction as to the wolf had come from. Obviously Aki wouldn''t let him do so though. Jumping down from the tree, he fell on the bull''s back, left hand on it''s horn and right hand holding the sharpened branch. The bull tried to shake him off, but Aki was also panicking inside and just continued with the plan of stabbing the creature on the eye and carving the thing in it''s brain. [*Ding* you have killed [Charge bull]. For killing an opponent 30 or more levels above your own, you receive bonus XP] [Special action has been performed. Subterfuge is now level 1] [You have performed a special action! Dexterity +2] [*Ding* You have met the requirements for a class change: Assassin - Basic knowledge of poisons and Subterfuge arts. Killed an enemy more powerful throughout assassination] [As the name suggests, your job is to kill from the shadows from multiple ways. Blades, poisons, words, a true assassin is master of all.] [Would you like to change to this class? Bonuses and skills will be applied after doing so] "Yes" [New class: Assassin. Vitality +5. Strength +5. Endurance +5. Dexterity +10. Intelligence +5. Wisdom +10] [Your resistance to poisons is improved by 100%. Your poison damage is improved by 100%. Your Subterfuge skills are 100% more effective] [Skills gained in Assassin: Active: Backstab - Lv 1 Infuses mana into your attack when attacking from the back. 25% (50% after bonuses) more damage if undercover during attack. Active: Poisoning - Lv 1 Coats something with poison mana for 2m and 30s (5m after bonuses) Passive: Smooth steps - Lv 1 Your steps produce 50% (100% after bonuses) less noise. Passive: Blade mastery - Lv 1 You deal 50% (100% after bonuses) more damage while using bladed objects] -Uff, almost got my leg stuck in that thing. Now, let''s play! With his new class obtained, Aki started to train. The "goddess" had explained that about skills and classes while on her lecture, but had also tried to infuse the information directly into their brains. Attributes are the basic thing that does exactly what it implies. Vitality determines your health, Endurance your stamina and natural toughness, while wisdom shows how fast your brain works and your max amount of mana, while also adding 0.1% of recovery per minute for each 10 points. Dexterity is just your agility and coordination, while strength can also add a little of damage to spells, but intelligence is the one that gives more damage to anything that uses mana. There is also a natural recovery of 1% for mana and health, but Stamina has 10% recovery per minute. When you level up you get points, and these points can be used to upgrade your status anytime. Classes are what makes you able to level up and give you skills related to then when you reach certain milestones. Anyone may have two classes, you can give one up, but the Xp will not be kept, nor the skills or points. Just like that. Even if the system says the second one is a subclass, the only difference is that it will not be shown if you are appraised. (Poisoning! Backstab! It''s still alive, so I guess I will just hit it in the head and run away. Even if I really want to try and eat that bull or at least get it''s horn, but it definitely looks like I would need some time to do that with a stone.) [You have killed [Gray wolf]. For killing an opponent 20 or more levels above your own you receive bonus XP] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 2. 5 attribute points awarded. *Ding* Assassin is now level 3. 5 attribute points awarded. *Ding* Assassin is now level 4. 5 attribute points awarded. *Ding* Assassin is now level 5. 5 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Backstab is now level 2] You may be waiting for me to tell you how unusual this is, but the truth is that the bonus XP simply goes to the used skills too and it was doubled because of the forest, so¡­ 2 Just a little more. -S¡­ stop! Don''t¡­ don''t come closer! -Now now, what is there to fear, when you get to lady Amengh you will simply be sent back home, so just leave your XP to those that can truly¡­ Arrggh! In a not so special clearing, a massacre was happening. Not by the hands of a monster, but a man like the others in this forest. If you found him in the streets of earth people wouldn''t think he is an ex convict for murder simply by looking. It''s that, not everyone likes living in society and would much prefer to satisfy their own strange fetishes. This guy likes to gut people. Not like he had the chance to do so, but killing after so much time was still quite refreshing. Like when you play an old Mario game from your childhood, even if you keep losing at some parts, the game is still fun. This guy carrying around a combat knife before he was summoned is already a sign of that. By the way, since people came from different parts of the world, obviously they were summoned while in different situations. Some were sleeping, some working or even just walking in the street. This guy was using a supermarket employee outfit because of that, so now he looks like a mad butcher. More like a cosplay though. *Tunk* Well, at least he did before Aki hit his head with a thrown stone after getting his arm by mistake. Now he looks exactly like his other three victims, just that Aki had to hit him twice more before he died, so he was more disfigured before turning into light particles. -You¡­ Not wanting to hear it, Aki took the knife on the floor and finished the guy whose leg was hurt and was being assaulted until now. If you asked him why he did that, he would simply say: -Humanism? Compassion? What is that? Is it tasty? And then try do a little dance for finally having the chance to imitate one of his heroes. He would definitely fail miserably at it since he didn''t have spider legs to support him, but that is besides the point. [You have killed [Jack - Assassin - Lv 17]. For killing an opponent 10 or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 6. 5 attribute points awarded.] What happened to the wolf pack you may ask. The answer is simple. MPK. Right now there were unfortunate people who had decided that going into the area with the level between 20-30 was a good idea and ended up meeting with Aki. And the pack of wolves charging at him through the woods. Obviously he couldn''t simply ask the wolves to kill the group of five first, but with a cop shooting at one of then it was actually quite easy to lose then. Even if you want to say this is strange, all people who had guns were in that area too and only one of them were alone, so anyone could have been the decoy. It''s like the saying, I don''t need to run faster than the bear, just faster than you. Just like the name suggests, but no creature in this forest can go past to a zone with a smaller level than itself, but they can roam around the higher leveled ones all they want. That''s why Aki went there to begin with, after all, if a monster got stuck to the barrier than he could just kill it through the barrier. The same applies to the wolves. As guaranty he even put 10 points in dexterity and strength, so as to hit and run the best he could. After hearing screams in the 10-20 zone, he knew there was an opportunity to obtain equipment in there, and he was right. Now he was even running back to the group from before so he could get more loot. Since this was a "Starter''s hunting area" there were even places with basic equipment for adventurers. That group had some gear on them. Aki wanted it. His answer to that was to start throwing rocks at the remaining beasts. Humans are animals too if you do not remember from your biology classes. After poisoning two stones he threw them at the Alpha of the wolf pack. One hit it at it''s side, but the other missed. That was enough for the poison to get in though. Even if it was just 1hp/s for 3m that is still enough to get counted as an assist and get him some XP. Aki runned a little while trying to stay in cover and threw poisoned rocks at the policemen. Don''t get me wrong, even if they couldn''t know from exactly where he was, everyone had already noticed him, they just didn''t expect their next target. This time both rocks hit home, one at the men''s eye and another at his thigh. He did try aiming better, but truth be told, hitting the man''s eye can almost be considered plot armor. Thanks to the sudden pain, and lost of an eye, the police officer almost shot one of his comrades by accident. From there on it was easy play for the wolves. Except those that were hit by poisoned stones stones or tried to attack Aki. Those died because his new knife was also coated in poison and not getting distracted at all by the wolves coordination. His responses were like that because he did exercise and actually read a lot about how to exploit certain attack patterns from animals and their fighting styles. Or just reading novels that tried to make the fights very realistic. Aki''s response though, was simply to send a straight into the mouth of a wolf pouncing at him and using it as a meat shield while "knifing" his way through. For those that do not know, if you get something big enough in a wolf''s throat, they won''t be able to close their maw. The ends result was that only the group''s tanker, who actually had a metal shield and a full plate armor in most of his body, Aki and the alpha wolf were still alive. Facing each other in a three way battle. By the way, each cast of poisoning costs 5 mana and will remain on the thing it was attached for some time, but that depends on the skill level and material it was attached to. Right now, after around ten minutes of battle, he was almost out of mana, standing with 15/180, which means he is having a bad headache, but it could be worse. The other two were actually very tired as well, but their Hp was much less then Aki''s at the moment. But that''s just in percentage, since his Hp isn''t that big to begin with. -I don''t know why you are doing this, but I won''t let you live even if we don''t really die here. -Sorry, but I don''t think we''re gonna meet again. You''re too much of an idiot to be able to catch me. -You little¡­ "People are never truly focused at something if they have time to talk" or so a sage once said. He was right. Having been recovering his stamina using meditation in a combat posture for one minute or so, which triplicates the natural regeneration +3% per level of the skill, Aki lunged forward to the men in armor. The man easily saw and dodged the punch to his face, he just did not notice the knife directed at his armpit while he punched Aki with his other side. -Arrgh! The wolf bounced a his neck, fangs barring, while Aki simply used the force from the punch on his side to help his roll. His breath heavy and stabilizing, but his grip in his weapon still firm. The wolf didn''t have that much luck in comparison, since before he could get his attack in he was punched away leaving just a scratch. Now they were positioned in a line with the tanker in the middle, Aki and the Alpha at the extremities. It was just a matter of five seconds for the guy to lose all his health to the bleeding and poisoning. And that was exactly what happened. When the men fell, Aki received a message saying he got XP and runned to the corpse, while the alpha runned away. Aki didn''t want to let such good XP run away, so he caught the man''s sword and threw it at the wolf, embedding it in one of it''s legs. After killing the defenseless thing, the now level 13 assassin was passing out, so he did his best to climb a tree and position himself so he wouldn''t fall. ¡­ -Is that guy really human? Maybe we summoned a demon that was pretending to be human in their world. Said one devil in the control room. His voice just like any normal human. -No, I personally checked that guy, he was chosen because his understanding of magic was high and his potential just below average, so with some help he would be as good as that guy who is meditating and feeling the elements. Another answered with even more doubt in his voice. -Wait, did he have any martial arts understanding or battle experience? Asked a beholder through a mental wave. His profound voice not hiding his curiosity. -His understanding is average and he only has a ton of random knowledge about how to battle multiple¡­ ohhhh. Found it. This guy is a Isekai and Wuxia fan, besides the sociopathic tendencies. Devil B said. -Translate to the non nerds, please. Said Devil A. -He reads a lot about a lot of things, but mainly unconventional methods to fight that are created to kill. The nerd with horns and pointed ears said. -And we sent such person to this world where classes and skills can give the ability to do a all you can imagine? Said his devil friend. -... -... -You''re gonna need to tell boss there is something that was not predicted with the warrior''s candidates. Said the Beholder, breaking the silence. -I already know. Said a monotome and cold voice from behind the three demons. -The seven he killed talked a lot. If I remember correctly he should be the 37¡ã, so how did he kill the 13¡ã and the 15¡ã, together with his team? *Thun* The nerd kowtowed the moment he heard those words. -Please, spare my life! -To begin with, I don''t have the authority to kill someone because of a mistake like that. That doesn''t mean you won''t be punished though. Starting now you will have to work double the time and your salary will be cut in half. Be thankful. -Thank you very much milady! -Don''t commit another mistake. -I¡­ *BAMM* -Who said you could lift your head? Clean this and get him to his post. Not giving notice to the blood in her heels, the succubus went back to her chambers and other demons started taking the devil out of the hole his head was kicked him. If you looked well enough you could see his skull, so he was actually still quite lucky. ¡­ Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 40 Class: Assassin Lv 13 Active skills: -Backstab Lv 2 -Poisoning Lv 3 - - - Passive skills: -Blade mastery Lv 4 -Smooth steps Lv 2 - - - Subclasse: none General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 6 Charm resistance Lv 6 Massage Lv 1 Meditation Lv 5 Pain resistance Lv 2 Anger Lv 1 Sleep resistance Lv 1 Demonology Lv 5 Disease resistance Lv 1 Identify Lv 1 Subterfuge Lv 2 Attributes: Vitality: 12 Endurance: 14 Strength: 20 Dexterity: 27 Intelligence: 12 Wisdom: 18 Health: 120/120 Stamina: 140/140 Mana: 180/180 -Now that is some good advancement. A shame though. I better find someone or something to teach me magic fast. Well, there should be enough monuments in the level thirty zone, and if there''s not, then there should be in the level forty one. Having slept for two hours, more like passed out for two hours, he was awoken by the uncomfortable posture and the chilly night wind. -Anyway, I better eat. Jumping down from the three, Aki made a campfire and started roasting a wolf''s meat, which he cutted out with the sword from the party from before. It didn''t take long for it to look cooked, but he still waited until it was a little charred. (It''s gonna taste bad anyway.) *Crunch* *gulp* -If you want some than I can roast more. -How did you know I was here? -I didn''t. That''s just courtesy. And some guessing. Aren''t you that appatic looking guy? Did you learn magic already? If so than I can protect you from close range and you teach me whenever we have the chance. -... -Even if you don''t talk, your looks say you have it on you. And the goddess seemed to be having a conversation with some individuals in private, so I just picked the most suspicious and magical looking person around and said they were a genius in magic. A perfect plan, right? -... -Don''t even think about it! You may run all you want, since your body wouldn''t be left behind if I kill you, but I won''t make it easy for you to kill me either. Said Aki while grinning. [Special action has been performed! Intimidate is now level 1] [Special action has been performed! Mana perception is now level 1] 3 Magic While the skinny young man flinched, Aki''s grin turned into a soft smile again and he patted the place next to himself, signaling for the man to come and sit. His dark brown hair was illuminated by the fire, almost black brown eyes, a face that was neither sharp nor rounded. Truthfully a normal face that can''t be said to be much above average. It''s just that he was covered in dried blood in many places and when his smile reached full bloom it made him look strange. Like he was trying to imitate some kind of serial killer but just couldn''t get it right. Besides that, he just had a calm or tired expression most of the time. That''s the protagonist. Sorry for the delay, his appearance just didn''t matter that much. Even if I say he is just above average or that his hair and eyes are actually dark brown, that doesn''t make him much different from any protagonist, does it? Uh? The creepy smile thing? He had it during the fights, but besides that he just seemed focused like any other person in a life or death situation. The skinny youth seated as he was asked to and ate without uttering a single sound, even when his teeth started to hurt he did not complain. By the way, his teeth hurt because all the meat was a little black, though Aki ate the ones that were worse. At the end the two had ate the whole alpha. -Now, let''s talk business. What''s your class? I am an assassin (uncommon class) , but that''s just for the moment. You? -Arcane magician (rare class). I can teach you magic if you protect me while we''re here. -No problem. Though I''d love to have a companion, it seems like both of us would prefer another kind of company. -Um. -Dois. I haven''t had much time until now to feel my skills and mana flow, but I kind of get how it works. I want to get a magician class, so please, do tell me about the fells you get when using a spell. -Even if you tell me to describe it¡­ -No need to worry, even if you''re bad at describing something you just have to remember that most magic tomes are filled with gibberish because the authors didn''t know how to write in a way other people understood. -Is¡­ is that so? Well, it feels like my body heats up in certain parts and something flows in like a high current of blood. -So it''s like¡­ yeah, ok, even I can''t do such lame joke. Anyway, show me your most basic magic and tell me how you feel during it exactly, the way the energy flows, and I will try to copy it. ¡­ -Hee, I guess you really messed it up there, that guy already thought of how to replicate spells. Said devil A. -Like that even helps much, you need to be a genius or¡­ Tried to say the guy with a big hole in his head. -He did it. I guess you were going to say that you need to not have magic in you when you were born or have a high understanding of magic, right? You do remember this guy has both, since the magic in his world was close null. Correctly guessed the grinning friend. -Mooo¡­ why are these things happening to me? Did I not pray enough? Haven''t my offerings not reach the Lord? -Cried the nerd. -Were you born ugly like that? Was your luck with woman always this bad? With his friend''s salt added on the scar, the devil was nearly crying. He truly would if there wasn''t a rule about not doing so while on the job. Distracts some people with a kink on that and causes accidents, mostly all the time. ¡­ [*Ding* You have met the requirements for a class change: Arcane mage - Sufficient understanding of mana and how to focalize it yourself, success in casting an attributeless spell with sufficient power. Attention, only one class slot is free, choose wisely.] [As one of the few who found the knowledge about the root of magic, the Arcane mage is a scholar and an explorer of the great abyss of magic, but it is up to him as to how to utilize such knowledges.] [Would you like to change to this class? Bonuses and skills will be applied after doing so] This may look easy, but it is as hard as to get the gunner class, which needs a certain understanding of guns, how to make, maintain and upgrade than, besides other things, and to successfully make your own fire weapon. By yourself. That''s one of the main reasons why this class is considered as something only dwarfs and gnomes would choose, and one of their signature classes. Even if a class is "rare" it can still evolve just like other classes, but it is also very hard to truly take advantage of that. [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Legendary learner: learn a magic spell or martial technique totally without the system''s or another capable source''s help. +5 intelligence.] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Copycat: Mimic a spell or martial technique with a good degree of perfection through little details. +3 wisdom] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Persistent: Perform a spell or martial technique with great effectiveness but with a poor compatibility with you. +1 endurance] -Well, you''re apparently not considered as a capable source of help in the system''s point of view. I just performed a feat of strength saying that, don''t look at me like that. Anyway, I also got the class, thank you. No, I won''t be betraying you now because that doesn''t offer me any benefit at all, now stop you freak. I''ma gonna sleep. As Aki showed zero concern for his suspiciousness, a waver happened in his suspicion, but it was a quick one. I kind of forgot, but the thin youth is named Alex, and he has black hair, black eyes and white skin. Not the sickly kind, mind you, but more like he didn''t go out much. (Okay, I will stop with the trying secret ways to accept a class, but I will find it one day system! Yes.) Yes, that''s why no class change notification appeared until now. [New class: Arcane magician. +20 intelligence. +20 wisdom.] [Your mana regeneration you receive from all sources is now doubled. All your spells are now 50% more effective. The affinity of your body to magic is now doubled.] [Skills obtained in Arcane magician: Active: Mana blast - Lv 1 Blast your enemies with a mana explosion. Active: Mana missile - Lv 1 Shots a penetrating magic projectile. Passive: Mana manipulation - Lv 1 Your manipulation of mana is 50% (100% after bonuses) more effective. Passive: Mana absorption - Lv 1 Your body can absorb mana better. 25% (50% after buffs) more regeneration to all resources when in a mana abundant environment. Receives 25% (50% after buffs) more mana from all sources.] ¡­ Aki went on as he said he would from the next day on. Killing like there was no tomorrow. "Pissing and shiting" as the saying goes, was actually facilitated because of the dungeon''s laws, yes, it''s obviously a dungeon, and this dude never had much shame to begin with. -What do you mean this is a dungeon? -Whenever you walk around enough you have this feeling you''re getting to another place and know that there''s some kind of information about the monsters of the area inside your brain all of a sudden. That sounds like a newbie dungeon to me. -This may sound rude, but aren''t you taking this too much like a game? -I''ve always lived like this, just restrained by society. It may seem like a game to you, but I looks like a giant opportunity to live the life I always wanted, so shut up and follow me into this treasure vault filled with level fifty or higher monsters. No matter what, just do exactly what I do. -I don''t really have choice, do I? -Blame your parents or the God of earth that your sleep is so deep I was able to carry you here in an hour without waking you up. Just don''t dream of robbing my XP. As he said that, Aki heard a click sound and the temple''s door opened. [Maximum experience reached, telekinesis is now level 5.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 3. 5 attribute points awarded.] As you can see, you can level up by performing job related actions. Did you perhaps thinks cooks go around wielding giant ass knifes? No, well, some actually do that even if they don''t have a combat class, but that''s besides the point. Aki has been tinkering with and moving the mana on his body since he woke up, so that''s actually when he got telekinesis as a spell choice. Magicians normally have several options for spells, and sometimes extra effects, every time while leveling, so the difference between two individuals happens to be quite big even in the same classes. Of course, like Aki, one can always learn a spell the "normal" way, but that is quite hard and the spells can always be changed when in the skill list. *Suu* *Suu* *Suu*... After the flamethrowers at the door, It didn''t take long before getting to other traps. But a normal trap against those in the tutorial are just¡­ -Trash! Where''s the Greek fire? Where''s the undead wall?! The slime house?! Come over, you faggot of a dungeon master! After thirty minutes of easily blocking arrows, corrosive slugs that are afraid of lightning, pitfalls filled with spikes that were easy to detect, making that giant stone run after nothing because he triggered it before reaching the determined place, while still robbing the gold¡­ -FUCK! You brats wouldn''t even step in here if I wasn''t ordered to restraint myself, now shut the fuck up! Said the huge, scary image of a monster that resembled a human woman but had its nipples censored when the creator suggested to put a harpy here. I will shut up about that. -If you''re such a big deal, then you shouldn''t hide behind such measly illusion jackass! -Listen you¡­ *crack* *crunch crunch crunch¡­ * -You¡­ -Baaim earting a farry, Yesh. (I am eating a fairy, yes.) *Gulp* -It tastes like cream cheese but crunchy. I am not giving it to you. Said Aki while holding half of the former dungeon master that was hiding behind the ilusion mentioned before. Her''s wasn''t really a combat class [You have killed [Valerinidias - Dungeon master- Lv 65/ Illusion magician- Lv 58]. For killing an opponent 50 levels or more higher than your own you will receive bonus XP] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 14. 5 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 15. 5 attribute points awarded.] ¡­ [*Ding* Assassin is now level 23. 5 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 4. 5 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 5. 5 attribute points awarded.] ¡­ [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 16. 5 attribute points awarded.] [Maximum experience reached. Subterfuge is now level 5. Mana manipulation is now level 3. Mana absorption is now level 2. Telekinesis is now level 8. Smooth steps is now level 3. Backstab is now level 5] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Dungeon clear: conquer a dungeon. +1 all stats.] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Dungeon soloer: soloed a dungeon. +1 all stats.] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Dungeon conqueror: destroy a dungeon core. +1 all stats] -WUUUHHUUUUUUU! I don''t even need to find a way to rob the core now! Anyway let''s run. -What? -We shouldn''t be too far away from the boss room and with the core broken it will not have a compulsion to stay there if it detects us, so I have no way to defeat it. -What?! -I thought killing the dungeon master wouldn''t break the core, just make it more stupid. I just received a notification saying I was wrong, so now we¡­ wait for me! Yes, Aki''s bad mouth was a strategy. The plan was to kill and eat the dungeon master, use the excessive mana from its meat as a boost and make a hole in the boss room''s door, so he could cast a fire spell inside the room and burn all the oxygen away. Even if the boss was an undead that would actually be useful in many ways. As they runned away, Aki and Fieron (That''s how the skinny guy presented himself when asked) actually heard some thump-like sounds (The sound of something very heavy beating metal) and were extremely scared, so they runned a lot faster. Which, after Aki''s new plan of waiting outside the dungeon entrance succeed, proved to be the right choice. -Is that¡­ -I''d say it''s an orc general, maybe named. The pig like man of three meters had just knocked himself against the entrance barrier and was holding its head. -So we kill it while it is behind the barrier? You sure it won''t retreat? -Not before we incapacitate it''s legs. Shoot a mana missile with focus on penetrative power and feed it a lot of mana. Think of gungnir, the Lance that pierces all or something along those lines while at it, ok? -Ok. -At my mark you shoot its left leg. Don''t miss. 1, 2, 3, NOW! Both shots hit the orc''s legs and it Buhi-ed into anger, trying to break the barrier with his punches. It was only a matter of time until it died, after all, between an animal that was born yesterday and an animal that lived in human society for sixteen years, the later is obviously smarter. With all the mini-dungeons inside the forest having a level bracket of +10 the area they were placed at, obviously no dungeon monster could leave its lair''s. If a champion happened to level up to much while inside the dungeon and couldn''t leave its premises, the his or hers patron would teleport the champion out. While in this case¡­ -Hey, you sure it''s ok to leave this guy alive? Said devil A. -It is not up to me to decide. Answered the gazer. -Dude, are you ok? What happened to your voice? "Worryingly" said devil nerd. His coworker''s voice was profound and narrator like -I lost a bet. It isn''t just your human that happens to be causing unexpected events to happen. Grumbled the narrator demon. -Yeah, heard the number four actually already reached level 40 as a berserker. Number one seems to be a paladin by the way, is it really OK to leave him be? -A-kun worries to much. It''s not like we can''t use him or any other "holy" adventurer for our cause. Said nerd-kun. -Yeah, I get that, but the guy just seems totally fanatical, you think it''s going to be ok if he finds out boss is a demon and was lying before, even if she only used her charm on them that one time? Continued the guy with a one letter nickname. -You overestimate humans too much. That guy murdered other ten people already, you really think he will care to try to commit suicide when we tell him to follow our orders, just because he is following a different race? Unfasedly said the floating eyeball. -No, that''s exactly the type of thing they get crazy about dude. Answered the knowledgeable otaku. ¡­ [Your group has killed [High orc - level 68]. For killing an opponent 40 or more levels higher than your own you will receive bonus XP] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 26. 5 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 20. 5 attribute points awarded.] [Maximum experience reached. Mana missile is now level 5. Mana manipulation is now level 4. Mana perception is now level 3. Wind magic is now level 1.] 4 Leave it behind -I think I will pass out. Fieron, who was sweating profusely from the effort, said. -Lay down and sleep. I will keep guard. -No need I will just¡­ (He passed out. Just clarifying, but it was ecause he got out of mana.) -Let me just¡­ Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 50 Class: Assassin Lv 26 Active skills: -Backstab Lv 5 -Poisoning Lv 3 -Parry Lv 1 - - Passive skills: -Blade mastery Lv 4 -Smooth steps Lv 3 -Persuasion Lv 1 -Trap mastery Lv 1 - Subclasse: Arcane mage Lv 20 Active skills: -Arcane blast Lv 1 -Mana missile Lv 4 -Telekinesis Lv 8 -Whistle Lv 1 -Arcane Ray Lv 1 Passive skills: -Mana manipulation Lv 4 -Mana absorption Lv 4 -Energy conversion Lv 1 - - General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 6 Charm resistance Lv 6 Massage Lv 1 Meditation Lv 7 Pain resistance Lv 2 Anger Lv 1 Sleep resistance Lv 1 Demonology Lv 5 Disease resistance Lv 1 Identify Lv 1 Subterfuge Lv 5 Intimidate Lv 1 Mana perception Lv 4 Wind magic Lv 1 Attributes: Vitality: 40 Endurance: 43 Strength: 48 Dexterity: 55 Intelligence: 65 Wisdom: 69 Health: 400/400 Stamina: 430/430 Mana: 690/690 It took Aki about five minutes to decide, but he ended up investing in all his status instead of just focusing on one. Even if he actually split the Xp with Fieron, it would actually be like the dungeon effect didn''t exist and they were hunting by themselves in a normal place, since the experience here is doubled. Obviously Aki was too greedy to even think of such possibility. Instead of formulating team battle plans, he was thinking about how to hunt in the higher leveled zones. -Who''s there? You''d have a hard time believing how much he actually says that. -I mean no harm. This time a female voice answered and slowly approached while with her hand on a sword. "Identify" [Warrior- Lv ??] Aki showed his best smile. It had been fifteen minutes since they defeated the high orc and he had already recharged his mana with meditation. -Is there something I can help you with miss? "If identify can show me the levels of any being ten or less levels above mine, than she must be at least level 37 on her main class. Apparently only the first class is shown, so she could have more levels in her subclass." The difference between his words and thoughts were immense. -I am only here for the dungeon. Said the tall ginger in leather armor. -Then we have a problem. Said Aki while standing straight. -We''ve already cleared the dungeon and don''t plan on handing anything over. Fieron, I promised to protect you, but if the lady attacks then you will have to dodge too. The skinny man grumbled awake after being lightly kicked in the woman''s opposite direction. -There''s no need to fight. I have some treasures as well and¡­ -Pffff¡­ OK, you win, my poker face hasn''t reached such level yet. Look, I can see it in your your eyes, we''re similar, but I won''t fall for your trap like that. Someone that reached this place at the second day and has a level near the forties can''t have a party or be a good person, so let''s just¡­ Both stroke at the same time. Aki tried to pierce his knife at her neck while she lunged at him targeting his left side with her sword. While she twisted her neck, Aki used his telekinesis to hit her wrist. As a result a piece of his t-shirt was cut and she had a minuscule cut at her neck. -Hee, so you can use poison and force magic, what a waste. -I feel the same. If one of us decides to just cripple the other at the end it wouldn''t be so strange. -Gross. Spare me that. -Good to know we''re on the same page miss berserker. I am not sure that I can even stop though. -It is the same for me. How often would I find someone so similar after all. If you still haven''t guessed, both have that battle junkie grin on their face. While Guilda changed the hand holding the sword and swung it to Aki''s right side, while he intercepted it with his knife and sent a kick to her stomach, which she caught with her right hand. He tried to punch her, but she jumped back and he fell on all four, rolling to the right in the next second and avoiding the sword being plunged at the earth where he was a moment before. -Not bad kid. -Don''t say it like you didn''t like it, miss. She got the sword out of ground and he got up. -Don''t you dare interfere Fieron! I don''t care if you run, but this is my fight! As he said so, the sounds of someone running could be heard. -Anything else before we keep going? She asked. -If a monster comes up we kill it together. Deal? -I also don''t want to die. Deal. And so they fought. Really, if they weren''t in front of a dungeon they would have been fucked. As I said before, this forest is also a dungeon, and since dungeon monsters can''t leave it''s lair without either losing the dungeon''s interference by themselves or with orders from the core/dungeon master, these two were perfectly save after crossing the dungeon boundarie and turning a corner. Not all spawned monsters are idiots, their brains are developed and capable of learning just like normal animals, so after some guidance from the core they form "societies" and get smarter on their own. A good example being that they also know that their attacks can pass through those thresholds. -Did you see how many there were? -I''d say thirty or something. The idiots wounded and drenched with sweat and blood were now seated against the wall and almost passing out. Before I forget, she is no beauty in special, but still a woman in her prime and has a well kept body. -Name''s Aki. You? -Guilda. Can you stand? -I will in two minutes. Just let me get my mana back so I can try figuring out a healing spell. Need me to cauterize your wound? It looks pretty deep and I don''t think I can simply cure it in one go. He said pointing at the blood gushing wound on her stomach. -Don''t you think I will kill you if you heal me? She said while raising an eyebrow. -I don''t see any fun in doing that now, do you? He retorted. -Nope. Get me something to bite. She waited. -You''d prefer mine or your belt? He joked. -If you''re asking because your hand looks like a mashed red potato, than I can also bite it off. Help me take mine out. These jeans are done for anyway. She retorted, wincing because of the cut on her face stopping her from smiling. -I didn''t open the dungeon treasury yet. We can look for clothes there. He admitted. -Just fix us already. She said before biting down. -Hold my arm if you want, but try to not pass out or kill me, ok? He said with a serious face. *Nods* -I will start now. He started focusing on trying to make his good hand the hottest possible and channeled his mana to it, even started shaking before a small ball of fire the size of a table tennis ball appeared in front of his fingers. *Muffled screams of pain* *Bones cracking* -Done! You just need to stay still now, your vitality is higher than mine, so if you receive enough healing mana everything should be ok, just hold my arm. I will just hold my bones in place and¡­ And so he got the belt from her mouth and started straightening his bones. They just stood there for the another hour just breathing hard and feeling the itchiness from the healing. -I''m going to need that back. She said while pointing at the belt. -Here. He gave it back without thinking. ¡­ -Did that fucker''s just will out some elemental magic out of his ass and then figure how to turn his mana into healing mana? Said a passerby. -Yup. Devin''s getting punished again right now because this guy just got to second place after his stunt with the fourth. Said another attracted leacher. -Fuck, is he just gonna kill the dragon or something like that? Said a mob like guy that didn''t seem to have any presence. -Maybe, but for now he isn''t. Who wants to bet if they''re gonna have sex? *A variety of opinions, punishments and rewards being said by a lot of people* -Interesting, I will bet as well. Everyone stopped talking the moment their boss said that. -Here. And don''t you dare bet or show it to anyone. Said the slack faced succubus, who walked away right after giving the man who suggested the bet a small folded paper. *Even bigger steer starts* ¡­ -So you get the fire resistant set of clothes and I go for the magician tunic and mantle, ok, that makes sense, but you can''t keep that egg, we''re gonna cook and split it. -Why do you even want it?! Gilda berated him while hugging an egg that was almost as big as her head. -Because it is obvious something that will raise the status of the one that eats it! Aki rebuted -Really? I just wanted a chocobo or some other thing to carry me, so I guess that''s for later than. Make a pan and fire and I will fry it. She said, immediately changing plans. -We don''t even have the conditions to raise something like that. He said while easily doing the magic asked for. -I girl can dream. She pouted, acting nothing like her age. *Crack* -Ah, there''s blood falling. Maybe it was really¡­ Guilda actually sounded regretful. -Even if you say it like that, this is going to be out best meal until we get out of this forest and find a city where we can use this gold. He said while patting a very big sack of gold coins that was together with the egg in a treasure chest. -Now that you said it¡­ the regret fading like it was never there to begin with. And so they ate the egg. As Aki said, It was actually delicious even though it was just fried. The free status point was even more delicious though. [*Ding* The dragon egg has changed your body permanently. All status +5. +1 attribute point when leveling up. 46 attribute points awarded] 5 Team -This was a fucking dragon egg!? She screamed. -Apparently, but I regret nothing. If you got the same bonus as me then you also won''t. He affirmed while looking wide eyed at the notification in front of him. Guilda tried to say something, but then she looked at the notification again and shut her mouth. -Are you thinking what I am thinking? She said after a moment of silence. -I don''t think another dragon egg would benefit us, but we need more of theses kind of things. He said with the same administration showing in his face. -Wait, did you just say "we"? She asked. -You think it''s easy to find another calculative battle junkie who you don''t have to lie to? He replied. -So what, you want us to marry? She even seemed indignated. -I don''t know what you''ve got to turn you into what you are, but I was actually pretty sure you''d try to kill me for real before we slept together, so I didn''t think it that way. Sorry for being inconsiderative. The choice is yours then, I wouldn''t mind being your partner. I will count the gold while you think. He apologized and sadly went to count the spoils. "Am I being too harsh? I mean, he obviously wants to get into my pants, but I don''t think it''s his priority with me. Certainly he seems disgusting, but so do I. Even if¡­ no, men are all disgusting and women are all bitches, I will never¡­ I guess that''s impossible. Then I will just not do it unless I am in a controlling position. Then again, he does seem to show his whole self and we can always split up." That''s what took her an hour to think up. "Her butt is certainly nice, but she would gouge my eyes before I¡­ oh, I actually forgot the thing about the act itself being an offense even if they''re stronger than me. I guess that''s hard to keep in mind with powerful woman. Not that I have done it, but it''s gonna be hard to remember when my thoughts vague away. If she accepts me. Then if she doesn''t I will be alone. I''m fine with that, but¡­ I just hope I haven''t forgotten anything I could do to piss her off." That''s what he was thinking during that time. -Ok, I think I''ve got this. How about we ask each other some questions and then I will decide. She finally said. -Ok. -Are you straight? -Yes, but I can be your gay friend all you want if you need a shoulder to cry on. Where you''re from? -New York. How old are you? -91. Ok, 16, I just said the number upside down, jeez. What was your job before coming here? -Butcher. Family business. Did you have a girlfriend? -Sure, I had three. No, I obviously hadn''t. Will you keep asking questions about my sexual life? Because if you want to know, yes I am a virgin. -No and thank you for making that faster. Did you ever commit any crimes? -Before no, but I''ve MPKed some people yesterday. You? -Murdered a guy and the police didn''t find anything on me. You''re not shoked? -I see no difference in killing people before or after we came here. That knife is from a guy who was killing his own teammates. I finished killing then after getting it. Is this enough? He asked while seemingly tired. -Yeah, sure, I just wanted to make sure I was going to go with you. She said embarrassingly. He smiled and said goodnight. ¡­ -SUCK IT YOU ALL! HAHAHAHA! And so a small part of the people on the office full of demons cheared, for they had gotten it right. ¡­ -So, there''s most likely going to be a lot of orcs up there, any ideas? Aki asked while he drunk water from his magic. -You got any AoE magic? -None that will work well. Unless you want me to make a cloud of black smoke and then I can snipe then out from the entrance and you tank your way into distracting then. He suggested. Following which they started to grin like some kind of rapist. And so they followed the plan. There were twelve orcs left guarding the entrance. The mage was the first target and ended with a gaping hole to his brain. One other warrior was caught off guard when Guilda ran out of the black smoke that appeared out of nowhere, but soon she was holding other three off. Aki, obviously, wasn''t slacking just because he got a sugar¡­ ok, I will not. He was providing support by making quagmires and stopping the orcs stuck on it from using their bows or getting out. At the end, because Guilda was actually able to hold on until Aki was able to release her from the stalemate with some concentrated kill shots and she killed of the ones stuck on the quagmires after getting their shields off with her higher strength and the mace they found at the treasury. By the way, besides the gold and Guilda''s armor, there wasn''t anything really noteworthy. There was a staff in there, it''s just that Aki broke by doing some experiments, reaching the conclusion of "If it broke by me making some simple spell adjustments, then it was nothing good". Aki is using some baggy clothes below his mantle, which does have a hood he doesn''t want to use, and moccasins, which, besides being the right size, would not be his first choice if given option. Guilda is also using brown pants and a green shirt, which seems to be some kind of regulation in the dungeon loot, but now she has an enchanted leather armor and is carrying a sword and a mace. The armor doesn''t look any different in the outside in comparison to the one she was using before, besides being new. [*Ding* Your group has killed [Orc mage] level 59. For killing an opponent 30 or more levels than your own you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Your group has killed [Orc warrior] x7. For killing an opponent 20 or more levels than your own you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Your group has killed [Orc scout] x4. For killing an opponent 20 or more levels than your own you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 28. 6 attribute points awarded] [*Ding* Arcane mage is now level 22. 6 attribute points awarded.] [Maximum experience reached. Earth magic is now level 2 . Mana missile is now level 6. Mana manipulation is now level 5. Backstab is now level 7. Poisoning is now level 4. Parry is now level 4. Trap mastery is now level 3. Meditation is now level 9] -Everything considered, I''d say we make a very good team and that this will be a very profitable week for us, but this should have caught the attention of some other things, so we better move and them get a mid night snack. Said Aki after catching his breath. -Agreed. She nodded. They ran for a while, but stopped when they found a very big and hairy pig. Not an euphemism for naked orc, they really found a four meter tall pig. Which was actually level 42 at the end, so they easily killed and ate it. -I wish so badly that we could settle down in a city right now. He said before sighing. *Coff Coff and other sounds people make when there''s food stuck in their throat.* -Water? A pat in the back? Me not laughing at you for falling for that? He said with a smug look on his face and conjuring water for her. -That was not funny. She said. -It definitely was, just that you are still too emotionally weak to laugh at it. Seriously now, let''s talk about or plans. Do you want to get first place here? ¡­ -He knows? Since when?! -He most likely got it by the fact that he felt a strange affection towards boss when she showed up, resisted it and received charm resistance or something like that. -Really? Dude, that doesn''t¡­ "I figured this was some kind of tournament or test by someone who borrowed this place when I got charm resistance till level 6 after meeting that supposed goddess. There should be some explanation and a job at the end of the week, besides some jack asses watching us and manipulating some things behind the scenes." Said Aki while waving a middle finger to the sky. -Before anyone says anything, I''ve checked his webnovels history and he actually knows quite some tips on how not to get charmed. Everyone looked strange at Devim, the nerd responsible for Aki. -You know, I think I will take a break to call my GUIRLFRIEND and tell her I am going home EARLIER. Said Devim, dragging his words and savoring the sour faces of his colleagues. Even if he was being punished at the beginning, he still got quite a lot of benefits after all the things Aki has proven about himself. One of them being normal work hours. Only the top five in this project got that kind of privilege as a bonus. ¡­ -No, that''s¡­ -All men are horny dogs and all women are bitches. Even remembering that kind of saying, don''t you think it is strange that you liked that woman the moment you met her even without any other kind of thing happening? Said Aki while interrupting her. -That¡­ this¡­ arrgg, my head¡­ -We still got a lot of time, there''s no problem. And so he patted her back while she vomited because of sudden dizziness from breaking a from charm. ¡­ Kalig was mindlessly looking at the huge cliff in front of him. Or so it would seem, but he was actually looking at a transparent screen in front of him. (*Ding* This is a dungeon message: any challenger who wishes to proceed to the treasure chamber must first pass through the test of divine will! WARNING! Challenger may suffer a punishment much worse than death in case of failure, do you still wish to proceed? Yes/No) The paladin looked back and saw the plains between the forest and the mountain. Littered with the corpses of his party members and golem parts. He saw they die all over in his mind while looking at the blood stained grass. The wind kissed his face, bringing dust and the the smell of corpses. Tears fell from his eyes, but his expression stood firm.! -Your suffering will not be forgotten. May you be blessed with happiness back on earth. ¡­ -So you mean whoever dies here is going to be tortured until their souls dissipates? Guilda asked, sousing shocked. -No, I am saying that''s a possibility. Like, what''s the last thing you remember before coming here? Replied Aki. -Entering a police car while the whole block looked at me with¡­ -Was there someone''s very close to the man you killed in crowd? He said while interrupting her. -What? I suppose, but¡­ -Was there anyone that person knew who could try to murder you? By the way, the last thing I remember is me entering an airplane. Implied Aki -... -Yes, I am saying we''re dead and they got a hundred random souls that weren''t going to heaven in a garage sale or something. Please, do remember we just ate the liver of a four meter tall pig and killed orcs hours ago. That in itself proves that anything and everything is possible. Said Aki, forcing the reality into the confused woman. -What if this is all a dream? Countered her. -Them your quite narcissistic and likes tall girls with fit butts. Joking, you can get out of a dream by falling a high enough place. Here, I will help you. He said, making compacted earth blocks form a stair about 3 meters tall. -Go ahead, this may be your subconscious saying that you need to face a not so pretty cellmate or being touched in inappropriate places by an officer. He tempted her while showing a straight face. -I¡­ She tried saying something, but the words stuck on her throat and she decided to simply climb the stairs. It didn''t take long for her to start to think it might be a prank from Aki, but he still had a straight face and was right below her with open arms, showing that he was going to catch her in case she decided to jump. With so many things on her mind she didn''t even notice Aki''s true intentions and jumped. *Thump* -I heret nrhot. (I regret nothing) As per his calculus, she fell boobs first on his face. Of course, with the breastplate from the armor on the way, he didn''t really feel anything. Guilda sprung up and fell on Aki''s stomach knees first. Knowing what would happen next, she got up and took him by the neck in a way so he wouldn''t choke on his own vomit. -Gha, I still don''t regret it. He said after he stopped vomiting. Then started to summon water and drink it. -Let''s go you idiot! Said the embarrassed woman. And the boy followed. More like he leaded, since she noticed he could be staring at her ass otherwise. 6 Wolfies A little after the sunrise. -Don''t you think we''re going too deep? She asked with a worried voice. -Nahh, we both have level 60 status at hand, so killing things on the other areas is quite easy. We''re going to level our skills much faster fighting these things. He answered full of confidence. A wolf lunged at him. It was going to be hit on the side of its face with knife, but it jumped again on the air and ended impaled by a spike that went out of the ground. [*Ding* You have killed [Wind wolf] Level 86. For killing an opponent 50 or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 30. 12 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 24. 12 attribute points awarded.] -They''re wind wolves. Don''t put all your force into one attack, they are quite brittle, but are very fast. They can also cast wind magic while with their mouths open. He alerted While five meters from one another, they were now encircled by twenty odd wolves minus one. -What about the big guy? She asked. -He will try to attack when we show an opening while fighting his minions. We pay attention to each other and it''s all right. It should be a direwolf, so it''s better than the rest in everything. Shield your ears. While he was talking, the wolves started to howl and attacked in great number. -THUNDER CLAP! Signal bolt! Magnetize! Water cutter! A deafening sound reverberated at the clearing they were present, stunning all the wolves, making Aki''s ears bleed and Guilda''s ring. As a result Aki started to scream his spells and in order, sent a bolt full of unstable energy and changed the polarities and charges of the wolves'' pelts, making them attractive or repulsive to one another. I don''t have to explain how that is useful against a group of coordinated attackers or what a water cutter is. The interesting part, is that since Aki isn''t actually using a skill, he has no cool down time or limitations. Of course, he also, doesn''t have the system''s help in most of the process, so those spell names are purely BS. The true thunderclap and magnetize spells are a lot more powerful. Everything being flown out by the pure power of sound. Bodies mashing and crashing together. Those are the real version. By the way, if a true magician saw Aki''s water cutter, they would call it sonic cutter instead. Which happens to be a stronger version of the water cutter spell, reason why it cut open three wolves and the trees behind them. -Fuck, that took a fourth of my mana! As the status window can be minimized to show just the resources and Aki has no one to tell him such things, he took thirty full minutes to find that out and set it at the upper left corner of his sight. Fire balls started to be launched one after the other and all around. Six more wolves die. The Alpha attacked Aki. There''s now a cut on his spine. ¡­ Hurts. Hurts. It hurts! I hurt! Erase! Destroy! Revenge! Stop! Make it stop! Eat! Revenge! [Maximum experience reached. Pain resistance is now level 7] Three o''clock, thunderbolt, kill direwolf. [*Ding* Your group has killed [Wind Direwolf] Level 88. For killing an opponent 50¡­] Stand hand and grab. No? Paralysis? Telekinesis. Puppetry. Pain. Stop. Try. Pain. Try. Pain. Pain! PAIN! [Maximum experience reached. Pain resistance is now level 8. Telekinesis is now level 10] Bite! Absorb. Pain! Wolf! Kill! Blood! Blind? Clean. Pain. Heal. Help! Guilda! Help me! Promise! Traitor! Revenge! Kill! [... Assassin is now level 33¡­] [...Arcane magician is now level 27¡­] -Out of the way. Cold. Lonely. Move. Kill. Better. Traitor. Attack. Hurt? Not her fault! Failure acceptable. Still friend. Won''t let die! Spell¡­ death. Too much. Devour? Devour. Core? None? Hunt? No time. Too much blood. Time! Not enough. Trees. Corpses. Grass. Soil. Hurts! Construct. Not enough. Devour. None? Mater. Broke. Hurts. Impossible. Souls? None. Points. Wisdom 200. Order. Slowly heal. -It will itch. -Not bad. ¡­ "I truly didn''t expect it to be that fast. Sorry, it seems we will both die because I can''t ever do something¡­ right? Eh" Right before Aki being hit, Guilda was fending against five wolves, so when she noticed that the direwolf had disappeared it was already in front of her. Her attack missed and again her stomach was cut open. The direwolf had used a ilusion to look like a normal wolf, took a hit that looked fatal, but actually mingled with the bodies to strike from the shadows. The berserker didn''t stand a chance. While she fell on her back, she didn''t utter a sound. When she finally saw it attacking Aki, she tried to scream, but no sound came. "Damn magic!" The direwolf slashed at his spine and assumed a posture as to howl in front of him. She didn''t expect that right after he fell face first there would be a rock hand coming from the ground catching the direwolf. Aki started to tremble, but didn''t seem capable of moving with that wound on his back. At least it seemed so until his hand started to raise, stopped, and then caught one if the direwolf''s paws. Then it started to deteriorate and rot. There''s no other way say it other than that. Aki''s wounds started to heal at a visible rate, but the direwolf had died before he was finished. That didn''t stop him from crushing the neck of another wolf and using telekinesis to get it closer when it tried to bite him At that point he could already move without problem. -Out of the way. The wolves wanted to run, but during the time they took to notice their leader was totally dead, they had already all been caught by a telekinesis tendrils, keeping their pawns firm on the ground. Aki turned around and looked for tracks of Guilda, finding her surrounded by five panicking wolves and bleeding on the ground. Two were biting her insides and another was trying to maw her throat, but all three were totally paralyzed. He paused for a second and then the wolves biting her had their mouths extended. As in tore open in a way their jaws were torn off. Sprinting a little, he got to her side and tried to cast a spell. It failed and his arm started turning bony. Before it started rotting away he took another two wolves lives and made it come back to normal. He decided on another spell and started casting it. It failed. And failed. Twelve or so times before it actually succeeded. When it did, the system recognized Aki as having level 1 Time magic and Guilda started healing and woke up. -It will itch. -Not bad. And then it came to her. An unbearable itch that makes one want to tear their flesh away and bite their bones off. Obviously Aki had to hold her down during the convulsions. Until Guilda got herself together, Aki was already back to normal. -You ok now? He asked worryingly -Let me die next time. She said with ragged breath. -No. Can you stand? He said matter of factly. -I guess, but what the hell happened here? She took his hand and stood up, noticing the death around them. -I sucked the life out of everything around so I could cast the spell to actually heal you, who had lost part of their intestines and had blood on your air tube. He stated. -That is¡­ thanks. She said, shocked. -You welcome. Now, please take care of me while I pass out. He said, as if asking her the hour of the day. -What?! She barely caught him after that. Worried, she tried to check his vitals, but he started to snore before that. If you''re curious, here''s his status. Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 19 Class: Assassin Lv 36 Active skills: -Backstab Lv 7 -Poisoning Lv 4 -Parry Lv 4 - - Passive skills: -Blade mastery Lv 6 -Smooth steps Lv 4 -Persuasion Lv 2 -Trap mastery Lv 4 - Subclasse: Arcane mage Lv 31 Active skills: -Arcane blast Lv 2 -Mana missile Lv 6 -Telekinesis Lv 11 -Mana steal Lv 6 -Life steal Lv 10 Passive skills: -Mana manipulation Lv 11 -Mana absorption Lv 8 -Energy conversion Lv 7 - - General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 7 Charm resistance Lv 6 Massage Lv 1 Meditation Lv 8 Pain resistance Lv 8 Anger Lv 7 Sleep resistance Lv 1 Demonology Lv 5 Disease resistance Lv 1 Identify Lv 1 Subterfuge Lv 5 Intimidate Lv 4 Mana perception Lv 12 Wind magic Lv 1 Fire magic Lv 3 Fear resistance Lv 1 Healing magic Lv 4 Earth magic Lv 2 Water magic Lv 3 Dark magic Lv 1 Thunder magic Lv 1 Time magic Lv 1 Attributes: Vitality: 48 Endurance: 61 Strength: 100 Dexterity: 80 Intelligence: 70 Wisdom: 200 Health: 480/480 Stamina: 610/610 Mana: 2000/2000 [Active: Mana steal - Lv 6 You can absorb your enemies'' mana through touch with 31.25% effectiveness] [Active: Life steal - Lv 10 You can absorb your enemies'' health and stamina through touch with 36.25% effectiveness] [Passive: Energy conversion - Lv 7 Your body is very familiar with mana operations. Capable of turning health and stamina into mana with 32.5% effectiveness. Capable of turning mana into health or Stamina points with 16.25% effectiveness.] Aren''t those skills a little too developed? Well, I mean, he did absorb most of the energy in everything in a radius of 60 meters, including all the energy in the soil and the things living into it. Please, do remember that this is a dungeon, a very mana rich ambient. ¡­ (Now that he stopped snoring and drooling, he kinda looks cute, strange.) -Suck my dick. Said the slack faced succubus, receiving a scared and confused stare from her captives, who were mostly man and straight. They were also traumatized with her torture, so there''s that. "I was just cursing." she felt ashamed such thing also counted toward her job''s quota, measured by a technologic apparatus that calculates the punishment of the souls of the sinners under a certain demon. Such tool is installed on a tablet¡­ like device from the demons. Right now that was minimized so it showed on the right upper corner of the screen, while she watched everything happening to Guilda. Why? She is the responsible for her after all, why would she not be watching? Also, of course succubus can have dicks if they want. "Maybe I should do that¡­" 7 Big fear -So, I will need to learn buffer magic earlier than I thought. You falling into illusions is going to be a problem to us in almost all battles against mages. Said Aki -Wait, why would only you be ok?! Indignantly questioned Guilda. -Because I am otaku, you think I can''t differentiate illusions from reality? I''ve seen every kind of trap and battle tactics involving messing with your enemy, I am perfectly capable of¡­ Started Aki -Ok, ok, just shut it. Haaa¡­ you''re such a pain, you know? Interrupted Guilda. -I mean, you were going to hell too. Retorted him. -We don''t know that! Said the atheist until recently. -Anyway, there''s no way I can simply learn that without practice, so let''s just hope that happens before we reach the mountain. Carelessly said him. -Isn''t that kind of a big deal? Worryingly asked her. -I mean, there''s no other dungeon in these high leveled zones and it''s not like there''s a sign saying where to get treasure chests. I also don''t think we can kill the dragon flying around, that''s obviously the dungeon boss and at least level 100. He said while shrugging. -Can''t you do what you did with the wolves? I mean, it does drop around sometimes and I think I can throw you on its back¡­ She tried to say. -It will kill me. He said, matter of factly. -What? How do you know if you haven''t even tried, maybe if we just¡­ She dejectedly tried to say. -Guilda, listen to me! He stopped walking and caught her shoulders. She was caught by surprise, but she could still free herself if she actually tried, since she did have more points in strength than Aki, it''s just¡­ "So close!" That succubus was toying with her a little by using the events from some time ago as bait. -If we ever face a dragon, it won''t be before we reach a much higher level than it or get lots of poisons. If from eating a dragon egg we got +1 every time we level up, them what guarantee do we have that it doesn''t receive ten or twenty attribute points every level?! Those things are fast, smart and strong. We''re not a match right now, so don''t go throwing your life away for nothing! -Yes! "Was he always this manly and tall?" Guilda flusteredly thought. "Nah, It was just the moment and the bridge effect. That''s it." Guilda resolved. ¡­ -Even I am not that dense. Right? Worryingly muttered the slack faced succubus. ¡­ -Uh? Where am I? Aki looked around and all he could see was an hotel room. He was naked, his phone on the nightstand on his left. He checked it and the date was May 11th, two weeks before his sister''s birthday. The day after his flight. His flight. The turbulence. They had to make a urgent stop in the US. The company arranged room. I had money and time¡­ He looked at his right and saw a red haired beauty sleeping peacefully by his side. It was Guilda. She had some light freckles on her shoulders, a pair of shapely breasts, strong arms, a fit belly, narrow waist and a big rack supplemented by thighs that just demanded attention. While Aki was poetically describing her in his mind, she actually woke up. Looking flustered by the stare, but she soon noticed he looked at her like a piece of art. Appreciating beauty and without lust. At least the former was much bigger than the latter it would seem. -You''re not allowed to stare like that, you know? She pinched his thigh while showing a seducing smile. -You sure? I didn''t see that on the cite. He said with curiosity. -I mean, you only payed for the night, so if you make me attack you we will have a problem. She said while getting on top of his seated position in one move, breasts jiggling on his face. -Is there no other way then? He asked while moving his gaze to her face -Well, I am sure we can get to an agreement. Her voice sweet and seducing. -You sure you prefer to do so while using Guilda''s form? He asked without changing his tone and expression. -As expected, you noticed. Her voice changing to a deeper one, her form more voluptuous, her long black hair cascading down her back, her face sharper and cold. -Would you mind telling me what gave it away? She asked. -You can''t read in dreams, so when I looked at my phone I knew it was a dream. Also, even if I didn''t check my phone, if I had called a prostitute to my room, she would be a brunette and most likely not a woman who is totally my type. He said, and then started fondling her butt cheeks. -I can''t do anything now that you found me because of some rules, so my answer to that is no. She said after feeling the thing between her thighs. -That a shame, you don''t seem that bad for a succubus. Your personality I mean. Anyway, did you need something? Is Guilda¡­ He said with a serious tone, moving his hand to her waist and getting his invitation back. It is a dream, so he can at least do that much without problem. -She will die at that mountain. She said matter of factly. -And what can I do? He grabbed her with more force and brought her face closer to his. His whole body was getting blurry. -So you can only last this¡­ She tried to mock. -I am just having a hard time not showing my ugly side to a beautiful lady. He solidified again, now having shark teeth and being bigger. His hair also thrown back and pride on his eyes. -Your inner demon, I see. You just need to strengthen her mind or convince my boss to let you pass the test for both of you. She said, not at all surprised by his sudden change. -It gets bigger you know? Anyway, you just need to say that one human suffering for two will definitely end up in more than the sum. Even more if that human is someone like me. An aura leaving him as he said so. He pulled her even closer, their noses were even touching now. His breathing heavy. -I see. For someone so sinful, we can certainly make an exception. They also seem to have started to grow, you are a perfect candidate for our project. She said, an air of excitement on her cold voice. -That is good to hear, but I don''t think I can hold on much longer. He seemed to be suffering while saying so. -Do whatever you want. She said, as if it didn''t mattered to her whatever he tried to do. -Then, I shaw thank you for the meal! His eyes glazed. He grabbed her hair with one hand and shoved her head to the side, exposing more of her neck line, but getting no reaction from the demoness. His teeth grew again and he bit her. Blood flowing in his mouth, flesh torn and devoured. The flesh grew back by the next moment, but the blood dripping from her shoulder and staining the sheets was proof that he actually ate something. One bite was not enough though. His hands holding her with inhuman strength, massaging the tender and smooth demon skin. -It certainly got bigger. If we''re going to be here for some time them I might as well practice the ways of the vampires. You''re gonna need at least this much mental fortitude to survive anyway. She said, not even flinching as her flesh and bone were torn apart. He stopped for a moment and his hands started to wander, groping her backside strongly. He looked at her with serious eyes, as if saying "what are you waiting?". She nodded and fangs grew on her mouth, poison dripping she bit down without any more excitation. ¡­ [Maximum experience reached. Mental resistance is now Lv 10. Charm resistance is now level 10.] -I was actually expecting more levels, but oh well. He shrugged. -You woke up already? There''s still one hour until your shift. Guilda said to him. -I will go to the river take a shower then. You can sleep when I come back. I won''t take long. ¡­ -Who''d expect he even learned how to produce other types of poisons after just five minutes of feeling it on his body¡­ well, it wasn''t all that bad. I even got some good info out of it¡­ Muttered the slack faced succubus. "Guess I will just modify the test at once and post his excuse on the relatory." She decided. ¡­ (Your group has passed the test of great might. Damage grade: perfect. Group coordination grade: almost perfect. Adjusting rewards.) (*Ding* This is a dungeon message: any challenger who wishes to proceed to the treasure chamber must first pass through the test of divine will! WARNING! Challenger may suffer a punishment much worse than death in case of failure, do you still wish to proceed? Yes/No) -So I guess now is the great test. It having divine on it''s name and all. Any tips? Said Guilda, gulping down from fear. -Wish me luck. He said with an icy voice. [Maximum experience reached. Fear resistance is now level 2.] Guilda blinked. They were now inside a place filled with majestic beauty from nature, but she just couldn''t focus over it. -Oi! Wake up Aki! Is this the test?! Did something happen?! She was almost screaming from fear and shock. -No, it is just that you already passed the test, while he is still in there. Half-lied the slack faced succubus. ¡­ They were out. There was a city in their vision already. Aki could already imagine, taste and feel how his¡­ their adventures would be. How fulfilling, happy and challenging. He felt it all and held the good and bad things to come with open mind and arms. The city was beautiful, but it was also beautiful how it burned. He didn''t know why they had to burn the city, but it was her request, so how could he question it? He almost stumbled in the corpse of a little girl while looking for survivors, and instead of remorse, disgust or whatever else, he just thought he wanted to be able to raise a princesses and make her happy, while picturing his retired, laid back life together with her mother. Was that Guilda? Who is Guilda? I am a loyal man and lover, shouldn''t be thinking about other women while with my honey. ¡­ Time passed. They killed a lot, leaving their levels at the four digits. -Hey, let''s destroy this world, it isn''t fun anymore. It will be beautiful when the fireworks start! She said. -There you go again, making those plans that bring us trouble. Where would we live then? I thought that after we killed everything in this world maybe we could be Adam and Eve, make our love nest here! An older version of Aki sighed and said. -It''s not funny! Everything we kill those gods something else appears to take their place, how could we live like that? Said her, briming red with the idea of children and their current position. -You''re right. Maybe we could go to another planet them. I scried this solar system, and apparently there''s two worlds where there are no gods. If it''s there then we could stop any from getting near us. He answered. And so they did. After swimming in the planet''s nucleus, they destroyed it and moved to another mass of rock. Time passed yet again. They had children. -I don''t know if I was ever this happy in my whole life! He sobbed while saying so, his beard making the baby cry. -Come here. She said warmly. -How do you want to call her? He said while snuggling to her while both tried to calm the baby. -I don''t know. Lily? Lily. She is such a cute little flower. -You just couldn''t think of anything better, could you? He teased. -Shut up. It''s not like you were thinking anything different. She pouted. -True, I was also thinking of¡­ calling her¡­ Lily? Eh. Aki blinked. He questioned everything he had lived until now for the first time. All he saw in front of him was a clay doll holding a rock now. He touched his face, tearing his jaw out by accident. He didn''t feel a thing. He understood it all. All this time was a lie. He cried. He cried a lot. For a long time. He cried so much that life started forming from his tears. His voice long gone. Insects. Small animals. Larger builds. Men. He was considered a god. No meter how long it passed, he just cried. Some tried to put him out of his misery. Some talked to him. Prayed to him. Made offerings to him. The doll and rock were long gone. He just grew older as the time passed. Not changing one bit. Oblivious to the changes around him. One day, in a age similar to the steam revolution from earth, a small girl sneaked into his shrine. She was merely an orphan from war that thought the place the adults never went in was a safe place in the middle of all the shots, explosions and corpses. There she sat and cried. Then he woke up. He was furious. He destroyed everything from where he stood. He then realized what he had done. Looking at the ashes around him, he asked himself how much suffering he had caused in this¡­ reality. "Even inside a world of illusion I''m still shit um?" And he broke out of it. 8 City Aki didn''t wake up slowly like it would be expected, he actually lunged forward and tried to strangle the succubus. His hand was broken before he could touch her neck tough. His legs didn''t respond. -We have to talk first, then you can do whatever you want with this carcass. You calm? She asked without change of tone. -I think. That was messed up. Giving me everything I wanted and them taking it from me is basic, but it was well done. He said while trying to calm down. -Thank you. She politely said. -Did you get anything out of it? He asked, hoping it wasn''t all in vain and seeking the smallest consolations. -My quota has reached itself twice, so I get a perfect grade on my grade sheet from uni and have an easier time getting into sis'' company, so yeah, it did help. She said with an undertone of joy. -Demons go to university?! Guilda shouted in surprise. -If you want a good job on the civilized part of the beyond, they do. The succubus said, matter of factly -Just so I know, how old are you? Aki asked, his face losing color. -I am 183 years old. Skipped some years. She said with pride. -Barely passing by some standards. He punched the earth, looking like he dodged something very dangerous by a hair''s breadth. -Ah, you were worrying that you had tried to flirt with an underaged girl? She said with a little smile. -Uh? Flirt? Underaged? Guilda was scratching her head trying to follow the conversation. -I entered his dreams to inform about your eminent demise in this test and made an agreement that he would pass the test in your instead. By the way, I am your sponsor here, so yeah, I have plenty of benefits in keeping you alive. The succubus said to her. -While on a dream there are some rules, to make it simpler to you, I was in an superior position over her and started making advances. We couldn''t do sex, there''s a whole other type of rules for that, so we kind of did a vampire mating ritual. He finished explaining. -So earlier when you went to the river¡­ Guilda said while blushing. -Really!? That''s what you want to ask? He exclaimed before she finished it. -It''s the most I got out of the conversation! She pouted. -Ok! Anyway, what''s your nickname? Aki ignored the shame and directed a question to the succubus. -My first name is Aranei, so I never got one. She said. -Really? He raised a brown. -You were flirting with a woman you didn''t even knew the name?! Guilda was shocked. -Like you never flirted with a cute guy while drunk! He countered. -Well, certainly, he is a total virgin, while you can''t keep it in your pants while drunk, so I imagine it would''ve ended the same way were you there. DOUBLE K.O! We will be back after a short break. ¡­ -Even though she is a demon it still hurts when "you" say it. Aki explained. -That is part of my dark past and hurts. Guilda explained. -Humans are strange. Aranei said. -At least I had friends. Aki rebuked. -At least I had people to be with me that didn''t just wanted my body. Guilda rebuked. K.O ¡­ -Being a genius is hard. Said the succubus. -True. Agreed Aki. -You know, I''ve been standing here for half an hour and we''ve got nowhere. Even though there''s so much treasure there we can''t do shit. So, what''s the next step? Said Guilda, interrupting the circle of depression. -Uh? Oh, those. It''s fake. Even I can''t take a coin out. The true treasure is a job. Answered Aranei. -I Already have two jobs. There''s another option right? Aki said worryingly. Demons weren''t known for being generous. -There is. You will get the ability to summon a demon at the cost of your mana. The more mana spent the more power the demon will be able to show. She explained. -Thank whoever decided that is important . Aki sighed. -You welcome. She said. -You trying to flirt with me or is it just you being you? As you said, I have zero field experience. He asked -You are certainly interesting, but I am trying to focus on my career. She answered. -Then you are trying to get favor for your carrier, that is certainly better to know right now. He smiled. -Going on. The reward please. Guilda hurried. -You need to sign this contract first. A little skimming over the ten clauses proved the contract to not be so bad. -Just a little doubt here about the number nine, if I can kill my owner, I will be free again, right? -In case you are able to survive the mental backlash and do so under the rules stated, them yes. She said after checking what he was talking about. -Wanna make a contract? The bet kind. He proposed. ¡­ After another fifteen minutes of secret conversations, Aki got himself a contract and the first phone number of a girl on his life. It''s a soul number and he got it because of a business reason which made it so he couldn''t call her for no reason, but it is still the number of a hottie. He told himself so at least. -So, what will it be? Asked the succubus -The five basic or is there more I can get? He asked out of precaution. -You need to pass some requirements for other species. She confirmed. -Then I want a female hellhound that is big enough for me to ride around, who I can have a conversation with through our mental link and has a lot of resistances. She also needs to have an easy to say nickname. For this minute if you still have time around. He asked. -I have three, five, ten matches. I will put it to random, now, I need you to answer some random questions and we will be done. She affirmed. There''s that much demons on hell, yes. -If a horse goes 37 km/h, how long will it take for it to catch up to a horse going 34 km/h if the original distance between them is 500m meters? -Really? I got a math one from the start? He rebuked -You don''t have to get it right. She said. -Them just write 500¡Â(3x6¡Â100). He hurriedly said. -That''s actually close enough to consider it right. Next. Bare or thigh high? -Thigh high. -How many children do you want to have? -If you weren''t just thinking of using me¡­ *Sigh* Three, all adopted. -What''s your favorite animal? -Cat. -Favorite color? -White. No racism. -Not offended. Two more questions. Would you prefer to A) freeze to death B) Burn to death or C) Explode. -Yeah, you''re actually going to use this to tease me later, aren''t you? A. -Yes, I will. Last question. What is your favorite deity? -Write down yours. -Done. You will be able to summon your hellhound after getting out of the forest. She said, storing the pen and paper she summoned with magic. -Couldn''t you have used an IPad for that? He asked. -Technology we can''t bring here. Paperwork problems and shit. She said, missing her games already. -I will buy one when I go to hell them. By the way, can we keep that gear on the vegetative guy? He asked, hopefull. -Sure, we were just gonna let him die here anyway. We''ve already got the soul. The succubus shrugged. -Them Guilda got herself a new shield and I got new shiny things to trade for gold. The small things anyway. How close is the nearest city anyway? He asked with a smile. -Two kilometers to the east. You''re going to spawn on a rode curve. She said, guessing his next question. -So, how much time do I have to strip that guy? He questioned, other plans already forming on his mind. -Twenty minutes or so. She said, curious about what gave him such smile while searching a corpse. -Them please, sit down and watch. He noticed her curiosity and started doing his magic. A chair made out of rock appeared for the succubus and some lights shone over him. Heat forming. He took out his shirt and offered her some iced water in a glass cup with a bright smile. Thank magic. With his arms stretched and hands on shoulder level, he started taking all the small metal objects from the man''s body. A stream of gold coins came to him, collapsing at his feet as two golden rings stood on his hand. Kneeling, he offered her one. -No. She instantly said. -Do you really not want a friendship ring? And I thought we were doing well together. A shame, I shall need to seek another liaison for my future dealing with the beyond. He shook his head, but stood there. -Give me that ring. She ordered. -So, how would you rate my glamour? He asked. -8 out of 10. Another immediate response. -That coming from a dream walker is the best I could ask for now. I will wake Guilda and you can teleport us. He said while putting back his shirt. ¡­ A band of merchants who was passing through noticed two traveler on the road with a very big dog being rode by the woman. They were not very far away from their destination, so nothing happened. Just a bard that got his nuts cracked from a kick when trying to flirt with Guilda and some backpacks were bought by Aki. At the entrance of the city they just registered Jade as a tamed beast and told a lie about losing their bags on the way to the city while running. Aki was that useful. Now, at the Inn¡­ -So we can pay for two rooms for a whole month in this middle class inn, while having a lot of privileges we wouldn''t at other places. Why aren''t we renting rooms on a high class in them? Guilda asked with confusion all over her face. -Because bad things happen there. We''re not prepared to kill the people who would attack us there. He answered, like he was telling her the color of her hair. -Them we could just pay those people and¡­ yeah, I will stop with the bath thing. She said while looking down in defeat. -Look, we can always go looking for a bath house. He said, happy that he was not the one who freaked over a proper bath first. They did clean themselves in rivers or with water magic, but it was just hard to stop feeling dirty, all blood and guts considered. A good scrubbing could definitely help. "I like bathing" said Jade in her husky voice through her mental link with her master. -See, even Jade said she likes bathing. Said Aki while intimidating the guy that came to get his hellhound to the stables, succeeding in saying that he will kill if his dog isn''t satisfied. By the way, Jade looks somewhat like a doberman with bigger and stronger limbs about 1,60 tall, jet black fur and green eyes. Besides that she does have a sack of poison that emits a liquid very jade like. After asking around for ten minutes, they found the adventurers guild. Anyone that cared to check would notice that they were a level 36 rogue and a level 49 warrior, so of course Aki got picked up on for being with a beauty by his side. She was also the one riding Jade, so they thought it was her dog. Aki also wanted to ride, but Guilda was being lazy and didn''t want to go down from hugging her new pillow. Jade quite liked the attention and scratching, so she just ignored the rest. When Guilda went to fill the paperwork, still riding Jade, some men went and surrounded Aki. -Silence. That was a spell. Before the first thug could say something absurd, Aki blinked through the shadow realm to behind the guy who cast the spell. He didn''t know any martial arts, so he just punched the guy on the back of the neck. He did forget his strength was on the hundreds already. Since he did not expect him to pass out from simply that, he activated Backstab. There was a light sound of bones breaking, but no kill notification. Holding his knife on the neck of thug 2, Aki started his treats. -Take your friend out of here before I make it so you all are permanently silenced. As the Aki had gone to a shady corner before they "ambushed" him only they had seen what truly happened. So when Aki started screaming that the man had passed out out of nowhere, they knew that was their cue to run. [Maximum experience reached. Persuasion is now level 3. Intimidation is now level 5.] "It is apparently more efficient to use these in crowds." He deduced. -Hey, Aki! What is Jade''s race again? Asked Guilda while on the counter. -Veneficus¡­ He tried to say. -Forget it, I will just write cute dog as the race! Grumbled Guilda when he started talking in latin. Truth be told, it was five words long and Jade is wagging her tongue even now, so it''s fair enough. As the guild doesn''t actually ask you for your status, the paperwork was done quickly and they were entitled to buy info on the dungeons around. Dungeons are life, so it''s a given that big cities will appear around them even in a desert. If they can be cleared, of course. Around this city there are three dungeons, one for people around level 30, one with monsters around level 60, and the last one has monster around level 100. This time Aki went to the reception for information while Guilda went to the notice board to note down the material they should look for to make a profit. -So, me and my friend are thinking of dungeon delving tomorrow after some preparations, but it is just the two of us and we don''t want to go carrying a ton of materials around or simply leave behind money. I came to ask if the guild could recommend a carrier service for us. Aki said, pretending to be head over heels for the cute receptionist. -I am happy to inform this guild branch offers a carrier service and a banking service sir. And so he deposited some gold coins on the bank and got some directions. He did use the occasion to ask where the bath house of the city was. While at the bath house he was attacked, sure, but they were just some level fifty thugs. No one else was there, since they left after the goons got in, so he just used them as experiments. He had three hours of bath because of a promotion, so when one of the clerks entered the man''s area prepared to clean the battle results, she was surprised seeing Aki on top of the five men on the brink of death by poison. -Uh? Did my bath time end already? I am sorry for the disturbance, I shall take the trash with me so it does not pollute the water anymore. Said Aki while having a sweet smile on his face. He took all five assailants by the hair and poisoned it. They died almost instantly, not like he would receive a level from just that though. [Maximum experience reached. Poisoning is now level 8.] His skills are another story entirely. He burned the corpses to ashes, gathered it with summoned water, compressed it and froze the water. As the cherry on the top he even wrote "Better luck next time" and left the ice ball on top of the lockers. It would be funny when whoever commanded those guys got the message. To him, not so much to the messenger. When he saw Guilda with her not so dry hair and Jade almost sparkling, he explained what he was doing for the last hour and a half, that''s the thugs time for bathing, while ruffling Jade''s fur. -I will be going to the library next to see if I can get some info on more complex magic, I find you girls back at the Inn? He asked. -Nha, I need a drink, so you take her with you. Guilda said. -Remember to at least get an excuse before you murder someone or we will lose a lot of money. He nagged. -I am not you. She countered with an ice tone. -Them please keep it quiet tonight, we don''t want to be evicted on the first day. He countered with a smile. She pointed the middle finger at him and left with a blush. 9 Date? At night, after Aki skimmed over the five books he had bought for the steep price of fifty gold coins, he slept like a log before Guilda came back. -You know, this is the first time the same woman appeared twice on my dreams. Aki said to the succubus. -The same goes for me. I usually kill the man on the first try. Said Aranei. -It''s good to know I got one of your firsts. He smiled. -Very funny. Now, I''ve got your first mission. She said. -Would you give me the honor? He extended a hand. His suit almost hugging his skin. -Do I really have to? She said, reluctant. A red flowy dress on her persona, accentuating her curves while her raven black hair cascading over her shoulder gave her an air of mystique. -If you want to get rid of the figurants, then yeah. You know that. You can step on my feet all you want, I also don''t know how to dance. Without you interfering it''d just be some low class nightmare. He assured her. She grumbled and took his hand. The music was slow, the people looked at them and their faces distorted as they started to insult them. Mostly Aki though. -Does it really bug you that much? He asked. -It brings back bad memories. You know I can be as affected as you while on your dreams. She said, obviously irritated. -Do I have your permission to accelerate things a little them? He asked with an understanding smile. -You do. She nodded. And so he kissed her. His tongue coiling around hers, trying to please her, but ultimately he was the one out of breath. -I thought the next step would throw us at that pit. Good stars. She said, looking around to where they had magicaly flied to. -You could at least pretend to need to breath you know? So, what''s the mission, I can probably do anything if it is inside that city. He said. -Never been one for manners. Anyway, you need to dominate this city and summon a hundred demons. She said. -In a way that doesn''t cause problems to the demon''s reputation I imagine. Some gangster is already targeting us, I will send Jade and should have made a start by the end of the¡­ do they have the concept of weeks here? He noticed. -They do, it''s Wednesday after you wake up. She noted. -Good. Dream me back on Sunday and I should have enough gold to start the summons and have a base on the city. -Good. -... -... -You have no idea how much time we still have here, do you? He sneered. -None. Any good idea? -You ever heard of romeo and juliet? He asked. -The tragic couple from Shakespeare, yes. -I meant the flavor. Pizza? He offered. -Sure. And she started talking about her day. By the way, Devim got a vacation and a cruise paid by the company. -It''s ok, we can go to a cruise later. Maybe I will even make it to your prom! -Don''t. -Hahahaha! How''s the pizza? It''s from a trattoria from my hometown. -It''s shit. She nodded -You know, a normal human would be offended. He smiled -A normal human wouldn''t have a level five Demonology skill the moment he came here. She countered. -And I am happy you like the pizza. Guarana? -The drug? -I think you mean coke, the one no one knows how to perfectly replicate and shares a nickname with cocaine? He raised a brown. -Yes, that. She said. -Sorry, I never even smoked, even less touched drugs. I can offer you pure caffeine though, it''s even worse for your system and it certainly does have a strong addictive property. He offered. -I was just trying the joke. She explained. -It does certainly put a smile on my face to know you care enough for me to try and crack a joke. It does give me hope though, watch out for that. *Thunk* She hit her head on the table. -Do remember that I can''t guarantee I will fulfill my part if this goes on and you break my heart. I will make sure to properly destroy your chances of having a good life if you just try to make a fool out of me, but you can still just say the word and I will stop. The hitting on you, don''t look at me like you didn''t understand what I just said. He calmly said. -Why are you trying to court a demon if it''s so troublesome. She finally asked. -Do you really think I will simply live a good normal married life after seeing the potential I have? He easily explained. -And I am your type? She asked -Definitely. He answered immediately. -You don''t know me. She shoot, already standing straight with her arms crossed in front of her chest. -That''s why people date and spend time together. Did you expect me to simply ask for sex or marriage out of the bat? You know perfectly well that demons can live happily together. He said while tilting his head. -I do. But what makes you think we could work. She asked with a stern undertone. -In the first place, because you''re considering it. Continuing on, I don''t see any bad thing happening just because we tried to have a relationship, at least nothing worse than in a normal relationship. If we don''t work out them I will most likely enter a depression period while slaughtering my way through things and you will be convinced you were right. While my temporary emotional collapse may seem like a problem, I am going to have one of those one way or another. I am actually forced to say this, so, let me tell you that he mentally practiced this same presentation millions of times over the years of his life and that he is sweating buckets in his heart. It is true, I just thought there was no need for it since most who reached teenagehood should relate. -I will think of it. I just don''t know until when. She sighed. -That is at least better than a straight no. Try to not leave me hanging, humans get anxious fast from the time view of demons. He said with relief. -I''ve already synchronized myself to the world you are in now. The time delay shouldn''t be too much. She assured him. -Is that so? Them I shaw go back to work earlier but with renewed motivation. He said with a beaming smile. The rock pillar from which he raised and fell from making him wake up. -Time to work sunshine! Aki barged into Guilda''s room, startling the man and woman in bed into wakefulness. As if not enough he opened the windows and lit the candles, making it so there was no shadow left in the room. -I will bring your breakfast in ten, so dress up. I will use this window of time to tell the fablergasted you that I casted blindness in myself before barging in, so i can''t see shit after one meter in front of me. I''ve got news from boss, Sis, so it''s not just you who''s in a happy mood! ¡­ -So, I''ve been meaning to ask, since this could put our life''s at risk, but why did you get us three to carry these things? -I am glad you asked! They are¡­ he shouted in joy. -SHUT UP! This headache is still kicking and I blame you for flaring it! Guilda scolded. -Is it okay for her to go into a dungeon like this? One of the carriers asked. All four grown and physically strong man with big bags on their shoulders. -She''s a berserker, so that much is fine. Anyway, you guys are carrying magic ammo for an experiment that I wish to perform when I have the chance in the dungeon. Aki explained with the least details. -So it''s something valuable that we could end up breaking. Said one of them, realizing they were going to have a hard time. -No need to worry, in case of exceptional danger you guys should back off a little, but besides that it is quite impossible for something to go wrong. Aki encouraged. After some paperwork, they finally got inside a normal dungeon, with normal monsters and traps. That said, it just meant that Guilda charged head on against the mob of orcs they found a little after the entrance, while Aki got some things from the material satchels. A dagger, some paste and a shiny stone. The carriers were curious about why the man just stood there while his companion was obviously being outmatched by the clear number of orcs. One of them was about to ask if they shouldn''t help, but all of a sudden, Aki stood up and threw the dagger he had on hand in an arc that would end in the back of the orcs. Killing notifications appeared on his view an he smiled. Some orcs didn''t die on the explosion, but Guilda could deal with those alone. The carriers were pale. -Oi! We didn''t hear anything about carrying something so dangerous! -Uh? Haven''t you noticed yet? That was an enchantment. A failed one. Those explode easily. To begin with, you were carrying a hundred daggers, you a lot of strange smelling paste and you some rocks, does that not ring a bell? He smiled trying to look cool. Unfortunately, his crowd did not understand it at all. -We are not magicians nor adventures, how should we know?! One of them shouted. -Yeah, sorry. Just thought you''d learn something from living around it, but it seems I have misjudged people''s interest. What I was trying to say, is that those things are not dangerous unless I try to combine them, but even them it''s something I was prepared for, so¡­ he explained¡­ -What''s taking so long? The guy who is free should come check the loot, no? Guilda screamed from a distance, in part because of the ear plugs she put on. And so, the four terrified man felt first hand how it is to be hostages of a bomber. No breaks while walking a tortuous and stressful road, always sighting blood and gore from the victims in great deal, being shouted at for no reason¡­ At least they saw it like that. And so they took their first pause after four hours. -I am beat! Aki, you''re next. Said Guilda after taking the ear plugs out and sitting down. -Hey, can any of you help me cook the orc meat? It''s for your own meal too, so it''s only fair, right? Unless you just want it roasted, because I am a terrible cook and Guilda¡­ you need to take a shower. Here. Aki said while rising a earth wall, a bucket with water an tossing her a towel. She had already been healed after every battle, but mental fatigue, soot and sweat accumulate like normal. If this were an anime, then she''d be so soaked that her clothes would be sticking to her skin. -Hey sis, my muscles are getting much more defined after all that leveling, do you think that if we keep going kill this we will be like those body builders? Aki asked with an innocent voice. -Isn''t that an important thing you little shit!? How will I ever get married if I turn into a muscle freak!? Find a magic to fix that now! I won''t kill one monster before we that! Guilda berated after noticing the danger ahead. -Pffff. You''re so easy to tease sis! Your muscles will just become more compact with time. It''s that. The more powerful you are the more refined your beauty will get. If it sis then once we get to level a hundred you will be able to slap any supermodel in the face with your beauty. Aki laughed and explained. -Oi! Finish those preparations fast, I need to kill more shit! Guida berated while showing her face. That actually made the man work faster. -That''s no good sis, don''t you want a cuter little brother? Pouted Aki. -I don''t need that! Shouted her from behind the wall. -It''s my turn anyway. I will just enchant two daggers and we''re good to go. "Weren''t those daggers exploding because you failed to enchant them!?" The men were shocked. -Haha, those faces are hilarious! I only failed the first two tries, the rest were simply not that good, so I decided to throw them away in a way to kill a lot of enemies. "I thought it was going to be hard too though. I just simplified what the book said and carved what I felt the spells would be like if they were a circuit. Who would know that all that bad blabbering was because the writers had too big a spectrum!" Even though some of the writers actually had some communication problem and/or mental disorders, that doesn''t mean it is easy to enchant things like Aki said. There is no especial explanation for it though. He is just good at it and understood the basic process, besides having fairly high mental stats. And money to practice, of course. Though his focus here was to level up, so the moment everyone finished eating he went and started his own orc slaughter. -Uwu, got another new passive perfect for me! Come at me you green shit, I will sell your testicle and make a fortune! Even though the orcs did not understand what that meant, they still understood that he meant to cut their treasure out of their hips. All males and some apparently female orcs roared in rage. Which only made it so they were easier to kill. 10 Human interaction -Say, why did some females seemed even more enraged then the males? Asked the confused Guilda. -Why you say¡­ Aki simply crouched down and got the pants out of one of the enraged females, revealing a twenty odd centimeters rod coupled with big green balls. One of them even had a piercing. -You mean all of then¡­ Tried asking the flabbergasted Guilda, who seemed unable to divert her view. -Nope, the males are a little smaller, and this is actually an hermaphrodite individual. Lots of hormones, so they get big all over. He pointed the the orcess curves, which were ridiculous even for someone with more than two meters. -That certainly makes sense. Said the woman who still had her gaze locked and showed a serious expression. -Look, if you are going to drool all over it, then we can just buy an orc slave. They have a racial trait that makes it so that you won''t feel pain while at it, and it can be turned off¡­ he tried to say. -Hell if I will ever have a slave! She seemed indignant and disgusted about the idea. -Sorry, but these guys are addicting. Literally, it''s an ability to make it easier for then to have lots of children. Most women of other races normally die when having orc children! He crashed her expectations. -Ou¡­ -It will also make you into their slave just so you can keep getting dicked until you die. He told the shocking half-truth. There are civilized orc tribes and clans, with their collaboration an "antidote" has been created. Not for the woman, but for the orcs, so they don''t turn their partners into mindless sex addicts. "Go green or go home" they say. Obviously though, it is almost impossible to get that unless you are in the middle of an orc settlement or very rich. That was something they could not expend their money on at the moment. -You can get an aphrodisiac out of these and I guarantee any man will last for ten rounds at the very least. We can get about 25% of these turned into it directly if you want. He offered. He never planned to sell more than 50% to begin with though. ¡­ -I mean, it does have good effects, but it is not meant for dogs! Or men for the meter, believe me when I say I would use it if I could. Said Aki while shoving the collar to Guilda. -Fuck it! Then just sell it, I will be fine! Guilda rebuted. -But it''s an item for a berserker. A female berserker! You know how rare an item like this is?! Said him. [Bloody rose chain - Rises the skill "Bloodlust" by one level for 15 minutes. Can only be worn by a female.] It was a dog collar with spikes. A red one. There is no need for me to tell that dungeons provide treasures that are related to the challengers and the dungeon''s own characteristics. As an orc infested dungeon, there was little Aki could get for himself. Even the xaman staff he got was not that good, and they took it out of the dungeon boss. It is not that the staff is bad, they just never have any effect that Aki needs or wants to use, so it would just make him carry a dead weight considering all his maneuvers during close combat. [Staff of Banevor - better conversion on lighting magic] Aki then decided to look for some magic gloves or enchant some himself. At the end Guilda decided to take the collar. Aki even had to point out that a lot of adventurers used ridicule or lewd outfits for no reason at all. Most people truly wouldn''t give a second glance at the collar though. If they hadn''t taken it out of a Dungeon chest then they too wouldn''t after all. Even Aki could only feel a small mana aura around the collar. If it wasn''t for the special function of the inspection skill that allows one to find out more about their own equipment, then he wouldn''t have know what it does either. Thankfully Guilda didn''t have much time to complain, as they were attacked the moment they left the boss room. About fifty men, five in hiding, Aki noted. The four carriers were unconscious and theirs bags couldn''t be seen anywhere. -What would it be that you gentlemen want to discuss? Aki said. -Not so confident now, are you? I will go directly to the point. You are being recruited and your sister is being sold as a slave. No matter how talented you are, if you resist again then you will be sold as well. Said a tall, threatening bald man with a scar on his right eye. -That is¡­ Said Aki with utter surprise. -Shut up and come at once! Urged the thug boss. -I, Sis, you get the ones in the left. *BOOM!* Aki detonated the gas he was making since he saw the man. It didn''t make a lot of damage on their barrier, but it blocked their sight. None of them expected Aki to actually teleport behind their commander and kill a man more than fifty levels his own in one attack. Well, most of their mages never thought of using a spell through a dagger''s blade, much less one that was totally still and by the side of a man''s neck. Aki''s new skill was really useful. [Passive: Grimoire - Lv 1 Makes it easier to memorize magic related processes. Allow for storage of one spell.] Aki was quite amazing, but he couldn''t span his teleportation spell yet. He could, of course, deal with his enemies in many other ways. While most mages had already started to chant or use other methods to prepare some spells, Aki had already casted flashbang, a version of thunderclap that has zero real damage, but is capable of an even better stun effect. This one Aki could cast. The mages lost concentration and had a rebound effect from their spells. The barrier went down. Guilda smashed the skull of one men and sent him flying against another, exchanging sword strikes with another and rapidly decapitating him. A rogue slashed her back and she roared, causing a fear effect, and smashing his skull next. Aki raised a wall of dirt temporarily blocking the passage and stopping further ranged attacks. Two men tried approaching Aki and he threw a flamethrower at them, boiling them inside their metal armors. They weren''t the only ones that were targeting him though. One rogue went for his back and another for his leg. Different from Guilda who would receive buffs from losing Hp, he didn''t need to get hurt to show his full potential. With another flashbang, the two rogues behind him stopped for a moment and Aki stabbed the neck of one while defending against the attack from the other. The man threw a kick at his open side, but Aki took the hit after changing his footing and caught it with his hand. The rogue desperately tried to slash or hit him, but Aki instead used one of their exchanges to cast a wind blade to his neck. Ignoring the man who was now choking at his own blood, Aki casted a healing spell at Guilda, threw one of his daggers at the crowd at let it explode. The earth wall crumbled and fell. Arrows and spells fell over. Aki runned in their direction and raised another wall behind himself. It wasn''t by chance, he could actually feel the state of his spell while it was active. Now the arrows were being shot at him, another flamethrower solved most of the problem, but he still did a front roll, followed by raising a small earth wall. It wasn''t much, but it was enough for him to start to make more walls and store another spell. *Boom bom boooom BOOM* It took the enemy mages about one minute to destroy the shields, which meant more 120 mana for Aki. Any extra mana was good during a battle after all. Using the breather to shove 130 status points into his intelligence, teoricaly tripling his spell effectiveness. This gave Aki some confidence, so he finally tried to cast a big ass spell. -EXPLOSION! And it worked. Five kill notifications appeared on his sight. The rest was disrupted and staggered by the sudden explosion. Using his storaged spell, Aki blinked into the shadow of one archer and started aniquilating them. Some time later, he opened the earth wall again and cast another heal on Guilda, then plunging to kill the last ten or so men after taking his combat knife out. Even with Jade''s help, it was too much to ask his companion to simply kill of 25 armed men. His demon had even been killed already. mostly because she was focused on while spitting her poison. Guilda herself was only alive and killing because she also had been leveling her warlock job and could now cast spells from her level thirty something class. Which were mostly focused on crowd control and life steal. After killing the last guy, both collapsed on the floor. -This was awesome. Said Aki while staring at the ceiling and listening to his rapid beating heart. -I finally used some status points, but I need healing. Said Guilda, while on her knees and using her mace to not fall face first. -I am almost out of mana and with even less stamina. Take these. Aki used his telekinesis to get two potions to her. -One is an antidote. -Thanks, already used mine. She replied and gulped both down. ¡­ Gunther was very bored today. No one came in and he was out of ingredients to research with. He could get more, sure, but that would mean debt. All researchers know what happen to a researcher in debt. That was when he appeared holding four sacks full of orc balls. The gods must have heard his prayers, because he even wanted to make a request! -In exchange for these two sacks, I want you to make aphrodisiacs out of this sack and use this sack to teach how to make aphrodisiacs. Said Aki. -I can''t guarantee you will get the skill or learn with just these. Gunther said immediately. Aki just smiled and accepted. The adventurers guild didn''t have any alchemy teacher at the moment because theirs was going on a trip, so Aki came to a shop with a researcher. And so Guilda got her "potions" later and went to the red light district. "Almost dying kind of got on my nerves" or so she said after getting questioned. Aki just shrugged and told her to remember to take the pills, which they do have around here too. She came back and punched him, but besides that there was nothing much. Of course, this time Aki made sure to remember her they needed to practice theirs skills so they would level up and they would suffer less danger. She ultimately agreed to go to the guild to look for a berserker instructor and hear him out about the domination school. The magic her warlock job gave her. -Fun fact, that is the school of magic that is most used for sex. He received another punch for that. And though it might seem like a bad combination, but her class choices are actually very good considering that most warlock spells are hard to spam already and some even cost vitality instead, besides giving her another potential life steal source. Anyway, back to the alchemy training, Aki was stabbing himself to concentrate. By the way, it is already the next day. [You have been poisoned. -4 hp/s for next 8m and 37s] -That goes there and¡­ fuck, that can kill me four times over! Screamed Aki after testing his own poison on himself as suggested by the alchemist. He immediately used fifty status points on his Vitality and started healing himself. -Quick, take this medium potion! Screamed the man who did not expect the young man to actually stab his hand to test for poison when he told so. -No need, it just gives me a headache since I have ways to heal myself, I can deal with it if I meditate during the duration of the poison. I also just doubled my Hp with points. Aki answered and started to lay himself on the ground. With Aki''s mana regeneration turning to roughly 19.25% per minute, he was more than perfectly able to heal himself back. [Maximum experience reached. Poison resistance is now level 3.] -Why the fuck would you even consider poisoning yourself?! Screamed the man. -Because that''s how you train healing magic, by hurting yourself. Aki said with a matter of factly tone. -Like hell it is! He rebuted. And so they spent the first hour discussing the correct way to train healing magic. -Fuck! If you know so much about healing, then why do you even need to learn alchemy?! Asked the jealous man who was at his wits end. -For more money of course! Aki answered with joy. It had been some time since he had such lengthy conversation about magic with someone that truly has knowledge. By the way, the argument went by the ways of: A: By healing yourself you have all the benefits from healing another person, plus the challenge and an easier time finding out about your injures. G: By getting in such situation you have a bigger chance to fail and cause a wound that is even harder to heal. A: That may also help with the need to get it right actually, besides showing how it is like when you fail a healing spell and further deepening of the experience. G: The pain from such a thing will certainly traumatize people before they learn. A: If you can''t heal at the heat of the battle, then what use are you in a fight? G: Healers are not meant to battle. It is the job lof the party to keep the healer safe. A: What about when one attack hits the healer and they can''t shake off the immense pain to heal their comrades? That actually already convinced the man, but he didn''t want to lose the argument and they kept going about minor things. 11 Teachers After that the man actually tried to test Aki, but he was actually paying close attention and asked various questions. -No, you can''t boil it, night''s smile will emit a pungent smell and ruin the concoction. -If you burn it with orc fat, then it will produce more, but the quality will be slightly weaker and there will be a need to clean the soot out after everything is done. -Exactly that temperature. Keep it for five minutes and don''t touch it after even if you can endure the fire. This is hard to come by because most people get intoxicated one way or another and no master has the patience to do it alone. -That was good, don''t get down. You may actually be a genius to get it half right on your first day. When the bells of the church rang midnight Aki had to go back to the Inn. No one tried to attack or kidnapped him tonight, so he knew there was shit coming. He smiled. It''s just that when he got back to the Inn he found a bored looking Guilda standing on his bed who started showing a kind smile the moment she saw him. Immediately he thought it would be some kind of ambush, but it was actually just Guilda. It would be too much a coincidence if their opponent had a level 63 warrior who could actually be such good spy and look exactly like Guilda. They''d also be dead by now. -So, what did you do today? Was it fun? She said with an understanding tone. -I went to learn alchemy. He said with no emotion. -And¡­ She ushered. -And nothing. I failed to learn my first recipe and will keep trying tomorrow. He said, still standing by the door. -You, spent all this time, studying? She said pausedly. -If you are asking if my teacher was a hot witch who I kept ogling, then no, he wasn''t and I am pretty sure. He said before yawning. -Good night. She said brazenly and left the room with a frown. Aki shrugged and slept. No dreams tonight either. ¡­ "It can''t be that he simply studied the whole day or¡­ wait, isn''t the aphrodisiac an alchemic product? Aha! I know what you are doing now little shit! The moment you step into a brothel I will make you want to dig a whole and burrow yourself in it for a hundred years! I shall have my revenge!!!" Guilda was thinking so before sleeping and ended up with a dream of herself shaming Aki like he did the day he caught her going to the red light district. The next day, Aki actually succeeded in his first recipe, which could actually be sold for a whole gold coin. -I knew you were a genius! As your formal instructor at the moment I congratulate you on the mastering of a new recipe. If you keep at this rhythm you will get a class change in no time, maybe even reach alchemy second stage by the next year! Gunther was almost jumping through the roof with excitement. Aki had to calm him down so he could keep practicing. Out of ten tries, Aki got four rounds and decided that was enough for today since his alchemy had actually hit level three and he had many things to do. He promised to come back tomorrow too though. As Guilda followed him, she got a strange smile that made some criminals rethink the idea of trying to rob her. It was night already, and when Aki entered the red light district, Guilda was preparing to shame him, when he got into a drug dealing and slave shipping shop and she stood still wondering. "Aren''t those considered parlors too?" She noticed, and dashed to get him out before something happened. She didn''t expect to actually see him already touching the legs of a slave who was smoking some blue thing. -Aki! We''re¡­ She tried to say. -I am in the middle of treatment, shut up! He automatically berated her. When she noticed the woman''s legs were swollen and even had cuts, she shut it, noticing she got the wrong impression. She tried to go around and talk to a woman behind a balcony, but she simply did a gesture for silence. After he finished, she tried to talk to him again, but the woman behind the counter simply flicked her fingers and another bathered slave came in, while the woman that was being treated before moved out after bowing and uttering her thanks. Her now beautiful and snow white legs a totally different existence. This time it was a male wolf beastman. He had lash marks all over but still walked without delay. She herself had some skills to ignore damage, but that''s precisely why she knew how much that must hurt. -What is this? It asked in a raspy voice -It''s my healing practice. No costs involved. Aki answered. -I don''t need healing. It said. Aki nodded. -Then I will give you some XP for pain resistance. Said Aki before touching the wolf''s arm and making it bloat. It popped like a bubble before a minute and showered Aki with pus and blood. Besides closing his eyes, he didn''t really have any reaction. Not even to the wailings of the already kneeling man. -It stinks. He said before starting to heal the arm now almost entirely made out of bone and muscles. The flesh grew again. The wolf beastman seemed like he wanted to cut his arm off, but slaves have restrictions they can''t break. Don''t harm others even in self defense and don''t harm yourself. Those were two basic orders for slaves. The more damage is healed, the worse it will feel. It was not pain, but an uncomfortable feeling that made one want to scratch the wound and make it stop. It certainly beats dying though. At the end, the beastman didn''t have any injuries or scars. -My¡­ my battle scars! Hatred could easily be heard from his weavery voice even though it was exceptionally low. -If you want an injury to remember your kills so badly, then just find a way that doesn''t hurt your body''s efficiency. If you survived so many hunts it shouldn''t be that hard. My job is just to make sure your body won''t fail out of nowhere. Coldly said Aki. -With a destiny like this, there''s no use in carrying anything but memories. Growled the slave. -If you don''t like it than wait for a chance and kill your way out of it. Do you think the hunt needs someone who simply let''s luck decide their fate!? So what if you already gave your best!? It wasn''t enough, so do it again in another way until you succeed! Screamed Aki while holding the man''s head on his hands and looking into his open wide eyes. He looked at the woman in the counter while the wolf was silent. She simply smiled and shrugged. That one knew not to challenge her. -Why don''t you take a break and talk to your friend. Beatrice, be a dear and prepare some appetizers for our guests. Said the woman while flipping a mesh of her golden hair and giving a smile to a corner of the room. The victorian styled maid using a silver mask that only let slits of her eyes out revealed herself and bowed before disappearing again. -If the madam wishes so. Aki said with a small bow and started walking towards a room. Guilda wasn''t stupid and followed silently too. There they sat on comfortable chairs facing each other with a simple marble table between then. They did not talk before Beatrice put the cookies and tea on the table and went away. -What is happening here? Asked Guilda. -This is my training place. I found it yesterday Aki said matter of factly. Yes, that''s why the description of him coming back to the Inn was so vague. I never said all I talk here is the truth after all. -Those women are¡­ She purposely trailed off her words. -The most beautiful onee-sama of all and Bea-sensei. Sensei was being troubled last night and I lent a hand, I sold the bandits to them as slaves and when I asked if they bought drugs too we started talking, which led to her finding out I needed a trainer for my assassin class, so she offered a collaboration. He said with a straight face. She was very surprised on how he dealt with all of this underworld kind of problem. She herself had only ever dealt with a weapon dealer back on earth. Though here these kind of business are considered to be in the gray zone. -Guilda, I won''t ask what you are doing here, just please, don''t ask about anyone''s age, level or whatever else ok? The weakest possible level sensei may have is one hundred. Are we clear? He worryingly said. -Yes, understood. She nodded. -Great, because I don''t think I can save you in here. Nor myself for the matter. We''re alive because they allow it. The bitterness obvious on his voice. -Then what should we do? Sweat was forming on her back. For even Aki to be powerless¡­ She did not get to complete that thought though. -We get stronger then them, obviously. He said with a smile. Guilda also smiled. -Yeah, the aura this place gives just made my thinking slow down for a minute. -Aki! Beatrice said she will be testing you now, your friend is welcomed to watch too. The madam appeared through the door with a smile. She looked to be on her twenties, used a short purple dress without sleeves and had emerald eyes, her red high heels giving her already tall figure an air of elegance. If Aki ever met such figure on earth and had their attention for one second, he would give up whatever it was that needed his immediate attention and get the fuck out of the place he was before thinking of anything else. Discreetly, since she would most likely outrun him anyway. [??-???] Was everything it said when Aki tried to use identify on her. It may not seem like much, but that actually meant that she was more than 500 levels above him. If it was just that then Aki wouldn''t be so afraid. Someone that powerful couldn''t simply go unnoticed by the countries, so there should still be a way to escape in case of conflict. [Mage-??] Was everything Guilda could see, so she was not that afraid. Neither would be Aki if she hadn''t thought it was interesting to include him in the secret and see how he would fair against Beatrice''s training. She didn''t expect the first emotion he showed after knowing her "secret" to be anger, nor that he would stab one of his arteries over his torso area and say "Sorry, I have some anger problems. It is a pleasure to know you Madam." and then freeze his own blood into a rose. The poor thing wouldn''t stop trembling before she assured him he was interesting enough. To begin with, she was just going to make him take on a small geas. Alas, making one swear eternal allegiance to you is Inferior to having them doing that by their own will. "Maybe Beatrice will get a little brother" The Madam happily though. All those thoughts passed through her head while watching Aki being cornered. He was a good child, giving up on locating Bea before she attacked and relying on his instincts to tell him where to guard. He was allowed to fight with everything, while Bea purposely lowered her power to around level 100 and only used assassin techniques. Still, he was being slashed and stabbed all around, while Bea didn''t have one scratch. He would not leave the training room any way other than inside a corpse bag if he couldn''t catch her. She was about to cut his head off when suddenly, a dog appeared. He pushed it into her and used the chance to throw a dagger at her. The dog obviously died from being cut in half, she just didn''t expect it to turn into light particles and that the dagger would explode when Bea hit it. The Madam herself was monitoring the situation but she could only understand that he had somehow made a mana construct out of nowhere and exploded one of his enhanced daggers by overcharging it''s system. Right after, he started throwing more daggers at her. He stopped when the number of daggers reached twenty, he took a sword and a shield out of the dimensional rip by his side. -That''s enough. Said the Madam, with a very big grin on her face. Aki fell on his knees, Guilda runned to his side with worry and Beatrice started cleaning her uniform. -That was amazing! Eight elements, four semi elements, enchanting, alchemy, exceptional battle sense, great resistance and healing, an amazing mana management and whatever was that mana construct at the end! You even forced Bea to actually cheat to keep her clothes on. Beamed the Madam. -Good. Said Beatrice. -Even Bea recognized you! Now you can be my child too! Said the Madame while jumping up and down. Aki collapsed before being able to ask what the actual fuck she meant with that. Guilda also collapsed. -Bea, you take care of the people out there and I will make you a new little brother. The girl can be his servant, so that will do good for his growth. 12 Training When Aki woke up, he was in an operation table, butt naked and inside a freaky laboratory. He tried cursing, but his lips did not move. He didn''t even try moving the rest of his body and just waited. -Boho! You''re no fun, mama won''t like you this way. Said a young girl with a black ponytail and glasses. Yes, only her ponytail was black. She blue pig tails and rainbow hair. -Uhghhmum¡­ -I have no idea what you saying, here. She flicked her fingers and his mouth could move again. -You failed and experiment or you trying to be a gay parade flag holder? He said with sarcasm. -Guy paraide? What''s that? She asked confused. -It''s when a lot of people try to show themselves in a strange way. Nothing for mad scientists to care about. He said and turned his head to notice he was sprawled into a metal slab and his extremities were cuffed. His dong was the same as before and there weren''t any visible changes in his abdomen, so he thought that they had not done anything to his body yet. -So you noticed, uhm? By the way aren''t you uncomfortable without clothes and in front of a lady? She asked with a tingle of happiness in her voice. She appeared to not have heard the first part of what he said. -I am. He answered straight away. -Really, because you don''t look like you are. She tilted her head. -I am bound to a cold metal slab and never had a fetishes of showing myself, while I''ve always trained my poker face. I am trying really hard to think you are just a very smart kid tough. Rule number one of isekai, never trust a loli but always help them. -How rude, I am a proper eighteen year old girl, you know!? She pouted. -Am I the youngest person around or something? Anyway, a normal eighteen year old girl wouldn''t be talking to a naked dude stuck against a wall. What are you even supposed to be doing here? -Homework! Fuck¡­ she cursed. -That''s enough talking Chris! We have to get back to number 42! Screamed a boy too far away for Aki to see. -Pretty girls shouldn''t go around cursing, and find me a towel please! Said Aki while she was walking away. *Vuom* -I am here! Jovially said the Madam after teleport in into the room with a blue light and a strange sound. -Clothes. He insisted. -Moo, don''t be such a meanie! She pinched his thigh. -It''s especially because you are here and what you said that I am worried. Even if I look like this I was pretty loved you know? I have no mommy or daddy issues! Also, aren''t you an otherworlder? -Is that so, then you will just need to get used to calling me mom with time. By the way, my name is Cleonis Arranatir As Themy Deriui. I am not actually an otherworlder either, though I do know some, they were all too grown up to be my children. She tilted her head and explained. -What kind of parent/child is this though? I still don''t know the details. He sighed at the already expected answer and resigned to his fate. -I have implanted something special in your heart. It doesn''t really give you anything, but actually allows me to monitor you and your actions. Starting today we are a family and you can''t run! She explained with enthusiasm. -Sure, I am ok with that. Not like I am going to see my blood relatives in the next years anyway. Now, where''s Guilda? He asked with a deep seriousness in his voice. -She Is safe. I used a special method to turn her into your subordinate. It''s similar to a soul slave, but she receives some benefits to her growth and I can also command her. She answered with a smile. -Is that so? I am a little angry, but I will just train it off. Could you give me back my clothes? He exploded the table restrains. His meat was charred but it did not work. He tried using radiance, which would roughly translate to a non-newtonian kind of molecule manipulation or the use of lasers. Most "energy" based magic has the first half though. Five seconds of exposure to lasers in each of those cups had him freed and he started putting his clothes on. -You know, of my four children you are the first to break those. She said with a beaming smile on her face. -Isn''t that because you only left then here once? He asked. -Correct. Christina liquefied herself, Beatrice disjointed herself and got healed later, while Arthur turned into mist. She said. -Liquid, solid, gaseous and plasma. Why do I get the feeling I am under the suggestive kind of magic? He asked. -Pure coincidence. She shrugged. -I will be testing mine and Guilda''s connection them. If you would be so kind as to give us some XP bags¡­ -Homunculi? Or is your friend still fresh? She asked. -No problem with either. She does seem guilty about killing humans while not on self defense though. She will learn. He said matter of factly. ¡­ [Your group has killed [Homunculi] x5. For killing an opponent 50 levels or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 56. 6 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 50. 6 attribute points awarded.] Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 43 Class: Assassin Lv 56 Active skills: -Backstab Lv 8 -Poisoning Lv 9 -Parry Lv 8 -Bleeding Lv 3 -Pierce armor Lv 6 Passive skills: -Blade mastery Lv 9 -Smooth steps Lv 6 -Persuasion Lv 3 -Trap mastery Lv 5 -Debuff mastery Lv 5 Subclasse: Arcane mage Lv 50 Active skills: -Arcane blast Lv 2 -Mana missile Lv 10 -Telekinesis Lv 13 -Mana steal Lv 8 -Life steal Lv 13 Passive skills: -Mana manipulation Lv 15 -Mana absorption Lv 10 -Energy conversion Lv 8 -Grimoire Lv 3 -Magic overcharge Lv 1 General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 10 Charm resistance Lv 10 Massage Lv 1 Meditation Lv 9 Pain resistance Lv 8 Anger Lv 9 Sleep resistance Lv 2 Demonology Lv 6 Disease resistance Lv 1 Identify Lv 3 Subterfuge Lv 5 Intimidate Lv 7 Mana perception Lv 16 Wind magic Lv 4 Fire magic Lv 4 Fear resistance Lv 5 Healing magic Lv 7 Earth magic Lv 4 Water magic Lv 4 Dark magic Lv 4 Thunder magic Lv 4 Time magic Lv 1 Demon summoning Lv 1 Light magic Lv 5 Enchanting Lv 6 Poison resistance Lv 3 Alchemy Lv 3 Space magic Lv 1 Steam magic Lv 1 Radiant magic Lv 1 Metal magic Lv 1 Ice magic Lv 1 Ooze magic Lv 1 Magma magic Lv 1 Smoke magic Lv 1 Attributes: Vitality: 100 Endurance: 100 Strength: 100 Dexterity: 100 Intelligence: 200 Wisdom: 200 Health: 1000/1000 Stamina: 1000/1000 Mana: 2000/2000 His status now a lot stronger, Aki had more confidence in himself. He then looked at Cleo smiling and waving and felt it plummet. Nothing good comes from being conceited. He went to check on Guilda. -You ok now? He asked. -How can you be so calm?! She asked him while almost crying. She was a slave now. -Because she doesn''t mean us harm. Don''t get me wrong, I am infuriated and want to crawl down to a ball too, but if I do that we both die. Use everything you have to get stronger, you hear me? That is the only way to cage that fear. You use it or accept it. By the way, I am also talking all this to myself. ¡­ -FUCK me, it worked! Screamed Aki in english. Guilda then translated it for Cleo. -There''s a reason I was screaming in english, you know? Anyway, this should help my affinity to water raise. He said while doing flexion with weights on him. On the bottom of a 10 meter deep water poll. He was given a direct mana chanel to speak into, so they could still hear him. The idea is the same as a phone, just that there are no satellites or ways to get cables all around. You imagine the factors. It was there because that''s where the mer stayed. Nope, this is not an underwater adventure, but an underwater training. Mostly because he has to constantly heal himself because the water pressure was set to change around him in a way that it was constantly increasing until he was unable to adapt. That''s why he started trying to find a way to make it more breathable. Even if he could breathe because of a spell, it would make it easier to help his body regenerate if he had more of the original components. He couldn''t kill the mer people, so that was the best option. If he could then half the male population in this poll would already have been turned to dried up corpses. Nothing against gay people, but if multiple dudes try to rub one to your ass, then I''m pretty sure most people in the world would beat them senseless. Unless you like that kind of thing, of course. All of them were now floating a little above the ground. It''s a magic pool. Aki did ask what was that, and those were apparently a band a gay pirates under a trap capitan. Slavers of mer and krimer. -So if I¡­ -Nope, my children can''t buy my things, except Chris, she is quite mature and just uses them for her experiments. I will kill them though. Said Cleo. -Wait! He screamed. -Yes? She asked. -XP! He begged. -Nope. She said cutely. ¡­ -From lifting five kilos for one hour I got two strength and one endurance. Obviously he meant fifty kilos, that was the weight of each lift. He had four of those. Underwater. -Aren''t you showing off a little too much? Asked Guilda while using a small top and slashing with a metal rod. -More like, when did you become Zoro?! He screamed while pointing at the paint that indicated the thing weighed 250 kg. There was some iron stuck on it too, each saying 25, she also had eight of those. -Do know. When did you become Percy Jackson? Want me to go looking for a centaur you can ride together with some blonde girl? She smiled at him and rebuked. Not stopping her swinging. -Shouldn''t you be stopping already too? He ignored her comment and asked. -I started some time after you, so I will keep going for another half hour. She clarified. Aki nodded and went out of the gym. He only had a short for poll, but shame was nowhere to be seen while he was caught like that by Bea. -Training. Was all she said. -Can I change first? He asked, even though he knew the answer was no. 13 Repor They only stepped out of the building when it was two o''clock. That, of course, was only because Aki said they would die in case they themselves didn''t complete a certain task. It was a lie and Cleo knew, but she said they were good to go if they could pass so easily through her lie detector. She still knew they were lying through experience though. -I don''t think we are ready to confront the guys attacking us. Said Guilda, while also asking for the plan. -We can''t attack the main quarters, but I know a place. It''s one of their medium sized storages. I was asking around and one guy sold the Info into that. I disappeared five times before changing my lower face with an illusion and hiding into a cloak. He explained. -So we attack it? She asked. -We leave ten people unconscious. May be necessary, but I don''t know. Try not to damage anything that is inside a box or looks strange. It may be valuable. And so they vagued through the city and found the storage house. They were Hangry and were quite powerful, that means they could smell the people eating inside the building. -Jump through the window. As he said such, he too did that. The door was wooden, so the people watching it noticed that it turned gray pretty much at the same time they saw two people coming in. Frost started forming around. The wooden windows froze shut and the ones that were open got a rock wall in it. People who were around heard screams coming from the building and saw sealed pathways, but they were either too afraid or knew who owned the place. An explosion sounded, the screams got worse, then they stopped. The direct translation of that was that they killed forty four people of around level thirty and fifty, and were now in a direct battle with a level one hundred something man in an underground space with good sound proofing. Aki blinked into the man''s shadow, but he was found out and his head was hit with a sword. At least that was what the opponent thought, but he was proven wrong when Aki sprung from the ground dripping sand and tables him while butt naked. Aki got hit in the back of the head with the sword pommel, but Guilda broke the man''s arm with her maw. He screamed and dropped the sword, getting hit again by Guilda''s other maw. She is not very good with shields, but she does have one. Fun facts aside, the man tripped her while being thrown. He even fell and did a back roll because of a bad feeling. Which was right considering that Aki lunged at the place he was at with his daggers back in hand. With frost forming at his feet, the man threw himself at Aki before he was rooted yet again while taking a dagger from his gauntlet. Aki rolled right and the man shot him with a mini crossbow on his wrist. The illusion dissipated and he was hit on the head. [Your group has killed [Arte Maleis - Great blade warrior Lv 123/ Great trapper Lv 119]. For killing an opponent 50 levels or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Assassin is now level 58. 6 attribute points awarded.] [*Ding* Arcane magician is now level 52. 6 attribute points awarded.] -Got a level from that. You go back and ask for some hands to help look into this place and I monitor it. After we eat. He said after looking at her murderous gaze. Sixteen hours without food could make any human ravenous, even if they were super humans, that still applied after the "gym". -Why do villains get all the good food? Asked Guilda while drooling at the rests of a table. "Because they can kidnapt the chefs they want or just buy it jackass!" Said Aki through a telepathic link while he wolfed down on something that looked like a eight legged pig and tasted like turkey. "Master, that is most likely poisonous, why don''t I¡­. *Munching*" Jade had been re summoned yet again and was loving the food of their hard work, though she did not fight the big guy. Right now she was delighting herself with serotonin or whatever passed for it around here after Aki threw the pork''s legs to her. He proffered white meat anyway. While at it, Guilda runned to shove something down her mouth and found stupidly sweet fruits all around. Noticing Aki would most likely not eat those anyway, she searched for meat. "Were those not tasty?" He asked after noticing her strange movements. "Nah, I just know you don''t like raw fruits or vegetables." She said matter of factly through the system gained skill. *Gulp* - Guilda, I never told you that. He said with a serious tone. -Eh? She was confused by the implications of that. Aki just continued eating while having an obvious sneer at his eyes. "DON''T JUST DROP SOMETHING LIKE THAT!" She screamed in anger, giving him a visible headache. It was directly transmitted to his mind after all. "OK, ok. It is most likely that thingy that was implanted on us. I explained to you that now we were servant and master, right? I wasn''t kidding, this is the lowest level of a servant contract, it tells you all about me and how to serve me. It also makes my spells more effective on you and we can collaborate with more ease, so it is not without use." He said without a change in his face. "Oi, be a little more worried! Even if it wasn''t you who was turned into a slave we are still¡­" She seemed infuriated. And with reason. "There are worse things. I asked for your contract to be the lowest level, but mine is set at the highest. I literally have a compulsion that will kill or cripple me in case of failure to obey Cleo. And I like it. It''s one of the effects." He said in the same way. After that they ate in silence. Guilda rode Jade back and came back fast. Something was forming between then and she noticed that. She tried to think over it and the first thing Guilda noticed was that she started thinking of her little brother. The real one. She was already sixteen when he was born. She had always been a "punk" that caused problems for her parents, so, like any attention seeking idiot, she was totally against the thing being born the moment she heard about it. There was nothing she could do though. She did run away with some guys on a rock band as their Hold, but they fired her the moment her mother phoned them and she was literally thrown at her doorstep the same night. Nowadays she was very thankful to them. If she hadn''t hurt her feet that day, maybe she would really have tried having a go at working for that drug seller. She''d ended up in jail much quicker, maybe finally crossing the line and lost her parents'' love for good or ended up dead. Even if she couldn''t remember, she had most likely died anyway, but she could still be considered alive now. She didn''t regret her adult life or killing that man for Fred. That pedophile deserved it. Not that she would complain if there was proof that showed she was not exaggerating at stabbing the guy multiple times. It would help if the guy wasn''t rich as fuck while her brother had to relly on his intelligence to get in there. And now she was kicking another guy who had a beard for no reason. He wasn''t even blonde. -You wanna go for a drink? Somberly asked Aki. -Can you even drink? She asked with ragged breath. The corpse to her feet alredy minced meat. Splatters of blood on the walls and floor with a great distance from it. -You are legally responsible for yourself at 16 around here and I have poison resistance. You will hardly find a better drinking buddy. I will even pay for it today. He offered. ¡­ "I was actually supposed to talk with Aranei right about now, but I guess I can just keep pumping healing and light mana into her brain. Just for today." Thought Aki while being bear hugged by an armored Guilda who was sleeping from being too drunk. And so he only slept after she woke up after it was six in the morning. She was actually fully reinvigorated from sleeping while hugging a healer and light magician. ¡­ -You look exhausted, do you perhaps hate beaches? Asked the succubus who was admiring her golden bikini and leg accessories. The bikini was small for human parameters, but quite normal for a demon. The weight of the "costume" made it easy to guess that it was actually not swimming gear and more for aesthetics. -In fact, I do, but this is not a beach, it''s a dungeon. Said Aki the moment he looked at her. He then pointed to the side of his head. -Eh? She tried to reach for her horns, but found only air. She then tried to grow them back, but nothing happened. -No equipment from the outside is permitted In here. See, the sun is purple and the sky green. He explained. He had a white short on him only. -But those are¡­ She tried to explain to him. It is not comfortable for a demon to not have his or her "horns" on. -The manifestation of your sins and powers, I know, it''s just that the guy who made this dungeon considered it as an accessory. She is something of a jackass and dickhead, but most of the people who can come in here have demons with them, so I guess it was because of that. And for the sake of the TV show about them too, but anyways. He shrugged. It is not a typo, he first referred to the person as a he and then a she. It has a cursed name. -A God of chaos? Nothing to be done them. Even if it is just your subconscious representation of it then there will be a catch about it. She sighed. -I will have to ask you to protect us of the monsters here then. He smiled at her while pointing at the trembling forest next to the beach. A men with the lower part of a mammoth and huge tusks passed through the trees and directed it''s charge at them. It also had the size of a mammoth plus a human torso with similar proportions. Aranei pointed her palm at it and a huge icicle was thrown towards the creature''s heart. -It has three hearts and you actually hit it''s pancreas. The brain is on the lower part''s torax. He pointed to her. Not questioning him she conjured a thunderstorm that kept hitting 14 That actualy took longer than I expected. -Is a notification supposed to appear? She asked while staring at nothing. -Your target has died, yes. Anyway, my hero! How can I ever repay you?! -Give me good news. She ordered. -Sure, while at it please have this cocktail and I massage your feet. He said while gesturing to a beach recliner that had just appeared out of thin air. She actually sat down and drunk from the straw on the glass. -Is there any other creature coming? She asked right after leaning over. -That''s somewhat the boss of the place. Unless we delve into the ocean or forest we won''t find any monsters. He explained while kneeling over a cushion materialized on the sand. -You are quite good for an amateur. She commented. -Thanks. Now, I have completed what I promised for this week, but there''s a problem. He explained the situation over some minutes without stopping his massage. -I see. She said coldly. -Before you think of throwing me away, please, do remember that I am most likely able to destroy this contract and with enough time she herself will take it down. She already said that unless it directly goes against her already set plans, then she won''t interfere and¡­ He argued, but she put his feet on his face. -Just shut it. I need to think how to tell this to my sister. Lick my feet. She crossed her arms and said. He actually obeyed without questioning. He did though, summon a notepad saying: -You could tell this woman will open many doors and that she is likely a spy or very important person related to one or various nations with a hatred towards many deities and a possible ally. As she read through it, the succubus sighed. -You''re forgiven. Sorry for shoving my feet at you. She said. -Haha, a demon actually apologized to me. It''s no problem, they smell like vanilla and are beautiful. I have no complaints. He said with her feet on his cheek. -Do you expect a reward? She asked while tilting her head. -Expect the worst, hope for a blowjob. That''s from a filosofer and translated to a saying with a more recent pattern of speech by a famous author by the way, not what I was asking for. He said. -Then what do you wish for right now? She insisted. He sighed and rested his head at her abs. -Just let me be like this for a while. Then? How was your week? He asked with a smile. -Busy. I had to prepare a lot of paperwork since the other people left the forest by simply surviving. She explained. -That must have been boring. With your Uni them¡­ He simpatecly said. -It really is a pain. By the way, I told my sister about you. She said with excitement. -So, how did she react to me getting a maybe? He asked with a grin. -She thought I was kidding at first and then that I was being taken advantage of. She had a slight smile on her face. -She seems like a good sister. Do you want to go have a walk? He asked. -Not really. She said. -Then, do you have ticles? He didn''t wait for an answer and started trying to kiss her in various places. Her midriff, her collarbone, her armpit, her tail bone¡­ that should be very sexy considering everything, but it actually just looked like they were playing since she didn''t stop laughing. -Who''d know, you''re actually quite ticklish. He laughed while hugging her body from behind. There was only three cm of difference between them, so he was actually laughing softly by her ear. -You are the one who chose to make me ticklish idiot. She seemed upset and wasn''t giving anymore reactions. -Then, do you want to introduce me to your sister? I am sure she''d love to dispose of me in every horrifying way you can think. He suggested, hugged her and changed their position. She was now laying against his chest and he laying on the recliner. -I don''t like this position. She dryly said. -Was the last one better? He asked. -Get us a bed. She simply meant that. -Is this one big enough? They were now in a queen sized bed. She adjusted herself over him, now seated with his waist between her legs while facing him. -I don''t responsibilize myself in case you get into a coma. She said. He woke up. She was still there. He smiled. -You can actually materialize yourself? Do you need mana, vitality, souls?! He hurriedly asked. She caught his head between her hands and looked at his eyes. -One hour. I am linking your body and your dream, and that''s how much time I can stay with you as the beacon. Do whatever you want and we will talk later. She placed his left hand on her right breast while saying that. -Tell me if I am overdoing it, ok? She didn''t react to his grin. She did however flinch when he took his hand from her breast and firmly held the start of her tail, electricity on his thumb while rubbing all over it. His other hand held her face and he kissed her. He sucked on her tongue making her head feel hot with his temperature, raised by another spell. His irises turned black, like a deep pool of void. One where something looked straight into her core. The fingers on her face went cold, turning to her breasts. He released her mouth and put their foreheads together. Now both had a ragged breath. -Wanna help me find out what other spells are useful in bed? Heard it''s not always you get the chance to fuck a Paragon. That, as you might imagine, was quite the turn on for a succubus with a lot of stress piled up. Thankfully for Aki, he had already bought something to make a sound barrier around his room. He would be evicted otherwise, as succubus can moan¡­ well, it''s loud. And very frequent. Magical too. As for the results of the one hour? Let''s just say that Aki did well enough to keep her on at least half his count. Which is actually impressive as far as succubi go. There was, of course, the fact she was draining his vitality the whole time, so he had to slow down on the magic consumption or he would die. She could, of course, stop doing that whenever she wanted, but he was not going to complain and she had decided before that no matter how good he could be she would still torture him a bit. -I will be calling you in a bit, ok? He asked with a heavy breath that didn''t seem close to stabilizing. -I have work. She said with a much easier time than him. They were facing each other, while lying in bed. The time was almost up. -You do seem a bit sad though, were my firsts that good? Can you answer me now or do you need more time? He grinned after having restaured his breath with magic. -I need more time. She immediately said and he sighed. -I have no idea why I am not angry at that, you know? I don''t mind you thinking carefully. Don''t look at me like that, even if I wanted to say I love you, I''d only be able to say I love the things you''ve shown until now. I know. That also means I can''t wholly hate you though . After he explained she started vanishing. For a while he just stood there, feeling her smell. It had magic that could confuse the senses to make whoever sniffed it have pleasant sensations at the very least. He was getting addicted to her smell, he noticed. Aki started trying to look for a defect on her while laying there in the stained sheets. That, however, made him notice that he thought her nipples were quite big, but that''s it. Everything was what he looked for in a woman, a lovable smile, someone that would shut him when needed but could make him laugh, someone he could throw his love at and be accepted. Fidelity was a problem for later. Her loyalty to him, however, was the only thing in question now. Did she just want to use him? Was she doing this just for her job? Did he even deserve to try something? Was I good enough? He stopped his train of thought. He had to clean up and wash the room before¡­ -Excuse me sir, I came to clean the room. Said a maid while knocking on the door. "Am I being aired or something?" -There''s some chemicals on the floor, I''d suggest you don''t come in before I clean that or you might¡­ well, let me say I won''t responsabilise myself if you ignore this warning. -Sir, I need to clean the room, I don''t care if there''s someone in there with you. Your sister already told us you might want to sleep too much and that we should throw you out of bed if needed. I am coming in. She continued with a sweet voice. -One second, ok, I put on my pants now. I will cast a spell so you don''t smell too much of it, but be sure that you will regret sniffing in here and I won''t help you. He coldly said to the perverted woman. -Hai Hai¡­ aaahhhh! She moaned a high pitched sound the moment the door was open and fell on her knees. Aki was holding the smell inside the room, so there was no problem for the moment, but he had to close the door and clean the place. -You, perverted maid, I will tell you this now because I have more respect for women, but if you touch yourself while under the effect of this you will get addicted and turn into a total slut. Why do you have so much strength though? I will heal you, so get out of the room, ok? He said while holding her arms that kept trying to reach for her crotch. "Seriously, if it was another type of person they would just a give her a "hand", what stupid maid." That was the effect of succubus juice, by the way. It can easily be considered a drug without cure in this world for obvious reasons. Though it is not something that will have full effect on one sniff, it is not weak either. Aki did consider putting the precious nectar into a container for future uses, but he wasn''t shameless enough to that with his possible girlfriend. Besides, that was weird. At the end he just burned the whole thing. That did affect him, but he could just heal the effect away whenever. It was a little past three and he didn''t have anything special to do, so he ignored the maid looking strange at him and went to look for Bea for more training. She was a higher level opponent, so he still had to use everything he had to just hit her. When getting there he was informed by a teasing Cleo that Bea was showering. She had noticed the difference on him, even though he had cleaned himself enough that a beastkin wouldn''t be able to smell it, or so she said. Later Bea appeared while using some casual clothes and stared at him while not using her mask. She only had to in public and had gotten used to it during combat, so this was actually the first time he had seen her face. -Bitch, if you are so beautiful and have no secret in your face why in hell do you even need that mask?! Aki was shocked. If he had the face of a protagonist from a wuxia novel he''d show it off like there was no tomorrow! As an answer to that, Bea simply raised a brown. -Ah, don''t come with that "what are you talking about idiot?" look to me lady! If I had such a face on my old world you know how much women would throw their panties at me?! I know Cleo told you guys about it, yeah. Now if you excuse me, I will dungeon delve to placate some jealousy and anger! And the indignant Aki did exactly what he said. Though that left Bea very confused. She didn''t actually consider herself beautiful or special. Arthur and Cleo were the only people who ever said so to her. Everyone else just looked at her with pity. Except Chris and her assistant, they didn''t really look into anyone or even cared for such thing. She was disfigured from birth after all, so she never cared much for her face. She looked at the mirror and saw the burn mark that started in her left eye and continued until an abrupt end on her scalp. She never really understood how Cleo had made hair grow on that spot. -Beautiful? She said while touching the part where the mark turned into hair. 15 Let hell start. Begin. Forget it. "My new master sure is strange." thought Jade while following the grumbling man. She had received love, meat, head pets, scrubs, targets for her endless fury, new types of poisons that her master kept making and didn''t know where to throw... "This human is made for me!" Was the conclusion she reached. Throwing himself on to the orc infested dungeon alone after completing it once was enough proof that they were alike. He wasn''t alone though. And now that the curved one wasn''t around anymore she was tasked with eating her targets alive. She couldn''t bite their balls off though. She didn''t like that, but it apparently was necessary to get money out of the corpses, and balls of gold were better them golden balls. Or at least her father said so, she had never gotten a contract before, so she had no idea that the material world could be so fun. It did shock her when everything was so different then what she was told about by her older brothers and sisters, but it also made her happy to be able to attract envious gazes instead of making everyone fear you. Not just the humans and other thingys with legs, but everyone she got home everyone was so envious of her! At this rate she''d be able to start in the contest for the next family head. "Master, we can''t go in there! It''s too dangerous!" She had to protect her stupid human someway! She didn''t expect him to kneel and look into her eyes with a vacant expression. -Listen Jade, in this world there are people who are born so they can do whatever they want just because they are naturally beautiful, and there''s those of us who can only strive to get that spot where others will notice us. That is what I am doing! If this was a dating game, then Aki would''ve just gotten +20 on affection from Jade. She barked and they went inside the orc village. ¡­ As he started cutting off the balls of the orcs with magic and levitating the balls sack with telekinesis, Aki''s storage magic started getting filled up as he neared the entrance of the village again. -This is a lot more than four sacks. Guess I will be paying a visit to teacher Gunther today. Mumbled Aki after checking his inventory. He intended to spend the rest of his day learning alchemy after that, to master a recipe is much better than learning it after all. There was just one thing. -That¡­ well, let me try to greet him. He did so and the buff man who was chopping some orcs down waved at him as he defeated the last one. He sniffed something and looked strange at Aki, who raised a brown and didn''t question what the orc smelled. He wasn''t going to antagonize a level 100, most likely, warrior with a superior addaptative capability. They did meet later though. -Excuse me, I''ve come to sell some herbs. Uh? Aren''t the guy from before? Asked the orc with his raspy voice while struggling to pass through the door. -Are you alive? That was Aki sounding all excited about the new visit and talking in english. -That would be me, yes. -You are the owner of the shop? He seemed confused and his expression said "While also being a young warrior?" -No. I am the owner''s apprentice and just solved his money problems after my last dungeon delve. He went to finish some businesses and left me to attend the shop for a while. He explained. -Can I still sell my herbs? The orc sounded worried. -He left a list of herbs and prices, so unless you have a super rare one then there''s no problem. Aki explained. The orc sighed in relief. -Then I''d like to sell these and get some healing potions. Korath (as in k?-ra-at) put some pouches on the counter and said so. -Five times of herbs, all cataloged, about 354g, 273g¡­ Aki started using a magic tool to measure the weight of the bags and checked the price. His calculations fast. -And here''s the payment. Say, do you need healing right now? He asked as the orc weighted the money pouch. -Some light wounds I dressed myself on the journey but haven''t fully healed, yes. Why, are there no healing potions? Asked the orc. -There are, and they are as expensive as any other potion I assure you. I just assumed it''d be troublesome for you to go looking for a healer and would like to know if you would mind me trying. Aki said with a matter of fact kind of tone. -Do you even have the mana? The orc raised a brown. Instead of answering, Aki took one of his daggers and stabbed right through his palm, the part without bones right between the fingers. He showed it to the orc as it immediately started to heal. -You do this often? The orc seemed disturbed by the fact a healer would so easily stab themselves and not show any change in expression. Even though he could see Aki''s level and basic class. -Not really, I just haven''t reached the level where I can just regrow my fingers yet and that''s how I learned you prove you''re a good healer, so¡­ he trailed off and shrugged. -You may not pay if you don''t get properly healed, but I assure you I can detect if you try to lie about that. -I won''t. The orc said drily and followed Aki inside as he placed a sign saying he would come back in five. -Now¡­ wow dude, you''re ripped, and I mean that on the bad meaning, how many blades did the thing that attacked you have?! Said Aki as the orc took off his sleeveless black shirt that barely covered his muscles and pectoral. To make the situation a little easier since most healing spells require contact with the target. -Two. A bitchy elf thought it was a good idea to attack first and don''t listen when I tried to talk. The orc complained. -Well, you better have had fun with the fight, because whoever this fucker''s was had backup. There''s a tracking spell on you. Aki stated, getting the orc to turn over with wide eyes. It seemed that his back didn''t hurt enough to stop him even though it was looking like minced meat, because he got Aki''s neck with one hand while at it. He wasn''t trying to threaten any John Doe though. Aki had stabbed his arm with the knife on sole of his boot. Which he had paralyzing poison on. Having a sugar mama is certainly good. The orc didn''t let go though. Between the dagger next to his neck and the poison, he had much more resistance to the later. -There''s two ways this is going to end. Started Aki. One, you let disarm that spell because I don''t want an assassin guild in this city, or two, I get a very big XP bonus and get a loan to play for this place. He tried to sound Intimidating, and he did, just not enough to hide his fear. He wasn''t sure if he would kill the orc first or if he would adapt to his tricks before that. Luckily, Korath just laughed and released him before sitting down again. -I have been on the run because of this sigil for some time, you are not the first to notice it, but the first who dares say they can dispel it. The orc had a smile on his face, but it didn''t reach his eyes. -Fuck me if I can''t even do that much. I''d joins the machines of the third timing death mage out of pure shame for not being able to break a curse cast on flesh after all I''ve read and done. Said Aki while raising his voice. Which surprised the orc, half because of the young man''s confidence and the other half because he swore to something he had no idea what was supposed to be. -Though I cannot say it won''t hurt more than having your thing ripped right out of your waist and shoved down yourself. Aki informed -That, is strangely specific. The orc said, having passed many tortuous trial, he never heard a healer say something like that. -Yeah, the pain is bad, but the humiliation, sadness and need to kill yourself while at it and so on, will be about the same as that. He explained. -Can I¡­ the orc tried to ask. -Nope. Aki touched his shoulder and started. He entered a meditative state and started putting telekinetik needles into the man''s back, where the mark is. As Aki started to hit the main mana points in the mark, which overlapped with the target, the orc started screaming. Holes started forming in his back and Aki started healing the man at the same time he destroyed his back muscles. Everything would be very simple, but to break a curse he''d need to flare it for a while. His eyes burning with the mana channeled into then, Aki focused into the main points of the spell. Like a bomb or tumor, a spell could go awry when you try to disarm it simply because it is in it''s nature. You cut the wrong thing from connecting to the mana condenser, distributer or receptor and you will have a spell backlash right at the spell. That, of course, is not something easy to do even for this Mc. It is simple to weaponize this, you just cut the wrong thing and a spell will at least lose some of its power, if it doesn''t fail or explodes, but for that you''d need a clear view and contact to a spell, which isn''t exactly easy to do while fighting a magician. While it is considered a very unsafe process, there certainly are those who would be able to dispel the mark and study spell composition in a level much higher than Aki. Not like this orc would be able to meet such people though. While this may simply be BS to say that it is hard and there is a magic academy, it is all still true. The orc stopped screaming after one minute by the way. He just stood there, looking at something between the sofa''s cushions. The process took about five minutes, as the spell drained the target''s mana to stay active and send a wave signal from time to time that needed certain mana detection tools to detect. You could receive it with a radio or something too, sure, but good luck with that while in this world. Or in english, Aki had to hurt Korath''s mana channels to complete the dispelling process in a way that would not leave his mana leaking for the time the mana in that part took to disperse itself. It was faster to heal it after taking it off. The healing itself took about ten minutes, after all it was a delicate area of the body. When it ended Aki actually had to throw cold water into the man''s face so he would wake up. -Got some levels? The young man asked with a kind smile. -I am not paying you. The orc slowly said. ¡­ -And so he said he was staying up for today to keep training alchemy with the very smiley master of his. He thought it''d be important to send notice. Finished Guilda. -That is good to know. Then, what will you do today? There was this cute bakery that I¡­ Happily said Cleo. -Eh? Isn''t it better to take one of your daughters? Asked the surprised Guilda. -Well, Aki seems to really like you, so I thought we should be friends too. Explained the blonde and young looking top model. -Could it be that neither of them want to go with you? That excuse is very used on earth when people are lonely. Guilda guessed. Correctly. -HUUEEE¡­ Cried the God-like woman. She seemed like any other young woman crying if not for the form fitting dress and heaven defying looks. And so, Guilda was forced by her consciousness to actually accompany Cleo on a shopping trip all over town. With them coming back nine hours later. ¡­ Now, you may have been asking yourself about this for some time, how is the beyond, hell, the backdoor to the house of the witch from the 13''s, the place where all villains do their hair and so on and so forth¡­ It''s quite normal really. Hell''s divided in many "circles" with their own peculiarities. Some have ever burning fire that will consume souls and others have ever warm water that will do miracles to your skin. If you have skin, that is. Sure, there are lots of condemned souls that vague around for eternity, the people who were sent to hell to be tortured and depravities beyond human imagination. It''s just that not every resident of such place is powerless. Some demon lords have their own circles where they tower like kings, but it is not that different from private property in Earth. They still have rules. The strongest and baddest boy is the one that calls the shots, and right now, it is decided that part of his domain is to be a highly advanced civilization that can bring benefits to everyone while offering entertainment. That, of course, doesn''t mean that demons stop being demons, they just use other ways to ease their urges. -Oh, that ass¡­ said a a buff djinn with his golden horns on his forehead. He wasn''t much different from a human if not from the fact he had fire instead of eyes. -Dude, you better not. Look at her hands. Said a not so visible stalker demon. His spider characteristics over his human base form making it easier to meld with the shadows. -I see nothing but a pair of soft meat used for pleasure. Said the still lusting demon. -The ring you dimwit. Look at the ring. That means she is a succubus NOT looking to mate. Explained the stalker. -She has one in each hand, don''t they simply have sentimental value? Asked the tanned prince while flowing his hair back. -One of them mean she is in a relationship. Said the spider while guarding his compound eyes against the light radiation, as did everyone else looking in the direction of the djinn. -A succubus!? In a relationship? Certainly you jest! The djinn was flabbergasted and finally turned to look at the general direction of his shy friend. -Yeah, I am not joking. You''ve slept for a long time dude. Shit happened in the last millenias while you slept. Explained his more modern friend. -Though it is very rare so no doubt we will, oh, look, a fiend is going to try and flirt with her. Pointed the arachnid man. As the djinn and other men looked at the fiend, it didn''t take much time for her to point a middle finger to it, which happens to have the ring of I don''t want company. The fiend said something and she pointed to her other hand on the running machine. -A bitch like you is in a relationship? ! Now that is stu¡­ He didn''t get to finish his slander, as he was flung away while in pieces. The groans of pain showed that the attack wasn''t just for show, but actually hurt the eternal being of the fiend itself. Nothing that would kill him, mind you, but the pain was huge even for the highly resistant fiend. -You owe me one. Said the stalker. -I do. Supper at your''s or my place? I will cook. Said the dazed djinn. -Do you even have food in your fridge? Asked the spider to his friend, who didn''t know what electronics were before yesterday. ¡­ -So yeah, I might, or not, have accidently told my secretary to send an assassin guild against your boy. Said a young voice by the "phone". -It''s ok. What''s their level bracket? Asked Aranei with her normal uninterested tone while she kept running on the unnamed machine. -120 to 180¡­ meekly said the young voice. -If they are not in the two hundred them there''s no problem. I will go and tell him immediately. Continued the succubus. -Eh? But he isn''t sleeping right now¡­ asked Aranei''s big sister. -I gave him my number. She was already dialing his actually. -Moshi Moshi? Did I get that right? I know. I know. Sure let''s, I will make the reservations. No, I didn''t. No you won''t. OK, that''s that. I actually called to tell you my sister sent an assassin guild against you. You know? Yeah, there really isn''t anyone else. They have a level bracket of 120-180, by the way. You think you can handle it? They should get in town in the next day or the one after that. As I thought. No, I can''t delay them. That does sound like you. Try not to die. Of course I do, you''re our marketing. And you''re an idiot. K, bye. -Mi, what was that? Asked a confused baba loli. -I just called him. We''re having sushi on saturday and you''re coming. She said in a matter of factly tone. -Eh!? But you know I hate sushi! -And I like it. Besides, he said something about egg recipes so that he could eat too, so I guess he doesn''t like raw fish either. Said the kuudere succubus while wiping the sweat from her face with a towel. 16 Assassins Gill woke up to Tim shaking him. He still wanted to sleep, but it was better to wake up then to get cold water on the face or even a knife on the gut depending of the commander''s mood. -We''re running again. The target dispelled the tracker. The commander, a man on his thirties with black hair, black eyes and a stoic face that aged well¡­ -Gill, you listening or looking at his ass again? Tim hit his side with his elbow and growled at him for not paying attention. -I am! He was not, but understood they had to move again. They were still a whole day from the city where the target disappeared at, it was just past midnight and the city was very big and populous. "There can''t be that many orcs in a human city, right?" ¡­ -Do I really have to do this too? Asked a reluctant Guilda. -By the teachings of the divine spider, yes! It''s the fourth time you ask woman, get your shit together. You''re already a berserker, what is a little pain now? Berated Aki. -There''s a difference between being hit because you''re in battle and because you asked someone to do so. She cried. -There''s no shame in having your ass spanked! He said while preparing a pose. -Why do you¡­ It was a throwing pose. They started their training. Aki was being attacked by various slaves with different magic and he attacked Guilda while maintaining a mana shield, an active skill that he chose to in favor of mana blast. The shield would not break while he had mana, but that was not really the main point of the practice, so once he only had one hundred mana he would receive the spells and drink potions. Potions, as it is expected, are not effective after a certain amount of usages. That amount can be raised by leveling poison resistance and is also affected by "assassin" class''s buffs. Don''t even mention the buffs and skills from his other class. The meditation skill, like the cheat that it is, is possessed by literally everyone, so the practice could go on for a long time. For Guilda''s part, her job was to try and disperse and receive the most she could. After she couldn''t take anymore, Aki would start healing her while receiving the spells and they would continue. They spent sixteen hours doing that. The next eight hours were spent in the effect of a potion that kept then awake. During that phase they were faced with Bea, who ruthlessly cut, dismembered, poisoned, hit and crippled then. The fight would only stop when both lost consciousness. They would be given a ten minute break and then awoken through magic to fight again. At the end they were actually allowed to sleep and fully recovered by Cleo. ¡­ Finding the orc in question wasn''t that difficult, but to actually get to him was going to be hard. "Is his ass that great that he got to be the bitch of the wealthiest woman in the town so easily? Though that would explain how he got rid of the tracker." Gill was really jealous as he gazed into the giant manor manned by beautiful man and woman of various races in tidy uniforms. There was still some time until their attack at night, so he walked around. The casinos had a good quality, but no man or boy to his liking was free. Libraries, restaurants, jewelry shops, some new boots¡­ If someone were to monitor him they would definitely think that this person was a simple tourist with money in the second biggest city of the Togren Empire. That is a fact, as that is the non offensive version of what his babysitter was thinking. Gill was a beautiful man, there''s no other way to say it. Shoulder length flowy hair, small lips and browns, sharp eyes, a little figure that had compact muscles and a very big care for his clear skin. He was a normal village boy who worked the field together with the others and admired a certain person. It is truthfully a shame that he started his life as a sex slave to women, since he is a very active homosexual, but he just happened to be bought by the wrong person after losing his home. That is also a very big part of the reason why he reached level 182 in Bloody warmonger, a upgraded version of the berserker class. To others he may seem like a calm and gentle person, but he simply learned to control his anger. Drug addiction and soul deep anger do that to you. Once you experience something like that, the rest gets easier. He did however, get his revenge and tortured many woman to death in horrible ways. In particular, he hates red haired women. His owner never touched him, she simply liked to watch him suffer while using him as a toy for whoever could offer more benefits for her. She took pleasure in that. He was quite sure if that. So, who do you think he is going to fight? -Yoh, they told me the strongest guy was going to be my opponent, so I''ve been a little anxious. Could you tell me who of you two is the level a hundred eighty? Asked the yawning Guilda. -I won''t interfere. Said Tim. -Of course you won''t, I can''t have her losing an achievement like that! Said Aki while blinking himself and the man by the side of the top model full of killing intent to the next room. -You? A woman wants to defeat me? Someone so underleveled too. I truly pity that boy for being stupid enough to believe you. Said Gill with an ice cold voice. Guilda wanted to retort, but she got a punch to her gut the next moment. That sent he five meters back, but she didn''t fall. Only one line of blood fell her lips actually. -A berserker and a curser uh? She said as if muttering. -That doesn''t matter to you. He said before punching her face. She didn''t move this time, but got the punch with her forehead even though it got bright red. -You see, I am also very angry right now. Shadow formed around her and stopped the man from moving. The time wasn''t much, but certainly enough for her to hold his head with her hands and hit her forehead at his while her knee hit his jaw. He jumped back while ignoring his most likely fractured skull. He had suffered worse. Much worse. Guilda on the other hand had a maniacal grin on her face and had gotten her two steel maws out. When Gill saw that grin, he couldn''t help but to remember his first woman. He had begged her, offered anything, but she only laughed silently while torturing him. Then she took his body and made it so he couldn''t forget her by leaving her brand on him by red hot iron. That was the woman who had sold him, the one he searched with fervor for the last years. He had gotten a new level in his skill bloody fury, but he ignored it. He just wanted to kill this¡­ Thing that made him remember so much. So many overlapped images. Even though the mark had been carved out by himself in the day of his freedom, his back burned. He would kill this woman. ¡­ Aki had already killed the man that was by the side of Guilda''s target. No one else would interfere and he was sure of that. He paid so it would be like that. He couldn''t simply stay put and wait though. He had to kill the commander and deal with some others for the Xp. As for achievements, it wouldn''t be a sudden raise in status, but unlocking class requirements for better evolutions. Every class would receive some great skill at level 50, some would evolve at level 100 too, but all would have a qualitative change when reaching the level 200 and some more things. That''s what he was gunning for. The harsher the requirements, the better the class would be. Bea''s class, "Abyss crawler", needed her to master subterfuge attacking to the limit before level two hundred and have killed various opponents one hundred or more levels above her own. That''s her previous class though. She already advanced. Aki has his eyes set in one specific class advancement though. A evolution line to be more specific. So, while most attackers were all over the place, Aki made a beeline for the commander, who was the guy about a hundred levels above his. The whole mansion was filled with battle, but most assassins were actually fighting golems and other such disposable troops. Each at least level 100. -Did Chris say there were ten or a hundred thousand of these? Mumbled Aki while seeing the attackers getting wrecked by the old tactic of golem waves all around. "wahh, realy? My target is a good looking old man with badass vibes? This is going to be tough." That, in fact, proved to be a very correct statement. The moment the man finished his current opponent he threw himself at Aki, even though he was still in hiding. He didn''t panic though. Fighting someone with a higher level meant you would be outclassed and outmatched in many aspect. Their daggers clashed. Aki opened his mouth and spit fire from it. That broke the mental attack on him even though the damage was little, but the old man didn''t stop and headbutted Aki, who as an answer kicked upwards with the knife on his boot, making a total spin while the man retreated a little. The man lunged forward again while doing another mental attack. Aki felt the pang, but he still cast telekinesis and used it to shoot a lightning at the man. He missed, but the man fell right into his invisible trap, which, truthfully wasn''t there before, but it is not the time to explain such things, so, good luck guessing. When the man suddenly hit a wall of condensed mana, he was surprised and almost didn''t react to the kick to his side after failing to get through Aki''s telekinesis. While guarding it with one hand, he caught one of his throwing knifes, but before he could send it flying, his hand was caught and he used a spell to disrupt concentration at that moment. It did work, just not how he imagined it would. When he cast the spell, some of it actually rebounded to him, making him shoot the knife in a unwanted angle and getting Aki into a frenzied state. Both jumped backwards. He could feel the spells around him dissipating, and even heard the sound of a mana shield breaking from lack of feedback. That was the kind of skill you didn''t see much in a youngster, was all he thought before smiling bitterly. To diffuse so much of his skill would either require a lot of training or a lot of luck. That''s what he thought, but Aki just applied a sound barrier inside two mana shields and that reflected enough mana and sound back to the man. They were both simple spells, so it wasn''t that hard a feat to mix them. The thing was to actually stick them together with mana crumbs so they could be cast in one fell swoop. Anyway, while I was explaining things, Aki actually got his throat cut open while drinking a mana potion. Really though, that plan was good if I ever saw one. After the jump backwards both did, Aki took a potion out of his inventory, while the man jumped forward and attacked his slightly exposed throat. He actually froze the blade inside himself for a moment and used the liquid in his throat as a catalyst to shackle the old man to the spot. He probably wouldn''t be able to move for only two or four seconds, but that was enough. "Void bolt." He mentally chanted to activate the skill. A more than black bolt went for the man''s heart. It wasn''t fast in his eyes, a little slower than a fireball even. A normal rogue below one hundred could dodge it, don''t even mention the old man. But right now he was paralyzed and cold only tank the thing all his instincts told him would be his end. And that was it. He felt coldness as if all warmth had vanished. He felt sad and lonely. His life didn''t pass through his eyes. He was tired and wanted to sleep. Aki rapidly took the dagger out and defrosted his throat, there was a spell for that, and felt horrible about the liquid stuck in there. It was like he had gulped down starch and rubber. In liquid form. It''s strange. That tactic isn''t so famous mainly because of that side of it. The throat slitting actually causes less problems. While you may be asking yourself why no one else has attacked, I need to say that you should try and remember the op characters more. You thought Aki didn''t pay for bodyguards for himself? Really? [... For killing an opponent 100 or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP] Aki sucked in his nausea and the vomit. For five seconds. After leaving a puddle of rainbows behind, he checked his status. Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 175 Class: Assassin Lv 67 Active skills: -Backstab Lv12 -Poisoning Lv 12 -Parry Lv 14 -Pierce armor Lv 8 -Shadow dominance Lv 9 Passive skills: -Blade mastery Lv 14 -Smooth steps Lv 10 -Persuasion Lv 4 -Trap mastery Lv 9 -Debuff mastery Lv 10 Subclasse: Arcane mage Lv 61 Active skills: -Mana missile Lv 10 -Telekinesis Lv 16 -Mana steal Lv 12 -Life steal Lv 15 -Mana shield Lv 13 Passive skills: -Mana manipulation Lv 19 -Mana absorption Lv 12 -Energy conversion Lv 10 -Grimoire Lv 6 -Magic overcharge Lv 9 General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 12 Charm resistance Lv 13 Massage Lv 2 Meditation Lv 16 Pain resistance Lv 15 Anger Lv 15 Sleep resistance Lv 7 Demonology Lv 9 Disease resistance Lv 6 Identify Lv 4 Subterfuge Lv 10 Intimidate Lv 12 Mana perception Lv 20 Wind magic Lv 7 Fire magic Lv 7 Fear resistance Lv 10 Healing magic Lv 10 Earth magic Lv 7 Water magic Lv 7 Dark magic Lv 8 Thunder magic Lv 7 Time magic Lv 3 Demon summoning Lv 9 Light magic Lv 7 Enchanting Lv 10 Poison resistance Lv 14 Alchemy Lv 5 Space magic Lv 3 Steam magic Lv 5 Radiant magic Lv 5 Metal magic Lv 5 Ice magic Lv 5 Ooze magic Lv 5 Magma magic Lv 5 Smoke magic Lv 5 Water magic resistance Lv 8 Heat resistance Lv 9 Electricity resistance Lv 6 Curse resistance Lv 3 Adaptability Lv 5 Void magic Lv 1 Shadow magic resistance Lv 10 Wind magic resistance Lv 5 Arcane magic resistance Lv 3 Earth magic resistance Lv 5 Pressure resistance Lv 6 Gravity magic resistance Lv 3 Light magic resistance Lv 5 Attributes: Vitality: 116 Endurance: 121 Strength: 112 Dexterity: 115 Intelligence: 205 Wisdom: 208 Health: 1160/1160 Stamina: 1210/1210 Mana: 2080/2080 Many stats from that hellish training and from the fight later, he didn''t even need to use his points to defeat his target. Just his pre-planned strategies were enough for once. When he was informed his target was the leader, a thirty odd years old man with lots of experience in assassination, he totally decided to use his expectancies against him. People die when they are killed. That doesn''t mean a man can''t survive a slit throat, but that man knew that more than enough, so he had a lot of actions planned for after that hit. Aki didn''t. After that would be him desperately throwing everything he had at the man. If it didn''t work he''d turn him into a captive and keep him until he could defeat him alone. The point is, he knew the man would try to slit his throat went he showed despair. The man just didn''t knew that was a requirement to using many dark centered spell. Void needing thoughts of self harm to properly be casted. Coming from the generation that can say "nothing matters" with a smile on their face, it wasn''t too hard for Aki. Or was him from the generation after that one? I don''t know. 17 Auction -You don''t need to be so nervous. He said while taking the hand she was biting on. -That would be more convincing if you didn''t keep robbing my food. She said while taking another fish sausage with the form of a human hand. -It''s my first time in hell! He exclaimed. -And you are more afraid of facing my sister. That''s your fifth aperitif, you are making people look strange at us. She pinched him. -Half of them were looking in our direction the moment we got here, and I am quite sure it is not because I look human. He chimed, wincing at the pain of the "soul attack". -I wish she''d let us contact a cook instead of coming to the restaurants. She sighed. -While I would love to have Mi pay a visit, I kind of had to make sure you wanted to keep this going. Said Sara. The older sister who owns the company they are affiliated to, you know. You can easily picture her by first imagining a f¡­ she is a cute young girl with curly cute red hair that drop magnificently on her tiny shoulders. Don''t look at me, I also need to eat. She is about 1,50 and could even pass by as a middle or high schooler depending of her will. -If my cute baby sister wants to keep a pet then I need to make sure she is taking care of it and not causing problems for work either. Said the loli with a big smile. -Wasn''t it you who sent assassins against your own assets and took a hardly justifiable bet? Can I call you sis as well? Didn''t you specialy tell your manager to not let his employees have relationships on the job? Aki went on from cold to scalding in one moment with a rapid fire of her faults. He could even hear and see the anger and shame of the alcubus. Then he tried to say. -Can I¡­ Ara¡­ Mi closed his jaw forcibly and made him bite his tongue off. -Don''t ruin it after doing so well at the start. Later. She said. -Understood. He replied energetically with his new tongue. -I see everything is in order between you two. Now, boy, do you really think you can be a good partner to my Mi? Sara was frowning now, a line of blood still on her jaw after getting roasted. -Sure. I can satisfy her for a lot more than the thousand years the marital contract asks for. If I can''t even do that, than what kind of lover would I be? He said after bringing Mi''s head to his shoulder while hugging her. -I will end everything right now if you two want to continue with this. Said the pissed succubus with her bitch face reaching new levels. -"I will stop." both said at the same time. -Good. Aki, I accept being your girlfriend. Sara, call those candidates and tell then that I''ve found someone myself. Now you will say sorry for sending assassins against my boyfriend and you will not roast my sister again unless I tell you to. Are we understood? She said matter of factly. -Of course. I am sorry. Said Sara the cat. -I won''t disappoint you honey! Said Aki the dog. -Then take those tails and ears out and I will eat while you two get to know each other. Said Mi the pet owner and trainer. ¡­ -What does Mi stands for anyway? Asked Guilda. Her gaze actually stuck on the stripper in front of her. It was a woman by the way. -Mizaleifihadnali. I had to write that down to remember. It''s good to know we both share the same interests, but we do have a job, remember? Aki had to call her attention from the botty with a fox tail over it in a very small skirt as they actually couldn''t just stay there standing. Right now they were investigating a slave traficant. While it might seem hypocritical, only some people have the permission to sell slaves. Nowadays there aren''t many slaves in name anymore. It may be from various sources of "external influence", but slavery isn''t such a big thing in the market anymore. Of course, as the industrial revolution has proven, that is the way money centered societies tend to reach after some time with the idea of mass production as a possibility. What about going back and forth to hell? That''s for another time, this doesn''t even have that many mysteries, just let me have my moments, ok? -It is still strange to me see beast people around, ok? Said Guilda. -Yeah, and hooker doesn''t have a bubble but. Let''s go down and later you can just get as many rounds you want with how many people you want, ok? "The potion just changed you temporarily, if you do try to use that member it will not get up. Now grab my but and say a cheese line." Said Aki in two different ways. -Then you don''t mind being there? Said Guilda with a very obvious undertone and doing exactly what Aki said. -Where else would I be? Aki grinned coquetishly and got even closer to Guilda. You may think this would not actually happen, like ever, but Cleo actually knew about gender bender stories and told then they just HAD to do it this way. She didn''t order them with the contract, but they didn''t actually have much resistance against the idea. They had exchanged heights and now Aki was 1,72 while Guilda was 1,83. While walking together they actually looked like two bitches in heat. Guilda still had her slick figure, but also had an eight pack and a strong pectoral, her red hair was held back by a band, sharp features and strong limbs that barely resembled the delicacy of a woman she somehow kept. Dressed with a purple coat, with a emerald engraved brooch in her breasts pocket that resulted her green eyes, an open neckline exposing the strong muscles, white pants and black formal shoes. They do have those here even without the same materials. Thank magic. Aki decided on a creme long dress that went till his ankle but had a slit to the sides showing a lot of the tight part, besides giving a great view of his cleavage. Her cleavage. Anyways, he even wore high heels, which, are actually better to use in a world with magic where women don''t simply comply with whatever is beautiful and there is actual research on how to produce comfortable and gorgeous clothing financed by thousands of rich people. Yeah, space magic can be used to make comfortable shoes. Genius, right? Oh, almost forgot to say, but Aki''s "character" is basically a soft looking one-sama with short brown hair and a smile stuck on her face. He likes the irony of reversing their places. He also wanted to say Ara Ara. -Ara Ara, it seems that we got here at the right time dear Stain. Said Aki while putting a mask with a silver shine and a black half moon smile on her lower face. It''s easier to just refer to then as their current gender. I give up. Stain, as in Guildenstain according to Aki, put on a golden version of said mask. Yes, you guessed it, they are going to an illegal auction witch is disguised as masked ball. Who goes to one of those with only one mask? As for the dark side that has plots about ravaging the place? Identify is one of the skills everyone has, and it can be used in many ways, such as identifying a fake invitation in the midst of the real ones, though that takes training, or even just noticing that this place is being guarded by twenty people at level 200 with lots of invitees at similar levels. By the way: [Mage - Lv 122] [Warrior - Lv 164] Is people see when looking at "Primus" and "Guildenstein" that''s Aki''s alias by the way. Primus. It is just the some days later and they alredy stopped the hellish training because it was hellish, so how did their level up to double their previous status? Cleo. That''s all I can say. Though I can also tell that they were given magical items of immense power so they would not simply die. That''s also a surprise, by the way, but I really need to say that the rings do a very fun thing. Back to bussines, Primus and Guildenstein entered the auction house manned by scantily clothed men and women. A tall black man with heavy accent checked their invitation, which was real, just not originally their''s, and a maid was sent to guide them to the underground level where the illegal part of the place was.This time the place didn''t look like a whore house, but the masked servants had an aura of "window products", or whatever you want to call it. Also, the place was quite big. Like half a football field. That was practically confirmed when twin bunny girls approached them and presented themselves as their guides. They looked at each other and Gui¡­ Stein grinned and looked at Primus with an inquisitive gaze. "You join us later?" He asked through their mental link. "You know I wouldn''t even if I was single. I will be sure to watch the replay later with Mi though." She shook her head and he gave a surprised look. -"This way." Said the twins at the same time with the long sleeved arm of their cyan robes with scarlet and ruby adornments on the flowing chinese dragons through it. Their attires completed each other and while one of their breasts was almost showing in each, it made great use of their charms and both made one imagine the full robe and the twins without it. They were shown to a table with four seat with two pairs facing each other and one girl sat by the side of each guest. -Say, there''s still some time until the auction starts, so why don''t we go through some rules of the house? It''s our first time here and I''d hate to know I missed something good. Said Primus while leaning over her twin with a seducing voice quite close to the ears on top of the girl''s head. -As you wish madam. Is there something you''d specifically want to know? Answered the girl with no noticeable change on her acting. -Of course, we both would love to know your names, isn''t that right Stain? She smiled and said while looking at the twin in opposite to her. -Obviously, how could I not want to better want to know such delicate flowers with such enticing smell. Stein leaned on the table and said with a similar strategy. -Since you wish¡­ -Then, we''d be happy to comply. Said one twin after the other. They both threw their long black hair over to one side with perfect synchrony, revealing a magical crest on their necks. -I am Tina. -And I am Mina. -There are two main rules. -You can buy whatever you see. -And ask for whatever you can buy. -The jade tiger company is always more than happy to create new partnerships. -Concoctions, slaves, magic weapons, anything the client desires. -For the right price. -So we can get you two to bed tonight and buy you later? Isn''t that a bit cruel? What do you girls think of coming with us by yourselves before anything else, you''d always be together and live a pretty good life. Offered Primus. -Pri, what are you saying? Even if we can get their consent, don''t you think mama would ask for something in exchange when we bring them back? He sounded worried. -There''s no problem, I got some allowance while you weren''t looking, so I have plenty of favors to call even if she wants something unreasonable. Primus smiled. -There you go, just don''t bring me on the next one, that day was already like hell to me. I''d just like to relax a little sometimes, you know? He complained while grabbing Tina by the waist with a fluid manner. The lights went off and a spell was cast to inhibit seeing or hearing anything from afar except whatever was on the platform. This was real high level magic, not some trick or half asked spell that can be easily imitated. -Ah, the auction is about to start. Primus was "startled" and hugged Mina to her bosom. -You smells so nice Mina, it makes me want to hug you forever. Though you have to talk too, right? Here, lay on my lap, I will make a platform with magic for your body. And so she did. The bunny girl didn''t even answer and actually just calmly did as told holding the business smile she had maintained from the start. A man appeared on stage with his obsidian black mask without facial features, not even holes for the eyes, which gave him a strange aura, but it certainly didn''t t stop him from doing his job better than anyone could have thought possible. -Welcome all guests, it is a pleasure to receive you all. Today I shall accompany you through marvelous trinkets, rare herbs, lost artifacts presented by fate, the best slaves can buy and more. He bowed with one hand at the front and one at the back while talking with his deep, sonorous and magic infused voice. The first item was a ring that could temporarily boost one''s strength. The starting price was 500 gold. Stein immediately entered the bidding war. -Say Mina, do you love your sister? Ah, in this kind of situation that sounded like a treat, didn''t it? Sorry, I just have some problems when dealing with a normal conversation. I guess I can talk first then. You see, I have a baby sister who''s 3 years old, but I never saw her personally. Recently I had the chance to finally visit her, but it was ruined and I got some setbacks. Do you think it is too horrible of me to not be doing my utmost to be able to talk to her again? -Certainly not. She immediately replied. -You see, I am not a noble nor do I care for this type of thing, so is there any way to turn that business mode of yours out? Scream, hit me and do whatever you want, that won''t make a difference for your future, I just need someone so to tell me their true opinion on this. Primus obviously didn''t believe it. The item was sold for 1150 gold to Stein. The second item was a pair of earrings that could store 1000 of mana. The starter price was 2000 gold. This was an item that came from a high level dungeon boss and it was not parted with for simply money. Primus touched Mina''s crest and infused a little mana into it. -Number 55, raise to 12.500 gold. She softly said to the crest before Mina got up from her lap. -We have 12.500 gold to number 55. Can any of the present gentleman cover her astronomus bid?! The man at the stage screamed with excitement. Fake or not, it was hard to know with such people. -Excuse me. I will be taking 20% of that guy''s money, you hear? Primus interrupts Mina and whispers in her neck again. -13.000 for number 10! I assure you all, whoever gets this item will be unparalleled in their grade and if they come back to complain them I shall give them my head. The man announced in a serious and joyous tone. -Sorry for bringing business up in such conversation. She sounded sad but still smiled. -Why is someone like you even sad? There was hatred in Mina''s short words. -Because even if I''d prefer not, I am human. No matter how much time I spend telling myself that I hate it, I just can''t change it. -How could you even understand true sorrow and grief? Your sister is better of never knowing you. The bunny woman was already in a deadpan and affirmed everything she wanted to say. -That''s because I am a bad person who has been taught to be good. You see, from where I come from there''s refugees running from wars and persecutions of all kinds, terrorism, corruption and many others. My city was peaceful and I never personally saw any of those, but the news were delivered infinitely faster then here. You know what I thought everything I saw the images of ruins in war, famished children in a horrible environment and notices about how a lot of people were getting sick lately? She stopped and looked at the cold bunny girl, the third item already gone. -You feel good about their suffering. She said without doubt in her voice. -Exactly! You know how bad it is to be near people like that, imagine having to constantly having to live with something like that! You consider changing an start new things, but you always find a way to connect it to suffering, whenever you''re alone you consider suicide so you try to keep yourself distracted and ends up making problems for the people that like you, so you just try to live withing that circle of suffering and self hatred. You know how strange it is to randomly pause for a moment when I try to eat bread simply because I thought about stabbing the knife in my throat and them loat myself for not having done that yet out of cowardice? -Allow me to kill you then. She suggested. -Nope. I really just need to let this kind of thing out every now and then to some random people when I am stressed. Besides, after I told you this, what do you think will make me suffer more, my existence conflict or dying. Tip, one of those has a very long period of effect and the other is very short. Her smile now really reached her eyes. -Is that so? Does the Madam wish for anything else? Mina had her business smile back. -I''d love if you showed me your panties, but I actually want to be your friend. You know, I never got a second chance to talk to anyone about these kind of things. By the way, you''re going to love working for mama, she''s very kind and actually quite childish around her people. Not a hyperbole. Oh, I want that, double the current price please, don''t you think I''d look amazing on you and your sister? Primus said in her normal tone, plus a little excitement at the -Sold to number 55 for 10.000, someone doesn''t like to wait at all, this is only our fourth item and I haven''t even gotten to the surprise of the day! Announced the man with a full mask. -Congratulations madam. Said Mina. -Oh, don''t be like that, I know you also want to wear cute clothes and fell grand. Primus pouted at her fake feelings and hugged the girl from behind. -... She didn''t reply. -There''s nothing interesting before the third interval, so you will play with me before that, right? Primus whispered in her ears. ¡­ 18 The uses of slaves 101 -It seems like the first part has finished. We shall have an half hour break and resume our activities after that time. All guests are welcomed to do as they please inside the permitted area, but please remember that is negotiable in certain house terms. Even though the man sounded servile, there was an implied treat to remember the people they weren''t in their turf. -Now''s the time. Don''t just stand there, get me on air! I want to show that idiot that I can actually sing. Primus was smiling like a little girl who just played a prank. -You start in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1¡­ *acoustics with a piano, saxophone, trumpets and Google Ben mirst bist du schoen for a good music from the thirties.* -Of all the boys I''ve known, and I''ve know some. Until I first met you, I was lonesome¡­ A reverberating feminine voice sounded through all the "cabins" that chose to turn this little show on. They were very surprised to hear many instruments very well cordened, a melodious voice, an amazing song and things their little noble mind could never expect or truly understand. ¡­ Later, in hell, a succubus who normally had a deadpan face was making a big "O" with her mouth while looking at the screen in front of her. -He is going to use that dress next time. She decided. ¡­ -Hah¡­ how are my reviews? Asked Primus while drinking water she summoned. -Lots of 5s, mostly 4s and some 3s, but lots are asking for bis. Said the surprised bunny girl, who was now dressed like a cowgirl. She''d have the full set if there was some rope around. "Nothing personal", "not dead yet", "chosen one", Google cause those are good, she took three music''s from her rock playlist and sung them. For someone that heard all those songs a couple hundreds of times it is nothing hard to remember how to, but to tone your voice and follow the correct ritim, you''d normally take some practice in professional singing. Of course, a dexterity status of 115 and the Persuasion skill can do wonders for a nerd that never trained. She even got the singing skill. There is the issue of how the translation went on for the people watching, but they seemed to enjoy it if the donations and propositions they were making were any indication. The sound effects were actually the easy part to do since she doesn''t go anywhere without her cellphone. Yeah, it doesn''t have any function besides storing data, taking photos and checking for webnovels, so it actually passed the requirements for a reward for completing the forest of beginning. I mean, the forest was currently the possession of demons, so of course they have to give a reward too, but the dungeon is unable to not give anything worth the effort done. Guilda actually just asked to have a message delivered to her family, since she actually didn''t have much contribution to whatever Aki did in the test of will. Aki wasn''t able to get that done exactly because it was too little, by the way. So he did something better. He kept posting his novel even in another world. With another name and unable to give much info to his family. His uncle already found it and even started asking about his nephew. He also contacted the police, but every hour the signal comes from a different place and it is not possible to trace the true origin of it fast enough. Truly, have a good luck trying to break a code made by demons. It is also a lot more recommendable then this s¡­ Back to bussines, Primus kept using Mina as his model to test various clothes, which she kept in her inventory together with the normal clothes and between the ingredients and weapons. -Why do you even have pirate clothes? Asked the very much naked bunny girl. -To use as disguises later on. And to do cosplay when I am feeling like it. Ignore the word you don''t know what means, aren''t you having fun too? Primus put the pirate clothes in front of the girl and moved her gaze to the full body mirror, which you could have alredy guessed she carries around. -I¡­ -I told you I am not a monster. She said before slapping the bunny''s butt cheeks. -Now let''s see which of us looks better as the captain. There''s still a more than an hour till the slaves appear and even more before the surprises begin. Don''t look at me like that, if they did not commit any crime before they will be freed and given money and clothes, besides a job offer. ¡­ -Now, the moment many of you were waiting for, the secrets of the bazaar. While some guest have monopolized parts of the auction, everyone has a chance in the bazaar. Please, remember that you can only bid five times per item and each guest can only participate in three disputes. Announced the man in obsidian. -For the first surprise, we have a dragon egg! The starting bid is a measly 10,000 gold gentleman, who shaw take this beauty home?! The platform started liberating a small blizzard with ice crystals that gave a resplendecent and eerie aura to the golden egg that appeared when a trap door opened in the middle of the stage and had the egg the size of a head lifted up so all could admire. -Twenty, fifty, a hundred, two hundred¡­ A million from mister 56! Is there anyone who intends to cover such proposal?! Stein bid the maximum he could, for there were some items even Cleo wants. Though the actual maximum price that is to be expected is 500,000 and Cleo has three more of these, having more insurance can never hurt. Though what came next surprised even the announcer. -What? We had one of these?! Don''t play so much my heart please, I am old and may just die in the spot with something like this. Dear guests, it seems like we have reached the climax of our auction! Our next item is something I did not expect to see in this life, much less have the honor to present it to you all. AN ANGEL-KIN! Yes, you heard it right dear guests! One of the legendary and almost extinct races is right here and is right in the reaches of your hands! May the bidding start! Primus stopped the doing Mina''s make up because of the shock and gulped. Even an otherworlder like her knew of the legendary races. Chris was one of them for hell sake! Those bastards had an infinite lifespan, were immensely beautiful and possessed so many special abilities that they could easily be considered the god''s agents. They were hunted down exactly because of how strong they were! For each soldier on their side a 100 of the coalitation of races that fought them were exchanged. At the end millions had died, but they were defeated, for they numbered too little. No matter who, they could understand that those were monsters to be feared. -Ten million, twelve, twenty¡­ A hundred million! That can buy you a whole city gentleman! I guess the winner will be¡­ Someone just offered a hundred twenty, but while I said that miss 55 just doubled her offer! Suffice to say that Cleo had enough money to buy a small kingdom, crow herself queen and cover a great part of the land with gold. Even if you ask me from where all that came, she is ? Years old! Magic can create metals too, so that is not a problem at all for her, don''t even mention the things that are worth more than gold! ¡­ They didn''t have the money to pay for everything thanks to the angel girl, so Bea had to go and bring more money for then. She was also surprised by the angel, but helped them export the twenty three slaves that were bought back home. The rest would be sent later by the auction house. The moment they entered the main door Cleo started hugging the angel''s wings and carresed it very, and I mean very, fast. She may never have played any touch games, but danm if she''s not a professional perverted. You may imagine the result by yourself, just know that the floor needs plenty of cleaning. Aki and Guilda had already turned back to normal, and Aki didn''t put the dress back,. Guilda said something by Tina''s ear and they disappeared, but Aki just stood there filming everything. Mina did not understand what he was doing, but she decided he more than deserved a maw to the face. There''s lots of statues with weapons through the house. He did get hit square on, and his skull caved in too, but it just started regenerating while he stood still. The phone was still filming by the way. -Disgusting. Said Mina while looking at the man who was having his face grown back out of nowhere. -Oi, you didn''t even know I had a fail safe! Don''t do something so dangerous out of nowhere! He berated her after getting totally healed by a spell with trigger condition. Cleo would''ve resurect him if he died too, but that''s expensive, and would take whatever credits he had gotten from bringing her an angel-kin. -You looked like you deserved it, so I just did. Besides, bad vases don''t break easily. She deadpanned. -And if I didn''t you''d have killed your only friend besides your own sister. Anyway, you have any idea how many times she¡­ He was mesmerized, but didn''t get hit a second time. He didn''t have another time reversal prepared right now. -It should have alredy reached the thirties. She smiled while trying to hit his head again. This continued for some more minutes and Mina finally noticed her sister had disappeared. -Hey, where''s Tina? She looked worried. -You didn''t notice she went to the bedroom with Guilda? It''s been twenty minutes idiot. Though the sound isolation here is topnotch, so we''d never hear anything. Hey, don''t look at me, she doesn''t have your sister''s contract, I do, she could''ve refused. He said. -But she''s not¡­ She wanted to say something, but stopped herself after thinking a little. -You know, some rooms in this house actually have "equipment" for females only. He explained to her. -That explains somethings. And makes some others weird. Her ears dropped and she seemed a little depressed by memories. -It''s ok, let''s have some tea and cake. You can look in what to do latter. He consoled her with a hand on her shoulder. -Eh? She seemed confused. -You two are my personal slaves, that means you don''t need to work with the others and follow my direct orders. Translating, do whatever you want just don''t throw your life away. You will have the chance to go away after one month or until I say so. You two can, of course, stay and be my servants in the same condition, but receiving a salary. You want a slice of orange, chocolate, vanilla, misto, lemon¡­ He trailed off while taking copious amounts of food for himself. -Give me the chocolate one. She chose and started eating with him. 19 Demons *Triiiiiiinnnnn. Triiiiiiinnnnn. Catcha* -What was that!? Said a just awoken Mina with surprise all over her face, and some saliva too, and a plate ready to be thrown on each hand. -That''s my girlfriend''s way to tell me she needs something done. Aki explained, used his phone to call her. After a short conversation he understood the problem, said he loves her and hooked ended the call. On the other side. -Did he just say he loves me? Though her expression wasn''t much different from normal, you could see she was confused. She felt a headache coming. Looking at the time and amount of data that needed to be reprocessed before coming back to her for inspection, she decided to go for a smoothy. -That one with blueberries and pride essence should do the trick. She mumbled while getting a strange look from her secretary. Not many demons still mumbled to themselves in this era. It was a sign of instability and of chances for their subordinates to rob them of everything. Though it still makes one seem like a mad demon and question how that person got their job. Not much different from human society, right? The elevator was empty save for the imp that pressed the buttons. It was quite ugly, had bubbles of pus all over its face, a long and pointy nose, a curved back, it''s yellow skin looked sick¡­ -You should try some skin products kid. She said before getting out. He was also the only demon that was younger than Mi in the whole building. She passed him a cristal that would pretty much equal a fifty bucks note in America. "Am I turning soft?" Aranei was slightly worried about that, but when one of the receptionists sneered at her she popped one of his eyeballs. He screamed a lot from the pain, but mainly because he was a devil who originally didn''t have eyes, so he had to do a surgery. He could still see even if his other three eyes were torn of mind you, but destroying one of them would make the adaptation process longer and higher it''s failing chances. -One Jack. The shop was right in front of the company building, so it didn''t take much time for her to get her smoothy. She sat besides the window and looked at the tall structure at the other side of the street. She was going to spend millenia in there. Is all this corporative bullshit really worth it? After shrugging MI stayed there, taking her sweat time. Fifteen minutes later she had already finished the smoothy and was just looking at her phone while in a different scenario. *heart beatings sound* (Yeah, that''s the sound it makes when he is calling someone with that phone.) -Yes? Good. You sure didn''t kill any of them? Just checking. That''s too expensive to use for you to look more cool. Make sure to remember them of that. No, I am ok, just tired. Sure, and you''d be able to cook. It''s not too bad an idea though. Isn''t coffee made our of poop? If that''s so them I will give it a try like you said. Bye. After a quick talk with her lover, she noticed that actually helped her a little. Her therapist might not just be a charlatan after all. Or maybe she was just faking problems in her own mind for attention. While they could not simply meet for no reason, she did get a better humor after talking with someone like him on a daily basis. To find someone who actually tries to make it easier for you to live life is certainly rare, but she mostly liked how he seemed to be as awkward as her in their interactions. It made her think there was another person who could care to cheer her and stand by her side. Those were rare for her. Even more so the ones that actually were honest. She teleported back to her table and computer and started working again. Even if she wanted to turn into a sobbing mess or forget her responsibilities, she would not do it. She was an adult after all. ¡­ After hanging up for the second time in one hour, Aki actually noticed that he said "I love you, bye" after both calls. He rapidly started stabbing his hand for the poison resistance, which both hurt a lot and distracted him the shame. Besides the grinding too. -Oi! You ok? Was it one of you floating eyeballs?! Screamed Mina with worry. Remembering their punishment from being disrespectful before, the beholders all actually started exclaiming that they did nothing and some even pointed fingers to each other. Figuratively, ok course. None of them had fingers. -It''s ok, that was just my instinct from when I was little. I used to hit myself when I felt embarrassed and now I just told my girlfriend that I love her after one week. She must be thinking about how clingy I am and that I am some kind of idiot she should du¡­ He said while looking down with the dagger still in his hand, but Mina actually kicked him and buried his head in the ground. -You better? She asked before he even got out. -Yeah, the anger overshadowing the despair helps. The broken nose not so much. He said even though he didn''t hear what she said. Right now they were doing the not so popular request of patrolling the city surroundings, which was a boring, hard on the nerves, possibly dangerous and actually paid a fixed amount for each monster subjugation proof you bought back. While it is certainly true that there are many monsters in the wilderness, it is also true that it is a lot more simple to hunt in dungeons for a lot of reasons. A good examples being that you can find monsters more easily, go back and forth to civilization in the same day if you want, dungeons have a suggested level bracket, most dungeon monsters have valuable body parts¡­ It is as simple as that. So, obviously, not everyone wishes to try their hand on finding and defeating random monsters. There is no level restriction on areas over the globe. Monsters of about level one hundred are easily attracted to the surroundings of giant cities like this, and while it is the duty of the city guard to exterminate them, they can''t be everywhere, nor is there a convenient magic that can gauge the levels of every creature that reaches a certain distance of the city. By the way, the reason why the reason why the demons are afraid of Aki and Mina is because one of the Beholder had too big a pride and insulted him. Now, that would normally no be a problem for him. Ignoring the floating eyeball would be a good punishment for it''s pride, but he then started talking about MI, so¡­ After Aki beat him into a state of near death and turned back time for it''s wounds once for each word it said while directed at his lover, the thing was now just floating over looking like a dead fish on water and internally regretting the fact he had know so many insults to the succubi race. To be fair, he had the chance to stop when Aki silenced all the demons and stood in front of it with a mocking look in his eyes. Even the idiotic fiends understood what he was doing at the moment, but the demon was too prideful. After the little show and the delay after it, they successfully made a "excursion" against the wildlife of the dungeon city. That didn''t help Aki to fill his coffers or level up anything, since most monster were about or below his level. Their amount wasn''t bad though. He had asked Mina to bring five magic bags with somewhat small spaces, but the warrior was quite the carrying mule. Instead of using the level 124 martial artist/ level 113 great defender, Mina, as proper combat force, she just stood there most of the time. Unless she got really bored. Then he would throw the bags filled with carcasses into his space pocket. With a squad formed by five of the five basic variations of demons, there was not much to fight against after all. Now that I said it, it may be a good opportunity to present the I''ve races been mentioning all this while. But really, how noob are you to not know the basic ones? Fiends are brutish monsters of Wrath. Their height ranges from 1,90 to 3,20, bulging muscles and dicks. All of them. They take pleasure in others suffering from their hands more than others. Normally stupid, full of muscles and can create their own melee equipment. Very clear that they are berserkers by nature. Succubus are (do I really need to say?) creatures of lust. They look like humans or other humanoid races most of the time, but they can be easily redu, summarized as bitches that have good shapeshifting, high magical affinity, volatile personalities and excel at spionage. Hellhounds come from Wrath too, but are more of a representation of the animal and elemental fury. Differently from what you might imagine, they are actually as intelligent as humans in most aspects of growth. There''s not much to say, they are big dogs with various ways to inflict destruction. Pride is mostly represented by the beholders, floating masses of flesh with half of their "mass" being the big eye in the center of them. Tentacles and smaller eyes all over aside, they''re extremely smart and have an exceptional memory. That serves to say they are incredible spell casters. The last one are spiders. Sorry, stalkers. They represent Gluttony for all known and are shy creatures with an appearance of either a big spider or a spider-like humanoid with appendages like blades on its back. Perfects for assassination and some even have an affinity to the arcane. While you may be asking yourself why your handsome and amazing narrator didn''t say anything about Sloth, Greed, Jealousy or any other smaller sin, that is simply because the greedy ones are far too few and mostly "ranked up" or idiots, while sloth and jealousy are basically everywhere, so they don''t participate much on anything. In case you are curious, Djinns are creatures of sloth, and that actually means they seek a laid back type of comfort, abominations, giant masses of "matter", are the representatives of envy and greed is taken by the hoarders, since they also try to keep the lower version of themselves hidden and show off with lots of trophies. Those are named keepers by the way. There''s no lower version of abominations, they just keep growing with time. There is, of course, a fuck ton of other demon types, such as devils, nagas, pathfinders, pest breeders, incubi, behemoths, war cries, armageddons, deep crawlers, so on and so forth. 20 In the process of advertising, using cute animals and beautiful woman helps. While one may chose to contract an incubus, that is rare as fuck, so they are mostly ignored. Many other reasons aside, that''s basically all you need to know about demons. Oh, almost forgot, they don''t like to be ordered around. Though that''s not a problem in this case. "This the best job I got in centuries." "Right? I almost didn''t remember how long has it been since a master of mine left carcasses for me. Almost." "Idiots, he is obviously trying to make us trust him. Later will come the menial tasks and sex." "While I certainly hope you''re wrong, I heard this is the guy that is fucking the young bitch boss that recently got to the company. Ya all at least not killing him by the pussy" "Wait, what?! Where did Shirley shove her head this time? She always has the best stuff!" "Oh, she''s been complaining a lot about not being able to talk with anyone that has a full contract you hear? Though I normally rough her up before she says much. Danm her mouths tight." "You''re milkyblack63? And I thought my finder name was bad. I actually get the milky part, but why black? You''re white as fuck." "Who said I am the one who ends up black? Hahaha!" "Urg, fiends" "Oh, please continue miss 63, I certainly would love to know what the closest person to my girlfriend likes." That was a conversation between the demons through the mental link of the contract they shared, one which Aki held partial control over while on the field. Not that he needed that to make a spiral fiend, which are a sub-species closely related to pride, to talk about her exploits in bed. Personally to him of course. Shirley is Mi''s secretary by the way. "Now everyone, I have good and bad news, of which you can go and thank miss 63 for. The bad one is that we will be ending our slaughter earlier on. The good one is that I am giving you all a luxury day. Fiends are scheduled to go to the orc dungeon, all the ass and fights you can get. Beholders, except Mark, will be going to the library from the academy, don''t fuck anyone too much. Succubi will receive money and you may go do whatever you want with it if you don''t kill anyone. Hellhound s are to have a spa day, you will understand what is a spa day later, but you will like it. Stalkers can go back to the manor and wait inside the room after the big red door where we will give you all lots of meat according to the preferences stated before. If you do shit I know how to punish you." A collective cheer later and everyone but Mark runned in the direction of the city gate. He was to keep killing monsters until he died for the day. Demons can always be ressumoned after all. Really, dude couldn''t even fill a complain about his job, because for that a demon had to die a certain number of times under the warlock that summoned it with his or her own hands. See demons are quite resilient, even if their brain melts away, they will still take two or three second to die, a whole minute if it is a specialy sturdy fiend, and Aki carries plenty of magic crystals with him, each a with a spell ready for use. At the moment he had prepared a healer versions of his normal arsenal. It was not very useful against enemies that wouldn''t allow him to open his inventory, besides being expensive. It did help when he was the support or not the one using it, while it could very easily be sold for a few times the initial cost and helped his Enchanting level. How many Arcane mages with the Grimoire skill do you think there are? To begin with, the process needed one of the parts to have a certain mastery of the skill or spell that will be engraved normally asks for a master in enchanting and a master of the skill with at least some enchanting training, which can downgrade the item for obvious reasons. But why am I talking so much about this random subject? Because Shirley is into some heavy shit. Seriously, Aki is not even using the same words as the fiend and whole sentences of his would have to be classified into 18+ for violence, never mind the sexual part. Anyone in the orc dungeon for the rest of the day could confirm that. Be it the ones watching or the orcs, they''d get baffled at the moment they saw the sprawled limbs and anuses around miss 63. One could even see a scene similar to MOP where an orc and human first fought against each other and before they could get the kill, they''d be hit by a strong black and white warrior. The black was dried blood though. In this case all sides died though. Imagine the shock of whoever found the corpses. Oh, even the dungeon wasn''t fast enough to stop that from happening. There weren''t any recognizable human corpses at that point though. Problem prevention, fiend edition. Aki even congratulated her later. He was in such a good mood that later he called her over again to get a reward. -Boss? She was prideful, but she was getting paid and was an adult. To a certain level. -As I said over the phone, I''d like to reward you. He said to the much taller woman with horns who had a confused expression at being guided to darker and darker dungeon inside the manor. -Good torture room, could get a change here and there but it''s overall usable. The sadic torturer commented. -It''s yours if you like it. He replied to her. -Really? What''s the catch? She was a fiend, but it didn''t mean she didn''t learn anything through life, besides her subspecies being smarter than normal. -You can only torture the people you''re told to and we will be recording every detail. He said with his unchanged business smile. -All of them cute or beautiful though. Of course. -Not so bad, if you can hide my face them I am in. She agreed easily. -I don''t think that will mascara the who you are, but to hide your dick would reduce the audience, so no can do that, your face is OK though. You alredy have your first guest by the way. Come in piece of shit! He explained. As he called, a petite cat girl entered the room and meekly presented herself with fear all over. She wore nothing but rags covering her little figure, but was clean and well fed. Her eyes darted all around while she trembled. -I¡­ -You are not to talk unless ordered to. Now, you may test his asshole if you want, but no breaking until the recording, ok? He harshly said before calmly turning to his subordinate with his normal demeanor. -Wait, his? She noted with confusion. Instead of answering, he lifted the slave''s piece of cloth to show his crotch. While he tried to resist, Aki had higher strength and easily showed the cat''s dong. -Well, I am seriously reconsidering my targets now. The fiend admitted while checking the beast person up and down. -Why the hate though? -I hate rapists the most. No offense to demons, but those that don''t actually have a compulsion to do so are in the same level as bugs to me. The tipe that needs to be squashed under a heel for a long and tortuous amount of time. So I count on you to do that. -No offense, but you sure this a rapist? She asked while holding the slave upside down by one of it''s legs. -You can believe me, who bought this criminal slave acused of more than a hundred **** cases, or him, your new fuck toy for however long he can last. Wanna make a bet? He smirked. -It depends, what kind of bet? She was interested in it and it was fairly obvious. -I will bet he is a rapist and we will find out during one of your sessions, while you will bet that he is merely a cute face that is wrongly acused. Whoever loses pays the other 500. Deal? He extended his hand. -Deal. She accepted and shaked his hand, right before it caught fire to symbolize a demonic contract in the old way. -Easiest five bucks I ever got. -I''m fine with either way. ¡­ "Your idea was actually very good, having a spire fiend murder fucking a tomgirl did wonders for the first episode. Even I couldn''t tell it was a guy from afar. The publicity was huge. Who''d guess it was also a rapist! Thirteen hours straight until he confessed all his crimes while begging her to stop. That was priceless, even me and Dona got into it halfway through." Said Sara. "It''s good to know your wife also liked it sister. Do I¡­" "No, you won''t get a raise because of that. But I own you one. We have been¡­" "Problems of a open relationship? Out of mood for each other? You know, I am sure Mi and I would be able to hold you up some time for you two to have a date." "Not now, she has a test in another week!" "Really? And I just asked her if she needed help with something, since she sounded so loaded." "Yeah, that''s why I am telling you. She is the type that doesn''t tell others and tries to solve things herself." "Thank you sis. I will try to think of something to get part of her workload off her back." "Don''t thank me yet. I just want my little sister to be happy and you are her first real try. I have to go." "Have a nice day." "You too" Both were already used to exchanging fake pleasantries, so they ended the call in such a business like way. After getting out of bed at mid night, Aki got such call out of nowhere and ended wide awake, so he went for a snack at the kitchen. -What are you two doing? He asked a nearly naked Guilda and Tina who were having a full blown dinner while using loose robes. -What are you doing here? Guilda closed Tina''s robe while eyeing Aki. -I asked first. Besides, you two were having a good time and sleeping while I and Mina worked. I just got a call from the big woman and was congratulated for a good idea, we ended talking about Mi and I got something on my mind and got hungry so I came to the kitchen to see if I can find something to knock me out. That''s good enough for you? She actually got embarrassed from that. It totally made her sound like the younger and irresponsible of the two. She knew he did that purposely to make her look bad in front of the new girl. She quite liked her bubbly personality too, so she had to solve this. -You and Mina were¡­ ah, I am sorry for asking. Said Tina with a little fear. -Nope, we were eating cake with tea while talking about life for some time before we collapsed in a food coma. She''s sleeping on your room right now. The one you two received and I was supposed to tell you about. Also, I don''t know how Guilda painted me to you, but you won''t be treated as a slave here. Think of it like a job you have to pass through. Tina actually didn''t know how to react to that nonchalant attitude of his, but actually believed him for some reason. After that Aki noded and opened the "fridge" to take some milk while turning his back to them. -Fuck, what is with that mature attitude all of a sudden? Weren''t you the one that was super interested in going to the auction like a little kid yesterday? Chimed Guilda. -Yes, that would be me. Who ever said I am mature? If my girlfriend told me to I''d go to her place right now and act like a¡­ *Triiiiiiinnnnn. Cacha.* -Yes honey? Ah, you need more heads to help you with a sudden assignment from college? Of course, what use is a hubby if he can''t even help you when you need. I will be preparing the planar-teleportation circle and should appear at your apartment in ten. Anything else? Sara? She called me just now, said she had something to do, but also something about her wife before, if I had to guess they are still in bed right now, so it should be ok to just use that emergence button to startle her for ignoring you. Ah, now that I said it don''t¡­ she hung up. Sister sure will be mad ah? Guilda, you tell mama that I went to hell, ok? Bye, fuck all you want. After the the out of the blue call and Aki teleporting away right after, Guilda didn''t even have the chance to retort to his harassment. He wouldn''t be coming back for some time, maybe even spend the night at that succubus'' place. She turned to explain the situation to the confused and embarrassed Tina, but while she was telling her about how Aki had apparently convinced their boss to date him, the angel appeared. On an automatic "wheelchair". It''s a golem, really, but the concept of wheelchairs actually exists in this world since some time ago. -Hello, I assume you are confused. Guilda said while trying to look welcoming and warm. Though being half naked together with another girl, who had a slave brand, in the same state while walking around the house in the middle of the night didn''t help her image a lot. The angel-kin didn''t say anything, just frowned her browns. Guilda noticed that and rapidly went behind her so she could not escape. -Look, I think there''s a misunderstanding here. We actually intend to take you home and help your people. Cleo only touched your wings, didn''t she? She really likes fluffy things and I was hoping you''d forgive her. She will take full responsibility if not though. She hastly said with worry in her voice. Then, it came. The sobbing, not other kind of thing. -I WASH SHO SCREED! AND JOW I CHANT WALK! She a mess with snot and tears and screaming. Quite understandable for a sixteen years old girl from a tribe that lives in a pseudo paradise. It''s simple, really. If they don''t fight, they won''t reach too high levels, if they don''t reach a certain level, they won''t get an easy to notice aura of power. While that may sound like BS, and it kind of is, it is just that it is harder to conceal high amounts of¡­ Ops, I shouldn''t explain that yet. Anyways, they''re harder to keep hidden with the barrier than their lower level counterpart. That being so, it is quite hard to find anything that could find and open the place because of some specifics of the barrier. It was a God that put it up after all. Uh? If their shield is so good, then why is this girl here? Why are her people in danger? Simple. They were naive and saved someone. He didn''t sell than out, mind you. It took a whole year, but after he was noticed by the wrong people, they slaved him and captured the girl that wasn''t able to run away during his visit. The barrier can only be opened by the inside, so when everyone was prohibited from even getting near the barrier, they gave up on getting inside using the girl and decided to sell her to get attention from people who might want to help. Only after firming themselves in the place, of course. They didn''t expect there would be someone whimsical enough to defeat them for the angel-kin. Those legendary races weren''t much different from monsters and had persecuted humanity while in power. Cloe proved them wrong though. Not that they know that yet. To others she is still a level 283 magician who never fought in public and has built many things for herself in this kingdom. You could say she owns this city. One also can''t forget her maids and mainly her head-maid, always masked, an assassin with an unknown level. Or maybe the rumors about horrendous bodies appearing near her house every now and them. Maybe those about her being a secret lover of the elven crown prince too. The things all the slaves she sold said about their torments there were very true though. All criminal slaves though. 21 How to be a good hubby. Smiling like he didn''t just spend the last fourteen hours awake and doing boring research even though he only had two hours of sleep since yesterday, Aki caressed Mi''s hair while she slept. The caffeine on his veins kept him awake enough. He gently took her glasses off and put them on the nightstand. Covering her with the bed sheets, at least he thought that was the right name in english, he softly kissed her forehead. He left the bedroom after that and found his snoring sister-in-law on the sofa. It was most likely because of the position she shoved herself against the pillows. He went back to the bedroom and swiftly ignored the lingerie that was next to the extra sheets. After being a gentleman and flipping his sister in law so she wouldn''t get bad dreams, which actually did not wake her up, he didn''t have anything else to do, but sleeping in hell would be a bad idea. If he had a nightmare them it would affect the other sleeping people. Normally that wouldn''t be something he''d worry about, it had been a months since he had dreamt before he was forced into one in the forest, but after this much work and coffee¡­ he wasn''t so sure. The next best thing was to get a meal, so he headed to the kitchen the next moment. -Eggs, cream cheese, mayo, ketchup, butter¡­ I truthfully would be scared to look at the medical records she''d get if this was the fridge of a human. While on that he got some bread, butter and an egg. Minutes later he had a sandwich with a slightly charred egg and ketchup. Good enough for the first egg he fried. While he did have money from his previous bet, he didn''t get the chance to know how to use it properly nor were there anything he could use to cook by following a quick recipe. This is hell, it''s not like there''s a handy guide of how society works. At least the Mc reflexively thought so, but the moment it crossed his mind he noticed there most likely was one for whoever wished to live here. This hell for fuck''s sake! Of course demons aren''t teached how to socially behave since little in normal cases. After facepalming, he started to goo¡­ well, it''s called "grand chaotic flow of random information and cats" here, and while there certainly is a cool way to address something with that name, the author doesn''t have enough brain matter for that, instead we shall call the Internet on the demon world as "Bob" and change whatever the characters are saying with that now. Bobbing up and down through some videos, Aki finally found something he thought simple enough that he could make while they were sleeping. That would mean five to six hours, since demons don''t even need sleep to begin with, those two just passed out. A little after going to the supermarket¡­ -3 cups of lean ground beef, 1 jar of fire roasted tomato and garlic pasta sauce, 1 container of ricotta cheese, ? cup of shredded parmesan cheese¡­ About fifteen minutes of preparation, five minutes of checking if he had everything right and reading the recipe again, one hour and fifteen minutes of baking plus ten of standing and there it was. A lasagna he woke his sister in law to taste because because he was too embarrassed to wake his girlfriend and show her something that tasted terrible. He also bought a frozen lasagna for that case. -Dear, you are hugging me too thigh again, could you please *add stupidly fast talking about lasagna here* said the voice of a very hot older woman. -Sure. I will¡­ wait, what? How? You don''t even know my wife! No need to say that Sara was very surprised when she noticed she wasn''t home and it wasn''t her wife talking to her. She was also very calm inside and trying to read the geas that suddenly appeared in her soul. -I actually do, she called while I was working to see if we could all meet since I passed your judgment. Now taste the lasagna. He didn''t actually wait and shoved a spoonful on her mouth. She could do nothing thanks to his geas. Truth be told, she''d have attacked him already if she wasn''t afraid something terrible would happen them. Letting her guard down because she was in a comfortable place after all that mental stress was something she could not avoid. -Not bad. Is this¡­ It actually had taste, so she accepted that it was food, nothing like the industrial shit they make for speed and consumers that will never taste anything better. It was obviously not the professional kind of thing she always ate though. -Yep, I made it! He beamed her a smile and went back to the kitchen to put the table. Sara took her phone and noticed she''d slept for five hours, more than enough for her, though she still wanted to sleep. Aki took that long to find the recipe, buy everything and get it done. You may guess what took the longest. In the time she asserted that, Aki was already walking to Mi''s room. He lowered his back and tried to kiss her awake, but she actually didn''t even after he called her. Aki was a little worried at first, but he had experience waking people from pleasant dreams. Incessant annoyment could wake anyone. So he kept kissing her for longer. One minute, two minutes, three¡­ after five minutes she woke up and punched him. Already seated from the position he put her before. -What do you think you are doing! She was angry at him, but also worried, for the punch left a hole in his cranium. Not. He opened a hole there before it could hurt his soul too much, but it still hit him somewhat. After explaining to her he was perfectly ok, he told her he had made lasagna. -You bought cold lasagna? She asked while preparing to taste the shity normal food and getting up from bed. -Nope, I brought the ingredients and cooked it. He said while looking at her with a smile while expecting praise. Instead she runned to the kitchen. No fire, smoke, stains on the floor, some on the table though, a basket of ingredients still outside the fridge and her sister eating on the table while sending messages to someone. Most likely her wife or a client. They had to start getting back some of their investments. -Eh? She was confused. Her boyfriend actually cooked like a normal person? She was questioning where that left her in their relationship when he pinched her cheeks from the back -Moo, even I would get hurt by that! Eat you idiot! He pressed her to her to a seat and put orange juice for her. Sara also got it after asking for a cup. He then proceeded take a frozen lasagna out of the fridge and put it on the microwave. -Why are you getting that out, isn''t that your plate? Asked a confused succubus. Sara''s an alcubus, by the way. Imagine it as a succubus that has totally fallen for her fetishes. That means she has a lot more strength too though. -It was, but now you will eat it too. I cooked it with all my love and you react like that. If you really don''t like it then you can cook next. I am just a teenager following a recipe after all. He pouted and set the timer. -It¡­ -No. You are not telling her how it tastes or anything else. Aki kept to his tantrum and used the geas to assure that Sara would not interfere. -... "And I thought he might be more normal than me for a second. At least it is cute how he is giving his all in a strange way. It is not bad either." So he just ate a whole frozen lasagna while smiling like a idiot and looking at his girlfriend eat the first thing he ever cooked by himself. No need to say that this ended with rough tentacle sex after Sara left, but I want to say so. Sue me. On the other side Guilda was having awesome sex with the girl she met two days ago, so let''s check another place. Really, she is so much more of a normal main character them Aki, even though she is so sexualy aggressive. ¡­ -Shinji-kun, it''s time to wake up. A sweet voice spoke by my ear. (I am not this faggot, just so you idiots don''t misunderstand. It''s just another POV. One in which I shall be just the commenter.) As I open my eyes I see Manami-san shaking my arm. I sit up and greet her as usual, but when I notice the bed I am in and out surroundings again, I am remembered that we are not in Japan anymore. It''s hard to accept this fantasy world. Stepping into the cold stone floor I walk to the bathroom and wash my face. I''ve asked the princess about how their water system works, but I only understood that it has something to do with water magic and magic cores. And it''s expensive. The same black eyes and the same black hair. It''s still me. -Shinji-kun, Gaias-sensei said we had twenty more minutes to get to the training grounds. Eat fast. Or so my not so cute childhood friend said. I look at the clock. It''s 6:40. I run. ¡­ It''s 10:30. Finally time to take a shower! I don''t want to be soaked in sweat surrounded by lots of sweaty man either, but I want to bath more. (After that he quickly undressed in a quiet corner while ignoring the jealousy of everyone else having a better physique them him. Really, people say asians look young, but two other guys on the recruit''s squad would make woman think they are both very cute and very manly at the same time. It''s that. The fantasy guys with a baby face. Never trust them, they''re all physcopaths) While normally no one seems to be against me being an otherworlder, I think that''s because we were summoned by goddess sama. People also seem Intimidated by me and don''t try to make contact either. So why¡­ -I know this all must be hard for you. I new place, new people, you won''t see your family for a long time, but the best way to make through it is to focus on the reason you doing this. The faster you get stronger, the faster you can finish everything. So why is the captain of royal guard, my teacher, spilling his heart out to me? After all that screaming and rage, why are you the one with the most feelings here? ¡­ -And this is the basic formula for beam type attacks. -Sensei, how does that integrate into bean tipe healing with light magic? Learning magic is unexpectedly hard. While using it is simple enough, kind of like a feeling, but the further you progress, the more necessary these kind of minute things are. Or you will find yourself dead by your own spells. I can''t help but have these kind of thoughts and wonder if I will ever be able to do it right. Taking four hours of class with a private teacher sure is hard. *smack*-Sinji, are you listening? -Yes sensei! Why is such a violent woman considered the saint of kindness? I know she is worried about her mission given by goddess-sama, but aren''t you being too severe? ¡­ I sure am useless uh? Being screamed at all day and I haven''t learned much, while Manami is training even now. Aren''t I supposed to be the hero? Why am I so weak? Even while drinking all those elixirs, I am no good. A waste of resources at the moment. I can''t even save my best friend from a car by throwing myself in her place. Why did you choose someone so useless goddess-sama? [ Hero- Lv 3/ Champion of light- Lv 2] If I don''t get more powerful than I will just lose someone I love to nothing. If I don''t work more I won''t ever be able to protect anyone. I don''t want to feel despair anymore! I¡­ *collapses while swinging a sword in his room* (That''s why he needed to be woken up.) ¡­ I am free of that hero faggot! Or not¡­ It seems that I still have to narrate some shit happening inside a god''s divine realm. -Wake up child. A maternal voice sounded in the hero''s ears and with difficulty he got up to face the goddess of kindness. The true one. No more obvious traps. He is the light''s chosen. -You have done well child. Your training has bore fruits and I am impressed your will did not falter through the way. It is time. The goddess had a very motherly air on her. Long blond hair, blue eyes, a warm smile, a voluptuous body. She would look like any hot milf if not for her godly aura, really, but a divine spark makes you look different. -Goddess-sama? Said the confused hero. -Child, no, Shinji. We do not have much more time, the demons have initiated their invasion. Reunite a small task force that will allow you to level up and get the power you deserve, battle and destroy those creatures and envoys. Only them will those souls entrapped into malice will rest. Only them will this world be released from their clutches again. She warned him with a serious voice. -I¡­ Certainly goddess-sama. I shall not allow for their massacres to continue. Their souls will be saved. The doubt in his voice disappeared, for it was not the time to fauter. He saluted the goddess before disappearing back to his body. 22 Relationships -That was¡­ She couldn''t think of anything to describe the feeling. -While I would love you to say something like, wow, amazing, or awesome, the word you''re looking for is most likely "new". Aki explained with a smile on his face while looking at his girlfriend, who was actually red and out of breath since now she had lungs. And oh those were worked hard. -I can''t think of a better one. Quite close to the best I''ve had. Think you can still do better? She asked with a tone of fear and anticipation. -I could actually penetrate you for one. Pfff. Ok, I will stop. Yeah, there''s some other very intimate techniques in soul play. Though I suggest we don''t go there for I while. Neither of us are ready. He explained with a apologetic smile. He was too weak to actually do it right. -It''s ok, you can still fuck me with those extra limbs. That was fun. Though even I got scared of that face you made. She sighed patted one of the hands on her stomach. -Sorry for being too inexperienced. Though I am quite sure I would take even more time to actually learn how to do normal sex with a woman. He kissed her head and apologized again. -Aki, it felt great, stop apologizing. I will kick you out of the bed if you keep like that, ok? Good. It''s been about twenty hours since I''ve sent my work, could you get my phone for me, it''s right there. She told him with a very serious tone even for her deadpan. He turned around and stretched an arm to the nightstand, there were very little messages on her phone even though she didn''t check it for more than twelve hours. She took the phone, told Aki not to look at the password and checked her email. Some spams, a message from her mother and some invitations later she found her grading. 9.8/10 -Well, that''s my worst grade from this trimester. She said with indifference. -While I assume part of the blame is mine for not knowing everything about the demon market and Sara''s for not being at 100%, your teacher sure is an asshole, only telling you about the project one day before the deadline. He hugged her tighter while saying so. (Her teacher really was trying to screw her up though. He was paid to only inform her through email a day before the due, and since she has no friends, this happened. Not the first time something like this happens, but definitely the most dangerous till now for her grades. As for why we passing through this very informative session, you shall understand later.) -He is, definitely. We both need a shower and you have to go back. Not an euphemism for sex in the bath, we stink. She said while breathing by her mouth. -Fair enough. Can we soak around for a while though? I really want to hold you a little more. He pleaded with his cheeks reddening a little more. (Truly a perverted. All confident when it comes to crazy ways to pleasure her, but embarrassed to ask for hugs. Makes you want to punch him, right?) -We can you stupid fluff. She turned around and kissed him in the lips before walking to her bathroom. While they certainly had kissed many times in many different ways. Aki felt there was something different this time. A feeling of happiness and warmth came to him instead of lust and heat. -Is this what they call a kiss of love instead of a passionate one? He mumbled before smiling like a child and following the stunning silhouette of his girlfriend. It was, technically, his first real kiss. Demons are complicated right? Well, so are humans. ¡­ Back to¡­ I can''t pronounce this shit. Call it something else than you asshole. Even if you hit me it won''t change the fact it sounds terrible. Ok, so back to Cleo''s manor, Aki finds a very busy and strange looking Guilda in his room. They''ve been sharing one since moving over. Neither of them is that much of a kid that they''d try something. Except that. And that, that and that¡­ siblings, they''re as childish as siblings. -Oi, you ok? He meekly asked. *crack* She broke her pencil. -You''re finally here damn bastard, did you have fun playing around with that lose hole of a woman? Veins were popping on her forehead while she slowly turned her head to look at him with anger. -Hakuna your tatas woman, I also spent half my time there doing menial tasks and paperwork. Lots of paperwork. What is it that happened in these two days I was away anyway? He threw his hands in the air in surrender and said so. -Hakuna your, Pffff¡­ Ok, I needed that. While you were away the demons got a bit unruly and I had to manage them, while also helping with the preparations to help the angel-kin village. She explained after laughing. -Right? I got plenty of memes on my phone, they''re the only thing I really download. Anyway, that sounds very boring, but I doubt you didn''t enjoy yourself too, c''mon, all the free space, a cute bunny girl by your side with those cuties around your arm¡­ He started poking her stomach with a smug face while saying the second part. -Stop it, no, don''t, hahaha¡­ Telekinesis certainly isn''t meant to be used this way, but you''d find it very hard to have Aki even listen to a word of how he should not use a magical art to do ticles on his levitating sister. It''s funny really. He already started thinking of this random woman with a volatile personality as family. The only person nearly close to such personality in his family would be¡­ A sad smile appeared on his face. He didn''t need to worry. If she was all grown up he would befriend her in some other way. If she was on a wrong guy path he would make it so it was a right one. If she was already dead¡­ then his plans would have to wait. The time difference wasn''t that great here anyway. Just some seconds. He told himself not to worry. It was the first time he longed to see his family so much. Shaking his head he noticed he was going in a¡­ Guilda stopped laughing. Eh? Did I make her pass out from ticles? She seems to be fine, so leaving her asleep should be ok. -Here, let me wrap you up, give you this big fluff bear that says "I love you" and put the air-conditioner on. He said so with a smile on his face and a warm voice. "Now, should I go looking for the hero? Or should it be heroes? Though it''s supposed to be a 5v5 there''s supposedly no rule about killing each other before that. The goddess of kindness and the god of magic should''ve alredy sent their champions around according to Mi. With those succulent bags of XP walking around, how could I not want a piece for myself. Though I have to protect the champion of blood. Oh no, what should I do?!" Aki laughed at his own joke and started to program a schedule for Guilda to reach level 200 on total. Things would only start going crazy when she hit 400, or in other words, evolve both her jobs. By the way, this is her status. Name: Guilda John Turley Age: 23 Gender: F Unspent points: 93 Class: Berserker Lv 84 Active skills: -Blood sight Lv 15 -Eviscerate Lv 17 -War cry Lv 12 -Counter Lv 9 -Blood lust Lv 18 Passive skills: -Adapt Lv 12 -Human weapon Lv 14 -Revenge Lv 15 -Blood mastery Lv 8 -Unending stamina Lv 14 Subclass: Warlock (Champion of blood) Lv 71 Active skills: -Black chains Lv 12 -Soul burn Lv 8 -Shadow link Lv 10 -Repulsion Lv 15 -Blink Lv 14 Passive skills: -Soul siphon Lv 17 -Dominance mastery Lv 13 -Sacrifice Lv 15 -Demonology Lv 6 -Tirant Lv 9 General Skills: Disease resistance Lv 5 Poison resistance Lv 9 Mental resistance Lv 12 Pain resistance Lv 18 Sexual technique Lv 10 Intimidate Lv 14 Sleep resistance Lv 7 Meditation Lv 10 Identify Lv 3 Fear resistance Lv 7 Charm resistance Lv 12 Mana perception Lv 12 Curse resistance Lv 5 Heat resistance Lv 10 Water magic resistance Lv 10 Wind magic resistance Lv 10 Earth magic resistance Lv 10 Light magic resistance Lv 10 Shadow magic resistance Lv 10 Cold resistance Lv 10 Electricity resistance Lv 10 Gravity magic resistance Lv 10 Attributes: Vitality: 200 Endurance: 210 Strength: 160 Dexterity: 150 Intelligence: 100 Wisdom: 100 Health: 2000/2000 Stamina: 2100/2100 Mana: 1000/1000 Aki''s bigger because he has magic and resistances, but that doesn''t mean Guilda isn''t op. ¡­ -Why are there so many smaller demonic entities!? Weren''t we the ones tasked with getting demons in? Blabbered Guilda while getting her sword out of a strange hound with scales, apparently named mage hunter. -Because these mindless things are the only that can pass through the god''s protection and are ignored. Now let''s kill the next horde, they give amazing XP. Aki answered. It is exactly what you may be thinking if you have enough experience, they are in the level 100 dungeon and grinding some levels. It is also a "grind spot" handmade by the god of magic for his own champion and company. You may thank the demon''s diversity and easy to mutate constitution for that. And the ease there is to spawn them in such contaminated place. Just another of the demon''s tries in infiltrating yet another world. Though that did make the city around this dungeon, the other dungeons and the independence of this city. Apparently called Norshv?tob. I had to copy and paste that. Don''t judge me. There''s not much to say about this place. All monsters drop magic cores, they don''t really know how to work in groups and have strange abilities. Like the flying skull that has a breath attack that throws a storm of cursed iron shards, or the hulking mass of muscles, and only muscles, that throws bone hatchets, a dog that is basically immune to magic, a black mantis that does jumpscares¡­ And that is only this day of the week, they have a rotation and even the boss changes every day. Though it''s all inside certain parameters, thus dungeon is known to have a great diversity. And it''s also famous for killing it''s monsters off every midnight and spawn new ones the next day. -Boss down. What is this tentacle thing even supposed to be though? Even if it could cast a lot of spells they weren''t that amazing. Guilda said while poking the boss with her sword. -Either a tentacle slime, abomination slime, a gazer, so on so forth. It should actually have a good magic core that I could use to enchant things, so if you excuse me¡­ Aki explained and started hacking at the thing. -I will check the treasury then. Not like I got that much XP, but I guess eight levels in one delve is quite good. Guilda didn''t even blink at the gory image and started searching the chest that had magically appeared after defeating the boss. -You know, we are quite amazing. People don''t challenge enemies a hundred levels higher then their own level normally. They don''t level up so fast or even both classes at the same time in the same speed. He said with a matter of factly tone without stopping what he was doing. -Eh, is that so? -"Eh?" my ass, you didn''t know that. He shouted to her half-assed answer. -I mean, when I go around using Identify there''s not many people who I can''t see the levels, so I just guessed we weren''t normal. There''s also this champion thingy besides one of my jobs, so I''ve been meaning to ask, but aren''t we the bad guys who die at the end or middle game? She also didn''t turn back and said drily. -Nope, we''re the guys who do whatever the fuck they want. We''re getting paid for this, having fun with it, and I won''t let anyone kill you. It''d mean I''d have died already. They stayed silent after that. "How can he say such dorky thing to a woman with a straight face!?" Guilda was really embarrassed about it. "She is most likely thinking something strange because of her lower part." Aki guessed. Correctly. "Wait, if we''re in a fantasy and I am one of the chosen but he is not, doesn''t that mean he is my sidekick who secretly falls in love with the heroine or something?" 2x0 for Aki! Though they aren''t going that way. That I can guarantee at least. Or not. No, you don''t do that you¡­ 23 Sister Two days later, Guilda still thought Aki had something on her. He did notice, but she was acting so funny he just couldn''t bring himself to tell her it was a misunderstanding. This is the reason why this is happening. "Why is he sitting so close? Eh, a paper? But Cleo will¡­ Oi, stop looking at me like that! Even if you encourage me I just see him as a little brother who is an idiot. What does this says anyway? Eh? Go to our room? Do that yourself!" At the end she decided to end this and went there. She''d been sleeping in a guest room since Aki started to show signs. -Guilda, you came, good. I have something important to say. This is something I did not know how to tell you, but I guess we can stay like this forever uh? Well, this is hard but¡­ -Aki, I am sorry, but I never thought of you as¡­ -Guilda, that was a joke. This isn''t. Your brother was kidnapped. He said with his most serious face. The room went silent. Guilda held his shirt and lifted him up even though he was taller. -I don''t care if you joke with me or call me whatever, but I don''t like it when people do that kind of joke. She said with an even more monotone voice than Mi. -He is fine for now. A demon got him home. I didn''t think this would happen so fast and didn''t think of worrying you. This one was my fault. We just need to hurry a little and everything will be fine. He hurriedly said. -Explain. She said with her the same tone, not letting him go. -Your brother was the one supposed to be a champion. He is the reincarnation of a genius and would''ve been a perfect addition to either teams after remembering his previous life. The guy you killed was a "messenger", they don''t have a good combat ability, but can transport anything inside their bodies. That one had two destinies inside himself. You can think of them as a code that allows you to be in one of these teams. You killed it so you got both. The policeman that was driving you was a bounty hunter tasked with getting the code for the holy side back. He got to you before the demonic one, so you were killed and sent here. He slowly explained. -Who was it that put my brother into this. That was an order, not a question. -The God of war in the holy side and another company in the demonic side. I know the name, but I can''t pronounce it. She caught his neck. -I am not stupid Aki. It should have been your girlfriend who wanted my brother. It was quite obvious by now that she was even getting notifications about her skill level ups at this rate. -We were a hundred in that forest, and that''s the only place we had to train. A child would''ve been killed no matter how smart. He said. -One of the reasons I am angry. -Ok, I won''t lie, Sara would''ve sent him to somewhere he could be more useful or turned more useful. That doesn''t mean she couldn''t have brought your code after they failed to get your brother. Give me time and I will bring you unadulterated proof. That doesn''t matter right now. If we prove to be strong enough we can get benefits, getting your brother a full scholarship until university while keeping him safe shouldn''t even deplet half my reward. She let him go when he said that, then breathed deeply before exhaling again. -I am sorry for this. And she kneed him in the nuts. -Now we''re even. What do we need to to? She asked while shouldering his weight. -I will help Chris with some experiments and them ask her for some XP bags. It''s not optimal, but it should help your brother for long enough. When we get to level 100 In both classes we will carefully consider our options, confide with Cleo for help and them go about hunting the hero of kindness. He explained the plan, which actually was quite easy to do. Who said you need to get anything other than access to Internet if you bring a phone to another world? -This thing is super useful, you sure you can''t lend it to your big sis for a little time? Pleaded the puppy eyed loli with strange hair. -I am. It''s cursed after all, no one from this world can use it. You can only listen to me talking about all this stuff because it is considered lost knowledge, not new ones like the the equation of Argunihavmatuyountmagatil¡­ you see what I mean? Dude''s name originally only had six letters, and that''s how it sounds. Though actually, it was a scientist named Newton. Uh, apparently there''s some flaws in the system of this thing, but I can actually guess why the name was blurred out considering it could also be referring to the things named after him. And so a very nerdy discussion about how the laws of "don''t explain complex chemical formulas to people of this world" works. Like, if it''s a random passerby, he could tell the man the whole periodic table and he would forget the parts he remembered of the thing the moment he tried to tell it to someone else. Obviously he couldn''t tell it to people who could actually understand what that was and how it could cause changes in the world. He couldn''t even explain the atomic theory to Chris! Obviously that doesn''t work only for biology or chemistry. -Everything is all made from the same base shit, so anything can be reformed to a state of another shit if passing through the right shit hole n number of times in the right defecation. That apparently did it though. -YOU DINWIT! How in heaven''s name can you even reach a conclusion like that for something I''ve spent thousands of years coding. Screamed the the floating head of a translucent old man with a long white beard that appeared out of thin air. -Oh, it worked! I was ready to try and write that down on a piece of metal. Anyway, hello there god of magic. Ya need anything? Aki calmly said while putting himself between the floating head and Chris. -That''s a god? And I thought they would look more¡­ whole. Oh well, you deal with that, I will write down some things I''ve inferred from your tries at teaching me. She said lazily. -Wait ri¡­ -Wait for what, old man? She inferred a scientific theorem from some curses I''ve said. Isn''t that something you should be looking forward to? I really am curious about how different is the periodic table of this world though. Aki smirked and stepped forward to face the god''s image. -You will regret this. It said with a cold undertone. -You shall regret crossing me then, for I am not a merciful soul nor an idiot. He said as he stepped forward again and one of his hands touched the floating head. As inserted a finger into it, cracks started appearing. -How¡­ The god was bafled, and that made him a step too slow. Pain inundated his "head", forcing him to retreat to his space and leaving his familiar spirit behind. It was about to die anyway. [You have killed [Nd¨¹rq - Familiar spirit Lv 213/ The one who sees through the veil Lv 204/ Maister Lv 231] for killing an opponent 150 or more levels above your own you will receive bonus XP. For killing an opponent with more classes than your self you will receive bonus XP.] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Enemy of gods: Gather enough hatred to your soul and receive the condemnation of one or more gods. The gods may mark you for extermination. +1 to all attributes.] [Extermination: You are an enemy of the world itself, so you may be monitored for suspicious actions. Your presence is a beacon to all the forces you have offended.] -KYAAA! I am so proud of you dear! Cleo chimed in with a high pitched scream and hugged Aki. Normally that wouldn''t be a problem since he expected it, but¡­ *CRACRACRACRACRA¡­* She was hugging him too tightly and his bones were breaking in various places. She too heard it, so she stopped, though plenty of his bones were already mush at this point. -I thought I was gonna turn into blood pudim. He said while falling in the ground like a sack of potatoes and healing his bones back in place. -I am so so so proud of you! Your first enemy title is against the gods! Ah, that takes me back. My children normally only get to meet those guys when the gods decide they may be able to kill me, and Bea was the only one able to kill a divine spirit before! By the way, how did you do it? Normally you''d have to use cursed equipment to hurt a divine being. She was shining while saying all those and even had curiosity sparking in her eyes. -Aaarrrgh. The structure of a divine soul is similar to that of the race a god represents itself as. The gods of the human pantheon look human, so their soul structure is similar. I''ve been able to see souls naturally since I got mana perception to the second stage or I can always infuse dark attributed mana into my eyes. The negative energy helps to see normal souls, so I''ve been studying some I saw around and found what would cause the most pain, I started healing them before any died though, so I''ve got nothing on the kill list of the system suggesting I can destroy souls. He explained. 24 Brother [*Ding* Requirements met for class evolution: Assassin becomes Shadow killer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable - You are a killer. Have a rogue class at 100 or more. Have Backstab at the second stage. Killing from the shadows is an art, and you are experienced at painting beautiful pictures. None sees you a you walk.] [Would you like to¡­] -No [*Ding* Requirements met for class evolution: Assassin becomes Living shadow. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable - You are a shadow that preeludes death. Have a rogue class at level 100 or more. Have three subterfuge skills in the second stage. Kill in more than a hundred ways. Has Debuff mastery at the second stage. Killing is like breathing to you. None have seen you, for they have already become part of the shadow.] [Wou¡­] -Yes! This is even better than the one I wanted, mostly for the debuuf thingy though. [Class change: Assassin becomes Living shadow. +15 Dexterity. +10 Intelligence. +10 Strength. +5 Endurance. +5 Wisdom. Your resistance to all debuffs is improved by 100%. All your debuffs are 100% more effective. Your Subterfuge skills are 200% more effective. Masteries skills become dominances skills. Backstab becomes Assassinate. Smooth steps becomes Smooth movements. Poisoning becomes Poison making.] -Now to Arcane¡­ mother fucker, why are there ten class options?! Everyone around him was surprised. Guilda even started coughing. -Fuck, I only had one option for both my classes. She cursed. -That''s because you properly followed the path of a berserker so there was no need for another class suggestion, and champions don''t get a choice about their rank up. Aki''s class is very versatile, so that''s actually normal. Just pick the one with the hardest difficulty. Cleo explained. -Ok, I think this should be the one. [*Ding* Requirements met for class evolution: Arcane mage becomes Arcane bookkeeper. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable - Your knowledge in the arcane had surpassed many. Arcane mage at level 100 or more. Have five or more magic at level 10. Have mana manipulation and mana perception at the second stage. It is your destiny as a holder of great knowledge to further the studies on the arcane.] -Yes. [Class change: Arcane mage becomes Arcane bookkeeper. +25 intelligence. +25 wisdom. Your mana regeneration you receive from all sources is now tripled. All your spells are now 100% more effective. The affinity of your body to magic is now quadrupled. All your current skills gain a boost. You become closer to the world.] -No skill evolution? What a misser. Though I suppose those are unlockble. I haven''t trained those after all. Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 0 Class: Living shadow Lv 106 Active skills: -Assassinate II Lv4 -Poison making II Lv 3 -Parry II Lv 2 -Pierce armor Lv 15 -Shadow manipulation Lv 15 Passive skills: -Blade dominance II Lv 4 -Smooth movements Lv 20 -Persuasion Lv 10 -Trap dominance Lv 18 -Debuff dominance II Lv 1 Subclass: Arcane bookkeeper Lv 100 Active skills: -Mana missile Lv 15 -Telekinesis II Lv 5 -Mana steal Lv 20 -Life steal II Lv 2 -Mana shield II Lv 4 Passive skills: -Mana manipulation II Lv 8 -Mana absorption II Lv 2 -Energy conversion Lv 19 -Grimoire Lv 15 -Magic overcharge Lv 19 General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 13 Charm resistance Lv 15 Massage Lv 3 Meditation II Lv 2 Pain resistance II Lv 1 Anger II Lv 3 Sleep resistance Lv 15 Demonology Lv 17 Disease resistance Lv 10 Identify Lv 4 Intimidate Lv 19 Mana perception II Lv 12 Wind magic Lv 10 Fire magic Lv 10 Fear resistance Lv 12 Healing magic Lv 16 Earth magic Lv 10 Water magic Lv 10 Dark magic Lv 13 Thunder magic Lv 11 Time magic Lv 9 Demon summoning Lv 15 Light magic Lv 13 Enchanting Lv 17 Poison resistance Lv 20 Alchemy Lv 8 Space magic Lv 7 Steam magic Lv 10 Radiant magic Lv 10 Metal magic Lv 13 Ice magic Lv 12 Ooze magic Lv 10 Magma magic Lv 11 Smoke magic Lv 11 Water magic resistance Lv 14 Heat resistance Lv 15 Electricity resistance Lv 12 Curse resistance Lv 10 Adaptability Lv 10 Void magic Lv 5 Shadow magic resistance Lv 18 Wind magic resistance Lv 10 Arcane magic resistance Lv 9 Earth magic resistance Lv 10 Pressure resistance Lv 10 Gravity magic resistance Lv 10 Light magic resistance Lv 10 Singing Lv 8 Sexual technique Lv 5 Drain resistance Lv 15 Death Magic Lv 3 Life magic Lv 2 Soul break Lv 1 Attributes: Vitality: 201 Endurance: 206 Strength: 239 Dexterity: 244 Intelligence: 389 Wisdom: 389 Health: 2010/2010 Stamina: 2060/2060 Mana: 3890/3890 Passive: Mana absorption II - Lv 2 Your body can absorb mana better. 51.25% (205% after buffs) more regeneration to all resources when in a mana abundant environment. Receives 51.25% (205% after buffs) more mana from all sources. 2¡ã stage: being hit by an offensive spell will regenerate your mana by 10.5% of it''s cost] [Mana manipulation II - Lv 8 The energies of the world shall do your bidding. 2¡ã stage: Your talents in the arcane have grown.] [Passive: Energy conversion - Lv 19 Your body is very familiar with mana operations. Capable of turning health and stamina into mana with 95% effectiveness. Capable of turning mana into health or Stamina points with 47.5% effectiveness.] [Passive: Smooth movements - Lv 20. You produce 95% (285% after bonuses) less noise.] [Passive: Blade dominance II - Lv 4 You deal 161.25% (483.75% after bonuses) more damage while using bladed objects 2¡ã stage: You learn blade techniques 28.75% (86.25% after bonuses) faster] +11.25% per level. +3.75% per level [Active: Mana steal - Lv 20 You can absorb your enemies'' mana through touch with 100% effectiveness] + Debuff mastery percentage [Active: Life steal II - Lv 2 You can absorb your enemies'' health and stamina through touch with 100% effectiveness. 2¡ãstage: Killing an opponent with this spell will reward you with 50% more XP (this effect does not escalate with level)] [Active: Assassinate II - Lv 3 Infuses mana into your attack when attacking from the back. 157.5% (472.5% after bonuses) more damage if undercover during attack. 2¡ã stage: You have learned many of the ways of assassination. 27.5% (82.5% after bonuses) more damage when attacking a weak point.] +11.25% per level. +3.75% per level. [Active: Poison making II - Lv 4 Coats something with any before known poison for 10m (40m after bonuses) 2¡ãstage: "Too much of anything can be poison, but a little poison can be used as medicine". You are able to heal any poison inside your level of expertise.] + Debuff mastery percentage. . Damage: -100 hp/s for 100m ou 600k [Active: Parry II- Lv 2 Damages the opponent''s weapon during a successful block and counters the attack with another. 51.25% (153.75% after bonuses) more damage towards weapons. 2¡ã stage: after acquiring knowledge on corruption, corrosion and many poison, you have found many ways to destroy your enemies as well. Whenever you execute a successful parry, 10.5% (31.5% after bonuses) of your enemies'' damage is added to your attack.] [Passive: Debuff dominance II - Lv 1 All negative effects are 150% (600% after bonuses) more effective 2¡ã stage: debuffs are 25% (75% after bonuses) less effective against you] +15% each level. +3.75% each level [Active: Telekinesis II - Lv 5 You can shape your mana into a physical force and form as you wish. 2¡ã stage: Your spatial perception is very well trained. You can feel anything your telekinesis does.] [Active: Mana shield II - Lv 4 You can summon a barrier that will transfer the damage to your mana pool in any form you will. 2¡ã stage: Your shield will have all of your resistances.] [Passive: Grimoire - Lv 15 Makes it easier to memorize magic related processes. Allow for storage of one spell.] +1 spell per 5 levels. [Passive: Magic overcharge - Lv 19 Makes it easier to understand magic composition and to overcharge it.] [General: Meditation II - Lv 2 You know how to focus on your own way. While in a meditative state regenerate resources 360% faster. 2¡ã stage: You don''t need to focus too much to enter a meditative state. You may slowly move while meditate.] [General: Pain resistance II - Lv 1 You get hurt a lot, so this might help, but it won''t take the pain away. 2¡ã stage: You should look into your security more. Or are you just being a masochist? You can turn your sense of pain on and off.] [General: Anger II - Lv 3 You have some anger issues, and while that might be dangerous to your body, it will most likely help in a battle. Allows you to ignore your bodily limits and temporarily ups your physical status until 50% over the max depending of your anger. 2¡ã stage: Your anger might become a big problem if you don''t look into it. Or is it madness? You can double the effects of the skill temporarily with the cost of more stamina. Your body might not be able to take it though.] [General: Mana perception II - Lv 12 You can perceive the arcane. How well you do it is up to your efforts. 2¡ã stage: Your perception of the arcane is outstanding. Spell formulas and magical processes are no secret to your eyes. You still won''t simply know what they do though.] ¡­ Rain dropped down and made the terrain into mud, so Shinji and company had to stop and look for shelter. Manami and the girls of the corps were bathing right now, so the hero just sat there and looked at the downpour. It wasn''t as if he didn''t talk or interact with the soldiers, they just hadn''t really turned that close yet. He called for his status in his mind and saw that he was closing to level 45, just ten or so percent and the various would fill. Yes, everyone has XP bars. Looking at it he thought of all the things he''d killed. He didn''t want to, but he had priorities. Being kind doesn''t mean to be inactive when attacked. It meant helping those in need, oneself and the world. He couldn''t let those monsters attack villages, but he also didn''t want to break a ecosystem. Those were still living beings worth being saved. He still couldn''t do anything now though. He needed more power. He also needed another set of organs and bones if he wished to survive Aki''s attack. It''s been about one hour since he got the class evolutions, and five were spent on calibrating the teleportation circle. Care to guess what he did during the last fifty minutes? Hint: It involves a giant catapult that launches humans. 25 There should be a skill or something for piercing plot armor, right? This here isn''t an RPG where the demon lord will send guys around your level to kill you. Demons for example, do not normally have levels or classes, but they''ve been assimilated into the system by now, and now they can choose their classes when registering for this world. Their levels and skill levels are determined by the amount of mana used to summon their temporary bodies. Miss 63 should be as powerful as any level 100 berserker with martial arts knowledge from a giant race. That was why Aki directly cannoned her to the female''s bathing area. "Remember you get a bonus if you kill the girl with long black hair. If she survives then you won''t be able to use her though." She licked her lips and started a guttural scream while in a direct arc for the river full of soldiers around her level. Female knights aren''t the dream of orcs only. Well, let me explain, Bar¡­ they have 55 people. One level 200, four 100+ and the rest between 50 and 100. Plus the hero and his attendant. Not really a considerable fighting force against the rain of demons. Most have a similar or higher level than miss 63, since she has so many skills, so the guards didn''t exactly know what to do when the first five fiends appeared together with the platforms they used to receive less damage from being shot. Of course, traveling some kilometers in a few seconds doesn''t exactly help with your balance, but that''s why the fiends were shot first. Their the only ones that actually need something like that, and it would be so much harder to get everything done if they couldn''t literally change the platform''s trajectory just with the strength of their feet. What I mean with that is: """""BOOOOM""""" They''re the only ones capable of being used as real cannon balls and survive. Such stunt got him ten kills. Two fiends died though. The guy that is level 200 has some real skill with the sword. To cut down "canon balls" almost at mack one¡­ Aki didn''t give them much time to think. He started teleporting to other pre set places and firing the other twenty shots. The succubi, beholders and hellhounds were all shot at the direction of the hero. The stalkers were shot at locations less protected so they could cause havoc with their own ways. Uhm? You wanna know how is he shooting demons through solid rock and actually making hits? You stupid or something? Never heard of clairvoyance and heat vision? The basic scrying spells most moderately talented mages learn? Besides, the only ones that were really "cannon balls" were the fiends, since using a capsule to penetrate the rock formation wouldn''t be so effective with their massive bodies and fighting styles. An even better question now. How many spells can a psychotic isekai otaku, with huge mana reserves in his storage, enchant into twenty specially made human sized bullets during a fifty minute interval? Tip: he can enchant five at the same time because the enchantment would be different only between species of the shoot demons. The answer? More than eight¡­ hundred. Around forty per shot. As to how much money did he just toast in one time consumables, you might want to check the comments of a general of the army of a certain border town full of witches. Suffice to say: "Each of these is worth a hundred times your life, so don''t miss!". Though this time, instead of exploding they are supposed to allow for temporary transportation of troops resilient enough. And full of magic cores instead of snow¡­ I mean, gunpowder. Seriously, look into release that witch, the manwa is trash, but the novel is pure gold. Until a certain point, then it starts operating in a scale that not everyone will like, but it''s quite good. After launching the demons off, you might imagine that Aki would either retread or teleport into the fight, but you''d be wrong. He actually started flying upwards while carrying two cannons with telekinesis, he fused then, which took about a minute, and took a mana potion plus a giant bullet twice the size of the ones used before. He got the potion not because he was running out of mana from the things before, but because the bullet actually took so much Mp to take out that he normally wouldn''t be able too. Of the remaining two "VIPs" in the cave, who do you think this is aiming at? The level 200 guy, right? There''s no need of something as big as this to kill the hero. Go back to reading some Japanese novels if you fell for that, because this is such a basic rule that it should be well known by true experts. Not everyone can actually kill the hero. The demon lord or the anti hero are the only ones capable of such in special circumstances. Such as when they are madly determined to kill because someone they love is in danger. Even if this guy is resurrected, it won''t be until their sub healer gets to a very high level. After all, you thought the hero of kindness was the tanker or something? "The moment you get in there, teleport and go for the kill. If you don''t, then your brother will die. If you hesitate, someone may find a shity reason to kidnapt him themselves. This is not a place for mistakes. We have to make a show. If possible take his head, heart and liver, or balls. Those will do too. We just need a trophy." "Ok" "You''re pissed. That''s great. Now, use that. Even if a sword cuts your head open, ignore it, I will heal you. Whatever attack isn''t from the hero won''t work. Focus all that Wrath on him. Use it. Get what you deserve." At the end Aki was even infusing magic in his words, a kind of hypnosis in case she loses consciousness. She didn''t though. The moment she heard about what was needed, coldness filled her heart. It was a totally new feeling for her, as if the burning fire of rage was put off so something else could take its place. No, the fire was still there, burning brighter than ever, the thorny ice was just encompassing it and feeding on the heat, turning even colder. So cold it burned. Now, that makes zero sense right? Well, it''s just like she is so pissed she reached a new height on the thermometer. A negative one. What she felt was pure and cold killing intent. She wasn''t killing for the exercise, excitement or because she was ordered to, it just needed to be done. For the part of feeding on the flame, it means that she has tamed her anger. Yes, that makes sense, since that is literally, the only path a berserker can take if he or she wishes to remain sane. A bottomless pit of fury and rage that burn whatever it touches, needs the right equipment for collection and use. The thing is just that such equipment can easily make any fearless man piss their panties out of fear whenever glanced at. One of the reasons Aki had to hold his loved sister inside his storage, inside a huge capsule that cannot be easily opened in any way. It was both needed to keep her alive inside the storage and to keep her from doing something too stupid. It was also for the fact that with this he could literally shoot anger at those people below then. Such statements can easily be comprovated by the fact that even the almost fearless demons stopped when they heard her screaming from inside of the just landed capsule. It was as if they were hearing the roar of a higher existence than themselves for the first time all over again. Then came the sound of something very hard hitting metal. Then it started to bulge. Then a hole was made and only three people could see the silhouette of waist long red hair following behind blood red eyes in a face full of red marks that looked like tribal painting. Aki recognized what she had done and started spamming healing spells on her while getting closer to the fight at top speed. Alexander, the one level 200 guy, was horrified, but immediately tried to intercept the beastly pounce to the champion of light. Miss 63 got a very questionable boner. -Decapitate! -Warrior''s soul! -Pseudo counter! Respectively, those were one of Alexander''s finishing moves, an invocation of a divine spirit from Shinji, which would turn into a stupidly powerful entity for a limited amount of time, can only be used once per month, and Aki teleporting there on the last second to take the hit for Guilda. The scene was very, very fast, so allow me to slow it down for a bit. First, there was a sound of glass breaking and screams. That came from the divine spirit. He didn''t die, but got gutted by a giant dark spear of void, pre set. Then Aki''s arm started being cut in the middle vertically, but the sword''s blade shattered a little before hitting his shoulder blade. Pain resistance II is really useful for this, you have to admit. The sword broke because he was using lots of parts of his body as an enchantment base for hardening and corrosive spells and the metal couldn''t take it. Then Guilda''s attack landed. More like, she bit into the Shinji''s neck and ripped his head off together with part of his spine. While the swordsman was shocked and was still struggling to react, Aki punched the man on the chest. It was very fast even for the normal him. His punches also don''t normally explode his arms. That''s the effect of Anger II. The enchanted mithril alloy bent in and the man broke some ribs while getting sent flying away by the sheer force of the attack. Back to normal time, Aki didn''t immediately go for a follow up, he actually put Guilda to sleep by taking an enchanted crystal out of his inventory and breaking it. That made the marks on her face disappear and the skill sulking huge chunks of her Hp was turned off. To put it in a more normal way of understanding, Guilda was just given a magical version of what a elephant tranquilizer looks like. That will very likely cause lots of problems in her body, yes. That will also spare her of having to die right now, yes. Unfortunately, that wasn''t the time for Aki to worry about her though. He didn''t get a kill notification from hitting that men, and he also couldn''t find him right now. At least he indicated so by looking all around with worry in his eyes. When the man appeared above Guilda with another sword, Aki immediately attacked, but the man didn''t expect he would blink behind him at the same time. His ambush on the very suspicious and strange young man had failed. He hadn''t attacked Guilda at all mind you, that was just a skill. He was actually aiming to kill Aki with a slash on his back. Obviously, Aki is a hundred times more experienced at fooling others, even if just by second hand knowledge. Kicking the back of the man''s knee, Aki made shackles on the ground around his ankle and backed away from an attack. He forcibly made it so his split arm was put inside a cast of iron and meld it into a giant morning star. With the effect of anger II, water, metal, fire, vapor and earth magic, he made a spell allowing him to turn the metal case around his arm into a fluid expanding wip and swung it at the locked man''s head. There was a sound of metal hitting metal and the crack of bones. Checking the system, he confirmed his kill of an opponent a hundred levels higher than himself. He didn''t have time to regenerate much though, just a few breaths and a soldier broke out to attack him while screaming. Aki defended his head with the metal encased arm and used a tendrils of telekinesis to open a rift to encompass his head. No need to tell it was a perfect decapitation. His head appeared on the stump that used to be Aki''s left arm. The blood started gushing out like a fountain of hot blood the next moment. -All of you! We will take prisoners! Whoever comes with us won''t have to suffer through this! You may even see the smile of your loved ones again! Throw your weapons and no harm shaw come to you! Aki screamed to those still in the cave. Their morale was low. They were outnumbered and outclassed. Add a bit of magic to a speech and you have almost twenty prisoners for the demons. That includes the sidekick girl, who actually fell on her knees and started screaming when she saw the Hero''s decapitated head and spine in Guilda''s still biting maw. 26 Back and forth In the divine realm of the goddess of kindness, a soul appeared in front of the sad goddess. His breath ragged and holding his neck with fear in his eyes, Shinji nervously looked around. -Goddess... sama? He was confused. Everything happened so fast he thought it was a dream. Or maybe the divine spirit was taking control of his body and¡­ -Child, you have died. There''s no way around it. The champion of blood has defeated you in direct combat, I cannot help you get back. Ameng explained, sadness apparent in her words. -Is¡­ is that so? He didn''t know how to react. Without his command, his knees buckled and tears flew out of his eyes like a river. -It''s ok child, you did well. None could''ve done better in your situation. The goddess held him in her embrace and soothed the poor soul until he stopped crying. -Your time will come Shinji, but before that, there''s something you need to see. -Yes? He was confused. Didn''t she say there was no way for him to go back? -Even if I can''t resurrect you, one of the other champions can. While he is still alive, there is hope. I shaw allert the others, they won''t be taken by surprise like this. Her voice still soft, she told him, hope rekindled in his eyes. -What can I do to help? He said. -Train, child. For when you are called they will need more than the power you can offer now. She smiled at him. -It shall be done goddess-sama! ¡­ Back to Aki. [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Skill maker: Expertly use a technique not registered at the system. The system thanks you for your cooperation. +5 in all attributes.] [Special action has been performed! Artillery technique is now level 1] -So the ennanics didn''t create heavy artillery or magic cannons, that is informative, but I truly have to thank the guy who failed to make this technique too and the guy who started cannons in this world. Is there something you can do about that, sir god of chaos? Aki said while checking his notifications after the battle. He wasn''t really expecting an answer though. [Yup ;) ] ¡­ In the old kingdom of dwarfs, in the hall of great creators. In the tomb of King Edmund II, the black, because gunpowder was always on his face or because the huge black balls he made with metal magic were the last things his enemies saw before dying, I don''t know which, anyway, his grave started to shine. Texts in old ennanic and common appeared on both sides of his stone sarcophagus and the polished stone turned into a lead sculpture. The black metal was shining even though no light was present in the tomb. When the current dwarf king appeared running into the tomb of his great grandfather, he couldn''t help but be shocked. It was like someone had took a perfect picture of his ancestor in his prime and flawlessly engraved it into the sepulcher. The king didn''t dare open the coffin, but when he found the letters at the side he was totally shocked. [May this man and inventor have pride and keep his head high wherever his soul may go, for his dreams were accomplished and he will forever be recorded in the system as the one closest to reaching one of the most powerful weapons to ever strike fear. ] No need to say the man was afraid. Someone had completed a magic impulse cylinder that could actually function? That thing that was supposed to launch hard matter at an outstanding speed and kill tens per shot? The dwarf runned away and immediately called for a royal court with the clan chiefs. Granted, he did not know the real thing was not supposed to be usable against things that were around level 100, but even them he would still fear one of those that could be enchanted, launch different types of ammo, even just the caliber that Aki used would make him shit his pants¡­ People tend to think that bullets wouldn''t be so effective on a fantasy world, but what about the ones that can be used to launch a bullet at mack 10 or one that could cause a black hole to temporarily form? Truth be told, Aki didn''t exactly make a true cannon, he just made tubes open at one side that had the other side''s closing piece of metal able to be sent flying through it. Really, it is not a cannon, but it has various enchantments on it that make the ammo inside accelerate to a point where they are close to the sound barrier. The closing part can be easily replaced and the enchantments are something that will stay, so this is basically another type of heavy artillery weapon. One that is not functional without a heavy support of magic. The main reason the dwarf King of old wasn''t able to create one of these or even a normal cannon that passed the system''s criteria, was because they were either too weak or too fragile, to a point where he died while getting close to something similar to making a 70mm model, but the gunpowder ended destroying it and caused a chain explosion. While it may sound idiotic, it is quite normal, since he was dealing he highly explosive materials to obtain better results and no one he trusted wanted to help in his research. It is kind of idiotic Aki couldn''t make a proper explosion chamber, or find the actual recipe for smokeless gunpowder in this world, he was already making a fucking magic cannon, he didn''t think of using the weaker version. The only thing he could really do was a gun barrel that was indestructible from the inside, so he just molded it into into what the circuit was supposed to look like. Though that allows for some very big "bullets" to be fired. How does one mold something unbreakable? I said indestructible before? Fuck semantics, this thing is an alloy of steel and mithril. Unless you use some ridiculous power, it is practically unbreakable while solid, so Aki liquefied and gasefied it during the process. Again, fuck the correct chemical process'' name, I ain''t looking a conversion table again and the author is lazy, look it up yaself! While Aki doesn''t have demon king fragments, he can very well imitate the idea with his own version, so he went on and made the cylinders. Not like he''d be able to kill an actual golem of orichalcum though. Of which you might have noticed, but the one he used to launch Guilda was not the same thing, so he had to use a huge explosion to send her with a slightly lower speed. ¡­ Back to the aftermatch. Everyone was going home already, and with that I mean that Aki got some mana potions and started casting a mass teleportation spell Cleo had given a written version of to him. While at that the demons were talking among themselves and Guilda was put into a comfy bed and tucked into good sheets. The captives were quiet and apparently depressed. Some of the mages were kind of shocked at Aki for trying to cast a mass teleportation alone, but seeing him take various materials from his inventory, they instead started asking themselves how much money this guy had to just throw hundreds of gold coins to teleport. That''s more than ten times the normal cost, you know? Getting to the manor, Aki asked Bea to take care of Guilda them dispersed the demons and went to the captives, who were all cuffed and having their magic drained. Looking around it didn''t take long to find the Japanese girl who looked apatic. When he directed himself to her though, the frightened soldiers started trying to shield her with their bodies. -Calm down idiots, she is passing through a traumatic event, so I will just knock her out so she has a dream full of answers to all this. There, done. You can all relax, you will be sent back to your kingdom after swearing a few oaths and everything will be ok. If you don''t then we will do it the hard way. Think well. After doing a laid back announcement, Aki started carrying the unconscious girl like a potato sack. -Oi! What do you think you''re doing!? Screamed a blue eyed blonde woman who seemed specially affectioned to the otherworlder. -I am taking her to her new room. You all may go, but she will stay. That is not negotiable, and the next time we fight against your kingdom, I won''t be merciful again. When you see your king, give him this. He took a letter out of nowhere and put it between the blonde''s breasts. They were huge and he needed something to show he was the one in command here, so what better way than to shame the one who spoke up. No sexism. If it had been a man than he would''ve put it in his pants. He hadn''t decided which side, but that didn''t happen, so¡­ When Aki gently laid the sweetly dreaming girl on the very comfortable bed, he didn''t dare do anything to her, but when he tried to leave she caught his arm and started crying. He thought something bad happened in the dream, but when she got a faint smile in her face and started muttering "Shinji" repeatedly, he guessed it was the opposite. Not bothering to entertain the strange girl who would''ve likely gotten into a wet part of her dream any moment now, Aki left the room and got a pocket watch to tell him when five hours had passed so he could come back to have a talk with the girl living a possible future she''d have if she didn''t come to this world in her dreams. He had time, so he took a shower, had a meal and called his girlfriend to see if she''d like to watch the record of the fight with him. -Come on, it''s a short video! Don''t you want to see your boyfriend looking cool? I know, I just wanted to brag and talk to you for a bit. Is it really that bad I wanted to show off to my girlfriend? Oh sure, I''d love to, I''ve never watched the series with the bank robbing guys, but people on earth said it was really good at least. Though those masks are a bit¡­ right? If I was going to stare at some butt than I''d choose yours and you know that. Just because I like badass females doesn''t mean that¡­ *TRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII¡­* -Arg, yeah, have to go look at the girl, she should be waking up by now. Hey, isn''t this the first time I am the one hanging because of work? Nah, it just doesn''t sit well when you compare our jobs since I have so much fun with this and it makes you sound so much more mature than me. Hey, I am very mature! Of course it isn''t, how can you compare a human one to a demon''s, the scale is just different. I know worrying like this doesn''t make me more of an adult, but¡­ He opened a door and pressed his finger against his lips to indicate to the girl who just woke up that he was on the phone, which actually shoked her. -I know. No, you''re awesome. My eyes are not getting itchy, it''s just your imagination. Good luck with your mother, I have to go, bye. *Sniff* And his tears went back without falling. -You didn''t see or hear anything before this, understood? Good. Now, I know you''re still sad and shocked with everything, but we have to talk. The other captives have been sent back to the kingdom they come from, but we can''t let you go nor can we send you home or something like that. Do you have anything you want to know? He slowly said to the girl with flowing black hair and a doll face. She didn''t say anything for a little, but then she raised her head and asked. -Why? And just that. -Because we are enemies and showing our strength can save Guilda''s little brother. While we certainly come from earth like you, the demons didn''t choose good natured people to be their representatives. If I had been shown the opportunity while growing up, then I''d most likely be some kind of criminal. You may thank my mother and family for actually being strong willed and insisting in teaching me to be a good person. -Uh, they seem like a good family. -They are. I also want to go back you know? I imagine you too, so let me tell you a secret, I should be able to open a gate to earth with enough time and resources. -Eh? She was confused, why was this man who had ruthlessly slaughtered the soldiers who had been nice to her, now being so open? -It sounds like I want to fool you, right? It''s because I want something from you. See, sending people back to earth is something very complex, so if I want to do it, I need someone with an ID from earth in their soul. I am asking for you to be the first person to go. You may ask whatever you want from me, but I need someone to help me in this and it can''t be someone from the demonic faction. I can tell you more, but I can''t let the goddess watch anymore. -Goddess-sama¡­ is watching? She was still confused, and this did not help. -Most definitely. By the way, this is a message to her, please don''t be offended. Don''t interfere, you hear me bitch! I don''t care if you are a goddess or whatever the fuck, I''ma gonna kill you if you try to stop me from seeing my baby sister, then leave you to be raped by demons till your damn divine spark runs out, ya hear me! He actually held the girl''s head and looked directly in her eyes from up close as if they were cameras, so she was much more scared than offended. ¡­ In the divine realm of the goddess of kindness, there was a very baffled soul and a confused woman looking at each other. -Goddess-sama¡­ -It''s ok child, it''s not the first time I have been insulted, just¡­ I''ve never seen those so close. His fear and hatred seem very deep rooted. I don''t think the demons have brainwashed him, he just¡­ hates the idea of gods. The wise woman explained. -I don''t think there''s much we can''t do for him. I don''t understand how he isn''t a champion himself, but he clearly will do anything to reach his goals. Wouldn''t it be better to send him back? Asked the worried boy. -That would be impossible. He needs to die at least once so his karma can be washed away and his soul sent back to the cycle. He is too dangerous to throw at a world like earth, he''d cause immense chaos and death. She was actually afraid for those that would face him if he acted like that towards all his goals. 27 Still family Hell, Palaces'' graveyard. It''s the neighborhood name for the rich guys. There, MI just got out of a black limousine and her high heels hit the marble walk. Instead of following her guide she greeted the guard dogs, who wagged their tails and wished her a good return home. Continuously teleporting made it so she only had to stop to greet the chief of security, who was a giant fire colossus living in the moat around her parents'' house. It actually had an amazing Wi-Fi connection, they offered him food and he slept on heavenly sheets, so it is actually the opposite of what you might imagine about someone living on a moat. -Ojou, you might want to reschedule your visit. The madam has been¡­ negatively excited about your choices, and the wine she likes was "accidentally" wasted by one of the servants. The deep, rock like voice of the fiery demon resounded in her ears. -I''d love to, but she was the one marking this. I don''t want to throw more fuel to the fire. She said before thanking Carl and stepping inside. ¡­ -Hello? A weak and old male voice said through the phone. -Dad? Guilda softly said. -Guilda? Daughter!? The man started screaming with excitement that one would never believe came from the same person from before I normal circumstances. -DAD! I am so¡­ *Muffled groans* -Hello mister Turley, this is Aki, your daughter''s friend, I just wanted to tell you that she only has thirty minutes to talk, so please, talk! And so he was punched in the face before giving the cell phone back to Guilda, who had to explain lots of things. Thankfully his warning at least served something, for the man remembered to call for his wife. Their son was stuck in his bed since everything happened, so it took a while, but even he got to talk to his sister. There was a lot of crying, snot and screaming, but she managed to get the situation through to then. At least the parts that made sense for a citizen in the 21st century. They wanted to say more, but a ringing sound interrupted then and Guilda informed her family that she had to go, but she would call tomorrow at the same time, then told then to please not waste much time if they wished a proper investigation to be held by the police and that would not come to much fruition, she''d go home by herself with some time. -How you feeling? Aki put an arm around her shoulder and gave his friend a hug. -I am sad I can''t talk more with them, but also releaved I can do it at all. It''s just¡­ She started sobbing while at it. -The feeling you may never meet your loved ones again but that glimpse of hope doesn''t let you totally fall for that? Yeah, I know. We just need to do our best. And so he was used as a pillow to cry for a bit. -You know, you should go eat something. You want to cut this hair later ? Bet you''d look two times more amazing with a dress right now though. He said breaking the mood, getting a weak punch on the arm for that. -I don''t like to wear those. Let''s go get some meat. She chuckled and said. -And I think it''s a waste for you not to try one, even I look amazing in the right dress. Did that sound too gay? He noticed. ¡­ -You want to go see her? Asked a tired voice behind Tina. Which made the bunny girl leap away from the startlement. -Sis! Please don''t do that! You know I get scared easily. Whatever could you mean though? Said the woman averting her gaze. -Guilda. She got back while unconscious from a battle, slept for a full day and them left her room looking like she had cried. I understand you might be worried. Although you''re not together officially, she doesn''t seem adverse in being chummy and you two spend a lot of time "together". Said the elder sister while prolonging the last word, which made her sibling bright red. -I¡­ we¡­ I don''t know what to think. She crouched down and hugged her knees while leaning against the wall. -It''s ok, we never really met people who were good to us, you didn''t tell me you were into girls until now, we got an actual job¡­ So much happening in so little time. You don''t have to know everything now, just make sure to be happy. Hugging her baby sister assured Mina of what she was saying once again. Giving her a kiss on the forehead, she helped Tina get up. -Well, I don''t know where this is going, and normally I''d do a sex joke right now, but I think you could try talking to Guilda right about now. She seems quite shaken quite everything even with my intervention, so maybe you two could go on a date. Aki chimed in after appearing through a curve and surprised both bunnies. -Oi, that was scary! The difference between twins is do big in these two¡­ -Sure, anyway, Tina, I know we don''t interact much, but believe me when I say that I want what is best for Guilda. At this moment I think both of you could use some distraction and I don''t mean that in the euphemistic way. Use the chance while she has that hair and convince her to get it longer. He whispered at the end before pulling her to the living room, getting the attention of the one being spoken about. -You sure about this? Asked the elder sister. -In the worst situation they will grow up a bit and pass a period of weirding out around each other, at best I get two new sisters in law. Grinned Aki. -You mean¡­ they¡­ I need booze. Said the bunny girl full of conflicts in her idea of what a relationship normally is. Not everyone is as accepting as Aki to new concepts. Granted, that is not the the right word to describe what he does, but still, do you know anyone else who constantly doubts everything around them and continuously attacks his idea of what reality is like? If you do, them hug them to a hospital for crazy people who are a danger to themselves. They will try to get your eyes out of their sockets though, so you might want to take some precautions. ¡­ "Where the fuck are we!?" Thought the hurting Mina, who was being held upside down in a house full of marble, gold, and other precious materials. Aki was there together with their drinks, but those were sprawled on the ground and the young man was tied up just like her. The chains around his mouth started smoking, and he when they finally fell he spat a red liquid on the ground. It was definitely not blood, for the ground started smoking as well. -Ok, I have some theories about where we are, and I can only say you''re most likely not supposed to be here, I am sorry. He hurriedly said. -That is correct. Whoever you are, you should not be here, but I certainly am interested in finding out whether¡­ a booming angry female voice shot from somewhere in the room and Aki didn''t wait for it to complete it''s sentence and turned into lighting, coursing through the sound system of the place until he found her. This may be a good time to say it actually, but hell isn''t a physical plane. Normally all you''d "see" is the energies and constructs all around raparzadly in random places, sometimes a "solid" thing can be formed too, but it can also be created. That is to say, everything you hear me talking about in this marvelous place, is actually a huge soul server that can support an ever bigger number of soul constructs. Think of it like a God creating a mass of land and them getting creatures to live in it and populate the place. Or maybe those palaces you hear the great elementals make in their planes as if it''s their territory. In scientific terms, it''d be like a place with enough pressure to make gas turn into semi-solid material. All this falatory is, of course, so that have what to say while Aki finds the correct way. It''s not like he suddenly got green spiked hair, but the voice from before is trying really hard to lose him. All this mambo jambo is thanks to the high demon lords sustaining the place and the president organizing things so that the demons don''t do as their like. This is not a democracy, but he sure as hell likes the title. Oh, let me tell you, the memes you''d get from what demons identify as¡­ You see, all these strange bodies are neither random nor totally left to the demon who owns it, they are formed to look like their soul shapes. While there''s plenty of thing you can easily change, such as your hair, nails, eyes, skin color¡­ nothing can really deviate too much from your original looks. Some souls are basically amorphous, while others are extremely detailed. You can have something special inside your soul, or maybe be extra empty. All of that is like a genetic code that will help you determine who you are and what you can do. Obviously though, as insinuated before, soul shapes can be changed with many, many ways. Your disposition can always change, become stronger of weaker, get another characteristic. None of that shit stops you from using magic though. That''s what Aki is doing. That also doesn''t stop his possible mother-in-law from using her presence as a higher soul form to put pressure against his consciousness and try to wipe his ego like she did so many times before. Not that it''s working. She just keeps getting strange responses whenever she tries to impart something to his soul and those make it harder to concentrate. The concept is similar to "if you look at the abism you should be prepared to have it look back". Or simply to say that she is getting weirded out by his craziness and ripples are appearing in her ego instead. "How can I not hate myself! I should kill him fast. But he is good enough. Is he? Is it a he? I, Mardona Guisapteliunask¡­ will not¡­ let my pride¡­ what am I so proud of again¡­ NEVER!!!" As Mi can testify, her mother was having a big emotional breakdown and burning high flames, which she used to get some popcorn done, because fuck if this bitch doesn''t deserve it. It was her idea to kidnapt her boyfriend and ignore her when she said she''d get hurt attacking someone so confusing, and them her idea to try and taunt him with the house''s control system, which she thought he wouldn''t even know how works because he is "just a human". -And that''s why you suddenly were teleported to our basement. By the way, nice to meet you Mina, popcorn? Explained the succubus to the newly teleported girl who Aki was helping untie. -What''s popcorn? She was totally bewildered by everything around her though. -Uhm? Strange, the reports say, oh¡­ sorry, I forgot you lived as a slave since young. Popcorn is a snack you make by heating corn, you put butter and salt than chew it. She said as if not minding at all about who the girl was or having any ideas about insulting her. -That certainly sounds like something I wouldn''t eat before. So, we are in hell, you and that noble lady froating on the floor are demons and I am not dead. Mina looked at Aki for confirmation. -It is not the Hell your thinking about and most demons around actually have intelligence around human level, but yes. It''s like one of those stories where the heroes go to a elemental plane to ask for help from the higher forces, we just don''t have to go on a quest to open the gates between the realms. By the way, this is Mi, my girlfriend. Ignoring the period of shock of the bunny girl about all these groundbreaking statements for someone who hasn''t had advanced education, Aki started to strip her. -What are you doing? Asked his totally not offended girlfriend. Normally she''d think a human doing that would be suggesting a menage, but if it''s Aki¡­ -Ah, this, I still have some costumes I''d like to have her dress, but she refuses to play doll for me recently, so I thought this might be a good chance and would distract her from all these "strange things". He grinned and made a V with his fingers. Though it was not like he was completely undressing her, that much would still be offensive. While Mina''s sense of shame has been deteriorated, even she''d think it strange. -We better not. Mother should wake up soon and this is the perfect excuse not to meet her. Put her clothes back. Mi ordered. -Hai¡­ Aki meakly pouted and put the girl''s pants back. 28 Journey to the north -... Es imposible que te quieram como yo. As the music ended, so did their dancing. Musics from South America are actually quite famous in this place. Though Aki''s imitation of the dance in the original video also got plenty of cheers, they didn''t get first place. The twins who got the medal did deserve it though. They didn''t look much alike, but their so very similar horns indicated otherwise. -I didn''t know you could dance so well. Or at all for the matter. Said a stupefied and still clapping Mina. -It''s easier to do things I''ve seen a lot, but Damn if that wasn''t hard. Mi basically guided me the whole way. You''re amazing, you know that? He grinned at his girlfriend who was in a much better condition than him. -You just lack practice. Being an assassin sure brings a lot of benefits. She returned. -Well, if they allowed magic them those judges would''ve creamed their pants after I used brilliance magic on such a beautiful target. He didn''t let go easily though. -What is brilliance magic? Asked Mina. -It''s one of the ways to use light magic. Look. He used said magic on himself and right after that she got a blush on her face from suddenly being close to a handsome and calm brown haired youth. Than it stopped and there was Aki again. -That''s fucked up. Magic that can make anyone beautiful? She guessed. -Nope, it just makes it so you just have an aura of beauty. Like, the more beautiful someone is, the bigger is the effect. I''m just average and take care of myself, if Mi gets some of that though¡­ He trailed his words, leaving their meaning very clear. -Yeah, you weren''t kidding. She immediately consented. -You''re doing that later if my mother doesn''t go on a rampage. She said before sighing and taking her phone out. -You know I am always up for it if there''s not some kind of problem in work. Luck there dear, you don''t have to go back if you don''t want to. He tried being supportive at least, but talking to your supposed mother because you''re her caretaker and nurse isn''t exactly fun. You see, it''s not her mother that''s powerful, she''s just one of the hundred odd concubines of her father. Besides Sara she has thousands of brothers and sisters, but it''s not like they interact much out of the annual family reunion. -Mother, yes, it''s me. Is¡­ everything ok? Yes, I will ask him, do you need me to ask Carl to get your meds before that? Ok, have fun. What did you do to my mother? She totally sounds like a stupid bimbo that doesn''t have a care in the world and just accertained me of her desire be repeatedly beaten with a flaming wip. Said a very confused succubus that couldn''t believe what she just heard. -You welcome. He grinned. -Drop those deadlocks because I am serious, the tattoos too. Answer me Mauwi. She pinched him and asked again a bit irritated this time. -Ok ok, she tried breaking my soul and I didn''t think killing my future¡­ your mother, would be a great idea, so I just dumped a lot of myself in her soul. She should be a lot more balanced and submissive now. Still more prideful and lustful, but you got what I mean. He corrected himself before saying future mother-in-law, but the other two noticed. -YOU FUCKING GENIUS! And she kissed him. Very passionately. She also tackle hugged him, so they fell from their seats and everyone in the club noticed them kissing in the floor, but most just cheered and went back to their drinks. It suffices to say, that taking care of a psychotic, not caring at all, very drunk, irresponsible and self centered "mother" wasn''t something she liked to do. Though with that she almost forgot they were in public and he had to separate her lips from his. -We get a cab, leave some money with Mina and ask Sara to take her. OK? And so the bunny girl was left behind with a thousand dollars in demonic currency in a bar filled with demons and a lot of booze. She did what anyone with a brain would do and spent it all in one go. Though her way of calling two incubus to bed her was entirely up to her. If people around you are throwing money your direction to have some privacy to make out and more, I sure as hell see no reason why one shouldn''t do the same. ¡­ -So you saying that while I was going on a date, taking care of an orphanage, destroying a medium time gang and officially getting a girlfriend, you were fucking? For 24 hours straight? Said a slack jawed Guilda. Her hair, unfortunately, cut short again. -I am quite sure I ain''t getting better than that for a while. Though a peace sign from a succubus certainly feels gratifying, if you know what I mean. Multiple times at that. She did get hours late for work though. It''s a good thing she could use her mother as an excuse. He explained with a smug look at his face. A very punchable one at that. Unfortunately Guilda isn''t able to easily hit him anymore. She did try though. -Did you know succubus are a lot more susceptible to sensitivity spells? Those are like pain sensitivity, fire sensitivity, a¡­ He couldn''t even finish his teasing, because she started using her skills and throwing axes at him. Truth be told, being that bold also counts to his courage, but doesn''t dismiss the fact he is a perverted. Let me just skip it to after Aki heals the torn skin, muscles and bones from Guilda''s body so we can go to their next assignment. -Let me see if I get this straight, they want us to travel to the Republic of magic with all the demons so we can start our own tower? Seeing Aki nodded she asked. -Can''t you do that alone? -No because I don''t classify as an example of what any involved class might look like, nor can I officially be considered a "Maister", which is fancy way to say that you are a very nerdy magician who helped with the furthering the studies of the arcane. He slowly explained. -And why can''t you turn into a maister? She asked the big question. -Because I am an enemy of gods and no matter how proud of that I am, it doesn''t change the fact that such thing would need me to make a lot more contributions to the republic than we have time to. This is not some Manga where the Mc just imagines it and he has magic that is better than everyone else. To be part of their higher council you''d need to have around my level of talent, and all their presidents need to have the title of "Magi" and powers similar to a "Mana born" which is a higher version of the magician class. If you want a comparison, those guys are as powerful as a level 500 dragon in direct combat, but many times that if we are talking about knowledge, resourcefulness and ability. -Ok, you got a point. I get why we would have to walk there, but, do you also have a plan to getting inside enemy territory? Asked a bewildered Guilda. As an answer to that, Aki just grinned. ... -Why the fuck am I going with you crazy bastards again? Asked an indignant Korath. -Because you own mama big time and because this is a faster way to get exactly what you wanted. Or does your fire only burn so little for vengeance? Answered Aki with a sly smile. The orc grumbled and said he''d take a shower upstairs. Yes, they are traveling, but he can go upstairs take a shower. I doubt anyone could guess this one. Not a quiz this time, they are in a giant skeleton centipede covered in liquid metal with one of those ideal family houses in America built on it''s back. Does that still count as just reference? Luckily the answer is yes, because there''s no money involved here and the size difference is actually huge between the two things, besides this being a construct of necromancy and bone molding, not just the latter, the speed is most definitely incomparable and the bones here are white. More like, this might as well be considered a reference to that food connoisseur that uses moves named after tableware. Remember that time he and that guy that used his voice as a weapon went to look for coke in a pyramid? Damn it feels great to not have to censor myself in this kind of thing. Re:monster and Toriko are most definitely not that easy to keep following though. Now, allow me to say that there''s two other houses just like the one Aki is using, but they are being used by the succubus, beholders and stalkers at one and the fiends and hell hounds at the other for very obvious reasons. These giant necromantic golens are walking in a line that follows the fastest way to the Republic of magic, and like you might imagine, that is not something that goes unnoticed by all those righteous, or anyone for the matter. While necromancy is not totally illegal, these sure as hell don''t look like your normal undead, so it takes a little convincing from the orc or the twins to make whoever stops then from attacking. They do have a permit for huge transportation tipe undead made from the parts of monsters written by the second in command in the tower of necromancy, so no one actually dared to attack after seeing the legal documentation. That obviously doesn''t stop townsfolk from thinking these are monsters coming to attack them, so Aki has to send then back before reaching any city they can''t avoid. Yeah, those are also enchanted, just that instead of helping with speed, the enchantments helps with stability, non deterioration of the house, and ease in teleporting back and forth to the caller and home. That is also a big difference between it and the ogre''s version, the price is steep as fuck! There''s also no taxi version of this, but oh well. While there certainly were some groundbreaking, shaking and shaping battles against those that ignored the lawfulness of this vehicle or actually saw Aki because he opened the door or something like that, none were really that interesting. They can ignore a difference of a hundred levels, why would similar leveled people be able to defeat them? To begin with, he is a rogue, not a warrior, why would he fight higher leveled beings in an even ground? Is there even a way to be fair though? Some people have laserbeans, superspeed, skills that make them invulnerable for some periods of time, there was this one paladin that was spouting a lot of shit about friendship and what not while his abdomen was cut open, Aki had to strike him with three attacks at the same time and only the knife with light attribute hit his neck. Daggers and knifes that can heal are normally used for torture or teaching assassins in a spar, but it still has a magic circuit Aki can put on overdrive, so let me say the friendship guy wouldn''t be the object of desire for his four female companions anymore. Or the gay dude that obviously had something on to this would-be hero''s ass. Yeah, those daggers don''t explode. As I said, the lump of tumor-like flesh wasn''t any prettier than elephant poop. -To think I''d get so many kills just because these guys don''t know what kind of attack can cause instant death when you use that kind of skills¡­ He killed a lot of "heroes" and "supreme geniuses" by using their skills against themselves. While the other six cardinal sins or virtudes haven''t appeared, Guilda is wrath, Aki could take the Wolverine down if he wanted, and the guy is a veteran of plenty of wars. Whoever said being a nerd after being isekaied was stupid? This bitch knows so many ways to kill powerful people! Thus will make the gods weary? So what? It''s their own kill order that makes him fight back and they have no way to defend their followers against their own powers without spending huge amounts of energy. Granted, for a God those aren''t that big, but if they use it on someone that can attack souls, they will also suffer damage to their core, while that may only incapacitate them from doing things to their utmost after one time, if it''s done repeatedly said god may turn very kilable. Such opportunity would not be ignored by any who wish to attack this world. That certainly won''t happen, but if we''re talking power levels, than Sara can very well substitute for a god. Not a great one though. That sounded confusing, right? It''s simple though. Aki is one of the few things that can naturally stop gods from doing their job, if they don''t do their jobs they die and a new god is born to take care of the world in their place. That, obviously, comes with huge repercussions to the planet as well, even if the other gods cover for the newbie. Aki will do exactly that if given the chance though. The moral implications of that will be left for later, but do remember he isn''t a saint or stupid. 29 A useless discussion In the mean time, allow me to show you how he defeated so many bravers, though this time he is the one striking first. As their group silently appeared in the horizon Aki, lunged at a badass-looking knight telling him to halt. Their strength wasn''t that different, but Aki was the one who had magic here, so when he focused on causing a knockback the effect was that the man was sent flying several hundred meters back. That wouldn''t be so easy if they weren''t in plain ground without obstacles in sight though. That being so he teleported to a princess like girl that was scared but gripping a dagger by her side. Instead of fatally injuring her, he imprisoned her in a Ice cocoon. The knight from before was already screaming a name that definitely belonged to a girl while rushing over even faster than before. Fury and despair could be heard in his voice. One of Aki''s daggers was in trajectory with his sword attack, but it was cut like butter by a hot knife. At the same time he punctured his other dagger on the knight''s chest like his armor wasn''t there. No need to say that Aki was in total advantage here. After all, if his body is so aligned with magic, he obviously is able to cast spells inside his body much more easily than outside. That is to say he can easily teleport a piece of his body away any moment he wants and anything inside as well. Sword and all. He just needs to activate a located teleport of a part of himself using the Grimoire skill and voila, now his enemy has an exploding dagger in his ribcage and he lost an arm. Teleporting back to Guilda, who has a beacon to facilitate teleport, and she gave him his arm back while he remotely exploded the dagger. Healing his arm back in place didn''t take long and he spent it by sending lots of spells against his enemies. Mostly for show really, he could just shoot water needles with delayed freezing effect in their skin and blood. Curses and hexes would work even better. Why are they killing random strangers you ask? Why wouldn''t they? K, I was kidding, that girl is part of the hero of magic''s party. A sage, someone with the potential to be a mana born. Her magic potential is like that of a mage from the Hero''s party after you turn the cheat code on an get infinit mana The hero of magic is one rank above that. -Ok, we''ve been defeating all those possible helpers and finally found a sage, now what? Asked Guilda after killing the last man. -We go to the mountains and look for a doppelganger, wendigo or Vampire. Don''t ask about it. He said and started looting the books not destroyed in the fight. It took another day to get to the mountains, and believe or not, it was full of vampires. ""-Eh, really?"" Said the shivering twins. They had cold resistance and specialy made clothes, with their levels a mountainus environment would not really cause them any problems. It''s just that they were actually captured by vampires, and with that I mean they were their toys. That was when they were still children by the way, they been slaves since they were 3. Please remember beast people develop and mature earlier than humans. By then these two, they are nineteen right now, saw all types of gore, murder and cruelty. They weren''t turned into mindless slaves because the Vampire Lord in question was old enough to have started to get bored of doing the same things all the time, so he left the harmless prey he captured with their normal faculties so he could be amused by them. Unfortunately the ones that killed the vampire were after his treasures, not saving the kidnapped people. These two were the only that survived the training from the chamber of commerce. From three odd hundred. That training wasn''t that harsh that I''d kill that many, it''s just that if they could not complete it they would be sold like normal slaves, whose lifespan is very, very short. To convince them to come too Aki just had to say, "the stronger these vampires are, the more they will be affected by my counter measure". Which is most definitely true. And so they marched to a seamlessly empty mountain chain. The elementals were so rampant there that Aki could just create an ice bridge in a straight line while supporting itself on the mountains with arcs. He never studied about bridge construction, but he did watch lefty of videos about Gothic architecture, so that was the first design he thought about. Well, the first working one, Elsa''s was a short bridge after all. While they wait for the welcoming of the concealed vampire castle, allow me to show you the results of their trip till now. ¡­ -This, I''ve never seen someone capable of doing something like this, not even the worst nightmares from space have ever been able to be so precise and calculative. Right now, that is a few days earlier, the goddess of kindness was looking at one of the hurt souls she managed to save from Aki''s attacks. To say this is a good looking young man would be a huge understatement. Yes, that''s right, the first guy she managed to save was the one killed by his own high densified light attribute. More like just caused the guy to overheal himself and his body got something similar to cancer, but much more fast. He was in a comatose state where his remaining ego is minuscule compared to his original self, and that was because he was attacked both from the psicological shock of his sudden death and Aki''s combo of Life drain, soul break and Intimidate. That is to say that even if this guy, who was supposed to be one of the hero of kindness''s followers latter on, got resurrected, he would be a mere puppet without mind. His souls wouldn''t recover in decades, maybe even centuries. Obviously the goddess was grossed out by the idea of something like this being possible, but she mostly pitied these brave man and woman who had suffered such fate. She immediately entered the pantheon, where the other gods already started their discussion. -Do we have a full view of the damage this¡­ Thing has done? Asked a calculation man with black hair and sharp eyes. This was the God of War. You may imagine his clothes however you like. -One follower of Ameng, two of Natelas and two of yours. The rest were supposed to be supporters, but those count almost in the hundreds. Considering his direction and speed, he should get to the republic in two more days in this ritm. His objective should be to firm a tower for the demons and kill the hero of diligence. (the guy Aki calls hero of magic.) Said the old man in lose robes. That''s the god of magic, but at least he doesn''t have a pointy hat. -Why do you not intervene in the country you founded yourself again? Mylord. Asked the chief reaper Marine, temporary God of death and humility. Thic. That''s the description of her thighs, but she also has raven black hair and small shapely breasts. -Because I''ve relinquished all the rights I had over it but that of a counselor, just like Jordvar and his free states. With a vow. Answered the God of¡­ Misdaqui. A vow made by a God is something that actually bounds them, you know? It''s a rule of the world to stop those that are too powerful, including gods. Since it will be a pain to simply call them by title, allow me to show ya''ll the list of names and authorities that meter. Ameng - Kindness and love Natelas - Moon and patience Jordvar - Justice and chastity Misdaqui - Magic and diligence Zashar - War and temperance Hedni - Sun and charity Chief reaper Marine - Death and humility Everyone was silent for a moment. It wasn''t the first time someone used the republic and the free states to scape their authority, but certainly the first that those places were used against the gods. -I suppose our best bet is to send our best troupes them. Suggested Natelas. She had white hair, red eyes, pristine white skin, an ethereal aura and beautiful robes. -No offense, but I don''t think they will get there in time to do anything. One of the main responsibilities of the president is to stop other forces of a certain level and above from interfering while inside national territory. Again, they are bound by vow. Misdaqui explained while massaging his temples. -I don''t get it, why wouldn''t they be able to do anything? Asked Hedni while scratching his red beard. He is also not using a shirt by the way, so his Kratos like phisic is showing all over and somehow his curly hair is fluttering over a non existent breeze. -Because this Damn brat is carrying an instant teleporter of great range and his whole party is registered over all the continent''s teleporters as VIP guests. Apparently, Miss Udjavar isn''t just an amazing business woman and space magician, she is also the alter ego of "that" person. The wizard threw a newspaper in the table the gods sat around. The main page was wholy reserved for the interview with one of the richests mages, where she finally took off her mask. A scowl appeared on all gods'' faces. -This, how are we supposed to do anything here? Asked the newbie goddess of death. -We court martialize him and get him exiled, them, we use our best man and woman. Said the monk. That''s the God of justice by the way. He even has those nine dogs on his forehead. Fun fact, he is the only virgin here. *atchum*. And consequently the only one that always sneezes. -What''s our case then? -We still don''t¡­ -Hold on! One of my sages has been attacked. What speed! It''s them! No one else has the guts and power to attack a sage! They are all masked and wearing black, but the other sins we have reports about are still in the monitored area. Misdaqui told the other about the most recent development. -We can''t make cases on deduction alone. How did he fight? Interrupted the greatest sage before sneezing again. -He only used wind and ice magic, but that level of comprehension is almost the same shown by the brat! I don''t know what happened next since I only had the vision from the sage, but I am sure that we can manage if Marine looks into her records. Explained the man after calming down. -Certainly, give me one¡­ Eh? There''s nothing there. She and while shocked. -It''s him, he can break souls. Now we have¡­ The man was delighted, but that soon ended and he frowned again. - You mean they all turned into undead and you can''t check their souls, right? Guessed the God of magic, to which he received a nod. -Unless we recover their souls we won''t get the record them. And that is if they still retain their memory. Can you detect them? Asked Zasha, who had been silent until now. -I can. They are¡­ at the castle of the undead king. Again, the gods'' faces darkened. If you want to know, that castle is in another continent, one a smaller than this one and full of rejected species. Silence reigned over for a few seconds, than everyone decided to petition for more information on Aki before he came. While awaiting for the papers, the gods called their champions, including Shinji, over so they could discuss how to take him down. When they got the feedback with the documents the God of magic, who was acting as this reunion''s chairman, started reading out loud. -Name: Aquiles¡­ Yup. It''s exactly what you thought. This fucker even changed his name when coming here. Though that''s mostly because his whole family had a strange naming sense he never liked, so the system changed it into how his father called him, who actually lives in Japan after marrying a half japanese woman. Everyone had a file with his initial status as well, so the champions were confused and the gods had expressions that varied from pissed to seriousness. It''s like that talking hat on Hogwards, you can change the result, but you need to wish really hard for that. Reason why he doesn''t have a tail and horns, but anyway, that already means he doesn''t have an attachment to his own name, what can they even use against him? -Oi, this thing is almost useless! His only hobbies was writing and reading, he started exercising recently, no long term friends, the only thing this says about him is that he was a stressed teenager that was propence to suicide. Even his novel is shit! As the only god in here who had been a human, Misdaqui was the first to finish reading over and commented right after. -Misdaqui-sama, shouldn''t mental attacks be his weakness them? Asked his own hero, a black haired guy with a baby face that failed to look serious. -If only it was that easy child. One of my chosen supporters was a master of the mind, and while his companions were stunned while receiving damage, he charged head on while taking the brunt of it. Now that child is dead and only a husk of his former self remains. Explained Natelas with a pained look. -What about his family? Asked the hero of temperance, his suggestion obvious to all. Some wanted retort, but Zasha explained the situation before that. -I''ve suggested the same thing child, but the demons'' forces are more numerous in your world than ours and they have alredy predicted such movement. After that a back and forth commenced, but the best they got out of it was that Aki was unbeatable unless they throw a team of people specifically mend together to tackle everyone of his attacks down. And that would be in a direct fight, they''d still need to figure out a way for him not to assassinate a part of said team while they are away from the rest or simply run away. Trying to overwhelm him with numbers would be stupid though, as he has the magical abilities of a lich king and the dexterity of a trained assassin at this point. That means he can make trops out of the dead, do life and mana steal besides being hard to hit. 30 Vampires -Bitch, your fangs are so useless the only thing you know how to suck is a cock! Said Aki before taking a gut punch from the woman he was insulting. Using the chance she broke his legs and arms, then hissed and bit his neck. Five seconds later Aki threw her corpse away. -That''s the fifth one, we done? Though I like the XP I have other things to do and my timetable is short. He asked while looking around. A gothic young woman appeared in front of him. She was blonde, a hot as hell, tall, a refined beauty and had red eyes. A true vampire queen. Aki looked her up and down, them he stopped at her wrists. -Why is it that you are the first person that would be younger than me in human years? No offense, but you shouldn''t be older than me and that really intrigues me. He rapidly said -I''ve lived for millenia, mortal. She replied while raising a brown. -And if you take three zeros out of your age, is it bigger than sixteen? He replied to that statement, not a minute change to his expression. -No. She frowned, used to being mocked by her elders. -That is great. Now, totally different subject, but can we negotiate now? Please don''t start that "I have no reason to negotiate with Inferior beings", I know I did you a favor by what those last two idiots said. The wails of their souls are still cursing the two of us right now. He said. -Talk, but don''t take for granted anything but what you have alredy been promised, for even that can be revoqued. She said autorativily, though Aki just thought she looked cute trying to imitate the elder''s way of talking. -It would be better if we can discuss this without prying eyes and ears, no? He suggested. With her nod they teleported to a office that looked very cozy, like those in the movies. Remember it''s night and this is a castle in a mountain. Though it''s concealed. Aki wasn''t surprised or intimidated, he just sniffed and looked at a tea set in her table. -May I? Haven''t had coffee in a month! He was trying to be polite by asking, because hell if he wasn''t addicted to coffee. -You are familiar with it? Serve yourself, though I wonder where you are from to know of the vampire''s special product. She asked with a certain degree of curiosity while sitting herself and signaling him to do the same. -Oh, I am from another world. *soundlessly seeping coffee* -Anyway, this is very good, do you guys produce it here or do you import it? He said without giving a shit about his "secret". -You are¡­ that explains somethings. We produce it ourselves. Now, tell me why I shouldn''t kill and drain everything out of your very soul. Vampires can hear the beating of one''s heart and discern if they are lying or not, don''t even mention a queen. -Because I have this thingy on my body that will mark the place where I die and immediately teleport a friend of mine that is more than five hundred level higher than me to it. Would you be willing to sell 10kg of these beans to me on a weekly basis? I really like coffee. He said as an answer to her treat. -We don''t have that many. She frowned seeing him say those words and noticing none of the signs of lying . Well, who wouldn''t. -Can you sell me that much now though, if it''s about raising your production than we can discuss it later. You see, I actually came here so we could trade knowledge. He said and started taking some books out of his inventory. She was surprised he had one to begin with, but the titles of the books were more surprising. "Advanced necromancy. By: Jared Wins" That''s the current leader of the necromantic tower. "How to counter light magic, a study by the mageocracy" The last mageocracy was destroyed five hundred years ago. "Guide through the negative planes" Places like hell. "How to tame an astral familiar" That should be self explanatory about it''s worth. -... -And if these aren''t enough I can give you a Yatagarasu. That''s a old bloodline of beast Kin that are skilled in light and fire magic. If a vampire drinks it''s blood though, they will get immune to many of their weaknesses. Like the sun. -What do you want? Even if she was older, I don''t think many would blame her for losing her poker face there. ¡­ -And what does that have to do with me eating? Said an impatient Guilda who was on her third pot of soup. She didn''t ask for a fourth though. -Aki, why did this soup give me status points and an achievement? -Because you are now a sage level entity, congratulations! He clapped. -What do you mean with that? She was worried and now started to wonder what she had ate. -Well, you already got the notification, so I guess there won''t be any harm done if I tell you that you just ate that girl we kidnapped before. No suffering or abuse on her though. Is cannibalism wrong? Yes. Is being a sociopath wrong? Yes. That doesn''t mean Aki gives a fuck if it goes like what he passes for justice or that Guilda didn''t start throwing up the moment she heard that. Ignoring the vomit, Aki went to the cauldron and started drinking from the giant spoon that was on it. The queen''s poison was very tasty, and he actually quite liked the soup, it tasted like beef. -And I thought I''d seen from everything. Said the exhausted queen, who was sitting on the table with Aki and Guilda. [The sage''s broth has changed your body permanently. +23 Intelligence and wisdom. Your magic potential grows.] [*Ding* Feat of strength accomplished! Body of mana: Your body has reached a level of mana concentration so high that all your physic has changed for the better. +20 to Endurance and Vitality. +10 to Strength and Dexterity.] -It seems this is all I can get out of it. Not like it''s little though. You want some? He asked the queen while she massaged her wrists. -Drinking my own poison¡­ She started, apparently disgusted by the idea. -I don''t need to get status points to drink all of this. Though I will give one to Mina, Bea, Chris, Cleo¡­ ok, I will just eat half and store the rest. He decided. -You¡­ said a slightly blushing queen. -You make it look like I am harassing you, it''s just¡­ oh. Fuck me. He said when realization hit him. -Like hell I would! She flipped. -That''s an expression. I didn''t mean to take one of your poison sacks like this, but you still have the other, ri¡­ Please say you''re married to your loved one already. He paled. There would only be two results to this. Luckily for his balls her face showed she wasn''t happy with her marriage. -I can most definitely kill your husband in a very tortuous way, just get him to feed on my blood. He hastly said. -And how am I supposed to do that? Her embarrassment went away at the same moment and her face turned ice cold with seriousness. Fixing shit he did was one of the things Aki was sure he would do until he died. And so they started the plan. Yeah, ok, shill, I will explain. Vampires can be categorized in three ways, low cast, lord and queen. The purity of blood matters, of course, but that is only for their power level. Low cast drink blood from the fangs in their mouth. Lords have bone spikes on their wrists that have a drug like substance that will make one automatically addicted and immediately want to be near the vampire in question. Queens are much worse. While lord''s can vary from baron to archduke, as in blood purity, that again is related to their natural power, queens are always of the highest purity. Their "fangs" are bigger, suck more, their poison can turn anyone into mindless slaves who simply love her till the day the queen dies, their magic potential is stupidly high¡­ Anyway, together with the poison in their spikes, a queen has sacks of poison near the same region, the wrists, which can make one immune to their poison, but cannot be regenerated. So they are given to their owner or loved one. Luckily queens can only be born when both parents are vampires of a certain caliber, and that is in the chance of one in a million. You may imagine the uses and reasons such evolutionary scale or godly plan came into existence, but that''s not the point. Aki just screwed her best chance of having a normal love partner. If she was ever able to destroy her current husband who is much stronger than her and geassed her into not harming him directly and other such things. So, instead, she dressed in a very kinky way which left almost nothing to the imagination and brought twenty people over to his room, where he was currently sleeping. -My love, it''s been long, won''t you feast with me? Yes, that way of talking is actually part of the geas. The vampire Duke was a handsome man, long dark hair, the right amount of muscles, penetrating eyes, sharp features¡­ -Elaine, you come in good time. I should be able to master this technique in a few more years of reclusion, but I need to feed. He kissed her hand and felt her scent. -You are as lovely as always. Now, this is something not very known, but when vampires mate, they cause bloodshed. And with that I mean their instincts kick in and they start a mating frenzy where they kill and force many partners, ultimately absorbing their energy and starting to a very drug like experience of perception climax. Where they finally start the deed between the couple. They can, most obviously, learn how to do normal, hardcore sex like everyone else, but it would still involve lots of blood. That is why, when the dick full of bulging veins appeared in front of Aki, he was very happy that would not be the thing actually penetrating him, but the bone spikes. By the way, right now he has changed into Primus. And the vampire should be around¡­ twenty something long. The moment the fangs penetrated his chest, both Aki and the vampire screamed. While one screamed in despair, the other screamed in pleasure. Though it was Aki who was in pleasure, he was eating the vampire. -Mourt. That was supposed to be him saying in a moan "more!" but the void does that to your voice, it''s like it''s sucking everything inside, so just talking is actually quite controversial. The vampire tried to run, but it was like he was melded into the woman''s flesh. No, he was sinking in. This feeling of loneliness, cold¡­ it was like they were one and he couldn''t feel them anymore, just this sudden tiredness that came from nowhere. He wouldn''t just give in though. He didn''t survive death so many time to die like this. He didn''t make this place from nothing for this. He¡­ -Uwa, who''d guess? You''re also an otherworlder. Though what is with this get up? Socks, glasses, full of acne¡­ tisk tisk, such a shame. You''d be ten times more handsome than this great father here if you took care of yourself. Wow, what is this? And I thought I had episodes¡­ -Eh? -So your consciousness caught up, sorry, but this is gonna hurt. Though I am not sorry for a idiot and douche like you. Seriously, raping girls just because you have power, truly trash. I will try to end this the slowest possible way, you hear? Again said Aki. His mocking tone obvious as he used a holographic computer to search through this guy''s memory. 31 How to kill an immortal -What are you doing!? Screamed the NEET before shooting a tentacle towards Aki. -Killing you. Though that would be faster if you suicide, so please don''t, I will take all of your suffering with pleasure. Attack me more, your despair is the best entertainment I will get for some time, so keep it up your faggot. Scream for me! He lashed out while tearing the tentacle out and getting the young boy next to him while piercing his abdomen with his fist. -Aaaarrgh! -No, that''s not quite right, maybe this. Aki rotated his arm and the flesh contorted, them started pulling the remaining lower half of his spine with quick pulls. -Ghehaaa¡­ he screeched. -Now, that''s it. That was a good start wasn''t it? What should we do now, suppositories or insects? With that face I presume you never took it in even though you are so old, though that''s admirable you just left more to play with. Let''s see how many roches you can put up your ass until you start vomiting then, shaw we. Aki was being a monster right now, yes, but how much torture do you think this millennium old bastard has conducted? To the explanation them. Right now Aki used something he likes to call pseudo arena of zero. References aside, he basically used everything he has to temporarily weaken the defenses of this guy''s soul and penetrated it to destroy it from the inside, but that doesn''t mean his consciousness can do as he wants without getting noticed, it actually means that he and this guy have to fight out to see who wins a battle of egos. While this guy is certainly more powerful, he has no idea of how to use it in here. It''s like the difference of a cop with a handgun and a thief with an RPG, who do you think will incapacitate the other faster? For those that know the original technique you might have noticed the big advantage this version has. No one respawns in random places after "dying", so whoever had the advantage can keep attacking until his opponent gives out. Though Aki won''t simply get all this guy''s memories after defeating him or something, he is most certainly able to read through his memories right now. A good example of why this is useful is that he got to know this guy was trying to fuse with the soul of a lich so he could get part of it''s status. He''d been doing it for five hundred years though. One of the reasons his mind is so weak right now, lack of use. That, for the most useless it is to himself, it is also certainly something he can sell to Cleo. So allow me to skip Aki''s practice on skinning people alive, pinpoint needle work, tentacle ****, forging using dude''s guts as the liquid metal holder and drowning training. The vampire stopped reacting after the tentacles plugged into his mouth for the fifth minute, but he didn''t vanish, so Aki kept going. All in all they spent about twenty something hours in this soul realm. In reality that was equal to five hours of Elaine fervently gassing at the strange Wounds around the man''s body. The crawling small figures, the smalls holes, the big holes, the blood and bones, the shallow pain moans, the protuzions going up and down his anus and urethra¡­ She burned everything into her memory, no matter how disgusting. This was revenge for herself. The slaves had already been killed without pain and she was the only one standing there. When he fell, she knew it had ended. -What time is it? First time using this, so I have no idea how different my perception of time was in comparison to reality. By the way, from my point of view we spent about twenty hours there and he wasn''t even responding anymore after some¡­ Aki was turning back into a man as he started talking and getting out of his knees, but then he noticed something important. -You sure about "That"? I don''t mind keeping you company, but I already have a partner and I don''t think we can have a¡­ -Shut up and give it to me you faggot! Yeah, the effect from a blood orgy can last for hours without stop, and guess who is the only other living person around the horny vampire. ¡­ And can coincidentally resist most of her powers while still giving her the time of her life? Who cares for normal sex after all? -I kind of just got why some people get into open relationships. That was another fifteen hours, while his time perception was accelerated four times over in the soul "realm". Pretty slow, uh? "Luckily" Aki can also harness the energy of death around him in this closed space. Elaine wasn''t exactly conscious after that high, but she would be in fifteen minutes, so Aki just waited, thinking about how Mi would react if he suggested something like this to her. Not excluding Elaine of the picture, of course. -Uhm, what? I just, ah¡­ -I think you meant "Where am I? Did I sleep with him again? Oh, it''s that handsome guy who killed him, and he is alive." You didn''t stop to think if I would survive all that, did you? He grinned at her. -You are knowledgeable enough to know this meant nothing. She tried to say while sitting and holding herself against the floor with one hand while ignoring her nakedness. -But that you were horny after the ritual, yeah, I know. I am an ass, but hey, who never needed a hand? I won''t hold it on you to take some kind of relationship with me nor suggest something like that. I don''t know if you heard, but I do have a girlfriend. Before you look at me like that, she also sleeps with other men and I am totally fine with that. We''re done with your confusing thoughts after obtaining your freedom? Yes? Wine? He offered. She took it and drunk the glass in one gulp, just to look down to find Aki drinking directly from the bottle. -What? I thought you''d let me drink some too. Here. He took the cup back and gave her the bottle. She didn''t know what to do at first, but then just gulped down a mouthful. -This is the first time I actually liked drinking alcohol. She said with a smile. -And I am sure you will like it on many more occasions. By the way, did you plan on doing something with the corpse? He pointed at her late husband. -Many things, but from what I saw you can most definitely do better. She said without hesitation and waited for him to point his idea. -That''s perfect, you see, my red-haired friend has a class related to blood and fury, so eating him should be helpful for her skill grown. Maybe I could even extract your poison from his blood. Guilda''s my sister by the way. Which remembers me, do your rooms have sound and smell blocking. He asked with a slightly worried face. -Most of them do, yes. Are you worried someone is going to try and take her if¡­ -Yeah, no. She is perfectly able to kill the bastard before or during the intercourse from what I''ve seen around. I am more worried she got one of yours as her new fuck buddy and started a menage. He explained. -That wouldn''t be a problem from my part. She shrugged and took another swing. -But I don''t want to wait for her to shower in sunblock cream all the time, that is a thing by the way, and them hate me for whatever reason. He said. Before sighing and using her hand to slide the alcohol in the jar to his mouth. -Why would she hate you? Asked the confused vampire. From her experience, this was as good any human male would get. Granted, he was the first she met on equal ground. -Just a feeling of mine. Though I do tend to keep my distance from Guilda''s current lover, that is mostly because I don''t know how to interact with her. He said while looking her in the eyes to show his seriousness. -Then ignore that and interact with her. -You''re terrible at this. I could seriously give you an hour long lecture on how bad an idea that''d be. She frowned at that. -Then why are we talking? -Didn''t we turn friends already? He asked while raising a brown. She blushed a little and he grinned. ¡­ -I will call! Aki said while frantically waving. -Like this. Remember that you can also can me for whatever reason, that''s what friends are for! He said while laughing after dialing her soul number, which he had to teach her how to check. Unexpectedly though, Guilda had had a menage with two vampires and one bunny girl, but it was apparently a one time thing and only on the other day they spent on the castle. She had also gotten traumatized about whatever food Aki gave her, but he still made her eat the vampire lord. Here is his current status. Name: Aki Age: 16 Race: Human Gender: M Unspent points: 0 Class: Living shadow Lv 146 Active skills: -Assassinate II Lv8 -Poison making II Lv 4 -Abysmal counter II Lv 3 -Pierce armor Lv 19 -Shadow manipulation Lv 19 Passive skills: -Blade dominance II Lv 4 -Smooth movements II Lv 4 -Persuasion Lv 11 -Trap dominance II Lv 2 -Debuff dominance II Lv 4 Subclass: Arcane bookkeeper Lv 140 Active skills: -Mana missile Lv 15 -Telekinesis II Lv 10 -Essence steal II Lv 5 -Mana shield II Lv 4 -??? Passive skills: -Mana manipulation II Lv 9 -Ether absorption II Lv 4 -Energy conversion II Lv 4 -Grimoire Lv 18 -Magic overcharge II Lv 2 General Skills: Mental resistance Lv 19 Charm resistance II Lv 1 Massage Lv 5 Meditation II Lv 7 Pain resistance II Lv 8 Anger II Lv 7 Sleep resistance Lv 18 Demonology Lv 20 Disease resistance Lv 14 Identify Lv 8 Intimidate II Lv 7 Mana perception II Lv 16 Wind magic Lv 15 Fire magic Lv 15 Fear resistance Lv 15 Healing magic Lv 20 Earth magic Lv 15 Water magic Lv 16 Dark magic Lv 17 Thunder magic Lv 18 Time magic Lv 11 Demon summoning Lv 19 Light magic Lv 17 Enchanting Lv 20 Alchemy Lv 10 Space magic Lv 10 Steam magic Lv 12 Radiant magic Lv 13 Metal magic Lv 16 Ice magic Lv 16 Ooze magic Lv 12 Magma magic Lv 13 Smoke magic Lv 12 Water magic resistance Lv 15 Heat resistance Lv 19 Electricity resistance Lv 14 Curse resistance Lv 12 Adaptability Lv 14 Void magic Lv 9 Shadow magic resistance II Lv 1 Wind magic resistance Lv 13 Arcane magic resistance Lv 12 Earth magic resistance Lv 13 Pressure resistance Lv 11 Gravity magic resistance Lv 11 Light magic resistance Lv 14 Singing Lv 11 Sexual technique Lv 16 Drain resistance II Lv 1 Death Magic Lv 8 Life magic Lv 5 Artillery technique Lv4 Dancing Lv 8 Attributes: Vitality: 226 Endurance: 231 Strength: 334 Dexterity: 339 Intelligence: 577 Wisdom: 577 Health: 2260/2260 Stamina: 2310/2310 Mana: 5770/5770 [Passive: Ether absorption II - Lv 4 Your body can absorb mana better. 107.5% (430% after buffs) more regeneration to all resources when in a mana abundant environment. Receives 107.5% (430% after buffs) more mana from all sources. 2¡ã stage: being hit by an offensive spell will regenerate your mana by 23% of it''s cost] [Mana manipulation II - Lv 8 The energies of the world shall do your bidding. 2¡ã stage: Your talents in the arcane have grown.] [Passive: Energy conversion II - Lv 4 Your body is very familiar with mana operations. Capable of turning health and stamina into mana with 52.75% effectiveness. Capable of turning mana into health or Stamina points with 26.875% effectiveness. 2¡ãstage: Your knowledge and affinity to all allow you to change the alignment of sources in direct contact with you.] [Passive: Smooth movements II - Lv 4 You produce 107.5% (322.5% after bonuses) less noise. 2¡ãstage: At the cost of the triple stamina you can move with twice the speed.] [Passive: Blade dominance II - Lv 4 You deal 161.25% (483.75% after bonuses) more damage while using bladed objects 2¡ã stage: You learn blade techniques 28.75% (86.25% after bonuses) faster] [Active: Mana steal II - Lv 1 You can absorb your enemies'' mana through touch with 100% effectiveness. 2¡ãstage: Your vast experience in the absorption of mana allows you to temporarily double your absorption of magic] + Debuff mastery percentage 15s (1m after bonuses) +3s per level. [Active: Life steal II - Lv 1 You can absorb your enemies'' health and stamina through touch with 100% effectiveness. 2¡ãstage: Killing an opponent with this spell will reward you with 50% more XP (this effect does not escalate with level)] [Active: Assassinate II - Lv 8 Infuses mana into your attack when attacking from the back. 176.25% (528.25% after bonuses) more damage if undercover during attack. 2¡ã stage: You have learned many of the ways of assassination. 33.75% (101.25% after bonuses) more damage when attacking a weak point.] [Active: Poison making II - Lv 1 Coats something with any before known poison for 5m (20m after bonuses) 2¡ãstage: "Too much of anything can be poison, but a little poison can be used as medicine". You are able to heal any poison inside your level of expertise. Extra: Your poisonous constitution has alredy turned you immune to many poison, now you can use than as nourishment instead.] + Debuff mastery percentage. +1m each level and +2 damage per 5 levels. Damage: -100 hp/s for 100m ou 600k (You might as well guess how much damage this does at this rate, because I don''t have the patience to do so anymore. By the way, poison resistance fused into this skill after reaching its second stage.) [Active: Abysmal counter II- Lv 3 Damages the opponent''s attack during a successful block and counters the attack with another. 105% (315% after bonuses) more damage towards weapons. 52.5% (157.5% after bonuses) of the original damage of any spells is added to your next attack in the same attribute. 2¡ã stage: after acquiring knowledge in many , you have found many ways to destroy your enemies as well. Whenever you execute a successful counter, 22% (66% after bonuses) of your enemies'' damage is added to your attack.] [Passive: Trap dominance II - Lv 2 Traps and ambushes cause 153.75% (461.25% after bonuses) more damage. 2¡ã stage: After countless succeeded tries at trapping others and using your enemies'' strategies against themselves you''ve developed a perception for opportunities. Once per day your reflexes can slow your perception of time to a fifth of the norm during a perfect attack opportunity.] [Passive: Debuff dominance II - Lv 4 All negative effects are 161.25% (645% after bonuses) more effective 2¡ã stage: debuffs are 28.75% (86.25% after bonuses) less effective against you] [Passive: Magic overcharge II - Lv 2 Makes it easier to understand magic composition and to overcharge it. 2¡ãstage: As a master of the arcane, you learn any spells from any schools 10.5% faster.] [Active: Essence steal II - Lv 1 Chips off parts of your target''s essence and regenerates life and mana through absorbing it. Breaking the target''s soul will liberate its energy and you will passively absorb said energy while in the area. 2¡ã stage: Whenever you kill an opponent with this spell you will receive 75% more XP (this effect does not escalate with leve). You may triple your body''s absorption temporarily in exchange for stamina.] (Life steal, mana steal and soul break fused into this skill, which is normally possessed by vampires.) And this is a generalization of the resistance skills. [General: X resistance II - Lv 1 After constant exposure to X you have obtained a certain degree of resistance to it. 2¡ã stage: Your resistance to X is so outstanding that you have developed a immunity. It''s not perfect for now though.] 32 Now this is how you use laws He got sixteen level ups just from that guy alone, and here is the reason. [You have killed Murakami Yoshida - Vampire Duke Lv 442/ Martial ancestor Lv 401. For killing an opponent 310 levels above your own you will receive bonus XP.] Anything can be killed if you try hard enough. Seriously though, this guy was useless. While the vampire job can level up from living a long life and eating, his class evolution for level 200 was the most common. Not like it is a weak class, it''s just that all the others on the martial path would laugh at him for only using his physic while on such level. I mean, at that point this guy could only use Chi attacks up to five hundred meters. That''s a tenth of what is expected of him. While you may say that is plot armor, do you really think all reincarnators would know that vampires have a high chance to develop emotional afflictions much more easily than other species because of how their biology works and that would cause his furthering of the martial path to be a very long and grind filled one even when compared to others. Long story short, certain human clans turned to hunt and rob the magic of a certain predator then infuse it to their biology to better survive. Vampires are born. Everyone has a problem with their temperament. While vampires have many good things on them, their weaknesses are what make them a failed product and also something others can copy. It''s like that, the lower the blood purity, the more it will try and cause harm to the body. The effect doesn''t need the bargest''s blood anymore, since it has been in crusted as a curse and remade in plenty of ways. That''s why vampires are such asses. The licantropes are another in the same way, but theirs is that a curse actually changes their biology into followers of a very high class wolf. By the way, in such cases, the lowest casts are not that different from zombies and grouped together as ferals, not together with their intelligent counter parts. Yes, I am mumbling such trivia mainly because it is not very opportune to make a cut right now and the way to the capital of magic is pretty boring at the moment. Luckily the mountains were very close to it, so they reached it an hour or so before the gates closed. As for the line¡­ there was none. This place is known as the capital of magic for hell sake, of course they don''t have problems checking people in. They were most definitely stopped at the gate though. -Halt! Those that have angered the gods are not allowed in so easily, you need¡­ -To pass some tests, right? Well, I also know that you guys need to check the magic potential of everyone entering your cities, and on that quote, anyone that has a sage level is allowed in no matter what crimes they have committed. I also know you need to do that before the tests to determine which level of difficulty it is fair to apply, so please, let''s proceed. Aki said while using some magic to skip all that nagging. -Eh, certainly¡­ said the charmed men. Them it happened. A large, condensed fireball went in Aki and company''s direction. He didn''t panic and caused a vacuum in the fire''s trajectory. It wasn''t like he could take all the air out of an open space, but he sure as hell can saturate an area with a specific kind of element or take it out. Luckily carbon and oxygen are still part of this planet''s atmosphere. The colors all around are basically the same, so what else did you expect? -Too amateurish. Keep walking everyone. Aki said and threw some normal daggers up to the sky. That was to take the lighting tempest that was starting to happen. While that wasn''t a permanent solution, it sure did buy him enough time to erect two iron pillars from the ground. That certainly wasn''t all, but Aki made a void shield around everyone, including the death roll convict pretending to be an official, and the laser beans, cold breath and cursed metal were all stopped The theory was quite simple, you use mana crumbles to direct the elements in a way that they will be repulse each other but be attracted to anything else attacking. The stability can be maintained by using certain layers of weaker shields with the same kind of thing, but this was used the result mainly because void naturally tries to consume other things, while the other elements would need the use of other kind of particles to adhere better to each other each time something struck it. Sounds like bullshit, right? just know that Aki''s shields are the good kind and only some few use it like him. The moment they stepped inside the wall the attacks stopped though. The republic law actually states that they aren''t obligated help in affairs in the surrounding of their territory, in a very subtle and underlined way of saying everything but that they need to. Of course, the government doesn''t normally ignore people attacking right in front of their gates and have constant monitoring of their territory by magical means which they use to stop violence inside their borders and keep order, so crime is actually quite hard to find here. Not impossible though. -Greetings. I see you have brought the scaping criminal back. I thank you for that. Said the very japanese young man with a calm face while seated in a chair while looking at some documents. He was the only person in there. -Hello mister clone. Ya gonna apply or aptitude test or can this construct not use tools? Asked Aki while at the front of the group. -It can. I will have to ask for some¡­ I see you have the documents prepared. Then please, put your mana into this device and we can¡­ *BOOM* -I am sorry, my control slipped a little. I will pay for the damage caused of course. I have a pre-registered item officialized by republic that wasn''t even taken out of its box here, why don''t we use it. I intended to renovate it since the new model was going to be launched and i needed to obtain a new officialization for it, but since such case happened now, why don''t we try it out to see if it is functioning correctly? Here''s my current documents for owning and using it though. You accidentally burned them , oh my, here''s another copy. -... And so the battle between a law student and a second year high-schooler who dreamed of being a devil lawyer ensued. At the end the hero of magic couldn''t even get a hair out of this maniac here. Going to an Inn wasn''t a problem, though it''s pretty obvious that they would either be rejected or the price would be escalated for some stupid reason. Thankfully Bea had come beforehand and warned the servants in the manor of this city that they would be coming. That''s why they were greeted by rows of maids and butlers saying "Welcome home, young master", which made a vein pop on Aki''s head. This was definitely Bea''s work. His beautiful sister will definitely love the cursed mirror series he was projecting for her. -You and you, come show me my room. Said the young master with a pissed look in his face. Getting to the fully golden place and with silk filled tapestry, the sound of something popping was heard by the two seemingly scared maids. It would be ok if it was just silk and gold, but how was he supposed to sleep with those drawings of him doing such grand things and staring back whenever one looked? His cursed mirrors just gained a cursed wardrobe full of frilly dresses as an assistant. Seriously, the one of him killing a dragon with his hair blown by the wind was even naked and bathing in it''s blood while being worshiped by lots of beautiful woman. It was also so big it was half the size of the glass doors to the veranda, which measured five meters in height. -You two, take your clothes off and wait for me while I burn these things. Five minutes later Aki finished putting the ashes and burned metal holders in his inventory. When he turned back the two maid were only on their underwear. This is the magic capital, do I really need to say there''s normal underwear here? With normal I mean bras and panties, of course. Without changing his expression and wordlessly put his hand in the mouth of the one in the left and pierced the right one''s chest, again with his hand. After taking a teeth out of one of them and a round object resembling a magic core out of the other, he stored both and got a dagger he used to stab in the air above the assassin, regenerated the homunculi and binded both of them. At the start they screamed, but after a while the assassin got serious and the homunculi just turned apatic. -Now we can talk. I''ve seen, battled and lived with both skilled assassins and homunculi before, disguises won''t fool me. By the way, I forgot to say he binded them with mana shackles, his new active skill. Normally it''d take some time to level it up, but with him having used similar spells all this time during and out of battle¡­ [Active: Mana shackles - Lv 16 Despite what the name suggests, it is actually a myriad of sealing techniques using mana as a base. Able to incorporate any know effect into this technique at the cost of more mana.] Seriously, there should be a limit between individual differences. Is this even the same skill other mages can obtain? [Active: Mana shackles III - Lv 1 Despite what the name suggests, it contains many types of sealing techniques. 2¡ã stage: Extra effects may be imbued at double the normal cost. 3¡ã stage: Your great and skillful use of multiple sealing arts has made you able to cast sealing rituals much more easily.] It is a good skill for how basic it is, but Aki doesn''t even have the second stage and the effect of the third is technically there too. How do you think he got it to level 16 so fast otherwise? He sealed¡­ oh, I can''t say that now, can I? Back to it. -To begin with, I''d like to ask you two what you are doing here. Though I certainly understand assassins coming after me, an homunculi with auto disintegration function wasn''t something I was expecting till later. Aki said before turning to the slack faced girl. -I came to bring a message, so I inform. My master will come later and wishes to talk, as proof of his generosity he gifts this unity, so the message states. Said the Homunculi. -What is your serial number? For how long have you been conscious? Aki asked in a cold tone. -Q92 is my serial number and this one has been functioning for a week, so I inform master. -Your new name is Elizabeth, you may also be considered as Beth, Liza, Eliza and other variations of such name. Lay on the bed and find a position you feel is better for you to rest them go to sleep. That''s all for now. Then Aki turned to the assassin and looked her up and down. Black raven hair, gray eyes, sharp features, not a day above twenty, her muscles are well developed but more focused on movement ability than strength¡­ He stayed there just looking her whole body like an art piece or a very important document. For ten minutes. Then the pocket watch he set beforehand sounded an alarm and he stopped. -It seems you have all the time of the world as well, so, don''t you want to tell me why you work for whoever it is and I cover it? Protection, herbs, talent, teachers, family rescue and all the money you want, I don''t really care, I just need info. By the way, why don''t you try and break those shackles already, the other ten I prepared are going to get lonely, you know? Said Aki while flickering his fingers and revealing ten more layers of the same spell that actually only had a scratch. Yeah, Smooth movements help with stealthily doing anything. Seeing that the woman frowned. -I have sworn a vow. She said dryly. -How much can you tell me about it? Did the person in question use an object to bind said oath? -Just that there is one. I don''t know. Just kill me and¡­ aahhh¡­ Since the person was cautious enough to bind their assassin this much, the vow would do it''s magic if Aki had to get permission for searching her memory. Failure to protect an oath can only result in physical damage instead of the soul damage in intentionally breaking it. Two minutes later she stopped choking and started breathing hard and gritting her teeth waiting for the pain. It didn''t come though. When she opened her eyes what she saw baffled her enough for her to blink while thinking some kind of spell had been cast to fool her. "I am really bleeding profusely here. Arms and legs broken, blinded, mute and deaf. I lied about there only being ten layers, by the way. We''re even." said Aki on her mind. Five minutes later Aki finished overcharging himself with healing magic of all kinds. -Yeah, that was unpleasant for the part I felt anything. Beth isn''t asleep yet, so you might as well try and talk to her, just try to understand she hasn''t learned how to hold an actual conversation yet, so bear with it. You may leave the room and the manor if you want nothing to do with me after I come back, ok? 33 Truly starting in a city -So what is this about? Asked Aki while drinking coffee. -ahhh, I just can''t function without one of these in the morning. He said before asking the man and woman in front of him. -No, thank you. Dryly said the man. -My body reacts badly to stimulants, so I shall decline. Said the woman with monochromatic eyes. -I am sorry, I didn''t know. Anyway, did a murder or terrorist act happen to have a truth teller and a space magician come to my house at this time in the morning. And just so you know, if I intended to attack, I''d do so to the people waiting to intercept me outside. -It is as you say. This morning, Magus Gvon was found dead in his office by one of his servants. The autopsy says he was killed by a negatively attuned non registered spell, by a non registered assassin who was able to trespass every surveillance and barrier in the property. Does any of that ring a bell? Asked the space magician who looked tired. -Many. Mostly from histories though. I do know some people able to do exactly that, myself included, but Bea would leave some kind of message no one would forget and Cleo would explode the whole place because she lacks patience or torture the man in a fast-forward space for days. I didn''t any humans yesterday nor today. Is that enough? Aki said with patience and humor. -Did you kill anything yesterday or today? Asked the truth teller. -Mostly microscopic and non intelligent life, but a resentful ghost appeared on my basement while I was looking around the state and claimed to be the owner. He attacked me when I tried talking, so I forcefully banished his soul. Does that count? -No. I just have one more question. How did you know Magus Gvon was human? Asked the woman. Though she didn''t get the expected reaction from Aki. He just looked confusedly at her and explained. -Because I was raised in a human community with no other intelligent life forms around, so I just directly say "human" when I think of "person". Isn''t it the same for every otherworlder? And so the investigation team went out without having found a single clue that Aki did indeed kill the man. He did kill him though. It''s just that he didn''t consider the guy he killed as human or something that could be categorized as part of "anyone", so he didn''t really tell a single lie. Asking if he had been the reason why said man had turned into a corpse would simply result in him truthfully saying "No, I didn''t". Mostly because he temporarily sealed his own memory, but if they had asked instead if he had been involved in the reason for such and he hadn''t done so, he could still consider it as an uneventful thing that happened because destiny plated it and he had no choice, so it would also be the truth to say no. Very hypocritical, right? Tell that to the people who can do that without magically hypnotising themselves in the mirror. Or can look perfectly normal while hypnotized. Of course, the old geezers working in the country know of such trick, they just didn''t expect Aki to know of it or were simply probing without expecting anything. The opinions differed. The hero of magic didn''t really think the politicians would so easily find a scapegoat to try and assassinate Aki, but he had not doubts about the real situation and continued to practice. He didn''t expect Aki to already be watching him. Who in hell would around randomly for slightly strange feedback in the underground? Worse, they''d need to somehow open this subspace and not be texted. Truthfully Aki couldn''t do the second part, but hell if he couldn''t look something with a similar feedback and get inside with the physical realm version. He didn''t even have to ask Cleo for help, since the place was the deepest level of the country''s library, to which Aki had access till the one before the mentioned. It only took a little ritual for Aki to summon a demon that could go through the magical lock and give him feedback to what the hero was doing. That also meant partial access to all the content in that room, but Aki always had full access to it. You think Cleo didn''t have the same idea as him? She fucking copied EVERY book! She was too lazy to order a copy of the books in the other floors though, so when Aki brought Guilda into the room he actually had a hard time choosing what to read. The champion of blood was still forced into reading a mountain of books though. From force magic to blood magic, there were just too many subjects which Aki couldn''t help her for the simple reason of lack of precise information. -When you finish call me and I will teach you about abyssal magic, abysmal magic, void magic and hell magic. Yeah, that won''t happen for at least one or two months though. He said with a sadistic smile. From her point of view only though. -I get the non elemental and corrupt books, even necromancy and light magic, but why am I studying every freaking element? She cried. -Because you are the only freaking one with an adaptability to attacks so huge! If you learn more you will be indestructible by any means except complete vaporization. He explained before flicking a finger in her forehead and going back to what he was doing. This whole conversation was being monitored, of course, but do you really think Aki would so easily admit to knowing so many illegal or never heard of before magic? ¡­ -I can''t translate shit! Said the hero of magic to the men looking around. -How did he even get a freaking working cell phone?! He screamed. -Is it really impossible even with translation magic? Asked a magister who understood how shocked the man in front of him was after seeing Aki tell Guilda to talk to him through "Bob" translator in his phone instead of talking. -The origins and the big time gap between each language makes it so that the spell has no idea how to translate it. You''d need one of those things to translate russian to portuguese and back and forth. Me having a high understanding of english was already considered very good back home, and with studying mandarin as well I never thought I''d find a language problem after learning that spell. He explained after calming down. Soul-web is so much more reliable than internet, you can find a nerd willing to work for you at a low price more than ten times faster! -We shall look into "portuguese" and "russian" in out world records then. Proceed to check what books that men wants to read and double check who had those before. Stay alert for the chance to brainwash him if it comes, but remember the country comes first! ¡­ Back home Guilda and their newest addition, Andrea, the assassin, were having a bout while Aki trained with Elizabeth. -You sure that''s the best way to raise Homunculi''s level? Asked Mina with a strange look on her face as Aki healed the silver haired girl looking pale. Silver hair, red eyes, a doll like figure and voice, yet she didn''t look pretty at all while spasming with her eyes bloodshot and veins visible under her skin. -I mean, the effect ends after about two hours and it''s not like she didn''t agree to it after I explained that it would be pain worse than she would get to experience unless fighting someone specialized in torture. She does have pain resistance at level 12, so she should know what it would be like to do the training. He explained while still healing her. It had been fifteen minutes and his mana had already hit rock bottom from the spam heals he kept casting. Granted, it wasn''t the most effective way to do it, but he really wanted the second stage of healing magic, which gives a boost to your body''s natural healing capability. Any normal healer would get +1% to their health and stamina regeneration. Aki would get four times that, and possibly more after he had another class evolution. Plus 40% effect to all healing spells. It wasn''t for nothing that healers were considered VERY precious by the whole world. If groomed correctly, a level 200 pure healer would be able to keep man alive during a battle even if their heart was pierced or their heads blown out depending of their timing. That''s how valuable they are. Imagine Aki doing something like that while supporting Guilda. It''s a broken game I tell you. Why do you think Shinji had such slow training speed with all his heroic cheats? He needed someone to keep him alive no matter what, and if the person was any more powerful than the guy who could kill Guilda in one strike, then he would need two times more monsters to kill every twenty levels of difference even if the guy was just watching from afar. The system has rules to be followed after all, and trains are a nono. Why did Aki and Guilda get normal XP while at Cleo''s house them? They actually got a lot less than normal, but that was because of their advantages that allowed than to ignore levels and reduced the targets treat. You really thought Cleo would save someone who couldn''t even kill opponents they had huge advantages over? Get out. Granted they got hurt a lot, but still. -Fucking did it! He said while throwing his arms to the sky. -Now I can also get enchanting to the next level and not have to stay continuously healing her so¡­ his excitement died when he was getting to the end. She wasn''t the only one who would be going through a hellish training. After some very intense beating by Bea, who teleported over on Aki''s request, this is the result. [General: Healing magic II - Lv 1 Indicates your degree of mastery in using magic to heal. 2¡ã stage: Your talent and perseverance in the art of healing has changed your body. +1% (4% after bonuses) to your health and Stamina regeneration. 10% (40% after bonuses) more effect to all healing (this effect does not escalate with leve).] [General: Enchanting II - Lv 1 Indicates your degree of mastery in infusing magic. 2¡ã stage: Your talent and perseverance have granted you great knowledge and experience. 10% (40% after bonuses) more effectiveness to any spell (this effect does not escalate with leve).] [General: X magic II - Lv 1 Indicates your degree of mastery in using lighting magic. 2¡ã stage: Your talent and perseverance have led you to great knowledge and experience. Your affinity to X is elevated to another level. 10% (40% after bonuses) more effective to all X spells and techniques (this effect does not escalate with leve).] X equaling lightning in this case. Not thunder. The thingy about affinity made sure of that. There are more versions of one skills than you can imagine, really. There''s no difference besides power in this one though. Even with the name suggesting otherwise, it is not about using sound or light, but electricity. While the normal level/power distribution might make not seem so, affinities can make a huge difference. Keeping to the example, it could be like the difference between a negatively charged and a positively charged lightning bolt, aka ten times the power. That''d be between the first and last and you''d be hard pressed to find someone so weak in any element but still alive, that''d be too unbalanced. Though you''d be hard pressed to find constant example of such, even a difference of fifty percent more power is huge, imagine it when compared with a specialized class'' bonuses. 34 Anything can be a threat if youre sinnic enough. -You have improved since last time. Said an expressionless Bea. Though she was using her mask, it was still obvious what was behind it. "Yeah, I almost regret calling you because of that. How did you even saturate the area with mana? Was Beth watching that?" -If you mean the homunculi, than yes, she''s been watching after the first half. If that is all I shaw go back home. You have no more crippling injuries after all. She said and raised herself from the ground. Aki wasn''t looking much different than the day before when he took the backlash from Andrea''s vow for her. Except the various cuts all over his body which made him look even more like meat that just got out of the grinder. What? Did you think Mi was the only reason he so easily got pain resistance to the second stage? "JUST YOU WAIT FOR MY PAY BACK! YOUR GONNA LOVE IT!" He had to spread his mental waves a lot for her to hear that since she had already teleported to the door, so it kind of sounded like he was screaming. Technically because he was, but anyway. -Does that normally happen? Asked the assassin. -Yeah. He is a masochist, but I don''t think that has much to do with that much pain happening. More like he is a training freak? We both like battling so I guess I can understand that much, but oh well¡­ Shrugged Guilda. -This experience was very informative, so I report. Said the still pale girl who had been training her biology itself, thing actually necessary to make her evolve. You see, Beth is not a complete homunculi. That means she has a expiration date and won''t be able to develop a proper conscience. Luckily Aki knew how to, theoretically, fix that even before knowing Chris, because the creation of homunculi is a prohibited art. Frowned upon even more than necromancy. So, later, everyone thought it strange that she sat on table. Andrea too was invited and no one asked anything, but it was strange that the silver haired girl wasn''t served anything but water. -I know you like to be mean, but is that necessary? Asked Guilda in english. -She can''t digest solid food and we can''t have her vomit the other plates before her body starts to try to do so. She will only get served light soup and Andrea will get a lot of meat, while I will simply look like a bastard who has a strange taste. Answered Aki after gulping down. The government couldn''t legally nor illegally spy inside the house by magical means, but they could always have infiltrated spy with detached memories of a robbery. Whatever happens to those already screened through is none of Cleo''s business. More like she is too lazy to do something like that without compensation. A scrooge to the bone, that woman. It''s true that it would be bothersome though. One of the reasons why Aki, Andrea and Guilda are the only ones watching as Elizabeth is submerged in a pool of liquid silver with strange deformities here and there. In case you actually didn''t read it that far yet or simply didn''t care to look for, this is a metal called soul silver. Long story short, one of Aki''s idols had large amounts of mana and a spell to make time go faster for materials, so he ended up infusing his elementarily saturated mana into the metal and started mass producing magic metals. The concept is the same in the production of mithril, adamantite and orichalcum. With the exception that this metal has been infused with death saturated mana, not high density pure mana. You change one component and instead of silver turning into mithril, it turns into soul silver. Truly chemistry I can actually understand. When Aki introduced the concept to Cleo, she smacked her head and asked Chris why she never thought of that, to which her daughter politely answered: -Mon is such an airhead that you probably just forgot about it after not having to use metals for some time. I always thought you knew though. With all the rare metals I keep using and such¡­ Them Aki teaches her death magic and she actually gave in to his request. There''s no actual point system or anything, she just decides on a whim what is worth what. Aki adding another interpretation of how she saw the multiverse, astral and elemental planes, besides some new ways to use magic, enchanting and alchemy, overall gave him more than enough to whimsically live the rest of his mortal life a hundred times over. That''s how he got a poll to contain the metal, which normally enters the astral plane after forming, and such an amount. It took some time and more expensive ingredients, but hey, that''s one of the reasons why there''s not many homunculi to begin with. Now Beth is fine. May live a normal life if she wishes even, but right now she got to answer some questions from the five men legal team of mages. With "now", I mean some hours after she got her soul stabilized and adjusted to her body. Her stamina, health and mana are little. The frailty of her constitution is like that of a baby. The only good thing she has is the thinking capability of a autistic child with a drone like personality, and that is considering the fact she is five days old. -As you can see, she is harmless and the samples I gave you should indicate the person behind this. Whoever is not staying to watch me may leave now. The task force made to deal with such things didn''t have anything to say, so all but one left in the base of determining the safety of keeping Elizabeth alive. To make life from nothing is not possible. Even if Beth had a expiring date, she was still something made out of someone and a base code of characteristics. Not that different from the undead in the sense that they are the same thing from before being raised, but still not. Just easier to explain. According to investigations held by the government on her genetic material, she was a illegal slave brought in the country by a certain black company. Yeah, magic could so easily help identify people if science is applied, I know, genius right? Anyway, the records indicated that she had been acquired through flawed means by her most recent master half an year ago. After crossing the information with their data bank it was shown she most likely had been captured by said master in the middle of a conflict of the aforementioned company and an attack team from the government. While unusual, the more crafty type of individuals could acquire many things by making two forces clash, slaves included. For those that have not yet guessed, Aki is very weary of such kind of people. In the sense that he''d prefer to test the waters for what there is them to charge with shallow to no information like he normally does. He sent Andrea to scout ahead and stopped his training temporarily to look into the matter. That''s more serious than the hero of magic right now. It wasn''t that he needed urgently to train for something, so of course he''d choose to use his time to actually think and prepare, because this person obviously didn''t have good intentions from the very beginning. It also showed the person had plans for him in the next six months in case of compliance. That''s how long Beth would have to live in case she didn''t pass through an existence evolution. Which she did. While I can''t say shit about that right now, the geniuses should be able to take guesses on it already. -Sir, I know it may be presumptuous of me, but I feel I should ask if you are not afraid? Said the man who was supposed to determine Aki''s capability after they left the room Beth was resting. -Of course I am afraid. I am a living person who has a target on his back and a charming neck, why wouldn''t I be? You don''t need to look like that. You know, there''s this old saying from a far away country, "it doesn''t matter if you are afraid, but what you do with it.". Imagine you''re a little scary kid when you hear that from the mouth of a galant and kind warrior, wouldn''t that change the way you do things? Said Aki. While the real scene was much less inspiring because it was a goofy panda saying it, the dragon warrior doesn''t get his awesomeness degraded by it. C''mon, who didn''t watch at least one DreamWorks movie while growing up? Or animated series? Obviously this guy wouldn''t know shit about Pho and started formulating his own story in his head like any other person would. The people on the other side of the spying device all thought it was bullshit and some even questioned the more informed sages in position. The hero of magic, let''s just call him Ichi since that is his nickname, k? Ichi also explained that Aki had most likely just heard that from somewhere and told them a little about TVs. What followed was the unknowing agent showing the inside of the mansion to the government, which allowed them to notice the place was an undercovered fortress. -All the blind spots have obvious traps with a wide range and unknown effect, only the doors seem to not have some kind of mechanism, but from the rest that should be a feint. Said a magus with sweat on his forehead and bulging eyes. -Don''t let these looks fool you all, he could have just put down some useless magical structures and¡­ Ichi tried to say, but¡­ The screams came first, them the shrieks and finally the sound of rapid moving contraptions. As Aki calmed the special agent he guided him to the kitchen, where they found a scared maid and a charred corpse. -As you all can see, my house is heavily guarded at all times, but it also will not hurt my allies, now if excuse me. Said the host to the people behind the screen before going to the shocked maid with tears in her eyes and saying some sweet words while guiding her to the infirmary. -Young master, it is not necessary to personally oversee to the likes¡­ tried to say the wobbly girl. She was pretty sure, but was most definitely not a beauty and actually contracted because of her skills. -You don''t even know of what I am a "young master". Just think of it as a boss making sure his employees work correctly, and for that I will take you to the infirmary so you can take a nap and calm down. No one shaw do you wrong while under my protection, you hear? And he smiled sweetly at her. The agent got the impression of a carrying person from this, he had plenty of work on determining lies after all. Even with his slight suspicion on why a thief would try to invade the mansion while he was here, their tour had been more than hour long and he''d be staying for two or three days, so he didn''t put much mind to it for the moment. The old geezers on the other side noticed that was a play directed at them though. -That man was still alive. His chest was going up and down slightly. He was also not only burnt. I don''t think I can actually fix an injury like that without a two or four hour long operation. Said a grin looking old man in the square table. The translation of that to medic knowledge of the 21st century, is that the best choice would be to kill the man that moment to end his suffering, for there was nothing to be done. -He has presented us all with a good play. We must show some results as thanks. Said Ichi. 35 The not so correctly adopted children and their psicotic kidnapper Two days later Aki finally went to the Congress. While this is a republic, it is also a magic oriented society, so plenty of the seats on politics are held by men and women with high knowledge of that area. As a form of convenience, at least you can say so, the Congress is both a place of reunion for those in the work of the law as it is for the judgment of new magic and theory. In fully different rooms, sessions, and officials, of course. Today Aki is giving his first real step in the political field of this nation. For that he put a suit, fully combed his hair back and got some magic glasses while wearing a full bloom smile. -To think that when I was small i thought I''d never be able to look hot with these on. Aki murmured and raised his glasses before proudly walking through the giant doors with people that would judge him and his work. After he walked in, an old stern man looked him up and down before announcing his thesis to the room with twenty other magus. This will be pure magical nerdiness being spouted back and forth for a while. You might just skip it if you want, but the content is somewhat relevant. -Appliance number 205, presented by mage Aki, the creator of the presented theory. You may begin. All present mages had a preview on their tables, so he didn''t need to say much, just wait for the goggles on everyone''s faces to do their magic. -Thank you sir. As some of you dear Jury might have noted I have many theories to be judged, otherwise I''d have come sooner, but let''s not waste more time. -My first theory to be judged is "using racial skills while not changing your race" in a totally legal way, of course. Let me say that most races actually have those and they have disadvantages too, which means humans don''t have them by the laws of RPG, and that blood magicians can use certain catalyst to get a similar result by sacrificing a part of said race. -My technique does involve blood though. The idea behind it is simple. "if all races have some kind of similarity in their biology, then their magic circuitry may also present the same case." Some raised their browns to that. -While this may sound like some glorified trap for demi-humans, this technique is much more effective on non-humans, and with that I mean that a cat-kin could more easily utilize a leopard, wolf, whatever agile trait you wish, better than us boorish humans. While that may prove to hinder some of the strength and endurance based¡­ -Mage Aki, we haven''t seen any proof of possible application of said technique. While the described circuits are indeed complex and would enable for high level imitation of skill, it still lacks the part that would be copied. I don''t see how this could work out of theory, so I''d suggest you''d please spare our time and skip to your next theory. Said an old woman with a lazy look. While this was certainly something to undermine his confidence, it was definitely true. These bunch had seen too many idiots who didn''t actually see the big picture and would try to use the congress to look into one or other mystery. Aki did sure get red though. -Oh, yes, you''re right, excuse me, I don''t know what was on my mind. He mumbled various excuses while going to the door, some looked at each other while thinking "is this it?" -Guilda! Some fucker didn''t get the right papers here! You''re gonna need to stop ogling Tina in that suit and come help me with the copies I left with you! While there sure as hell was a magic thingy to call his partner and currently unwilling secretary for this, he was quite embarrassed at the moment and wanted to curse. Some more impossible to understand screams later, the ginger in a long formal skirt and white blouse came while carrying a cart full of documents. She grumbled while putting a pile of papers next to Aki and he started to "digitalize" the information so the jury could better grasp it. When it reached then, the same old lady from before screamed. -This! Are these what I think? If you are found to try and lie to me now the president himself will come to put you under the law''s punishment. *BAMN* Answer me Mage Aki. She was steric already, really. -It is exactly what you think magus Yelah. These are the magical circuitry of over fifty especies. Twenty known to have intelligence. Subspecies and variants not included, I am afraid only the God of magic would be able to get that. Aki calmly said, as if his former embarrassment never happened. -Some of you may think it is preposterous of me to think of having finished to map fifty whole systems, it is a fact that it was not I who found such knowledge, but the elves. That would be right really, Aki only did thirty seven of those. It was his first time meeting Arthur and it will be discussed later, but for now let me skip all the bullshit he had about having come into contact with a elven minister (true), who offered a deal to him in order to further the knowledge around the world and better the diplomacy between those creepy shut-ins and the humans, after all, who lives in the mountains and forests but keeps such skin, hair, all that perfect bods¡­ -And with such I conclude my presentation for the use of a new high level technique, with major implications in most know fields, by doing a demonstration of its power. -This is a fireball done with the normal amount of magic and without influence from external buffs. He said while summoning a ball of fire the size of a fist. -This is my norm as an individual with high magic talent and double the effect on fire spells. He summoned the same thing, but it was as big as his torso. (around 60 cm) -This is what happens if I use an elder salamander''s fire affinity and a nightmare''s control over magic bodies. This time, a two meter tall rotating ball of condensed fire appeared and the jury could feel the heat of something that would melt a person from up close while on their seats. That only lasted for three seconds, but still. -I am sorry, even though I made the technique I am currently unable to use it at my will for lack of power, but if a level 200 tries to learn it they should receive a good boost to their strength. That is technically a lie, since he can''t actually use only just this technique. He has other two with better results that are also easier to handle. He just happened to be able to create this still very useful deteriorated version. He needs benefits, but not that bad he''d give the government something they''d most be likely to spend months pondering over. Yeah, the judging gave him the chance to be promoted to Maister, all right? So let me go to how he met Arthur, the high elf. ¡­ -Oh, so that''s my new brother! Why don''t we spar sometime? You need some advice with the ladies? I heard you were an otherworlder so there''s nothing to be ashamed of, I could even present you to some friends of mine if you''re having too much trouble. The guy who measured exact six feet tall, had a lean body with solid muscles, sharp and clean features, pointed hears, green spiked hair and green eyes, looked exactly like an insufferable older brother from anime. So Aki obviously had to hand his ass to him for the frustration this han¡­ elf, had caused to him. -Light exercise before eating can always open the appetite, right brother? Asked a smiling Aki. -Um. Murmured the elf, still pale from what he''d seen. Determined to never give fifteen minutes for Aki to prepare before their battle and say he''d cover all the costs again. That wasn''t a battle. That was something¡­ terrifying. While taking some turkey for himself, Aki tried to actually know Cleo''s second child. By the way, Bea is the oldest and first child, Arthur the second and Chris the third. Strangely enough, Aki is the only one that was forced into being her child. One didn''t care, the other begged her and Chris has been with her since she was two because her parents passed away and her first caretaker found out she was a demon-kin. -So, how is being the elven crown prince? Innocently asked Aki. -Not really a fun thing to do. Drily said the man in question. -Let me guess, your birth mother is a controlative bitch that only pays attention to her own shit, hates all "lower" races of elves, has the council of the tree at her palm and considers all other races as unworthy of existing as even slaves? He asked and stuffed the mouth with three different kinds of meat. Arthur was silent for a moment, then he looked at Cleo and saw her shrug, turning back to Aki he asked: -Newest story about elven queens? To which he got a nod. -All true. You have anything to kill those? He asked with a straight face. -It depends. Does she prefer males or fe¡­ both uh? Yeah, you see, I don''t know if the current champion has it, but there''s this ability called "lust", it makes you more fuckble and its very addictive. One taste and you will want it for¡­ well, you can pass through the old way of anti-drug addiction, sure, but I don''t think she would try it before you can trap her. -I''d rather not hand over a crazy person with a lot of power to yet another unknown person, sorry. Said the Prince while the three women at the dining table all paid attention to their talk with a serious face. -Yeah, I was going to suggest you use it yourself in that case. I can actually copy the magical structure of it if given the chance and make a spell with similar if not the same effect. To that Arthur choked on his food and had to drink water. -I am not getting near that woman, ever again! Sorry, sorry. I lost my cool. What do you want for the spell? Asked the prince while breathing heavily after punching the VERY hard table. -I am actually very interested in enchanting, so I could also give you something with the same effect but that would also get a hidden message to her brain. Like a compulsion to walk in an exact spot of the garden undisturbed for ten or fifteen minutes every monday or something. -She already does a sacrificial **** of slaves there every monday. Replied the Prince with a straight face. (the corrector was censoring my words, so I censored it!) Aki held his palms together in front of his face and breathed in hard. -Boy! That''s some heavy shit. Let me tell you of something that will kill her even faster than. There''s this spell for¡­ does she wear something to protect her against the attack of souls summoned right next to her? -Yes. -Does she drink tea regularly? -Yes. -Does her toilet¡­ -Yes. -Dragons? -She fears then. -Buy one of mama''s dragon eggs and I will be able to give you a dragon''s mana signature and structure. This time Arthur wasn''t the only one surprised by his claims. Cleo threw the milk she was drinking, Chris eyes sparkled and Bea froze. -If you can do that then I will just give it to you! Even I want one of those. Exclaimed Cleo while dripping milk from her face. -Can''t you kill dragons with your bare hands? Why do you need their spell formulae to use world magic? Asked a confused Aki. -Of course I can dumbass! It just doesn''t have the same effectiveness and it is not even feasible in a fight. She exclaimed. -Ok, then if you could show us the way to the vau¡­ k, you can teleport things here. Let''s go to a open place and grow the egg into an adult dragon. Suffice to say that dragon meat is delicious and Aki had to butcher it for a whole day before getting the actual system from it mapped out. The idea behind it is like that of finding out about the insides of a planet, with waves. First you make the mana length very similar to that of your target, than you keep pounding waves of energy inside of it and you should have a rough idea of what the mana channels inside said body are like. Please keep in mind that can only be correctly done while said target is alife. The really difficult part is actually turning that rough idea into a real map. But Aki used a mapping spell and printing spell to instantly get the lines out. That also resulted in acquiring the biology chart of a artificially grown dragon, but that is just a plus. Anyway, just a rough sketching isn''t enough to know how the mana works inside a body, so there is a need to keep repeating the process and leaving it to be analyzed by professionals in the area to make the finer details fixed. Aka, Cleo and Chris. While this may sound like a cheat, do you really think he will be able to use this shit before level 500?! Aki actually traded it for 5000 maps though. Those he can use. It also fells good to smack the hundreds of years of meticulous searching and pondering that were needed to get these maps done and to have a quarter of the elven research in an area in their pocket spaces. He had some other from Cleo''s library, but still. 36 The raising tower. Back to the present, Aki presented some other new ways of using already known magic and proposed a new map of the elemental planes. That is related to other kind of magic, one that asks for help from the powers of the elements, not really important right now. While being the medium of the transmission of knowledge between humans and elves and being the first to make the trait copying spell gives some points, it''s not like he presented information obtained by himself alone, so it was not enough to get him the title of maister. The new elemental plane map actually gave the same amount of contribution to it, but it was all necessary. It did go halfway through and that was exactly what he needed to get it. It''s not like he could publish his research his research on souls and sociology is regarded as an entirely different field, so before this "random monthly family reunion" Aki had no way of getting it before¡­ somethings happened. -So I can go back? Asked a marveled Guilda. -Al contrair! It means that we will get you to be leveled to 200 faster so we can set you as a the major example I can use to get us a tower. That made Guilda''s face darken and she even wanted to push him for making her so excited. -But! After we set a self sufficient tower of demonology we will be free of this conflict and only need to participate on the final battle. Or get a bonus if we cooperate further. And that made Guilda go all the way back up. Seriously, she should look into these mood swings, or whatever you want to call being so gullible as. Anyway, it was now, or more like fifteen minutes later, that these two really started their "crusade" of one man and woman. OK, what the fuck was that sentence just now?! Those fuckers literally went to look for entrance to the Grand magical academy and studying, quite obvious which was done by each fucker. You see, one of the reasons it was supposed to take longer for them to make this tower, is that each tower needs at least a hundred apprentices. The resources and teachers for said students would not be a problem to obtain, but actually receiving applications would be impossible. Unless Aki went to convince those innocent children with unexploited potential, of course. Thankfully maisters can''t be denied access to educational and scholarly facilities. They also receive some political power together with some rights and responsibilities, even though the title could be revoked and/or thrown away. That is why Aki is now fervently arguing with some maguses while being expectated by some mages and apprentices. -Do you think leaving idiots with the power to conjure flames that can melt skin off around is a good idea then? Aki berated one of the old man. -Fire doesn''t have a consciousness to tell it to directly cause caos and havoc all the time. A magus who was obviously a fire mage retorted. -And how do you think the rest of nature reacts to fire, genius!? Besides, it is the essence of magic to command and shape the energies of the arcane while giving it a meaning and direction, why would it be any different from any summon with natural instincts to feed? Aki gave yet another point to ponder over. -Summons naturally need their contractors if they wish to show their powers and won''t be able to break rules if ordered to. Demons can do all that plus killing their caller in the most unex... A man with sagely appearance tried to say. *THUNK* -Why do you think I brought this mountain of books then? To have them used as toilet paper? I need masters that will disseminate the art through generations, not corpses. Getting a hundred of the former is so hard we will offer twice the normal resources to all of those able to pass the six months try and five to those that can summon their own demon. You thought this was plot armor, but it was Aki! Using mind magic on the tea the teachers drink to make them impulsive to debate. That impulse is already high on mages, so it was not that hard to get a troupe of screaming old man to come and give him the best opportunity to present demons to the students around the canteen. At the time of the discussion, 10k of students were on break. While obviously not everyone would stop to listen and even less would go around spilling the beans, you really think Aki can''t use magic for that either? He could, but instead he chose the even more direct approach. Hot stuff being carried by hot stuff. The direct translation would be: succubus walking around with trays of food that would help develop your magic talent, affinities and restore mana. It also tastes good by the way. Every now and then you could see a succubus sitting on someone''s lap and kissing them or someone sitting on their lap while being fed. Women too. While the security guards would certainly not approve of such acts in the school premises, whenever one tried to intervene he or she would be approached and diverted by yet another succubus. Of course, it wasn''t just that kind of show. There were battle rings where you could pay the entrance fee and would be allowed to compete against a fiend. Whoever won would receive ten times the bet money. There was also a place to ask questions and yet another betting place where you could try and best beholders with your knowledge. The same results applied. Hellhound were being showcased over races, combat and petting, while stalkers were shown through their web, a product with very good mana conductivity and durability. At the end, there were thousands of applications. Thousands of tests later, a third of the candidates were admitted for the probatio period. ¡­ -So what now? Asked Guilda with a serious look on her face while looking at the full seminar. Students from their fifteen to twenties in front of her awaiting for their words. And more -Watch and think of something to say that is short. Aki said and walked to the front Hitting a little hammer in the wood, Aki made the whole room fall silent and waited a little before starting. -I will say this now, but if you believe that just because you passed the first test you are qualified to stay here, know now that we only need two hundred good students, not one more. If you think you can buy your way up, than you''re right though. It is just going to cost a lot. Don''t get me wrong, this isn''t corruption, it''s demonology. Greed is powerful after all, but I shall warn all those fed with gold spoons since birth¡­ Aki started smiling and some people were shocked, for he was being covered in gold from head to toe and it was spreading to the stage. - You may not be ready to pay the price even if you sell your soul while in the way for power. His voice was deeper and reverberating as if it was an echo and not something out of a human''s body. Fear and shock appeared on the face of those that thought this was a simple magic trick. After all, how could they not fear for their life when a terrifying beast showed it''s fangs and stared them down with obvious hunger? *Ssshhhh* That was when the sizzling sound came. Thanks to Aki''s mind magic, everyone knew that was the sound of the gold melting. -I am sorry, it''s an effect from a newly advanced skill I got this very morning. As compensation, please feel free to get some of gold I made. Remember kids, as the vice-headmaster, I know of everything happening in the tower I helped found. My advice is perseverance and ambition put together by carefulness. No benefits are worth it if you die for them. That is all from my part, now, applaud our beautiful headmaster as she says some words for the founding of the tower. No one dared to not clap the loudest possible. When Guilda came up though, she had to ask for silence like she was the president because of the volume. I may have forgotten -Test, test. Hello everyone, I am Headmaster Turley and would like to express my happiness about the inauguration of my own tower. This wouldn''t be possible without dedication, talent, luck and the help from various marvelous people. While I may enter in history as one of the youngest to accomplish such feat, I''d also like to leave behind the memory of someone who actually helped society and not just a pawn of some greater force. That, actually made Aki laugh his ass off over the place people couldn''t see him, for he understood that she was taking such speech from someone else or just from the baseline. And also because that was a perfect way to put how a school of demonology should be. The shorter version of what she ended up saying is something like this: "We are not good or evil, just mages. This is school with many responsibilities for the practicer, so it''s use will be restricted. It is you who press the button, not you that are pressed by the button. Demons are summoned to serve. A warlock is responsible for their demon. Etcetera." The fun part is that she obviously demonstrated to be new at this and talked some meaningless things during the speech for the simple act of buying more to to think on what to say. She had spent so much time doing all the paperwork and dealing with legal stuff that the whole day she had to prepare was spent on it instead of thinking of other things. After all, no matter how many demon assistants they summoned, she had to take a great part of the decisions and make sure everything was working. Aki was functioning like a computer server while at that just to allow for the processing of all the documents. It wouldn''t be too surprising if some holograms appeared around him and he started spouting technical shit. The reason for all this was quite simple really. They had two options, either get the tower ready by today or do it six months later. While Aki can certainly guarantee that the hero of diligence would be useless for some more time, it would be impossible if he somehow found a time distorting treasure or some grinding spot perfect for mages, which he was quite sure was coming. That actually caused an excellent impression on the young mages watching over the transmission magic tool at the end though. The general population only actually understood that a new tower had been created and that it''s headmaster was a very young woman. Though the opinions were divided, the tower was overall seen in a good light and demons were yet to be judged. This is a republic after all, they preach equality all around. The tower of necromancy and the dark related attributes are accepted for the same reason. While they may sound like something that can only cause death and destruction at first sight, those were the towers responsible for finding the cure to many diseases, finding the weaknesses of the dark forces and furthering the non magical field of medicine since their founding. The government couldn''t do more than spread rumors all around exactly because they''d open ground for questioning on themselves. That wasn''t so effective, after all, they''re dealing with Aki. While demons are certainly a disposable fighting force, they''re also huge spenders, incapable of committing most crimes. Stalkers can produce high quality materials, beholders ate floating libraries, devils are excellent secretaries, hellhounds are very good as pets/bodyguards, fiends spend a great deal of their time looking for something to fight and allow for more monsters materials to flow in the market, succubi¡­ djinns are perfect to look for metal veins, devourers can dig while eating rocks, so on so forth. That''s why Aki had no problem with having a marathon of series over Sara''s with her wife and Mi after getting everything done. Well, it took 18 hours for something to happen and get them off the state of not even winking in front of the TV screen. By the way, it''s been two weeks of training full of doping in elixirs before he came here. 37 Seizing the first and mages. -You mean this is what a dungeon looks like when it''s getting born? Asked Guilda to no one in particular while looking at the pounding mass of unidentified flesh on the ground. -Wow, that''s not pretty. Said Aki from behind Guilda. Most people present were pointing something at him after he suddenly appeared out of nowhere, but seeing who it was everyone decided to reserve the "miss fire" for later. -We all said something similar the first time seeing it. Said the president. You see, for a dungeon this big to appear fifteen minutes away from their capital''s walls, obviously everyone of importance would come. Though they did try to delay Guilda, and because of that she was the forth to appear with her bodyguards. -Mister president, this is the first time that us, the demonology tower, participate in the appraisal of the newborn dungeon. Is there something specific we should do? Besides helping in the ritual, of course. Asked Aki with a smile after all towers were present. -This time there is no need for an appraisal ritual. Hero Ichi has received an oracle about this dungeon. We are here only to secure it''s location. The president announced. -This is a Trial of gods dungeon! While the first part of what he said shocked some representatives, the second part actually made them all flabbergasted. I don''t really have to tell you those are super rare, hard as fuck and have huge rewards inside. The important thing is that these only appear in times when heroes are needed. And they turn into easier dungeons after being cleared once, so normal strong people can get in. This was the thing that made Aki fasten up everything he was doing and get it ready before this. He really wanted to be one of the first people to dive into the fourteen dungeons summoned for the heroes. Thing is, all anti-heroes'' dungeons are in hell, so it''s safe to say they are going to stay dormant and inaccessible until a champion appears and turns it on. Thankfully Guilda is also able to activate this dungeon. Not like she knew before Aki told her to touch it and a bright light came from it after she did so. After that, Aki took her hand and went inside before anyone could shout at than asking what the fuck were they doing. They were totally on their own rights after all. There was an oracle saying this dungeon was for the champions and their comrades, which would actually include these two. -What happened? Ichi was immediately teleported out of his training grounds by the president the moment the blinding light appeared. -Headmaster Turley touched the dungeon spawn and it sprung to life. I couldn''t see anything nor I am capable of identifying if one of then cast a spell to get in with all this mana around. Reported the old man with a cold expression. -I shaw ask what happened to Misdaqui sama. The hero nodded and closed his eyes while trying to pray. "Ichi kun, is there a problem with the riddle at the entrance? I am sorry, but I can''t tell you about it. Nothing but that you should actively look for those and solve them." "Misdaqui sama, It isn''t me who got inside the dungeon. Would it really be impossible to get another champion inside?" "WHAT!? What was the president doing?! Didn''t you properly tell him to get them away from the dungeon?" The god was irated. "We were in the process of telling them we didn''t know when the dungeon would open, but it seems The berserker woman touched the spawn and the dungeon sprung awake. Did the demons use something to copy the Holy champion''s entry or something?" Asked the worried Hero. "What are you talking about? I told you the dungeon would open for "ANY" champion and that they shouldn''t get near it or they may get in before you and the counter measure will activate, so we''d have to kill them after they get to a public area." The indignant god exclaimed. "Yes, but what¡­ M¡­ Misdaqui sama, could it be that there''s no difference between any champions?" Stuttered out the hero. "Isn''t that¡­" In his divine space, the god of magic noticed his misunderstanding. Humans like to think they''re special, so when you get a select group of them, tell them their heroes and they have to fight against other humans who are trying to spread chaos through the world, of course they''d think they are the absolute good and the other side is another thing entirely. "... I am sorry kiddo, I totally forgot the you don''t know how this works." Don''t even mention the other champions, Aki is the only fucker that simply went and experimented successfully with the soul and elemental realms till now. ¡­ -... A little to the left and done. UHUUU! It''s a fucking spell glove of artifact grade¡­ AND IT''S PART OF A SET!!?!! Yeah, Aki couldn''t be happier about having robbed the dungeons first entry. This one even had a game like thingy of scaling the monster level with yours and offering danger of similar level to the floor. With that comes a corresponding amount of rewards, of course. That''s how dungeons work after all. Oh, how the God of magic wishes he could intervene with the dungeon right now instead of just leaving it to a higher spirit. Again, rules of the world. [Magi''s hand: Once used by the current god of magic, it has been modified by many craftsman and absorbed the residual essence of many great beings. High mana conductivity. High mana storage (0/10.000). Five gem slots for up to peak class capacity. Set effect status: locked] By the way here''s a comparison to Aki''s glove right now and what a combat magistrate uses as their glove in general. [Demon''s hand: Infused with the souls of many monsters and bloodied by many more. High mana conductivity. Medium mana storage (3.000/3.000). Two gem slots for up to high class capacity.] [Magister''s pride: A long time companion of a proud man who kept to this as part of him by constantly upgrading it. High mana conductivity. Medium mana storage (5.000/5.000). One gem slot for up to high class capacity.] Depending of how you see it, either one could be better, but it is to say that Aki''s monster hunter equipment isn''t far behind the real high class mages. As for these classification I keep spouting, it is quite simple really. A mage is someone who started their path in magic but haven''t really reached the right mastery in any schools or elements. Generally between level 10-200, but if you can pass the test for the title before, then you''re just that much of a genius. A magus is a great achiever in the arcane arts and has reached considerable mastery and cynergi between two schools and acquired experience in the use of the elements they are proficient at. You can be considered one after passing a test or achieving the class evolution at 200, because sometimes it doesn''t happen the moment you reach the level requirement. Magisters are the hardest to explain since there''s no test for it nor a drawn out line for when you reach the level. While you certainly aren''t a Magister before level 200 nor after level 500, it''s hard to know if you will even reach the required power by simply leveling up. If you can''t get to Magister, then you won''t be able to get further down the line of magic and instead end up in another completely different way of using the arcane, like turning yourself into an elemental or something. Anyway, a Magister is someone who can use the elements they are not gifted at and skilfully utilize three or more schools of spells. Ironically, Magi are the simplest to describe. You need to use all elements with a certain degree of power and use all schools with cinergized mastery. Does that sound like Aki? Well, good you''re paying attention so far. As you might have noticed, it is not easy to train magic by normal means, you have to be creative, precise and focused. That is why no matter how much of a genius or cheater you are, it takes time to get powerful. People have been trying to circle that forever by now, and one of the ways they''ve found to getting better with certainty, is to train from the beginning with more than one element and school as the focus. It makes it harder to progress, sure, that''s why only the geniuses use such methods, but those are nothing compared to the path of a Paragon. While the title may strike a fancy, it is one reserved for those who either have huge talent never seen before or lots of resources and an equal affinity to everything arcane related. Guess who choose that one? It might seem like a stupid choice, but it is also a fact that paragons can defeat opponents way higher level than themselves and are also very proficient at handling mana in general because of how they train. Great examples of that are the highly varied monsters all around the floor, who have been defeated by the use of their opposing elements. By the way, the only reason these were left behind is because of their bad condition. It continued like they reached the third floor. By the way, for each floor there is an increase of five levels based on the highest leveled person. For now. -So for each wrong question we get there will be a higher difficulty in the boss in the next room? Guilda tried to assure. -Well yeah, that or one of us has to jerk a certain number of dicks and the number of questions answered wrong would be the number elevating 2. I am more inclined to believe the first option, but otherwise the fun is all yours. Said Aki while skimming over a tablet of stone with an old language he not so coincidentally read about. Seriously, can you believe Cleo can make potions that will temporarily make your brain keep the knowledge over a specific language after being ingested? She wasn''t the one to invent it, really. It just so happens that she is one of the few people who are resourceful enough to manufacture these. Everyone knows the recipe, but it is just not that useful unless you want to study certain old scriptures or ruins. In which case, you guessed, the people doing it are either in the country level of power or don''t have the money to buy this shit. Aki has a whole week worth of these for ten languages. In various bottles. You know, I''m feeling sleepy, maybe I should take a nap. This room is not that important after all. 38 Roaches. Uhm? What? They got to the fifth floor and I can''t sleep through the combat with the giant horde of undead? K. -The moment we step outside this safe zone the undead are going to attack, and by my magic''s feedback, there should be twenty something stronger beings who are likely to summon more undead or resurrect the already defeated one''s if I know what I am doing. Aki explained. -And how the fuck am I supposed to help? Said Guilda while gesturing to the two hundred odd soldiers of normal level. She was obviously not equipped to deal with hordes of enemies that size. -Easy peasy, I will just give you an aura of light, moving sanctuary and other such light spells meant to attract and kill undead while getting some mana batteries for you. When you finish dealing with your strong guys, I purify the whole room and we search for treasure. Aki said while taking lots of shiny things out of his inventory. Not like those were that valuable though. They were just fist sized magic cores reflecting the light of the "sun". Any level 100 monster will drop this. -Oh, yeah, the moment we step out, the thing illuminating the whole room is likely going to go out since undead have some problems with intense lights and it wouldn''t be fair for them otherwise. Aki stated before starting to carve the crystals. After giving about ten of said crystals to Guilda, the undead massacre began. At the soundtrack of "Seven nation army", because why the fuck not? While the bass was still drumming in the undead''s "ears" a roar joined the beat. Turning to see a red haired living woman brining with the power of light, the undead charged under the now moon filled sky while giving their own war cry of moans and rattles. Whole bodies were flung away while Guilda charged deep inside the fearless army. Aki on the other hand, was ironically not any subtler than her. Both were clad in light, with the difference that Aki was actually burning his flesh while surrounded by fire that seamed to seek it''s own targets while causing little damage to him. And flying. Which would be quite the correct assessment, since his heat resistance was about to level up to the second stage and he was always healing himself, while the undead also possessed mana if nothing else holding their decomposing bodies, perfect for magic fire to burn. Essence steal also upped the amount of XP Aki got from almost every target he killed, but that is only the difference between one and two flies. While there is no denying swarms are dangerous, two hundred thousand are not even close to get a level if the killer is a hundred levels higher than the flies. Yes, this was actually the best Aki could think of instead of launching a spell to purify the whole room of what keeps these soulless skeletons moving. In other words, The flood¡­ or not. It''s a monster called puppet master and it actually functions in a lesser way to the galatical parasite created by stupidity of a very "smart" race. While it is a general consciousness that can learn, these are hardly what you''d call the smartest. While the master can learn by absorbing your corpse, it can''t mutate it''s pawns or even perfectly mimic it''s knowledge. A true undead king is much scarier then these. If they resurect a sword Saint and get it to teach some death knights, it can keep a reasonable skill forever. It will let the knights generate more undead, level back up faster and a lot more. Undead have lots of advantages, really. Never tire, never hunger, never fear. Having an undead protag would be so much better. Why can''t he be like sloth? Dude has been grinding from the beginning while always fighting a doomknight, of which none is lower than level 300! You know how much more sleep, reading time and money for doing nothing I''d get?! Haaa¡­ Arrows at amazing speed, dark spells of healing all over, massive fear, canceled buffs, fire balls¡­ basically everything evaporated, passed through or hit Aki. Everything was basically ignored while he torched his way through. A lich that was also aflame turned to cinders while trying to chase him. Dead eyes, undead sharpshooters, got their heads blown away by a spell every time they tried to shot him. Death knights couldn''t reach him and were one sidedly bombarded. Some things even tried to pounce at him, but they were burned immediately till their number couldn''t do anything. This idiot played so much 32 and 64 bits games that he''d be able to calmly pass through dark souls while laughing at the sudden deaths and impossible bosses that would make cleaning the controller a frequent thing because of all the sweat. He''d still miserably die a ton of times though. -A fucking sword to the dick, why am I not surprised? Aki mumbled while being thankful that he could turn his sense of pain off. "You finished Guilda?" "Almost, but why are these midgets trying to stab my legs?" said Guilda while hacking some knights and seeing some monkey like thing that kept throwing themselves at her with their knifes, but kept dying ten meters away. "They''re not trying to stab your legs, but your pussy. These are very useful against mammals." Drily explained Aki while incinerating the ashes of the large sized monkey that stabbed him. That one wouldn''t get resurected anymore. So, yeah, there''s not much else I can tell about the fifth floor. Besides Aki''s fire magic reaching level 20. And his flying ability finally appearing in his status. ¡­ -I mean, I get why I would look insecure and have freckles again, but why do you look like a badass devil? Said Guilda after both entered a room where they had to fight their innerselves in the tenth floor. The seventh to nine were basically all repetitions of the undead floor but with more numbers and some new troops. From 200k to 1.6m. They did get levels, but Aki was more focused on the loot from killing three million squeletons. [General: Hunter - Lv 1 Slightly increases the experience received from killing monsters you Alredy fought wit before.] -Because I am badass, you idiot. Answered the horned and more handsome version of Aki. It''s not like he was another person, just with sharper features and a prideful smile. He was also wearing a white suit with a purple formal shirt tucked inside. -So what jackass? What are we even supposed to do now? Retorted the insecure Guilda. -"You could go with selfcest or something, after we do some QnA we will start killing each other." *cofh cofh* The shy one started coughing and got red, but Guilda just looked like she was thinking. -You can''t seriously be thinking of actually doing what he said! Exclaimed the doppelganger. -I was actually thinking this might be a great opportunity to train, but it''s not like it''s a bad idea to begin with¡­ Said the idiot. -"You really started to think with that dick I seeded into you even before it grew out, truly impressive. Aspargos." Said the two idiots. -"With what!?" Said the pair of redheads for entirely different reasons. To which the two teenagers laughed their asses off. -I didn''t do anything, relax. Your unusual lust the last days is simply the result of dealing with assholes at work and having no other efficient scape valve. I heard Tina was absent every time you got out of that office, so I thought of a present for you and¡­ As Aki sat himself, explained and did some hand gestures for the show, a grain of wheat appeared between his fingers. So while on that he got on his knees and hit play on Zelda''s treasure acquiring music that is so old by now. It was like he was doing a offering, really, but he had to paralyze his face so he wouldn''t burst into laughter. His doppelganger didn''t have said problem so he went on to roll on the ground while laughing with various clones he made. -We should start the battle. Said Guilda after kicking Aki''s jaw off. "You know, we actually need to stop killing for some time, and we just found the best partners, so why not stay here for some time? Also, there''s a secret way to clear this room, and I would really appreciate it if we could get the bonus equipment that will most likely come with it." Pleaded both Akis while hitting their heads on the ground. -I may be able to take make a bodies for these two out of monster parts if I try hard enough, but they are the perfect partners for us to actually train with. Aki answered. -What do you mean with that? Didn''t you explain to me we''d be meeting monsters that were infused with our personality and I should adjust my mentality? Asked a bewildered Guilda. -I mean that if you want you could even add that one to your still forming harem. Yeah, I know of the pretty harpy you meet every morning and the manager of the orphanage you regularly visit. The way they look at you, it won''t be long before you have even more use for that seed. It also works if you have two of those, you know? Guhe. After he finished explaining, the blushing Guilda kicked his head into the ground. "Worth it." said Aki while again being incapacitated of physically talking. ¡­ -Hundred violet thunder kicks! -Thousand golden snakes! -Ten thousand fiery hells! -Hundred thousand violent threads! -A million days of heavenly punishment! Aki and Qi, Aki''s doppelganger, were spouting lots of embarrassing technique names while trading kicks and threads attacks. It''s not like they can actually use those techniques, if they exist in the first place, they are just playing around. After spending some more time ravaging the field, the two went back to the house to take a shower in their own bathrooms. Even if his girlfriend was a succubus, it wasn''t like Aki actively sought others to played with his ass either, so these two just turned fast friends. After much insistence from Aki''s side, Guilda and Joan are actually going on a date tonight. Allow me to finally show her more normal side now. Seriously, she is a galant and caring woman whenever not around Aki for the simplest reasons. -Are you sure about this? While we are similar, we turned into different entities after I was formed. I am just a scared and small worth¡­ unnn¡­ Guilda is most definitely a rotten perverted though. To stop Joan from insulting herself she kissed her instead of something else. It was sensual, definitely, but mostly pleasurable for the woman being kissed if her moans indicated anything. -If you have such sweet mouth, how could you be worthless? Said Guilda while deeply gazing into her breathless doppelganger''s eyes and holding her head between her hands. Neither of them said anything else while holding hands and going to the wooden hut Aki prepared and left food and lit candles in a table. -So, what are we supposed to do in a date here? We know the other the best, so¡­ Joan, a version of Guilda with freckles, two centimeters shorter, one cup smaller, a body more lean then fit, she had an aura of fragility and her face was a little smaller. A far shot from Aki''s doppelganger. -Well, Aki said to look below the plates and¡­ here. This says that we are actually getting more and more apart by not fussing, but as individuals that should not cause a problem. He suggests we try everything we like and see if there''s some kind of change in our perception. At worst we will have a good time, so why not? Huge hamburgers, some comedy and drama movies later, they found out Joan actually has a heavier taste for food, cries after a character she likes dies and is a totally mindless berserker in a fight. Even more than Guilda. -See, wasn''t all that fun? Though for us¡­ -It''s more like having a twin brother, you two can always go and flirt. Said Aki followed perfectly by Qi. -It looks more like you two are some kind of mutant freak. Retorted Guilda, while Joan meakly nodded. Seriously, she is just too cute. -You''re just jealous because you don''t have¡­ Said Qi while timely crossing his leg at the same time as Aki. -Someone who will bro it out for you. Seriously though, this is just so much fun. I always wanted a twin. Said Aki. -And didn''t at the same time. It''s complicated. Not like it matters after getting to another world though. Said Qi. -Wait, what do you mean it doesn''t¡­ -"You will see in time." Both immediately said -Just keep it to your pants you creeps. Guilda said that while going to the bathroom, so she didn''t see the two looking at each other meaningfully and grinning when Joan followed her. Guilda is definitely not the passive type, but she was going to train even if she didn''t want to with this. You see, isn''t there that thing about a little angel and a little devil telling you to do or not do a thing when you have a hard decision? Imagine having Aki here in both jobs. Anyone would make the bad decision even if not knowing. And it''s not like being a good brother didn''t entitle you to mess around like this. After all, "may good dickings come your way, semen." What? There were only hot girls around and Aki needed a test subject for all those aphrodisiacs getting dust in his storage together with the pseudo-proteses. What did you think he uses alchemy for anyway? He generates poison and acid on touch by will! There would be no fun in spending time making those! 39 Now this! is what they ment on the spider movie! Aki had lots of scars over his body and Qi had waist long hair by now. Wind lifted the dirt of the "infinite" space and the scene forming was very theatric. -It is finally the day for us to part ways brother. -I shall cherish every moment. -Stop talking and fight so we can go! Berated Guida to the two weeabos. It had only been a week since they entered the dungeon and they weren''t really going to separate even after this. Grinning at each other, they lunged forward and started trading slashes. Each blade movement lifted dust and shock waves to spread around when clashing. A little latter they finished their greeting and started using spells. Assassinate, pierce armor, brittle, bone corrosion, light grapeshot, cursed wounds, elemental blade, shadow puppet¡­ The skills were flaring and repeatedly being used, while spells were being flung. Aki slightly leaned to the left and evaded an ice spike to the eye while catching an attacking dagger with one of his own and getting his kick with his right leg stopped. Qi rapidly cut Aki''s feet off and stepped back while making a water barrier between them. When it exploded the electricity stopped at the barrier, but a laser came from nowhere and perforated his shoulder. A claw substituting his feet, Aki appeared above while doing a "roundhouse kick" that was more like rolling while on air and using a mutated leg as a weapon. The fight kept going on like then for ten more minutes and then it happened. The light appeared from nowhere and cut both their upper torsos off while pulling their souls out forcefully. The bearded serious asian man had a cold gaze and didn''t react to his apparent success with anything but other spells of similar power levels, to only stop when he got his kill notification. After the tenth spell of the tenth element he used. The soil that was destroyed before was totally turned into dust plus some more area. [You have killed [Aki - Living shadow- Lv 166/ Arcane bookkeeper- Lv 160.] That made him nod. He stopped floating and directed himself to the champion of blood. Her expression was dark and she held her eyes to the floor. Like that our protagonist died. No, he can''t be resurrected right now and although Cleo knows what just happened and is ready to kill that man repeatedly, she can''t get in. -He is dead. The system says so. He won''t be coming back for ten years at the very least. Surrender. Said Ichi. Training in an accelerated time chamber had many advantages. Being a dungeon master also gave him other kind of bonuses for fighting inside his territory. -... Blood was flowing out of Guilda''s mouth, her teeth broken from the pressure she put on them. She knew very well she couldn''t win and he was simply being restricted by rules. So she patiently awaited. -I understand your frustration, but it is useless. To begin with we were all dead. We will die no matter the result of this game, our memories wiped and our souls sent back to the cycle of reincarnation. The demon''s champions and all those who signed contracts with them will have to pass through a few cycles in their hands though. He sneered before continuing. This won''t even change the world that much, merely a game in the eyes of higher beings. If you don''t surrender now then I shall wait while¡­ -SHUT UP! Of course I know all those things jackass! Just stay still and stop talking while I destroy you! Said Guilda while throwing herself at the man while her axes and eyes turned void. The man wasn''t surprised, he''d been trying to make the woman furious so she''d attack him anyway. That gave him self-defense rights and now he was eligible to get the kill again. One of the drawbacks of his condition. He didn''t expect the magic he shot to not have any effect and even be cut down though. That made him lose a hand and further their distance. He wasn''t followed though. -I see. You have mastered the state of anti magic enough to retain consciousness while using it. Truly outstanding. His teachings must have been formidable as well to develop such strategies so fast. Said the man while trying to buy time and acquire information. He doubted this state could be kept for long and even that it was her''s. An item made with alchemy and help from demons most likely. The woman with flowing black hair threw herself at him again. Now her skin had started to turn pure black in some spots. That ment she was getting stronger and impervious to magic as well. He didn''t worry though. He could dodge by teleporting with the dungeon system. Them come back after she had turned back or loosened her guard. Even if she didn''t and ended up consumed by the power, he could still use the points in reserve on the gacha till he got some beast to throw at her. That wouldn''t be happening though. He was receiving an attack from inside the core and his heart felt it. -How...was all he could say before blood came to his throat. And dropped from his nostrils. And eyes. And ears. Full body failure starto! Throwing away the avatar he couldn''t maintain anymore, Ichi prayed and went to defend his core. *buzz* "USE" *BUZZ* "... TIL" *BUZZZZZZZZ* Not like any of the present people would let the man get divine aid now though. Yes, I am including Cleo as present. Now, if this had been any other place, this would have been much more difficult, but since dungeon cores tend to try and slave or consume souls in their territory automatically¡­ Let''s just say there''s nothing more Ichi can do. Dungeon-chan is dying. He tried, but between the two bitches hitting from both sides and the guy who got there the moment the system was shut down, who did ya think would win? Seriously, Qi and Aki were surviving while being corroded and absorbed into the core, but still managed to keep their consciousnesses and started using hell magic together to destroy the world entity. -"...FIRST GATE OF HELL! BY THE GREAT WHITE SPIDER!!!" STOP YOU NERDS! NOW I AM THE ONE THAT WANTS TO DIE! Kuu¡­ Qi rapidly snatched the position left open by their attack to the dungeon system and started trying to negate Ichi''s position as dungeon master. While at that Aki started to bombard the man with attacks. Both knew how to fight with their souls, but Aki simply held the advantage, after all¡­ A void blade cut into the man''s arm and ash formed all around, trying to bombard him from all sides in his salt confinement and the lightning tempest constantly shipping away his health. Yeah, good luck fighting a guy that regenerates about 1.2% of his mana every second, knows all types of attacks that can fight a spirit and is able to make three more heads to coordinate all the spells he can cast. The Gods they prayed to were just too different. Seriously, just his level of absurdity would get him reincarnated yet again by any God that had the chance. In case of a magic emergency or will to get their world''s magic better. Any other case would warrant his souls to be destroyed, fragmented and thrown all around the reincarnation systems. He really couldn''t kill Ichi though. Be it his soul or anything else, he didn''t have the power to do more than hurt him. Not like that would stop him though. A fifth head popped from Aki''s shared cranium and started to repeatedly using the same darkness spell. "Phantom pain. Phantom pain. Phantom pain. Phantom pain¡­" The screams finally turned loud enough to be heard through the lightning. And so this continued. From Ichi''s point of view it was the worst thing he''d experienced even when compared to being repeatedly eaten by beasts in the trials he faced. Death wasn''t that scary. He wished for it. He started begging for it. His wails turned incoherent. Pain was his world. He was one with pain. Them it ceased. He took a while to realize that. The one before him was still the same, but he now had horns and only one head. One with eight lustrous red eyes and many teeth, besides six arms and a gentle smile that didn''t match the rest of his figure at all. While he examined the figure slowly, he had forgot about attacking. Fifteen minutes seemed like an unidentifiable amount of time. There was only darkness and pain. Qi opened his shark teethed mouth as if to talk, but them it started. A calming light spread all over and blinded Ichi. He felt well. His consciousness back, he got confused, but knew he was still in danger. The light got stronger, as if consuming all the darkness that had involved him before. That''s because that was exactly what it was doing though, consuming. He started to burn. He felt he had met another god for a second, but the presence was different. It was full of pity and compassion, but he couldn''t help but feel it wanted to kill him. He was right, because that was Qi. Ichi was pushed and pulled in all sides while passing through an acid light cleaning him of everything he had. It didn''t hurt for long this time though. The fire got weaker and turned into a warm heat. It called him to sleep and be with its embrace. The pain came back the second he thought to accept the offer with his dulled mind. He just wanted this to end. Nothing was right. *$&#@%%%@&. The pain didn''t matter. He had to fix it. There must be balance. He tried putting the energies into order, but failed to, resulting in more pain. He tried again though. And again. And again. Pain came to him every time he tried, but he didn''t care for the patches of himself that were leaving going or disappearing anymore, he just wanted to find a way to make these beautiful energies of polar opposites turn stable so he could admire them forever. He tried and tried again, but he never got it right until one moment¡­ he actually found something he could do, but Qi ruined that. He kept trying without minding though. -Time to change again. Said Aki from inside the dungeon core. -You sure you can''t keep going? He is almost exhausting himself¡­ reluctantly said Qi. -Of course, if you want me to get mentally crippled than I have no problem with that. Retorted the the sarcastic teenager. -Thank you. Said Qi with relief in his voice. -Get here your lazy ass! Berated the robotic version of Aki''s voice. -Ok ok, no need to scream. Qi shrugged and changed places. Aki couldn''t simply keep the process going from where it left, so instead he started burning and freezing his target. The screams started again. It took three more turns like these to get the divine spark out of Ichi''s soul so it would not be able to keep healing his ego. The moment the sphere of light showed itself, Aki stabbed it with a black dagger while shielding Qi from the godly power with a myriad of shields. Himself only able to ignore the rays of pure energy because the dagger in his hands greedily sucked whatever came in front of him. His hands were rotting. He didn''t have "hands" to be exact, but his soul was also slowly being devoured starting from where those should be. -Just die already! A thousand times is more than enough to destroy this bastard''s ego, so hell if I believe he was the one in control after the first half! Screamed Aki while advancing and ignoring most of the his essence being chewed away by the dagger.