Chapter: 23
Pa/ t reon details below the chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance. I'll keep posting regardless. If you have any suggestions you would like to see added, I will try to incorporate what I can :)
(Elven Encounter)
The abandoned church was silent.
I stood in the centre of the sanctuary, my hand outstretched, my focus razor-sharp as I tested yet another spell from the world of Harry Potter. It was a bit more advanced than the rest I had attempted but the spell would be useful in my hands.
"Expulso," I murmured, channelling my demonic energy into the word.
A brief pulse of raw force erupted from my palm, slamming into a table that instantly began crumbling. It splintered into a spray of debris and wooden shards scattering across the room as the air filled with the acrid tang of pulverized wood.
Hestia watched with amusement.
Not bad.
"Reparo."
The table put itself back together.
For a mainly weakish world, their magic was insanely useful. Honestly, with it, my battle capability had gone up massively.
The destructive power translated well even without a wand.
But as I withdrew the energy, a faint crackle ran along my hand, a web of dark red arcs dancing across my skin. It fizzled out just as quickly, but the gloves I was wearing were obliterated.
I frowned, flexing my fingers.
Was this a flaw in my control or a side effect of having my power of destruction unsealed?
I couldn't exactly use another energy to fuel spells meant for wizards.
Either way, it wasn't good.
My control of my demonic energy had taken a hit in exchange.
I could think about that later, for now, I had people to deal with.
Stepping outside, I scanned the darkened streets for any signs of the intruders who had been shadowing us.
My gaze swept across the rooftops, searching for even the faintest movement. Anything that might reveal their position.
Nothing.
There was no one around.
My frown deepened. Perhaps I needed a better vantage point?
Bending my knees slightly, I pushed off with a surge of power, leaping effortlessly onto the nearest building. My boots landed softly against the rooftop, the impact muted by the years of wear the structure had endured.
From this height, the streets stretched out below me like veins in the city, dim and uninviting.
Still nothing.
The rooftops were now empty.
Not a trace of them remained.
My demonic energy stirred within me, simmering like a pulse beneath my skin. It had recharged during my brief rest and I had been ready for a less-than-civil encounter with my stalkers.
I crouched, scanning the horizon one last time, my senses on high alert.
The faint breeze tugged my clothing.
Whoever they were, they had retreated.
Interesting.
Straightening, I stepped back to the edge of the building. The height was no challenge and I barely needed to think as I descended, landing lightly on the cobblestone street below.
The faint sound of my boots against the stone echoed briefly, the only noise in the otherwise silent night.
Shaking my head, I turned and made my way back toward the church.
Hestia was waiting anxiously. "Are they still there?"
"No, it seems they've retreated or left for now at the very least," I replied calmly.
Hestia's arms were crossed as she leaned against the worn wooden doorframe, her eyes flicking between me and the shadowed streets beyond the church. "Are you sure they're gone?"
I nodded, brushing some dirt off my gloves. "Whoever was tailing us has backed off. At least for now."
She frowned, her lips pressed into a tight line. "I don't like this..."
I approached her. "Maybe they figured out they couldn't handle me," I said with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.
Her frown deepened even if her lips briefly flickered up. "Zephyrion, this isn't the time to joke. We just got out of one problem with Lili's old Familia and you've spent the last two days acting as a Dark Lord in another world. Can't we get a break?"
I pecked her on the lips and she melted into my arms.
"We'll be fine, they would have attacked me when they saw me weak if they intended for that and we've got the magical protection up now," I replied calmly.
She nodded.
"Okay, but no Dungeon diving for at least a few days, please" She pleaded.
"Sure." I agreed easily enough.
She gave me a wary look, clearly gauging if I meant it, before finally relaxing. "Thank you. Now, what are you going to do?"
I shrugged. "Take a walk. Orario's still awake and I could use some fresh air. Thought I'd bring Lili along."
I ignored her flat look.
Lili, who had been quietly listening by the door, perked up at the mention of her name. "Really?" she asked a spark of excitement in her eyes.
"Zephyrion," Hestia whined.
"I'm not going to get into any trouble," I replied instantly.
I truly meant it.
I had just spent two days essentially causing problems and acting as a Dark Lord with minions who were even more problematic than myself.
Hestia sighed, nodding.
I turned to Lili. "Yeah," I said, offering her a small smile. "Let's go see the city."
She grinned excitedly before regaining her composure and looking away.
I needed to give all my Familia members their due attention.
Bell was still sleeping so I didn't need to take him with us.
I pulled Hestia into a kiss, and pulling back I left with a blushing Lili.
This would always be a good chance to test something out.
-Scene Break-
The streets of Orario were lively with activity as usual.
Torches and magical lamps lit the cobblestone pathways, casting a warm glow over merchants still peddling their wares. The marketplace buzzed with life, voices blending into a symphony of haggling, laughter and idle chatter.
Was there a reason for taking Lili out? Yes. Unfortunately, with my magical pouches, Lili's porter skills were less needed. Though I would keep her in charge of picking up stones, I had an idea in mind for what other role she could play.
Lili walked beside me. We wandered through the crowded market, stopping occasionally to look at the various stalls. Lili seemed particularly drawn to a jeweller's display, her gaze lingering on a set of intricate hairpins shaped like tiny flowers.
"See something you like?" I asked, noting how her expression lightened up as she looked at them through the glass.
"Oh, no, no! Lili was just looking. It's nothing important," she said quickly, waving her hands before stepping back from the stall with a faint blush.
I sighed good-naturally and her eyes widened when I pulled out my magical pouch, a pouch filled with Vali.
The vendor, an older woman with a warm smile, perked up at the sound of money. "Ah, you have a good eye! These hairpins are crafted from silver, it's what gives them their shine. They're 9,000 valis for the set."
If I remember correctly, every singular Vali is akin to 0.02 Dollars, this was one of those differences I had found between the world I knew and the world ie as in. Considering their currency had been a bit different in the original if I remember.
What she was asking for was akin to one hundred and eighty dollars.
Lili's jaw dropped. "T-That's too much! Lili could never accept something so expensive!"
I raised an eyebrow at her, shooting her an amused smile. "You've been pretty chilled out considering the weird circumstances I've brought you into. Consider this a thank-you gift."
The vendor chuckled. "Your captain's quite generous, little one."
Despite her protests, I handed over the exact amount which matched the price. The woman carefully wrapped the pins in a soft cloth before handing them over.
Lili hesitated as I held out the package to her, her small hands trembling slightly. "Lili... really doesn't deserve this," she muttered, her ears tinged red.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly.
"You do," I said firmly. "Now take it before I change my mind."
My eyes briefly snapped to all the roofs overlooking us in quick succession, only managing to catch the briefest flicker that could have very well been my mind playing tricks on me.
She finally accepted it, clutching the bundle to her chest. "Thank you.
"No problem," I replied relaxedly.
It was nice to be able to somewhat relax. The Dark Lord's life wasn't one of permanence for me. I had kind of just gone with the flow, I blamed the corrupt downright inept Aurors for just attacking and then labelling me a Dark Lord for defending.
Further down the marketplace, we stopped at a food cart selling fried skewers. The savoury scent of grilled meat wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble.
My stomach rumbled.
"Want one?" I asked, already pulling out some valis.
Lili hesitated. "I don't want to waste your money, Zephyrion."
I chuckled. "It's just a skewer, Lili. Pick one."
She finally relented, picking one with chunks of chicken and vegetables.
I grabbed one for myself, and we stood off to the side as we ate. The taste was smokey and rich, and for a moment, there was nothing to think about but the food.
After finishing, we strolled further into the market, passing a stall selling brightly coloured scarves.
The vendor waved enthusiastically, calling out to us. Lili, curious, wandered closer to inspect the goods.
"Try one on!" the vendor urged, holding up a deep green scarf.
Lili hesitated before allowing the vendor to drape it around her shoulders. She turned to me with a shy smile. "How does it look?"
"Not bad," I said, nodding. "Green suits you."
Her cheeks turned pink and she quickly removed the scarf, handing it back. "It's nice."
We continued down the market, pausing at a few more stalls. Lili seemed to relax more with each passing minute, her usually guarded demeanour giving way to something lighter, more carefree.
It was good to see.
Eventually, the crowds began to thin as we moved into a quieter part of the market. I glanced up at the sky, feeling the cool air against my skin.
I was being watched. This whole trip had been to confirm this fact along with bonding with Lili who I had neglected.
Lili's abilities as a supporter were still valuable but with my magic pouches handling much of the heavy lifting, her role needed to evolve. If we were to keep growing as a Familia, I had to help her find a new way to contribute.
She wasn't built for brute strength like me or for tanking hits like some of the meatheads I'd seen around Orario.
No, Lili's strength lay in her speed and her admittedly impressive intelligence. A build focusing on stealth and speed seemed like the best path for her.
For that, she needed proper training.
"Lili," I said, breaking the silence as we passed a quieter row of closed stalls, "how do you feel about swords?"
She blinked up at me, clearly caught off guard. "Swords? I… Well, I've never used one before. Why?"
"I've been thinking about your strengths," I said. "You're fast, quick on your feet. A short sword or something similar might suit you. Maybe a dagger-like Bell? You'd focus on speed, stealth and precision instead of brute force."
Her expression was a mix of curiosity and doubt.
"Is this about the new magical pouches you got?" She asked curiously.
I nodded. "While you would still be picking up monster crystals for us, I was thinking that having a more active role would be good. It's ultimately up to you."
"You really think I could fight like that? I've always just... supported from the back. I do know how to fight but not with anything but a crossbow." She replied nervously.
"Then maybe we should get you on a dagger-like Bell along with a crossbow for long range." I thought aloud.
She slowly nodded. "If that's what you feel would help then I'll do my best."
"I'll need to find a teacher. Perhaps Bell can join you." I mused.
She suddenly looked bashful. "You don't need to keep spending money on me, Zephyrion. I'm already being treated better than I was just by the respect you show me. Please, don't waste it on me."
I activated my ultimate skill and started patting her head abruptly, it was as weird as you thought it looked and she sputtered words out as she looked up at me in surprise.
"Don't worry about it. If you become stronger, we can go deeper. Which means more money. It's an investment." I logically explained, even if I didn't particularly care about it.
We made our way toward a small shop tucked into the corner of the city's business district. The wooden sign swinging above the door read 'Miach Familia Pharmacy' in simple writing.
The warm, herbal scent hit us as soon as we stepped inside.
Shelves lined with various potions, salves, and strange ingredients surrounded a humble counter where a man I believe to be Miach himself stood, chatting amiably with a customer.
His blue hair and kind demeanour were a dead giveaway. Hestia had told me about him since she was friends with him.
Another woman that I assumed was Naaza was restocking vials on the shelves behind him.
Miach turned as we approached, his expression lighting up at my arrival. "Ah, a customer! Welcome to my humble pharmacy."
"Evening," I greeted casually, glancing around. "Are you Miach?"
"Indeed, I am." He replied chipperly.
I smiled.
"I've heard good things about your potions and I need to restock."
Miach's face brightened at that. "You've come to the right place, my friend. We take pride in our quality and Naaza here is one of the finest potion makers in all of Orario."
The woman with light grey hair's two ears twitched at her name being mentioned. My eyes briefly found themselves lowering to her lower back before I caught myself.
Naaza glanced over her shoulder, offering a brief nod before returning to her work.
Lili, standing at my side, frowned as she looked at me. Then looked down at herself.
She then shook her head and observed the neatly arranged shelves with an almost professional curiosity. Her sharp eyes flicked over labels and prices as though mentally cataloguing everything.
"What kind of potions are you looking for?" Miach asked, stepping around the counter.
Health potions, mainly. A recent event had me see the use in having them on hand" I paused, gesturing toward the shelves. "I'd also like to grab whatever other potions you have."
I ignored the thrumming in my chest, the new feeling of that underlying destruction seemingly becoming all the more apparent as I mentioned the recent event.
Miach nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "How strong are you looking for? We have standard potions, as well as stronger variations for more... challenging adventures. I must warn you that Potions are quite expensive"
He admitted that last part with a frown.
"Let's go with mid-tier for now," I said.
He moved to the shelves, pulling down a few vials. "Our mid-tier health potions are 10,500 valis each. Stamina potions are slightly less at 9,500 valis, antidotes are 12,000 valis due to the rare ingredients required. Mind Potions cost 20,000 Vali and are quite pricey."
10,500 was 210 Dollars. 9,500 was 190 Dollars and 12,000 is 240 Dollars. 20,000 was 400 USD.
Quite expensive.
Doing a quick mental conversion, the prices seemed reasonable.
"I'll take three health potions, two stamina potions along with three mind potions," I said, pulling out my magical pouch.
Miach nodded and began carefully gathering the requested potions while Naaza packed them into a sturdy leather satchel. "That'll be 110,500 valis total."
110,500 Vali.
2,110 USD.
Expensive.
I pulled out the large amount of money and exchanged it with the happy God.
"Out of curiosity, what Familia are you a part of?" Miach questioned curiously.
"We are both from the Hestia Familia, I am the newly appointed Captain," I replied cockily.
"Ah! Hestia finally started building up a Familia. How joyful. Send her my regards." He happily responded.
"I will," I replied.
I liked him.
I nodded in thanks and turned to leave. "Thanks for the potions."
"We're always here to help!" Miach called after me as I stepped outside.
Lili tugged at my sleeve, clutching her new hairpins as she smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time since Lili's seen a day like this... Thank you, Zephyrion."
I smiled, ruffling her hair again despite her embarrassed protests. "Don't worry about it."
As we walked down the quiet streets, I glanced at the satchel of potions, already formulating plans.
Comparing these potions to what I knew from the Harry Potter world was something I wanted to test out. If the Potions from Harry Potter were better then I could look into potion-making when I went back there in the coming weeks.
It's why I wanted these Potions and I figured it could be a very good way to generate income.
Perhaps Bell and Lili could even learn it as a hobby to do besides just fighting in the Dungeon.
We turned a corner and bumped into someone, literally. I caught myself before falling and instinctively reached out to steady the person, my hand brushing against their shoulder.
I went to say something but the words died in my throat.
The figure before me wore a hooded cloak, their face mostly obscured by the expensive-looking cloth.
I instantly recognised her, there was no mistaking the delicate features, and the elegant posture. Along with the when they tilted their head just enough for the light to catch their face, my suspicions were confirmed.
I didn't need to register her pretty smooth green hair or her pointy elven ears that twitched ever-so-slightly.
Riveria.
I paused for a moment, memories flashing of the last time we met in the Dungeon.
She had healed me after I had that fight with the Black Goliath. That had confirmed my suspicions that the Dungeon was actively against me for some reason I still had yet to find out.
Her sharp pretty green eyes flicked up to meet mine and though her expression remained passive, I could see the flicker of recognition.
She inclined her head slightly. "Zephyrion," she said, her tone as calm and composed as ever.
"Riveria, it's been a while," I replied easily. "Fancy meeting you here. I didn't think someone like you would have the time to wander the city."
Her lips curved faintly, almost imperceptibly. "The Loki Familia don't confine me to the dungeon every day, I do have a life outside that."
Her response earned a cocky grin from me. "A life outside the dungeon? I wouldn't have guessed."
"Careful," she cut in smoothly, her voice holding a warning edge, but there was no true heat behind it.
I chuckled. "Touchy. Relax, princess, I'm just teasing."
Riveria's expression didn't change but I caught the subtle shift in her posture, a tightening of her shoulders and a flicker of something behind those sharp green eyes.
It wasn't irritation but instead curiosity. I wasn't sure yet.
"What are you up to?" I asked, moving the conversation along.
She pursed her lips, her expression faintly contemplative. "I was just about to indulge in a hobby of mine."
"Oh? What's that?" I asked, curiously.
She hesitated for a moment, her emerald eyes flicking away as if debating whether to answer.
Finally, she spoke. "I like to hunt in the lands around Orario, specifically the forests. It holds a certain tranquillity that the dungeon lacks and I enjoy it."
-{Riveria Ljos}-
Riveria's expression remained calm, though her thoughts were in conflict beneath the surface.
She couldn't quite understand why she had shared that with him.
Her time in the forest was something deeply personal, an escape she rarely spoke of. Few knew of her little hunting sessions and she preferred it that way.
It wasn't simply about the act of hunting; it was about the solitude, the quiet and the way nature itself seemed to clear her mind. The Dungeon was a place she had to stay alert in, mostly when they dived into the lower floors.
As Level Six it would take something at least on floor level 35 to even threaten her. Her perception level was just too powerful along with her magic but she always had been alert for anomalies.
Instead, the forests provided a peace that Orario could never offer.
A place where she could truly work on her hunting skills without anyone judging her.
Among the Elves, her status as a High Elf and a royal made her an object of reverence even from those who owed her no allegiance.
That constant deference, while aligned with tradition, had often felt like a chain. How could she have any friends when her fellow Elves glared at anyone who wasn't from her Familia or a fellow Elf?
To Riveria, it was nothing more than a persistent annoyance.
Now, here she was.
Speaking to the man she had found fighting some sort of weird strong variant of the Goliath that even gave her pause.
The way he acted was refreshing and his scent was oddly nice.
In a weird way, he just didn't give a shit. Was the most basic way to describe it. He spoke to her so openly even though she had only met him once before.
It was even stranger that she found herself enjoying it.
Who was this person? He wasn't human, that she was sure of.
-{Zephyrion Gremory}-
"And you?" she asked after a beat, her tone as steady as ever. "What are you doing here?"
I smiled easily at the deflection of the topic.
"Just getting some potions," I replied.
I pulled out a pouch and her eyes snapped to it and narrowed.
A potion that definitely didn't look like it had come out of the pouch appeared and I gave it a little wave before dropping it back into the pouch.
Her eyes practically shined with interest.
"Some sort of artefact?" She mused.
"Yeah, something like that," I replied mysteriously, placing the pouch back in my pocket.
Her brow arched slightly, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at the corner of her lips. It was subtle but it was there.
"Would you care to enlighten me on its functions?" She finally asked.
"Sure, let's make it a trade. How about you take me hunting with you and I'll tell you all about it on the way." I replied.
Despite what this looked like, it served a more practical function. I needed to seriously upgrade my stealth abilities. I was like a bull rampaging in the middle of a daycare when trying to be sneaky.
I had a feeling I could learn something, she was light on her feet.
I also did want to get to know her more.
Lili sent me a look from beside me that I easily ignored.
She shook her head in slight amusement and I could tell my boldness caught off guard massively.
She arched an elegant brow, her lips curving ever so slightly. "You truly are a troublemaker, aren't you?"
I shrugged. "Depends on who's telling the story."
Riveria didn't reply immediately.
She studied me, her eyes sharp and assessing, like she was trying to see through the mask of bravado I wore.
I let her look; it wasn't like I had anything to hide.
"It's a deal." She replied coolly. "Will your friend be accompanying us?"
I looked over to Lili.
I thought it over.
"I think it's best if you head back, Lili," I said, pulling out a flyer and giving it to her. "Use this if you feel in any sort of danger at any point on the way back."
She nodded, sending a glare to Riveria but giving me a small smile. "Ok. It's been nice spending time with you Zephyrion, I hope we can do it again."
"Of course." I shot her a smile.
She blushed slightly and nodded, turning to leave.
I could see Riveria staring at me.
No doubt the contract had caught her interest too.
My smirk widened.
This was going to be fun.
Chapter: 24
Pa/ t reon details at the bottom of the chapter if you're interested I'll keep posting regardless.
Note: What world do you want to see Zephyrion travel to next?
(The Hunt)
The air in the Seolo Forest carried a crisp chill, the faint scent of pine and damp earth lingering as the sun began its slow descent behind the Alv Mountains.
I tightened the strap on my sword and glanced at Riveria, who stood ahead of me with her usual cool demeanour.
She surveyed the path like a hawk, her sharp emerald eyes betraying none of the relaxation this little hunting excursion was apparently supposed to offer.
She kneeled and looked at the earth below. It was clear that she had experience.
"Honestly, I didn't think you'd agree to this." I teased, catching up to her with a grin.
She didn't look at me, but the faint twitch of her lips gave her away. "You're lucky I tolerate arrogance when it's backed by some semblance of competence."
Oof.
"You sure this isn't your roundabout way of admitting you enjoy my company?" I casually replied, adjusting my collar.
"I tolerate your company," she corrected, stepping over a moss-covered log with the grace of a seasoned hunter. "Don't confuse that for enjoyment."
There was a hint of amusement that warmed her words and no real malice.
I couldn't resist pushing just a little further.
"I doubt you'd bring someone along on an activity you enjoy if you didn't enjoy their company," I replied. "You don't strike me as that type of Elf."
Her expression was as unreadable as ever, though the faintest flicker of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
She didn't seem to bother replying as we went deeper into the forest, her steps silent on the leaf-strewn ground. I couldn't help but admire her composure. She moved like a shadow, blending seamlessly with the environment, while I struggled to keep my boots from snapping the twigs that I stepped over.
"Step lightly," she instructed without turning around.
I shot her an annoyed glance.
"I told you I wasn't good at sneaking around," I quipped, though I tried to follow her advice.
She nodded. "Like an Elephant."
I wanted to pout.
She knelt beside a patch of disturbed earth, brushing aside some leaves to reveal claw marks etched into the soil. "Surface monsters. Weak compared to those in the Dungeon, but dangerous to any normal person. Nothing to worry about on our end."
Riveria's instructions were straightforward, and I found myself learning a thing or two. She quickly explained how to identify tracks, gauge a creature's size and even spot subtle signs of their presence, like broken branches or droppings.
I found myself falling silent and listening seriously.
She seemed to enjoy relaying her experience.
"Since I'm teaching you so much, how about you tell me about that pouch." She calmly asked, even as her eyes lit up with interest.
I pulled the pouch from my belt.
I paused.
"Have you ever seen one of these?" I asked curiously.
Did something like this exist?
"I haven't." She replied.
I nodded. "It's called a bottomless pouch."
Riveria's gaze flicked to the pouch. "A bottomless pouch?"
"Yes."
I reached inside and pulled out a wand, followed by a bottle of wizarding fire whiskey. I had been intrigued by magical alcohol and for that reason decided to bring it back for me.
I saw Riveria's intrigue grow. At this moment her eyes seemed more expressive than I had seen thus far with my limited interactions with her.
"As the name suggests, it's got an enchantment to make its relatively small capacity practically bottomless. Thus a pouch without bottom." I explained easily.
"This could be revolutionary." She replied, despite her words, the tone she used was perfectly even. "Impressive enchantment. How did you come across it or did you make it?"
"I'm afraid that's a secret, for now," I responded amusedly.
Her eyes narrowed but despite that, they lit up with amusement and excitement.
She looked at the bottle of Fire whiskey with interest.
"I can sense magic within the alcohol too, how interesting." She muttered. She met my eyes. "You called it, Fire Whiskey?"
"Yes," I confirmed.
"How unique." She muttered. "Does it have any magical properties, like a potion?"
"It's not that useful, but it does cause you to shoot a small stream of fire out of your mouth every sip," I explained.
She nodded and didn't ask more for the current moment. Apparently, the brief exchange had temporarily satisfied her interest.
We continued.
I cast a few spells along the way. Levitating loose branches, binding them into bundles.
It made it easier to make less sound when all the branches and leaves that usually made sound were effortlessly moved aside.
Her green eyes lingered on my displays of magic "I haven't seen magic used in the way you use it. I thought I was one of the best magic users within Orario. You seem just as capable if not more so."
"I aim to impress," I said with a wink.
We finally got closer to the prey Riveria had been hunting. Riveria's pace quickened as she pulled her bow from her back, the elegant weapon looking as much a part of her as the cloak she wore.
Her gloved fingers traced the polished wood and for a moment, her normally stoic expression softened.
"I'll take the lead," she said, her tone steady but less curt than usual. "Pay attention."
"I'm all ears," I replied with a smile.
She shot me a sideways glance but didn't comment, already scanning the treeline.
The faint creak of the string could be heard as she knocked an arrow, the only sound in the stillness of the forest.
Riveria gestured toward a cluster of bushes ahead. "There," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I squinted, following her line of sight. It took a moment, but then I saw it.
A creature that I could identify as a Lapin, a small surface monster resembling a giant rabbit, nibbling on the foliage. Its fur was bristly and its eyes glowed faintly red in the dim light.
Riveria drew her bowstring back effortlessly, the muscles in her arm taut but steady. The arrow released with a soft twang, whistling through the air before burying itself in the creature's side.
It toppled over with barely a sound, twitching once before going still.
"Impressive."
It was.
Her mastery of the bow was incredibly impressive.
Even I could tell that.
She ignored the comment, walking toward the fallen Lapin. She crouched beside the creature with a practised air.
She pulled the arrow free and inspected it.
I nodded.
Riveria glanced up at me, her expression softening slightly.
The hunt continued and I found myself enjoying it as I observed Riveria's demeanour grow lighter as we worked together.
She even smiled the first honest, unguarded smile when I nearly tripped over a root while trying to follow her lead.
The lightheartedness didn't last long, though. As we rounded a bend in the trail, a low growl cut through the air.
Riveria paused, her hand instinctively going to her bow.
I followed her gaze to a pair of Tyrfangs, wolf-like monsters with glowing yellow eyes and sharp, jagged teeth.
They prowled toward us, their movements slow and deliberate, as if sizing us up.
Riveria wasted no time. She loosed an arrow at the first Tyrfang, hitting it square in the shoulder. The creature snarled in pain but didn't fall.
"Leviosa." I casually said, lifting a nearby rock with ease and hurling it toward the beast.
A wave of wind obliterated the rocks and I sent her a confused glance.
She smiled a true, genuine smile that admittedly made her attractiveness go up multiple times.
Killing them isn't the point of the hunt." She simply said.
The pack of Tyrfangs ran away as they realised they didn't stand a chance.
She didn't waste time, jumping up onto a tree and giving chase.
I grinned and followed.
An arrow split through the air and caught one in the leg. Another arrow was shot into its eye and the beast was given a quick death.
I decided to follow suit.
A ball of fire shot into a tree in front of them, causing them to pause for a moment. The tree fell over and created a wall of fire.
"Diffindo."
The Tyrfang was easily cut in half.
"Not bad," Riveria said, already knocking another arrow. "But you rely on power too much."
"Let's change it up a bit then," I replied.
The Tyrfangs were trying to regroup, their predatory instincts kicking in as they spread out to flank us.
"Silencio."
The air around the creature shimmered faintly before it went still, confused. It sniffed the air, its growls silenced, unable to communicate with the others.
A motion of my hand summoned a bright orb of light that danced erratically, mimicking the fluttering of a wounded creature. The glowing decoy drew the attention of a flanking Tyrfang. Its pace slowing down somewhat.
Riveria didn't hesitate. Her bowstring snapped as she loosed an arrow, the projectile slicing cleanly through the air before embedding itself in the Tyrfang's chest.
The beast stumbled mid-stride, its momentum carrying it forward before collapsing in a lifeless heap.
With our supernatural downright monstrous physique, we could easily kill all these beasts but I realised that wasn't the point of this.
I extended my hand once more, summoning a crackling arc of demonic power that struck a low-hanging branch above the creature.
The branch splintered and crashed to the ground, forcing the Tyrfang to veer sharply into Riveria's line of sight. Her next arrow flew, piercing the creature's side.
It yelped and staggered before slamming into a tree, motionless.
She sent me an ecstatic smile. Her eyes were filled with excitement and I got a glimpse of a completely different person.
The forest blurred around us as we gave chase through the large forest.
A Tyrfang suddenly turned around and decided to lunge at me from the side, its jagged teeth bared. I sidestepped and thrust my palm forward, a concentrated gust of wind slamming the creature into the trunk of a nearby tree.
It crumpled to the ground but scrambled to its feet, snarling, before bolting after its remaining packmates.
Another arrow whistled through the air, dropping one of the stragglers in its tracks. I followed her lead, conjuring a brief wall of fire to corral the last Tyrfang toward her.
The beast hesitated.
Her final arrow found its mark
Silence reigned through the forest once more.
That had been… fun.
"I can see why you hunt," I spoke, leaning back against a log. "Out here, you're different."
"I'm not sure why, but hunting like this does something to me." She replied. "I just love it."
"I can see that," I replied.
Her face slowly reverted to its passively cold look.
"We need to pick up the monster stones they dropped, less another creature eats them and ends up becoming more powerful because of it." She spoke.
"Wait… monsters can grow by eating monster stones?" I asked.
I hadn't known that.
That felt like quite a big deal and an idea started coming to me.
An idea that would get me a look of 'Are you serious' from any sensible adventurer.
She raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know? It's quite a well-known fact. Monsters can grow by eating magical stones. It's why you should destroy any stones you can't bring with you."
Oops… I hadn't been doing that. Like, at all.
Though, it did give me an idea. Could I make a monster into a Familia? If so, I could just stuff them with monster crystals and make them a seriously powerful one.
I was shown to have a weird effect on them. I had even been able to manipulate them to a certain degree. Could I force them into some sort of pet contract?
If I was going to travel to new worlds I needed the backup of a trustworthy powerful being. I had Hestia who was basically a walking nuclear bomb in the form of a hot goddess.
But, I didn't know if she could unseal her powers even if she was in another world and I didn't want to take her to any unknown worlds. Call me protective or stupid but if I fucked up I didn't want her getting hurt.
A familiar on the other hand…
Rivera's nose twitched. "You're thinking of something incredibly dangerous."
I sent her a confused glance. "What?"
She looked away with a small blush.
"I've only known you for a while but I can sense you're thinking of something incredibly stupid and dangerous." She explained.
I smiled but didn't confirm or deny what she said.
It was a bit dangerous.
Depending on what monster I went for. Excitement bubbled in me, I felt like a Pokemon catcher.
"Definitely Dangerous."
I chuckled.
The sun sank lower on the horizon, casting the forest in a warm amber glow.
After a few more hours of hunting, the excitement of the chase died down as we found ourselves finding less prey. In Riveria's words that meant it was time to leave.
Riveria led us to a small clearing, where she set her bow down and began to prepare a modest meal from the supplies she'd brought.
I conjured a small flame with a flick of my fingers and the sapping of my demonic power, earning a curious look from her. Her expression remained neutral, though I caught the faintest hint of approval in her eyes.
We ate in comfortable silence. The simple meal tasted far better than I expected, perhaps because of the company. I found myself watching Riveria as she seemed to relax, her usual icy demeanour softening ever so slightly.
"Hunting teaches discipline, patience, and respect for the natural world. It reminds me of the forests back home." She spoke up.
I filed that bit of information away.
I rose to my feet, brushing off my coat. "We better head back."
She gave me a sidelong glance, her lips twitching in what might have been a frown.
Without a word, she nodded before turning and began the trek back toward Orario.
As we approached the forest's edge, Riveria stopped abruptly and turned to face me, her expression unreadable.
The distant lights of the city flickered into view.
"Zephyrion," she began, her tone as cold and measured as ever. "Would… would you perhaps be interested in coming along with me for a dungeon dive? Either with me or alongside the Loki Familia?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. Her words carried the usual aloofness, but I could sense a hint of something beneath it.
I raised an eyebrow, a smile coming to rest on my face.
Her emerald eyes narrowed slightly, though the faintest flicker of amusement danced in their depths. "Consider it an opportunity to prove that your arrogance isn't entirely unwarranted."
"I'd love to," I replied. "Contact me when you want me to tag along."
She nodded. "Good."
I went to leave only to pause.
"It's a date."
A small flush appeared on her cheeks and I left before she could retort with anything.
That had been fun.
-Scene Break-
I casually strolled through the twentieth floor of the dungeon. I have been down here for a couple of hours now.
Hestia had finally become fine with me dungeon diving again after a few days of insisting I needed rest. Apparently, "rest" was synonymous with being bored out of my mind at the abandoned church.
The massive roots and vines of the Large Tree Labyrinth were certainly a weird site for my formerly-human side's eyes. The silence around me was broken only by the occasional distant growl or skittering sound.
A sudden, heavy thud resonated through the air. I paused, my senses sharpening as the ground trembled beneath me.
A moment later, a creature I quickly identified as a Bloodsaurus emerged from behind a cluster of massive roots, its crimson scales gleaming in the faint light filtering through the dungeon canopy.
The dinosaur-like beast let out a guttural roar, its slightly glowing yellow eyes locking onto me with predatory intent.
This monster was around the lower end of the middle class, quite the troublesome beast for level two adventurers.
I was currently strolling through the floors, with my ability to teleport I wasn't worried about time and I was mostly getting back into things. I didn't bring Bell or Lili with me due to my goal.
My goal down here was collecting monster stones and practising my new unlocked bloodline.
The Bloodsaurus charged, each step shaking the ground. Its jagged claws gleamed as it raised an arm, ready to swipe.
I stayed rooted in place, smirking as its roar grew louder. The realm between the mid-class and high-class was massive. It was no wonder why they were considered strong in devil society.
It was easy to overlook that in favour of the ultimate class but the level of power I had reached was insane.
I raised my hand. "Diffindo!"
A wave of cutting magic surged forward, slicing cleanly through the creature's raised arm. Blood sprayed across the mossy floor as the severed limb crashed to the ground, earning a deafening roar of pain from the beast.
The Bloodsaurus staggered, only to recover and lunge forward with its jaws wide open, aiming to tear me apart.
I raised my other hand, conjuring a swirling orb of fire.
With a flick of my wrist, the blazing sphere of demonic fire shot forward, hitting the Bloodsaurus square in the chest. Flames erupted around it, consuming its scales and flesh as it let out one final, agonized screech before collapsing into a burning heap.
The magic-infused fire quickly turned its massive form into ash, leaving only a magic stone glinting amidst the remains.
My hand waved and the fire died down.
A nifty trick I had learnt, creating massive fires in the dungeon didn't seem like a great idea. I had even heard someone talk about finding a massive fire once and I realised that was probably me.
I walked over, crouching down to pick up the stone.
I continued my stroll through the dense Large Tree Labyrinth, dispatching monsters with little effort as I searched for one worthy of my attention. I wanted to make one my Familia after all. Which was why I was mostly exploring.
A growl made me turn my head as two Needle Rabbits darted out from the underbrush. Their needle-like horns gleamed as they charged straight at me.
"Confringo," I muttered, sending an explosion of magic forward.
The blast was larger than I had assumed it would be and it turned the charging rabbits into nothing but charred remains, not even leaving their magic stones behind.
I think I'll save that spell for more dire situations.
A pack of Mad Beetles scuttled into view, their shiny black shells reflecting the dim light filtering through the dungeon's canopy.
A clicking sound entered my ears and Killer Ants swarmed from the shadows, their numbers growing as they closed in on me. I smirked.
This was a good chance.
As I focused, red and black arcs of lightning began crackling across my palm, glowing ominously against the dim dungeon backdrop.
"Lightning…?" I muttered under my breath, watching the energy twist and spark unnaturally.
The Killer ants advanced quickly.
No, this wasn't lightning.
It definitely looked that way and when the storm of destruction had manifested around me I had thought that was the mutation but this felt different.
The static-like arcs seemed alive, humming with a power that defied normal understanding. It almost looked solid.
The red arcs blasted outward, streaking through the air.
The Killer Ants didn't even have a chance to react.
The first few arcs tore through their ranks, leaving trails of sizzling destruction in their wake. Carapaces shattered, bodies disintegrated and the dungeon floor trembled under the sheer force of the attack.
I watched curiously.
The arcs of destruction didn't fade like normal magic. They lingered, suspended in mid-air, writhing and crackling with an almost malevolent energy.
A thick, unnatural mist began pouring off them, staining the air crimson and distorting the space around them.
The Killer Ants backed away.
I realised the ground around the static arcs was disintegrating. The mist pouring off was starting to spread fast.
They began to retreat, and as the mist came towards me I realised I could control it. Clapping my hands the static arcs exploded and the entire floor seemed to shake.
My eyes were widened.
What the fuck.
The explosion had been large. Which made sense considering the amount of demonic power that had fueled it.
Yeah, I'm going to leave before someone finds the destruction I've just caused.
While it wouldn't matter to anyone outside, I didn't want word getting out. Especially since I'm being watched.
I found myself standing in front of a massive waterfall, the roaring sound of cascading water drowning out every other noise I could hear on the floor I was on.
The mist created by the relentless downpour coated my skin.
"The 25th floor," I muttered to myself.
My search for a suitable monster to make into my Familia had gone a bit far, I didn't know if I was being overly picky but I hadn't found any creature that truly interested me yet.
This was one of the deepest dungeon dives I had done. Naturally, I was on guard. My senses were on full alert. That's why my eyes wandered to the still water at the base of the waterfall.
The pool stretched far and wide, its surface unnaturally smooth despite the rushing water above it. A ripple caught my attention. Then another.
I jumped back a good distance.
A hulking shadow shot out of the depths and with a deafening roar, the massive two-headed form of the Amphisbaena emerged.
The creature's blue-scaled bodies glistened under the dim dungeon light, each of its heads twisting in a serpentine motion as it locked onto me. Its yellow eyes regarded me, the same confusion that normally did passing through its gaze.
One head hissed with venom dripping from its fangs, while the other roared, its teeth glinting like blades.
I hummed.
This was dangerous. For the first time since coming down here this dungeon dive, this monster might kill me. The level difference between general monsters and a boss-class monster was astounding.
The Amphisbaena wasted no time, lunging forward with the speed and aggression of a creature born to kill. I barely dodged to the side as its venomous head snapped at where I'd been standing, the venom sizzling against the stone floor.
My body was instantly coiled, ready to move at my highest speed.
"Diffindo" I muttered, sending a sharp cutting spell toward its torso. The spell struck true, but the beast's scales barely gave way, leaving only a shallow gash.
The other head came at me immediately, jaws wide open.
My eyes narrowed.
I thrust my hand forward instantly, just in time too as I summoned a jet of water infused with demonic power to blast it back. The impact sent the head reeling slightly, but the other one swung around, slamming into me with its massive neck.
I was sent flying back, skidding across the damp floor until I managed to dig my heels in and stop.
Ouch.
Pain blared from the impact it made on my body.
I pushed myself up, narrowly dodging the swipe it sent towards me.
Raising both hands, I conjured a massive fireball and launched it at the beast. The explosion engulfed the creature, sending heat waves rippling through the air.
The demonic flames cleared, revealing the Amphisbaena roaring in rage but still very much alive. Its scales were lightly charred in certain places but overall the fire had done little more than enrage it further.
"Figures," I muttered.
The creature charged again, water splashing everywhere as it moved.
I decided to shift my tactics, my wings burst out of my back and using wind magic to propel myself into the air, dodging its venomous bite by inches.
I landed behind it and sent a blast of lightning toward its tail.
The crackling bolt struck true, making the beast howl in pain.
But before I could follow up, its other head whipped around and unleashed a torrent of venom. I barely managed to raise a barrier of earth, the red venom corroding it instantly but buying me enough time to leap away.
It didn't help that the vapour worked as a gas and made its way around my barrier.
"Incendio."
The gas-like attack exploded, clearing up the venom.
I was glad I had taken so much time to learn the more advanced spells. To think there were still expert and master spells above that. I was technically at the apprentice level in terms of knowledge.
The other head perked up, opening its maw and releasing a bright blue misty fire blast. A shockwave erupted from the blast and everything around the attack was warming up. Giving me a good idea of what to expect.
My hands clenched together and I let a large stream of wind erupt from it. The wind would carry the fire away instead of opposing it like ice would.
The two blasts met and caused a strong shockwave that forced me to root myself into the ground. The fire was barely sent spiralling outwards instead of towards me.
I gritted my teeth. Pushing more demonic power into it.
Finally, the blue fire stopped coming and I jumped back further onto land.
"Confringo." I cast a spell, pushing a lot of demonic power into it.
The beast sneered and its other head came around to release a massive wave of red gas. The spell entered and visibly became a lot weaker.
I frowned, I had put a decent amount of demonic power into that.
The other head didn't waste time and released a massive torrent of flames. I opted to dodge, running as the head followed me. Blue flames wrecked the place around me.
My fists punched out, one sending a ball of fire and the other sending a ball of ice.
The fire met the mist and made it explode while the ball of icy magic shot through, only to be devoured by more red mist that spouted out of the monster's head.
A blast of blue fire was sent back for my efforts.
I sighed.
A shame. I wanted to try to tame the monster but I simply wasn't powerful enough.
My hand crackled with red static.
Destruction raged out, leaving streaks of frozen destruction in the air as it raged towards the beast akin to thunder.
The monster could seemingly sense the danger as it released a massive wave of red gas that obscured its entire form.
I blinked in shock as my destruction was eaten at.
It managed to pierce through but by the time it reached the monster it was only able to do some damage to its scales. The static in the air released a plume of destruction that I commanded to battle with the red mist.
A wave of fire erupted from my fist and contacted the red mist. I could only admit my fault as a massive shockwave erupted out first, sending me shooting back into the wall and a massive fireball that consumed all the static destruction erupted.
It seemed like a good idea.
I got up, looking around.
Fire and blue fire littered the entire area. Steamed wafted up from the water and I couldn't see any sign of the monster. That was until a blast of fire shot up from the water and I could only conjure a dome as I barely held on.
I chuckled.
Not even my power of destruction could kill it?
That red mist was incredible. I could put a lot more power into it and bypass it but there was the matter of its physical strength. If it dodged, my chances of winning would lower by a lot.
That's why instead, I played it safely.
Its heads rose, revealing it to be much less damaged than I hoped for it to be.
The fight continued. I found myself growing more interested by the second even as my body wracked up damage.
This was by far the hardest fight I had to endure for a long while.
I gritted my teeth as I was sent back again, my bones bending with a force that would make them break if the force that hit me had even been 1% stronger.
I used every element at my disposal. Fire, water, wind, and earth. While the Amphisbaena retaliated with unmatched ferocity.
My breaths were heavy, my demonic reserves were getting lower. Despite this my mind was calm. I had fought so much by now that all I felt was excitement as I tried to find ways to bring the beast down.
The creature wasn't unscathed either. Its scales were scorched, cut, and cracked in places.
"You're one tough son of a bitch. Only the black Goliath pushed me to this extent. It's a shame I'm not strong enough to tame you." I couldn't help but say.
The Amphisbaena's movements slowed, its two heads lowering slightly as if assessing me. Its glowing yellow eyes narrowed, not with rage but with thought.
Naturally, I caught onto this.
"What…?" I muttered, lowering my hands cautiously.
The beast growled, its heads tilting in unison as it studied me.
For the first time, it didn't attack.
I blinked.
Did it understand me?