Chapter 2: Interaction
Lightning, a beautiful thing to see when it's dark. Not so much when that lightning takes the form of a few hundreds of pounds of absolute power and rage in the form of Blitzes, the blind Elite Demon having enough senses and hate for my blood to be able to tell where I am regardless of the twists and turns I'm forced to take while going through the absolute mess that is Orario.
And what's more is that it's me specifically, I've nearly ran over exactly three Divines before being forced to continue supplying the absolutely mana-draining spell that enhances my body to great levels. Devils and Demons don't like Divines.
Granted, they despise my blood so it's somewhat understandable. Actually, it isn't. Why are Demons and Devils so petty?
As I continue inwardly complaining about the current situation, I look around as I see the wall as I grin and chance a glance behind me and my eyes widen at being chased by three Blitzes.
Now, it's time to go into a little lesson. Especially when it comes to summoning things that I've killed. Whenever I kill a Demon, whether it be a Blitz, an Empusa, or a Scarecrow some of its essence gets sucked into the Ring of Solomon, accumulating until I can freely summon one of them for a while and have them fight for me. Devils are a different thing entirely, as killing one either lets me off with their being to create a Devil Arm or to turn them into Familiars that I can summon at any time. Out of the five Devils I've killed, all of them are my familiars and as such, I can summon them whenever I want and in any situation I want.
But, I also want to improve my sword fighting abilities so I don't really call on them. There's also the fact that they tend to be subtle in their attempts to kill me as to release themselves from their curse of being my familiars. But that's another matter entirely.
I side step a particular speedy Blitz and aim Mongrel, the gunshot ringing out in the medieval city as it jerks back, the slug being powerful enough to break its lightning shield around it as it flew back as I continue my run, grabbing Dolos as the hammer automatically clicks back as the Blitzes chase after me.
Jumping up, a glyph appears under my leg as I leap forward and over the tall wall of Orario as everything seems to slow down.
It's beautiful. I don't understand why, but that was my thought, upside down and flying over the wall of a city. So much to learn, so much to do, so many people to learn from.
It's too bad the view is interrupted by the horrifying and absolutely abhorrent leap of the Blitzes, only one of them turning into lightning to travel up the wall as it also leaps at me as well as a gray aura envelops my arms, accumulating and continuing to grow until both my arms have a gray aura surrounding them.
Aiming Mongrel and Dolos, they thrum with energy as I pull the trigger, the spread from the slugs of Mongrel hitting all of them and weakening the lightning shield around them before two bullets from Dolos hit each Blitz and interrupted their leap.
Kicking back, my feet hit the grassy floor as I slide and swing out the cylinder for the revolver and flick my left wrist forward, causing the used cartridges and slugs from Dolos and Mongrel to fly out, disappearing like magic, before almost instantly being replaced by a new payload.
The little trick Dante taught me is very useful, if not slightly annoying since his weapons usually release the spent cartridges while I have to remove them.
Regardless, "How it do, Sparky? Still a curse to existence itself?" I goad the Blitzes as they growl, their lightning shield returning far too quickly for my liking as I put on Erato and I go through my choices of songs.
In the end, I choose Xenogenesis by TheFatRat and let the song wash over me as I go for Aletheia on my back, the sword on my back thrumming as the Blitzes charge.
I roll and aim Dolos as the bullets hit the shield of a Blitz before jumping up into a backflip over a claw swipe before raising a hand, a magic circle blocking a backhand before the circle bursts, sending the Blitz back before my ring thrums as I summon a Demon.
A magic circle reminiscent of the Star of David, otherwise known as the Seal of Solomon, appears as out comes a Blitz with a different color scheme as it leaps at the one behind me before I turn to the last two as I leap forward and a blue aura envelops Aletheia, the straight sword colliding against an electrified claw as nothing happens to me.
I grin as I spin into a spinning hook kick across its jaw, sending it back as it becomes lightning and begins to dart around as the other one leaped and slashed at me only to be parried by Aletheia.
I duck under a swipe from behind as I reverse my grip on Aletheia and stab back into the chest of the Blitz behind me before aiming Mongrel into its head and fire twice, once to remove the lightning shield and the second one to remove its awareness via death.
Unable to remove Aletheia as the Blitz began to accumulate power from within, I reach into my pocket and grab Apate and flick my wrist out, unfurling the karambit-like blade and leap to the side as the Blitz returns with its lightning shield.
Pointing up, I let the mana accumulate as the spell comes to mind before swiping my hand as the Blitz is sent back via a burst of wind and collides with its downed friend as he explodes, catching the second Blitz in its explosion and kicking up dust.
I dash forward, before spinning and cutting into its chest and finishing it off with a stab, leaping back as it begins to accumulate energy to explode as I let it, turning to where my own Blitz is roaring to the sky after defeating the final Blitz.
Sighing, the wind picks up the ashes of the dead Demons disappear to the sky as I stare at the claws that were left behind. Those usually aren't left behind.
I walk over, the Blitz I summoned returning to the ring, and pick up the claws as my eyes widen. These things are fucking teemed with mana.
That doesn't happen, it never does. Only Devils can become something else, and Spirits. Yet, they dropped something.
I hear people clamoring near me as I jump in surprise, "Shit." I picked up two of the three claws and began running fast as I wondered one thing as my feet hit the floor.
Why didn't I just teleport back?
Because I need the exercise.
At least, that's what I told myself.
Soon, there in the middle of it all was a woman, with golden blonde hair and equally golden eyes while wearing a metal headdress and a dress with armor covering her chest and blue boots that reached mid-thigh as she looked around, eyes wandering as she tried to look for something, or someone. Her name is Ais Wallenstein, one of the strongest Adventurers in Orario and a Level Five.
Meanwhile, others were looking around, trying to find a clue as to what happened, aside from the obvious of it being a scuffle.
"The hell's a Blitz doing here?" Loki, their goddess, a tomboy-ish redhead wearing black pants and a white shirt with her hair in a ponytail and near constant squinted eyes mutters.
A green-haired elf with regal bearings and sharp eyes with a cloak over her green clothing, otherwise known as Riveria 'Nine Hells' Ljos Alf a Level Six, notes her goddess' mutterings, "You know what these infernal creatures are, Lady Loki?"
"Yeah…" Loki admits to one of the executives of her Familia, eyes wide and lacking the amusement they usually have as she sighs, "you're a lot closer than you think."
That seems to be the clue they needed as a short man, blonde with blue eyes prevalent, known as the captain of the Loki Familia Finn 'Braver' Deinme, also a Level Six, as he turns to her with an almost resigned look in his eyes, "You couldn't mean Demons, Lady Loki."
"Elite ones too." She adds as she gets up, looking around, "It was only a matter of time before they started to copy us. Absolute copycats." Loki pouts as the others mostly ignore her.
Resting his twitching thumb against his lip, the blonde pallum turned to Loki, "Why haven't we seen these before?"
Loki only shrugged, "They usually don't care for anything that happens here. Something's got them riled up enough to send these things," she jerks her head towards the scattered claws on the ground, "to dispose of it."
"Those weren't scouts?" Finn asks as a short and stout man with brown hair long enough to have a beard scoffs.
"I'd be scared if they were." Gareth 'Elgarm' Landrock, a dwarf and a Level Six as well as an executive of the Loki Familia.
Riveria huffs, distaste seeping in her voice as she spoke, "I'd be surprised if they deemed it fit to send scouts at all."
Finn looked surprised, "Do you have prior experience with Demons, Riveria?"
"No," she starts with a shake of her head, "I've only heard stories from the Elders, but even then…" She trailed off, unable to put into words the amount of suffering such creatures wrought simply by looking at their eyes or at the scars of her older kin. Something told her that the hundred yard long stare is only scratching the surface of the suffering her kin went through at the hands of the Demons.
Ais could only stare at the claw before crouching down and picking it up, something that Riveria noticed, "What do you have there, Ais?"
In the end, she only says, "There's mana in the air, and," she points towards Orario, "the one who fought them is in there."
"How do you know that Aizu-tan?" The mischievous goddess asks as Ais blanks.
She is now at an impasse as she tries to come up with the right word to describe what she's feeling. It wasn't inferiority or anything like that, but…
She begins to wave her arms around, expression gradually becoming more and more panicked until she gives up, "The mana is very distinct, easy to pick up but hard to pin down exactly. It's very strong. Like…"
Like an ally. A king. Or a prince.
But she couldn't just say that out loud.
They only tilted their head, not really understanding it but answering their question with clarity.
Why are Demons here? Is it because of the Dungeon?
No, they would've had to come from there. Now that adds to the question, are there any down below?
No, that's a problem for when I get there. I guess the barriers keeping the deities in their little world were weakened and so was the one that kept Demons away. God, I hope I don't have to deal with Devils any time soon. Especially Demons that fought in the Dungeon.
Worries aside, I walk towards the renovated church, the place being fixed up by the helpers I was able to summon to make sure the place is good enough.
The replaced doors are simple enough, made out of wood but the inside is where it all changed. Gone were the broken down pews as the area where the altar was previously located was replaced by a workbench filled to the brim with different objects that may be needed while right in the middle is a blank area with nothing much to see. Aside from the fact that it's all clean with a few couches and other places to relax around it nothing much else changed.
"Milord," I heard someone call as I turned to the side to see a man, a bit taller than I was wearing a simple pair of jeans and a blue shirt, eyes tired and overall having a ferocious look on his face, "your will has been done."
"Thanks, Marbas, I hope it didn't cause you too much trouble." I responded as the Devil in the form of the man only shook his head.
"Installing electricity in a world like this one is no easy task but I live to serve." Marbas responded with a bow as he returned to the Seal of Solomon as I inclined my head to show my thanks.
You heard him right, I can now use electricity in this world thanks to the toils of Marbas and the other Spirits I summoned to have helped him and keep the place clean.
Regardless, I stretch as I extend my left hand, a magic circle appearing as I grin, "Guess it's time to pull some isekai bullshit."
Not like I haven't already, mind you. But I have an excuse unlike all the other stories who pull out steam engines or guns out of their asses.
Devils are very useful as familiars, lemme tell you.
Once Hestia had enough, she proceeded to walk back to her home, the little church she and her new Familia member will now call home, she needs to inform him about the emergency Denatus meeting that's been called together.
Except, "What the…" She trailed off, staring at what used to be a dilapidated church. It still had the image of a church, but instead it felt more… homely? Even more so than it already was with her presence.
There were also a lot of sounds coming from the inside as she quickly went in and opened the doors.
A garage, that's what she came face-to-face with. A creation that shouldn't even be in existence for at least a few centuries after the Dungeon would fall. Where the altar used to be was a workbench filled with power tools while the middle is completely clear, couches lining the outside and some of the pews as well. At the end of her walk she came to a stop to marvel at the varying tables scattered against the wall of the opposite end of the entrance of the church, from a simple but long work table in the middle with others all around it.
On it were two guns, the ones she saw on Elishua's hips, and a… karambit? She's not that knowledgeable on weapons.
She'd never thought she'd see firearms, especially such advanced versions, so soon. Hephaestus and Goibniu would be very interested.
She reached out, her curiosity and her instincts getting the best of her as she reached for the revolver out of curiosity.
"Ah, Hestia!" She heard someone call as she exclaimed, turning she came face-to-face with her Familia member with his usual laid-back smile in place, eyes glinting with excitement and anticipation in the same way a kid's would when they want to show their parents something interesting, "Welcome back," he began with a slightly cheeky grin, "so, what do ya think?"
What did she think? That's when it hit her, their room.
She jogged to the secret entrance, now open for anyone to see as she walks down the room and comes across a normal room, clean and without much change as her child walks over, "It's nothing too fancy, but it'd be a good idea to get another house, maybe something small or similar, who knows."
While her child continued on muttering things about rent and other things, Hestia couldn't keep the tears from her eyes as she turned to her only child, "Elishua~!"
She charged at him, ramming into his stomach and ridding him of air as she enveloped her arms around him in a hug, "Gufwah~!" Was the weird sound he made on impact.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou." Was Hestia's unending thanks to her only child while said child coughed. Once he regained his air, he gently patted Hestia on her head with a laid back smile, waiting for her to finish.
In the end, he isn't able to go to the guild, or the Pantheon as the main branch is called to register to become an Adventurer, but he did have fun talking with Hestia, especially about his world, himself and his journey was evaded doggedly.
Afterwards, she left for the Denatus meeting while Elishua slept. Hestia could feel the tension in the city and felt jealous that her child could relax in the situation they're in.
By the Gods. Hestia knew it would turn out like this.
Arguments, accusations, so much was thrown from side-to-side as even some of the most fearless of Gods tried to make heads or tails of how Demons escaped from Hell.
The reason for the worry is because of a Devil's ability to absorb Divine aura, being able to match some of the strongest gods and consume them. A lot of gods lost their lives because of it.
Yet, Ouranos confirmed one thing that chilled their bones.
No Devils or Demons have left from Hell when the Blitzes appeared.
And so, the arguments continued while Hestia sighed, keeping her head down in worry of her child.
Its morning as I opened my eyes, my internal clock absolutely despising me as I stretch, telling it to fuck off before sitting up as I look around at the fixed-up basement. My eyes wander to the Goddess, no, my Goddess, Hestia, who's sleeping on the bed as I stretch.
"I wonder if the spell worked?" I muttered as I got up, walking towards the bathroom to brush my teeth and do whatever needed to be done. "Erato," I begin, the headphones-turned-sprite appearing at my side in the form of a sprite, a simple green light as it thrummed at attention, "do me a solid and play 'Problems' by Weathers."
A beat passes and the familiar riff starts playing at a moderate volume as I bob my head to the rhythm.
The music continues as I finish up, pondering if I should dunk my head into the water to shock myself into awareness but decide against it. The last time I did that, Dante kicked my ass for nearly drowning and somehow attracting a Devil that nearly kept me down.
It's like they hate my blood more than they do Dante's.
Which is understandable, in a way. It's a lot easier to hate someone who enslaved and forced you into servitude than it is to hate someone who betrayed you.
But honestly, I jump into a fight and somehow they think I'm now the best thing to take a bite out of or stab?
If they're gonna stab someone they could at least go for Dante. He survives being stabbed.
Inwardly griping, I put on the gray hoodie I wore, everything still intact as the enchanted clothing hung from my frame comfortably, the bottom of the sweater reaching mid thigh before putting on the fingerless glove on my right hand, more of a decoration than anything that's really needed aside from the glyph on it and the various other magical inscriptions that allow for a little surprise.
Walking upstairs to the Workshop, as I will now call it, I extended my hand as a belt flew towards me. I caught it as Dolos and Apate seem to thrum in excitement in their respective holsters as I put on the belt, magic being useful as I don't have to put it through the belt loops and waste extra time. Apate, the karambit enters its holster behind Dolos, the revolver thrumming with energy as I finally extend my hand once more.
Aletheia, my ever-so-loyal and stern sister-figure-turned-sword, flies towards me as I push open the double doors of the church with a grin.
Only for it to disappear as I feel something hit the back of my head, "Ow!"
Aletheia thrums in a way that I would call minor disappointment as it settles on my back, probably due to how late I woke up. Seems like old habits die hard.
Finally, Erato settles around my neck in its headphone form as Atoms by Trinix plays as I begin my walk.
I look up to the sky, my internal clock informing me that it is, in fact, around seven in the morning. Usually, I wake up earlier, but last night was a bit tiring, with Hestia getting on my case about my own world.
From what Hestia had told me, the Pantheon was near the Tower of Babel, a simple building where one can register as an Adventurer and gain access to other things, like a library or classes.
I'll definitely need to check out the library, maybe they'll have some information on the magic of this world. And classes…
I like learning on my own, whether it be fighting or mundane things, besides, the Ring of Solomon, despite all its potential, tends to be like a mischievous child. Maybe that was how the real Solomon acted? While he was never given incredible intelligence he was given wisdom. And when someone understands how people move, think, react, they will know.
Regardless, whenever I ask for a spell the ring seems to take amusement in giving me rituals instead or spells that have a near unbearable mana strain, I have to consciously ask for spells that don't suck my mana dry.
Fucking ring.
The ring vibrates as if reading my mind as I had half a mind to flip it off.
The other half was walking down the large street I was in, taking it all in as I came closer to the Pantheon.
The whole stone building was simple with a pair of doors used in ranches, I think. The windows weren't made of glass but of wood that interlocked and whatnot with what looked like banners hanging up top.
Entering, I found a place similar to a clinic, or more like a bank as I looked around. People lining up to talk to attractive tellers? Consultants? What was the word…
Accountants? No.
Advisors? Sounds more accurate.
Regardless, I looked around, looking for something, or someone, that might help me point me in the right direction.
In the end, I sigh as I get in line to one of the many advisors while waiting for my turn.
This is gonna take a while.
Meanwhile, Hestia was working in her potato stand, the meaning of the past few days finally hitting her as she managed to keep up a smile.
When a mortal is granted Falna, their being becomes Skills, which makes them who they are. For example, a mortal who notices little things will get a skill pertaining to that. It's all up to the mortal and their will.
So… she could only wonder how deep the hatred Demons and Devils have for Elishua for it to be translated into a literal skill, engraved on his back cursing him to a life with barely any peace. His scars being a testament of the hatred they have for him.
She just hoped he was sensible enough to keep his stats a secret. Especially the Magic, Skills, and Developmental Abilities.
For a second, she slumped with an empty chuckle, wondering what she did to deserve such a wonderful yet troublesome person for a Familia member.
Well, it's not like he didn't warn her about his tendencies.
"And done." The smiling woman with pink hair and equally as pink eyes says as she finishes up asking questions for my registration as an Adventurer, "Just give me a second to get you the necessary forms for your Goddess, meanwhile you can double-check that the information is correct."
While she ducked down, I did as she recommended, looking over the paper that had all the information needed to become an adventurer before nodding that nothing was out of place.
In time too the woman came up with a stack of papers and handed them to me, "Here you go."
"Thanks." I responded, grabbing them as I looked them over, skimming the lines as I nodded.
Wise I may be, taxes are beyond my understanding.
Yet, it felt too easy. A little bit too much. I literally had to fight a Son of Sparda with Devil Arms and all the bullshit that comes with it to have him consider letting me help him, which is a bit weird, in my opinion.
I leaned on the counter and began idly spinning Apate as some of the people around began to shudder, "Um.. Mr. Magnus?"
Blinking, I remembered others telling me that Apate tended to have a very unnerving aura, add in to the fact that it's a knife, a lot of people thought I was gonna rob them when I walked by them. Pepper spray is a bitch, lemme tell ya.
"Shit, sorry." I apologized as I quickly put it back in its holster, "Habit."
"No it's fine," she said, far more relaxed, "Adventurers tend to do similar things."
I nod before continuing, "So, is that all?"
"Almost, as the only member of a new Familia, I'd like to introduce you to the opportunities the Guild has to offer." She says, her smile never changing as I nodded along.
So, to summarize the whole speech in its entirety, there's a library, something I should check out, and we get advisors, people who, as the name suggests, advise the Adventurers that come along.
God, I need an Advisor.
"Where was this when Devils were around." I mutter, because God it would have been useful knowing who, or what, the hell I'm tangoing with instead of learning it in some big-ass speech.
"Sir?" She asked, not hearing me as I remember her asking me if I'd like an Advisor.
"Yeah, that'd be appreciated." I add with a slight smile.
"Alright," she nodded as I noticed the strain, or worry, in her smile as she continued, "Do you have any preferences?"
Why would my preferences matter, "What's that mean?"
"Well," she starts, holding a finger to her cheek while looking away, as if trying to remember, "we have humans, dwarves, werewolves…"
…
God, is this a fucking cabaret? Or, at least, is it similar? My only experience is through the Yakuza games.
"Oh," I mutter before shaking myself out of it and responding, "race doesn't matter, but someone who knows a lot would be good. And who's willing to teach it?" Much as I prefer to learn hands-on, having someone or something to go off of would be good.
"Anything in particular? Or just in general?" She asked.
"In general." I answer as she seems to think for a second.
"Alright, I think I've got it." She nodded before turning to me, "I'd have to ask, but can you come around tomorrow to give us time to arrange for a proper advisor?"
"Take your time," I answer as she seems to sigh in relief, "is that all?"
"Not yet, the guild also offers weaponry and armor, should you require it and loans for both should it also be needed." She offered as I thought about it before shaking my head.
"I'll have to ask my Goddess first, but thanks…" I leave it open for the woman to introduce herself.
"Misha."
"Misha then." I affirmed before nodding and leaving, tax papers in hand as I looked around.
If the 'Guild' is the highest authority here, their armor is probably mass-produced and would break at the first few hits. My own magical armor should be good. Hopefully.
Regardless, I turn to the Dungeon and begin walking. Time to do the time-honored tradition that any good human should do when faced with the unknown.
Fuck around and find out.
But first, I felt someone bump into me as I look down, spotting what may as well be considered a street rat as he apologized but I stopped him, "Hey kid," he looks up and I crouch down, handing him the papers as he looks them over, "you know the abandoned church? By the West street?"
The kid nods as I drop a small bag of Valis on it, "There should be a box around there, leave it there for me, if you're not busy?"
The kid seemed shocked before nodding and began walking to the area I told him as I activated Apate's ability as Deception and sent a double that wouldn't hold under scrutiny but would suffice to keep the child safe and give him the second half of the reward.
Regardless, I turn to the Dungeon and sigh, I really wish I knew more about it.
In the end, I continued my trek towards the entrance down the spiraling staircase as I waited, wondering what's taking so long.
Finally, I was in.
And the Dungeon roared.
It wasn't some small roar either, all over, it could be felt as Hestia stared to the sky, eyes empty and taking cover as she muttered, "What did I invite to my Familia?" Not that she regretted much.
Meanwhile, in a room beneath the Guild, a God could only worry, at the fact that the Dungeon is angry and afraid. And it's going to lash out at whatever is causing it. Angry is something he's used to, but afraid?
Impossible, what could make the Dungeon afraid?
Fuck this shit.
"What the hell!?" I yelled as I rolled under an Empusa, far faster than normal as Mongrel barks out a spread of lead, knocking it back before parrying a claw of another Empusa and spinning as the Dungeon's rumbles begin to calm down and I elbow the Empusa behind me with a magically strengthened arm as I turn and flourish my right arm, extending a spectral construct resembling a whip, and throw it forward, the whip grabbing the Empusa as I pull it in and shove Mongrel into its face as I click my tongue.
Blowing its brains out, the headless Empusa falls down lifelessly as I holster Mongrel and grab Dolos, the hammer clicking into place automatically as I aim down the hall.
Five steps, that's how many it took for it all to go to shit, my back burning as my Falna brought me trouble multiplied by the amount of people looking at my magic circles in shock.
Did I also forget to mention that the Adventurers stuck here were flat-footed as I sighed when nothing happened, "Right, how many died?" I yelled, my voice echoing with the help of the magic circles as I got confirmation that the only thing that happened were a few injuries, some fatal ones too, "Good enough, I think that's all for now."
I snap my fingers, the magic circles bearing the Seal of Solomon healing them as I sigh in relief when I notice something, "Fuck."
Pain. That's a lot of pain.
Fuck! That's a lot of pain, "Rgh!" I growl, keeping down my yelp of pain as I glare at the ring on my left hand. Shit gave me a healing spell, but the spell also requires for me to take the pain they're experiencing, and from my belief, there are more than two dozen Adventurers who were in the First Floor and in my magic circles, at least a dozen of them are injured.
While it isn't the worst, it hurts.
Finally, it was done as I sighed in relief and inspected myself as I corrected an earlier statement. The Ring of Solomon is not a child but a goddamn menace. My mana is practically gone and I could only wonder how a normal magician would have taken to a spell that literally sapped my mana dry.
A mana monster was what I was called, or a natural disaster since the mana that's sealed within me has to be held back lest I kill myself and others in the fallout.
My own problems aside, I got up as the Dungeon walls began to crack, hands coming out all around me, above, below, beside me, even behind me as something hit my back, protected by the magically enhanced cloth of my sweater as I stumbled forward.
Instantly, something shadowy flew towards me as I extended a hand and there was Apate, the pure black karambit blade with an onyx grip as I wiggled my finger into the opening as I spun it and placed it back in its holster.
My hand goes for Aletheia, the bastard sword thrumming as I hold it with two hands as the entire crowd of goblins and, I believe, kobolds appear.
"This all? I want a refund, I thought this was going to be bad." I mutter with a grin as I dash forward and slice into a goblin. It's fairly early, I think a few hours would be good for a workday.
Extending my left hand, I begin charging up the spell I have in mind before bringing it down, causing the monsters to bend to a knee as I grin, something that seems to unnerve the monsters.
And I leap into action, slitting the throats of the monsters as quickly as I could when a certain problem reared its head up. Specifically, a great lack of something called mana.
Soon, the circle flickered out of existence as the absolute swathe of low-level monsters leaped at me as I swung, a blue aura enveloping Aletheia once more as a second spectral blade separated from it, following my swings as I continued swinging.
I jumped to the side and kicked off the Dungeon wall, as my eyes began to roam, taking in the absolute crowd that accumulated from this little section of Hell.
Well, I wanted to improve my swordsmanship, might as well.
I landed on a goblin and stomped, crushing its head under my foot as I dashed forward and cut into a group, only to have more take their place before being cut down by the spectral version of Aletheia as I spun and continued the swing before swinging the opposite way. Finishing with a downward slash, I kick back as a goblin finds itself embedded into the wall.
Taking a deep breath, I fall into the therapeutic movement as if I wasn't there, letting my body react as I cut through the huge crowd.
Yup, this is going to take a while.
Rolling away from a kobold, I swipe at its legs, severing one before kicking in the back of his head before stumbling, taking a moment to catch my breath as I was granted a short reprieve.
While I'm not exhausted, my limbs were beginning to ache from constant swinging as I rolled my shoulders. I should try a knife. Wait, I already have Apate but maybe, a normal one. Or two.
Actually, wait, don't these things have something in them I can trade for money?
Turning, I pause as I notice Apate already cutting into the monsters and removing a crystal from their insides where they disappear into dust before Apate places the small crystals into a magic circle.
Apate notices and flips me off before reaching into the magic circle and bringing out a bag, throwing it at me as I catch it, stumbling in surprise.
It was full as I noticed how many items there are, claws and nails being the most prevalent.
I remember skewering a few lizards too but that's about it. Now, how the hell do I get out.
I begin to walk back only to hear the walls begin to crumble at an accelerated rate, far faster than before and far more numerous.
What is this? It's like it wants to keep me here. What's far more confusing is that there are no Demons, not even Lesser ones despite being swarmed with them at the beginning. Add into the fact that this place feels like how Solomon described Hell is ringing one too many alarm bells in my head.
I reach for Mongrel and Dolos, not bothering to switch the hands since my right one is my dominant one and used for accuracy, twirling them a bit as I flick my wrists, Mongrel spitting out the spent slugs while Dolos removed the spent cartridges before loading up with more as I flick my wrists again, closing them as I prepare myself.
I pulled the trigger of Dolos and the head of a goblin burst like a balloon before aiming for the second one and the same happened.
Pivoting on the heel of my foot, I turn and fire Mongrel at a group as I use the recoil to lean back as I bend back and rest the barrel of Mongrel on the ground, idly flicking my wrist and exposing the cylinder, spent cartridges falling out, before pulling the trigger of Mongrel, the kickback sending me up as I close the cylinder, and the hammer clicks into place automatically.
And then, the dance began as I spun and aimed at the heads of goblins, blowing their brains out. With nothing but a simple flick of my finger as pieces of magically created metal flew at a speed twice the speed of sound.
Landing, I aimed Mongrel at a wall, the spread decimating the wall and preventing any more kobolds or goblins from spawning as I began my trek back, Apate back into existence and making movements that scream of resignation and annoyance.
Mentally, I apologize. Physically, I only aim at the next monster.
I walk out of the Dungeon and see that the sun is already gone as I whimper. I can't be hated by that much of a margin, can I?
Tired. That's what I am. Wanna know why? Because I literally just gunned down enough goblins to make Goblin Slayer proud and enough kobolds to make me sick.
I, legitimately, have too much in my bag that it's nearly bursting at the seams. Sure, money's good and all, but god damn if my fingers ache from pulling triggers.
At some point, I turned it into a game 'How many corpses will we leave stuck in a wall?', the answer would surprise you. Too. Many. To. Fucking. Count!
My bag jingled as Adventurers gave me a wide berth and suspicious and curious looks. Probably my glare helped me with the former and the bag I'm carrying for the latter two.
From what little I knew, I had to turn this into an Exchange and get paid.
God, food sounds like fucking heaven right now!
Regardless, I tread back to the Pantheon and wait in line for the people in line to exchange their stones or crystals or whatever.
Once it was my turn, my glare must have unnerved the teller as I muttered, "Sorry, gimme a sec," while rubbing the space in between my eyes while placing the bag in the Exchange, "long day."
My hoodie is dirty, my eyes are unfocused and despite how I was miraculously unharmed, all it is is mental exhaustion. I need food, no, crave it. And I have so many questions that need answers by the fucking gods and goddesses.
Soon, my eyes are relaxed once more as the teller spoke the amount I gained before thanking her, taking note of the fifty-five thousand Valis I gained before wondering how its shared in between me and Hestia, finding my brain stuttering in its function due to how little I've eaten since coming here and mana exhaustion.
Fuck me sideways thats the ground.
Quickly, I tried to find my way back into a straight position only to stumble and my hand extended as I tried to find purchase on anything, really.
Suddenly, my blurry view is filled with green and something that looks like an apron as my eyes widen in realization and confusion.
Then, a fist appears as I grab it, stopping it before finding myself staring at the sky as my back hits the floor with enough force to knock the wind out of me and rattle my brain a bit.
"Ow." Was my simple exclamation as I groan and proceed to curl up as everything returns to somewhat clarity, "I didn't know trucks were in this world."
"Um…" A starkly feminine voice asks as she crouches down as my mind manages to make out features, a pretty face with gray eyes and gray hair while wearing an apron over a green dress, "Are you okay?"
"If this is heaven, I hope not." I managed to say before being able to take it back as I tried to shut my traitorous mouth from saying anything more. The girl I flirted with had her expression flush a near complete red as I paused, eyes blank as I stared at the sky in resignation before turning to the person who threw me over her shoulder and into the ground.
She had green hair with blue eyes and sharp features. She was wearing the same thing the girl that talked to me had but with longer ears. So an elf.
An elf who had her features contorted into a disgusted glare as if she was staring at something unpleasant. My mind, lacking any filter, convinced my mouth to say, "If you keep glaring at me like that I'll start to enjoy it."
Silence prevailed as I stopped and paused, stomach grumbling while staring at the sky before muttering, "God fucking damn it."
"I'm so sorry." I managed to bow to the two waitresses whom I caused trouble for as I sat on a stool in a counter of a pub, Adventurers from all walks of life talking to each other and overall having a good time.
"No, no, it's fine, really." The gray-haired girl, Syr Flova, waves away my apologies with a simple smile and a wave of her hand, "You're already making it up to me by ordering so much."
"I'm not." I straight up refuse her as I continue eating, "The food's just good."
This seemed to surprise the other waitresses walking around as I continued eating this spaghetti. The proprietress, a large and tall woman by the name of Mia Grand, or Mamma Mia who is a dwarf, laughs, "That's good. Eat up, Adventurers shouldn't go to the Dungeon on an empty stomach."
"Amen." Was my simple response as I continued eating the spaghetti like a man possessed.
A polite one, I'd rather not seem rude to the people here as I remember my manners.
"Ho~," she hums as she holds a hand in front of her lips with a smug look on her face, "then does that mean you still have to make it up to me? Hmm, what could I make you do~?" She wondered out loud.
I shrugged, "M'kay. I think I could stomach being your servant."
That seemed to shock them as Syr's face began to flush a bright red, "E-excuse me?"
"Well, isn't that how it usually goes?" I ask with a raised brow, "Some scoundrel makes a mistake and owes the young lady for one reason or another and the young lady, in all her magna-magnam," I stop, glaring at the sky as my stutter acts up for some reason, "mag-na-ni-mi-ty, there we go. Anyway, in all her magnanimity, the young lady forces the young scoundrel into being her servant before the story continues to develop one way or another. Or are you telling me I'm wrong and you wouldn't want me as a servant?"
That seems to shake her a bit as she stutters, "U-um, a-ah, Ye- I mean-argh!" She finally gives up, stomping and pouting in my direction while giving me a glare, "Elishua!"
"What? Don't want the extra help? Too bad. Guess the deal's off then." I say with a flippant attitude, enjoying as three other waitresses, a human and two cat people, exclaim at Syr for wasting the opportunity.
"Th-Then," her expression brightens before she brings out a set of cards from somewhere, "how about a game?"
That seems to quiet down the pub as I quirk a brow, even the proprietress stopping for a second before continuing, "What game?"
"A game of cards." She says as she turns to Mia with an almost pleading look as she thinks for a second and shrugs, giving the go-ahead for her to continue, "Your pick. If I win you have to help us out for an entire month but if you win we can help you with whatever you need."
That seems to surprise the waitress and proprietress but I stop her with a raised hand, "I'm not suicidal. Right now it doesn't really matter to me so it's fine if my stakes are left blank and the help is limited for when I return from the dungeon."
That seems to shock a lot of people since I'm basically setting myself up for a lose-lose situation and I'm fine with that, "Are you sure? I'd feel awfully guilty if it was so one-sided."
I wave away her worry, "It's fine, I'll just think of something later. That fine with you?"
"Sure." Was Syr's cheery reply with a smile that I swore I could see sunshine come out from behind her like a halo.
"Then, do you know the game, Karma?" I ask with a smirk.
They were now the middle of attention, everyone waiting in anticipation and ordering more to see the eventual downfall of the clueless rookie. "Karma?" Asked Syr with a cute tilt of her head.
"Yup," Elishua nods as he picks up the container of cards and removes the cards inside and removes the Jokers, "I play without the Jokers, that's cool with you?"
"It's fine," Syr responds in excitement at experiencing something new, "so, how is it played?"
"Well, once I'm done shuffling," Elishua starts as he begins shuffling, "I will give you eleven cards, three will be face down and the other three will be face up while the last five will be in your hand. From there, whichever of us has a three will go first, where we will discard cards that are of higher or equal value of the number chosen, but you have to constantly have five cards until the deck is gone. The cards go in the usual order, three, four, five, and on and on. Unless it's different here, the order I remember using was Jack, Queen, and King with the highest being an Ace."
"That's fine. But still, it seems pretty complicated." Syr notes as I nod in agreement.
"Yup. Anyway, there are two wildcards that are the two and ten. Two, for a lack of a better word, resets the pile and ten 'blows it up' removing the cards entirely. If you place down four of a kind, it also 'blows up'." Elishua continues explaining.
"So, if I put down three of one card and you place down the card that's needed to complete it, will it still count?" Syr asks for confirmation.
"Yup, seems like you're getting it." Elishua compliments as Syr smiles back brightly, melting the hearts of a few of the patrons. "Anyway," Elishua continued unabated, "that's about it."
"What happens if you don't have a card that's higher or equal to the current one?" Syr asks for clarification.
"Pick up the pile and continue." I respond as Syr nods, "So, still up for it."
"Why, of course," she exclaimed with a bright smile, "it's always fun meeting and learning about new people. So much to learn and hear, I hope you don't mind telling me some stories when you're working here?"
Elishua chuckles as he finishes shuffling them with a clap before turning to the people looking at him, "Wanna re-shuffle them?" Elishua asks to the shock of many as he was able to have a full-blown conversation while pulling off some sweet tricks while shuffling.
"Ah, let me see 'em." Mia interrupted as Elishua gave her the cards and she re-shuffled them a bit before returning them to Elishua, who thanked her.
Half a minute later, the rules were clarified, the cards were spread out and soon, Syr's expression changed completely into one of mischief while Elishua's was the same, laid-back, with a hint of excitement in his movements.
And with the placement of a three of hearts, Elishua begins the game of Karma.
Four minutes, that's how long the game's gone and for once, the people are seeing Syr a bit frayed from his opponent, who only has one card in his hand, while she has all four. Time and time again, she's done the trick of predicting the cards she has and the ones Elishua has and he remains unshaken. When asked, he only shrugs, "What is there to lose? Pride? Money? Anything I do lose has no real consequence and I can just win back some other time or make more of it. So, why worry about things that 'may' happen when you can worry about what to do at the moment?"
Syr sets down a two, resetting it before continuing on with a Jack and a Queen only for Elishua to retaliate with a ten, 'blowing up' the pile before discarding it as Syr, and everyone around, looks on in shock as his face up cards are a three, a six and a two, which he puts down in that order, to the shock of many as he proceeds onto the first face down card.
Turning it over with a casualness unbefitting of the monumental occasion, it shows a three, which he put down, he continues onto the second card, revealing an eight. Finally, the last card was the only one left as everyone sat at the edge of their seats, wondering whether he'd be forced to grab the pile or he'd win.
And so, he flipped over the card as everyone gasped in surprise and shock as everyone was a witness to the Ace of Spades winning the game in Elishua's favor..
There's a beat of silence as everyone stares in shock, surprise, or disbelief until Elishua interrupts, "Guess it's my win?"
Then the Hostess of Fertility exploded into sound.
God, what's the sound for? Why is Syr glaring at me? Why are all the waitresses having this conflicting look on their faces? It's like joy, revelation, resignation and disappointment all in one.
"Ha! Seems like a handsome face isn't all that you've got going for ya." Mia exclaims with a bark of laughter as she grins, giving a pointed look to the shell-shocked Syr, "Give her some time, she'll come to in a bit."
I hum in understanding before ordering another plate as I continue talking, "Still, nice place you got here." I note, looking out and noting the location, "Must have cost a pretty penny to get here."
"Well, let's just say I had some good connections. But, I'm guessing you're new in town?" Mamma Mia says while cleaning out some mugs as I nod before turning back to the green-haired elf, whose name is Ryu Lion, who notes my gaze but refuses to meet my eyes, turning around quickly as I sigh.
"Yup." I turned to her, ignoring the problem for later as she set down a plate of spaghetti, "What gave it away?"
"There's a certain air about you, aside from that…" she trails off before her eyes follow Ryu for a second before turning back to me, "No, it's nothing. Just your strange clothes and weapons."
I tilt my head as I remembered Aletheia still on my back and Dolos and Mongrel still on my hip, "Old occupation," I answered idly before taking a bite out of the food and swallowing before continuing, "used to work as a guard here and there. Or Exterminator is more like it."
"Really?" She peeked over and read out the patch on my shoulder, "'Devil May Cry' huh? Weird name."
"Well, the boss was a fairly… flamboyant guy." Flamboyant being one of the words that could be used to describe Dante. The red-jacket wearing Son of Sparda was a curse to existence and a blessing wrapped into one, "And we tended to exterminate fairly… infernal creatures. There was also the fact that I'm fairly sure I heard a few cry before."
No really. Dante, Lady, Trish, and Nero could be absolutely brutal.
"He was also completely unreliable, a flirt, and the worst person to ever exist." My mind drags up memories of his 'training sessions' that were borderline torture and more that I'd rather forget. "Honestly," I sip at my water, muttering into the mug, "who racks up a debt that high?"
Yet, for all the bad, "He was a good guy, someone I'd trust my back, or front with, anyway."
"So you're a magic user?" Mamma Mia notes as she looks me over and snorts, "Coulda fooled me. You're a bit too well built to be a Mage."
I roll my eyes and chuckle, "I just thought using swords was cooler. Turns out, I won the genetic lottery by chance, gained my mom's skill for fighting and my dad's magical affinity."
"Ha! Ain't that something?!" She exclaimed as I chuckled along, "Not enough mages out there picking up a knife, much less a sword, to at least be able to somewhat defend themselves."
"The only thing I wish I could do is improve my own swordsmanship." I admit as I lean onto the counter and sigh, "Though everyone in my old group was a bit too strong to really care about technique too much."
Add in the fact that Dante could literally heal from anything then we have a bunch of messes teaching me to not be as much of a mess as they are.
"You'll get there some day." Mamma Mia assures me as I shrug. Straightening up and groaning as I muffle a yawn.
"Here," I drop a few Valis to pay for the food, "that should be enough."
"Yup, guess I'll see you at some other point?" The dwarf asks as I nod quickly, asking for some food to take home as she nods and gives me a carry-box, or whatever, after she finishes making it and continue my walk out of the establishment, bumping into the green haired elf again and knocking her off balance as I quickly move to help right her back into balance via grabbing the plate she was holding and her arm, "Ah, sorry again."
Before she could say anything else, I continued my way out and continued my way onto the Workshop, ignoring the sound behind me.
Ryu could only stare at the absolute anomaly that she encountered when they were out on errands.
When she first met the young man, she could tell that he was exhausted, probably hungry as he stumbled around with an unfocused look in his eyes, as if he was on the verge of Mind Down. As he stumbled, arm extended as he nearly groped Syr's chest. Something she wouldn't let happen.
Now that she thought about it, punching him was a bit overboard but then he caught her fist. A fist that would have knocked out any Adventurer weaker than a Level Three or one bordering on Four. The proceeding shoulder throw was more of an instinct than actual disgust.
At first she was confused at the lack of disgust but then that turned into animosity towards the unfocused Adventurer, who they later learnt was named Elishua, who began to flirt with Syr then had the gall to turn to her and do the same.
They later learnt that he was, in fact, hungry and that he liked Mamma Mia's food, not much of a surprise on the last one, he was shown to be a responsible, if a bit too laid-back, honest, causal, and straightforward, young man. An abnormal Adventurer but that's it.
Then he resisted Syr's charms, beat her in a card game, and managed to touch her, again, and not have any feelings of disgust bubble up.
At that point, he just became an abnormality. An abnormality that's been taking too much space in her mind as it continued to repeat the words her old Familia Captain always told her.
"Listen up Ryu. If a man can hold your hand then don't let go of him!"
"Please be quiet, mental Alise."
Ignoring her internal conflict, she couldn't help but note something. He felt…not old but… experienced? His sword was well-maintained and exuded an unfamiliar aura along with most of his weapons but they all had some form of wear on them. And his clothing…with her enhanced senses she could catch writing on them and a plethora of vague senses.
"Nyuck!" Anya Fromel, one of the other waitresses and a cat person with brown hair, said during a lull in their work, "The boy Syr lost to smelt weird."
"Anya!" Syr tried to defend the boy but couldn't since she didn't have the senses cat people had.
"Truly?" Ryu asks with a tilt of her head. Despite her decision to keep her distance from the young man, she'd like to think that if Anya and Chloe noticed then it should have been obvious.
"Nyes." Chloe Rollo joined in, a black haired cat person with a slightly mischievous expression, "though I think it's his clothing since the smell could also be found on the Adventurers who went to the First Floor today, remember?"
"'Monsters that had a head reminiscent of a fly's with the face of a human and mandibles like a beetle's' was how it was described if I remember correctly." Syr notes before shivering at the image the description brought.
But, they were weak, if the news the Adventurers brought was anything to go by. It's when they were swarmed where it really got hard. Yet, it's the fact that they've never seen the monsters before in any of the recorded floors. Then there was the monster that was in the city yesterday.
Yet, there were no losses. They were killed by an unknown combatant before the Loki Familia executives could get there. Causing tensions to rise as the people began to worry.
"Nya! Exactly," the excitable cat person in the form of Anya confirmed before scrunching up her face, "but, it was…thick."
"Very thick," confirmed Chloe, "like it was a part of him."
Ryu and the others didn't understand too well what they meant but nodded along as Ryu's mind returned to the laid-back Adventurer before shaking her head away from those thoughts.
To her dismay, she'd be forced to repeat the action multiple times during the rest of her time working.
"Yo, Hestia! I'm home." I say as I open the door, finding Hestia resting in one of the couches, looking over a book as she jumps up from her seated position.
"Welcome back!" Hestia called as she seemed to be confused for a second as I noticed the happiness in her eyes but also the worry and the awkwardness of doing something they're unfamiliar with.
Something was off, it was the same way Dante would act when he was actually thinking and would usually be followed with something that could be world-ending or that two different parfait stores were having a sale and didn't know which one to go to because he liked both.
"Here, your cut from my little dive," I start as I hand her a bag of coins as she stiffens, "Twenty-five thousand valis, I used a few of my own to get myself some food, speaking of food, here," I passed her a small box with food I ordered from the Hostess of Fertility, "our dinner for now I guess."
She grabs hold of it, almost scared as she seems to stutter, "B-but, your gear?"
"I still have some of my cut left, I'll just use that to buy a few things." I shrug, "Besides, my hoodie's strong enough to double as armor."
At most, I'll get the armor as a first line of defense. Seems like it'd be useful. For three or four hits.
"Thank you, Eli, this…" She trails off as I could tell that this means a lot.
"It's fine," I tousle her hair roughly as she exclaims, "you're the troublesome goddess I have to take care of as a member of your Familia."
I stop my treatment as she looks up at me with a pout, "So, as the troublesome and nosy child I am, I'll have to ask what's eating at ya?"
Hestia bit her lip as she seemed to think as I began to unbuckle the belt with my guns on them before walking over and placing them on the main Worktable, "Hey, Eli," I hum as I remove Mongrel from its place, turning to her with an inquisitive look, "did the Dungeon act… differently when you entered?"
"Hella," was my response. "It spawned a different type of Monster, a Lesser Demon." I began as I stripped down mongrel piece by piece, occasionally inspecting a few pieces closer, "It also shook."
"What?" Hestia exclaimed as she turned to me in shock, "But, Demons are supposed to be in Hell? How'd they get there in the first place?"
I shrugged, continuing my own fiddling as I had to be careful here, "Dunno, I have a few theories but nothing concrete enough to be considered 'solid'."
Hestia seems to be worried as she continues, "Ok… Now, Eli… have you ever wondered how you got here? Or even why?"
My hand stops moving as she brings up a good point, "I mean, I'm thankful and glad that you're a part of your Familia, but…who, or what, brought you here? And more importantly, why?"
My hands stay frozen as the realization hits me, was… was I ignoring it? Ignoring the connotations that I won't be able to go home. But, I still have the ritual that the Ars Notoria gives me to jump dimensions.
Right?
The Ring of Solomon's inactivity doesn't bring any comfort. It doesn't retain information. It twists it but straight up refuses to provide me with what I need? Impossible.
Wait, what was my quarry? I remember hunting something but what it is escapes me at the moment.
No, the roar. That's what I was looking for. A plague started by a Devil, turning an entire town into Demons and Devils.
The confusion I felt as I became a witness to a Devil showing kindness, stopping my blade from bisecting them.
I remember. Somewhat.
Some power-hungry motherfuckers were turning people into Devils and Demons forcefully. The one I killed previously was one of their latest little party tricks that I rudely interrupted.
Something gave way as I tightened my grip my eyes widening as I stare at Mongrel's barrel, distorted from my grip as I curse, "Fuck."
It was subtle, but Hestia noticed. Her child was ignoring the problem. She learnt that he doesn't remember how he got to this world nor why he's here. And so, she asked the question as she noticed her usually laid-back child's shoulders tense as she felt like she made a mistake.
That was when she felt it. Power, pure unadulterated magical power straining to be released from her child as his countenance darkened further as he cursed at the warping of his gun.
"Hestia," uh-oh, "I have a question. Have you heard any rumors of missing people."
She almost didn't want to answer in fear of what her child would do. Before, if anyone asked if she truly believed that her child was a Hunter of Devils, she'd say yes after a bit of thought. But, looking at him now, there's no thought needed as it was obvious he is a Devil Hunter through and through.
"I… wouldn't be able to tell you," Hestia admitted, ashamed she didn't know what she could do to help her child, "you'd have to go to the guild for that. Even then, I'm not too sure how much that'd help."
She watched as Elishua took a breath and relaxed, his tone and countenance back to how it usually is as he nodded, "Okay."
Turning to her, she stared into his eyes as they seemed to harden, resolve obvious as he spoke, "Sorry Hestia, but I'm going to the Library in the Guild. I won't be going to the Dungeon tomorrow."
"Eh?" Hestia asked aloud as he seemed to look around in his cabinets in his work table until he finally found a leatherbound book and then turned to her, "Well, go ahead, I don't mind, but why?"
"I have to do some research." Elishua responds as he walks toward her, "Could you update my status, please?"
"Uh, sure. Sit down." Hestia notices his eyes, the impatience toiling with his politeness as she decides to be quick about it as he raises the back of his clothing, showing her his muscular back and the Falna resemblant of a hearth on his back.
And so, she pricks her finger and begins the process as her child's soul was laid bare before her.
Elishua Magnus
Level 1
Str: I0 - I8
End: I0 - I3
Dex: I0 - I13
Agi: I0 - I20
Mag: I0- I28
Luck: F
Mystery: I
Mage: E
Skills:
Curse of the Enslaver
-Increase rate of encounters of monsters
Descendant of the Wise King
-?
-Gradually regain mana over time
Magic:
The Lesser Keys of Solomon
-Archival Magic
-Remove Spell Slot Limit
-Ars Goetia: Enslave Fallen Devils
-Ars Theurgia Goetia: Summon, sense, and interact with Spirits
-Ars Paulina: Contact those who are in heaven
-Ars Almadel: Use, summon, and disrupt scrying spells
-Ars Notoria: Archive of magic spells and rituals
Blood of Solomon
-Auto-Magic
-Manipulate Mana at will
Inheritance
-Seal Removal Spell
-I accept my lineage and embrace the power of Solomon.
"Seems like your skills are opening up a bit." Hestia notes as she copies Elishua's status onto his back. Once she was done, she showed him the paper as he hummed.
"Thanks, Hestia. I appreciate this," he stops as he gets up and turns to her with a small smile, "sorry for the trouble I bring and probably will bring."
Hestia could only sigh in resignation, "It's fine. I'll just do the same for you."
Elishua barked out a laugh as he said, "What a family we make, huh?"
Hestia nodded in agreement as Elishua was on his way, running towards the Pantheon.
I do not regret literally tumbling into the Pantheon and asking where the library is. Turns out, it's called the Archives, as the pretty half-elf is currently directing me to them. She has green-eyes behind glasses with short brown hair that reaches her shoulders and is named Eina Tulle.
"And here we are." She points to an oak door with the plate of 'Archives' over it, "Here is where the Guild and other similar records are kept. Newspapers, encyclopedias, but if you're looking for books meant for entertaining then I suggest somewhere else."
Opening the door, I'm nearly floored by how big the whole thing is, bookshelves spiraling high into the roof and some just laying there, "Wow…"
"Yup," Eina chirps with a smile as she enters, "that's the reaction people usually have when entering," she looks to the side with a tired look in her eyes, "or they would if they cared to come here."
"How is it all managed?" I asked, looking around as I tried to wrap my head around it all but decided against it.
It's a lot of knowledge, knowledge that could be useful, and knowledge that I'm going to need.
"Well, there are two sections, technically three but only the higher-ups can enter the third." She starts as she motions for me to follow her, "This section is geared towards Adventurers. Things like monster sightings, weaknesses, strengths, fighting styles and things like that while the civilian side consists of things like newspapers, records, and more. They're managed by the god, Thoth and his Familia. Is there anything specific you're looking for?"
I shake my head as I'm looking to do this on my own for now, "No, but I'll look for it myself."
"In that case, if you'll excuse me." She gives a slight bow as she walks off while I do the same, heading towards the civilian section.
This is going to take a while.
A/N: Right, that's good enough for now. God this is fun to write. But goddamn if I'm not gonna have trouble with future events or Elishua's stats. Because, basically at any time from the lower floors, he will experience no danger because of Mongrel, Dolos, and Apate, not to mention that the War Game Arc would be simple with his strength.
For an overarching plot, I have an idea but for the already set arcs are gonna be a pain in the ass to write something interesting out of them without adding Devils and Demons into them. But you know, that's just Devil May Cry. Then I have to add in romance because I decided to go the entire nine miles 'cause why not?
But goddamn if it won't be fun.
Now, will Elishua lead a revolution by introducing guns and shit? No. Why? Simply because he doesn't want to. For now anyway.
I'll be posting this chapter on AO3 later, or at some point in time, and any suggestions will be put into consideration and may be added to this version and the AO3 one as well.
Now, who wants to read Aletheia's Observation?
Aletheia's Observation will be a short section, similar to the 'To Give Meaning' in Supernaturally Unpredictable, where I write down a bit of information from Elishua's oldest Devil Arm and sister-figure.
Aletheia's Observations
Elishua Magnus- Her wielder, a foolish, stubborn, laid-back, and selfish bastard, yet he's also the kindest, smartest and wisest person she knew. She was there when he saved her by turning her into a weapon and when he took his revenge on the Devils. She is the one who understands him the best in most cases.
Spirit Arms
Dolos- Her opposite and the Spirit of Trickery. A Schofield revolver modded to its absolute limit and with the Spirit empowering it further. Pure black with red veins running all over it, giving it a very menacing look. It cocks the hammer by itself but usually takes a beat, unlike when Elishua does it himself, and also does other things automatically, like releasing the cylinder or setting itself back into place. Its bullets can phase through magical defenses but only one before hitting its target or being blocked by a second one.
Apate-A karambit knife and the Spirit of Deception. The karambit knife works like a normal karambit and also can summon a double in the form of anything chosen, from a bird to Elishua himself but would not hold under scrutiny.
Aletheia- A bastard sword and the Spirit of Truth. The simple sword can gain a blue aura where a second sword appears that either overlaps the sword or follows the swing of the sword. If the first is chosen, it causes 'true' damage, not being affected by anything that happens to be exuding from the enemy. Like lightning.
Erato- A set of headphones and one of the nine Muses. If Elishua remembers a certain song, Erato would play it in the form of his headphones or a small sprite that follows him around. Doesn't really like combat but can be really loud.
Normal Weapons
Mongrel- A sawed off double barrel shotgun, modded to the brim so its kickback is minimal while its power is devastating. When Elishua was cleaning the gun, he fell asleep and dreamt of dogs barking at him where he got the name from.
Glove- A glove enchanted with runes and glyphs to allow for a spectral rope with the weight of a chain and the flexibility of a whip. The name is yet to be determined.
Status Explanation
Luck- Divine protection in the form of Dante, God, and the Ring of Solomon.
Mage- He's a descendant of Solomon, the King of Magic.
Mystery- His enchanting skills and overall skills with creating things like weapons.
Descendant of the Wise King- Unsure, but it seems to help with his mana regeneration.
