And with this, we once again reached Chapter 11 of this fic.
And once again, I decided on some subtle changes when compared to the original version. Just minor things, however.
Anyway, that's about it.
Once again a big fight happening, because I love me action scenes.
Enjoy.
Kay bye.
XXX
"Look out!" A yell made his comrades aware of the breach in their formation on the left side. "Cover the left flank! Line, use support magic!" Raul, the appointed leader of the expedition, called out as he looked over the battlefield and the ever increasing number of Monsters.
At the moment, they were on the 37th Floor, also known as the White Palace. Their group consisted of the entire Second Group as well as some hand picked Level 2's to act as Supporters, though even they were on the higher end of their Level and not that far away from becoming Level 3.
As always, the space between the walls, rooms and hallways was huge and the Floor was entirely white, not helpful at all for orientation to Adventurers who set foot for the first time on said Floor.
However, neither the huge space which allowed for Monsters to slip past defence lines nor the confusing white layout was the reason for the group's anxiousness. It was instead the pure numbers of Monsters, which was not normal at all.
We even cleaned these Floor almost completely a while ago, so why are there so many of them?! Raul thought as he ran his blade, the double-edged sword called Protagonista, through another Barbarian's heart killing the Monster which made it to the middle of their formation, where Raul, Line and Fuzen were. On the right flank were Cruz, Narvi and Aki, while the left was made up of Alicia and Rakta.
It had come as a surprise when the Captain decided to have Fuzen join the second group on their sudden expedition and Raul could only guess as to why their cunning Captain decided to have it this way, but nonetheless, the boy's help had been a great help so far.
...There's over fifty of those Monsters. Spartoi as well as Barbarians. We could deal with them at the current rate, but if anymore show up, our front lines will receive injuries…
With a nod, Raul turned over to the youngest member in their Familia. "Fuzen, we need your strength out there!"
A nod was given in response. "Left flank?" The boy asked. He had little knowledge in the way of group fights, but he was certain that if the left flank collapsed the rest of the formation would crumble.
"Yes, take some pressure off that side, then go to the centre!"
"Understood." Fuzen nodded and drew both his nameless chisa katana as well as his Ichigeki. "Then, I shall cut down the Monsters."
He sprinted off, towards Alicia and Rakta, who were being pushed back by the sheer amount of Monsters in front of them.
...I need to be quick if I wish to avoid them getting hurt...Ok.
"Two-Sword Lightning Style: Unfading Thunderstorm." He inhaled, and exhaled, distributing his Ki throughout his body to increase all of his attributes: strength, speed, reflexes, awareness.
Before his third Ki awakening, this feat was nigh impossible except as a trump card, simply because of how much Ki was needed, but now with his Ki pool more than two times it's former depth it had become something he could do without worrying about collapsing afterwards.
Nonetheless, he could not use this technique more than twice before he began to feel the drawbacks, as his training showed him.
I could use Lightning Drive to improve my speed...but should I do it? We're in the middle of battle right now. I have never used two Techniques which use so much Ki at the same time before...I really want to try it out, but I...can't. Not if it means I could become a liability. Truly, working in a team is not suited for a Disciple of the Lightning Sword Style…
"...Here I go." Fuzen dashed forward, right into the enemy lines, and like a hot knife through butter the Monsters were cut down.
The Monsters were by no means weak: Spartoi were roughly estimated at Level 4 and they spawned with random weapons which they automatically knew how to use. They were also very agile, and their fighting skills were closer resembling an Adventurer's than a mindless Monster's.
Barbarians, too, were roughly estimated at either high-end level 3 or Level 4. Though not as dangerous as the skeletal Spartoi, the tall humanoid Monsters were very durable and third rate weapons could not hope to ever cut them down.
But even so, they were all cut down as the short boy danced through their ranks, striking only once before the Monsters dispersed into dust leaving behind only their Magic Stone. His strikes were fast, almost too fast even for his Level 4 comrades: only Alicia with her enhanced elvish eyes and Anakitty with her cat-like reflexes could follow his movements.
And both could only think about one thing: gracefulness and carnage both, merged into one being and one style.
How someone could remain so poised while in the ugly thick of battle was beyond their comprehension. Even Ais, a comrade they both long admired from a distance, lacked a certain elegance Fuzen displayed. Yes, she was indeed quick and efficient in her fighting style, but also...straight forward.
Blunt.
Unsharpened.
In contrast, Fuzen managed to reach that gracefulness thanks to how well-timed his attacks were. He never stopped moving, nor did he slow down, instead moving forward and evading all attacks coming his way with only the slightest change in body position and breathing, never sacrificing his advance before countering with a strikes from his own sword as he dashed by the attackers, only their ash remaining in his wake.
Before long the thirty something Monsters on the left flank were defeated and Fuzen moved on towards the centre after throwing two stamina potions to Alicia and Rakta. Somehow, unsurprising to the others, the centre had been dealt with in the same efficient manner, and the right side had also been taken care of with help from Line's support magic.
"Left flank, clear!"
"Right flank, clear!"
"Rear, clear!"
"And centre, clear." Raul added last, and nodded. "All right, everyone take a short break. Supporters, collect the Magic Stones and Drop Items in the meantime. We move on in ten minutes. Aki, Rakta, stay on guard and alert us if any Monsters are approaching."
The group nodded as one and sheathed their weapons. They've been in the Dungeon for over twenty hours now. At first they rushed through the Upper Floors, as no one except their Supporters would face any challenge there, and moved on to the Deep Floors.
Their mission this time around was rather straight-forward: Monster extermination, as well as completing a few Quests they picked up from the Guild.
The first one, they had already completed: herbs gathering for the medicinal Familias.
Secondly, Drop Items gathering. They were roughly halfway done with that, too. Most Drop Items requested were from the Floor they were in at the moment.
Thirdly, ore mining. The White Palace Floors had a couple of ore mines which replenished themselves, and the Goibniu Familia had requested ores, paying good money for them in return.
Still, their Quests aside, the driving factor behind this expedition was, in actuality, the Second Group's desire to grow stronger. Thus, they would spend roughly two days within the Deep Floors, going as far as the 38th Floor. Unfortunately, Udaeus, the Monster Rex of the 37th Floor would spawn soon so they could not go deeper than the 38th Floor, least they risk their way back being cut off.
After all, despite the overall strength of the Second Group, they were not confident they could take down that high Level Monster without dying in the process.
"Fuzen, come over here! Have some beef jerky!" At the sound of Aki calling for him Fuzen approached the group of Level 4 Adventurers resting on the ground and accepted the jerky he was offered.
"Much appreciated, Autumn-sama."
"Sit down with us, don't be a stranger now." The girl said, having noticed how the younger boy had kept his distance, ever since the start of the expedition.
"...That was not my intention." Fuzen said, taking a seat besides her.
"And still, you've barely spoken a word since we came here."
"I always barely speak a word, unless it's necessary." He shrugged, trying his best to chew the almost stone hard jerky they brought with them. Truly, Dungeon rations were far from ideal, to say the least.
"Were you injured in the fight, Fuzen? If so, please tell me." Their healer, Line, asked next but Fuzen shook his head.
"Not at all. I have also brought two High Potions with me, so please, do save your Magic for when it's critically needed."
"O-Oh, I see. Ok, then."
"High Potions, you say? Aren't those expensive?" Cruz asked next. Seeing how they actually got a chance to talk to their swordsman for once, he decided to try and make the most of it.
"Kind of, yes, but I get by. Uhh, Teasanare-sama from Dian Cecht Familia also said something like, she owns me or something of the likes, so I get a discount on most of their products." He informed.
"Ohh, that's nice! So, you're getting all chummy with the Dea Saint, are you?" Aki, despite her usual lack of sticking her nose in other people's business, asked, a grin visible on her face. Why she decided to tease their youngest member now, only she knew.
However, instead of a yes or no answer, or even a refusal to answer, Fuzen simply raised an eyebrow in confusion, his head tilted to the side. "...Define...chummy. What is that?"
"...Ah, well...Guess you're too young for that now."
"...I get that a lot lately." He informed before returning his attention to the jerky in his hand.
"Still, I heard even Loki decided to have you accompany her on that banquet held by Dian Cecht. Guess whatever you did had some big benefit for the doctors there, right?"
"Well...you could say that." Fuzen said, keeping it simple. After all, though he knew something about a contract the two Familia wished to sign, he didn't knew exactly what it entailed and so he choose not to misinform his comrades.
A short silence fell over the group as they continued eating.
They did want to ask more questions, but had no idea how to go around asking them. Fuzen hardly looked like he was in the mood to answer questions, which meant he looked like he normally did. If there was one matter which needed to be avoided at all costs while in the Dungeon it was a falling out with your comrades on whose shoulders your own life could depend.
"...I have a question, if I may." Luckily for them, the boy himself decided to start the next conversation.
"What is it?"
"Why are we only going as far as Floor 38? Are our rations not enough for deeper Floors?"
"Why, you ask...The Monster Rex Udaeus will spawn soon."
"Yes, I know. Nord-sama informed me before we began our expedition. So?"
"So...what?" Aki asked, confused.
"So how does affect our expedition?"
"...If we go deeper that the 38th Floor, then Udaeus will have spawned back by the time we return."
"Yes. So?"
"…? So, our way back will be cut off." Alicia answered next, but Fuzen was still not getting it.
"How so?"
"Because a fricking Monster Rex will be in our way!" Aki was next to answer, just the slightest bit annoyed at the lack of common sense the boy was displaying.
"Yes, I understand. However, I don't see how it's presence affects us in the slightest." Fuzen replied.
"...Because...it's a strong Monster Rex, which can kill us in one blow."
"I suggest avoiding it's attacks, then." The boy said in return, by now most of the group he sat down with simply staring blankly at him.
"...Look. The matter at hand is-"
"I'll cut it down." Fuzen spoke, interrupting Aki halfway through her own sentence. "I realize now. You were trying to say you cannot kill it, right? Then I'll cut it down, instead."
His words had been met with silence if for no other reason than his overwhelming confidence.
Still, even though, unlike the First Class Adventurers of their Familia, most of Fuzen's current companions did not know of him defeating another Monster Rex just a while ago, not one of them could laugh or sneer at him.
Perhaps, deep down, they all knew he could do it?
"...Still...that's risky." Aki said with a sigh.
Indeed, it was rather risky. Udaeus was extremely strong, and that not counting his ability to summon other Spartoi to his aid. He was also very durable, and somewhat resistant to Magic. It was not something their current group could take on without high risk of failing.
"I couldn't help but notice you all fighting fiercer than normal. Is there, mayhaps, some hidden reason behind your Group's sudden expedition? I remember the Captain being rather...tired of your sudden desire to mobilize before our departure."
"Uhh...Well…" They had not expected him to read this much into the matter, and thus, all of the group allowed yet another wave of awkward silence to take over. Deep down, all of them were simply too ashamed to say they wanted to get stronger thanks in no small part to the individual asking at the moment. "...A-Anyway, what do you mean we fought fiercer? We barely get to fight together…"
"That's no excuse to not pay attention to your comrade's skills and strengths. Our last expedition together told me enough as I observed everyone who was part of it. And you were fighting differently today than back then. More aggressively, and more...focused on something."
A round of silent awe swept over the group.
They had little knowledge that the withdrawn boy who almost never interacted with anyone would pay such close attention to them, both during the last expedition as well as the current one.
Then, the silence was broken by the most unlikely person. "We all want to become stronger." Line, the soft-spoken mage informed Fuzen, who looked over to her and slowly nodded.
"I see. A good cause. Then, what are you doing for it?" He asked.
"...What? Well...fighting Monsters here in the Dungeon, what else?" Cruz replied, and he simply received a blank stare in return.
"...Allow me to formulate my question in a different way: What does being strong mean to you? What exactly are you striving for at the current moment?"
…
A question few had asked themselves in Orario, as Fuzen has noticed so far. Also a fatal mistake for those who took up arms against life and it's hardships. Ever since he first read the Founder's journal at the age of five, he understood that one needed to know themselves in order to achieve anything in life.
That included knowing why one fought for, and knowing what one is ready to sacrifice in order to achieve their goals.
He did not think less of his comrades, far from it, in fact, however he questioned how they got to where they were without even being able to answer a question that no person should have to think about.
"...I want…" Once again, the soft-spoken healer was first to reply to the question, all eyes now focused on her. "No. To me, being strong means being reliable. I want to become reliable. A reliable Adventurer and a reliable healer."
"I...I want to become stronger. To reach Level 5, so I can join the first expedition and help them." Aki stated next as if they were doing some sort of group exercise, all having a turn at laying their desires bare. Raul, too, had joined the group a short while earlier and listened carefully at what was discussed.
One by one, everyone said what they wanted to achieve, which was usually the same thing: getting stronger. Fuzen nodded each time, not saying a word in return as to not disturb the mood. And then…
"...I see. It appears you all are unsatisfied with where you are currently at. The desire to become stronger is burning hot in each of you. However...there is one last question you have not yet answered."
"W-Which one?" Raul asked, slightly nervous.
"What are you willing to do in order to become stronger?"
"What…?"
"Yes. What will you do to become stronger? How far will you go? What are you ready to sacrifice in order to make your goals become reality?"
"…"
"The path of power is an arduous one. Naturally there are people who can easily break their own limits and reach ever higher heights…" He paused and everyone present used the moment of silence to think back to the people who fit that description: the first Group, and it's monstrous individuals in whose shadow they walked. "But, for normal people, like me, and pardon me guessing, but also like you all in my opinion...we cannot hope to ever reach the same heights with the same amount of effort. We need to work much, much harder for even a fraction of the same strength others obtain casually, or at the very least, without much hardship or time invested striving for said strength."
"...You are saying...you are on the same level as us?" Raul asked, looking over towards Fuzen. A Level 2 he might be, but his power, his talent, was in his own opinion far beyond that of the other individuals present.
"Yes." There was no hesitation in his answer. "The Lightning Sword Style is not suited for extraordinary people. It was created by a normal woman, in an era which was no better than hell itself in the Far East. A normal woman who spend her whole life putting together a Sword Style which signified her own beginnings. In the end, at the age of ninety-six, seventy-eight years after taking her first step on the path of power, she did it. She reached her goal, and became able to cut anything: the sea, the mountains, fire, air, even life itself without cutting the vessel we call bodies…" The boy paused for a single moment as something akin to awe reflected in his eyes which drilled holes into the ground below him. "...Anyway, long story short my Sword Style is only suited for those without talent, but with the will to conquer the world."
"Is that...even possible?" Aki asked, baffled at what Fuzen had just told, and the boy nodded in return.
"Am I not a living example?"
"Well...I guess…"
"Anyway, I believe our break is over? The final decision rest with you, Nord-sama, as you are the leader of our group. However, cutting down that Monster Rex is not outside of this group's capabilities. Think on it, and decide. If you so desire, we can and will cut it down."
"I'll..." Raul's eyes darted to the ground and he pondered on the idea. It was, by any and all means, a thought which went against Finn's orders and against what was the safe way to do things. And still..."I'll think about it."
"That is all I wanted you to do: be aware of all our possibilities." Fuzen nodded, and stood up. "Then, let us-"
Ma..e..c..l.m.. !
"What?" Fuzen asked, eyes darting between the others around him. "What was that?"
"What was what?"
"...I was under the impression one of you said something just now..."
A quick look around, and the others shrugged. "No one said anything."
"...Very well, then. Might have been my imagination..."
After my third Ki awakening, my perception has been increased exponentially. Might be that I still need time to get used to it…
Once again back in formation the group moved on, towards the 39th Floor where they were to mine the ore needed for their Quest. All the while, Raul pondered whatever taking on Udaeus was actually feasible…
XXX
She had carefully planned her scheme, and now only the waiting remained.
Using the skills she had gained in her previous occupation the young woman even managed to fool the Guild into giving her some information as to his whereabouts. She knew when he had left, and she knew roughly when he would come back.
Using this information the young women even took on extra work and even shoved her free day further down the calendar.
Her preparations were complete and the young woman smiled.
"Chloe, stop smirking like an idiot and get back to work!"
"Meow-! Yes, yes, Mama Mia~" Chloe responded, cheerful enough to make her colleagues and boss worry about what was going on with the usually work-hating girl.
This time, my cute little treasure won't get away~ I only have to wait until he comes back from the Dungeon, meow~
XXX
They were late, and Finn didn't like it one bit. He didn't doubt them, of course, but in the Dungeon everything could happen.
One could say that was the golden advice for any starting Adventurer, given to them by the Guild and their peers alike.
He was also by no means a helicopter Captain, and he could calmly accept a couple of hours of delay in plans...
But not a whole damned day.
He sighed yet again.
He knew of the route his Second Group would take and how long they would need to gather all the necessary materials for the Quests they accepted. He also, naturally, knew how long they could fight and how long they would need to rest. At most, he calculated a delay in their return of eight to twelve hours.
Yet, over twenty-four had already passed.
Finn was not worried because of the Monsters on the Floors his Second Group went into. Even if they encountered more Monsters than anticipated, or even if their way got cut off, he knew something like that would not kill them. They were too competent for that.
However...they decided to go on an expedition just before the Monster Rex there would spawn. Any delay in plans on the 38th Floor would mean they needed to confront Udaeus in order to make their way back. And taking into consideration where they stood at the moment, they could not take on the Monster Rex alone.
Perhaps the only one who could prove useful against Udaeus would be Alicia, thanks to her ice magic...Finn pondered as he stood cross-armed at the entrance to the Tower of Babel, waiting. To his side was Rehmer, the Guild Section Leader.
Noticing his members lateness, Finn decided to contact the Guild and inform them of the matter. In return, Rehmer decided to follow Finn in order to avoid delays in information sharing. Worst case scenario, if they failed to show up soon Finn would need to launch another expedition to search for them.
Still, if they reached that point then there would be little hope left for his members. Even if an elite team were to go search for them, one needed at least ten to twelve hours of full sprinting speed to arrive at the Floors they were at.
...He is with them. Finn thought, Fuzen's never-changing and nonchalant face popping up in his mind. I had him go with them because he was the reason for their sudden desire for an expedition. I thought it would motivate them even further. Still...if the boy who defeated Amphisbaena is with them, then maybe…
"Captain Finn, your thoughts?" Rehmer asked, the slightest hint of worry on his face. Even though the man personally had had few interaction with Loki Familia the loss of a whole group of Second Class Adventurers would affect Orario as a whole.
"...We wait a while longer."
"But."
"I made up my mind." Finn quickly added, leaving no room for negotiations. The guild employee simply nodded and continued waiting by the Pallum's side.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Finally, thirty minutes passed, and yet there was no sign of Finn's members making their way up from he stairs which lead into the Dungeon's bowels.
Come on…
There's no way you guys would just die like that.
Come on…..
"…!" Finally, from the Dungeon came his members and Finn rushed to their side. "Raul!" With every step he took closer, Finn noticed just how battered his whole Second Group was: equipment and clothes in tatters, bruises which were not life-threatening on their skins, broken weapons...
"A-Ah, Captain...You were waiting for us?" The leader of the Second Group asked as he came to a halt, the others doing the same.
"...Sigh…" Quickly looking over the group and seeing all the members alive, Finn sighed, his shoulders and chest both feeling lighter already. "What took you guys so long?"
At the question, Finn noticed how everyone's faces slowly shifted into smiles as they took a step to the side, excited to show their Captain something. He looked down the line they cleared...and then saw it.
Being carried by two of the few Level 2 Supporters which followed the group into the Dungeon, on a makeshift hammock made of cloth was a gigantic Magic Stone.
"…! You guys...You defeated Udaeus?" The Pallum asked finding it hard to cover his own surprise.
"We sure did, Captain!"
"...Well...reckless as it was…" Finn said, a smile also finding it's way on his lips. "I'm proud of you guys."
Hearing their Captain's praise the Group looked at each other, bumping fists and jumping up with a raised fist. They completed their Quests, they completed their expedition, they defeated a high-end Monster Rex and even received the Captain's praise in the process.
What else could an Adventurer ask for, really?
"Still, seems it was quite a rough fight, if you all being battered is anything to go by…" They all looked beaten, however one of his Familia members was looking even more battered than the rest: his right sleeves had been ripped off and used as a makeshift sling for his right arm, which was different hues of blue, purple and red. Through the rugs that were once fine eastern clothes, Finn also noticed the same colours on his right side, his ribs to be precise, as well as a noticeable limp on his right leg. "...Fuzen. What happened to you?"
"...Just a reminder of my own weakness, is all." The boy shrugged, flinching as he raised his shoulder. "I lost my focus in battle, and this is the outcome. Mistress would not approve of this...Sigh…"
"...Taking in consideration you all triumphed yet you still came like that back, I guess your bones had been turned into powder and thus no amount of Healing Potions could hope to heal it?"
"Quite so, Captain." Fuzen nodded. "I require the skills of a doctor, and as such, I shall make my way now towards the Dian Cecht shop." And just like that he bowed his head and was on his way.
Granted, he drew the attention of all Adventurers he walked by, his ragged clothes and wounds drawing much attention but he paid them no mind and simply walked on, a barely noticeable frown on his brows.
"...What happened?" Finn inquired after their swordsman was gone from sight, and Raul sighed.
"Well...we decided to take on Udaeus after reaching the 38th Floor."
"And then?"
"...It's a long story."
"And I just so happen to have enough time to listen to it." Finn replied, his smile not wavering. "Let's have you exchange the Magic Stones and trade in the Quests materials first, however. I'm sure you all wish to finish your expedition and get some rest. I'll listen to you while we walk."
"Very well, Captain. This is what happened…"
XXX
Her break was over, and once again, the girl found herself waiting behind the counter.
Still, it was noon now and most customers only showed up in the morning, before they went into the Dungeon. As such, though most shops found the noon the time of day to be the most busy, medicinal-type Familia like hers did not.
The potions and items have been prepared, and I put them all on the shelves earlier...Guess I could do some reading…
Her line of thought was disturbed as the door into the shop opened, the bell notifying her of a customer's arrival.
"Ah, welcome-"
"Good day. I am in need of medical treatment. Is this a bad time? I can come back later if so..." Fuzen asked as he took a single step inside the pharmacy. After a look at him, Amid's jaw dropped to the ground.
"What happened?!"
"Uhh...I got injured?"
"I can see that!" Surprisingly enough even to the boy Amid yelled as her palms slammed themselves onto the counter. "I asked what happened!"
"Well...I got hit by Udaeus on the 37th Floor?"
"…!" She rushed to his side and looked closer at his wounds. By now, she was starting to frown. "Looks like the bones in your arms have been...shattered? It almost looks like pulverized. Your ribs are almost the same...Just how in heavens did you got hit?!"
"I lost my focus and that Monster punched me into a wall?"
"...We need to perform an operation." The girl stated, having already examined the depths of his wounds.
"Operation?"
"Well, yes, because someone was obviously too reckless! Follow me. Martha, take over the shop!" Having informed her comrade in the next room over of her shift in priorities, Amid had Fuzen follow her to an operation room deeper inside the shop. "How are you even walking right now, anyway?"
"I'm using my Ki to-...Uhh, with the power of friendship, or something...?"
"…? You should have long lost your consciousness."
"Well...I'm tough?" He replied.
Amid didn't know if the boy was just ignorant on the magnitude of his wounds or if he was delirious because of the pain, but he was certainly acting differently than usual, as if focused on something else and not paying attention at all.
By now, the Doctor had opened the door to a room on the far left, where an operation table sat in the middle of the room, a bright light shining down on it from above. Besides the table was an accessory cart with multiple tools on it. "Strip down to your underwear and lay down."
"Understood." Doing as he was told, Fuzen took off the sling around his neck on which his arm rested and then his clothes, laying down on the table as Amid put on a coat as well as a pair of gloves. "I was told not to use any potions before seeing a doctor."
"Then whoever told you that must be experienced." Amid nodded, by now checking her tools. "Healing potions can knit together flesh and heal most injuries if it's potent enough, however bones are trickier. If it's only one or two spots it was fractured then a healing potion can put together the bone. However, when it's shattered like yours, there's a moderate risk of the potion not lining up the bone shards correctly resulting in a misaligned bone."
"I see. I must thank Arshe-sama, then."
"Arshe…? Ah, I see, Line from your Familia told you this. She figured out her healing magic was not strong enough for this, nor was a healing potion. Good judgment on her part. Anyway, I will cut open your arm, line up the broken bone pieces correctly and then use a healing potion on you. I will also need to check your ribs. Looks like at least five were broken."
"Understood. Thank you, Teasanare-sama. I leave myself in your care."
"...I will inject you with a drug to put you to sleep, so I can operate on you."
"Uhh...That won't really help."
"What do you mean?"
"That's in order to avoid me feeling pain, right?"
"Yes."
"I can't really tell you how, but my...training is very special. As a result of it, I can actually remain conscious even while my body sleeps. I feel movements around me as well as anything that happens to me."
Amid needed a moment to process the information she had just been revealed."...Are you for real?"
"What would I gain from lying? Can you instead use something to numb me? That would be much more appreciated."
"...Sigh...Very well. I will instead use local anaesthesia to numb only the body parts I will operate on."
"Much appreciated."
Grabbing a syringe from the accessory cart Amid injected Fuzen's right arm with a drug and he immediately felt the effects, no longer feeling the pain he managed to shrug off only by sending a large amount of Ki to suppress it. "Then if you're going to be awake anyway, why don't you tell me how exactly you got injured while I treat you?"
"...Very well. So, this is how it went…"
XXX
Having reached the 38th Floor and having mined all the ores needed for their Quest, the Second Group had made their way back. All the while Raul had to made a decision: fight Udaeus or not? After Fuzen's speech during their short break his comrades kept drilling holes into his back with their stares, something he felt without fail.
They wanted to fight.
They wanted to get stronger.
He sighed. After all, he was no different: he admired his Familia's elites, but he also wanted to have the right to stand at their side. He could not do so without also becoming stronger.
His comrades wanted to fight, and in the end, so did he despite being frightened as always.
So he decided: they would fight the Monster Rex.
As there was still some time left they could plan their attack.
The room in which Udaeus spawned was large and circular. There were also multiple hallways which led to this very room and Raul decided that their Level 2 Supporters would wait at one such hallway, ready to provide support with Items as well as suppressing fire with the bows they all brought along. Narvi, also a Level 4 like the rest of the main second group, was stationed at the other end of the hallway to cut down any Monsters and keep the rear of their Supporters free from ambush.
This also served to keep at least one route leading to the central room of the Monster Rex free and allow them to run away if things got sour. One could say the red-haired girl had been given the most important role.
Line, the only healer and mage, was stationed behind the five Supporters in between the vanguard and the rear. Her role was to stay aware of how the battle was going as well as to keep her ears on the rear, and any information Narvi had to relay regarding their escape route. She was assigned the role of rushing to either side, if the need arose.
Nearest to the Supporters and the hallway was Alicia, their archer. Her own role was to provide support via her arrows and Magic, and in case Narvi in the rear got overrun, then to rush and assist her.
And lastly, everyone else was in the front, in a spear tip formation: Fuzen and Aki in the middle, Rakta on the right, and Cruz on the left, with Raul just behind them in the middle to assist any side that needed help as well as be ready to receive any news from the rear and give the order to advance or fall back as the situation required.
Their plan was for the most part rather simple, half of which came from Fuzen: keep the spear-tip formation to deal with the Spartoi Udaeus could summon, have Alicia use her ice magic on the Monster Rex's arms to stop it's movements, then the two nimblest fighters, Fuzen and Aki, would rush to cut off the frozen limb, repeat the tactic on the next one then kill the armless monster.
It was as much simple as efficient: Udaeus used it's attacks through the ground by means of his arms. Without arms, he could no longer use long-range attacks and could instead only summon Spartoi, which the group could deal with.
Lastly, all that remained was to deal with the smaller monsters before attacking the armless Monster Rex as one, finishing it off.
After preparations and waiting, it was time: Udaeus had spawn.
"Alicia, now!"
At once, the elf began to chant her magic as the vanguard readied themselves. Not a couple of moments after the Monster Rex emerged from the ground he had already summoned a group of Spartoi, roughly fifteen of them, all charging both the right and left flank as Udaeus clenched it's fist and attacked the middle.
"Evade." Fuzen said to his partner, Aki, and the girl jumped to the side. Fuzen himself remained true to his Sword Style and only moved the slightest bit to the side as the attack came down, evading it by a hair's thread.
It's...fast.
The reason why the Lighting Sword Style taught to only evade at the last second and with the slightest change in body movement was so that it's practitioners could counter attack at the moment when their opponent was wide open: when they just attacked.
The boy remained true to that teaching as well and slashed at it's forearm not a moment after it's fist made contact with the ground. However...his sword, though sharp and sharper even with the usage of Ki only made a small nick in the monster's steel-hard bones.
And...it's hard. But…
As the monster opened it's palm and swiped to the side, towards Fuzen, the boy did a backflip and avoided the attack, launching yet another strike mid air before landing on his feet.
It's not outside my reach.
"Fuzen, dodge!" He heard Raul call for him, and without looking back, Fuzen jumped to the side.
"[Freeze, binding chains of winter!]"Having finished her chant, Alicia brought both arms forward, an icy-blue magic circle taking form in front of her and four chains made of magic launching themselves forward. Each of them latched themselves to the Monster's left arm, at the wrist, forearm, biceps and shoulder, and then after disappearing, froze the whole arm solid in a layer of ice.
Good.
"I'll cut it! Lighting Drive." Fuzen made his action known and dashed forward.
Using the hanging frozen arm he ran up towards the Monster's shoulder with speed enhanced by his technique, and once at the top jumped even higher, going into a somersault salto, sword grasped with both hands above his head after half of the action was completed. "Falling Crescent Lighting!"
Using the full momentum accumulated by his flip Fuzen brought his sword down in a beautifully executed arc and the frozen arm came off, falling to the ground then shattering upon impact. Though it might sound like something which happened over a long time span, in truth, the whole charge took less that a second or two and only as Fuzen remained standing on the collarbone of the skeletal Monster did Udaeus turn it's head to look at him.
In return, Fuzen jumped forward and plunged his sword guard-deep into the blood red, malicious left eye. He heard something crack as the Monster roared in what he could only guess was pain and then pulled his sword back, jumping down to avoid being grabbed and squashed to death by the Monster's remaining hand.
Once his legs touched the ground he quickly dashed to the Monster's left side in order to gain it's attention and keep it away from his comrades. "I'll keep it distracted! Deal with the Spartoi and tell me when the next Magic attack is ready!"
Now with Udaeus's attention solely on him, Fuzen switched into a defensive mode and focused only on evading the attacks coming his way. He was not arrogant: he knew that while cutting down the Monster Rex was not outside his capabilities, he needed to be extremely careful. A single attack from that Monster needed to land and he would be done for. Lastly, he knew the fight would not be an easy one.
Though it might look like he was having an easy time evading because of his never-changing expression, in truth, he needed to turn all of his speed, power, Ki and instincts to two hundred percent to match Udaeus's strength and speed. It was straining and he would not be able to keep it up for long.
With the corner of his eye he noticed his comrades having almost dealt with the Spartoi which were summoned and Alicia chanting her Magic. A back palm attack came from Udaeus but he jumped back, evading it.
Before Forestlight-sama's Magic is ready, I'll jump up and take his other eye out.
His mind set, and the circumstances being in his favour, as Udaeus's remaining arm was still going up to his own right and thus created a danger-free path for him, Fuzen tightened his grip on his sword and dashed forward, closing the distance.
I'll take that other eye now-
A jolt of electrical pain spread from his core to his whole body and Fuzen fell down on one knee, the pain making him lose his focus and breathing rhythm for just one second.
Ma...r.c..l.m..n..e!
What...the hell?
One second, which had been enough.
"Fuzen!"
From the corner of his eye he saw the fist he had evaded for so many times coming towards him, too fast and too close to evade from his current position.
Well...shit.
*SMASH*
*Whoosh!*
*CRASH!*
After the fist made contact with him Fuzen lost his consciousness for just a single moment, the whole world going black, before he regained consciousness and found himself flying through the air at incredible speed only to once again have the world go black before his eyes as his body made impact with the wall, then falling face down to the ground.
"Crap!" Raul cursed as he followed Fuzen's small body being thrown into the wall and falling down, the rubble created from his crash falling down on him.
"Fuzen's down!"
Udaeus roared and another wave of Spartoi had been summoned as he turned his attention to the group.
"Alicia, your Spell-!" Raul turned to the rear, only to see Alicia breaking off her Spell as three Spartoi emerged from the ground near her, the elf being just fast enough to draw her short sword and block an attack.
"Crap, crap, crap!" He cursed again and turned towards Udaeus: he was drawing nearer.
This was a mistake!
"Fall back!"
"What about Fuzen?!" Aki asked, taking down one Spartoi before nimbly evading another attack. The Spartoi summoned were numbering thirty to thirty five, almost twice compared to before, and this meant more Monsters per individual.
Damn it, damn it, damn it! What do I do?!
"Fall back and close the formation! Before anything else, we need to take out those summons!" The others did as he ordered, and gathered in a half-circle formation, the distance between them nearer than before. Raul's decision was a good one: when faced with greater numbers, they could not allow the distance between themselves to be too great and risk being cut off.
"Raul, what about Fuzen?!" Aki asked again, this time yelling the question even louder.
Unfortunately, Raul could not give her an answer immediately. Fuzen had been thrown into the wall to the far left, and as Udaeus got closer to the main group he was now behind the Monster Rex. To save him, someone needed to break through the Spartoi waves, evade any attack Udaeus would throw at them, reach Fuzen, pull him out from a pile a rubble and then evade the Monster Rex while carrying the boy back.
God damn it, this is why I hate being in a leading position! Raul thought as he blocked a downwards attack towards him with his sword before gathering strength into his legs and pushing the axe away, using the momentum to take off the Monster's head.
Everything depended on how quick they could take out the summons. Worst case scenario, if Udaeus would get too close to them, he would need to make the call he really did not want to do.
"Take out the Spartoi! Hurry!"
Worst case scenario…
I would need to call off the attack and leave Fuzen behind...
…
….
…..
His eyes shot wide open and feeling himself almost drown he pushed himself up to cough despite the pain everywhere in his torso. He felt the metallic taste, and knew he had almost drowned in his own blood. If blood was gathering in his mouth, it meant he had some sort of internal bleeding.
Which...is bad. Obviously.
He tried to look around but soon realized that he was trapped under something heavy, if the weight pressing down on him was anything to go by. All he could see were a few rays of light making their way through the cracks of the rubble he was caught under. He also tried to move his right arm, but the pain spread through it like firecrackers and he understood he could not use it anymore.
Ah...yes. I remember now.
Just before Udaeus's fist made contact with him he remembered he tried to turn around in his one-knee position and take some of the force into his sword instead, but…
Some good that did...Damn it...Everything hurts, and I can't move…
He exhaled a long, tired sigh, and close his eyes. He was tired, and if he ignored the weight pressing into him, as well as the pain which pulsed throughout his body like a heart beat he was actually comfortable.
It was nice and cool under the rubble, after all.
A nap sounds...pretty good…Just...for a short while...
With that thought in his mind he began to doze off, his consciousness just barely still active.
Not like...I can win anymore...The hell am I even doing here…?
Inhale…
Exhale…
Inhale…
Exhale...
He had fallen asleep and in his dream, with the same speed as a falling lightning, he saw fragments of his life until now flash before his eyes:
Hiding behind an open door, which was three times his own height at the time, observing as a person practiced techniques with the sword with child-like awe, burning each movement and each moment into his mind.
He had never before seen anything so beautiful, nor since then...
The expressions of other children he had called friends as they lay dead next to each other, having been freed from their mortal shells. Despite having gone through the same hardships as him, they were found...lacking. He passed the trials and became a Disciple, while they had died and would go on to be forever forgotten, their dreams and ambitions snuffed out like a candle outside on a windy day.
Such is the path of power…
The sharp pain in his throat which had been caused by his own foolish mistake. As he fell down to his knees, both hands tightening around the cut on his throat, the blood gushing out from between his fingers, he could only think about his shortcomings: If only he had had been smarter, more knowledgable, if only he had been...better.
If only I had been different...
The disgust he felt as he asked his patron God, Hachiman, the question he had been wondering about for a long time. Having heard his beloved God's answer, he remembered the pain which was like a punch to his gut, the world came crashing down on him. On that day, he stormed out of his home, and before he knew it he had arrived at the top of the mountain near the village. On that day, he had howled curses at the Heaves, at the Gods and at everything which lived under the sky.
All of you...Every single one of you...I should just...
His forehead rubbing itself against the mud as he begged her for permission. It had been a stormy day, and he could no longer take it. He needed to take actions. He had begged for an entire day, not once lifting his head and the cold rain would not hinder him, either, even if it continued for another seven days.
I promise, I will do it! I will not fail! So please, trust in me! With that sword, I will, without fail-!
*Gasp*
He woke up and immediately clenched his teeth in disgust at his own weakness. Falling asleep in the middle of a battle? Had he a free hand he would have punched himself in the throat.
With the left arm on which he was laying he began to push himself up, all the while making use of his Ki to enhance his power and try to suppress the pain. Little by little, slowly but surely, he felt the rubble falling to the sides and the weight on his back getting lighter.
He was finally out from the rubble.
Once out he quickly examined the extend of his wounds: his right arm which took the hit from Udaeus was broken and twisted in a way which was not normal, three of his fingers bend backwards. It was also bloodied from the blood and swollen red and black, which hinted at one or ten bone fractures. In the remaining two fingers, he held the handle of what once was Ichigeki, the katana Tsubaki had forged for him.
The sword had been broken, only a few centimetres of blade remaining.
"...Tsk." grabbing the handle with his remaining functional arm, he put it back in his scabbard and then drew his chisa katana.
Next he looked over the battlefield: besides the injuries he dealt to the Monster Rex it was otherwise unharmed, and his comrades were being overrun by hoardes of Spartoi, by now having fallen back half the distance from before towards their escape route.
Fuzen inhaled, then exhaled, and then finally sighed.
By now, a single vein began to pop up on his forehead.
"Tsk...Every single one of you...Monsters, people, voices that almost get me killed, my own weakness…" He bend his knees and brought his sword to his right side, getting ready for his next technique. "You're getting in my way, and you're pissing. Me. Off."
What was it I was thinking before falling asleep? It's not like I can win anymore?
"And who the hell decided...that I can't win anymore?" Another vein popped up on his face and his eyes became bloodshot, caused by nothing else but his own anger. "Lighting Sword Style:...Thunder and Hail."
STOMP!
STOMP!
STOMP!
Though his comrades had not seen him rise up from the rubble, as the sound of something stomping the ground with enough force to create a weak earthquake began to be heard they turned over to where the rubble was and simply saw a line of dust.
Tracing it with their eyes, they looked behind them where Alicia had been fighting against a couple of Spartoi, all of the Monsters now slain by a single individual.
His advance had not ended, though.
Sheathing his sword, he forcefully grabbed Alicia's own short sword out of her hand before dashing off, making a curved line towards his comrades to the right and with the same thunderous forceful steps, he made for the Spartoi group.
"...HAAAAAAA! Get cut!" He broke through the Monster lines, and one by one, with untamed strength, Fuzen cut them all down.
CLONK! CLONK! CLONK! CLONK! CLONK! CLONK! CLONK! CLONK!
Like how hail struck the ground with an abrupt, heavy sound, so was Fuzen's sword as he cut through the hard, skeletal bodies of the Spartoi, felling them all down before they even had time to counter attack or register that they were cut.
Together with his thunderous stomps, he was truly, and without a doubt, just like thunder and hail during a storm: untamed, powerful and merciless, striking everything in it's path with equal ferocity.
"...*Puff.*..*Puff*...It-It's done…" Having cut the last of the Monsters as he went in a straight line through their ranks from right to left Fuzen fell down on one knee, already feeling the backlash of using so much of his Ki to boost his physical strength. The sword he had grabbed from Alicia had held on long enough, something which he was thankful for, but after the last Monster was cut dow, it shattered into multiple pieces: it could not withstand the force he had used in his boosted state, nor the amount of Ki he coated it with.
"W-Whoa...He cut them all down in a flash…"
"Fuzen, you're hurt!" Aki rushed to his side, but he raised his remaining hand, and got back to his feet on his own.
"It's not...over yet…"
"He's right!" Raul stated, and sheathed his sword. "Now, let's go! We're getting out of here!"
"No!" Fuzen protested, stomping the ground again as he straightened his back, painful as the action was.
"W-What?"
"I said NO!" He repeated, looking straight into Raul's eyes with his own bloodshot ones. "That bastard gets cut next." He made a head gesture towards Udaeus who was slowly but surely getting closer to them.
"D-Don't be foolish! We can't defeat it!"
"...Tsk. Very well then." Fuzen sneered, drawing his chisa katana again and getting into the same position as before. "If you want to run away with your tail between your legs, go ahead. I'm cutting down this bastard Monster if it's the last thing I do."
"…! Why are you being so stubborn?!" Aki asked next almost as angry as Fuzen himself.
"Because I'm not here to play around, god damn it!" Fuzen yelled back taking his comrades by surprise with the sudden burst of emotion. "I didn't come all the way to Orario to run away every time I get into a slightly difficult situation! I will get strong, and I will grasp the Heavens! If you can't even muster the courage to stand against those stronger than you, then go away, because you're in my way! If I survive this ordeal, however, then don't ever complain about your own weakness in front of me again, not if you simply run away from everything which proves challenging and difficult!"
Without a doubt, Fuzen's sharp words had injured his comrades more than anything else which the Dungeon had thrown their way since the expedition began. They soon realized why, as well: because it was the truth, unaltered and without being sugar-coated in the least.
They had run away from every chance they got to go beyond their current selves, and they have done it periodically.
Despite having almost no relation to the second Group and despite having barely worked together with them, even Fuzen could figure out the reason why they were still stuck at their current level and could not advance.
His words had been true, and it was shameful. Tightening the grip on her sword, the Cat girl was first to voice her question. "T-then...what's the plan?"
"...Draw it's attention." Fuzen replied after looking at Aki for a short moment, his eyes then focusing on the Monster Rex. It was almost upon them. "Spread out. It only has one arm left. Half a minute. Buy me that much time. Either take it down yourselves in that time, or simply stay alive. It doesn't matter. In thirty seconds, I'll cut it down."
"...Okay." Aki nodded, and turned towards Udaeus. "I'm putting my trust in you."
"I am aware." The boy replied. "It is why I will cut it down."
"...Good." With that said she dashed forward, drawing their enemy's attention as she ran towards it's side with the remaining arm, just barely evading a haymaker directed at her.
"…! Screw it, all or nothing! Haaaaa!" Cruz followed next, and with a loud battle cry, threw himself at the Monster as well.
Even the timid Hume Bunny, Rakta, resolved herself and joined the fray. On the left side, Udaeus's armless side, Alicia rushed forward supporting her comrades with her arrows.
Raul, the only one left, looked between Fuzen and his comrades, his teeth clenching in anger at his own lack of resolve. Frightened as he was, however, he drew his sword again and rushed forward with a battle cry, though his voice cracked halfway through his battle cry.
All the while Fuzen mustered all the Ki he could still reach for, ready for his next and final attack. His body had been damaged by that one attack enough that he could have died before his third awakening.
He put on a strong face, but in reality, he felt like collapsing any moment now. He might have been strong, yes, but in the end he was as human as any other member of his group.
But his very soul be damned, he would cut down that Monster.
He had to.
For his ambition.
For his Sword Style.
And for his comrades who decided to stand against a foes many times stronger than them.
I'll cut it down, no matter what...
He had finished gathering his Ki. Unlike before, he used the time his comrades bought for him to temper himself, and now he was simply waiting for that one moment where the path forward would open.
Even as his comrades got hurt and were thrown around by the sheer force of the attacks they barely evaded, Fuzen did not move. He could not, not until he was sure his attack would cut down the Monster. If he rushed it and failed, then he would die, and his comrades would follow, as well.
He needed to make it count.
He needed to wait.
And as expected, the moment of truth came.
As Udaeus brought his arm back and Fuzen predicted what his next attack would be, he dashed forward. The Monster's arm came back, and in a sweeping motion on the ground swept aside Cruz and Aki, throwing them to the side with great force. However, Fuzen made good use of the opening and jumped up on it's arm.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
As he run up the arm at lightning speed he slashed at the wrist, elbow and shoulder respectively, and the arm came off in three pieces.
However, it was not without it's backlash: taking in consideration the force he had to use to cut off those ligaments in a single slash, Fuzen had felt his very bones rattle from the shock transmitted back to his battered body.
He did not give up, however, and from the shoulder he jumped back, onto the edge of the Monster's scapula, it's shoulder blade, and brought his sword behind him.
"Get cut." He said as he drew in a quick breath of air. "Lightning Sword Style: Successive Lighting Strikes!"
From the left and from the right, with speed which only ever increased and never decreased, Fuzen slashed away at the Monster's exposed spine, the part of it's body he found out was the hardest. If he could cut off it's head, the surely it would die. And so, he continued his attack, consecutively striking the very same edge-thin area over and over again, even as his fractured bones and punctured organs flared up in pain from the shock he received by attacking.
Finally, he could see progress and his sword began to cut into the almost diamond-hard bone. He could not allow himself to fail now, and so he increased his speed, now only hoping his sword could withstand the strain. "Haaaaaaaaaa!"
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
*Shatter*
His sword, however, shattered just before he could land the last few strikes needed to finish it off, the spine now hanging on by just a threat. All he needed was one or two more strikes…
God damn it…
"Grrrhhh...Die already!" Fuzen did the only thing he could still pull off with his remaining strength and brought his leg forward, landing a forward kick just above the area he had been hacking at.
For a second, as the monster turned it's head around to look behind at Fuzen with it's remaining eye, he thought he had failed, and tsked one last time in disappointment.
Then, the blood red light in it's hateful eye died out and his head fell off, it's body also starting to crumble away into ash.
...Hmpf. That will teach you to take on the Lighting Sword Style. Fuzen sneered in his mind, before looking down at the shoulder plate he was standing on. It, too, was slowly crumbling away. ...Aww, man…
With a blank expression on his face, Fuzen fell down the roughly ten meters.
The landing had not been comfortable.
Far from comfortable when one has no strength left to choose the position in how they fall down.
His butt still hurt even after coming back from the expedition.
XXX
"...I see." Finn nodded as the explanation had come to an end. By now, he had followed the group as they delivered their Quest materials and then exchanged the Drop Items and Magic Stones for Valis. Raul had reported in detail how their expedition went, and by the time they reached the Twilight Manor, he had finished. "Sounds like quite the Adventure."
"Tell me about it…" Raul replied, his shoulders dropping. "Still can't believe we took down Udaeus."
"Hmhm, indeed. You have taken down Goliath before as a group, but Udaeus...This calls for a celebration, something I believe Loki would be quite eager to agree to." Finn laughed, already imagining the Goddess jumping at the chance to drink and party.
Still, to think that boy could motivate elite Adventurers into taking such reckless actions...Seems like the leadership skills are present, rough and unpolished as they are. Finn smiled a wide smile, happy to know his decision had not been a miss. Seems like my decision back then to take Fuzen under my wing was the correct one.
Inside the Pallum's brilliant mind, multiple plans were already forming. He just couldn't let talent go to waste when he got a sniff of it…
"C-captain, why are you smiling so creepy?" Hearing Raul's question Finn laughed lightly, waving a hand at the question.
"Nothing to worry about, Raul. Just some thoughts for the Familia's well being, is all. Now, go and clean yourself up. I'll go and inform Loki of what happened."
XXX
"To think that something like that happened...You should be thankful to be alive, you know?" Amid stated as her operation had come to an end, just like Fuzen's explanation of his expedition did. She had put together the broken bones in his arm and then used a High Potion to heal him. As the open cut knit itself back together, and the swelling in the arm disappeared she checked the wound again with her hands for any bone misalignment, and nodded. It healed correctly, which she was glad for.
"Yes…"
"Anyway, the operation is complete. You should be back on your feet. Get up and move a bit, see if everything feels alright." Fuzen did as instructed, and once back on his feet, clenched his fist a couple of times, then stretched his arms and back.
"Feels fine, as far as I can tell."
"I'm glad to hear it." Amid replied with a sigh, and took off her coat before throwing the tools she used into a sink and pouring a bottle of slightly blue liquid over them to disinfect them.
Now feeling much better, Fuzen but his clothes back on before turning back to the doctor. "Then, how much does the treatment cost me? As I have just completed the expedition along my comrades, I should receive my own share of payment and be able to bring you the money tomorrow morning."
"...Eighty thousand Valis."
He frowned at the sound of that. That amount would barely cover the High Potion she used on him, not including the time-consuming operation she performed. "...Is that not too little?"
"It's what I said it costs, so that's what it costs. In return, stop being so reckless." She said with a steely gaze thrown in his direction. "I consider you my patient as you only ever turn to me, and as your Doctor, I am not happy with the way you put yourself at risk this time around."
"...Unfortunately, I cannot promise anything. My path is that of power. I cannot avoid risks."
"Can you at least try?"
"...That, I can. Try, I mean. Mhm."
"Then that will have to do." Amid sighed and then looked at Fuzen with a frown. "You don't actually plan on going back outside in that attire, do you?"
"...It's the only one I got. Should I instead walk naked?"
"...Follow me."
With a nod Fuzen followed behind Amid as they left the room and entered another one, a sort of store room, from what he could make up. It was full of shelves and drawers, and Amid went and searched for something inside one such drawer. A couple of seconds later, he turned back to him, a black tank top in her hand. "Here you go."
"...Your shop is well prepared, isn't it?"
"Some of our patients come here bloodied and battered, so we at least have basic clothes in all sizes at the ready."
"I see. I am most thankful." With a grateful bow, Fuzen took of his shirt and haori which were no more than bloodied rags, and put on the tank top, it's size fitting him perfectly. "Then, I shall pay for this tomorrow, as well."
"Don't worry about it. Also, give me those rags. I'll throw them away for you." She pointed at the rags in his hands, which he handed over.
And then, a realization come over him.
This weird feeling...I wonder if this is what it feels to have an older sister…She certainly feels like how one would be...
"...Thank you again, Teasanare-sama."
"Like I said, don't worry about it. Also, for today, just rest. Doctor's orders."
"...Understood."
Bowing his head again, Fuzen left the shop and made for his next destination, a destination which was more important to him personally than even the shop where he got his treatment: Orario's 2nd District.
Once there, he made his way towards the workshop and entered it without knocking.
Not like the woman there would ever hear a knock, seeing how focused she was on her work. Going further inside, the path began to be illuminated by the orange light, and then the hammering began.
He waited at the entrance to the main area of the workshop, motionless, and simply observed the woman hammering at another of her works. Roughly five minutes later she had finished and threw the blade of the gigantic sword into a barrel of water.
"Collbrande-sama." Hearing her name being called Tsubaki turned around, and a wide smile formed on her lips as she approached the boy.
"Yo, lil' Fuzen! What's up? You barely come visit me nowadays." She said with a laugh, hands now resting on her hips.
In return, Fuzen simply drew the sword she had forged for him. "Ichigeki. It broke."
"What?! Oh, man…What happened?"
"Well…I fought against Udaeus with my comrades, and it broke after I blocked an attack."
She simply nodded and grabbed what remained of the sword, inspecting it. "Ohh, my poor sword...Do you have the other half of the blade?"
Fuzen nodded and took out his scabbard, holding it for Tsubaki to grab. "It's inside."
"I see, that's good. I'll melt it down and forge it again." Tsubaki nodded as she grabbed the handle and the scabbard, and already made her way back. This was how their conversation usually went, never too long and always to the point.
Still, Fuzen was here for more than what he required usually. "Wait."
"Hm?"
He then drew his chisa katana as well, and showed it's broken blade as well. "My chisa katana broke, too."
"Oh man, you're making a blacksmith cry over here…" The tanned woman said with a laugh. "Leave it over there, I'll see what I can do."
"No. That's not enough."
"Hmm?"
"I...became stronger." He said simply, knowing the woman would not question further. That was one reason he respected and liked her this much. "I will also join my Familia's expeditions more frequently. I need...stronger swords. More durable ones. I cannot allow my blades to fail me again and put my comrades at risk."
"...I see." Tsubaki nodded after a long moment and turned to face Fuzen once again. "...You said you cut down Udaeus?"
"…Not alone. I had the help of my comrades. However, I did land the killing blow at the cost of my remaining blade."
"Good, good... A sword is a tool, and it must be used accordingly. You saw the chance to use the full potential of your sword and took it. You also did not boast about killing it alone…"
"...What are you getting at, Collbrande-sama?"
In return, the tanned woman grinned. "You felled a strong monster, and are also the current owner of the Raiju no Yoki...Hehe...Say, how about signing a contract with me?"
"Hmm?"
In return Fuzen simply tilted his head ever so slightly in confusion.
What's a contract mean…?
XXX
She felt disappointment in herself.
Having been at the Manor when the second group came back, Ais had heard the whole story of their fight against the Monster Rex and also of the boy's accomplishments. Of how he fought, and how he proved himself yet again.
Compared to him, she was stuck at Level 5 and her Basic Abilities barely increased anymore. The boy continued to climb over the walls in his path at incredible speed, ever growing stronger, while she...she remained the same.
She could not allow this.
She could not fall behind.
Was it just her sheer stubbornness, born from her familiarity of being the only true swordsman of her Familia until the boy joined them, or was it some sort of rivalry she made up on her own?
She did not know.
All she knew was that she did not want to fall behind. She wanted to grow stronger and defeat Fuzen.
With that in mind, Ais continued the training she began after listening to the second group's story of their little adventure.
And once again, she did her best to imitate Fuzen's sword style.
Ais could feel it: how her movement got sharper, how her breathing was more efficient, how her rapier cut easier through the air, it's wind resistance almost non-existent anymore...Imitating the Lightning Sword Style had improved her basics by a lot, and that only in the span of a couple of days. Yet still…
Something is missing.
Ais thought as she remade another of Fuzen's Techniques, Rising Lighting. The movement was correct. Her timing was correct. Even her breathing had been in line with her movements. But...it felt incomplete. Her own talent as a swords-woman told her that. And as far as she could tell, it was not something born out of her lack of physical prowess. She had trained her body well so far and it never failed her before. Yet still…
Something is missing. Something...deeper…?
Slightly irritated, Ais continued her training, and her pursuit of the one symbol of strength she had in her life besides the memory of her father's own sword style…
XXX
He lay on his bed, unable to sleep, eyes fixed on the ceiling above him.
After deciding to sign the contract with the Captain of the Hephaestus Familia, as she was the only blacksmith he trusted in Orario, Fuzen had received a spare katana from her and once back at the Manor, trained a bit more to test his sword arm which had been shattered. He knew it went against Amid's recommendations, but...He was a swordsman.
If he lived, he trained.
After an hour or so of training he decided that everything was well and proceeded to go and eat dinner. With the way back to the surface, his walk to the pharmacy, the time-consuming operation, his walk to the second District, his contract with Tsubaki, the walk back home and the training, it had gotten dark and he planned to go sleep early so he could wake up early.
On the way to the mess hall he also stumbled upon Raul, and the man had Fuzen follow him to his office, where Fuzen received his payment from the expedition: five millions Valis.
Apparently, the group decided that Fuzen be allowed the largest cut of the earnings, as he fought the hardest against Udaeus.
Five millions as his cut sounded a lot at first, but taking in consideration he had asked Tsubaki to forge him new swords...well, at most, it would make for a good first payment for what he guessed would be a long-term debt to the blacksmith.
And so, after his dinner Fuzen retreated to his room and tried to sleep.
But he could not.
His mind continued to replay the fight against that bony bastard over and over again and the factor which almost got him killed:
The voice.
...Just what is that thing, anyway?
Fuzen had asked his comrades both before the fight, while on their short break, as well as after the fight with Udaeus, and apparently no one heard anything resembling a voice.
He drew the conclusion that either he was getting mentally unstable faster than he formerly anticipated, or his own lack of mastery over the new quantity of Ki he possessed played tricks with his five main senses.
Whatever it was, it almost got me killed. I need to temper myself even more. To the point where that kind of sudden voice coming out of nowhere will not affect my focus or my efficiency at all.
He sighed, and tried to clear his mind so he could finally go to sleep. He was still lacking in more than one way. Having been remembered of his past during that moment of shameful weakness made him aware of this.
At his current self, grasping the Heavens was little more than a dream. He could not allow this. Much more training was necessary, and much stronger foes needed to be cut down by his sword.
He had made the mistake so far of only focusing on his training. After all, the Founder spoke in her journals of how she mostly just trained on her journey to power, and he also observed his own Mistress doing the same.
However, he was the only Disciple of the Lighting Sword Style who ever left the Far East and went to challenge the Dungeon.
He could not simply repeat what those before him did. They had grown strong through passively training for countless years and tempering themselves to cut down everything in their path in a single strike, their focus and discipline never wavering.
But he walked a slightly different path.
That of an Adventurer braving the Dungeon. He needed to stay true to his teachings, yes, but he also needed to grow stronger in a more...active way.
...It will be difficult...but such is the path of power. Mine own path is that of an Adventurer, as well as a Disciple. I need to combine both teachings, and improve the Lighting Sword Style for the generations of Disciples yet to come…
His determination as strong as always, Fuzen decided to take yet another task upon him.
With a mental nod to himself Fuzen closed his eyes and let out a sigh.
He did not fail to notice how the sigh was shaky, however.
XXX
So that's already two Monster Rexes taken care of in just a bit over 10 Chapters, huh?
The past me sure didn't waste time getting to them juicy parts.
With that said I wonder what kind of fart-for-brains I was using back then.
If I already presented two Monster Rexes so soon, then what about the future? I mean, sure, much "bigger" enemies are gonna come, but…
This fic is gonna have at least 50 Chapters, and that's if I speedrun it.
Which is something I don't do.
I need ever stronger opponents to throw at Fuzen, and I doubt the canon ones will be numerous enough for the whole journey.
Hmmm...
