And back with Chapter 33.

Took me f-ing long enough.

Fun fact, if you exclude the omake Chapters I wrote this is exactly Chapter 30.

And I'm not even 1/3 through the story.

Fuck my life I guess, especially since I initially wanted to end this fic at roughly 30 or 40 Chapter, 50 at the most.

But as I wrote I found myself finding more and more chances to write the POVs of side characters and decided to give them some justice, as well, and then to expand upon the plot some more and some more and...some more….

For example, I did not initially plan to have Lili be part of this fic at all. And what did I do? Exactly the opposite…

This is going to be one long-ass fic, even more so since I recently decided that soon I want to bring the focus to outside of Orario, as well.

Sigh…

Can't say I don't have some hard times sometimes but I do enjoy writing it a lot more now than I did some time ago. This chapter was a complete b*tch for example, but looking at what I managed to bring forth with it does make me a bit happy.

So yeah, that's roughly what I wanted to say.

I also recently began to write a summary for a Danmachi Warhammer 40k inspired fic which I am working on from time to time. Dunno how well-received such an idea would be in this bunny and harem-obsessed fandom, but yeah.

You now know what I might be doing if I don't update for a rather long time.

That's about all for this AN, though.

Ahead lies a Chapter completely lacking any sort of action, but making up for it with the things I reveal. (In my opinion only, of course.)

Hope ya all have at least a semi-good time reading and forgive any grammar mistakes you might find, since I don't have beta readers and only read it once over myself.

Kay bye.

PS: How interested would you guys be in a Danmachi x RWBY fic, if I may ask?

XXX

...[Disappear.]

The word echoed inside both of their minds as soon as he regained his bearings, his body hitting the ground limply as Raiju had been banished from the physical realm with his command almost instantaneously.

The short break allowed him to regain enough strength to move his body but Fuzen choose to remain on the ground, breathing in and out a couple of times as his eyes scanned his surroundings.

He quickly realized he was on the 1st Floor of the Dungeon, Raiju having rushed all the way to here while he was unconscious thanks to the headbutt the dragon performed on him.

Fuzen sighed and stared at the rocky ceiling above him. It was so close yet looked so far and distant. He wondered how true that was for everything else, as well.

How far away were the things he believed to be close enough to grasp just by stretching his arm and reaching for them?

How far away was anything, really?

...Defeat.

Just thinking the word inside his mind left a bad taste in his mouth.

Defeated…

He could not really process the meaning of it. He was well-read and thus Fuzen was aware of what the word was supposed to mean. But he could not understand what it meant in the moment.

Only one thing was certain, however.

I was...defeated.

He could not even remember a time where he was not holding a sword in his hand, be it a practice sword or a real one. For as long as he could remember Fuzen had swung his sword in training and battle alike. Though young, he had tempered his sword and will alike, a million swings over.

It was not to say some challenges weren't excruciating hard.

His path so far had not been easy at all.

As one who lacked true talent Fuzen had been almost killed many times, too many times to count anymore as he walked down his path. He was no stranger to pain and suffering and the heavy weight of weakness pressing down on his shoulders.

But he never lost.

Be it his very first opponent or all others that followed, he had never lost in a battle.

Never once before.

Even when he got cut and skewered on swords and spears, he bit through the pain and pushed forward emerging the victor in any situation.

But not this time.

I was defeated…So then, what does that mean…?

The sentence echoed over and over in his mind as he tried to push himself up to his feet but found it to be a very difficult action to perform. Pain spiked all over his body as he put strength in his muscles, his ruptured liver hurting so much it made him almost soil his pants.

Somehow, just somehow, Fuzen managed to get to his feet as a hand rested on the wall to his side to keep his balance on his wobbly legs.

Then he turned around and began to limp his way back the way Raiju came from, towards the Floor the Were-Jaguar was at.

It was silly, really.

Fuzen understood it.

Asking himself what it meant for him to be defeated.

He knew the answer to that all too well.

Maybe that was even the reason he tried to deny himself the truth.

After all, to be defeated meant that everything he built over the years would come crashing down.

The strength he believed to have built up through years of maddening effort, gone.

His streak of peerless victories accumulated through the blood he shed, gone.

His status as someone impossible to defeat, something even some members from his current Familia believed to be true, gone.

The fear and respect of the martial world he earned through his strength and will alone, gone.

The mountain of corpses he meticulously piled up to reach the Heavens, gone.

To be defeated meant that mountain had never been a mountain to begin with.

It was not a tall mountain he believed to be almost, almost tall enough to touch the door in the skies with his fingertips. That was all just a fantasy which he created to keep himself sane.

What he had piled up was only as tall as a single step, the first step on a stair that stretched out for nigh infinity.

Right here, right now...he could not see the end of that stair.

However, all of that would not matter on their own.

But, above all else…

'I promise I will do it! No matter what! So please trust in me! Please entrust me that sword and all the responsibilities that come with it! I beg of you, Mistress!'

To be defeated meant breaking the promise he made to her.

The promise that saw him leave the Far East.

It would mean their sword was not unbreakable like he promised her it would become.

I can't lose.

I cannot afford to.

I'm not allowed to.

I mustn't lose.

I know this.

I know this, damn it.

So then, why…?

Fuzen stared down at his legs. They refused to take another inch forward, no matter how hard he tried to force them to.

Why don't my stupid legs move…?

He stared down the long corridor ahead of him. The path that would take him back to the Were-Jaguar.

If he walked down this path, would he meet that man again?

As he asked himself that question Fuzen finally understood what was going on.

He knew what his duty and honour demanded but with his first loss now fresh on his mind, something else took priority and overshadowed their importance.

A feeling, the same feeling which stood behind his past decision to run away from his martial school and search for something else.

Something better.

Something kinder.

A year long journey on which he found only the truth he did not want to learn, the truth which shaped him into the cold and numb version of himself he was today.

And now, yet again, that same feeling which stood at the core of him running away in the past overshadowed his priorities and made his legs unable to take a single step forward.

A feeling which was strengthen by what had recently happened to him at the end of his war with Altena.

Inhale…

He knew that he needed to walk down the path before him.

Exhale…

He knew that he was required to fight the Were-Jaguar again and reclaim what was lost.

Inhale…

In his mind, he knew all of this. But…

Exhale…

I...I don't wanna!

Though unable to walk forward, Fuzen found it surprisingly easy to take a step backwards.

And another.

And another.

And another…

Before he knew it Fuzen had turned around and walked towards the stairs leading to the surface and away from the Dungeon and the man.

And before long he felt something warm fall down his cheeks.

To his disappointment he knew it was not blood but simply a couple of unwanted tears.

Tears born of his disappointment in himself.

In his weakness of body and mind, alike.

Tears of anger.

Slowly but surely, he was nearing the exit.

And then a thought crossed his mind:

There were no witnesses. So then, isn't everything actually okay? Even if I look like this...no one has proof of what happened…No one has proof that Fuzen Katsumi lost...

As this realization reached his mind Fuzen used his good hand to grab his jaw and began to yank it around, to the left and right, above and below.

Creak.

Crack.

Pop!

Though it hurt to the point his eyes rolled back in his head Fuzen somehow managed to pop his dislocated jaw back in place. Next he fixed his hunched posture, straightening his back and walking with his head held high. However the action put strain on his liver, Fuzen feeling blood gathering in his mouth as the organ pulsated with pain.

There was nothing he could do against it, however.

So as always he simply wiped his eyes and bit through the pain and with clenched fists made his way to the stairs leading to the ground level of the Babel, each step of the long stair feeling uncomfortably high, each foot he raised to touch the next step requiring far too much energy.

But there was nothing he could do against that, either.

One.

Two.

One.

Two.

One.

Two.

Before long it felt almost like he had entered a trance of sorts, the long monotone walk as well as his blurry state of mind combining together to make the ascend unbearably uncomfortable for Fuzen.

However his senses were still sharp, especially his ability to sense the Ki of others. A whole minute before they met he felt the signatures of multiple people descending on the same stair he was using. From far away they must have been unable to discern his condition but as they neared each other the group of five stopped in their tracks.

One of the five tried to take a single step closer to Fuzen but as her eyes met his she froze in place. He kept the eye contact as he took painstakingly slow steps forward, then looked over his shoulder at the group for a couple more steps before he looked away from them.

His body may have been broken, but he was not dead yet.

Fuzen Katsumi was not dead yet.

Far from it.

And he would allow no one to question this.

As he reached the ground level of the Babel the chatter of the Adventurers preparing for their descend down into the Dungeon died out, all eyes turned to stare at the blood-dyed boy making his way up.

Though they were silent and kept their distance, Fuzen knew exactly what was going on.

They were measuring him up.

How much damage did he suffer?

How much longer until he would fall over?

How much of an easy prey was he in his current state?

How much effort would they need to take him down?

He knew they must have been thinking at least one such question as he glared from one side to the other, keeping any individuals who dared to think to move towards him away.

Fricking vultures.

I'm not dead yet.

I ain't dead.

Just try to come near.

Just try it.

I'll rip you apart with my bare hands, every single one of you...

"…! Hey!" A shout reached his ears as the sound of hurried steps followed a moment later. Even in his hazy state of mind Fuzen recognized that voice.

Bete Loga.

"What the hell happened?!" The Werewolf shouted as he stooped a meter in front of Fuzen, scanning the boy from head to toe.

"…"

"Hey! Hey?! Fuzen you stupid moron, what happened?!" He asked in an unusually worried voice as he reached his hand out towards the boy.

Then electricity sparked between the two, Bete pulling his hand away. "Hey! What's the-?!"

His words were cut short as he looked at Fuzen and noticed an expression he would have never associated with someone as calm as Fuzen on the boy's face.

The expression of a cornered rat.

"...I tripped and fell." Fuzen replied at last, his words barely above a whisper.

Bete took a moment to process the stupidity of the claim before he felt his anger rise once more within him. "You tripped and fell my ass, you stupid turd! I asked what happened!"

"…"

"Hey! Don't ignore me, you shrimp!"

"…"

"Grrrhhh! How the hell did someone like you get in a state like this?! Who was it?!" Bete asked as he reached out a hand for the boy again but felt hesitant to touch him. He looked like the slightest touch would kill him on the spot.

Noticing the lack of reaction at his attempt to touch him again, Bete looked closer at the bloodied boy in front of him.

And a moment he understood what happened. "...Hey."

Fuzen had long since fell unconscious on his feet, his eyes staring blankly at the Werewolf's feet in front of him. His expression and stare alike were tired but otherwise resolute. About what, however, Bete couldn't tell.

"...You stupid weakling." Bete whispered with a sigh as he took a step closer to Fuzen.

He had no idea what happened and there were many matters like how he needed to discipline the brat for trying to bullshit his way out of his questions that Bete would need to see to later, but for now...for now, he would let the weakling rest on his back until they reached the nearest Doctor.

XXX

He ran.

Even though his lungs started burning some time ago, he continued to run nonetheless.

His old age no longer mattered to him: only one thing did, and he had to run to reach it.

Young Master!

Young Master!

Young Master!

Yamamoto chanted in his mind, each repetition of the words renewing his body with the energy required for him to keep on running. To anyone watching from the sideline he must have looked like a senile old man but he cared little for any of that.

Just half an hour ago one of their agents rushed to him and told Yamamoto that their Master was seen being rushed to the Dian Cecht Pharmacy. By the looks of it, he had been heavily injured.

Probably even fatally.

The thought alone send a cold shiver down the old man's spine.

He had finally found him after so many years.

And now he might just as well be slipping past his fingers.

His appearance might deceive most people, but Yamamoto was older than he appeared. Long decades were already behind him and most of those decades had been used playing the world's dirtiest game: politics.

As a young man full of ambitions, Yamamoto had entered that savage world and slowly worked his way up. Within fourteen years he had reached an influential position supporting the main Familia ruling the Far East: Amaterasu Familia.

But by the time he reached the position he had desired in his youth, he was tired and drained. His ambition was no longer burning brightly: it was barely flickering not unlike a single candle let out in the wind and at threat of being snuffed out at any moment.

Even when he followed his orders to the letter, the people still starved and died. Even when he embarked on the diplomatic missions he was entrusted with, wars still broke out and thousands died.

A never-ending cycle of carnage and death.

A corrupted country tainted black from the core outside.

He had once dreamed of being able to change the country and his kinsmen's lives for the better. His time at the Court only taught him that any such hopes and ambitions were but pipe dreams.

But…

"Your restaurant burned down because of me. I apologize." A young boy stated bluntly as he sought out the old man shortly after the Vindictive War in Altena came to an end. "I wish to pay for everything and right my mistakes. Please tell me the amount of money required and I will bring it to you."

He had not expected it, to say the least. Even more so what followed next.

"Also, I wish to take control of this District. I am aware of your past affiliations just as you are of mine, and I would highly appreciate your cooperation in taking out the trash. You can determine what payment you would desire for your help by yourself."

Like any ordinary man, Yamamoto was about to laugh and tell Fuzen to scram. But, he couldn't.

As he gazed into the boy's cold eyes, he saw something within them.

Something he had lost a long time ago.

'Ah. This boy could actually do it.'

The thought crossed his mind faster than he realized and he agreed to help.

And his trust proved to be well-placed.

With a single chant, he had brought down a whole city, and subsequently a whole country.

With a couple of blunt words, he made the various business owners of the East District bend the knee.

With a few swings of his sword and some money placed in the right hands at the right time, he had freed the East District of all the trash, as Fuzen called them.

He had done in a couple weeks what Yamamoto found himself unable to do throughout most of his career: he had changed lives, and for the better, as well.

It was then that Yamamoto could finally see the one thing that, for so long, remained blurry to his eyes: a future.

Was it an uncertain one?

Yes, absolutely.

Was it a good one?

Maybe, maybe not.

But it was a future, a future for both himself and all the others, as well.

A future they could look up to.

He had decided on the day his new Master united the East District under his banner that he would spend whatever remained of his life serving Fuzen Katsumi. If he could live long to see the boy turn into a young man, all the while supporting him in whatever manner he was capable of, then he could die peacefully.

And so he ran.

XXX

"Say, isn't this boy…slowly turning into a regular emergency patient here?" One of the Doctors within the room asked in a dry, sarcastic tone. She and two of her colleagues were standing on each side of the table on which Fuzen had been laid upon.

They had removed his clothes and were inspecting the extend of his wounds. So far, it didn't look good. "No jokes while on the job." The elderly looking Elven female replied to her junior's sarcastic question.

In truth, Amid was their best Doctor and thus the one most suited to take care of emergency patients like the boy, but she was unfortunately still sick and resting back at their Home.

"Do we use a weaker healing potion to stabilize him first?" The third of their group asked. She was a younger member with only three years of experience behind her.

"No." The elven woman replied. She gently grabbed his swollen arm and raised it up. "The bones in his arms have been shattered into pieces. Though a weaker healing potion would stabilize him, there is a high change his fractures bones could heal misaligned." She placed his arm back on the table and touched his face, her years of experience allowing her to figure out the extend of the damage. "His eye sockets have been likewise shattered. If even a single bone fragment were to push into his eyes because of the potion's healing…"

She did not finish her sentence but the other two could very well understand what the side-effects of that could be.

The senior Doctor walked up to the table's side and pushed on Fuzen's abdomen with her fingers. The skin felt tight and swollen. "He has internal bleeding." The woman stated, then began to press on his torso until she stopped after reaching Fuzen's right side. "...A ruptured liver, by the looks of it. He's bleeding to death."

"Heavens…" The second Doctor shook her head. "Amid's Magic would be the best solution in this case, correct?"

The senior Elf nodded. "Correct, but she is not here."

"What about an Elixir?"

"No. While an Elixir's healing properties cannot be denied, this boy is already on the verge of death. The shock would be too much." The senior Doctor explained. "Going from one hundred to zero and then from zero to one hundred requires too much energy. Energy he lacks. It would all but kill him."

"Then only one option remains."

All three nodded. "Surgery." The senior Elf pulled apart Fuzen's eyelids, checking the state of his consciousness. "He's unconscious. Good. We will give him a shot and put him under anaesthesia. You two put the bones in his arms back together. I'll open him up and stitch the rupture on his liver. Once you are done clean out the pooled blood in his chest cavity. That should stabilize him enough for us to administer an Elixir afterwards. An Elixir would be able to heal his eye sockets without any issues."

With a unified bow the three Doctors began their work.

Unknown to the unconscious Fuzen, however, he was slowly becoming a bane to the Dian Cecht Doctors.

XXX

To say the atmosphere in the waiting room was awkward was a massive understatement.

After Bete brought Fuzen to the Pharmacy he rushed back to the Twilight Mansion to inform Finn about the state of their, twice over, newest member.

The results of that were the main Loki Executives all together at the Pharmacy, their mere presence enough to make both the other customers and the Dian Cecht members gulp anxiously.

Gareth was sitting on a chair and tapping his foot against the floor as his arms were crossed around his chest. His eyes were closed and a faint Hmm could be heard every now and then.

Riveria leaned on the opposite wall while her staff rested on her shoulder, the High Elf sighing every so often as the anger showed itself on her brows.

Finn for his part sat besides Gareth as his arms rested on his knees. The Pallum looked as he always did but his usual Braver smile was nowhere to be seen.

Bete had informed them of the newest situation roughly two hours ago and they required some time to be on the move as there was still Familia related work to be done. Luckily Raul and Aki were found quickly enough to take over and the Executives moved out.

The Werewolf had also been left back at the Twilight Manor, while the Amazon twins were still training in the Dungeon. As for the Sword Princess, Finn had her wait back at the Twilight Manor.

As of late Ais's demeanour had started to change for the better. The young girl was seen smiling sometimes and she even seemed to be looking forward to the next day, and not only to go dive into the Dungeon, either.

Having decided to keep on eye on this change of hers, Finn quickly realized the one responsible for this change in their otherwise aloof and absent-minded Princess was Fuzen. Every time Finn watched her spar against Fuzen, clashing swords with him, she seemed to be...liberated. As if she could put aside her worries and simply enjoy the action of sparing against someone who could hold their own against her.

Even if this came at the cost of many pouts from the girl as she failed to secure a single win, something Finn found very adorable.

With the information he received from Bete the Captain quickly realized that the situation at hand was serious. If the member of their Familia who could fight against Monster Rexes and was skilful enough to accompany the Familia Executives into the Deep Floors was described by the Doctors to be 'barely hanging on', then it could only mean whatever he encountered was beyond strong.

Finn did not wish for Ais's newly-found humanity to be extinguished by seeing the state of the one individual she could not best in combat.

Thus he told her to stay back at their Home.

"...Foolish child…" Whispered the High Elf as only the Loki members remained in the waiting room, the staff and other customers and patients having slowly made their way out of the room.

"Might have been a trap." Followed the Dwarf.

Finn pondered on the option for a brief moment but quickly shook his head. "Can't be. His instincts are too sharp. Whatever it was he fought, this was a head-on confrontation."

"So yer saying he simply...lost?"

"Yeah."

"...This is bad." Riveria voiced, the other two nodding. "His strength is undeniable. If there is someone or something out there capable of doing this to him, then everyone lower than Level 4 from our Familia is at risk."

"Yes." Finn agreed. "I already tasked Cruz and Alicia to go and call back all our groups currently inside the Dungeon before coming here. Tione and Tiona should be fine, as they are together. We'll fill them in when they come back."

"We'll also need to hold a meeting." Gareth replied after a long stroke of his beard. "Gotta keep the green ones informed and safe."

"Mhm. Anyway, we can only do that after Fuzen wakes up and tells us what happened exac-"

His words were cut short as the door to the waiting room slammed open. As the three Executives turned their heads to look in that direction they saw an air-borne Seiji still in the motion of his flying kick which saw the door kicked open.

The young boy then touched the ground and slid across the wooden floor until he was in front of the blonde Captain. "Is he awake?!" Seiji yelled more than asked.

Before replying, however, Finn did not fail to notice the boy's hand wrapped tightly around the handle of the curved greatsword on his back. "...Not yet."

Their eyes locked for a moment before Seiji let go of his sword, a long sigh escaping his lips as he took a seat besides Braver.

"What are you doing here, Seiji?"

"I mean...I was on my way to the Dungeon when I heard some Adventurers talking about my bro. I figured if his state was as bad as they described, then he would be here."

"Hmhm. I'm glad to know he's got such a good friend who would worry for him."

"Well, yeah. He's my bro for life, so of course. But, right now…" The eastern boy looked towards the door which led to the treatment rooms. "I ain't sure whom I should be worried for…"

"Hmm? What do you mean, Seiji?"

"...Let's just hope nothing."

Neither of the three Loki Executives could claim to know the boy too well, but from what they saw of him he came off as a cheerful person whom nothing could hold down on his knees for long. "Do you have any idea who or what did this to him?" He asked of them.

"Not as of now. One of our members encountered him at the entrance to the Dungeon and brought him here immediately."

"...Hmm." Seiji gave a small nod as his hands clasped together, the boy playing with his thumbs nervously. His worst fears began to flood his mind.

...

The night was cold and the fire he had managed to start had long since died out, the only warmth to be had for him behind the thin sheets he covered himself with.

It was not the cold that made him unable to sleep, however: his coughs were responsible for that. As of late they had worsened beyond anything he had experienced before. He could feel he wasn't long for this world anymore.

'...Heh. If that runt were here, he'd tell me to clench my teeth and just deal with it…'

But he wasn't here.

Between his constant fever and fits of days-long coughs, he could not recall the last time he was here.

Was it a year?

Longer than a year?

At the very least four seasons had passed by since he ran away. Of that, Seiji was half-way certain.

'Wonder what he's up to…'

And then Seiji heard the door to his one-room hut slide open. He wondered who it was but couldn't find the strength to turn around and face the door.

It couldn't have been Hachiman.

The God already came by earlier to bring him some food, not to mention it was the middle of the night.

Neither could it have been one of the villagers.

'Keep your distance or you might get his disease.' they kept telling their children. Unless he died in his hut and the smell of his decaying body went downhill to the village not one of them would bother coming anywhere near him anytime soon.

His friend's Mistress was also out of the question.

It was only after the runt ran away from home that she left her room in...as long as Seiji could remember, really. Currently she was desperately searching for any leads on where his bro could be.

She had been at it for as long as the first day he disappeared. First she searched every corner of their county before going into the nearby counties as well, regularly coming back to check if he returned to the dojo before once again setting out to search for him.

A burglar was the only logical conclusion Seiji could come up with.

"I ain't got...*Cough*, *Cough*, anything worth... *Cough* stealing." Seiji whispered to whoever was at the door.

But whoever was at the door did not seem to care for his words. They stepped inside and slowly slid the door closed. Seiji expected them to kill him and take whatever he had. Granted, he would have loved to teach them a lesson but he lacked the strength to even turn around.

'Guess this is the end.' He though to himself as he kept his eyes closed.

"…"

"…"

"...Seiji." The voice which addressed him was young and barely above a whisper. But he could pick up that voice from a crowds of a thousand.

Somehow, he didn't know how exactly, but somehow Seiji managed to turn around and face the door. His initial thoughts were to try and crack a joke, poke some fun at his friend's height and then try to rekindle the fire so he could tell him all about his year-long adventure.

As soon as his gaze fell upon the boy he called his brother, all such thoughts vanished from his mind. It took him no longer than a single second to understand something, somewhere, at some point in time went very, very wrong.

His eyes were wide open and staring at nothing and everything alike, whatever brought him to such a state no doubt repeating itself in his mind over and over again. Cheeks that were once full and a sign of a healthy lifestyle were now hollow and sunken, his lips chalked and cracked. Dried blood that had turned black stuck to his clothes and skin, already the first sign among many that whatever he had lived through had been a bloody experience.

In his right hand he held a katana still too long for his size, the blade dirtied by muck and dried blood. A clear lack of maintenance for his sword, a sign that was probably even more worrying than his appearance. Seiji knew his friend took utmost care of his weapons.

"...You're...*Cough*...back."

"…"

"…"

"…"

Seiji took a moment to process just how unfamiliar the boy he grew up with truly looked now. He had not been this worse when he returned from his year long initiation training, and that was...almost impossible to top. "...Hey. *Cough*, *Cough*, what's wrong?"

"...Seiji."

"...What?"

"I can't...do it anymore."

"...*Cough*, *Cough*...What do you mean?"

He simply shook his head. Then the corner of his mouth began to tremble, as if holding a smile back. "Seiji."

"…*Cough*...What is it?"

"...I can't...I can't sheathe my sword any longer."

Being the only person alive to know of his secret Seiji immediately understood what those words meant and the heavy weight behind them. His sickness no longer of any importance to him Seiji threw the blanket to the side and began to crawl his way to the door. "What did you do?"

"…"

"What did you do?!"

The reply did not come. His friend stared at the floor as a hand ran over his face. He looked left, then right. Lastly, he looked up. "I...killed them." He answered barely above a whisper.

"Who?"

It seemed as if the question flooded his friend's mind with whatever brought him to the state he was in, reliving the events that happened since he ran away. A loud Thud echoed in the small hut as his friend's back hit the door behind him then fell down on his rear.

"Who did you kill?" Seiji inquired as he reached the door as well, their eyes now on the same level.

The answer, however, came only in the form of a dry, ear screeching laugh. A hyena's laugh that did not fit the boy in front of him in the least. A laugh that made a mockery of everything both of them aspired to become.

"Hey! *Cough*...Who did you kill?!"

"Kehehehe...Everyone~..."

...

"...Fight it, you fool."

The blonde Pallum to his side did not fail to hear the words. "Hm? What do you mean, Seiji?"

"...Nothing. For now, nothing."

It wasn't long before the door to the waiting room slammed open once again, Yamamoto rushing inside and immediately questioning Finn on his Master's condition. The old man was covered in sweat and could barely talk between his ragged breaths.

Learning that Fuzen was still alive greatly eased his worries but the fact his Master came this close to death was still heavy on his mind. This had been too close, too unexpected.

The East District had not yet developed a stable enough system to run smoothly without the presence of Fuzen. He was just a child and he had little knowledge of leadership, yes, but his presence alone was enough to keep the people together. He was the glue keeping the once broken whole together.

The common civilian might not know the full extent of his deeds, but Yamamoto and the other influential individuals with the East District knew all too well what their Young Master had done for them. The times he drew his sword and made whole Familia disappear overnight.

The times he put himself at risk for their sakes.

They knew, and for that, he commanded their full respect.

If anything were to happen to him...Yamamoto could only imagine what effects it would have on the still shaken District.

But even with that put aside, he simply did not wish to see Fuzen in the state he was currently in.

He deserved better.

XXX

'I want you to stay back here at the Manor. Can't have all our Executives unavailable in case something comes up, now can we?'

That is what Finn had told her with his signature smile and she decided to follow his order.

Ever since the others left in a hurry Ais has been sitting on the steps leading up to the Twilight Manor's front doors, her eyes fixed on the front gate.

It was disheartening, to say the least.

Initially when Bete rushed to the Manor to inform them of what had happened, Ais entered a state of confusion. She could not understand what the Werewolf was saying.

Fuzen?

Losing?

That was impossible, and something which the young girl could not comprehend.

More than anyone else in Loki Familia she had crossed swords with him countless times. No one knew his strength better than her, who had experienced numerous defeats at his hands.

It wasn't possible.

Yet, despite it not being possible the facts were there. Bete had to rush him to the Doctors. Finn did task Cruz and Alicia with calling back all the members currently in the Dungeon.

There was a threat out there, a threat great enough to defeat Loki Familia's acknowledged swordsman.

"...So then, where does that put me?" The blonde girl asked herself.

She had never before managed to secure a single victory against him. Neither did anyone else from their Familia. Granted, Fuzen had never fought against the top three Executives, but she, Tiona, Tione?

He had managed to win against all of them.

He could probably win against Bete, as well.

That was how highly she thought of the boy.

Her trust in him was unshakable.

Or better said, had been.

Something strong is out there. Ais thought to herself as she looked upon the sky-piercing Babel in the distance.

Something strong lurked in the Dungeon and it's existence threatened their daily lives.

Waking up, eating breakfast, heading to the Dungeon and then making her way back to the Manor where she would excitedly wait for the sparring.

Until recently Ais's schedule did not include the last part at all.

Her desire to fight and kill the Monsters had been stronger than anything. Nothing was more important to her than killing every single one of them.

And that didn't change.

But…

Was it simply part of growing up, or perhaps something akin to reverting back to an earlier stage of her life before the carnage began?

Ais couldn't say for sure but while killing Monsters was still a big part of her life, as of late she began to look forward to matters after heading into the Dungeon.

Clashing her sword against his, going at it for as long as possible. Those were things that excited her now, things that she looked forward to.

Ais didn't understand it herself, in all honesty. But ever since the time she got sick and neither potions nor Magic worked on her, she felt herself change. Like the burden on her shoulders had been lifted.

At first she failed to notice it herself but following the Amazon twins making remarks about it, Ais noticed that she was able to smile now.

'It's not bad.'

What exactly, she could not say.

Her life?

Her circumstances?

Her Familia?

She did not know. But it was not bad.

So what did today's event mean, in the grand scheme of things?

Would it all end now?

Would they be unable to spar anymore?

How did this turn of events change things for her?

For him?

Too many questions flooded her mind and she didn't like it. She truly did not like complicated matters.

"...Right now...What is it I can do…?"

She asked herself as she gazed onto the tower in the distance.

XXX

"So everything is all right now?" The Pallum asked.

The Doctor in question nodded. Her work clothes were covered in drops of blood, sign of the hasty work they were forced to perform. "Yes, trough the use of surgery we stabilized him enough to apply an Elixir. Physically, he is already back to full health."

"I see. That is great." Finn voiced as his shoulders dropped a bit along with a small sigh. "Loki Familia will cover the costs for the treatment. Is our little swordsman awake?"

"Not yet, but the effects from the shot we gave him should wear off any second now. You may see him now if you wish." The old Elf woman replied with a heavy frown on her face, something which did not escape Finn and Riveria's eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Asked the High Elf.

"...Well, I'm just not used to patients waking up in the middle of surgery and stating 'I ain't dead yet' before falling unconscious again. Neither was my assistant who passed out after this."

Though it was not exactly the right time to do so, the three Loki Executives found themselves laughing at this revelation. It did sound like something Fuzen would do, after all. "His stubbornness knows no bounds." The Dwarf in the room voiced.

"No denying that. Let's go and check on him."

"Wait." Seiji almost yelled out as the group of three and Yamamoto were already on their way to his room.

"What is it, Seiji?"

"...It would be best if the first face bro sees when he wakes up is Riveria-sama's." He stated nervously.

"...Why is that?"

"I'm sorry!" Came the lightning fast apology as the boy lowered his head. "I cannot tell you! I do not want to lose the trust bro placed in me! But please believe me!"

It was an unusual request to say the least, especially since it made little sense. But although the three Executives had little interaction with the boy and they were aware he was a bit of a goofball, they also knew he could be trusted. "Seiji." Riveria took a step closer to him. "Why is it of any importance whatever he sees my face first or not?"

A few moments of silence followed, time in which Seiji wracked his brain on how to answer the question without revealing any of the secrets Fuzen entrusted him with. "...You are...special to him. That is all I can say."

His words had been vague but to Riveria they were some of the missing puzzle pieces to a mystery which had long plagued her mind.

A while ago, when Loki showed how irresponsible she could be and got Fuzen drunk, something which came to bite them in the rear, the boy had uttered something she had not yet forgotten.

'I've been searching for you, for so long...'

At the time she did not know whatever that was just the alcohol speaking or his true hidden feelings laid bare, so she discarded them. Yet, she never forgot about them. And now Seiji had just told her something which had a direct link with Fuzen's words from back there.

...But even so, what does this all mean? Fuzen's been searching...for me? But why?

The unanswered questions did intrigue her, as did the fact that Fuzen back then had questioned her: 'Why are you this weak?!'

Riveria didn't like to stroke her own ego but she did not consider herself weak. And she knew Fuzen was aware of this, as well.

"...Very well. Then I shall step inside first."

"Thank you!" Seiji thanked her with yet another bow of his head before proceeding to walk behind Riveria, making sure he would be the second person to enter the room.

Though the lead Doctor told them he was probably still unconscious Riveria nonetheless knocked thrice at the door, just in case. Noticing a lack of response she opened the door to Fuzen's room and stepped inside.

The boy in question was there, lying on the bed just opposite of the door. As usual his sleeping face was one with a noticeable frown on it and something Riveria was worried about as if he kept this up, he would get wrinkles long before her.

Finn, the third to walk inside the room let out a small sigh. "He's still unconscious. We just have to wait now."

Riveria was about to nod but then decided against it. She walked up to Fuzen's side and took a seat on the chair besides it. "Fuzen?" It seemed as if he didn't react at first, but the Level 6 did notice a small twitch in his eyes. "Fuzen." Again, no response. "Fuzen." She reached out and touched his face with her hand.

No sooner had her fingers touched his skin that his eyes shot wide open.

'I'll rip your heart right out your throat.'

If she had to put into words what his glare could mean, that was probably the closest translation to it she could think of.

Absolute unadulterated hatred and killing intent.

That is what he was looking at her with. There was no place for doubts about it.

No mortal should be capable of hatred of that magnitude. In her many years of life, Riveria had seen hatred in others but it was always diluted by something else: the person's humanity, their mind, their logic, the sadness born of said hatred, their past experiences, kindness, anything at all.

But she could see none of that in Fuzen's eyes.

His hatred was pure and raw, as well as bare.

Riveria was not the only one to feel their skin crawl, either: with the corner of her eye she noticed Seiji reaching out for the sword on his back and half-drawing it.

And then in the next moment, it was all gone.

The crawling sensation on her skin, as well as Fuzen's hatred. As soon as he blinked once that fire in his eyes had disappeared and she was met with his usual cold and distant stare.

"...Pleasse don't touh me, Alf-sama. It iss not appreciated." He replied as he pulled his hand out from within the blanket and pushed hers away from his face. The he pushed himself up so that his back leaned on the wall behind him.

"...Mhm."

"What are yu all doin heer?" Fuzen asked, trying to sound as casual as always. However, the very obvious half a dozen or so missing teeth in his mouth made it hard for him to pronounce some words correctly, and was also responsible for him adding an extra "S" to some words.

"...Pfff! Hahaha! Now that's precious!"

"Pissss off." Fuzen replied to Seiji's laugh.

"...Hey." The older boy voiced with a serious expression on his face. "You alright?"

"...Mhm."

"I see. That's good." Seiji nodded as he allowed his shoulders to relax. "Well, you're alive and well, and I don't doubt your Familia will want to talk in private with you, so I'll go now. Those Monsters won't kill themselves. Hahaha!"

As he processed the words Fuzen's eyes shot wide open, the shock visible on his face. Seiji turned around and waved his hand over his shoulder. Then he felt a hand grab his and yank him hard enough to pull him to the ground. "Hey, what's the big idea?"

"No."

"Hm? Bro, what's wrong?"

"…"

"Bro?"

"...I am in ned of yor asssistance." Fuzen replied after a moment of silence, still not letting go of Seiji's hand.

"Huh?"

"…I ned you in the Easst District. Now."

"...Huh?"

Feeling the stares of his Familia's Executives on him Fuzen switched to the eastern language. "[Sshut the hel up and do az I tell you.]"

"...[Bruh. The hell you going on about?]"

"[It'ss a private Quesst yu moron. I'll pay you so sshut the frickk up and go to my housse and wait tere.]"

"[But...what's the Quest about?]"

"[You'll find outt there.]"

"...Ooooo….kaaaay?"

Only after Seiji agreed to his terms did Fuzen let go of his arm. The older boy looked as confused as everyone else but decided to head for Fuzen's mansion in the East District after leaving the Dian Cecht Pharmacy.

"...What are yu all sstaring at?" The boy asked after his friend had left, noticing the stares directed at him.

"Well, what do you think?" Finn asked in return, taking a step closer to the bed as he crossed his arms.

"I have noh idea."

"...Fuzen. There are times when I am completely fine with your behaviour." The blonde Pallum said. "This is not one of those times."

But the boy remained quiet, simply staring back at his Captain. He had no intention to speak.

Riveria decided to join in, as well. "Fuzen, what happened in the Dungeon?"

"…"

"Boy, no need to hide anything. We ain't gonna judge you." Gareth voiced.

"…" And still, no reply came.

Silence fell over the room, a whole minute going by in awkwardness.

Then a knock at the door broke the silence.

The door opened and Shakti, the Captain of the Ganesha Familia stepped inside. "Pardon the interruption, Loki Familia."

"This is a surprise, Shakti. What are you doing here?"

"Well…" Before she could continue someone pushed her fully into the room to make way. "Heya. Hope we aren't disturbing." Tsubaki, Captain of the Hephaestus Familia said with a wave and a smile.

Riveria stood up from her seat and gave the two a small nod of her head. "To what do we own the pleasure?"

Shakti returned the silent greeting with a nod of herself. Then she looked over to Fuzen. "I came by to question Kenshi about something related to the Dungeon."

"Such as?" Finn inquired.

"...There have been some murders going on inside the Dungeon. Going by the evidence we have gathered at the various murder scenes we believe the perpetrator to be human and not Monster."

"I see." The blonde Pallum nodded, hiding the fact Fuzen had already informed him of what was going on. "And how may we help?"

"...Kenshi." The blue-haired woman addressed the boy. "We found a pair of eastern swords at the latest murder scene. The dead Adventurers all had their weapons forged by a single smithing Familia. Those swords were the only ones forged by Hephaestus Familia." Shakti gave a head sign to Tsubaki, who nodded and walked up to the bed's foot, taking off the roll of cloth on her back.

She laid it on the bed and unwrapped the cloth, revealing a pair of swords.

"Tsubaki?"

"Yeah. Those are no doubt Utegiri and Eisatsu, swords I have forged myself for little Fuzen over here." The blacksmith nodded as she grabbed Eisatsu and pulled it out of the scabbard. The blade went on for roughly ten centimetres before the signs of the shattered blade could be seen. "Both have been reduced to this state, though...Sigh"

"Mhm. Kenshi, those are your weapons, correct?" Shakti asked and Fuzen nodded nonchalantly as always. "Then please do tell me why we found them at the murder scene."

"...I do not know." He answered at last with great clarity and then silence fell over the room once again for a couple of moments.

Shakti's brows formed a frown, the woman taking a moment to scan the boy from head to toe. "That is not very useful. Kenshi, it is a fact you were at the scene before I got there. Your swords were found there and the Doctors told me in great detail about the extent of your injuries. So I ask you: What happened?"

Everyone stared at the boy with expectation, hoping to shine some light on what happened and who exactly was responsible for the ongoing murders.

Then Fuzen opened his mouth to speak. "...I tripped and fehl. Noting happeed."

A collective sigh could be heard as the various people inside the small room all sighed as one. Shakti began to rub the bridge of her nose with her fingers, not satisfied with the boy's lack of cooperation.

"That's a pretty stupid excuse, little Fuzen." The blacksmith in the room said bluntly. "Even I want to know what caused my weapons to get destroyed like this."

Fuzen shrugged. "Their quahlity was sub-pahr."

"...That so?" Tsubaki replied while her one remaining good eye twitched in anger. "Why don't you repeat that for me, Toothy?"

"Hmpf."

"...This little prick…" Fortunately Gareth held the blacksmith back before she could do anything to the boy.

"This is no laughing matter, Kenshi." The Ganesha Captain stated with a slightly harsher tone. "You might very well be the only one who can help us avoid yet another group of Adventurers falling prey to whatever it was you encountered. All you need to do is cooperate and share your information with me."

Fuzen looked around the room, his eyes meeting Finn's. The Pallum nodded at him, encouraging him to share what happened with everyone present.

"...Nothing happened."

Shakti inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm herself down a bit. "Kenshi. It is well within my right to arrest you as a suspect in the murders of over twenty-eight Adventurers. You do not want to play this game, believe me. Please, just cooperate."

"Try meh." Came the lightning fast reply.

XXX

Piss off.

He did not show it, but Fuzen was boiling with anger on the inside.

Every single one of you, piss off. I know I'm the only one who knows what that asswipe looks like. But admitting I met him also means admitting I lost to him.

And the Lightning Sword Style Successor is not supposed to lose.

I'm not allowed to lose.

I cannot allow myself to lose!

So. Piss. Off!

He also knew that his information might save the lives of others if he were to share them. But sharing them meant admitting losing.

It was dishonourable, to say the least.

The loss did happen, and not admitting it was not what his martial school had taught him.

But there were no witnesses.

And that meant no one knew he lost.

Granted, the state he was found in hinted at many things. But no one could say for certain what had happened. And he intended to keep it that way.

I cannot lose!

And frankly, why should he care about whatever others died at the Were-Jaguar's hands or not?

'Anything can happen in the Dungeon.'

The golden rule of the Dungeon. Death was lurking at every corner. The Adventurers who dived into the Dungeon knew the risks of their actions, and that death could very well come for them at any moment.

So why should I feel responsible for anything that happens?

"...Nothing happened." He repeated once again, too lost in thought to notice what was going on around him.

So what about them?

The question popped inside his mind all of a sudden.

Them?

Who's 'them'?

The face of the boy who had been present just until a couple minutes ago popped in his mind, that stupid smile plastered on his face as always.

He's too weak to ever come across that Were-Jaguar.

Fuzen knew that man would have no quarrel with the people on the Lower Floors. Seiji was safe, he didn't need to worry about him.

...He will reach Rivira before long, however.

Indeed, Seiji would reach Rivira sooner or later. And he had no doubts the man also needed food and water. In the Dungeon the only place you could get both would be Rivira. So, what if the two were ever to stumble upon each other? Would Seiji get killed?

"...Nothing happened…"

"…? Fuzen?"

'Hahahaha! I'll be right there by your side in the blink of an eye, bro!'

...Tsk. Shut the hell up. Go die in a ditch.

He shook his head, trying to get rid of that stupid face out of his mind. A moment later he managed to do just that.

...I am not allowed to lose…

'Haha, so you are the newest member, huh?' The earliest memory of his time in Loki Familia popped up in his mind next. The time Finn had attached him to a group of high-tier Level 2's.

'I heard you have some fighting experience, but...Well, just sit back with the supplies and let us do the fighting. The Dungeon's a whole different kind of enemy. We'll teach you everything about it as we go, ok?'

He had little interaction with them after the month was up and he was deemed knowledgable enough to dive into the Dungeon alone, but he was aware that most of them managed to reach Level 3 since he first joined. If their group's numbers were high enough, they would be allowed to dive deeper than what their individual Level would normally allow.

'Hey everyone, Fuzen just killed his first Monster in the Dungeon! A round of applause!'

So then, would they meet him if that were the case?

...Piss off. Go away. I'm not allowed to lose.

"...Nothing. Happened."

"...Fuzen, you're worrying me." He did not hear his Captain's words.

Leave me alone. Every single one of you, piss off…

'Can't believe we managed to beat Udaeus…' The unwanted memory of his time with the Second Group came next. 'You really know how to prevent an Adventurer from running away, don't you Fuzen? But...thanks. We did it. Together.'

There was no doubt in Fuzen's mind that even among Orario's other Level 4's, his Familia's Second Group were on a higher tier. They trained well and their experience did not betray them in times of need, either.

But that would not be enough, either. Not against him.

...That's none of my business. Piss off. Piss off already.

'Hey, wanna go grab some eclairs? My treat.' Anakitty asked him on a day after they came back from the Dungeon, just the two of them heading home as the others had to go and exchange the Magic Stones they had gathered. 'Hmm, you don't, do you~? Then why are you drooling, Fuzen~?' She asked following his answer with a sly smile on her face.

Piss off and die you stupid cat.

Inhale.

Exhale…

"Nothing...happened."

"...Something's wrong with him…Call the Doctor."

'Oh. Fancy meeting you here.'

The memory of his first meeting with Amid in the Dungeon came next.

'Well, I'm gathering materials, as you can see...Yes, I know I can call on you for this type of work, but I have some free time today, and...you know.'

It wasn't enough for that woman to heal patients back at her Pharmacy. In her free time, Fuzen learned that day, she would dive into the Dungeon as well. The main objective was to collect materials needed for potions, but accompanying her in order to protect her from Monsters, Fuzen knew that the main reason for those dives of hers was to heal any injured Adventurers she came across.

So stupid. You can't even fight you stupid woman

And even if she could fight, her Level was too low. A meeting with him would result in her very messy and bloody death.

Fuzen could already picture it: Amid lying in a pool of blood, her bones broken, her face smashed in, bits of hers to be found here and there scattered all over the place-

"Urgh-!" He did not know why but he felt like vomiting all of a sudden, his hand instinctively jumping to cover his mouth. He rarely if ever felt like vomiting, so why now all of a sudden?

"Fuzen! What's wrong?"

"...Nothing happened…" He managed to gulp it down before leaning into the wall once again, inhaling and exhaling to calm himself down.

...I know, all right? I know, damn it.

Thud!

He swung his head back and hit the wall. A turmoil he had never felt before began to manifest deep inside of him, forcing him to grit his teeth in an attempt to hide it.

I know that you are all at risk because of that asswipe. I know, alright? I know.

Thud!

And again. His eyes felt weak and burning, Fuzen squeezing them closed and trying his best to keep them that way.

But I have my own duty to take care of. I can't lose, damn it. So please just piss off already.

Thud!

And again, stronger than before.

I already have enough on my shoulders already. Why do I need to take responsibility for you all, as well? Isn't this too unfair, damn it? Why does only unfair things happen to me? Leave me alone already...Please, just leave me alone.

THUD!

The wall behind his head cracked, the cracks extending in all direction from the sheer power he put behind it.

It did help, though. Hitting his head did help him. He felt it. The calmness, returning to him. He could do it now. He could say it again.

"...Nothing-"

'This is what I wanted to show you.' The High Elf said as she extended her hand towards a part of the small library back at the Twilight Manor. An empty bookshelf stood there, one which had not previously been there. 'You've taken a liking to science lately, haven't you? Instead of going to the city library each day you can fill this bookshelf with all the books you want and read them here. I also took the liberty of buying some books already: I hope you have not read them already at the library?'

Half opening his eyes, Fuzen looked towards Riveria and noticed the visible worry on her face. Worry for him.

Why can't you just hate me already, so that I don't have to care…?

The Were-Jaguar had Finn's speed and Gareth's strength. He was a fusion of the best of both. Thinking about it that way, what chance did a backline Mage even have to survive an encounter with him?

None.

Zero.

Certain death.

If she met him in the Dungeon, Riveria would die.

She'd die for sure.

He would kill her.

Fuzen could picture her, too: bloody and broken, her eyes lacking any sort of light in them...

...So I'd be forced to watch her lose all over again, then?

Over and over…

And over and over again…

Is there no end to this?

How much longer do I have to watch this, I wonder?

Fuzen squeezed his eyes close once again, remembering all the things he had done in the name of his duty. The pain and the sacrifices, alike. The things and people he had lost along the way. The hopes and dreams he decided to take upon himself, to honour what had once been.

The flame that he needed to keep burning, no matter what.

The flame that was slowly but surely dying. Time was of the essence.

The flame that he himself had extinguished. His greatest joy and sin, alike.

Their weight was immeasurable.

...I'm sorry.

That is why he could not admit it.

And that is why he could not allow himself to lose.

"...I lost."

For the first time in as long as he could remember he had to talk with a shaky voice caused by the tears running down his face.

They seemed to go on forever, with no sign of them ever ending.

XXX

And so we are here again, in the AN.

The ending might feel a bit rushed, for example, only a couple hours passed between Fuzen getting rushed by Bete to the Doctors and Shakti finding him with evidence of his involvement.

In truth, she would need at least a good couple of hours to reach the surface from the Floor the murders took place in.

But I get lazy too, you know?

And if anime has taught me anything it's that people will always find people just when they are looking for them. Some dude running around town and finding the girl he is looking for despite the city's population being 50k, you know what I mean?

So yeh.

Anyway, does this count as character development? As the reverse?

I do not know to be honest.

Some might agree, others might not. This is the path I choose for the main OC however, and it's already done and set in stone.

From here on out we are going to take a short break from fights and focus more on other things, like self-exploration and a very bratty Fuzen.

And then hardcore fights once again.

The re-introduction of a character I haven't written about for a long while is also around the corner, and boy am I looking forward to it and what role this character will get to play very, very soon.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the read and see you all round.

Kay bye.