Nine Divine, the Game of the Year, was a massively multiplayer role playing game with a very unique form of leveling up. A player could reach the cap of one hundred in well under a week, but unless they increased their classes rarity – they were weak – too weak to fight competitively. Each player could obtain ten classes, hence each class cost twenty points. Warriors, Magic Casters, and Rangers types were the first few classes to choose from after selecting one of the thousands of races available. Others were unlocked through quests and achievements. Though what stood out most were the Epic rarity classes, ones that couldn't be gained by conventional means and often didn't match or broke existing builds. Hence a Paladin of Light could get an Epic Necromancer class. More times than not, those who wished to focus on PVP aspects of the game rebuilt their characters to match their Epic class–hence optimizing Epic Builds.

This game with all of its elements, fantasy, and science alike, was an escape from reality.

Working your hardest never got you what you wanted. Earnestly working towards your goal without getting your hands dirty was impossible. If you played by the rules, it was your own folly. Yet, in this game playing by the rules meant you stood above all the rest. Of course, that is because you can obtain so much more by abiding by the rules.

Cipher Centurion was one of the most powerful beings in the game and yet he was part of a PVE only Guild. Though he had a PVP build to defend himself and others should the need arise. Not taking part in Tournaments, PVP battles, Guild Wars, and official inter clan events. He lacked such recognition from the community, he was nothing more than an expensive mentor to his fellow players. Though he was far from a target, at least the moment someone took a gander at his PK ratio.

Despite not being on the Leaderboards, he had the most confirmed player kills in the game.

The unknown name behind Cipher was nothing more than a High School NEET. A shut-in. At least that is who most believed him to be. Not to say he didn't have a life, he made a living from playing the game. Trading in-game cash to pay his parent's bills, even though he didn't have a real job.

That night, the moon was full, hidden behind thin layers of cloud that stars could peek through.

Wind rattled the siding of his home.

The snoring of his family echoed through the hallowed halls as they laid nestled in their beds.

He had been farming for hours now, only to encounter someone who made a blatant mistake. Armored from head to toe in holy half-plate armored garb, an anti-status ring, and countless other magic items. Cipher knew he would reign victorious as his black cloak whipped with the ambient worldly wind.

A faint smile rested upon his lips as he tapped against the keyboard, clicked with his mouse, and swiped with his hand. With a longing expression, a young man eyed his screen as he dodged the attack of one of the greatest low-tier PVP players in the game.

"I got this! Hah, pathetic!"

He was defending his home, his honor, and his guild against the self-proclaimed Demon Emperor. The Master of All Evils possessed two Mythological classes and an Epic Class just like he did.

"You think you can beat me? Lowly Demon, I have my doubts."

Trading blows, the sound of explosions burst from his headphones. With his full legendary Divine Sorcerer class build, he was foretold to triumph over his one-time enemy. Blocking with a mage shield, parrying with his Divine Spellblade, this fight had already gone on for over an hour. Evenly matched, one could say, was something no one spectating the fight could have even imagined.

"Almost got him!"

Cipher was sweating, wiping his brow with his forearm. Eyes of determination overtook his longing for a true battle. Other than taking noncharacter players, this is the first battle that has lasted this long. Trading blows, notoriously regenerating without even casting a spell, this skirmish was to end soon.

Following a single faithful swipe of his keyboard, he activated his trump card:

[Silver Rain].

As the screen turned to third-person showing the back of his divine garbed sorcerer – his avatar took several consecutive hits – a blinding silvery light consumed the area. A wild grin formed over his lips as he watched the Demon Emperor's red line of health vanish in several seconds.

Then the clock struck twelve. Bells ringing from the grandfather clock down the hall oddly resonated down the hall. Without warning, the light from his screen shrewdly draped itself over his room in seconds. No time to yell, no time to move from his seat, Cipher closed his eye tightly as he lost the will to muster a surprised yelp.

Smooch.

"Eh?" Feeling the warmth of two bodies, his eyes opened partially.

Someone was breathing against his face. Hands-on his chest, legs on his thighs.

Was someone crawling on him? No. There were two people. His eyes flickered over one of the feminine forms close to him for a split moment, before narrowing his gaze. This, this wasn't possible.

On his left was a lean-athletic female with long black hair that reached down to the arch of her back. She had a tail, cat ears. Whether or not they were props or not, he couldn't necessarily tell. Not without touching her, that is. She was practically straddling over his left leg, while the other female was crouched beside him on some sort of altar he was sitting upon. That was when he noticed his leg, his torso, and his arms were covered in his holy half-plate garb. This caused him to raise a brow. There was no interface for the game, he didn't smell the unsavory scent of his room either, at least not from the meals he had yet to clean up.

Not spending much time on that, he glanced over to the Elf chick as the two of them pulled away from him. Her breasts were enormous. Sadly that was the first thing he noticed, other than her ears drooped downward. In the game, most male Elves had droopy ears while females had ones that stood up. Seeing this just confused him for the most part.

Was this some sort of cosplay convention? How old were these two anyway? He couldn't tell.

Compared to him they were just short. He knew older twenty-year-olds who had the same size and complexion as them, well… probably not the same size breasts as the elf. If it weren't for the gap between the Elf's breasts, he'd be too sure they were fake.

Now was no time to panic, strategically, he needed to find a way back home or make a living here. Wherever here was. Seeing his reflection, Cipher was quick to find short black hair and gold eyes.

His first thoughts had been confirmed, he was his avatar.

"Where the f––"

"Now the enslavement ritual is complete."

Furrowing his brows, Cipher fixed his sights upon the speaking catgirl.

'Enslavement… Ritual...?'

Nothing felt any different other than his avatar and change race as well as in body-type. There was no compulsory sense that made him act on another's behalf. This didn't make any sense. Why was he being enslaved anyhow?

Seeing as the catgirl was in a thinker's pose with one arm over her abdomen and the other with her fist to her chin. She seemed rather sure of herself. Meanwhile the elf on the other hand…

"Way to go, me! I am now a summoner!" She was ecstatic as she made a scoring gesture, her eyes closed and a brilliant smile on her face. An amateur? He was sure of it by her attitude and her claim.

Looking back to the catgirl once more, he made a resting expression. Her clothes now that he looked at them revealed her collarbone and a small diamond opening on the upper part of her abdomen. Most of it was purple though, her clothes, which was his favorite color. If anything she reminded him of his ex-girlfriend, with her small bosom and clever green eyes.

"Try not to get the wrong idea," the feline human turned to the elf and lowered her hand from her chin. Those eyes of hers were still all too sure of herself, even more so than the body language of the elf. "I am the one who summoned him."

"Huh? But I am the one who summoned him!"

His gaze flickered to the Elf once more as she was childishly declaring her prowess as an amateur summoner. This caused him to gradually exhale as he watched their little reactions. Though it seemed the cat had very little interest in fighting over that claim.

"Besides, I performed the enslavement ritual too! That kiss and stuff..."

She touched her lips and looked back to him with this embarrassed look on her face. It was as if it was her first kiss, although he had only gotten one on the cheek from her.

"But I kissed him too!"

Suddenly the cat snapped back towards her as if fighting over him.

"Ah… Oh boy…"

All he could do was mutter as he stood from the altar and dusted himself off. Checking his armor, it was relatively unharmed despite the battle he had just gone through. The two seemed a bit too into their little bout of words. His gaze jumped towards the half-wall guiding the edge of what appeared to be the top of a tower. A frown was exhumed from his lips.

He could jump from this height, with a flying spell, he could leave these two alone. Search for a way to get back to his family that needed him. Or… he could see if they have any information.

"But it was my kiss that succeeded!" Just as before, the Elf asserted her confidence over the matter. Though the cat was just going to do it as well. There was no end to this. Should he stop it?

The Cat's ears twitched and her green hues looked to him from her peripherals.

"I am also the one who said we should go to the Starfall Tower!" Declared the Elf with her fingers curled into tightly knit fists. That name didn't mean anything to him. He had no idea where this Starfall Tower was, but all the same, he needed to make himself known.

"[Holy Aura, Level One]." A wave of divine energy coursed over the two of them without causing any damage. All the same, it was enough to gather their attention. "Cease at once."

The two of them slowly turned to the man that was himself. Their eyes resting on him warily and shocked. Wide-eyed, afraid. It wasn't something he wanted to see or let alone cause, but he had little choice. How long were they going to argue?

"The summon…"

"...Talked!?"

"Your enslavement ritual has failed. Neither of you has gained supremacy over me."

"Eeeeeeeeeeh!? No way!"

"Huh…? Sit back down!"

The Cat was quick to bark out a command, and yet he just stood there staring at her. His anti-status ring had made the ritual that they had used defunct, useless. It only took her a second to catch on and she immediately took a step back.

"No…"

His gaze locked onto her as if he could feel her despair was far stronger than that of the lone elf.

"My name is Cipher Centurion the Enochian Lord – if you wish to make a contract with me – It will require a substantially equal payment. I will ask once feline demihuman, do you accept?"

'This will probably be the best way to gain their trust. The cat seems to be suffering the most, but also appears to be the most mature. If I can get information on this summoning she performed… perhaps I can get back home. I doubt my parents can keep the house as they are now…'

"Angel Lord….Contract…? Y-yes. Please, lend me your power so that I may prove my strength."

"Then speak your name, shortie." Something told him that wasn't the reason at all.

"Wh-what about me!?"

Cipher ignored the elf's distress and kept his focus on the one cat in front of him.

"Rem...Rem Galleu."

Lowering his head with his hand across his chest, Cipher silently cast the Holy Aura spell-like racial skill once more. A faint smile across his lips as he then raised his head, only to see the Elf standing between him and Rem.

"What about me!?" This girl had tears in her eyes and a sour look across her lips.

"If the Contractor so wishes to share my aid with you, then so be it, your name?"

"Shera L. Greenwood." She proclaimed before him, though she did still appear sour. Perhaps it was because he had recognized the cat as his master? He didn't really care. Though as an archer, even if she were a low level, she may be relatively useful in some manner.

'Greenwood? Isn't that a common name for elves in the Nine Divine RPG…?'

"The two of you may call me Centurion."

Cipher made his way to the halfway, peering over the vast fields and vast hill lands. This place looked like some sort of fantasy world, but of course, it was. His gaze flashed back towards the two females. It was a stark contrast toward the world he knew, but this was a true place only dreams could take him.

If he wanted to be selfish… putting off finding a way home might just be for the better.

"He must be worth a hundred men! I never heard of a summons who could talk or form contracts!"

His eyes narrowed on the elf for a few seconds before letting out a sigh.

"I am not a summon, I simply answered the call."

'I should probably make it sound as if I came willingly... perhaps later if I haven't found a way back… then it won't appear that they stranded me here. If they really were the ones who summoned me.'

"As if I would aid that no-good elf," Rem exclaimed with her arms across her chest, deadpanning.

With her chest puffed out, "Why not!?" Shera was angry with the proclamation of the cat.

"Enough!" Stomping his foot down upon the surface of the tower, he could see their hair standing on end from the irritated aura that exploded from him once more. "Stop fighting. Are we going to be here all day?"

"I know right!"

That was when he suddenly felt something large and soft encircling his forearm. Shera was pressing her sizable bosom into him while clinging to his side with her big eyes looking up at him. This had very little effect other than mild discomfort.

"Get off my Su––!"

Yet before Rem could make her move, he swiftly slipped his arm out of her hold and backed off.

"I don't mind hand-holding, but I prefer not to be harassed by an amateur at seduction..."

"...Huh!?" Torn by both surprise and the sensation of rejection, tears welled up in Shera's eyes.

Feeling a pair of dainty hands around his right, he glanced down to Rem who was smiling up at him expectantly. As if holding his hand was going to put her in a better condition than she already was. Softly, he gripped her hands back and cocked his head to the side.

"Let's head to the bottom of the tower," Cipher offered his hand towards the elf, shocking her once more with his choice of action. His eyes though spoke not a single word other than his intentions.

Slowly she grasped his hand with her own and nonetheless smiled for she had been accepted.

"Then we can head to the City so that I can get registered as a Summoner with you by my side!"

Centering his divine sights upon the elf as she declared he was hers again, he shook his head. "Why don't you just get registered as a Ranger? They're half-spellcasters after all."

"Will I be able to be a summoner as a ranger?"

Shera was absolutely confused by his words as if they didn't process in her mind correctly.

"Yes, probably. It's just arcane magic."

"Aaah… but I wanna be a summoner! Help me register at the Adventurer's Guild!" She sighed and lowered her head a bit before suddenly a pair of wings burst out of his back. The abrupt surprise made both of the girls nearly step back with a start only for him to increase his grip.

"...Arcane?"

"Time to jump."

"Eh?!"

"Haaaaaah!?"

Without even a single second of hesitation, he pulled them along before hopping off the side of the tower. The two girls let out terrified screams, closing their eyes tighter than they ever had before. Then, their little squeaky screams gradually came to a halt as they found they were not falling at all.

"We're flying…?"

"...Uwaaaaah~ Sugoi! This is amazing!"

Both of them looked up to him as they hung from their hands grasped in his iron grip.

Gliding, he didn't appease their attempts to lock eyes with him. Soon they reached the ground and he landed flat-footed upon the ground. He had no idea which direction the city was in, though if he had been paying attention he'd likely seen it while he was in flight earlier.

"Again~! Again~! Again~!" Spouted the Elf in bubbly excitement with her boobs jiggling about.

Cipher pulled his hand from her and patted Shera's head in response to silence her.

"Yeah… no."

Snarling, Rem audibly protested with her head held high as she frowned at the Elf. She clearly didn't like the fact that the Elf wasn't going to give up on having him. "Cheh, stop trying to give orders to my summon or I won't let him help you!"

"I'm telling you he is mine!"

"I recognized Rem. Cool it, Felicia, before I decide not to help you."

"B-but, but, my name is Shera!"

"Hah!" Rem pointed at Shera as she did a miniature victory dance as the elf begrudgingly watched on much to her displeasure. Then she turned towards him, curiously letting her ears twitch.

"Enough of this…. which direction is the nearest town?" A slight glint flashed in his eyes as he watched her tail move fluidly. The natural urge to grab it was there, but it was easy to suppress.

Retaking her thinker's pose, Rem looked around and turned on her heel to get a good look at their surroundings. "Based on where we landed, we're directly east from Faltry City. All we have to do is cross a bridge..."

Retracting his wings, Cipher nodded to her intelligence keeping.

'Considering how directionally inclined I am… Having her around should help. I don't know anyone I could trace with [Locate Person] or [Locate Object]... so, Following is the best choice until more information can be found.'

"Though I do have a question… Rem, but it can wait till later."

"I see."

Her green hues seemed to look him over before he turned and started walking in the direction she had pointed to. Soon enough, he could hear them bickering behind his back as they followed. A sigh escaped his lips once more as he couldn't seem to shut them up. What was with all the competitiveness? He didn't wear the collar, and he made a verbal contract, so what was the big deal?

Taking a silver-white helmet with a T-shaped visor and a black plume from his inventory, he raised a brow. Seeing as he could still access his stored items, he was relieved. Placing the helmet upon his head, he felt a light tug on his arm.

Peering to the side, he rested his gaze upon an expectant Rem. "Where did you get that helmet?"

"Extra-dimensional storage accessible through my Sorcerer Bloodline," he came up with a lie on the spot with a deadpan expression. Cipher figured he should establish some lore about himself anyway.

"Bloodline… Eh? What kind of things do you have in there?"

"Hmmm…" Eyeing her, Cipher's head cocked to the right and then slowly to the left as he began to give Rem a second take. "Particularly useful items that we can go over later once we're situated."

"I… I suppose," Rem visibly furrowed her brows at him as he hadn't stopped walking as they talked. He was all too focused on making it to the nearest town–without telling her why. All he wanted was information and he didn't want to overload her with his constant inquiries if he were to be stuck with her.

Before long a Fort Bridge was coming into view, a heavily fortified construct similar to that of a castle. From where they were, he could see the people moving about and being inspected. A number of the people within view were armed with swords and halberds. So, for as much as he could see, he could tell the location on the other side of some sort of river was some sort of checkpoint.

Turning his attention to the river, the land formation seemed so narrow that it was considered a ravine. The land had been split in two by water corrosion, effectively cutting the area off from the other.

Gradually coming to a stop, he kept his gaze centered on the fort. "What's the bridge for…?"

"That's Fort Ulug. It was built there as a countermeasure against any invading Fallen… from the man-eating forest. They're beings that worship and try to resurrect the Demon Lord." Rem kept her arms crossed over her chest as she stood beside him now that he was still.

Shera stood opposite of Rem, at his side, as well.

"Impressive. What's a Fallen?"

'Based on the word, it might just be another word for Demon or Fallen Angel. I have no idea…'

"Demonic Beings."

Hearing the catgirl's response to his question, he nodded. That was easy enough to understand. A demon lord leading a faction of demonic beings. Whether they were true demons or not, he had no clue. There was no reference to anything known as Fallen in the game he came from.

Holding out his hands from his sides, he peered at the two girls for a few seconds.

"Grab on."

Questionably, Rem reached out her arm with caution before resting her dainty hand in his palm. Not a second later, Shera managed to do the same; resting her hand in his. If they were too trusting, he didn't mind as long it was only towards him–since he trusted himself–for the most part.

In the flash of light–without a single word–they found themselves standing on the opposite side of the ravine. Teleportation, one of the lesser forms of travel from the game. A faint grin formed over his lips.

'So my magic works just like the wings on my back… all I have to do is think about it. If that is the case, I cannot be too careless.' A finely tuned huff of air exhumed from his lips in absolute subtly.

"Eh? When, where, how?!" Rem snapped from side to side, looking at their surroundings before turning on her heel. Her gaze settled on the bridge fortress as sweat formed over her brow.

"Teleportation magic. I didn't want to draw attention to ourselves just yet…"

'Judging by their reaction, is teleportation magic not… normal here?'

"Does that mean you can teleport anywhere you want!?" Shera seemed to call out with envy.

"Only to places I can see or have been before… or locations found through divination," his brows creased at the question. He was beginning to wonder why she was so fixated on the idea of instantly going somewhere else.

"Uwaaaah~! That's amazing~!"

Cipher just stared at the elf before peering over to Rem who stood there patiently.

"Ah… So, what's the nearest town called?"

"Faltra City, it's a Western Frontier City of the Kingdom of Lyferia… It borders the Demon Lord territory currently occupied by the Fallen." Rem explained as she seemed to understand that he had no idea where he was or what this world was like. It was only a classic deduction after all.

"Ah… So the Tower you summoned me in was within their territory… You risked your lives?"

"We're adventurers, plus it was the stupid Elf's idea."

"I am not stupid!" Shera puffed with anger.

Cipher couldn't help but snicker at her irritation and puffed up expressions. "And what was that tower exactly? Some sort of summoning medium?"

"Starfall Tower, it is used for summoning powerful monsters."

"Then I suppose… you should thank your elf friend for such advice."

"She isn't my friend! Just someone I met wanting to become part of the Adventurer's Guild."

"I see…"

He could see Shera pouting, but he paid it very little mind as he went on about his questions. "Can you tell me about the currency system of this world? Or at the very least, the Kingdom."

"Our coins are called Friths and have three denominations… A single gold coin is Eighty thousand Friths, a silver coin is four thousand, and a copper is one hundred." Rem listed them with a smile across her lips, seeing as he was depending on her for information. He needed her. "Since we're adventurers, you will have to learn them as you're getting registered."

'So depending on the rate of foreign exchange when it comes to currency… I might just end up melting down my game coins into bullion to pawn off. Could probably sell off the copper to a smithery.'

"Let's get going then," Without a doubt, he started walking in the general direction of the town.

Most of the area was plains and hills, the landscape was dotted with trees. For some reason, it almost felt artificial with where everything was placed. Not that it really mattered. No matter how he got around thinking about it, this place was not a game. Besides, he didn't have a VR headset. Everything about the assumption that the world was a videogame felt wrong due to that simple absence.

Then there was the City of Faltra, covered by a dome of magic. Yes, he could see clearly without any aid from a spell. That was how powerful that barrier seemed to be. "Interesting…"

It took them almost an hour to make it to the gate, despite the Elf's incessant complaining. Wanting a quick job done by teleporting to the city. Laughable, though she had the right thing in mind. Walking was rather boring, at least for her. Though without much of a delay, they arrived.

There was a small line of people and carriages awaiting entrance to the population center. Most of them seemed to be either poor people, merchants, or just demihumans. There were even children in line. Standing at the very end, he narrowed his gaze on the great divide of treatment between the humans and demihumans.

Demihuman children were given the pat-down treatment while humans were just allowed through.

That seemed almost troublesome. So as he went concentrating on his armor, he removed his half-plate and remained in his divine robes. For the most part, he looked like a holy priest at a quick first glance. Something his golden-eyes were hopefully not going to give him away.

Then it was his turn.

"You may pass," The Soldier at the front gate gestured to Cipher.

"You two must be inspected first before entering." Declared one of the other soldiers, blocking Rem and Shera from entering. "You know the drill."

Frowning at this as he walked past the two soldiers, Cipher waved his hand towards them almost mystically. His eyes flashed a subtle blue and the soldiers glanced over towards him as if curious of his intent. "You will let these two through the gate, they are not the demihumans you are looking for."

"We will let these two through the gate."

Rem smiled awkwardly wide at this before rushing past them with Shera following closely behind.

As they continued on, Rem led Cipher and Shera to an Inn so they could get settled as planned. Though his gaze was mostly centered on the number of Demihumans in one place. With few humans noted in the area, he figured this was some sort of segregated Demihuman District. On top of that, some of them looked a bit… out of order and worn down.

"Perhaps I could use a mass restoration spell… That usually fixes broken buildings and items..."

"What was that?" Rem asked, her ears twitching as she looked up at him.

"Nothing in particular… I was just looking at the low-maintenance on the surrounding buildings."

"Ah, that… This is the demihuman quarter, most of the aged buildings don't get repairs."

"Oh?" Cipher clenched his jaw, "Does the Adventurer Guild give out such repair jobs?"

"Those who can afford it," Rem nodded, "You interested in becoming a handyman or something?"

"Perhaps, to even the playing field...I'm not fond of the racial discrimination humans often dish out without being able to take it back in full, after all..."

As they came to the front of the designated Inn Rem was leading them to, he stopped at the door. Peering over towards the sign that was hanging from the outer wall, he raised a brow. He couldn't read the sign and the image didn't give him much of a hint of what it was. Silently using the spell [Translate], he pursed his lips as the words rearranged themselves into something understandable.

"Peace of Mind Inn… Seems like the owner of this place has a vision in mind." Turning his head to find Rem heading inside with Shera, he casually slipped in behind them.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, he centered his eyes on the brunette behind the counter.

"Evening and welcome. I am Mei the idol of the Peace of Mind Inn, Nya~!" She jumped into a cute pose radiant with an adorable unidentifiable aura. All Cipher could do was stare with parted lips.

Meanwhile, Rem simply peered over towards him, and then back to Mei. Shera remained a few paces behind her but didn't move all that much. She didn't seem to try and cling to him, which was good. At least, that was what he was thinking.

"Hey…" Shera spoke up first, "I would like to have this man stay––"

"I rightfully decline." Cipher went about cutting her off immediately before she could finish her request. There was no way in hell he was sharing a room with her. Not only did she purposely rub herself against his arm earlier, but he could only imagine all of the misunderstandings that would go on in the night.

Though his immediate and merciless response made Shera jump in a start. "But I don't have enough money for an extra room!" She tried to argue, her arms resting at her sides as she had those eyes fixed on his every move.

"There's no need for that," Rem spoke calmly and without hesitation. "Cipher will be staying in my room." Though even as she said this, he was rather curious about what she had in store for him.

"Huh!? Why!?" Shera was almost on the verge of tears.

"Because I made a contract with her…? And I don't want to be hugged by your cow tits."

"Heeeh!?"

"Pay for your fucking rooms, please, why don't you?"

Back in medieval times, he knew that one bed wasn't just for one person. There was a famous place somewhere in the world where thirty-some people laid on the same bed at the same time. It wasn't until the nineteenth or the twentieth century that common people actually had their very own beds. Something modern humans took for granted, perhaps.

In a couple of minutes, Cipher found himself standing over a green bed with Rem standing beside him. His gaze was settled on the standard single frame. The single pillow. The small headboard. He took a step forward and felt the mattress by pushing his hand down on it.

"So we're sharing this…?"

"Yeah… I call that side." She pointed to the left side of the bed towards the window.

"Fine with me." Cipher shrugged to himself before peering towards the door as there was a knock. They hadn't even been in the town for over an hour. There was already someone here for them? Talk about suspicious...

"Are you––"

"Come in." Rem called out to the door before he could finish asking if she was expecting anyone.

As the door opened, he narrowed his gaze on the group of individuals standing in the archway.

"Pardon me."

An unfamiliar voice, a woman with a pretty face. She had long blue hair that dribbled to the front side of her chest. Unlike the summoner cat, this woman wore a soft-looking light-blue form-fitting robe, making her much more conservative and prudent in appearance.

"Rem, and fellow adventurer… It is my first time meeting you, isn't it?"

Her gaze shifted from him and over to Rem, then back to him ever so curious.

"I am known by the name Celestine Baudelaire."

'I have no idea who this chick is… Though I am rather curious… how is she so familiar with Rem if they had never met before? This requires more information, or I misunderstood and she was talking about me? Perhaps she'll volunteer...'

"Oh my, oh my~" She blatantly recognized the clueless expression he wore, "You must not be from around here. I am the head of the Mage's Association."

Quickly though, he noticed that she was eyeing him. Cipher raised a brow and removed one of his rings from his left hand. At that moment she raised her fist to her lips and peered to the side, letting out a very subtle grunt before he put the ring back on. Just as he thought, she was reading the flow of his magic. In the game, players could use spells to detect other magic casters and separate them by their mana pool. It seemed in this world, it wasn't that much different.

"My Apologies, Celestine."

"No, not at all. You may call me Celes." She smiled brilliantly as she found it safe to look at him once more without feeling the urge to heave.

"Ah… It is a pleasure to meet you, Celes. May I ask why someone of your importance is here?"

"Today I have some business with Rem, but… I'd like to know what your relationship is with her."

"...That's…"

"I summoned him at Starfall Tower, but the enslavement ritual failed. So He's stranded here… Then I asked if he wanted to join me and become an Adventurer." Rem surprisingly didn't bring up the fact that he had offered her a contract and she accepted. Was she purposely hiding that from her? Was there a reason to be cautious of this person? He lidded his eyes.

"...And here I am." He couldn't help but notice she had completely left Shera out of it.

"Interesting… How about we talk it over more? Over dinner perhaps?" Celes offered with a kind gesture of her hand and a smile upon her lips. It was always the nice ones to be cautious of, especially if one was bullied and oppressed by humans such as her. They always want something in return…

Looking over the two mages that flanked the woman at either side, he could see the gaze of one. Out of the three, he seemed to be the most disgruntled of the bunch. If anything, it was at the sight of Rem. Did he have something against Demihumans?

When Celes went to leave, believing they were going to follow her and her escort. Of course, Rem and Cipher moved to the door before he placed a hand on Rem's shoulder. A smile formed on his lips.

"Rem, what are we walking into?" Making a dutiful air around himself, he stared down at her.

Looking up at him with her big green eyes, she blinked. "She just wants to talk."

The simple response caused him to wince as she made her way out of the room, slipping from his hand. Did she not trust him either? The being she summoned, ripped away from his home? His jaw clenched. There was no way he was going to let her get away that easily.

Cipher followed Rem out of the room just in time for Shera to open the door next to theirs.

"Rem? ...Cipher? Where are you two going?"

Cipher gave a simple response of, "Dinner," as Rem kept walking after Celes.

"Food?" Shera's eyes widened, "Can I come? Can I come?"

"Probably," Cipher shrugged as the food wasn't something he was paying for. It was likely Celes had offered to buy them dinner, so might as well bring about the cow-breasted straggler. Though he meant nothing bad by his thoughts–he was just majorly turned off.

Upon arrival in the mess, Cipher found himself sharing a bench where he was seated between the cat and the elf. Though it wasn't necessarily crowded, he rested his elbows on the table.

Meanwhile, after the food was finally served sometime later, the only one eating was Shera. "Food! Food! Food! Proper Food! Food! Food!" She practically cheered into his ear as she absorbed plate after plate of food. He couldn't even look at her as her breasts jiggled.

'...This is really killing my appetite… Why do physics have to be so cruel...'

Across the table, he looked to Celes who was smiling with her elbows on the table and her hands clasped under her chin. Standing behind her with her men flanking at either side, privacy was guaranteed.

"So you were summoned from Starfall Tower and the enslavement ritual failed… How is that?" She leaned forward examining him with every inch of her being, though he felt no ominous vibes from her.

"I'm immune to a certain range of status effects, though I'm not familiar with the ritual."

Celes nodded lightly when he said this, but she didn't seem to be all that keen on giving him the information he implied to be interested in. Of course, she wasn't here for him anyway. She was here for Rem. Speaking of, the Head of the Mage Association turned her gaze towards his companion.

"We've never had a summoner summon a humanoid, so I am curious about where you came from." She returned her attention to him, though it wasn't to answer his unspoken question.

"An Enochian such as I come from one of the Nine Realms… I simply answered a call, though we're rarely taken out of the nine realms. This place… I'm unfamiliar with it."

Understanding reigned supreme on her face as she nodded her head in acknowledgment of his plight. All the same, there was no return on that note. She simply took in that information at face value.

From there, he could tell she trusted people relatively easily. Probably saw the best in them before the worst. His gaze flickered toward the male from before and raised a brow. He had this dark look on his face and it wasn't centered on his companion any longer but himself instead. Was he going to snap soon?

"And what is your relationship with Rem?"

Shifting his head at an angle, he peered toward Rem who didn't make eye contact. Cipher could only take that as a sign she was uncomfortable with the question. So, he figured he needed to put something down in bold. Then as things formulated in his mind, he put his attention back on Celes with an arched brow.

"You can call me Centurion. For the most part, we've just been acquainted, but relation-wise it's complicated as can be… We made a formal contract, for as long as I am of this world, my power is hers."

From the corner of his eye, he could see Rem's sudden turn – she was looking at him now.

"Is that so…" Celes turned towards Rem who was just as surprised as her.

"By the way… You said earlier you were here to see Rem. Why are you so interested in her?"

"Hmm… It's because she's a very important person in our Kingdom and to the World."

Cryptic, he clenched his jaw at the woman's words. This could mean many things and if this was some sort of anime, novel, or even a manga...this plot sounded a bit too convenient. Cipher frowned.

Letting his annoyance get the best of him, Cipher nearly yelled at her but kept his voice hushed. "What kind of cryptic and roundabout answer is that?!"

"You bastard! How dare you speak to Lady Baudelaire like that!" Finally, the mage to her left snapped at him. It looked as if he was looking for a casus belli. Why did he want to provoke him at all?

Cipher didn't appease him with a reaction, just kept his golden eyes centered on the fair lady.

"Are you so weak that you won't even respond to me!?"

"Galluk, you're being rude..." Celes attempted to mediate between the two only for his face to contort. Visibly, he was filled with guilt for disappointing her and his exposed pride was hanging low.

Suddenly the entire room had become quiet. One could hear the sound of a pin drop. That is until everyone could feel the aura that filled the room. A faint grin formed over Cipher's lips as he could see the petite form of a catgirl standing behind the mage. It was none other than Mei; the idol of the Inn, as her eyes flashed with a golden hue.

"You're being a nuisance in my shop if you won't be quiet… I will have to kick you out, Nya~!"

That was all it took for the Mage to go storming off on his own, leaving only one to look after Celestine and the table. Though it was likely for the best, Cipher watched as Mei returned to serving tables their beverages and food.

"Celes… I do not want to go to the Mage Association, and I don't want escorts assigned to me."

"Rem… Listen, I am just trying to help you…" Celes leaned forward as if to put pressure on her and emphasize her position towards her. Of course, she knew something he didn't which angered him.

As Rem was no longer making eye contact and had her head lowered, Celes sighed. "As I said, you are very important to our world. I can't let anything bad happen to you on my watch."

"Thank you for the consideration…" Rem managed to murmur at most, "But I can protect myself."

"I see…" Seeing as the Head of the Association was defeated by her words, Cipher watched as she stood from the table. "I'll excuse myself for tonight." Her eyes locked with his for a moment before she turned away and began to walk with her remaining guard following her out.

Once he knew she was gone, he turned to Rem and crossed his arms.

"For such a politically powerful person to come to see you… and give cryptic answers… you must be hiding something from me that I don't know about and she won't tell me."

In a way he felt betrayed, she asked for his help for him to lend her his strength. Yet she told him nothing of what she truly needed it for, at least from what he could surmise. At the same time, he could understand how she felt about trusting others. Especially if she was used to being betrayed by people.

Her resolve began to weaken under his words. "That's not true…"

"Are you going to tell me what is going on…?"

"I can't…"

Standing up, Cipher grabbed her midsection and hoisted her over his shoulder. His hand resting on her behind, grasping at the purple skirting as to keep a grip on her petite form.

"H-Hey!" There was surprisingly little resistance other than her little shout.

With a grin, he went to walk away only for Shera to speak up.

"Where are you going?" Shera sounded as if she was afraid they were going to abandon her.

He stared at her for a few seconds before shrugging.

"...To have me a little round of Enhanced Interrogation with Rem."

Purposely, Cipher gave a terrifying smile which made her avert her gaze almost immediately.

"...Interro –– Okay, I'll be here with my food~!" She began to chomp down on a loaf of bread.

"Hey! Save me, you stupid elf!" Rem began to sweat as he began to casually walk to the stairs.

Just as he was about to pass by Mei, before entering the hall, he dropped three foreign gold coins onto her serving plate. A faint grin formed over her lips as she looked back at him, only in time to see Rem's tail vanish around the corner. She cared not what they did as long as they didn't bother the other guests.

The room was dark, lit by a single dim lamp in the corner. With great care, he settled her on the edge of the bed where she sat there. Her green eyes settled on him, with glowing intensity in the dark.

"You are going to tell me why you need me."

"I can't tell you… I don't want to share..." She grasped at her knees tightly as they hung off the foot of the bed. Averting eye contact once more, he couldn't tell at all what she was thinking.

"Do you remember some hours ago when we first entered the city – what I did to the guards?"

Her entire body tensed as she caught onto what he was threatening – promising – to do.

"...If I tell you… I'm sure you'll leave me, too."

"Do you really take my words so lightly…" Taking a step forward, only one swift movement was needed to send her onto her back upon the bed. Grasping at her boots, he pulled them off her feet and tossed them to the ground–allowing them to clamber onto the floor.

He then cast [Silence] on the room. The last thing he needed was Mei barging in from the noise.

"Are you planning to disgrace me…!?" She slowly sat up on the bed as he began to disrobe.

"Only if you order me too… but no, we are just sharing a bed… So I am sleeping with you."

"Then wh-what was all this about?"

"I told you, Rem Galleu, as long as I am of this world, my power is yours."

Rem rolled her mind over his words, searching for a simple meaning to them. It didn't take long until she began to understand the meaning behind them. "Until you die…?"

"...Just make sure whatever you're hiding, doesn't kill me." Cipher closed one eye, winking at her.

"You're… really not going to leave me?" She swallowed hard, staring up at him as he loomed over the bed. His golden eyes shining in the dark, like a wolf or wild animal lurking in the shadows.

'And where exactly would I go? Who would I turn to? I doubt Celes knows about inter-dimensional planes or traveling to other worlds to send me home… You dragged me here. Take responsibility!'

"There's nothing scarier than being alone," Cipher prompted as he plopped onto the bed back first as he landed. A faint smile across his lips as he moved onto his side. Brown shorts and a soft tan-colored short-sleeve shirt was all he wore.

Just watching her facial expressions, he could tell Rem didn't know whether or not to laugh or cry.

Slipping a hand under her as it made its way around her lower back, no doubt she was immediately startled enough to squeak in protest. "What are you doing!?"

"Hm… Nothing in particular," he chimed teasingly causing her ears to twitch fiercely.

Without mercy, his arms wrapped around her and pulled her into his chest. Hugging her tightly. One hand rested behind her head and the other at her lower waist. His fingers poking at the hilt of her tail.

"Eh? Don't touch there!"

"Are you going to tell me your secret?" He whispered into her ear, causing it to spasm again.

"No! I can't!" Muffledly she yelled into his chest, unable to push him off.

Cipher sighed as she declined to tell him once more. His fingers began to curl around her tail, softly stroking its black fluffy-soft fur. The slow and rhythmic movement of his hand caused her to arch her back against his hands and moan out.

"Are you going to tell me now?"

"Ah…..! Aaaaah! Ah!... No!"

Unimpressed by her continued resistance, he growled lowly, "Don't take my words so lightly…"

"Ahh! No! You're going to leave me! Like everyone else!"

With the hand behind her head, he began to scratch her behind the ears. Her delicate moans and thrashing only increased under his hold. Though thanks to his superior strength she couldn't escape. She was trapped in his arms, just where he wanted her.

"Don't underestimate my cat petting skills...I'm quite the avid cat lover." He exhaled harshly thanks to her stubbornness. "I don't make promises I don't keep... The reason I chose to make a contract with you was because I could feel your despair in droves, compared to the elf-cow."

'Though, it also helps that you're a petite cat girl...and I needed information..but you don't need to know that now do you…?' Cipher covered his thoughts with a smile, a fine one that did its best to wipe away unneeded misunderstandings.

The next thing he knew she was panting heavily against his chest, warm salty tears fell upon his bicep. She was crying with a dazed expression on her face. Truly, her catlike extremities were quite sensitive. From the looks of it though she didn't seem quite broken just yet.

"Are you…" She propped her chin up on his chest to peer up at him, "saying… you'll…"

He gently blew on her ear with a cold breath causing her to moan out.

"Ah~! Ss-stop...!"

"Fine... fine…" Cipher seceded from his little attacks to her efforts.

"MMmm… Are you saying you'll… accept me then? That no matter what… you won't run away?"

"Without a second thought, Rem. Without a thought..."

Tears that visibly welled in her eyes moments ago, began to dribble down her cheeks like April rain. Even then, a smile was across her lips as she kept her gaze up on him. Were these tears of joy? He couldn't help but snicker softly before pressing his lips to her forehead; pressing his nose into her hair. Despite all she had gone through today, she smelled quite nice.

Nudging her head against his lips, she shifted in his hold, "Centurion…?"

"Hm...?"

"Thank you… For accepting me even without knowing my circumstances…"

Closing his eyes, he smiled against her forehead as he slowly let a breath out onto her scalp.

"So many have left me after learning the secret that I carry within me…"

Tightening his arms around her dainty form, he smiled lightly as he could feel her ribs against him. It was as if she had a dancer's body, or an athletes. Lean, muscular, but petite and fun-sized. Slowly he opened his eyes as he continued to listen to her tear-driven tone.

"...The Soul of the Demon Lord Krebskulm is inside of me."

'Who in the seven heavens is this Krebskulm…? Talk about Cliche though, a demon sealed inside a young girl. What a trope. This isn't some sort of prank, right…?'

Her serious as ever expression could be seen as he leaned back and gave her face a once over. This was the truth she was giving him.

"Well...I don't know who this Krebskulm is, but I've slain Demon Lords plenty of times on other planes of existence before… This one's fate will be no different from the last, if it wants world destruction or domination like the others before them."

"That… is my ultimate goal, to defeat the Demon Lord Krebskulm that lies within me and extinguish their soul." Her words were big, but her strength and knowledge to overcome this scenario was rather low.

The only issue was that he had no idea how to release this demon lord from her, and he was beginning to have doubts that Rem herself knew. At least, not one that meant keeping her alive in the end. Based on the simple conversation where he was given no specifics to her condition, he figured that if she were to die the Demon Lord was to be revived. Celes was most probably withholding that understanding from him back when he tried to grill her for information.

If that was the case, then he could kill and consecutively resurrect her once the revival finished.

No. Killing her was out of the question. That kind of thing most definitely changed people, and probably not for the better. He had never killed someone before with lasting consequences, but this was no longer a game. This wasn't a world based on the game known to him as Nine Divine, at least to his understanding it wasn't.

"Then… we must figure out a way to extract this Krebskulm without killing you…"

"Huh?" Seemingly surprised, she continued to look up at him with her mouth agape.

"Don't be so surprised… I can deduce quite a bit with simple logic."

"So you do know," an expression of pure melancholy crossed her face, a truly depressed look on her face at the realization. "The Demon Lord will be released if I die… Celes knows this fact."

"Hrm… As part of our contract: You are to go wherever I go. Nothing is private between us."

"You c-can't be serious…"

"And if I feel the need to use my Command spell on you in order to save your life, I will."

"Waah…"

'Though I don't know much about how this Demon Lord was sealed… I do have to question a bit more about how that came to be… If she was by any chance an inheritor… there could be another way to free her of such a burden–but it would just spawn another with the same burden.'

A sigh escaped his lips as he ran his fingers through her hair, combing her black locks sweetly.

"Can we sleep this way…?" Centurion rolled onto his back, having her rest on top of him.

"...it's not like I have a choice, do I?" Despite her tone, she rubbed the side of her face into his chest, much like a cat readying to nestle into a pillow. "You're the only one who has unconditionally accepted me after all..."

Though her words had regressed to a barely audible murmur, he heard her loud and clear.

Releasing her head, he moved his newly free hand to grasp at the comforter to drape it over them. Resting it against the back of her shoulders before letting it rest against the large pillow. Soon enough, he could feel her breathing shallowing out as she fell asleep. In turn, he simply stared up at the wood panel ceiling overhead in the dimly candle lit room.

It almost felt like forever as he laid there in silence.

That was until he heard the door open and his Silence spell wore off the moment it did.

"Hm?" His gaze flickered over towards Shera who stood in the doorway, her face red.

Raising her hand to her lips, she was in for a little start from the sight that greeted her. "Eh!?"

"No comment?"

"Wh-what did you do to her?"

Cipher was quite certain she was coming up with her own little assumptions. Though she seemed to be the naive sort, or at least the innocent type, she did have quite the dirty mind. Perhaps it was her big ass that was occupying her chest that poisoned her mind so?

"Is there something you needed?"

He didn't think twice before paving over the question with an inquiry of his own.

"Eh… uh… no… I just wanted to check if something happened because of how quiet it was…"

"Tell me why."

"What do you mean?" Shera took a step back, but didn't quite leave the room.

He sighed quietly, "Why do you need me so much that you must fight over me?"

"Mmmm…" A low whine emitted from her throat as her droopy ears lowered even more.

"Out with it girl…" He continued to softly run his fingers through Rem's long black hair.

"I… I am the Princess of a Kingdom known as Greenwood… And my brother l-lusts… after me..."

"And you need protection from him… And you're using the Adventurer Occupation to move around freely, right?" His gaze moved up and down the young elf before letting out a short lived sigh.

"Y-yes."

"Anyways, you do realize they can find you if you're still using your real name… right?"

As if something had broken, Shera's eyes became empty from such a surprise, "Eh?"

"If you're planning to run away, you have to change everything about yourself… From your hair, to your choice of clothes, how you walk and how you talk... If someone is looking for you, Shera, you can only hide in plain sight."

Confused and disoriented, she didn't seem to understand a thing he had just said. Or at least, she wasn't really following him in that respect. A worrisome look was upon her face the entire time.

"B-but I don't know how to do that!"

Staring at her for a few seconds, his gaze slowly settled on her large bosom before looking back up to her face while deadpanning. "I suppose a breast reduction would be out of the question in this era."

"Eeeeeeeeeeh!?"

"Go back to your room, we'll talk more tomorrow… Just let Rem and I sleep…"

"Ah… Okay..… You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

"No."

Shera in a sad motion, made her way out of the room. Closing and clicking the door shut behind her. Since the silence spell was no longer in working order, he could hear her going across the hall and back to her room. That door then shut and silence filled his ears.

Cipher closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep to the sounds of the night as he closely held onto Rem's sleeping form.