I do not own Warframe or Danmachi, but I strongly recommend you check out the original works because they are both fun and interesting.

The main issue some people had about the last chapter was that Nikolai (The Main character) was too weak for a warframe. Keep in mind, I'm keeping this game accurate except for restricting some things such as keeping Tenno form locked until level 30.

Also, Nikolai was an unleveled, unmodded, and unequipped warframe who only just entered the dungeon without knowing how to properly fight. Now, in this chapter, we can see just how powerful he can be with just a sword. Oh, he also gains a mod!

Beta'd by: Chewie

PREVIOUSLY:

"Sir, do not resist. For the crime of trespassing and illegal profit off of a governmental body, your assets are being seized, and you are being fined." The adventurer says it gruffly, holding me down firmly despite my struggles to get out of his grip.

Aw, fuck.

"Ouranos will judge you for your fate," I hear him say after a disgustingly long and awkward moment.

Double fuck.

Log 2: Mercenary

I pray to every god and goddess I know as I'm forced to my feet, the 2nd level adventurer grabbing my shoulder and beginning to drag me toward a previously unnoticed door. As we were walking, I noticed something through my sensors:The adventurer was seemingly struggling to force me in the direction he wanted, which was weird.

Still, there are too many witnesses and adventurers around me. Most likely, they are way above the strength of a group of 2nd floor goblins and kobolds, so it wouldn't be a wise decision to resist.

Nevertheless, irritation and defiance warred against logic and self-preservation within the confines of my mind as I'm forced through the wooden door, the 2nd level adventurer closing it behind me with a loud slam and leaving me in the dark.

I turn and try to open the door immediately. Unfortunately, my try failed, it seemed the door was locked from the outside- which was not ideal.

I sigh, turning around again and gazing deep into the darkness, desperately trying to find a way out of the mess I got into.

My mind races as I stare into the dark hall, a feeling of foreboding filling me for all of a second before it's replaced by caution and acceptance.

"Nothing to it, I suppose" I say to myself, taking a step down the stairs that led to a mystery.

Hollow, metallic steps fill the silence as I descend further and further down the stone steps, my body tensing in preparation as I finally find myself stepping upon a flat surface. I grasp the wall at my side, peering through the darkness with some difficulty as I step forward, wondering whether I should announce my presence or not.

"Snrk wha-?" I hear an aged voice murmur, the panicked and rushed shuffling of cloth filling my senses as the room abruptly brightens, my sensors adjusting to the new light level in remarkable swiftness as I behold the figure before me.

Ouranos, or at least who I assumed to be Ouranos, sat before me in a large, golden chair, his robed form unable to conceal his aged, tired, and wakening form. His silver hair was a mess with his wrinkled visage focusing on my form as he adjusted himself into a more presentable figure, his green eyes analyzing me as we stared at each other.

A moment passes in awkward silence, to the point that I kind of feel like I'm imposing. "Uh, sorry to impose Ouranos- should I call you Ouranos or do you want to be called sir or-?" I cut myself off at his deep sigh.

"No, no, it's alright. I wasn't expecting you for a while longer. I imagined that the strength of your body would carry you further into the dungeons' depths. I didn't imagine that you would exit so soon" He says, his baritone voice echoing slightly within the stone room.

"I uh- I see." I reply, staring at the man awkwardly as yet another moment of silence passes.

Finally, he sighs once more, rising from his seat and making his way down the steps that led up to his throne. "Follow me, we shall eat while I explain." He beckons me forth as he turns to his right and motions for me to follow.

Hesitantly I acquiesce to his desire, following after the clearly exhausted man as he warily makes his way through a doorway, seating himself before a table, motioning for me to take the other seat as he taps a sigil inscribed upon the wood.

"Geoff, please cook some soup for my guest and I." He says, the sigil glowing for all of a moment before he removes his finger and rests his hands within his lap, turning his attention toward me and staring for a while longer.

Uncomfortably, I stare back, my expectations utterly and thoroughly broken as he speaks once more, "I called you here because I had hoped to offer you something. You could call it a job if you wish, but it's more similar to you doing some missions for me in exchange for being allowed to journey into the dungeon without a Falna. Well, that and being given some rewards for your service." He tells me, allowing a small smile to break his stoic facade as a bowl of soup appears before both he and I.

I stare down at the bowl for a moment, unsure of how to eat it as I mull over his offer. It was a wonder just how much more efficient my new body was in- well… everything. Nevertheless, straying thoughts delay my answer.

So, as I grab the spoon and try to eat it, failing in the process, I consider his proposal.

"What kind of missions would you request for me to complete?" I ask, staring at my bowl of soup in disappointment. It really was saddening that I couldn't eat or drink anymore. My favorite activity had been taken from me, what a tragedy.

Ouranos hums as he speaks, his wooden spoon clicking with the bowl as he sets the utensil down "Well, I can't exactly be specific but-... Hmm, have you ever heard of black ops? It's a rather new term that the gods in heaven came up with, and I believe that it would describe your role fairly well.

You would be tasked to deal with bad actors within the government, be it a group of cultists empowering the dungeon, rogue monsters, or dealing with public figures that hold bad intentions." He states, watching me carefully as he grabs his spoon once more and continues to eat.

I stare for a moment longer, mulling over his answer for a moment longer. I found that I felt… Well, I felt neutral about killing people. So as long as I was paid well, I didn't mind. "And what exactly would my rewards be?" I ask, pushing my bowl of soup away, much to my sadness.

I see Ouranos notice, but he doesn't comment on it- "Well, you would be rewarded with Vali, along with potential connections to other people through me. I would be willing to give you some opportunities to meet people such as Hephaestus, Loki, or Ganesha, if you work well enough." He says, blinking after a moment before he sighs.

"Ah, yes, I wanted to talk about something else with you." He begins, sighing as a heavy weight seemingly settles itself upon his shoulders.

I watch in interest as he turns to me in apology, bowing his head as he speaks "I apologize for Freya's foolish actions. Her insanity has seemingly corrupted many of the people within the city.

"Because of this and her illogical disgust of you she has somehow managed to corrupt the city with a negative perception of you. I promise that, whether you accept my offer or not, I will do my best to fight her influence over the people." He says, taking a breath as he sits straight once more.

"In apology for her actions, I'll give you a piece of land that no one has bought within the city. I would give you a home but it would cause outrage within the city. The rich would feel as though I'm encroaching upon their territory, while the poor and average man would view it as favoritism. Giving you a piece of land no one owns wouldn't yield as much attention." He says with exhaustion, his face seemingly growing more aged with every word.

I stare at him, watching his reactions for a moment longer before I come to a consensus. "Okay. I accept. Both your apology and the job" I reply, watching as the weight upon his shoulders lifts abruptly, relief flooding his body.

His minute reactions, and stoic facade may fool most, but my sensors are extremely precise, as I've come to realize through actually talking with someone cordially.

"Thank you." he says, a small smile crossing his face as a moment of peaceful silence passes.

Finally he shakes his head "I apologize, but I must return to my throne. It is difficult enough talking with someone while using my divinity for so long. Gerard shall bring you your well earned vali along with guiding you to the land you now own. Ah, before I leave, I apologize for the rather violent manner in which we were introduced." He says, rising from his chair and offering his hand for a handshake.

I rise with him, shaking my head slightly as I grip his hand, lightly so as to not break it, and respond "No worries, I wasn't hurt either way so there's no need to apologize"

He smiles gratefully, turning on his heel and beginning to guide me out into the throne room, the now illuminated stone room allowing me to see the bored figure carrying a bag as he waits.

Glancing at me for all of a moment before yawning and watching as I move closer, parting from Ouranos's side and approaching "Gerard",

"Are you Gerard?" I ask, watching him roll his eyes as he answers.

"Yeah" he says, yawning once more as he hands me the bag of jingling coins. "Now follow me, I Don't have all day."

I stare in dull amusement at the land before me, Gerard having long since left after showing me the area, his excuse, funnily enough, being "I need to get the bag too, ya know?"

It was serene, surrounded by vibrant trees and verdant grasses, the small clearing before me was perfect for me. Not only because it would allow me to work in peace, but also because it meant that I didn't need to deal with annoying people at all.

I sigh contentedly at the peace and silence around me, finding myself sitting down and enjoying the serenity and ignoring my mental exhaustion. I stare deep into the trees, relaxed as I sit there, my mind wandering as the minutes pass.

Eventually, I snap out of my seemingly impromptu meditation, returning to reality only to notice that it was far past noon, perhaps somewhere around 4 or 5 pm. Getting to my feet, I stretch, displeased at the fact that nothing happened.

I grunted as I grabbed my bag and journeyed into the city. Making my way past wary civilians, I search for stores, hoping to find one that sells some large bags

Thankfully, I found one after a short amount of time, like 5 or 7 minutes I'd say. Nevertheless, as I open the door, the jingling of the bell alerting the clerk as I enter, walking past shelf after shelf, some stocked with expensive bags that look enchanted, and others looking mundane. Though, I didn't expect the bags to actually be enchanted, those bags would likely be sold in the fuck-huge tower atop the dungeon.

Nevertheless, I looked for something within my price range, eventually finding one with a tag that would take nearly everything I had: 10,000 Valis (334 USD). I stare at it for a moment, impulse telling me I should take it while logic argues that I should consider the price for a moment longer.

I consider it for a moment longer, eventually sighing and taking the bag. Sure, it may be expensive, but the squiggly lines that my brain was slowly coming to understand were seemingly important, given that the other ones with similar lettering were expensive and of higher quality.

This one gave an impression of being well made as well, though, not as well made as the others unfortunately.

Grabbing the bag, I shuffle over to the desk. The bag was large, if light, though that didn't make it any less unwieldy. Plopping the leather and magic item onto the desk, I watch as the woman stares at me for a moment in quiet suspicion before hesitantly reading off the price.

Thankfully, it matches the one on the tag, and I hand over my entire pouch of money. Watching as she empties the bag into a bowl that sat on a scale, watching the weight go up before she nods, handing me back my money pouch and clipping the tag that sat upon the magic bag off.

"Have a nice day." She says, her voice decidedly more neutral than her earlier expression.

I nod quietly and grab the bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I attach the money pouch onto a latch on the bag's side. I don't have any pants to tie the pouch to, unfortunately. So this would make do for now.

I exit the shop and re-emerge out onto the street once more, ignoring the slight berth given to me by the greater populace as I stride my way into the dungeon. Thankfully, very few adventurers care about me, and if they do, they simply stare in slight hostility and nothing more.

I open the door to the staircase and stare in despondence once more. I forgot how long the trek down would be.

Ugh.

I sigh in relief as I trek down to the 5th floor. Thankfully, it seemed as though the dungeon was more lenient with me today. Well it was either that or the fact that there were more adventurers in the dungeon decreased the number of monsters.

Either way, I didn't think I was going to be journeying much deeper into the dungeon. Less because of difficulty and more because I wanted to take a nap and see what level my warframe was at now- if my level even made a difference.

Exiting the bloody staircase nets me the view of an even darker and grimier cavern than the entrance. Green lights flickered on the walls with cracks that streaked across the blood soaked stones around me.

I ignore the surroundings as I move forward, keen on finding new enemies to beat. I vaguely remember something about shadows being in the early floors of the dungeon, but I'm not sure.

Still, that should be a fun fight if nothing else.

Turning a corner, I blink as I stare across the hall and at the group of ants chittering over a corpse, blood spraying from the body as they tear away at the meat.

I focus on the body as I step closer, hoping to find some kind of weapon that would make it more efficient to kill things. Unfortunately, I see nothing of the sort.

Instead, the corpse before me was being stripped bare of the flesh. Sighing, I stomped my foot down, finally announcing my presence to the ants as my foot sank through both carapace and organs, piercing the ant beneath me and spraying my form with its blood.

I stare down at the screeching pests with dull interest, kicking away an approaching ant before smashing my fist through the shell of another.

As I kill ant after ant, my mind drifts, wistfully desiring a sword as I bisect an ant with a kick, spinning and chopping another one down the middle as I sigh.

A sword would be so much more fun to play with. I could just kill this group with a single swipe and save so much more time.

I grimace, spearing my hand through the final ant as I let a final sigh escape me. I hated getting dirty.

Swiping my hand and ridding my arms of blood, I sweep my gaze over the battle scene once more before blinking as I focus on a glowing object. Making my way closer, I stare down at it for a moment longer.

"Morphics." a foreign instinct supplied as I crouched down beside it, palming the amorphous solid as I considered it for a moment longer.

I hum, placing it within my bag as I get to grabbing the gems from the carcasses. Some instinct within me tells me that I need more of them, along with metal and flesh.

I sigh as I stand, I should do as told. I don't know why, but it seemed as though gathering the materials would get me what I needed.

I mean, it couldn't hurt to try, right?

I stare quietly down at the solid light before me, processing the information quietly. I wanted to buy a sword today, or at least see what the price of a good one would be- but it seemed as though I didn't need to any more.

Because below the tab saying that my warframe was at Level 10 now, with increased health and shield, and an option that excited me greatly.

Would you like to build The Skana?(NOTE: The price has been reduced because of your Beginner status) -

The melee tab questioned, the material requirements below it thankfully merciful and only requiring 2 morphics and 7 ingots of whatever metal I could scrounge up together.

I had 2 morphics and had managed to grab some unidentifiable metal from broken swords and weapons alike before I brought them back up to the surface.

My hand steady, I press the flashing melee tab and watch with growing excitement as the materials within my pack pulsed, pulling out of the leather and magic pack before melting and swirling together and pulsing, combining with great difficulty as I watch in rapt attention.

Joy fills my heart as, with a final flash, a sword drops to the floor. It was without a handle, mainly made of metal, and had a black edge with a red line streaking across its middle. And yet, despite its strangeness, it looked perfect.

I pick the sword up giddily, my melee tab flashing as the words SKANA fill the slot, the word unranked hanging beneath the name of the sword quietly as I grip the sword in my hand with joy.

It's as I'm admiring my new blade that a thought hits me.

Someone could steal this.

My body goes still as I sigh, allowing my arm to limply fall to my legs side as I ponder just what I should do.

Some unknown instinct forces my arm up and slides the sword upon my back, making me stare in slight confusion as my hand releases the sword. It was a fairly strange feeling, watching your arm do something without input.

I mean, I knew that I could have stopped it if I wanted to, but it was still fairly strange.

Nevertheless, I focused on the new sword that was hovering at my back, seemingly strapped onto my body with magic bullshit.

I mean, at least it wasn't uncomfortable?

I stare down at the 4 corpses before me, blood running down my new sword as I stand in place, watching the corpses cool.

Though, truthfully, I wasn't exactly staring at the corpses, no, it was the metal disk laying next to the 3rd goblin corpse that I was paying attention to. It felt strangely familiar and- since my instincts have been helpful so far- I decided to squat down and grab it, watching as it just disappears as soon as my hand touches it.

I stare, admittedly I'm not that surprised, but it was still unexpected.

I sigh, ignoring the strange occurrence and instead focusing on the rapidly cooling goblin corpses at my side. Grabbing my Skana, I cut through the flesh and retrieved the gems with practiced ease.

Standing once more, I ignore the way the corpses dissolve into dust and begin to make my way further into the dungeon, barely bothering to pay any mind to the creatures around me now that I could cut down a group of them with a fairly dispassionate swing.

Sure, I might've paid more attention earlier, when I had to use my fists but even then it was remarkably easy to kill them. I honestly couldn't remember why so many adventurers had trouble with killing such weaklings but.. Well, some people were just unlucky I guess.

I sigh, something I've been doing a lot recently, and begin to descend the stairs to the 4th floor.

I had memorized the layout of each floor so that I could get further down more efficiently. It was easier than my previous life, thankfully, so I didn't have to waste as much time plodding through floor after floor.

Eventually, like 10 minutes passed before I finally arrived at the fifth floor, mostly ignoring and running past goblins on my way there. Sure, I could've gotten some materials from them, but honestly? It just felt like a waste.

They were easy to kill, too easy in fact, and I couldn't help but loathe the idea of slowing down to kill something not worth the effort.

In fact, entering the cave, it was much easier for me to kill the hordes of ants now. With but a single swipe I could cull around 4 ants with some effort. Of course, that didn't mean that I couldn't get beaten by them.

Strength in numbers and all that.

Still, the fact that everything was so much easier with an actual weapon only cemented the fact that I had made the right choice in building this sword.

I wish I still had a face because I would be smiling at the moment. Nevertheless, I flick my blade, no less pleased by what my little test drive as I descend further into the dungeon, killing hordes and reluctantly stopping to collect the crystals.

Sure, it may be a pain but I could use the money to buy more materials later on, maybe I could even construct a little futuristic base for myself.

I huff in amusement, cutting down a warshadow in the process as I swing my sword absentmindedly, watching as the thing puffs into a cloud of smoke, dropping a chunk of some kind of metal.

Idly grabbing the chunk and tossing it into my backpack, I continue forth. Swiping at enemy after enemy as I pass them, gathering the materials and gems they dropped as I did so.

Slowly, as I approached what I assumed to be the staircase to the 6th floor, the narrow hallways grew wider and wider, the torches hanging on the wall growing alongside them so as to keep the same dim lighting evenly.

Unfortunately, there seemed to be no new enemies as I descended the stairs down to the 6th floor.

Internally, I grimace. This was getting kind of boring- well. It wasn't entirely boring but the lack of challenge was slowly dulling my mind so that I didn't have to experience the repetition.

Just like now, lost in my thoughts as I was, I managed to kill like 3 or 4 more ants and was in the process of gathering the loot.

I honestly wished I could skip all this, but every monster gem mattered, I needed the money to buy materials or hire help. Hell, I might even be able to pay someone to renovate my land and make it into something cool.

Maybe I could get a nice small house with a nice jacuzzi or something, hell I could-

"HELP!

PLEASE, HELP ME!" Someone cried, their vaguely feminine voice filled with desperation and panic.

I stare at the direction the sound came from, my sword finishing its movement through the warshadow with a dull, wet sound as I consider my options.

On one hand, I could go and save them and take them to the surface. Though, that would be a pain and would decrease the efficiency of what was supposed to be a grinding/testing session.

On the other hand, I could stay here, ignore the call for help and just continue on, minding my own business, keeping a consistent acquisition of gems and resources,

Though, If I did the first option I had to consider the fact that I just might accidentally fall into a trap. Though, if someone found out that I had decided not to help when It was clear that day that I had the capability then I could be punished.

I sigh, flicking my Skana as I slide it into place upon my back, my mind made up as the urge to grimace fills me.

God, I miss having a face. It would make expressing my displeasure so much easier.

Grumbling, I step past the fallen bodies of the monsters I had slain, crouching onto the ground as I ready myself.

A moment later I'm sailing through the air, my form compacted and spinning as I send myself at the end of the tunnel, spinning myself in the air so that my feet collide with its surface before I push off and forward, my thrusters giving an extra push as I glide through the air.

Allowing my momentum to carry me, I begin to sprint, jumping down the entirety of the stairs and performing a picture perfect transfer of kinetic energy as I once more sail through the air, spinning and gaining more momentum as I near the voice, its panic only increasing as I near it.

The faint sound of pounding footsteps fills my sense of hearing as I push off another wall I was using to transfer my direction of momentum, making me come face to face with a scene I was particularly confused by.

It was a woman, or at least she looked like one. Still, that wasn't the point.

I sigh, getting ready for more fodder as I draw my skana, allowing its light weight to settle within my palm as I rocket off the floor and toward the green beast standing and slobbering over the woman, its large frame quickly encroaching on it with its great wooden club.

I'm lucky I got here in time, I'm sure that if another minute or two had gone by the woman currently running away would reach a dead end or tire herself to the point she goes unconscious.

Nevertheless, I needed to return to the present because, just as my sword flashed, taking a large chunk out of the green beast's flesh, the beast paused.

I pause as well, staring at the beast in curiosity. This was the first monster I didn't kill in a single swing, be it with or without my skana.

Huh, thats actually-

I think I like that.

My hopes for a good fight quickly grow as I dodge a quick swing from the beast, hopping over its club as my sword flashes once more, cutting deep into the green beast's flesh as I drop to the floor.

The beast grunts in pain, its club encroaching quickly as I grasp my blade, blocking the blow and parrying it upwards, giving me a view of its armpit.

I'm fairly sure I remember something about there being a lot of veins and shit in the armpit so I strike in a flash, my sword's edge whistling through the air before the beast roared in pain, its armpit exploding with a rain of blood as I cut the connections within, making the beasts primary arm fall limp.

I jump back, noting the fury in its eyes as I dash in, sliding beneath a punch as I cut at its kneecaps.

Unfortunately for me, it only seems to enrage the beast further, despite its likely critical state. Awareness infects me like a virus as I slash at ligament behind the knee, making its form wobble as it twists its body to me, its hand flashing out in the hope of striking me.

Unluckily, I get struck, sending me skidding back as dull pain assaults me, the response being cataloged by my mind as it portions it off to deal with later.

The idle discontent of not having a face fills me once more as the urge to grimace grows. I resort to sighing as I stare at the green beast desperately trying to stand on a single leg.

Oh well, nothing to it I guess. I dash in again, my sword flashing beneath the dull light of the cavern as I slice at its other kneecap, forcing it to its knees and finally allowing me to gain access to its neck without putting myself in danger.

I duck beneath an angered, desperate, and pain filled swipe of its meaty paw as my arm moves horizontally, my edge alignment perfect in a way only a machine could compose as the blade strikes true, cutting through flesh and bone as I lop off its head, leaving the bleeding and limp corpse of the green beast.

I step back, avoiding the predetermined fall of its headless and fat body. I stare down at it for all of a moment before I grima-

God fucking dammit. I forgot I can't even express myself.

I sigh in annoyance, twitching as I squat down and grasp my skana by the blade, cutting deep into its body and wrenching my arm inside. Typically, the gems or stones carried by the monsters usually rested near the heart.

I suspect the reason behind that is because the excess energy given in order to create its life and magical abilities had to be crystalized next to the heart so that it would give easy access to the circulatory system.

I'd say that it was a rather sound theory-

Ah, there it was. I grasp the hard material, ripping out of the corpse with practiced ease before flicking the blood off of my arms and stuffing the finger sized gem into my pack.

I sigh as I stand, disappointed in my inability to feel exhaustion as I rip my stare off of the corpse, focusing it instead on the still woman at the end of the hallway. I want a nap, and I'm fairly sure I can nap so I'm gonna go ahead and do that after returning to base.

But for now, the main subject of my scrutiny was the woman who I'm fairly sure was staring at me with both awe and worship.

The second emotion makes me want to grimace and leave but-

And this is a big but. I needed to check on her first, and perhaps escort her up to the surface. Sure, I could leave her here, but it would be a pain if she survived her way to the top and told people how I left. Plus, I've already invested enough time to save her so why not?

I make my way closer, slightly surprised by her positive reaction at my approaching form. Stopping before her I stare for a moment before sighing and crouching down, grabbing her by the midsection and throwing her over my left shoulder.

I didn't want to carry her in a bridal carry, that would leave both of my hands occupied. Plus this was way less intimate.

Dully, repetitively, I make my way back through the slowly approaching and encircling monsters. All of them are unfortunately the same ones that I've fought on the higher floors.

Still, as I pass corpse after corpse, my hand idly killing them as I pass, a question lingers in my mind.

"So, who are you?" I ask my most recent acquaintance, having to shift her at her jolt as she finally pays attention to me once more.

"Uhm. I- uh… My name is Rose Fromage." She says, her voice delicate and shy as I cut down yet another monster, not bothering with its gem as I continue my walk at a slightly brisk pace.

I grunt, rejoining my idle thoughts in a debate of whether or not I should build a large house or small house. A large house wouldn't be ideal, as it would broadcast to everyone that I was rich. Though, it did contain more space for creating stuff, along with the potential to just chill out in more rooms.

A smaller house was more attractive to me at the moment, even if it had less space, It would just give me the more private and warm atmosphere I wanted to come back to after a nice long day.

Jesus, when did dungeon diving become a 9 to 5?

"U-Uhm, what's your name Mr. Guardian?" Rose asks, her voice breaking slightly at a change in my step, my sword flashing as I kill a monster without much thought.

"Nikolai Chekhov" I responded blankly, turning a corner and making my way up the steps, Rose grasping my pack. Likely for stability. Honestly, I'm not worried she'd steal any of my gems, she doesn't have anywhere to hide it, well, except her bust.

Though, her tits wouldn't be able to hide all of my shit, so, yeah. I wouldn't care much. Plus, there's also the fact that I can distinctly feel her hands roaming my bio-metal body.

I was getting off track again. Ascending the steps allows me to greet the boring entrance to hell that was the first floor.

"You injured?" I grunt, ignoring as she jolts again, her only functional and remaining weapons jingling along her belt with her.

I glance back at her as heat suffuses her face and neck, pausing mid step as she stutters out a nervous "N-No".

I watch for a moment longer before grunting and turning away, continuing my way toward the growing exit of the dungeon as I endure the silence, her seeming shyness turning me very self aware as I ignore the sound of her sniffing me.

…

I'm sorry, what was that last observation?

I double take my glance at her and pause in my step, immediately alerting her to my attention as I note the heat crawling up her neck and likely face. Unfortunately I can't view her face to base my assumptions off of, so, yeah.

I sigh, shaking my head as I turn away from the momentary lapse of a strange scene. "It's always the quiet ones, I swear" I murmur, stepping out of the entrance to the dungeon and beginning my way up the winding, and long staircase.

I ignore the continued strange behavior from the silent woman as I ascend, eventually stepping out into moonlight. I consider the large planetary object in the sky for all of a moment before sighing.

I had spent a lot of time inside again, which made me feel like going to sleep.

"Can you stand?" I ask the woman on my shoulder, noting the way she tenses at the question.

"Mm" She grunts in quiet agreement, sighing in relief as I sheathe my skana upon my back and set her down, which finally allows me to see her blushing form in reliable lighting.

Honestly? She was beautiful- someone I would try to date were it not for this inhuman body. Still, it was time for sleep, I wanna nap and she was getting in the way of that.

"Alright, I'm heading home. You should probably do so too and like… I dunno, rest a bit." I tell her, ignoring any response she was about to make and making my way past her, launching off of the ground and beginning my glide home.

Honestly, I wish I felt actual exhaustion. That would be the only thing that would make my upcoming nap better.

I am looking for some people willing to beta read my chapters as my current beta reader won't be able to do so for the next 2 weeks. If you're willing to beta for me, just join my Discord or DM me. Also, if you just want to see how far ahead I am on a chapter or just ask me stuff, check it out.

Link to the discord: /UQDbc5YXRk