This is one of the greatest stories never told… one centered neither on Luka himself nor on the so-called heroine, but a tale spun around another legendary man... One that had chosen to accompany the hero on his adventures and support him, being the greatest support from the shadows, an unjustly unsung warrior... The fearless Kockyoin!

The man himself had grown in the unremarkable town of Pornof. Tragically, as he was always aware of the destiny that awaited him, he spent most of his childhood isolated from other children. He had put his younger years in training for his future even as other children spent their days carefreely enjoying themselves to grow up as useless perverts. However, all his practice paid: the hero disregarded the other locals as the waste of air that they were and instead specifically recruited him!

From this day onward, they fought great battles together, from the depths of the Lava Mines to the heights of Gold Volcano, he had even supported the hero in his fight against the legendary Heavenly Knight of Fire, Granberia herself, even as she hesitated to cross blades with the heroic group! And after an epic battle that made the volcano rumble, they left the place victorious!

And that very day, he was crossing the plains south of Ilias Continent… the unwary eye could think he was nonchalantly wandering around to visit his old hometown, and only an expert warrior could see that the man had a clear goal on his mind.

Kockyoin's self-imposed quest had started in the dark hallways of the Pocket Castle, the house of the hero and of the numerous companions that had sworn their loyalty to the latter as he challenged and beat them in grueling battles. The castle itself was a marvel of magic created by the thorough efforts of one of the most powerful mage of the world, none other than the famous kitsune Tamamo No Mae!

He returned there once news that the same devious Nine-Tailed kitsune that had destroyed the Pocket Castle had brought another one in an attempt to get into everyone's good grace. Unfortunately for her, not a single resident had brought in her excuse, and even men tired of the charmless whore's attempts to seduce them.

The man from Pornof had taken upon him to patrol in the castle when his attention got caught by a muffled conversation in the library. What could people possibly want to discuss with nobody none the wiser? The man only listened to his courage and got as close as he could without being detected to take a look at the two interlocutors: the first was Nanabi, a large bestial fox centaur that was known as the left hand of Tamamo and a powerful fighter in her own right. The second was an obviously evil yoma completely clad in black doing her utmost to look like a witch. What dubious reason did they have to discuss in the back of the heroes? Was his friends threatened? Carefully, he edged ever closer to listen to their nefarious deeds as Mephisto's raspy voice reached his ears.

"No, I have no idea myself of how the little librarian and the immaterial hedonist managed to contact the mother of all beasts near the old ruins either... I'm as surprised as you are, and you're the one who reported me the news. The second one has likely moved on to another target already, so it isn't a problem, but I'm just as worried as you that the former can screw us with that information. Of all our recruits, her trio and that purple-furred disaster are the ones we have the least control on." Mephisto sighed. "I'm honestly also a bit disappointed that the little librarian didn't consider upon calling little old me for that work."

"If I may, she seems to think she shares a lot with her besides… the physicality. And maybe she got attracted to her naturally motherly characteristics? Amongst all the monsters I crossed during our common adventures, I didn't find any quite as reassuring as her while you…"

Mephisto chuckled darkly. "You can say it, I enjoy looking like a witch out of a children's fairy tale!" Her tone became more serious. "Still, I'm worried for her after the recent events. We came out fine because we're four hundreds, but what if someone else goes for her? She's alone right now, and not at her top. All those visitors are bound to attract some attention to the place sooner than later."

A frail monster left alone? Why wouldn't they go help her? I need to investigate this! Old ruins… They must be talking about the ruins of Rostrum! I must hurry!

Without a single more word, Kockyoin left with all haste. If he used a harpy feather, he knew he could teleport in the vicinity of Harpy Village in less than a few seconds. Then he could rush toward Rostrum and finally help whoever was in need, but he didn't have a minute to lose! However, he did not notice that his loud escape attracted the attention of the two monsters discussing in his back.

"Wait, did someone listen to us? If it's Morrigan and she picked on the clues, this could prove troublesome for your master."

Nanabi shrugged. "From the smell, I can say it's one of those three chuuni pervert."

"Ah, nevermind, and let's forget about all that. There's not a chance that he would find her location from what we said. And even less one that he would actually pose a threat to her. Now, let's see about that drink for the hero's headache. Can you go search for Rovissa while I fetch Sonya? I do remember her saying that it required exotic ingredients, and knowing that mage and her tastes, any help and support to make him drink that will be appreciated…"

And so Kockyoin returned near the region that had seen him grow, called in by his noble altruism… But as no signs of troubles showed around him, his mind started wandering and questioning how would he be able to find and help those in needs? Like any other hero, trouble used to always easily find him even during his youth. But would it be enough to catch the attention of the threat at hand? There were no signs of such danger in any direction as far as his eye could see… Was rushing here a mistake?

"Mmmh…"

His keen eyes rapidly laid on the only formation apparent within the infamously barren southern point of the Ilias Continent… a mysterious mansion, recently built with the blood, sweat and offerings from the local and inhabited by someone who fed off their adoration. An aberration that should by no mean exist!

With a determined gait, Kockyoin walked straight to the gate of the manor, ready to free any of its unwilling residents from the clutch of its owner. Unwavering, he entered the huge mansion without turning his head to look at the gorgeous sculptures that all represented the same succubus in a vulgar display of megalomania. His assured step guided him to the throne room, where said white-haired succubus was nonchalantly sat across the throne's armrests, arrogantly looking down at the world around her.

"Oh? It has been long since one of the companions of the hero came to admire my beauty… Did your heart finally realize it could not live on without me?"

Kockyoin galantly steadied his willpower as the egomania of his interlocutor almost swept him off his feet. Still, he held strong and kept his composure even as his gaze lingered on the succubus. Nobody could deny the charm of Fulbeua, the owner of the Château des Romances. Her ego was humbling and simply irresistible, a charm with a strong sexual attraction that would made most man fall head over heels for her. But Kockyoin wasn't most men. He didn't even pull his hands from his pockets. He scoffed at her charm and leaned his body back before answering, remaining assured even against such a formidable opponent.

"I am not here to lose time with you. I only heard of trouble brewing in the region, and recently every one of those are related to this place sooner or later. Now you will tell me what you know about the mother of all beasts."

Kockyoin's words visibly caught the mistress of the Château des Romances off-guard as she could only shift herself in another position and raise an eyebrow, a small smirk on her face. The man in front of her was riding the line between brazenly and foolish in an unusual display. But she would get to him… He was only another toy in her eyes.

"Oh? You are amusing me… while any reason behind requesting my help is obvious, please tell me why I should grace you more than the others with my skills and knowledge and let you hog me to yourself?"

Kockyoin gasped. In a swift, graceful movement, he turned sideways and accusingly pointed his finger at Fulbeua, his hair flowing elegantly in this new heroic pose.

"You accuse me of wanting you for myself? You keep hundreds of men imprisoned for your enjoyment, and you want nothing more than for me to join them to kiss your feet!"

"They do this because they enjoy this… and so will you soon enough…"

Filled with nightmarish energies, Fulbeua's eyes briefly shone with untold power, filling the room with a pinkish hue. She released a mocking snicker as the spell finished, and haughtily pointed at her feet once done.

"Now, I will let you the honor of licking my soles."

However, Kockyoin didn't move in the slightest. His determined frown only deepened ever so slightly in front of the mephitic waves of magic. His valiant spirit held up against her temptation, magnificently displaying the real power of true heroes! As Fulbeua's power waned, she let her surprise explode.

"What? How could it be?! No men I knew of resisted my power! Why would you even deny the pleasure I could offer you?"

Kockyoin raised his chin and crossed his arms in front of him, confidently smiling at the succubus' overconfidence.

"You underestimated our resourcefulness… This panacea makes the power of all your charms completely useless. With it, I can easily ignore your power!" Kockyoin uncrossed his arms and in a smooth, circular, almost dancing movement proceeded to pull out a small half-filled bottom, holding it out to Fulbeua. "Nobody shall fall to your charms thanks to this! Humans are not to be your toys!"

"I see…" Fulbeua's shoulders slumped in a display of defeat. It looked like the ego of the legendary succubus took quite a shock, and she would finally confess everything to Kockyoin. "I might have lost some of my grace. I shall travel once again and hone my beauty to once again charm everyone, no matter their lowly position. As for your demand, I shall inform you that the one you're looking for is in a den north of my dear admirers."

"Mmh. May this be a lesson to you..." He nonchalantly grabbed on a pair of sunglasses and donned it with a single hand in an impressive display of dexterity before starting to walk away with the same assurance he had when he stepped in, a striding gate only adopted by heroes of his stature. "We are not your slaves!"

And so Kockyoin heroically returned on the road, his destiny clear. He had no doubt that his skills and quick-thinking would be able to take down any monster. Even if none of his new friends were with him today, he could feel them rooting for him from afar, praising his name as they all faced their own challenge and looking up to him. He passed close to Pornof and saw Fulbeua surrounded by half-naked men begging the defeated succubus to not leave them. Kockyoin rightfully scoffed: those men had always been unworthy of his friendship and respect, and today they had only proved it once again. He would not waste a single more second for them.

As he approached the mountains, he felt the danger before he even saw it: an aura of darkness and malice was pouring from a small valley close-by. The hero didn't relent a single second and kept walking toward the source with the same assertive step, not wavering in the slightest even as a sense of danger filled him. Eventually, he arrived in front of the scene, and the danger was obvious to his experienced eye. He easily identified the small kitsune as Tamamo No Mae, the legendary mother of beasts in all her kind appearance, even as she looked tired and under duress. To his surprise, that adorable monster was threatened by the infamous Astaroth! Kockyoin only had heard rumors about the succubus from his loyal companions… He knew that she was an horrible succubus that cruelly fed on human lives! He couldn't afford to take such an opponent lightly… But he would never let her go free! As a human hero, it was his duty to help the weak and punish the oppressor. He carefully prepared himself as he subtly glanced through the rock formations. It looked like that damnable succubus was about to strike her weaker victim. Not waiting a single more second, Kockyoin heroically jumped and challenged the succubus, shocking her!

"Stop here foul demon!" He crossed his arms high in a sky in yet another heroic pose only he had the secret of. "I, Norioki Kockyoin, will stop your wrongdoings right now!"

The duo instantly stopped in their quarrel, shocked by the man's boldness. The legendary Astaroth answered with a devilish grin that rapidly soured as she realized who the man she was dealing with was.

"Oh, great, you're one of those guys." The succubus sighed. Clearly, she realized that she was at a disadvantage and prepared for an epic battle. The hero required all of her attention, and was the real threat in this fight. She turned her back on the kitsune. "If you want everyone to come out fine, please stay out of this. You're too tired to correctly fight anyway."

Kockyoin gasped as he realized he was correct all along. The hero leaned back as he prepared for what was going to be one of his greatest challenge yet. A raging storm surrounded the succubus who took to the sky and threw a world-destroying wind of blade at the hero who took on it without difficulties. He then riposted by throwing a fire punch in the air, its awesome power throwing his attack in the air and forcing the succubus to dodge it at the last moment. Exploiting her lack of attention, he spawned a powerful water sprout that hit her straight in the chest, knocking her off balance and interrupting her devious assault.

"Argh… Did that one actually hit me?!"

"Yes!" Kockyoin proudly exclaimed himself, standing tall. "Geyser is an adventurer skill that will always hit their opponent, no matter the magic surrounding them! Your own spells…" A shield seemed to shimmer around him, highlighting his heroic stature. "…Are useless as long as this barrier is standing! And should I fall, I will only rise again to keep on fighting you thanks to the Heroic Spirit! Now en garde, and prepare to face the spirit of humanity!"

The self-proclaimed legendary succubus remained immobile in the sky for a time, completely dumbfounded by Kockyoin's ingenious plan. Could the fight end in her favor? Every color had drained from her face. She then once again started charging at Kockyoin in another fruitless attempt to knock him down.

"Dispel."

Her devious attack completely destroyed the hero's barrier, and her storm tossed him to the ground. In a cruel, unfair display, she used her own wind magic to get him up and knock him right unconscious. The horrible succubus then waited over him, her arm raised like a cleaver, and she waited for the moment his eyes opened again to release her vicious attack on his head. And thus, Kockyoin fell, his fate uncertain as the horrible monster basked in her own evil.

"When you have to fight, fight. Don't talk. And don't blab on your skills or your tricks… Seriously, who does that?! You just handed me the victory. How did you survive that long by the hero's side? Nevermind, I'm not sure I want to know."

Astaroth glared at Kockyoin's unconscious silhouette while massaging her right hand. She didn't expect him to have a thick skull on a physical level as well.

"Even for you, that was needlessly violent. It's a miracle he's not dead."

The succubus sighed and turned back toward Tamamo.

"He's one of the companions of that cute little morsel of a hero! He wouldn't die like that! I'm pretty sure he's going to be fine in a minute!" Astaroth groaned again as she gauged his unconscious form: she had told Lilith not so long ago that they should nail themselves one or the other companion of the hero when they promised Alma Elma that they would remain at bay from the Nephilim, and she still wanted to pin one for a fun night, but…not this one. "Back to our little conversation… Do you actually know something about the return of psychic warriors in this world, yes or no? They had apparently disappeared since the Great War, but there had been a recent surge, and your informant network is either at loss or not quite cooperative on the matter."

"And I already gave you my answer: ask. Your. Sister." Tamamo contemptuously looked at Astaroth while fanning herself. "In case you failed to notice, all those psychics in question are companions of the hero. I am fully honest with you. The return of this job completely evaded me because I was too focused on sorcery instead."

"And what's that?" Astaroth raised an eyebrow, genuinely dumbfounded. "This is the first time I hear about it…"

"Sorcery consists in learning skills by watching them and… Really, you should have a talk with Morrigan. The few I dealt with were once again some of Luka's allies! And from what I heard, they've been around for a few days already! You even have more chance to get some information from that guy you just beat up!"

The succubus made a step closer to Tamamo, looking down on her in a duel of scorn and haughtiness. "Stop trying to fool me. She would have immediately reported the information if something as important happened. Or do you really think so lowly of her?"

The two opponents remained immobile locked in a duel of willpower. While Tamamo remained as immobile and strong as a mountain, Astaroth could feel her will gradually waver as she remembered how often her little sister acted out-of-line and relished in her brash and cruel nature, even as it could compromise their plan. Whether it was with the Queen Harpy , in Sabasa, in the ruins of Ilias Temple or those Ancient Ruins, she often let one too many small detail slip, leading to more trouble down the road. Eventually, she gave up and looked away.

"Fine, you win. She may have screwed the pooch. I'll go ask her directly. In exchange, you warn the hero that one of his… allies had an accident and you make sure everybody leave my involvement out of it."

"Deal."

"Good."

"And… I know it's weird that I ask you this, but please join him sooner than later. They really need the mix of wisdom and common sense you would bring. See you later." The succubus took to the sky.

Once she was sure Astaroth had left the area, Tamamo released her breath, even shivering as tension left her. She examined the man that had fruitlessly jumped in. He looked interesting, and his strength hinted that he was one of the companions of the hero, which made him a potentially interesting partner. He also had that typical aura that surrounded any inhabitants of Pornof, which made him as appetizing as rotten fish guts macerated in a durian. Her shoulders slumped. The world was simply refusing to let her have any sort of fun.

Well, she could still delegate his care to Nanabi. She would then only have to find a bottle of sake. A big one.

And back in the Pocket Castle, Luka was grimacing in front of the pungent fumes of the concoction placed in front of him. The mephitic vapors were burning his throat and making him cry, even as he simply stared at the recipient from a full meter away.

"Do I actually have to drink it? Seriously, what's even in that thing? I feel my eyes burn from here!"

Sonya sighed. "Since when did you start thinking? Gulp it down already!"

Mephisto supported her. "You do want to get rid of your ghost headache, don't you? We tried most spells and medicines already, and they didn't work. So we have to start using resorts from another world. I know it looks frankly disgusting, but I checked over with Rovissa, and I swear there's nothing inside that can kill you."

Luka kept massaging the top of his head. "Being killed would be the least of my worries with all the monsters around. I mean even if you help us, you keep making yourself look suspicious at every opportunity. You could have slipped something inside it without anybody noticing."

"Why would I even do that?" Mephisto emitted a small raspy laugh. "I'm not as much interested in you as most monsters are in that way, and before you ask, I would not be so lowly to slip anything that could make you end in another monster's bed even if they paid me." She sighed. "If only because I know I wouldn't need to since you're at that age when you take every opportunity that presents itself. Damn pervert…"

The yoma stopped her teasing when she noticed that Sonya was glaring at her with the intensity of a sun again. Playing with the feelings of the hero's childhood friend had been quite a pastime, but she was starting to get afraid that she would soon herself suffer from a perfectly identifiable headache.

The hero sniffed the mix again, and this time, an identifiable, corrosive scent reached his nostrils, making him cough.

"Wait, did you put harpy droppings inside this?!"

Mephisto shrugged. "We know they have medical properties, and as any of our scientists could tell you, medicine can be made of more horrible components. Now, if you wish, I do remember thinking we can try replacing those with mucus from a Warmer."

"Hurgh. Fine, I guess this will have to do."

Luka finally decided to drink the infamous concoction. While it didn't taste like the liquid decomposed cadaver he originally anticipated, it still made him want to retch. As soon as he finished it, he grabbed a bottle of water and fully drank it. The hero waited a short moment, but his headache didn't seem to disappear. The only thing he felt was the fetid smell escaping from his mouth.

"Huurh… It's even worse. It smells like Chrome's old manor. I feel like the only thing I gained is bad breath." As he talked, he noticed both Sonya and Mephisto recoiling with their nose scrunched in visible disgust. "And I don't think anybody will want to see me for a few days… Wait, was that your real goal since the start?"

"Nooo… Of course not." The priestess of Ilias awkwardly scratched the back of her neck while Mephisto nervously looked around.

Luka got up and sighed. "I guess I'll travel a bit before I end up reeking the whole castle."

"My apologies for daring to ask anything from you after that, but on that matter, I got report of incidents north of Pornof… May I suggest taking a look into it as well? At least, the residents should leave you alone."

Luka groaned and quickly got up. "Please tell me it's not one of the three stooges again… I'm tired of putting up with them"

"Which three stooges? We have quite the number of recruits that fit the bill…"

"Those three perverts that we recruited in Pornof… I wonder why they're still hanging around, not even monsters want them."

"That's a bit harsh, considering you're the one who recruited them. It's not like they lied to get in your team, and they're not even amongst the bigger troublemakers."

The hero grimaced. "That's because they spend most of their time trying to attract the sympathy of monsters by looking pathetic, and are too ashamed to get help when they screw up. I still remember having to save that panty guy from Bla- Alicetroemeria when he tried to get alone with her and that other guy from Granberia after he antagonized her by implying that she liked getting fucked by the Lilith Sisters… I'm pretty sure we could have avoided this fight back then, and also been further away when the volcanic eruption happened. Anyway, I'm out."

He then wordlessly left as the eyes of the duo kept boring through his back until he closed the door leading him outside. Once she was sure he couldn't be listening, Mephisto slowly breathed out and relaxed.

"I hope you know what you're doing young lady, because I have no idea how giving him a breath bad enough to even turn Ratty away will save him from his headache."

The priestess started scratching the back of her neck again. "It's a feeling I got… It will disappear if we keep monsters away from him… somehow? I'm not sure myself. I know it sounds crazy, but I have the feeling that it will work."

"If you say so… It's not like we got another solution anyway. Maybe you would have a miracle solution for our dear Daimyokai as well?"

Sonya grimaced. "Huuuh… Let's see her again first… She was hanging out in front of the castle if I remember correctly… Do you know what happened to her?"

"No."

Even if the yoma was well versed in the art of lying thanks to hundreds of years of training, Sonya could tell that she knew exactly what happened. She decided to let it slide, but kept it in the back of her head should she decide to turn against them.

Daimyokai herself was indeed lying on the grass near the front entrance of the Pocket Castle, looking at the fake sky with a blissful smile. Without getting up, she turned toward the duo. Both of them recoiled in front of her inhuman expression.

"Oh, it's you. Greetings, how are you doing this fine day?"

"Huuh… We're doing fine, thank you… Are you raring to go for that all-girl tournament? There's a handsome reward, and it will be a good occasion to beat up some monsters."

"Oh… My apologies, but I'd prefer taking a rest and enjoying the simple pleasure in life like the touch of grass or maybe a good book… Sorry."

"It's fine… I'll just have to find another fourth human partner then." Still rattled by the yokai hunter's uncanny smile, both Sonya and Mephisto hurriedly returned in the castle. Once they were they sure they were out of hearing range, the priestess finally snapped.

"…Ok, seriously what happened to her?! I mean even those people affected by Tamamo No Mae's aura back in Grangold weren't as creepy! And she's definitively more strong-minded than them. So why don't you just tell me at least why she's like that?!"

" …Well, I can hazard a guess that some ancient monsters got a bit miffed when they noticed precious family heirlooms disappearing to show up on a self-professed yokai hunter. Who would have guessed?"

Sonya sighed. Mephisto had a point. Conflicts were recurrent in the Pocket Castle, and in the past she was afraid that a monster would kill another companion more than once. In that case, however, she considered it nothing short of a miracle that Daimyokai was still alive today considering how often she picked on fights that she couldn't win. Still, the yoma ticked her with her snark.

"Wait… When you say ancient monsters, who are you thinking about exactly?"

The yoma not-so-subtly focused on her wand when she answered. "Any monster that enjoys playing mind games apparently… The only thing I can tell you is that she will likely be back to her old self… a few days after the tournament at best."

"Great… I guess I'll get one of those Battle Fuckers to fill my team then."

"As long as she sticks to the rules of the tournament, it will be fine… If anything they'll be less likely to forget those than most monsters, or even Daimyokai herself."

Sonya sighed. "At least, she didn't try to have her way with Luka, which makes her okay in my book."

And after Kockyoin's ignominious defeat at the hands of the legendary succubus Astaroth, the man remained abandoned to his fate only for the shortest of moments as the legendary hero Luka arrived on the scene, guided by his allies. He rapidly searched for him through the brown hills north of the infamous city of Pornof, worried for his precious partner. He released a long lament as he found his ally laying on the ground, unconscious but not in danger as the succubus had used her expertise in anatomy to strike him non-lethally. The hero slowly approached and examined him, trying to find out if a new, dark threat was responsible was looming on the horizon… What could be the cause of his fall? Even if he was a resident from Pornof, he was one of his allies and wouldn't have fallen so easily to a weaker level five monster when he himself was level fifty-seven!

"Come out of the boulders Amira, I can hear you from here you know…"

"GAH!" The reverse lamia jumped from her hiding spot. "Of course, a hero as gallant as you would hear my maiden heart flutter for you… Kyuuuu~"

"No, I just heard you narrate my examination…What were you talking about before I arrived? Did you see what happened to him?"

She shook her head negatively in a frenzy. "I have no idea! I just arrived here, and was about to call you! But I knew deep down, that you would find him if I stood guard over him as you're always looking for me…"

"Sure… Let's just get back to the Pocket Castle and end this day…"

Luka easily lifted the tall man and checked his own pockets.

"Of course, I only took one harpy feather… And I suppose that you don't have any yourself… Can you at least help me carry him to Pornof? …Nevermind, Harpy Village isn't that much further, and I'd rather avoid the other place entirely."

"Alas! I do not think I could help you given my current form, but maybe more suited help could be found by-"

"I'll pay you three rounds once we're back."

"Don't you know the way to a maiden heart my dear hero, I will fight until the end of the world for you!" Amira rapidly waddled to Luka's side and positioned herself to support Kockyoin, fully intent on taking him from the hero's shoulders even as it was obvious she was about to collapse under his weight. As she struggled, Luka noticed a slightly familiar smell.

"…Did you drink some yamatai sake? Where did you get some?"

Amira gasped in shock, letting her unconscious load fall on the ground.

"I-I do remain loyal to you! I would never accept any bribe to cover any event that could jeopardize a fellow resident! I swear!"

Luka kneeled to grab Kockyoin again and slowly breathed out. "You could have just told me that you got some from Pornof while waiting for me but… Whatever, I just want to relax, and I can't even have some fun…" He pointed in a direction where a pack of wolf girls was fleeing, yelping all the while. "Not with this breath at least…"

"Tch! You actually have no love for a maiden's heart…" Amira haughtily turned away, but she still moved closer to better assist the hero with his load.

And so the legendary hero Luka returned on the road with a new burden on his shoulders, showing once again that he would leave no friends behind. However, the investigation of this mysterious assault would have to wait… for he would rather turn toward the future and the upcoming challenges! What new threat would were waiting for him? What lurking horror would surface in an attempt to assault the hero and get him for itself?!

"I can still hear your narration. Please stop it."