As Balthasar, also known as the Magic Hero, journeyed back to the capital, he and his companion made several stops along the way to battle fierce monsters and increase their levels. Balthasar's own level rose to an impressive Lv. 22, while Gray managed to level up to 25, triggering a remarkable transformation into an adult. Despite the comical sight of Gray's torn clothing after the sudden growth spurt, Balthasar couldn't help but chuckle before generously offering his jacket to cover his friend while they ventured to a nearby town to purchase new clothes.
Upon arriving at the capital, Balthasar quickly set out to find a skilled practitioner who could dispel the slave curse that had afflicted him. His extensive experience playing video and online games had taught him that curses were merely another form of magic. Upon entering the shop, he was greeted by the formidable Mahōya, a powerful witch who also happened to be the store owner.
"Good day, Balthasar. Did you manage to find him?" inquired Mahōya with a warm smile.
Stepping aside, Balthasar revealed the demi-human to the witch. "Yes, I did. I found him safe and sound," he replied.
Mahōya beamed with joy. "That's wonderful news! But I assume you didn't come to my shop just to show him to me," she remarked.
Balthasar's expression turned somber as he presented the slave crest to the witch. "Unfortunately, you're right. This is why I came. I need your help to dispel this curse."
Mahōya's face fell upon seeing the crest. "Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that. To dispel a slave curse, you'll need either a slaver or holy water," she explained, causing Balthasar to groan in frustration.
"After what I've done, the Three Heroes Church won't be willing to give me holy water. So it looks like I have no choice but to seek out a slaver. Mahōya, do you know where I can find one?" Balthasar asked, his voice laced with disdain at the mention of the profession.
The witch provided Balthasar with directions to the slaver's business, and shortly after, he and Gray arrived at a large tent filled with cages. Steeling himself, Balthasar entered the tent with Gray at his side.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Such a fine specimen of a demi-human" said the short, plump slaver with a wide grin.
"Don't even start. I'm only here to have a slave crest removed," Balthasar retorted.
"Very well, as long as you promise not to kill me like some of my clients," the slaver replied, making his way to the back of the tent.
As the slaver worked to remove Gray's slave crest, Balthasar couldn't help but notice a box filled with white eggs adorned with a red symbol that resembled an eye.
"Hey, slaver, what are these?" Balthasar inquired, pointing at the eggs.
Balthasar's interest was piqued as the slaver explained the contents of the box
"That's a monster egg lottery. For 100 silver, I can guarantee at least a filolial. But if you hit the jackpot, you could win a dragon mount, which goes for 50 gold pieces," the slaver explained after finishing the removal of the curse.
With the slave crest removed, Balthasar was ready to pay the man when Gray called his attention. "Brother, come here," Gray beckoned to him, peering into one of the cages.
As Balthasar approached, he saw a severely injured Panda Demi-Human girl. He noticed fresh bloodied wrappings around the stump of her left leg, and when she looked at him, he saw that her eyes lacked any light in them, as if they embraced death.
Balthasar's anger grew as he stared at the round man who had applied the wrappings. "Did you put these wrappings on her?" he demanded.
"Yes, I did. I prefer to keep my merchandise alive and useful. Her last owner claimed that she was still fit for at least one thing, before she attempted to flee," the slaver replied, his words causing Balthasar's anger to intensify.
As he was about to ask a question, Balthasar suddenly realized that the woman was missing a leg, which meant manual labor was out of the question. The realization dawned on him, and he felt disgusted at the thought of what the woman was probably used for.
Balthasar's voice grew stern as he addressed the slaver. "How much for her?"
The short man looked taken aback when Balthasar expressed his intentions to buy the slave to free her. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you despise slavery?" he asked.
Balthasar's response was firm and clear. "What I hate is how people treat Demi-Humans like objects or monsters, and the only reason I'd ever buy a slave is to set them free," he said, as he opened the cage.
The slaver quoted a price of 20 silvers for the slave, and Balthasar reached into his wallet pouch and pulled out a gold coin, tossing it to the man. "Set her free and remove her curse," he instructed, adding that he would take care of the cost for the removal of the curse as well as the girl's purchase.
After the curse had been lifted, Balthasar examined the girl's injured leg. It was severed between her knee and ankle, and from the looks of it, the injury was about 3 to 6 days old.
Balthasar's voice was commanding as he ordered both the slaver and Gray to bring him a large piece of metal. The slaver returned with a black iron brand, which Balthasar made a mental note to discuss with him later. He took the brand and used one of his fire spells to heat it up until it was glowing lightly, before handing it to Gray.
Standing up, Balthasar approached the panda girl and spoke to her, making sure she was conscious. "Little girl, can you hear me?" he asked.
The girl slowly lifted her head and nodded in response.
"Good. Okay, I'm not going to lie, but this is going to hurt. I need you to bite down as hard as you can and try to endure it. Do you understand?" he said, his tone compassionate yet resolute.
The Demi-human girl nodded her head in understanding before opening her mouth. Balthasar lifted his right sleeve and placed his wrist in her mouth, instructing Gray to proceed. Initially hesitant, the wolf Demi-human pushed the glowing iron against the girl's severed leg to cauterize it. The girl's eyes widened with pain, and she bit down on Balthasar's wrist, causing him to bleed. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth for a moment before instructing Gray to stop.
"Gray...stop...it," he said, his tone firm.
Gray immediately removed the iron, and the girl passed out from the pain. Balthasar examined his wrist and saw that the girl had broken through the skin, causing him to bleed.
"Your suffering is my suffering, and your happiness is my happiness," Balthasar said, confusing both the wolf and the slaver.
The slaver looked puzzled and asked, "But why? Why not have her bite down on something else?"
Balthasar replied with conviction, "Simple. If I was going to hurt her, then I was going to share her pain. One doesn't gain without losing something in return. It's one of the laws that must be followed in my world."
Balthasar then picked up the girl and began to head out, but stopped in his tracks and turned back to the slaver. "And by the way...I didn't kill your clients because they had slaves. I killed them because they had my brother as a slave," he said before leaving the slaver and his slaves behind.
As Balthasar stepped out onto the bustling main street, he spotted a group of knights advancing toward him. Without hesitation, he entrusted the young girl to Gray's care and reached for his trusty magic staff. "Halt...You are under arrest," one of the knights bellowed, brandishing his spear menacingly.
Balthasar raised an eyebrow, sensing danger. "Under what charges?" he calmly inquired, his mind already calculating the best course of action. He was poised to unleash his formidable Vine Snare skill if necessary.
"Theft of noble property and the murder of several nobles and a prominent member of the Three Heroes Church," the knight retorted, his voice laced with hostility.
Balthasar chuckled, amused by the absurdity of the accusations. "All I did was liberate some Demi-Humans," he revealed, noting the knights' mounting fury.
"But those slaves belong to the nobles!" one of the knights protested.
Balthasar shook his head, unfazed. "You guys sound like a broken record," he quipped, activating his skill with practiced ease.
Vine Snare
The knights struggled in vain, their attempts to free themselves futile in the face of Balthasar's overwhelming power.
"Looks like that's all she wrote," Balthasar declared, turning his back on the bound knights as he addressed Gray. "Let's go grab a few things before we replace your weapons and armor."
They made their way to a few small shops, where Balthasar purchased a variety of items before heading to their next destination. When they entered the Blacksmith shop, Balthasar immediately began perusing the selection of weapons and armor. Gray opted for a sturdy 6ft ax halberd and a 3ft shortsword for his weapon, while he chose a Scale mail armor for his torso and a pair of dragon scale gauntlets for his hands. Balthasar also purchased an Iron shortsword for the young girl.
"Well, I'm glad to see the kid is safe and sound," Erhard, the blacksmith, remarked as Balthasar made his purchases.
"Me too," Balthasar replied, before leaving to head to the magic shop.
As he walked, Balthasar couldn't help but notice the timer ticking down to the next wave, a reminder of the constant danger that loomed over their world.
15:05:47:05
Fifteen days till the wave
As Balthasar perused the shelves of the magic shop, his attention was drawn to a collection of grimoires. He eagerly purchased several of them, eager to expand his repertoire of spells.
As he was paying, the shop owner, Mahōya, offered to measure their magic affinities. Gray volunteered to go first, placing his hand on the crystal orb. It glowed with white and reddish-green light.
"It looks like you have an affinity for Ice and Combat Support magic," the witch revealed, eliciting a smile from Gray.
Balthasar stepped up next, placing his hand on the crystal ball. The shop owner gasped in amazement as the ball flashed multiple colors before shattering into a million pieces.
"Oh my...God...you have such powerful magic and affinities for all magic," Mahōya exclaimed in awe, as Balthasar stepped back, thanking her for the compliment.
"Well, now how about we learn some spells?" Balthasar suggested, eager to dive into the grimoires. He and Gray headed back to the inn to study and practice their new spells.
As the Magic Hero busied himself with crafting, Gray sat next to the bed, engrossed in one of the grimoires. He was hoping to learn a low-level Ice spell when he heard a mumbled groan. Turning towards the bed, Gray saw the young girl beginning to stir. Closing the book, he watched as she slowly opened her eyes, revealing a stunning shade of brown. As her vision cleared, she recoiled in fear.
"Whoa there...it's okay," Gray reassured her, trying to calm her down. "You're safe here. No one is going to hurt you."
Cautiously, the girl surveyed her surroundings. "Can you tell me your name?" Gray gently asked the panda girl.
"I don't remember, my Masters called me whore" the girl said soon jumping back at a loud bang
Balthasar's fist collided with the desk as the girl's words rang in his ears. Though he tried to hide it, Gray could see the faint red hue emanating from the center of his brother's weapon, indicating his anger. As Gray scanned the room, his eyes landed on a vase adorned with a bouquet of lilies.
"How does Lily sound?" Gray inquired, his gaze now fixed on the girl.
"Whatever my master wishes," the girl replied, her words delivered with a hint of resignation, a reminder of the cruel treatment she had endured at the hands of her previous captors.
Upon hearing the girl's words, Gray was filled with a sense of determination. He lowered the collar of his shirt, baring his chest, and spoke with conviction.
"You are not a slave, and neither am I," he declared firmly, pulling down the collar of her shirt to reveal that she was no longer burdened by the curse of slavery.
The girl's eyes widened with realization and her face lit up, a glimmer of hope shining through her tears. Gray smiled warmly, feeling a sense of relief and joy that they were both now free, unbound by the chains of captivity.
"We are free like the birds in the sky," he proclaimed, his voice filled with a sense of liberation.
Balthasar approached with a wooden and leather object in hand as he spoke, "And not only are you free, but you are now able to walk on your own." As he drew closer, he began to fasten the leather straps to the panda girl's leg.
Once the task was complete, Balthasar stepped back, allowing the girl to slowly crawl out of bed. As she stood on her own two feet, her tears fell onto the wooden floor, creating a soft patter like that of water droplets.
Balthasar knelt before the panda girl and spoke with a compassionate tone. "I wish to apologize for the harm I have caused you. Please accept this as a token of my remorse." With that, he showed her the injury she had inflicted upon him, hoping that she would find it in her heart to forgive him.
"I'm sorry," the girl said, eliciting a genuine laugh from Balthasar, a sound that Gray had not heard since the first wave.
"You have no reason to apologize," Balthasar reassured her, patting her head and surprising her.
"The next step is completely up to you," Balthasar said, turning back to his pack.
"My choice?" the girl asked, intrigued.
"Yes. You see, when my brother and I are not grinding levels, we're raiding and freeing slaves from their oppressors. You can choose to live with the others we've liberated, or you can join us in our quest to free more Demi-Humans," Gray explained to the Panda Demi-Human.
"Wait...that would mean..." she started, pointing to the Black-haired man.
"You're the Black Mage that one of my masters talked about," she concluded, realizing the truth.
"The one and only. Guilty as charged," Balthasar confirmed with a smile on his face.
"Now, have you made your decision?" Balthasar asked, patiently awaiting her response.
"Fifteen days later," Balthasar watched the countdown to the Wave of Catastrophe with a determined expression.
"You think this is wise?" Gray's concern was evident in his voice.
"Absolutely. Erhard is like my old man - old as dirt, but tough as nails. We won't give up without a fight," Balthasar said, nudging Gray's shoulder. "Come on, game face on. We've got a wave to defeat."
"If you say so," Gray replied, still unsure but willing to trust in Balthasar's leadership.
"Hey, Lilly is level 15 and an excellent swordswoman. She'll be here when we get back," Balthasar reassured his companion, trying to ease his worries.
"Yeah, you're right," Gray said, grabbing his halberd. "Alright, let's get this party started."
Balthasar scrolled through his menu, selecting a staff from his weapon tree that would be the most helpful until he spotted the one he wanted. The weapon was made of black petrified wood, etched into the wood were fear-filled faces with roots holding the black orbed jewel.
It was the Nightmare Oak Magic Staff.
"Equipment bonus: Physical Attack +150, Magic Attack +200. Skill: Force of Nature," Balthasar read out loud, admiring his new weapon.
With their weapons in hand, Balthasar and Gray we as prepared as ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the tension builds, the countdown begins:
"10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
With a sense of excitement, Balthasar exclaims, "It's showtime!" just as the timer hits zero.
Suddenly, Balthasar and Gray find themselves teleported outside the capital and into the area outside Lute village. As they look around, they see all four Cardinal heroes standing before them for the first time. To Balthasar's surprise, he spots a Demi-Human among them who looks strikingly familiar.
As they charge into battle against the impending wave, the Dragonoid suddenly stops in his tracks. Spotting a signal flare in the distance, he sees the Shield Hero running towards Lute village. "That's Lute village," Balthasar declares, a smile spreading across his face. "Gray, follow the Shield Hero and fight with all your heart. I'll head to the battlefield."
A grin spreads across my face as I lay eyes on the monsters in front of me. With the orb on my staff glowing a deep, dark green, I leap off a short ledge.
"Force of Nature!" I shout, slamming my fist hard into the ground. In response, four massive gray roots shoot up from the earth, smashing into the monsters in the vicinity.
As I scan my surroundings, my eyes light up with excitement. "Skeleton Soldier, Skeleton Captain, Poison Stinger," I declare, feeling a sense of satisfaction as their names roll off my tongue. "All unlocked!"
But that's not all. "I summon the unholy beast of flesh and bone, slain by magic might to do my bidding," I intone, my voice ringing out across the battlefield.
RAZOR BOARZ
And just like that, the Razor Boarz appears before the Magic. Twenty pig-like monsters, each with serrated steel spines covering their entire backs, stand at the ready, eager to do his bidding.
Balthasar confidently issued his order, "Go! Kill monsters and protect humans and Demi-Humans," as he sent his summoned creatures charging into battle.
Noticing the other three heroes, the Dragonoid quickly summoned his Obsidian Horse, which he had named Ruin, before racing towards the fray.
"Faster, Ruin!" Balthasar commanded, urging his mount to increase its speed.
As they arrived at the battlefield, Balthasar charged up a fire spell, ready to unleash it on a fearsome monster with the body of a lion, an extra head of a ram, and a tail with razor-sharp fangs. Using his Appraisal skill, he quickly discovered the creature's resistance to lightning attacks.
Without hesitation, Balthasar unleashed his spell, calling out "Zwei Fireblast!" The monster took the full force of the spell, but its thick fur only singed, and the creature retaliated by lashing out with its powerful tail, biting Ruin and killing the horse in a matter of seconds.
As the Magic Hero tumbled across the ground, he let out a growl of frustration. "That's what I get for using a low-level spell," he thought to himself as he quickly jumped to his feet.
Suddenly, the Sword Hero's voice boomed out, "What are you doing here? Get to cover!"
But Balthasar stood his ground, determined to defend against the waves. "I'm here to defend against the waves," he declared, triggering his Vine Snare skill.
The monster found itself wrapped in large, green vines that restricted its movements. "It won't hold! Attack it now!" Balthasar yelled, charging up the highest-level magic spell he had in his arsenal.
With the Chimera bound by the Magic Hero's vines, the three heroes fired off their respective electrical attacks, causing significant damage to the boss monster. However, their attacks weren't enough to kill it, and they had wasted their SP in the process.
Now, they were at the Chimera's mercy as it began breaking out of its restraints, ready to strike back with a vengeance.
Ren, the Sword Hero, shook his head in disbelief. "How is that thing still alive!"
Itsuki, the Bow Hero, gritted his teeth. "That was my strongest attack!"
The Magic Hero began to chant, "As source of thy power..." but his words were drowned out by the Chimera's roar.
"Any ideas, guys?" asked The Spear Hero looking around helplessly.
Suddenly, Balthasar stepped forward and raised his staff. "Cleave and devour my target with the power of darkness... Necrophage!" A massive black mist flooded out from the staff, enveloping and swirling around the Chimera.
The mist cleared, revealing the Chimera lying motionless on the ground. The head of the snake had been snatched up by a Razor Boar and brought to the Magic Hero.
Motoyasu, the Spear Hero, yelled in protest, "You stole our kill!"
Balthasar smirked and retorted, "I just finished what you couldn't."
The group stared at Balthasar in shock and awe, realizing that they had underestimated his power.
"Stole our kill? That's what you care about? Really?" Balthasar asked, grabbing the snake's head from the boar.
"And you call yourselves heroes? What a joke," he continued, looking at the group with disdain.
"Hey, last time I checked, your first spell did little damage to the Chimera," the Bow Hero pointed out.
"It's called gauging your opponent," the Magic Hero explained, but he stopped mid-sentence when he noticed a certain redhead approaching. He recognized her as Princess Malty, but something seemed off.
"Well, well, well," Balthasar drawled, slowly making his way towards the princess. "If it isn't the bitch that tried to kill me and my little brother."
The Magic Hero started to step forward, but Motoyasu held him back. "Hey, stop!" he said, trying to diffuse the situation.
However, before they could say anything else, a Razor Boar tackled the Spear Hero, interrupting his words.
"I swore I would make you suffer, and I'm always a man of my word," Balthasar said, his eyes fixed on Malty. He turned and started walking towards the capital, leaving the group in shock and confusion.
so Fifth Chapter done and over with, now I would just like to say thank you for reading/Voting/Commenting this fanfiction. Now I would like to point out that the end of this chapter character lvs go up
Balthasar Black Lv.31
Gray Morningstar Lv.34
Lillian Rose Lv.15
Now for weapon designs are still the same, To use a weapon in my fanfiction I must know all of this information
(Insert Weapon Name)
Equipment Bonus: Stat boost both + or -
Skill: optional
Aquired: by certain Lv or monster material
Skill Breakdown:what the skill does, and explain if skill is passive or Equip Only
Description: what staff looks like
I will also take monster requests,
(Monster Name)
Appearence: What it looks like
Ability: breaths fire, has poison, Ect. Ect.
And with all that this is you Chaotic writer Screwball saying...
Live Long, Have Fun and Never Make Sense
Because
What Fun Is There In Making Sense