Chapter 36

2nd of December

Issei was doing his best, but it wasn't very useful. With a flick of its massive hand, the enormous mountain golem sent him flying several meters away. He crashed into the rocky terrain, groaning as he tried to push himself up. His vision blurred, but he could still see the mission prompt flashing in his peripheral vision:

The mission [Mountain Escapade] is still in progress!
Defeat the boss to complete the tutorial and unlock multiplayer mode V2.

The "Portkey" of the witch with the overly generous assets had transported them to a mountain. Rachel had been thrilled at the idea that they had been in the tutorial all along—Issei couldn't care less. He was just happy that so far, they had only fought small foxes and leprechauns in the mountains.

Until they stumbled upon an abandoned mine and were attacked by golems.

He really could not have nice things.

He squinted through the dust and chaos, his heart pounding as he saw another golem charging straight at RED.

"Dodge," he shouted, seeing a golem charging at RED. Or at least, he thought it very loudly in his head. The words stuck in his throat, coming out as a strained whisper instead, as he was distracted by her outfit : her once pristine outfit was now tattered and dirty, because of the fight.

RED's outfit, a short pair of shorts and a white t-shirt, was half gone, ripped and scorched from the battle. Her long, fiery hair clung to her face, damp with sweat. The remnants of her shirt hugged her curves tightly, and the torn shorts revealed her toned legs. Her fierce eyes burned with determination, making her look both incredibly sexy and dangerously powerful. Issei found himself unable to tear his eyes away, his mind oscillating between "fuck, she's dangerous" and "fuck, she's hot".

As RED dodged the golem's attack, she began to chant in an eldritch language, her voice taking on an otherworldly tone that sent shivers down Issei's spine.

"Ia! Ia! Zathrak'ne yal! Fhtagn'na, R'lyeh!SaixY'D'io!"

Her hands glowed with an intense, fiery light. She raised her arms, and from the ground beneath her, a massive, molten bell of fire began to form, its heat so intense that it even melted the fucking stone around it. The bell grew larger and larger, a roaring inferno that seemed to consume everything in its path.

Issei watched, mesmerized and terrified. The firelight cast a glow on her skin, highlighting every curve and muscle, making her look like an avenging goddess. His heart pounded in his chest, caught between his attraction to her and the primal fear of the eldritch forces she commanded.

The fiery bell reached its zenith and then came crashing down upon the golem, engulfing it in flames. The stone creature let out a horrific scream - he did not know stone had feelings - as it was reduced to molten rubble, the heat so intense that Issei could feel it from where he stood.

As the dust settled, RED turned to him, her eyes still glowing with the remnants of her power. She looked like she was ready for anything.

"Focus, you dumb fuck!" she called out, snapping him back to reality. "We need to bring the rest of them down together!"

3rd of December

Dionysus and his bros – knights, I mean – were all wearing sunglasses. This had, obviously, nothing to do with the nasty hangover they were suffering from. Last night had been memorable, and Dionysos had reunited with his trusted guys this morning after experiencing French hospitality with an incredibly flexible woman in her fifties. He didn't even know you could do that with toes. They were sitting at the terrace of a café. Naturally, they were under massive parasols, since it was pouring rain in Brittany. Legend has it that once, a huge ball of fire appeared in the sky of the always-grey city, causing everyone to panic, before they realized it was probably the legendary "sun" their ancestors had told them about.

Then, he heard a melodious voice coming from a table shared by two young ladies at the other side of the terrace. He turned his attention towards them, intrigued.

Irina Shidou
Exorcist in training - Wielder of Excalibur Mimic
Apprentice to Griselda Quarta
Lvl 76

Xenovia Quarta
Exorcist in training
Apprentice to Griselda Quarta
Lvl 91

The first one, Xenovia, was a striking young woman with chin-length blue hair accented by a dyed green fringe on the right side and piercing brown eyes. She sat with an air of calm confidence, seemingly unbothered by the drizzling rain around them. The second girl, Irina, had a more animated presence. She had long chestnut hair, usually tied into twintails, each held with a blue scrunchy, though today she had let her hair down, the damp weather making it wavy. Irina's violet eyes stood out, reflecting a mix of frustration and determination. She was clearly less acclimated to the constant rain.

Irina was mid-complaint, her voice carrying over the sound of the rain. "Ugh, this weather is horrible! Why does it always have to rain here?" She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, pulling her coat tighter around her.

Xenovia, looking unbothered, turned to her and replied in a calm, reassuring tone, "We are exorcists, Irina. The weather is nothing compared to what we face." She took a sip from her cup, her eyes briefly meeting Dionysos's before returning to her friend.

He watched as Irina sighed dramatically, but a small smile played on her lips, betraying her fondness for her companion's no-nonsense attitude. "I know, I know. It's just... I miss the sun sometimes, you know?"

Xenovia's expression softened slightly. "We all do. But remember, our mission is what matters most. Everything else is secondary."

A mischievous idea sparked in Dionysos's mind. With a subtle flick of his fingers, he discreetly cast a spell, causing a gentle, magical aura to envelop the two girls. Almost immediately, their postures relaxed further, their voices becoming louder and more chaotic.

They had shitty protection about alcohol-based spells. Fucking noobs.

Irina, now red-faced and giggling uncontrollably, slurred, "Oh my god, Xenovia, can you believe this weather? It's like the sky's been pissing on us all day!" She hiccuped and nearly fell off her chair.

Irina's giggle turned into a cackle, and she slammed her hand on the table, making their drinks slosh. "Xenovia, you ever think about just ditching all this and going to the beach? Like, who the hell needs all this rain?"

Xenovia, now leaning back in her chair with a lazy grin, waved a hand dismissively. "Screw the rain, screw the beach. We've got bigger fish to fry. Like, we're supposed to find that stupid 'Sword in the Stone,' remember?"

Irina snorted, almost tipping her chair over. "Oh yeah! The legendary whatever-the-hell, hidden in Broceliande. We gotta get it before those other losers druids do."

Dionysos's ears perked up at this drunken revelation. The legendary Sword in the Stone - what a lame name. But that sounded like a great adventure.

Xenovia hiccuped and raised her glass. "To the Sword in the Stone! And to us kicking ass and taking names!"

Irina clinked her glass against Xenovia's, spilling half her drink. "Hell yeah! Let's show those druidic guys what real exorcists are made of!"

5th December

Issei lay on the ground, panting heavily, his body aching from head to toe. He had been completely useless in the fight, serving only as a distraction for the rock drakon – a colossal creature that resembled a giant lizard made of diamonds and molten rock. His role as bait had been both humiliating and painful, and he couldn't help but wince at his own incompetence. At least he had a good view, between his tears.

Through his blurred vision, he saw Rachel. Her clothes had been almost entirely burnt away by the intense heat, leaving her in nothing but her panties. Despite her state of undress, Rachel exuded strength and sexiness. Her muscular yet feminine physique glistened with sweat, highlighting her toned arms and powerful legs.

With a confident smirk, Rachel hefted a massive mace over her shoulder. Her biceps bulged as she swung the weapon with incredible force, bringing it down on the rock drakon's head. "Arglhhhh", she screamed. Issei could swear it was the noise of a Murlock.

The impact was nothing short of spectacular. The beast's head exploded in a shower of molten rock and shattered diamond-like fragments, leaving behind a steaming crater.

Issei couldn't help but stare in awe – and perhaps a bit of embarrassment – as Rachel stood triumphant. Her strength and prowess were undeniable, and she had just saved their butts (and what an amazing butt she had) single-handedly. Well, almost single-handedly; he had helped by being a great distraction, he supposed.

Suddenly, a notification appeared in front of Issei, clear and bold - and almost naked, accompanied by a triumphant ding.

[Mission Complete: Mountain Escapade]

Issei let out a relieved breath, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, I guess I was good for something, huh?"

Rachel looked down at him, her hands on her hips, her sexy form casting a shadow over him. She laughed, a hearty and infectious sound. "Yeah, you made excellent bait. Maybe next time you can be useful in other ways too."

Issei chuckled weakly, still lying on the ground. "I'll try my best. But for now, I think I'll just enjoy the view from down here."

Rachel rolled her eyes but smiled, reaching down to help him up. "Come on, bait-boy. Let's get out of here before something else decides to make a snack out of you."

[Congratulations! You have successfully completed the mission: Mountain Escapade!]
[As a reward, you are being transported to the First and Last City of the Dionysian Game: Thyrsopolis!]

With a flash of light, they were enveloped in a swirling vortex.

5th December, Thyrsopolis.

In a flash, Issei and Red appeared in Thyrsopolis. The sudden shift sent Issei sprawling onto the cobblestone street, while Red landed gracefully, her charred hair and near-naked form not even drawing curious glances from the bustling crowd. Despite her state, she held herself with an air of dignity that only added to her enigmatic allure.

Issei groaned, pushing himself up from the ground. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. Towers of brass and copper stretched toward the sky, their gears and cogs turning with a rhythmic precision that fascinated him. The city's architecture was a blend of ancient Greek temples, Mesopotamian ziggurats, and Indian palaces, all infused with a steampunk aesthetic that made Thyrsopolis a marvel to behold. Gothic cathedrals stood alongside futuristic skyscrapers, and magic wove through every structure, bringing the city to life in a way Issei had never imagined. The central plaza where they had landed was alive with activity. A lizard man with vibrant green scales hawked potions from a nearby stall, his gravelly voice carrying over the din.

"Elixirs for all ailments! Potions of strength, speed, and invisibility! Get them while they're fresh!"

Half-beast, half-human beings moved through the crowd, while Wizards floated above the ground, their robes billowing. Dwarves with soot-streaked faces and muscular builds haggled with merchants, their voices deep and resonant.

"Three gold coins? Are you mad? This blade is worth at least double that!"

"Fine, five, and that's my final offer."

The air was filled with a cacophony of sounds: the rhythmic clanging of blacksmiths' hammers, the melodious tunes of street musicians playing lyres and flutes, and the screeches of giant eagles soaring overhead. Issei's nose twitched as he caught a whiff of various scents mingling in the air. The savory aroma of roasted meats from a nearby food stall, the sweet fragrance of exotic flowers sold by an elf with a radiant smile, and the pungent smell of alchemical concoctions being brewed by a hunched-over goblin with wild, red hair.

"Get your enchanted trinkets here! Guaranteed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits!" shouted a gnome with a wide-brimmed hat, waving a glittering amulet in the air.

As Issei marveled at the sights, sounds, and smells of Thyrsopolis, a sultry voice purred from behind him. He turned to see a nearly naked succubus with midnight-black hair, her eyes smoldering with seductive intent. She sauntered up to him, her hips swaying hypnotically, and reached out to touch his chin with a delicate, claw-tipped finger. "Hello there, handsome," she whispered, her voice a tantalizing melody. "I could give you a very good time for just a few coins." Issei sputtered, his face turning crimson. "I-I, um, I don't think—"

Before he could finish, Red intervened. With a swift, irritated slap to the back of his head, she grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him away from the succubus. "Come on, idiot," Red snapped, dragging him through the crowd. "We don't have time for distractions." The succubus watched them go with an amused smile, blowing Issei a kiss before turning to her next potential client.

A few minutes later, Issei saw a centaur weaving through the crowd, his hooves clacking against the cobblestones. A group of elves stood nearby, their ethereal beauty and pointed ears marking them as otherworldly. A trio of green goblins scampered past, their mischievous grins and quick movements causing passersby to keep a wary eye on them.

"Watch your pockets around those goblins," muttered a dwarf to his companion, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. Yes, even in utopian fantastical cities, racism was a problem.

As Issei marveled at the sights, sounds, and smells of Thyrsopolis, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Red looking down at him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Issei," she said, her voice filled with wonder, "I believe it's just the beginning. We just stepped into the real Game."