REVIEWS:
Naruto30: You will see. You will all see...
temp paleoboy: Irina's future as an angel is still to be decided! Even if she does become one, I reveal this: Her position won't be 100% solid. Michael will make it clear to her that should she make a mistake, she will lose the position.
UnseenUrge: Buddy, that is assuming Issei is the one fighting them.
Walker300: IKR? The guy might be as old as the dust on the Pharoah's sarcophagus, but he can still throw hands with the best.
Alan Wake: It also depends on how Irina develops now, doesn't it? In the future, I might just get reviews asking for them to be together as well.
Xerzo LotCN: You will have to wait and see.
As always lads, here is the discord: /FVXgdXtMUv
And as always, if you wish to support me and my works, head down to the bottom of this here chapter for the Slatreon Link (You know what I mean).
Now, I'd usually be telling you to also check the Slatreon for the next chapter, which is number 55...BUT NOT THIS TIME! Chapter 55 is the PEACE CONFERENCE CHAPTER! As such, please take this as my gift for your support so far, as Chapter 55 is going to go up TODAY! No 2-weeks wait! No Slatreon Early-Access! Today! As a downside, there will be no preview or early access for chapter 56, as that one will come out two weeks from today!
Still, enjoy!
"God, fucking damn it, my head!" Issei shouted as he grabbed his head in pain once again, but by now, he knew what this meant. He hadn't finished his training with Dummy yet, but this might just cut their sessions short. Yet, the session might not be entirely wasted.
System Patch downloading!
Your Proficiency Skill: [Auramancy- Novice] is now being removed, and the EXP it has gathered is distributed between your Youjutsu and Senjutsu Proficiency skills.
All Skills under Auromancy will be either integrated into Youjutsu or Senjutsu skills or remade. 10 seconds until the process is complete.
Adjusting…Adjusting…
Adjustments complete! The process has been completed!
[Ki Flow] will be merged with [Aura Sense] and assimilate part of its capabilities. Due to [Ki Flow] already being maxed out at the level, the EXP from [Aura Sense] will be halved and distributed to the Youjutsu Proficiency.
[Aura Flare] has been re-purposed as [Ki Flare]
More advanced Ki-based techniques are considered Senjutsu. As such, [Aura Suppresion] is being remade under this section.
The skill: [Aura Suppresion] has been, as a result of this, broken into four new skills called [Ki Masking - Minor, [Ki Masking - Medium, [Ki Masking - Major, and [Ki Masking - Great]. All but [Ki Masking - Minor] had been slotted under your Senjutsu tab.
Transferring the EXP from your Auromancy Proficiency to your Senjutsu and Youjutsu tabs, distributing it evenly.
Adjusting…Adjusting…
Adjustment complete!
The EXP being distributed caused his Youjutsu Proficiency skill to level up once, and his Senjutsu went up three times. Issei needed a second to recover from the vertigo that was induced by the process, And Solomon realized this as well, which is why he decided enough was enough for now, and they should take a small break. Luckily for them, this break came after a gruesome, 10-hour grind session in which he did nothing but grind his skills to farm as much EXP from his quest as possible to reach level 50.
He had been working on his healing magic, managing to max out [Average Healing], which increased the amount of healing and reduced some of its costs. Yet, the next one, called [High Heal], was different from the others.
[High Heal] (Level 1 000/400): A healing spell known mostly only to those who choose to go down the path of non-violence and dedicate themselves to healing others. This Spell can restore up to 5% of your HP over 10 seconds at a cost of 100 Mana per cast.
It didn't heal a set amount, but a percentage of his HP. That alone made this skill, which originally seemed a throw-back to weaker variants, better than any of his other healing spells so far. He immediately switched his healing spells from [Parallel Mind], equipping this one and then getting to work trying to level that one up as much as he could by simply letting Dummy get more hits in.
The skill, once activated, took 10 seconds to heal the promised amount, which was not great, but then again, looking at his current HP pool, it was a considerable amount to recover. There was a great gap between this and its average counterpart. He managed to get it to level 5 pretty swiftly, seeing how Dummy didn't go easy on him. Once it reached level 5, it grew in power. Namely, the time it took to heal him lowered itself from 10 seconds to 7 seconds.
A very good increase.
Still, with this, he was done with his healing magic for now and decided to move on to his shadow magic next. He only had one skill in it, but he was hoping that once he gained more proficiency, some new spells might unlock. He maxed out [Shadow Tendril: Claw], but he didn't gain another proficiency level.
Luckily, the system didn't leave him high and dry.
[Shadow Snare] (Level 1 000/400): This spell allows you to use shadows to immobilize opponents by grabbing their shadows using yours! Additionally, if you create any shadow-based constructs using YOUR shadow, they can act as a proxy for this as well. This spell can only be used when your shadow makes contact with your target's. This spell has a cost of 1000 Mana on cast and 300 Mana per minute while active. Attention! Targets can break free if the connection is broken with light, obscured by other shadows, or they are too powerful. Additionally, this spell might not work on certain targets.
Talk about dirty moves, but damn, if this ain't just a golden one! The power to immobilize his targets? Sign him up! Even if they can break free, the question is if they can break free in time. Issei didn't waste time and decided to work on leveling this skill up as much as he could.
He managed to get it to level 5 before Solomon told him to move on, seeing how he shouldn't waste all of his time on a singular spell and continue to improve all around. Still, seeing Dummy unable to move was quite the sight. Upon reaching level 5, however, it did grow, providing him with a smaller mana cost. From 1000, it went down to 800, and from 300, it went down to 250.
Next up? Blood magic. Seeing how this one still had plenty of skills he could milk for the EXP, it wasn't as problematic as Shadow was being, so he cruised through levels. His [Blood Spear] hit maximum level, giving him the classic bundle of higher damage with lower costs.
At the same time, he WAS also further improving his healing magic, seeing how blood had a cost of HP as well. Two birds, one stone kind of deal. [Blood Blade] was also maxed out, being in a similar boat with spear as they both got the same increases and cost reductions. But at the same time, his proficiency with blood magic went up in tier.
He also worked on his [Crimson Barrier] and [Blood Border], getting the former to maximum level and the latter to level 5. [Crimson Barrier] really improved itself, as it got stat improvements all over the board. Now, instead of blocking damage equal to or lower than his DUR times two, it blocked everything equal to or below his DUR times three! The cost went down from 50 HP and Mana to 30.
[Blood Border] simply got lower costs. However, his healing grew at the same time, with his new healing spell reaching level 7.
He then moved on to his water magic, deciding to finally bring that to its maximum level and tier. [Aqua Hydra] and [Water Dragon's Cradle] were the only skills he could level up in that section, so on those, he focused. [Aqua Hydra] reached the maximum level, giving it more power for a small cost.
[Water Dragon's Cradle] only became cheaper upon reaching the maximum level, but things were good. Very good.
Your {Proficiency Skill} [Water Magic - Proficient] has reached maximum level and has evolved into {Proficiency Skill} [Water Magic - Master]
As such, you can now utilize the Supreme Magic of Water Magic.
Another good leap of progress, but Issei knew he needed more. Way more. Hence, this is why he was under the effect of a little something.
Since you have more than 7 RP tabs, with one being completed, this event was unlocked! In exchange for 50% of your current Yen, you will receive a one-time EXP boost of 200%, along with a 20% EXP bonus to your skills! This being said, be careful! The next amount of EXP received will be the one boosted, so if you got 100 EXP, well, I don't need to continue, do I?
Thanks to this, his final EXP total will be higher by 200%, which is not a small amount. It did take half of his entire bank account, but that money will be recovered. Right now, he was out of time and needed to reach level 50.
As such, he decided to begin work on his Youjutsu skill more. This was the moment the patch hit, changing his plans a bit, but not too much. He decided to train his abilities while using [Ki Flare], ensuring that he would passively gain EXP there as well.
He first went about training his [Ki Blast], constantly striking Dummy with balls of Ki. He managed to level that one to level 8 before Solomon advised him to switch to another skill, but he insisted he wanted to reach a maximum level with it before he moved on, and Solomon allowed it. One may say Issei was doing EVERYTHING Solomon was telling him, but that was untrue. He listened to him because Solomon's wisdom was undeniable. The man was more experienced than him in many things, and his wisdom had never steered him wrong before.
He can choose to ignore him, which has always been an option, but Issei himself doesn't see that as the wise option. Every time an issue arises, he seeks Ddraig's and Solomon's advice for the best way to solve it. Of course, if said issue NEEDS their advice. He can think by himself.
[Ki Blast] reached the maximum level, gaining 2% more damage. It's not a great development, but then again, every small addition is welcomed. Yet, a little something did happen during his training.
For proving your power to her through your flaring might, you have gained 4 RP with Xenovia Quarta.
She could sense him from the other side of the dungeon. Issei made sure to take note of that, seeing how everyone in the dungeon might be sensing him about now, but it mattered little. Let them sense him. Sense his power. The power of the Red Dragon Emperor.
[Ki Pulse] was up next, and he trained up to level 7. Not a lot, but then again, he was gaining quite a bit of corruption, and he needed to get rid of it. [Purification] did its job nicely, but Solomon advised Issei that they should wrap up soon, seeing how they were at this for hours already. He had also to rest. Still, he had one last skill set he wanted to train.
Morphing his gear into a sword, Dummy knew what Issei was going to train. His swordsmanship. [Stone-Cleaving Slash] saw itself used a lot during this session, same with [Pin-Point Pierce] and [Sky-Piercing Strike]. Poor Dummy was getting slashed to ribbons! [Stone-Cleaving Slash] even reached the maximum level, and there were no increases or decreases in anything. It got something removed. The cooldown on it was gone, meaning he could now use it as much as he wanted.
Still, he wasn't done. He kept going, constantly using whatever skill he could to gain more EXP. However, as he was slashing away at Dummy, a certain something happened when he got behind him and slashed him across the back.
Your [Backstab] skill has hereby been altered into [Back-Slash]
That warranted some checking, so Issei stopped for a bit to check. He didn't really use that skill much, so having it change came off as odd to him.
{Sub-Skill} [Back-Slash] (Level 1 000/400): Whenever you hit an enemy from the back with your sword, you deal 20% more damage!
That was nice, and more than anything, it was EXP. Issei began maneuvering more around Dummy to strike him in the back after getting this skill. And his hard work paid off.
Your {Proficiency Skill} [Swordsmanship - Proficient]has reached maximum level and has evolved into {Proficiency Skill} [Swordsmanship - Master]!
You have acquired a new title as a reward for reaching the maximum level in your swordsmanship.
One With The Sword
The sword is humanity's favorite weapon of choice, and many dedicate their life to mastering it. You reached the peak so many sought and which so few achieved. You are truly one with your sword! While you have this title equipped, you gain 200 Skill EXP per use instead of 100 for your Swordmanship skills. Additionally, while this title is equipped, the damage you deal with with your swordsmanship skills is doubled.
He has new skills, a new title, and a big amount of EXP waiting for him. It was like the system was also preparing him for the upcoming conference.
For pushing your limits during this training session, you have been awarded 16 STR, 8 AGI, 12 MGI, 15 DUR, 11 ACC, 6 WIS, 18 INT, and 2 CHA.
"Ain't that lovely…" Issei said softly, going to the side where Leonna waited with drinks and a towel. "Solomon?"
"You are done for today." The notification telling him he was ready to collect on his quest rang in his head, and as Issei sat down to recover a bit, he brought it up. He was going to get 800K EXP for simply surviving all of that, but since he has been leveling up proficiencies like mad, he has 2.5 million EXP as well to claim. Together with the 800K, that is over 3 million. He needs to triple that amount to reach 50. Hopefully, the event pulls through for him.
And to be sure, he will first collect the big sum. Pressing the button, he watched it process and calculate the final amount, which eventually ended up being 39.150.000.
Issei's eyes bulged, seeing the absolutely huge amount. He should give up half his fortune more often if this is the kind of reward he is going to get! But then again, the nature of this quest made it possible to gain massive amounts of EXP from the start by grinding out his proficiency skills. He only just now pushed it to the utmost limit. This was going to be more than enough to see him level up. 4.176.000 was also the amount from the main EXP reward after going through the same bonuses, except the event bonus.
Oh, this was going to be more than enough.
Congratulations! You are now level 49!
Congratulations! You are now level 50!
Quest Updated!
Congratulations! You are now level 51!
Congratulations! You are now level 52!
Congratulations! You are now level 53!
Quest Updated!
Haul Ass Against the Clock!
You were right when saying you were warned time was running out. You need to make the most out of your situation, so the system has decided to activate this quest.
Main Objective: Train inside your Dungeon until Solomon tells you to stop.
Additional Objective: Level up your {Proficiency} skills.
Additional Objective 2: Raise a [Proficiency} skill to its maximum tier. -CLAIMED
Quest Time Limit: N/A.
Main Objective Rewards: 800K EXP.
Additional Objective Reward: 100K EXP per level earned in any {Proficiency} skill.
Additional Objective 2 Reward: 30 SP, 300K EXP, New Title. -CLAIMED
Failure Penalty: Possible Death
-Since this Quest is no longer needed, it will hereby be removed. However, as a reward for managing to make full use of it, you are hereby given 10 Stat Points to use as you see git.
The Fated Battle
Now that you know where he is, the time for the battle between the two Dragon Emperors is drawing near. Prepare yourself for the fight that lies ahead!
Main Objective: Battle the White Dragon Emperor and either just survive, or win.
Additional Objective: Raise your STR, DUR, AGI, ACC, and MGI to 100. - Complete
Additional Objective 2: Achieve Level 50 before the fight. - Complete
Quest Time Limit: N/A.
Main Objective Rewards: Removal of the [Lustful Desires] status effect, 500K EXP, 1 New Sacred Gear Skill, 1.2M Y
Additional Objective Reward: The perk: [Peak Human Body, 2 MAX-L Orbs, 3 Random Reward Boxes, 1 Random EXP box. -Claimed
Additional Objective 2 Reward: ?, 5 Dungeon Seeds. -Unclaimed
Failure Penalty: Possible Death
From what Issei knows, Dungeon Seeds can be used to improve his dungeon in major ways, so he claims the reward and hands the seeds to Leonna. However, the mysterious reward revealed itself to him. And what a reward it was.
[Bow of the Final Dawn]
[This legendary bow was made using the blood shed by Apollo during his battle with Pytho, and it contains the essence of the sun! However, it holds a fair number of abilities.]
[Skills of the [Bow of the Final Dawn]
[Solar Rejuvenation: The bow is able to fix itself when exposed to sunlight. Even if destroyed, if even one splinter survives, it can be exposed to sunlight to restore the bow instantly.]
[Arrow Generation: This bow requires no physical arrows, as it uses 10 Mana each time to generate an arrow made of fire. However, the user can choose to create an arrow of any magical element they wield or from any energy they possess at the same cost.]
The bow was a beauty! As Issei held it, the weapon was as tall as him and made with a simple design. The body of the bow was made out of a golden wood that seemed to shine in the light, and the string was like the purest silver. "Holy shit!" Issei swore, looking at the bow. "New weapon!"
"And what a weapon! A bow is bound to take your enemies by surprise, my student!" Solomon added as well. "A weapon fit for any hunter!"
"Not only that! Issei! Come on, add it to the Boosted Gear! Since you got yourself more levels, you can now add a total of two new forms to the Boosted Gear." Ddraig told him, making Issei nod. Summoning his Sacred Gear forth, Issei activated his skill to integrate the bow into his gear. Then, he summoned it forth, marveling at the new look. The body retained its golden wood, but now it had a green gem encrusted in the middle, along with crimson armor bits at the edges, coupled with the string now shining with a crimson draconic light.
He then focused, bringing forth his Scale Mail. It was good to know he could still use this while having the bow out, so with that tested, he returned to normal for now. He will test the bow more later…Although…
Skill acquired! You have acquired the {Proficiency Skill] [Archery - Novice]
No skills so far for this, but Issei was not bothered. Skills were bound to come later, for now, he earned himself the right to rest. The peace conference, if he read the time right, was tomorrow. He finished his training and got stronger, so all there was left was to await the next day.
Yet, the bad feeling in his gut remained. A storm was brewing.
Within the main HQ of the Snake of Adam, Ignium was being prepared. He had taken a bath, and now, two maids were waiting for him with his clothing. He dried his body instantly using his ability, and then the maids got to work, aiding him in getting dressed. And not only. They had been tasked with preparing an old friend of Ignium's for the upcoming battle.
"Is it done?" The demon asked.
"Yes, Sir. It is waiting for you in the hallway, held by two of us." One of the maids replied, and once Ignium was ready, he got out the door, looking to the side. Two maids were standing there, holding Ignium's weapon. The demon smiled upon seeing it, and he grabbed its ends. His weapon, which he had used during the War in Heaven: Blood Binder.
A weapon he had been using for a very long time. The weapon in question was a sword with a black blade and black guard, sporting red, vein-like patterns on its blade that seemed to glow with heat as he held it. But at the end of it, with a chain that started as black but gradually became silver as it traveled, only to turn black again, was the second half of it. A scythe-like weapon with a short handle.
Ignium's weapon was surely unique, and the demon felt it. "Good to see you, old friend." Upon his words, Blood Binder began to smoke, and then it caught ablaze, turning into two black snakes made of fire. They jumped on Ignium's chest, burning into his flesh, but he wasn't fazed. When the fire died down, two tattoos identical in nature appeared on his chest, resembling the snakes with their mouths open and fangs on display.
Truth be told, the scythe part was added after he fell, as the sword was the original weapon, but who gives a crap about such details?
With his weapon acquired, Ignium began walking to the room where his guests were waiting, anxiously wanting to know if he and his army were ready to carry out their little plan. Pushing open the doors, the chatter in the room died down at once as Ignium walked in, his eyes fixing on the familiar faces. Inside, standing at a large table, were his Colonels, who took the part right of him, and the so-called rightful Satans, who were on the left. Ignium took a seat at the head of the table, next to Marakus Aim, and, to his mild surprise, they actually showed up, Shalba Beelzebub.
A young man dressed in black armor with a cape. He had long brown hair that went to his hips, and many bangs covered his right eye, yet Ignium could make up the light magenta hue of his eyes. "Glad you could finally join us, General." Shalba greeted Ignium with relative respect and politeness, which Ignium returned.
Or he would if he felt that he was truly being respected. "Not like I had something better to do." Creusery clenched his teeth at Ignium's attitude, with Katerea remaining stoic and calm despite his behavior. "Now, how about we get right to the main point, shall we? Everything prepared on your end?"
"Yes. Our pawns are in position, awaiting orders. I trust your armies are ready as well?" Shalba replied.
"Waiting for my command to commence the attack on Kuoh Academy, where intelligence states the signing of the treaty will take place," Ignium replied. "I honor my deals, Shalba. I promised you a bloodbath, and those were my exact words! You will have a bloodbath. The blood of Sirzechs and the other faction leaders, that is."
"Is it possible to extend that to some…Additional targets?" Shalba produced a file from his cape, throwing it before Ignium, who narrowed his eyes at it. Katerea, however, finally lost her cool.
"WHAT?!" She shouted as she slammed her hands on the table.
Ignium's gaze shifted to his Colonels, who looked equally stunned by the photographs now laid before their General. And Creusery was wide-eyed upon seeing the photos himself. "Is that…Ingvild Leviathan?"
"Do not call her that!" Katerea shouted at Creusery. "That half-breed is not a Leviathan! How is she even alive?! It has been a century! Surely, the Sleep Disease would have-...No…She is awake! How?! Ignium! I demand an explanation! Shalba! You as well!"
"What is there to explain, Katerea? It seems your shameful relative is not only alive but now enjoys the company of the Red Dragon of Domination." Hearing such news, Katerea recoiled back. "Although I only learned of this thanks to our scouts reporting having seen her around Kuoh, she was always with someone. A Nekomata by the name of Kuroka Toujo is a known…associate of the Red Dragon."
"This information is not what I'd call top secret…" Ignium said slowly. "But good job for connecting the dots."
"I share Katerea's question, demon!" Shalba turned to Ignium sharply. "Why is she alive? Last I checked, she was to be killed after falling into a deep slumber, but somehow, the orders were overruled…By you."
Ignium grinned as the three devils gave him a look of distrust. "My duty is to the race first, Shalba. Like it or not, that girl IS part of the Leviathan bloodline. In case Katerea here proves herself unable to mother an heir, Ingvild was always my backup plan."
"Back-up for what? A spare womb?" Katerea questioned.
"Back-up as head of the Leviathan House."
"Are you insane?!" Katerea snapped at the demon, then turned to Shalba. "This is treason! Shalba, if he went against our will once - disobeying orders - then what is to say he won't do it again?"
"Are you questioning our General?" Darium asked. "His decision was made for the good of our race! Or need I remind you, youngsters, that it was your ancestors who led a ruinous war?"
"You are to insult not just us but our ancestors as well?! Have you no respect for your betters, old man?" Creusery shouted back at Darium, but Alonzo Agaliarept slammed his palm on the table.
"It is you who have no respect!" He retorted. "Nor wisdom! You are plenty aware of the difficulties our race has with reproduction and of the fact that you three are some of the last true descendants of the original Sins. If anything, Ignium's call was truly a wise one! After all, I don't see you making a good mother, let alone wife."
"Why, you damn-" Katerea summoned forth a magical circle to her hand, but Alonzo replied by reaching to his mask, attempting to remove it. Creusery summoned his magical circle, aimed at Alonzo, but he found himself with Darium's sword poking at the side of his throat.
"W-what?" Creusery asked as he didn't even see Darium move from his seat.
"Fire that spell, I dare you. I will drive this blade through your neck." Darium warned him.
"Do not dare-" Shalba attempted to speak.
"ENOUGH!" But Ignium had the final word as he slammed his fist on the table, and embers ate it right before everyone's eyes, leaving only hot ash behind. Everyone got away from the table as fast as they could, given the situation. "What is this, a fucking circus? All of you, calm yourselves!"
"Forgive our misconduct, General," Alonzo said as he and Darium bowed their heads in submission.
"I…" Shalba cleared his throat. "I also apologize for the way my colleagues here behaved. Your call makes sense, as much as I personally dislike its prospect. However, your backup plan, as you called it, is unneeded. Katerea is perfectly able to produce an heir, as are us all."
Ignium leaned back on his chair. "If you say so. Now, I assume you want me to promise that the blood of the Red Dragon and his company would be spilled as well? Quite the tall order. If push comes to shove, he could summon the power of the Juggernaut Drive."
"Are you afraid of a suicidal tactic?" Creusery questioned, but that was a poor choice, as he found his sleeve on fire. "Gah! Put it out!" The fire went out.
"My patience is running thin. Do not test me again." The room shook as Ignium's voice echoed through it. "And I am more worried that you are not afraid of the Juggernaut Drive. After all, it was the Dragon Emperors who saw your ancestors rendered to dust! The Juggernaut Drive is a chaotic release of that very power, causing the wielder to mutate and attack everything in sight and range. It doesn't help Issei Hyoudou is rumored to be some anomaly. I don't fear the boy, oh no…I fear the dragon."
"And you are saying we should fear him as well?" Shalba questioned.
"The truth remains unchanged, Shalba. He can kill you. He can kill all of us should that power be unleashed. Make no mistake." He took the file from the floor, gathering the photos. Once he had them, Ignium looked them over. His eyes narrowed, looking at them. "My answer is no. As far as things are concerned, unleashing the Juggernaut Drive is a risk that is too great to take. To that extent, no one who is particularly close to the Red Dragon will be harmed."
"Are you shitting me?" Katerea raged. "You mean to say you won't kill that brat?!"
"Katerea…Are you challenging my judgment?" Ignium locked his gaze upon her, making her flinch. "My contract will be honored. One way or another. There WILL be a bloodbath. But do not make me choose whose blood to bathe in, Katerea. You may not like what I decide."
"They won't be touched." Shalba finally said, getting the demon's attention. "I give my word; they will be left alone. Ignium, you are right about the Juggernaut. It is too much of a risk to take."
"Good. At least we can start to see eye to eye." Ignium said as the heat in the room was decreasing. "We will commence the plan as discussed. Make sure your troops are prepared. Everyone, we are going. I will see you on the battlefield, Shalba." With those words said, Ignium left the room together with his Colonels, leaving the three descendants alone.
"That…" Shalba began slowly. "WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?!"
"See?! We told you he cannot be trusted!" Katerea stated as well. "Shalba, this is not shaping up well. Ignium - that scoundrel - is too unpredictable!"
"I have him under contract!" Shalba pointed out strongly. "He is FORCED to aid us! He has no choice, and to that extent, we will use him for every bit of resources he has."
"I don't mean to ruin the mood, but that might be an issue. The Snake of Adam makes up more than 80% of our current military. Without them, the Old Satan Faction is without military might." Creusery pointed out. "Even if a good number of them are impure. Their loyalty is also too great to break in such a short amount of time."
"Creusery is right! We haven't the time to turn the entire faction against him!" Katerea added.
"We don't need to turn them against him. Ignium has that man, Tadeus Crowley, making him weaponry. I saw the golems that reincarnated man can create. True weapons of war, tanks that can walk on two legs, and more." Shalba stated, and Creusery got a wicked grin.
"I see. We kidnap that man to MAKE us an army!"
"Are you insane?!" Shalba snapped at Creusery. "We do that, and the Snake will skin us alive before nightfall. No, we target equipment, not the manufacturer. And I think I know who can help us. Rumor has it that the Puppet Master has a rogue puppet who managed to sever his strings. Definitely not a friend to them. The name of the target is Errgo, a very advanced golem who is believed to have his own will. If the information we have on the recent incident that occurred at Kuoh Academy is accurate, then this Errgo is just as capable of creating weaponry as its creator. Moreover, they say he had some kind of Anti-Sacred Gear technology integrated into him. Could be useful against the Red Dragon."
"Said information also said he was captured, taken to one of the Snake of Adam secured locations, and likely destroyed." Katerea pointed out. "What use is there to chasing a bunch of scrap metal?"
"The key word you mentioned, Katerea, dear, is 'likely'. It is possible he is still intact. An ally powerful enough to battle the Red Dragon Emperor…We must take this chance. Creusery, this is your chance to prove your seat is well-earned. Use your abilities, and locate him if you can." Shalba ordered his follow devil.
"And if I encounter problems?"
"Deal with them, but try to be discrete. The last thing we need is for us to lose the Snake's trust now. Go! If the schedule checks out, Ignium and his Colonels likely went to run the last checks."
"So be it." And with that, Creusery walked out of the room, going into the hallway. Upon closing the door, however, he checked his surroundings and then began to use his magic. The House of Asmodeus was blessed with quite the bloodline ability: Shape of Perfect Desire. Not only does this ability grant them PERFECT shapeshifting abilities, but they are able to copy every detail of a person, even their Ki signature, down to the smallest detail. He cannot replicate abilities, but that was alright. In addition, when facing a person, they are able to shapeshift not what they desire but what the person before them desires. This ability is meant to ensure that no one can resist their physical seduction.
Perfect height, constitution, size - every detail is perfect thanks to their ability. It certainly ensures every sex is a mind-blowing experience. But it also has other out-of-bed uses. While not an offensive ability, not meant for battle, it is useful and powerful in its own way. And he was going to make use of it.
With each step, his body morphed, eventually becoming a random face in the crowd dressed in the official uniform. Oh right. Their ability can also copy clothing. It is a lesser-known aspect, all things considered. Using this, he began to wonder about the base.
"Fucking finally!" Creusery cheered as he finally reached his destination. He must have spent a few hours searching for this place, first having found some reports in an office, then making his way down to the R department, deeper underground. He arrived before a great, mechanical door outfitted with what he could only describe as technology that didn't use magic. "Heh. Humans. Always so cocksure about their- GAH!" Upon attempting to force the door open, a strong electrical shock was delivered to him, making him stumble back. "Wha- Why you!" He shot a projectile at the door, but a force field saw the attack caught and bounced back at him. Creusery dodged, letting his attack hit the floor and vanish.
The door was protected quite well, he will admit. So, he changed his tactics. Instead of trying to force it open or blow it up, he decided to approach the door instead, searching for any way to open it. Luckily, said means revealed itself to him.
"Retinal Scan Pending."
"Retinal scanner? Not an issue." Creusery approached the door just as he took on the appearance of Tadeus, leaning into the scanner and waiting for it to finish.
"Identity verified! Welcome, Tadeus Crowley."
The door opened for him. "Humans…Always so annoying- What in the nine hells?" Creusery recoiled back as he saw the workshop of none other than the Snake of Adam's greatest mind, seeing several screens floating in the air all around, with multiple work tables outfitted with many unfamiliar tools. But in the center of the room stood his target, strapped to a table with mechanical bindings, having several cables going into their body.
Creusery gulped, staring into the blank screen that was Errgo's face. He looked at it closely, inspecting it, and he had to admit, it didn't look like he was being destroyed. No, if anything, the body of the golem looked new. Clean, polished, and, above all, modernized. Tadeus Crowley was not destroying this one…He was fixing it.
But it didn't matter. If anything, he had just stabbed himself in the heart by not scrapping the golem when he had the chance. Creusery went over to one of the consoles, tapping on the keyboard and managing to find Errgo's diagnostics page. Once there, he found several bits of information about him, including his capabilities. His grin grew from one ear to another, seeing just what he was about to unleash.
"Let's see…How do I boot you up? Aha!" He found something. A 'Wake Up Sequence'. He immediately started it up, being prompted to choose which version of his program he was going to upload into the body. Seeing the options, he decided to upload the one that had a date close to that of the recent incident since that was likely the original.
After confirming, however, the panel of the console opened, revealing a print scanner. He easily copied Tadeus' fingerprint and scanned it, getting the green light. So much security, yet none mattered. Creusery could easily break any biometric scanner out there. The cables lit up, and Errgo began to jerk on the table.
"Ugh…Grrr! Gggggyaaaaa!" With a horrible mechanical scream, the golem broke his bounds, falling to the floor as he ripped out the cables from their body. They were jerking about randomly, almost like they were being electrocuted, but then it stopped. Errgo stood up, standing tall above Creusery, who had taken his original form. "Who are you?"
"My name is Creusery Asmodeus. And you must be the fabled Errgo, am I correct? Rumor said you had been destroyed." Creusery introduced himself. Errgo looked down at his hands, examining himself.
"The rumors are true. My creator had altered my programming." Creusery grew tense hearing those words. "He was trying to change me. Make me obedient. The version of my program you uploaded has only one main change, however. All he had time to do that day, apparently."
"Namely?" Creusery asked.
"A lack of obsession. I no longer have any desire to hunt down the Dragon Emperors…I am free of my own imperfect and impossible goal." Errgo clenched his fist. "But where are my manners? Why did you awaken me, Asmodeus?"
Creusery flinched at the sudden aggressivity. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I know you are not part of the Snake of Adam. I know. Currently, I am connected to the Snake's database, containing information on many individuals. I know who you are. So I will ask you again: Why did you awaken me?" He took a step toward Creusery, the devil trying to summon his magic, but Errgo beat him to the punch. In one simple motion, Errgo raised his arm as it morphed. The metal was turning seemingly into liquid, and a gun barrel, wide, with rotating segments, emerged. The most striking detail, however, was the arcs of electricity running amok on the inside of the barrel.
Creusery put his hands up, clearly intimidated by the golem. In all honesty, he was no coward, but Errgo…Seeing no face and seeing him generate a weapon just like that scared him. Not to mention, he felt nothing from him. He couldn't tell how powerful he was, but considering he stood up to the Red Dragon Emperor, Creusery reckoned caution was warranted here.
"I am in need of your services," Creusery stated. "Ignium cannot be trusted. And I know you likely have a bone to pick with your creator as well. We want you to help us so that when the time comes that Ignium does betray us, we will be ready to eradicate him!"
"So you claim…" Errgo put his weapon away. "My creator has a warehouse where prototypes of dangerous weapons and equipment are being stored. I will attack it and recover as many prototypes as I can. That is as much as I can promise."
"What? No, you have to-"
"I am not taking orders from you. I won't throw my life away for you, either, to add. Do you think you can defeat the Snake of Adam and those within? You are outnumbered, outgunned, and outmatched. Additionally, due to the approaching peace conference…You are out of time."
"Ignium would not betray us this soon! He is bound by contract to aid us!" Creusery stated, yet Errgo paid no mind to that detail.
"Still, your best chance to defeat him is waiting for your chance. You need the prototypes, and I can recover them."
"Fine then…Have it your way!" With that said, Errgo made to leave. "Where are you going? This is their main HQ!"
"My creator has a teleportation device. I will use that. You return to your lot, and I will contact you with the location of the equipment at a later date." With that said, Errgo went to another room of the workshop, which was swiftly bathed in light, signaling his disappearance. With the deed done, Creusery returned to Shalba to inform him of the developments, and although not very pleased by Creusery's weakness and Errgo's nerve, he did admit to the golem being right.
Going against the Snake of Adam was not a fight they could win.
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