And I'm back with the first omake.
I must have been drunk or something while I wrote this, there were so many mistakes in this short Chapter I almost scratched my eyes out.
I do not appreciate grammar mistakes. Especially mine own -_-
All taken care of now, though.
Enjoy.
XXX
It was an awful day, and he still felt shame at how easily he had been tricked.
It had all began the day before, the day after his expedition into the Dungeon alongside the Second Group…
XXX
Having woken up after making up his mind to combine the teachings of both the path of an Adventurer as well as that of a Disciple of the Lighting Sword Style, Fuzen made his way to his training spot as usual.
Simply because he decided to take another burden upon his shoulders was no excuse to skip on his fundamentals.
He had trained well, both in tempering his mind as well as his swordsmanship. One hour passed, then three. For three hours he had trained in peace.
However, as his luck as a member of the Loki Familia would prove, the peaceful time would not last. "Yo, morning, lil' Fuzen!" He heard his Goddess greet him as she came from behind the Manor. Why she would take the long way around instead of coming from the front, he did not know.
Was she trying to startle him?
Indeed, Gods did not possess Ki, as they were eternal and did not possess life force, the energy only found in mortal, living beings like humans and animals, however because of that, for those who could sense Ki in others, they felt...blank.
Cold.
Like a vacant, bottomless presence.
As such, a God could never hope to take a Ki user by surprise. "Good morning, Loki-sama." He bowed and sheathed his weapon. It was rude to have a weapon drawn in the presence of a Deity, in his opinion. "How many I be of assistance?"
"I know you're training and all, but I'm holding a meeting with all the Familia members, and you need to be there, too." Loki answered, her smile fading away replaced by a serious, almost frightened expression.
"A meeting this early in the morning? It is something urgent?"
"Quite so." Loki nodded. "Let's go."
"Understood." He replied with the same gesture, and grabbing his Raiju no Yoki from the bench nearby, followed a step behind Loki.
For Loki-sama to have such a dreadful expression...Are we under some sort of danger? Has the time come for the Lighting Sword Style to be used to it's full potential for the sake of the Familia?
Fuzen looked over to the sword that had been entrusted to him by his Mistress and made up his mind: the Loki Familia was worthy of the full support of his Sword Style.
He would use it for them, even if it meant death.
After going back inside and changing roughly six hallways, the pair had arrived at the double doors of the gigantic mess hall, spacious enough to house all the members during breakfast and dinner. Loki pushed them open dramatically with both arms, walking inside with a confident stride and making her way towards the end of the hall, where her seat was, besides Finn's.
Fuzen himself looked around, it looked like truly everyone from the Familia was present, and took a seat at a less-crowded table, awaiting the briefing.
"Ok, listen up!" Loki shouted after cleaning her throat, the hall's full attention on her. "As you all know, our Second Group just came back from their expedition yesterday. Their expedition went well: so well, in fact, that they even managed to defeat Udaeus, the Monster Rex of the 37th Floor."
Indeed, word got around fast in the Twilight Manor and mostly everyone already knew of this achievement. Nonetheless, despite their prior knowledge of this everyone cheered the members of the Second Group on, whistling and calling out their names. Everyone who had been part of the expedition felt both embarrassment and pride alike, smiling lightly as the Familia's attention was on them.
"Hey, hey now, I'm not done!" Loki said, and the noise died out. "Good. Ok, so as you know, this is a joyous moment, worthy of celebration…" Loki smiled, and seeing her mischievous grin, Fuzen began to realize something. "Oh, and celebrate we will indeed. In the evening, that is! You all worked hard lately and made a lot of profit for the Familia, so today, I'm calling off any work, and order you all to rest. And with that said...I'm declaring today to be a Loki Special Game Day!" Loki stated loudly, both arms spread out in the air, her grin only getting wider. "We will play games from now to evening, and then have a feast for all of you hard work!"
"A Loki Special Games Day, huh? Haven't had one in a while."
"Haha, I'll win at cards this time around!"
"Taking it easy every now and then isn't bad!"
"Let's do it, let's do it!"
Slowly...Slowly...As the cheers of excitement shook the mess hall, a certain boy slowly got up from his table and without drawing attention to him, slowly walked backwards towards the door.
"Hehe, it seems someone wants to start the Games Day willingly!" Loki laughed, and pointed a finger at Fuzen, having noticed his attempts at escaping. "Ok, first game of the day, which shall serve as the warm-up: Fuzen is It. Catch him!"
With lighting speed, the other members turned their heads towards him, and it was at that moment, his whole Familia grinning at him like how a predator looked at his prey, that Fuzen knew: he fucked up. "Fuzen-kun~! Let's play~!"
"I just want to train in peace, damn it! Leave me alone! Lighting Drive!" Using his quickest technique which did not require the use of a sword, Fuzen kicked open the doors and ran for it, no longer interested to play along with his Goddess's whimsical wishes and desires.
Behind him he could already hear the rest of the Familia coordinating their movements with efficiency which they did not display in the Dungeon.
"After him! Spread out and try to cut him off!"
"Don't let him escape! Level 3's, take the lead!"
"Spread out and cover the garden and front gate!"
Almost a hundred pairs of legs chased after him, the ground shaking as they ran after him. "I said leave me alone, damn it!" Looking behind him at the other members, Fuzen noticed Ais having taken point, using her Wind Magic to try and match his speed. "And why are you so motivated all of a sudden?!"
"This time...I'll win!" Ais replied, the determination to defeat Fuzen ever burning bright in her eyes.
...Screw my life…
Cursing himself for being naive enough to think his Goddess actually meant something of urgency happened Fuzen ran on, determined to escape the Manor and find another place where he could train.
He escaped outside by avoiding the groups of Level 3's which spread across all hallways, but Ais was just behind him. Running through the front gate was not an option, she would simply chase after him. In a battle of stamina, she won by a large margin.
As such, Fuzen ran around the garden, trying to shake her off.
It had been the best option he could think off, yet also a double-edged one: the others had covered the whole perimeter, front gate and fence alike. He observed this after increasing the speed of his Lighting Drive as he took a corner and jumped up on the tower above him, hugging the wall tightly as Ais rushed passed him below, thinking he continued on. From there he climbed up the Manor and laid on his belly on the roof, observing the situation down below.
Everyone was searching for him with a grin on their faces.
He would need to think about his plan carefully- "I smell him! He's above!" He heard Bete down below, pointing a finger at his location before jumping up.
Looks like I need to break through the front gate. Bete was fast, but with his Lightning Drive, Fuzen was slightly faster. The only one who was a risk to him was Ais with her Magic, and of course the Captain.
He jumped down, landing at the front doors leading inside the Manor. He sensed a person's Ki behind him, though, and just in time, ducked low as Aki tried to grab him. Save from that attempt he rushed forward, hearing the girl behind him trying to catch him again with both hands.
He ran down the stairs, already seeing the heavily defended front gates. Still, he could do it. He could escape-
"Kya!" Looking over his shoulder he noticed Aki falling down the stairs, a mistake caused by her big motion of trying to jump and catch him in her arms.
A fall from that height would hardly injure a Level 4 Adventurer like her, but…
"...Are you alright?" Having turned on his heel, Fuzen caught the girl by her shoulders and thus prevented her from falling down. However, she slowly lifted her head, and their eyes met, a smile on her face. Slowly looking to his side, he felt a warm and fluffy thing wrapped around his arm.
"Aww, my hero~ Still, I caught you~" She grinned, and Fuzen looked at her tail around his arm, then back at her, a blank expression on his face.
...This...damned...cat!
XXX
Having been caught Fuzen was required to play along with the order of the day. He had tried to talk his way out of this, however it was Finn of all people who told him that it would be dishonourable to run away after being caught, and those words were enough to make him, although still being forced into it, to play Loki's so called games.
First game of the day was a Three-legged Race, where two members were tied together by one leg and had to move in unison as fast as possible and win a race around the garden.
Partners were chosen by draws, and as luck would have it, his partner was no one but Tiona herself.
"Let's win this thing, Fuzen!" She exclaimed excitedly as they were at the starting line, nine other pairs to their left and right side respectively.
I just...want to… train.
"Ok, here we go: Ready!" Loki yelled, marking the beginning of the race. "Set! GOOO!"
Tiona spared no time, and in the span of a fraction of a second, she had became one with the Speed Force, rushing forward as fast as she could. She did not even try to match Fuzen's own movements.
Luckily for their team, Fuzen expected this from the Amazon and using his ability to predict it, used his Ki to match Tiona's monstrous speed.
After arriving at the finishing line, Fuzen turned to look at the Amazon with a raised eyebrow. "...Cooperation is not something you excel at, is it, Tiona-sama?" Had her partner been anyone else besides him or the Level 5's Fuzen had little doubt Tiona would have simply dragged them after her.
"...Tehe?"
First round had been won.
XXX
Next on the list had been rock paper scissors, where two people sat at a small table on which a helmet and a hammer, both made of plastic mind you, were laid before them.
It was a simple game: the one who won at rock paper scissors could grab the hammer, and try to hit his partner on the head with it. The one who lost had to grab the helmet and put it on his head. If the hammer hit the head, the attacker won. If the hammer hit the helmet, the game would go on for another round. Each player had three lives, and one hit on the bare head resulted in one life being lost.
At zero lives, the player lost the game and was out.
Clang.
"Damn it…"
Clang.
"Oh for…"
Clang.
"At least go easy on us..."
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Over and over and over again.
Before they even had time to reach for the helmet after losing all of the rock paper scissors battle Fuzen's opponents had been hit on the head. And so, most of the non-elite adventurers had been thrown out of the game. Now, only the tricky ones remained: the First Class Adventurers.
First against Fuzen was Tione.
"Hehe, I don't dislike you, Fuzen, but I'll be the last one besides the Captain. I'm gonna get hit by him, and you're not getting in my way!"
"...Hmpf."
Their battle began, and both decided on their hand: Tiona threw scissors, and Fuzen made do with stone.
She reached for the helmet, her fingers tightening on it's edges-
Clang.
And she got hit on the head.
"…! Hmpf, a lucky hit! Again!"
Clang.
…
Clang.
"Noooo! I wanted to have the Captain hit me!"
Tione was out.
Bete stepped up next.
"Huh, you may have defeated the Amazon, but don't think you'll have the same luck against me, shrimp!"
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
"…" Bete walked away without saying anything.
Next was Tiona. In three rounds, she had been out. "I'll get you for this during our close-combat sparring!"
Next was Gareth. In three rounds, he was out. "Young ones are so scary nowadays…"
Next was Riveria.
CLANG!
The plastic hammer almost broke in two as it came falling down on the High Elf's head, her eyes wide open in shock. Naturally, even as a mage, being a Level 6 meant she boosted durability far beyond other Adventurers.
It had not been the force that startled her, but rather, the malice behind the blow. "...Fuzen. Did you...just hold a grudge?" She asked, remembering the nasty, grudge-filled looks he sometimes gave her during his punishment at her hands.
He truly disliked mathematics.
In return, the boy simply brought his head back, looking at her from a position that could only be described as looking down on someone. He extended his fist, the veins on his back palm popping out. "Again."
CLANG.
…
CLANGGGGG!
Riveria...walked away.
Next was Ais, already nervous from what she had just seen. No...I cannot allow myself to falter. I will...win!
"...You won't."
"H-Huh?"
"Choose your hand so I can hit you already." Fuzen replied, his fist ready for the game.
"...I will...win."
Clang.
Clang.
Clang!
...Fuzen...is scary… The sword princess walked away, her shoulders dropping at her sides. Once again, she lost…
"I'm impressed." Finn chuckled, talking his place on the pillow opposite from Fuzen, around the small table laying on the grass in the garden. "I never thought you would be the one to face me."
"…"
"Still, petty as this sounds, I have my reasons for not wanting to lose, so-"
"Are you going to do it or not?" Fuzen asked, his fist already ready for the match.
"...Very well. Then, let us begin!"
…
…
…
"...That was...unexpected…" Finn...walked away.
"Haha, he sure owned all of you! Noobs!" Loki laughed from the side, and raised one hand in the air. "With that, the winner of the Rock Paper Scissors game is-"
"No." The boy interrupted, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Huh?"
"Get your rear on the pillow." He said looking over to his Goddess, another vein popping up around his temple.
"G-gah! N-No, no, this Loki Special Games Day is solely for my beloved children-"
"Get your ass. On. The. Pillow."
...Gulp…
CLANGGGGGG!
G-Gah! Please…"
"Again."
CLANGGGGGGGGGGG!
"N-No more..."
"Again."
"M-Mercy…"
"Again."
…
…
CRASH!
"...I do believe…" Fuzen stood up, looking down at the small wooden table through which Loki's head had been pushed through with the use of a simple plastic hammer which was now shattered to pieces, dust still raising up into the air. "...that this is my win."
Everyone gave a moment of silence for their now fallen Goddess.
XXX
After Loki's recovery, they resumed their Special Games Day and next on the list was a rather peculiar game: Loki had written requests on pieces of papers, which all went into a bowl, and the members who got this far all needed to pick one such paper.
On Loki's signal, they had to read what was written on the paper and acquire it within five minutes then present their findings to Loki.
Tricky part was, everything could be written on the papers: a shoe, an object of a specific colour, a Magic Stone, a golden lock of a fair maiden, just about everything could be a request, and those that failed to acquire their requested item within the time limit lost.
The roughly thirty or so remaining members had all drawn their papers and Loki gave the signal to start. Fuzen read through his request, pondered for but a single moment and then at full speed ran out of the Manor and into the street.
The others were surprised for a couple of seconds before rushing to get their own items:
Tiona's requests had been pink underwear, and she had simply shamelessly went into Lefiya's room and grabbed the Elf's bra and panties, holding them high up for everyone to see, the Elf slowly dying of embarrassment.
Gareth's requests had been to find a black bug, and the dwarf spent his time searching for insects on the trees and on the ground, barely finding an ant he tried his best not to squash to death as it tried to run away.
Ais's request was to find something red which could be held between two fingers. Without hesitation she walked up to her Goddess and drawing her rapier cut off some of Loki's hair, holding a strand of it between her fingers.
Time was quickly running out, and some members still could not think of how to acquire their requested item. Just as Loki believed Fuzen had ran away after picking some sort of bad request, the front gates got loudly kicked open, and with a sliding motion on one leg, Fuzen arrived before Loki.
In his arms was a certain silver-haired Doctor, her expression one of shock and confusion.
"Apologize the rough dash here, Teasanare-sama." Fuzen apologized and let her feet touch the ground.
Amid looked around at the Loki members who stared at her in confusion, and then turned towards the boy. "So, is there a good reason why you kidnapped me from my work place?"
"...Kidnapped is a strong word...It's Loki-sama's fault. She forced me to play a game, and I got a request to search for something. Teasanare-sama was the first person that popped in my mind, so…"
"...I see. Still, that is no excuse to barge in my shop, lift me up and run all the way here without an explanation." Amid said, her expression just the slightest bit angrier than usual. "So, why did you need me specifically?"
"Because of this." He said, and extended the piece of paper on which his request was written.
"...Something which takes away your breath? And how do I fit that description, exactly?"
"Because Teasanare-sama is breath-takingly beautiful, in body and soul alike."
…
…
…
"OHHHHHH! We got a smooth talker over here!"
"Buhahaha, can't believe someone can say that with a straight face!"
"Go, Fuzen, go!"
All as one his fellow Familia members erupted into cheers and laughs, in no small part thanks to his impossibly honest words.
Adults often found it hard to be so honest when talking to another person, but as a child, Fuzen was not affected by this line of thought in the least.
Amid as well, usually the person who kept her professionalism with her at all times, began to blush intensely as she processed what Fuzen said. She was often made compliments by her customers, however she took little pride or joy in them. Those were the compliments of women who were jealous or men who always wanted to gain something by making such compliments.
However, for the first time since she had began her work as a Doctor, she had been affected by one of her customer's compliments. Her eyes widening in realization, Amid turned around and made her way back to the Dian shop, her face still red.
"Uh, should I accompany you back, Teasanare-sama?"
"It's fine."
"...Did I...say something wrong?" He wondered, trying to think if any of his words could have been rude.
"No you didn't!" His Goddess exclaimed as her arm wrapped around his neck. "You smooth talker, you! I liked that, and so I decided: the winner is Fuzen!"
XXX
Next on the list was card games.
This time around, Fuzen questioned his chances of winning. If it was some sort of physical activity or speed-based game, he could win them. But he knew nothing of card games, and luck also played a big role…
...I wanted to completely decimated everyone else for pissing me off...for interfering with my trainingby beating them at their own game, but...Cards? Hmm… He thought, his inner grudge still not sated.
Few people...actually, no one knew this, not even Fuzen himself, despite his incredible ability to self-reflect, but in actually...he held grudges like no other.
Seriously.
Don't give him any reasons to hold a grudge against him, that was probably the number one advice everyone should be told before interacting with the boy.
Having been made aware that Fuzen did not know the rules and winning hands, Finn took it upon himself to teach Fuzen about poker.
Ten minutes later, he had joined the game.
There were five people at a table: Fuzen, Gareth, Aki, Tiona and Ais. They decided on Texas holdem. Finn himself played the role of dealer and cut the cards. He gave each person two cards.
They were not playing on chips, instead, each person had once again three lives, and losing a match would take away one life. Folding meant the player would be allowed into the next round, but only two could fold. The remaining three had to play, even if their hands were not good.
Finn allowed a couple of moments so the players could think about their hands, then revealed the first three cards.
"...Fold." Gareth folded, and was out of the game.
"...Fold." Aki was next.
The remaining ones were Fuzen, Ais and Tiona.
"Hehe, I'll be taking this win!" Tiona exclaimed, confident in her hand.
Finn nodded, and revealed the next two cards: when no one was betting chips, there was no reason to reveal the cards one by one. "Showdown."
"Three of a kind!" Tiona yelled, slamming her cards on the table. With the two six she had in her hand and the six on the table, she had indeed a three of a kind.
"...Flush." Ais revealed her hands next: with three cards from the table and the two in her hand, she had a Flush, all her card the same suit: spades.
"Damn it!"
"Fuzen, you're next."
"...Straight flush?" He asked more than replied, showing his cards: diamond five and six. With the diamond seven, eight and nine on the table, he had indeed, a Straight Flush.
"Fuzen wins." Finn nodded, and gathered the cards again.
Unknown to the others, a terrifying talent was about to be discovered...
…
…
"Two pairs." Gareth revealed his hand.
"Straight." Ais was next.
"...Straight flush."
"Again?!"
…
…
"High Card…" Aki revealed. By now, Tiona who never folded was out of the game.
"Full house!" Gareth revealed.
"...Straight flush."
"What?!"
…
…
"...Straight!" Aki revealed. Gareth and Ais both had lost, and it was only her and Fuzen remaining.
"...Straight Flush." Once again, Fuzen showed his hand, the second best hand one could ever hope to have in Poker, beaten only by the almost never attained Royal Flush.
"Damn it!"
…
…
It was time. Aki was down to one life, and she waited for Finn to reveal the last card. Her hand looked good: one more card, the one she needed, and she would defeat Fuzen even if he had a Straight Flush again. Finn revealed the last card, and she almost jumped up from joy: spades nine, ten, Jack, Queen and King. By some miracle, she had a Straight Flush. The only way Fuzen could win is if he had a ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, of the same colours, and that meant a Royal Flush, a hand which came up only once in a million.
I'm taking this win.
"Showdown."
"Straight Flush!" Aki slammed her card on the table, not unlike Tiona before her.
Fuzen looked up at her, his face unchanging and revealing no emotion, truly the perfect poker face. Then he sighed, and revealed his cards. "...Royal Flush."
"WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT?!"
"...Whoa...Never thought I'd see a royal flush come up in my lifetime…" Finn muttered under his breath, amazed at the sight before him as were all the other members who watched the match with intense focus. "Fuzen...wins."
Once again, he had won. And the grudge he held was sated just the tiniest bit.
It seemed that even if one offered their loyalty to one Deity, the Goddess of Luck still blessed those she deemed worthy regardless of their affiliations...
XXX
"To our Familia! Cheers!" Loki raised her glass and her Children followed her example, the mess hall shaking thanks to the unified roar of excitement. The Loki Special Games Day had come to an end, and now they were celebrating as they held a feast, all paid for by Loki through the money she took as her own from the Familia.
It was only normal, and every God did the same.
After all, only a God could give a Falna to a person, and as such, they were entitled to the spoils from the Dungeon as much as the Adventurers themselves. Having a strong Familia of great size, Loki's own finances were not bad in the least. "And with that said, cheers again to the winner of the Loki Special Games Day: Fuzen!"
"Cheeers!"
At the sound of his name, Fuzen simply stood up, bowed his head, and then sat down again, not truly feeling the festivity as much as everyone else. He had not trained for today except for the two or three hours in the morning and he felt his goal slipping away from him just the tiniest bit thanks to his lack of training.
...Nonetheless, I have won, and as such, I did not bring shame on the Lighting Sword Style as a Disciple. This too is a win. And tomorrow, I'll train twice as hard.
"By the way, do you know what the reward for winning is, Fuzen?" Loki asked from across the room, her words barely audible. Nonetheless, Fuzen heard her and shook his head. "I see. Well, you'll get some money from me, naturally, and then, you see, this coupon I obtained from Hephaestus at our last game of cards. It gives you a thirty percent off on any weapon with her brand on it." Loki said as she held a piece of paper high in the air.
...Oh. That's...not bad? I wonder if I can use this coupon for Collbrande-sama's weapons that she is forging for me?
"...I gratefully accept."
"Also, you get a day off tomorrow. No requests from me, no Dungeon dwelling…" She grinned, and the grin only got wider as her eyes opened up just the slightest bit. "No training…"
"What?!"
"You did say you gracefully accept your reward, didn't you?" Loki asked and it was then that Fuzen once again realized: he fucked up. "Man, I sure had time to think about this bonus reward while my head was stuck in that table…"
"That's low!" Fuzen yelled back, a rare display of emotion in his voice.
"Hey, hey, my head was even lower, you know? Thanks for that, by the way!"
"You're just doing this to get back at me!"
"Maybe, maybe not…" Loki grinned, looking to the side.
"You...you….you flat-chested sore loser!"
"Gah!" Loki let out a grunt as the words hit her with the force of a house slamming her into the wall behind her. She had never in her life been so wounded by a Child, least so by one of her own.
…
And so, here he was now, the morning after the Special Games Day, in front of the Manor walking down towards the front gates. He had accepted the rewards for winning the Loki Special Games Day, and thus, if he were to train now, he would go against his reward of a day off.
Doing this would stain his honour, as it would be similar to throwing mud in the face of your benefactor, and thus, despite still being angry and holding a grudge he decided that if he cannot train nor go into the Dungeon, then...well...he would figure something out while in town.
Still, unknown to the boy his presence leaving the Twilight Manor did not go unnoticed…
XXX
They had gotten more used to it, the girl could feel it as her sword cut through another Monsters, the being dispersing into ash as it's small Magic Stone fell to the ground. Two more War Shadows came from her left: she jumped back as one clawed arm came her way, and at the right time, she jumped back forward, cutting both of the Monsters with one horizontal slash.
"...My side's clear!" Mikoto called out, making her situation known.
At the front of the group, Ouka cleaved through three Monster of his own with an attack of his battle axe and called out the same thing.
Their group was in the clear.
"Phew...I can never get used to those things…"
"Yeah, me neither." Ouka agreed with Mikoto. "They're weak but their appearance...Ughh...Anyway, how about we call it a day?"
"That sounds good." Chigusa nodded as did the other girl, Asuka.
After checking with the whole group, Ouka called it off the day, and the group made their way back to the surface.
"Even though we only arrived in Orario a short while ago, we are making good progress. While I can't accept risky behaviour, let's continue on with this momentum, slowly but safely." Their Captain said and the group nodded.
Indeed, most starting Adventurers, even if part of a group, would spend a lot of time on the first to third Floor but their group could already safely go as far as the 8th Floor while barely receiving a scratch in return. Most of this could be traced back to their God, Takemikazuchi: as a God of War, he had taught his children well ever since they were young orphans at his temple.
Still, he could not take all the glory, either.
"We should really thank Fuzen-dono sometimes soon. It was with his help that we can make such progress now." Mikoto stated, the others nodding in response: not one of them could say otherwise. The young boy had proven a good instructor on how to approach the Dungeon for a brief but valuable period.
"Indeed...Still, to think a boy that young was so strong...We weren't that competent in battle at that age, were we?" Ouka asked and the other shook their head. Indeed, when they were ten, they still played around like normal children, having fun and enjoying life, harsh as it was.
"No, we weren't. But Takemikazuchi did say that his former God, Hachiman, was a Deity with high expectations. Maybe that's why Fuzen-dono is so strong?"
"...Could be. Anyway, I agree that we need to show our gratitude to him. Even though he is part of another Familia, he was kind enough to instruct us and give us valuable pointers."
"Then, next time we see him, let's thank him again."
Ouka agreed to Mikoto's suggestion, and the group walked forward. Within a short time, they were once again back to the surface. Leaving the Babel Tower, the group made their way towards where their God worked, at a Potato Snack stand. It was then that Mikoto looked to the side in the crowded circular area around the Babel, and noticed the person they were just talking about. "Fuzen-dono?"
"Oh...Greetings."
XXX
It had finally happened!
The woman had almost given up on her endeavour, but it seemed like being patiently still paid off. She had taken free from work on the day after her little treasure's expedition, and her short vacation would only last for three days in total. She saw no sight of him on the day he returned. Yesterday, she had only seen him dash off at speeds impossible even for a Level 4 like her before returning to the Manor within a couple of minutes with someone in his arms, after which there was no sight of him again.
However, today he did came out and instead of running at speeds she could not match, he walked slowly, almost as if lost in thought.
H-he's so cute when he's lost in thought, meow~ Chloe thought to herself as she observed Fuzen from a distance.
For the days where she planned to stalk her little treasure and find out more about him, Chloe decided to dress in plain civilian clothes to avoid any risks of being remembered or noticed. She even tucked her tail under her long dress and hid her ears by wearing a women's beret hat, which was by no means enjoyable to wear for someone with cat ears.
Slowly but safely from a distance, she stalked Fuzen as he went around town, apparently with no set destination in mind.
First he walked the streets, then he took a small break in the park, sitting down on a bench while looking up at the sky, an expression hard to describe on his face. Nonetheless, it was an expression Chloe had loved to stare at.
She had also noticed that Fuzen kept repeating the same movement of trying to reach what he must have imagined was a sword fastened at his hip: alas, he had no sword on his persona, not did he seem aware of this repeating movement himself.
After roughly ten minutes of sitting down he stood up, a set determination in his eyes, Chloe feeling her face getting redder after seeing said expression.
She followed him as he made his way towards the local library, where he searched for what looked like books about the Dungeon.
He's even smart, reading such complex and boring books in his free time, meow~ Chloe herself had followed him into the library and grabbed some random book, holding it high to conceal herself as she continued to stalk Fuzen from a distance, never taking her emerald eyes off him.
Roughly two hours later, after the signs of frustration began to take shape on his face, Fuzen stood up and left the library, his next destination the Guild.
Unfortunately, Chloe could not follow him inside as she wore civilian clothes and would stand out in the building, but roughly half an hour later, Fuzen came out, holding two books under his arm, also about the Dungeon as far as Chloe could tell.
Not long after he met a group of easterners like himself, Adventurers from another Familia, as far as she could make up from their conversation, and the boy had mentioned he was on his way to East District. The group of six had shown confusion at the name and Fuzen decided he would show them what he meant.
Together they walked on, picking up some God she had never seen before from his work, and then moved on towards the far end of Orario's 2nd District. Some forty minutes later, after taking many side streets, Fuzen had arrived at the place he had mentioned: a little town inside the town of Orario, almost hidden behind the main street of the 2nd District.
Here the buildings were all using the strange but beautiful architecture oft the Far East and most people who walked down the streets had the same easterner features as Fuzen and the group of seven. It was as if they had entered another world, hidden behind the tall buildings of Orario.
"It's a part of Orario made up from people from the Far East, like us, and their descendants." Chloe heard Fuzen explain as she closed the distance, using the crowds as natural camouflage to keep her presence hidden. "You'll find everything here to be made by easterner cooks, artisans, cloth weavers and so on. I found out about it as I walked through the 2nd District a few months ago and sniffed the smell of dango- I mean, the smell of rice and followed it."
"Whoa! It's like being back home!" Chloe heard the black-haired girl exclaim with excitement as she turned around and around, taking everything in, before stopping and jumping at Fuzen, grabbing his shoulders. "Do they have hot springs here?!"
"Yes, as far as I know."
"YESSSS!"
Shortly after the excitement got under control, the group of seven followed Fuzen as he led them to a restaurant around the corner which Chloe also entered. As far as she understood from the conversations she picked up from a distance, Fuzen had won some money from some event held by his Familia, and he had invited the group of seven to join him. The group had tried to decline, but Fuzen had been very persuasive in his endeavour and in the end, the group agreed.
On the menu was sushi, some sort of raw fish on rice Chloe had never tried before. Nonetheless, the smell of the fish had her mouth watering and she decided to order some for herself, as well, as she stood in the booth behind Fuzen, close enough to hear their whole conversation.
After the big easterner had asked Fuzen began to explain what had happened recently: going on an expedition, being part of the vanguard even on the 38th Floor, defeating a Monster Rex along with his companions...The more he talked, the more the other easterner's jaws dropped to the ground, their God included.
Before long the food arrived, and the group of eight dig in, obvious they had missed the food common in their homeland. And then, Fuzen did something which shocked his companions: he ordered O-Toro sushi, which Chloe had no idea what it was. One look at the menu later, she now knew: very, very expensive sushi.
"I won this money by simply playing games Loki-sama had forced me to play, so don't worry about it." He explained to his companions sweeping aside their worries for his spendings to the side.
Before long they had finished eating, the group of seven thanking him gratefully before leaving the restaurant and going their separate ways: the group wished to explore the East District while Fuzen himself made for a clothes shop where he bought multiple sets of the same clothes he was wearing: black shirt, black trousers and a turquoise jacket over the shirt. Chloe remembered he wore the same attire even on the first day she had laid eyes on him.
With his shopping done Fuzen returned to the main street and made his way back, probably towards his Familia.
Chloe followed him shortly behind, and it was then that she noticed him stop. From fear of having been noticed, she jumped into the nearest side alley and peaked from behind the corner. Within a couple of seconds, she understood what was going on, and she blushed intensely, no longer able to withstand the cuteness.
Fuzen had stopped in front of nothing short of a pastry shop and he was staring at the sweets on display in the window. To be precise, at the eclairs, and he was not just looking at them: he was, in fact, drooling as well.
M-Meow~ K-Kill me, I...I can't withstand it… Puffing and panting heavily from behind the corner, Chloe continued to stare as Fuzen stood in front of the window, drooling at the sweets. Then, he hit his head against the wall near the pastry shop and walked on.
Then he turned back and walked past the window again, in the opposite direction. Back and forth, back and forth, he continued on.
Then, he fell on his knees and hands, conflicted about his life.
I...I want him, meow...Cute. So, so cute…
"Hey. You there." Chloe was pulled back from her imagination as a hand touched her shoulder, and turning her head around, she noticed two older Adventurers, both staring at her.
"What do you want?" She asked, in no way politely. She was angry that someone got in the way of her stalking her little treasure.
"Is that any way to talk to someone?"
"Yeah. Our Familia home is right there on the opposite side of the street and we noticed you acting suspiciously around here."
"Get lost, I don't have time for you." She replied, once again harshly.
"Hey listen here, bitch- Gah!" A flash of movement, and the Adventurer was down, his conscious gone. While his partner was still trying to trace what happened with his eyes, Fuzen drew is arm back again, and slammed his open palm into the second Adventurer's abdomen, the man falling unconscious just as fast as his partner.
Then he spoke. "...Now. A question: why have you followed me all this time-"
Puff. Puff. Puff.
Fuzen's words were cut off as a chill went down his spine. Something felt familiar. Way too familiar. Slowly turning his head around Fuzen was met with the same red, blush-struck face of the woman that had haunted a couple of his dreams after that one time...
"Meow, my hero~ Puff...Puff...Puff...Come here and let big sis give you a hug, meow- Gah!" Within the next moment, she had been flung into the wall on the narrow alley, Fuzen's fist having slammed itself into her solar plexus.
An action that was more based on instinct and less on reason.
Within moments the woman fell down to her knees before her upper body followed. Last to fall down was her tail which until moments ago wiggled excitedly behind her.
"...Uhh...sorry...I guess? Sigh...Today's such a weird day…"
XXX
They had taken care of most of their civilian customers and the elf went outside, sweeping the street in front of the Hostess of Fertility.
As always there was little she was thinking about: those depressing days were behind her now. At least, mostly. Nowadays, she simply did her work, not thinking much on other matters while at work.
Still, seeing a young boy carrying an unconscious woman towards her in his arms, bridal-style no less, had been one of the matters which made her drop her work and question just what was going on.
AS the young boy got closer, she looked at the woman in his arms: Chloe. Her co-worker, who should have a day off today.
"Excuse me, do you happen to know this woman?" The boy, she remembered his name was Fuzen, asked, stopping just a meter or two in front of her.
"...Yes. She is my co-worker. May I inquire as to what happened?"
Fuzen pondered on the question, trying to come up with the shortest answer, then nodded. "This woman stalked me for the duration of the day, and when I felt in danger, I knocked her out unconscious."
"...I see." Ryuu nodded, setting her broom aside. "I will take her from here."
"Much appreciated." Fuzen nodded, and handed the cat over to Ryuu. "Then, I shall be on my way. Thank you again."
"No problem. Thank you for brining her here first." Fuzen nodded, and then turned around, ready to leave.
It was then that Ryuu remembered: she still had a question left for the young boy which had plagued her mind after having seen him stand to Mama Mia herself. "...Wait, boy."
"Hm?"
"I would like...to ask you a question. It might come of as a very sudden question."
"I am listening." Having turned around completely, Fuzen faced Ryuu fully now, his attention undivided.
"...What...What is justice?" She asked, and for a few long moments, the boy simply stared at her.
Then he opened his mouth, his expression unchanged. "Easy. Justice is…"
XXX
Well, I dunno what justice is, but the opposite of justice is a big, fat cliffhanger. That I know.
Anyway, that's about it.
Til next time.
Kay bye.