The group made their way back toward the Dungeon.
"It's been a long day," Jasmine remarked, stretching her arms.
Shizuka let out a yawn, her voice drowsy. "I feel tired… and really sleepy now," she added.
"All we did was walk around and eat," Saya remarked.
Shizuka shot her a look. "And that alone makes me tired," she pouted.
Nell looked at James, stepping closer. "James… what you did back there," she said.
Lois didn't hesitate. "Was justified," she responded.
Nell frowned. "You hurt him. Forced him to talk," she said.
Saya crossed her arms, looking James in the eye. "He was hiding information from us. That affects our lives," she said.
James exhaled. "Nell, like I said before, to protect my girls, to protect our home, I will do anything," he stated.
Nell blinked. "…Our home," she muttered.
"So, what's the plan now?" Lois asked.
"For tonight, we will check in with everyone. Tomorrow, we take on a quest," James replied.
"Are you low on money?" Nell asked.
Jasmine chuckled. "Not at all. We have plenty," she responded.
"Lots of it," Lois added.
As they stepped into the Dungeon's entrance, James summoned the lift, pressing his hand against the panel. The mechanism hummed, gears shifting as the doors slid open.
"Let's take this instead of walking," James said, motioning them in.
Without hesitation, they all entered, the lift descending toward the Seventh Floor: Small Living Quarters.
The group stepped onto the Seventh Floor. The lively hum of voices echoed through the space. They entered the dining room.
Papi was soaring through the air. Her wings keep her aloft. Illuna was chasing her around.
Cera sat nearby, muttering under her breath. She looked a little red. James saw some spiderwebs. He looked at Rachnera who had a smirk on her face.
Mero and Miia were engaged in an animated conversation, their voices rising and falling in dramatic bursts. Meanwhile, Suu was wandering aimlessly.
Near the edge of the room, Lefi was quietly munching on biscuits, seemingly unbothered by the surrounding commotion. Across from her, Rei and Yuriko lounged comfortably, chatting about how restful their day had been.
Lois took a glance around, a small smirk forming. "Lively," she remarked.
James chuckled. "Looks like you guys are doing well," he said.
The moment they heard his voice, all heads turned toward him.
Miia's eyes lit up instantly. "Darling," she exclaimed, rushing forward. "I missed you," she added.
Papi followed suit, flapping her wings excitedly. "Husband's back!" she should.
Before James could react, Miia and Papi launched themselves at him, wrapping their arms around him in an excited embrace.
James chuckled, holding them close. "Good to see you both," he said.
"Hi, James," Rei called out, waving cheerfully.
James glanced around. "So, how do you all find the dungeon?" he asked.
Papi flapped her wings, soaring briefly overhead. "It's so big," she replied.
Cera nodded in agreement. "There are so many floors, Master." She crossed her arms, considering. "Walking up and down takes time, but the lift makes things easier," she added. She thought of the Shrine.
Mero smiled softly. "The hot spring lake is lovely, Sir. I keep thinking about going back there," she said.
"More than welcome to use it, maybe we can get something bigger for you," James responded.
Rachnera leaned back, a teasing smirk on her lips. "I was hoping for something darker… creepier. The first floor had that perfect eerie feel," she said. She looked at the double-headed axe James had.
Suu raised her arms dramatically as if agreeing, though no words followed.
James chuckled. "I am glad you like it and we can make floors to your liking," he responded "Anyone have questions about the Dungeon?" he asked.
Saya walked towards the sofa and sat down. She sank into the cushions. Shizuka peeked into the fridge, humming to herself.
Saya lifted a hand slightly. "James, the dungeon doesn't seem secure enough for an attack," she remarked.
"It does feel vulnerable," Sakeo agreed.
Rachnera nodded. "She's right. There are just mazes, nothing built for real defense," she said.
Illuna, sitting off to the side, responded confidently. "James is strong," she responded.
Jasmine gave a firm nod. "And so is Lefi," she added.
James smiled. "You're not wrong, Saya. We need better protection. Having monster girls helps with passive defense, but we need active measures, too." His fingers drummed against his Miia and Papi forehead. "The panel doesn't provide weapons. If we want them, we'll have to create them ourselves," he added.
Yuriko considered this. "We could go back to our world and bring some," she said.
Lois nodded. "That's a solid idea, but we'll need experts to maintain them," she added.
Shizuka perked up instantly. "My friend could handle that," she remarked. Her breast bounced up and down.
"You mean the one who had all those snipers?" Saya asked.
"Yes," Shizuka bounced in excitement.
"We'll go for her soon, and for your parents," James said. "But first, we're heading to another world. One where there are people with powers to help defend. There is also a lab genius," he added.
Nell blinked, her thoughts swirling. Had James just revealed something important?
Lois drifted toward Nell, leaning in with a whisper, "James does like you."
Heat rushed to Nell's face. She stiffened, her expression turning visibly red. "No!" she said aloud, voice higher than intended.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"So… are you saying we shouldn't go to the other world?" Jasmine said.
"No! I mean—we should eat first," Nell said.
James smirked, his thoughts lingering on Lois's whispered words. Whatever she had said to Nell had left the woman flustered, her face turning an unmistakable shade of red. Interesting.
Setting the thought aside for now, he turned toward Lefi and Iluna. "Did you give them the drinks?" he asked.
"Yes, we did," Iluna replied. Lefi nodded.
Miia groaned, crossing her arms. "That tasted awful, darling," she remarked.
"It was terrible," Papi added as she clutched her stomach, wings twitching.
Cera, straightened up despite the visible tear in her eye. "I drank it all down, Master," she said.
"Horrid, absolutely horrid," Mero said as she stuck out her tongue dramatically.
Rachnera chuckled darkly, eyes gleaming. "Despicable for sure. I was this close to teaching you a lesson for making me drink that," she said.
"They were bad," Shizuka sighed in agreement.
"But they do have abilities," Saya said.
"Lefi explained some of it," Miia said.
"It went over Papi`s head," Papi said as she blinked twice before shaking her head.
Suu also did the same. "It is not something to be proud of," Miia said.
"Saeko, do we have a spare sword?" James asked.
Saeko responded without hesitation. "We do, Danna-sama. Two swords," she replied.
"Alright. Let's go and Pack-a-Punch," James said.
"Pack-a-Punch?" Papi asked.
"It was next to the machines that gave us the awful drinks," Racherna responded.
"Yes, I can show what it does in real time," James said.
"Let's go," Papi said.
"Papi," Miia said.
Nell's curiosity deepened as they made their way to the Ninth Floor. They entered the Throne Room, the group was greeted by a series of glowing perk machines, each humming with eerie energy. They heard the jingles of Quick Revive, Mule Kick, Speed Cola, Juggernog, Double Tap, and Stamin-Up. Next to the perks was the Pack-A-Punch machine.
James took a step forward. He looked at the deep blue machine with three massive gears spinning in the center. Its shape resembled an open mouth. Above it, a glowing sign depicted two versions of the Ray Gun—one with a limp, unmodified barrel, and another enhanced beyond recognition, radiating power.
Papi tilted her head. "What does it do again?" she asked.
"It makes a bright light and goes strong," Shizuka smiled.
"Yes, it makes weapons stronger," Jasmine added.
"It transforms them completely," Saya nodded.
"For the better," Rei agreed as she crossed her arms.
"Saeko do you have the sword?" James asked.
"Danna-sama, here is the sword," Saeko replied.
James took it, examining its weight in his hands before turning to Cera. He extended the weapon toward her.
"Cera, this is your sword now. Use it, to protect yourself, to protect us, to protect everyone here," he stated.
Cera's breath hitched, her heart pounding as she grasped the hilt. This moment, it was hers. It was given by her Master.
"I will," she said.
"Why did that feel dramatic?" Saya remarked.
Shizuka giggled. "Because it was cool!"
James nodded toward the Pack-A-Punch machine. "Cera, put the sword in. Let's upgrade it," he said.
Cera thought this was her moment. Her calling. Her Master. She will protect him. Without hesitation, Cera stepped forward, placing the blade into the machine's open maw.
"Press that switch," James directed.
She pushed the lever, and the machine roared to life. Blue sparks crackled, illuminating the room. The gears spun at full speed, grinding, shaping, refining. A flag shot up, signaling completion, followed by a resonating chime.
Then, the sword emerged.
It was a red sword. The blade was long and sharp. The guard had widened, now curved elegantly like the wings of a phoenix, and the hilt wrapped in dark crimson silk.
Cera took the weapon, feeling its immense power radiate through her fingers. "Custodire," she repeated softly, gripping the handle tighter. The blade was hers.
"Protector," Lefi remarked.
"That sword looks strong," Lois said. She looked at the power.
Saya examined the sword in Cera's hands. "It's like Slasher," she said.
Rei nodded. "Very similar," she added.
"I can feel the power radiating off it… It's different, but undeniably strong," Nell said as she studied the weapon.
Saeko gave a silent nod, acknowledging its presence.
Cera's grip tightened around the hilt. "I will use this sword to protect everyone, Master," she stated.
"Cute," Lois smirked.
Cera's face turned red in an instant. Her ears moved up. "I—" she stammered, but was quickly drowned out by the collective laughter of the group.
James turned toward Rachnera. "I saw you looking at this weapon," he said, holding out the double axe. "This one's for you," he added.
"Are you sure?" Rachnera asked as she tilted her head slightly.
"It's perfect for you. Put it in the machine," James nodded firmly.
"James knows best, I got this lasso," Jasmine said.
Rachnera stepped forward, gripping the handle and placing the weapon into the Pack-A-Punch machine.
The gears spun to life, the machine rumbling. Sparks crackled, arcs of energy coursing through the metal. Then the weapon convulsed, its structure trembling as its form began to shift under the sheer force of transformation.
The weapon came out. The dark color melted away, dissolving into vibrant green energy, its surface shimmering as the metal reshaped itself. The double-bladed head curved outward, its edges razor-sharp and clean, refined to a lethal precision. The upper blade straightened, its form now sleek and efficient, while the lower mirrored it, slightly more compact but no less deadly. Between the blades, a central spike was black and smooth. The shaft thickened, its grip now wrapped in an unbreakable weave of energy-infused material. Engraved into the handle, glowing softly, was the unmistakable Ultimatrix insignia.
"It still has the Ultimatrix symbol," Lois remarked.
"The rumors are that the weapon once belonged to a demon," Nell said.
"It is mine now," Racherna said as she lifted the weapon, testing its weight, feeling the power course through her fingers. She smirked.
"Ulticurse," she said. "This is something worthy of my grip," she added.
James grinned, watching the transformation complete. "Looks like you've got your weapon now."
"It is getting late," James added.
Lois walked towards James and grabbed his hand. "It is for sure," Lois said.