Ch.17: Monster Hunt Brings Growth
--<3rd PoV>--
Dungeon Gates.
A supernatural phenomenon that has existed in this world for ages, their origins shrouded in mystery.
There are three types of Gates, ranked from most to least common in their frequency of occurrence:
Temporary, Permanent, and Turbulence.
Lushthron City boasts the highest number of Permanent Gates in its reign, a distinction that has cemented its reputation as the central hub for magical herbs in the Owen Empire.
However, this does not mean Temporary Gates never appear.
They do occur, though typically at lower ranks due to the city's inherently sparse mana concentration.
Indeed, Lushthron is a city with significantly lower mana density compared to other regions of the Owen Empire. This scarcity makes it an unsuitable environment for knights and mages to train, often slowing their progress by at least two-fifths.
Yet, even in this mana-scarce locale, high-level Temporary Gates occasionally manifest. If left uncleared, these gates can trigger catastrophic monster breaks, unleashing havoc on the surrounding area.
Legend holds that Gates first appeared around the same time people began to awaken skills.
It is said that these skills were divine gifts, bestowed by the gods to empower the people of this world to confront the dangers posed by Gates.
However, the emergence of skills did little to fundamentally alter the world's dynamics.
One must understand that the likelihood of an individual possessing the potential to become a knight or mage is a mere one in a hundred.
The odds of someone awakening a skill are even slimmer—one in a thousand.
Moreover, not all skills are created equal. Many are far from useful, offering little practical value.
Perhaps in the distant past, at the dawn of this era, people awakened stronger skills—abilities potent enough for ordinary individuals to stand toe-to-toe with A-rank, or even S-rank, adventurers.
But now, individuals like Ray, with their extraordinary potential, are exceedingly rare.
Take Seraphina, for example—she was born without a single skill.
And Lilia, who possesses three skills, owes her abilities to Ray's Evolution Trait, which he used on her twice. Each awakening granted her an additional skill, a testament to his unique power.
In essence, skills are a rare supernatural phenomenon, often hailed as a divine miracle. Even today, under the right conditions, individuals with combat-oriented skills can emerge—people who, despite lacking the ability to manipulate mana, can rival even Master-rank opponents.
Thus, it is not entirely strange for someone to possess a skill that manifests as a weapon, enabling them to grow stronger, is it?
This was the explanation Ray had carefully crafted to account for the existence of his Martial Soul when questioned by others.
After all, he couldn't possibly disclose the truth about the Dimensional Chat Group, could he?
So, even when faced with the innocently curious gazes of two certain ladies, Ray could only offer them a half-truth.
Thankfully, both Seraphina and Lilia took the hint, and that was sufficient for now.
At the very least, Ray could focus on testing whether a spirit ring would appear for him to absorb, a prospect that filled him with anticipation.
With a final, decisive strike, Ray dispatched the C-rank monster before him—a Silver Hide Wolf—its body crumpling to the forest floor.
Yet, contrary to his expectations, no spirit ring materialized.
"Hm?" Ray frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.
But the result remained the same, previously he had even tried crushing the Essence stones of Monsters as high as B rank but even that was proven to be ineffective.
'Even this method isn't working,' he mused. 'How am I supposed to advance to Spirit Master and break through to level 11?'
This was Ray's predicament. By the third day of training, he had already reached the maximum limit of his mana capacity.
However, his progress was stalled due to a critical lack of knowledge—specifically, how the spirit beasts of Soul Land corresponded to the monsters of this world.
This approach was proving increasingly unfavorable.
'Didn't the system prompt claim my Martial Soul would adapt to this world?' Ray wondered, his frustration mounting. 'Then why isn't a spirit ring appearing? Must I wait for the world travel function to unlock before I can journey to Soul Land to obtain one?'
Yet, even that plan seemed impractical. The energy he wielded was mana, native to this world. It was highly likely that spirit beasts imbued with soul power were incompatible with his absorption.
His frown deepened, etching lines of irritation across his face.
"I don't like this," he muttered aloud. "Now I'll have to forge a different path for progress."
It wasn't that pioneering an alternative route was impossible, nor was Ray averse to the challenge.
The issue lay in the time it demanded—a resource he could ill afford to squander.
'Looks like that's all for this experiment,' he concluded, resigned.
Suddenly, his senses tingled, his Super Intuition flaring to life. With a subtle tilt of his head, he dodged a small rock that whizzed past, narrowly missing him.
"Hm? That was unexpected," a melodiously charming voice rang out. "It seems that skill of yours really is as potent as they say," Seraphina remarked, her tone laced with surprise. She had aimed the sneak attack at point-blank range, yet Ray's instincts had prevailed.
Clad in gleaming metallic knight armor, Seraphina stood as a vision of a war goddess, her fiery red hair cascading like molten embers, framing a face both commanding and alluring.
Her golden-red eyes sparkled with mischief, while her athletic frame—long, toned legs and a generous bust—radiated strength beneath the armor's sheen. Sweat glistened on her exposed skin, lending an almost erotic allure to her dignified posture.
In her slender, soft hands, she held three more rocks, her lips curling into a daring smirk. Why not throw them as well?
With a swift flick of her wrist, she hurled the remaining rocks, this time with greater speed and force.
Ray dodged them effortlessly, his Super Intuition proving miraculous. Behind him, however, the tree bore three deep gashes, a testament to Seraphina's strength. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
"Done?" he asked, his voice maintaining its usual indifference—a mask honed by a lifetime of guarded composure.
"That's what I should be asking you," Seraphina retorted, her hips swaying gracefully as she descended from a grotesque pile of monster corpses, stacked into a macabre, mountain-like structure. Her posture remained erect, her form elegant despite the grim backdrop.
"Are you finished daydreaming?" she pressed, her tone sharp with disapproval. "If so, we're moving. We still need to clear this gate by today." She clearly resented Ray squandering this rare opportunity to gain real battle experience.
"I'm not wasting time—" Ray began, eager to defend himself, but she cut him off.
"That's precisely the problem."
Without waiting for him to continue, Seraphina spoke firmly. "Since you've chosen to become a martial artist, abandon those cowardly, mage-like habits. A swordsman must be strong, brave, swift, and decisive. We can't afford to linger here. That's my advice to you as a swordswoman," she declared in a no-nonsense tone.
Softening momentarily, she added, "We can conduct whatever experiments you want with the Boss. For now, you need to kill at least fifty Silver Hide Wolves." Her voice carried a fleeting warmth, breaking her strict teacher persona.
As if catching herself, she quickly tacked on a biting remark to restore her ruthless facade. "Even that elf girl, your mere maid, is slaughtering beasts left and right, unlike you, who stopped after just one," she said, gesturing toward the distance where occasional explosions and vibrant elemental bursts illuminated the forest, marking Lilia's presence. With that, Seraphina turned and walked away without a second glance.
'Damn, she really takes this teacher role seriously,' Ray thought, reluctantly following her lead.
'Her sudden instructions have driven my progress, though,' he admitted silently. 'I'll let her keep playing this persona for now.'
And so, the hunt pressed on.
Deep within a forest of lush green trees and overgrown foliage, a tranquil atmosphere seemed to permeate the air.
Towering trees formed a verdant barrier, blocking sunlight and casting mottled patterns of light and shadow that danced across the forest floor.
Leaves rustled gently in the breeze, their whispers evoking the serene silence of the woodland.
The forest path, blanketed with soft moss and vibrant wildflowers, felt like walking on clouds with every step.
Occasionally, winding streams meandered through, their crystal-clear waters gurgling softly, contributing to an overall sense of peace.
It was a breathtaking forest, straight out of a fairy tale.
Yet, the reality beneath this serene surface was starkly different.
Every plant, insect, and even the wildflowers and moss could be poisonous or possess properties that triggered severe side effects with prolonged exposure.
Hidden in the shadows of the trees, multiple pairs of eyes gleamed—sharp, cold, and predatory. They fixed their gaze on the intruders, poised to strike and end them in a single, lethal bite.
Summoning his Martial Soul, Ray transformed the lustrous black cube into a broadsword, its surface shimmering with silver-blue lines. He eyed the wolf monsters lurking in the bushes.
"Looks like you're the ones I can vent my frustration on," he said, coating the broadsword with a thin layer of mana. "Sorry about this."
As an extra precaution, he activated his Noble Circle domain, its transparent golden field expanding around him. With resolute steps, he marched into the monster den.
...
In the heart of the B-rank Silver Wolf's Hide gate, Ray stood amidst a tangled forest, where towering trees cast dappled shadows over moss-laden paths.
Grrr!
Three Silver Hide Wolves circled him, their silver fur shimmering like molten moonlight, venomous fangs glinting with malice.
Their synchronized growls reverberated, a primal challenge echoing through the gurgling streams nearby.
Ray gripped his broadsword, another transformation from his Lord of Domains Martial Soul, its silver-blue lines pulsing with mana.
His Noble Circle domain activated, a golden sheen spread around him, increasing focus, which in turn made his senses sharper, sharp enough to bring enough clarity revealing every twitch of the wolves' muscles.
The wolves attacked as one, claws slashing and jaws snapping.
Ray's instincts were ever ready fueled with Super Intuition, not merely guiding his dodges but analyzing the battlefield with surgical precision—calculating the most damaging strikes, the quickest path to victory, and the wolves' potential to harm him under specific conditions.
His swordsmanship, honed over last few grueling days under Seraphina's tutelage, flowed seamlessly.
He stepped forward, raising his blade diagonally, mimicking her forms with a thrust timed to each stride, his movements a blend of instinct and discipline.
As the first wolf lunged, Ray unveiled a new application of his Polymorph talent.
His broadsword morphed mid-swing into a massive shield, its surface broad enough to block the trio's assault.
Backed by his strong physique, he held firm, the wolves' claws scraping futilely against the barrier.
With a thought, sharp spikes erupted from the shield's surface—another Polymorph shift—impaling the first wolf's chest.
Thrak!
It collapsed, silver fur stained crimson, a dying yelp fading into the forest's whispers.
The shield transformed into a spear, its point gleaming with intent.
Ray thrust it forward, piercing the second wolf's flank, pinning it to a gnarled tree with a sickening crunch.
Gchk!
The third wolf, circling behind, aimed for his neck, its stealth betrayed only by a rustling leaf.
Super Intuition flared, and Ray tilted his body 45 degrees from the foot, evading the bite by a hair's breadth.
His spear morphed into a single-edged axe, and with a strong swing fueled by his falling body's torque, he severed the wolf's head in one powerful arc, its headless body crumpling to the mossy ground.
GRAAANK!
Ray exhaled sharply, sweat beading on his brow, his jade-green eyes scanning the silent forest. The kill count ticked to 49. "One more to go," he murmured, his voice a mix of exhaustion and resolve.
No sounds from Seraphina or Lilia reached him, the air heavy with the gate's eerie calm. Only the blood dripping from his Axe was heard.
Drrip... Drip...
Frowning, he tapped into Super Intuition's other application, a binary system which answers his queries in two options—True/False, Yes/No, 1/0.
Is there a monster around? Yes.
Is it in the east? No.
Is it in the west? No.
Is it in the south? No.
Is it in the north? No.
"So where the hell is it!?"
Is there a monster alive in the Gate? Yes.
"Wait… Don't tell me." His pulse quickened.
"Is it the Boss?" YES.
...
High atop a towering tree, its four-foot-thick branches cloaked in lush, dense foliage, two figures stood on a sturdy limb, their gazes fixed on Ray below.
Lilia, the Demon Elf, radiated an ethereal allure, her shimmering silver hair cascading in a high ponytail, catching stray sunlight like a halo. Her ruby-red eyes, wide with concern, gleamed with a protective fervor, her angelic face framed by delicate features. A dark mage robe draped over her form-fitting maid uniform, its black-and-white stripes hugging her voluptuous curves, her full, gravity-defying bust subtly straining the fabric. Two chubby elemental spirits floated beside her, their round faces mirroring her worry, their soft glow illuminating her porcelain skin.
Beside her stood Seraphina Ashworth, the Kijin-human hybrid, a vision of martial grace. Her fiery red hair flowed like molten embers, framing golden-red eyes that burned with stoic determination. Her athletic frame, clad in platinum-silver knight armor, gleamed, the metal accentuating her generous bust and long, toned legs. Her hands rested on the hilt of her sheathed sword, her posture erect, a war goddess ready to face any threat. The armor's sheen caught the forest's dappled light, lending her an aura both commanding and alluring.
Lilia's voice broke the silence, tinged with relief. "We should join Ray-sama now. He's cleared all the monsters in the gate, unharmed." Her ruby eyes softened, envisioning the safety of her master. "I need to return home and plan tonight's meal—perhaps his favorite herb-roasted venison."
Seraphina's response was sharp, halting Lilia mid-step. "No. One monster remains."
Lilia's eyes widened, her voice rising with disbelief. "You mean the Boss monster?" Her hands clenched, protective instincts flaring like a mother cat shielding her young.
"Ray-sama has already surpassed what most aura users could dream of! He doesn't need to risk his life further." Her tone turned accusatory, ruby eyes narrowing.
"You promised Master wouldn't face danger, Seraphina. What are you playing at?" She said, even changing the way of addressing from Miss Sera to Seraphina.
Seraphina's gaze remained unyielding, golden-red eyes piercing. "Limits bind ordinary people. Ray is extraordinary—far stronger than I was when I awakened my aura, with potential to eclipse us all."
Her fingers tightened on her sword hilt, memories of her own trials—blood-soaked battles, the thrill of survival—stirring within. "You've seen it, Lilia. His strength surges with every fight, his experience sharpens, new tricks unfold like a blade being forged. This gate is his crucible. The Boss will force him to awaken what lies dormant."
Her voice lowered, resolute. "I won't coddle him. He's my partner, my future, not my ward. If he stumbles, I'll intervene. But he won't."
Lilia's face flushed with defiance. "Spare me your nonsense! I won't let Master get hurt. I don't want to see him get back to return bloodied, always teetering on the edge of death!"
She stepped toward the tree's edge, her mage robe billowing, spirits humming protectively. Seraphina's next words stopped her cold.
"Look at him," Seraphina urged, nodding toward Ray. His face bore a radiant smile, brimming with thrill, anticipation, and raw satisfaction, as if the gate's dangers were the most exhilarating game he'd ever played. "He's alive in this moment, thriving."
Lilia's gaze softened, her heart twisting at Ray's joy, yet her fear persisted.
Seraphina pressed on, her voice a mix of challenge and disdain. "Will you steal his path because you dread his danger? Because what he finds exhilarating seems reckless to you? Just because you can't understand what is necessary for him what is not? Because you forget your place—that you're his 'slave', not his master?"
Lilia's breath caught, stung by the words. Seraphina's sneer deepened, her aura flaring, golden lightning crackling around her. She drew her sword, its tip grazing Lilia's throat—a stark warning.
"I don't care if you love Ray or if he loves you. I'll tolerate you because you're talented, with potential to stand beside him. But if you overestimate your worth and dare to chain my beloved, stopping him from ascending because you think it's 'unsafe.' I'll eliminate you."
Lilia's lips parted, a protest forming, but Seraphina's unwavering gaze silenced her. Her ruby eyes flickered with conflict—love for Ray, fear for his safety, and grudging respect for Seraphina's conviction.
"I… I just want master to be safe," she whispered, her voice barely audible, spirits dimming. "But I see his joy, his growth. I won't stop him."
Seraphina lowered her sword, her aura subsiding, a flicker of approval in her eyes.
"Good. Then trust him, as I do. Let him forge his path." The tension eased, their bond as allies reaffirmed, united by their devotion to Ray, however different their expressions of it.
As Ray's silhouette vanished into the gate's central chamber, a low, guttural roar echoed from its depths, the air trembling with the Boss's presence.
Lilia's spirits flared, her resolve hardening, while Seraphina's grip tightened on her sword, both women poised to act if their trust in Ray faltered.
_______________________
To Be continued:
[Word Count: 2900]
A/N: I have low cringe resistance.