《Dungeon Overlord: Monster Girl Harem!》 Chapter 1 - 1: The Chimera Becomes A Dungeon Master! Darkness pressed in, thick and suffocating. A man with black hair and dull red eyes stirred atop a broken throne. He shifted, fingers trembling against the cold stone. Where¡­ am I? Drip! In the distance, he could hear water dripping. ''It''s probably a pool.'' The sound grew louder, echoing more often, confirming his guess. As he tried lifting himself, the man noticed broken stones and a crushed black slate on the ground beneath him. His eyes lowered to see how pale his hands looked, with thin wrists that lacked meat. ''Ugh¡­'' He tried shifting his weight but couldn''t put power into his body. Lost, confused. ''I should be stronger than this,'' was all he could think. His memories fragmented, like shattered glass, as if something was missing. This realisation caused him to panic. He forced himself off the ground, slamming his back on the cold backrest of the ruined throne. Thud! A simple question lingered in his mind. Yet, the man couldn''t answer. When did he come to this place? Was he transferred here? Who am I? The question stabbed at him, sharp and unanswered. Transferred? The word stabbed into his mind¡ªsharp, painful. Why does that feel familiar? While clutching his forehead, sitting on the throne, the man noticed a strange altar. He noticed a cracked blue crystal leaning against a tiered stone pit. The black stones were black, yet looked sleek and elegant for something in this run-down cave. Thanks to their faint glow, he could see more of the cavern. ''Strange¡­'' Shuffle~ The man''s body urged him to move, saying that the crystal was delicious and that he needed to touch it. Unable to stop himself, he reached out. "Ah!" He exclaimed from the sudden pain. The sharp crystal shard sliced open his delicate fingertips. Crimson red. Drip Fresh blood oozed from the cut, staining the broken gemstone and streaming down like a serpent. Heat surged from the crystal¡ªalive and hungry. Leon''s veins burned as energy crawled through him, his pupils shrinking in shock. Snap He froze. A faint, wet growl echoed from deeper in the cavern, followed by the sound of something scraping against stone. "W-What''s happening?!" He blinked several times while grasping his wrist, unable to move it from the crystal. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and something strange appeared in his vision: a black screen with strange symbols and sigils written on it, like a notepad. However, that notepad wouldn''t leave the corner of his vision. ''Am I going crazy?!'' Despite wanting to inspect the strange characters, a loud sound echoed. Shatter The ground trembled, a slight tremor at first, before the humming gemstone hurled his body across the cave with a powerful force. "Argh." Thud The moment he hit the wall, his organs shifted. "Ugh!" A painful ache spread through his abdomen like electricity¡ªunable to break his fall because his weak muscles couldn''t keep up, he landed on the broken slates. Fire seared through his veins like lava. His skin cracked, flaking to reveal smooth, pristine flesh. Claws burst from his fingernails, embers sparking along their edges. His chest heaved, his lungs clawing for air. ''Damn it!'' The pain in his abdomen increased before reaching its peak, and a loud humming filled the cave, like a singer screeching in despair. He covered his ears, groaning as sticky, hot liquid oozed from his nose and ears. The slimy fluid covered his fingertips as he heard a strange voice speaking. Dust rained from above as distant growls echoed through the cavern. Leon froze. Something was coming. [#### #### ############ ######!] At first, it was quiet, like a whisper, before the gentle and mature female voice continued. ''Who are you?'' Desperate to resist the pain, he tried to resist, but couldn''t. The moment he stopped fighting, a flood of information came rushing into his mind. ''Stop, I cannot understand you!'' His head throbbed¡ªwords, symbols, sigils¡ªburning into his mind like brands. The flood of voices shifted, twisted, and then snapped into focus. He didn''t understand what they meant at first. However, he quickly understood their meaning and usage¡ªeven the phonetic sound became clear as he screamed out in agony and from the absurdities of his situation. "Argh!" A searing pain, like someone pouring molten steel into his skull and mixing it with a sharp claw. Then, all of a sudden, the pain vanished, replaced with a beautiful voice. This time, he could understand it. [Language Upload Complete: Demonic, Monster, Ancient, Elvish, Common.] All of a sudden, the strange panel that appeared at the corner of his vision, with its jumbled language, began to make sense. However, he noticed a timer slowly counting down and became anxious. ''Why is there a timer?'' [Time Remaining: 01:10] Leon''s chest tightened. The timer blinked in the corner of his vision, its steady countdown hammering into his skull. Think. Move. His fingers trembled as he struggled to reach for the option. His mind was still empty; the strange runes now made sense. [You have received a second chance! ¡ª Accept the chance?] "What?" To suddenly learn that he seemed to have died, yet having no recollection, caused his head to become white and empty. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet, the ticking timer didn''t allow him to stop. [Yes] [No] [00:52] Less than a minute remained, and the clock continued to drop, causing his body to rush to its feet. He almost stumbled once more. The once-broken gemstone is now glowing a dark purple and whirring with a mysterious aura. [00:46] The countdown flashed, each second hammering in his ears. Leon staggered forward. Think! His fingers trembled¡ªno time to hesitate. His mind held mysterious knowledge from earlier, places, terms, and information that didn''t seem related to this world. ''But I know and understand them.'' The mysterious knowledge told him that this would never become a bad thing for him. Even if he died again, if he died once, could he blame anyone but himself? [00:10] Leon''s breath hitched. His fingers slipped¡ªonce, twice¡ªbefore slamming the screen. Don''t think. Just press it! The moment he noticed the clock, his heart almost stopped. [00:02] Two seconds left. He slammed his hand onto the screen¡ªhard. ''I almost died.'' However, the moment he recovered his senses, the broken crystal shattered into thousands of shards, violently swaying inside the obsidian stone pit. The crystal howled. Violet shards swarmed like hornets, slicing through the air. The fragments snapped back into place¡ªbeautiful. Terrifying. "Huh?" He suddenly grabbed his head, feeling a jolt of pain, followed by another, until he dropped to his knees. A pain like being struck by a hammer repeatedly. The man tried to endure the feeling of his skull cracking from substantial amounts of information and a strange tingling energy. It was the purple mist¡ªonce the crystal seemed repaired¡ªthe mist began pouring into his body. [Congratulations.] [You chose life against all the odds.] He couldn''t fully understand the words because his mind began to fade. Darkness clouded his eyes, and the soft female voice became like a lullaby. [You have accepted the role of Dungeon Master¡ªWelcome to your dungeon.] ''Wait.'' [Current Location: Gladius Kingdom (Outskirts)] [Warning.] [A low-level monster is attacking your dungeon.] ''Don''t do this.'' [Please Survive.] ''Damn it.'' The male''s consciousness faded, and his mind still tried to focus and understand the current situation. Yet, the moment the purple mist filled him, his body began to shine. [Congratulations.] [Specimen 69: Evolution Complete ¨C Form Unlocked: Inferior Chimera.] [Transferring all dungeon control to the Master.] There was a sudden silence¡ªthe form of the male changed. His face twisted in pain while his veins boiled like liquid tar. Something changed inside him as his skin peeled, revealing a smooth and silky, soft layer. The man transformed from his previous self. His dull blue eyes suddenly became vivid and shone with a slight azure glow, creating a trail of light when he moved his gaze. "I am going to vomit." He felt intense nausea, immense pain, heartburn, and a tight chest. The man felt different¡ªhe could feel his body become stronger than before, his fingernails now glossy claws with flaming gems embedded into them. And when he focused on them, small threads of flaming silk grew from their tip. ''What happened to me?'' In front of his eyes, he saw a strange screen that caused him to freeze on the spot after dragging himself to his feet. Before he could focus on more than his name and a few details, the ground trembled¡ªnot from the crystal this time. A low snarl echoed through the cavern as glowing red dots appeared at the entrance of the dungeon. ¡ª¡ª [Name: Leon (Specimen 69)] [Class: Dungeon Master] ? Level: 1 ¨N EP: 0/200 ¨N XP: 0/200 ¨N DP: 0/1000 [Race: Inferior Chimaera] ? A failed attempt to create the strongest magical creature. ? Your life force is weak because of the failed experiment. ? Lifespan: 7 Days [Chimera] ? Fae ? Djinn ? Arachne [Passive] ? Can produce a sticky, adhesive webbing. ? Slow Mana regeneration that speeds up in natural environments. ? Able to copy skills and magic when analysed fully using Fae and Djinn Pupils. [Element] ? Fire [Skills] ? Magic Copy ? Skill Copy [Spells] ? Fire bolt¡ªHurl a small bolt of fire at a creature or object in range. [Stats] ? STR: F [0/100] ? VIT: G [85/100] ? DEF: F [0/100] ? AGI: F [0/100] ? INT: E [0/100] ? CHA: C [0/100] ¡ª¡ª [Quest Started¡ªSurvive The Attack.] Chapter 2 - 2: Summon an Aide? The moment he saw the information on the screen, it felt crazy¡ªhow did this happen to him, and could he believe the words on the screen? ''Fae, Djinn and an Arachne?'' Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He remembered details about these bizarre races and understood the concept of his current situation, but it felt strange. There was a sense of disbelief brewing inside as he arranged his thoughts. ''No, that''s not relevant right now.'' [Warning! ¡ª Dungeon under attack] Suddenly, while trying to recover from the ache in his head, Leonhardt noticed a small image on the panels floating in his vision. The shape resembled a small series of caves in square blocks, one with a small crystal and blue dot. There was also a group of four flashing red dots, three square blocks away. He reached out and pointed to the red dots before the map zoomed in on the square block. ¡ª¡ª [Entrance¡ªBlock 1] [Enemies] ? Goblin A. B, C, D [Traps] ? Broken Trap [Monsters] ? None ¡ª "This is definitely a map, there is only one passage to this place from the entrance." He then pointed to each square room to check what remained, but everything said broken. There wasn''t a feeling of fear or worry¡ªsomehow, the male realised that after he pressed the red button, his feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety became dampened. Maybe this was why the screen called him a failed experiment. At least, he thought so. ''I should head out, too. I wonder how strong my body is.'' Inside his mind, thanks to the various information and knowledge the crystal gave him, he understood the ecology, habits, and lifestyles of the bloodlines he inherited, though he understood the principle of magic. But whether he could use it needed testing. ''Is this strange energy, like flowing water Mana?'' He could feel it¡ªlike a wild, untamed ocean. It flowed from his abdomen into his heart and then spread through his entire body. It felt powerful and warmed his body in this cold, damp cave. He stepped through the large archway, which had a broken stone door¡ªlikely the remnants of the previous owner of this Dungeon. The male curled his right hand, twisting and flicking his fingers. He could feel the Mana flowing and churning in him, while slight embers flickered from his fingertips. "Dungeon, what will happen if I cannot defeat the monsters?" [If the Dungeon Master dies, they will merge with the Dungeon Core and be reborn after 24 hours] [However, if the core shatters, both the Dungeon and the Dungeon Master will die.] A sense of irritation welled up in the Chimera''s chest. He didn''t want to die, but without memories of his past and only knowledge, he lacked full confidence. ''I just have to survive then and do my best to avoid mistakes.'' He took a deep breath, first closing his eyes for a moment to bring the information together. Thanks to the dungeon map being in the corner of his view, he could see the goblin''s movements. "Okay." With a calm atmosphere, his right hand became wrapped in a fire¡ªthe crackling and raging soothed his skin. ''This fire cannot harm me.'' The first formed a small rectangular shape, and the male could feel the movement of Mana more clearly with each passing moment. Step Although he seemed lacking in physical prowess, he found Mana naturally flowed towards his legs as he dashed towards the second square, zooming towards the goblins. "Where Crystal?" "Show Loot." "Dark cave, smelly." Before he reached the last square, now able to hear these voices and noise from a distance, the Chimera started gathering Mana into his left hand, creating a second Fire bolt. He suddenly felt a growing ache in his chest, followed by a tight sensation in his veins, as if someone grabbed them tight to stop the Mana flowing through them. Was he pushing himself too far? He didn''t know¡­ Instead, the man bit his teeth together and endured. ''Keep going.'' 1¡­ 2¡­ 3¡­ [You have gained the skill¡ªDouble Cast] Immediately after this sound echoed, he felt a sense of comfort and relief from the pressure, and the two flaming bolts started turning a darker red. The unused Mana began to flow back into his body, absorbed through his pores and towards his stomach. "Phew, I feel more confident now." Despite being called a dungeon, the entire place looked horrible¡ªeach square he passed through was full of cobwebs, broken traps, and disgusting rotten leather dropped years ago. Hack A loud sound reverberated before he stepped close to the last room. He found that the door still stood. Well, half of it. However, the goblins were attacking it with their makeshift axes. Small, green and blue humanoid monsters with figures like a young child or small adult and a lean build of muscle. The knowledge in his mind told him they were not a danger, and the screen to the right of his eyesight showed the same. ¡ª¡ª------------------------- [Gobbo A] [Race: Goblin] ? A weak type of monster that eats small animals. ? They like shiny things and living in dark, damp caves. ? Has low defence and intelligence but can be quite crafty. [Stats] ? STR: F ? VIT: F ? DEF: G ? AGI: E ? INT: G ? CHA: G ¡ª¡ª ''Though weaker than me overall, I should be cautious.'' In a swift motion, the male lifted his hands before they noticed. The two bolts of flame vibrated atop his palms. Woosh Two trails of heat shot toward two goblins attacking the door, holding stone axes. Sizzle "AH! Fire burn." The flaming projectiles slammed into the heads of the two closest goblins. Immediately, both heads combusted into a burst of flame as the goblins dropped, causing the others to startle and look around frantically. Instantly, the two goblins who saw their comrades'' heads pop rushed forward, screaming in a goblin tongue. "Die, Kill Ugly Monster." "Revenge!" The Chimera remained unfazed while facing these goblins, already starting to create more fire bolts in his hands. ''I felt nothing when killing those monsters, is this normal?'' He wondered. Still, it was undoubtedly due to lacking memories¡ªemotions required experience. Therefore, how could he even feel guilt? All he felt was the euphoria of gaining their Mana, which began to seep into his body and mixed with his current stream. Bang Both goblins met the same fate with a burst of fiery death in the face. The battle seemed easy, and the Chimera felt the slight weakness of casting four spells in a short time. "Phew." [Goblin Slain: 4] ¨N Gained 40 DP ¨N Gained 100 XP ¨N Gained 20 EP A sudden fanfare played in his mind as the male sat on a pile of broken rocks and leaned back, feeling a sense of vertigo as something strange happened. His body began to convulse and tighten¡ªhe felt hot and feverish for a moment. Immediately after, the beautiful voice spoke to him, showing information on the various screens in his vision. [Congratulations¡ªLevel Up!] [Dungeon Defence Complete.] ? Status Increased ? STR: F [20/100] ? VIT: G [85/100] ? DEF: F [20/100] ? AGI: F [10/100] ? INT: E [30/100] ? CHA: C [5/100] "Must run. Must Escape." "Huh?" He noticed a sneaky goblin that hid from the combat and suddenly began to flee. There wasn''t enough time, but as he reached out towards the fleeing blue figure, a burst of sticky webbing shot from his fingertips and latched onto its feet. He pulled hard and made the monster stumble over. With an idea, he formed another fire bolt atop his fingers before throwing it with all his strength. Pop Another victory, but now filled with many questions and wonders about himself. [Goblin Slain] ¨N Gained 10 DP ¨N Gained 25 XP ¨N Gained 5 EP "Well, I should head back." The man felt that he would be safe for a little while, and after a brief pause, he returned. Though, he looked towards the bright sky at the end of the distant tunnel for a moment. There was nothing he could do right now. In his hand was a small pendant, silver and shaped like an angel''s wing, with a red gemstone like his eyes. ''Hmm? What''s this?'' He checked the back and noticed a name imprinted, and it resonated with him. Thus, he made his choice. ''I like the name Leonhardt, or Leon for short.'' ¡ª¡ª------------------------- [Quest Complete¡ªSurvive The Attack.] [Rewards] ? Summon Random Dungeon Aide ? Gain 500 DP ¡ª¡ª------------------------- [Choosing Random Aide] [Progress 0%¡­ 15%¡­ 50%¡­ 90%¡­] [Complete.] [Would you like to summon your new attendant?] Chapter 3 - 3: A Succubus Queen Leon leaned back against the moss-covered wall, listening to the voice. Although he wanted to summon them, he held back. "Who would serve a master with a dungeon like this?" ''Oi, Is there a way to clean the dungeon up?'' [You can use the dungeon cleaning function, which will use DP to clean.] [You can repair broken traps using this function.] [Bodies will grant a small refund.] ''Hmmm, what cost to clean the entire dungeon and repair all the traps and doors?'' Despite thinking, it might be a waste or something useless. Leon didn''t want to summon his first monster to this dump. He stepped towards the main room with his crystal. However, he felt a strange sensation inside himself when the voice spoke to him, and the screen to the left of his vision began displaying various numbers and runes. ''This looks quite promising¡ªthe cost isn''t too bad, either.'' ¡ª¡ª [Dungeon Maintenance] ? Outgoings: 200 ? Incoming: 60 DP: 410 ¡ª¡ª [Starting Clean-up] The moment the voice sounded, Leonhardt''s eyes widened in shock at the sight before him. He saw the small broken rocks and obsidian slate crumble into shining dust, swirling into the air before it formed a beautiful obsidian slate ceiling. ''This service is handy.'' Leon watched the broken black throne with dirty red velvet become clean, like something sucked the dirt and musky mould from the fabric and dried it with hot air. Mysterious colours appeared in his eyes, causing him to feel amazed. ''These colours are the unique elements of Mana in nature¡ªhow amazing.'' He realised that the knowledge in his mind clashed with the world around him. Magic was foreign and strange to Leon. Even the memories in his head were the same. It was like a myth or legend. Yet, the idea of alchemy and potions felt natural and realistic when he sifted through his memories and thoughts. ''There is a faint scent of lemon and mint. Is this part of the cleaning process?'' [The air quality has improved temporarily.] [For a better quality of life, purchase a magical air filter.] "What?!" Immediately after he asked, various boxes flashed in the corner of his eyes before he fell back onto the freshly dry and warm throne. A soft, comforting sensation as his body bounced a few times from the magical memory foam cushioning. ''How is the dungeon able to do these things? It''s strange.'' He couldn''t quite understand the difference between the filters and their effects but knew that quality would be important in the future. [Magical Air Filter] [Basic] ? The Basic filter improves Mana regeneration and air purity by 20% ? A total of four Dungeon Squares per machine. ¨N 50DP [Intermediate] ? An intermediate filter that improves Mana regeneration and air purity by 40% ? The effect extends to ten squares per machine. ¨N 150DP [Advanced] ? The strongest Air filter! Improves Mana regeneration and air purity by 80% ? The effect extends to fifty squares per machine ? Critters, flora, and fauna grow faster and live longer. ¨N 300DP ¡ª¡ª Many tools appeared on the display, from weapons to things like hot tubs and pools. But what made Leonhardt focus on this machine was the Mana regeneration. Leon''s hand flickered with fire, creating four fire bolts before his chest started to ache, a slight feeling of tightness, before a fifth finally appeared. "Five is my limit right now." Although it seemed like quite a lot, the enemies would likely come more often in the future, and he would need to keep up with their pace. ''At least my muscles are slowly improving from the excess Mana.'' His lips pressed together while thinking about the outside world, and his grip on either arm of the throne tightened. Leonhardt didn''t know what existed out there. He only carried small amounts of information about humans, elves, dwarves, and monsters. Without rushing, he began to search through the trap catalogue and monster summoning tablet, but saw he couldn''t choose anything strong even if he wanted to. "To summon a single goblin, it cost 10DP. So even if they die, I regain the price back." He tapped his chin with a slight grin on his lips. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, his breathing growing deeper, and he began to calculate how he would set up his dungeon in the future. His fingertips clicked the Advanced Magical Air Filter first, and suddenly, a strange contraption appeared hovering in the air. "It looks rather interesting, though bigger than I thought." Pipes and crystal tubes, along with a massive intake and output, covered the massive metal body. He gazed around the room before picking the ideal place to put the machine. So it wouldn''t cause any issues in the future. Thud It landed with a bang and then seemed fixed to the ground and walls. Then, a moment later, a magical blue light shone from the purple dungeon core. Whoosh The moment it began to work, there was a howl of the fans starting up, and suddenly, a fresh, minty scent with a hint of lavender filled the room. [Mana Regeneration Increased 80%] He then closed his eyes with a sense of peace, leaning back on the comfortable throne and hearing the voice of the dungeon once again. ¡ª¡ª [Summoned 10 Goblins] [Defenders] ? 5 Shield Bearing Goblins ¨N 50DP [Archers] ? 5 Bow Wielding Goblins ¨N 50DP ¡ª¡ª "That should be enough for now, though they are weak and only level one. I should summon my aide and have them help me manage the dungeon in future." He wanted to explore the world one day, but without someone trustworthy, could he ever leave this dungeon? These thoughts flowed through his mind. [Would you like to summon your new attendant?] Leonhardt pressed the button in front of his eyes and felt a slight jolt of electricity before pulling his finger back in shock. It felt like a static shock. "Ouch." Instantly after, the purple dungeon core began to shine bright with a flicker of glowing specs forming the shape of a tall humanoid creature. He couldn''t help but swallow his saliva. The sound of his heart beating echoed throughout the room, and he felt a sweet scent flowing into his nose. ''What?'' There was a desired surrender to offer everything as the beautiful dark-skinned beauty with golden and black hair gazed at him with an emotionless face. She had long black hair, like an Eastern princess, a box cut fringe and bangs that framed her beautiful face, a small pointed nose, sharp eyes and a well-shaped face. For a moment, she gazed at Leonhardt¡ªat first. It seemed neutral before she snorted, lifted her chin, and turned to the side. Then, from her lower back, a pair of feathered, raven-coloured wings and a heart-tipped tail curled around her right thigh. "You, are my master?" The female spoke in a deep, elegant, yet aggressive tone, like a queen speaking to one of her subjects. A slight vibration followed her words, causing the air to tremble. ''This woman, who is she?'' [Displaying Information on your Attendant!] ¡ª¡ª [Summoned Aide] [Name: Zafira Anuket] [Race: Demon] [Rank: SSS] [Class: Succubus Queen] ¨N Level: 100 ? A type of demon that specialises in dark and mental magic ? Born with the most charming bodies and talented in all forms of liberal skills ? Dangerous and insatiable. Tread carefully. ? Daughter of the Demon Emperor [Loyalty: 0] [Affection: 0] ? Currently Cannot Leave The Dungeon [Low Loyalty: Danger of Rebellion] [Low Affection: Danger of Retaliation] ¡ª¡ª Because it took him a moment to speak, the succubus queen narrowed her already sharp and fierce gaze and glared at him. "Can you not speak? Great! How could my Master be such a flawed existence?" Although Leon didn''t like her response, she was far too powerful for him to antagonise her right now. ''Dungeon Wife, is there anything I can do to make her obey me?'' [Dear Master, I am not your wife] [To improve relations with high-grade summons, you need to work hard!] ? Speak to them and improve your loyalty naturally! ? Buy them gifts or shower them with praise! ? Beat them into submission and show them who the boss is! ? Improve yourself as a dungeon master¡ªthen their minds will change! ? Kill them! ¡ª¡ª There was nothing he could do in a short amount of time. Instead, he would try to take his time despite the short time limit of his life, which made him feel a sense of urgency and, at the same time, reckless. "I am Leonhardt. The Master of this dungeon, well, it''s a pleasure to greet you." "Hah! You''re not even level ten. I will listen to you for now. Be grateful!" Though he didn''t enjoy her attitude, there was also the knowledge and information regarding Zafira from the dungeon that allowed him to understand. This succubus lived a life of luxury as the daughter of the Demon Emperor on the southern continent. But suddenly, Zafira was summoned to some small dungeon in the human lands. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You are free to relax since there is nothing else to do." Zafira''s sharp eyes widened in shock as she observed the dungeon master who acted so lax. She shook her head and narrowed her gaze¡ªit was too soon to judge him. [New Quest Added: Shape up or ship out.] "A tough woman." Leonhardt''s emotionless eyes glanced back at the succubus before he read the information added to the quest in the right corner of his vision. He then climbed from his throne and vanished from the room in a flicker of purple light. Chapter 4 - 4: Awakening I Three days quickly passed after Leonhardt awoke in the dungeon and summoned his servant. He spent this time increasing the goblin forces and placing them in each square. Once satisfied with the dungeon''s defence, Leon focused on studying the vast knowledge about this world and the memories in his head. It wasn''t something he wanted to do, but something needed for him to survive. A beautiful voice echoed in his mind, letting him know that, once again, monsters entered the dungeon to attack. ''I am sure the goblins can handle it.'' With the flick of his wrist, a small bolt of fire appeared, and this simple gesture was now enough for him to cast the spell of Fire bolt, but the magic still fizzled if his concentration was interrupted. Although his Fae and Djinn bloodline helped him regenerate and cycle the Mana around his body without effort, casting and maintaining spells still required training and effort. He focused his mind while a mote of Mana sparked in his abdomen before flowing to his fingertips. ¡ºOver a second, that''s too slow.¡» Snap The sudden distraction caused the flaming bolt to vanish. "Haa." A moment later, a cooling sensation filled Leon''s body as the surrounding Mana started to flow into his body through his pores, a feeling like being massaged all over his body. "The regeneration time has improved slightly." Constantly using and emptying his Mana increased the speed at which his body restored the Mana, which was something he had learned over the last three days. He used his idle hand to write the findings inside a panel in his left eye titled Notepad. For the past three days, he trained against the goblins, casting Fire Bolt and having them shoot arrows at him to build his ability to focus. When there were intruders, he joined them and practised his magic on monsters and beasts that invaded the dungeon. However, the goblins did most of the work. ''Thanks to those lovely green guys, I am now level four.'' He could now cast seven Fire bolts before his Mana became low. This improvement, almost doubling his total limit, made Leon feel more confident. The feeling of growing stronger while doing nothing was also quite awesome. Zafira seemed to enjoy bickering with him, and their arguments about dungeon management continued. Though she seemed to be a little haughty, he realised she offered plenty of good ideas and seemed to guide him in her strange way. "Master, don''t you think it''s about time you stopped lazing around?" Zafira''s sharp gaze and an elegant voice echoed through the main chamber. The sarcastic words made his lips quiver as he shook his head and turned to face her while tightening his hand into a fist. Leon spent the past three days memorising several languages and information about Mana and magic, as well as practising the movement of Mana and the manifestation of magic. Not to mention learning about dungeons from scratch. "Tsk." Leonhardt ignored how she spoke or looked down at him. Instead, he held some strange grass shaped like a shield and teased a small group of rabbits. Since the magical air filter started running, various small critters, such as rabbits, squirrels and wild poultry, such as turkeys and chickens, appeared. He couldn''t quite afford any major improvements to the dungeon, but now the Second and Third Squares had wooden walls and traps placed inside to stop intruders that passed through the main defence line of goblins. "I''m going to patrol, Zafira." Leon followed his daily routine of pacing through the dungeon, checking for any broken traps or places he could improve, and also building more friendships with the goblins who seemed to like him. Zafira remained in the chamber. Her attention lingered on the rabbits scurrying between clusters of moss and flowers. Her eyes, usually narrowed or showing a dirty look, instead softened when she watched them dart around. Leon watched the rabbits on his way out. All of them seemed to follow the larger black rabbit, but their numbers increased like magic due to the dungeon''s ability to use the filter. ''Should I create a separate space for them to roam?'' He felt they were helpful as predators like wolves, goblins, and kobolds chased them into the cave, only to die and gain more dungeon points. After transforming the dungeon, Zafira stopped lingering near the throne and moved to the far end of the chamber. She convinced him to add a small room just close to the entrance. Most likely because that was the warmest place that the rabbits preferred. Zafira took a deep breath, her sharp features relaxing slightly. "It''s not the pigsty it used to be," she murmured, her gaze drifting to the thriving greenery. It''s acceptable. " She nodded, glancing at Leon as if daring him to comment. Leonhardt raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The most significant change was the atmosphere of the dungeon. Beautiful, vibrant flowers grew from the walls, along with fresh-scented vines and sweet-flavoured fruits and berries. The new environment made the goblins more docile. Leon didn''t understand why, but when he gave them orders, they followed his words with less effort. ''Maybe they liked the atmosphere of the flowers?'' Leon finished his tasks while sitting on his throne with a rabbit on his lap, the black rabbit, which seemed a little smarter than the others. Suddenly, Zafira''s voice came from his side, but he didn''t know how or when she came close. "Are those weak creatures that interesting?" Zafira''s attitude toward the goblins and rabbits remained poor, but in the past two days, she has seemed less aggressive, and her affection and loyalty have increased. "They are helpful, and thanks to them, if our people starve in the future, there will be enough meat, fruit, or eggs." "Summoned Creatures don''t need to eat, and neither do Chimera. I don''t understand why you waste so much on these things." "Meep?" The lovely black rabbit stood on two feet and wandered beside Leon, rubbing against his leg as he stood near the exit. The next moment, its beady eyes stared at the succubus for a moment before turning up its nose. "Ungrateful pest," Zafira complained under her breath, but while watching the rabbit for a few moments, her lips curled into a smile. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I wasn''t going to hurt it¡­" A little time passed, and Leon returned from checking the dungeon. He leaned back against his throne, resting his chin on his palm as he watched her. Her expression was fleetingly soft, quickly replaced by her usual haughty actions, and his lips curled into a faint smirk. "They don''t trust you yet," his tone casual but laced with amusement. "They''re fools if they don''t," she snapped, standing upright and brushing her hands off as if discarding the moment entirely. Leonhardt chuckled softly. "Perhaps if you stopped kicking them, they''d reconsider." Her tail snapped up in irritation, and she turned to glare at him, crossing her arms and snorting hot air before turning away. "That one deserved it." Her gaze lingered on the doorway where the rabbit had fled. Leon''s eyes narrowed. His lips curled into a wide grin, amused that she reacted so strongly to cute things, and her face darkened with a red tinge. He watched her tail sway low, brushing against the floor and catching the attention of the rabbit, before leaning down. However, the moment she brushed the silky rabbit ears, she noticed Leonhardt''s gaze and froze, and the succubus quickly turned away in a huff. He couldn''t help but speak his mind. "You seem different." "Don''t read into it," she snapped, her tail flicking behind her. "This place is just a little more comfortable now, that''s all." Leonhardt leaned back, folding his arms. "If that''s your way of saying thank you, I''ll take it." "Hmph!" she snorted in response. However, the faint smile suggested otherwise, stroking the black rabbit as if to avoid conversation with him. Suddenly, Leon''s eyes narrowed before he turned to the entrance with an aggressive look. Leonhardt heard faint voices from the dungeon entrance, tense and accompanied by metal scraping on stone. ''Humans?'' [Warning: an intruder has entered the dungeon!] The warning sounded louder when it was for goblins or wolves, so Leonhardt stopped paying attention to Zafira, who looked crestfallen. Suddenly, an image appeared; it was blurry at first before it revealed a group of humanoids. They weren''t goblins but a party of two humans, a female with a staff and another female with long, pointed ears. ''What are they?'' [The enemies appear to be Adventurers] The moment she said the word, a smaller box appeared in Leonhardt''s right eye, displaying details about the so-called adventurers. [Adventurers] ? Citizens from the human, elf, and dwarf kingdoms who fight and slay monsters. ? A strength that varies from a low-rank E to the immeasurable rank SSS+ ? Can use various weapons, skills, and magic. ? Earn money for killing the monster. ¡ª¡ª ''Somehow, this seems dangerous to leave to the goblins, right?'' He felt irritated because, right now, the powerful level 100 succubus stood beside him, trying to coax a rabbit from his bedchambers, but the rabbit seemed to enjoy the soft quilted pillows on the bed. ¡ª¡ª [New Quest Added¡ªShape up or ship out!] ? The succubus Zafira doesn''t trust or like you¡ªensure that you reach at least a friendly state before a week passes! [Rewards] ? Allows Zafira Anuket to control the defences of the dungeon ? Increases Zafira''s Loyalty by 10 ? Stops Zafira from betraying the Dungeon Master for 1 month ¨N 1000DP ¡ª¡ª The moment he complained mentally, Leonhardt gazed at the question for a moment in the corner of his left eye while standing on his throne. At first, his legs felt a little heavy and started to ache with the feeling of needles stabbing them. Crack With the crack of his stiff bones, Leon walked towards the entrance with a strange smile on his lips. ''Let''s see these intruders and decide how to deal with them.'' However, contrary to his thoughts and brilliant smile, the inside of his mind and chest were ice-cold. There was no desire to let them go because they were killing his precious goblins. ? Goblin Archer 1 Has been slain! They killed the first monster he summoned, and despite them being expendable, Leonhardt felt irritated about his death. "I should punish them harshly, after all, those goblins worked so damn hard for me." As he climbed from his black throne and walked towards the entrance with a slow and graceful form, inside the depths of his calm eyes a dark flame flickered. Chapter 5 - 5: Awakening II Leonhardt knew that he could revive the dead goblins using dungeon points later on. However, since being born, they were the ones who helped him train and expand his knowledge of magic and his limits. Their loss couldn''t be underestimated or ignored. He walked through the Third Square at a brisk pace, looking at the palisades and wooden defences created by dungeon points and the goblins building them. "Master!" "At ease, prepare for combat¡ªhave the archers stand on that wooden ledge behind the walls." "Yes Master!" Leon didn''t plan to bring the deepest members of the dungeon with him because, on the off chance, he failed. After all, the enemy intruders might be stronger than he expected. He reached the Second Square in a few moments after giving orders to the goblins. Immediately, he could hear the distant sounds of goblins grunting and growling, along with the common tongue spoken by humans and other realms. In the third square, there were many spiked spears on the walls, but he refused to let the first human invaders go this far. ''Calm down. It''s just the same as killing wolves!'' Leon''s eyes flicked towards a group of goblin warriors who bowed to him, their bodies shuddering slightly each time the sound of metal colliding echoed through the halls. "Come with me, support your brothers." Though he could cast magic when focused, Leon''s nerves started to affect his confidence. "Haa." He took a deep breath near the entrance of the First Square, his hand placed on the wooden gate, a defensive structure created to stop people like rogues or thieves sneaking or rushing through. The moment he became calmer, all his thoughts started to become more focused. Leon opened the dungeon map and checked the details of the first square to determine his enemy and how many goblin forces remained. Enemies ? Human Male (Axe + Shield) ? Human Male (Sword + Shield) ? Human Female (Staff) ? Elven Female (Bow) Traps ? Arrow Traps x2 Minions ? Goblin Archers: 4 ? Goblin Guardian: 5 The humans didn''t seem overly strong because they struggled against lower-level goblins. To ensure the wolves and other monsters chased the rabbits into the dungeon, Leon placed the weakest goblins at the entrance. At the suggestion of Zafira, he let goblins who levelled up move to the second square, and if they worked harder, they could guard the third square just before the throne room. "Don''t protect me! Stop the humans from killing your brothers. I will reward those who succeed." ''Dungeon Wife! Help me with this fight!'' Leon couldn''t die unless they shattered his dungeon core. He planned to use his image as a kind and caring leader to improve the morale of his goblins. If his death could help boost their support and loyalty, he didn''t care. This particular choice seemed to make Zafira amused, but she also didn''t deny it was a good idea for a weak dungeon master with no other choice. [I am not your wife, Master!] [But, here are several methods to ensure a smoother victory!] Suddenly, like a pop-up, a [Store] page opened, causing him to halt his movement. He stopped to check the shop interface, which appeared when he asked the dungeon system for help. Leonhardt didn''t know if she was supposed to help him so much, but he wouldn''t hold back if it could help him become stronger. ¡ª¡ª [Tome of Fire Wall ¡ª 150 DP] ? Creates a wall of flames that stop projectiles and burns those who touch it. [Tome of Blazing Missiles ¡ª 150 DP] ? Channel Ten searing missiles at the target, dealing high-fire damage [Elixir of Lesser Intellect ¡ª 200 DP] ? Increases Intellect by 50 points. [Elixir of Lesser Strength ¡ª 200 DP] ? Increases Strength by 50 points. ¡ª¡ª- Immediately after the items flashed, highlighted by a bold background, a confirmation box with floating green letters appeared. Leon scanned the items, quickly tapped the button, and noticed that the system had chosen the items he needed most for this specific situation. The moment he accepted, a sudden jolt of electricity zapped his head, causing him to stagger. "Master?!" "Lord, okay?" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ugh." Though the goblins seemed worried, Leonhardt couldn''t afford to answer them currently because his head throbbed like someone hit him with a blunt axe. What followed was his knowledge of magic, theory and magic circles related to the two spells that his creator imprinted in his memory. The feeling was like a small drill poking his brain and filling it with hot glue. While he leaned on the wooden palisades, he found two bottles that clanged together in his hands suddenly, one with a purple colour, the other red. "I should quickly take them." The purple intelligence elixir tasted sweet and bitter, like fresh raspberry, while the red potion carried a refreshing apple taste. "Quite delicious¡ª" Suddenly, after taking the potions, the pain overwhelmed him. He could feel his veins burning as searing lava tried pushing through, widening them. As he grunted, Leon''s face became covered in thick sweat. His forehead hit the wooden walls, causing them to wobble slightly. ''Her suggestion was useful.'' His blood vessels expanded, while the second option seemed to make his muscles cramp and convulse, while he scrunched his eyes tight. "Damn it." With a long sigh, his lips expelled a thick cloud of hot, sizzling air. His eyes opened, and his beautiful red pupils shone brightly. As his vision cleared up, the notifications of his improvements appeared on the panels, but he shook his head and cleared his throat. ? STR: F ¡ú E ? INT: E ¡ú D "I''m fine¡ªlet''s head into the room and help our brothers. Mana brimming and almost double the previous amount, Leon''s eyes narrowed, and he was able to enjoy the improvements of his three-day efforts along with the potions. He worried that spending three days focused on training might lead to his death. With only four days to go, his nerves grew larger with each passing day. ¡ºEvolution is the only way to survive.¡» Leon could hear the human voices sounding more confident, and he shook his head; this wasn''t the time to dwell on his current state¡ªgazing at the five goblin warriors behind him who looked confused and concerned, he gritted his teeth. "Let''s go." With a loud bang, he kicked through the door and rushed into the First Square. Chapter 6 - 6: Awakening III Meanwhile, in the first square a few moments ago, the adventurers became more confident after killing their first goblin and pushing past the first wooden palisade wall. "Hah! Die you monster!" Flunk A human wielding a cheap leather set of armour and an iron axe lunged at a goblin guardian, chopping at its chest, forcing the goblin to block the blow desperately, falling back from the attacker''s weight advantage. With a follow-up, he snapped his wrist cut down with his axe and splintered the guardian''s shield as it lay on the ground, holding the shield with both arms. "Alex, kill the ones heading to the left wall!" The axe wielder''s face dripped with sweat as he panted, stomping on the goblin''s chest. "Gweek!" "Shut it!" Alex nodded to the male with the axe, hurrying past the guardian under his foot and rushing the unprotected goblin archer, his blade slicing through the air with a decent speed. The goblin archer panicked, stepping back to avoid the blow, but its silver tip sliced through the goblin''s right leg, and it tripped over, slamming into the sharp rock. Thud The moment Alex downed the goblin, one of the archers stood ahead of the other three. He drew the crude bow to its limit and drew an arrow at the human. "Don''t be scared! Shoot!" Four crude arrows soared through the air with a light whistle after the goblin grunted. The sudden counterattack caused the humans to panic. "Damn monsters!" Alex grunted before raising his shield with the loud sound of arrows piercing the cheap wooden buckler. Thunk-Thunk-Thunk! "These lowly goblins! Luna, can you take care of the archers?!" Alex called out, his body rushing to an outcrop of rocks and the damaged wooden wall created by the goblins. While the axe wielder finally struck the killing bow, cutting the throat of the grounded goblin, an elf appeared from the distant wall, hiding from the stray goblin arrows. Luna, who seemed to be an elven archer, stood with flowing blond hair as she drew back her longbow''s bowstring, a determined face as she stood atop an elevated rock. The moment she drew her bow, the swift and elegant arrow cut through the air like a flicker of silver light before it pierced one of the goblin archers through its forehead. "Urgk?!" Soon after the first goblin collapsed, her second arrow shot from her bow and killed another without mercy, leaving only three goblin archers. "Good job, Luna!" An excited voice echoed through the cave. A female in a white robe holding a staff cheered from the back, her nervous face now smiling. The humans seemed to have rallied together and started pushing the goblins back, with two archers and guardians dead. Thus, the numbers advantage vanished. "Alex, we should kill those disgusting monsters quickly!" The older male stepped forward, having killed his target, a grim smile on his face. "Yeah, these freaks love to attack young women, so we''re protecting the world." "That''s not true because goblins from the dungeon cannot reproduce." "Huh? Who was that?" A sudden, deep, almost monotone voice sounded from the dungeons, causing Alex and the other male to grip their weapons tightly. "My foolish goblins, pull back to the secondary wall. Have you forgotten the basic tactics I taught you?" "Someone helping the goblins?!" Luna''s eyes narrowed as her face twisted in disgust. Their victory was a few moments away before this strange voice appeared, and the goblins rushed behind another wall. "There he is!" The male with the axe shouted, pointing his axe at Leonhardt, who stood on the elevated platform behind the wooden wall. With an empty and unfeeling gaze, he observed the party of humans: an elven archer, two human warriors, and a human caster. "Guardians use your shields to deflect arrows, protect the archers." Leon''s order caused the guardians he brought and the three surviving goblins to growl loudly and step onto the wall, protecting the two remaining archers. "Who is this guy?" "Why is an elf helping goblins, it doesn''t make sense." Luna screeched before drawing her bow to the limit and aiming at Leon with an arrow. Swoosh The arrow cut through the air, swirling with a slightly green glow at the tip, while Leon''s eyes narrowed, taking in the entire view. The corner of his lips curled up before he reached out with a single arm, pointing towards the human with a staff. "Block it," Leon muttered. ''Her Mana is the highest. She is dangerous.'' Thwack Luna''s arrow, inches from Leonhardt''s eye, was stopped in its tracks by a thick wooden shield. The two goblins beside him blocked the arrow with their shields. Though the force caused their bodies to recoil, Leon''s lips curled into a wide grin. The human warriors seemed to realise something and started rushing forward. "Hurry. He''s going to attack." "That bastard is a mage." Mana swirled through Leon''s abdomen, a pleasant sensation like releasing urine at the last moment or ejaculating. The ferocious flaming Mana pushed through his veins like a raging tide before reaching his fingertip and creating a blue flicker. ¡ªBlazing Missiles Because the two males rushed forward, protecting the priestess who stood in the back line, and using the slight elevation, Leon could easily target her with his magic spell. A rain of fiery bolts zoomed past the two warriors, who tried to reach out with their shields to stop the attack before the fiery bolts struck the priestess with golden hair. "Argh?" The bolts were blunt, not sharp, and caused immense kinetic damage. They sent the priestess flying back into the wooden walls before the flames billowed and burst into flames. "N-Nora?" Alex screamed as a priestess clawed at her chest and reached out to Luna, who stood a few metres to her side with a shocked look on her face. "Keep your eyes on your enemy, human." The moment Alex turned his back, the two goblin archers drew these bows and shot a pair of arrows at the male''s back. Shlick "Argh¡­ Ahhh¡­ My leg." Newbie adventurers didn''t suffer many setbacks, so the moment the dirty and crude goblin arrow penetrated the warrior''s thigh, he crumbled to the ground before the second arrow caught him off guard and penetrated his chest. "Urk." "Eh? Alex, hurry and drink a potion." However, Leonhardt''s wrists suddenly shot a sticky webbing towards the glass bottle that Alex fumbled within his hands¡ªsnapping his wrist back. The bottle landed in the hands of Leonhardt, who then passed it to one of the injured goblins. "I warned you to pay attention." Once again, the magnetic voice echoed from the wooden walls as the remaining human and elf watched him with trembling limbs. "L-Luna, you need to run, hurry and run." A scream full of rage, anger, and anguish. The axe-wielding warrior rushed forward and protected the elf, who hesitated and watched him with her trembling pupils, unable to move. "Did you think I would let you?" Since the moment he appeared, Leon hadn''t been as calm as he seemed¡ªLeon tried his best to focus and attempted to cast his magic, but the spell fizzled due to his nerves, especially when the elf fired an arrow at him and froze momentarily. Thankfully, he could remain calm on the outside and order the goblins, ''Tsk. I need more practice.'' Before the elf or warrior realised what he planned, finally, the Mana in his body followed his orders fully, the fear gone, and now the excitement and another emotion he couldn''t quite grasp caused him to become more focused. Woosh ¡ªFire Wall A huge flaming wall covered the entrance door, and its thick, raging fire illuminated the dark cave. The crackling wall of flame ignited the broken wall, creating a deadly trap. The raging flames consumed the air to stop anyone from escaping. "W-Why? You''re an elf like me." Luna the archer lost her will to fight. Her thighs trembled while the warrior rushed forward, shouting and trying to help her regain some semblance of focus. "Go, Luna." "B-Blake?" "You see, when did I say I was an elf, young lady?" Leonhard spoke to the elf, trying to calm his excitement and nerves. He was close to victory and didn''t wish to make a mistake. While the human rushed forward, his body glowing red as his speed increased, the goblin archer who stood at the front earlier stepped onto the wall. His bow slowly pulled back until fully drawn, and the warrior leapt into the air, holding his axe over his head. Twang "Eh?" The warrior''s pitiful voice echoed as the black arrow shot from the goblin bow stopped him in his tracks and penetrated Blake''s unprotected throat. Blake''s body dropped from the sudden force and smashed his head on a rock. The sound of his axe clanging on the ground after his hands became limp caused Leon to smirk. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Good shot, Gobbo." Meanwhile, watching the last member of her part clawing at his throat, the elf''s mind broke. Her eyes filled with tears, and her face was full of snot as she screeched and wailed, turning her back after tossing her bow and quiver. "You asked me why." Leon''s voice caused the broken elf to stop and gaze up at the brightly lit wall. The fierce goblins stood beside a handsome male on the wooden wall who looked down at her with an empty gaze. "Well it''s simple." He lifted his arm, and the goblin who shot and killed Blake started to draw his bow, the sound of it stretching louder than usual as if enhanced in Luna''s ears. "Because I am the Dungeon Master." Leon dropped his arm while showing a distorted smile that covered half his face, but the elf couldn''t think or respond before the goblin''s arrow had already penetrated her neck. With the battle over, Leon gazed at the elf rolling down the rock with a shocked and terrified expression on her face, and he couldn''t help but shake his head. There wasn''t disgust or happiness, but his nerves seemed to have improved. An entire party perished. "Goblin Archer Three, you''ve done well to survive." "Master. Gobbo do well?" "You did very well, from now on, your name is Gobbolas." The moment Leonhardt gave the goblin a name, he felt a sensation of heat building within himself, and the goblin archer also glowed with a fiery aura. ? Evolution conditions met Before the pair could speak, their bodies vanished in a flicker of blue light particles and returned to the throne room for safety. Chapter 7 - 7: A New Life - Zafiras Interest The moment he accepted the choice to evolve, he felt like a hammer smashed into his body, displacing his limbs and muscles while a searing torch burned his brain. He didn''t know how long the pain continued before it started fading. Zafira perched herself on a nearby ledge, idly inspecting her nails. But her gaze kept darting back to Leonhardt, her brows furrowing slightly each time he groaned. Her arms crossed tightly, Zafira leaned against the wall, her wings fluttering faintly. "Tsk, weaklings," she muttered, but her eyes lingered on Leonhardt''s contorted face. For just a moment, her fingers twitched as if she wanted to reach out, but the next moment, Leon''s eyes snapped open. Leon awoke sitting on his throne while the succubus looked at him with the strangest of looks and spun to the side. "What happened?" Leon extended both hands, squeezing and clenching his fast, before taking a deep breath and punching the air with a light snap. He could feel a sense of vitality flowing through him as the fiery Mana bubbled inside his veins, full of life. ''My body feels so light.'' "You''ve changed," she said, her eyes scanning his figure. "Still insufferable, but slightly less revolting." Zafira flicked her hair back, avoiding his gaze as her tail twitched. "I see." His eyes narrowed, and he watched her quietly¡ªthough it was a slight change, he could feel that she didn''t reject him as much as before. With a sigh, he turned away and noticed all the screens and panels had vanished. They seemed minimised, and for the first time, he could clearly see the dungeon. Beautiful and vivid colours flowed from the plants, animals, and succubus who now gazed at him with dead eyes. "Hmph!" Zafira looked back at Leon for one last look before slapping her tail against the ground twice. She turned around quickly, but not before Leonhardt caught a faint smile curling her lips. "Ahem." Somehow, dealing with Zafira always made his throat dry; when reaching for some water, he noticed a muscular humanoid with dark blue skin. "You are?" "Gobbolas, Master!" ''Is this the same goblin from before?'' Suddenly, Leonhardt felt shocked¡ªthe short and childlike weakling now looked at least five feet tall with lean muscles, and a black longbow rested over his shoulder. "You look strong, what changed?" Leon flicked his gaze over the panel showing the details of this special goblin. ¡ª¡ª [Gobbolas (Unique Archer)] [Race: Hobgoblin] [Rank: Leader] ? A stronger evolution of the goblin race with greater knowledge. ? Has low strength and defence but excels with archery and agility. ? Improves the damage and organisation of all Goblin Archers [Stats] ? STR: F ? VIT: E ? DEF: F ? AGI: D ? INT: E ? CHA: F [Loyalty: 65] ¡ª¡ª [He evolved thanks to the name and inspiration you offered.] [Your actions have increased his potential and the future potential of all Goblin Archers!] Elated by the information that appeared when gazing at Gobbolas, made Leonhardt thrilled. Gobbolas was worth at least ten goblins because he cost almost nothing. "Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that, Zafira." Leonhardt tried to ignore her, suddenly returning from the side room. Normally, she would rest in the room created for the rabbits and squirrels, using food to tame them. However, instead, she gazed at Leon from the open doorway. "I don''t know, you just seem strange." "Strange?" he mused while watching her close the black curtain. He couldn''t understand her, so he gave up trying. Even though her affection and loyalty slightly improved, Leon was unable to see any considerable changes. ''Shouldn''t I check my changes?'' He thought while looking at Gobbolas, who looked happy with his new bow and body. "Gobbolas, can you take control of the goblin Archers and defend the Entrance and Square Two?" Leon didn''t know how far the new goblin could follow his commands because regular goblins could only obey simple commands. However, the eyes of the archer glowed brightly, and he nodded. "Yes, Master! Gobbolas will take care of it!" Leonhard watched the hobgoblin rushing to the entrance of the dungeon with light steps, although he wouldn''t become a god. He could feel at ease with the improvement in the defences, which made him feel more relaxed. He then focused his vision on the panel that showed his current state and felt a sense of worry about his longevity. Though he hid it well from the others, even Zafira, it was his main goal in reality. However, without strength, he would die either way. ''I wasted three days.'' The first thing that popped up was the information about killing the humans and what they granted him overall. ¡ª¡ª---------------------- [Human Warrior Slain] ¨N Gained 50 DP ¨N Gained 100 EXP ¨N Gained 20 EP [Human Priestess Slain] ¨N Gained 50 DP ¨N Gained 100 EXP ¨N Gained 10 EP [Human Fighter Slain] ¨N Gained 50 DP ¨N Gained 100 EXP ¨N Gained 10 EP [Elven Archer Slain] ¨N Gained 150 DP ¨N Gained 50 EXP ¨N Gained 30 EP ¡ª¡ª [Congratulations¡ªLevel Up!] ¡ª¡ª [Name: Leonhardt (Specimen 69)] [Class: Dungeon Master] ? Level: 5 ¨N EP: 50/500 ¨N DP: 220/1000 ¨N XP: 25/400 [Race: Inferior Mutated Chimera] ? A failed attempt to create the strongest magical creature. ? Evolved and survived against all odds! Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ? Fae and Djinn Racial abilities empowered! ? Lifespan: 20 Days [Chimera] ¨N Fae ¨N Djinn ¨N Arachne [Passive] ? Can Produce a sticky, adhesive webbing. ? Mana regeneration speeds up in natural environments. ? Able to copy skills and magic when analysed fully using Fae and Djinn Pupils. [Element] ? Fire ? Wind [Skills] ? Magic Copy, ? Skill Copy ? Dual Cast ? Claws of Fire [Spells] ? Fire bolt¡ªHurl a small bolt of fire at a creature or object in range. ? Blazing Missiles¡ªChannel Ten searing missiles at the target, dealing high fire damage. ? Fire Wall¡ªCreates a wall of flames that stops projectiles and burns those who touch it. [Stats] ? STR: E [80/100] ? VIT: E [30/100] ? DEF: E [20/100] ? AGI: E [10/100] ? INT: D [60/100] ? CHA: C [40/100] ¡ª¡ª "Wow." Leonhardt realised why he felt so full of power. His total Mana increased, and he was almost able to cast fifteen fire bolts now. Most of his physical attributes reached the E-Rank instead of their past F ranks. "20 days, somehow, feels too small." However, his time increased with evolution, which made him hopeful for the future. If one day it reached months, then years from days, Leonhardt wouldn''t be so stressed. ''I can feel Mana filling my body faster than before.'' Not only the amount, but the flow became faster and more natural, like a stream flowing down a mountain. Not only did he gain a great boon from human life, but now he gained knowledge from the monsters he killed thanks to his Fae and Djinn pupils. ''Is this a benefit of the dungeon wife?'' [I only helped you process the information faster.] [The Fae pupil absorbs physical and martial skills, while the Djinn eyes understand and mimic magic.] Thanks to this information, Leon could only smile, a slight weight off his shoulders, while he wondered about what to do next. [How about you try leaving the dungeon and exploring the surrounding forest?] He thought the idea might be interesting, but ultimately, there was something Leonhardt felt doubtful about. ''Would I gain DP outside?'' Suddenly, an image filled his vision, causing him to almost fall from the throne. The image showed a mountain range wrapping around a small village and then several forests. Leonhardt noticed a slight green glow from the mountains in the north to the entrance of the village, which made him curious. ''What''s this?'' [The current authority of the dungeon!] Leonhardt stopped moving, his eyes suddenly gazing at the map. Although most of the forests on either side were red, there was more green land leading to the village. The forest looked full of life and likely monsters. ''Wife, by chance, do the green parts mark where I will gain DP?'' [Correct!] [To increase the area, you must enhance the dungeon size using DP to purchase new land!] All of a sudden, he saw the path to making the crafty succubus bow to him and complete her quest for more money. ''Fine, buy me land.'' [Error¡ªYou are too poor.] "Eh?" Chapter 8 - 8: Expand! Oh Dungeon~ "Fire the Arrows! Gobbo!" A large volley of arrows flung through the forest¡ªblack arrows with red feathers and smeared with poison, howled through the air. Only a moment later, they drilled through a pack of grey wolves. [15 Gale Wolves Slain] ¨N Gained 150 DP ¨N Gained 300 XP ¨N Gained 55 EP Gobbolas stood at the head of the goblins, holding his longbow as he drew it fully before releasing an arrow at the leading Alpha wolf from the Gale wolves. Woosh The Alpha stood with a body close to two metres in size, with several arrows piercing its body¡ªit tried to run towards the goblins near the dungeon entrance. Thud The wolf''s skull exploded from the steel arrow, penetrating its eye socket and popping the gooey ball. A small wolf whimpered before the battle ended. [Gale Wolf Alpha Slain] ¨N Gained 150 DP ¨N Gained 200 XP ¨N Gained 10 EP ¡ª¡ª------------------------------------------------------ Meanwhile, sitting on his throne while creating small embers of fire in the shape of letters to practise his Mana manipulation. Leonhardt gazed at the panels in the corner of his vision, waiting for the right amount of DP to buy land. The cost increased depending on the land bought; some cost hundreds, thousands, but the closer to his dungeon core, the more affordable. "Oh, I levelled up!" Leonhardt gazed at the changes in his attributes while enjoying the warm sensation of power flowing through his body. His strength reached D Rank, and his Mana instantly refilled. He noticed a trend in which all C rank attributes increased by 5 points at each level, while D rank increased faster by 10. "What are you doing this time?" Zafira''s curious voice echoed from the elegant table and chairs Leonhardt bought because they were on Sale. The full kitchen set was placed in the spare room beside his. He eyed Zafira from head to toe, curious about how she became more alluring and sexy each time she appeared. Were her thighs always so thick? He wondered while remembering her affection increasing when he bought the set. Leon could only sigh that a single point made him happy. "Watching a legend in the making," Leonhardt exclaimed with shining eyes while watching his goblins moving towards the eastern forest. "You mean that dumb goblin?" "He isn''t dumb, his archery will spread throughout the known world one day!" "Hah." Zafira sighed and turned away. Their interactions felt like this recently, although Zafira helped clean and maintain the dungeon without complaint. But when she finished, the rabbits would escape to Leon''s room, causing her to become irritated and take it out on him. Because it was a normal occurrence, he ignored her and swiped the screen to the land purchase screen. ''Wife, where can I buy land now?'' [If you keep calling me your wife, I will take half of all your earnings.] ''But we signed a prenuptial!'' [¡­] Immediately after taking the lovely voice from the dungeon core, he noticed the map changed, and several spots that were red before had now turned orange with a small icon. [For Sale] appeared over them. He could buy almost anywhere within a certain range of the dungeons, and each square differed in size, but the smallest was 100 metres x 100 metres. The most expensive slots were the four around the current dungeon core room. ''Why do I benefit from buying the outside land?'' [A dungeon''s Rank only increases when the internal dungeon grows. External land isn''t counted] Suddenly, learning about this feature made him wonder if increasing his Rank would be a bad thing. Instead, he studied the system further. ''Can you show me more information about the dungeon and my surroundings?'' [No problem, Master!] Thanks to the system and the knowledge that lingered in his mind, Leonhardt gained immense amounts of information about the world and its past. The human kingdoms that lingered around his dungeon were never at peace, always fighting against each other or within themselves with revolts, wars, and rebellions. Thus, he thought creating both a dungeon and a kingdom to protect that dungeon would be the smartest thing to do. At least in theory. ''I will need to take it slowly, gain the forest and farm DP and EP.'' He then started planning to use Gobbolas to improve their archers with training and his abilities, but the main issue was that their fighting force couldn''t be made of only ranged troops. ''Maybe I should evolve a goblin warrior.'' The memories and knowledge which Leonhardt gained seemed to carry a useless number of trivia and knowledge from strange things called movies, and the genre was quite specific. ''Ahem, Ex-Wife!'' Leon tried to be smart, but there was only silence. He tapped the three squares attached to the dungeon entrance. This cost him a total of 500 DP. However, he wanted some more advice from the dungeon''s wife. There was a limit to how far he could push the mysterious woman. ''Though I know she isn''t always here. It''s lonely when she''s gone.'' Leon discovered this the other night when Zafira woke him up with her snoring. He tried to contact the dungeon for hours but received no response. Because he couldn''t sleep, he woke Zafira up and mentioned that she was snoring. However, the person in question denied she snored and gave Leon a black eye. [Are you sure you wish to purchase these lands?] A cold, mechanical voice, not the same as the usual sarcastic wife. He didn''t hesitate and tapped the accept button that appeared in front of him. There wasn''t any reason to increase the dungeon depth. So he chose the forest instead. ¨N Used 500 DP Suddenly, the dungeon began to tremble, and the number of squares allotted for the Magical Air Filter dropped by three. [Squares Remaining: 43/50] ''Oh? The Mana regeneration and critter bonus is applied to the outside!'' S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt bought the square ahead of the entrance and to the east and west. His land acquisition now encompassed a significant portion of the western and eastern forests. This situation allowed his goblins to create a small outpost to farm monsters. "I should give Gobbolas some orders." Meanwhile, Leon continued his current actions, unaware of Zafira''s strange gaze. Her golden eyes were drawn to whatever the handsome chimaera did. ¡ºHow did he increase the dungeon size so quickly?¡» The mysterious actions of the Dungeon Master slowly began to draw her attention. Zafira stood from her table and began to walk towards the entrance. She used her long tail to flick the overgrown flora and plants, trimming them back to make each square more beautiful. "To think he could make such a vibrant dungeon, what a strange man." Zafira stood at the entrance, her gaze narrowing. She was able to see thousands of metres away and noticed the human village. Several people pointed in the dungeon''s direction, holding swords and bows. Zafira suspected that those pointing at the dungeon belonged to the group killed a few days before. "How will he manage to fight them off? They seem to have brought mercenaries." She momentarily thought, should I help him? Before shaking her head and curling her hands into fists and flicking her tail to the side¡ªthanks to the changes in the dungeon, she could leave the main room during times of no combat. "I could crush them." Not that she liked Leonhardt, but the dungeon was so calm and peaceful, no one tried to kill her or force her into marriage because of her bloodline. ''Having a handsome guy who doesn''t annoy me isn''t so bad.'' Her eyes always lingered on his figure, curious but confused. She rubbed the table he bought with a wistful look on her face, biting her lower lip. It was the first time she could buy her furniture, and she got too excited. Despite this, Leon didn''t complain and even set aside the DP to purchase the entire set, which was quite costly for a new Dungeon Master. Zafira bit her lower lips¡ªLeon left the room, vanishing further into the distance where she couldn''t follow and could only watch. However, the actual issue that irritated her was something else. But she could only slap her tail against the ground, creating a loud snap and stomping so hard that her hooves cracked the marble flooring. "Why doesn''t he ask me for help?" Chapter 9 - 9: Mysterious Forest In the northern reaches of the Gladius Kingdom, a small village borders the great forest of Luris. It was created by a former warrior named Garland Arlet, who achieved minor fame in the previous war against the Kingdom of Avaria to the far south. Arlet village, with over fifty years of existence, now the grandson of the hero, rules as the lord with his family. Once a village for young adventurers to grow and train themselves, becoming nothing but an old farming village. However, after many years, the news of a goblin threat brought fresh blood to this dreary and fading place. As the northern dungeon grew stronger, so did their notoriety. The young maidens flutter their gazes at the muscular and powerful mercenaries and adventurers who are here to fight the goblins. Young merchants and men wish to join them and travel the world to avoid being trapped here for life. Inside the damp, gloomy wooden house with two stories, a muscular man over six feet tall, a massive axe on his back, gazed down at the young village lord. Behind the village lord were three women: his wife and two daughters. Opposite him were the mercenary leader, Axel, and his vice-captain, Gale. "So, you spoke of goblins." A deep, reverberating voice filled the room, causing the lord''s wife to tremble, yet their daughter''s eyes lit up. This man was the mercenary leader, Axel. He led the Crimson Hawks, a medium-sized mercenary group with a silver grade. "A-Ah. Sir Axel, that is." The lord stuttered, with his pupils dilating in terror. Bang "Don''t call me sir, hurry and tell me the number and reward!" The bandit leader smashed the cheap, self-made table, cracking the dry, poor-quality wood. ''These damn peasants are calling me out for a stupid request!'' Normally, a goblin village would make a decent training ground. Especially for the younger members of a mercenary group¡ªthus, Axel, who had just hired ten new warriors, wanted to test them. "Here! This money is all we could gather, this year''s harvest was poor and¡ª" "I see." Axel didn''t hate the poor or the weak. But he hated wasting time. With a single look at the bag, his extensive years of training taught him the reward would be less than ten silvers. This level of reward couldn''t even pay for the recruits'' wages and training costs. "Gale, round up the fresh blood and have them prepare to attack!" "Boss? Another cheap mission?" The reason Gale only complained in passing was that the two came from a poor village. But in their case, nobody stopped to help them. Thus, the pair struggled to escape and survive those hellish days. ''I know you''re upset by that damn twisted look on your face.'' "Don''t give me that crap, Gale¡ªwe cannot always earn coin when there are no wars to fight." "Tsk, understood, boss." Meanwhile, outside the village, a small gathering of thirty men stood together around an enormous pot of boiling porridge. "Oh! Are these the new idiots who joined?" A male with short brown hair patted another mercenary on the back, his neck covered by a red scarf with a hawk badly stitched onto it. "Hm? Jeri, what are you doing back how was scouting?" The brown-haired male spooned the thin, watery porridge into a bowl and passed it along. "Damn, this crap tastes like a cheap whores arse!" Jeri complained before chuckling with the rest of the mercenaries, who agreed. "The enemy is powerful, but nothing dangerous around twenty green skins and one leader." Jeri continued to grimace while eating the porridge, while his gaze turned to the young males sitting across from him with eager eyes. Most of them looked dirty, a little weak or malnourished, but they all carried a flame in their eyes. ''Hmmm? Did we snag a runaway noble?'' He couldn''t help but find himself drawn to a strangely clean and handsome, fresh blood. Long, sleek black hair, vibrant ruby eyes and a black suit covered in a royal blue cloak. "Yo, Kid! Are you a noble?" Jeri called out to the handsome male. Then he noticed his slightly pointed ears, and everything made sense. "Yes, sir! I am Leon!" The male answered with a sharp, deep voice with an elegant and clear accent, something a poor commoner couldn''t imitate. ''An illegitimate child. Maybe he''s the bastard of some perverted noble who captured an elf.'' "Despite being a noble, where''s your damn weapon?" "Haha, I forgot!" Jeri''s lips twitched, feeling a sudden fire in his chest. This kid! "Tsk. I''ll keep my eye on you, use one of the reserve items." In reality, this wasn''t a group of horrible criminals. However, they accepted a dangerous contract that caused them to lose half of their elite group. They then tried to hunt an ogre who fled into a dungeon and lost twenty vigorous men. Now, they needed to nurture some new fighters. "Understood." Jeri closed his eyes and wondered how many of these kids would survive. The commoners glared at him dirty and didn''t like the noble. The group bought many of them with a few coppers, saved from death, and the ones like Leon came willingly. A healthy noble was better than a starving commoner. Leon didn''t seem aware, but the other recruits gazed at him with a seething anger¡ªsome grit their teeth, others clenched their fists. ''A fight will happen, as always.'' "Matt, I am gonna head out again. Tell Joyce to cook more slop for me." "Hahaha." The brown-haired male guffawed to himself, waving the male named Jeri away. Not long after Jeri left, the happy-go-lucky smile faded from Leon''s face as he slowly stood from the crappy wooden chair that made his buttocks ache. ''Damn, it stinks. Is this the mercenary life?'' He thought it might be interesting to sneak into their group instead of just killing them and causing the village to become alert. So, when he noticed an arrogant guy wandering in the forest, he killed him. ''Idiot called me a slave.'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed while rubbing his long ears, looking at the humans beside him. He couldn''t help but cover his nose. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unlike them, he didn''t need to eat, and his natural scent was like honey and vanilla, so smelling humans for the first time, he felt nauseous. "Where do you think you''re going?" One of the recruits spoke with a bad accent and short black hair. "Hmm, are you speaking to me, insect?" Somehow, Leon felt irritated by this human''s gaze. His fingertips, hidden by the cloak, crackled with flames as he almost cast a fire bolt and killed him on the spot. However, he held back. "Where are you going? They asked us to stand by." Leon didn''t like the aggressive and rude tone they spoke to him with, making his hands twitch and crackle with small embers of Mana. "I am going to get a weapon, like that old man told me." "Tsk, this is why I hate nobles." "He doesn''t understand¡ªleave it, Max." Leonhardt stopped his steps, looking back at the nine other recruits. Five turned away with fearful gazes, but the other four looked at him with anger, hatred, and dirt. "Why are you angry? I am doing as he told me." Leon''s clear and calm voice seemed to irritate the male further, and his forehead bulged with anger. "Kid, there''s no such thing as reserve weapons, hahaha." The brown-haired male from behind them laughed while calling out. "Jeri was just yanking your chain." Leon sat on the wooden stool and let out a sigh. He couldn''t understand humans¡ªsome made him feel warm, and others irritated him. But right now, Leon was unable to access the dungeon from here, so he could only meditate and observe the mercenaries. His pupils, shaped like stars, flickered with a purple aura as he switched between the training mercenaries, using his Fae pupils to absorb their knowledge and martial skills. ''Should I just kill them all now?'' Chapter 10 - 10: Goblin Assault! Shortly after meeting Jeri and the other mercenaries, a call brought the rookies together near the village entrance. The mercenary leader stood tall in his worn leather and chain mail armour, with messy hair and an enormous sword on his shoulders. He gazed at the recruits, most of whom trembled from his piercing gaze. They trembled from his aura alone. How many men had he killed? Leonhardt gazed at the man, who looked quite normal. His face didn''t drip with sweat like the other recruits. Instead, he compared the man to Zafira. Leonhardt didn''t carry a weapon like the others, who wielded rusted iron swords and makeshift shields. Meanwhile, the goblins didn''t join Gobbolas and were hunting in the western forest, constantly providing Leonhardt with a stream of experience, dungeon, and evolution points. ''I wonder how strong I am right now.'' Leon watched the smaller man beside Axel. After listening to the gossip earlier, he learned his name was Gale. He looked to have a speed-based combat style. Gale wore light armour with a cape that hid half his face, and his boots made no sound, even on the gravel. "Recruits, you will only get one chance to join our Crimson Hawks." Axel''s voice was extremely loud, almost causing Leon''s ears to pop because of their enhancements. ''Annoying.'' "We will not allow you to flee once you join us, so if you choose to give up. Leave now! Or our blades will slay you." "Understood!" "Yes Sir!" The recruits mustered a shout to the large male, but Leonhardt didn''t really feel the need to. Instead, he mouthed the words and cracked his finger inside his robes. There was a feeling of dread coming from the recruits. They wore cheap cloth and padded vests, with no one having full armour or anything like Leon, who wore a noble leather tunic and cloak. Leon could almost taste the sour scent coming from their bodies, lacking any personal hygiene. ''Hmm, I can sense Gobbolas and the other goblins. Have we come close to my dungeon?'' He peeked back and noticed that the mercenaries looked bored¡ªseveral of them held makeshift crossbows and crude bows. There wasn''t anyone with expensive gear apart from the leader with that huge greatsword. ''I want a cool weapon.'' "Hey, Max, this fool still doesn''t have his weapon, what an idiot." "Haha, ignore him, this noble upstart is going to regret it." The recruits seemed to have formed two groups: one with Leonhardt and the others who hated him for merely looking like a noble. Ever since Axel arrived, all of them stopped trying to hide it. At least, that''s how it appeared to him. "Get moving!" Axel yelled once again. Shockingly, the ragged men with beads and matted hair holding crossbows aimed them at the recruits! Well, the truth was that mercenaries were nothing like adventurers. It was at that moment that Leonhardt heard something that Gale whispered to Axel as he and the group of nine commoners began moving towards Gobbolas. "So, did you send someone to contact the guild to make the request, Gale?" "Yes, boss, it appears that the outpost and village are growing faster than we anticipated." Gale spoke with a muted yet rough voice while holding his neck. "The additional quest and warning was posted to the three local towns and cities by our new scouts." Axel''s voice became distant as he took a moment to respond, but thanks to being a monster created by two creatures with enhanced senses. Leonhardt could hear things like butterfly wings flapping over 1000 metres away. "Remember, once they start to run away, make sure you kill them. Do not leave any proof of our failure¡ªwe will never lose our members again." Axel''s voice vibrated with his emotions, an angry tone filled with irritation. "What about the noble?" "Heh, if he can survive, let''s give him a chance." "After all, rich kids can be worth quite the coin when held for ransom!" ''I see, that''s quite interesting. We were never supposed to survive.'' S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn''t feel any strange emotions¡ªin fact, since he became aware. Leonhardt felt the same way about killing monsters or humans. Thus, although he could understand what the emotions were, there wasn''t anything that compelled him to feel that way. ''They will become sources of experience, so let''s not allow those fools to kill them.'' The fools were the mercenaries, who were like moths to the flame. ''Since they want to play this game~ I''ll play!'' Leonhardt''s crimson eyes seemed to grow darker whenever he thought of these humans attacking his goblins and dungeon. It was like natural anger, something he couldn''t control. Maybe this was his only true emotion after being created this way. Meanwhile, outside the dungeon, Gobbolas perched atop a wooden wall. The goblins crafted spiked logs from the swiftly regenerating chopped trees. A wall that stood just over ten feet off the ground, using the planning and basic building book for idiots that Leonhardt bought for him. ''Master seems to have gone somewhere. I don''t understand Master well, but he treats me well.'' Gobbolas held his black bow¡ªthe sleek sensation of the metal wrapped around the leather grip in his narrow green fingers felt good. "Gobbo A move to the right watchtower!" "Gobbo C support the second group with building the second wall!" Outside, the dungeon now looked entirely different after an entire day''s work by the various goblins. A small village with seven wooden huts and a small area where they seemed to have tried preparing the land for farming. They created a large hut at the back of the outpost that blocked the view of the dungeon entrance. "Work, Work." "Build, Build." "Train, Train." "The Gobbo''s goes to war~" ''It seems that these new Gobbo''s like to sing while working, is it because they heard master singing to the rabbits and flowers?'' After evolving, Gobbolas began to develop intellect and wisdom, which increased the more he helped the other goblins grow. ''Master, what is your plan?'' Gobbolas closed his eyes, remembering the vibrant scene in which his master appeared and used fire and magic to crush the evil elf and humans who had killed his brothers. Those emotions and feelings on the brink of death still followed him as he suddenly heard a shout. "Humans." "Enemy here." "Master?" "What?" Gobbolas shook his head, his eyes snapping open and gazing to the southern area, where a group of ten humanoids started to approach. No, one of them was waving to them with a wide grin on his lips. ''Master, why do you seem so angry? Can Gobbolas help you?'' At that moment, with his enhanced vision, a perk of becoming a special archer, Gobbolas noticed his master was mouthing a series of words in Goblin''s speech. "My." "Children." "I''ve." "Brought." "Dinner." ''My children, I''ve brought dinner?'' Instantly, Gobbolas hit the black metal sheet, causing all the goblins to howl and make strange noises with their mouths. They rushed from the forest, both east and west, hopping onto the walls, grabbing bows and knocking arrows. This green mob was the army that Leonhardt was building. His lovely Goblins, who he named¡ªThe Emerald Guard. Chapter 11 - 11: Dont put Leon in the Corner Leonhardt felt the vibrations from the dungeon before a rush of DP and EXP flowed into him. His eyes swiped across the air, causing the commoners to gaze at him strangely. However, in reality, he was buying a powerful spell to kill Axel if something went wrong. He knew his muscles would soon cramp, so he used the two elixirs that dropped into his palms to improve the areas he needed to strengthen. ¡ª¡ª [Monsters Slain During Absence!] ¨N Gained 850 DP ¨N Gained 1500 EXP ¨N Gained 100 EP ¡ª¡ª Item Shop ¡ª¡ª [Tome of Cinder Blast] ? Creates a huge flaming ball that explodes on hit, dealing huge fire damage. ¨N 400DP ¡ª¡ª---------------------------------------- [Elixir of Vitality (Lesser)] ? Increases Intellect by 50 points. ¨N 200DP [Elixir of Defence (Lesser)] ? Increases Strength by 50 points. ¨N 200DP ¡ª¡ª---------------------------------------- The moment he popped the corks, a strong banana scene filled his nose from the vitality elixirs, and the defence carried a chocolate milkshake aroma. However, taking the two elixirs at the same time caused a dangerous reaction as his chest tightened. ''It feels like my eyes are going to explode!'' He couldn''t help but bite his lower lip and close his eyes tightly. Was this worth it? But Leon didn''t have the answer. His lips became pale from the pain of his muscles, bones and veins, overwhelmed by the sudden enhancement. "Ngh?!" Before he could adjust, his right leg became weak, and he almost collapsed before stepping forward and digging his left foot into the mud. With a frustrated expression, he clicked his tongue and took a deep breath. "Tsk!" Then, the goblins came into view of the other humans. "Oh my god. It''s a goblin village!" "They said it was just a few goblins. They have bows!" "Max, we should fucking run!" "Where the hell can we run, you useless prick? Those mercenary dogs have crossbows to our backs!" The argument started between the commoners. Leonhardt honestly couldn''t give a damn about their attempts to escape. However, his right leg remained heavy, like lead. He would never let the recruits who were worth a lot of experience and sweet dungeon points. His face covered with sweat and muscles lacking power, he noticed Gobbolas looking at him with his beady little eyes. ''Hmmm.'' The image of the wooden outpost, with dozens of goblins holding bows beside the huge hobgoblin Gobbolas, entered Leon''s sight as they entered the range of his arrows. Twang With the quiet sound of a bowstring rattling, the arrow flew like a ferocious bird. It shot in their direction before the heavy steel arrow. Stab An archer recruit behind them took an arrow to the neck while trying to knock an arrow and instantly dropped dead. His death caused great shock and commotion. Many commoners began sprinting away from Leonhardt, thinking it would help them dodge. A flicker of fire appeared under his cuffs, and the runes for the firewall spell appeared in his mind. Like a predatory hawk, Leon observed the group led by Max running to the left before laughing to himself, his lips curling into a wicked shape. He then cast the spell, forcing them towards the goblins or retreating to the mercenaries. WOOSH The wall of fire burst from the ground, creating a 30-metre wall from the west to the north, blocking Max as they panicked. "Wah?" Leonhardt shrugged his shoulders, watching the humans panic as he walked casually, humming to himself. He then grabbed the fallen crude bow and leather quiver with a dozen arrows from the dead human. "Finders keepers." Suddenly, the crossbow mercenaries moved closer, their cold steel bolts aimed directly at Leonhardt while Alex and Gale glared at him with cold eyes. "Why are they acting like that?" Leon whispered to himself before spreading his legs and aiming. ''I should learn how to shoot a bow. Are there any items to help me, Dungeon Wife?'' [¡­] [Book of Basic Archery] ¨N It teaches the user how to use a bow and basic knowledge of archery. ¨N 50DP ''What about the next level?'' [You are too poor!] [Are you buying it or wasting my time?] ''I''ll buy.'' Suddenly, Leonhardt noticed the magic of the dungeon seemed to surpass the mortal world. When speaking to his dungeon wife or choosing items from the store, the world slowed down to a fraction of its speed. "Amazing." It only took him until he drew his bow to the limit to understand basic archery. The angle and distance, even the wind, and how to calculate its direction and force. While he wasn''t an expert, he grasped the theory and noticed subtle changes to his muscles and posture and could feel the pressure on his arms and chest. "It''s time to hunt!" Leonhardt chuckled heartily, drawing his bow as the tension pulled against his strength. His index finger was above the arrow and middle below, ready to let loose with ease as his feet turned slightly outward and shoulders squared. Woosh The arrow fired like a falling star. It arced through the air and penetrated the throat of Max, who tried to escape in the panic. Blood splattered from his mouth, staining the grassy field red, and Leonhardt continued to fire arrows toward the weak and defenceless people, feeling as though the area within five hundred yards was completely his domain. Though, he constantly shifted closer and closer to the goblin outpost. He could feel the mercenary group''s anger, their eyes likely popping out while glaring at Leonhardt. It was at that moment he turned to Gobbolas and mouthed something to him. "My Dear Children, I have brought you dinner!" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Behind Leonhardt, the group of seasoned mercenaries were rushing towards him. Despite their plans to kill the humans, they suddenly felt insecure about his actions and began to chase him down. ''Can I make it before they run me down?'' Although facing a near-death situation, Leon''s lips curled upward, his pearly white teeth and fags showing, as his chest started pounding. Meanwhile, the moment they noticed Leonhardt acting strangely, Gale reacted first. "Axel, that noble, he''s strange!" "What do you mean." There wasn''t enough time to finish his sentence, as the handsome noble began to draw his bow, but not towards the goblins. He shot the humans and killed one of the recruits with a twisted smile on his face. "Hurry and take him out. If he flees east, we''re doomed!" Axel shouted, prompting the squad of crossbow-wielding mercenaries to move swiftly forward. However, when they were about to enter range, the eerie noble dropped the bow, tossing it to the side, along with his cloak, while pointing towards them. "You bastard! What are you!" Axel shouted, losing his cool while holding his enormous sword. ''This bastard is no noble! He''s a damn monster!'' "As I thought, elves cannot be trusted." Gale spat out, his body dashing forward, clearing a dozen yards quickly. "Argh!" However, before anyone could react or warn him. The moment Gale reached halfway towards the mysterious noble, a barrage of flaming bolts launched towards him with a high-pitched howl before tearing holes into Gale''s chest. "GALE?!" Like a broken cloth filled with holes, Gale collapsed, his skin seared by magic so hot it cauterised his wounds. His death was near instant, making Axel almost stumble to the ground, shocked that the man he considered his right hand so easily dealt with, like some simple bandit! That was enough to break Axel''s cool. "Kill him." "Get the bastard, tear his throat, pluck his eyes cut his tongue!" "GO!" None of them. None of them noticed the tragic fate that awaited them because they became too focused on Leonhardt. The sky darkened. A volley of arrows, like a torrential storm, rained down on them. Leonhardt''s voice echoed through before the arrows hit. "Oh¡ªThe Massacre!" Chapter 12 - 12: Tyrant Accel! Leonhardt didn''t hate humans, nor did he feel the same hatred most monsters did for other races. Honestly, he felt curious and wanted to understand them, to get closer to them, and to learn more about them because they seemed so familiar to him. However, he hated those who tried to trick or harm him and his things. He killed the noble because they insulted him and threatened to sell Leonhardt into slavery. He attacked the recruits because they planned to attack his goblins, and spoke to him like dirt. As for the mercenaries? "Well, I just didn''t like them from the start." ¡ª¡ª Like a mage, must chant his spell using the ancient words written inside the magic circles that formed the spell itself. Even Leonhardt needed to do this¡ªthe fact that he could perform magic, reciting spells in his mind was a racial talent of the Djinn and Fae races. In this world, martial skills were not only physical movements. With each level up, the skills became encoded in the user''s body and mind. At first, they required a mental trigger to activate. To call out the name of their skills provided a focused mental signal and helped them adjust and execute their skills without danger and a lower failure rate. This verbal declaration essentially unlocks the muscle memory and energy required for the attack to ensure success. Thus, amazing scenes like this happen. ¡ª¡ª As the volley of black arrows approached the running bandits, they showed their talent and skills. Several of their more capable members quickly grabbed their shields, pushing their unarmoured allies to the side to avoid the goblin arrows and helping them survive. "Shield Wall!" A male holding a steel tower shield lowered his posture. Then, a blue protective aura wrapped around him and four other mercenaries. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Instant Accel!" Woosh The hulking figure of Axel almost seemed to warp through space as his body glowed blue and shot towards Leonhardt with his greatsword held high. A masterful use of his combat skill before he suddenly shone red for a moment. "Crushing Blow!" "You bastard dare to kill Gale!" He locked Leonhardt in his sights. Axel had the perfect pace and speed to stop Leonhardt from casting¡ªduring this moment, even the goblins couldn''t help. Because they just started knocking their second arrows. A swirl of red energy wrapped around the greatsword before it slammed down, creating a burst of air pressure that pushed Leon back. ''Is this the way a warrior, a human, fights?'' The world seemed to move differently for the Chimera called Leonhardt. Able to see what should exist and that which existed only in fantasy, Mana particles, the aura emitted from Axel''s body and even spirits. Yet, it moved slower, at least when he was in danger. The shining blade, dull and dented from continuous battles, the fierce wind-like blades wrapped around the edges. ''Fascinating!'' [Stop admiring and do something!] ''Are you worried about me, Dungeon Wife?'' The blade was now close to Leonhardt''s face, yet he looked towards Axel with a dull gaze. Leonhardt twitched his fingertips before his lips curled into a distorted smirk. Twang Before he realised it, the world had returned to its usual state. As the blade struck down, hundreds of webbed threads appeared and blocked the blow. "Huh?" A loud thunk echoed out, surprising not only Axel but also the others, who''d stopped the arrows from causing heavy damage, stunned at what just happened. It wasn''t easy to deflect or block an empowered strike. Their boss used a skill that would leave him vulnerable for several seconds, his face red, sweat dripping from his forehead as the webbing slowly unravelled and melted. "Oh, you broke my threads! Amazing, truly!" Leonhardt''s voice sounded sarcastic and elegant. It could upset even the most brilliant saint because they would misunderstand his genuine excitement about seeing something for the first time. But, no one understood the horror of this monster, who bore the eyes of a Djinn and pupils of a Fae. [Observed the Martial Skills: Instant Acceleration and Crushing Blow] ? Learned Skill: Instant Accel ? Learned Skill: Crushing Blow "Hmm?" [Skills deemed inefficient: Use EP to fuse and upgrade?] ¨N Fusion: 100 EP There was the dilemma of wasting Evolution Points, but Leonhardt''s twin hearts were racing. Two alternating beats, one pushing Mana and the other pumping enriched blood, using his excess Mana to temper his body. "Evolve!" His movements lacked finesse, but Leonhardt''s steps with each movement appeared to mimic both Gale and Axel. He looked strange, as if he was trying to combine the training of both, who were aiming for different extremes. Axel and Gale were not strong or special. They even earned their silver medal at the mercenary guild thanks to their boss, who passed away two years ago. Maybe weaker than D-Rank adventurers, who were well-balanced in many styles. [Skill Fusion Complete!] ? Tyrant Accel ? MP Cost: 50 ? Duration: 20s ? Increases movement speed and offensive power of all attacks by 20% The moment the dungeon wife spoke in his mind, Leonhardt''s eyes opened. He felt a change in his body. The heart of a Fae controlled his Mana and magical spells, while the heart formed of a mutation of the Djinn and Arachne blood managed his physical body and organs. It was like this action and choice solidified the roles of his organs and bloodlines. Not only that, but Leonhardt''s martial skills used Mana, meaning he didn''t need to chant, only think of the skill in his mind. ¡ªClaws of Fire ¡ªDual Cast ¡ªTyrant Accel! "Ugh! Hrrk?" Black blood spurt from Leon''s lips¡ªeverything took less than a second to complete, and the massive Axel began to recover from his wounds. Yet Leonhardt tried to be clever using 100 MP. He cast Tyrant Accel twice, to see if it would stack, and he succeeded. As his muscles screamed, he stepped forward and travelled three metres instantly. "Woah? Ack." [Twice is the limit, you damn fool!] ''Haha!'' Without playing around, Leon spread his arms as his black nails, like steel, lengthened and looked more like blades before they began to ripple with flames, turning them scarlet red. "Well, shall we fight for real now, Axel?" "M-Monster! I''ll fucking kill you! Everyone attack this bastard!" Leon''s eyes narrowed, and the light and pleasant aura vanished as his pupils shone red; he bit his teeth down while revealing his sharp fangs, a true monster. Then he called out to his dear goblins. "Emerald Guard, slaughter them all, leave none alive! "I will handle this fool!" Leonhardt felt agony while abusing his new skill. Blood oozed from his lips and nose, but he ignored it and went on the attack. His gaze was like a monster''s. To the mercenaries, he felt like a phantom aiming to steal their souls. "You--!" Axel''s eyes widened before his body felt sluggish from the skill. He tried to climb to his feet, grasping the sword with trembling arms. Regret meant nothing to Leon, who ignored his enemy''s situation. He blinked forward like a ghost and reached Axel instantly with his claws primed to attack. "HURRY YOU FOOLS!" Axel screamed. Chapter 13 - 13: The Mercenaries Pride... Five flaming claws tore through the atmosphere, creating lines of fire in a beautiful arc. Slash! Leonhardt swiped at Axel with both arms, his left-hand able to tear through his chest, searing and burning the bloody flesh, before his right hand aimed for Axel''s face. Only for the mercenary to show his resilience, with an upward swing, does his sword block the claws. "Don''t underestimate me!" Clang! The force of a man who focused on pure strength caused Leonhardt''s body to float for a moment before flying back several yards with a sore arm. Yet, with each step taken, a trail of flames followed Leon. "Phew. You are strong, old man." Leonhardt laughed before rushing forward. ''You damned monster!'' Axel grasped his sword, holding it primed and ready. He tried to keep Leonhardt in his vision, but the speed at which the Chimera moved allowed him to almost glide and wrap around the mercenary with ease, assaulting him with a brutal swipe. Leon used his fiery claws to tear Axel''s back wide open, the heat cauterising his sizzling flesh with agonising fire. "Argh! You¡­" WOOSH! A late swing cut through the air while Leonhardt flipped backwards, his right hand touching the floor for a moment before pushing himself into the air. "I''ve got you! Fucker!" The mercenary grits his teeth, agonising pain spreading through his body, while he focuses himself and rushes forward. "Try me now¡ªAttack Boost!" "Greater Attack Boost" "Elemental Defence!" Axel glowed with an alternating blue and red light that illuminated his silhouette. The power-ups gave him a sense of confidence; he narrowed his eyes, which became bloodshot after using a series of martial skills, which caused his nose to ooze blood. He desperately wanted to live¡ªthere was no chance this monster would allow him to ease. "EH?!" While mid-air, Leonhardt shot webbing at the nearby trees, slowing his fall. He then pointed his left palm towards Axel. At that moment, Axel could feel his chest pulsing. Danger! Run, he needed to escape! But his body remained frozen. "What?!" Leon''s red lips curled into a twisted and malevolent smile, changing the ancient words for his magical spell in his mind while feeling the fiery Mana flowing through his veins. As Leonhardt fell slowly, the webbing controlled his descent. His Mana became turbulent and burst from his palm, creating a swirl of flames that formed a vortex sucked towards the centre of his palm, creating a ball of intense flames. His eyes narrowed while his grin deepened, watching Axel run towards him. "Die, you fucking monsters! Sword Art: Double Slash!" However, the swirl of fire turned light blue before the huge flaming ball burst from Leonhardt''s finger towards Axel, who swung his greatsword towards the falling monster. ¡ªCinder Blast The moment it struck Axel''s sword, it exploded in a storm of pure violence. Meanwhile, Gobbolas stood on the edge of the stone wall, his gaze focused on the crossbowmen, trying to shoot at them. His long fingers slipped along the black and red feathers of his special arrows, their length almost double the size of a normal goblin''s. "Master gave us orders! Fire, kill the humans!" "Kill!" "For Master!" Gobbolas could control and cause the weak goblins to become confident. He aimed the leading archer from the enemy while using his special hawk eyes to see the entire battlefield 180 degrees around him in a frontal cone. "Goblin Guardians! March and take them down!" Leonhardt helped create green-coloured shields with leaves and durable plants grown in the dungeon. Leon used their bark as the main defensive portion and the emerald-coloured flora because it was fire-resistant and resembled their name. The Emerald Guard and the Emerald Archers. Gobbolas remembered his master''s promise of better weapons and armour for the goblins who fought hard, and wondered how his master would create them. A goblin guardian was normally weak, but with the help of Leonhardt, who gifted them with improved shields, they could endure a little more damage and punishment. ''Gobbolas only knows¡ªhis master and king are but one!'' "KILL!" The human mercenaries were not weak or stupid¡ªafter the initial attack, they began to use normal tactics. Yes, that was normal tactics, but these goblins were NEVER normal. From the moment Leonhardt created Gobbolas accidentally, he taught him tactics and ways that smarter opponents could easily kill goblins. These actions brought a complete change in the dungeon goblin populace. Daily training A focused diet will increase muscle and physical improvements. Gobbolas even taught them how to read the common language, although it was still a work in progress. Thanks to Leonhardt, they were growing, becoming smarter and cunning. "Pull back! These goblins are strange! They don''t fall for the trick. ACK." A black arrow penetrated a mercenary scout''s throat. With help from his dungeon wife, Leonhardt coated the arrow tips in a paralysing agent. "Hurry!" "Die!" Twang! Swoosh! A human shot his heavy crossbow¡ªthe bolt penetrated the wooden shield of a guardian and sent the small goblin rolling across the ground. "I got him!" However, the goblin didn''t die! Upgraded shields made from the dungeon itself meant that it only wounded his arm before the goblin tossed his spear in retaliation. Shlick! The male fell to the ground¡ªthe wooden spear penetrated his throat. "Joey!! FUCK!" Panic spread, and several goblins were killed. However, the battle became chaotic because, unlike humans, the goblins fought like feral beasts and were unwilling to die. When someone stabbed them, they bit, clawed, and thrashed. Anything to bring the humans down. BOOM! Suddenly, an enormous explosion filled the area, burning and destroying many trees and causing the skin of Axel''s arms and face to melt. The shockwave knocked many goblins to the ground and caused the humans to cover their eyes and faces from the sweltering heat. "Argh!" His scream of agony, the pain felt as the fire constantly burned and seared his wounds, sealing and re-opening them like a tormenting torture. Tap-Tap-Tap Leonhardt walked towards the fallen man, and he saw the bloody remains of his deformed hands, his sword dropped on the ground with a thud, sizzling from the heat. But it seemed, thanks to the Cinder blast, the sword lost its dull edge and became slightly smaller but sharp and searing hot. "Wow! You lived. I am so impressed!" Leonhardt spoke casually, his hand grasping the burning blade''s handle. "I cannot lose. My pride won''t allow it!" Axel''s eyes were dull, and his face looked disgusting, like a monster. ''This monster, how could he understand the effort and struggles I went through!'' ''I will never let it end this way.'' A stubborn pride and determination, but Axel didn''t seem to understand because his ears were ringing from the blast. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn''t notice the silence that remained in the forest. No, there was a sound, like someone mincing meat, a disgusting and fleshy sound as the goblins sliced and cut up the humans to make sure they were dead. "I did tell them to have no mercy." Leon looked a little bitter as he swung the heavy sword with a loud swish and burst of air each time. Axel''s unfocused eyes still gazed at the monstrous figure¡ªno matter how handsome and beautiful, he could only see a horrific monster now. "I won''t submit, we will win! You fucking monster!" ''Damn racist humans!'' "Well." Leonhardt gazed at the bloody forest, pieces of human flesh and organs their discarded bones slowly being absorbed into the dungeon. "It seems that your pride was worthless in the end. I will be taking this, haha." When he lifted the greatsword over his head, the weight caused him to stumble, and he felt imbalanced and strange. His eye suddenly glistened with Fae runic symbols, sending information to his muscles and mind. The other with a Djinn''s special magic circle, allowing him to adjust his posture and grip, but only mastering the most basic handling. He also learned that his pupils were not omnipotent and couldn''t remove his physical limitations. Slowly, his posture became correct, not perfect, but acceptable. It was worse than Axel''s, but it was good for a beginner. Poised to strike, he looked at the mess of a man before him. "No, please. I was wrong, please forgive me!" Axel suddenly began to beg, snot and tears running down his face. "Why?" Leon felt angry and disappointed. This human insulted and treated others'' lives as worthless, so why was he suddenly crying and begging? In his anger, he didn''t listen, or maybe he ignored him on purpose and with a twisted smile and frustrated eyes, he swung the sword down. WOOSH! THUD! A head then rolled through the dungeon zone, but Leonhardt''s face looked melancholic. With that, the Crimson Hawks would cease to exist until a new leader would appear wielding the same sword and claim to be their successor. But that is a tale for the near future. . . . Chapter Title: The Mercenaries Pride Meant Nothing! Chapter 14 - 14: Aftermath The battle ended with minimal losses, a few dead goblins and damage to the wooden outpost. Leonhardt stood over Axel''s body, holding the dark blade that shimmered from the light shining through the leaves above him. "I thought I might feel something." Leonhardt closed his eyes slowly and started breathing deeply. There was a feeling of emptiness¡ªall the excitement and adrenaline faded, and the game ended. [You overused a dangerous mixture of skills. Host, please rest!] It might have been the first time the dungeon showed concern for his state, yet Leonhardt didn''t have the same joking response. His gaze flicked to the goblins, happily cleaning the forest and sometimes shouting or singing happily because they won the battle. However, Leonhardt felt something when interacting with these humans. They had something he didn''t, something he lacked. ''What do I exist for? Why did someone create me?'' [Danger!] [Host''s mental state has fallen into a dangerous state due to low Mana!] [Please return to your throne and rest!] "Please be quiet. Don''t interrupt me right now." A low voice, whether aimed at the goblins approaching or the voice of the dungeon, both of them vanished. "Haa." Leonhardt looked up at the sky as the grey skies began to churn¡ªthe moment he killed creatures, receiving experience and dungeon points. He would obtain information about their race and glimpse their strongest memories. Thanks to his pupils, their skills, knowledge, and abilities became his own, but Leon couldn''t understand their hearts or minds. ''I cannot understand their motive, their desires!'' The memories he absorbed when accepting the dungeon caused him to become different from normal monsters. All knowledge and information about the world came from a human perspective, which conflicted with his instincts and desires as a monster. "What am I?" "You are a dungeon master, why are you asking dumb questions?" Zafira''s usual cold voice snapped him out of his strange trance. Her eyes narrowed into a sharp glare, which made him feel danger because of their difference in strength. With one slap, Zafira could shatter his bones. "Haa, it appears that my master is a little weak mentally. Though, It''s probably because you are a chimera created by a human." Zafira''s words made Leonhardt frown as he turned to her. "How can you know that?!" It was strange¡ªhow could she come to that conclusion? Even Leonhardt didn''t know what his creator looked like; he only remembered a dark, gloomy room filled with the scent of ammonia and acid. Her face gazed at the young chimaera with a bewildered look on her face, mouth open and her round eyes opened fully. "Do you really not understand why? Look in a mirror." Zafira''s words confused him, but he saw the large silver badge on Axel''s chest¡ªit didn''t burn in the fire. So he picked it up and, using the light leaking through the gloomy clouds, he saw his face once again, tilting the shiny badge, which was a proof of identification. "Hmm." Handsome, with a sharp jawline and chin and narrow, piercing eyes. Pale yet smooth skin with no blemishes, soft like a porcelain doll. Short, pointed ears that could pass as human, with elven blood. He then looked at Zafira and the goblins. ''Although beautiful. Zafira is clearly a monster.'' Despite her overwhelming beauty and allure, her features were distinct long pointed ears, sharp fangs, horns, a tail and wings. But what made her more convinced was the fact she mentioned this wasn''t even her true form, but a humanoid form to conserve energy. ''I want to see her battle form.'' Leonhardt tried to understand the similarities and differences between him and the other monsters he knew. Once again, he gazed at Zafira, his eyes lingering longer than usual, a strange thirst growing. His throat became slightly dry, but this wasn''t something he understood either. A few moments passed, yet it felt strange that Zafira didn''t complain or rush him. Instead, with her arms crossed, she watched him quietly with her calm, curious and golden eyes. [Host''s mental state has returned to normal] [Physical state: Dangerous] [Immediate Rest Required!] ''Sometimes you are a little too quick.'' "Haa." With a long sigh, he suddenly felt a sense of peace¡ªthough his questions lacked answers, he realised one thing. "My creator was a human, or someone on their side right, Princess Zafira?" Leonhardt felt strange when he turned to face the succubus princess. It was the first time that he had seen her look this way. Zafira''s lips curled into a smile as she narrowed her eyes into a thin pair of crescent-shaped slits. Her expression felt different from the sneers and mocking grin from the past. He shook his head. Desperate to deny the swirling sensation in his stomach. The slight mannerisms and movements of Zafira made his chest feel tight, and he was unable to stop gazing at her from the corner of his eyes. Leon wanted to stop and become normal, but the bandit''s knowledge already merged with his. ''Strange, the way she looks is so radiant and beautiful, it''s almost as if I am lusting for her.'' Of course, a succubus should have a much greater effect when showing a genuine smile, although her feelings for the chimaera only reached the level of acquaintance. This smile could charm an existence without his magical resistance to life. [Successfully Resisted Skill: Greater Charm] "I didn''t know if you would be able to learn and grow¡ªmost chimera are static and can only perform the orders of their masters. It appears that you can at least learn a little. You were quite impressive today, so make sure you don''t bore me. Little Chimera." ¡ª¡ª [Quest Complete¡ªShape up or Ship Out!] ? The succubus Zafira has grown to trust you. ? She won''t betray you unless you do something stupid. ¨N Loyalty: 31 (+10) ¨N Affection: 20 [Rewards] ¨N 1000DP ? Zafira Anuket can now control the defences of the dungeon! ? Increased Zafira''s Loyalty by 10 ? Zafira Anuket will not betray you for any reason for the next month! ¡ª¡ª- Zafira''s golden anklet jingled as she twirled around and headed back to the base, her movements like a fairy dancing through a meadow. Before she reached the outpost, Zafira turned around, gazing at the stunned Leonhardt. "You don''t need to feel or act in any particular way. As the dungeon master, you can do whatever it is that makes you happy and fulfilled." "Don''t trap yourself by limiting your mind." "Fufu, you are more interesting than I thought¡ªlet''s see how you do for the next few weeks." With that, she vanished. The forest became full of noise and vibrant life once again, and Leon finally woke up from his strange dream and returned to normal. ''I see, I will toss these human feelings aside for now!'' Somehow, Leonhardt felt much more at ease¡ªinstead of focusing on who or what he might be and his reason for being. The goal of doing what he felt like seemed easy. "Dungeon Wife, I''ve been a little strange for now. Please clean the dungeon forest and repair the outpost!" He then grasped the silver medallion with Crimson Hawks engraved into it and placed it on his waistcoat underneath his jacket. "Also, please purchase more of the eastern and western forest with the DP earned in today''s battle!" [Haa¡­ I give up denying those words.] ''I won!'' ¡ª¡ª Dungeon Maintenance ¡ª¡ª [Cleaning Cost] ¨N 200 DP [Outpost Repair] ¨N 200 DP [Body Refund] ¨N 500 DP ¡ª¡ª [Human Mercenary Slain] x 20 ¨N Gained 400 DP ¨N Gained 1000 EXP ¨N Gained 100 EP [Crimson Hawk: Gale Slain] ¨N Gained 100 DP ¨N Gained 200 EXP ¨N Gained 100 EP [Crimson Hawk: Axel Slain] Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¨N Gained 150 DP ¨N Gained 250 EXP ¨N Gained 150 EP ¡ª¡ª [Congratulations¡ªLevel Up!] ¡ª¡ª [Name: Leonhardt (Specimen 69)] [Class: Dungeon Master] ? Level: 10 ¨N EP: 470/400 ¨N DP: 1820/2000 ¨N XP: 25/1000 [Stats] ? STR: D [40/100] ? VIT: D [30/100] ? DEF: D [30/100] ? AGI: E [90/100] ? INT: C [5/100] ? CHA: C [65/100] ¡ª¡ª Processing Forest Expansion ¡ª¡ª [Purchased Fourth Square] ¨N 400 DP [Purchased Fifth Square] ¨N 500 DP ¡ª¡ª--------------------------- "Thanks, I should probably give you a name someday, it would make it easier than calling you dungeon all the time." [A name isn''t needed to function] Leonhardt sat on a stone beside him, closing his eyes. Once his EP reached the limit, he would become rapidly sleepy as his body prepared to evolve. Thus, it became hard to keep focused after completing the main requests he needed. "Then, since you came from that crystal, how about Violet?" The moment he said the last word, spelling out the name of the dungeon, his evolution began, and his body turned into beautiful purple particles before it vanished into the dungeon. A certain goblin also experienced the same phenomenon, as Gobbolas looked at him with a proud nod. "A brother has been rewarded!" Chapter 15 - 15: The Hero Meanwhile, the southern city of Astrea is a city filled with adventurers, old and new, learning their trade and aiming to become heroes. A round fountain with the statue of the human goddess of light stood in the centre of the city, graceful and immaculate. The statue is surrounded by the adventurers'' guild, a mercenary guild and various weapon and armour shops. In fact, Astrea was a very convenient place for the adventurers to meet as they travelled toward the new dungeon or questing area. A group of four youths rushed into the guild, their armour a little dirty but with bright faces, nonetheless¡ªa blond priestess, a fiery red-haired berserker and a shy female mage with a witch hat followed behind a lean youth with a short sword and black hair. This boy was named Kaito, rumoured to be a hero from a land to the east. "Kaito, can''t we shower first?!" The priestess complained, her hands raised as if to bring her dirty robe to attention. Meanwhile, the berserker rushed to the bar, her skimpy outfit exposing her tanned abs and muscles as she ordered a beer. "A cold one, old man!" The female carried the blood of a dragon¡ªin fact, she wasn''t human but a powerful dragonoid. "Asuka, you shouldn''t be drinking¡ªwhat about the quest." A soft, shy voice, almost a whisper, from the blue-haired mage with a long princess-styled haircut. A witch from the magic tower was sent to gather information on the dungeons and monsters from her master for her coming-of-age quest. "Sylvie is right, Asuka." Kaito''s body was shorter than the dragonoid, and despite his special powers as a hero, he was much weaker. He peeked at her abdomen and heavy, swaying chest, with lustful eyes avoiding notice as Asuka enjoyed the cold beer. This party somehow formed as if guided by fate; now, they aimed to travel together and become true heroes. However, right now, they were still an insignificant D-Rank party. "Welcome to the Astrea city adventurer''s guild!" A cute receptionist smiled, tilting her head to the party of three¡ªAsuka seemed to be at a table arm wrestling for some gold. "We''re here to complete our quest, Miss Chloe!" Erina, the priestess, stopped complaining and took the monster cores from her item pouch¡ªthere was a mix of dark blue stones and some royal blue cores which were C-Rank and D-Rank. These cores were worth a decent sum. "Oh my, you managed to defeat the wild orcs in the eastern villages?" Chloe was a talented and skilled guild worker and never made many mistakes, but because of her elven blood, she received countless unwanted invitations and looks from the males. Thus, she liked to speak with the young ladies from this D-Rank party and sometimes gossip. "There weren''t many powerful enemies." The shy witch whispered, trying her best to socialise with Chloe. "Thank you, Sylvie. I apologise for that, but how was your journey overall?" The elf woman held up the Mana stone to a magical lamp as it changed from blue to orange and finally flickered with light. "Mmm, I see, two low class C cores, and ten D cores, a total of 70 silvers." Seven silver coins were enough for a family of four to live on for a week, so their earnings were solid for a week-long adventure. "Then the listing fee, and costs, let me see your cards to update them all." Chloe''s hands fluttered with magical light as the four cards were edited, and the quest that they just finished vanished with a green tick. "Isn''t Miss Chloe amazing?" Erina turned to Sylvie, who whispered while giving a bitter smile and nodding. As Chloe worked behind the desk, however, she felt uneasy and stopped, turning to see if anything was wrong. "Chloe! There''s been an emergency D-Rank quest issued, regarding the north, it seems a mercenary group was almost completely wiped out, with a single survivor." "Eh?" Chloe''s blue eyes opened wide before she nodded, turning to the party once again. "Forgive me, your total earnings with the quest reward are 100 silver coins and ten coppers. With the quest reward and cores added together." "A new quest?" Erina whispered while looking at Kaito, who stood away from them due to once making Chloe upset. He seemed to have a strange skill that worked only on women, but when it failed, they would suddenly hate him. ''Thanks to my blessing, it didn''t work, or would I become like those foolish girls?!'' "Kaito, should we have a look at the new quest?" Erina''s bright voice echoed, almost dulled out by the heavy laughs and clanking of glasses from the bar¡ªeven the shouts from the people betting on arm wrestling seemed louder than usual. ''Asuka, don''t lose all your money again!'' "If you want to know about the quest, it will be posted on the board soon, although it''s a D-Rank the level is an emergency, so please consider joining another party first, Erina." "Mm, I will. Thank you, as always, Chloe." Erina thanked the beautiful elf while taking their silver and copper coins. Finished with their tasks, the group walked towards the board. A few newbies and low-rankings seemed to come to check out the sudden extra quest. As Erina and Sylvie looked interested, a heavy hand slapped both their shoulders. "Ack." "Ahh!" "What are you looking at?" Asuka''s breath smelt like honey and ale as she looked slightly flushed. "Oh? A dangerous quest?" The quest board looked like a magical tool. It comprised a digital blackboard and various bright images and posters created with vibrant lights and colours, including images of monsters, pictures of bandits and maps for the herbal quests. ¡ª¡ª [Warning¡ªEmergency Quest] [D-Rank Quest] ? A sudden goblin settlement appeared in the northern reaches of the kingdom. ? The village of Arlet requested reinforcements after the Crimson Hawks mercenary group was annihilated with one surviving member. ? The settlement is estimated to be in the northeastern reaches of the Great Forest of Luris. ¨N Reward: 15 silvers ¨N Bonus: 10 copper per goblin A small map and a rough design of the forest were drawn in pencil on a map. Though the art looked high-level, it wasn''t up to the standards of the vibrantly printed maps for other quests. ¡ª¡ª "Woah, the reward is so small." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Asuka sipped her ale and burped before shrugging her shoulders and showing a cheeky smile. "Shall we go?" Erina and Sylvie looked at each other with bitter expressions. They wanted to help the people, and both of them suffered in the past from monsters killing their loved ones, but Kaito always seemed more interested in money and women. "Isn''t the reward a little low for such distant travel? At least the orcs were worth one silver each, and the big guys were ten silvers!" Kaito finally spoke, no longer embarrassed to face Chloe, who rejected him, as she left for the back office. In reality, Erina expected this. Most of the humans and adventurers were selfish, and the reward wasn''t worth their lives. "I''ll pass." Kaito shrugged, holding his hand out to Erina. "Give me the money. I think I''ll take a break since the last quest was annoying." "K-Kaito, the people at the village." Erina wavered as he shook his head and pulled her coin pouch towards himself. It had become common for Erina to manage all the money at the party, as she could calculate quickly and had basic magic skills in creating food and purification. However, seeing his face, she knew it was pointless to speak further. Kaito didn''t care about anything but his crotch and having fun. "How much do you want? Your share is¡ª" "What are you saying, I am the one who killed the two big ones, so give me the money for their cores." ''You liar! All you did with deliver the final blow.'' The cost of their cores was 10 silvers, and killing them another 10, Kaito was asking for 40 silvers and his cut of the overall pay. She could only bite her lower lip, now realising how he treated their party and understanding his logic when it came to fighting monsters. Kaito always acted like this. He would sometimes speak about strange things or refer to the world with strange terms, like "it''s just a game" or "I am the Party leader, so it''s all mine." Erina gave him the 60 silver, leaving only 40 silver and 10 copper to split between her and the other two girls. As for Kaito, the moment he got the money, he left the building with a dirty smile. "That little boy¡ªis he going to the brothel again?" Asuka didn''t have the tact of Erina and asked bluntly. Instead, she patted Erina''s shoulder and shook her head. "Do you remember when he called you a saintess and treated you like a princess?" "Asuka, that''s already past, he even called mommy and tried to get you drunk that time we first quested together." Erina realised through questing together that Kaito seemed like a brilliant gentleman at first. Was, in fact, a lustful wretch! ''At first, he seemed like the perfect gentleman. Until I refused to sleep with him!'' "Heh, shall we join another party without him and earn some coin?" Asuka chuckled, her fiery eyes looking at the quest as if amused. "My instinct tells me there will be a powerful guy there, maybe he is the one I am searching for." The Dragonoid were a rare group of people who carried dragon''s blood in their veins, becoming stronger, selfish and quite whimsical creatures. Asuka, as the tribe''s princess, left their land to find her groom, a common practice where the strong female Dragonoid''s would leave and capture a mate from other races. Erina and Asuka seemed ready to join the quest, since a raid would be formed. ¡ª¡ª [Raid] ? A guild representative would observe the Raid to confirm completion. ? When two or more adventuring parties are given the same quest and cooperate to complete the task together. ? All receive the reward, and the guild increases the reward to make it more appealing. ? The party performing the best would earn a bonus. ¡ª¡ª ''It seems the guild wants to train more fresh adventures using this quest.'' Erina''s eyes flicked towards a new group of rookies who wore cheap armour and used low-level weapons, and she wondered to herself if they would survive. She knew a key factor in this job, and that was to NEVER underestimate goblins or orcs. "Are you there, Sylvie?" "Hueh?!" The lovely blue-haired witch, with large pointed ears, gasped. "But, will Kaito be okay alone?" "He can protect himself and get help from random people." Erina sighed softly. ''So far, I''ve been lucky to ignore his skill, maybe the goddesses protected me?'' Sylvie nodded. She wanted to save people from the monsters, but she didn''t want these two to go alone. "Oh? Then let me buy the drinks this time as I gambled away my last five silvers¡­ I won 15 back!" Thus, the three women of Kaito''s party signed up for the quest without him knowing. Nobody knew the future that awaited them all. Chapter 16 - 16: Evolution of the Mind! This time, the transformation didn''t feel too overwhelming for Leonhardt. Instead, knowledge of swordsmanship, basic training, and how to maintain the great sword flooded into his head first. It seemed to swirl around constantly to make him remember it first. What followed were memories, thoughts and desires from the men who failed to kill him, from their hunger for women to the desire for bloodshed, and one even aspired to become a writer. Leonhardt, in his state of evolution, came to understand that when evolving, he would absorb and merge the experiences of those he killed before evolving. "Ugh." A burning pain flowed from his muscles as if a wild beast were biting at his nerves and bones, causing him to shudder and convulse in agony. ''I feel different, my knowledge of emotions and life has once again grown.'' Before, his ideas and plans felt incomplete and lacking something. He suddenly noticed the flaws and where he could improve them. Leon''s mind seemed to have evolved to a new level, and he could now tell the difference between his instinct and personal desire and thoughts. ¡ºI can use their emblem and the Crimson Hawks to explore the human world.¡» His memories contained folklore, songs of old, and information, whether rumours or factual, such as a dragon that existed in the Far West that hated humans. Or the beautiful silver dragon that protected a human kingdom due to a pact. Information on the guild, how the two guilds differ, and what humans will probably do in the following months. Crack Finally, Leonhardt''s evolution was complete. His arms spread out, touching a hard, sticky surface. Using the crack, he pried open the small shell, the last step in his transformation. The egg burst apart, revealing the dungeon master, yet possibly different from the Leonhardt of three days before. "Zafira, how was the dungeon during my sleep?" Tired, sore and needing a stretch, he didn''t check the panels but wanted to assess the current level at which the succubus would follow him. "Well, nothing serious happened." ¡ºHe looks a little better, but still not enough!¡» Zafira turned her face away with a huff, causing Leon to tilt his head and wonder why she acted so strange to him after his evolution. [You look handsome¡ªshe is being bashful.] ''Oh, thanks, Dungeon Wife!'' After his evolution, he now had another month to live. Leon''s evolution seemed quite useful this time. He noticed the critters became more comfortable with his presence, though Zafira barely changed from before. Leon noticed the subtle changes in her atmosphere and movements, and the harsh rejection vanished. "As for the dungeon, there was a small raid in the western forest. The Master of the forest appears to be hostile to your actions!" "Master of the forest?" At first, he felt confused, but thankfully, the information from Axel and Gale started to surface like an air bubble when trapped on the ocean floor. "It''s a monster that has evolved to a certain point, becoming the strongest monster leading the weaker ones." Zafira coughed while explaining to him. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, like a city lord or nobles for humans." "What do you suggest we do to deal with it, Zafira?" Leonhardt curved his lips upwards while narrowing his eyes. He observed her facial movements and reaction to his question, curious about how she might respond. "Kill it! Crush those who resist the Master. Then make the ones left behind surrender!" she declared sternly, her strange gaze piercing Leon''s face with her glowing eyes without a single shred of doubt, concern, or worry. "Eh?" For a moment, Leon couldn''t believe this was the monster who tried to tame the rabbits when bored. Yet then he remembered Zafira wasn''t some vase or fragile maiden, but a level 100 succubus queen. Though he lacked information about the Master of the forest, he couldn''t ignore Zafira because she seemed too aggressive. So Leon decided he would get rid of it to avoid future harm to his dungeon or the goblins'' building outside. Though it would be wasteful, a new elite monster would grow strong rapidly if he left it alone, so rather than let a stranger rule the forest that his dungeon existed. Then why not use his monsters. Leon started to act and think more like a Dungeon Master, rather than considering himself alone, and that''s when the newly evolved goblin came to mind. ''I should name those that evolve early on.'' "Understood. When you leave, send Gobbolas and the new Hobgoblin to me. You can organise a force to slay that so called ''Master'' right, Zafira?" Thanks to the mercenaries'' knowledge, Leon started using his memories, voice, and body language to act more imposing and animated. He also started using a deeper voice, sharpening his gaze when ordering Zafira and tapping his throne with a slight scowl. The succubus, in response to his changes, nodded. "Yes, Master! Your orders are absolute. I won''t disappoint you!" She smiled faintly, then saluted like a knight. Her wings spread out. Feathered and raven, they fluttered as she turned away and left the room. Zafira seemed excited to be spoken to like a knight rather than a female. "Haa, why is she so weird." [The Succubus Zafira Aspires to become a Knight, not a wife, bride, or princess.] ''Oh, why?'' [Error: Further scrutiny is denied¡ªplease improve your friendship and ask directly!] Leon clicked his tongue at the system''s arrogant tone. As always, she shot him down, making him sulk while focusing on his body. Meanwhile, as he adjusted to the changes in his body, he noticed his arms became more muscular along with his back and chest muscles. Now, his deltoids, biceps, and triceps were at least twice as thick. ''Did I evolve in this direction because of my desire?'' His arms seemed to have grown a few inches, and the heavy sword became light in his hands, allowing him to strike and swing the sword without struggling. Suddenly, a commotion sounded as two figures entered the throne room. One was the lean, muscled archer Gobbolas, and beside him was a blue-skinned muscular goblin with a round wooden shield and a spear¡ªthere seemed to be a goblin horn around his neck and a green cap on his shoulders. "Master, Gobbolas reporting." "Oh? Gobbolas, is this your new friend? You look strong, goblin." "Hobgoblin Captain, reporting for service, My Lord." A slightly dull voice, but the stern blue eyes, like ice, gazed with nothing but loyalty and awe. ''Oh, this goblin is serious, how cute. I should name him.'' "Gobomir, Captain of¡­" Leonhardt stopped for a moment, his arms spread out. The Hobgoblin shone with light, a symbol of being named, growing stronger and more loyal to their master. He suddenly froze, unable to complete the naming ceremony. ''What is this dungeon''s name?'' Chapter 17 - 17: Naming The Dungeon! "Give me a moment." Leonhardt held his hand in front of the two goblins before stepping towards the second square and closing his eyes with a deep breath. "Phew." A warm, almost burning air filled his lungs with a sweet and floral taste. ''A name, why couldn''t it have one already?'' [Dungeons are given a new name each time a new master awakens.] ''I see.'' His eyes squinted at the familiar sight. Ever since he chose the magical filter, beautiful flora and trees had formed, their leaves a mixture of embers and vibrant green, growing throughout the dungeon like a brilliant emerald valley. "Beautiful." Without a response, he felt the name coming to him, the dungeon and his existence, a creature close to nature and flames. "Embers. A veil of fiery flowers. Embervale!" Leonhardt lowered his gaze, noticing the panels in the corner of his eyes. He then began renaming various parts of the dungeon. His lips curled into a smile while he reached out and tapped the screen, changing the various parts of the dungeon¡ªwhat popped up next made him quite surprised. [Grant Zafira dungeon management permission?] [Yes] [No] ''Wife, what does it mean to give her permission? Can I limit what she can do?'' S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Half of the Dungeon''s Base DP will be shared with the Aide: Zafira Anuket, allowing her to improve and manage the dungeon''s upkeep.] [However, she will not be able to expand the inner dungeon, only exterior Squares, which you can limit to whatever level you choose.] ''What would the benefits be of that?'' Leonhardt could understand the benefits of such a system, his mind organising and considering the options and how far he would constrict her while her loyalty remained low. [You will only need to use your DP to buy items, add new troops, expand the inner palace, and perform other important tasks in the future.] [Meanwhile, Zafira will take care of monster environments, cleaning the dungeon, upkeep of the current squares and peacekeeping the various races as they increase.] "Hmm." He closed his eyes slowly, enjoying the warm sensation of the Mana from the second and third squares. The goblins mostly existed outside the dungeon, and small animals lingered inside along with the main guardians. Metre-long rabbits with long, pointed horns that Zafira cultivated. ''Those things are quite adorable, but omnivores.'' The knowledge in his mind stated rabbits ate fruit and grass, but seeing one chomping at a dead goblin changed his world-view completely. However, they seemed to adore Leonhardt even though Zafira fed them and spent her time trying to win their affection. Leon only needed to sit on his throne, and they would lie around him as if to guard and protect him with their leader, the first rabbit, on his lap. ''Wife, can you apply both the dungeon name and permissions for Zafira using what I write here?'' [Yes, Dungeon Master] ''Understood. Please complete my request.'' [The Master''s Will be done!] ¡ª¡ª- [Dungeon Attendant Zafira has been granted low-level permissions] ¨N Allocated 2000 DP ? Can Hire and Manage current units ? Will regularly clean and maintain the dungeon ? Will take over management of the dungeon ? Can NOT disband or remove evolved units ? Can NOT take actions that would endanger the dungeon or dungeon master! ¡ª¡ª [Dungeon Name Confirmed] The Embervale Citadel ? Embervale Keep (Goblin outpost in the Embervale forest) ? Great Forest of Ember (Formerly Great Forest of Luris) ? Village of Embers (Formerly Arlet Village) ? Princess Zafira is extremely pleased with your trust. ¨N Loyalty + 5 ¨N Affection + 5 ¡ª¡ª "Phew, let''s return." A sudden shudder spread through the ground like a growing earthquake, and the temperature and atmosphere became violent, as if angry. Leonhardt grasped the flaming vines along the walls, his body swaying as he desperately gripped the sharp, burning plants. "Huh?!" [A New Dungeon Has Been Born!¡ªThe Embervale Citadel (D-Rank)] ''Her voice sounds excited?!'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed¡ªhe could sense the delight and jubilation from the feminine voice, a feeling of laughter as her voice faded. [Congratulations, Master. I will continue to serve you until the end!] [Ifrit longs for your orders!] "Ifrit, a wonderful name." Something in his memory surfaced, Ifrit, a divine being of fire and destruction, queen of all fire. The Mistress of Destruction! Suddenly, the entire dungeon became chaotic. Although he couldn''t see from outside, he felt a warm, comfortable feeling that was filled with danger. A powerful flame vibrated uunderground,somewhere beneath him. "Is this fate, a mythical being? The queen of all flames is my dungeon wife, and my body is mostly made up of flames and fire Mana" Fae were a special type of spirit, normally born from one element. At first, Leonhardt''s element was wind, but the powerful magic of his Djinn bloodline and heart corrupted and tempered his body to be that of fire and brimstone. ''Well, I should be a part of Wind Elemental too.'' Hence, the flames bursting from the cracks beneath sucked into his body, and soothed his mind. [Master, please give your goblin his name?] His legs extended, swaying from the violent quaking of the earth¡ªoutside the dungeon, the forest of Juris, now gifted by the name Ember, also transformed. Beautiful, exotic flowers created with embers and powerful fairy magic. "Master, the dungeon shakes! Enemy attack?" Gobbolas gazed at Leonhardt, who arrived with concern, his hands already holding his trusted bow. "Master, you have returned." Different from Gobbolas, Gobomir knelt on his knee and placed his hand on his chest. It seemed like the thoughts and desires Leonhardt imagined when naming them made a difference. Leon glanced at the room, his eyes opening wide at the sudden change. His black throne became covered in beautiful flaming roses, their black vines as if made from charcoal. A wonderful scent filled the room, like a mystical garden. "Gobomir, Captain of Embervale. Arise, and return to your position. I order you to protect the goblins at Embervale. Keep well. I grant you permission to bestow the name Ember on all goblins who show promise from this point forth." [Mythical Evolution Granted to all goblins ¡ª Ember Goblin] ¨N 50 EP There was never a need to speak¡ªthe moment he gazed at the two goblin captains walking back together, a series of flaming vines suddenly wrapped the two in their flaming petals. "Ah." "What?" The vines swallowed the goblins before a golden light fluttered from the two petalled cocoons. "Gobbolas? Gobomir, are you alright?" [Do not worry, Master¡ªthose two are undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime evolution, a racial evolution. No other goblins may claim the title of "Ember" that you have given to them.] ¡ª¡ª [Gobbolas (Unique Archer)] [Race: Ember Hob (Hobgoblin Variant)] Description: A stronger evolution of the goblin race with greater knowledge and the ability to use fire. Their dark red skin is a sign of their Master''s affection, granting them the title "Ember." Has low strength and defence, but excels with archery and agility. Improves the damage and organisation of all Goblin Archers. [Stats] ? STR: F ¡ú E ? VIT: E ¡ú D ? DEF: F ¡ú E ? AGI: D ¡ú C ? INT: E ¡ú D ? CHA: F ¡ú E [Loyalty: 75¡ú 120] ¡ª¡ª [Gobomir (Unique Guardian)] [Race: Ember Hob (Hobgoblin Variant)] Description: A Strong monster with the power of fire and the ability to lead melee units into battle. In times of danger, he will blow the horn on his neck. (Summons up to 12 Goblin allies). Uses a round shield and spear and has a strong vitality and defence. [Stats] ? STR: D ? VIT: C ? DEF: D ? AGI: F ? INT: C ? CHA: E [Loyalty: 185] ¡ª¡ª Chapter 18 - 18: Mirror Mirror on the Wall! Leonhardt stood in his private chambers while gazing at his reflection in the pristine gold-framed mirror in the corner. He spread his arms, turning around while performing several actions. The magical effect of this mirror would record the reflection for a minute at a time, so a person could see their full outfit and current state. ¡ª¡ª Magic Mirror¡ªAdvanced ? A high-quality mirror crafted with the eye lens of an ogre and the reflective material from an elite insect''s wings. ? It can record anything shown in the mirror for 60 seconds, allowing the viewer to see themselves in various styles and situations. ? Indestructible and self-cleaning ? A small mirror is included, which allows the user to connect to the main mirror ¨N 500 DP ¡ª¡ª Now, this item was magical not only because Leon could now mess with his newly purchased outfit and clothes, but also because holding the small mirror allowed him to break a small rule of the dungeon. That rule was that he could only use the system inside the dungeon! ''Ifrit, are you sure I can use my dungeon abilities while way using this mirror?'' [Yes, you can purchase, summon and increase the size of the dungeon and in times of danger, you can teleport back to your throne!] What made everything seem so strange was that the person who suggested he buy this was Ifrit herself¡ªsince telling Leon her name, their relationship became less antagonistic, and it instead seemed that her loyalty and affection for him must have increased significantly. "Phew." Inside the image, Leon''s current outfit reveals itself, with a forest background, the fiery Embervale forest. Raven black hair, messy yet still elegant, down to his shoulders. A pair of piercing red eyes, like orbs of blood and flickers of flame, followed his movements. He wore a black waistcoat, with a silk tie fastening his white shirt. Then, over that, a massive military-style noble coat covered his body, down to his knees, with a black and silver colour. The large silver emblem with [Crimson Hawks] on his chest was the emblem of the leader, and now, thanks to the documents found on the body of Axel by Zafira after the dungeon devoured his flesh, he would steal that identity. He couldn''t help but smirk when he realised how handy the dungeon could be. When a dungeon devoured a human''s body, their armour, weapons and other items would be restored to their full state and left on the floor for someone to pick up. Adventurers and humans knew this well. Leon only learned now that the Dungeon would send items killed by the Dungeon Master and his creatures to his storage area or the throne room. ''How do I look, wife?'' [You look dashing and a little stupid!] Although their connection improved, Ifrit would still mock or bully him occasionally. After being abused, Leon stood at the entrance of the dungeon and tapped on his boots. The thick steel caps felt comfortable when he did, but the dirt from the dungeon could set fire to leaves and other plants outside the Embervale territory. "Zafira?" He noticed something interesting. His gaze drifted towards the Embervale Keep, where the goblins began to train under her orders: sit-ups, push-ups and swinging or firing their weapons. ''Gobbomir told me, but I never expected it to be so intense.'' The goblins didn''t look upset because after finishing, each goblin was rewarded with a fresh creature being grilled on the fire. Instantly, the scent of roasted meat, herbs, and spices drifted from the keep, making Leon jealous. All he ate were the fruits from the dungeon! "Oh? Dungeon Master! What brings you here." Zafira''s seductive and charming voice echoed, causing a chain reaction of goblins and horn rabbits to suddenly face him and bow, their eyes filled with a crazed delight. With her hips swaying and light steps, as if a fairy were skipping along, Zafira appeared in front of Leon, a captivating smile spreading across her lips. "Zafira, you''ve been working hard." Somehow, after giving her more control, her loyalty slowly improved with time, though affection remained the same¡ªLeon didn''t mind what she felt for him as long as she never betrayed him. Maybe it was due to his mental resistance being extreme, but he couldn''t feel the obsession towards her like implied. "Dungeon Master, are you leaving? I have instructed the goblins to perform training to increase their loyalty and effectiveness in battle! Should a goblin behave negatively or affect solidarity, I send them to die in a group fighting the stronger monsters inside the forest." "I see, so even in death and dishonour they benefit the dungeon?" "Nn!" At that moment, Leon noticed something different: a giant rabbit with a massive horn was sleeping around her shoulders. He couldn''t help but smile at the succubus that finally succeeded. However, thanks to his Djinn pupil, he could see Zafira''s magical powers slowly flowing into the rabbit. Much like his Mana that seeped into the goblins, this rabbit would likely evolve into something closer to Zafira. ''I wonder what kind of evolution this might bring.'' "Zafira, I''ll leave everything to you; if you need help, use Gobbolas and Gobbomir as your aides. I don''t know when I will be back, but using the dungeon core, you can contact me. If you gain enough DP, then buy the special ear or horn ring that allows you to use it remotely." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zafira''s eyes shone with a golden light, her head nodding as her lips curled upwards slightly. "You''ve really improved in the last week. I am quite surprised. Did you purchase the ring for yourself, Master?" He couldn''t help but smile at the current situation. Now he could visit the human lands, gain more knowledge and use it to grow his dungeon. Axel''s existence increased Leon''s hunger and greed quite a large amount after absorbing his skills and power. ''I want to have a gigantic dungeon, the strongest. A kingdom wouldn''t be so bad, either!'' "Call me Leon. Master and dungeon master can be used during official meetings. Moreover, I bought this so maybe you could get one as a pair, haha." Leon held out his left hand wrapped in a black glove. Swordsmen wore black leather gloves to prevent their hands from slipping and causing damage. He slipped one-off, revealing a beautiful ring with a golden gemstone. "The gemstone resembled your eyes, so I chose this one." A simple series of honest compliments and words was enough to affect Zafira; she felt used to the obvious attempts to court her. Leon was quite detached and rarely said things of this nature, but because his words were genuine, they caught the succubus off guard and often made her heart flutter. "I understand." Zafira''s voice sounded strange, like a squeak, as she looked away, her tail violently swaying from side to side. The embarrassment made her face red as she coughed. "Please take care, Leon!" He nodded before looking over the heads of those training. ''The world that lacked colour feels so interesting now.'' Later that evening, the full moon illuminated the sky with its pale white light. The starry sky, a soft backdrop of silvers and whites, was accompanied by the quiet chirping of insects, the soft rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind through the trees, creating a soothing background. This village, currently known as Arlet village, was dark except for the watchtowers, which were awaiting news from the suddenly transformed forest. "Excuse me." A voice and a small knock sounded at the western gate. "Tony, did you hear anything?" a guard, sitting inside the cove with a warm bowl of soup, called out. "Hmmm?" Knock A second knock, this time, they both jumped to their feet. "Who goes there?" The voice was slightly rural, yet the old man, missing his teeth, confidently held a spear over the wall, grabbing a torch¡ªit revealed the pristine black coat, like a cloak and the face of the owner. "Ah, hello, I am Leonhardt. The new leader of the [Crimson Hawks] can you lend me a room?" Chapter 19 - 19: Magic Cultivation and Fruit Porridge. Drip. The cheap roof leaked with raindrops, and Leonhardt closed his eyes while sitting on the rough hay bed. In the village, an elderly couple accepted him and gave him their son''s old room and a bowl of hot soup. ''To think humans could also be so warm.'' [Not all humans, Master] ''I understood too little after being born.'' He could only feel hostile towards other races as if this were his natural state. But after devouring more memories, emotions and powers, he started to change. [Well, that bitch¡­ ahem! Woman is just a crazy witch, don''t believe her biased information] Leonhardt suddenly opened his eyes, the light flickering from a dull, used candle in the room''s corner as his lashes flickered to adjust to the dusty room. [Yuris might have been a talented arch mage, but when it came to human relations and emotions, that girl lacked everything.] "So the one who made me is called Yuris?" He was able to put a name to his creator. Would she be his mother in this case? The strange knowledge, which wouldn''t seem important, created a chain reaction as his two hearts began to beat harder, pumping his blood and Mana faster, causing a slight ache. [Don''t worry about her for now¡­] [I promise to let you meet her one day, then we can rub it in her face for dumping you like garbage!] Since he came to this world, only three people¡ªno, now it might technically be five people¡ªhave shown him something new and made him feel comfortable. Because Ifrit went to the trouble of saying those words, his body calmed. He could not help but smirk, and instead of lingering, his thoughts on improving himself. ''Let''s start meditation. I want to improve myself, spend 100 DP to buy the incense.'' ¡ª¡ª [Item Purchased] Mana Gathering Incense¡ªIntermediate ? Improve the gathering rate of magic and Mana for ten hours. ? Maintains focus and improves cultivation speed by two. ¨N 100 DP Each. ¡ª¡ª Suddenly, small black apparatuses with a lavender and sweet cinnamon scent appeared on the desk beside him. Leonhardt noticed the dripping water, and with a bitter smile, he shifted to the edge of the bed and took the lotus position. He wondered if he could repay the old couple for helping him, a stranger. ''Oh, can you not fix up their house?'' Thanks to Zafira''s hard work, the dungeon grew several squares and could cover the entire village. [I can repair this room alone... or the entire house for 200 DP.] ''Fix the entire thing'' The two elderly people not only helped him find a place to rest, but also taught him about the Crimson Hawks lingering in the village so he could find and kill them. Leonhardt wasn''t innately evil or kind, but since meeting Zafira and Gobbolas, he would give back to others what they gave him. Then, with a deep breath, he placed both hands on his abdomen, fingers, and thumbs pressed together, and he started to let out low breaths. Deep in his body, his magic formed in a small swirl of red Mana before becoming a ball of flames. The flames churned as the tiny crystals of Mana in the atmosphere illuminated his body before his body sucked them inside and absorbed them into his sphere. "Phew, draw magic from the outside, towards my body, give them form before taking them into my body." Flicker The incense lit up, creating a mist of fumes that, like the swirl of Mana, formed a vortex that wrapped around Leonhardt. It started as Mana crystals, small beads that floated through the air, unseen by others, in various elemental colours. Then, as a mage meditated, those crystals would be sucked towards the mage, who turned their body into a small vacuum. Most could only attract a single element at a time because converting other elements took too much effort. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haa, I can feel the crystals becoming energy, and seeping into my body, absorbed into my blood and becoming bound to me." [Good. For a beginner, you are skilled, is it because of your heritage?] Leonhardt could only smile bitterly, wondering what Ifrit hid from him. The hours slowly passed while Leonhardt continued to suck the air and Mana crystals of all elements into his body. His special hearts could easily turn Mana crystals into the fire and wind element with a 7:3 ratio. Thus, all that mattered to Leonhardt was to focus on his meditation. [Though, he already knows his body would gather them naturally without this effort] ¡ª¡ª- Monsters and humans gathered and used magic in different ways. Humans couldn''t store magic inside their hearts like monsters. Thus, they used special techniques to form cores in their abdomens, a pseudo Mana heart that could store Mana and allow them to cast magic. Though this meant humans could only absorb and store a limit which only grew slightly no matter how strong a human mage, their limit existed. Monsters could store magic in their organs and even their flesh, blood, or bodies. Because of this nature, monsters could use magic instinctively, but due to not studying and learning like humans, their magic usually materialised in a brutal and primitive fashion, while humans created innovative and refined to the limits. Normally, this edge shows the difference between the two styles of magic. However, monsters could almost limitlessly increase the maximum amount of Mana stored inside their magic-absorbing organs. The elves are close to a hybrid, allowing for refined magic and larger Mana pool. Their hearts stored most of their magic, increasing their lifespan¡ªthe more Mana an elf or monster had, the longer they lived. This effect did not occur for humans who only lived slightly longer than normal, except in a few specific situations. ¡ª¡ª Tweet Morning arrived quickly and after his night of meditation a layer of sticky grime seeped from Leonhardt''s body, and they began stretching with a loud crack of his bones and muscles. "It hurts so bad, my body feels so stiff, damn." The sunlight flickering from the horizon lit the fiery forest in the north, causing a beautiful red hue to bathe the village. Knock-Knock "G¡­good morning, young man. Are you feeling better?" A lovely yet slow elderly voice came from the door after a gentle knock echoed through the room. His eyebrows lifted, shocked by the woman who had already woken up. The sun barely lifted into the sky! "Please give me a moment, Lady Grey." Although the knowledge he held seemed too highbrow and noble for this small village, when he spoke to the lady with such a polite tone, she showed a lovely smile. Leonhardt didn''t know if it was his hidden desire for a parent or mother figure. But when he entered this house, he felt comfortable, like sitting on his throne while watching Zafira with the rabbits. ''It feels strange, but not bad.'' "Huhuhu, don''t rush, don''t rush. I have prepared some breakfast. It''s only porridge, but thanks to your fruit it''s rather sweet and delicious." "I''ll be down after a quick wash!" The slight chuckle from the lady''s lips made Leonhardt''s chest feel light. The night of meditation and his heavy body were no longer on his mind. He knew it was hypocritical of him to enjoy this while being the monster slowly conquering the northern forest, and soon, Zafira would request to move south, but Leonhardt wouldn''t stop her. Leon wondered what the future would hold. Would he have to become a heartless monster, or was there a path for him and the others to coexist? [Live how you like, Leonhardt.] [I will burn the fools who stand in your way!] Like this, Leonhardt enjoyed a delicious fruit porridge and coffee with the elderly couple, who seemed amazed that their home suddenly no longer leaked water and wind last night. The idea of how to conquer this village without bringing harm to this elderly couple lingered in his mind. Chapter 20 - 20: The Mercenary Guild "Are you sure you can handle the shopping alone? I don''t mind going myself, Leon." The old man''s voice sounded rough but full of life. "Don''t worry about it, Grandpa, I have some business with the guild, and I can get the shopping on the way home, okay?" "Well, be careful Leon, don''t get in trouble and here, some money, take it." "Haha, thanks, Grandpa." Leonhardt left the elderly couple in the afternoon with a small brown cloth filled with a few copper coins, though thanks to the bandits pretending to be mercenaries, he owned dozens of silver and copper. Jingle He felt full after she kept serving him sweets and desserts from the fruit he had brought. Leon didn''t understand that people struggled to eat and something like sugar was too expensive, but the fruits in his dungeon could sweeten the pastries and desserts. ''Grandma Grey mentioned she likes pear jam.'' After the night of meditation, his mind became clear, his Mana increased well after the night, and he realised the difference between a human and a monster. The thought of making jam out of the bright red fruits from his dungeon with a tarty yet sweet taste. ''Could I make money, or start a business with these fruits?'' [Your mind is full of amusing ideas, both a physical and economic invasion?] A faint smile formed on his lips as Leon enjoyed Ifrit''s words. The village wasn''t as small as it seemed when he entered¡ªthere were various stalls and houses selling wares and dairy foods. "Oh, Morning, young lad! You''re dressed smart today!" A village merchant with various vegetables and other farm goods greeted Leon, who bought a good share of potatoes, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables for the elderly couple. "How about some milk and cream, Young man?" A plump female in her mid-thirties offered, and the firm push of her sales technique stunned Leonhardt. He even bought some expensive milk, jam, and cream when he remembered Grandma Grey liked tea with milk and jam. Two hours rushed past him before he came to the mercenaries'' guild¡ªtwo of the people he needed to deal with lingered at the guild, so he would show the Crimson Hawks'' badge to lure them into confronting or attacking him. ''Those old women were stronger than the bandits themselves. A fearsome warrior race.'' Leonhardt wore the badge while walking around for two hours before coming to the large mercenary and adventurer''s guild buildings in the southern area of the village. This village was a considerable size, almost the same as a town. ''Two on the left, hiding behind the corner, and one hanging far away, watching the pair.'' He used the map, which flicked up in the corner of his eyes and showed the yellow, green, and three red dots. Three yellow dots were also on the map, entering from outside, but Leonhardt ignored them because he could sense their hostility, which may be a side effect of being a monster. He could also feel their Mana and aura, like feeling the breeze. Instead of entering the guild, he wrapped around the side, stepped into the dark backstreet, and hopped behind a wooden box while grasping a shard of fire that grew from his palm. A moment passed before the shuffling of feet echoed. "Where did the bastard go?" "The little prick has the emblem, we need that to withdraw the money in the guild!" ''Oh? There''s money and other things stored in the guild?'' He didn''t know such a thing, so he listened silently and waited until. Creak The man in cheap leather armour peered down the alleyway. His head blocked most of the sun and cast a shadow upon the second man, a rough¡ªlooking man in a cheap tunic and unkempt hair. He held a short blade in his hand and looked more nervous than his compatriot, who stepped forward. The duo entered the backstreet with their weapons ready, unaware they were heading towards certain death. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their steps came to an abrupt halt as the man in front felt a sharp heat slice across his throat. "Hello, bandit!" Leon''s voice rang out. "Gah¡ªugh¡ªwhat?" Thud "W-What?" The man in the rear trembled. Leonhardt moved faster than the trailing member could react, his right hand flicking the dagger from the first, then slashing it across the neck. Thump "Ouch¡­ urk." The unkempt male with a short blade trembled¡ªtwo men died in less than a second as the monster with sharp red eyes walked casually towards him with a twisted smile. His black hair shimmered in the sunlight while he flicked a flaming shard around his fingers. "D-D-D-Do not come any closer!" The man whimpered¡ªhis hands shook as he waved a knife wildly at Leon. He tried to turn and flee before Leon grabbed his face and lifted him off the ground. The man was shaking in terror, with a thin stream of liquid dripping down the young man''s legs. The sight made his face twist. "What the hell, are you urinating yourself?" A burst of crimson fire erupted from his hand, engulfing the bandit in flames. "Gyaaakgh! "Shhh¡­ be quiet." An ominous black dagger appeared from nowhere and stabbed into the burning bandit, who trembled in pain as if the cold blade brought him more agony than the flames. ''This fool, how did he die so quickly?'' Leonhardt''s heart quickly cooled. The excitement vanished when the men died in seconds; now, in silence, he watched as the dungeon absorbed their bodies, like magic, all traces vanished. ¡ª¡ª [Alex, Dran and Leno Slain!] ¨N Gained 150 DP ¨N Gained 250 EXP ¨N Gained 20 EP ¡ª¡ª "Phew." Leon wiped the blood from his palm, burning it off with his flames. He waited for a short while, making sure no dots were close to him, before he wrapped around and entered the mercenary guild entrance. Jangle Leon pushed open the brown arched doors while overwhelmed by the thick stench of tobacco, ale, and a stale odour that came from the mercenary guild. To the left was a bar where various people were drinking and playing cards at tables. On the right, people with cleaner appearances looked at an enormous board that spanned the entire wall. It was filled with white parchments, with images and quests written on them. Then, ahead, there was a modest greeting desk with a glass panel protecting the guild workers. Two beautiful women stood dealing with several claimants, while the end queue seemed empty. A dark-skinned female with pointed ears and a sharp gaze stood with folded arms. ''I wonder why they don''t go to her.'' "Are you open for service?" Leonhardt didn''t seem bothered by her atmosphere, so he removed his silver badge and asked in a noble and elegant voice, copied from the memories his master had given him. "Hah?" The dark elf replied before looking at him, only for her ears to suddenly spike up and turn red the moment she saw his face, her words suddenly stuttering. "A-Ah¡­ Of course! What can I do to help you, dear member?" ''Strange.'' Leon couldn''t understand her sudden change, but he suddenly got a whiff of her sweet scent. "My name is Leon, and my entire mercenary group suffered a disastrous loss to the goblins. By sheer luck, I managed to survive because I was a recruit and kept safe." "Oh my, can you please show me your Mercenary Emblem? Maybe you kept a keepsake from the leader as proof." Though the dark elf acted strange at first, she immediately switched to business mode. Meanwhile, people whispered in the background, shocked. "Oh my god! Aella is serving a rookie, doesn''t she refuse to help normal mercenaries?" "Shush, she''s the daughter of a dark elf war maiden, don''t make a scene!" The only decent proof Leonhard could use was the sword used by Axel. Thanks to Leonhardt absorbing information about humans, he could pass any magical detection methods. Thud A black and dark blue greatsword slammed down on the desk while the dark elf Aella watched with a smile, nodding several times as she took a magical tool in her hand, swiping open the window and scanning the item. Leon noticed Aella gazing at him. She rubbed her cheek with two fingers and observed him keenly, eyeing his body and tapping it at various points. She mumbled to herself while a blue light traced the weapon on the desk. "Good, it''s impressive you lifted this weapon with such ease." "I am strong, much stronger than I seem, haha." "Oh, really?" Her eyes narrowed, and she lifted her brows with a slight smirk, lowering her eyes over his chest and crotch. "Yes, I can see that. So strong." Her upper teeth pulled on her lips before she flicked her gaze back to his face and continued. "Do you wish to keep the group active? If so, you would need to pay one gold and gather three new members before the month ends." "I see." It seemed he would need to find humans he could trust to help him in the future. Chapter 21 - 21: My Future Minions! "I see, so it''s one gold per to keep a silver mercenary group active after changing the leader. Might there be a charge during the month, too?" Leon focused his eyes, narrowing them at the sheets of paper Aella brought out with details and information. Earlier, she had taken his picture using a photographic magic tool, and then he filled out several forms and dripped blood on a weird device. ''So complex, but I am a little excited.'' "Fufu, yes. The cost per month is ten silvers, but this is to help cover the cost of insurance for losses and ensure fair payment for completed tasks." Leon nodded, though he couldn''t quite understand the existence of insurance. He had seen many documents about its importance earlier and thought about checking them once he finished here. "No problem, thank you." Aella handed him numerous small parchments with the information and details the pair discussed. Then, with a sudden click, a rectangular black piece of plastic popped out from the black spherical magic tool. "Then here is the updated licence with your details. Mercenary Leon, make sure you don''t lose your card again, as a service replacement fee will be added to your account." The helpful guild receptionist seemed to have done him a favour this time. He grasped the solid rectangular card¡ªin the top-left corner was an image the dark elf created using a magic tool. The right side showed basic details about Leon and, on the back, various spell circles and markings to prove its legitimacy in the kingdom. ''Oh, the money owed is written on the front, too.'' ? Money Owed: 1 gold "Thank you. I didn''t expect so much help." Leon''s eyes narrowed, curling his lips into a smile, causing the dark elf''s face to melt; her ears flopped down while she swayed on the spot. "No, it''s my pleasure, usually customers are sweaty and annoying brutes." "Aella. Does this mean that I can use this license for a month, but until then, it''s only temporary?" The gazes from the other queues made Leon''s back crawl with an uncomfortable tingle. Their sharp stares and muttered insults made his patience crumble. Aella tilted her head and scrunched her nose slightly. "Yes, don''t worry." Her eyes scanned the room as if searching for something before returning to Leon''s face with a smile. "You can still accept missions and quests, but know some clients might dislike a mercenary group lacking funds. Though some might also take advantage of such a thing." Somehow, the muttered insults and glances vanished after Aella did that. However, Leonhardt paid little notice to humans. "I see, well, thank you very much, Aella." Ding! [Congratulations!] [You have become the leader of the Crimson Hawks!] Ifrit spoke with a lovely voice, yet the tone of her nasal breathing and slight chuckle made it obvious she was mocking Leon. ''Shut it.'' Leonhardt didn''t leave the guild immediately because he was keen to learn more. He was curious about the massive wall and couldn''t help himself. So he walked to it, which was covered in quests and missions from various clients. "It''s interesting, from random people to nobles like a duke." All the missions looked neat and well-ordered, which made the images in his mind crumble because of Axel and the others. ''Were they just bandits after all?'' He grasped the coins remaining from Zafira and Gobbolas, along with the red lace handkerchief that the succubus offered him before leaving. ''It smells like Zafira after the bath.'' [That''s just her body odour.] ''So? She smells good.'' [Tsk! Men¡­] Leon held the soft cloth, stroking the smooth surface while he noticed the scent reminded him of Zafira, causing his head to feel light. The initials Z & A were sewn into a gold material in the corner. Although he was unsure if he would need it, he still placed it in his front chest pocket, like the men in his memories. [You will look handsome, too.] ''Thanks, Ifrit.'' Thus, he folded Zafira''s sweetly scented handkerchief into a diamond shape and tucked it into his black waistcoat. He lifted his head, noticing the guild become rowdier since he entered, more people eating meals, and several groups pointing at missions he could only dream about. His fingers lifted the guild card and noticed his current rank with a bitter smile. [E-Rank (Temporary)] Because he lacked members and couldn''t prove himself to the guild, his rank seemed to have been capped at this level. ''What missions can I take alone?'' The idea of gaining more people started to form at that moment. He couldn''t use the goblins, so meeting humans or people of other races would be nice. With this in mind, he turned away from the mission board. He strode towards the bar and restaurant with a thick scent of roasted meat, ginger, and ale that met him upon pushing through the door. The delicious fragrance caused even him, a Chimera who didn''t need to eat, to feel his stomach growl. "Let''s eat something." The dining section''s atmosphere wasn''t as wild as that of the tavern or entrance. Instead, there was an air of camaraderie among those seated here, enjoying drinks and meals together. Some gambled with cards and stacks of copper and silver coins placed at their centre on large circular tables. On the counter, a group of mercenaries dressed in leather armour laughed heartily over cups of ale and exchanged stories of their day, most of which involved how the monsters they fought were weak. Leon looked around, his eyes shining at the interesting stimulus, before someone walked into his shoulder and stumbled back, followed by the sound of water splashing and a cup falling. A gruff yet feminine voice grunted. "Ah? What the fuck! Why is there a noble in here! Watch your damn step, fucker!" The event happened quickly. Leon turned to face the fallen mug of ale and a woman shouting at him. Her eyes narrowed as she flared her nostrils. She was wearing brown pants and a thin white shirt, which exposed her stomach and back. The scene shows a female with long red hair, like the evening sun, smooth, fair skin with scales along her spine, and a lizard-like tail coming from her behind, thick and powerful as it slaps the ground. "Hm?" Leonhardt felt his chest flutter the moment he smelled her scent¡ªit felt strange and a little nostalgic, though he couldn''t put his finger on where that feeling came from. Then her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. "How are you going to repay me?" The female lizard stepped forward and thrust at him with her right hand. However, when she reached for him, he seized her arm, wrapping it around her back and pinning her face first against a wooden table next to them. "Argh! Let go!" While holding her arm twisted behind her back, Leon leaned over her body, forcing himself closer and taking in a deep breath, smelling her neck and scales. He didn''t understand this action¡ªit wasn''t planned, but it was instinctual as a Chimera. His nose pressed against her neck before quickly pulling away as she stopped resisting and froze, with her pupils dilating, before she snorted. "I''ll buy you another drink if you calm down." He released the young woman and backed away. Her entire face turned scarlet as if she''d been dunked in the water again, her mouth agape and eyes darting around while holding her wrist. "Hah, you¡­ What did you do just then? Damn it." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon didn''t know what to think about this woman, but for now, he wouldn''t kill her. Since he was short on staff, he wanted her to join his mercenary group. Asuka came to the guild because, unlike Kaito, they sometimes took on mercenary missions for the bonus reward and avoided his eyes, but during her moment of irritation. The others went to find an inn and more information on the goblins in the forest, so she wanted to sneak away for a drink. But then, a noble male caused her to drop her drink on herself, angering her. Yet, the moment she tried to struggle, he quickly disarmed her and pushed her down. Then, he sniffed her scales and neck, the place where her scent was strongest. "Y-You better not be lying!" Her face turned beet red. It wasn''t from embarrassment, but a strange feeling of defeat and being treated as a woman that gave her butterflies in her stomach. Now wary of the handsome-looking noble, she followed him to the bar, unable to stop her tail from swaying close to the floor. Unaware of the future in store for them. Chapter 22 - 22: Chimera VS Alcohol! The world started spinning after the second drink. Although Asuka was initially apprehensive, once the first drink disappeared, she started acting fondly toward Leon. Asuka turned out to be here to hunt the goblins in the north, but after learning that no damage had occurred so far, they split up to conduct research. ''It could have been bad.'' Leonhardt rocked from side to side as the pair walked out of the mercenary guild, leaning on each other for balance¡ªdespite his body being so strange, his mind remained active and focused. "We should kill some monsters. Hic!" The Dragonoid tried to take a mission from the board and push it onto Leon, but because she didn''t have a mercenary group, the receptionist rejected the acceptance with a bitter look. "Then should we attack the west. I don''t like those wolves." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he couldn''t stop the group from attacking the forest, he formed a plan after speaking with Asuka and learning about Erina and her comrade, Sylvie. Although they didn''t seem bloodthirsty, they needed experience and money. "Eh~ but the goblins?" Asuka''s body pushed against the dungeon master while poking his chest with her nails, sharp and powerful like a claw. "Did they attack anyone yet?" "Heh?" "Have the goblins attacked or pillaged the village, despite being so close?" Leon knew better than anyone because his orders were absolute: never attack humans unless they attack first. The goblins and Zafira both understood this and, at first, both objected until he explained the advantages of humans and how they would gather if one of their own died. Thus, he planned to blame the wolves, forcing his goblins to steal their prey, kill their young with human tools and draw them out, using humans as a scapegoat. ''Forgive me, humans, it''s only for a little while.'' This would continue until this woman agreed to join him and kill the evolved wolf with him. [You plan to meet with Gobbolas and Gobbomir during that mission. Such a dangerous plan¡ªwill you really attempt it?] ''I only have a month, and the dungeon also needs work.'' Although he gave Zafira some control, Leon had plans of his own, a goal that would need to be completed before he became the official leader of the Crimson Hawks. Leon''s mind became liberated from negative thoughts thanks to the alcohol and could think rapidly with his crimson eyes narrowed. He noticed the change in Asuka''s face. Although strong and intelligent with gambling, he discovered how na?ve she was. Suddenly, because of his words, she wrapped around his arm, a tight grip that felt like a snake coiled around his arm, crushing the bones while slapping his chest several times. "OK, Okay, we should hunt the wolves. Ah, what a nice chest. Hey, do you work out?" Her voice changed again into a sexy tone, which didn''t work for Leon because he didn''t understand such things, but her words affected him nonetheless. At the beginning of the week, he looked like an average person, but thanks to the power of the dungeon core. Leon evolved and improved himself, rapidly gaining muscle mass at an unnatural speed. "So tough, and springy." "Ah? Asuka, what are you doing to that man?" A voice, bright, like a field of daffodils blowing in the spring breeze. The appearance of blonde hair caused the pair to pause. "Erina~ what''s up? You look pretty." Asuka commented, her body falling forward, almost collapsing, if not for Leonhardt''s arm holding her in the air. "Help me get her home, please." Erina''s smile expressed many emotions, including worry, sadness, and irritation, which Leon failed to distinguish. When the trio left the mercenary guild, Asuka started singing a song about frogs. "T-Tell me why, the frog croaked, the Frog Croaked, croak~" Asuka mumbled after leaving the guild, becoming loud and clear until it disappeared as she fell asleep halfway through. "Please forgive me¡ªmy party member caused you such trouble." The priestess, Erina, wore a pure white gown, different from the grey one she had worn in battle. The new gown exposed her arms and shoulders, revealing soft, fair skin as she repeatedly bowed to Leonhardt. "It''s fine. I never tasted beer before, but it was quite delicious. Let me escort you both to your inn." Asuka weighed a lot, and Leon could tell the priestess would struggle alone. "Well, I also discussed hiring her and her friends before she drank so much, haha." He touched the tip of his nose, trying to imitate the humans he saw in the bar being bashful earlier. Erina, used to the antics of Kaito, felt her chest pounding and felt a slight fear that this strong male with pronounced muscles and a face she didn''t know if she could refuse once approached with an aggressive style. "P-P-Priestesses are forbidden from such¡ª" "Huh?" Leon stared confusedly, feeling nothing but indifference to her worries. "I-I-I mean, please help me." Her face flushed a little. Although Erina always believed every guy approached her only to flirt with her, Leon remained indifferent. Not that he wasn''t interested, but his mental capacity remained insufficient to hold such thoughts. Although evolving rapidly, he only reached the thoughts of ''this girl is pretty'' and ''I like her scent''¡ªnothing beyond that. Erina picked up on the clarity within his crimson iris and felt relieved. "Alright then. Um." Not wanting to bother the pair further than necessary, the trio made it back to their inn room, and Leon helped put Asuka to bed. The only inn in this large village was The Sleepy Kobold, a strange name since kobolds were pests. When people asked the owner, an elf who had settled here, she shrugged her shoulder and replied, "If you''ve seen them sleeping, they look so peaceful and happy, it warms your heart." After leaving the ladies in their rooms, he stepped into the inn''s dining room and sat at the counter beside a strange girl with blue hair who was holding a huge mug. Not long after he sat in the seat, the elven mistress with golden hair and blue eyes approached him with a strange smile. "Oh~ a fellow elf, that''s two in one day, little miss, how is the elven ale?" ''Me? People keep calling me an elf.'' [Well, a Fae is a spiritual creature and the progenitor of all elves.] ''Strange.'' [Fae have a second name in the human world, known as High-Elves, because of their beauty and high aptitude for elemental magic] ''It doesn''t matter; humans have trouble telling different races apart.'' Leon turned towards the girl and found her gulping down something while wearing a gloomy expression, though he couldn''t help but enjoy her facial expression. He watched her face twist, and her body trembled each time she sipped the elven ale. ''Does it taste that bad?'' He wondered before ordering one for himself. Elven ale, a speciality in which even the goddess of wine, Chrysa, admits its unrivalled quality. If only it weren''t so sour. Still, some loved the bitter tang. Unfortunately, this girl wasn''t a fan. "Why does this taste so bad? Hrk." Sylvie covered her mouth but continued drinking more. Her body shivered continuously as she tasted it before starting to cry. Leon observed her curiously, wondering if there was something wrong. Upon hearing his movement, Sylvie snapped towards him and glared at him. "What! Do you have a problem?" She growled like a cat. Even though she stood only up to Leon''s waist, he couldn''t help but chuckle and grabbed the elven ale in front of him. The alcohol made his lips tingle, the flavours like a mixture of sweet, salty, and sour tones mixed to form an explosion inside his mouth. It was too sour. But, although his brain rejected it outright, Leon took another swig. He swallowed, then remembered something in his storage, a fruit from the dungeon that was incredibly sweet and full of a slightly acidic juice. Sylvie tilted her head, watching him pull the fruit from his ring, which was used as camouflage since item rings weren''t special or rare. Then he squeezed the fruit over his mug, causing a sizzling sound to fill the air as the clear juice from the dungeon core fruit mixed with the elven brew. "Y-You! How could you defile the elven ale!" The elven maiden behind the bar slammed her hands against the table in rage. However, Leon held up his palm and sipped the cold, sharp, fruity, and sweet drink with a tiny kick that no longer tasted horrible. Although the elf looked frustrated at first, when he offered her a cup, she tried it. Her eyes sparkled as if she saw a business opportunity. The eyes of a middle-aged elf predator now focused on Leonhard''s handsome face. Sylvie did what she normally would not do: She tried some. Sip~ Tingles~ Cough! "It tastes delicious!" The half-elf witch then hid her face, shocked by her outburst, covering it with her massive witch''s hat, and gazed at the full cup that Leonhardt had just made while listening to his conversation with the mistress. "How about a 6:4 split? Tell me, those fruits, where can I get them?" "Let''s make a soul contract, I''ll tell you and help supply you with them, and we split the earnings for this improved drink 7:3." Leon smiled, his ears twitching in anticipation. The elf smiled evilly. "6:4." She retorted. Sylvie sensed some kind of rivalry between the pair, but it ended rather swiftly. Sylvia hopped off the counter, her chest bubbling with heat after finding a drink she could enjoy, though the conversation between the two caused her ears to flicker and pick up their words. "Hmm, goblins that grow fruit, is it true?" Sylvie then vanished to the second floor to meet her comrades, eyes sparkling with new information. Leonhardt didn''t plan the pair''s meeting, but it would help him gain three worthy Slav workers in the future. Chapter 23 - 23: Meanwhile In the Forest! Leonhardt left the inn after making the deal, and his guild card now has an additional agreement, which allows him to relax. ''Who would have thought contracts could be made through your guild identification.'' Thanks to making the deal through an officially licensed inn in good standing, Leon would receive his cut off the profit as long as the ingredients were delivered on time. He shook the card while heading towards the southern exit after hearing about monsters that roamed the plains. Leon planned to kill some to improve his swordsmanship and get some cash to use for the next few days. It was at that moment that a strange feeling washed over his body, a sense of his existence feeling a boost of adrenaline, and the dirty village streets no longer felt so bad. [Zafira Anuket has purchased five squares] [Arlet Village is now under your control] [Embervale Forest is now under your control] [You have attacked another dungeon: Raptor Vale (F-Rank)] ¡ª¡ª [Village of Embers] ? Lord: Empty ? Population: 1000 ? Daily DP: 1000 ? DP Storage: 4,000/15,000 ? Defences: None ? Garrison: None ? Tax: None [Select New Lord?] [Yes] [No] ¡ª¡ª "What¡­ attacked a dungeon? Ngh!" Suddenly, Leonhardt grasped his chest, struggling to breathe as he stumbled into the wall, panting and cold sweat oozing down his face. The sudden increase in the land caused a massive rush of experience, levels and attributes into his body as if someone were murdering monsters like rats. "Argh, stop!" A powerful burst of energy, information, and knowledge flowed into Leon''s mind before his body shuddered. Blood spewed from his mouth, exceeding his EP, DP, and Experience limits. "Hrk?!" The moment his body slipped down the wall, an adventurer with shimmering gold hair and a white robe passed by; turning her head, she noticed Leon''s condition and called out. "Mister¡­ Sir, stay with me." Meanwhile, in the northeast parts of the Great Forest of Embers, a massive gathering of goblins faced off against a giant reptile. "Lady Zafira, the enemy seems stronger than we anticipated!" Gobbolas grasped his bow and shot a flurry of arrows at the smaller monsters, which resembled small dinosaurs with sharp teeth and scaled bodies. "Master told me to do my best." Zafira gazed at the goblins with a displeased snarl before shaking her head and sighing. "No, forget it. Pull your men back for now." She knew that although the goblins could be revived inside the dungeon, if they died outside, they would be lost forever. Though her feelings towards Leonhardt were still quite neutral, she understood he cherished the goblins and rabbits. "I will handle this problem¡­ you and the goblins kill the rest." [Warning¡ªSub Leader Zafira!] [Your current action could cause damage to the Dungeon!] "Shut it, Ifrit." Zafira scoffed, her body swirling with darkness, the whites of her eyes turning black as she entered her combat form. "If something happens, immediately use my DP to summon as many goblins and traps as possible." [I told him not to trust you!] ''Even though I have treated him like a thorn in my side, he still trusts me?'' These thoughts in the demon realm would be foolish enough to get you killed. However, Zafira couldn''t help but feel a dull warmth in her chest. "Strange." Zafira shook her head again to remove her lingering thoughts¡ªthe horned rabbits and goblins suffered a significant amount of damage. All because the scouts didn''t discover a dungeon lingering in the eastern part of the forest. So the moment she tried to claim it. A dungeon battle started, causing the dungeon master of the enemy to rush to the front line and start slaughtering the goblins. "Well, to make it up to him, let''s crush them." The monster leading the lizards looked like a stegosaurus. Swinging a long tail with thick spikes at the tip, it impaled goblins like soft cheese with a knife. Crackle! Shadow magic started swirling around Zafira''s feet. She lifted her right palm and narrowed her gaze, pointing towards the gathering of beasts and goblins, before opening her soft eyes. "Oblivion." The next moment, the entire region of lizards dropped into a dark portal that materialised underneath their feet. In a mere fraction of a second, a dome enveloped their entire force, and turbulent shadow magic crackled from Zafira''s fingertip. Trees became crushed, corrupted and rotten, the ground turned black, and dirt became a slimy, poisonous swamp of mud; anything organic slowly died from decay and poison. "Hmm, how fun, too bad, they aren''t strong enough to enjoy more!" With a long sigh, Zafira began to crack her bones. She could use her true power within the dungeon''s bounds. Thankfully, during a dungeon clash, all abilities, and seals are released. Her body started to twist as muscles formed all over it. She grew a foot taller, now standing close to seven feet. Although a beautiful maiden in her normal form, once transformed, she was a complete monster. She turned her pale purple face and gazed towards the south, the place where the demon continent and her home existed. "I hope Father doesn''t sense the pulse from my transformation." [Warning¡ªBecause of the immense number of incoming Mana and evolution points, the dungeon master has been forced into an emergency evolution! All dungeon activities apart from cleaning and summoning units will be unavailable for 3 days.] "At last, some good news." Zafira believed that the sooner he became stronger, the sooner she could attend the meetings where all dungeon masters gathered monthly. "A chance to help him for once. I would never have been able to leave that prison otherwise." Her eyes closed, and she hurriedly used the points she had been given, buying all the land she could and ensuring the lost forces were restored. "Gobbolas, Gobbomir, send most of the goblins back to the Embervale Keep, and then follow me. All for our Master''s benefit." Though she felt amused that Leonhardt probably suffered because of her, she wanted to improve the dungeon, a strange feeling that never happened before. ''I wonder if something is wrong with me.'' "Lady Zafira, what of the master?" Gobbomir narrowed his eyes. The blue hobgoblin always clashed with this female, though he knew of her might. He always asked and watched her actions. "He will become stronger. I will not betray him." Zafira''s tail slapped the floor, and her lips twisted as she pouted. She always felt that goblins who followed Gobbomir wouldn''t follow her sometimes because they were devoted to Leonhardt and even trained with him in the mornings before he left. "I will follow." The doubtful goblin narrowed his gaze before letting out a sigh¡ªbecause goblins lacked intelligence and wisdom, they struggled to understand when other races mocked them or used sarcasm. But Leonhardt always treated them with respect and spoke to them like normal creatures rather than idiots or fools. "Then let''s get to work, master''s desire is the priority." Gobbolas gazed back at Gobomir in the distance, sorting the troops and organising the Horn Rabbits, who had contributed to their win against the raptors. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Tsk, why is this woman the Master''s second in command, is it her excess fat?" Gobbomir muttered to himself after walking away with the group of goblins. Zafira heard everything, of course, but only clicked her tongue, then walked towards the northeast. "Goblins, so uncultured." Two hours after his sudden accident, Leonhardt remained suffering while unconscious. The female who saved him from sleeping outside was none other than Erina, who booked a private room different from Asuka and Sylvie. "What should I do. I''ve never treated a person before, let alone a man!" Her eyes darted around, the half-naked male on the bed covered in sweat and sometimes convulsing. "My magic didn''t work, something strange happened." Erina used magic when she reached the room, ignoring the strange glances from the other customers and the mistress. She could feel the man''s body sucking her Mana like a hungry chick wanting more food. "Why isn''t he waking up?" Her hands squeezed a wet cloth while trembling. The noble lady who became a potential saint felt embarrassed. Her desire to help those in need clashed with the strange action of taking a young man into her room. ''I should get Asuka and Sylvie,'' she finally determined before standing up. "Wait here, Sir," she said to the unconscious man before rushing off, only to be yanked back, the sleeping male grasping her hand while pulling her onto the bed. A scream escaped from Erina''s soft mouth, which almost forced her to shout, but strangely, she could not move at all. The aura emitted from the male behind her caused her body to freeze in absolute terror, like a mouse trapped in a serpent''s gaze¡ªshe closed her eyes tight and tried to gather her divine power, but the more she gathered, the more was devoured by the hungry serpent behind her. The young woman didn''t know about monsters or how they became stronger. In fact, most humans didn''t understand evolution because it was hidden and secretive, especially for dungeon masters and powerful monsters. Thanks to her divine power, an issue inside Leonhardt was being fixed, namely his short lifespan and the imbalance between his three races and mind. ''Please wake up.'' However, none of that would comfort the terrified saintess held on a bed with a young male breathing down her neck and the hard sensation poking her body. Chapter 24 - 24: The Drunk Elf Leonhardt dreamt of bizarre landscapes, with endlessly scaling towers reaching into the heavens, strange creatures of all shapes and sizes. He tried to speak, but his lips refused to move, his hands and body paralysed, an observer of this world. Even his thoughts remained out of his control, unable to understand the rapidly transmitted information. All he could do was watch. Meanwhile, in the real world, the saintess candidate Erina lay on her bed, the morning light flowing through the tattered cloth curtains illuminating her face. The priestess looked exhausted. Her eyes had dark circles around them, her eyelids twitched, and her dry skin lacked a glossy sheen. Maybe because he wrapped his arms around her, Erina seemed completely shocked. "What?!" Because his physical power was too strong for her to break free. His body now lay against her back while breathing like a baby, with skin shining like the surface of a river and a brilliant complexion. The opposite of the priestess. "Ngh! Come on." With a desperate push, the priestess pulled herself from his grasp before flying off the bed and landing with a loud thud. "Uh." The priestess scrunched her eyes tightly closed, rubbing her lower back while pressing her lips together to hide her painful cry. She turned back to face the sleeping male, now grasping the cheap pillow in her place. ''Why did I save this sinful man?'' Although she became a priestess because of her awakening as a saintess candidate, Erina''s original standing was that of a noble lady. Thus, experiencing this kind of thing, touching a male while unmarried and sharing the same bed, left her shocked and confused. Quickly, to avoid showing her current face, she rushed into the small room with a wooden basin; luckily, she could use basic water magic and cleanliness spells. Not long after, she came from the bathroom with her dark circles and dry skin much better, though if someone looked closely, the circles would be obvious. "He still hasn''t woken up?" a soft yet slightly jittery voice came from her lips as she clenched her fists. ''I should ask the others for help.'' Erina first visited Sylvie''s room, where she normally read books. However, when she knocked on the door, there was no answer. Knock "Sylvie, it''s me. Erina." The priestess called out, grasping her robes while looking down both sides of the hallway. Knock! Knock! However, the silence prevailed. Not even a shuffling noise echoed through the other side of the door. There was something unnatural about her friend''s behaviour. Sylvie normally did nothing special in the mornings¡ªshe should have been inside. Still, Erina remained in front of her friend''s dorm for several minutes before sighing and twisting the door handle. To her surprise, with a click, it opened. Immediately, a thick scent of alcohol and various snacks scattered everywhere greeted the saintess. In fact, piles of books covered the floor, leaving little space to walk properly, but worse of all¡­ "S-Sylvia! What happened?" Sylvie lay face-down on top of many books, dressed in only her underwear. Her pale white skin was exposed, while drool leaked from her lips. ''Didn''t Sylvie dislike alcohol?'' The saintess closed the door behind her quickly, gazing at the elven girl with blue hair wrapped around her body as she rolled on top of her books. Her flushed cheeks told a story of much drinking last night, yet Erina had never witnessed such a sight. "Please wake up," the saintess whispered, carefully shaking the elf''s delicate shoulder. ''She is so light.'' When Erina lightly lifted the girl, Sylvie groaned and rubbed her face on the floor. "Don''t touch me, perverted man!" "What are you talking about? Please, open your eyes." Erina begged her friend, yet not long after, she couldn''t help but clench her teeth. "You really drank a lot, what happened?" Erina asked while lifting Sylvia in her arms and holding her by her stomach. Your skin is beautiful." Although Erina knew Sylvie was an elf, normally, when they shared a bath, the elf never looked this glowing before. Her smooth skin looked like fresh winter''s snow. "Nghm Erina? Why are you here¡­ ugh¡­ my head hurts." Finally, the elf sat up, covering her eyes with one arm. "Why were you sleeping here drunk? Come on. I''ll bring you some water." The priestess used her magic to produce a ball of clean water with one hand. Then, she grabbed an empty cup on Sylvie''s table and washed it with holy energy. She poured the purified water into the cup and handed it to Sylvie. "Thank you~ Erina." "Sylvie is strange," Erina muttered with a complex expression. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the past, Sylvie acted more like a cat, pushing herself further away the more Erina approached. Yet somehow, today, the elf seemed friendly and bright. After the saintess made sure her friend finished drinking, Erina stared at her suspiciously. "What exactly did you do?" "I don''t quite recall what happened, but why does everything look like it''s spinning? It makes my head dizzy. However, it''s rather pleasant otherwise." Sylvie put a finger on her lips while tilting her head cutely. "Are you still drunk? What on earth did you drink?" "Ah, that perverted handsome guy, he made the drink so tasty." She began murmuring while rolling around on top of her books, twisting and turning around. She grabbed Erina''s robe skirt before rubbing her face against it. Erina immediately turned into a frozen statue, her face flashing between red and green. "Y-You''re going to get my dress dirty, s-stop!" "Erina~ You smell really nice~ Did you bathe?" "No, but come on, stop messing around! We have training today." "Hmm, nahhh~" Erina held her chest, unable to accept how lovely the cold elf suddenly acted¡ªwhere did this sudden change come from? "What kind of stupid questions are you asking? Are you alright, Sylvie?" "Ah, right. Didn''t you ask if I was alright? That is funny." "You need to sober up! Let''s go outside, come on." "Outside?" Sylvie stretched her hands toward the discarded robe, tunic, and other clothes before they floated off the ground. They were instantly wrapped around her body as if invisible strings controlled them. "Such refined wind magic as always." Erina watched the process intently while waiting for Sylvie. "Finally, are you done?" "Mm." The elf seemed to have changed slightly, her eyes gazing at the ground, covering the view of her face with the oversized witch''s hat. "Sorry." Sylvie apologised after sobering up. Currently, both girls stood in the inn''s hallway, making their way to another of their companion''s rooms: Asuka, the red-headed dragonoid. "There''s something I need both of your help with, you see." Erina finished explaining to the sober Sylvie, who avoided her gaze and nodded. She then knocked on the dragonoid''s door. "Asuka? Are you there?" A soft voice called out to the girl behind the closed room door. However, no noise came from the other side. "Do you think she''s dead drunk again?" Sylvie said whilst pinching the end of her pointy witch hat. "Yes. Let us see." After meeting Sylvie, somehow, Erina didn''t think Asuka could be any worse, so she pushed open the door, wondering what the male in her bed was doing right now. Chapter 25 - 25: Salticidae "Ugh¡­ I feel like death." In the slightly dusty room, Leonhardt rolled on the bed while groaning, with a stabbing pain in his head worsened by the dungeon notifications echoing in his mind. "Well, you were asleep for three days and almost died." A soft, but bright, voice echoed from the door, followed by her light footsteps and the sound of something rolling against the wooden flooring. ''Huh?'' Leon lifted himself, feeling much lighter than he expected, almost flying off the bed, as he finally opened his eyes. "Ugh¡­" The moment he opened his eyes, the world appeared in immense detail. His pupils shimmered with a vivid colour as he saw the blonde priestess from the other night. ''Could I always see this well?'' "It wasn''t that he almost died, the idiot died several times, his heart stopped." A low, raspy voice sounded from his left. ''Who is that?'' Leon''s eyes made his head ache, causing the symptoms of a migraine. Although he could see clearly at a much wider angle than before, the centre of his vision grew to almost 180 degrees. His peripherals remained sharp and detailed. That''s when he noticed the woman who spoke, vibrant fiery hair, a muscular tanned body, and a long, thick tail covered in red scales. "Oh, it''s the hot dragonoid who likes to drink." ''Hmm? What was that vocabulary, hot? Why?'' "Hah? You sound much different compared to the other night, haha." Asuka hit the table with a thud, before chuckling until she snorted. "Asuka, don''t be so loud, Sylvie is still asleep." The priestess scolded the Dragonoid before pushing the wooden cart to Leon''s bedside. On top was a small bowl of buttered bread and a deep bowl of buttery soup with a strange type of meat floating inside, with a white, fluffy texture. ''Ifrit!'' [Hah~ you finally called my name!] ''Why didn''t you respond earlier?'' [Because you complained about all the dungeon messages in your head.] ''Ah¡­'' Leon couldn''t help but regret his earlier thoughts. Now that the headache started fading, Leon realised that something had happened. Instead of asking Ifrit, he looked at the pretty priestess with gentle eyes and asked her. ''Something about her feels familiar.'' "Hello, miss¡­ Erina, was it?" "Oh? You remember me?" In reality, there was no chance that he could remember her. After suddenly collapsing and sleeping, his mind became a messy mixture of memories and thoughts. What helped him notice was the strange, light blue floating question mark above her head. "How could I forget you, but it''s embarrassing, can you tell me what happened? My mind is a little painful." ? Erina ? Saintess Candidate (21) Level: 11 ? STR: E ? VIT: E ? DEF: E ? AGI: D ? INT: D The small screen allowed him to see their specialities, and he realised the difference between his and their strengths at the same level. ''Wait¡­ when did I reach level 15?'' ? Asuka ? Dragonoid Fighter (22) Level: 17 ? STR: C ? VIT: D ? DEF: D ? AGI: D ? INT: E Though he wanted to see more detailed information, this seemed to be his current limit. However, it was a great help for Leon, who needed to analyse his potential allies and enemies. "Oh my? Well, I am not sure what happened but three nights ago¡­" "Three nights?" Leon gasped, causing Erina to scowl at him, before she coughed and continued. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ahem "Three nights ago, you seemed to start suffering and despite my attempts to use healing magic to help you, it didn''t help. Throughout the nights, your body burned up as if you were on fire, and we took turns in nursing you, since you seemed to know both Sylvie and Asuka." ¡ºHe doesn''t seem to be dangerous, but his strength while sleeping was immense!¡» Erina thought to herself, biting her lower lip, reminded of Asuka who used her full power to hold his body down while Sylvie froze his body with ice magic. However, for that reason, his clothes ended up destroyed and¡­ "What''s the matter, Erina? Your face is really red." "A-Ah, it''s nothing, but after you suffered for three days, finally you woke up this morning!" Her voice turned inside out. Leon noticed her slightly strange actions, but he didn''t think it was important compared to learning he was sleeping for three days. "I''m really grateful for the help. I think I mentioned to Asuka that I might need your help for something. Did she tell you?" "Huh? What did you ask me, I forgot." The redhead gazed at Leon with a confused look while scratching her head. "The quest to kill that wolf in the forest." Erina looked at Asuka, who touched her chin as if thinking hard. Then, suddenly, she seemed to have a moment of clarity and clapped her hands. "Oh yeah, you offered good payment for the quest, and it would give us a chance to scout the goblins!" ''Yeah, but it was also a chance for me to convince the others that they aren''t bad goblins.'' The phrase, ''the only good goblin is a dead goblin'' suddenly echoed in Leonhardt''s mind, but he couldn''t quite remember where or who said it. "Hmm." Erina and Asuka gazed at each other, before turning back to Leon, who started tearing at the soft bread, oblivious to their secret look. "Can we discuss this together first, then get back to you, sir?" ¡ºHis eyes don''t carry any lies or danger. Let''s discuss it seriously¡» "I''m Leon, didn''t I already introduce myself?" "Sir Leon, we came here for a reason, but now you''ve given us an offer, I would like to seriously consider it." Erina''s voice became serious. Maybe it was her business voice as she suddenly started organising her things and dragged Asuka into the side room where the third member slept. "Phew¡­" Leon leaned back against the headboard. He didn''t need to eat, but didn''t want the women to think he was some kind of freak, or find out he was a monster before he built trust with them. ''Strange.'' Although he evolved, it didn''t affect his looks that much. Instead, his changes seemed more internal, as he could feel a stronger connection to his three bloodlines. The Mana pumping from his Djinn heart followed his thoughts, and the same was true for his Fae blood, but something new surprised him. The webbing that he struggled to use effectively now flowed a little easier from his claws, which he disguised as nails. [Your Arachne bloodline is much more complicated than what I thought.] [That insane woman gave you the genes of a jumping spider, which enhanced your vision.] Leon noticed this change from the start. His field of view was much wider than that of a normal human. He could see and sense things almost behind him rather than just to the sides of his vision. The improvement allowed him to see anything that moved. He could zero in on the tiny insects and bugs on the walls or flying outside, along with detecting elemental Mana floating in the air. "It''s quite wonderful, but there is another bloodline, right? My memories tell me that jumping spiders don''t use webbing to hunt." [Master, I cannot analyse the bloodline as it hasn''t fully materialised yet.] "No problem, the only thing to do is test the changes¡­ now that I am level 15 my attributes are quite impressive." [Only for a D-Rank Adventurer or Mercenary.] ''Shut up!'' Chapter 26 - 26: Lets Do a Quest! Leon dragged himself to his feet before flinging his coat around his shoulders. He noticed low voices coming from the adjacent bedroom. "Those girls seem quite excited." He noticed various changes after he woke up. His Mana flowed faster, a raging tide, allowing him to cast magic faster. Their chatter diminished to hushed whispers after he moved¡ªbut Leon ignored them. Instead, walking towards the exit. ''Ifrit, what else changed.'' Despite his improved vision, the evolution didn''t make him invincible. When he tried jumping. Leon didn''t become a jumping spider. Thus, he sought Ifrit''s advice. [I am not sure] ''What?'' Her sudden lack of information shocked Leonhardt. Ifrit held an important meaning to Leon, she was unique and interesting. She also helped him ever since he found himself in that dark dungeon alone. [Because of your Fae and Djinn bloodlines, I couldn''t analyse their effects on each other.] ''Is it that complicated?'' Leon descended the stairs while speaking with Ifrit. He planned to visit the dungeon and meet with Zafira, worried about her. Despite knowing her strength, Leon couldn''t relax. [I''m sure you''ll discover what you need. Focus on magic for now.] ''Hm¡­'' Despite wanting to complain, he could only breathe deep. His evolution didn''t quite change anything obvious, made him conflicted. He noticed people watching him and tested his new eyesight. Ifrit mentioned pouring Mana into his eyes would help. Leon decided he could trust her and shut his eyes. Woosh His two hearts thumped, every beat pushing Mana enriched blood through Leon''s organs. The Djinn blood carried faint heat, energising his muscles. His Fae blood pumped a cool, relaxing chill, soothing his organs. Both elements mixed, creating a constant cycle of hot and cold. Leon couldn''t feel Mana with ease before his evolution, but now he could. Able to direct, control and focus the fire and wind elements inside him. [Damn monster!] ''Hmm?'' Ifrit commented on him, but Leon became too focused on his magic. His footsteps slowed as he opened his eyes. Vwoom Leon could immediately see things in a 360-degree view. A ripple of Mana flooded his mind with detailed information. Two men sat drinking behind him. A woman whispered something to her party members before dropping her coins. ''This is my power?'' The magic allowed him to tap into his spider bloodline. This allowed Leon to observe around him in immense detail. But during this, his eyes would glow with a dim red light. [Though your changes are quite minimal this time, your skin looks fantastic!] [That crazy bitch created you for a specific reason.] [No wonder she used only the most handsome, or beautiful monsters.] ''Don''t be jealous, you''re my only dungeon wife.'' Leon knew Ifrit rarely showed her emotions. But because she bombarded him with messages, he realised she was enjoying herself. After realising that fact, his lips curled upward, forming a wide grin. ''Let''s go.'' Leon observed the village, a place now completely under his control. Not only did his dungeon influence cover this area, but now it reached the nearest city. He understood this wasn''t completely good and came with various dangers. ''The woman who created me, was she actually crazy?'' While he avoided getting dragged into a conversation with the villagers. Leon tried to maintain his focus and pumped Mana into his eyes. He wondered what his pupils looked like after he evolved. [The arch mage wasn''t a normal woman.] Ifrit''s cryptic message made Leon curious about the woman who created him. Though he somehow doubted they would ever meet, rather he hoped to avoid her. Leon felt she would complicate his life or try to kill him. ''How so?'' [She created you!] Leon''s lips trembled as his eyes twitched. Unable to defend himself from Ifrit''s snap response, he frowned. He didn''t mind her insults or complaints because when things became difficult. Because she would always save his life, or protect him. The village exit came into view. While he pinned the silver mercenary badge on his chest. He knew the guard wouldn''t stop him again, becoming happy. Leon noticed the older guard squinting at him from behind before grumbling. "Don''t die, kid, the forest is full of goblins right now, be careful." ''That was nice of him.'' [Your standards are far too low!] Leon understood Ifrit''s meaning, so he ignored her and headed towards the north. He missed Zafira''s sharp tongue and the black rabbit that always greeted him at the door. "Hey Kid, stop!" A sudden voice with a rough tone called out. ''These damned mercenaries, so annoying.'' S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Keke, did you think hiding with some women for a few days would trick us?" ''Another one¡­'' [How about you try winning by casting no spells?] ''None? What''s my reward?'' [New Quest Added¡ªHow to be a Mercenary King Part 1] ? Since you want to, let''s strengthen your skills! [Rewards] ? 500 DP ? 1000 XP ? Gain Skill: Greatsword ? Gain Skill: Command ? Ifrit''s Happiness will increase! Leonhardt couldn''t help but smirk to himself while gazing at the two men behind him. He stepped forward right with his right leg before summoning the greatsword used by Axel. ''You win this time, Ifrit.'' He extended his hand while the sword manifested, watching the movements of the two men behind him. Leon noticed one wore two swords on his waist. The other carried a dagger and a belt with bottles of liquid. ''Those bottles look dangerous.'' Leon didn''t understand what caused him to feel that way. The moment he noticed the bottles, the back of his spine tingled and he sensed danger. ''Some kind of spider sense?'' Ifrit didn''t respond, seeming to use this as training for him. "Come on kid, don''t make us work too hard¡­ oi is that the bosses'' sword. Tsk Raz, it''s him!" Raz was the dagger-wielding bandit. "Let''s kill him quick, Kev. Before those fucking goblins appear." The two rushed at Leon together. Although both weren''t ranked high. Their teamwork made them dangerous to new adventurers. Leon dealt with bandits in the past, but the combination of dagger and blade gave him a headache. Swoosh Shling He followed their movements with ease and raised his greatsword to block the blades. Raz attacked the moment the steel weapon collided with Kev''s twin blades. "Ugh!" Leon''s right eye flicked to the right, while his left focused on Kev. His other eye watched Raz moving in slow motion, attempting to stab him. "Damn this freak." The dagger approached in slow motion. Leon used his flexible body to avoid the blow and kicked Raz''s hand. The force sent his dagger flying and broke one of his fingers. Crack "Arrrrgh" Leon used the handle of his greatsword to push Kev back before twisting his body. He followed up and smashed the bandit''s face with a loud crunch. The blow caused Kev to crumble, rolling back to avoid Leon''s possible follow-up attack. Leon felt the tingle down his spine once again. Then his pupils twitched in pain as his brain scanned his surroundings. He saw everything moving in slow motion, including the small rock heading towards him. ''Rock? No, that''s one of those bottles.'' [Dangerous, avoid it, Leon.] Chapter 27 - 27: Finesse or Brutality? A buzz of electricity shocked Leon''s spine, a warning of danger, making him focus. Raz flung his dagger, shattering the glass bottle above Leon. Hiss~ Leon twisted his body and tossed his coat to avoid the bubbling fluid.[Acid?] His right shoulder stung from the hissing acid burning him. But Ifrit''s warning helped Leon escape serious harm. "Ugh." Leon leapt back, removing his shirt and tossing it away, watching them sizzle and melt. He tried to endure, gritting his teeth from the agonising pain, melting his flesh. Leon''s lips trembled. He realised he acted too confident. [I stopped you from using magic to understand your weaknesses!] ''I see¡­'' [Master, you relied too hard on brute strength.] ''Does it really matter?'' [Weaker enemies would crumble before you, especially skilled opponents.][Those bastards would pull you apart, step by step, and you wouldn''t be able to fight back!] He doubted her words but understood Ifrit wouldn''t betray him because their souls were linked. ''Am I wrong?'' Leon noticed both former mercenaries preparing to attack him and sought Ifrit''s help.''Ifrit, show me how to become stronger. ''[Understood, Master. I''ll reduce your attributes one step below these fools.] ''Damn.'' An ember of flames appeared on his forehead before sinking into his body. The flames then spread throughout his body. Mistress Ifrit has temporarily sealed your physical abilities! ? Leonhardt ? Dungeon Master (??) Level: 15 ? STR: C ¡ú E ? VIT: C ¡ú E ? DEF: C ¡ú E ? AGI: D ¡ú E ? INT: C ¡ú E ? CHA: B ¡ú E Leon''s entire body became dull, heavy, and difficult to move. He hated being weaker, but Leon noticed something strange. His Mana and eyesight didn''t change. ''Why?'' He asked himself. [Have you noticed?] Ifrit''s voice sounded delighted, her laughter echoing after her voice faded. She then transferred knowledge into Leon''s mind. The knowledge was divided into muscle groups, basic martial arts and fighting information. While this happened, Kev recovered, wiping his bloody nose while holding a single sword. Beside him, Raz held a serrated dagger as they crept towards him. ''Guide me, Ifrit.'' [What''s in it for me, Master?] Her conditions and training method flowed through his mind, causing Leon to smirk. "Tough woman." Leonhardt didn''t use his greatsword, instead his sharp claws extended, flickering with flames. Ifrit didn''t let him use Tyrant Accel, but allowed Claws of Fire. "This bastard dares to mock us, get him Kev!" Kev nodded after Raz shouted, and the pair rushed forward, their heavy feet thumping on the ground, as Leon''s eyes watched them filled with calm. Leon used his spider vision and enhanced physical body to train himself. Even with the restrictions, he moved faster than Kev and could see Raz''s movements. ''Argh.'' He realised that his slow-motion vision didn''t work when he tried. A stabbing pain filled his head, and Leon noticed his Mana was low.[Did you think such a powerful tool would cost no Mana?] Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''No.'' [You might carry the bloodlines of the strongest magical creatures.] [But you aren''t even a hybrid, but a chimaera, a monster created from scraps.] ''Then teach me how Ifrit¡­'' [What will you give me in return?] Clang! Leon''s claws deflected Kev''s blade using his flaming claws, flicking the blade away before he sidestepped Raz''s dagger, causing the two men to back away. ''How about a date?'' [¡­] Shling! Another attack, with Raz slicing at Leon''s throat, while Kev stabbed relentlessly with a flurry of fatal attacks aimed at his chest. [Do you promise?] ''Huh?'' The next moment, information flowed into his mind. A small book that guided him on how to limit and control Mana. The book also showed how he could keep a reserve of Mana for critical moments. "Phew¡­" Leon''s eyes widened, feeling his Fae heart throbbing before Mana poured through his veins. Thanks to his Fae blood, his Mana regenerated after not using it for a few moments and using the surrounding forest. ''Let''s train.'' He narrowed his eyes, aiming to use the least effort when dodging, learning the method to control every muscle. If he attacked, he would kill. Should he defend, he would survive. When he dodged, he wouldn''t get hit. Leon followed Ifrit''s guidance. He used a small amount of his Mana to slow time for a fraction, only when he sensed danger. Instead of flooding his eyes with Mana, the book taught him to form a metaphorical valve in his mind. A valve that when tightened it would slow the flow of Mana to his eyes and body. From the moment he started following Ifrit''s guidance, the battle changed. "Hah!" Leonhardt avoided Kev''s lunging attack. He used his fiery claws to gouge his exposed back and sent him stumbling forward. With a smile, Leon stepped on his side before launching a kick which struck Raz, knocking the wind out of him as he crashed into Kev. "Guha!" The sudden turn of events shocked the mercenaries. "What the fuck''s going on!" Raz struggled to his feet, one hand broken and useless, while the other clenched his dagger, "Fucker." While they got to their feet, Leon understood what Ifrit said. By slowing time for a few milliseconds, he saved himself from harm countless times using a fraction of the Mana cost. With each clash, he toyed with them, truly like an Arachne waiting for their prey to become exhausted, a thin, glistening web forming in the grass, ready to trap them if they tried to escape. "R-Raz, we cannot win¡­ Ack?" Before Kev could finish, Leon suddenly appeared beside his face, pushing his fiery claws into the mercenary''s throat. "You can''t leave." Ifrit didn''t answer this time because she was pleased with Leon''s growth. It was a lie to think he could hold himself back, his lust for battle growing with each passing minute He loved training this way because it showed his progress happening so quickly. After the wound, Raz realised Kev couldn''t help him. He planned to escape alone. Kev clawed at his throat, unable to breathe, while drowning in his own blood. "Bastard." They traded blows again, but Leon felt his Mana remain stable, even when using his slowing ability for longer. The next moment, after slowing time, Raz''s attacks appeared slower than usual. ''Strange¡­'' In Leon''s eyes, he noticed a blue sheen coating his enemy, something he never noticed before. His newly evolved Arachne vision seemed to have fused with his Djinn and Fae pupils, allowing him to see Mana in the air, allowing him to see the blue glow around Raz. ''Is he about to use a battle technique?'' Leon watched the blue light gather at Raz''s feet before a smile grew on his lips. The mercenary must have believed he could escape because he turned around and started dashing towards the village. [That''s it. You''ve done well, what a wonderful trap.] Although he made them appear weak, Leon placed an almost invisible tripwire on the ground in case Raz or Kev tried to escape. The webs dripped with a slimy substance. Though it didn''t appear that sticky, Leon lifted his left hand, grasping the dozens of threads. "Damn it, was there a spider?" Raz shouted. After his explosive burst of speed gained him over a hundred yards, he found his legs tangled in fine, silky strands of spider silk. He fell to the ground, unable to stand, struggling while trying to rip apart the web. A sound came from behind as Raz''s neck twisted back before fear entered his eyes. Leonhardt stepped closed, gathering more threads that grew from his fingertip, wrapping tighter around the male''s body, the scars, and wounds from the acid on Leon''s body now forming inflamed scars. "M-Monster¡­" Raz whispered. The scent of acid lingered in the air from earlier. The sight of Leon terrified him, as Raz looked upon the handsome monster, staring at him with blood-red eyes. Leon chuckled at this with an evil smile on his face. "An eye for an eye, now you trying burning." Snap! The fire of Leon''s claws travelled down the webbing in his hand and rushed towards Raz. Within seconds, his entire body was engulfed in a searing heat, and his screams of agony and terror echoed through the forest''s entrance. Leon watched Raz die slowly, but his lips and face remained emotionless, a cruel and empty gaze, waiting for the announcement of his death. Suddenly, an excited voice came from the forest, catching Leonhard off guard. "A wonderful Execution, Master." Chapter 28 - 28: Preparing The Bait! Zafira appeared from the forest, her golden eyes filled with a flicker of purple magic aura. "I thought you might have run away, Master." Leon turned towards the succubus, and narrowed his eyes, enjoying the alluring sight, but he also wondered why she released her aura. Zafira normally didn''t reveal her magic in this manner. Did something happen? She tilted her head with a smirk, and followed his gaze, fluttering her wings, and slapping her tail in response to Leon''s eye movements. "Is there something on my face?" Zafira''s plump lips curled into a smile as she stepped closer, an extremely seductive atmosphere oozing from her body. Like pure sex appeal, Leon shook his head and bit his tongue to calm down. What''s going on¡­? The atmosphere and surrounding forest trembled because Zafira''s body pulsated with an intense energy, beyond what Leon should''ve been able to endure. "You''ve improved greatly from when we last met, fufu." Zafira''s seductive voice rippled through the air. He couldn''t help but notice Zafira''s proud smirk, her red lips shimmering with a glossy finish. "Thanks to you, right?" "Mhm, we''ve managed to conquer another dungeon of stupid lizards, but their lord has barricaded him inside." Leonhardt observed Zafira. She bit her lower lip, and her narrowed eyes trembled, likely with rage. "But you protected the goblins, and helped me evolve, don''t feel so bad. I need you." ? Your words have touched Zafira''s heart, improving her mood and easing her regret. ? Loyalty: +2 ? Affection: +2 "Leonhardt¡­" Zafira''s golden eyes shone, her slit pupils gazing at him quietly. Her overwhelming aura receded thanks to his words. "What, not calling me Master?" Leon asked with a cheeky smirk, stepping closer to the tall succubus, staring directly into her charming eyes. "Hmph, don''t push it." She turned her face away before huffing through her nose. Zafira''s tail swayed, betraying her true feelings. Leon couldn''t help but chuckle, causing the succubus to snap towards him. "What?" "Nothing, at all¡­ how is the plan going?" [Can you stop flirting with this slutty demon?] Ifrit? Leon understood the two didn''t get along, but such a sharp tone and aggressive language seemed strange. [What?] Why do you sound so upset? "Leonhardt, is that woman saying nonsense again?" Once Leon became quiet, Zafira learned it was Ifrit''s fault she gained the ability to help build the dungeon. Because Zafira also started communicating with the dungeon core. [Tell her the truth!] "No, she''s just telling me what changed after I evolved." Don''t make me stand between you both while you fight! Leon refused to pick sides, and he was the Dungeon Master, anyway. So he believed they should serve him, and not the opposite. Ifrit didn''t respond, but the sound of her huffing and grumbling made him smirk, while Zafira scrunched her face and stomped her foot. "This cocky piece of molten slag!" Zafira''s body erupted with an aura of shadowy flames that burned the surrounding grass and flowers into ash and charcoal. She then looked at Leon with a bitter smile. I thought she might kill me! [Oh, I forgot your battle rewards for killing those bandits.] I only called them bandits as a joke, you know? Those two were the only normal mercenaries. [Hehe~ now they''re bandits!] ? Bandit Kev & Raz Slain Gained 200 XP Gained 200 EP Gained 400 DP [Well¡­ since you completed the quest, let me reward you] [Quest completed¡ªHow to be a Mercenary King, Part 1] ? You surpassed Ifrit''s expectations and gained a bonus reward. [Rewards] ? 500 DP ¡ú 1000 DP ? 1000 XP ¡ú 2000 XP ? Gained Skill: Greatsword (Level 1 ¡ú 2) ? Gained Skill: Command (Level 1 ¡ú 3) ? Ifrit''s Happiness increased greatly, good job, Leon. [Quest Started¡ªHow to be a Mercenary King, Part 2] Immediately after the information popped up in the corner of his vision, he watched Zafira snap her fingers from the corner of his eye, and a group of strange monsters appeared. ? Leonhardt ? Dungeon Master ? Arachne/Fae/Djinn (??) Lifespan: 100 Days Level: 15 ?XP: 2755/5000 ?DP: 5400/8000 ?EP: 300/1600 Status: ? STR: C (85%) ? VIT: C (00%) ? DEF: C (00%) ? AGI: D (40%) ? INT: C (95%) ? CHA: B (50%) sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Skills: Dual Cast, Claws of Fire, Tyrant Accel, Passive Skills: Greatsword (Lv.2), Command (Lv.3) Spells: Cinderblast, Firebolt, Blazing Missiles, Fire Wall Dungeon Aide: Zafira (Affection: 45, Loyalty: 62) Elite Monsters: Gobomir (Loyalty: 200), Gobbolas (Loyalty: 150) Monsters: Ember Goblins: 50 Horned Rabbits: 30 Shadow Wolf: 10 Dungeon: Squares: 20 Villages: 1 Towns: 0 Cities: 0 Kingdoms: 0 ¡ª Thanks for making it so much easier to read after my evolution, Ifrit. [Hehe~ thank you, I hope it helps!] Leonhardt trembled with delight after he saw the changes in Zafira''s affection and loyalty. When it surpassed fifty, the threat of betrayal vanished forever. However, I cannot upset her because that can lower it. "Are those Shadow wolves, something you recruited?" Zafira turned to face Leon, her frown transforming into a brilliant smile as she snapped her fingers, calling them over. Awoo! The wolves howled after Zafira''s call. Ten wolves, with silky black fur that flickered like shadows, and rushed towards her. They crouched behind her and gazed at Leon with their dark blue eyes, growling. It''s a little annoying they don''t show respect to me¡­ Leonhardt glared at the wolves, his crimson eyes flickering with his pentagram pupils, able to see the floating values of their attributes and loyalty without using the dungeon interface but his own power. ? Shadow Wolf ? Demon A unique species of wolf that only the most noble of demons can recruit. Their bodies are formed completely of shadow elements, but their souls are created from fallen wolves who hold resentment towards humans. Status: ? STR: C ? VIT: F ? DEF: F ? AGI: C ? INT: E Loyalty: 100 Summoner: Zafira Anuket "What do you think, are they worthy of your dungeon?" Zafira''s confident choices normally ignored Leon''s thoughts, but now he could see the effect of her increased affection and loyalty. "What are you talking about, Zafira?" Leonhard snapped back with a sharp tone, his low voice causing even the wolves behind her to jump, and whimper. "Eh?" She took his response negatively, causing his lips to curl into a faint smile. Thanks to his evolution and killing so many humans, Leon''s emotional intelligence started improving. Leon now understood sarcasm, flirting and affection much better, especially thanks to the time spent sleeping around those three maidens in the inn. "How could you call it my dungeon? It''s our dungeon!" Zafira''s face looked confused for a moment before she realised what he meant. Her initial reaction was to slap her tail on the ground while she covered her mouth to hide her smile. "I see, I see¡­ our dungeon, fufu. Such a wonderful sound." [Can you stop flirting with the unwanted sex worker, please?] Don''t be jealous, Ifrit. You know you''re my number one! In reality, if Zafira asked the same question, Leon would also call her his number one. Because he wasted so much time, he couldn''t keep teasing the two women. Instead, he watched the wolves. The key to getting Asuka and the others to quest with him. Leon planned to have them antagonise the Elite wolf in the western forest, having them attack its children, and force it to attack the human village in retaliation, all to convince the women his goblins weren''t evil. I just hope it works well, otherwise¡­ I''ll have to use force or kill them. Chapter 29 - 29: Pimp My Dungeon! "Zafira, can you handle the task?" Leonhardt trusted her from the past work, but he understood that despite being a level 100. She wanted to converse, to discuss and earn his trust and respect. ''I cannot understand the daughter of a demon emperor.'' He wouldn''t try to claim that either, but whenever he asked Zafira her opinion about the dungeon or forces, her face lit up like a firework. Leon discovered that being a Dungeon Master was more interesting than he first thought, planning to use it sparingly. Now he wanted to improve the surrounding mountains, forest, and village using his power. ''Should I destroy the humans, or find a way to convert them to my side?'' "Leonhardt, I can handle this task for sure. You can count on me." The Demon Princess responded with a cheerful tone of voice. Her light-red lips opened slightly with every word, but more surprising than her mannerisms was how she grabbed his hand and showed such a radiant smile. ''Cute.'' "Ensure you only kill bandits or adventurers and avoid killing villagers," Leonhardt mentioned while looking into the distance. Even as he spoke with Zafira, Leonhardt couldn''t stop thinking about what his next actions should be. He wanted to know what to destroy and whom to keep alive. Although humans could be fascinating, Leon already understood their greed and the power of human desire. ''Lust, Envy, Greed, and Pride¡­ these traits always cause problems.'' The humans that dared attack him had mostly been greedy mercenaries, or bandits turned mercenaries, and realised that with Axel dead, Leonhardt was an easy target for them to attack. This also applied to his dungeon. The low-level adventurers who saw a weak, abandoned dungeon never thought their greed and stupid pride would cause their deaths. "I will do my best, Dungeon Master." Zafira''s beautiful eyes shone, and her fluttering wings caused the wolves to roll around, playing among themselves. [You''re going to fall victim to her charm!] ''As if, she will fall for mine!, haha.'' Leon joked with Ifrit about Zafira. He doubted a powerful succubus would notice a lesser chimaera such as himself. But Ifrit didn''t respond. "I think I will improve the dungeon a little, do you have any suggestions, Zafira?" Although it was nice to see her acting differently, Leon couldn''t become lazy and forget his purpose. ''Not after I decided to improve the dungeon, well, what can I even buy with all these points?'' Zafira''s wings fluttered, stirring the air as she tilted her head in thought. "Hmm, suggestions for the dungeon?" A seductive smile danced on her lips, but the glint in her golden eyes showed she was already considering serious options. "The outer defences are lacking," she finally said. "If a large force attacked, the dungeon itself would hold, but the surrounding areas are too exposed. If we reinforce the mountain paths with traps and create better scouting points, we can control who reaches the dungeon in the first place." Leonhardt rubbed his chin, his dark claws glinting against his obsidian-like skin. He had expected a suggestion about monsters or magical fortifications, but Zafira was more practical than he gave her credit for. "That''s true¡­ if I can control the battle before the invaders even realise, I''ll have a much greater advantage." His finger tipped the panel, his mind already running through possibilities. Zafira pushed more weight onto Leonhardt, causing him to grunt. "If you plan for those humans to become your pets, rather than destroying them all. We need some kind of leverage. Although Fear is good, without loyalty and trust, all that awaits is betrayal. Leon." "What do you propose?" "We need to make preparations, security, resources, purpose, and power." Leonhardt narrowed his eyes, struggling with Zafira''s soft, charming body and her sharp pupils glowing with a smirk on her lips. "Purpose?" "Fufu ?, a reason for those idiots to follow you, Dungeon Master. A reason that isn''t terror, something that will stop them from stabbing you in the back the moment a chance appears." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t help but understand why the information on Succubi marks them as both troublesome and desired partners, though he enjoyed the warmth of her body. "I thought demons like you only believed in power." She looked stunned, her eyes widening as if his words surprised her. Zafira stretched her wings before folding them neatly behind her. "Hmph ?, cheeky boy! Demons aren''t the same, Leonhardt. Power might be important, but loyalty and charm are equally powerful." "Who is cheeky? Tsk, how is Embervale Keep?" "Well~ the goblins have tried hard to build a foundation, its walls protect the dungeon entrance and help split the central, western and eastern forests to make it easier to patrol and maintain the monster population." Zafira seemed to get too focused as her tall body pushed against Leon, her soft, alluring figure leaning on his shoulder, while the scent of honey filled his nose. ''She''s too dangerous¡­'' Leon''s awakening desires made the succubus a dangerous enemy¡ªthus he focused his mind and thoughts on improving the dungeon to block out her soft bosom pressing against his shoulder. He could feel her gaze while he looked at the item store. Something changed with his last evolution, but Leon knew it wasn''t his merit. Thus, he still didn''t know how to deal with her slight changes. ''I don''t mind seeing her smile more often, though.'' ? Dungeon Core Dungeon Rank: F Available DP: 10,500 + 3000 (Zafira''s DP) Monsters Spawned: 90 Active Defences: [Basic Traps, Wooden Walls, Lesser Summoning Circle] ¡ª ''How much would it cost to upgrade all the walls to stone, and improve the traps, Ifrit?'' Silence¡­ He shook his head and realised how much he relied on her in the past few days, not trying to grow himself. ''I cannot be a novice forever.'' Leonhardt tapped the upgrade button and checked all the tiles, and materials. Some upgrades only needed dungeon points, while others needed materials. He tapped the Embervale Keep and found that there was enough stone to upgrade the outer walls, but not the Keep itself. ? Upgrade Wooden Wall x 20 [100DP] ? Upgrade Basic Traps x 30 [50DP] Leonhardt tapped yes before he watched the DP drop by 3500, but somehow he believed this was a good purchase. ''7,000 left.'' "I have enough to make a few further adjustments, but¡­" Leonhardt muttered to himself. "To strengthen the outside, or improve the inner defences, I am a little hesitant." Zafira''s eyes narrowed into thin slits, her long pink tongue sliding over her red lips as she hummed in agreement, her hand reaching out and tapping the screen to reveal a certain building. "If you plan to convert the village, then you don''t need pure strength right now, I think we should create a unit that is nimble and can collect information." ? Dungeon Aide Suggested buying a Dark Elf Sanctuary [5000DP] "A race born from the twisted experimentation of the Fae and dark magics¡­" Leonhardt''s chest throbbed reading their information because he felt a sense of kinship. ''Zafira, did you choose this for my benefit?'' He couldn''t understand her actions or reason for helping him so much, but the fact Zafira''s weight no longer bothered him. She draped her arm around his neck, her lips almost touching his neck, while Zafira watched him with a playful expression, making Leon''s chest ache. Chapter 30 - 30: The Dark Elf Sanctuary I Leonhardt and Zafira walked through the forest, following his map. The scent of earth and fresh pine filled the air, carried by the wind. He noticed that the closer to the west¡ªthe thicker and older the trees. He clawed at the rough bark of the ancient trees. ''These are some beautiful trees.'' Because of his Fae heritage, Leonhardt could understand nature to a certain degree. Leon sniffed the air around the tree as a sweet scent filled his nose. "Their sap should be sweet and edible, humans would love this." Leon observed the western forest and found this location was quite safe. The Alpha wolf lived to the south in his den. He admired the ancient trees that towered above. Their branches blocked most of the light, but their bark radiated warmth. Leon sucked the air, enjoying the sweet aroma. ''This place¡­ it feels right.'' Zafira paced ahead, her fusion of grace and seduction mysterious. Her movement left the fallen leaves untouched while swaying her plump hips as her tail danced in the air. "The forest is thick with Mana, Leonhardt. The perfect place to establish a sanctuary. I like it." Her golden eyes twinkled in the dim light, scanning the forest with keen interest. Leon found the way she combined the charm of a succubus and the grace of a princess fascinating. "Why do you like it so much?" Zafira turned back with glowing eyes. Then narrowed her gaze and smirked before flapping her wings and pointing to the north. "There, the elevated land. It overlooks the forest. We could have the elves build an outpost and protect the forest. Along with the eastern entrance." Zafira then hopped across the underbrush, where the trickling of water sounded. "And fresh water is nearby, any settlement needs a reliable water source." He couldn''t help but find her invaluable to him. Leon might have noticed these things while developing his dungeon and territory. "Also, the water comes from above that elevated land, allowing the elves to protect it, right?" Leonhard watched her gaze, remaining silent. The gesture of her wings, how she pointed and flicker her tail. All her subtle hints guided and taught him. He flooded Mana into his eyes, watching the forest. His Arachne Vision allowed him to see the advantages. The mountain would block off potential attacks from adventurers. At the same time, thick foliage protected them to the south, creating a natural wall. "Though there is danger from the west, thanks to the outpost, nobody will catch the elves off guard." Leon''s eyes closed before he muttered. "A natural choke point. If we reinforced this area, it would become a second fortress." Zafira''s golden eyes shone as her wings fluttered at his answer. "Now you''re thinking like a ruler." Leonhardt checked the dungeon menu with a sharp gaze. He flicked through the other structures and hovered over the Dark Elf Sanctuary. ''5000 DP, a steep cost, but¡ª'' [Confirm Purchase?] He couldn''t help but smirk at Zafira''s expectant face. "Do it." Bzzzt! The moment he chose the sanctuary and placed it. A pulse of energy shook the ground, causing ripples through the clearing. The ground trembled as purple runes burned into the soil and spread through the forest. The moment after, it stopped. A dark mist coiled around the nearest tree, forming jagged pillars of obsidian stone. Many trees bent as if bowing in submission to the new, divine presence within the forest. Then silence followed. Leon gasped at the dissipating mist, which revealed a new structure. A sanctuary formed from smooth, dark stone. Its spire reached towards the sky, like the fangs of a beast. Mysterious words woven into the walls, written in the ancient Elvish language. A language of the forgotten etched into its surface. But different from high elves, a dark flame flickered at the top, with an eerie atmosphere. Leon felt a shift in the air before a sweet and alluring scent filled his nose. Deadly flowers started blooming, including black roses that filled the forest. The Dark Elves arrived. A low resonant hum filled the air. Zafira''s eyes snapped towards the portal, while Leonhardt could feel the shift in atmosphere the moment the sanctuary finished building. ''A song?'' He noticed the hum transformed into a gentle hymn. Low and comforting, but filled with sorrow and loss. "It feels like the forest is holding its breath." The obsidian spires pulsed with dim violet light in sync with the hymn. Then, the first voice rose. A whisper at first, like wind stirring the dead leaves. Then another followed until the overlapping murmurs became a haunting and melodic chant. "A beautiful hymn, to their fallen race." Zafira seemed different to Leon, more serious than normal. The dark energy thickened, drawing into the heart of the sanctuary like a vortex. [Hymn: Birth of the Dark Elves] The air cracked apart. Veils of darkness spread from the central altar. A deep purple glow erupted from the core, casting long, jagged shapes across the clearing. And then they appeared. Silhouettes formed within the mist, shifting, writhing. A delicate hand broke free first, her fingers curling as though grasping for a chance at life. A second figure followed, then a third. As the mist peeled away, their forms solidified into lean and predatory hunters. "Oh?" Dark skin, ranging from dark brown to ashen grey. Hair flowing like woven strands of shadow. Their eyes piercing and luminous gold, shaped as if awakening from a dream. ''Beautiful.'' Leonhardt watched silently as the first dark elves stepped closer. The tallest among them, a female with jagged scars across her arms, stepped forward. Her gaze focused on Leon as if measuring and searching for something. Then, without hesitation, she dropped to one knee. Not long after, the others followed, kneeling in unison with hands pressed against their chest. "We heed the call, Dungeon Master." Their voices were layered and harmonious, speaking as one. Leonhardt tightened his fists while watching. The weight of his role, and future, setting in. These weren''t mindless monsters spawned from the abyss. They were people. Soldiers. A race reborn under his command. Zafira''s wings folded as she studied them. "Dark Elves¡­ creatures once lost to history, now yours to shape. How will you lead them?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt let out a slow breath. His crimson eyes burned with a deep desire. "I''ll make them strong." The dark elves knelt in absolute silence, waiting. Leonhardt studied the elves, twenty females, and each one radiated a raw, untamed power. They weren''t like his other monsters. They were warriors and a race on the edge of rebirth. Then, from their ranks, she stepped forward. Her presence was immediate. A striking woman with deep violet hair flowing past her shoulders, her dark brown skin gleaming under the dim light. But it was her emerald eyes¡ªpiercing, unyielding¡ªthat held his attention. Unlike the others, she didn''t kneel. Her voice, sharp and unwavering, cut through the stillness. "Are you worthy enough to command us?" The tension in the air thickened. Zafira tilted her head, watching with amusement. "Well, Leonhardt? Looks like you''ll have to prove yourself." Leonhardt met the dark elf''s stare, his claws flexing as a slow smirk curved his lips. "Then watch closely." Chapter 31 - 31: The Dark Elf Sanctuary II The dark elf captain''s emerald eyes gleamed with challenge before stepping forward. She held her daggers with an unwavering attitude. Leonhardt exhaled, stepping away from Zafira and approaching the dark elf captain. The gathered dark elves watched in silence, their expressions hidden following their leader''s challenge, and now they awaited his answer. "You questioned my worth?" He asked with a calm voice, his gaze firmly locked on the tall dark elf. The captain didn''t flinch. Instead, her eyes flashed with delight. "Strength decides the right to lead. Words mean nothing." ''This woman is different from the ones who accepted me instantly.'' Excited by the appearance of the unique dark elf, a smirk grew on his lips. "Then let me show you." "Nyxara, captain of the dark elf warriors, accepts your challenge." Leonhardt''s body flickered with embers of fire, his eyes focused on Nyxara. The captain tensed from the sudden magic¡ªnot in fear, but in anticipation. Her hands moved, brushing over the handles of her twin daggers. The gathered dark elves took a step back, and created a space between them. The tension thickened, creating a crackle of anticipation in the air, like the embers dancing around Leonhardt. ''I want to defeat her!'' Nyxara tilted her head and narrowed her emerald eyes, "You rely on magic?" she mused, her tongue laced with amusement. "Let''s see if you can keep that calm face when my steel meets flesh." ''Did she misunderstand?'' S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In a single, well-trained motion, she lowered herself into an aggressive stance. Her knees bent, daggers angled low, poised to strike. Leonhardt remained unfazed, his Mana flowing through his veins, the heat distorting the surrounding air. Woosh! Then she moved. Nyxara darted forward like a blur, her speed surpassing any of the warriors Leon fought in the past. "What?" A dagger flashed towards his throat, forcing him to twist away as flames collected in his palm to push her away. Bang! The strike missed by a hair''s breadth, thanks to the sudden explosion of flames creating a small pillar. But she didn''t falter. Her feet pivoted mid-step, and reversed the grip of her second dagger, slashing upward at Leonhardt from the side. Clang! Leonhardt raised his arm, fire hardening over his skin just in time to deflect the blow. Molten sparks flew as steel scraped against the burning barrier, forcing Nyxara to retreat with a quick step backward. "Not bad." Her lips trembled into a deep grin, her breathing increased. Leonhardt exhaled while smirking at the beautiful woman with a light sweat covering her skin. "I''m just getting started." Snap! With a snap of his fingers, the embers at his feet exploded outward, creating a wall of fire that turned the battlefield into a dance of fire and shadow. Nyxara''s grin widened as Leonhardt''s flames flickered out. His body remained warm but stopped emitting flames. Instead of weaving another spell, he reached out and grasped the air. With a single motion, a huge black and dark blue greatsword manifested in his hand, causing the dark elves to gasp in admiration. The moment his sword appeared, the air seemed to grow heavier as the dark-blue blade gleamed under the flaming wall''s dim light. His weapon was massive, longer than most two-handed swords, and clearly not a weapon meant for finesse. A weapon of overwhelming force. "You''d rather fight me like this?" Nyxara asked after sliding her tongue across her lower lip. "Bold choice." Leonhardt faced with his foe planted his feet, deep in the dirt and gripping the hilt with both hands. "I don''t need magic to put you down, elf." Nyxara''s eyes fluttered seductively as her smile deepened. A spark of something wild flickered in her emerald eyes. "Then, try." ''She wanted something like this?'' She moved first. A sharp breath, before shifting her stance. Then she darted forward, faster than before, almost too fast to track. He brought his sword up as she flickered to his side, her dagger carving towards his ribs. Clang! He intercepted the strike, swinging his sword in a broad arc. The sheer weight and force sent Nyxara retreating. "Tsk." But she didn''t stop. Like a dragonfly, she fluttered across the ground, vanishing from sight. This time, he lost her completely. ''Where?!'' ¡ªShadow step Leonhardt''s eyes widened. He couldn''t see or hear her until the last moment. He reacted on instinct and turned, pivoting with the full weight of his blade. Steel clashed against steel as Nyxara barely caught the strike with crossed daggers, her feet skidding against the stone floor. His strength wasn''t superior, but his sheer weight and reach made trading blows risky. She had to stay ahead of him. This time Leonhardt pressed the attack, swinging again. Nyxara ducked, weaving through the arc like water, the edge almost cutting her cheek, forcing her to retaliate with a skill. ¡ªDagger Flurry Five rapid strikes. The first sunk into his side. The second scraped across his shoulder. The third and fourth clashed against his sword as he tried to reposition¡ª The fifth struck deep. An agonising pain grew from his side as her dagger gouged his flesh. A faint warmth followed¡ªthe slow burn of the bleeding wound. Leonhardt gritted his teeth before kicking Nyxara away. His eyes narrowed, glowing dull red after watching and observing, he noticed and analysed her pattern. Thanks to his Fae pupil, her movements and skills started to become his. He exhaled, while gathering Mana, a familiar feeling as he pushed it towards his limbs. His body tensed, muscles tightening. "Dual cast¡ª" "¡ªTyrant Accel" An aggressive, overbearing power surged through him, his muscles and organs pumped full of Mana responding instantly to his dual cast of Tyrant Accel. Leonhardt''s head rang with the sound of bells, his sluggish movements increased explosively in speed and stability. And this time, when Nyxara moved to disappear again, he was ready. Nyxara lunged again, her form blurring with a Shadow Step¡ªbut this time, he caught her movement. Clang! His greatsword intercepted her mid-dash, forcing her to retreat before she could strike. Surprise flickered in her emerald eyes. "You¡ª" Leonhardt didn''t give her time to recover. He charged forward, and carved through the air like a storm, each swing brimming with power, and brutally fast. Nyxara dodged, barely slipping between strikes, but the pressure was relentless. She tried to counter. A feint¡ªa flicker of movement¡ªthen Dagger Flurry. Leonhardt didn''t evade. He stepped into the attack. The first dagger strike met his shoulder¡ªbut his increased strength meant he barely flinched. The second and third grazed his ribs, but by then, his sword was already coming down. She was too close to dodge. Boom! The flat of his greatsword slammed into her midsection like a battering ram. Nyxara''s body shot backward, crashing into the dirt. She coughed, her breath knocked out of her, struggling to push herself up¡ª But Leonhardt''s foot stepped on her head, forcing her down, sword resting on his shoulder. "Submit to me," he ordered. Nyxara stared at him, breath heavy. Her body tensed as if considering one last move. But she wasn''t reckless. She knew when a battle was lost. A slow, sharp smile tugged at her lips, and her cheeks looked slightly pink. ? Nyxara Affection Increased by 10 ? Nyxara Loyalty Increased by 50 "You''re stronger than I thought," she admitted, her voice edged with reluctant amusement. She let her daggers drop to the dirt. "I yield." The moment the duel ended, all the dark elves stirred a sense of delight and joy among themselves. They found a new home, and a lord who would lead them. Leonhardt breathed deeply, feeling the rush of Tyrant Accel slowly fade. His arms ached, his body throbbed where her daggers had landed¡ªbut he stood victorious. And from the way Nyxara looked at him now, eyes gleaming with something between respect and obsession¡ªhe knew he had won more than just a fight. Chapter 32 - 32: Dark Elf Sanctuary III Leonhardt noticed the drop in resistance when he defeated Nyxara. But the sudden change in her atmosphere made him sense danger. Her sharp, yet greedy eyes and the way she would observe him, regardless of where he stood. ''Strange, this isn''t like Zafira¡­'' [Of course not! The dark elves are a strange tribe. Once they choose a master, it''s over!] He couldn''t help but find the elves amazing. ''They work hard, even if strange.'' Twenty women with ten women who specialised in building, hunting and maintaining the sanctuary and their small village being built to the south of it. Leon couldn''t help but admire them, even while trying to stop Zafira from destroying Nyxara because of her sudden mood swings. "I should head back soon." The dark elf workers started clearing the land, cutting down trees and building primitive wooden foundations. But before they cut down a tree, Leon noticed they would pray and seem to plant something on the opposite side of the forest. [They are planting two trees for each one they cut down, a method to stop deforestation.] ''Amazing!'' Leonhardt seemed attuned to nature because of his Arachne and Fae bloodline. He felt comfortable in the forest, and he could move and relax more easily. While he watched them build the foundations, Leonhardt gave the orders to Nyxara, telling her where he wanted to place the training grounds and watchtowers and about the hunting grounds they would use. ''It would be tragic if they attacked my goblin outpost for food¡­'' "Nyxara, can you see any issues with this plan?" Leonhardt showed the virtual image from his dungeon system, causing her eyes to widen as she gazed at him with a wolfish grin. "Master, I believe that the defensive structure should be placed here." Her silky brown fingertip pointed to the western edge of the rocky ledge above them. "Then we move the barracks here¡­" she slid her finger closer to Leon, almost touching his hand, moving the barracks away from the forest and outpost. "Is there a reason you want to put it there?" Leon didn''t know everything and enjoyed learning these things from those better than him, so he would also ask Zafira for her input before confirming everything. Nyxara''s red lips curled upwards, parting slightly as her hot breath blew against his cheek. "Because if the enemy manages to attack us, or somehow sneaks into the base, it would be difficult to deal with the barracks and outpost in one attack." ''Interesting, I didn''t think of such a thing because the idea of defeat or losing didn''t enter my thoughts while planning.'' He then noticed that they planned to create a split in the waterway from the top of the mountain, using some of Leon''s dungeon points. However, this time Leon understood why, so he asked. "By chance is the second stream the same, to avoid our water from being poisoned or contaminated?" Leon''s eyes focused on the map, trying to find other hints, while feeling Nyxara''s delicate fingertips on his hand. Because of his focus, he couldn''t see the current gaze in Nyxara''s eyes. Sharp, sickly, obsessive and intense. "Yes¡­ Master, that''s right. Fufu~ I am surprised." ''Her voice changes so much depending on her mood!'' Leonhardt''s ears tingled, a strange sensation causing his cheeks to turn pink. A feeling that Zafira often made him feel. But Nyxara only spoke in her low, husky voice and blew into his ear slightly. "Oh my~ sorry, M-a-s-t-e-r." Nyxara elongated her words, while gradually removing her hand from. "Ahem!" Zafira''s tail slapped between the pair, as she used her plump buttocks to push the nimble dark elf away, sending her body flying. Thud! "¡­bitch!" Nyxara muttered in the dark elven language, unaware that both Zafira and Leonhardt could understand it. ''Nyxara''s brave, calling a level 100 succubus a bitch.'' Leon thought to himself, while Zafira huffed and puffed, wrapping her arm around his and pointing to various spots in the dungeon map. "Leon, I think we should try to improve the defence here, adding some traps, maybe some created with the trees grown in this grove, along with the dungeon''s hidden trap system and plan for a potential expansion in the future. ''Expansion¡­ she''s right, the dark elves will slowly increase in number thanks to the Sanctuary, and it must be protected.'' Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Okay, you''re right, but we should ask the elves what they prefer. I have to make my subjects happy, and serve me with more than force, right?" "Mm." Zafira''s eyes narrowed, her tail swaying as she stared at Leonhardt, who used her words back at her. A warm and ticklish feeling grew in her chest as she turned away. "Good answer, Leon." ''Hmm? She seems a little strange.'' [Don''t pretend you are dense, or I''ll make you Asexual!] ''!!!!!!!'' Instead of messing around with Ifrit and Zafira. Leonhardt wanted to study the history of his new people, the dark elves. All the information existed in his mind. He just needed to draw it from the depths and memorise everything. Dark elves were born from the same bloodline as high elves; however, their method of evolution was different. Fae, the progenitors of all elves, used to be led by two tribes. One tribe worshipped the sunlight and the goddess of light, Sol Aria. Meanwhile, the second tribe was stronger physically, and worshipped the moonlight, following the goddess of night, Lunaria, the older sister of Sol Aria. However, during the first great war, the Fae and the first monster races to inhabit the world clashed with the humans of the time. The ones who worshipped Sol Aria betrayed their sister tribe and married humans, creating the High elves, wood elves, and normal elves. Betrayed by their sisters, the tribe following Lunaria faced almost certain destruction. In their last moments as Fae, the majority were twisted and transformed into a new existence, dark, dangerous, and filled with lust and desire for destruction. The dark elves, with their beautiful variety of dark brown to ash coloured skin, they truly joined the Night Huntress and became half-monsters. A race able to reproduce using both a natural way, but they could also create offspring using Mana and praying to the goddess at the Lunar festival. "That''s a lot of information!" "Master, what are you reading?" "Woah!?" Leonhardt turned to the left in shock, to find Nyxara leaning against him, her emerald eyes peeking at the dungeon screen with a curious expression. But the moment she read a few lines, her lips curled into a wicked smile, her seductive tongue sliding along them with a glossy wet streak of saliva coating them. "Master, are you interested in dark elves? Fufu, if you wanted to know." Zip Her hand started to unfasten her armour as she winked at him, revealing her silky dark brown skin wobbled alluringly as she revealed her chest that escaped two layers of protection. "STOP!" Zafira''s foot stepped on the face of Nyxara before kicking her away, the force causing a loud bang, sending her flying into one of the unfinished supports for the warehouse. Bang! "Leon! Be careful of these dark elf vixens, or they will suck your body dry!" Chapter 33 - 33: Dark Elf Archers - Deadly and Hidden "Phew¡­" Leonhardt breathed deeply while watching Zafira pouting after she continued to clash with Nyxara. He was forced to scold her. Because there wasn''t much time before he returned to the village, he sent Zafira and her wolves to start their work. "Master, what would you ask of us?" Nyxara tried to appeal to him in quite a passionate display, causing his lips to twitch. "How strong are your archers? Show me." Although Leon knew Nyxara''s strength, she was much stronger than the other women, and he didn''t want any issues. ''Finally, a master who wants to accept us!'' sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nyxara''s eyes immediately transformed from flirtatious and wet to a pair of sharp, crescent moons and after lifting her arm, she whistled. ''For a hundred years, our race has been deprived, degraded and despised!'' The beautiful dark elf archers gathered like a gust of wind passing through the desert, and the eight women holding old, but well-maintained longbows stood behind Nyxara. ''This man isn''t the strongest, but his eyes look at us like warriors, not women!'' "Interesting." "Master, we have answered your call!" The archers called out, kneeling before Leon with glowing eyes filled with expectation and excitement. "Please give us your orders, Master." Nyxara transformed from a seductive beauty to a femme fatal. Now a sensual and deadly warrior holding a bow on one knee. Leon could sense a powerful desire and aura while he fought her. ''Leonhardt, we dark elves live in the darkness. If you give us a chance, we shall protect you from the shadows.'' "Show me what you can do. To the south is a pack of wolves. I want to see how long it takes you to cut their numbers in half." Another low whistle with a beautiful tone came from the elves'' mouths, starting with Nyxara. Within seconds, the archers swiftly ascended the trees, blending into the foliage. ''If you forsake us, we will strike you down.'' Leonhardt noticed Nyxara''s gaze, sometimes overflowing with expectation but also a sense of distrust, fear, and worry. "Well, let me see how you fare." Woosh! Leon followed the elves, his feet tapping off the ground as the cool breeze blew against his face, and the thick scent of grass and forest filled his nose. He couldn''t see the elves without using his Arachne Eyes. Only after using it could he see them when moving. [They seem eager to impress you, Leon] ''When did you both start calling me Leon?'' His steps remained swift and calculated using his extra eyes, while focused on the conversation with Ifrit. [Because that succubus started acting strange, hmph!] ''Okay, well¡­ these elves are wonderful, right?'' [Tsk! They are alright, but what''s with that captain acting so fresh with you?] ''Don''t get jealous.'' Leon couldn''t help but be excited, thinking of their extreme speed, and the level of their stealth, almost able to trick his evolved eyes. He stepped forward, leaping over a bush, and jumped into the air. "Hah." He landed on the thick branch several feet into the air and stopped. Leon started squeezing the Mana in his chest towards his eyes. A blue and purple glow illuminated his Pentagram pupils, which had a small symbol in the centre. [Going all out for the first time?] ''Ah, My nose picked up the beastly scent of the wolves, so I need to do this to see that woman''s movements from a distance.'' Nyxara''s elves whistled among themselves. At first, he found the communication method strange, but once mixed with the wilderness, it sounded like bird calls and faded into the background. ''Eight archers, two on each tree, covering the entire arc around the tree.'' Leon''s eyes shimmering like jewels absorbed everything they viewed as information sent straight to his brain and decoded, and this was the method used to turn magic and skills into his own. Nyxara appeared alone on the frontmost tree, her movements perfected, with a sense of grace and prestige as she covered the same angle as two regular elven archers. Whistle~ After her whistle, she lifted three fingers and pointed to the west. Leon followed her gaze, a smile forming on his lips. He watched the elves hunting the three wolves, walking through the underbrush in a half-trance. Their heads lifted after hearing the first whistle, before snorting and turning away. Swoosh! The low rattle of the bowstring entered his ears. Almost silent, it echoed, scattering several birds. Leonhardt''s eyes followed the rain of arrows, arcing through the air with flawless execution. Awoo~ Followed by the pained howl of a wolf. The dark elves used long black arrows with serrated tips. These lethal arrows lodged into the chest of their prey and penetrated their organs. From the moment they pierced each wolf, there was no chance of survival. Nyxara remained focused on the corpses in silence. Her teeth dragged along her bottom lip as if frustrated. Then Leon saw her expression twist and distort into a wicked but beautiful image. Whistle! A call for attack, a seductive yet insane smile, twisted yet enchanting. Leon''s eyes narrowed, focused only on Nyxara, and her fingers that showed ten enemies to hunt. Leon waited less than five minutes from the dark elves'' arrival in this area to the start of the massacre. Almost losing his breath as he observed her stance, posture and how Nyxara drew her bow. [Leon?] It might have been the first time for Ifrit to observe Leonhardt so immersed in learning, watching, and awakening something inside him that even he didn''t know existed. His eyes glowed, Mana and magic flooding his eyes. Able to see the vapours in her breath, each slight flicker of movement, as the Dark Elf Captain''s bow drew two arrows, aimed at the larger wolves protecting the pack of ten. [? Acquired New Skill ?] ? Gained Skill: Archery (Lv.1) ? Gained Skill: Stealth (Lv.1) "Haa¡­" Nyxara pushed her lips together, taking a shallow breath, before closing one of her emerald eyes, and sharpening the other. Then her eyes glowed with the energy and Mana that swirled within her chest and flowed into her emerald eye, causing it to shine. She focused her senses on the sight before releasing a sharp breath. She was a beautiful dark-skinned elf, her long purple hair blowing with the gentle forest breeze, carrying the heavy aroma of earth, trees, grasses, and flowers. F-Fwoosh! Two arrows disappeared in the blink of an eye, followed by two howls of pain. Nyxara was unfazed and prepared two more arrows while observing her target. Leon''s eyes glowed as if absorbing every detail, storing her form and image for eternity, as his hands and arms mimicked her shooting and drawing. A moment later, eight arrows followed and slayed the wolves. "Absolutely, wonderful." ? Captain Nyxara and her troops won her first battle! ? Grey Wolves Slain (13)Gained 650 XP Gained 260 EP Gained 1300 DP ? Your words have encouraged and comforted Nyxara''s heart, congratulations¡­ maybe? ? Loyalty: +10 ? Affection: +5 Chapter 34 - 34: Returning to the Village Leonhardt watched the elves complete his request in less than an hour. They rained accurate and deadly arrows on the wolves before rapidly collecting their arrows. To Leon''s surprise, the dark elves seemed skilled in butchery, skinning and removing all tracks. ''Amazing.'' His Mana started to decrease after he abused his Arachne Vision to observe the women. He didn''t realise how lucky this choice was, as he gained various abilities that might help in future battles. Stealth and Archery were vital skills, but the most important skills that he gained were learning the dismantle skill, which mixed butchery, skinning and dealing with the monster corpses. ''Monsters born outside a dungeon don''t disappear when they die.'' So he asked a question, trying to get some information. "What was the powder you used on the corpses?" "It''s corpse powder." "What is corpse powder for?" Nyxara seemed a little Stoic after the battle, but he found it amazing that she came straight to him after the battle. She looked at Leon and lifted her pouch, then opened it close to his face, before a smokey, ash scent filled his nose. "It''s a special dark elf recipe to help remove blood and monster remains, to stop tracking and avoid dangerous predators being attracted." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hm? But won''t this stop the wolf from realising something happened?" The moment Leon asked, Nyxara''s eyes opened, and she showed a bright smile, almost as if this were her aim and goal. "Master, I have sent two scouts with the last corpse, and remnants of other wolves and will spread them to the east since you seemed to wish for us to cause trouble. It would be best for the monsters in this forest to clash together." Leon noticed her excitement from her heavy breaths and the slight red hue on her cheeks, but it wasn''t normal. He noticed from the start that Nyxara''s goodwill was nothing like Chloe''s pleasant smile in the village. Rather¡ªit was sickly, heavy, thick, and dangerous. "Is it difficult to make this corpse powder?" Nyxara suddenly pulled back, her eyes scanning Leonhardt''s face before she smirked. "I cannot tell you how to make it, but if Master wants some, Nyxara will provide it." ''Maybe it''s an important Dark Elf tradition or item.'' [This crazy woman makes me feel sick. Hurry and send her away!] "That would be great, what do you want in return?" Leon didn''t want to abuse her goodwill, for fear it might twist into something else. The blurred face of his creator in his fractured memories reminded him of Nyxara''s. "Well~ I will think about it, Master." "Understood, then we should head back to the village before I return?" "Return?!" Nyxara''s voice became strange. [See!] ''I know Ifrit, but she won''t betray me, her loyalty is 160!'' "Don''t be so worried. It''s because I have something to finish in the village, regarding the alpha wolf to the south. When I have time, I''ll visit the village." He felt that her atmosphere changed when he mentioned his departure. Nyxara''s gaze turned dark and deep. Leon''s back tingled as she lowered her head, covering her eyes with her hair. She remained silent for several long breaths before finally raising her head, an almost wicked smirk covering her mouth. "Is that so? Master has to return? Maybe I can send someone back to assist, to ensure his safety." "Not right now, I have something I need to do alone, but¡­" With each word, his spine became colder, as if a dagger was placed against his flesh. Nyxara''s fingers tightened, grasping his arm, causing his skin to become pale. "But?" Her whisper made him stop before her emerald eyes locked with his. "I will allow it in the future. Give me some time, and you can join me. First, focus on the southern wolves and thin out the other monsters for me, okay?" Leon gave a faint smile while winking at Nyxara, who froze once again. This time, however, her atmosphere transformed, the sickening thick pressure disappearing. Instead, Nyxara let go of Leon and hid her face before bowing. Leon was confused by this but relieved he avoided something catastrophic. He could hear her whistling happily as she hopped into the trees and vanished towards the other dark elves. [Finally¡­ she''s gone.] "Oh?" Leon exclaimed as he found a large pouch of corpse powder in his pocket. "Hm?" But he also noticed the package was a little moist¡­ "I don''t even want to know." "Phew, then, shall we head back to the village and see what those three slaves are doing?" [Make sure the girls don''t hear you calling them that.] ''Hahaha!'' Leon didn''t return to the forest or sanctuary and headed east towards the village. Thanks to the dark elves, he received some remains to prove what he had done all day and avoid any doubts from the guards and villagers. ''The meat is well cut, though wolf meat usually smells bad, it seems they''ve rubbed it with some kind of herb.'' He noticed that when they handed him the meat¡ªit was slightly discoloured, with a dull purple leaf pressed into the soft flesh. Leon asked Nyxara, but she just smiled and narrowed her eyes. The other elves also acted strangely when they noticed he had taken the meat. "Ifrit, do you know anything about this meat or herb?" Leon didn''t care because when he checked the meat, it had a gamey and earthy scent that faded, becoming a meaty scent with a smooth aroma. [I don''t know, it seems like a normal flower... but those obscene dark elves cannot be trusted.] "Forget it." Her jealousy and dislike of dark elves from Ifrit made him want to avoid the subject because she was important to him. Although he tried to be fair, right now, the dark elves weren''t as significant as Ifrit in his heart. [Hmph!] Leon turned his senses inward. He thought the number of skills he gained from Nyxara was impressive, but to improve them, he needed to keep using them. So from the moment he gained the Scouting and Stealth skills, Leon used them constantly while walking through the forest, or standing alone. ''Though I am not sure Stealth at level 1 would do much.'' He noticed it seemed to limit his scent and sound, but not the visibility of his body in the light. Only when he stepped into a shadow did he sense a chance in his atmosphere. ''Hm, maybe stealth level one only allows you to decrease visibility in a dark area or shadow.'' ''Perhaps the other levels might grant a camouflage ability or let me blend in better, allowing me to mask my sounds and scent in the open.'' Meanwhile, scouting allowed him to sense the vague position of creatures around his body within a 20-foot (6.1-metre) radius. "Not only that, but my vision seems a little stronger, I can see further than before." Though only a slight increase, this allowed Leon to see 140ft (42.67 metres) long in extreme detail, able to see the small motes of Mana in the air and even spores from the flowers. ''Thankfully it doesn''t use Mana either.'' However, when he tried to fuse the Arachne Vision and this new sight, he almost vomited because his sight became too intense, and the world started to spin. "Phew¡­ I need to practise using both." Leon muttered to himself as the village came into view, but the men guarding were neither the old man nor the guard that Leon recognised. ''Let''s hope for no trouble.'' [Hehe~ When did you ever get lucky? That person is looking at you like his enemy!] "Haa¡­" With a sigh, Leonhardt approached the gate. He noticed Asuka standing close to the entrance, and her eyes lit up when she saw him. Chapter 35 - 35: The popular Lizard The tall Dragonoid stood at the village entrance with a blank expression. Asuka wore a loose red and black kimono with a butterfly design that draped over one shoulder. She also wrapped her chest with a bleached white cloth wrapping. Her hips swayed with each step as her sake jug bounced off her hips. Each time someone passed, she narrowed her sharp crimson eyes. "Oh?" The moment Leon appeared in her sight, she seemed to shine. Her lips curled into a radiant smile, while the scales on her cheeks flickered in the sunlight. She lifted her hand and shouted out before her face looked confused. "Stop!" Clang! A cheap iron-tipped spear blocked Leon''s path. Leon''s gaze left the beautiful woman, forced to look at the human guard beside him. Dirty brown hair, a freckled face and scrunched brows that showed his aggressive feelings. "Show me your identification, or you cannot enter." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The young guard seemed full of energy. Leon noticed him tighten his grip around the wooden shaft and sighed. "Can you not see this badge?" Even when faced with the young guard''s aggression. Leon remained calm and observed the situation. He quietly pushed a small flicker of Mana from his two magical hearts to his vision. "T-This could be a fake!" A young, quivering voice caused Leon to laugh. "Haha." "W-What''s so funny?" Leonhardt''s gaze flicked from the young guard before he winked at Asuka, who approached them. He found the way she froze upon his wink quite adorable. "We meet again, beautiful dragonoid." The moment Leon spoke, the guard''s body twitched. His teeth made a disgusting sound as they scraped together. ''I see, this little human wants to mate with the dragonoid.'' Asuka shook her head and snapped out of the slight daze, stepping forward and joining the conversation with her husky, yet feminine voice. The guard''s cheek became red, and his aggression vanished for a moment. "Hey, Alan and¡­ Handsome~ what are you doing out here? We wondered where you went!" "Well, I can''t avoid training if I want to work with you, right?" "Heh~ you think you could take me?" "I do. Both in battle and bed." "Oho~ are you willing to bet?" Leonhardt''s lips twitched because he was bluffing. Thanks to recruiting the dark elves, quite a lot of different and strange knowledge was granted to him. Seduction, deception and various dark methods filled his memory, even more after he spent an hour observing them to the limit. "D-Do you know this man, L-Lady Asuka?" The guard stuttered, or rather bit his tongue, causing Leonhardt to burst into laughter and cover his mouth. "Hahaha!" Of course, he wasn''t the only one¡­ Asuka joined him, unable to contain herself as she laughed so hard that her stomach and body visibly shook. The sight of her vivid red scales just above her hips, visible from the top of her chest and neck, hidden by her hair, was charming. ''Well¡­ I have changed a lot.'' Leon thought to himself while feeling certain changes in his body and the blood now surging like a raging storm inside him. "Hmm? What''re you looking at, Leon?" She gazed at him, wiping her nose and lips after the laughter faded, but when she followed his gaze, Asuka reacted differently to how Leon expected. ''Oh?'' "You didn''t answer the ugly kids'' question," Leon''s words rubbed in the salt while smirking at the guard named Alan with a wicked expression. "Ah¡­ Sorry Alan, but Leon is a bit stupid. Can you let him in for my sake?" Leonhardt noticed the boy''s eyes change, his face almost blue from her cruel words. He almost started to feel bad for the kid, before he remembered what he was. ''Yes, after all¡­ Why would a dungeon master care about a human''s feelings?'' "Of course, Lady Asuka, he''s already shown me proof of his identity." The guard''s pale face was the cost of his stupid actions. "Oi, you. Enter, but don''t cause trouble!" An aggressive tone, almost speaking through his teeth and forcing himself to hold back. However, Leon didn''t like how he listened to Asuka and not him. So he punished the foolish kid again. The moment he stepped forward, his arm wrapped around Asuka''s waist and pulled her along, causing the guard''s cheeks to turn red with rage. "Let''s go have something good to drink." ''Asuka won''t reject this kind of offer, she loves drinking.'' "Oh? Then you are paying for it, right?" "Hm? If you manage to beat me, maybe I will. You''re not strong, though." "Haha! It''s a challenge." Thanks to his enhanced vision, Leon noticed the guard''s face with each step they took together. Though Asuka was quite lenient, Leon knew if he went too far she might snap back. She bore the blood of a dragon, after all. Though¡­ when his hand slipped along her muscular back, and met the smooth tanned skin because of her wearing only one shoulder of her Kimono, he touched something silky, and soft near her waist. "Nn~ don''t rub that." Her sudden moan echoed in the quiet village, causing the guard''s face to darken. His eyes filled with tears, but Leon couldn''t enjoy his victory because a fierce elbow slammed into his ribs, causing an immense impact. "!!!" Thud! "Ugh, damn it." "Don''t get too comfortable!" Asuka snorted, her cheeks and scales all bright red, as she kicked the dirt and slapped Leonhardt''s back with her tail. Although it was a punishment that almost fractured Leon''s ribs, to people on the outside, the movement of her tail and body language made it seem more like a lover''s quarrel once again, causing the poor guard''s mind to collapse. "Lizard, dare hit me like that again, and I''ll cut off your tail¡­" "Hahaha~ your face is far too handsome for such words." Her loud laughter rang in his ear as Leon huffed, rubbing his ribs. Because she kept acting confident, he teased her and rubbed the soft scale again, causing the pair to fight as they walked to the inn together. Later, this would be a moment that she brought up in various arguments to get her way. The two arrived at the trio''s room, but the blue-haired witch and the blonde priestess were absent. When the door closed, Asuka flicked off her shoes and untied her obi, letting the outer robe slip off her body. Then started to relax while wearing a delicate Juban 1that clung to her figure tightly. "Hmph, it was worth the pain." "Damn¡­ you are such a petty man!" "How am I petty, lizard? You enjoyed it so much you were singing in the street!" "Hah! Enough nonsense. I will slap you silly with my tail!" She swirled the jug of sake in a circle and took another sip, and the alcohol content caused her cheeks to turn red. "Don''t even try to seduce me, you snake, who wants to see your rear!" "¡­" The pair''s playful fighting seemed real, but neither of them was serious. It was more of a game to them, a game that neither wanted to lose. Leon didn''t want to keep acting and dropped onto the wooden bed with a loud creak as he sank into the mattress. The cool breeze helped remove the afternoon heat. While Leonhardt closed his eyes, he couldn''t help but speak his current thoughts. "Hey Asuka, do you want to join my mercenary group?" "M-Me, why?" "I think it''d be exciting to do it with you." "D-Do what with me?!" "Hmm, it''s a secret." Leonhardt imagined her in a smart military-style noble outfit, standing beside him or a step behind him with her eastern sword, able to chop horses in half. Somehow, he realised the type of woman he liked around him. ''Do I like strong women?'' "Well¡­" Asuka started speaking with a serious, and uncharacteristically gentle. "If¡ª" Thud! Suddenly, the door slammed open. Leonhardt''s eyes caught the blushing face of the dragonoid before two people entered. An undergarment worn underneath a kimono. Chapter 36 - 36: Making A Deal - The Strange Women! "Ah! What is this? " she exclaimed, dropping the things in her hands. The two were shocked. They noticed the male lying on the wooden bed, while Leonhardt was rubbing his head, and smiled back at them. "What are you two doing here?" Erina exclaimed in surprise. "Oh. Nothing, I was just having a nap," Leonhardt responded. "You seem to have been taking more than just a nap," Sylvie added, then they noticed the items that Asuka dropped, as she struggled to pick them up quietly. The dragonoid''s cheeks became bright red as she picked up her bathing bucket and towel from the ground, as she avoided making eye contact with him or the girls. "She was just about to have a bath after training." Leonhardt clarified, but they were all sceptical. Erina was the first to respond. "And we''re going to pretend that she''s the only one taking the bath," Erina said, flipping her golden twin tails over with her hand, pointing at Leonhardt who lay on her bed, and the two noticed the Dragonoid''s flushed appearance. "Wait. I am the only one who is having a bath." Asuka tried to explain, avoiding looking at them. Erina and Sylvie glanced at her sceptically for a moment. "Alright, well, I guess you are," Sylvie replied. "I suppose there isn''t enough evidence to the contrary," she concluded. The blue-haired elf looked away, her eyes turning back to Leonhardt, remembering what she saw last time when he drank too much and ended up sharing a bed with Erina. "Just, don''t take all day to do it," she added. "I''ll be fine," Asuka replied. "Besides, we brought you some food in case you hadn''t eaten anything all day!" The group started to come together, while Leonhardt rested on the bed, pretending to be oblivious to Erina''s sharp gaze. Her eyes narrowed into slits and her hands clenched into tiny balls of fury. Sylvie, who sat across from Asuka, looked back and forth between them and the dragonoid''s unusual shyness. "Well, it''s not like we slept together." Leonhardt flicked his hand, waving to Asuka so she could leave, but then she froze when Erina interrupted her with an icy tone that could freeze over the entire ocean. "Slept together?" Erina turned her head back to face Leonhardt, who was lying on her bed. "What does that comment mean?" She struggled with the memories of that night because as a Saintess candidate, excessive contact with males is prohibited. ''Hm? Why is she so angry?'' [Put your hand on your heart and think!] Even Ifrit scolded him, but Leonhardt didn''t mind. He watched Asuka sneak out of the room into the side room where the bathtub was. Before the door was shut, he saw a glimpse of her smooth tan skin and long red tail. "What I meant was¡­ We met outside. That''s all that happened." Leonhardt scratched the side of his cheek. The two girls inched closer, glaring at the man lying on the wooden frame bed. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Right? Asukaaa." He called for Asuka''s help, but instead of Asuka''s soft voice coming to his defence. A loud splash echoed back from behind the door. ''She abandoned me,'' he realised. Now he had nowhere to escape, as Erina stood before him. "And¡­ What were you guys doing so early out in town?'' "I was having some fun with monsters and a guard gave me attitude. Then Asuka, who was waiting at the gate, helped me inside, so I pretended to be her lover to make him cry." The words slipped out of his mouth easily because the dragon girl didn''t know how to hide anything. "Hmm. Sounds reasonable." Erina crossed her arms and nodded her head. ''What?'' "Asuka gets harassed all the time because of how she dresses, I guess this will be better." She nodded to herself before glancing at him with a smile. ''Well, it seems like it was good to tell the truth.'' Leonhardt''s mind wandered off as Sylvie sat at the desk, putting some strange items down, while Erina sat on the bed, looking through the drawers beneath her bed. "So, why are you here?" Erina asked. "Because I wanted to recruit you, right?" "Ah, the mercenary thing?" "Right." "Hmm¡­ move up, I want to lie down." Erina dropped onto the bed dramatically. Leonhardt scooted up as far as he could while avoiding the wall. The bed wasn''t large and so her hips fell onto his lower abdomen. Her silver-white summer dress slipped up to reveal her soft thighs. "It feels nice to have someone''s body warmth." Erina''s legs rubbed against Leonhardt''s abdomen. Almost as if she weren''t concerned about being a saintess, however, she pressed her finger into his cheek, and her voice came out cold. "Remember nothing!" "Okay, I won''t look then." Leonhardt closed his eyes. However, the Saintess candidates'' words and actions conflicted, as her body wriggled and squirmed in her place, pressing her body into Leonhardt''s. "Hmm¡­ The Mercenary Guild sounds interesting." Sylvie nodded as she sat up from her position, glancing up at Leonhardt and Erina lying on the bed. "Are you sleeping together again?" "No, she''s laying on me." "I see." "What do you mean again?!" Erina exclaimed. Sylvie raised an eyebrow, but before she could speak, Erina jumped out of bed, rushed to Sylvie, and pressed both hands against her soft lips, the witch''s warm gasps pointless against Erina''s grip. "Mmph?!" Sylvie''s cheeks flushed, and her voice muffled while staring into Leonhardt''s red eyes. ''These girls are quite interesting.'' He couldn''t help but rub his chin, watching as the two girls wrestled "Aren''t you supposed to be a pure Saintess?" he murmured, glancing between the elf and human wrestling around on the floor. Erina''s face turned a deeper shade of crimson as she struggled to maintain her grasp over the elf''s small pink lips, but the icy witch suddenly bit the saintess, who cried out. "Ahh!" Erina yanked her hand away from Sylvie. It had bright red marks that made Erina scowl. Sylvie turned back towards Leonhardt and stood up. Her expression barely changed, but an icy chill filled the air as she dusted off her robes and grabbed the things on the table. "Well, I have to go study these tomes¡­" Sylvie spoke with a lack of passion, but Leonhardt''s brows lifted, as her lips curled showing a subtle smile, before she left the room. "Now, let''s get back on topic," Erina spoke, climbing onto the bed with her legs crossed, still wearing her revealing silver and white dress. Leonhardt watched as the dress slipped up just high enough to show her undergarments. "My eyes are up here, big guy." Leonhardt looked back up at the mischievous smile on Erina''s lips. "But I want to see down there." "Ack! I am a saintess, stop being so vulgar!" Erina laughed and pushed Leonhardt backwards until he was lying on the bed. He realised that there was little space on the bed, causing the two of them to lie pressed against each other. A soft voice flowed into his ears, matching the gentle breeze from the small window. "Do you really want to hire us, for an actual task?" He looked down into her curious green eyes as their heads lay next to each other. "That''s why I came, also to ask you to lend me a hand." Erina giggled like a cat, sticking out her tongue before giving a devilish wink. "Then you better pay the price." She didn''t continue and closed her eyes. "I am not much help; I can only heal and cure diseases." Erina reached forward and created a small sphere of light in the air. "That''s enough for me. I will fight, and protect you." "Hm¡­" "What?" "Even though we''re this close, you didn''t touch me, or do anything. It surprised me." She smiled and flipped herself over and kicked him onto his side so she could lie comfortably. "You are a saintess after all." "But your thoughts say otherwise. Maybe they are lies," she added. "When have my actions ever contradicted my words." Leonhardt snorted, accidentally leaning closer, the scent of Erina''s body becoming clearer. "The first night you came." Leonhardt looked confused, unable to remember that night, and shook his head. "Why did you ask?" "What do you mean?" He couldn''t grasp her questions or thoughts, but there wasn''t any malice or aggression. Erina gazed at him with a pure expression, and her tone sounded curious. "About recruiting us for real and not seeking other teams, wouldn''t it be better to work with stronger mercenaries?" "I like pretty women, and you all seem trustworthy." He shrugged. Erina nodded and lay silent before she rolled off the bed to stand up and stretch. "Well, whatever," Erina stretched her arms and then pulled down her summer dress to fix it. "Since you passed the test, I''ll give you a chance, Leon." She curled her lips, showing a sly smirk, before walking towards the other room. "Will you join us for lunch?" Chapter 37 - 37: Mercenary Guild II - Rank Restored! The unpopular elven wine, Chrysa, struggled to earn a profit for most elves. However, thanks to Leon and his deal with the Arlet innkeeper. Thanks to the deal, a new version of wine appeared on the market. A sweet and delicious alternative. The elven mistress used her skills, and the wine brought more people to the inn and Arlet village. She offered a discount to the merchants, so they tried the new wine called Papillon. The elven mistress and Leon chose this name because the word meant¡ªbutterfly in ancient elvish. "So your name was Veronica?" He gazed at the finished contract and the beautiful middle-aged woman with a bright smile. "Doesn''t sound like an elf''s name." "Hahaha~ you''ve got me, my mother was quite progressive!" ''She''s completely transformed in a single day!'' Leon collected loads of fruit when he met Zafira, though he hesitated at first. Thanks to the contract, the elf named Veronica couldn''t betray him or reveal the true source of the fruit. He also told Zafira to spread the news to the goblins. But Leon planned to have the dark elves deal with her in the future. "Well that''s the profit and costs dealt with, so would you like to consider telling me where to collect more fruit?" He noticed her change in tone, speaking to him with a respectful and softer tone than before their negotiations started. Perhaps it was thanks to their deal. Not that Leon minded. This would help him in the future. "Well, here is the current batch of fruit. I will send a dark elf to trade with in the future." When Veronica heard his words, her hand trembled and shook as she accepted the fruit into her ring. She did not say anything else about what had happened or how it had appeared in Leon''s possession. "Will the supply be limited?" "For now, yes. We''re still growing the new trees," he nodded. "I believe growing a sort of premium might be ideal, for outside this village and the southern city." She didn''t ask what he meant but nodded at his words. "Then how often can I expect shipments?" "Once every two weeks. If you really need more, contact me through the mercenary guild." Leon nodded, and Veronica returned the nod. ''I plan to have her meet Nyxara after the business is stable.'' "Also," he smiled warmly, "don''t pressure yourself alone. If there are issues or troubles, I am happy to support you." The beautiful elven mistress sighed, rolling her hair around her finger as she gazed up and down at Leonhardt, biting her lower lip. "Where were you a hundred years ago?" "Pardon?" He blinked. Veronica let go of the lock of hair and straightened herself as she spoke. "Thank you, Leon. I know this is just business for you, but to me, it''s something I''ve always dreamed about." She stood from her chair, Leon following suit as she walked out the door with him. He couldn''t understand what she meant by a hundred years, since she looked no older than twenty-six. [You are being too kind, she looks like a 34-year-old!] ''She''s beautiful though.'' [Shush!] "Haha." Leon gave an awkward laugh as they left the back room of the inn, and into the tavern. And before he left, Veronica rushed back. "Oh wait!" Leon''s ears perked at her sudden stop. "Here," she handed him a small package, the scent of meat and ale steaming from the top. "You didn''t eat all afternoon, so have some of the Papillon stewed steak I made." [This damn Cougar, back away!] Ifrit fumed and shouted in his mind, but Leon was only focused on the lunch box. His eyes were gleaming as Veronica tried to hide a smirk and coughed to regain her composure. "Leonhardt, are you finally finished?" A soft, gentle voice called out from a beautiful young woman sitting at a table. The elven women greeted her politely, then spun away. "It has been a very productive day for us both," Leon replied. Erina, with her long blonde hair tied into a side braid and long bangs changed from her twin tails earlier, sat upright. He noticed she was dressed differently; her outfit was not as conservative as usual but tight around the waist. The entire tavern fell silent as everyone watched them both. "A couple?" one whispered. "Impossible." "Our Erina cannot be dating!" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''I can hear these fools loud and clear, oh, it seems Erina can too.'' Leon forced a smile while observing the tinge of red on Erina''s cheeks, growing redder by the moment. Erina was incredibly embarrassed, her eyes darting from left to right as she fought off the urge to stand up and shout at them to mind their own business. ''Well, a saintess being rumoured isn''t good.'' "Where are the others?" "Ahem! Asuka is sleeping, she seemed strange after her shower, and Sylvie is reading in her room¡­" She trailed off with her words, before giving Leon a wink as she stood. The sudden wink caught Leon off guard, especially considering Erina was a saintess candidate. "Let''s go to the guild, come on." She urged. With that, they turned toward the door and exited the inn. Leaving a bunch of surprised patrons and staff members gossiping about the odd pair. Although there weren''t many rumours between elves and humans mating with each other, it was a rare occurrence. After sitting in a dark and musty room all day, it was a breath of fresh air, as Leon took a deep breath and exhaled. Stretching his arms and neck, releasing a crack before relaxing. Erina gave him a curious look after stepping outside, walking one step beside him. "Do you really want to quest with us? We are quite selective, you know." "I do not expect anything. But yes, if I am allowed, I would appreciate your company." "M-Mine?" "What?" Leon frowned as he glanced sideways at her. He noticed she was blushing. "What did you think I said?" "H-huh!? Oh¡­ Um, nothing, forget about it," she waved off whatever she had heard. "Haha, well, you make me feel comfortable, Asuka is fun and exciting and Sylvie is cute. However, I know you are strong, and won''t flee if things get difficult." At first, she blushed again when she heard ''comfortable'' before frowning at him and mentioning Asuka and Sylvie until the last part made her lips curl up into a grin. "I see." She muttered, followed by an awkward silence, which suited Leon. The two strolled through the streets, turning several heads, including most male mercenaries, glaring at Leon before storming off. "H-Here we are." Arriving outside the Mercenary Guild, their pleasant atmosphere faded as Leon sucked in the air, and pushed open the door, letting Erina in first, before entering himself. After which, he exhaled. There were still no familiar faces within, except for the dark elf Aella. Now Leon understood more about the dark elves. He wondered how difficult it must be for her to survive and manage, when their kind used to be treated as inferior creatures by the elves and humans alike. Only thanks to the battle maidens of their race building some kind of reputation. ''Not sure why they sided with the elves.'' Today, they would finally sign a contract together, creating a temporary party. Erina would hold Asuka and Sylvie''s adventurer cards so she could accept the contract alone. Though because they were a party, there were fewer issues with this. "W-Welcome, I wondered when you might return." Aella leaned forward to gaze over the counter. She looked at Erina puzzled, before leaning back and resuming her regular posture as they approached her desk. "Leon, what would you like to do today?" She asked him with a bright smile. "Hello Aella," Leon said before turning to Erina. "One second, let me just pay my fine." With that, he handed the gold coin needed to resume mercenary activities, the amount of cash on his card listed in the corner. [Checking Card: 1 Gold deducted¡ªRank Reduction removed!] [02g 10s 55c] ''Thanks to Veronica, I have enough for supplies and necessities'' Erina watched Leon as he finished renewing his pass. The mercenary group is returning to D-rank. Now, his silver badge will not be rejected by any guards in this huge intermontane basin.1 The place where Leonhardt is active. A massive mountain range wraps around his dungeon, and the south forming a complete circle, with only two exists. To the south is the Capital of the Gladius Kingdom and past that the Kingdom of Avaria, which is at war with the Gladius Kingdom. North over the mountains is the former dragon territory and now the Demon Empire, then to the west is neutral land filled with monsters, and a place that leads to the Elven territories. Chapter 38 - 38: D-Rank Task - An Distant Quest! Aella made restoring his stolen mercenary group so easily. She curled her lips into a seductive arc and tapped the desk with her quill pen. "So, what else do you need me for, Leonhardt?" Her gaze flicked towards Erina, the priestess standing behind him, with curious emerald eyes scanning the pair. "Perhaps some alone time would be appropriate here, Priestess?" Aella leaned forward in her chair and parted the tight uniform around her chest just slightly so that her cleavage popped into view. "I am here with Leonhardt. We would like to assign this task." Erina held a sheet from the wall and placed it on the counter, ignoring Aella''s aggression. Leonhardt''s Dungeon screen flashed, showing the quest details in a neat and easy-to-read fashion, causing him to stroke his chin. ''She picked the quest I wanted¡­'' [D-Rank Quest: Hunting Spiders in the Munat Mountains] Posted by: Horace Grant, Astrea Guild Representative Location: Munat Mountains, Eastern Astrea Basin, Munat Village. "Damn spiders are breeding faster than we can squash ''em. Travellers keep reporting ambushes along the mountain trails¡ªsome even vanish without a trace. We need capable hunters to thin their numbers before they become a plague. Bring back their venom sacs as proof, and you''ll earn extra coin for every one." Reward: 10 silvers per person (Up to 4 People) Bonus: 1 silver per venom sac "I see, Munat village is a five-day carriage ride from this village, and the carriage only comes once a week. If you want to take this quest, you should probably leave on today''s carriage or choose another before it''s too late." Despite knowing that, Aella wanted to seduce and take him to bed. Leonhardt knew Aella would carefully and sincerely explain the quests and dangers to him. So he ignored the delicate fingers stroking along his arm with a smile. [You act all honourable, but you have a swollen crotch! Hmph~ Men!] [But it''s strange¡­ why are you suddenly interested in females?] "Hey! Don''t you get it?" She paused, drawing close enough that her hot breath caressed his neck. Her voice lowered to a seductive murmur, her words flowing like honey. "It''s going to be troublesome to travel with this flat-chested woman. How about you have a meal with this big sister instead?" "Haha." Leonhardt chuckled, his hand gently grasping Aella''s hand and pulling it away, leaving a surprised expression etched upon her face. Although she had repeatedly made passes at Leonhardt, he still needed a competent advisor, so he leaned closer, this time his breath tickling her long brown ear and sending a shiver through her slender frame. "Aella¡­" "What, what do you need me for?" The elf gulped. His mind wandered back to Nyxara and Zafira and their charisma and seduction skills. He then whispered in a low but commanding tone that hints at mischief. "I''ll buy you a meal when I return, so stop bullying the priestess, you''ll ruin those pretty violet eyes of yours." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''I seem to have learned these strange feelings and desires after summoning the dark elves and growing closer to Zafira.'' She gaped as a smile crossed her face, and the alluring woman pulled back. A visible blush spread across her cheeks as she patted down her uniform while pretending not to hear anything. She turned around and slumped into her chair, looking defeated. "Whatever¡­" The young woman seemed satisfied, and with a wet gaze, pulled back from Leonhardt. She whispered so only he might hear. "I''ll be waiting, don''t get hurt." Leonhardt nodded, quickly gathering the information. His smile vanished, and his seriousness took over as his brain calculated everything he needed to know about the new quest. With this information, he faced Erina and gestured towards the door. "Why did you flirt with her, she''s clearly too old for you." Erina''s voice sounded a little bitter and sharp, but she was a saintess candidate, so this reaction confused him. "It wasn''t flirting." He replied dismissively, glancing over his shoulder at the blonde Priestess. In truth, he just enjoyed the tingles and sensations that filled his body when teasing or flirting with pretty females. [Hmph! What about me?] ''I don''t know what you look like!'' Leonhardt mocked Ifrit in his mind, imagining a flame with a stupid face, but she didn''t respond. "This way!" Erina pointed down the road and guided him toward another shop within the small village of wooden huts. It was a two-story structure built beside an expansive barn. "What are we here for?" Leonhardt inquired, scanning the building and noting its stables. "This is the best merchant in the city for produce, dried foods and long-distance travel." Erina''s tone became calmer, closing one eye as she spoke, with a slight grin on her lips. "They are also the only place in the village to book carriages to the capital and, of course, Munat village." The moment they entered, they found a spacious lobby with rows of counters occupied by staff members in elegant brown uniforms¡ªelegant for a small village, at least. Behind the workers, large red banners displaying a gold dragon hung from the ceiling. ''Red Dragon Trading company?'' Instead of the exposed fruit in the market, he noticed most of the items were in black sacks with the red emblem with a dragon on the front. "Erina, what''s in the bags?" "Spices from across the sea, grains from farmers, tea, and coffee, mostly dried apricots, raisins, and some bread," the priestess responded. She led Leonhardt towards an available counter, and he followed behind, his mind focused on the various goods around him. "Greetings customer, oh it''s Erina, isn''t your Dragonoid friend here today¡­ Oh, my~ it''s a handsome male today, such a sinful priestess!" The woman at the counter was a little plump, with short brown hair and dark brown eyes. Her voice was deep and melodic, like that of an opera singer. "Hello, Aunt Mabel. We''re heading to Munat for a long quest, maybe twenty days total. I need food and camping supplies, and I want the best goods." "I''ll pay," Leonhardt remembered his goal. He needed to win the three women over. "Okay, then we will give you half of our combined earnings." Erina wasn''t selfish, especially when she experienced Kaito demanding his cut. It was a breath of fresh air when Leonhardt offered to cover the entire cost of their journey. "Well, well, this is your boyfriend, Erina?" Mable leaned forward, her dark brown eyes scanning Leonhardt. He saw a playful smile on her lips and felt a chill run up his spine. "B-Boyfriend?! I am a priestess!" "But your boobs are quite nice and filled out, not like Sylvie¡­" Mabel smiled teasingly. "That doesn''t matter! Sylvie might grow!" "Really?" A doubtful voice left Erina''s lips. Leonhardt enjoyed the two women speaking in whispered voices, louder than their normal tones. Erina''s reactions and expressions brought a smile to his lips. They reminded him of how Ifrit bickered with him all the time, and then he truly wondered what she might look like. ''I wonder what the mother of all flames looks like, maybe a midget with no tits?'' [¡­] ''Huh?'' Leonhardt felt odd, since Ifrit usually retaliated immediately. He glanced upward and noticed a screen appeared, the colour red, with chains across the surface before an image appeared, causing him to gulp. A beautiful figure appeared, a short woman with a full-bodied figure breasts, thighs, and hips comparable to Zafira, flickering with flames as her orange hair danced around her body, almost like liquid flames. Her beauty left Leonhardt without words or thoughts. His mouth parted as he took in her stunning appearance. But suddenly, she vanished from view. The memory of her pitch-black eyes, with huge amber irises like a raging fire. "Leonhardt!" Erina shook his arm, waking him from whatever just occurred. "The village of Munat is only accessible by carriage, and that''s through the mountains, which may be even more dangerous," Mabel added, showing him a list of items. He just nodded, the eyes of the beautiful woman lingering in his mind. He couldn''t forget her big eyes peering at him, with such a small face with plump lips that matched her V-shaped jaw. ''Despite the adult figure, she was super short¡­ like 5ft4 (1.63 metres) at most.'' ''Probably equal to Zafira¡­ maybe a little more my type, and her rump was shaped like a delicious peach.'' [!!!] Chapter 39 - 39: The Night Before Departure! I Mabel offered several pieces of advice to Leonhardt and Erina, whether the type of provision and flavour of the ale was brought. Her attention to detail helped Leon greatly and allowed him to observe and understand the benefits of raw healing salve and a mixed cream. "The total would come to fifty-four silvers, when rounded to the nearest silver." Leonhardt curled his lips upward, noticing her attempt to earn extra profit. Instead, he considered the knowledge that she gave him worth a small tip. ''She doesn''t know how much I gained from this!'' [Gained Skills: Herbalism (Lv.1), Medicine (Lv.1), Business Sense (Lv.1)] [This old woman has some valuable knowledge. Please note what she said!] "I''ll give you fifty-five silvers, call it a tip for the knowledge you gave me, Lady Mabel." A gentle, unassuming smile curved Mabel''s lips¡ªa smile lacking conventional beauty but brimming with the warmth of a caring aunt. "You little charmer, Leon~ you''ll always be welcome at my little store." Leonhardt handed over his guild card, letting the merchant swipe his card across the rectangular magical item, which bleeped then started printing a paper receipt. Erina''s eyes narrowed as she watched Leonhardt, doubt flickering in her gaze. She hadn''t expected this side of him¡ªyet, the sight of his generous spirit coaxed a faint, approving smile onto her face. "Where did you learn to flirt with old women like this?" She whispered like a mosquito, avoiding Mabel''s ears as she swiped his guild card. [Deducted: 55 silvers] [Remaining: 01g 55s 55c] When he checked the card, two lines were added. The card left a mark of the transaction location and recorded it. He wondered what it might help with, but the business skill taught him about tax and audits that merchants might face in the kingdom. "Isn''t this how to get a better service?" He covered his lips and whispered back, smirking to himself, amused by Erina''s curious gaze and interest. Mabel shoved the items into his inventory bag. "You must visit my store if you can next time." Having bid their farewells to the friendly proprietress, the two returned to the path leading towards the side store, managed by Mabel''s husband, the carriage exchange. "Erina, do you know how this works?" Leonhardt glanced at the massive barn filled with different animals: horses and small monsters like birds on two legs. He was familiar with a chicken, but these things were the size of people and wore saddles with claws and sharp teeth. "I do, also those birds are called striders. They are faster than horses, and can fight, but cost more money." Upon entering the farm, the sight of a lone man greeted them. His attire comprised an apron adorned with animal fur and feathers, and he wore leather boots. "Greetings, are you expecting to travel outside the village?" Mabel''s husband inquired while grooming the beak of a gigantic bird that squatted down so he could clean its face. "Yes." Leonhardt nodded. "Can we get a carriage? To the Munat mountains?" This question had apparently made him unbalanced. His eyes flickered between the two, studying them with growing curiosity. Finally, he rested on Leon''s unique eye colour, recognising them as something out of the ordinary. "Well, you don''t seem weak¡­ that place is dangerous, and my wife seemed happy speaking with you. I''ve got a carriage coming tomorrow, delayed because of some adventurers who requested to upgrade it to a caravan." ''A caravan?'' The kind old man smirked, picking a bit of food from the beak of the bird, which started thrashing happily. "You see, the journey will take a week, so many merchants and others would prefer to band together as one unit with multiple guards. This means the people who own the carriages have to think of profit for all the merchants. "Well, though it will be cheaper for you, those people seemed rough." ''Since I met with Erina and the other women, I''ve met quite a few good people.'' With a grateful expression, Erina clasped his hands, and nodded enthusiastically towards Mabel''s spouse. "Thank you for being so helpful." "My pleasure¡­ a beauty like you doesn''t need to worry¡ªyour companion seems very capable," the carriage trader stated, wiggling his brows at Leonhardt. Leonhardt glanced around awkwardly, trying hard to ignore the situation. "Well, it''s a fact she''s gorgeous. I''ll take care of the fee." "Of course! For a private cabin and storage, along with four spots in a standard carriage pulled by two striders, and equipped with emergency runes, the total comes to twenty silvers." "Good, that means all four seats are for us, right?" Leonhardt wanted to make sure he wasn''t confused. "Yup!" The elderly gentleman confirmed while nodding earnestly. [Deducted: 20 silvers] [Remaining: 01g 35s 55c] After paying the required fee and arranging transportation, the duo headed back to the sleepy kobold, but Erina kept gazing at Leonhardt, her eyes curious and burning with questions. "So¡­" she began hesitantly. "You can just throw money around like this without worrying about anything?" "That''s where you''re mistaken!" He paused briefly, turning his gaze towards the tavern entrance. He checked inside the building and noticed Asuka and Sylvie lingering at the bar. As they made their way inside, he leaned near Erina''s ear to whisper, taking the opportunity to clarify. "I am not throwing money around¡ªI''m spending it on necessities." His warm breath tickled her neck, and a faint flush dusted her cheeks, prompting an amused chuckle from him. "Oh I see¡­" She mumbled, her cheeks flushing deeper red, while Asuka called out to Leon from the distance. "Oi, Leon, let''s eat together." The moment Asuka called them over, a buzz echoed in his mind when walking towards the corner seat the two chose. He tried to focus on the noise, like the sound of static. [Leonhardt, can you hear me?] ''Zafira?'' [Ah! It worked. Ifrit wouldn''t help me and so it took a while¡­] He spoke with Zafira using the dungeon''s link, yet something about Zafira''s voice felt¡­ off. It was slightly distant or a little forced. ''Are you alright?'' Her response came after a slight pause. [? Yes, Master. Everything is¡­ fine. ?] A small frown tugged at the edge of his lips, but he let it slide. The two spoke about the eastern dungeon that needed him to eradicate. "Let''s use the eastern dungeon to train the weaker goblins and rabbits. If we quickly destroy it, we will lose an easy way to grow stronger." [? Understood! ?] ''I promise to come and finish it after this mission.'' Before he could hear her response, the link became choppy and abruptly cut off. ''Zafira?'' A low hum of discontent rumbled from his throat. [It''s fine, don''t be so upset. The connection is weak because she is currently fighting those lizards.] [Don''t dwell on it!] Ifrit offered her assurance, but Leonhardt still couldn''t be at ease. Instead, he focused on the meal, and noticed the girls started ordering without him. Asuka held four mugs of the new ale he helped create. Leonhardt exhaled slowly through his nose and cracked his neck. "Forget it. We''ve got a journey tomorrow. There''s no point in overthinking everything." "We ordered our usual, do you mind?" Erina asked, while sitting beside him. "I''ll eat anything." ''Not like I need to eat anyway¡­'' Sylvie sat opposite Leonhardt. Normally refined and well-behaved, she looked strange now, gulping down the Papillon wine with a red face. "This tastes so delicious. We should enjoy it before leaving!" Erina gave a nervous nod to the elf before lifting her drink and taking a sip. The meal passed quickly. Meat, potatoes, pasta and various soups devoured. The girls all ate different dishes, but Leonhardt enjoyed himself, while soon things began changing. Sylvie and Erina''s faces became red, and their words slurred. Erina blinked, moving her head sluggishly as she wobbled from her seat and grasped Sylvie''s hand. "Alright, we''re heading off," Erina mumbled, steadying Sylvie before staggering towards the stairs. Julian watched them go, shaking his head with a smirk. "Will they be hungover tomorrow?" Asuka stretched, leaning back in her chair. "Hah! Serves those idiots right, drinking this stuff like juice, well¡­ I guess that just leaves me and you, huh?" Julian poured another drink, handing Asuka a glass. "I guess so. Shall we have a bet?" Several hours later, in the dark of night¡­ Sylvie yawned, climbing out of bed because of a strange sound. She stumbled to the door and found Erina who knelt against the wooden door with her ear placed against the cold surface with a bright red face. Though the night air was cool against her fair skin, the effect of Papillon still affected her actions. She knelt beside Erina and noticed a noise that caught her attention. A long, drawn-out moan echoed at night followed by the constant creaking of a wooden bed, straining under the intense movement. Erina''s half-closed eyes fluttered as she blinked at Sylvie. "Is that¡­?" Sylvie''s long ears twitched. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another sound followed: a man''s grunting, raspy female breaths, and finally, the woman''s low voice raised in pitch before being muffled against something. The two girls became frozen. Before quickly rushing to their beds, overwhelmed with excitement. Chapter 40 - 40: The Night Before Departure! II When Sylvie and Erina left the table to sleep, the inn closed its restaurant and only the bar remained open, and Leonhardt and Asuka continued drinking. However, they also made a bet that the one who became drunk first and lost would have to pay for the other person''s alcohol for the next month. Leon didn''t care at first, but their game eventually escalated. "Haha, so~ did you enjoy touching my delicate parts earlier?" Asuka''s eyes narrowed, the red hue shimmering like a ruby stone. "W-what are you on about, idiot¡­ You sure are drunk," Leon snickered. He didn''t remember doing such a thing, and wanted to claim victory, but the corners of Asuka''s lips curled into a wicked smirk. The next moment she reached out and took his hand, almost spilling his beer, as she pressed his hand against her hips. Asuka now wore a black crop top and low-waisted pants, sitting below her hips that revealed more of her scales. The soft scales wrapped around her hips, and descended into her butt crack, but they changed from a light pink to dark red depending on her mood. His fingertips trembled from feeling the warmth of her scales, smooth yet slightly soft compared to the scales on her back. "Don''t you remember? Here¡­ It was very fun. And you looked like you were enjoying yourself." "That''s because¡­" he stopped when Asuka grasped his fingers, showing her fangs with a chuckle. "I''ll give you permission to touch if you pay for my booze for three months," Asuka leaned in, whispering close to his ear. "Or I could win, and then you let me touch them all I like." He countered with an idea as they locked eyes. "A-Alright, bring it." Asuka''s voice wavered while she took another sip of beer with a hiccup, and her scales became a deeper red, like her cheeks. A half-hour passed, but neither Leon nor Asuka lost after dozens of mugs being emptied. But the elven mistress gave them a bitter smile as the bar was closing. "Leonhardt, it''s time to return to your rooms." Veronica gently ushered the pair of them toward the stairwell. Leon swayed on his feet as his knees shook. With each step forward, his balance shifted backward, as though he might fall. But with each step, Asuka nuzzled up against his neck, wrapping her arms around him and pulling them together. "I won''t lose to you." She muttered as the pair stumbled together until they reached the group''s room. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I Won," Leon answered and giggled childishly, falling over onto the bed, almost squashed as Asuka fell above him, her eyes hazy and peering down at him. "You lost, admit it." She said in a slurred voice as she grabbed his hands. I will sleep here; you go to the floor!" Asuka growled in a low voice. "No way~ get down, woman." Leon''s foot pushed against her thigh and their bodies switched positions on the bed. However, Asuka''s legs crossed behind his thighs, keeping them pressed tightly against each other. "J-Just stay like this," She breathed, her lips barely touching his ear. "Never." The pair began to fight, wrestling on the bed against each other, trying to kick the other off. However, both remained latched to one another, and their faces grew closer while grunting and huffing. His breath felt hot against her face, but a surge of heat also rushed through her body. Asuka''s chest pounded as she gazed up at the handsome male above her. ''I can''t push him off¡­ he''s stronger.'' She couldn''t understand the strange irritation in her chest, the flame building in her abdomen while he smirked at her. But she wasn''t about to lose just because she couldn''t beat him physically¡ªso she acted on instinct and did something unexpected, even to herself. Her fingers touched his collar, and she pulled him closer. Suddenly, the soft sensation of silky jelly touched her lips before his warm, sweet breath filled her nose. "Mmmn¡­" Leon froze. His vision locked on Asuka''s attractive face, with her eyes closed and her long eyelashes resting. ''What?'' Her warm, slimy tongue pushed into his lips, and invaded his mouth as he parted his lips to speak, swirling in his mouth. The feeling was indescribably sensual and erotic like velvet brushing against his tongue. But the intoxicating scent of her body and the sweet taste of liquor flowing into his mouth made his brain mushy and considered this being a fight he must win. ''This is what a kiss feels like?'' Even though he realised it now, his thoughts were paralysed. "Haah, haah¡­" After several minutes of deep kissing, Asuka released Leon''s collar and gazed down at his flushed face. "Did I win?" "¡­ I''m not sure. All I know is that¡­ I don''t hate kissing you," He muttered before grabbing her slender arm. "Mmn!" Asuka was dragged down, unable to think, or perhaps her mind just gave up from fatigue. Her eyelids snapped open. This time his tongue forced itself inside her lips, brushing across her tongue, fighting against her as her scales turned scarlet. They intertwined; it was slippery and hot as their breath and heartbeats mixed. Asuka''s body heated as if the room were on fire. "Don''t¡­ Mmmph¡­" However, she found herself below Leon as their lips and tongues tangled. She didn''t expect such retaliation. So soft and warm. Her body trembled whenever Leon''s fingers brushed her back, her clothes ruffled and tossed on the ground as she revealed her tanned skin, and her round, bell shaped breasts flopped free from her bra. Their passion and actions increased. His hands caressed her tight and muscular body while she sucked on his tongue, as if desperate for his saliva to cool her burning body. At some point, their clothes vanished, and the nude dragonoid lay beneath him, red scales covering her pubic area, hips and back as their breaths became ragged. The sudden exposure caused Asuka to sober slightly. She covered her exposed chest with a small scale that parted slightly to reveal her erect nipples. "This¡­ This is going too far!" "What do you mean?" He pulled her closer and pressed her bare chest against his. "Do you dislike my touch? You were moaning so cutely." Asuka could not deny, she wanted it either, her crotch wet and heart pounding. She suddenly moaned in a low voice. "Hnnng~" As Leonhardt''s instincts as a monster kicked in, he started to seduce the female, using his lips, pressing against Asuka''s delicate throat that caused her entire body to shudder as an intense warmth flowed deeper and deeper toward her groin. "I''m an idiot¡­" She muttered under her breath while gripping onto Leonhardt''s back. ''But I really want this.'' Asuka thought when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His eyes narrowed as his lips curled into a smirk before his fingers travelled along her legs and entered her soft inner thigh. "Don''t be stubborn; Let''s see it." "Haa¡­ A-After all that, don''t get too excited¡­" His hand felt hot against her thighs. Her breathing quickly intensified, and sweat coated her naked body while he played with her red scales, causing her entire body to shake. "Your scales are a little sticky, do you like this?" "B-Bastard. Don''t tease me." Her lower half trembled. The Dragonoid leaned in, touching her cheek as their lips met. Asuka melted at the gentle kiss, her body heating rapidly like lava as their tongue danced while the fingers crawled towards her delicate place, parting her soft, protective scales to reveal a smooth pink slit. "You''re such a beautiful woman." Leonhardt''s low voice echoed in her ear, causing her body to feel numb. "W-What should I d-do?" "Just close your eyes and relax." At first, the pair were even¡­ but because of their bloodlines, everything changed. The Dragons refused to submit, while the Arachne were insidious and also refused to lose. Especially the males¡­ In the beginning, male Arachne rarely had the chance to choose their mates because the females were stronger and could kill the male after copulation. However, the males evolved to learn a certain skill, be it their senses, limbs, or instinct. They developed in a way that increased their chance to survive from being eaten by the female. The male Arachne became skilled in finding a woman''s erogenous zones, able to see, smell, taste and feel the where and what action would drive a female into oestrous and grant them maximum pleasure. A skill that changed the power balance of male and female Arachne forever. Chapter 41 - 41: Drunkent Passion - Driven by Instinct! * Meanwhile, on the old creaky bed, Leonhardt''s eyes glowed in the darkness. His vision transformed instinctively to protect himself. "W-Wait¡­ there!" Shlick! His long, slippery tongue circled her nipple, flicking the sensitive scales that protect them, and suckled loudly. His palms wrapped around the breasts while gently kneading them between his fingers. "I didn''t expect to see such cute reactions, since your physique is so different." "Ahn!?" The moment his fingertips brushed past her, the soft scale covering her clitoris, the female dragonoid arched her back. Leonhardt licked his lips, savouring her sweet moans and the delicious scent that permeated through the air as he enjoyed the exotic taste of her delicate brown body. ''Why did it turn out like this?'' Asuka wondered. However, another sudden shock sent vibrations through her system as two fingers slipped between her slippery scales with a wet squelch, rubbing against her pink lips. His hands caressed every inch of her tight and voluptuous body¡ªshe clenched the sheets, struggling to endure the heat flowing through her veins like liquid magma. Asuka had never experienced such ecstasy before, even in battles. She couldn''t defend herself, as if Leonhardt pushed buttons she didn''t know she possessed. "D-Don''t make strange noises¡­" He ignored the dragonoid''s desperate pleas as his digits teased her swollen pink folds, while he alternated between sucking, biting and pulling on her sensitive breasts. Squelch! Her vagina gushed from his actions; his saliva entangled with her breast, while his fingers made loud squelches every time they stroked between her petals, teasing her clit. It was impossible for anyone nearby to not hear such vulgar and erotic sounds. "Ahn~ Haa¡­ Ooh!~" Asuka squeezed her lips shut, suppressing her voice with both hands so as not to alert the two sleeping in the next room. "Does it feel good? Your hips are trembling." "Oh no!" She reached out towards him, only for the Arachne male to catch her arm; his dark red eyes narrowed into a seductive glance. Her head sunk into the pillow, her breathing quick and shallow, while her legs quivered. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His hand pressed against her crotch, causing her to gasp, the sensation of his smooth palm brushing her clit and sensitive scales while his fingertips slowly spread her entrance, slipping inside. "You''re pretty much drenched down here. I don''t think we need to prepare any more." He chuckled when suddenly¡ª Fwip! Suddenly, the dragonoid detecting danger, as if she was being hunted, flipped their bodies. She tried to crawl away. At least, that was her plan. Instead, the throbbing warmth in her abdomen, and the intense pleasure in her crotch changed her mind. "You¡­ take responsibility." Asuka gazed down at the stunned male, snorting as she climbed over his face. All she remembered was the pleasure when he kissed her and the pleasant tingles she felt in her crotch. "Lick it¡­ and make me feel good." A huge brown ass appeared above his face, with beautiful red scales almost glowing scarlet red. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, able to see the slightly glowing areas which would make Asuka feel good. ''Here.'' He sat up and wrapped his lips around the soft flesh of her thigh where it connected to her hips, his action causing Asuka to groan, her weight pushed against him, grinding out of delight. "Nn¡­ that¡­ Haa¡­" Leonhardt''s hands caressed her buttocks, the soft scales gradually becoming harder as they reached her spine. He was learning from the taste, touch, and scent of her body. He discovered that only the scales near her breasts and vagina were sensitive erogenous zones. "Haa¡­?" The Dragonoid squeaked, surprised by the sudden stimulation of her ass. When Leonhardt parted her ass cheeks, his tongue slipped between them, teasing dozens of small glowing spots, causing her to tremble. Her knees wobbled as if they could buckle at any moment, yet the sensations surged through her as he held on to her waist. "Ahh! Nnh¡­ Ah!" He pulled her buttocks against his face, his long flexible tongue slipping into her entrance, tasting the inside of her vagina and massaging her inner walls. The rough tip swirled around inside her pussy as he narrowed his gaze, searching for the places that tasted best. Asuka arched her back, releasing sweet moans as he played her like a fiddle. He flicked his tongue against the roof of her vagina. The slight bump tasted sweeter than her tunnel. Thus, she clenched his hair as her ass lowered, forcing the male''s face further. "It''s almost like you''re eating me." She panted in surprise; her hands pressed on his chest, while thrusting his face with her hips, instinctively seeking more of the pleasure from his tongue inside her. "Ngh¡­ Nnng!" Her breasts bounced as she ground her ass against his face, sliding over his tongue. She knew nothing but the heat emanating from the point of contact as she felt his tongue inside her. "Ah~ this smells really strange¡­ it''s weird." Asuka''s low voice echoed, muffled because she sat on his face. The next moment, as his tongue discovered a second spot that tasted sweet, deeper and on the underside of her bell. Her hand grasped his crotch, rough from training, but the heat and sensation were unlike anything he''d ever experienced. "Nnng¡­ It''s growing in my hand¡­ aha, I see¡­ does it feel good?" A more confident and husky voice, as she masked her moans, and slipped her hand along the proud cock bulging in her hand. It seemed to throb in time with Leonhardt''s heart. His tip was wet and sticky, the lewd sounds of squelching coming from the way Asuka pumped her hand. "Aahn¡­ your tongue¡­ deeper¡­" Leonhardt placed his hands on Asuka''s hips once more. His left hand caressed her ass, squeezing and pushing them apart as his tongue slipped out of her quivering pussy, a thick white nectar oozing out and covering his tongue. ''It''s sweet and delicious.'' Whether because of his Arachne blood, the taste was sweet, and almost addictive. "You should stop," he grunted, panting because he lacked oxygen from having her fat ass against his face for so long. Even though the heat of her hand tossing him off made it difficult for him to think straight. Asuka giggled. "So that means you''re going to lose?" Squelch! The sound of her hand stroking him became louder as his throbbing member grew bigger. "You''re just getting off on this. I don''t care¡­ If it''s you!" Asuka''s low voice continued to mock him, as her lips pressed together, and she started drooling her thick saliva onto his exposed head. The warmth of her spit spread across Leonhardt''s sensitive areas, making his cock twitch and throb as Asuka lathered it around his shaft. "I''m starting now¡­" Asuka said softly. Shlick! The next moment, her hands started moving rapidly, lubricated by her saliva. Asuka jerked him off faster, tightening her grip and slightly twisting her hand when she reached the tip. She chuckled as she leaned closer and stuck out her tongue, licking the small hole at the top, flicking it while her hips swayed above his face. Leonhardt gasped, the stimulation sending sparks across his vision. ''I refuse to lose!'' His hands grabbed both sides of her ass, before pouring mana into his eyes, and spreading her ass cheeks. That''s when he noticed the brightest erogenous zone for Asuka was the entrance of her asshole. "I''ll give you a little more service," Asuka whispered, sensing Leonhardt was about to explode, not noticing how he was staring at her ass. She stuck out her tongue again and slid it along his tip, then pushed the tip into the tiny hole, tasting the essence flowing out of his member. Meanwhile, her hand furiously rubbed the rest of his cock. "Cum¡­ hurry¡­ submit to me." ''This is dangerous!'' ''She''s desperate.'' His body tingled from the sensations, but he refused to let her win their battle for dominance. Instead, Leonhardt plunged his tongue into her asshole, the scent filling his nose with a fruity peach scent. ''Haaa! What!? This place tastes better than her pussy!'' The same thought crossed the woman''s mind. Asuka shrieked at the sensation of his flexible tongue circling her anus, even as her tail lifted into the air, as she gasped for air. "W-What is this? Unh! Such a strong¡­ Haa¡­.Hnnng!" Slurp! ?? ''How does someone licking my butt feel this good?'' Her free hand squeezed one of her breasts, her scales quivered and began glowing faintly, as Asuka closed her eyes tight, rubbing his hand faster with her growing pleasure. ''Come! Don''t tease my butt!'' "I''m¡­ too." Suddenly, his legs tensed up, followed by his abdomen. Leonhardt grunted as he poured all the energy he could muster into his mouth. One last attempt to win. As his tongue started to vibrate, the wet, slimy sound echoing as he sucked on her ass. "Ahh! Haah!" "Hn!" Asuka let go of his cock and clutched his waist instead, as she pulled on them, unable to stop herself as she started to thrust her hips rapidly, galloping on his face. Leonhardt wrapped his arms around her waist. He forced her down with all of his strength as his tongue swirled inside her ass like a spinning top, as he sucked on her ass like creating a vacuum of pressure amplifying his tongue''s movements. "Stop, no more!" Her vision blurred from the stimulation. As she arched her back, her ass cheeks clenched against his face. Her throat released an animalistic cry, while a violent wave of pleasure assaulted her brain and the muscles of her pelvis contracted, and she orgasmed on his face. Thud! "Ugrk? Glub¡­ Bluh!?" His cock penetrated her mouth as she fell forward, struggling for air. When he came, his cum exploded in her mouth, hitting the back of her throat, making him gag her. "Ngh¡­ Gluk¡­ Gubuh¡­ Urrk¡­" Tears streamed down her face as Asuka struggled, unable to breathe as her mouth and nose filled with the male''s load. Leonhardt released her thighs immediately. Immediately, she rolled over, coughing out everything in her mouth and nose. A sticky line of cum dangled between her nose and her tongue before falling onto the bed. Spurt! Another load of his sperm shot over her exposed ass, as she trembled, her asshole still puckering as she trembled from the aftereffects of her orgasm. "What¡­ what was that?" She whimpered, gasping for air between her words as tears filled her eyes, coughing and wiping the liquid running down her nose. Sniff~ "It smells strange, but, not bad." "Haa¡­ that was wonderful, are you alright?" Leonhardt lay against the pillows with a calm, confident face, despite being covered in her love juices after she came. He panted softly as he relaxed and gazed at the naked dragonoid. Her breasts shined with sweat and small amounts of his seed, the glow of the moon illuminating her magnificent brown scales and toned athletic physique. "I feel so calm, it''s strange," Leon muttered. Asuka gazed at him, a conflicted look, yet she didn''t hate it. "It was good, but you cheated. So it doesn''t count, so it''s a draw!" Leonhardt shook his head, while watching the dragoness limping towards the bathroom. His lips curling into a victorious smile at the sight of his seed dripping from her firm buttocks and swaying chest. "I should wash, too." The moment he approached the bathroom, he pretended to ignore the blue and green eyes peeking from the ajar bedroom door. ''So they watched everything, huh¡­'' Chapter 42 - 42: The Angry, Yet Considerate Wife [Stop!] The moment Leonhardt stepped close to the bathroom door, splashing and the sound of Asuka''s pleasant humming echoing from inside. Ifrit''s sharp and aggressive tone resounded in his mind. [You cannot do more with that woman!] ''Huh?'' Though still a little drunk, a moment before. Leonhardt became mostly sober after their small ''fight'' on the bed until Ifrit''s voice snapped him out of it completely. ''What happened Ifrit?'' [Do you not understand that you weren''t in your right mind a moment ago?] ''Well¡­'' S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t deny that the exciting temptation to bite into her neck and devour her mana amid their act flashed through his head. "Oh." ''Why did I become so strange?'' [Because you are an idiot, those were your instincts as a male Arachne¡­ something you need to master before doing things with such fragile women.] Leonhardt''s eyes widened, his gaze removed from the door where Asuka enjoyed her bath. Instead, he exhaled, stepped towards the door, and left the shared room. ''It''s dark.'' The inn was pitch black because it was past closing time. [You should look at the information on your races more closely, their mating habits, especially.] ''I can just avoid drinking or doing that again, right?'' [No!] [It''s too late now you''ve tasted her, the Arachne in you will keep seeking that Dragonoid out¡­] ''Then why didn''t you stop me sooner?'' Ifrit became quiet for a few moments, causing Leon''s mind to race, worried she became disappointed in him, and that thought made him feel cold inside. [Leon, I cannot stop you from doing things you want to do. I can only guide you, so when it''s something you desire, be it instinct or desire¡­] [My hands are tied!] Suddenly, the moments she tried to stop him from bonding with Zafira came to mind, and he put the two situations together, if he couldn''t stop himself or truly desired that with Zafira, Ifrit wouldn''t be able to do or say anything negative to him. ''Sorry, Ifrit, I relied so heavily on you and treated you like a convenient tool.'' [Don''t be stupid, if I didn''t want this, then you would have another advisor!] ''Will I really want ''that'' again with her?'' [Yes¡­ she will never forget you either, because of her race.] [That perverted Arch mage chose the Arachne race for that reason!] To learn these things, he realised he should be responsible and avoid letting his instincts guide him, as this might not be the best choice. ''Hmm¡­'' [Don''t be so negative, thanks to it, you''ve gained a nice boost¡­] ''Boost?'' ? You have bonded closely with a Red-Dragon Gained DP: 1000 Gained XP: 1000 Gained EP: 400 [I just hope you don''t do it again, only for this boost. Do it because you want to.] ''¡­'' Leonhardt couldn''t quite understand her fully. If he could grow stronger, wouldn''t it be better? But Ifrit''s low and quivering voice told him otherwise. So he was eager to learn more, to understand where and what he lacked. ''I understand, unless I want to do the act itself, then I will avoid those acts.'' [Thank you, Leon¡­ My Master] In the first place, he didn''t need to clean himself with water, anyway. Snap! With the snap of his fingers, hundreds of small motes of blue light enveloped his body, and within a few seconds, cleaned his body completely. His sweat, the scent, and even the fluids from both parties vanished from his body and the bed. "Phew." [Did you like doing the act?] Ifrit''s voice sounded shy, causing Leonhardt to hesitate. He closed his eyes and thought back to the act, warm, wet, sticky and the intense scents that overwhelmed him, some lingering in the room. ''I think it was my favourite thing after fighting¡­'' [Then¡­] Because she cut off her voice, Leon tilted his head, confused. ''Ifrit?'' No matter how many times he tried to call her name, she refused to speak. Leon found himself alone in the dark, cold room, surrounded by the distant splash and flicker of water from Asuka and the quiet voices of Sylvie and Erina speaking about what they saw. ''What the hell is a flesh cudgel, Erina?'' "Haa¡­" The silence left behind by Ifrit allowed him time to dwell on the events since coming into this world until now. ''Zafira, are you there?'' Because Ifrit seemed busy, he couldn''t help but message Zafira. Even though it was early in the morning, he somehow knew things would be alright if he could hear her voice. [E-Eh? Leon, what''s the matter, contacting me so late?] Her voice felt different, deeper than usual, almost like a different person spoke instead. ''I just wanted to hear your voice.'' [!!!] When Zafira suddenly went silent, he felt like something was wrong. ''Eh? It''s really you, Zafira, right?'' He checked, and she was indeed Zafira. [O-Of course I am fine, Master¡­ Your late contact just disturbed me a little.] As soon as he asked again, the strange feeling became replaced by a calming reassurance. He dropped onto the bed, sinking his head into the pillow beside him. ''Tonight I did something that made Ifrit angry.'' [Really? But that idiot wouldn''t stay mad at you for long. What did you do?] ''I did things with a woman, and she became angry.'' [What¡ª] A strange, low and slightly aggressive tone emitted from Zafira. ''It''s probably normal; we were both drunk, but she still got angry.'' As soon as he spoke until finishing, Zafira let out a quiet humming, but she didn''t seem so happy. [Did you have sex?] A cold voice and the sound of something cracking echoed through Zafira''s connection ''No? We just touched each other and used our mouths.'' ¡­ Silence followed his statement. For a few minutes, he continued waiting, staring at the ceiling, thinking nothing. Meanwhile, the connection with Zafira sometimes transferred a strange noise, a low feminine growl, and the sound of things being destroyed and smashed. He wanted to speak, but the intensity increased with the sickening crunch of bone and squelch of torn flesh mixed with screams. After the fifth minute of the strange female''s wrath, she replied. [Ahem! Sorry¡ªthere was a bug, and I needed to crush it.] ''Huh?'' Her voice transformed, gentle and soft¡­ the epitome of a lady, entirely different from her previous growl that ripped through the night. Leonhardt was utterly dumbfounded, but after he listened further, he couldn''t help but ask: ''Zafira, are you alright?'' [Never better, Leonhardt!] The sickly sweet and elegant voice made his spine tingle, causing a shudder to wash over him. Clack! It seemed Asuka finished her bath, as the scent of peach and lily floated from the direction of the door. ''Then, I''ll let you get back to sleep.'' The sight of the girl wrapped in just a white towel caused him to gulp down another wave of excitement, but he remembered Ifrit''s words, and once again snapped his fingertips. Snap! Asuka''s eyes widened, and her body was enveloped in warmth. The water evaporated because small red motes of elemental fire were evaporating the excess water. "T-Thanks, um¡­ should we sleep?" He gazed at her figure, unable to look away. She wore a matching set of black underwear, though he wondered why the back of her underwear was nothing but a string. "Yeah, come sleep here, there''s enough room." "Ah¡ª" The ticklish awkwardness remained, as she climbed into his bed, her warm body brushing against his arm, before he hugged her and pulled her in close. "Nn¡­" Although she snorted and huffed with a flushed face, her lips curled into a faint smile. Then she wrapped both arms around his back. "Goodnight." Somehow¡­ the cold air vanished when embracing each other. They then fell asleep in each other''s arms. While they slept, Ifrit spoke once again, in an odd voice as she whispered. [Idiot!] [You called me your dungeon wife¡­] Chapter 43 - 43: Departure... Asukas Decision. Leon and Asuka struggled to sleep. Before they knew it, sunlight slipped through the cheap blinds, reviving the vivid memories of last night''s awkward moments. Asuka''s hands gripped the sheets, her scales, and cheeks still deep-red as she recalled what happened the night before. The warmth of Leonhardt''s muscles pressed against her back, comforting and embarrassing. ''What should I do¡­?'' Her tribe didn''t have many rules, but when selecting a mate, the matriarchal tribe took this act seriously, and so she avoided any men because they made her feel uncomfortable. When Asuka asked the other warriors of her tribe, they explained that their partner''s scent was sweet, or a flavour that the female found delicious or agreeable. ''Does this mean that my mate is Leonhardt?'' His scent, from the moment she met him, was like a sweet and alluring fruit pie baked by her mother when she was a young dragonoid. But last night, things changed¡­ His scent changed while he was drinking and became enchanting. She wanted to taste it, to devour it all so nobody else could take it from her. That''s why she started play fighting, to get closer, able to touch and smell him from up close, sometimes a sweet aroma, others a sharp, masculine musk that made her body hot. ''Ah, this, is it right? I''ve already¡­'' Asuka dragged herself up slowly to avoid bothering the handsome man sleeping beside her. She touched this man''s body, tasted it, and he did the same to her. Ba-Dump! The moment her chest pounded, she trembled and bit her lower lip as she looked down at this man. ''I never would''ve guessed I would feel such desire towards a man.'' In the past, she hated men because of their weakness. All the males in her village were pathetic and soft, though she didn''t hate her father. That type of man wasn''t her type, but¡ªneither were the men she met with Erina and Sylvie. ''So many men came to me in the bars, or tried to get me drunk, but only you. I could only let my guard down with this fool.'' She brushed her fingers through Leon''s hair before tracing a line along his face. He was the most beautiful and handsome man that she''d met. Asuka liked his masculine features mixed with an adorable and graceful charm. But last night, when he suddenly showed his wicked side¡­ Hnnng ? Even thinking about those sharp eyes, as his hands explored her body, his lips teasing her chest¡­ caused her to feel stuffy. As her abdomen became hot, she coughed small flames, unable to stop her scales turning dark red. ''I''ve really fallen for a man¡­'' Asuka realised that if he followed her into the bathroom or asked for more than a cuddle when she came out, she would have given him everything. But the fact that he just hugged her tightly until she fell asleep tickled her chest. Ba-Dump! A powerful flutter¡­ her cheeks became hot as she wrapped his silver locks around her long finger. She struggled to think straight. All her dreams always comprised serving her tribe. Yet now a new dream appeared, one where they shared kisses and a life together. No, it wasn''t yet a dream, just small misty thoughts that lingered in her mind. "Wake up, dear." She rocked his body with a pleasant hum. ''How embarrassing¡­'' "Ahem! Wake up, idiot." The young woman couldn''t take these foreign feelings, shaking him until finally the man blinked before yawning. Leon''s eyelids twitched, slowly opening them as light peered into the bedroom, blinding his sight. A female sat above him, blocking half the light as her beautiful red scales sparkled. "Such beautiful scales." "Ack!?" Asuka''s body jolted. Her tail thumped the bed, squirming back and forth, and she covered her face to hide her shy expression from the charming man who stole her affections. A radiant smile tugged at her lips from his comment. ''A-Ahh! No one outside the village praised my scales before~ I''m so happy!'' She let out another cough of flames, accidentally slapping Leon with her tail, but he didn''t budge an inch and just softly patted the thick limb. Her scales shuddered in delight like every time his hand rubbed her body. Finally calming down, the dragonoid faced Leonhardt, who rubbed his head and sat up, looking away. You should put some clothes on. I won''t be able to hold back, seeing such a nice body first thing." "Ahhh?!" She shrieked in surprise and rushed off to get dressed, but while reaching for her tunic, she grabbed something else. Her hand wrapped around his junk, a tent pitched in the bedding, which caused her to cover her mouth again, even more embarrassed. "S-Sorry!" ''B-Bah? Such indecent thoughts!'' She hurriedly released him and reached out to grab her bra and tunic that lay scattered about. Meanwhile, Leonhardt sat in a relaxed posture, gazing at her quickly getting dressed. He was unable to take his eyes off the cute woman as he yawned and slipped out of bed. "It''s time to get ready, I suppose." ''How can he be so calm, after all that¡­ does he often do those things with women?'' That sort of thought made Asuka''s chest tight. Her body felt heavy as she peeked at him from the corner of her eyes. She got used to seeing him wearing nothing but underclothes, although the way his bulge causally appeared in her glance sent tingles down her spine. However, he didn''t look tired like her. If anything, his skin was radiant and his face seemed refreshed. ''H-He drank so much alcohol yet looks fine.'' S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She already felt her tail hang limply, her legs shaking as the pain of a hangover started affecting her balance. Even her throat was sore from the lack of water. The door suddenly opened, causing Asuka to jump. Her eyes snapped to the door where Sylvie and Erina had slept last night, and her heart raced as she wondered if they had noticed or heard anything. ''I was so loud, so embarrassing¡­'' Mother never said it would feel so wonderful, like floating on a cloud as heat bubbled within her, feeling like¡­ "Asuka, Leon, we''re coming in." "Huh?" Asuka barely replied before the door swung open. Asuka found the two a little strange. Sylvie''s eyes were dark and a little bloodshot, while dark circles appeared underneath Erina''s. ''Didn''t they get enough sleep? No way! Did they hear us?!'' "Morning you two." Leonhardt''s low voice became unforgettable. To Asuka, it made her want to swoon. She could not stop thinking about him whispering in her ear as she felt that breathtaking sense of release and relief. "L-Leon! G-Good morning." Sylvie stuttered, gazing at the shirtless Leon, who slowly wore his robe, wrapping the belt and inner shirt at a relaxed pace. "Leonhardt¡­" Erina also seemed strange, her gaze unnaturally low as Asuka noticed the changes in her two friends. ''Ah, they both saw and heard everything¡­'' Asuka felt like jumping on top of them to shut their mouths, then clawing their eyes out because her feelings were far too obvious when showing interest in the opposite sex. She couldn''t help being proud of her accomplishment, though. ''He chose me first.'' However, she worried because Asuka didn''t see herself as beautiful or pretty. Her muscular body, rough hands and the scars covering her entire body from training and fighting against demons to survive. ''I don''t know what the future brings, but I don''t want him to see my ugly sides.'' "Morning, Sylvie, Erina¡­" A reluctant greeting leaked from Asuka''s lips. Although the morning started awkwardly and was a little bittersweet for Asuka, today, they would depart for the mountains on a long journey, and she became determined to make something happen. "Should we eat a light breakfast before leaving, my treat?" Leonhardt''s smile caused all three women to nod with a blush. Their funds were quite low after booking this inn for a month, so with his help, they couldn''t help but be delighted. ''After all¡­ he''s the perfect male. I cannot let this fish slip from my hands!'' Chapter 44 - 44: The Garbage Group After a hearty meal, the group planned with the innkeeper. Thankfully, she would hold the rooms because they already paid and because of her deal with Leonhardt. She was more than happy to keep him there for longer. "There are people already here?" Asuka exclaimed as she rushed forward with an excited expression, her geta tapping against the ground with each step. Clack! Clack! Clack! "Asuka, wait up. You''re going too fast." Erina exhaled, her body stumbling when she tried to catch up with the excited dragonoid. Meanwhile, Sylvia used her wooden staff to remain stable. "It''s too hot¡­" The elf complained, her blue ahoge bouncing with each step. "Do you need any help, Sylvie?" Leon offered to help her. She carried a huge leather backpack, but the moment he approached, she suddenly pulled away, with bright red cheeks and a stuttering voice. "A-Ah¡­ I''m alright¡­ t-thank you!" His lips curled into a smirk after seeing her response. ''How lovely.'' The next moment, he leaned beside her ear, and whispered in a deep and grainy voice. "Did you enjoy what you saw last night?" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hya?!" Sylvie''s eyes widened, darting to his face, then his crotch and snapping back to the caravan, her hands holding the backpack trembling as she nearly tripped. "Kya!" "Careful now~ haha." He grabbed hold of her hand and helped steady her, stroking her soft, milky fingers. However, even when she stood upright, she continued to grasp his hand and didn''t seem to notice as they approached the carriage. Her blue eyes shifted towards him and peeked at him occasionally. Leon ignored her actions and just smiled, allowing it. ''I shouldn''t tease her so badly, she might die like a rabbit.'' He thought inwardly as he noticed Asuka and Erina arguing with an old merchant near the carriages. In the background, the various servants and workers packed the carts and carriages full of items and chests. Meanwhile, Asuka stepped up and pointed at the old merchant with grey hair. "Listen, old man, we are not guards or here to serve you. We paid just like you did!" "Hah! How can I know that, you might be lying to get some free coin, and being lazy." The atmosphere became increasingly worse, with Erina stepping between the two and trying to keep the situation from devolving into violence. "Asuka, stop it! There''s no need to be so aggressive. Also, sir¡­ we have paid for this travel. You can ask the stable owner." She tried. Asuka''s tail lashed out angrily whilst the merchant was turning red with anger. Suddenly, Leonhardt arrived while the husband of Mabel appeared with a slightly apologetic look on his face. "Here, there''s the owner, let''s ask him!" The merchant grunted and pointed. Mabel''s husband turned to Leonhardt and nodded before approaching the merchant. " What seems to be the matter, Adrian?" "I am not paying for them if they haven''t earned their wages." The merchant retorted. Leon walked closer, Sylvie''s hand grasping his tightly, as Erina pulled Asuka away, to give the two some space. "Ah, well." Mabel''s husband brushed his temple before looking apologetic to the merchant. "It''s not that I doubt you, Adrian, but these folks paid me directly last night, they aren''t joining as guards or mercenaries." "What? What do you mean?" Adrian sputtered in disbelief. As Adrian spoke, a group of scruffy men in leather armour appeared near the stable. Their hair was fuzzy and unwashed, and their eyes were dull but alert. They were all armed and carried large packs on their backs. Their weapons consisted mainly of longbows and shortswords. They all eyed the people speaking to each other curiously. "What''s going on?" Their leader, a man with fuzzy black hair and dark drown eyes, called out before Adrian''s eyes widened, as he hit his palm. "Oh, I see." He laughed to himself. "So these are the freeloaders trying to avoid paying a fair share and making us work." Leon sighed, while Sylvie just remained quiet, watching the situation with a faint smile. "Sorry, Andy, it appears that I was wrong." "Apologise to the young ladies, Adrian. Not me." Adrian turned towards Asuka and Erina, bowing with an apologetic expression. "I apologise for my assumption. Please forgive my words." "It''s okay¡­" Asuka replied with a huff and looked away, while Erina nodded at the apology. "I understand, it''s a simple mistake to make, may the goddess bless you." "Ah, thank you, priestess." Adrian bowed to their backs several times, before he suddenly shouted at the group of unwashed males, clearly the guards and a set of adventurers. ''I don''t like the way they gazed at Asuka and the others¡­'' The emotions building in his chest undulated and caused him to bite down, a sense of anger and dislike towards the males who came closer. "Wow, I didn''t think such attractive women would be joining us on this lonely journey, hey, how much for a night?" Though a common comment among adventurers during long journeys to earn extra money, many female mercenaries, merchants, and adventurers would earn coin by using their bodies. It was a common occurrence, however¡­ "How dare you." Erina wore the garbs of a priestess, even more her emblem was that of a trainee saintess. "Come on, we all know the church is destitute and needs money. How many of the priestesses are really chaste?" a second member of their group added with a satisfied sneer. "Ah well, forget about that lizard, nobody wants to fuck an animal, look at her ugly scales¡­" The archer of the group commented, pulling out his weapon and gesturing towards her face. "¡­probably dry as a bone." His eyes roamed over her hips and waist before grimacing and looking at Sylvie. "Shame her ass is so big¡­ It should have been given to the elf." He then stared at Sylvie, who turned pale immediately when Leon stepped forward, blocking his view. And spoke up with a tone as cold as ice. "If you don''t shut up, I will kill you where you stand," He stated with a low, menacing tone, eyes full of anger. Asuka''s eyes widened the moment she felt his hand grasp her shoulder, stroking her with a subtle movement. " Don''t worry; you''re fine the way you are," Leon whispered, standing before the group of males. "What? Got a problem with us?" The leader with black hair sauntered forward, while the others stood behind him. But Leonhardt''s eyes were empty, deep red orbs that looked at the humans like dirt on the ground. "Heh, he''s angry because his little nomadic lizard slave was insulted, filthy lizards aren''t even worthy of being prostitutes, they smell bad, and have loose cunts." The laughter died out when suddenly the merchant returned with a red face. Leonhardt killed the mercenaries several times over in his mind. He didn''t understand at first what happened, the strange burning in his chest, his hand shaking uncontrollably, as he felt the need to strike out. However, he now understood that Leonhardt was angry, jealous, and protective of Asuka without Ifrit telling him or using the knowledge from the dungeon system. Though Adrian took them away, the argument and rage didn''t fade. Asuka and Erina stood close to Leonhardt while gazing at the backs of the men. ''I will kill them the first chance I get.'' Leon''s eyes shone red as his lips distorted into a twisted smile, much like when he took the lives of humans in his dungeon. A cruel, yet mysteriously beautiful smile. Chapter 45 - 45: Wolf Attack - Revenge Is Sweet~ Because several merchants and villagers joined the caravan, the original five-day travel distance increased to over ten days. This caused no problems for Leonhardt because he bought enough provisions for close to a month. ''Well, I don''t need to eat, anyway.'' ¡ºLeon, the goblins have increased to over 100 in total.¡» ¡ºMay I build a temporary outpost in the north so we can keep fighting the enemy dungeon?¡» Zafira''s messages became more frequent since he spent the night with Asuka at the inn. She would tell him small things, from things Gobbolas or Gobomir wanted to tell him. The important things about intruders and reporting what she spent her DP on. ''That''s reassuring, can you afford the outpost? I will send you extra DP if needed.'' Leonhardt himself changed significantly after he awakened his instincts as a male and gained confidence in his existence. He started speaking to Zafira like her superior and transferred 3000 DP to her without waiting. ''Please purchase a second Mana filter when we take over that northern dungeon. I want you to be the one to manage it. I will focus on Embervale with Gobbomir.'' Zafira''s voice didn''t respond, though he could hear the distant grunts and cries of the goblins and horn rabbits, likely training. She didn''t complain, instead leaning back against the padded backrest. Leon''s lips curled upward as she enjoyed the sight of the rude party walking on foot in the blistering heat. ¡ºT-Thank you, Master! ¡» The moment she replied, his smile deepened, knowing that she called him master when sincerely happy or impressed. ''Don''t be so modest, you''ve helped me more than I can imagine.'' She took care of the boring parts while he enjoyed life and explored the village and met with pretty dragon girls. Zafira fought in the north, avoided casualties, and ensured the dungeon remained safe. ¡ºHmph¡­ it''s about time you noticed how amazing I am.¡» With that, the call fizzled, with her voice in the distance, shouting at Gobomir for mocking her. ''I couldn''t quite hear what he said, though.'' "Phew." "What''s wrong, Leon?" Asuka lounged on the opposite bench, but Sylvie and Erina soon collapsed and slept after they boarded the carriage. Seven hours later, the two continued snoring. Leon could only smirk, knowing they watched last night. "I just didn''t expect this to take so long, it''s rather boring." "Haha, why not practise magic?" Asuka''s amber eyes flicked away each time she met his gaze, her hands fidgeting when he leaned forward. "Are you alright, Asuka?" "O-Of course I am." She snapped back, her lips trembling as she turned away. His left hand slipped on top of hers, holding it down against the seat, before he grabbed her right cheek with the other hand. Then a smirk spread over his face. "Are you thinking about last night?" A low voice slipped from his lips, his warm breath blowing down her scaled neck as his palm touched her soft skin. "I enjoyed it very much." "Pfff¡­" Her face turned cherry red as steam rose from her head. She squeezed her legs together while trying to curl up and escape his grasp, but he tightened his grip on her arm. "Want to do it again?" His blood-red eyes locked onto their prey, her eyes opening wide, as she bit her lower lips¡­ temptation lingering inside. Though, when his gaze flickered over to where the two were asleep and then back toward her, she gulped a large amount of air before her cheek scales turned dark red. "H-Here?" "Why not?" He coiled around the girl''s finger as she shivered at the lingering memories, but still didn''t have enough willpower to move him away. Leon''s sharp canines peeked from between his lips as his mouth pulled into a crescent shape, like a ferocious wolf enjoying its prey squirming under its paw. Sylvie and Erina slept peacefully, not even bothering to turn on their sides, and appeared likely to awaken soon. Asuka''s chest pounded, the feeling of his warmth seeping into her body through her fingertips made it difficult to focus. When he pushed her back against the wall, she froze, trembling like a kitten whose tail got stepped on. "W-We might be seen!" "Let them see." "Nn¡­ it''s still bright, Leon¡­" A sweet hum escaped her throat when he nibbled her collarbone before rubbing against the corner of her chin and inhaling deeply. Her tail instinctively swished, flickering, with the tip vibrating erratically. "Ah!" An unbearable heat burned in her abdomen, building rapidly; she reached out her hands toward Leon''s shoulders to push him away but wrapped them around his neck as he leaned further. But as he pressed his lips against hers¡ªThe carriage skidded to a stop. The horses neighed, and the men began to scream in danger. "Attack!" "We''re under attack!" "Dire Wolves!" "Why now?!" An impassioned shout came from Asuka''s lips. Her face contorted with anger, and she suddenly gasped. She noticed that Erina and Sylvie had woken up from all the ruckus and her shouts, slowly rubbing their eyes. "What''s happening?" "Where are we?" But before they could speak or think, Asuka dashed off the carriage, practically bursting through the door with her enormous weapon. When he first met her, she used an axe. This time, she used a greatsword. Her actions left the two companions confused. After rolling off the seats, they struggled to untangle themselves from each other''s limbs. However, unlike Asuka, Leonhardt moved slowly, his eyes sharp and narrowed. He watched the pack of Dire Wolves while the rude group from the morning faced them. ''Well, I didn''t expect them to be so pathetic.'' [Leonhardt, are you going to get revenge?] "Hah." Leon scoffed, the man''s sneer turning upward when hearing Ifrit''s words¡ªhowever, unlike usual, his words held no sarcasm. ''I plan to have them die, but the wolves will do the work.'' ''Zafira, can you summon some shadow wolves here so that I can control them? I will pay the DP cost.'' ¡ºA dozen shadow wolves would only be around 2000DP¡» He glanced over at the men fighting with weapons¡ªthe beasts launching themselves toward the exposed heads or legs, a chaotic battle, but the mercenaries would probably win. ''I want to earn some experience¡­ haha.'' With a sinister smile, he jumped from the carriage, and turned back, greeting Erina and Sylvie with a fake smile, "Don''t leave the cart." Leon darted away toward the battle before they responded. He sprinted past the party members and grabbed one of the weaker-looking dire wolves by the scruff of its neck before slamming it into the ground. "Arf!" Its desperate whine echoed, causing several of the wolves to change targets. Over a dozen attacked the wolves, almost half the size of Leonhardt. In fact, for the first time, he felt excitement running through him, knowing this meant another instinct inside him awakened, or this might just be his personality. Asuka''s sword flickered with a weak flame as she tackled a group of three wolves, her anger a little strange. ''Did you look forward to it that much?'' Leon''s mind wandered to her cute face. Then two males from the other party came close to hunt the wolves. "Thanks for the help¡­" "Tsk, don''t get in the way." ''¡­'' Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt noticed that at least one of them tried to be pleasant, but because of their leader, he wouldn''t be soft. In fact, this allowed him to use less effort overall. One by one, Leon crushed the skulls of the wolves jumping on him; however, he slowed his pace, approaching a small forest close to the plains, his lips trembling as he struggled to keep his smile hidden. ''Soon.'' A dark flock of shadows shifted through the forest, while the two males fought against a pair of wolves. Leonhardt''s mana flowed into his eyes, watching the caravan and other people. Nobody paid attention to his direction, as his smile gradually distorted. "Haha." With a chuckle, he stepped back, his left hand flickering with a black and red ember, slowly chanting the Cinderblast spell in his mind while watching his prey. Flicker! The moment they killed the dire wolf, both of the men''s guards lowered, a smile growing on their lips as they turned to Leonhardt, backs facing the forest. ''Kill.'' Leon''s silent command echoed, the wind blowing across the plains, before an eerie howl followed and darkness rushed from the forest to pounce on the two men from all angles. "It''s a pity¡­" Leonhardt''s trembling lips deformed his twisted smile further. His immense flames wrapped around his arm like a swirling snake. The condensed fireball hovering in his palm crackled before he saw their helpless gazes directed at him. "Hel¡ªp" "Of course I will!" Their eyes opened, the fight returning to their eyes. With the flick of his sword, a wall of fire erupted behind them, blocking all vision from the caravan, as he used his Dual Cast skill to cast Fire Wall and¡­ "I will help you die¡ªCinderblast!" "Next time, don''t insult another man''s woman, human." The massive ball of green and purple fire burst towards the group of wolves and men. BOOM! Chapter 46 - 46: The Sly Chimera Leonhardt''s gaze lingered on the burning pile of flesh, dead wolves and two humans flowing into his body thanks to the dungeon system. He knew the pair died instantly, giving him a sense of relief. ''I wish the archer died too¡­'' He sucked the warm, bitter air while thinking back to the one who insulted Asuka most, but his eyes suddenly twitched and Leonhardt became confused. "Why did I get so angry?" "I know he deserved it¡­ But that was me, wasn''t it?" Leonhardt shook his head with a bitter smile. The emotions of a human caused Leonhardt to doubt himself for a moment before he turned and walked back to the carriage, with his sword hanging low, covered in wolf blood. ''Those guys will be angry.'' Asuka leaned against the carriage, pressing her lips together as she waited for him to arrive. Her brows knitted as she frowned at the camp where the merchants thanked the remaining members of the guard and adventurer group. "Asuka, how was it?" Leon called out, raising his arm while curling his lips into a smirk as his gaze followed hers. It was as if he were expecting something, but he knew what she had done without even having to ask. The pale faces on the others confirmed it. "Leon, did everything go well?" Her eyes flicked around his figure, curious about where the other two members were. "Yeah, the wolves have been dealt with." He grinned before slamming his back beside her, taking a deep breath. "You didn''t have any trouble then?" "None." "What about the others? Did those guys give you any trouble?" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, his voice low and cold. She nodded at his words and glanced away from the merchants as they left their area with quickened steps. Asuka didn''t seem too bothered, huffing to herself. "Well, the usual." "I don''t see why they don''t understand how beautiful your scales are¡­" Leon muttered while closing his eyes, taking a moment to check what he gained from killing the humans and wolves. [? You have Slain the Enemies! ?] ? Humans Slain: 2 Gained 400 XP Gained 100 EP Gained 300 DP ? Dire Wolves Slain: 20 Gained 2000 XP Gained 400 EP Gained 2000 DP ¡ª¡ª ? Leonhardt ? Dungeon Master ? Arachne/Fae/Djinn (??) ? Lifespan: 98 Days Level: 15 ¡ú 16 ?XP: 3805/5000 ¡ú 1205/6000 ?DP: 4700/8000 ¡ú 7000/8000 S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ?EP: 760/1600 ¡ú 1260/1600 The cooling warmth of reaching a new level filled Leonhardt''s body. A new feature of his current body was the ability to delay the increase in his attributes. Although he couldn''t change the distribution of his growth, he could choose when to suffer the slight pain. "Phew¡­ My Intellect increased to Rank B, how interesting." Because the dungeon became more active, his dungeon points constantly increased, and he grew closer to the limit of his current size. But once he started working on the size, his dungeon rank would increase, and Zafira seemed a little eager to do that. ''Maybe I should speak with her.'' "S-Sorry for the delay, we will start moving again soon, Sir Leonhardt." "Hm?" Leon didn''t notice when, but the merchant leader approached him with an apologetic face, while the leader of the group of guards scowled at him with the archer beside him. ''What''s going on?'' "Ah, don''t worry about it." The old man started calling Leon with such respect because of Mabel''s wife. Suddenly, the male behind him called out. "Hey! Have you seen Dave or Lucas?" The filthy adventurer''s eyes glared at him, and Leon felt as if the person looked down upon him. Amused by their confidence, Leon curled his lips into a wolfish smirk. "You must be talking about the guys who died¡­" "WHAT?!" At the same time Leonhardt spoke up, one guard reached for his sword, and suddenly shouted, "You bastard!" But Asuka moved between them, staring at him sharply. "Watch your mouth!" She barked before clenching her greatsword tighter. She became protective of Leonhardt, which he found amusing. "Hah? The hell did you just say to me? You filthy fucking lizard." The guard growled, but he wasn''t brave enough to stand up to her when she glared at him, her sword slamming into the ground. There wasn''t a word in his sentence that could have offended him, anyway. However, before things could escalate further, the merchant leader tried to intervene. "P-Please calm down and stop this nonsense¡­" "Nonsense?" The Adventurer didn''t think it was nonsense and continued, "Dave is dead, right? Because you asked them to leave and hunt those beasts." He gritted his teeth and growled in an accusatory tone, but Leonhardt only listened quietly with a faint smile on his lips. ''Yes, the beasts killed them both~ of course.'' Because the head merchant stepped forward, all the angry adventurers could do was whisper insults and leave the area. Asuka''s tail lashed the ground, creating a deep crater with each loud thud. "Calm down, Asuka." "But he disrespected you so easily." "What disrespect did I hear?" A smirk lingered on Leonhardt''s face as he watched her, making her pause. He then leaned closer, stroking her cheek. The warmth of her body emanated through his palm, and his cold skin warmed to the touch. Asuka''s emotions swirled and intertwined like leaves floating along the wind. One minute, her cheeks flushed, and the next, she furrowed her brow in annoyance before finally yielding. "I understand, but I hate that they blamed you." "Yeah," he chuckled, pulling away from her. "But thanks for trying to protect me, even though I am not weak." "Hmph. I know." Silence settled between them for a moment as they stared at each other. Suddenly, the carriage door opened, and a frowning Erina appeared with folded arms while looking between them. Her icy glare pierced their bodies, sending chills down their spines despite the heat of the day. "Is everything over now?" Erina grumbled, rolling her eyes and walking up to Leonhardt. "Can I come out, now?" "No." "Why?!" "Because we''re setting off in a few moments, there''s no time to get off now," Leonhardt said with a serious expression, causing Erina''s gaze to narrow. "But you''re still standing out here?" "We will come inside soon, there''s something we needed to speak about." His words caused Asuka''s and Erina''s cheeks to flush for a different reason. "I-I''ll wait for you inside¡­ Don''t take too long." Erina gulped before scurrying back inside, leaving the two alone. Slam! The door closed with a loud noise, causing Asuka and Leonhardt to chuckle. "Why is she acting so strange?" Her question caused Leon to tap his chin. ''Well¡­'' He stepped closer, the slight scent of sweat and her natural fragrance filling his nose, before he whispered, "They saw what we did last night." "W-What?" "Well, I wasn''t thinking properly, and the door was open, haha." He shrugged at the memory of the drunken night, but Asuka''s cheeks and scales became a darker red, as her body trembled visibly. "D-does everyone know?!" The poor dragonoid''s voice twisted into a squeak because of her embarrassment, but Leon smiled, unable to resist his curiosity and a playful thought. "They both knew and saw everything." Leon''s hand stroked her cheek, the contrast between her smooth scales and soft skin tickled his fingertips. Her expression relaxed slightly as she breathed in deeply. "T-they did?" Even her tone softened from the soothing sensation his caress brought. Her tension slowly melted away as the gentle touch calmed her nerves. Each stroke seemed to gently melt away the worries plaguing her mind. "It is fine¡ªthey were too embarrassed to say anything. Let''s go back inside, the journey has just started." "Nn¡­" She puffed her cheeks, still not entirely convinced. Asuka glanced up at Leon, but Leon noticed the look in her eyes. Her pupils flickered with uncertainty as she bit her lower lips seductively. "What, do you want to kiss again?" Her eyes widened, her pupils constricting as she took a step back before covering her face. "Y-you can''t just ask me that!" And then she spun around, slamming the carriage door open, entering without a word. Chapter 47 - 47: A Midsummers Eve Despite the atmosphere becoming awkward, the next three days of travel were quite pleasant. The journey would take seven days without interruptions. The group just travelled into the Mull forest and planned to stop at a small campsite. The Mull forest bordered the Munat village area halfway from their destination. Sylvie and Erina became less guarded and comfortable over the trip. They sometimes became a little brave when speaking with Leonhardt and asking him questions, and they no longer blushed or ran away when left alone with him. "It seems that we''ll be camping tonight¡­" Sylvie''s soft tone couldn''t disguise her dislike of the idea. Her gaze shifted to the loud group beside them. Once again, the guards and other merchants became rowdy when the caravan stopped. "Ugh, again? I hope they don''t speak to us." Erina''s lips slowly curved into a bitter smile. Because there were very few beautiful women in the caravan, it made camping irritating for Erina and Sylvie. "I agree," Sylvie added. Asuka wasn''t human and thus didn''t get the same trouble, but they would whisper insults to her back, which soured the meal for their group. "Well, it''s good because we can eat those delicious meats that Leon brings, haha." Asuka''s eyes shone as she ate a piece of steaming meat, her eyes narrowing in delight. Over the past few days, she had learned how to become more social and no longer became shy around Leonhardt. Well¡­ almost completely. Sylvie''s smile grew bigger while gazing between the group. She took an exaggerated breath before kicking the wooden seat with her heels. "Hmm. Yeah, that meat is really yummy." Erina nodded silently as if deep in thought and agreed without talking too much. "I''m bored, no more wolves appeared since then¡­" Leonhardt couldn''t help but complain. He wanted to stretch and get some exercise because sitting on the wagon most of the day made his body ache and become stiff. "It has been quiet, hasn''t it?" Erina, on the other hand, seemed happy about that. He closed his eyes, the calm sound of chatter filling his ears before he communicated with Zafira. Leon enjoyed this time because their chats were longer. Her speech also became softer and showed him more respect. The arrogant and stubborn princess that he first met was replaced with a close friend who supported him. ''Zafira, how are you doing?'' [? Leon, is that you? ?] A genuinely shocked voice responded, the sound of splashing water and rapid movement echoing from the connection. ''Zafira? Is there something wrong?'' He frowned, worried for a second when she didn''t respond immediately. After half a minute or so, the familiar tone replied with a slight cough, her voice a pitch higher than usual, the sound of something swishing in water still present. [? Sorry, I was just in the middle of something and you surprised me! Do you need anything, Leon? ?] Leon''s body bounced as the carriage hit a rock, his mind at ease when hearing Ifrit or Zafira''s voice, ''Oh, not really¡­ But tell me what are you doing? Are you okay?'' She let out a sigh, as if he just said something idiotic, but then replied with a snort. It sounded like she had a blocked nose and was breathing through her mouth before a low, muffled giggle sounded in his mind. [? I''m great, no¡­ You could say I feel better than ever right now. The dungeon is doing well, and I could finally take a break. ?] ''Good, look after yourself. I cannot do this without you.'' Splash! The loud echo of water, followed with silence, made Leon worried. By now he had gathered she was having a bath, but to stop his mind picturing her body, he focused on her voice and the sound. ''She''s only having a bath¡­ why am I getting so excited.'' [? Eh?! ?] ''Ah?'' Leon forgot to create a barrier around his thoughts. Normally, when speaking with Zafira, he masks his thoughts so that she only hears the things he wants to share. This time, Zafira heard his true desires and the lewd thoughts that came to his mind. A muffled moan leaked from her lips, which startled him. Leon''s muscles tightened as his chest throbbed from hearing a succubus engaging in a carnal act. The sudden rush of adrenaline caused him to pause before continuing. He wasn''t sure exactly what went through his mind, but he worried about Zafira''s reaction. ''She was so erotic¡­'' Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her moan so enchanting he thought his soul might leave his body, thankfully shielding this thought, worried it would give her some ammunition to tease him. [? Somehow, it''s strange to not see you every day. ?] ''What, do you miss me?'' He joked, the sounds echoing clearly, something a little different to bathing, but Zafira was his aide and a succubus. Thus, he couldn''t judge her for having needs. Especially when he and Asuka did the same each night, unable to resist the heat that grew throughout the day. When not eating with Erina and Sylvie or resting, Leonhardt took time alone with Asuka. On the first day, he chased her. However, on the second night, Asuka started sneaking into his sleeping bag or tent and repeated the actions they had taken the night they had spent together in the inn. [? If I say I miss you¡­ Would you come home? ?] Home¡­ The dungeon, Embervale, was his home? It was a strange feeling. His chest became hot, not with lust or desire, but a comfortable and gentle heat that spread and warmed every inch of his body. The gentle breathy moans of Zafira filled his mind. It seemed she could not hide things from him like he could. The soft beating of his heart made Leon unconsciously touch his chest. Pressing hard against the fabric, he slightly crumpled his shirt. [? I miss you too¡­ ?] He didn''t know what more to say, but understood that if he mentioned missing the goblins and rabbits along with her, it would dilute his words and cause Zafira to become upset. ''Thank you, Asuka, for helping me grow as a male!'' [Your words have touched the depths of Zafira''s lonely heart, helping her reach a moment of bliss] ? Affection + 10 ? Loyalty + 10 Zafira''s Affection has surpassed 60. Her feelings cannot drop lower than this amount unless you severely upset her or go against her values and trample on her affection. Zafira''s Loyalty surpassed 70, her loyalty will no long drop below this amount. The sudden information caused Leonhardt''s lips to tremble, both from the happiness of the change in their relationship and from the rather delightful sounds of their connection. If Asuka was a deep, husky female whispering sweet and passionate words in your ear, then Zafira was a sweet and intoxicating song caressing your soul, playing a tune so alluring you couldn''t help but shudder. ''It''s unfair¡ªboth are too sexy!'' Even though Zafira didn''t answer back, her soft breaths and silence showed her intense satisfaction and helped him relax. He assumed she was enjoying herself, and somehow his words helped her. Leon didn''t want to ruin the moment by embarrassing her or speaking, so he quietly broke their connection. ''Even a princess needs some alone time, huh¡­'' When his eyes opened, he noticed the carriages stopped, with most of the merchants sitting around in a circle as the servants started a bonfire in the small clearance in the forest. "You''re finally awake?" A soft hand grabbed his shoulder, the amber eyes like flames gazing at him from close as Asuka, who looked exhausted after the busy trip, sat next to him, staring intently while massaging her thighs and ankles. "Did we stop?" Leon asked, a little confused since he could still feel sunlight on his face. "Yeah, we''re going to eat in a while, tonight we can rest." Asuka''s shoulders lightly leaned against his, her voice a low whisper as she explained the situation. The loud yells echoed from outside, along with the crackling fire and shouts of the guards who brought a keg of ale, some throwing several coins into a hat they passed around. "Do you want to enjoy some wine?" He asked, brushing the glossy bangs from her cheek, the sunlight illuminating her shiny red scales. "We can share?" "You''re on! It tastes better than their watered-down piss," Asuka added with a giggle. "Then shall we go help those two, since none of you can cook?" "Anytime, Leonhardt." "Let me escort the dragon princess, take my hand." "Haha¡­ idiot." She giggled, holding his arm as he assisted her down from the wagon. The fading sunlight and the forest wrapped around the campsite added to the atmosphere, as their appearance drew the gaze of others. Chapter 48 - 48: Under the stars Leonhardt escorted Asuka like a princess, her hand wrapped around his arm as he enjoyed her comfortable weight leaning on him. ''She''s stopped avoiding me, at least.'' Because the other girls learned about their evening activities, she became embarrassed and avoided him during the day. Instead, she followed him in secret, or watched him out of the corner of her eyes, refusing to talk to him. "What''s for dinner tonight, Leon?" Her sweet voice echoed with a pleased hum. "Well, that''s a secret, is there anything you want?" Leon pulled her closer, whispering into her ear, curling his lips into a smirk as her cheeks turned red. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You," Asuka replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. "All of you." her sudden assertiveness surprised him as her lips curled up slightly, revealing her pearly white teeth. She pressed her face close to his, almost kissing him, which made his heart flutter. "It doesn''t matter what we eat," she said, with a hushed, husky purr. "Erina, tonight we''re going to drink well!" Asuka broke away, calling out to Erina, while gazing back with a tantalising smile. Leonhardt couldn''t help but stand on the spot, touching his warm cheek, the sensation of her sweet breath lingering. Asuka got one over on him for the first time. ''Well, this is quite interesting.'' He stepped towards their small fire. Because the guards and other merchants always became rowdy during meals, Erina and Sylvie prepared their campfire and cooked a separate meal to avoid danger. "If I could spend a night with that priestess¡­" "I''d rail her until she worshipped my cock, not the goddess!" A vulgar voice mixed in. "That tiny elf so bad. I want to see her kneeling between my legs sucking me off." Another man joked, making kissing sounds. It seemed like they didn''t see Leon''s presence since he walked behind them from the front. They continued speaking as usual about having their way with Sylvie and Erina, not minding whether the girls heard them. "These damned barbarians!" Sylvie groaned, her eyes shining with mana as she almost cast a spell. "Woah, calm down." Leon pushed a soft fruit into her mouth, the juicy and sweet flavours seeming to calm her down, as she gazed up at him and sucked on the fruit. ''Ah, these sounds are quite.'' Her tongue flicked up and down the flesh of the fruit before she put it into her mouth with a ''slurp.'' However, the sounds attracted the men to jeer, until she took the phallus-shaped fruit and then chewed and swallowed it before biting once more. A certain shared pain flowed through the men, as the small mouth of Sylvie chomped on the fruit without mercy. Sylvie licked her lips seductively. Though she didn''t have a clue about what she was doing because she just enjoyed the fruit, it seemed to have a more intense taste for elves. "Sylvie, don''t eat more, those are for our dinner!" Erina scolded, her cheeks slightly pink, before adding oil to the black pot dangling over the fire. "Leon, do we have enough meat left?" "Here, there shouldn''t be an issue, I can hunt if we need more." Leon sat beside her as the four thick, meaty steaks dropped onto the metal plate. The two worked harmoniously, like partners cooking side by side. Erina reached out and grabbed a handful of vegetables to chop, while Leon seasoned and prepared the meat and fruits. Asuka who could burn water, sat with a sullen face. When she gazed up at Erina and Leon speaking happily, a tight sensation grew in her chest that made her want to destroy the pot, and beat Erina. "Damn it¡­" Not long after, the meal was served. A thick steak with a sweet and sharp seasoning with a hearty reduced sauce from the fruit and wine giving a slight tarty taste. There were some minor issues during the meal. Of course, the guards couldn''t leave the delicious food or beautiful women alone. But their actions earlier raised Erina and Sylvie''s guards to the maximum. Leon leaned back, his lips slightly glossy from the oil and sauce, while he listened to Erina, Sylvie and Asuka chatting among themselves, until the topic came to the night. "So, why do you and Leon keep leaving the carriage at night?" A simple and innocent question, with no judgment, but Erina''s eyes narrowed like a hawk seeking her prey. Sylvie nodded along eagerly. "That''s right. We should be worried about your safety!" "Hehe¡­ T-That is¡­" Asuka let out a nervous laugh, unable to answer. "Well, last night you didn''t even leave, and did that¡ª" Sylvie stopped talking because Asuka covered her mouth quickly. "Oh, look how late it is¡­ Should we get ready to sleep?" Asuka interrupted, changing the topic to try to avoid the inevitable questioning. However, Erina''s lips curled into a devilish smile, knowing she already won. "The night is still young, Asuka. Or do you want to sneak away and do sinful things again? If you aren''t ashamed of it, then just tell us?" Erina and Sylvie gazed at each other as if sharing the same mind. "Hm? What are you two speaking about now?" Leonhardt finished washing the pots, settling beside Asuka as he naturally grabbed her jug of alcohol and took a swig, causing the dragonoid''s scales to darken even more, now a blood-red shade. "Ah?" "That''s¡­" Asuka''s face beet-red, she grabbed a bottle of the expensive elven wine Papillon and drank half the bottle, her eyes closed tight. "Asuka, be careful!" Erina scolded, while Sylvie looked envious, grabbing the second bottle and hiding it behind her, she had learned not to take any chances since Asuka and Leon often tried to steal her liquor when drinking together. ''Smart little elf!'' The meal soon ended, and the campfire became less crowded. Sylvie rubbed her eyes and Erina prayed to the goddess, wishing for a safe journey and evening. Leon read through the things Zafira did while he ate. How she worked so hard fighting and making the alpha wolf in the south aggrieved made him impressed, before a rough hand grabbed his shoulder, followed by a gentle, expectant hum. "Leon¡­ could you, spare some time for me later?" Asuka''s tail swayed low, swishing along the ground, while her face looked down, her scales deep red, showing her embarrassment and excitement. Leon sighed, shaking his head, his eyes gleaming with mana, noticing something different about the twinkle in her gaze, and so he curled his lips into a comforting smile and responded. "When?" Asuka''s sweet breath tickled his ear as she whispered in her silky smooth voice. "After the others sleep, come to the south of the forest, okay?" The corners of her mouth curled up as she grinned before moving to settle in the carriage and climbing inside. Leon watched her leave, his mind filled with complex emotions swirling around like a whirlpool. ''What is this girl planning now?'' He wondered, pulling off his shirt to change into a thin silk shirt, feeling the cool air against his skin. Eventually, Sylvie and Erina came to bid farewell before they settled on their sleeping bags. Thereafter, the camp quietened down. While some guards patrolled, Leon waited for enough time to pass before he carefully went south, leaving the forest behind, and hearing insects chirping. He pushed through the underbrush with the crack of branches and snap of twigs, following the trail deeper and deeper into the dark wilderness. The thick treeline faded and opened up in front of a vast, grassy field, blanketed by the starlit sky above and below, a lake, with a clean surface that reflected this beauty. "Y-You came?" Asuka stood under the argent moonlight, her seductive figure wrapped in her evening robes, lighter and almost see-through, while she held a massive jug of alcohol, and her amber eyes shimmered in the darkness. "Will you come sit beside me?" She asked with a shaky, warm murmur, her body sitting on a fallen tree, the wooden trunk the perfect height. "If you would allow it," he replied, sitting next to her. The breeze tickled Leonhardt''s nose with Asuka''s alluring scent, her heat, sweat, and natural scent mixing, almost intoxicating him. "Have a drink," The jug swished, as the thick scent of Dragonoid alcohol spread through the air, "You know, my village is quite strict." Leon felt slightly confused at such a statement before she passed him the jug. "We are told about the dangers of the world, trained in a way that could horrify most humans. I''ve experienced much pain in my brief life." Her eyes glazed over like reliving the past, her throat tightening. "To be honest. This journey isn''t exactly dangerous to me, but to Erina and Sylvie, they could die in the blink of an eye." ''I agree, but to me, you are the same.'' Leon thought while sipping the slightly bitter ale. "Will you listen to me, about my family and¡­ our rules?" Her glistening wet eyes looked bigger than usual as she leaned against Leon''s arm, a faint yet empty smile on her lips. "If you want to speak, I''ll always listen, just don''t hurt yourself, I am here." His words seemed to hit home as she smiled warmly, sniffing before her hand wrapped around his. "Then¡­" Chapter 49 - 49: A Dragonoids Marking Leonhardt''s gaze lingered on the moon, its pale silver light enshrouding him like a mother''s embrace. The celestial ball cut through the dark veil of night, granting a sense of comfort that helped soothe his monster''s blood. ''I cannot become human after all¡­'' A cold thought echoed in the silence. His eyes narrowed with the intrusive thought. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon''s gaze flicked towards the beautiful woman beside him who closed her eyes, quietly breathing, after telling him about her family. Leonhardt couldn''t understand, though he knew logically what Asuka meant, and spoke of the emotional connection and empathy didn''t exist. He couldn''t understand a human fully because Leon was a monster. The only reason he could resist the urges to kill the people that irritated him was his Fae bloodline, the ancient high elves closer to humans than monsters. Yet, this only granted him a logical mind able to learn and plan rather than becoming a slave to instinct. ''Human emotions were alien, but I wondered¡­'' His thoughts were hesitant. The amber eyes of Asuka snapped open, her long lashes fluttering as she gazed at him, with a blush across her face, turning the woman''s caramel skin flushed pink. She had such soft delicate skin that enticed Leon, making him want to make it his. "What''s the matter, Leon?" She softly asked in a daze, her words slightly slurred as she leaned against his shoulder. "Nothing." He couldn''t tell her his thoughts, someone who lived among humans all her life and had their emotions naturally ingrained in her. Humans couldn''t become monsters, just like monsters couldn''t become humans. "Hmmm." Asuka sighed contently before tilting her jug of alcohol, an empty slosh coming out as she tried to drink the last remains. "You shouldn''t have so much alcohol," He stated, glancing down at her. "Eh? But it makes me happy, what''s the big deal! I only drink this much when I''m with you!" She huffed, pouting. Her face was slightly red from the effects of alcohol, but gradually grew deeper after a moment passed. "Forget it, tell me more about your mother." Leonhardt''s eyes shimmered at night. "Well, Mother is someone I admire, she''s strong. Stronger than all the other hunters in our village, but." Asuka trailed off into silence, fumbling over her next words. "She was strict; everything needed to be done perfectly. Not for her own sake, though. I know it was for my growth and the village." She paused while thinking about how to describe it. "I was isolated as a child." "Isolated?" "There weren''t any other females near my age in the village, so I ended up training with the older women, which was tough. And lonely as no one could understand me." She shivered as her body felt cold. The silver light of the moon wasn''t enough to fight off the cold anymore. "I struggled to keep up at first, and because of my young age, couldn''t understand many of the rituals and rules." "Rules? Are there many?" Leonhardt raised an eyebrow, confused. How different the Dragonoid''s were from the human ones? "Yeah, but they are all reasonable once explained. There are rules related to clothing, food, fighting, etiquette, ceremonies, traditions. Especially about how a female in the tribe only allows a single male to touch their body, which forms a mark." Leonhardt recalled what she told him about the mating process in his village. "What kind of mark?" "Yes, our culture forbids anyone besides our mate from touching us, and we normally choose a mate subconsciously, then a mark resembling them will appear on our bodies." Asuka''s cheeks and scales became visibly red the more she spoke about this topic. Instead, "Mating¡­" Leonhardt said, deep in thought. "D-Don''t say it so loudly!" Asuka stammered, suddenly feeling too nervous to be around Leonhardt. Leonhardt didn''t understand the subtle cues, but wasn''t completely oblivious. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk, noticing the strange movements of her tail since she spoke about this topic. A mark would be formed from the moment the female started to lust after a male, but the marking wouldn''t become permanent unless the pair engaged in certain acts. This mark couldn''t be removed, or changed except in certain unique or extreme situations. He decided not to press on the topic for now. There were already enough clues. His eyes shifted towards Asuka''s exposed skin but could not locate this special mark anywhere on her upper half. Thanks to her becoming this close, he could add them to his mercenary group much easier. "If that''s what you want." He replied, slowly watching as she stood from the tree, her loose robes slipping off her body and fluttering onto a branch. ''Is that the mark?'' As she walked towards the lake without clothes, her tail lifted, revealing a small pattern just beneath it, above her buttocks. Asuka held the jug of alcohol, before quickly downing the last, before turning back to him. Her round breasts swayed gently from her movements, making them look like fruits ready to pluck. "The water''s warm if you''d like to join me," Asuka asked, stepping into the shallow edge of the lake. She tossed the jug, and extended her finger to him, curling it with her lips curling into a wolfish grin. "Aha, did you see it? Then, let''s have some fun, okay?" Asuka teased. "As you wish." Leonhardt took her hand, and stepped closer, his clothes tossed onto the ground. He couldn''t resist the adorable sight of her charming smile and trembling hands. Asuka pulled him into the water, causing their bodies to rub against each other, creating a warmth that radiated across her scales. It was such a peculiar feeling. Leonhardt thought to himself as he gazed at the woman standing before him, feeling that her scent became stronger than usual, before he whispered in her ear. "Is that my mark, little dragon?" His hand slid along her back, tracing her soft red scales with his fingertips, as she shuddered, closing her eyes tightly. ''Her pheromones are so strong tonight.'' Her back flushed red as she struggled slightly and skipped deeper into the water, her soft buttocks shaking as she gazed back and asked with a trembling whimper. "What if it is?" Leonhardt enjoyed her reactions, the thrill of the hunt quite exciting. "I guess, I''ll have to take responsibility, right?" Asuka trembled, her mouth opening wide at the sudden confident and suggestive words. Her scales turned bright right, as the surrounding water bubbled from the growing heat inside her body, almost burning in shame, happiness, and desire. "Ahh, but¡­" She swallowed her breath several times before tapping her chest and clearing her throat. Then she ducked into the water, and vanished for a few moments. "She must have been quite embarrassed." Leonhardt strode forward, the lake''s water warmth increasing with each step, before Asuka suddenly popped out with a splash. Her scaled breasts swaying as she fell into his arms, the warmth and comfortable weight causing Leon to pause briefly. He gazed into her amber eyes, flickering in the silver moonlight. In response, Asuka gazed up at him with her soft, dreamy eyes. "Shall we wash?" An eager purr left her lips. He opened his eyes further, the sight of the tanned beauty covered in water burned to his memory, before his lips curled into a devilish smirk. "Let me clean your scales, my dragon princess." He asked in a teasing tone. Chapter 50 - 50: Sudden Surprise! Leonhardt sat against the embankment, submerged up to his chest in the water. Asuka''s eyes flicked towards Leonhardt as she gazed into his beautiful eyes, charmed by their crimson glow and glistening pentagram that shone inside his pupils. "Leo¡ª" The moment Leon reached out, his fingertips slipping across her soft skin, Asuka''s voice faded with a yelp. Under his fingertips, a throbbing pulse beat beneath her skin. The pace increased with each moment, their gazes interlocked. Leonhardt opened his lips, no longer able to hide his true nature. The glow of his eyes intensified as he dipped his cloth in the lake, squeezing it dry with a trickle before he wiped Asuka''s neck, brushing along her scales. "Hnng~ not so rough, it makes me feel strange." "Is it ticklish?" Leonhardt''s lips curved into a smirk, and he chuckled at her sudden reaction. The more she convulsed and made lovely sounds, the deeper his smile grew, brushing against her neck and lowering towards her collarbone. "Haa~ no, that''s different." He slipped his hand under her armpit, the smooth surface bubbling with the honey and berry-scented soap she shared with him. His lips curled into a smirk as he pressed against her back, pushing her away from the embankment, enjoying the warmth of her skin. The moment he touched her back with his chest, she gasped, her tail sliding against his thighs, before he whispered into her ear with a low, seductive sigh. "Show me the mark." A sudden heat throbbed inside Asuka''s abdomen, her lips pressing together when she heard his words. She stepped forward, standing on her tiptoes while struggling to keep her balance. The firm sensation of his chest lingered before he hugged her, sending jolts of pleasure through her spine, unable to refute or reject his words. ''Ah~ because it''s him, I can''t refuse.'' "Wait~ don''t¡­ Hnnng." A lovely whimper slipped from her glossy lips as they parted. His hands slipped around her waist, teasing her smooth scales. He enjoyed the silky sensation of her scales coated in the soap before his hands caressed and slipped up her body. Leon flicked the cloth over her chest, cupping her breasts to hold it in place with both hands and squeezed them. His fingers slipped across the sensitive scales and caressed her heavy fruits. "Ah¡ª" ''I want to kill mate with her, to kill her¡­'' The sudden urges filled Leonhardt as he paused, a rush of blood flowing to his shaft with each erotic gasp that Asuka released. A flame of carnal desire sparked inside him, wild and dangerous. He desired to push underneath the water, sealing her mouth and letting her drown while swallowing his phallus. A violent and bestial desire, different from a human. ''I must calm myself¡­ these urges are jumbled up. I won''t kill her for a moment of bliss.'' Monsters were selfish. They only cared for themselves during procreation. Often, the males would be eaten, killed or disposed of, like a spider. However, the opposite happens when for recreation or pleasure. Leonhardt washed her scales while holding back his natural urges. Through that process, he realised the importance of the soap Asuka gave him. It kept her scales moisturised, protecting them from damage. However, when the fragrance mixed with Asuka''s natural scent, it only enticed his senses further. ''Damn it, I want to taste her.'' His tender caress grew more aggressive, the soft cloth brushing across her breasts with more force, causing her to gasp and release a lovely moan. "Hnng~ my chest, Leonhardt¡­ wait." The delicate nerves in her chest scales caused her to enter a light oestrous state. His lips curled, smelling her change of scent as he squeezed and pinched her chest scales, which further excited her. "N-no, Leonhardt, don''t do that. Haaa~ Mmmn!" She fell back as her legs quivered, leaning against his chest with a red face. A part of her wanted him to stop and wait. However, another part desired more, for his touch to become more thorough, to peel back her scales and tease her properly. The part desiring pleasure was much stronger than she wanted to admit. Leonhardt grabbed her hips and lifted Asuka before pushing her forward against the embankment like a mannequin with broken strings. She placed both hands on the dirt, pushing out her buttocks and lifted her tail in the air, naturally presenting. "I didn''t know you were so lewd¡­" His lips curled into a wide grin upon seeing her marking from so close, the only response a subtle whimper as her scales became dark red. "Wow, you have a cute ass." Since their relationship changed, he learned the best methods of teasing and arousing Asuka to make her more excited and, thus, more submissive. He slipped his hand over her plump brown buttocks, parting them slightly as he inspected the marking. A small fairy, or at least that''s what it seemed, with twisted horns, feathered wings and eight eyes. ''Is this my mark?'' The body of a Fae, becoming a fairy or elf. The horns of a Djinn could draw mana from the air with feathered wings attached to their back and the eyes of an Arachne. His fingers slipped down the underside of her tail, the soft, squishy meat quite comfortable to the touch, before he pressed the small black marking, which caused Asuka''s lips to part, releasing a feral, desperate moan. "Hnnng!" Her body trembled beneath his fingertips, and the thickness of her scent increased. The Dragonoid released pheromones after he stimulated the mark. The sweet, alluring scent of Asuka filled the lake as her legs trembled. He couldn''t help but narrow his eyes after using his Arachne Eyes to see that the mark was more sensitive than her g-spot or clitoris, with millions of nerves connected to that one small spot. "How good does it feel when I do this?" His finger slipped across the surface of her skin, her buttocks clenched, but she didn''t answer his question; however, the long, breathy gasp revealed enough to bring a smile to his lips. He leaned over her body and trailed his tongue across her neck, leaving a silver trail across her scales. "Huff~ Haa¡ª" Asuka panted with an open mouth, her eyes wet and dreamy. She pushed back against his hips, unable to resist his assault on her scales. Her cheeks flushed red while the heat in her body grew enough to make steam emit from her scales. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why?" Leonhardt whispered into her ears, nibbling on the edges. "I want to make you mine." Not like a human man and woman, but the relationship of a monster and his mate, to dominate and enjoy her pushing the Dragonoid until she fought back, enjoying the excitement of vying for the top position. ''This cannot work with Zafira.'' He couldn''t fight Zafira evenly. She would crush him, and his position would collapse. Thus, he sought someone closer in strength, a fair fight that made the act of conquering and taming more blissful. He grasped her tail, the rough scales on top a sharp contrast to the squishy, light pink flesh underneath. He then hoisted her hips in the air, pressing her face into the grassy embankment, and stood behind her, teasing the mark with his fingertips. "I wonder¡­" An idea came to his mind as he focused himself, pulling mana from his heart and pumping it towards his fingertip as if casting magic. Instead, pouring it into the mark on her ass, causing Asuka to squeal. "Aaah¡­ Nnnnm¡­ Haaa!" Asuka convulsed while her lips parted and drooled into the grass, shaking her head and panting heavily. "No, I''ll go crazy, please stop." She pleaded, and with each second, his finger swiped across her mark, sending waves of ecstasy through her body. The pleasant torture caused her abdomen to burn, a pleasant yet uncontrollable fire spreading through her body, causing her scales to emit bursts of steam. The heat of her body was close to burning the grass as flames flickered from her mouth. ''I see, so she truly is part dragon.'' He chuckled, stepped back, and watched the lovely dragon huffing and puffing while leaning on the embankment before turning back with a bright red face and wet eyes. "Don''t tease me there for too long¡ªit''s embarrassing," Asuka whispered as he realised her tail was lifted, putting her buttocks on full display. "You''re so adorable. Why wouldn''t I do that when you''re making this kind of position?" Asuka''s cheeks became deep red, and her eyes brimmed with tears, yet her hot sighs and swaying hips continued as if she needed something more substantial. He didn''t do this all because of his twisted lust but because he noticed the more mana poured into her marking. The bright it glowed and became more vivid. Even her scales started to change slightly. ''Interesting.'' A deadly mixture of curiosity, lust, and bloodlust swirled in his mind when suddenly. SPLASH! Behind them, the water splashed, and a massive monster appeared. "What''s that?!" ROAR! The monster roared and glared at Leonhardt, flapping its wings and enlarging its body as if to make some kind of appeal. "Oh my¡­" Leonhardt''s eyes shone on the twin pentagram''s flickering with excitement. His twisted smile appeared once again. "It seems this creature considers me its rival!" "WHAT?!" Asuka wrapped herself in a loose robe, her lingering heat now given a new place to expel it. The bizarre monster covered in scales gazed at the pair with bloodshot eyes. Chapter 51 - 51: Drakefang Salamander - I "What the hell is that ugly thing?!" Leonhardt shouted before hopping onto the embankment, grabbing Asuka and flinging her onto the grass behind him. The beast''s dark red eyes narrowed with an eerie bloodshot glare. Shaa! A massive, four-legged salamander covered in gleaming, obsidian-black scales thick and glistening with moisture. Its underbelly glowed faintly with ember-like veins, transferring the searing flames through its body, a remnant of its draconic heritage. With sharp, jagged spines running down its back and a maw filled with sharp, dagger-like fangs that dripped with hot, bubbling saliva that sizzled upon contact with the lake. "What is a Drakefang Salamander doing here?" Asuka gasped, fastening her belt and grabbing her sword, hastily preparing to fight the beast. "Hm? Is that something dangerous?" "They are an upper C-Rank monster." Leon didn''t quite understand the danger or scale of each Rank¡ªIfrit constantly nagged him about this, and he realised the dangers now. ''I am sure she said I could take an average C-Rank warrior, but this seems a little stronger.'' The beast''s roar echoed through the forest as it seemed to make itself bigger visually, puffing its chest and lashing out, which caused the trees and leaves to shudder. It stepped forward, gnashing its teeth and narrowing its aggressive gaze at Leonhardt. Ba-Dump! Leonhardt pushed his mana towards his eyes, which caused them to shine with a blue glint. The surrounding area became enhanced in perfect detail at a 320-degree angle. He could see even the movement of an ant dragging a stone to his right. "Haa¡­" The flicker of mana tingled as he directed the rest to his body, gathering small amounts to prepare himself for battle. "It''s because of your pleasant scent." "My scent?" Sniff~ Asuka sniffed her armpit before tilting her head and glaring at Leonhardt. "I smell normal¡ªwhat do you mean?" "Haa¡­" Leon covered his face with his palm, his top lip twitching as he lowered his hips. He grasped the air as his greatsword materialised. "I meant the pheromones you excrete when horny." Woosh! sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment he swung his sword, the force created a small gust of wind, causing the salamander to his back. An amber flicker of light appeared in its maw, creating a billowing fire. It flung the fireball of spit from its mouth at the pair, which caused Leonhardt to step in front of Asuka with his sword held out in front of him. Ba-Boom! He slashed diagonally, sending the flame away from them. The force of the explosion shook the ground and the air, which caused Asuka to fall to the floor and stumble. However, Leonhardt stood still, his eyes glowing blue as he glared at the Drakefang Salamander. "Damn it¡­" Asuka said awkwardly. The debris exploded and cut her thighs, creating bloody wounds. "Stay back, Asuka." "Dual Cast." ¡ªTyrant Accel Leonhardt dashed forward¡ªhis body suddenly sped up after he cast Tyrant Accel twice. The immense burst of strength and speed caused his muscles to tighten and bulge, making his robe tight as he disappeared. Only to reappear above the Salamander, his sword already in a downward slash. Shiiiiiiing! Thud! The salamander''s solid scales deflected most of the force, causing the beast to stumble in place, its feet burying deep into the ground. It roared as it flung its tail towards Leonhardt, who landed on the ground with a slight stumble. "Leon!" His eyes could see the coming attack even without moving. He flicked his wrist and parried the tail covered in sharp spines with a burst of silver sparks, but the impact caused his eyes to widen. Clang! "Tch." Leonhardt skidded backwards as the salamander''s tail sent him flying. ROAR! The salamander charged forward, snapping its maw while moving swiftly through the water, using its tail to propel it forward like an arrow, aiming to swallow him whole. Its eyes glowed crimson, and its tongue danced around wildly as it approached Leonhardt with tremendous speed. He readied himself when a faint smile crossed his face. "Blazing Missiles!" Leon''s hand flashed with a crimson flame that suddenly burst with heat. His fingers flicked forward as he fired a barrage of flaming missiles, which caused the Salamander to turn its head to the side. The missiles bounced off its thick hide and the monster swallowed the flames into its mouth, absorbing them. "Damn it¡­" Shling! Leon''s sword flashed with a glint, and he slashed upwards as he dashed forward to avoid being overwhelmed by the beast. The Salamander''s claws slashed at him, but he parried them with the edge of his sword, and a burst of silver sparks erupted from the collision of metal and claw. "Haa!" Suddenly, a red comet fell from the sky. Leon''s lips curled into a smirk the moment he saw Asuka''s sword plunged into the monster''s spine. "Guo¡ª" The Drakefang Salamander screamed in agony as Asuka stabbed it in the back. She twisted her sword and plunged it in further, causing blood to gush out of its wound. "Ugh!" Asuka grimaced in pain, the blood which sprayed on her cheek sizzling and burning her flesh as the salamander thrashed like a wild bull. Leonhardt slashed horizontally, his sword cutting through the place where the salamander''s scales fused to its body. His blade cut into the soft flesh like butter. It roared in pain and fury, and its blood boiled, turning the lake a deep shade of crimson. "Uwah¡­ it stinks." He wrinkled his nose at the pungent, fishy odour. The smell of the salamander''s blood mixed with the water in the air. Sizzle! Suddenly, he noticed a searing heat burning his chest¡­ the smell of his charred flesh assaulted his nostrils, causing him to wince in pain. "Damn, this thing burns." "Leon, are you okay?" Asuka appeared with a slight wound on her cheek and above her chest scales. "GUOO¡ª!" The Drakefang Salamander whipped its tail at her, the force of the impact throwing her into the air. She flew across the air while flailing her arms and legs, and before she crashed into the water, it lunged at her again. Its massive maw filled with razor-like fangs opened its jaws wide and snapped at her. Asuka barely had time to react. She raised her arms to protect herself, her sword no longer in her grasp. "Idiot, who are you touching?" A flame wrapped around Leonhardt''s palm. His eyes flickered as both eyes shone, the golden pentagrams buried in his pupils glowing while his aura caused the air to distort from the immense heat. The flames danced around him, and the air shimmered as he channelled a colossal amount of mana. ''Ifrit will be mad¡­'' "Dual Cast." ¡ªTyrant Accel For the second time, he dual-cast Tyrant Accel, increasing the duration and breaking the rule Ifrit asked him to keep. Now, with his speed and offensive power increased by 80%, he needed to crush the monster. "Fire Wall!" ROAR! Leonhardt raised his palm, and a massive wall of pure red flames a metre thick blocked the Salamander. Even its heat-resistant scales were now bubbling and melting from the immense heat. "Dual Cast¡ªCinderblast¡ªAck!" Blood spurt from Leonhardt''s mouth as he shot two enormous balls of flaming cinder. The heat caused the water to boil and turn into steam, obscuring the area in a dense fog. Before they impacted the salamander-like a train hitting a child crossing the road, it roared in pain. "Guuuuuuooooooo!" The explosion of fire and steam caused a powerful shockwave that sent Leonhardt and Asuka flying onto the embankment while the salamander''s right side melted, blood oozing from the deep cavity, rolling onto the opposite side of the bank. "Hrrk¡­" Blood poured from Leonhardt''s mouth as he grasped his sword, dragging it along the ground as the Tyrant''s Accel faded, his steps unsteady. "It''s over." He stood before the Drakefang Salamander, his sword ready. Asuka, still lying on the ground, watched in awe as he staggered ahead. The beast tried to snap at him, but he parried its jaws with the tip of his blade and smashed the pommel into his face, shattering its teeth. "Fucker¡­" He stopped using his Arachne Eyes, exhausted from the constant usage, while lifting the sword over his head, huffing. He prepared to kill the salamander. Swoosh! BANG! An explosion flung Leonhardt through the air, his arms listless as he skimmed the surface of the water before smashing into the trees just behind Asuka. "Ugh, what the fuck?" Fire¡­ A gigantic flame in the shape of a monster. "Of course! Even the bastard child of a lizard and a dragon has a second form¡­" Chapter 52 - 52: Drakefang Salamander - II (Awakened) The moment it appeared, the forest was consumed by a whirlwind of fire and smoke. The towering three-metre-tall salamander-like beast lifted its head. Its obsidian scales now cracked with veins of molten fire that pulsed like liquid magma beneath the surface. Jagged spines grew along its back, glowing like heated rocks with trailing embers. "Shit." Its golden eyes, once that of a beast. Became those that burned with the pride and malice of dragons, calculating, vengeful and seething with rage. "Asuka, can you still fight?" Leon forced a hoarse voice through his cracked lips. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, gazing at the swirling coils of flame that wrapped the beast''s limbs tightly, neither consuming nor fading but responding to its will. Where it trampled, the earth blackened, and the lake churned with steam and a boiling surface. "Ugh¡­ my body hurts¡­" Shudder The moment the beast stepped forward, it lifted its long neck with pride, flames dancing as it desired, and the sac beneath its throat swelled. ''Ifrit, can you stop ignoring me and help me with my current DP!'' He staggered to his feet, dragging the heavy greatsword, swinging it in an arc and resting the blade on his shoulder, lethargically lugging forward. [You are in great danger. The beast has evolved because of the situation.] ''I can see that! Ifrit, help me, no please guide me.'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed with a sense of danger. His mana regenerated quite fast since he stood in a forest. The pulsating mana of fire and wind flowed into him while he observed the salamander. He grasped his sword, sucking in a deep breath of cool air tainted with the taste of ash. [Searching for solutions: 5%¡­ 9%¡­ 12%¡­] Time didn''t seem to be his ally this time. He twisted his foot in the dirt and let out a long sigh before a loud thud sounded beside him. Asuka stood there holding her axe with a tense expression, her eyes narrowed, and lips pressed together. "It seems done with the warm-up." Asuka''s sexy yet charming grunt sounded as the dragon lifted its head and released a deafening roar. "Looks like we''re going to have a good workout¡ªyou ready, Asuka?" "Anytime, Leo." ''Leo?'' The nickname brought a smile to his lips as he and Asuka dashed forward. The next instant, they fanned out to opposite sides, rushing at the drake. It squeezed its flame sac tight, emitting a ferocious flame that devoured the air in a cone. VWOOM "Asuka!" "Got it Leo." Their voices echoed; one flickered with fire to resist the flames, the other''s scales and tanned skin dashing through the aura of fire without issue. [Searching for solutions: 15%¡­ 21%¡­ 28%¡­] "Take this." Shling "Hah." Woosh Leonhardt''s blade cut through the air, his body rotating in the air before it collided with the dragon''s reinforced hide. Clang A second later, Asuka drove her heavy axe into the dragon''s side with a brutal chop. Crack Her axe tore the hard, obsidian scales, cutting into the drake''s body, but the damage was only minimal, while Leonhardt''s attack shattered the scales completely. "Roar!" With a sudden vengeful scream, the drake''s body swiped at the pair with its long, curved claws. Its strength was enough to tear apart the air. The claws collided with their weapons, causing a deep vibration of steel and bone and sending them floating back several steps. "Damn beast." Asuka grunted and charged forward¡ªa weak aura wrapped around her body as she assaulted the drake with a series of heavy, violent blows. The first sliced and cracked a scale before her second and third strikes cut into the dragon''s flesh, causing its body to glow with flames, the blood sizzling before it evaporated. Asuka spat on the ground because the flames cauterised the wound! [Searching for solutions: 31%¡­ 38%¡­ 41%¡­] Leon''s eyes flicked to the progress panel before he dashed towards the dragon''s rear. He ducked under its tail before swinging his blade upward. But the dragon spun around, almost striking him instantly and forced him to defend himself. Screech The dragon''s hard scales struck against his sword, creating an unbearable screeching sound. Leon grunted as he put all his strength into his muscles to thrust the creature away. A tremor ran through his arm, making him wonder just how powerful this creature had become. ''If I wasn''t so strong now, I might be dead,'' He thought as the drake rushed toward him. Once again, lifting his blade, he prepared to face the beast. "Fall, you damn overgrown lizard." "Grrr!" An earth-shattering rumble echoed through the forest as a storm of debris uprooted trees, and scorched wood flew around them like a mini tornado. With a leap, he barely dodged the Drakefang''s second whip-like tail strike. With each move, the dragon''s rage seemed to grow. Fire and steam surged forth, fuelled by a fury born from its primal instincts. Thump With its four massive feet planted firmly on the ground, the drake kicked out at Leonhardt, forcing him backwards with its forelimb, then lunging forward. However, Leonhardt refused to retreat, standing his ground, blocking and deflecting its claws and snapping maw until he noticed the scales growing hot on its belly where the flame sac shook, swelling once again. [Searching for solutions: 72%¡­ 78%¡­ 82%¡­] He''d rather not have a repeat of what happened last time. Without hesitation, Leonhardt plunged his blade into its softer stomach hide. The metallic clash and his cry resounded as he slashed across the air in a flaming arc that sliced at the beast''s belly once more. It responded with a roar and another swat with its forelimb. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Slash! He sidestepped, then swiftly ducked before an axe descended upon the beast, its sharp edge cutting deeply into one of its legs. "GRROOOOOAR?" Stunned from the blow, the drake flinched, allowing Leon and Asuka to strike harder with successive hits, aiming for its flanks and soft belly. Their weapons cut, sliced and carved the beast''s flesh, blood oozing from the bloody scales, a searing heat sizzling from the ground as the drake snarled, staggering to its feet as it cauterised the wound on its leg. However, despite their efforts, their attacks failed to inflict fatal damage¡ªthe drake was simply too resilient. "Haa¡­ Leon, I''m at my limits here¡­ my axe is melting, too." "Haha, don''t you like it steaming hot and rough, Asuka?" Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smirk. He noticed the progress from the corner of his eyes and waited for the panel to fill with methods. Meanwhile, enjoying his time flirting with Asuka, who looked sensual and covered in a shiny sweat from the heat and battle. [Searching for solutions: 99%¡­] ''Here it comes!'' "Asuka, buy me some time." "Are you kidding me?!" The drake''s mouth suddenly curved into a bizarre and eerie smile¡ªthe drake contracted its body, pulling all its legs together and wrapping its chin under its chest. "Wait, Asuka!" "Huh?" Asuka rushed forward and struck down with a brutal chop, cutting the air as the drake huddled its body in a defensive position. The flames around its body sucked tightly around its stomach and neck. Thunk Ba-Dump! Leonhardt''s chest throbbed, a sense of danger that came from his spider senses. He didn''t know what might happen, but before he realised. Before he knew it, he rushed towards Asuka, who chopped and carved the drake like a crazed lunatic, deep bloody gashes forming on its flank. "Asuka! Get down." He lunged towards her¡ªthe air became silent as the countless razor-sharp spines of the dragon shot from its back like a porcupine. Hundreds of sharp obsidian spikes tore through the air in all directions. Da-Da-Da-Da-Da! Asuka didn''t understand what happened. Suddenly, the world started spinning as a pair of arms wrapped around her body and sent her flying into the hot pool of water with a splash. In Leonhardt''s embrace, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders. But then her eyes widened as his body jerked in midair, his face twitching in pain, a small grunt leaving his mouth. The world turned red as blood flowed into the water and poured down her face. ''E-Eh?'' Unable to speak as he pushed her under the water, she saw dozens of spikes sticking from his back and limbs. ''Leo?! No!'' Yet, oblivious to her mental plea, his blood continued seeping into the water. However, as she trembled, worried about him, his eyes narrowed with a playful glint¡ªsomething glistened red in his lips, a small bead, maybe a marble. ''What is that?'' Chapter 53 - 53: The Final Red Dragon Upon seeing the small red sphere, her chest throbbed, aching as she found herself drawn to it. Then he pressed his lips against hers. "Mnnph!" And with it, the red bead passed through his lips and into her mouth. A warm, thick liquid made of Leonhardt''s saliva mixed with his mana. His blood flooded her mouth¡ªthe moment his tongue pushed through her silky lips, she opened her eyes in shock. The next moment, the red sphere with a sweet, addictive taste melted into her tongue and flowed down her throat, causing a burning sensation. ''W-What was that¡­'' Asuka''s body convulsed, sucking on Leon''s tongue. The heat, almost as if he poured molten fire down her throat, spread through her organs, limbs, and veins like wildfire. Her body sizzled, the size of her scales increased, while the red became more vivid, and her eyes turned from a pale red to a deep golden colour with slit pupils like a true dragon. A painful sensation caused her to gasp in agony¡ªher forehead ached like someone hitting her with a hammer until two thick horns burst from the flesh, and she suddenly screamed. "Argh!" A cone of blue flames released from her lips and shot into the air. WOOSH! The lake exploded, and her body reappeared. The drake''s dull-orange eyes narrowed as its maw opened wide aggressively as it peered at the figure floating in the air. Flap! Asuka''s eyes flared as she gazed down at the forest. Her lips formed a twisted smile, and her fangs were on display as she smirked. ''That foolish man, what did he do to me? I feel so¡­'' "Amazing!" Her body burst with an immense blue flame flickering and following her desire as she grasped a sword in her hand, the blue greatsword that Leonhardt used. Flap The wings on her back with sharp claws at the tip flapped with fluid motion, keeping her hovering as she narrowed her gaze on the drake. "Little insect, you are nothing but a fake." "Grrr!" As if denying her words, the Drakefang salamander made itself look bigger, the orange flame wrapped around its body growing larger. Its massive maw opened and spat out a stream of fire. BOOM! Her vision blurred for only a second, and then everything slowed down. The blast that looked deadly enough to incinerate anything instantly vanished. The smoky image of Asuka appeared, her palm placed forward, sizzling slightly as she blocked the flame. "You see?" She pointed the greatsword at the drake in front of her. "What is this? This sword¡­ It feels so good." Shaking off that strange feeling, Asuka licked her lips and cackled loudly. The sword flickered with a purple aura the moment she wrapped it with her flames before her wings snapped, propelling her towards the drake like a meteor. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kaboom! Scales went flying while pieces of meat blasted apart into red mist after her sword struck. The drake had no chance of blocking and was sent crashing into the distant trees. ''It''s a good thing that the camp is far away, but shouldn''t they have come by now?'' Asuka''s eyes narrowed before she noticed something strange. A large black dome covered the area of the forest where they were fighting¡ªshe gazed down at the pool curiously before shaking her head. "I see, I see! No one will disturb us this way! Hahaha!" Woosh! Like a bird of prey, Asuka continuously swept down, slicing through the air. Each slash cut into the monster''s scales, chipping, cracking, and gouging the monster''s body. "Die, Die, Die!" Her face twisted, a wide grin on her beautiful lips¡ªdespite the husky and aggressive voice, her sensual body swayed, jiggled and bounced as her nude body covered in dragon scales danced under the moonlight. "R-Rooaaarr!!" It''s like he woke up from his stupor. The drake roared menacingly as the wounds inflicted began to glow with an orange hue. Blood oozed with a wet splash, flowing from the dozens of deep wounds. Yet Asuka stood in the air, the heavy sword leaning on her shoulder as she narrowed her gaze into slits. Her chest scales jiggled with her movements. ''Did my tits get bigger? That perverted man¡­'' An enormous ball of flames started to grow from the drake''s mouth. It sucked in the air around its body, gathering all the molten flames from its veins, the golden glow of its body fading to make the ball of flames. "Don''t you learn¡ª" Asuka cracked her neck from side to side before flicking her left hand towards the drake¡ªa beautiful twinkle of mana particles appeared, gently swirling around her hand to form an azure ball of fire. She gathered the surrounding mana at an alarming pace. Almost three times faster than the drake below. "Here''s the power that he gave to me." Ba-Dump! Her chest throbbed, excitement from the adrenaline and thinking of Leonhardt. ¡ªDragon Magic: Maximise Spell! The instant after the blue sphere condensed, the energy being gathered rapidly sucked into the ball, constantly increasing its total mass as her face dripped with sweat, her eyes flickering with a golden light. ''This is insane!'' Her mind was going crazy; the heat spreading through her chest was like nothing she ever felt. The blood and sphere he poured into her body had fused with hers, and the scale growth was like an indicator of the magical fusion. With it, she gained both her true heritage and a portion of the powers he possessed. Her heart became a dragon''s but with the magic efficiency of a Djinn. Asuka quivered because of the sudden transformation and Sensing Leon''s magic inside her body almost drove her into a state of oestrous. As if responding to her desires, she felt the mana surging within her chest. Her body glowed, her eyes widened, and her fiery hair flickered. Below, the Drake seemed about ready to attack, the crackling ember ball the size of the Drake''s body, while Asuka condensed her deadly flame to the size of a small sphere in her palm. While within the Salamander''s mouth, a crimson glow flashed as it unleashed all the surrounding fires towards Asuka. ROAR A bright flash came from his mouth¡ªthe heat intensified to its extreme, incinerating the trees and boiling the water as it formed massive waves. Asuka''s eyes narrowed, her lips parting as she let out hot, breathy sighs, the heat making her breath visible like steam. "You''re finally ready! Hahahaha¡ªtake this! CINDER BLAST!" Crackle Asuka released the compressed blue ball of flame. Vwoom! It moved like lightning, cutting the air between them, the distance closing the moment she fired. Wind pressure or anything did not alter or divert its trajectory¡ªit went straight ahead without stopping. The blue cinder blast was like a shooting star. Its heat burned the air around it as it tore through the gigantic flame, sucking the golden embers into its core and emitting a violent shockwave. Boom! The impact shattered the surrounding space¡ªthe blue flames flowed, pushing and crushing the fireball until it made contact with the Drakefang salamander. Woom The blue flames vanished with a brilliant white flare, followed by a loud shattering like a loud ringing sound inside your head. BOOOOOOMMM!! All at once, a devastating explosion blasted through the forest. Trees flung from their roots, torn out, the force sending them flying, as Asuka''s hair and wings fluttered wildly, her breasts jiggling and wobbling from the immense force as the lake''s surface formed small waves. "Hahahaha! What do you think?! That is my pow-er!" Asuka laughed ecstatically, holding the sword high above her head as she held her waist, feeling the surge of strength. Suddenly, she gasped, and her body started dropping from the air. Her hands clawed at her chest as she struggled and gasped for air and sizzled from the heat. She dropped from the sky, a bitter smile on her lips. ''Is this it?'' ''Well¡­ I did my best and defeated that lizard.'' "What am I going to do with you?" A gentle voice sounded low and husky, and the voice made her heart flutter. ''Leo!'' Too weak to move or adjust her head, she flicked her eyes to the corner where he stood, with arms open wide, her eyes moistening. ''Ah, so I''ve fallen for him.'' ''No wonder I felt so sad when I thought that I could no longer see him?'' She sighed at her realisation and no longer resisted. The whistle of wind flowed through her ears before closing her eyes in anticipation. Leon caught her easily in his firm embrace¡ªhe grunted softly, his brows twitching before he sighed in relief. "I should have expected no less from you." Asuka gazed up at him, now held like a princess in his bridal carry. "Shut it¡­ you fool, what have you done to me? Now I look so strange¡ªI have scales everywhere." Leonhardt lifted her body, their faces close to touching. He smiled back, a strange and more gentle gaze than she remembered. "I find your scales to be beautiful, and they shine like priceless rubies." "Ack¡­ Leo!" Asuka''s scales darkened, the blood-red colour so vibrant and vivid, yet she could only lie in his arms, waiting for the moment of weakness to pass. "Congratulations on becoming the last red dragon, Asuka." Her eyes narrowed as she curled her lips into a wolfish smile, reaching out and touching Leon''s cheek. With a low, breathy sigh, she replied. "Your dragon." Chapter 54 - 54: Do You Want To Follow Me? Leonhardt and Asuka perched at the edge of the embankment, leaning back. The flickering azure embers burned most of the surrounding forest. "I never expected you to be so special, Leo!" Asuka joked, while pushing against Leon''s arm, her lips pressing together as she stroked his smooth skin. "Special? I am just a monster¡­ you know that now, right?" "You''re not a mon¡ª" Her words stopped midway because he blocked her soft lips with his rough fingertips. He closed his eyes, realising that, even compared to Erina and Sylvie, or even the humans he called Inferior, it didn''t change his origins¡ªa monster couldn''t become human. ''Nor do I wish to.'' "But, without you, wouldn''t we have died together?" Asuka''s fiery aura, like a dazzling light, remained even after awakening her non-human bloodline. He couldn''t help but curl his lips into a smile as her warm body pressed against him, almost a physical display of her insecurities. Leon''s hand wrapped around her waist while he gazed at the information left on his flickering panel. [? Asuka has slain the Drakefang Salamander! ?] ? Drakefang Salamander Gained 500 XP Gained 200 EP Gained 500 DP ? Drakefang Salamander (Awakened) Gained 1000 XP Gained 400 EP Gained 1000 DP ? Evolution Points Maximum¡ªPlease Prepare for the Evolutionary Phase! The information telling him he defeated the salamander gave Leon a breath of fresh air. However, because he needed to spend over 8000 dungeon points, this alone caused him to become frustrated. Almost enough to revive the monster and kill it again. In the end, he survived and the bloodline of Asuka awakened¡­ though not fully. "Asuka, do you regret accepting that kiss and becoming a monster?" Leonhardt couldn''t help but wonder what someone who was neither human nor monster would think if forced to choose one side. His hands clenched, uncertain about her answer, which caused a tightness in his chest with a swirling heat radiating through his abdomen. An unpleasant and irritating sensation. "I¡­" He turned to gaze at the beautiful woman. Her creamy brown skin shimmered in the moonlight, thin drops of sweet-scented sweat dripped down her cheek. Asuka''s plump lips pressed together before sliding her tongue over them and cleared her throat. "I don''t really care!" Leon''s eyes widened, taken aback by Asuka''s response as she gazed at him with her golden eyes, with the thin black slit pupils focused on his figure. She lowered her gaze, while her scales turned a darker red, a blush crossing her cheeks. "Because now we''re closer, right?" "What?" "Eh?" "Are we not closer?" Asuka''s voice quivered, a low, uncertain plea that sought his affirmation. She turned and pressed her body against his chest, her hands wrapped around his shoulders and gripped him tight. Asuka couldn''t accept his reaction, the desires, and instincts of her monster blood driving her to follow these feelings without care. In reality, Leon didn''t ignore or deny her, rather her answer was just shocking. ''This woman can accept it so easily, but what if her people hunted her?'' For the first time, he couldn''t control his instincts and emotions. He responded by gripping Asuka''s face with both hands, his thumbs brushing along her smooth, silky lips while squashing and distorting them under his grasp. "Do you truly realise what it means to be a monster?" He understood the changes wouldn''t be so obvious right now, but eventually, the things she enjoyed or did with the others might become dull. The vibrant emotions and relationships she built with humans, or those morals and thoughts that brought her this far, might shatter. ''I never had them in the first place, but Asuka.'' Asuka''s eyes blinked as her lashes fluttered. The warmth of his hands and the gentle, yet aggressive touch of his thumbs sent a tingle down her spine. Asuka could sense his unrest. Leon''s brilliant ruby eyes stared into her face, revealing his intense emotions and feelings, staring with a bewildered expression. It was almost like he was scared, but she couldn''t understand why. Her arms slowly rose and touched his face. She felt his firm jawline and moved up along his cheeks, stroking his smooth skin. She could feel the pulse of his beating heart through her fingertips. Ba-Dump Ba-Dump Two hearts beat in an alternating rhythm, causing her fingers to jolt to a stop. Her gaze lifted, locking with Leon''s gem-like eyes. Unexpected heat radiated through her body and pooled at the base of her stomach, growing and intensity the more she gazed at him. "Leo, I don''t mind becoming a monster because I''ve always been treated strangely because of my body." "What?" His confusion showed on his face, giving her an encouraging nod. "My family¡­ well, you can see we Dragonoid''s might seem human. However, the kingdom only accepts our existence because we are forced to fight on the front lines by law and oath when danger appears in the kingdom," Asuka whispered. Her golden eyes dimmed while her lips parted and touched his thumbs with a gentle peck. "Isn''t it ironic?" Darkness loomed in her expression as she threaded her fingertips through Leon''s hair. "The humans only desire us when it''s beneficial to them, but when it''s over they confine us to that small, suffocating village, like breeding mares." She leaned closer, and felt his hot breath blowing against her nose, the soft caress of him brushing her scales sending tingles and pleasure through her body. Asuka pushed closer, her lips parted from his. The sweet taste of his velvety, soft lips spread through her mouth as her tongue brushed against his. Unable to stop, she kissed him again, and again. The silky texture of his lips was addictive and filled an emptiness within her. "Mhm." Her soft moan echoed out. A pleasurable sound which caused her insides to heat up and squirm, the muscles in her body tensing. Their tongues twisted and intertwined with a wet slurp before they separated, with a thin trail of saliva still connected between them. "You don''t have to be so worried¡ªeven if I become hated by the world. You, Erina and Sylvie will never forsake me, right?" ''I never expected her to react this way.'' Without the guidance of Ifrit and only the Dungeon system, he struggled and searched for the path forward. Leon only found a breakthrough after he stopped his charade of being a human. "Then can you accept me, who is a pure monster? I have killed many humans, and will continue to kill and use them until my life ends." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt''s hands pulled Asuka''s face closer. This time he kissed her, letting his tongue slip past her velvety soft lips. Her hesitant tongue flicked his, becoming eager, a sticky heat spreading through his mouth the moment his tongue brushed against hers. It was divine, delicious, and maddening. "Can you accept that future, that fate?" He tilted her head, gazing down at her dreamy, wet eyes before his tongue pushed past her trembling lips, tasting her answer. Asuka responded like someone trapped in a desert, desperate for moisture. Her kisses were deep and passionate. She pressed tightly against him as he took hold of her hair¡ªthe strands entwining in his fingers. Their bodies fell back, and they lay on the embankment, feet splashing in the warm pool. "Mmmm." Her throat released an unconscious murmur, which seemed like a beast''s purr. The sound set him on fire. When their lips parted, trails of saliva hung between them. "There''s no going¡ª" Before Leon could finish, her palm covered his lips, her finger scooping the strands of saliva as she sucked them into her mouth. After swallowing them, her eyes started glowing with a dark, golden light. Her nostrils flared with a hot sigh, and she blew her sweet breath against Leon''s cheeks. "I don''t want to go back, return or forget, do you understand, Leonhardt." A low, feverish growl whispered into his ear. The moment she did, the fire in his abdomen surged, flowing to every limb in his body and turned Leonhardt''s mind white. Unable to control his wild and instinctive desires, he noticed a single line flashing in his vision and hurriedly, without thought, clicked yes. ? Will you perform a dual evolution with Asuka ¡ª Red Dragon? There was no going back. Leon pressed her against the soft dirt, a warmth remaining from the blue flames of her cinder blast. He gazed down at her with his narrowed eyes and deep breaths. She glanced back, her lips curled into a wide smile, and her arms spread, about to wrap around his body. "It''s okay. I want it too." "Make me into a monster just like you, show me your true nature." Her words were a sweet poison that Leonhardt couldn''t and had no desire to resist or reject, instead he drank from her poisoned chalice. It was no longer about evolution. Leonhardt simply wanted her to join him, to form a bond through his own actions, rather than the dungeon system or something handed to him. He truly felt that he earned this bond with Asuka as the individual named Leonhardt. Chapter 55 - 55: Teasing a Dragoness * The crackling blue flames lingered around the lake, creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere as the pair lay atop each other, gazing into each other''s eyes. "It might just be the heat of the moment, but¡­ these growing feelings inside me," Asuka confessed, her hands brushed Leon''s cheeks, as she knew he held someone else in his heart, and that he might never become hers alone. "I cannot stop them." Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, though he couldn''t quite understand the human concept of love. Monsters had their concept of affection and love. Some races treated it lightly, and others, especially those with high intelligence and sentience, treated it even more sacred than humans. "Please¡­ calm the fire that burns in my body." Asuka grasped Leon''s hand and placed it on her muscular stomach. Her smooth caramel skin shimmering in the flames as she tensed the moment his palm pressed against her. His eyes shone with a deep red glow. The sensation of her stomach, supple yet firm, was almost addicting as the heat from inside her body spread through his palm. The moment Leon''s cool hands pressed on her abdomen, his fingers spreading out and caressing her muscles, her scales became dark red. Asuka never knew having another touching her body could excite her so much. "You''re such a beautiful creature." Leon softly whispered. His other arm supported Asuka''s shoulders as they lay at the edge of the lake, where the hot waters meet the soft grassy plains. The moment his words tickled her ear, Asuka''s tail curled and tapped the ground with a low, earthy thud. Leon''s pupils shone with a dull malevolent light as his hands slipped across the scarlet red scales along Asuka''s cheeks. As his fingers slipped across the smooth, scaled bridge between her brows, a rumbling moan reverberated in Asuka''s throat while a thin wisp of steam puffed out her nostrils. "Enjoy it." Leon''s low voice sent a shock down Asuka''s spine. The embers in her veins flared to life as his fingertips snaked down her cheeks and slipped down her neck. The sudden sensation of electricity bolting through every fibre of her being as his sharp claw grazed the surface of each scale, creating small red sparks before his hand reached her chest. "Mmmph." A muffled whimper escaped from Asuka''s lips as she covered her mouth, gazing up at him with her eyes widened, huffing and panting, while his fingertips brushed along the scales protecting her breasts. Every inch of her skin that his hand had touched felt ablaze with excitement; sending numbing sensations running down Asuka''s spine. Yet, it wasn''t enough anymore. Asuka''s body hungered for more. "Do not stop¡­" Leon''s gaze shifted back and forth between Asuka''s golden eyes and plump lips, parting as she blew another puff of steam from her nostrils. Without warning, his fingers spread apart the delicate under scales revealing a small pink bud, and her areola darkened into a deep rose colour. "Ahh¡­ d-don''t stare at them." An uncontrollable moan slipped out as the scales once covering Asuka''s breast slid back over her chest the moment Leon''s fingertips spread. His hands caressed the plump, spongy spheres of warmth, squeezing them until her body trembled. He narrowed his eyes while rolling Asuka''s growing nipples between his thumbs and index fingers. "How beautiful." The dragoness blushed, letting out a stifled breathy hum in response to his comment. Leonhardt chuckled, the sight of her shifting under him, avoiding his gaze as she turned away, while her hands dug into the dirt, digging deeper each time his fingers pinched her hardened buds. He leaned forward, whispering into her ear. "Look at me." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The tone and sound of Leon''s low, raspy voice sent shivers down Asuka''s spine. Each of her muscles tightened, causing her lower regions to throb. And she did. Her amber pupils constricted and her breathing came out in ragged gasps, yet his words compelled her to tilt her head upwards and return his intense gaze. "I love how your tail curls whenever I touch you, just like this." "Hnnng~ w-wait¡­ Leo!" Asuka''s back arched as a rush of warmth shot throughout her body, sending waves of electricity coursing through her muscles, which caused her stomach to twist and tighten, revealing her well-trained muscles. She struggled to catch her breath after the sudden wave left her gasping, leaving her in a haze of confusion, mixed with yearning, but when she finally recovered, her voice trembled. "A-Again? It''s dirty, please Leo¡­" Asuka seemed ashamed because she had just spent a while fighting desperately, and hadn''t taken the time to wash herself. To this thought, Leon chuckled as he brought his fingers to his lips and gave them a long lick. "Why?" he murmured, his tongue trailing the tip of his nails. "You have an exquisite taste." Her eyes widened as her lips trembled. The pleasant sensations increased the more Leon caressed and touched her body, almost like he knew where she''d react the most. A sudden ache formed below her waist as his hands pressed against the firm muscles beneath her abdomen, stroking downwards until his palms rested just above her belly button. Asuka sank her teeth into her lower lips with a low grunt, squeezing her thighs together to numb the pulsing ache. "Does it feel comfortable, Asuka?" "I¡­" The tips of his fingernails traced lines along her hips, causing her breath to hitch and her throat to emit an involuntary gasp, her body now emitting a faint heat as her insides burned like a wildfire. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, scanning and observing her like a predator watching its prey. "I''ll make it better than comfortable." He leaned forward to plant a kiss on the tip belly button. Asuka''s muscles contracted, revealing her tight six-pack before she snorted from his actions. His lips touched her belly button, slowly tracing his lips along her abdominal muscles. Each touch of his silky lips pressing against her sent tiny jolts through her nerves while the dragoness squirmed and shivered under the featherlike kisses against her scales. Leonhardt''s lips left a wet trail all the way to her crotch, stopping above her most tender scales, a light pink colour, glistening and covered with a sticky, wet fluid. "Do not be shy," he said, giving it a soft, gentle peck. "It''s just you and me here, Asuka." But the moment his lips touched her vaginal scales, she squealed, before her hands could cover her mouth, like a bolt of lightning struck her hips, she floundered. "Fuaah! A-ahh¡­" Her tail curled up, slamming against the ground. Asuka''s eyes shone bright gold, while Leon lifted his head with a smirk and brushed his hair behind his ears. "Was that too much?" However, her eyes narrowed and gleamed in the darkness. She snorted as hot steam flowed from her body and lips, her nose flaring with embers. Asuka''s eyes looked different. "No." Her legs parted as she raised her knee''s, and the sticky pale pin scales parted, revealing her red pubic hair and the soft, pink slit oozing with her love juices. Her breathing was laboured and deep; her claws dragged furrows into the earth. "Please." A low, raspy voice came from her lips as she lifted, turned away, with bright red cheeks. "Touch me more. Make me¡­ yours." Her body tensed, the taut muscles beneath the layer of fine, smooth scales trembled like a tightly drawn bowstring. Leon couldn''t refuse. "As you wish." As his thumb spread her soft nether lips apart, he positioned his mouth over the exposed vulva, which seemed to grow warmer and more sensitive by the second. ''Her body feels like it''s on fire.'' He thought, before extending his tongue, gazing up at the bashful dragoness, her teeth dragging along her lips, gazing at him impatiently. Before she could protest, his warm tongue slid across the heated slit with a gentle flick and trailed all the way down, dipping into her hot entrance, the sticky juices clinging to his tongue, spreading her sweet and salty taste. When he gazed up, he noticed the look wasn''t impatience¡­ but the expectation that he met. "Should I continue, princess?" With a gentle press of his thumb, he circled the small bulbous nub protruding from Asuka''s hood, causing her to let out a low, muffled yelp. His smirk grew wider when his finger teased her swollen clit, her love juice soaking his palm as he felt her throbbing against his finger. "Yes¡­ please¡­ Don''t tease me." Asuka begged breathlessly between each moan. At first, he stroked Asuka''s tender folds slowly and softly. Then, with his lips curled into a sinister smile, he lowered his head. "As you wish." Chapter 56 - 56: Tasting a Dragoness ** The moment his tongue touched her flesh, a blaze ignited within her body and mind. Asuka''s tail slammed against the ground as the wet sound of his tongue lapping up her sticky juices echoed in the silent forest. "Hnnng¡­ Mmmn¡­ Haa¡­ That¡­ Nhmm!" Leonhardt slowly slipped his hands along her plump thighs, tracing the thick red scales with his fingertips, before pushing her thighs apart, a sticky thread dribbling from her swollen pink lips. He observed her reactions, while slipping his hands along her thighs, the warm caramel flesh hot to the touch, as she snorted, leaning her head back. "I''m going to enter." The moment Leon''s words echoed, Asuka parted her lips, and a wet, dreamy look plastered her face. Leonhardt grabbed her thighs, his hands sinking into the flesh. He pushed his hips forward, his swollen tip making a wet, sticky noise when it crushed her soft petals and Asuka''s honey bubbled down his glans. "A-ahn~" She gasped in a hushed moan. Leon felt the scales beneath his fingers become hot as Asuka squirmed in pleasure. His cock sank into her entrance effortlessly as if her pussy were melting. The soft walls hugged his member like a velvet glove with a tight grip around his shaft. A pleasant tingling spread all over Leonhardt''s body¡ªhe realised sex was nothing like a blowjob. "Mn¡­ That is quite intense¡­" Leonhardt''s low grunt echoed as his hips thrust inch by inch, plunging deeper into her delicate, tender flesh until his crotch collided against hers. The soft bumps along her vaginal walls rubbed against his glans, stimulating the chimera greatly. "H-haa¡­ Haaa¡­" Asuka panted, eyes widening in shock as she took in all of his cock within her tight passage. She never thought she''d lose her virginity this way, yet Asuka''s abdomen, which became tight and the sense of pressure his cock brought when piercing her to the hilt, changed her mind. "S-so deep¡­ I-inside." The hot, pulsating meat lodged deep inside her had turned her into a woman. Asuka''s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed tightly together as she tried to endure the slight stinging sensation after losing her virginity. Yet, the moment she lost focus, her pussy undulated and tightened around him. Waves of pleasure assaulted her, making Asuka pant loudly as she fought with every inch of willpower not to moan loudly. "It''s good." Leon smiled warmly, letting go of one of her thighs, then slid his hand along her muscular belly. He stroked her affectionately, his lips touching her smooth skin. His fingertips traced her supple scales that felt as hard as steel until he found one of her breasts, filling his palm with her plush mound before leaning forward and planting a kiss on her chest. "Hnnng, it''s throbbing inside me, the tip caressing my walls so violently." For several moments, Leonhardt kept his hips in place as though relishing the sensations coursing through both of their bodies¡ªAsuka was beyond salvation now. The monster took her innocence, and she loved it. "Y-You can move, Leo." Her soft, breathless whimper awakened a beast sleeping deep in his soul. "I won''t be able to stop, are you sure?" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt brushed his hands over her breasts, squeezing the squishy mounds gently, pushing them together and caressing her nipples. "Mm¡­ It''s okay, I-I don''t want you to stop now¡­ Leo''s thing, is really comfortable." Maybe because she carried the blood of dragons, her eyes glinted with a sense of pride. Despite all the arousal she showed, there was still an untameable passion brewing inside her. And so it would take effort to conquer her fortress. "Then, don''t cry princess." "Hnnng!" The instant he dragged back his hips, the warm, slippery walls pulled back with him, their soft, sticky surface stimulating his cock. Leon pulled out until the head only remained within her depths, then plunged the entire length inside once more. "Haa~ Mhm¡­" Asuka couldn''t help but moan sweetly as she felt him pushing deeper inside, rubbing against her sensitive spots, while the weight of his body and the warmth of his hands caressing her tits felt soothing. Leon continued moving back and forth at a steady pace, slow yet long thrusts, letting her experience what sex feels like. He also didn''t have any experience, but the instincts of an Arachne and Djinn started to flow into his mind, from the moment he penetrated her¡­ knowledge of sex appeared. "Haa¡­. That''s good¡­ Mmm¡­. There, harder!" Asuka gasped between each thrust of his hips, slowly growing accustomed to the rhythm of his movements. The sounds of wet flesh slapping together mixed with the grunts and moans coming from both of them filled the night. "Asuka, tighten your muscles for me." "E-Eh?" Before she had time to react, he drove back in deeper than before, sending shockwaves through her core. Then by instinct she followed his request, and squeezed her muscles, and her face turned bright red. She could now feel every inch of his cock, the detailed shape and slight bend. Asuka could feel them using her pussy. With a momentary hesitation at first, Leon picked up speed, gradually getting faster and rougher with every motion, slamming into Asuka fiercely, eliciting sharp moans from the dragoness. Shlick! A lewd sticky sound came from her cunt. Shlurp! Again, the squelching sound of fluids mixing in her pussy rose in pair with the soft fleshy smacks of his hips pounding away at her soft buttocks, bouncing off them in waves upon impact. Shlick! Shlick! A sloppy noise rang as if her cunt sucked his meat hungrily. His member pulsated inside her, hitting all kinds of areas previously undiscovered until now. "Hnnng! Mn¡­ Mmm!" Asuka couldn''t hold herself anymore. The moment his glans dragged her upper walls she gasped, almost panting from the sudden pressure, and the loud pop as his cock slipped from her cunt, with a wet smack. Then the hot tip plunged back inside, making another erotic sound, before his tip curved and pressed against her g-spot on the way to the back of her vagina, spreading her apart. Leonhardt grunted. The hot sensation of her pussy enveloped his cock, a feeling as if melting inside her, sending electricity through his nerves, losing himself to pleasure. He didn''t care about anything else right now other than driving his penis deep within her and releasing this boiling white essence inside Asuka, claiming her body and soul. "Mnhaa¡­ Ha-aah~" Asuka''s tongue hung out limply from the corner of her mouth, and saliva trailed down her chin. She couldn''t resist the pleasure, the feeling of his muscular body pounding against her on the embankment with the stars shining above, a pressure constantly built in her abdomen, as she sought a sense of relief. "Ahn~ S-something''s weird¡­ Leo¡ªahnn¡­ Leooo¡­ More¡ª! I want more! Please go deeper, do that harder again¡­ Harder!" Her hands shot up and grabbed his shoulders in desperation, her legs wrapped around him tight. She then rocked her hips and started to slide against his cock, pushing herself deeper, the slight ache from his cock stretching her comfortably as it sent tingles down her spine. "Then let''s make you feel even weirder." He whispered. Squelch! Wet noises reverberated from the back-and-forth motion of his hips, while his tip kissed the deepest part of her body. Her eyes widened as his muscles tightened and started using his full strength to ravish her, pounding her like a wild beast. "H-ha¡­ Wai¡ªI¡­ Oh-oh my¡­ Ahn~" His crotch collided against hers forcefully, pressing their bodies together tightly, his balls slapping against her plump ass as if trying to drive each other mad through pleasure. "Ngh!" Asuka''s pussy clenched around his cock like a vice grip, causing him to hiss. "You''re a greedy woman." Leon said lowly under his breath, pulling himself backward before shoving it inside her once more, forcing the tight muscles to open for his member, which dragged along every curve and bump. "So goood~! Ngh! N-no way¡­ I-it''s going deeper? No, no noo¡­ It feels so wonderful!" Asuka''s body convulsed, her eyes closed tight as she kissed his neck, now hanging off his body. While he rammed into her, the sensation of his shaft swelling inside her warm cunt awakened her instincts. Her nails dug into Leonhardt''s arms as they began moving faster than ever, clinging to him for support. At first, Asuka thought she''d be able to tolerate such a thing without crying out loud, but she was wrong, completely mistaken as lust clouded her mind, turning her thoughts into a messy puddle. "S-so thick¡­ I-I love¡­ Love¡­ Love it¡­" She purred sweetly as he pounded away at her with a frenzied desire that burned within his core. This man. This monster had taken her priceless virginity, and she could never have enough of it. She''d die before letting him escape from her embrace. Shlick! His hips pulled back, but she used her legs to force him back inside, with a wet pop as his glans pressed against her cervical wall. She felt it rubbing against something deep inside her and trembled uncontrollably. At first, a dull ache, but then something that melted her thoughts and mind. "My dear little dragon¡­" he growled playfully against her ears. It seems you''re rather enjoying yourself¡­" "More! Don''t stop¡ª don''t leave me¡­ ahnnn¡ª!'' Asuka''s body started to quake, trembling slightly before finally succumbing to the overwhelming pleasure that consumed every part of herself. There was no resisting any further. No control over what she wanted anymore or who controlled this intimate dance. All common senses were lost amid the rising climax coursing throughout them both. "Leo please¡ª! I can''t stand it anymore! I need more¡ªplease! Come inside me!" She begged shamelessly, her voice filled with nothing but pure ecstasy, unable to contain herself any longer as she cried aloud. He leaned closer towards Asuka''s ear again, nibbling softly before whispering huskily, "You will be mine forever, princess, there is no going back after this." His hips slammed forward violently, pushing his entire length inside of her. "I''ll give you everything, just fill me up with your seed, Leo." The words spilled unconsciously, her mind lost to euphoria as he thrust became wilder, more urgent, pounding away relentlessly, as if he wanted to break her like a beast. His hips slapped against her buttocks, before he grunted. "Ahh~ it''s hot!" Asuka could feel it, the heat, his warmth pulsing inside her womb and pussy as thick cum poured from the head of his cock in waves. She curled her toes while slamming her tail repeatedly on the ground below, sending dirt flying everywhere. Her eyes were wet and misty, peering into the sky. Asuka felt so alive, so wonderful, as her heart raced wildly. She clung to him tightly, pulling herself close as her whole body tensed, arching upwards, and squeezed her asshole tight. The pleasant sensation of crushing his cock inside her was exciting. She enjoyed this feeling as it continued to pulsate a few more times, oozing the last of his sperm into her. "Haa¡­ Haa¡­" After several seconds, Asuka collapsed limply onto the grassy floor, panting heavily. Completely exhausted after Leon seeded her, sweat dripped from her forehead and down her cheeks. Yet, the beautiful man above her mattered the most. Her mate. Her man. Slowly opening her eyelids, she saw him looming above her, breathing deeply through parted lips. Sweat trickled along his chiselled features, accentuating his masculine beauty. "Mine!" She muttered between ragged breaths, smiling widely as her lips pressed against his chest, extending her tongue to lick up the salty beads of his sweat. "Perverted dragon¡­" Leonhardt''s eyes shone with delight, his hands still caressing her soft, squishy breasts affectionately, tracing the curves lovingly. "It''s your fault for being too attractive," She whispered back, nuzzling against his chest lovingly as she rested atop him. Her fingers traced across his toned chest, brushing over his hard muscles tenderly. [Evolutionary Path Unlocked!] A sudden tone sounded in both their minds, spoiling their moment of passion. Chapter 57 - 57: Astrea City - The Dangerous Rumour In a highly decorated and neat room, the ticktock of a grandfather clock filled the empty silence as a male sat alone completing thick documents and various tasks. The walls are dusty, and the bookshelves are lined with titles related to war, theology, magic, demons, and various other topics, making this seem like a personal study. The male with blond hair continued scribbling while wearing an elegant set of clothes. They were of the highest quality and showed that he was no mere man but one who held great power. He had been doing this for hours on end with no interruption, so when the door suddenly burst open behind him, he didn''t bother to react. "State your business and then accept the monetary penalty for disturbing me." His voice was blank and emotionless, and he seemed to fade. Only the shimmer of his wrist kept the man in focus. "Forgive my impertinence, city lord!" The knight bowed hurriedly, while shuddering, wanting to speak with the valued lord but not able to muster enough courage. The air around the male was heavy, and it made anyone who entered want to kneel before him. His Lord was a very dangerous person to be around, so it was not surprising that the knight found himself sweating and unable to speak. "Do you have a tongue? If you do, use it. Otherwise, I''ll cut it out and add it to my collection. This is your final warning," he said, still looking at his paperwork. In reality, there wasn''t a collection, and all those who were fired or ''dealt with'' by the young prince now lived happily on those farms and other locations. "Yes, sir!" The knight did not know about this and immediately straightened up. "Report from the front lines! We have spotted a dragon flying in the north, along with what seems to be the cursed dark elves." The blond-haired male''s hand stopped writing for a moment, rolling the quill in his palm and then continued, "How many dragons?" "Just one, my lord!" "And how many dark elves?" He asked without looking up. Although he wanted to know, the lord didn''t want the knights to get involved more than necessary and to die. "Ten dark elves were sighted in the northwestern forest hunting the dire wolves. Though the Alpha seems to be calm, and unresponsive, it isn''t a threat at this time." "I see. Very well, prepare the troops for combat. Gather our mages as well. They may prove useful in battle against the elves." "Understood, sir." "W-Wait¡ª" The lord suddenly noticed the report and realised this wouldn''t be a simple mission. He gazed through the notes while muttering to himself, which caused the knight in chain mail to sweat heavily. "Prepare to work with that so-called hero, he needs to earn the money we''ve been siphoning to fund his lifestyle. Ensure that he isn''t allowed to slack off and send him to deal with the dragon situation." The Lord''s lips curled into a calculative smile, before tapping his desk. "Since you''ve rushed here, make sure you get a drink and take some time off before you leave. Good work, Sir Patrick." "Yes, my lord!" The man turned and left immediately after receiving his orders from the city lord of Astrea. Afterwards, the lord stood from his seat and strolled over to an expensive liquor cabinet that a master carpenter with glass windows had crafted. He gazed out at the beautiful city of Astrea, a place where most people came to fulfil their dreams and ambitions. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Another day in paradise," he murmured before pouring himself a glass of fine wine from his private collection. He sipped it slowly as he watched the sun rise above the horizon on such a lovely day, completely oblivious to what lay ahead. "Such rubbish¡­ I have so much work to take care of because of these so-called heroes and adventurers. "At least mercenaries accept any mission for money and don''t have an inflated sense of ego or self-worth." The city lord''s gaze narrowed, fears of the unknown rising in his heart, as if something was watching him. "I can only hope we can wipe them out¡­ or find a path of mutual survival." Far away, two young children ran around a lush green forest. One was a little boy who seemed to be 10 years old, while the other was a girl who looked like she was around 5. This area to the west of Arlet village is normally safe for children today. However, a low growl from the bushes preceded a pair of golden, bloodshot eyes. "Paul¡­ we need to run!" said the child to her brother. "What? Why? You''re just scared, Mary. There are no monsters here." Paul laughed and pointed to the sign that read ''safe zone.'' This sign told the villagers where they could hunt safely without worrying about monsters attacking them. However, these were children, unable to assess the situation properly. "A-Are you sure, Paul?" The girl gazed at the bloodshot eyes, hoping for them to vanish. The pair made a mistake. The beast didn''t move; instead, it watched its prey cautiously. The sound of bushes rustling filled the air as the creature emerged from hiding and revealed itself to be an enormous wolf-like monster covered in fur and with razor-sharp fangs dripping saliva onto However, just after the first sound¡­ another followed before a third pair rapidly appeared. Three wolves, all eyeing their prey. Their gazes shifted between the two children, evaluating whether one would provide more food than the other. They were not enormous creatures but still towered above the children because of being twice their size. "Bother¡­ I''m scared." "It''ll be okay Patty! I will keep you safe." A deep breath echoed out. "P-Please stay away¡­" Mary grabbed Paul''s hand and tried to pull him away. As they backed up, she glanced around nervously, searching for a way out. "T-There!" She called out, noticing a clearing in the forest where there weren''t any trees or plants growing nearby, and the village was a straight sprint to get there. A childish mind lacked the sufficient growth and development to find traps, or deceit. "There are no trees! If we run over there then maybe we won''t get eaten by those wolves!" "O-Okay!" As if enchanted with magic, the pair grasped each other''s hands and fled from the wolves. Not long after, they found themselves in a storage portion of the forest, covered in cuts and bruises while gasping for air. However, this didn''t last long, as a howl followed by several more sounded from the surrounding trees. In front of them stood a massive pack of wolves. "Paul, what do we do?" Thud! The loud bang of something coming out of the woods startled both children. A single, enormous wolf emerged from the foliage. Its dark grey fur shimmered slightly in the sunlight. It was clear who was leading this group. "M-Mommy¡­" "Save me!" The pair of children trembled as the wolf, missing an eye, with a scar across its cheek, stared them down. It growled menacingly before taking slow steps towards the pair. With nowhere to run, they cowered together. Tears streamed down their faces as they waited for death to claim them. This event would cause a domino effect, drawing the entire forest into the false conflict between dark elves, humans, and southern wolves. However, these events were several days in the past. Zafira sat in the dungeon, a beautiful room now filled with various items that improved the area Leonhardt would live in the future. The succubus curled on his throne with closed eyes. She thought about the current situation, something like a weight pressed on her shoulders, making her chest feel tight. Because of the lizards in the north, she spent most of her time training and fighting with the goblins, but the more she spent around them, the ache in her body became worse, wanting to visit Leonhardt. [You''re a lost cause!] Ifrit the dungeon assistant mocked the dungeon master''s aide. "You can''t even touch him so why are you acting so smug?!" [Hehe~ who said I can''t? He just reached his first major evolution!] "What?!" The first major evolution could be considered something like humans coming of age, when they reach eighteen or twenty, depending on the kingdom''s or country''s rules. To a monster or demon it carried the same significance, which caused her to hold back in the past, unsure about whether Leonhardt could do so. "A lesser Chimera with no true master managed to evolve?" [Don''t underestimate him, he will surpass you one day.] Zafira didn''t dislike this thought. Somehow, knowing that Leon would surpass her one day made her feel relieved, as if a weight vanished from her shoulders. "But¡­" [Yeah, I know what you mean] The pair''s voices mixed with tinges of worry, concern and a strange sense of jealousy. "Do you think that he''ll lose control this time?" [I do not know, but isn''t that why we exist?] Zafira and Ifrit knew that the first true awakening could become violent and dangerous if someone weren''t there to help guide the newly awakened adult. "I can''t help but worry¡­" [Me too¡­] Chapter 58 - 58: Evolutionary Path I When Leonhardt and Asuka finished their moment of passion, he noticed the familiar voice buzzing in his mind. He then noticed that his partner acted a little strange, before she grabbed his arms and looked up at him confused. "Leo, I heard a strange woman''s voice in my head! She called me a thieving slut!" "¡­" His lips twitched because he knew that they both must have heard Ifrit''s voice, causing him to cover his face with his palm and sigh. "Don''t worry about it, she''s just cranky." [Who is ''just'' cranky, you bastard! How could you get horny and pound that damn lizard?!] ''Oh boy.'' Leonhardt''s lips curled into a bitter smile, realising that Ifrit wasn''t happy, though he didn''t mind. He could act the way he wanted, just like she could. The reason he slept with her was because he wanted to do so after all. ''Can you go easy on her, Ifrit?'' [Haa¡­ why did it turn out like this?] ''Who knows, but this woman is someone I have chosen, can''t you accept her?'' He noticed that despite her sharp tone, Ifrit''s voice wasn''t negative; rather, it gave him a delighted or positive feeling. [Then, you won''t push me away because you slept with her?] Leonhardt''s lips curled into a deep smile. He valued Asuka, but that was a relationship of the flesh and a carnal one. His bond with Ifrit might not be physical yet. However, she guided him, saved him and was the biggest psychological and mental support in his life. ''Without you, I cannot live.'' Neither a lie nor an exaggeration. This was Leonhardt''s true thought. He was still able to keep himself together after everything that happened because of Ifrit''s presence. And even if he wanted to push her away, it wouldn''t work. He felt a warm embrace from within his soul, as a soothing voice spoke in his mind whenever Ifrit spoke to him, even when they argued, or he bullied her. If Asuka was akin to food, to keep him going. Then, Ifrit was the air they needed to survive, while he believed Zafira was the water that quenched his thirst. [Well, if you don''t tease or bully me I can let you go!] ''Then I promise to be nice, even if I tease you. My little flame.'' [Who is little?] ''You!'' Leonhardt suddenly realised that he had forgotten to respond to Asuka and turned to face her. He found the beautiful dragonoid hugging his waist while snoring gently, her tail wrapped around his waist. "You must have been exhausted¡­" Leonhardt smiled warmly before he kissed her on the forehead. Though their meeting was short, the strange sense of companionship he felt towards her couldn''t be denied. "Though I don''t hate Sylvie and Erina¡­ Asuka was always special." [Leon, rest. It''s time for you to choose your evolution. The barrier won''t last forever.] ''So you were the one who made this strange barrier?'' Leonhardt noticed the strange space much sooner, but he couldn''t be sure and instead remained quiet. Though thanks to Ifrit, he could spend all the time winning over a dragon to his side, even if he used seduction and lust. It didn''t matter to him as long as he could make Asuka his. Then the other two would join his mercenary group. That would be better for him because other humans made his skin crawl. They seemed dirty. ''Though a few are acceptable¡­ like the shopkeeper and elf at the tavern.'' ''I wonder what I will turn into.'' His body already underwent many changes since being born into this world, but the serious tone of Ifrit excited him. With the last evolution awakening his Arachne bloodline, he wondered what might happen after copulating with a Dragonoid. Leon closed his eyes. The comfort of Asuka''s warm body, like a soft, squishy quilt, and the sound of her constant breathing, a calming lullaby, helped him fall asleep. A low rumble echoed, and in the darkness something shifted with a crackling sound. A pair of red eyes opened and blinked. They looked down at the ground below and then at its form. Another blink and it stretched out its legs. The eyes were Leonhardt''s. Leonhardt found himself in a strange world. Darkness enveloped the distant horizon, but a beautiful golden flame danced around him, as if to keep the darkness and cold away. He saw himself as a large black spider, though there was no fear or panic. Instead, it felt strangely natural, as if he belonged in this place. Then a moment later, his stomach tickled and twisted, before he stood tall, with feathered black wings, and twisted horns, with a sinister magic coursing through his body. This wasn''t something he knew. It felt different, like an evil and more sinister force than his usual Djinn''s mana. ''It feels comfortable¡­'' He thought before he took a step forward, only for his form to twist and distort before he turned into a large black dragon with red highlights across his body. "This feels good too." Leonhardt looked down at his new draconic body and chuckled. His scales were sleek and sharp, almost like razors. He had a long serpentine neck and a maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. Behind his head were large curved horns that looked dangerous. This wasn''t the end, however, as a moment later, his body turned back into a human. Only for Leonhardt to look down and find his hands covered in pale white skin and fleshy palms and an ethereal beauty that surpassed his current self. He did not feel strange or like this person was someone else, but a part of himself. "You''ve finally arrived?" Woosh! A flicker of flames filled the darkness, his form melting into the golden light before returning to the usual Leonhardt. "It''s our first time meeting in person, right?" From the embers of fire, a mesmerising woman formed, her hair orange, as if made of flames, pitch-black sclera with a golden amber iris, and then her body¡­ although short, she was different. Her body was wreathed in flames but shaped like the goddess of lust and desire, with wide hips that curved around a plump and deadly rump and a pair of ripe watermelons swaying with small nubs. The voice carried a distinct charm. Fiery and filled with passion and desire, her every movement, even the way she walked, controlled the movement of flames and heat. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I am Ifrit, pleased to meet you. Leonhardt." Chapter 59 - 59: Evolutionary Path II He couldn''t move, fixated on her naked form, his eyes opened wide, almost forgetting to breathe, the image he saw briefly a short while ago not standing before him, her head gazing up from his chest level. "I-Ifrit¡­" "What''s the matter, am I too captivating for you to handle?" Her smile was sweet yet wild, charmingly expressive as she poked out her tongue and giggled. This was his little flame? His mind reeled in disbelief, unable to comprehend that this beautiful woman was his little flame. "I want to touch you." Ifrit''s mouth gaped open to his sudden words, before she turned away, with flames flickering from her cheeks as she blushed with a soft nod. "You can." "Really?" "Yes. But first, let me tell you about your evolution path!" Ifrit snapped her fingers, creating several illusions of different monsters. The Spider, the Strange Djinn with horns¡­ the dragon and the beautiful fairy. As he stared at them, each creature stirred emotions within him. The spider reminded him of hunting in the darkness, his vision and the strange skills that made Asuka enjoy many a blissful night. The strange figure with horns was a monster he didn''t know. It had a humanoid shape, similar to the Djinn, but more monstrous, with large curved horns and a pair of twisted wings. Its magic and endless hunger for desires made Leonhardt seek its figure¡ªa sort of liberation for him with lacking desires. Then the huge black dragon with red scales across its stomach that resembled Asuka''s. A beautiful yet ferocious beast whose destructive power was beyond anything he could imagine. He could soar across the sky, destroying enemies beneath his feet, but this form felt less compatible with his human form. Or maybe he lacked the strength to wield it just yet¡­ Then finally the beautiful figure, his face more perfect than now, a gaze filled with mystery as magic circles danced around with the flick of its palms. There was a sense of mastery over all magic, but also a lack of physical prowess compared to the other forms. It seemed to be a being that transcended the limits of mortal races, something akin to divinity. "Ifrit, what do you mean by choosing an evolutional path?" She stepped closer. As he questioned, he could feel the burning heat, yet it didn''t cause fear or make him avoid it. Leonhardt''s hands reached out and embraced her body, smaller than Asuka, yet she emanated warmth and familiarity. "You can choose which one will become your base. So far, you have been stuck in your human form, but with my help, you can transform into any of these creatures." "I can only pick one?" He whispered, both hands tracing the woman''s cheek, his voice low and raspy. Ifrit''s body undulated and flickered with intense flames, the more he teased her. Leon half expected her to push him away, and become shy, yet she clutched him back, wrapping both arms around him. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Do you not want to pick one?" A seductive and quiet whisper as if her voice caressed his ears. "Hm¡­" Leonhardt''s hands continued exploring Ifrit''s fiery body, fascinated by how each touch revealed another part of her unique existence. His fingertips traced along the contours of her hips, where he noticed a subtle shift in texture ¨C from the smooth, warm expanse of her skin to a slightly raised ridge that ran along the crest of her hipbone. As he followed this intriguing line, he discovered it wasn''t just a single feature; it branched out into smaller, intricate patterns that decorated her skin like delicate embroidery. "Leon." She moaned his name. "Little Flame, you''re so beautiful." "You don''t mean that, compared to the other women I am but a hideous flame." She looked away, causing him to pull her close. His hand grasped her chin, lifting her face and staring deep into her golden eyes. "Ifrit, you are perfect the way you are. This flame is comforting and warm, not hideous or scary." "But¡ª" Leonhardt didn''t let her speak again, instead closing the gap between them and placing his lips onto hers. It was a kiss that surprised even himself, driven by an urge that he couldn''t resist. The subtle kiss lasted a few moments before Ifrit pulled away, her flames becoming intense as she pointed at him with a hand on her hips. "Y-You, that was dangerous. My flame is that of destruction. You could have vanished!" She glared at him, causing Leon to chuckle and step forward once more, pressing his body against her. "I didn''t vanish, so it doesn''t matter, does it? You tasted like strawberries." "Ack! Don''t tease me!" His eyes narrowed, leaning close to her ear, before he whispered in a low, husky voice. "I would rather not choose, so what option is there for me, my lovely Ifrit?" Ba-Dump! Sizzle! The flames of Ifrit roared, and the distant darkness vanished, now replaced with vibrant, illuminating flames. An existence created of fire, the goddess feared and shunned by all others, dreaded for her destructive nature. Now being seduced and flirted with by a mere chimera! Leonhardt smiled warmly. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him tight, while her head pressed against his chest, her body trembling. "W-What are you doing, you fool?" "Comforting you." "U-Ugh¡­ Leon, you''re supposed to choose." "Well, then I choose you." "!!!" He didn''t wait, nor did he give her time to think or respond. It wasn''t a lie or a joke because, since entering this world, this woman had guided and protected him, who knew nothing and acted stupidly. "To have me, you must become a god." "A God?" he mused, though he remained confused because he knew little about gods, and Ifrit picked up on this. "Gods are powerful beings who control the very fabric of reality itself, wielding unimaginable power and influence. I am the master of all destructive flames." She held on to him tightly, not letting go. "Then why don''t I do the same, and become the god of all Chimeras, taking all forms and accepting all paths, not half-heartedly, but completely stealing and absorbing the characteristics as I evolve!" His confident tone caused Ifrit''s eyes to widen, her lips trembling as she tried to find words. "B-But how?" "That is your job, Little Flame! I know you can do this, or you wouldn''t have given me the choice, right?" "We will face punishment, Leon." "Then, let''s accept it together." Her eyes showed sadness, yet a flicker of hope blossomed, a feeling that warmed his heart and made him smile. As he stroked her hair, a strange energy began to swirl around them. Leonhardt knew his request made Ifrit suffer. It wasn''t fair, but to become stronger. He felt this was the most intelligent path, even if he must face hardships and judgement. "Promise me something, make an oath. Leonhardt." A serious expression on her face, her voice grave and calm. "What is it?" "Never betray me, never leave my side, even if everyone rejects us, promise to stay with me forever, and I will break the rules of creation." "I swear, Ifrit. You will be by my side for eternity." He didn''t have any choice, and Leon never intended to part with Ifrit. His mind returned the moment before he became sentient, that strange warmth that enveloped and protected his soul, even before he became a dungeon master. Without Ifrit, he would have fizzled into that darkness. Thus, this was his only path. "You are such an idiot. Then I shall make an oath to you, my foolish little chimera." "I swear upon my divine essence to grant you the gift of Divinity, your ability shall allow you to embrace all transformations and evolutions without restraint, and I, the origin of fire, Ifrit, will never betray you, abandon you, or act maliciously towards you. Even if I must forsake everything else, you will remain my sole partner until my final breath." Snap! A bright light enveloped them both, as Leonhardt felt a powerful force tugging at his soul. "Brace yourself¡­ my fire isn''t so easily shared." Ifrit teased as she stroked Leon''s cheek. He noticed his crimson flame seeping into Ifrit''s body, while her golden fire wrapped around him like a blanket and softly caressed his figure before the fire seeped into his flesh. The next moment, the true agony began. Chapter 60 - 60: Spouse of the First Flame Leonhardt''s eyes widened the moment Ifrit''s flame plunged into his flesh, a soundless scream forming on his lips. The flames spread through his organs and muscles instantly, and the blazing heat seared his insides. He didn''t even have an opportunity to think that it hurt or register the heat. He couldn''t breathe, and his body began to convulse. His heart stopped beating for a moment, only to hammer wildly in his chest as if to make up for lost time. The blood in his body evaporated, replaced by something new, something hot, something that wasn''t supposed to be there. It was like he''d swallowed molten iron. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed on the spot, unable to even scream. "That''s it, such a passionate flame, it''s so hot and affectionate." Ifrit''s cheeks flickered with embers, as the red flames of Leonhardt wrapped around her body, caressing her skin. Ifrit parted her lips with strands of molten saliva bubbling into thin strands, creating a hot sigh as she gasped. Leonhardt''s flames poured into her mouth and down her throat. Her body glowed from the inside out, every part of her flesh burning with a bottomless thirst. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She could feel the fire deep within her core, and she knew that this was what she had been missing all along. "Ugh¡­" Meanwhile, the veins under Leonhardt''s skin throbbed and bulged as they were filled with boiling blood. Leonhardt''s entire body felt like it was about to explode. He couldn''t move or think straight. All he could do was writhe in agony as his body burned from the inside out. The flames of origin tempered his body and mind, destroying the soft flesh and tissues under her destructive flame while rapidly regenerating a moment later, stronger, more resilient, and fire-resistant. "Leonhardt, you must endure this." His eyes opened slightly, allowing him to see her vague figure. Leon''s lips curved into a smile, and golden fire billowed from his mouth. His body was burning up, but he was still alive. Ifrit watched him with a look of concern on her face, but there was also something else in her gaze: admiration. "To accept my flame with a smile, fufu¡­ you damned fool." This transformation and evolution would shape his future, the monster he would become and could become. The potential that lay dormant within him would be unleashed, and he could achieve greatness beyond his wildest dreams. He would conquer any obstacle that stood in his way and fulfil whatever desire he held when creating their oath. "I''m no fool¡­" Leonhardt''s lips trembled, a voice slipping through his swollen lips. He stepped forward, and an imposing form flashed around his body. The dark and insidious spider, with black streaks, gazed upon Ifrit for several moments, eight ruby eyes filled with a malevolent light. Once that form vanished, another appeared, different but just as fearsome¡ªa devilish image of a handsome male with twisted horns and sharp fangs draped in a cloak of raven feathers. This creature looked at Ifrit with a twisted smirk on its face before disappearing again. Then came the third form, which seemed to be influenced by Asuka. The black dragon towered over Ifrit, her small body barely the same size as its sharp toe claw. "Amazing¡­" Ifrit''s heart raced as she saw these forms flash before her eyes. Each one was as powerful as the last, and each one represented a part of Leonhardt''s soul and potential. Her gaze never left his figure for a moment, while she bit her lower lip and felt her heart race. She knew that this man was destined for greatness, and she wanted nothing more than to help him achieve it. The transformation moved on. This time, he became something different¡ªa unique monster, an ancient elf named a Fae Lord. Their figures were ethereal and inspired the current stories and tales of the ancient fairies and greater spirits. A Fae Lord was a mythical being that had been born from the union of a Fae and an elemental spirit. They were incredibly rare and highly sought after by those who wished to gain their power or knowledge. Though later in their existence, they became sought after for their beauty. "After all, Leonhardt is too beautiful." Leonhardt''s consciousness collapsed after the final form was shown. The flame of Ifrit helped him evolve further, removing the limits of his race and becoming something new. She watched as the flames consumed him, transforming him into something else entirely. His body grew larger, his muscles rippling beneath his skin, and his features sharpened. The next moment, the Red and golden flames intersected, wrapping around his body like rose petals, folding around his larger form, slowly shrinking, and reforming Leonhardt towards an ideal shape to handle all his forms and future growth. "When you wake up¡­ everything will be over, my dear partner." Ifrit tapped his cheek. The flames were nothing but a gentle warmth to her touch. "I''ll make sure there is nothing in your path." This transformation changed Leonhardt. He became a special and unique type of chimera with a title. This means that he became close to the Alpha wolf in the forest and a ''Silver Elite'' monster by human standards. "Now then¡­ I should help that little girl, since you''ve already marked her." Ifrit''s body vanished, before appearing in the mind of Asuka, who sat curled up in the darkness. Since Ifrit became Leonhardt''s first woman, thanks to them signing an oath of marriage and fate, she couldn''t leave Asuka alone anymore. "I am the first, so I should be generous with the Second." ''Though the second should have been Zafira''s spot, she took too long to even realise her feelings.'' The origin of fire stepped forward and touched Asuka''s sweaty forehead, which trembled in the darkness. Ifrit found her body cold to the touch, almost like ice. "Do not fear the transformation, child." Asuka opened her eyes, looking at Ifrit with a tired expression, her eyes dull and lifeless. She said nothing, and just stared at Ifrit blankly, but the silence became too unbearable, and Asuka broke. "W-Who?" Asuka asked softly. "I''m the one who will save you, and let you remain beside him forever," Ifrit said with a smile. Asuka looked at Ifrit with suspicion, but she didn''t move away from her touch. The words that this strange spirit told her made Asuka''s heart flutter, pounding heavily in her chest. "What do you mean?" Asuka asked. "You''re strong, but you cannot endure the fire that will reform your body, but if you accept me, I can save you and give you what you want most." "Y-You won''t separate us?" "No, I''ll ensure you stay together forever." Asuka hesitated for a moment, but then nodded her head slowly. She trusted this woman because she could feel something familiar about her, something comforting. All flames, and those with an affinity for flames, would feel this sense towards the mother of destructive fire. "Then¡­ rest now, child. I will help you and when you awaken. Protect him well." Ifrit kissed Asuka''s forehead, and her body burst into flames, vanishing from the darkness and returning to the real world. In the real world, Asuka''s body was engulfed in flames, which quickly spread across her body. She then endured the same transformation that Leonhardt endured, but instead of turning into a chimera. The monster that appeared before her was a huge red dragon with crimson-red scales and golden eyes. Yet, she was much smaller than the dragon Leonhardt transformed into. The process was painful, but it was also liberating. Chapter 61 - 61: Awakening Time passed inside the magical barrier, with the two people lying in each other''s arms wrapped in two immense flames. The two flames looked similar, one a shade of red, the other azure blue, which was Asuka''s and a little duller than Leonhardt''s. Their bodies shifted in their sleep before, Suddenly, Leonhardt''s eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly. He looked around frantically, trying to get his bearings. His body felt different, stronger, and more powerful than ever before. His long black hair seemed to have grown, now fluttering at his back, while his red eyes became sharper and more vivid. The most distinctive change was the red scales across his abdomen, a single line, like a tattoo. It wasn''t just his appearance that had changed; his entire being felt different. He turned his head and saw Asuka sleeping beside him, her body still wrapped in flames. "You look great." A deep, sultry voice echoed, similar but a little more baritone from his previous tone. Leonhardt stood up and stretched, feeling his muscles flex and contract with a fresh strength. He looked down at his hands and clenched them into fists. They felt like they could crush stone. "It feels weird¡­" His body seemed stronger, but his muscles shrank slightly, as if he had become a condensed flame tightly packed and ready to explode. Leonhardt''s height remained the same, but his overall balance seemed more perfect and adjusted. "You are welcome," Ifrit said with a smirk. Leonhardt turned his head and saw Ifrit standing behind him, a tiny fairy-sized girl sitting on his shoulder. Her naked body glistened with sweat. She smiled at him seductively, her eyes filled with desire. "You need to grow over one hundred centimetres to seduce me, wench." "Y-You!" Ifrit pouted and crossed her arms under her bountiful chest, glaring at him angrily. She didn''t like being teased or mocked by anyone, especially not by this man whom she considered her husband. Yet, this was also how they normally spoke together. Leonhardt chuckled and shook his head. He knew she was just playing around, and he enjoyed teasing her. "You''ll have to return once we leave this place, right?" Leonhardt asked. "Yes, I''m only here because you were unconscious. Once you awaken, I''ll disappear again." Ifrit sighed and floated closer to him. She reached out and touched his cheek gently. "I''m already awake though?" "D-Don''t push me away, how long will it be before I can touch your cheek again?" Ifrit pouted. Leonhardt sighed and let her do as she pleased, knowing that it would be better to humour her than argue with her. Besides, he liked having her around, even if she was annoying every so often. He also understood just how much Ifrit did for him, asking nothing in return. "Thank you," Leonhardt whispered. Ifrit blushed and smiled shyly. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek softly before disappearing into thin air. "Idiot¡­" "Phew¡­" "Nngh¡­ Leo¡­ Leo¡­" Asuka''s face scrunched up, her lips twisting in a grimace, and her brow furrowing. "Asuka, wake up." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt knelt and touched her forehead, finding it hot to the touch. "She''s burning up." Asuka''s body began to convulse, and her breathing became ragged and uneven¡ªnot because of the heat but the sudden changes that appeared before Leonhardt''s very eyes. Her nose became more pointed, and the scales on her cheeks more formed and sleek. The shape of her facial structure seemed to have changed. Now with a high nose bridge and round forehead, pretty, plump lips, and a sharp V-shaped jaw. The most noticeable change was her horns, which normally only showed at rare moments. Now, they naturally grew longer and thicker, curving backward towards the sky. Her ears also became pointy and elongated, resembling an elf''s but with a scale across the ear''s helix. "Mm¡­" A puff of azure fire shot from her nose when she snorted. "She looks good." Asuka slowly opened her eyes, blinking several times before focusing on Leonhardt''s face. She looked confused for a moment before recognition dawned on her features. "Leonhardt, I feel strong!" Asuka exclaimed excitedly as she sat up abruptly. She looked down at her hands and flexed them experimentally. They felt different, stronger, and more powerful than ever before. However, Leon''s eyes narrowed. He noticed her breasts became slightly fuller and swayed with a heavy weight, while her waist shrank, making her hips look wider and more prominent. "You look great too," Leonhardt said with a smile. Asuka blushed and looked away shyly. "Don''t be so perverted!" "Haha, okay, get dressed." "Mm¡­" Her gaze lingered on his muscular chest as she bit her lower lips, slowly dragging her teeth along them, unable to stop watching his figure while he slowly dressed himself. ''It seems she likes the improvements.'' Leon mused to himself, before wrapping his armour with a black and red robe, an eastern style like Asuka''s, but when he hid himself with a robe, he smiled at the reflection in the Magic Mirror. ''It really makes me look weaker, as my muscles are hidden.'' [Haha! Of course, you''ve been sculpted by me.] The voice of Ifrit sounded haughtier than usual in Leon''s ears, but he couldn''t help but smile to himself, knowing that she half-tricked him with the oath. However, he didn''t mind, as he knew she had done it for his good. Not to mention, being in such a partnership with the origin of destructive fire was something no one else could dream of. ''What do you mean?'' [From the moment I met you and helped your soul come to this world, and survive.] [I have been grooming your soul and body to match my tastes, fufu.] [That''s why I stole such a valuable soul from that damned Archmage!] ''So this is your taste in men?'' He couldn''t help but smirk to himself as he looked at his reflection in the mirror once more, admiring his new appearance. He knew that if anyone saw him like this, they would think he was some sort of beauty god or demon king incarnate. ''Well, I cannot deny you have good taste, but you cannot have anyone else.'' [Ack! Saying that, with such a deep voice, this isn''t fair!] ''Behave, Ifrit.'' [Nn¡­] Somehow, since the pair met in that strange realm, he noticed the changes in Ifrit''s behaviour. ''It''s not like I remember my past self that much, anyway.'' Leonhardt didn''t mind, he only made a joke to tease Ifrit. His past life didn''t matter because this new one gave him so much to enjoy. Now that he found a significant goal, to develop his dungeon further and then take the first step to becoming worthy of Ifrit. ''I will conquer this basin, Astrea basin will be the heart of our empire, Ifrit.'' Chapter 62 - 62: The Mysterious barrier. "Wait¡­" suddenly Leon''s body shuddered, and he started to look around, before wondering why it was still night. "How long has passed since we entered here?" He couldn''t understand. Evolution normally lasted close to twelve hours, and since defeating that monster, he couldn''t see the sun rising yet, which confused him. Not only did he sleep with Asuka twice, but they also slept¡­ before evolving. That''s quite some time that should have passed! Asuka''s body froze, slowly turning to face him with her mouth opened wide. "Did they leave without us?!" [You don''t need to worry so much.] Ifrit''s voice echoed in both of their minds. Thanks to the evolution, Asuka became part of the dungeon system like Zafira, but she was close to an exception and didn''t need to obey the rules much like Ifrit herself. "Eh? There''s a voice in my mind¡­ but it''s so familiar." "Calm down, Ifrit. That''s my most cherished helper, Ifrit. You can respond in your mind, and she will hear it." ¡ºLike This?¡» ''Hmm? I can hear you too. Ifrit, what''s going on?'' [Haha, well, you both evolved at the same time with my help, so of course we''ve become united at a deep level.] ¡ºHaha, that sounds really erotic¡­ have you also slept with Leo?¡» The two started speaking energetically. While Asuka''s raspy voice contrasted with the melodic tone of Ifrit, Leonhardt couldn''t help but appreciate what she did for him. This meant that he could now communicate with Asuka during battles and hunts, avoiding danger to her. However, he also wondered what would happen if he slept with someone else. [We can hear your lewd thought!] ¡ºWhy sleep with someone else when I''ll let you fuck a dragon?¡» [Asuka, don''t let him off so easily!] ¡ºEh¡­ but it feels wonderful. Haven''t you done it yet, Ifrit?¡» [O-Of C-Course, this benevolent and mighty older sister has done it before!] Leonhardt''s lips trembled, curling into a smile as Ifrit started bragging about her experience and skills, but he knew from her actions earlier that it was likely a ruse. But he didn''t let his thoughts become too big, letting her keep this credit in front of Asuka. [Anyway! The barrier that wraps around your area of the forest is something special.] ''Oh?'' He sat close to Asuka, who wore a thin robe. She leaned against his chest, her eyes peered at him like a hungry beast. "Hey~ Leo?" she whispered while rubbing against his neck with her nose, a slight chill running along Leonhardt''s neck each time she sniffed his scent. "You smell fantastic." "Thanks, you smell quite delicious yourself. Maybe I should eat you later." "Fufu, why later¡­ I am ready for a full course, right now." [The Item is something that Zafira bought for you.] [Here, look at the faint black dome, and focus on your mirror.] [Because it''s far from the dungeon, she used a special item when I told her you might be in danger.] The display in front of him changed, thanks to the special items that allowed him to check the dungeon screen, about his goblins and the other troops. ''I should visit Gobbolas when I get the chance, I miss him.'' [One-Use Item] Chrono-Veil [Rank A] A Time Dilation Artefact. Cost: 1000 DP per hour. For every hour in the outside world, a day passes inside the barrier. Nothing can penetrate the barrier, and people will not look for you unless an emergency occurs. The moment he heard about the item, Leonhardt''s eyes widened. The cost seemed expensive, and this wasn''t even the upfront cost. ''Who paid for the barrier?'' ¡ºHmm, seems like I cannot see this.¡» "Sorry, Asuka." "Nn~ it''s alright, not like I care much." [Zafira¡­ she bought the initial item with her remaining DP and then went out to hunt for more, to maintain it for at least two days.] Immediately after hearing her name, Leonhardt''s chest fluttered, his heart thumping as he wondered why Zafira, who rarely seemed to care about him, would help so much. A thousand DP might not have seemed like much, but someone bound to the dungeon could only kill low-level monsters that offered a small amount. [Yeah, you should really think about contacting her. Don''t tell her I told you too though.] ¡ºSister Ifrit, is this Zafira one of his other women?¡» Leonhardt tuned out of the conversation between the dragon and the fire elemental. Instead, he tapped the dungeon list and noticed all the things that Zafira finished in the past two days. He then realised that the battle, his copulation, and evolution took two days, and today was the third. His eyes closed, disconnecting from Ifrit and Asuka, before using the communication line personally for Zafira¡­ The tone continued slowly, echoing in his mind before finally, a sleepy and slightly cold voice responded. [What''s the matter, Dungeon Master?] ''I''m sorry for waking you up.'' There was silence for a moment before Zafira replied. [It''s fine, I was just resting. What do you need?] Zafira''s tone tightened his chest. Though she worked so hard for him, collecting over 3000 DP within three hours, he just enjoyed himself and evolved, earning nothing. ''I apologise for causing you trouble, thank you for helping me.'' There was another pause before Zafira spoke again. Her words were soft and gentle, almost like a mother comforting her child. [Don''t worry about it, I''m happy to help.] Normally, they would argue or have something more to say. Leonhardt was nervous that she could be so soft and gentle. Though he didn''t mind it, there was something wrong, and he wanted to fix it. ''I slept with Asuka.'' [Are you an idiot who can''t control his cock?] ''No, but it happened.'' There was an instant response, as she shouted in his mind, a strange response¡­ while the sound of something slamming against the ground echoed in the background of their call. She sounded angry and hurt. He didn''t know what angered her, but he felt bad for upsetting her. ''Sorry.'' Another pause followed, but this time, Zafira didn''t reply immediately. Instead, he heard a deep sigh coming from her side of the connection. [I''m hanging up.] ''Wait!'' ''What''s wrong? Is there something that upset you, Zafira?'' [¡ªI''m hanging up.] The connection cut off abruptly, leaving Leonhardt feeling even worse than before. Normally, Zafira didn''t react like that, their conversations full of banter or give and take. Somehow, his stomach dropped and the thought that the lovely succubus started hating him crossed his mind. He didn''t want that. Asuka looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. "Is everything okay?" Leonhardt shook his head. "No, it''s not. I think I made Zafira angry." "Hmmm¡­" [It will be fine, I will speak with her for you, just make some time to visit the dungeon] This time, Ifrit responded with an encrypted communication, though Asuka knew of the dungeon. Ifrit didn''t want to cause friction for Leonhardt because of women. Thus, she took this precaution. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Will you really?'' [Of course, so go back and complete your task. Don''t rely on that item too long¡­] ''Okay, then take care, we''ll head back to the others now.'' "Asuka, shall we prepare to head back?" Ifrit explained that only a few hours had passed. "Ah, yes, she did." Asuka nodded, her tight muscles showing as she stretched her body, and prepared to leave, flicking her golden gaze towards him several times. Leonhardt stood up and stretched his muscles, feeling refreshed and energised. "I hope those guards don''t give us trouble¡­" "Hahaha, Why did you curse it, Leo? Chapter 63 - 63: The Worried Succubus Zafira wore the robes Leon stole from a noble like a quilt. She sat alone in a dark throne room, lounging on Leon''s upgraded and shiny new throne. She chose a smooth black marble, with milky white streams that sparkled like stars. Her hand swiped over the luminous purple flame that flickered in the centre of the room. "Haa¡­ why did I avoid him?" A plump black rabbit sat on her lap while sniffing the air. The soothing scent of jasmine and violets filled the throne room, from the flickering candles on each wall. Not long after, Leonhardt gave her permission to do so. Zafira started upgrading Leon''s bedroom and the dungeon''s throne room. She worked herself to the bone, earning extra DP to buy the best items to improve the rooms so that Leonhardt might be happy. Or maybe that was just her excuse. ''Will he come home soon?'' Though she could purchase items that might improve dark magic, all the items and upgrades boosted the strength of fire and wind elemental magic. She also chose the best items to help relieve fatigue and stress. Zafira bought a special barrier generator to protect Leonhardt. This purchase came from the rare item shop and cost her over 10,000 DP. To afford that purchase, she entered the demon empire''s territory, at the risk of being found. All to fight powerful monsters above level 50 that would help her gain more DP. ''Each time I think of that idiot¡­ my mind becomes chaotic and my chest heavy, like someone filled it with stones, what''s wrong with me?'' The generator hid inside Leonhardt''s room to prevent people from sneaking in and attacking him or the Dungeon Crystal that she had moved into his room to keep the dungeon safe. "Haa¡­" With a long sigh, she flicked her black hair, frustration building inside her. The pink aura that oozed from her body when angry, or frustrated, constantly increased, no matter how often she fought against enemies. "L-Leon¡­" Zafira huffed her master''s name with an inaudible murmur the moment after her chest thumped. Pow! Her fist punched a small, square teddy with Leonhardt''s face. A low poof sounded rapidly as she punched it with a flurry of violent blows. "Idiot!" "Leonhardt¡­" The purple lights illuminated, brightening the room after she muttered his name. Her cheeks turning pink as she flicked her gaze to the sudden intruder who lit the room. "Damn fly, what do you want Ifrit?" The small fairy flame hovered while gazing at the succubus with a soft look. "He slept with her, Zafira." Ifrit''s low, furious tone filled with jealousy echoed in the room, causing Zafira''s body to tremble and her pupils to shrink. Her tail slapped against the throne like a whip as she gasped, struggling to breathe for a moment. ''I know¡­'' ''I knew¡­'' ''But I wish it were a lie!'' Despite knowing the truth, and pretending to have no feelings about it, she found out in the most vile and horrible fashion. Zafira called Leonhardt, but he sounded strange, and there was an echo in the background. However, she bought the first barrier and excitedly called him, only to hear a woman moaning and the rhythmic slapping of flesh. Then Leonhardt''s grunts echoed in her mind. The shock stopped Zafira from speaking. As if someone had grabbed and squeezed her heart, she lost control of her emotions and quickly closed the call. ''His voice sounded so happy¡­'' "I know, but what does it have to do with us what our Master does?" Zafira''s lips trembled with each word, masking her true feelings with a quivering voice as her hands gripped the stone throne, shattering the marble arms into dust. She then covered her face with both hands, unable to stop the rampaging fire inside her. The thought of him sleeping with another woman caused the pink aura to burst out, wrapping around her horns. Then it clung to her skin, biting into her flesh as she released a lovely, yet seductive sigh from her plump lips. A pulsing crackle of purple energy arced from her twisted horns, her eyes became dull as she tried to stop her body from trembling in rage. "Why do you deny your growing feelings?" "S-Shut up¡­" "You''ll lose your mind if you don''t tell him, don''t forget you''re a succubus. Don''t let your jealous feelings become obsession." Because Ifrit completed the oath with Leonhardt, she would rather not push Zafira further. When she looked at Zafira, her gaze no longer contained the mockery, or amusement of the past, but became gentle, filled with worry and concern. "M-Make sure you don''t regret it, Zafira." She couldn''t stand to see Zafira like this and soon vanished, with one final lingering gaze fixated on the succubus. However, Zafira lifted her head slowly the moment she left. Her eyes became bright gold, tiny slit pupils with a hint of insanity as they shook. Zafira''s smile became twisted and her usual stylish and beautiful smile vanished, replaced by sharp fangs and a vast, monstrous mouth. The delicate form now gone, replaced with a true monster. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s already, far too late to worry about that." Zafira climbed from Leon''s throne, her gaze towards the north as her bones cracked. With each step, her height increased, along with her muscle mass. Although she didn''t become huge, but maintained a sensual body, it was a sight to see. "I guess it''s time to crush some insects to let off steam." Zafira was a special type of succubus. Despite being born to the seductive race that tempted men and devoured their vital energy, she was a variant known for its combat power and named a berserker. She didn''t understand when Leonhardt became this important to her, but now her overwhelming jealousy crippled Zafira. Maybe it was each time he messaged her before sleeping. He asked about her day and then listened to her ideas about the dungeon. "Leon, I cannot forget your face even in my dreams." A low, husky voice filled with a sultry tone echoed as she reached out, stroking his throne, the faint scent of him lingering on her body as she wrapped herself in his robe. The moment she passed the shimmering entrance stones made of a beautiful pale white stone. Zafira noticed her reflection, a tall, muscular figure with a plump pair of lips and a mouth which spread wide. The cause of her past bullying, called a wide-mouthed halfbreed. This face became a source of her insecurity after meeting Ifrit and seeing the other women through the crystals. "The princess of demons shouldn''t be like this¡­ falling for a chimera? I must be crazy." Meanwhile, back in the Munat forest three hours passed in the real world. After Leonhardt and Asuka celebrated their new evolution for an extra day, they headed towards the camp. They were surprised to see that the same cooking goods and items remained stacked up. "Isn''t it amazing? We spent so long in there¡­ together, yet it''s been three hours." "I know, but it seems obvious. Because you look much more radiant now, haha." Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire However, when the other adventurers and guards noticed them, they made vulgar remarks. "Wow, this freak enjoys fucking that lizard chick!" "Damn, such an ugly bitch¡­ I bet her pussy is loose!" "Hehe, maybe we should show her how a real man fucks!" Asuka''s ears twitched at those words. Her eyes narrowed as she walked with a slight limp, her nose flaring with blue flames because of their annoying words. "Well, doesn''t she look pretty now, her skin is so smooth and radiant?" One man whispered something strange, causing Leonhardt''s eyes to narrow. His hand gripped Asuka tighter as he gritted his teeth in anger. ''Should I kill them?'' "Well¡­ they both look different." The archer muttered while maintaining his bow. Then his partner added, in a dirty tone, spitting on the floor while glaring at Leon and Asuka. "Heh, they probably just went into the forest to fuck like beasts! Imagine picking a dirty lizard over that sweet elf." "Shut it¡­ did you forget how strong they are?" Leonhardt and Asuka ignored them, but the insults caused Leonhardt to tighten his grip on Asuka''s waist. He pulled her closer, and she pressed her head against his chest. ''I want to kill them.'' ¡ºI will crush their eyes!¡» When the pair heard each other''s voices with so much power, they turned to each other and curled their lips into a smile. "Mm, you''re so cute. My dear master." "Who is your master, Seductive little dragon." Her hand slipped across his chest, dipping inside his robe as she caressed his muscles, her eyes shining with delight the moment she squeezed them. "You are~ fufu." The two of them continued to flirt, ignoring the others. Asuka''s tail wrapped around Leon''s waist, pulling him closer as she leaned forward and licked his cheek. "Disgusting¡­!" "I''m sick of this shit, let''s get them!" The archer lifted his bow, drew an arrow, and aimed it at the carriage before sweeping his aim towards Leonhardt. Chapter 64 - 64: Culling the Weak Leonhardt snorted, while grasping Asuka''s waist as his gaze sharpened. The adventurers couldn''t hide their filthy nature any longer and attacked. Fwoosh! An arrow flew towards them like a meteor. Leon grabbed Asuka''s waist as she yelled out at the attackers, with blue flames puffing from between her lips. "Bastards¡ªWoah!" Asuka''s voice trembled as Leon lifted her off the ground and jumped back, hiding behind the thick trees beside them. He squeezed the mana from his chest towards his limbs and eyes. ''Let''s kill them, you take those annoying flies to the left. I''ll kill the bastard with a bow.'' ¡ºUnderstood, Leo!¡» The pair split apart like the wind, with one holding a massive axe and the other darting across the ground. Leon''s feet gently tapped the ground, creating tiny vibrations of mana. He didn''t suddenly become faster. No. He used his webbing, infusing it with mana to help boost him along with small bursts of wind. "Get them!" "Attack the monsters!" Three men rushed towards Asuka, her golden eyes sharp and filled with bloodlust, as she gripped her axe tightly. Asuka cleared the distance with her powerful and heavy strides, using her long muscular legs. Thud! "Kill the male first, we should teach the itch a lesson." "Gyhaha one she''ll never forget!" Leonhardt''s ears flickered, his hearing hundreds of times stronger than a normal human. Yet, he ignored their commotion. He narrowed his eyes, zipping along the webbing he prepared before leaving for the lake. Tap Tap Tap ¡ª¡ªTyrant Accel! Woosh! A fierce wind burst around his body. Leon''s eyes glowing with crimson brilliance as the world became slower, his spider eyes focused on the archer alone. The archer''s eyes narrowed, his lips pressed together with enough force to turn them white. He drew the bow in slow motion, a crooked and disgusting grin growing, spreading like a plague across his face. Hop! Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire Leonhardt''s body pressed down, two metres from the target. Mana flooding the webbing below caused it to glow for a moment before it flung him into the air like a rocket. Twang! The bowstring and webbing both sounded at the same time. "Die!" "¡­" The archer growled, believing his shot struck true, but Leonhardt remained silent as the cool evening air blew across his face. He floated in the air and spread his arms. An itchy sensation spread across his back like a blade sliced across the surface. Then suddenly something beautiful unfurled as his robes dropped to his waist, revealing his perfectly toned upper body. Clang! Meanwhile, Asuka''s axe created bright silver sparks with her axe. The moment it smashed the men''s swords, their stances collapsed. "Useless." She snorted at their weak strength, and blue flames swirled around her weapon. Then shoved them away with her improved strength. "Gyaaa!" "Damn it!" Asuka''s tail slammed against the ground, knocking several rocks and debris into the air, before her lips curled, and she slammed the debris at the staggering men with a low bang. She narrowed her eyes, twirling the axe with an amused smile. Then, as the humans shifted away, she stepped forward, terrified. "Die, die, die you damn monster!" The human archer with filthy hair called out many words which made his body glow with various colours, as he shot into the sky, chasing Leonhardt''s figure with his bow. His eyes became bloodshot as he pulled the string back with all his might, aiming for the heart. Twang! Two arrows flew through the air, leaving behind a trail of mana as they sped towards Leonhardt''s chest. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed. The world he saw was now different when using Tyrant Accel. The duration increased as he dived towards the arrows, his body twisting slightly. Shling! He deflected them with the sharp claws of his raven wings, sending them off course and flying into the forest. The arrows landed far away, creating two holes in the trees. "Heh, useless human." The moment Leon snorted and curled his lips into a sneer, the archer''s eyes dilated. Leon enjoyed this bandit hunting, although he didn''t plan to do good in this world. Since these filthy humans messed with his woman and future peons, then he''d grant them a fitting punishment. Death. "How can a monster imitate humans so well?! Why is no one else coming to help us?" Panic set in, causing the man to tremble as he fired another arrow at Leonhardt. This time he used all his remaining strength, but the arrow merely bounced off into the distance, flicked by Leon''s wing harmlessly. "F-Fuck¡­" He dropped to his knees before he watched his comrades with a pale face. "Who''s the dirty bitch now, you little pig''s?" Asuka laughed while slamming her axe into the ground, causing a ripple of flames to spread across the earth. The flames licked at their heels as they retreated backward, unable to get close to her. The three men trembled, with dark patches between their legs. ''Asuka finish them.'' ¡ºBoo~ I was having fun!¡» ''Finish them in ten seconds and I''ll reward you, later.'' ¡ºOh! What kind?¡» ''You''ll have to find out.'' ¡ºI''m going to kill them now!¡» Leon chuckled as he slowly descended from the sky like a dark angel, but instead of bringing light, he brought death. He gazed down at the cowering archer and lifted his right hand, extending his fingertip. When he flicked it, a series of silken webs appeared in the air. "Human, did you enjoy our little game?" He realised the errors in his thoughts during the long evolution with Asuka and Ifrit¡­ Although he could understand humans and might have been one in his past life. Right now, Leon was a monster. He didn''t need to live by their rules, nor would he. But with so many of the weak and pathetic apes existing, would he throw out such a free workforce if most of them remained loyal and humble? ''Weed out the rot, and use the rest¡­ to create his dungeon.'' That was Leon''s conclusion. "You''re not a monster! You''re a devil!" The archer cried out, his voice trembling, as he fumbled for an arrow, but his quiver was empty. When Leon clenched his right hand, the webs wrapped around the trees suddenly tightened around the human. His face turned purple as he struggled to breathe, gasping for air. "Monster, Devil, what does it matter? In the end, you attacked me and my mate." Leonhardt''s eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light as he landed on the ground, his wings folded up neatly behind him. "Please don''t kill me!" The man begged, but Leonhardt just smiled coldly, showing his fangs. "Even if you die, it would be by chance~ can you endure the pressure of my webbing?" Hundreds of sharp, silken webs dug into the archer''s flesh, drawing blood as the human struggled to breathe. It was painful, but not enough to kill him outright. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" The archer screamed, trying desperately to escape, but Leonhardt just watched him struggle with amusement. Because the more he struggled, the tighter and more entangled he became, the cuts became lacerations, and his skin peeled away. The sound of bones cracking filled the air, and the smell of blood permeated the area. The screams of agony echoed through the forest, maybe sending shivers down the spines of the poor forest fairies who heard it. "Phew¡­" Asuka wiped her face covered in blood while returning to find Leonhardt. She held her bloodstained axe over one shoulder while squatting beside him, her eyes glowing golden at the sight before her. "Haha, his cock has become a shredded cocktail sausage." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She pointed at the archer''s groin, which was now nothing more than a bloody mess of flesh and bone. The man was still alive, barely conscious, but he wouldn''t last much longer. "Is this enough, Asuka?" "Huh?" She looked at him with a confused expression, wondering what he might be talking about. "This man insulted you the most. Do you want to kill him or shall I?" "Oh," she said softly, realising what he meant. "No, no, it''s okay. You can do it." Asuka''s cheeks became red as she lowered her face and twisted her foot against the ground, giggling like a fool. Leonhardt stepped forward, his fingertips flicking the webs, causing the archer to scream, a pained shriek that sounded like a dying animal. The spider silk tightened around his body, cutting deeper into his flesh and bones. Crack! Snap! Pop! The man''s limbs snapped like twigs, and his head lolled to one side, lifeless. "I guess we really aren''t human anymore¡­" Asuka''s words echoed in the dark forest, but there was no sadness. Instead, her eyes slowly closed as she leaned her head to the side with a bright smile. "Thank you for choosing me." Leonhardt reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her close to him. "Asuka, let''s go back, the barrier won''t last much longer." "Nn, anywhere with you." They walked back towards the carriage, with the corpses of the bandits they had killed vanishing. Chapter 65 - 65: The Morning After! Leonhardt''s eyes flicked to the display in the corner of his eyes, and the corner of his lips shaped into a crude smile. His growth since becoming a dungeon master seemed quite rapid. Yet, he knew he still needed to grow more to face the true monsters and heroes. ''I think I can endure one blow from Zafira right now.'' He then pulled out his guild card. Leon tapped the screen and updated his attributes and skills. Once it finished, he tapped the small button beneath his name, which showed his current guild missions. Leonhardt ? Dungeon Master ? Arachne/Fae/Djinn (??) Lifespan: 350 ?Status Level: 19 [XP: 3,500/9,000] [DP: 1,500/8,000] [EP: 1,000/3,200] [STR: B (20%) VIT: B (20%) AGI: C (55%) DEF: C (20%) INT: A (10%) CHA: A (10%)] ?Skills [Greatsword: (Lv.3), Command: (Lv.4), Archery: (Lv.2), Stealth: (Lv.2), Scouting: (Lv.2), Dismantling: (Lv.2)] ?Abilities [Dual Cast: (Lv.3), Claws of Fire: (Lv.5), Tyrant Accel: (Lv.2)] ?Trade Skills [Herbalism (Lv.2), Medicine (Lv.2), Business Sense (Lv.2), Dismantling (Lv.2)] ?Spells [Cinderblast: (Lv.2) Firebolt: (Lv.2) Blazing Missiles: (Lv.2) Fire Wall: (Lv.2)] ?Money [01g 75s 65c] ''Why did the dungeon system''s interface change?'' [Because you''ve reached Rank F as a Dungeon Master] ''Huh? When did that happen, I thought I needed to increase the size of my dungeon?'' [How did you assume we got that barrier?] ''¡ªIs the dungeon in trouble, when will I have to return and meet with the other masters?'' That reminded him of Gobbolas and Gobomir, two goblins who served him and the dungeon well. After only a few days, it felt like an eternity to Leon. [Don''t worry, Zafira has dealt with it for now¡­ Evolving this time gave you various benefits!] Leon''s eyes flicked through lines of text showing his changes, but the main ones made his heart pound, a sense of delight growing from his sudden gains. ¡ñ All Skills and Spell Levels increased by 1. ¡ñ Lifespan increased to 350 days. ¡ñ All Attributes have been boosted. ¡ñ Unlocked the Dark Dragon bloodline. ¡ñ Arachne, Fae and Djinn bloodlines have been enhanced. Thanks to his evolution, the amount of pure mana that flowed through his veins increased explosively, over ten times the previous amount. ''How much mana does Zafira have?'' [Around Ten thousand, maybe less¡­ because she''s a combat type, not a magic type.] ''Eh?'' Asuka''s curious eyes shimmered in the darkness. The black barrier cracked, creating a mass of spiderwebs that spread across the glowing light. With a sharp crash, it faded, and the flow of time returned to normal. "Shall we head inside?" Leon didn''t want to take too long, so he offered his hand to Asuka. She looked at him with narrowed eyes and muttered, "It''s strange that only a few hours passed for them." Asuka grabbed his hand and stepped into the carriage after he opened the door. "Nn." "Mmm." The sound of Sylvie and Erina''s soft breathing filled the interior. They were both sleeping peacefully on the seats. Thankfully, the carriage was large enough for them all to sleep without many issues. Leon sat down on the opposite side, followed by Asuka, who took the seat beside him. "I didn''t know you accepted a mission to hunt some rogue adventurers, why didn''t you say?" Asuka''s soft lips barely moved as she spoke. Her voice sounded calm, but there was an underlying tone of curiosity. "It''s nothing important, just something I wanted to do to test myself," Leon said casually, leaning back against his seat. His gaze flicked to the dragonoid beside him, before he shook his head with a sigh, slowly removing his robe and placing it on the padded seats. "We should probably sleep. The changes in our bodies are currently making us energetic, but the crash will be difficult to endure on this journey." ¡ºHow can he remove his shirt so easily?!¡» ''Oh¡­ She seems to have trouble controlling her desires.'' [That''s dragons for you. They are greedy, arrogant, and lustful!] ''You sound jealous!'' [Hmph!] Leonhardt enjoyed teasing Ifrit quite a lot, but since she got what she wanted, the elemental stopped speaking, and her voice faded from his mind. He left the dark carriage, which smelled of females and various perfumes mixed into a den of pheromones. The scents known as pheromones had little effect on humans, and most scholars believed they did not create them. However, that was only for humans and other humans, monsters, and other species with enhanced senses. Humans'' unique scents and pheromones could range from a delicious aroma to a disgusting stench. In fact, certain monsters, like goblins, would avoid humans if their scent was unpleasant. But for others, such as orcs, the smell of a female human was like an aphrodisiac, and they would seek those with the most appealing scent, rather than beautiful looks, as a wife. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire Sometimes, elves or humans misunderstood the orcs. Their attempts to court females were a little different from those of humans, and to this day, the lonely orcs struggle to learn the ways of dating! ''It seems that their scents aren''t unpleasant, but only Asuka''s scent makes me feel anything.'' "Do we have to sleep¡­" Asuka''s tail tapped his thigh. Her hands gripped the soft cotton seat, and she turned away, her cheek scales glowing a scarlet red. ''Wow.'' Leon''s mouth twitched, and he covered it with his hand. A faint smile spread across his face as he leaned back and closed his eyes. "Yes, I''m going to sleep now¡ª" Thud! Asuka''s body lunged at him, different from earlier, the submissive dragoness, pushing him down, with her hands sliding across his well-defined chest. "Ah, you can''t tease me like this; just stop, Leo." Asuka''s low, sultry voice echoed as she purred, flames puffing from her nose as she huffed softly. Her fingers traced over his chest, exploring every inch of his body. She licked her lips, revealing sharp fangs, and then leaned in closer to his neck. "I won''t bite¡ª" Her tongue slipped along his skin, tasting the rich salty taste of his sweat, causing her to shiver in delight. "¡ªtoo hard." She bit down on his neck, drawing blood that stained her lips crimson. A soft grunt escaped Leon''s throat as she sucked on his wound, lapping up the warm liquid that trickled down her chin. Pah! Before she could take control, Leon''s eyes became sharp, grabbing her wrists as he pulled a sleeping bag from the floor, and the pair hurriedly climbed inside. "Behave yourself!" Leon''s voice was stern, but Asuka''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Nnn¡­ Don''t be mean, Leo. Please~ don''t punish me¡­" She pretended to resist when Leon grabbed her waist. Her body trembled as he pressed himself against her chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly. His breath tickled her ear, sending shivers down her spine. Then he whispered, "I''ll keep going until you collapse!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, a wave of excitement rushed through her, and she curled her lips into a mischievous smirk. "Do your best, Leo." . . . Sylvie''s eyes snapped open, and she immediately noticed the situation. A cold chill ran down her spine, and she felt her heart race. ''What the hell is happening?!'' She could hear the low grunts of a male, deep and fearsome, along with the pleasant breathy moans of a familiar female, Asuka''s voice, as the sleeping bag beside the pair shifted violently. ''No way, no way, no way, no way! Again?'' The carriage rocked from the force, as she noticed the flap of their sleeping bags opened slightly. Sylvie peeked closer, able to get a glimpse of caramel brown skin glistening in the moonlight, while the broad and muscular chest of Asuka pressed against her proud breasts, crushing them. "¡­" Sylvie''s ears flushed bright red, and she spun away. She tried to close her eyes and ignore the sounds, but it was impossible. Her mind raced with thoughts of how she would react when they finished. Then Asuka vanished, and the forceful thrusts came into her. Before she realised it, her azure eyes became locked on the two as the zip opened further. Her hand slid beneath the sleeping bag, rubbing herself through her underwear. She could feel her embarrassing wetness seeping through the fabric, and bit her lip to keep from crying out. The night went on, and the rocking of the carriage continued until dawn. Sylvie enchanted by the way Asuka''s body moved, her toned muscles flexing with each thrust and her passionate cries as the pair exchanged an affectionate and messy kiss. When the morning sun rose above the hills, the people outside began to stir, and chatter filled the air. But the inside of the carriage remained silent. The deep sounds of Leon''s breathing and Asuka''s inelegant snoring were all that filled the interior. Sylvie''s face looked exhausted, her youthful elvish blood unable to remove the dark circles beneath her eyes. "Ugh¡­" Erina groaned, stretching her arms out as she rubbed her eyes. "Did you stay awake all night?" She asked, noticing Sylvie''s tired expression. However, Sylvie didn''t notice the slight blush on Erina''s cheeks as she gazed at the open sleeping bag, which revealed Leon and Asuka''s unclothed bodies. The morning began for everyone in the carriage differently, but the two women now understood it clearly. Their friend was no longer single¡ªor a maiden. Chapter 66 - 66: Munat Village! The camp became loud soon after the girls woke up. It seemed the missing guards caused the humans to panic. Leon and Asuka remained calm and composed, as if they didn''t care. In fact, they didn''t. Because the death of a few humans would no longer weigh on Asuka''s mind after accepting her lineage, her mood changed. "Sylvie, what''s the matter?" Asuka''s powerful voice sounded more confident and resonated with pride, different from her previous raspy and nasal voice. She spoke clearer and with more force, causing the small elf to shudder in fright, snapping her head to look at her old friend. "A-Asuka?! You''re so loud!" Erina and Leon watched the pair quietly. Leon was trying to learn more about Sylvie so that he could recruit her to his mercenary group. ''The bet with Erina might work, but trusting humans isn''t smart.'' He watched Erina''s lips curling into a gentle smile, as she watched Asuka teasing Sylvie, using her crimson red tail to skewer the elf''s sausages and then devoured them without care. "Mmmmn~ these are so good!." Sylvie pouted cutely and tried to snatch the sausage back, but Asuka dodged it effortlessly. Her body moved like a snake, slithering away from Sylvie''s grasp. The elf''s eyes lingered on Asuka''s bright red scales, and her movements before sighing as she failed to take her food back. Leon pushed his plate to Sylvie because the food wasn''t to his liking. ''I hope she can enjoy this at least.'' "For me?" Sylvie''s small face lit up with joy as she looked at Leon. "Go ahead." Leon didn''t mind giving away his food. He had eaten enough for today during the night with Asuka, and he knew Sylvie was hungry. "Hmph! See, that''s how you should act, stupid lizard!" Sylvie pulled out her small tongue, before grabbing the plate and digging in. Asuka snorted, "I''m not a lizard, I''m a dragon!" Leon smiled faintly at their interaction. It reminded him of a pair of sisters bickering. ''What does she keep looking at Asuka like that?'' He wondered, while leaning back on his chair, wondering how long the missing guards would delay their journey. "Asuka, your scales look so vibrant and smooth today, did you do anything special to them?" Sylvie asked. "Nope! I just ate something delicious last night," Asuka replied, licking her lips as if savouring the memory. However, unlike Leonhardt, Asuka didn''t know that the two women beside her had already noticed her acts that night. With a plump, juicy sausage in front of her small lips, Sylvie''s cheeks turned dark red. Erina covered her mouth to hide her reaction but couldn''t stop herself from giggling. "Ahem¡­ I see." Sylvie said, feeling embarrassed. Asuka tilted her head confused, unaware of the underlying meaning behind Sylvie''s words. The quick breakfast soon passed with the merchants and their private guards giving up on the mercenaries, and though they sent a message requesting help if something should happen. Leonhardt ignored it and returned to the carriage with the other women. After what seemed like an endless night¡­ the carriage finally started moving. "Finally, we''re moving¡­" Erina muttered, while she watched the forest from the window. Asuka seemed to need Leonhardt''s physical touch. She constantly sat close to him, rubbed her tail along his back, and even rested her head on his shoulder. Sylvie watched them with a complicated expression, but said nothing and Leonhardt was deep in thought, trying to figure out what to do next. ''I wonder what I might find in this mountain that stinks of foul magics.'' To the group''s surprise, the remaining four days'' journey went smoothly, except for slight arguments during mealtimes and the midnight actions of a certain pair, which caused the carriage to carry their mixed scent. The smell made it hard for Sylvie to endure the nights and sleep properly, but she endured it silently. Even if monsters came close, they seemed to catch the scent of something dangerous and fled soon after. Leonhardt watched another pack of wolves fleeing in terror. Asuka''s thick aura oozing from her body caused them great terror because of her awakening and evolution. Unlike Asuka, Leonhardt controlled his aura from the outside, ensuring that he wouldn''t blow his cover, though when he saw how proud Asuka became of her changes. He couldn''t help but want to stop and watch her with a warm smile. "We''re finally here! Munat Village, at the base of the mountains!" Erina exclaimed as the carriage rolled into a village surrounded by a wooden fence. It was a small village with only about twenty houses, all made of wood and stone. Several barns housed livestock, including cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep. However, there was a large building near the entrance, a silk mill used to process silkworm cocoons and the spider silk from the monsters who roamed the mountains into fabric. "This place seems peaceful," Leonhardt commented as he looked around. Erina nodded. "Yes, this is one of the few places left untouched by war or bandits." "But there are spiders, lots of them," Asuka added, while linking up with Leonhardt''s arm. He didn''t mind her becoming closer now. The scent of her body calmed the urge to kill and devour the human women in the carriage. Leon''s evolution not only increased his strength and bloodlines, but their instincts also improved. ''I almost tore Erina''s throat out the other day¡­'' Leon''s changes caused him to realise the significant difference between him and a human male. The instinct of an arachne to kill and drain their partner''s essence after mating, and to attack those deemed weaker than them constantly caused him troubles. "The journey took a while, but we should find out when the next caravan will leave too." "Erina is always so prepared~" Asuka praised, causing Erina to blush slightly. "Ahem¡­ It''s nothing special, really. Let''s go inside and get some rest first before exploring the village." This small village didn''t have a guild, so merchants could negotiate the price of their goods and barter for the expense and rare silk. The spiders atop the mountain were deadly, and their venom could paralyse and affect the neural system, making humans unable to move. This venom allowed the spiders to consume their prey alive, earning them the name "Death Weaver". But they also produced strong webs, perfect for creating high-quality silk. ''I think Aella mentioned its value, should I try to get some from their nest?'' Leon considered while climbing from the carriage, his back cracking from the long ride. The merchant family, which owned the carriage, paid Leonhardt and Asuka a bonus for their protection services before quickly leaving to sell their wares. Asuka stretched her arms and legs, feeling stiff after sitting for so long. Her hips swayed, and she slapped the ground with her long, thick tail. The other two women remained quiet and observed the pair from behind. "Do you think they will get married, Sylvie?" "I don''t know, Erina. But I hope so. They seem happy together." Erina smiled faintly. "I agree. We should let them enjoy their time alone for now." With that, the pair split off but first told Leonhardt where they would be waiting, at the only inn in the village. "Where do you want to go?" Asuka asked, looking up at Leonhardt. "Hmm¡­" He pondered for a moment before deciding. "Let''s explore the village first and see if they sell anything delicious. I have spare money." "Oooh!" Asuka''s eyes shone because when Leonhardt served food, he always used the special fruits grown in his dungeon. These fruits slowly strengthened a person''s body¡ªa natural body enhancer, so to speak. ''I find myself wanting to make her smile more each day we are together.'' Leonhardt couldn''t help but notice how his feelings toward Asuka were changing. He found himself thinking about her more often, and seeing her happy made his chest warm, creating a comfortable sensation. However, he still wasn''t sure what these feelings meant or if he was ready to explore them further. ''I know this is something related to affection and adoration, but I''m unsure if I can fully trust myself yet.'' These feelings differed slightly from those of a true monster and only occurred because of his Fae heritage, which allowed him to better understand human emotions. But he didn''t dislike them; instead, he was curious about what might happen if he explored these feelings more. With his Djinn and Arachne bloodlines growing stronger, he had to learn to control his instincts, or else he would become a danger to everyone around him. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''The urge to devour everything in my path is growing stronger every day.'' Though the lustful, greedy and possessive nature of the dark dragon''s blood didn''t help, either. "Let''s try eating here, that massive roll of melted cheese looks too good to miss." Asuka licked her lips. "Mmmm~" The two sat down at a table outside the restaurant and ordered a large plate of meat with melted cheese on top. Asuka also ordered bread, but somehow it didn''t suit Leon''s enhanced palate. Leonhardt leaned on his elbows, while watching Asuka holding the stringy cheese that dripped down her cheeks and face, creating a familiar sight. ''¡­calm down.'' He muttered, before the tight sensation faded. Now wasn''t the time to hunt a female dragon, but to prepare for attacking his relatives, the spiders. Chapter 67 - 67: Dealing With a Greedy Little Dragon! After sharing a meal, the pair returned to the inn, a simple building with rustic decorations and a calm atmosphere. The artwork seemed to pay homage to the first people who settled in the mountains. An image of them holding the corpse of a huge death weaver. The picture''s title: Death to the Dead Weaver. Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smirk at the slight humour of the artist who named this painting. He wondered how difficult this task must have been for normal humans to achieve. ''Did they have any help, or was the founder stronger?'' "What''re you looking at Leo?" Asuka''s cheerful voice came from behind him. He leaned back against her soft chest as she wrapped around him, her right hand jingling the room key. "Nothing, just an amusing picture. Hm? You bought a single room?" He didn''t mind what room she chose because they wouldn''t be staying long. However, he planned to sneak out alone tonight to survey the mountains. ''Aella told me that it might be difficult for other people, so I should lower their numbers.'' Leonhardt also planned to call Zafira because she seemed strange when they last spoke. He would rather not pay less attention to her just because he accepted Asuka. Ifrit and Zafira supported him first. As for Nyxara, well, he would deal with her in the future. "Hmmm~ what a strange picture, what''s so good about killing a big spider?" "I think the people back then would like a word with you." Leon responded while nudging her with his head to make her aware of the innkeeper staring daggers at their backs. He watched the lovable red dragon, unable to hide the fact that Asuka occasionally lacked awareness. Her tail slipped along his leg, showing her desire, but Leon really didn''t want to do that. ''I struggle to control myself with this woman.'' "Hehe~ I don''t care what they say, only what you say." "Then behave, let''s go to our room." Asuka pressed her lips together, pouting as she puffed up her cheeks like a fish. However, such an adorable attack wouldn''t work against Leonhardt, whose sense of beauty seemed distorted compared to the human standards that Asuka relied on. "Hmph!" With a jingle, Asuka flicked the key around her fingertip before turning away and dragging Leon to room number ten. Creak! When she opened the door, a slight puff of dust blew in her face, and Asuka waved her hand to clear it. The room was simple, with a double bed and a bathroom. It wasn''t much, but it perfectly suited their needs. "L-Leo?" Leonhardt walked past Asuka and sat on the edge of the bed closest to the window, looking towards the mountains as he accessed his dungeon system to check the mission details. "Sorry, let me finish this first." ¡ª [D-Rank Quest: Hunting Spiders in the Munat Mountains] Posted by: Horace Grant, Astrea Guild Representative Location: Munat Mountains, Eastern Astrea Basin "Damn spiders are breeding faster than we can squash ''em. Travellers keep reporting ambushes along the mountain trails¡ªsome even vanish without a trace. We require capable hunters to thin their numbers before they become a deadly plague. Bring back their venom sacs as proof, and you''ll earn extra coin for every one." Reward: 10 silvers per person (Up to 4 People) Bonus: 1 silver per venom sac ¡ª Like Zafira, Asuka became a monster protected by the dungeon''s system. She could see the dungeon panel, but she couldn''t touch or interfere with it. He tapped the various sections, browsing the traps and upgrades. Currently, the only solution would be to increase the dungeon''s rank and add another floor to the dungeon''s inner lair. With more floors, Leon could create more complex traps and stronger monsters to protect them. ''It seems that I cannot increase the dungeon size past the village.'' The current setup was too simple for his liking, and if anyone entered the inner lair, they would reach him in less than an hour. "Asuka, would you rather live in the dungeon or a village managed by me?" Leonhardt turned to find her standing half frozen, her hands covering her chest and crotch as she seemed ready to pounce on him from behind. "I wasn''t¡ª" "How did you manage to keep your virginity for so long?" Leon''s eyes narrowed, with a bitter smile on his lips. "It''s not like that¡­ you''re the one who makes it feel so damn good!" Asuka raised her voice and pointed at him. Her scales turned a brighter shade of red, revealing her inner turmoil. Her tail swayed back and forth as she stepped forward, pushing Leon down onto the bed. Asuka jumped onto his body, straddling his thighs, sitting atop his lap. She gazed down at him with half-opened eyes, sniffing at his neck and ears. "What are you doing?" "Your scent smells so different from when we were in the dungeon. You smell better here." Asuka whispered into his ear. While he found her attractive, he wouldn''t lose himself to his lust, especially since he had plans for tonight. "Asuka¡­" "Yes?" She lifted her head, her eyes filled with desire. "Get off me." "Nope~" She pressed her lips against his cheek and nibbled on his earlobe. "Get Off." A low, deep growl left his lips, causing Asuka to freeze. Her body trembled, and her eyes widened as she stared at him. He looked calm, but his eyes revealed the seriousness of his words. "I adore you, but there are tasks I must complete. Do you understand?" "¡­" He could sense her desire to fight back, to resist the instincts of a dragon to always resist and fight back against anything that denied them. However, Asuka didn''t want to anger him, but her body ached¡ªsomething even the alcohol during dinner couldn''t dull. She felt her insides burning, seething for Leonhardt''s touch and taste. Even his words soothed the heat like a cool wave of iced water. "Why do you look like you might cry, Asuka?" Leonhardt''s eyes fluttered, and he closed the dungeon panel with a soft sigh. He could smell an exotic fragrance that was both captivating and eased his nerves. Her scales shimmered with a beautiful glint, like the surface of the sea during sunset. And within this small, rustic room, the most beautiful part would be the regretful, yet helpless face of Asuka. ''¡­This impossibly adorable dragoness.'' He couldn''t help but reach out, cupping her smooth, scaled cheek. The smooth sensation of her warm scales enveloped his hands. The aroma of sweet honey swirled around the tip of Leon''s nose, enticing him to surrender to his body''s desires. The dragon''s blood inside him was seeking its partner. "Do you need it that badly?" Asuka''s body trembled, and the surface of her skin filled with goosebumps as her eyes shone at his question. His charmingly low baritone voice sent tingles through her mind. She couldn''t speak and only nodded. Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smile, and he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. The smooth texture of her scales felt nice against his hand. It was strange how he could feel their texture, smooth yet durable, able to deflect blades. It almost seemed they changed their properties depending on the situation. "You''re beautiful," he said without thinking. Asuka''s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed, turning bright red. Yet he didn''t let her kiss him. Instead, his eyes narrowed, sharp and vicious. He twisted his smile into an impish smirk. He stepped off the best, moving closer to Asuka, her face following his movement guided by his hand. Leon used his opposite hand to unfasten the buttons of his robe, each one causing Asuka''s eyes to dilate, and shrink like a cat gazing at the sun after waking from a long nap. Leonhardt stopped halfway, his thumb and finger beneath her chin, lifting Asuka''s face into the air, while he noticed her hands squeezing, and rubbing her small pink buds between her fingertips. "Ahem!" Asuka froze, and her eyes widened, realising what she''d been doing. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A-ah¡­" "Don''t stop." His words caused her to freeze, but she didn''t move, instead her scales became blood-red, and steam rose from her body, puffing from her nose as she made a lovely whimper. She covered her face, unable to look at him, and her tail slapped the bed repeatedly. It was amusing, and Leonhardt wanted to see more. "Do it, Asuka." "B-but¡­ it''s embarrassing¡­" "Hmmm? But you''ve done it before, haven''t you?" "T-that was because you didn''t notice!" Leonhardt''s eyebrow rose, and his lips curled into a smile. "I see," he leaned forward, his lips brushing against her ear. "Do you want me to punish you?" "N-no, please don''t." Her voice trembled, but Leonhardt knew it wasn''t from fear. "Then stop being shy, go and place both hands on the desk, and push your buttocks out." He spoke softly, his words slow and deliberate, allowing Asuka to hear every word clearly. Her eyes widened, and her heart pounded in her chest, thumping loudly in her ears as she bit her lower lips. The moment she stood, Asuka staggered, her legs slipping as she collapsed onto the table. Her arms shook, and her breaths came in ragged gasps. She struggled to stand. But Leonhardt didn''t help. He merely watched, his eyes narrowing, his gaze focused on her hips. Asuka gazed back, her face flickering with steam as she slowly lifted her hips and pushed them out, when she noticed him turn to face her, moving closer. She spread her legs, revealing her moist entrance, already dripping wet with a sticky strand dribbling to the ground. Leonhardt reached out, his fingers sliding along her inner thigh, sending shivers through her body, and causing her to moan softly. "I''m only going to use my fingers." The next moment, he gently nibbled the tip of her ear before slipping his fingers into her warm, slippery insides. . . . "Haa¡­ Haa¡­. Nnn¡­ Mm¡­" A few minutes later, Asuka''s body trembled as a dark fluid stained the floorboards, her knees quivering as Leonhardt flicked his fingertips. "Have you recovered, do you want more?" "¡­" She didn''t respond, but her body answered for her, her hips pushing back, trying to swallow his fingers. Leonhardt smiled, and once again, Asuka filled the hotel with the excited, breathy moans of a young, horny dragoness. . . . Two hours later and several repetitions, a large puddle stained the floor, while an unconscious Asuka lay face first on the bedding, her body still trembling from the afterglow. Leonhardt gazed back from the door with a faint smile, licking the tip of his fingers, before he left Asuka unconscious in the room and headed towards the mountains. "It took a little too long¡­ let''s contact Zafira." [¡­Why are you getting so good at this?] ''Because it''s fun to see her quiver and whimper while making a sticky mess of her crotch.'' Only the sound of Ifrit gulping remained in the darkness of night. The call to Zafira finally connected and her eager and enthusiastic voice came from her call. Almost reminding him of the image of Asuka who begged for him to use something besides his fingers after her fourth climax. [? Leon! ?] Chapter 68 - 68: Dungeon Master and his Succubus Leonhardt stood atop a small spire, gazing down at the mountain path. The moment Leonhardt heard her voice, something flicked in his mind. A metaphorical switch that he only understood after sleeping with Asuka and learning more about carnal relations. ''Did you miss me, that much?'' So he pushed his luck and teased her. Leon couldn''t deny that Zafira was a special existence to him. He couldn''t pinpoint when it happened. Maybe from the moment he met Zafira, or when she started to accept him as a dungeon master. However, she didn''t respond. Instead, there was a muffled sound on the other side, and almost a minute passed before a slightly hoarse and dry voice responded. [? Dungeon Master, you finally contacted me! ?] A slightly accusatory tone slipped from her mouth, but Leonhardt didn''t mind. He understood that sometimes Zafira could be strict. "She''s a princess, after all." He muttered, while squatting and observing the spiders skittering out of their den. Leonhardt understood from the fractured information he gained from his memories, both humans and monsters, that royalty and bloodlines mattered immensely. ''Is there something wrong, Zafira?'' He couldn''t help but wonder why her tone sounded so strange. "I never thought that the bow stolen from the archer will come in handy, haha." He grasped the decent longbow from his inventory, stealing it the moment he dealt the last blow on the human. With a skill level of two, Leon wondered at what level he could use these weapons. Twang He pulled the bowstring, his brows lifting at how easily he could fully draw the bow, a simple iron arrow slipping through his fingertips and nocked ready to fire. [? N-Nothing wrong, but you rarely contacted me during the past few nights... ?] Leonhardt smiled. "I guess I''ll have to practice shooting with this thing." ''Sorry, I was trying to tame a cheeky little dragon into submission.'' He imagined Asuka''s reaction if she heard him say that. He chuckled, picturing her red face and wide eyes, almost crying... after the last few times her resistance crumbled and she became lovely and obedient. ''Maybe I am a little sadistic.'' The sound of Zafira''s breathing became more audible, and Leonhardt could hear her sigh as well. [? S-Sadistic? What do you mean? ?] "Oh..." Because of his high spirits and excitement, he forgot to guard his mind and stop idle thoughts from being transferred to Zafira. The slightly angry tone suited her though. He enjoyed when she would get flustered and annoyed at him. ''Ah, nothing important.'' Leonhardt said dismissively. ''You know what, I''ll tell her about Asuka later. Once I''ve completed this mission, I will spend some time working on the dungeon and trying to improve our defences.'' He started to consider who should control the village of Ebers and his plan to take over Astrea. As he improved, this village started to form more. [? Do you and that woman... Asuka, was it, get along? ?] As he adjusted his sight, while listening to Zafira, Leonhardt''s mana flowed into his eyes, pumping to increase his sight, instead of the wide 320 degree angle, he focused on the central cone of vision, able to zoom in several times to an almost microscopic level. ''I like her, but being with you is better.'' Fwoosh! A sharp whistling sound echoed after a low twang as the arrow flew straight into a spider''s abdomen, piercing its exoskeleton and killing it instantly. The other spiders scattered, hiding from the danger. Many of them lifted their legs in the air, patrolling the area. [? Really? ?] While rolling the arrows in his fingertips, Leonhardt noticed the ability to purchase this tile on the dungeon menu, something that made his eyes light up. Barely listening to Zafira, he responded. ''Of course, how could I not?'' Thanks to the DP stored in the village, he no longer needed to use his personal DP for anything but upgrades and spells. "I bet Zafira is the one putting her excess into the village." ? You have spent 5,500 DP to purchase the current Square. ? Dungeon squares increased from 25 -> 29 ? Error! Cannot purchase 30th tile, enemy dungeon detected! [Warning! Your purchase of degraded lands has made your presence known to the Brood Mother (Rank C)] The mechanical dungeon voice lacked Ifrit''s gentle and charming tone, but that''s when Leon''s entire body started to tingle, goosebumps filling his entire body as he could sense something... somewhere watching him. [? I''m glad, did you know that Gobbolas and Gobomir miss you too? ?] Leonhardt''s cheek dripped with sweat, his hands slowly drawing another arrow, nocking it, slowly slipping a second arrow between his fingertips. ''Really? I promise to come back after this mission and we can decide what to do with the dungeon together.'' Leonhardt''s voice sounded overly deep, raspy, and serious as he spoke to Zafira. Because of the danger and his focus on the monsters surrounding him, however, he didn''t want to end the call yet. Zafira''s voice was calming, allowing him to focus, and ignore the aura of the powerful monster. Not only that, it was also comfortable even though he knew he was in danger. ''Two... three, four spiders are heading this way.'' "Is it because I am an arachne?!" Suddenly, the hostility from the other spider made sense to him. He didn''t know why, but the spider''s body language and movements meant something to the arachne blood in him. They were defending their home! "So that''s it, to the brood mother I am an invading spider." His head swayed side to side, trying to figure out where the spiders were coming from. They were approaching his location, so he had to be careful. ''Zafira, thanks for always being there for me. Even when I am lacking in so many places.'' Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Two arrows tore through the air. Leonhardt''s eyes shone as two pentagrams flickered within them. He copied the archer''s skill [Double Shot] after observing him use his skills the night before. Leonard''s smile widened as he heard the spiders screech. They couldn''t find him and started to retreat after losing two more of their brood. [? Battle Complete ?] sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You have slain 2 Death Weavers ? Gained 600 XP ? Gained 200 EP ? Gained 600 DP "I don''t think I can kill all these spiders by myself, so I need to get away." Thanks to the improved eyesight, and his archery skill, Leon understood the dangers, but when he thought of the sweet taste of killing a Rank-C spider would bring, his lips contorted into a twisted smile. [? Leon, be careful... some monsters in this basin can kill you, especially dungeon masters. Don''t be reckless. ?] "How did she know?" Leon''s lips twitched before he back flipped off the mountain spire. His webbing dragged him through the air, and he flung his body around them like a man spider. ''I''ll try, but I cannot make any promises.'' With the cold air of night blowing against his face and body, Leon flung himself through the Munat forest. This land was now his, and Leonhardt couldn''t help but spread his arms and spit webbing from his fingertips, swinging around like an energetic monkey. "Man, I love this body." [? Mhm... I''m going to refill the missing DP now, so please take care of yourself. ?] ''I will, thank you.'' Leonhardt could feel the connection break, but he couldn''t stop smiling. "I guess I''ll have some fun, before returning home!'' His body flung across the village at a swift speed, cutting through the air, before landing on the inn''s roof. He observed the city, noticing the guards patrolling with flaming torches. Leon''s eyes narrowed, and he slipped along the building''s surface until he found the familiar scent of Asuka. Her sweet, thick pheromones oozing from the room after teasing her before he left, still able to smell her lust seeping through the window. "Hm?" The moment he jumped through the window, he found Asuka sitting on the edge of the bed. Her eyes shimmered with a dark red glow, and her caramel skin shone in the moonlight. "You''ve finally returned, Leo~ I waited for you so long." She said, licking her lips, and biting them, slowly crawling forward while staring at him. "Asu-" She pounced, grabbing onto his body and rolling on the bed with him like a cat in heat. The entire time, she mumbled about how lonely she was and how much she missed him. Leonhardt looked at the woman on top of him and shook his head. There wasn''t any need to hold back now. "How about you return the favour from earlier?" His lips curled into a wicked grin as he stopped resisting all the things he wanted to do to her. Her eyes lit up with anticipation. "Mm~ I''d love to." He narrowed his eyes, pushed her head below the covers, and gazed at the silver moon, which was shining down on him and the rest of Munat. A muffled sound echoed before the wet sound of her slurping filled the room. "This is paradise." Leonhardt sighed contently. Chapter 69 - 69: Munat Mountains - I "Why are you two always so late?!" Erina stood in her pristine white robe, a small green pair of green gloves and a green scarf wrapped around her neck for this mission. "Well..." Asuka''s face became red as she gazed at Leonhardt, who had just strolled towards the gate. She looked back with a confident smirk. "Asuka needed my help with something, and because I am such an excellent leader, I decided to aid her." Sylvie''s eyes narrowed into a cold, disgusted expression. She watched Leonhardt and stepped back, almost trembling her shoulders as if terrified of him. "What did you do?" Leonhardt only smirked, making Sylvie more suspicious and confused at what Asuka and he had done together. "Anyways... I''m glad you remembered to buy nature and poison resistance items, did you buy some antivenom?" Erina placed both hands on her hips while biting her lower lip, chewing it in annoyance. Her green eyes pierced Asuka''s face, and she turned away with her face blushing. "Yes! We have it!" She answered with confidence. Erina then showed the antidotes and antivenoms, with a confident look of her own. Sylvie had also brought extra potions and rations for the mission. The biggest dangers of the death weavers were the webbing and the venom that their attacks could inject in a flash. Leonhardt didn''t want to lose these young women because he would eventually have them running around and hunting monsters for him to build his reputation. ''Hmmm...'' "What about the bottles of liquid fire?" These were common items¡ªsometimes, traders might have one or two. The small bauble of orange fluid sloshed with a slimy texture and sound. Normally, people would use it to scare away wolves when they lacked a guard or to protect themselves from insects and nature-type monsters. ''Ironically, this is made with the sap of a tree... I should see if the transformed ember trees can produce it.'' "Understood, but listen to me. Asuka, Sylvie, Erina. Put your lives first. Never jump in to save me, prioritise yourselves. Do you understand?" Leonhardt spoke in a stern, low voice, almost growling at the trio. His eyes narrowed into a sharp gaze, alternating between the three. "This is an order, as your leader." At first Erina seemed to hesitate, her lips pressing together as she clenched her fists. ''A person meant to save others being told to abandon them... does it make you angry, Erina?'' However, Leonhardt''s stern gaze caused her body to tremble. Her shaking arms gradually came to a stop as she flicked her head away. "I will," Erina finally added confidently. "Mm." Sylvie nodded, still unsure why Leonhardt was so worried about the mission. "I''ll try..." Asuka answered, looking away and feeling embarrassed about answering honestly. Leon could sense Asuka''s reluctance¡ªthat''s why he added the word order. He couldn''t afford for these young women to sacrifice themselves for him. It would be too damaging to his ego, not to mention a waste of time since Leonhardt didn''t need to worry. ''I''m immune to poison and venom after all...'' "Then let''s set off." "The spider cave is eastwards, through the forest," Sylvie said, holding a map and guidebook as they walked towards the village exit. Their movements garnered countless strange and worried looks. Some villagers struggled to hold back, watching them disappear into the green forest and ascend the mountains. The Munat mountains are a beautiful place that Leonhardt scouted alone the night before. Small wolves and monsters lived in the lower forests. However, the only creatures above and deeper in the mountains were the death weavers... lingering traces of webbing and dried corpses remained across the dry mountain path covered in vines and overgrown flora. "This place... when did they last clear it out?" Sylvie gulped and stepped behind Erina and Asuka, who both looked around the area with curious glances. They had never been here before, so everything was new to them. "My skin keeps tingling, it''s itchy as if something rubbed against me." Erina rubbed her cheek, a slight red patch of irritation appearing after she removed her hand." "Be careful, the spiders line their webbing, no matter how old with venom, Erina, use the antivenom blessing on your cheek." Leon''s stern voice caused the priestess to gasp. Then she noticed slight bumps on her fingertips and a tingling yet numb sensation spreading through her face. "!!!" Erina quickly cast her blessing, a green light covering her face as she sighed with relief. Sylvie and Asuka stepped back from the surrounding area, observing for any sign of danger. "This place is so hard to walk in..." Asuka commented, climbing over the thick roots and cutting through the vines which spread like tentacles. The mountain terrain was treacherous, filled with rocks, cliffs and narrow spaces where people could slip. Or rather... other creatures could linger for a sneak attack. Woosh! A black and silver spider lunged from the cracks, smaller than the death weavers Leonhardt recognised. It was merely the size of someone''s foot, but still capable of injecting venom. The small creature flung through the air, sharp, malevolent fangs oozing venom as it spewed sizzling webbing at Sylvie that glued her arms, stopping her spell while aiming to bite her. "Ah?!" "Sylvie?" "Foolish." Bang! A dark bolt of flame shot through the air, bursting into smaller bolts like a shotgun, penetrating and tearing the monster apart. Leonhardt''s Fire Bolt scorched the spider with a brutal pop, leaving only ash and the scent of burning flesh in the air. He frowned as he watched the narrow space and snapped his fingers, casting Fire Wall, filling the small gap with an immense black flame. ''Since I evolved, I can change the colour of my flame... Black, Purple, Blood Red and Blue.'' He wondered if the colour meant anything, before turning to face the pale-faced Sylvie. "Do not stand near the walls, let Asuka and I take the flanks, Erina, do you have something sweet, to help snap her out of shock?" "I...I... should have known better." Sylvie muttered to herself, trying to calm down as she struggled to breathe. "As a mage, you must keep a safe distance away from the enemy. You cannot be surrounded, nor can you let them come close, I know you wish to prove yourself, and show you do not need me as a leader, Sylive..." Leonhardt advised with a soft expression, offering his advice for Sylvie to grow stronger. He then stroked her hat, "...But if you get injured, that''s something I wish to avoid." [? Battle Complete ?] You have slain 1 False Weaver ? Gained 200 XP ? Gained 100 EP ? Gained 100 DP The event stirred the entire group¡ªthey normally fought humanoid enemies or bandits... this was their first encounter with spiders with high levels of intellect and instinct. "U-Understood..." Sylvie''s cheeks became pink. Although she acted harshly toward Leonhardt, it didn''t seem to be hatred, at least not. "Let''s continue slowly. Ensure you look out for small webs, large webs, and anything else that a spider could use to hide and attack." "Hah! Hah! Hah!" The group hiked up the mountain paths until they reached a cave¡ªa large hole in the mountain surrounded by trees and shrubbery. ''Why didn''t any death weavers appear?'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed¡ªeven when he used his enhanced arachne eyes, nothing appeared... only the faint vibrations from this cave. ''It''s not the brood mother''s but still... my instincts warn of danger.'' He took a deep breath and prepared himself to enter. Meanwhile, in a small bar named "The Last Call" in the city of Astrea... "So what exactly is this?" The middle-aged man sat behind the counter of a bar, staring at the bundle of cloth tied with rope. "A mission, boss," a dirty hooded male with a mask covering his expression and face. Yet you could identify the man with his dull grey eyes, with a dull cloudy surface, if you paid attention. The middle-aged man, who had a slim figure, was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. His beard was untrimmed, and his hair was messy, giving him a wild appearance. "A mission for us? Strange... we retired, didn''t we, Joker?" "Haha, there is no retirement for assassin''s Ace." "Tsk..." The bartender brushed his messy golden hair back, revealing a pair of sharp but vibrant emerald eyes. The face was quite beautiful and carried the aura of a holy mana. "Who are the targets?" "Hohoho~ to think such a handsome man like you, working in this dingy bar used to be an arch priest..." "Shut it Joker!" Ace slammed the bar, his lips deformed in an angry snarl showing his fangs, his body flickering with a golden aura. "Oh~ scary scary~ it was a joke, Ace. Can''t you trust your old friend?" "Heh... old friend." ''You dirty bastard.'' Ace''s eyes flicked to the wrapped item, and while pretending to pull a pint for the plump Joker in his mask and robe, he checked the code. ''Four targets... three women, one man... a dragonoid, a witch... a male warrior and a saintess candidate?! With golden hair and...'' Ace''s eyes narrowed, snapping back at Joker, only to find the fat man already gone, with a sack of coins left on the counter. "That clown bastard." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 70 - 70: Munat Mountains - II Upon entering the cavern, the damp stench of moss filled the air, making it difficult for Sylvie and Erina to breathe. Leon gazed back at the women, noticing them clutching their mouths and struggling to resist coughing. ''I knew it.'' He stopped and turned back, removing two floral-scented handkerchiefs. "Here, take these." "Eh? What''s this?" Erina tilted her head before taking the piece of cloth, flicking her gaze to Leonhardt as if asking for an answer. "..." "Wrap it around your mouth, the herbs used for the scent will remove and filter out unpleasant smells and toxins in the air." Sylvie remained silent, switching her gaze between Leonhardt''s before huffing, wrapping the cloth around her mouth, flicking her head away, and walking ahead. ''Why is he being so considerate... of course, the scent was foul, worse than the sour taste of the Chrysa.'' Despite her thoughts racing, Sylvie just couldn''t forget the nights when Leonhardt would push down Asuka and insert that huge thing... ''Damn perverted man!'' Erina soon followed her, but she gave a gentle nod to Leon before gazing at Asuka, who grinned back at her, both hands on her hips. "What about, Asuka?" She asked in a curious, low voice. "Don''t worry about me, Eri. Thanks to being a Dragonoid, this smell is nothing!" Asuka said confidently, her lips curled into a wild smile. ''I don''t understand why helped Sylvie... she always treats him so badly.'' Erina thought while rubbing her lips together, curious about Leonhardt''s goals. ''If it''s just to get us to join, does he need to go this far?'' The answer was something she became increasingly curious about. "Let''s go." Leonhardt noticed the movements coming from deeper into the cave. Sylvie was acting arrogant as usual, and he couldn''t afford to let her walk off in the darkness alone. "Tsk!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With the click of his tongue, he rushed forward while constantly gathering mana in his hands. ''Damn, this annoying elf is too much trouble.'' Asuka''s eyes narrowed as the corners of her lips curled into a smirk. "He''s much softer than he seems, Erina." ''Though I don''t think it''s because of kindness... more like instinct?'' Asuka shook her head and took the hand of Erina, helping her through the dark and mossy cavern. "Eh?" ''What does she mean, didn''t he click his tongue in annoyance?'' Wet puddles and glistening webs dripping with stale water¡ªLeonhardt was sure this was a secondary cave for the death weavers. He eventually caught up to Sylvie, but he noticed something glistening ahead of her step, a trapdoor made of silent webbing. ''Dangerous!'' Leon reached out and yanked her body back, causing her to turn and angrily scowl at him. Her feet slipped and avoided the trap, but the force overwhelmed the small mage, and she fell against his chest. ''What''s happening, Who?!'' Sylvie''s heart raced, hammering against her ribs as her hands slipped across Leonhardt''s muscular chest¡ªonce again, he saved her. Embarrassment at making another mistake became like dirty water, flowing through her mind and staining the gratitude and sincere feelings growing in her heart. "What do you think you''re doing?!" Sylvie''s voice echoed through the darkness¡ªirritation and fear growing in this dark and slimy caused her to freak out the moment he touched her. ''I can smell her fear... the sense of terror she felt when I grabbed her.'' Leonhardt gazed at the beautiful elf, her azure eyes brimming with tears. Yet she refused to sniffle or show weakness, gritting her teeth. ''Why are her hands caressing my chest still?'' "Are you alright, Sylvie?" The moment he spoke, her eyes widened as if coming to realise how rude and horrible she acted towards him. ''Why can''t I just say thank you?'' Sylvie gazed up at Leon, distracted by the tapping sound of Asuka and Erina coming closer. She pressed her lips so tightly that they turned white. "I..." "Don''t worry, even if you hate me. I won''t let you die." Leonhardt released her arm and stepped forward, his hand swirling with a faint flame. He tossed it onto the dark, hidden webbing. Woosh! The webbing combusted into flames and faded from sight with the faint smell of caramel. ''It seems they coated the web in some kind of sweet liquid along with the venom.'' Leon thought to himself while snapping his fingers again, creating a ball of blue fire. "Here, this will help you see dangers in this darkness." "Y-You... Why?" Sylvie''s eyes trembled, wanting to understand him better but unable to sort her feelings and emotions. ''Why do I get so angry when he treats me like a child... and why can''t I stop chasing and doing foolish things just to get his attention?!'' Sylvie gazed at the ball of fire, a spell she could never learn, though she graduated from the elven school of magic and then started attending the human academy. All because her total mana was quite average. ''Leonhardt''s too good at everything, how did he become so talented?'' A jealous, yet glint of admiration lingered in her mind as Asuka and Erina caught up with them. "Ah~ you guys ran off too fast we almost left without you!" Since awakening her dragon blood, Asuka''s intellect and ability to understand emotions improved, both for monsters and humans. Thus, she wanted to become a sort of bridge between them. ''Leonhardt looks a little angry...'' ''Why does Leo seem to be a little excited?'' Asuka''s thoughts were identical to Erina''s but showed her understanding of his facial expression and scent. A scent that humans couldn''t notice... "Come on! The spiders likely heard her shout, and the vibrations would have travelled along the webbing that wraps these walls." Leonhardt''s gaze swept over the group, lingering on Sylvie for a moment before turning to Asuka with a faint smile. "I will protect Sylvie so you keep Erina alive. She must not lose her ability to cast anti-venom." ''Protect me?!'' "Understood." She said with a sullen voice while avoiding his gaze. Sylvie held her staff tight, a conflict of logic and emotion and her warped thoughts creating false issues in her mind. However, when she noticed the blue flame flickering and spitting embers at even the faintest webbing that had fallen from the ceiling near her, she understood he meant it. ''...'' Erina watched Sylvie, then faced Leonhardt, nodding as she prepared for battle. Somehow, her skin tingled like usual when a monster appeared. ''Though when I first met Leonhardt, he also made me tingle...'' A thought she withheld from even her party members. The party started moving slower. Because of the cave''s linear style, the danger would likely come from ahead or from hidden places, such as trapdoors and cracks in the walls and ceiling. Three sizzling flames lit the path and burned the surrounding webbing, protecting the three women while the leader''s fingers danced in the air. ''My webbing is stronger... and sharper. I cannot use venom, but fire.'' "Stay on guard, there are quite a lot of enemies skittering around," Leon said while he lifted his fingertips, beautiful strands of silk extending from each finger, sparkling with a dark black flame, the one he inherited from the Dark Dragon''s bloodline. "Leonhardt...?" "Hm?" Sylvie''s quiet voice, like a mouse, reached his ears only as she stepped closer. Her azure eyes gleamed in the darkness, illuminated by the blue embers. "What''s wrong." Leon''s gaze could see anything moving within a twenty-metre radius in this darkness. His mana bubbled and flowed into his hands and eyes, and he was ready to react at any moment. ''Her scent is a little sweeter than usual, different from other humans.'' He noticed the spiders starting to move earlier. Their legs tapped on the walls, and they skittered to take advantage of their group''s low visibility. ''At least that''s what those spiders will assume.'' ''Ah... he''s not even looking at me, did I upset him, being too selfish and stubborn?'' In reality, she feared Leonhardt because of his immense mana¡ªhis mana density and power caused her instinctive terror. A memory sealed in her chest, the day her mother and the forest suffered horrific losses. "I... I''m sorry for being so..." Woosh! The moment she tried to apologise, the spiders must have noticed the gap in her defences and struck¡ªfour death weavers attacked. Three spitting their sticky, paralysing threads at Leonhardt, Asuka and Erina. Asuka''s eyes widened, her hand twisting her axe before she swung into the air with a violent cleaving blow¡ªthe airborne spider''s body sliced deeply. The force sent it flying back into the sharp, rocky wall with a wet thud. "Haha, take that!" Her body wrapped around and grabbed Erina, barely able to parry the second spider''s attack, before she noticed the movement of Leonhardt, causing her eyes to widen. Two death weavers, completely aware of the blue flames, still spit their webbing at him. "Damn spiders!" Leonhardt lifted his hand, ready to cast a spell, but he found they ignored him. And both spiders targeted Sylvie, who started chanting her spell. ''Calm down, you can do it Sylvie. This isn''t like the past... you can fight!'' "The spirit of frost, who governs the icy wastes¡ª" Before she could complete the spell, the spiders lunged at her with the deadly venom oozing from the tip of their fangs. The Death Weaver''s fangs were long¡ªat least ten inches long and thicker than a grown man''s wrist¡ªan envious size for many human males. ''I''m going to die! No, I don''t want to die!'' Two sticky maws snapped down at the young elf, her spell fizzling. "Ack, save me... Leonhardt!" Bite! The sound of ripped flesh and a deep grunt echoed in Sylvie''s ears. Her body trembled as she slowly opened her eyes, shuddered as they widened, and her lips trembled at the sight before her. "W-Why?" Chapter 71 - 71: The Chimeras Plot Blood and venom bubbled from Leon''s arm¡ªhis eyes narrowed with veins bulging from his forehead to show his struggle. The fangs pierced his forearm, which created two gaping holes visible for Sylvie''s blue eyes to see. ''Leonhardt?'' ''That''s it! Stop resisting me and become softer, this sacrifice is worth winning you over.'' "Leo?!" Asuka''s voice rumbled from behind as the squeak of another spider vanished. However, she noticed his face and then huffed, flicking the blood from her axe as she turned away. "He''ll be fine, Erina, don''t look so distressed." "R-Really? But his arm is bleeding so much!" ''Why did he need to hurt himself like this just to show off to other women?'' Asuka complained in her mind while checking the surroundings, knowing more of them lingered, waiting for another chance. ''He''s bleeding, and it''s all my fault.'' Sylvie''s hands trembled, almost dropping her staff as a sudden sharp sensation spread through her stomach¡ªanger, regret and flashbacks of her pathetic and weak self. "The spirit of frost, who governs the icy wastes¡ªobliterate those who stand in my path!" A glint of light shone from her azure eyes, causing Leonhardt''s lips to twitch, showing a devilish grin before returning to his pained expression. "Frost Barrage!" Sylvie pointed her left hand at the two spiders. A torrent of ice wrapped around her body like a beautiful, ice-blue tornado before forming sharp, jagged daggers. "Rend!" Da-Da-Da-Da-Da! The sharp blades cut through the air mercilessly, tearing through the spiders, cutting their fangs at the base, severing the venom glands before impaling their brains. "Shaa!" "Skkkksksk!" ''I did it¡­ I did it!'' Although she could cast basic magic, she had failed the assessment to advance to medium-grade spells in the past because of the trauma she faced. Sylvie struggled to control her average mana enough to cast them. ''Doesn''t she have the cutest little smile?'' Leonhardt narrowed his eyes, grabbing his arm, almost crushing the muscles as the purple poison pumped through his veins. He wouldn''t die, and his immunity wasn''t a lie either, but with so much venom poured directly into his blood, the painful rejection from his Djinn, Dragon and Fae blood caused something akin to an allergic reaction. "Leon!" Sylvie said with a panicked expression. Her hand grasped the small bottle of antivenom. She popped the cork and immediately tried to pour the medicine into his lips. ''Hurry, he said death weaver venom is deadly, but there''s so much, his arm is turning purple!'' Leon couldn''t believe his luck upon seeing her so eager to save him¡ªthese spiders could have easily been burned by the Azure flame protecting her. He slowly swallowed the sticky potion while reaching out towards Sylvie¡ªhis hand wrapped around her small buttocks as his fingers sank into her flesh. "Hnng¡­" ''Plump in all the right ways~ a masterpiece of balance.'' Although he never expected his plan to be this effective. ''I wanted to have her stop being annoying, but this¡­ this is unexpected.'' S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This revelation didn''t mean he would stop¡ªrather, it made him take it further, biting his teeth together and twisting his face to show more agony than before. [What are you doing? Idiot¡­] ''I am trying to get trick the little elf.'' [To sleep with her?] ''No.'' [Hmph] Leonhardt''s arm bubbled before his natural regeneration kicked in. The bloody holes sealed rapidly, shocking Sylvie. As the swollen purple veins calmed down after shrinking to a normal size, they stopped throbbing, causing a slight ache in his arms. ''The wounds vanished, does this mean he''s alright?'' ''Leo, why did you do something so stupid!'' Asuka bit her lower lip while keeping her promise to guard Erina, the irritation growing in her stomach as if she swallowed burning coal. "I''m fine now Sylvie, but more importantly, your magic was amazing." Leon forced himself to speak in a low, drawn-out voice to prolong her concern. "Are you sure, the amount of venom that filled you wasn''t normal!" "I agree, why not let me cast my antivenom magic?" Leonhardt turned to face Erina and understood just how kind and delicate the priestess could be. He teased her the most, and yet she always came to his aid and helped him. "Save your divine power, Erina. I am okay." [So dramatic... these girls would be in your bed within the night if you wanted them to be!] ''Well, thanks for the compliment Ifrit... can I get you in my bed by tonight too?'' A moment of silence remained as he checked the gains from the dungeon system. Leonhardt noticed passive increases, which meant Zafira and his goblins must have been fighting somewhere in this vast basin. He didn''t understand why a monster would feel this way, but his loneliness faded just knowing this. "We need to continue, the damn spiders are gathering." Asuka''s and Sylvie''s faces twisted, showing a sense of disbelief and worry at his calm response after the two spiders chomped on his arm and pumped him full of venom. "Ah..." "Leo?!" "Ugh... sorry, it''s because my legs are a little weak, don''t worry." Erina''s eyes shimmered as she watched Leonhardt stumble as he tried to move away from Sylvie, but she lowered her gaze to the hand visibly squeezing her friend''s ass. ''Eh? His hand is practically crushing Sylvie''s butt yet she doesn''t complain?'' She then flicked her gaze toward Sylvie, who looked strange... bright red cheeks, half-closed eyes and biting her bottom lip with an unfamiliar yet pleasant look. ''Slyvie?'' "Erina, let''s go." Asuka called out to Erina as she wanted to keep up with Leonhardt this time. ''Phew... why did you go silent, Ifrit?'' Leon wondered while he closed the dungeon screen and focused on the dungeon. [It''s Nothing...] ''Don''t lie, you were just angry you can''t join me in bed, right? Haha.'' Ifrit''s tone allowed Leonhardt to relax even in the most dangerous situations. Hearing her cute voice tremble after he teased her removed all his worries. [Tsk, just you wait!] ''For you, I''ll wait forever.'' [Ack!] Leon didn''t need to earn more affection or trust from Sylvie. He knew he couldn''t rush to gain those feelings and would take it one step at a time. Leonhardt and his group traversed the dark cavern and eventually came to another arched opening, which led into a small spherical chamber with a tall roof roughly fifteen feet in the air. "Wait!" "Leon, what''s wrong?" "Be on guard, Eri," Asuka said as she lifted her axe, her body starting to glow with a dull blue aura. "Sylvie, can you tell me what spells you''ve learned?" Leonhardt asked, stepping back and focusing on the dark room. ''Fifteen spiders, and one larger male.'' ''Ah~ he wants to know more about me?'' Sylvie remained in a confused state of mind since the bite, her chest only just calming down after pounding at the sight of Leon''s beautiful face. ''Although I would love to swing my sword around, this battle I should open with magic.'' Leonhardt''s eight magical eyes observed the movements of the hidden weavers. Their bodies clung to the rocks above while constantly strengthening the webbing that formed an intricate and deadly zone of traps in the centre of the room. "I can only use a few spells, I''m sorry." He turned to her and smiled gently. "Don''t apologise, if you need to learn more I can help you." "R-Really?" "Yeah, tell me the spells you have and I will make sure to teach you before we part ways." "Eh? Part ways?" ''Why is Sylvie being so strange... she hates men!'' ''Does Leon want to seduce Sylvie and make her into a monster too?'' The minds of Asuka and Erina remained filled with concern and worry for their best friend, while Leonhardt kept the mana flowing in his fingertips by using a technique called finger waving or finger waves. This movement entailed unfolding his index finger first, followed by the middle finger, ring finger and finally his pinky, before folding them in reverse order. This exercise kept the mana constantly flowing from one finger to the next while he supplied a small amount, preparing to cast his next spell. "Phew..." "I can use Ice wall... Water bolt... and frost barrage." Sylvie seemed embarrassed about this, but even Leonhardt knew that the average mage took years to learn new spells¡ªbut having taken could reduce the time greatly. However, Sylvie was still young in terms of age, even for an elf. ''Ah... he''s looking at me with such a serious gaze, does he think I am useless?'' Leonhardt couldn''t understand her feelings, but noticing Sylvie''s bad habit of biting her lower lip when stressed or upset, he couldn''t help but reach out and stroke the top of her head, his thumbs brushing against her long, silky ears. "Good, you''ve worked really hard." "Now then, let me show you how to improve yourself... grab my hand." Leon held out his left hand, which Sylvie grasped without hesitation. He crept forward, pulling her beside him. She matched his footsteps and almost tripped, distracted by his fingers'' warmth. "Can you feel the flow of magic in my hands?" Asuka and Erina watched quietly as the dragonoid''s tail slammed into the ground, causing a puff of dirt, smoke, and blue flames to crackle. "I can... It''s hot and filled with fire. My hand feels so hot, as if I might melt. "Good, now watch and focus on that Mana, Copy how I cast this next spell and I will reward you." "Nn!" Chapter 72 - 72: The Death Weavers Mate I The moment Sylvie''s eyes focused on his mana, she noticed not the hand she held but his right hand, which constantly undulated with a powerful magic aura. "You see, I do this to practise my mana control. Sylvie." A black flame swirled around his fingertips, growing with each revolution. Sylvie''s lips parted as she started to pant. Her heart raced at the sight, and she stared at him in complete shock. ''His magic is forming without a chant!'' "Erina, that guy seducing Sylvie with magic, she looks like she''s about to climax." Asuka''s eyes narrowed as she watched her former friend while feeling a fiery ball form in her abdomen. The more she watched the pair, the more annoyed she became. The enchanted look on Sylvie''s face while watching Leonhardt cast magic made her jealous. "Do you think so? It''s just Sylvie''s never had someone who understood her before, you know that right Asuka. She isn''t trying to take Leon from you." "It''s not that¡­" ''How can I tell Erina it''s because I want to do these things with him¡­'' Her gaze lingered on her axe, gritting her teeth before she focused on the vast sphere of black flames at the tip of Leonhardt''s fingers. A swirling black mass of fire rotated at the tip of his finger, growing with each cycle of mana that travelled from his Djinn heart to his Fae heart and then back to his hand. "Sylvie, this spell is called Cinderblast, a high-powered fire-type spell normally with a blue flame." "¡­" He didn''t mind her not responding because the hand gripping his so tightly let him know just how invested she became in the spell and movement of magic. "Now, let''s show you how powerful I am." ¡ªDual Cast Ba-Dump! Sylvie''s chest pounded. Leonhardt''s body surged with an unbelievable amount of mana. His eyes shone with two beautiful pentagram-shaped pupils. ''Beautiful¡­'' A vortex of black fire coiled at his fingertip, spiralling with each pulse of mana as it cycled between his Djinn heart and Fae heart, growing hotter, denser¡ªhungry. It roared in silence, a captive storm waiting for release. "Sylvie, this is Cinderblast¡ªfire refined to near perfection." The orb burst forth like a raging bull. A breathless pause filled Sylvia''s throat¡ªthen black fire erupted, spiralling outward in a violent blaze. The dome filled with a violent and brutal heat as it tore through the webbing, melting them into mist. The ground rumbled and cracked before the inferno expanded and rapidly collapsed, leaving a smouldering crater in its wake. BOOM! "It''s hot!" "Wow." Sylvie''s eyes shone like shattered gemstones illuminated by the raging flames. Her mouth was agape as she stepped forward, her hand extended towards the flame. Her soft lips dragged apart silently mouthing the words. ''I can feel it! The mana inside my body, it''s so clear now.'' Sylvie''s heart pounded, the icy blood mana flowing through her veins towards her fingertips like a cold winter''s lake. Crack! Leonhardt''s eyes widened, able to see the atmosphere around the elven mage freezing the sweat on her skin and liquid in the surrounding air. ''She''s quite talented...'' "Asuka, Erina prepare for battle! The spiders are coming from above. Keep the door locked, and don''t allow them to overwhelm us." His low voice resonated through the caves as the spiders abandoned their attempt to ambush the group and rushed across the ceiling towards the entrance. "Sylvie, use Ice wall!" Sylvie''s shoulders shuddered the moment Leonhard''s voice entered her ears. She closed her eyes and parted her lips, releasing a lovely melodic voice, almost like a song. I call upon the spirits of ice, cast your bitter winds and seal my enemies in a wall of ice. " Ice Wall!" A low shriek echoed from the depths after the luminous blue ice encased the doorway, forming a small opening roughly a meter wide. "It seems the brood''s mate is enraged, we should prepare to fight." "Leonhardt..." Sylvie''s fingertips tingled as she watched the blue motes of magic flowing from her hand, focused into a single place. ''I''ve never cast a spell so easily in my life and I used less than half the mana... who are you Leonhardt?'' Her gaze lingered on the man holding her hand before she shook her head and focused on the task at hand. Although she wanted to remain beside him, Sylvie knew Leon needed to fight without a burden. The first spider crawled through the narrow gap, falling right into Asuka''s slash. Her blade severed its head, and she used the momentum to spin her body away from the splatter of green acid-like blood. Sylvie released the hands of Leonhardt, as she focused on the sensation of mana within her, like grasping at sand without his help, yet she wanted to keep trying. "Haha! Take that." "Behind you Asuka...!" Erina said with a concerned voice before she watched Leonhardt''s body dart forward, his steps bouncing off the floor, boosting his speed, while a blue ball of flames in his left hand. Bang! "Fire Bolt!" The force of the explosion pushed back the spider that had leapt towards Asuka''s back. Its legs twitched in mid-air, and it landed dead on the ground. His body moved quickly, moving between the girls. He cut down the spiders with a quick swipe of his sword or burned them with a blast of fire. "Water bolt!" Sylvie''s eyes widened as she panted, but a beautiful bolt of water shot from her fingertip and pierced the abdomen of a spider, stopping it from advancing. The magic felt different¡ªmore fluid, easier to grasp, but harder to control. ''So much waste!'' She told herself this, but the heat boiling within her icy blood made her cheeks turn pink. Leonhardt''s mana still flowed within her body, causing the mana outside her body to be more responsive. ''Is this how he controls mana? It feels incredible!'' "Asuka, Leonhardt, careful a big one is coming!" Erina''s voice called out as one of the larger spiders crawled through the gap, landing behind Asuka. She wanted to step forward and fight with them, but Leon told her to sit this battle out, causing her chest to race in fear. "Asuka!" The tall, red-haired woman spun around and brought up her axe just in time to block a set of vicious fangs, but the force knocked her backwards. "Shit...!" Leonhardt rushed forward, grabbing her shoulder and pushing her out of harm''s way while facing the enormous spider alone. He looked over his shoulder, spotting several smaller spiders rushing through the hole and attacking Erina and Sylvie. Without wasting time, his left hand pointed to the opening while his right hand lifted his greatsword. "Fire Wall!" A jet of flame shot from his palm, sealing the hole in the ice wall. With a quick breath, he swung his sword toward the monstrous arachnid, slicing off two legs with ease. Clang! ''Shallow... these big ones are troublesome.'' Leon thought to himself as he sidestepped another ferocious bite, sliding closer to Sylvie and Erina. "Asuka, crush the big one, I''ll protect the others." A chaotic battle started, with Leonhard changing between vanguard and mudguard, protecting Asuka and the others while helping them adapt to fighting monsters like the Death Weaver. He didn''t know whether it was because of their group leader, but their skills in hunting non-humanoids seemed abysmal. "I beseech you, spirits of water. Obey me! Frost barrage!" Sylvie''s chants grew shorter. The time between casting spells also decreased as she started moving and then casting to avoid being in a dangerous position. ''All the things I''ve told her, she''s already picking them up?'' Sylvie used the last of her mana a long time ago. However, thanks to the connection created earlier when he grasped her hand and connected to her mana core. Leonhardt shared his mana with her, allowing the raging inferno inside his core to cool from the frigid mana that lingered in Sylvie''s small body. ''I''m not losing my cool... it seems she''s worth hiring after all.'' His sword collided with a larger spider before his hand tapped the spider''s head, and a searing black flame devoured it. "Asuka, prepare yourself the Broodmother''s Mate is coming!" CRACK! A sound similar to shattered glass echoed through the cave as a massive spider, almost three metres tall, with elongated legs over five metres. Leonhardt could see the magic radiating from the creature. Its carapace glowed with a dark blue aura, and its mandibles dripped with a deadly toxin. "Prepare for the real deal, Erina if anyone gets bitten or pricked... heal them with Anti-venom first!" S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Death Weavers seemed to have a different ecology compared to normal spiders... and the Brood mother only mated with this one spider. Massive, and one size bigger than the other males... and there was no doubt in Leonhardt''s mind that this creature would be far more cunning than the rest. It stared at the group with large bulbous eyes, scanning each one of them before focusing on Leonhardt. ''Can it judge a person''s strength?'' The spider seemed to ignore the other women for some strange reason, causing Leonhardt''s eyes to narrow. "Hisss!" Chapter 73 - 73: The Death Weavers Mate II The male lifted its front legs, threatening Leonhardt, skittering to the sides as if trying to find an opening in his guard. But unfortunately for the male, it was too slow for him. Leonhardt appeared in front of the massive spider instantly, leaving a trail of smoke where he stood. ¡ªDouble Cast ¡ªTyrant Blitz Leonhard cast both spells with a single thought as his strength and speed exploded. His muscles bulged slightly, and an unstable aura crackled from his body as he slashed at the male spider from below. "Die!" Clang! The blade struck the exoskeleton, leaving a deep gash that exposed a layer of thick yellow-green muscle. But before Leon could press further, the spider lashed out with its powerful forelegs. "Too slow!" Leonhardt mocked, stepping back out of their range, but the black legs suddenly shone red, causing his eyes to widen. "Fuck!" Thousands of sharp needle-like hairs exploded from the male spider''s legs, tearing through the air¡­ "ASUKA! AVOID THEM!" Leonhardt''s shout resonated through the cavern as his left hand flung a fiery wall up to help protect Erina and Sylvie, with Asuka wrapping them in her arms and turning her back to the spider. Erina''s eyes widened as her lips trembled¡ªthe needles tore through the air like a deadly storm of locusts, devouring everything they touched. Her hands were tightly on Sylvie and Erina, who were shaking in her arms. But Asuka didn''t even care; she only had eyes for Leonhardt. ''After all, the man I chose¡­ is wonderful.'' The storm of sharp black spines flung out in flurries of hundreds of fur strands in all directions, yet Leonhardt''s figure became almost intangible as he pushed himself to the limit. Tap Step! Tap Step! His body flashed with a faint black flame each time his foot tapped the floor, and he became intangible for another fraction of a second. The strands passed through his form harmlessly at first, but gradually cuts appeared as the needles sliced through his flesh. "Hissss!" The male spider''s front legs now looked pale white, sleek, and smooth without hairs, but its movements became faster as it dashed away from him. The attack destroyed Leonhardt''s clothes, which became tattered, and thousands of bloody wounds seeped down his flesh. "Damn, these things sting. I guess the Fairy Step wasn''t perfect." [Of course! It''s a skill the Fae used to play tricks and avoid being followed, not avoiding a torrent of deadly spines!] Ifrit''s scolding voice soothed his nerves as Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed. His mana reserves were below half after he had used the racial skills of his Fae and Arachne bloodlines in tandem. ''A few seconds spent hundreds of mana.'' "Shaaa!" Leon focused on the Male spider, its body swaying like a dance. The black needles were gone, and it seemed to rely on intimidation rather than brute force. "Erina, heal Asuka! Sylvie, cast Ice Wall and protect yourselves." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a flick of his wrist, Leonhardt grasped his sword with both hands and rushed forward, only a few seconds remaining on his Tyrant Blitz. ''There''s no time to comfort them. I should kill this thing now.'' The spider''s body swerved before lowering itself, with both legs lifted, preparing for a counter bite as Leonhardt charged forward. ''Come closer, weak prey¡­'' Its beady blue eyes shone like sapphires in the dark. "HISS!" Its powerful forelegs crashed down onto Leonhardt, leaving cracks where he stood. However, he was already beneath its body, choosing to slide instead of jump. Its powerful jaws clamped shut above him, and its fangs shone brightly. But unfortunately, Leonhardt was too close. ''Sorry, big guy, you''re just too slow.'' ¡ªClaws of Fire! Leonhardt''s left hand ignited with flames, and his claws grew as his body twirled. He slashed and clawed across the monster''s stomach in a rotating vertical cut from between the creature''s jaws to its back end. The violent attack caused the male spider to twist its head angrily, trying to snap at him, but it was far too late. ''Gotcha!'' ¡ªFairy Step Leonhardt appeared behind the beast, thrusting his greatsword into its rear. The blade pierced deep within the beast''s body, spewing thick green fluid outwards. The monster convulsed and screamed in pain as Leon twisted the blade and yanked it out, slicing apart the spiders'' spinnerets. The beast tried to turn around to face Leonhardt, but he quickly dodged its attacks with a few swift steps. Using this opportunity, he jumped onto its backside while keeping hold of his sword with one arm. The spider''s body stumbled before collapsing, its guts pouring out from the wound made by his blade. It tried desperately to crawl away from him, using only three legs now, leaving trails of slime wherever it went. "Hahahaha!" Laughter burst forth from his lips unbidden¡ªhe couldn''t contain himself anymore. "Did he lose his mind?" Erina gasped. "¡­" "Hnng, he looks happy." ''Even covered in blood, he is handsome.'' Asuka sighed softly, her cheeks flushed red as she stared at him intently, ignoring her wounds. "Hey, look, isn''t he smiling with a body covered in wounds like some wild animal? Haha, I can''t believe it." Erina chuckled as she healed Asuka''s wounds with Sylvie''s help. "Ah¡­ I''m glad he''s having fun at least," Asuka replied, watching Leonhardt with interest. Sylvie remained quiet as her ice wall slowly melted. The cave was now deathly silent except for Leonhardt''s laughter. He kicked the spider''s corpse, which started to crumble, revealing several small floating squares, but Leonhardt didn''t seem interested in them. Instead, he looked up and met their gazes with his dark crimson orbs. "Everyone alright?" His long raven hair hung loosely over his shoulders, dripping with a mixture of green and red blood. The girls watched Leonhardt brush his hair back while he used the [Dismantle] skill to gain more items from the spider corpses around them, including spider meat, sharp fangs used to make weapons, and, of course, their venom glands. [? Battle Complete ?] ? You have slain 8 Death Weavers Gained: 2400 XP Gained: 800 EP Gained: 2400 DP ? You have slain The Brood Mother''s Mate ¡ª Golgoth Gained: 1500 XP Gained: 1000 DP Gained: 500 EP [? Level Up! ?] ? You have reached level 20! STR: B (20%) ¡ú STR: B (25%) VIT: B (20%) ¡ú VIT: B (25%) AGI: C (55%) ¡ú AGI: C (60%) DEF: C (20%) ¡ú DEF: C (25%) INT: A (10%) ¡ú INT: A (15%) CHA: A (10%) ¡ú CHA: A (15%) ¡ª¡ª "Phew..." While smiling, he turned back to the other women as he showed the 15 venom sacs on his guild card. To Leonhardt, this money meant little. He would use it to fund his mercenary group [Crimson Hawks], which would deal with human issues. "It seems this mission isn''t so bad." ''Though my body itches like hell...'' "Is that it, are we done?" Asuka sat against the wall, her chest and abdomen wrapped in a bandaged soaked in antivenom and healing salve rubbed into her wounds. Leonhardt tapped his chin, wondering if it would be worth it to fight the Brood Mother. ''If we leave the village will vanish... because I pissed her off by grabbing the surrounding territories and killing her mate.'' Because of this, the brood mother would probably attack the Munat village in the future. "What do you guys think? There is another cave, a dungeon, in fact." Leonhardt''s voice sounded quite jovial. He didn''t care if the town vanished¡ªhis goblins could rebuild it later, but if the girls wanted to enjoy a dungeon... ''I also wouldn''t mind seeing one from the other side, haha. Do dungeon masters usually attack others directly?'' He thought to himself while the others seemed to discuss quietly. "What do you think, Sylvie? If we take a quick break to eat, it might be fun?" Erina seemed positive, which raised Leon''s eyebrows. ''Never expected her to be positive.'' "I''ll go when my wounds close, since Leo wants to go." Asuka''s eyes focused on him, and she knew Leonhardt couldn''t resist the temptation. ''There''s a childish glint in his eyes... how lovely.'' Sylvie closed her eyes, still panting with excitement from the battle as her mana slowly recovered with the help of Leonhardt''s mana still lingering in her core. The moment she met his gaze, her body tingled, as she trembled and covered her mouth with both hands as a hot, raging heat flowed into her body, once again widening and spreading her mana passageways apart. "Nn~ it''s strange..." ''Leonhardt keeps pouring mana into me... the others can''t see it... but I can, how embarrassing... I can''t stop my lips from making strange sounds.'' Leon''s lips curled into a smirk. He nodded as he realised that Sylvie''s mana had increased, thanks to both her levelling up and his mana forcing her narrow passage to spread apart. His thick mana forcefully pushed deep inside her, toying with her unused mana passageways before reaching Sylvie''s core. "Hnnng!" Sylvie''s mouth opened as she flung her head back. The pleasure of another''s mana pouring into her body filled her mind with delightful bliss. ''Woops...'' ''I''m used to Zafira doing this to me after practise... so I forgot the feeling it causes.'' [...] [You damn Liar!] ''No comment. I am innocent until proven guilty!'' [The court of Origin elements finds you G U I L T Y!] Leonhardt tried to feign innocence while he spoke with Ifrit, teasing the tiny flame elemental while waiting for the girls to finish setting up their meals. Chapter 74 - 74: To Advance or Retreat? [R18] Inside the dark, murky cave, the group sat together, eating a light lunch. Although it might have been nice to leave and eat outside, most of the group felt too tired to move and wanted to get some rest before they decided what to do. ''When we first won, they seemed confident about fighting the brood mother.'' Leonhardt thought to himself. He knew he should check again to avoid any injuries or errors. The brood mother''s mate brought so much trouble, which made Leon a little uneasy. Because he wanted to think to himself, he moved further into the cave and started to explore. The scorched floor and walls were proof of his destructive cinder blast. "What''s the matter handsome?" Asuka said with a sweet hum. "Asuka?" He couldn''t help but narrow his eyes and reach out when she came closer. The wounds from the spider might have healed, but he couldn''t just brush them off... His hand gripped her wrist and pulled her onto his lap. "Ah?" "Nnngh...?" Asuka couldn''t stop her throat from making strange sounds as his hands slipped across her body, the heat from his palms spreading the pleasant sensation while cupping her breasts and caressing them with a firm grip. "Leo... we''re not alone... Hnnng!" Her lips parted with threads of saliva glued to her teeth and tongue as they stretched and broke. Leonhardt''s eyes focused on Asuka''s reactions, the colour of her scales, and how her hips and body shifted with each touch. "Mmmm~ there.... that''s good." Leonhardt wasn''t doing this for sexual reasons but to ensure she could heal faster, pouring mana through his fingertips. "Does that feel good, Asuka. Has the pain vanished?" His low voice echoed in her mind as she felt his fingertips squeezing her chest, crushing both her nipples. A faint liquid oozed from their tips, causing his fingers and the bandages to become sticky and smell like honey, sweet-scented milk oozing from her bosom. ''W-What''s happening, why is milk coming out?!'' "L-Leo... what''s going on, Hnnng!?" "Shhh, don''t worry. It''s not what you think, Asuka." The soft meat of her breasts spread through his fingertips as she lifted them into the air, then let them drop with a light flop, causing Asuka''s lips to quiver; gripping his arms with a blushing face, trying to stop him from teasing her. "You''re body isn''t healed yet, it seems that you were a little too reckless." "Hnnng... But... they would be in danger." ''My body feels so hot. It''s almost like his hands were made to comfort me... I feel my mind and resistance melting each time his fingers press into my flesh.'' "Hey Asuka, you''re thinking dirty thoughts. Aren''t you?" "Fool.... who wouldn''t in this situation?" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed. He found himself growing aroused by the lovely sound of her nasal breathing and the desperate attempt to muffle her sighs. ''It started as treatment... but I can''t help myself.'' "Well, you''re right... who wouldn''t want to do this to a woman like you?" Asuka''s eyes widened as she felt one of his hands grip the base of her tail. The hard scales couldn''t protect the base. "W-Wait!" "Hyaa... Mmmm, don''t touch there.... Hnnng!" Leonhardt''s hands almost burned from the sudden heat when his hands came close to her marking; Asuka''s body started to steam, her nostrils blowing blue fire as she pressed her back against his chest, shifting her ass while slapping his thigh with her powerful tail. "L-Leo... please... I won''t be able to stop." ''W-What is this?!'' Sylvie''s mind screamed at the sight she observed. Asuka sat on Leonhardt''s lap while pushing her buttocks against his crotch, letting his hand grope and caress her chest and rump while making the most lustful and erotic noises. ''She''s making such pleasant sounds...'' "N-Not my ass..." ''Eh, her ass?!" Sylve pressed one hand on the rock wall, her gaze fixated on the pair and placed her staff on the floor. Her hand slipped between her robe and under her white dress. She traced her finger across her underwear with a long, slow movement. The tingling and jolt of pleasure caused her to forget everything but the sight before her. Her eyes narrowed as she enjoyed the damp, sticky fluid seeping into the cloth and smearing onto her fingertips. "I shouldn''t do this... but It''s all your fault, you made me this wet. Leonhardt..." Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, flicking towards the rock beside the entrance, his lips curling into a smirk as another woman''s scent filled his nostrils. A light and more zesty scent compared to the sweet, honeyed flavour of Asuka, who prostrated herself before him on all fours with her buttocks lifted into the air, pointing towards him. "Your ass is swaying, as if to entice me, Asuka." "S-Shut it... you''re the one that made me like this... Hnng..." ''You say that, but why does your ass pucker so much when stroke it?'' Unlike the other women, under her kimono, Asuka didn''t wear normal underwear, instead she wore thongs that slipped to the side easily when in such a position. A thick thread of her juices dripped from her pink opening as Leonhardt enjoyed the sight of her creamy brown ass, bouncing with a slight jiggle for him to enjoy. "So, what do you want me to do, we can''t go too far. Asuka." ''I wonder what she will ask for, it makes me want to tease her even more...'' Leonhardt traced his nail across the soft underside of her tail, squishing the sensitive meat before his fingertip slipped across her marking, causing the dragonoid''s body to convulse, her pussy oozing another sticky thread of her slimy honey. "I..." ''She''s such an amusing woman.'' He leaned forward and grasped both sides of her ass, slowly spreading them apart with a slight clapping sound, which caused Asuka to slap him with her tail twice. "N-No... my ass.... don''t look into my ass!" ''It was something I discovered during the travel... Asuka seems to like having her ass teased.'' "Don''t lie to me... here, look." "Hnnng... Ahh.... Mmmn... That''s not... Nnnngh..." His fingertips slipped across her wet crotch, coating themselves in her juices before slipping along her asshole, the small opening puckering like a small mouth as it became sticky with her slimy nectar. ''Oh? Sylvie seems to really like watching...'' The high-pitched groans of Sylvie, who watched them from a rock close by, echoed, though Asuka might be too preoccupied to notice... Leonhardt could see her clearly as she rubbed herself and called his name. ''I thought you hated me, little perverted elf.'' Since he didn''t want Asuka to catch on, he narrowed his eyes and curled his lips into a devilish smirk, shifting her body so that her ass was clearly visible to the elf with enhanced eyesight as his fingertips slipped into her muscular opening. A tight sensation, as her inner walls gripped his fingers, yet the voice of Asuka became strange as her hips shuddered and swayed faster. "Do you like this?" "Nnngh.... Mmm.... haa.... you know... don''t act like that... Hnng.... faster..." A slimy squelch echoed as his fingers curled inside her shallow tunnel. Leon enjoyed the warmth of her asshole wrapped around his fingers, crushing them with her soft, lubricated muscles. Two long fingers slowly slipped in and out of her brown ass, the sticky honey drooling from her crotch staining the ground as her panting and groans increased. No longer shy... Asuka pushed against him, letting his fingers penetrate her asshole to his second joint. "Mmmm... L-Leo... more..." Her rough voice echoed in the cave as she exhaled into the ground, biting her arm as she bounced her hips against his hand. The wet sound made her blush as she noticed his cock twitch in his pants. ''What kind of woman gets excited by having their asshole played with?'' Asuka couldn''t stop the jolts of pleasure that overwhelmed her each time his fingers curled and spread the inside of her ass, and when he pulled them back, a squelching noise echoed, embarrassing her. However, that embarrassment lasted a few seconds at most before the waves of pleasure that made her insides tighten and quiver replaced it. "It feels good... right? You''re squeezing my fingers so tightly..." ''Leo''s fingers are so thick... my ass feels like... feels strange, but why is it so good?'' S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A burning, hot sensation filled her mind while her breaths grew deeper and hotter, drool leaking from the corner of her lips as she suddenly gasped. "Mmm... haah... Haaa... Leo..." His name slipped from her lips just as her opening contracted and squirted a jet of her clear fluids, spraying his face as if marking him with her scent. "Fuck!" He exclaimed, covering his face with one hand, though his fingers never stopped plunging into her ass, making her ass quiver, as she slapped her plump ass against his hand until her hole swallowed his fingers whole. "You dirty girl..." "N-no... I couldn''t help it... Hnngh!" Her entire body convulsed as she started to reach an orgasm, unable to stop her thighs cramped, rocking as she struggled to hold it in. Leonhardt placed his hand over her lips with one hand as his fingers started to move faster. His arm rapidly moved as he finger-fucked her ass until the sensation became unbearable, and she felt the pressure inside her reach a breaking point, her eyes glowing bright gold with her ass lifted in the air and slapping his chest with her tail. "Ahh... haaaa... Ahhhhhh...~" A long, loud sigh left her lips, and she couldn''t hold it in anymore as her insides clamped down on his fingers, almost crushing Leonhardt''s bones as the pressure pushed his fingers from her ass with a lewd pop. The slimy sound was followed by her squirting again¡ªno... her ass shuddered as she urinated... filling the cavern wall with her liquid in a golden rain. "Haaaa... it''s so comfortable.... Mmmn.... Leo..." Leonhardt sighed and pressed his palm against her asshole, guiding her to the side, avoiding getting any of it on her clothes on the floor. "Was that enough to remove your frustration?" "Nngh... y-yes." "Good." Chapter 75 - 75: To the Dungeon! Leonhardt left Asuka, who had become embarrassed and wanted to clean herself after she had urinated, and headed to where the elf had lingered a few moments earlier. ''What a lovely woman. How can a red dragon look so cute when embarrassed?'' He found her lying with her head leaning on a rock, while revealing her crotch, with a trimmed blue garden and her fingers sticky with her juices. "What to do with you?" ''Her face looks so happy. I wonder if things would be different if you were a monster." Although he couldn''t deny that he felt arousal towards her, the instinct he held towards this small elf wasn''t a romantic one but that of a predator and prey. ''If I slept with her, I would be overwhelmed with the desire to kill her. My instincts as a monster grow stronger each day.'' Instead of leaving her in a mess, a pool of her juices staining her cute white panties with the image of a bunny on the front. ''Well, let''s take these and use them as a bribe later.'' His hands slipped the warm cloth from her hips, the plump, squishy meat of her ass felt even softer than Asuka'' causing his mind to wander for a moment. "Stop." He shook his head and stopped himself from touching her further and stored her panties in his item storage. [You really are a criminal!] ''Ifrit don''t pretend you cannot hear my thoughts.'' [Hmph!] "Haha, why is an origin of flame so jealous over this elf with no tits?" If compared, Ifrit and Sylvie were both the short type of woman. However, when compared to each other, Ifrit''s breasts, thighs, and ass all surpassed Sylvie like a mortal compared with a goddess¡ªthere was no chance. ''But when I poured my mana into her, she seemed vulnerable to corruption.'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, stroking the soft cheek of the unconscious Sylvie, before adjusting her robes and clothes. Those thoughts wouldn''t matter for a long time until he could corrupt her and make even Erina serve him happily. He decided not to pursue any of the three apart from Asuka. Not just because of the girls themselves, but because he didn''t want to amass women that became useless, he enjoyed interacting with Asuka, Zafira and Ifrit for now. ''Sylvie is like a plant I am slowly growing, and nurturing...'' [Pervert!] ''True.'' "Leonhardt?" Erina''s soft voice caught him off guard as she entered the cavern. It appeared even the priestess also fell asleep from the small yawn as she covered her lips. "Did you have a good rest, Erina?" ''She looks quite refreshed, ah... there''s a little drool on her lips.'' [Do you plan to invade that spider''s dungeon?] Ifrit''s voice sounded a little concerned, but Leonhardt didn''t intend to back off¡ªsince he killed her mate she would likely never let him go. ''Yeah, I''m going to wipe her out and take the eastern mountain range under our control.'' [... our control, hehe.] "It was good, but did you see Sylvie, or Asuka?" Her green eyes peeked around, just a little distance from the sleeping elf and dragon who were both in a rather amusing state. ''Well...'' Leon considered telling her, but he didn''t want to receive a scolding, so he placed a hand on her shoulder and guided Erina towards the door. "They''re still resting, so how about we both wait near the entrance?" "E-Eh? But... okay." Sometimes, Erina can be difficult to handle. As a saintess candidate, she might be the biggest threat to Leonhardt and his dungeon. ''Only a saintess can deal critical damage to a dungeon master... alongside a hero.'' However, he didn''t want to break their relationship since she never gave him any reason to doubt her and Leonhardt would rather corrupt her best friends and then maybe work on her. ''A corrupted saintess¡ªwouldn''t that be something amazing?'' [If you can corrupt that woman. Then I will do anything you ask me to.] ''Oh?'' Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smirk as his mind raced about the idea of asking Ifrit to do things for him. Of course, these images and thoughts transferred into her mind, too, because the dungeon bound them. [L-Leon!] ''Hahaha!'' ''I have never seen Leon smiling this much before.'' "You seem really happy, did something good happen?" Erina flicked her blonde hair out of the way, as she leaned against the wall beside Leonhardt and observed his face. He almost forgot about her when she suddenly spoke to him and made him realise something that he didn''t notice. "Do I?" He touched his lips, stroking across them and found she wasn''t lying. "Strange..." "Haha, you''re so weird, what''s so strange?" Erina seemed more talkative than usual, but Leon didn''t mind. The sound of Asuka''s movement echoed from the inner cave, and she seemed busy changing her clothes and getting ready. He only needed to stall Erina for a few minutes. "It''s hard to say, I couldn''t even tell I was smiling." "Hmmm~ is that it?" "Yeah of course it is." Leon leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, thinking back over the past few days of travel. He couldn''t quite believe so many things happened on a simple mission to kill some spiders. ''Will things become more complicated from here onward?'' His goal to make the entire Astrea basin his territory might be more difficult than he thought. However, that sort of challenge made Leonhardt excited. . . . "Oi! Sylvie." "Nnn..." Thud! Asuka''s foot stepped on the small elf''s rump and rolled her over, the snoring blue fairy oblivious to the world around her as she started to awaken. ''Leonhardt is waiting for me in the main tunnel, it seems that he messed with Sylvie on the way through, though.'' "Wake up!" "Ack!" Sylvie sat up and made a strange noise the moment Asuka kicked her. "W-Why are you assaulting me?" The lovely elf blushed and turned her face away. At first, she wanted to shout and scold the person who woke her up, but when she saw Asuka''s radiant face with shiny cheeks, Sylvie lost all power and gave up. "I just rolled you over, midget. Don''t get cheeky." ''...'' "Why are you looking at me like that?" Asuka tilted her head, wondering why Sylvie''s presence here made her feel irritated. The distance from where she and Leonhardt did those things was only a few steps away. ''This perverted elf, did she watch us again?!'' "I didn''t watch you!" Sylvie sensed something dangerous and blurted out words that made it obvious she did just that. But because of her innocent looks, Asuka sighed and dropped the issue. Instead, she told the elf to come with her so they could join the others. "D-Did that feel good...?" Asuka''s golden eyes widened the moment she heard Sylvie''s question, the small blue elf turning her head away, and looking at the ground while fiddling with her fingers. ''Telling someone that my ass being toyed with felt great... can I even say that?'' "You know..." ''Damn, if I tell her that it felt great, won''t she misunderstand me as a pervert?'' A bead of sweat appeared on Asuka''s brow. She knew she must reply, but explaining those things to Sylvie made her hesitate. This kind of topic was something kept hushed even in her village, where the women would constantly exchange tips on seducing their mate. ''Because the ass doesn''t make children, it''s not a hole for that.'' "Ah, umm... actually nevermind..." Sylvie''s face flushed red, and she began walking toward the entrance as a gust of wind blew her robe into the air. It was only then that Asuka noticed something. ''Sylvie''s not wearing anything underneath?!'' "Kya!" However, the elf also screamed when she noticed, pulling down her robe and snapped back, to check where she was earlier, but when there was nothing she glared at Asuka. "W-What are you staring at?" "Have you seen them?" "Seen what?" Asuka found Sylvie''s behaviour strange; her face flushed and her eyes darting around. "My... panties!" "Panties...? Ah!" Sylvie''s face turned bright red as she covered her face, making a cute sound before reaching out and into the air and pulling out another pair of cloth panties. "..." "I''ll go outside and meet with the others." Asuka awkwardly smiled, while turning away from the moody elf. ''I wonder who took her underwear...'' However, the moment she noticed him leaning against the wall her mind found the culprit instantly. Leonhardt''s lips trembled listening to Asuka and Sylvie arguing and he started to feel a little guilty for taking them as a souvenir. ''But they look so cute so I''ll use them to tease her later.'' S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Erina didn''t seem to notice their conversation and instead focused on calming herself and recovering from her earlier battle against the death weavers. "Oh, Asuka you''re here?" "Of course I am. How are you?" "Mmm~ just a little cold, help me keep warm." The two started to chatter, while Leonhardt noticed Sylvie coming through the archway. Her face was red with tears in her eyes as she glared at him with daggers. ''I think she knows.'' [Who else would steal them?!] Chapter 76 - 76: An Enemy Dungeon From the moment Leonhardt left the small cave, he noticed the mountains'' atmosphere suddenly changing: slight flickers in the webbing, a foul stench floating in the air, and a sense of danger that made his senses tingle. He lacked information about other dungeons, but wanted to learn himself. "..." Leon stepped forward and suddenly an eerie sensation washed over his body, like a veil of liquid, or a film of squishy air that vanished the moment he passed through and entered the small clearing with a huge entrance filled with darkness ahead. [? You have entered the Brood Mother''s Lair ?] [? Dungeon Difficulty: Rank D ?] ''Ifrit, why does it feel so strange?'' [You have just entered a dungeon master''s domain] ''What''s that?'' "Wow, it''s suddenly dark and cold. Even the sunlight has vanished!" Asuka placed her axe on the ground and observed the area. The trees became darker, with obsidian branches and pale white leaves that were soft and sticky, as if created with a spider''s web. Sylvie gripped her staff while standing close to Leonhardt. Her shoes shifted through the dry, dusty soil, and she darted her eyes around. She huffed while inching forward to dispel her fear, disturbed by the atmosphere as her heart pounded against her chest. [Once a dungeon reaches Rank D and above, it generates a special atmosphere. Similar to how your dungeon produces those beautiful flowers immune to fire] Leonhardt nodded while observing the changes. It was a pleasant afternoon outside the dungeon. The searing hot sunlight made it a little too warm for the girls, but the vibrant trees and golden dirt created a warm and bright atmosphere. ''But inside...'' Darkness, with a massive moon looming just above the horizon, the death weavers'' ideal hunting time was the night. A bitter, icy cold gnawed at Leonhardt''s cheeks. Though he didn''t struggle with heat, artificial cold seemed to irritate him. ''Why does this cold feel so horrible?'' [Because you are a creature of fire, blessed by flames, and adored by its origin] [This dungeon''s cold isn''t natural, its source comes from fire''s natural enemy and my rival!] ''An origin of water?'' While Leonhardt observed the surroundings, Erina and Asuka started to examine the entrance of the dungeon¡ªsmall silky webbing coated the floor and walls, hidden and camouflaged underneath the dusty soil and pale flora along the walls. "Erina, this webbing won''t tear. Should we tell Leo?" Asuka lifted her axe and cut at the gooey webbing, but it didn''t tear or cut¡ªinstead, it bent and stretched with the force of her sharp axe. "This seems strange, even my sacred dagger cannot cut them... will Leon''s flame burn it?" ''I see... is the webbing coated in the magic of that origin''s magic?'' [Yes, although her powers are nothing compared to you.] [Someone loved by my flames...] [She has paid tribute enough to the goddess of water and ice enough to gain her blessing.] Leonhardt stepped forward, his feet sinking the moment he stepped onto the webbing¡ª "SHAAAA!" A screech echoed from within the darkness, a wail of sorrow twisted with anger. The echoed shriek continued as Leon, Erina, and Sylvie covered their ears. Powerful sound waves created visible vibrations in the webbing as the sound of skittering resonated from deep into the dungeon. "Damn it!" "What''s this sound..." "Tsk." ''It''s like someone is screaming beside my head, damn it.'' Asuka''s axe trembled from the powerful noise, but her ears seemed immune to the loud wailing. Instead, she took a deep breath while gazing back at Leonhardt, curling her glossy lips into an aggressive smile. Woosh! Blue fire spread from the mouth of Asuka, forming a cone of dragon''s breath that started melting the webbing, even with the blessing of the Ice origin. Asuka''s breath contained a stronger blessing. Thanks to mating with Leon and awakening her Red Dragon bloodline, it surpassed the low-purity ice magic of the brood mother. "..." The wailing ended. However, Leonhardt''s body rushed forward and pulled Asuka''s arm and tossed her back to where the other women stood, as he extended his arms and poured mana into his fingertips. ¡ª¡ªDual Cast! "Fire Wall!" Two raging walls of fire burst from the air before a slight hiss echoed, the familiar sound of the male spider''s suicidal attack shooting his sharp needle-like hairs at the group. "Damn it, Asuka, Erina, Sylvie are you all good?" He could feel the mana pumping from his heart, rushing to his hands as he continued supplying the flames with more power. ''This is what you meant by a domain, Ifrit?'' Because this dungeon was a place where ice and water magic reigned supreme, his flames cost more mana and lacked the same strength as outside. [Mm... do you want me to analyse what types of effects this domain has?] ''Please!'' Sylvie''s eyes shone as she understood what had happened. She stepped forward, grasping her staff. Then she closed her eyes and focused on the sensation that Leon had made her feel in the cave earlier. She took a deep breath as the blue orb on her staff started glowing. ''This cold... calming pond of water is my mana, my core?'' After a few moments, her mind sensed it: a small icy pool in the darkness, beside which a warm, gentle flame flickered as if guiding her. ''Leon left this here, to teach me?'' Sylvie reached out, touching the flame... her spiritual form retracting her hand thinking it might burn, but the flame was gentle and warm. The black flame only guided her, and didn''t affect her natural core. "Is Sylvie alright?" Asuka asked Erina, watching the pair stand together. Her chest tightened, and she couldn''t help but grip her axe and frown. "It seems she''s casting a spell... see." Erina''s voice rose as Sylvie''s hands shone with a beautiful azure light. Just behind Leonhardt''s flaming walls, a thick, icy wall formed, and the razor-sharp needles shot towards them in a rapid barrage. ¡ºI don''t like it¡ªwhy can''t I help him fight back?¡» Leonhardt furrowed his brows, hearing Asuka''s complaint, although her thoughts normally didn''t bother him during battle. This time felt different. It sounded dangerous to let such a mindset continue. What would happen when she met Nyxara, Zafira or Ifrit? ''I don''t know how to stop it though...'' [Reassure her, or make her feel needed, so she has no reason to feel insecure] Ifrit''s help made his lips twitch. He didn''t mean to seek help all the time¡ªhe wanted to use his head to fix these problems. However, since she offered help, but accepted it and didn''t complain, as the hissing of the needles became light. ''Their attack is going to fade.'' "Asuka, I need you to help me. Can you?" The shimmering glow of Sylvie''s hands created small motes of ice, as a swirl of cool wind wrapped around her. ''She''s quite talented...'' Asuka rushed to Leonhardt''s side like a dog to its owner''s call and stood on the opposite side, and Sylvie''s jealous thoughts vanished from her mind. "Can you perform that breath once more?" Leonhardt asked as he bit down. The constant barrage of spiders on the other side slowly ended, but several of their needles penetrated his wall and chipped away at Sylvie''s ice wall. "Leonhardt, I can''t hold much longer!" Sylvie''s lips looked blue as she pushed her staff forward, pouring more mana into the defensive wall. "That''s enough! Good, work." Leonhardt could see the spiders lingering in the darkness¡ªtheir eerie white shells made his skin crawl as they swayed in the distance. "I can help you, give me a moment!" Asuka''s excited voice echoed as he ensured to give her a bright smile. "I knew I could count on you, Asuka." ''Now I have to focus.'' ''I will need Sylvie''s magic during the fight, I have to help recover her mana before the battle starts.'' He felt a sense of crisis because he didn''t know what benefits the dungeon gave to the spiders. Yet, Leon continued to pour his mana into the flaming wall, restoring Sylvie''s condition. ''It might take some time, but eventually her small mana pool should grow larger.'' He could only be thankful that Sylvie wasn''t a human. If she were, he couldn''t help her, and she would never improve. Human cores finished developing once they reached puberty and would never grow or increase after that. ''Well, there are probably some special elixirs or forbidden methods.'' [Leon, I''ve identified the benefits her dungeon applies to anyone who enters!] His eyes widened, and he gazed at Sylvie and then Asuka who started to draw the surrounding mana into her throat, forming a powerful blue flame that leaked from her nostrils. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Show me!'' [Brood Mother''s Lair - Rank D] ? All poison and venom damage doubled and gains 20% resistance penetration. ? Visibility decreased by 30% ? Ice and water damage increased by 50% ? All fire damage decreased by 30% ? Al fire type spells cost 50% more ? Humanoid movement speed decreased by 20% ? Chance to become entangled in the hidden webbing. Chapter 77 - 77: The Brood Mother - I ''The flames won''t hold.'' Leonhardt wasn''t sure whether he could stop the impending attack, but he believed Asuka wouldn''t disappoint him. It was a strange, baseless certainty. That confidence adjusted Leonhardt''s arrogant self-confidence. A na?ve desire to try putting trust in her just once. And as he anticipated, Asuka stepped forward. His flaming wall dithered and collapsed, along with Sylvie''s. The vibrant blue flames spread from Asuka''s mouth immediately, billowing through the dark cavern, impeding the white spiders'' preparing to pounce. Holding his arm, pouring a steady flow of mana into his limbs, Leonhardt observed the situation for a moment. His once uncertain and tense eyes became focused with a sharp gaze. The lingering heat left by his flames, the charred remains of spiders, and the hissing spiders skittering across the floor. And that wasn''t all¡ªhis mind became clear, to the point he could see each spider''s movements. The shifting of their legs across the dirt, fearful of the blue flames, sent chills down his spine. The low guttural hissing vividly displayed their fear. "Sylvie, only use simple spells, conserve your mana." Leonhardt''s low voice echoed. His hand brushed along her cheek, wiping the droplets of sweat collecting on her skin. He could never have imagined this feeling. An ecstatic rush¡ªsomething Leon had never experienced before in his life. He was undoubtedly... addicted to magic. What he might have miscalculated, however, was how comfortable he would feel when teasing the small blue elf. "I understand, haa..." Sylvie''s light breaths tickled his ears, the sense that she might just. ''Just?'' A thought lingered in her mind as her cheeks turned pink, stepping aside while twirling her index finger through the air. A brilliant array of dazzling blue droplets formed, dancing at her fingertip. Sylvie''s control, like a composer guiding an orchestra. A flick to create density, a swish to sharpen the tip. Her words stretched the orb of water into a sharp bolt. "Water Bolt!" Asuka''s throat burned with an intense heat. Her lips cracked and wet from the lingering warmth and saliva. Focused, she watched a handful of spiders curl up. "Three remain." A simple report, her eyes shining brightly. Desperate for his praise. Leonhardt''s gaze flicked to observe Asuka and Sylvie, amused by their actions and desire for his attention. "Such cute women, how can I let them down?" With a shift of his feet, his figure vanished. Black greatsword in hand, Leonhardt''s blade sliced through the smokey air. A ferocious howl of steel echoed, causing the air to distort spreading with it their foul blood. His movements were swift and measured. Like a beast released in a cave of prey, his sword flashed in the air, cutting the spiders down without remorse. "Wow." "May the goddess of light grant me her blessing, Healing Touch!" Erina''s calm gaze constantly observed the battle ''He always fights so recklessly. Now, even Asuka and Sylvie have become similar.'' Her emerald eyes tinged with concern, Erina''s white mana soaking into Asuka''s lips, restoring their soft, glossy gleam with a flash of light and subtle warmth. "Thanks, Eri." "Be careful... what if you damage yourself. Even Leonhardt might be concerned." Asuka, a boorish yet heroic dragon, understood her friend''s advice. Yet, how could she change? The strength of the man she started loving. Now clearly on display. His sword was akin to a brutal messenger of death. With a single arcing slice, his blade reaped a life. Asuka''s chest rumbled with a powerful beat, excited and overwhelmed by his ferocious hunger. A primal desire to remain at his side constantly tugged at her mind. "Erina, will you not join him with me?" "Eh?" Sylvie''s long ears pricked, and she shifted her gaze from the ending battle, a sense of conflict growing in her chest. Uneasy yet curious, she, too, wanted to remain with Leonhardt. Unsure whether out of romantic allure or pure arcane curiosity. Even she couldn''t understand. Meanwhile, Leonhardt''s body moved like a dragonfly. He darted through the enemies like a cruel predator, cutting their limbs and toying with them like insects. "Phew..." Leonhardt stabbed the ground with his sword, a pleasant ache throbbing through his limbs. Small nicks where the spiders tried to counter his assault. A reckless yet exciting battle that fulfilled and drained his rampant sexual desire. ''Why does using mana make me feel this way, Ifrit, what changed?'' [You lost your virginity... maybe.] [How would I know about the sexual desires of a Chimera?] "Hmmm, the bitch hasn''t come yet." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Confused as to why the Brood Mother didn''t attack, Leonhardt closed his eyes and tried to recover while panting. He tried to redirect his slight sense of embarrassment. Ifrit normally answered his questions well. So, being denied was a new feeling. [Also, you completed the second tier of your quest!] ''Huh... what quest?'' There wasn''t any significant quest he could remember other than the spiders and bandits. [Idiot] [Quest Complete!] How to be a Mercenary King, Part 2! ? 5000 DP ? 10000 XP ? Upgrade Skill: Greatsword ? Upgrade Skill: Command ? Ifrit''s Happiness will increase! A comfortable warmth spread through Leonhardt''s body. His eyes narrowed, and he felt the knowledge and slight change in his muscles. The Command and Greatsword skills reached levels 5 and 4, respectively. ''Well, it''s rare for you to reward me for nothing. So, what''s the catch?'' [No catch¡ªyou''ve just completed the hard work!] Erina, Asuka, and Sylvie''s eyes focused on the exposed back of Leonhardt. A battle against spiders, leaving him in tattered robes, revealing his sculpted figure. Skitter~ Leonhardt''s pupils dilated, his mana instantly flooding his eyes at the faintest sound, like someone touching a piece of paper. ''She''s here!'' "Prepare for combat!" He called out while confused by his instincts. A sense of dread far beyond anything he experienced so far. The hidden monster was nowhere to be seen, even with his arachne vision at maximum. ''Where?'' A dark, dreary cave surrounded the ground. The distant echo when a droplet of water fell into a murky pond formed by cracks in the rock wall. The void of light masked the approach of the dungeon''s owner. Asuka''s skin tingled¡ªshe wanted to rush to support Leonhardt, yet her flesh prickled as if someone had poked her with sharp pins. "Erina, Sylvie, can you sense anything?" Her voice was hoarse and low and filled with urgency, yet neither responded. Turning her gaze to Erina, she found no issues in her friend¡ªhowever... the moment she saw Sylvie, Asuka knew something happened. Pale skin, small bumps along the surface of her skin as her body trembled in terror, like someone trapped in a frozen mountain with no head. The instant her teeth chattered together, Asuka turned to follow her gaze. In the still, abyssal darkness... a small red light formed, hovering above Leonhardt. ''Strange, what''s that light...'' The answer came soon: one became two, two became there, and then a faint figure appeared in this unnatural darkness. "LEO ABOVE YOU!" Moments before her voice reached him, the brood mother made her move. A deadly spider with sharp fangs longer than Leonhardt''s arms, with tips oozing a volatile venom. The mother of all death weavers, a master huntress in the dark. Slowly, her silky webbing spread through the cavern, allowing her body to drop silently from the sky. Swaying quietly above the unexpecting humanoid while rubbing her front legs together, forming a net of sticky webbing. The only reason she halted her attack. ''What is this creature, why does he carry our scent?'' A curiosity, but the moment she decided to investigate, a loud voice ruined everything and forced her hand. "Foolish, humans, how dare you kill my mate!" ''She speaks!'' [What do you expect? She is the dungeon master...] Leonhardt pushed himself back off the floor, flicking his sword towards the air. But the lack of force caused his blade to deflect off the massive spider''s fang, forming silver sparks that illuminated the monster''s body. "Woah..." "She''s so fat!" "That''s..." The brood mother''s size was at least seven metres in length, and her legs spanned the entire ceiling as she lunged at the retreating Leonhardt with both fangs. "Filthy human females, your innards will become nutrients for my brood!" "I will not kill you¡ªyou must take his place!" ''Huh?'' [Ew...] A sleek black leg swiped across the air, creating a vacuum as it sliced through Leonhardt''s chest and caused his flesh to turn purple instantly. Clang! In retaliation, his blade tore a chunk from the serrated tip, causing the brood mother to recoil and shift back into the darkness. "We need light, Erina. Can you cast holy light? Do we have any torches?" Leonhardt''s command echoed through the cave, reaching Erina''s ears like a warm blanket. Yet, her hands shook, unsure if she could summon light in such an oppressive atmosphere. "The goddess of light shall bless us with her grace¡ªholy light!" Erina''s staff glowed with a soft golden hue, illuminating the surrounding area. "You insufferable bitch!" The brood mother shrieked as she lifted her front legs, spraying globs of venom towards Erina and Sylvie. ''I think I see a path...'' Chapter 78 - 78: The Brood Mother - II The sizzling globs of poison melted the ground, creating soggy pillars that smoked with a thick white cloud, the scent like ammonia or bleach. Leonhardt''s blade cut through the empty sky as he tried to fight back. A black arc shimmering with his mana missed the brood mother, which smashed his abdomen with her damaged leg. Thud! "Ugh...!" Shaaa! A low hiss sounded from the aggrieved brood mother, twisting her body as the sleek black leg snapped, falling onto the ground as green blood oozed from the tip. "He destroyed her front leg!" Erina gasped before gazing at Leon, who slipped down the wall while covered in dust. "Ice wall!" Sylvie''s staff glimmered as she blocked the oncoming globs of venom, the surface bubbling instantly, forming deep craters in her improved ice. "Asuka, Erina, avoid her blood. It''s highly corrosive!" With her shimmering blue eyes, Sylvie''s atmosphere transformed. Flicking her staff¡ªshe formed several sharp blades of ice in an instant before firing them at the brood mother. Each shard exploded with a ferocious pop! Vwoosh! ''Damn... that girl''s growing faster than I thought.'' Leonhardt''s lips curled as he flicked the sizzling green goo from his chest, revealing a bloody gash. He didn''t feel pain, but the sense of delight upon seeing the three women fighting together in unison made his eyes illuminate the darkness. "Oh? Did she just use two spells at once..." Leonhardt didn''t return to the battle¡ªinstead, placing his chin on both palms, he watched the battle unfold with just the three women working together. ... "Erina can you maintain holy light for long?" Asuka''s lips curled into a faint smile, an arrogant smirk as she lunged forward and swung her axe down against the brood mother''s remaining front leg. Before it could react to her attack, Sylvie''s staff shot a bolt of water aimed towards the eyes of the brood mother, forcing the monster to block the spell with her legs, leaving her front exposed. Crunch! The green blood spurt from the gap created by Asuka''s axe, gouging the lower half of her second front leg with a brutal strike. "Asuka, jump back and roll to the side!" Erina''s voice echoed through the cave as she shifted her staff to the right, intensifying the light in Asuka''s path. The moment Asuka moved, two black fangs pierced her afterimage. The fangs bubbled with venom and were almost half the size of her body. "Deceptive humans! I will crush you all!" ''This might be dangerous, have they not noticed?'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, shimmering with mana as he watched the behind of the brood mother, forming an extremely sticky webbing coated in a sticky fluid. That couldn''t be something good for the women. "I can''t let them suffer." However, the moment he lifted his fingertip, pouring mana into his arm, he noticed the movements of Asuka and Erina. ''Strange...'' They changed positions as Asuka took a torch from the air and then blew onto the tip with her lips, creating a blue, flaming torch. "Oi, brood bitch! Keep your eyes off my man." Woosh! Asuka tossed the torch at the spider¡ªat first, it seemed pointless¡ªbut a huge surge of flames burst out after the blue flame touched her webbing. The fire caused the brood mother to suddenly shriek and fall from the room, convulsing. "YOU HUMANS!" ''Did the flame just go into the spider''s ass?'' Leonhardt''s lips twitched. He could not help but find this situation amusing, but he noticed the sweat on Sylvie and Erina''s faces. It seemed that both of them had reached their limits, which caused him to sigh. ''I guess it''s time for me to support them.'' Clang! His sword dragged against the stone, creating a flicker of light. Sparks illuminated his movements as his left hand swirled with a black flame, churning as it burned the surrounding air, making it crackle and hiss. The brood mother''s massive body shook the cave, convulsing and twitching as the flames seared her spinnerets. The fire created a sweet yet smokey scent, like Tennessee barbecue sauce. "Sylvie, take a rest and take Erina with you." Leon''s calm voice and low grumble caused both girls to turn and gaze at him, their mouths open wide. "Leonhardt?" "You survived?" "Oi... elf, what''s that face about!" He noticed Sylvie became comfortable enough with him to make such a joke, allowing him to take over with a calm smile. Leonhardt brushed his hand over their heads and messed up their hair. His lips curled into a smirk before he pushed them back and sealed the path with a massive wall of flames that blocked their vision and path. ''This is enough progress for now, where''s Asuka...'' "Look at how pathetic you look, dungeon master. Is this how strong a D-rank dungeon master is, how strange." S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Y-You... male, why do you resist when I am the ideal mate?" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed. And an uncontrollable disgust filled his chest while twisting his face to show his rejection. The spider wasn''t wrong because their genes might be closer compared to him and a purely human, but the sheer thought made Leonhardt want to burn the spider to a crisp. "Sorry, I like my women like her." His hand pointed to Asuka. Asuka stood clueless while holding her axe above her head, about to chop into the brood mother''s abdomen. She gazed at him with a confused expression before nodding and returning to slicing the spider''s limbs. The brood mother''s pain receptors seemed to be lacking or likely numbed purposely. However, he noticed from her reaction and the dungeon setting that fire was likely her weakness. "I won''t give you the chance to evolve any further." A black flame flared from his left hand, which pointed straight at the brood mother''s face¡ªalthough the fire did less damage to monsters due to the dungeon''s domain, he didn''t have any other magic and just wanted to test the upgraded cinderblast. ''This cost me 5000 DP...'' Leonhardt didn''t wait to unleash his spell. A swirling vortex of black flames shot forth from his palm, igniting the ground below and turning it red hot, melting the webbing that covered the entire dungeon and causing the green blood to bubble and boil as the eyes of the brood mother exploded into a bright inferno of smoke. Shaaaa! Her legs trashed and thrashed against the ground and walls, shaking the entire dungeon and causing debris to fall from the ceiling. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed as black flames bit into her face, melting her exoskeleton and flesh. "Asuka, cover your ears. This is going to get loud." The brood mother''s screams intensified as she continued to struggle, and Asuka, who didn''t even think twice about cutting into the spider''s exposed abdomen, covered her ears. Leonhardt raised his right arm, pointing it at the spider, and closed his eyes. His lips parted before a whisper left his lips. "Flare." A massive explosion erupted inside the dungeon. The entire area shook as dust particles flew through the air, making it impossible to see anything in the distance. Leonhardt''s spell created a pure white light that illuminated and blinded everything who saw it. It was followed by a thunderous boom that shook the walls and floor, causing some rocks to tumble down. ''Wow... my mana is almost empty.'' BOOM! The impact was so powerful that it knocked both Sylvie and Erina off their feet, shattered her ice wall, dispersed Leonhardt''s black flame, and sent them flying backwards into the wall behind them. "Ugh..." "Argh!" Both girls groaned loudly in pain as the force pinned them against the rock wall. A force like thousands of hands pressing them down overwhelmed the pair and forced their bodies to remain still despite their desire to move. "Wha..." Asuka''s body slid back, dragged through the molten ground before a firm pair of hands grabbed her waist, and Leonhardt stood in front of her, his eyes focused on the explosion radius consuming the brood mother. Black smoke poured out from where her body had once been. A small black orb hovered in the air, likely the brood mother''s core. [You have defeated the Brood Mother!] [Dungeon - The Brood Mother''s Lair is without a guardian!] Messages popped up in Leonhardt''s ears, but he narrowed his eyes and focused himself on the situation, quietly preparing himself to go and destroy the crystal. "It seems we won, Asuka." "Yeah, but it''s only because you looked out for us." Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smirk¡ªhe couldn''t deny that he helped them, but the teamwork between them was also admirable. ''It''s not bad helping them grow.'' "Erina, Sylvie, are you guys okay?" He shouted back, noticing the two girls covered in dirt, grime and messy hair as someone dragged them through a bush. Sylvie was the first to rise and cough up a cloud of dust. She appeared tired but not hurt, which caused Leonhardt to breathe a sigh of relief. The weakest link wasn''t her strength or potential but the doubt Sylvie felt towards herself. Yet, seeing her brilliant smile, he stopped. He closed his eyes and felt a sense of accomplishment. Chapter 79 - 79: North, West and East - All Mine! "I''ll go ahead and check for any danger." Leonhardt waved back to the exhausted girls, but his hidden face beamed with excitement at the fact he would soon have control of this dungeon. ''Now I can meet Zafira, or my goblins at any three of my dungeons.'' His steps became faster, reflecting his delight and desire to start building this secondary dungeon. But he then wondered about the future. ''Controlling the villages in the east will be tough.'' Leon understood that overtaking Munat would be difficult, unlike the village of Embers, which he could slowly convert over time to avoid potential enemies. Could he succeed? Munat''s history of resisting a powerful monster like the brood mother and her death weavers made him worried. ''How can I take over, naturally or by force?'' [It''s about time you started acting more like a Dungeon Master!] Ifrit''s scolding voice made his lips curl into a smile as he stepped into the inner chamber. The low, rumbling hum of the dungeon''s core made him realise something. He then noticed many scribbles and markings on the wall, a language nothing like human or common tongue, but they were a kind of expressive language that spiders and arachne used to speak to each other. "These words, are all showing her anger and anguish after losing her mate and dying... no, this isn''t the mate I killed but maybe the one from the image in the inn?" Leonhardt''s mind flashed, and now he understood why the brood mother seemed more intelligent than he expected. But also why she lacked the rationality of an experienced dungeon master. ''The dungeon didn''t vanish because they left the core?'' [Correct] "I see..." ''How do I take this dungeon and make it mine?'' His gaze flicked through the neglected panels, where he read about the different types of traps he had gained after evolving: flaming arrows, spear traps that could be set from the roof, tar pits, and a lava waterfall. [You can take it as is... with the current damage and layout for free] Ifrit never treated Leonhardt like a fool and always taught him what he needed¡ªthis helped him to relax and calm himself while listening to her explanations. [Or use the reserved DP in the core and then reform the entire area in your style and your colours and spend a lot on customising it!] ''Can I take over it now and delay my choice until nightfall?'' Leonhardt rubbed his smooth chin, which had grown slightly stubbled from their days of travelling and his lack of Zafira, who had started shaving his beard after transforming her tail into a blade. [Normally, no] [But because you swore an oath to me and we haven''t officially reached Rank D, I will help!] Ifrit''s excitement became obvious from her breathless voice and slight squeak whenever she spoke to him about things she enjoyed or found interesting. "I see since you sound so cute... I''ll choose option two." [Understood~ hehe] [? Dungeon Attack Started: ...1% ...6% ...11% ?] His voice rumbled through the barrow. The dungeon core hummed with defiance, producing small vibrations in the air. These vibrations caused the lingering mana to prick his skin like tiny blades, which caused a slight pain. "Tsk, annoying things." His Djinn and Fae hearts started pumping mana-enriched blood through his body, causing Leonhardt''s eyes to shine bright red and his pupils to gleam with glowing pentagrams. Ba-Dump Ba-Dump S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bzzzt! Thanks to his immense aura and the ability to devour any mana, the sharp, resisting motes soon became food for his organs crushed and absorbed into his bloodstream, while Leonhardt''s warm, fiery mana flowed into the dark den. [? Dungeon Attack Progress: ...35% ...58% ...72% ?] The more progress made caused the walls to shake, dust and cracks forming with a low quaking rumble. Thanks to the changes, Leonhardt''s excitement increased as he smiled quietly in the darkness. "Let''s head back. I don''t need to stay here, right?" [No, but are you sure? If someone sneaks inside, they could take it back!] ''I know, but haven''t you noticed?'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed into a sharp glare. His eyes focused on the map on his dungeon map. There were several blinking red dots near the entrance and spread throughout the mountains. [I thought you might ignore them...] ''At first, I did, but then I remembered red dots didn''t mean dungeon monsters... but enemies, which normally means humans right?'' [You''re right¡ªhow do you plan to fight them?] Ifrit''s words contained a subtle meaning and asked him a question. "I''ll let the girls see the reality and hope that the humans can serve to boost their belief and trust in me if possible." [It could be dangerous¡ªthe girls know you are strange, but to win against these humans, you might need to use everything, even your monster heritage.] ''Thanks for caring about me, Ifrit.'' He couldn''t deny that without Ifrit''s nagging or help, Leon couldn''t deny he would be dead in place of the brood mother. [We''re partners¡ªhow could I let you suffer] "Hehe... you''re just after my body, pervert!" Meanwhile, back in the cave, the three women started a small fire and cooked some of the fresh white meat from the spiders. "Ugh, it looks so nasty." Erina''s face twisted as she watched Asuka frying the skewered meat while covering her mouth with one hand. "Are you really going to eat that?" Asuka''s eyes sparkled while sprinkling the strange orange powder from her small pouch, causing the flame to change colours for a moment. "Hehe~ this is gonna be so good. Trust me, Erina!" The saintess candidate''s face twisted as she pointed at the dragonoid. "YOU SAID THAT ABOUT RABBIT MEAT!" "Huh?! You wolfed that meat down. Did you forget?" Asuka''s eyes narrowed as she wiped her brow. The browned meat was sizzling with delicious, bubbling fat that released a wonderful, flavourful smell. "W-What, don''t lie... how could a priestess wolf down a poor rabbit!" This bickering was something that Erina hid during their time with Leonhardt. She became a little more reserved, but finally, after killing the brood mother, it seemed most of the party started to relax around each other. Sylvie sat a small distance away, but when the scent spread, she couldn''t help but watch Asuka''s rather showy way of cooking. ''Does it really taste good?'' In the past, Asuka tricked her into eating many disgusting things, with most of her ideas of delicious food having a nine in ten chance of missing the mark. "Sylvie, you can''t eat that! You''ll get sick with such a delicate stomach..." "Don''t say that... she always eats weird elven food!" Asuka complained, jamming one of the sticky kebabs into Sylvie''s mouth with a loud pop. ''It''s too hot!'' Sylvie''s mind screamed as the sizzling meat burned the insides of her mouth, yet the moment the soft, sticky flesh and the slightly tangy sauce mixed, her eyes started watering in delight. "See, it''s good, right?" Chew~ chew~ Munch~ Sylvie''s small mouth tore the meat apart like a rabbit ravishing the fields. By the time she stopped, the entire thing had vanished, including the succulent spider meat. "Ah... it was good." "Eh?" Erina, shocked by Sylvie''s sudden sigh of sorrow, couldn''t help but cover her mouth in genuine shock from the current situation. "S-Sylvie? Is it really good? Your tongue doesn''t hurt, and there''s no stabbing pain, right?" "Mm, it''s sweet, spicey and delicious. Asuka, more." Asuka''s cheeks turned red when her friends ate her food, though she had often failed. Since becoming Leonhardt''s mate, she worried about future women being more skilled fighters and started working on other skills. "I cannot believe it!" Erina looked shocked, her eyes wide as she watched the bubbling meat. Finally, she extended her arm gingerly. It shook before she grasped one of the cooling skewers. "There''s no way that this tastes¡ªMmmph?!" A hot stream of flavours, something the priestess who normally ate bland dishes couldn''t handle and yet her face turned bright red down to her neck. Erina couldn''t deny that this taste, this soft, chewy texture, might just surpass chicken! "She''s fallen." Sylvie muttered. "She acts so proper but loves meat more than me," Asuka added as they shook their heads with a knowing smirk. Leonhardt probably had no idea how much of an easy woman this priestess could be if you tempted her with delicious meat or strongly seasoned foods. "M-Maybe it''s okay..." Erina''s tongue slipped across her lips, lapping up the greasy remains of her meal, leaving a sticky trace of saliva, unbefitting of a priestess when the sound of people walking through the gravel echoed from outside. Asuka''s body jolted up. Her hand grasped the handle of her axe, and she looked in shock, not because of their looks or aura, but because... ''How couldn''t I sense them until they came this close?!'' The group consisted of a mixture of men and women, with a tall, handsome blonde taking the lead. He seemed the type to run a bar or some cheap tavern to trick lonely women with his wavy hair and emerald eyes. "Erina, Sylvie, prepare for anything..." "Understood." "Mm." It wasn''t the first time danger greeted them, but the reaction from Asuka, who was the party''s danger alarm, caused the girls to snap out of their mood instantly. The man''s face was masked in the darkness, only briefly revealed by the crackle of flames. He approached and waved his hand. "Hey there, I''m looking for this man. Have you girls seen him?" The leader showed a poster with an official guild stamp. Someone had made a bounty with an assassination guild, and the face was... Leonhardt''s. Chapter 80 - 80: A Sudden Clash! After Leonhardt set up the dungeon, he left the core and returned to the main chamber. The moment he reached the archway, a foul stench filled his nose. He noticed other people standing close to Asuka and the girls, which made Leon vigilant. [Be careful¡ªthey are hiding it well, but all of them are ready to fight!] ''You''re right.'' He thought while observing the situation. Leon narrowed his eyes, using his arachne vision to zoom in and watch them while a fine thread spread from his fingertips and spread across the dungeon''s ceiling. Three males and two women. However, Leon wasn''t intimidated. He was excited. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "They seem here to cause trouble, then shouldn''t I greet them?" Leon''s low voice was barely a whisper, but the blonde male leading the group turned around suddenly with a confused gaze. "Who else is here with you, ladies?" A charming but common voice. The type used by a gambling addict or drunk caused Erina''s face to tighten. Erina hated drunk people. Memories surfaced of her useless father and how he abandoned her mother in the past, making her collapse and eventually driving Erina to the church. "Nobody is with us. We came to hunt spiders." Erina''s tone was sharp, and she maintained a strong guard. "Don''t be so stiff, girls¡ªwe know there was a male." A man with grey eyes and a bear mask spoke in a hoarse voice as he stepped closer. "The villagers told us." At this point, Asuka and Sylvie were prepared to fight. Sylvie''s mind focused on her mana, helping it surge faster. She copied the movement of Leonhardt''s mana, which flowed like the ocean. Meanwhile, Asuka''s aura remained calm. "The villagers must have lied." Erina remained resolute as the two men put pressure on her, causing them to turn and gaze at each other for a moment. The third male remained quiet. He wore a black wolf''s mask on his face, with curly black hair draping down his cheek. "Don''t be like that, girls¡­ we have a job, and you wouldn''t like to get hurt, right?" Asuka''s eyes twitched, listening to the grey mask speak. "Do you think someone like you could do anything?" Asuka huffed, her nose snorting blue fire as her scales darkened and became hard. "Tsk¡­" The bear mask clicked his tongue and grabbed the mace from his back. "Had to be smart, huh?" Erina''s emerald eyes flicked between the group, understanding they couldn''t win against them and death was almost guaranteed. Yet, somewhere deep down, she believed something that shocked her. ''Leon will do something to help.'' A sense of confidence, trust and what she realised was companionship. "I guess I am a little foolish after all." She chuckled, covering her mouth while charging her divine power and thinking about Leonhardt. The male with blonde hair and green eyes wearing a human mask gazed at Erina with a complex emotion before he grasped his sword. "You''re foolish, but I am happy to have you in my mercenary group." A sudden low voice, elegant yet commanding, echoed in the darkness before purple torches started lighting on the walls with a flicker. "What''s going on?" The bear mask seemed a little anxious. "Don''t worry~ it''s just a cute little trick." A woman with red hair and a fox mask laughed gently before her blue eyes shone with a vibrant light, scanning the cavern. "Queen, what can you see?" The leader asked before she shook her head. "N-Nothing." "What, have you lost your edge with old age, Queen?" The bear-masked man mocked the redheaded fox with a low, grainy chuckle. "Fuck you, fat man." Erina tried to step back, her leg moving slightly before a blade pointed at her throat. "I wouldn''t try that if I were you, missy." Their leader''s sword shone brightly below her chin as his emerald eyes glowed in the torchlight. "I could say the same." Erina watched in shock as Leonhardt swung through the air and kicked the male who threatened her in the chest. The blow caused a low thud and caused the man to roll across the ground. "Argh¡­" Their leader stabbed the ground, slowing his fall, dragging his blade through the dirt, while the other four people drew their weapons at Leonhardt. "Haha, you finally revealed yourself, idiot!" First to move was the larger male wielding a mace rushed at Leon, swinging towards his head in a swift attack. "¡­" "Leon!" Asuka''s axe cut through the air and, with a loud echo, deflected the male mace. Erina''s eyes gazed at Leonhardt''s back in a sense of amazement because part of her believed he might escape, to leave them and survive. Yet, he didn''t leave¡­ "Y-you didn''t¡ª" Woosh! After the bear failed, the women in fox and leopard masks attacked in sync, one wielding daggers and the other a spear. They stabbed Leonhardt''s chest and throat, aiming to kill him instantly. "Die!" "Don''t blame us!" However, they ignored the elf in the corner, her short height and quiet personality working in her favour as she pushed both hands out with a yelp. "Ice Wall!" "What?!" The leopard''s spear dug into the ice while the fox barely managed to chip the frozen wall. Stepping on the frigid ice, she tried to rush over it and leapt towards Leonhardt. "Sorry." Leonhardt''s voice sounded before a dozen blazing bolts of black fire shot from his palm, impacting the female chest and mask. The force sent her body flying off the wall with the sound of something cracking. "Ack¡­!" "Queen!" "You''ll regret siding with this criminal." The blonde elf with blue eyes and a cat mask shouted with sharp icicles rotating around her hands. Sylvie, desperate to fight back, pushed her mana towards her hands. She wanted to create shards of ice, but her level wasn''t close to the woman standing ahead of them. But she couldn''t make it in time, as the cat cast her spell. "Ice lance!" Swish! Leonhardt''s eyes flicked to the man, who climbed to his feet and shot webbing from all five fingers at him before yanking his body to block the lances. "WHAT?!" Their teamwork seemed to be strong, following the failure of the others. However, thanks to the actions of Asuka and Sylvie. Leonhardt could easily enjoy taking advantage of their attacks. "You guys are playing into these kid''s hands, leader. Why are you acting like a fool." The male with a black wolf''s mask spoke with a low, gruff voice as he stepped forward, grasping his greatsword with a single strike. He attacked. The air pressure from his blade shot through the air-crushing Sylvie''s wall, and the ice lance shot by the cat mask. Woosh! It seemed like the others were holding back. "Jack!" The bear called out before Asuka''s foot smashed into his face, almost breaking a tooth. Leonhardt rushed forward and pushed out his hand to block the ferocious squall of wind that formed from his strike. His attack sliced the cheek of Leonhardt, who blocked Erina and Sylvie from harm. "It seems that you''re a lot stronger than I thought." Jack''s eyes narrowed, clearly surprised. "I could say the same, human." Erina''s shoulders shook when she heard Leonhardt''s cold and aggressive tone. After noticing how strange he seemed, she whispered the word "human." "Leon?" However, he turned back and gazed at her with fiery red eyes burning with glee. "Get back to safety with Sylvia, okay?" Yet, why did he speak to her in the same gentle and calm tone? It made Erina confused as she dragged Sylvie back, unable to deny him. "So, you don''t deny you''re a monster, then? " The blond male asked, standing beside the wolf as their group reformed. Leonhardt frowned but still answered. "Yeah, is there a reason to hide it? You also have a monster beside you." Leon pointed to the cat-masked elf and continued. "Elves are descendants of the Fae, a monster if you ask a human to categorise it." "Huh?" The leader frowned. "We aren''t monsters!" The elf shouted, but Leon just shrugged. It was clear from his appearance that Leonhardt looked like an extremely high-class elf if not part of their royalty, and that''s what caught the leader off guard. "Forget it, let''s just kill the fucker!" The bear mask seemed unable to calm his anger. But the fox and leopard stopped him from rushing forward. "Are you stupid?" "That hot guy will crush you, fatty." The wolf stepped forward with an idle swing of his weapon. "Boss, there''s no reason to listen to this freak." Though Leon didn''t mind being called a monster¡ªthat''s what he was¡ªthe fact that this male kept calling him other names irritated him. ''I want to skin this fucker.'' However, the leader didn''t give the okay. Instead, he dropped his sword and let out a sigh, then grabbed his mask and gazed at Erina. Clack! "Boss?" "Joker!?" The moment his fake human mask slipped down. It revealed a handsome face yet a slightly familiar set of eyes before anyone could react to that fact. A voice suddenly caused the building tension to shatter instantly. "Dad?!" "Is that you!?" Chapter 81 - 81: An Unweilding Desire The hostility in the cave vanished the moment Erina cried out at her father. This caused everyone''s movements to halt instantly. Except for Leonhardt. He used the moment of disturbance to rush forward and thrust his sword towards the blonde male, attempting to decapitate him. "You little fucker!" The blonde muttered, flicking his sword and twisting his body desperately to avoid the sudden cheap shot. However, Leonhardt was out for the man''s blood¡ªInstantly using Tyrant''s Blitz, he accelerated his strike, following up the initial blow¡­ Clang! Silver sparks spread through the air, and everyone gasped, especially Erina and her party, as a figure slid back along the ground. He was forced to stab his sword into the ground to reduce his speed. "Kid, you''re pretty damn aggressive for a rookie!" Erina''s father smirked mischievously, tapping his foot against the ground. Boom! The ground shook beneath them as Erina''s father made his move. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, then shot wide in shock. Desperate to parry the sudden counterattack, his mana surged into his throbbing arms, but the pain from the previous blow dulled their strength. Clang! Shling! Crack! The sounds of steel meeting steel filled the air. With each blow increasing, the pace became more punishing than the last. Joker''s narrow longsword swept through the air, aimed at Leonhardt''s throat, a hair''s breadth from its mark¡ªhe deflected the strike with a sharp upward swing. But the Joker followed up, slashing across Leonhardt''s chest. Leonhardt staggered back, blocking the blow with the hilt of his sword. The blade scraped against the metal guard, sending dull blue sparks flying as Leonhardt gritted his teeth against the force. Leonhardt jumped back after two punishing blows, his arms shaking, stunned by the raw strength of the man''s sword. But this was a mistake, as the Joker''s lips curled into a cruel grin. "Shit!" [Leonhardt!] Ifrit''s voice rang out, filled with alarm. A faint blue light enveloped the Joker, his muscles bulging, before a low, grainy voice echoed in Leonhardt''s ears. "Battle Skill¡ªSerpent Strike!" The Joker vanished from sight in a blur of motion, leaving only the echo of his words behind. "STOP!" Erina''s voice boomed through the cave as she finally awoke from the shock of seeing Leonhardt so easily pressured. But it was too late. Leonhardt''s magic exploded in a fiery black aura, focused on the enemy. In the blink of an eye, he felt the rush of wind blowing past him. The Joker appeared in front of him as his blade pierced towards him at lightning speed. Leonhardt''s instincts screamed danger, but he couldn''t react in time. "I can''t¡ª" In a moment of desperation, he abandoned his left arm to block his chest. He flooded it with mana, thickening the muscles to the limit. The tip of Joker''s blade penetrated Leon''s flesh and forced him back several steps. Leonhardt stumbled, barely keeping himself standing as his bloody arm drooped beside him. "Tough little bastard¡­ I see." The joker spat on the ground, flicking his sword covered in corrosive blood. "Almost destroyed my sword, you little punk." ''This man is powerful!'' Leonhardt''s chest pounded, his heart racing, while his body screamed in protest. But the Joker wasn''t finished. Erina''s father curled his lips into a vicious grin, his sword humming with a blue light that resonated along the blade. With a flicker of light, the danger signals rang in Leon''s head. The Joker followed up, his blade striking Leonhardt''s exposed side, where his defences lacked the most. In anger, Leonhardt pushed forward and twisted his sword into the blade''s path, hoping to deflect it. The two blades collided with a burst of black and silver sparks, the force throwing Leonhardt and the man back, almost flooring the pair. However, the Joker''s relentless assault didn''t stop. "Haa¡­ haa¡­" Exhausted from the constant usage of his arachnid and Fae skills to observe, learn and try to steal the skills from this annoying man. Leonhardt''s body trembled as his muscles screamed with a dull ache. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his breath became ragged. "Dad, please¡­ I beg you to stop!" A golden light shone the moment her father''s blade refused to stop. Each of his blows was calculated to create the most pain and slowly wound Leonhardt until he couldn''t move or resist¡­ a type of torture. And Leonhardt, with one instance of Tyrant''s Blitz, could barely keep up. ''Ifrit¡­ remove my limiter.'' [What?!] ''Do it!'' Anger, shame, and frustration at his first genuine loss made Leonhardt desperate for one blow, just one singular blow, to wipe the smirk off the man''s face. Erina''s father, or god. He didn''t care! [Please¡­ think carefully!] Ifrit''s affectionate voice, marred with tears, caused his chest to tighten. But the sword of his enemy continued to flash before his eyes, slicing his cheek, cutting his thigh and piercing his abdomen. Small, irritating wounds. ''Please¡­ let me do this.'' [Y-You are unfair, cruel¡­ how can I deny you? This is wrong when you know how I feel!] ''Ah¡­'' The affection and love Ifrit gave him now became clearer than before, though he wouldn''t become a human or try to imitate them. He thought their notion of love was quite novel and one of their positive traits. [? Tyrant Blitz Limit Temporarily removed! ?] "Father!" A third shout caused the last strike of Joker to cut above Leonhardt''s right eye, forming a deep wound, but his lips curled into a devilish grin, revealing his fangs. ¡ªDual Cast "Tyrant''s Blitz¡­" Instantly, Leonhardt used double cast twice¡­ and four instances of Tyrant''s blitz activated. "Ugh?!" Blood poured from Leon''s mouth as his organs contracted, suffering immense damage from the sudden usage of so much mana, pumping it into his muscles. Their size bulged before shrinking rapidly. A loud ringing filled Leonhardt''s ears as all sounds vanished. He could only see in black and white as his world lost colour. And the taste of his spit lost all flavour. Ba-Dump! The pounding of his heart thumped his chest as if struggling with a heart attack. Tap! In a flash of light, the ground collapsed, and Leonhardt vanished from sight. "Huh?" Because his daughter started crying. The Joker decided to stop the punishment at that¡­ but his pupils narrowed the moment Leonhardt attacked. "Are you crazy, Kid?!" Clang! He desperately lifted his sword out of instinct before a black arc cleaved the air, and Leonhardt''s blow sent his body floating back, staggering on the rocky floor. "!!!" Every fibre of his muscle felt the blow as pain exploded inside the Joker. His hands trembled as the shock from the strike threatened to knock him out. Yet, the only thing holding him up was sheer willpower. In desperation, Erina''s father thought back on everything he could remember, yet it all pointed in one direction: the strange ability and danger Leonhardt possessed. "A monster¡­" Leonhardt''s body spun in the air before lunging back, using the webbing to fling himself through the air, chasing the swordsman with another diagonal blow. Fortunately, this attack left him an opportunity! Joker lifted his sword into a guard, pressing both palms and bracing the weight of the blow. His teeth grated under the force, and a crack appeared in his sword as the force of the impact nearly caused his shoulders to dislocate from the blow. But the first to suffer was Leonhardt, whose arm split, filled with dozens of cuts. "Kid¡­" Leonhardt''s eyes became blood-red, filled with swollen capillaries. He bit his lip hard, tearing at the tender flesh, unable to control his growing fury. ''Just¡­ one more¡ª'' Leonhardt begged his body. He wanted to land a blow, no matter how pathetic or stupid he looked. It was strange¡­ a feeling of pride and maybe arrogance, but he didn''t want to lose so easily. "HAH!" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt pushed with every bit of strength in his battered body. His skin split and the veins bulged as they carried a deadly red glow to his pale white complexion. Every pore opened with a shower of sweat, staining his clothes black with mud, blood, and water. The magic in Leonhardt''s veins overflowed, exploding forth as the surrounding air itself crackled and seared, while small chunks of mana became solid, vanishing from sight. "Never play the martyr¡ªit always looks so painful¡­" The joker stared coldly into the bloodstained crimson pupils and swung his sword, no longer treating this like a play fight. "Let me show you what the Rank A¡ªJoker can do." With a single swing of the blade, he shattered the mana enveloping Leonhardt. "! What!?" Leon''s expression froze, shocked and trembling. "Revelator" This time, Erina''s father was serious. The Joker''s voice was grim. Without giving the boy time to breathe, his palm glowed a light blue, and, in his shock, Joker punched the boy''s chest. The sound of his hand sinking into the youth''s flesh resonated through the cavern like a sickening echo. "A-A-AAAARGH!!" But! "Cinderblast!" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, his right hand extended as a swirl of blue fire erupted, and a burst of fire exploded at point-blank in the Joker''s smiling face. "I''ll be damned." B-Boom! The Joker''s face erupted in a torrent of blue fire. Leonhardt smirked and began to stagger. A sad, defeated sigh echoed from the voice of a certain spirit. ''I give up¡­'' Even so, before he lost consciousness, his opponent''s expression caused Leon''s eyebrow to raise. In the darkness, he only heard vague words from the arrogant man¡­ but they no longer carried aggression or anger. "I see. Is he the one you''ve chosen, Erina?" Then everything turned black. Chapter 82 - 82: The Changing Succubus A Trail of bloody corpses lay sprawled across the corrupted soil¡ªwounded lizards called out with weak, desperate groans as if calling for their master. "Your master isn''t coming, vermin." A woman scoffed as she wiped her bloody claws with a black napkin. A set of sleek black scales wrapped around her figure, forged to match her delicate curves. Zafira''s golden eyes billowed beneath her helmet, hiding the subtle changes in her expressions and her slightly furrowed brows. Behind her, a group of goblins stood at ease, holding their weapons in silence. "Gobomir, did you feel that wave of power?" The tall red goblin with bulging muscles carrying a tower shield and longsword nodded before lifting his chin with a prideful smirk. "Master has taken control of another dungeon!" The goblin warrior, once weak and barely able to kill low-level bandits, now led the goblins into battle behind the succubus berserker Zafira. "Do you think he might return soon?" Her question faded without an answer as she tossed the napkin, and with the snap of her fingertips, it burned into ash. Behind her, the goblins started to grow uneasy. They understood the volatile mood swings that their superior and the dungeon master''s favourite could show. Sometimes gentle like the summer sunlight, and other times vicious like a midwinter frost. Zafira turned to the cave where the dungeon lord continued to hide, a sense of pleasure growing within her abdomen at seeing her handy work. "How many times have we wiped out this insect''s forces now?" The vicious, most noble demon fluttered her wings, aggressively blowing away the stench of charred flesh. The victory was never a surprise to her. She knew that it would come, eventually. "Should we prepare a feast?" She asked cheerfully. Gobbolas, who had been watching from a distance, staring nervously at Zafira, looked at his brother and smiled. "A feast, that sounds good." Zafira found the goblin''s method of speaking irritating in the past, so from the moment Leonhardt left the dungeon. She held several goals, from education to discipline, and set out to teach them how to communicate under the official demonic empires'' etiquette. "We should wait for Master''s return, Lady Zafira." Zafira snapped her gaze towards Gobomir after his interjection, causing an overwhelming pressure to weigh on his shoulders. His teeth rattled under the force, yet he didn''t falter. "¡­Surely, the lady would be happier this way." "Do you think?!" "What a good idea¡­ Gobomir, how wonderful, ah~ I am sure Leonhardt will enjoy it!" The goblins shuddered, silent as Zafira spoke. A low veil of fear swept over the red-skinned monsters. "Thank you, Gobomir. I''m delighted that I can be of service to our master thanks to your suggestion." Zafira curled her lips into a distorted smile, swaying her hips unnaturally as she released strange noises while stepping on the lizard corpses. "Everything will be perfect." She whispered. ¡ª Meanwhile, back at the small inn in Munat village. After Leonhardt lost consciousness, Asuka rushed to his side, escaping the bear''s interference, and held him in her arms. Thanks to the leader, who was actually called Enzo rather than Joker. Erina attempted to form a deal with the so-called assassins. Presently, in the largest room, everyone faced off once again. "Now then¡­" Erina muttered. She looked back at the sleeping Leonhardt, her lips curling into a faint smile. The revelations of what he might be caused a test of faith for the young priestess. "Erina, I thought you wished to become a saintess, to help the people and protect them from monsters¡­ you do know what this man is, right?" Enzo''s concern for his daughter, however misplaced it might seem, was genuine, his hands trembling as he clenched his teeth. "Sir Enzo, please do not try to force my decision." Erina remained resolute, switching her tone to become stiff and elegant, like a noble scolding one of their servants or guards. "Do not forget what you have done." A harsh tone that made the handsome male recoil with a bitter expression. As she pretended to consider his words, Erina turned to face Sylvie and Asuka, who were both sitting on the bed, treating Leonhardt''s wounds. "Although, someone in my position might be expected to do so, father¡­" Erina''s eyes glistened like gemstones before turning away from the sight of her selfish and moody friends, both caring for the same man. "¡­But I cannot turn this man over to you, or allow him to suffer harm." At first, she wondered if Enzo might become enraged or displeased. Yet, her lips parted, almost staring agape when noticing the sudden change in the atmosphere of her father''s co-workers. ''What''s going on?'' She wondered. "My daughter, I am no strict father¡­ nay, can I be called a father after running out on your mother because of the pressure?" "Then?" Erina''s face lit up, but she gripped her dress, knowing it couldn''t be this easy. "However, the job we received wasn''t for that bastard, *ahem* that boy alone¡­" His words ended, giving a subtle hint to his daughter. Knowing how bright she was from a young age, he couldn''t help but hope she could read between the lines. "I don''t understand¡ªwhat have we done to provoke such a thing?" Enzo''s eyes flickered, seeing the sheer confusion and sense of bewilderment from his daughter''s reaction, as it resembled her mother''s all too well. "What do you mean, Erina?" Hearing the low tone of his voice, not just Erina but even the members of the Last Call seemed invested, and their gazes became sharp, looking at Enzo with confusion. "Ace, who was the client?" "Joker¡­ it was someone related to the nobles." "You didn''t think to check, how sloppy, Ace." The beautiful red-headed woman complained. "Queen shut up!" Ace narrowed his dull grey eyes, irritated when the beautiful woman challenged him. But foxes were crafty and smart. "Leader, are you going to let him fail you without punishment?" The queen teased in a sultry voice. "¡­" "Slut!" "Hah! Impotent swine!" The two started an argument, knocking Erina off guard. She couldn''t believe that this would be the normal atmosphere of renowned assassins. "Enough! Ace, Queen, this isn''t the time to argue among ourselves. This situation is tricky and strange¡­ how and who in the nobility would know about this small group?" Enzo''s brows furrowed deeper, causing wrinkles in his forehead. He seemed increasingly concerned while thinking to himself. "It has to be about this kid." "There''s no way it''s about a mere dragonoid or a low-class witch." Jack, the black-haired male, entered the conversation with his monotone voice. "True." Ace followed up. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There isn''t a need for those nobles to care much about a saintess candidate unless they have a hero lined up." Diamond, the blonde elf, muttered. "Wait!" Enzo turned his gaze to Diamond. "A hero, what if that hero wasn''t doing his job and fooling around?" The moment a hero was mentioned, Erina''s shoulders trembled. A sight that didn''t go unnoticed by the other members of the group. How could assassins miss such an obvious visual cue? "Erina¡­ has a hero been summoned?" He asked in a low voice because normally, a hero summoning would be a grand event, and all intelligence groups wouldn''t be so quiet about it. Rather, the strange situation of a saintess candidate travelling outside the monastery was even more bizarre. Erina''s head ducked, nodding slowly. "Why didn''t I consider it before?!" Enzo gazed at their group, then shook his head, looking at the unconscious Leonhardt. "Who is it, Erina?" A silence spread through the room, as members of the Last Call became anxious. Their eyes interlocked, nodding and shaking their heads while tapping the table using a mysterious rhythm that Erina didn''t recognise. "It''s not Leon; he''s the one who helped us in place of that fool." "¡­" Enzo''s eyes narrowed; listening to his daughter''s words, it seemed that she wasn''t on good terms with the hero. "What is he like?" The moment her father asked, it seemed as if a door was broken and released something that lingered in her chest. "A vile and disgusting excuse for a human, he is obscene, lecherous, and mentally ill." Sylvie''s eyes flicked to Erina. Upon hearing her speak so badly about someone was a little scary, even though she agreed and knew what kind of bastard, Kaito was. "¡­I see. Is he not suited to be a hero?" "That fool? He seems to think he''s god''s gift to the world. Spends all his time flirting and trying to trick women into bed, using his disgusting powers; why would the goddess grant such horrific powers to a foul human like him? The first night we met, he tried to bewitch me using his mental magic and take me to his bedchamber¡­ if not for my immunity to mental magic. I would have become that bastard''s comforter! Do you really want to call that pathetic loach with a tiny phallus a hero?" After finishing, Erina struggled for air, heaving and clenching her fists as she visibly shook with rage. Enzo remained frozen, the words of his daughter replaying in his mind. "Erina is scary¡­" Sylvie shuddered while hiding behind Asuka. Chapter 83 - 83: An Uncertain Feeling... From the moment Erina started to discuss the hero named "Kaito", everything became clearer to the Last Call members. However, this also led to them becoming confused. Why were the girls travelling with a monster? S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Enzo started asking the girls for information, even Erina stopped cooperating. The moment he shifted an aggressive or dismissive tone towards Leonhardt, she became uncomfortable and stopped the conversation. Stuck in this situation, five hours passed, and the Last Call members forced themselves into the rooms surrounding Erina and her group. "Erina, your father is a total prick." Asuka scoffed. "Can you try to be less vulgar, I know he''s a jerk, but..." "Failure," Sylvie added. This caused Erina''s eyes to snap towards the delicate elf sitting under the fading sunlight, while washing Leonhardt''s forehead with a damp cloth. ''It seems that Sylvie''s grown attached to him too... alas, I do not hate Leon either.'' But... Yes, in Erina''s heart, there was a problem. The issue wasn''t Leonhardt but their party and its baggage. She worried he would be forced to face Kaito, who, despite being the scum of the earth, was blessed with the power to destroy all monsters in this world. "What''s got you so concerned, Erina?" A low voice came from behind the priestess, before Asuka''s firm hand gripped her shoulder. Though a little painful, Erina grit her teeth. Rather, after the initial pain, she couldn''t help but feel grateful for her two friends. Neither blindly affirmed and denied each other outright, and thus they guided each other forward. "You know what''s got me in a twist... Leon, Kaito and my lark of a father." Erina''s eyes became sharp, a rare occurrence as she mentioned the false hero and her father. Despite her modest upbringing and serving the goddess, she carried a great anger in the depths of her chest that she desperately tried to quell by slaying monsters and catching bandits. "Heh... but you can''t deny you hold lingering affection for him." "For Kaito?! Are you stupid? I meant¡ª" Asuka''s hand tapped Erina''s forehead. "Calm down I know what you meant." There was a moment of silence as the pair gazed at each other, one showing a slight irritation while the other grinning like a fool. "Erina, are you alright?" Asuka''s voice became softer as she brushed her blonde hair. "I''m fine..." "No, I can tell." Erina''s eyes lowered before she let out a soft breath, which was followed by a sigh. She couldn''t understand why Asuka always seemed to understand her so well. Was it because of her upbringing or being a dragonoid? Or maybe Asuka just cared about her that much. The thought caused Erina to let out a laugh as her body relaxed. "Fine... It''s the promise I made with Leonhardt..." "I don''t hate him. If anything, he''s a wonderful ally, but I can''t let myself be swept away by him." Asuka didn''t speak. She only listened to the words of her friend. This had been going on since they first met; she tried to watch over the young woman who seemed so fragile she might break. "Do you not wish to stay with him in the future?" Asuka told Erina everything in a slightly disappointed tone mixed with sorrow and longing. She knew the Dragonoid wanted what was best for her, but... also understood her recent affection for Leonhardt. "I can''t... you know where I come from." The temple... a place that named all monsters as evil. Even as Erina said those words, she couldn''t stop her lips from trembling. "But Erina, has he ever done wrong by us?" Asuka asked, clenching her fists. "Yes. He has!" Sylvia, who had been silently washing Leonhardt''s face and chest, suddenly piped up. Asuka''s eyes widened, her mouth agape. "H-How?!" Erina''s eyes trembled, the corners creating crystals which threatened to spill over. "He made you like him," Erina said with a quivering voice. "What will I do without you, Asuka... what if Sylvie also leaves me?" "Erina... we''ll never leave you. No matter who we fall in love with, no matter the distance between us." Asuka paused. She reached out and held the blonde''s hands in her own, before placing them on top of Sylvie''s, and their fingers overlapped, each sharing their warmth together. "We''re family." "When nobody would accept us into their party, because we weren''t human... or lacked skills. You accepted us." Asuka added to Sylvie''s comment about them being a family. "But... But I..." Erina faltered, her gaze at the handsome man sleeping on the bed. "I don''t want to part with you... or." She choked herself, stopping the words as she wiped her eyes furiously. Asuka and Sylvie both lowered their heads, before they each placed a hand on her shoulder. "Erina... listen." "Do you have to go back to the temple?" Erina''s face shot up at those words, her eyes red and wet, but her cheeks slightly puffed out. "B-But that place raised me! I can''t abandon them...!" Sylvie tilted her head, her expression still unchanged. "But Erina, they didn''t treat you well either... we saw it..." "Yeah... you should think about yourself for once." Asuka''s voice was soft, like a warm summer breeze. "We''ll be by your side no matter what." "It''s his fault! Why did he appear out of nowhere and make me dream of a different path!" Erina kicked the bed, her eyes red and puffy, a sense of confusion and realisation washing over her at once. "Erina..." The priestess'' eyes quivered. Before meeting Leonhardt, she felt so confused and trapped that she couldn''t help but lash out. Yet now... "I want to stay with him... but... I don''t know what the church will do if I leave." She whispered. "If they discover Leon, what if they send witch hunters after us?" "That won''t happen." A third voice entered their conversation, one belonging to the source of Erina''s initial troubles. "Dad?" "Erina, I''ve been a shit father... there''s no amount of gifts or magic that can fix that." Enzo stepped into the room, wearing a simple outfit as he gazed at his daughter. "I cannot let you suffer more, Julia... I''ve already let her down enough." "So what? You''re going to let me do as I wish?" Erina''s voice was weak, almost as if doubting the words from her delinquent father. "Yes." He bowed. "I''ll tell the church believe you perished, since this was a job given by a powerful force. I am sure there is a way to hide you from their gaze." Enzo paused for a moment before looking at Leonhardt. "Right, Kid?" Chapter 84 - 84: Dawn of the Crimson Hawks? ''They just wouldn''t shut up... constantly spilling secrets and annoying things.'' Leonhardt sat up from the bed, rubbing the back of his head, still throbbing from the pain. Yet he couldn''t help but find the women looking at him with teary eyes amusing. "Morning, ladies." He ignored Enzo completely before stretching his body. Even though he had just awoken, his expression was clear, like crystal, and his eyes were sharp. "So, you''re Erina''s father..." Leonhardt gazed at the handsome man, and nodded. "You do carry a resemblance." Despite losing his fight, Leonhardt didn''t seem angry or upset and instead quite calm, though there was still an underlying sense of tension between them. Enzo sighed, his eyes narrowing into slits. "You''re a strange one, aren''t you?" "Me? Well, it''s not like I have to pretend to be human when you know I''m not." Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, the black slit inside opening wider, a clear indication of his mood change. "If you wish to fight me, I''ll oblige." Enzo bowed, almost teasingly. "I''ll fight you when I also reach the same level as you; for now, I just wish to know... are you an ally or enemy." Enzo scoffed before answering. "To you?" However, to everyone''s surprise, Leonhardt shook his head. "To my employees." "I won''t attack you if she stays with you... and will even support her." Enzo smiled, a rare sight, which was almost out of character for such a cold man. "Damn, kid, why are you so crafty." "Eh?! When did I become your employee?" Erina snapped back, stepping closer to Leonhardt, but as she pointed at him with a *fierce* expression, he just leaned on his palm, and grinned back. "So, you like me? Human saintess?" Leonhardt''s grin only became more devilish. Erina froze, the words stuck in her throat. She turned around, looking at both Asuka and Sylvie, who both had warm yet mocking expressions, which made her become red from the neck up. "W-What are you saying... You''re so full of yourself!" She stuttered. "You heard nothing..." "I''m glad..." "W-What?" Erina''s eyes shifted as she gazed at him, unable to face those pure ruby eyes staring into her soul. "I''m glad I can stay with you three for longer... it''s fun." He smiled, but there was an obvious sense of relief behind his words and more than that... Erina''s lips trembled as she touched her chest. Yes, she couldn''t deny that this arrogant and beautiful monster had managed to stir up feelings inside of her. "I can''t leave the church, not now... I need to go back." One last resistance. "Don''t return... If you need a church, I will build you one, if you seek a god. I will find you one." Leonhardt spoke, not with an ounce of fear. A cold and calculated confidence... "I am that capable." Erina froze. Her eyes widened before her mind became overwhelmed with such bizarre yet sweet words. "This little bastard is showing off too much..." Enzo snorted. But he now understood more about Leonhardt... who, or maybe *what* Leonhardt was, thanks to their extensive investigation. He tapped his stubble and showed a sly grin. "A dungeon master who isn''t hell-bent on humanity''s destruction... maybe there is a chance." ''This damn old bastard wants to use me for something...'' Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, becoming like a sharp blade. "Become my Crimson Hawks, and I will return your favour a thousandfold." Erina gulped. "You said before about the promise, that you''d give us everything... what do you mean?" Asuka stepped forward first and knelt before Leonhardt, different from her usual flirting self or the playful way she interacted with Erina and Sylvie. "I... Asuka of the Dragonoid clan swears upon my scarlet scales. I shall be the sword and shield of the mighty master before me." She spoke with an unwavering voice. "Wait! Asuka!" Erina knew of this oath, and gasped... but Sylvie was already following her lead. "As the mere daughter of the fair folk... I can only offer you my word, and meagre magic, Leonhardt." "Even Sylvie?!" Leonhardt was taken aback, not expecting them to go so far as to swear oaths so easily. ''Well... I''ll get the best out of these two...'' [Heh... that Dragonoid isn''t so bad after all] Ifrit poked fun, but the strange thing that Leonhardt noticed was the small figure of Ifrit sitting on his shoulder... in reality. [Well, since she wants a goddess. How about me? Will you also revere me, Leon?] His lips twitched, before he noticed the look of confusion on Erina''s face as she seemed to be lost in thought. ''No, I will not revere you, I will seduce you.'' [!!!] "Erina, I won''t force you to choose now; our deal was by the time we returned to Arlet. Right?" A soft and kind tone, sweet and sickly enough to make Enzo scoff and gag... but he didn''t disrupt because seeing his daughter''s serious face changed something in the cold, jaded man''s chest. ''She begged me on her knees to save this kid... well, he''s definitely unique.'' Enzo''s figure silently vanished as he gazed over his shoulder one last time and nodded. "She''s in excellent hands." ''So he wants me to deal with this?'' Leonhardt noticed her father leaving, but didn''t move his eyes. Instead, he focused on Erina, who seemed to be trapped in her thoughts. "Asuka, Sylvie... can you give us some time to speak alone?" "Guys, can you leave for a moment while I talk to Erina?" Two voices echoed simultaneously, causing both to turn around, facing one another. Asuka and Sylvie both gazed at each other before slowly looking at Erina and then back to Leonhardt before nodding and shuffling out. ''I''ll have to reward them for their oaths later... but first.'' "Do you love the church?" "I... I hate it, but I owe it to them." Erina responded. She understood what he was doing and felt grateful to him for taking the time to help her deal with the walls blocking her path. "Right... what do you owe them?" "When mother... Mom died, they took me in because of my holy powers." She spoke, her voice shaking a little bit as the memories came back. ''Her father was absent, and probably had no idea until it was too late... he clearly seemed to care for the pair.'' Thanks to his vast amount of human knowledge, he could identify the difficult emotions and thoughts of humans with ease and cruelly pick them apart. "Did the church benefit from your powers?" A sharp red light shone from Leonhardt''s narrow gaze. She stopped for a moment with a gasp, at first wanting to say no, but Leonhardt''s eyes didn''t allow her to lie or hold back... she knew that the priests gained money for her healing... and earned money when she helped adventurers. "Y-Yes." "Do you not think that the help you''ve given is more than enough to buy your freedom and repay them?" A cold, logical but inhuman tone... and line of thinking. One without mercy or human hesitation. "I am not sure..." Her heart began to beat faster as she felt something in the deepest depths of her mind snap. *Snap* "Focus," Leonhardt snapped his fingertips, stopping her from confusing or complicating things. "You have paid your debts, if you hold lingering regrets... how about I allow you to continue healing the poor and weak while serving as my priestess?" Erina''s heart skipped a beat at those sweet yet dangerous words. ''I''m not sure if I can accept him completely yet, he''s a monster... but...'' "What would you have us do?" A sincere question as her shoulders trembled. "Of course... you would become the faces of my Crimson Hawks, and complete missions to help humanity." ''Lies! How could it be so simple and kind!'' Erina''s heart thundered in her chest. And yet... "Will you be there?" She spoke her mind without a hint of hesitation or shame. "I will." ''Well, sometimes...'' Erina stepped forward, her arms trembling as she approached the handsome young man sitting on the bed. "I can choose when to leave you?" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, Leonhardt gripped her wrists, lifting the light blonde priestess off the ground as he stood from the bed, transforming his gaze from the handsome Leon... To a ferocious and terrifying beast. "Never." He gazed into her eyes as if able to understand her greatest weakness and trauma. "Saintess candidate, Erina. ... Do you accept or reject my offer?" Chapter 85 - 85: Preparing to Return! Leonhardt sat on the edge of his bed while gazing at his mercenary guild card and the member''s tab, which made his lips curl into a smile. He thought back to Erina''s expression before she closed her eyes and nodded. "You don''t want to take part in activities that go against your morals... huh?" Those were terms for joining his mercenary band, but he didn''t intend to use the mercenary band to perform things for his dungeon but to build a reputation to allow him to spread through the kingdom. ''Astrea basin and the city of Astrea will be mine.'' However, he couldn''t become complacent now¡ªhe needed to keep himself focused. ''My plan is progressing smoothly... I must return to Arlet and appoint a lord. It is time to take my move as a Dungeon Master.'' Leonhardt''s eyes closed, focused on the dungeon system. ''Zafira!'' The sound of static echoed in his mind, before a few bleeps, and then the breathing of Zafira sounded from the other end of the communication device. He didn''t need to use the mirror, which made him sigh with relief. [? Leonhardt, is that really you? ?] ''Of course it is. What is the current state of the dungeon?'' There was a moment of silence, followed by the sound of pages flipping and a pen writing on paper. [? Currently, everything is running as expected, and I have kept the adventurers in line. ?] He enjoyed these chats with Zafira, and couldn''t believe that he spent so long apart from her. [? The village of Arlet is slowly being corrupted thanks to your ember forest and the wolves being framed. I plan to have the goblins visit soon... and nominate Gobomir to become the lord of Arlet if he completes this mission. ?] Zafira''s voice sounded excited, her words fast and vibrant, while he noticed the nostalgic squeak of the horn rabbits in the background, which made his lips curl into a smirk. ''I miss the dungeon... and plan to return soon. As for your idea to nominate Gobomir, I second that.'' His words caused a moment of silence from the other side, followed by Zafira clearing her throat and asking another question. [?Master... will I receive a reward for working so hard? ?] The simple question caused Leonhardt''s eyes to snap open while he felt a sudden heat rise in his body. ''Once I have returned... yes.'' He tried to keep himself composed but failed as he spoke in a stutter. Ever since he slept with Asuka, it became something he couldn''t stop... most nights, they would sneak into the same room and enjoy the pleasure of the flesh. Yet sometimes, while sleeping, he would think of Zafira... Ifrit and, to his annoyance, Nyxara. ''What about the lizard dungeon, do you think we can crush it the moment I arrive?'' ''I have started fusing the eastern Brood Lair, and it should be part of our dungeon now. So I want you to install the teleportation device that cost 2000 DP... in my room.'' Zafira''s breath stopped while she listened to Leonhardt speaking, before it became faster... and heavier, almost heaving and panting before she asked a question with an excited tone. [? Am I permitted to enter your room?! ?] Until now, he always stopped Zafira from entering, but now that he fully trusted her, there wasn''t a need for him to reject such a thing, and thus, he wouldn''t stop her. ''Yes, please use DP to upgrade my room to the best possible level. I plan to spend more time in the dungeon once we have claimed the East, North and Western parts of this basin.'' It took a few seconds for Zafira to answer, and Leonhardt could hear the sound of paper rustling and the clatter of objects falling over. Then her muffled voice echoed as she gave orders... "She''s working so hard, but why does it seem like she''s already in my room?" His words seemed to be heard by Zafira, who squeaked as her breath stopped before something else sounded, causing her to speak again. [? I am going to finish up this dungeon, and then I will go there to see you! ?] ''You don''t need...'' *Bzzzt* The call cut before he could finish, causing his lips to curve into an awkward smile... he could see the massive pool of DP vanish. In contrast, his experience points soared thanks to goblins working hard. "Wow... when did I grow this strong?" The status panel in front of him looked so different to before he collapsed; rather, he couldn''t remember the last time he checked it properly, maybe after he evolved. ''It seems to be more difficult to evolve now...'' ? Leonhardt ? Dungeon Master ? Arachne/Fae/Djinn (??) Lifespan: 1 Year 30 Days Level: 27 ?XP: 700/18000 ?EP: 1260/25600 ?DP: 1500 [Status] ? STR: B (90%) ? VIT: B (90%) ? DEF: C (90%) ? AGI: B (5%) ? INT: A (60%) ? CHA: A (70%) ? Skills [Greatsword: (Lv.4), Command: (Lv.5), Archery: (Lv.2), Stealth: (Lv.2), Scouting: (Lv.3)] ? Abilities [Dual Cast: (Lv.3), Claws of Fire: (Lv.5), Tyrant Accel: (Lv.4)] ? Trade Skills [Herbalism (Lv.2), Medicine (Lv.2), Business Sense (Lv.2), Dismantling (Lv.3)] ? Spells [Cinderblast: (Lv.2) Firebolt: (Lv.2) Blazing Missiles: (Lv.2) Fire Wall: (Lv.2)] ? Money [02g 84s 65c] ¡ª "Phew..." Because of his injuries from overusing Tyrant Blitz, Leonhardt couldn''t walk without a small wooden stick which made him feel old. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Well... I should hurry and meet with the others.'' Thanks to this trip to Munat he gained a dungeon and the three women joined his mercenary group with Erina being his vice-leader. Meanwhile, back in the Dungeon of Embers. The instant she cancelled the call, Zafira entered Leonhardt''s bedchamber and looked around while her body shook with excitement. She could smell the faint remainder of his scent, which made her spine tingle. "Teleportation device~ let''s make the device and upgrade the bed." Zafira''s beautiful voice echoed like a magical song while a small vortex of mana surrounded her. A moment later, various items vanished to be replaced by brand new items... a four-poster king-sized bed with a solid chest at the base. The moment it faded, the room transformed before her eyes. A plush white tiger print rug, a large mirror and a teleportation device. "This is too cheap to use in his room... here!" Zafira clapped her hands together as the air suddenly became chilled and pure, like a winter breeze blowing inside. "And this is perfect." Her voice was sweet yet controlled as she glanced at herself in the mirror... long, flowing raven hair, curved black horns and shining gold eyes. She couldn''t help but smirk as she ran her fingers over her lips, then neck, before sliding them down her breasts, and then abdomen. "I look amazing... now then~ shall I leave him a present?" *Rustle* With that said, she unclipped her dress, letting it slip down to the floor. Then unhooked her bra and tossed it onto the bed, as she stepped towards it and touched the delicate quilt, her lips twisted into a deformed smile. "Let''s leave my scene for Master to enjoy." A moment later, her fingers slipped down her abdomen, and her voice became distorted. "I can''t wait... for this moment to be with your hands..." Chapter 86 - 86: A Smooth Ride! After struggling to reach the main lobby, he found Enzo and the black-haired wolf named Jack waiting for him. Asmodeus didn''t feel the pair were threatening, and he knew the old man wouldn''t attack him again. "Hey, kid." "Hah?" Enzo always called Leonhardt with strange names and never his actual one, but he didn''t mind. Somehow, it felt fitting for this man to be insufferable. Leonhardt glanced at Jack, who nodded in return, and then looked at Enzo with suspicion. "What do you want, old man?" "Hey, watch your manners in front of your seniors." He laughed and placed an arm around Leonhardt''s shoulder, pulling him in as if he were about to whisper into his ear. The fact this man looked so young made Leonhardt curious if he was really a human. "I hope you can take care of my daughter..." Leonhardt didn''t miss the hidden threat in his tone, but there wasn''t a need to worry. Erina was someone that Leonhardt would never let escape him. He found her abilities and personality quite charming. "Don''t worry about such things. I plan to keep Erina close, and if anyone tries to hurt her, I will kill them." Enzo''s eyes widened for a moment before he nodded... muttering, "I see" to himself. However, Leonhardt did not care. Enzo turned and walked towards the exit, before he stopped and looked at him... "If you want to become stronger, try not to be so reckless and think about the women who are supporting you." "I see..." "You''ll regret being so reckless one day... trust me." Enzo''s words didn''t sound like a threat or warning; rather, they sounded like an echo of his own regrets. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Well, I should improve the way I fight...'' He became too focused on fighting alone, which was the reason for his dangerous style, but with the bloodlines of three different races, four with the red dragon blood... Leonhardt should be able to find a more graceful and secure style of combat. ''I should practise using my webbing for manoeuvrability more... flying through Munat using them was quite exhilarating.'' With those thoughts, he left for the lobby, where the girls were waiting for him... "Leonhardt!" Erina''s voice sounded anxious as she rushed up to him and grabbed his hands. He didn''t know what made her react in such a way until he noticed the other members of Enzo''s team leaving while gazing back at him. ''Oh, I see...'' "Don''t worry, your father gave me his permission." "Really?" What made Leon so fond of these three women was how different they acted... since knowing she didn''t have to return and receiving Leonhardt''s promise that she could help in the village during weekends or time off from missions. She seemed to have opened her heart completely. ''If she learns the village is my village... will she be the same?'' He didn''t want to put things in danger, so he matched her energy and reached out, brushing her hair back and stroking her head. To Leonhardt, she was something akin to a sibling, a stupid sister for now. Unlike Sylvie and Asuka, who appeared to be women in his eyes... he became protective of Erina due to how useful and na?ve she could be. ''Humans will take advantage of her... I must help her grow stronger.'' Were his thoughts. "Asuka, hows your body?" He asked while threading his fingers through Erina''s hair, amused by her pleasant expression. "It feels fine... I feel like a new woman." She said with a coy tone, but Leonhardt knew it wasn''t her trying to seduce him, but because she also evolved again since coming to the inn. He didn''t know the method, but when they had sex, his current EP would be transferred between them and slowly evolve her red dragon bloodline. *Cough* Sylvie covered her mouth, pretending to look away. Leonhardt couldn''t tell if she was embarrassed or annoyed he wasn''t paying her attention. The elf accepted to join his forces so easily, despite being the one who rejected him the most fiercely. That was something he didn''t expect, but he wanted to learn more about her reasoning during the carriage trip. ''Though I could teleport now... I paid for the trip, and it''s a good chance to train these girls.'' This time, Leonhardt signed up as the guards. Because of what happened last time, the merchants became a little wary and fearful of his group after all the other guards mysteriously died upon reaching this city. ''Well... they shouldn''t have insulted Asuka.'' Obsessive and violent emotions started to dwell in Leonhardt''s chest after he slept with her, and thus... the people who insulted her had to die. That was the answer the monster in his mind came up with. "Are you all packed up and ready to go?" He asked the three women. There didn''t seem to be any issues with this travel, but he wanted to avoid taking too long. Since he met Enzo and learned someone was targeting both the dungeons and the hero in this small basin, Leonhardt needed to move faster to avoid any future issues. "I''m fine, as long as I have some ale." Asuka shook her huge jug. Meanwhile, Sylvie held several books in her hand and nodded. As for Erina, she seemed to be a little irritated about the treatment and pulled away from Leonhardt. She then stood beside Asuka and Sylvie, while pulling out her tongue to him. "Let''s go to the carriage. They planned to leave before afternoon." In a moment of silence, they greeted the innkeeper and checked out. While Leonhardt led the women, he noticed many unsavoury gazes on him. What made him feel irritated was how the people here still rejected outsiders, even after all the help they received. ''Ungrateful...'' However, his dislike soon turned into a grim smile as he stepped towards the carriage, helping the girls pack their last few things. Because the dungeon needed defenders in his absence, he chose a fitting type of monster for this area, and because of his arachne genes and the brood mother living in the cave for so long, he managed to summon them. The moment they loaded onto the carriage, Leonhardt filled his eyes with mana and gazed up at the mountains... and his lips twisted into a gruesome smile. Beautiful women for an upper body, and deadly, venomous lower halves. Arachne females. He summoned more than fifty of them, thanks to his DP, evolution and the current area; soon, the people would be overwhelmed and replaced by the villagers who could change to a human form or spider form as they wished. Pale white skin, red eyes and silky black hair. The easiest way to identify them was the bright red tattoo on their buttocks, in both forms. From the start, Leonhardt didn''t plan to let this village survive. It wasn''t like Arlet... and now that he made his choice to dominate the Astrea basin. He would no longer hold back from doing so! ''Don''t blame me humans! You are the ones that sent someone to take my life and harm my lovely slaves!'' "Leon, what''s so funny?" "Yeah... you look strange smiling like that." "He looks kinda cool... no?" Asuka finished the other two women looking at her with a dead expression; before long, the three of them started fighting in the carriage... Leon leaned against the window and saw the carnage unravelling from a distance. "Ah... what a great day." Chapter 87 - 87: The Last Call The night before Leonhardt left the village of Munat... A beautiful woman''s voice echoed in the hallways of a worn-down building in the small village of Munat. The wooden beams long since used now rotten and groaning overhead. Countless cracks spread through the wooden walls, like a spider''s web. Dust and debris settled on the trinkets forgotten by time. "Enzo!" The air contained a thick stale scent, with sweat, rust and something foul leaking from beneath the floorboards. Her voice was sharp, urgent. Enzo halted. His fingers curled, knuckles stiff. The silence before a blade is drawn. "Can''t you be more likable, Dia?" "Me? Likable? Hah! Have you taken a look in the mirror!?" Dia''s blonde hair danced in the fleeting wind, her scent like a fresh rose fallen in a pile of landfill. Her gaze narrowed before covering her lips with a small, silken black handkerchief. "You stink." Enzo breathed in, his chest swelling with the thick, heavy air. He could still smell the blood on the ground of countless warriors who died to keep the village safe mixed with the foul stench of animal excrement. "THE SMELL IS THE BUILDING!" Enzo, hushed, covered Dia''s lips with his dirty fingers. The blonde-haired woman glared back, her eyes like blue ice, as hard as steel, glaring in silence. "Don''t look so angry, Dia... You know why we needed to make that deal." "But!" Her eyes darted from side to side, gazing at Enzo like a lost cat, hoping its owner would understand her feelings and stop making her feel so stressed and upset. "I know... that boy isn''t human." Dia''s lips trembled as if she were struggling to form the words. She opened her mouth several times but only managed a few croaks of words. "You know... why we made our group. Have you not forgotten what monsters did to our village, our comrades?" Enzo''s eyes became solemn, gazing at the beautiful woman, one of his many flings... yet the only one that survived and followed him so far. "Did that boy look capable of creating a dungeon break?" A dungeon break... the act of countless monsters flooding into a village, town or even a city. It led to the destruction of everything that once lived, like an apocalypse. The last call was originally a group of adventurers¡ªthey believed themselves able to fight off any threat. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Until they faced that horrific day, and the moment half of their group perished. Enzo, once their charismatic second-in-command, is now the leader and owner of a small pub in the slums of Astrea. No longer the same young man who sought to fight against monsters, to protect those in need. Instead, a man with many scars that didn''t show, even to those who tried to find them. "Maybe, maybe not... how can we be sure? Didn''t you wish for your wife and daughter to live away from this danger?!" Dia''s voice became stronger, resonating with the broken glass to make it vibrate. Enzo sighed. "It''s not that simple, and you know it." "Tsk! Since when did you care about her feelings and emotions before?" Dia understood; who couldn''t see that the young priestess held abnormal feelings towards that handsome abomination? "Will you really let her join him? What if his visage is a facade and he just wants to devour her?" Though she spoke harshly and sometimes came across as strong, Dia cared about Erina because she looked like Enzo, and no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn''t have his child after that horrific day. Thus, she became emotional and extremely protective of the young priestess. Erina was the only person Enzo had saved from his hometown, a village far off in the east, which no longer existed. He didn''t know why he had left her mother there. She wasn''t an adventurer, but a kind woman that always cleaned his wounds, cared for him when he got sick and injured. "You know the truth. Don''t be too hard on me, Dia." "..." Dia''s eyes trembled as she hesitated, unable to continue... "Why didn''t you tell us that she didn''t remember? Why does Erina believe you left them, abandoned her mother?" Enzo shrugged his shoulders and turned away, with a horrible look pasted on his face. "I thought it would be better if she hated me." "But, why!" Her voice grew harsh, cutting into him like daggers. "You... if you didn''t save them from that hell hole ten years ago, your body wouldn''t¡ª" "Dia!" Enzo raised his voice, interrupting her. "Sorry..." "It''s fine. The less Erina knows about how her mother really died. The better, but the church is going to be annoying. That girl might have been a saintess candidate, but she''s a special one... to fool those old bastards, we need a perfect situation." Enzo closed his eyes and thought about the information that Leonhardt had given him before he left. "I believe there will be a chance to stage her death soon enough." "Enzo..." Dia watched the man she adored and shared a bed with, never more than a moment of passion or after thinking for him, but to her, it was something that filled the void in her empty chest. "I cannot trust that boy... but since it is your choice, I will follow it until the end, Enzo." "Thank you, Dia." Dia shook her head, and her lips formed into a smile. "Don''t worry about it, Enzo..." She lowered her head, the foul stench of this abandoned building no longer an annoyance as she bit into her lower lip and muttered. "I just worry about you..." Her eyes drifted up like the moon, bright and shining as the day he saved her from becoming food for those disgusting creatures. Enzo ruffled his fingers through her golden hair, messing it up until a small bun formed, and then he patted it down. "I need you to find those documents while I''m away, okay?" "I know... I won''t let you down." His hand slid down her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps as his eyes snapped open. "Oh... how about we eat together tonight?" "Wait, really!?" The young man nodded, watching Dia''s stunned face with a grin before turning around. "We''ll have something fancy, I promise you." The invitation for a meal was like a special code phrase, something that made Dia excited... tonight they would... for sure. With business over, the pair left the disgusting site, with Dia rushing to prepare herself and Enzo leaving in the opposite direction to meet with the others. Two hours later, in Munat''s only restaurant "So, what do you think?" Enzo asked as he took a bite from his steak. "Good, right? The meat of the Spotted Forest Hare, boiled and cooked with the oil of a Giant Turtle, served on a hot plate." The woman in front of him stared blankly at the meal before her. "You must know, no one from the village could eat such expensive food." "What if they were rich?" "They''d still never have this." "Why?" "Because it''s not food." She complained as she looked up, her cheeks reddening, "When you eat something, you take it into your body to make you healthy, but that," she said as she pointed at the dish in front of her with a trembling finger. "isn''t going to make me healthy at all." Diamond, the woman who wore the cat mask, couldn''t help but curl her lips when faced with the "food" placed before her, the scent thick and greasy. The soup was lumpy and dense with the stringy hare meat and musky turtle oil... She couldn''t help but turn her nose away to avoid gagging. "Well... uh, then, why did you even bother ordering it if you thought that?" "Because you ordered it!" Dia slammed the table, her blonde hair fluttering in the air, and she turned bright red in embarrassment. This dish was a delicacy for most men, as it was said to increase libido and energy when one might be lacking. However, Dia knew for sure that this man never lacked energy and eating this just meant he wanted to kill her tonight. With two parts excitement, one part anticipation and she awaited the evening to come. Ironically, the barkeep who served the drinks called out. "Last Call! Make your final orders now." The irony made them both smile and dig into the foul-tasting dish. Both were fully aware that after tonight, they might not meet for the longest of times. Chapter 88 - 88: Arlet Village - Return to the Dungeon The carriage swayed from side to side, and the wheels rattled over the uneven road. There was a jolt as the carriage bounced as if passing through a ditch. Ever since Leonhardt and his group left Munat, they fought a bunch of wolves and spiders, but nothing significant happened, other than a member of the Last Call following them in the second cart. She was the woman codenamed Diamond or Dia for short, with long, blond hair and blue eyes. Much like Sylvie, she was an elf with excellent senses. To Leonhardt''s annoyance, she appeared several times during the night when Asuka and Leonhardt slipped away to enjoy some alone time in the forest. This led to quite the irritation for Leonhardt, who noticed her presence from morning to evening; it seemed this was the "surveillance" that Enzo requested he accept. However, finally reaching the familiar area of Arlet village, the group became more relaxed, no longer carrying the memories of what happened in Munat because soon they would get paid! At least for the girls, anyway. ''I want to kill her...'' Leonhardt thought to himself while enduring the piercing gaze of the blonde elf as he ate the dried meat sandwich that Erina had prepared for him earlier. "Leo, what''s wrong?" Asuka tilted her head, oblivious to the elf''s constant antics. Erina seemed a little concerned as she reached towards Leonhardt, "Was the sandwich that bad, if you don''t like it..." "Hngh!" In the distance, the elf''s eyes became sharper and filled with mana, listening to the comment of Erina and her worried face. It seemed Dia would try to irritate Leonhardt no matter what he did. "Not at all. I was just worried that in two bites it will be gone forever." Leonhardt told Erina to reassure her and took another bite before patting the crumbs from his chest. Erina smiled at this, and the feeling of someone aiming at the back of his head vanished. "Phew..." ''I will definitely kill her.'' Once they returned to the area of Arlet, the girls noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere. With merchants and carriages leaving the village hastily, nothing like the past when only a few carriages would leave in a day. This was the sign of the upcoming battle, but none of them knew about this except Leonhardt. The dark elves led by Nyxara completed their task with such ease he couldn''t help but wonder why they were destroyed. After weeks of being attacked and pushed to the limit, the Alpha wolf was in the southern parts of the forest. It seemed the foolish beast finally took their clues and started heading towards the village, killing humans and creating this atmosphere. "It seems everyone is preparing to flee..." Erina said with a sigh as her eyes focused on Leonhardt, maybe expecting him to have some information on the situation. She wasn''t wrong, either. "Leon, do you think the wolves are going to attack the village?" "Who knows? I don''t care about those people, and I couldn''t care less." "Leon!" Erina became strict after getting her vice-leader position. But that wasn''t too bad. In return, she started working on budgets and how to increase their numbers. She even made specific recruitment criteria that improved Leonhardt''s view of the young priestess. ''Definitely Enzo''s daughter.'' He smirked while thinking about her fiery gaze. "You want to help them?" "Yes!" He then turned to Sylvie and Asuka, who seemed less interested. "What about you two?" Sylvie gave him one of her usual grins. "If you don''t want to go, then we would stay behind as well, right?" She turned to Asuka for confirmation. "Mmm, I guess...It''s not like we have anything better to do, though." Leonhardt couldn''t help but cover his mouth, trying to hide his smile as Erina''s sharp gaze turned towards the lazy members of her group. He didn''t intend to stop her, but he wanted to prevent Erina from becoming a charity case. "Erina, what about earnings? We cannot work for nothing..." Five black wolves dashed across the plains, chasing one caravan, but Leonhardt didn''t move a finger¡ªin fact, the moment the guard slipped and fell because of his fear. He curled his lips into a twisted smile. ''Idiot!'' The wolves pounced on the man, who fell to the ground. Leonhardt and his group didn''t have an obligation or reason to help the man. But Erina didn''t share the same thoughts as she pointed her hand towards the distance and formed a golden barrier that stopped their sharp fangs from tearing out the man''s throat. "Leon!" He knew what she would say without hearing it. So with an annoyed sigh, he casually pointed at the wolves and let the mana trickle through his veins, forming a small black sphere at the tip. Then the snap of his fingers. The bolts lanced towards the wolves, splitting into five bolts that penetrated their eyes and skulls, killing the beasts. The guard didn''t seem to have any reaction either, but Leonhardt didn''t care. To Leonhardt, the only thing that mattered was the gaze Erina showed while looking at him, eyes glowing with respect and reverence as tears dripped from the corner of her eyes. ''Oh.'' This is quite fun. It wasn''t like he wanted to become a hero or anything of the sort. It was just the way her body shook each time he cast magic or the curl of her glossy pink lips when she smiled at him. ''When did Erina become so animated?'' Leonhardt tapped his chin, wondering what changed her so much. ''Could it be meeting her father... no, that wasn''t it.'' He looked focused on Erina while considering various thoughts, trying to understand why she seemed so vibrant and full of life when just a few days ago, she seemed to be a living corpse when compared to the current Erina. Finally, something came to him. ''Maybe it''s because of me?'' A slightly arrogant thought. As she turned to him with a beaming smile, he couldn''t help but doubt his thoughts. "Maybe?" he thought once again before chuckling to himself as he noticed the look of Asuka and Sylvie. ''I guess this is going to be quite interesting...'' Leonhardt wondered what would happen when these girls met Nyxara... or even Zafira. Would there be a bloodbath? Or maybe they would kneel and know their place. Meanwhile, as he considered these thoughts, Asuka watched Leonhardt''s face, her eyes narrowing before flicking to Erina. The way she looked at him was becoming a little too intimate for her liking. Yet she couldn''t complain because Leonhardt told her from the start that he already had other women, and she still chose him. ''Why am I getting angry?'' But those thoughts were quickly discarded as she turned to Sylvie. The same dark eyes and slight scowl were directed at Erina. It seemed she also needed to watch the small blue elf beside her. ''What is wrong with me?'' She shook her head as the carriage continued towards the village. When they finally arrived at Arlet Village, a small group of the village guards met them at the gates. It was a surprise for Leonhardt, who didn''t think his actions would have such a drastic effect. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Oh, it''s the old guy and the stupid kid that liked Asuka!'' However, their faces looked grim, different from the old man he had first met. He looked tired, and his right arm hung without power and made Leonhardt struggle to hide his grin, excited that his plan had weakened the humans in the village. Soon, he would bring his troops and have them accept the goblins, whether with force or by breaking their mind using Zafira''s magic. "HALT! What business do you have in Arlet Village!" Called out the old guard, but the moment he saw Leonhardt, his eyes flashed with a light. "Kid... you''re alive?" ''Eh? He remembered me?'' Somehow, hearing that from the old man made Leonhardt''s chest feel strange, a warmth that only existed when speaking to Ifrit or Zafira. ''Have I grown attached to this old man?'' Chapter 89 - 89: My First Conquest, shall be Arlet Village! Leonhardt scoured through his memories for a name but failed, so he gave up and called him old man because this name was easier to remember. "Old man, what happened?" He found acting like a human flowed like second nature to him now, unlike in the past, when he needed to consider his actions or plan. "Wolves lad! It was those menacing things in the forest!" S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt wasn''t surprised by this answer since it was he who had antagonised the wolves using his dark elves, but the old man didn''t even know it. A strange feeling of delight bubbled in Leon''s stomach, a warmth and sense of exhilaration when hearing about it from the old man, who spoke with such urgency in his voice, as though the village would be overrun at any moment. ''Go on! Ask for help... Go on! Do it!'' The strange yet familiar feelings warred within him. He listened to the old man and villagers complain, before the old man continued with a hint of hesitation in his voice before he finally seemed to resolve himself. "Lad... we don''t want to do this. But if ya could, can you help us out? The people in this village can''t fight, and many of the adventurers left because the cost wasn''t to their liking." ''Poor misguided humans, did you mistake me for your saviour when I am the aggressor like a feral beast waiting to snap my jaws and swallow your village whole!'' Erina''s eyes shimmered with a golden light as she reached out, grabbing Leonhardt''s arm. A look of anxiety and hope flashed in her gaze, as if to say, ''help these poor villagers.'' The moment she touched his arm, the eyes of Sylvie and Asuka became daggers, unable to disguise their growing annoyance towards Erina, who touched and leaned on Leonhardt without realising it. ''What should I do...'' Leonhardt considered his options. He could leave the village to deal with them on their own, or he could assist and gain more loyalty from the foolish old man. [Didn''t you wish to take this land and have someone rule it? You already gave the Arachne a goal in the east and Dark elves in the west... now, what will you do?] Ifrit''s goading and hints always helped Leonhardt remain rooted and remember what he was. Neither human nor elf... he was a monster, and this basin would be his! "The Crimson Hawks... although we could take care of the monster, you have said that the reward isn''t worth it. Then, in return for a promise. Your people could enjoy the Crimson Hawks becoming the sole defender of this village." The people who Leon met a few weeks ago gazed at him in awe, some like the gentle old woman who taught him the warmth of humanity, a soft and malleable dough that he could form and distort in any shape he desired. "W-What promise?" The old village lord''s arms shook while holding his staff with both hands. A feeble old man with no true power to guide these people. "It''s simple, make me the village Lord." A few villagers who heard it frowned, but in the end, they couldn''t even kill a few weak wolves. Leonhardt could feel the struggle within the man. "You are inferior, have no strength and can never protect these people, don''t you agree?" A sweet, gentle voice that hummed with a vibration. The moment Leonhardt''s voice entered the ears of the weak humans, their eyes dilated and became different... like a siren''s song, his charming and beautiful melodic tone seducing them. "L-Leon?" Erina''s face paled. He was going to use magic to force these villagers to agree to his request. Sylvie wasn''t sure what Leon was doing, but it seemed his actions may not be the right thing to do... yet she shook her head and didn''t speak or act, and instead, she looked at Asuka, who smiled gleefully at Leonhardt''s back. ''Is this the right thing?'' Erina wondered as she tried to remember what her mother had taught her, but all she could think about was what her father would have done. ''To protect the village... he will become their lord?'' Erina''s eyes flickered with a spark, the golden light dissipating as she stepped forward and spread her arms to the villagers. "I am Erina. The vice-captain of the Crimson Hawks, and if anyone has complaints or wishes to speak with us about the proposal, then I will hear you out and discuss it with our leader. But I believe he didn''t offer this in bad faith, and in my time with him, he has proved time and time again that he is a good person!" Her voice wasn''t as melodic and soft as Leonhardt''s but carried a fiery passion and strength behind it. ''Erina?'' Leonhardt''s eyes shook. He didn''t understand this was a test for Erina... to see if she could accept him bending humans to his will and using their weaknesses for his benefit. ''It seems I got a good vice-captain.'' He smirked and looked at the villagers, then snapped his finger and the mana that surrounded the villager''s heads dispersed. His suggestion and mana would seep into their bodies, lurking and eating away at their common sense. This was the ability of a Dungeon Master on those who were not warriors or mages. Though anyone weaker than Leonhardt would be dominated and forced to follow him, he lowered the effect and instead opted for a slower and more thorough brainwashing. Inside their subconscious, various words and sentences would repeat in an intoxicating and gentle voice while negative thoughts became linked to a dark, devilish voice. ''Goblins aren''t evil¡ªthey are like elves and need someone to guide them, to accept them.'' ''The forest of embers is a sacred place that you must not disturb without permission.'' ''The kingdom has betrayed you, abandoned all of you in this basin to die.'' ''Only the Crimson Hawks... Leonhardt Van Arlet can guide you.'' This was Leonhardt''s choice... his first step and the moment his conquest began, since he would steal the name of the village, to call it the village of Embers. Leon would take the name Arlet to show his dedication. ''Will Erina forgive me when she finds out? Hah! I don''t care.'' With a huge smile on his face, Leonhardt stepped towards the forest and closed his eyes. He tried his best to stop it twisting and deforming into a horrifying grin. Yet his stomach churned with butterflies. "I will become the lord you all seek, protecting your safety and enriching your livelihood!" The time for waiting had ended. The need to hold back against this world faded. Leon''s eyes narrowed and turned pitch black with brightly glowing red pupils, an eerie devil wearing his mask. The mask of a village lord. The mask of a handsome elf. The mask of someone who cared for humanity. All layered on top to hide this dark truth. He was a merciless beast, a chimera made from scraps, with the desire to crush those who mocked and doubted him. He would consume this world just like the humans and gods that preceded him. Step. Step. With each step towards the forest, his face twisted and contorted into a ghastly spectacle. How could something so evil... Be so beautiful? Chapter 90 - 90: The Unneeded Actor Leonhardt''s body faded into the forest while Erina watched him in awe. The surrounding villagers started to whisper, and what scared her was that nobody seemed to reject the idea or notion of making Leonhardt the city lord. "Should we believe that young lad?" A woman muttered. "What do you mean... he''s just another liar! Wait until he comes back with his tail between his legs." An old man argued. "But, what if he succeeds?" A beautiful woman with two children whispered. "Heh, that idiot can''t succeed." The guard who liked Asuka snorted, spitting on the ground. "I believe him..." An old woman clenched her fists and watched the forest. "He will save us from the darkness." From there, the villagers started to argue, and more came forward for Leonhardt. ''How can this be?'' She thought. Unable to doubt his charisma and power, she also felt her chest tighten, her heart thumping. Each word and action he took slowly enthralled her mind and heart. Like a piper, he was guiding these lost souls into a new age. She looked back but noticed that Sylvie and Asuka had vanished, and even the woman named Dia, who clearly had a thing with her father, vanished from sight. They seemed to have followed Leonhardt, but she couldn''t be sure. However much she wanted to follow Leonhardt, she felt he gave her a chance to prove her worth, and thus, she turned to the villagers, with her eyes shimmering. ''This is it, I must convince them... but a village lord, is that what he desired?'' Somehow, she couldn''t shift the feeling that he was destined for more. "Forget these idle thoughts!" She shook her head and focused, slapping her cheeks with a loud smack. "Everyone, I believe that you can rest easy... Leonhardt will solve all issues!" Lost in their voices, she turned once more to the forest, a place filled with an abnormal heat and sense of danger that made her spine tingle... "Be safe, Leonhardt." ¡ª Meanwhile, inside the forest... "How dare you use magic on those innocent people!" A sharp voice snapped through the forest as her icy spears formed around her palm. "Do you think Enzo would let you live for actions like this?" Dia''s heart pounded because she had almost fallen for his sweet words, nearly becoming his puppet. "Oh... you were there, the foolish woman watching me." He noticed two people following him once he left, and now they watched him from behind a large tree. ''Good, they followed.'' Leonhardt didn''t speak with his kind or elegant voice, different from the usual: it was deep, cold, and cruel, like the sound of the devil whispering into one''s ear. This caused her whole body to shiver. "Dia, was it? Enzo''s elven bitch." "Wha?!" Dia couldn''t believe he called her in such a manner. "What did you just say?" She was so furious that the spears transformed, becoming sharper. Deadlier. "Isn''t it the truth, the only reason he keeps someone as foolish as you around is because you spread your legs easily. Kneel." "Ugh?!" Words like these caused her mind to blank and her blood to boil, and she wanted to rush at him, but instead, her body collapsed and she knelt. *Thud!* Her body dropped to the ground like rocks, her eyes opened wide, pupils dilating. "I... resisted it! I resisted your foul magic!" Dia protested, but the moment Leonhardt snorted, she felt as if his hands were pressing upon her shoulders. His words were heavy, and mana weighed down on her soul... Her legs became weak, her heart racing, and her vision blurred. "Please don''t... don''t make me." Dia tried to cover herself as if that was his desire or reason for controlling her. "Oh, please! I don''t see you in that way, you disgusting whore." "W-Whore?!" Her body was quivering at this point, unable to process what was happening to her body or how it became so weak, and even the link she held with magic faded, the sharp spears now hovering around Leonhardt''s fingertip. "You see, I don''t mind if you''re here to protect Erina... but you''ve taken it upon yourself to overstep your bounds, woman." Leonhardt''s red pupils flickered with fire as they alternated between different colours. His body shifted as he started to walk towards the woman, her face twisted in fear, tears leaking from her eyes. The arrogant witch was crushed in a single sweeping moment. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His lips curled into a smile, but to Dia, that smile was scary, inhuman and lacked any human warmth! Knowing her terror, he tilted his head before grabbing her chin violently, causing her teeth to chatter in absolute horror. "Listen to me, Elf. Obey me, and life will continue as normal. But if you resist, I will make you into a sow for the Orcs, do you understand?" "Please... please!" She wanted to fight back. Desired to go on the attack... Leonhardt didn''t stop to listen. "Your task is to guard Erina. Nothing else." A simple task that almost seemed too good to be true, when she looked up at the monster in elven form and tried to speak, yet her quivering lips and chattering teeth made it impossible. Leonhardt''s words continued as if to crush her spirit as he whispered, "You may still watch me and protect Erina, but don''t dare report anything about my ''unique'' actions, or I will do everything in my power to kill Enzo." Dia gasped. The moment he pushed her face away, for a moment, the pressure faded. "NEVER!" She grasped the air, gathering mana to create another spear to stab Leonhardt''s chest, but the next moment... Leonhardt lifted his arm and smashed into her face with a brutal right hook. The impact sent her body to the ground, and she struck her head against a rock, cutting her head open as blood poured from the wound. Overwhelmed with amusement, his eyes flicked to the shadows from earlier and noticed they moved closer, as if excited to watch such scenes. "Foolish wench, did you think that wasn''t a test? Hah... forget it, you will suffer. I won''t go easy on you!" The moment he spoke, Dia''s world turned black, the forest faded, Leonhardt faded, and her emotions faded... Leonhardt''s mana poured into her mind, overwriting everything, dirtying, sullying... Her soul shook, and she screamed in pain, "STOP! PLEASE!" Her voice was like a banshee screeching as everything changed. "Please don''t kill him! I beg of you, don''t kill Enzo! He''s the only thing in the world that makes me feel worthy and clean." ''Ah~ this is quite delightful.'' Though he rarely acted like this because he needed to maintain a semblance of his human persona, this woman aimed at him with her magic and intended to kill him seven times during their journey home. "Sylvie, I am not the prince charming or hero you might have sought. I will not force anything on you, nor do I expect you to understand me." His voice became calmer and without the same sharpness he had for Dia, who now convulsed in a pool of her own blood and vomit. "If I go too far, then say it. Tell me, I cannot change and probably won''t stop. Let me know your limits, so you don''t break." Sylvie looked up, her face twisted with confusion as she tried to understand his actions. To the young half-elf witch, these actions and his darkness made her skin tingle, an icy chill flowing into her throat with each breath. Sylvie didn''t hate him even though she couldn''t understand his actions... ''I need to tell him...'' She thought while fighting with herself about what to say. "I..." Her voice came out hoarse, but Leonhardt waited patiently for her. Asuka was different, walking towards Dia and looking at her pitiful body on the ground. "Silly bitch, that''s what you get for offending my beloved." She spat on the elf, who twitched on the ground. "Even though you''re... a villain... a monster... I will not be scared." Her words were quite a surprise for him. He never believed Sylvie could endure this test so well. This caused Leonhardt to chuckle. And that''s why he extended his hand to her, with the calm visage of a handsome monster. Yes, the test wasn''t for Dia¡ªit was never his intention to let her roam free. "Sylvie, if I could make you stronger, would you accept it?" Chapter 91 - 91: You Will Become Their Hero! Sylvie gazed at Leonhardt, her body still icy cold from the atmosphere. Yet she slapped her cheeks and thumped her chest with her fist. ''Move!'' she shouted in her mind. ''Don''t be scared!'' Sylvie wanted power¡ªshe wanted to be acknowledged. Because her bloodline wasn''t pure, because she could not see spirits, she and her mother were kicked out of the forest... A harsh life without enough money or food followed. Her father was away, fighting to earn a living in foreign lands. What could a young elf with mediocre mana and lacking physical strength hope for in this world where power, bloodline and authority ruled all? "Leonhardt..." Her voice hoarse as if she swallowed a thousand blades. Yet he didn''t treat her like Erina or Diamond... "Take your time, Sylvie. Like I taught you, slowly fill your throat with mana and find the spots that ache or feel painful and apply several layers." She wanted to ask him what he would do... what exactly he meant by making her stronger. Still, she followed his words, like the moment he touched her and showed her what magic could do. His feeling and taste still lodged within her memory, a mana so sweet and addictive that she wanted more. ''This is it...'' Her fingers trembled as she raised them towards her chest where she could still feel his touch. Leonhardt''s mana would always leave a residue that tickled and teased her mind but, most of all, gave her reassurance from the moment she opened her heart and lowered her thick barriers. "Wow... I''ve never seen Sylvie look so cute." Asuka chuckled while wrapped around Leonhardt''s arm; she looked so comfortable and at ease since they started sharing a bed, something that made Sylvie''s chest ache, different from the inflamed flesh in her throat, a metaphorical pain. "Shut it! I can''t concentrate." Sylvie hissed, her face red as she focused on the task at hand, slowly moving the warm mana through the small meridians in her throat and strengthening them, coating them like paint. Each layer she added reduced the burning pain, and her voice became softer and more beautiful. "I did it!" Her voice, which sounded hoarse and painful before, became clearer. "I can speak! It doesn''t hurt anymore!" The excitement on her face became apparent, while Leonhardt''s gaze shifted to the bottom left, reading the runes beneath Sylvie''s information as he frowned. ''Now I see... It''s because she is a half-elf. This world is quite cruel on hybrids and those who interbreed...'' Sylvie''s struggles were caused because of her being born between a human and an elf. It turned out there was a reason that half-elves and other mixed races were looked down upon. A Genetic Disorder... one only found in mixed breeds. ''Maybe it''s not all, as Asuka''s race seems fine... but maybe that''s because of her dragon heritage.'' At least, that was Leonhardt''s hypothesis. The Genetic disorder, named by Leonhardt himself as Mana Overdose, would cause a build-up of mana throughout the body, which could create blockages, and when the blockages reached a certain level. It would fester and rot the skin, starting with inflammation of the throat, then moving on to the chest and lungs, affecting breathing. ''Is it perhaps an issue with the human body and how they deal with mana?'' Sylvie, before him, looked overjoyed at her achievement. This wasn''t a cure but a temporary stopgap. ''If she can''t remove the mana build-up, eventually it will run wild and destroy her from the inside out...'' Leonhardt was already considering his options because Sylvie had become an important chess piece in his conquest. Rather, he enjoyed her subtle show of affection and didn''t want her to die. "Sylvie, will you take my hand? If so, I will make you the strongest ice witch to ever exist." Despite the magnificent offer, and even when Sylvie''s eyes widened in shock. She didn''t accept immediately, instead gazing towards Asuka and back to Leonhardt... a tall, mysterious monster, like the demon king in old tales. He offered her the world. "I..." ''Do I want to become the strongest Ice witch? What if, after that happens, we grow apart? Eh? Who grows where?'' Sylvie''s mind filled with various questions, confusion and most of all, excitement that she could barely contain. "I have a question..." A shy, embarrassed voice she barely managed to squeeze from her lips. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ask away." "What happens after I become the strongest... will you still... will we..." Leonhardt wasn''t dumb and knew what she meant, and although it was an issue he didn''t think much about, the struggle of this lovely little elf made him chuckle. "I cannot speak about the future, Sylvie... who knows what may happen? What I can promise is that I will guide you and be with you until the day you wish to leave my side." "Ah?" His words were kind, but his face lacked any warmth. It wasn''t because he felt nothing towards Sylvie. He just didn''t show her any falsity and lies. "I am not so arrogant as to keep you beside me when you wish to leave, nor will I force you to stay using my gift as an excuse." "I will stay!" Sylvie shouted, with her mind already made up, as her face turned red. Leonhardt''s smile became wider, his eyes no longer the black void with red pupils as they returned to normal. Although still sharp and intimidating, they lacked that overbearing aura he used to crush Diamond. ''He''s so handsome...'' Sylvie thought while looking up at Leonhardt''s face, ''and his words...'' She grasped his outstretched hand and felt the warmth of his mana flowing into her, like she stood beneath a massive waterfall. It flooded her body, and instantly, the aches and pains she felt throughout her body vanished. ''What is this magic?'' Sylvie couldn''t understand it, but it felt amazing as the pressure on her joints and muscles vanished. Her mana started to flow through her mana passageways without being blocked. This wasn''t the offer he made, but the first step... his magic devouring the negative effects of her human blood. "It''s a pleasure to have your support, Sylvie." "It''s finally over~ Now, can we get down to business?" Asuka chirped with a smirk. "What happens now?" Sylvie tilted her head. Leonhardt didn''t answer and instead turned towards Asuka, who looked quite comfortable on his shoulder, before turning back towards the village. "Let''s go, Sylvie. It''s time to make you the hero of the village. You''re going to help kill the wolves that threaten this village." "WHAT?!" Chapter 92 - 92: The Wolf Den She could never understand Leonhardt at first, nor Asuka''s attraction to him. Maybe this was denial after all¡ªeverything started when she met him at the bar. Her curiosity, her fixation. It started from the moment she sipped on the sweet Papillion made from the same disgusting Chrysa her mother used to love. After all, it was the first time she had found a man that piqued her interest. ''What''s happening?'' Enjoying the warmth of Leonhardt''s mana, she grasped tight and savoured the tingling sensation. Then, greedily, she started sucking his mana... and instantly moaned. "Nn! It''s so hot." Glancing at his figure, Sylvie sighed and allowed herself to enjoy the moment. Warm or monstrous, she was determined to accept¡ªher mana core demanded it. "I should have known you wouldn''t let me down. Who knew the cutest little elf would be so resilient and trustworthy." Sylvie started up at Leonhardt''s imposing figure, almost dreaming, before his soft hand brushed against her cheek and woke her up. "Nn. It''s so comfortable." Hugging her shoulders and humming, Sylvie endured the changes and stood up. The feeling in her stomach, refreshed with the amount of mana flowing within her¡ªa sensation that she might never have enjoyed without him¡ªwithout Leonhardt. "I will do whatever you wish. This gift... I cannot forget it." She reached out, cupping his cheeks while stood on her tiptoes, the short elf''s cheeks turning pink from embarrassment. Yet she didn''t falter, watching Leonhardt''s face and reactions. Then, with a soft smile, she staggered and collapsed into his chest, wrapped in his embrace. "You only need to do what makes you happy, Sylvie." His voice, soothing and low, echoed in her mind, allowing her excited senses to calm down. Asuka approached from his side, a concerned look on her face. "Will she be alright?" Leonhardt leaned his head against Sylvie''s soft crown, tilting towards her, noting the hint of jealous from the deep red scales on her neck and cheeks. Even her usual kimono looked messy, full of dirt and leaves. "She will be fine, what about you? Can you accept what I did?" Asuka''s face looked shocked before she cleared her throat. "I will accept anything." Then she scratched her cheek, closing her eyes and lifting the corner of her mouth, adding: "As long as you don''t throw me away... that is." Leonhardt''s expression instantly changed from curious to affectionate. He looked at Asuka with glowing eyes, now with a primal hunger. "Then what if I make this kingdom mine, slaughter all those against me?" Asuka''s shoulders jumped, but her eyes remained on Leonhardt. "I will join you in slaughter." Leon''s smile grew visibly wider and more twisted. "Come." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, with a swift motion, Asuka stopped hesitating and rushed into his arms. "I am going to make you the strongest and most lovely dragonoid in existence." A low, whispered growl entered Asuka''s ear as he lifted her body off the ground and tightly hugged her body close to his. "I''m all yours." She replied as he rushed through the forest. *** The Alpha wolf suffered from the moment Leonhardt created this plan, her young children culled daily by the dark elves. He framed the humans, having Nyxara kill humans who strayed too far and placing their scene on the corpses. A beast with intelligence could be terrifying¡ªhowever, when that beast lacked the same cognitive function as a human and came to half-baked conclusions. It could create devastating consequences for both the human and the beast itself. Of course, by the time it realised what had happened, it would be too late¡ªnot that knowing sooner would stop Leonhardt''s plan. When the alpha wolf became enraged and started attacking all living creatures in the forest, it was already over for the beast. No monsters would follow such a tyrant into battle. The weaker monsters hid deeper, seeking the ember goblins in the north. Leonhardt''s plan was almost perfect, a dark and cunning plot to use a monster to further his goals. In the end, this was a simple plan, and now he would come and create a false hero. The fallen villagers, clueless about the bigger picture, would worship Sylvie and accept her as their saviour and with that solidifying the Crimson Hawks as a village treasure allowing Leonhardt to brainwash them without worry. A small plot formed from Leonhardt''s desire to rule the basin. *** A few minutes later, Asuka was swooning while Leonhardt carried the sleepy elf in his arms. Soon the thick scent of beasts, blood and rotting meat filled their noses, pungent and disgusting, yet neither curled their noses or complained. The wolf''s den looked ruined, broken weapons, human body''s half mangled, killed for sport, not food. A small cave in the southern reaches of the Ember forest, dug into the ground likely an old goblin enclave of some sort. Asuka didn''t care about the scent or ghastly visuals. The only thing she could see was Leonhardt''s handsome face and how much she enjoyed this side of him. ''Is it because I am a monster now, or is this a dragon''s pride in her mate?'' At last, Leonhardt stopped just north of the den, and he placed Sylvie down before tapping her plump cheeks. He had a soft yet stern look on his beautiful face. "Wake up, princes. You will need to kill the alpha wolf alone. Can you do it for me?" Sylvie yawned, stretched her arms, and blinked a few times before cracking her neck from side to side. "Sylvie!" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, his thumb brushing across her soft lips. "Can you do it?" She gazed up at him, smiling as if in a dream before rubbing through his hair, enjoying the feeling of his long wavy locks. "I can." As she spoke, her words were soft and quiet, but there was an intensity within them. "Then, show me what you can do. I will be watching." Knowing that Leonhardt would be watching her fight the alpha wolf only made Sylvie more excited. Her mana was overflowing, wild and untamed. She needed to vent this mana, and she knew the best way to vent it¡ªfight. "Don''t push yourself too hard." Asuka scoffed, her eyes averting slowly but her affection towards the elf clear by the hand gripping her axe tight¡ªready to jump in at a moment''s notice. Sylvie nodded, once again turning to Leon for a last glimpse of his face and expression, curious about why he chose her instead of Erina. A sense of misguided superiority swelled in her core. "Listen carefully, Sylvie. The wolf will try to trick you, to make you overconfident. Remember: Never go easy on your opponent¡ªalways go for the kill!" "Even if it''s you?" Leonhardt just stared at her with a smile. "Especially if it''s me!" "Ah." The building excitement in her abdomen and his fierce yet intense gaze only made her want him more. For the first time, Sylvie understood the words of previous friends and the basic need called lust, and with that, she stood up. "I will do anything you ask me." Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks pink with a flush, and she looked up at him with longing before turning away and stepping forward. "So watch me!" A small elf with long blue hair, filled with confidence and the desire to overcome her past, grasped a frigid shard of ice... Eyes filled with the cold intent to kill. Chapter 93 - 93: The Birth of a Witch Stepping closer to the Alpha wolf''s den, Sylvie lifted her head¡ªonly to see darkness and a low growl echoing from deep inside the cave. However, she could see its form, a mangy grey coat of fur, and it towered above her in height like a beast of nightmare. ''It must be at least three metres tall,'' Sylvie thought with muted fear. The beast stood on four muscular legs, each ending in claws that curved like jagged blades, intimidating and designed to carve flesh from bone with terrifying ease. Its thick, grey fur clung to the beast''s muscular frame in wild and messy tufts, coarse and matted from the decades of feral living. Beneath the midafternoon fading sunlight, the silver strands glimmered, giving the creature an eerie yet mystical atmosphere. Its head was angular, with a long, scarred snout, a testament to the countless battles it had endured to survive. Cold, blue eyes gleamed in the darkness, unblinking and filled with madness towards the elf, facing it with razor-sharp fangs half open, as if prepared to devour her at any moment. The wolf exhaled, sending plumes of frost into the night air, its breath thick with the coppery scent of fresh blood. "..." What impressed Sylvie the most, though, was the aura emitting from the beast without taking action. She could feel its sharp claws pressing down on her throat. Slicing through her flesh... a powerful killing intent. ''I can do this... He is watching.'' she thought, building courage. As soon as she finished preparing, the fear faded. The creature remained silent. But Sylvie knew it would strike the moment she lowered her guard. She acted first without wasting her mana and hopped onto a rock¡ªher feet clipping the stone¡ªinstantly flinging the sharp shards of ice at the wolf, slicing through the air. Her proved correct, as the huge wolf suddenly rushed forward, slicing through the air where she stood a second before, digging into the ground with its ravenous maw snapping down at Sylvie on the rock. "!" It snapped at her, following up with another slash, its dagger-like claws tearing through her thigh as she snapped her fingertip, desperately forming an ice wall to cut off its attack as the force flung her off the stone. ''Ack! It hurts... Why is it so fast?!'' Temporarily slowed, Sylvie pushed herself off the ground. The rustling of grass and chilling howl echoed as the ice wall shattered, a chilling sensation filling her body while her lips trembled a slight noise coming from them. Now faced with a giant wolf stalking the dark forest, she became isolated. Immediately after, a deafening howl filled the air. Unfocused, she tried to roll to her side, but the agonising pain in her thigh forced her to stop and lean forward. Disoriented, she felt a cold snap behind her as something swung over her head. The wolf missed¡ªbarely. Its body was hovering in mid-air as Sylvie''s lips cracked, twisting into a smile as she slapped the ground, currently soaked in water. ''Oh, interesting!'' Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smile as he noticed the water wasn''t natural. "IMPALE!" Immediately after Sylvie screamed and touched the water, a fluorescent blue light shimmered around her body, as dozens of sharp pillars of ice grew from the ground, impaling the sky with a ferocious speed. She gritted her teeth, pouring all her mana into her palm, the heat turning her skin pink as it sizzled with pure magic. Her lips trembled, turning blue as her body temperature plummeted, with strands of ice streaming through her blood. The cold, frigid spell she cast froze the ground ten meters around her. ''Did it work?'' She panted, holding the ice shard she used as a distraction in one hand and staring at the ice pillar that impaled the wolf''s stomach, causing it to howl in pain. Blood poured from the wounds, turning the ice a crimson colour. Sylvie''s eyes fluttered with a strange light. A peculiar feeling from watching the wolf whimpering, a flicker of ice appeared on her thigh, freezing the wound. "Well, that... it actually worked..." The elf muttered in shock, staring at the beast''s figure as if expecting it to break free and attack. She had thought the battle would be much harder than this, but she had done it¡ªtriumphed against such a powerful monster. It raged and thrashed, but those actions only displaced its organs and made it howl in pain. Sylvie approached slowly, careful to keep some distance between them just in case the wolf was playing possum. Excitedly, she touched its abdomen, pushing against the thick fur and feeling the hard muscles beneath. Her heart skipped a beat as she realised what this meant¡ªit was at her mercy. For once in her life, she was the aggressor, as her fingertips tapped the wolf''s body, each time pricking its flesh with a small ice needle, like a child excited to see how far they could go. The beast felt each prick and yelped, but no matter how much it thrashed and resisted, the spears pierced the wolf''s weak spot, with a soft underbelly where its organs were easy to strike at. "Aha, so that is why you were rolling around on the ground when we first arrived..." Sylvie looked up and locked eyes with the beast. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Trying to protect your stomach while growing and acting all tough. Aha." Sylvie''s lips curled into a twisted smile, much like Leonhardt when he stopped acting like a human. A flutter of excitement and a butterfly swam in her stomach as she clenched her hand, allowing the ice inside its body to grow thicker, tearing its flesh apart. Blood poured down her arm, dripping off the elbow and onto the grass. She didn''t stop there¡ªher mana surged once more, impaling the wolf again, slowly. It howled, yelping in pain. A cold and beautiful sound to Sylvie''s ears. Wanting more. She smiled innocently, watching as it struggled, desperately trying to break free, yet, eventually, it could barely twitch its tail in response. Leonhardt watched this scene in silence. He didn''t realise that Sylvie could be corrupted this deeply just from his presence. Yet his lips curled into a smile the more he watched her vibrant and excited face, frozen teardrops slipped down her face as she finally pierced its heart. "Amazing." However, the method made his eyes shine with pride and wonder. Sylvie covered her hand with a gauntlet of ice, then gouged the monster''s heart with her own hand, crushing it between her fingers. "Sylvie is scary..." Asuka muttered while watching from a distance... a young woman stabbing the ruler of beasts constantly with blade and shards of ice. "No. It is not extreme." Leonhardt replied while licking his lips. His words caused Asuka''s shoulders to shudder. Facing him, she saw only excitement¡ªhis eyes glowed like flames while the mana inside him bubbled. A slight smile crept onto her face. Her master was proud. She knew she felt unpleasant about it, but she also felt giddy at the fact that Sylvie had passed the test. "Good job, Sylvie!" Asuka clenched her fists and celebrated. "However, it''s not over yet." "Eh, what do you mean?" Asuka asked curiously. Leonhardt didn''t respond but watched as Sylvie''s body froze, and she turned around, gazing around the area in shock. "Filthy mutts!" She shouted, before kicking the huge wolf angrily, before climbing onto its chest, standing atop the dead wolf, her eyes wide and teeth gnashing. Leonhardt noticed when Sylvie became lost in a trance, but she seemed to have recovered as the pack returned home at his order, of course. He contacted Nyxara and had her guide the wolves lingering around back to their den so Sylvie could use them to grow even further. Meanwhile, Sylvie gazed at the rabid wolves directing their animosity and rage at her, and so she asked herself a simple question. ''Can I do this?'' Chapter 94 - 94: An Offer Laced in Murder! Sylvie didn''t learn any new spells, and the one used to kill the alpha was just a slightly altered Ice Wall, casting each part of the icicle wall separately to form deadly spikes of ice that grew from the ground. She could control the speed, thickness and density of the magic, but this would drain her mana and stamina rapidly. Faced with a pack of bloodthirsty, desperate wolves that were starved and filled with anger, she trembled slightly. "Filthy dogs." She muttered a curse to boost her confidence. Her hands swiped through the air, using movement and visual cues to help her build mana into the form of a small pentagram, modelled after Leonhardt''s eyes. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves, then spoke in elvish. "Frigus!" The spell name, or rather keyword, just meant frigid and was a play on words. She unleashed a torrent of icy mana, which she channelled into the shape of sharp spines, something similar to the spell Ice Barrage, but like the Ice wall, she started to take the spell apart, her ingenuity an inborn trait of all elves born from the Fae, tricksters loved by mana. With a glistening array of ten sharp blades, curved and jagged with a gleaming surface, she spread her arms, making herself bigger and more imposing while pointing towards the leading wolf and spoke in elvish once again. "Penetratio!" The icy blades soared through the air as the alpha''s pack surrounded her. They charged forward, using the momentum to jump into the air, desperate and hungry to the point of starvation. The lack of food affecting their logical and instinctual thoughts and the magic they might normally avoid became something they ignored. The jagged ice blades tore apart their flesh like a spread of bullets, slicing deep and impaling through their stomachs while Sylvie watched with an emotionless face, noticing that five avoided the blades, biting and shattering the ice like brittle glass. It was understandable. The spell Sylvie used to form the ice blades wasn''t Ice Wall but Ice Barrage, a weaker and more basic spell that had its strengths and weaknesses. "Haa...Haa..." But she killed six of them! She was so close to gaining the strength needed to become useful, to being accepted by the man who brought colour and warmth to her pale and cold world. GRRR! The wolves growled, but rather than attack, they started to gnaw and gnash at their companions'' corpses, desperate to sate their hunger in a shocking sight. But this gave Sylvie time to recuperate. She stared in shock¡ªher face turning even paler, but then she saw a wolf''s belly bloat as it devoured even the bones of its pack mate. She noticed... The other wolves were more desperate than ever. Their feral emotions were like pure blood lust. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath, her mana pulsating and bubbling with a frightening amount of energy because she, too, needed this kind of force. Sylvie''s eyes became dull, her lips became blue as she bit down on them, pouring all her mana into her fingertips, draining herself to the limit, as she almost staggered with a light head. ''I have to do this!'' *** Asuka''s eyes watched in awe as she saw a new side of her friend; above her, Nyxara watched in anticipation while kicking her legs from a thick branch. "This light skin has so much determination... interesting." Leonhardt''s eyes didn''t leave Sylvie for a moment, his lips trembling as they locked into a wide smile. He couldn''t stop feeling that Sylvie''s determination far surpassed his expectations. The original plan was to step out and help her when the Alpha almost killed her or she became overwhelmed. And yet look at her... She danced atop the fallen Alpha, her hands twinkling with icy mana, which spread over the sky above the feasting wolves, her nose dripping with crimson fluid, but her eyes shining with a luminous blue light. The spell started as thin spears, gradually becoming thicker until they were enormous lances, each about a metre long and ten centimetres thick. The ice became so dense it glistened with a white light, becoming almost milky white in some places, like freshly cut jade. Her lips trembled, yet she stopped it by biting them again. Blood trickled down Sylvie''s lips and dripped off her chin before falling onto the dead wolf''s fur. "It hurts..." The magic was near completion, with ten giant lances of ice hovering in the air over the wolves that still gnawed on their fallen kin''s flesh. Sylvie took a few deep breaths as she pointed at the wolves and shouted, "Mors glacies!" The spell didn''t even require her to move her hands as they were so large; her mana had spread over the sky like a blanket before the magic started to drop from above. The wolves stopped eating, sensing something wrong as they looked up and spotted the massive ice lances hovering directly over their heads. However, before they could take action, the lances pierced from above, skewering each wolf with a merciless strike. Each lance impaled its target, pinning them to the ground with a crunch, the ice sinking deep into the ground, dragging itself through each wolf''s abdomen. There was no survival, and the moment Sylvie''s body teetered and almost collapsed from the Alpha wolf. "Amazing!" Leonhardt''s voice appeared from beside her, his firm arms catching her light body. Sylvie dangled in his arms, her eyes dull, yet she gazed up at him in her dream-like state. An almost childish smile formed on her lips as she reached out as if searching for a hug or some kind of reassurance. "Did I do well?" He could feel Nyxara and the dark elves in the distance. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Asuka seemed eager to run across, too, but Nyxara grabbed onto her shoulder and placed a finger to her lips. "You were perfect, Sylvie... Is there anything you want for a reward?" His words were soft, his hands warm. Sylvie felt like she was in a dream, and a smile formed on her face, something she wanted. There were too many things in the back of her mind. Yet when this man showed up, everything became chaotic. She started enjoying things she disliked, came to love her most detested heritage. "Make me into your witch." ''Ah... I said it.'' She thought to herself while watching his reaction, her arms still reaching out. But Leonhardt''s smile only grew wider, with a glimmer in his eyes. He leaned forward and let her arms wrap around his chest, hugging the elf tight. He noticed a wolf moved, struggling against its face and snapped his fingertips as a flaming bolt shot through its head, ending its life. "Is that your wish right now?" "Mm." "I like this warmth." Sylvie''s face pushed against his chest, almost purring like a cat. He could feel her mana flowing into his chest like a stream of cold, frigid water trickling through his organs. It was refreshing, pleasant even, like taking a cold drink under the scorching sun. He held her closer to his body and stood, carrying her like a child before turning to his companions, who seemed excited to approach. "Nyxara, don''t hate this child for her heritage, and Asuka... do you hate this?" Leonhardt''s gaze lingered on the pair, even though he would take action as he wished. The ones who supported him mattered a lot. Regarding Sylvie, he had already spoken with Zafira, and there would be a price to pay for that. But right now, it was these two that mattered. They both shook their heads. "I do not hate Sylvie. She is my friend." Asuka replied with a smile. "You are going to make her stronger and happier like me, right?" The simple dragonoid soothed his dark and cunning heart. "Ah." He then gazed at Nyxara who tilted her head, letting her purple hair dangle down the branch. "Master Leonhardt, I don''t mind what you do, since you already defeated me. I just hope you don''t forget us, and cast us aside." Thanks to their honest answers all issues from within his mind vanished. Erina would soon accept what happened... Now then, how would he progress? ''Do you have any thoughts, Ifrit?'' Before Ifrit answered, he noticed Sylvie''s powerful gaze and expectant expression before he asked her a question, purely because he wondered. "Are you willing to become a monster, my monster?" Chapter 95 - 95: The Thoughts of a Former Saint! Erina helped treat many of the wounded villagers after Leonhardt and Sylvie vanished into the forest. She understood how important it was to remove the root of a threat. However, being left out made her feel uncomfortable. "Lady Erina are you right?" A gentle old lady placed a small pot of piping hot tea down on the makeshift wooden table, the steam billowing through the narrow pot as it settled. "I am fine, thank you. Grandma Grey... you''ve been too kind to help me when your husband was also wounded by the wolves." The small village didn''t have a dedicated doctor anymore, and those with first aid were the first targeted by the dark elves during their attack. ''Forgive me, Grandma Grey, this village is done for.'' Erina wanted to follow Leonhardt without issues. But she struggled because she knew he wasn''t a kind or gentle man well, at least when dealing with strangers. The kindness he showed to Asuka and their group made Erina struggle to refuse his request. No, he wasn''t a man in the first place but a monster. A male monster. "You look a little down, dear. How about I warm you up some fruit porridge? That strapping young lad also enjoyed my porridge." "Eh, young lad? Who do you mean?" Grandma Grey''s eyes softened as she smiled. "Leonhardt, the gentleman who you were with earlier." She then started to serve a boiling porridge, her lips curled into a smile. "He came into our home around a month ago and was so kind... he helped us clear all the chores, and now he''s helping the village again." ''Leonhardt... did something nice for this woman? Is she someone special to him?'' Erina became curious and stopped refusing the old woman''s food. Instead, she felt more relaxed. She couldn''t believe that Leonhardt might have such a side to him that she didn''t notice and wondered if Asuka and Sylvie knew this side of him. ''W-What... why am I happy about this?'' The sudden realisation made her cheeks hot as she fanned herself... "I hope everything is going well." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *** Meanwhile, inside the Ember forest, Leonhardt guided Asuka and Nyxara to the north with Sylvie in his arms. They travelled through the beautiful fiery forest with golden leaves and a warm, comfortable atmosphere flowing through it since all monsters vanished. "This forest feels like home..." Asuka muttered to herself, spreading her arms as the golden rays of light seeped into her body, causing her crimson scales to shimmer with a glossy shine. "It feels... strangely satisfying, like smelling Master''s manly scent after an intense fight." Nyxara''s brown cheeks flushed as she leaned closer to Leonhardt, trying to come into contact with his bare skin. The perverted dark elf never hid her desire to accept his seed and breed the most perfect warriors. She only had eyes for Leonhardt after learning more about him from Zafira''s biased bragging. Aware that it was a tough challenge, she pressed her breasts together with both arms to appeal to him as she moved closer. Leonhardt didn''t know, but most of the dark elf women now used an image of him to relieve themselves after a hunt. Zafira even created life-sized magical tools for the lesser warriors to satisfy themselves. All because these low-level women would never have the chance to mate with him. The profits were high thanks to the constantly growing population. However, she poured all her earnings back into the dungeon to improve the inner dungeon that only she and Leonhardt could enter. "Nyxara, back off." Leonhardt''s low voice made her shoulders tremble, but her eyes narrowed as she purred. "Mmmm.... speak to me like that more, call me your dirty dark elf bitch." His eyes shifted away from her, pretending his disliked how submissive and lewd Nyxara acted, but when he met her, usually they would fight because she wanted to test his strength... which led to him spanking and abusing her once again. Thus, her masochistic side grew out of control. ''Asuka, don''t look at me with those eyes!'' The calm walk through the forest felt quite peaceful, only because no monsters would attack Leonhardt or anyone with his scent or acceptance. Thus, the surrounding ember goblins and rabbits all hid themselves, going about their daily business happily. Most of the monsters in this forest weren''t warriors. The ones lingering here were foragers and those with building or other unique skills. Leonhardt stopped after sensing something in the distance, causing Asuka and Nyxara to become alert and ready for battle. However, his eyes narrowed. "She''s already sensed me... I need to improve." Leon muttered with a sense of defeat. "W-Who?" Asuka was confused. The terrifying aura made her body tremble with tingling sensations along her scales, making her feel a sense of fear despite being a red dragon. "My second-in-command..." Leonhardt struggled to explain the overwhelming presence that would soon appear before them. "It''s that damn succubus bitch... she acts all neat and pure, pretending to have no interest all tsun tsun, but is secretly drooling for his cock!" Nyxara muttered while biting her lower lip. Clearly, despite the Leonhardt goods, she felt a sense of rivalry and insecurity compared to Zafira Anuket. The air vibrated from her aura, making the wind flutter around them as the ember trees parted. An obscenely beautiful woman... no monster appeared before them. Her skin with a creamy texture, like premium milk. Plump, curvy figure, with heavy breasts hanging slightly to the sides, and a loose outfit, revealing her deep, man-eating cleavage. Zafira''s golden eyes were like torches, gazing at the women beside Leonhardt before she landed with an elegant movement. She flapped her four wings with a powerful swish, causing her dress to flip, revealing a black thong and luxurious thigh-high stockings. The epitome of sex appeal and power. A Berserker-class succubus. Daughter of the Demon Emperor. Zafira Anuket Rank-SSS "Zafi! Hide your damn crotch!" Leonhardt shouted before stepping past her open arms, his right hand lifting and slapping her behind with a powerful smack. "Ahn!" She covered her mouth, shocked. Normally, she wouldn''t feel anything because his strength was too low. Yet her cheeks burned from the pleasant sensation that lingered in her behind. But she wanted to hide her delight, narrowing her gaze and contorting her face into an emotionless mask, grinding her thighs together as she shuddered in ecstasy. "Leonhardt, what do you think you are doing?!" Yet her shout echoed without a response. Because Leonhardt already stepped into the Ember Citadel and started greeting the goblins that all looked strong and charming now. "Master!" "You''ve returned..." "Elf? Is that elf dinner?" Three ember hobs stood around a furnace, crafting tools together, their dark red skin an appealing sight for Leon, who watched them with a pleased gaze. "You all look cool." His words were simple, but the surrounding goblins all inhaled and froze solid. After a moment, they all began cheering and dancing¡ªit appeared the words of their creator meant more than Leonhardt knew. "Take the afternoon off once you finish your current tasks, tell Gobomir and Gobbolas I want to see them later. Okay, Gobina?" The female ember goblin blushed, her face not a perfect beauty, but compared to a base goblin, the ember goblins were aesthetically pleasant and could probably pass off as an above average human woman at least. "Y-Yesh, My Lord!" Little did he know, Gobina was one of the most popular goblin females and she was an ice queen to them. However, seeing her blush and be so soft to Leonhardt crushed their dreams. Some of them even enjoyed the strange feeling of shame and anger that she showed another man such a delighted face. "Zafira don''t pout, let''s go home." Still carrying Sylvie, Leonhardt spoke to the shadow that stood behind him, her hands above his head as she threatened to attack him. ''A level 100''s playful attack would hurt like hell...'' Chapter 96 - 96: The Embervale Citadel Zafira''s eyes almost popped out the moment she saw Leonhardt stroking the goblin female''s head. It became worse when he suddenly gave the goblins some time off when she put them through extensive training regimes and rarely let them take breaks. ''Why...'' Her throat tightened, stopping words from coming out the moment he scolded her and mentioned going "home" as if that home was something they shared. The small word made her heart thump like a rabbit''s feet. "Understood, Dungeon Master." A cold and polite sentence came from her lips as she watched him, almost glowing from the ember rays of the great forest. ''It never felt this complicated before!'' Sometimes hot, sometimes cold... Her body and mind became disjointed. The instant she smelled his scent and felt his aura, everything collapsed, despite telling herself she wouldn''t change and that these feelings couldn''t change her. She couldn''t stop her combat form from activating and flying thousands of metres from the enemy dungeon just to greet him... like a faithful dog. ''Yet I am not angry... I just want more, to smell him, taste him... touch him.'' A pink mist with a sweet scent flowed from her pores, the sign of a succubus that has met a partner that they desired, not as food or sustenance but as her partner. Normally, succubi would gather energy naturally from the atmosphere, and only those of lower bloodlines or evolutions needed the life essence of the opposite sex¡ªrather than a necessity, and was a luxury. Similar to a human''s desire to drink expensive wine or sweet cakes. But the berserker-class succubus was predominantly a combat type. A rare and different from the typical succubus that relied on external essence. The berserker was the only succubus which had a core. Lesser succubi worshiped them, dreaming of the day they might form a core of their own. ''This is strange... I feel light headed.'' She thought while following Leonhardt. She noticed Leonhardt''s changes almost instantly. His aura was denser and filled with a delicious taste that made her lightheaded. Not to mention his body created a refreshing scent. Zafira also noticed that he didn''t fear her anymore and rather treated her with a sense of comfort. However, she didn''t mind this. But the intense emotions which Zafira struggled to deal with and couldn''t understand them. She struggled with an irrational anger, an unquenchable thirst, and a sense of longing for him. "Well, you''ve done an amazing job, Zafira." "Eh?" ''What did he just say?" She was too focused on holding back from acting on her instincts and didn''t quite catch his compliment as they stepped into the Embervale Keep. He turned to face her as the trees swayed, allowing shafts of sunlight to illuminate his face and make him look stunning. "I said you''ve done an amazing job¡ªthank you." ''....'' White noise filled Zafira''s mind as she started almost hyperventilating the moment he stepped away and her hands gripped her chest as her wings batted the ground. However, before she could follow him, Nyxara and another grating voice sounded from behind her. It seemed Asuka and the dark elf had finally caught up to the succubus after she had left them behind. "Hah?" With a sharp huff and foul tone, she snapped back to the pair and pointed at them her face darker than before while her pupils shrank. "You¡ª" *** Meanwhile, Leonhardt enjoyed the transformed keep. He remembered that before leaving. It was mostly wood and sticks, forming makeshift huts and buildings. Now, it was a small village of its own, protected by a stone wall and metal tower that looked imposing. ''Where did they get those black stones from?'' [Didn''t know check your dungeon for minerals and herbs before leaving?] After hearing Ifrit''s scolding voice after a long silence, Leonhardt became comfortable. Because she was trying to gather enough energy and aura to form a core to sustain herself in the real world and so couldn''t talk to him often. ''I remember the fruits and rare plants that you said were good for treating wounds, but minerals... did my dungeon have those?'' [Fool!] [Every dungeon has a special characteristic depending on its type and element!] He couldn''t help but smile while rocking Sylvie in his arms, stepping through the paved road while listening to Ifrit telling him about his dungeon. ''So my dungeon has ores and stones because of the fire element?'' He asked as he entered through a set of grand steel doors. [Thanks to a certain goddess, your fire element mutated the minerals present and created a special type of stone and metal!] ''Oh... I see, what a great goddess.'' His monotone thoughts echoed. The goblins seemed to have engraved an image onto the doors. It appeared to be a primitive drawing of Leonhardt from the goblins'' point of view. A huge figure stood above the bowing goblins as they seemed to worship him. ''Is this how they see me, or is it something Zafira did?'' [The goblins, after learning about the citadel you gave them... normally dungeon monsters aren''t given homes] Leonhardt knew that the monsters in a dungeon wouldn''t be treated like living creatures because they couldn''t breed. Unless they evolved and the dungeon master allowed it. "Well, they probably wouldn''t do that because monsters born that way aren''t loyal to the dungeon and can leave at any time..." Leonhardt watched the passing goblins wave at him, much brighter since they all became ember goblins. "But my vision differs from theirs." [That''s why you are so wonderful~] Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''It''s rare to get a compliment from you...'' Leonhardt mused while stepping into the dungeon. "Eh?" He gasped at the sudden comfortable feeling. The heat was perfect, and the air wasn''t humid anymore like in the past. Leonhardt turned toward the entrance and noticed Zafira approaching with Nyxara and Asuka behind her, but they were both sulking. In fact, Asuka looked like she was about to cry while rubbing her swollen cheeks. ''What happened?'' Leonhardt waited for the trio to approach him while Zafira stepped forward first. "Dungeon Master, you could have waited... I would have given you a grand tour!" Her eyes seemed to be filled with disappointment and sadness as her wings drooped. "Zafira... I only just stepped in¡ª" But because of her expression, he shook his head and then stepped back and flicked his head towards her. "Then please, guide me." Leonhardt watched the succubus'' expression shift into glee as she eagerly ushered him along. It was clear that Zafira took great pride in the dungeon that he let her renovate. A smile curled on his face. ''What an adorable monster...'' However, Leonhardt''s thoughts were distracted by Asuka, who grasped his arm, hooking it and leaned on his shoulder. She probably clashed with Zafira and lost... "Now then... please follow me!" Snap! The moment she snapped her fingertips, the dark walls suddenly started sparkling with a beautiful crimson sparkle. Leonhardt knew this wasn''t natural because it was just a normal rock in the past. He wondered if Ifrit''s words were more significant than he had imagined. "This is amazing, but if humans discovered this..." Asuka muttered to herself in a low voice. "You''re right, Lizard!" Zafira snapped back. Leonhardt was stunned by the transformation of the entire dungeon. However, he worried about the future. Would he always have to worry about humans coming and destroying this beautiful place all for greed? "What are those gems in the walls?" Zafira''s tail slapped the ground, snapping like a whip as she chuckled, clearly happy. "These are thanks to you, Master! These were normal diamonds... maybe just crystals at first, but thanks to you..." She then covered her mouth and whispered, "And that stupid torchlight woman." Obviously, meaning Ifrit. ''How did it happen?'' [Well... it''s because our bond became so strong through that oath...] ''I see...'' "So these gem''s are worth a lot of money?" Nyxara''s eyes shone with gold coins as she touched the walls, earning a slap from Zafira''s wings. "Hands off!" "You''re no fun..." She muttered to herself as Nyxara slipped behind Asuka and took Leonhardt''s other arm, gazing at the elf in his arms still pretending to sleep. "Ignore her Zafira continue with the guide." "Ah... yes!" She then pointed toward a passage with goblins moving back and forth with pickaxes and crates. "That''s the emberstone mine, can you see how the black stones sparkle with a slight red hue." Zafira''s voice sounded excited as she breathed heavier, snorting. "These are the stones used for the village and citadel!" Leonhardt was surprised to learn that his private bond with Ifrit could create such a treasure. It also made him wonder what would happen if the bond became stronger. [Ahh...! W-what perverted things are you thinking about?!] Chapter 97 - 97: The Mystery Gift! Zafira''s guide lasted quite a while, causing Asuka and Nyxara to vanish halfway, bored with the materials, goblins and other things, only to return when they got close to the throne room because of the many fluffy critters that lived here. However, Leonhardt found her dungeon changes amazing. She created a two layered dungeon for people to invade and a lower dungeon where the goblins could both train and gather minerals to use that would regenerate every 24 hours. "You''ve worked so hard, Zafira." "N-Not at all, Hmph!" Sometimes she acted strange, as if forcing herself to reject him or his compliments, but Leonhardt just smiled and nodded, accepting her feelings. He couldn''t have come this far without her and Ifrit, and this is something he would never throw aside or forget. Thus, if she wanted to be a little strange, Leon would accept all of her bizarre nature. No matter what it might entail! "W-well since you''re here, do you want to see the changes I''ve made to your room?" Zafira''s eyes beamed at this, but not just hers. Asuka and Nyxara both stopped playing with the rabbits in their arms and listened closely with their eyes glowing. "I wouldn''t mind, the throne is already amazing..." The expensive air cleansing units, mana cleansing units, all the items he put on the list that were just to improve the lives of whoever lived in the dungeon moved from the throne room and now sat in the basement, hidden from any invaders. ''She kept my ideas and desires and didn''t break any of them...'' What amazed him most was that the second floor was a forest of countless different plants that she asked the goblins and rabbits to plant together. They created a psychedelic and magical place that only the rabbits and goblins in question could understand. Giant mushrooms, large flowers, carrots, strange demonic plants that grow black carrots and of course, the fruit trees that make Papillon by the dozen. ''To think the rabbits used a growth serum for the plants that like to eat most...'' He found the intelligence of the rabbits in his dungeon might surpass some humans. "Phew..." Leonhardt dropped onto his throne with a long sigh, gazing around the room for the changes. At first, he panicked because the dungeon stone was missing. But Zafira mentioned earlier that she moved that to his room to keep it safe from sneaky fools that might invade their dungeon. He found the room throne itself was wider, as if big enough for someone to sit on his lap now, and the armrests and backrest had soft, comfy memory foam cushioning at least a few inches thick. ''I wonder if this was intentional... the size is probably enough for Zafira to sit across my lap even with her tail and wings out.'' Leonhardt then noticed four thick pillars at each corner, made of Emberstone and red gemstones. The huge obsidian pillars with sleek surfaces and glistening red gemstones spread through them. "Zafira, you should take some time off." "WHAT?!" She shouted. Her expression looked horrible, eyes wide, brows lifted, tail violently slapping the ground... she seemed quite upset because of this. "Do you not want a break?" "Of course I don''t!" She crossed her arms with a snort. "I''m the only one that can help you manage the dungeon!" Leonhardt only smiled in return. He really couldn''t ask for a better partner than her, but then his lips curved into a more devilish smile. Leon noticed the changes since he returned and although he wouldn''t mind getting closer, his pride stopped him. ''Not until I can fight back...'' He whispered in his mind, trying to resist her overwhelming charm. Thanks to all the time he spent with the three women around him. Leonhardt learned a lot more about human women and the emotions of the creature known as a female. "Oh well, I was going to suggest we go to the Astrea city together... and have some fun." *Twitch* Her tail stood up to attention as her golden eyes focused on Leonhardt, her pupils shrinking and dilating like a cat playing in the sun and shade. ''She''s hooked!'' "I really wanted to spend some time alone with you." Zafira''s cheeks became slightly pink, while her body puffed with her pale pink aura, causing Leonhardt''s heart to pound. The effect of a level 101 succubus caused more sex appeal to bloom inside him than he thought. ''Wait... Level 101?'' The moment he noticed her level gain, Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, a sense of irritation growing in his chest. He wanted to bend her over his lap and spank you, asking how she had levelled up in this short time. Leonhardt learned from Ifrit that to level once someone reached the ''soft'' cap for most races they needed to fight significant battles against powerful enemies rather than gathering experience... ''So how did she level up?!'' [Because she''s not human... the soft cap is something that applies to humanoids and races with no monster blood.] ''Huh?'' [Monsters don''t have a cap or limit like humans.] [The stronger a monster, the harder it is to reproduce, and that''s how this word manages the different races.] [Humans multiply like goblins, but given time, they can match the strongest of monsters.] Ifrit''s messages entered Leon''s brain in rapid succession, but the meaning still confused him. The dungeon to the north was something that he could have managed before leaving. ''So that cannot be how she levelled... what is she hiding from me?'' [Don''t worry... that girl will never betray you.] ''I see... I will ask her.'' Because he got lost in his thoughts, he didn''t hear most of Zafira''s rant and only listened to the last few words. "...that''s why I will come with you, if you insist!" "Perfect." She seemed pleased that he acknowledged her request, and Leonhardt didn''t want her to think she was unwanted. But the lingering curiosity remained in his chest about what she hid and whether he caused this when summoning her. When he went to Astrea, he would ask her about it for sure. ''It''s not something to discuss with others here...'' "Zafira, please guide the way." Leonhardt spoke with a softer tone, his hands holding Sylvie as he followed the succubus who bounced with each step, clearly excited and happy that he asked her to join him. ''Though it makes it difficult to resist when she wears such loose clothing...'' [Pervert!] Leonhardt didn''t respond because he would just get beaten up. He wanted to mention how Ifrit never wore clothes and that she was worse than Zafira, but that probably wouldn''t have gone down well. "..." "So I bought a new bed, cause it needed to be strong, durable and bigger." ''For what exactly, Zafira?'' The lustful gaze in her glowing eyes made everything obvious, but he liked the four-poster bed because it looked cool. When he placed Sylvie down on the bed, she sank slightly into the mattress and looked quite adorable. *Swish!* *Swish!* Leon ignored the violent snap of the two women''s tails... Asuka and Zafira seemed alike. "This was a good purchase." "How about the dungeon crystal, don''t you think it makes an amazing light?!" Zafira beamed as she pointed to the dangling crystal above the bed. The calming light was indeed nice, and being able to view the dungeon''s full system while sitting at the edge of his bed was something Leon wanted to applaud. ''Well...'' "Hmm? What is that sweet... delicious scent, like vanilla cream and honey?" *Sniff* Leon started sniffing the air and moved closer to the scent. It became thicker... so alluring his brain throbbed with a desire to consume the source. Behind him, Zafira''s eyes bulged and widened. She trembled, covering her crotch with a sigh... until she suddenly gasped, and her wings and tail flapped frantically. "W-Wait!" Her body puffed with another burst of pink mist, a dark red hue on her cheeks as she staggered forward, reaching out for the pillows. The next moment, Leon placed his hand under the pillow and grabbed the source... it seemed to be cloth... something soft, silky, warm and a little damp. ''What''s this...'' A flood of pheromones and signals overwhelmed his brain as the silk thong with a leopard print pattern slipped from beneath the pillow. "Ah..." "Oh?" Asuka and Nyxara responded instantly, a creepy smirk on the dark elf''s lips, while Asuka blushed because it looked like hers. "DON''T LOOK!" The succubus shrieked. BOOM! The tail of Zafira smashed into Leonhardt''s ribs. His body flew through the air like a comet and smashed into the remodelled wall and bounced off it with a low thud. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A level 101 tail slap wasn''t erotic or cute. "Ugh..." Leon''s last thoughts were regarding the high quality of the bedroom walls, rather than the chaotic pain in his abdomen and organs. Of course, chaos followed. Chapter 98 - 98: A choice... Leonhardt sat on his throne in silence. Not long after being slapped by Zafira, she fled from the dungeon and hid in her private room. Though he could easily open the door, he understood she wanted to be alone and didn''t want to provoke her right now. However, he couldn''t forget the scent and warm sensation that lingered in his palm. "Well then..." Nyxara left the dungeon after he asked her to prepare to contact the human village. She would work with Erina to build a trading relationship with special monster hides and fur they got from monsters in the west. ''I planned to avoid doing this, but now that I want to dominate the basin...'' Leon tapped the dungeon interface while choosing rare monsters that would offer the dark elves a challenge. He spent over 4000 DP summoning arctic panthers that ranged from level 30-35 for them to hunt. ''I need more than just physical strength.'' These monsters didn''t exist on this continent, according to the dungeon''s world map. The Astrea basin was a small part of the Gladius Kingdom. The northernmost territory of the human nations and a shield from the demon empire. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To the south was the kingdom of Avaria. A kingdom known for its bountiful and fertile lands. Not only did it dominate the south of this continent. But most of the former kingdoms existed under their rule. "There are three continents visible here." Leon traced along the territory line of humanity. His finger stopped on the massive basin where he lived. His continent was the largest, but most of it lay past the northern mountain barrier and the land of demons. "It seems that the humans only control a small portion of this continent. Other humans exist across the ocean, bordering the great elven forest to the northeast." There was another continent about 70% of the size of his current continent, which was the home of all monsters and Demi-Humans and other strange races. According to the dungeon map, there were hundreds of dungeons on that continent. "Well let''s study this more later." [Already bored?] Ifrit could manifest as a doll-like figure inside the dungeon and sat on Leon''s shoulder. Her small body was wearing a beautiful dress formed of embers and flame. She tapped Leon''s cheek with a cute smile. "I have to deal with the sleeping beauty in my room." [What do you plan to do with her?] He honestly didn''t mind telling Ifrit everything, so he leaned back and brushed along her smooth cheeks, enjoying the warmth from her flames. "I wanted to make her a monster... but it''s difficult, unlike with Asuka." Asuka carried the blood of a red dragon and could tap into that bloodline to evolve into a stronger monster, but the only blood Sylvie inherited was a weak Fae bloodline. The limit of this blood wouldn''t allow her to keep up with them. [I see...] Ifrit''s voice sounded a little glum, but he noticed her lips twitching as if hiding a smile. "Is there a way?" [Hmmm~ what do I get for it?] The low, seductive voice sounded unfamiliar and too different from usual as she gazed up at him with amber eyes made of pure flames. A sense of why she was the origin of fire made Leonhart''s chest pound and he felt in awe of her atmosphere. "Anything within reason." He promised to reward Sylvie and didn''t want to resort to lying or give her something inferior because that would damage his future credibility. So with Ifrit, there was no issue promising her something like this. [Really?! How exhilarating! I cannot wait to restore my actual body.] Her voice returned to the playful sort. But Leonhardt basically just made a deal with the devil for the little elf. So he hoped she would prove worth the cost. *** Ifrit stopped taking him playfully and became serious. Then started tapping the screen while giggling. Small chains and padlocks were wrapping some tabs and levels in the store. But with the swing of Ifrit''s arm, they shattered and vanished. [Monster Evolution.] [Monster Bloodlines.] [Upgrade Bloodlines.] Countless different ways to improve monsters, all locked behind dungeon ranking, but what Leon noticed was that each time she shattered the lock, her flames would become dimmer, and she would sway more. She continued crushing the locks until she reached a black tab. [Top Tier Bloodlines] But she didn''t press the small red active tab, instead tapping the greyed out tab that lacked a golden chain and said extinct. [I see there are so many bloodlines that have died out...] "It would be best to choose an Ice-Type bloodline. She seems to really like that." [Mhm...] Leonhardt couldn''t see things like this in the system normally because they hadn''t officially graded his dungeon yet. Well, it gained a rank when he overtook the eastern dungeon, but until he attended the Dungeon Master''s meeting that only happened once a month. So he was an unofficial Rank F dungeon owner. Eventually he noticed two that appealed to him and then noticed that Asuka came back at some point and was looking at him with a strange face. "What''s that look for?" "Ah... you just looked really focused, and I found you handsome." Her lips curled into a wide smile as she tilted her head with a wink. The way her scales revealed her feelings made Leonhardt quite amused. "I am choosing what kind of monster Sylvie will become." "Ah, really? What kind are you thinking, maybe a goblin? Haha!" Asuka made a joke, but Leonhardt couldn''t help but chuckle. It was funny to imagine a cute little Sylvie goblin. "That girl is so short she might suit it." [I think that this might be the best, but the other one is probably a little stronger, though.] The two options that she showed would cost almost all of Leonhardt''s total DP both his dungeon points and those from Arlet village that Zafira helped to gather. "I should ask Sylvie herself." [Really?] "Yeah... she seems the type that would prefer this kind of thing." Asuka nodded at Leonhardt''s words and curled her lips into a smile, seeming to appreciate his efforts for her friend. "What races?" A soft voice came from the door behind him. Sylve stood in the door leaning against the frame, with a shy look as her only clothes were a thin blue nightdress made of arachne silk. "Sylvie? Come here." Leonhardt patted his thigh, calling her over. She almost tripped rushing to the throne, and climbed onto his lap, ignoring the jealous gaze of Asuka and leaned back against Leon''s chest. "I''m here." "Do you want to hear what I''ve chosen for you?" "Mhm!" With a small nod, Sylvie narrowed her sleepy eyes. Two races remained listed. One was the source bloodline... meaning it was the progenitor bloodline and highest level of purity and strength of the race. The other was a noble grade bloodline of its race, but not quite noble grade or progenitor grade. He then tapped both, and a small flickering image appeared in front of Asuka and Sylvie, who both looked amazed. "This bloodline is the pinnacle of it''s kind, there is nothing above it being the progenitors bloodline, you will have the purest of blood and because both are extinct there are no others to claim against your sovereignty of the bloodline." "I see." Sylvie returned to her taciturn style after the moment of elation when she killed the wolves, but her eyes flickered, gazing at the two images. One looked familiar because its counterpart existed in stories and tales. But she seemed to like the other, a different type of monster and from a totally different bloodline and mythology. "I choose this..." "Are you sure, Sylvie?" "Mm." Because she chose the same as me, I was secretly happy. When she decided, I tapped the button and purchased the limited core. He would implant this core into Sylvie. However, it could cause significant damage if she failed to subdue and fuse with it. As Sylvie didn''t have one, that would be an arduous task. [Don''t worry, I will support you... but you should ask her how she wants it implanted!] ''There are different ways?!'' [....] Ifrit''s face became a little flustered as she turned away with her flames surging with a deeper red shade, while her hands slapped his cheeks. "Why are you hitting me?" [Because you are a pervert for making me say these things!] Chapter 99 - 99: I Like this! The atmosphere became a little awkward for Leonhardt, who realised what she meant. He asked her quietly how he could transfer it to Sylvie. There was a sexual way or through an actual operation cutting her open. This limit was because she wasn''t a monster¡ªa natural monster could fuse its core with little to no issues. But Sylvie needed to accept and assimilate with the core and endure the pain. "How would you like to do it, Sylvie?" [Wow, you''re going to ask her?] Ifrit''s sarcastic voice was only because of her jealousy, Leonhardt now understood her mood swings and when he could ignore her. So he did. But what surprised him was the small elf sitting on his lap grasped his fingers and with her glossy lips answered him. "I want you to do it." "Do what?" "...." The elf''s face turned red from her neck to the tip of her pointed ears. "Woah! I''ve never seen Sylvie so embarrassed before." Asuka''s eyes narrowed as she touched her chin, clearly trying to remember something while chewing her lips and then slapped her palm. "Ah! That time she wet herself¡ªAck!" An icicle shot through Asuka''s hair, tearing a hole. The misty vapours drifted from Sylvie''s palm. It seemed there might have been an embarrassing camp story between the trio. Leonhardt decided he would ask Asuka or see Erina and find out both of their embarrassing actions to use them for his benefit later on. ''One can never have too many trump cards.'' "Shut up, Hussy Lizard." Sylvie cussed at Asuka, who looked stunned by her friend''s sudden aggression. But she couldn''t answer back because more and more icicles shot towards her like homing darts, forcing the dragonoid to escape from the throne room with her tail between her legs. Leon leaned close to Sylvie''s ears and whispered in a deep voice. "Should I charge you for marking my walls with holes, little elf?" "Ah?!" The cute elf blushed, her neck bright red as the ice in her palms shattered. "Leon..." Suddenly, a squeak left her lips in the quiet throne room. Ifrit seemed to notice something and vanished with a small puff of smoke. "What''s wrong?" Sylvie looked at him with teary eyes. "I can do it..." "Do what?" She looked like an apologetic maiden, and Leonhardt had to fight his instincts to keep himself from gobbling up the little rabbit on his lap, but the next moment, he froze, shocked by her action. Sylvie placed her hand on his crotch, her delicate hands rubbing it softly. "Become useful to you." Her words were so innocent yet so erotic that Leonhardt couldn''t take his eyes away from her adorable face. He could feel his pants becoming tighter as she rubbed it. There was no man, monster or otherwise, that could ignore this kind of seduction. Soon enough, the feeling of his member became more prominent as Sylvie blushed, her small hand struggling to grip it through his pants. "I can see that..." She rubbed her thighs together as she tried to move closer to him, trying to kiss him on the lips, but the elf was too short. No, it was because Leonhardt stopped her from rushing. He could feel her heart racing through her touch and hear it thudding as she looked up at him with trembling blue eyes. "Sylvie." "Eh?" Leonhardt''s voice distracted her as she noticed his gaze, a hungry, beast-like glare. She trembled when noticing his aura growing. "Don''t rush, we can take it slow, this is a once in a lifetime event." Thanks to his human knowledge and dealing with Asuka in the past few weeks, he learned a lot about how women and some human men treated these things. It was a special moment and something that happened once in their lifetime. Thus, he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her on his right arm like a doll. Despite being taller than Ifrit''s true form, she was light because of her elven diet and genes. "Let me take you to the bedroom, Sylvie." "Nn..." Although his heart didn''t belong to these women, there wasn''t any denial that he lusted for them, be it Asuka''s seductive dragonoid form. Or Sylvie''s shy devotion that gained his acceptance. ''The first time I felt her attractive was the moment she massacred that wolf pack.'' Even now, he struggled to find human women alluring because of the scent that made him feel repulsed. However, over the month together with them... He began to corrupt them, and that foul scent and feeling of rejection faded. "Did you have anything particular you want to try, or do?" Leonhardt lacked knowledge about elves because most of his information was about humans and their general information. Though he understood them to a certain degree, he realised with Asuka that each woman and race could have strange kinks that other races would find disgusting or weird. ''Well some humans would probably find the scales on Asuka disgusting... but I like them.'' "..." Sylvie buried her face in his chest. "If it''s Leonhardt... Anything is okay." Her muffled voice came out from between his chest and her face, but he knew that wasn''t true. After so long together, he noticed the times she became most excited while watching him and Asuka. The moment he stepped into his room, his lips curled into a smirk as he sat her on the edge of his bed and knelt on one knee in front of her. "Eh?" She looked at him, confused. "Sylvie, what do you want me to do first?" He caressed her face with the back of his hand gently, like stroking a scared kitten. Her eyes trembled as her face flushed red. Leon could see her lips moving slightly, a slightly wet sound repeated each time they stuck together. To help her, his spare hand slipped along her thigh, squeezing the soft meat, dragging her dress higher and higher until it was at her hip. She gasped softly, her voice trembling. "I want you to kiss it..." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Only kiss it?" His lips pressed against the soft skin of her inner thighs as Sylvie''s body shuddered. Her small mouth opened wide, with a cute groan, and Leonhardt moved closer, kissing up to her crotch. But it wasn''t what he was looking for. "Where is this it you''re talking about? and what kind of kiss?" "!!!" Sylvie hid her face with both hands as she parted her legs to reveal her soft blue pubes at the top of her exposed pink slit, and the lack of underwear caught Leonhardt by surprise. A soft pink labia, slightly darker as blood rushed to her lips. The inner petals were glistening and wet, and the soft scent of lavender entered Leonhardt''s nose from her arousal. "Do you want me to kiss it like... this?" His lips touched the tip of her covered pearl. The soft nub was still hidden under its hood, twitching, but Sylvie moaned in a low grunt. "Or like this?" The moment his tongue parted her lips, he could feel her sweet flavour enter his mouth, a hot tingling that numbed and stimulated his taste buds at once. Her moans became more raspy as her nose snorted, and her mana flowed into her crotch, giving it a sweet, minty scent. "Or should I try this way?!" Sylvie''s moans turned into a lustful cry the next moment¡ªshe grasped his hair and finally spoke. "I like this!" Chapter 100 - 100: Imparting The Core [R18] The soft whimpers of Sylvie spread through the silent room, her hands gripping the silk sheets in her tight grasp. "Master..." "You don''t have to call me that, Sylvie." Leonhardt''s tongue flicked across her labia with a wet smack, rolling around the soft pink bud in slow, teasing circles while his eyes observed her every reaction. The way her hips shook the moment his lips wrapped around her clit, kissing it with a soft peck, or how her hands covered her mouth when his long tongue slid close to her entrance, lapping the glossy threads of her juices. "Hnnng, I..." Her shoulders trembled as Sylvie''s eyes peered at him, filled with tears and glowing with pleasure. "Don''t rush, my lovely girl." He spread her pink lips with his thumbs, gradually revealing the tender, soft flesh inside. A small pearl was hiding under its hood. The size was perfect, and when Leonhardt''s breath fell upon it, Sylvie let out a sharp moan clamping her legs around his face, while Leon''s lips wrapped around it and sucked gently. "Hyaan!" She was sensitive, and Leon''s fingers slid across her soft belly, pressing against the delicate skin in slow circles, enjoying the smooth sensation of her skin. Sylvie''s clit throbbed between his lips as Leon stroked the flat surface of his tongue across it with slow strokes, crushing it, and causing the beautiful elf to purr as she rubbed against his face. "Leon... Leon... it tingles." Her hands gripped the sheets as her hips buckled up against his face, causing the pleasant sensation to jolt up her spine, causing her to squirm as her head pressed back against the bed. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When his mouth released her throbbing nub, Sylvie panted in confusion, but it only lasted until he spread the soft lips apart once again. "Do you like it when I lick you here?" Leonhardt asked, his eyes narrowing as he pushed his tongue together and poked and prodded the soft entrance of her sex; it was wet and hot as the tip of his tongue parted the tender folds easily. "Ngh?! Y-yes! Hyaan!" A sharp mewl left her mouth the next moment, as she felt his tongue push into her pussy¡ªthe walls tightened as if to crush the intruder as Sylvie''s hips buckled up. Each twitch of her muscles caused his tongue to slip deeper, slurping her sticky threads of sweet juices with gentle sounds. Followed by a low grunt coming from his throat as he swallowed the excess nectar that filled his mouth. "I''m going to start now, Sylvie... if it hurts let me know." His hands spread across her body, brushing over her cold skin, squeezing her soft breasts, small and perfectly suited to his palms. "Nnn~ not there..." A slight recoil, her eyes fluttering down at him with a sense of shame. Leonhardt grinned at the lovely elf, his hands spreading apart, caressing her breasts, squeezing the soft meat between his fingers while rubbing across her small nipples with his palm in a slow circle. "Where do you want them then? Here?" he asked and stroked along the curve of her body, down along the slender figure, the soft belly, the round thighs. Until he reached the heat radiating from her crotch, the squishy sound of juices spilling out of her wet entrance reaching his ears. "I''m going to put my cock inside this small hole." His finger slipped through her pink folds, gliding along the soft pink flesh, coating his finger with her slimy threads and rubbing across her entrance as Sylvie''s hips bucked upwards again. "Hnng... it''s too big..." Her body shuddered with a twitch, and he felt the slimy liquid spill over his fingers the more he played with her quivering opening, the slightly sweet scent thanks to her corrupted mana. But he wanted to savour the moment; his fingers slid along her labia in slow strokes, parting them gently and teasing the soft inner folds before slipping back down, the moment before touching her clit, causing Sylvie''s hips to grind against him. "Please..." The sweet pleading voice caused his cock to throb against his pants, yet Leonhardt held himself back and instead enjoyed the feeling of the soft folds surrounding his fingers as he slipped one finger inside. A wet squelch echoed throughout the room as the slimy fluids bubbled and soaked his finger. Her tight walls pressed together as if to reject his intrusion, yet the sticky lubricant allowed him to reach to his second joint, causing the small elf to gasp. "Haa... so good..." "Do you like it?" he asked her, while kissing the tip of her clit with a sly smirk on his lips. [You should put the core inside her soon...] Ifrit''s shy voice stuttered in Leonhardt''s mind. Leonhardt''s focus was to warm her body, pouring his mana into Sylvie''s empty vessel to prepare her for the transformation. He could feel her body trembling, an orgasm close. ''How do I do that?'' [Summon the core into your mouth, then use your tongue to push it into her... You know!] ''My mouth?'' "Phew..." His hot breath tickled Sylvie''s clitoris causing her to gasp, her hips lifted causing her pussy to deform, wrapping around his finger, squeezing and bubbling as it curled against the roof of her soft, velvet walls. "Hnnng!" Leonhardt''s tongue flicked back into his mouth as a thick silvery thread of drool oozed down her crotch before he summoned the monster''s core into his mouth. An icy taste with a hint of mint and blueberry filled his mouth like a small sweet candy. Rolling it on his tongue, he started to curl his finger, squelching and dragging her soft walls each time, using his middle finger to stretch her entrance slightly wider. "Do you like this? Your little pussy sounds so lewd." "Hyaa... no... Leon.... Hnnng!" Each time Sylvie tried to endure, another wave of pleasure rushed through her body, and a rush of fluids soaked Leonhardt''s fingers. He couldn''t help but enjoy the passive face as Sylvie struggled to hold in her moans, each one cuter than the last, and the moment she finally opened her eyes, there was only lust, as if her ice-blue eyes were melting in pleasure. Ssss! Silken thread spurt from Leonhardt''s fingertips, wrapping Sylvie''s hands, locking them together, as his webbing started to capture his prey, instinct and desire growing as he gazed into her widened eyes. "I''m going to make you feel great. Sit back and enjoy it, little bunny." "!!!" A sticky thread covered her mouth, causing her to gasp and words to become muffled. "Shh, I''ll take care of you now," he whispered against her wet lips, kissing her labia before inserting the tip of his tongue into her vagina and dragging his fingers out with a wet squelch. The soft flesh parted, giving him access to the tender inner walls. He saw the tight hole; a tiny opening with pink flesh that throbbed and twitched like an oyster, sucking in his tongue slowly while the blue orb pushed inside, cold and spreading Sylvie''s walls as it made the young elf squeal into the webbing. "Nnnn~!" Sylvie''s hips buckled against the silk sheets, her legs spread wide, her small feet clenching the bed as Leonhardt''s tongue pushed the icy orb into her tunnel, pushing it towards her womb. "Nnngh?!" She became lost in pleasure, her insides clenching down as her legs kicked the air, bending and squeezing her toes. Sylvie felt something cold inside her¡ªthe mana orb slid over her walls, causing a wave of pleasure and shock. But there was nothing she could do as the ice-cold orb slipped into her and started to dissolve into her flesh, fusing with her body. His soaking fingers rapidly rubbed the tip of her clit, using the hood to stimulate the sensitive flesh underneath. A low squeal escaped Sylvie''s throat as her eyes turned glassy. Her muscles tightened, her back arched upwards, her toes curled, and waves of pleasure rippled through her body as her climax exploded like an engine that burst from overuse. Psssh! A clear fluid erupted from Sylvie''s pussy, splashing into his face, causing him to flinch slightly as her juices soaked him. But the next moment, those juices froze as the core melted inside her body. The mana inside her started to transform into a new being. "Let me see you," Leonhardt said, pulling the webbing from Sylvie''s face. Still panting and trembling, her face an absolute mess, drool dripping down her lips, with confused eyes as she gazed up at him. "Leon..." Chapter 101 - 101: Activating the core [R18] Her lovely face looked too adorable and awakened the hungry beast inside Leonhardt, his lips quickly smothering hers, sucking on the light blue flesh. Leon''s tongue pried open her lips as his hands slipped across the slick surface of Sylvie''s skin, causing goosebumps to spread across her flesh. "Hnnn!" "Mhmmm..." Sylvie moaned into his mouth as the soft wet sounds spread through the room. She could feel his large warm body press against her and the heat of his cock pressed against her thigh, smearing her with his sticky precum. It was exciting to feel his hands exploring her body. "You''re such a beautiful woman... look at how crazy you''ve made me." Leonhardt became more affectionate the moment her scent completely changed, he gently sucked on her tongue, pulling it from her mouth with his lips with a wet slurp. "Nnph..." dazed and overwhelmed, Sylvie''s mouth opened, seeking another kiss. "You taste incredible." He squeezed her thighs and pressed them apart, pushing against the back of her knee to make himself more comfortable as he lay pushed his hips against her buttocks, his cock flopping down and slapping against her clit. It was heavy and different compared to Sylvie''s imagination, with throbbing veins bulging from his shaft and a swollen head that looked angry. The mushroom tip looked like it had a mind of its own. "Nnnnph~ Mmmmn!" Her mouth spread apart as his tongue violated her lips again, sucking on her tongue and spreading more saliva inside, while the sweet taste of Leonhardt making her desire more as his hot mana flowed into her icy cold body. She moaned into the deep kiss, lifting her body as his hands squeezed her breasts, pressing her nipples together with his fingers. A jolt of pain assaulted her brain, but her hands remained trapped in his webbing. "Hnnng... Leon.... Hyan?!" Leon''s sharp nails scratched the tip of her nipples, causing electricity to shock her body, making Sylvie''s ass lift into the air, grinding against his thick shaft. Her soft petals spread apart, smothering the hot rod with her cool body temperature. Squish... The sound of wet flesh grinding against each other caused Sylvie to blush; her lips were soft and moist as they rubbed against his glans, causing them both to moan in unison. "You''re such a naughty girl, Sylvie." A low grunt reverberated through Sylvie''s elven ears as Leon leaned over her body, almost crushing her chest. His heat was so different from the ice mana that flowed through her veins. But he was right¡ªshe had become naughty and only wanted more of this sensation, more of Leon''s warm hands, more of his gentle kisses, more of the unknown pleasures that made her body squirm and ache for more. "I''m gonna make you mine," he whispered into her ears, his tongue slipping inside, wetting the pointy tips in his saliva. "Hnnng... But... I am..." Sylvie''s voice trailed off as she closed her eyes. With Leon''s cock pressed between her legs, she couldn''t think of the right words, and at that moment a sudden pain spread through her like an explosion, as she suddenly screamed. "Hyan?! Aaaaah!" Her insides burned with ice as if frostbite was eating away at her. She barely noticed as her hands broke free from Leon''s webbing and wrapped around his body, squeezing him tight as if she might die. The cold spread through her and devoured all heat, making her desperate to accept Leonhardt''s scalding body and his blazing mana like the sun. "Leon... Leon... help me." ''What''s happening?!'' [The transformation has started. Did you think it would be easy? Fill her with your mana, your affection and pray!] "Shh... shhh... It''s okay, listen to my voice. Focus on my touch." Leon gazed down into her glistening blue eyes. "Leon...." He could feel her small hands grasping onto his back as if she was afraid of being lost at the bottom of an icy ocean. In response, his body started to surge, pushing his mana from his core to his flesh, his organs and his hands, forcing himself to endure the icy touch of her body, like holding a block of dry ice. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon''s hands glided along the curves of her body, sliding up and down her hips, brushing her thighs and pinching her butt. "Will you still like me..." "Hm?" Her soft, trembling voice whispered in his ears, barely audible through the pained expression on her face. Yet, despite all this, he could see the concern and fear in her eyes. "Are you worried?" "W-What if I become an ugly monster..." Sylvie gazed into his eyes, searching for any sign of hesitance or doubt, but all she found was a resolute stare that told her everything would be alright. "I swear, no matter what I won''t abandon you Sylvie. You did this for me..." His words filled her with a sense of warmth and security, but there was something more¡ªhe hadn''t just promised to protect her... but to not abandon her... as she stopped resisting the change... her throat became tight. "Leon... I''ll change... I''ll become a monster." He stroked her cheeks, kissing her passionately. The flickers of heat, burning and smouldering her frost, made her insides melt. Her legs spread apart, causing his shaft to sink deeper into her slit as he rubbed against the soft lips. The sudden sensation brought a huge warmth and sense of relief to Sylvie, who grasped his hair, pulling the black strands, with frozen teardrops slipping from her beautiful eyes. "Hnng... It feels like I''m dying... and being reborn... saved by this heat." Sylvie''s face was close to his face. An expression filled with fear and confusion as her tongue licked the edge of his mouth, seeking comfort. "Don''t worry, I''ll save you," Leonhardt replied as he kissed her once again. Slurp... Their bodies became entangled, one super heated the other icy cold. Sylvie''s mana was like a whirlpool, swirling in a storm that would consume her if she didn''t have something to cling to. The heat of Leonhardt became her focus as her body melted into his... the feeling of his cock sliding along her lips, the shape, the bulging veins, and the hot precum that oozed onto her skin, making her feel sticky and refreshed.. "Hot... more..." Leon''s hand slipped between their bodies, his fingertips grasped the base of his throbbing shaft. He couldn''t help but tease her small pussy, rubbing it with his swollen tip, parting her lips while spreading his lubricant. He wanted to savour this feeling of assimilation. Her eyes widened as her body froze, the moment his cock kissed her pussy triggering something in her body. [Leonhardt use your webbing! Stop her from moving!] "Ngh...!" ''O-Okay...'' Taken out of the moment, his hands spread apart, slipping off her breasts and pouring hot, sticky webbing over her hands, tying them up in four layers of binding, the next moment her eyes shone with a piercing blue colour... "Gaaahaaa!" Sylvie moaned in pain. Her body started to crack and transform... ''What should I do now? She''s in pain!'' [Help her body temper the bloodline you chose!] ''HOW?!'' The cold on Sylvie''s skin caused Leonhardt''s hands to freeze momentarily as the room filled with a frigid air. [Fuck her...] Chapter 102 - 102: The Cold Womans Charm [R18] Ifrit''s words were crass and Vulgar, but Leon didn''t have the time to ignore her. His webbing wrapped around her arms, locking Sylvie in place as she groaned, almost screeching in agony from the sudden outburst of cold mana. "Sylvie, I am going¡ª" Her eyes shifted to him. She nodded, with teardrops formed of ice, like little crystals dripping onto the bed. "Do it... I want you too." She mouthed. Leonhardt nodded, closing his eyes as he pushed forward, his tip slide along her soft lips, parting her petals as their genitals kissed. His swollen tip pushed against her squishy entrance. "Hnng.... there.... it''s hot." She couldn''t hold it back as she started to groan with a snort. The smouldering heat of Leon''s cock pushed inside her, the warm, seething mana felt so amazing, like the sweetest and most powerful drug, her body wrapped around Leonhardt, gripping his back with her legs, as she used her heels to push his cock deeper. A slippery sound echoed as her mouth opened wide, gasping. He could feel her soft walls pulsing with each heartbeat... the cool sensation of her sticky juices wrapped his cock that throbbed inside. It felt incredible, but this was not about his pleasure. ''Shit...'' Her walls were too tight, squeezing him tightly in her grip. A wet sound echoed as he easily pushed to her depths, pressing his tip and stretching her narrow tunnel, causing the elf to gasp, her eyes clenched tight. "Sylvie... it''s amazing inside you." "Hnng... Haa... Ahn..." His voice snapped her out of her mind, and she realised how wonderful it felt to have Leon''s thick cock shoved up inside, spreading her walls with its smouldering heat pouring into her body, like molten lava it was too hot. It scorched her insides, removing the icy chill from the small core forming in her stomach. A euphoric sensation filled their minds as the icy cold spread into Leon''s cock, and his heat seeped into her insides. "Leon... It feels good... you''re filling me up." Sylvie moaned softly, her breath trembling as he sank inside, his tip pulsing and pressing deeper before dragging her walls with each thrust. It hurt a little, but the pleasure made her squirm and groan. Her body was changing, but she didn''t care anymore because if this was what it meant to become a monster, then she wanted to become a monster all day! The slap of her thighs echoed as Leonhardt''s hips started to move, accumulating his strength and speed. He spread her entrance, expanded as the thick head of his cock pressed against her cervix with a low, messy squelch. His body was too big, and Sylvie couldn''t take more than half his shaft. Yet it continued to gouge her insides. The pain vanished... thanks to the immense cold and heat, creating a surging mixture of mana that caused numbness from the waist down. A sloppy sound echoed when Sylvie''s legs tightened around his waist, pulling him closer, deeper until he finally reached the deepest part of her sex, stretched to her limit as she felt him throbbing against her walls. "Haa... I''m full... It''s big." Her mouth opened, and she moaned with a dull groan, the pain and pleasure creating a storm, but she didn''t mind. Sylvie wanted this, and there was nothing more incredible in this world. "Leon... Faster..." At first, it hurt. The thick club gouging and spreading Sylvie''s insides apart created a dull ache in her abdomen, but as the small core formed, her body started to transform, making her stronger, changing her forever. "Wait... you''re insides are sucking me inside... this feels different from Asuka...!" Leonhardt gasped, the sensation like a small mouth kissing the tip of his cock, causing him to increase his speed. Unable to resist the soft, squishy sensation each time his hips slapped her buttocks with a loud clap. Sylvie''s pussy devoured his shaft, greedily trying to take him whole as he thrust into her again and again. "Ngh...!" With a moist pop, his cock slipped out of her with a thick strand of her shiny juices dripping from the tip and her slit. Sylvie cried, tears flowing down her cheeks, a strange sense of emptiness filling her mind. "No... Leon... Hyaaan?!" His warm hands grasped her buttocks, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh, enjoying the lewd sight. "Don''t worry, I just want to enjoy you even more." Their session became more passionate, his webbing spreading as he pinned her hands against the bedpost. Leon lifted her and pushed the lovely elf onto her knees revealing Sylvie''s half transformed ass. He patted the meat and lifted it into the air, her plump, blue flesh swaying and tempting him further. "Here I come." "Hnngh!" His cock effortlessly slipped back into her pussy, the feeling of entering from the back causing a shiver to roll up Sylvie''s spine. A loud creak filled the bedroom as she was pushed forward, her breasts squishing against the bedpost. Leonhardt''s cock slid halfway, the cold juices bubbling and churning before he dragged himself out, as his cock slipped inside, then slowly pulled out several times, making her gape wider with an obscene pop... S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Nngha!! Haa... Ahn...!" Each time his cock spread her walls, Sylvie felt a rush of euphoria surging through her body. The heat was like a phoenix spreading wings inside her stomach and burning away the ice. "You feel so good Sylvie..." He moaned, pressing his hands on her hips as he kept thrusting faster, deeper inside, until he finally slammed into her womb with a sudden squishy sensation as Sylvie''s shriek broke into raw, breathless and uncontrolled moans. Her legs quivered, almost giving way, but Leon''s firm grip held her steady, spreading his webbing to keep her in place. He started slamming his hips faster with a loud smack, causing her ass to jiggle each time he penetrated her. During the passionate sex, her body started changing... the mixture of Fae and the Monster bloodline he chose. Sylvie''s face became more graceful and filled with an elegant beauty, and her height increased slightly as her skin turned pale blue. "Endure this... Sylvie!" Her inside clamped down the moment he called her name, a warm, slimy sensation coiling around his cock, while Leonhardt''s body sizzled with heat, his breath forming a steamy mist as he became too excited. "Nnnngh!! I will... I will..." Sylvie cried out, gasping for air as she felt a sharp pain spread through her abdomen when Leonhardt slammed her against the wall. He tore off the webbing as she endured him, pounding her against the wall, her insides shaking with each thrust, the cold marble walls shaking and vibrating with each slam of his cock. She tried to endure the pain because the pleasure soon overwhelmed the pain, almost becoming too intense, her eyes rolling back as her mouth consciousness faded, Leon''s cock rampaging inside her as it started to swell. "Hnnng! Nngha!!!" Her body was trembling in ecstasy. The feeling was too much¡ªSylvie was experiencing the full force of Leonhardt''s excitement, thrusting with all his strength into her small body, causing her abdomen to bulge. Then, with a sudden warmth, she gasped as he ejaculated in her womb. Hot, sticky globs of thick cum filled her insides with his mana infused seed, causing the small core to complete. "Nnghaaa!" Sperm flowed through Leonhardt''s cock and poured into her womb, almost devoured by a strange suction force created from her icy magic. Sylvie arched her back and pushed against him as she climaxed without warning. Her body shuddered and convulsed from the intense sensations as wave after wave of orgasmic bliss washed over her. The combination of heat and ice mana sent tidal waves through her body, making her pussy quiver while the formation of the core made her mind blank as thick globs of his sperm oozed from her crotch. His webbing held her against the marble wall. "Haa... Haa..." Leon looked up at Sylvie''s face, lost to pleasure and euphoria while his cock slipped from her gaping hole, a messy sound echoing as he fell back onto the bed. Before pulling her onto his lap, using his webbing. "Now rest..." He placed Sylvie on the bed, stroking her face as he removed all the webbing and tried to catch his breath. "Her skin feels quite cold to the touch... was this the right choice?" Chapter 103 - 103: The Mother of all Yuki Onna "Haa.... this isn''t good¡ªshe''s still freezing over," Leonhart muttered before slipping his hands underneath Sylvie''s shoulders and legs and lifting her in the princess carry. Worried she might be in danger, he couldn''t leave her like this. The moment he did, his seed dripped from her crotch, creating a trail as he headed to the enormous bathroom that Zafira had made with a Roman-style bath. The low-walled, deep bath filled with searing hot water. ''It''s amazing...'' Special mana stones she purchased would permanently keep the water hot and clean, filtering any dirt, skin or things that weren''t water. He found the entire thing to be quite beautiful, with several seated showers and a place to sit in a steaming tub of sorts. He wondered how Zafira managed it¡ªbut then realised that she was originally a princess from the Demon Empire. The expensive taste and style were obviously something she knew well. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just a minute, Sylvie..." "Nn... it feels good in your arms." Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smile because it was rare for Sylvie to speak so much. Her words were normally curt and short, but also, her voice became a little deeper and more sensual, not the same as Asuka and Zafira¡ªit was more like a gentle bell ringing in his ears. However, the moment Sylvie''s fingertips touched the water, it started to steam as she slipped into the water. It exploded, creating a huge burst of mist, and inside the fog, two hands extended and pulled Leonhardt into the bath with her. A loud splash echoed as Leonhardt slipped into the bath, landing in Sylvie''s arms... "Huh? The water is quite warm." "Nn.... it''s you that''s hot, making the bath feel good." The water wasn''t cold for Leonhardt because of his extremely hot burning aura. Sylvie''s body shimmered with an icy layer, with her light blue skin and long, pretty and elegant eyelashes that were snow-white, along with her huge, ice-blue eyes, "Does it feel nice to you, Sylvie?" "Me?" Her head leaned to the side while Leonhardt grabbed a sponge from the side, something expensive like the rest of the things in his bathroom and bedroom. ''Zafira need a raise...'' The foul scent that all humans and non-monster females carried vanished completely from Sylvie. Her scent was like peppermint and blueberries, and the icy touch of her skin made him think of something in his memories called "Ice cream" which seemed to be a delicious dessert. Sylvie leaned back against his chest, a low sizzle echoing. "I really like bathing with you¡ªit makes me feel so calm, and the water isn''t cold." Sylvie''s increased vocabulary made Leonhardt smile, his hands lathering the sponge with a special body bathing butter. "My abdomen is full of your heat, too." Leon listened to her speaking with a smile, his hand wringing out the sponge before lathering it across her shoulders. Her body shuddered the moment the sponge touched her back, brushed along her neck, and leaked down her chest. She enjoyed the feeling of Leon''s touch, a cool and relaxing temperature. "I love bathing with you too... It''s the perfect mixture of hot and cold." [Idiot... if any other male were sitting there he''d suffer chilblains or frostbite in his cock!] ''Eh, really?!'' [Yes!] She explained how a simple touch from Sylvie became so dangerous that it would freeze anyone she didn''t want. [Sylvie became the most chaste woman in the entire world from the moment she accepted that orb.] "It looks like you cannot live without me anymore, Sylvie... is that true?" [But you need to be aware of something...] "Nn... I couldn''t imagine a moment without you." [....] ''What?'' Ifrit''s voice sounded strange as she sighed in his mind, but while brushing along Sylvie''s breasts, his mind went straight to her transformation that changed her into an elegant woman. [The Yuki Onna usually only falls for a single man in their lifetime¡ªwhen he dies, they will follow them. Or use their magic to transform their lover''s corpses into an ice elemental monster that cannot die in cold weather.] Leonhardt''s eyes twitched as he looked down at the beauty leaning on his chest. ''Seriously?'' [Seriously!] A sense of danger tickled the back of his mind, but he didn''t want to ruin anything, and did it really matter as long as he didn''t die? Or, rather, he could just dominate Sylvie, who seemed to have masochistic tendencies. "I''m glad, but to think you would become such an elegant beauty... what if others try to take you? I might have to kill them all." "Hehe..." Sylvie''s laughter echoed like a bell chimed while she turned, her breasts pressing against his chest as she leaned close, pushing her lips against his neck. Leon felt the ice-cold breath from her mouth tickling him, causing his skin to shudder with a slight tinge of pain. However, in the next moment, it was gone because his natural heat counteracted her frigid temperatures. "I also feel amazing It''s as if your heat is constantly spreading into me..." She explained the feeling as his warm hands squeezed the warm soapy water over her body, an extreme sense of comfort washed over her body with the boiling water slowly cooling until it became ice and dropped into the bath. "I like how it makes me feel... the hot water to a cold ice bath." Sylvie''s eyes fluttered open as she spoke softly. "I like your touch too¡ªit''s calming in this bath and feels nice." "Then enjoy it, you can bathe with me whenever you want to." "Hehe, It seems that I can return to my previous form well... an elven form with this changed face." "Why return?" Leon asked, confused. Sylvie then looked at Leonhardt with her huge eyes opened wide. "You wanted us to run the mercenary group... I can''t do that in this form, there would be too much difficulty right?" Leon tilted his head in confusion before he laughed and kissed her on the forehead. Her skin was so cool to the touch, but it was perfect for someone like him. "There wasn''t any need to think so deeply, you should just relax and enjoy the changes... don''t worry that pretty little head." "Nm..." With a splash, he finished washing her body, asking if anything felt sore, painful or strange... but thankfully, nothing seemed to have gone wrong, and now. Thanks to the transformation, her mana pathways were at least five times wider than in the past. A thing she always desired and dreamt about. "But if you are in public, won''t your cold body be dangerous?" "Well... watch." Suddenly, her skin turned pale pink and returned to her previous colour as she tapped Leon''s cheek with a smile. "See? It''s warm." Her body returned to her Yuki Onna form, kissing his cheek with her light blue lips that felt like a winter''s chill. "I can manage it in that form, as it seals a portion of my power to use it." Leonhardt was about to respond when he heard an urgent buzz in his mind from Zafira, and her voice sounded quite hoarse as if she''d been shouting. [?Master, I know you''ve been busy... but I need you to come to the throne room! ?] ''What''s the fuss about, Zafira?'' He answered in a light tone before she replied. [? It''s Gobbolas... he has an urgent communication! ?] Chapter 104 - 104: The Lizards Dirty Deal! Leonhardt didn''t rush too fast. Finishing their bath together, they stood in the heated sauna after drying their bodies using his magic. He noticed that after she calmed down from the afterglow of sex. She became a little quieter and shy like before. "Sorry it was cut short." "Don''t apologise." Sylvie hugged his chest and wrapped herself in a light blue robe created with her magic that resembled Asuka''s kimono with a black obi. "You go to them. May I sleep here? I''m a little tired." Her gentle voice was like a lovely cat. "Sure, but..." He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, using his dungeon points to clean the room and remove the scent of sex. "Thank you, Syl." "Nn..." Leonhardt''s hands slipped down her silky smooth hair and tucked her in the quilt before leaning close and kissing her cheek. "Rest well." He turned to leave because Sylvie instantly fell into a deep sleep, likely exhausted from her transformation and losing her virginity. "Let''s see what''s happened." *** Leon stepped into the throne room, wearing a light robe, with his chest exposed and no shoes. He sat down on the black marble throne and looked at the kneeling Gobbolas and several wounded goblins behind him. Zafira remained silent beside him, bowing her head. Leonhardt''s delight after sleeping with Sylvie might have faded if not for the immense boon that sleeping with her gave him. He gained the rarest bloodline of the Yuki Onna. It made him immune to low-level ice magic and forced his core to transform. Ifrit mentioned he needed to sleep with Sylvie a lot more to stabilise the ice inside his core to form a Frost-Fire elemental core, allowing him to specialise in both Ice and Fire magic. Of course, Sylvie would also gain a dual core with more sex and membrane contact, and that was the reason their sex was so passionate and pleasant, the opposite nature in their bodies both dangerous and beneficial. "Are you alright?" His first words caused a stir in the ember goblins and Gobbolas himself. "M-Master! I don''t deserve your kindness when we failed you!" The honest nature of Gobbolas always pleased Leonhardt, but he couldn''t allow them to become weak and demean themselves in such a manner. "Tell me what happened, do not blame yourself. I will be the one to decide." Gobbolas shuddered, bowing once again despite being wounded with scars across his face and chest. "We were training in the north, fighting those inferior lizards as usual. That''s when the strange guy appeared..." He spoke about a strange humanoid monster that attacked them in the northern dungeon. Gobbolas described the man as a tall, bald humanoid with a smooth and sleek body which was like armour, with no genitals and pure yellow eyes. ''Oh?'' ''The sound reminded him of something... or someone when she got angry.'' "It''s a demon..." The voice of Zafira beside Leonhardt sounded pained... as if she didn''t want him to know. Zafira glanced at Leonhardt and noticed his gaze. Her eyes widened as she quickly knelt before him, even though she was the princess of demons and a pride that normally stopped her from acting like this. She prioritised being his second-in-command and sincerely apologises and offers to fix the situation. "No, Zafira." Leonhardt stood up and cleared his throat and placed his hand on her head, brushing her horns with his fingertips. A sign of great affection in the demon race. ''I see... she didn''t stop me or get angry.'' Zafira''s face became covered by her hair as she turned bright red, slapping the ground with her tail as her wings fluttered frantically, unable to withstand the surge of intense feelings that travelled through her sensitive horns. Leonhardt remembered her words. "Only a spouse can touch the other''s horns." He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, trying to deal with this knowledge and the fact his palms now rubbed along her white horns without protest. ''It''s over.'' "I am the one who asked you to manage the north. Alone. You held it without help and this situation happened because you were protecting me, right?" Zafira''s soft lips parted, unable to speak well because of his hand... yet she argued to protect the dungeon. "I killed demons that came here to find me..." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I see. You are the demon princess." Leonhardt knew she enjoyed being in this role, her dream was something more than a mere princess, but surely her father could give her more than he could. "To them, it probably feels like I kidnapped their princess, right? Am I the enemy of the Demon Empire?" Her face turned away as his fingers brushed the tip of her horns, causing the beautiful Succubus to stifle a moan, covering her lips as she nodded, desperate to endure and end this strange form of torture and reward. "Then let them believe I kidnapped you." His words shocked everyone. The monsters knew about the demon empire, thanks to Zafira telling them and explaining how to deal with things to help Leonhardt. All the monsters adored him because of their treatment. Yet the Lord himself had NO clue. "Y-You don''t understand! The Demon Empire won''t stop! Won''t sleep until you DIE!" Zafira''s voice echoed in the throne, causing Leonhardt''s lips to curl into a smile. He understood and realised just how much this tsundere succubus had fallen. Maybe only she would still insist she hadn''t. "I will go and crush this fool. The fucker hurt Gobolas, killing my beloved little goblins. This sight caused Gobbolas and the other goblins to worship him. Their eyes were watching their master toying with the succubus that made their lives hell. A sense of victory burned in their eyes after weeks of agonising training. He stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath. "After all, if I want to dominate this continent, it''s not just the humans I need to trample upon... right, Zafira?" Leonhardt focused on Zafira and her reaction. He didn''t want to drive her away. Zafira''s eyes narrowed, her pupils dilating as tears welled in them, and her lips curled into a smile. The first genuine smile that Leonhardt saw her make, not the usual sarcastic smile... but it caught him off guard, as he suddenly spoke. "Your smile... It''s really cute." To Zafira who normally heard compliments about her ass, tits or her beautiful face that any man would die for... but being called cute was a first for the berserker. Because her mouth was the only thing people insulted... "Uh... I''m going to head to the outpost..." Leonhardt''s voice became a little awkward as he stepped out of the throne room with a sense of confusion about his own actions. Meanwhile, Zafira''s pupils shrink at her smile being called cute, instead of disguising or slit mouth. [Oh boy...] [This is 100% A Yandere Trigger.] Ifrit muttered as she watched the succubus. A huge smile filled half Zafira''s face a truly twisted and monstrous smile, beautiful... yet an obsessive horror. "Ah... so this is what it was... what do I do, Master?" Her wings fluttered as she hugged her body, unable to stop trembling as she rubbed her thighs together, sticky threads dripping onto the stone floor as Zafira started panting heavily. "It seems that... You''ve become my prey." Glowing pink horns and golden eyes and her body wrapped in a black exoskeletal armour, she remained in the dark throne room. Her transformation was complete... Chapter 105 - 105: Arrogance! The moment Leonhardt left the dungeon, he gazed at the notifications he disable while dealing with Sylvie, and a sense of guilt throbbed in the back of his mind. Normally, monsters would be reborn, but those killed by this demon vanished forever. Their souls destroyed. ''I cannot bring the same goblin''s back?'' [No...] Ifrit didn''t expect this sort of reaction from Leonhardt. Because he normally acted so calmly when dealing with the dungeon, she mistook it for lack of interest. However, she realised that Leon just prioritised rising to a level where he could confidently call himself their master. ''What can I do for the lost goblins, A memorial will the survivors care?'' Leon''s mind raced as he walked through the embervale forest. Its trees swayed with a low howl, almost forming a solemn song as if mourning the goblins. ''How is Gobomir?" A strange emotion constantly bit at the mind of Leonhardt. He understood it was anger... rage. But because his emotions rarely reached this level, he couldn''t contain it... as a black and red aura flowed from his body. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Leon...] Ifrit wanted to comfort him, but she also knew he needed closure and to deal with issues like this on his own two feet. "Don''t worry Ifrit, I won''t risk my life. If he''s too strong, I will let Zafira deal with it." Gobbolas and Gobomir were special to Leonhardt, and that he had neglected them until recently weighed greatly on his mind. ''It almost feels like they waited for this moment...'' Leon thought as his feet began to push off the ground faster, sprinting through the forest as his chest became heavier. ''Such an odd sensation.'' He kept running, but his body felt almost numb, Sylvie''s mana now swirling in his core, keeping his mind sharp, cold and focused while his fiery mana flooded his muscles, causing short but sharp bursts of strength. Leonhardt''s legs moved faster as the distance closed between him and the northern dungeon on his map. Many small red dots suddenly vanished from the map, causing his throat to tighten. "Ah..." *** Meanwhile, at the northern outpost, Gobomir, pierced with two arrows, stood at the front of dozens of wounded goblins. His tall, red body, covered in cuts and wounds, was clearly inflicted to prolong his harm. "Hahaha! You inferior goblin! Do you dare speak back to this Lord Devi again?" The demon kicked a rock with his long, black leg the sleek exoskeleton like a beetle. Bang! The huge rock slammed into Gobomir''s chest, sending him flying backward as it exploded on his body. The goblins tried to run, but the Demon sitting on a makeshift throne pointed at them, and the Lizards from the dungeon, like small raptors, dashed forward with sinister smirks, grabbing the goblins by their arms or hair. Devi looked around at the carnage on his throne with delight. "These damn freaks, how dare they hide the princess from me! She will become this Lord Devi''s woman!" He grinned and moved his hand over a crystal ball. On the top of his black, smooth head, two antennae flicked and wiggled as he moved through the images inside the orb. "Hmm..." "Y...you won''t win.... Our master will come...!" Struggling to stand, Gobomir dragged himself up, and instead of trying to protect himself. He used his body to block the smaller goblins. These were the newly spawned members of the team, still level one or two. Although they suffered little abuse from the Demon, he used them as punishment to wound both Gobomir and Gobbolas until the latter fled to seek help from the base, hoping to find Lady Zafira to deal with the issue. Devi had tortured and beaten Gobomir every time he refused to disclose the princess''s location, and to rub salt into his wounds, the Demon only killed the weakest of goblins. "Master? What master?" The Demon rose and stepped off the makeshift throne and stomped forward before he stood before Gobomir, gazing down at the goblins cowering behind Gobomir''s shield like dirt. "Your master has abandoned you, hahaha! So would I... imagined have a dungeon with goblins, foolish, disgusting creatures worse that insects and rats!" Devi raised his leg and stomped on Gobomir''s back, causing him to scream in pain. "Argh... Ou...r.. Master.... Would never....!" But the goblins didn''t cry out. They just gazed up into the air, a glowing black flame shining in the reflection of their eyes. "Don''t dream!" The demon didn''t notice the weaker goblins no longer trembled, and the moment that Gobomir''s swollen eyes saw the air, a mass of webbing spread through the air as if to block them in... Slowly the sun vanished from above.... and darkness filled the embervale forest. "Ah! Master¡ª" "I told you that bastard isn''t¡ª" The demon froze. His eyes opened wide, a something stepped past him¡ªan existence that hid from his mana detection. Something that Devi prided himself on. "Sorry I am late, Gobomir." The voice was gentle. Yet he didn''t attack the demon. Instead, he poured a sticky red potion over the goblin''s body. The figure wore a loose black robe with intricate details and small golden buttons. A simple yet elegant robe, but the intruder wore no shoes, and his hair was messy. "Gobomir, retreat outside my webbing, watch my fight to the end to see how your master feels for you and ensure you keep these goblins safe. "M-Master?!" "That''s an order, my dear friend." With a smile, Leonhardt turned from the goblins and faced the stunned demon. "Move." A low, emotionless voice. "Huh?" "Move." "W-Who do you think you are?" The demon''s aura started to rise¡ªa powerful monster for sure... Leonhardt could see he was likely on the same level as the Brood Mother. A young demon with a foolish dream. The stronger demons couldn''t attack the actual dungeon without announcing themselves in advance, after all. Leonhardt looked at him the same way he had gazed at the weak goblins a moment earlier. "Move..." One last time, he gave the command. Three strikes. Leonhardt''s eyes burned with a smouldering hatred, his body creating steam as it seeped from his fingertips, causing the webbing sphere he built around them to start burning. Like a dynamite fuse, it sizzled and lit the entire webbing on fire. Now, nobody could enter or escape. "Listen here, you pretty fool! You have no idea who I am... I don''t blame you! But I am¡ª" Before the demon could react... Leonhardt covered his face using his palm, which flickered with a small black flame. "I don''t care..." ¡ªCinderflame. Chapter 106 - 106: Demons... eh? Quite Tough. The Black flame consumed the forest in a blaze, Leonhardt''s fire burning so hot it melted through the earth, leaving a gaping hole of molten rock, while the ember trees seemed to absorb the heat and become larger. However, to Leonhardt''s surprised, the demon male flung back, sizzling with smoke pouring from his face... as the black exoskeleton bubbled and rippled down his cheek, revealing his blue flesh underneath. A thick scent of burned meat, salty and a little sour, rose into the air. Devi stared at Leonhardt in shock. "W-what? How can my exoskeleton..." "Tough bastards, aren''t you?" ¡ªTyrant Accel Leonhardt''s body flashed through the air, dashing towards the demon in retreat and grasped his face again, before slamming him into the ground. The earth shook, and an explosion of rock erupted upward as Devi let loose a scream. "Argh! My skin!" ¡ªCinderflame. WOOSH! Leonhardt''s eyes were cold, filled with vengeance as his black flames surged into the air, each burst of Cinderflame digging the demon''s face deeper into the searing hot magma, bubbling with molten temperature. "ARRGH!" The demon desperately tried pushing himself off the ground, a huge force almost knocking Leonhardt back, but the bubbling liquid flame only served to char and melt the demon''s hands as he screamed again. His gaping mouth screamed in agony before Leon filled it with another dose of cinderflame. ¡ªCinderflame Leonhardt cast the spell over and over and over... until his mana ran dry, his eyes flickering with a dull red light. *** Time became strange and distant for Leonhardt. Once he flew out of the dungeon, he cast Tyrant Accel four times and upon seeing the demon taunting and stepping on Gobomir''s face and he snapped. "What happened..." He found himself in a deep crater, his hands tingling with a slight pain, something soft and sticky almost fused to them. "What''s this blue stuff? It smells disgusting... Yuck!" Leonhardt tossed the fleshy blue remains and dragged himself out of the hardened molten rock that formed around his shoulders, almost smothering him completely. He stepped out of the deep crater and looked around, noticing his clothes had vanished, their burned remains lingering in the crater. "Oops, I seem to need some fire-proof clothes." "L-Leonhardt?!" A voice sounded from the forest. It was a familiar yet slightly distorted voice. "Zafira?" It might have been the first time he saw her in this form... a few inches taller than him, black exoskeletal armour, but a more feminine shape¡ªhe couldn''t forget those curves. Zafira rushed to him, holding a black cloth, wrapping it around him as she snorted hot air from her nose holes, and gazed down at him with warm, golden eyes. "You went too far. The amount of mana you used almost polluted the atmosphere!" "Haha, I will need to ask for a new set of clothes..." Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed as he looked into Zafira''s eyes and scratched his cheek. "I also hope the goblins are okay..." "So... what exactly happened?" "Eh?" Zafira''s shocked voice made Leon tilt his head. "Uhm... I only remember being angry and then everything became blank." He couldn''t help but scratch his cheek with a smile. Leonhardt fastened the cloth around his body and released it was actually the robe that Zafira sometimes used as a blanket and carried her sweet scent. "Well..." Zafira then looked at the crater and gasped. Her eyes widened as she looked back at Leonhardt with eyes that seemed shocked. ''When did he become this powerful?'' To her eyes, Leon was weaker than a goblin a short time ago. Before he could speak again, this time it was Gobbolas and Gobomir who appeared, both of them limping and wrapped in bandages. Leon covered his nose because they stank of antiseptic and medicine, but the fact they survived made his chest thump. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''I see... they''re okay.'' That''s when he realised the cause of everything and turned to Zafira. "Those lizards, where are the?" "Those cowards?" Gobbolas muttered before he hammered his chest with a fist. "We caught them Master!" "That''s right! Gobomir caught them all after the demon died!" "Gobomir Protected!" "We knew Master would save us!" The goblins all cheered, but Gobomir stayed quiet. His eyes contained a different light, a deep faith, a deep gratitude. Gobomir watched Leonhardt''s rage, sorrow and anger up close as he burned his life force just to kill the demon, even when the demon died. Gobomir could feel Leonhardt''s silent scream for the fallen goblins. "My King, I will follow you to the end." Slamming his wounded chest, he knelt before Leonhardt, causing the goblins to gasp. To call another race your king like this wasn''t something light. Unlike humans who could betray their king, their emperor, once someone of a monster race swore to serve a lord, the same was true for the dark elves who swore to follow Leonhardt. There was no going back for Gobomir. [Gobomir''s Affection and Loyalty have reached MAX] [Your actions captured the heart and soul of the goblin warrior, spurring his desire to grow and earn his eternal service!] [Gobomir has unlocked the "Goblin Knight" evolution!] [All Goblins will have 100 extra points of loyalty when serving you or anyone you trust.] Leon covered his face with a palm. A sudden burst of messages seemed to have been from before he lost his mind. There were dozens of danger and warning messages from the system AND Ifrit. That''s when he realised the voice was mechanical and no longer Ifrit''s voice, which made his heart flutter, skipping a beat. "Ugh... give me a moment Gobomir, I am a little tired." The goblin didn''t move or make noise, and a group of warriors knelt behind him. The weaklings that he had protected before Leonhardt arrived all showed reverence to him because they also saw his devotion to them. Mere goblins! "Praise the King!" "All Hail Leonhardt! Goblin King!" It might have been Zafira who became the most shocked at this development because even her father, the demon emperor, struggled to make other races and monsters swear to him in this manner... That''s why the demon kingdom became an empire, because it couldn''t force the other races to submit and no matter how powerful and how harshly her father treated them. Even the weakest races, like goblins and kobolds, crowned one of their own as king. ''Amazing... this is the man I chose¡ªafter all this feeling isn''t a mistake.'' She touched her chest, feeling the rapid beats under her palm each moment she gazed upon or thought about the black-haired chimera who stood beside her. "Gobomir... sorry about that." Leonhardt cleared his throat and stretched out to his faithful warrior. "Are you willing to follow me, into whatever battle, whatever challenge that might face us?" "I am." "And are you willing to lay down your life so others can live?" "I am..." Leonhardt summoned his black greatsword and tapped his shoulder on either side, a mimicry of a human ceremony, but he felt a sense of power flowing through his veins into his sword and then pouring into Gobomir. "Then arise, Gobomir. From now on, you are my First Knight." A low sound played in Leonhardt''s mind. [You have recruited a Goblin Knight!] [All Goblins serving Gobomir have become Goblin Squires!] [The Ember Goblins have earned the trait ''Intelligence'' giving them more intelligence and reasoning power!] Gobomir stood, his red body slowly wrapped in a black armour that covered his abdomen, shoulders and legs. It was black like Leonhardt''s hair, with glistening red runes, akin to Leonhardt''s eyes. His armour grew stronger, creating plates over his chest and back with spikes coming from his shoulders. The squires behind him, a group of twelve of them all gained a similar armour, but it looked like leather and lacked the spikes and red runes. "Now, the first order for my First Knight. Capture the enemy dungeon master and drag them here, you can break or bend their bodies but leave only their lives. Understood?" "Yes, My King!" "My King!" The squires bowed behind Gobomir. It was a rather lovely sight. "Go forth! Do well and I will grant your knight order an ordained name, one only for you!" What made Zafira''s eyes sparkle wasn''t just Leonhardt''s actions and words but the fact he clearly noticed the goblins watching with sparkling eyes, Gobbolas and his archers and the other younger goblins that survived. ''To make a goblin one of his special troops... other dungeon masters will mock him.'' Zafira''s thoughts lingered as she watched Leonhardt''s lips curl into a bewitching smile. Already fallen for his charms, despite being a succubus. ''But they don''t understand... How could they understand the brilliance of my Master!'' She just regretted that for a monster to swear themselves to a master in this matter... he must be at a higher level or defeat them in a serious fight. Meanwhile, Leonhardt just gazed at them, leaving with a smile. "Demons... eh? Quite a tough race." Chapter 107 - 107: Execution... Dungeon Union. Leonhardt''s anger faded once he got the revenge, but knowing that he almost destroyed himself during that moment of white rage made him concerned. The lack of response from Ifrit only reinforced his worries. "Is there something on your mind, Master?" When in her combat form, he noticed that Zafira also spoke politely, not getting clingy or flirting with him. At first, they argued and didn''t get along, but as they got to know each other and understood things better, it made him more attached to the succubus. "I just wonder if I''ve done something that upset you, killing a demon." "How could that upset me?!" A tone as if she never doubted him¡ªeven if he massacred her race, she would be fine. "You''re their princess, right?" Zafira didn''t respond as silence fell between them with the distant wind wrapping around the trees creating a low howl that seemed to comfort both. "I am your aide, Master." Her answer was straightforward: she had no intention of taking that role on while he kept her beside him. "And I am your dungeon master." "..." They both felt the same way when looking at each other. Everything became simple and easier to deal with when they were together. So, hearing that she wasn''t angry about the demon and referring to herself as his aide instead of the demon princess made Leonhardt feel relieved. However, he became curious and a little jealous. "This guy said you were his woman, and he was going to marry you... what''s that about?" "Hah!?" Leonhardt''s eyes opened wide at her sharp reaction. A sharp voice with a gangster like tone that resembled people like Enzo, then a beautiful succubus. "I''m sorry, Master... I didn''t mean to sound harsh. The demon''s like him, they only want me for the throne and nothing more, but even before I came here there was NO male or person that I had anything to do with... Even my father wouldn''t force me into marriage so you DON''T have to worry." She emphasised a few words with a sudden change in tone, as if to ensure that Leonhardt understood. Hearing this, Leonhardt let out a sigh, whether he noticed was unknown, but his lips curled, forming a smile, and his tone sounded happy. "I see... good." Zafira''s eyes shone at his reaction, her wings fluttering to create a cool breeze that wafted through his messy hair. "That''s a pleasant breeze. Thanks Zafira." *** Not long after, the lizards were dragged out of their hole by dozens of goblins. Gobomir led them, carrying a plump and ugly lizard over his shoulder with a sharp glint in his eyes. Before throwing him like a piece of garbage, the fat lizard slammed into the ground and suddenly woke. Gobomir clearly tortured the monster, its face now black and purple, with torn and ragged scales peeling off its body. "Good work." "Now then... who is this piece of useless meat?" Leonhardt muttered, sitting on a black rock. He gazed up and down and accepted the lizardman was at least three metres tall with broad shoulders and thick muscles. "You! Are you the one that dared attack my¡ª" Gobomir''s sword flashed, cutting open the lizardman''s mouth with a clean slice, causing his mouth to gape, blood pouring from the sliced cheeks, causing Leonhardt''s lips to tremble, forming a pleased smile. "Nobody cares what you have to say, lizard. Can you see this?" Leonhardt flicked a small green gemstone in his hand, rolling it. "Ack!!!" The lizard tried to speak "It is called a dungeon core... and I know how much you value your life, so here''s my offer. One chance; you don''t get to decline. Transfer the rights of your dungeon to me and I will let your kind survive." ''Go on accept, lizard.'' He had no intention of letting anyone go. This monster would have wiped out his goblins, but if he didn''t bite back, to make a deal with a demon and destroy the souls of his goblins took things too far. Leonhardt didn''t do that to his lizards, allowing them to keep respawning. Rather, he wouldn''t have known this was possible until facing it himself. That''s why Leonhardt became furious at this event. "Hmph!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The lizard man''s eyes filled with contempt and arrogance, and he spat at Leonhardt''s feet. He refused to submit, his pride more important than his entire race. "I see..." Crack! Before the Lizardman could even blink, Leonhardt crushed the core and then tossed the shards into the air, the breeze blowing them into the air before they fell over the stunned face of the Lizardman. "Kill every one of them, make it painful... flay them, sheer the meat and feed the goblins! Have a feast even if you have no hunger!" Leonhardt''s order was simple and cut straight to the point. The goblins became more normal thanks to his treatment; they ate and lived like wild goblins. Thanks to this, their souls changed and became free, and their loyalty to Leonhardt was not just through the dungeon system forcing them. He gave them life, a place to live and take pride in, somewhere to relax and so... This act was vengeance for the goblins and a lesson! Eat the enemy, become stronger, and no one will bully you. "My King, will you be joining us?" Gobomir asked, kneeling with a hand over his chest, all the other goblins gazing with excited and hopeful eyes. To them, being a king wasn''t just a name or a symbol. Leonhardt became something they genuinely worshiped. "You call me your king, and these are our enemies! Of course, I will join in devouring their meat. Let us never forget this valuable lesson my children." He didn''t know when or why his mind and heart changed; maybe it was Gobomir''s eyes of despair or their pure gaze of worship, but Leonhardt found more peace in becoming a Goblin King than he did as an adventurer or anything else. That''s why he pointed at the fat lizard, not humanoid but a strange lizard. "I will eat the biggest part of their leader, then Gobomir and Gobbolas shall eat the rest!" "Yeah!" "Hail the King!" "The King Brings glory!" Zafira watched the goblins, a weak and pathetic race. She once viewed them in such a manner until she began training them and watched all of them pushing through her harsh and unfair drills. In a matter of weeks, they evolved, surpassed themselves. Now they made her proud, though nothing compared to demons or monsters on the other side of the mountains. Zafira aimed first for them to surpass orcs, and lizardmen with the second race already wiped out. "Gobomir, I will be leaving it to you to choose fifty goblins to join me in the west after I return from visiting the Human capital. I will leave in a week. For now, I will gift this dungeon to you goblins. Gobomir and Gobbolas will raise and improve the dungeon for our people!" He wouldn''t give ownership to them his trust wasn''t that loose. But like Zafira, he would grant them the ability to manage the north dungeon, like the Arachne in the south. ''Yes... it''s taking shape. Soon, Astrea Basin will become the Embervale Basin!'' Leonhardt planned to have this second dungeon become a goblin city, a goblin kingdom... that seemed interesting. But his true goal was a monster kingdom that accepted anyone willing to accept them. Once again Zafira found her stomach churning with butterflies as she watched Leonhardt growing visibly before her. Even though she noticed Nyxara spying on him, she ignored it because of this sight... It was one she often dreamed about. Chapter 108 - 108: Preparing to Upgrade the dungeon! Leonhardt''s days back in the dungeon became eventful. He would tease Ifrit and Zafira while reading the dungeon system''s digital reports. He focused on the goblin and rabbit habitats in the lower floors and then information Nyxara would make excuses to bring about the dark elves with her attempts to seduce him. Five days passed in the blink of an eye. "Nn..." "*Snore*" Two naked women sprawled across the massive four-poster bed, one with their thick muscular thighs across his crotch. The other wrapped her modest mounds around Leonhard''s left arm. This situation was the morning routine since he came back. Asuka and Sylvie would argue about who could sleep in the bed, causing Zafira to fume with jealousy and anger in the background, but he found it amusing. The extreme cold of Sylvie, plus the heat from a red dragonoid made the perfect combination, and thus, he stopped them from fighting. "Haa... I can''t move." A soft, warm and yet a little damp paradise. ''I wish I could enjoy this pleasant place for much longer.'' [You have business today!] ''That''s right...'' Today he promised to visit the village and see how Erina was handling her role because he left it to Sylvie and the Crimson Hawks. Leonhardt tried to avoid visiting, which would affect how the village grew and changed. But he received a letter from Erina asking him to meet her. ''Such a cute little human.'' He would take this chance to meet with his partner in business, the woman who helped Papillion grow to the surrounding villages and Astrea in a short time. Though it would take a little longer to spread and become the staple drink, thanks to the goblins delivering fruits and Veronica accepting them. ''That elven woman is pretty shameless when it comes to money and alcohol.'' [Heh, damn playboy!] Leonhardt ignored Ifrit''s complaints. Because he knew the reason for it, Ifrit could take a small form in this dungeon and wanted to sleep together. However, these two women would come into the room and ask for some companionship. Thus, lost in the moment Leonhardt then ends up unable to stop, and it lasts until the early hours of the morning. ''I''ll make some time for us later, don''t be jealous.'' [Hmph! You better!] He slipped his hand down Asuka''s thighs, lifting them and enjoying the heavy flesh squeezing and caressing them before pulling it off his crotch and beside him. Then the arm trapped in Sylvie''s grasp... he slipped his hand between her thighs, causing her to gasp in her sleep, releasing his arm as she trembled and made a cute sound as her throat made a lovely purr. ''Let''s stop here...'' Leonhardt pulled his hand away, flicking the sticky threads from his fingertips as he slipped out of bed and grabbed a black robe from the shelf before heading to the baths. *** Drip~ He finally enjoyed a peaceful bath with no disturbances for the first time in the last five days, leaning against the marble wall, his silky raven hair cascading down his shoulders. "Phew." Today would be quite busy for Leonhardt. He needed to address several issues within the dungeon and also visit Arlet to gauge the support and ability of Erina, and there was Aella, the mercenary guild who would be a great ally. ''She''s the daughter of a battle Maiden. So I cannot brute force things. Though she seems to have a taste for handsome men like me.'' Tap Tap Tap Leonhardt tapped the dungeon interface, splashing water around as he started making small notes for each woman he came into contact with. He marked those he didn''t need and those who might help. Yet focused on those who would be a great help now and in the future. "Done." Notes included basic things like how Veronica loved money and seemed to be a little weak to younger men. Sylvie''s notes mentioned her quiet nature and the fact she was perverted and liked it when he bound her during sex. ''Was it caused by me using my webbing when she transformed into a monster?'' S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough..." With a loud splash, he left the dungeon baths and headed into his throne room, where Zafira waited for him. Her cheeks were slightly red, and her hair dripped with water, but the scent made him smile. ''She''s using the same shampoo as me... did Ifrit tell her or the others brag?'' Never mind, he thought to himself. "Morning Zafira, you look lovely today." "Ah... yesh, yes! Thank you, Master!" Somehow, it felt lonely. She stopped calling his name, like she does when speaking over the dungeon phone. But this also carried a pleasant atmosphere to see her trying to hide her feelings and deal with the emotions building inside her. "Today I want to discuss the goblin dungeon and then I''ll head into the village to meet Erina and few others to speak about business and make a larger deal. I think we might have to expand the amount of goblins working on the fruit garden." When it was just Leonhardt and Zafira, they rarely interrupted each other when speaking and unlike in the past. She also stopped the sly comments and insults about his dungeon or being a chimera, which made things feel great. "I understand, would you like me to join you?" Leon noticed her wings flutter and flapped when she wanted to do something. "Not today, I need you to do something for me." Instantly, Zafira''s body became a little slump, her eyes dull, but when he mentioned needing her she brightened up again. "How can I help you?" Leonhardt gazed at her in a daze¡ªher genuine smile sometimes caught him off guard. He struggled to endure because of the pink mist constantly flowing from Zafira since they became close. He knew this was because of her feelings, but until she confronted him, Leon wouldn''t push anything. "Honestly, anything you do helps. But from today, I was planning to spend more dungeon points on military spending." Leonhardt swiped the dungeon screen, and it appeared in front of Zafira, who looked quite astonished. "Here is a budget I made... it''s a little amateurish but what do you think?" "Well, I can see some minor issues but to think you would go this far for a dungeon." Her wide golden eyes peered at him as she brushed his cheek affectionately with her tail before suddenly turning bright red and yanking it back. "Honestly most Dungeon Masters that I know... would never be this involved. I might be offensive saying your methods feel very human-like. But, this is not an insult but a compliment." Leonhardt knew how she felt about humans... this wasn''t to slight him. "Humans are weak and pathetic, but their wisdom and ability to adapt and find ways to use their meagre life force and strength is what makes them a fearful enemy." "Zafira, when Gobomir called him his king. I decided to stop being half-hearted and just going along with the flow. To avoid that, I need to make them strong, strong enough to fight against me for at least a minute." "But that would be..." "I know. The Dungeon tips said that I should never let my followers reach the same level. To avoid betrayal or losing my throne, and that''s precisely why I will train 10 no. 100 times harder than they will... So I can surpass you!" His last words weren''t as confident, but Zafira''s body almost glowed bright pink upon hearing them. She knew and understood what kind of meaning that meant. Whether he intended it that way, Zafira didn''t care. It was the most common method of confession in the demon empire. "Understood, My Lord." She knelt beside his throne and placed her forehead against his left hand before gazing up at him with her captivating golden eyes. "I will follow you to whatever end." Leonhardt couldn''t help but feel awkward when Zafira acted strange, but Ifrit would always tell him off and explain things later. ''My words probably held some significant meaning to a demon.'' "I''m looking forward to it, Zafira. But don''t work too hard, you also deserve rest." "Huhu~ I don''t need that much!" Sometimes, she laughed with a strange sound, and it concerned him, but for now, at least he could focus on the important things at hand. "I must take Arlet village, then most of this basin will fall under my influence." And to do that... ''Ifrit open the dungeon upgrade interface!'' Chapter 109 - 109: Discipline and Training The moment he called out. Ifrit started complaining in his mind. Because she needed to gather mana and essence from the dungeon to form a body, Ifrit required lots of energy and would sleep most of the day, and it seemed he woke her up. [Why are you shouting?!] ''I whispered...'' [I''ll cut off your system access!] ''Beautiful fairy goddess Ifrit, please be benevolent to your future spouse.'' [Who is my spouse?!] ''Me of course? You said so yourself...'' [Ack!] The sudden defeat and Leonhardt using the oath he made against her caused the origin of all fire to retract from the argument as she opened the special feature of a ranked dungeon where upgrades on current squares and purchased items appeared. ¨‹ Upgrades - Training - Monsters - Traps - Magic - Weapons - Armour - Materials (HOT!) Various types of upgrades formed over seven tabs, which applied to almost anything from weapons to trade goods and the materials formed in the dungeon. The materials tab seemed popular because there were ratings for each tab. ''What are these upvote things?'' [Ranked Dungeon Masters usually have meetings each month to decide the strongest or most popular type of spells and other things bought with Dungeon Points.] ''Cool... will I be joining them?'' [Yes, the world''s first Chimera becoming a Ranked dungeon master. It''s already got a few posts on the message board.] Leonhardt didn''t understand the finer details, and Ifrit scolded him for trying to click a post that said [Hot Succubus Nudes! Click Here!] All because it was a trap set for men like him. If he clicked the link, it would take him to a page to input information. That would then subscribe him to a decade-long plan, paying a certain amount of DP a month to pay for those Nude pictures. "Damn but it''s 80% off!" [THE NORMAL PRICE IS 10000DP] Ifrit scolded him again and started teaching him how this worked. It seemed to be a Dungeon Master was a more sociable role than he realised. Thus, Leonhardt gained a new thing he needed to study and focus on, but he discovered that the training and monster upgrade tabs were almost barren, with no upvotes. "Why are they so annoying...?" "Ah, Master, that''s because most of the Dungeon Master''s are demons." Zafira cut in while sitting on the edge of his throne. The scent of her body wafted close as the squished flesh of her thighs entered his view. ''Hot Succubus Nudes... Zafira is a succubus...'' "Master? Master, are you listening to me?" Zafira tried to get his attention several times, but it seemed to fail. Of course, there wasn''t a chance she didn''t notice his gaze directed at her thighs and buttocks, but that was something she wanted to enjoy. So she remained quiet and waited for him to finally snap out of his daydream. "Zafira?" "Hm? Yes Master?" "I''m glad you were a succubus!" "I see..." The conversation ended before she started to tell him about the demons and once again about how they looked down on other races. There seemed to be some respect for the dragon race, but anything else earned their scorn. "Do you remember, how I was when we first met?" Zafira showed a bitter smile and looked apologetic. He understood what she meant, disliking the dungeon and the master she would need to serve. "I also thought that way back then... that''s just how demons are brought up, but where were we? Ah!" Then, it became clear why the upgrade tab for monsters was less important compared to the personal tab for Dungeon Masters or the Magic tab. However, these facts also stirred up Leonhardt''s curious nature. "Then why is the training tab also empty?" He would think that a warrior race would love to grow stronger and use anything they could to do so. It made no sense from the knowledge in his mind from the human point of view. ''A weak human would definitely choose to train hard and buy strong, useful spells.'' Sadly, there weren''t many purchases that could deal with his lifespan issue. Because although it increased when he evolved. When he exerted himself like against Devi, he lost 20 days of vitality. "Demons are prideful Leonhardt. So, to the majority, the thought of crawling on the ground like insects is something humans and goblins do. Is beyond insane!" Leonhardt nodded, thankful for her information and opened up the training tab to see if he could afford anything interesting. He wondered what would be considered training. [Weighted Clothes] "These antique relics were used by a certain warrior race to improve their power levels at the most important moments..." - 9001 DP [Living Eye Patch] "Constantly devours aura, mana and all other types of energy, keeping your strength at a set limit, until you tear it off and unleash your true power as all stored energy overflows back into your body!" -5000DP "It doesn''t show their actual effects?" He asked, curious about some items. "I believe this is on purpose, to make every purchase like a mystery box." "Hmm..." Most of the items seemed to be some kind of novelty or related to past skilled warriors or special existences that may or may not have existed. Leonhardt wanted something that could cultivate him without levelling and improve through effort and hard work... so he browsed the random upgrades and items for sale. Some sounded stupid but others a little interesting, until he found a bizarre item. "A core?!" A core was the source of a monster''s life. Without it, you would die, and to implant one needed a lot of luck or adaptability. The listing looked bad... no images or item information. Leonhardt noticed you needed to pay Dungeon Points to list an item for the online auctions, but this also had a buy-out feature... for 10000 dungeon points. He didn''t know why he stopped on this item... because it sounded BAD. The effects listed made him feel conflicted, but something inside him wanted this thing. ''Is it because I am a Chimera... my current core isn''t good, it''s unstable and the one that almost cracked when I was created by that crazy archmage.'' [What''s the matter?] "You seem to be struggling... Master what''s wrong?" Both women asked him questions at once and Leonhardt didn''t want to explain, so he simply said. "I just found something that may help me..." Then pointed to the core... But "It''s a blank screen, what are you talking about?" [There''s no listing. Are you okay, Leon?] He blinked at Zafira, and she blinked back... ''What?'' It was clearly there in his eyes, the forbidden core... a cheesy listing. "Can''t you see it? The forbidden core is right there... look, the confirm bid popped up!" What made Leonhardt''s heart shake was that his bid of 100 DP went through, and the auction only had a few seconds left! ''What?'' "Leon... are you alright?" Zafira suddenly grabbed his shoulders, a confused look as she gazed at the screen several times before peering at him with a worried expression. "No... really, I can see it." She shook her head. "I don''t see anything." [What''s going on? Who made such a bizarre listing with a protection that even I cannot access it!?] Ifrit also spoke up after a while, seeming to have investigated the listing. [DING!] A little sound played from the system interface on the 3D hologram and then even Zafira gasped. "Hold on... I won..." He clicked on the Dungeon point tab to see if he had spent them, and the cost of the item was missing, and then suddenly... he felt a weight in his palm, it was icy cold... colder than Sylvie''s aura as a Yuki Onna. But it felt comfortable. However, Leonhardt became entranced when he opened his palm... and the multicoloured orb rolled across his palm, a core no larger than a marble, with various colours spread through its milky surface. The world began to slow down. He lifted it to his eyes, narrowing them and enjoying the flickering lights. [LEONHARDT: DO NOT SWALLOW THAT!] There was something wrong with him, but he didn''t feel bad. This orb, it called out to him, using a strange name. The name didn''t sound familiar yet... Leonhardt''s chest pounded when it repeated in his mind, creating a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Leon wasn''t under any control¡ªhe wanted this. His core screamed, his chest throbbed, and his mind raced with information. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This core was HIS. It was supposed to be his¡ªLeon just felt this way. He closed his eyes with a smile on his lips. Zafira''s and Ifrit''s voices echoed. But Leonhardt placed the orb into his mouth and swallowed... Chapter 110 - 110: His Origin Magic Cores. The source of a person''s power, their magic and potential, but even with all this power and variation in those small orbs, one could still fail. Size. Shape. Colour. Countless variations exist across the billions of lifeforms relying on cores. From the small goblins with little room for growth to the celestial beings that can crush a galaxy with a wave of their hand. Leonhardt, as a created existence, lacked a true core before this; his core was a makeshift creation built on the genius of his creator and, technically, his mother. The youngest human archmage to take the mantle. Because of this, the more he grew, the harder it became to maintain his existence and life. The short lifespan was because of his cracked core. So the moment he swallowed a core of a creature that, if known to humanity or even the demons, might stir terror in their very souls. His existence reached a critical impasse. *** "Leonhardt, are you awake?" ''Huh, what''s going on?'' He thought to himself, wrapped in a strange but cool liquid. The voice wasn''t one he recognised at first, but then memories and thoughts seeped into his mind, knowledge and magical theory beyond his current understanding. ''Mother?'' Inside a glass tube in the middle of a dirty laboratory covered in books, vials of strange creatures, and blood was a small fairy. The fairy looked lovely and cute, with silver white hair and golden eyes. It fluttered inside the huge glass tube, swimming in a strange fluid with a green hue. Leonhardt''s eyes opened fully, his white eyelashes fluttering at the sight of the woman who sat on a chair gazing at him with both hands beneath his chin. ''Her face... it''s blurry.'' Despite trying to see her face, he could only make out the colour of her eyes and hair. She also had silver hair and sparkling gold eyes that shone through the blurry mist. "Oh my, you''re not angry today?" A comfortable voice, calming and gentle, but filled with interest. She rocked on her seat, wearing a lab coat and robe, while stroking the tip of the glass with her long pale finger, tapping the glass with a low hum as she hummed a song that Leonhardt recognised. Sometimes he would hear it when about to sleep, or when he felt tired... ''Is this a dream, or was... everything else a dream?'' He shook his head, a curious feeling growing in his chest. Leonhardt didn''t know if it was a feeling of connection. He felt the same with Ifrit, but he wanted to stay here. The cool liquid constantly made his chest feel warm. "Really... you''re not going to bite me this time, little one?" The woman seemed shocked. She flicked her fingertip¡ªa magical sigil appeared, and a hole formed in the glass. Yet the liquid didn''t flood, and a spell seemed to have been cast along with the first one to keep the liquid inside. "Come to mother." Her ears were long... pointed, something a human could never have. This scene confused Leonhardt because all information pointed to this woman being human. He believed she was most likely the archmage Luris. His creator and mother... but right now, he wasn''t a chimera. ''I''m just a fairy? A fae?'' That''s what confused him... why was he kept in that tube if he was a normal fairy, or something that shared the blood of this woman. It was the moment he left the tube that everything became clear The heat bubbled and made his skin feel like he was boiling, yet he endured because once she touched his body, the pain faded... But the scent of the world was disgusting, like pain and pure alcohol¡ªit made the small fairy dizzy and confused. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh my, does it still hurt... I thought that this potion might help you with the pain." Her eyes dripped with small beads of tears as she brushed Leonhardt''s cheeks, a deep sorrow in her dulling golden eyes. Leonhardt couldn''t speak. His body felt like lead... When he tried to speak, his tongue felt heavy and paralysed. "I know, you''re probably in pain because of your mana core... Mother is sorry... I shouldn''t have wished to have you." A mother, feelings that Leonhardt didn''t understand, but for him to take the form of a fairy likely meant that Luris wasn''t human or a pure elf either. She cradled his body gently in her palm, treating him like the most precious treasure in the world. Leonhardt noticed countless clothes and small outfits in the corner... a bed his size, and clothes that increased in size... likely things that Luris bought for him. ''What is wrong with me?'' [You have no core... or at least your core is damaged...] Ifrit''s voice sounded static, but it came through, causing Leonhardt to freeze. His eyes widened, a reaction that caused Luris to panic. "Baby, are you okay?! What''s wrong..." ''Did she love me, am I not some unwanted monster?'' Though he no longer held normal human emotions, knowing she welcomed his birth seemed comforting, and from the moment Ifrit appeared, he gained the chance to see the system interface. ''Is this a memory, or the past?'' [She loved you enough to sacrifice her magic and core, and this is a memory and the past. You could say it''s the memories that lingered inside your makeshift core.] Ifrit explained to him that he was currently unconscious and that these memories and thoughts were coming from his previous core that was slowly fusing with the core he had swallowed. [Normally, no monster would abandon their core because it would destroy their existence. Unlike humans, our minds and souls linger in these cores. Why else do you think information you couldn''t possibly know appeared in your mind as you grew and adapted to that body?] Her words made sense. Leonhardt always wondered where this information came from because it wasn''t the dungeon''s information. ''I see... but what''s wrong, why does she look so worried?'' The scene became chaotic as she placed him back inside the tube and started casting spells one after the other while mixing different potions and herbs in a sudden rush. [Because of you. She has dreamed of having a child all her life. And you were her only chance... but the world rejected your existence.] ''Did you know?'' Leonhardt didn''t understand if he felt conflicted or relieved to have Ifrit here to guide him, tell him things that he couldn''t know from the moment he was born. It all felt as if his mother had planned for this situation. The great forest, which shared his mother''s name, the basin that would give him time to grow and survive long enough to mature... all of it felt convenient for Leonhardt. [After all, you are her son. I am the origin of fire, the mother of all flames... The Archmage Luris was my oldest friend and only contractor.] This information didn''t feel strange, as if it was something he knew from the start. Leonhardt looked up at his mother, working hard as she looked weird, her face dripping with sweat. The question arose in him. ''Why would a powerful archmage look so weak. What did she do?'' His body was still tired, and he could barely lift his hand, but he could feel some of the energy flowing through him. The energy was soft, like a bundle of cotton wrapping around his body. When he focused his eyes, attempting to see where the energy came from, it linked to Luris, to her chest. ''...'' He didn''t need Ifrit to teach him what was happening, and what lengths she went to... and finally, he recognised the room he was in. This place was the old throne room, before he became the dungeon master, the beautiful wall with water dripping down the wall, a kind of fixture that eventually became a mess. ''I see, it makes sense now.'' Archmage Luris wasn''t dead¡ªhe just knew. This woman that he barely knew vanished after preparing everything for him. She will probably appear one day. I look forward to that day. ''But what now... what will happen now that I swallowed another core?'' He felt a little panicked. Ifrit sent him calming vibes through their bond, and he felt her flames surrounding his body inside the core. [I will help you assimilate fully, to keep your mind... This plan seems to be something Luris prepared but even I didn''t hear about this.] Chapter 111 - 111: Core of the World Eater Leonhardt''s eyes snapped open. The dreamlike memory ended the moment she finished another potion, and Ifrit''s voice lulled him into a deep sleep to finish the assimilation. He could smell the sweet scent of Asuka and Sylvie, but they were nowhere to be found. Even distant sounds like the trickle of water in the throne room''s waterfall feature. "What''s going on..." Different from before, his vision and senses were stronger without using mana¡ªrather, his mana felt distant, heavy and empty. ''Where did all my mana go?'' In a moment of panic, he closed his eyes and sat in a lotus position, normally able to gather his mana in this method from the surroundings. "Phew..." With a deep breath, he started to focus on his abdomen. That''s when it happened¡ªdarkness swallowed his mind, and suddenly, he found himself in an empty expanse... the sky littered with glistening stars. ''Where is this?'' "You... who are you?" A female''s voice, almost childish, called out to him from behind. When he turned around, there was a small girl with obsidian hair and eyes... with sharp teeth, a strange thick tail and hands on her hips. "I am Leonhardt. Who are you?" "Le...on....hard..t... why is your name so hard to say!!" The lovely girl complained while stomping on the ground, causing her hair to shift and reveal a pair of black horns. He couldn''t help but notice her small tongue struggling to pronounce the words well and tried to hold in his laughter. "Hmm... I will call you Leo!" "So, what''s your name then, little girl?" [Don''t let her fool you, Leonhardt... Stop playing games and reveal your true form, Dravanna!] "Che... Ifrit is here, damn old woman." The figure instantly transformed into a mature beauty who wrapped herself in darkness. Like fire created Ifrit''s form, darkness and shadows formed hers. Her horns became longer, her body taller, but still a head shorter than Leonhardt, barely coming to the top of his chest, as her tail resembled a lizard. Similar to Asuka, what confused Leonhardt was how familiar she felt. "Why do you feel so familiar to me?" He asked honestly. "Because we are the same race, and now you can finally accept my power!" ''What does she mean, Ifrit?'' Before Ifrit could answer, Dravanna, as Ifrit called her, dismissively flicked her wrist... and a huge sphere appeared in the sky, the dark sphere glistening with white milky streams and sparkling stars with distinct patterns. He noticed one shaped like a spider, then another like a demon, and realised these were his bloodlines... etched into this familiar orb. [This is your new core] "But it''s huge..." "Dummy! We are inside your soul chamber right now." She then started to walk in the air, creating steps of shadowy mist. "This is a space created using mana to protect a person''s core, although humans call their core a soul. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Do you see? This orb is what humans call the soul. Humans, demons, dragons, gods, origins... All of us keep our souls stored in this space." This space was something he had never seen before, but looking at Dravanna''s eyes and expression, she seemed happy to have him here. Leonhardt wanted to ask her a hundred questions but just looked at the orb. "I don''t understand, what about my previous core?" Dravanna''s face scrunched up, and she pulled out her tongue. "That thing wasn''t a soul... it could barely sustain life. Let alone create a soul chamber!" After this, Leonhardt suffered a boring lecture about how it was a miracle he even managed to endure evolving, let alone breathing or fighting before now. Dravanna seemed to have been with him from the moment he slept with Asuka, the moment he awakened his Black dragon bloodline in fact. Ifrit also knew this, but she couldn''t let them meet because it would have caused Leonhardt to combust, his fractured soul to crumble and now that he had finally formed his soul chamber, they could meet when he slept. "So previously, I didn''t have a soul or rather it was an artificial core?" He questioned Ifrit, who had been quiet. The mother of flames appeared behind him and wrapped her arms around his body. [Yes, it was so unstable that even speaking to you at first could have killed you... so we made you a dungeon master.] He enjoyed the comfortable heat and soft sensation of Ifrit''s true form, her fire and flames that licked against his body like a warm blanket. "I see..." A lot started to make sense as he gazed at the core floating around in space. "Then my mana is now lower, because I needed to use it to create this chamber to protect my core?" "Correct!" Dravanna slipped around his body, her dark eyes carrying a charm he couldn''t ignore, which made Ifrit hug his chest tighter in competition. "Leonhardt, as the last dragon on this planet, will you not form a pact with me, like that old woman?" The mother of darkness offered a pact with Leonhardt. ''Me... what would happen if I did?'' He asked honestly, looking down at the mature but playful figure, her eyes filled with hope. "You would gain not only the power of darkness, but your black flames would become more powerful, able to infuse them with that lovely Yuki Onna''s ice magic. Imagine that!" "Is that possible?" [It''s true, the frostfire core was my first plan, but this damn witch seemed to have been something Luris planned from the start, and I cannot change it. You can trust Dravanna.] Leonhardt noticed the slight flicker of emotion in Ifrit''s voice and the way her flames puffed out whenever mentioning her name. It seemed even the origin of fire could become jealous, or maybe it was because the other girls appeared to be children to her. But Dravanna was also an origin of shadow, causing Ifrit to feel threatened. ''She''s always watching out for me.'' He felt grateful to the mother of flames before looking down at Dravanna and trying to focus on the information he gained from the moment he swallowed the core more than he thought. His mana decreased because of these changes, but in return, his mana became stronger, more dense and purer than before. "Phew... Can you give me time to consider the pact, Dravanna?" Right now, there was a bigger concern in his mind because, along with information from his previous core, he gained the fractured knowledge of the core''s previous owner. "Do either of you know who the world eater might be referring to?" "..." [Eh?] The moment he asked them a simple question, their eyes became distant, while Ifrit, who hugged his back, trembled for a moment before clinging to Leonhardt''s back. Meanwhile, Dravanna''s smile widened, and she placed her hands on her hips and licked her lips, showing her teeth. "A dangerous woman who tried to destroy this world thousands of years ago~ didn''t she almost devour you, Ifrit? Hahaha!" Dravanna started to burst into laughter, pointing at the fiery woman clinging to his waist, which made her flames rise. However, the next words from Leonhardt''s mouth made both women freeze in their place. "The core I swallowed... it was hers." *** Leonhardt woke up in a cold sweat, looking around the bed after breaking out of his meditative state. There was a lot of information to consider from the new core in his stomach being that of a renowned monster that could devour worlds. However, that came with an unexpected benefit for him. "Hmm..." When reading what the skill did made Leonhardt''s chest stir with a strange desire. The difference between his current core and the previous one made him wonder whether it was a boost or a boon. He wondered what the difference meant, but the change to his intellect attribute didn''t affect his brain or thoughts but reflected the new assessment of his Magic quality compared to the past and the Word Eater. [This is your strength compared to a demon, not a human.] The strange difference in systems made him realise that the humans'' strongest were barely double the average strength of a normal demon. ''But at least I know my age now...'' [Sweet 19] ? Leonhardt Van Arlet ? Dungeon Master ? Mutant Chimera (19) Title: Heir of the World Eater Lifespan: ?????? Level: 27 -> 45 ?XP: 1500/45000 ?EP: 1000/50000 ?DP: 25000 [Status] Attack: A | 200 Defence: A | 150 Speed: B | 120 Magic: C | 50 Charm: S | 500 Mana Purity: SSS | ??? Human Rating: F -> SSS Average Attributes: (Demon): 100 [Skills] Greatsword: [Level 4] Command: [Level 6] Archery: [Level 4] Stealth: [Level 3] Scouting: [Level 3] Devour: [Level 10] [Abilities] Dual Cast: [Level 3] Claws of Fire: [Level 5] Tyrant Accel: [Level 4] [Trade Skills] Herbalism: [Level 2] Medicine: [Level 2] Business Sense: [Level 2] Dismantling: [Level 3] [Spells] Cinderblast: [Level 4] Firebolt: [Level 3] Blazing Missiles: [Level 3] Fire Wall: [Level 4] Shadow Flare: [Level 1] ?Money [05g 34s 65c] ¡ª¡ª Chapter 112 - 112: The Dungeon Masters Choice Leonhardt quietly assessed his changes while able to hear the voices of both Ifrit and Dravanna. He found the attributes to have changed a little too much, so he asked what everything meant. ''So what is the difference between my numbers and the letter ranking?'' [Demons and other dungeon masters use numbers to assess strength. With 100 being the number an average demon warrior has.] (The rankings are purely human, used by those allied with humans.) The two of them argued with each other, bickering when he saw them in his Soul Chamber, but when speaking mentally, they seemed to become quite calm and likeable. He placed together their information immediately and understood that an average demon warrior was equal to an A-rank attribute, where his former attributes, which reached A-rank after evolving only just surpassed the lowest class of demon warrior. ''This fact is a little depressing.'' [Don''t worry about it. You''ve grown faster than usual until now, and your strength needs a long time to settle. Those orcs in the west should prove a great training ground for you.] ''No...'' Leonhardt slammed the arm of his throne and caused a loud bang to echo through the empty chamber. After he awoke in a bad mood, he sent Zafira and the others to help Gobomir and Gobbolas with the northern dungeon. ''I''ll focus on my plan, first is Astrea City. They sent assassins and I won''t let them go, Dia is currently with Erina and under my control, so when Enzo contacts her about their job I will make a move.'' "Have Nyxara and her dark elves fight them off for now." With a sigh, Leonhardt noticed the changes in his dungeon interface and decided that Nyxara would need a little more help. ''Hmm?'' There were additional Dark elf summoning buildings, with one costing 10000 and the other 5000, and it seemed to be a male-based clan. ''If I buy these will there be an issue?'' (Male dark elves are normally treated as inferior, usually taking jobs like farming or taking care of the young in a dark elf village.) ''Really?'' Leonhardt thought that if he bought a male clan to join them, the females would stop thirsting after him and increase their numbers through both the normal way and breeding. The most important thing about both goblins and dark elves was that he could create more using either mana or intercourse. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He tapped the small red gemstone around his neck to call Nyxara. This gemstone was something she bought to replace his old communication device. [? Nyxara, I have sent two items to your inventory. Check them and use them well. ?] [? Master?! Your voice is sounding in my mind~ I will do anything you ask me! ?] [? Well then, how about if you manage them well and deal with the orcs until I finish here... I will grant you and your elves a reward. ?] The phone became quiet, and the chaotic thoughts of Nyxara''s mind made Leonhardt''s face turn red, and his crotch became itchy from the erotic and lustful images in her mind. He couldn''t help but close the call because it made his blood boil. "Dark elves are a powerful race... able to give a succubus challenge!" Since the 10000 dungeon points weren''t that much to him, with over 30,000, he purchased both of them and instantly gave Nyxara the permission to install and rule over them. With that taken care of, he could focus on the northern dungeon and Astrea City. Although there was still a lot to deal with, he promised Zafira some time alone in the city. ''Once I''ve dealt with Dia and Enzo, we will head to the south.'' *** Not long after, he finished setting up the dark elves so they could endure a prolonged fight with the orcs in the west. Meanwhile, his attention focused back on the important things. "Demons... Astrea... and improving this dungeon." [What do you think about adding more traps?] (Some huge monsters would be cool!) The two voices whispered in his head constantly while Leonhardt tapped the screen and while installing teleportation devices in all three dungeons he currently controlled allowing him to reach the north and east instantly. ''Is there a dungeon I can take in the west...?'' "Wait... I can expand my dungeon underground almost infinitely, right?" Leonhardt''s mind suddenly came up with a plan. It would need an immense amount of dungeon points and manpower, but Leonhardt didn''t care and swiped open the map. The huge blue map now covered the entire throne room in a hologram, showing the surrounding area. ''Calculate how much DP I need to purchase ALL the land between here, Munat and the dark elf village up to the precipice of Astrea City!'' [Why are you suddenly so excited?] ''Also, calculate how much it would take to purchase up to four layers down, beneath the entire basin!'' (Oh? Are you... Really? How interesting!) Dravanna seemed to understand his plan and couldn''t help but smirk. She then cut off communication, and the image in front of him started to transform, adding up numbers and slowly converting the surrounding area from red squares to green ones. "Good..." [Oh my god... you, are you planning to make the ENTIRE basin a dungeon?] The sound of Ifrit''s voice sounded quite impressed as she started whispering, her figure sitting on his left shoulder, while Dravanna''s miniature form lay on his right shoulder muttering to herself as she controlled the dungeon system. "Wow..." Leonhardt gasped at what he saw. ¨‹ Total Dungeon Points required: 630,000 Land cost: 400,000 Defence cost: 60,000 Amenities cost: 50,000 Castle cost: 120,000 The amount might seem impossible, but this was his complete plan to replace everything in the Astrea basin and build a castle in the best location, where Leonhardt would live after relocating the dungeon entrance so there was only one entrance in each direction. Asmodeus could teleport to any place in the entire base because of this change, and with the added floors, he could teleport to a lower floor to avoid any dangerous situation. "With this design, I can fight the demons, humans and any race that wishes to cause me trouble." (That''s true, but it''s a big amount, and it might take a year or two.) Leonhardt knew that he probably didn''t have that much time and started to consider how he could improve his daily Dungeon Point Yield. "Then we must create situations that would grant a higher yield." [You don''t mean...] "..." Leonhardt remained quiet and curled his lips into a smile before he tapped his red gemstone, giving an additional order to Nyxara. *** After the call, he let out a long sigh, knowing that once she succeeded, he would probably have another woman climbing into his bed each night. Not that he minded such a thing, but his focus couldn''t afford to change. "Ifrit, Dravanna. It looks like we''re going to be busy!" He needed to cancel the peaceful plan to take over the basin. To gain enough dungeon points, he couldn''t take things easily and step-by-step. Leonhardt needed to become bold. [LEON! The world will never forgive you, and it will never allow you to survive this plan!] Ifrit stomped on his shoulder, but the Elemental had a strange look on her face as she said those words. She was happy, happy because he was becoming strong and more monster-like, but this was dangerous and made her anxious. Leonhardt smiled and nodded before giving the command, which caused a large blue screen to appear in front of him. He issued the orders instantly to everyone above a certain rank. "Ifrit... That path isn''t mine." His voice sounded low and raspy. As he stepped from his throne, he gazed back with a fleeting smile. Although he gained an almost infinite life force from the core he swallowed. Leonhardt''s eyes showed an unfamiliar emotion to the past, a sense of longing, a passion, a hunger for something more. "This is just the beginning..." He realised from the clash with Devi that remaining peaceful and taking things slow would lead to him being looked down upon, and with Zafira beside him, the demons would continue attacking him, trying to take her back. But he didn''t want to let her go anymore¡ªshe was his. "Do you know what my new ability allows me to do, Ifrit?" Leonhardt''s voice sounded distant, yet it still stirred the flames in her heart and she couldn''t ignore or hate him... only try to steer him to safety if he reached a dangerous moment. [What does it do?] "Well... let me show you." He stepped towards the teleportation device, and thanks to the eastern dungeon, he purchased a large amount of the Munat forest with his current DP. The moment the blue light enveloped his body. Ifrit and Dravanna dissolved into particles of red and black light flowing into his body. ''Just watch me and understand why this world will reject me even if I remain quiet.'' Chapter 113 - 113: Ifrit, I have become The World Eater... A fluttering sensation filled his stomach. The scent of flowers and beasts spread through the air as everything distorted, twisting and turning for a moment before Leonhardt found himself in the middle of a forest. The light breeze carried the stench of beasts while Leonhardt held his greatsword over one shoulder and a small black orb in the other. [Leon... is that?!] "A monster-summoning orb. Yeah, it''s full of bait to summon those dogs to me." (Hahaha! Let''s see, show us what you wanted to show¡ªthis Dravanna will watch!) ''...'' Leonhardt drew in a deep breath and raised his hand into the air. "Let''s see how much I can devour!" [Devour!? No... no way... it can''t be!] (I see... no wonder.) The voices of both women in his mind became solemn and quiet, but Leonhardt didn''t pay attention to them anymore, and he slammed the dark orb against his palm. The orb shattered, and thin grey smoke spread through the forest. Normally, one would shatter the orb against the ground, to avoid a dangerous situation, but Leonhardt''s eyes shone brightly with his pupils shaped like pentagrams with a tribal sigil in the centre. He snapped his wrists at the surrounding trees, creating various threaded beams he could use if things became dangerous, his arachne webbing stronger than iron. Especially now with his evolution, it could probably endure someone who weighed over 700lbs bouncing in it. "Here they come." A low grumble, the ground shaking from the distant stampeded of beasts, a cloud of dirt and mess filling their air as they approached rapidly, deranged and without logical thoughts. Only seeking to devour the thing that smelled like prey. Leonhardt lifted his sword with a slight rattle before taking a stance, his body oozing with the desire to fight. With his low mana, he couldn''t rely on Tyrant Accel like before, at least not yet. ROAR! ROOAAAR! The roars of various beasts spread through the forest before the first of the animals appeared, a pack of almost ten dire wolves, fangs dripping with saliva. They saw Leonhardt, and their eyes gleamed with hunger, charging towards him without slowing down. "Good! That''s it!" Although he lost mana to create his Soul Chamber, thanks to the new core, his physical body became stronger, as he rushed forward with heavy, yet well-timed steps, grasping his sword tight. ''No time to think, just react and destroy!'' The moment he reached the closest wolf, Leonhardt swung his sword in a half-moon shape, hitting its shoulder and breaking its bones with ease. His strike sent the monster flying back into the pack. He strode forward, lunging with the tip, penetrating another wolf from face to tail, tearing it into pieces as a red and black essence flowed from their bodies and into Leonhardt''s lips. A massacre followed, his blade like a gleaming reaper of death. "HAAA! COME AT ME! MORE!" Leonhardt roared as he killed one after another. The beasts that once threatened him were now nothing but stepping stones for his power. With each kill, he devoured a portion of their strength and mana, though minute, with each kill it restored his stamina, healed any wounds and returned him to an optimal state... Swoosh! He sliced through a huge bear, cleaving its black fur down to the crotch. The beast tried to bite Leonhardt''s head, but the man was far too fast and accurate. His blade turned red and cut right through it without slowing down. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt became like a maniac, killing and maiming the forest, destroying anything that came into his path, no matter how small or big... the red and black essence flooding his mouth, leaving him wrapped in a bloody aura. *** "Haa... Ha.... damn I''m a little tired..." Leonhardt complained. Many types of blood covered his body and robe: blood, black, red, green, blue. [Leonhardt... the forest is silent...] (Amazing!) Although his strength only grew by a few numbers, that growth was enough for him to feel a sense of pleasure. The biggest gain was the small boost to DP, which immediately went into purchasing the land around Arlet¡ªnow the top layer and two layers below were his. Sitting on a broken stub, he gazed at all the meat and wondered if it would fit into his storage or if he could transfer it into a place within the dungeon for emergency food, leather and any other uses he could think of. When he looked at his attributes in the dungeon window, he smiled. ¨‹ The Massacre Ended! + 55000 XP + 40000 DP + 10000 EP ? Leonhardt Van Arlet ? Dungeon Master ? Mutant Chimera (19) Title: Heir of the World Eater Lifespan: ?????? Level: 45 -> 46 ?XP: 11,500/46,000 ?EP: 10,000/50,000 ?DP: 42,000 [Status] Attack: A| 200 -> 205 Defence: A | 150 -> 159 Speed: B | 120 -> 132 Magic: C | 50 -> 62 Charm: S | 500 Mana Purity: SSS | ??? Human Rating: F -> SSS Average Number (Demon): 100 Dungeon Aide: Zafira (Affection: ???) Dungeon Harem: Sylvie (Affection: 142) Asuka (Affection: 135), Elite Monsters: Gobomir (Loyalty: 200), Gobbolas (Loyalty: 150), Nyxara (Affection: 82, Loyalty: 160) Monsters: Dark Elves: 55 Male Dark Elves: 20 Ember Goblins: 180 Horned Rabbits: 55 Shadow Wolf: 34 Dungeon: Squares: 60 Villages: 3 Towns: 0 Cities: 0 Kingdoms: 0 ¡ª "It seems that levelling up has become less effective for me now. Is that a change brought about by this core? Maybe it wasn''t all benefits?" He ignored the danger notice beside Zafira''s name and continued. Leonhardt''s head cooled off the instant he finished fighting, and once he spent most of his DP on improving the dungeon area once again, he clicked the dungeon interface and wondered how far he could push this before taking over Astrea City. He gazed into the distance, taking a slow breath while watching the huge tower in the distance. That was his goal and target. [You almost died several times, you crazy boy!] (Don''t act like you weren''t cheering him on the whole time.) [Heh! You shut it!] ''Ladies, calm down, my head is killing me.'' There was a throbbing ache in the back of his head, probably because he acted on instinct and something drove him to become a little extreme... Because of the changes to his body, he understood the dangers if someone discovered this ability Leon would be in danger. He knew that higher races and demons would have skills allowing them to see through his attributes, and thus, it made him feel the desire to rush. [So what do you plan to do now, still going to rush and create that huge project?] ''Of course!'' [You''re so stupid... but I will support you!] (Heh, see, she''s just a softy for you.) [Dravanna!] Beep! Beep! When he stood from the wooden stump, his ear started beeping, and a call from Zafira came from the north, which he answered without thinking. [? Leonhardt, are you busy? ?] ''Of course I''m not. At least for you anyway.'' [? Ehehe, really? I just wanted to tell you we''ve finished today''s business. ?] ''It seems like we might have some spare time until they contact Dia. When we get some free time, I want to go to Astrea city with you.'' [? Eh? You want to go on a date with me? ?] Zafira''s voice suddenly became excited, almost shrilling, and she couldn''t seem to hold back her emotions. Even though he had promised her a few days ago, she thought he might forget and instead found just being closer than the past was interesting enough, but the more women appeared, the more frustrating it became for her. ''Should we set a date, and prepare to leave even if nobody contacts her?'' He spent each night with Sylvie and Asuka, but Zafira also needed some affection, too... [? Leon, you''re so sweet~ but the dungeon comes first. I don''t want to count my chickens before they hatch! ?] Leonhardt laughed and agreed, thankful that despite her current abnormal state, she remained focused. But he couldn''t only focus on her. The other two women gave up their humanity for him. Thus, he wouldn''t mistreat them. "Tonight I will spend it with Asuka... she said she wanted to show me something." Looking down at himself, he quickly took out the teleportation gemstone, something only a Dungeon Master could use and crushed it... A luminous blue aura wrapped around him as he instantly vanished from the forest. Leaving death and destruction in his wake. Little did he know, this action would cause a rumour to spread amongst the hunters and adventurers¡ªa rumour that would bring trouble to his doorstep... Chapter 114 - 114: Is it Done? In the luxurious office of Astrea, the city lord sat quietly scribbling across a parchment of paper while rubbing his thick blond hair. The room was filled with gold ornaments, statues, paintings and books, with gold leaf covering the majority of surfaces. His books remained untouched, countless spines with a layer of dust. He was anxious, waiting for his aide to return and give information about the request he put in. ''To think she would die, a saintess candidate... I shouldn''t have been so aggressive.'' When he learned about his aide contacting a dangerous group that worked from the slums, it became more serious than he thought it would. He had no choice now but to think that a threat would escalate to death. ''I must calm myself¡ªnobody will know.'' He gritted his teeth, leaning back with a sense of irritation; the daily tasks and requests only made him more anxious. Ding-Dong! The grandfather clock chimed, startling him and causing him to drop the feather quill he held. The ink splashed across his desk, and it covered part of his papers. "Darn it." Ever since he put pressure on the hero Kaito, everything went downhill. The man himself left the city and headed south with a different group after arguing with the others. Because the man the women travelled with also had black hair, it caused the people he hired to misunderstand and a battle ensued. "Those greedy clergymen!" He scrunched up a piece of parchment which asked for monetary reimbursement for the death of their saintess. The former elegant and handsome figure now deteriorated, his clothes dirty and eyes dark with rings from lack of sleep. "The amount they want will cost an entire years revenue!" Suddenly, the door knocked. "Forgive my impertinence, City Lord!" The knight who caused this issue hurriedly entered, his shoulders trembling. He understood what had happened the last time he had appeared and tried to help the lord, so he remained silent. The air became heavier each second that passed, making the knight feel terrified. "Did you finally lose your tongue?" "N-No, Sire!" "Then use it before I have you disappear for causing this mess." "The report from the front lines is silent. The dragon and dark elves have vanished. It seems that an elf by the name of Sylvie has killed the alpha and calmed the forest." The blond noble shifted his gaze to the knight, unable to believe this statement. Not long ago, there were over ten dark elves spotted daily by several scouts. But how could he accept the fact they''ve vanished? ''This isn''t right, something is wrong, here.'' "Who gave you that report? Do you trust them?" Of course, the death of the Alpha, which caused the troubles, was best, but to learn that the dark elves had vanished made the city lord nervous. Recently, there were issues of strange monsters attacking the villagers. "Sir Patrick." "Yes, My Lord?" "Did you have a good drink, like I asked you too?" The knight seemed confused for a moment before he realised what the lord meant and nodded. "I did, a great drink in the slums at the¡ª" "Enough you bumbling fool, don''t mention the name lest we be hung drawn and quartered!" With this information, the city lord sent the knight out of the room as he began to pace around his office, wondering what to do next. He didn''t want to let this issue grow out of control. *** "Jack, don''t you think Diamond seems a little strange?" In the empty tavern called the Last Call, Queen sat at the bar, drinking together with Ace and Jack after their job in the north became complicated. Meeting their leader''s daughter and then having him fake her death to trick the church and their client halved the pay they received. "What do you mean?" "Well, why would that obsessive witch not return here with the boss? We all know she is crazy about him... but it''s been a week and only a single message?" Queen flicked her red hair back and leaned against the bar, rubbing her forehead. "I don''t know." The black-haired Jack just remained stoic as usual, but while cleaning his blade, he seemed to feel something as his hand jerked. "Ace... Ace! Don''t drink so much; you''ll be drunk." "Shuddap. It''s the boss'' money, not that we are getting paid," the grey-eyed old man complained in annoyance. "Heart, don''t try to make him act normal. He''s angry that young girl could overpower him." The queen who spoke was wearing a light green dress that reached her knees and had vibrant blue eyes. She shook her head as the old man drank more alcohol. "I just think she would have normally returned sooner..." The woman called Heart said, her white hair swaying a little as she turned to look at Jack for help. Jack didn''t reply and instead got up from his seat and went to his room. The loud echo of his boots on the cheap wooden flooring echoed before a jingle sounded from the entrance, and the knight named Patrick entered the store. "Ah, Sir Patrick. Here for your usual?" The man who spoke was an elf who wore a large black hat and an apron with the words ''The Last Call'' printed on it. Today, Enzo wasn''t behind the bar, and all the customers were the assassins who worked here, thankfully using rings that made it difficult for humans to remember what they looked like and so they listened to the knight''s words. "Yeah, but I''m also here to ask you all for a job." "A job?" Queen muttered and looked over. Even Ace became sullen from the knight''s arrogance. Because of his poor information, it led to their last job becoming a disaster, this time, they wanted to reject it without consideration. But the one who chose that would be their boss. Patrick sat at the bar, drinking a cheap mug of ale while tapping the wooden bar with a slightly annoyed expression. He looked around and gave Heart a wink because she was a beautiful woman. After a few drinks, Ace and Queen pushed Heart towards the bar, the woman who wore a leopard mask becoming embarrassed as she slipped beside him. "My boss, he''s so unfair." "Oh? Why is that?" She spoke in a low, seductive tone. "He sent me back here, after our last job caused them so many issues. Even though he knew of the dangers... damn..." Thud! The knight hit the table before downing his fifth drink. The bartender nodded before heading in the back to get Enzo. Although not a member of the active group, he wasn''t innocent and was one of the many supporters and intelligence workers who helped The Last Call. Patrick spilled information about the city lord, telling them who their client was and what he wanted, without realising this would come to bite him later. He explained to Heart about how his boss originally asked to make them suffer, but now it became hard he denied that order. "..." "What do you think, Ace?" Ace looked back at Queen, then towards Heart, who visibly struggled with the knight''s arm around her waist. "I think this could be dangerous. Will the city lord take action against this bar, or do we flee? It seems that the best method would be to kill the city lord." No longer drunk, Ace always pulled himself together at the opportune moments. "That might be a good idea." The handsome voice of Enzo echoed from behind. Beside him, Jack nodded, one of the rare times he agreed with Ace. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Since they almost made me attack my daughter, what if he went to another group? Wouldn''t she be dead right now for real?" He whispered, gazing at the drunk knight. "What do you all think?" Jack and Ace nodded, instantly convinced, while Heart and Queen took a moment before they also gave their acceptance. "We should strike soon, before things get out of control... the church will also be looking for the real criminal if we take too long." Enzo then narrowed his eyes. "I think we have another enemy more dangerous than those two... that boy will surely kill me." "What? You''re mad, why would he kill Erina''s father?" Heart added in dismay. Jack and Ace exchanged glances before nodding. They didn''t know why their boss would say something like this, but his hunches and sense of danger rarely missed the mark. "Do we strike first?" "No Jack, we escape... kill the city lord and then escape." Enzo seemed reluctant to kill him. "Why?!" Queen gasped, with the rest nodding. "Because my daughter is in love with that kid." He was a horrible father and treated her like a potential payout. The saintess would be a useful tool in the future. But that young man saw through his goals and never dropped his hostility towards Enzo. "I would rather not make her even more disappointed in me." "I guess we have no choice." "Haa... fuck it. Whatever the leader wants!" "Don''t regret it." Ace gave one last warning before they all started leaving the bar. "We act in ten nights!" Little did they know... The so-called enemy was already on his way to Astrea City. Chapter 115 - 115: The Red Dragons Warmth Asuka watched Leonhardt behind her, sitting at the dungeon table, a room created when she came here with Sylvie, a small human-esk kitchen with bizarre inventions that caused their minds to almost explode. A closet that keeps things cold. A small box that cooks things in seconds. A box of heat that cooks without fire! The dungeon created things based on the master''s memories and knowledge. So, unreleased inventions of the great Archmage Luris became available to them, from cookers and fridges to microwaves and freezers. Even an automatic coffee machine that crushes the beans and makes the perfect coffee using magic stones. "Hehe..." Swish-Swoosh! In her hands, she whisked a batter mix, preparing to make a meal for Leonhardt. "Leo~ do you prefer vanilla or chocolate?" Her hips swayed as she hummed to herself, mixing a cake while the food she prepared using the recipes of her clan baked in the oven instead of on a clay pot like usual. "I don''t mind anything cooked by you, Asuka." "Ah... don''t touch me, I''ll spill the batter." Leonhardt grabbed her waist from behind, the flick of her plump tail too arousing as he pressed against her back, the heat of the oven and her body mixing. Asuka was wearing a tight, thin white shirt and black booty shorts created with dried and stretched slime ectoplasm, the apron tied on her thin waist and the fabric hugging her curves. He couldn''t resist the dark red scales wrapping down her legs and lower back, which made it impossible for him not to hug her. "Nn... don''t bite my neck." "Haha, why not, you''re scales are practically glowing." Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed as his lips pressed against her neck, gently nibbling on her neck scales. Different from the others, these scales connected to her nerves and caused a tingling sensation when brushed lightly. "Nn!" She trembled, and the batter splashed over her face, splashing because she couldn''t hold back her strength. "You''re such a brat, Leonhardt... I told you to wait." Asuka turned and glared at Leonhardt with tears in her bright yellow eyes. However, Leonhardt, despite her calling his full name, smiled before leaning closer... his tongue extended and lapped up the dough mix from her cheek, causing her to blush further. She bit her lip and looked away while he did so, and after a few more gentle kisses on her neck, she couldn''t stop a sigh of pleasure from leaking out. "Leo... please..." "What is it?" Asuka turned and hugged him, pushing her forehead against the crook of his neck, her tail wrapping around his waist. "Let me finish, okay? I''ll do anything..." Because he would soon be leaving with Zafira for a journey to the south, while Asuka and Sylvie would help Erina build a name for the Crimson Hawk¡ªof course, they would disguise Erina to hide from the church until Leonhardt crushed its presence in this basin. "Anything?" "... Mhmm, so let me cook..." After a moment, she felt his hand move to her chin and lift it, causing their eyes to connect. "You are so irresistible when cooking, I didn''t realise how wonderful you are." Slap! Her tail tapped his cheek before brushing along his lips as Asuka narrowed her eyes and pressed her hips against his crotch while mixing the dough enough and next she would knead it. "Heh... so is my holding a weapon not enough for you anymore, big boy?" Asuka''s sharp gaze pierced into Leonhardt. The way her lips curved, showing off the small fangs within, made him smile, and he leaned down, kissing the tip of her tail. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sudden tingle that shot through her spine made her squeal. "Ah!" She dropped the bowl and tried to stop Leonhardt, but he used his brute strength to keep her hands from pushing his face away and sucked on the tip of her tail, biting gently. As the soft, squishy scales deformed and moulded to the shape of his teeth, the lovely dragonoid sat on the kitchen table with a blush, moaning aloud. "Le... Leo... please... ah... ah...!" She was practically crying as she pushed her face into the crook of his neck, gripping the back of his shirt to try to hold on to her consciousness. Her scales were too sensitive for her to handle the pleasure that came from the intense stimulation after a few moments. Then he stopped and pulled away, only to find Asuka breathing heavily with a thread of drool dripping down her lips, which made him chuckle. "You''re so weak..." Asuka''s eyelids fluttered, and she stared at Leonhardt with a half-conscious look before he leaned forward and kissed her. He moved just in time as she tried to hit him with a right hook. He held up the bowl. "Hmm?" "Eh? Ah, it... ah..." The dough mix fell perfectly onto the rolling board and when it hit the counter, Asuka had already forgotten why she got so mad. Instead, she turned her attention to kneading the dough. Seeing that his goal was complete, Leonhardt returned to his table, but not before giving Asuka a peck on her cheek, and as they both snorted, laughing about their actions. Leonhardt couldn''t help but feel at ease with their little games and fights. Asuka, with her usual stoic expression, turned away and kneaded the dough while curling her lips into a deep smile. *** Two hours later, Sylvie finally returned from helping Erina, her face a little moody, as she jumped into Leonhardt''s arms. "You smell like lizard!" "W-What!? I don''t smell you little witch!" "Hehe~ but our master loves me more, he finishes inside me the most." "Ack...!?" With puppy dog eyes, Asuka gazed at Leonhardt, who zoned out of their little argument. He was reading the dungeon income and reports for the day, something he never used to do, but after seeing how much work Zafira did for him, he wanted to help her. *Sniff* Sylvie, like a dog, sniffed the air before looking at the searing pot on the table. Its spicy scent with fruity and meaty notes caused Sylvie''s lips to curl and drool to spill out from between her fangs. "Master... is that for me?" "It''s what I cooked! You should learn to be grateful!" "Hmph, why? I could just cook better than you!" Asuka lifted her chin as Sylvie stared up at Leonhardt with a pleading gaze. She always lost her fight against Asuka, but used her seductive and lovely face to con Leonhardt into taking her side. However, this time, she was not as successful. "Let''s eat together, and how about we go take a bath together instead?" Leonhardt reached out and pulled Asuka, who spent hours cooking onto his lap, trying to give them both affection before he left. "Master? You''re not going to spoil me today?" "I''m sorry." "Hmph! Master, you bully!" "I''ll spoil you both." He didn''t want to make an issue about his departure; they both wanted to go, but there wasn''t enough room on the horse for all of them, and, frankly, he believed Zafira would kill them. So he stayed silent while Asuka slipped from his lap with a kiss, then started serving food. "Hmph! It seems you''re cooking has improved." Sylvie started setting the table with Asuka, as the pair worked almost in synchronisation, with Sylvie cooling the glasses and wine and Asuka heating the plates and table to avoid food growing cold. ''Is this what a family feels like?'' He wondered. [Oh my gosh~ isn''t he precious!] (You tell me... he switches from sexual deviant to a little boy in seconds!) Leonhardt sighed, ignoring the voices again before turning his attention to the income and reports on the papers. ''At this rate, the plan will be finished in five months...'' "Is Zafira not joining us tonight?" Asuka asked while leaving a spot open, but Leonhardt could only shrug his shoulders. [If you call her now, she will race to you.] (That girl would invent a teleportation device to reach you...) He couldn''t help but smile to himself because of how blessed he was. "What are you laughing at?" Sylvie tilted her head, and Leonhardt just laughed and shrugged, deciding that it wasn''t the time to tell them about leaving. "Because I have you two beside me." "!!!" The lovely Yuki Onna turned away with pink cheeks as she continued setting the table while Asuka gazed at him. "You''re so stupid..." She muttered under her breath. But he heard everything clearly and noticed her huge grin that showed she wasn''t serious. ''Well... for as long as this lasts, I want to enjoy it.'' Chapter 116 - 116: To Astrea - The Jealous Succubus! Leonhardt''s body shifted on the bed, his back cracking as he stretched with a brief yawn before stroking the exposed hips of Sylvie and squeezing them as he itched his back. Sylvie had become increasingly aggressive during the night but looked so cute and innocent right now. Even Asuka became more clingy than usual. "Well, that was a great night," Leonhardt muttered before pulling himself from Asuka''s sultry lair as the viscous remnants oozed down her thighs. "...erotic." Leon shook his head, trying to ignore the arousing sight of two beautiful naked women sleeping in his bed. Today was the day he would leave; he had to go before the sun rose. Asuka stirred and turned with half-open eyes as she sat up, causing the sheets to slip down her chest, and Leonhardt found himself entranced by the sight... until she spoke and snapped him from his trance. "Mhmm, morning..." She yawned softly. "What time is it?" Her voice was like a melody that soothed his heart as she sat on her knees, stretching while her perky breasts bounced. "Ah... it''s all wet and sticky." She murmured under her breath while feeling the sheets. "It''s still night time..." Leonhardt replied while stroking her hair as he kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep, okay?" "Nn..." Asuka''s eyes closed, fluttering heavily as she curled back up, unaware of Leonhardt''s white lie. He snapped his fingers, creating a magic circle and cleaning the bedding and her crotch to remove the excess juices. [Are you going to stop flirting?] (Don''t be jealous, Ifrit... we know you enjoyed watching them go at it like rabbits!) [Who did?!] Leonhardt fastened his leather armour over his tunic before throwing a black-and-white robe over his back, fastening the belt and making sure that he didn''t forget anything. He touched his face, and his hair changed colour, now silver to match his looks in fairy form. ''This should be alright for the travel.'' He thought with a smile, then leaned forward to kiss Sylvie on the cheek. As he got up to leave, his body halted, unable to resist looking back again. "Take care of yourselves." *** Leonhardt stood beside his throne, waiting for his travelling partner. The rabbits looked at him, confused, before he waved, and they seemed to understand who he was. He stepped closer to Zafira''s room when the door suddenly swung open, and a thick, floral scent of roses blew into his face and a charming and elegant young woman appeared before him. "Are you Zafira?" he asked in a confused tone, her silky black hair tied in a pair of twin tails, fluffy and thick so they puffed out. She smiled with glossy pink lips shimmering in the dungeon lights. "Who else might I be?" she responded in a playful voice as if she enjoyed his reaction to her outfit. Her eyes sparkled like golden gems while she wore a rustic outfit like a typical farm girl. Her short skirt and long socks made her seem charming, despite her plump hips and bountiful chest, which made Zafira sexy rather than cute. "...It might be dangerous..." Leonhardt''s voice trailed off as he held back from touching her, but she was so irresistible it almost hurt him. ''Don''t forget she''s level 100!'' Although he wanted to, there was still a reservation. "Oh my, do you find me that attractive?" Her fingertips touched his chin, moving it side to side as she inspected his new hair. "Silver? Well... it makes you look younger..." her long tongue slipped across her lips, in a seductive action. "More delicious." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt stepped back, unable to stop his cheeks burning and embarrassed by her words. He didn''t feel uncomfortable with her being so forward, but Zafira would swallow him whole; that''s how it felt. "You look gorgeous." Zafira''s eyes narrowed, curling into crescent slits before she rubbed against his body, slipping around his side as if to spread her scent on him like a cat, while letting her tail brush along his lips. A ticklish yet slightly wet feeling brushed along his lips as Leonhardt enjoyed the moment. "Phew, shall we leave?" she asked after taking a few steps away, standing at the entrance. "Ah, I guess we should." Leonhardt snapped himself out of his daze. He was sure that Zafira could charm almost anyone right now; even with his charm, he felt inferior to her, but noticing Zafira''s red cheeks also made him curious about what she thought of him. "Shall we go~ Leon?" Zafira offered her hand, with hungry eyes beaming at him. "It would be my pleasure, Zafira." *** Clip-Clock The sound of a horse trotting along the dirt echoed inside the small carriage. Rather than travelling in a caravan, with the safety of mercenaries and other people, Zafira insisted they travel alone, together in a small carriage. "Do you enjoy this?" he wondered, watching the passing forest, thinking about how he could have teleported them to Munat to shorten the journey. "I do, because it''s fun." "Hmm?" "Because... right now, it''s only me who can spend time with you," She replied, smiling and flapping her wings that looked like parts of her dress. "This way I don''t need to share you." Leonhardt was surprised at how she was so straightforward about monopolising him. "Do your wings not hurt, wrapped around your legs like that?" He wondered since she insisted on keeping them out and formed a pseudo dress using them. It seemed like a painful position to maintain, but Zafira didn''t seem troubled. In fact, she liked the feeling. "It''s a little strange, the pressure hurt at first but now... it''s kind of nice." She smiled, running a hand over them while Leonhardt felt something inside him stir. "C-Can I touch them?" "...Mhm, go ahead." Zafira leaned closer to Leonhardt, allowing him to touch them. The feathers were incredibly soft and ticklish against his fingers. A little warm and slightly heavy, not like he expected, but when his fingers stroked along their surface, Zafira''s body shuddered, and she bit her lower lip while making small nasal sounds. "Are you sure it isn''t painful? You could have kept them folded." "I like this position..." She replied in a low voice, her cheeks turning a rosy red. Although she didn''t explain further, instead her wings slipped around his arm, almost pulling him closer, like a predator. "It''s so I can do something like this..." Leonhardt''s heart beat rapidly, his body unable to resist her pull, and the moment she acted, the carriage hit a bump in the road as if planned, knocking him off balance as she pulled him between her thighs and hugged him from behind. A sudden warmth flowed through his head while her soft lips brushed along his ear. "Mmm..." Zafira moaned; her breath felt so hot and moist against his ear. "Doesn''t it feel comfortable?" His chest raced as the soft feathers of her wings wrapped around his body, creating a comfortable warmth, while her hands hooked his abdomen as if to stop him from escaping. "Ah, but... what if there''s an emergency?" Leonhardt tried to wiggle out of her embrace but was instead pushed deeper between her thighs, and Zafira''s lips smacked beside his ear, echoing with a soft, squishy sound. "Then I''ll use magic to remove it," she replied casually. "What about if something happens in the dungeon?" "I''ll be told immediately, just like you will." "But-" His words were cut short when he fell back, his head slipping between her soft, squishy breasts like pillows and smothering either side of his face. The feeling was warm, comfortable and slightly itchy. It was like a delicious scent invaded his nose and made him want more. "Shhh," she cooed, "It''s fine. Even if they''re busy, you can trust them to take care of things, right?" Her words were gentle and reassuring, and he felt his worries slip away as he closed his eyes, focusing entirely on Zafira''s touch. The feeling of pressure for his current tasks and the growing hunger after he fused with the world eater''s core all vanished. For now, at this moment, there was nothing but the two of them. "Can I call you Leon?" She asked in a curious voice. "I never said you couldn''t, fool." He replied, looking up to see her golden eyes staring down at him with a curious yet amused expression. "You can do what you want." "Really?" She giggled as if she just won a prize before nestling his head and breathing softly, "I''ll remember that." Zafira seemed so relaxed as she lay there, her wings fluttering slightly to create a breeze while stroking his hair. Her smile radiant, while enjoyed the moment together as they bounced with each small pothole and rock, yet Leonhardt himself slipped into a calm and peaceful sleep. "Rest well, Leon." All her plans led to this moment. The short trip together was something Zafira planned to narrow their gap and learn more about the man who made her change. She gazed at the horizon while leaning out of the window, with a smile on her face. However, her eyes quickly became dull upon thinking about whom he had spent the night with as they flickered with a purple flame that grew from her horns. "I won''t let you slip away from me, Leon." Chapter 117 - 117: Nightfall - A Demon Attack The orange sun bled over the vast forest as smoke coiled lazily into the sky from the bubbling cauldron set atop glowing coals. The clearing that Leonhardt stopped in was barely wide enough for the carriage and the fire pit, wrapped by mossy stones and scattered dry pine needles. Steam puffed from their bowls, rich with the scent of salt, juicy meat and wild herbs foraged by Leonhardt thanks to the skills he gained from the dark elves. Leonhardt sat with his legs crossed on a thick rolled blanket beside the crackling fire, chewing thoughtfully on a soft, succulent piece of roasted spider meat. Across from him, Zafira sat like an empress on an elevated slab of rock, with her arms crossed under her breasts, bare legs stretching out, which revealed her sensual figure and toned muscles. The fire made her raven hair shimmer with a golden hue, as her tail lazily flicked behind her, occasionally hurling more twigs into the flames with a slight smirk. The driver¡ªGriv, a wiry goblin with leather skin and a suspicious hunch, a goblin unsuited for combat and more used to sneaking and gathering herbs for the dungeon. Yet, he held his bowl awkwardly, blowing on the stew, a few of his yellow teeth gleaming in the light, and thanks to a magic item, he resembled a human right now. Leonhardt didn''t mind the shifty goblin, feeling he suited a crooked merchant better than he ever could and would serve as their guide. Also, Zafira didn''t seem to mind, at least not openly. "You haven''t touched your bowl," Leonhardt said, tilting his chin toward Zafira. "I don''t need to eat." Her tone was breezy, but her gaze lingered on his lips just a second too long. "Not food like that, anyway." For a moment, her body trembled as she clenched her thighs together, a strangely sweet scent filling the air, much richer than Zafira''s usual fragrance. His spoon paused mid-air. "Should I be concerned?" "You should be flattered," she said with a smirk, her sharp canines peeking as she sounded a little strained. "But no. Not tonight." Then the air snapped like the crackling flames keeping them warm. A low howl sounded before the leaves rustled. At first, Leonhardt thought it was the wind, but then he sensed movement. The presence seemed small, close to the ground, sneaking closer to them at a slow pace. Zafira''s eyes narrowed, turning instantly to the source as her eyes narrowed into slits. Leonhardt heard it too, the faintest pad of paws, the soft crunch of the underbrush, too steady and measured for a wandering beast. There were multiple encircling them. "Wolves," Zafira whispered, standing. Her shadow warped behind her from the firelight. A desperate howl cut through the trees, shrill and noisy. Then the beasts came, their mangy, skinny figures entering Leonhardt''s sight. Emaciated shapes darted from the tree line and rushed for the kill. Their matted fur clung like rags to their poor frames. Their eyes were a milky yellow and filled with only one emotion: hunger. Three, then five, then eight¡ªno hesitation, no tactics. Just pure desperation. Griv screamed as one lunged and knocked him from the coachman''s seat. He slammed his head on the way down before the beasts tore into his legs, causing blood to spray across the dirt. "Shit!" Leonhardt drew his sword, dark sheen and size driving a wolf back. Another wolf snapped at his arm as he reacted faster, cutting its throat with the blade and following up with a brutal kick to its ribs¡ªwith a low whimper and dull crack. It rolled across the floor lifeless¡ªbut more came. "Stay down," Zafira said, raising one hand, fingers curving like talons. Her eyes were pure golden¡ªno pupils, no whites, just raw demonic hunger. With a single breath, she snapped her fingers. BOOM! The air ignited in a violet flash. The wolves didn''t stand a chance, unable to even yelp. In a split second of silence, their bodies disintegrated into ash and flame, the purple fire spiralling upward like a screaming spirit. When the searing heat faded, the forest became silent, dead silent. The only sound was Griv, groaning on the floor, blood pooling beneath him. Zafira slowly released her held breath, hair flowing for a moment, caught in the lingering magic. Her skin had flushed darker, dark veins visible under her collarbone. Her tail slapped the ground once like a whip. She turned to Leonhardt and gasped, almost gagging as she gripped her throat, swallowing as if thirsty. "Why now... why is it starting now?" she murmured. Leonhardt peered into her face and reached out, trying to touch her flushed cheeks, worried she might be sick, but he didn''t understand what was happening. But she did. And with that, Zafira''s figure vanished from sight. Not walking, not running. Zafira disappeared in a single breath. In one blink and the spot where Zafira sat became empty, with a few strands of black hair floating down to the stone where she''d been, still crackling faintly with magic and carrying her aromatic scent. "What?" It wasn''t the first time Leonhardt saw Zafira suddenly vanish or become strange, but he could feel this time might be different. Because she didn''t return, he stored the few remaining wolves in his inventory and put Griv out of his misery. Leonhardt waited, but Zafira never came back, so he climbed into the carriage and decided to sleep. "I am sure she''ll be back later..." he closed his eyes while he lay on the firm seat, but he just couldn''t relax. The air became humid, shifting with various sounds buzzing in his ears, the chirp of crickets and whistling gusts of winds in the trees, but something dark and heavy lingered. He lay inside the carriage, shirt off, sword placed by his side and one arm folded behind his head. Zafira hadn''t returned even now... And just as he began to drift off, the sense of peace before a dream started and sleep overcame him, a weight pressed into the roof of the carriage. Slowly, almost deliberately, it creaked, once...twice... and then silence. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt''s eyes suddenly snapped open. He didn''t move, but his hand crept towards his sword, gripping the handle as the door clicked, creaking open with the squeaking hinges as something stepped inside. It was Zafira. But she seemed a little strange and different. Her black hair was no longer neat and slick but dishevelled, falling around her face like a wild curtain of shadows. Her golden eyes glowed faintly in the dark, half-lidded and barely open, with a glaze that lingered on him. She didn''t speak or make a sound, just staring at him with her nose flaring. Then, with a flick, her tail wrapped around the carriage door, and with one slow snap, sealing the carriage within a thick, perfumed silence. Her bare feet tapped across the wooden floor. Her hips swayed as if guided by some rhythm he couldn''t hear. Her breathing was shallow, fast, and every rise of her chest caused her low-cut tunic to strain tighter, the knot slipping apart from her heavy breasts, which practically slipped out as she leaned over him with a rough, sultry sigh. "Zafira?" Leonhardt asked, his voice low but his mind alert. "Are you¡ª?" She pounced on him. His back hit the carriage wall with a padded thud. Zafira''s hands filled with an immense strength, pinned his wrists to the seat. Her thighs straddled his waist, and her hair poured around his like a veil. Her body was hot, radiating heat like a wildfire, but her lips were icy cold when they found his neck. A kiss. Then another. Then she licked him. "Zafira¡ªwhat the hell are you¡ª?" "Shhh..." Her voice was dreamy, with a slight slur, intoxicating him. "You smell delicious, such a refined mana... and exquisite seed... I need it... I need you... now..." Her lips pressed together with a sticky, wet smack, drawing all his senses and attention to those red, juicy curves. As if detecting, he wanted to protest. Zafira''s lips crushed against his, swallowing his next words like a beast, and the moment their tongues met, the world snapped. "Nnnph?!" "Mmmn~" Pleasure exploded through his brain like lightning, causing his vision to blur. Every nerve in his mouth tingled, filled with euphoria. Her tongue curled and dancing inside his mouth, sucking greedily as if it were his very soul she desired. Leonhardt''s eyes dulled as his mana rapidly flowed into her mouth. A deadly yet blissful kiss. Chapter 118 - 118: The Curse of a Succubus [R18] Leonhardt''s mind fought against the delicious and dreamy bliss of her kiss. He groaned into her mouth, and the sound seemed to delight Zafira, who squeaked in delight. Her free hand was like a snake, sliding down his chest, tracing his muscles with each fingertip, curling them like a lover''s but with sharp claws digging into his flesh. Then lower... And even lower. Her hand rubbed along his abdomen until his hips jerked. Leonhardt''s breathing became wild, like a sprinter after a marathon, unable to contain himself as he sucked and drank in the succubi''s sweet breath. His cock, already swollen, bulging with veins beneath his pants from the kiss, twitched violently against the cloth, when her fingers traced along its shape over the fabric of his pants, brushing beneath the swollen head. "Mmmm~ it''s already hard... so sensitive... does it feel that good when I kiss you?" she whispered in a sweetly deranged voice. "Does it make your little brain melt with pleasure?" She continued, sinking her teeth into his neck as her hand slipped into his waistband with a cold... yet irresistible touch. Skin met skin as she gripped it. Dark pink, a little darker than his body, becoming even darker as her gaze reached the thick swell halfway along his shaft, her hand couldn''t fully grip around his circumference, forcing her to spread her fingers wider to grasp the full size. Her delicate fingers dragged his foreskin back to reveal the protruding, darker mushroom-shaped head, silky-smooth with a deep slit. Zafira''s claw slid along the edge of his foreskin as she worked around the shaft, circling his member that trembled and pulsed in her hand. "Wait¡ªZafira¡ª!" She began to stroke along his swollen shaft, pressing her fingers against the bulging veins almost the size of her little finger in girth, slipping her finger beneath his glans, and scraping them gently with the tip of her claw, causing his body to convulse, a pleasant yet tingling pain shooting through his body. Zafira gazed at him with narrowed eyes, cruel slits locked on his face. "You''re mine, Leonhardt... and I''m going to taste every drop¡­" Her golden eyes locked onto his face like a predator, cataloguing his every reaction, every tremble, every unconscious twitch of the hips beneath her. Her fingers curled snugly around the base of his cock, the tip barely exposed from his unfastened waistband, already flushed red and twitching like it could burst. Her palm was hot, too hot¡ªlike her skin was pulsing with an internal heat that transferred into him with every stroke. "Mmm~" she cooed while tracing his lower lips with her tongue as she leaned down, her breasts squashing softly against his bare stomach. "You''re so stiff already¡­ is that for me?" Her hand slid up and lightly squeezed the tip. With narrowed eyes, she purred in his ears, her fingertips stroking his bulging veins. The head of his cock throbbed once, sharply, and a bead of clear precum leaked out, caught immediately by her thumb. She brought it to her lips. Slurp. She sucked it clean with a single lazy swirl of her tongue, eyes fluttering as the taste flowed through her mouth, like the purest mana dipped in sugar. "Sweet," she murmured. "And thick already... Devils, I want more¡­" Leonhardt''s entire body became taut as her hand moved again; a powerful force seeped into his muscles, causing him to stifle his moans, desperate to recover. Up. Down. The friction was maddening. She didn''t grip too tightly¡ªjust enough to make him ache with sharp, dexterous movements. Her strokes were unhurried but devastating, dragging her palm against every ridge, every pulse, as if memorising him. The more she stroked, the harder he got. And the harder he got, the more needy her breathing became. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her thighs clenched around his hips as a hot, slightly damp sensation rubbed against him, the heat almost setting his flesh on fire. Her other hand slid over his chest, tracing down his abs, nails grazing the trail of hair below his navel. "Your body''s so honest," she whispered, her voice dreamy with lust. "So eager to be touched... to be drained... like you want me to take it." She leaned in again, lips brushing his ear. "I wonder how much you''re holding in." Her fingers quickened, creating a slick, wet echo with her rhythmic movements as his pre-come steadily dribbled, twisting and squelching with each pump of her hand. He let out a shaky breath¡ªthen a full-throated moan as her hand twisted at the top, thumb brushing the frenulum just beneath the tip, applying a pressure so perfect it made his vision swim. Slick¡ªslick¡ªslick. Her hand was gliding along his shaft, the sticky lubricant dripping from her palm. The first drops of cum were mixing with the precum, turning her strokes wet and noisy, echoing obscenely in the closed air of the carriage. "Z-Zafira¡ªstop¡ªI can''t¡ª" "You can," she whispered¡ªbefore kissing him. Zafira''s mouth sealed his lips, greedily sucking on his sweet saliva. Their tongues met again, her moaning into him as her hand pumped harder, and faster feeling his cock swelling in her palm. Her whole body was trembling now, not with fear, but with pure hunger and bliss. His hips suddenly jerked as he gripped both her horns while drinking her saliva like a man in drought and then his cock began to swell further, trembling in her palm as their lips parted with a thick strand of drool. "I''m¡ª!" Her hand moved in tight, furious circles¡ªstroking his head three times before pumping along his shaft twice rapidly, one last twist of her wrist¡ª And he came. Hard. His entire body bowed off the carriage floor, muscles locking, as his hips began to aggressively thrust against her curled hand continuously. A groan he couldn''t choke back leaked with the movement of his hips as white-hot pleasure detonated behind his eyes. Each spurt of his cock sent rope after rope of cum pulsing out of him, thick and heavy as it coated her hand and wrist in a sloppy, dripping mess that spilled over her fingers and onto his stomach. Zafira''s eyes widened as her lips trembled, her pupils fully dilated with a golden glow. Her breath became hitched as she lifted her hand and stared at the thick, pearly strings painting her hands. She licked her lips while breathing heavily. Then, slowly, as if she was entranced, she brought her hand to her mouth, sniffing with her cheeks becoming red, her tail swaying violently in excitement. And licked. One finger at a time. Her tongue swirled over each digit as if obsessed, filled with an affectionate flick. She cleaned every drop with the hunger and reverence of a beast denied for too long. "More..." she whispered with a trembling voice, rubbing her still sticky hand against her cheeks, as if obsessed. She leaned closer, her long, snake-like tongue brushing against his abdomen, lapping up the remnants of his seed, which shot on his stomach with a delighted purr. However, that''s when her breath suddenly jumped as if scared. Her body jolted like someone had poured ice water down her spine, and her posture stiffened while fluttering her lashes. "Eh?" She looked down at her hand, covered in saliva and remnants of a man''s semen. Then at Leonhardt''s blissfully trembling body, his muscles tensing and squeezing as he struggled to breathe. And then the glassy haze in her eyes shattered. Her golden eyes refocused, full of horror. "I didn''t¡ª" Her voice cracked. "No, no, I was going to wait¡ªthis isn''t¡ªthis wasn''t supposed to happen...!" She backed away with a pale face and voice of colour. A face overwhelmed by panic. Yet even now, her lips kissed the tip of her fingers, still smeared faintly with his essence and sniffed them with her flaring nose. Unable to quell her hunger. Then¡ª Fwoosh. Her tail smashed open the door, her body vanishing with the flap of her wings and a burst of magic, Zafira disappearing into the midnight sky, sobbing as she went. Meanwhile, Leonhardt finally recovered... the feeling of his entire body being drained like an orange squeezed into a juicer several times as he slowly pulled himself up, gasping for air as his mana was empty, a dull ache lingering in his body. "Zafira... what happened?" He wanted to follow, but the moment he tried to walk, he collapsed and slammed his head off the wooden seat with a dull thud. "Ngh..." Little did he know that any other male would have died ten times over just being touched by Zafira¡ªthe strength of her succubus blood was THAT powerful. (Oh my god, she actually raped him!) [Quiet Dravanna, this isn''t a joking matter! Give him some time. She couldn''t help it. We all know about the succubi''s Curse. Amazingly, she lasted this long without succumbing to it...] Chapter 119 - 119: Understanding and Compromise The night was quiet again. A deceptive, suffocating quiet. Only the soft creak of wood and canvas as the carriage settled. The whisper of wind rolling over the forest canopy. The faint wet sound of Leonhardt''s breath leaving his lungs¡ªstill fast, still shallow. He lay there, shirtless, his pants half-undone and stained, his body marked with her heat. His cock twitched, even now after climaxing, but he hadn''t told her to "stop." Neither did he want her to. And yet¡­ the way she''d fled, the sound in her throat. That small, broken gasp before she vanished¡ªit twisted something inside him that lust couldn''t smother. Leonhardt exhaled again and sat up slowly, pulling his trousers back together and ignoring the swollen mark on his face, or the weak feeling in his legs. His hands moved with a deliberate calm, but the tingle of his skin remained. He couldn''t forget the feeling of her lips, the taste of her tongue, and he ached for more. But what stuck with him most was the way she looked right before leaving; it was a look of fear and horror as if she was afraid of herself. Above him, he could hear it. Not clearly; it was just the softest sound, like a bird with broken wings. A sniffle, a gasp and finally, silence. Only to repeat after a few moments. Yet he didn''t move or call out. He didn''t want to chase her and cause more damage. What if she lost control again and ended up even more upset when she lost control of her body? Instead, he closed his eyes and reached inward¡ªnot to his mana, not to his memories. But to Ifrit. ''What happened, please tell me.'' [Leonhardt... do you know the fable of the succubus race?] (No? Then, listen closely because the story that most people tell is a lie.) [The period Zafira is enduring is called a curse, but its true name in the succubi native language is "The Blooming Bride."] Leonhardt leaned back, slowly recovering as the story of the succubi flowed into his mind in the soft voice of Ifrit. She sounded different from her jovial self, more mature and almost like a mother teaching a child. Long ago, the Succubi were never meant to form bonds. They were made to feed, not love.To consume, not belong. But something changed. A mutation. A curse. Or maybe a miracle. When a succubus reaches the peak of her maturity¡ªnot just in body, but in her desire¡ªshe awakens a trait buried deep within her corrupted bloodline. This is the Crimson Bloom. It begins not with lust, but with longing¡ªthe moment she chooses a man. Not just any man. Not a passing fuck. Not a feed.A mate. A seed-giver. A soul she craves more than food. Maybe not as romantic to other races, but for a succubus it is both a blessing and a curse because the stronger their blood, the more intense their blooming phase. Only then does the bloom begin. But there is a downside... only a pure and untainted succubus can enjoy this pure bond. The ones who cannot find this person are cursed to a miserable life as they will NEVER get a second chance to bloom as a bride. [Do you understand so far?] Leonhardt''s eyes closed, and now he forgot his aching body, the screaming pain of his muscles, and he focused on the sound from above, the crying and hurt succubus. He wanted to know more, to understand her suffering, even though he was angry. (I''ll tell you the rest, haha!) Once awakened, the succubus enters a short but violently potent period for one or two days a month where her instincts override every conscious restraint. Her body burns for that man, and that man alone. His scent becomes narcotic. His seed becomes sacred. His ejaculation¡ªif absorbed or tasted¡ªamplifies the madness to feverish levels before relieving the succubus once she reaches a sated state. She may not even remember her actions. Her mannerisms may shift, and she might speak with a strange, slurred voice with seduction and instinct. The succubus becomes a creature made only to take him and to stop any other females from stealing him. Jealousy, affection and most emotions become extreme in their shifts during this time. Even powerful succubi, trained for decades in resistance, break during this phase. And those with stronger, more concentrated demonic blood. The more noble or ancient the bloodline, the more violently the curse manifests. "I see..." Her soft whimpers became calm, no longer sniffling, but her tail seemed to tap the roof from above. What Leon learned shocked him because this meant her feelings for him weren''t just his misunderstanding... but from here, it would continue to grow more intense each month until she either became his or was overwhelmed by madness. (That''s the cruel twist, although she becomes faithful and obsessed with that one man... that very obsession during her blooming normally claims the main''s life, after draining him dry. Most succubi cannot bear this and choose death or become insane to keep the man alive.) ''I see, it''s cruel because the man usually dies.'' Because she probably didn''t want to see him... he closed his eyes and became quiet. The communication buzzed as the girl above shifted, the roof clanging as she seemed shocked he called her. ''Zafira.'' [? ... ?] She didn''t respond, but he knew she was there. Because he could also hear her heartbeat through the link, an erratic and chaotic beat, spiking and dipping, as she remained quiet. ''Don''t blame yourself.'' ''If I truly didn''t want to do it, I could''ve escaped. I could''ve pushed you off. I didn''t. I chose to stay and even if you were to do that to me a thousand times I won''t die.'' This was a white lie. He learned from this that he needed more mana to grow faster. Otherwise, he would die, but Leonhardt didn''t want to make her cry, so he forced himself, convinced himself. There was a long pause. Then¡ª Her reply came, barely a whisper in his mind. [? You didn''t choose... Neither did I... but I forced it. Leonhardt, do you think I am stupid? My touch could have killed you. I shouldn''t feel this way about my Master, and I cannot explain what to do or why it happened. ?] [? I''m confused... but now that I''ve tasted you and acted like some feral beast, your scent and flavour lingers in my mouth. It''s driving me mad because I want more. ?] He stayed quiet, aware she needed to speak more, to tell him everything as he leaned back and gazed up at the moon, listening to her sniffled words and tears spilling once again with a lovely whimper. [? I told myself I wouldn''t. I would wait until I understood the feelings that filled me each day we spent together. But at that moment... I smelled and tasted you, and my body just broke. I didn''t want my first time with you to be like that. ?] Leonhardt closed his eyes and felt the sorrow and sadness weighing on him like pressure in the air, hovering above him like a thick storm cloud with no lightning left. ''Zafira...'' ''I don''t care that you''re a succubus.'' ''You woke up in the end, and I''m strong... no matter how much you drain me I will fight back.'' Her answer was a choked laugh, half-bitter. [? You say that now¡­ but what if I told you my body''s still burning? That I can still smell your seed, and it''s making me ravenous and wet? That every breath I take is a fight not to jump back down there and swallow the rest of you whole? ?] ''Then swallow me whole, I will accept you as you are, so don''t deny yourself!'' S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was silence again. But it was different. Her sobs became different, filled with a slight hint of laughter, like a bell mocking him for being stupid, a stupid man with no brains. Leonhardt''s lips curled into a smile... he''d rather her mock him or mistreat him when they first met than cry. Zafira''s tears were scarier than any enemy. Minutes passed without a word. The two were separate in body but together in mind while facing the same sky. [? Do you mean that...? ?] ''Of course, I will wait until you are ready to face everything, but don''t hide or feel shame for being a succubus, just like I take pride in being a chimera.'' A bell-like giggle sounded from above. "Such a fool... making me feel so silly." A soft voice, barely a whisper from inside the carriage, but it brought calm to Leonhardt''s face and allowed him to relax. Finally, he reached his limit and slipped into a deep sleep. A fool was better than letting her suffer. [? Thank you... For not hating me... For accepting me as I am. ?] Chapter 120 - 120: Grivs Request - A New Chance! Zafira and Leonhardt didn''t speak after he fell asleep, but when he woke up, her figure lingered in the corner of his vision, and she seemed to need a little more time before recovering. They would reach the outer reaches of Astrea city by the end of the day if they rushed, but with the attack during the night and Zafira''s state, Leonhardt decided to take it slowly and climbed out of the cart. He dropped from the step with a thud, the sound of wings fluttering, as a huge bowl of bubbling porridge clanged, swaying slightly. ''She''s making breakfast...? Haha, is the world going to end?'' It seemed her shyness would take a little longer to fix, and so Leonhardt shook his head before scooping a spoonful of the steaming porridge with a sweet, honey-like scent, bringing it to his mouth with a light blow. "Hmm? It''s good. Really good!" Leonhardt gasped, shocked that Zafira could cook so well, but a searing burn in his mouth told him that he should take care. The slight throbbing of his lips as they started swelling was a little painful. "I should be more careful..." [Ding!] An alarm sounded in Leonhardt''s mind as he placed the lid on the porridge and removed the heat, looking towards the roof, noticing a familiar pair of black wings forming a small dome, curling his lips at her aloof but cute side. "It''s time to bring Griv back." Because of the attack, Leonhardt couldn''t heal Griv without killing him, which annoyed him greatly, the rage still bubbling within his chest. It was rare for an interesting male to join him on his journey. But now Griv''s soul finally returned, ready for summoning. All because Leonhardt purchased the area, he died and made it into his dungeon. "Phew..." ''Summon Griv!'' A swirl of magic flowed from Leonhardt''s palm, creating seven purple sigils on the ground, in small rhombus-shaped rocks, slotted together and forming an odd circle. The longer Leonhardt poured mana into his fingertips, pushing the warm, jelly like energy into his fingertips, the stones glowed brighter, with their outlines gradually turning neon pink with a flash. The yellow-toothed goblin, terrified at first, stood in the centre of the circle, covering his face and likely reliving the last moment of his life. He froze for a moment, gazing up at Leon before slipping down and kneeling with his hands on the ground. "B-Boss... I don''t wanna die again, please..." A shaky, poorly spoken sentence, but the quivering voice made Leonhardt curious. "You want strength?" "C-Can Griv become strong...?" "I can try." "...Please, Boss! I''ll do anything..." "Hmm..." The unkempt hair of the goblin was full of knots, a strange disguise, but Leonhardt couldn''t help but want to support him. Much like himself in the past. Nothing but a failed experiment, and so he opened the dungeon store and tried to find something to help... Griv gazed at him with milky yellow eyes and scars across his face and chest, the markings of death never fading. Leonhardt could have easily saved him, and seeing those marks made a dark, heavy feeling grow inside him. ''Even Griv and the goblins who cannot fight are my people...'' He thought quietly, realising that he was too arrogant. ''Didn''t I swear to become their king?'' With the flick of his fingertips, he saw dozens of cores, job changes and then he noticed one that seemed to suit this small, crooked man. If asked if Griv suited combat, or those gritty tasks... Leonhardt would say NO! A thousand times out of a thousand, but there was a unique charm about him. ''He really doesn''t suit combat, but I promised to help...'' [Goblin assassin''s core] Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Goblin Butler] Something about the orb he saw, its price higher than the others but no other information. Leonhardt took a deep breath and bought the one that suited Grav most, somehow,w it was the first time since Gobomir and Gobbolas that a goblin caught his interest. ''Yes, this is it!'' Plus, these long travels... were horribly difficult with only women! He wanted someone to go to brothels or drink ale and have fun like the information in his mind said men spent their time. That''s why he needed something new, and despite wanting to pick the merchant orb, even if Griv became a merchant, wouldn''t he be treated horribly and bullied by humans? Even in his human transformation, he looked like a thug who was up to no good. The type that would kidnap young girls and sell them! An orb appeared in the air with a low pop! The sound causing Griv to jump back, falling onto his ass, trembling in fear from the sudden magic and noise. Leonhardt took the orb and knelt before Griv. "Since you died for me, I will give you a chance, Griv. If you swallow this, you''ll be stronger than ever, but¡ª!" "But!?" Griv looked terrified. "I will expect you to work hard for me and the dungeon!" Griv''s small, wrinkled hands, covered in dirt and scars from picking sharp herbs and flora for the dungeon, proved his efforts thus far. A small goblin and a former experiment joined hands as Griv took the orb. The small black and white orb almost resembled a butler''s suit, and there was a pun here, but Leonhardt chose to let it pass. Instead, he focused on the goblin looking up at him with an awkward glance, his back curled because of the hunch. However, the moment Griv swallowed the orb, a notification shocked Leonhardt. [Your kindness has shocked Griv, and now he worships you as his lord, master and god!] [Loyalty: 500] ¡ª Loyalty increases a butler''s strength! [Bonus: +50] ____ Instantly, a black and white air swirled like a storm around Griv, the energy nothing world shaking, but it caused Leonhardt''s hair to become messy and wild, garnering the stifled laughter of the succubus peeking from the carriage roof, her golden orbs hidden amongst feathers. "B-Boss!" Griv called out as the energy penetrated his body, creating a loud crack, a warm and cold energy flowing into the old goblin''s body, causing havoc as it tore him apart. "Endure it, Griv!" This was something Leonhardt endured, swallowing the world eater''s core, and that felt like someone was ripping apart his organs with a chainsaw. Now, watching the floating goblin''s bones crack, realigned and fixed while the magic poured into Griv without care for his tears of blood was a little novel and felt almost nostalgic, but he still cheered on the weak goblin. Griv''s scream stretched high and thin, a shrill, almost comical "GIIIIYAAAAA!!" as his body arched backward, twitching midair like a broken marionette. The magical storm around him thickened¡ªthen suddenly collapsed inwards like an implosion. With a dull thud, the goblin hit the ground. Smoke curled off his body. Then, slowly¡­ a hand twitched. "...Mmh¡­ tea¡­ or wine for this morning, Master?" a voice asked. Leonhardt''s brows twitched. "Huh?" The creature that rose from the dust was no longer the same goblin. Griv''s skin had lightened, smoothed. His face, once gnarly and feral, had become angular¡ªalmost rakish. A slim tailcoat now clung to his lean frame, impossibly well-fitted despite the transformation just seconds prior. His hair? Slicked back with an unnatural sheen. Only the yellow goblin''s eyes remained, glowing with a sly twinkle behind the monocle that had definitely not been there before. He bowed deeply, one hand folded behind his back, the other resting on his chest. "Goblin Butler Griv, reporting for eternal servitude, Sir." Leonhardt blinked. Twice. "You look like you''re about to poison someone''s brandy." "I''d never poison yours, Master. Only your enemies''. Slowly. With flair." Zafira shifted above, feathers rustling as she peeked again, her cheeks still flushed pink from earlier¡ªbut her lips twitched with a smile as she saw Leonhardt''s stunned expression. She watched silently, the storm of emotions inside her slowly quieting as this strange man, who should have feared her, continued like normal and chose a goblin to become his one and only butler... From the shadows, a succubus exhaled through her nose. "¡­My king is weird," she muttered. But the corners of her mouth curled, anyway. "Maybe that''s why it has to be you." Oblivious to the succubus, Leonhardt was impressed with his new goblin. "Griv, do you mind acting as a coachman? I feel it''s beneath your station now." "Beneath me? Hah! The only thing beneath me is the road, and sometimes dignity¡ªbut never you, Master." Griv placed his gnarled hand on his chest as if scandalised, bowing low with exaggerated flair. Then, his form slowly morphed into the hunched-back human with yellow teeth to match his eyes. His accent now sounding closer to someone from a strange place called London. "I accept, of course, Coachman Griv at your service, Master! With style, speed, and just the right amount of homicidal restraint." "Good." Leonhardt nodded, feeling that even if a rank C warrior attacked, Griv would survive in battle, if not using his newly found glib tongue. Their next destination was Astrea, the city of magic and assassins, after all. Chapter 121 - 121: Saved by the bell—tower! The journey became much faster after Griv''s complete evolution, from serving dinner to hunting the same wolves that took his life. It seemed those attribute points gained from his loyalty were more than enough. However, another big change happened to him. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt''s eyes shifted to the succubus beside him who leaned against the glass with her eyes closed, quietly breathing. She looked more radiant than before, with shiny skin, plump juicy lips and a light complexion because he accepted her situation. Leonhardt didn''t lock the carriage door, and just like the first night, she snuck inside and used her hand to show him heaven. Unlike the first night, however, Zafira didn''t run because he caught her wrist, and the pair talked for hours until they agreed on a solution. But those nights of suffering were now over, and the sated succubus snored beside him. ''Did we get closer?'' He asked himself, hoping it was true. Suddenly, a low thud hit the carriage wall, followed by the elegant yet croaky goblin voice that allowed Leonhardt to relax during this trip. "Master, we are coming up to the city. This old goblin wants to remind you of the danger." ''It''s embarrassing'' Leonhardt reminded on the morning after Zafira squeezed him dry, Griv would boil an extra strong broth filled with male-enhancing ingredients. However, this also helped the two men bond as Griv spoke about a female goblin from the dungeon that he gave his heart to. ''I should make her into the head maid... so the pair can meet more often.'' He never really cared about the goblins before, but now it felt important and also extremely fun to get involved with them. Because Zafira rarely woke up after a night of ''feeding.'' Leonhardt opened the window, and as the wind slammed against his face, he smiled. The carriage drove along a dirt road surrounded by a beautiful emerald plain close to Astrea. Meanwhile, Leon jumped outside, gripped the handle used to climb onto the coachman''s seat, and flung himself through the air in an arc before sitting beside Griv. "Morning, Griv." "Oh, devils! Master, you shocked the grog out of this goblin!" Griv snapped the reins to stop the black, muscular horses from swerving off the road. "This seat feels much better now." Leonhardt commented on the thick padded cushion he bought for Griv after learning how hard it was to ride on the wooden seat alone. "Mmh¡ªfirm, yet forgiving... like a merciful mistress. You''ve done this old spine a mercy, Sire. Next, maybe a parasol? Or shall I ride shirtless and scandalous?" Sometimes Griv''s change shocked Leonhardt, who enjoyed how deep his conversational and social skills became. At times, he even felt that Griv surpassed him, causing Leonhardt to start wanting to improve himself... to become more elegant and charming. ''I am a king after all, but where can I learn this?'' Despite the obvious princess sleeping behind them, he ignored her while knowing she might teach him a strange style of speaking and turn him into a horrible lady-killer. "Is that..." A spire appeared above the horizon, tall and white with a huge blue flag flickering in the mild wind, the image of a lion roaring. The symbol of the accursed kingdom that Leonhardt would soon face as their nemesis. "Astrea, aye¡­" He leaned forward slightly, reins slack in his hands, eyes narrowing on the distant spire. "White stone, blue flags, and gold up their arses. The city''s clean on the outside and rotten in the belly. Like it ate up a load of horse sh¡ª!" The horse''s loud neigh interrupted him as if protesting to his words while Griv''s lips curled. "They say the lion roars for justice. I say it roars ''cause someone shoved a stick too far in." He hacked and spat over the side of the carriage, right as the wind blew it back into the road dust. Leonhardt didn''t know that his goblins held such deep feelings, but then again he never asked or thought, where did his goblins come from. ''Are they like dark elves?'' An existence that once lived in this world, but after dying are turned into formless mana as a punishment or judgment from the gods, before being summoned and given a new form and existence by the Dungeon Master or summoner. "Noble blood, noble laws, noble lies. Be real careful in there, Master. They smile pretty, but their knives are polished to match." He glanced sidelong at Leonhardt, half a grin forming. "Course, with you in charge, I''m not scared. You''ve got a worse temper than any lion." The crass laughter sounded strangely comfortable to Leonhardt, even when Griv spoke with an aggressive tone; his elegance didn''t vanish; it was a mystery. "The feeling is mutual, with a butler like you. I''m not afraid someone else will stab me in the back, because you''d be the one to do it first." [Griv''s Loyalty +10] "Hahaha, Sire you know me too well! But I could never betray you... that''d be foolish, a fools game isn''t Griv''s game. Griv only plays it smart and by the ears." "I see, lucky me." "Yes sire, you are lucky." Though Leonhardt wondered what went on in the goblin''s little head, the wiry Griv was the first person with whom he could feel completely relaxed. "Don''t change Griv." "I won''t, Sire. Even if you kill me¡ªagain." Griv emphasised the last word, but his face looked amused while chuckling to himself. His cloudy yellow eyes peeked at Leonhardt before returning to the road. As if he was judging the distance he should maintain as a butler, and confident. *** The carriage rattled and rocked across the poor quality of road. Each time they passed into a new zone, Leonhardt would purchase the land and convert it into his dungeon, though without Zafira to help them, the amount of passive DP started to decrease. ''I need to find a way to farm dungeon points and experience, something that almost breaks the rules.'' The first idea he had was to have someone form a dungeon in his territory, then send goblins to attack the dungeon daily to gather more and more Dungeon points. ''Though war will bring huge amounts, the danger of waging war against humans is great... I should speed up my plan to conquer the orcs in the west.'' "Sire, you should return to the carriage, otherwise those human punks will look down on you, after all¡ªstatus is everything to those hairless apes." "You''re right Griv, but sitting here was quite relaxing." Griv made a sound somewhere between a grunt and a wheeze as the carriage jolted again, his bony hands adjusting the reins with sharp flicks. He glanced sideways, yellow eyes narrowing with a sly glint. "Relaxing, eh? I''ll remember that next time my spine''s tryin'' to escape through me back." He scratched under his collar, muttering. "But let''s be honest, Sire¡ªif you were really after comfort, you''d be back there sittin'' beside Mistress Zafira. Soft thighs, sweet scent, and the kind of body heat that''d melt a mountain troll." He huffed a laugh through his nose. "Instead, you''re up here ridin'' shotgun with a creaky old goblin who smells like pickled lizard guts. Truly, your sense of pleasure confuses and terrifies me." Griv paused for a moment before he whispered with the most genuine smile his slightly twisted jaw could manage. "But I appreciate it." "Griv, don''t forget the code¡ªBlades before babes, goblins before glans," Leonhardt smirked, with his arms folding and nodding, proud of himself. "Besides, if I sit back there too long, I might end up becoming a father¡ªor drained dry." "..." However, Griv neither showed affirmation or denial to this phrase and stoically continued to snap the reins, causing Leonhardt to withdraw, climbing into the cabin¡ªonly to find Zafira gazing his way with her sharp golden eyes glowing in the dull carriage. "Goblins before Glans... heh. What a funny little joke, Leon." She then shifted her body, letting her loose robe slip down her arms, revealing the upper half of her soft, boundless breasts and touching her cheek. "It''s funny because I remember you asking me to lick your gl¡ª" Leonhardt rushed forward, almost tripping from the momentum of the rocking carriage, making Zafira''s chest bounce slightly with each rotation. He then covered her mouth and hissed. "Wait, wait... it''s not the time for that kind of talk! We''re almost there, so let''s get dressed, okay?" Zafira observed him with a smile before she narrowed her eyes like a deadly snake eyeing her prey. As she reached for him, the loud ringing of Astrea''s bell tower chimed, signalling they had arrived at the gates of Astrea and saved him. Chapter 122 - 122: Astrea City - A Lukewarm Greeting! "Master, we''ve arrived at the filthy human... Ahem! I mean the wonderful city of Ashtray!" "Astrea, Griv." Griv then grumbled and complained about the human cities all looking the same before he climbed down from the carriage and went to pay the entrance tax. "Well... I''ll be damned." The beautiful out gates of Astrea looked like frozen sculptures, the white metal something rumoured to be from an ancient time when the gods walked among the mortals. However, Leonhardt didn''t buy this and just thought they looked nice. A curious thought lingered about whether he could steal them for his dungeon. Zafira sat on the opposite seat while pretending to have no interest, but Leonhardt noticed her peeking out the window at the city several times. Maybe because of their strange relationship, he struggled to speak to her in the same manner. Since that night, it became a sort of ritual for her to handle his demon. ''Ifrit said is she gets a regular intake it will stop her going berserk...'' He didn''t trust the origin of fire but couldn''t help it. There were more important things for him to do other than get his wick wet inside a succubus, despite how amazing and pleasant her hand might be. "Leon, is this the place?" She asked, pretending to be nonchalant. "Of course it is, Zafi. Isn''t it beautiful?" Leonhardt caught her gazing at him with a faint smile when he called her by a nickname. It was something she asked him to do before letting him shoot directly into her mouth for the first time. What he didn''t notice was the slight furrow of her brow when he called the city beautiful. [Men!] (Young men!) He ignored the two women who liked to remind him about foolish mistakes while hormones and sex dominated his brain. The moment he climbed from the carriage, the guards protecting the gate frowned at him before spitting on the floor. Because they came from the south, it might seem that they are poor country bumpkins. However, Leonhardt ignored them and offered a hand to Zafira. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Your hand, my lady." Zafira stepped towards the door, forced to crouch because of her height. The exoskeletal boots with huge heels made her taller than Leonhardt. Maybe her sense of competition towards him was because without them, she was smaller. She watched the ornate runes on the gate with sparkling eyes while taking his hand and gracefully stepping down to the ground, thanks to Leonhardt''s body as he twirled her around and placed her beside him. The guards who spat earlier all looked stunned. Their eyes focused on the beauty and allure of Zafira, but they noticed that she only had eyes for the man beside her. After a brief look, she seemed bored with the white gates glowing with elemental magic and instead enjoyed the warmth of Leonhardt''s hand squeezing hers. Because this was the human realm, Zafira used a glamour spell and took the form of an elf, much like Leonhardt. Her horns vanished while her tail coiled around her thigh, and her wings became disguised as her long, puffy feathered dress, which could return to normal in an instant. "Leon, the city is beautiful but... what about me?" The pair stepped towards the gate, wearing clean and rather high-class clothes from the dungeon shop. "Show proof of identity." A guard called out to Leon, but his eyes trailed towards Zafira. "Here is my identification." He responded in an elegant and clear tone. Leonhardt produced a high-quality noble ID that he used the dungeon to forge, but because he used the Embervale emblem and name. So the ID wasn''t actually a lie and resembled the real thing. Zafira''s eyes focused on her hand, still able to feel Leonhardt''s warmth that slowly faded. She narrowed her eyes while watching him and reached for his hand several times but pulled back at the last moment because of her nerves. "A noble... the Embervale family? I haven''t heard of them, but this is the correct ID." The second guard holding a metal device scanned the identification but nodded to the first, handing the card back. "It checks out¡ªhe''s someone from the elven continent." "Well, forgive my rudeness, Lord Embervale." ''Surprising, even though they looked so against me until checking my ID. It seems choosing to be a noble was a smart idea.'' The dungeon seemed to have considered his identity and looks, so now as Count Embervale. He could travel through the kingdom freely without issue. However, that didn''t mean he could just act like he wanted¡ªthere were dangers, and if checked by the highest tier of machine, it might not work out so simply. "No problem, you were just doing your duty." Leonhardt maintained his elegant and polite speech. Then hid the identification inside his inventory before turning to Zafira. "My wife is also permitted, I presume?" At his words, the guards looked like heaven had collapsed when gazing at the two. "O-Of course, Lord Embervale!" "Let the Lord of Embervale through!" Zafira''s eyes remained locked onto Leonhardt''s hand, her fingertips brushing past his each time he moved, but she couldn''t quite time it right. Her chest throbbed as she tried to overcome her nerves. She felt that struggling with something so simple was pathetic, and it infuriated her. However, when she saw his smile, no matter if false or true, she understood why everything fell apart from the moment she met him. "What''s the matter, Zafira?" Leonhardt asked as the huge white gates opened slowly with a groaning creak. The heavy doors shook with a deep vibrating hiss, causing a gust of dirt and mist to spread near the entrance. ''It must suck to be a guard...'' "Nn¡­I-I''m fine." His question seemed to catch her off guard as she hummed her answer and jerked away from him before noticing how strange her actions might seem. "Come on, let''s go... my dear wife." Leonhardt showed a cheeky smile, his white teeth glowing in the afternoon sun reflected off the ornate doors. The inside of the city felt like another world to Leonhardt. He watched from the entrance with an open mouth, gasping at how beautiful the city looked. Inspired and jealous, he wanted to improve his dungeon. He turned to see Zafira''s moody and bored expression but noticed the market just ahead of her face and lost focus. The glowing sigils of various shops shone with different bright and neon colours. Spell glyphs flickered on the walls. They offered deals and discounts while flying parchments in the shape of paper planes that delivered messages into mailboxes. It was a magical city full of street vendors selling wares and minor enhancements. "Leon?" Zafira followed his gaze and realised that Leonhardt had probably never seen anything like this. To her it was common, as the demon empire was the home of all magic and high-level enchantments. "Come on... let''s take a look." But she just couldn''t bring herself to make fun of him. Finally, Zafira grabbed Leonhardt''s hand, using the excuse of the busy crowds. "Try not to wander off and die, you foolish weakling." "Haha, sure... then shall we take a look?" He didn''t mind her words and knew it was just an excuse. A brief silence followed while Leonhardt wrapped her hand tightly, not allowing her to escape. He only replied with a low "Mm," which made her blush. What made the succubus feel over the moon was the moment their fingers intertwined like a lover, causing her tail to squeeze her inner thigh, almost turning the flesh blue. *** "Leon, look at this! It''s so funny... Oh my god!" The moment she put the black glasses on her face, she looked at Leonhardt and froze. "Hmm¡­ I think you don''t need to see these." She followed, changing her tone, before purchasing them from the old male vendor. The glasses showed the viewer something special¡ªthey only worked with one person, but they could see through that person''s clothes. A joke item enchanted with the lesser X-Ray magic, higher levels were useful for medicine and healers, but these... normally perverted old men bought them, which made the old man chuckle. "Eh, you want them, can''t I purchase them for you?" Leon tilted his head, noticing her wearing them happily before grasping his hand again. ''Well it''s rare she is this happy... who cares.'' "Oh!? Leon, they''re making a puppet play with magic!" Despite her previous moody look, the one enjoying the market most was Zafira. She bought food, strange fruits that tasted like mint, and Leon couldn''t deny her when seeing her eyes sparkling in such a dazzling light. The puppet show seemed to be something interesting as her dress shook, a sign her wings were fluttering, while Zafira herself looked back at Leonhardt several times with a vibrant smile on her face. "This is a tale from my homeland!" ''Strange... didn''t you want to escape that place, or do you actually love it?'' Leonhardt''s eyes focused because he didn''t know much about Zafira outside of her personality. She became guarded about her past and family. ''I want to learn more...'' Because of this, the pair entered the huge tent, which was showing a play related to something named: "The Great Demon Purge." Chapter 123 - 123: Street Magic & Twisted History The moment they entered, a crooked-nosed male led them into the show. Griv also followed but sat on a bench with dozens of female commoners from the city, despite his comments about the humans being pigs. It made Leonhardt chuckle to see him chatting with the slightly plump but pretty women sitting in the front row. "Come on, Leon!" In her human form, Zafira looked so cute and lovely, a unique atmosphere compared to her aggressively sensual aura in her demon form. She grabbed the puppet show''s program, which told the story. "Oh..." her face dimmed for a moment. "It''s about a different Great demon purge from the one I know." Leonhardt didn''t want her to be upset, so he rushed towards her and sat beside the succubus, his hand instinctively extending and brushing her hair behind her ear. "What happened in your version?" He grabbed the program and scanned the contents while waiting for Zafira to speak to him. Hundreds of people stuffed themselves into the small tent, with only a few noble boxes which overlooked the play away from the common folk. The noble box was the place where Leonhardt and Zafira enjoyed a cool magic artefact that cooled the box to a comfortable temperature. "Well..." Bzzzt¡ª! The lights dimmed as the showrunner stepped on stage and began his introduction. A low and baritone voice sang a mysterious and enchanting introduction song in the background, the volume increasing the closer the start became. "It was a battle for survival..." Zafira said in a low voice, as the narrator also spoke. [The evil demons, envious and greedy of humans, attack without mercy!] A shadowy image showed on the background, of a war with fire, broken buildings and the sounds of steel clashing, screams of pain and a demonic voice saying all sorts of vulgar and offensive things. "They came with torches, spears and swords forged with holy water... for our minerals and rare gemstones in waves. At the time there was no Demon King or Queen, because they mysterious died of illness... despite demons being resistant to diseases." [The fiendish demon king attempted to conquer the world, bringing the powerful and heartless demons together, preparing to traverse the Astrea basin! To attack the beautiful home of the White Gated City Astrea!] Images and scenes following the narrator''s words constantly formed, as a female soprano joined the baritone voice, creating a soothing melody before suddenly the lights snapped... and a male with blonde hair and blue eyes appeared. [Our King, the hero Adolf Appeared! Still but a young prince, his brothers obsessed with the throne, but he alone thought about the people and resisted the demon threat!] "The Prince of humans came to our kingdom, and my aunt became enamoured with him. He tricked her with his lies, and after they became one, she allowed his army into her territory..." [Be gone¡ªFoul Succubus! You wicked Temptress!] [He killed the evil demon, attempting to confuse and control his mind with her evil magic!] The Baritone singer bellowed, while the soprano''s voice trembled and became unstable as the actress playing the prince''s lover fell to the ground. Leonhardt''s chest pounded, not because of the play but because he could see the story of Zafira''s narration. It seemed as if his ears prioritised her voice as he looked at her dark, sorrowful face and understood that even demons must have a sense of family and emotions. Otherwise, they would be Monsters like him... The situation became worse... Humans invaded and destroyed half of the empire. This story happened decades before, but the current king conquered almost half of the demon empire, or its former name, the demon highlands. "It was at this point that my mother who watched her sisters dying one by one met with my father. He wasn''t a noble but a warrior. One of the strongest demons to exist in history who fought to survive born one of the weakest demons an imp. He evolved into a true devil in less than fifty years." "I see..." Leonhardt could feel her hand stroking his fingers, ever since they left the carriage and brief moment to buy things. She never once let their hands separate, using her tail at times to keep their wrists anchored together like a couple bracelet. Bzzzt¡ª! The play entered the first intermission, and the lights turned back on. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It ended after the prince sought to become the king of the Gladius Kingdom. He used the demons to boost his prestige and then returned a war hero, his hands stained with the blood of demons. ''Well, Demons aren''t moral creatures, but can humans really judge, or me for that fact?'' "How is the play so far, Zafira?" Her fingers rubbed against his knuckles, stroking his hand before gripping him tighter, and that''s when he noticed just for a brief moment... because it vanished into the air instantly after dripping from the corner of her eye. Zafira was crying. ''Did the memory of her family make her upset? How do I comfort a demon?'' What the puppet show did so far was to portray all succubi as temptress monsters without hearts. Zafira looked calm and solid without issues, but because he started to learn more about her fragile side, her glamour faded for a moment, and that''s how he saw her tears. She was even masking her emotions through the glamour spell! Leonhardt dryly muttered, "History is but a spell woven however the caster desires." His words caught her attention as she studied his face. "That''s... unexpectedly poetic... and sweet for you." He shrugs. "I''m full of surprises, and I find you more charming than any human. How dare they call you evil and ugly." After his honest comment, Zafira''s cheeks turned pink, her breathing heavier as she touched her chest. He could feel her throbbing pulse through their connected hands and realised that it wasn''t so complicated to comfort Zafira. ''She isn''t a demon, that''s right... Zafira is Zafira.'' Zafira leaned closer to him, the warmth of her breath and sweet scent of her body enveloping his senses as she kissed his cheek. "Leon, thank you. It means everything to hear you trying to cheer me up, shall we leave?" "What don''t want to hear about the human prince who falls in love with the princess from the elven kingdom?" "Huhu, it would be amusing if you fucked her brains out and made her obsessed with you." Zafira joked, squeezing his hand. The boring second part of the play focused on the King''s rise and how the demons still feared him... "However, my father doesn''t fear them. He is already planning how to destroy them, and it''s a plan he will put into action in the next few years." "He won''t succeed." "Eh? Why?" Zafira looked back at Leonhardt with a confused and shocked expression with her mouth wide open. "Because we will have already conquered this place by then!" Leonhardt understood Zafira better. Like a cautious cat, she pulled away if too direct, but when using subtle hints and words, it made her curious and come to him first. He used the word we instead of I on purpose. "Hehe, somehow that sounds really nice." The pair stood together and left the tent, both satisfied for different reasons, but what made Leonhardt even more happy was how the female beside Griv was reaching into his pants and her face was bright red. ''It seems Griv is ''Gathering Intel!'' So I''ll let him enjoy it.'' *** [Wow, that goblin is just like you!] (He seems to have a strange taste though¡ªgoblins have always preferred human women though, but what about the goblin woman he loved?) ''I think he''s gaining confidence, improving himself as a man to face her.'' [You think so?] (Ehhh~ that doesn''t make sense. I thought he LOVED her?) ''No woman wants a virgin man to ruin her first time... right? What if he''s bad in bed?'' The same was true for men¡ªthey didn''t want to ruin their first time with the girl they loved. Rather, many men were loyal, and Leonhardt admired them. But if a bad first time led to an estrangement, he would hate that and believed all experience would lead to a happy life. "Shall we grab something to eat, Leon?" Zafira continued their act as a husband and wife, almost glued to his arm, while her eyes watched the kebab machine turning around, with various exotic meats, different from the dungeon. ''Maybe I should hire or upgrade some goblins into chef and other jobs...'' After they learned how delicious food could be, they couldn''t stop. Even though neither of them needed to eat regularly, Leonhardt soon found that Zafira enjoyed eating and also mentioned that back home, they would mimic the human nobles and royals and eat like them. ''Well, she did mention it was for diplomatic reasons.'' Leonhardt, with a smile, rushed forward and ordered some kebab since Zafira hesitated. "Old man, can I get two huge servings with your recommended fillings and sauces?" "A noble, eh? Are you sure you want this ''common'' food?" He seemed a little hesitant and probably suffered in the past to nobles who came just to complain or didn''t respect his trade and craft. "Please make it extra hot! I will pay you in advance since it''s a hot day." Clang¡ª! Leonhardt flicked a large silver coin worth 10 silvers even though the kebabs were only worth 2 silvers each. Chapter 124 - 124: A Shadow on Their Tail! Not longer after, Leonhardt and Zafira finished their meal. Many people followed them and ordered kebabs identical to the pair. He watched Zafira, who opened her mouth and chomped down on her second kebab. ''Demons have huge appetites.'' "Delicious!" Zafira swooned, charmed by his sweet chili relish. "Didn''t you enjoy it?" She curled her lips into a wide grin dripping with the creamy white sauce while titling closer to Leonhardt''s chest. "I enjoy watching your beautiful face more." Leonhardt''s words made her cheeks flush, but the succubus turned away quickly. Her tail slipped under his arm and slapped his thigh several times. "Idiot!" "Am I?" Curious about her feelings, he didn''t mind moments like this. However, his eyes narrowed while the tail on his lap also started stroking along his thigh, writing a message from Zafira. [Someone is watching us!] She continued eating her sandwich, but Leon felt grateful they shared similar senses. "What should we do?" "Kill them?" "In the human city? My succubus is so brave." "Ah..." Zafira blushed at his words, the effect of calling her his succubus, something he discovered the second time she tried to drain him. Zafira enjoyed it when he treated her a little roughly and put them together. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Be it as lovers, sexual partners or a dungeon master and his aide. "Let''s find out who it is, after you finish lets head there." Leonhardt pointed to one of the most unpopular districts in the city of Astrea. There were countless back streets and dark places in the slums where they could capture him without notice and learn where he comes from. *** Zafira devoured her kebab like a starving beast before the pair headed towards the slums. A hooded young man in a dark cloak shadowed them from roughly five meters behind them, hiding in the shadows using his dirty clothes. He moved nimbly and used his short figure to sneak through the crowds. "He''s likely never dealt with mages before." "Or a monster like you." "Says you?" The two muttered together before quickly taking a left. Before Leonhardt lifted his arm, wrapping the other around Zafira''s waist and spraying a sticky web. Then he dragged them up into the air as they swung out of sight. A moment later, the boy rushed into the alley. He hesitated for a moment, looking around, as Leonhardt and Zafira hung just above him. However, the body never looked up and crept further, checking the bins, the small nooks and gaps, but he just couldn''t find them. "Where did they go...?" A young voice echoed as he held a small pocket-sized knife. The reason they chose this alley was simple because it had a dead-end. Zafira fluttered her wings, eyes flashing red for a moment while licking her lips as if she were a wolf seeing its prey. Leon rubbed her cheek and whispered. "Don''t kill him, just make it impossible for him to escape. He smells like those fools from The Last Call. A member of Enzo''s gang, and it seems that they''ve gone back on their word." "Just leave it to me." Her wings fluttered, and then she dropped. There was a brief burst of noise before everything fell silent, and Zafira appeared behind the boy, her right hand with extended sharp claws around his neck. A moment later, Leonhardt followed her. He landed with a soft tap as he stepped towards the young man. He ignored the poor human who trembled in terror. His left arm hung without strength as Zafira stomped on his right thigh, her sharp heel piercing his flesh, twisting it with a sadistic smile as the boy squealed. "Who sent your after us, child?" Leonhardt''s low, deep voice was almost heavenly compared to Zafira''s. "If you tell us, we might spare your life. Lie, and I will kill you now." "W-what?" He sounded terrified at first, but when Leonhardt''s words registered within him, a glimmer of hope blossomed in his eyes. "I-I... I was told to watch you by Enzo." Zafira snorted at the boy''s immature nature. He let his words flow out like a flood, and it was the most foolish choice. This boy probably didn''t have any meaning to their group. Enzo would kill him for speaking, so the child just doomed himself like a fool. ''Well... maybe it was a test.'' Leonhardt raised an eyebrow and stepped back. "And do you know where this Enzo is right now?" "E-Eh?!" "Tell us where they meet!" Zafira dug her claws an inch into the boy''s chest, twisting her fingers with a pleasant look. The boy cried in pain until she removed them, then caved and gave up the location. "They gather at the third building on the left of the old magical store. There is a shortcut beside the shop called Veinlace in the Silver veil district!" "I see." Leonhardt''s mouth curled into a smile as he walked past them both, and his hand touched the boy''s head, with Zafira tossing the child''s lifeless body aside. He killed the boy using his magic to burn his brain instantly, devouring the tiny amount of mana and power inside the human''s body. "Hmm... that was a little boring." "Don''t be so mad. wasn''t the kebab-and-play together fun?" Leonhardt extended his arm to her with a faint smile. "Come on, let''s enjoy the last of our date." "Ah¡ª! Okay then, Mm that sounds better!" Enzo and his gang could wait because they had sent one person, and Leonhardt knew they would probably send more after discovering Leon killed the kid. He didn''t care about that, though and instead guided Zafira outside of the alley with a wolfish smile. Suddenly, fog started filling the room, a magical enchantment that cleaned the city using an enchanted fog filled with water mana. Though it would prioritise the more noble districts, it still cleaned the slums and merchant quarters. Leonhardt peered back at the alley and shook his head. "They seem to think the city belongs to them." Zafira tilted her head with a curious expression. "And you think it belongs to you?" "No," he said quietly before pulling her closer to him. "Us." Her cheeks blushed at his words, noticing they clasped their hands tightly again with their fingers interwoven. "Hmph... fool, don''t be so mushy." *** The moment the pair vanished into the city crowds, two people appeared in the alley, one kneeling to close the child''s dead eyes. It was Ace and Jack, wearing dark cloaks. The young boy showed signs of torture, yet Ace didn''t feel a lick of sympathy. He hated people like this, who couldn''t do anything right and just died in the end. At least, that was the act he liked to put on. In reality, he was one of the softest members of the group and recruited this boy named Jonathan himself. But his grey eyes shone with hatred. "Those monsters..." Jack''s black hair swayed in the breeze. He knew Enzo didn''t want to antagonise Leonhardt or the woman beside him. Yet he couldn''t accept that the newest recruit died in such a fashion... left dead in the back streets to rot. "I don''t like it." He muttered. "What are we going to do about them?" Ace gazed back. The old man looked worn down by the stress of everything. It was the first time Jack saw a genuine look of worry. "They are both dangerous, especially the woman." But they couldn''t act unless willing to betray Enzo and face the punishment of acting against the interest of the gang. "Jack... don''t do it, Enzo won''t accept it." However, the black-haired male vanished into the mist before Ace spoke again in a low voice that faded into the foggy alleyway. "Why do you all ignore what I say... I''m the second in command, please... don''t die." Chapter 125 - 125: The Demoness, The Brothel and The Innocent Clerk! Silver Veil, this district, was one where the nobles and most of the money in the city lingered, from magical tools and hidden alchemists selling forbidden love potions or poison. The Silver Veil district was a place for mages, nobles and merchants to thrive. However, the brilliance of magic brought with it a sinister shadow that followed in the nooks and crannies forgotten by those who only care about their benefits. ¡ª Zafira and Leonhardt held hands while enjoying the sights of Silver Veil, from the nostalgic magic shops that made her curious and disappointed on the level compared to the ones back home... "It''s not fun if they can''t kill someone." She muttered. "Well, humans are strange about things like this." Leonhardt comforted her as they passed by several other stores. They created the district like a curved staircase¡ªwith six platforms, and the higher you travelled, the closer you came to the city''s castle and the noble residences. There were six platforms, also known as a ring by the locals, at the end of each circle where a massive rectangle of land¡ªbuilding the lowest platform over the slums. Each level of the spiral represented a social level. The first ring and lowest belonged to the rich merchants lucky enough to purchase a store and home in the Silver Veil, with the homes being on a huge artificial land elevated above the slums, but it looked beautiful with thick white pillars keeping it elevated. "Those pillars are using demon magic to maintain the weight..." "Really?" Leon enjoyed Zafira''s knowledge of magic and enchantments, his arm wrapping around hers so he didn''t miss her comments. "Yeah... even the design is something from the demon capital. All demons follow a certain sin as their creed and source of power. So each layer represents a different type of sin, following the demon emperor''s decree." "So like... there''s a floor for those who follow Pride and another for Lust and Gluttony?" Leonhardt only knew the logical terms and lacked practical and useful information. That''s why Safira helped a lot. Even though someone followed them into this district, their aura of hatred and intent to kill made a delightful spice. "So... all the way up there, would be nobles? Oh, why do the platforms become smaller I sit the same in your city?" Zafira''s eyes flickered with light when she spoke about her homeland¡ªshe felt delighted. Especially when Leonhardt didn''t complain and even asked questions. Her feathers fluttered wildly, almost unfurling and leaving her naked as they formed her dress. "Hehe, this is so fun.. I am so happy right now, Leon!" Ba-Dum¡ª! The moment she turned to face him. His breathing stopped for a moment. "Beautiful..." "Eh?" Leonhardt looked at her with shocked eyes. He couldn''t stop them from widening as his pupils dilated. The faint pink mist that puffed from her body each time she was happy or delight surged upon him like a wave. "Nothing compares to your smile." Zafira''s eyes narrowed into curved slits as she tilted her head. Being a creature of seduction, it was rare for someone else to seduce them, which made his sudden words catch her off guard as her mouth opened and closed in shock. "Leon?" Before she realised, he was hugging her body, tightly embracing her, which caused Zafira''s heart to race faster. Unlike her berserk form from the other night that stopped her pheromones from secreting, now anyone who could see magic would find the entire street filled with pink fog. The only solace was that her pheromones only worked on Leonhardt now. "S-Sorry..." Leonhart shook his head. The sweet scent that used to tease him was now something he understood¡ªit was the aroma of Zafira''s body, her sweat, her saliva and other places. He tried to cool himself down by focusing on the flow of his mana to calm himself. ''Wow even my mana has turned a shade of pink.'' "I''m okay now, phew..." "Mhm." Zafira wanted to say more, but she enjoyed his arms around her hips and the warmth of his body seeping into hers. "Shall we..." "Yeah, let''s go. I think our tail is growing frustrated with watching." Thanks to the ID that Ifrit created using the dungeon system, which used his bloodlines to form a genuine copy that worked in all kingdoms. The pair could go up to the fifth ring, but because of the business they had in a certain store, they stopped for today. *** The evening city streets of Silver Veil shone beautifully as floating lamps lined them and glimmered across the clean cobblestones. A far cry from the streets below them, with uneven and mismanaged roads. Zafira and Leonhardt returned to the first ring when their hands brushed together, no longer joined but sometimes touching like this. "It must be expensive to keep them lit. They''re using mana stones, not mana..." Zafira muttered as they approached their target. "I suppose." Leon had no clue about the difference or cost, but she looked happy to chirp and chatter about them. ''I have to visit her home, it''s clear she wants to return.'' But for that, he would need more strength and authority. Otherwise, they might take Zafira from his side, and he hated that thought. During their date, he bought her several trinkets, but the main one was a mirror, which was supposed to be cursed and make someone look like a demon. ''I never knew she liked cursed items before...'' It seemed to be a common hobby for girls in the demon empire, so he took notes for the future. That''s when they came to a grand store, with a white stone exterior and an old, but elegant sigh with the named "Veinlace" on the surface in purple cursive letters. "Let''s go inside first." "Yeah, there''s no rush, right?" Although the child told them to take the small alley beside it, the velvet curtains covering the entrance made Leon and Zafira curious about what was on sale. ''Wow!'' Instantly, they realised it wasn''t a "Normal" shop... at the front desk was a beautiful brunette woman wearing nothing. Her breasts hung just over the counter, with small black patches covering her nipples and one on her crotch. They seemed to glow and vibrate with a magical command. "Well, well, well... we''ve been expecting someone like you..." The woman gazed up and down at Leonhardt with greedy eyes, causing Zafira''s body to tremble. "Oh, really? Why do you say that?" Leonhard gazed around and found several other curtains at the back of the store while the shop was filled with floating charms, moaning spell bottles, and perfume that masked the scent of semen. There were bottles labelled aphrodisiacs, treatments for Erectile dysfunction, even potions that would amplify a woman''s natural lubrication. He couldn''t read many of them on the shelves... but all their uses pertained to sex or sensual usages. It was a sex shop for mages! "Wouldn''t you like to enjoy our ''Gallery'' Dear customer?" The woman then snapped her fingers, before an image appeared on the wall, and instantly Zafira''s hand gripped Leonhardt''s like a vice, interlocking their fingers and yanking him closer to her. The image showed a male tied to a chair and several women... enjoying his ''services.'' "Ah, no thanks!" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt lowered his eyes, not interested in other people''s copulation. Instead, he browsed the potions and wondered if the dungeon shop could make more efficient and cheaper versions to make some money. "L-Leon... are you interested in these kinds of things?" Zafira swayed her shoulders and looked at the bottle in his hands... ''Anal Love Slime.'' She twisted her hips and leaned close to his ear before whispering. "I... if it''s you, I don''t mind trying." "Ahem!" Leonhard cleared his throat and placed the bottle down. He honestly wondered if this was a type of monster because of the word slime. "Well... not now." "Mm..." The atmosphere became complicated, and Zafira''s cheeks turned as pink as her mist for the first time before she dragged him outside and then vanished for a few moments. "Wait here, please!" *** Meanwhile, inside the store, the brunette brightened up, thinking Leonhardt had returned, but sighed when it was the women he had brought. "Welcome..." "I know you''re thoughts, keep them inside your filthy head!" Zafira''s eyes shone with a glowing light while an undulating pink aura flowed into the woman. The woman''s eyes became dull as she dropped onto the counter, crushing her breast. "Never look at him in such a way again, or I''ll make you into a useless slut who loves homeless slum cock!" "Yes, Mistress." She replied in a dull, monotone voice and swayed after lifting off the counter. Zafira huffed air from her nose and returned to the shelf from earlier. She then picked several bottles of the things Leon looked at. "Breast Milk? Will it work on demons?" Her eyes narrowed before she bought ten potions and placed them in the shining ring on her wedding ring finger. Then turned to the shop assistant and her eyes flashed again. "You are forbidden from telling anyone what I bought or did here! Forget everything!" "Understood... Mistress." "When I snap my fingers, you will return to normal, with your sensitivity increased tenfold!" SNAP¡ª! Zafira just wanted to play a trick as she skipped out of the store, but what she didn''t know was that the trigger for the worker''s crotch and nipple patches to activate was the snap of someone''s fingers. "Hnnngh!?" Immediately after the demoness vanished, the assistant collapsed in a sudden assault of pure pleasure and bliss. At least for the first hour... Chapter 126 - 126: The Last Fool... Jack followed the disgusting murderers with his hand grasping his sword. He couldn''t mask the anger in his heart from how the young child died. Despite knowing that this made him a hypocrite because of his work, the Last Call only killed those they deemed dangerous and a threat and never killed children. ''Well, it''s probably because of Enzo''s daughter...'' "Why did they enter that store?" Jack muttered to himself as he hid in the shadows. He hid on the ledge above the Veinlance store because he expected them to head towards the Last Call and not enter the dirty brothel instead. People passed by, unaware of the assassin hiding in the darkness. His blade half drawn, ready to take a life instantly, before the store''s velvet curtain opened with a jingle, causing many people to look towards the store. It was a famous place in the city, for young female nobles to buy special potions and items to improve their nightlife or... to enjoy the body of a young lover. ''Dirty pigs.'' Jack snorted, watching the women all gazing at the door with dreamy eyes the moment they saw Leonhardt. He didn''t have thoughts about other men and only liked women. But he couldn''t deny that the monster in front of him was beautiful, and the same for his companions. Leonhardt himself was dangerous¡ªhis charm was like an incubus. ''Boss thinks that the kid is harmless, that after beating him once he shed the monsters skin and clipped his claws.'' Leonhardt stood outside the shop, looking back with an emotionless face. The moment he wasn''t with that woman or other people, he became different. Cold, inhuman, eerie. Yet, people seemed oblivious to his dead gaze, as if viewing other humans as nothing, not even accepting their existence. However, as Jack observed his target, it became clear how strange he was. ''Boss, you are my brother but this thing cannot be left alive, I won''t allow him to sneak into our group and destroy us from the inside.'' "Zafira is taking her time, I say. Should I just deal with you now?" Leonhardt tapped his wrist before looking around with a sigh. Jack took a breath before removing his gaze to adjust his position to attack. "Huh!? Where did he go?" Leonhardt''s body vanished in the blink of an eye. Jack took his eyes off the monster for a moment and was gone, with no scent or aura... Then¡ªa cold sensation travelled up Jack''s spine. THUD¡ª! Leonhardt''s hand smashed the black-haired man''s face against a stone wall, shattering two of his teeth, while his foot stepped on the hand holding his katana, driving it back into the sheath with a click and forcing him to kneel. "That''s no way for a gentleman to act, hiding in the shadows like a rat." "Urgh!!! You... *THUD* Argh...!" "Silence, worm... why have you been following me like disgusting vermin from the moment I entered this district? Answer what I ask, or I''ll crush your hand." Leonhardt grabbed Jack''s hair, tearing clumps from his head before smashing his face into the wall each time he made an annoying noise or spoke about irrelevant things. "Now then, tell me why you are here, did Enzo betray me?" "T-There''s no way he would! *Thud* Ngh...!" Blood poured from Jack''s nose and mouth, but Leonhardt''s expression didn''t change. Rather, he looked more serious, narrowing his eyes before gripping Jack''s head in a vice grip. "Then why are you sneaking after us and releasing that paltry killing intent and spreading your sour and disgusting scent?" Jack''s mind raced, trying to think about how he could escape. His magic didn''t seem to work, nor would his aura gather the moment Leonhardt touched him. His stomach churned with a nauseating feeling spread through his body. It felt as if something was sucking away his strength. "I..." ''NO! Why should I grovel to this bastard, this disgusting monster!'' Jack''s inner voice screamed as he hit his head off the wall with a crutch, using the momentum to roll back out of Leonhardt''s grasp and draw his sword. Leonhardt stepped back and leaned to the side, like taking a bow, avoiding the quick slash before his eyes shone with a bright blue light, activating his arachne sight. "So you really want to die, human?" "Heh! A monster like you wearing human skin doesn''t have the right to ask me, or that nauseating bitch beside you¡ª" A blazing claw cut through the air, creating flickering ember trails as Leonhardt''s arm slashed through the air, carving Jack''s face. Without time to avoid the attack, Jack''s body dropped to the ground from Leonhardt''s immense strength, with deep gashes across his flesh. Because using magic would trigger an alarm, Leon chose to just use his claws of fire skill. A simple ability gained from his Djinn bloodline. However, thanks to his constant evolutions, it became stronger, like his muscles and bones, and different from a static weapon. It evolved! Crack¡ª! Leonhardt stepped on Jack''s wrist. Then used his heel to grind his bones as they creaked and snapped under the pressure. Forever damaging Jack''s future as a swordsman well, if he had one. "Please...P-Please...." ''Anything... to survive, I must trick this monster!'' Fear and terror feelings he detached to survive in this world, killing humans, monsters, elves, whoever the client wanted to kill, Jack killed. Yet, this fear a long forgotten sense of dread, helpless and forced to watch as others suffered in his place, before he too endured. "Hmm...?" Leonhardt''s focus switched because Zafira had just finished her purchase and seemed to be in a good mood, almost bouncing with each step as she approached the door. "Well it looks like you got lucky this time..." With one last look at the convulsing human, Leonhardt lowered his body and pierced through Jack''s right shoulder with his searing claws. The stench of melting flesh was disgusting, but with a small crack, a smile came to Leonhardt''s lips before he vanished. "Are you finished, what did you buy, anything good?" "Hehe~ I bought some interesting things." Jack''s body convulsed on the ground, the feeling of sweat covering his body as his crotch became warm and damp. The terror he felt was nothing compared to the day he met Leonhardt a few weeks before. It was like staring at a bottomless pit of darkness. When he reached out for his fallen sword, his right shoulder suddenly made a loud pop, and his arm dropped. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ngh...? No... what has he done!?" Jack screamed out in anguish. His right arm wouldn''t move or shift even when his aura gathered¡ªit just remained limp. The monster crippled his arm, took away his only weapon. ''No...no...no...no!'' Jack''s pale, bloody face distorted in mental and physical agony. Leonhardt damaged Jack''s right shoulder blade, cracked it so that when he tried to move, the bones would all shatter into pieces. "You monster... you fucking monster... I''ll kill you... No matter what!" Frenzy, anger and insanity filled the man''s eyes. His sword was his life, his medicine and path. "Haa... this is why I told you to stop." A plump, middle-aged man stood in the distance, watching the crawling Jack while shaking his head. His face filled with concern and sorrow until he faced the back of Leonhardt and Zafira, who swung around his body and spoke with a bright expression and sparkling eyes. "Enzo... I fear you''ve awakened the abomination, rather than tamed him." Ace hopped across the buildings, towards the fallen Jack with a grim expression, because the Last Call had a promise and oath to each other and Enzo. An oath that meant should they become useless or want to retire from the business... They would have to kill every other member. Now that Jack couldn''t lift his arm, let alone a sword and with his face deformed, the man who was adept at spying and gathering intel now became worthless. Not to Ace, but in the eyes of the group, and this wasn''t Ace''s first time dealing with this situation. When he landed on the same balcony as the fallen eastern warrior, he called his name... softly, and with the lingering affection of brothers in arms. "Jack..." "A-Ace...? Why are you here?" However, the calm and fair Ace didn''t answer, his face covered by his noble style bowler''s hat. Ace stepped forward and twirled a small vial through his fingers before placing a small cover over his mouth. "If you want to hold a grudge, I accept it. But this is how we work. The monster has broken your sword." Jack''s body trembled when hearing Ace speak in a low and monotone voice. "A-Ace... I can still fight¡ªit''s just a flesh wound, right? Look!" The grey eyes of the man seemed brighter than usual. When he fought against Asuka, he started out docile before they shone with a vibrant glow. He gazed down at the fallen Jack, his close friend and companion. Yet he couldn''t do anything. "Don''t make this harder for me. You know why I cannot save you and that I warned you multiple times..." Jack tried to stand, desperate, but he slipped on his blood, as he fell and rolled onto his back staring at the cloudy sky now changing into night. "The boss said not to touch him, or bother him... Jack, from this moment on, you are expelled from your role as Jack, and banished from the Last Call." "Why?" Jack''s eyes dripped with tears at his friend from the past ten years. "Because I am the executioner, and this¡ª is your last call!" Ace opened the vial''s cork and dropped the black liquid into Jack''s mouth. The poison seeped into the warrior''s blood and turned his veins black, which bulged and writhed under his skin before the man known as Jack died. *** Ace sat atop the tallest building in the Fist Ring of Silver Veil, holding a small bottle of eastern alcohol and filling his bowler''s hat as the sky began to pour, rain covering his face and body as his sharp gaze watched Leonhardt, who headed to their hideout. "Enzo, it might be me you are burying tomorrow." Chapter 127 - 127: The Strange Bar and Drunk Succubus!? Leonhardt''s eyes closed, the blue glow fading as he watched the fat old man drinking above them. He smiled while nodding because now it was time for him to visit Enzo. He looked at Zafira beside him, happily smiling while carrying a bundle of blue and pink candyfloss. "Mmmn~ its so sweet." "I don''t want to be a murderous beast... but they keep forcing my hands." Leon whispered. "Huh? What did you say, Leon?" Zafira asked while munching on her floss with glowing eyes; sometimes, she seemed more like a normal woman her age rather than a demon princess. ''No, maybe a demon and human aren''t that different; demons are just less contradicting of themselves. A human lives with virtues and sins, while a demon lives free of those feelings and thoughts.'' If a demon wished to kill, they killed. If they wanted to eat, they ate. That''s how simple things were to a demon. Leonhardt preferred this way of life but knew that rules could also be of benefit to his kingdom. Thanks to human knowledge, he couldn''t say all of humanity''s choices were flawed or wrong. "Leon?" "Hm, what''s wrong?" "Nothing... you just looked a little angry." Her fingertip poked his cheek, the sweet scent of her body and the candyfloss mixed into a fruity aroma that he couldn''t help but have a taste. "Ah!?" "Mmmm, very sweet... I think that you taste better than the candyfloss, though." Leonhardt''s compliment was honest; he didn''t do it to seduce or win points, but he always found Zafira''s scent and taste to be closer to his preference. However, the lovely succubus, not used to dealing with him being sweet, became embarrassed. Zafira''s wings fluttered as she hurriedly rushed down the alley leading to the Last Call bar. When she looked back, Leon could see her pink cheeks and heart-shaped pupils and couldn''t help but start humming in an amused tone. The heart-shaped pupils seemed to be something limited to a succubus. "Well, after all isn''t she sweet." *** The slums were shrouded in an almost eternal night because of the sixth platform blocking the sunlight. Leonhardt wondered if a genius alcoholic planned this so he could always get a drink in the slums. ''Though it''s probably to hide them and drain their spirits...'' He gazed at the surroundings with a blank look, fallen food rotting on the floor, broken boxes, cardboard houses and blocked shops and stores now out of business. This place wasn''t somewhere anyone would like to call home. Nasty water that looked more like sludge was draining along the cheap, cracked cobblestones into the overflowing drains. ''Even the rats won''t drink that water...'' The pair walked side-by-side, not afraid of what lurked in these dark corners, and instead enjoyed the cold atmosphere. Leonhardt preferred these cold and dark places rather than the noisy and crowded ones. An occasional fool tried to approach him or Zafira, but she dealt with it easily. Her tail quickly stabbed their throat, or she used her eyes to brainwash them. "Is this the place, Leon... it looks pretty clean." "Yeah, for the slums it''s not bad. It even had electricity and basic magic enchantments." Zafira grabbed Leonhardt''s hand before they stepped inside. It seemed she had forgotten about him teasing her earlier, and what made him the most amused was how she seemed to have got so into her roleplay as an elven noble that she forgot she was a demon. "Shall we head inside, my lady?" Leonhardt''s voice held a mocking tone, but his smile wasn''t full of scorn, just a playful look. He leaned forward and kissed the side of her hand, causing Zafira to hum with a pleasant sound. "Lead the way, my honoured lord." Her words were equally sarcastic but amusing. It was almost like she could be more honest with her feelings while playing pretend. *** The bar looked more like a tavern than a place for criminals or ordering murders. A few regulars were drinking at the clean tables, and the bottles even looked new, not the recycled type with a slight brown or green tint, all of them pure and see-through. A woman sat in a booth near the corner, wearing a low-cut shirt to attract men towards her with the promise of sex or love. But hey, this was the slums, and Leonhardt didn''t care. Only humans would hate things like that. However, he noticed that the "Queen" was the one behind the bar serving people. Wavy red hair down to her hips, blue eyes and a mole under her right eye. The moment they locked eyes, she looked spooked at first before showing a welcoming business smile. "What can I get you, Sir?" She asked with a sweet tone of voice. She unbuttoned her shirt to reveal her cleavage. The woman was clearly a seductress, but she seemed to only do this as a ploy to draw in victims since she carried the scent of Enzo, much like Dia did before. Zafira pushed close to Leon, her breasts and her beauty a higher class than Queen, causing her face to twitch as she hugged Leonhardt''s arm and asked. "The strongest you have." She winked at him. "I''m feeling a little thirsty." Queen looked at Leon with an apologetic smile but seemed more annoyed than amused by Zafira. ''Women always compete over stupid things.'' He thought for a moment before nodding at another thing in his mind. ''I guess men might be the same with their cock size?'' "I''ll have the same as her, and please tell Joker, we''re here to see him." Leonhardt tossed the pouch of silver onto the counter with a loud thud that drew the gaze of most patrons. A rich person in the slums, well... what could go wrong? ''That''s right, become greedy.'' Leonhardt''s growth couldn''t rely on levelling alone. He needed to devour more people at Jack''s level. The small boost might not change the world, but even the scant amount of meat a rabbit has could sate a starving man. Queen looked at Leon, her smile fading, before she poured them two drinks from Enzo''s stash. "I''ll let him know." "Hey~ what''s this called?" The drink was red with a frozen blueberry floating at the top. Zafira took a sip, then another before finishing half of it with one gulp, leaving the berry as a snack, crunching it in her sharp, powerful jaws, and waving her hand. "Another!" Queen once again looked to Leon, who nodded and sighed. "It''s called the Blue Blooded kiss, it''s made from a rare herb found in the western regions. But because of it''s cost, we named it after blue blood, which comes from the herb''s colour and rumours that nobles have blue blood" "Mm, it''s delicious! Don''t you think?" Zafira''s eyes looked strange, dilated and filled with life. "Let me see..." Leonhardt sniffed the drink. ''Hm?'' The scent reminded him of Zafira when they first met, and he couldn''t adjust to her scent. His eyes squinted before he took a large sip. It tasted delicious, with a sharp tropical fruity taste followed by a spicy aftertaste, and seemed to be an aphrodisiac. He could feel his crotch swell instantly, and his blood boiled with a racing heart. ''What the hell did she serve!?'' He gritted his teeth and forced the devouring core of the World Eater to swallow half of the alcohol. The core eased the symptoms and caused his vision and body to calm, but the heat made his flesh look slightly darker. ''This alcohol would KILL a normal human!'' "Hehehehe~ did you know it''s thiiiiis big." "What!? Really?" Zafira leaned close to the Queen, whispering in her ear as the two no longer seemed to be aggressive to each other, somehow becoming chatty friends. Leonhardt could also feel the Queen''s gaze towards him became different, shameful, curious... and lots of desire. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yup~ I was surprised at first, too, because he seemed normal! Then it wen''t POP! and slapped my¡ªArgh! Stop!" Leonhardt grabbed her by the base of her tail, reaching into her skirt and pulling her back, "Can you bring more of that drink for me and something sweeter for her, *wink* along with snacks." The Queen saw his wink and showed an understanding smile before she nodded. "No problem, dear customer." ''Well we just spent enough for a small sized hit for drinks, I guess she is a lot softer now.'' However, now he faced an additional problem. It was clear that Zafira''s core couldn''t digest the alcohol as she curled around his arm, kissing his forearm towards his shoulder and neck while glancing at him with glassy eyes. ''How will I solve this issue?'' Chapter 128 - 128: Feelings Stuck in the back of his throat The problem almost solved itself. Zafira''s legs gave out the moment she tried to climb off the barstool, clinging to Leonhardt''s side with a soft whimper. Her body was flexible, heavy with a warm, sweet, cloying heat. She mumbled in his ear and incoherently babbled, her breath fruity and sharp with the drink''s lingering spices. "You''re going to be punished for public seduction," Leonhardt muttered, slipping an arm under her knees and hosting her up like a newlywed. The bar''s air shifted once the sky turned dark, with murmurs and a few chuckles, but no one dared to make too much noise. "Hehe, I will seduce you more~ L¡ªeon." Leonhardt nodded to the redhead behind the bar. The Queen gestured to the hallway, which led to their inn rooms, before tossing him some brass keys with a number five on them. "Second door on the left. Try not to break the bed," she said with a smirk. He didn''t answer her taunt. His boots thudded against the creaky steps as he carried Zafira upward, her arms lazily draped around his neck as she giggled into his collarbone. "You''re warm," she whispered. Once again, he just gazed at her, not responding. The hallway was dim, flickering lights barely holding back the shadows. The scent of aged ale and cracked leather walls filled Leonhardt''s keen nose, growing stronger with each step. He stopped at the second door, with a rusted metal number five, twisted the key, and rammed it open when stuck. Inside, he found a decent room with a double bed, basic nightstand, dented copper basin and an old oil lamp flickering beside a cracked mirror. But the moment the door shut, it became quiet. Private. Safe. Leonhardt lowered Zafira onto the mattress, brushing her hair. She landed with a soft "mmpf," blinking up at him with eyes that glowed faintly golden in the low light. "You''re so... serious," she mumbled, pawing at his chest. "I thought demons were the scary ones." "I''m not in the mood to argue philosophy with a drunk succubus," he said. "Not drunk," she said proudly, blinking slowly. "Just a little... light-headed." "Of course." She sat up with her cheeks puffed out, reaching for him. Her hands¡ªdelicate, soft and tipped with claws as she cupped his cheeks. Her expression wasn''t lustful. It was oddly innocent. "Thank you for the date," she whispered. "It was... really special. I haven''t laughed that much in forever." The rare compliment from Zafira made Leonhart''s lips curl into a smile. He looked down at her, this woman who could tear the hearts from knights and honoured warriors, smiling like an innocent girl after her first dance. "Did you enjoy it, if so that''s all that matters." "Mmm... then I guess it''s even better. No pressure. No pretending." She leaned forward and kissed him. It wasn''t a heated and passionate kiss, just warm, like a feather, a soft press touching his lips with a sense of fragility beneath. It lasted only a second, but the feeling lingered. She pulled back and lay down, her tail curling under the sheets, her wings fluttering once before tucking close to her body. "I think¡­ I''m falling for you¡­" she whispered, barely audible. "Even if you don''t want me to." Leonhardt froze. He knew her feelings from the moment she attacked him during her fit. Yet, when hearing her sat it so honestly. Those words didn''t come from her lips like a deadly weapon. Not her usual seduction. No manipulation. Just the girls'' pure and painful feelings. He stood there a moment longer, watching her eyes lazily drifted closed, her breathing slowed. She became serene, a faint smile still resting on her soft lips. Leonhardt moved to the window, pulling the thin curtain aside, staring out into the pitch black slums that resembled a void. The scent of her candyfloss and spiced berry breath still clinging to him. ''She''s stronger than you. More refined. More free.'' The truth bit into his pride like a rose thorn, a beautiful flower with a sharp warning. He could take her right now. Give in. She wouldn''t stop him¡ªhell, she would definitely beg him to keep going. But that would make him lesser. That would make her his crutch, not a partner. And he wanted to stand beside her, not beneath her. Leonhardt looked out the window, barely able to see the silver moonlight covered by the platform, before sighing as he touched his chest. Able to feel the throbbing beats of his chest pounding against his ribs. "Maybe... as much as I try to resist it... I''ve fallen for you too, Zafira." With one last glance, he pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, brushed the loose hairs from her cheeks, and kissed her forehead before stepping out. He closed the door as quietly as possible behind him. The dark hallway spread out before him, like a tunnel to another world, and at the end of it a man waited for him in silence: Joker. "Meet me downstairs." *** Leonhardt''s boots pressed quietly along the worn floorboards, the flickering wall-lanterns humming with faulty coiled magic. A cheap, makeshift copy. Signature of the slums. Behind him, the room''s door clicked shut¡ªsoft, final. The warmth of Zafira''s breath, the scent of her hair, her fragile smile¡­ all of it tucked away like a dream at sunrise. The stairway groaned under his weight as he descended back into the bar, but the tavern was quieter now. No laughter like before. Fewer drunks. The light dimmed to a sullen amber. The Queen leaned against the bar, idly polishing a glass that already sparkled, her red hair falling over one eye. When she looked up at Leonhardt, the smile vanished from her eyes. No fear, only aggression and pity. She jerked her head toward the iron-reinforced door past the back booths. "He''s waiting." Leonhardt remained silent, ignoring her. He adjusted his coat and strode past her. The click of his steel boots against the wooden boards was the only sound. The hallway behind the iron door was narrow and long, lined with warped wood and again pictures on the walls drained of colour. He could smell it¡ªblood and scorched metal. A faint tinge of oil used to clean torture racks. The kind of hallway built by men who didn''t believe in mercy, only efficiency. As he walked, his mind drifted to the fight with Enzo a few weeks ago. Leonhardt might have held an advantage with his race, power, and speed. It wasn''t because of these things he lost, but mostly his mindset and training. Enzo moved with such a clean and practised motion. A blur. His sword cut through Leonhardt like a ghost with inhumane elegance. He remembered the sound his bones made as they cracked under the pressure of him overusing Tyrant Accel. Yet even that only brought him a single blow, one lucky attack. And yet Enzo walked away with a smug smile. The only reason he didn''t die was Erina. If he hadn''t tried recruiting Erina, then Enzo would have killed him before he could recover. But what about now? Could he fight Enzo? Leonhardt stopped at the end of the hallway. The door before him was black iron, scorched at the edges, with the Joker sigil¡ªan upside-down playing card¡ªscratched into its surface. There was no handle. Just a slit along the edge. He knocked once, then twice. Silence. BANG! A hiss of air spread from the door after Leonhardt kicked it. The door clicked and creaked open, revealing a room filled with cigar smoke and candlelight. Rich burgundy rugs sprawled across the floor, layered over steel plating. And a map of the city pinned across one wall with knives. With a squeak, a broken chandelier swung slightly from above, causing the light to flicker over the curved leather couch against the wall and the man sprawled across it. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Enzo. Blonde hair uncombed, loose strands covering one eye. A half-buttoned vest over a wine-red shirt. Boots kicked up onto a table scattered with papers and half-drunken liquor bottles. He was playing with a coin between his fingers. "Leonhardt," he drawled, not even glancing up. "I was wondering if you''d show. Was half-sure you''d end up tangled in a blanket with that woman." Leonhardt stepped in without a word, letting the door shut behind him. "I''m not that lucky," he said. "Oh, no. You''re very lucky. Just not in the ways that matter." Enzo flicked the coin, catching it on the back of his hand without looking. "Drink?" "No." "Pity." Leonhardt stayed standing. He didn''t bother taking a seat on the patched leather chair across from Enzo. The room was warm, far too warm, and smelled of clove, blood, and candle wax. "Get to it," Leonhardt said. "Such manners," Enzo said, finally raising his eyes. They were green. Vibrant. Unlike before, now Razor-bright. The eyes of a gambler who already knew the dealer was cheating and didn''t care¡ªbecause he was cheating better. He smiled. "I''m just surprised you''re still breathing, didn''t Dia give you a hard time?" Chapter 129 - 129: The Foolish Human Beyond His means Leonhardt didn''t flinch. He stood in the haze, letting the smoke curl around him like lazy ghosts. "She tried," he said, brushing off his sleeve. "But she''s not the threat she thinks she is. Pretty, though. I can see why you keep her around." Enzo chuckled. "I don''t keep anyone around, Leonhardt. If she''s still breathing, it''s because she knows her place." Leonhardt tilted his head. "You sure that''s not just what you tell yourself?" A flicker. Just for a heartbeat, something in Enzo''s gaze tightened. Then it was gone¡ªreplaced by a smirk that was all teeth. "Let me guess," he said, "you''re here to negotiate again. Ask for another favour. Or maybe trade something¡ªinformation, blood, that smug monster pride you wear like a crown." Leonhardt didn''t take the bait. He stepped forward just once. "I''m here to talk about the one who gave you the job." Enzo gave an exaggerated sigh and leaned back against the couch again. "You''re so stiff. Like a funeral dressed up in armour. You ever smile, Leon?" "I''m smiling now," he replied flatly. Enzo laughed again, this time low and honest. It was the kind of laugh that made men uncomfortable¡ªbecause it never quite reached his eyes. "I still remember the sound you made as your ribs cracked," he mused, swirling the drink in his hand, though he hadn''t offered it again. "When you pushed your body to the limits just to nip me, like a dog. You screamed like a butchered animal. Couldn''t walk for a week." Leonhardt nodded once. "Still landed the blow." "Oh yes. A poetic one. A pretty little cut to my thigh¡ªmade me limp for two days. You? You couldn''t piss standing up for ten." Enzo flashed a grin. "But I''ll admit, you''ve improved. These days you''re more careful. Less of a rabid hound." Leonhardt''s gaze hardened. "And you''re still a coward pretending to be a gangster." That did it. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The smile on Enzo''s face stayed, but his eyes lost all pretense. They weren''t amused anymore. Just cold and empty. "You really think I''m playing peacemaker for you?" Enzo asked. "You''re not even human. You''re just a weapon someone left on the wrong shelf." Leonhardt said nothing. "Erina doesn''t know, does she?" Enzo murmured now, voice softer, almost wistful. "What you really are? What you''ve done?" Leonhardt stepped forward again, slowly, and this time, Enzo didn''t laugh. "She knows enough." "That''s not a no." "She''ll know everything when she''s bouncing on top of me, like a common whore. Human." There was a beat of silence. "I should''ve gutted you in that cave!" Enzo said, standing now. He didn''t draw a blade. He didn''t need to. His presence alone¡ªsharp, cutting, precise¡ªshifted the air like a drawn wire. "Back then. Before you had your claws in her." Leonhardt didn''t move. "That''s not all I have in her." "YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Enzo growled, tossing his glass at the wall as it splintered into a thousand pieces. "Before I wanted to know why my daughter smiled like she had a secret. And it turns out, you were the secret. That was your mistake Leon, touching my daughter and thinking a monster like you could live to tell the tale." He took a step forward, now standing only feet away. The smell of sweat and steel and aged tobacco filled the space between them. ''Good, this shows that Erina and Dia have sent the false information.'' "I''ll play nice. For now. Because I owe her that." Leonhardt raised an eyebrow. "But not me? Are you an idiot?" Enzo''s smile returned¡ªbut now it was dead behind the teeth. "Oh no. Not you. You''re just a loose end wrapped in a temporary promise." A sound echoed behind the door, before BANG! It slammed open, and suddenly footsteps entered, heavy and hurried while filled with anger as the plump old male with grey hair appeared. "Ace?" The doorway shuddered as Ace shoved it open with his shoulder. His round frame was heavier than most in the guild, but every pound was built from bulk, not laziness. There was a violent edge to the way he walked¡ªlike he''d already decided someone was dying, and the only question left was how messy it''d be. "Ace," Enzo said again, slower, more cautiously. The older assassin looked at Enzo. His grey eyes burned with the dull, cold rage of a man who''d lost control and stopped holding himself back. His stare locked onto Leonhardt immediately. "You''ve got a lot of nerve," Ace spat. His voice was thick and low as if he had swallowed gravel. "Standing here. Like you belong." Leonhardt didn''t answer him. Just turned to face him fully, hands relaxed at his sides with a wide grin on his lips. "You want to talk about belonging?" he said finally, calm as water. "I''m not the one that killed that useless piece of trash." Ace''s fists clenched. His face became bright red, and his nostrils flared. "You crippled him. You left him with nothing. A swordsman with no hand? You made him worthless." "I gave him plenty of chances to live," Leonhardt replied lazily. "He shouldn''t have followed me when she was beside me." "You gave him no choice!" Ace roared, stepping closer. "You think I wanted to do it? I had to end him. Like a fucking dog." His voice cracked, just for a moment, but enough to show his moment of weakness. "I was his executioner," he said, quieter now, "because of you." Silently, Enzo watched without a word, arms crossed, with his mouth sealed. He wouldn''t stop it, at least not yet. Leonhardt''s gaze sharpened. "If he''d walked away when I killed that kid. He''d still be breathing. I gave him that mercy. You pulled the blade." "You don''t get to talk mercy, monster," Ace hissed. "You don''t even know what it means." He stepped in close, closer than most dared. "You play the part well. The coat. The sword. The pretty girls who don''t know what you really are. But I see it. You''re just hunger in skin." Leonhardt smiled thinly. "And yet here I stand, in your boss''s office. Uncut. Unkilled. Maybe that says more about you than me." Ace shook, body tense like a string about to snap. Then¡ªhe turned. Started to walk away. And stopped. His voice came low but full of venom. "Your little lizard bitch... just you watch." He looked back over his shoulder, grey eyes glowing with something bitter and cracked. "I''ll kill her. Slowly. I''ll have you on your knees, begging for mercy." Instantly, a sudden pressure pressed down on his shoulders like a falling building. CLANG! The sound of blades clashing echoed behind Ace. His eyes trembled, a hot sensation throbbing beside his cheek. Crimson dripped down his face, followed by a dull ache. When he turned back again, a huge black blade trembled less than an inch from his neck, stopped by Enzo''s sword, who grunted, trying to control the force. Enzo stepped in, finally. "Enough," he said. His tone left no room. "Ace, get out!" Ace paused, still staring at Leonhardt, his body trembling. Despite clenching his fists, he couldn''t stop his body from reacting to the aura of Leonhardt. Those empty red eyes, void of human warmth, were watching him like prey. Stumbling back, he cupped his ear, noticing a burning heat the moment he touched it... wet, sticky and painful. Then he saw the fleshy object on the floor. It was his ear. His gaze lifted to Leonhardt, lips trembling, eyes shuddering... before he turned and rushed out the door, muttering something under his breath. Then, silence remained in the office that now smelled of fresh blood and steel. Chapter 130 - 130: A foolish warning Only Fuels the Beast The door groaned shut behind him, drowning out the last echo of blood-soaked silence from the meeting room. Leonhardt stood at the edge of the hallway, shoulders square, boots rooted in the warped floorboards of The Last Call. His coat still fluttered slightly from the motion, the heavy scent of sweat and smoke clinging to the folds. His hand flexed once¡ªjust once¡ªas if recalling the weight of the sword he hadn''t finished swinging. His face was blank. Inside? His blood screamed. It wasn''t the kind of rage that came with heat. This was colder. Denser. Like lead poured into his bones and left there to harden. The type of fury that made breathing mechanical and movement deliberate, or else something would break. He could still hear Enzo''s voice in his head. That damned smirk and his smug words. "Touching my daughter¡­" "You''re not even human¡­" "Do you think a normal woman would be interested in a freak like you¡­" He inhaled slowly. Enzo threatened Zafira, Ace threatened Asuka, and he knew that despite calling Erina his daughter, he hadn''t taken back the assassination order. Nor would he divulge the location of the one who did. [Stay calm, Leon, you did well not to attack him] Ifrit''s voice, warm and level, echoed through his thoughts like a river trying to carve a canyon through stone. Leonhardt turned a corner of the hallway, its walls cracked and water-stained. The deeper he walked into the tavern''s belly, the more the sounds of violence gave way to the creaks and hums of midnight rot. (You should have beat them! Crushed his annoying face.) ''Humans!'' An illogical hatred grew towards those who denied and rejected anything different. He didn''t answer. The voices of Dravanna and Ifrit helped his mind clear up, and he remained focused. In the past, he might have lost himself. Attacking Enzo or Ace on the spot. (Hehe!) Dravanna chuckled in his mind with a sharp and sweet tone, almost stirring the pot with her constant digs to get him to act out or release his anger. However, Leonhardt didn''t mind. Having two opposing voices, along with his psyche, helped calm his thoughts. And kept him grounded. "Forget it. Revenge shouldn''t be rushed for a momentary emotion." Leonhardt paused in a dead-end hall. There was a half-broken window, open just enough to catch the cool night breeze. He looked out at the faint silhouette of the city¡ªAstrea sleeping under the illusion of order. He closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, clearing his mind. The cold air soothed his lungs and calmed his bubbling anger. (Eh~ why hesitate? Say the word and we''ll burn this fucking city to the ground! You want to see them kneel? Make a contract with me too!) [He didn''t hesitate, you foolish gremlin.] (What are you saying, you fat pixie!?) Leonhardt tilted his head back and exhaled. "...No," he said. A long silence followed. (No?) Dravanna asked, her tone bristling, almost wounded. (What do you mean, no?) "I mean," he said, more clearly now, "they''re just pieces. Enzo, Ace, the whole damn guild. They didn''t plan the hit. Someone else did." (And that matters?) she spat. "Now it does." He pushed off the wall and turned, his boots thudding softly as he walked back the way he came. His voice was low but steady. "I can use Erina to get to Enzo, Asuka to deal with Ace. There is no reason to get angry. Those fools don''t have any use to me except finding the one who made the request." There was a pause¡ªlong and strange. Even Dravanna didn''t respond immediately. [What are you going to do to her? That girl isn''t like the other two...] Leonhardt said nothing. He just kept walking, his blood dripping from the cut on his throat from Enzo''s earlier attack. The cheap door to his room opened without a knock. Leonhardt stepped inside. The room was bathed in a pale golden light. One candle burned low on the table. The window was open, the curtain swaying gently in the breeze. And perched at the edge of the windowsill like a figure from a painting was Zafira. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No glamour now. Her horns curled gently from her dark hair. Her tail flicked lazily, swaying like a feline''s behind her. Her wings were half-unfurled, relaxed but still poised as if she might take off at any moment. She didn''t turn immediately. Only after a few seconds did she speak, her voice soft like a hushed whisper in the wind. "You''re finally back," she said. Then she turned¡ªgliding down from the window with effortless grace. Each step was more of a fairy dancing than a walk. Her feet barely touched the floorboards. Her eyes, which glowed golden, studied him like he was both prey and puzzle. "I thought you wouldn''t return," she tapped her cheek, "at least until tomorrow." She slipped into his space, like a moonlight into shadow. Her hands pressed lightly against his chest. Resting her cheek, barely touching the cloth of his coat. He felt her breath against his collarbone. Then she asked, softer now, almost like she knew everything, her voice caressing him. "The human broke his promise, didn''t he?" Leonhardt didn''t respond at first. His hand drifted to her back¡ªresting there, not claiming her, not pushing her away. His voice, when it came, was quieter than the wind. "¡­You knew?" Zafira''s eyes peeked up from his chest, her wings spreading out before wrapping around Leonhardt''s face, covering them from the outside. Her warmth spread through the small space, heating his cold rage. Melting it into something different. Addictive. And bright. Leonhardt stared at her. Zafira tilted her head. "Humans always lie, Leonhardt. The only question is what they lie for. And Enzo? He lies to keep power." Her expression softened again, and her hand slid down to his. "But we can take it from him. Together." Leonhardt''s lips curved¡ªjust slightly. The faintest flicker of a smirk. "Get your cloak," he said. "We''re going out." Her eyes lit up. "A midnight stroll through the rotten heart of the city?" she purred. "You really know how to charm a girl." "Well I''m done playing like a human, we''re not humans. So shall we deal with this like what we are?" The hands resting on his chest tightened. Zafira''s eyes glowing deeper, as she nuzzled his chest with a wide smile. "I''m your demon." As if embarrassed by her words. She let go, spinning once, grabbing her cloak from the chair. Her wings fluttered and vanished beneath it, forming a dress. Tail tucked into the folds. Leonhardt adjusted the buckle on his coat, running one hand through the loose strands of silver hair falling over his shoulder. The blood from the shallow wound on his neck had mostly dried, a faint smear now against his collarbone¡ªhe left it there. Zafira turned back to him, cloak already cinched tight, her posture regal despite the mischief behind her glowing eyes. She pulled the hood low, shadowing her horns and ears, but the smirk she wore made it clear: concealment was for fun, not necessity. "Should I wear the glamour again?" she asked, lips curling, already knowing the answer. Leonhardt stepped toward her, gaze steady. "No need," he said, voice low. "I prefer your true form. It suits you¡ªlike a black flower blooming under moonlight. Dangerous. Beautiful." Her eyes widened, pupils dilated in shock¡ªjust for a second. And then narrowed with pleasure. "Well," she murmured, "say things like that, and I might start thinking you''re finally learning." "I learn fast." She gave a satisfied hum at that and turned toward the door, her steps soundless despite the worn floorboards. As she passed him, her shoulder brushed against his¡ªjust enough contact to make him glance her way. Zafira paused at the doorway, turned halfway back toward him. "You smell like blood," she said, her voice lower. A slightly distorted tone, her eyes becoming strange and distorted along with an eerie purple aura. Leonhardt tilted his head. "It''s always someone else''s." He didn''t want her to worry. The strange mood faded with her nose snorting. Zafira grinned, the sharp edges of her teeth glinting faintly in the candlelight. "Good." The wind outside whistled faintly as he opened the door, spilling a line of moonlight across the room. Shadows bent around them, stretching long and quiet down the hall. They slipped out in silence, their footsteps nearly indistinguishable from the creaks of the old wood beneath them. Down the narrow staircase, past drunken snores and the faint clink of mugs from whatever stragglers remained at the bar. Neither said a word. Not until they stood outside, cloaked in darkness, beneath the crumbling stone archway of The Last Call. The city of Astrea yawned before them, sleeping but never safe. Buildings sagged under the weight of enchantments gone stale. Magical fog drifted like half-forgotten spirits across the alleys, laced with the scent of burned oil and mana-dampened air. Zafira leaned in close, her lips near his ear. "Where to, Master?" The way she whispered ''master'' filled with all the deadly, seductive charm of a succubus. Unable to endure, his body reacted. Yet ignoring her playful tease. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed toward the upper city¡ªtoward the tunnels Enzo didn''t want him near. "To the place they want us least," he said. "The Seventh Circle." And with that, they vanished into the dark. Chapter 131 - 131: The Seventh Circle! A Ring of Endless Greed. The wind caught beneath Zafira''s cloak as her wings spread wide, lifting both her and Leonhardt into the shadows above Astrea''s sleeping spine. She didn''t speak, and he didn''t need her to. The sound of her wings¡ªmuffled against the night air¡ªwas rhythmic, steady. Her grip on his coat was light but comfortable. One hand curled near his shoulder, the other just under his belt, adjusting each time they shifted against the light winds. Below them, the city layered itself like a rotting cake of cheap slate rooftops and the polished wood and old brick houses of the slums. Suspending each platform with thick support beams, massive stone struts were etched with glyphs that faintly buzzed when passing too close. Defensive wards. Triggered by sound, not heat. Although they could walk to the top, this was the best method, floating in the darkness, avoiding the guard''s vision. Zafira ducked beneath one, gliding under the crumbling archway half buried in vines. It seemed maintenance was lacking. "Mm..." Zafira''s body pressed closer, wrapping both arms around Leonhardt in a loving embrace, taking advantage. The situation where she could happily grope and caress him without complaint. The only sound between them was the faint breaths from Leonhardt as he scanned the brightly lit windows nearby, counting the shapes inside. "Three on that balcony," he murmured. "One''s a watcher." "I know," Zafira whispered into his ear, barely brushing the edge with her lips. Her voice wasn''t playful¡ªjust a little breathless. She pulled a hard left, folding her wings just enough to slip into the shadows of a bell tower. Leonhardt twisted slightly, gripping the wooden frame as they landed inside. Below them, two city guards argued about something near a small cart of wine barrels. One of them looked too young, his breastplate hanging loose. The other smoked a cigar, leaning on a pike like he hadn''t moved in hours. "Drunk, and useless." "Astrea''s nobles, oh so fragile." The pair didn''t stick around, but Zafira''s gaze lingered on the monument in the distance. Immediately airborne once again, skimming rooftops now more vibrant and glowing with enchanted lanterns and other magical tools. The air transformed. Different. Less like smoke and more like honey and perfume. They were in the higher districts. Zafira slowed once they reached the next platform, much smaller than the previous but its height added a sense of power. Superiority as the slums became nothing but ants beneath. The sound of fountains could be heard even at this height, and statues lined the edges, carved to resemble angels with blank faces. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed. He pointed to a mansion with more shadow than the others. "Let''s head towards the centre using that mansion." They passed the window of a music hall mid-rehearsal. Inside, a woman in silks screamed at a conductor while five violinists sat frozen in terror. No one noticed the two shadows passing just beyond the glass. They landed on the roof of a tall circular observatory. Leonhardt crouched low, cloak drawn tight. Zafira leaned near him, her breath steady. "We''re close," she said. "I can feel the stench." "Of what?" "Entitlement." Leonhardt didn''t comment on her words. Instead, he reached out, grasping her soft hand. Delicate like silk. Yet filled with the power to crush anyone in this city. The distant castle came into their sight, with a huge bridge connecting the seventh ring with the castle... a beautiful sight with the castle build from the ground up parallel with the platform for the nobles. "Are you as excited as I am?" Zafira raised her eyes, flapping her wings as she leaned against his chest, tapping along his muscles with her spare hand. "I''m having the time of my life. Why?" Zafira grabbed his collar, smirking faintly now. "I just like hearing you speak." She leapt, wings unfurling once more. *** Zafira angled her wings for a softer descent. The glow of the Seventh Circle pressed against them like static¡ªgolden and arrogant, humming with magic far older and far cleaner than what passed for enchantment in the lower tiers. They landed behind a row of hedges trimmed into beautiful artistic shapes. The alley was narrow, the walls smooth and polished, unlike the rough stone below. No ivy. No grime. Just sterility. A single orb of floating light hovered near a metal archway, casting pale silver over the white marble paths. Zafira retracted her wings, folding them down until they shimmered and vanished into the illusion of a backless cloak. Her tail tucked beneath her layers without a word. The shift was smooth¡ªdone so often it felt like second nature. Leonhardt pulled his hood low, enough to shadow the silver strands of hair and smear of dried blood along his collarbone. His coat now looked less battle-worn and more ceremonial, thanks to a minor glamour Zafira traced along his arm with a teasing finger. Functional illusion¡ªnothing flashy. They walked. No rush. Just another pair of privileged night-lovers taking a stroll through polished stone paths and midnight fountains. Hands connected and fingers intertwined. They paced towards the plaza ahead in a district wrapped in silence. No laughter or music. Just the whistling breeze tugging at the noble banners overhead. A monument stood in the centre of the fountain like an insult carved in stone. Twenty meters tall. Cast from enchanted moonstone alloy. Lit from below with a ring of soft orange firelight. King Adolf. Barefoot, in a sweeping royal cloak, one boot raised high over the crushed pile of demon bodies beneath him. They weren''t even accurate. Deformed. Grotesque. Their wings were tattered, horns twisted into crude symbols of evil. One had its mouth open in a silent scream¡ªfangs exaggerated, eyes bugged. Swords and spears impaled them in melodramatic poses. Zafira stopped walking. Leonhardt followed her actions, watching her face while stroking the back of her hand. Yet she didn''t say anything. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Not trembling. Just¡­ quiet. Her eyes traced every figure beneath the King''s foot. Not with horror. With cold, slow recognition. "Doesn''t bother you?" she asked finally, voice low, almost bored. Leonhardt followed her gaze. "Should it?" "No," she said flatly. "But if I ever meet the sculptor, I''ll make sure his fingers forget how to hold a chisel." Leonhardt looked at her sideways. "You want me to carve something better?" Zafira''s mouth twitched¡ªjust a bit. Not a smile. More like approval, as she placed both hands on his shoulders and pushed him, suddenly thrust against a pale white wall, masked under a tall hedge of mana-locked roses. Each one glowed faintly with crimson light, a luxury enchantment to keep them blooming all year. The perfume clung to the back of her throat before her words caught his full attention. "How about you let me carve your lips with mine." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At first, he couldn''t understand her sudden change, but then he could taste it. The warmth and sweet flavour of a succubi''s saliva flowed into his mouth like a delicious wine. Subconsciously drinking it while the sound of talking echoed from the other side of the bushes. "¡­Still can''t believe he''s keeping that foreigner around." The other guard let out a short laugh, low and sharp. "Heard he even brought him into the nobles'' court. Bold move for a dog without manners." "Bold or stupid." A pause. "Wouldn''t be the first time a ''hero'' ended up on the wrong end of a pike because they misunderstood their role. A grunt of agreement. Metal clinked softly as one of them shifted his stance. "Well the nobles want answers, paying so much to the kid and supporting him, yet all he does is play with women, and laze around." There was a short silence. One guard lit a small mana torch and shook out the flame once it caught. Zafira''s hand slipped into Leonhardt''s coat, her cold fingertips dancing along his chest as their tongues folded together in a wet matrimony, her golden eyes melting into closed slits as she felt him sucking on her lips. "Well... the church seems to be adamant on hunting down the monster that killed the saintess." "Tsk, doesn''t that mean more taxes?" The older guard spat into a pot, disgruntled. "I don''t know, but there''s been a lot more rumours lately..." the young guard paused for a few moments. "Well, you heard about the monsters that appeared in the dungeon..." "How did they evolve into Arachne... Munat village was almost wiped out in a few nights." The old man sighed deeply, his voice growing quieter as they walked away from the pair. "Apparently, the villagers spotted a black haired male, with an elf, blonde priestess and tall red headed dragonoid." He sounded sceptical of his own words. The older man paused. "A black-haired man?" His voice roughened¡ªjust enough to raise a brow. "So the useless hero did it?" The young guard gasped. "Ah! No wonder the noble council wants him then... He''s done for!" Hnnng¡ª! Zafira''s eyes widened as her tongue slipped from Leonhardt''s mouth, forming threads of saliva stuck to his lips. Shocked that his hand slipped inside her feathers and touched her bare crotch. Leonhardt''s body, overwhelmed with a pink aura, fought back using his arachne sight, able to see the tiny erogenous zones of a succubus. ''So they mistook me for the hero?'' He thought while catching his breath. "Huh did you hear that? It sounded like a woman." "No..." This mansion was marked with Enzo''s daggers on the map. Leonhardt came because he had a hunch that it was related to his business. "Let''s go, Zafira." Chapter 132 - 132: Dark Secrets and the Saintess of Arlet Village Erina sat on the edge of her bed, behind her, the former assassin Diamond combing through her hair without speaking. At first, Erina couldn''t accept tricking the village people into believing Leonhardt''s lie, but as the days passed, it became easier. "Dia, do you think that I am doing something wrong?" The woman wearing a maid''s outfit, her hair no longer silky like a noble''s. She became modest and more polite thanks to Leonhardt''s brainwashing. It wasn''t that she forgot her past, but he switched her priorities. Ranked first was Leonhardt and his safety and secrecy. Then it was the dungeon, and protecting any secrets she saw during her time at Arlet. Erina''s happiness and comfort came third, including protection and other things. However, her previous priorities like Enzo, and becoming pretty for him or the Last Call, who were like a family to Die, now ranked below her basic training. "My Lady, you have a kind heart, but don''t see the darkness hidden inside people." Diamond was no longer the same woman as before made Erina''s chest tighten. She understood that her life might be in danger, but she couldn''t help but feel for the young woman who became so different. "I see." "When do you think Leonhardt might return," she asked. Dia spoke with Asuka and Sylvie more often while Erina dealt with the villagers who enjoyed the luxury items from the dungeon for a reduced price. Those who accepted Leonhardt got them for free. "There, it''s done, my lady." Dia helped Erina to comb and style her hair each night after being left it Arlet, the former priestess, became quite lonely and bored. Soon, Asuka and Sylvie would return, but at least now... "Thank you, Dia." "I will take my rest now, my lady." She missed Leonhardt and arguing with him, and just wanted to hurry and brainwash the entire village. The night was quiet, filled with the sound of insects and the distant clouds of rain over where Leonhard was visiting. "I should contact Gobbolas, and order more of the dungeons grapes..." If she couldn''t meet him in person, she would work harder and make him come to visit her. *** Meanwhile, Zafira and Leonhardt sat on the soft, elegant chairs of a nobleman''s study, sifting through documents and ledgers, trying to find a connection to Enzo and the mysterious man who wanted them dead. "You know Leon, I''ve been hearing a lot about this so called ''hero'' but why hasn''t such a person appeared to conquer any of the dungeons?" Zafira asked while reading another report. It was from a noble named Baron Geddon who reported to the owner of the mansion. "He might not have a need for it." "Hm, but most people want to make more money, right?" Leonhardt looked up from the paper he held, his eyes flashing. "I''ve found something, it''s a report from someone called ''Joker,'' isn''t this it?" The report was about an individual... named Kaito. "Wait, the document here..." Zafira lifted her hand, and then handed a folder full of documents that mentioned the name. "Oh, he''s the hero?" Leonhardt took the files. "I''ll read this first." Zafira hummed softly while taking a seat opposite him, her legs crossed so they could face one another. From the moment they were hiding under the bushes and he touched her. Zafira found her body more sensitive than before as she used her tail to stroke along his thigh, drawing messages against his skin. "You smell so nice, Leon." She purred with a sweet scent of flowers drifting from her. The table between them was mostly empty except for a few stacks of reports. "Let''s finish work first, Zafira." His cold voice was like a bowl of cold water over her head as she pouted, smacking his leg with her tail while kicking her legs up onto the table. ''It''s so unfair,'' Zafira thought. ''I want him to touch me again.'' "It seems that his power is something like mind control, or brainwashing... but it doesn''t affect those with a strong belief, desire or mental defence," Leonhardt muttered, his eyes looking at the Marquis under his brainwashing in the corner with his wife. "So that''s why they hated him," he thought back to the girls complaining about the hero''s powers and how it made them doubt men. "Does that mean Erina hates me after using something similar? How regretful." Leonhardt sighed and looked at the Marquis. "Tell me more about Kaito." Zafira''s foot bounced up and down with a soft click of her shoes against the table, while Leonhardt listened to the words of the bumbling fool. "I-I don''t know! The hero was summoned by the king..." "King Adolf?" "Y-Yes... he summoned him to deal with the demons, but because of his poor morals and obsession with women and abusing his power, the king has considered another summoning!" The marquis trembled while dripping with sweat, terrified of Leonhardt, who dominated his mind and soul. "So why did you nobles order an assassination!?" His face looked blank, unspeaking. The issue with brainwashing was that the person couldn''t lie and wouldn''t speak falsely, which meant this noble didn''t know about that. "Have you had contacted with the Last Call?" he asked again in a harsh tone. He toyed with the noble''s mind, learning that the likely orchestrator was the city lord, a distant relative of Adolf, the man who became king... Astrea, once the capital of the kingdom, was now just a protected city. Zafira was now leaning over his shoulder, her hands over his chest and her breasts flattened against his back as she breathed into his neck. "This is kind of hot..." To a demon, actions like dominating others, fighting, and, of course, anything that might relate to one of the seven sins were quite appealing. "Hey, can''t you pay attention to me again, like outside, like in the carriage?" "I''ll do it later," he shifted his gaze to her and promised with a twitching smile. Zafira clung tightly to him, refusing to let go for the time being. "Fine, fine... I won''t forget, so do you want my help to finish this off?" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leonhardt knew Zafira was talking about dealing with the noble couple, since they were of no use, but there was one thing he wanted to try first. "Sure, but just wait a moment." Leonhardt turned back towards the noble couple and snapped his fingers. He found their tasteless nature disgusting, and there were plans in the documents he saw that made him angry. A strange anger. The plan to make the saintess candidate a noble whore... A special role that seemed to be a secret of how the church rose to power in the early days. They would train women with powerful sacred power, able to affect the minds of humans. The church sent these women to various kingdoms. They used them to seduce and brainwash the nobles and even royalty. "Take control of them." She chuckled with a raspy tone before kissing his cheek. The next moment, her finger pointed at the male and female, a pink ball of mist swirling at the tip. "What should I do with them?" She wondered aloud, while her mind thought of various ways to make them suffer, such as forcing them to kill their friends or family members. Perhaps she could make those guards rape the man, and make his wife watch... Her dark thoughts weren''t humane and completely twisted. "You have a grudge against this kingdom right, I read that their family were a part of the attack on the northern lands, your lands." Her grin widened as the pink mist flowed from her fingertips, wrapping around the nobles'' necks like collars and flowing into their ears, nostrils, and mouths. Zafira then whispered demonic words, which Leonhardt could understand but not the context. However, not even staying to watch, she grasped Leonhardt''s hand and unfurled her wings, a bright glow in her eyes. "Let''s return to the inn, Leon!" The pair flew through the air together, with her raven feathers fluttering in the cold evening air, although the fresh air of the top platform was clean and not filthy. Leonhardt found that the dirty and mixed air in the slums suited him more. Leonhardt and Zafira landed inside an empty alleyway, her wings folded behind her back as the two watched from the shadows. No shadows. No eyes watching them... "Shall we head back?" "Mm... I want to hurry back." Leon held a dungeon stone, an expensive item that would allow him to teleport to his dungeon when in a place outside his dungeon''s range. However, Zafira grabbed his hand with wet and hungry-looking eyes. "Wait!" "We''re not going to the dungeon?" Leonhardt asked curiously. "Can we stay in that room, the small and dirty room?" "Are you sure?" "Mm," she looked down, avoiding his gaze, sinking her teeth into her lower lip. "The others will disturb us when we return." Chapter 133 - 133: A Mysterious Black Envelope! The room was still small. Not dungeon-cell small, but just enough to make the walls feel closer when shut. Its faded wallpaper curled at the corners. The bed creaked the moment Leonhardt sat down, and the scent of mildew mingled with the sweet, almost intoxicating air that Zafira carried with her body. It wasn''t particularly romantic. It was cheap, dirty, and barely lit by a single flame flickering on the half-spent candle. Yet Zafira adored it. She dropped her cloak over the rust hook on the door, turning back with a mischievous smile that curled with something warm and wicked. "You didn''t say no." Leonhardt leaned back against the wall, one knee raised, his hands placed on the bed. "I didn''t say yes either." Her tail flicked once behind her, playful, testing the air. "Then why''d you follow me in here, Dungeon Master?" "So I''m only your Master during these moments?" he chuckled, watching her intently. Zafira stepped forward, hips swaying just a little more than needed, eyes half-lidded and gleaming golden. She reached up, slowly undoing the first clasp of her dress. The sound was soft. A delicate snap. Leonhardt''s gaze didn''t flicker away. It rarely did. But she noticed the twitch in his lips, the swallow of his throat and the shift of his shoulders as if rebalancing a weight that wasn''t physical. "You smell better in this room," she murmured. "It''s strong... masculine and I want it." Snap¡ªAnother clasp. The fabric slid down her shoulder, revealing the curve of her collarbone, the depths of her cleavage. She climbed onto his lap without waiting for an invitation, straddling him with a deliberate, slow grace. Her hands touched his chest, just over his heart. "Still beating," she said, almost teasing. "For now." Zafira leaned in. Her lips brushed his neck. "You promised me something." "I said later." She bit gently where his shoulder met his throat. "It''s later now." Leonhardt looked stunned, opening his eyes wide before he recovered and nodded. His fingers moved up her spine, under the loosened back of her dress. Her wings twitched and tail looped around his wrist, squeezing slightly, as if claiming him with the dull purple bruise on his flesh. The sound of fabric moving across her smooth flesh as Leonhardt removed her dress and tossed it onto the ground. He exposed Zafira''s ethereal beauty to the moonlight, soft, pale skin, supple, round breasts heavy and swaying with her movements and tantalising curves, as her stomach tightened with a set of defined muscles. "It''s later, right?" Zafira whispered once more, flicking her fingers across Leonhardt''s chest. The bed creaked louder as he leaned forward, one arm behind her back, pulling her down with him. Although not soft, the cushion of his arm was enough for Zafira as they gently bounced off the bed. His other hand caught the underside of her thigh, squeezing her soft flesh. "You''re quite adventurous this time," she whispered, leaning against his chest, closing her eyes as his heart thumped in her ears. "Aren''t you scared I''ll drain you dry?" Leonhardt''s hand slipped up her thighs, the smooth, silky skin. His hands moved up her thighs, slipping beneath the fabric, pushing it until the cloth bunched around her waist. "A little touching won''t hurt, right?" he grinned. He slid a hand between her legs, finger gliding through her folds, teasing her clit in slow, careful circles. She was already wet. Zafira''s eyes flashed before closing with a hitched breath. She pressed her forehead into his shoulder, biting down gently, as if she couldn''t trust herself to speak. "You were waiting for this?" he hummed. She nuzzled into his chest, hiding her face. "It''s your fault." The tips of her ears turned red, unable to stop the pleasant tingles coming from his fingers. "You were waiting for it too," she breathed, moving against his hand. "Admit it." She nuzzled into his chest, hiding her face. "It''s your fault." Her ears twitched, red at the tips, but her voice was almost pouty. Leonhardt tilted his head down, brushing his nose against her temple. "You''ve got a funny way of saying thank you." "Hmph." She didn''t look at him. Her fingers curled slightly into his chest. "I didn''t ask you to¡­" His hand slid slowly between her thighs again, and she twitched. "¡­to do that," she finished in a breathier voice. "Didn''t stop me, though." His tone was light, but his fingers were intentional, trailing along her folds without rushing, spreading the slickness with slow, warm pressure. She hissed through her teeth, trying not to flinch. "I''m not some¡­ human girl you can just pet into obedience." "Don''t want you obedient," he said. "I like watching you squirm." Her glare flicked up to him, then faltered when he dipped a single finger in. Not fast. Just enough to part her entrance and sink into the heat. "Hah¡ª!" she gasped, biting her lip immediately. Her pussy was wet, but tight. Inhumanly so. Her walls were soft, spongy, sensitive. They gripped his finger greedily, pulsing in gentle waves like her body didn''t know whether to let go or drag him deeper. And warm. Gods, she was warm. Her breath stuttered. "I-It''s not that¡­ I mean, you''re just touching... I''m only reacting because it''s new¡ª!" "Sure," he said. "Just instincts. Nothing to do with the way you''re clenching already." "I told you¡ªahh¡­!" She cut herself off, back arching as he curled his finger just a little, dragging the pad slowly against the plush upper wall. "Hng... nngh..." The little noises she made weren''t practised. They slipped out without warning ¡ª lips parted, cheeks burning and gasping for air, "haa¡­ aah¡­ mmng¡­" sounds that made Leonhardt smirk. "Sounding pretty needy for someone not enjoying this." Her tail lashed once, then wrapped around his wrist like a reflex. "Sh-Shut up¡­ I''m not¡­ ngh...!" Another curl. A shallow thrust. The second finger slid in beside the first, spreading Zafira''s warmth around his digits as they twisted, and her walls clamped hard. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ahhh¡ª!" The heat built in her stomach too fast. It wasn''t like the stories. She was supposed to take control, drown Leonhardt in her scent, ride him senseless, leave him a wreck. That''s what she was told, what she planned. Nothing like when she attacked him. Instead, she was the one panting. Trembling. Gripping the sheets as her stomach quivered under each slow pump of Leon''s fingers. Her insides were wetter now, messy, a slick coating on his fingers as they moved in and out in a soft rhythm. He wasn''t rushing or fingering her. He was stirring. Drawing her open. Kneading that sweet spot over and over with maddening precision. "W-why are you so¡­ good at this¡­" she whispered through a groan, eyes fluttering shut. Leonhardt leaned in, lips grazing her flushed ear. "Because I want to watch your face melting in pleasure from my fingers." Zafira''s ears burned hotter. "I''m not... cute," she muttered, voice cracking. He kissed her cheek. "You are when you moan like that." Her whole body jolted, thighs tightening around his hand. Zafira''s claws gripped the blanket while opening her thighs wider, letting I''m tease and toy with her more. Her cunt was dripping now, obscenely wet, every thrust of his fingers echoing with slick, filthy sounds. Schlk¡­ schlup¡­ chlek¡­ "Mmngh¡­ aah¡­ aah¡ª!" Her voice trembled with each thrust. He worked her gently but deliberately, fingers coated in her juices, moving with that perfect angle. Tracing her walls, flicking across the smooth, bumpy flesh. Not rough. Not rushed. Just deep. Her inner walls made the sounds louder ¡ª soft, pillowy flesh squeezing and sucking at his fingers like her pussy didn''t want to let them go. Every pump stirred up more wetness, more heat, more need. She moaned sharply, body jolting. "L-Leonhardt¡ªwhat¡ªhng¡­!" Each squelch was louder now, his fingers gliding with ease through the mess between her legs. She felt everything. He made sure of that. He curled his fingers again, slow and smooth, pressing up against the soft, spongy spot inside her that made her body twitch violently every time. "Hh-hhhah¡­ nnf¡­ I-I''m gonna¡ªahhh!" Schlk¡ªchlk¡ªsplrp! Zafira reached her first true climax, and it hit her hard in surging waves. As if Leonhardt pulled the plug from her soul, a pleasure rushed through her body, leaking from that small opening into her muscles, flesh and mind. Her back arched, her mouth hung open with a soft, drawn-out moan as her pussy spasmed wildly around his fingers clenching with every wave. Her juices spilt out, coating his hand, dripping down onto the bed in wet rivulets. She collapsed against the mattress, twitching, helpless. Her thighs spasmed. Her pussy still fluttered, every gentle squeeze around his fingers making more squelching sounds as her orgasm dragged out. Schlch¡­ chlup¡­ nnchu¡­ Her breath came out in soft, high gasps: "Haa¡­ aaah¡­ nnnh¡­" She couldn''t speak. Couldn''t think. Just lay there, fucked by fingers, trembling and overwhelmed. Leonhardt pulled out slowly, and her slick stuck to his skin in strings. The sound of her pussy releasing his fingers made her moan softly in embarrassment. Pop¡­ He licked his fingers clean. "Sweet," he muttered, eyes on her. Zafira whimpered. Her thighs pressed together, sticky and hot. Her body twitched again at the memory of the sounds she''d made ¡ª her body, making those filthy, desperate, sucking noises for him. She didn''t even fight him when he stood up. Not until¡ª KNOCK. A sharp, singular knock disturbed their moment as Zafira''s ears twitched. Leonhardt turned to the door, sweat still glistening across his chest. He opened it. No one. Just a letter. A Black envelope. Her voice came slurred, hoarse with exhaustion and ruinous pleasure. "¡­That''s not human magic," she murmured. Leonhardt looked over his shoulder, brow furrowed. "You recognise it?" Her golden eyes narrowed as she rested her chin on his shoulder, tail swaying slowly behind her. "It''s demon," she said flatly. "But it''s not mine either." Zafira touched the envelope, her fingers grazing over the symbol. The wax hissed faintly, rejecting her. She jerked her hand back with a growl, licking her thumb where a small line of blood now bloomed. "Tch. Warded." Leonhardt set the letter down on the crooked dresser beside the bed and turned back to her. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing across her bottom lip, still swollen from earlier. "You''re still trembling," he said softly. Zafira let out a breathless laugh, her body pressing into him. "And you''re still hard." His eyes darkened. "Then maybe we''re not done." Chapter 134 - 134: An Invitation to the Black Market Auction Zafira lay sprawled across the bed, snoring and kicking out every few moments. Her sweet, charming scent filled the room after their night of pleasure. Meanwhile, Leonhardt fiddled with the black letter¡ªhe couldn''t help but feel drawn to it. The envelope was jet black, dark like midnight, with a golden border forming small golden roses, with a large blooming flower in the centre encircled by chains. "I wonder why I can open it easily, but Zafira suffered." He used a small blade to open the envelope. Slice. The blade, cleanly cutting through the red stamp pressed on the back. ''The sender really likes chains.'' Because the letter also had the same chain border, along with a message written in a sweet, copper scented ink. "Is this blood?" Sniff. Yes, it was blood... monster blood. The strangest thing about the letter was that the top wrote his name. ¡ªTo Dungeon Master, Leonhardt The Briar Court cordially invites you to visit our 115th annual black market auction in the depths of debauchery and greed. This invitation allows you to bring two people. After all, lust is the most delicious of sins. Time: Midnight - XX - XX - XXXX The message was brief, but each letter throbbed in Leonhardt''s mind like a magical spell, forcing him to grit his teeth to endure the ache. It seemed he needed to understand more about demons. Nevertheless, he wondered what method the demons used to learn about him. Not only that, what of the system¡ªdid all dungeon masters have one? ''But if that''s true...'' He brushed along the paper before a short, sharp stabbing pain spread through his finger. Almost like the letter itself bit him, as droplets of blood dripped onto the black paper. "Ack!" Leonhardt wafted his hand and grimaced, looking down at the letter. "Eh?" The surface became different, and the letter contents added a few lines to the bottom that weren''t visible a moment before. ¡ª Esteemed Dungeon Master Please return our princess before the end of the auction. If you do not, do this... We will take action. The heiress of Lust cannot remain in the filthy land of humans! Should you wish to face the full might and enmity of the demon empire, then test our patience, for the Briar Court is always watching from the shadows. "...great." he muttered, looking at the beautiful woman who dug herself into his heart and became someone indispensable to him. "I must return to the dungeon." Leonhardt held the dungeon stone in his hand, the pale blue stone cold to the touch as it rolled in his palm. "I won''t leave her here," his gaze focused on Zafira in a deep, exhausted sleep. "Let''s go home, Zafira." Immediately after, he smiled while lifting her body. His right hand grasping under her thighs, and his left hand under her armpit. He carried her in a bridal carry and stepped towards the centre of the room and closed his eyes. The next moment, he crushed the dungeon stone. Although he wanted to solve the business in the human city, the auction would happen in five days, and Leonhardt didn''t want to bother. A sparkling blue powder surrounded them in a swirl of wind. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Flickers of magic illuminated the powder as the entire room filled with an azure light. "Here we go." Space distorted and the figure of Leonhardt and Zafira twisted, as if sucked into a black hole. Their figures vanished in a whirlpool, leaving behind only silence and the scent of sex. *** Crackle. The air flashed with a dull light before two figures appeared in the unlit room. Leonhardt''s coat and body flickered with magical power, the blue dust turning white, powerless, and a large amount of Dungeon Points vanished. "Haa..." he took a deep breath, the sweet, pure, filtered air of the dungeon cleaner and fresher than the air outside, thanks to Zafira''s hard work. "Let''s tuck her in first." His massive four-poster bed loomed ahead, draped in velvet purple sheets¡ªZafira''s touch, not his, but he never minded the softness. Leon lowered her and placed her on the soft bed. She hummed "Nhm..." before finding a comfortable position. Zafira insisted on the velvet. He''d never have picked it himself¡ªbut as she snored, sinking into her kingdom of dreams, he smiled anyway. Leonhardt brushed her black hair, sliding the strands from her cheeks. "I didn''t expect that I would fall for you when we first me." he muttered, thinking back to the letter. "Zafira, no matter what I have to face, I won''t let you go." After a short time, he left the room and tapped the small red lock, meaning she wouldn''t be disturbed by anything. He stepped into his throne room¡ªthe dark marble walls shone with flecks of silver, his empty throne and the low humming of the dungeon''s magic flowing through the walls like blood in a body. "Let''s get started." Without care for decorum, Leon dropped into his throne, leaning to the side as he opened the dungeon panels with the flick of his fingertip. Leonhardt tapped the floating red glyph on the armrest of his throne. A ripple of vivid purple light pulsed out from the contact point, followed by the soft hum of the dungeon''s magic activating. Runes etched into the marble walls flared like veins of mana threaded through the obsidian stone. "System, show me all under-used terrain nodes, resource points and weak spots in the dungeon." [Yes, Master] The air shimmered in front of him. A hexagonal display panel expanded midair sections of the dungeon glowed in faint red, orange or green. Red meant vulnerable, orange meant danger, and green meant acceptable. He scowled. "Too many weak points," Leonhardt grunted. "I''ve been lazy." "System... what if the intruders were demons?" [...] That''s when his eyes widened, pupils dilating as he couldn''t keep his mouth closed. "Red... all red, how can that be. Even the outpost and the dark elf village?" Ifrit played along for once, but the moment she showed the truth, she regretted giving reasoning first. Because of seeing Leonhardt''s reaction, her chest ached... a painful throbbing like something sharp got stuck inside her throat. He pinched two fingers together, zoomed in, and selected the goblin outpost and northern dungeon, the shade a deep violet even worse than red. "Convert the terrain to be helpful for goblins, what upgrades can I purchase for the goblins themselves?" "...no forget it," he sighed before covering his face, squeezing his temples. "Summon all regular goblins in the outpost, tell them to wait for me on the second floor plains. Don''t contact Gobbolas and Gobbomir alone." Although he wanted to remain kind and gentle, life would not allow it. [Leonhardt, are you alright?] (Yeah, your face looks dark and scary.) "I''m fine, but I just realised my nativity... did you know Zafira was the next ruler of Lust?" [I thought it might be possible... forgive me.] "Silly, I wont get made at you." Leonhardt rubbed the throne with his finger, speaking softer to the two women in his soul chamber. "Sorry Dravanna, is it that bad?" (Well, you''re still handsome, haha. Don''t apologise, you have my support.) [M-Mine too!] He would soon meet with countless goblins, of the three hundred serving him, most served Gobbolas or Gobomir. However, just over one hundred didn''t have anyone and remained regular ember goblins, which couldn''t continue. So Leonhardt bought several things from the Dungeon Master''s shop. To others, these were worthless, but to Leon, who valued goblins, they were a gold mine. "I''m off to meet them, wish me luck, ladies." ''Come to think of it, I wonder how long it will take Nyxara to catch my scent...'' he chuckled to himself as the purple box of light enveloped him. "She''s more like a feline than an elf." Leonhardt found himself in the middle of a beautiful grassy plain, with mountains and forests in the distance. "The dungeon is amazing... can I reach those mountains?" He squatted and brushed his hand along the verdant blades of grass, warm, smooth soil that bounced with each pat. "This is... my dungeon?" A strange, ticklish sensation travelled up his spine, a sense of belonging and link forming for the first time. "Why did I wait this long to truly check my dungeon?" This floor would greet adventurers who pushed through the first five rooms upstairs. However, he couldn''t understand sacrificing this beautiful land. [Don''t feel down, you''ve done well!] (Ifrit, don''t baby him... he wants honest and harsh guidance.) Both women gave valid responses, although he didn''t respond. Leonhardt appreciated their presence and help, and he couldn''t deny that he needed the harsh guidance. ''Please support my choices if they are correct.'' [Always] (If you let me out, big sister will guide you even better~) Despite Dravanna''s sultry joke, Leonhardt knew the two meant the best for him, and as the goblins started appearing. Their faces concerned, lost looks all gazing around until they saw him and, like hungry little cats, they rushed towards him with bright eyes and smiles. "Dungeon Master!" A small female goblin stepped forward. Leon presumed she might be their spokesperson. "Are you the one who shall speak for your brothers and sister?" "Y-Yes, My Lord!" her voice was cute, with a slight accent that tickled his chest. "Today, I have summoned you all, my dear goblins. To give you a chance! ...a chance to evolve!" Chapter 135 - 135: The Goblin Council Rises Leonhardt watched the female goblin whisper amongst the others, waiting quietly. He snapped his fingers, and a copy of his throne appeared. The moment he sat down, many of the goblins made a sound of awe. "I love these goblins..." he muttered, but then his eyes widened. "Griv!? I forgot him!" (Don''t worry, he''s having the time of his life.) [Zafira also gave him a dungeon stone in secret.] Ifrit blocked out Dravanna''s excited voice before she gave Leonhardt another report on how amazing his dungeon mistress was. ''Zafira... Zafira... Nobody does it like Zafira.'' He observed the goblins, their expressions, body language and how they spoke to the female whom he forgot to name. Finally, she turned back to face Leonhardt and stepped forward before getting down on her knees and bowing to him. "Dear Master, he who gives us a wonderful life. We have decided to accept whatever you choose, and adore your divine affection. Our beloved King." (She''s laying it on thick... for a goblin!) [This girl has talent¡ªher diplomatic and speaking skills are amazing!] Leonhardt used Dravanna''s raw responses and Ifrit''s careful and considerate comments to guide him, but in the end. It would fall upon his desire to choose and govern the goblins as their Dungeon Master and King. ''I want to be more king-like to them...'' He thought, then tapped his voice box and adjusted his voice. "May I ask if you have a name, young goblin." Leonhardt spoke in a lower, more elegant tone. She shuddered, her lips curling into a deep, reverent smile while pressing her face to the ground and called out. "I have no name, but some call me Gobulina!" Because he wanted to reward her, Leonhardt decided to give her a name. His right hand tapped the red rune on his throat, opening the monster management panel in his system. It flashed for a few moments after he tapped the small tool icon. "From this moment forth, since you are Gobulina, let your nickname be Lina. The first head of the Goblin council and its speaker." [Gobulina - Lina] Title: Head of the Goblin Council - Speaker Race: Ebonfire Goblin Class: Politician/Head Priestess Level: 15 [Status] Attack: 25 Defence: 15 Speed: 12 Magic: 45 Charm: 60 Mana Purity: F [Skills] Diplomacy [Level 4] Writing [Level 2] Reading [Level 4] Communication [Level 5] Disguise Form [Level 10] (New) Investigation [Level 3] (New) Zealot [Level 10] (New) Politics [Level 1] (New) Immediately after his words, Lina''s body hovered off the ground, her limbs trembling as a pure black flame wrapped her body, and she evolved... the item he used allowing a goblin to develop into a Leader-Type class. Her body became tanned, a beautiful, silky brown sun touched with golden brown hair, and a gorgeous face with the features of a goblin. Fangs. Sharp green or yellow eyes, Short and stumpy pointed ears. A short height, barely reaching 5ft 4 inches. But her body was lean, with muscles a human wouldn''t have, but at the cost of a flat or smaller chest, though her waist was thin and her hips were wide. [How did you make another race!?] (Oooh~ it seems they got my blessing!) The Ebonfire goblins were, as Dravanna said, because of Leonhardt''s excess desire. He bore a second race of goblins, their sun-touched appearance beautiful and more charming, but they lacked the large frame of the Embervale goblins. "Lina, you are the first of your kind. A special and worthy member of my dungeon." "M-Master... I am, I can give birth!?" Lina''s voice trembled, the biggest issue of goblins in the dungeon, they were tools and couldn''t give birth. Although overjoyed, her face twisted as if fearful of something, "Master... but what if..." she dropped lower, rubbing her head against the ground, the alluring sight of the goblin''s rump causing Leonhardt to avert his gaze. "Enough, I know what you fear. Teach your children well, and if they seek to leave the dungeon, then I will create a kingdom for your kind to live freely, without submitting to my control..." Leonhardt looked back, unable to resist her jiggling hips. "Lina, this is my vision." Though the skill [Zealot] worried him, he decided to be honest. "All of you, I want you to choose five people who are good at things other than combat." Leonhardt gazed across the hundreds of goblins who tilted their heads, then looked around, and fingers started being pointed. A blacksmith. A herbalist/alchemist A study A money-loving goblin. "I see... step forward, you!" he pointed to the thin, wiry-looking goblin that reminded him of Griv and tapped his throne. "Who are you?" "M-Master... Snaggle is Snaggle!" The way of speaking was similar to Griv''s, but a bit more active, and his eyes shone like golden coins¡ªthis goblin was apparently a money-loving goblin. "Henceforth, Snaggle, you shall be the Minister of Wealth. All gold shall be under your care, little goblin." Like with Lina, his body wrapped in a black flame, his skin became darker and more sun-kissed, but his face gained a slight trace of elegance, and he wasn''t bad looking for a goblin, at least. "Y-Your Majesty! I will fill our coffers with the most beautiful shining gems and gold!" Snaggle''s voice became more focused, easy to understand, and most of all, his golden eyes lost the milky surface and became sharp, bright and vivid. [Snaggle] Title: Minister of the Goblin Council - Wealth Race: Ebonfire Goblin Class: Banker/Merchant Level: 21 [Status] Attack: 18 Defence: 11 Speed: 11 Magic: 35 Charm: 15 Mana Purity: F [Skills] Business [Level 4] Writing [Level 2] Reading [Level 4] Communication [Level 3] Disguise Form [Level 10] (New) Mathematics [Level 3] (New) Trade [Level 2] (New) Calculation [Level 4] (New) Subterfuge [Level 2] (New) "Phew... it seems the women are stronger," Leonhardt muttered as he tossed a huge sack of gold and gemstones from his adventures and earnings from the dungeon. "Use this for the dungeon, use your skills to grow a business set in the outpost." "Y-Yes, My King! Haha, Shiny coins~" Snaggle hopped on the spot and stood beside Lina, who glared at him like a wild beast. The third member was unique for a goblin, shorter and more muscular like a dwarf masquerading as a goblin. He looked at Leon with a sharp and aggressive gaze, holding a stone hammer and apron, and he grunted. "Hn!" [This goblin''s throat seems damaged.] "Huh?" That''s when Leonhardt noticed the thick scars across his throat, lizard scars... likely a survivor of the attack in the north. However, he didn''t bring that up, and instead, he asked a simple question. "Do you love forging weapons?" He gazed back with a stern look and nodded with another growl. "Hnn!" "Do you love your goblin brothers and sisters?" The blacksmith looked around, nodding with several grunts sometimes high-pitched, and others low and with a slight vibration, seeming to be a chuckle. He faced Leonhardt with a resolute gaze and nodded once. "HN!" "Then from this day forth, you are Hanz, the minister of Craftsmanship. All things created in our kingdom will follow your rules and creed." Leonhardt spoke with a soft and gentle voice before taking out an item that was stored in the dungeon vault. Hanz looked stunned, his eyes focused on the item. Leonhardt held the curved sword with a sharp blade, swinging it twice. Woosh Swish! "Amazing!" He called out, the words causing Hanz to freeze. The King of goblins acknowledged his work! Immediately after, the black flames wrapped around the short goblin, he didn''t grow much taller, even shorted than Lina, but his muscles became thicker, his eyes bigger and more vivid and clear... his black hair in a mohawk and moustache looked awesome. But the biggest change. "M...Master... Master...!?" A strained, unfamiliar voice, low and gruff, like a mining pick dragging along minerals. Hanz spoke for the first time, and his entire form trembled as he dropped to his knees, manly tears of iron ore dripping from his eyes. [Hanz] Title: Minister of the Goblin Council - Craftsmanship Race: Ebonfire Goblin Class: Ebonfire Blacksmith Level: 35 [Status] Attack: 55 Defence: 35 Speed: 5 Magic: 25 Charm: 25 Mana Purity: C [Skills] Hammer Skill [Level 6] Writing [Level 2] Reading [Level 4] Communication [Level 3] Disguise Form [Level 10] (New) Smelting [Level 3] Blacksmithing [Level 8] Magi-Blacksmithing [Level 1] (New) Zealot [Level 10] (New) Hanz became calm, the emotions sealed within his fiery eyes, causing Leonhardt to smirk, though another Fanatical goblin appeared. Lina guided Hanz to the group with Snaggle, who looked terrified of her. "Now then..." Two female goblins trembled, their eyes different colours, one... with verdant green pupils and covered in dirt, her hands and clothes filled with the scent of the earth, even her hair was green. The other was a little strange, shy and hiding behind the first while holding a thick human book and the appearance of these shocked him. "Forgive me, Master, these two are sisters... summoned at the same time." "Thanks, Lina." Leonhardt winked at the pretty goblin. Thankfully, this wasn''t the goblin Griv loved, and he would let Griv be the one to help evolve Goblina... who seemed to be a close friend of Gobulina. "I will grant you both names and titles." "!!!" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." The green-haired girl looked bored¡ªher hands dug into her apron, while the other goblin with glasses looked ashamed. "First, Mossi, you will be the Minister of Growth... all things related to the ground and alchemy are your domain." "Nebi, I entrust you with knowledge, as the scribe and librarian of the council, will you help me keep records of everything?" Both goblins looked at Leonhardt with wide eyes before the black flames wrapped around the pair. Mossi grew taller, with a slim body and her hair draped to her ankles, soft, silky and green like the roots of a tree, but stronger than a rock wall. Long fingers and an elegant and humanoid figure, she looked like a goddess of fertility with wide hips and bountiful breasts and a tribal dress wrapped around her figure. Verdant eyes glowing with a magical hue. Nebi''s figure contorted, twisting into a calm and modest figure, her fingers long, delicate, but deft, and her brown eyes became deeper and larger with a messy brown bob down to her shoulders. "Your Highness...!" Nebi spoke first, her small glasses hanging on the end of her nose. "Thank you so much!" Meanwhile, Mossi knelt and touched the ground. "I can feel... their desires, the ground is excited and satisfied." She then looked up at Leonhardt as her eyes flashed with a green shimmer. "My King, I will serve you well." Leonhardt nodded with a wide smile, Lina taking the other two girls and lining them up and then looked up at him with her wet eyes. "Master, what is next?" "All of you, decide a trade, something you want to do and Lina, you are the one that will tell me their choices, organising them into groups so I can grant their wishes to the best of my ability." He paused, then leaned on his palm with a faint smile. "Do you understand?" "YESH!" Lina shouted, before covering her mouth, and muttering something to herself... but Leonhardt didn''t mind. He closed his eyes and waved the goblins away. "Go, I will call for you tomorrow. Lina." ''This is the first step...'' Chapter 136 - 136: Bonding with a royal succubus Leonhardt returned from the second-floor field after meeting the goblins, only for a black figure to lunge at him. Woosh! He caught Zafira, who dived at him the moment he entered his room, her body soft, warm and barely clothed. "I thought you''d left me~" she said with a sweet voice, hanging on his neck with both arms. "When did you bring me home?" Zafira''s golden eyes looked down at Leonhardt half-closed into gleaming slits. "The moment you fainted¡ª" "I didn''t faint!" she shouted, interrupting him, pulling him closer with her hands, nuzzling against his cheeks with a low purring sounding from her throat. The notion that a succubus would lose in the art of lust could be the biggest shame. However, Leonhardt just found it amusing the difference between when she was begging for more with a sweet voice, and the current shameful denial. "Okay then, you didn''t faint." he just chuckled and carried her back to the bed, and threw her down with a bounce. "Kyaa!" Since their relationship developed a step further, Zafira became much calmer, and her guard became weaker. Zafira gazed up at him while rolling herself inside the sheets. "Did you carry me here like that?" she curiously asked while lying on her back. ''Does she make her wings flutter like that on purpose?'' he wondered while watching her cute little movements and actions. "I did, you were heavy and kept snoring." Smack. Her tail whipped through the air and slapped Leon''s cheek. "Ack¡ª!" Though the force wasn''t anything special, he still threw himself onto the bed and held his cheek while groaning in pain. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Idiot! I do not snore." Zafira hissed. Her cheeks puffed out, eyes opened wide and bright red cheeks. She couldn''t stop the rapid beating of her heart each time he teased her. The thought of his lips, his tongue, the kissing and the emotions she felt while in that small, dirty room. It was a thousand times better than anything she''d done before... And she couldn''t deal with the intense emotions that were so calm before. From the moment they left for Astrea, Zafira understood she would change. Her race became this way after meeting the right male. But her male was just too good! "Then what are you going to do about it?" Leonhardt let his head lean off the edge of the bed, his smile filled with amusement. "Hmph... this!" Zafira slipped from the sheets, rolling over his chest, her legs straddling his waist, the soft heat from her body spreading through his limbs as she leaned over his face and rubbed his cheeks with her hands. Leonhardt''s pupils dilated, her sweet breath blowing into his face, silky black hair draping to the side, tickling his cheek. "Well, what are you going to do?" he taunted her, while dazed from her natural beauty. Leonhardt didn''t wait for Zafira to respond; instead, he grabbed her hips, sliding his hands along her plump buttocks and slowly squeezing the excess flesh that squished between his fingers. "Hnngh...!" A succubus could entice a man with a look... so then what would a soft, sensual moan do? The sound of her voice flowed through his ears and into his mind. It was like a bell that chimed, a seductive chime that made him almost lose control. His heart raced, his crotch became tight, and countless chemicals rushed into his brain. "Hehe, you seem excited... am I that pretty?" Zafira didn''t seem to care, her sharp nail poking his cheek, bouncing off the soft flesh and making a small indentation. "Very." He said with a deep tone, "you damn seductress." "That''s what I am," she pulled out her tongue. "I can''t help that." ''Well, if she''s in a good mood...'' "Zafira." "Hm?" "You look really pretty right now." Zafira stopped, her face turning red, and then after a moment of silence... turned away with a huff, her eyes flicking towards him, before she huffed. "I don''t even have any makeup, don''t lie..." A succubus didn''t use makeup like a human or elf, but makeup was something like their ears or nose¡ªeach succubus had a different and unique style. *** Zafira shivered with her mouth open wide as Leonhardt hugged her from behind. Eventually, she released him and lost to his teasing, but soon he would leave her again, because he wanted to visit Erina and the other girls. "Will you really come back to me, if you don''t..." Her lips pressed together as she buried her face in his neck. "I might kill them." "Hah," Leonhardt laughed. "I won''t forgive you." "Idiot, don''t tease me..." He moved away, turning her head to kiss her soft, plump lips, feeling them tremble under his touch. She moaned before moving her hands across his back and squeezing him closer to her body. She knew he teased her, but the way he touched her body, stroking along her spine, was real. "You''re so cute when you pout like that." Zafira''s tail slapped his shoulder before wrapping around his neck to bring him closer, the softness of his hair tickling her cheek. "You can''t kiss them... or let them do lewd things!" Zafira''s cheeks puffed out, her eyes narrowed into slits. "Well, a succubus against lewd actions... amazing." "Don''t make fun!" she cried out. "Okay, okay." Leonhardt kissed her forehead, letting her fall to his chest before pulling away and moving to the door. He stopped outside and turned back, gazing at her sitting up on the bed. "You''re my number one, don''t be so jealous of them." "Ehehe..." She watched him leave, and the moment he faded from her sight... Zafira''s eyes became sharp, her body straightened up, and she stood from the bed with a huff. "My partner makes me feel too good, I cannot let him get hurt or attacked," she spoke with a harsh and aggressive tone. Then stepped towards the wall and tapped a small pink button that flashed in her vision. Similar to the glyph on Leonhardt''s chair, this was a different glyph. The next moment, a whirring of mechanical and metal echoed as the wall opened to reveal a dark room filled with transparent screens and a large panel with various crystals plugged into slots. Zafira tapped her finger on the table, which caused the dark room to flash and illuminate from multiple sources. The screens all turned on, showing scenes of each girl, their daily actions. Their moments alone, but most screens were of Leonhardt in the shower, while going down on her, sleeping with Asuka, and having fun with Sylvie in the bath. It was almost everything that Leon did with other women. "I will be watching... Dear Master," The flicker of images shone in her eyes, while she focused on another set of screens that overlooked a dark land filled with fire and miasma. "I won''t let you hurt my lover!" Her lips twisted into a snarl, exposing her sharp teeth and fangs. She would never let the demon empire attack the dungeon again. Because of the sudden invitation, it was clear her existence had become known. Even though Leon remained silent, the enchanted letter stopped her from touching it, which meant that her father was involved. "Father, don''t concern yourself... I don''t want to fight you." Chapter 137 - 137: Leonhardts plan - Preparation for the Goblin Village (I) Meanwhile, in Arlet village, many people visited Erina and went about their daily business as usual. Today, Leonhardt wanted to see two people. He would visit his partner and see if she wanted to expand their business, and arrange a meeting between the Minister of Growth and Veronica. His first visit would be to The Sleepy Kobold. *Jingle* The first thing he noticed was the improved atmosphere, less rough, and the walls and doors seemed new. A dark, glossy wood that was smooth to the touch and a little warm. "Welcome!" A young, beautiful voice echoed. Leonhardt turned to the voice and gasped. The short woman with long ears looked similar to Veronica, with fluffy blond hair and orange eyes that flickered in the sunlight. "Ah! It''s the Master!" She called out in a loud voice, before covering her lips... a cute and rather sweet voice. "Is Veronica here?" He didn''t know if she was Veronica''s daughter or family, so he played it safe. "Mm..." She tilted her head with a finger on her lips, the cute village dress and black and white apron bringing out her modest figure. "Aunt Veronica is in the cellar, can you wait a little for her to finish?" ''Honestly I don''t need to rush, Lina told me that she would visit me tomorrow.'' [You just like looking at cute women, admit it!] (Well, he''s part arachne and Black Dragon... of course, his sex drive is high.) Ifrit and Dravanna constantly spoke whenever he made choices or did something. One would complain while the other became excited. They never agreed on anything despite being so old. "Then can I get a chilled Papillon and something to eat?" he didn''t mind ordering, since spending money was an experience he enjoyed. "Of course! You''re the Master." The pretty young barmaid skipped back into the kitchen, while he sat down at a large table, spotless and new. "Even the chairs are comfortable and soft now..." It no longer felt like a village bar. Instead, it might even surpass a city bar or inn. He also noticed that the customers quietly drank and ate their meals. Rather than noise, it was a calming background sound. Leonhardt couldn''t explain it, but he enjoyed this human-like action and trait. The rush he felt when buying the random goblin jobs and classes before meeting the council and deciding how to guide them made him excited. He watched the gap in the kitchen and saw the young woman chopping vegetables and meat... it seemed she was cooking for him. "it''s rare to see the young miss making food, what a lucky man." An Elderly woman chuckled at the old man in front of her. "Well, he''s a good looking lad, and looks polite." Her husband grumbled. The murmur of conversation mixed with the soft clatter of wooden mugs and cutlery. A breeze wafted through the opened window, carrying the scent of herbs, baked bread, and a sharp citrus-sweet aroma¡ªthat was his Papillon. Clack. The small woman in the apron carefully placed a round wooden tray before him. On it sat a small dish of golden, seared root vegetables with a drizzle of mushroom butter, a wedge of grilled white fish with sprigs of parsley, and beside it. The star¡ªa glass of chilled Papillon. A pale lavender colour swirled inside the crystal, laced with soft golden sparkles that clung to the rim. "Enjoy!" she beamed before bowing her head and flitting away like a squirrel with too much energy. Leonhardt lifted the glass and took a slow sip. Sweet at first. Like peach and honey kissed with a sun-warmed strawberry. Then came the familiar sharpness, that fermented tang of Crysta lemons, but it faded softly, melting into a mellow smoothness that lingered. "Mmh." [Stop making those noises or the girl will get the wrong idea.] Ifrit''s voice sounded with second-hand embarrassment. (She already likes the sound, let him enjoy his wine, sourpuss.) Dravanna''s voice purred. Leonhardt rolled his eyes mentally and picked up the fork, spearing a bit of fish. Crisp, moist, seasoned with dill and some spice he didn''t recognise. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The meal was light but full of flavour¡ªsomeone took care with this. He looked again at the kitchen window. The girl was on her tiptoes, reaching for a spice jar, humming some old elvish tune out of key. "...Master or not, this is dangerous," he muttered with a half-smile, taking another bite. From the stairs leading to the cellar, heavy footsteps approached. The voices fell quiet, and then¡ª Click. Creak. Out stepped Veronica. "Now now, what''s this I hear about the Master being served by my niece?" Her voice carried smooth and warm, like silk dragged through honey, with just a hint of teasing smoke. Leonhardt turned and took her in. Veronica had filled out more than he remembered¡ªthicker in the hips, her top tight with the kind of weight that came with age and luxury. She tied her golden hair back in a relaxed braid, a few strands framing her sharp cheekbones and glinting gold eyes. "And you''re looking more¡­ expensive," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Oh my, then would you care to buy me?" Veronica chuckled, walking over with that slow sway she always had¡ªintentional, like every step was to remind someone she knew what she was worth. And more. "Your wine money talks, darling," she said, slipping into the seat across from him. Her fingers idly drummed against the wood. "The new walls, the tables, my sexy figure and even the new menu¡ªit''s all Papillon-powered. Your fruit and my wine? A goldmine." "And yet you didn''t pour yourself a glass." She smirked. "If I drank every time I made money, I''d be under the table." Then she leaned in, eyes narrowing slightly. "So, why''s the tough mercenary himself visiting a sleepy little inn and not spending time with his cute young girls?" Leonhardt matched her gaze. "Sometimes, something charming with maturity and experience is best to admire." She raised an eyebrow. "Mmm. So what is it? If you want to sleep with me, then sign this." In her hand was a marriage document, already filled in with a 50% split on all finances. [Hahahaha!] (This woman is quite amusing.) He couldn''t deny that it was rather tempting not to sleep with her, but to bind her to him. Leonhardt didn''t care for the laws of elves and humans¡ªif he wanted to marry, he would, and if not, then he wouldn''t. "No, I need your help and have an offer to make." "Oh, and offer?" she leaned closer, sliding her chair with a squeak, as their thighs touched. "Tell me your offer, if it makes money, I''m all yours." Leonhardt couldn''t help but admire the mental fortitude of this woman. "Well, do you accept a binding oath, so you cannot speak to anyone about it?" His hand extended into the air before pulling out a golden parchment. "I see..." Veronica watched him carefully, but didn''t decline. "If it isn''t going to harm me, or that girl, I will." He didn''t waste time and sliced his thumb, and pressed it against the contract. "Here." Veronica took it and looked over the terms, "It''s just to keep me quiet and nothing else, you really are the best business partner." She couldn''t help but remember the number of times humans tried to swindle her. She grabbed his hand, using his sharp nail to cut her thumb and pressed it into the oath. Immediately after the contract burned into two flames, one black, the other golden, as the golden one entered Leon and the black entered Veronic, information filled their minds... secrets and information they held back in the past. "Oh... you... Ack¡ª!" When she tried to state his identity, her head jolted with an electric shock "Haha, don''t worry. I won''t kill you or abuse your trust." She raised an eyebrow. "Mmm. So what is it? A second Kobold? A mobile wine cart? An inn inside a cave?" "A small branch inn inside the village outskirts. Near the east walls. You''d run it, build it as you like. Quietly. You get profits and full control¡ªmy goblins will protect the place, but you never say the dungeon''s name. Not once." "Well I can''t do that now anyway, right?" Her lips curled into a deep, seductive smile. The look in her eyes became different. A flame burned inside them, her appeal more... serious. Veronica tapped her lip in thought, the nail glinting gold. "And the humans? What happens when some poor traveller drinks a bit too much and starts screaming about the ''monster bar''?" "I''ll let the monsters eat him." She gave a throaty laugh. "Gods, you haven''t changed." Her hand slipped under the table and brushed his thigh¡ªnot sexual, just familiar. "You''re still dangerous in a very bad way." "Is that a yes?" Veronica leaned forward, her cleavage softening against the edge of the table. Her voice dropped lower, playful. "I''ll think about it¡­ if you pour me a glass and call me Mistress." Chapter 138 - 138: Leonhardts plan - Preparation for the Goblin Village (II) Leonhardt didn''t blink. He picked up the bottle from the tray the girl had left behind, popped the wax seal, and filled her glass with a careful hand, slow, deliberate, the kind of pour that said I''m humouring you, not surrendering. The liquid shimmered like dusky moonlight. Veronica smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh my. Dangerous and obedient. I might have to steal you from the goblins." "I don''t come cheap," he said, tone dry. She took a slow sip of the Papillon, eyes closing briefly. "Mmm¡­ Gods, that''s good. You ruin me with this stuff." Her gaze flicked open. "And I mean that in more ways than one." He raised an eyebrow. She leaned back in her chair, running a finger down the stem of the glass. "Here''s a counter-offer, dragon-boy. You help me build this second inn¡ªyour way, your goblins, your plan¡­ but"¡ªher tongue touched her top lip, slowly "you give me the exclusive contract for all the Papillon." Leonhardt blinked once. "You want all of it?" He then narrowed his eyes, feeling her feet sliding up his leg, and reached out, grasping her soft, meaty thighs. "Can you handle all of it?" Her body shuddered, eyes aflame like small beacons, narrowing into a seductive glance. "All that leaves the dungeon," she said, swirling her glass. "Not the stuff you guzzle or sell privately¡ªjust what makes it to market. I''ll handle distribution, branding, bottling. We make it a luxury. Humans love the idea of something they can''t get." "And what do I get?" he asked, though he already knew. Veronica smirked. "A steady gold stream. And me, dressed like this¡ª" she gestured to herself pulling on her tight neckline, "¡ªdoing whatever you say in front of a roaring fire with a Papillon in hand." A long pause. (Take the deal.) Dravanna hissed in his mind. (Take the woman. Take the wine. Take the damn fire. Take everything!) [Or pour the wine on her head and walk out. She''s playing you.] Ifrit snapped. Leonhardt reached for his glass and clinked it gently against hers. "We''ll draft terms later." "Ooh, listen to you. All formal and proper." Veronica smiled, but it didn''t quite reach her eyes. She leaned in again. "I won''t forget who really owns everything in this room, including myself." A hot sigh left her lips as she pecked his cheek. Leonhardt''s eyes didn''t move. She pulled back slowly, deliberately¡ªher lips brushing just enough to feel the heat of his skin, then lingering in the air between them like a secret. "And I expect a receipt for that," he murmured. Veronica giggled low in her throat, a sultry sound. "Mm¡­ don''t worry. I always keep records¡ªespecially for things I plan to collect on later." Her thigh slid free from his grasp with a faint, tantalising rub, the hem of her skirt falling back into place like nothing ever happened. He stood slowly, adjusting his coat as she watched him with the sort of satisfied grin a cat wore after cornering a bird. It had no intention of killing¡ªyet. "Will you be staying the night?" she asked, voice feathery-light. He paused at the door. "Depends how many more contracts you try to slip under the sheets." Veronica gave a little hum. "I''d make sure the ink was still wet." He turned just enough to glance at her over his shoulder, lips quirking. "Don''t tempt me." She leaned back in her chair, swirling the Papillon in slow circles. "Darling, I am the temptation." "Haha." He left her inn with a small laugh, waving back to her, ignoring the fiery gaze she sent his way. Although he could easily enjoy an hour in the back with her, he was busy, but walking with the uncomfortable chub in his pants was a little annoying. *Jangle* The air outside was warm and rich with the scent of wet earth and baked bread from the nearby ovens. Arlet''s streets were alive compared to his original thoughts¡ªfarmers hauling carts, children chasing a wooden hoop, and a few mercenaries laughing over lunch. He thought it might become a ghost town after the wolf issue. ''Well, Sylvie became their de facto hero thanks to killing them.'' Leonhardt walked with a purpose. He wanted to meet Aella and avoid making her his enemy. Because her mother was apparently a battle maiden, something even Nyxara mentioned in fear. [She''s too confident. That''s dangerous.] Ifrit''s voice was sharp in his skull. (That confidence is what makes her so fun!) Dravanna purred, clearly still smirking in whatever recess of his mind she haunted. (Did you feel how wet was got the moment your hand slid under that table? Mmm¡­ juicy woman.) Leonhardt didn''t answer. His hand idly adjusted his belt, mind already shifting from flirtation to business. Rather, facing Aella was another form of flirtation, because she would be the one trying to seduce him like always. He crossed the wide street where the guild banner swayed lazily in the breeze¡ªblack ink etched over white cloth, the sword-and-flame sigil bold as ever. The Mercenary Guild of Arlet stood proudly, its heavy doors open to the usual storm of complaints, contracts, and tavern gossip. But he wasn''t here for noise. Time to see if Aella was in the mood to talk. *** The guild hall smelled like oiled leather, sweat, and roasted meat. And of course, beer! Not that it was an unpleasant smell, just a very strong and pungent one. Sunlight flowed through the tall windows, casting angled beams across the wide stone floor scored by boots and blade scuffs. On the walls, wanted posters and quest missions curled slightly at the edges, the parchment dirty from human touch. Leonhardt stepped inside, the heavy door slamming shut behind him. A few heads turned. Some mercs nodded with casual respect. Leonhardt was still a newcomer, but he solved several issues, and the people knew him. Not to mention, the priestess and Sylvie always talked about him. He now wore an elegant black jacket over his white tunic with a dagger at his waist, and neat, well-tailored pants from the dungeon store. He looked noble through and through. Maybe closer to a royal. However, the atmosphere was pleasant, so Leon greeted them back. He walked to the counter with a deep thud, his steel boots loud and heavy. At the long counter of worn oak stood Aella. She was leaning forward, arms crossed under her chest, her white hair pulled into a tight battle-tail that hung just past her shoulders. Her skin was the deep almond typical of her kind, with just a hint of violet sheen when the light hit it right. Her eyes were a sharp, heated purple¡ªhalf-lidded and bored. She was glaring at a short man across the desk, a poor bastard holding a crumpled contract and visibly sweating. "For the last time," she said, her voice low and clipped, "we don''t take requests to kill your wife''s lover unless your wife puts in the request herself. Grow a pair or get a lawyer." The man stammered something, but she was already dismissing him with a flick of her hand. "Next." Leonhardt stepped forward. She didn''t even look up at first¡ªjust shoved the request board aside with her elbow, reached for a quill, then paused. Her nostrils flared. Not in surprise. In irritation. "¡­So the mighty Leonhardt does remember where the front door is," Aella said flatly, her voice edged with that particular blend of dry sarcasm and wounded pride only a woman like her could wield properly. Leonhardt stopped a few paces from the counter. "You''ve been busy," he said, tone even. "So have you." She didn''t blink. "Just not with me." He didn''t answer that immediately. Her stare was unrelenting. He could see the faint red tint in her cheeks, subtle but there. She wasn''t angry about the missed paperwork. She was furious that he didn''t bring it. "And here I thought sending Sylvie was a sign of respect," he said. "I figured you''d enjoy watching a proper mage do her paperwork with perfect margins." Aella leaned forward over the counter, the muscles in her arms tightening as she braced her weight. "Sylvie isn''t a hot, half elf that makes me want to break many treaties and laws." Leonhardt''s lip twitched, just enough to suggest a smile without fully committing. "Well," he said, voice soft and low, "you could''ve just written that on a complaint form." Aella scoffed, looking away for a half-second¡ªjust enough time to reset her scowl. But her ears were pink now. She hated that he still got under her skin with so little effort. "You''re an ass," she muttered. "A smug, probably-freshly-laid ass." "I wasn''t." "What?" He looked her in the eyes, unblinking. "I haven''t been laid." The pause that followed was¡­ intense. Aella blinked. Then blinked again. "¡­Why the hell would you say that?" "You seemed the type who''d ask eventually." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She choked on a sound¡ªhalf-laugh, half-growl¡ªand rubbed her temple like he was some kind of paperwork-related migraine. "Gods, you''re exhausting." "You''re the one fantasising about war crimes." Her fingers curled into fists against the desk. "I was fantasising about choking you. Now I''m fantasising about charging you for emotional damages." Despite her harsh words, Aella''s hands slipped closer... brushing against his hand. [Another slutty elf!] (You would be far worse if you had a body!) Chapter 139 - 139: I Need You! (For my dungeon) He stepped a little closer. Not enough to breach Aella''s space¡ªjust enough to draw her attention back to the fact that he was, in fact, taller than her. Broader. Calmer. And, annoyingly, very much aware of what effect he had on people. "Look," he said, tone finally shifting into something more grounded, more real. "I''m not here to flirt. I came because I need someone smart and loud and sharp enough to push something through the guild without drawing too many eyes." S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aella''s flirtatious edge dulled a little. She blinked again, slower this time. "¡­You being serious right now?" He nodded. "Dead serious." She stared at him for another moment, then exhaled through her nose. "Alright," she said. "We''ll talk. Back room''s open." As she pushed off the counter and stalked around the desk, she added without looking at him: "But after this business? You''re buying me a drink. And if I even smell Sylvie''s perfume on you again, I''m making you file everything by hand. In triplicate." Leonhardt followed her toward the back hallway, the faintest smile returning to his lips. "Understood. No mages. No paperwork. War crimes optional." "Optional my ass," she muttered. "Well... you do have a nice one..." *** The back room was modest¡ªstone walls, no windows, just a narrow, rectangular space meant more for quiet negotiations than comfort. A squat table sat in the centre, ringed by mismatched chairs, and a simple overhead lamp swayed in the breeze. Aella entered first and dropped into the chair at the far end of the table. She sprawled in her usual way¡ªlegs wide, posture loose, like someone ready to either fight or nap. Leonhardt stepped in after her, closing the door with a gentle click. His eyes caught, briefly, on the neckline. Earlier at the desk, she fastened them to the top. But now it hung open an extra button lower than it needed to. Just enough to suggest she was trying to send a message. She leaned back against the chair, resting her arm across the backrest lazily. "So," Aella said, her voice rough and extremely casual, "what did you need me for?" Leonhardt didn''t answer right away. He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down, identical to her, his body relaxed and both legs spread wide, elbow on the armrest and leaning on his palm. "I need the guild''s help," he said. Aella narrowed her eyes. "For what?" "How far can I trust you," He tapped his chin, while tilting his head slightly with a smile, "do you want to make a deal with me?" She frowned. "Bribes draw attention." "Well..." Leonhardt cleared his throat and continued. "What about the sole rights to dive into a dungeon for materials, ores and..." Her eyes widened instantly, the flirtatious look in her eyes freezing as her mouth dropped open. "The chance of a lifetime." Aelle''s face twitched... her eyes blinking several times. "¡­You know if I do that, I''m staking my rep. If someone audits this and it turns out you''re smuggling dark relics or demonic tools¡ª" "I''m not," he said. "You can rest assured I despise the demons." She stared. "¡­What are you offering?" "Fruit. Wine. Maybe some weapons and armour. Oh, and¡ª" Leonhardt''s aura suddenly filled the room, a hot, fiery magic that caused the air to tint black, bringing darkness to the room, as Nyxara and several dark elves appeared from his shadow. "A chance to prosper." "It''s a trade route," he said simply. "But not through human hands. I need the guild as the middleman. You, specifically." She stared at him for a long time. Then her voice dropped an octave. "¡­Why me?" He looked at her evenly. "Because you are pleasing to the eye, and... you would understand the importance of the women standing behind me, right?" Nyxara''s face scrunched up when he flirted with Aella, but she couldn''t do anything and twisted her lips into a charming scarlet red smile. "I am sure you understand what I mean by bringing these women here, to meet you." Aella didn''t answer right away. Her gaze flicked past Leonhardt to the women behind him. Unlike her imagination, the dark elves were heavy, plump and alluring women, but sharp, like shadows given shape, deadly daggers wrapped in elegance. Nyxara stood at the centre of them, poised like a knife in velvet. The other dark elves flanked her, silent and unreadable, each one radiating that strange blend of grace and lethality that only their kind could truly master. Aella''s fingers drummed once against the armrest. Her jaw clenched. Just a flicker. "¡­You''re bringing them into my guild?" Leonhardt tilted his head. "Not into the guild. Into the deal." "I don''t understand..." Her ears flopped, while she narrowed her eyes as if sizing up Leonhardt. "Wait, you... are you doing this because of my mother?" "No, your mother is important but this is a deal for you." Leonhardt leaned forward a little, voice low and calm. "I need someone smart, vicious, and untouchable by politics. That''s you. The guild respects you. The mercs fear you. And when someone like you puts their stamp on something... no one questions it." Aella''s violet eyes flicked from one woman to the next. Finally, they landed back on Leonhardt. "And in return?" "You get the exclusive rights to register every dungeon-bound resource we extract. You list them under your network. You take your cut. You oversee the transport, the guards, the storage routes. No interference from nobles, because they won''t know where it''s coming from. And when this all works?" Leonhardt''s lips curved into a cool, dangerous smile that made people sign contracts before realising what they''d agreed to. "You come out as the one who made it happen. The guild hero. Or villain, if you prefer." Aella didn''t flinch. "¡­Why me?" she asked, quieter this time. Leonhardt answered smoothly, without hesitation. "Because I find you pleasing to the eye, and you are a dark elf." Aella stared at him, unmoving. Then¡ª She huffed. A small, sharp, breathy sound. Not exactly a laugh, but more like a sound someone makes when they realise they''re holding a better hand than they thought. Her legs crossed slowly, one boot thudding against the edge of the table as she leaned back with a smirk blooming on her lips¡ªdangerous and curved, full of teeth. "Oh?" she said, tilting her head, her hair catching the dim lamp light. "So that''s what this is." Leonhardt arched a brow. "What is?" "You walk in here with these sun-kissed queens at your back, drip magic all over my floor, tell me I''m pleasing to the eye"¡ªshe gestured lazily to her open collar¡ª"and expect me to believe this is just business?" Leonhardt''s smile didn''t fade. "I said it starts as business." Aella''s smirk widened. "Hah. That''s more like it." She placed both hands on the table, slow and deliberate, fingers splayed. "So let me guess. You want me to be the face. The buffer. The pretty little blade between your secrets and the rest of the world." "You''d be the one holding the blade," Leonhardt said. She leaned forward, across the table now, eyes sharp and mouth dangerous. "What if I want more than the blade?" Chapter 140 - 140: The Difficulties of Being a Dark Elf Woman Leonhardt''s eyes flicked to hers. Calm. Focused. "What do you want, Aella?" Her voice dropped low. "I want in. Not just a cut. Not just a pretty role on some ledgers and a few crates of sparkling fruit piss. I want to sit at the table. With you." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Behind him, Nyxara became tense. Her smile vanished for a moment as her fingers twitched on the hilt of her sword. It was rude for a woman to do this, for dark elves. If someone challenged their leader, it caused both a pulse of jealousy and great anger. Aella slipped closer, as if going for the kill. She ignored the crackling mana and stepped closer, step by step. "I want to know what you really are. You''re not human¡ªI''ve known that since the first time you walked in here with your calm little smirk and eyes that don''t flinch at anything. You''re not a merchant. You''re not a noble brat. And you sure as hell aren''t just some guy with a dungeon pass." She leaned in until they were only inches apart. Her voice became a low, sultry whisper in a fierce and hungry tone. Leonhardt studied her face. No fear, and she wasn''t trying to upset him and anger him... in fact, her eyes were quite amicable, and filled with lust and raw ambition. "You realise what you''re asking for isn''t safe," he said. Aella''s grin was wicked. "I don''t do safe." A pause. Leonhardt drummed his fingers once against the table. "Alright." Her eyes widened slightly, but she held his gaze. Although he didn''t like this kind of deal and found it a little unpleasant, Leonhardt admired the intelligence of this woman. Not to mention her potential with a Battle Maiden mother. "You''ll get a seat," he said. "But seats come with responsibility. You take the fall if this gets traced. You silence what needs silencing. And if the humans sniff too close..." "I bite," she finished. "Hard." Nyxara finally stepped forward, her tone clipped but elegant. "Are you certain, Master? She is... volatile." Aella''s head turned, one brow lifting. "Why are you disturbing us when it''s getting good?" Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, glancing between the two as he understood how physical and warlike the dark elves were. Especially when fighting over a male. "M-Master?!" Nyxara''s voice cracked, her composure fracturing just enough to betray her fury¡ªand jealousy. Leonhardt didn''t turn. His gaze stayed locked on Aella, who was clearly enjoying every second. "Oh? So this is another one of your women... I see," Aella drawled, all faux-innocent charm. "I''m starting to think I''m not the only one who needs discipline." Nyxara''s hands curled into fists at her sides, mana crackling just beneath the surface of her skin. Leonhardt exhaled slowly. "Don''t start here, Nyxara. If you want to fight, then do it when I''ve left and everything''s settled." Nyxara flinched as if slapped. Her lips parted, but no words came. Not yet. Aella, meanwhile, stretched with her spine arching, hips tilting very deliberately. She moved back towards him with a slow, predatory grace, eyes never leaving his. Her voice dropped to something softer, sultrier¡ªlike silk dragging over bare skin. "I''m starting to like how you talk when you''re not pretending to be polite," she murmured. Leonhardt turned to face her fully. She stopped just in front of him, close enough for her breath to kiss his throat. "You say this isn''t personal," Aella continued, her finger running up the front of his coat, slow, teasing, "but I can smell it. You want power, yeah¡ªbut you want this too." Leonhardt didn''t move. She pressed her palm flat against his chest, voice a whisper now. "You want women who don''t flinch. Who don''t grovel. You want warriors at your table¡ªand in your bed." Nyxara''s aura flared behind her. A storm held barely in check, but Aella didn''t even blink. "You made your deal," she said. "But don''t think I''m just here for the logistics." She leaned in, brushing her lips just past the corner of his jaw¡ªnot a kiss... but more like some kind of promise or oath. "When this works," she purred, "and your little empire starts to rise¡­ I''m not settling for scraps." She nipped lightly at his earlobe, just enough to make a point. "I want a throne. And I want you sitting on it, with me in your lap. Dungeon Master." Aella worked it out, and then pulled away with a smug grin, eyes still burning, and turned to Nyxara with mock sweetness. "Oh, don''t look so sour. You can have Mondays." Nyxara visibly twitched. Leonhardt sighed. "Aella." "What? Sharing is diplomatic." She winked at him, blew a kiss, then turned and sauntered out of the room with the swagger of a woman who''d just signed a treaty and stolen a crown. The door clicked shut behind her. The silence that followed was molten. Nyxara stepped forward again, slow, simmering, her fingers clenched tight. "Master," she said through gritted teeth, "she¡ª" "Knows what she''s doing," Leonhardt cut in, voice low. Nyxara''s eyes glinted gold in the dim light. "She wants you." "I know." "She doesn''t respect your authority." "She respects the results." He turned toward her now, and this time his voice deepened¡ªless patient. "Control her later, if you must. Or win her over. Either way¡­ she''s mine now." Nyxara shivered. Her gaze dropped, heat rolling off her like steam. "¡­Understood." Leonhardt picked up the folder and tucked it beneath his coat. "Have the others prepare, we will be dealing with the orcs soon enough. The first shipment moves in three days. Oh, and Nyxara?" "Hm?" She shuddered, his face suddenly before hers. "You are still my favourite dark elf, don''t be too jealous." His hand brushed across her cheek, rubbing her lips with his thumb. "I hope you don''t disappoint me." And with that, he left the room, the scent of Aella''s perfume still lingering in the air. Behind him, Nyxara stood alone in the silence. Jealous. Furious. And¡­ maybe just a little aroused. "Master..." With a whisper, she looked back at the other dark elves, silent but judgmental. Then they vanished in the shadows. Chapter 141 - 141: Echoes in the Chapel The chapel stood at the edge of Arlet village. Quiet. Removed. A thin trail of white stone led up to its arched doorway, flanked by flowerbeds that hadn''t bloomed in months. The walls were old, but clean. No rot. No dust. Someone had been tending to it. Inside, it smelled of old incense and polished wood. Light spilt through the tall windows in golden beams. Not holy light. Just sunlight fractured through the glass. Erina stood at the front. Not preaching. Speaking. She spoke of community, of protection, of adapting. Her voice was soft but sure, each word stitched with careful warmth. Not sermons. Conversations. She didn''t name Leonhardt directly, but her words leaned toward him¡ªhis influence, his policies, his shadow spreading through the village like the roots of a quiet tree. She told herself it was a strategy. Aligning with him kept the people calm. That it was about balance. But when the heavy wooden door creaked open behind her, and she heard his slow, deliberate footsteps echo across the stone floor¡ª ¡ªHer voice stuttered. Only for a second. She didn''t turn to look. Didn''t need to. She already knew it was him. Leon. Always arriving when she least wanted him to. Always making her heart speed up in ways that had no reason to. Leonhardt walked without urgency. His black boots tapped against the polished stones, and he stopped just behind the last pew before placing his hands behind him and gazing at Erina. He watched her like a beast pretending to be tame in front of his prey. "Lady Erina," he said, voice smooth. Refined. The kind of voice people trusted because it carried no weight. "You speak to them well. Better than most priests I''ve met." "What priests have you met?" "Hah, true..." She turned, slowly. Her green eyes narrowed, not in anger, but in that way she always looked at him. Guarded. Annoyed, maybe. But never indifferent. "It''s not hard," she said, while brushing the faint dust off her robe. "These people are good, honest and just a little scared." He smiled, a small, practised curve, something he worked on with Zafira. "Scared people are the easiest to guide. So long as the voice sounds gentle." Her fingers twitched. "Is that how you see me? A voice for your plans?" He tilted his head slightly. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No," he said. "I see you as something else entirely." The words sounded quite charming, at least if taken at face value. But Erina couldn''t do that... because she could see his cold, icy gaze staring at her without the same warmth and affection. "Erina," he corrected himself, his voice softer than before as if her name tasted better without the title. She looked away first. There were villagers still sitting near the back¡ªelderly men, a pair of mothers with their children, a hunter resting with his hands clasped. None of them moved. It almost felt like they waited for her to send them away, like lost lambs. With a sigh, she stepped down from the altar and gave a light bow, ending the sermon as her heels clacked against the stone as she crossed the hallway to meet him. "You shouldn''t be here." Her eyes flicked between the villagers leaving, and she added with a whisper. "People will talk." "They always talk," he said. "But only the ones worth listening to speak with purpose." "You''re not helping." "I rarely do," he said with a faint smile. She hated that smile. It was calm, elegant, always just polite enough to pass¡ªbut never human. And yet, every time Leonhardt used her name, every time he looked at her like that¡ªlike she wasn''t prey, or a pawn, or one of them¡ª Her heart betrayed her. Thump. Just once. But enough. Leonhardt''s eyes drifted past her, scanning the pews with the faintest trace of disdain. Not obvious. Just a subtle twitch of his nose. The scent of sweat, cheap soap, nervous skin¡ªit clung to humans like rot clung to damp wood. But not her. Erina smelled clean. Not perfume. Not oils. Just¡­ clean. It unsettled him. He looked back at her. "Follow me," he said with a faint smile. Erina knew it wasn''t a question, but she still hesitated for a moment before turning on her heels and then following towards the back corridor where the light dimmed. A private place where the villagers couldn''t hear or see them. Behind them, near the last row of pews, a masked woman with a curvy figure rose silently to follow, wearing a cat mask and pale cloak. Dia. Leonhardt didn''t need to turn to know she was there. She was always there. Watching. Recording. Maybe thinking she was keeping an eye on him in hopes of reporting back to a man who would never hear the truth again. The man she loved, but no... her love wasn''t the same now. He did something, a cruel and heartless thing. A fun scene for the future. The back corridor was cooler. Narrow. The stone shifted in tone here¡ªless polished, more weathered. Cracks were running along the walls and floor like small spider webs, and the faint scent of candles and old parchment became thicker. Along the wall, faded murals told stories long forgotten. One showed a knight kneeling before a tree. Another, a woman holding a sun in her hands. The paint had chipped and darkened. Small details eroded by time, but the silhouettes remained¡ªechoes of faith that no longer mattered. Their footsteps were soft, swallowed by the stone. Leonhardt walked just behind Erina, his gaze fixed ahead, though he could feel her tension like a thread pulled taut between them. Dia followed at a distance. Silent. Unseen by most, her figure flickering like a ghost. But not by him, no, never by him. They stopped near a small reading chamber¡ªunused, quiet, partially hidden behind a hanging curtain of faded blue fabric. Inside was a bench along the wall, a simple wooden table, and a tall arched window with no glass, only iron bars. Wind passed through it gently, stirring the curtain behind them. Erina didn''t sit. Neither did he. Instead, she faced the open window, arms folded, as if the view beyond the stone mattered. It didn''t. Just a patch of grass, a crumbling fence, a crooked tree. But it gave her something to look at that wasn''t him. "I''ve kept my end," she said. "Spoken for you without saying your name. Shifted hearts without changing doctrine. They''re listening." Leonhardt stood behind her, a careful distance away. "You''ve done well." The praise caused her to gasp at him, confused and a little shocked, but then she felt doubtful because of his tone. "Am I one of your goblins? No!" He stepped closer. "No," he said, voice quieter. "They follow orders. You made choices." Erina turned her head away just enough for him to see the corner of her eye. "Do you think that matters to me, a human?" "Yes." She opened her mouth, lips parting with a moment''s pause. Wind stirred her hair, golden strands brushing her cheeks like a small dance as he noticed her green eyes flicker with uncertain thoughts and a slight gleam. "I don''t understand you!" she muttered. "What you are doing with this village, or with me. But it''s dangerous." He said nothing, and yet that silence told her everything she wanted to know. She turned to face him fully. "I''m not stupid, Leon," she continued, her voice low and tight. "You want power. You want control. You''re playing a long game¡ªone I probably can''t even see the edges of." She stepped closer. "But the people here¡­ they''re not pawns. They trust me," her voice trembled as she reached out, touching his chest. "It''s me they will blame, hate and curse when things go wrong." Leonhardt watched her quietly. The candlelight caught the curve of her jaw. The tension in her shoulders and the slight tears she fought off with sheer will at the corners of his eyes. He nodded once. "I know." Erina''s hand lingered against his chest. Not in affection. In accusation. She wrapped her fingers around the smooth fabric of his coat, almost a fish but not quite. It was just enough to show her feelings. "You won''t deny anything?" she asked. He didn''t waver and answered her in a flat voice. "No." There was no cruelty in it. No apology, either. Just the truth. He leaned forward, not enough to tower¡ªbut enough that her hand, still resting against him, felt his breath when he spoke. "You want me to lie to you, Erina?" "I want you to stop making me feel like I matter," she said. It slipped out¡ªtoo quiet, too raw. A whisper wrapped in something bitter, and something else¡­ almost afraid. Leonhardt didn''t flinch. "You do." That was all he said. Calm. Certain. No hesitation. And for some reason, that hurt more than anything else he could''ve done. Erina looked at him, lips parting, eyes wide with something that wasn''t entirely anger. Maybe not entirely fear, either. Her mouth moved, searching for a reply¡ªsomething to push him back, or pull herself out. But nothing came. Because in that moment, as the silence grew between them, she wasn''t sure if she wanted to run from him. ¡ªOr take another step closer. Chapter 142 - 142: Echoes in the Heart Leonhardt stepped forward, his movement unhurried¡ªthe kind of quiet advance that didn''t push, only filled space. There was no threat in it, no warmth either, just the calm certainty of someone who never needed to chase. The soft scrape of his boot against stone echoed through the chamber, louder than the pressure in Erina''s chest. Erina remained still, watching him in silence. He stopped less than a few inches away from her face, close enough for him to reach out and touch her cheeks or strangle her neck. Her eyes lowered to the ground, fixated on his shoes and the tips touching hers. That was until his hand moved, lifting and touching her chin with a strange and unsettling gentleness. A calculated gesture. Not violent. But absolute. Her breath caught, held somewhere in the back of her throat, and she found herself looking up into eyes that watched her like a problem he hadn''t solved yet. Her breathing slowed, soft, and barely audible¡ªbut enough for him to notice. His touch felt gentle, stroking her smooth skin, far more comfortable than she imagined. Leonhardt didn''t understand why he reached out, why he touched her... but the motion happened before he even thought about it. An echo from somewhere deep in his blood, older than reason. He should''ve let go. However, he chose not to... he couldn''t. His gaze stayed on hers, and for a moment something flickered behind his eyes¡ªcuriosity, maybe. Or the first breath of something more dangerous. A question he hadn''t yet phrased to himself. Erina''s lips parted with a wet smack from her lip gloss. She didn''t tremble, at least not visibly, but her heart, like a frantic deer, thrashed inside her chest. Leonhardt saved them many times, fought and guided their group. He even protected her when no one else would. The others whispered about monsters and control, but in that moment, all she could see was him. The man no one dared get close to. The one she already had. And when her hand lifted to his wrist¡ªnot to stop him, just to feel something real¡ªshe thought he might pull away. But he didn''t. And somehow, that scared her more than anything else. Her breath caught¡ªsoft, barely audible¡ªbut enough for him to notice. His fingers lingered beneath her chin. It wasn''t forceful or possessive, just¡­ steady. Like he didn''t trust the air to hold her gaze as well as his hand did. "You''re trembling," Leonhardt said, his voice low. Quietly curious, not mocking. "Is it fear?" Erina''s jaw rattled, unable to answer him instantly as her lips parted, but the words became lodged in her throat. In honesty, she wasn''t sure because her brain became a mess of white noise and pink thoughts. She became warm, her pulse racing, and finally she uttered in haste. "I don''t know." His brow furrowed just slightly. Not from confusion, but maybe something a little closer to calculation. "I could step back," he offered. "Is that what you want, Erina?" It almost sounded like he wanted to resist and hated the thought. Erina swallowed. Her hand reached up¡ªnot to push him away, but to touch his wrist. Just to feel something real. "You make it hard to think," she said, voice barely a breath. Leonhardt didn''t flinch, but something in his gaze shifted. A flicker. Like a part of him¡ªburied deep beneath the layers of control¡ªhad stirred. "That''s not my intent," he replied. "Isn''t it?" she asked, finally meeting his eyes fully. "You show up in my prayers. In my sleep. You stand this close and ask me questions like that¡­ and then say it''s not your intent?" A pause. The flicker behind his eyes grew brighter. "I know how humans work," he said slowly. "I''ve studied them. Their minds. Their hearts. I understand attraction. Attachment. The things that make them crawl toward pleasure and fall apart in love." His voice dropped half a breath lower. "But knowing isn''t the same as feeling it." Erina blinked. "What are you saying?" "I''m saying¡­" He paused, a beat longer than needed. "You might be the first thing I''ve touched that made me wonder if I''ve missed something." Erina was different. Not like Asuka, whose blood ran too hot and wild, more monster than mortal¡ªeasy to understand, easier still to predict. Nor like Sylvie, whose Fae lineage clung to her like mist, soft and strange, her scent muted and nostalgic, almost soothing. Erina was human. Utterly, painfully human. And humans, to Leonhardt, smelled foul. Their fear, their sweat, their blood¡ªit all reeked of weakness and noise. A kind of rot he had learned to ignore, but never quite forget. Yet... The scent coming off her wasn''t the same. It wasn''t clean. It wasn''t sweet. But it stayed with him. Softly bitter. Quiet. Like warm parchment and ironed linen, touched by old incense and a flicker of guilt. It made Leonhardt''s instincts recoil and reach in the same breath. "I should hate this," he murmured, almost to himself. Erina blinked. "What¡­?" Leonhardt''s hand finally dropped from her chin. Slowly. As if breaking contact required effort. "You''re dangerous," he said. "And I don''t know why." Erina frowned, confused. "I''m dangerous?" "To me, you are" A moment later, he muttered, adding, "That''s the problem." Erina touched her chest as it fluttered from his words. Not like a bird desperate to flee a predator, but one surprised by the cage door swinging open. His words didn''t contain the romantic flair of a bard, nor were they kind. Yet they had pierced through her defences like paper. "Then why are you here?" she asked, voice fragile. Leonhardt said nothing at first. His eyes didn''t move from hers. There was no cruel amusement, no feigned indifference. Just a silence that pressed in from all sides, heavy and searching. "Because I need you," he said. She didn''t understand what he meant. Not fully. And the way he said it made her want to both run and stay forever. To her, his words landed with strange weight. Unclear. Suggestive. A thread of meaning she couldn''t untangle. But to Leonhardt, they made perfect sense. He did need her. She was the voice the villagers listened to. The name they trusted. The anchor that kept them calm while his shadow stretched across Arlet inch by inch. Soon, the Crimson Hawks would resume their operations, and Erina¡ªstill wrapped in robes, still carrying the last glow of her false divinity¡ªwould stand at his side as Vice-Leader, unaware that each step brought her closer to blood. Closer to Enzo. Her own father. Her death, if he willed it. But beneath that cold purpose, a second need stirred. Not born of strategy. Not spoken aloud. It lived lower. Darker. An instinct that didn''t speak in language, but in tension¡ªthe silent obsession of a predator circling its chosen mate, not with fangs bared, but hidden. Always near. Always watching. Like an eclipsed moon. Half light. Half hunger. Erina''s hand dropped from his wrist as if it had suddenly burned her. She turned quickly, the fabric of her robe twisting at her knees as she moved¡ªtoo fast to seem natural, too slow to call a retreat. "I¡­ I should return," Erina said, her voice light but uneven. "The villagers are waiting. The prayer scripts need review." Erine didn''t look back... but rather, she couldn''t. Her cheeks felt warm as her throat tightened, and the strange flutter in her chest made it difficult to stand near him. If she stayed longer, if he said anything else¡ªif he touched her again¡ª S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She might not walk away. And that scared her more than the monsters she''d once trained to fight. The moment she left the room, something shifted. Leonhardt''s body stayed still, but his eyes lost their softness. Whatever warmth had been in his voice, whatever uncertainty had danced at the edges of his silence, it vanished like smoke pulled through cold stone. He turned slightly. Toward the shadowed edge of the corridor, and narrowed his gaze, his atmosphere becoming cold, like fleeting fog washed over the chapel. "Dia." The name was flat. Mechanical. An order wrapped in syllables. He didn''t seem to be the same man from a moment before. The masked figure stepped forward soundlessly, her white cloak trailing behind her like mist. She didn''t speak. "You will follow her," Leonhardt said. "Observe who she speaks to. Who tries to influence her. If she begins to doubt her place¡­ remind her." Dia nodded, slow and silent. Leonhardt''s eyes narrowed, the glow behind them pulsing brighter¡ªa soft pink thread of magic drifting into the still air. "And¡­ don''t let her feel alone." He paused. "Even if she is. Protect her." The glow sharpened¡ªthen vanished. "Do not be seen." Another breath. "Do not fail."