Throughout the night, both Alannah and Samara had awoken many times. To these two little girls, they dreamed of their papa coming back home to them every day. Even though they knew they were in their papas loving embrace. They were also scared of it being a bad nightmare, that they haven't awoken from.
After sleeping past his internal alarm clock. Sin lazily woke up, sensing his daughters were still in a deep sleep. Sin didn't move a single inch. There was no way he was waking his girls from their peaceful sleep.
Two hours passed by, and it was 8 am now. Both girls began stretching out as they woke up.
"Good morning my little princesses."
Hearing their papas loving words, both smiled brightly before replying back in unison.
"Good morning papa!"
Sin got out of bed and jumped into the shower quickly. While showering, Sin couldn't help but remember all the times he and Merala shared this very shower together. They were times of bliss, although temporarily gone, they would surely be back soon.
After coming out, he heard Alannah and Samara giggling like two crack heads who found a 100$ bill. Using his Mana, Sin saw both of them were smashing each other in the face with pillows.
"Who's hungry?" Sin called out.
"We are!" Both girls chimed in unison. Soon they got themselves dressed. Just like two bats out of hell, Alannah and Samara ran out of the room jumping on the railing, and rode with style down onto the main floor.
"Be careful pulling stunts like that girls!" Sin called out as he was making his way downstairs.
Soon he heard the beep of the PlayStation 4 turning on, that was his cue to start cooking breakfast before his girls became ravenous monsters.
Alannah and Samara were so engrossed in their game. It wasn't until Sin tickled the hell out of them, that they realized breakfast was ready.
After eating, both girls yelled as they ran out of the house.
"We are going to train in the dungeon papa!"
Elder Rein who was nearby, with his wife and son overheard the girls exclamation. A fire burned in Reins eyes as he hammered on the door with unconcealed excitement.
Sin came to the door, and when Rein saw the real Wolf King he shouted aloud.
"By the ancestors, Wolf King Sin you're truly back!"
Sin smiled hearing this voice.
"Good day Elder Rein, I am happy to hear your joy seeing me in person again. But can you be a little more quiet? I don't want to break the common belief, without truly being able to remain here."
Rein bowed respectfully and said. "My apologies Wolf King, I was so caught up in knowing my liege was still alive and in good shape."
Then Rein took a closer look at Sins face and noticed his eyes.
"Wolf King, your eyes?" Rein asked questioningly.
"The price for my inadequacy." Sin replied.
How is your wife and child doing Rein? Sin asked.
Rein brought his wife and son over.
"Honey, Tanner this is Wolf King Sin. Wolf King wanted to come and congratulate us, but with his severe injuries he wasn't able to make it."
Rein's wife smiled. "Thank you for your sincerity Wolf King. It brings great honour knowing you wanted to celebrate the miracle of life with us."
Sin smiled back. "It is my honour to share the good and bad with my family here. I regret not having that chance. But as I once said to Rein, I would prepare gifts. I apologize for the late gifts."
Sin took out various bags from his inventory. "Hopefully I have not made any offence."
After taking the gifts, Rein, his wife and son thanked Sin.
"Thank you Wolf King, this is truly a very kin-"
Sin raised his hand stopping them. "I understand, but like I said I will share the good and bad with my family. Please don't feel the need to be so reserved in private. Treat me as you would any one of your good friends."
Rein, his wife and child happily left shortly after. After they had left, Sin sighed to himself.
"It has now been two and a half years, I really hope Kirala doesn't straight out cap my ass."
After preparing himself for god knows what, Sin encompassed the Wolf God Clan with his Mana. After sensing where Kirala was, Sin flashed out of his house and quickly appeared in front of Kiralas lounging. After standing there like an idiot for twenty minutes, Sin grew a pair and knocked on Kiralas door.
The moment he heard the footsteps coming closer, Sin swore he could feel his balls fly up to the back of his throat. When he heard the door open, and felt Kiralas heavy emotional state. Sin dropped his head unable to 'look' at Kirala even without his eyesight.
Sin kowtowed and began banging his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect Merala. If you so wish to make my head roll to appease yourself, I will pay that price."
Kirala picked Sin up off the ground, then her fist flew out and smashed into Sins chest with a raging fury. Pulling Sin inside, Kirala began beating the bloody hell out of Sin in private.
"MOTHER FUCKER! How long were you planning to take before you showed up huh!? Myself and Sirius left our daughter in your 'capable' hands, and you couldn't even protect her! Do you know how much those girls of yours cried in my arms? Do you know how hard it was to explain to them, their mom was dead, but she would be coming back to life in a couple of years!?"
Sin took each fist of Kiralas, despite hearing his own bones crunch and break from the weight of Kiralas fists. Not once did Sin allow himself to back away, this was his way of atoning. While it would never truly wash away, Sin could at least let others appease their own hate in this way.
After Kirala had her share of beating Sin black and blue. Kirala pulled out a gatorade bottle, Sin began heavily sweating more than he was during his beating. Sin assumed she was now rejuvenating herself for round two of his ass whopping.
"Why are you looking like i'm about to give you a second round of ass whooping? I've vented now, let us catch up over the events that transpired. While I was, and still am pissed off. I just like anyone else, saw the events that transpired. When I arrived to protect Merala, your girls and the Vermilion Bird Clan. I was stopped by my own past enemies, I was heavily injured and powerlessly watched from a distance as my own daughter was killed. I felt helpless, aggrieved and worthless. I couldn't protect Sirius' little angel who he loved so much. Then I saw you become a Shura, and how you wiped out 30 Gods, and then fought so bravely against the Demon Lord. I wished to be there massacring as crazed as you were. But I was far too weak, and still am. It's such a harsh feeling to bear."
"I know what has happened cannot be reversed. Luckily through many boons and interventions, I was able to prepare for every worst case scenario I could think of at that time. I wished to protect everyone's life in my own way, in the long run it nearly caused total annihilation for our clans, and the capital cities lifeline. Even worse than that, all life in Desolate Kingdom truly could've been wiped clean by Solarus and his forces." Sin said.
Sin took out a bottle of Hine Rare VSOP from his inventory and some glasses. "Care to share a couple of drinks with me?"
"Sure, I could use a drink. It has been sometime since my last with Sirius." Kirala said.
After Sin had filled Kiralas glass to the top, Kirala bottomed it without reservation.
"Damn that's some good stuff!" Kirala exclaimed licking her lips as she savored the flavour. After downing the bottle to herself, Kirala had begun getting tipsy.
"You know Sin, you people from Earth are really something. Although we're from different worlds, galaxies even. Both you and Sirius are both excellent men, I know that a lot weighs heavily in your heart. But just like Sirius once was, you're starting to show signs of discarding your selfish nature. Us locals aren't innocent in this world by any means, but the amount of progress you have made is astonishing. Not many people have a compassionate heart like you do for loved ones and friends."
Sin smiled self-deprecatingly. "I am nothing special Kirala, there are plenty of people from Earth who play the hand of God. Enough of that for now though, what would you like to know about Earth? Maybe I can feel in the gaps since Sirius' times?"
Kirala had a long and thoughtful look on her face. After a minute passed, Kirala suddenly asked.
"What is the environment like on Earth? In Desolate Kingdom, we do not have a moon, nor does it rain. Our environment is rich of natural energy, and has 1.5% of contaminating natural pollutants. What does the real moon look like? Sirius use to say all the time how insignificant he felt below it."
Sin answered right away without needing any time to think. "Well on Earth, there are many big companies and industries. These industries do illegal dumpings into the ocean, and the very earth itself we walk on. This causes our environment to be plagued with pollution, and makes my home lack many natural habitats, and ecosystems like here in Desolate Kingdom."
"As for the moon, well that I do not know how to explain it a whole lot myself. I never had an interest in studying it, but to make it simple. After the sun goes down, the moon comes out at night. Essentially it is just one big round ball, and radiates moonlight allowing us to have some vision at night. The moon itself is a celestial body like the sun, it is very easy to feel your existence is worthless underneath it."
While enjoying his conversation with Kirala, Sin suddenly felt a deep palpitation of danger within his heart. Before he could react to it, a loud beast roar was heard within the the Wolf God Clans territory.
"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!!!!"
The roar shocked everyone within the Clan, ever since the emergence of this dungeon two and a half years ago. It has brought boundless wealth and prosperity, but it also brought its own dangers and risks with it.
All of the dungeon diving teams were forcefully booted out of the dungeon. A vast purple portal appeared in the sky above the Wolf God Clan. A figure appeared, after revealing itself it was a low rank Dungeon Guardian, three long horns sprouted from its head. The aura it emitted made everyone want to prostrate and revere him. The figure was dripping in blood, chunks of flesh, guts, and organs.
The Dungeon Guardians voice reverberated throughout the land, stretching out as far as to the capital city.
"So this is the land of these pesky ants who've been killing my monsters inside the dungeon. Bring out your leader right now! If not I will kill these three brats before all of you!"
The three figures that were revealed were Alannah, Samara and Lan. They were trapped inside of a locking formation, but their voice could still be heard.
"Listen here you limp dick asshole! It's not our fault you invaded our dungeon, and it's also not our fault you have whiskey dick and couldn't please your wife!" Alannah yelled out making all of those who heard it laugh.
This was something Sin had once taught her, if you can disrupt your opponents mental state, you have already secured victory. However, this was a different scenario altogether. This Dungeon Guardian had a clear mind, Alannahs words had just fueled the guardians anger, giving her the opposite of what she wanted to achieve by berating it.
The Dungeon Guardian snapped its fingers, hundreds of thousands of beast roars were heard quickly approaching. Afterwards the Dungeon Guardian took out a thin blade, it was both flexible and sharp. When the speed was able to reach its maximum, the sword itself would slither like a snake. Making it a very delicate, but also frightening display of a sword dancing.
Just as it had reached top speed and was about to slash through killing Alannah, Samara and Lan. Sin appeared in front of the blade, without so much as releasing any life or power from his body. Sin reached out and caught the tip of the blade between his fingers.
The Dungeon Guardian was nearly given a heart attack, despite his overwhelming strength and refined senses. Sin had snuck past every single barrier of his, he would truly be a dead man if Sin hadn't saved his daughters and disciple.
Applying pressure on the tip of the blade, Sin ground it into powder between his hands.
Sins analyze began doing its job.
Name: Lower Dungeon Guardian Sleipnir [Infant]
Level: 25
Health: 5,525,000
Mana: 2,950,000
Strength: 745
Intelligence: 450
Agility: 835
Dexterity: 835
Physique: 415
Comprehension: 355
"You had best get the fuck out of my clan if you want to live!" Sin bellowed loudly, that alone was able to make the ground rumble, leaving cracks embedded in its surface.
"Everybody has their demons, and to bring out that scary being from inside me, by daring to take my daughters and disciples life. You're playing with a raging fire that's going to burn yourself!"
Sins body ignited like an infernal hell when his eyes opened, the sclera was pitch black while his eyes were a deep crimson red. Black, gold, and white-blue flame tattoos covered his body from head to toe. Pulling Kaiser out of his sheath a tremendous change occurred. Kaisers colour changed to a metallic purple, and began radiating a crimson-black flame around itself.
Multi coloured flaming wings spread from Sins back. "You have got a lot of nerve waltzing in and disturbing the peace of my family!"
Sin then punched the locking formation shattering it, enveloping his daughters and disciple within his Mana, Sin transferred them to the ground and healed all their injuries.
"Listen up everyone! Go crazy and kill all dungeon beasts that dare to walk out of the portal. This fucker here is my prey!"
Sin toggled on both passive functions of his Emperors aura, buffing ally stats, Sword, and Sword Heart techniques by 25% then debuffing the assailants with -25% stats, sword and Sword Heart techniques.
Everyone within the Wolf God Clans boundaries were surrounded by golden rings, where as Sleipnir and the dungeon beasts were surrounded by black rings.
Sin launched himself forward, leaving a blazing arc of crimson-black flame as he clashed with Sleipnirs weapon. Taking out the last spare weapon from his inventory, Sin fueled all of his Sacred Flames into it. The surging flames extended like a cover over the blade melting the steel of the weapon.
Slashing down with his left hand, the blazing inferno cut into Sleipnir, burning the organs and blood inside. Sleipnirs bestial nature activated, and the guardians body began expanding becoming seven metres tall. Punching out its fist, Sin purposely took the full brunt of the attack with his fleshly body.
"THUMP!"
Sin remained hovering in the exact same position. Throwing away the remnant of his spare weapon, Sin flashed out of his position, reappearing in the middle of Sleipnirs breast. Sin punched out with his now freed up left hand, a loud and sharp "KRUCK" was heard as the bones in Sleipnirs chest broke under the force of Sins punch.
Sleipnir was blasted backwards, and crashed into the mountain face hundreds of kilometres away from the Wolf God Clan. Sin lackadaisically flew forward in chase, after arriving and seeing the forever reaching deep hole. Sin called out in provocation.
"Yoo hoo, mister Guardian are you still alive in there?"
After a couple of seconds passed, Sin skidded left and right avoiding two blade beams aimed to sever his arms.
"I take that as a yes, good talk!" Sin called out in reply to the attacks he just dodged.
"Shut up, you stupid human! Your presumptuous if you think you can get away with mocking my holy bloodline!" Sleipnir came flying out of the pit in a self consumed rage.
Sin was currently digging out the wax of his left ear with his pinky. Looking at it and scrunching his face in disgust, Sin flicked it off his finger.
"RRRRARGH!"
Sleipnir bellowed losing the last grips of his own sanity. Sin smiled seeing this reaction, putting Kaiser back into its sheath. Sin spoke with power.
"You have already lost!"
Flower petals rushed out of Sins clothes, soon the surrounding became pitch black. Three long never ending rows of swords emerged from the ground within the Sword Realm that Sin had created. Slapping both of his opened palms together, both rows of Swords began dissolving turning into a flurry of flower petals and sword lights.
[Ballad Of The Mystic Blade Empress!]
The flower petals cut through Sleipnirs physique like a hot knife through butter. Soon the Sword Realm had been washed with blood.
Sleipnir roared helplessly and in rage, he was a mighty Dungeon Guardian! The dungeon had chosen him as the harbinger to conquer other dungeons, and integrate becoming a part of the Arcane Rift, the originator of all dungeons.
"I will not die here! I have a glorious destiny awaiting me!" Sleipnir bellowed as he rushed towards Sin dual wielding a clone of his weapon.
Sins Withering Sword Dance erupted, forming a protective barrier around his body.
"You would have been a worthy opponent when I was crippled, but now your caliber is no longer in the same bracket as I!"
Snapping the fingers in both hands, the flower petals and sword lights dropped to the ground lifelessly. Just as Sleipnir was about to dice Sin into various pieces. Sins right hand glowed a faint pink colour. Twisting his body in various angles dodging the flurry of attacks. Sins hand palmed out into Sleipnirs chest, the pink light intensified before it materialized into a condensed beam of flower petals.
[Withering Blade Cannon!]
Sleipnirs body exploded, chunks of flesh and body pieces fell to the ground. Sleipnirs blood, and remaining organs inside his body evaporated from the pressure. Wiping off the blood from his face, and purifying the awakening third personality in himself. Sin cancelled his Sword Realm, taking the nuclei out of the pool of blood. Sin left with a beaming smile on his face. After all, nothing beats the sensation of looting your enemies after killing them.
Rushing back to the Wolf God Clan, Sin could hear the battle cries and the roars of dungeon beasts. Wrapping the surroundings with his Mana, Sin counted there to be more than 4,000,000 dungeon beasts and counting were still exiting the portal. Opposite to Sins train of thought, unlike in past MMORPGS he played. Killing the Dungeon Guardian didn't end the raid, it instead frenzied all of the dungeon beasts increasing their speed and strengthening them as they tunneled out.
Sin shouted a warning for all within Wolf God Clan to hear.
"Enshroud yourselves with your Mana quick! If you have trained in arrays, please shield your fellow friends and family!"
After Sins shout was spread throughout the Wolf God Clan. Sin began storing all of his Sword Qi in his Withering Sword Dance. Soon the flower petals and sword lights became berserk. All the flower petals and sword light combined, turning into three pink dragons.
[Withering Dragons Calamity!]
The three dragons exhaled a breath of condensed Sword Qi. Flower petals fell from the sky, every dungeon beast they landed on, or simply got blown past by the wind were instantly cut in half. The flower petals hungrily engulfed the corpses of the dungeon beasts leaving nothing behind.
Everyone in the Wolf God Clans territory let out a mighty battle cry. With the display of their Wolf Kings might, how could they remain struggling to survive the raid?
The warriors of the Phoenix Heart, Vermilion Bird, and Wolf God Clans formed various combat formations and links. Within one hour, the 4,000,000 dungeon beasts were cut down to 1,000,000 remaining. The entire time, Sin hovered in the sky acting as a guardian. Instead of forcefully wiping out the dungeon beasts from the beginning, Sin took this time to watch and evaluate the growth of the three clans.
Sin was not disappointed one bit, Sin memorized the looks of 325,000 youths with vast untapped potential. This wasn't counting the ones who were actively rushing into the portal, trimming the numbers from inside.
After 15 minutes passed, the beast raid had been quelled without any further hiccups. A loud notification rang in the ears of all present, and logs appeared in front of their eyes.
[Congratulations Wolf God Clan! You have successfully cleared the 20th Dungeon Beast Raid. The E Rank is now deemed insufficient enough of a trial. The future Dungeon Beast Raids have been increased to the D Rank. The next Dungeon Beast Raid is in 45 days.]
This next log was filled with scarlet context.
[!!!!! This Dungeon Beast Raid was unexpected due to return of the originator who planted the Dungeon Seed. The Dungeon has deemed the owner to be alive. The temporary ownership has been transferred from Midnight Reaper, back to the Wolf King! Please do not allow this mistake to happen again Wolf King, a calamity may befall in your continuous prolonged absence.]
After the notifications, and logs disappeared. A great disturbance was beginning to brew within the minds and hearts of the members. Some of the more keen to detail types quickly caught hold of the meaning. On many occasions they heard others call their Wolf King by title, and the elders in the know called him Midnight Reaper in public a couple times by mistake.
Sin heard all of the commotion going on below, knowing that his dungeon had basically slapped him in the balls. Sin sighed before he voiced out aloud.
"Many of you may be catching some keen details from the notification and logs that just passed. After cleaning up whatever damage was done, taking logistics and caring for the families of those that have died. The day after tomorrow will be another festival night, similar to two and a half years ago, instead this time will include ALL of our family and friends. But for now, please remain calm and let's work together to clean things up!"
After cleaning up the blood stains, corpses and repairing the broken buildings. Night time had fallen, Sin was at home cooking supper for his daughters.
Then out of the blue, he got a message from Midnight Reaper.
"Brother, I can only stall for six more days worth of time. The King Of Mercenary tournament is going to be in full swing by then."
"And also before I forget, do not forget that I am a being created from your despair and hidden demons. Today I felt a resurgence of the 'old' you awaken slightly. Please for the love of your daughters, wife, disciple, and Wolf God Clan. DO NOT become that monster, we paid a heavy enough price to revert you back to normal on Earth. A second time if that event were to repeat itself, I don't know if WE can survive it."
After they ate supper together, Alannah and Samara asked Sin one by one with excitement.
"Papa can you teach us the art of assassination?"
Sin was left shocked standing in place. Hurriedly trying to save themselves, the girls continued explaining.
"In the dungeon, there are many assassin type enemies as the Dungeon Seed had copied your strengths and weaknesses. There have been many times we nearly lost our life. And there have been many occasions where it would benefit us."
Sin wasn't one to say no right away.
"The both of you must realize, there are many assassin experts in our clans. And uncle Midnight has much to teach you both in that aspect." Sin replied.
The girls nodded their heads but still remained firm.
"We want to be taught by papa. We have become strong in the last two and a half years. We want to learn something that will always remind us of you. And so we can protect this growing family, and the friends we have made."
Sin had a thoughtful look on his face, after giving it some time Sin gave in to his girls.
"I will begin teaching the both of you after the planned festival. For now continue your regular training. But I truly am here on borrowed time, I will teach the both of you the basics, uncle Midnight will have to take over from there though."
Alannah and Samara were all smiles as they excitedly called out.
"Thank you papa, you're the best!"
After Sin finished washing the dishes, Sin took Alannah and Samara upstairs to bathe them. After tucking them into bed, and reciting bedtime stories. Sin left their room returning to his. Sitting down cross legged, Sin began cultivating with a clear and peaceful mind.