It was different.
'Was the hallways always this dull?'
There were no mobs that would've swarmed us every few minutes. It was quiet, and this built a tense atmosphere amongst the children I have following me.
"..."
"..."
However, they all maintained their cool and were level-headed enough to not be overly arrogant. I guess it comes with age, not to mention they're elven children.
'The age for maturity in their Race is over a century…'
So, I'm working with good pawns.
'But, this is concerning.'
I was thinking of the lack of enemy encounters. By this point, there should already be two or three encounters. There's no skeletons, no zombies that usually pop out of the walls, nor the occasional Undead Guard around the corridor. It's extremely empty. The hallways felt… more isolated than usual. More 'dead' than it already was usually.
'Something is stopping or preventing the respawning cycle of Mobs…'
Inside a Dungeon that's themed around monsters like mine, Mobs, the lowest kind of sentry monsters, have a respawn cycle that continuously repeats once its maximum numbers have diminished.
'But, it seems like they're not respawning. Something must've happened to the Mechanic…'
The 'core' of the respawning cycle, every floor has one. They're heavily guarded, and some are even under the protection of the floor's Guardian.
'How strong… or rather how long was my home under attack for?'
It was distressing for me to think about it, but I can't help but speculate. Thousands of years? Millions? Maybe even dozens of millions. Based on how Charlotte has been degenerated into a little girl, I would say a few dozen of millions.
'...'
Thinking back, the invading raiders were of my World. Demons, Angels, all sorts of Races from the Mortal Realm, and even probably the Outer Gods, those thieving fucks. My mood was suddenly soured by the thoughts of my dear people getting beaten up, they aren't invincible since my purpose wasn't to make an impossible raid Dungeon, but now I'm thinking about it.
'Let's check their conditions first… then I'll do what's necessary so that they won't have to suffer this fate a second time.'
It's been hours, I've kept track of the time since the moment I left the starting room. With no enemy in sight, I decide that it's a good enough time to set up camp.
"Alright, everybody. It's a good time to set up camp. You must've been tired from walking eight hours straight."
"We're fine, we can stay up if you want us to guard. We elves don't need sleep that often." Charles said with a disgruntled expression.
"...Then, you may do as you wish. Since I am not an elf, I'll go and sleep for a few hours. Apologies for the inconvenience."
"Hey, what if we weren't here? Would you sleep in that situation?" Charles asked me as Genna searched through the backpack to look for the campfire set.
"No, I wouldn't. And that's why I'm glad to have you four with me."
"...Tch." Charles clicked his tongue and turned away.
Genna delivered me the campfire set and I set up camp with Magic manipulation.
"Huh…?"
Lily looked at my hand with an interested expression as I finished igniting the fire, Manu sat down in front of it with a bright smile, Charles stared out into the dark corridor with squinted eyes, and Genna sat quietly a little farther away.
"Come closer, you wouldn't be able to feel warm at that distance."
"Eh? Ah, it's fine. I don't feel cold either, so…" Genna replied meekly.
"It's not a big deal, and besides, you're with friends. Be comfortable, and just treat me as if I didn't exist."
"Ahh… then, excuse me." Genna bowed and said.
She moved closer, and I moved farther away. I could feel her unease through her expression. So, I decided to keep a little distance away.
'...'
And so, I did what I said I would. I slept, well, kind of. I switched off most of my consciousness to simulate the sleeping feeling, and kept my ears perked for their voices.
''...Now that he's asleep, let's kill him." Charles said deadpan.
"Charles, no. We still need him. He knows the surroundings better than we do, and he might prove useful to us as well." Lily replied to him with an exhausted voice.
''Hey, did you see what he did? He didn't cast a Magic Eye, but fire ignited. What was that, Lily?" Manu asked the most knowledgeable one in the group.
"That… I don't honestly know. I've never read anything like that before, being able to do something like that without the support of tools nor basic Magic application." Lily said.
"Whatever that was, it's not important now, is it? Just goes to show he has some talent in Magic, it could be Wild Magic for all we know." Charles said with a heavy, anger-filled tone.
"Charles… don't be so angry, it's honestly fine if you're still hung up on me being the one carrying the backpack." Genna said with a helpless expression.
"But still, he treats us with no respect! It doesn't sit right with me." Charles explained himself.
"However, power is the absolute providence. Even us, elves, are not exempted from its influence. We may live long, but it would just take a sword to claim our lives like every other Race." Lily said with conviction.
"Still… he treats us-"
"Does it matter, Charles? He seems good, especially since he invited Genna closer to the campfire. To me, that little action shows he has some kindness in him. Maybe he'll even do something grand like saving one of us in the nick of time before death." Manu said with an ecstatic voice.
That's the rest of anything interesting from their conversations. For the next four hours, I listened to fairytale stories, legends, and the most discussed thing during my sleep, the Dark Age of Death.
A man, an Undead, became known throughout the World as Death. His conquest, brutality, unexpected kindness and mysteriousness made him akin to a Myth, especially after the Century Battle had ended. They said that he disappeared, some said he was just tired and was resting, and the fanatics screamed each year for their God to return and guide them.
'Right… I forgot about them.'
Honestly speaking, I didn't care that much when it first came into creation. A cult that worships me, Death himself, and made the concept Death into a core belief and teaching. I became an idol of prayers, and my Status as a Deity strengthened through it.
'Well, the best way to solidify my Deity Status is to act according to my nature. Death.'
Well, anyways, I woke up after they finished their retelling of the Dark Age of Death. It was filled mostly with speculations and uncertain plot points, with a massive amount of details left out most probably because it's named the 'Dark Age'.
"Alright… let's go, shall we?"
......…
The first floor was made to be a challenge of endurance. With constant enemies on the assault with little time to rest, it truly puts one's endurance and durability to the max. Death aims to separate and filter the strong and durable ones from the frail and fragile ones. Mostly, the tanks and general brawlers are the ones to make it to the Boss Chamber in the middle.
The Boneyard, it's name is due to the numerous, uncountable, and absurd amount of bones in it. The remnants of fallen heroes. And the main resource for the Boss battle's mechanics.
'Now, my build isn't exactly the most durable, but it has Spells that can boost Agility and also shield myself and allies. Agility can play a good part in surviving the pair, as only one of them has a high Agility Stat but rather low damage output.'
The real threat is their cooperation attacks, those are the deadliest that even the past High Rankers die to. A move similar to a spear throw, a transformation, a merge, and an ultimate move that occurs when one of them dies.
The most needed Stats when facing the pair is high HP, a reasonable amount of Defense and Agility, and an effective Blessing capable of stunning.
'It should be around… there!'
I remember the layout of the Bone Mausoleum even though I'm under its misguiding effects. In front of my view stood a massive door unlike the rest. I was also far away from it, about several hundred meters, showing just how large it is.
''This is where we'll face the first hurdle. Prepare yourselves, this is where you four will not survive easily."
"Really? It's been smooth sailing from start to now, what's gonna be different?" Charles said nonchalantly.
The reason for his response was that there were no encounters so far. Even though my words at the beginning alarmed them, it wore off as there were no dangers to back it up. It also made me look quite untrustful to the other three, who expected something like what I've said.
"It's strange… the scrolls said there would be Undead roaming around every corridor, but it seems like there's something wrong."
"Yeah, or it's just you messing with us. If there's nothing behind this door, we'll chalk it up to you being a fraud." Charles said with contempt, with hidden expectancy mixed in between.
"Relax… they're the last hurdle to proceed from this floor."
With that, I approach the absurdly large door made of bones. It wasn't an artistically nor beautifully made one, just a door that's built crudely using skeletons. Hundreds and hundreds of them, still very much whole and intact, stuck together so precisely that it stays there unmovable and resistant to most devastating shocks.
"From this point on… I won't protect you. In my eyes, you will become nothing but mere tools. Act according to my commands, or die meaninglessly. I don't want any of you to die because there's no need, but if it comes to death, you all are on your own. I want this to be the moment you think about it, think before you act, and when this door opens there's no coming back. If you say you're scared, if you say you're not ready for this, then it's perfectly fine. Just say it and stay outside. Once it's finished, and I promise it will, I'll open the door and let you in."
I said as I approached the door. In truth, I could protect them if I wanted, but that was unnecessary. They're tools, and if they have a mind to think, then in my eyes they're just faulty tools that're unneeded in practice.
My thoughts were like this from the very start, I thought to myself. A man who sees nothing but benefits. It's a simple way of thinking.
"Then… I'll stay outside. My presence would only burden you all."
"Alright, then stay safe out here, Genna."
"Use a ward if there's any approaching Undead. If you can, use a weapon in the backpack to eliminate them if they're only blinded and not evaporated."
The door opened as I reached my hand forward. It was time, and another member of my family was exposed to my sight as I entered.
"...Another challenger?"
There stood Suriel, one of the two Floor Guardians. But, it was just her.
'Where's…'
"Kael, it's rude to sleep while our challengers wait. Wake up already~."
"Urrrrrr…"
"!!!!!"
Something's wrong. When I saw the one that's supposed to be Kael standing up, I couldn't recognize him. If it wasn't for Suriel mentioning his name, I would've thought it was a special mob of sorts.
"Help us…!"
''Pain…"
"Take us apart~...!"
A collection of voices, a collection of pain and woes, a mess that is now Kael, once known as the Skeleton Colossus.
"Sleeeeepppyyyyy…"
"Yes yes, you big hunk of bones. But, we still have our duties even if it's for a lost cause."
Suriel talked to Kael like we weren't here in the room. The door had long shut behind us, and only three of four elves followed me inside. It was enough for me to use, and so I summoned forth my weapon to get ready.
"Come forth and slay once more, serve and uphold your purpose since your creation, Demon Blade Nokrun Aldan. I re-awaken thee from a long slumber."
Nokrun Aldan, a Quest weapon obtainable by anyone who has completed the Link Quest [Dawn for Humanity, Dusk for Demons]. It was a blade made of purified Great Daemon Bones, enchanted with Holy Rituals that blesses the blade with a minor will and intense hatred for Demons.
Its appearance is simple, sort of crude in aesthetics. A black colored blade with a jagged edge on one side, a hard fleshy hilt and crossguard that has signs of leaking blood, and also imbued with an Aura unique to each one that completed the Link Quest, and in this case it was an Aura of Death. One could hardly call it a Holy sword, much to the contrary to be exact.
"Oh…? A demon slayer, I see."
"Demon… Slayerrrr…"
Suriel, once called the Dark Bishop of Death, now dawns a set of unfamiliar black jagged armor. Her face was hidden away inside a helmet that has vertical splits for sight and breathing. On her waist, an unfamiliar sword lay sheathed inside its scabbard. Her boots were high heels, and even though the terrain was uneven she still stood proudly tall and a menacing aura radiated from her as a bonus effect.
Kael, once known as the Skeleton Colossus, is now a mass of flesh. Pain-filled voices came from the many mouths on his body that were also muscle tissues. Bones sprout from various places on his body like spikes from his arms to his legs. His skull was partially covered in flesh,
"I am Edir Amadin, the descendant of the great Demon Slayer Astolan Amadin. I have come here in search of Death."
"Death…? Has no one in your organization told you? Death is long gone, he no longer resides in this place. But, a descendant of Astolan… you came here for another purpose, right?"
I wasn't expecting the answer, but the latter question was in my calculations.
'Someone from the Demon Slayer Corp went here in the past?'
It might be after the Century Battle, and the only one who I could possibly think of that would visit me could only be him. The leader and also best of the Demon Slayer Corp, nicknamed Pure White Snow, was a very feminine man who wielded the sword, a katana, with elegance unbefitting of a man. However, one cannot deny his overwhelming technique and unique swordsmanship style that focuses on disbalancing opponents. A flexible body, and one with strength as well.
'But I shouldn't ask that, it would be strange.'
As for my identity, a descendant of Astolan Amadin, he was a renowned figure and also head of the Amadin household. His legacy was deeply tied with the Demon Slayer Corp, but at the same time separated. It was because of one singular point that differentiated the Corp with the Amadin household.
They believe in two different things, the eradication of Daemons and Demonkin alike, while the Amadin household, and in tandem Astolan's legacy, was the unification and combination of both Races. It was a hard to believe concept, and an even harder to swallow pill for anyone who has been through a Daemon Outbreak. Daemons and Humans are different beings, molded by two different Divine Beings who now are nameless, and are always in continuous and endless battle with each other. How could two vastly different Races coexist with each other?
'But, in the end, all of them possess a Soul. It is through that singular point of similarity, that the two Races could coexist.'
That was why, in the distant past, Astolan sought me out when I rose to power and dominance over the World I reside in. It was to seek the knowledge of Souls from me.
'Well, that's enough for a trip down memory lane. Let's get to fighting.'
"Indeed, I am here for a different purpose. I seek whatever remains of Death's mountain of secrets. Peacefully cooperate with me, or die by my holy blade that has known no defeat in the face of the Unholy."
"Bold words, I would even say arrogant. But your eyes don't seem to lie, and fully believe in your capability. Interesting…''
"Suriel… kill?"
"...Alright, Kael. You have my permission."
"...?"
Did I hear it right? Another point of difference from the present and the past.
"Commmmeeeee… serve your Queen of the Dead."
Then, from underneath, the floor made of bones shook and rattled. From it, hands of broken skeletons stretched out.
"Dome of Pure Light!"
I stomp my foot down and a large Magic Eye appeared that stretched nearly to where the Floor Guardian pair stood.
"Hoh? Indeed, this is also one of his special Spells."
Dome of Pure Light, it was a Skill that I learned through copying parts of Astolan's Soul when he went to me. It was an interesting and flashy move, so I copied it to use it as roleplay material.
'Of course, it wouldn't activate if its name is said incorrectly, but as an Undead I don't need to vocalize my attacks. I can just think and it would be done, or use a special interaction that's unique to the Undead Race.'
The effect of the Spell was to eliminate any Undead below the Level of 50. They would evaporate the moment they stepped into the golden realm.
"I don't want small fries to face my mighty blade. Come, I will smite thee down to ashes."
"Bollldddd… But, will you have enough power to back up those words. Or will it be empty like the wind."
Another difference. Kael's way of speaking. It wasn't lengthened to an unnecessary stretch anymore. It was more cohesive to listen to, and was still brief like his previous way of talking.
"I am Kael, and I will be your opponent. I will start my offense now."
True to his words, Kael began moving forward into the Dome of Pure Light. His bones and flesh began to suffer a heating effect that released white smoke. But it was only to that extent, and no further damaging effect could be seen.
''Amadin Swordsmanship: Aura Sunder!"
I charge the blade with Holy energy siphoned from the many Souls I have within me. They were all Demon Slayers who possess the unique Aura of Demon Slaying. Ferocious and deadly to those that descend from Hell, the Aura will turn the target into a solid stone-like material or outright destroy the Daemon if it's powerful enough.
It also works against the Undead, but only to an 80% potency. So as a giant blade of light formed from mine, I swung it down and engulfed Kael in the blinding light.
"Uurrrkkkkkk!!"
He released a low pitched cry of pain, but it wasn't from his voice necessarily.
"...Annoying."
When the light subsided, I could see a fist hurdling itself towards me.
"Aegis Stance!"
A basic defensive stance that boosts Defense values when blocking an attack. I put my other hand on the flat of the blade and held both ends tightly. Blood came from where I held the blade, and the giant fist made contact that produced a boom at the same time.
"Kuh!"
"...Impressive."
As he said that, his other hand curled up into a fist and ready to punch again.
"Scatter!"
Following my command, the three stupefied Elves ran in their own path.
"Blinding Brilliance!"
A simple Holy Blessing, more like a party trick in my opinion, but it's a Stun and a Blind that can work against any monster except Angels and Light based enemies.
"Illusory Form!"
And the second compartment for my attack plan.
"...Hoh? An interesting tactic, Demon Slayer."
There were four of me, four Edir Amadins to be exact.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The three were stunned, but didn't say anything. It was because they couldn't. I placed a Silence Spell on them as I casted Illusory Form.
The raid officially begins!