What is it that makes a Fantasy world Fantasy?
The existence of magic? Obviously. The presence of heinous monsters? Thats one as well. The ability to manipulate and rule over the natural elements? Yes. Can be.
But among these factors, there was one that a fantasy world cannot disregard. And what was it?
Yes, the existence of Dungeons.
Standard in games. Obligatory in Isekai animes. Canonical in adventure novels. The Dungeon. Hell, if I played MMROPG and there was no dungeon in that game, I'd lash-out to the game devs! Imagine playing Kenshin Contact without having the unlocking of the dungeons event. I'd cry. Literally. And then I wont go out of my room for three days.
Point is, Dungeons are a must in a fantasy setting. Visualize that one anime without the existence of a Dungeon; it would be devastatical—and crazy. "Is it wrong to pick up beautiful ladies in a (___)" See? Thats what happens if you removed the Dungeon. I'd go question the sanity of its author if that actually happened.
The same thing cannot be denied here in the Saint Ilse Island. Here, the existence of the dungeons was prominent. Prominent enough to be the Catalyst that pushed the HARMONIA to be divided into Seven Divisions.
You might say; hey, wasnt the reason that pushed that division was the power struggle? Yep. Absolutely. But then again, think about it. Why specifically Seven? Because seven was the favorite number of President? Are you imbecile or something?! Id pinch that old hags cheek if that actually was the reason! Though, expect a bump or two atop my head if I actually did.
Alright, let's talk seriously for a second. The HARMONIA was divided ESPECIFICALLY into SEVEN divisions EXACTLY because of the EXISTENCE of DUNGEONS. Seven Dungeons to be precise; thus, add up the number.
And why am I going on and on about this Dungeon and whatnot? Well, right now—this exact moment—I was witnessing the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen in my whole existence.
Wrapped in slimy tentacles were the women in front of me. Ask me why I was spared of such binding? Hell if I know what that perverted tentacle monster was thinking!
But I tell you, gentlemen—such was a sight for sore eyes.
In front of me was that haughty lass Elisha and other two women from our class. Her arms tied and was raised upwards, flaunting her wonderfully seductive armpits—all the while cursing a word to me to avoid looking. Nah, I'd accept the cursing. But to avert my eyes?! NO!
Another one was the girl with a short pale-blue hair named Gisselle, while she was unemotional and almost always unbothered, her appearance right now was a sight to behold. With a hint of redness and shyness to her snow-pale cheeks and misty eyes, her clothes were now in a disarray. Her uniform was now unladylike and her buttons were conspicuously missing, revealing her oh-so-modest chest. A flash of her blue-striped underwear could be perceived. Thank you very much!
Another one was a tall, black-haired Brazilian girl named Minerva. She strikes as the typical Gal-girl in animes and the likes, otherwise, shes the perfect goddess. This one was not wearing much in the first place, so when the tentacles struck, her healthy-tanned luscious thighs were all for the word to see. Oh, bless that perfectly plump butt line; I might faint from the heaviness of the impact. Goodness gracious, her vivacious abundant mounds were all for me to praise. Oh, Minerva, goddess of boobs—ahem—of beauty! Thank you very much for thy blessings!
"Ugh, Stasis, I'll ask you for a ticket payment for having such a front-seat-view." Minerva joked even still in such position, throwing a bonus wink to my direction. Shes got a nerve of steel. And an erotic body.
I'll pay as much as you want, your Majesty!
And Elisha? Her clothes were now tattered and the slimy substance from the tentacle had left it partially dissolved revealing more of her porcelain skin (and gentlemen, a glimpse of her white-laced underwear; which was too early for her to be wearing).
"Dont look! Pervert! Molester! Enemy of women!" She yelled, voice tainted with bashfulness and coy. Her face was red. Redder than the blood Im gonna see later once shes freed from the tentacles.
But! Say all you like, princess, but to miss this opportunity is akin to losing my own life! Okay, that one was a joke. When she pleaded like that, I averted my gaze, against my will; mind you. Covered my face with my palm—then, between the cracks of my fingers, I continued to enjoy the view.
"Uhm, if your going to take a peek anyway, why cover your eyes in the first place?" Said the upperclassman who were accompanying us in our first-time dungeon trek.
I hastily turned to her and voiced; "You just dont get it, oh my great senior Edelweiss! To not revere this heavenly sight is a blasphemy to the god of erotism!" though, it did not really answer her question.
My dear senior Edelweiss pulled a face, though there was a hint of joy in her look; and a liiiitle bit of a disgust, she retorted "God of who again?"
"Oh, how I'm glad to be idolized." Minerva chuckled, "I never knew you were this funny and honest, Stasis." And I always knew you were this generous! I'll be sure to add you to my list of friends from now on, Lady Minerva! Scratch that; list of goddesses! Nope, actually scratch that all. She was listed on top from the very first time we met!
"Forget about that!!!" Elisha finally snapped, "Just get us out of this abhorrible and ever-so disgusting creature!"
"What did you say?! Abhorrible!?" I snapped back at her, "That creature was a personification of mens hope and dreams!" I voice my passion (?). "How can you say such evil things to Tentarous!"
"…" say something Gisselle!
"Whoa, he already gave it a name." be more like, Minerva, shes enjoying life.
"Gah!!! Ive had just enough!!!" Annnd the irritable princess finally lost it.
Okay, time out. Before we let our haughty princess go wild, let me explain how exactly we got here. To the academys underground dungeon; The Eternal Cavern.
***
Earlier that time—
This week after Maria's official enrolment was nothing short of astonishment. Why, the girl who never once spoke when talked to was super popular. People would gather in her presence and would offer her food, books, new trends, flowers and invitation to movies—such of things I've neeeeever experience before. Instead of a vampire, Maria got me thinking that maybe she was an idol? Or a goddess all along and graced these mortals with her perfect aloof appearance.
No. Actually, it was her looks, no? Anyone would scramble their way to offer her something when she looked like the absolute enthrall. With how suffocating her beauty was, I doubt anyone could resist her charm. Me? Nah, I'd take Claudia over her at any time of the day no questions asked. That woman was more of a perfect combo-set rather than Maria. Playful attitude. Coquettish beauty. Kind and endearing, yet super mature—and most of all she's lewd. Yep, I'll pick her no doubt.
Right now, this said Maria was surrounded by the whole class yet again. The reason? Today, our practical lesson would offer us the course to trek the Dungeon under the academys grounds for the very first time. We were told by our oh-so-responsible homeroom teacher to form a group of four. The said teacher didnt even prepare a draw lots for the class to use. She just sat at the corner of the room while grinning at me; maybe she was having the relish and fun of my predicament for not being able to find a group that would take me open arm. She really is a piece of work, that Shinra.
Well, to her chagrined, a girl with a pale-blue hair, Gisselle, together with a tall-tanned black-haired beauty, Minerva, came to me. Since the said duo was not able to form a group of four on their own, they came to take me instead.
"Hey, Stasis. I see you're enjoying your time alone. Why not join us and form a rag-tag group instead?" asked the gyaru with a wide grin, revealing her perfectly aligned pearly teeth.
Minerva was one of the oddballs. The kind that never cared about her surroundings. I like her. I was happy with the invitation of course, especially when I eyed Minervas bountiful chest.
"Hmm? Well, if thats the price for you to join us, then I'll tell you about it. They're an F."
Apparently, she knew where I was looking so, she emphasized that her chest was F-cup. Thank you very much for the most confidential information which could rival even of the FBI's.
"I… never asked." I told her.
"Say that after you remove that gaze from my treasures." She laughed. Beautiful and open minded. I'm liking her more and more.
"So, what will it be?" Minerva pressed. Actually, I'd like to jump and tell her; absolutely yes! But I refrained.
I craned my neck towards Varvara's seat. Worried that the shy girl wouldnt be able to form her own group. To my surprise, she was just as popular to the ladies that a group had already flocked to her, soliciting her membership. I cant help but smile. I was happy for her.
I turned to Minerva whose smile never faltered. I smiled to reciprocate.
"Sure. If a beauty like you wants me, I would be a fool not to accept." I joked. Prompting another wide grin from her stunning face.
"My, such a passionate confession. I'm thrilled."
Yep, she is openminded.
Then, Minerva turned to her companion, "It's alright for you as well, right Gisselle?"
The girl did not utter a word nor her expression changed. She just gave Minerva a practiced nod.
Hey, so my goddess Minerva went her way to me without even consulting to her partner first?! She really is something. It made me even more happy. Should I start a Fanclub dedicated for her?
"Do you have a moment?"
As I was dancing with my idiotic yet reaaally important thoughts, a familiar voice came to our newly formed band.
It was Elisha, face red with a hint of bashfulness. Then she came nearer. When she was at the position where she faced us three properly, she held the hem of her skirt and bowed. The gracious princess she was.
"Would it be alright for me to join your party as well?"
I eyed Minerva. Since she was the one invited me, the role to accept or decline Elishas appeal was all up to her. Me? Well, I was like, "Why not? She asked politely, why decline her request." But then, it dawned me; this was Elisha that were talking about! The haughty noble that gave me no little of grief—and uh, admittedly fun. There might be a catch! Thus, gentleman as I, I left the talking to our group leader. Its not like I don't know how to handle the situation, okay? Not that. Honest.
Minerva smiled. But her eyes were full of doubts. Then she opened her mouth. Honestly, I really thought that Minerva would easily accept Elisha, but what I heard her say next slapped me in the face,
"My, why would the prideful princess of the Courtenay like to party with us; the outcasts of the class?"
When she mentioned the word outcasts I finally realized. Minerva was friendly, but people see her as a person who was frank with her words, weird and unserious. As for Gisselle, she never really speaks. And as for me, well, you know. This and that. The three of us really were outcasts, weren't we? Eheh.
By Minervas question, Elisha flinched.
Minerva turned to me. "I witnessed no end of you bothering Stasis here, lady Courtenay. I hope and pray that your motive to join us lies not to take toll of my new member. Otherwise, I shall humbly decline."
Oh, drop it. Here and now, I proclaim the inauguration of Lady Minervas Fanclub! The way she confronted Elisha was so smooth that she almost stole my whole heart. Fortunately, she only took 99% of it.
"My, I bore no such thought, miss Azevedo. And me bothering someone? I remember no such event."
Doubt, 100%. How can she say that with such straight face? Oh, Minervas smile is getting scarier by moments passed. I never knew my goddess would be able to make such face. Kuhh! What a thrill.
"Then, I must decline. It seemed to me that we do not see things at the same angle, princess. I do not want my precious comrade be uncomfortable by some insincere person such as yourself."
She said I'm precious… She just said I'm precious, no? Okay, what logo would be best to suit my Lady Minerva?
"Just as I have heard." Elisha smiled fearlessly. "They said you were quite frank and honest with your words. I see now exactly why. I will let pass the remark you'd made to me. I am elated to find someone capable of saying things like that to my face."
Minerva's brows raised and twitched. "And what do you mean by that?"
"Not much, really. But still, calling me insincere is too much, dont you think?"
"No, I dont think so. I call it as I saw it. Thats all."
Lets… be air. Yes. Air.
"Alright, then. I admit and admire your brave soul. But I digress. Let me say it again, let's form a group. You wont be able to form a group with only the three of you, no? And uh, well, I…" She trailed off. Then, clearing her throat, she braved herself, face red before her revelation, "My, uh, supposed teammates were already formed… they uh, left me all alone…"
When she said that, even I felt the utmost guilt I could have. Minerva, the goddess she was, glanced at me as if asking for permission. She, as well, was lost what to say. So as to not add fuel to the wailing fire, I nodded to her.
Thats how we were able to form a group of mish-mashed rag-tag team.
Oh, and Dio? From the very start he was already snatched by the boys. He became popular after the first practical lesson. I told him I'd be fine so he went and formed a team with them.
Before entering the Eternal Cavern, we gathered at the training hall to meet with our upperclassmen. They will be our guide as we traverse the unknown interior of the dungeon. The one assigned to us was the blue-haired cool beauty of the Students council, the former president Edelweiss.
That was the beginning of our joyful and very-exciting and adventurous and chaotic first time dungeon visit.