It had been a few days since Ryuto and his party had cleansed the haunted mansion, and things had settled back into a semblance of normalcy. Ryuto, now Level 67, felt stronger than ever, but something weighed on his mind. Recently, he'd been getting strange, unexplainable feelings, a soft breeze that seemed to whisper his name, tugging him in a certain direction no matter where he was.
As he sat in his room one morning, the wind began to swirl gently around him, like a playful spirit. He opened the window, expecting nothing more than a simple breeze, but instead, the air in the room grew thick with power. A voice echoed softly in his mind, feminine and gentle, yet filled with ancient authority.
"Ryuto... come to me..."
He blinked, startled. "What the…? Who's there?"
Before he could react, the wind enveloped him completely, lifting him off his feet. The room around him faded, and in the next moment, Ryuto found himself standing in an unfamiliar place. A vast, open sky stretched endlessly before him, with white clouds floating lazily below. The air was clean and crisp, and the ground beneath him was soft, almost like he was standing on the clouds themselves.
He turned around, and there, floating gracefully in the sky, was a beautiful woman. Her long, silver hair billowed in the breeze, and her eyes shone like the clearest sky. She was dressed in flowing white and blue robes that shimmered like the wind itself.
The Wind Goddess.
"Ryuto," she said, her voice like the soft rustle of leaves. "I have watched you for some time now."
Ryuto blinked, still processing the sudden shift in reality. "Uh… okay. And you are?"
"I am Aelith, the goddess of wind. I reside in the sky, guiding the winds and protecting the balance of nature. But..." She paused, her expression turning wistful. "For centuries, I have been alone."
"Alone?" Ryuto asked, trying to wrap his mind around it. "But you're a goddess. Don't you have other gods or followers?"
Aelith shook her head softly, her silver hair catching the light. "I watch over the world from afar, but few are able to speak with me. It has been so long since I've had anyone to converse with. That's why I brought you here, Ryuto."
He scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly awkward. "So… you want to talk?"
She nodded. "I want to hear about the world below, about your adventures, your thoughts. I want to feel connected again."
Ryuto hesitated for a moment. He was already navigating complex relationships with Celeste, Nina, and others, adding a goddess to the mix seemed... well, dangerous. But before he could respond, Aelith smiled warmly at him.
"In exchange," she continued, "I will grant you the power of wind magic. It will help you in your battles, and in return, you will spend time with me. I have been so lonely, Ryuto."
He thought about it. Wind magic could be incredibly useful, especially when dealing with fast or airborne enemies. And it wasn't every day that a goddess offered to teach you her magic. Still, the idea of being bound to a goddess, even one as gentle and beautiful as Aelith, wasn't something to take lightly.
Ryuto sighed. "Alright. I'll talk with you. But no crazy goddess stuff, alright? I've got enough on my plate as it is."
Aelith's smile brightened. "Thank you, Ryuto. I promise, I will not interfere in your life. I simply wish for a friend."
In the blink of an eye, Ryuto was back in his room, the wind goddess's presence still lingering in the air. He looked down at his hands, feeling the new power coursing through him, the wind itself now bent to his will.
Ryuto raised his hand, summoning a gust of wind that swirled around his arm, gathering into a tight vortex. He couldn't help but grin. "Wind magic, huh? This could come in handy."
Before he had time to revel in his newfound power, there was a loud crash outside, followed by distant screams. Ryuto rushed to the window, his eyes widening as he saw giant bats swooping down over the town, their leathery wings beating furiously as they terrorized the streets.
"They're attacking the town!" he muttered to himself, quickly grabbing his gear.
As he rushed outside, he found his party already assembled, weapons drawn. Celeste stood nearby, her usual confident expression replaced with one of alarm. Nina and Roland were already scanning the skies, watching as the bats circled overhead.
"These things came out of nowhere," Roland said, his sword ready. "They're huge!"
"Looks like we're in for a fight," Nina added, her eyes narrowed.
Ryuto stepped forward, summoning his wind magic. "I've got a new trick up my sleeve. Let's see how these flying rats like a little wind power."
As the party prepared to take down the bats, Celeste approached Ryuto, her eyes fixed on him. Ryuto noticed something different about her, a new outfit, more revealing than anything he'd seen her wear before. A tight, low-cut top that barely concealed her generous chest and a short skirt that accentuated her long legs.
Celeste batted her eyelashes, standing a little too close to him. "Ryuto," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness, "you'll protect me, won't you?"
Ryuto blinked, momentarily distracted by the sight. "Uh... yeah, of course."
She pouted playfully. "Are you sure? I might get hurt... Maybe you could stand a little closer."
Ryuto swallowed hard, trying to focus on the incoming threat, but Celeste's outfit, and her deliberate attempts to get his attention, were making it impossible. She leaned forward, her chest brushing against his arm, sending a shock of warmth through him.
"Come on," she teased, her lips close to his ear. "I know you want to protect me."
He felt his face flush red. "C-Celeste, now's not the time..."
Before he could finish his sentence, one of the giant bats swooped down toward them, screeching loudly. Ryuto snapped out of his daze, summoning a powerful gust of wind to strike it. But Celeste's proximity had thrown off his aim, and instead of hitting the bat, his wind spell went wide, narrowly missing the creature.
The bat seized the opportunity, diving down toward Celeste. She let out a terrified scream as its massive claws latched onto her, lifting her into the air.
"RYUTO!" she screamed, her voice filled with panic. "GET ME DOWN! YOU KNOW I HATE BATS!"
Ryuto's heart raced as he watched Celeste get carried off by the monstrous creature, her voice echoing in the distance.
"Damn it!" Ryuto cursed, immediately summoning another gust of wind. "I'm coming, Celeste!"
Ryuto's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the giant bat carry Celeste higher into the sky, her terrified screams echoing through the town. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but the image of her being dragged away had thrown him into a panic.
"Damn it!" Ryuto cursed, summoning his wind magic with a flick of his wrist. "I won't let that thing get away!"
The others were already moving into action. Nina hurled a dagger at one of the circling bats, striking its wing and sending it spiraling to the ground. Roland, ever the tank, slashed through another bat's leathery wings with a powerful swing of his sword.
"We've got your back!" Roland shouted. "Go get her!"
Ryuto nodded, focusing on the bat that had snatched Celeste. He channeled his wind magic into his legs, feeling the magic surge through him, boosting his speed. In a blur, he dashed after the bat, the ground beneath him practically disappearing as he pushed himself to his limits.
Every second mattered. Celeste was still screaming, her voice laced with pure fear as the bat carried her further away from the town. Ryuto's pulse quickened as he leapt into the air, shooting a burst of wind from his hands to propel himself higher.
The bat was fast, but Ryuto had the advantage of his new wind magic. He narrowed his eyes, summoning a gust of wind beneath his feet and launching himself into the sky. He soared upward, his vision locked on the bat's flapping wings.
Just as Ryuto drew closer, he could see Celeste struggling in the creature's grip, her body flailing as it carried her higher and higher. Her eyes were wide with terror, and he could hear her faintly screaming his name.
"Ryuto!" she shrieked, twisting in the bat's grip. "Do something!"
"Hang on!" he called back, gritting his teeth as he flew faster. His wind magic wrapped around him, forming a sleek, aerodynamic shield that allowed him to soar through the air like a bolt of lightning.
He was almost there. Just a little more.
With a final push of magic, Ryuto surged forward, aiming directly for the bat. He extended his hand, a swirling vortex of wind forming in his palm. With a shout, he unleashed the magic, sending a razor-sharp blade of wind slicing through the bat's wing.
The creature let out a high-pitched screech as its wing was torn, its flight path wobbling as it struggled to stay aloft. Ryuto pressed his advantage, summoning more wind and striking the bat's other wing. This time, the bat couldn't keep itself in the air, and it began to plummet toward the ground, flailing wildly as it spiraled downward.
"Ryuto!" Celeste screamed again as they began to fall.
Ryuto acted fast, diving after her. With a powerful burst of wind, he shot toward Celeste just as she slipped from the bat's claws. His arms wrapped around her, and he pulled her close as they tumbled through the air.
"Gotcha!" Ryuto said, holding her tightly.
Celeste clung to him, her eyes squeezed shut. "I hate bats! I hate heights! I hate all of this!"
With another surge of wind, Ryuto slowed their descent, landing gently on a nearby rooftop. He set Celeste down carefully, making sure she was safe before taking a deep breath. His heart was still racing from the intensity of the chase, but relief flooded through him now that she was safe.
"You okay?" Ryuto asked, his voice gentle.
Celeste nodded, though she was still trembling. She looked up at him with wide, grateful eyes. "Y-Yeah. Thanks to you." She let out a shaky laugh. "I thought I was a goner."
"Not while I'm around," Ryuto said, offering her a small smile.
Before they could share the moment, another loud screech pierced the air. Ryuto glanced up to see more giant bats swooping down on the town, their massive wings blocking out the moonlight. The situation wasn't over yet.
Down below, Roland and Nina were still holding their ground, fending off the bats that swooped down from the sky. Nina moved with her usual speed and precision, throwing her daggers at the creatures, hitting her marks with deadly accuracy. Roland, with his shield raised, blocked several attacks, slashing through the leathery wings of the bats that dared to come too close.
"Ryuto!" Roland shouted. "We could use some help down here!"
Ryuto gritted his teeth and summoned his wind magic once more. He turned to Celeste, who was still recovering from the bat's attack. "Stay here. I'll finish this."
Celeste, her face flushed with embarrassment and relief, nodded. "Be careful."
Ryuto leapt off the rooftop, riding the wind as he soared back into the fray. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a powerful gust that sent several of the bats off course, scattering them through the air. He darted between the creatures, using his wind magic to keep them at bay, but there were still too many.
"These things just keep coming!" Nina called, throwing another dagger into the fray.
"We need to take them out in one hit," Ryuto muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "No more holding back."
He raised his hands, channeling all of his wind magic into a single, powerful attack. The air around him began to swirl violently, the wind gathering into a massive vortex above him. With a determined shout, Ryuto unleashed the magic, sending a tornado of wind spiraling into the sky.
The bats screeched in panic as the vortex caught them in its grasp, spinning them wildly through the air. One by one, the creatures were torn apart by the force of the wind, their bodies flung far away from the town.
When the last of the bats had been swept away, the vortex dissipated, leaving the town in eerie silence.
Ryuto lowered his hands, breathing heavily. He glanced around, scanning the skies for any sign of more threats, but it seemed the battle was finally over.
"Nice one!" Roland called, clapping Ryuto on the shoulder as he approached. "That was some serious magic."
Nina grinned, wiping sweat from her brow. "Yeah, that wind power really came in handy."
Ryuto smiled, feeling the weight of the battle lifting from his shoulders. "Thanks. But I've got someone else to thank for this."
As they regrouped, Celeste approached Ryuto, her usual confidence back in place. She crossed her arms and shot him a look that was somewhere between frustration and affection. "So… wind magic, huh? You've been holding out on me."
Ryuto rubbed the back of his neck, knowing exactly where this was going. "Yeah, I kind of had a chat with the Wind Goddess earlier."
Celeste's eyes narrowed, her jealousy flaring. "Oh? A goddess, is it? And she just gave you wind magic? What else did she want in return?"
Ryuto sighed, knowing that explaining this was going to be difficult. "She's lonely. All she wants is someone to talk to every now and then. No big deal."
Celeste frowned, her jealousy barely concealed. "Lonely, huh? Just talking, right?"
"Just talking," Ryuto reassured her, though he could see she wasn't entirely convinced.
Celeste huffed, clearly not pleased with the idea of Ryuto being close to another woman, especially a goddess. "Well, I guess I can't argue with a goddess… but don't think I'm going to let you out of my sight."
Ryuto laughed nervously. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
The town had fallen quiet, the echo of the battle slowly fading as the dust settled. The giant bats, once a terrifying presence in the sky, were now gone, either torn apart by Ryuto's wind magic or driven far from the town. The streets were littered with the remnants of the battle, bat wings scattered across rooftops, and a few unlucky creatures slumped lifeless in the alleyways.
Ryuto stood in the middle of the square, catching his breath. His wind magic had been far more powerful than he expected, and he was still adjusting to the sheer strength of it. He could feel the new magic humming beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed again.
"I didn't realize just how strong this power was," Ryuto muttered, glancing down at his hands. "Thanks, Aelith."
He turned to the rest of his party. Roland was busy dragging the last of the bat corpses to a pile, while Nina was wiping blood off her blades. Celeste, still looking a little shaken from her close encounter, was frowning at Ryuto, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"You really saved the day there, Ryuto," Roland said, walking over to join him. "That wind magic of yours? Pretty damn impressive."
"Yeah, you wiped them out," Nina added, sheathing her daggers. "We'd probably still be fighting if it weren't for you."
Ryuto waved off the praise, but he couldn't deny the satisfaction of knowing he had helped protect the town. "Just doing my job," he said with a grin. "But it's not over yet, we've still got to figure out where those bats came from. Something doesn't feel right."
As if on cue, a faint breeze swept through the square, carrying with it a strange, unsettling scent. It was faint but unmistakable, a metallic tang that reminded Ryuto of blood. His eyes narrowed, and he turned toward the edge of town, where the scent seemed strongest.
"We should investigate," Ryuto said, his tone serious. "Those bats didn't just appear out of nowhere. There might be something bigger at play."
Celeste, who had been silently fuming during the conversation, finally spoke up. "Right. But let's be careful this time, alright? I don't want any more surprises."
Ryuto nodded, understanding her frustration. "I'll make sure we don't lose anyone this time."
She shot him a glare. "You better."
Following the strange scent, Ryuto and his party made their way to the outskirts of town. The further they walked, the stronger the metallic scent became, until they reached a small clearing on the edge of the forest. There, in the center of the clearing, was something that immediately put everyone on edge, a massive nest made of twisted branches, bones, and rotting flesh.
The air around the nest felt heavy, charged with a dark energy that made the hairs on Ryuto's neck stand on end. It was clear that the bats had been nesting here, but what was more troubling was the black crystal at the center of the nest. The crystal pulsed faintly with an unnatural, sinister light.
"What the hell is that?" Roland asked, taking a cautious step closer to the crystal.
Celeste's face paled. "That's not normal. It looks like some kind of cursed artifact."
Nina narrowed her eyes, her hand already on her dagger. "I don't like this. Something's feeding these creatures power."
Ryuto approached the crystal, feeling the pull of its dark magic. His smartphone system flashed with a new notification.
"Corruption Monitor: High levels of dark energy detected. Warning: Artifact is linked to an unknown malevolent source."
Ryuto frowned. "This crystal is what's driving the bats to attack the town. It's corrupting them."
Celeste took a step closer to Ryuto, her voice low. "Can we destroy it?"
Ryuto hesitated. "If it's connected to something bigger, destroying it might release more dark energy… but if we leave it, the town will keep getting attacked."
Roland raised his sword, clearly ready to smash the crystal. "So we destroy it and deal with the consequences later?"
Nina shrugged. "We don't have much of a choice. We can't let this thing keep feeding those bats."
Ryuto nodded, summoning a small gust of wind to gather around his hand. "Alright, let's break it."
With one swift motion, he unleashed a powerful burst of wind magic, slamming it into the crystal. The dark artifact cracked, its surface fracturing under the force of the magic. For a moment, everything was still, and then,
BOOM!
The crystal exploded in a burst of dark energy, sending a shockwave through the clearing. The ground shook, and the air was filled with the sound of screeching bats as the dark magic dissipated into the sky.
When the dust settled, the nest lay in ruins, and the black crystal was nothing more than a pile of shattered shards.
Ryuto wiped sweat from his brow. "Well, that was... intense."
Celeste nodded, looking relieved. "At least the bats won't be coming back."
But as Ryuto stood there, catching his breath, his smartphone system pinged with another notification.
"New Quest Unlocked: The Source of the Darkness"
Ryuto's eyes widened as he read the details of the quest. "Looks like this was just the beginning," he muttered.
"What do you mean?" Nina asked, stepping up beside him.
Ryuto turned to his party, his expression grim. "The crystal was linked to something bigger. This dark magic isn't isolated, it's spreading. We've got a new mission."
Celeste's eyes narrowed, her earlier frustration forgotten. "Then we'll find whoever's behind it. No one messes with our town."
Later that night, back at the mansion, Ryuto had barely settled into bed when he heard a soft knock at the door. He sighed, already knowing who it was. "Come in, Celeste."
The door creaked open, and Celeste stepped inside, her figure silhouetted by the dim light from the hall. She was wearing something new, a revealing, silky nightgown that left little to the imagination. She closed the door behind her, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"I thought I'd stop by," she said, her voice smooth and sultry. "You know, to thank you for saving me earlier."
Ryuto sat up, feeling a rush of heat as Celeste slowly approached the bed. "Celeste… you don't have to, "
"I want to," she interrupted, slipping into bed beside him. Her fingers traced lightly along his arm, sending a shiver through him.
"You've been distracted lately… but I know how to get your attention."
Ryuto swallowed hard, his resolve weakening as she leaned closer, her breath warm against his neck. "Celeste, now might not be the best time…"
She laughed softly, her lips brushing against his ear. "I disagree."
Celeste pulled down her nightgown to reveal her breasts and toned stomach. She wrapped herself around Ryuto and they fell down onto the bed sharing a passionate kiss.
After their passionate encounter, Ryuto lay back in bed, his mind racing despite the exhaustion creeping over him. Celeste, now curled up against his chest, seemed perfectly content, her earlier jealousy and frustration forgotten. Her soft breathing indicated that she had drifted off to sleep, but Ryuto couldn't stop thinking about the dark crystal, the new quest, and what it all meant.
"This dark energy," he thought, staring up at the ceiling. "It's spreading. But where is it coming from?"
He glanced at Celeste, who was still wrapped around him, as if afraid he might disappear if she let go. Her possessiveness had grown stronger, especially after everything they'd been through together. Ryuto wasn't sure how he felt about it yet, but one thing was certain, things were about to get a lot more complicated.
As his eyes began to close, a soft breeze brushed against his cheek, and he heard a faint, familiar voice whisper in his ear.
"Ryuto… we'll speak again soon."
He sighed, recognizing the Wind Goddess's voice. "Great," he muttered, already knowing that his connection to Aelith was only going to make things more complicated.
But that was a problem for tomorrow. For now, Ryuto let himself drift into sleep, wondering what new challenges awaited him.