Chapter 313 - Viers' Business Acumen (Patreon)

What the hell is wrong with that guy?

The unfortunate-looking baby watched as Tanael left the dungeon in its mind. How it wished to kill the two-faced villain and left his body to rot.

It tried!

But it couldn't!

After refusing the peace offer, the core tried killing Tanael a bunch of times more but none of it worked.

It had sent Tanael to a water-filled [Room] with the crushing pressure of the ocean depths.

Tanael revealed he was a water Pathseeker and able to breathe underwater. The pressure he shrugged off as a mild inconvenience.

Next, the core had taken all the air in the [Room] outright, turning the inside into a vacuum.

Tanael revealed he had the ability to transform himself into a slime, removing the requisite of breathing to live altogether.

How annoying.

In its next attempt, the core planned to grind Tanael’s Victa down. Even it knew that Pathseeker would be powerless once their Victa was used up. It didn't have the resources for high-level [Creature Create] so it planned for a monster wave tactic.

Tanael revealed that he had the ability to create ‘lightning sticks’. The small metal stick could shoot invisible thunder that destroyed the created monsters. He had used several kinds of metal sticks. The weapon seemed familiar to the core. It was even sure it knew what it was called but the word was stuck in the back of its mind.

How annoying!

“C’mon, Core. I could do this all day,” Tanael said to the ceiling as if he knew for sure that it was watching. “I’m sorry, alright? Make peace, not war.”

“You shameless hypocrite!”

Poison, falling rocks, quicksand, traps of all kinds, Tanael conquered them all.

Wary about my [Equal Wound], Tanael showed no intention of attacking either. We’re in a deadlock.

Even if it wanted to keep trying, its resources were getting precariously low. Whether it was making new [Room] or [Creature Create], it utilized resources.

The core acknowledged that to keep fighting was becoming unbearable so it begrudgingly accepted the ceasefire.

They agreed to hash out the details of their cooperation at a later date. For now, the core’s priority was getting Tanael out of its house.

But that was very close… Tanael’s broken spear at the beginning almost killed me. Another such attack then I’m gone… Good thing he’s afraid of [Equal Wound]. Khhh! All of the life force I painstakingly stocked up went down the drain. Such a waste.

After Tanael left, the master of the dungeon closed all entries to the dungeon and focused on recuperating and rebuilding the damaged portion of its home.

***

“Wooow… That just happened.”

Arsène was watching a burning town. How odd that he had seen a lot of similar things lately.

Long story short, Arsène was doing the usual. Taking candies from babies, taking money from adults, taking lives from fools, and taking souls from unlucky ones. One of the souls that he got had secret information that she swore to bring to the grave.

She was honorable and did just that but not even the grave was a safe refuge from Arsène.

He told the secret to the local bigshot family of this city that promised rich rewards. The dead woman got what she wanted by being honorable, the rich folks got what they wanted from Arsène, and Arsène got the rewards he promised, everybody wins.

One thing led to another and the local bigshot family ended up burned by an angry turtle with a volcano on its back. The turtle emerged in the middle of the town. It was going berserk while crying.

Something interesting might have happened behind the scenes but Arsène was not privy to that information.

While Arsène was pondering about his next course of action, a comet struck the monster turtle.

No, not a comet. A person!

The person was wrestling the castle-size turtle to prevent more damage to the town.

Seeing a Level 5’s arrival, Arsène didn't have second thoughts about leaving.

He heard a sigh and someone was standing beside him without him realizing it.

The man was lanky and weary-looking. His garment showed his affiliation.

“Tanael, I presume? What a splendid mess you’ve made. In these few weeks alone, how many times has it been?”

“...Good evening, Churchman. And you are?”

Arsène watched the Level 5 that was still battling the angry turtle and he saw that the man beside him had the same face and the same clothing.

Either they were twins, or…

“Inquisitor Ronbbery. You’ve been busy, otherworlder.”

“Other-worlder… What a strange thing to say,” Arsène said with composure.

“Spare the act. You have not been subtle about it.” Ronberry was taking out a cigarette and lit it using a snap from his fingers.

“Suppose I am an otherworlder, what is the Church going to do?”

“Normally we would say, welcome to Dunias… but not tonight. I’m here to accept your surrender.”

Arsène didn't like his tone. Not one bit. So haughty.

“There’s a problem then. I don't know how.”

Ronberry gave Arsène a questioning look.

“Surrender, I mean.”

Arsène was not afraid of picking a fight.

“You disappoint me. You’re acting so… juvenile.”

“Glad to disappoint.”

“So much suffering and destruction left in your wake. This must not stand. This world is not your playground, outsider… We’re willing to share but there are rules that must be obeyed.”

“But I don't like rules.”

Ronberry gave him the eye. A very condescending stare.

“Well? Are you going to use force, now, Mr. Adult?”

“We of the Church are not savages. Force is used as the last result. My superior wants to meet.”

“Interesting... Popess Salustia?”

“You wish. Her Holiness is too busy to concern herself over a naughty manchild.”

“You should be ashamed, old timer. I know a child with more negotiation skills than you.”

“Talking is not my strong suit, I admit. My superior will determine whether you can still be redeemed. Come.”

“If I say… no?”

Ronberry emitted his Victa, the taste was familiar to Arsène. It belonged to a soul affinity Pathseeker.

“Going, is your only option.”

“Agree to disagree.”

“Your past triumphs have made you overconfident.”

“Against your real body, that is true. But against a split soul like you, I wager my chances are not too bleak. To catch me, you must have scattered other fragments all over the place, yes? How strong are you compared to the original? A tenth? A hundredth?”

“Let me give you one piece of advice,” Ronberry put out the fire from his cigarette. “Do not underestimate adults.”

“Interesting… Your strength, let me put that to the test.”

The tension in the air could be cut by a knife. The two put their battle stance. Neither one blinks.

The first one that moved was Arsène.

He ran.

***

After a series of maneuvers, including scattering soul bombs at the next town during the chase, Arsène finally managed to escape. That reduced Arsène to a broken wreck. With difficulty, he returned to the Biome where he waited for Viers’ arrival.

Since Arsène left Viers to roam the Coalition, he periodically returned to the Biome to dump the loot and synced with Viers. This time he carried a bit of a haul so he didn't want to self-destruct if possible. If all seemed lost Arsène would do it but such a future didn't come to be.

Still far from the strongest. This will not be the last time I get hunted and run like a whipped dog. No matter. Once I become a Demon Venerable, all will be well.

Viers finished defragmenting Arsène’s memories and opened his eyes.

He was underwater. Thanks to the Vigor of Responsibility Arte from the Church, his Victa was not a problem despite the major battle with the dungeon core but the same couldn't be said the same to his injuries.

He was in a Power Spot in the Biome with healing properties, the Pure Lotus Pond.

It was the first time he felt the sting of his own Spear of Leonidas. The once Divine Weapon was no joke. When he struck the baby, Viers imbued the spear with his full strength. Against another otherworlder, Viers was not half-assing it.

The core’s damage mirror ability was unexpected, to say the least.

Viers reviewed if he made the right call.

Other than the damage mirror ability, the core’s barrier is troublesome. It is sturdy and quick to repair itself if broken. The monster it created and the various space warps are hard to deal with. Most Pathseekers would be crushed. Thankfully I focus on versatility in my growth.

As for the core itself… There’s no way it is unkillable. There must be a damage limit it can endure. The problem is I don't know the limit and the damage reflect made trading blows risky.

This day’s experience gave Viers a lot to think about.

Nutra… And that dead tree… For now, let's just do business and see where it goes.

With the Bankai, Viers’ katana was broken. He was quite attached to its katana that he bought quite a long time ago. It wasn't anything special though, that was why it couldn't endure Viers’ technique. Viers used it for its style and sentimental value.

He was always torn. On one hand, he wanted super strong equipment; epic and legendary items with fantastical might. On the other hand, he wanted to be a Pathseeker that didn't rely on his gear to progress. In the Fables, this development was split too. Each camp had heavyweight stories on their side.

He’d also revealed his firearms and monster transformations to the core.

But it wasn't a mistake. If they cooperated, he had to use them anyway. Besides, he was baiting the core’s reaction.

It seemed the core had big holes in its memories. What sort of person was that person before?

Viers stayed in the Biome for a few days. Although he felt bad about not saying anything to Jessica, it couldn't be helped. In the meantime, he also did his Profound Training. With this, the timer where he would lose his Pathseeker abilities every ten days were reset.

Unless he was in absolute safety, Viers wouldn't reduce himself to an ordinary human by doing Serpentes Renovamen Profound Codex’ Profound Training. Since he wasn't always being cooped up in the Biome, this in turn slowed the mastery of his Profound Codex which also meant slowed his progress in the Path of Power.

I temporarily solved my Victa problem but no closer to solving this cultivation dilemma of mine. Heh. Even with my genre-savviness, there are things I can’t do.

Arsène returned at perfect timing. He has brought enough souls and goodies. While the heat died down at the Coalition territory, I’ll get busy in this place. Becoming a Grand Soul again, training the familiars, improving the monster forms, dungeon management with the core, pheew… My schedule is full.

Let’s do all I can until Farley, Paina, and Zerrigan awaken in about half a year. I get a feeling the next major arc will show itself then.

***

A few weeks after Viers met with the sentient dungeon core, a mysterious cave opened up near the Ebon Wall City.

The cave had stone stairs and walls, which were clearly manmade.

The Grey Hawk Knightly Order was sent to investigate, the first scouting trip was led by the Knight Chief Charles Hall, the strongest Pathseeker in the city.

“Goblin party hiding to the right. Be careful.”

“Five Skeleton Heavy Warriors. Stay sharp!”

“Are those glowing rocks on the wall mana crystals? This much? We're rich!”

“A chest? Who left a chest here? Whoa! There’s an enchanted dagger inside!”

They found rooms and corridors with monsters and valuable treasures.

“Hm? This room section seems different.”

“A house? Inside here?”

“I feel the presence of someone inside.”

“Capt’n, shall we enter?”

“...Shield at the ready.”

The knights opened the door and they didn't expect what they found. A jolly voice greeted them.

“Took you long enough. Welcome to Never Die Thrice! I’m the shopkeeper, Tey. From healing potions to insect repellent, this shop sells all kinds of commodities to make the most of your dungeon delving. Come in, come in, don't be shy. The shopkeeper is your friend!”

-

-

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/32067/never-die-twice

Totally recommended.