Is It Wrong To Seek Power In The Dungeon - 1.2 (Patreon)

After your coming of age ceremony and defeating of your first monster, your training with your father increased with earnest.

Usually, after one completed the ceremony, they would begin their training in a secondary craft to fall back on just in case, from hunting, to craftmanship and even blacksmithing.

That was not so for you.

Not yet at least, simply because of your young age, some allowances had to be made and your father gave you more time to think on it.

As it was though, he wanted you to see such crafts in earnest, even outside the clan. And as such, after three months, your father decided to take you on a small journey while he completed some quests given to your clan to defeat monsters terrorizing specific areas.

You spent three months on the dusty road with him, because of your father picking up more quests in each new area when he finished.

Finally though, after three full months, the last destination came into sight.

"Woah…" you gasped, standing atop a large mountainous hill that oversaw a huge glistening sea of water, a bustling town port filled with noise below.

It was one of the biggest settlements you'd ever seen, the port town of Melen.

And there, off far into the distance, you could see a towering spire that rose up into the heavens themselves, practically piercing the clouds.

The tower of Babel that stood atop the dungeon of Orario.

"It is quite something isn't it?" your father grinned, patting you on the shoulder, "It reminds me of good days long since passed. It was here after all, that we done battle with the Leviathan, it's very skeleton rests below the waters to ward of monsters and seal of the dungeon and stop the monsters from escaping into the ocean."

…The Leviathan huh? "Can I see it?" you couldn't help but ask, excitement at the thought of seeing it in person coursing through you.

"That depends, how long can you hold your breath?"

You blinked.

The first order of business, was taking care of the quest your father had taken the slip for.

While the seal made using the skeleton of the Leviathan kept most monsters within the area in check, some still managed to slip through.

It just so happened that this time, a monster known as an Aqua Serpent had managed to squeeze through into the oceans of Melen and had been terrorizing the port town.

The Njord Familia, the only familia left in the port town after the decline of the powerful Poseidon Familia, only had a single level two, who could not defeat the Aqua Serpent that was considered a level three monster because of its sheer size and power.

As such, the first destination for you and your father, were the ports themselves.

"Well well well, look who it is," a handsome looking shirtless man with long brown hair held in a ponytail gave a faint, tired grin as walked down the ledge of a ship docked at the port, a heavy box held over his shoulder, "The Bone King himself, it's been a while."

Right away, you could tell.

He was a god.

"Njord." your father greeted the god with a single nod.

"Still a man of few words, even less now I see," Njord shook his head, before his tired, but kind eyes landed on you, "And this is the little one Zeus was so excited about before things went sour, huh? That grandson he was always bragging about that would be a super hero."

Huh?

Zeus bragged about you? But…you had never met the man…right?

"Zeus is not my father." your father snorted, though there was a flash of something in his eyes.

Melancholy?

"Perhaps not by blood, but you were a son claimed by Zeus nonetheless, just like the rest of your former familia," Njord shrugged, "He loved you guys more than heaven itself just like I do my own kids."

For a brief moment, your fathers hands clenched into fists, before relaxing, "Speaking of…I am sorry to hear about your losses lately." your father inclined his head.

Njord sighed, "…Yeah, brave ones my kids, even though they knew they weren't a match for that thing, they still fought it off as best they could to protect the town," he replied, and there was a great sadness and grief in his voice, it reminded you of your father when he spoke of your mother and made you uncomfortable, "I guess that's why you're here, huh?"

"Yes, I'll slay the beast," your father nodded once, "Though, I do not understand why it has been left to roam and damage the port. Melen is important for trade in Orario, why have they not done anything about it?"

"Ganesha of course can't make a move, his familia holds the order in Orario after all," Njord replied, before scowling, and it looked out of place on his kind face, "Loki though you will remember, will not make a move that won't benefit her in some way. And obviously the Freya familia won't do anything, Freya will not spare a thought to the plight of the people here and her familia only care about doing whatever she wants."

…What? That was stupid though.

You were still just a child and very uneducated, but even you knew that a port town such as this, would be a main provider of food for the city and other goods that were transported by ship.

And there was the pay from the quest as well.

"Short sighted fools as always, too scared to make a proper move in fear of the other, well as far as Loki Familia goes anyway, I doubt the Freya Familia cares as you said," your father huffed and promptly looked at you, "Should you ever decide to go to Orario, watch yourself around that wench goddess and do not be taken in by her charm. If you cannot resist, simply break her in half when you bed her and prove your superiority to those simpering fools that clamour for her attention."

You blinked slowly, "…Okay?"

Njord palmed his face, "As expected of a member of the Zeus familia," he sighed, "Really now, he's still a child y'know."

"He won't be forever, best he learn now rather than come up lacking later," your father shrugged, "Now, let's get down to business shall we?"

_________

Ten minutes later, you stood atop the port with Njord, while your father, atop a single dingy, rowed out into the water.

Even without his falna, there was no fear in him at the thought of facing a level three class monster in its own element.

The god you noticed, was tense.

"Are you alright?" you asked. Unlike the god, you were not all that worried. Over the past few months, you'd seen your father in more of his element than ever.

Even saw him snap the neck of a Green Dragon with his bare hands. Usually a level four monster within the dungeon, but only at the pinnacle of level two for those that had been living on the surface.

At least according to him.

…Actually, your father took to hunting dragons with great relish. You thought it helped dull the regret of never being able to face the most powerful dragon of all like he had hoped when he was younger.

"I'm fine, don't worry your precious little head over it," the god pat you on the head, in what you supposed was a comforting manner, "I'm just…a little emotional right now and waiting with baited breath for this monster to die."

…You thought you might understand, but at the same time you did not. You had never seen anyone die, especially nobody you had ever cared about.

"Their death effects you that much?" he couldn't help but ask. This man was after all, a god. In his true form, he could wave his arm and level a city.

"Might seem a little weird to you huh?" Njord chuckled lightly, "You're young though, so you probably don't know yet. But we gods, we aren't that much different from you children of the lower realm. But while you may not stay dead and your souls eventually reincarnate, the precious memories of that life will fade away in your new one. I am glad that you all will go on forever in that state but, it is bittersweet to be the only one to remember the good times we share."

You bit your lip and did not reply.

A heavy feeling swirled in your chest at his words, 'That mans…that once father dies, he will forget about me. It means, mother has already forgotten about me.'

Your eyes prickled at the thought and a heavy uncomfortable feeling surged in your chest.

But, rare as it was, you forced the sorrow back.

Though perhaps it was only possible, thanks to the warm gentle hand atop your head.

'Njord is a good god.' you decided, even as you peered out into the horizon over the ocean towards your father.

To the great gout of water that exploded up from the depths of the ocean and from it rose a titanic whale like serpent over ten metres long.

Maw opening wide enough to swallow an orc whole, the Aqua Serpent lunged for your father-

Only for him to thrust his arm out, the skin rippling as dozens of short spikes of bone fanned out in circle from his arm, before shooting off like blinding fast arrows and piercing into and through the beasts face, tearing it asunder.

It flopped into the ocean moments later, dead in moments.

Such was the strength of your bloodline. Your father may not have his falna given strength anymore, but his bones remembered their toughness from then even now.

_________

Later, a great celebration was held in your fathers honour by the Njord familia and the towns people for slaying the Aqua Serpent.

"Twas nothing, don't think on it, I was glad to help!" your father laughed broadly, a tankard of ale in hand while everyone was gathered in the Njord familia manor, "I only wish I knew sooner, perhaps some of tragedy could have been avoided. Alas, all I can say now is contact the Bein clan next time you need help, we will surely come to your aid!"

As always, your father, loud, proud and charismatic as ever held everyone's attention. It seemed wherever you went, people rushed to greet him and hung on every word.

It was a bit weird to you sometimes, like now. He boasted so proudly to them, yet his disappointment in the lack of a fight the Aqua Serpent had given him was plain to your eyes.

All to soon he had people asking him questions and women of practically all ages complimenting him, eyeing him with heated, hungry gazes.

It would not be long, before he retreated to a bedroom with one or more of them, as he did many a time in places he saved that celebrated him as a hero.

You sighed, looking down into your own tankard of ale. It was usually frowned upon in most places for children like yourself to drink alcohol.

Your father called that weakling talk.

Someone took a seat beside you.

It was Njord.

"You doing okay?" the god asked, "You're looking a little lonely over here."

You were sitting alone in the corner after all.

You shrugged, "I'm used to it," you replied, people generally weren't in all that of a rush to talk to a child like yourself in events such as this, more focused on the hero of the our and enjoying themselves, "Father says I'll understand when I'm older."

You hoped that was soon to be honest, it mostly all flew over your head. Your father had long since breached the topic of sexual intercourse and how children were made with you, but beyond the rare urge to bury your head in particularly large sets of breasts you sometimes saw women with, you didn't get what was so great about sticking your cock inside them and making them squeal like pigs.

Though women tended to smell nice at least.

"…Zeus Familia, all the same," Njord shook his head, "Still, I have to say, it really is surreal to remember Herak doesn't have access to his falna anymore. You kids from the Bein clan sure are monsters." as he said that, he gave a pointed look at a sack tied around your belt.

It was a sack containing monster crystals from monsters you had hunted over the last six months. Goblins and Kobalds mostly, though lately your father had you fighting what was called Dungeon Lizards, large reptilian beasts much stronger than the other two monsters you hunted.

Nothing compared to the beast your father slew today though, it could have mowed through hundreds of Dungeon Lizards without pause.

"…Was he really that much stronger back then?" you couldn't help but ask. It didn't seem possible.

Your bones were as strong as steel. But even a sword fashioned from your bones, shattered like glass with one swing from one formed from your fathers.

"Oh yeah, the difference is like night and day," Njord laughed lightly, "I only saw your dad in action a few times back in the day, but i'll never forget when he rushed the Leviathan years ago. He used to be able to do so much more you see? Could even make his bones explode thanks to a spell he had. With a single bone, he could detonate a big enough explosion to destroy this manor, casually too."

Your eyes widened.

This was not a small manor you currently resided in!

…Indeed, your father truly was a monster.

"Honestly, it makes me a little jealous of the loyalty he has to Zeus," Njord shook his head, "If only I could recruit you guys, we'd never have to worry about any monsters again."

You tilted your head, "You would invite me to your familia?" you asked, tilting your head to the side.

"Of course I would," Njord laughed, "Young as you are, you're a strong kid and the sky is the limit with your potential. Your dad was telling me you would surpass him in the future even at his strongest, only a fool would pass that up."

Huh.

None of the gods you had met before had attempted to recruit you. The ones that were trying to recruit, all focused on your father and had no eyes for you.

Male and female goddess alike had offered to lay with him, and while your father had bedded a fare few of the goddesses in your travels, he had not joined any.

Your father called them short sighted, and it was not the first time he had claimed you would surpass him.

You were still not sure how though.

"Give it a thought and talk it over with your dad later," Njord pat you on the shoulder, "You don't need to rush it or anything either, the offer is always open."

_________

The next morning, you knocked on the door of the room you father stayed in for the night.

"Enter." his voice echoed through the walls.

You turned the knob and pushed it open, stepping inside. You paused, blinking once as you took in what greeted you.

Your father was sat up in the large bed in the middle of the room, back against the headboard and arms crossed over his chest, a pleased, proud smirk on his face.

Four naked, women lay sprawled about the bed, two hanging off his shoulders, two over his legs, their modesty barely covered at all…and for all intents and purposes, completely catatonic.

As expected, their pig like squeals had echoed through the manor for what felt like hours.

…Next time, you would make sure to get a room further away. It was hard to sleep with all that noise.

"Father, I wish to speak to you about something." you said, ignoring the women.

"Do not worry, as I have told you before, unless they return with us to the clan, you do not have to refer to any of them as mother." your father replied with a nod.

You rolled your eyes, "That is not what I wanted to speak about," you replied blandly, "Njord offered me a place in his familia last night." you dropped the bomb.

Your father blinked, "…And?" he asked, his tone just as bland as your own.

"…And I wish to know your thoughts on it." you rolled your eyes. Why did he have to be so difficult.

Your behemoth of a father rolled his eyes right back, "I have told you I will not constantly hold your hand boy, have I not?" he replied, "If you wish to join the Njord Familia, feel free. Regardless, you will not be staying here, you are not yet ready."

"I did not want you to make the decision for me, I merely wanted advice."

"…Well why not say that from the start?" your father scoffed, "It's a simple matter. You will be stronger in the long run if you hold off from getting a falna until you are a little older. But you will grow much quicker if you take the falna now. It is riskier and harder with the first option, and easier with the second. That's it. You decide."

It was tempting, oh so very tempting to accept Njord's offer. You heard so many stories from your father, he waxed poetic even about his former strength and how weak he was now compared to how he was in the past.

You wanted such strength for yourself.

And Njord, you liked the man, and would happily help him deal with the monsters that sometimes harassed the port. He was kind, wise and likeable, easy approachable and he'd even promised that if you ever found another deity you'd like to follow, he would not hold you back and allow you to transfer.

But…it was the subtle way your father spoke that convinced you in the end. You were not afraid of effort, your whole life was effort. If your father, the strongest person you knew said you would be stronger in the long run from holding off for a while.

Then that was what you would do!

Njord thankfully, was very understanding of your reasoning, and invited you to come back whenever you pleased and that the offer was always open for you and any of your clan or anyone you recommended to join the Njord Familia.