Is It Wrong To Seek Power In The Dungeon - 1.4 (Patreon)

After the first time you met Zeus, he decided to pay the clan a visit, or more specifically you one, to check up on you, tell you stories of the heroes of the ancient past….and wax poetic about women every couple months.

While his perversion was kind of annoying at times, you could not deny that you enjoyed his visits immensely and looked forward to them.

Especially since…ever since you heard of Fianna and her BloodFury Spear and how she used it, whirling tornado of power that carved and drilled through anything in its path, you were struck with inspiration.

To create your very own spear technique that would rival it one day…and then surpass it!

The Heaven Piercing Bone Spear!

…As Zeus called it. You hadn't actually planned on giving it a name, but he decided to dub it that for you…without your permission.

You could truly see where your father got many of his habits from when you spent time with the god of lightning.

Right now, a year had passed since you first met Zeus, and you were hard at work within the forge.

Hammer in hand, you swung down over and over again, the blistering heat of the insides of one of the many forge tents drawing sweat from your pores and a sword of iron taking shape before you more and more with each swing.

Suddenly, the opening to the tent swung open and Cal stepped in, "Yo dickhead!" he shouted in greeting, "Got something you're probably wanna see!"

"Close that, don't let the heat escape moron!" you turned and threw the hammer you were using at him.

It smashed him in the face and forced him back a step, "…You little prick, you're lucky I don't kick your ass for that!" he grumbled, but there was no heat in it. A simple thrown hammer like that, with no real strength behind it would hardly hurt a member of your clan. And he did as you told anyway, quickly closing the tent flap to contain the heat, "Anyway, did you hear me?" he asked as you grabbed another hammer.

"What?" you asked, getting back to hammering out the sword.

"Your dad has visitors, some big wigs I think, one of them is a god," he replied, but you shrugged. A god visiting the clan wasn't anything new, "Dunno who they are, but they've got your dad pretty tense, he dragged them to his place to talk in private."

You froze on your next swing.

Your father…tense? That wasn't right. Your father was never tense except when Zeus came to visit.

You lay the hammer in your hand down, "…Alright, I'll check it out, thanks." you replied.

Cal nodded, "Alright, then after that me and you outside, I'm gonna bust your nose up for that hammer stunt you little dick."

You left the forge tent behind and made your way towards the main manor rivalling tent your father resided in.

Before you even entered, you could hear what was going on.

"I told you, I have no interest in this rubbish," your father growled audibly, "Promise time this, promise time that. You expect me to accept those trash are the ones that will bring in the promised age? That the weaklings who were too scared to fight us fairly, will be the heroes that surpass all others?"

"That is what we're going to test," a deep rumbling voice, a bit smoother than your fathers own replied, you did not recognise it, "If they can surpass us, then they might, if they die to us, then clearly they are not. But, we know the promised time approaches, it is why challenged the great beasts, we thought we were the promised ones."

"Surpass you? A pair of fools each with a foot in the grave already? What does that prove? Nothing, because neither of you are even close to your prime when you fought the dragon and lost," your father scoffed, "And assuming they can't even overcome you as you are, what then? Will you crush them and leave Orario defenceless? You can't replace them, you'll be dead within a few years, your strength dwindling constantly all the while. We failed to live up to the moniker of hero, but I won't waltz in there and help you slaughter them when there's nobody to fill the role and protect the people now!"

"From what I heard, I had assumed you would jump at the chance to enact your vengeance upon them." another male voice, lighter, smoother commented.

"He may be an old foolish geezer, but I am Zeus familia and no other," your father scoffed, "I am one who sought to be a hero! I will not endanger the innocents for my personal vengeance. If that geezer saw reason and restarted the familia, then I would, because we could replace them and protect the people. But all you idiots will do is leave a vacuum and allow for a new age of darkness to begin again!"

"A naive idealised version of a hero, you really hung on that old geezers words too much," the first male voice that spoke huffed in annoyance, "You are not wrong I suppose, but you are not right either. The promise time approaches, we know this, you know this. If they can't rise to the challenge, then the apocalypse will swallow them all whole. If they fail against us, then that just means they were not the promised heroes and would only be delaying the inevitable by a few years. At least this way, we give them all a fighting chance to rise to the occasion."

Your father growled, "Even still, that is not your decision to make, if there is a promised hero, they will rise when they are needed! Going about it your way could end up with them dead before they ever reached their potential!" he agreed, yet snapped back all the same, "What if this hero is a young child right now and a resident of Orario, not even a part of a Familia? What if they are killed in the crossfire! Fate is not so simple that it cannot be meddled with, the old geezer said as much!"

"Then they were not the promised hero," a third voice, a woman's commented, "It's highly doubtful that the hero is a single person anyway, it is most likely a group. Not even a level ten after all could face that dragon alone and hope to win, never mind conquer the dungeon. Now, try to keep your noisy voices down will you, so irritating."

"Now now, we're all friends here, let's not get too heated," the second male voice stated placatingly with a small chuckle, "Besides, we have a little visitor outside listening in, it wouldn't do to scare them."

You froze.

You heard your father sigh, "Boy, get in here." he commanded.

There was no room for argument in his tone. You sighed, and did as he said, stepping inside the tent.

As you did, you caught sight of the three whom your father was speaking to. One, was clearly a god. A handsome, lightly muscled man with black hair and kind eyes, dressed in an expensive looking black suit. The second man, was a huge bear of a man and a match for your father in sheer size, dressed completely in a full pitch black hair, a crimson red mantle hanging from his shoulders. Only his face was left bare, showing a grizzled man with deep scarring around his eyes and wine red hair.

The third, you found yourself swallowing as you took her in. She was…so pretty. Slim in build, with a beautiful face right out of a story and long shimmering silver hair, dressed in an expensive black dress that looked gothic, yet like something that would fit a noble, held up by a tie at her neck and displaying a deep cleavage of rather large, smooth breasts.

She looked like a dark princess or queen straight out of one of the fairy tales or ancient epics Grandpa Zeus like to regale you with.

"Hoh?" The god tilted his head to the side examining you, scrutinizing you with eyes that saw far beyond a mortals, "You're an interesting one, aren't you?"

"Yes." you replied simply, making your way over to stand by your father, holding your head high. You being interesting, was a foregone conclusion. You were the first in hundreds of years to naturally be born with the power of your clan and you were the adopted grandson of the great god Zeus after all.

The massive red haired man shifted on his feet, looking almost…uncomfortable for a moment as he looked at you, "…Ah, you did have a child like that guy, didn't you?" he commented.

"…He was born before Bell Cranel," your father huffed, rolling his eyes, "I literally sent you a missive letting you know Zald. I offered you to join the clan and be his godfather, how could you forget that you meathead?"

…Zald? As in, the Predator? One of the Zeus familia whom your father claimed was stronger than even him?

And he, they were here…trying to get your father to join them to attack Orario? Going by their words, they were going to attack the Freya and Loki familia's.

To…usher in some form of hero? Because of a coming apocalypse?

What? you did not understand what was going on, but it seemed….massive in scope.

The woman opened her eyes, an exotic gaze coloured in twins of grey and green pinning you in place as she examined you, just like the god before her, "…I see, that's why you think there is only one hero," she hummed lightly, before scoffing at your father in derision, "Your arrogance is as clear as ever Herak."

"And you always think you're so smart and know everything Alfia," your father scoffed right back, "At least I have a legacy I can be proud of while you abandoned yours!"

Alfia!? Bell, your adopted cousins aunt….and-

"The demon woman?!" your eyes flew wide open in shock. The woman Zeus always warned you to be wary of? The most beautiful mortal he'd ever seen in his own words, yet fouler on the inside than the nastiest monster that roamed this world?

Her eyes that were filling with rage at your fathers words, snapped back to you, "…You, what did you call me?" she hissed.

You froze, fear enveloping you to your core. Something hard, heavy and dark pressed down upon your shoulders and you trembled under her gaze.

Never had you felt such terror.

"…T-that's what Zeus called you." you stuttered out.

He was right! How could such a lovely looking woman, who made your cheeks warm on sight, be so terrifying!?

The woman, Alfia took a deep, annoyed breath and you felt the terrifying weight lift from your shoulders, "That perverted old geezer." she sniffed disdainfully.

Your father and Zald both snorted, amused, "Yeah, that sounds like him, as expected, you clung to that old man so much, it's no wonder you had him around your spawn as well." the red haired man commented.

The god laughed lightly, "Well now, let's not be too hard on him, he's still a child after all, he's only repeating something another told him, and terrifying him like that will only make it seem like truth Alfia," he gently chided the woman, he turned his kind gaze on you, "You'll have to forgive her, Alfia is a maiden at heart after all, it would hurt any maiden to be called as such by a charming and handsome young man like yourself. Artair isn't it? It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Erebus, the god of darkness." he bowed lightly to you.

You simply nodded, not trusting your voice.

…The god of darkness coming and speaking of a coming apocalypse. Was that cliche or not?

Alfia rolled her pretty, exotic eyes, before closing them once more, "There's no need for platitudes, the child would be terrified of me either way," she commented, "They all are after all."

…While it was true she terrified you a bit, your pride flared with indignation, you who would surpass even Fianna could not let such a thing stand, "I-I'm not afraid, I was just surprised!" you protested

She snorted.

Your twitched, 'You wanna go lady, bring it on!' you roared indignantly on the inside.

Yet…for the first time ever, you could not find it in yourself to voice it!

"Well now that introductions are out of the way, why don't I leave you guys to talk? It's been a while since you three saw each other after all," Erebus commented pleasantly and smiled at you, "Maybe you can show me around your clan? I've always been interested in you guys after all."

You shrugged and looked to your father, who rolled his eyes and waved you off, "Go, this will just be boring talk of times past that will only drag you down, just a trio of losers reminiscing." he told you.

You shrugged, "Okay." you replied, and gestured with your head for the god of darkness to follow you out.

"My, that was intense wasn't it?" Erebus ran a hand through his hair when you both stepped out, "Sorry you had to see that, they're quite the testy people when it comes to the subject we were talking about."

"The One Eyed Black Dragon?" you asked, making your way towards the forge once more. You'd find Cal and kick his face in later.

"Indeed," Erebus nodded, "You heard enough that I can tell you some I suppose. Well, just to be blunt, that dragon will make a move one day soon and if there is not a hero or heroes strong enough to oppose it, it will be an apocalypse of which the mortals cannot withstand and the world will be lost."

You frowned, thoughts swirling, "How do you know?" you couldn't help but ask.

Erebus chuckled, "Well, I'm not sure how your father and the others found out, but for me it's simply a part of who I am," the god shrugged, "I am not just the god of darkness you see. But also of evil and the apocalypse. When an apocalypse is on the horizon, I can tell and feel what will cause it even without my arcanum. It is as much a part of who I am, as your hands and feet are, just like how even if you had your arms locked behind your back and your hands encased in stone to restrict you, you could still feel them."

"I see." was all you said as you approached the forge.

"You're a child of few words I notice," Erebus mused, following you inside, eyeing the inside with interest, "Alfia will like that."

"Not really, my mind is just occupied a the moment, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what you said," you sighed, eyeing the half formed sword on the anvil you were using. Useless, you'd have to melt it down again, "Though, I do not understand why a god of evil would be trying to make heroes that can stop the apocalypse."

Erebus chuckled again, for an evil god he sure was very easy going, "That's simple. If there was no evil, then there could be no good. How can something be a virtue if there is no vice?" he spoke, his voice turning solemn, "Light cannot exist without darkness, and the truth is in reverse. There can be no justice without crime and there can be no chaos without order. That is simply how creation itself works. But, I have my own love for you children, and I would rather an apocalypse you all go through, be springboard for you all to grow and not one that will see you all gone forever."

His solemn words were heavy and you could not fathom a reply as you were now. You were too small, too young, too immature to see such a broad spectrum.

Your view of the world, was much too small and narrow despite your travels with your clan and father both.

"I understand why your father denies our path, but even a small push forward, no matter how tiny will be worth it," Erebus looked up wistfully, "For this is the greatest apocalypse this world has ever seen approaching. If you mortals fail to endure and overcome it, there will be no mortals left and without any mortals left, how can your souls return to the world? The cycle of reincarnation itself will be broken and this world will belong to the monsters alone and your mortals will spend eternity in a purgatory you cannot escape."

…The end of times then? It sounded foreboding to think that. Suddenly, you couldn't quite find the motivation to lift your hammer.

"That is why we are doing this. Perhaps it will amount to no more than inciting the hatred of those in Orario, but even with that alone, it will ignite the desire to never lose what they cherish again," Erebus lowered his head and looked into your eyes, "Perhaps they may not be heroes, perhaps as your father thinks, the Last Hero is a single person who has not yet shown him or herself. But, this way, we may at least strengthen the vanguard, and besides, is it not the ultimate evil to thrust my desires over the greatest apocalypse of all." he chuckled.

…The Last Hero?

That is who they were yearning for? Was that what your father wanted you to become? He always spoke of you surpassing him and everyone else.

Did he believe you…were the Last Hero?

Could you even live up to such a thing?

As you were floundering for an answer, the flap of the tent opened up and a familiar silver haired women made her way inside, "So this is where you went Erebus," Alfia commented flatly, "And filling a child's head with such notions, with such things he can't hope to understand."

"Now now, I have the feeling Artair is a smart lad who understands the weight of my words, besides it would be cruel to leave it unexplained to him after he heard so much," Erebus shrugged, "What of you, are you not interested in catching up with an old friend?"

"Hmph, I was never friends with Herak, I left him and Zald to reminisce." she sniffed before falling silent, Erebus merely smiling and saying nothing else.

Silence hung in the air.

"I'm not afraid of you." you couldn't let her words stand unchallenged.

"You should be, cheeky brat," Alfia didn't even open her eyes as she responded, "I could kill you with one word."

Your hands flexed, "For now," you retorted simply, and you noticed Erebus eyebrows rising with interest, "I'll surpass you."

"Unlikely."

"I'll make it likely," you grit your teeth, something about this woman, despite her terrifying presence, raised your heckles and assaulted your pride, and made you want to have her…be impressed by you? "My bone spear will be able to even pierce the heavens, so that dumb black dragon will be nothing."

"Bone spear? It sounds like a useless euphemism that perverted geezer would come up with," she retorted, making you freeze. Because Zeus did name it after all, "You claim you will be the Last Hero? I see the apple does not fall far from the tree indeed. The arrogance of your father is hereditary."

"And you aren't arrogant?" you jutted your chin out defiantly at the woman, your fists clenching together.

"It is not arrogance, if it is truth, a child like you who has not even gained a falna, could not hope to understand even a fraction of strength," Alfia shook her head, "And can understand even less of that black dragons power."

Your teeth ground together, "So you say I should just give up, cower and let some nameless hero rise up to protect me and everyone else?" you shot back, "I never claimed I'd be this Last Hero you people speak of, but I will surpass every single member of the Zeus and Hera familia's, just you wait!" that was right wasn't it? That was what Zeus told you. If you sought that path with all your heart and soul and ran down it with all your might, you could accomplish anything!

You could even become this Last Hero if you wanted!

"Such a loud, annoying and boastful child," Alfia's eyes opened just a fraction to peer at you almost lazily, "I can see the shadows of the Zeus familia in you so clearly, it's like they're all jeering at me as they once did from beyond the grave. I hope that child doesn't turn out like you."

"You mean Bell? The nephew you refuse to go meet?" you shot back.

It was Alfia's turn to freeze, "…Do not call me that, an aunt is an old woman, I am not." she ground out.

Huh?

You blinked, "…Obviously?" you tilted your head to the side, confused, the wind taken from your sails, "You look like you have barely reached adulthood, of course you are not old."

Was she dumb?

Grandpa Zeus did say that the prettier a woman was, the more likely she was to be a dumb bimbo.

"Hmph, I see even a child of that oath can have sparks of wisdom," for some reason, a pleased smile appeared on Alfia's face, "Very well, I'll forgive your transgressions in light of this and not punish you by tying you up and throwing you into a pit full of monsters."

….She was going to what?

"Sounds like a fun afternoon." you shrugged.

Your father had already done that after all.

For your ninth birthday in fact. It was his shit gift of the year. He'd captured a bunch of goblins, kobolds, dungeon lizards, war shadows, killer ants and even a couple orcs.

He tied you up while you were sleeping through the night and woke you up by tossing you into a deep pit filled with over thirty monsters in total.

Just because you enjoyed the fight, did not mean it was a crappy birthday gift.

…On that note grandpa Zeus offered to take you to a brothel. Even though you were nine. Having sex was a mans romance according to him.

As was peeking on naked women. Groping naked women. And much more things involving naked women.

You shuddered internally as his voice echoed in your mind, 'Rrrrrrrroooooomance!'

You did not know it was possible to roll the letter 'R' so much in ones mouth until that moment. His whole body had been practically vibrating!

"..Of course it does, I forgot I was dealing with the son of an oaf for a moment." Alfia rolled her eyes before closing them once more, "Truly, I hope that child does not end up like you."

…She may end up disappointed then. For all you had not met Bell yet, Zeus spoke of him often when he visited. And your adopted cousin, loved the heroes of the past that Zeus told him stories of and aspired to be just like them.

Zeus had told you, he had started the boy on farm work to let him get a bit fitter and when he was a bit older, he'd give him his blessings to go seek out a familia and try to become one should he desire it truly.

"Who knows," you settled on shrugging, "I have already promised Grandpa Zeus that I will look out for him in the future regardless."

Alfia's brows furrowed, "…Is that so?" she hummed, "Well, you should at least turn out strong enough for that. Now, if only I can make a world where he will not have to lift a sword in the coming days, I will be able to die without regrets."

"…What if he wants to though?" you asked in return, "What if like me, he heads out in search for strength?"

Before Alfia could respond, the tent flap opened up and your father stepped in alongside Zald, "A silly question boy." your father snorted.

"That is simple, the answer is obvious." Zald nodded in agreement.

Then as one, the three of them spoke together, "When the time comes, may heroes stand before you both."

"May you both become strong adventurers by receiving harsh lessons." Zald continued.

"May you both learn countless lessons and overcome great obstacles, becoming heroes people can look upon with both awe and pride." Alfia added.

"May you both be swift in order to save the helpless and strong enough to endure the trials that come your way." your father nodded.

"May you both be kind enough to wipe away tears and bring smiles to those in despair." the silver haired woman finished.

You were silent, digesting their words. And silence one again hung in the air.

But only for a few moments before it was broken by the chuckles of Erebus, "I see," the god of darkness shook his head, bringing his hand up to palm his forehead, "That's a really filthy form of love for sure. I feel sorry for you Artair and this other child, being forced to accept this heavy affection from such overbearing people."

Alfia huffed "This is nothing, we're the children of Zeus and Hera after all." she smirked.

It made your stomach flip flop.

"Indeed, if our familia's were still around in full, it would be far worse for them both," Zald gave a booming laugh, and despite his ferocious looks and huge behemoth like body clad in intimidating black armour, it was…pleasant, "If our captain had anything to say, they'd both already be at least level three by now."

But…Bell was only seven!

"Five at least in your case Artair." your father boomed and once again, his tone brokered no argument!

Oh c'mon!

"My my," Erebus shook his head, "You two familia's truly are unbelievable."