Is It Wrong To Seek Power In The Dungeon - 1.5 (Patreon)

The trio of visitors ended up staying with your clan for a full week. For the most part, despite their disagreement, they still wanted to convince your father to see their point of view.

And the same was true in the reverse. Your father, trying to convince both Alfia and Zald both that their chosen path was foolish and useless.

But, it was like the unstoppable meeting the unmovable, both parties understood the other, but would not budge.

That did not stop your father from taking advantage of their presence and including both Zald and Alfia in your training.

…It was an eye opener.

Your strongest bone weapons shattered on Zald's bare chest. Alfia with a single spoken word could send you flying hundreds of feet in the air, shattering your weapons like glass and rendering you unconscious.

They could move faster than you could see. Alfia could seamlessly replicate every single move you made with any of your weapons and use them better than you.

A single half hearted punch from either of them lay great craters in the ground bigger than most houses.

They showed you only the barest hints of what they were capable of as level 7's, to give a an idea of the wall you must surmount if you were to surpass them.

…And this was with them weakened due to as it turned out, Alfia's life long disease that she was born with eating away at her body and Zald's own being eaten away by the poison of the legendary behemoth, who's flesh he had consumed to gain strength with his skill and kill it.

Somewhere along the way, you came to curse yourself for studying blacksmithing instead of potion mixing! Perhaps if you had, you could create a cure for them!

But alas, that was all the flighty fancy of a child who's heart hurt with the knowledge he would soon lose two people he had begun to care for.

The night before Alfia, Zald and Erebus were set to leave, the clan was in full spirits, partying long into the evening and as always, one idiot got too rowdy and triggered a full on brawl.

Usually, you would happily join in the swing of things, as it was though, you noticed one member of the party had quietly slipped away.

Alfia you had learned, hated noise.

So much so, she had no problem outright using her spell, at full power against your father when he got too rambunctious alongside Zald.

You had been witness to both of them getting blasted with a wave of sound so powerful it sent them flying over a mountain.

If Zald was not a level seven and your father did not retain the strength of his bones from his falna, then they would have surely died!

When they managed to crawl back, their clothing was in tatters and they were both bloody and bruised. She had then threatened to blast them over three mountains if they annoyed her again.

She truly was a demonic woman, in both strength and beauty!

So of course, a loud rambunctious party was not for her. Especially not one that broke out into a massive, very loud brawl.

You found the silver haired woman sitting atop a fallen tree a few hundred feet away. A fallen tree that was not there a few hours ago.

She had quite obviously, ripped the tree apart, probably by slapping it and uprooted it from the ground.

Or maybe she just said a single world to it and the tree died. that was the kind of woman Alfia was you now knew, violent, ruthless, neurotic and domineering.

There was a softer side to her though.

"I thought you would be busy enjoying another brawl with your oafish clan?" she commented as you approached, without ever looking in your direction, yet somehow knowing you were all the same.

"I can do that any day of the week." you responded. Literally, all it took was a single punch thrown and a new one would start up.

More brawls happened within the Bein clan than there were days in the week.

Alfia snorted softly, "Yes, I suppose you can," she hummed, "It really is no wonder your father turned out the way he did, coming from a clan like this." she gently ran a hand through her long silver hair, and despite having known her for an entire week now, you were struck by the way her shimmering silver tresses blew gently in the wind.

She had removed part of her gothic noble dress, leaving her legs bare and a soft smile was directed at you as she opened her eyes and peered at you, almost warmly, with the sun setting in the sky behind her, she was every bit the picture of a beautiful fairy-like princess straight out of the storybooks.

"…What?" she asked, when you just stared.

"…Ah," you looked a few, finding your cheeks were burning, "I was just thinking…you looked like a princess right now, right out of a story book."

A pleased was on her face when you looked back, "Ah, I see even a battle obsessed child like yourself can be charming every now and then," she laughed lightly, "Wonders truly never cease."

You pouted, but took a seat beside her regardless.

"…Are….are you sure you have to leave?" you asked after a few moments of silence, "Does…it have to be tomorrow you leave?"

"Yes," Alfia responded lightly, but without hesitation, "If we don't leave soon, I fear I will hesitate to do so."

You blinked as a soft, gentle hand rested atop your head, "I don't like children at all you know? And they've never liked me. Children, everyone really always preferred my sister, she was that type of lovely, simple girl," she said softly, "She knew she would die you know? Giving birth to that child. But, she wanted to bring him into the world regardless, before she ever even met him, she loved him more than life itself."

"…Will you not go see him at least, before you do?" you asked.

"No," Alfia denied instantly, "Between the pair of you, my will to resist will shrivel up and die just like that hag Hera's little black heart."

"…I don't want you to die." you admitted, biting your lip.

"If not through this, I would die in a few years regardless," Alfia replied, "Besides, I am loathe to see the kind of philanderer you will grow up to be between the influence of that oaf and that perverted old geezer."

Despite the sadness permeating your body, you snorted, "Gramps always says he regretting not being able to bury his face in your chest." you admitted.

Granted, he regretted not being able to bury his face in the chest of many women, mortal and goddess alike, he could go on for well over an hour rambling about them.

"Of course he did," Alfia scoffed, "Mayhaps I'd have to send you flying with my Gospel if I stuck around into your teenage years."

"…Maybe," you agreed, "You are the prettiest after all. If I was going to peek on any woman it would be you."

"You're…a terrible boy." Alfia commented and you looked at her, to see her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Probably." you agreed.

She was silent for a moment, before promptly, her other hand wrapped around your shoulder and pulled you towards her, you blinked and felt your face heat up as you found her head buried between large, soft mountainous cleavage of her breasts.

"There, now you can say…you have done what no man or god has done before and buried your head between my breasts," Alfia declared, "Be proud."

…Did she do that just to hide her blushing cheeks from you?

A surge of courage and whim rushed thrummed in your chest, and almost on instinct, you rose up on your tip toes.

And pressed your lips against hers. Alfia's eyes went wide and she froze, daring not to move a muscle.

It was a mere chaste kiss, that listed infinitely long, but oh so woefully short. And before long, you pulled back, unable to contain the impish smile that spread across your lips as you looked into her stunned eyes, the first time you had seen such an expression on the domineering woman's face, "I'll proudly claim I stole the first kiss of the legendary Silence as well, gramps will be super jealous."

Alfia sat there, stunned still and despite her usually calm demeanour, it took more than just a few seconds for her to recover, "…Truly a dangerous child indeed." she nodded once.

Then your eyes widened as she grabbed you by the top of your shirt and dragged you forward, "Let me show you how to do that properly though, it would be remiss of me not to show even a temporary student of mine, how to do such a thing correctly."

"…But wasn't that your first kiss?" you goggled.

"Do not underestimate my demonic talent, a mere glance at a single married couple was enough for me to learn and improve upon such a base thing." she responded, before capturing your lips with her own, her tongue smashing through the barrier that was your lips almost immediately and wrestling your own into submission.

_____________

The next day, you, alongside your father stood at the edge of the campsite, alongside the trio of visitors who were preparing to leave.

"This is a fools errand." your father commented, for a single final time.

"Such is the path of the hero." Zald nodded simply.

And that was that, both gave up convincing the other.

You looked at the three of them. From the warm god of darkness, to the wise behemoth clad in armour, to the icy cold beauty who stared into your eyes, not closing them despite how often she'd complained to you about how exhausting it was to keep them open all the time.

"…I guess this is goodbye then." you commented yourself and despite yourself, you could not stop the slight sniffle that escaped you.

"That it is boy," Zald nodded, "But it need not be bitter, we go now to set the stage for the Last Hero to save this world."

"And if we're successful, it won't be goodbye forever, one day, in another life, you'll meet again, I'll insure it personally," Erebus promised, "And I'll be watching over you from Tenkai, I can't wait to see the story you show in the future."

Alfia…said nothing. For, there was nothing else for her to say that she did not last night. You could still feel the phantom sensation of her surprisingly soft lips against yours and the soft, comforting warmth of her breasts cushioning your head.

You had begun to understand your father and adopted grandfathers obsession with breasts just a bit after last night.

"…Right." you swallowed heavily, trying to force back your tears.

Zald shook his head, "We have not had long together, Artair, such is life, and if things were different, I'm sure I would have gotten the chance to impart a great many more lessons to you, but, if nothing else, allow me to tell you this," he knelt down in front of you and gave you a wide smile, "It's okay to cry, roar your grief to the very heavens and then move on. By experiencing great victories and humiliating defeats, laughing loudly and running away shedding tears a boy will become a man. Be true to yourself, never hide who you are for anyone and no matter what comes your way, you will be able to hold your head high and proud!"

He stood up then and pat your head with his great big hand, "You'll understand my words better when you're older I'm sure," he said, "Perhaps you will be the one to surpass us? When you inevitably set out on your own to journey down your own path, you should pay a visit to the sight of our last great victory, in the Desert Of Death Ash. I left something there that will be of great use to you, getting to it will be a trial for sure for you though."

"He'll need to be far stronger before he can venture there," your father scoffed, "The beasts that roam that wasteland would give some level three's trouble, and there are stronger ones beyond it."

"He will be fine, he is going to surpass us, as he said after all, no?" Alfia spoke up for the first time.

"I do not doubt it," Erebus nodded in agreement, "He is a child filled with potential."

And that was that.

They did not say goodbye and all three of them left, making their way towards Orario, to put their plans into motion.

And so you let the tears flow. Like the child you were, you sobbed in sadness and grief, for the three you had come to care for over your short time together, walked together towards their deaths.

Preparing the path for a hero to rise and save the world.

And you promised, if no hero rose despite their sacrifices, you would rise to the occasion, you would make their sacrifice mean something!

___________

Weeks later, news would arrive, of an epic strife filled battle between the forces of good and evil, with Orario itself at risk.

A time that would come to be known as the Great Feud. Where new 'heroes' would rise up to the vaunted power of level six and above and their potential would shine brightly.

King.

Braver.

Nine Hells.

Vana Freya.

Elgarm.

Dainsleif.

Hildrsleif.

Bringar.

Sword Princess.

The new generation of heroes that washed across the continent and even the world itself. The heroes who defeated Evilus.

The heroes that didn't even come close to their predecessors.

It was, one of the few times when your father allowed you a day off from your training.

To allow you the time to roar your grief to the heavens above with the knowledge that those three were now gone.

_____________

Blades of bone clashed, one shattered.

You kipped back, spinning around a slash from your father aimed at your head and launched into a low sweep aimed to click his heels.

Most would try to dodge it, jump back or even over. Not your father though. Even as your kick impacted his ankle with all your strength.

It was you who hissed in pain, his bones were just that much harder than your own after all.

Still it did force him back a step, right into your rising fist, bone claws erupting from your knuckles and shooting up to pierce his face.

They shattered like glass as a layer of bone rippled out of his skin and formed over his chin.

But, it did send him soaring up a few feet into the air from the force of it.

It was the first time ever, since you'd started sparring against your father since you were four years old, you landed a blow that actually did something.

You took that chance to attack with all your might, with a roar, you focused on your right arm, the skin rippling as bone erupted from the pours like liquid, more and more, spiralling together forming a massive spiralled bone lance in place of your arm.

The Heaven Piercing Bone Spear.

It was not fully completed yet, merely the shape of the technique. But, the weight and durability behind it, was far beyond the usual state of your bones.

You had been practicing this technique for over five years now after all!

"Rah!" you lashed out, thrusting it with all your might towards your fathers chest while he was immobile in the air.

Just before it made impact with his chest, his bare skin rippled and instantly a chestplate of bone that could rival adamantite in durability formed to block the blow.

Even still, you pushed through, slamming the attack into the chestplate. They ground together with an audible screeching noise, before your father was blown back from the sheer force behind the attack and sent flying over thirty feet away,

And unlike all your other bone weapons that collided with his own….this spear of bone, did not.

Of course, your father was no worse for wear as he immediately stood back up. A proud smile on his face.

He nodded.

Cheers erupted from the thousands of members of the clan who had come to witness the spar.

And you smiled.

Because you knew, you were ready.

Today, five years to the day since you last saw Alfia, Zald and Erebus, it was your time to set out.

You were a child no longer. Fourteen years of age, you were far bigger and far stronger than you were back then, nearing six feet in height and with a broad musculature that was beginning to approach your fathers.

You were not a match for your father, but more than enough to start your journey.

Your destination? Orario.

The stage where the Last Hero would be born.