Selling Drugs in the Dungeon should be a profitable Business, no? Chapter 11 (Patreon)

“I am very mad with you, Cally.” Said gray haired Demi-Human lowered her ears, laying them flat against her head as she knelt on the ground before a visibly angry Meteria.

The girl who the whole Hera Familia adores and cherishes deeply taps her foot on the ground, eyes narrowed in a mild glare that does not fit her adorable and cute face.

Alfia sat to the side, eyes closed and enjoying a cup of tea as the twin Demi-Humans lay before her enraged younger twin.

It was something she expected, but not so soon. Meteria has the patience of a Saint, and knows very well that not everyone in the Hera Familia can accept a male among their ranks so quickly.

Yes, the majority quite swiftly melted before his charm. More joined after they learned that Riley can heal their Meteria, and even more also joined after his Impurity Cleansing Pill.

To not talk about the show with his weapon during the evening.

He made a weapon that can summon the damn Goliath Monster Rex… Somehow.

It’s roar woke up the sleeping Meteria, who came down just to see Riley and Calydonia bickering- Or well, Calydonia swearing and hating on Riley while he riled her up with honeyed words and flirting.

And that’s when Meteria got mad and dragged the twins aside.

A low sigh flows out of Meteria’s lips, her right hand coming up to pinch the bridge of her nostrils. “I know about your situation and past, Cally. I love you dearly,-” Calydonia squirms at those words, tails slowly wagging side to side at that, “-but I’d rather squash this before it gets worse, or you do something that will really piss me off.”

“Atalanta can hold herself back, and she can reel you back too, but she doesn’t always do it so to not sour your relationship.” Calydonia throws a glance at her sister, who nervously avoids her gaze.

The gray haired woman knows very well that the only one who can calm her down is her dear twin.

Or Meteria, but she’s a special case.

Still, Calydonia couldn’t help but frown heavily. “Why are you protecting that man so fervently? Your affection for him is just because-”

“Finish those words and I will punch you in the face, Cally.” The woman instantly clamps her mouth shut and lowers her gaze, a flicker of fear washing over her body like a bucket of ice-cold water due to the look the usually sweet and loving Meteria is giving her.

“I love Riley. Nothing you say will ever change that.” The girl sniffs, relaxing her gaze and posture, making Alfia close her eyes and retract her near murderous glare.

“As I said before, I know about your past and why you hate males, and I will not tell you not to hateRiley.” Those words earn the confused gaze of the Demi-Human twins. “The reason I took you aside is to warn you to watch your words when you throw a tantrum at him. You say something that will ruin my relationship with him and the Hera Familia, and I promise that I will make you regret it for the rest of your life.”

Calydonia grits her teeth in barely restrained anger. She hated this.

She hated having Meteria looking at her that way, all because of a male.

And she hated seeing Meteria protect one.

She is thankful for the cure he provided – a minuscule bit– but she still prefers that Hera forces him to hand over the recipe and processing method so to be done with him.

Instead, he now walks their very halls.

Inhabits one of their rooms.

Charms countless of her comrades with his fake personality, and stains the walls with his scent.

Worse of all, he turns Meteria against her.

“He’s just using you.” She hisses out finally, her sister remaining quiet while Alfia sighs deeply from her spot. “I hate that you are so blinded with affection that you can’t see-”

“Using me for what?” Meteria asks, and Calydonia finds herself floored and at loss for words.

The silver haired woman raises a brow down at her. “I have nothing to offer, besides my body. Which, mind you, he can have whenever he wants.”

“I’d gladly spread my legs for Riley, and he knows that well, yet he has never went and taken advantage of that.” Alfia turns her flushed face away, but the smug Meteria keeps talking. “I had to literally throw myself at him to enjoy his embrace, and I will probably do it again later because goddamn am I needy.”

When did Meteria become like this?

Yet again, the flames of anger towards Riley surge, but Calydonia forces down her words and grits her teeth.

“But going back on what I asked before; What is he using me for?” And yet again, Calydonia finds herself at a loss for words. “For big sis? He charmed her too, she’s just a big tsundere and needs to just drop her dress and throw herself at him-”

“Meteria!”

“-like I did. Hush you! You know I’m right.” The mighty and terrifying Monster of Talent pouts at her younger twin with a very red face.

Meteria just huffs and ignores her sister, turning her gaze back to the shocked Demi-Human twins. “Hell, even Kirin will gladly spread her legs for Riley as long as he asks for it. Pretty sure that’s also what she’s hoping for.”

Two weeks. She spent two weeks away from the Hera Familia mansion, and this bullshit happens.

What the fuck?

“Is it because of your Hereditary Skill?” And those words bring Calydonia back to reality, a chill going down her spine.

How she hated those vile words that nearly destroyed her and her sister’s life.

Insanely rare, but also powerful Skills granted by the Falna once gained, and Skills capable of being passed down from mother or father to child.

She and her sister, a pair of twins, both inherited it from her parents, previous members of the Artemis Familia.

A Familia that didn’t settle down and instead wandered the world, gathering survivors and bringing them back to Orario while mowing down all the monsters in their path.

And then, the day her Familia drew close to Orario to gather supplies before setting off again came.

That same day, several Familias banded together to force a War Game upon the Artemis Familia, all so to put their claws upon her and her twin.

Their way of forcing the Artemis Familia into a War Game? Assault them during the knight, kill dozens of their members, and force themselves on many others.

She still remembers the hand around her neck holding her down as she struggled while her sister was dragged away by her hair.

Then the Hera Familia came, saving her from a horrid fate.

The Artemis Familia swore from that day on to never do any business with Orario ever again, something that brought many experienced and Mid-Level Adventurers to Orario for any Familia to pick.

The only reason she and her sister didn’t leave with them back then is because her previous beloved Goddess saw it fit to leave them with Hera, so that no one would try to follow after them and ambush them further away from Orario.

Since then, her hate for males never diminished. She refuses to deal with them, and always lashes out when one tries to approach her or her beloved sister.

And now, one walks among the halls of the place she calls home.

How could she sleep at night?

“It has to be about that-!”

“He doesn’t even know how the Falna works.” Eh?

Meteria sniffs, clearly holding back a full power smug look as she stared at the gobsmacked Calydonia. “He’s an outsider, Cally. He knows nothing of the Falna and the Dungeon… Nor does he want to know, as he prefers living a quiet life.”

Damn bastard, he’s making all of her arguments go up in smoke!

“A-Alfias and Kirins Skills could be Hereditary too!” So, unable to bear the loss, she doubles down with a crazy theory that she came up on the spot.

But it had a foundation! All Hereditary Skills allowed one to break past the limits of the S Rank and go beyond, and both Alfia and Kirin have such a Skill.

As does the Captain.

And Brynhildr.

“That has to be it!” Her eyes looked absolutely manic right now. “He’s fooling you all! I am sure of it!” Her arms waved through the air in a panic. “Believe me!” And spittle flew from her mouth as she pleaded her case.

Her sister palms her face with a deep sigh, making Calydonia’s stomach drop and ears lay flat on her head.

Alfia’s lips twitch in barely restrained amusement while Meteria blinks… Then openlysnorts at her.

A simple action that proved to be a devastating blow for the gray-haired demi-human woman.

Recovering from her snort, Meteria’s face falls as she sighs softly. “Why are you even so obsessed in this?” She asks softly.

And Calydonia flares her nostrils, lime-green eyes ablaze with fury. “You know very well why!”

“You didn’t even give him a chance, yet you are so assured that he is like all the others when all he’s done is give help without requesting anything.”

“W-Why would I even give him a chance-!?”

“Zald and Leonidas.” Calydonia reels back with a sharp intake of air.

She knows those two names all too well. The names of two of the strongest Executives of the Zeus Familia.

The Gluttony and The Invincible.

“You’re… amicable with them. You can stand them.” Meterias eyes narrow dangerously. “So why can’t you do it with Riley too?”

“I-It’s different-”

“It’s not. You gave them a chance. Do it with Riley too.”

“You don’t understand!”

“I am trying to. And my patience is running out, Calydonia.” The sharp tone of voice and the usage of her full Alias instead of the endearing nickname makes the Demi-Human woman flinch back, her teeth biting down on her lower lip hard enough to draw blood.

“Sister…” Atalanta whispers softly, trying to convey something through her gaze as Calydonias furred claws dig through the marble floor below her.

Alfia sighs softly to herself, having hoped this wouldn’t happen deep inside.

It is… rare- No, near to impossible to make Meteria break her adorable and childish persona, and she and Hera are the only ones who even know that it’s just a way for Meteria to mask the turmoil deep within her.

She’s a sweet and lovable woman who everyone holds dear and spoils, but deep inside she feels caged to the Hera Mansion.

Deep inside she desires freedom.

Licking her lips, Alfia opens her mouth to speak “Meteria-”

“No.” And her words are instantly shot down by her sister, who doesn’t even turn her head to glance her way. “Don’t try to speak on her behalf, it’ll just piss me off even more.”

“I’m squashing this before she says something that hits Rileys sore spot and I lose him.”

Calydonia growls, drawing their attention back to her, her lime-green eyes looking nearly bloodshot from barely restrained anger. “Do you see what his mere presence is causing now?! You’re getting mad just because-”

“So I can’t get mad now?” Alfia hisses while Calydonia pales and flinches back from Meteria’s chilly tone. “I can’t get mad that you are trying to fuck up my relationship with the man who I love? With the man who freed me from the horrid hell that is my room and bed?”

“I understand your anger, and I am sorry for the horrid event that happened in your past, Cally… But that gives you no right to interfere or be so hostile to someone who has given you only kindness and warmth and help.”

“I can’t be mad about that? About waking up and seeing you shouting at my lover and being clearly held back from lunging at him by Atalanta?”

“What would you want from me? To stop taking his clearly ill-meaning Pills and return to laying on my bed while barely breathing and staring blankly at the ceiling of my room like I’ve been doing for the past two fucking decades?!”

Alfia stands and stretches her hand out, but in the end pauses and closes her eyes as Meteria takes in a long and deep breath, her hands and shoulders shaking with anger and eyes glistening with tears.

“You can be angry at my males, so let me be angry at everything that went wrong for my life, and let me enjoy and love the one person who did the one thing that not even Gods could do.”

“I’ve had to swallow my jealousy so many times. I’ve had to watch as you all partied and had fun. I’ve had to watch as people enjoyed the sights while I was confined to a bed the majority of the time.”

“I’ve had to watch and listen as people experienced life and love, while I could only fantasize about such things? And I couldn’t even do it that much because even a bit of excitement could have worsened my sickness!”

“And now that there is something that I want and that I can have, you want to meddle with it?!” Alfia had never seen the usually headstrong Calydonia cower so much, but an angry Meteria… That is not something anyone can handle.

“How many more times must others enforce decisions that I do not like upon me?!”

Those words bring a look of confusion upon the cowering Demi-Human twins. “W-When did we ever force something on you…?”

Alfia flinches.

And Meteria grits her teeth. “Do you think I even wanted the damn Falna and to have my lifespan stretched out even further?” Pure horror fills the eyes of the Demi-Human twins while Alfia grits her teeth.

She still remembers that day. The day she tearfully begged her sister to take on the Falna.

The day where Hera did not accept the ‘No’ given, and forced the Falna upon her back either way.

Alfia will never forget the anger Meteria used to glare at her and their Goddess for the rest of that day.

“Course I didn’t, but you don’t see me hating on Lady Hera now, do you?” With those final words, Meteria releases a long breath, then takes in another one and breathes out yet again.

Alfia wasn’t really surprised. She had expected an outburst from Meteria one of these days, ever since she was first able to move around thanks to Riley.

But perhaps it was pushed back this far exactly because of his presence. Just being around Riley melts Meteria and frees her of her worries, that much Alfia can see easily.

“I believe that’s enough.” Alfia finally steps in, her right arm reaching out to wrap around Meteria’s shoulder and bring her into a tight and warm hug. “From now on, just watch yourself around Riley. That is all me and Meteria ask.”

She didn’t bother with any hidden threats or glares. Mostly because she was far too mentally tired now after seeing her dear Meteria lash out.

And because threats of violence will simply make Calydonia hate Riley more, and further believe he is dividing the Hera Familia.

Atalanta stands with a deep sigh of her own. “I knew that this would end badly…” She whispers to herself before reaching down to help her quiet gray haired twin up.

Albeit Atalanta hates males just as much as Calydonia, unlike her twin, she can hold her dislike back for civil exchanges when needed.

She isn’t one that lashes out instantly, because she knows it’s not worth doing that deep down.

Calydonia instead… Her eyes never leave Meteria as she stands, and for once, Alfia can’t tell what the twin-tailed woman is thinking.

But Alfia can’t tell that this isn’t over yet.

Her heterochromatic eyes narrow in thought as the twins depart.

Calydonia respects strength above all… So perhaps she should find an opportunity to spar with Riley in the Dungeon.

His swordsmanship, from the little she saw during their fight, was incredibly simple, and she wants to experience even more.

She’s pulled out of her thoughts by the Demi-Human sisters quietly leaving, and by Meteria slowly sighing and pulling away from her embrace.

“You needed this.” Alfia whispers softly, gently brushing a hand over her sister’s back for comfort.

Meteria sniffs softly and runs her hands over her face, then through her hair. “I guess I did…” With a low hum, her head turns towards the end of the hallway they were in, leading towards the front of the mansion.

Quietly, Alfia follows after her sister as she walks down the hallway and before the windows of the second floor, where she stops so to gaze at the gardens below.

Alfia follows her gaze and feels a smile spread across her lips when her heterochromatic eyes land on Riley, meditating yet again above the pond of Koi fishes like he usually does.

“Hmph.” The Meteria huffs out, pouting and glaring cutely towards him. “Hope he gets struck my lightning again.” Now that’s just cruel…

Especially since it’ll surely happen again.

“Why must you curse him with something that’ll surely happen?” Alfia asks out of amusement, and her adorable sister puffs her cheeks up even more. “What did he do that ticked you off, my dear sister?”

Huffing, Meteria crosses her arms below her large bust. “It’s what didn’thappen that ticks me off!” Alfia raises a confused brow.

“You just came back from the picnic not too long ago, so what-”

“He didn’t bend me over a boulder and fuck my guts out! I was ready to come back pregnant from that picnic, you know!?”

Alfia’s brain short-circuits.

Her face instantly catches on fire, and her eyes go as wide as dinner plates.

“METERIA!?”

Her sister huffs yet again without a care of the words she just spouted. “Damnable handsome man, getting a lady going and then not plowing her when she’s giving you the eyes.”

Alfia stutters over her words, babbling incoherently as her face burns hotly from her quite shameless sister.

Then a clap of thunder resounds.

A blinding purple flash fills the hallway with light.

Then again.

And again and again.

Five times in a row.

Alfia slowly turns to look out of the window, and towards the large smoking crater in the middle of the garden.

Riley clearly was on his way back inside before he was struck by lightning. Five times in a row.

Meteria gulps and flushes lightly under Alfia’s accusatory gaze. “I’m not apologizing-”

Another clap of thunder, followed by another flash.

Another lighting bolt smashes into Riley.

Alfia stares at Meteria with an even stronger accusatory glare.

“It’s Zeus’s fault?” Meteria squeaks out her weak excuse- And Lady Hera is already stomping her way out of the Hera Familia Grounds- “Is that a Magic Sword?”

Alfias heart jumps into her throat at the sight, while also being glad at the sight of a very annoyed yet unharmed Riley making his way out of the crater he was smashed into from the lighting bolts.

Why does he keep getting struck by lighting…?

No, wait- “I need to go and stop Hera before she uses that Magic Sword!” And with that, Alfia swiftly departs in a burst of speed while Meteria turns away from the windows and starts walking herself.

But not towards the stairs that lead to the main floor, but to the stairs leading to the last floor.

And so, she makes her way into Riley’s room with a secondary key that she requested from Lady Hera.

Said Goddess was very eager to comply to her request, of course.

Closing the door, Meteria happily takes a few steps into the room, then turns around and waits quietly.

She did not have to wait for long, as the target of her love and attraction starts opening the door a minute later.

Meteria instantly finds her mouth drying up at the captivating sight before her.

Sighing heavily, Riley steps into the room while brushing his shirt against his face to clear away the dust, leaving his very sculpted chest bare for Meteria to devourwith her eyes.

She, of course, has already seen it and touched it plenty when they first laid together.

But she, of course, is a woman with needs.

And Riley just keeps on stoking the fire between her legs.

Brushing the shirt to the side, Riley pauses when he finally takes note of Meteria standing just a few feet ahead of him.

He blinks slowly, looks into her eyes, then gulps.

“Please don’t drop your dress?”

Meteria dropped her dress.

Then Rileys pants.

                                                                         xxxXXXxxx

“-And that is what Dian Cecht reported.”

The main hall of the of the Olympia Mansion falls quiet after the report from one of their runners.

It had taken a while to gather the few Executives currently inhabiting the hall, gathered before the Captain and Vice-Captain of the Zeus Familia, and now-

“Did you look into this kid’s background?” Bellerophon, one of the Excutives, asks the runner while lazily running his index finger around the edge of his glass of wine.

Shoulder length dark blue hair gathered in a high bun, azure eyes with a haughty look in them, and a tall fit build clad in a white tunic.

The runner gulps and glances towards the silent Maxim, the Captain of the Zeus Familia.

“Go on.” The man urges on quietly, his back turned to the other executives, his long crimson hair draping over his back while he gazed through the large windows at the back of the main hall.

The runner relaxes slightly once permission is given. “He is an outsider. Came to Orario less than two weeks ago and was picked up by Lady Hera the very next day he arrived.”

A low, nearly feral sounding growl startles the runner, making his gaze snap towards a massive muscular man with a long mane of messy golden hair and seemingly glowing ruby eyes. “All because he can make some shit better than that old fuck, ay?”

“Now now Nemea, let us not downplay the boy’s skills, yes?” A wheezy, aged voice spoke up, drawing the attention of the now named Nemea.

Who instantly scoffs and growls with even greater hate towards the shorter and far older man. “Shut it, Socrates.” The Vice Captain merely chuckles, wrinkly and shaky fingers brushing through his long gray beard, bushy brows covering his eyes as he walked past the mountain of muscles that is Nemea. “Anyone that relies on those fuckin’ things is a weakling.”

Bellerophon sneers at Nemeas words. “Ah yes, because you never made use of them yourself. Very hypocrite of you, hm?” The table between the two Executives cracks as Nemea pushes his palm against it, looking ready to leap across the hall and towards blue haired man.

But Nemea soon scoffs and turns away from his fellow Executives and turns towards the hunched over Vice-Captain. “You sound oddly interested in him, you depraved old fuck.” Socrates chuckles yet again, seemingly unbothered by Nemea’s insult.

“Why wouldn’t I be interested in someone capable of doing things even Gods can’t?” His words draw the attention of even Maxim, who lightly turns his head to listen.

Nemea narrows his eyes in confusion. “The hell you mean?”

Glancing back, Socrates gives a large grin towards Nemea. “Oh, you didn’t hear? Apparently this… Riley, has healed both Meteria and your beloved Alfia.” Nemea instantly stills.

The sickness of the two twins is not a secret, and while one went to become a monstrously powerful Adventurer that broke record after record, the other was cursed to be confined on a bed.

It also wasn’t a secret that Hera had tried everything in her power and wealth to try and heal the two, even going as far as requesting Divine Elixirs made with a God’s Ichor… Which still didn’t fully heal the twins.

Ignoring the silence, Socrates keeps going with a deep chuckle. “I’ve heard that the twins are now infatuated with this miraculous doctor.” Hidden eyes glance towards Maxim’s back, and a grin spreads beneath his large gray beard. “Especially a certain Vice-Captain!”

Bellerophon sighs and palms his face, easily seeing through what Socrates is doing due to the sheer lack of subtlety.

But of course, the two targets of Socrates goading fall for it even fully knowing that it’s intentional.

“They are departing for an Expedition soon, aren’t they?” Maxim suddenly speaks, tone lacking any emotion as per usual, but Bellerophon can see the tightly clenched fists by his side.

His infatuation with Kirin also isn’t a secret. Hell, had it not been for a certain ex-Executive fuck up, the two might have been a couple by now.

“Do you really wish to try and worsen the already rocky relationship we have?” The blue haired Executive groans out, and Socrates chuckles his way and waves his hands dismissively.

“Why would us simply checking out this new brilliant Alchemist out worsen our relationships?” The elderly Elf Vice Captain shrugs without care, a greedy glint shining within his hidden eyes. “I’m sure he’ll be honored to enter a partnership with us!” Once again, Bellerophon groans softly to himself.

So he just decides to not try and stop his comrades from digging their own grave.

“I asked you a question, boy.” Maxim speaks up yet again, making the quiet runner jump in place, his face profusely.

“Y-Yes sir! They depart tomorrow morning!” The Captain hums lowly, then relaxes his shoulders.

“Go tell the Supporters to prepare our supplies.” He orders, giving pause to both Bellerophon and the runner.

“S-Sir… Leonidas has already led an expedition into the Dungeon today, so our resources are-”

“Is he the Captain?” Maxim questions sharply, and the runner flinches. “That’s what I thought. We have money, use it to gather as much as possible, then we’ll use what Leonidas brought with him.”

Both Bellerophon and Nemea could tell that this was going to piss their fellow Executive off… But both he and Maxim have been at each others throats for many years now, so it wasn’t surprising.

With a loud gulp and nod, the runner rushes towards the doors of the main hall to go and relay the given orders.

“He won’t be with them, you know?” Bellerophon points out even though it should be common sense. Unless the kid is a survivor sent back by the Artemis Familia, then he’ll surely won’t follow the Hera Familia in the Dungeon as a newly turned Level One.

Unless he’s cocky, as many unfortunately are.

But yet again, Socrates just grins. “I actually heard that-” His words are interrupted by the doors to the main hall opening yet again, and Socrates frowns when the previous runner nervously walks in with a very pale face.

“Uhm… Lady Hera is in front of the gates looking for Lord Zeus…” The Vice Captain blinks, then dismissively waves his hand.

“Just send that dumb woman away, we’re in the middle of somethin-”

“She has a Magic Sword.”

“-g that can be put aside to find our God and throw him at Hera.”

Bellerophon holds back a snort, then leans back and rubs his chin in thought.

What the fuck has his God been doing?

This is… what? The fifth time Hera came to beat the crap out of him?

And it just keeps getting worse too…

But oh well, not his business.

                                                                                xxxXXXxxx

“Why are you glaring at me?” I ask while fixing my robes, the glare being sent towards me by Alfia being quite adorable.

She’s even puffing up her flushed cheeks- Ah, I think I can guess. “Meteria recounted everything in the baths?” That girl is wild, and… well, I love it.

I’m growing more and more attached to that adorable ball of sunshine.

“In very specific details.” Alfia growls out as we follow after the carts before us, then whines and covers her face with both of her gloved hands. “Why is she so vulgar and shameless?!”

“And how can she be adorable while doing that too. Don’t forget that part.” I add my own piece, making Alfia huff and throw her arms in the air out of exasperation.

I’ve kinda given up trying to understand Meteria, mostly because I want her to shock me with anything she does. It’s probably my new favorite hobby now.

“Did she really just drop her dress again in front of you…?”

I nod and hold back a fond smile, the view of her naked body burned straight into my Soul by now. “Yup. Then launched herself right at me, told me to pin her down and…” I wave my hand and stop speaking, and Alfia releases a noise akin to a boiling tea-kettle, her face as red as a tomato.

I guess I should have made a move during our picnic instead of just holding her close and kissing her.

But, well… Seeing Meteria be so forward is quite hot, so I am conflicted on what to do.

Forward Meteria gets me going, but… If I make a move on her, maybe she’ll have some quite adorable reactions for me to see?

Guess I know what to do when I come back from this expedition.

I relax my shoulder and look around as the carts before me and Alfia enter the Tower of Babel, Kirin and Juno at the front with many others, being the main guardians as we step into the bowels of this… weird thing.

The Qi in the Dungeon feels… Disgusting. It’s heavy, full of resentment and hate, and several times less dense as the Qi outside.

I don’t think it’s being used… Or is it? I haven’t really paid attention the first time I came here and got lost. I just wandered around to release some stress and train my skills against the monsters here.

Their forms of course were quite lacking, and I found myself more annoyed than satisfied.

Even… What’s his name? Goliath? Whatever- Even the big screaming dude proved to be less of a challenge to test my skills, but I presume it’ll be the same against all monsters.

I hum and rub the back of my neck in thought, then turn to look at Alfia. “Say,” She perks up and turns to me, a slight flush still present on her cheeks, making her appear even more beautiful than normal. “Wanna spar once we that Safe Zone Kirin mentioned?” There’s like a safe floor or something in the Dungeon, and it’ll take a while to get there.

So once we reach it, we take a break for the day, then keep on going. I can’t complain about how long it takes as we are a big group and have carts to watch out for.

And apparently the Dungeon throws more monsters at large groups of people?

Alfia’s flush disappears, and her beautiful heterochromatic eyes eyes for a few seconds before a breathtaking warm smile spreads across her lips. “I was thinking about wanting to spar with you myself.” Why you look so bashful?

Is this perhaps her idea for a date?

...That’s mad cute.

“You haven’t accustomed yourself to your new strength, have you?” I don’t remember seeing her training with the others after the whole Impurity Cleansing thing.

She nods slowly, “I was more preoccupied with Meteria.” I hum, crossing my arms behind my back as the faint scent of blood fills my nostrils, being something that is constantly present in the Dungeon as far as I remember from my first trip.

“That’s fair. Meteria is now healthy, so it’s normal for you to prefer spending time with her.” Her warm smile grows a tad bigger, and the look she an adorable glance my way. “It makes me very happy, and made the weeks of travel to come here quite worth it.”

Alfia takes in a deep breathe, then shakily releases it as her cheeks flush.

Her arms cross behind her back, gloved hands clenching into shaky fists as she turns her head away from me. “You know…” She starts, her voice sounding quiet and bashful. “Meteria gave me a… mission.”

I raise a confused brow, and Alfia finally turns to look me straight in the air with a very flushed face. “I have to… charm you, before we come back.”

I blink, then blink again. Meteria… why?“Or…?”

“Or no hugs from her.” How vicious of her…

“Why is she like this?”

“I blame you.” Fair enough.

And now I’m the victim of her Harem Making plans for some damn reason.

I lower my arms and scratch my chin as Alfia keeps staring at me. “But what are your feelings regarding this?” I mean, I won’t deny the fact that I am growing attached to Meteria.

Quite quickly at that because… Well, it’s Meteria. She’s overpowered in that regard. I stand no chance.

“I…” Alfia starts, her cheeks flush even more, and finally she turns away from me. “I w-wouldn’t mind trying to get closer…” I’m not even doing anything, yet I manage to attract women to me.

“You don’t need to feel indebted to me, you know?” I still feel scummy, like I’m abusing their feelings for achieving something they gave up on.

I don’t bring this fear up ‘cause I fear Meteria might just bonk the living shit out of me, so…

A hand slipping into mine draws me out of my thoughts, and I blink when Alfia leans against me. “Meteria told me to bonk you if you say such things.” So now Meteria has the power of prediction beneath her hands too.

What else?

“Mercy?” I beg futilely, earning a giggle from Alfia that is like music to my ears.

“I shall spare you this once.” Her lips meet my cheek, her hand squeezing mine in a tight and shaky grip. “But please, don’t make light of the feelings you have stirred within mine and my sister’s hearts.” She’s dangerous.

As expected of Meteria’s older sister. She too is dangerous.

The sexy kind of dangerous.

Then a clap of thunder makes me jump, and I lift my head- Oh wait, we’re in the Dungeon.

Motherfuckin’ Heavenly Lighting giving me PTSD…

But then, what was that sound- “I knew I sensed a disturbance!” I lower my gaze and see a furious Kirin wreathed in crackling lilac lighting standing on top of the cart before us. “Riley, get away from that vixen!”

Alfia scoffs and pulls herself closer to me, her head coming to rest on my shoulder. “Can’t you see we are enjoying each other’s presence, you harlot? Leave us be.”

“H-Harlot!?” Kirin gasps, looking downright scandalized. “Oh you little bitch! Where’s all this bravado coming from, hm?! I remember you running away flushed like a maiden after your fight!”

Alfia flushes deeply at having that tidbit brought up. I just keep watching out of pure amusement. “Things change.”

Kirin’s right eyebrow twitches, but she soon puts a cocky smile on her face as she crosses her arms. “Oh? Then why don’t you kiss him?!”

I blink. Really? That’s what you’re gonna challenge her with?

Why do I always end up in the middle of these-

A pair of fingers cup my chin and turn my head towards- My eyes widen as Alfia kisses, pushing her body against mine as she closes her eyes and runs her fingers through my hair.

The sheer desire and need conveyed through the kiss, the shaking of her hands, the heat coming from her flushed face and her rampaging heartbeat… Everything just makes my mind short-circuit for a short few seconds.

Which is all Alfia needs to enjoy, then break the kiss and pull back with a soft pant.

Before covering her flushed face and running away to the front.

I lick my lips, still feeling that lingering softness and warmth that is just… fantastic, then turn to give Kirin a deadpan stare.

She’s stunned and gaping, eyes looking empty and dead.

“She’s Meteria’s sister. You should remember that before challenging her again.”

Her scream of outrage scare away the few monsters coming at us from the back.

Luckily enough, nothing else happens during our travel.

The large group of Supporters – the Adventurers that carry the baggage and deal with resource management during Expeditions, from what I learned – coast the sides of the carts and protect them from the stragglers left behind by the Executives at the front.

Strangely enough, no monsters are thrown at us from the back, where I am by myself, so I just chill and take a seat on the cart as we travel deeper and deeper into the bowels of… whatever the fuck this thing is.

And as we go deeper, a strange feeling reaches my senses.

It’s like… I’m being watched. As if there’s a gaze constantly on the back of my neck, like an apex predator is currently stalking me.

I can’t really pinpoint it’s direction, but it’s like it’s… coming from the Dungeon itself, if that even makes sense.

Because it doesn’t to my own senses.

Is this thing alive? Or is just a machine that pumps out weird creatures that are somehow made of flesh and blood?

They bleed, they feel fear and anger, and explode into ashes when their ‘Beast Cores’ are shattered.

“Oh hey, I remember this room!” I exclaim as we enter a massive open room, a very familiar open room.

It’s where that giant screaming fuck came from!

I sit up and grab my sword, yet even as we travel through the room, the damn guy doesn’t show himself.

There is a shadow on one of the walls though… Is he hiding behind there?

Did I bully him too much when I first came around?

Can monsters even have their feelings hurt?

With an annoyed scoff, I hop from cart to cart to reach the front, my gaze falling and lingering on the silver haired Elf who I know is Agnodice’s daughter for a few seconds before I keep going forward.

“-looks like Zald and Leonidas are here.” I jump down behind Juno and Kirin just as the Hera Familia Captain says those words, and I peek over their shoulders just as we reach yet another massive room, one filled with greenery and crystals on the ceiling high above.

I kinda remember this one too- Is that a city? How the fuck did I not see a city – or well, a village– here in this damn place when I came around the first time?

Man, I really had a one-track mind that morning, didn’t I?

“Something wrong?” I ask, throwing a quick smile towards Alfia, her cheeks flushing slightly as she throws one right back.

Kirin hums and tilts her head. “Nope. It’s the good guys from the Zeus Familia, so we’re all good.” I blink at her words.

Good guys?

“What do you mean by the ‘Good Guys’?” Juno and Kirin share a glance at my words.

“I forget that you are from outside Orario.” Juno muses, then jabs her chin forward, towards a large camp not far ahead of us, set in front of the large forest filling this floor. “The Zeus Familia is divided into two groups.”

“The bad guys, as we call them, are the haughty assholes no one likes. Like Maxim, the Captain of the Zeus Familia, and that depraved old fuck that is the Vice Captain.”

“The good guys are instead Leonidas and Zald, and anyone that follows them. Zald is more… neutral, but he’s a big softie. Leonidas instead is a fun guy, and a damn fine comrade to have in the Dungeon.” Huh… I’ll keep this in mind.

Then maybe also look up the names of the ‘Bad guys’ of the Zeus Familia, because this feels important.

Wonder why they are like this though…

Actually, I wonder if that fucker that hurt Brynhildr is among the bad guys of the Zeus Familia.

I keep my eyes on the camp ahead of us and roughly count around five dozen people of varying age, but the majority are teens or others in their early twenties.

They all look so young, yet so battle hardened. That’s… a horrid sight.

Among them is a large muscular figure who instantly raises his arms to wave at us.

A tall dark skinned man with quite catching bright azure eyes dressed in armored dark gold pants and form-fitting short-sleeved black shirt.

“Quick warning about Leonidas, Riley.” Juno speaks up, and I turn to look at her with a raised brow. “He’s a battle junkie, so he’ll likely challenge you to a fight.”

I blink. “Is he that dark-skinned guy?” I ask, and she nods. Then I nod right back. “Good, because I wanna fight him.” He looks and feels strong, and I’m kinda itching for a good fight and stretch.

I guess it’s the Sword Cultivator side of me wanting to unleash and use my Sword Qi as much as possible.

“Boys.” Juno rolls her eyes, but doesn’t try to hide the amused smile on her face while Kirin smiles sweetly at me.

“Ladies!” The now named Leonidas calls out, a heavily armored man with dark red eyes and a nasty scar over his face standing right beside him. “Wasn’t your Expedition supposed to be much later?”

Kirin shrugs with a light smile. “We moved it forward due to certain circumstances.” Her head tilts to the side to glance at the Adventurers behind Leonidas. “A trip to gain some Level Ups?”

Leonidas nods, throwing a gentle smile behind his back while I take in his size. He’s like, a head and a half taller than me, and quite a lot wider too.

“If we’re lucky, we might come back with a dozen Level Ups. Some kids are feeling lucky and brave.” Leonidas shrugs and turns back, his gaze landing back on me right as he does so.

“Didn’t we all…” Juno muses softly to herself with a nostalgic tone before blinking when Leondias leans forward. “And there he goes.”

“You the guy that killed the Goliath and the Amsphibaena without a Falna, ain’t ya?” Leonidas asks curiously.

And as if on cue- “Riley is a woman.” Nearly all women of the Hera Familia said at the same time, as if they rehearsed this.

Leonidas just gives Kirin a flat stare. “Yeah, and she’s Lady Hera.” He snorts out while jabbing his thumb towards Juno, who had to gall to look proud.

I wouldn’t be proud of looking like that woman.

Still, what Leonidas asked… “What’s the Amsphi-whatever?” I ask Kirin, drawing a series of snorts and face-palms from the ladies around me.

Holding back her own giggles, Kirin turns to me with a sweet smile. “Two-headed dragon. Rings any bells?” Two headed dragon… Ah, the snake lookin’ fucker.

“Yeah, it does.” I snort. “His form was lacking.” My words provoke a burst of laughter from Leonidas while Kirin face-palms yet again at my words.

Dunno why, I just spoke the truth.

Though I did have to try a bit against the snake-dragon whatever it’s called.

“I like him!” The red-haired man behind Leonidas sighs heavily with a light smile on his face as the dark-skinned man rests his fists on his hips. “Where’d you find this guy?”

“Meteria found him.”

“Fair enough.” So even they know that Meteria is overpowered?

Fascinating.

“Wanna fight?” Leonidas asks with a large grin on his face, and the man behind him pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly having expected it.

“I was waiting for you to ask.”

“Boys, I swear…” I ignore Juno as Leonidas laughs happily at my instant acceptance of his challenge.

“A battle between two hot, sweaty men… I don’t think I can handle this!”

“I’m already wet before the fight even starts…”

“Would it be weird if I masturbated while they fought?”

“Way ahead of you.”

“I’d love to be between those two…”

“Now that’s a pounding I can only dream about.”

My eyebrow twitches, and Leonidas sniffs and looks at me. “First time?”

“Nope. Still not used to it thought.” He sniffs again and nods, then places a large hand on my shoulder and gives it a comforting squeeze.

“It’s alright brother. Neither am I.” Ah, so we shall both suffer together.

I already like this guy.

“Well, let’s clear the way then!”

I lay back as the Hera Familia women move to drag the carts by the edge of the forest, preparing the tents and the camp with speed and precision that is outright stunning.

In just a few minutes, they had a camp set up for their hundreds of members.

“Alright, the camp is set…” Kirin sighs, then turns to give me and Leonidas a glare. “I will supervise the fight and step in if things get too far, alright?” As if on cue, both me and Leonidas just give her a big thumbs up, which make her lips twitch a bit.

“Boys.” I’ll take that as a compliment.

Alfia throws me a worried glance, but I send her a quick reassuring wink and smile before I turn towards Leonidas, standing two dozen meters ahead of me already.

His clothing didn’t change, but in his hands are now a large crimson spear as big as he is tall, and a large dark golden shield in his left hand.

He kinda looks like a Spartan, which fits his name.

“Before we start,” Leonidas starts, jabbing the butt of his crimson spear into the ground. “don’t worry about injuries, alright? I can regrow even removed limbs with my Skill!” Well, that’s good to know I guess?

“What about the head?” I ask with a grin, drawing my own sword, which make some of the guys in the Zeus camp narrow their eyes due to it’s clear low quality.

Leonidas chuckles, not even sparing my sword a second glance. “ThatI can’t regrow, obviously.”

I nod in understanding and twirl my sword, then… I grin. “Wanna see a magic trick?” Leonidas blinks.

I take a step forward- Then vanish from my spot.

His eyes widen and shrink into dots just as I slide to a halt right behind his left side and spin around, sword screamingthrough the air and towards his neck.

But I grin when his shield comes up, sheer speed and reflexes stopping my sword from meeting it’s target.

The clash releases a deafening metallic bang, the shock-wave ripping apart the ground below our feet.

The force behind the blow though sends Leonidas flying back, a grunt escaping his lips as his feet dig trenches through the ground for nearly two dozen meters before he comes to a halt.

“Fuck…” He grunts out again, relaxing his posture and shaking his left arm, not even a dent or scratch on his shield from my blow. “I felt that.”

I snort. “Twas a love-tap.” He snorts right back and lifts his hand to tap at his temple, where clear blood is trickling down his face.

“A love-tap that smashed my shield into my skull.” I blink, then shrug. Leonidas just snorts again, clear excitement in his bright eyes.

“My turn?” I don’t even have time to answer before his crimson spear fills my vision.

My sword comes up and swats it to the side, but Leonidas draws it back and jabs forward with insane speed, forcing me to side-step his second jab.

But yet again, he draws his spear back and stabs it forward. The sheer speed at which he can disperse his own strength so to draw his spear back is astonishing.

Sparks fill the air as my sword screeches against the shaft of his weapon, diverting it’s path.

My foot then lashes out as he draws his spear back, kicking it’s sharp tip upward and making the butt tilt downward, which makes his draw halt before he can fully retract his weapon.

A huge grin tugs at his lips, his shield coming up to deflect another blow from my sword while his elbow hammers down on the shaft of his spear, forcing it’s butt through the ground below us.

The air rushes in towards him as he starts twirling his spear at insane speeds, drawing in my clothing and hair, much to my surprise.

Guess I’ll need to whip my techniques out already, huh?

Now this is fun!

Dense waves of energies flow through my body in massive quantities as I breathe in and draw my sword back.

‘Kunpeng Heavy Dance.’ I breathe out and stomp forward, turning the ground below my feet into powder.

A dark gleam envelops my sword, and Leonidas’s eyes widen in alarm as he lashes out and swings his spear with all the momentum gained from it’s spins.

Another deafening impact rings out as the blade of his spear collides against my sword, and he is forced a step back while I instead press forward and spin around.

My sword screams through the air yet again, leaving sharp whistles in it’s wake as Leonidas swiftly recovers and meets my charge with his own.

His spear swings through the air, dancing and meeting my incoming blows with as much strength as he can muster, but the more I press forward, the less strength he can add behind his blows.

While my blows grow heavier and heavier, the whole point behind the ‘Kunpeng Heavy Dance’.

Press forward, persist, insist, double down, layer your strength with your momentum, never give in.

Another blow sends Leonidas’s shoulder back, and I breathe in sharply and draw back my own sword, priming it for a stab he saw coming and had already moved his shield in front of his chest.

Another shock-wave is released from the impact between my stab and his shield, which sends Leonidas flying back while I give my sore arms a quick shake.

An eleven hit combo ain’t bad…

I doubt I could have layered more strength after the eleventh blow, am still not strong enough to handle that much strength.

My opponent bounces off the ground and flips through the air, easily regaining his footing and dusting himself off without a care, a massive grin on his face. “Now that was a nasty technique!” He calls out with a short bark of laughter, stunned eyes locked onto us as I raise my sword.

He breathes in and slams the butt of his spear into the ground, then reaches behind his shield to draw out a beautiful golden Xyphos. What a beauty.

“Can’t fight ya with a spear, that much I can tell after this.” He twirls his sword and raises his shield, truly looking like a Spartan right now.

“Done holding back on me, big guy?” I call out with a raised brow, earning a grin from Leonidas.

“After you!” Oh? He could tell?

Well, I guess I can give him a surprise!

I breathe in and relax my stance, then close my eyes.

My Qi Strands stir, and the Item Spirit of my sword purrs.

My blade vibrates, and I open my eyes.

Leonidas pales and sharpens his stance instantly.

A sharp, stinging milky-white glow thinly envelops the edge of my sword.

I will Sword Qi into existence and grip the handle of my blade with both hands.

I don’t need to look around to see everyone sharpen their guards and lower their stances from the sheer murderous and chilling feeling Sword Qi releases.

They are bystanders, and Leonidas is the one that is currently facing the biggest rush of it all.

A blinding golden glow erupts out of his shield, which he swiftly raises up high above his head.

                                                                “THERMOPYLAE!”

A wave of golden light erupts to form an ethereal glowing shield dozens of meters in width and height, looking mighty and sturdy as Leonidas digs his feet into the ground.

I breathe in yet again, close my eyes…

Breathe out-

Then take a step forward and cleave my blade through the air.

Sword Qi is unleashed forth with an ear-splitting screech that lasts for but a split second.

A burst of weakness fills my body before the ground before me surges upward.

The most powerful shock-wave yet hammers against my face as I pant heavily, clearing away the dust that had just risen off the ground, allowing me to lay my eyes upon the result of my attack.

And my eyes land on a small cleave into the ground three inches wide that stretches from a few meters ahead of me… all the way across the Dungeon Floor, wall and ceiling.

The mighty golden shield conjured by Leonidas was cleaved perfectly in half and is now slowly fading away, while a nasty scar is left against the strong shield the man is still holding.

It actually survived my Sword Qi. That’s a damn good shield.

Leonidas straightens himself with a heavy grunt, a nasty cut revealing bones and muscles over his shoulder, which is already starting to visibly close while he marvels at the perfect cut into the ground before and behind him.

It’s quite deep too, from the looks of it.

“Holy shit…” The man finally utters in disbelief while running a hand across his face.

But while disbelief and amazement fills the eyes of everyone around us, my eyes are filled with disappointment.

Of course I am so tired when I am going against everything a Sword Cultivator aspires to be and do.

When a Sword Cultivator fights, they attack with all of their strength and with the meaning to kill. If they lose, they die, no second chances.

But I don’t do that. Hence why releasing this burst of Sword Qi took so much out of me.

Because I held back so I wouldn’t badly injure or outright split Leonidas in half.

“That must’ve taken a lot out of you…” Leonidas muses, approaching me with slightly worried eyes.

“Ain’t something to be used lightly.” I grunt out, accepting the offered hand to stand back up and stretch myself.

My eyes fall on the slightly dented shield, a clean line denting it in half right down the middle. “That’s a damn good shield.” I expected it to split in half beneath my Sword Qi, even if held back, but nope.

Leonidas snorts and pats my shoulder. “My guy, you dented a weapon forged by Lady Hephaestus herself. You should be proud.”

I blink. “I’m more scared about the possible repair cost.” His loud burst of laughter doesn’t make my worries disappear.

And I’m also trying to ignore the ‘Fuck me!’ eyes Kirin is currently throwing at me.

...Goddamn is she sexy.

“You worry too much about such a basic thing, my friend!” Leonidas pats my shoulder, but I suddenly feel him freeze.

I blink and lift my gaze to look at his face, and see him stare at something with narrowed eyes far behind me. “What the fuck are they doing here?”

I turn around with a raised confused brow and follow his line of gaze, not missing the downright murderous look on Kirin’s face and the constant crackling of lighting around her form.

Right from where we came from, another large group of people led by a tall crimson haired man clad in seemingly glowing platinum armor is walking towards us.

I scratch my chin at the sight and at the sheer high tension in the air. “Rest of the Zeus Familia, I presume?” Leonidas grunts, all his cheer and good personality gone, replaced by a very pissed off scowl as he moves to stomp his way towards them.

So I instead turn towards Kirin. “Think the fucker that hurt Brynhildr is with ‘em?” My sudden question makes her pause, the crackling sparks around her form vanishing as many eyes land on me.

“I-I think so?” Good. I nod and turn my gaze towards the approaching group of people, already not liking the looks on their faces. “Why do you ask?”

I shrug. “Nothing. Just wondering if I can get away with murder.”

I don’t like the feel in the air.

This Expeditions is going to get very complicated.

A.N. Sorry for the wait, my lovelies! Fuck!

As an apology, allow me to say that I’ve been working on the other stuff that will soon come to Patreon, and be Patreon exclusive for a while!

Once I finish the last two commissions, which shouldn’t take long, I will be focusing solely on Drugs, and the other two works, so that y’all will have a constant stream of stuff to read from me!

So again, I just seek thy patience! I feel like shit for the wait, but I promise that it’ll be worth it!

Lotsa love!