Chapter 156 Decisions to explore the Vanryr Cave?
This is a small arc with Genevieve's temporary party before I start the arc on Lumiere's interdimensional vacation. I'd like to say thank you to the people who've been reading so far. Your support drives me to write more. I'll resume 4 chapters daily by next month.
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(POV: Akashic Records)
Almost two weeks had passed since the attack on Zarbon city.
The city was currently undergoing rebuilding and appeared to be progressing well.
However, unforeseen events continued to unfold.
During the confrontation between Serena and Lirien on the day of the attack, a black slimy substance emerged from the heart of Valtara.
This substance contained a fraction of Valtara's destruction core energy.
It slowly made its way out of the scene, absorbing any matter it encountered along its path.
Upon contact, all matter dissolved completely.
And progressively, it got bigger in size.
...
Presently,
In Glenforst city.
Merlin finally made it.
"I'm getting hungry," he said.
His fingers delicately clasped a chocolate bar.
"That lady was really nice, these bars should last me like what? A week?"
He unraveled the delectable confection and indulged in a voracious bite.
Glenforst city, a haven of tranquility amidst the clamor of the cities he had traversed, seemed to cast a spell of placidity upon its surroundings. A whisper of boredom danced through the air, teasing Merlin's senses, coaxing him to acknowledge the monotonous dance of this city.
A gentle exhale escaped his lips, a sigh mingled with cyan tresses, buoyantly lifting the locks of his vibrant hair.
"This... will be boring," he frowned.
The only two places in Glenforst that was ever active or boisterous was either the market district or the numerous taverns scattered across the city.
Just then...
"Ooooh!"
Transfixed by the lustrous figures that passed him by, their feminine charms swaying with each graceful step, Merlin found himself enchanted, captivated by the seductive sway of their weighty breasts and the mesmerizing sway of their supple buttocks. Inwardly, he delighted in his private musings.
"Alright, maybe I won't be too bored. I'll seek out all the hidden beauties in this city."
His first stop would be one of the taverns in the city.
...
In one of the bustling taverns nestled amidst the lively city of Glenforst, a group of comrades consisting of Genevieve, Ress, Fanatio, and Garret gathered for an earnest discussion.
"An S rank monster?" Fanatio asked to further subdue her skepticism.
Garret nodded solemnly. "Yes," he replied, "rumor has it that it was spotted lurking within the depths of Vanryr Cave, the only dungeon within this city."
"And here I thought that was just a modest Rank B dungeon," Genevieve interjected, her brows furrowing as she analyzed the situation.
Ress, his face etched with worry, cleared his throat before offering his own thoughts. "It's honestly confusing if you think about it."
"Well, you don't think much now, do you?" said Fantio, her face stern.
Ress sighed. "The painful thing about what you said is the fact you're not joking."
"That's gotta suck," Garret chuckled and took a sip of his ale.
Genevieve grimaced a bit. "The presence of an S rank monster in such a place raises unsettling questions."
Fanatio nodded, and then shortly after interjected with a hint of impatience. "Let's veer back on topic, shall we? Garret, please, enlighten us on what occurred next," she requested.
Before Garret could continue, the tavern door creaked open, and a figure clad in a cloak strode in, taking a seat just a few meters away from their booth. Merlin simply blended into the bustling tavern, unnoticed by the group. After all, adventurers coming to the tavern was a common sight.
Garret resumed the tale. "Well, it turns out, during their exploration of the dungeon, they stumbled upon a hidden chamber. And lo and behold, that's where they encountered the monstrous creature," he paused for dramatic effect, capturing his companions' undivided attention.
"But what race did this mysterious monster belong to?" Fanatio inquired.
Genevieve brushed a lock of light brown hair from her delicate face.
"I would wager that it's a demon of some sort. Even though our continent maintains a peace treaty with the Demon Continent, it's not unheard of for ancient demons to still lurk in the depths of our dungeons," she surmised.
Ress chimed in with a bewildered expression. "That's the strange part," he began.
"What'd you mean?" Fanatio asked Ress.
Leaning in closer, Ress cleared his throat. "They described it as resembling a human, but possessing the strength of a monstrous entity. It was a sight like none other," he explained.
"Perhaps it was a Great Demon in disguise," Fanatio conjectured.
For a moment her thoughts drifted.
"( Unless... )" (Fanatio)
She considered that it was possibly Skum, vividly recalling how he instantly froze her in her tracks. A hint of annoyance was clear on her face and her mind, it had trailed off.
"Fanatio?" Genevieve called.
No response
"Fanatio?" she called again.
"Hmm?" she answered.
"Are you okay? You looked lost for a moment," Genevieve smiled gently.
"It's nothing, never mind."
She hadn't told them that she knew about Skum?s strange disappearance. Naturally, Pendragons kept all dragon related business and information within the walls of their noble house.
Garret interjected, drove back to the topic.
"If that were the case, I find it remarkable that those adventurers even managed to escape with their lives," he stated.
Ress nodded in agreement, expressing his worry. "True, they did mention that much. But we're forgetting the cherry on top."
"And what's that?" Genevieve implored.
"It seems that the monster has become trapped within one of the ancient seals located within the dungeon," he disclosed.
Fanatio nodded in understanding but quickly voiced her concern.
"Although it may be trapped now, we shouldn't allow ourselves to feel a false sense of security," she warned.
"I agree." Genevieve folded her arms.
Merlin's keen eyes observed every movement and expression of the group as they engaged in their discussion. His gaze lingered on Fanatio, captivated by her beauty and grace. However, his interest went beyond mere physical attraction – there was something about her presence that intrigued him.
Fanatio turned to Garret. "Why don't we question the adventurers further? They might have more answers," she suggested.
With a smirk, Genevieve chimed in. "Fanatio, don't tell me you're already planning on turning this into a quest," she remarked.
Fanatio met her gaze, her smile nothing short of confident. "Perhaps I am," she replied.
Garret grinned while raising an eyebrow at her suggestion. "While that would be fantastic, it's not an official quest yet. The guild hasn't gathered enough information to determine its rank," he explained, his voice filled with practicality.
Undeterred, Fanatio stood up, her expression stern.
"We don't need to wait for the guild. We know that this is a Rank S or higher quest," she declared.
"Are you serious? Are we really planning on taking on this monster?" Ress questioned.
Genevieve, fueled by her own determination, stood and clenched her fist, her gaze unwavering.
"Of course we are," she replied resolutely.
"( Sometimes I feel like the only sane one here... )" (Ress)
Garret grinned at her response, promptly chugging down his ale before joining her in standing.
With a resounding voice that echoed through the tavern, Garret roared, capturing the attention of all present. "Let's do this!" he exclaimed, brimming with energy.
"I'm just a Rank B adventurer, and now I'll have to work for free too," he muttered, his voice laced with resignation.
[ Note: The Adventurers? Guild Association (AGA) is responsible for handling payments for adventurers. However, if a quest has not been officially approved, the adventurer will not receive payment for their work. In such cases, the adventurer essentially performs the job for free. ]
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