Within the confines of the goblin lair two groups were facing each other. On the first side John, Lyra and Aiko stood. Facing them were Airi and her four silent puppets.
John had promised to explain everything. He said in a calm and serious tone.
"As you can see Airi... Aiko here is also a Hero."
Airi looked at him and replied flatly. "I knew that ever since I laid my eyes on her. Now what are you implying?"
John continued not changing his tone. "As well as the fact that Lyra here is an undead. She’s also my lover."
He paused for a moment before telling the story from the very beginning.
"My comrades and I were sent to a C-rank dungeon. All of them were in the support class. We were stuck on the first floor for a long time, exterminating the monsters, not knowing how much time had passed outside."
Airi listened carefully, noting something in her mind.
My skill didn’t activate when I looked at Lyra... so she really is an undead. And since he’s a Necromancer, it doesn’t work on him either.
John continued his story. "Eventually all of my comrades had died, leaving me alone. The higher-ups had used us, and sent Lyra to finish off every last one of my comrades."
"She almost succeeded. I refused to die, and in that moment I had awakened, gained a scythe and killed her... and later turned her into my undead. Later she became my lover as well."
Aiko spoke next, her voice brimming with anger.
"The higher-ups had also sent Lyra to that dungeon, knowing that she would most likely die. They used her, and they discarded her the same way they used John here."
Lyra’s expression darkened. "They knew I was not dead. They knew my master was still alive. That is why they sent the Earth Mage Hiden after us when we were injured. It was the Ice Mage who intervened, just when my master was about to finish him."
John finished the summary. "After that we sought for a new base. With the help of Aiko we entered this rift. We cleared this cave and decided to use it as our home."
Airi was silent for a long moment. The story didn’t add up with her own, but it flowed too smoothly for her to deny. In the end she spoke.
"My story is a bit different. I had died and reincarnated within a church in Alderia. It was where I first met Lyra. We became friends. After a while I told her that I wanted to take a look outside. She refused and told me not to leave... but I did.
I spent seven days in a forest near this rift before Lyra appeared and attacked me. I ran and fell down this rift. When I got out the other side I was greeted with raging snow.
In the end I found a village, where the chief told me that this place was called Frostveil, and explained about the caves and the monsters.
From there I gathered my party members and leveled up so that I could return to Alderia and take my revenge on Lyra. But now... that revenge seems pointless."
Lyra’s voice turned dark and murderous. "The higher-ups used me, and they tried to sacrifice me. I will never forgive them."
John looked at Airi and gave a small nod.
"Then join us. We walk the path of revenge together."
Airi looked at his eyes for a few seconds before answering. "Okay. I’ll join you. I still need my revenge."
With that, John had gained another ally.
He raised his hand. "Status."
A blue panel appeared and he made it visible to everyone.
Name: John Graves
Class: True Necromancer
Rank: B
Mana Aptitude: 100
Strength: 42
Agility: 49
Skills:
Awaken (SSS)
Summon (SS)
Death’s Grip (A)
Death Domain (S)
Soul Link (S)
Mass Awaken (SS)
Weapon:
Azure Soulreaper (Unique): A blue necrotic scythe that grows stronger with every soul it claims. Can be manifested or dismissed at will. Channels pure death energy.
Lyra followed and displayed her own status.
Name: Lyra Vane
Class: Shadow Illusionist
Rank: B
Mana Aptitude: 71
Strength: 35
Agility: 110
Skills:
Phantom Veil (A)
Shadow Bind (B)
Mirror Step (B)
Dark Resonance ©
Shadow Shard (B)
Phantom Execution (A)
Umbral Dominion (A)
Illusionary Army (A)
Night’s Embrace (B)
And it was Aiko’s time. This was the first time she had fully displayed her status to John and Lyra.
Name: Aiko Kurogane (The Silent Blade)
Class: Samurai, Hero
Rank: S
Mana Aptitude: 100
Strength: 168
Agility: 600
Skills:
Iaido Draw (A)
Bushido Resonance (A)
Heavenly Sever (S)
Unbroken Spirit (S+)
Silent Execution (S)
Weapon:
Kurogane Blade (Rare)
Airi stared at the panels in disbelief. After a moment she raised her own hand and displayed her status. John observed it with clear interest.
Name: Airi Fuyuki
Class: Puppeteer, Hero
Rank: A
Mana Aptitude: 95
Strength: 58
Agility: 72
Skills:
String Control (A): Allows the user to bind and control a target’s movements using invisible mana threads.
Puppet Link (A): Creates a permanent connection with willing subordinates, allowing the user to share a portion of their combat experience and senses with their puppets.
Forced Harmony (B): Forces the controlled puppets to move and attack in perfect synchronization.
Thread Server (B): Instantly cuts the user’s control threads, dealing backlash damage to the target.
Heroic Presence (A): Temporarily boosts the stats and morale of all allies within range.
Fate Intervention (S): Once per day, allows the user to slightly alter an incoming fatal attack or critical failure for themselves or one ally.
A/N:
I shall take a break from writing for now. My hands are killing me. If you all want more Chapters, add the book to your library.