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/Shine…/
Morning spilled over Orario together with a breath of winter — so cold even last night's rain had frozen on the rooftops.
"ZZZzzz… mnn…"
With the first snowfall of the season, Hestia cracked open her sleepy eyes, face half-buried on a mountain of pillows and blankets.
"Uuuugh… yawn…"
She lifted her head and only then noticed the unfamiliar scratchy texture under her cheek instead of the soft spot she usually stole.
'Silver… every time I fall asleep next to him, he shoves me here.'
She looked around, "He should already be gone… it's quite cold without him…"
"So let's warm things up."
"KYA?!"
…
/BONK!/
"Why? Why didn't you tell me?" Hestia pouted, thumping him on the shoulder over and over
"Agh! Don't knock on me… pfft… it tickles." Silver said amidst gasps and laughs on the couch, trying to shield his ribs
She gnashed her teeth, cheeks puffed, black hair messy, blanket still tangled on one leg, "I'm being serious!"
'Mumumu! Why is he like this?! Where is the serious, respectful, and gentlemanly Silver I saw with Hephaestus yesterday?!'
Silver finally caught her wrist and sat up, "Hahaha… I told you before that I would take a slight rest from the Dungeon. Let's walk around and see how the festival is going."
Her eyes brightened with interest, "You mean it?"
"Of course, let's enjoy our first 'Winter Reverie' together."
"Yes!"
/Growl…/
Both of them stopped in silence…
"… How about some pancakes first?" He added with a half smile
"I would appreciate it very much…" She answered, suddenly shy because her stomach had just betrayed a goddess
…
/Jump!/
"Ahahaha! Look, look Silver! It's snowing!!" Hestia's voice echoed across the old church courtyard as she spun with arms wide open, her black hair twirling in the wind. Tiny flakes stuck to her cheeks and lashes as she ran ahead of him
Silver followed her outside, tucking his hands in his coat pockets, "The first snowfall of the season… how nice."
He reached out and caught a snowflake on his finger. It melted instantly, leaving only a glimmer of cold water.
'No two snowflakes are ever the same… but isn't that for everything?'
His eyes grew a bit heavier, 'Memories, lives, even souls… each drifts for a while before fading… perhaps not the last, for souls reincarnate in this endless cycle.'
'In this world where deities see the world like a game, what is our existence to them, exactly? Even with all of my accomplishments, what are they before all of this? The whimsical creation of these eternal beings?'
A gentle sigh escaped him as Hestia bent down, scooping a meager handful of snow that crumbled between her fingers, "Let's build a snowman!" she declared, eyes shining.
Silver's thoughts were washed aside under her carefree attitude, 'It's too early to think about that.'
He looked at her, eyes calm and confident, "With this little snow?" He replied as he tilted his head, "The best we'll manage is a snow finger."
"Ugh!… You're right…" She replied as she puffed her cheeks, looking down as she watched the faint white dust scatter over the stone, "I really wanted to do one though…"
Seeing her shoulders and attitude droop, he chuckled, "Sigh… sure. Let's make one."
Her head snapped up, eyes sparkling brighter than the snow, "Together! Nothing about you making it yourself!"
/Clap…/
Silver clapped his hands, taking off his gloves before pointing his bare hands at Hestia.
"Heard loud and clear… let's start by making some snow first."
"Ahh… S-Silver? Why are you pointing your hands at me?"
"Why do you think?" He asked in a monotone, expression unreadable…
"… Have mercy! I—"
/SHAAAA!/
/SHAAAA!/
/Pompf!/
/Kyaaa!!/
A sudden torrent of snow burst from his palms, engulfing Hestia from head to toe. She vanished under a white mound with only her black hair sticking out like a flag.
Silver lowered his hands, wisps of frost and ice crackling beneath his fingers as he dusted his coat, "Perfect symmetry."
/Shuffle…/
"Hmpf! You cruel mortal!" A pair of arms shot from the snow, flailing like a drowning swimmer, "This is divine harassment!"
/Pull!/
Silver stifled a laugh and reached down to help her up, only for her to grab his wrist and yank him into the pile with her.
/Thump!/
Cold powder flew everywhere. For a moment they just stared at each other, breaths visible in the chilly air. Then they both started laughing.
"…You're insufferable. Not even Hephaestus knows how to deal with a child like you." She muttered, cheeks pink from both anger and cold
He rolled his eyes, "Yet here you are, still stuck with me. Half buried in snow… and I'm the child now?" he replied with a smile that softened the edges of his words
"Don't test me, mister magician!"
/Clang…/
/Clang…/
He chuckled again and glanced upward. The snow had grown thicker now, coating the church's old rooftops in white. Bells from somewhere in the city faintly chimed through the wind.
'Even here in the middle of nowhere, those accursed bells annoy me…'
Hestia followed his gaze, her expression gentle. "Pretty, isn't it? A friend of mine used to say that there's much to snow aside from white… but I never understood it."
"And let me guess, she called you dumb?"
She tilted her head, smiling dangerously, "Did you say something??"
"Nothing." He stood, brushing snow from his shoulders and offering her a hand, "Come on. Pancakes won't make themselves."
"…Hmph. You're lucky pancakes exist."
Still holding his hand, she followed him back toward the church's doorway. Behind them, the snow kept falling, erasing their footprints one flake at a time.
Later on, they'd make a big and round snowman to keep guard over their church and welcome them whenever they returned from their journeys outward… but that was a story for another time.
Orario slowly woke up, it was the start of a new season. The last and the first of a year.
…
/Elsewhere in Orario…/
/Clink!/
Snow rolled gently across the city's rooftops, turning even Babel's highest balconies into pale steps of crystal.
At the city's North, from within the top floor of a certain mansion, laughter and the faint clink of bottles was carried down the hall…
A red-haired woman watched the snow fall through a window in her castle's tower, smiling faintly as her narrowed eyes stared into the distance, "… Oia? It's snowing again; you know what this mean, right, Gareth? Pour me another one! We're celebratin'!!"
Loki sprawled across a window, red ponytail dangling over her shoulder, a half-empty glass in her hand.
"If you mean drinking booze, I'll have to decline. Have some decency, the sun only just rose."
"Whhhhaaaat? Who are you and what did you do to my Gareth?!" Loki exclaimed as she stepped back in shock
"I'll never decline a drink in the afternoon after a hard day of work, but give me a break, Loki, we already drank quite a bit yesterday; this old man isn't the same as he used to be."
"Gareth! That was our "Pre-Winter Festival commemoration!" We must now celebrate the first snowfall and then continue drinking with our Winter Festival commemoration!"
"Don't tell me the great Gareth Landrock doesn't appreciate a proper festival atmosphere?!"
The middle aged dwarf sighed, "Wasn't there a celebration the day before and the one before that? At this rate, won't we just drink forever?"
'She'll probably have a post-Winter Festival commemoration as well… I can almost smell the alcohol from here.'
"Te-he, you caught me." She replied as she knocked on her head
She then swirled her empty bottle, much to his annoyance, "Pretty sure we had this same conversation last week when ya found an unopened crate of wine." Gareth muttered, pouring anyway
"Then that means I'm consistent~!"
/Creak…/
"No drinking this early, Gareth, we have much work to do." Finn added as he stepped inside the Office
The door opened with the precision of a blade being drawn. Riveria stepped in, snow still clinging to her cloak's edge, her jade hair shimmering under the lamplight as she brushed her cloak.
Loki froze mid-gulp. "…H-Hey there..."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but you should be more like Gareth. You drink far too much." Riveria said as she looked at Loki's table, where several bottles of wine stood empty
"Mama please, I'm an adult…"
"You sure are…"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Riveria exhaled softly, crossing her arms. "You've turned the strategy room into a tavern again, haven't you?"
"Correction." Loki said, pointing dramatically at the ceiling, "… a seasonal tavern! It's tradition to toast the first snow!"
Finn rubbed his temples in mild frustratrion, albeit he expected such a development days before, "I don't recall that being an official holiday."
"It is now!" Loki grinned, "Write it down, Captain! 'Mandatory morale-boosting snow toast'! It is now my decree~"
"And is now promptly rejected." Riveria said with a faint smile as she sat down
Gareth's laughter rumbled through the room. "Morale, aye? At least let the young ones join. They're out there working' in the cold."
"Already did." Loki said proudly as a smug smile formed, "Told 'em whoever makes the biggest snowman gets first pick at dinner. Motivation, see?"
"…You mean Ais is outside building one right now?" Finn asked as he turned to the side
/Thud!/
"FUUUUUUCK!"
"… ah…"
A muffled thud sounded from the courtyard below, followed by Bete's unmistakable shout and quiet, feminine startle… Gareth chuckled, "Guess we have our winner."
Riveria pinched the bridge of her nose, "One day, Loki, I'll make you take your own discipline drills."
"Love you too, Mama!"
"And stop with that title."
The elf sighed but allowed herself the faintest smile. Outside, snowflakes swirled past the tall windows, glittering like dust caught in divine light. For a moment, even Loki fell quiet, gaze drifting toward the city blanketed in white.
"… Admiring the view?" Gareth asked softly as a smile formed on his lips
Loki's grin softened into something a tad warmer, her eyes opening faintly as she gazed beyond the snow, "Yeah… even troublemakers can appreciate a good view once in a while."
Finn looked up from his notes, following her gaze, "Let's hope this calm lasts through winter. Do you know how hard it was to get us out of the red last year?"
"Don't jinx it, Captain." Loki snickered, "As long as we have some expenses for booze, I'm fine and dandy~"
"You're half the reason we even need to scrape by whenever we return from a major expedition." Riveria claimed as her forehead tensed
"It wouldn't be the Loki Familia with me, would it?" She joked as she took a sip of her wine
"I feel like things would be quite peaceful otherwise…" Gareth pointed out as he tapped his chin
"Are you cursing me?!"
Their laughter filled the room again, blending with the muffled hum of the city below.
…
Snowflakes drifted through the streets of Orario, dancing in spirals around the lanterns that lined the avenues. From above, the city looked like a sea of yellow fireflies glowing amidst a thin blanket of white.
Down below, two familiar figures strolled side by side.
"Waaah… it's so pretty!" Hestia clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling as she turned from one decorated storefront to the next, "Look, they are selling all kinds of themed accessories… these snowflake charms are so cute!"
Silver adjusted the scarf around his neck as he followed her, "It's good business sense. Festivals keep people warm in more ways than one."
'I'm more interested in the food… these overpriced little trinkets are a miss for me.'
"Tche, typical Silver." she said, puffing her cheeks, "Can't you just say it's romantic?"
He tilted his head, "Can't they be both?"
"Guh—!" Her face reddened slightly, and she turned away, pretending to admire a vendor's pastries
The main street buzzed with cheerful noises. Merchants sold roasted nuts and steaming cider, children ran by dragging tiny sleds, and adventurers in mismatched cloaks chatted near the stalls. Overhead, dozens of banners fluttered in the breeze.
Decorations were everywhere; large trees had been erected around every corner; blue and green banners with golden and silver bells adorned every door; cables with colorful lights danced between the buildings…
For once, Orario looked peaceful and cheerful.
(Image)
Silver slowed his pace, gazing toward the distant silhouette of the Guild's great marble tower, "As above… so below." he murmured faintly, already waiting for her rebuttal…
"…We're supposed to be on a date, not another one of your philosophical talks that don't mean anything!!"
He chuckled softly, "Right, right. Then let's make it official. We already ate a little, but another snack wouldn't hurt."
'What do you mean they don't mean anything? I put a lot of thought into them!'
"… After that, the Guild. Once we're done over there… we can walk around a bit to see what the festivities are all about."
Hestia nodded eagerly, already distracted by a nearby stall selling golden buns stacked like tiny towers, "Let's depart!"
They crossed the plaza as the morning crowd thickened. The streets gleamed under thin layers of snow, footprints melting into the cobblestone. Street musicians played soft flute tunes, and faint laughter echoed through alleys as the people kept decorating the area… often not alone as even the deities joined in.
With Hestia beside him, identifying the deities became easier. Silver also grew more accustomed to feeling their divinity, a God's aura so to speak… Hestia couldn't hide hers, so it was easy to find her in a crowd, but other deities showed far more proficiency in doing so.
'Its always the same… even amidst the most soul-crushing siutuation, humanity finds a way to celebrate something. Perhaps it is this aspects that makes us unique.' He thought as he looked around
"Come on, Silver!" Hestia called, tugging his sleeve toward the Guild building, "If we don't go now, the line's going to be endless!"
"Alright, alright—don't pull so hard."
As they reached the marble steps of the Guild, he glanced back briefly—toward the distant castles and small towers…
'The winter spirit, huh… should I have dressed for the part? Not only the buildings but the people are in character.'
He then turned to Hestia, imagining her in one of those outfits, 'She wouldn't look that bad at all… oh yeah, she's a goddess… pretty much everything looks good on her…'
"Silver! Food!"
"… I'm coming, my dear goddess."
He followed her through the Guild's heavy doors, the warmth and noise of the city closing behind them as the Winter Reverie continued to fall.
…
/Chattering…/
The warm air of the Guild washed over them the moment they stepped inside, melting the last bits of snow clinging to their coats. The entrance hall buzzed with voices — adventurers laughing, merchants negotiating, and the constant clatter of armor echoing from every corner.
'It's busier then in the last few days… I suppose Loiju was right. With the festival and new year coming, a bunch of work appears as well. To some, it is a nightmare, to others, its the sweet sound of opportunity.'
At the Guild, nearly every employee wore colorful clothes in celebration of the coming festival. Most looked elegant and professional, though Silver had spotted a few outside whose outfits leaned more toward 'eye-catching advertisement'.
(Image?)
"Oooh? What's over there?" Hestia pointed, curiosity gleaming in her eyes
"You mean the notice board? Probably the daily news… feel free to read it. I was going to pass by there anyway."
'Speaking of that, I kind of forgot to sign a newspaper. Having the news delivered to your home is quite convenient.'
"I'll talk with my advisor in the meantime, you know where to find me."
"Kay~!"
While Hestia skipped away toward the board, Silver approached one of the empty counters.
He looked at the woman standing before it, "Nice clothes. I like the regal style."
The gorgeous crimson werewolf raised her gaze to face his, with a near indistinguishable change in her expression as she recognized him.
The crimson-haired werewolf raised her gaze, her expression shifting almost imperceptibly when she recognized him.
"You think so? I find them a tad too old-fashioned," Rose replied, glancing down at her attire
A long, gray padded dress with minimal decoration, more coat than gown. The only detail Silver could make out were faint white lines sewn along her sleeves.
(Image?)
"I actually still think its boring. It doesn't show any of her prominent features." came a teasing voice from behind
Another woman — younger, cheerful, with soft pink hair — approached holding a thick ledger. Her blue dress was patterned with white trees, smooth and fluffy in texture.
"Sigh…"
"Hi there~! If it isn't our little troublemaker? Ready to cause more chaos?"
(Image?)
"A nice morning to you too, Misha." Silver replied with a faint smile as she smiled in reply, "And what do you mean by 'trouble'? I'm a law-abiding citizen."
"Law abiding you say?… Are you the same guy who was reported recently for Level concealment?"
"Sigh… that was a misunderstanding that was already cleared."
"Then would you care to explain how a Level 1 like you took down Goliath? Come on, don't be shy~…"
"That's a long story… is this an interrogation? I wouldn't mind cooperating if it is."
"Nothing of the sort, I was just curious!"
"Then let's keep this a secret for now."
"Buuu… such a killjoy. Do you know how hot that news are? Everyone's talking about the mysterious Level 1 adventurer who claimed Goliath's magic stone!"
"… And how exactly did that become public knowledge?"
Misha shrugged playfully… 'What a headache…' He thought as he closed his eyes.
"Misha…"
"Oops! My bad, I took too long… but say, do you agree with me?" She asked as she looked at Silver
"On what exactly?"
"On her clothes being boring."
"Hum… that's complicated… Some people say vanilla ice-cream is plain, I like it just the same."
"…"
"…"
"Pfftt!—Alright, you win!" Misha burst into laughter, "That's a pretty good answer. Whether it's plain or not, what matters is what's hidden ins…"
/BONK!/
"UGH!!"
"Enough." Rose cut in, cheeks slightly pink as she lowered the book she'd used to smack Misha
"You should go back to your work." she scolded lightly, then looked at Silver, "And you shouldn't encourage her. Don't put more wood in this fire."
Silver smiled, "Why not? It's quite cold, and what we need here is exactly more heat to melt this ice."
"…"
Rose's expression stiffed, while Misha grinned ear to ear, "Someone who thinks like me!"
"Just what I needed…" Rose muttered as she rolled her eyes
/BONK!/
"Why me again?!"
Before the situation derailed even further, she bonked Misha's thick book on her forehead again, "I imagine you're here for your advisor. Should I call him?"
"Please."
While Rose bowed gently and stepped aside, Misha waved at him as she massaged her forehead, "Bye, bye Sir Troublemaker~"
"Is the honorific necessary?…"
She placed a hand over her heart, adopting a mock-noble tone as she hold onto her hat, "Only a troublemaker of your caliber deserves such respect!"
"Yes, yes… you may go, my clown."
"OI! Since when was I demoted to court jester?!"
"From the moment you opened your mouth." He said as he imitated her shrug
"Heh… see you later than. Try not to get yourself in trouble again, your highness~!"
She twirled away toward another group of staff buried in paperwork, disappearing into the busy heart of the Guild.
"… Hey, Silver… You're here. I wanted to talk with you about…"
"Loiju?… BUWAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA… I'm going to faint…"
Loiju emerged from the back room… and this time, something was different.
"Haha… is that your best outfit? It sure fits you." Silver said between laughs
"I curse you." Loiju grumbled faintly as he held in his anger
He wore a full-body costume resembling a deer, complete with a pair of antlers and a blinking red ball strapped over his nose. Whenever it blinked, Silver couldn't hold it in, his whole body trembling.
"Wait… g-give me a minute to breathe…" Silver said as he turned to the side, opening a small satchel by his waist
"What are you doing?"
"Say cheese, please."
"Cheese?"
/FLASH!/
"Agh!… What was that?!"
"Now this moment is forever imprinted."
"What did you do?… You know what, I don't care. Let's get this over with so I can go back home."
"Going to enjoy the festival?"
"Enjoy what? It has barely even started. I'll walk around tomorrow when the stalls and decorations are fully in place. That's when the street performances and whatnot will begin."
He dropped a stack of papers onto the table. "Here you go. This first one's your mission. Go to the Middle Floors and collect these samples, nothing special."
"Hm… most materials here can be found before the 15th Floor." Silver muttered as he looked at the list
"Of course they can. I'm not sending you to where Minotaurs appear. Let's take our time."
"Fine then, I'll get it all done today."
Loiju pushed the rest of the papers in his direction, "Not so fast, take these as well."
"… And these are?"
"Your missions until after the New Year. Complete them all and return to me only after I return… thank you very much."
"But these… attend a street performance? Write an essay about the Upper Floors??… Go on a date??? What are these about, my guy?"
"Right… the last one might be a tad too difficult for you." Loiju said, adjusting his papers with a grin, "Let me adjust their difficulty real quick…"
"##!! As if!"
"Heh. Think of it as a vacation package. We don't want you spending the holidays rotting in the Dungeon. Go enjoy the scenery and yada yada yada…"
"Are you a tourist guide now? Maybe you should start working as one!"
"Thanks for the tip, I'll be sure to give it some thought."
Silver sighed and gathered the forms, "Fine… I wasn't planning to spend much time in the Dungeon anyway."
"Take your time, there are still two weeks until the New Year, and the Guild has a lot of events planned. Just check your papers, I wrote down everything down."
"… Well… thanks. These will come quite in handy."
Loiju smiled smugly, "Planning on going with that goddess of yours? Is that your type? Small and cute?"
"Shouldn't you be more worried about your condition? Are you going to spend this holiday alone?"
"Who knows?" He said with a shrug, "Since we got these done… interested in some commissions? The Guild has issued quite a few missions to get the Dungeon under control during these holidays."
"Fine by me."
For the next few minutes, they went through a series of commissions, settling on a few. They parted ways with a promise to meet each other during the holidays.
Silver regrouped with Hestia, who was standing near the notice board with a grin plastered across her face, "Silver! Look at this, there'll be an opera concert tonight by a famous troupe! And it's free!"
"I heard about that." he replied, "It's an advertising event, but sure… let's go. We'll need to get there early though. I imagine the crowd will be enormous."
"We just need to arrive an hour sooner and it'll be fine! Now, let's take a walk around!"
Before he could answer, she grabbed his arm and practically dragged him outside.
The day continued, and through the rest of the morning they wandered the festival streets together — laughing, shopping, and taking in the sights. Both wanted this first Winter Reverie of theirs to become a memory they would never forget.
…
/Meanwhile…/
Snow still drifted lazily outside the tall windows of the Loki Familia's Manor. Inside, the grand hall was alive with chatter and rustling fabric as a handful of the Familia's female members were reluctantly trying on the "festival uniforms" their goddess had insisted on distributing. Bright red ribbons, fur-trimmed cloaks, and even a few pairs of antlers and other accessories lay scattered over the couches.
And obviously… they were all rather provocative…
In the center of the commotion and reluctant stares stood a certain perverted deity, practically vibrating with energy, a mischievous grin stretching across her face.
"Ais-Tan~ come put on these clothes I bought for you. Hehehehehe…"
(Image)
"I'd rather die." Ais replied flatly, stepping back a cautious pace
"Don't be so dramatic! They're so cute! Hehehehehe…" Loki twirled the hanger, eyes sparkling with the kind of excitement that sent shivers down her subordinates' spines
"I don't like the look on your face." Ais warned, golden eyes narrowing, "Step back, or else I'll force you to."
"There's no escaping this time!" Loki said, edging closer like a cat stalking its prey, "Everyone is putting one of these, and you, as an executive, have the responsibility to put it on as well!"
"Ugh… fine… but if you look I'm poking your eyes."
"I'd never do that!" Loki said, though her grin told a different story
From the couch, Tiona watched the scene with an awkward smile, clutching a mug of hot chocolate as she smiled awkwardly, "Uh… Loki… you're drooling."
"Oops… it must've been the wind…" Loki wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, pretending nothing happened
"Everyone saw that…" Tiona deadpanned, leaning toward Tione, who just sighed in resignation as she looked at the dress Loki chose for her
"Do you think the captain will like this?" She asked as she looked at her sister
"How would I know?… Isn't it just a matter of you asking?"
"How could I do that?~ I'm so embarassed~…"
"Haaaa…"
/Meanwhile…/
Across the room, Riveria stood near a large fireplace, arms crossed, already regretting her decision to oversee the preparations, "Remind me again why we allow her near the clothing budget?" she muttered under her breath as she pushed her own dress aside
"Because it boosts morale?" Finn offered helpfully, glancing over at his own outfit, "In theory, anyway."
Gareth chuckled into his mug, "Aye. Though it's a miracle any o' us get work done with all this racket."
""…""
They both looked at Gareth who was already in a big red uniform, "Please, don't say anything." He muttered in an oddly faint tone as he looked away
"Let's go everyone!! The cutest one today gets the honor of scorting me through the city!!"
A collective groan answered her declaration.
"What's that?!"
The room collectively groaned again as laughter spilled through the manor.
…
/Later that day…/
Somewhere on the Middle Floors… beyond the mapped areas…
/SPLAT!/
"Hm… I still don't understand."
Silver stood before a horrendous scene. Bound by chains and hooks driven straight into the Dungeon's living walls, a hellhound had been skinned alive. Its hide had been flayed, strips of flesh clinging like molten wax to the stone. Blood pooled at his feet, seeping into the cracks as the human rummaged through its viscera with hands soaked crimson.
/SPLAT!/
He tore another piece away with surgical precision, piece by piece, making sure not to kill it or divide its body, for the moment its energy supply was severed, the body would collapse, all structure and matter crumbling into dust.
"How does it do it?" He muttered, voice almost calm, "It's not a specialized organ… yet it converts magic into an effect… how?"
/SPLAT!/
"It's not chanting, but the only creatures able to manipulate the elements directly were the spirits, or so it is said… so how can a monster do the same? Has the Dungeon figured out the method?"
He paused, studying the creature's still-twitching muscles, "If it can, I can't see how I cannot."
/SPLAT!/
Silver pulled the hellhound's lungs off, veins and sinew dangling like roots, holding them intentlY.
"A Hellhound can spew a fireball of considerable strength, like a small missile. So much power within this tiny creature…"
/Crunk…/
His body slowly transformed. His fingers fused with the flesh, his veins and bones becoming one with the organ as his fingers wormed their way through its structure.
His eyes elongated beyond his skull, turning into complex structures, a mix of metal and flesh…
"Hm… I still don't understand. At least superficially, it looks no different from any other animal," he murmured, scanning the lungs' texture
'I've been studying monsters for as long as I was able… not only them but magic in general. But only when I reawakened my Plasmids was I able to witness any meaningful progress.'
'There is simply too much to research. If I go on an individual basis, I could spend years studying each monster and learning how their bodies work, but while I'm interested in that, it's not my goal… I can't count on such horrendously long predictions.'
"How does a monster manipulate the elements? Why only one element and in such a restrictive manner? Is it born with the instinct to do so? Can it learn how to do other things if it becomes an Enhanced Species or an Irregular?"
'Not enough research, too many questions to solve…'
He pushed the lungs aside, "Understanding how monsters use this energy is one thing. It could help me unlock a brand new layer of abilities."
'This method was how many Plasmids were first developed… I stole many unique Plasmids from the bodies of my enemies as I raided the Tears, for many were often like me, developing things without leaving records.'
'On those times I had to dissect them and break down their abilities… reverse engineer their effects so I could have them myself. If I could figure this out, maybe it wouldn't be beyond me to develop a few more.'
'Even if I can't do so, if I can just understand how a drop item forms, couldn't I just turn any body part into a drop item?…'
"There is also another path… monsters do not have Falna, yet they grow exponentially stronger. How?"
'The only solution is in their birth, the Dungeon itself. A Minotaur cannot manipulate raw energy, but it is a creature of energy in its source. If its magic stone is damaged, then like any other monster, it might succumb and disperse, and if broken, its fate will be swift.'
'Monsters are defined by this very characteristic. If it has a magic stone, it is a monster, for only the Dungeon can birth such creatures… Why is that? Even if I can't figure out how the Dungeon does so, then at least how it makes them stronger…'
'If I can figure out how the Dungeon engineers these creatures, then maybe I can partially replicate it… There was once a Plasmid that advertized itself as giving its user the strength of a Minotaur… on a very specific manner…'
'But maybe I can make it real.'
'Perhaps I'll never be able to fully replicate it, but its an idea… monsters are already so strong, but if a blessing was added… few would be able to match such power.'
'My Plasmids are powerful, but they won't win every fight. I do not possess the power to go above my level and beyond like the heroes of the past… I can be annoying, I can somewhat strengthen myself, but as I am right now, this enhancement can at best be comparable to something like a Skill in another's body… which is already pretty good.'
'One day I will return to the peak of my ability and have the power to alter my body into artificial elements far beyond the durability and stress limits of ordinary flesh… but I fear that won't be enough.'
"Besides, that's unlike my philosophy… when in Rome, do as Romans would."
'In a world of magic, I should strive to enhance my abilities and not overly rely on them, no?'
"… Not like I have much of a choice though… so many years and so little progress."
/Crack…/
He glanced at the Dungeon's walls. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, they were healing, the stone bubbling like skin closing around a wound. Down here, the only way to buy a semblance of safety was to damage the environment, the Dungeon itself.
Monsters are birthed from the Dungeon's walls, but what happens if they are broken? Well, it doesn't stop the Dungeon from creating them, but it diverts its attention. If even for a minute, the Dungeon's priority shifts from creating beasts to healing itself, leading to a moment of serenity.
Of course, the Dungeon may always produce more from further away and lead them where one is, but do it well enough and even in the middle of nowhere one may rest… if only for a moment.
'The Dungeon will start producing monsters soon enough… I should wrap things up for today.'
Silver threw the lung aside. There was no point in trying to keep the organ if it would vanish soon after.
His body returned to normal as he slowly cleaned his hands.
/Shaa…/ He checked the time on the watch inside his pocket space, "I still have time, but getting back ahead of schedule isn't that bad either."
'I did so many things today… spent the whole morning with Hestia and part of noon exploring and doing errands… I barely had enough time to finish the commissions and do a small session.'
"I'll have to continue this another time… maybe next time I'll try to see what changes if I artificially induce an Enhancement. That would be interesting…"
'Monsters have the instinct to eat magic stones if they can. If they eat a few, they grow stronger… half a level, a full level, sometimes even more, albeit they are usually killed before then.'
'Carnivorous monsters also tend to end up enhanced more than herbivores, for self-explanatory reasons. Then again, on the Upper and Middle Floors, monsters barely ever have the time to grow that much.'
"Maybe I can force a monster to become irregular… but the conditions for that aren't clear… SIGH…"
'I hate this. There isn't research on anything… maybe I'll have to give the famed Gnome Great Library a visit… they say its quite expensive though… whatever, I should be able to afford it.'
He cracked his neck, "If there's no written knowledge… then I just have to be the first one to do it."
'That wouldn't be my first time anyway.'
He looked at the Dungeon's walls, "One day I'll figure out how you do it."
'Where does the Dungeon draw its power from and how does it process it? There is a method for everything, and I'll understand it!'
He stretched the rest of his body, "Then again, the issue with my powers isn't magic itself but Mind… I still don't fully understand what it is."
'Magic is everywhere; the issue isn't it… will I have to try that again?'
'A few months ago I tried to solve my lack of energy issue by… adopting a very "Rapture" ideology… if I have trouble replenishing my Mind reserves, then why bother figuring out some complex formula or understanding its rules when the solution already exists?'
'A few months ago… I tried to alter my blood composition and turn it… into a potion. I mean, potions can mix numerous random materials to create effects. If I can't understand why they so… then I should just take it for what it is and figure out the reason later!'
'If I can simulate their mixing inside my body, then I will never run out of power!… The idea was sound on paper… the execution… was left half-finished.'
'Let's just say my grandparents weren't very thrilled about my idea… I was forced to shut it down soon enough… albeit it mattered little since I wasn't making much progress.'
"But that might be worth revisiting… I read about a monster whose blood has immense healing powers comparable to that of something like an Elixir! A Mermaid!"
'That is my answer. If I can figure out a Plasmid that mimics mermaid blood, then it'd be the same as me being under a constant spell… I'd be nearly unbeatable.'
'Altering my genes to make me a little bit more akin to a monster… Hestia probably won't accept it either, though I can leave that to future me to solve.'
'Until then, that'll remain just that… a dream.'
/Drip…/
"It's getting quite messy… I'm sorry, pal, but someone has to take the short end of the stick. If you get another shot at life, I'll make up to you… if I can recognize you that is." He said with a broken smile as he looked at the hellhound's entrails
'I'm getting a bit tired as well. This is no easy feat to sustain.'
"Cleaning up is always the hard part…"
…
/Later…/
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Notes
I tried to make things more dynamic. The next few chapters will probably be on the same rhythm. Small snippets here and there of what characters are doing until we get through the New Year in two weeks and move on to the next few sequences of events.
Obviously, I don't plan on doing one chapter for each day until then, but we'll get a few to set up the mood.
I already know what I'll be doing after this small arc ends, but how many chapters I'll do will depend on how many characters I want to develop.
Anyhow, thanks for reading!
Peace!