Chapter 101 – Demon and Dungeon
Chapter 101
Demon and Dungeon
Date : Day 14 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Morning came for the two patients in Oria's place. The dual suns of Kresneger started to peek over the window. The golden light of Sol was bright. The silver glow of Luna was soft. Together, they painted the room in warm hues.
Hyoren stirred first. The light of the sun washed over his form. The warmth was gentle. He sat up. The motion was smooth. He felt fresh. His mind was clear. And all his muscles were already relaxed. No more pain. No more dull ache. It seemed after three days, the backlash of continued use of Berserker for more than 1 hour finally receded. The recovery was complete.
He stood. Then he stretched. The motion was deliberate. Testing. He flexed his fingers. The digits responded perfectly. No stiffness. No resistance.
He crossed the room to reach Elise's bed. His footsteps were soft on the wood floor.
She was sleeping peacefully. Her chest rose and fell in rhythmic breathing. The motion was calm and steady. Her silver hair was spread across the pillow. The strands caught the morning light.
He felt bad at first, but it was necessary. So he decided to wake her up. The day was starting. The guild was waiting.
"Elise... wake up, it's already morning."
Her eyebrows fluttered. The movement was subtle. Then she opened her eyes. The emerald eyes gazed upon him. The green depths were soft. Still clouded with sleep. She then smiled. The expression was warm.
"Morning, Hyoren..."
She sat up. The motion was slow. Careful. Hyoren tried to help her, but she raised her hand.
"No need, Hyoren... I need to try to move by myself..."
She tried to move her body—right, then left. The motion was deliberate. Testing. Her muscles protested slightly. But the movement was possible.
"I think I'm already recovering. I can move... though I can't do anything strenuous yet..."
She then looked at Hyoren. The request was clear.
"But I want to change my clothes... will you help me, Hyoren?"
She gestured to her patient gown and the IV drip still connected to her right arm.
Hyoren stepped forward and helped her remove the gown. He worked carefully, guiding the fabric through and around the line so as not to disturb the IV. The motion was gentle and precise. The cloth slid off her shoulders.
Then her bare skin was revealed. The morning light illuminated her form.
He grimaced when he saw the wide scar across her torso. It ran from her right shoulder down to her left flank. The mark was pink. Jagged. Permanent. He shook his head. The guilt returned. He tried not to mention it. The words caught in his throat.
But Elise noticed. She knew what was in his mind. She smiled at him—reassuring.
“No need to blame yourself, Hyoren… this scar is a reminder for me to keep getting stronger. I’ll live with it.”
Hyoren nodded in silence. His mind was chaotic. The thoughts swirled.
He already thought about it for a while. He wanted to do something to prevent this from happening again. Getting stronger was one thing. But he felt he needed to do something else. Something more. Something different.
He let go of his thoughts while helping Elise change. The fabric rustled. The clothes shifted.
"Elise, I think I will change."
Elise tilted her head. The motion was curious. Questioning.
"Change? What do you mean, Hyoren?"
Hyoren looked at her. His dark eyes met Elise's emerald eyes. The gaze was intense.
He had already thought about this—again and again—since she was wounded in the quarry.
When he saw Elise get attacked by Hifoppe. The black katana swung. The blood. The silent scream.
When she almost got cleanly sliced in two. The image was burned into his mind.
He had thought about it during his mad dash—when he carried her from the quarry to Akela.
He had thought about it when he tried to sleep.
And even now. The resolve was solidifying.
The thought of becoming something else, so he could protect her.
The seed had already been planted when he read Gregorius’s journal. But seeing Elise so gravely wounded had steeled his resolve.
He would become a tank—like Gregorius.
So he could protect the one he loved from any monster’s attack. Just like Gregorius had protected his party with his shield.
“I will change my fighting style. I will learn how to wield a shield. To become a tank… to become a guardian.”
He gripped her hand tighter.
“I chose the spear because it was the most familiar weapon for me. The easiest path. But I will stop chasing the easy path. I will learn how to become a tank… so I can protect you from any attack.”
It was not a vow to anyone else. Not to a god. Not to the world. Not to even Elise herself.
But to himself. The promise was personal. He swore he would never let his loved one be wounded like that again.
Elise's eyes welled with tears. The green depths glistened. The emotion was profound.
"Hyoren... I understand. If that is your decision... I will support you."
They embraced for a while. Her soft body pressed against him. The contact was warm. Comforting.
He felt the warmth slowly seeping into him. The connection was real. The love was genuine.
After a while, they separated. The moment passed. Elise smiled at him. The expression was teasing. Light.
"Now, please help me change, Hyoren. Or I will catch a cold. Fufu."
Hyoren scratched his cheek. The gesture was embarrassed. Sheepish.
"Right... I don't want you to catch a cold while you are still recovering, Elise."
Practicality then took over the sentiment. Hyoren then helped her change to something more casual. The motion was careful, but deliberate. Elise took some clothes from the storage bag. The items emerged one by one.
Her armor was torn, so she picked a comfy green blouse with long pants. The fabric was soft and comfortable. And to combat the autumn chill, she draped a beige blazer over her top. The layer was warm, but stylish
Hyoren helped her wear all that. He worked carefully, guiding the fabric through and around the line so as not to disturb the IV. The process was methodical and careful.
She let her hair loose to complement the casual look. The silver strands fell naturally.
He then made sure all their belongings were secured inside their storage bag. The items were organized and packed.
"Now we are ready to leave, Elise."
Elise smiled at him. She then gestured to her right hand, where the IV line still connected to her.
"Yeah, time to report to the guild. Though, can you call Oria to remove my IV line, Hyoren?"
Hyoren nodded. The agreement was instant. But before he turned around, the door opened. The sound was sudden. They looked at the direction at the same time.
Oria entered. There were dark circles under her sapphire eyes. The shadows were deep. Prominent. Her steps were dragging. The fatigue was evident. Her blue robes swished on the floor. The fabric moved with her sluggish pace. She looked like she had just pulled an all-nighter. The exhaustion was visible.
Hyoren widened his eyes. The concern was instant.
"Oria? What happened?"
She smiled weakly. The expression was tired.
"I need to catch up with potion production, so I pulled an all-nighter."
She waved her hands. The casual gesture was dismissive.
"Don't worry, don't worry. This happened often."
Hyoren was still concerned, but he nodded. The worry remained. But he accepted her words.
Oria then approached Elise's bed. Her footsteps were slow.
"Elise, how do you feel?"
Elise smiled at her. The warmth was genuine.
"I'm fine now. I can't run or do strenuous activities yet, but I should be able to move normally..."
Oria then nodded. Her silver hair swayed with the motion. The strands caught the light.
"Okay then, let me remove the IV drip. You two got plans to visit the guild after this, right?"
She quickly went to Elise's hand. Carefully pulling the needle. The motion was practiced. The needle slid out smoothly. And then she went over to the table to take care of the tools. The equipment was set aside.
Afterwards, Oria went back to Elise's bed. Checked her for the last time. Her monocle glinted. The glass caught the morning light. And her eyes were glowing—Aethell Sense activating. The blue light washed over Elise's form. She then nodded. Satisfied.
"Okay. You are fine, as long as you are not forcing yourself... now you can go... I want to sleep..."
Elise smiled. The gratitude was evident.
"Thank you again, Oria. Do you really not want payment? All these potions should not come cheap..."
Oria thrust her finger. The gesture was sharp.
"Shut up. I already said I only need my rainlumes. Now go away, cow tits. Before I'm angry again."
Elise chuckled. The sound was light. Familiar. The tease was back. The weird nickname was back. The friendship which transcended insults was back.
"Fine... fine... Pipsqueak... thanks again..."
She stood, then bowed. The gesture was respectful.
Hyoren also bowed at Oria. The gratitude was profound.
"Thank you, Oria. For saving Elise. For taking care of us."
Oria's ears reddened. The blush was visible. She then waved her hands, dismissing. The gesture was embarrassed.
"Now go away. Shoo, shoo. I want to sleep!"
He looked at Oria. The gratitude was still present.
"Okay Oria. We will go... thanks again for these three days..."
Oria nodded. The motion was tired. Lazy.
"Yes... yes... you are welcome..."
She was already too tired to do more conversation. The exhaustion was overwhelming.
Elise and Hyoren chuckled. The sound was soft. Understanding. Then they decided not to intrude on her for longer. The respect was clear. They exited her shop shortly. The door closed behind them.
Oria then changed the sign on her store to be "closed." The wooden sign flipped. Then locked her store shut.
***
They stood in front of the now closed Oria's Potion Shop. The sign swung gently in the morning breeze. The wood creaked softly. The lock was secure. The windows were dark.
Hyoren looked at Elise. The question was in his eyes.
"Should we go to the guild?"
Elise smiled at him. The expression was warm.
"Yes... we need to report our findings quickly... or the city would be in danger. Akela was already going to face a threat from the Forest of No Return Goblin Army in the southeast. And now we have a dungeon on Old Quarry in the north. Baron Akela would get a headache."
Hyoren smiled at her. The gratitude was evident.
"Okay, let's go. But please don't force yourself, Elise. If you feel tired, do tell. We can take it easy."
Elise nodded. The motion was firm.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Oria's potion was really good."
Hyoren then took Elise's hand. His fingers intertwined with hers. The touch was warm and reassuring. Then they started to walk. Slowly. But steadily. He tried to pace his walk to not strain Elise. The stride was measured.
Weaving through the morning in the Merchants' District. The streets were coming alive. Shopkeepers were setting up their stores. The smell of fresh bread wafted from nearby bakeries. The sound of haggling echoed through the wide roads. To their destination.
Their casual walk made Elise open a conversation. The silence was comfortable. But the question hung in the air.
"So Hyoren, you said you want to change your fighting style to become a tank. Got any plans for that?"
Hyoren scratched his cheek. The gesture was sheepish. He was still uncertain.
"To be honest... not yet. I'm not sure how to learn..."
Elise chuckled. The sound was light. Amused. She leaned forward a bit, her loose silver hair cascading over her shoulder. The strands caught the morning light. The motion was graceful.
"I think I know the answer. Our Inn."
Hyoren tilted his head. Confused. The connection was not clear at first. But then realization dawned upon him. Martha's husband. Ronald Powell. He was a veteran adventurer whose role was a tank. Hyoren saw once he wielded a sword and shield.
"Ahh. I see. Yes... Ronald... You're right, Elise. I guess when we go back to the Inn, I will try to ask him to teach me."
Elise smiled. The expression was knowing and supportive.
"Yes, Ronald was famous for his skill in using shields. You should ask him."
Hyoren nodded. Decided. The path was clear.
"Right. Thanks Elise, for helping me. Always."
Elise giggled. The sound was warm. Affectionate.
"Of course I will. I'm your partner. And your lover. Fufu."
The new direction for Hyoren started to become clear. The mentor was decided. The path was set. Now Hyoren only needed to train. To become a Guardian. So he could protect his loved one. The vow was solidified. The determination was absolute.
***
They continued walking slowly. The morning air was cool. The streets were coming alive. They overtook a slow merchant wagon, its wooden wheels creaking on the stone pavement. The driver glanced at them briefly before returning to his duties.
"So, Elise. I have another question."
Elise smiled at him. The expression was curious.
"Hmm? What is it, Hyoren? Ask away."
Hyoren looked at the sky. The dual suns were climbing higher. The blue expanse stretched endlessly. Trying to remember the memories of the quarry. The darkness. The cold. The blade.
"I'm curious about Hifoppe. The Goblin Knight."
His brow furrowed in thought.
“He spoke like a person. That's not normal for monsters, right?”
He looked up at Elise, his analytical mind trying to piece together the puzzle. The question was genuine. The curiosity was driving him.
"So, he was a mutated goblin? One who was given power by the Demon God?"
Elise's expression grew somber. The light faded from her emerald eyes.
The memory of the cold malevolence in Hifoppe's voice sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't have any memory about how she was almost bisected. The trauma had blocked it out. But she already saw the wound on her torso. And it spoke for itself. The scar was proof. The damage was real.
She shook her head slowly. Her fingers tightened their grip on his hand. The hold was reassuring.
"To be honest, I'm not really sure about the details about them. But let me tell you what I know. It's more than just a mutation, Hyoren."
Elise carefully avoided incoming crowds of merchants. The streets were busy. Children ran between stalls. Before continuing. Her voice dropped lower. The topic was serious.
"They are called the Servants of Gidol."
She paused. Choosing her words carefully. As if speaking the name itself carried a weight. The syllables were heavy and dangerous.
"Normal monsters, even goblins, are just... beasts. They run on instinct and aggression. They can't talk, can't reason. They are a part of the natural, if dangerous, order of things. Even the Apex of monsters, Warlock of Shadowden Collective like Goblin King… They can't talk."
Elise's head turned to him. Her loose silver hair fluttered with the motion. The strands caught the breeze. The morning light made them shine.
"A monster might show some intelligence. Form hierarchy. Or use primitive tools. But that's all."
Her grip tightened on his hand. The pressure was unconscious. The topic was disturbing.
"But a Servant of Gidol was different. It's what happens when the Demon God Gidol personally gives a blessing to a monster. He doesn't just make it stronger, he elevates it. He shatters the limits of its form and grants it a sliver of his own power. He gives them a twisted form of intelligence, self-awareness, and the gift of speech. He turns a beast into a general, a soldier, or an assassin."
She locked her gaze to him. Her emerald eyes met his dark ones. The connection was intense.
"So yes, in a way, he was a mutated goblin. But think of it less like a random mutation and more like a promotion. Gidol chose him, reshaped him, and gave him a purpose. That's what made him so dangerous. He was an intelligent, dedicated agent of an Demon God, tasked with creating a new dungeon—a cancerous growth of Gidol's realm—in the heart of our land."
The realization settled heavily in Hyoren's gut. The weight was profound. He hadn't just killed a super-powered goblin. He had killed a divine messenger. The implications were staggering.
"I see. No wonder Hifoppe was so strong. I checked its level, and it's only level 20. But the power is way off the chart."
Elise nodded. The motion was slow but deliberate.
"That's right. Servants of Gidol, and Demons in general, should not be taken lightly, even if their level is low. They are just like humans. They have skills. They can train their craft. And their equipment is matching masterwork of Dwarf smiths. That is what makes them dangerous."
Hyoren grimaced. The realization was uncomfortable. He relied too much on knowledge of level. And forgot about the fact that skills and equipment exist.
"I see. That was truly worrisome."
He then glanced at the northern mountain. The peaks rose in the distance. Where the Old Quarry was. The location of the dungeon.
"So, Hifoppe was done creating the dungeon... what is a dungeon again, Elise?"
He looked back at her. The question was genuine. The curiosity was driving him.
"Ina already taught me that the dungeon was a pocket dimension created by Gidol to distract humanity. And how the monster behaves inside. And the rank system. But what is actually a dungeon? How did it actually work?"
Her eyes softened as she looked at him. The expression was patient. Teacher-like.
"The prevailing theory has always been that Gidol acts through his Servants to create them. And yes, Hyoren. Gidol created them to distract humanity, so we humans have less manpower fighting on the frontline."
Hyoren nodded. The motion was slow. He remembered the archway which had pulsing sinister runes. The image was clear. The memory was fresh.
"I see. So what actually happened when we touched the dungeon portal? Will we teleport straight away to a horde of monsters?"
Elise chuckled. The sound was light. Amused. And shook her head. The silver hair swayed with the motion.
"No, Hyoren. Nothing like that... You won't be teleported randomly into a horde of monsters. The dungeon system, for all its cruelty, has some rules of fairness."
She took a deep breath. Organizing her thoughts. The explanation required clarity.
"When you enter a dungeon for the first time, you are always teleported to the 'Starting Room'. Think of it as an antechamber or a staging ground. It's a designated safe space. Monsters cannot spawn inside it, and they cannot enter. It's magically warded, completely separate from the dungeon's hostile ecosystem."
They finally passed the archway which separated the District. They continued their walking while Elise explained about the dungeon.
“Also, on every floor there is a new safe room, smaller than the starting room, but it has basically the same function. And in every safe room, including the starting one, you’ll find the ‘Teleport Orb’. It’s a large, glowing crystal on a stone pedestal. That’s our only way in or out.”
She met his eyes again. Making sure he understood.
"If you touch the orb, you get a few options. You can teleport out of the dungeon entirely, right back to where you entered the real world. Or, if your party has already conquered a floor, you can use the orb to instantly teleport to the safe room of that floor."
She finished her explanation. Her voice softening. The lesson was complete.
"And it works both ways. After you defeat a floor boss—what the Guild calls a Guardian—a teleport gate will appear. Taking that gate will lead you to the next floor's safe room, right next to its Teleport Orb. So, the safe rooms are the anchors. They are your sanctuary, your resupply point, and your escape route."
Hyoren nodded in understanding. The concept was truly familiar to him. The structure was recognizable.
"I see. Safe room on every floor. And the starting room on the first floor. All got teleport orb."
He then looked at Elise. Another question formed.
"So, every floor has a guardian to fight? To advance to the next floor? Then what if there are multiple parties who want to fight the same guardian? Will they wait or even argue for the chance to fight the guardian?"
Elise shook her head. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
"No, Hyoren. Guardian fight is a separate instance, another pocket dimension. Multiple parties can be on the same floor, but if two different groups find the Guardian's chamber at the same time, they are each sent to their own private version of the fight. So, you never have to worry about another party stealing your kill or fighting you for the right to challenge the boss. Everyone gets their chance."
He was slowly digesting the information which Elise gave. The mechanics were becoming clear.
Elise smiled at him. The expression was warm. And let him digest it in silence. They continued walking through the crowds of Adventurer's District main street. The noise of the city surrounded them. Vendors calling. Adventurers chatting. Armor clanking.
Hyoren's mind was in chaos. The thoughts were swirling. The connections were forming.
The rules... They're almost exactly like the MMO I used to play back in my world.
He let out a soft chuckle. The realization was absurd. Strangely comforting.
Safe rooms at the start of every floor. A boss you have to kill to unlock the next level. Instanced boss fights so there's no griefing.
He listed them off in his mind. The parallels were undeniable.
It's like the developers of multiple different MMOs all got together and voted on the most fair, most balanced, most 'game-like' set of rules possible.
His eyebrows furrowed.
He remembered Hifoppe's way of talking. The way he called Gidol with "-sama". The Japanese honorific. Its Iaijutsu. The quick-draw sword technique. Its samurai-like armor and black katana. The Eastern aesthetic. And now, the dungeon rules which mimicked exactly how a dungeon works in MMOs on Earth.
It's like Gidol was coming from Earth. But that's kinda weird. As far as I remember, there's no dungeon, demons, or monsters on Earth.
He looked up at the sky. The dual suns shone down. The clouds drifted lazily. The blue stretched endlessly.
Or was it a parallel world Earth?
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. The mystery deepened. The puzzle pieces were falling into place. The discovery of the dungeon's rules was a piece of the puzzle. But the picture was still incomplete.
Elise smiled behind him. She carefully guided him through the busy street of Akela. Her hand held his. Her presence was steady. She knew when Hyoren went like this, he would be lost in his mind for a while. The pattern was familiar. The behavior was known. So it was her job to lead him towards their destination. Towards Adventurer's Guild HQ.