Seraphim Online: Afterlife

“Stop stop stop! N-No more of this! S-Stop!”

Crack! Bam! Stab! The park erupts in chaos as things turn into a full-on brawl, Lena towers above the alcoholic-ice mage shooting at her while I face down the stoic-earth one. All the while, the pipsqueak of a boss screams in the background for everything to stop.

This corpse of woman moves faster than I’d like, already having blocked and dodged my counter several times before. That attack she landed on me cut deep, but not enough to hold me back especially with some help.

With Lena tossing the alcoholic mage aside like a bag of potatoes, she lands right by her comrade’s feet, stumbling my enemy.

My dagger already removed from my crotch, I practically go on a suicidal charge towards the stoic mage, managing to slit just the slightest of cuts into that thin neck of hers.

‘She has how much health!? This doesn’t seem like a fair fight.’

‘Heh… guess it’s a good day to die.’

Blood may drip from my bosom from that previous injury, a small yet insignificant concern for now. Yet, despite my pain and my level compared to the enemy, my attack seems to have completely caught this woman out, giving me another chance to strike.

“Using the earth as my conduit, I summon thee!”

Except, a shield shaped barrier, glowing blue is placed between us, impenetrable to my attack so I’ll have to go around while she regains her footing. I still know little of magic, but what I do know, earth, fire and ice must exist. Poison as well if you count Lena’s problem.

“All of y-you, stop f-fighting! Please!”

Again, the real boss steps up, trying to calm us all down. This time however throughout the screaming, she settles down a little and her voice grows deeper.

“That d-does it… force is required.”

With a subtle aura change yet an unsubtle change of tone, an explosion of magic discharges from the real boss of the mages. A shockwave so great even Lena is pushed back.

Leaves and branches are flung of trees, hats are tossed of heads, birds are tossed into the invisible barrier. Even in spite of this, we’re all glued to the ground, our knees buckled in place as if we have to obey the words this young one speaks.

‘Young my backside, bet she’s even older than the others.’

‘Yep, not surprised at all. At least she isn’t a thousand-year-old loli, I suppose.’

“No… more… fighting… okay? I haven’t drawn blood in hundreds of years nor do I plan on starting today. To think I had to use that silly old thing!”

Thankfully, she gives back control to all of us rather quickly, snapping her finger so we’re able to stand as equals once more. I’m looking forward to raising my intelligence if that’s the type of magic that lies ahead.

Obviously, her two followers appear to be pissed at the turn of events. The adrenaline is still pumping through my veins, but deep down, I know I wouldn’t have survived that. Even Lena isn’t on the level of those three.

“Now, let’s settle this. Listen to me, Alchy and Ezzy, was attacking a dragon and her tamer the best of ideas? This world is meant to be our home, our sanctuary, our life. That’s not very welcoming.”

“Hmph… this one doesn’t agree but will obey your words.”

“But Boss, they want to leave like everyone else! And they killed Buck!”

‘You know what they say about people called Buck. He likes to…’

“No buts. You already know I can bring him back using the core, we’ve survived everyone else leaving so we can survive this! Life is hard and cruel sometimes; we all know this.”

Not really knowing what to say, the mages bow their heads in shame. I’m thinking asking them to apologize might be pushing things too far.

“Please, let’s have no more violence… d-don’t touch that!”

Creeping over to the crystal, it appears I hugely underestimate Lena in some of the more intelligent things she can get up to. Even though we haven’t a chance to defeat all three, we still hold the upper ground. They need that crystal as much as we want to leave.

“Destroying this will let us out, correct? Then why should we listen to you?”

“Y-Yes! But you needn’t do something so drastic, I can create a one-way portal for the both of you! Look, see? It’s that easy! I-If you destroy that… I’ll n-never be able to bring him back.”

While the powerful mage literally draws a portal from thin air, the other two mages scoff towards their leader, much to mine and Lena’s delight. Guess this is our cue to leave.

There are a hundred questions I’d like to ask the mages, some related to magic and necromancy while others related to just how long they’ve spent inside here. However, the faster we get out of here, away from beings clearly powerful enough to destroy the both of us, the better. We’re trespassers inside this place.

Think we can make time for a quicky, just before we step into the slime like reflection of the mirror though. Thinking about it… we’re putting a whole lot of trust in someone who could send us anywhere.

“Before we leave, I have to know. Why the time loop, fancy outfits and retro suburbia going on?”

“That’s because Boss like this kind of place! It’s nice and peaceful… especially when people learn to accept the situation.”

“Wouldn’t expect someone magically inept to understand. Would you question someone on their home décor?”

“Time… loop? S-Sorry, I’m not s-sure what that is.”

As expected, the two followers only provide annoyed responses while the leader is by far the friendliest out of them.

“Yeah, time loop. The same day repeating over and over. Have you three not realized what’s going on?”

…

Now, all three mages look to us with confusion in their eyes, as if the words I speak are gobbledygook.

“I’m not sure what y-you mean.”

“Are you two right in the head? We’d know if the day was repeating… could really use a beverage now.”

“Repetition is good and this dungeon is great. You two are crazy if you think things are like that.”

‘Yup, crazy as a hatter. Wonder if me and Lena would end up like them if we spent enough time in this place.’

Ignoring all of this, we step forward into the slime…

__________

“Look Sera, we’re finally free! Fuckity fuck fuck!”

‘Heh, never thought I’d enjoy the colour of brown and Lena’s foul mouth so much. Fuck indeed… any idea how long we were gone?’

[The time inside that dungeon was 1:1 compared to the continent of Seraph, Sera.]

‘Guess they really have been inside that place for hundreds of years.’

On the other side of the slime filled doorway, the place we first entered the dungeon to, is a cosy decorated cave filled with all kinds of bits and bobs. Bricks, rubble, destroyed books, empty boxes, most of it looks useless, but what definitely isn’t is the chest in the centre of the room. Most of this place looks useless, that’s the only box that looks sealed.

[This guide also needs to inform Sera some additions have been added to the status. Upon completion, or escape from dungeon, an additional skill point and an upgrade token has been awarded. Please note, upgrade tokens can only be applied to abilities with cooldown timers.]

‘An upgrade token, huh? I presume the upgrade reduces the timer? And that exiting dungeons refill my status?’

I didn't take much in the way of damage inside that place, Lena however was hit by a few magical attacks. Having it refreshed and healing us both back up isn't a bad thing.

[Correct to both questions, Sera. Upgrade tokens reduce the cooldown of abilities drastically, estimated to be half the time. This guide isn't sure why the dungeon has that effect on the HP, SP and MP bars.]

Well, this opens up some more possibilities. An extra point and a way of improving what I currently have, guess that place was worth the hassle.

‘Like usual, we’ll save those points for another day.’

The thing is… I’m still playing the very long game here. I’m going to minmax this system as much as possible, save as many points so I’ll have no problems buying the best shit. Same thing with that token… this endgame will stand no chance against me. Let’s hope I can survive up to that point first.

‘Anyways… talking about rewards, that box better not have a mimic inside it.’

Expecting Lena to have gotten impatient and open it herself, I find myself looking over to her confused. She’s scratching her arm, honestly looking a little down and depressed.

“Everything okay, Lena? You don’t seem like yourself.”

“It’s nothing bad, Sera. just that fight put things into perspective. That mage really could’ve killed us if she wanted.”

I think I can see why she’s a touch rattled. For a beast of immense power, someone higher up on the food chain would be hard to comprehend. She might be feeling a little weak.

As much as I want to comfort her, the only way I know how is through touch or sarcasm. It truly is the best way of dealing with what shit life has to throw at you.

“Heh, welcome to my world. Remember, I’m like an ant compared to you.”

“No no, thanks but that’s not what I mean. Life can end at a breath’s notice… you should never leave anything unsaid or undone as you may never get around to doing it.”

This shocks me more than I care to admit, never thought she’d think in that sort of way. She’s always been so carefree, sometimes I forget she’s a three-hundred-year-old dragon.

Her point does make sense though, sometimes it makes sense just to admire what you have. Take Lena for example, I can perve about my avatar all I want but she really is spectacular. Her rosy plump cheeks, her cute yet almost devious sounding voice, that dopey smile, her warm yet chaotic at times personality, I like all of it.

“Heh, point taken. Guess I haven’t told how beautiful and caring you really are, Lena. It’s breathtaking just how amazing you are.”

“D-Damn it, Sera! Thank you… w-was trying to say s-something here.”

Seeing her blush, then close in for an intimate hug, I’m still a little confused. I guess that wasn’t her point then.

“My p-point is… I-I… kinda like you, Sera, like a lot.”

“Heh, and so do I. It took you this long to realize it?”

Lena actually pushes away and pouts from my response, like she believes I’m dense or something. I enjoy the simple pleasures in life, one of which is making this dragon flustered. I’m sorry but I can’t make this easy! She’s too damn cute.

“Ah, d-damn it! I l-l-love you, okay? There, I s-said it!”

“I-”

Immediately shutting me up, Lena practically assaults me with a kiss. There’s coming out and saying it, at least let me get a word or two in!

[Author-Notes] Ignore the window, it’s a goddamn cave, aight?

Like she’s dreading my reaction, Lena’s face goes into mine again. Obviously, I don’t turn down the kiss, but I do have to push her back using her breasts as leverage. Didn’t intend to grab her those… heh. This will just have to do.

“Lena! Are you scared of my response?”

“I-I’m not s-scared, Sera! Dragons know n-nothing of fear!”

Still hearing her stutter, her face growing redder by the second and her taste inside my mouth, I’m having to fight off so many instincts. I want to hug her, kiss her, grope her, tease her, anything that will make her smile. Right now, she needs a response, but she isn’t being honest about it.

“Heh, fair enough. I guess this brave dragon doesn’t want to know my opinion.”

“Well… I mean, if you w-want to say it back, that would be n-nice.”

“Tut tut. Not good enough, silly tsun-dragon.”

“Hrm… bloody a-annoying Sera! D-Do you get off winding me up?”

I have to laugh but hide behind my hand. She’s so easy to tease.

“Lena… guess what? You could never love me as much as I love you, I adore every part of you. You make this strange and unforgiving world bearable.”

Aggressively but fuelled with a love filled passion, our tongues collide in what might be the best kiss of my life…

__________

“So… we looting this place then? Or have you taken claim to my lap?”

Up on the chest, still being pecked to death by Lena’s kisses, it’s a nice way to shutoff after that dastardly place. We should probably save this for another time though.

“Okay d-dokey, Sera. Just need o-one more… to keep me going and all that.”

“Heh… love you.”

“Love y-you too! All done, let’s get looting!”

Once Lena happily skips off my lap, it’s now time for the original reward I was looking forward to. Cracking open the chest, Lena tosses the lid aside, only for the both of to be hit in the face with a cloud of dust.

“*Cough cough*… Lena!”

“Sorry Sera *cough*. That tastes like muck!”

“You happen to know what muck tastes like?”

“Of course I bloody don’t, Sera! Don’t you start again!”

Inside the chest… is a small letdown. Like the rest of this cave, most of the loot around here is tattered and in disrepair, the chest is slightly different with the books inside of it more readable, but still not in great condition.

There are however a few noticeable exceptions. For starters, on top appears to be a dagger not completely out of shape nor scratched with a slight shine to it.

[Steel dagger (Average) obtained.]

‘Eh, better than nothing. I’m not all that sure what’s better, this or my iron sword though. Same damage, just one has range and the other can be swung quicker.’

Below the weapon is a larger coin purse, filled with an okay amount of coin. Fifty-fifty like usual for that.

[96c obtained.]

“Screw it, I’m saying it, Sera. This loot sucks!”

“Heh, not sure why you expected anything good. This dungeon belongs to those mages, they would’ve taken anything decent long ago.”

“Hrm… I know that, Sera. Doesn’t make it any better.”

Chuckling at my silly partner, would it really make sense for this to be filled with gold, gleaming jewels and gemstones? Video game logic can’t apply to everything. Who knows, maybe we’ll have better luck with uninhabited dungeons. Maybe even find a mimic or two down the line, the possibilities are endless!

There’s just one more noticeable item left, a glowing book with the name Black and White scrawled out on it.

Quickly taking a peek inside, this is really going to help out later on.

‘Ah, perfect, it’s a journal. Hopefully this'll be enough evidence to show the royals...’

__________

“Woah woah woah, steady there, ladies! Arms where we can see them… no need for anything rash.”

‘For the love of… urgh. It’s one of those days.’

As soon as we exit this side of the cave, sneaking past a wall of thick shrubbery, of course we’re met by a couple of bandits with their weapons drawn.

“Great... more people in our way.”

“*Sigh*… we really can’t catch a break today, can we?”

Annoyed but ready for a fight, we ignore the advice given and go for our weapons, only for the green haired guy to step in and lower his own blade instead.

“Slow down, lovelies, we mean ya no harm! Our leader just wants a chat, we’re here to guide ya.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Well… you’d piss off someone who has a thing for turning her ex-lovers into eunuchs. Want to take that chance?”

“We’re a large group with eyes everywhere in these parts, ya really don’t want the whole forest coming for ya. Just come over for a chat, she’ll be nice… probably.”

From being given a quest to find a dungeon, getting stuck inside a colourless world, now being advised to go visit who I presume is the faction leader of the forest bandits. It’s safe to say this quest has been eventful, now it just feels like it could last forever.

‘Bet the leader is going to be insane as well, isn’t she? Wonder if the definition of insanity will keep getting brought up or something…’