C57: Grind, Red Light District

Word count = 2641 on 3/26/2024

Throughout their journey to Rivira, Axel had showcased his new strength to his group and Welf almost headbutt him in annoyance at Axel's half complaints as he grumbles, "oh, so you can't juggle 3 minotaurs with a single finger anymore. Boohoo."

The others also come to terms with how distorted Axel's perception of strength was. This also puts into perspective for Bell on what it means to become an Immortal. Unparalleled power and magic to create miracles through their own humanity and not any sort of arcanum.

The group rested up for the rest of the day at Rivira before they continued on. But when they finally got through the great tree labyrinth, Axel actually suggested that the group split. He found that his stats grow by quite a bit when facing the Bloody hives. As each created hornet was actually in the lower end spectrum of strength he could absorb which means with each hive capable of creating nearly infinite hornets. The only real demerit which really just applies to regular adventurers is that these special hornets don't drop monster cores, only the hive itself does. This means it is perfect for Axel to get stronger against until they give nothing else.

"Why do you want to separate this time?" Lily questions while being lily sized, annoyed as usual.

"I feel with my current limits, the hives here provide me with the best chance to test my growth. It's not like I'm short on money so the monster cores are not useful for me. Since I will just be hanging around on this floor, if you all need to rest then I should be easy to find and will come to rest every few hours too."

He tells the group and after a bit of thinking, they do realize his point, especially the money as Antares' core still has not been fully sold. Even if it's split with Bell like Axel promised, it would still be in the hundreds of millions Vali. Axel would be set for life unless he bought some sort of custom equipment that is super expensive. Even then, he has the magic shop that can create various spells which the list is still expanding. Each artifact related to a certain spell has its own market.

Not to mention how there has been a vast increase in overall adventurers with various common folk getting Falnas and gradually rising their magic stats by just fighting hundreds if not thousands of goblins and kobolds. This was caused by Axel's magic revolution. With so many people working at similar paces, few new adventurers actually die. The only disadvantage to this revolution is that other industries are suffering from the smaller workforce.

"I'll stay with you. I'm sure if I can try to apply a bit more of my gravity magic under your tutelage whilst fighting, I can make a breakthrough" Mikoto suddenly speaks up which surprises the group but her explanation earns her merit and Axel wouldn't be alone and thus potentially lie to them about him resting.

The team is soon restructured to make up for two frontliners who have left the group momentarily. Bell takes the center forward position due to his higher level and stats, letting the little rookie use his agility to strike first against any monsters while Welf and Ouka take on any other monster till Bell finishes or Daisy, Lily and Chigusa strike a target to create an opening for them or outright finish off the monster.

With the team set, they enter the water city, having their own grind while Axel and Mikoto soon find a new Bloody hive to fight against. The duo faced various other monsters that intruded on their fun as well. They had to kill the hives from time to time and look for new ones which led to Axel beating up and attempting to tame the green dragon that typically shows up on the 24th floor but the attempt failed as it was too stupid to learn that it couldn't win.

Axel was truly saddened that he couldn't tame the dragon as it is the only one that matches the appearance of dragons in the memories of his fragments. The other closest is the infant dragons on the upper floors but those are closer to Talions memories of drakes and that is a lesser dragon.

The group reunited together multiple times in their weeklong fight. Axel accumulated tons of stats and Mikoto had developed her own spell which had gotten branded onto her falna for better efficiency. From what Axel can tell, it's akin to a cannon version of his own nebula. It's a powerful compressed gravity projectile and anything that comes in contact with the left-over streak of glittering gravity, explodes. Of course there is also the delayed explosion on that streak as well, even if not touched.[1]

Axel is very proud of his first magic student and gives her a head pat that flusters her into partially turning into Bell where she jumps away like a rabbit. She had a blush on her face but it quickly dissipated when he turned serious and started coaching her on how her spell worked so she was not 'mindlessly' casting it (pun intended).

Mikoto and Axel had to save a few adventurers who were being chased by a strengthened Moss Huge. MIkoto had initially wanted to kill it but Axel had spotted how it only really was taking monster cores and eating them. Axel had even somewhat bartered with it to free its chased adventurers in exchange for the monster cores of those found on this floor that he and Mikoto had gathered. Of course he only used his own shares but he kept fattening up the Moss Huge until it just morphed into a Moss Gigantic. [2]

Axel finally slayed it then as it provided him with a straight hundred of stats in various stats. He was very happy about it and others were happy to be saved by him. A very lovely symbiotic relationship at least until the monster died. On the other hand, Axel nearly gave his life and soul to marry a strengthened Bloody hive that was dispensing strengthened hornets like a tommy gun. He was fairly rattled at how much he was improving once he learned about it. Granted when the week came to the end, he ended it's life as well.

Truly a depressing week for Axel, a successful business and a true love in one week, both lost. Very saddening. Anyways, the group meets up to finally return to the surface and submit their goods to the guild. When it came time for Axel to tell Illya how they got their hands on another unknown rex stone. He told her how he fed the moss huge and then was smacked upside the head with a roll of newspaper until he fled the guild. He would have to come back later for them to finish reviewing the stone for its price.

Axel blew a kiss to the guild building as he returned home. Raikou scanned his falna and was impressed by his progress and how he had already reached so far, it's speed overall only minorly slower than before as he is already roughly halfway through to getting ex+ stats if he keeps this pace.

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Name: Axel Gram

Title: Titan

Level 4

[stats that can be exhibited is 999 except endurance]

(Antares -> after week long grind)

Strength: B: 659 --> SSS: 1514

Endurance: B: 688 --> SSS: 1453

Dexterity: B: 638 --> SSS: 1431

Agility: B: 620 --> SSS: 1419

Magic: B: 695 --> SSS: 1522

Cleanse-simple cleaning spell that dispels dust, stains on clothing or substances upon one's body.

Create Water: a simple elemental spell that converts humidity in air into water. Water can not be more than 5 ft away from user, otherwise control is lost (dnd style)

Flame Wave: An intense blast of fire magic that spreads out in a 10ft cone in front of the user.

FlameBolt- fire formed into a spear-like structure that possesses exceptional piercing power.

Mind manipulation- low leveled mind control spell that is only useful for making suggestions, can be overridden if intellect is high enough (weak monsters only)

Reinforcement magic (trace): enhance aspects of an item through its physical aspects. Can copy items up to 50% original power, cannot exceed level limit. Can reinforce flesh and human body parts, enhancing durability and minor improvement overall power.

Minor Illusion control: Create small scale sounds and flashes of images that could serve as distraction

Lightning shock-close quarters lightning spell that can be enchanted upon a weapon or armor for extra dmg/defense.

Bolt Lightning- a lightning bolt that can reach up to 100ft.

<Self made><Incomplete > Firestorm- A mix of fire and lightning. Akin to a volcanic explosion with the lack of earth element which prevents it from reaching its full power.

Wind Blades- sent out 5 or more blades of wind that can inflict injuries of various size and severity.

<Unlearned > Shikigami creation.: summon a creature or being that is linked to the user via affinities, elemental or otherwise.

2nd magic: Operation of Parallel Memories. Bond of memories and aspects which allows the user to move through the unknown.

Gravity magic- wormhole, Wave of Darkness (gravity well), Nebula, Reverse Gravity, Meteorite. Crush

Gravity Manipulation - Locked

<Skills >:

Anima Scissa- Holders of this skill are torn beyond construction and thus are unable to use magic. Comparably, the possessor may tap into the power of their soul to unearth new found abilities comparable to magic. When the vessel possesses enough power, new fragments may be unearthed.

Anima Scissa (Magister daemonium): tapping into the soul, the user may exhibit the power of a gluttonous demon who may consume the strength of others through the incantation, "Shadows of the Abyss, I AM the Endless, Rapture of Power and Possessor of All that Belongs to Others." Level 2 incantation: I am the endless, Rapture of Power and Possessor of All that Belongs to Others. Level 3: incantation: I am the endless, Possessor of All. Level 4: I am the Endless.

Anima Scissa (parasitica corpus): allows controlled body manipulation (only self) which can refine muscles to draw out enhanced strength temporarily. Transformations rely on Mind to maintain. Call out the incantation "Mura" to direct energy according to the user's thoughts. Distractions can negate the transformation.

Anima Scissa (Odr): A binding of love and commitment that can never be broken. This skill serves as the eternal reminder. You share aspects of those you love and love you back.

Freya - enhanced charm.

Raikou - enhanced strength growth

Syr Flova - enhanced Charm.

Murasaki Shikibu -illusion resistance

Anima Scissa (Umbra Sui): A shattered soul cannot simply rest in passivity. Provides a semi corporeal body to provide assistance to the user. Incantation is "Shade that I am". For the next 5 minutes, can freely manipulate the formed shades according to their specialties.

1. Magisters Daemonium- gluttonous spirit that creates shockwaves of devouring force

2. Parasitica Corpus- a nimble spirit that manipulates it's own body to shred thine enemies.

3. Umbra Sui-An elfish spirit that overlays the users power in the form of shockwaves.

[sealed] 4. Caro Irae/Invictum Furorem - A 6 armed bulky figure that can be overlayed by other spirits to grant them similar physiques and greatly enhanced strength.

[sealed] 5. Stella Flagelli/ StellaIntuitu - A armored Giant figure that is at minimum 25 ft tall, Intuitu allows enhanced channeling of other shades onto itself. Gravity Manipulation unlocked while enhanced with Caro Irae.

Anima Scissa (Caro Irae): Thine body is a divine temple for untold rage. The god of wrath has descended upon thy flesh, granting thee the Asuran Physique and Might.

Anima Scissa (Invictum Furorem): Rage is a powerful tool for the Asura, Godhood and invincibility are the result of such rage. Rage is a catalyst for unmistaken power. Rage = power. Deathly blows are not fatal under this state. Temporarily sets Berserker Development skill to EX rank.

Anima Scissa (Stella Flagelli Potentia): The will of a true warrior does not fail so quickly. For even the stars bend to its true meaning. Grace thy might with the will of a giant, who fought off the very stars from his home.

Anima Scissa (Stella Intuitu)-The stars made manifest have their own desires. The things they pursue are out of reach of most mortal lifeforms. Yet when the Star Scourge arose, even the stars were made mortal. Their knowledge laid bare for the picking.

Limit Break: A status that goes beyond simple mortality. Users receive extra Excellia facing foes of a higher level.

Beast: ????

<New > Eclipse Seal: Limits all stat USAGE to only S grade (999) except Endurance, does NOT restrict overall stat growth. All development skills while Seal are active rise by 2 levels.

<Development skills> (default and sealed stats)

Berserker: G->E

Mystery: H->F

Chain Attack: I->G

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That same evening, as promised, Axel and Bell arrive just outside the red light district to meet up with Mikoto and Chigusa who both have serious expressions. From what the duo hear, Ouka had already been here but had gone on ahead before being huddled into an unknown alleyway with a ton of girls.

Axel laughs at that and he clasps his hands together to wish Ouka a good night. Meanwhile, the duo of men begin to follow the two girls as they view every woman that works here as their enemy. The two girls try to ask around for where their friend might be Axel and Bell team up to do the same but with less success. Granted they weren't really told much about her except that she has blond hair and is from the Far East.

Axel doesnt really mind the random chase as he just really wants to relax and have fun. He gets that when Bell stumbles upon the god Hermes who hands Axel an aphrodisiac to keep them quiet and enjoy their time. Axel just hands that over to Bell whilst saying,

"Save that for your first time with Hestia." Bell regains his stoic expression which Axel notices has not really changed since they entered the red light district. He had initially thought that Bell would be a nervous wreck from every wink or wave from the sultry escorts around but he remains the same, calm and composed.

"Wait, well you…you didn't." Axel comes to a realization as Bell now frowns with a blush on his face apparent now.

"Blame yourself for your joke from last time. I ran home, worried about my goddess and how she might be pregnant. We talked about it and then one thing led to another with us lost in the curious mood.."

"AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" The memory makes Axel fall over laughing once again. The people give him a wide berth until he finally finishes laughing. He hops up and smacks Bell on the back. "Ahhhhh, congrats Bell. You have made me proud. Then ill hold onto this." Axel praises Bell genuinely as they keep walking down the roads until Bell seems to disappear after accidentally being shuffled into a random alleyway and hounded by random escorts as he tries to make his way back to either Axel or the girls.

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[1] Imagine the comet Azure from Elden Ring for the projectile and then the pathway that the beam traveled, explodes. For those that don't want to look it up or don't know then just imagine a blue ball that then shoots out like a laser/arrow. Which has great penetrative force. Now imagine if that exploded. Because yes.

[2] Imagine a gigamaxed Garbodor but it's all just plants instead of trash. Pokemon reference for those who need extra help. The image is on bulbapedia.

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