20 Devil.
A silent young man wandered around the place of the massacre, despite his internal state, his back was kept straighter than ever. Now he was collecting the remains of once proud girls who dedicated their lives to helping others in difficult times.
- Shichika, you're not yourself today. Something happened? - malicious ridicule continued to sound in his head.
- Venera, I have no desire to talk to any of you except Iblis.
- How calm you are, but we can say that they died because of us, you really could have saved them.
- Now it doesn`t matter.
- Don't you hate us?
- I think you've heard the parable about the peasant and the snake?
- The one where it says that it is in the nature of snakes to bite and in the nature of humans to save? Do you mean that you can't blame us for evil deeds since we are devils? I thought you believed that everyone changes.
- I still think so. But I myself lived most of my life unhappy. It's scary to imagine what you went through.
- You're delusional!
- Then tell me about yourself.
- I don`t have to! And stop pretending to be a saint! Just say that you blame us for everything, - by the end the girl's words began to sound like a plea.
- I would like. But deep down in my soul I understand that I could simply have left then, I could have forgotten about you like a bad dream. I'm more angry at myself. In any case, I made a decision. I won't let you hurt anyone again.
- Yes! Yes! And how will you do this? Will you kill us? Will you lock us up? Will you make us experience the most terrible memories of our lives? I'll be waiting!
- I will save you, all of you, and for this I need to reach level 10.
- *untranslatable hysteria in Latin, consisting of obscene language, mentions of ancestors and other unimaginable insults*
By the end of the conversation, the grayed corpses of the girls were wrapped in cloth. Some retained most of their body, while others only had limbs left. Either way, Shichika placed a weapon on top of each cloth bundle.
- Leaving them here is not an option - the monsters will eat them. Then where should I bury them?
The 28th floor is too far from the surface, and monsters can dig up the remains. Then I'll try to bring them to the surface.
*Neighing*
A blue horse jumped out at the adventurer from afar. Kelpies were the strongest type of monster in Water City with the exception of the boss. However, the energy projectile fired by Shichika took off the creature's head with one blow.
Having tied the funeral bundles together, martial artist set off. Along the way, he met solitary adventurers, each of them sharply remembering the first nickname of the teenager in front of them. The few who had seen him before noticed that he was different from usual. There was something cold about him, not like a piece of ice or something distant. More like the cold you feel from a well-sharpened bladed weapon.
On the 18th floor, despite the weight of his burden, he was able to reach the wounded Ryuu. At this moment, the elf was staggering towards the exit to the surface. Although Rivira's healers were few in number and were not able to heal severe wounds, they were able to alleviate her condition. Not accepting their help was entirely her decision. In this place, people most often paid with the help of promissory notes under the coat of arms of their families. If she uses their services now, the remaining Astraea alone will not be able to pay for their services. Ryuu herself had healing magic, but after a difficult battle there was no mana left.
- Lion! - a voice that she never expected to hear came from behind her. Now the elf's face was a terrible sight. Tear-stained eyes, bloody stains and tangled long hair.
- Shichika, what do you need?!
It is impossible to get a constructive conversation from a girl in a state of extreme shock. Therefore, he decided to get straight to the point.
- I was going to take them to the surface, but I met you on the way. I think you have the right to decide their future fate, - removing the wrapped fabric from his shoulders, he moved part of it to the side.
- This is... - Kaguya's peaceful face appeared underneath it.
- Then the other 9?
- Yes, I saw what happened, but I couldn't help... I apologize.
- N-no... *sob* you've done enough, - tears flowed again, - could you help bury them? Here, on the 18th floor.
- You need medical help, choose a place and go to the surface, I will be waiting for you.
- No! I'm not going anywhere!
- As you wish. Then come to me.
"Assemble, breath of the land - my name is Alf"
The spell, whose original owner was Riveria, enveloped Ryuu and began to slowly heal her.
- This magic...
- Don't expect a miracle from it, the spells I cast are much weaker than those of any other person capable of this. But this is enough to keep you from passing out.
Having gone far to the side, the two found a clearing surrounded by trees. It was decided to establish a mass grave of the Astrea family there.
A weapon from each of the girls buried here was stuck into the mound of earth under which 9 bodies lay. There was also a family banner stuck next to them. The pink-haired pallum Lyra was wrapped in it while being carried.
- What do you plan to do now?
- I have urgent matters. Thank you for everything.
Three days later, in Orario, an unknown figure began to attack families and organizations suspected of being connected to Evilus. Even if the only evidence is rumors circulating among onlookers. A little later, the Guild put the green-haired elf on the wanted list. The reward amounted to 80 million valis.
Upon returning home, Shichika discovered that of the leaders, only Riveria was in place. Initially, the elven queen who was coming to meet him had a smile on her face, but the closer she came, the more gloomy she became.
- What happened?
- This raid greatly influenced me.
- More specifically, boy.
- I decided to fight my curses.
- Are the changes in your appearance related to this?
- Yes.
- Consequences?
- We'll see after I level up. In the worst case, the time to raise the level will slow down greatly.
- It's not that scary. I'm glad you're okay.
- Thank you. Where are Loki and the others?
- Do you remember two Amazoness sisters appeared in the city?
- Those who said that they should only join those who are stronger than themselves?
- Exactly, now they went to recruit both.
- If we hurry up, will we get to the fun part?
- I am not sure.
- Then go ahead! - grabbing Riveria by the hand, he ran to the hotel where the sisters were staying.
Moving at full speed, the duo reached the crowd of onlookers who had surrounded the small area around the hotel's exit. Inside the educated circle, two dark-skinned girls in little clothing were preparing to fight Gareth and Finn. Loki stood aside and watched silently. Having passed through the crowd, both approached the goddess of their family.
- Riveria, Shichika! You're just in time, welcome the new addition. By the way, my dear, what happened to your eyes?
- I'll tell you later so as not to repeat the story several more times. What is known about them?
- Sisters, Tione and Tione, one behaves like a cheerful fool, the second has an extremely bad temper. 3rd levels, they join families for several years, but only for a while. As soon as a year passes, they always leave. And now they have decided to settle down in Orario, on their own terms. See anything else?
- Like everyone else in this world, a difficult fate. It seems they are holding on only thanks to each other. The one with short hair hides the pain behind a smile that has become an integral part of her. It won't be boring with her. The second is straightforward, more like a wild animal. Both are completely different on the surface, but they cannot live without each other.
- That's what I wanted to hear. Is everyone ready?!
Tiona and Tione, cracking their knuckles, stood with an expression of confidence, while Gareth and Finn showed almost no emotion on their faces,
- Nice. Three, two, one, start!
There was no talk of any long duel. As soon as the Amazoness landed their first blows, both level 6 men sent them to the ground in one motion. According to the agreement, from now on the sisters are part of Loki's family. Both girls accepted defeat with dignity. Tione foreshadowed fun days with a new family, while Tione.... Her gaze was directed at the captain of the family. Usually the girl's eyes are filled with wildness, but now there was deep love in them. From that moment on, she began to slowly change her behavior so that Finn would pay attention to her.
All four participants in the cross duels approached the general group.
- Shichika, you're already back! What's wrong with your...?
- Finn, I'll explain later, in front of everyone.
- OK.
- What an interesting guy! Why do you only wear pants and sleeves? If you were a girl, I would say that you are clearly one of our kind. But you're a man... Maybe you were raised Amazoness. This would explain a lot, - the cheerful Tiona immediately attacked the young man with questions.
- Before answering your questions, perhaps I'll introduce myself. Name is Yasuri Shichika, 13 years old, 3rd, no, I think we can already say that level 4. You can contact me for any reason. But I can't promise much. I am dressed this way because more clothes interfere with my movements. Nice to meet you.
- And I'm Tiona Hiryute, my sister's name is Tione. Both are 12 years old, level 3. I'm very glad to meet you!
- Welcome to family! Now we all go home. And then... We`ll drink until we fall off our feet. Darling, carry me!1
With a scream, Loki jumped onto the back of a certain man. After he grabbed her by the knees, the group set off towards the house.
Upon returning, Shichika repeated the words spoken to Riveria in front of all the people from the first group. Having expressed words of encouragement, everyone went about their business. The sisters, Loki and her roommate went to the central tower to update the status. Amazoness entered first. Standing at the entrance, the teenager heard an interesting conversation.
- Goddess... Is it necessary to touch us everywhere? I'm sure the other gods didn't need anything more than to drip their blood on our backs.
- Absolutely, without this nothing will work! - later, Loki's deception will be revealed, but now her mischief was a success, - Okay, you are free. Shichika, come in!
The situation changed, now Tione and Tione stood at the entrance, waiting to be taken to their private rooms.
- Let's see what we have here... Level up!
Stats after lvl up.
Shichika Yasuri
•LVL: 4
•STR: I 0
•END I 0
•DEX: I 0
•AGI: I 0
•MAG: I 0
•SKILLS:
ἀμαρτωλός
Kyotōryū
Supreme Hunter - G
War Machine - G
Untalented Genius - I
Devil - I
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ἀμαρτωλός - multiple curses:
inability to wear equipment
inability to be healed from external sources
0 slots for spells
monsters always know about the presence of the skill owner
complicated leveling
during tension life around dies
a mess of emotions
Inability to replenish strength during sleep
inability to lose consciousness
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Kyotōryū S - Sword fighting style without sword.
The user fights with his body like a completed sword.
The user is able to attack from a distance using the energy generated in the body.
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