1 The Ker

"Is that..."

"How dare she show herself..."

"I heard she's killed dozens..."

I exited the dungeon, greeted by the whispers of the common adventurers.

Covered in dirt and grime from the Middle Floors, I made my way towards the exit of Babel.

However, like always, one idiotic adventurer wanted to try his hand at taking down the infamous 'Ker'.

A large man stepped forwards, dressed in all hides. Drawing the large battle-ax from his back, he looked me up and down, licking his lips.

"So the legendary Ker is such a beauty, huh? Well, after I beat you, I can't wait to see you screaming under me..."

Snarling at the man, I grabbed the spear off my back, sending the butt of it towards his head.

Swaying, his grin grew wide, but he couldn't react when I kicked him just above his groin.

Skidding back a few feet, he was doubled over in pain. Lancing the spear forwards, I let the blade dig slightly into his shoulder.

"You think you can conquer me?"

My voice spread through the room. No one spoke.

Some looked at the scene with pity, some with indifference, but most looked at me with fear.

I was a level 3, something many of these idiots could never hope to reach. My speed, strength, and control was on a completely different level.

Withdrawing the spearhead, I placed it on my back, before grabbing the back of the mans head. Slamming him into the floor, I saw cracks spread on the tile.

Letting go, I snarled. "Anyone else?"

Silence.

Scoffing, I made my way out of Babel.

I knew what I was, and why I was granted the alias 'Ker'.

I was a deadly woman. I may not be Tione or Tiona, I may not be Ais, but among these adventurers?

I was the Ker, a walking spirit of blood and death.

Walking out into the evening sun, I watched as people avoided me. Ignoring them, I made my way to the guild, hoping to turn in my magic crystals for the regular rate today.

People whispered as I walked, completely uncaring that if I so wished, I could massacre most of them before the Ganesha Familia arrived.

Suppressing my darker thoughts, I continued through the lively streets of Orario, eventually standing in front of the opulent Guild building.

Making my way inside, the whispers followed. Getting into line, I observed those around me, taking in the glares, fearful glances, and the indifferent looks from those around my level.

I knew my limits; place me against a level 3, and I could put up a fight. I may not be the strongest, fastest, or most durable warrior, but I knew my way around a fight. However, if I was to take on someone from Freya, Loki, Ishtar, or some other large Familia's I doubted I would do well.

I was self taught, my skills coming initially from the Dungeon, and then from the small fights some Familia's tried to organize. Compared to the people who can learn from the best, and are picked due to their talent, I was a cheap imitation.

The line moved slowly, people arguing with the exchange rate of crystal to Valis. I had a small smile at that.

If an orc's crystal is usually worth 5,000 Valis, I only ever received 3,000 Valis. The Guild didn't really like me, what with the current number of people who I had killed. Most in self defense. Most.

Getting to the desk, I just dropped the three pouches of crystals I had, as well as the small emblem of Bia, my Goddess.

It was a laurel wreath set ablaze, with a clenched fist in the center. Since she was the Goddess of Anger, Force, and War, she apparently chose a burning laurel to show all three: Her anger at being discarded and forgotten, her force of will for victory, and the laurel itself being the reward of war, that useless trophy you receive.

Waiting, I heard "Ah, so your her, huh..."

Staying silent, I let the elf behind the counter do as he pleased.

Not receiving a response, he sneered, before dropping a pouch back into the tray. Sliding it over to me, I opened it, looking down at the Valis.

"120,000 Valis for all of the cores."

I shrugged, before leaving. Like I thought, I only made a little over half of what I should have gotten.

Whatever, the first time they shorted me I had broken the teller's nose and jaw, and after paying a large fine I was finally allowed to trade my crystals in. I need the money, which means my pride takes a backseat.

Exiting, I made my way towards the place I called home.

On the outskirts of the slums, the only upside was the small yard we had, where I was able to train.

Seeing my familiar rundown house, I walked inside.

Smelling the familiar mix of liquor and sex, I walked towards one of the bedrooms upstairs.

Opening the door, I saw Bia lounging in her bed, a pipe on her lips. Taking a puff, she looked over to me, a brow raised.

Tossing her the pouch, she grinned when she felt the weight.

"Nikoleta, you made quite a bit again, huh? Try not to get into trouble, yeah?"

I sighed, replying "I don't look for trouble, you know that."

She gave me a smile, before getting up. Looking at her body, I raised a brow.

She was toned, her body lithe. She was a tall, thin woman, with gentle curves. However, the reason people fell for her was the sharp look in her eyes.

Now, however, she was covered in whip marks, her body battered and bruised.

"She did quite the number on you, huh?"

"You know how she gets... Besides, it's just how we War deities are: We either love being completely in charge and violent, or love to have someone put us in our place. I just happen to prefer a more... heavy touch."

Sighing, I asked "Did she at least pay this time?"

Bia nodded, though her smile dropped. "Yup, but it was only half the agreed amount. Really, if the sex wasn't so good..."

"I don't need to hear it..."

Chuckling, she shoo'd me out of her room.

"Go, go. Wash up, get ready, we need to go meet someone. Be ready in an hour, okay?"

I nodded, confused. Seeing that, she just chuckled, before closing the door.

Sighing, I made my way back to my room.

The small space, almost filled completely by the bed and dresser, was my space.

Unslinging my spear, I hung it on the nail in the wall, before slowly taking the various other weapons and pouches off. Laying them on top of the dresser, I looked down at my armor.

It was old, and I could only patch it up so many times before it became useless.

It was a mix of layered leather and chainmail, with the only full metal pieces being a half chest piece, a singular gauntlet, and my shin guards.

Carefully taking them off, I took my tight brown pants and shirt off, before removing the cloth binding my ample chest.

Moving towards the bath, I turned on the water, allowing it to heat slightly, before rinsing myself off, then sinking into the water.

Looking down at the water, I studied my reflection.

Tanned skin, riddled with small scars. Thankfully my face was left almost unscathed, the only mar being the small cut that led from the left of my lips down towards my left ear.

My eyes were a deep obsidian, and my long hair was the same color. I usually had it tied in a long braid, to keep it out of the way.

The rest of my body was covered in wounds, most small.

My chest was large, my hips wide, and my ass was round. Some of my first human kills had been defending myself from people trying to force themselves on me...

Sighing, I slowly traced the large scar that started from the middle of my chest all the way down to my lower abs. This was the wound that had humbled me, as before this I had been truly lost, taking the alias Ker to a new level.

I would push myself deep into the dungeon, looking for either idiots to try something or simply find a challenge in the monsters of the Middle Floors.

One day, I had went to far, and encountered a group of adventurers. They were running from a horde, and I had been unlucky enough to be in their path.

I had barely managed to run, to flee from the dozens of strong monsters, but before I could escape, I got surrounded.

I fought with everything I had, but eventually I grew exhausted and missed a parry. The axe of a minotaur almost took my life, but thankfully an expedition had found me.

The expedition had been one of Loki and Hephaestus, and I just happened to be int eh right place at the right time. If I hadn't made it to where I was...

I would have died.

Sighing again, I stopped thinking about the past, deciding to enjoy my here and now, no matter how depressing it was.

I allowed myself these moments of weakness in the house, and around Bia. After all, I knew that I wouldn't be judged for anything here.

Outside, however, I welcomed my alias. After my reflections and rest inside, I enjoyed my life when I was outside. The rush of battle was addicting, the flow of adrenaline powerful.

I enjoyed fighting; I enjoyed killing.

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So, this is one of my stories that I will update infrequently, unless I somehow get large support for this...

My main novels are 'My Servant System' and 'A Kunoichi's Tale: Naruto Fanfiction' if you are reading my stuff for the first time.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

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