Azure_Fog I forced another person to edit. Also, P/N is editor’s note from PROCRASTINATOR and G/N is from GREETER

Chapter 10 — Return and Their Off Days 

Editors: PROCRASTINATOR & GREETER

 

[Ei’s POV]

 

Our return was surprisingly easy. The guards welcomed us back and we went to the guildmaster’s office.

 

“So what did you find?”

 

“Luna, hand over the maps. I’ll give a summary.”

 

“Okay!”

 

“So the first floor is a dungeon, like a normal dungeon, with goblins. The second floor is a jungle with giant mosquitos. The third is a graveyard with zombies, skeletons, and ghosts. The fourth is a mountain-like area with vultures. The fifth and final floor is a tarantula nest.”

 

“I see.”

 

“The first floor boss was a giant monkey, sorry, Bananarian. The second, a skeleton. The third, a golem. The fourth, a giant spider. Also, for some reason, the first floor’s boss was stupidly strong.”

 

“That’s odd. The first floor boss should have been the easiest. We’ll look into it, but no promises on anything.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“We’ll be sending in the finder party soon. You’ll be able to join in a few days if they are as fast as you are.”

 

“I doubt it. Anything you want to add, Luna?”

 

“Nope!”

 

We then went to the receptionists’ desk.

 

“Celes!”

 

“You’re back! What do you need?”

 

“Ah… well Ei and I were wondering if we could become a full party.”

 

“Sure thing. Just fill out this form.”

 

The form was basic and we both signed off on it. Moon’s Shadow is now an official party! On our way out, a lot of people were staring at us. I think they were whispering something about being able to scout the dungeon but whatever. I don’t really care what others think of me.

 

“So… what are you going to do Luna?”

 

“I’m not sure! I’m probably going to go hunting in the forest!”

 

“Hmmm… Have fun with that. I’m going to rest.” 

 

“Alright! See you later!”

 

Luna runs off. Now, am I actually going to rest? Nope! I’m going to experiment with my abilities. Although, maybe I should get a disguise if Luna is going to be there. I wonder if I can create a mask with magic? Probably. Let’s try it.

 

“[Create Mask].”

It seems to have worked. I now have a black mask with golden fangs on it. I modelled it after some COVID-19 ones. There isn’t a plague here, but they look cool. Although, I might need to do something about the cloak. Or maybe, it can change color? It feels a bit like squid skin. I guess I’ll try.

 

I tried to focus some energy into changing the color of the cloak… and it changed. Nice. It’s now a deep crimson. I should probably head to my room in the in for now though.

 

Once in my room, I continue my disguise making. I removed my clothes since I’ll need to make new ones. Chances are, Luna would recognize my entire outfit. 

 

I created another short sleeve shirt, this time a slightly less dark red. To go with it, I created a set of red leggings of the same color. I think I can use the same boots. Also, I decided to cover my arms, so I created some dark gray bandage-like wraps to wear on my arms. Is it practical? Not really. Does it look cool? Yes. I also made a pair of black gloves to go with it. Finally, I tied my hair back so it is unseeable. My disguise is complete.

 

 

I’m in the forest now. I’m starting with enchanting my new items: the shield and cloak. I do the same ritual with parts of my body and now, let’s see what I get. I use my claws for the cloak and wings for the shield.

 

Item (Artifact): [Cloak of Displacement] (Enchanted)

Durability Score: S

Enchantments: 

- Magic Absorption X (90%)

- Strength Enhancement X (+200%)

- Movement Speed X (+100%) [Self]

Abilities: Displacement: When activated, makes the user appear in several places at the same time within a two foot radius. | Tendrils: Has two tendrils that can be used as extra hands, if trained properly. Otherwise, they are purely decorative. | Soulbound:  Cannot be used by other individuals.

Description: An item stolen from a certain tabletop RPG. A dark cloak with two squid tentacles coming off it. Not the lame normal ones, the ones with the, like, suckers or something.

 

Item (Artifact): [Flying Shield of Displacement] (Enchanted)

Durability Score: S

Enchantments: 

- Resilience X (+250%)

- Magic Absorption (90%)

- Movement Speed X (+100%) [Self]

Abilities: Flight: Allows the shield to take flight and block attacks on its own. | Soulbound:  Cannot be used by other individuals.

Description: An item stolen from a certain tabletop RPG. it’s a normal looking tower shield at first glance, but it can actually split into five separate parts.

 

Pretty good in my opinion. Hmmm… should I name my items? Nah… Okay, maybe the cloak because it seems alive. The rest of the items turned out the same as my old ones…That makes sense, I suppose. Oh, I almost forgot the mask. Is it really necessary? Well, I don’t feel like ripping out more of my flesh, so I’m using a mimic tongue instead.

 

Item: Gold Fang Mask (Enchanted)

Durability Score: S

Enchantments: 

- Presence Hiding X

- Selectable Filter X

Abilities: Soulbound:  Cannot be used by other individuals.

Description: A black mask with gold fangs embroidered onto it. It also has the bonus of making you look completely different.

 

Useful. Well, let’s put on my new set of armor. Is it really “armor”?

 

I activated my transformation. Alright, let’s go kill some stuff. Also, it seems my cloak can make holes for my wings. That’s nice.

 

I’ll start with the cloak.

 

“Alright cloak, since you seem alive, you can be Cthulhu.”

 

Haha… let’s hope there isn’t a Cthulhu in this world. 

 

The cloak’s color also fluctuated slightly. Hmm… it appears I forgot to get swords for the tentacles on the cloak. Well, I can run to town and grab some. For now, I’ll try using tree branches.

 

I try to move a tentacle like my arm. My arm moved. Well, I suppose that makes sense. This time, I try imagining the tentacle moving up.

 

It seems to have worked. Hmmm… I guess I’ll drill movements for a while. Although, if the cloak isn’t sentient, controlling three weapons at once is likely impossible. You know what? I have an idea.

 

I imagine my knowledge of swords flow into the cloak. I think it is working? Well, if this works, Cthulhu has some level of sentience. It can also likely read my thoughts. I have no idea how intelligent it is though. For now, let’s just give it an order.

 

“Slice the tree.”

 

That seems to have worked. Let’s try something more complicated.

 

“Can you make decisions on what to do based on my thoughts in a situation? Tap me on the head if you think you can.”

 

I was pat on the head. This cloak is really living up to the artifact title. I’m going to go buy some swords now. Mithril-adamantine, just like last time.

 

 

I walked into the shop where Gold lives. 

 

“Oh? A new customer?”

 

Huh. The mask really does work.

 

“Take a look ‘round. If ya find something ya like, bring it up front.”

 

I picked out two nice looking sabres. I’m not a pirate though, so don’t go around calling me one. Being called the “Bloody Mage” was enough. Well, I suppose I’m not me right now.

 

“I’d like these.”

 

Huh, my voice sounds weird. It’s still my voice, just off. Must be the mask.

 

“These two? Nice choice of ye. That’ll be 7 gold coins.” (A/N: $350,000)

 

I paid and left, then enchanted the swords. It’s funny. Both gained the blood infusion ability of my glaive and some sharpness... Other than that, they’re extra sharp which is nice.

 

Item (Artifact): [Vampiric Mithril-Adamantine Sabre] (Enchanted)

Durability Score: S+

Enchantments:

- Sharpness X (+500%)

- Mana Slicing X

- Dark Conversion X (25%, +50%)

Abilities: Soulbound: Cannot be used by other individuals. | Magic Affinity: Gains an additional enchantment. | Blood Empowerment: Once infused with blood, increases damage by up to 200%.

Description: A silver sword with a red crystal in its guard. The crystal almost seems alive. One of the swords of the left and right hands of an Arch Vampire..

 

Now, it’s murder time. I should go look for something stronger… Oh? Something flew overhead. I think it was a wyvern. Let’s chase after it. Hahahaha… Wyverns here I come! Prepare to die!

 

Eh? Was that Luna? Good thing I made this disguise.

 

*SLAM!!*

 

It seems I overestimated the strength of wyvern skin, as I’m now inside the wyvern. I wanted to kick it, but it ended up like this.

 

 

Moving back in time a bit…

 

[Luna’s POV]

 

Today I’m in the forest!

 

“Vadina, come out. I want to spend some time with you. You disappeared for three years!”

 

“It wast three years? I am sorry.”

 

“It’s fine! But you could have at least stopped by for a bit!”

 

“I wast extremely busy. I had not the time to visit.”

 

“Well, if we can get the Auriga Art to work, it should be fine!”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“Alright! Let’s try again!”

 

Once again, I imagine Vadina and I coinciding within the same location. This is also happening literally since Vadina can phase through things if she wants. Using my experience from last time, I try to reach Vadina’s mind.

 

My skin is glowing again! It’s only faintly though…

 

“Did we do better this time?”

 

“I thinketh so.”

“I guess we should keep practicing some more!”

 

We continued practicing for hours and hours. I think? I lost track of time! It’s around noon now.

 

“Time for lunch! I brought some!”

 

Today’s lunch is some bread from my favorite bakery and some dried meat! It’s pretty tasty! Especially the bread!

 

“Mortal food is confusing. How doth thou eat this?”

 

“Haven’t you seen a sandwich before?”

 

“I have never eaten mortal food before.”

 

“Well, you grab it like this and… *nom*”

 

Vadina looks a bit confused but we keep eating. Maybe this can help us?

 

“Alright! Let’s try again!”

 

I follow the same process I had for hours past… and ha! Something happened!

 

“I think it hath worked!”

 

Weird… am I seeing Vadina’s memories? I see a snowy forest… some tall rock pillars and mostly just that. (G/N Note: Lore?) (A/N: Nope, just references…) Either way, I’m really glowing now! I have a pale blue aura around me and some smoke looking stuff is rising from me! 

 

I tried [Ice Shard Storm] again, and tried casting it again.

 

*fwoo* *fwoo* *fwoo* *fwoo* *fwoo* *fwoo* *fwoo*

 

I shot way more ice shards than last time! There were like 50 of them! And they were massive and didn’t shatter on impact!

 

“Look at that Vadina! That was way better than normal!”

 

“Indeed it wast.”

 

“Vadina, do you think you could get something to fight here?”

 

“I thought thou wast not a battle maniac?”

 

“I’m not!!! I just need to practice the Auriga Art!!”

 

“I jest. Cover thine ears.”

 

I cover my ears and Vadina covers them as well… why?

 

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

 

That was really loud even with my ears covered!!!

 

“What was that Vadina!?!?”

 

“It wast a banshee scream, yet slightly different. I have made it attracteth monsters. Be warned, they wilt be quite strong.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I meaneth that thou shalt fight wyverns.”

 

“Wyverns?!?”

 

“If thou needeth help, I shalt kill them for thee.”

 

“Okay!”

 

We entered Auriga State again. Is it called that? I have no clue! But I’m calling it that, and nobody can stop me!

 

“SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

 

A shadow passed overhead and landed in front of me… It’s a wyvern!

 

“Prepare to die! [Ice Lance]!”

 

A massive spear of ice skewered the wyvern!

 

“Ha! Oh wait.. I ruined the materials!!!”

 

“It shouldst not be too much of a problem. Wyvern materials wilt selleth for quite large sum, even if in small amounts.”

 

“Oh… okay then!”

 

Some more shadows passed overhead, and three more wyverns appeared in front of me!

 

“Vadina, how many did you call to this location??!?”

 

“I knoweth not. It is only this general area’s population.”

 

“...”

 

Suddenly, through our connection I feel Vadina panicking…

 

“Vadina, what happened?”

“I have sensed an extremely strong presence moving towards our location. I suggest that thou leaveth.”

 

“Eh? What?!?”

 

“Faster, it wilt be here imminently!!”

 

A black blur passed by me… maybe it was red? If so it was really dark… Either way, it passed into the first wyvern!! And the other two are trying to run away!!

 

Red lines suddenly appear all over the first wyvern, and with a bunch of red flashes, it gets sliced to bits and explodes!! Then, the person who was inside it, before I can even see them, shoots red strings out of their hands which wrap themselves around the second wyvern, which then gets ripped into 5,000 pieces!! Ah! It’s raining blood! Then, the blood that was raining just previously, turns into massive spikes and skewers the last wyvern!

 

“What the hell was that?!?!”

 

“The thing I told thee to runeth from.”

 

“Are you talking about me?”

 

The person turns to face me… I can’t tell who they are but they are wearing a practically black red cloak and red clothes and some black arm wraps and gloves. They also have two black leather wings coming out of their back, and they are holding a glaive and two swords… wait does that cloak have hands?!?

 

Either way, the glaive and swords on fire! Except the fire is red and the darker parts look like blood! The metal that makes them up is even red! A vermillion like blood!

 

“W-who are y-you?”

“A passing traveller.”

 

“Lies! Thou art a vampire! A vampire lord if mine eyes doth not deceive me!”

 

“A vampire l-lord?”

“Oh… so I’m a vampire lord? Interesting.” (P/N Interesting indeed)

 

“If thou wert to fight, I knoweth not if thou would win.”

 

“EH?!? Even with that ridiculous ice magic?!?”

 

“Hey! Stop ignoring me! Also, where’s the other voice coming from?”

 

“Boweth before me, mortal. I am Vadina the Great Spirit of Ice.”

 

“A greater spirit? That’s cool.”

 

“Taketh not another step, knave.”

 

“Wow. Your opinion on vampires is really bad. Well, I’m not here to kill you.”

 

“Then-n are you g-going to t-take our blood?”

Vadina and the vampire lord are giving off really intimidating auras! I can barely stand it!

 

“No? I stick to drinking animal blood. I’d rather not harm the humanoid races.”

 

"“???””

 

“Thou art an odd vampire. All of the vampires I have met wert arrogant fools.”

 

“Ha… bad examples. Don’t judge a race based on stereotypes. Well, I’ll be going now. You can keep the wyverns.”

 

“Eh?”

 

“What? I only said you could keep the corpses. I’m taking the blood.”

 

The blood flew out of the ground and bodies and miscellaneous body parts and into an ice jar… Then there was a sound like an explosion and they were gone.

 

“What was that…?”

 

“I knoweth not.” 

 

“Well… let’s head back and bring the corpses? I guess?”

 

 

[Ei’s POV]

 

So Luna has a spirit friend… must have been that crane. This is interesting. Well, I hope I didn’t give her too much of a shock. I wonder how she’ll explain the wyvern corpses?

 

Wait.

 

Are there going to be more rumors of me circulating?!?

 

Azure_Fog The answer is yes Ei. Anyways, we’re almost done with the first arc… also this chapter was longer so I hope you enjoyed it. Will Luna find out who Ei is? Eventually… Soon? Not really…

Please leave feedback, any misspellings/typos, and impressions in the comments :)