Chapter 18 - Call of Credits: Modern Woofare.

As the sun rose and shone through the window into the office where the two were sleeping, Asmund began to stir. Feeling a weight above him he knew that Shiori was on top of him and as he moved a warm, slippery feeling stimulated his morning wood. Because of this he moved a bit more, making her moan in her sleep.

“Ah~, Master you perv… hehehe.” -Shiori

Realizing what happened he opened his eyes and saw Shiori mounted over him, and moving his hand down he felt his third leg inside of her.

Did she put it inside after we fell asleep? Did she go further than this? -Asmund

He didn’t know, and didn't much care, but still he turned over which caused her to slide off of him and removed ‘it’ from inside her, waking her in the process as 'it' wasn’t something so small that removing it had no effect.

“Mn… morning Master.” -Shiroi

As she said that she looked at him naked, then at his erect member, and remembered what she did.

Oh my god! Did I really do that last night?! Still, it felt nice being so full. I wonder how something like that is able to fit… -Shiroi

What is she thinking about with that creepy smile? -Asmund

"Why are you smiling? I'm awake before you, again. Not to mention you took advantage of your 'master' last night without his permission. Perhaps I should send you down to the basement by yourself, now that you're so independent...?" -Asmund

Though he was only being half-serious, their facial expressions had reversed; now Asmund had a menacing grin while Shiori was staring at him emotionless, though the inside of her mind was another story.

Oh shit! Fuck! No no no no I can't go there alone! Think! How do I fix this?! I don't want to die! Or worse, be abandoned by master! -Shiori

"Ah… Haha… Master, you're such a joker. As if I wou- ouch! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, master! I swear I won't do it again! I'll take any other punishment but that! Please!" -Shiori

While she was trying to make excuses, Asmund hit her lightly on the head so she'd know he wasn't interested in her sophistry. That said, their level difference wasn't negligible and Asmund's class and Blood Siphon skill had boosted him beyond what he should be at his level, so he ended up hurting her more than he'd intended. Not that either of them realised this.

"If you expect me to not only keep you around but to protect you and put effort into fixing your uselessness, I expect you to be obedient and truthful at all times, understood? As for your punishment, because you were eventually honest and I'm a kind master, I'll let your results today give you a chance to reduce it. There will still be punishment, and I won't send you down there alone, but if I'm not happy with your efforts by the time we leave to come home you may end up wishing I'd done just that." -Asmund

Hearing that Asmund wasn't sending her to her death and would even let her earn a reduced punishment made Shiori incredibly happy. She didn't realise it, either because she was stupid or maybe just too focused on the idea of being in the basement by herself, but Asmund was actually using a sloppy attempt at rudimentary psychological conditioning. By threatening her with something ridiculously out-of-proportions from her transgression before giving her a chance to redeem herself, and linking it to her honesty and obedience, Asmund was steering the girl to unconsciously take actions that would please him and be happy for doing so.

"Thank you, master! I promise I won't let you down in today's hunt, and I'll obediently accept my punishment tonight no matter what you declare it to be!" -Shiori

Seems like my time in that cage wasn't entirely wasted after all… Well they do say that knowledge is power, and learning is just about all I could do for the past 17 years. Still, I didn't think the carrot-and-stick method would be this effective. Is Shiori's existing obsession with me making it easier to manipulate her like this? Seems likely. -Asmund

"Well then, grab something to eat and prepare your gear. We're heading out in 15 minutes." -Asmund

"Yes master!" -Shiori

Both of them started their breakfast in silence, and were thinking about how to proceed in the hunt today, or at least Asmund was thinking of that. Shiori was too occupied thinking about way to get more affection from her Master.

Suddenly, Asmund stood up straight like an arrow while frowning. Shiori was going to ask him what’s wrong, but he stopped her before she could by signaling her to stay silent.

What is this? Why is the floor continuously shaking, and where is that rumbling sound coming from? -Asmund

Walking to the door without a word, he opened it very slightly to better listen to the rumbling sound and try to determine its origin.

Are those… Footsteps? But aren’t there too many of them? Are they searching for me? No… If they were they wouldn’t walk in unison like that and would spread across the hospital. And there seem to be really a lot of them, more than I suspected to be left… Ah! Could it be! -Asmund

“... Shiori! Get ready! We’re going to clean this building of its monsters for good!” -Asmund

Rushing back inside to change into his gear, Asmund hurried Shiori who was really confused about the situation but also stopped eating, and changed herself as fast as she could. Unlike usual, Asmund also directly made their usual blood equipement.

“Master?! What’s happening?!” -Shiori

“Ahahah! The shitty Alpha seems to have given up on staying here, and is trying to move out with the rest of the pack! It’s the perfect time for us to get rid of them as a whole!” -Asmund

“Oh… Hehhhh?! Wait, what?! M-Master means that they are all currently moving together?! And we’re going to fight them while they are?!” -Shiori

“That’s the plan yes, their powerhouses should be at the front with the Alpha at the lead, so I will take care of it, meanwhile, I want you to get around them and attack their weaklings from the back. Oh, and be sure to not let a single one escape! Be it pups or pregnant bitches, kill them all!” -Asmund

As he said that, a nasty and evil smile appeared on Asmund's face, making Shiori feel shivers run down her spine.

… So hot! -Shiori

Not for the 'normal' reasons though…

“Still… Is Master sure about fighting the Alpha while he’s next to other high level Death-Hounds? Did Master find a way to do deal with him?” -Shiori

…

“I’ll manage! I’m the kind that grows stronger the more absurd the situation is! And there’s no way that I’ll let this chance pass! Just thinking about the experience and Credits I’m going to win makes me drool in anticipation!” -Asmund

Asmund was completely lost to his wild side, which was seeking the blood of the Death-Hounds and their entire annihilation. His blood was especially boiling when he was thinking of exchanging hits with the accursed Alpha.

“I-I have a bad feeling about this… And Master, you aren’t using your usual gauntlet?” -Shiori

As she finished changing into her gear and grabbed her spear, Shiori couldn’t help but point out her Master’s difference in ‘fighting form’.

“Yeah, I decided to challenge the damn Alpha’s speed with pure strength. But that’s not what’s important now! Let’s hurry, if they reach the entrance before we get them it’ll be a pain in the ass!” -Asmund

“Y-Yes!” -Shiori

Ready, they immediately set out, separating as soon as they left the door. But not before Asmund told her to prioritize her life above anything else, and to not hesitate to run away if she’s really in danger.

Asmund ran straight at the entrance to block their path while Shiori moved in the direction of the staircase from where the procession was probably leaving the nest.

Asmund’s equipment this time were clawed boots, his blade-whip, and lastly his main choice of weapon for this fight: two thin giant swords, which were as tall as his usual one but much thinner. Using two swords of this size at the same time sounded really inconvenient, but thanks to Asmund’s ‘Mind’ stat battling with two long swords was actually pretty easy. The reason why he chose those weapons, and not his usual sword combined with his left gauntlet, was because it wasn’t a battle to survive, but one to slaughter everything.

Standing in front of the hospital’s main entrance, Asmund waited for the Death-Hounds to come, and he was pleased to hear that like he thought they were coming closer, and in incredible numbers at that.

Come come come come… Here they are! -Asmund

Looking in the direction of the hallway from which a ruckus could be heard resonating throughout the building, he saw giant Death-Hounds approach him while being led by a black wolf-like creature, which looked quite pissed off as it noticed Asmund was waiting in front of the exit.

“Yo, you bastard mutt! Time for me to make you pay for the humiliation you put me through the other day!” -Asmund

Uncoiling his blade-whip, Asmund walked forward while showing no fear and releasing so much bloodlust that the weakest Death-Hounds who were at the front of the procession felt sick to their stomachs.

And so… As the lightning-like sound of Asmund’s blade-whip striking a prey was heard, the battle started and a level 9 Death-Hound lost his sight.

The first one to react on the other side was obviously the Alpha, which ran so fast and with such unpredictable movements that it looked like a blur as it reached Asmund in an instant, avoiding every swing of the blade-whip in the process.

Seeing that, as he expected, this weapon wasn’t effective against the Alpha, he didn’t even bother to coil it back around his waist and instead threw it at the monster while grabbing the two swords at his back. But speed being his enemy’s speciality, he barely had the time to wield them before he had to block an attack at the last second. Surprisingly, sparks appeared as the blade made of blood and the mighty claws of the beast came in contact.

After this first exchange, a fury of blows was exchanged between the two, so fast that they were barely visible. And no matter how much the other Death-Hounds tried to attack Asmund and support their boss, as soon as they approached him a giant gashing wound would appear on their body, usually taking their life in the process…

… Meanwhile Shiori was hiding from sight near the back of the procession which was now completely out of the basement. Sweat covered her body from nervousness.

I’m strong I’m strong I’m strong… -Shiori

The highschool-girl-slash-maid-slash-pervert was currently in the process of giving herself enough courage to face the horde of monsters in front of her.

It’s alright Shiori, you grew a lot stronger than before! Even Master told you so! -Shiori

As if to prove it to herself, she opened her status screen and stared at it.

#

[ Name: Shiori Fukuda | Race: Human | Level: 9 ]

[ Class: None ]

[ Power: 12 ]

[ Agility: 11 ]

[ Constitution: 10 ]

[ Mind: 10 ]

[ Spirit: 7 ]

#

[ Skills ]

[ Water Channeling][ Level 1 ][ Active ]

#

[ Credits: 634 ]

[ System’s Shop -> ]

#

Looking at the number in a trance, she kept motivating herself in every way she could think of.

Come on Shiori, if you don’t do it for yourself, do it for Master! I’m sure he will reward you well if you do a good job too! -Shiori

Thinking about her Master, she closed her character sheet and now stared at the gauntlets covering her arms. Her cheeks slightly blushing, she licked those gauntlets in a quite perverted manner.

Master… -Shiori

Shiori’s obsession with Asmund had already reached that of a devoted follower to her god. So for her, those gauntlets were a blessing given to her by her god in person. Not only that, it was even made of his own blood, making it the best good luck charm and best source of motivation for Shiori.

Let’s go! I can’t let Master down! -Shiori

Moving out from her hiding spot, Shiori breathed roughly as she took a stance with her spear, which was still pretty awkward, but much less so than the first time she used one. Now in plain sight for the Death-Hounds, a lot of them noticed her and turned around, growling at her but not directly charging, as if they would much prefer that it wouldn’t come to a fight.

Hmm? It’s the first time I see low level Death-Hounds act this way, is it because just like Master said they are in charge of protecting the pups and females? Either way I am glad that there’s apparently no powerful ones at the back, only between level 4 to 6! Leave it to Master to be able to foresee things this far! -Shiori

Her fear lessening the more she assessed the situation and what monsters she will have to face, Shiori now felt confident about accomplishing the task her Master entrusted her with.

“Waaaaaaan!” -Shiori

Shouting her new weird warcry, Shiori bravely charged at the horde of monsters. Keeping the tip of her spear lowered until the last moment when she thrusted it in an instant through the throat of an unsuspecting level 4. Immediately taking it out to stab another one, she never left herself open to an attack for too long, and let the ones she stabbed die by themselves from blood loss.

It was the fighting style Asmund imparted to her; a basic attack and retreat style, but quite deadly and a pain to face when the one using this style happens to use a spear. Although her spear was called ‘Black Short Spear’, it was still a meter and half long, barely shorter than her. So whenever a Death-Hound was trying to take revenge for the ones she hit and attacked her, with just a small jump backward she is already out of reach for them and can strike against any of the ones who approached her earlier.

It wasn’t a graceful or prideful way to fight, but it at least enabled someone with a lack of experience such as Shiori to be able to hold their own against monsters who could kill them easily.

After some minutes passed a lot of Death-Hounds had already fallen to her spear, making the ones still alive who looked down on her previously, thinking that only Asmund was a threat to them around these parts, really frustrated and afraid at the same time.

They really didn’t know how to handle her… Being on the offensive would end up being countered, while being on the defensive would leave them wide open due to the fearsome range of the spear. Like that, more of them kept dying under Shiori’s spear, who was now able to see what those Death-Hounds were trying to protect.

[ Death-Hound Bitch Level 5 ]

[ Death-Hound Pup Level 1 ]

In between the front and back lines of the procession were brown-furred Death-Hounds with bulging stomachs, and with them were also small monsters which looked like a miniature version of the usual level 1, apart from some of them who also had a brown fur.

D'awww~... Those small fella’ are actually pretty cute, especially compared to their parents. But sorry folks, I have my orders, and I can’t let any of you escape! -Shiori

Full of fighting spirit, Shiori kept pressing forward while killing anything in her way, really looking forward for her Master’s praise...