Treasures and the Domain Space Realm

Hiro’s POV:

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After using the Devour Rune on our weapons, we blanked out and we had no idea for how long we slept.

“U-Urgh. Man, I’m all sore. This hit me hard...” I grunted upon regaining consciousness. My whole body felt sore and painful. Alice was suffering from the same symptoms and she gave out the same kind of response. We looked at each other while lying on the ground. As I turned my head towards my love, she was smiling at me happily.

“Hahaha~ We have struck it big this time!” Alice said happily while standing up and seeing our loot. I stood next to her and gave a kiss on her face.

“Hahaha, w- wait! Stop it! Hahaha, you idiot!” She laughed while she was pushing my head away because I started blowing air on her neck which she didn’t like unless we had sexual intercourse.

As we looked around l, suddenly we saw the loot disappearing from the ground and appearing in the hands of a young girl’s hands. She looked like Alice’s younger version. It was obviously the dungeon. She was playing a prank on us again...

“Hello. It seems like you two have finally awakened. It was a splendid fight. To be honest I didn’t expect that you two could kill it. It seems like being True Divine Beasts isn't only for show in your case.” It said with a playful and provocative look on its face.

“Thanks for your trust...” Alice said angrily with gritted teeth and an annoyed face. We didn’t forget its pranks.

“... Since you were able to clear the last floor too, and with the hardest setting possible, I’m going to reward you for completing the whole dungeon. The first thing is something you were really in need of for a while haha! It’s a storage ring. Considering your performance I’m going to give both of you one.” It said with its chest stuck out, in a proud manner.

“Can we ask for it in another form? I mean not rings...” I asked immediately. Rings would make it obvious that we have storage spaces and it would also suck in a battle. We don’t need unnecessary trouble. For now.

“Yeah, how do you want it?” It nodded upon hearing my question and then asked me with its brows raised and head tilted to the side.

“Ehm… To be honest, I don't know. Maybe some tiny tattoos? Could you make so that it would turn into a storage space? That would be great. Walking around with storage rings is more dangerous...” I explained it to it in a composed manner.

“Hmm- you are right. Then I’ll give it to the both of you in that form,” She said with a small smile. It’s bothering me that she took up Alice’s form... After saying so, the rings in its hand turned into two streams of energy. As it touched our skins, it turned into the shape of a tiny hydra and dragon right in the middle of our chests. The space inside it was about ten thousand cubic meters. I checked out Alice’s and it wasn’t even visible in her big decolletage...

“Nice!” I said with my thumbs raised while peeking into the valley between Alice’s mountains. She didn’t even bother with me as she threw her hair over her shoulders as if what I was doing would be irrelevant to her. But a small victorious smile still slipped onto her face.

“... Shameless.” The dungeon remarked while shaking its head.

“Haha- so what is your next present?” I simply laughed upon hearing her words as I expectantly questioned what was next.

“My second present is something that’s really rare... I’m sure that you remember that flower with two leaves. Now I’m going to give two of those to you.” It said with slightly unwilling eyes. I shouted ‘cool’ upon hearing it, in a good mood.

After giving it to us, we quickly consumed it and our elemental bodies were completed in just fifteen minutes! Now, all we had to do was to learn to create and control our domains when we reach the next level which was close... Actually, if we wouldn’t be here then we could break through to the Domain Space Realm whenever we wanted because we were restraining ourselves so that the tribulation won’t come while we are in such a sorry state. Even though our injuries healed over a day, but we were still weakened by the battle, though after consuming the flower, we got back our energies, at least.

“The last thing that I’m going to give to you is this,” It said as it raised two necklaces - with phoenix shaped medals - into the air and then it started explaining its use. “When someone dies then they are supposed to stay dead, but these treasures are able to not only reform your bodies but also bring back your souls into it. This isn’t created by me because I have no such powers. The creator of the universe made it himself and gave it to me when I was born.”

“There was an intention in my memories telling me that if I ever see someone worthy of having two lives, then I should give these to those people. The truth is that there was only one of these, but I communicated with my lord and he gave me another one after showing him your performance. He also praised you so you should feel honored!” It had an elated and proud face while talking about its lord.

“The creator of the universe? Is he watching us all the time?!” I questioned loudly while shaking my fists and then continued - “Hey, I hope that he isn’t watching us while we… Alice is mine! Hear me!?”

“How dare you talk like that about him!? Do you think he is a vulgar voyeur?! He is your god! Show some respect!” The dungeon shouted angrily upon hearing my words with an enraged and red face. If it would have been Alice, I'd have kissed her with such a cute face.

“Haha- Sorry but I have no god!” I said while laughing at her. I don't mind what others believe, but they can't force their beliefs on me. I'm not going to do that either. I can tell it to others, but I'm not going to force my beliefs on others either. As I took the medals out of her hands, I continued - “Someone who wants to control himself like me; has no god! No one can control my life or fate! I’ll carve it myself! They may help me in forming it, but I’m still my own lord! Do you think that I would ever bow before someone? Fat chance!”

The dungeon stood there with its mouth wide opened with a blank face. Probably it thought things like - someone actually dared to talk like this about the creator? - these. Although it seemed to be surprised, but it didn’t forget its responsibility as it started continuing after a cough.

"A- Anyway, you can set up a point where these medals are going to return in case you die, and you will resurrect there. Of course, I’d recommend a safe place where you won’t be attacked because you are going to be very weak after the resurrection.” The dungeon finished its explanation while looking to the side with its enthusiasm lost. Ah! I'm a destroyer of dreams! Sorry... but I don't care. I'm just as selfish as every other human is. I still have it shackling me down, but I'll change on that. I guess.

“Oh. That’s great. It would be quite stupid if we were to be resurrected at the same place and then get killed again...” I said happily upon realizing that at least the creator wasn't an idiot. I'm not the cleverest person for sure, but I've seen so many idiots. Yes, bigger than myself!

After snorting once, it continued“Do you think the creator would be so stupid? You are disgracing my lord!” With its enthusiasm lost, its feelings quickly turned into wrath once again upon hearing my provocative words. I'm playing with fire... I should stop!

Dungeons were the servants of the creator so they looked at 'him' - in this case - like a lord. They can also send messages to him and that’s how the dungeon got its hand on another phoenix medal. 'Its' and ‘it’ because although now it took on the form of Alice, they could create male bodies as well. It depended on their choice.

“Now that you have received my gifts you can freely leave. I’m really satisfied with your performance and I congratulate you for clearing me out... Now I can work hard to spam monsters at this level again.” It said those words with a grumpy and downcast face, which could be easily misinterpreted of the wrong person were to hear them. We aren't like that...

“If you want to leave, you have two choices. You can walk back up or you can leave through a portal that I’m going to create, though that is going to be visible to everyone above so you can choose.” It explained our possibilities while looking up, straight into our eyes. Since we couldn't be killed by anyone above, now that we were at the ninth stage and our bodies also regenerated, we decided to go with the portal.

“Alright then, wait a moment.” As she said so, she used a stream of energy and created a swirling, circular portal. Upon clearing out, it turned into a glass-like screen and we could see the surface above the dungeon.

------------------------- Evan's POV: ---------------------------

Ever since those two left they haven’t come back. I don’t know if they are still alive or not. It’s been a bit more than half a year and they still didn’t come out, nor did I see them down there whenever I went down. I heard that there were two people who killed two groups of adventurers.

It’s very likely that it was those two, but I don’t know if they are still alive. Not that it actually matters too much to me, though I really would like to see her again. Ah~ She was so beautiful and she had such a nice fragrance. I thought in my mind while sitting in my tent. Ever since they left, I barely went into the dungeon because I wanted to catch a glimpse of her again.

Two days later, I and my partners were about to go down. Under this half a year of time, I’ve reached the eight stage. Maybe if I could join a stronger group, then I could go deeper into the dungeon and find out if something has happened to them, though I really don’t care about the guy. No, I'm even wishing for his death! Then maybe I would have more chance with her! Yes, that’s it!

I fell in love with her at first sight. At that time I was fearful of her aura but ever since they left, I just couldn’t forget her. That beautiful face, her nice smell, and although that black cape hid her figure and body quite well, but I was experienced with women. I'm sure that she was a goddess! I can't be mistaken about that. Her boobs were also visibly large, just how I like them to be!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see it myself. I really wanted to become strong enough to beat that guy who was with her and then show her that I'm much better! When we were about to enter the dungeon's entrance, something happened that attracted the attention of the whole village. A stream of energy came out of nowhere as it started forming a circle.

The energy was swirling inside it but is soon cleared out and formed a glass-like screen. On the other side of this screen, I saw somebody that I didn’t expect to see. The blonde woman, Alice, I wanted to get my hands on was standing right on the other side of the portal with the same guy she came with.

The two of them came out of the portal. This time their looks weren’t hidden by their capes. They didn't even have them on! I was able to clearly see her figure, her face, everything. That wishing feeling in my crotch only increased. I- I wanted her so much! She is a true goddess! But I knew it better. I felt the aura coming from them, which was already way above someone at the ninth stage. Did the break through? If that's the case, then they are going to ascend soon!

I grit my teeth upon thinking that far. That’s all? Half a year and I'm already left behind? I couldn’t bear it, but I knew that I can’t do anything about it. I went up to her to greet her. I didn’t care about that bastard. Hiro, was it? “Miss Alice! So you are still alive! I’ve been worrying about your health. So you are actually fine! I’m very glad!” I said happily, hoping to see her smiling at me.

I saw as she looked at me, furrowed her brows and then she said with an awkward face with a similarly awkward voice - “T-Thanks, but who are you?” I felt like I was about to collapse. I was crazily in love with her, we met only half a year ago and this is how she greets me? I felt like as if my heart would have been pierced with a knife, but I felt something else as well! Rage filled my mind and heart upon seeing the guy standing next to her, embracing her back, who wasn't me!

“B-But Miss Alice. I’m Evan. The one who talked to you about the floors. I was the one who gave you information about this place!” I shouted in my despair, trying to make her remember our important memories! I'm sure that it was that Hiro's doing. He did something with her!

“Ooh! Now I remember. Sorry, but you were equal to an information board to me, so I didn’t really remember you hahaha~” My love said such cruel words while even making fun of me! Her voice and face were very sweet while laughing, but her words were quite poisonous...

A-An information board? Am I really worth only so much to you!? *Growl* This is all because of that guy! I have to do something about him but what!? I started thinking in my mind, planning to make him disappear somehow.

“Anyway, thanks for the information. Thanks to that we could clear the dungeon more easily hehe. So bye~” My goddess said with a small smile on her face as she waved her hands. She was even more beautiful than last time! As she finished her words, both of them became two flashes and disappeared from their original position.

I stood there blankly and I felt defeated. Even my murdering mood completely vanished... I was utterly humiliated by the girl I loved, but why? I don't understand! The last time she wasn't like that. Her humiliating words were intentional and her smile was visibly fake as well. She was doing it on purpose, but why?! WHY DOES SHE HATE ME!? IT MUST BE BECAUSE OF THAT DAMNED BASTARD!

--------------------------- Hiro's POV: --------------------------

When we came out of the portal, we immediately saw the mass of people around us. Evan was there as well, with his stupid face, looking at my Alice with possessive eyes. He sometimes peeked at me as well with murderous eyes. Eh? Was he hating me that much?

[What's with that? Is he looking at my mate with murderous eyes? I should kill him!] Alice said angrily in my mind while smiling coldly. In Evan's eyes, we saw the look of wanting. When he looked at her, Alice felt how he wanted her and she saw how he had a murderous look when he looked at me. Her mate. She was enraged because of that, so when that loser wanted to be all friendly with her, she humiliated him numerous times.

If someone were to truly fall in love with her, she wouldn't do such things. She would simply refuse the person and maybe feel sorry for him a bit, but nothing else. Both of us believed that true love shouldn't be humiliated. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I wouldn't kill the person either as long as he wouldn't start planning in his head against me. Evan was visibly such a person, not to mention that he didn't love Alice. He just wanted to possess her, to have her.

I was also such a person in a way, but I loved her as well and I'd also die for her, and I was also possessed by her. The two were completely different. We loved each other dearly, but he, he only wanted to have her as his toy. That alone made me feel enraged and I felt like killing him on the spot, but I guess my humanity didn't let me in doing so. I don't mind killing, but I didn't find this enough to kill.

After leaving the village, we left for a deeper part of the forest and then we rushed up on a mountain. Upon reaching the top, we didn't restrain our breakthrough anymore. Dark clouds started appearing and moving towards us at a quick pace. Bolts of lightning were flickering in the sky as they rushed through the clouds with loud booms. With our enchanted hearings, it felt like as if the heavens were about to fall.

A swirling cloud appeared above us with four bolts of lightning circling around in them, like sharks in the ocean. Soon two of them rushed downwards, towards our heads. We quickly used Hydra's and Dragon's Head, along with all thirteen elements.

*Boom*

The lightning and our attacks collided. The first lightning was quickly defeated by our powerful skills. The second one was visibly much bigger, but we didn't have to wait for long before it shot once again. Two thick bolts of lightning extended down from the sky, reaching towards our bodies. The residual energies of the first one were already reconstructing our bodies, which felt slightly painful, but we didn't care about it.

Using the same kind of attack once again, the second pair of lightning was also stopped with a loud boom. Our bodies were flickering from the lightning and that burnt smell of flesh attacked our nostrils once again.

Soon powerful energies spread in our bodies and our auras shot out of our bodies. We broke through! Normal cultivators had two hundred golems of strength at the first stage of Domain Space Realm, but we had two hundred and forty golems of strength! We felt how our sea of consciousness collapsed and then exploded. It stopped only when its size increased to be at least five times as big as before. Now we could make our weapons and armors even more powerful!

What was the best was now we have finally gained our abilities to fly! Before knowing how to create a domain, we couldn't fly, but it was different now! Along with our exploding sea of consciousness, knowledge about the domains also flowed into our minds. The first layer was automatic, while we had to comprehend the other eight layers of our domains ourselves.

I've always wanted to fly freely, so I quickly jumped into the air with Alice in tow. We broke through the skies and stopped at great heights. I looked down and shouted while laughing happily with my arms spread out. “Hahaha! That’s what I call cool! This is great! I’ve always wanted to try flying! Now I can do as much as I want to hahaha!”

Seeing me so happy, Alice also felt happy. Although she was a dragon, but she couldn't fly because she wasn't able to transform into her true form before. But even like that, it felt more natural for her. If not for me, having the memories of my past life, I'd have been quite calm as well. Wishing to feel my true strength, in my battle form, I canceled my flight and crashed into the ground like a meteor. The ground exploded under my feet.

Two hundred and sixty-four golems of strength in our battle forms. Such a huge amount of strength and with our sturdy bodies, we didn't have any problem falling down from any height. Although it hurt my feet a bit, but he only enjoyed it more because of it. Alice soon ‘landed’ on top of me, making me grunt slightly from the pain I felt.

“*Cough* You could have clearly landed at any other place, you evil girl! Hahaha~” I coughed out the mud which went into my mouth as I remarked on her actions with threatening hand movements and then I couldn't help but laugh upon seeing her evil grin. This little devil.

I was still happily laughing even after all this. Alice knew why. She felt it as well. In my past life, I couldn’t be my real self. I always felt restrained, bored and I never felt that I truly loved somebody. I had a loving family and friends and I loved them as well, but that was different. Somehow I always felt empty inside, but since coming here it all changed.

I met Alice, whom I started loving dearly. I'd die without her... I could do things I couldn’t in my past life. I could gain power and strength by going through training. In my past life even if I would have gone through millions of body training techniques, I still would have been a simple and weak mortal. But here it all changed.

I sat down on the grass and I felt really happy and filled up, while the sun was shining down on my body. “Haha, you know I’m actually lying down here exactly how I laid down when I died in my past life. The difference is that at that time, I was just an empty shell, waiting to be filled up, but now... Now it’s different. Now I have you, I have things I want to do and I can do. I have a reason to live and a belief to follow. I feel myself to be almost complete!"

"But there is still one thing. This... this humanity in me. I have to forget it. I'm not a human anymore and I don't have to spare others just because I was a human once in my past!" As I said so, Alice laid down right next to me and hugged me into her bosom.

“I know Hiro. I know. Being an empty shell might be worse than a simple torturing, but now you are here; with me; and as long as we live, we are going to be together because I! - I’m never going to leave your side!” She said as she gave a kiss on the top of my head. She started caressing my hair. I felt truly peaceful. Something started changing in me. My personality! It was finally starting to unfold, to fall into pieces and rebuild itself into a new person.

I don't want to be too much different, but a little change wouldn't hurt. Evan? Did you want my Alice? What possession? No one can possess my woman! Only me! I was restraining quite a lot of my instincts in the past, but it's time to release them. Why would I be such a little wimp? I always wanted to kill those who bothered me, yet I said reasons like - 'I don't want to kill humans for such stupid reasons'.

But this wasn't the Earth anymore, I wasn't a human anymore. It was time to change! With my new personality slowly unfolding in me, I felt how Alice also changed slightly and how my bloodlust was growing. Evan? You are going to have a bad day! I'll make sure of that! You aren't going to see the light of the next day! In the darkness that was created by Alice's mounds, I opened my green eyes, which were shining in the darkness.

Evan, my friend... you've fucked up. Because you enraged...

A HYDRA!