-Nazarick Ninth Floor Ainz’s office-

Momonga scanned over the list of NPCs in Nazarick, comparing them with the report Albedo handed him. Silently watching from his side as he worked to discover what he was looking for.

Finally stopping at two names, one he knew as Kyuketsuki’s personal battle maid with the ability to be summoned out of the tomb. Something Kyuketsuki kept as a tight secret even from Momonga. All he would say is that it was a rare item like the auto respawn one. The other name he had not seen before, so it must have been a newly created one.

This brought up the pressing issue of where they were at right now. Momonga took his time to think of the right course of action. Message spells were not connecting to them nor Kyuketsuki when he tried. Why Momonga couldn’t be sure only that something was either blocking him or a problem with the spell’s range.

He contemplated having Nigredo use her divination spells to find them but was weary of trying that option if failed. Remembering the ruthless skirmish with Dorgaro, his friend now had a ring to help block that, but he forgot which tier it stopped at.

Not that Momonga would even know where to start looking for his friend or who else might be out there. Only that he had a strong feeling that Kyuketsuki was here somewhere. Glancing at the report again, the traps set by him on the ninth floor were still active, so he was here, or they would have shut down. When albedo or one of the other NPC tried to deactivate them.

"Thank you, Albedo, for bringing this news to me it gives us hope, now we need to find him. He must be out there somewhere, but without any further clues, this only confirms he's in this new world with us." Momonga praised Albedo.

"It was this humble servant's pleasure, Momonga-sama thought, is there truly no way to find him faster?"

He was still annoyed at the particular way of avoiding being tracked in Yggdrasil. Not that he could blame his friend. His build was more combat centered and support with almost no divination spells or counter tracking skills.

"No, I remember his reasoning for this far too well. He carries a divine class item that can only be countered by other rare divine or world items. Unless he disables its effect, we have no way of tracking or reaching him. Outside of finding him in person.”

Momonga leaned back into his chair, rubs his jaw, recalling a significant drawback of the ring.

"My beloved Momonga-sama, you have a thought?" Albedo chimed as if seeing his thoughts.

"If I remember correctly, this item had one major flaw while he will be hidden from most magic divination. He will stick out like a stranger no matter where he goes, and tracking skills should be more effective on him. So long as he has it equipped."

Albedo, following his train of thought, gave a beaming smile overjoyed to help her love any way she could.

"You are truly wise and ingenious, my love shall I send out a party to search for them."

Momonga shook his head. He didn’t know Kyuketsuki situation, and the last thing he needed was for his friend to go into hiding. Being proactive in the guild even as other guild members left, he hunted small guilds. That Dorgaro tried to get to attack Nazarick, something Kyuketsuki took quite personally.

A primary reason he didn’t meet up with him when Yggdrasil should have ended. Kyuketsuki wanted to finally hunt down and beat the dragon one last time. He didn’t know how this change of world was affecting his friend. As his worry was dampened again.

"No, for now, I need to get ready to try… I mean, to use my mirror of remote viewing, perhaps I will find a clue of where to narrow down my search. please return to your duties and have Sabes come in."

"Of course, Momonga-sama!" Albedo complied quickly.

-Sewers Under E-Rental-

Here he was in this dank, dark wet sewer wondering why he accepted this job again. Looking at the slime-filled water smelled horrible for most humans yet to his vampire senses, it was ten if not one hundred times worse. Feeling his boots sink into the dregs of manure, rot, and other smells could make the weak will vomit.

Cramped corridors only made it much harder to move around with filthy knee-high waters. Why had he taken this stupid quest escorting minor nobles was far less smelly. And hunting down nearby monsters rather than sewer crawling. Hearing the splashing of water, he groaned

"More coming! Tarick get ready to nail them down Kathrin, and Jade flank the side to try and thin their numbers!" Barked Kyuketsuki with a fire ignited in him with the rush of battle. As his mind raced with possible battle tactics.

"You got it!” Sharply replied, Tarick taking aim with his bow. Pelting anything came rushing up.

"Yes, Kyuketsuki-sama." Jade herself looking like she was having fun slashing through the monster rats with joy.

Ritana glared up from behind him, clearly upset at this turn of events. This was supposed to be a simple sewer patrol. Paid out 303 silver and an extra 15 silver for every head or part of the giant swear beast killed. Ritana said it would be mildly challenging for a change of pace.

Only to suddenly get swarmed by wave after wave of giant insects and rats were 16 feet long-standing at least half as tall on four legs. If their foul breath wasn't nauseating enough. They had a toxic bite, and while Kyuketsuki was immune to such disease and poisons, the others were not. Well, Kathrin was, but he couldn't explain why without exposing Kathrin's hidden automation features. Or why she had mild yellow glowing eyes in the dark. He just played it off as a ring effect she had on.

It had been two hours ago so far; they must have killed at least 255 of these things with no end in sight. Just when Kyuketsuki thought he had finished with them, more came flooding out. Which is why the group had floating repulsive bodies of giant water bugs and rats alike around them.

The others were getting tired, evident by their panting sweaty sludge stained clothes and bodies. Though kyuketsuki had to conceal his lack of fatigue under a helmet of darkness, usually kept in his inventory. Because it limited his field of vision.

"What about us, hum! Are Bardic and I just supposed to stand here while you just cover the whole front!" Debunked Ritana.

"Lass, I don't know about you, but I have enough trouble just trying not to drown here. Plus, you're paying for any rust damage to my armor after this!" Bardic angrily commented with a highly accented voice.

"Me! Why? Kyuketsuki is the one slashing the gunk everywhere!" Outraged at the accusation.

Tarick sent a pointed glare her way as he let loose a few enchanted arrows at charging rats.

"Because Rita, you were the one who said this one would be easy money. Yet without Kyuketsuki here, one or more of us would be dead from infection alone. Or did you forget, two of us have been bitten by these blasted pests."

Looking away while the human swung her swords out, activating her [ability boost] and [greater ability boost]. Cutting deep into another rat's thick damp furry hide. Trying to ignore the pain from her shoulder, even as Bardic ax cut into the beast's neck.

Yet from the back, the three could only watch while they had trouble just killing a handful that got through. Kyuketsuki just effortlessly cut through one with every swing of his sabers. Infested blood just rolled right off him or vanished into his armor, all while his bat fang daggers zipped around him, cutting down or injuring more for those behind him.

It was frightening for them to watch. They were not the highest level and they knew it, but they weren't weak either. Yet none of the three could say they should be alive now without Kyuketsuki’s kindness to stay with them for the past three days. Any challenge never seemed to tire the warrior out. No task was too hard or simple for him with magic and skill Kyuketsuki just shortened any quest either with teleportation magic or helping cut down any trouble they had with grace and style. They wouldn't say it, but he had become the unofficial leader of their group. This latest task just proved it as he took charge even while Rita panicked unsure what to do.

But the fighting stopped when Kyuketsuki throws up his hands in front of them.

[ice blast wall] [frost breath]

Frosty air shot out in front of him freezing the slug filled water solid as thick ice formed a wall only to shatter moments later. As it was blasted apart by fiery heat shook the walls of the sewer for a minute.

The water level dropped as the water was literally turned to steam and walking in from the lead tunnel. Kathrin with blooded blade claws and Jade’s flaming kusarigama spinning in hand.

"This area is clear Kyuketsuki-sama though we believe we may have found the source of these pests."

Leading the weary group to a caved-in sewer tunnels, which expanded out. Deep gashes in the walls like those of some enormous beast. Green putrid fog filled the air with skeletons lining the walls white ivy bone burn black. As a deep growl reverberated through the tunnels.

Looking at the high walls and ceiling of the passageway was putting the whole group on guard; however, it was the smell of decay and death filling the air with the splashing of foul water and skirting of hundreds of rodent's feet, which had their attention.

"Un guys, what made this tunnel?!" Fear laced Ritana’s voice-hearing the screeches of nearby rats in the surrounding passageways and deathly cries of some fearsome fiend ahead.

"Hey, elf’y boy, I ever tell you how much I hate rats or sewers." Bardic spitting into the water with a distasteful glare.

"No, I don't believe you have, but I'm starting to see why." Deadpanning the horrid atmosphere around them. Tasting his lips as if it would make the area less decrepit.

Turning to the others a much paler, Ritana whisper yelled at Kyuketsuki, hoping in vain, to get them to turn back. As her gut told her to nope right out of these tunnels.

"I think we should head back. We have enough money now, right!"

Shooting a glare at the human warrior Kyuketsuki had his own words for this. "Never leave a job unfinished it’s unprofessional besides. I'm all fired up for a good battle now, right, Bardic!" Not an ounce of fear coming off him.

Turning to the dwarf of the group seeing him run his hands through his thick beard. Before cracking a grin of fierce determination Hefting his ax over his shoulder gazing back.

"Oh, what do you think we dwarfs were made for its only two things, no three things. mining, foraging weapons, and battle are you trying to ask a rhetorical question!"

Tarick just glared from under his dirty cloak but sighed in defeat he had worked with Bardic for five years now. Tarick knew the look too well. There was no changing Bardic’s mind once it was set even if it meant running headfirst into this obvious trap.

"Fine, I'm in too. I can't have you dying while I run away from this suicidal mission. Your brother would kill me for this. Stupid, greedy dwarfs." Tarick grumbled loudly.

"But this is way past us WE. WILL. DIE. if we go in there, I can feel it in my bones." Came Rita's panicked shout.

Sitabus sighing, he would have to point it out first. “[Continual Light]” As light filled the intersection, countless rats all blocked the passageways out. standing there waiting for any sign of weakness but unwilling to get any closer out of fear of whatever carved up the sewer system ahead.

"What… when did they?” Rita paling with fear at the revelation around them!

"While you were busy quivering in fear and talking, they were creeping closer, and if the skeletons lining the walls means anything. Then the leader of this colony of these giant sewer rats is close. Meaning they won't come any closer unless we go forward; in other words, to get out, we have to go deeper."

"As expected of you master Kyuketsuki always seeing the bigger picture!" Awe and praise-filled Kathrin’s tone.

Patting Kathrin on the head, Sitabus would have to reward these two later. He doesn’t have much to give them. With all protest snuffed out, the Green Vultures pushed forward into this vast cavern, into the mist till a massive shape came in to view it must have been at least forty feet long and almost as tall. Glowing red eyes turned to look our way. Four eyes of malice glaring in our direction as Sitabus pulled out his game encyclopedia, it was filled with notes and listed abilities and range of every monster he had ever fought in YGGDRASIL. As a new creature popped up, he read over the basic information he would have to figure out its weakness and hidden tricks himself and put them in later in case he ever encountered another beast like this.

Great pestilence Ogre rat

Lore: Mutated a step below demons but higher than any other rat of its kind, it is said to have evolved past diseases and sickness of its damp infested home. With a fever breath, which can render most unable to fight as they strangle in the toxic air. Any injury inflicted by it is ripe with infections with command over a considerable horde of smaller rats to feed its ravenous hunger. Till in may change into a true demon rodent that can eradicate entire cities.

Domain: Sewers or cave caverns filled with still water and warm environments.

Appearance: They are at least two to three times bigger than the rats under it with six legs, four eyes, and heightened night visions along with the smell of one Kilometer. And a hideous long tail that can whip stone to pebbles.

Base level?

Interesting, though, based on his true sight, he would say easily level forty, but he had a suspicion it was not normal at all. It seems like it should be a higher level though he had never seen anything like this in YGGDRASIL. But it must have disease and poison immunity, not resistance, and if it were an upgraded version of the other ogre rats so far would be autoinfection of wounds. Probably a call reinforcement skill to send swarms of weaker mobs in to weaken prey. Writing in his thoughts, he closed the book and put it away.

"You three stay back and keep the other pests from swarming in Kathrin, you take point. Jade with me, but keep a good distance. There's no telling what this thing can do." Yelling out in command and warning!

"You sure Kyuketsuki, this beasty looks fierce." Gruffly asked Bardic, readying his ax.

"Yes, if I'm right, it will try and surprise me with waves of small pests to get my attention. While it attacks from behind, I need you guys to keep that from happening. I got this trust me!" Sending back a beaming smile of confidence.

“That is what worries me!" Shouted Ritana shaking the sword glowing hot with magic.

Turning to the monster in front, slowly drawing out his swords while silently casting. If the battles with the scumbag Dorgaro had taught sitabus anything, it was to use every second before the fight to prepare. Activating the bat fang dagger spinning a flurry around him in a circle. It had been a while since he could cut loose the monsters of this world were weak too weak for his vampiric blood. Always having to restrain from instantly killing the threats, it would be too strange to the other three if he could just eliminate the fight early.

(spells silently cast) [life essence] [mana essence] [Discern enemy] [fly] [frostbite touch] [magic seeker] [Winterfell field]

Floating above the water as it chilled around kyuketsuki cold mist rising up as the water slowly turned to a frozen lake. Combining both 6th tier cold spells could easily ice over a good chunk of the sewer system through magic seeker would limit the power to around the target. Yet increase its effectiveness while raising the chance to successfully hit. The only reason for fly was to not freak out the team behind rather than just sprouting wings for no reason.

The air was tense as he fixed the monster with a glare as it gazed right back, pulling its clawed feet out of the iced water. Clearly angry about the dissipating smell of its den being replaced by cold frigid air. Snapping its tale wildly, then its maw opened sickly green, and jagged yellow teeth filled its mouth. Letting out an ear-splitting shriek out, Forcing the rest of their party to cover their ears from the high pitch. Thanks to his natural healing, the ringing of his ears only lasted but a few seconds.

The pain was a distant feeling no matter how minor he felt a grin over his lips; indeed, it was strange to think about. Just three days ago, the kind of pain of feeling your ears pop and bleed would be horribly damaging if not debilitating. Yet here they just healed back in seconds completely repairing the inner ears.

"That actually hurt a little. I hope it's not all you got!" Missing both Jades and Kathrin's explosive looks of fury.

Without further prompting, the beast charged spitting out hissing green viscous fluid right at Kyuketsuki and Jade somersaulting up just as a long-barbered tail whipped down, shattering the Icey floor shooting sharp fragments flying out. Shrieking out again as it launched its hulking body up chasing its prey. Kyuketsuki wasn't willing to test the unknown effects of touching anything with the name great pestilence in it would be, if any, but he didn't want to find out.

[heavy hailstorm]

Raining down thick spikes of ice from Kyuketsuki’s palm pelting its skin. It was injured, but It should have done more damage. Jade cutting into the combat swinging the un-naturally long chain. Flaming kusarigama's slashing its tough hide as putrid, vile dark blood hit the ice melting through it down to the stone floor.

Before it could turn back to her Kyuketsuki six bat fangs, cut into its sides, though he forgot the tail. Feeling the pain as the purple limb whipped into his side, careening into the wall. Dust and debris exploded out, but Kyuketsuki had trouble moving. Ticking a stun effect if it was just paralysis would be blocked, but stun effects were not.

[redouble resolution]

Shaking off the sluggishness and shooting forward, stabbing into the spine of this monster. Feeling and seeing the life drain effects of his blood sabers is genuinely one of the best parts about them, they could heal equal to the damage inflicted. Frostbite touch turning the edges of the wound black and hard as ice crystals invaded the cuts.

Hum seems elemental ice attacks are working but to slowly, and the cuts form Jades' weapons are dismissed at best. Jumping back to Jade's side, watching her pull in the kusarigama's and spin them around, ready to be used again. Oh, he could feel the blood pumping toning out the world. It was gl…

right tunnel vision one of the most dangerous double-edged swords to a vampire. Breathing out slowly to drawback in the bloodlust almost took over.

"Alright, let see how tough you are vermin Jade double twist!" Sitabus yelling out the phase for a combo.

[double winters death edge]

Jade [Sticky oven arrows talisman]

The talismans turned into raging flame arrows hitting the ogre rats' side right before it was pushed to the wall. By the x shaped cut off two long waves of blue energy, making it scream out in pain. Beaming at this fight, it wasn't going down like it should. That should have killed it, yet its life force was slowly rising back up.

Taking two big steps forward, its eyes fixated on Kyuketsuki as its fur turned red even as one leg fell off from the deep cut from Jade's sickle-like weapons. Horns growing out, and it's back bulged out right before vile wings burst from its back. Screeching out even louder than before blindingly fast, its tongue shot out. Trying to get both Jade and Kyuketsuki. Kyuketsuki hums, seeing its plan he wasn’t going to allow it, pushing Jade away. Allowing jade to watch as Kyuketsuki was pulled in to its maw.

"Nooo, Kyuketsuki-sama?!" Screaming out in shame and fury.

Jade felt her blood boil steam rising up from her body. As her stubby horns came from under her hair, a long whip-like tail jetting out of her rear and bat-like wings bursting out. And the surrounding ice steamed fresh tears streaming down her face.

"YOU ...you dare hurt master I will end you vermin!" Utter hatred flowing from Jade.

Unending fury filled her sweet voice turning legion layered and gritting as waves of boiling unbearable heat cooked everything around her. Ice melting away into water then steam, even the stone floor was scorched from the unseen astral flames. Tightly grabbing both chains in one hand. It would have been incorrect to say they spun in hand more accurately. They blurred from the sheer speed catching green fire then blue. As the creaking of the strained chains work to hold under there wielders might. Blowing backwater not from heat, but how fast the Kusarigama's rotated.

The rest of the party could only watch unable to even see Jade's weapons move, but hearing the haunting sound. Even the lower rats back off hearing this sinister ring.

With one hand holding the other end, the death disks streaked across the distance faster than anyone thought possible buzzing and blazing with heat. Flames licked at its fur as the weapons cut it side wide open, but the kusarigama's didn't stop cutting through its tail with no effort and stopping only after catapulting hard into the wall embedding its blade deeply. As chunks of the wall fell burning despite not being flammable, they cooked under a raging blue fire sizzling as they hit the ice water.

"Spit master out now-

Jades boiling rage would not stop till this beast was, but ash so overcooked it could be mistaken for charcoal. But anger blinded her to the claw flying her way only feeling the pain. She refused to be stopped digging her clawed feet deep into the rocky ground forming a gash across as her form skidded back. Not even being knocked off her feet, hand gripping the chains of her weapons hard body straining to keep in her own fury.

Any further attack was paused as the demon rat stopped violently shaking in place, looking like it had gone mad (or crazier than it already was). Rolling over and clawing at its chest, smashing into the walls till it started to freeze up. Not just figuratively, but its red fur turned light blue like ice skin cracking loudly. Until It’s shattered pieces were raining down, Icey death shards everywhere, forcing the other five to dodge as the swarming rats were run through by ice shards or just crushed. Leaving only its head to roll on the uneven mirror surface of the pond. And in its place stood Kyuketsuki both sabers holding up its heart an odd light bluish-green. Panting, he dropped the oversized heart. To the ground, looking very upset with a disapproving gaze at Jade.

"Jade, what have I told you about using that appearance in front of others!" The disappointment was evident in the tone.

Anger quickly vanished, replaced by shock, tearful joy, and embarrassment, trying to look small and cute. Slightly softened his rage at the adorable look but refusing to not punish the succubus.

"But Kyuketsuki-sama, you were... and it …sorry master." Timidly admitting defeat on the matter, poking her fingers together with a downcast look.

"Sigh, it's fine. I completely understand. Besides, I could never stay mad at that face as long as you understand what this means." Walking over and lightly patting her head. Ignoring the blood and gore on him.

-Kevlar-

Kevlar glanced around the alleyway watching the people in the crowd move about their daily lives. It was still odd for him to think just days ago. He wondered if he would ever be free of the debt with that man. Now here he was watching from the shadows using all his training to survey the hidden members move about.

Eight fingers had many people who could travel the typical streets. They were well-hidden and impossible to find until you know what to look for. This merchant might seem like he was having a typical day. There was fear in his every move because they still hadn't figured out who attacked the brothel they owned. All of the gang was on alert, and it showed because it was like the attackers just vanished.

No political movement, no rival group, not even a note of address for eight fingers; this was a heavy blow. One that threatened their unopposable rule of the shadows. Which reached all the way up to the nobles in Re-Eztice and beyond if the rumors were true. Now someone new had shown up and vanished just as quickly leaving undead zombies and a burning brothel in their wake.

Kevlar saw an opportunity if he could find this new boss. If for no other reason, then to avoid being targeted by such ruthless undead monsters of death. Only they might as well be a ghost for as much trouble as it was just trying to discover any leads on them.

He had the other three of his little family groups spread out, looking for any clues about this new group. Yet nothing had shown these guys must be genius to escape him and all of eight fingers. He was trained personally by two of six arms, so he knows how to track people, yet these guys they left no trace.

Which is why he was following this merchant hoping to overhear something. Yet so far, he was only pacing around his shop.

Then some hooded guy walked up usually this wouldn’t matter, but his posture and walk were of a trained assassin and message carrier. He knows he had been a message boy a few times. It was all about being fast but not being conspicuous, blending in with the crowds.

"Here is the report. They're not happy about this, you realize there's talk right now." Faintly hearing an edge to the messenger's voice.

"Talk of what fine stranger I don't quite know what you mean." Lied the merchant as he sweated more glancing around

Even with his soft-spoken words, Kev could see the sweat roll down his forehead and hear the hesitation in the man's voice.

The messenger Slammed his hands down on the stall glaring at the merchant, not buying the line.

"Don't play dumb! There is talk about some inside source, and frankly, I'm not going to lie your one of the people who would benefit most from this. Gravis, if someone isn't found, one of us is going to have to answers some very uncomfortable questions. The kind ending up as loose ends! read me?" Deadly tone dripping from his words.

Nodding swiftly at this trying to console his nervousness even as he shook, trying to just play the sense off as a disgruntled buyer.

"Good then find someone I don't care if they did it or not, I'm not dying just to save your hide now! I got to go. Here's your message, be careful. It's rather sharp." Grinning darkly.

Sighing, the merchant looked around before opening the letter. Even with Kev’s inability to read it from this point of view. Pale face and dilated eyes said it all. It was terrible as Gravis was hyperventilating. Yet he got distracted by Someone walking through the street, and they were making way. As awe and gasps were heard, curiously, Kev went over. To see what it was about as general people didn't care what was going on around them like with the messenger just now.

It was a genuine shock to the system watching a man walk by dressing in what could only be nobleman's clothes and armor of the finest craftsmen. Yet he was carrying the head of some ugly beast in one hand like it was a light trophy.

Only it was a head big enough to swallow him whole with a heart easily the size of the man's chest. Perhaps the most notable thing was the smell ugh it was like they took a bath in something which had died and been stuffed in a barrel for weeks.

"Sorry, again Kyuketsuki-sama if I had known it was going to-

They waved it off like it was nothing, what was up with the title, was he a noble or something. Kevlar's mind started to turn, trying to piece these weirdos out though this guy must be incredibly strong if he could carry both the giant heart and head, not even struggling to move or speak.

"It's nothing to fret over, my dear now has Jade explained the rules to them yet without option C?"

Nodding the maid with the strange cap replied, something was up about this. Kev's insight was screaming. There was some kind of code. He just didn't know how to read it. And it was both good and bad.

"One moment, master, and I can verify."

Touching her head, the maid seemed focused on something; then, he sensed it magic. Though not a caster himself, Kev did know how to pick up on it. He never heard of anything like this. What was she doing it was impossible to say without asking?

"Yes, Kyuketsuki-sama. Still would it not be better to-

"Not here, my dear, this talk can wait for later. Besides, if they slip up well, I can just test out some more things like those thugs we met. Till then, we don't touch allies, remember my dear class and respect. We aren't savages."

Even though it sounded like a typical noble, something was off about this, he just didn't know what it was. Kevlar hummed to himself, this might be the leader he was looking for. Smiling to himself, he stealthily ran off into the back alley to see what the others got.

-At the Bathhouse in E-Rental-

Steam rose up in the hot wooden room with ripples of water flowing out. Muscular arms reached out as slowly rising from the warm water. Sitting down on the edge of the pool sighing. Feeling the relaxing hot bath wash away the filth and scum of the sewer.

"It has been far too long since I had a good hot bath." Letting the past tension roll off his shoulders.

Honestly, it had been almost three or four days since he got any alone time. The girls were nice, but this was the first time he didn't have to worry over who would try to betray or track him. Or worry if he was doing an acceptable job at being a master of those two. Or trying to keep his 'team' alive because of how infuriatingly weak they were. If only he could contact Momonga about this…

..

He facepalmed. He was a Baka right message spells. Tapping the water surface. This was his own personal coded message spell system, which could Id anyone who had messaged him in the past seven days. Another precaution if he could say one thing about the lizard breath. Dorgaro was crafty, always coming up with ways to trip him up. Or show off how much better Dorgaro was just because he was stronger.

One name appeared in the water in Japanese symbols. Momonga had messaged him though it didn’t go through strange? He was a bit scatterbrained for forgetting to check Sooner.

Message Momonga

A dial tone came then a link formed; it felt a little off even if he could not say why but it did.

{Hey, Momonge, I was inside this sewer and fought this huge rat demon thing. Then this strange thing happened. It changed. Like a dungeon boss second stage and then I got swallowed it was so gross yet funny ha I wish you were there to see it.}

{You zzz repeat- hello?}

Weird usually, there is never lousy reception, but maybe the sewer still interfering. Apparently, some brilliant idea to stop spies was by keeping magic communication spells from working. After beast-men attacked the city some years ago, sneaking in by the sewer system.

{Ah well. If you can hear me, I'm here at E-Rental to find.}

{Ah, finally, I think I can hear you great. I'm close about a few days away in some small town all alone here.}

Really that was odd though maybe Nazarick didn't follow us here. Food for thought later, it was just nice to hear Momonga's voice.

{Great perhaps we can meet up soon. When I'm not taking a dip.}

{Sounds good I'm just finishing up my own business here. Maybe we can come up with a plan then.}

{Sounds good I'm at this adventure's inn...}

Sighing With the connection broke laying back in the water, Letting himself chill out. Still, not all of the messages made sense, maybe?

Pushing the idea out of mind. Don't get too paranoid now, Sitabus reminded himself. Not even overgrown lizards can fake call id. A necessary spend to keep him from eavesdropping. This rose the question, would he still be on Yggdrasil when... this happened? Maybe now would be an excellent time to see if-

"Yo, Kyuketsuki were coming in!" Shouted Bardic’s voice behind the door.

Hearing the door slide open to reveal, walking in were Bardic, and Tarick into the men's bath. Silently Sitbaus activating his transformation ring, there goes his alone time.

"Hey, guys, glad to see Jade wasn't too hard on you she's a bit sensitive about her looks." Waving them into the steaming bath.

"It's fine." Tarick had a friendly, if not neutral, tone.

The elf stepped into the water letting his rather long hair hang loose. Kyuketsuki had never known he kept long hair. Watching Tarick drape his long locks into the water and comb it.

"I know what you're thinking and trust me he's not a girl though his maidly locks and long mane would have you think otherwise." Came Bardic’s accented voice to the left.

Glancing over at Bardic which was funny to see only his head sticking out of the hot bath curly beard floating around the steaming water surface.

"I will have you know this is traditional for my tribe of elves to grow out their hair into a proud warrior's mane." Pride filtering into Tarick’s voice.

"Right well, then why hide it all the time under your thick hood unless..." Bardic left the question hanging with a smirk.

Sensing a fight coming along with seeing Tarick tense at turning a disgruntled glare Bardic’s way. Sitabus really just wanted to relax is that too much to ask, putting up his hands to stop them from escalating it.

"Guys, we're here to relax, not fight. I don't know about you, but I came here to get some alone time, so can we not do this here?" Playing peacemaker as much as he could.

"Sorry." They spoke in unison.

But looking closer, Sitabus noticed something odd he had never discerned before now, which must be part of this whole Secrecy of why Tarick had never taken down his hood in town even in his room, seeming very shifty as a member of the team.

"Hey, what happened to your ears and eye?" Kyuketsuki asked.

From the sour air, it couldn't be a good reminder for Tarick sole brown eye squinting.

"Tell me how far away are you from if you don't even know about this because otherwise, it's quite insensitive." Tarick’s voice was like tempted steel with a distrusting gaze.

Smirking back, Kyuketsuki answered. "Fair enough, let us just say is far different than here. I know cities were inhabited by many races and not because of slavery or force. But demi-humans and humanoids living together."

Laughing at the claim, he could see the disbelief in their eyes though they quickly stop upon realizing he was serious.

"Really now? Well, I can't say I have ever seen such a city, but as to my ears. I was once a slave in the Slane Theocracy is until some undead army attacked a city in confusion. I slipped away, not without one final wound. Lost my eye just trying to get out before one of the six scripts came in."

Why didn't he just heal it seemed like an easy fix or was strong healing magic rare. Hum well, Sitabus could probably earn their trust with a quick spell. Would it seem so strange was the question already he must seem far stronger than them by taking on the ogre rat. Even if one potent death frost spell could have ended the fight far sooner. They probably didn't even realize it wasn't an elemental ice spell, but a rare skill of being a vampire was an alternative group of magic called death frost and blood magic. Only usable to high-level vampires or at least to vampire or blood drinker classes were required to access them.

But it wouldn't have been as fun with the side effect and seeming questionable as to why he was even with them losing their trust, and he was really trying to avoid antagonizing too many people. If he could either find the time to check if Nazarick had teleported with him? Or gather a big enough army of blood spawn to provide support in case another player showed up maybe.

So, for now, bloodshed should be kept to a minimum; still, this might be beneficial to his goals.

"Well, if you want, I can heal those wounds should be a simple matter." Trying to not overplay his powers.

Silence followed as both teammates looked at him like he was mad and had suggested something too absurd to even describe.

"Hahaha, don't make me laugh, lad, it's a good joke, but his injuries are cursed. Not even our head healer in my hometown couldn’t heal these scars." Bitterness dripped from Bardic’s voice.

At hearing his rude jest, Sitabus found himself annoyed. ‘Alright, fine screw it, is time to show them not to question my power,’ Holding up one hand towards the elf.

[plasma purification]

From the clipped ears and patch-covered eye flowed out inky blackness into his palm into a twisting and shifting orb. Radiating malice forming a sphere of darkness looking at it. Sitabus felt it wasn't done yet though pulling up the sphere, he opened his mouth and ate it, feeling a rush of negative energy.

Watching in morbid amazement as the elf's mutilated ears slowly regrew back to full length. Flipping off the eyepatch, a normal golden iris looked around in shock. While Bardic just looked on in stunned disbelief at what just occurred.

"What, but how? What tire of magic was …tell me!" Tarick shot up with a start.

Kyuketsuki scratched his chin. No, he couldn't tell Tarik it was a kind of mix of skill, and magic had no official ranking. But with enough mana, it could three times a day absorb negative energy and heal any injury. Though he only really used it a few times back in YGGDRASIL because he could pretty much repair any damage thanks to auto-healing of his race and swords boosting it with every cut. So, it was mainly to help other guild members recover in the field.

"Let us just say Jade is not the only one with secrets I can't share unless, of course, you don't mind dying." Trying to intimidate Tarick to back off the issue.

Bardic shivered at the edge in the voice he knew when to back off Tarick had used that tone of voice a few times. Though his friend didn't quite seem to catch it, leaning closer to the leader of their group.

"But why? Your maids, I can understand. But this I have been looking for so long for something to heal those wounds I had given up hope, yet you just treated it!

Tarick stopped in stunned silence.

"If you feel you owe me, then repay it by action and remain my friend, but I must ask you not spread knowledge about that particular trick around. After all, how many people do you know who can eat curses without ill effect, let alone three." Throwing out the question with a deadpan stare.

Somehow the steam appears thicker and more menacing in the public bath while the lights didn't seem as bright. An air of danger hung in above them, which only confirmed something to Tarick. This person before them was far from ordinary! No, they must have never been normal, to begin with! If they were even human, his skills in magic and swordplay the way, he just took charge without even flinching in the face of death. Ritana could not even pretend she was in charge of the green Vultures anymore after this. He remembered Ritana words well; it hurt her to speak them out loud, and she had been holding back tears.

"Alright, I assume this has the same deal as what Jade explained?" Carefully asking Kyuketsuki, fearing the answer of this monster.

The broad smile only solidified his theory this person had been holding back even in the last fight. He wouldn't be surprised if they could take on members of the Slane Theocracy’s special forces.

"Why yes it does, and I thank you for your candor in this matter now let's talk about something far less dreary."

-End of Chapter-