A Level 6 master?!
What did Lily hear? That famous "Black Demon Sword" actually wanted to become an apprentice?
Upon catching this inside information, Lily shrank back even further, terrified that her small scheme would be discovered and she'd be eliminated without a trace.
The black cat who'd been asked was completely bewildered.
Become his teacher? Me? Are you joking?
She had no time to teach this socially awkward man how to be chuunibyou… besides, she was half socially awkward herself…
While the black cat hesitated, Dekomori stepped forward, eyeing Hogni with interest as she stroked her chin and looked him up and down.
(Don't look at me, don't look at me—I can't take it anymore, let me die~~) Hogni had another episode, his face bright red.
Dekomori stood on tiptoe and patted his shoulder: "Not bad you're the [Black Demon Sword], right? Cool name. I'm rooting for you!"
"Come on, I'll show you the power beyond the invisible boundary line!"
The group entered the dungeon in grand fashion. At this time, the lower floors were almost entirely packed with adventurers and school district students. During this special period, dungeon resources were extremely scarce.
Every few steps, they'd see students teaming up to fight earth spirits, or novice adventurers scraping by to make a living.
Sora's target was far from these they purposefully headed to the 11th floor. The environment here was similar to a misty forest, except white oak trees grew everywhere, which monsters could use as weapons. It was also known as the "Armory Floor."
The main monsters were orcs and imps, with occasional appearances of a fake "floor master" dragon on the upper end of the floor. That was exactly Sora's target.
Systematically killing low-level monsters wasn't his style from the start, his goal was to take on higher-level foes and level up quickly.
Though two unexpected additions Lily and Hogni had disrupted the original plan, it didn't matter; in fact, they'd helped move things forward.
And…
"Lily is the perfect starting point. She can provide our clan with the ideal beginner's package to help us establish ourselves in Orario!"
Sora's real target was the Soma Familia.
Since most money-making activities were "prohibited" by the Astraea Familia, Sora had abandoned the idea of using gambling to amass wealth. But once you understood the rules, there was one surefire way to quickly gain funds and resources:
War Game!
The winner takes all from the loser it's the fastest, most direct path to power, built entirely on stepping over those who fall behind!
Seeing Sora's confident expression, Shiro reminded him: "Brother, won't this break the rules?"
Sora replied calmly: "I don't know. We're starting this war to save a young girl trapped in the mire. We're upholding justice!"
Shiro thought for a moment: "Punishing bad people by becoming bad ourselves?"
The goddess would naturally disapprove of launching War Games recklessly, but the Soma Familia was different. its members were mixed due to the "Divine Wine." While many were serious about conquering the dungeon, plenty were wicked individuals who wanted to profit without effort, leeching off their comrades.
Sora smiled and said:
"Let me tell you a secret. That girl Lily has a magic called 'Cinderella' it's transformation magic. Which means… catgirls, doggirls, foxgirls, high elves, dark elves, sirens… whatever you can imagine, she can make it happen. Do you know what that means?"
Shiro's eyes widened: "It means… I can cuddle and pet them however I want!"
With that conclusion, Shiro immediately abandoned her brother and rushed into Lily's arms. She looked up with big, bright eyes and blinked:
"Lily, let's be friends." (Be my pet.)
Lily felt a chill run down her spine. Though she hadn't heard their conversation, she could sense danger creeping up behind her.
It's over… my life is a complete failure!
She glanced at Hogni, who stood at the front of the group and Dekomori who was scolding him, Finally, she said with a wronged expression: "Mm."
Hehe…
At the front of the line,
Dekomori took a stance with her hammers and declared: "Prepare for death!"
"Explode, reality! Shatter, spirit! Banish this world!"
"Thunder Dance!!"
With a powerful spinning strike, her hammer caved in an orc's chest, sending it crashing to the ground.
Dekomori turned, hands on hips, and looked at Hogni: "Did you get that?"
Hogni shook his head.
"Then watch this time!"
Hogni glanced at the black cat, feeling their styles were more compatible both were companions of the night with shared interests.
The black cat adopted a teacher's posture, merging with Mamenosuke as she extended her hand toward three surrounding imps: "Wail in the silent night! Curse Ash Bones!"
Five bullet-shaped black whirlwinds struck the imps precisely. The poison spread through their bodies, and three seconds later, they exploded into ash and vanished.
She withdrew her hand and gestured for Hogni to try.
Hogni followed suit, holding his cursed sword and aiming at an orc 30 meters away.
"Tremble beneath the blood-red moon of slaughter, you cursed denizens of the abyss!"
The longsword instantly extended to 50 meters in length, easily piercing the monster. With a loud bang, it exploded into ash.
"Sukko-ichi! As expected of the [Black Demon Sword]!" Dekomori's eyes lit up she wanted a hammer that could extend like that too.
The black cat nodded in approval: "Not bad. You truly deserve to be called a child of the night."
Under their stares, Hogni immediately deflated: "Ku, kuku… this is the power sealed within my arm…"
(Don't look at me~~)
Dekomori stroked her chin: "Only problem is your voice is too quiet."
"Absolutely right."
"Speak louder! Do it again!" Dekomori shouted.
"Under the crimson moon of slaughter…"
"Too soft! Louder! And your stance is wrong spread your feet, don't stand pigeon-toed! Cross your arms!"
"Yes…"
The black cat was already thinking up new lines: "I'll only use one strike you get a 49-meter head start!"
"I… I… the world is about to end! Heh." Hogni slumped over.
Dekomori complained: "What's wrong with you, Black Demon Sword! You need to commit to the stance!"
Feeling wronged but determined, Hogni finally spoke his truth under their guidance: "I can't… I'm afraid of making eye contact with others…"
This is a problem…
The two exchanged glances.
The black cat's eyes darted around as she had an idea: "If you're afraid to look at people, then don't. Just turn around and face away from us."
"Face away?"
The black cat turned her back to Hogni, declaring indifferently: "At the pinnacle of holiness, in the depths of the abyss, I the black cat, shall shake the mortal realm!"
Mamenosuke released its demonic aura, black energy swirling around her…
[Mame-no-suke: I want two chicken drumsticks for lunch!]
"Hiss...truly unparalleled." Hogni was stunned.
The black cat turned her head slightly: "How is it? Do you feel like you've turned your back on all living beings?"
"Turning my back on the people?"
Hogni thought this was perfect he loved turning his back on the world. As long as no one could see his eyes, he was invincible!
Without hesitation, he vanished from sight and reappeared 10 meters away, back facing everyone.
Self-taught…
"If Heaven had not blessed Hogni with life, the way of the sword would remain in eternal darkness!"
Whoosh, he reappeared 50 meters away.
"I'll only use one sword strike—but I'll give you a 49-meter head start!!"
A flash of black light swept through the area, and every monster within 50 meters vanished without a trace.
"Hahaha too weak! Far too weak!"
Just then, a passing adventurer stared at him in shock.
Whoosh Hogni seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, immediately turning to face a completely empty spot, still keeping his back to everyone.
"Wielding the Black Demon to slay Brahma let the world know neither sun nor moon!!"
His desolate yet powerful figure looked like the most mysterious swordsman in the dungeon.
"Run! Quick! That's a lunatic from the Freya Familia!" The adventurers fled in terror.