[Quest Completed!]
* Congratulations, you have completed the quest ‘The First Delve.’ You have earned 8.4 XP. You have been awarded 10 SP and 50 MP.
* Congratulations, you have defeated your first delver. Not every dungeon can subdue their first opponent, but you have gone above and beyond. Bonus of 4.2 XP and 50 MP.
* Congratulations, through your connection to the sub-minds and the reactions of your delvers, you have gained a myth. Bonus of 6.3 XP and 13 SP. Grow this myth for continued rewards and store options.
[New Status Effect!]
* ‘Grotto of the Captive Maiden’: Through severe misunderstandings, a delver has designated a myth to your dungeon. For now, this is a narrative of a maidenly spirit being kidnapped from the underworld by a lustful demon. Mythic connection x 1.01. MP ration x 1.2. XP gains increased when aligned with the narrative. This modifier is still evolving and is deeply affected by delvers’ interpretations.
[Level up!] [System interference banned, leveling will be done by Kepler.]
There was an awkward silence.
At the jungle gym, Chubbles the slime led a charge into the mess of iron bars. The dipluran choir reached a monastic climax as the gelatinous group climbed.
Clare snickered. Lustful demon—
[Shut up.] Kepler hid his face in his hands. [This never happened. I’m hiding it on the status sheet.]
Only hiding it, huh? She grabbed him by his fuzzy ears, So you really are a demon!
He pawed at her hands unhappily. [Clare!] He howled, [Not my ears!]
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Outside, their servants heard the scuffle, glancing at the statue where the core was ensconced.
Serves you right! Who told you to blow in my ears?
Kepler got rid of his ears entirely, squishing into an inky black glob. [At least I didn’t grab them! You’re so mean!]
She tackled him in response, aura dimpling with laughter. He huffed, turning back to his normal form and pinning her to the ground.
[I am not a demon!]
Giggling, Clare went for his ears again, but settled for hugging him when he drew back his head. He looked down at her with utter confusion.
[Miss Clare, is there something I’m missing here? I don’t see how this is amusing.]
How is it not? She let go of him, flopping onto her back with a content sigh.
A line formed between his brows. [People think I’m a demon. That’s just hurtful.]
Huh? Clare blinked. Aren’t you the one always going on about how they will grovel before our power?
[That is a completely separate matter.] He sat up. [People should fear my greatness and majesty, not see me as a monster to put down!]
Clare sat up as well, reaching over to pat his head.
He caught her by the wrist. [Do not touch my ears, you irresponsible savage.]
I’m sorry.
[Ah.] Kepler paused, uncertain, then let go of her wrist. [Yes, alright.]
Had Clare apologized to him before? She certainly hoped so, but he seemed so thrown off guard by it…
You aren’t a demon. She put her hands in her lap. I’ve never thought of you that way, that’s why I thought it was silly.
[Well, I…] He dropped into a cat like form, shifting uncomfortably. [I shouldn’t have called you a savage, either.]
Clare snorted. You call me a savage all the time.
He huffed in response, flopping into her lap.
The slimes continued their race to the top of the jungle gym, Omnom in the lead. Rhythmic chase-scene music had replaced the Diplurans’ previous song, sounding oddly exotic in their small, chirpy throats.
Clare began to pet the top of Kepler’s head, which he ignored but didn’t put a stop to.
Astrid jumped into the Snake-Worms’ moat and was immediately jumped by Mr. Wriggles and Chomp-chomp. She managed to take Chomp-chomp with her when she had to respawn.
[Right.] Kepler sat up suddenly, brushing off his inefficient emotions. [Let’s move forward.]
Clare smiled at him. Okay.