Light, Dropper, and Sophie return from their mission earning the best rewards they could from The Syndicate. Depositing Emile's corpse on the way, I gain access to the Baker class and unlock a bakery feature to go with it.
Ali's was all that was needed early on. Now that I've got a full scale town in swing outside my mountain, more places to eat and a bigger selection is definitely a must. Not that The Chef won't still be a hit. I can almost guarantee that people will be queuing just to get a reservation when they arrive.
Humans seem to like Ali's food. Why do you need another food feature?
People like to have a bit of variety in their lives.
Or so I remember.
Plus, Ali can't possibly keep up the demand once the supply out grows it. Even if I give her more staff, the restaurant can only seat so many at a time.
The hard-working trio enjoy a drink whilst I pick out a spot for the bakery. Just outside the residential area, close to the Retreat and the rest of the shops is where it gets placed. Summoning a Shadow-Walker-turned-Baker to complete the feature, I upgrade it so that it conforms to the rest of town's standard.
Receiving his title, I cheap out once again and name him after it. The Baker can't offer contracts, but his pastries do give stat boosts so it's an even trade off. I chuck a couple more Shadow Bakers into the mix and leave them with the man himself to name. Watching The Baker hard at work, after doing a much better job than I would have done naming his staff, I loiter at the door in my new form and enjoy the delectable scents coming from The Baker's Oven.
I love being able to smell again. Life's great.
What's so appealing about it?
It's hard to explain. Certain smells are just the best. Fresh baked bread for example is one of those things that just can't be described. Hopefully, Me, one day you will experience it for yourself.
It is highly unlikely as I don't possess a soul and am just a system. I will never possess a body to be able to experience, what you describe as, wonderful smells.
You never know, Me. With the way things are going, I wouldn't be... What's that?
As we're talking, I feel a malicious and oppressive presence appear at the outskirts of town. Stronger than anyone we've had so far, at least I can tell its not a Catergoriser by the lack of willpower they possess.
Four people have entered you.
All at once?
The evil-intended baby will doesn't stay where it is for long and immediately heads into town.
Now is not the time for dirty jokes, Abi.
I know, I know. It's just nerves, that's all.
Informing my family about the probable threat, I warn them to be careful and teleport to the Retreat. As well as the hard-working trio that have just returned, there are also a few other patrons enjoying a cold ale at Talia's. Their presence gives me assurance since we're stronger than the last time an unannounced douchebag visited. However, if someone followed The Syndicate team back, then they can clean up there own mess.
"Did anyone follow you home?" my gaze falls immediately on Light, who gulps on cue. Coughing so that he doesn't choke on his ale, he eventually gets himself under control before answering.
"No, Master," he bows to the air in front of him, or at least that's how I presume it looked to Sophie. I don't have time to worry about her right now. It wouldn't have easier if she hadn't foregone the conversation with Wheeler only to hover around a certain Shadow Walker.
"Are you sure?" Sometimes, Light needs prompting twice. His memory is like a sieve, you can tell him something and two minutes later it's gone.
"Master? Who are you talking to?" not expecting the person that she's infatuated with to be crazy, Sophie also drops a question Light's way catching him off guard.
"Yes Master, I am sure. There was an... Altercation in Dune with a strange man, but we saw no one on the way back. Sophie, I will explain everything later,"
"I just want to be yours, Light. I don't care who knows! Or if you're crazy. As long as you can protect me, I'll always be yours," going red in the face, Sophie's eyes never leave Light's.
WOW! That was a bold declaration.
You go, girl!
I think I quite like Sophie, Me.
That's not important right now.
Oh, yeah.
As I'm reminded of the situation, the doors to Retreat are blown inwards. Wood and splinters fly everywhere as Talia glares at the intruders before composing herself and carrying on with her task.
"So many. So many," stepping through the destroyed wordwork, the man laughs as he enters the Retreat. He's followed by three women and behind them, two of my Vagabonds stand motionless. Their pupils have rolled back and inky the whites of their eyes is visible.
What's wrong with them, Me?
It seems as though they're under his control somehow.
Mia and Autumn are the last Vagabonds I have left, everyone else having been upgraded to Shadow Walkers over the last few weeks. It pains and infuriates me to see this wierdo controlling the weaker members of my family.
"I know you." The man actually seems shocked to see Light. Pointing cross the bar, the Shadow Walker smiles smugly as if he know something the others don't. It makes me a little angrier because I swear he just told me nobody followed him home. If that's the case, how does he know this stupid dude that just damaged my property?
He scowls at Light. Anger and hatred flash across his face as the man's breathing becomes erratic.
"Isn't that's the guy from Dune, Light. Hey, ass hole. It was an accident. He didn't mean to knock you over and even said sorry," Sophie backs up her man.
"Sorry? Sorry?! You will be sorry. When I rip your arms off and get these bitches to heal them back just so I can do it again, then we'll see how sorry you are!" Spit goes everywhere as the crazy bastard rages. The women behind don't look very impressed, however. Neither do they look happy about being here and dragging into the conversation.
Well, one of them does, but she looks to be just as crazy as the guy ranting. Either way, I can't help but feel super calm as this delusional douchebag spits venomous insults inside the Retreat. Which is great. Its nice not having to feel worried over every little thing. Normally, I get mega emotional and that reflects through the people I've summoned.
Talia is filling glasses and collecting mugs. Just like it's a regular weekday and as though there wasn't a lunatic acting dickish by the entrance, the Taskmaster chats happily with the patrons as she makes her rounds.
Some of the customers didn't even turn to look when the door imploded. Even though some of the debris almost hit them, barely anyone was phased by the grandiose entrance. Nor by the man imposing himself upon their good time. Dropper even yawned.
The man vanishes from the splintered wreckage of the entrance in the blink of an eye. One of his companions starts cheering him on, but she receives a dirty look from the woman next to her. The third is in tears and I can't help but wonder what's going on with their party. As I'm trying to understand the will of the troublemaker's nervous companions, he appears behind Dropper and presses a knife into her throat.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Nobody move. Not unless you want this one to die here. Now, tell me where the entrance to the dungeon is and I might just spare a few of you." His hostage scenario doesn't get the reaction he was expecting as Talia moves away to refill another mug. Light even bursts out laughing whilst pointing at the source of his humour, the fool with the blade.
With the knife held against her throat, Dropper still manages to take a large swig of ale before placing her mug on the counter. Sophie, along with the man's slaves, seem to be the only people worried by the situation.
Letting the buzz settle, Dropper belches but activates cancel sound before anyone hears. She then grips the man's wrist so tight that he can't escape. Even as he tries to pull away, his efforts are in vain and the whole scene looks more comical than threatening.
"What the hell?" Light is laughing even louder and panic is written across the would-be murderer's face as Dropper slowly lifts his arm over her head.
"Hi," turning to face him she smiles, right before planting a headbutt square in the middle of his forehead, sending him flying across the room into an unoccupied table from the force.
"What the fuck!? How is she so strong? You said this one would be the easiest one yet! What? So you're fuckin' lying to me then?" His hood falls back as he staggers to his feet, revealing his pointed ears as the elf screams at himself.
Oh shit. He's an elf. What's his problem though? Is he crazy?
I... Don't know. It's strange, I can almost sense something else in him.
"You silly bitch, that fucking hurt. Now you're all going to die. Kya, boost me!"
"Yes, Master," the only supporter cheering him on so far casts one of her spells. A green light envelopes the elf before a second spell covers him in red and he starts laughing again. Healing and attack boost spells. I'd recognise them anywhere because Anya use to use them use frequently on us.
Also, are all elves this crazy? I've never actually met one before.
Elves don't monopolise dungeons like humans do. Their aim is to destroy all dungeons since they follow the doctrine, or prophecy as they call it, handed down by a different God to the one that created The System.
So they're all crazy then.
Although, I don't get a bad feeling from those two that haven't moved. I have been known to be wrong though.
Before he has a chance to use his attack boost, Hiroshi finds himself caught in mid-air from a sweep kick performed by Dropper. He is then punched through the air by Light, past his own companions and back out of the entrance he destroyed on the way in. His airtime finally ends when he hits the house across the street and is embedded into the wall.
An eruption of blood is choked up from his throat and he falls to the floor.
"What is it with these... Monsters?" Prying himself free, the elf lands on the floor and coughs up blood. He looks up just in time to see Dropper kick him before she gets smaller and smaller as he flys through the air once more.
In place to receive the pitch, Light rolls his shoulders and then stretches to avoid pulling a muscle. Before the elf touches the ground, he's volleyed back down the street towards Dropper.
Wow, that's a crazy kind of cruel.
Quite.
As I watch Light and Dropper kick our invader up and down the street, his entourage wears a mismatch of emotions. With their hoods down, it turns out out that two of them are elves and the third is human. Which is strange since humans don't really get on with elves. Hell, they barely get on with each other, never mind a species that openly hates them.
The elf that granted him the attack boost looks furious as she shakes her fists in outrage. She also appears to be too scared to join in,so stop acting tough if you're not going to do anything you hussey.
The human in the middle seems to be having some type of internal crisis and is crying her eyes out. Stranger than strange, which is the name of the game around here, the redhead elf is rubbing her back and offering her comfort. She even looks happier than the two partaking in the fun as she watches the male elf being kicked back and forth like a tussball.
"Master, I have returned!" As if on cue, my headache returns and his bellowing can be heard at the end of the street. Before I can even sigh, Noir rises out the shadows between Light and Dropper, kicking the elf high in the air and pausing their game.
"Who is this fool that dares to challenge my master!" Planting his spear in the ground, the Shadow Walker sticks his chest out and starts laughing.
"Oi. Get over here, Noir!" Hearing my voice, Prince Loudmouth immediately appears next to my new form and salutes.
"Master! You look beautiful," even though I know you're about to say something stupid, I'll take that compliment. Thanks, Noir. I'm awesome, right? "Please, let my mighty weapon penetrate the foul scum that desecrates you."
Honestly, I don't think that he can string a sentence together without it implying something else.
"Mighty weapon? Penetrate? Don't you think you're cutting it a bit close there pal?" I try and scowl but because of my size I must look adorable doing so. Noir's smile only grows larger.
"It has been days since my tip has entered the fleshy insides of another being..." The sound of the elf's bones breaking as he hits the floor, knocks me out off the building rage towards Noir's poor choice of words.
I'm swear he does it on purpose.
The elf wheezes in pain, informing us that he didn't die upon impact which isn't the strangest thing that's happening. Even with how high Noir launched him.
"C-Can't... Kill them. Don't want... To die. Help me. T-Take control. I don't care anymore. I just... Don't want to die!" A red miasma starts to leak out from his wounds and the elf screams even louder. His bones snap back into place, tearing through his protuded skin as ligaments and muscle sew themselves together.
An unruly noise forces everyone to cover their ears as the elf's scream pushes them back a step. His body contorts and cracks into place as he's forced up like a puppet. Even though he looks like he's held up by string, the elf does seem to be stronger than he was before.
I can even feel a different presence coming from him now. It's strange. It's like he's a Dungeon Core, but also not at the same time. I know, it doesn't make sense. When does anything around here though? Either way, I'm slightly relieved that Prince Loudmouth is by my side. For all his faults, he doesn't mess around when it comes to protecting me.
"Now I will show you true power!" Power tripping, the elf threatens my family as a small orb of darkness appears above his palm. Growing rapidly the spell continues until it's the size of a large ball and doesn't stop there. It continues to grow in size as I notice Light and Dropper playing rock, paper, scissors.
I'm still not that worried since my family number in the hundreds now, but what the hell are they doing?
I assume Light won since he's doing the oddest victory dance I've ever seen. Dropper huffs before disappearing into the shadows.
"Die, you fucking handsome bastard!" Shouting a complimentary insult as he hurls the ball of shadow magic at Light, his laugh is cut short after noticing the spell hasn't moved an inch from its position. He tries to throw it once again, but it still won't follow his command.
"Oh... You thought you were in control of that shadow magic. That's so cute," Dropper calls down to the confused elf from her position on the roof as the shadow ball fizzles out into nothing.
"Right? Isn't this guy just peachy? Hey, Elf. That was a spell from the Vagabond tier and we mastered those weeks ago. Trying to use dark magic against us was a poor choice. In fact, let me show you a spell from the next tier up." Light grins as shadow after shadow start weaving together. Instead of a ball, a black diamond that looks almost Core-like appears in his hand. Containing an abundance of magic, the power rushing from it surges down the street.
"I feel like you need the extra touch." Light smiles and wraps his hand around the jewel, releasing the magic within. Immediately, the elf's world changes. Instead of being on the street, he finds himself inside a large dome.
Looking around, he can see the walls are covered in spikes and the only exit is at the end of a long wooden bridge. Through the door, he can see Light still standing on the same street in the middle of town. Another man is behind him, pointing and laughing as he swings a spear around. His hair reminds Hiroshi of Aura, reigniting his rage towards the stubborn elf.
Funnily enough, neither Light or Noir are provoking the elf as I know what skill my Shadow Walker has used. They went over them briefly, but this one I remember because it's a trap. Just like the ones I place in the dungeon, only several times better, Light's magic is an illusion that causes the target to force their own death.
After witnessing whatever the skill uses to rile the target up, they try to escape as common sense would dictate. Through the door. But...
When is a door not a door?
Is this really the time?
Nope. The correct answer was, when it's a big-ass spear waiting to impale you.
And impale him it does. Not only does it gore a gigantic hole through his chest, it carries the elf right into the blanket of spikes. Becoming real after he activated the trap, they close around the already dead Horoshi.
All that we saw after Light crushed the black diamond was the elf being riddled with holes. It was strange to watch, but would have been even worse if I hadn't known what was happening.
Hitting the floor for a second time today, blood pools beneath the elf as his eyes turn cloudy. The end, I thought until one his elves blew herself up after running into the middle of the street. Fortunately, her daft attack was contained with some craft shadow magic by Carrie, who immediately looked at the other two interlopers.
They shook their heads vigorously and wore pleasing smiles to be honest. Maybe they're happy with how things turned out? He did seem pretty far gone that crazy bastard. I mean, who comes into a person's home and picks a fight for no reason?
Crazy people.
That's who.
With the last lingering presence of evil dispelled from my dungeon, the dust settles and Light is shining the familiar colour that indicates evolution.
How strong was that elf?
"How is that possible? We were closest to the next evolution! How did get there before me?" Noir is as baffled as I am, although he seems more upset about it. Not that I'm taking his side either, but Light was almost 30 levels behind Prince Loudmouth. If that experience rocketed Prince Sillybollocks to max level, then what is it going to do to me?
Wait a minute. Light's max level!
A new monster has been unlocked:
Assassin: 80DP