Chapter 33: Dominator (2)
We trailed the path leading to the hole carefully, because the path was too narrow. One wrong move, we will fall down the cliff.
"Captain, how did you manage to invent the tune from earlier in such a short period of time? Is it your hobby to compose songs? Care to share it with us?" Theo curiously asked,
And with 'us', he's pertaining to himself and the knights who are also looking at me with curiosity. The knights on the other hand did not say anything.
"Nope, it was a song I often sang to my little sister when we were young." I answered. "The only thing I did was change the lyrics."
"Oh… you also have a little sister, my sister is more manly than me though, I never get to sing her lullabies." Theo lowered his head but I saw the small smile curve on his lips. "How about Sir Knights, do you have siblings you used to care for?"
I did see his sister, she's not that boyish in my opinion. All I saw was a girl trying her best to act tough and brave. I noticed her pink girly pigtails with little stuff mini-bears that didn't fit her acting tough.
The four guys chat with each other about siblings and stuff. At present, Vega and Keaton are now my siblings… though I always feel like something is missing. Ever since the day I saw Vega for the first time, Tania's heart has always gone stiff. That same day I felt relieved when she tackled me for an embrace.
…Or was it me? It must be because I'm still not used to it, not as the older sister Venice to my little sister Alice and my brother Bruce, but as Tania who has a little sister like Vega and a brother like Keaton.
'Forget it. I died already and can't be revived as Venice. Someday, I'll get used to it.'
-*-
When we reached our destination, a bright golden light blinded us. A minute later after our vision adjusted, a sea of golden coins were before us. A large golden statue with three faces, three arms attached to one body of a human was standing on the corner like a holy deity. The main hand formed into a flat golden platform just like before, in front of its body. Beside it was three hourglasses, not yet counting.
"Whoaaa…" all of us are speechless as we admire the view.
This is my first time seeing a sea of golden coins and a lot of chest boxes containing jewels.
*dingg!*
♤Sub-Quest 1: Finding Admin♤
'Oh my, oh my, oh my god!
Look what we have found,
Admin's home is on this land,
Haaa… He is hiding very bad,
Search for that semi-demi-god.'
Quest Reward: [???]
Quest Failure: Death
'Admin? Ah. So that admin is responsible for observing and watching us struggle. But why is he Semi Demi God… that is unfair-'
"Welcome my first visitors!" A girl in white dress with golden jewels suddenly appeared in front of us… floating.
"GHOST!" We yelled in unison and backed away. Selek was about to pull out his holy water while Efren drew out his sword.
What the heck… Swords can't hurt ghosts.
"Yes, yes, swords can't hurt me." The girl nodded her head.
'Is she the Admin? But it's said to find 'him', additionally, he is a he. Obviously not this girl and he should be hiding somewhere.'
And Damn. She could read thoughts… Can ghosts really read thoughts? Tch.
'You're an annoying ghost.'
The ghost girl snapped her head to me while quivering her brows. Oops… she could. Luckily she is just a little girl's ghost and not Kayako's ghost, otherwise, I will really kill her to die again.
"Who is Kayako?"
Tch.
"She's the ghost of a woman dressed in a bloody dress, long black hair, pale skin, has black irises and red corneas, and a voice that makes noises. She died cruelly, beaten to death by her very own husband, after killing his own son by drowning along with his son's black cat. He then killed his wife before taking his own life. The wife's ghost, Kayako, came back to hunt people who tried to live in her house that got abandoned after their whole family died. She sometimes makes a sound that is annoyingly eerie to the point that you can't even sleep a wink at night 'cause you won't know when she will creep on your bed to lay beside you and struggle you to death. She loves dark places, less oxygen due to the fact that her husband wrapped her in cloth (plastic) to suffocate and hide her bloody body in the attic. And are you curious to know what strategy she used to kill and abduct her victims?"
I stopped when I noticed that everyone's attention was on me, even the girl's ghost hugged herself and bit her trembling finger tips. Haaa… isn't she a ghost too? What a weirdo.
"…She sometimes gets close to people and then when that person at least relaxed their guard down, she starts to hunt them down one-by-one. It can be in your sleep, in their dreams, and even…beside you."
*BANGG!* *BANGG!!*
[AHH! Let me out! It's dark! She might be here! Let me out!]
*BANGG!!* *BANGG!!*
We all heard a crying voice coming from the deity statue's face. More importantly, it was the voice of a crying young kid banging on the metal statue from the inside.
"……"
All of us just stood there, including the ghost girl, watching the statue's face distort in a funny way because of the banging. So he was hiding there.
*CRASHH!*
A mist formed around the statue and until it disappeared, our gazes were pinned over there. The body of a young pretty boy is revealed. A rose gold coloured shoulder length hair, a pair of bright chestnut coloured eyes (almost close to amber hue), and his skin is as pale white as mine. He kind of reminded me of Vega.
[You…]
The kid slowly walked to us with a killing intent from his eyes, as he glared at us. However, my knights quickly blocked my sight to protect me and were about to pull their weapons.
[You lowly humans… Did you just try to scare me?!]
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It looks like he got scared so I asked "Are you the Admin?"
[You knew I was the admin and yet you didn't even pay respect? I'm not SCARED.]
A haughty and arrogant tone can be heard from him but I didn't get angry. I always encounter these kinds of people and I, myself, am an arrogant being so what's new? But since it's the admin of this Dungeon and I'm in his territory, I should let it slide.
"My apologies, we showed you our rude behavior." I bowed, my knights tried to stop me but I only gestured to them to do the same, and fortunately, they understood it and also bowed their heads. "May we ask how we should address you, admin? Or are you fine to be called 'Admin' as is?"
'…I think his name is on the name of the dungeon itself, was it Drea Dearby's Dungeon? Drea Dearby?'
[I see… you have one knowledgeable human among you.]
Tch. Another mind reader…
[That's not my exact name, but right, lowly creatures like you often call me by that name, but my only true name is…]
I clenched my jaw when I heard that same word again. Lowly creature? What an arrogant being, I wanna kick his as-
[DEARBY.]
The four of us were surprised when the pressure suddenly weighed down on our shoulders and made us kneel helplessly.
'W-what is happening?'
The name Dearby floated on my head like a math problem that is impossible to solve.
*dingg!*
♤WARNING!♤
The weight of this name has affected your 'Mentality'.
You are Triggered.
You are Triggered.
Initiating an emergency mental barrier…
Calculating your Authority…
'Mental Barrier' has Failed.
Initiating an emergency mental barrier once again…
Calculating your Authority…
'Mental Barrier' has Failed.
Accept the weight.
There's no way to counter it.
You will now undergo a 'Traumatic Intrusion' from your [Lack of Authority].
Injure for 1 minute.
Time Limit: 59 seconds
A searing pain suddenly snapped in my head as if it was about to rip. Flashes of unfamiliar and unorganized memories in my head like a slideshow. And blood started to flow out of my nose.
"Ah…! AAHHHH! It… h-hurts… Fu- ACKKKK!"
I held my head and started yelling in pain, I banged my fist on the ground until it bled to try to avert the pain in my head but it didn't work.
There were distorted voices in the background along with the images that I can't figure out its meaning. Bloody little hands, knives, roses, organs, bookshelves, wooden swords, intestines, blurry faces, brooches, jewelries, medical books, trophies, pale colored souls? and lastly, an operating table.
「("A miracle baby, a rare outstanding power, and a genius child...")」
「("Are you looking for a fight?")」
「("Don't tell your Dad... or he will...")」
I could also taste blood in my mouth while coughing. "M-Master!" I felt someone touch my shoulder with his trembling hands.
「("What should we name them?")」
「("Please make friends with them... specially this kiddo.")」
「("Do not… forgive me, alright?")」
*cough*
More dark blood flowed out of my mouth as I heard someone shout, "W-What have you done to Captain?!"
「("…and Dearby.")」
「("Y-you're arrogant!")」
「("Please don't die!")」
[How odd… I have not done anything yet.]
"What is happening?! Do something!"
*dingg!*
*dingg!*
*dingg!*
♤Notice!♤
Time's up! Congratulations for holding out.
The 'Traumatic Intrusion' has scarred your 'Mentality'.
The 'Traumatic Intrusion' has triggered an 'Unknown Seal'.
An 'Unknown Seal' was now visible.
An 'Unknown Seal' is starting to crack.
♤Sub-Quest 1 : Finding Admin♤
Congratulations!
[CLEARED]
Reward:
15% 'Authority'
♤Notification♤
Your 'Authority' has been calculated.
Authority Gauge:
55% / 100%
You are now qualified to receive the 'History Synchronization'.
It will increase depending on the 'Unknown Seal's state.
History Synchronization:
4.21% / 100%
*Panting*
"What… what the fuck did I just witness…"
I forced myself to stand up, still feeling a bit nauseous and fuzzy. Two knights support me to stand up straight.
*dingg!*
♤Notice!♤
Due to the unexpected occurrence regarding the crack that appeared on the 'Unknown Seal', your 'Health' permanently decreased by 10.
A decrease in health? But my health stats are only 65, which is already lower than a normal person's health of 100. If this occurs again… wouldn't I die before I even complete the History Synchronization?
[You're weak. You can't even handle that much pressure? Now, I'm wondering how you managed to get here.]
I shoot glares at him after I recover. "Shut… the fuck up if you don't know the story."
[…Are you testing my patience, weak human? Do you know that you just disrespect me? A God. You commit blasphemy.]
God? How funny.
I recalled the sub-quest panel from earlier.
[You are aware that I could read minds and yet you continue that facade. Arrogant human. I shall kill you.]
*dingg!*
♤Emergency Quest Alert 3!♤
Strong bloodlust is directed to your group.
Semi-Demi-God, Dearby wants to purge you.
Defend yourself by any means necessary.
Quest Reward: Permanent increase 'Mentality' by 5, Permanent increase 'Senses' by 5, Level Up, (???), (???)
Quest Failure: Death
The intensity of the pressure increased more than before. The first to go down was Theo. All of us tried to go against the pressure until we were soaked in sweats, I could feel my knee giving out and the same goes to the knights.
'Damn it!'
Dearby produced an energy ball on his hand, it has a golden light with a hint of unique dark purple color. The pebble size ball continued to grow. Everyone knows we'll definitely die once we were hit by that, I could free my heart race at the sight of it.
"Ughh-!"
I bit my lip and looked at my struggling party member. Can I even sav- wait a moment… Right! I could counter this pressure using that skill!
'Activate Domination.'
*dingg!*
♤Skill Activation♤
Dominator Lvl. MAX - Activated.
Everyone within 30 m radius from you will feel the intimidation superior to that of an Ancient Dragon. Trembling in their booths. You are like the most powerful creature in the world. No one can be able to think straight around you.
*Of course, it's only an illusion so don't be delusional.
-----
Due to your nonexistent 'Magic' stats, this skill will consume your 'Health' and 'Stamina' by 2 per seconds as an alternative within the limit of 2 minutes.
…What a crappy system. 2 per second? Do you really want me to die?! Fuck it. I need to convince this brat before my health reaches 0.
[H-huh?! W-What in the world…!? Eurkk!]
The pressure I felt from Dearby vanished, but everyone under the area of Dominator skill fell flat on the ground. The ghost girl and Dearby's power disappeared into thin air. While Dearby fell on his butt with an expression of disbelief.
[You…! A-Aren't you a human?!]
"How about you? Aren't you just a brat? Learn to respect someone older than you, got it?"
[Tch! You were dying just a moment ago-]
「 Health 36 >> 24 」
「 Stamina 128 >> 116 」
Just shut up and obey! I'll really die if it continues to blab any longer!
"I'll count to 3, if you do not respect and obey my orders, I'll turn you into dust. One…"
[Eeckk!]
Even though it was a bluff, Dearby's eyes trembled while looking at me. I saw how he gulped and clenched his hands. He couldn't think straight while under Domination… Just answer now, goddamn it!
I bare my teeth at him. "Two…"
I panicked inside and my heart continued to beat frantically. There's no change in his reaction.