I observe three human intruders hovering next to a 3D map displayed on a screen. The map highlights the wildlife on the level in yellow and the humans in red. The intruders speak to each other in a language called Falaran, which is foreign to me.
"Can't the Interface translate what they are saying?" I ask the AI.
[Souls of Humans, Non-Humans, and Monsters that die within the Dungeon will be captured. Their last seven days of memories and language skills will be accessible to the Dungeon Lord]
"At least one must be killed, but my minions are not strong enough. I must warn them of the danger." I remind myself.
[Being fused, I also have access to the artificial light on the Second Level and turned it off the moment the Humans came in]
The 3D map shows my three Minions highlighted in blue. They are returning to the inner sanctum, but their limited movement speed means it will take them several minutes to arrive. Fortunately, the intruders are slowly walking towards the river at the center of the Grasslands while chatting.
"I wonder if they came for me or something else," I murmured.
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"Looks like no one else is here." The Rogue called Brock announced after scouting a bit.
"Then let's get to the river at the center first. That's where all the animals usually gather," Master Phil ordered.
"Seniors lead the way, hehe!" Brock snickered.
"Master Phil, why did you bring Boner Brock with us? Half the children in the slums call him their broke Dad." I ask.
Brock pretended not to hear me and kept studying the animals in the area.
"I am aware of Brock's reputation and progeny. One of his crimes involved adultery with the Queen's sister. The King sentenced him to the Heroes Church to atone for his misdeeds." Master Phil explained.
"For how long?" I ask.
"Long enough! Today is my last day on the job!" Brock answered proudly.
"You should disappear after we leave the Dungeon. Otherwise, the Kingsmen will kill you if you commit another sin." Master Phil advised Brock.
"No problem! I got my eyes set on the Felusian Kingdom in the Logund Continent. They don't care for the laws of the Heroes Church like this dump." Brock grumbled.
"Will you take your kids in the slums to your new home?" I ask him.
"Nah, I will make new ones there. I would invite you to tag along, but you seem to be the virgin-for-life type." He answered with a chuckle.
I wanted to burn him with my Black Flames, but I shook my head and tried to change the subject.
"Master Phil, was this place a Dungeon? It looks like a piece of heaven instead of hell." I asked my Master.
"Long ago, the Great-Grandfather of our King was among those who slayed this Dungeon's Lord and destroyed its Core. All the demonic monsters within the Dungeon disappeared, and the land became free of their foul stench. But the Dungeon did not vanish. Instead of sealing the entrance, it was filled with livestock to flourish in an environment that never experienced the change of seasons. Because of that decision, our Kingdom has survived many harsh winters over the last century." Master Phil explained.
"They turned the Dungeon into a winter food supply bank! Is that so hard to say? Why give another history lesson? It's the fifth one since we left the slums!" Brock mocked.
"A Prince must learn everything about his Kingdom." Master Phil complained.
"His Kingdom? Royal bastards don't get in line for succession. He was a slum dog until the King declared him his bastard last week and handed him to you last night. That is the same as handing him over to the Church. So he will never_" Brock tried to argue but got interrupted again.
"If you continue insulting my disciple, I will be forced to neuter you," Master Phil warned Brock as he eyed his waist.
Brock touched his crotch out of reflex and noticeably shivered.
"Alright! Quit threatening my jewels! I need them!" Brock yelled.
"Then do your job and stay away from us. I need to teach my disciple a few things about his role." Phil commanded as he pointed at a Herd of Bison ahead of us.
Brock nodded and then ran toward the herd. When he got close enough, he raised his fancy bow, and a glowing golden arrow of light materialized in his right hand. Brock stopped to study the herd and then raised the bow above his head to fire at the sky above. When the arrow was released, it flew high and then split into dozens of arrows of golden light that homed in on their targets as they fell back to the earth. When the arrows made contact, they disappeared, and their targets began to sparkle. As the beasts ran away, golden dust marked their trail and slowly faded out of existence. Brock then proceeded to do the same to the Elks, Boars, and all the fowls.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"What is that man-whore doing to them?" I ask Master Phil.
I have no respect for Brock. His insults frustrated me, and I needed to vent by describing what he was.
"Ahem! A prince must use more refined language. The 'Scoundrel' in question uniquely detects the fertility levels of all creatures. He uses the 'Tracker Bow' to mark the infertile, enabling you to hunt and eliminate them," Phil explained.
I looked over to Brock, who marked over two hundred animals of every kind and kept on finding new targets.
"I will follow your orders, but aren't these animals the King's property?" I ask.
"The Landsmeet of Kings is to be held in six days. Many kings, Queens, and Knights will be attending it. Feeding them all will require a mountain of meat. But do not worry! I will store the beasts you kill with these rings and hand them to the royal chefs."
Master Phil then presented his right hand to me. Each finger had a golden ring with precious stones. These expensive storage rings have the same capacity as a large warehouse.
"Surely, the Kingsmen should be responsible for this task. Why did the King order the Hero of Ages to do this?" I questioned.
"He didn't order me to hunt the animals. He wanted me to honor you with this task so that you can rank up by hunting, killing, and eating as much as you can here," Master Phil revealed.
What?
"I'm confused. I might not be highly educated like you, but I know Humans, Non-Humans, Elemental Beasts and Monsters cannot gain experience by killing and eating animals."
"Let me ask, have you killed an animal and eaten its meat raw?" Master Phil asked.
"I hunted, killed, and ate dozens of rats a day to survive in the slums since I was nine years old. That was when my Mother passed away. Sometimes, I would have to eat them raw because the other Slum dwellers would steal my food when I cooked them. So it was either I eat the rats raw or starve." I answered.
"Though I know what official reports say, would you please indulge me by explaining what caused the Black Phoenix curse to awaken?"
I wonder where Master Phil is going with this.
"Two weeks ago, I stole two piglets from a Pig Framer. I ran to a cave to eat them. But the Farmer somehow tracked me down and decided to end me. He was about to stab me through my chest with his pitchfork. Then, black wings grew from my shoulders; each feather was made from black flames, and it quickly covered my body. The Farmer ran away after seeing the transformation and reported me to the Kingsmen." I narrated.
"I was told you spent a week running...no... flying away from the Kingsmen before surrendering. Did you hunt and eat more animals during that chase? Master Phil asked me.
"Yes, But I stopped eating them raw. I used the Black Flames to cook the meat because they didn't produce light like normal flames and absorbed the smoke instead of releasing it." I explained.
"Did you feel you were improving your new skills with every day that passed since they appeared?" Master Phil asked me.
"Yes, there was improvement. But it stopped after I was taken to the castle. Wait! Are you suggesting that the curse only allows me to grow stronger by killing animals and eating them?" I asked.
Master Phil gestured towards my protruding belly, shaking his head in disappointment. "All those meals prepared by the royal chefs, and yet it seems they weren't doing you any favors," he remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
I gazed down and placed my hand on my bloated belly, which had grown big from overindulging in rich and savory cuisine that I had never tasted before in my life. But even after I ate several dishes, I felt something was lacking. I yearned to taste meat I had personally hunted, killed, and cooked with my flames.
"I thought I only gained new abilities when the curse awakened. But it now feels like it changed what I want to eat." I pointed out.
"What do you know about the curse in your blood?" Master Phil asked.
"I received private lessons from the King himself on Curse of the Black Phoenix. It was a majestic and divine creature that achieved the status of Beast Deity after breaking free from the Mithril Rank. According to legend, the ancestor of the King killed one of the Black Phoenix's offspring, resulting in a curse that granted him extraordinary abilities and helped him establish his own Kingdom by defeating all the other Kings on the continent. However, he died from a mysterious illness, and his royal line could not inherit his abilities despite carrying the same curse. The Black Phoenix has chosen only me to grant these abilities for some unknown reason." I explained.
"The truth is that those cursed by Beast Deities grow stronger by hunting, killing, and eating their victims, whether Humans, Non-Humans, Monsters, Elemental Beasts, or Animals. Those who resist their bestial urges will slowly perish."
"Master, how can you be so sure?" I demanded.
"Young Dale, I am a Hero chosen by my Goddess, Sardinia. I possess the power to see the history of heroic bloodlines. Your ancestor was a great Hero who once faced a terrible curse from a Divine Beast. He gave in to his inner beast and was consumed by its urges, but he later fought back and resisted its call. However, his resistance came at a great cost, and he died a slow, painful death from starvation. His descendants believed the curse would shorten their lives, so they neglected to awaken their inner beast and indulged in frivolous royal hunts. They lacked the courage to live like animals, surviving on raw meat and awakening the beast within. But after I learned what was needed, I offered to create the right environment. However, the King was too old and protective of his daughters. So he compromised by siring a child with a palace maid who was banished to avoid the Queen's wrath. A Scoundrel was employed to ensure the child had the right environment to bring out the hidden potential," Master Phil explained with a firm tone and a confident smile.
As I stood there, hanging on every word from Master Phil, my mind began to wander back to the past. It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes, and I could now see things with a newfound clarity. The incidents that once seemed like a series of unfortunate events now appeared to be part of a larger, more sinister plan to keep me living in extreme poverty.
As these thoughts flooded my mind, I felt a sense of anger and frustration building within me. How could someone do this to another human being?
With rage and fear, I asked Master Phil, "Did you intentionally orchestrate my entire life this way?"
"I urge you to listen carefully, for I have received a divine vision of the return of the Demon King and his minions. To safeguard our Arya, I had to do what I did to bring back the legendary Black Phoenix from the depths of time. Its immense power and strength will be our greatest weapon against the dark forces that seek to harm us."