(***Soma POV***)
Soma had been waiting with Mina for Zero to arrive since he asked them to wait for him on the shrine grounds at midnight. As they waited a lunar eclipse occurred and as they looked up at it the scenery began to warp and suddenly they were transported outside of what looked like a medieval castle.
As they looked around Soma began to feel strange. He felt like he was happy being here for some strange reason. It was like some hidden part of him yearned for the chaotic, cold, and depressive atmosphere here. This feeling began to spread causing Soma to become dizzy and faint. As he awoke sometime later he found himself lying on Mina's lap unsure what had just happened.
"Hey, looks like he's coming to." said Mina as if she were talking to someone else
"What… happened?" asked the disoriented Soma
"So you've decided to join us… Did you have a pleasant nap?" asked a man's voice
This caused Soma to instantly get up in order to protect Mina. "Who the heck are you?" Soma demanded as he saw the owner of the voice. It was a handsome man with long black hair in a black suit.
"It's okay, Soma. His name is Genya Arikado." answered Mina
"Skip the introductions. I have a few questions, and I need answers now." said Genya
Without wait for Soma to affirm he would answer he asked his first question. "Why have you come here?"
"Why? Well, Mina and I were waiting…. Hang on where are we?" Soma was about to say that they were waiting for Zero but realized that finding out where they were and how to get back should be his main priority.
"We're in Dracula's Castle" answered Genya
"Huh? Dracula's Castle? Are you telling me we're in Europe?" asked Soma
"No, we're inside the lunar eclipse." Said Genya
"Inside the eclipse?! You're insane! Do you think I'm a fool?!" yelled Soma
"Soma! Listen to him, he's telling the truth!" Mina yelled to calm Soma who was clearly agitated for some reason.
"Very well then give me an explanation." demanded Soma
As Genya was about to explain the current situation his sense picked up some footsteps. He warned that enemies were inbound and soon some skeleton soldiers and winged skeleton demons appeared from the castle as surrounded us. Mina fainted at the sight of the skeletons and they were now surrounded. Genya waved his hand and a force wiped out all the enemies except one-winged skeleton who aimed a spear at Mina.
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"Damn! Protect the girl!" yelled Genya having noticed the enemy too late.
Soma picked up a sword dropped by one of the defeated skeletons. He managed to knock the spear out of the winged skeleton's hand masterfully and kill it within seconds. When he did a red orb appeared and flew into his body and in his mind, he heard the sounds of chains breaking.
"Wha… what was that thing?" asked a confused Soma
"So it has awakened" said Genya as he looked at Soma strangely
"What? What has?" asked Soma
"The soul of the creature you kill has just entered your body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the monsters you kill." said Genya
"Why do I have that power?" asked Soma
"You have gained the power. Now you must go to the Master's chamber." Ordered Genya as he had no intentions of answering any of Soma's questions
"For what reason!" demanded Soma starting to feel fed up with Genya
"Don't you wish to return with your friend to your own world?" asked Genya
"Of course I do." said Soma as he made sure the unconscious Mina was okay
"Go to the Master's chamber. Then you will understand everything" said Genya cryptically
"But I can't just leave Mina here like this." said Soma anxiously
"No need to worry about her. I'll set up a protective barrier. But death will certainly find us all if we stay here too long." Said Genya
Soma looked conflicted as he knew deep down that if he wanted to leave here with Mina he must follow the instruction of Genya. Genya seemed to know what was going on but if he left Mina and something happened to her he could never forgive himself.
"Only you can save her from a painful death." said Genya
"What will you do?" asked Soma
"I also have things I must do within the castle." answered Genya
Soma walked over to Mina one more time to make sure she was okay. As he finished he walked towards the castle gates and then entered the castle leaving Mina in the protective barrier.
(***Zero POV***)
Zero had been killing bats, zombies, and skeletons endlessly as he progressed thru the lower levels of the castle. He had gained approximately 200 souls for each now. He absorbed a bat soul to gain the ability of echolocation so he was aware of the enemies ahead. He used the rest to upgrade his soul rank but as they were low-quality G rank souls not even 200 had increased his soul rank.
'System inform me of when Soma or Genya begin to move to enter the castle' ordered Zero
CONFIRMED WILL ALERT HOST ON MOVEMENT OF THESE TARGETS
Travel through the castle Zero found a long hallway, with the occasional stairwell or side route. He had been walking for 30 minutes while defeating the occasional monster and they spawned endlessly so he continued to move as to not be held up. As Zero was walking around he came across one of his targets Sirens. The sirens were birds with beautiful feathers, scaly feet, and beautiful women's faces with seductive voices. They were surrounded by tiny little devil live demons in the air.
RACE: SIREN
SOUL: CORRUPTED SOUL
SOUL RANK: F-
LEVEL: 10
ATTRIBUTES: DARK, WIND
STRENGTH: 108
SPEED: 210
MAGIC ENERGY: 300
VITALITY: 200
SKILLS: DEVIL'S LULLABY, BEGINNER WIND MAGIC
RACE: TINY DEVIL
SOUL: DEMON SOUL
SOUL RANK: F-
LEVEL: 10
ATTRIBUTES: DARK, FIRE
STRENGTH: 122
SPEED: 140
MAGIC ENERGY: 250
VITALITY: 300
SKILLS: FAMILIAR SUMMONING, BEGINNER FIRE MAGIC
Zero then attacked the sirens and tiny devils. He teleported behind them and in one swift motion decapitated 3 sirens before teleporting back to his initial spot. He didn't want the souls to distract him in this dangerous place so he had previously asked the system to automatically store all souls inside his chaos soul dimension. The siren enraged that 3 of their sisters had been kill screamed in an inhuman voice which summoned more sirens. The tiny devils began using their summon familiar skill to summon more tiny devils. Zero smiled as he waited for them to gather their forces.
The sirens began to sing in a beautiful melodic tone but Zero simply took out some noise-canceling headphones. He was prepared for all the creatures inside the castle. He then pulled out his Glock G17 and shot 18 tiny devils leaving only 5 left before storing the gun again. He needed them to summon more devils so he attacked the now powerless sirens by teleport and decapitating them.
After battling the siren and tiny endlessly for about 20 minutes Zero finally received the notification that Soma had entered the castle. He had gathered 130 siren souls and 310 tiny devil souls but he had used up half of his ammunition. Gathering the soul he needed would be simple so long as remained unseen by Soma and Genya so he left the area. Since he could teleport he could easily return to this location whenever he wanted to collect more souls.
ZERO DEMON TARGET LIST
SOULS NEEDED
CHRONOMAGE X 2
VALKYRIE X 999
ERINYS X 999
LILITH X 999
SIREN 130/999
TINY DEVIL 310/999
NEMESIS X 999
WITCH X 999
CURLY X 999
DRYAD X 999
ARC DEMON X 100
DEMON LORD X 100
ALURA UNE X 999
MANDRAGORA X 100
ALASTOR X 999
SUCCUBUS X 999
FLAME DEMON X 100
FINAL GUARD X 999
SHADOW KNIGHT X 999