“An Anatidae is a serious topic in this Gate or location as a whole. Their relative knowledge and reputation turned to something else in the recent century, unlike the one before, or even further down the line. Many stories flow thinly or secretly through Mindarch touches, coming from Surface or those carrying weird research. The last visitor of that caliber was quite a nightmare. Some parts of the military got obliterated, a couple of Sectors ceased to work at all, and dozens of gangs became memories. Armies held some responsibilities, but most of that was hidden behind the Overlords and not made public.”
“Not public? Someone hid some nasty stuff. Must have been quite a monstrosity. What was its level?”
“Around 60 from my memory. Perhaps more, but who would take these monsters for something clear? Demons of this place don't appreciate another one coming here, but as with everything, things had to evolve or get used to it. I suppose the context over the Anatidaes matters less right now if I'm honest. Not every one of them is the same after all, especially the kind that is... under Marthosh's armpit.” He looked at the boy leaning on the wall, listening to their conversation and half forgetting that Murai was under his armpit. Unwillingly, Marthosh even began to pat his head and rub that belly.
“He sleeps well,” Marthosh argued. “Not sure why everyone was so shocked or worried about patting and handling an Anatidae. I thought it would be more... strange. It seems normal. Fine. Its feathers are neat, and it even wears clothes. Wait... perhaps that isn't normal, right?”
Lisa agreed with a chuckle.
“Yes, Marthosh,” David added. “It isn't good as I've said before, but being cautious is never enough at any moment. For example, the Token that is on the table,” David pointed at something that Lisa hadn't forgotten yet. It was small, easily lost, but she kept it on the table in a touch of trust. Losing it meant losing this entire Gate, but Illak didn't mention that, knowing that Lisa was taking it into her own hands.
“Some fools would dare to attack us, right?” Lisa asked, ignoring his gesture.
“Yes. Rules of Mindach stand firm and anyone who will take this Token will be greatly rewarded. Of course, when it all starts.”
“Yes. That also poise as to why you want to help. I get one reason out of you, David. You said it.”
“Encounter is the first thing. Second is you. The first was my initial plan, but now?” David smiled, scratching his head, and leaning further into the sofa. “I didn't know about you before. Encounter and Blessed is the most I wanted to touch and information about you is nowhere to be seen. It seemed unimportant like dust.”
Lisa felt his headache and heard his view. “Good. As intended. Which groups or gangs are looking at us? How strong could they be?” She asked, knowing it wasn't a possibility, but guaranteed they would come.
“That is the wonder that could be wide or small, depending on how it can go. I don't know your purpose of this Gate, but I know how Hunts goes. Now, it could be something else. However, I am taking this gamble anyway, so whoever will come, assuming the might of this Gate to your might, it is fine to think twice before acting, right?”
“That comes from the public relations or Mindarch. What does the public know about us? You might influence it with your sorry fat ass as well.”
“Oh, I know, but I am still willing to take it on. The public sure can get some things. Knowledge about duels and some losses in the prior Gates is known, followed by Tiers. Oh, and those duels in the Islands of Greatness are publicly purchasable. As long as one has money, one can get a lot of things, though not many details were made public about your fool. At best, there were some battles shown in arenas through some contracts, shadowed, or displayed like fog in the Underground District, or Black Market.”
“So?” Lisa said dismissively, knowing that this wasn't anything surprising or useful.
“I suppose plenty of groups will come and get him. Not you, but what is the difference? Hunt isn't even starting yet, so what happens isn't in my words. You want something yourself, don't you? Your plan. Every Challenger has its purpose. This Gate has its own dangers. I see your mischief from miles away, albeit we met after a lifetime of being apart. I am ready by the way! Ready to take it to another level.”
“Sure. Sure. Calm before I will slap your ego down.” She stopped his slowly creeping willpower.
“Well, I think the situation is still subject to change. The majority still waits it out to see the first one to strike this little guy, or they wait to see how the storm above flares up, or what Levandis would do. Hunt is most questionable. Means Mindarch can change it anytime and give him something new.” David pointed to Murai. “He is subject to Encounter and weird things, so plenty of high-level interest follows him. Now, I don't know how much of it is right when the world is not right. Perhaps Encounter isn't working? With it gone, why does he sleep like a hellless chick?”
This made Lisa turn around as well, helplessly glancing at the satisfied expression on Murai's face. A hand kept scratching his chin and belly, never stopping. She felt an itch to wake him up and tease that silly hoodie-wrapped sleeping face.
“How strong is this Anatidae?” David asked, trying to dig for information like a good businessman of this Gate would. He already had some ideas, obviously. Hearing it from Lisa provided stone-cold facts.
Such direct information was worth a fortune when no proper artificial status or appraisal was open about Murai at all. That was one thing that perplexed him. Usually, all Challengers went through Mindarch's research and readings. Then, they would be put into purchasable options, ranging from sights of battles to significant records. This time, nothing about Murai was made public besides some fights. Most would want to know more, but Mindarch or Levandis denied them this chance.
This place was connected to almost all layers of the Battleworld, as Hells were immense in their reputation. Considering the amount of stuff that was happening all over this planet, a lot of groups were interested in all kinds of places. The better the place, the more appeal surrounded it.
The general power that Levandis had ensured this place was intense, creating one of the few places that truly felt indifferent to outer conflicts. All things considered, of course. It still had a strange and vivid structure full of internal strifes. Everything was still subject to the flow that went through Ravine. Mindarch included that in a limited capacity, as he was a spirit and not someone lofty like Ravine. Mindarch could never grant some Boosts on his own, though he could give and force some readings to make them through Ravine or gift something via Levandis.
For Levandis, that meant some trouble and a reputation that allowed her position. This temple was hers. Anything, be it the pebble or the mountain amongst these Gates, everything was hers. Thus, a lot of beings knew how far they should go without bearing the weight of their Fate.
But what about the living things, demons that were hard to tame, or power that was impossible to stop? Not everyone was her subject in this Gate, let alone her Hell, yet everyone should think like one for the betterment of their welfare.
While it's true this place was a training ground for her forces, not a whole lot of them were ever-present. More often than not, only those who needed intensely supervised growth trained here as part of armies or Challengers. The rest were in different places, waging Wars, trained in better places, or done their missions.
As for the Gates and her hand-made special dungeon in the name of this temple, it was an intriguing place with the most variable sources to get stronger and challenge one's Path. Towards the end of it, it meant a significant change.
One could spend months or years here, or even entire lives. Or forever, if one met the End.
Even those of the Surface could find their footing in her armies if they were clever or unhinged enough. There were plenty of such cases or in outer jobs ranging from management of her armies, cooks, or other jobs that demons weren't that good at. Most demonic places like this lacked a certain Order and care humans had, so taking them as workers were something that Levandis accepted. Other Hells were much more prudent on that side, or it might be because of her tongue of all things.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
David was one such case. He was a former party member, who disappeared into this place through some expedition of Centralis Kingdom.
Lisa met him then, alone after he got lost, or he lost it all. She forced him into submission on her first visit and the rest was their history. For her anyway, while David was still head and shoulder deep into her interest.
However, that history and stories were much vaster and more complex than that. Meeting David alive was an unexpected thing that Lisa was glad and surprised about. After all, she didn't dare to imagine meeting someone like him so soon. Especially in this place.
She wondered if there could be others she knew, but she doubted that. He was the only name she recognized. Her forces were far too different to submit to Levandis unless they wanted to do it independently. Longing Merchant Group hadn't shown her anyone else.
But when she thought of others, perhaps they changed. David did, so why not the rest?
She wondered where everything went in her time of death. For the first time, she knew where to start. David should know more about it, considering their history and the details she wanted.
“Strong is a vast topic, David. I taught you that.” Lisa said to him. “Us, or him, this could be bigger if the weight of levels goes with you or outside of this damned system. With Mindarch or not, this might turn into some troublesome Hunt. Levandis ensures it even with the world upside down. Mindarch could too, but I bet on Levandis.”
“Her? Well, it is a possibility. You did right. More than once or twice.” David shook his head. “You were good at it. But you know what I mean. Level, abilities, or dangers. I bet a lot of problems about Gates will come here sooner or later anyway, so how about giving me some face and talking about something else? Come on. I deserve it after so long.” He reasoned, slamming his palms together in a pleading expression.
Seeing him like that definitely recalled some memories, but Lisa didn't care about that at the moment.
“Do we have a deal then? Are Lost Brothers interested in being my fools? If so, I need money. A good amount of that for the start, and some ideal runesmith wouldn't hurt too.”
“Money?” David piqued his ears, understanding this word more than well. He also noted some hidden meanings of what she meant. “So you aren't confident with how this could go? Is he below Level 30?”
Lisa laughed. “You have no idea about the numbers, which is good. That means not a whole lot is known about him yet, so Mindarch took that interest under some veils.”
“Yet!” David insisted, slamming his palms together one more time. “I can use such knowledge to get easy money. How much do you need? What kind?”
“Well, money in terms of essences would suffice.”
“Essences? Conversion from Surface into this place is rather inadequate, but whatever. Which Grade? Quantity?” David said without hesitation.
Mana Essences were one of the main sources of immediate wealth around the Hellscape, as it was one of the biggest places where living beings could give one. Very few would question how or why it worked this way, although some dared to imagine everyone was under some vast construct or some secrets of this temple.
Though the reasons and answers were always changing, flowing, and manifesting in many heads, there were some facts and logic in history. The truth was, the living construction of this unnatural essences gathering wasn't like a farm of slavery for resources. Levandis didn't force anything from anyone, but it surely followed all her subjects.
She was the Ruler, so many thought she would do something, but throughout the ages, the fact of essences growing out of their deaths turned into a normal reality. No one would dare to question her intentions, as it wasn't bad either. It turned into a culture, giving this temple a unique character that was nowhere else.
Levandis created a safe place to let it continue prevailing, acting like a culture created by simple times and history. It was a wonderful work for the general purposeless demonic places, rules that followed everything, and power that created meaning. The essences were necessities or aftereffects that were like a bonus.
Only a few would find it lacking, though many wondered what kind of treasure allowed and created such a vast mysterious effect. It went for even living and undead beings, beasts, or stupid demons, turning them into essences at the end of their time. That went out of the norm for anything Surface would know.
It was a peculiar, albeit well-kept secret.
So with a nearly endless amount of essence sources, their value around the whole temple was unquestionable and lower than on the surface. That was why this place was a golden opportunity for all kinds of folks from the Surface. Anyone would become wealthy if they had the power necessary to buy or hunt for them themselves.
Murai felt it much more than most since he spent his attention on them whenever he could. For him, the worth of essences was immense thanks to his Core Defying Fusion Technique.
This posed a wonderful question about what Lisa was thinking about when she mentioned money.
“What about me, boss?” Marthosh suddenly asked, still handling Murai like a pet. “I could try to look for information outside, or some other validation. Money or not, questions or finding answers is still my ideal. You tell what I do. Like usual. Some brokers wouldn't hesitate to tell all kinds of stuff to the public to make distorts or lies. Then loss of profits across the board of companies would happen. Who is to trust besides Mindarch who is silent?” He stepped forward for the first time, unwilling to try anything weird when he saw his boss like this.
Lisa ignored, him, but David didn't. “Trust? Mindarch might not be one to trust either. For now, toss me that duck and get out. I have a deeper discussion to tell with this... ghost. Not the kind fit for your head.” David said, pointing to the Murai.
“Don't touch him, fatass.” Lisa flew back, jolting Marthosh on his feet with a surge of sona. He backed away, stubling, and losing control of Murai in his clutch. Murai remained floating in space thanks to the slow tides of sona akin to hands. She wasn't that gentle to Marthosh, who ruined the wall and some wooden crates, stumbling to his back.
Lisa grabbed Murai by his hood, and since he wasn't all that heavy, she decided to take care of him herself. It was a wonder if she could've done so earlier, as her body was mendable and her sona was growing and flying. Asserting her position like she used to do might have done enough.
“Y-you,” David muttered, “didn't have to be this savage. He is just a kid.”
“Have some problems? I don't trust you yet. Why should I? That Token is there too,” Lisa flickered her finger and Token flew to her hand and remained afloat in her sona.
David wasn't surprised. “That is true. I think I gave you no intensive or guarantee to make this business worth it. We are different in power and circumstances anyway, but this Gate or others should get it or scram away. You haven't changed in that regard, have you?”
“You did,” Lisa said, glancing at David who was no longer a frail boy, but an exact opposite. Age could change many things, it seemed, which made Lisa a bit afraid to see the situations of others.
Especially her former little power, which was yet to come to her mind. She feared it was in pieces or death following her nasty End.
“I don't deny my differences. Fine!” David slammed the desk as he straightened his back and got ready to take a mission of his life. “I will help you goddammit! Be it with my life nearing its limits, but not the years, I will gladly do what you want to. What do you want besides wealth and... something else? Plans, forces, or trust. Will Oath Stone do, or should I lick your feet?” He roared, forgetting any deals he could make out of her. He forgot she had no feet.
David knew she was a stubborn and forceful person, and it didn't change at all even after enduring another End. Situations that others wouldn't take for anything but utter helplessness were in her past, obvious to his time followed by her former self. David wouldn't succeed with whatever he was trying anyway. Not against his former master.
This wasn't about business any longer. It was about the history and something that he wanted.
“Essences,” Lisa returned to the previous topic.
“At the moment, our pockets go as we could afford. We have some Grade 5s ready on demand and a lot of 6s across all sorts of quantities. Middle or High, it doesn't matter. Grade 7s are considered a good currency. Anything more is the same as you should know. Low Grade 5s are true treasures. As for the higher ones, they aren't as available for me. One would have to purchase them on special occasions, or Hunt them.”
“Hunt them?”
“You know. Levandis does those events nowadays to put incentive and wealth to the public. She either uses some criminals or some problems. Gangs and companies take such chances, following armies as well, or various people. Killing gives essence to the flow and Hell Points incentivizes everything. With how the flood of beings in her Hell goes, it is near perfect. In this sense, nothing much changed. It should be good for your head or memories.” David explained.
“Oh, I see. Then, how many of them will you give me?”
“G-give?” David cringed inside. “I... I don't... Can't... ”He struggled against her gaze. “Ten of each. Ten?”
“So little? I guess I expected too much from your belly.”
“S-shut up,” He grumbled.
“What was that?”
“N-nothing... What else?”
“Essences weren't the plan I had in mind. I want trust as you've said, so I will give you something you won't be willing to refuse in that idea. Something hungry. How about an opportunity so big, that this Gate will be nothing to you anymore?” Lisa said menacingly, her sona glowed and surged like a dress and her eyes.
David tensed his body, clutching his head as he watched her face.
“How many guys do you have in your company, David? What about your strength? I can tell you still have your core intact, but I am unsure about your power level.”
Her words stupefied David, whose face tensed up. He mumbled something under his nose, unaware of what she planned for him, but secretly, he wouldn't find it wrong. Whatever she would tell, he would do and accomplish it to the best of his ability.
Before he wanted to agree, the door at the back shot open, revealing a tall figure who had trouble with the door. It was a devil wearing a very nice black suit. Bending his head down, he walked inside as if it was a normal thing to do.
“Good day to you as well, Marthosh,” the devil spoke to the unconscious Marthosh who slept in the wooden crate.“Been practicing? Good. You finally listen.” Then he turned to the sofa, ignoring the ghost, Murai, or the flashy light.
“Greeting, boss and...” Glancing around in confusion, he finally noticed what unconscious Marthosh meant, and what that drifting ghost that held Anatidae in her hand represented.
It was a strange picture and situation already, while David looked like he lost some weight and his face beamed with delight. “Ahh! Ultium! I see you! Come. Come. I have someone to introduce to you.” David exclaimed, gesturing his hand to whisper, “Help me,” behind his palm.
“Oh! What do we have here? What guest this day has on us?” Ultium said, speaking relatively awkwardly as he tried to sound polite. Thanks to his overly serious face and red eyes, he wasn't that good at it. He walked while adjusting his tie like a gentleman who appeared somewhere where they didn't belong.
“A devil, huh? Who are you?” Lisa asked, turning and looking weirdly at this rather unusual devil.