Zekuthran readied his sword. I noticed it was a falchion much longer than those Aki wielded, but still clearly recognisable as one. The weapon lacked adornments other than a black metal basket hilt shaped like a ribcage.
Some things just run in the family, I guess.
The Archpraetor must have noticed my look because he asked:
‘Expected something fancier?’
‘Kind of,’ I replied. ‘But there is also beauty in simplicity.’
‘Good answer.’
We turned our attention back to the horsefuck.
‘You go left, I go right?’ Zekuthran suggested.
‘Works for me,’ I answered and dashed towards the beast.
The chimaera thing swiped at me with its right hand but I ducked under its claws and plunged Luna into its side, and then using the knife as a handhold I changed the direction of my move and slid under its belly and slashed across it with Sol. I then resummoned Luna into my right hand.
By the time Zekuthran was by the monster and was fending off its claw attacks. Even to my filthy casual eyes, it was clear to me he was toying with the monster. Taking advantage of the fact the beast was distracted by the Archpraetor, I plunged the knives into its lower half's back and used them to get up on it.
Giddy-up motherfucker.
The creature tried to throw me off like it did with Caei, but it had less luck as I actually had a good grip on him. I then ripped Luna out of his back and slid it deep between its ribs. With that as a handhold, I lifted myself to a half-stand and plunged Sol deep into where I thought his neck artery was.
The creature let out a roar mixed with a gurgle. I took out the knife and a fountain of blood spurted out of the wound. The chimaera began to sway so not caring about the knives I half-jumped half-fell off its back.
The creature collapsed to the ground and Zekuthran used it as an opportunity to finish it off by extending his hand and letting out a jet of flame that incinerated the creature and melted the tiles underneath it.
Level 40 Chimaera (I think) (Maybe) has been slain.
You have received 1000 experience points (3432/6000 total experience points progress to level 12)
It’s over, I thought and felt like crying. Sweet Jesus. I am alive.
Then something struck me.
Aki. Caei.
I gathered myself from the floor and started looking for my girlfriends. Caei must have been already taken out of the hospital as the only things left where she hit the floor were blood and a few black feathers from her wings.
As for Aki, I saw Eury and Tev, which I then realised were a man and a woman, emerge from the direction I sent them towards. One of them was holding the girl’s legs while the other had their arms wrapped around hers.
My heart sank when I saw how pale she was and…
Oh no.
Her right arm ended in the middle of the forearm.
I ran over to the demons and asked:
‘How is she?’
‘Pretty bad,’ the woman said. ‘Though Savri should be able to get her back on her legs.’
‘Thanks, Tev,’ Zekuthran replied, relief clear in his voice. ‘Take my granddaughter outside. We’ll join you with my slimy friend in a moment. After we have a little… chat.’
Here it comes, I thought grimly. Another dressing down. ‘How could you let this happen to Aki yada yada yada’. But you know what Zeke? Fuck you. Aki and Caei are free to call me out for my bullshit. You, however, show up at the last moment and play the concerned grandfather.
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But to my surprise instead of shouting at me, Zekuthran knelt before on his left knee, put his right fist on his chest and said.
‘Thank you for keeping my granddaughter safe until now, Lilyth of Terra. It is a debt I will never be able to fully repay you.’
I cocked my head in confusion.
‘N-no problem, I guess.’
Zekuthran laughed seeing my expression, and started getting up from the floor.
‘Expected me to get mad at you? What for? You went above and beyond.’
‘But I made a massive mess of things.’
‘Yes,’ Zekuthran agreed with a sigh. ‘But that still far exceeds any expectations I could have of someone in your position. My friend, you are an office worker who has spent the past few days surviving against horrors unheard of in their world. That in and of itself is an impossibly difficult task. You taking care of other people during all that… that's something very few would manage.’
‘Uhhh…’ I stammered out. ‘I never considered that. It’s been a long few days.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Thanking you is not all I wanted to talk with you about. I want to make you an offer.’
I indicated for him to continue.
‘I know Lord Sun has set a path for you to fully associate yourself with us, and this is something I cannot and would not override.’
I nodded, a bit disappointed. But, in the end, I understood. Earning trust took time and effort.
‘But the problem is… after today you will be seen as being firmly in our camp, but at the same time you will lack any benefits and protection associated with this. So… this is where my offer comes in - I can induct you and your friends into our legions as a pathfinder unit.’
Pathfinder? Didn't Aki mention them? Oh right, those were Seekers.
‘What would that entail? I am sorry to bring this up, but I am also an agent of two goddesses. There could be a conflict of interests there.’
‘I would never dare to steal you away from Ere and Nyxie. Don’t worry. It wouldn't affect your life that much. Occasionally we would require your services, but ultimately you would be free to act as you were before. In exchange, you would get some access to resources from us. Not as much as full legionaries or full “citizens” of the Abyss - this you have to earn, but still much more than you would normally have access to.’
‘What’s the catch?’ I asked with a slight frown.
‘Why would there be a catch?’
‘You are offering us a lot for not all that much in exchange. Like, based on what you would have us do is what you already could get us to do. Just do not tell us it is “extra” work. You really get nothing out of it and we get everything.’
Then it hit me.
‘Wait. You do get one thing. Our loyalty from the very beginning. Right now we are free agents. We are tied to you but ultimately the only one that matters in the grand scheme of things is Aki. Her turning away from you would be bad for you. She also serves as a good potential hostage. It’s possible she and I could potentially “break up”. If I accept you get a bodyguard you can order around and can never say no. And I know you could kill the chimaera yourself. But no. You wanted to see me fight. And I apparently passed that test, since you would never have offered this otherwise.’
‘Ere told me you were smart,’ the Archpraetor responded and turned back to me. ‘I was wondering whether you would figure it out. Yes. I want you and the Sanguine to be bodyguards for my granddaughter.’
I nodded.
‘Then I am sorry “Zeke”, but you can shove your offer up your tailed ass. I appreciate you saving us, but I will not become your minion. Not now. Not ever. I will stay with Aki out of loyalty to her. Not you.’
An expression of fury crossed Zekuthran’s face. I wondered whether this was a mistake, but that only made me angrier.
‘You dare-’ he started, but I interrupted.
‘I dare. You play some high and mighty caring grandfather but all you are is a monster no better than all these gods of yours just toying with human lives. You disgust me, you asshole.’
Suddenly, Zekuthran's expression changed and he beamed at me.
‘Oh… thank the stars that Aki has a good friend such as you.’
Wat.
‘You were still testing me, you douchebag, weren’t you?’
He laughed at that.
‘Yes. I am so sorry about that. I wanted to see what kind of a person you were. Now I know Aki will be as safe with you as possible. What's more: those resources I told you about are yours to use so long as you don’t directly oppose the interests of the Abyss, and so is the status of Pathfinders - this is actually a sort of civilian institution. Kind of an Adventurer’s Guild, or as they call it here - Seekers. Basically, you and your friends will be “chartered” by the Abyss as mercenaries. You will be granted access to some contracts from us, but you are under no obligation to accept them. I might throw something special your way though, now and then.’
‘No strings attached?’
‘No strings attached.’
Why don't I believe you?
‘I would say I would have to wait for Caei and Aki to okay this as well, but I don't think there is anything to be okayed here.’
‘Indeed. If you don’t want any of this, you don’t have to use it. It will always be there. It’s the least I could do. And I will have a personal gift for you, I think, but I will need to arrange things in the Abyss.’
‘Will it be delivered to this Naevud guy?’
Zekuthran laughed.
‘Not exactly.’