Edited by: KenChi死

Archmage Andalas was happy. Well, his enthusiasm was exceeding happiness. He was on different plane of mental pleasure. He almost looked young again. Well, if you would spend most of your life over a book, researching slowly the forgotten knowledge, looking for puzzles before even trying to put them together… If you would get used to monotony and extremely slow pace of your job progression…

And now imagine that someone just came and said “Nice job you have here. Need help? I have few thousand workers, already in the right place, that pretty much know the area ready to help. Nah, forget about payment. I am already paying my debt. Just don’t overwork them. Hm, looks like this phase of your research will take 80-90% less time?”.

When he came back to the camp, he literally jumped to the other member of his research group and started to spread joyful news. This usually very peaceful, composed old man was shaking with excitement.

In the other part of the camp, near the campfire a small crowd formed around the white haired man. He wasn’t approached only by few of those who were overly proud to do so, or simply were conflicted with already mentioned boy. Why? Oh, for the same thing that usual – to hear the story. In the end the only information they got, was that the arena he came from was off limit. Strictly- off limits.

So the boy told a story, a bit different from what actually happened, but that’s more than understandable. In his version he used a nature magic to cover himself with a “cocoon” of vines and flowers that covered his smell in which he waited till the danger passed, then he began to study the nature of those beasts…

Was his story believable? A few believed, a few did not. But it doesn’t matter, in the end it was a common thing for adventurers to “colorize” they stories… even more, a story usually got a bit different each time the same author would tell it over and over again, so even those who have their doubts would blame that very purpose for less believable parts.

“So, starting from tomorrow, we will became pretty much needless, thanks mate, you have just kicked us out of the market.” Someone joked. “Great, bloody bugs will steal our jobs!” another joined with a smile on his lips “What can we do?” “Maybe build a wall around the colony?” A white-haired man said and then burst into laughter. “And make them pay for it!”

The situation at camp, even if still complicated, became a little bit calmer.

The help of insects was really significant. As they lowered there body posture and move on all six limbs, they spread their total weight and thus were not activating traps triggered by pressure plates.

Not far from the place the team reunited with it’s lost member, there was a firs room with doubled security. Leaders located in different places of the room AND pressure plates. Basically you had to pull them in the right order BUT first you would have to approach them using the right path. If you would step on a wrong plate – arrows, pitfalls and other tools of ultimate death. If you would pull them in wrong orders – guardians. And while you would fight with guardian you would have to look at your footing, because again – arrows, pitfalls, ultimate death. One annoying room.

Zari ducked under the blow of guardian, jumped between its legs raising behinds its backs, filled his hands with enormous amount of mana and hit the golem. The shockwave was huge, it could break in half pretty big tree. Yet the monster was barely forced to make another step or two.

What was the reason of it?

[Armor of White Onyx]Because opponent is made of [White Onyx] damage he takes from magic is reduced by 80%

“THAT’S A FUCKING CHEAT!? Why do you even bring mages into these ruins?! Wait, why did those idiots created army that could threaten them? Or be used against them?” The kid was more than annoyed. “Technically, they were programmed to recognize every creature as either opponent, neutral, or ally. A top of that, those who made them probably had some kind of tool, or maybe a voice command, that could either turn them on/off or even change their tasks. So they were wonderful tools for possible attacks from the other communities of ancients so…”

The archmage started lecturing as he was turned with his back toward the fighting group. He was looking all over the walls, as he wanted to find a clue that would help them find the right order.

“It was, a fucking, rhetorical, question!”

Zariel shouted back and he struggled against an enemy that never grew tired. Gisele, as soon as she dealt with her target, stepped in and with a few powerful strikes began forcing the golem back.

“Zari, help find out the pattern! You may find something that the others missed!” “Will do. Thanks for the help!”

The exploration within the ruins was a tiresome and monotonous tasks. Always on guard, opponents were no longer living creatures; so all kinds of detecting abilities were useless. After you would step in the wrong place and heard a quiet grind, you had only a second or two before your skull would be crushed by a statue that a moment ago was bud a dead stone, or to jump to the side before the walls from the side would move to smash the place you stood on a second ago and or a few other attractions.

The level of stress was insane. After a whole day between those traps Zari had problems with relaxing and later with sleep. If while laying on his bed he would change his position, he would wake up with a pounding heart. Those were not the animals that you could scare or repeal with hexbags. Always there. Always waiting for your mistake.

Yet the archamge was pleased, finding the way to a deeper layer took exactly a week, even as the floor itself was over three times bigger.

Andalas was trying to convince the adventurers to elongate their contracts, but every single one of them refused. This place was weird. Different. Bigger and far more dangerous, it needed to be reported.

I was almost jumping from happiness when I heard that we are going back. I would jump, if I wasn’t too exhausted. I thought than I was better than this, that it would yet another easy dungeon ride. Yet something deep inside of me was screaming.

At the end of the day I jumped back to the carriage, sat in the corner and did all I could to fell asleep. But I couldn’t.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Now as I recall, it started earlier. Much earlier. I used to be so composed. Thinking clearly. When did it all begin? When I simply had to annoy that tiger-kin? “I don’t have time to listen what every maggot that crawls under my feet says?” That what I told him?

No… earlier… I got so annoyed when that student kept bitching in the carriage…

Why am I getting angry so easily?!

~ Hm? Maybe awakening of the Sloth?

~ Yeah, she does a lot even when she sleeps...or actually mostly when she sleeps Her awakening could actually disturb the regulation.

~ No. That was something that accelerated the process. The main reason is that we are at our limits.

What do you mean?

~ Hm? Our main purpose is to block the excessive emotions generated by urges of thos you consumed.

And?

~You think that those just simply vanish? World hates void. We are not getting rid of them. We are storing them. And we are not bottomless silos. And emotions are one of many form of power. Bah! Even a comer without any mana can cast a curse in anger. We are reaching are limits, we start leaking…

~… th…thehehe… leaking … heh…. Aww, our shameful side was exposed…

So what is going to happen now?

~ You remember what used to happen as you consumed the monster without core for us prepared? Now add backlash… Some permanent damages to your soul…

Is there something I can do with this….

~Of course! Just release it. Commit sins! You are Prince of Lust! Emperor of Wrath! Knight of Envy! Baron of Pride! Marques of Greed! Overload of Gluttony! Lord of Sloth… Take without giving back, bask in glory that you deserve… stop fighting with greatness that you deserve…

~Aaaand there is at least one more way to cope with this problem… the one that you will enjoy…

That’s it?

~That’s it? Kid… How long are we with you? 9 months? Something about that? For all this time you were holding your desires. Aren’t you surprised that for all this time you didn’t have the urge to chase after skirts? Your need to make moneys was even made by logic! You didn’t think: I need moneys could those would make things easier. You thought: I need moneys to make new connections with new people, whose services in future I may require. Did you even yearned for same respect that is show to that dragoness? To envy someone’s position is most natural thing! You don’t even notice them! And here you are…

How bad is it?

~How well have you slept? Few more days and you will start having hallucinations… anxiety, you will think that you are followed, paranoia… Are you, perhaps, easier to annoy? Thinking slower than you used to? Well, good side of this, is that as the worst would pass you would became invincible…

… what?

~ By surpassing your instincts you may achieved true greatness. Reflex beyond imagination. Your brain will think twice as fast…

The catch?

~You would no longer be yourself. All your needs would be corrupted, depredated. Werewolves also are more powerful during the full moon, so what that they would tear apart those they love…

So… I need to get naughty back in the city?

~ Not necessarily… take part in knights tournament.

~Eat and drink for days and nights!

~ Well, you could rob a bank… or overwork those that work for you, and cash your due.

~ Or… did Rogue mentioned that you will have a discount in brothel?

Lust…

~What?! You prefer bashing skulls as crowd would watch? Or spent days and nights working?! And here I offer you something discreet, no one would be harmed… you could even allow a fair girl to earn a coin! Can you found but a few cons?!

… But still… I am afraid that Rogue could use it to blackmail me in the future..

~Pfth? That dude that sleeps with his bodyguard?! But I have to admit, dark elves are quite fierce lowers…

What?

~What?

He sleeps with that dark elf?

~Oy, Zari… he is a big boy, let the adult have sex with who he wants…

How do you

~… Host… who the hell am I?! If I say that two adults have sex together, you can be more than sure about it. Greed will always sniff the thief and Gluttony confectioner.

… Maybe, but still…

“Zari? Are you ok?” Gisele called my name. Hm? How far did we go? I no longer recognize our surroundings “For last couple of hours you were looking blankly into one spot, so I became worried..”

… Hours?

~ Oh, great. So now you have problems with time perception… May be far worse than I thought.

~Isn’t that a bit too fast?! Sloth is working again so…

~The hole in tank was made and water is leaking. Sloth only stopped it from getting bigger and bigger…

“it’s nothing. When will we get back to the capital?” “Tomorrow, before the afternoon. That’s if we wouldn’t make any stops on our way… yet we have one planned so…” “May you ask someone, if we could ride straight there? I am afraid.. I need to meet with someone. It’s urgent…” “Ay! Zari! We know that you have few friends among aristocracy…” Marika began with friendly tone “…but don’t you think that…” “I need help from someone.” “… is it bad?” “I am afraid it is.”

Gisele moved to the front of carriage to talk with the coachman. Whatever she told them the pace of their travel increased.

“We may be there sooner… I may also take a horse and ride there… someone to inform?” “Why would you do that?” My head is getting dizzy… “Whatever is happening with you, I can see your condition getting worse with each day. And I still want to spare with you! If you would be this tired there would be nothing exciting about that… plus you called me big sister, did you? What kind of sister lets his little brother suffers?”

She smiled brightly… now, aren’t you cute?… STOP RIGHT HERE YOU DAMMNED BRAIN! Yes that would be better if she would get away. I start feeling heat in my chest.

“Go to the Black Snake in slums, call few guys telling them that Young Boss needs their assistance. They should wait near the town gates. You can also asked them to deliver a message to a Friend. Ask him in my name, if my discount is still valid. And add something that it’s urgent… he should patch those pieces together…” “Black Snake? That’s the second worst bar in whole city! Only thugs and beggars goes there…” Marika once again said her mind “Yeah. That sounds like the place…” I chukled. “Will be done… something more I should know?” “…no, I don’t want you to get involved into this shit. I am already asking for too much…” “If you have problems… if you owe moneys or something, we could help! Adventurers are a family so…” “Sis, it’s the opposite. They owe money me. And now I want to use the debt they owe. So… please?”

She only nodded in return and jumped from the carriage.

… Jesus! Lust! Do something!

~I am try-ing! I am merely wanting to point out that you haven’t had any form of “act” since you were born. Ya think it’s easy to deal with all this desire?

… okay, just shut up and do your shit…

~No, keep talking with us. Trust me, you want to stay occupied.

~I can’t believe that from every possibility he listened to Lust…

~Stop that. It’s not really important how he would do that.

~But she will brag about it for next ten incarnations!

~Envy stop being so…

~Jealous? Really? That’s what you wanted to ask? Asking WHO to do WHAT?!

~… forget about it.

~Already did.

JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP! My head will explode!

~Whatever, we are almost there…

What do you mean? We have barely moved out, there is no possibility that over ten hours long trip would end so qu…

“Off the cart! We are here!”

… Why is it so bright outside? Didn’t we leave at evening?... Fuck.

I jumped down. And I could already see three shady men standing just behind the gate.

As I walked in their direction I recognized one of them

“Wanted to greet me, Rogue? How very nice of you.” “I needed a few good damn moments to understand what was going on, but kid… you look like a drug addict with withdrawal symptoms… But you asked about…” “Rogue.. please… “ “It’s just first time I see someone who needs THAT to survive…” “You will have lots of time to joke…” “But why did you ask for assistance?” He asked pointing with head at men from the bar “I may faint… or start acting… weird… I am not sure what to expect.”

We were already walking away, leaving the rest of the team behind.

“… but… just to clarify… let’s name it, that you are sick…” “pretty much yes…” “What illness do you cure with sex?” “Why do you ask, you want to catch a disease so your bodyguard would help you get rid of it!?” And here I am annoyed, speaking to much… “Calm down kid…” “THE FUCKING PROBLEM IS THAT I CAN’T! And now, there are several more ways to deal with that, but I doubt that you would like to watch me bathing in blood of hundred virgins, so yes, sex is one of the ways… When will be there?” “… we already are… we stood in front of the door for good 10 minutes. This is why I started talking to you… I was wondering if you were shy or something…”

When did we…

“Rogue… if you would find me staring me blankly into space… just slap me in the face… But don’t put too much strength, or I may hit you back. With claws.” “That bad?” “Worse. What do you know about me? And don’t lie that you did not make any research cuz I would not believe.”

We walked inside. The building from the inside looked like another almost collapsing building. Inside, it was fully decorated, not even nobles would be ashamed of having such a house. As we moved past the door two exotic looking girls greeted us with “Welcome in Pick Ether”.

“… You know that everywhere your kind appeared there were disasters? War, pestilence, hunger and death…” … so… basically the horsemen? Greeeat “.. you were also identified with every corrupted behavior, you were named a..” “Prince of sins? Yes. Apparently, from time to time, I have to commit sins. Wrath – Bashing skulls, Envy – stilling someone position, usually by killing the previous owner… Pride… Pretty much similar like last one…” “Or Lust? Hm… No one will gets hurt. Plus there is a saying, that what happens in Pink Ether, stays in pink ether… Just… don’t talk too much. Whores here are also a spies, you know…” “What the hell?” “Whore always listen, Whore is someone you may meet only once. So men used to talk. And they are here. Listening. There was a man that once got drunk and after some time with one of ladies start talking. A lot. He told how he got his status, and he was a noble. He killed his brother and hide evidences. He of course told her where those evidences were…” “And?” “And now we have a influential noble doing everything what we say…. But that’s it for now… let me introduce you…”

… now I noticed how long were we sitting it this room? Looks better than your average waiting room… And who is that woman in front of me and when did she sit there?

DAMN! My head…

“Zariel, in front of us is the owner if this… property. Madam Godanm. Madam, this young man here may pretty quickly became one of the Shadows…” “Of what?” I asked unconsciously “Ah, fret not my friend. You will be informed of what and why if you would be found ready and worthy…” “The pleasure in mine… But I have to name my worries, Forgive me my rudeness Rogue, but this gentleman doesn’t look exactly…” The woman seemed to be in her middle forties. She had to be outstanding beauty as she was young. Even know she was more than simply attractive. Elegant, confident… Maybe she is, or used to be, a noble “I know, Godanm, but trust me, he is really worth those words and nomination. He is simply… in not optimal condition.” “I see… how may I help you then…” “Ah, Zariel would like to use services offered by your property…” “Oh, but this poor soul indeed seem ill. I am afraid that my girls may be quite demanding, so if you could came back when he would have all his strength…” “Godanm… How often do I visit you… especially carrying half-conscious next Shadow? Please…”

The woman was far from convinced.

“Pinch of rivergrass crush on mortar till you would obtain paste, add fat of mammal; separately distillate the water and combine with…”

I was the one saying those?

“W…what is acquaintance saying…” “… he recites the recipe of potions… I guess…” “He is an alchemist?” “Indeed.” “Don’t you want to… write it down?...” “No need. He is already working for us.” “Isn’t he a little bit… out of his mind…” “… I was assured it’s temporal.” “The interrogated person needs to be conscious for the whole duration of tortures. This is why smelling salts should be basic equipment of every inquisitor. The interrogate may be also asked a basic mathematical question to keep his mind focus. The basic ways of obtaining information may be: Leaving vessel with boiling oil on tied thighs, this process could make a skin to separate from the body…” “… and now he recites the manual for investigator team of inquisitors…” “Apparently…” “Do I want to know?” “He was hunted as a witch. And I was told he killed fifty of them.” “But my girls ARE safe… are they?” “Completely.” “… I will see which one has free time”

Saying that she left the room

Ugh. 12 pages. Have been writing it for past 7 hours. No, no mistake here was made. 7 hours. I have erased the whole chappy 3 times. I really didn’t know what to write today… and here is the outcome.

Well, there will be no chap tomorrow – test in Tuesday. That’s it.