DD 301 Ch 17

Yet when my eyes decided to work again, Karnak was kneeling, a huge chunk missing from his abdomen, big enough that I was impressed he was still kneeling and not sprawled out on the floor dead.

“Aptly done.” The older Orkai stepped forward, and I immediately relaxed, releasing [Metamorphosis]. Even as I let myself breathe, I felt the cold flash of that Nekorian’s killing intent like a blade at my neck.

This was a moment where I was in a weakened state and would be optimal for an assassin. As an assassin myself, I had to agree. But I was confident that between the old Orkai, Crimson, and anyone else present, such an opportunity didn’t actually exist.

The temptation however, was too much for the Nekorian.

“Well done, both of you, as usual. We’re very aware of multiple demonic skills.” The assessor looked me up and down. “However, my guess is you have increased your level since you last registered yourself with the Orkai. If you would be amenable, I would like to add your current readout to the assessment.”

I nodded, going along with the Orkai. Updating my registration was exactly why I had taken on this fight in the first place.

“Wonderful. Now, if anyone’s blood is boiling and wishes to fight, you’re welcome to remain.” The old Orkai nodded before walking me to the side, where a few more of the administrative angels were already hard at work collecting information from several groups.

“Is it possible for this information to remain private?” I asked the older Orkai.

“Of course. And for the record, I don’t blame your current caution.” He cast a meaningful glance in the direction that I knew the Nekorian had been sitting before. Then his eyes shifted to Felin.

“Bringing a Nekorian around with you is likely to bring the ire of her kind. It would be best not to antagonize them too greatly.” He told me.

“We are actually in love,” I said to the old Orkai, who looked at me as if I was the strange one.

“Would you like me to put an additional note next to her inclusion in your guild?” the old Orkai asked.

I paused, not sure how to answer. There were likely implications I did not yet understand given my newness to this broader dungeon world and species. Not coming up with anything, I decided to lean on the Orkai’s expertise.

“If you have a suggestion, I will follow it, as long as it’s not too burdensome.” I told him.

“I can have her assessment confirm she is under no compulsion from you and that she is willingly a member of your party, for what good it may do.” He offered.

“I would appreciate that. And as for the privacy?” I pushed.

“It can be done. However, by default, it is not uncommon to hide your skills. But your stats…” he hesitated. “No, we should hide everything for you and just let your combat assessment speak for itself.”

“In that case, I will bow to your wisdom.” I gave him a light bow to go with my words.

“I am glad to see youth that listen to their elders,” the Orkai tilted his head. “And a demon no less.”

“If I may ask, what is your position here?” I looked at the Orkai funny, but he was also studying me like I was a novelty.

“You really have no idea what I am?” he asked.

“Not in the slightest.” I replied. “All I know is that Karnak invited me to a duel and said it was a good way to get assessed so that our guild could, if we wanted to recruit Orkai.” I smiled at him, hoping I looked the picture of innocence.

“It is a bit complex to explain. My position is one essentially given in honor. But the easiest way to say it would be that I am a retired arbiter, doing administrative duties to keep myself busy in my old age.” The Orkai answered with a chuckle.

I knew, even as I was trying, my smile grew stiffer and my eye was trying to twitch, despite my attempts to suppress the indication of my discomfort.

“Ah. You’ve seen an arbiter in action then,” he smirked at me.

“Yes, sir. For the first time this weekend. It is one thing to hear about it, quite another to see it.” I answered.

The retired arbiter was all smiles. “Good. Then I hope you’ll respect it when I ask to see everything myself.” He watched me.

“Of course. Of course.” I nearly took my CID off and gave it to him, but then I realized he could likely inspect me for anything that he wanted to know.

The arbiter smiled and lifted his hand. My CID chirped from whatever he had done, only for him to lower his hand and show me a small projection between the two of us.

Ken Nagato

Race: Demon

Subrace: Incubus

Age: 19

Class: Emperor

Guild: Silver Fangs

Level: 50

Experience: 32%

Strength: 266

Agility: 890

Stamina: 521

Magic: 482

Mana: 321

Mana Type: Sharp

Trial of Speed: Complete

Skills: Shadow Claw, Earth Stomp, Sprint, Absorb, Discharge, Dark Blades, Shadow Arm, Camouflage, Shadow Ambush, Elemental Shield, Portal [Special] [Restricted], Mana Burn, Vampire [Elysara], Cleave [Fayeth], Spell Mirror, Dungeon’s Blessing, Blades of Shadow, Mana Implosion, Shadow Wave [Desmonda], Revive [Charlotte], Shadow Phase, Dodge, Liminal Speed, Eyes of Wisdom [Crimson], Delirious Pleasures, Triple Breach, Arcane Singularity, Static Swords, Frozen barrier [Felin], Greater Charm, True Demon Form, Charm Aura, Dark Vision, Demon Rank - Grunt, Universal Language, Sword of Omens, Frost Armor [Penelope], Sovereign’s Mandate.

“I assume these stats are correct, though I must ask… given your class and your most recent ability, why did you not go all out during this fight?” He asked.

I looked at my sheet, and in particular, the newest ability. Sovereign’s Mandate.

“I actually refrained from using a few of my abilities that I’d use in a real life or death fight,” I admitted. “I felt several prickles of intense hostility from the Nekorians present. And I had a previous arbitration, I believe, with the same clan that the watching Nekorian was from.”

The retired arbiter’s jovial, old-man smile disappeared in an instant. “I would like you to confirm on the record that you’re saying the Nekorian who was hostile towards you during your entire assessment is a member of a group that you previously had an arbiter intervene in?” He asked, and I tried not to squirm at his more intense demeanor. 

“Within the last year,” I added on, only for the retired arbiter’s scowl to grow deeper.

“Do you not trust the arbiters to handle any conflict that might arise?” He asked.

"If it's all the same to you? When an enemy is staring at my back, I am going to keep my cards close to my chest, regardless of whose support I have at the moment."

His eyes narrowed briefly, for a second longer, before that jovial, carefree smile returned.

"Of course. You won't always have an arbiter in the same room with you. However, I would ask you and the rest of these humans that appear to look to you for answers…" His eyes raked over the crowd behind me. "that you keep in mind that though you may not have an arbiter in the room with you, justice has no bounds, no borders, and it will be served."

"Understood." I nodded.

"Well." He clicked his tongue and looked at my sheet again. "Your assessment will be based on the combat ability that you displayed. I cannot and will not include abilities that are pure speculation."

"Of course," I said quickly, wanting to be as on the right side of the rules as I could be, especially while standing next to a very dangerous old man. I had a brief thought of what someone who could wipe out safe zones would be capable of given another hundred or so years of living in the dungeon.

"Alright, that'll be it for today." He suddenly patted his knees in finality. "I'll let the angels do their job and wrap up everything else."

He pursed his lips for a moment, in a gesture that felt angry or disappointed.

I had seen my grandfather make such an expression often, and been on the receiving end more than enough times to know when to bow out.

"Thank you, sir. And have a pleasant day," I retreated as politely as I could, wanting to put a bit more space between us.

As I stepped away, Karnak caught up to me. "You did better than I expected.” He slapped an overly friendly hand against my shoulder.

"While I had my harem watching, I couldn't disappoint them now, could I?" I smiled back.

"No. Disappointing your women is one of the worst crimes, is it not?" He clicked his tongue. "What do you say we head to the tavern after all these people wrap up their meet and greet with the Orkai?"

"Sounds lovely. I think we have something to talk about," I said, watching him closely for his reaction.

"Me too. Funnily enough, too. I know you noticed your new admirer during the fight." He offered, his voice low.

My blood froze at the mention. It was hard to miss such admiration. "Do you know that Nekorian?" I pressed.

He took a deep breath, and I could tell he was preparing to lie, or at least hide the truth. But he released the breath and shook his head. "I wish I didn’t, but he’s recently attempted to get to know me." Karnak froze mid-step as the Nekorian approached us on his own.

"Karnak, wonderful to see you, old friend." The Nekorian walked up to the Orkai like the two of them were long-lost brothers.

"Lucian," Karnak greeted him a bit more coldly.

It was frankly confusing for me, but ultimately I didn’t need to know more than the Nekorian was against me and Karnak was involved.

"I think that was a fair fight, if I do say so myself. Perhaps you can tell us what you saw?" I fished for more information on him.

The Nekorian gave a smile, but he had too-sharp teeth for me to feel like the gesture was friendly, or perhaps that was simply because there was no warmth in his face. "I think you both know exactly how you did, and soon enough you'll be ranked amongst the Orkai, a wonderful honor. They will then quantify your strength. How can my observations compare to that?" He did a self-deprecating gesture. "However, I heard you were going to go have drinks. I would love to join, Karnak, old friend."

It was blatantly obvious that the Nekorian didn't want either of us alone with each other. So much so, I was shocked at how bold he was being, and I decided to be bold in turn.

"Well, I'm Ken Nagato. Nice to meet you. Now, I haven’t met too many Nekorians, though I understand they're grouped in clans and often remain rather insular amongst their clans. Would you happen to be from the Leomatis?"

"Of course," he said, only missing a single beat. "I am a Shaman from the Leomatis clan, as was my father and my grandmother." He said the last with a pointed stare, and I realized exactly who I was dealing with, at least in relation to my own activities. This shaman before me was the grandchild of the shaman that had tried to take Felin and died for it.

I was certain his presence here was as purposeful as this incredibly bold greeting. But I still had to wonder why he was being so open about his hostilities toward me.

"Anyway," he said after the tense moment, "Karnak, we simply must have those drinks together. And as for you, Ken, I’m sure I’ll see you around. Given that one of my clan’s safe zones was destroyed recently, I find myself making Star City my new home."

During this whole exchange, Karnak’s face was a stiff mask. And while I was curious what the Orkai was thinking, it frankly didn’t matter. I was focused on the overly hostile Nekorian practically baring his fangs in my face.

Before I could think of something witty to come back at him with, Des broke into our conversation.

“Look who it is, Ken! Misha and the Whaleryn found us again!” Des’ voice was overly chipper as she pulled the Whaleryn along with her group toward us.

I plastered a giant smile on my face, not wanting to carry my hostility over to my greeting. “Misha, Baloo, wonderful to see both of you.” I looked at each of them.

“And good to see you as well. That was an impressive display,” Baloo nodded. Yet despite how naive he was often on the sexual front, it seemed he was anything but when it came to the tension in the room. He turned to the Nekorian shaman, his big meaty fist outstretched. “I don’t believe we’ve met. Ken Nagato is a friend of mine.” Baloo offered, and instantly I liked the Whaleryn even more.

“Yep! Ken has lots of friends,” Des said, then gesturing to the small procession of her mother, the Harem Queen, Marcus, as well as several other high-level humans getting themselves documented and assessed by the angels.

“All of them support Ken and his guild, not to mention the rest of his massive harem.” Des emphasized, glancing and catching her mother’s attention.

“Oh, Ken’s harem is the biggest,” Des’ mother said without pause. “Personally, I am trying, but I’ve been put on the waitlist.” She shook her head as if she was mourning that she hadn’t gotten the chance.

I blinked, wondering how she so smoothly fell into Des’ narrative.

“Oh? Are applications opening for his harem again?” The Harem Queen spun around, which had quite the effect given her trailing bright red hair and her dress twirling up around her.

“I should hope so. Maybe, perhaps, we’ll be good enough this time. We might just meet the lowest bar,” Des’s mother continued, and I grew moderately concerned.

Regardless, all of these comments created a small army at my back as I turned to face the Nekorian shaman once again.

“Karnak, Lucian, I think I’ll skip on those drinks. I have other guests that need entertaining.” I answered.

I gave the Nekorian a smile that I’m sure he could interpret any way he wanted, and it clearly wasn’t in a way that pleased him based on how he nearly ground his teeth. But it also could have been that Felin popped up on my back.

“Are we going home?” she whined. “I’m hungry.” She curled around me.

“You just ate like two hours ago,” I said, glancing at my Nekorian.

She wrinkled her nose and looked straight at Lucian. “I’m not really hungry. There’s just something here that stinks.”

Lucian’s eyes were getting wider the longer he stared at Felin, a faint blush rising on his face. “I understand you enjoy taunting me with your thrall. However, I also know that demons are all about deals and bargains. Therefore, I would simply ask you: what is your price for her?” Lucian asked, glancing at Felin and back.

My eyes went wide. I had not been expecting that question and my mind short circuited for a moment. “Excuse me…”

But before I could even finish my words, Felin had slipped around me and slapped Lucian hard enough that it echoed in the small stone room. Nearly every face in the area turned toward him.

“Felin,” I said, grabbing her wrist before she started a fight here.

“He just offered to buy me.” Felin’s voice was an angry hiss. “That was the least that he deserved.”

She spat at his feet. “I am not for sale, now or ever. I want you and your disgusting clan to never see me again. I thought after the arbiters settled it, you would all leave me alone.” The hair on her tail all stood on end as she puffed herself up, staring down the larger Nekorian.

However, the strangest thing was he didn’t look angry. Instead, Lucian looked smitten. “I will free you from his thrall,” Lucian said fiercely, turning his glare onto me.

I was fairly sure I now understood who his grandmother had planned to offer Felin to after kidnapping her. I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know why Nekorians have such large ears if you can’t hear the simple words coming from people’s mouths. She’s not interested. Your clan has already kidnapped her once. Coming here and causing a fuss will do nothing more for you.” I told him.

We had already caused a scene. The administrators were watching closely, and I had this sudden mental image of an Orkai arbiter leaning into the room and simply killing all of us with a wave of a hand to save himself the paperwork.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one worried about the reactions, because the second Lucian managed to peel his eyes away from Felin, he read the room and stormed off, tossing his mane of hair and peeking over his shoulder to see if Felin had seen the move.

As soon as he left the room, Misha let out a heavy breath.

“See, that’s how I expect every interaction between a demon and a Nekorian to go,” she said. “Not that it’s you two lovebirds that are at fault. Really, this is just like one of those sweet Whaleryn and Dolphinette stories. Too entangled in love even though their families can’t stand each other. I am rooting for you two.”

“That’s enough, Misha,” Baloo looked at me apologetically. “If you need to talk to an arbiter, I’ll happily attest that he provoked her into that slap.”

“No need. That old man that was just here was apparently a retired arbiter.” I told him, watching as the big Whaleryn’s eyes went as wide as bowling balls.

“Look at him. He probably doesn’t even know,” Baloo gestured at me. “Once an Orkai has done enough as an arbiter, their voice gets a little extra respect. And when things get complicated or the arbiters want a second opinion, a judge is called on for their wisdom. Meaning, if a judge vouches for you, the matter is practically settled. Please tell me you made a good impression on the judge.”

“I think so,” I said slowly, hesitating in my own assessment. “I mean, he seemed friendly enough and passingly commented that there was someone quite hostile towards me present.”

Baloo was nodding to himself. “Of course. A judge would have very fine senses, especially towards hostility. I think, however, it might be best for you not to leave the safe zone, at least for the time being. It’s better to let hostilities like this cool off than risk igniting it into a further issue.”

“That’s fine,” I shrugged. “We were planning on training this week anyway.”

“That is good,” Baloo said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “We all strive to dive deep into the dungeon, but it is a dangerous place. There is no reason to dive the dungeon when additional danger circles. Unless of course, you have a pod large enough that even the predators of the deep dungeon don’t dare bear their fangs.”

He paused. “But I wouldn’t count on the Nekorian’s common sense.”

Baloo glanced at Felin. I got the feeling that he was very motivated after meeting my partners.

“Damnit.” Felin suddenly growled in her throat and turned around to storm away, tears began falling and she picked up the pace.

“Hey, wait.” I said, but she kept moving. “Sorry, Baloo,” I said and quickly turned to race after Felin.

“No worries, friend!” he shouted behind me. “Take care of those you love.”