18.7

ACT 963161069-26889.20.10-Eve-Smith-Silver Prime

“That’s a very kind offer, what made you proffer it?” Eve asked suspiciously. There were kind people in the world, but Finn didn’t strike her as one of them. He was a schemer, a plotter, and the murder of all those kobolds was just a smokescreen for it. She had planned to tie her ship to one of the Divinities in order to blend into society better it was true. However, Loki was one of the most powerful from what she had heard. The truth was self-evident from her Familia members alone. 

So, the idea of touching a Statue tied to such a Divine was absolute idiocy. At the best it merely revealed her story true, at worst the Divine would see her as a hole in the world. For something so powerful, that would set off all sorts of nasty alarms. No, I have no interest if the Norse or Greek-named Divines follow in the footsteps of the old stories of Earth.

“The Dungeon under Oro Oro has never been conquered. Ever.” Finn said looking at her as he used a knife and fork from somewhere to eat his steak. “The closest Familia that managed was a combination of the Zeus and Hera of old. In response, the Dungeon released three great monsters.”

Eve raised her eyebrow and said, “Great Monsters?”

“Leviathan and Behemoth were the two slain by the Zeus and Hera team,” Finn said pulling a napkin from his purple-sleeved undertunic pocket. He wiped his mouth and said, “Excellent cooking by the way.” Eve nodded and gestured for him to continue. “The third, and most powerful monster managed to escape with brutal wounds after wiping the Zeus and Hera members hunting it out. The greatest of them is the Black Dragon. Legend says even now it circles the world waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”

“What was the level of those who fought against it?” Eve asked. She was very interested in the power level of those who had the courage to fight a dragon.

“The Zeus and Hera captains who fought were level nine and eight respectively,” Finn said with a flourish of his fork.

Eve’s eyes shook as her mind quaked. Level Eight and Nine! If we go by Status being additive that means they could have had upwards of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty-five thousand Basic Ability points!

“How could someone with one hundred and thirty-five thousand in multiple Basic Abilities be defeated by an overgrown lizard?” Eve said in shock. As soon as she said the words silence fell over the Loki Familia members. Detecting a faint sense of danger she clutched her Jian close looking warily at the six.

“Ahahahaha!” Gareth burst out laughing with tears in his eyes. “A hundred and thirty-five she says! Gods above, I have no doubt someone with such numbers could speak much about the Black Dragon.” He went back to finishing his steak while chuckling.

Finn and Riveria turned away from their compatriot’s burst of humor. After glancing at each other Riveria finally asked, “Eve how did you arrive at such a number?”

“Basic Abilities are additive, correct?” Eve asked making sure she had it right.

“Indeed. Every gain in power is cumulative, not multiplicative unless someone has a Skill or Magic to change the basic rule.” Riveria said. Unlike the other two, the elf was using telekinetic magic to eat her steak. “Falna, also known as Divine Grace, and sometimes rarely as merely Blessings is the power given by Gods and Goddesses to their Familia.”

Eve nodded her eyes sparkling. Here was someone who knew the inner workings of the world at large. Priceless information to her, but merely trivial droppings to Riveria.

“Those with Falna can gather Excelia to raise their Status and grow stronger.” Riveria continued before pausing as she saw Eve’s expression. “Yes?”

“Excelia, that’s the mana that makes your body stronger?” Eve asked while being almost certain she was right.

“Correct. The mana is processed by the Falna and thus strength is gained. Basic abilities refer to the Five major categories of Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Agility, and Magic. Strength is physical prowess lifting rocks, and swinging spears or swords. Endurance is physical stamina, how long can you lift that rock, swing that spear, and so forth.” Riveria said taking the cup handed to her by one of the Supporters. “Dexterity and Agility are called the Twins because each is a different reflection of the other. Dexterity deals with fine motor control. Juggling, knife work, and coin flipping all fall under its purview. Agility is the opposite, it deals with large movements such as flipping, dodging, cartwheels, and such.”

“Most of that seems physical, but Magic isn’t physical, right?” Eve said.

“No, the last of the five, Magic is decidedly non-physical in nature. It is the manipulation of the mana in nature to cause effects but they are not all physical effects.” Riveria paused to point to her food and drink levitating and feeding her. “Spectral hands like this are able to affect the physical works, but they are by no means the only Spells I know.”

“Does the Falna grant any enhancements outside of Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Agility, and Magic?” Eve said as she prepared another steak for herself. She’d done her part, if they wanted any more food, they could ask nicely for it!

“There are a few enhancements outside the ones shown in a person’s Status. Namely, for beast races such as yourself heightened senses is a normal augmentation. There is sometimes augmented endurance as well, and in rare cases increased longevity. The effects are increased with each Level raised.” Riveria said with a calm voice.

“Huh, that’s good information,” Eve said with a thankful nod to the elf.

Finn finished his steak and put his knife, fork, and napkin away while Eve was engrossed in Riveria’s words. Once the elf had finished speaking he said, “That’s why I’m very interested in having you join us. You have a Status with a number above one thousand, don’t you?”

Eve nodded. She didn’t risk speaking so Riveria couldn’t detect if it was the truth or not from her words. “You are correct. How did you guess?”

Finn gave a proud smirk and said, “As a Pallum, I have keen senses.”

“Oooooh!” Eve said impressed. Until she noticed Gareth rolling his eyes. “What’s a Pallum?”

There was a short chuckle from Gareth and a giggle from Riveria that was swiftly smothered under Finn’s glare. “Pallum is the race, mine. It is the most glorious and brilliant race to date.”

Eve’s eyes sparkled and she clapped in awe. Thankfully I didn’t call him a short human boy! She had the feeling that wouldn’t have been well received at all.

“You have no clue what a Pallum is do you?” Finn said disheartened at her reaction of joy.

“Not a bit!” Eve said landing a critical blow to the shortie.

“Perhaps I should take back the offer to join….” Finn muttered but Gareth cut in to say, “Can’t be done. You know we need all the strength we can get to go deeper. Strength and she can cook, what else do you want a divine mandate?”

Riveria said nothing but her expression and nodding agreed with Gareth.

“I’m interested don’t get me wrong. I won’t be able to touch any Divine Statue though.” Eve said looking grim. “It isn’t that I don’t want to be seen, but that the Divines won’t be able to see me. I’ll look like a hole in the world to them I suspect. If they are anything like the ones back home, they’ll be forced to intervene and attack me.”

Finn frowned and said, “Would they be able to see you if they were looking through someone’s eyes?”

Eve tilted her head and said, “Maybe?”

“Do you mind if I allow Loki to look at you then? She’ll want to at least see who I’m vouching for.” Finn asked earnestly.

Eve nodded, “Go for it.” The conditions were perfect. From what she understood the Divines couldn’t interfere directly in the Dungeon. There was a practically non-existent chance they would manifest and that was assuming something went wrong.

Finn’s eyes glowed with a faint red giving him a devilish look. From the calm and composed leader, his body language shifted to that of a perverted elder. Eve watched as his eyes lowered from her face to the melons she had crafted. “Like what you see?” Eve said with a smirk.

“Ten out of ten! Pass! Loki Stamp of Approval granted!” Finn said in a feminine voice. There was a short spiritual scuffle and the Pallum returned in control of his body. “As you can see, I was almost certain you would pass."

“A deviant goddess?” Eve asked looking at Gareth and Riveria for answers.

“She’s very flexible but she’s not a bad sort,” Gareth said with a shrug.

“She’ll peep on you in the bathroom, believe it,” Riveria said with a blank expression.

“Eh, sounds like everyday stuff to me. No plans to take over the world or the city above, right?” Eve questioned.

“Nope. The Guild has that place well in hand.” Finn said with a careless wave. “Ouranos handles that stuff through his Familia.”

“The gods and goddesses don’t walk among mortals?” Eve asked with a skeptical tone.

“Correct. Apparently, they did in the far ancient times, but a calamity struck and they all stick in their Divine Realms now.” Finn said with a shrug.

Eve blinked having a dawning suspicion that she couldn’t ask about why the Divines were in hiding. It isn’t like my brother is nearby to question either. I’ll just drop it for later inquiry when we finally meet again.

Riveria cast a strange dome that covered the Supporters. “So, in order to know what we are working with we need to see part of your Status. We need at least one of your highest Basic Abilities, a Skill, and any Magic you feel comfortable giving. This is so going forward we can support you with appropriate resources.”

“If I read them out, will you be able to verify them with your ability?” Eve asked Riveria. Receiving an affirmative nod from the elf she said, “Level One. Strength, Agility, Dexterity all above one thousand.”

Finn and Gareth’s eyed bulged and Riveria’s expression froze for a moment before she said, “C-Continue.”

“Developing Ability, Witch’s Body. It makes me stronger. A lot stronger. It grants me Falna.” Eve said gouging her audience. They were glued to her words like starstruck fans.

“A-anything else?” Gareth said with bated breath.

“Skill, Blood Manipulation. I don’t tire easily. Magic, Blood Magic. Poison and stuff don’t work, toxins don’t take effect.” Eve said finishing what she was willing to reveal.

Finn shuddered after she finished before his eyes snapped open with the biggest shit-eating grin pasted on his face. “Did you ever doubt? That this Pallum was luck incarnate? Did you? Heh? What do you have to say now, rock eater and grass muncher!”

“Bah, he’s going to be insufferable for years now. The lad picks up a rock on the side of the road. Takes it to be inspected later and it’s the Holy Gem of the Argonaut’s Crown. Feh!” Gareth said with an eye roll.

Riveria didn’t say anything but there was suddenly a miniature snowstorm over Finn’s head.

“I-Is everything ok?” Eve asked taken aback by the reception.

“Don’t mind them. They’re just jealous of my genius. I knew you were worth recruiting the moment you led us out of the Kobold Warren.” Finn said his grin undimmed by the snow coating him. Gareth facepalmed as Finn said, “So, let me be the first to welcome you to the ranks of the Loki Familia. Does your race have a name? If you aren’t a monster, we can spin the need for blood as a requirement of your race.”

“Vampire. My dietary needs are mainly blood. Most food with the exception of meat I cook myself tastes like garbage to me.” Eve said. The grin from the Pallum was infectious!

“Excellent. Let’s get you fed properly then.” Finn said turning to the Supporters as the dome fell. “This is our newest Recruit, Eve. Her race has specific needs, so I need a volunteer to feed her.”

The youngest of the men moved out and said, “Raul Nord, reporting for duty!”

Eve looked at Finn and upon receiving a nod she moved up to Raul. “There will be a slight sting, but after that, it won’t hurt. Promise!”

Raul blushed faintly as he glanced at her and said, “Not a problem, Miss. Welcome to the Loki Familia!”

“Thank you!” Eve said moving in as her fangs elongated.

There was a short twitch as she bit down on his neck while her hands wrapped around him to prevent him from falling. Finn, Gareth, and Riveria had varying expressions as the young man’s eyes rolled back in his head. Everyone had bemused expressions as the sounds of pleasure echoed from Raul’s throat. When she was finished, Eve licked his throat. Her saliva closed the puncture marks, a trick she had found most useful.

“Did anyone record that?” Finn asked the other two Supporters who both shook their heads negatively. “Tch, it would have made fantastic blackmail material.”

Raul’s expression was a pure red blush filled with absolute embarrassment. Eve smirked and said, “You were delicious, Mr. Raul.”