Chapter 660 - Awfully curious

“Where are Dennis and Aaron?” Min-Jae asks Tess.

“They went north to observe the area that’s always covered in mist. They brought Noodle and Maya along because they planned to go deeper into it.”

“I’ll go and grab them so they can see Nat before he goes back to Beyond.”

“Sure. Be careful.”

As she says that, Min-Jae starts pulling on his body and quickly moves through the jungle, leaving me, Tess, and Biscuit behind.

Tess glances at the puppy corgi with tiny, cute antlers, then at me. “Lily went east. She found some monsters she wanted to fight and level up from a bit, but she should be back in a few hours.”

“So it’s all going well so far?” I ask.

“As well as it could. Everyone is a bit more... proactive? If that’s the right word. It’s a reasonable reaction to what happened, but we’re only human. In a few months, when the memories become more distant, we’ll calm down again, only to possibly get stomped on again.”

“How dark.”

“Realistic. But it will make us stronger. And how about you? How did it go?”

“I found her and could probably kill her if I tried really hard, but of course, nothing ever goes according to plan. Instead, I brought back one of Sophie’s fragments.”

Tess smiles. “So our spiteful mind mage pulled off something that sneaky. Sounds just like her. Still, who would’ve thought something like this would happen after what went down between you two on the first floor?”

“Or the second time, when she and Hadwin tried to kill me—right after I showed up half-dead from fighting Cinderbear.”

“I think it was me who put them in their place?”

“Yes,” I confirm. “You were so cool back then.”

Her smile widens. “I have my moments. How’s your social battery? Do you feel like talking about plans, want to ask questions, or just blabber?”

“I think blabbering is fine. We can talk about plans when everyone’s here instead of everyone telling me things separately.”

Tess straightens her posture and lifts her chin. “In that case, you are currently looking at the second member of Group 4 with a level over 300. I accept congratulations only. If I hear anything close to ‘took you a while,’ I’ll make sure to be as petty as possible when the time for my revenge comes.”

“You are so cool. Level 300 already? Congratulations.”

"I'd prefer a bit more enthusiasm, but I'll take what I can get."

Biscuit keeps glancing between me and Tess, as if unsure what to do, but in the end decides to stay quiet. He just snuggles closer. I’d even swear he puts his ear over where my original heart is and listens to it the same way my minion likes to.

That’s when a thought hits me, maybe the real reason Biscuit likes to take such a small form is just to be carried around. I still remember the existential dread my minion went through when Vic told her she wouldn’t be able to listen to my heart anymore once she grew older.

I push that thought away. “It must’ve taken a lot of work. I mean, I did some large-scale leveling with explosions and stuff to level up, but you…”

“Right? But with my Potency and my Primordial Lightning being so good at single-target damage, combined with my ranged projectiles… it wasn’t that bad. Plus, I got some decent level-ups from what happened on the seventh floor.”

“What class did you get?”

"I thought you'd ask that first. It's Primordial Stormpiercer. Unlike yours, mine is only Arcane, but I'll try harder next time."

"I don't think there are that many attendees with Arcane classes."

"Right? I think so too. Along with it came a nice passive that improved my [Farsight] a lot. Soon, I might even be able to see through clothes."

I glance at her and blink slowly, half in disbelief, half daring her to elaborate.

She holds my gaze and smiles—calm, amused, utterly unbothered. It’s one of those smiles only this tall blonde can pull off.

I say nothing. Just keep looking at her, waiting.

She chuckles softly. "I think it’s part of your charm, Nat, for you to react like that after one of my looks. But it would also be fun if you blushed and looked away. Min-Jae did that. It’s heartwarming to see him act like that after everything he’s been through."

"I will not apologize."

"Of course you won’t. Biscuit, want to show Nat his room?" she asks.

At that moment, Biscuit reacts immediately and wriggles until he gets out of my hands. Then, instead of flying, he creates purple mana arms from his back. Eight of them, moving upward before twisting toward the ground. Just like spider legs. Except they're human arms.

With fingers.

I had hoped he would’ve stopped doing that.

Not expecting Tess to answer, we follow the corgider as he swiftly moves down the stairs and then to the side through a carved out hallway into one of the bigger rooms. This one is inside the trunk but has a huge opening onto a branch, like a balcony, offering a pretty nice view over the shorter trees.

I see. Biscuit knows I like rooms with a good view, so it’s not bad. All my items are here too. Thermonuclear warheads, some mana stones, Earth clothes and snacks, a few experiments, things I was able to steal from the Academy, all nicely piled up.

There are even two mattresses. One big, and a smaller one near it.

Oh, how cute. He prepared a bed for himself as... Then Biscuit climbs onto the bigger mattress and lies down comfortably. His spider-human legs vanish, and he looks at me from the top.

I see. So the smaller one is for me.

There’s no need for me to turn around to know Tess has that smug smile on her face.

***

For a bit, I stay in my room alone with Biscuit. I'm gracefully allowed onto his bed, and while I lie there, I continue to pet him.

All these cheeky things aside, I still think everyone should have their government issued emotional support corgi. There is no question about that.

As I do so, I keep checking the Community while having my stats open on the other screen.

Lvl 323

Strength: 264

Dexterity: 252

Constitution: 457

Mana (Stage 1/3 - Vast Mana): 1675 + 1675

I will need to improve the Restrictive Training Emblem and Burden Enhancement Inscriptions again to increase their output, as stat gain is slowing down again. But it's nothing unexpected, just one of the many things to do.

Savant (Hell, Alone) - It's been months since we met during the tournament, and the first thing you said here is that I was a bitch when I forfeited our duel during not the second, but the first tournament.

Noname (Hell, group 4) - I remembered it out of nowhere and, as always, it pissed me off. And finally, you got your ass to the 9th floor.

Savant (Hell, Alone) - Not everyone clears their floors with a full party of members.

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Oh, you are so cool, you clear the floors alone?

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - 〜(＞＜)〜

Noname (Hell, group 4) - I still have no fucking idea how YOU cleared the 8th floor.

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - (￣ω￣;)

Grumpy (Hell, group 4) - Nat, stay where you are, I will be there soon!

Noname (Hell, group 4) - I'm not leaving, don't worry. I'll likely stay for a day or two.

Sset (Hell, group 4) - Didn't you say you told your guild you'd stay two days only?

Noname (Hell, group 4) - It will be fine. Savi, how is your Sword of Aeons project?

Savant (Hell, Alone) - Absorbed.

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Damn, kinetic energy?

Savant (Hell, Alone) - It's confusing and chaotic, to be honest, but I made some progress.

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - |ʘ‿ʘ)╯

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - ↜(╰ •ω•)╯

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - (ಠ o ಠ)¤=[]:::::>

Savant (Hell, Alone) - Is that a stabbing emote?

Grumpy (Hell, group 4) - She still doesn't like you!

Savant (Hell, Alone) - I noticed, especially when she attacked me during every other event just to fuck up my performance.

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - (・`ω´・)

Savant (Hell, Alone) - You can keep trying. This is enough for me for now. I will be leaving.

I don't even bother responding, knowing his Community tab is probably already closed. He just loves having the last word.

Tacita then soon follows with one more message.

Tacita (Hell, Luce) - ｀、ヽ｀ヽ｀、ヽ(ノ＞＜)ノ ｀、ヽ｀☂ヽ｀、ヽ

The emote likely means it’s raining where she is? Who the hell would know.

Grumpy (Hell, group 4) - No leaving back to Beyond before I get to our base! Promise?

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Promise.

After that, I close the Community as well. Biscuit is already sleeping in my arms and breathing softly. I count my 660th boop since I came here and look around the room, picking the things I’ll take back with me to Beyond. Likely some mana stones, and possibly a few more I’ll ask Min-Jae for recommendations on. Some Earth clothes and a few snacks for when I feel especially mentally drained after interacting with people.

Now that I’m a member of Primordial Knights, I think I’ll get a boost to my Beyond Stay token. If I recall correctly, it should be a 50% duration bonus for 2nd to 5th ranked guilds, so my next stay will be 45 days. That’s why I don’t mind stretching my stay here for a few days longer. In the end, it won’t be me who has to deal with the consequences.

Interestingly, my affiliation with the guild now even shows in the status. Another line that people not in Beyond likely don’t have. And one more, this time for my rank. That one appeared the moment I entered the second floor, I think. Or maybe only on the third, or after I joined the guild. I rarely check that part of the status, so it’s hard to know exactly.

Name: Nathaniel Gwyn

Title: Champion Candidate

Difficulty: Hell

Rank: C, Ivory White

Guild: Primordial Knights

Floor: 9 - The Pit

Time left until forced return: 2y 199d 16h 14m 36s

Traits (2/3): Mana Wavelength Iris 2/3, Mana Physique 0/3

Getting a B rank should be easy, and an A rank as well. I also think S rank should be possible if I really try. The only problem is that I don’t know the requirements for it, but I guess if I manage to enter the 6th floor and do some fancy Beyond quests, I should be able to pull it off. That would make me one of the apex Beyond predators for a few months before I leave the tutorial.

Facing equally strong opponents, or someone stronger, is great, and I live for that feeling, that thrill of battle.

But!

Curbstomping someone who used to be stronger than you, and you’ve overtaken them because of your hard work, also feels good.

Thinking of pleasant, normal, things like that, I continue to enjoy the view from Biscuit’s penthouse. Through my senses, I perceive that Izzy is still with Sophie, and Tess went ahead to help Lily get back, who apparently lacks the navigational skills to do so by herself.

The wind shifts slightly, brushing against my skin in a way that feels just a little too deliberate. Something in the air feels off, too still, like the world is holding its breath. Biscuit lets out a tiny huff in his sleep, ears flicking once, then settling.

One moment I look at the open view.

The next, there is a face in front of me.

White hair. One red eye, the other closed, blood flowing from it. One leg cracks underneath her, and she stumbles before regaining balance, still putting full weight on it as if ignoring or not even noticing the wound or pain.

All my instincts scream at me to move, but my mind races faster. Before I launch an attack, I recognize the feel of the presence in front of me. The presence of someone inside this native demon woman´s body.

Biscuit twitches, sniffs, and is about to wake up, but I stay unmoving and gently pet his head until he calms down and continues sleeping. Even then, I feel an adrenaline and mana rush through my body, prepared to fight in an instant.

"You seem to recognize me. I'm glad!" the woman says, and her shoulder twitches and cracks, the bone tearing through the skin and clothes.

Watching that white bone covered in blood, I lift my finger in front of my lips and glance at Biscuit.

She smiles apologetically and lowers her voice. "How unkind of me, almost awakening this beautiful beast from its slumber."

Taking another step, she stumbles again as she puts weight on her broken leg, and it twists more. Looking at that leg for a good moment, she just sighs before turning back to me.

"You’ve been awfully curious about me, Nathaniel."

***

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