Akumo was currently visiting the home of the Takemikazuchi Familia, having been invited for a brief stay.
THWACK—!!!!!!
"Hmph!!"
"Haah!!"
BAM—!!!!!!
""!!""
CRACK—!!!!!!!
At that moment, he was engaged in a sparring match with Takemikazuchi.
Thud—!!!
Tap—!!!
"As expected...."
'The refinement of his technique is absolute. Well, he is a God of War, after all....'
Logically, it was impossible for Akumo, who possessed the overwhelming status of a Level 8, to spar with Takemikazuchi, who had sealed his divine power and possessed the body of an ordinary mortal. However, the scene proved otherwise.
Snap—!!
"!!"
Whirl—!
Takemikazuchi demonstrated his prowess by redirecting the momentum of Akumo's strike, pivoting his body to transition into a grappling lock. It was a clear display of a God of War's mastery—a level of skill that sat at a pinnacle far beyond the children of the lower world. This exchange was only possible because Akumo was strictly limiting his strength.
"You let your guard down!"
"Hardly!"
Spin—!
'He's rotating his entire body—'
Thump—!!
Akumo was no easy opponent either. He immediately neutralized the suppression by kicking off the ground and rotating his frame to break the hold.
Whoosh—!!
"Simply magnificent...."
Thud—!!
"Yes, truly...."
Mikoto and Chigusa, watching the two exchange blows, could only watch in awe.
Clench—!
'Even without killing intent, he's ruthlessly targeting the openings in Akumo-dono's strikes without a moment's hesitation....'
Takemikazuchi's ability to intercept Akumo's heavy momentum and exploit gaps was terrifying, but equally impressive was Akumo, who matched the God of War's techniques through pure martial intuition and finesse.
BOOM—!!!!
""!!""
Suddenly, Akumo's fist slammed into the gravel path with enough force to create a deep crater, snapping the girls out of their trance.
"What in the...!!"
"Both of you, calm down!"
"".....""
Saaa—!!
The atmosphere grew heavy. Fearing an accident had occurred between the two, they were about to rush forward when—
""Hm?""
Shift—
"What's wrong?"
"Is something the matter?"
Tilt—!
The two men simply looked back at the girls with innocent expressions, as if they had no idea what the problem was.
"Eh....?"
"We just heard a massive sound...."
Only after hearing their words did the men notice the sunken gravel where the punch had landed. They began to explain sheepishly.
"Ah~ this? Well...."
"Akumo-kun and I just got a bit too excited for a moment."
"Man, you really surprised me when you started getting serious, Lord Take."
"It's because you reacted by throwing a strike like that that the children got startled."
"Ahaha! But you dodged it instantly!"
Watching them chat so casually, Mikoto and Chigusa felt a wave of exasperation.
"That clearly wasn't normal power...."
'An attack of that magnitude would have been fatal to a normal person—even to someone like you or Ouka-dono....'
Amused by their reactions, Akumo and Takemikazuchi ceased their sparring and approached the girls to assist with their training.
"As you've seen, Status isn't everything," Takemikazuchi began.
"If one pursues technique to its absolute limit, even I, with this mortal body, can contend with adventurers."
"Status is a record of pure experience and adventure. It isn't something gained overnight," Akumo added.
Reach—
Akumo and Takemikazuchi held out their hands—the same hands that had just displayed such divine finesse. They looked no different from the girls' hands, worn from training, yet they radiated an immeasurable aura carved into their flesh, their souls, and their minds.
"Technique and ingenuity are distinct things."
"Indeed. While mastery isn't easily attained, it is possible if accompanied by conviction and effort."
At their words, a look of resolve settled in the eyes of Mikoto and Chigusa.
"What I desire is the technique to stand against those who are stronger!"
Step—!
"The power to save my comrades and overcome the trials of adventure!"
"Then make it your own, Mikoto, Chigusa."
Takemikazuchi picked up a short sword resting on the veranda.
"With the right timing and the right breath, even the most refined technique can be unleashed."
Grip—!
"Even a massive, heavy foe can be thrown. Even the hardest shell can be severed."
Schwing—!
"As you wish, I shall teach you everything I could not show you back in the Far East!"
""!!""
As Takemikazuchi drew his blade and leveled it at them with a serious gaze, Akumo quietly stepped away, leaving them to their training.
"So this is why you invited me over~"
"Was it an imposition?"
"Not at all. I heard they're heading out on an expedition soon. They need to be as prepared as possible."
Smile—
"Yawn~"
Step, step—!
"Preparing for an expedition, huh...."
'I suppose it's that time for those kids already?'
Walking slowly away from the Takemikazuchi Familia's home, Akumo found it remarkable. It hadn't even been half a year since Bell arrived in Orario, and they were already preparing for an expedition.
"Even if it's thanks to [Liariis Freese]...."
'Is he truly a hero in the making...?'
"Haha! I'm actually looking forward to it!"
Wondering how much stronger Bell would grow, Akumo pulled something from his pocket.
Pop—!
"With this... the treatment is finally over~"
Gulp, gulp—!
—'It's a nasty curse. It'll take some time to heal.'
"Phew! That bastard... he really intended to kill me...."
Recalling the red moon and the beast's fangs that had rained down upon him that day, Akumo remained certain that Akuo hadn't died.
"If he was the type to die from that, could I even call him my clone?"
'He'll serve as good motivation for the Xenos as well.'
Stretching his limbs, Akumo felt the lingering heaviness finally dissipate. The beast's curse left by Akuo had been completely dispelled.
Crack—!
Pop—!
"Finally, my body feels light again."
Flex—!
"What a stubborn piece of work he is~"
Despite his words, Akumo found himself wanting to clash with Akuo once more. He decided it was time to prepare for his return to the Dungeon.
Creak—!
"Hello there~"
""Akumo!!""
His first stop was the Hephaestus Familia, where he had left his weapons while recovering from the Xenos incident.
"Lady Hephaestus, Tsubaki-neesan!"
Thud—!
"Wait....?"
""Come with us.""
Stomp, stomp—!
Before he could even exchange pleasantries, Akumo was seized by Hephaestus and Tsubaki and dragged straight toward the office.
"Whoa."
Thump—!
"...Excuse me?"
""...""
Ignoring his bewildered question, Hephaestus and Tsubaki simply sat him in the seat of honor with smiling faces, as if trying to hide something.
"I'll bring some tea first, so—"
"The hot springs."
Flinch—!
"Also, the look in the blacksmiths' eyes just now was highly suspicious."
Twitch—!
"What did you do with my weapons?"
Sensing something was amiss—especially after discovering Gram being used as a water heating system during the hot spring incident—Akumo pressed them for answers.
""We're sorry!!""
Hephaestus and Tsubaki threw up their hands in surrender and eventually led Akumo elsewhere.
Murmur, murmur—!
"Wow."
"Well.... we thought it was a waste to just keep them in storage...."
"So you turned them into this?"
The blacksmiths of the Hephaestus Familia were buzzing with excitement, staring at something.
"Seeing things like that makes their passion boil over!"
"Are you serious right now!!!!!!??"
Akumo shouted in disbelief as he looked at Gram and Balmung, which were being displayed like statues.
"Actually, ever since you and Welf made your big debut, the kids have been working harder than ever!?"
"Sigh..."
"We told them they could see the workshop Welf uses, and we've been flooded with applicants!"
"Eeeh..."
'Well, Welf has grown a lot over the past few months...'
Unable to argue against Hephaestus's logic, Akumo found himself stuck at the Hephaestus Familia for quite some time.
"""It's the [Pioneer]!!!!!"""
Being treated like a celebrity by the blacksmiths was an unexpected bonus.
Step, step—!
"My head hurts...."
Akumo massaged his temples, feeling dizzy from the absurd situation.
—'Please, just a little longer!!!!!'
—'We beg of you!!!!'
When he had tried to take Gram and Balmung back, the blacksmiths had practically shoved money into his hands, pleading with him. Unable to withstand the pressure, he had ultimately agreed to leave them for a little while longer.
"At least I got them to agree to a massive discount on future repair costs....?"
Clank—!
'And they've agreed to provide me with suitable temporary gear....'
Turning a corner, Akumo arrived in front of a familiar building.
Knock, knock, knock—!
"Is anyone home~?"
It was Hearthstone Manor, the home of the Hestia Familia. Shortly after he knocked, the door opened, and someone greeted him.
Creak—!
"Who might it b—"
"Yo!"
"Master Akumo!?"
Haruhime, dressed in her maid uniform, opened the door and immediately ushered him inside upon seeing his face.
Sway, sway—!
"What brings you here?"
"I heard you're heading out on an expedition."
"Ah.... yes. We received a mission from the Guild...."
Haruhime's tail wagged happily at his visit, but her expression soon clouded with worry.
".....Are you worried?"
"Yes... it's our first time descending to the Lower Floors, after all...."
Droop—!
Her tail slumped along with her mood. Understanding her anxiety as an adventurer, Akumo gently patted her head.
Pat, pat—
"A-Akumo-sama!?"
"I can't tell you not to worry. But... I can tell you to believe."
"....!!"
"Believe in your comrades."
"....Yes!"
At Akumo's warm words, the shadows on Haruhime's face lightened, and her tail began to wag once more.
Sway, sway—!
"Do you know where Welf is? I have something to deliver to him."
"Ah! Master Welf should be in the workshop right now!"
Akumo and Haruhime walked together toward the workshop.
As they walked, Haruhime's tail occasionally tapped against Akumo's back. He smiled warmly and thanked her for the guidance.
Tap, tap—!
"Thanks, Haruhime."
"No, thank you for listening to my concerns."
Smile—
The two smiled at each other and parted in front of the workshop. Akumo knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock—!
"Is the master of the house in~?"
Silence—
".....?"
Knock, knock, knock—!
"Welf~?"
When no answer came, Akumo felt something was off. He continued knocking until Welf finally opened the door slowly.
Creak—!
"A-Akumo-san...."
"Why did it take so long to open the door? Were you in the middle of making something?"
"No, it's just...."
Welf, looking strangely nervous, opened the door wider and let him in.
Thump—!
"The materials you ordered are here~"
"...."
"I wonder what you ordered that required such careful packaging~"
"W-Wait! Akumo-san! That's enough...!"
"Hm? What's wrong~? Did you order something expensive?"
"No....! It's not that!!!"
Welf's frantic reaction only piqued Akumo's mischievous curiosity. He opened the bundle, and—
Flash—!
""...""
"This is a Unicorn Horn....?"
'Welf ordered this....'
"No, you see...."
"Face the wall."
"Yes, sir!"
Welf didn't even try to make an excuse and began listening to the lecture.
"Hey, you're making a dagger out of a Unicorn Horn!?"
"Honestly, wouldn't you want to try making one too!!"
"That's not the point...."
Sigh—
"Where did you even get this!?"
".....I got it by chance from one of the Xenos, a Unicorn named 'Juno'."
"Your luck is just... honestly...."
Hearing Welf's confident explanation and how he obtained it, Akumo was speechless for a moment. But then, he fell into thought and eventually had to admit the truth.
"..."
'Sigh... this guy...'
"I'll allow it."
"Right!!!"
"But you'll have to handle whatever the others say about the cost, okay?"
"Ah."
Welf's reaction suggested he hadn't thought that far ahead, but Akumo was already interested in the dagger Welf was about to create.
"A dagger made from a Unicorn Horn...."
'I wonder what kind of weapon it will become?'
"Whatever it turns out to be, give it your all!"
"Of course!!"
"Your passion is truly something...."
Trusting in Welf's skill, Akumo hoped the weapon would prove useful during the expedition.
A few days later, the day arrived for the Hestia Familia to challenge the Lower Floor expedition.
"Phew~"
'I told them not to worry, but....'
"It would be a lie to say I'm not concerned....?"
"Certainly."
Though Akumo was sitting leisurely at home, his mind was filled with nagging doubts.
Part of it was concern for them heading to the Lower Floors, but more than that, the recent surge in disappearances in those depths weighed heavily on him.
"Why does this keep bothering me...?"
'I've never felt like this before....'
Stroke—
"If you're that worried, wouldn't it be better to follow them?"
"Should I? It's been a while since I've been on an expedition...."
Alfia advised him while stroking his face, but Akumo continued to ponder.
BOOM—!!!!!
"....Boring."
In a massive city outside Orario.
Countless people lay fallen on the ground. Standing before them was Akuo, his right arm missing, looking on with indifferent, emotionless eyes.
Touch—
"What is it, Akuo?"
"Nothing.... I suppose it's because that experience last time was so entertaining?"
'I feel nothing from this....'
Thud—!!
Ein approached and stroked his cheek. At her words, Akuo released his grip on the throat of a man he was holding, letting him drop to the floor.
"You... what on earth are you...!!"
"....As I thought, these guys aren't it either."
The man was the captain of the Thor Familia, one of the strongest factions outside Orario—a Level 5 powerhouse.
THWACK—!!!
But he was no match for Akuo. With a look of dissatisfaction, as if he hadn't found what he was looking for, Akuo kicked the man into unconsciousness.
"Arcanum...."
Whoosh—!!
"It would be nice if more interesting things happened~"
Schwing—!
He manifested a white, single-edged blade in his hand and brought it before his eyes.
Clench—!
"When did you say Enyo's plan begins?"
"Well.... once 'that' is prepared?"
Ein no longer hid Enyo's plans from him.
She didn't think for a moment that telling him would lead to him slaughtering all of Evilus. And even if he chose to do so, Enyo was no longer her only light.
"If they're going to do it, I hope they do it properly."
'Only through conflict can one be forged even sharper....'