It's been hours since I started trudging through this damn desert. The sand grinds into my shoes with every step, an incessant annoyance. Strangely, I haven't encountered a single demon. In a place like the Vortex World, you'd expect to be knee-deep in them.
I spot what looks like an oasis up ahead, a shimmering pool of water beside a grand stone arch. Hope flares briefly; maybe I'll find something interesting there. As I draw closer, I notice several silhouettes moving in the water. They have fins instead of feet, darting beneath the surface.
I couldn't help but make a mental joke, wondering if they were like Pokémon and weak to electric attacks. It was a shame most of my recent opponents had been susceptible to electricity; I had already used up my only Zio stone and hadn't yet acquired any electric skills.
Grumbling about my lack of variety in attack options, I drew my katana, cast Sukukaja on myself and issued a command to Burroughs. "Burroughs, initiate analysis."
As I advanced I could finally see the demons in the water. They had a humanoid form but with distinct fish-like features. Their skin was a smooth, iridescent blue, suggesting an affinity with water. Their heads were elongated and streamlined, with glowing red eyes that added a sinister touch. Their mouths were open, revealing sharp teeth and long, whisker-like appendages extending from their faces.
Their arms and legs were long and thin, ending in webbed, clawed hands and feet, enhancing their aquatic nature. Along their backs and limbs, fin-like structures likely assisted in swimming. Their bodies tapered off into powerful, fish-like tails, further emphasizing their capability for swift movement in water.
Suddenly, all the demons noticed me. They paused momentarily before launching themselves at me with remarkable speed. Despite their quickness, they weren't fast enough to escape my enhanced vision. Thanks to Sukukaja, I could track and dodge their attacks without too much difficulty.
As I evaded their strikes, Burroughs' voice cut through my thoughts with the results of her analysis. "Analysis complete."
The information appeared on my screen:
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Name: Azumi
Race: Brute
MP: 250/250
Resistances: [Ice]
Weakness: [Electric]
Strength: E-
Endurance: E-
Magic: E
Agility: E
Luck: E
Skills: [Bufu][Scratch Dance]
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I chuckled inwardly. They were indeed weak to electricity, confirming my earlier suspicion. Their stats were all inferior to mine except for agility, but even that was manageable with Sukukaja in play. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a stalactite launched by one of the Azumi. I dodged it, only to see several more preparing their magic.
Deciding to test a theory, I reminded myself that unlike a human, a demon's use of magic wasn't dependent on the COMP. If I could enchant my weapon with Mudo, it could potentially turn my katana into a cursed blade. I focused inward, trying to feel the Magatsuhi within me, just as the COMP guided me during spellcasting. As I began to channel Mudo, I shifted the flow of energy, directing it towards my katana.
The process was intricate. First, I visualized the dark energy swirling within, concentrating on its ominous, life-draining essence. Instead of letting it manifest as an external spell, I willed it into the blade. The katana vibrated slightly, the metal absorbing the dark energy. It felt as though the weapon itself was thirsting for Magatsuhi, hungry for the power I was channeling into it.
The blade turned a shade darker, an eerie aura enveloping it. I could almost hear a faint whisper, as if the katana itself had come alive with the cursed energy. Just as the stalactites were closing in on me, I summoned Bufu, controlling its power to create a small wave of ice spikes that formed a protective barrier in front of me.
The ice spikes intercepted the incoming stalactites, shattering them on impact. I took a moment to appreciate my improvised shield before turning my attention back to the demons. With my newly cursed katana in hand, I was ready to strike back.
I lunged forward, slashing through the first Azumi in my path. The cursed blade sliced through its body with ease, the dark energy seeping into the demon and causing it to wither before disintegrating into Magatsuhi. The other Azumi hesitated, giving me the opening I needed.
Grinning, I moved with swift precision, taking down each demon one by one. Their attempts to counter with Bufu were futile as my agility allowed me to evade their attacks effortlessly. Each strike with my katana was imbued with Mudo, ensuring their swift demise.
It was down to just five Azumi now. Abruptly, they ceased their Bufu attacks, charging at me instead. Their movements were erratic yet oddly graceful. I deduced they were using the skill Scratch Dance. As one Azumi hit the sand, the impact kicked up a thick cloud of dust, filling the air and obstructing my view. Under normal circumstances, I think, this wouldn't be an issue, but in the Vortex World, everything was saturated with Magatsuhi, making it impossible to sense their presence.
I grinned, eager to experience and wield this new skill firsthand. With my vision obscured, I decided that the best strategy would be to obliterate everything around me. As an Azumi lunged for my throat, I whispered, "Eiha."
A colossal pillar of darkness erupted from the ground, consuming everything in its path. The dark energy swirled and expanded, devouring the Azumi caught in its reach. None of them could escape the devastating force. The pillar of darkness annihilated them entirely, leaving nothing but their Magatsuhi to drift towards me, strengthening my power further.
As I was about to leave, I sensed a presence approaching without any malicious intent. I turned and saw her-a being of beauty and grace. From her appearance, I deduced I was facing a mermaid.
She had long, flowing green hair that cascaded down her back, blending seamlessly with the water that surrounded her. Her expression was calm and serene, with green eyes that reflected a sense of wisdom, and deeper within, a hint of joy.
Her upper body was humanoid and bare, adorned with strategically placed fish scales that added to her mystical allure. Her arms were slender and graceful, with webbed fingers hinting at her underwater origins. The lower half of her body transitioned into a large, silvery fish tail, complete with fins and scales. Surrounding her were two glowing skulls engulfed in orange flames, floating ominously in the air.
When the mermaid stopped in front of me, she spoke, her voice melodious and soothing. "Thank you for ridding the oasis of the Azumi. How can I repay you?"
Her voice was as enchanting as a lullaby but that didn't affect me as much as it might have others. In my mind, I thought of Pixie and how I needed another demon ally after her unfortunate 'demise'. "You can form a contract with me," I said, my tone even.
She regarded me thoughtfully before nodding. "I accept, I am Mermaid of the Femme race, I am honored to form a contract with you."
A red light emanates from Mermaid, shooting toward my COMP. Burroughs' voice follows, "Femme Mermaid has become an ally. The contract is in effect.
Mermaid of the Femme race has been added to the Demonic Compendium,"
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After setting off once again, I began conversing with Mermaid. She provided valuable insights into the nature of the Vortex World. First, she explained that anything destroyed here would eventually reconstitute itself after some time. It made sense now why, despite the powerful demons, everything seemed relatively intact. I also found it strange that she thanked me for clearing the Azumi from the area, even though I had practically obliterated the place.
Mermaid continued to enlighten me, revealing that some structures were so reinforced with Magatsuhi that they were essentially indestructible. This information intrigued me and added another layer of complexity to this world. Additionally, she revealed that Zorya, the moon-like entity here, has phases similar to those of the moon, with unique effects on demons. For instance, Full Zorya can make some demons more aggressive, making negotiation impossible, and can either weaken or empower others. New Zorya has similar effects, but instead of making demons aggressive, it calms them down. As I pondered this, I spotted a small cave in the distance.
Realizing that I hadn't slept since arriving in the Vortex World, I decided it was time for a rest. I approached the cave's entrance cautiously and found it to be shallow and devoid of any immediate danger. Satisfied with its safety, I summoned Mermaid once more.
"Keep an eye on the entrance and wake me if any demons or summoners approach," I instructed.
Mermaid nodded, her serene presence reassuring me. I settled down inside the cave, my back against the cool stone wall. The fatigue of the past hours finally caught up with me, and I allowed myself to drift into a light sleep, trusting Mermaid to keep watch.
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As I awaken and slowly open my eyes, I find myself in a room that exudes an aura of historical elegance. The walls around me are covered in dark, richly stained wood, each panel adorned with intricate golden patterns that catch the light in a mesmerizing way. The repeating motifs on the panels suggest a time of meticulous craftsmanship and opulence.
The dim, ambient light is provided by a traditional lantern that sits low on the wall, its gentle glow casting soft shadows and highlighting the intricate details of the room's decor. The overall atmosphere is one of serene tranquility, yet there's an underlying sense of solemnity that permeates the space.
The floor beneath me is made of polished wood, its surface cool and smooth to the touch. As I take in my surroundings, I feel a mix of curiosity and unease, wondering where I am and what this beautifully eerie room holds in store for me. In front of me stands a statue, its flickering light from two small torches on either side creating dancing shadows that highlight the statue's intricate details. The flames cast a warm yet unsettling glow, illuminating parts of the statue while leaving others shrouded in darkness. The statue appears to be ancient, with a visage that seems both awe-inspiring and terrifying, as if it has witnessed countless ages and harbors untold secrets.
Above the statue is an emblem that immediately captures my attention. It is prominently displayed on the wall, illuminated against a backdrop of rich, dark hues that give the room a mysterious and ancient feel. The symbol is a yin-yang design, but with unique features: one side has an eye shedding a tear, and the other side forms a subtle, serene smile. Surrounding the central image is a circular arrangement of runic or mystical inscriptions, glowing faintly, adding to the symbol's enigmatic aura.
The emblem appears to be more than just decorative-it radiates a sense of profound significance, as if it holds deep, esoteric meanings or power. The faint glow emanating from it casts a soft light that enhances the room's already mystical atmosphere. It feels as though this symbol is a guardian of secrets, inviting me to ponder its purpose and the history it represents.
Suddenly, thirteen ghostly silhouettes appeared, their forms flickering like purple flames. Some were women, others men, and their bodies shimmered like a kaleidoscope. Their faces were hidden by black veils with a symbol marked in white. Each figure exuded such an aura of power that I felt like an ant before them. But I quickly shook off the thought-such humility was unworthy of an Eminence.
One of the figures spoke, "So this is him, one of the contenders for the title of the sixteenth." Another chimed in, "I hope the one chosen will be better than the fifteenth, given the events to come." The figure directly in front of me addressed the others, "Enough talk. We will see if he is worthy of the title of the sixteenth in due time."
I wanted to speak, but no sound emerged from my mouth. Questions swirled in my mind: Where was this place? Who were these people? As I was lost in thought, the figure spoke again, "It is time for you to return to the waking world." As he uttered these words, the world around me warped and then faded into darkness.
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When I finally opened my eyes again, I was back in the cave. Mermaid stood at the entrance, her serene presence a stark contrast to the enigmatic experience I had just endured.
I pushed myself up and asked, "Did you sense anything strange just now?" She looked at me with a puzzled expression and shook her head. "No, everything has been quiet," she replied.
Just then, I felt vibrations in the ground. "What the hell is going on outside?" I muttered. The vibrations grew stronger and more frequent, making the cave's walls tremble.
I quickly got to my feet and headed towards the entrance. As I was about to step outside, a massive wave of sand rushed past the entrance, blocking my view of the landscape. The sandstorm was fierce, obscuring everything beyond the cave.
Once the vibrations stopped, I turned to Mermaid, who was looking just as bewildered as I felt. "What on earth is happening out there?" I wondered aloud.
We stood in silence for a moment, listening for any further disturbances. The calm after the storm was unsettling. It was clear that something significant had just occurred near us, and I had a feeling it wasn't good news.
"I think we should proceed with caution," I said, gripping my katana tightly. Mermaid nodded in agreement. "Let's find out what caused this and if there's anything we need to worry about," she suggested.
With a determined stride, we left the cave, stepping into the aftermath of the sandstorm. The once familiar landscape was now covered in dunes, the air thick with the remnants of the swirling sand. Whatever had caused this disturbance was out there, and we needed to be prepared for anything.
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Name: Mermaid
Race: Femme
MP: 200/200
Resistances: [Ice]
Weakness: [Fire][Electric]
Strength: F
Endurance: E-
Magic: E
Agility: E
Luck: E
Skills: [Stormcaller Song][Dormina]
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