Mushoku Impact

After slicing his way from one side of the ravine to the other, Paul looked back to observe the destruction he had wrought. Hundreds of bodies now littered the ground, and while they were all monsters, it was still a jarring sight to behold.
Before Paul had time to reflect on his actions, Atofe dropped down next to him with a hero's landing, cracking the ground with her right knee and fist before rising to her full height and remarking, "Well done. An A-Rank Party would have taken days to clear out this many monsters, but you managed to cut your way from one side to the other in under two hours."
Shaking his head, Paul countered, "That's because they would need to set up a defensive encampment to collect materials and burn corpses...what I did amounts to little more than a pointless slaughter..."
Adopting a faint smile, Atofe replied, "You're not wrong. However, it wasn't entirely pointless. The snakes you killed utilized this ravine as a breeding pit. The females can lay up to three hundred eggs in a single clutch, so we have little choice but the cull their numbers before things get out of hand. Failing to do so would result in a monster wave."
As it wasn't uncommon for certain breeds of monsters to reproduce very, very quickly, Paul wasn't surprised by Atofe's words. In response, he just closed his eyes, regulating his breathing and deactivating his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. They required very little Mana to keep active, but his brain would eventually feel as though it was vibrating, followed by intense feelings of stress and anxiety.
Waiting until Paul had calmed down, Atofe revealed, "Your equipment is with that goat woman. Once you've cleaned yourself up, make your way Eastward to the town of Makris. I informed the Guildmaster that you and your Party would be dealing with the annual snake extermination, so he'll be waiting to hear your report. If he gives you any crap, feel free to rough him up a bit."
Finished with what she had to say, Atofe gave Paul an unnecessarily firm pat on the shoulder, snickering as she said, "See you tomorrow, Mr. King's Greatsword..."
Without another word, Atofe spread her wings and took to the sky like a missile, her laughter briefly echoing through the ravine until she reached a distance where it was no longer audible to Paul. Shortly after that, Ganyu and Ei descended into the ravine, both appearing to defy gravity as they landed silently and gracefully next to him...
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Contrasting how they initially treated one another, Kishirika and Kishirisu now got along exceptionally well. Both were borderline egomaniacs, but as they were technically the same individual, they got off on teasing and fooling around with each other.
After spending part of the morning helping Sucrose set up her lab in the atelier previously used by Laplace, Kishirika and Kishirisu returned to their shared chambers for some bonding time. It was difficult for them to focus on things like research for prolonged periods, so, with people like Sucrose more than happy to delve into Laplace's research on bio-alchemy, the duo spent most of their time lazing about and getting to know one another.
Though she had people like Atena, Azura, Vahka, and Vashti to keep her company, being trapped within her castle for four hundred years hadn't been easy on Kishirisu. There were times when minor disputes would lead to her and the Guardians not speaking to each other for years, so, in many ways, she had lived a life even more isolated than Kishirika.
As stressful as being ignored by her people was, the presence of other races meant Kishirika almost always had someone to speak to or interact with. Several had attempted to take advantage of or enslave her, but she was generally able to outsmart them and escape before things could get too out of hand. Thus, while she was isolated among her people, she was able to live relatively free and unfettered despite the curses Laplace had placed on her.
Fortunately for Laplace, though she still intended to give him a piece of her mind, Kishirika had already forgiven him for cursing her. Both had the objective of defeating Hitogami, so while she was still a little salty about being treated as a distraction, Kishirika no longer resented him. Instead, she directed all of her hatred and frustration toward Hitogami, the being responsible for manipulating Badigadi into killing her, destroying half the world, and fracturing the original Laplace's soul...
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Interrupting Kishirka's and Kishirisu's naked skinship, Fayde appeared out of thin air, her expression a cold deadpan as she informed, "Your Imperial Majesties, there is a matter I must report..."
Though they were more than a little annoyed by Fayde's interruption, the two violet-haired Demonesses sat up, stating, "Out with it." with identical timing.
Snorting through her nose, Fayde made a show of rolling her eyes and crossing her arms as she revealed, "One of my familiars has spotted Lord Badigadi entering an underground passage alongside a young human girl. Just thought you should know..."
Understanding the significance of Badi traveling with a human, Kishirika and Kishirisu narrowed their eyes, the former remarking, "That big dumb oaf never learns..."
Though she felt the same way, Kishirisu attempted to ease tensions by stating, "Even if Hitoshit is guiding them, they shouldn't be able to enter the castle. Laplace personally restructured the underground pass to only allow passage in one direction. Unless he retrieves the Golden Armor and the Sword of Aldebaran, Badi shouldn't be able to penetrate the castle's defenses on his own."
Shaking her head, Kishirika retorted, "But he isn't alone. That girl he's with likely has an ability that will allow him to enter the castle. If not, she must be important in some other way. We need to figure out how."
While she could see where Kishirika was coming from, Kishirisu shook her head and said, "I disagree. With Hitoshit's foresight, it's better if we stay off his radar and leave things to Paul. We know he can't see what's going on in the castle, so we should resolve ourselves to stay inside until he has been defeated."
Shifting her gaze to Fayde, Kishirisu added, "Inform Zhongli to meet us in the throne room. We'll be there in 20-30 minutes."
With a somewhat begrudging expression, Fayde lowered her head and replied, "As you will..." before disappearing using her unique teleportation method. Her standoffishness gave the impression she might betray the duo at any time, but neither Kishirika nor Kishirisu were concerned. After all, few resented Hitogami more than the Spirits.
Following Fayde's departure, Kishirisu turned to Kishirika and said, "We have already entrusted this matter to Paul. I understand your desire to help, but anything we do could be playing right into Hitoshit's plans..."
Rolling her eyes, Kishirika lamented, "I am well aware of that..." before regaining her smile and asking, "Now, where were we...?"
Adopting a smile of her own, Kishirisu reached between Kishirika's thighs and replied, "Somewhere around here~?"
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Staring at his updated Guild Card, a somewhat melancholic smile marred Paul's face as he remarked, "Even though I just ran through a horde of B-Rank monsters on my own, it doesn't feel like I should be A-Rank..."
Disagreeing vehemently, Ei stated, "Were it not for the Guild's regulations and requirements, you would be S-Rank by default."
Exhaling a light chuckle, Paul placed his Guild Card away as he replied, "I suppose you're right. It just feels weird to receive credit for completing a bunch of quests without accepting them..."
Shaking his head, Paul did his best to suppress his usual negativity as he turned to Ei and Ganyu, smiling as he said, "We still have a bit of daylight to burn. I know it's a little out of the blue, but would the two of you like to accompany me for a date?"
Without needing to consider their responses, Ganyu and Ei both smiled, the former answering, "Of course," while the latter replied with a curt, "It would be my honor."
Ignoring the looks of jealousy he received from a few random bystanders, Paul extended his arms to the two girls. Then, for the better part of three hours, they just walked around aimlessly sampling food and purchasing a few souvenirs. There wasn't much to do in the Demon Continent besides getting drunk or larking about in the Red Light District, but that didn't stop the trio from enjoying themselves.
Fortunately, while many gave Paul the stink eye during the impromptu date, no one attempted to harass him or the girls. The equipment they wore drew considerable attention, but it also served as a warning to any who would dare to accost them. After all, while anyone could wear high-quality equipment, only those with genuine strength would dare to traipse about without a care in the world.
While Paul didn't consider himself strong, he suffered from the pitfall of only comparing himself to people who were stronger than him. He was so far beyond the standards of an ordinary person that he might as well be a monster. However, with people like Ei constantly surrounding him, Paul couldn't help feeling like he was climbing a mountain that curved away from its face, effectively forcing him to ascend upside down as he aimed for a peak he could barely even fathom...
Though he was a little distracted, Paul could sense when people were paying attention to him even without a heads up from Ganyu or Ei. As a result, he could sense the gaze of someone locking onto him. However, when he looked over, he found a severely scarred woman with a slender frame, silvery-white hair that framed her face and flared outward above her shoulders, pointed ears that had sustained numerous cuts, and short black horns that curved away from her head.
Due to the extreme conditions of the Demon Continent, it wasn't rare to encounter people with disabilities or downtrodden individuals suffering from homelessness. Many Demons became Adventurers at a very young age, so, as unpleasant as it was to imagine, there were many towns where the number of orphans living on the street exceeded those living in actual orphanages.
Though it frequently made him feel like a bag of dicks, Paul had learned to ignore the plights of others unless they were under his care or jurisdiction. He would occasionally hand out alms, but he understood that most of the money he handed out ended up in the hands of the people exploiting the children behind the scenes. Thus, unless they were in dire need or under attack, he would generally turn a blind eye to the many Demons suffering from extreme poverty throughout the Demon Continent.
While the woman's physical condition garnered Paul's attention, the thing that held his intrigue was the fact she was 'staring' at him despite a black, severely tattered blindfold covering her eyes. There was a chance it was thin enough to see through, but the line of dirt between the woman's face and the fabric implied it was rarely removed.
Seemingly recognizing that Paul, Ei, and Ganyu were staring at her, the silvery-haired girl lowered her head and body steeply as she muttered, "Oh, great ones...please have mercy..."
Though such appeals weren't uncommon, Paul only hesitated for a brief moment before making his way over to the kneeling woman and asking, "Are you blind...?"
Without raising her head, the woman replied, "I have never observed the world's splendor, but I have been able to discern the presence of others since I was small..."
Providing some clarity to the woman's statement, Ganyu revealed, "She is a Cambion, a cross between a Succubus and a Human. Most Succubi only give birth to other Succubi, but there are cases such as this where a child is born with the traits of both parents."
In response to Ganyu's words, the silver-haired woman began to tremble, her body visibly tensing as if she was prepared to be hit or stomped upon. The countless cuts and scars covering her body made it apparent she had good reason to be frightened, but harming her was the last thing on Paul's mind as he asked, "What's your name?"
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Just as the silvery-haired Cambion was about to answer Paul's question, a heavily scarred man with red leathery skin, devil-like horns, and pointed ears walked over to say, "Aye, what do we have 'ere? A young lhrd and his lasses? Eider way, it's ten scraps an hour 'n wan iron fhr de night."&nbsp;
Looking toward the fork-tongued man, Paul briefly noted the scars on the man's face, the severely worn quality of his thief-like attire, and the series of knives poorly concealed beneath his overcoat. His right eye and part of his right horn were missing, but the feature that stood out the most was his smile. The man had incredibly sharp-looking teeth, but, unlike Kishirika and Kishirisu, the man's resembled yellow, severely stained needles.
Understanding who the man was, Paul's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he inquired, "Are you this woman's handler?"
Brandishing a devilish smile, the man replied, "Aye, dat is chrrect. Now, do we have a deal hr what?"
"Hmmm..."
Instead of responding to the man, Paul returned his gaze to the Cambion woman kneeling with her body hunched over. Compared to her front, her back was a latticework of scars. Several still had scabs and oozed puss, but, as fucked up as her situation was, helping her wasn't necessarily the best course of action. After all, everyone outside of his 'knowledge' was a potential plant by Hitogami...
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, Paul ignored the annoyed-looking handler, kneeling in front of the woman to ask the same question he had asked many others, "Tell me...what is your dream? If you had the power to achieve anything, what would you do with it...?"
Aggravated by Paul's behavior, the devilish-looking man flicked his forked tongue before hissing, "Oi! This isn't a social, mate! If you're not 'ere to do business, den piss awf with yh...!"
Reacting to the man's words, a few other Demons began surrounding Paul and his group. The quality of their equipment made the thugs more than a little hesitant, but they couldn't just ignore someone behaving brazenly on their turf.
Realizing that the Cambion was too scared to answer him in the presence of the people exploiting her, a faint sigh emanated from Paul's throat. The woman's behavior indicated that she had resolved herself to her fate. She could still change, but she lacked the willpower and determination to rise without assistance.
Rising to his feet, Paul pretended not to notice the men surrounding him as he eyed the other women and children lining the streets or peering out from alleyways. The Cambion was far from the only person who needed a helping hand, so, as much as he wanted to help, there were limits to what he could do without taking drastic action.
Just as Paul was about to turn around and tell the devilish man and his goons to move aside, a faint, almost inaudible voice reached his ears. He couldn't make out the first few words, but as he half-turned to stare down at the emaciated Cambion, he could hear her weakly reply, "I would make sure none had to suffer as I have..."
Hearing the woman's words alongside Paul, the devilish man sneered as he said, "What d'yh mean, suffer? Me 'n me boys've been takin' good care of yh fhr years!"
Standing between the man and the kneeling Cambion, Paul's expression hardened as he said, "Enough." Then, before the red-skinned man could react, he pulled out an Asura Gold Coin and flicked it with enough force to graze the man's ear and embed it into the building behind him as he said, "Take that and piss off."
Though a few of the surrounding thugs were tempted to escalate things when Paul revealed he had gold coins in his possession, none were daring enough to make the first move. Not even the red-skinned man whose ear had been cut dared to complain, as, the moment Paul turned around to flick the golden coin, his eyes briefly shifted to his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Realizing that Paul wasn't someone he should mess with, the red-skinned Demon cupped his hands together and bowed like a greedy merchant as he said, "Thank you fhr yhr business." An Asuran Gold Coin was more than he would make whoring out the Cambion woman every night for six years, so, as far as he was concerned, Paul had just purchased damaged goods off his hands at a premium.
After retrieving the gold coin from the wall behind him, the red-skinned man gestured for his men to follow him, 'pissing off' as Paul had advised. The man knew he was pushing his luck when he initially confronted Paul, so he didn't want to be around when the latter realized just how damaged the goods he was purchasing were.
Ignoring the man's retreat, Paul extended his hand toward the Cambion woman, asking, "Can you stand...?" in a soft tone.&nbsp;
Though she could sense Paul's aura, the Cambion woman couldn't make out his stretched hand. As a result, she kept her emaciated body hunched as she replied, "Forgive me, milord..."
Shaking his head, Paul replied, "It's fine..." before looking to Ganyu and asking, "Can you treat her?"
Adopting her characteristically gentle smile, Ganyu replied, "I could cast Healing Magic on her, but she lacks the stamina and nutrients to support the regenerative process. For now, I suggest we take her someplace safe and start her on a proper diet. Healing Magic is at its most effective when the target is healthy."
As he was well acquainted with the banes and boons of Healing Magic, Paul just nodded in response to Ganyu's explanation before taking a knee in front of the Cambion and asking, "Do you mind if I pick you up...?"
Surprised that Paul would even bother asking, the Cambion woman didn't immediately respond to his question. When she did, her voice was audibly trembling with emotion as she replied, "Thank you..."
Interpreting the woman's words as assent, Paul habitually nodded before picking up her heartbreakingly thin and light body in a princess carry. She was fairly petite, only around 156cm, but her weight made her feel much, much smaller. Paul didn't know her precise weight, but she couldn't have been more than 35, maybe 36kgs...
Sparing one last look at the others lining the street, Paul shook his head, suppressing his guilt as he turned to Ei and Ganyu, saying, "Let's go." in a firm tone. Even helping the Cambion woman was already going against his usual policy, but his intuition was telling him she had the potential to be a significant person in the future. At the very least, he intended to give her a chance...
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"Have you gone soft in the head? Fort Necross isn't a daycare or a place where you can invite outsiders to stay at your leisure. Just how badly do you want to piss my men off?"
After hearing Paul's report, Atofe couldn't help staring at him with a hint of disdain in her ruby-red eyes. She knew Paul was a busybody, but bringing a prostitute to Fort Necross and expecting the troops within to protect her was beyond laughable. Many already resented him for keeping a group of powerful and beautiful women to himself; keeping a legitimate prostitute from them was crossing the line.
Understanding Atofe's concerns, Paul pulled out a large pouch containing one hundred Asura Gold Coins, stating, "The supplies I've provided to you and your men should be more than enough compensation. However, if the concern is a lack of female 'personnel,' this should be enough to obtain and accommodate hundreds. My only request is that they be treated well, not as pieces of meat."
"..."
Accepting the rather hefty bag of gold, Atofe briefly considered her words before remarking, "This will undoubtedly go a long way toward appeasing my troops. However, it isn't the lack of females that gets men riled up. It's the thought that others are keeping the 'best' women for themselves..."
Shrugging his shoulders, Paul replied, "Yeah, and? It makes me sick just making this kind of arrangement. If I didn't respect your position, do you think I would waste my time trying to appease asshats who view women as some kind of trophy to be obtained?"
Not wanting to argue, Atofe set the bag of gold aside and said, "I'll have Bhathia take care of it. Just try not to pick up any additional strays during your stay in the fortress. I realize it's in your nature, but you aren't here to play Hero. Finish your training, and then you can do whatever the hell you want."
As he could understand how his actions put Atofe in a difficult position, Paul nodded his head and replied, "I intend to do precisely that. Meeting and helping Falina was pure happenstance. I don't intend to make a habit of it."
Though she was tempted to point out that 'happenstance' was probably the greatest threat to Paul's ambitions, Atofe didn't feel like lecturing him. There were far more productive things they could be doing with their free time, so, after a moment of silence, she adopted a mischievous smile and asked, "What are you doing after this...?"
Adopting a smile of his own, Paul replied, "Well, if it will keep you from harping over my decisions, I suppose the most pertinent response would be 'you.' At the very least, that was my intention..."
Understanding what Paul was trying to imply, Atofe narrowed her eyes as she asked, "So, what you're trying to say is that the penultimate decision is mine to make? Is that it...?"
Nodding his head, Paul answered, "While a bit of forcefulness can be a good thing, consent supersedes everything. Even if I had the power to take you by force, nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from knowing a strong and competent woman desires you in equal measure..."
Though she was the type that believed the strong should take what they want, Atofe would be lying if she said Paul's words didn't give her a slight sense of gratification. Having a partner that exceeded her in strength but treated her with respect didn't sound all that bad...
Spreading her legs in an unladylike yet alluring manner, Atofe narrowed her eyes even further as she mused, "You talk too much. At moments like this, actions speak louder than words..."
Exhaling through his nose, Paul's smile revealed a trace of helplessness as he kneeled in front of Atofe and placed his hands on her knees. She could grant herself functionally infinite pleasure, but stimulation was only one aspect of sex. There were also psychological aspects, so, instead of trying to 'conquer' Atofe like some kind of hentai game protagonist, Paul plucked at her heartstrings by willfully demonstrating some of the service techniques Lisa had ingrained into him.
As much as Atofe enjoyed forcing people against their will, her heart fluttered the most when otherwise proud and assertive people treated her tenderly. Most men only cared about themselves, so Paul's meticulous yet passionate ministrations amused and excited her to no end...
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Though she couldn't see it, Falina, the Cambion woman rescued by Paul, trembled as she 'stared' at the contents of the bowl she had been given. Most people within the Demon Continent would be lucky to eat meat even once a month, but here she was with her second bowl of meat stew, some of the most delicious she had ever eaten.
Noticing Falina's hesitation, Ganyu adopted a sad smile and stated, "This is not a dream. Please, continue eating. You'll need to regain your strength if I am to use Healing Magic on you."
Shifting her 'gaze' toward Ganyu, Falina's voice was tettered on a sob as she inquired, "Why me? Surely there are people more deserving than I..."
Shaking her head, Ganyu insisted, "Everyone deserves to be happy. You have simply been given a chance to obtain it ahead of others. If you feel obligated to repay our Master in the future, do so by obtaining happiness and helping to better the lives of others. Attempting to repay him through dedication or service will only encumber him..."
Though she didn't grasp the broader meaning of Ganyu's words, Falina nodded her head to imply her understanding. She knew she was beyond fortunate to have been picked up by someone willing to feed and nourish her, so, even if Paul discarded her the moment she was healed, she would never, ever forget his kindness...
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In the days that followed the conquest of Kishirika's Castle, Paul split his time between training, cultivating plants using Dendro Energy, and getting used to his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Though their training sessions had never been light, Paul's relationship with the two Kishirikas and promotion to the Rank of Water King resulted in Atofe taking things to the next level. Instead of sparring together five to six days a week, she began inviting over other Demon Lords or taking him out on brief excursions to some of the most dangerous regions in the Demon Continent.
Upon learning that Paul was a Hero candidate, many of the Demon Lords invited by Atofe regarded him with respect and caution. A few noticed the strange dynamic between Paul and Atofe, but none dared to question why the de facto ruler of Demonkind was helping to raise a human Hero. They simply showed up, made their offerings, answered a few questions about the condition of their territories, and assisted in Paul's training until Atofe permitted them to return.
As a society that revered strength over all else, Atofe had the respect and admiration of virtually every Demon Lord. Even those with a deep hatred for humanity assisted in Paul's training without a debate. A few were more than a little heavy-handed, but as Atofe had instructed them to regard the spar as an actual battle, they did so without fear of repercussion.&nbsp;
To his credit, Paul was able to keep up with most of the low-ranking and many of the mid-tier Demon Lords, specifically those around or beneath the rank of Viscount. He hit a wall against Demons ranked Earl and above, but, much like human society, there weren't too many. In fact, among the 36 Demon Lords making up the Demon Aristocracy, there were seventeen Barons, nine Viscounts, five Earls, three Marquesses, and only two, Atofe and Badigadi, Dukes.
Though it wasn't the aptest comparison, it could be said that Demons holding the position of Baron were around the level of an experienced Saint in terms of power. Viscounts were around the pinnacle of the Saint Rank, while Earls, representing a notable increase in power, were around the level of a mid-tier King.&nbsp;
While it was strange to consider, Paul's ability to defeat Viscounts of the Demon Aristocracy placed him squarely within the top 50 most powerful people in the world. This statistic became horribly skewed when factoring in people summoned via the Intersection of Fate, but, if anything, that just put into perspective how 'influential' the IOF made him.
With 42 summons averaging around the strength of a mid-tier Saint and five meeting the conditions for Godhood, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that Paul had the most powerful military force in the world at his beck and call.
Though many were still blissfully unaware of the 'leverage' Paul wielded, those near the pinnacle in terms of power and authority were beginning to piece things together. King Ansalem of Asura was among the first, mainly due to his relationship with Reida, but others were starting to understand that Paul's reputation wasn't just defamation or propaganda...
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"Fuck my life..."
Staring up at the sheer cliffs forming the miasma-filled canyon Atofe had unceremoniously tossed him into, Paul couldn't help cursing. He had tried climbing back up, but the faces of the cliff were like obsidian, remarkably brittle and jagged.
Exhaling a sigh, Paul gave up climbing out of the ravine and shifted his attention to the layer of miasma covering the ground like a sheet of thick purple fog. His inordinately high Mana reserves offered him a fair amount of resistance against its effects, but too much exposure could lead to his body developing horn-like growths or transforming his limbs to resemble the gnarled branches of a petrified tree.
Exacerbating Paul's situation, Atofe had left him without any of his usual equipment. In fact, he had even less than that, as, before dropping him into the ravine, Atofe had baited him into taking a bath together...
Though he was left with little more than his trousers, a simple knife, and a line of braided cord, Paul suppressed the urge to call out for Ei and Ganyu to rescue him. The duo pretty much always accompanied him during his outings, but unless he expressly asked for their help, they were under his express orders not to intervene.
"Well, here goes nothing..."
Leaning forward slightly, Paul's eyes shifted from the leafy green he had been born with to a pair of luminous, icy-blue eyes with pink rings around pupils. At the same time, an increasingly familiar surge of energy spread through his body, something Paul now understood as the influence of Ei's 'essence,' or, more accurately, the Electro Elemental Energy his body had started to produce.
As his body fell further forward, the world around Paul seemed to slow to a crawl as red lines appeared on virtually every surface, even the miasma blanketing the area. He could feel his mind and senses becoming sharper, and though he was still getting used to it, he became increasingly aware of the air around himself, the earth beneath his feet, and the presence of life within his vicinity.&nbsp;
All things his Mystic Eyes allowed him to kill...
Reaching the mid-point of his fall, Paul 'forced' his right foot forward, his muscles straining to oppose the stagnation of the world. Then, as if that single step was enough to breathe life into the world, time began to flow 'normally' as Paul appeared to vanish from his initial position.
Unable to restrain himself, an ostensibly mad grin developed across Paul's face as he charged through the miasma, shielded from its influence by the wind pressure his movements generated. The near-instantaneous burst of speed forced him to endure nearly 30gs of force, but this was relatively tame compared to the strain of the Longsword of Light. More importantly, he was in control.
Reacting to Paul's movement, a snake longer than a school bus reared up from the mist, its mouth opening to reveal a set of fangs and two rows of serrated teeth. Unfortunately, displaying its teeth was the very last thing the snake did as Paul's seemingly ordinarily knife 'glided' through both the air and its body as if there was no resistance.
And thus, another afternoon of slaughter began...
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Observing Paul from atop the ravine, a 300m deep, 8km long battle scar left behind during one of Saint Milis's forrays into the Demon Continent, Atofe had a conflicted look on her face as she remarked, "Those eyes are affecting his personality. It's good that they boost his confidence, but his techniques are becoming less refined..."
As another of Paul's swordsmanship instructors, Ei felt inclined to say, "He obtained them just six days ago. Once he gets used to them, he can shore up his foundation anew."
Shrugging her shoulders, Atofe replied, "Well, you're not wrong. I just don't want to see him become a butcher. Be sure to regularly remind him of the reasons he decided to become strong, okay...?"
Though she would ordinarily ignore Atofe's advice, Ei eventually nodded her head in affirmation. She also didn't wish to see Paul become a cold-blooded killer. She had no intention of stopping him from killing, but there was a difference between taking lives out of necessity and killing because it was the 'simplest' solution to a problem.
Listening in on the 'conversation' just a short distance away, Ganyu had to repress the urge to point out that Atofe was the one 'encouraging' Paul to kill. She was the one who kept forcing him into situations where he had to fight for his life, so, while she was also concerned for her Master's mental well-being, Ganyu couldn't help feeling annoyed hearing Atofe speak as if Paul was at fault...
Sensing the slight hostility radiating from Ganyu, Atofe gave the half-Qilin a sidelong glance and questioned, "Something you want to say, goat girl? I'm all ears."
To emphasize her point, Atofe sprouted several ears along the side of her face and neck. In response, Ganyu continued staring at Paul as she softly replied, "If you give someone a knife and throw them in a pit, you have no right to complain about them using it. Master is far from perfect, but he is a kind-hearted man who cares deeply about others. It's not reasonable to judge him based on circumstances you have forced him into..."
Without missing a beat, Atofe flatly retorted, "That 'kind-hearted' Master of yours is the one who developed a pair of Demon Eyes that allow him to kill even the air around him. I don't mind you resenting me for 'corrupting' your Master, but this is a path he has chosen for himself. If it bothers you so much, grow a backbone and take your complaints to the source of the problem...it sure as hell ain't me..."
Unable to refute Atofe's words, Ganyu's expression contorted into a pout. However, instead of holding Paul accountable for the path he had chosen, she pinned the blame on herself and everyone else from the Intersection of Fate. Paul may have agreed to become their Champion, but, as a kind-hearted person, what other option did he have? Condemn an entire world to its destruction? That just wasn't the type of person Paul was.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Ganyu brought her hands up and closed her eyes as if she were praying. While that was indeed the case, she didn't direct her payers towards any specific God. Instead, she kept her payers within herself, sincerely hoping a day would come when Paul was free from the burdens others had unfairly thrust upon him...
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After swimming across the sea and collecting information from the Port City of Kurasuma, Badigadi made his way Eastward towards what looked like a mountain range. In reality, said mountain range was the edge of the crater surrounding Rikarisu and, more importantly, Kishirika Castle.
Having avoided Rikarisu since Laplace's rise to power, Badigadi couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic as he viewed the iconic castle that was once his home. Unfortunately, he hadn't returned to the capital to reminisce. He was there to follow the tracking spell he had placed on Kishirika following her most recent reincarnation.
Raising the arm that had the bangle linked to Kishirika's tracking spell, Badigadi's expression gradually darkened as he confirmed it was pointing him toward the castle.&nbsp;
"Those bastards...not only did they steal your virginity, they even forced you to permit them access to the castle? If they're not already dead, I'll crush their bones to powder..."
Though he had heard about Paul, the information Badi received stated that the former's Party had ventured South, specifically in the direction of Fort Necross. He believed Paul was likely in the 'care' of his big sister, so, at least for the time being, he didn't correlate the presence of Einherjar to the loss of his fiancee's virginity. Instead, he assumed she had fallen into the hands of another Party of Adventurers, one with more ambition than sense.
Unfortunately, while Badigadi wanted nothing more than to charge into the castle and wreak havoc, not even his fists could damage the Goseki Stone forming its foundation and structure. He was also unable to enter as a challenger, so the only method he had to enter the castle was via the underground labyrinth spanning most of the Demon Continent.
While he was perfectly capable of 'soloing' even the most challenging of S-Rank labyrinths, the one beneath the Demon Continent was in a league of its own. It was a method developed in the ancient past to trap calamity class monsters wreaking havoc on the surface. As a result, the material used in its construction was incredibly durable, and, most troubling of all, the structure was constantly changing to inhibit powerful monsters from establishing large colonies.
Understanding how challenging the task ahead of him was, several large veins appeared near Badigadi's temples and along his arms. The monsters within the labyrinth wouldn't cause him too much, but unless he was very, very lucky, the odds of discovering a route connecting to the castle were slim.&nbsp;
At least under normal circumstances...
As Badigadi was considering how he would enter the castle, a lone human girl approached him. She appeared no older than ten years old, but while she was dressed like a slave, complete with a collar and shackles around her ankles, there was a sense of purpose within her eyes that immediately caught Badigadi's attention...
...
..
.

Chapter 192: MI192: Happenstance