Level: [5]

Enemies:

[Nascent Aberrant: 20]

[Nascent Mutant: 10]

[Emergent Aberrant: 10]

[Emergent Mutant: 5]

[Would you like to challenge the Level? (Y/N)]

"Fuck no!"

What the hell was that jump in difficulty! It made the other Levels look like child's play in comparison!

Vale, sitting on the throne, brought his hands to his head and fell into contemplation…

He was upset… Not that he'd intended to challenge Level 5, but to learn it was to be taken off the list of options was demoralizing.

At least with this recent victory, they bought both time and some bonus Aether. They could probably last another two days without his forces weakening much, plus they could finally get some rest after being awake for so long.

As for the 65 Aether…

It was time to put all of his eggs in one basket, but he had to choose which basket…

Would he take it all? Surrender it all to Awilix? Possibly Ximena?

As Vale thought on it, he summoned the blueprint and undid the temporary change to the long hallway. After all, Ximena could go back to her usual post at the entrance now that the threat of the Level was dealt with…

Sure, she could have stayed in the pass and continued to serve as a force forever protecting the core from harm, but Vale knew the dangers of such a line of thinking.

If he went into every fight with the idea that it was okay to lose because he'd be able to retreat and hide behind Ximena, then he'd be strangling himself and stunting his growth.

Not only that, but he'd justify Salome's behaviors in her not-so-sneaky way of forcing him into hardship to forge his strength.

He wasn't going to fight playing not to lose, nor did he want to incentivise that behavior in himself. So, his cowardly change to the dungeon would be undone once the workers finished their meals.

As for what to do about this current situation…

Well, sleep on it, of course!

He and Salome could discuss the plan of operation the following morning.

***

The following morning came without incident, showing his conjecture was starting to look more like the truth — the bastards really were waging a war of attrition.

Salome sat in her stone chair a little in front of Vale's throne with Awilix, who was once again not allowed to approach Vale, by her side. At least she was free of her bondage. Toy was hiding behind Vale's back because the workers were all around, slamming their claws against the stone walls.

All the warriors, save for Alpha and Stacy, who were to listen in, were made to stand guard in the maze, ready to defend and stall as needed.

Salome leaned to the side of the chair and crossed her legs.

"Before we start… I want you to know that I will not hold my opinions back this time."

Vale took a moment to respond, sizing up Salome and staring into her ferocious, yet calm and tranquil eyes.

"Thank you…"

After a short pause, Vale continued:

"The first thing I want to talk about is the 65 Aether. I believe it should all be absorbed by one person, seeing as we don't have the numbers to justify dividing our strength. My question is, who? I've ruled myself out… but I don't know whether Awilix or Ximena is the correct choice."

As for why Vale ruled himself out…

Sure, he'd benefit the most because of his class. But being strong and knowing how to use strength were two completely different things. Vale needed a Trait he was proficient in battle with before he could truly trust himself.

Salome looked over at Awilix, who still had a Dawn's Eye being smushed and held betwixt her breasts.

"I believe the kitten is the better choice."

Awilix reeled back, looking offended by the compliment.

"Huh?"

Vale questioned:

"Is Eclipse the reason?"

Salome gave the cat a seductive smile, causing Awilix to back away in fear, her hair standing on its ends and tiny bumps forming on her beautiful skin.

"Yes, I'm even more sure now, having used Vitality Drain on her to such a degree."

Vale narrowed his eyes at the confused cat and spoke:

"Is it not a gamble, though? Awilix still doesn't know how to use it."

Salome reached out a hand toward Awilix, who jumped away and hissed.

"She's been using it this whole time… I'm certain. Just not to its fullest potential. Not even close. Sure, it's a gamble, but trust me, don't give power to Ximena until you yourself are far stronger."

Vale didn't know whether it was past grudges and hate speaking or true concern, but he understood the sentiment. It was the very thing he'd been fearful of when dealing with Ximena, especially now after recent events.

She was strong, yes. But she couldn't control her strength. If her disparity in power grew too large compared to the others, she'd kill them all by accident.

There was also the chance that Salome herself was scared of Ximena growing stronger than her… but Vale couldn't imagine the pinnacle of power that was Salome being afraid of anything.

'Actually… what would she be afraid of?'

Vale couldn't help but think how little he knew about her personal life, other than she was a fallen queen from a fallen world…

"If you're confident you can draw out her latent power, then I am of the same opinion."

Salome smiled at Vale, then turned to stare at the scared cat and asked her:

"Awilix, dear… do you know what an eclipse is?"

Awilix just hissed and extended her claws.

"I'll take that as a no…" Then Salome turned to Vale. "It might take a day or even three, but she'll learn."

"Alright…"

Without hesitation, Vale summoned the status page and gave Awilix all 65 Aether.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Name: [Awilix]

Title: [---]

Aspect: [Moon Dancer]

Class: [Monster]

Core Rank: [Nascent] - (130/300)

Loyalty: [21/100]

Traits: [Iron Claw] [Eclipse]

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Vale smiled as Awilix confusedly looked at her arms, then flexed, showing she'd noticed the improved power. Then, Vale looked back at Salome:

"As for actually dealing with the chameleons… I haven't quite figured that one out. The only way I see us winning, at least without risking significant losses, is drawing them into the dungeon. Sadly, I haven't thought of a method to do that just yet."

Salome chuckled, then responded with a question:

"Would you say the chameleons are emotional beings?"

"Umm… maybe. They looked quite heartless when they attacked the first time."

Salome smiled:

"But not entirely heartless… Their eyes, their actions, conveyed at least shreds of sympathy for each other, right? I've witnessed and fought many heartless beings in my life. Those chameleons were nowhere close."

Vale wanted to refute, having witnessed his despicable foe stab their brother's corpse… but at the same time, he'd seen the fear and sadness in their eyes when he'd bisected the one.

Not to mention… now that he no longer saw them as mindless barbarians…

Intelligence was a great asset, but it brought along the complications of emotions.

As Vale mulled it over, he questioned Salome:

"What are you getting at?"

"Do you care about the method of victory?"

Vale paused for a moment, trying to see where the succubus was going, then answered.

"...Depends on the cost."

Vale didn't want to lose any of his Champions or even the Warriors — a selfish, naive wish.

Salome chuckled:

"Do you know what atrocity-baiting is?"

Vale's face paled when he heard the phrase, one of the few he remembered his terrible dad teaching him. Vale couldn't help but stutter as he thought of the bad memories.

"W-what is your plan?"

"Execution… we capture some of the chameleons… and execute them in front of the others."

Vale's eyes widened, and he reclined in his chair, smushing Toy.

'T-that…'

That's horrible! Such a tactic was assuredly dastardly and damnable. If he'd lost his humanity when killing Laertes, he'd lose his soul when giving this order!

…

Yet, his situation itself was comparably dreadful.

And the surest way to survive horrible situations was to transfer the horrible situation to another…

He was a Master of Vice after all. A master of a damnable, treacherous, abhorrent, gruesome, ghastly, horrific, deadly sin – according to the outside world at least.

Would it truly be wrong to play the role imparted to him? The role he'd never even asked for?

"If we can't think of another idea by the time Awilix learns how to use her ability… then we will use that method."

Salome's pink eyes flared, and her smile stretched into a wicked grin.

'Scary…'

"I can assure you… my methods will turn the tide if it comes to that."

'Why does she look excited?!'

Vale sighed and then leaned forward, releasing the trapped Toy, who gasped for air but stayed in her safe space because of the oh-so-scary imps.

Knowing they weren't in the biggest rush to finish the conversation, but more so to grow their power, Salome stood up and motioned for Awilix to follow. Awilix looked scared and like she wanted to cry, but perhaps her newfound power unlocked some mental strength because the cat followed the demoness without even a hiss.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.