Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 231: Filthy Wretch

Mias stood in the doorway to the Grand Hub.

Or at least the largest portion of him did. Six different plumes of smoke drifting throughout the maze whispered in his allies’ ears. All of them spoke:

"The Wretch is facing Ximena alone, the rest are headed further in."

Thankfully Greed had let the portion of Mias she claimed participate in the battle, so he was still able to hold the communication line. However, with their reduced power, Mias could do little in terms of battle.

Yet, holding a mental line between seven perspectives was not nearly an easy task — especially at half power. With most of his mental capacity spent in that regard, Alpha would be in charge of issuing orders.

"Alpha, ten Piscari Ap are closing in on Salome and Edith’s group. Three are fighting Stacy’s squad. Four are fighting Sivian. The last three are fighting Toy and Diana’s squad."

Mias watched as the swarm of fish split and ran rampantly. He added the locations of the forty Piscari, which were spread across the several groups and some rogue ones engaged with Ivory’s squad. A few had even bypassed Salome and entered the Thunderdome where Awilix employed [Eclipse], enveloping the entire space in a tide of shadow.

Alpha, who was perched on a ledge at the entrance to the Thunderdome with Vale’s shield in hand, looked over at Mias.

"I’ll go assist Edith directly. Watch over Stacy and assist if needed."

’Good call.’

With Stacy’s squad full of Warriors, her ability would empower them. They were also facing the most fearsome group as they had been positioned on the main path.

Alpha dropped from the ledge, vaulting over a few Piscari which thrust their spears and screeched.

Mias sent the plume that was watching over Alpha to join with the one watching Stacy. But while that form was doing that, his main focus had been drawn to the fight between Ximena and the Wretch.

’That’s a problem.’

The Wretch Class was only one tier lower than Anathema, and the beast was Emergent. It was much stronger.

Mias floated at the far end of the corridor, for if he got too close his Aether would freeze.

Ximena had been knocked off the ledge and her attacks were working to slow the Wretch, but it still had the upper hand.

Using its broadsword, the beast was able to stay just out of [Absolute Zero]’s range. With [Frostbite] being almost nullified by the mucus coat, which seemed enhanced by a Trait — or maybe an Aspect.

That didn’t mean Ximena had no chance of winning...

’She’s gone full Crystal Angel.’

Now with the reserves to spare and faced with the fact that her main ability was dulled, Ximena had summoned crystals to cover her entire body, head to toe, leaving only a small slit for her eyes.

The armor was pure crimson, showing she was reflecting her power inward to conserve Aether and increase the crystals’ durability.

As for her fabric, it was being used to support her wings which had to handle a much heavier load, which helped with mobility; it also countered the friction slide each of its attacks caused.

Finally, in both her hands, Ximena wielded two opulent swords of crystal.

They weren’t the most durable or strongest, but with all her power being contained she could create new ones the moment one broke.

Sadly, her proficiency with a blade left much to be desired seeing as she almost never used one.

Mias deactivated [Nevermore] letting Ximena notice him before he shouted:

"Ice Witch."

Mias recalled the plume watching over Sivian, seeing as her battle was going well, and joined it with the one watching Ximena.

Then, much like Ophelia could do with roses, he formed a bow of smoke in one hand and an arrow in the other.

"Wait! Reaper, stop!"

Though Mias couldn’t react to Ximena’s warning fast enough.

The large fishman cast a glance back at Mias then sneered as the smoke arrow sailed toward it.

Turning its back to Ximena, the beast held up the flat side of its bone blade to absorb the blow; however, Mias controlled the arrow and changed its direction, sending it into the fish bastard’s knee.

’Shallow...’

The mucus coat had stopped most of the momentum, but first blood had been drawn.

Knowing the Wretch couldn’t understand them, or would be too mad to reason out his words, Mias shouted to Ximena.

"Work on freezing its blade."

"I will. But get out of here!"

Ximena called back as she struck at the Wretch, only for it to spin around and counter her blow, exploding her blades.

Mias’ eyes narrowed, a glint of suspicion in their onyx depths.

’Huh?’

Mias held out his palm and started recalling his smoke. As he did, a strange, unnatural gleam flashed in the Wretch’s bulging eyes.

’Wait...’

The thin line of smoke began trailing back to Mias; however, the tip which had sunk into the mucus got stuck.

’Oh no...’

Not only that...

The Wretch grabbed at the smoke trailing back to Mias, causing that clump to get stuck in its skin as well.

’That bastard!’

Mias shouted at the Ice Witch, who with her powers most definitely knew its trick.

"A warning would have been nice!"

"I tried!"

’Damn!’

"Hold out!"

Ximena grunted and jumped in the air, landing back on the ledge as she regrew her swords.

There was only one woman who could face the Wretch properly.

’Salome...’

The plume watching over Salome’s group shouted over the fray. He could only pray she’d listen.

"Salome, I will send Sivian to cover this position; you must go assist Ximena with the Wretch."

The one-armed succubus with blood streaming down her body slid her fist into the chest of a Piscari Ap, then looked up and nodded before sliding under a spear strike.

The plume caught up to Sivian and gave her the order as well.

Yet, in the time it would take Sivian to get to Edith’s side, not only would she drag the three Piscari Aps she was currently fighting there, but there would also be a moment where neither of them were present.

Mias descended and materialized amid the bloody battle, his main body soon joining him.

A smokey scythe emerged from his palm

"Very well, then."