Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 232: Smokey Down

Assuming everyone operated with maximum efficiency...

’78 seconds.’

That was how long Mias and Edith’s crew had before Sivian arrived.

What was left of Edith’s crew, at least.

Having already been fighting the brunt of the enemy forces, they’d dwindled down to six. It was honestly more like two due to injury. Those three being Alpha, Sapphire and Edith.

Edith was nearly fully healthy, having been sustained by [Blood Fiend] and empowered by Alpha’s [Dominion]. And having leveled up, her strength was on par with Toy’s before she ascended.

Alpha was surveying the field and cautiously helping as needed, so she was able to avoid costly injuries. She also had [Absolution, Shard of Ancile] which kept her safe.

Sapphire, who’d been slotted into Edith’s squad for this level, was perched on a ledge trying to shield her allies whenever she could.

As for their foes...

’Edith and Salome neutralized thirteen.’

Two Aps and eleven normals.

’Four Piscari Aps entered the [Eclipse] alongside three normal Piscari.’

Three Aps had even made it through the [Eclipse] and were standing before Master Vale.

’But no normal Piscari.’

Awilix probably in battle with them.

Meaning there were four Piscari Aps the seven had to hold off until Sivian arrived.

’When three more would join the group...’

Plus the ten Aberrants.

Mias sized up the nearest fish person. He slid his back foot back, then kicked off the ground and swung his scythe down in an overhead arc.

His strike slammed into the head of a Piscari, instantly killing it. But soon, Two of the Aps closed in on the stationary Mias from either side, stabbing their spears into his body.

One’s strike phased through his head and nailed the other in the shoulder. As the second attack went through his waist and hit the other one in the thigh.

Mias smirked then let go of the mortal body facade.

While mundane attacks did affect him, it was only slightly in the way of making some of his Aether disperse.

As the two Aps reeled back from striking one another, Mias let most of his body shift into smoke as he swung the scythe crosswise.

The curved head sliced the Mutant’s neck, but the beast was able to fall in time to dodge the fatal blow.

Yet, on the ground, it could do nothing to dodge Mias’ attacks.

Mias’s right arm transformed into a smoky spike he rammed into the beasts gut.

Then again. Again. Again and again.

Until the bastard sank into the ground.

Killing one was great and all, but in that time two more warriors of Lust had fallen.

Mias stood and faced the Mutant behind him who was studying Mias with a perturbed and confused expression, trying to figure out the gimmick of his body.

’Too ba—’

"Ack!"

Mias coughed and fell to his knees as his body forcefully formed.

’W-what’s happening.’

Not wasting this chance, the beast thrust its spear into Mias’ heart. Unlike before, Mias’ body gave resistance. And if it gave resistance...

"Argh!"

Mias clutched at his chest as he reached forward and grabbed the Piscari Ap by its pudgy throat then snapped it with all his might.

The foe died and sank into the ground, but its spear remained lodged in Mias’ chest. If he had a heart, it would have been pierced.

But, had the beast figured out how to attack Mias? Did it possess a hidden Trait allowing it to attack Aether?

No.

Mias coughed and fell to his knees.

With labored breaths, he pulled the bone spear out of himself and tossed it to the side.

A steady stream of Aether leaking from the hole that refused to repair itself.

’W-what’s happening.’

It wasn’t simply this Mias affected. All the Mini Mias’ had also collapsed and were frantically trying to retreat.

Mias looked up and saw one of the normal Piscari looming over him with its spear drawn. Thankfully, Sivian arrived just in time to barrel into the fish and take it out.

Yet, that didn’t alleviate Mias of the torment his body was undergoing.

’What’s happening to my other body?!’

Mias coughed and fell on his face.

For the first time since he could remember, he passed out.

***

Vale sat in the stone throne resting his knuckle to his cheek.

Mias spoke next to him.

"A few just entered the [Eclipse]. Be prepared. I’ve warned Diable, Kera and Luck about it. If one tries to slip past you, they will intercept it."

With that, the mini Mias reactivated [Nevermore].

Diable was the second Mage Vale recruited, but her ability was a strange one that didn’t seem too helpful for this battle, so she’d been left behind.

Vale anxiously waited, and waited. Listening to the sounds of Awilix’s warcries followed by Piscari shrieks. He even heard her yell:

"Dumbasses, I’m over here!"

After a minute from when those cries sounded...

One Ap sauntered through, then two more.

’Already?’

Vale lifted his head, peeling his cheek away from his knuckle. Vale smiled as he looked upon the three foes stronger than he, and stood.

’I’m sorry for fighting dirty...’

’Not really.’

Since Salome had already learned their language and transferred that knowledge to Vale, he could understand them, and they, him — if he wished them to.

Vale raised his gauntleted fist and pointed it at his foes. Then, in their language, he said:

"Stop. I don’t want to fight. I’m a friend."

It was an utterly confusing and nonsensical thing to do — to say you don’t want to fight while pointing your sword at a foe — however, his words were imbued with [Charm].

The three didn’t stop, but they did hesitate slightly at Vale’s words. Yet they still drew closer.

An insidious look crept on Vale’s face as he reeled his hand back.

"Truly, let’s talk this out."

Once again, the three hesitated.

In that moment, Vale reached out and grabbed one’s spear, jumped, and pulled himself toward the fish bastard, then sliced its chest with the claws of his gauntlet.

The three looked dazed for only a moment before all of Vale’s lulling work was erased; however, Vale had already retreated to the far side of Dome.

’What a terrifying ability I possess!’

He’d thought [Intermediate Shapeshifter] was his only practical combat ability. Well, he was wrong!

Vale smiled, but noticed Mias suddenly form out of the corner of his eye. But, something was wrong with him.

Really wrong.

As Mias choked and coughed, he called out to Vale.

"Lost... Expanse..."

Then, Mias lost consciousness.