[X] Head to the Dungeon, but stick to the first floor.
"Sure thing, Tessa," you tell the diminutive Weretiger. You turn to Ian. "Up for it, Partner?"
Ian taps the sword at his belt and nods. Your Supporter squeals with glee, then runs off to get her backpack and gear. Time to go First Floor skimming!
As you turn to leave, Urist, catches your attention from one of the tables, where he's drinking his Dorf Juice. "Catbirb. Shrooms are not strong. How were you spored?"
"Oh! Uh..." You blush, rubbing the back of your head, just under your ponytail. "It's the dumbest thing, but... I figured I could tame it, like I heard some people do."
"Hmm..." Urist rubs at his chin, and your ears perk in curiosity.
"What is it, Craftsman?"
"Nothing."
Well, you know you won't be able to get anything else out of him, so you head outside with Ian to wait for Tessa to gather her gear.
-o-
The Gem-Sho handles like a dream. It seems to swing easier, cleave through Goblins easier, and it seems easier to pull out after thrusting through a Kobold's head. You haven't been able to test out its use as a spellcasting weapon, though. But as a spear? Top quality weapon, right here.
Other than that, it's a fairly standard grinding session. The first floor enemies are pitifully weak for three Level 1 Adventurers with your stats. You spend all day grinding, then when night falls, you head back to the Underworld Dormitory.
-o-
You lay on the bed, topless, as Hades updates your Status. After pushing the glowing numbers and letters back into the tattoo on your back, he presses the paper to it, then stands and hands it to you. You sit up, using one arm to (inadequately, considering their size) cover your bosom and the other to examine your Status.
Strength: G255
Endurance: G222
Dexterity: G291
Agility: G278
Magic: H102
Skills:
-Draw
Spells:
-Relay
"Well done reaching a new letter rank on your Magic Ability, Rooster. Don't neglect your training with Ryuu," Hades advises.
"Yes. Thank you, Dad."
Hades nods. "My pleasure. Now try to get some sleep."
That might be hard with that food coma you went into, but... hey, you'll give it a shot.
...Turns out you don't have to worry. It's been a pretty draining day, so while it takes an hour of tossing and turning, you eventually doze off, albeit only for a few hours. Can probably do some parkour or reading later...
-o-
You awake atop the Babel Tower, naked and under a sunset sky with stationary clouds. You groan as you sit up, realizing you're having that dream again.
You go to sit at the edge of the tower with your bare legs dangling over the edge and wait for the old man to appear. Sure enough...
"Hello, Rooster."
You glance to see Rixis standing there. No, not Rixis... At least, you think it's not Rixis. Is it? Ugh, so confusing...
"I can tell you have a lot of questions..." the old man says, one hand gripping his cane in front of his feet as the other gloved hand reaches up to lift the brim of his fedora, casting you a warm smile.
"Saying that doesn't do any good. I mean, you have to know that, right?" you sigh.
"Yes, I suppose I do. But I get the urge to say it. I don't have many other people I can say it to." Rixis says.
"Oh. Right. Sorry," you say, gazing forlornly down at the empty city of Orario.
Rixis chuckles in a dignified manner. "That's okay. You're the only one who can see the real me. I'll keep waiting until the day you remember."
You pause for a moment. "Will it be much longer?"
He shrugs. "I don't know. It might be tomorrow, or it might be a long way off. It all depends on you, I guess."
You sigh again. "I understand."
There's a comfortable silence that passes over the two of you.
"What should I call you? I'm not sure if you're really Rixis or not, so it seems weird to call you that, even in my head..."
The old man brings his gloved hand to his chin. "Hm... Well, you're right. I am a man who is quite elusive."
"Elusive?"
He chuckles again. "Indeed. Tell me, how does one define elusiveness? The answer is simple... Always be the one who finds, never the one who is found. In this sense, I embody elusiveness. I only appear to you now because I will it. If you were to try to find me yourself, you never could. That is the meaning of being an elusive man."
An... Elusive Man. Hmm...
"Well, it's almost time, so we should wrap this up. I know I say this every time, but I'll close with it anyway."
"Sure. Please do."
"Make sure you don't forget what happened today."
Chapter 5: Go Ask Alice
End
