As Kurai and Seere spent more time with Panya her personality became more evident. Despite initially appearing shy if there was something that piqued her interest she had no problem asking questions or being adventurous. She also liked old-fashioned things. Not just because she was an archaeologist. It was the fact she took the torch from the demon instead of the flashlight the young man offered. Not that it was unexpected.

“I did not hear much. While I was preparing our vehicle for the race I overheard a few young men talking about the cave. They did not mention what was inside. I hope you are correct and we find a relic.” While their reasoning may be different both Panya and Seere shared an interest in finding treasure. She seemed to want to put it in a museum or use it to benefit others, but the demon simply wanted to know its location and uses. Knowledge is power.

Kurai was more focused on the other things they would find down here. Knowing Earth-Chan there was going to be some sort of monster down here with them. Which was most likely whatever was making that noise Panya heard. Good. He spent some time during the trip leveling up and was hoping he'd get the chance to test out his new abilities.

“I'll go check it out. Get ready for anything.” Kurai turned to see where she was looking and used his flashlight to shine a bit farther than her torch. He didn't see anything at first, but after taking a few steps something appeared in his line of sight. A small horde of skeletons that were practically already on them! “Nothing can ever be easy, huh? Be careful!”

By the time the words left his mouth one of the skeletons was swiping at Kurai. He'd seen them too late to avoid the first attack of the bony creatures. The skeletons were somewhat slow so he jumped back before the others could get hold of him. A blast of dark gray energy shot the one clinging to his shirt. “Damn things! Thanks Seere!”

A blast of red energy shot out at the skeleton that stunned it just long enough for him to grab hold of its skull. The skeleton was pretty sturdy however as it continued to move around. He kept hold of the monster while the mark on the back of his hand branded itself into his opponent. The head crumbled away and the rest of the bones grew limp as the skeleton returned to death. “How are you holding up Panya?”

De/buffs: Utopia Bandanna (+20% VIT and WIL. Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, and Fire damage.) [D-Rank VIT]
Used: Basic Attack x2 (D-Rank MAG damage, F-Rank PWR damage), Hand Of The Devil (C-Rank MAG damage 1/3)

panya

Seere hadn't stopped to think why the passersby knew this information or how they came across it. They were focused on getting the carriage hooked up in a rush so they could make it to the race. “I could not ask as I was preparing the vehicle. Perhaps they found this cave before they went to the race. If we see them again we should ask.” The demon was always on the hunt for more information.

Panya did a great job knocking back the remaining three skeletons so they had room to breathe. Her hit also managed to do a decent amount of damage too! Looks like it was up to Kurai and Seere to finish them off. Not that he minded. This is just what he was hoping for after all. He still had plenty of things he wanted to try.

Unlike Panya who was panicking slightly at the skeletons surviving her hit he was enjoying it. “Well if they're supposed to be weaker then we just need to get stronger than we're supposed to be! Shit, this is going to hurt...” Kurai let out a loud gasp and doubled over as the pain wracked his body. The demon gave him a knowing smile. This sort of thing was inevitable when dealing with their kind.

His eyes sunk into his head until there was nothing but hollow holes in their place. A shiny viscous black ooze poured out of the craters on his face that flowed down Kurai's body. The substance covered his arms and legs leaving his torso untouched except for the pair of bat-like wings that sprouted from their back. Claws grew from each appendage and twisted goat horns from each side of his head. He threw his head up and let out a roar that echoed through the cave.

It only took a moment for him to close the gap between him and the closest skeleton. With a swipe of his newly created claws, it's skull flew off its body. Kurai's voice sounded distorted as he spoke. “Not bad. I think I could get used to this. Whoa is that my voice? Sweeeeeet. Next up...”

He quickly grabbed his newly acquired whip from his inventory before swinging it at his next target. A loud crack was heard as it struck the skeleton and split its skull in two. Kurai let out a cheer of celebration as most of the horde was demolished. “Damn this is going better than I thought!”

While he was celebrating the last skeleton rushed at Panya with its bony arms outstretched. Thankfully Seere was paying attention during the ordeal and shot dark gray energy from their weapon to deter the creature. The blast landed on its side causing it to stumble before a bolt of black energy hit its chest. Somehow despite their best efforts, it remained standing. “Damn. Guess that one is still pretty weak.”

De/buffs: Utopia Bandanna (+20% VIT and WIL. Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, and Fire damage.) [D-Rank VIT]
Used: Basic Attack x2 (D-Rank damage from Kurai, F-Rank damage from Seere), Cursed Lash (C-Rank damage), Demon Horns (+1 Rank SPD for short distances 1/3), Demonic Tithe (+1 Rank MAG, -1 Rank VIT. Flying. B-Rank damage. 1/3) [C-Rank VIT and B-Rank MAG]

panya

While Kurai appreciated Panya's concern the pain wracking his body didn't allow for pleasantries. As much as he wanted to push her away he couldn't bring himself to. Until his transformation was finished all he could do was mutter, “I'm fine. Worry about yourself.”

Thankfully once the demonic power fully settled into his body Kurai was able to decimate the hoard of skeletons. Well almost. The last enemy that took multiple attacks from the men was still standing somehow. Another shot of dark gray energy from Seere felled the creature for good. “Thanks. Those levels came in handy. I just wish this buff didn't hurt so much to activate. Taking a rank penalty to Vitality is a bitch!”

As Panya made her way over to the sarcophagus couldn't help but feel that they weren't done yet. “Alright. Just be careful. Who knows what else this place has in store?” As if he spoke it into existence a large skeletal hand popped out of the container as soon as she opened the lid. It quickly flung the cover across the floor before the enormous skeleton it was attached to stood up from its rest.

When it swung its equally large sword at Panya he dashed towards her with his arm outstretched in an attempt to protect the woman. “Get down!” A red pentacle appeared in the air in front of the pair like a shield to block the weapon coming their way. “Lets hope this is the last of them,” he said as he leaped at the enemy.

Kurais claws raked across the creature's head leaving gouges in their wake. The same red pentacle that protected them before burned itself over the area he struck doing even more damage to the skeleton. “Damn I kinda like this!”

De/buffs: Demonic Tithe (+1 Rank MAG, -1 Rank VIT. Flying. 2/3), Utopia Bandanna (+20% VIT and WIL. Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, and Fire damage.) [B-Rank MAG and E-Rank VIT]
Used: Basic Attack (F-Rank damage from Seere), Corrupted Aegis (C-Rank shield), Demon Horn (+1 SPD for short distances), Demonic Tithe (B-Rank damage), Hand Of The Demon (B-Rank damage)

panya

Kurai was surprised to see his companion frown when she'd been nothing but pleasant so far. He felt a twinge of guilt from causing her usual demeanor to shift so suddenly. Not that he would show it aside from a slight furrowing of his brows and the frown on his face. He wasn't used to such genuine concern for his well-being from anyone besides his sister. “I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I could handle it.”

Thankfully the battle was going well despite the awkwardness between the two. Panya landed a massive blow to the large skeleton's head sending it reeling back. While it fell Kurai remained in the air with his glistening gooey wings flapping and sending the ooze splattering across the ground. With it in a prone position, he lashed out with his whip once more. The crack of the whip was accompanied by a blast of black energy emanating from the tip when it struck the creature's head.

Things were going well, but it didn't remain that way for long as the boss suddenly swung its weapon at Kurai. The large scimitar slashed into his side sending him flying across the cave. Luckily it didn't do much damage due to the items he was wearing, but it did shred his Cloak and leave him sore all over. Seere sighed and aimed a blast of dark gray energy at the skeleton as it stood up. Although it connected it didn't seem to do much damage. “You should not be so overconfident, Summoner.”

Kurai groaned in response as he regained his footing. “Yeah yeah I get it. Now let's finish off this damn thing already!” He flew through the air at the skeleton once more with a claw outstretched. His sharp nails slashed across the creature's ribs cracking off a few of them before another pentacle branded itself onto one of them.

De/buffs: Demonic Tithe (+1 Rank MAG, -1 Rank VIT. Flying. 3/3), Utopia Bandanna (+20% VIT and WIL. Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, and Fire damage.) [B-Rank MAG and E-Rank VIT]
Used: Basic Attack x2 (D-Rank damage from Kurai. F-Rank damage from Seere), Cloak Of The Damned (D-rank armor), Cursed Lash (C-Rank damage), Demon Horn (+1 SPD for short distances), Demonic Tithe (B-rank damage), Hand Of The Demon (B-Rank damage)

panya

Kurai was amazed at the brutality of his companion's attack. He and Seere simply watched wide-eyed as Panya decimated the enormous skeleton with her sarcophagus. How ironic that their enemy would be destroyed by the very thing that it crawled out of. Even though he was fairly confident in his defenses getting hit by her weapon looked like it would hurt. “Wow uh... Good job. Let's see what we can find and get out of here before something else shows up.”

As he began to look around the pain he felt before wracked his body once more causing him to double over. The ooze coating his body quickly began crawling over his body and flowing down his throat. At least his eyes returned from wherever they disappeared to when he activated his ability. Kurai lay down on the ground and panted heavily. “Alright. Maybe it'll just be you and Seere looking around.”

The demon searched the cave at the behest of their summoner. “Panya you did well. Perhaps begin with the resting place of that giant. It must have been guarding a treasure of some sort.”

De/buffs: Utopia Bandanna (+20% VIT and WIL. Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, and Fire damage.)
Used: N/A

panya