What the hell was all this?! The once tropical island that his Guild inhabited suddenly looked like the top of Mount Everest! To top it all off boxes were falling from the sky! Kurai could swear that Earth-Chan was trying to kill them. With the event taking over his current place of residence, how could he not become involved? “Damn thing. It isn't enough to change the weather now we have to worry about getting knocked in the head by who knows what.”

Kurai spat and sputtered as he moved around the island picking up presents by himself. Seere didn't even want to be summoned due to the snow and cold. Looking around why would they want to be? When he picked up a gift he'd shake it a few times to try to guess what was inside before chucking it into his inventory. “Can't even keep the crap if I want to finish the mission.”

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

Elara Salisbury panya

Waddle Dee-Dee's explanation sounded like something straight out of a video game. If he didn't know any better Kurai would think he was reading one of those pamphlets you used to get that explained the game you just bought. “Okay sure. I guess I should go through this like I would a game right? Explore everything I can and get the most out of it.”

“Let's hope this goes smoothly. This hasn't exactly gone as well as it could have so far.” At least whatever this was had some sort of messaging system so Kurai could sneak around if he wanted to. “You need not worry as long as I am here, summoner. It is my duty to protect you just as it is our guide's.” It seemed like the messages popping up were useful for more than just information. Who knew that whoever their guide was could see the area around the pair? They could even warn him in advance that enemies were ahead.

“Alright. You go first.” Kurai nodded at the demon as he peaked around the corner to see two guards facing away from their location. An easy enough target for Seere given how they dispatched another two just a few minutes before. The man in gray armor rushed forward and just as the guards were turning to see who was approaching the demon had another guard skewered on their spear. However, this time it wasn't enough to finish off the man.

Kurai was surprised to see that his demon companion wasn't able to kill the man outright as they did so easily before. Were the enemies getting stronger already? When the guard not impaled by Seere's spear struck his summon with a baton he decided it was time he joined the fight. “Shit! I've got him!” It was his first time trying to use the ability he read on the system menu so hopefully, it went well. Using his finger to aim the pentacle on the back of his hand glowed once more before a bolt of black energy shot at the guard. His aim was off causing the bolt to hit the side of the injured man instead of the one assaulting his summon. Their body went limp, but there was no time to consider the implications of what he had just done. “Damn that's cool...”

De/buffs: N/A
Used: Basic Attack x2 (F-rank damage)

deedee

As Hikari dashed passed him Kurai prepared himself to attack on her mark. He didn't have much of a chance to as her swords sliced through the arm of the sentry. Then right after Hana's fist burst right through its head. Unlike him who was vastly underleveled for this encounter it seemed like the two women he was accompanying were vastly overleveled for it. At least he wouldn't have to worry about much with them around.

While they finished off the last sentry outside Kurai admired the pair. Hikari had a set of traditional swords that suited her well. She was graceful as always even while she fought. Hana on the other hand was more brutal and unrefined with her style. However, the pink shield she summoned was interesting and sent an odd feeling through his body when a melody rang out from it.

Seere and their summoner remained quiet through the ordeal until Hana asked about another entrance. “There are plenty of doors. The place is overflowing with them.” As he proceeded to outline the many ways they could get in Kurai raised a finger for each one. “Front door, side doors, back door, sliding door, windows, skylights. Pick your poison.” Once the others answered he would begin to make his way toward the nearest available option so they could see what waited for them inside. “I wonder if there's more of those things inside.”

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

Hikari Hana Sakuyuki

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

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

Under normal circumstances, Kurai would agree that summoning a demon was pretty cool. Well, sort of. He was just trying to get back at his father. He didn't really want to bring a demon into the world! What was he going to do now?! This is so fucked up! “What does that even mean? Fit to be a summoner?” Fit to tell others what to do? To have others at his beck and call?

While Kurai was busy being frustrated at their situation Yasuko was being much more useful. They managed to find the button that turned off the alarm and he muttered a low 'thanks' in return. His gratitude quickly faded away when the other young man explained and demonstrated their Class. As he watched them transform he had a scowl on his face. “Stop joking around, Yasuko. This is serious now. We could die here.”

Reading the new messages that popped up made his mood even worse. Nobody knew what it was or what it wanted. Somehow things just kept getting worse. At least before Kurai had something to direct his hatred at, but now he was in the same situation with something he couldn't do anything to.

The popups weren't doing much to help either. The tutorial felt like reading a damn novel. He never seemed to have the patience for a slow start to video games. Kurai would much rather be dropped in given the controls quickly, and be expected to figure out the rest. Why does everything have to be so long-winded?

“Yeah yeah sure. Here. I'll add you to the party.” While he searched through the menus to find the option he needed Kurai decided on what to do. “Let's head to the lab and try to free those patients. Who knows what will happen if we don't do what it says? Then I guess we'll check the storage on the way out. Sounds like that's our only way out of here. If whoever is behind these messages can be trusted at least.”

With the plan in place, he sent the party invite to Yasuko before heading back out the door. When he was back in the hallway Kurai motioned for the demon to follow them. “Alright. Let's get this over with.” Seere nodded and trailed their summoner while he moved in the direction of the lab.

De/buffs: N/A
Used: N/A

yasuko deedee