[Same Day.]
[Boco's castle.]
The armored kraken's heavy footsteps echoed through the cavernous hall as he approached Boco's crude throne, the scraping of metal on stone a stark prelude to the tidings he bore. He knelt, his massive form surprisingly subservient.
"Lord Boco! There is bad news!" His voice, though deep and resonant, held a tremor of urgency.
Boco, reclining on his makeshift seat of jagged rock and stolen cushions, raised a thick, scarred eyebrow. "Bad news? Speak."
"Alice has betrayed you." The kraken-man stated, his tone as cold and unforgiving.
"Alice?" Boco's surprise was palpable, a flicker of genuine shock crossing his brutish features.
'How come? It can't be... What about the creature? No one can kill or take it out...' His mind raced, a whirlwind of disbelief and frustrated calculation. He fixed a sharp gaze on the kneeling soldier.
"Where is she?"
"At the village." The reply was terse and direct.
'Alice won't easily betray me. I know that bitch, she will follow anyone who took out that creature.' A new suspicion began to bloom in Boco's mind. "Have there been any new visitor in the village?"
The soldier hesitated for a few moments, his brow furrowed in thought, before finally nodding. "Yes... A man known as Draven. Alice seems to be… infatuated with him."
The announcement hung heavy in the air.
"Hmm…" Boco stroked his rough chin, his gaze distant as he considered this new information. A deep sigh escaped his lips. "Alice was truly a useful ally… This is a regrettable development. I will simply have to eliminate her and that entire village. Besides…" A cruel smirk twisted his lips.
"My stock of fresh women is dwindling. Very well." He made his decision with chilling finality.
"Relay this order," he commanded, his voice regaining its usual harsh edge. "Tomorrow morning, at first light, we will descend upon the village with our full strength. A single, decisive assault. Capture all females alive; kill any other gender without exception." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "This Draven… What race does he hail from?"
The guard considered the question. "He lacks the pointed ears of an elf, and bears none of the animalistic features of the beast folk. By elimination, he must be human."
'To defeat Alice, he must possess strength exceeding the mid-sky class… Hahaha! And I am a high master class! I can crush him like an insect. Besides, he is merely human!'
A wave of dismissive confidence washed over Boco. He flicked his hand dismissively. "Go now! We attack tomorrow!"
The kraken-man nodded, rose to his full height, and turned to depart.
Boco's gaze shifted, a predatory gleam entering his eyes as he turned towards the three naked women chained to the damp stone wall.
"Now then," he purred, a sickeningly sweet tone in his voice. "Where were we?"
The women trembled, their eyes wide with terror.
____
[Village.]
The crisp raps echoed against the wooden door of the small cottage. Knock! Knock! Knock!
A silence followed, broken only by the gentle rustling of murmurs outside. Finally, the door creaked inward.
"Oh, it's Y—"
Alexandra's greeting died in her throat, her eyes widening in surprise and a hint of suspicion as her gaze fixed on Alice, who stood silently behind Draven.
"What is she doing here?" Alexandra's tone was sharp, laced with undisguised distrust.
"Calm down girl," Draven said smoothly, stepping forward. "Alice is a friend of mine. We were hoping you'd allow us to stay the night."
Alexandra stared at him, her gaze unwavering, for several long seconds. Finally, she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
"Well… you did save my life, and I did promise you a meal… Besides, Atticus is already asleep, so he won't be frightened by… Her." She muttered the last word, stepping back and walking inside.
"Don't mind her," Draven whispered to Alice as they followed Alexandra inside.
"Don't worry, she'll warm up to you."
'I don't think it will be that easy, Lord Draven,' Alice thought, her expression unreadable as she trailed behind him.
Alexandra led them to a small, cozy dining room. Without a word, she turned and headed towards the kitchen.
'Hmm… Is she upset I fucked Alice? I've dealt with jealous women countless times,' Draven mused, settling into a chair at the wooden table and gently pulling Alice to sit beside him on his left.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't be coming alone, so I prepared extra," Alexandra said, returning from the kitchen with two steaming plates.
"Can I help you?" Alice asked quickly, her voice surprisingly soft.
"Huh?" Alexandra looked genuinely confused.
"Help you set the table." Alice offered a small, polite smile.
"Oh… I suppose." Alexandra's initial suspicion seemed to waver slightly. She turned and walked back into the kitchen.
Alice watched her go, then stood and followed, leaving Draven alone in the dining room.
'Now… let's assess Alice's skills.' Draven thought, his eyes flickering as he mentally accessed his system interface.
{Name: Alice Fury.}
{Age: 21.}
{Race: Human.}
{Class: Mid-Sky.}
{Aspect: Assassin.}
{Virgin: No.}
{Intimacy: 1 Blowjob. 1 Anal. 1 Sex.}
{Affection: 95.}
{Rewards: 30 points.}
{Skills: Blood slash. Demon dash. Lethal strike. Demon eye. Darkness vitality. Mystic shield.}
'Six skills… She's already manifested her demon eye. But what about the others… Hmm…' Draven tapped his chin thoughtfully. 'In the previous encounter, Alice lacked any discernible defensive capabilities. While perhaps unnecessary against weaker foes, but a defensive skill would be invaluable against more formidable opponents… I'll invest 10 points to unlock 'Mystic Shield' and another 5 to enhance it. Yes, that seems prudent.'
He paused, a new question forming in his mind. 'Wait, are these truly all her skills? Alexandra possessed ten… Why would Alice, an assassin possess a mere six?'
{Alexandra is of elven lineage and also possesses the Healer aspect, naturally leading to a more diverse skillset. The average Awakener typically masters around five skills. The acquisition of additional skills generally necessitates the use of specialized skill scrolls or potent artifacts… In Alice's case, the 'Demon Eye' skill was likely a direct bestowal from the Demon King.}
'Alexandra have a lot of skills, but they are just utility skills, not combat or defense... I think I see the difference.' Draven nodded slowly, comprehension dawning in his eyes.
He mentally selected "Darkness vitality" and "Mystic shield." With a silent command, he allocated ten points to unlock each skill and an additional five points to upgrade each to Level 2.
'That should prove sufficient… Two Level 2 skills will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to her combat effectiveness,' he concluded with a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
_____
Within the confines of the small, steamy kitchen, the air was redolent with the savory aroma of roasting meat and fragrant herbs. Alexandra carefully placed a plate laden with food onto a worn wooden tray.
"Are you truly a friend of Draven's?" she asked, her voice direct, her gaze unwavering as she met Alice's eyes.
"I won't deceive you, but no… We aren't friends, we met today, and…" A delicate blush tinted her cheeks as the memory of their activity in the basement resurface.
"Ahem... Well… He did assist in removing… what Boco… implanted within me," Alexandra said, arranging spoons beside the plates with a slight tremor in her hands.
"So he presented himself as a friend to alleviate the villagers' anxieties?" Alexandra inquired, her brow furrowed in thoughtful contemplation.
"What conclusion have you drawn?" Alice countered, a hint of a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Alexandra offered a small, almost hesitant smile and turned to face Alice squarely. "Did you two… you know."
"If that is the source of your concern, Miss Alexandra, I assure you, I have no intention taking Lord Draven from you." Alice stated, meeting Alexandra's gaze directly.
"What?! When did I ever intimate that I desired him?" Alexandra's brow furrowed in surprise and a touch of indignation.
Alice chuckled softly and turned her attention back to the food preparations:
"You know, I cannot readily recall the last time I partook in such a meal, in the company of individuals I… hold in regard. Rest assured, we can share." Her smile remained, surprisingly genuine and warm.
'Share? Is she referring to Draven?This woman is hopeless.' Alexandra thought, shaking her head almost imperceptibly before speaking aloud:
"So, do you possess any knowledge of Boco's future plans?"
"Indeed. I overheard him mention an imminent assault upon Astranor…" Alice paused, her expression shifting to one of grave concern. "Astranor is the human kingdom. Boco's forces are insufficient to directly challenge them. This can only imply…"
"The Ruler of the invaders is the true orchestrator of this attack," Alexandra finished, her eyes widening with dawning realization.
"Precisely." Alice nodded somberly. "Furthermore, I gleaned another piece of disquieting information. This ruler is classified as an upper hero class; his power will be truly formidable. Boco also spoke of a 'mass attack,' suggesting that not only Astranor but also Starfall and Galadorn will be targeted in a coordinated offensive… Their ambition is nothing less than the complete subjugation of Everice."
"Such a bold and sweeping strategy… Only an individual of the upper hero class would conceive of such a grand design," Alexandra murmured, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"I have heard whispers of their capabilities – enough to destroy mountains. But…" She tilted her head, her gaze sharp as she fixed it upon Alice. "Why align yourself with Boco in the first place?"
"For safety." Alice stated simply, her tone devoid of emotion.
"Are you not fearful that he will… subject you to his will?" Alexandra asked, her voice laced with concern.
"No man can penetrate me." Alice replied, her voice unwavering and resolute.
"But he most certainly did…" Alexandra gestured subtly with her head towards the closed door.
"I do not believe he is merely a man," Alice said, a strange, almost knowing smile gracing her lips.
"Not a man? Then what manner of being is he?" Alexandra asked, her surprise evident.
"My suspicion is that Lord Draven is a demon… perhaps even the Demon Lord himself."
"...…!!!"
Alexandra froze, the plate she was holding clattering softly back onto the tray, her face a mask of utter disbelief and shock.