Chapter Text
As the group arrived at the cave. Raphtalia quickly ran off to throw up. When she came back, Naofumi told her to stay and rest up. Raphtalia apologised before getting into that carriage while the two dire wolves kept guard. The rest headed inside the caves grand entrance. As they walked down the narrow tunnel, Filo pointed out an opened chest. The group inspected it and found a stone table. The witch coughs and starts reading it.
"To those who would break the seal on the seeds, I pray that the seeds will not reach the outer world."
The witch hummed.
"Maybe the alchemist sealed his failure here with a warning to anyone who enters here."
"Probably."
The group continued onwards. Soon, Filo stops and tackles Naofumi. The girl cried about being left by Naofumi as bats started gathering. The witch quickly cast a spell that snapping Filo out of whatever spell was cast on her. Filo cried and apologised to Naofumi. Naofumi pats her head. Filo then got angry and started killing the bats. After a few minutes, she completely killed all the bats. Naofumi and Roko were picking up the corpses only to put them into Naofumi's shield. The group continued onwards only to stop in font of a large opening. All around were large crystal like chunks that seemed to be protected by a strange creature.
"What is it?"
The witch spoke up.
"That's a Nue. It's a bit small, but I wonder why a monster from the east is here."
Filo suddenly charged, making Naofumi sighed and summon Inma. The witch seemed surprised but helped support the group when the monsters escaped from Inma's attack. Roko shot it in the eye, making it collapse and easier for the two monsters to kill. Filo seemed happy as she dragged the dead monster towards him. Naofumi placed a hand on the body and watched it vanish into his shield inventory. They then walked over to the large crystal and took some of it.
When they group returned to the shop, the witch quickly replaced the gem and told Filo to slowly put her mana into the gem. Filo nodded, and thread started to be made. After a couple of minutes, the thread was made, and the group took it to a seamstress who happily made the clothes for Filo. Filo spans around with a smile on her face.
"Filo likes these clothes."
The seamstress smiled at the complemented. The group then leaves and heads out a random direction. As they travel, Naofumi decided to use appraisal on everyone except Filo.
Raphtalia [Lv 36]
Gender: Female
Age: 10
Race: Demi-human [Raccoon]
Class: Swordswoman
Notes
> Raphtalia has a strong affinity with light and dark magic.
> She may look and act like an adult, but she is still a child.
Roko [Lv 37]
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Race: Demi-human [Rabbit]
Class: Ranger
Notes
> Roko has a strong affinity with wind and water magic.
Fumi [Lv 20] (B)
Gender: Female
Age: 1 month
Race: Filolial
Notes
> Fumi has a strong affinity with earth, wind, and light magic.
> Fumi has the genetics of an extinct breed of filolial. At the rate she is growing, she may evolve into the extinct filolial breed.
Lumi [Lv 40*] (A)
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Race: Wolf [Arctic dire wolf]
Notes
> Arctic dire wolves are found on icy mountains and in high level frozen dungeons.
> Arctic dire wolves can reproduce with either gender. This is because they had low reproductive rates in the past since the cold weather would kill new pups quickly.
> Arctic dire wolves are immune to the cold, making them immune to all ice attacks.
> Lumi has a strong affinity with ice magic.
Kage [Lv 40*] (A)
Gender: Non
Age: 6
Race: Wolf [Shadow dire wolf]
Notes
> Shadow dire wolves are found when it's night and in high level dungeons.
> Shadow dire wolves don't have a gender because they are made up of shadows, and because of that, a shadow dire wolves can self reproduce or reproduce with another wolf.
> Shadow dire wolves are rare to find when it's light out since they become vulnerable to all attacks. This is because in the dark, they become a shadow, and the only attacks that can harm them are light magic attacks.
> Kage has a strong affinity with dark magic.
Nina [Lv 40] (L)
Gender: Female
Age: 182
Race: Phoenix [Fire]
Notes
> Phoenix's are extremely rare monsters that can not be killed since they can just revive themselves from their ashes, which makes them immortal.
> Phoenix's absorb any fire attacks and use it to heal themselves.
> A phoenix will lay one egg in its lifetime.
> Nina has a strong affinity with fire, light, and wind magic.
Inma [Lv 50] (SS)
Gender: Male
Age: 2402
Race: Dog [Otherworldly]
Notes
> There isn't much information on this monster because it's not of this world.
> Inma can use two spells simultaneously since it has two heads.
> When it evolves, it can use three spells simultaneously.
> Inma has an affinity with fire, dark, and lightning magic.
Mocha [Lv 30] (A)
Gender: Female
Age: 3 years
Race: Chimera [Enfield]
Notes
> Enfield's are common monsters but are extremely strong when hunting in groups.
> Enfield's cannot fly but can glide when falling.
> Mocha has a strong affinity with wind and earth magic.
Ivy [Lv 21] (C)
Gender: Female
Age: 2 months
Race: Snake [Boa constrictor]
Notes
> Ivy is a breed of snake that usually constricts its enemy to death.
> This breed of snake is able to crush steel and digest it.
> This breed can grow up to 30-50 metres in length.
> Ivy has a strong affinity with light magic.
Mr Wiggles [Lv 20] (F)
Gender: Male
Age: 2 months
Race: Centipede [Giant desert]
Notes
> This breed of centipede doesn't attack humans unless provoked.
> The bite of this centipede can cause extreme pain but not death.
> This breed can grow to be 20-25 feet long.
> Mr Wiggles has a strong affinity with earth magic.
Naofumi looked at Ivy in shock, only for her to flick her tongue at him. Sighing Naofumi looked outside and spotted a man running. Raphtalia stopped the carriage, and the man begged for a ride to his village.
Naofumi summoned Kage and quickly jumped onto his back. The man was shocked as Naofumi pulled him onto the large wolfs back.
"We'll wait for you at the village."
Raphtalia nodded.
"This will cost you a silver."
As the man was about to speak, they took off. The man screamed as they traversed the mountain.
The man held on tight as the village gates came into view.
"Hey! Stop."
Naofumi tossed the past the gaurd.
"My companions will be arriving soon, so give that back to them."
Kage easily hopped the gate and ran into the village. The man pointed to an old looking house.
"It's that one."
Nodding Naofumi told Kage to go to the house the man pointed at. With a grunt, the wolf trotted up the hill. The man quickly got off and ran into the house. Naofumi followed behind as Kage lay outside. Inside the house, the man ran into a room where an elderly lady lay in bed. Naofumi looked at the medicine in disgust.
"Go boil some water."
The was jumped slightly but handed Naofumi the potion anyway. Naofumi activated his medicine enhancement skills and gently poured the medicine into the woman's mouth. The woman's body glowed slightly as the man walked in. The woman thanked Naofumi as she sat up. Naofumi soon left when his party arrived. The man handed him a bag of vegetables and meat that seemed to be acquainted to 1 silver. Nodding the group left.
As the group travelled, Naofumi decided to start up a small travelling business. Naofumi's group would stop at any village they saw and trade healing potions to those who needed it. Naofumi even went to people's homes to treat people whose family members didn't know if they were ill or dying. Some people couldn't afford the medicine, so Naofumi told them they just needed to give him something of equal value, be it food, materials, or books. However, Naofumi would always treat those who are aged 14 and under for free. Families with lots of children were thankful for that.
One day, the group was stopped by a guy on the road. The man then asked for a ride, which he quickly paid for. The man claimed to be a merchant and started making conversation with Naofumi. The carriage soon stopped when Roko pointed out a group of bandits. The group seemed to want the accessory merchant who was with them. Naofumi didn't care what they were saying until one spoke up.
"That demi-human girl looks hot. Looks like we're going to have fun tonight, boys."
The laughed as Raphtalia grabbed the hilt of her sword.
"Don't even think of attacking us. We've got a class upgraded bodyguard."
Naofumi watched as a man walked to the front of the group with a smirk on his face. Naofumi roled his eyes and told the two girls to gather the group of men alive. The men quickly confessed.
"So what do we do with them?"
The merchant told him he could do what he liked to them. One then pointed out that he's the shield hero. The group laughed. Snapping his fingers, the gem on his shield glowed and released Ivy into the world. The snake grew until she was around 20 feet long. The men gasped.
"I guess it's time for a snack."
Ivy flick her tongue before opening her mouth wide. The men started to beg, which made Naofumi smirk.
"Please, we'll do anything. Just don't kill us."
Naofumi nodded and waved, Ivy away. The snake vanished back into the shield.
Later that day, the men were handing Naofumi's party members boxes to be loaded into the carriage. When everything was done, Naofumi told the merchant he'll have to give him something for all the trouble he was causing him. The man offered him his connections and knowledge. Naofumi exepted. The merchant taught him how to make accessories and introduced him to his contacts. Naofumi thanked the man and quickly left to continue his journey.
After a couple of days of travelling, Naofumi stopped the carriage when he saw a massive cave. It was massive, and the entrance was at the top of a mountain. Naofumi looked inside, only to be sent back slightly by a strong gust of wind. A low demanding voice rang out.
"Who dares enter my nest."
Soon, a large dragon stepped out and looked down a Naofumi.
"Ah, one of the heroes. Are you here to challenge me hatchling?"
Naofumi shook his head.
"No. I was just curious."
The dragon huffed.
"Smart. Challenging me would lead to your demise."
Naofumi sighed and looked over at his companions then back at the dragon.
"So why are nesting in a place like this?"
The dragon seemed a bit put off.
"Well..."
"Farther!"
A dog like demi-human girl ran out of the cave and ran in front of the dragon with her arms opened wide.
"Don't hurt my farther!"
Naofumi tilted his head before an idea came to mind. He then looked at the dragon.
"So you're here to protect her."
Naofumi then pointed down the mountains.
"The village beyond those mountains recently put up a request to kill you. I've heard that the sword hero took the request and is coming here."
The dragon lowered its head so it could look into Naofumi's eyes.
"You don't seem to be lying."
The dragon then looked at the girl.
"Those humans probably want my treasure, so they are tricking a hero to kill me."
The dragon quickly nudged the girl forward.
"Take my daughter. From what I can see, putting her in your care will guarantee her safety."
Naofumi was slightly shocked.
"I didn't mean stay here."
The dragon shook his head, then looked back into the cave.
"I have to protect the shrine."
Naofumi was confused.
"My nest is actually a dungeons entrance. Down at the lowest level is a shrine that can awaken the dragon king."
"Dragon king?"
The dragon nodded.
"He's the strongest of the four guardian beasts. Bringing him back to life will cause a catastrophe greater than the waves."
Naofumi nodded. The girl suddenly spoke up.
"I wanna stay here!"
The dragon looked at the girl with a frown.
"Wyndia... you need to go."
The girl shook as tears fell down her face.
"But..."
She then burst out into tears and hugged the dragons snout. Raphtalia quickly ran over to him with the final egg.
"Master Naofumi! The egg."
Naofumi took the egg and watched as it started to crack.