To reward these two wonderful girls, I bought a couple of chocolate chip, ice cream cookie sandwiches.
While they savored their treats, I took the chance to examine The sword Lilith summoned.
It was quite different from any Zanpakuto I was familiar with from the Bleach-verse, but considering the fact that Lilith was quite unique herself, it wasn't too surprising.
Lilith had happily handed the sword to me when I gave her the cookie ice cream sandwich. The moment I grasped the sword, it felt like I was about to be swallowed whole by the sword.
In that instant, one word, one command, came to mind. Devour! Although I'm not 100% sure, I believe that 'Devour' is the kaigo (Release Call) described in the Zankensouki manual. The kaigo is an incantation that unseals the Zanpakuto and releases its Shikai form.
Thankfully, the kaigo for Lilith is short and to the point instead of some long poem. Based on the kaigo, I assume that Lilith will be just as much of a glutton in the real world as she is here.
Despite its rusted appearance, the blade is razor-sharp, and it is well balanced. Of particular note was that despite the bulk of the handle and length of the blade, it was completely effortless for me to lift and manipulate the blade. Even with the whole sword being made from metal, the hilt felt completely comfortable in my hands, regardless of whether I wielded it with one or two hands.
I was happily swinging the sword around using the stances and forms I had learned, over and over again, but before I knew it, the black sword had transformed back into its sealed state.
I was surprised at first, but I firmly held the katana and called out its kaigo. "Devour, Lilith!"
Unfortunately, nothing happened, and I wound up looking like some sort of chuni, eliciting a fit of laughter from Áine.
Lilith walked over to me and stretched out her hand as if asking for something. "Devour?"
Thinking that maybe she was still hungry, I bought her a chocolate bar, but she reluctantly tore her vision away from it and shook her head as she lifted her hands to be picked up.
Not sure, what Lilith was trying to tell me, I stored the candy bar, put down the blade, and picked her up. She quickly held my face with her dainty little hands before giving me a quick peck on the lips.
I was about to admonish her, but she tilted her head and asked once again, "Devour?"
It was then that I felt a bit drained. It was almost like… Wait. 'Saul, show my stats!'
/-------------------------------------\
Status
Name: Orion Anvindr (Sol Hunter)
Race: Slime Lord Variant(2nd Evolution)
Age: Ageless
Titles: Reincarnator, Otherworlder, MOB, Soul Eater
Job-Class:, [Magician: Lv.29], [Light-Swordsman: Lv.17], [Druid: Lv.1], [Craftsman: Lv.1]
Lv. 1/100
Parameters:
STR: H[140] (5140)
END: H[153] (5153)
DEX: I[24] (5024)
AGI: H[119] (5119)
MAG: I[76] (5076)
SPR: D[571] (1570)
Blessings: Blessings of the Storm Dragon, Blessings of the God of Origin and Demise
Unique Skills: [Solomon's Pride: EX], [Celestial Devourer: EX], [Origin and Demise: SSS]
Skills: [Absorption], [Dissolve], [Self-Regeneration], [Physical Resistance: B], [Magic Resistance], [Water Manipulation], [Magic Perception], [Sense Heat Source], [Poisonous Breath], [Paralysis Breath], [Sticky Thread], [Steel Thread], [Drain], [Ultrasonic Waves], [Echo Location], [Body Armor], [Spiritual Perception], [Flash Step], [Kido], [Goblin-Language], [Kobold-Language], [Pyrokinesis], [Venom], [Thermal Vision], [Poison Resistance], [Libido], [Viritlity], [Appraisal], [Human-Language], [Common Written Language], [Mental Map], [Blut], [Descorrer], [Cero], [Bala], [Hierro]
Magic: [Sagitta Magica], [Cleanse]
Special Notes:
All parameters have decreased slightly after being devoured by Zanpakuto-Spirit, Lilith, to unlock her Shikai-form. Current Progress: 10%
\-------------------------------------/
"Wait, to unlock your Shikai-form, I need to sacrifice my parameters to you?" I asked concernedly. Lilith looked me in the eyes and nodded, failing to allay any of my worries. "Great… don't tell me I'll need to sacrifice my stats each time I want to unseal you?"
Luckily, this time Lilith shook her head no, but then she paused before looking back towards me. "My unique skills require sustenance." I raised my brows in confusion, still not aware of what special abilities she had.
This caused her to furrow her brow, understanding that she would need to speak a lot to explain her uses to me. Knowing that Lilith wasn't a girl of many words, I brought out the chocolate bar I previously bought and offered it to her. It loosened her lips, and she quickly explained her abilities as quickly as possible before nomming the chocolate.
Based on what she said, I would only need to sacrifice my parameters once to unseal my sword. Then it would stay in that form so long as I regularly feed it by slaying monsters with it. According to Lilith, whenever I used her to kill an enemy, she would directly absorb the enemies parameters and abilities, taking a small portion for herself while directly transferring the rest to myself.
It felt redundant considering that I already had the unique skill [Celestial Devourer], but according to Lilith, feeding her would also unlock new forms and abilities. There was also the fact that I wouldn't need to stop and devour the prey, and that using the sword to 'devour' stats wouldn't destroy the victim in the process which would undoubtedly come in handy.
I could still use [Celestial Devourer] when needed, or for less lethal approaches to gaining abilities, so it isn't like Lilith would completely replace the unique skill.
The only concerning part was that Lilith would require regular sacrifices, or else she would reenter her sealed state. If I went for a significant period of time, she may even permanently be sealed away.
Hearing all of this made me sigh in frustration. Nothing would change until I completely unlocked the Shikai, but after that, my precious parameters were fair game.
I was a bit reticent to part with my parameters while I had no way to replenish them, so I asked Lilith to wait until I could increase my strength in the outside world. She nodded, then snuggled into my neck. I hadn't even noticed that it was Lilith's usual nap time now.
I smiled and rubbed her back, causing the sword spirit to purr slightly. I was about to pick up the Zanpakuto, but it was already dissolving into spiritual energy and returning to Lilith.
Áine was already packed up and heading into the house to get cleaned up. Although I was tempted just to lay Lilith in bed and join her, I resisted and laid down on the couch after casting [Cleanse] on the both of us. I was officially Lilith's favorite hug pillow despite Áine's frequent attempts to snuggle with the little girl. Lilith clung to me every chance that she got, regardless of the state we were in.
There was one time when Áine and I had just finished "playing," and Lilith walked in on us. We were both naked and covered in one another's juices, but Lilith simply stumbled into bed with us snuggled in between us while we were basking in the afterglow of our session.
We were both stunned like deer in the headlights and failed to react appropriately in time. By the time I processed what had happened, Lilith was complaining about things being all sticky. I just barely stopped her from tasting a finger full of my spunk into her mouth, quickly casting my cleaning magic on the whole bed and erasing any evidence of our affair.
Lilith furrowed her brow looking at me for an explanation, so I awkwardly explained that was a special substance that one could only have once they were adults. Áine rigidly nodded in agreement as she materialized her tank top and red panties. I also materialized some boxer briefs, my choice underwear, while Lilith continued trying to comprehend why she was being left out.
"But… created at same time?" she asked, looking at the Áine and I. It took a moment, but I understood what she meant. Technically we were all only a few months old. Áine was bound to me and reborn with me when I reincarnated, while Lilith was born a few weeks later when I gained a human form and fused with it.
I pulled Lilith into my embrace as I pulled the comforter up to cover us. "Lili-chan, don't think about it too much. You still need to mature a bit more before you can enjoy things like that. Both Áine and I were born in another world and have experienced a lot more life than you."
"That's right, Lili." Áine agreed as she snuggled up behind the little girl. "You should enjoy getting to be a kid. It is not that fun having to deal with adult hassles anyway."
"Hmm…" hearing Áine seemed to have release Lilith from her thoughts. "Good night, Papa… Good night, big sister…" Perhaps it was her sleepiness that got the better of her, though. Towards the end, her words slurred off into a whisper, even though we both easily heard her.
•••
Did I forget to mention that Lilith calls me papa now?
It all started while we were watching an anime about gamers trapped in an online world. Everything seemed fine until the protagonist and heroine met an intelligent program. The little girl became like their daughter and even called the protagonist Papa.
This caused Lilith to look between the tv and me before ultimately forming some sort of conclusion.
She barreled into me and monotoned, "Papa." As she hugged me like the girl in the anime.
It was so adorable, I got some broken ribs and a bloody nose too…
After repairing the broken things, we had to make Lilith promise not to jump in the house anymore, but she still insisted on calling me "Papa."
Surprisingly, Lilith wouldn't call Áine "Mama," no matter how much she was begged. Instead, whenever Lilith wanted something from her, she would pull on Áine and call her "Big Sis."
I guess that was enough for Áine since she would always give in after Lilith did so.
••• Day 30 •••
Today was the last day I'd be spending here for a while. Although my parameters were still lacking, my natural combat instincts had gotten me a pass from Áine the day before.
Instead of training, I spent the whole day with the girls. I made Lilith her favorite chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast while fooling around in the kitchen with Áine. She was particularly aggressive this morning as she devoured her favorite baby batter while Lilith was watching cartoons.
It felt a bit dangerous, but also exhilarating as I spasmed in her throat, unloading the first thick load of the morning. After breakfast, we played a high-speed version of tag. It started as training for Áine and me, but after Lilith joined, it became a regular game for us. Naturally, as my Zanpakuto, Lilith was able to use all the same abilities as I was so she could effortlessly keep up with us.
Of course, Lilith won.
Next, while Lilith took her nap, Áine and I cuddled on the couch and watched an action movie called Pacific Rim. I can't really recall how it went since, for once, Áine was monopolizing my lap and having me tend to her.
It didn't go the way I had thought they would. Instead of a passionate make-out session, Áine snuggled in close to me and had me pat her head and rub her back, kind of like a big cat.
I didn't mind though, just snuggling was nice too. About halfway through the movie, I was massaging Áine's back when Lilith cane out from the bedroom.
It wasn't anything scandalous like the last time Lilith almost caught us. This time, Áine was just in her panties and loose tank-top that failed to cover her midriff, her normal nightwear.
Apparently, after spending most of her life cloistered behind her armor, Áine now felt much more comfortable wearing loose and free clothing that didn't restrain her or hide away her figure.
Nonetheless, seeing something new, Lilith wanted to join in as well.
"Papa, what are you doing?" She asked cutely, as she watched me massaging Áine's back.
"I'm giving your big sister a massage. It helps her relax. You know how hot-headed she can be, right. This helps her simmer down."
Lilith nodded, almost understandingly before she turned to look towards me. "Papa, me too?" Despite the brevity of her words, both Áine and I had grown used to deciphering her requests.
I smiled towards my unanimously agreed upon daughter. "Sure, just let me finish up with your big sister, then I'll do you next, okay?"
Lilith nodded and then sat down and watched some more cartoons. She had made me promise to watch cartoons with her at least once per day, a request I was happy to oblige. Áine also made her own requests, but I'll leave that until later.
About 10-minutes later, I finished thoroughly massaging Áine's entire body. It had lasted in total for about an hour since I was using a basic technique listed in the [God Hand] skill. It was designed to relax and comfort the recipient rather than have any special effects. It always amazed me just how tense Áine's muscles became from her daily workouts.
Now that she was finished, Áine left to shower and give Lilith and me some time together since I would be leaving after the girls fell asleep tonight.
Lilith quickly laid down in Áine's place, but we promptly arrived at a problem. Her gothic dress was not suited for this sort of thing.
"Umm, Lili-chan, your current clothes will make it difficult to massage you. Do you think you could dematerialize everything but your underwear?" I asked hesitantly.
Lilith's two-word reply as she looked back at me with a blush caused critical damage. "Papa, ecchi!"
I dramatically clutched my chest as I stabilized myself on the coffee table next to me.
In the meantime, Lilith tried imagining something that would be more "suitable" when she remembered a particular outfit she had seen in several different anime. Her clothes slowly dissolved away, revealing her bare flesh for a brief moment before it was replaced by a set of red bloomers and a loose, white T-shirt, the typical anime PE attire.
I was stunned as I turned to see her, but as a proper papa, I reigned in all the dark thoughts that nearly drowned me.
"Alright, Lili-chan, I'm going to start slowly. Tell me if I press too hard, alright?"
Lilith gave a slight "Mmm" in acknowledgment, so I slowly began massaging her from the base of her hips upward, slowly pressing into from behind.
"Mmm, it feels good, Papa. Push harder." Lilith murmured as I worked the kinks out of her muscles. It amazed me that such dainty muscles could summon so much power, but being on the other end of many of her tackles, I knew better than to underestimate her. After all, as my Zanpakuto, she was just as powerful as I was.
As I continued moving upwards, I slowly made my way to her shoulders. For her, I think this was just like a more advanced back rub, and she seemed to want me to continue there, but I explained that I couldn't finish the massage without massaging the rest of her.
She sighed and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, Papa…"
I smiled and kissed her cheek, bringing a small smile to her face. I then worked on feet and legs before rolling her onto her back and starting on her arms and hands.
By the end, Lilith had a fresh and relaxed smile on her face that left me feeling quite satisfied. All in all, the massage only took about twenty minutes, and afterward, I pulled the adorable little girl into my lap, where she always sat, and we watched some cartoons while waiting for Áine.
After another ten minutes, Áine came out looking refreshed and plopped down on the sofa next to us. We all cuddled for a few minutes before we decided it was time to have dinner.
Today we had pizza, and I introduced Lilith to the joys of a Hawaiian Pizza, a mixture between sweet and savory that she thankfully enjoyed.
It was the first time I had bought something aside from groceries from the system in a while. During the past month, I had really upped the ante for my cooking skills, taking risks making strange but fantastic dishes that even Lilith enjoyed.
Her favorite was undoubtedly the Kupoberry Cheesecake, but we also got her to eat plenty of dishes that weren't deserts.
Unsurprisingly, both Áine and Lilith enjoyed an entire pizza for themselves, which, of course, left me having to get another for myself. Unlike Áine, who was enjoying a meat lovers pizza and Lilith, who was devouring her Hawaiian pizza, I went for a fresher pizza for my own.
I got a delicious Tuscan pizza with a light sauce, several thick slices of mozzarella, and few splashes of pesto to keep things interesting. Thankfully with my skills, eating a couple of these pizzas wouldn't do anything to me, much less having to eat an entire one to myself. Perhaps all three of us are a bit of gluttons…
After dinner, we all settled into the living room and watched cartoons with Lilith until bedtime. I laid down in the center of the king-sized bed and was quickly surrounded on both sides as the girls took their places.
I kissed Lilith on her forehead and wished her sweet dreams before turning to look towards Áine. She intercepted me with a short kiss of her own, on my lips, of course, before snuggling into my side.
I sighed happily before shutting my eyes. As I did so, the world warped around me, and I could feel my perception readjusting to normal time as Hastened thoughts deactivated. It felt a bit lonely, waking up alone in the cave for the first time in a while.
The sword in my lap gave a warm hum that reminded me she was still with me, and Áine gave her input, too, using Saul.
『Don't miss me too much, big brother. I'll always be here if you need a bit of 'help.' Shi-Shi-Shi!』
My two girls support roused me from my loneliness, and soon, Ichigo's characteristic smirk replaced the previous melancholic expression. Of course, only my eyes were visible with the bandages covering the lower half of my face.
Now that Lilith wasn't wantonly absorbing energy from the surroundings, I was free to peacefully take a look around with my own two eyes.
The cavern was surprisingly bright, but instead of coming from above, the light seemed to be emanating from below in the water.
As I looked down, I saw dozens of small glowing orbs. Curious, I picked one of them up before using [Apraisal] on it.
/-------------------------------------\
Divinity Stone Chrysalis:
The nascent stage for the condensation of a divinity stone. Divinity stones are rare, naturally occurring minerals capable of storing extremely high-levels of mana. They are generally condensed over thousands of years before their innards begin to liquefy and produce a substance known as ambrosia. Ambrosia is a highly valued substance capable of prolonging one's life and recovering injuries aside from lost limbs. Due to extreme levels of radiant mana in the surroundings, the deposition process has increased over a hundredfold. This stone should be harvestable in approximately 14-months.
\-------------------------------------/
Whoa… what did I just read? 'Hey Saul, if mana levels are so high right now, aren't I in danger?' I asked a bit nervously. It would be a shame to die surrounded by all this treasure.
『Normally yes, but this is all mana that you have personally filtered and refined during your time meditating here. It is more or less your residual mana and can no longer harm you.』
'Oh, well, that's excellent news. I guess I should get out of here now and check on Treyni and Mia.'
『I suggest you seal this cavern to prevent others from accidentally being exposed to such a hazardous environment. Only S-rank monsters and the equivalent adventurers would likely be able to survive here.』
Hearing Saul's suggestion, I decided to rebuild the door and disguise the area so that no one notices anything. I restored the original entrance, though this time, it was made purely of magic iron while I kept the fancier metals for myself. Who knows when I would be able to gather more.
Anyways, the door's only real function was to seal the mana in, not keep others out, so I saw no reason to recreate the magical lock on it. Once I placed the hidden wall in front of it, no one would notice anything out of place of place that didn't already know what they were looking for. Even then, most others wouldn't be able to move a few 100-ton door on their own to get in, so it should be alright.
If an S-class monster or the equivalent adventurer enters, there's not much else I could have done in the first place.
I checked my handy work one last time before turning to leave. It was time to check on the others and find out what was up with these ogres.
I briefly gathered my strength before flash stepping my way out of the caverns.