When I eventually decided to get out of bed the next day I sought out Hestia to get updated.
Name: Alexander Drake
Race: Fallen
Level:5
Strength:380(F)
Endurance:670(C)
Agility:494(E)
Dexterity:437(E)
Magic:872(A)
Developmental Skills: Curse-smith(E), Cursebody(G), Mystery(I), Rex(H)
The update showed that my stats skyrocketed but this was hardly surprising given how powerful the Knuckelavee was. Even though the smoke I got from it was much less than if I hadn't refined it I still got a massive amount all the same.-
Beyond my stats however the only noticeable change was my DS Rex going up a rank. I still wasn't sure what the thing was referring to or what it did for that matter. But the fact it went up at all hinted that it had something to do with my killing of the Knuckelavee. I was a little annoyed that I didn't qualify to level up since even I acknowledged the slaying of that beast as a worthy challenge overcome much less everyone else. My theory is that it was probably a side effect of my double level up not that long ago more likely than not.-
While I didn't doubt I had gotten an exceptionally large chunk of that top grade Excelia it clearly wasn't enough to qualify for leveling again. Honestly I had expected this to happen eventually. With me maxing my stats before each level up my requirement bar jumps higher and higher for my next level up and clearly the bar was fucking lunar at this point. I chose to roll with the punches though and accept that my ridiculous momentum had to come to an end at some point.-
Now I needed to delve to the limits of the dungeon explored only by the Zeus and Hera familias before and then go beyond. As I relaxed next to the pool thinking about my future Ottar arrived.
"You seem troubled." he said calmly.
"I'm not troubled so much as contemplative. Looks like I finally hit the end of my momentum you see. Killed the Knuckelavee and even though it was a hard fight I almost lost it wasn't enough to qualify me for a level up. Pretty sure my bar for that is ridiculously high now." I said honestly.
"Hmmm, nothing to be done but keep honing your skills and power till the level comes. It's what I did after the Zeus and Hera familias vanished. When the time came for me to get my capstone achievement for Seven the level followed naturally. Killed Zald, a hollow shell of who he once was but I killed him all the same." he said calmly.
"Not bad advice. Not much different from what I already had planned honestly. I just figured I'd delve the dungeon as far as I can. Maybe try and break the Zeus and Hera familias records." I said with a grin.
"A good goal, lofty but obtainable." he said with an approving nod.
"So we gonna spar or are you just here because you want to be?" I asked changing the subject.
"Neither. I have been training the Boy, he has potential." he said surprising me slightly.
"Can't argue there. He's going places for sure, not necessarily good ones but places all the same." I agreed.
With that done Ottar wandered over to the training area that Bell was already waiting at. For the next couple of days everything went smoothly and I actually thought everything would go back to normal, until a summons ruined it.
Heading towards the guild with a barely contained twitch of annoyance on my face I spotted that the city was not nearly as lively as usual, a concerning sign. The mood when I walked into the guild was somber like a tragedy had happened and I was wordlessly led to Ouranos's chamber. Hermes, Loki and Freya all stood there with uncharacteristically serious expressions.-
"Please tell me the big black bitch isn't on it's way here." I said hoping beyond hope that wasn't what was going on.
Ouranos looked at me and shook his head "A crude description but the One eyed black dragon is still slumbering beneath Hera's seal." He said sternly.
I breathed a sigh of relief at that "Oh thank hell, I REALLY don't want to have to use my contingency plan for that yet." I said honestly.
"You have a plan to deal with the One eyed black dragon? Really?" Hermes asked incredulously.
"Not exactly. I'd rather not talk about it. Anyways if it's not that absolute nightmare to deal with then what has all of you so sour faced?" I asked curiously.
"The hundred hands giant has been released from it's seal and word has come that the Artemis familia was ambushed unsuccessfully by Evilus. We have determined that these things are likely not coincidences but the actions of Evilus to sow chaos and destruction once more." Ouranos said seriously.
"Oh that? I've known about them scurrying in the shadows for a long time now." I said casually.
The room went dead silent as all of the gods, Hestia included, looked at me like I had grown a second head.
"I'm sorry but what?" Hermes said in shock.
"I can literally see the sins of someone one their soul. Obviously I'd notice when someone with so many of the damned things was standing before me. Of course they could just be scum of the earth but since I couldn't exactly prove that they were Evilus instead I just declined their orders and went about my day. Honestly thought if they were scurrying around like rats they couldn't be that big of a problem. Jokes on me I guess." I said with a shrug.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by a madman like you thinking that." Hermes said rubbing his head like it was aching.
"I know I seem rather well put together for a madman but I've never claimed to be sane. Quite the opposite really." I said with a grin.
"As ..... enlightening as this has been I believe we should discus how to deal with the problems at hand. The hundred hands giant must be dealt with and Evilus cracked down on. Clearly they feel they've gained enough strength since the last purge to begin acting brazenly." Ouranos said seriously.
"Ah man I just got comfortable after dealing with the last ancient calamity though!" I complained.
"You will be well compensated for the trouble." Ouranos said with an almost convincing apologetic look, almost.