CONVERSATION & OATH Location the Humanworld, Japan-Kuoh
A day later. Laharl magical contacted Kiba and Issei to talk. Arranging a small meeting. Going to a local Cafe. Sitting down with Issei and Kiba. As Laharl, he talked with two bros. The knight and the pawn of the Gremory Peerage. Telling them that he, Ranma, and Ren. They are going on a special training session. Which involves, going into a special place, that only Laharl can access. Laharl, he told them about the dungeons, and the benefit of fighting in them. Obtaining experience, floating orbs of various colors with various effects. Enhancing one strength, speed, mind, magic, resistance, toughness, vitality, accuracy, and aura. Both Issei and Kiba were in awe of this. Also understood now, how Laharl-senpai and his peerage, grew in power soo fast, and vastly. Kiba, scratched his blond hair. Being the most sensible of two Gremory devils. He'd asked Laharl for the reason, for him revealing such a important secret. That made Issei realize, what Kiba said. The Red Emperor, he also asked for the reason, as well. Laharl, laughed and told them, that on this new dungeon dive. Laharl wants them to join, him, Ren, and Ranma in the dungeon crawl. Both devils, were shocked by this invitation. But then Laharl, raised his right gloved hand. As he started explaining. They, along with Akeno, Koneko, Towa, and heck even Aika have potential to become much more powerful than what they are currently. The only issue is Rias. Not her personality or kindness. But instead her arrogance, cuddling, and laziness. Those aspects of Rias, are crippling traits to have, especially with her ambition to be the Rating King...or Queen in her case. This shut Kiba, cause it was true, honestly it was thanks to his girls. As he blush with a smile at Tsubaki and the others. They help him, progress his grief, a lot more, than the years, serving under Rias. That's when Issei frowned, slamming the table, as he spoke up, "Laharl-senpai!! Your my friend, one of my best!! But you can't talk, that way about Rias-bucchou, after everything she's done for us!!! Also you forgot, about Gasper, you think he doesn't have any potential!!?" Laharl, looked at Issei with respect. Thinking that the welp, is starting to act like a young dragon. And Shenron, Vritra, Bahamut Fury, and Orochi agreed with Laharl's thought, as Laharl could feel it within his soul. Not knowing that another dragon of red scales, he was listening to everything. Agreeing with taking the opportunity that the young devil is offering his partner, along with believing that his previous assessment is accurate. Kiba, calmed down Issei. And convince the young pawn, to trust their brother. So Issei calmed down, and apologized. As Laharl swiped, his hand in the air, showing the guys it wasn't a big deal. So Laharl started explaining again. Starting with Gasper. That dhamphir, has too many traumas. Plus his age, and personality traits, make it difficult for him to improve. That along with own insecurities, make him more a liability than a aid. He even told them, that the only way, Gasper can finally get control over his Sacred Gear, Forbidden Balor View. It by drinking some of Issei's blood. This made Issei uncomfortable...in many way, he actually turned a sickly blue. Laharl, and Kiba didn't need or want to imagine, what Issei is imagining.
As they continue to speak. Laharl then turn the conversation to Rias. Telling Issei and Kiba, about Rias biggest problem. One shared by many devil heirs. Arrogance. He'll admit he tried to help her to get stronger, and showed her to use her Power of Destruction, in new ways. But instead of continuing, and playing around the idea. She got complicent. Believe she is strong enough, that she doesn't need to strain herself with training. Sloth at its finest. Even Issei will admit, that while he was being trained by senpai, along with Cerberus, Yang, Rumi, and Caulifla-san. Under their guidance, along with Laharl's as well. He has become stronger, and during all of that...Rias-bucchou, she has only played student. Laharl shuke his head. Then confessed that Rias, and even Sona who he loves, and is in relationship with, both share one collective issue. They were too pampered, spoiled, and treated like princesses. Which leads to now. Rias is still a spoil princess, that get everything easy, including indulgence of her obsession. That involves the Humanworld, and the Japanese culture as a whole, despite being a devil. And that resulted her, developing human values instead of a devils. Meanwhile Sona is in the opposite spectrum. She wishes to do everything on her own, a indirect form of rebelling, goes to the Humanworld, adopts some of the human values, while still having her demonic pride and culture. Ironically, that same unconscious rebellious attitude, gave Sona the drive to grow stronger. Always seeking advice, entering the dungeon, and soo on. So to stop rambling, he tells Kiba and Issei, Rias is missing that drive. Which aside of Gasper, everyone on her peerage possesses in some way. Both pieces of Rias, couldn't refute. Cause what Laharl-senpai said, 100% truth, and also they understood why Laharl reveal the secrets of his ability, to access dungeons. He trust them, and their drive. Laharl, confirmed their suspicions, and also told they, that he needed them to promise they wouldn't reveal anything to Rias. This shocked them, as Laharl said, "I'm helping Akeno through Raven's training, Koneko is naturally seeking aid and support from the girls. Aika is being taught by Zombina, which surprised me, but their both shooter, so it kinda make sense... And as for Towa, she still hates me, and sees me as a rival, that enough is pushing her to get stronger. But one thing they all have still, is dependence to Rias. The moment they learn about the dungeons, they'll tell Rias, Rias will force herself on a dangerous dungeon, she's way underprepared for. Then it becomes mine, yours, and everyone else's problem..." this made sense to the Knight of Gremory, and the Red Emperor. They swore to make a oath, to keep this a secret. And to be honest, they confessed that they're eager to go to real, actual dungeon. With that the diving party, was secured. All is left to do, is to talk with Ranma and Ren, so they'd know, exactly what everyone's role will be. Laharl, already stated that in this dive, he'll be the tank, and if the situation demands, the bulldozer, that eliminate, the bigger threats. After they talked, a bit more, and had some coffee. They went back to their respected homes, in order to get ready for the upcoming dungeon dive.
NEW DUNGEON DIVE STARTS Location the Bael Residence, Krichevskoy Mansion; Basement-Dungeon Nexus Chamber
Days later. Everyone except for Rias, Koneko, Akeno, Gasper, Towa, and Aika. Are the only devils, that aren't in the "basement" of the Krichevskoy Mansion. Issei was in his usual style of clothing, except having a red, studded glove. That Yang gave her, so he can have a weapon, aside from his Boosted Gear. Beside him is Kiba, wearing a gray and white colored gym clothing. A work-out sweater, and track pants. Holding a European longsword, with a heavy style. Following Laharl suggestion of using more, heavier type sword, for more weight, and power behind his attacks. They were ready, as Ranma was in usual long sleeve, Chinese-style Tang suit. And Ren, he was in his own green themed, oriental clothing. Laharl, he was telling everyone, about the Dungeon Nexus. It functions, and even granting them, some permission to use the nexus. As everyone, put their coordinates on the core console, and jump to their own dungeon of choice. Laharl, walked over to the console. Placing the command in of the new dungeon, being a hard rank, that will make this unknown dungeon a seven leveled dungeon. Once done, he'd walked down from the console, joining Ren, Issei, Kiba, and Ranma. They'd walked over the portal pool, surging with arcane energy. Ranma, cracked his knuckles, and saying, "Come on, guys let's go already." this made Ren, chuckle. While Kiba smiled, and Issei gave the guys, a thumbs-up. Laharl let out a chuckle, and did what he usually does. Stretch out his right arm, and summon his sword, Vritra Zanbato Fury. Resting as usual on his shoulder, as they jumped into the portal, entering the unknown dungeon...
Location the Horror Dungeon Area 1 From what appears in Issei mind, as a magical temple. To a...a very rundown. If not utterly thrashed mansion, with junk everywhere. With brownish, yellow accent wallpaper. Antiques scattered everywhere, along with old papers. Laharl, scratched his head. As he felt that he has seen this place before...bit he can't remember. Ren, walked over to a dusty, golden vase. Laying on some, broken down chairs. Ranma, keeping his smile on his face. Since it's been a while, since he has been soo excited. Stretching a bit, as he called out the guys. Erging them to go on, pointing at the only door in the room. Laharl, and Kiba, they shrugged, while Ren was his usual cool self, and Issei showed excitement to continue as well. As they started walking toward the door, suddenly masses of blood, appeared on the floor. Stoping the devils, and suddenly some monsters emerged from those pools of blood. They looked twisted. As these creatures stand slightly slouched with skeletally thin builds and extraordinarily long claws for fingers. They don't have any hair and their skin is a bloody pinkish hue with several tears and stretches all over. Their mouth is stitched shut and their eyes are removed, leaving only the outline of the skull to peer through the covers of skin. Laharl, immediately realized, in what place, this dungeon is styled. Specifically, Splatterhouse 2010. And these are the most common, enemies of that game, called the Flesh Homini. The homini, roared aggressive at the devils. After seeing these things, Issei manifested his Boosted Gear on his right hand. Taking his stance, standing next to Kiba, already aiming his blade at the enemy. Ren, pulling out his Storm Flower, a pair of green, sickled smgs. Ranma, standing beside Laharl, stood in his loose, Anything Goes stance. Laharl chuckled and said a phrase from the game, "Let's paint the walls red!!"
Homini, rushed forward only to be riddle with magical bullets. From Ren's weapon. Splattering blood, everywhere. Issei and Ranma ran in together. Ranma leaping into the air, performing a brutal flying kick. That launched the eyeless ghoul, straight to a wall. Meanwhile Issei smashed his guantlet fist, on another homini's face. All the while, Laharl covered Ren. When more of these splatterhouse ghouls, appeared he'd cut them down with his sword. Kiba, in a flash joined Issei and Ranma, in fighting the rest of monsters. Using his special technique he calls the Blade Rush Varient. After Laharl gave him a special manual with the Blade Rush technique. He'd trained and trained, until he came up with this attack. Blasting forward in a blur, a short burst almost Godspeed, he rush slash a homini. Cleaving it in two, then another burst he slew another, then another, and another. Blitzing around the room, in near invisible speed, cutting down all the enemies. While Issei, Ren, and Kiba are new too this, and all have experience fighting. As well as having, Ranma and Laharl as back up, in case of anything. Their teamwork, is more than making up, for their low level. Plus it didn't not help, that homini, are the weakest monster in the Splatterhouse series. After some time, they'd crushed, slashed, and shot down all the homini, literally splattering blood all over the mansion room. Issei, was a bit grossed out, along with Ren. As they'd asked is this is normal for dungeon, Laharl shuke his head and responded, "Not for some dungeon, but yes to this one, especially on what game is based off." as the red, and blue floating orbs, manifested from the homini's bodies. Laharl gave a brief rundown of Splatterhouse, a horror theme, hack-n-slash game. Regardless this dungeon theme, still not being clear until the next area. They'd have to go on. Absorbing the exp-drops, immediately Ren, Kiba, and Issei felt a surge of power. Breaking through into a new level, Laharl explained that what a level-up, feels like. As Laharl walked over to the door, Kiba remembered something. He said, "Laharl, don't you usually collect hunted monsters, and sell them?" Laharl turned to Kiba, and basically told him, that Splatterhouse is real twisted, demonic shit. Last thing they need is these material corrupting...more corrupting a Underworld noble. Or worse summon, one of the screwed of things, from that series into their world. So he'll not collect or loot anything from this area. Kiba, and the others understood, as they went beside Laharl. And they opened the door, leading to a wooden, and totally "not" haunted hallway... Yeah Laharl, already has a feeling that, this dungeon is going to be a pain. He just knew it. And with that this dungeon dive, has officially begun...