"What's taking so long?" Malice growled at the new lead ritualist, a bruzak whose name she didn't know. It's not that she had forgotten it, she just hadn't bothered to learn it. "We've been here for hours and nothing is happening!"
"My lady…" The squat, flat-faced demon stammered, wilting under her icy glare. "T-the Core Guardian was only defeated an hour ago, and the other monsters in the area are causing delays-"
"I don't want excuses, I want results." Malice took a menacing step towards the cowering demon, grabbing a fistful of her dark robes. The stinging pain crisscrossing the succubus's back had cut her notoriously short temper to a hair trigger, and she was well past the point of tolerating anything but perfection from her subordinates. "We're already behind schedule. The assault force is waiting. If we miss the transfer window and not all of them get through, you are going to be the one standing in front of Zertrolk explaining what went wrong."
"We'll get it done, my lady!" She squeaked, crimson eyes wide as she glanced at the rent, still bleeding corpse of her predecessor. "I'll get the arcanists started right away!"
Malice made a disgusted noise and released her, shoving away the terrified demon. The pathetic creature slipped, nearly losing her footing and plunging to her death in the chasm beside them. Unfortunately, she managed to catch herself before stumbling over the precipice and falling into the dark jungle far below. Too bad, at least that would have been entertaining. Still, the spike of terror Malice tasted from her was a sweet distraction from the enormous headache this entire operation had turned into. Tight timetables, an accelerated schedule due to the Labyrinth's recent abnormalities, and worst of all-
"Is there a problem, Malice?"
The cold, emotionless voice cut through her like a dagger, making the fresh wounds in her back ripple with fiery pain. The succubus turned, adopting an expression of contempt as she folded her wings behind her.
"Of course not, Zertrolk. Merely…" She nudged the ritualist's corpse with her foot, sliding it over the edge of the cliff to tumble out of sight. "Addressing one of my subordinate's concerns."
She forced a playful smile onto her lips even as the frigid aura of the Ice Demon settled around her. Zertrolk's form resolved from the shadow of the nearby ruins, overgrown with jungle vines. He was tall and muscular, with midnight skin and equally dark armor adorned with curved spikes. The demon carried a crimson blade in one hand, its tip dragging along the ancient, cracked cobblestones beneath their feet. His mere presence felt like being crushed by an avalanche, freezing pressure squeezing her from all sides. Even Malice's impressive aura strength was not enough to keep the sensation fully at bay, although she was loath to admit it.
"Good." His blank expression didn't change, nor did the unnervingly emotionless void that was his mind. "Because there's been a change of plans."
"What change?" Malice snapped, annoyed at being kept out of the loop. It was difficult enough to see the plan to its completion without the details constantly changing behind her back. "What is it this time?"
Zertrolk's eyes narrowed. It was a slight gesture, hardly noticeable. But for him, it spoke volumes.
"My lord." Malice hastened to add, inclining her head even as her claws dug into her own palms with enough force to draw blood.
"The Lady Ira will be joining the assault force and taking command of the operation to seize the Earth artifact."
"Lady Ira?" Malice's heart skipped a beat, and a deeper chill ran through her body, completely unrelated to Zertrolk's oppressive aura.
"Indeed. And it wouldn't do for her to be… displeased."
"No… Not at all." Malice said, barely managing to suppress a shudder.
For the briefest of moments, the succubus tasted something within the utter emptiness of her commander's mind. The sweet, lively taste of anxiety was unmistakable. Knowing that even Zertrolk was shaken by the imminent arrival of Lord Vastrozun's right-hand woman did nothing to set Malice at ease, but it did give her a minor sense of satisfaction.
"I'm leaving." The other demon said curtly. He turned to face the glow of the distant Core, a jagged, diamond shaped floating crystal about the size of a two-story building. The top of the enormous blue gemstone was just visible through the jungle foliage and crumbling ruins at the edge of the cliff. "Preparations for the unification rituals on the fourth floor have been interrupted. I'm going to set them back on track before Lady Ira arrives."
You just don't want to be here when she comes through. Malice thought bitterly, knowing that if anything went wrong and Zertrolk wasn't present, she would feel the sting of the commander's displeasure.
"Do you have a problem with that?" He must have caught a subtle change in her expression, and she reprimanded herself for letting anything show on her face. "My vanguard already destroyed the guardian of this place. Do you lack confidence in your ability to oversee a small group of researchers?"
"I'm more than capable." Malice snapped, unable to hold in her temper any longer. "But there's still a swarm of monsters in the jungle, and those idiots keep getting themselves killed. I can't be everywhere at once, and the entry portal we forced open only allowed so many warriors in here to guard them with."
"Yes, monsters." Zertrolk's lips curled upwards in a smile. He glanced at the bloodied ground where the corpse of the researcher she'd eviscerated had been lying. "I'm sure that's the problem. Fine, I'll leave one of my enforcers with you. Any more, and the zone restrictions could compromise the connection. Forcing this many of ours inside it already has it growing unstable."
"Very well." Malice growled. She spun on her heels, marching back towards the faintly glimmering core.
"I expect this transition to go smoothly, Malice." Zertrolk didn't raise his voice as she stalked away. He didn't need to. "Your loss of the dimension effusion was an unacceptable failure. Be grateful that I am the one in command here. Not all would have given you a second chance."
She stopped in her tracks.
"We didn't need all of it." Malice growled, fists clenching tighter. She imagined them closing around Zertrolk's neck, slowly squeezing the life out of his cold, damnable eyes. The dream remained a fantasy. At least, for now. "And I will not forget the humiliation of your lesson."
"Good." Zertrolk said flatly, his voice as emotionless as ever. "Pain is a powerful motivator. Now, see to your task."
Oh, it is a powerful motivator. She thought as she walked away.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Somehow, she didn't think that the goal she had in mind was the one he had intended to push her towards, however. But that was okay. Zertrolk may be able to best her in a direct confrontation, but that wasn't the only way to get to someone. Once they were done here…
Malice's growing smile faded, her thoughts returning to the presence. For all the burning hatred she felt towards their passionless demon commander, he was right about one thing. There were those who were far less tolerant of failure than he, perceived or genuine. And the fearsome woman who numbered first on that list was about to arrive.
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System Notice
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Now entering Primordial Jungle Core Space, Earth Core #7
Jade emerged from the swirling vortex of energy on full alert, wary of danger. She minimized the system window and took in her surroundings, extending her aura to search for any nearby creatures or monsters. Nothing registered to her senses, magical or otherwise, but she didn't allow herself to relax. The portal had deposited her in the midst of a thick jungle filled with tall trees and broad bushes that came up to her shoulder. The undergrowth was cleared away in a small radius around the portal arch, but other than a small trail immediately in front of her, the dense plant growth appeared nearly impassable. Small gaps in the canopy let in rays of orange-tinted sunlight, but the foliage was thick enough to plunge the jungle floor in deep shadow.
Nothing emerged from the jungle to attack her, nor did any demons arrive to challenge her arrival. Other than the faint chirping of birds and buzzing of insects, she appeared to be alone. Not taking anything for granted, Jade spent a few minutes scouting around the portal to make sure there weren't any hidden enemies lying in wait, as well as to get her bearings. Her bruzak form was bulkier than she was accustomed to, and she disliked how clumsy she felt wearing it. Still, the strength boost the form offered helped her push through the thick undergrowth with surprising ease, and it didn’t take long for her to confirm that the area was safe enough, at least for the moment.
As she cautiously explored, Jade realized that this was the first time she'd been alone in over a week. Monster hunting with a party and camping together in hostile wilderness didn't lead to many private moments. Normally, that wouldn't have mattered, but Jade had recently been battling a growing personal need that was becoming harder to ignore with each passing day. As much as it annoyed her, she couldn't escape the reality of being a succubus. After so long without release, a moment of privacy was all it took to flood her mind with the most indecent of thoughts.
"Not the time, Jade!" She told herself forcefully, trying to banish a variety of images from her mind. "I knew I should've taken care of this in the city…"
Jade pulsed her aura again, confirming that she was alone. Once more there was nothing, and Jade's eyes were drawn to a bed of moss growing between a cluster of rocks, mostly hidden from view. She stopped, conflicted. This was a terrible idea, but so was potentially going into battle as distracted and uncomfortable as she was. This had all been manageable before she'd pulled that stunt with her rune trap the other day. And now that she was thinking about it again, it was getting even harder to push from her mind…
"Fuck it." Jade grunted, slipping between the rocks and shifting into her succubus form. As she did, the nagging intrusive thoughts flared into burning need. She lay atop her cloak on the soft moss and retrieved the vampire novel she'd started reading in Lysara from her dimension pouch, as well as a few select items she'd discretely picked up while in the city…
A few minutes later a somewhat breathless and newly energized Jade, now back in her bruzak disguise, resumed her cautious exploration of the area with a spring in her step. Her skin tingled, body buzzing with a power more intense than she was accustomed to. Part of her wondered at that, even as she tried to cleanse the embarassing lapse of self-control from her memory. The Voice of the Labyrinth helpfully presented the answer to her in the form of a notification.
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System Notice
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Your desires are sated. +1 to all stats for the next hour.
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This effect doesn't stack… so don't get too carried away.
There was a distinct note of amusement in the Voice of the Labyrinth's tone, which Jade could've done without.
Are you serious…
Hadn't she turned down a similar racial power? That one had been much more potent, but apparently the release of a succubi's desires could be potent enough to manifest physically, even without specific powers.
"Well… No one said saving the world couldn't be fun…" Jade muttered to herself, deciding that she may as well embrace the absurdity of her life. She took a moment to adjust her armor, having just learned that it had a hidden benefit: Not needing to be removed before...
Enough! She shook herself, feeling her cheeks burn hotter. Okay, okay… back to work.
Now imbued with a somewhat distressing level of mental clarity, Jade investigated the path leading from the portal entrance. It led to a thinner section of jungle that abruptly ended in a broad chasm that extended down at least two hundred feet, with more shadowed jungle in its depths. Twisting paths along the cliff walls provided clear, if treacherous, routes into the valley, but that wasn't the only way to the other side. Spanning the hundred-or-more foot gap was an ancient stone bridge supported by spindly pillars rising from the valley below. The narrow path lacked any form of railing or barrier that would prevent a careless step from resulting in a deadly plunge, and even Jade's stomach lurched as she took in what had to be the sketchiest causeway she'd ever seen. It was even worse than the deathtrap of a factory she'd started her adventure in. Those catwalks had at least been sturdy, and the drop potentially survivable.
But that was all secondary to Jade, as her focus was immediately drawn to the enormous crystal rising from the overgrown, crumbing ruins on the other side of the chasm. It emanated a soft, blue light and, even from this distance, she could see the swirling energy crackling within its many facets.
That's where Malice will be. She thought, scanning the other side of the gap for any signs of life. And whatever demons she brought with her.
Moments after laying eyes on what had to be the Labyrinth Core, a notification popped up in her vision. It was a completed quest for entering a Core Space and was accompanied by a deluge of experience. After blinking away the update Jade was met with several more.
New Quest: Conqueror
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You have entered a Core Space connected to your home world. Deactivation of this nexus will slow the planetary extraction, and the deactivation of all linked cores will bring the current integration to an end. Since that's probably why you're here, this quest has automatically been accepted.
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Reward: Extreme experience gain.
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Reward: 6,000 crescent coins.
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Reward: Planetary extraction speed permanently reduced.
The Voice of the Labyrinth read the message in her characteristically chipper tone, which was completely at odds with the gravity of the situation. Indeed, Jade felt a growing anger at the reminder of how little regard the system gave to the true nature and consequences of this 'integration'. She took a deep breath and calmed herself before reading the next one. Her eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
"Finally!"
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Level Up!
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You have reached Level 20.
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Reward: +2 stat points.
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Reward: Pending advanced class selection.
This was immediately followed by another quest complete notification for 'Path to Power: Part 2' which yielded yet more experience and, more importantly, another notice.
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System Notice
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Congratulations! You have unlocked your Advanced Class.
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View Advanced Class options? (Y/N)
As excited as she was, Jade knew that this wasn't the time to pore through however many status windows examining her choices would take. The area near the portal seemed safe enough, she could bring her companions in before making her selection and venturing further afield. No sooner had she thought that than another notification popped up in her vision.
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System Notice
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This Core Space is experiencing anomalous activities by unregistered individuals.
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Warning: Monster spawn rates will be increased until the anomalous activities have ceased.
Jade paused, the portal just visible between the trees. Did that mean the Labyrinth was fighting back against the demons?
"That could be helpful…" She said aloud.
A rustling sound to her left caught her attention. Jade spun towards the noise, daggers appearing in her hands as her body moved with well-honed combat instincts. She reacted in time to avoid the black blur that streaked past, slamming into a tree behind her. Jade backed away, weapons at the ready, manifesting her aura blades around her daggers. She immediately recognized the wolf-like creature crouched before her, its long, curved stinger retracting to hover over its head, poised to strike again.
"Or be an enormous pain in the ass…" Jade said, an icy chill running down her spine.
The venomhound didn't wait for her to finish the thought.