Chapter 8: My first task.

At the top of mount Fira, I am looking at the blue lava with excitement written all over my face as I lean in closer with some anxiety at the thought of drinking lava. Personally, I didn't know if it was going to end up smoothly or if it was going to be another pain bath.

Since I started training magic, I've experienced a few pain baths, and I don't know how to feel about it, it's as if I'll become a masochist if I'm not careful.

Once again focusing my attention on the volcano, I consider jumping in, but immediately shake off the ideas since there's a high chance I'll get hurt or even die, after all, this volcano is supposedly magic and capable of destroying strong magical artifacts with little to no repercussions.

"Are you sure it's safe to put your face that close-in?... This is really weird, we're so close but it's not hot." Happy lets out his concerns seeing me get closer to the volcanic crater.

"I would say it's probably fine, and Maltus said this place is magic, so I assume it's part of its natural properties to not emit heat. Well, can't wait forever. Bottle up!"

Moving my head as close as possible without falling in, I decide to mix is my spells for a better effect, making a kind of hybrid between two of my spells.

"Gluttony Dragon's insatiable void!" At that moment I do something rather crafty and focus on the properties of both my spells Gluttony Dragon's hunger and Gluttony Dragon's vacuum, one being the base of my devouring ability and the other a representation of my ravenous nature as a gluttony dragon slayer, both belonging to the void element.

I concentrate a great amount of Ethernano in my mouth then apply the properties of both spells at the same time, slowly pulled the lava towards me while preparing myself to devour it.

The blue lava began rating towards my mouth as the suction force of the spell takes action and it swirls in.

"Hhhuurrrrgg." A muffled groan of pain escapes my opened mouth as I feel the immense heat from the blue lava and do my best to not close my mouth as tears slide down my face.

*Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp*

Infernum installs itself in my mouth, throat, and stomach as I feel myself burn from the inside out! My veins once again greed me as I strengthen myself not to waver as the excruciating pain intensifies! The bulges are visible all over my body with my muscle tension reaching new levels, and I feel they might tear at any moment if this h

Goes on for too long!

*Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp*

At this point, I have somewhat lost myself and realized something scary! While the blue lava damages my body due to its heavy ethernano density and quantities it's also healing me because of my <Eat-healing> characteristic of dragon slayer magic. This leads to an infinite cycle of pain as I heal and burn down my insides!

*Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp*

My mental is only barely hanging in and if I was to close my eyes at all, I wouldn't open them again.

*Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp*

I began to slow down as my mind is slowly fading into darkness.

(No! Like hell, I'm going to fall like this after getting this far! This pain is nothing! That all you got!) I open my eyes wide again and put all my strength into sucking in the blue lava! Thanks to my <Gluttonous Void Devourer> I could increase the strength of suction by a current 10 times the max!

[You have destroyed and reconstructed your internal organs in a form of self-torture to prove you are the 'Gluttonous Void Devourer' and so you did! Even with your mind in rags, the world is still yours to devour and none shall stop you!! As proof of that, your skill 'Pain tolerance' has evolved into 'Pain Resistance' and you've acquired the 'Fire Resistance' skill, then finally you have created the title 'Devouring masochist Kaory'!] Just as the notification settled in, the great pain and heat I felt slowly reduced to an incredibly bearable level.

*Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp*

In a bit, I recovered my strength, and even though still mentally tired I could pull through and consume it all, steam coming out of my mouth.

[You have consumed and assimilated the magma(molten rock) 'Blue Lava' and have gained some benefits from it. You have gained 'blue lava magic', 'Rot resistance', 'Earth resistance', and 'Holy Attack resistance']

[You have consumed the magma(molten rock) 'Blue Lava' and duo to its immense quantities of Ethernano, your Ethernano pool(mp) will be greatly expanded commencing process.... Process failed, individual 'Kaory' does not currently have a body capable of supporting such a large quantity of Ethernano. Adjusting Ethernano expansion by individual 'Kaory's' current standard... Process complete.]

I sigh in relief seeing there are gains, but I'm also not sure if this was worth it, so I just decide to look at my status to see what changed.

[Status]

[

Name: Kaory Gluttonics

Gender: Male(?)

Age: 13 years old

Race: Void half-dragon(Humanoid)

Class: Guild mage(Fairy Tail)

Physique: Gluttony void dragon(Awoken, incomplete), Demon Duke(Awoken, incomplete)

Bloodline: Demon Duke(Awoken, incomplete), Death dragon(Awoken, incomplete)

Magic: Gluttony Dragon slayer, Death God slayer, Blue lava

Mana control physiques: Type-1(mana circuit), Type-2(Mana core), Type-3(Non-personal)

Magic efficiency: 50%(Speed 50%, output 50%)

NMC(natural mana corrosion):0%

Affinity: Null, Void, Death, Fire, Earth, Holy, Rot

Status: Anxious and Feeling lingering pain

Title: Devouring masochist Kaory

Rank: D

Level: 1

HP: 70/70 |Ethernano(mp): 120

Attack:4.5

Defense:7.0

Intelligence:6.0

Speed:4.0

Unique skills: Gluttonous Void Devourer, Deadly Null Reaper

Skills:

Active:

Passive: Language comprehension, Mana sense, mana manipulation, mana corrosion barrier

Resistances: Pain Resistance, Physical attack Tolerance, Magic tolerance, Natural elements tolerance, Status abnormality immunity, Disease/sickness immunity, hybrid attack tolerance, Holy and Demonic Attack tolerance, Spiritual attack tolerance, Temperature tolerance, Mental attack tolerance, Fire Resistance, Rot resistance, Earth resistance, and Holy Attack resistance

Magic:

Basic spells:

-Gluttony Dragon's roar(Null), Gluttony Dragon's claw(Null), Gluttony Dragon's devouring fist(Void), Gluttony Dragon's hunger(Void), Gluttony Dragon's vacuum(Void), Gluttony Dragon's stomach(Void).

-Death God's sweet touch, Death God's reaping scythe, Death God's Omnipresence, Death God's piercing eyes, Death God's revival.

-Blue Lava magic: Lava rain, Blue Lava magic: Tower, Blue Lava magic: Blue sky, Blue Lava magic: Lava wall, Blue Lava magic: Lavafall, Blue Lava magic: Lava spit

Advanced spells:

-Gluttony Dragon's insatiable void(Void)]

(my progress feels like it's tempered with baby steps, but I shouldn't let that get to me.) I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed at the small improvements. If this keeps up It'll take a while before I can get to the level Nullus wants.

(Now... WTH System?! What was going through your processor when you gave me that title?! I'm not a frikin masochist!!) I was completely dissatisfied with that stupid title, why? Just why? That was what I was thinking.

[Titles are given in accordance with your achievements host, so it is your fault you were given such a title. If you don't wish to receive titles similar to this one, you should better yourself and stop complaining.] The system had the same old the cold mechanical voice as it was once again going back to its habit of trying to spiral me down the path of depression, what it doesn't know is that 'I've been there, done that.', so its attempts are in vain.

"Happy! It's time to go back! I wanna try a new trick." I turn to Happy and announce with eagerness.

"You... YOU JUST ATE LAVA?! And I thought Natsu was weird but this guy is a whole new level." Happy was in shock about what I just did, and had his mouth wide open in a way that reminded me of Chopper from One Piece.

"I can eat basically anything, now let's get down to business. The others could probably use some help, and even if we can't fight, we can still distract the enemy, or I can use my abilities to help." I say confidently having already confirmed that I can use my Null element to stop a mage from using magic, I don't know how long it lasts but it should be enough for the others to deal with the enemy, besides I still have to test my Death God magic and my Blue lava magic.

With that in mind, I decided to test Blue lava magic first since I don't want to accidentally kill anyone.

"Aye!" Happy quickly agrees and grabs onto me then flies back to the battlefield.

While I and Happy were going back to the fight, things already advanced with the others and not exactly to the good side.

"This guy just doesn't stop shouting... My ears hurt so bad!" Natsu commented as he was looking at Vin standing I'm front of him at a few meters distance. Natsu is now full of bruises and even looks somewhat tired but nothing looks too serious, while Vin is standing nearly unharmed.

"Natsu! We're here to back you up." just as he was getting worried about how things might turn out, Natsu heard Lucy's voice as she came running towards him with Angelica following right after.

"Lucy, what are you doing?... WAIT IS THAT ERZA?! What is that monster doing here?!" Natsu finally became aware of his surroundings and noticed Erza's presence as the fear of the armored woman dawned on him.

"That armored lady, Erza was it? Asked us to help you ~Puru." Angelica explained.

".... Even if that's the case, stay out of this. This fight is between me and that loudmouth over there. I know I can win, just give me a bit." Natsu turned serious and said before looking at Vin.

"Natsu... Ok, but be careful." Lucy was clearly worried but seeing how serious Natsu is about this she couldn't put herself to interfere.

"Ah, this must be a joke! You're going to let him do something this stupid when he's definitely outmatched! That's just too reckless. Why?!" Angelica couldn't understand why they would let their companion risk his life in a fight when they could at least outnumber the enemy.

"Yes, it's reckless but it's also part of our growth, Natsu believes this is an obstacle that he has to overcome on his own, but he also knows that if it turns out to be more than he can handle, we will be there to help him get back up right into the action. That's how we Fairy Tail mages do things, at least that's what I've seen in the little time I've been in the guild." Lucy gave Angelica har sentimental reasoning.

"Hum... Fine, do it your way. ~Puru(First that Bossy and crazy redhead and now these two... Fairy Tail members are just as foolish as the rumors say... If not more.)" Angelica accepted Lucy's response then had a thoughtful experience.

"Thanks, let's keep an eye on things in case Natsu needs a hand." Lucy smiled at Angelica as she said so.

Angelica nodded and followed, they seem to have become spectators of the fight.

Natsu quickly reduced the distance between him and Vin then throw a punch at him, which Vin dodged before seeing Natsu's foot coming to his face as Natsu did an upside-down spinning kick, but once again Vin was able to dodge without putting in too much effort.

"I'm done with you! Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu once again launched a flamethrower from his mouth towards Vin.

At the small distance left between them, Vin didn't find a gap he could use to escape, so his only option was to use his voice to disrupt Natsu but.

*Boom!*

*Cough* *Cough*

"I WAS TOO CARELESS! AND NOOOOWWWW, I WAS HIIIIIT!" Vin coughed after distancing himself from Natsu, then began Yelling his words out but didn't add magic to it.

"Stop shouting! What are you even trying to do? Let's just fight!" Natsu couldn't understand why this guy was acting like this but he didn't seem to care much anyway.

"I AM SIIIINNNNGGGIIINNNGG!" Vin kept shouting normally with no magic.

Hearing that, Natsu had an expression of disgust looking at Vin. Even Lucy and Angelica had similar expressions on.

"Does he seriously think that screaming like that counts as singing?" Lucy asked in a worried and shocked manner.

"Lunatics seem to attract other lunatics.~Puru" Angelica mumbled as she looked at Vin with a face that said 'PATHETIC'.

"Huh? Did you say something, Angelica?" Lucy inquired as she saw her mumbling.

"It's nothing. ~Puru" Angelica replied while avoiding eye contact with Lucy.

Lucy didn't think much of it and focused on what was going on with Natsu again.

Natsu and Vin were engaged in physical combat, and even though Vin was dodging all of Natsu's attacks he also wasn't hitting that was until.

"ENOUGH!" Vin's voice was powerful and Natsu with his dragon slayer enhanced hearing couldn't take it.

"Aaaaarrrrgghh!" A groan of pain escaped Natsu as his eyes went white for a second.

Vin didn't wait around and immediately went in for consecutive punches on Natsu's face before finishing with a kick on his stomach.

Natsu who was sent back quite a few meters was now barely standing with shaky legs while grabbing his stomach and clenching his teeth. He squinted his eyes looking at Vin with a conflicted expression that mainly showed rage.

"It's not looking good for him, are we just going to watch? Also, I don't think I can take listening to that guy's voice again. ~Puru." Angelica who was slightly trembling with her paws covering her ears complained to Lucy as the situation felt dire.

"You're right! Natsu can't take too much more of this. Open the gate of the Golden Bull Taurus!"

A tall, heavily muscular, and athletic humanoid whose physical features are highly reminiscent of a bull appears. This being is one of Lucy's celestial spirits, which are magical beings that live in their own world called the Celestial Spirit World. Celestial mages like Lucy make contracts with them and they work together in accordance with the contracts.

"Miss Lucy's nice body is as beautiful as ever! I must protect it at all cost!" Taurus turned to Lucy with hearts in his eyes and started fawning over Lucy's in his words 'Nice Body'.

"Taurus, now's not the time for that! Go and help Natsu beat that guy!" Lucy was annoyed at Taurus' perversion but did have time to be wasting on that right now.

"Even the celestial spirit lost its mind... Just what is this guild? ~Puru." Angelica commented in total disapproval of Taurus.

"Right up! Everything for miss Lucy and her nice body." Taurus finished drooling over Lucy then turned serious and got closer to Vin quite fast before pulling his axe and slashing it down on Vin.

"A COW?! YOOOO!? THAT IS CRAZY!" Vin Shouted with no magic while dodging the attack.

This fight changed as Lucy, and Angelica also joined right after making it a 4 Vs 1.

On the other side, Erza and the Karate woman were getting at it.

A collision between fist and sword creates an impact, then both of them step back.

"Your physical prowess is impressive and I can't easily find gaps in your defense. But you still seem to lack something, without it I can't see you ever winning this fight." Erza makes her analysis and tells the Karate woman, what she thinks, while she's holding a sword in each hand.

"Hehehe, you're an odd one, saying something like that to the enemy. So, what do you think I'm missing?" She responded in a sarcastic tone, not taking it seriously. Then she goes straight at Erza with fast punches.

"You lack the determination to give it your all, even though your movements are good, it feels like your not putting much into them, it's almost mechanical and thus predictable." Erza dodged the punches sent at her while giving her reply, before countering with her attacks.

The Karate woman was fast and wasn't hit by most of the sword slashes but a few of them landed before they distanced themselves from each other.

"What?! What are you talking about? I'm a prodigy of the quick fist technique! I've trained more than anyone I've known every single day! Don't you dare say I'm not giving it my all!!" The Karate woman seemed very offended by Erza's words as she charged at her much faster than before.

"No, you misunderstood me. What I'm saying is that your fighting style is too close to the book, you play it safe to such an extreme you end up creating unwanted gaps that can easily be explored by someone more experienced, when I said you lack determination, I meant you're willing to risk your life with your movements and I can use that to my advantage, oh and you also lack variety, you use the same type of attack in excess." Erza didn't seem pressed and was lecturing the Karate woman while not being hit by a single one of her moves.

"LIES! I've never experienced something like that! If you think you can destabilize me and make me lose my concentration then you better think again!" The Karate woman didn't believe Erza for a second, since who in their right mind would train their enemy while they fighting?

"That is probably because you're never faced anyone stronger than you seriously. But you can choose not to believe me, just know you'll be wasting your potential that way." Erza didn't seem bothered and just said what she thought as they exchanged blows.

Slowly but surely The Karate woman was getting tired and Erza's upper hand became more evident by the second.

"No! I'm not going to lose to someone who insulted all my efforts like that! I can't allow it to happen!" The Karate woman didn't give up despite the blunt truth right in front of her, she's not good enough.

"Admirable, but as you are now. You will never beat me." Erza answered before she accelerated and with three clean slashes, The Karate woman fell on the ground unconscious.

"Even though I expected this, I'm still a little disappointed. Well, I better go check on Natsu and the others." Erza left to join the others in their fight.

"She's a total monster! I thought I might have to help with a sneak attack but it was a one-sided slaughter... As expected of Erza. I still have a long way to go." Gray who was laying down to recover his strength nearby, couldn't help but to comment seeing the large difference in power between Erza and himself.

Just as Gray was reflecting on the long path ahead of him, Erza reached Natsu and the others.

Erza arrived and found the four of them slowly cornering and even though his shouts would make it hard for Natsu or Angelica to stay standing with Taurus on him and Lucy as a distraction they were able to keep Vin at bay, they also discovered that he's actually better in close combat than he let on to be in the beginning, so it's still not being easy.

The fight went on for a while before it finally got close to an end.

Taurus came in for an attack with his axe which Vin dodged, but as he was about to counter, Natsu came in.

"Fire Dragon's iron fist!" With his flame fist aiming Vin's stomach.

"DAMMNN IIITTT!" Vin's voice once again was like a demonic screech trying to drill people's brains.

Natsu didn't properly hit but still scratched Vin with his attack, and just when Vin wanted to attack Natsu.

"Hey handsome, Wanna have some fun?" Lucy tried her best at being seductive as she said this is a sexy pose.

Vin was simply visible confused rather than aroused.

"My chance! Impulse magic: Drill kick! ~Puru" Angelica who was flying above Vin used a spell and came down on Vin's face spinning with a powerful kick on his face.

Vin's head hits the ground as he's knocked out cold.

"Finally! Hahahaha! That annoying guy is down! Who's next?!" Natsu was laughing like any typical villain as he looked at Vin.

"Thank you for your work Taurus!" Lucy said with a smile as she sat on the ground.

"Miss Lucy, you could reward me by letting me feel those-" Taurus went back to perv mode and immediately got unsummoned by Lucy.

"Seriously, why do you tolerate the Cow's behavior?" Angelica had an expression of disdain talking about Taurus.

"He's a bit inappropriate at times but he gets the job done and most importantly, he's my friend." Lucy had another smile while giving her reasoning.

Angelica could only sigh and shake her head saying nothing.

"All of you! I'm very disappointed in that fight! You all lacked coordination and fought for yourselves rather than as a team. Besides that, you also made some simple mistakes and didn't use proper timing! If you want to one day become rank S mages you'll have to improve a lot!" Erza began giving everyone a lecture with a very serious and intimidating expression.

Natsu shivered in fear while the rest were just overwhelmed by how sudden this lecture was. Erza nagged them about their mistakes for a while longer before saying their fight was passible at best.

"Aaarrrrghhhh!!!" While they were doing that they heard a groan of pain and turned only to see Maltus fall down to the ground with several injuries all over his body.

".... Who would have thought that this beta could force me to use the booster lacrima? Maybe he's got more backbone than I thought. Hahaha... And you little fairies are simply too problematic, I honestly never thought you would be able to beat Lya, maybe Vin or Yoro, but not her. I'm impressed, even though it seems like it was only possible because some new people joined in. Whatever, I can't see the brat, so I assume he already went ahead to destroy the wand? Well, if the wand is gone then I'll have to make sure all of you are as well, just consider it compensation for all my losses." Cari sounded calm even though she understood that she essentially lost, but the bloodlust coming from her body was enough to know that she's hellbent on killing every here.

Just she finished her declaration, I and Happy arrive.

Before anyone could say anything Cari let around her Ethernano to put spiritual pressure on everyone and even though it couldn't by any means ever be compared to Nullus' pressure, Cari's pressure was the highest I've felt besides it.

Everyone had their eyes wide open looking at the massive tower of ethernano coming out of her. It reminded me of how Gildarts did the same to Natsu in the Tenrou arc.

"Everyone be ready! This won't be easy!" Erza got serious as she took a stance ready for anything to come.

"This is crazy! How can someone have such a massive ethernano pool?!" Lucy was in semi-panic.

"Is Maltus also insane?! This was the person he wanted to fight on his own?!" Angelica was in a similar state to Lucy.

"This! Hahaha! I'm getting all fired up!" Natsu said so but his slightly trembling body betrayed his words and confident smile.

"So, this is how I'm going to die? I didn't expect it to happen so soon... I'm sorry Ur, it seems your disciple's journey is ending earlier than expected." Gray who had rejoined the group was just as astounded, by the current situation.

"What a monster, aye!" Happy was worried.

"You gotta be kidding me!" I couldn't help but say looking at how absurd the situation is, especially considering this is supposed to be my first quest!!

"What? Are you little fairies afraid? Come and let mommy Cari show you the cold embrace of death." Cari spoke with her voice putting pressure on everyone.

[Task has been given!

Task #1-Survive and Slap! that bitch!

You have found one dangerous foe in your first mission and have a high chance of dying. Just don't.

Mission objective

-Survive the fight with Cari for 15 minutes.

Secondary objective(Optional)

-Slap Cari on the face.

Mission reward

-10 levels, and enchantment magic

Secondary Mission reward

-Delete 'character'(Cari), humanoid-Dragon form

Failure condition

-Death

Failure punishment

Eternal suffering of your soul]

(Holy.... Fuck my luck!) I thought as I looked at my first task.