The Labyrinth City (V)

[!You have been attacked in your sleep!]

Izuku's eyes snapped open, bloodshot as he instinctively reacted in a way he never imagined he would have been able to. His body, knowing exactly how much danger he was in, fully Draconified instinctively as Izuku grabbed the sword that had been lodged in his chest and threw it away.

[Status

Title: The Gamer

Level: 99

Name: Izuku Midoriya

Stats

Health: -15%

Stamina: 97.5%

Argent Energy: 82%]

Incensed, he shot to his feet and grabbed his attacker by the throat before he could even identify them. By the time Izuku realized it was actually a man with animal ears, he was a twitch away from snapping the man's neck with the crushing force of his grip.

"Hmph," Izuku snorted as he threw the man back. "Are you fucking insane? Who just attacks… Oh, right. Exposed Nature," Izuku realized.

He'd been worried this would happen. But true to his terrible luck, it hadn't been until he'd reached the 50th Floor; where all the Adventurers that could have reached this far down the Dungeon were guaranteed to be much stronger than the Adventurers he was likely to meet in the lower Safe Floors.

"S-shut up, you fucking monster. I'll kill you!" The man said as he fought the trembling of his body and let his years of combat experience guide him to his feet.

[Observed Status

Level: 62

Title: Vanargand

Name: ?

Stats

Health: ~65%

Stamina: ~100%

?: ~100%

Strength: ~65

Constitution: ~60

Dexterity: ~60

Agility: ~65

Intelligence: ~35

Wisdom: ~25

Will: ~45

Charisma: ~55

Description: This Werewolf hates you for you represent everything he fears; his own fears. He is a Level 6 Adventurer.]

"...You don't have to do this," Izuku bit his lip as he fought the negative feelings just looking at the werewolf inspired in him. "I can understand why you might think I'm one of the Dungeon's Monsters, but I'm not and I'm willing to look past this if you just walk away," he added.

Izuku was still extremely angry to have been attacked in his sleep and almost killed while at his most vulnerable. But that was more an ingrained response that he'd developed back in Hell; there, where his fear would kill him, he had unknowingly trained himself to react with anger when he was actually being fearful.

"I don't believe you, monster! I-I have to kill you right here, right now or you'll just attack us once you've recovered," the werewolf said as he shifted his stance and prepared to lunge.

'Idiot, I don't even know how much need to hold back to not outright kill you,' Izuku grimly thought as he prepared himself mentally for this might end up being the reason he'd have to take another person's life. He had the Force Regulator Perk, but despite having full control of his strength, it wouldn't do him any good if he didn't know the difference between a killing force and one that just incapacitated a Level 6 Adventurer.

Fortunately, before the Werewolf could take so much as a step in Izuku's direction, he was restrained by an Elf and a Pallum; the Elf, Izuku could understand, but the Pallum… To him, it just looked like a normal human child.

"Bete, I know you're prone to reacting impulsively but this is too far even for you," The Pallum said as he stood before the Werewolf and faced Izuku.

"Clearly, that is a man and not a monster. Even… Even if his presence is unsightly," The Elf said. After a moment of pause, she added "No offense."

"I'm just happy to see there are people that can see that, at this point," Izuku mirthlessly said.

"Are you all blind?! Look at it! That aura… That monstrous body… Nothing about that thing is human." The Werewolf said with such ferocity he literally started foaming at the mouth.

"Since when do monsters do anything but fight with Adventurers to the death? I'm actively talking to you and trying to de-escalate the situation…" Izuku said.

"That's just a trick and I, for one, won't be fooled! Come on guys, help me kill this thing. It's got to be almost dead after taking my sword cleanly through its chest!" The Werewolf said.

Izuku's eyes narrowed as he stood silently waiting for what the two other Adventurers would end up doing. He understood words would not resolve the Werewolf's grievances and had given up on getting through to him. He just hoped the other two didn't get dragged into this mess as he felt entirely responsible for not picking a more obscure spot to rest at.

"Enough, Bete," the Pallum said as his voice hardened. "Follow me back to the encampment and let Riveria heal him before your actions disgrace us any further. We will be having words with Loki when we return."

"But Finn—"

"Do I need to make myself any more clear?" The Pallum darkly asked as the atmosphere around him seemed to grow heavier.

After that, Bete obeyed Finn and the two slowly walked away.

"I'm truly sorry to see you were attacked by Bete. By no means does it excuse his actions in almost killing another Adventurer, but I hope you can one day look past this. That man is a slave to his fears…" The Elf, Riveria, said as she took a deep bow.

"What? Oh, um… It's… It's not alright, but I can sort of understand. I know I have this "presence" about me that unnerves people," Izuku said as he undid his Draconification.

"Hah," Riveria chuckled. "I'm a Level 6 High-Mage Class Adventurer who's trained my mind far past the limits of most of my peers. Your presence does not simply unnerve me. No, it terrifies me to my very core."

"Uh… Then how can you be so nonchalant… and even approach me?" Izuku asked as he watched the Elf get closer. He was genuinely confused.

"That's because I can see past any irrational fears. I know you are not a Dungeon Monster and you're not looking for a fight. Furthermore, as someone who was attacked by a member of my Familia, it is my duty to at least treat the injuries Bete dealt you to the best of my abilities. May I?" Riveria asked.

"Can I at least know what you're going to do beforehand?"

"Did I not already tell you I was a High Mage?"

"Right. Magic… Sure, whatever… Go for it," Izuku's awkwardness struck with full force.

A 2D Array of green light thus appeared between Izuku and Riveria.

[Observed Status

Name: Healing Magic (Van Alheim)

Description: The Magic Circle within which the Magic Spell "Van Alheim" is inscribed. The spell cast forth from this Magic Circle will either split off to moderately heal up to a hundred Level 4 targets or be concentrated into fewer targets and more thoroughly heal them. The Gamer System's Interaction with this Magic Construct has determined that you possess "D Class Talent" for Healing Magic.]

When the light of the spell died out, Izuku couldn't help but nod; he was impressed. A single use of the Spell had taken him from -15% Health to nearly 80%. Then he noticed that Riveria's forehead was slick with sweat and she was panting softly.

'That must be one very energy intensive Ability to leave her this exhausted after just one use,' Izuku thought.

"Well… I must be on my way back to the encampment now," Riveria said after taking a few moments to recover.

"Oh, wait," Izuku called out to her before she could take more than a couple steps away. "The three of you guys are part of the Loki Familia, right?"

"Yes? Do you have any business with our Goddess?" Riveria asked, confused. She didn't know why that would matter, given he was a completely unknown character. Someone as recognizable and powerful as Izuku would be known to her if he'd previously had any business with Loki.

"Eh, Kind of," Izuku said as he went to pick up his backpack. "You see, while I was coming down the Dungeon, I met with a swordswoman from your Familia. She was maybe about a head shorter than me, blond hair, very stoic, and her name was Ais Wallenstein," he said, describing her as much as possible as he wasn't sure how known she might be even to her own Familia.

Not seeing Riveria's eyes widen, he continued, "Anyways, when I found her she was actually in the middle of a solo fight against the Monster Rex of the 37th Floor. She managed to kill it by herself,—" He withdrew the monster's Monster Core, further shocking Riveria, "—but she forgot to take this with her on her way back up to the surface."

"You seem like an honorable and trustworthy enough person. Can I leave this with you and entrust you to return this to her when you get back to the surface? I'd do it myself, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to suppress my presence enough to not cause a scene outside of the Dungeon…" He concluded.

"...Ais killed The Udaeus alone? Without your help at all?" Riveria asked as she accepted the Monster Core and looked at it with eyes that failed to hide her disbelief.

"That's right. She wasn't even aware I was there until after the battle was already over."

"I see… Well, thank you," she gave him another deep bow. "I will see to it that our Sword Princess receives this once our expedition to the 52nd Floor comes to an end. We're about to wrap things up."

"Take care then," Izuku said and the two split off.

[Side Quest Completed!

Side Quest(s)

The Forgotten Monster Core: Instead of returning The Forgotten Monster Core back to Ais herself, you've entrusted it to one of the elite Level 6 Adventurers of the Loki Familia. Your choice will doubtlessly make for a great first impression to the Loki Familia and the Goddess Loki herself. Perhaps, you've earned enough goodwill to be invited into her Familia before you managed to get a handle on your Exposed Nature. You should be able to find out by the end of the day after the Loki Familia's expedition comes to an end and word of your actions reaches the Trickster Goddess.]

…

[Observed Status

Name: Orb of Origin (Flowering)

Durability: 100/100

Description: A nearly-fully-matured Orb of Origin that has existed for several years. Its size suggests that it is a "Calamity Threat" if given the chance to mature and bloom into a Dungeon Outbreak. It could bloom anywhere from a couple of years to a couple of weeks from now. Destroying it now will release an Irregular Premature Calamity as well as an Irregular Juggernaut.]

[Main Quest Updated!

Progress: 3/28 Fragments Collected

Dungeon World Progression: Good News! You've discovered the location of another ? System Fragment! Bad News… To get it you'll need to Destroy the Orb of Origin before you. As You are, you will most certainly die if you choose to attempt to take it now. The Gamer System recommends that you return and try again once you've managed to at least uncover how strong the Monsters unleashed by Destroying this Orb will be; Increase your Observe Ability to at least Level 50 or do research on the topics of "Calamities" and "Juggernauts."]

"Yeah… I'm just going to take a sample and leave," Izuku muttered to himself.

He had reached the 55th Floor and found the Orb of Origin in a secluded part along the perimeter of the Floor without much fanfare. After eradicating King Balor and the army of Level 75 minions it strategically commanded, the strength of the monsters between the 51st and 55th Floor left him wanting. Izuku hadn't even felt the need to reassume his Demon Dragon Form as his Empowering and Hastening Runes more than ensured his safety whenever he found himself in a tight spot.

[Side Quest Updated!

Side Quest(s)

Ouranos' Exchange: You have gone above and beyond the call of duty and not only gathered samples of both the Orbs of Origin you were sent out to collect, but also destroyed one of them. You can now return to Ouranos to deliver the samples and receive your earned rewards!

Progress 1: 1/1 Sample of the "Orb of Origin (37th Floor)"

Progress 2: 1/1 Sample of the "Orb of Origin (55th Floor)"]

For a time, Izuku stood before the Orb of Origin with this idea feeling he couldn't quite describe. It felt wrong just thinking it, but he honestly thought he was feeling hollow; like, he couldn't believe he'd managed to get to where he was; like… He shouldn't have been able to get to where he was. No so quickly.

It was an irrational feeling, he reasoned. But it was one he felt even as he began to make his way back up to the surface.

To have gone from fighting for months on the First Circle of Hell and making steady and slow progress, to now effectively be blazing a path down where he could fight droves upon droves of Level 70+ Monsters in just a matter of days… It didn't feel real. I didn't feel like he'd earn it.

Though… For as cheap as this success had felt at the end of it all, he was just as happy to know he might soon be able to interact with normal people without them all thinking he was some kind of demonic monster. Even if at his core he now literally was one, he wanted to be able to speak to his mother and interact with the civilians of his Original World without frightening them all to death.

So, now being as familiar as he was with the first 55 Floors of the Dungeon, Izuku took off and aimed to reach the 39th Floor before resting once again. He took extra care in finding a place that almost no one would just stumble upon and passed a night without incident.

The next day he reached the 18th Floor before resting once again before, finally, after nearly two whole weeks after entering the Dungeon for the first time, he made it back to the surface… Only to realize it was still day out, and the Dungeon Entrance at the Ground Floor of the Tower of Babel was chock full of Adventurers.

'Really… I should have known better, when I started having to dash past more and more Adventurers the closer to the Surface that I got,' Izuku thought after using his inhuman speed to return to the Dungeon.

He then camped out on the First Floor and blurred passed any Adventurers that might have made their way past him until a few hours passed and the traffic died down to a near full stop. An hour after that, he checked the Surface again and confirmed that it was now deep into the night.

A few minutes later, he returned to the Guild and succeeded in scaring the staff to the point where even more advisors fainted than during his first visit before Ouranos appeared and took him to his home in the Room of Sealing.

"So? Tell me how your first experience in the Dungeon went," Ouranos asked, his lips quirking up to show the slightest hint of a smug smile.

"You know," Izuku started grumbling as he opened his backpack, "I would have appreciated it if you'd have told me the consequences of destroying an Orb of Origin." He still would have destroyed it anyways, if only to save even any potential Adventurer from the group that would have been sent that would have died, but it would have been nice to know the risks.

Izuku brought out the two boxes and handed them over to Ouranos, who remained amused until he opened them and instantly saw that they were, in fact, samples from two different Orbs of Origin.

Ouranos looked between the contents of the boxes and Izuku several times, before he eventually said, "I never actually expected you to even make it to the 30th Floor." He admitted, "To be honest, I thought your demonic aura was just a maladapted Skill that served to intimidate everyone around you. Now… I see it is a very literal measure of your strength."

"Oh…" Izuku slumped as he asked, "So, you're not going to give me the book that teaches presence concealment techniques?"

He grew desperate and added, "I mean, I know you said you'd have the Guild pay me for the Monster Cores I'd brought back, but I'd rather trade them all for that book if possible."

"That won't be necessary," Ouranos said, even as expertly hid his shock at the sight of the mountain of mostly Grade XVIII+ Monster Cores that had formed below the backpack Izuku was still holding up. "I am a God of my word, and these samples are more to me than both Grimoires."

"You have earned them," Ouranos said as he stood up to retrieve the books and handed them over to Izuku. "Although, I must clear your misunderstanding regarding the nature of Grimoires. They aren't simple books from which you may learn techniques. They are artifacts of crystalized Magic, which will engrave their contents in your soul and grant you new Magical Abilities. They are one-use items. Now, please excuse me while I go collect the rest of your rewards."

[Side Quest Completed!

Side Quest(s)

The Forgotten Monster Core: You have more than impressed the Primordial Sky God Ouranos. By not only completing tasks he hadn't thought possible of you and done a great service to the Guild and the citizens of Orario, you've earned Ouranos' respect and possible confidence. Congratulations! You have gained a lot more than you think you have, for beyond the mere value of the Griomoires now in your hands, Ouranos has seen fit to collect your bounty for all the Monster Cores you brought back from the Dungeon and leave you the backpack with Space-Folding Enchantments.]

A few minutes later, Ouranos returned with a platinum card in one hand and the backpack in the other. He offered both to Izuku and explained, "Here, take the backpack as my personal gift to you. This card, on the other hand… Well, you can think of it as an extension of credit between you and the Guild."

"The value of all the Monster Cores you collected is worth more than the net worth of everyone in the Hephastus' Familia combined. It would be impractical, and literally impossible, to hand you the whole amount even if we used all the highest denomination pieces of Vali we have in our reserves, so you can just use this card to buy anything you might want or need."

"Anything you buy with that card will be added to one of the Guild's Funds as an expenditure until we have finished repaying our debt to you. And, if for whatever reason you decide to continue to collect Monster Cores and return them to the Guild after you manage to control your presence, we will, of course, continue to extend our line of credit to you."

Izuku nodded checking to see what Observe had to say about his rewards.

[Observed Status

Name: Grimoire of Presence Suppression

Durability: 100/100

Description: A Defined Grimoire that grants its user the Ability "Presence Suppression." If the user does not yet have unlocked access to the Energy System of Magic, using this book will unlock it. The Gamer System's Interaction with this object has determined that you possess "B Class Talent" for Alteration Magic.

Name: Universal Grimoire

Durability: 100/100

Description: A rare, Undefined, Grimoire that grants its user one Ability that is most suited to their Talents. The Ability granted by this Grimoire could come from any School of Magic, but it will almost always be either powerful or have the potential to eventually become powerful. The Gamer System's Interaction with this object has determined that you possess "SSS Class Talent" for Sabotage Magic.

Name: Platinum Guild Expense Card (Izuku Midoriya)

Durability: 100/100

Description: A card that has been keyed to your soul's signature by the Primordial Sky God Ouranos. It can be used to pay at any establishment within Orario and any other major cities that have branches of the Guild. It currently holds a credit balance of 27,889,653,214 Vali.]

Izuku was nearly brought to tears, he was so full of conflicting emotions.

He almost thought it a miracle that he was still standing as it felt like he'd been shot in the heart once he'd discovered that his greatest talents for magic lied with Sabotage of all things. To someone who had lived his life, it was both ironic and a slap to the face, a kick in the gut, and a shot through the heart; all in one.

To follow that up almost immediately afterward with what appeared to be infinite money… The amount of whiplash Izuku felt was comparable to one of his Argent Blasts after applying a Shockwave modifier.

"Now," Ouranos said, drawing Izuku away from his more turbulent thoughts, "To use the Grimoires, you only need to open them and look at the contents within. I don't doubt you'll be able to remain conscious throughout the integration process with your new Magical Abilities, but you might find yourself exhausted if you try to use both at once."

"You may do so here if you wish. But, I will now be returning to my duties, so I'll ask that you not disturb me unless it's absolutely necessary. After you gain the ability to suppress your presence, you might still have to gain a certain level of mastery in it before you no longer come across as a walking nightmare. Don't make contact with civilians until then," he concluded.

"Thank you," Izuku gave the Sky God a nod before he left to… do whatever it was he did by the alter on the side of the room that was opposite that of its entrance.

With nothing else to take his attention, he opened the Grimoire of Presence Suppression and after a moment of confusion passed as he took in what looked like archaic texts and unfathomable magic charts, he watched as the book lit up and blinded him.

When he regained his vision, the book's contents had been erased and he had gained a new Ability. He didn't feel any more tired, though, so he carelessly opened the Universal Grimoire.

Things played out the same way as they did when used the Grimoire of Presence Suppression until Izuku was blinded once more. This second time… He didn't regain his vision after a few seconds.

Instead, in his blinded state he heard his own voice ask, "What is Magic to you?"

Involuntarily, he truthfully answered, "Magic to me is a new powerful force that can help me on my path to collecting the fragments I'm searching for."

Again, his voice from the ether asked, "What do you seek in Magic?"

And again, he answered involuntarily, "I already have great strength, but I could always use a little more. Utility and useful Abilities would also go a long way in helping me complete my Main Quest. But, more than anything, I really just want the power to save everyone."

"And if that brings you to ruin?" The voice asked.

"Then I'd ruin myself to protect others," Izuku answered.

[New Abilities!

Open Mind (Level Calculating…): The use of a Grimoire has opened your mind to forces of Magic. Various Factors are currently being taken into account to determine to what extent you're mind has expanded to accommodate Magical Forces. This Ability Grants you access to a new Energy System, Magic & Magical Skill Slots, +1 Intelligence and Charisma every Level, +2 Wisdom and Will every 3 Levels.

Magic Energy Manipulation (Level 1): Demarks your proficiency as it relates to the relative control of all sources of Magic. This Ability Grants you +1 Wisdom every Level, +1 Intelligence every 3 Levels, and +1 Charisma every 5 Levels.

Alteration Magic: Presence Suppression (Level 1): A Magical Ability that now occupies your first Magical Skill slot. Passively, the higher the Level of this Skill, the greater your ability to manipulate the Pure Magic in your mind to conceal aspects of your presence. Actively, the use of this Ability expends 1% of your Magic Reserves to double the effects of your passive concealment every minute.

Sabotage Magic: Invoke Calamity (Level 1): A Magical Ability that now occupies your second Magical Skill slot. This is a purely active magical technique that always results in the complete exhaustion of your Magic Reserves. For every 1% of your Total Magic Reserves sacrificed, your Stats increase by 5% for one second per percent of Total Magic Reserves sacrificed. This Ability Stacks on top of all other augmentations you might be currently under the effect of. The use of this Ability always leaves its users with the temporary Curse "Doomed," after all the Magic used to power it is expended.]

By the time Izuku finished digesting all the information that had been imprinted in his memories regarding the nature and use of his second new Magical Ability, he had regained his sight and found himself down on one knee. He was now truly exhausted.

'What an utter nightmare of an Ability,' Izuku thought as recalled what ending up "Doomed" would entail. After he came down from the massive powerup, the Stats that had previously been supercharged would desiccate and be divided by the amount they'd been improved for up to a month.

Though, it certainly could help him come back from an otherwise impossible situation. To fight off or run away from something that even his current trump card couldn't stand a chance again… Yeah, Izuku did not even entertain the thought of training his Sabotage Magic. It would likely forever only be used as a final resort of ultimate consequence if he ever found himself desperate enough to need to use it.

Of course, with his luck… Even he knew it was more likely a matter of when rather than if the time ever came.