The Demon's Princess: rookies and morality issues.
BACK TO BASIC....WITH ROOKIES.
DAY 51.
SATURDAY.
GOLD: 331,104.
BLOODOATH GOLD: 5,988,653
Tyler woke to the feeling of something small yet VERY warm on his chest. He opened his eyes to see Yue asleep in a ball on his chest in her tiny fairy form and smiled at the sight. Seria was asleep on his arm beside him with Metalica spreadeagled on her boob on her belly. The Berserker smiled as he stroked Yue's long black hair softly with a finger and she woke with a squeak.
"Morning Tyler. You're really comfy."
"Morning Yue. You're really cute."
She blushed with a smile and he kissed Seria awake.
"Good morning my love."
"Good morning my WIFE."
She smiled and Metalica woke with a yawn.
"Morning my favorite tit bed. Seriously. Best place to sleep outside my room."
Yue giggled.
"Brand new sentence!"
They chuckled and Tyler cleaned up with Seria before he geared up.
"Alright. Back to basic.....with rookies. Ugh."
She giggled.
"I'll be watching! So make em sweat!"
He chuckled and headed to the dining hall. Asuna was already there with most of his Veteran force and a few rookies. The redheaded second in command smiled as he sat beside her.
"Morning. I got the rookie proving spell from Victoria."
"Good. we'll have them pick their favored gear and drill em on it. Any issues from the staff, Belfast?"
The former maid smiled.
"A few instances of crass humor, unwanted touches and flirting, and a few accounts of scared girls seeking a hug. Nothing they could not handle themselves."
"Good."
Erwin was among the rookies that had arrived and he noted the Berserker unroll the map. Asuna did too.
"Already?"
He chuckled.
"City already feels small. and we KINDA need a direction after this."
She chuckled and tapped a city to the north.
"we'll head north this time. See what it's like closer to an active line."
Tyler sat back there.
"Hmm. I worry if we get too close to an actice frontline, we'll get stuck there. Oh hey the heroes are here we don't have to do a think!"
She sighed.
"That'll happen no matter where we go."
"You got a point there. We'll get a sitrep from Mylissia day 6 then. See which line could use a bailout the most."
"Alright."
The map was put away and Asuna smirked.
"So Yue wasn't seen anywhere last night."
"Hm? oh she was with us. Metalica likes her."
"Uh-huh. WHERE is she now?"
Yue popped out of his chest with Metalica.
"Here mommy!"
Asuna smiled as the pixie settled on her shoulder.
"So you were inside his soul, Yue?"
"Yup! It's REALLY warm in there and relaxing too! Plus his anime is INCREDIBLE!"
Tyler patted her with a smile.
"Atta pixel."
"Hey...huh. He's kinda right. weird."
She shrugged and looked to her mother as Asuna looked at Metalica.
"And WHAT have you shown her, Metalica?"
The iron sprite shrugged.
"A few yuris, some shotas, a few with tentacles too."
"Metalica."
"what? You don't like Slice of Life?"
"I hate you."
She chuckled and Tyler chuckled as he drank his coffee. More of the yawning rookies walked in and Tyler smirked as he saw they were still missing half.
"Alright. if they don't show up by the time everyone is done eating, every head up and hit them with an ice spell...on the SPINE."
The Knights nodded with smirks and a fair few rookies gulped. Mina came over then and sat by the Berserker.
"So how ARE we training them, Tyler?"
"Same way we were."
"Ah. wilder forest too?"
"I don't think we'll need to since we have two Rangers in the force that can teach as we go."
"Alright. we'll work then hard."
More rookies walked in and Tyler chuckled as he saw Gasper talking with Izu with a smile on his face.
"Rias."
"I see him. Good for you, Gaspy."
"Ha."
The last of the rookies walked in and Tyler nodded as they sat down.
"Alright people. First lesson is simple. A funrun to the coliesum. Ya get lost you're gonna run it until you can do it blindfolded. We gotta lot to do today and I want you all to start gaining experience by the end a da day."
They nodded and once the meal was gone,
"Alright. GET goin."
The rookies took off running en mass with the rest of the knights urging them on. Tyler visited Seria in the throne room and the princess merely smiled at him.
"Oh go on. I'll best you there anyway."
"Love you too, Seria."
Tyler ran out the door now and overtook the entire mass of running heroes in seconds. He then ran by them and Erwin blinked as he was gone.
"The difference between power is THAT EXTREME?"
Kirito chuckled from beside him.
"I'm level 11. He's a level 12. I can't win that fight. The difference is THAT intense that a SINGLE level is the difference maker. Here's something to think about. That forest giant?"
"I remember."
"Let this sink in. IT was a LEVEL 35. And we had to kill it."
"And HE got the kill."
"it nearly killed him. But he did. That guy is a tactical genius....and suicidal madman. I hope you like dirt. Yer gonna taste it a lot."
Tyler had reached the arena WELL ahead of the other heroes and was looking the arena board over curiously...when he saw a bill that made him smile.
"A bandit clan? 50 men. Payout is....25,000."
He took it and the attendant chuckled.
"Show em how the BERSERKER goes to war? i like it."
Tyler chuckled as he took down three more such bills for a total fight of 200 men.
"I like these kinda battles."
He walked in as the rest of he heroes appeared on the hill and kirito slumped.
"Great. So much for catching up. Come on. There is a REASON he is the highest level in the force AND it's leader."
The now curious heroes took seats in the stands as the crowds went WILD from Tyler walked into view. Elizabeth frowned as she looked at Erwin beside her.
"He is risking his life in a pointless arena fight."
The blonde man smiled.
"I see a leader proving why he IS the leader."
The announcer had a chuckle in his voice as he spoke now.
"Oh ho, ladies and gentlemen do we have a TREAT for you this morning! Fresh from his epic journey across the land and scarsely a day back in the city, LORD BERSERKER has returned to the arena! And he has not lost an ounce of his rashness or his thirst for thrilling battles! His opponents this time? An entire bandit company of 200 men against him alone! This is SURE to be a quick one people, so PLACE YOUR BETS! The bloodbath is about to start!"
Erwin started.
"200 MEN?! He IS suicidal!"
Kirito snorted.
"That's it? Tch. Tyler won't even break a sweat with that many idiot bandits. He killed like what? A thousand? During that fight with the Renegade King. Idiot can kill fifteen men with a single stroke of that sword so."
The cages rose from the ground and the masses of bandits howled as they saw the berserker waiting for them. Makorov was watching the warrior closely now as Tyler cracked his neck.
"Erza."
"He'll be fine. watch."
Tyler pulled his bright blue greatsword from bis back as the gates of the cages opened.
"for you, Seria, my WIFE TO BE."
He charged the bandit army head on with a wild light in his eyes.
"TEMPEST! MIGHTLY BLOW! GHOST CUT! DOUBLE FORCE! RAPID SLASH! MAGICAL REBUFF!"
"HOLY."
Erwin just watched as men and body parts flew through the air from the Berserker making impact. The crowds were going wild as blood poured like water from the masses of bandits and Tyler was seen smiling as he leapt in to the air spinnning his sword scything down men like wheat to a reaper. Then he smirked.
"HITEN MYTSRYUGI STYLE: RYUTSITSAN!"
His sword split four men in half and the force he packed into the blow staggered ten more.
"FIRESTORM!"
His thirty foot tall spinning tornado of blue flame appeared and melted a hole through the bandits as the enjoying himself immensely warrior dove into the next cluster of men.
On the bleachers, Elizabeth shuddered at the mass death she was seeing.
"He is a MONSTER. And these people THRIVE on bloodshed."
Belfast chuckled as she sat beside her.
"You do get used to it, Liz. And the arena IS a good source of income and levels."
Elizabeth looked at the silver haired lady in shock.
"YOU'VE changed, Belfast."
"Liz. This world is HARSH and UNFORGIVING. I have seen things that even now haunt me. And yet? I LOVE this world. Give it a chance. See what you discover."
The fighting in the arena went silent and they looked to see Tyler standing unharmed and without a drop of blood on him atop the pile of 200 men he'd slain in a single fight. The Berserker was smiling with his sword resting on his shoulder and he gave a flourishing bow to Seria.
"You asked for a show, My beloved, I LIVE for you."
Seria clapped with a proud smile as the crowd roared and photos taken of the intimidating sight. Tyler took his Status plate out...
"Ha. level 13 kirito!"
"fuck man."
"Oh hey. I got a perk."
Asuna perked up now.
"Bring it in Tyler."
"Comin atchya."
The Berserker used his grapple gauntlets to swing up to his second in command and Sora appeared beside him for an impromptu meeting. Tyler pointed to the new perk.
"It's called fighting Spirit. Awarded for facing immense odds such as 200 to one without flinching three times. Boosts vitality, Strength, Defense, and Stamina by 150. Asuna."
"I will have Kirito and Bell take them on as well."
"Good. They're the only two that can do it without injury."
"Agreed."
Sora smiled.
"I have a direction."
"Shoot."
"Do that again, WITHOUT A SCRATCH."
"I'll take a crack at it, Sora. Makes sense. I got 45 points to place but I'll do it later."
Asuna nodded as he put his Plate up.
"See what happens with different circumstances."
"I saw one for some goblin and orc bands. I'll take em both."
She nodded again and Kirito came over.
"Prerequisite?"
"Fight outnumbered to an extreme three times and WIN WITHOUT FLINCHING."
"Ah. I'll do that later."
Tyler nodded as the bandits were looted.
"Alright. All rookies in the pit."
The Knights chuckled at the gearshift and Tyler dropped down without even breathing hard.
"Now you know what I do for fun. When I am done with you, well. You'll still need to get there."
The mess was cleaned up with a firespell and racks of armor and weapons were rolled out with better quality adventuerer clothes.
"Some a you aren't exactly dressed for roaming in the mountains. Get changed and pick the weapons yiu think suit you. Armor too. We'll be here if you get into trouble. And I see those looks ladies. Figure it out."
He sat o the sand as the 350 rookies went to the racks. Asuna smirked as she sat beside him.
"200 at once?"
"Made the point didn't I?"
"eh pretty much."
Tyler chuckled as the ladies were using makeshift screens of their fellow women to change behind.
"Ha. Uuuugh. I am gonna teach them how to improvise PROPERLY."
Bell smiled.
"I got it."
"fine. Go on Bell."
The women looked at the white haired kid curiously as he took some unused pikes, a few wall shields, and stood the pikes up ina teepee shape before laying the wallshields in a scaled pattern up the frame to create a small alcove underneath with room for 5 at a time. A mass of slumps were seen at the simplistic solution as Bell gave a flourishing bow.
"Your dressing room, ladies, is ready."
Tyler laughed.
"He has been sitting on that since I did it! Atta boy Bell!"
asuna chuckled as the white haired kid walked back.
"He kinda looks up to you like a Godhero."
"Ha. Slick, Bell."
"They're gonna have fun on the trail."
"Oh yeah. Some a dem have NEVER slept on the dirt before."
Bell sat beside him.
"The Goddess' proficency is goddess. Seems she can use some of her arcanum here. And has to REEARN her power to use it in full."
"YIKES that's a little overpowered. But hey. we got another goddess in the Knights."
Hestia looked over curiously as she picked an outfit.
"WHO is the OTHER goddess?"
He jabbed a thumb at Akeno.
"Akeno. Teh THUNDER Goddess."
"OOOH. Sorry."
They chuckled as the process went without issue and once the changing was wrapped up, Tyler smirked.
"Now the fun part."
Asuna smiled.
"Rookie's Proving."
Their weapons and staffs were coated in magic and Tyler smiled.
"Now you'll duel with the Palace Knights. Get you some practice wielding your new tools. DO NOT WORRY. You CANNOT hurt them. I couldn't when I tried."
The company of knights pair off with their heroes and Tyler took a new perch on a section of wall with a clean view of the battle.
"Drop em."
The bout was on with some hefty wacks dealt out and some heavy plants gifted. Tyler and Asuna keeping track of those that got dropped int eh first few swings, the ones that had experience but still lost, and those that won. Once the last duel ended, Tyler nodded.
"You winning heroes. Now we'll have a battle royale. Let's see who among needs the LEAST amount a help from the get go. drop em."
The next round got underway with those used to such duels easily racking up kills and those with great power yet little skill were holding their own. The Berserker the spotted a shorter boy, a girl with black hair, a blonde haired girl, a brick of a boy with tan hair, and a girl with pink hair and horns tearing through the other heroes with near impunity.
"Asuna."
"I see them. four this time."
"Interesting. Erwin was taken out by Satuski. Oh. 6. Satuski and Ryuko are dueling again. Ugh. Those two."
The girls in question were going at it hammer and tongs with sparks flying from their blocks. Asuna smirked.
"Ryuko has the advantage of sheer POWER. Satuski has EXTREME skill. An interesting bout."
"Yeah they're fights usually go fifty/fifty. enteraining though."
"Very."
They looked back to the remaining heroes in the royale and it was a standoff between the four champions. Then they rushed and the clashing steel was heard all the way up to Seria's perch. Teh shorter boy wound up being the last man standing and was now having trouble with the pink haired girl's extreme strength and inhuman reflexes as she swung a battleaxe faster then she should have.
"Tyler."
"I see her. Her name's Zerotwo. She's a Berserker too."
"Interesting. Teh boy?"
"HIS name is Levi. And is full man."
"wow."
"Yea he's a runt. Guy's a badass though. And is PERFECT officer material for my army."
"Strength?"
"Speed slasher. And I MEAN speed. Guy spins like a top and SLICES you thirty times in ten seconds when he gets going."
"Scary. Zerotwo?"
"Isn't entirely human. Her reflexes alone will net her the fight. Levi's instincts and experience will keep him alive though."
The pink haired girl pounced with her axe in a wide arc that the man blocked with a longsword...and the force packed into the blow sent him FLYING. The girl was on him and one solid chop later the man was dropped. Tyler nodded sagely.
"Yup. Levi just DOESN'T have the strength needed to block a straight blow from Zerotwo."
The pink haired girl was now moving to the last fight where Ryuko won her bout with Satuski from a well placed foot. Ryuko was gloating her victory over the proned girl...as the pink haired girl's axe slammed into her from the side. Ryuko dropped and Tyler clapped.
"Well done, Zerotwo. Looks like YOU know what you're doing."
He hopped down as the sore and irritated rookies got to their feet and the pink haired girl approached Tyler. She was his height wirh lower back length pink hair and a pair of bright red horns on the top of her head. her skin was pale and her bust large in her tight fitting tunic of blue. Her frame was slender and she wore a skirt for pants wih combat boots om her feet. Her eyes were a very pretty shade of teal and she spoke in a hard yet warm belltone.
"You know my name?"
"Yup. And your story."
"weird."
"You get used to it. Alright. Again."
There was a mass groan from teh rookies and Tyler chuckled.
"Come on rookies. we all did this too ya know. This'll be your daily routine. A morning fun and bout with the knights and each other. One full day a this, and tomorrow we'll add more."
Zerotwo smiled.
"This is fun!"
"Ha. Atta girl."
Asuna chuckled as the heroes went another bout with fresh knights.
"Bring back memories, Tyler?"
He chuckled.
"I nearly killed my knights. Every time."
"Ha."
They watched the next three bouts and Tyler smiled as ALL of the new recruits were laid out panting on the sand.
"Is that all? ugh. Rookies. Alright. We'll pick this up tomorrow. Remember to practice. The arena offers fights to those with balls. And they pay you VERY well for your blood sport. Veterans. YOU I want to level up ONCE today ACROSS THE BOARD before the sun goes down. DIIIIIISMISS!"
The rookies all had groans of relief at being released and the Bloodoath grabbed masses of bills for their bouts as Tyler sat with the sore and groaning rookies in the stands. Erwin was rubbing his sore arms as he sat beside him.
"You got dropped old man."
Erwin chuckled at that one as he settled.
"By Eren no less. Kid hits hard."
"Ha. His eyes are intense."
"You saw?"
"How could I NOT? That kid's got FIRE. And scary is he didn't go berserk. That other girl did though when he took that shot to the chops."
Erwin sighed as Kirito was in the ring dueling with 100 men.
"Mikasa Ackerman. She's.....devoted."
"Yeah I'll have a word with her. That kinda blind charge at the wrong time will get MANY a warrior killed."
"I have tried. She doesn't listen."
"eh. I'll talk to her. I got a talent for dealing with co-dependant people."
The berserker then looked to where Kirito was slicing through men with the speed of a tempest.
"Slacker."
A severed arm came FLYING at him with the hand in the shape of a middle finger as Kirito flipped him off before slicing his latest victim in half. Tyler was laughing hard as he tossed the arm back.
"Oh my god that was great, Kirito."
Leafa sat beside the Berserker with a smile AND a blush and Tyler chuckled.
"Kirito works hard dunnnit he?"
"Yeah."
"we've been over this Leafa."
"I know."
He looked at her.
"Okay. I am NOT playing this game. I am NOT. INTERESTED. I am VERY happily engaged to HER. Fantasies are okay. But DO NOT think you have a shot. YOU DON'T. Do something stupid, and it'll hurt. A LOT. And HE won't be able to save you. Are we clear?"
Leafa slumped now as Tyler's voice was like steel.
"Sorry. Crystal."
"Good. So what;s up?"
"Just...wanted to be next to you.....you'd didn't have to be so CRUEL with it."
"I don't play games. I DON'T take chances. Ask Kirito what happens when Seria's happiness is threatened. In ANY manner. Or better yet? Ask Rias."
Leafa got up and left and Tyler sighed as he looked to the arena.
"I hate that shit with a passion."
"She was right you know. You were VERY cruel to her."
"Okay? NOW she knows. Without a shadow of a doubt. Belfast saw. She'll see to her."
erwin sighed as Kirito won his fight without a scratch.
"I see you are a STAUNCH husband indeed. I can respect that. Yet she merely had a crush."
"It's a slippery slope. And sides. Her eyes were NOT of a girl with a mere crush."
Kirito walked up now.
"Leafa push it?"
"And I shut it down."
"I'll go talk to her."
Erwin looked at him.
"He always liek that?"
Kirito smiled.
"Word of advice? DON'T FUCK WITH SERIA. Seriously. Just...DON'T. That guy has killed people for merely LOOKING at her in a way he didn't like. In the middle of the freakin THRONE ROOM TOO. Yeah. Leafa picked the WRONG GUY to crush on."
He left and Erwin looked at Tyler as he got a drink of water from a canteen while Bell stepped into the arena.
"So even the men under you know."
"I don't hide or sugarcoat what I am, Erwin. I am NOT a hero as they seem to think. I'm a monster. don't ever forget that."
The older man looked to the arena as Bell faced off with 200 bandits like Tyler had.
"I will remember that."
Tyler watched as Bell danced with the 200 men with his twin knives.
"Ha. THAT is how you step up Bell. Oh he'll level with this one."
Bell was panting hard from the strain of fighting 200 men at once but had a wild smile as Tyler watched.
"Bell has grown so much in such a short time."
Hestia sat beside Tyler now and the little goddess had opted for a tight fitting haltertop and shorts that showed her lovely curves off in all the right ways. On her feet were a pair of tough boots as she watched her friend duel. Tyler chuckled as he watched.
"Bell's one my more relied on Elites for a reason Hestia. Guy gets it done."
She smiled proudly as Bell whiddled the enemy force down with spells and speed.
"Two months ago he was just BARELY reaching the 18th floor. Now he's in a ring fighting 200 men and I'm not worried. His eyes BURN with new confidence and his movements are INSANELY precise. And yet he's still the same kindhearted Bell."
Tyler smiled.
"Now YOU have to catch up to HIM Hestia."
"Oh I will. And it'll be fun."
Tyler chuckled at that as one bandit was seen sneaking around a pile of dead behind Bell's back. Hestia saw this and Tyler did too.
"Um...Bell?"
"Ha. watch this."
Hestia gulped as the bandit snuck around Bell while he danced with 15 men. The bandit pounced...and Bell smirked.
"TEMPEST! QUICK STEP!"
Annnd he teleported. Bell vanished from view for a split second and when he reappeared the 15 men dropped to the ground in pieces as the white haired warrior rose from his crouch as the victor. Tyler clapped in full view of him.
"Well done Bell. Did you level?"
Bell looked.
"Level 12. Nearly there."
Tyler smiled.
"He jumped two levels there."
Hestia smiled.
"He wants to reach you."
"And a rematch."
"Oh. Of course."
"I dropped everyone in my rookie class. FIVE TIMES. Undefeated thus far."
Kirito came back then with a smirk.
"I'm level 12 too. I'll GET you."
"Ha. Sure."
The boy in black sat by him now.
"Leafa took it hard."
"I figured. She got WAAAY too glowy WAAAY too freakin quick."
"Yup. I saw it too. I TOLD her not to push it too. Yesterday she was gushing about you to Alice and Sinon....and I flatout told her to NOT push it. So yeah."
"Sachi here?"
He smiled.
"She is actually. And so are her friends. They're alright Tyler."
"See? Wasn't your fault."
"I...yeah. She said the same thing. Thanks Tyler."
"Sure thing."
Kirito dropped to the arena floor to pick another fight as Tyler took his plate out.
"Oh he wants to play. Okay. I have 45 points to place. I had 145 Strength, 238 defense, 250 Stamina, 300 Vitality, 210 Magic, 140 Agility, 210 Magical Defense, 140 Dexterity, 500 Intelligence, 210 Mana. Then plus the 150 boost to Strength, Stamina, Defense, and Vitality puts me at 295 Strength, 388 defense, 400 Stamina, 450 Vitality, 210 Magic, 140 Agility, 210 Magical defense, 140 Dexterity, 500 Intelligence, and 210 Mana. Hmm. I'll put 5 into Strength, and that'll give me an even 300. 20 into agility, and 20 into dexterity. 300 Strength, 388 Defense, 400 Stamina, 450 Vitality, 210 Magic, 160 Agility, 210 MAgical defense, 160 Dexterity, 500 Intelliegence, and 210 Mana. Not bad for a warrior."
He hit apply and headed for the board as Kirito got a few more bills for bandits. The attendant smirked.
"Hey BERSERKER, ya forgot your pay."
"HOLY."
"Yea oyu be slipping."
Tyler chuckled as he got his 100,000 gold payout for the bout that morning.
"Okay. TOO early in the morning."
He then went to the board....and blinked.
"A hill giant?"
The attendant nodded.
"It be 40 feet tall and an IDIOT. It's level is 20. Reward is 450,000."
Tyler looked at the monster.
"i'm level 13. I will take that challenge."
He took the bill down and the attendant nodded.
"Show em who you are. LORD BERSERKER.'
Kirito won his bout and walked out with a smirk.
"Level 13."
Tyler held the poster up and Kirito blinked.
"Jesus. YOU are out of your mind! No! That's suicide!"
Tyler smirked as he walked through the door.
"There is a REASON I am in charge, Kirito. Allow me to REMIND YOU of what I am."
Kirito was GONE like a BULLET.
Asuna was up in the bleachers smirking as Tyler walked into the arena.
"Here he goes again...what the?"
Only for the Berserker t have a VERY intense feel to him now and the crowd picked up on it. A mass of nervous murmers broke out and Asuna frowned.
"What did you do?"
"Asuna!"
Kirito appeared and the redhead looked at him.
"what?"
"THAT idiot took a fight for a HILL GIANT! ALONE!"
"Oh for fuck's sake."
Erwin looked at the now on edge redhead.
"What has he done?"
Asuna sighed as she called Rally.
"He basically picked an underdog fight. That hill giant is level 20. HE is level 13. He JUST reached level thirteen. it;s 40 feet tall. STUPID, but for FUCKS sake."
Belfast and Rias appeared and when they heard, Belfast sighed.
"Oh dear. I thought we were passed this."
The announcer had a VERY excited tone now.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. we have a bout that will go down in the Arena records as a classic. Lord Berserker, has elected to face....GOLIATH! That's right. The legendary Hill giant champion has been CHALLANGED by Lord Berserker himself! HOW will the Lord of rage overcome the God of strength? Place your bets people."
Kirito smirked.
"Asuna."
"I'll put down 2 mill from Bloodoath coin on him to WIN. And it be EFFORTLESS."
"I'll do the same. He has a plan.....or some bullshit."
Tyler cracked his knuckles and drew his greatsword as a deafening bellow of rage was heard from below the ground.
"For YOU, Seria."
The blue haired princess smiled with CLEAR nerves on her face as the sand colored monster rose from the ground clad in chains the size of Shadow. The beast was naked with a near 35 foot long club at it's feet made of solid stone and it was covered in hundreds of scars as the lone warrior in black stared it down. Erwin looked at the immense creature with an intense green gaze as it roared.
"That thing should NOT be in this city."
Strand chuckled as she sat beside him.
"They keep their monsters in an enchanted block of ice. Not even an archdemon can escape."
Asuna looked at the Elven Ranger.
"what are his odds?"
"Asuna. This is the BERSERKER we are talking about here. He has a plan. Or will do something stupid that will work."
Tyler smiled as the 40 foot tall giant was released from it's chains.
"Alright. ICED WALL"
A massive spike of ice appeared from the ground and he took off running at the charging beast as he hefted his greatsword. The giant went to KICK the tiny human with a foot the size of a truck
"DARK SACRALANT!"
His grappled fired at the same time as he sliced the upper thigh of the beast with a leap and the soulkiller took it's leg CLEAN off. Tyler's grapple embedded itself in the giant's chest as he flew under it's one leg,
"FROZEN WASTES!"
The sandy floor was turned to ice and the giant slipped as it fell and he yanked on the grapple, directing it's fall. RIGHT onto the 10 foot spike of ice he'd conjured prior. The spike pierced it's eye and the giant died on impact. The ground shook from the severe impact and Tyler retracted his grapple with a smirk.
"Level 15. 100 points to place. Any questions?"
The crowd was SPEECHLESS by the feat of ingenuity and foresight they had JUST witnessed. Asuna then smiled widely as she looked at Elizabeth behind her.
"Is he worth following NOW?"
ERwin smiled with a new respect in his eyes as he clapped.
"So THAT is why he leads you. His plans seems suicidal on the surface, and yet? It's a trap. He had a plan from the very start."
Kirito came back now.
"Asuna. We'll need to collect the payout with Tyler and the knights."
"How much?"
"200,000,000."
"Wow."
"Yeah. We kinda just got banned from making bets on him."
Tyler swung up onto the bleachers after hugging Seria and he smirked at the dumbfounded newbies.
"I think I've made my point."
Kirito sighed.
"Come on man. Give me a chance here."
"You'll get your chance Kirito. Just do what I do."
"Idiot. NO ONE can do what you do. I tried I'd get flattened."
"It's just thinking ahead and making your own weakness."
"Dude. YOU are YOU. Ugh. Anyway. We need to muster."
Tyler frowned as he became instantly serious.
"what happened?"
Kirito smiled.
"we made a bet. And won. Payout is 200,000,000."
"Oh SHIT. Yeah. Okay. we'll pick that in force. Asuna."
"Already did."
Tyler looked at Erwin and the blonde man smiled.
"I admit. I am impressed."
"Scary thing?"
"Oh no."
"That thing is an idiot. Like so stupid...it tried to KICK ME LIKE A BALL. When I'm this size, and it's THAT size. Where's that club?"
Kirito blinked and looked to see the club was STILL ON THE PLATEFORM it had risen on!
"It was so stupid...it forgot it had it. Oh mt god."
"Yeah. Idiots. easy prey."
The berserker pulled his new numbers up now.
"Alright. I got an extra 100 to place fo two levels. I had 300 Strength, 388 Defense, 400 Stamina, 450 Vitality, 210 Magic, 160 Agility, 210 MAgical defense, 160 Dexterity, 500 Intelliegence, and 210 Mana. I'll slap 40 into Agility and Dexterity and that'll give me 200 per. The last twenty I'll split and slap intoMagic and Mana. 220 per. 300 Strength, 388 Defense, 400 Stamina, 450 Vitality, 220 Magic, 200 Agility, 200 Dexterity, 220 Mana, 210 Magical Defense, 500 Intelligence. Nice."
He put the plate away andKirito smirked.
"You did that to me on purpose."
"Ha. Kinda."
"Fair enough. I wanna catch you, I gotta MATCH you."
"Exactly. Otherwise our duel would just be another me kicking YOUR ass."
"Ugh."
Bell smiled.
"By the time I DO catch you, Tyler, I WILL be able to beat you."
Tyler thumped him on the back approvingly.
"I am looking forward to that day Bell."
Kirito sighed and smiled.
"I'll get there. I just gotta start thinkin like YOU."
The Knights arrived at the collection booth and the lady attending smirked as Tyler took the sack.
"Lord Berserker, you and yor company are hereby BANNED from placing bets on your own party...for six months. We lost pay because a you."
Tyler chuckled as he took the money.
"Pleasure doing business."
"WE hate you."
The Berserker chuckled at that halftruth as they left. Then he looked at Asuna.
"was this PARTY coin?"
She nodded.
"It was."
"Alright. I'll let it go as you saw an opportunity. Try NOT to use party coin for bets like that."
"Agreed. What'll we do? i was NOT expecting it to be that high."
Tyler smiled.
"We'll split it in half. Half to the party, half to the warriors."
She smiled.
"A great idea. They haven't had a large scale payout in a few weeks now."
The Berserker nodded as they walked to the dining hall of the palace. There he set the sack of gold on the head table while waiting for the entire force to take seats. Once everyone was seated, Tyler smiled.
"Alright. NOw we'll talk lootsplitting and pay."
Erwin and a good number of the newbies became VERY attentive. Tyler dumped the gold coins out.
"Each week we're paid on an individiual basis 1,000 gold. That is yours to keep. Loot, like say we kill a bandit hideout and take their stuff. Gold, is spit between raiders and the Bloodoath. Say four raiders go out and they score 100 coins off a bandit raid. 50 of those coins go to the Bloodoath's coffer to support the company. Food, equipment, housing if nessecary, mass scale upgrades, and supplies. We ALL contribute to the Company. the remaining fifty is split among those that captured it. Are you with me so far?"
A sea of nods and Erwin perked up.
"Is the rate fixed? Say the fight ends before I draw my sword?"
"It is. If you are a part of the crew that got it, you earned a share. BUT. If you go on the raid, WITH THE STRENGTH TO HELP and are PRESENTED with an opportunity to DO SOMETHING, yet REFUSE TO, then you lose out on the payment. Say you attack a bandit camp and just sit there. You had the strength to help but didn't."
Erwin nodded.
"If an issue arises with pay? Say a missed payment or someone gets more then they should?"
Tyler smiled.
"If you think you missed out on gold, say something. We got records of EVERY coin we've ever made. I look it over with the officers BEFORE we divvy it in case we find something mean like say a cursed item or something else along those lines. If you bicker over pay, however, the captain of your squad will step in and resolve the issue. PUSH IT, and ASUNA will END IT. It BETTER not get to the point I have to step in cause then you'll lose it PERIOD."
Erwin nodded.
"Harsh yet fiar. This is our gold payment we are speaking of?"
"It is. STRICTLY money. We'll talk stuff like swords and other loot in a moment."
Tyler relocted his train of thought.
"Now. The way gold splitting works is half to Bloodoath. This never changes. If the split were to leave not enough for EVERYONE in the raider to get at least ONE COIN, it all gets added to Bloodoath to avoid a fight. Same with any leftovers. If it's not a perfect split, the leftovers are added to Bloodoath by default."
Elizabeth looked up.
"You believe this is fair? Say one warrior does all the work in the fight, and the other members do nothing as they have NO inclination to assist. They'd still get paid anyway. Seems a way to encourage slacking for lack of a better way to put it."
Tyler smiled.
"well. If something like that DOES occur, by all means PLEASE speak up. camp rules. NO WORK, NO FOOD. You WILL pull your weight or get dumped in a ditch. And yes I WILL do that to you."
The blonde lady nodded.
"Now THAT is more concrete. What ARE the rules of yuor camp, Tyler?"
"well. Aside from the no work no food, there's Open your mouth, deal with the consquences. You do not have to like each other. But you WILL respect each other. If you think you can bullying the people in MY army? I WILL find you. And I'll bully you myself using MY tormentor's tricks."
Rias and Belfast SHUDDERED. That spoke VOLUMES. Erwin had a thought.
"Company crime? Like sayn theft or betrayal?"
Tyler smiled and a GOOD NUMBER of the Knights shuddered.
"well. Betrayal? It HURTS. A LOT. I am a HIGHLY skilled torturer and absolutely SADISTIC monster when you piss me off or try to hurt the ones I care about. If you betray the company, you LOSE all your levels and the ability CONTINUE TO LEVEL. I will BEAT YOU within an inch of your life or however much else I feel like hurting you, and you are EXILED from the Knights, AND THE QUEENDOM. To date, TWO such unfortunates have chosen this path."
THAT revelation caused a stir. Elizabeth rounded on him in a horror.
"Their crimes?"
"Issei Hyuta. Company pervert. He was caught trying to rob the company safe and whe caught, tried to STAB THEM. He is also banned from every brothel in the city for being a disgusting creep."
Rias nodded and Barkhorn stood from her spot as Enforcer.
"I was the one that caught him. And the he attempted to stab."
Tyler then moved to the second.
"Last is Max. Level 5. Slacker. Sadist. and barking dog. He was a RANTING rascist and I DO NOT tolerate that shit. He did NOTHING but badmouth the people in his squad and do his best to sow discontent. GAsper."
The blonde haired boy stood now.
"Hello. My name is Gasper. I am a level 8 in Tyler's army, and so considered one of his elites. Or high levels. MAx would follow me around for HOURS calling me leech or bloodsucker or undead reject, you get he idea. I am a halfblood vampire. And he found this disgusting. TYLER took him behind a house and he screamed for a good four hours before being left in a ditch."
He sat down and Tyler smiled.
"So. Piss off the people around you, and they're ENCOURAGED to do something about it. Piss ME OFF, and depending on what you do? It's going to hurt. a LOT."
Erwin nodded.
"And how is it USUALLY in your camp? Like the general mood or morale?"
Tyler shrugged.
"we're a buncha friends on an extended roadtrip."
He blinked.
"even though you were on mission?"
"Just cause we're on mission DOESN'T mean we work ourselves into the ground. If ANYTHING, we strive to AVOID that. We'll bust our asses some days, and then just not move an inch until we recover."
Elziabeth rubbed her head at the rollercoaster that was Tyler the Berserker.
"So...you're a hardworking yet LAZY company that is led a sadistic monster with a heart of gold who would GLADLY die for the people in his company. That about it?"
He chuckled.
"eh yeah pretty much. If all you do is bathe in blood and war, soon enough you'll forget why you started in the first place."
She and a good number of others blinked at this turn of phrase and the blonde Elizabeth smiled.
"Nowe THAT I completely understand. And in that light I agree. Has such an issue arisen?"
"It has. The people I lead were startin to irritate the fuck out of me. So I turned to my burnout expert. Belfast?"
The Quartermaster rose with a smile.
"Tyler sought me out as SOON as he noticed the symptoms of fatigue and burnout. After a period of discussing the issue, it's cause and it's solution, he had the warriors spend an extra day beside a rather pleasent river for a two day leave. The issue has not yet arisen since."
That news made Erwin nod sagely.
"You know your limits. This is good."
"Hey real quick. How old do you think I am?"
The man blinked, but answered the very odd question truthfully.
"To m y eye you are a grown man in his 34th year of life."
"I'm 15."
THAT one got a mass of blinks! Elizabeth looked at him in utter SHOCK.
"YOU are ONLY 15 YEARS?"
Tyler pulled jhis Status Plate up and hitt he projection feature for proof.
"Yup."
Erwin smiled wryly at this.
"YOU are younger then Eren and yet are a full war leader. NOW I have another question."
"Shoot."
"WHO is your council?"
Tyler smiled.
"Well. Strand here, Sora who is another strategic genius and his Proficency is Strategist, asuna as she has experience doing this shit, MINA as she is a former military commander and has been war against inhuman creatures before, Belfast for a similar reason as Mina only she is the more....emotional side? eh close enough. Mylissia for terms of judgement and punishment. I am NOT permitted BY THE QUEEN, to decide your fate in terms of ACTUAL punishment. I can beat the crap outta you and call it you pissing me off, but actual judgment is the queens and queen's alone. Thankfully, these instances have only occured twice and SHE rendered their verdict AFTER I beat the crap out of them. The reason I am so freakin picky on my captains is THEY are the ones I look to the MOST to help me lead this army."
Sora nodded as he stepped up now.
"Tyler IS an extremely crafty and skilled leader. But he's still new at this. If he looks to you for advice, you an expert in his eyes. And he does NOT hesitate to ask."
Asuna nodded.
"Tyler routinely checks in with Mina, Strand, Victoria during her time with us, Dryft, or any leader he thinks had the answer he needs. If you DON'T, he will make one for himself. Hence the plan for Dunkrick."
Elizabeth smiled.
"I can respect this. And knowing you seek council when needed is nothing short of a relief. Has the council REJECTED any of HIS proposals?"
Asuna chuckled.
"Nothing MAJOR yet as so far his ideas have been outlandish, yet doable. Mostly it's his idioicy and pranks that'll drive you batty."
Mina chuckled.
"And he draws inspiration from PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL campaigns. For example the battle with the Renegade King."
She retold the tale of Sparta and a few smiled as they also knew the tale. Erwin looked up now.
"Duties around camp? Are they set or do they rotate?"
Tyler chuckled.
"Yoshkia."
"Sir!"
Yoshkia stood now and the Berserker nodded to her.
"Yoshkia is company cook. She's the best chef in the Bloodoath. She's got her own crew that does the cooking since they're best at it. That said we ALL pitch in. even ME."
Erwin chuckled.
"NOW I have a new fear."
"Ha. Yoshkia strictor then I am. If SHE don't approve, that; YO meal for the night."
Yoshkia smiled.
"NO poisoning your fellow soldiers with your bad cooking."
They laughed at that and Tyler chuckled.
"watches rotate every night. Again. even I'm in the rotation."
Asuna chuckled.
"THAT guy is kinda freaky on watch. All you'll see when you go to relieve him...is a black shadow that does not move."
Tyler shrugged.
"My horse can transform into a skeletal horse. it's fun scaring people. Now. PITCHING CAMP, with this many people it'll be a hassle and well need to be careful as Strand here is a RAnger. and there are RULES out there. Some of us come from worlds that destroyed our forests and our worlds. They WILL NOT allow us to the same here. Yes I am still learning. That said. PITCH IN. I bust my ass helping the Bloodoath. I BETTER see you doing the same. if you're WOUNDED you have an excuse."
Erwin chuckled.
"I was just about to ask that. Battle?"
"THAT depends on what we're fighting to be completely honest. Some enemies are meaner then others, and since I'm the highest level in the party, I kinda have to deal with any unknown creatures myself with a few support roles. One reason I push the others so hard is I kinda do alot on my own."
Kirito sighed.
"We're workin on it."
"I know. You'll get there."
Makorov spoke up now.
"When you are not fighting, or preparing for a fight, Tyler, what is the camp like?"
Tyler shrugged.
"whatever you really feel like so long as yuo stay close in case a trouble. I slept y the river during our break and did some fishin. And taught Strand how to milk a snake. Long as you're close by, days up to you."
The old man smiled.
"We will travel, will we not?"
"Yup. we'll get you all fitted with horses and you'll learn to be riders."
"Oooh dude what the hell?"
Kirito shuddered as he remembered the story and Tyler chuckled.
"How dem scars treatin ya?"
"I want to hit you with something."
Tyler chuckled before he refocused.
"If you never seen a horse before, that's okay. I sucked at riding too. But I learned."
Makorov smiled.
"When we reach a new city, is there a set of rules we need know now?"
"Yeah don't make a mess."
"HA!"
Tyler smiled.
"But in all seriousness? it depends on the city. Some cities have access to unique grinding opportunities and so if we take a day, you ARE still expected to grind out experience for SOME PORTION of your day. Say a raid or hunting or whatever."
Erwin frowned.
"You mentioned hunting. How does provisions work when in the field? Do you have a set squad of hunters?"
"No. EVERYONE hunts. EVERYONE butchers deer, EVERYONE helps. You'll all be taught how to survive out there and how to hunt like a Ranger. If we bring something big like a tyrant or a REALLY big bear down, the entire camp comes together to get as much material out of the thing as we can."
He nodded and Elizabeth smirked.
"BAthing?"
"THAT I'm afraid is a little difficult. Sometimes if there's no river available, you're gonna have to deal. In a city you can figure that out yourself. In the wilds it's kinda dependant on what we find."
She smirked thinner.
"If we catching a peeper?"
"Pop their eyes."
"Wow."
"Yup. Asia."
The blonde stood up with a smile...tripped on her foot and caught herself in the same motion. She stood up with a smile and the Berserker chuckled.
"Asia Argento. She's the best healer in the camp and in charge of the healer crew. Poke your eye out, she can heal you. PIss her OFF, and we ALL beat you."
Asia smiled sweetly.
"I'm a devil!"
erwin chuckled at that....when her wings came out. Then he gulped.
"Oh damn."
Tyler chuckled as Asia basked in the sudden spotlight.
"Glowball."
"Hey! I LIKE being looked at!"
The room chuckled at her infuriated squeak as another girl stood now. She was half a head taller then Asia with shoet cut brown hair and slender frame. Her bust was modest in he teacher's uniform while her eyes were green. She had a distinct childlike feel to her as she walked over to the head table to be heard and her voice was a soft yet firm tenor.
"Yes hello. My name is Aiko. I have a question."
Tyler chuckled.
"Shoot."
She nodded.
"Are we able to go home? Say AFTER the war is won?"
That made him, and EVER OTHER warrior in the Knights blink. They looked at each other in clear surprise and Aiko noticed.
"You.....don't know?"
Tyler chuckled.
"More we never bothered to find out. This world is a paradise for us so why would we LEAVE?"
She and the rest of the rookies were taken aback by the amusement in his eyes at this and Aiko confronted him.
"But don't you have family? friends? A HOME TO RETURN TO?"
Tyler sighed now and he gripped the hilt of his sword as he looked at her.
"Aiko. MY parents were killed in a home invasion....and I was the one that pulled the trigger. I've been jumped in more alleys then you will ever know and my ass still hurts some nights. ALL my friends re dead from school shootings, shootouts with cops, hit by cars, you get the idea. My world is a hellscape the likes of which you will NEVER know. I never bothered asking, as I nevered intended to go back."
She grabbed him in a hug from sheer HORROR at the things he'd listed and he patted her.
"Thanks, Aiko. I'm okay."
She looked at him with tears in ehr eyes.
"Are you?"
"Oh yeah. I fought these demons off years ago. And I'm in a new world with all of them."
He waved at his friends.
"My fiance is a princess and my GOD do I love that girl. My best friend is HER."
He jabbed a thumb at Rias.
"And SHE'S the Princess of hell. Like for real. I can kill a fully grown hill giant ALONE with this and not bring a sweat. I walk down that street and am hailed a hero by people I have never met before. I BUILT my legend with my own two hands and am nowhere near done. This world is a paradise for people like me. If you longed for a second chance, YOU GOT ONE. If I can make it here, ANYONE CAN."
Aiko smiled at this.
"You remind me of one of my students. He too had a wish."
"Ha. what's his name teach?"
"Hajime Nagamo."
Tyler chuckled at that.
"Hajime Nagamo. The MONSTER OF THE ABYSS. Jesus Christ I THOUGHT I recognized you, Aiko. Or should I say, the Fertility Goddess."
"Hey! wait what?"
"You're story's famous in my world."
"Oh. Weird."
"Try it from my end."
Aiko chuckled.
"OW. So you know Nagamo's story?"
"I look up to the guy."
A LARGE number of people blinked at that serious confession. Kirito smirked.
"Like ME?"
"MORESO. I wanted to BE that guy in way you will NEVER understand."
Aiko had a new look of strain at this.
"Um, Tyler? Nagamo is....different."
"Lady. He tried to save his classmates...and they tried to kill him for it. He gets sent to hell and CLAWS HIS WAY BACK OUT. when he does, he's a godkiller with that vampire a his. Yue. The Golden Vampire Princess. So he gets sent to hell by the ones he sought to protect....and comes out a badass. He's got a code I agree with. Annnd he's just a TOUCH too kindhearted for this shit."
She blinked at this.
"Nagamo? KINDHEARTED? Maybe before, yes. Absolutely. But...now...I'm afraid he;s not exactly kind."
"He WASN'T kind he would have that shot that bunny when she pissed him off the first time. OR shot his way through Verbergan rather then help them. That guy has the strength to FORCE his way in his world REGARDLES of who's standing there, annnd is a little shy on flexing that power. Ask my friends. You get in my way I WILL cut a path through you. Asuna, how often how you seen me hesitate?"
The redhead chuckled.
"Not even with that undead banshee. Or when you found that creature....I don't even know what is was. Or when you beheaded that noble in the middle a the throne room."
Tyler looked at Aiko.
"Hajime's biggest weakness is he is TOO KINDHEARTED. Guy is an absolutel badass.....UNTIL you get one a those girls as a hostage. Then he freezes like a bug in ice. Threaten YUE, and he goes full board."
The teacher just looked at this kid younger then her own students now giving her a lecture on how the man she feared and care for most was TOO KINDHEARTED. Tyler chuckled as his perspective blew her mind.
"So to answer your question, Aiko? I dunno if we'll be able to go back. I sure as hell ain't. If you really wanna find out, ask Mylissia."
She nodded.
"Yeah. I...I will."
Her voice had a faraway tone as she foudn herself considering Tyler's words and Kirito whistled.
"wow, Tyler. First time I've ever heard YOU gush over a DUDE before."
"Ha. I resonated more with his character of retribution then I did yours."
"eh fair enough. He here?"
Tyler looked around at the group now before he spotted a taller boy in a black coat with snow white hair an an eyepatch.
"Ha. Yup. Thied table from the right next to the blue bunny."
The boy in question looked u and Rias whistled at the dark fire in his remaining eye.
"Damn. Okay I see why now."
The white haired boy with the eyepatch smirked as he looked the Berserker in the eye. His voice an iron clad bark.
"Not interested in autographs."
"Ha. You still got it?"
"I lost a lot of my power coming here. BUT. ALL my artifacts are at full power. And the trove is still here too."
"Nice. we're gonna have some fun here you an me."
"Keep up rookie."
"That's MY line newbie. Oh."
Tyler looked at the tall girl with blakc hair in a kimono sipping some wine from a glass.
"Hey Tio, question."
The girl smiled into a fan as she spoke in a soft b reath.
"Oh dear. You know me as well?"
"Yeah. Watch the masochasim aroudnt eh kids or we're gonna have some problems. And there ARE dragons in this world. I have not encountered any of them, so keep your head on a swivel."
She nodded.
"I am aware of their existence. And shall inform you if they approach."
"Good. wendy."
The blue haired girl stood.
"Here!"
"Wendy is a dragonslayer. In HER WORLD, THAT is her magic."
Tio was quite impressed by this knowledge.
"Oh my."
Asuna frowned as she picked up on something.
"Tyler? You said masochism."
"Yeaaaah that girl is a MESS. Liek a MAJOR MESS. ALL her life she was the strongest in the room. She picks a fight with Hajime...and gets beaten black and blue. She's a dragonborn....and can transform into a dragon. Are you with me so far?"
"I am. And damn."
"Oh yeah. Well. In her dragonform she has but ONE PHYSICAL weakness. Annnd it's the only place of two on her body that doesn't have scales. I think the term is shiskabob."
A fair few shuddered at the implications and tyler nodded.
"exactly. Well. Since too much stimulation too fast...she developed a pain fetish. And my GOD is it bad. Keep her AWAY from the kids and the younger until we've had a chance to get some therapy into that chick."
"Yeeeah Yue is NOT going near her."
The blonde sitting beside Hajime looked over now and spoke in a soft, yet mature voice that carried across the entire room.
"MY name is Yue."
Tyler smiled.
"Yue? where you at?"
The tiny pixie appeared from his chest with Metalica and a pop.
"Here! Hiya!"
Tyler chuckled as the tiny girl fluttered by his face.
"This is Yue. Asuna and Kirito's adoptive daughter. She's a pixie and lives inside my soul."
Yue waved and a fair few smiled at her cuteness.
"Hiya! Nice to meet everyone!"
Asuna smiled.
"You've actually been pronoucing it wrong Tyler. It's U-E. Not U-A."
"Huh. well that makes tellin em apart easy."
Yui giggled and Tyler next nodded to Metalica.
"Now THIS is Metalicana. The IRON SPRITE. She is an elemental of iron and my Astral. She lives inside my soul and is one of go tos for questions."
Yue nodded and returned to her snuggle with Hajime. Tyler chuckled at that as he looked at Yui.
"Keep away from that girl in the kimono Yui."
"Hm? oh the dragonlady? Sure. Her soul is a mess. I'll go hang out in Seria's soul."
Metalica laughed.
"NOT without ME you're not! I LOVE ehr soul!"
The two winked out of sight and Tyler chuckled.
"Those two are a handful."
Asuna nodded with a fond smile as Hajime looked at him.
"So, what's the gold doing there?"
"Oh yeah that's right."
Tyler refocused on the INTIAL reason they'd gathered in the first place.
"We made 200,000,000 off that fight with the giant. HALF is getting added to the Bloodoath. The rest is getting split between all a us."
They blinked and some smiled. Tyler looked at Belfast and she came over with the paper.
"100,000,000 has been added to the funds. The actual split is a bit of a bitch."
"I got it. Okay. We're....476. 100,000,00 by that is....210,084 with...wow. 16 coins left over we'll add to party."
Erwin blinked.
"How the hell did you do that in your head?"
"Math an I hate each other."
"Ah."
The shares were taken and Tyler smiled as he added up the new numbers.
"I now have 641,188. Bloodoath has.....105,988,653. Oh. Party coin is company secret."
They nodded and Erwin looked at him.
"Are there any other company secrets we need know now?"
Tyler frowned and looked at Asuna.
"There's my ability."
She nodded.
"even it's an OPEN secret."
Tyler looked at Erwin.
"My ability. Dark Sacralant."
"You used it to slice the leg off the giant?"
"That's it's FAILED use second effect. It's INTENDED effect, is I CUT YOUR SOUL IN HALF. Like I can kill you, no matter what armor or enchantement you are using. The ability is exclusive to the Slayer Proficency. with it, I can kill a god in a single hit so long as my ability is leveled properly. Hestia."
The goddess stood and Tyler smiled.
"Hestia is an ACTUAL goddess in human form. If I were to hit her with the ability, it would not only do damage to her MORTAL SOUL, but her IMMORTAL soul as well. I have had a NATURE SPIRIT tell em to my face I scare her. People just think it's an ultimate cut."
Hajime frowned.
"So...let me get this straight. YOU got a GODKILLER ability handed to you on a plate?"
"eh pretty much. It's INTENDED for demons. But WORKS o gods."
"HA. MY Proficency is MAgical Artisian."
"Oh good. We need mroe craftsmen to be honest. Your GUNS though."
Hestia chuckled.
"HIS style are allowed. ON LAND. everyone else it's either aboard ship or in the air."
"Thanks Hestia."
Hajime looked at him.
"Some worlds have rules on weaponry like that."
"Ah. Stieff?"
Hestia chuckled.
"Allowed. Same with Brise. Since they're kinda exclusive to you. And fi yuo think can make them to the EXACT SPECIFICATIONS, go for it."
Tyler smirked.
"Hajime. WE need to chat."
"flaming motorcycle?"
"Nah. A TANK that fires molten fireballs."
"I like it. we will talk."
Tyler chuckled at that one before he looked at the bunny with the blue fur.
"Hey Shea."
"Yes?"
She stood up all smiles.
"You still got future sight?"
The VERY pretty bunnygirl tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Um, yeah. It's a second ability I have with my Proficency of Unseen Oracle."
"Cool. You're a stealthy seer. I'll have you work with Sora. He;s got a similar trick only his is like looking through a keyhole. YOURS is triggered when you're about to die."
Shea blinked.
"Umm."
Tyler smirked and she JUMPED TO THE SIDE....and nothing happened.
"See?"
She looked at him trembling.
"I just SAW YOU hit me with a KNIFE from there and it killed me!"
"It's an easy trick to master."
"YOU'RE MEAN!"
"Ha. Relax Hopps,"
"Hey jackass."
Tyler looked over at Rias,
"what-OOOF."
And she slugged him.
"NO bullying the adorable bunnygirl!"
he chuckled as he rubbed hus face.
"Sure thing Rias. Shea's one TOUGH bunny though."
"Yeet she's wearing bikini armor?"
"That's more her PEOPLE'S FAULT then hers. Literal bunnies made into people."
"Oh."
"Yeah Shea's been there a few times. She's one a the few bunnygirls that is NOTa just there for fanservice. PURE melee though with a MASSIVE warhammer amplified with shotgun shells."
"Scary."
"Yeah."
Shea smiled as she sat back down.
"Nice again!"
Tyler chuckled at her squeaky yet kind voice. Then he looked at them.
"Anyone else have any questions?"
A tall boy with brown hair in shiny golden armor stepped up now. He was Tyler's height with broad shoulders and blue eyes. He spoke in a firm yet tenored voice.
"My name is Kouki Awamanogwia. I have a question for you, Berserker."
Tyler looked at him curiously.
"Spit it out."
"HOW many people have you killed?"
Tyler tilted his head at the odd question...and Strand smiled.
"Yes there IS a Besteiry."
"Thanks Strand."
He pulled his Status Plate and found the list of slain monsters.
"Goblins....orcs.....Ah. People is listed at.....wow. 2,535. Huh. Yea. 2,535."
Kouki had a look of horror on his face at the high number.
"You just said you're not ALLOWED to deal out death penalties...yet you have killed that many people?"
Tyler nodded.
"Yup. Passing judgement is different then fighting bandits on the street ."
"HOW so?"
"Cause. You lift a sword against me you're dead before you hit the ground."
"Are there no jails? No FAIR TRIALS?"
"Ugh. Okay. I'll just get this out of the way."
The Berserker leaned on a table.
"Soo, following your method, Kouki, killing is wrong, right?"
He nodded.
"It is. Murder is ALWAYS wrong."
"Okay. Keep that in mind. So. You're at home, with say your family. Nice folks. Never hurt anybody. Your mother, sisters, and we'll father too for this lesson. Suddenly, a group of hooded thgus kick in your front door, kill your father and take your mother and sisters hostage. They don't know you're there and they have the rest of your family tied up and are about to RAPE THEM BEFORE YOUR EYES. There is a GUN loaded with enough bullets to kill them. And a phone. You THINK it's fully charged. Which do you choose?"
Kouki's answer was on reflex.
"The phone. I'd call the cops."
"Ehhh, wrong. The phone is DEAD. No charge. And in so doing, alerted the invaders of your prsence. They find you, and the gun. Congrads. One of your sisters was just raped in front of your very eyes. And you had allll the power in the world to stop in that gun. Okay. Try again. They tie you up as they finish up inside your sister and as she screams, your OTHER sister passes you a knife. You can use it to cut either HER TIES, or YOURS. Which do you choose?"
Kouki was shaking in rage at the images as he again answered on reflex.
"I'd cut hers. She could run."
"ehhh wrong. Yu cut hers...and she freezes. How could she leave you to run for her life? She;s only 6 years old you see. The men come back...find she escape with a knife...and now it's her turn to be raped as your other sister BLEEDS TO DEATH FROM ER INJURIES. Your younger sister's screams are QUITE piercing as she is BEGGING YOU TO SAVE HER. You find the cuffs are cracked and you break them. You are free and have AGAIN the element of surprise. You see the loaded gun on rhe table BEHIND THE RAPING YOUR SISTER MEN. Your sister sees you and is BEGGING YOU to save her. What do yuo choose?"
Kouki was shaking even more violently as he fought with the choice and Tyler smiled.
"Ehhh too late. The men finish inside your sister and she too, bleeds to death from her injuries. They find you, frozen in fear with the gun on the table. They laugh, and now it's YOUR turn on the table and they're inside YOUR ass. Your mother is beside you also with like three guys inside her and she looks you in the eye...and asks WHY DID YOU HESITATE? well Kouki? WHY DID YOU HESITATE?"
Kouki had tears of helpless rage on his face as his mind fought with itself to come uo with an answer. Tyler walked over, and patted him with a smirk.
"And THAT, Kouki, is why you will NEVER be a hero to those that need one. YOU ARE A COWARD. Now turn around, take your seat, and stop pretending to be a knight in shining armor."
Tyler turned the silently weeping boy and pushed him to the empty chair. Kouki retook it without a word as the Berserker sat on the head table.
"You're probably wondering where that scenairo came from. well. It;s mine."
A fresh wave of horror went through the silently glaring heroes. Tyler nodded.
"That happened to me. But with a difference. I didn't hesitate to grab the gun and shoot those monsters. I dropped four of em and ran outta bullets. First sister raped to death. Second was too. I got loose and found a second gun and killed the remaining three. I didn't know they had fifteen. Didn't know till I got hit with that bat. Came to, and was looking my mother in the eye as they fucked us both. She smiled and said at least I tried. And to make sure I got them next time. I did. I did get them the next time."
He looked at the heroes.
"So. Any other questions you wanna ask?"
Kouki was heard shivering as he fought with his own personal ideals and weaknesses and Tyler looked at Asuna.
"I got him. Ugh. He'dda been dead three days in in SAO."
"He'dda be a jumper."
"Absolutely.
Kouki had a new look of mentan anguish n his face from the entirely plausible yet hypothetical scenario. Tyler then smirked.
"And here's proof that shit happens HERE too. Asuna."
The redheaded second in command smiled as she played the crystal from Melody's village. Instantly a mass of gasps of horror and pity rang out at the pile of mutilated corpses imapled on stakes. Tyler sighed as he looked at them.
"THOSE happen EVERY. SINGLE. DAY."
He snapped his fingers.
"Ten more were just wiped out and we'll never hear of them. We found them after the monsters did. If you think we can save everyone, well, that's just not possible. Will we TRY to? Nope. We'll do what we can, but we'll do it at our pace. so WE do NOT end up like THEM."
ERwin shuddered now as he saw the signs of rape and birth on the mutilated women.
"To think I am GLAD all we had are titans and that they just EAT us."
Mina shuddered as she remembered.
"In Tyler's words? TRUE monsters do that to you. And it's why it'd OUR job to scare them MORE."
Makorov had a look of utter thunder on his face as he looked at Tyler.
"WERE THE MONSTERS RESPONSIBLE CAUGHT?"
TYler chuckled.
"Oh they got caught alright. TRUST ME. We found the ones that did it. Right, Akeno?"
The half fallen angel giggled knowingly.
"Oh we did! They were FUN!"
More then a few shuddered at the joyful glee in Akeno's pink eyes and Tylr chuckled.
"Akeno's like WAAAAAY into Sadomasochism. She brings the pain....AND LIKES IT. she uses lightning too."
More then a few more shuddered again and Akeno giggled before Hajime refocused them.
"You still haven't explained material splitting."
The room fell silent and the recording put away. Tyler nodded.
"Using the bandit company again. The raiders that secured the camp get first claim to the weapons and armor and stuff like that. Gems and valuables are split like gold as gems are a currency in some places and can be used for magical catalysts. An important point. If I say it's for SERIA, that's IT, no further questions."
There was a few chuckles at that and Elizabeth smiled.
"If THAT is he abuses his position of leader? Hoarding gifts for his fiance? I can live with it."
Erwin chuckled.
"Is that a serious rule?"
The ENTIRE Knights company replied en mass.
"It is. He does it all the time."
The women chuckled and the men smiled approvingly before Tyler moved on.
"Now. Material like ore and crafting materials. If you mined it yourself on a break or say in a campsite, depending on the type, it's yours to claim. If you find material of vaule, I ask you check in with the leaders and Metalica in case it can be better used for the company. MAss supplies of 100 pounds or more are split between individual and company as we make a lot of stuff on the road and it costs less if you bring you're own material. If you find ANYTHING, report it to Belfast or her assistants for the company records. That way if anything goes missing we can say it existed in the first place."
They nodded and Tyler switched to the next item.
"Now. Potions and healing. EVERYTHINF of healing you find, from herbs and potions to spells and tonics are hoarded and divvied to the experts. Healing is company wide and hoarded to the extreme. That said, EVERYONE will get their own set of healing spells and potions to make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN we have enough. You will also be given a full complement of spells mirroring our own arsenals to also ensure no gaps in the line. Afterwards, any new spells, perks, abilities and the like you aquire are to be reported to the leaders along with how, when, where, and everything else you know about getting it. The same when you level up. ALL Skills numbers are to be reported to the leaders. And they are a party secret except for mine."
Erwin smirked at that.
"The Bait."
"Exactly. I have a VERY good flair for the flashy show. So, we use it. Long as they're looking at ME, they DON'T SEE YOU."
The leaders in the rookies smirked at the setup and TYlr moved to the next bit of intel.
"Now. Keep this in your pocket. But the Draken have made their OWN summing of heroes as well."
They gasped and Tyler nodded gravely.
"And this is MY hunch going off the intel we got from the prisoners we took, but they are the assholes and adversaires from ALL OF YOUR WORLDS."
Erwin frowned.
"Even the dead members?"
"Sachi was killed in her world and she's here. I see a few people I know for CERTAIN are supposed to be dead and yet are here. So yes."
Elizabeth looked at him with a frown.
"And just WHO is supposed to be dead?"
TYler jabbed a thumb at a tall, lanky boy with sandy hair by Erwin.
"HIM for one. He got eaten alive by 25 foot tall giants. Sachi and her crew there for others. Since we're all from different worlds, it's not THAT much of a stretch."
There as a mass sigh and Tyler refocused.
"So there is a chance we'll encounter enemy heroes as well. But. According to the intel we have on them from the same captured Draken, their highest level is level TEN. And I am a level 15. We have heard this from the mouths of five different Draken. I am under the impression it's a race wide misdirection and missinformation strategy, but for the time being that doesn't really concern us. They're out there. But not cose enough to really bother us yet."
Erwin nodded.
"Be mindful of our enemies. Now you did not finish answering my crimes question."
"Ah. The theft piece."
"Indeed."
Tyler shrugged.
"I can handle THAT much for punishments. If we find a thief I'll bust out a few more of my tricks. And it'll either be hard work, hurt like HELL, be UTTERLY HUMILIATING, or some combo of the bunch. Dunno. Depends on how I feel at the time."
Makorov looked at him.
"Infighting ike say a personal spat?"
Tyler chuckled.
"NO airing out your dirty laundry on mission or in public. If you're gonna have a lover's spat....DO IT IN CAMP OR BEHIND A DOOR. Annnywhere else....and ya get SMACKED. Right Rias?"
The redhead chuckled.
"He WILL knock you the fuck out if you start something like that at the wrong time. TRUST me."
Ryuko smirked.
"Grudge matches?"
"CAMP away from everyone else. YOUR drama will not make a mess of OUR camp. We clear?"
"Yeah, yeah."
TYler smirked.
"Or WE'LL have a grudge match.....with unprotected swords."
Ryuko noded now with a SLIGHT hint of nerves and Satsuki nodded as well with a sigh. Tyler then looked at the rest of the group seeking any missed holes as Elizabeth had one.
"Upgrades for our equipment?"
Tyler smiled.
"On an individual level, if you say gt a fresh sword, you pay for it yourself. If we go for a span in the wilds and everyone levels up to the point their old gear is underleveled, the company coin is used. If you DO buy a new sword and it's being forged let th leaders know so we can make sure you get it. LAst thing we need is you to buy a sword and we leave before it's ready."
The rookies fell silent as they digested the mass amount of information thrown at them and Tyler smiled.
"If you have any other questions, thoughts, concerns the leaders aren't that hard to find. The rest of the day is yours and remember the grinding. we'll be handing out rally whistles to you soon so keep them on you at all times as they're used for muster."
They nodded and Tyler cracked his neck.
"I'll go pick another fight."
The Knights chuckled at that as the Berserker hopped down and headed for the door. He left and Erwin looked at Asuna as the door shut.
"So he comes from a horror filled past."
Belfast answered in her place.
"His past is filled with tragedy, evil, and war. Which is where his Berserker rage comes from."
Erwin frowned.
"Does he have a secure grip on his rages?"
Rias chuckled.
"THAT depends on how much you piss em off. The more you piss him off, the shakier it gets. He goes in TOO DEEP, only SERIA can calm him down. And if you stand between him and whatever it is that pissed him off to THAT DEGREE, he'd cut you down and not even notice. Have you noticed his eyes turning red?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"I have."
Rias smiled humorlessly.
"So long as there is brown and white still visible, he is in control. If you should EVER, look in his eyes and see nothing but red, GET OUT OF HIS WAY. For all he can see, is that which pissed him off...and red. THAT'S IT."
Erwin looked at her now as a new wave of frowns was seen.
"How extreme is it when he goes into it?"
"He nearly cut me in half."
That revelation made them all frown hard and Makorov looked at the busty redhead in concern.
"And what does it take for him to go into that kind of rage?"
Belfast sighed.
"Nerve-rackingly little MAster Makorov. The ONE TIME we saw this rage in it's entirety was when Tyler lost a bout with a knight from the RULES, NOT THE FIGHT itself. In a REAL FIGHT, he would have won. But. The winner was determined by first HIT. My theory is he had a flashback to other just injustice and it set him off. He NEARLY killed the knight, Victoria our trainer, RIAS, and myself as we stood there trying to calm him down. Then the Lady Seria spoke and he reacted on reflex. She asked him to lower his sword and it was like he got ice water dumped on him. He was midswing against Rias as well."
Elizabeth smiled.
"So his beloved fiance ws able to calm the savage beast within him. I love the romance of that. Yet the rest is extremely troubling. And it has only surfaced the one time, Belfast?"
She nodded.
"Indeed. We are all on watch with a secret spell Seria gave to us he dos not know about in the event he DOES go into the rage. It will allow her to contact him directly in a feelable image."
They nodded and Asuna smiled.
"It is a backup plan. Nothing more. Odds are he knows we have it too. The fact he sees her nearly every day from his own spell helps him keep it caged. Just gods help us if she ever gets so much as a SCRATCH from an enemy, Cuase them he'd fly into a rage the likes of which is simply TERRIFYING to imagine."