christmas Special-C7: Progress, and Meeting Friends

C7: Progress, and Meeting Friends (2 for 1 special-will post 2nd later today)

Word count = 2079 on 12/24/2023

The duo of Axel and Raikou rise up early in the morning to examine his Falna and to say that Raikou is shocked at his speed of development is an understatement.

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<Status >

Name: Axel Gram

Level 1

Strength: H-149

Endurance: H-151

Dexterity: H-160

Agility: H-130

Magic: H-180

<Magic >: NONE

<Skills >:

Anima Scissa[1]- Holders of this skill are torn beyond construction and thus are unable to use magic. Comparably, the possessor may tap into the power of their soul to unearth new found abilities comparable to magic. When the vessel possesses enough power, new fragments may be unearthed.

Anima Scissa (Magister daemonium[2]): tapping into the soul, the user may exhibit the power of a gluttonous demon who may consume the strength of others through the incantation, "Shadows of the Abyss, I AM the Endless, Rapture of Power and Possessor of All that Belongs to Others."

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Axel is also surprised by how quickly his stats rose after a single dive but he quickly breaks down his thoughts for all his stats.

His skill allowed him to absorb the ambient dungeon mana and he also tried it with the one core the day before which likely had the largest boost on his magic stat. Goblins aren't super impressive in any category but he did absorb at least 3-4 of them yesterday which if he assumes 10 points to each stat then it makes more sense. He is surprised his dexterity is the highest since he would have thought his fisticuffs maneuver yesterday would have left him more physically stronger than dexterous but he was using martial arts for it which explains it.

While Axel is thinking about it logically, Raikou is more worried about a certain goddess and her response to his rapid growth as the common adventurer would take at least a few weeks to reach such stats. Even the more talented would take at least 1 week as they acclimate to the dungeon and combat. She ponders on simply lying to Freya to make his progress fast but not as fast as it currently looks. This would mean she also delays Axel's level up announcement as she is willing to bear the risk if it's to protect her child.

The duo are heading out to try to get Axel some gauntlets to provide protection to his arms if he is intent on being a brawler but as they leave, a voice rings that which attracts all of the public.

"OI, ya fat cow, I heard you finally got a Familia member, congratulations, Though I hope that doesnt make your ego enlarge that fat on your chest anymore." The owner of these words is a scantily clad pale young lady with horns on her head wearing a starry sky designed kimono. Due to her short figure, one would assume them to be a vulgar child but the fact of the twin horns on her head, the visible fangs in her mouth when she speaks or the fact that she lives in the immortal section of the city is more than enough to know that this is no 'young' girl but an immortal Oni who regularly throws insults at Raikou due to the lack of characteristics in her own chest. Nevertheless, her appearance is still fairly charming as she holds the red sake cup in hand, stumbling over to Raikou and blatantly poking her chest in annoyance as she speaks.

Most men in the street immediately get nosebleeds from the comparative beauties. As for Raikou herself, she smiles gently as she responds, "That is correct Shuten-san, you were almost even invited to join in the trifecta falna but you weren't home. Oh the shame, you missed out on such an opportunity." She says whilst flexing her chest against the poking hand which only makes it dig in deeper for a stronger bounce once the pressure is let up to actually bounce

"HAAAA, what opportunity is this shrimp supposed to be? Need I remind that this illustrious one already has 3 members, you're one of the few who hasn't had any members until now. No doubt your child is being suffocated under your air bags since you don't have enough room to give him his own bed." Shuten Doji retorts once more but only gets her horns grabbed as a shadow falls over Raikou's face as a malicious smile is spread.

"So What little drunkard, Of the three members, two are simply drunkards who are only interested in children which is why they like you so much, while only the third is redeemable as a proper adventurer who seeks to improve herself. How that poor young girl ended up with you, I have no clue except that you forcibly intoxicated her and ravaged her body yourself which you used as blackmail."

Axel is shown a whole new side to his goddess as he is pulled away by a pink haired girl, "yahoo Axel-kun. How are you? Sowwy I haven't been around so much, I've been handling various requests on behalf of the Ganesha family for some villages nearby. I only just got back yesterday. Oh, Don't mind those two, this is a regular thing as they have a rivalry from back when they were still mortal. It will pass in a few minutes, how about you tell me about your experiences since we last saw each other" The pink haired girl which was actually Astolfo-chan begins to drag him away from the fight so he doesnt get hurt in the worst case scenario.

When Axel learns that this is seemingly a regular event, he calms down as he is told that the worst thing that happens is that they wear each other's clothes and hold a grudge for a week or so. Axel on the other hand goes a bit red at envisioning his goddess and the other girl who is Shuten Doji with torn clothing but he shakes his head quickly to clear the thought, but not fast enough that Astolfo didn't notice. She gets a fanged/mischievous smile as she whispers into his ear , "oh yaa, what do we have here, a mortal is lusting over a pair of goddesses. I wonder how they will feel if they were to hear about this. If you don't want me to tell them then you better spill out what you have been up to the past 2 weeks" she blackmails him quite openly and as such, relents in telling her about his preparations in the past 2 weeks and his first dungeon adventure happening yesterday. He quietly describes how it's skill works and a bit about his own advancement.

He doesnt mention the core absorption or how high his stats are now since they are in public to which Astolfo simply nods and gives him a head pat for being 'a good boy'.

Soon enough, Raikou approaches the duo, luckily for everyone, her clothes were not actually torn this time around and after some conversation to catch up with Astolfo, the two resume their shopping for a pair of gauntlets. They were lucky enough to find a pair of cheap gloves and bracers that came as a set for 8 thousand Vali's, Raikou gave Axel some money to pay for them as she recognized the initials 'S-M' on the armor. She was wondering if she should approach that person as setting him up as her child's personal blacksmith, but that is a thought for much later when they had more wealth to spend. She knows that he is primarily a swordsmith, this shows that he is at least branching out a bit.

After buying the armor, they went on to visit the people that Raikou actually intended to meet with the foremost being Takemikazuchi. The duo stop just outside the simple but oriental looking home as Raikou nods and a young teenage girl with bangs covering one of her eyes opens the door to see who it is. She is wearing the customary purple robes and a bandage around her neck even though she is not injured.

"Um, hello, may I help you?" She asks in a slightly quiet voice which forces Axel to actually lean in to hear while Raikou simply responds that she wishes to see 'Take-san'. Hitachi Chigusa doesnt recognize Raikou but it has been a long time since Raikou has visited the god due to having no real need for it and just working all the time.

Chigusa is a bit reluctant to let them in but she recognizes the fact that only close friends of her god refer to him as 'take' even if it was phrased respectfully (the -san). She leads the way for the duo to a courtyard where Kashima Ouka, and Yamato Mikoto are sparring in front of Takemikazuchi. He offers guidance every once in a while to help them improve their mistakes when he notices Raikou and Axel.

"Alright, stop you two, we have guests" the god says and the two members disengage and stand apart, bowing to each other as they begin to unwind a bit by stretching.

"Raikou, it has been a long time since we last met, I thought you would be busy forever and never visit. " he welcomes Raikou with open arms. Takemikazuchi is a far east god who wears old style clothing that is slightly ripped around the sleeves part, his hair is arranged in a similar old style which makes him look fairly bland though he is handsome and has a toned body.

"Yes, I apologize I have never visited, as you said, i've been very busy for so long. But I have great news. I finally got my first familia member." She explains while holding her hands out to Axel, who bows in response as a greeting to the god.

Take nods as he comments, "he looks like a very healthy and spirited young man but why have you come here?" he questions.

"Well, my child visited the dungeon for the first time yesterday and after a close call, he has taken an interest in pure martial arts prowess as his mainstay for dungeoneering. I hope you may teach him every other day or so if possible so he can build up the proper experience."

"I see, I accept if your child is willing to spar with my children as well. Fighting against the same people makes them build up certain habits and so new blood is welcome to break these habits" his words are like arrows at the three member in attendance, but more so Ouka and Mikoto, Chigusa on the other hand is giving them towels to clean themselves up and dry off so they don't get sick.

Raikou is happy at the response while Axel who wasn't told any of this is confused before his goddess explains to him while kneeling down on the pillow which Chigusa provided for them. "Axel, my main occupation is with the sword or bow, I am much less talented at hand to hand combat which is why I hope you can accept Take-sans help and improve. I don't want you to get injured any worse than you did yesterday." Her words make him solemn as he accepts to train.

They start off with a simple practice with Axel trying to hit the god but he regularly misses or is redirected at the last moment. Then a short spar with Mikoto to get skill set down before they introduce to him some exercises which he does most of the day before going home as Raikou still has classes to take care of.

The next day Axel would be traveling to the dungeon and for the next week he had have the on again, off again training schedule with the Takemikazuchi familia.

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Non spoiler message (next note is spoiler based on my thoughts and s3 content): For anyone wondering, hestia and bell are roughly 3 months away or so but that is liable to change if I feel that Axel's speed slows down for whatever big reason I create in the future.

Spoiler Alert to S3 of Danmachi: I just had a realization, from s3 of danmachi where they informed hestia that Ganesha knew about the Xenos and monsterphilia was an attempt to try integrating them with humans. Then the silverback gorilla might have been a Xenos!? Hmm hmm? 🤨

Your thoughts? Hmm hmm.?!