Traitor!

When Ramiel returned to the dungeon, he found the sight of two beauties sleeping side by side. He wasn't surprised. He had partially expected it. After all, he had been out of the dungeon for 17 hours. At first, he hadn't planned to return so late. However, the goblins' training consumed him completely.

They showed more potential than he had expected. Rascal, the goblin chief, especially absorbed knowledge at an alarming rate. Within one training session, he had mastered the basics of mana and learned simple spells with their help.

He needs only a few more training sessions and will be able to face the Night Ripper himself.

In truth, fighting him was nothing spectacular or challenging. These are niche-rank monsters that occur at the beginning of small dungeons.

But in the current situation, even niche monsters pose a deadly threat to Ramiel. The former hunter's problem lies in the amount of mana. Weak reserves directly affected the strength of a man's spells and skills.

Take Spark, for example, under the magnifying glass. Under normal circumstances, the skill should impose up to a hundred circles of Cursed Condemnation. In the last battle, it didn't impose a single one... Drifting further into the subject, apart from temporarily stunning the monster, the skill did nothing more.

Leach didn't solve the problem either. The skill could increase the available mana pool, but only at later stages of development.

Besides, even if Leach was stealing mana, Ramiel didn't have the soldiers to hold the front for him long enough...

Why does the beginning have to be so frustrating? I don't even have a normal weapon! Where's my omnipotent system with incredible bonuses and free quests with rewards? As usual, my whole life is uphill... - Ramiel whined a bit in his mind until he heard the fairy complaining in his head.

Apparently, Avi didn't like his inner monologue.

' Ygh... Someone is trying to sleep here! ' - the fairy growled in a sleepy voice.

" I must somehow learn to control it... ". - Ramiel muttered, this time out loud.

' I think so too, now be so nice and don't speak! And above all, don't think! '

Ramiel ignored Avi's shouts and headed straight for the dungeon core. He was curious to see how much he had grown.

| Master Status| 

| Name Ramiel |

| Race Human |

| Age 21 (26) |

| Strength 7 > 12 |

| Stamina 8 > 14 |

| Vitality 5 > 8 |

| Agility 7 > 10 |

| Defense 9 > 19 |

| Mana 15 > 24 |

| Enriched mana 0 |

| Intelligence 45 > 46 |

| Unique Master Skills |

| Evolution < !@#!@%!@#!%!^@#@!# > |

...

" It's not bad ... I'd even say it's good. The lake turned out to be more helpful than I thought... Maybe I won't need the system at this rate... " - Ramiel covered his mouth with a yawn. Today had been a tiring day, and he deserved some rest.

Just as he was about to lie down next to Asme, he noticed a portion of roasted meat not far from the campfire.

" Huh? " - Ramiel muttered, surprised, looking at the sleeping women. " They made it for me? That's nice of them. "

The man added to the fire and ate the food. The meat was a little burnt, but a slight burning hasn't hurt anyone yet. The peculiar taste gave it a unique flavor, reminiscent of grilled pork neck.

While enjoying his meal, Ramiel remembered something. Almost immediately, a snake egg appeared in his hand.

Not long ago, he had stolen two eggs during a raid on the Mandragor Caves. One he sacrificed as he fled, the other he took with him.

Ramiel wasn't sure what to do with it. His first instinct was to cook the eggs, but he had a hunch he shouldn't.

In that case, he decided to follow what had never failed him before. The instinct told him to pour mana into the object.

Focusing on the energy circulating inside, he forced it to leave his body and materialize in the form of a thin ribbon.

From that point on, the former hunter didn't have to do much. The mana in physical form spontaneously wrapped itself around the egg and entered its insides.

The whole process took about an hour. Ramiel wouldn't have minded continuing, but he had to stop. His mana reserves had reached a dangerous point.

" I can't win with this ... ". - The man clicked his tongue, frustrated. He felt that he was close to success. However, as always, the low mana levels stood in his way.

The former hunter was about to return the egg to the space ring, but cracks appeared on its surface.

Suddenly, the eggshell flew apart in his hands, accompanied by several unpleasant cracking sounds. The head of a white snake crawled out from under the shards, followed by the rest of the body... Potowr was as thin as a USB cable and about 10 centimeters long.

The small creature looked with innocent red eyes at Ramiel, tilting its head to the side. The snake, however, wasn't as defenseless as it looked. The monster bit the man's hand in a flash before he had time to react.

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck. How could I have been so careless? What if it is a poisonous snake!!! I'm finished... - Ramiel's heart almost stopped under the flood of thoughts.

With the eyes of his imagination, he could already see the headlines of the newspapers, all laughing at him... " Hunter Ramiel died because of his own stupidity. See how! David knocked down Goliath, a clash of two giants! Hunter killed by a newborn snake, the beginning of the end, or Ramiel's carelessness!!!? "

However, contrary to what he thought, none of his fears came true. On the contrary, something happened that he didn't expect at all.

Within seconds, Ramiel's hand and snakeskin were covered with hundreds of incomprehensible runes. All of them, like one man, flashed with a blinding yellow glow and penetrated deep into the skin of both men.

The former hunter's right hand had a tattoo of a jaw with oversized fangs. He wasn't the only one to experience strange changes; the snake also experienced them.

A strange mark appeared on the monster's abdomen. It represented a chained star. Although it was strange, the symbol seemed very familiar to Ramiel. The former hunter didn't know why.

The snake, unconcerned with the man's thoughts, cleverly wrapped itself around his ring finger and fell asleep.

Ramiel didn't know what actually happened, but he was glad he was still alive. He quickly forgot his recent fears and watched the little monster's actions intrigued.

The snake seemed to be enjoying its sleep and had no intention of changing that anytime soon.

Ramiel watched the monster for a while longer and sighed. He felt no hostile intent from the tiny creature, besides hebeing too tired to bother with it now.

" I will deal with it tomorrow. " - The former hunter yawned and snuggled up to the scantily clad Asme. Lately, falling asleep like this had gotten into his blood.

~~~~~~

Asme was the first to awaken in the morning, or rather, she was awakened by a man's hand pulling the woman closer to him.

At first, she wanted to grind Ramiel to the ground, but she relented when she saw her tail wrapped tightly around the former hunter's hand. How could she be upset with him when she subconsciously craved a man's attentiveness and a little tenderness?

Seizing the opportunity, Asme turned around and embraced the former hunter's chest cattle and simultaneously snuggled into it. Asme didn't want to admit it, but she liked to do it. If Ramiel wakes up, she can always pretend to be asleep.

After all, this isn't the first time the horned beauty has resorted to similar tricks. She felt slightly sorry for leaving a stranded Caera on the other side, but natural instinct quickly smoothed the guilt.

Asme was savoring the man's warmth when an electrifying jolt went through her body. Her tail straightened, her pupils dilated, and her tiny pink lips opened, drawing in the air faster.

The culprit of the commotion was Ramiel's hand, aroused by the familiar stimulus, reflexively went to the woman's buttocks and squeezed them.

The former hunter was unaware of this habit. He often did this in his sleep, and it had become natural to him after so many years in a relationship.

Feeling a distinctive itch in the lower half, Asme wriggled in an attempt to get free... Although judging by the woman's eyes bathed in lust, one might question her motive. Clearly, she is taking pleasure in a small incident.

A horned beauty should definitely be sincere...

Unfortunately, Asme had to bypass the taste. The pleasant moment was interrupted when Ramiel woke up. His hand almost immediately went to sleepy eyes and rubbed them.

The poor man was oblivious to recent events...

When he opened his eyes, all he saw was the face of the succubus nestled against his chest. She looked solemn.

Many times in the morning, he had been tempted to grab Asme's protruding horns in a similar situation. Unfortunately, common sense prevented him from doing so. For the most part, he was right; it was a shame to spoil what he had worked out so far.

If only he had known about the little incident of a few minutes ago... maybe the former hunter would have acted a little differently. Who knows...

Ramiel was a little lazy today. He got a lot done yesterday, so he probably deserved some kind of reward. He decided to spend the morning enjoying the presence of a beautiful woman at his side.

After all, he is a man. He would be impotent if he didn't take pleasure in similar moments.

Without paying much attention to his surroundings, Ramiel placed his hand right next to the horned beauty thus, pressing her tail.

Asme reacted almost immediately, driving her nails into the man's belly.

" Ma - Master m - my ... my tail! " - The horned beauty exclaimed, stammering and rubbing her legs eloquently.

A surprised Ramiel raised his hand, and the lovely tail disappeared in a flash. Asme took her hands from the former hunter's belly and looked straight into his eyes with a sly gaze. She perceived in them surprise, confusion, and an ever-present coldness that she had long since grown accustomed to.

" Please be more careful next time, Master! My tail is very sensitive! - The horned beauty muttered reproachfully. Deep down, she wanted the man to continue.

Ramiel wasn't one of the best thinkers in the morning. It took a long moment before his brain processed the information.

Ending unable to come up with a good solution, he stroked the horned beauty's head and apologized.

Asme's face blushed, but the woman didn't object. Such affectionate gestures were new to her. They caused a strange and, at the same time, pleasant feeling inside her stomach. It was as if a swarm of butterflies had suddenly awakened from a hundred-year sleep.

Asme settled comfortably on Ramiel and let him continue. When the boy tried to take his hand away, she would catch it and direct it back toward his head.

The two continued like this for a full hour. The former hunter didn't complain. After all, that was more or less his goal. On the other hand, Asme also seemed to enjoy the little interaction between them. A look at the wagging tail was enough.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Their pleasant moment was interrupted by the elfess' cough. Caera felt jealous of her friend's monopoly. She had to clarify the issue with her later if she could gather the courage.

The pair reluctantly parted. Asme took care of Caera while Ramiel prepared the food. Today, for a change, it consisted mainly of vegetables and fruits found in the abyss.

Sensing a sweet smell, the little snake woke up. The former hunter didn't know where it came from, but he knew that the little snake was hungry.

Maybe it has something to do with the stigma on my hand? I'll have to ask Avi about that.

As if on cue, the little devil woke up. Noticing a small snake wrapped around Ramiel's finger, her eyes went out of orbit.

" How the hell did you get a hanyard!!!? No, I have a better question!!!? Why don't I know anything about it!!!? " - the fairy ripped out. However, her screams didn't make much of an impression on Ramiel. He was used to similar scenes.

After spending several days with the fairy, they are nothing amazing.

" Because you were asleep. " - Ramiel replied blithely, turning over the vegetables in the pan.

Avi froze in stillness. Her brow quivered with anger, and steam rose from her ears.

A small brawl caught the attention of Caera and Asme. The two women looked at each other and came closer, eavesdropping on the conversation. They were curious about what Ramiel and Avi were talking about this time. Their quarrels are always interesting and provide one of the few sources of entertainment in the dungeon.

" Why don't you tell me what's going on instead of yelling senselessly? " - Ramiel threw in a loose suggestion. But he underestimated the fairy's temperament.

" Hmpf! Find out for yourself! " - Avi growled and crossed arms over her breasts. 

The former hunter rubbed the corners of his eyes. The day had just begun, and he had already dealt with the fairy's whims.

Avi's sudden outburst is problematic, to say the least. He is like a child lost in the fog without a private encyclopedia.

" Master, I think I can help you. "

Like a ricochet on a white horse, Caera came to his rescue or, rather was brought by Asme. The elfess was still unable to move on her own.

Ramiel nodded without turning his attention back to the campfire. He had divided attention so he could do several things at once.

" As far as I know, hanyards are extremely rare... This is due to the so-called soul's pact and its strict limitations. First, the monster must be in the early stages of development. Second, the monster must accost the other creature and deem it worthy. Third, the monster and the host must be compatible. If both conditions are met, it becomes possible to make a pact..."

" ... It isn't a complicated procedure and occurs automatically. It is enough to make physical contact ... "

" ... Apparently, the bond between the hanyard and the host is similar to that between the first fairy of the dungeon and the Master... I don't know what exactly it consists of, but the hanyard can use some of the host's spells and abilities. On the other hand, the Master can use some of the power of the associated monster if he raises and develops it properly... "

" I hope I helped... "

Caera lowered her head, frozen. She was a bit stressed, and the coherence of her speech suffered as a result. Nevertheless, she relayed the necessary information to Ramiel.

The man already knew what the problem was. Avi was jealous. Until now, she had a monopoly on the former hunter's services, and now that there was competition, she had to share it.

" Thank you, Caera. " - Ramiel sincerely thanked the elfess. This time, she was helpful, unlike the offended fairy.

" This - This is my duty, master. " - Caera blushed, whispering.

The little snake looked at Ramiel with a guilty conscience. Demanding food, he bit his finger.

Tsk... why does everyone want to bite me lately... - Ramiel muttered, displeased in his mind, then cut off a piece of raw meat and gave it to the hanyard. He knew that young snakes should be fed with small mice, but he didn't have anything like that on hand.

When you don't have what you like, you like what you have.

The snake followed the popular proverb and disliked it. First, it carefully sniffed a piece of meat and then greedily ate it.

Ramiel felt the gaze of the two women on him and could anticipate what they wanted from him.

" Master, we can get him... "

Before Asme could finish, Ramiel interrupted her.

" No, I will not condemn him to torture as I did with Avi. "

The little snake slid into the elfess's hands as if mocking him. This made the woman happy. A bright smile appeared on her face.

" Master, have you named it yet? " - Caera asked shyly.

" No..." - Ramiel shook his head, returning to reality. He fainted for a moment. It seemed to him that the snake had done it on purpose.

" I honestly didn't have time for that. If you want, you can think of something cool, and I'll pick something up later. "

After these words, Ramiel concentrated on finishing his breakfast. When the food was ready, he packed a portion and took the goblins to another training session in the Abyss.