Chapter 7: The Lake of Terrors

The early morning sun cast a warm glow over the Velclair Estate as Ryuto stirred in bed, the familiar sensation of Celeste wrapped tightly around him. Her body pressed against his, her arms and legs possessively entangled with his own. For a moment, Ryuto lay still, savoring the peace, though his mind was still reeling from the events of the previous day. The fight with the cultists, the injuries to Roland and Nina, and Celeste's terrifying show of raw power had left him with much to process.

As he shifted, attempting to free himself from Celeste's grip, she stirred as well. Her eyes fluttered open, and she stretched languidly beside him, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. "Good morning, my hero," she purred softly, brushing a kiss against his shoulder.

"Morning," Ryuto muttered, managing a small smile in return. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Celeste watched him from where she lay, her gaze soft but possessive. "You're always in such a rush," she teased, sitting up to wrap her arms around him from behind. "You should relax more. Especially after yesterday…"

Ryuto sighed, gently pulling away to stand. "There's too much to do. The cult, the quests, there's always something." He began dressing quickly, his mind already focused on what lay ahead.

Celeste's playful expression darkened just slightly, a flicker of something more dangerous crossing her face. "Don't push yourself too hard, Ryuto. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Ryuto paused, turning to face her. He knew that Celeste's protectiveness had only deepened after their recent battles, and as much as he appreciated her dedication, there was a growing intensity in her words that made him uneasy.

"I'll be fine," Ryuto reassured her, forcing a grin. "I've got you watching my back, after all."

Celeste smiled, leaning in for one last kiss before allowing him to leave. "Just remember that," she whispered, her voice a mix of affection and warning.

After leaving the estate, Ryuto made his way to the adventurers' guild, where the usual bustle of activity greeted him. Adventurers of all ranks were milling about, discussing recent quests and the latest rumors of the cult. Ryuto had barely walked through the doors when Elena spotted him, waving him over with her usual bright smile.

"Ryuto! Good timing!" Elena called, pulling a scroll from behind the counter. "Got something interesting for you today."

Ryuto approached, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the scroll. "Interesting? What's the quest?"

Elena leaned in, lowering her voice slightly. "It's a bit unusual. There've been reports of strange occurrences near Lake Elysia, not too far from here. Fishermen have been disappearing, and some say they've heard… singing."

Ryuto frowned, taking the scroll from her. "Singing? Like a siren's call?"

Elena shrugged. "That's the rumor. But the pay is good, and the lake's not far from the village. The guildmaster thought you'd be perfect for it."

Ryuto unrolled the scroll and quickly skimmed the details. The quest was simple enough: investigate the disappearances near Lake Elysia and eliminate any threat to the local fishermen. The reward was modest compared to some of the higher-level quests, but it still paid well enough to be worth the trip.

"Sounds easy enough," Ryuto muttered. "A little break from all the cult drama."

Elena nodded, though her expression turned serious. "Just be careful. If it is a siren or something similar, they're not to be taken lightly."

Ryuto gave her a confident nod. "I'll handle it."

Ryuto wasted no time gathering his party. Roland, Nina, and Ruda were all eager to join him, though Roland seemed a bit wary of the idea of investigating a lake known for strange singing.

"Mermaids, huh?" Roland muttered as they walked along the path toward the lake. "Never thought I'd be dealing with those. Thought that was just a sailor's nightmare."

Nina, walking beside him, grinned. "Maybe it's just some local girls trying to mess with the fishermen. Bet they've been spooking themselves."

"Or," Ruda added with a smirk, "maybe we'll run into something a lot more dangerous. You know, the kind that likes to drown adventurers for fun."

Ryuto, leading the group, remained focused as they approached Lake Elysia. The lake itself was nestled between two small hills, surrounded by dense forest. The water was a deep, crystal blue, and the surface was calm, almost unnaturally so. It was peaceful… too peaceful.

As they neared the shore, a soft breeze picked up, carrying with it a faint melody, soft, lilting, and undeniably alluring. Ryuto stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he strained to listen.

"Do you hear that?" Ryuto asked quietly.

Roland nodded, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Yeah… and I don't like it."

The group exchanged uneasy glances. The melody was faint, but it was growing stronger the closer they got to the lake.

As they reached the water's edge, the singing became clearer, a beautiful, hypnotic voice drifting across the lake. For a moment, Ryuto felt a strange pull, as though something in the melody was calling him closer, beckoning him to step into the water.

He shook his head, trying to clear the fog from his mind. "This is no ordinary song," Ryuto muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "Stay alert."

Suddenly, the surface of the lake rippled, and from the depths emerged a figure, her skin pale and shimmering like moonlight, her long hair cascading down her back in waves of silver. She was stunningly beautiful, with delicate features and eyes the color of the sea. But there was something unsettling about her smile, something that made Ryuto's heart race with a mix of awe and dread.

A mermaid.

"Welcome, travelers," she said softly, her voice as sweet and alluring as the song that had lured them here. "You've come a long way… why don't you stay a while?"

Roland, standing beside Ryuto, was already entranced by the sight of her. "She's… incredible," he muttered, stepping forward as though in a trance.

"Roland!" Ryuto barked, grabbing his friend's arm. "Stay back!"

But it was too late. The mermaid's gaze locked onto Roland, her smile widening as she extended a hand toward him. "Come closer," she whispered, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I'll show you wonders beyond your imagination."

Ryuto's instincts screamed at him that something was wrong, terribly wrong. He stepped in front of Roland, drawing his sword as the mermaid's smile twisted into something more sinister.

"You're not here to help," Ryuto said coldly. "What are you?"

The mermaid's eyes gleamed with malice, and in an instant, her beautiful façade began to crack. Her skin darkened, turning an oily black as her features twisted into something monstrous. Her teeth lengthened into sharp, jagged fangs, and her once-delicate hands transformed into long, clawed fingers.

"You humans never learn," she hissed, her voice no longer sweet but venomous. "You always fall for the song."

Without warning, the mermaid lunged at Ryuto, her claws slashing through the air with deadly precision.

Ryuto barely had time to react as the transformed mermaid lunged at him, her claws gleaming in the dim light. He swung his sword up just in time, blocking the blow, but the force of her attack sent him stumbling back. The air was thick with tension, the serene lake now a backdrop for the nightmare they found themselves in.

"Get back!" Ryuto shouted, his voice cutting through the confusion.

Roland, still shaking off the effects of the mermaid's hypnotic song, blinked rapidly as he drew his sword, stepping into a defensive stance. Nina and Ruda spread out to flank the creature, their weapons ready, but the mermaid's speed was terrifying. She twisted and darted through the air and water with an unnatural fluidity, her body moving like a shadow beneath the surface before striking again.

The mermaid's claws raked across Ryuto's blade, sparks flying as she hissed in fury. Her once-beautiful face was now twisted into a grotesque snarl, her eyes burning with malevolent hunger.

"You've made a mistake coming here, human," she hissed, her voice filled with venom. "You're nothing but prey."

Ryuto gritted his teeth, summoning his magic. With a quick incantation, he sent a blast of fire toward the mermaid, hoping the flames would force her back. The spell hit her dead-on, and for a moment, her oily black skin sizzled under the heat, but the creature barely flinched.

"Fire won't work on me," she snarled, diving beneath the water again.

The surface of the lake rippled ominously, and Ryuto's heart pounded as he scanned the water, trying to predict where she'd strike next. His muscles tensed, waiting for her inevitable reappearance.

Then, with a sudden burst of speed, the mermaid shot out from the lake, her claws aimed directly at Roland. He barely managed to raise his sword in time, the impact sending him skidding across the ground.

"Dammit!" Roland cursed, pushing himself up. "She's too fast!"

"Don't let her get close to the water!" Ryuto ordered, charging toward the mermaid. His sword glowed with energy as he unleashed a lightning spell, striking the creature as she tried to retreat back to the lake.

The electricity coursed through her body, and the mermaid screeched in pain, her movements slowing for just a moment.

"Now!" Ryuto shouted, taking advantage of the opening.

Nina, quick on her feet, darted forward and slashed at the mermaid with her daggers, the blades finding purchase in the creature's side. Ruda, in her werewolf form, let out a snarl as she lunged at the mermaid from behind, her claws ripping through the creature's blackened flesh.

The mermaid howled in agony, her form writhing and thrashing in a desperate attempt to escape the assault. But Ryuto wasn't about to let her get away. He raised his sword high, summoning all the magic he could muster.

The blade glowed with an intense light, crackling with both fire and wind magic as Ryuto brought it down in a powerful strike. The blow hit the mermaid square in the chest, and the force of the attack sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

The creature let out one final, blood-curdling scream before her body collapsed, sinking back into the waters of the lake. The surface bubbled for a moment before growing still once more, the eerie quiet returning to the clearing.

For a long moment, no one moved. The tension in the air slowly began to dissipate as the reality of their victory set in.

"Is it… over?" Nina asked breathlessly, her daggers still at the ready.

Ryuto wiped sweat from his brow, his body heavy with exhaustion. "Yeah," he muttered, "it's over."

As the adrenaline from the fight began to fade, Ryuto felt something strange stir within him. A familiar sensation, a surge of power, like a current of energy coursing through his veins. His vision blurred for a moment, and then, a soft chime echoed in his ears.

Level up.

Ryuto blinked, and in the corner of his vision, the familiar notification screen from his smartphone system appeared. He quickly pulled out his phone, swiping through the menus to see the details.

Congratulations! You've reached Level 63.

Ryuto's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the new abilities available to him. Among the options, one in particular stood out, glowing faintly as if calling to him.

New Ability Unlocked: Underwater Breathing.

Ryuto couldn't help but smirk. "That would've been useful five minutes ago."

Roland, still catching his breath from the fight, raised an eyebrow at Ryuto. "What's that look on your face? You level up again?"

Ryuto nodded, tucking his phone back into his pocket. "Level 63. And I just unlocked underwater breathing."

Roland scoffed, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Great, because that's definitely going to come in handy when we're not fighting killer mermaids."

"Better to have it and not need it," Ryuto replied with a grin, though his mind was still racing with the implications. Every time he leveled up, he grew stronger, unlocking more of the system's abilities. But with each new power came new challenges, and, inevitably, more dangerous enemies.

As Ryuto turned to look at the calm waters of Lake Elysia, a sense of unease crept over him. The mermaid had been strong, but she had hinted at something more, a larger danger that lurked beneath the surface of their world.

"Let's get back to the guild," Ryuto said, turning away from the lake. "Something tells me this quest isn't over yet."

The journey back to the adventurers' guild was eerily quiet. The victory over the mermaid should have left Ryuto and his companions in high spirits, but a heavy, unspoken tension hung over the group. Ryuto couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, like they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

As they approached the guild, Roland glanced at Ryuto. "You've been quiet since we left the lake. Something on your mind?"

Ryuto hesitated, his hand absently gripping the hilt of his sword. "That fight… it felt too easy. The mermaid was strong, but she wasn't the real threat. I can't explain it, but it's like she was stalling for something."

Nina and Ruda exchanged glances, both of them looking uneasy. "Stalling?" Nina asked, her voice low. "For what?"

Ryuto didn't have an answer. The fight had ended, the mermaid was dead, but there was an itch at the back of his mind that wouldn't go away. Something deeper was at play, and whatever it was, he had a bad feeling it wasn't over yet.

As they entered the guild hall, the usual buzz of activity greeted them. Elena was behind the counter, her ever-present smile greeting them as they approached. "Back already?" she asked, eyeing the group with curiosity. "You don't look as happy as I expected for adventurers who just completed a quest."

Ryuto handed her the scroll detailing the mission, and Elena's brow furrowed as she scanned it. "We handled the mermaid at Lake Elysia," he said. "But it felt wrong. Like she wasn't the real danger."

Elena looked up from the scroll, her smile fading slightly. "What do you mean?"

Before Ryuto could respond, a loud commotion erupted from the back of the guild hall. The doors to the guildmaster's office burst open, and two adventurers stumbled out, looking pale and shaken. They were covered in mud and blood, their armor dented and torn. One of them was clutching his arm, which had been hastily bandaged but was still oozing with fresh blood.

"Help!" one of them shouted, his voice tinged with panic. "We need help, now!"

The guild hall fell silent, all eyes turning toward the injured adventurers. Ryuto and his party exchanged quick glances before rushing over to them.

"What happened?" Ryuto demanded, stepping forward.

The injured adventurer shook his head, his eyes wide with fear. "We were… sent on a different quest. The guildmaster gave us a high-level contract, just like yours, Ryuto. But it wasn't a normal mission. It was a setup!"

Ryuto's stomach dropped. "A setup? What do you mean?"

The second adventurer, the one clutching his injured arm, swallowed hard before speaking. "We were supposed to investigate a cave north of the city. But when we got there, we found nothing, just an empty cave. Then, out of nowhere, we were attacked. Ambushed by cultists. They were waiting for us."

The words sent a jolt of fear through Ryuto's chest. His instincts had been right. The mermaid at Lake Elysia had been part of something bigger, a distraction.

"It's not just the cultists," the first adventurer continued, his voice trembling. "They have monsters with them. The cave… it's full of them. We barely made it out alive."

Ryuto's mind raced. The mermaid at the lake had lured them away from the city, keeping them occupied while the cultists and their monsters set a trap elsewhere. This whole time, they had been playing right into the enemy's hands.

"Where's the guildmaster?" Roland asked, his voice tight with concern.

Before anyone could answer, the doors to the guildmaster's office swung open again, and the guildmaster himself stepped out, his expression grim. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of barely contained fury.

"You've returned just in time," the guildmaster said, his voice low and sharp. "We've got a problem, Ryuto. And it's bigger than anything we've faced before."

Ryuto's heart pounded as the guildmaster motioned for him and his party to follow. They were led into the back room of the guild, away from the main hall. Inside, several high-ranking adventurers were already gathered, their faces as grim as the guildmaster's.

"What's going on?" Ryuto asked, his voice laced with urgency.

The guildmaster didn't waste time. He gestured to a large map spread out on the table, the area around Lake Elysia and the surrounding forests marked in red. "The attack at Lake Elysia was a distraction," the guildmaster said, his voice clipped. "We've had multiple reports of cultist activity all across the region. They've been moving quietly, setting up bases in caves, forests, anywhere they can stay hidden. The mermaid was just one of many traps they've set."

Ryuto's jaw clenched. "So, we were being played?"

The guildmaster nodded grimly. "Yes. And while you were dealing with the mermaid, several other adventuring parties were sent out on high-level quests. They've been ambushed by cultists and monsters. The reports are still coming in, but it's clear they're targeting adventurers, especially high-ranking ones like you."

Ryuto exchanged a look with Roland, Nina, and Ruda. The puzzle pieces were starting to fit together, and the realization sent a chill down his spine.

"They're hunting us," Ryuto muttered. "The cult is trying to pick us off, one by one."

"It seems that way," the guildmaster agreed. "And it's not just happening here. Other guilds across the kingdom are reporting the same thing. Adventurers are being targeted, and the ones who survive are coming back with similar stories, monsters and cultists working together."

Ryuto's mind raced. If the cult was coordinating attacks on adventurers all across the kingdom, that meant they were getting bolder, more organized. And that could only mean one thing.

"They're preparing for something," Ryuto said, his voice low. "Something big."

The guildmaster nodded. "We believe so. We don't know exactly what their endgame is, but whatever it is, they're getting closer. And they see you as a threat, Ryuto. That's why they're targeting you specifically."

Ryuto felt a cold knot form in his stomach. The cult knew who he was, and they were willing to go to any lengths to stop him. But what was worse was the thought that they were just getting started.

"Is there any good news?" Roland asked, trying to lighten the mood, though his voice was strained.

The guildmaster hesitated for a moment, then gestured to the map again. "There is one thing. One of our scouts managed to infiltrate one of the cult's outposts. Before she was discovered, she uncovered something… interesting."

He pulled out a small piece of parchment and handed it to Ryuto. On it was a crude drawing of a strange symbol, a serpent wrapped around a crescent moon, its fangs dripping with blood.

Ryuto frowned, turning the parchment over in his hands. "What is this?"

"It's their mark," the guildmaster explained. "The cult is using it to identify their bases and their leaders. Wherever you see this symbol, you can bet there's something valuable hidden nearby, either information, resources, or high-ranking cult members."

Ryuto stared at the symbol, his mind working overtime. "So, we can track them down. We can hit them before they hit us."

"Exactly," the guildmaster said, his expression hard. "But it won't be easy. They're moving fast, and they have eyes everywhere. You'll need to be careful."

Ryuto nodded, determination flooding through him. "We'll be ready."

As the meeting came to an end, Ryuto's thoughts churned with the weight of what they had learned. The cult was moving faster than they had anticipated, and now the game had changed. They were no longer just reacting to the cult's moves, they were going to start hunting them down.

But even as Ryuto prepared himself for the battles ahead, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The cult's plan was still shrouded in mystery, and whatever they were building toward, it was going to be far more dangerous than anything he'd faced before.