Chapter 02: Two for One

Thanks to what sounded like a rooster's crow, I woke up just before dawn.

After eating a small breakfast—Obsidian Bear bacon and eggs—I sat atop my throne and opened the [Shop].

Scrolling to the [Dungeon] tab, I tapped on it, bringing up a screen that displayed the entirety of my current location. 

Measuring a quarter mile in radius, the cave I dwell in resembles the shape of a spider, consisting of various pathways, some leading to dead-ends, others to more spaces within the cave. 

[Would you like to set this vicinity as your Dungeon?]

[Yes] or [No]

Hitting yes, I immediately notice a change, not only in my surroundings but also in my body. 

If I were to describe the sensation, it felt akin to stepping into the shower after a long day of work: refreshing. 

[DP: 1590]

Closing the [Shop], I got up from my throne, intent on exploring.

"Wait."

Sitting back down, I opened the [Shop] once again and scrolled to the [Summons] tab, opening it. 

Looking at my options, I selected a [Summon] that cost five hundred [DP]. 

You might be wondering, "Why spend so much?"

Why not? 

Despite not having a large amount remaining, I'm confident in my ability to acquire more.

[DP: 1090]

All of a sudden, the wind stirred, and a bright light emanated before me. 

"Miaow!"

When it dissipated, in its place sat a blue-eyed and black-furred Nekomata, its two tails dancing arbitrarily. 

As I was admiring my new companion—petting it, playing with it, scratching its belly—I realized I hadn't named it yet. 

Picking it up to check for its gender, I discovered my new companion was a female. 

"I would name you Kuroka because of your race and color, but I feel that would be too banal. Therefore, I shall name you Kei. Yes, Kei, I like that."

Upon speaking her name, the ends of her tails burst into a blue flame, a mesmerizing sight. 

***

[Name: Kei, Level 1]

[Race: Nekomata (Unique)]

[Class: Demon]

[HP: 769/769]

[MP: 2268/2268]

—

[Strength: 563]

[Endurance: 531]

[Agility: 621]

[Mana: 424]

[Dexterity: 675]

[Luck: 170]

—

[Great Skill: Ressurection (Locked)]

Skills: Shape-shifting (Level 2), Possession (Level 2), Fire Manipulation (Level 2)

***

Placing Kei atop my head, I then scrolled to the [Weapons] tab, purchasing a [Katana] and [Feather Fan], sheathing them both on my waist. 

Although my hands are enough, weapons have their convenience. 

[DP: 790]

Closing the [Shop], I proceeded to leave my Dungeon, heading toward what I believe to be the eastern forest, where, if I recall correctly, fairly strong monsters reside. 

There are two reasons for why I'll be heading there: 

1) I need a "Lefi," a being who will provide me with an abundance of [DP], and 2) to increase my level and stats (and Kei's as well). 

Passing by the river where I first encountered the Obsidian Bear, I ventured deeper into the forest. 

Before I knew it, the majority of the day had passed. 

Despite coming across several monsters, they were either too weak or too strong for me to capture; hence, all we've acquired thus far is [EXP].

Spotting a large enough boulder to sit comfortably on, I decided to take lunch, my meal being Obsidian Bear steak and fries, while Kei's was a raw Obsidian Bear breast. 

About to consume another fry, I heard the sound of clashing metal in the distance. 

"Hmm?"

Curious, I picked up Kei, cradling her, and unfurled my wings, taking to the sky, cursing myself for not thinking of this mode of transportation earlier. 

Landing atop a tree that overlooks a clearing, I was in awe of what I saw. 

Amidst mounds of corpses and pools of blood stood a lone Elf woman, her breathing haggard, her beautiful face contorted in pain. 

She wore a green dress resembling a sleeveless qipao, showcasing her slender but muscular figure. Her lush red hair stopped at her calves, just above her green shin-high boots. 

[Name: Thessalia, Race: Child of the Forest (Elf), Level: 33] 

Clutching a bleeding wound on her side, Thessalia dropped to one knee, her daggers also falling beside her. 

As I was about to aid her and possibly convince her to return to my Dungeon with me, I stopped myself, sensing that my eyes were not the only ones observing her. 

From an adjacent treeline, two knights, both heavily armored, exited, their swords already drawn. 

[Name: Caden, Race: Human, Level: 40]

[Name: Porfiry, Race: Human, Level: 34]

"Tenacious and beautiful," the one named Caden said, a haughty smile on his face; his hair was blue, and his armor more ornate than his comrades. "The nobles will love breaking you."

Thessalia scowled and spat on the ground.

Laughing at his comrade's words and Thessalia's actions, the other knight, Porfiry, spoke: 

"I'm envious, Caden. To think such a gem will fall into another's hands," he said, sighing, combing back his green hair. "But a mission is a mission. Come, let's hurry and capture her. I met a woman in town who promised to entertain me."

Shaking his head, Caden turned to Porfiry. 

"Oi. What did I tell you about saying my name in front of merchandise?" he asked, his aura flaring. "Don't do it again."

Smiling sardonically, Porfiry raised both hands. 

"Ayeye, Captain."

Reigning his aura in, Caden scoffed. 

"But yes, you're correct," he remarked, raising his free hand. "We must hurry. The General awaits our return. [Constraints]." 

Shooting from Caden's palm, golden chains bound Thessalia's arms and legs, seemingly tightening with each attempt at her escape. 

"Dress her wounds and bring her to the camp," Caden instructed, walking toward and entering the treeline. "And don't be late; you know how the General gets."

"Ayeye, Captain," responded Porfiry, saluting. 

I took this as my cue. 

Unsummoning Kei (who was not at all too pleased), I pulled my fan from my waist and opened it. 

"I hope this works."

[Feather Shot]

Coating a number of its feathers in mana, I directed them all toward Porfiry, intent on killing him instead of subduing him.

*SHINK*

"Tch."

He blocked my attack, my feathers sounding like metal against his sword. 

Making my presence known, I landed in between Thessalia and Porfiry, my back toward the former. 

"Oh? Well, well. What do we have here? A Demon protecting a Child of the Forest?" 

I ignored Porfiry, who had his sword aimed at me; instead, I extended my hand behind me, opening [Storage] beneath Thessalia and storing her inside. 

I found out I could do this by testing it out on Kei, with her consent, of course. 

"What did you do? Where is she?" Porfiry asked, looking around searchingly. "Answer me, cretin! Where did she go?" 

Saying nothing, I fell into my fighting stance, my fan extended in front of my face. 

"Really? You, against me?! And with a fan, no less?" Porfiry laughed. "Well, Demon, this will be fun. Fuck the Child of the Forest! I can't wait to destroy you." 

Lunging forward, Porfiry swung a flurry of strikes, all of which I deftly and calmly avoided. 

Blocking a strike intended for my head, I pressed Porfiry back and swung my fan, blowing him several feet away and causing clouds of dust to form. 

"I need to hurry," I thought, peering into the cloud. "The other knight could return. That might spell danger."

"DEMON!"

Sensing an oncoming attack, I moved out of the way, watching as the screaming and chest-plateless Porfiry passed before me. 

Kicking his exposed torso, I sent him soaring into the air. 

Following suit, I jumped above Porfiry, ax-kicking him back into the ground, swinging my fan to add momentum to his descent. 

*BOOM*

Porfiry's body bounced twice before settling into the crater formed by his impact.

While utilizing my wings to clear the dust and keep me afloat, a thought occurred, making me slap my forehead incredulously. 

"Why didn't I think of this earlier?"

Lowering myself so I'm feet above the struggling to kneel Porfiry, I extended my hand toward him and opened [Storage], sighing in relief when I saw him enter, his protests cut off by its closing. 

With my objective now complete, I ascended back into the sky and headed toward my Dungeon, a smile on my face as I hummed a happy tune. 

"I suppose I should make one," I mused, passing overtop a lake, my Dungeon in sight. "A prison cell."

***

[Name: Kei, Level 4]

[Race: Nekomata (Unique)]

[Class: Demon]

[HP: 840/840]

[MP: 2713/2713]

—

[Strength: 680]

[Endurance: 623]

[Agility: 703]

[Mana: 512]

[Dexterity: 740

[Luck: 172]

—

[Great Skill: Ressurection (Locked)]

[Skills: Shape-shifting (Level 2), Possession (Level 2), Fire Manipulation (Level 3)

***

[Name: Tyus, Level 31]

[Race: Tengu (Unique)]

[Class: Demon Lord]

[HP: 6203/6203]

[MP: 15019/15019]

—

[Strength: 1602]

[Endurance: 1627]

[Agility: 2356] 

[Mana: 1467]

[Dexterity: 3103]

[Luck: 301]

—

[SP: 70]

[Great Skill: War God Hachiman (Locked)]

[Skills: All Speak, Martial Arts (Level 10), (Storage (Level 10), Appraisal (Level 2), Supernatural Vision (Level 1), Mana Construct (Level 1), Fan Arts (Level 2)]

—

[Demon Lord From Another World, The Selected, The ********]

[DP: 790]

***