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| − | Long ago, there existed a nation called Iaia, in which the land prospered, crops and resources provided from an unknown pit at the centre of the land known only as the Dungeon. For many years, the people of Iaia lived off of the Dungeon's fruits, for which life energy emanated from the pits to sustain the various crops growing on the surface.
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| − | However, one day, the Dungeon stopped supplying the nation with its energy, and soon the nation of Iaia suffered a large widespread famine. Crops would not grow, leading to a decline in food and medicine. Water was not purified, causing a widespread epidemic to plague the land. Because Iaia was secluded from the rest of the world, with little to no connection to the outside, the people of Iaia suffered for years, until one day, a group of seers and priests came together to pray to the gods for salvation and repentance.
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| − | For months on end, the priests came together and prayed to the gods, until one day, the goddess Demeter, along with her disciple, Paladin Koloth descended from the heavens to warn the mortals of the true nature of the Dungeon. The Dungeon was a massive labyrinth created in ancient times to house monsters, and as monsters died, their souls would ascend the Dungeon to the surface. However, due to the monsters being impure, they are unable to enter heaven, and so, instead, spread to the surface of the land, their life energy supplying the world through bountiful harvest. Over time, as the nation of Iaia continued using this resource, their numbers continued to climb, but the deaths of the monsters did not, causing a deficit in the life energy supplied to the land. To continue to live, the people of Iaia must descend the Dungeons to kill monsters.
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| − | Praising Demeter, the numerous people of Iaia swore their allegiance to the goddess, begging for her to stay and watch over their nation. Taken aback by the sincerity of the mortals, as well as feeling satisfied with the increase in her followers, Demeter decided to stay and watch over the people, tasking Koloth with establishing a Folia Level System after his fellow Paladin, Folianon, the Paladin of Harvest and blessing the mortals with the power to become stronger, and wield magic. Equipping the mortals with a means to fight monsters, soon, many became trained to become the first adventurers of Iaia.
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| − | However, as Demeter continued being worshipped, the other gods in the heavens were not happy with the attention Demeter was getting, and decided to descend to the mortal realm themselves to also obtain followers. Realizing the potential for another divine war, Koloth suggested the creation of Legions, groups of humans would choose the deity they want to worship, and the deity may choose those who would be fit to be their followers.
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| − | Soon, Legions began to form, with the big three, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades, Legions being the strongest, and some Legions being smaller than others due to the certain deities being less prominent than others. And for many years, adventurers of these Legions would descend the Dungeon to hunt and kill monsters, becoming stronger and establishing a trade system for monster shards to validate their contributions to the land.
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| − | The gods would return to heaven, with the Legions continuing to frequent the Dungeons and to become stronger, until the nation of Iaia prospered by these adventurers. The day Demeter and Paladin Koloth had come down from the heavens became mere folk tales, after centuries of prosperity, and with this, the rise of adventurer legends soon dominated the scribes, such as Leonidas Swallowtail of the Hades Legion, being the only Level 12 adventurer in existence, and Alexander Rosewald of the Aphrodite Legion, the greatest swordsman in the entire land.
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| − | ==R7==
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| − | Jack Flock.
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| − | Level 4 Sword Fighter of the Vala Legion. Legion Captain.
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| − | For a time, Flock was the only member of the Vala Legion, and Vala was so insignificant she was on the verge of fading from existence. Until one day, she found young Flock, begging to join a Legion. Rejected from all of them because of his lack of experience and weak skillset.
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| − | When Flock was accepted by Vala, he was her only member, but that didn't stop him from pursuing his goal to become a great adventurer, a hero, just like his uncle had described in the old books. Flock would work his ass off to become a prominent adventurer, but it wasn't an easy trip.
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| − | Multiple times, Flock's innocent and kind nature was taken advantage of, either by scumbag adventurers, or higher level adventurers. Multiple times, his guild advisor had told him to be more cautious, but this kid was just too pure.
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| − | How do I know all this?
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| − | I snuck into Lady Vala's chambers to get some intel.
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| − | I continued flipping the pages.
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| − | Now before you get yourself tied up in a knot, no. I'm not being creepy. There was a good reason why I was in a woman's bedroom.
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| − | I was trying to find a way to obtain Flock's special skill for my own.
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| − | Flock is one of a kind. Even if most people don't seem to realize it. Because of this, he's been pretty rumored around all of Folia. And among the gods.
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| − | There would be no other reason why he could do the things he does. Most people would see it as him being able to do whatever he could because of his drive to become a hero and catch up to the girl of his dreams, Calypso Rosewald. But I, along with Vala and a couple other gods, knew that wasn't the case.
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| − | ''Limit Breaker''
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| − | The ability to push past his Level during times of emotional need. Despite being Level 4, Flock has been able to fight beyond his level, and achieve things most people would find impossible, kind of like Calypso Rosewald.
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| − | The first time he displayed this skill, was when Calypso saved him from an orc. From that day on, Flock wanted to become strong so Calypso could notice him, but the problem was, Calypso was ridiculously powerful for an adventurer of her level. She was a prodigy. She was able to do things that several teams of adventurers would normally struggle, such as defeating a Floor Boss all on her own as a Level 8 Adventurer, or taking down '''Scarpy''', a Legendary Dragon that had ravaged a nearby village, all on her own as a Level 9 Adventurer, and besting '''Ares the God of War''' in a sword duel.
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| − | Calypso was a legend among legends. And Flock, determined to catch up to her, would train tirelessly to do anything for her attention. And because of that, his Limit Break skill would activate nearly constantly whenever he is in his missions with me and the rest of the Vala Legion. His accomplishments have slowly been rising, but he has yet to reach Calypso in power.
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| − | Talk about a simp.
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| − | "Where the hell is it..." I muttered, as I continued flipping through Lady Vala's old books.
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| − | "Come on you useless drunk of a goddess, there's gotta be something on the Black Dragon."
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| − | I needed to get stronger. No matter what it took. I can already accept the fact that Flock, with his bubbly innocent, kind, and stupidly naive white knight personality would garner him a huge ass harem all for himself. I can already accept that Flock would be the main hero in this story. I can even accept the fact that I was playing second fiddle.
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| − | But I needed to be strong. For many reasons. For my own self worth.
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| − | After all, it was because I was weak, that my younger twin brother Wen Zhang had chosen to leave our family. And it was because I was weak did he choose to be with the Venus Legion, the strongest Legion in all of Folia.
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| − | "God dammit." I grumbled, as I put the book back.
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| − | There had to be a place where I could find her more secret stash. Flock's special ability was so rare, that Lady Vala had intentionally kept it a secret, even among most of the gods, for fear that they would try to snatch him away and turn him into some kind of soldier.
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| − | I stood up face to face with a drawer. I opened it and nearly had a nosebleed.
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| − | "Panties!" I gasped.
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| − | ''Shun-dono! Those are the goddess' panties! You must take a few!''
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| − | "Why?!"
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| − | ''It will aid in your training for mental fortitude.''
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| − | "But aren't we already doing that by going to the pleasure sector? I really don't need any more weird ass rumors of me being the Stray Pervert."
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| − | ''If you wish to become stronger, you must train in your mental capacity.''
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| − | "Hmmm. I guess so. Everything I see, you see too. And everything I feel you feel too. So I guess it'll help strengthen yours, right Hataka-sensei?"
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| − | Hiiro was quiet for a few seconds.
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| − | ''Y- Yes. Of course. Shun-dono. Yes.''
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| − | My fingers hovered over the undergarments shakily.
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| − | "Hataka-sensei, I feel like I'm doing something very wrong."
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| − | ''No Shun-dono. The fate of the world is in your hands! You must snatch the goddess' panties! If you don't, you will lose an opportunity to train in the ways of the Shaolin!''
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| − | "Whatever you say, Hataka-sensei. But I hope no one finds ou-"
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| − | "Oh. My. God." A very disappointed female voice appeared behind me as I yelped and hit my head against the drawer.
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| − | "Oh shit!" I yelped, as I turned to Nessa.
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| − | "Hi. Just here to... get some intel..." I muttered. My voice was trailing away as I began to realize how unconvincing my excuse was.
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| − | "By stealing Lady Vala's underwear?"
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| − | "Oh no. That one is for training."
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| − | "Training?!" Nessa rolled up her sleeve as my back poured with sweat.
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| − | "No like. Training my mind. And if I train my mind, it will train the rest of my body."
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| − | "The rest of your body."
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| − | "Yeah. Like my arms..."
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| − | Nessa marched right over and before I knew it, everything turned black. There was no blocking her punches, because if I did, my real power would show. And we couldn't have that.
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| − | I sheepishly showed up to the main hall. Well. Not really a main hall. Since our Legion quarters were in a run down shack in the corner of Folia.
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| − | Nessa gave me a disapproving look. I guess I'd have to wait another week before I ask her for money again. Finn was there too, his arms crossed. He was kind of like the big bro of the Legion. Haruka, some cat girl, clung onto Nessa, while Flock was looking at Lady Vala curiously.
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| − | "My goddess? Why did you call us here?"
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| − | Vala turned to us.
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| − | "Great misfortune as befallen on our Legion, my children."
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| − | Flock gulped, as sweat ran down our backs.
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| − | "What's... what happened?"
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| − | Vala took a deep breath.
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| − | "I must take part in the great coliseum. I must show up in appropriate attire."
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| − | I frowned.
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| − | "You called us here for that?!"
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| − | "HEY!" Vala shrieked.
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| − | "I didn't ask for this! All I want to do is play roulette! But Lady Venus arranged this event. I can't say no."
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| − | Nessa put her hand under her chin.
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| − | "So we need to go to the Dungeon then, and make enough shards for your outfit?"
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| − | Vala put her hands behind her back.
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| − | "Yes... I promise I won't blow the budget again."
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| − | We all looked at each other, in doubt.
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| − | Yeah there was no way Lady Vala was not going to blow her budget on gambling again. She practically had a gambling addiction.
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| − | This whole Dungeon run was just going to be a waste of time.
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| − | Unfortunately, Flock, being Flock, stepped forward.
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| − | "I can go! I'll make sure you get the best dress there is!"
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| − | Vala smiled.
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| − | "I knew I could count on you, Flock!"
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| − | Finn nodded.
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| − | "If Flock is going, so am I."
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| − | Nessa clenched her fist.
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| − | "Count me in."
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| − | The two of them turned to me.
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| − | "Yeah. No." I grumbled, as I turned around and walked away.
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| − | "Are you serious?!" Nessa squeaked.
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| − | "Dead serious. I got shit to do. Maybe if Lady Vala quit blowing our earnings we wouldn't be living in this hellhole."
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| − | "You'll never catch up to Wen at this rate, Shun." Nessa said.
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| − | "Well, we weren't going to anyway!" I growled, causing Haruka to jump.
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| − | "Sorry." I muttered.
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| − | Flock walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
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| − | "Shun. I understand how difficult it must be. But we can do it. One step at a time. We can do it."
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| − | I really couldn't say no to Flock.
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| − | But I had more pressing issues.
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| − | "I have to research something. I'd love to help, though. Sorry guys."
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| − | Nessa rolled her eyes.
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| − | "You mean searching for women's underwear again?"
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| − | Vala's face scrunched up.
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| − | "Was that the reason you were in my room this morning?"
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| − | "Wait!" I held out my hands before Vala walloped me.
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| − | "I was there for... other reasons."
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| − | Vala's expression softened. She knew exactly what I meant.
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| − | Flock nodded to us.
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| − | "It's okay if Shun doesn't want to go. Let's do our best, guys!"
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| − | Nessa shook her head at me.
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| − | "You and Flock are like the same age almost. If only you were more like him."
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| − | I watched as the group left the house, until it was just Haruka, Vala, and I.
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| − | Haruka frowned at me.
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| − | "Umm... Shun... you really shouldn't be stealing underwear..." She said quietly.
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| − | "Gah!" I grumbled.
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| − | "Sorry!" Haruka squeaked as she went to get cleaning supplies.
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| − | Lady Vala looked at me and gestured me down to the basement.
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| − | "Come with me, Shun."
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| − | I followed Vala to the basement, as she told me to lie down. I did what she said as she updated my stats.
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| − | "Shun Zhang 'Stray Dog', Level 2 Unarmed Martial Arts Adventurer." She said.
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| − | "No progress."
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| − | "Whatever." I grumbled.
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| − | Vala smirked as she inspected my status sheet.
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| − | "At least, that's what this world created for you. But you aren't from this world. Let's see your ''real'' stats."
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| − | Vala turned the sheet over.
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| − | "Shun Zhang 'Red Beast', Level 9 Unarmed Martial Arts Adventurer. Not bad."
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| − | "I didn't level up at all!"
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| − | "But even so, Level 9 is no joke, Shun. One of the best adventurers out there is Level 9. Calyp-"
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| − | "Yeah yeah. The Queen of Knives. Princess of Battle, Prodigy of Folia Calypso Rosewald. Blah blah blah. I don't care about that. I just want to be strong so I can get Wen back."
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| − | "Was that why you were researching about the Black Dragon?"
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| − | My mouth went dry.
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| − | "How did you-"
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| − | "Shun. I understand you want to get stronger. But please. For my sake. Stop researching about the Black Dragon. You can search for any ways to get stronger all you want. But not that Demon Lord."
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| − | "Mogul told me that if I wanted to unlock my hidden potential, I needed to look into The Black Dragon."
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| − | "I don't know who this Mogul is. But The Black Dragon is confidential information. To all of these people in Folia, he's an ancient evil said to be the most powerful being in all of Folia in history. To the point where many think he's not even real. But I know for a fact that he is because I was there that day he destroyed Iaia. The city that was before Folia. I... I just can't, Shun. So please."
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| − | I sighed.
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| − | "Lady Venus told me I needed to become strong enough for Wen to acknowledge me. I don't have a choice."
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| − | "You always have a choice, Shun. To choose to become stronger in a healthy way, or to become stronger by cheating."
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| − | I'm already cheating, though.
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| − | That's the thing.
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| − | I was never born with any talents. Any skill. I may be an unarmed martial artist, but it's only because I have a Japanese Demon inside me, a '''Wicked Oni''', supplying me with power and technique. In terms of actual skill, Wen was always the talented one. I could never catch up.
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| − | Unless I cheated.
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| − | Because that's all I can ever do. Lady Vala would never understand that. She was a goddess. Neither could Flock. Even though he believes hard work paid off, as did many who have seen him in action. But that was because he was born with a special skill.
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| − | I was born with nothing.
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| − | And for people like me, hard work never pays off because it will never hold a candle to people who are blessed.
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| − | Blessed people will always work hard in this world.
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| − | People like me need to cheat.
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| − | "Shun. The only way to Level up is to do something drastic. An incredible feat that is recognized by the gods. If you can do that, you will level up."
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| − | "So I just have to do something crazy? Gotcha."
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| − | "It's not that simple. I'm sure you know. The Legendary Princess of War took an entire year to reach Level 9. And that's Calypso Rosewald. So it's no easy task."
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| − | I already had an idea of how to do it though.
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| − | I nodded as I waved Vala off.
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| − | "I'm heading to the Dungeon."
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| − | "You are?" Vala gave me a confused look.
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| − | "Stop acting so surprised! You need your dress right? We'll do it. I'll need to have your word for it though, in case you head to the casino again."
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| − | "I am not a gambler!"
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| − | I headed out the door and made my way to Flock and the others.
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| − | I knew what I had to do to level up.
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| − | But even so, the words this Mogul had spoken to me all those months ago. After my first brutal loss to one of the Venus Legion members.
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| − | ''YOUR BODY DOES NOT FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF THESE FOLIAN. TO SEEK STRENGTH, YOU MUST REALIZE WHAT YOU TRULY ARE.''
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| − | I continued running as my heart was beating faster and faster.
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| − | ''FOR YOU ARE NO ORDINARY HUMAN.''
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| − | I wrapped my bandages around my wrists and hands as I continued running. My face determined.
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| − | ''FOR YOU ARE NO ORDINARY ADVENTURER.''
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| − | I continued running as I heard the minstrels sing. Their song was about how a great Dragon had come to the land and destroyed everything.
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| − | ''YOU AND THE DRAGON ARE MORE SIMILAR THAN YOU THINK.''
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| − | I leapt across a pile of boxes with superhuman strength as I landed on the roof of a building, acrobatically darting and heading to the Dungeon.
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| − | ''TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE, YOU MUST LOOK INTO HIS PAST.''
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| − | I landed on the ground before the Vala Legion.
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| − | ''THE PAST OF THE DEMON LORD, SAMAEL.''
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