Chapter 102: Man vs Return

Chapter 102: Man vs Return

After an awkward start and terrible middle, Vasis family gathering ended somewhat calmly. Basil and his girlfriends kin sat down around a table like reasonable adults under the looming shadow of their dragon patron. All listened as he told them exactly how his planet had been turned into a hellscape.

Funny times.

Thats Victor Dalton sipped from his champagne glass as he struggled to find the correct answer. Thats rough, buddy.

Gee, you think? Basil replied with a deadpan look.

Most of the guests had promptly forgotten about the battle and returned to their preoccupations. Basil took it as a hint that watching two people fight to the death followed by a divine miracle was no big deal by the familys standards. And here he thought the Bohens were an eccentric lot.

Only Victor, his dragon master, Baba Yaga, and Branio had stuck around to listen to Basils tale; and while the latter sat next to his daughter, Vasi did everything in her power to put space between them and ignore his presence. Even returning Basils halberd to its rightful owner hadnt endeared the demon lord to his child.

It wasnt very Christian of him, but Branios distress filled Basil with an unmistakable sense of enjoyment.

Argh! Vainqueur Knightsbane stomped the ground with his back foot with enough force to shake the entire hall. Vasis own glass of alcohol slipped through her fingers, but her father proved quick enough to catch it before it hit the ground. The witch grabbed it back without thanking her sire, much to his dismay. These these Unizmeys are giving us dragons a bad name!

Unity, Your Majesty, Victor corrected him. They call themselves the Unity.

Same! Only Zmeys could be so stupid as to trample the proper dragon way of life! The dragon god snapped his fingers and a colossal, dazzling pile of gold coins large enough to fill a house materialized under him. Vainqueur nested on it with his jaw clenched, the sight reminding Basil of an angry child burying his face in a pillow to soothe their rage. Friend Victor, we must open this portal! I will not stand idle as these fools humiliate my ancient race!

I dont think we can enter Earth at all, Your Majesty, his minion replied, scratching the back of his head. Without taking the Level Barrier into consideration, were gods of this world. I dont think we can leave it for another.

How did it happen? Basil asked. The question had been bugging him for a while. Becoming a god? You said you were from Earth, so I assume you werent born a deity.

Vasis mother, who had listened to the conversation without a word, answered him. Godhood in Outremonde works similarly to your Trimurti System, Baba Yaga explained. Anyone reaching level 99 goes through a unique trial. If they succeed, they gain a level in the Deity class and ascend to godhood with a portfolio based on the mortals chosen classes.

Basil briefly wondered what classes made Victor a god of minions and overworked employees, but he was kind enough not to ask.

Except of course that becoming a god doesnt destroy Outremonde like your Trimurti System threatens to do with Earth, Victor added. It has happened fourteen times since the System appeared, and Im pretty sure Kia will become the fifteenth member of our Pantheon once she finds someone strong enough to give her experience.

Manling Kia is not goddess material, Vainqueur replied with a snort.

Yeah, Im sure she would rather move on to another world as He Who Shall Not Be Named did. Victor sighed. Godhood is only one of the prizes. Some instead chose to reincarnate into other universes in search of new challenges. The opponent I faced during my divine trial chose that option after I kicked his undead butt.

Vasi frowned and locked eyes with Basil. His girlfriend had guessed as much.

Lord Victor Vasi stopped herself. Victor? What am I supposed to call you?

How about The man grinned ear to ear. Grandaddy?

No, I dont think itll sit well with me, Vasi replied immediately, much to his chagrin. Grandpa Grandpa, do you think it would be possible for someone to reincarnate in another world without a System? Like Earth?

I suppose? Victor glanced at his dragon master, who overshadowed the table. Is it?

Of course it is possible, Friend Victor, the dragon replied. Think, think! Your soul was first summoned from your native Earth before it incarnated there, did it not? The Elder Wyrm, in her boundless wisdom, connected our world to countless others across the cosmos when she fashioned it from nothing.

Our Eldest co-created the world, wyrm, Baba Yaga replied with a snort. To Basils amazement, she held the dragon gods glare without flinching. That alone spoke volumes about her power. Dont get us started on this again.

The Elder Wyrm? Basil asked with a frown. He had heard the name mentioned a few times without the proper context.

One of the creators of our worlds System, alongside our ancestor, the Fomor Eldest, Baba Yaga replied. These two have sowed countless worlds with Systems of their own design.

Walter mentioned many Systems could be traced back to two Overgods, Vasi remembered. He must have been referencing these two.

In any case, Vainqueur has a point, Victor said, his dragon master nodding in appreciation. A lot of us earthlings reincarnated on Outremonde long before Earth obtained a System of its own. I dont see why the process shouldnt work in reverse.

According to Walter Tye, a portal had been opened between the world of Elysium before its destruction and Earth. This new information helped put this revelation into perspective.

If the Trimurti System functions similarly to this worlds one, Basil thought, then each time a competition ends inconclusively, Maxwell reincarnates somewhere else and repeats the process.

No wonder Dismaker Labs founder didnt care about the worlds destruction; worst case scenario, he would get off it without a scratch.

As they said in gambling: the House always wins.

So youre both Overgods? Vasi asked Vainqueur and Victor.

No, Im just the normal kind, Victor replied with a sheepish smile. There can only be one at the top.

I alone was granted the privilege of being the Overgod, master of the pantheon, Vainqueur declared proudly. I alone can administer this worlds System all the way to its Third Edition.

We dont speak about the Second Edition, Victor whispered.

Ive heard you, Friend Victor. Vainqueur sighed, his eyes brimming with nostalgia. The Second Edition was a great first draft for the Third.

Thats the kindest thing we can say about it for sure, his assistant deadpanned. As usual, his dragon master completely missed the sarcasm.

As the Administrator of this dimensions System, I alone can determine its mechanics, Vainqueur explained to the confused Bohens. I can edit stats, invent new classes, determine how they can be accessed, or the availability of experience. My logic is that of the world itself!

If Basil wasnt mistaken, Victor and Baba Yaga briefly shuddered at the dragons bold words.

Considering the Trimurti System had seeped so deeply into Earths reality that its bugs threatened to destroy parts of it, controlling it meant dominating reality itself. Basil struggled to picture the potential applications in his mind besides the obvious ones.

So you could, and forgive me if Im wrong Basil cleared his throat. Raise someones levels tenfold?

I could, Vainqueur replied, but as a dragon, I am beyond such favoritism. It would be grossly irresponsible, not to mention dangerous, to infuse undeserving minions with such power.

Dangerous? Vasi asked with a frown.

You gain levels by strengthening your soul, Victor elaborated. If you gain too many at once, your essence becomes unstable and it might self-destruct. Its why the leveling curve exists in the first place.

Basil could see how a responsible deity might restrict leveling, but dangerous didnt mean impossible. If the Unity could artificially inflate the levels of its soldiers and send them into other universes, the consequences would be apocalyptic.

What can gods do exactly? Basil asked. Like, besides altering the local System? Im struggling to understand the exact limits.

You wish for a demonstration? Vainqueur snapped his fingers. Minion, do the thing!

Yeah, yeah. Victor pointed at the halls broken windows and the night sky beyond. A golden moon shone in a sea of darkness and distant stars. Do you see the constellations?

Basil frowned in suspicion. Yes?

Victor raised his hands at the sky as if touching an iPads touch screen and swiped the stars out of place.

The deity achieved this act of cosmic power so casually that for a brief second, Basils mind failed to register the reality of what he was seeing. A winged man no taller than him moved the stars out of their position, disassembling constellations and rearranging them into a very clear message.

V&V FOREVER!

Perfection, Vainqueur commented.

Congratulations, you have been blessed by the supreme master of Outremonde! You will gain +10% chance to gain a stat increase when you level up! Additionally, thanks to your clever use of time and space magic, you have unlocked the mighty [Chronomancer] Spellcaster class!Your girlfriends dad accepts you. Few people will survive to read this message.

I am!

What followed was an awkward contest where each of them pretended to have the moral high ground; to outsiders, they must have looked like two bickering children completely out of their depth. The battle only ended when Vasi declared it a draw.

Father, for now I am the one tolerating you. The witch glared at her sire so balefully that he avoided her gaze. That already is a great concession from me.

But sweetie

I dont want to hear excuses, she interrupted him. Yes, Mother deserves some guilt for not telling you of my existence, but your reaction did not endear you to me in any way.

It was for your own good! her mother protested.

I decide what is good for me, Vasi insisted firmly. And unless you learn to get along with my boyfriend, Father, then your company is not one of them.

Sweetie, I was only trying to help you, her father replied, hands joined in prayer. All I want is for you to be happy with someone worthy of you.

Its not for you to choose. Vasi let out a sigh. Ill Ill try to think you acted the way you did because you care, but actions speak louder than words.

Then let me prove my goodwill this instant. The demon lord bolted out of his seat. Where the gods themselves failed, I, Branio II, future emperor of Outremonde, shall prevail!

Vice-emperor, Vainqueur grunted with a snort. I do not share my hoard.

And how do you want to help her, my dear? Baba Yaga asked her ex-boyfriend in skepticism. You cannot cross the portal, no more than I can.

Why would I? The demon lord chuckled darkly. Securing conquered land is a minions job and I have so many of them. Armies who will gladly die for my beautiful princess sake.

Basils eyes widened in surprise. Wait, are you implying

That is right, human. Branio proudly raised a fist to the ceiling. My demonic legions shall enter your world and put you where you belong at my daughters side, as she seizes the throne of this land you call Bulgaria!

The idea of another demonic army invading his homeland didnt exactly thrill Basil Bohen. No way in H

This is an excellent idea, Demonling! Vainqueur Knightsbane agreed immediately. Though I cannot assist personally, I too shall engage in aggressive minion diplomacy to bring these foolhardy dragons to heel!

Wait, wait, Vasi panicked. How many troops can you deploy?

Thousands, sweetie, Branio replied. His daughters interest caused his eyes to shine with hope. For you, Ill spare no expense.

I will vouch for it, Baba Yaga mused. Conquering a country for me is how he won me over.

Branio took his exs hands into his own. And I would do it all over again for a single of your kisses, Baba Darling.

The ancient witch reddened slightly, much to their daughters annoyance. Vasi clenched her teeth and leaned against her boyfriends ear to whisper in it. What do you think?

You cant be considering it, Basil whispered back.

Do you want to expel the Unity from your country or not? she countered. Having an army would definitely help.

An army of demons, Basil pointed out. That alone would frighten Bulgarias people; Earths only experience with fiends so far was the Apocalypse Force, so it would be a public relationship disaster all around at best. And what if they dont leave? I dont want to trade one oppressor for another.

Let's see Vasi turned to her sire. Father, will I be in charge of the army?

But of course, Sweetie, the demon lord replied joyfully. My little princess, already leading minions to battle

So I can send them back once the job is done? When her father nodded in response, Vasi returned to plotting with her boyfriend. See? Not a bad deal.

Forgive me if Im not enthusiastic, Basil admitted. He couldnt bring himself to trust a demon, especially one who had tried to kill him hours earlier.

The Unity has killed thousands and will probably slaughter more, Vasi replied with a frown. Shouldn't saving your countrymen be the priority?

When she put it that way Basil mulled over the situation and realized he had few options. His homeland was occupied, Shumen was besieged, and mankinds enemies were growing stronger and more numerous with each Incursion. Six billion people had already perished across the globe.

Basil couldnt save his country with his current resources, let alone the world. Mankind desperately needed allies; any allies. Beggars couldnt be choosers.

And when he looked at Branio, Basil realized that he would deliver. The man seemed so desperate for his daughters approval that he would do anything for a thank you.

Ill regret it. Basil sighed. Somehow, I know I will.

He was immediately proven right.

Bohen, your country shall henceforth be known as Vasiland, Branio declared. His daughter put a hand on her forehead with a groan. Ill let you command troops during the change of name process, though you will need to prove yourself worthy of the task. You have no means to debuff a foe, let alone disrupt their buffs. At your level, this is inexcusable.

I figured out it was better to specialize as part of a team, Basil defended his build. Though Ill admit I should have gotten a backup spear.

The demon lord wouldnt hear any of it. Your lack of a competent ally is no excuse! At your level you should have the resources to compensate for your shortcomings! Summoning Truck-kun cannot be your only ace-in-the-hole!

What my son means is that usually at the elite level we usually accumulate enough magical items to cover our weaknesses, Victor said. Your halberd and armor look good, but surely you must have other tools to call upon.

Our System is stingy with loot, Vasi admitted. And we usually sell it for favors anyway.

Your days of poverty are over, my child, Branio reassured her. I couldnt spoil you for over twenty years but no more! From now on, you shall not sleep on a bed unless it is made of bills and gold!

Diamonds help for the back too, Vainqueur commented. A diversified hoard is the key to a good nights sleep.

Sleeping on gemstones sounded extraordinarily uncomfortable, but Basil had never done it, so he couldnt judge.

I know someone who will be very pleased to hear that, Vasi replied, smiling at her father for the first time since they met. We can discuss gold and gemstones another day.

Her fathers expression instantly deflated. Sweetie, youre leaving?

Vasi nodded slowly as she and Basil rose from their seats. The New Year is only a few hours away, and we cant be away much longer.

But you will be back? Victor asked eagerly. We have so much time to catch on, and you havent met your grandmother yet.

I Vasi briefly hesitated, but after a glance at her pleading fathers eyes, she couldnt help but agree. Well return as soon as we can.

Basil could read between the lines. Though her paternal family was exactly what she had imagined, she was willing to give them a chance.

If it made her happy, all the better.

Vasi, I have to say it. Basil gathered his breath as they prepared to return home. Your family your family is weird.

His girlfriend laughed so hard that it drew a smile to his lips.

2023 was bound to start well.