The Key

A few minutes after separating from Ais and Loki, I came across the other two monsters and devoured their souls after killing them. After killing the second monster, my bloodthirstiness faded away as although the souls and the increase in my stats still made me feel good, they didn't at all give me the thrill of a fight which made killing them boring.

'Hm... There should still be a monster that's roaming around according to what Eina said earlier...'

I then realized that this monster was probably the white ape that was chasing Bell and Hestia around town. After deeply trying to remember the area where the battle between Bell and the ape took place and recalling nothing, I sighed and was about to just survey the whole district at my fastest speed. However, I heard a roar which was a dead giveaway in letting me locate the big white ape and rushed towards the area. As I arrived to where the monster and Bell was, I saw the dramatic scene of Bell lunging towards the chest of the big ape as he deeply embedded a black knife in it.

"That knife... The Hestia knife, was it called?"

I muttered to myself in a low voice and witnessed the monster keeling over and disappeared into dust. After the monster disappeared, the crowd that gathered around Bell then started to cheer and clap for him as Hestia went to go hug him from the side. Seeing this sight, I sighed.

'That guy truly is a shounen protagonist...'

I shook my head and thought to myself as I witnessed this scene unravel in front of me. HOwever, as I looked about at the crowd who was cheering at the Bell's success in defeating the 'villain' that is the big white ape, another thought appeared in my mind.

"A villain..."

I muttered in a low voice while rubbing my chin, deep in thought. After a few moments, I came to a realization.

"Oh... So that's what I need to start the war then... HAHAHA!!!"

As I finally realized the key to starting a war against the Gods, I gave a hearty laugh as I finally had a general idea of how I should go about planning for the future. After calming myself down, I looked around as Ais and Loki should be around the area as I vaguely recalled their appearance from the scene of Bell beating the monster in the anime. Sure enough, I found them and swiftly but silently arrived beside them. I was then welcomed with the sight of Loki about to touch Ais' ass and swiftly intercepted. I quickly repositioned her body which made her 'take advantage' of the alley wall which made her confused.

"Milady, I have returned from my hunt."

I said as I bowed fromally towards her. After a moment of thinking, she then realized that it was me who turned her away from touching Ais' butt. She then started screaming profanities at mebut I merely ignored her and stayed behind her and Ais. It was then that Ais came forward and game me a pat on the head which surprised me aas she spoke.

"Good job..."

After a moment of caressing my hair, she took back her hand as she began to walk away. Both me and Loki were stunned by her caring act but quickly caught up to her after snapping ourselves out of a daze.

"My dear Ais, why don't you pat my head too?"

Loki tried to persuade Ais into patting her head as well but quickly rejected and turned her down.

"But you didn't do anything... Why should I pat your head?"

Hearing this, Loki appeared heartbroken and hung her head down for the rest of the time that we were headed back to the manor. Seeing this, I simply smiled and lightly closed my eyes as I enjoyed the bustling atmosphere of the city.

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It was now early the next day as I once again was awoken by the sound of someone knocking on my door. Once again, it was Ais who wanted to spar with me again to improve her skills. This time, I went more aggressive with my sword while not actually disabling her capability to battle and merely attacked. As time went on, she improved quickly and even managed to launch a counter-attack after she deflected one of my strikes and brought her sword towards my forehead while I was still stunned at the fact that she deflected my attack. Wearing a victorious smile on her usually emotionless face, she spoke triumphantly.

"I win this time, Reza!"

Seeing this, I sighed and closed my eyes in defeat as I unequipped Ambrosia.

"You really do improve at a fast pace, Ais. I have nothing to say about this loss other than I won't let my guard down next time!"

After I finished speaking, I suddenly felt something on my head and which made me open my eyes. I was greeted by the sight of Ais wearing her small, triumphant smile while she tiptoed and patmy head. I let her do as she pleased for a while as it was truly too cute of a sight to behold for my heart. However, I finally couldn't hold my curiosity and asked her why she was doing that.

"Uh, Ais, what are you doing?"

"I'm taking advantage of you since you took advantage of me last time."

With those words coming out of Ais' mouth, my heartbeat spiked as my body became excited. I really wanted to take advantage of her once more, especially with how cute she was acting at the moment, but decided to just do nothing and let her enjoy her victory as taking advantage of her now would probably make her angry. After a while of patting and cuteness, Ais was finally satisfied and stopped patting my head. As her small and ainty hands left my hair, I slightly furrowed my brows in disappointment but quickly hid it away.

"Ais, should we go for some breakfast now?"

Hearing about breakfast, her eyes gleamed as she nodded her head happily. Surprisingly, she took my hand and lead me towards the dining room even though I already knew of where it was. However, I merely said nothing and closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling as she lead me by the hand towards the dining room.

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It was now an hour after I had my breakfast as I cut down some orcs and infant dragons by myself in the 12th floor of the dungeon. Although Ais and Riveria were also going to the dungeon later in the day, I persistently asked Loki for me to go in alone with the excuse that I grow the fastest when I hunt alone.

'I didn't really lie to her either since all the monsters I come across would be mine for the taking as compared to hunting with others and sharing the prey...'

As I thought about various other things while slaughtering all the monsters I came across and devouring their souls, I finally found myself at the end of the 12th floor and at the entrance of the 13th floor. With excitement filling my mind at the thought of new and stronger monsters to devour, I once more activated my [Phantom] ability and swiftly disappeared towards the depths of the dungeon.