The abyss and Experimentation + Dad's Pissed

I slowly woke up to something shaking me. Slowly blinking my cloudy eyes, I begin looking to my side and see Beru, trying his hardest to wake me up. "istr... mis...es...Mistris...MISTRISS!!" Finally, I was fully awake. I sit up a little, wincing, and noticed my left arm, completely eviscerated. Beru is staring at me, and even I can tell he was worried. "Mistress, you've finally woken up."

"How long was I out for?"

"It's only been a few hours, but you've been bleeding heavily. I can't completely heal the wound, only help replenish the blood loss." I finally noticed the light coming from Beru. He's been healing me, trying to keep me alive. From what I know, I'll die soon. His healing magic isn't a cleric's, so it isn't at a rate to keep up. Only elongate the time it takes.

"What do you suggest, Bear? I don't want to die, and I know you don't want me to either." He nods and offers a suggestion.

"Your shadow magic can temporarily act as an arm until your father arrives or we find an alternative. My suggestion would be to cut it off at the shoulder, healing and searing it shut simultaneously. This should close it and stop the blood loss. After that, the only issue would be the pain and risk of infection."

"Utilizing some healing magic should help with the infection. Hmm, hey, Bear. Can your healing magic repair damaged nerves?" His eyes went wide at this question, as he probably knows where this is going, and was stunned he didn't think of it. It didn't take long for him to return to normal as he nodded.

"They can. We'll follow this plan for now. Hopefully, we can find something useful soon and something to eat as well. You can't do all of this on an empty stomach."

I nod, and we execute the plan. He cut my nerve receptors for my left arm and swiftly removed the arm after heating his claws to the fullest. This burned the wounds shut instantly. He then used some magic to cool off the area and began healing it. In the end, I only had some minor scarring, along with the loss of an arm.

Luckily the cut nerves were only for that arm, so I could still move properly and fight. Over the next week, Beru and I experimented and learned that, while these monsters WILL kill you if you eat them, they can also make you extremely strong if you survive. Beru ate one, and he almost exploded until we finally found a ratio that literally caused him to gain the monster's skills as well as a portion of their power. We diluted that heavily and began using it on me. In the end, it caused a mutation that changed a portion of my hair color. On top of my purple and blonde, white began to appear. Not long later, my hair became mostly white, with no blonde, and looked like I had purple highlights and extensions. (Female Nagumo with her gray eyes, long ponytail, and purple streaks. Not to mention C-cup breasts hidden by her armor.)

Utilizing this period, I gained control over elements that have nothing to do with the Shadow Sovereign abilities. All basic elements, but I couldn't get light. It was probably due to the direct contrast between my innate element and it.

After a good couple dozen floors, we reached some building, not dissimilar to a temple, with two statues guarding it.

-----Meanwhile, the Hero Party are in the audience chamber with the King himself-----

---Shirasaki POV---

It's been a week since Nagumo and Andrea fell into the Abyss. The kingdom was terrified when they heard the news and sent search parties into the Labyrinth, reaching all the way to floor 87, but they still couldn't find the two. Kaori has been held up in her room, crying. Suzu and I were the only two that she allowed near her, probably because we knew why she was hit so hard by this. Today, the entire party received a summon by the king, and we had to appear, no matter what.

We were all gathered in the chamber when the King appeared on his throne. Clearly, he was not sleeping well. He had bags under his eyes that even his small amount of makeup had no chance of hiding. "Welcome, heroes. You have been gathered because a higher authority wishes to speak with you all. They sent an envoy a day ago, requesting you all to be in this room at this time. Sir Bellion, please come in." The group gulped at how even the King had to be respectful of this envoy. I couldn't help but feel it was too coincidental.

I'm pretty sure most forgot already, but I remember Beru, Andrea's summon, saying that her father should arrive around now. Remembering this, I couldn't help but pale and realize why the King was acting like this. As expected, a shadow knight entered the room, sword sheathed at his waist. It was releasing a miasma that looked like it was really only for aesthetics, but I could tell that it was actually an overflowing aura from an undead spirit.

I could see Bellion scan the party, only for the aura to leak a little more before retracting. Most would miss it, but not those with a trained eye like Meld or me. "I see. This is a problem, isn't it." A dark, husky, and eerie voice emitted from the armor. He walked past us and towards the center of the room. I noticed Kouki frown at Bellion's attitude, but I elbowed him and gave him a look.

Finally, Bellion suddenly stopped in the middle of the two groups. I saw him shake a little and drop into a kneeling bow. At first, I was confused, but then I saw a dark purple crack appear, slowly growing until it grew to the size of a portal. Out walked a man that looked to be in his mid to late twenties and a woman the same age. Both were gorgeous, even if they were dressed casually. The man had a black trench coat, white t-shirt, and slate jeans with canvas shoes. The woman styled a cream turtleneck, blue jeans with intentional tears at the knees, combat heel boots, and a sword on her hip. They walked through holding hands, the woman quickly glancing at us while the man stared at Bellion.

After a moment of shock from the group and complete quiet in the hall, the man spoke in a semi-deep voice, "Bellion, report." This man is completely ignoring the king, not like the king seems to mind. He seems incredibly nervous, however. The woman continues to scan the group, now starting to show some emotion before staring at Bellion. Refocusing, I can hear Bellion reporting to the man.

"My liege, over the past day, I have not seen any sign of the young miss. She seems to have also ignored the summon from the king, which we both know Beru would not allow. Therefore, I believe that something may have occurred." The man frowned while his aura began to leak while the woman covered her mouth, seemingly about to cry before Bellion continued. "These people are her classmates. I believe they would know if anybody. But, of course, I have yet to question them for her whereabouts directly."

Of course, Kouki, Ryu, Kaori, and I recognize them immediately. They're Andrea's parents. Before we could actually talk, however, Hiyama got high on himself again spoke condescendingly to them.

"Who the fuck are you two to be talking about us like that. We were summoned here to save this world, not listen to your shit." Before I could stop him from saying more, Andrea's Dad, who I got to know is named Mr. Sung Jinwoo, glared at him. Simply causing him to fall to his knees, clearly in fear. We haven't gotten psychological training yet, but I don't think even that could help against that glare. Before anybody else could say anything, the four of us walked forward, presenting ourselves before the couple.

Kouki was the first to speak. "Mr. and Mrs. Sung, it's nice to see you again." The couple relaxed seeing their daughter's friends step out from the group, while the rest of the party were surprised that we knew the two. Before anybody in the group could ask, Kaori started walking toward Mrs. Sung but broke down halfway. Mrs. Sung quickly walked over toward Kaori and began to comfort her before the couple looked at us for an explanation. Kaori was saying "I'm sorry" on repeat as if she blamed herself. Finally, I stepped forward, tears in my own eyes, and told them the events that took place.

Mrs. Sung was balling, holding onto Kaori while they both cried in each other's arms while Mr. Sung just stood there, blank, but I've been around them long enough to know he was truly pissed off. Kouki quickly stepped forward and bowed to the two. "I'm so sorry. I wanted to protect them... I wanted to be stronger and help them, but I failed. I'm so sorry!"

Mr. Sung finally had an expression on his face that looked a little pissed yet happy at the same time. "So she awoke her powers, huh? I didn't think she would inherit them. It seems she got the best of everything. That would also explain why I can't find Beru anymore." He sighed and turned toward the party. "Does anybody know who threw the magic the blew out the bridge? The two had clearly had it handled." He was now nearly snarling while asking this question. I noticed Hiyama shake at the question and couldn't help but widen my eyes. Mr. Sung squinted at the kid when he noticed the reaction.

Before anybody could even speak, Mr. Sung called out something that terrified all of us. "Kaisel, grab him." He said, practically growling now. Mrs. Sung still had Kaori in her arms, but now she was focused on the events taking place.

A shadow dragon appeared from a miasma around Mr. Sung. Looking at it, almost all of us were petrified. I never knew that they had access to a summon like that! The dragon grabbed Hiyama and dragged the boy towards Mr. Sung. "Why'd ya do it, kid? HUH?!" This was actually Bellion, which surprised me a little hearing the accent used.

After that, Hiyama gave up everything. He was obsessed with Kaori and wanted Nagumo out of the way. Apparently, he considered Andrea, the strongest member of the party, a bonus. At first, he was scared, but after saying this, he started cracking up and laughing like it was the funniest thing in the universe. The next thing I know, there was silence, with Hiyama's head rolling on the floor. Mrs. Sung had her sword out and beheaded Hiyama, clearly pissed. Mr. Sung sighed and glanced around at us. He then smiled a little. I'm not sure if he's relieved or happy to have taken revenge.

"Come on. We're going home." He said in a voice that clearly had a hidden message to his wife. She nodded, and they and Bellion went back through the portal before it closed. We all stood shocked, some wondering why they didn't take us as well. In my case, I was wondering why they seemed so calm.