Chapter 11

Ryzer nearly recoiled back through the portal upon exit. The sheer number of unknown people left him uncomfortable as his eyes searched the area. A familiar voice brought him around, however, as Heinz approached.

"Ah. So you were also inside!"

Ryzer visibly calmed as he took another look around. The twins, Savannah and Katelynn seemed relieved as they gave apologetic smiles. Their leader, Wilhelm, had the look of someone that only recently realized they had been trailing fecal matter for the last hour. Beyond them, Ryzer could see Nico begging a guard for something and many of his newest acquaintances watching from down the road. Heinz had finally finished approaching as Ryzer noticed the delicate beauty beside the slaver.

'Was she the one I helped?'

Her long white hair was draped over shoulders, ending at her waist. Combined with her silver eyes and downtrodden expression under the moonlight, she seemed ephemeral. As if she would vanish if you looked away for even a second. Ryzer had to tear his eyes away to look up at Heinz. The elderly gentleman had a strange look in his eyes, for a moment, but he switched gears and spoke calmly with Ryzer.

"I need to speak with you... about some effects you do not know of yet. I can tell you met a certain man, as well as gotten his blessings. Besides that! You seem to have done well for yourself, especially on your first run inside the dungeon!"

Ryzer raised his brow, but decided not to prod at the moment. Instead, he threw the largest pelt off of his shoulder and over the head of the beautiful girl beside Heinz. She stiffened, which opened her hands. This gave Ryzer the extra chance to slip the largest claw and fang into her grasp.

"Mr. Heinz, she was the one that slew this larger beast. I haven't seen her fight, but I know she is stronger than most. She deserves her rewards. The rest were mine, from when she had to retreat."

Heinz had a turn to raise his brow.

"So you were the one that saved Nora?"

"Nora? The pretty, well-built oni girl?"

Ryzer felt like he should laugh, yet shouldn't.

"So this frailish beauty is Nora?"

Heinz gave a small nod. Ryzer shook his head.

"I can see them as sisters, but... I think I'll visit you tomorrow. Thank you for telling me."

Knowing that Heinz wouldn't lie, Ryzer proceeded to gather his loot and speed off. After he had vanished, Heinz pulled the large pelt off of Nora. Her face was a bright red, while her eyes sparkled and a bright smile on her face.

"You realize you need to apologize? You almost went for the wrong man."

Nora went a bit brighter, making her tan skin strangely softer under the moonlight.

"Ehehe... I will. I was delirious from fighting..."

Her words trailed off as she began to fidget with the items she was given.

"Ryzer didn't seem to believe that you are you at first."

Her face went blank for a moment.

"R-Ryzer?"

Heinz patted her head.

"If you are sure, we can try to set things up with him."

Her eyes brightened as she nodded vigorously. Heinz handed her the pelt, his eyes softening as she wrapped it over her shoulders.

"Maybe we should make that a coat."

He laughed to himself as he began to walk away with the small oni.

-

Ryzer had made his way back to the inn, his spoils all accounted for. When he entered the building, he had an alarmed Maddie fawning over him. She even offered to bathe the young man, leaving both red in the face.

Ryzer now laid out on his bed, clean and comfortable after being able to wipe off the blood and grime. The battle still roared in his mind whenever he closed his eyes, leaving him unable to sleep. He sighed as the image of Nora crossed his mind, both the muscular and ephemeral beauties.

"Going into that dungeon alone was hard. Sure I had a team... but being abandoned kind of sucks."

Ryzer scratched his head.

"I need a reliable team, not just some random people that can stab me in the back. Truly, I feel sorry for those twins."

Ryzer rolled onto his side as sleep began to take hold.

"I hope Nora won't mind joining me on occasion."

-

His sleep was restful, waking early with a horde of energy. He was getting prepared for the day, slipping on his boots, when a small knock echoed around the room. Upon opening the door, Maddie gave him a small smile.

"Sorry for bothering you, Ryzer. It appears you have an escort ready to take you to see a... Mr. Heinz?"

Ryzer gave a tiny nod, her face flushing red as he remembered the night before. Maddie sighed softly as Ryzer stepped out of the room.

"Sorry... about last night. I lost myself for a little while."

Ryzer nodded once more, this time with a smile. The worry in Maddie's eyes vanished as her smile began to blossom once more.

"I'll be more careful next time."

Ryzer slipped down the stairs, noticing a tan woman at the base. Her short white hair and grayish-black eyes were exotic and beautiful, more so as a smile slipped onto her face.

"Heya Ryzer!"

"Good morning, Nora. You're looking... cheerful and well, the way I remember you."

The well-built girl smile and bounced, her chest rippling as she struck a pose.

"This is my Racial Ability! An Oni's Enlarge makes us stronger at the cost of our magic. I also like my muscles."

Ryzer nodded, realizing that that was all that actually was different besides her hair. Her bust didn't change, nor her facial structure. The Oni noticed Ryzer's eyes trailing her body and spun on her heel. The two were red as they began to leave the building.

"I... I'm sorry. I just noticed the uh... similarities and differences."

Nora had a smile on her face as she nodded. She was in the lead by a couple paces, raising her voice a bit for Ryzer to hear.

"So... which do you like more?"

Ryzer was stumped, choosing to speak what he thought.

"Why does it matter? They're both you, Nora. Both are beautiful in their own way."

Nora's breath caught as she began to skip ahead. When she stopped, she bounced and turned towards Ryzer.

"Well let's go talk to Mr. Heinz!"

They entered the building together, the familiar rooms reminding Ryzer of his time there. As he reminisced, he was led into an office where Heinz was sitting. The elderly man was looking over a few sheets of paper as they entered. Before Ryzer could even greet him, the man got to his feet and asked an abrupt question.

"Ryzer, what do you say to taking in Nora as yours?"

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig!