12: General Problems

Chapter 12: General Problems

Basil wandered down to the dwarf's shop, barging in without knocking.

"Old man, you in here?"

Sabet's voice bellowed from the back. "Back here, brat!"

Basil made his way through the cluttered shop, finding the dwarf at his workbench, putting the finishing touches on a set of armor.

"Here," Sabet said, standing proudly. "I adjusted it to your size and inscribed a few more defense runes. Added an extra layer of plating on top of the old tattered armor—went with black for the main color scheme."

Basil stared in awe. His summer set now gleamed with a sleek, deadly design. The chest piece, shoulder pads, gauntlets, pants, and boots were all reinforced with dragonite and behemoth leather. Glowing purple runes ran along the center of each piece. The armor was light, breathable, and tailored for mobility, with only small gaps behind the knees and under the arms.

The winter set was nearly identical, except it was lined with warm, luxurious Westian beast fur for insulation.

Basil quickly threw on both sets, testing the fit. Perfect.

"This is amazing. You did an incredible job, old timer!" Basil said, practically glowing with excitement.

"Hmph! Glad you like it, kid," Sabet grunted, though the proud smirk on his face betrayed his tough-guy act.

Basil pulled out his mana sword. "You wouldn't happen to have a sheath that fits this, would you? Kinda need a new one."

Sabet's eyes widened as he caught sight of the weapon. He studied the shimmering purple blade, the way it reflected light unnaturally.

"What the hell did you use to make this?"

"Eh, long story. It's basically condensed and hardened pure mana. Made it a few years ago."

"You… made this?!" Sabet pointed at the blade, then at Basil, utterly flabbergasted. "The craftsmanship alone is at least B-rank! Would you ever consider being my apprentice?"

"Yea I had a lot of time to kill, so kinda perfected my craft with the materials I had" Basil shrugged. "But no I cant. Not right now at least. Got some things I need to take care of first."

"Right… well, I think I've got a sheath somewhere…"

Sabet rummaged through a few barrels before pulling out a beautiful scabbard—black leather with gold trim and a silver-capped tip.

"Made this for some noble prick back when I worked in the capital. He never picked it up, so I brought it with me when I left." Sabet said handing it over.

"Amazing. How much do I owe you?" Basil said, his face glowing.

"Eh, take it. It's only gathering dust around here anyway."

"Thanks. I'll have to come by and learn how to draw runes from you sometime. It's been on my to-do list forever." Basil gathered his things and walked towards the door.

"That's fine. But it'll cost ya," Sabet said, rubbing his fingers together with a smirk.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll make sure you get what you want," Basil called as he walked out, the shop door swinging shut behind him.

Sabet watched him go, then shook his head and returned to work.

⸻

Basil, now fully suited in his summer armor with his mana sword sheathed at his side, made his way to a towering building fronted by a statue of a blindfolded goddess holding a scythe. He walked through the grand doors into a dim, candle-lit chamber filled with pews and a red carpet leading to a golden effigy of the goddess.

"Quite the following you've got, Adith," Basil muttered as he circled the statue and found a door tucked behind it.

He pushed it open.

The room beyond buzzed with activity. Men and women in black uniforms rushed about, carrying scrolls, talking in hushed voices, and scribbling notes at desks that lined the walls. Basil walked up to what appeared to be the front desk.

"Excuse me. I'm here to see Lace. Said he'd let you know I'd be stopping by."

Everyone stopped. The entire room fell silent, and whispers rippled like wind through dry leaves.

"That's him? He doesn't look that strong."

"Is it true? He survived a strike from Captain Lace?"

"I think Lace was holding back. No way that guy beat him."

Basil chuckled to himself and smiled awkwardly.

The woman at the counter blushed after looking at him. "U-um. He's up the stairs, first door on the right."

"Thanks!" Basil gave her a wink before heading up.

Once he disappeared down the hallway, the room slowly returned to life.

Basil reached the door and knocked. "Yo!" he called, poking his head in.

Lace didn't even look up from the stack of paperwork on his desk. His silver hair bounced slightly as he scribbled away.

Basil stepped fully inside. "What's all this?" he asked, picking up the top page.

"Don't touch that," Lace said slowly.

Basil skimmed it anyway. "You know, a good leader knows how to distribute work properly."

Lace let out a long, tired sigh. "Just wait over there. I'm almost done."

Basil wandered to the wall, eyeing the array of weapons—two finely crafted daggers and a simple-looking sword with a skull engraving on the hilt. It looked cheap, but the wear on the handle told another story.

Bored, Basil sat in the corner and slipped into meditation. He was close—so close—to breaking into his thirty-third mana circle. Out here, away from the box, the mana was so much thicker and richer. Pulling it in was effortless, like drinking from a river instead of a trickling faucet.

Minutes passed. Then hours.

Swirl*

Something shifted. A surge.

Yes. I did it! Basil thought to himself.

Blue light pulsed through him. Basil opened his eyes—only to see Lace leaning in inches from his face.

"WOAH! What are you doing?"

Lace stared. "How'd you do that?"

"Do what?" Basil asked with an awkwared smile.

"Your mana capacity. It just… increased. I've been watching you for hours. The mana around you was practically vibrating."

Basil chuckled. "I was just taking a nap. What do you mean?"

Lace wasn't convinced. "Fine. Since you're not gonna tell me, let's make a bet."

Basil grinned. "Go on."

"I sent a team into Gate 47 to investigate an anomaly. It's supposed to be a B-rank gate, but there were reports of an A-rank demon near the entrance. I haven't heard from them in two days."

Lace stood. "We go in together. Whoever gets more kills wins. If I win, you tell me how you did that. If you win…" Lace hesitated, then sighed, "I'll call you Master."

Basil's eyes sparkled. "Deal."

The two rode out on horseback, eventually arriving at the gate—a swirling black vortex framed by pillars.

"This is it," Lace said, dismounting.

"Ladies first," Basil replied, striding in with a grin.

⸻

The inside of Gate 47 (B) was a swamp. A crumbling castle loomed in the distance, and the screams of the damned echoed through the air.

"Nice armor," Lace said as they made their way down a muddy path. "Where'd you get it?"

"It was my father's," Basil responded. "After he died, I adjusted it to fit me. I wear it in his memory."

He paused and closed his eyes. Mana Vision.

"Here they come."

"Where?" Lace asked looking around.

As soon as the words left his mouth, dozens of green-skinned demons burst from the brush, snarling and screeching.

Basil reacted first.

In a blur of purple light, he drew his sword, dashing through them like a whirlwind. Bodies dropped like chopped grass. Phantom Step let him cut down the runners.

Seconds later, it was over.

Lace stood still, stunned.

Basil patted him on the shoulder. "You'll have to be quicker than that if you wanna beat me!"

"…What level are you?" lace asked, his face stunned.

"Seventy-five. But level doesn't mean strength."

"I'm eighty-three. And I could barely track your movements…"

"Right. That was thirty-two kills, by the way," Basil added with a smirk.

They gathered 32 (C) mana crystals and marched onwards.

⸻

They reached the castle without further incident.

"I'm surprised it's been so quiet. You think your team's dead?" Basil asked while admiring the ruin of the castle.

"They were all B-ranks. Should've handled this easily," Lace said.

The castle gates were wide open.

No guards.

No patrols.

Just silence.

They entered cautiously.

CLANK. SCRAAAAPE.*

A massive green demon emerged from the shadows, dragging a slab of metal soaked in blood.

"The anomaly," Lace muttered. "Demons from higher floors have started dropping down to lower floors. With their gates closed, they're bored—and hunting."

Lace charged, daggers flashing, but his strikes barely scratched the bloated beast.

The demon laughed and spun his metal slab like a whirlwind.

"Watch out!" Basil shoved Lace aside, taking the hit himself. He flew into a building with a crash.

Lace cursed and rushed back in, moving like lightning, slicing flesh from bone. Still, the demon didn't falter.

Basil stood from the rubble, face twisted in annoyance.

Just then, hundreds of C-rank demons began pouring in.

"Great," Basil muttered. He leapt into the air and fired Earth Spikes. The fat demon blocked them all.

Basil still in the air, reinforced his entire body with mana. His eyes flared with purple light. He summoned his mana blade and struck down on the demon as he was falling, driving the demon to its knees.

The shockwave caused Laces's hair to be blown back. "What power" lace muttered under his breath. "Ill take care of the small fry, you get the big guy!" he yelled at Basil, activated a skill and like a flash of lightning appeared in front of the demons that flooded in.

"Alright. Playtime's over." basil said

He flipped over the demon, sliced behind its knees, the demon tried swinging the metal slab at Basil, but Basil kicked its weapon back and decapitated it useing both swords in a single, clean strike.

"A-Rank? Barely a warm-up."

Lace could be seen in the back ground zipping all over the place cutting demons heads clean off, making sure none got to close to Basil who was in the center.

⸻

Lace handled the swarm like a storm—dodging, weaving, cutting down demon after demon. The demons tried hitting him but before they're blade could even reach where Lace was their head was already on the ground. When only one remained, it gathered all its strength and charged Lace, he stepped aside with insane speed, the demon wobbled past Lace, dropped its weapon and fell to its knees, his head rolled towards Basil.

Basil gave him an approving nod. "Not bad. Not many Guardians could take on that many C-ranks solo."

"I know," Lace replied, cleaning his blades.

"What now?" Basil said scanning the area.

"We search for the team. Let's hope someone's still alive."

They searched every building, every alley. Nothing.

"For a B-rank gate there's hardly any demons, I guess the anomaly killed them all?" Basil said with a puzzled look on his face.

"Main hall is the only place we haven't checked," Lace said grimly as he looked at two giant doors covered in blood. The two walked inside.

Inside, five humans and one elf hung from the ceiling by their feet, blood dripping from their mutilated and headless bodies. On a throne at the far end sat a demon with crimson eyes, resting his head on his hand with a bored look, and a glaive beside him. He was a named demon 'General Zan of the 48th (A)'.

Beside him on the ground sat a bruised and battered, monstrous brute, who was also named. 'General Ike of the 47th (B)'.

Lace clenched his fists. "Can we handle two generals at once?"

"I can so if your scared just stay out of my way" Basil said walking past Lace.

Zan licked the blood off a severed Elf head like it was a treat, and smiled.

Lace grabbed Basils shoulder making him stop.

"That one's mine, he owes my men an apology" Lace said coldly looking at Zan.

He stepped forward, putting his daggers away and drawing his sword.

Zan, with out moving from his throne, kicked Ike forward. As if telling him to take care of it.

Ike grabbed two hammers that laid next to him, one in each hand. He charged Lace with a roar. Lace held his blade in front of him and closed his eyes. A blue aura formed around him as he opened his eyes. As soon as Ike was within range, Lace kicked him in the side sending him crashing into a wall. Lace continued forward.

"That kid" Basil muttered. "If I didn't know any better id say he acts just like me, hogging all the fun like that."

Ike climbed out of the wall and shook his dizziness off. Then attacked wildly. Basil yawned as he parried each strike, then casually chopped off his hand.

"You know, I came here because that kid asked me for a favor."

Ike roared, swinging his hammer with his other hand trying to squash Basil.

"And then he just goes and does all the work anyways." Basil said as he stopped Ikes attack by grabbing his wrist.

Ike tried pulling his hand back but it wouldn't budge, so he used his nub to punch Basil over and over.

"Like whats the point in me being here if your just gonna do all the work anyways." Basil said dodging the nub blows, And then kicked Ike backwards slightly.

"Your kind of in a similar situation so you know where I'm coming from right?" Basil asked Ike

Ike snarled at Basil and rushed him. He slide towards him and stabbed Ike in the throat and sat on the corpse after it fell to the ground.

"Ehhh…Guess not." Basil said looking at Ikes dead corpse.

BOOM!

Lace smashed into the wall beside him.

"Would you shut the hell up?! By the goddess your annoying" he growled, blood dripping from his mouth. 'Fuck this guys strong I'm not sure if I can beat him' Lace thought to himself, and then looked over at Basil. Who waved back at Lace with a goofy smile. Lace frowned 'definetly not asking him for help'.

Lace generated a blue shield on his left arm and ran at Zan while blocking a strike from his glave, thrusting his sword towards Zans stomach. Zan dropped his glave and rolled to the side kicking Lace from behind knocking him over. Zan picked up his glave, made a swirling motion and brought it down on top of lace. Lace rolled over and used both hands to hold the shield blocking the attack. He then flipped backwards grabbing his sword and exchanged blows with Zan. Lace got in close proximity and slashed upwards giving Zan a wound from his leg to his neck. Snarling Zan kneed Lace in the stomach sending him a few feet in the air and then spun around and kicked sending him flying back towards Basil making a hole in the wall on the other side of Basil.

Lace coughed, his mana shield disappeared, and his blue aura fadded. "Alright your turn, I need a break." Lace groaned at Basil.

Basil smiled, stood up, summoned his mana blade, and pulled his mana sword out of Ikes neck.

"Right, right. My turn."

Basil, reinforced his entire body making his eyes glow purple, and walked slowly toward Zan, who was breathing heavy and dripping blood from his stomach. Zan put both hands on his glaive and launched a flurry of piercing strikes.

Basil weaved through them like a dancer.

"Tch. Show-off," Lace muttered from the wall.

Basil closed the distance, grabbed Zan's glaive mid-attack, and pulled him forward. Their faces inches apart.

"Hi there." Basil said with a crazed smile.

He drove his sword through the demon's chin, straight up through the skull.

Zan slumped, twitching.

Basil pushed the corpse off his sword and walked over to the wall and helped Lace to his feet.

"Let's get outta here, kid."

They walked out of the castle.

[]

End of chapter notes:**

Stats Window:

- Name: Basileus Narciss

- Age: 22 (639)

- Level: 75

- Job: Eldritch knight

- Title: Goddess's Guardian

- HP: 200/200

- Mana: 18,000/33,000

- STR: 205

- VIT: 80

- INT: 170

- AGI: 112

- PER: 60

- XP to Next Level: 25,300/30,000

- stat points available: 62

- Skill Points Available: 10

Skills Window:

Basic:

- Innocence (F)

- The King (A)

- Swordsmanship (S)

- Mana Control (SSS)

- Charisma (F)

- Crafting (B)

- Longsword Mastery (S)

- Mana Manipulation (F)

- Rune Knowledge (B)

- Healing (C)

- Scholar (A)

- Mana Vision I Guess (C)

- phantom step (F)

- mana slash (D)

- Earth spike (B)

- body reinforcement (D)

- Kneel (F)

- nova bomb (A)

- Mana regeneration (S+)

- poison resistance (F)

- GO AWAY CAN'T YOU TELL I'M BUSY' (A)

Unique:

- Immortality (EX)

- Oversight View (EX)

- Haggle (SS)

- Misfortune (D)

Inventory

- HP Potions x1997

- MP Potions x2000

- Winter Clothes (B)

- Summer Clothes (B)

- bread x100

- jerky x100

- piece of Tess

- piece of Rob

- piece of Lark

- abomination horn x10 (S+)

- jagged dagger (?)

- mana sword (?)

Gold: 60,504

GC: 2,800

XP gained

13,300 Total

C-Rank 300xp x32

A-rank 1,000xp x1

Named B-Rank 900xp x1

Named A-Rank 2,000xp x1

His armor was upgraded from C-Rank to B-Rank.

He formed a blue mana circle around his heart. Allowing him to have better control over defense skills.

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❧