Underworld - The Succubi - Book 7 - Chapter 2

I’d been back for nearly three days and seen the living quarters, but I hadn’t taken the time to really see it. Stepping out of Jasmine’s room quietly to give her space in case she wanted to try to sleep longer, I gawked at what I saw. At least, that’s what I thought I was doing until I caught myself still giving the impassive look that had been necessary in the vampire realm. Habits die hard after months of being surrounded by millions of stupidly powerful, too well dressed, undead bobble heads that wanted nothing more than to drink you.

I noticed some of Khun’s handiwork when passing through the Pits on my rush home. The living quarters were even better decorated. The first thing that caught my eye was the dining area. Not only had our dungeon spirit seemingly reformed the tables and seating, but then wall and floor had been decorated as well. It seemed there wasn’t an inch that didn’t have a flora or nature pattern etched on its surface. I wasn’t sure if it was etched, remolded, or painted, for it had a dull coloring that wasn’t quite vivid enough to be real.

That was only the base design. Larger-than-life sized murals stretched from one side of the wall to the other. I’d forgotten how big of a space it was. It was more than a quarter mile wide, and a little less that across. Most of the murals here depicted individual members of Sanctuary working in their non-combat roles. I immediately spotted the thickly built George working with the cave swine. It was an action shot of him dumping slop into a trough and one of the giant pigs running for it from the other side of its enlarged pen.

I sighed. He’d taken the Illuminated Cathedral’s offer and left to the surface because he believed his mother needed him.

I then found Kylie, Travis’s ex-girlfriend. She was depicted as sitting with her back against the wall outside of his room laughing. She’d been there for him while he was trying to get used to his transformation to his werewolf form. It was the same for her as it was with George. Her only living parent had been diagnosed with cancer before coming to the Underworld.

Melony’s mural was next. She was helping to push a cart with her two closest friends, Kylie and Jess. She’d also left. Jess was the shiest of the three but probably had the best combat ability of the lot. Whether that was why she stayed, I didn’t know. Aeris was worried about her with Kylie gone.

It was bittersweet seeing them, but that didn’t stop the murals from bringing a smile to my face. This one slipped passed my vampire appeasement training and fit comfortably on my face. The artwork was outstanding, but almost so good it was ridiculous.

Russ stood shirtless with his hammer in hand—sweat glistening off his perfect physique as if he was posing for a men’s magazine. Travis was crouched low with a slight glow of mana surrounding his eyes as he studied something in the distance. I couldn’t tell if he was scouting or trying to flirt with some nature photographer.

Skyler was—eating. He wore one of our too-common white t-shirts that was stretched passed the tearing point but too afraid of its wearer to actually rip. Was he the face of some eating contest, or a muscle magazine? It could easily be either.

Steve the farmer-assassin was standing there covered in black leather with his arms crossed in the gap of two rows of wheat. Perry was the only Sledge Brother left besides Skyler and had always been the tallest person in Sanctuary. It looked like he’d only grown, as had his brownish-blond hair which was down to his shoulders. With the beginnings of a beard, he looked like a Viking in a t-shirt. The blue of Trevon’s hair had deepened as he cast ice over a large pile of something with his head turned.

I then realized it was pig dung. “Poor guy,” I thought, before glancing over to where the cave swine were kept and realized I didn’t smell them at all. I needed to remember to thank the guy. The man was a hero.

Mel was polishing a skull. Richard was staring at the dungeon map in his bulking platemail. Chris was making potions.

As for the girls, their murals weren’t as up to date because they’d been taken to the succubi city. Lydia was in her alchemy lab. Clarissa was raising stone walls for our fortification in the Pits. Audrey was smoking. As in, literally standing there waving at someone and smoke was radiating off her body. Or was it steam? Olivia stood at the side of our farm plot that her python-like vines were digging up.

Speaking of Olivia, she was sitting at a table by the kitchen facing the sleeping quarters. I found her waving at us. Even after reaching level 12,000, she had mostly remained the same. Her ebony skin had a medium tone, but it looked rich framed by the emerald hue of her hair.

I inclined my head so that she knew I saw her before glancing down and studying the almost weightless wind sprite in my arms that was curled up there. She wasn’t asleep but showed no intention of moving so I strolled forward with her looking like a glistening ball of fur in her overly baggy pajamas. They were silky black vampire duds.

Seeing us coming, it wasn’t just Olivia that stood, but the original leadership party I’d once chosen when I was elected to lead Sanctuary by the others. Russ stood with his arm around the nature mage’s waist. His grin was as goofy as ever, but he no longer lacked confidence as he had a year ago in our early days in the Underworld. He had a shaggy brown mop of hair on his head hinting at his need for a haircut, but he was even larger than in his mural. Not excessively large like Skyler who sat a few seats away.

Our blond basher was also going without his armor and was basically a bulk monster. He didn’t stand with the others, but raised a half-eaten loaf of bread to wave when he saw me as he aggressively chewed his food.

There were others I’d consider advisors now since people had specialized, but it was good to see just the original crew. I was surprised not to see Travis with them, but after being turned into a brick of metal, he was catching up on his sleep.

I knew where Mel was as well. His minions had spread beyond Sanctuary’s boundaries in a few directions so that he could farm more experience. There were still plenty of caverns he wasn’t controlling which left plenty of monsters for the others.

Zorik was also missing, though not for long. An incubus with sea blue hair and coal-yellow skin sped over with a tray holding a few plates and drinks. “This is it,” he said at almost a shout. He was definitely still using his Hyperactive ability.

Hyperactive: When active, your state of awareness is pushed to the limit for an extended period of time. No mana cost.

This was my blue magic version of the skill. His version was probably even more potent. I hadn’t used my normal Incubus Form often after gaining Vampire. The reason was because I was in the vampire realm, but more than that, my Vampire Form gave a buff to Intelligence.

Incubus also didn’t compare to Fire Incubus because it lacked wings. I should still do the work and max out its level. If Mana Sight and Time Crawl didn’t slow time, for all practically purposes, then Hyperactive would likely be worth it.

When I realized everyone had grown quiet, I noticed they weren’t looking at me, but the tray. Even Skyler had stopped chewing and was closely eying the roast at the middle of the tray.

I gave Russ a questioning look when he exaggeratedly glanced around the room like he hadn’t seen me.

“It has come.” Skyler said then purred like an adult lion pretending it was a kitten.

Aeris turned over in my arms and craned her head to get a look at what was on the tray. “What are you all carrying on about? What is it?”

Richard’s voice sounded in our ears like the announcement from a loudspeaker even though he wasn’t present, and there most certainly weren’t any loudspeakers. “It is an astonishing feat that it’s time to reveal. With our women taken, and Lord Elorion off in some unknown realm, the men of Sanctuary could’ve easily lost heart and given up. But nay.

“Instead, they stood, took their shirts off because none of them knew how to do laundry, and got to work. With help from Elorion’s Master Light Orbs and some tweaking by the Steve, I present to you the fruits of our labor. We like to call it, Bork!

“That’s short for Buff Pork, or Buffing Pork. Neither of which sound good at all. We also still go with Magic Bacon for pork belly cuts, but there’s a lot more to a cave swine than just the belly. I mean, seriously. Ribs, loin, roast, steak. It’s all magicy goodness.

“Now grab a plate and take your first bite. Your mind is about to be blown.”

I was about to say something when Richard cut in, “And Zorik, don’t forget to bring me a plate. Pretty please.”

“Thank you, Richard,” I said, allowing myself to grin. My friend Sai had been good-humored for a vampire, but I hadn’t been around goofy for months. I’d missed this.

“You got it, boss,” he replied.

Magic Bacon certainly wasn’t anything new. With Mana Sight active, I saw the rich light mana coming from the roast. I reverted from my Vampire Form to my default human form. Though I wasn’t sure if I should still consider myself human.

Advanced Ascendancy

Your mind and body have reached full maturity.

Permanent In The Buff

+1,000 Strength

+1,000 Dexterity

+1,000 Constitution

No mana cost

Note: These are in addition to past Ascendancy buffs.

Permanent Regeneration

+3,000 HP Per Second

+2,000 Endurance Per Second

No mana cost

Note: Unlike Permanent In The Buff, this is your total HP and Endurance Regeneration Per Second gained from your ascendancy.

“Russ,” Olivia said, oozing sweetness. “What is Richard talking about?”

“You think I’ll tell you just because you’re cute?” He gave her an overly cocky grin, but I could tell he was trying to hide the part of him that was squirming.

Aeris zipped out of my arms and landed on her chair before patting her lap.

Zorik had been looking for his chance and quickly sat a plate down in front of her. He didn’t wait for the rest of us. Now with enough plates laid out for all of us, I took a seat next to my fiancé.

Everyone sat and faced their serving. The rest of the roast our incubus server sat in the middle of the round table.

An eager murmur came from Skyler.

“I’m guessing you guys were able to improve the buffs the pork gives?” I asked.

“Bork,” Skyler insisted without answering my question.

“Just eat your entire serving before you look at your popups,” Russ said. “Like before, a person’s body can only take in so much a day before the buff caps out.”

“It’s really good to be home,” Aeris said suddenly.

Both Olivia and Skyler stopped with their forks halfway to their mouths. It was a long moment before someone spoke.

“Do you think this is the last time people will be forcibly taken from us?” Skyler asked. His face was expressionless.

“Maybe,” I stressed. “But it won’t be the last time someone leaves. I have every intention of taking all of you to the Cavern Level to increase your levels, whether in groups or in mass. The Head Mistress also has plans for Aeris and me. We have our own goals. There are places we must visit. Many of the girls have unlocked their first school of magic, but only Travis and I have amongst the guys.

“The succubi have access to most major element, but there are many aether veins on the Dungeon Level that allow for the unlocking of rarer sub elements like Travis’s Metal. All we have to do is find them, and Shamash can help with that. He has mentioned that he would be willing to help with Sanctuary’s development after we sign a new contract with him.”

“We?” Olivia asked.

“Aeris and me.”

Skyler grunted as if accepting my answer then took a bite. As he chewed, he inclined his head back and smacked his lips.

As she was contemplating what I’d said, Russ gently pushed Olivia’s fork toward her mouth. She didn’t think much of it and took a bite. It was good enough to grab her attention, so she was soon taking a second.

Aeris also beat me to it. Soon it was just me and Russ who weren’t eating. He was giving me an expectant look.

Narrowing my eyes, I hesitated before taking a bite. It was good. Really good, but it had also been weeks if not months since I’d eaten anything. At least, consistently. I forced myself to not look at the popup that appeared shortly after my first bite. Only after I’d eaten the entire portion did I look.

Before I could, Olivia squeaked.

Aeris gasped as if in response.

“What?” I asked, then I saw my own.

I remembered back to the buffs we were getting when we first started infusing mana into our crops.

From eating a mana-rich food, you have received bonuses for a limited time!

+1% Strength

+1% Dexterity

+1% Constitution

+1% Intelligence

+1% Wisdom

Bonuses expire in 12 hours!

Was what I had commonly received. It had varied depending on a person’s talents. For example, Olivia had gotten buffs to her Nature Magic.

From eating a mana-rich food, you have received bonuses for a limited time!

+2% to Nature Magic

+2% to Nature Magic Resistance

Bonuses expire in 24 hours!

The buffs had definitely changed.

+1 Constitution

It seemed much less than the original bonus, but then I realized there was no expiration. “This…” I found Russ giving me a satisfactory grin. “It gives permanent stats?”

He gave me the slow nod of a mad scientist.

Everyone was quiet as we took it in. That was until Skyler had finished chewing and he blathered. “They still vary depending upon a person’s talent. Like I only get a few points in Strength. Russ gets Con. Chris gets Dex. Perry gets random in physical stats. But the casters like Mel and Trevon mostly get Con, Intelligence, and Wisdom stats. So we think it just depends on your natural focus.”

I looked to Aeris who confirmed, “I received plus 3 to Intelligence.”

“Plus 3 to Wisdom,” Olivia added.

“I got 1 in Constitution,” I said, not thinking much of it.

“Try eating some more,” Skyer suggested. “Everyone gets around 3 stats a day. We don’t have the infrastructure for everyone to eat bork every day, but Steve and Mel are working on that.”

Taking a second helping that was about the same size, I began to eat as they talked.

Russ explained, “Mel tracked down more cave swine, so in a few months we should be able to make it work. Breeding takes time, though, and the more swine, the more light mana saturated wheat we need to grow to feed them.

“The key to making it work is that the piglets must be born to a mother that has been fed a diet of mana rich food during the whole of her pregnancy. Then they must be raised on a mana rich diet.”

“This is amazing,” Aeris said, still eying her popups. “Do we know how many stats someone can gain before they stop gaining points?”

“Not yet. We only discovered it two months ago. So far, there’s no sign of the stats a person gains lessening. We’re not eating it every day, though.”

After eating the whole of my second portion I didn’t get anymore stats. Russ and Skyler made some suggestions, but I was already pretty sure I knew why I was getting less than everyone else. I was a Light Mage. One that had already ascended. My body was already saturated with light mana. I said as much. It didn’t bother me. I’d been taking advantage of other means of gaining stat points the others didn’t have access to since the beginning. It was about time we found something for the rest of them.

Russ then stood up and grabbed his glass. He held it up. “I’d like to make a toast.”

We grabbed our glasses.

He shifted uncomfortably while gathering himself then said, “Congratulations El. Aeris. We wanted to do something special for you guys before the big event. I have no idea how we’re going to put a wedding on with a day’s notice, but we probably wouldn’t be here right now without the both of you. So thank you, and welcome back.”

Aeris leaned over and wrapped her arm beneath mine. We leaned forward together as our cups met the others’. After some small talk, I turned to Aeris with an inquisitive look. “Who’s going to officiate the wedding?”

She glanced up at me and tilted her head. “Well…”