ACT 2: THE DUNGEON SUMMONER
Earlier before the tragedy unfolds.
....
Hold up, what was that? I could've sworn something just went by. I've already closed the portal, and I'm on my way up from the basement. Ugh, and there's that annoying dog again.
"Felrurne, how did you get in here?!" I exclaimed, shocked to see the wolf breached the portal. The portal was supposed to be sealed to familiars and summons, protected by Master's restrictions. Those restrictions were meant to prevent them from going outside and create chaos in blumelia, the human world.
"woof! Ruf! " Felrurne whimpered, it's eyes pleading. It claims master sent it here to apologize to me. I translated, yet still skeptical. And now it's saying Master disowned it the moment it arrived?
"Is that so, then I forgive you. Now come here. Let's go back. Don't disturb my work any further" I grabbed it's collar. It's quite heavy but I didn't train for nothing. It seems behaving properly and not resisting. Though it still whimpering and looking rather downcast. As we descended into the basement and approach the portal.
I opened it and voila. To my surprised. For the past years I've been coming through to this portal. This is the first time it disappeared. I open it and close back. Did It for a couple times but. Nothing. Just the olden and cobwebs filled basement. And it only lead me into one conclusion.
"no this can't be.. " I was disheartened, while frowning but then just as I was despairing, a realization my emotion turned complete opposite "That's gotta be.. That must be it! I haven't finished master's quest yet, I guess i have to grit my teeth until I return. you! Felrurne don't cause trouble while your here!" it behaved rather well. Strangely enough he always causing trouble back at the house. I find this change of behavior strange. As as long as he does behave. I guess it doesn't matter.
Felrurne let out a cheerful "woof!" and wagged its tail, its earlier gloominess forgotten.
As we stepped into the break room, the cozy atmosphere enveloped us. The simple living room featured a plush couch, chairs, and a dining area with a sturdy table and chairs. The walls showcased an assortment of vibrant drawings and artwork, adding a touch of warmth to the space. It felt like a haven. Felrurne padded alongside me, its earlier gloominess forgotten in the warm surroundings.
There's also a picture of master and me and something what master call it a camera. I dunno which place did he pick it up from. He said he took it from the outerworlds. But I don't know which dimension it be.
On the couch, a girl around my age lay sleeping, still in her work clothes rumpled, looking utterly defenseless. Above her, a vibrant Volcore imaginative dream catcher hung, its intricate patterns seeming to shimmer in the dim light. I wondered what she was dreaming about right now - and whether those dreams were as vivid and surreal as the dream catcher itself.
The dream catcher is different from the normal, it catches dream and gave the dreamer a vivid story like she was the actor in her dreams. I truly wonder what dream recording is inside that vibrant volcore dream catcher.
"Wake up, sleepyhead! Time to work!" I said, raising my voice. But Chloe just murmured, "Five more minutes... zzz," and snuggled deeper into the couch, rolling onto her side.
I snapped. "your not going to wake up aren't you?" I took off her blankets and did her a little prank or maybe a push to get up.
Although her outfit look a bit modest but isn't it a too tight and short? Adding her unnatural beauty. Isn't she a bit too alluring? Where in the world master got this clothing from. He must've taken it from the outerworlds as well..
I use plune's possession and cast a wavy cold air around here while chuckling intently at my mischievous endeavor.
"cold.. Hmm.. " she moaned, seeming to enjoy the chill. Not good! she needs to wake up. I intensified the cold a little bit.
She cried as if she's having a frostbite. "T-too cold! Boss your so cruel. I was having a good dream" she get up feeling a little bitter and pouting.
"what are you? An airhead?! you don't want to wake up when I kept telling you also why are you sleeping in here. You already have a room? What if something happens to you while asleep, your not the only one living here you know" I exclaimed, exasperated. Well technically she and I are the only one's living her, she's the only clerk of luminus pharmacy. Master often stays in his dungeon. I rarely comes after training ends. Maybe I was in the wrong?
Chloe fell silent for a moment, crossing her arms and looking away.
She spoked "pervert. Hmph"
I fell completely shocked. I, orvel who upholds master's teachings of unwavering morality and unshakeable dignity. Was called a pervert?! Did I took that a little too far? Maybe I did. She was enjoying it. But she was way too.. No, no, no. This is wrong! I feel shameful about that.
I then replied acting as if I didn't hear it. "w-what do you mean by that?" I couldn't help but stuttered with my voice.
"you were aiming at my boobs just now boss"
"what aiming? I didn't!" i retorted, refusing to admit. Did I really do that? No way will accept it.
"but.. It wasn't bad teehee" she's being cheeky again!
"guhh.. So did something happened?" I said. There must be a reason for this, i reckon.
"yes. Yesterday when I was done stockpiling the potion and got to bed at my room. I dreamed a strange dream" she said, recalling her memories of yesterday.
A dream? Did she awakened or something? But it's still tomorrow before she turned the same age as I am. Did it come out a bit early?.
"did you have an awakening, Chloe? " I asked with curiosity.
"geez, i didn't. the dream was... It was nothing" she mumbled, her blush intensifying.
Why is she blushing all of that sudden? What the hell is going in her mind?!. I couldn't understand her at all. I could only smile with a poker face and spoke.
"huh, what are you talking about? Forget the dream was there another reason?"
"yes, i wake up late at night to drink some water in the fridge when suddenly a big flash of bright light appeared in the outside. I checked it out and found out where not in the drowlocke street anymore" she explained, still puzzled about it.
I was surprised to hear it that to see is to believe. I opened the door to the shop and opened the outside door and saw a different scenery that I'm not accustomed.
"just what on blumelia happened here" the people here aren't poorly looking. They're even vaunting for the dress they wear, the house are well decorated and designed making our shop standing out for being a bit rundown. And they're more people here than the ghostly road of drowlocke street. Kids playing. Hawker's bartered and this place just look vibrant that were out of place.
I closed the door and look back at Chloe. I said "I believe you, this does look like master's doing. But I'm not sure"