Regular text
Venom talking
(Thoughts)
[Health Bar]
ON TO THE CHAPTER
Oliver Pov.
The loud roar made everyone pause as the mutated monster began making their way into the arena. Thinking quickly I used Rika to summon a portal and it sent it back to the 17th Floor. I needed to fight this monster myself, I needed to test out my training. Prove to myself how much I've changed since starting this journey.
"Oliver, where did you just send him", Tiona rused up to ask me
"I sent him back to the 17th floor and I have a huge portal underneath him that causes him to keep falling until I close the portal or he overpowers me", I told her.
"Wait since when could you do that", Bete growled.
Knowing we don't have time to deal with Bete's ego, or jealousy whatever is the problem. I grabbed all the stuff with the tentacles before absorbing them into Venom. I also de-summoned Skullduggery, itll feel cheap having his help.(Venom doesn't count, he's legit an ability now").
"What are you-", Tione started as Tiona, Bete, Tione stared at me.
I interpreted her "I can store unlimited items on my person at all times and summon them at will. Anyways, enough question, let's go to the city and get everyone out" Before running ahead.
"Are you sure you want to fight this thing alone?"Venom asked worriedly.
"I won't be alone, I have you plus if we struggle I'm going to fully wear you today", I replied.
Venom was shocked as he stated " Really you're actually going to wear me".
"Yeah I trust you now, Partner", I replied.
Soon they made it to the entrance of the city, but instead of seeing people ready to leave it was all adventures ready to fight. I was shocked, I knew Rivera was a city for adventurers I just didn't expect they would be willing to fight for it. Maybe I underestimated the will power around here.
The sight of the adventurers, weapons drawn and eyes blazing with determination, sent a surge of conflicting emotions through me. Pride swelled in my chest at their courage, but worry gnawed at my gut. Were they truly prepared to face the monstrous threat that lurked in the dungeon's depths?
"Everyone, I want a chance to fight this monster on my own", I shouted
A chorus of protests erupted, their voices laced with worry and frustration.
"Oliver, you can't be serious!" Riveria exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. "That creature is far too powerful for one person to handle."
"We'll fight with you," Gareth added, his tone unwavering. "We won't let you face this alone."
Tiona and Tione's confident grins wavered, replaced by expressions of concern. "Are you sure about this, Oliver?" Tiona asked, her voice hesitant.
Bete clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Don't be an idiot," he spat, "We're stronger together."
Even Ais, usually stoic and reserved, looked at me with a worried frown.
I met their gazes, my resolve unwavering. "I have to do this," I insisted. "It's my responsibility."
Ais stepped forward, her gaze meeting mine. "Let him try," she said, her voice surprisingly firm. "If he gets into trouble, we'll be there to back him up."
A murmur of agreement rose from the assembled adventurers. They had seen my power, witnessed my determination.
"Oliver," Finn's voice cut through the clamor, his expression a mix of concern and resolve, "we appreciate your willingness to face this danger alone, but the Loki famila stands with you. We will not back down from a fight."
I nodded gratefully, a flicker of warmth amidst the tension. "Thank you," I said, "I appreciate that."
With a sense of purpose, I led the way back into the dungeon, the adventurers of Rivira following close behind. We descended the familiar tunnels, the air growing heavy with anticipation as we neared the 17th floor.
As we reached our destination, the monstrous Black Goliath loomed before us, its roars echoing through the cavern. The portal beneath it flickered, a testament to my waning control.
It was time to fight as the portal finally broke. The Black Goliath hit the ground with a loud boom.
Without wasting time, I charged forward. Venom's power surged through me, a dark energy enveloping my right arm and solidifying into a sleek, black hand wrap. A burst of power began coursing through my body making me stronger than I was before. I also summoned my staff in its sword form.
The Black Goliath roared, its challenge answered. Meeting my charge by throwing a punch that I quickly dodged before using my sword to strike at its outstretched arm. A loud boom was heard as a shockwave blasted through the room.
Riveria's eyes widened as she witnessed the transformation, her usually composed expression replaced by a look of utter shock. "Oliver..." she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. The sheer intensity of the power radiating from me clearly exceeded anything she had anticipated.
The adventurers behind me erupted in a mix of awe and apprehension.
"Did you see that?!"
"He's so strong!"
"Is he using some type of magic?"
Ais's brow furrowed, a flicker of worry crossing her features. She had sparred with me before, but this... this was a different level entirely.
Bete, on the other hand, was visibly agitated. His fists clenched, and a snarl twisted his lips. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, "How did he get so strong so fast?"
The Black Goliath roared, as it stepped back from the strike I gave it. It's face began to twist into anger as it summoned a club out of nowhere. Its speed was faster than the regular Goliath as it raised its club to attack.
Time seemed to slow as I reacted, my senses heightened by Observation Haki. I saw the trajectory of the club, the subtle shift in the Goliath's weight, the tension in its muscles. With a burst of speed granted by Venom I raised my sword fast enough to block the Goliath's club with a resounding clang. The impact sent shockwaves through the cavern, the force of the blow momentarily staggering the monstrous creature.
The clash of my blade against the Goliath's club sent a tremor through my arm, a stark reminder of the monster's immense strength. Despite my newfound power and enhanced senses, the creature was relentless, its attacks a whirlwind of brute force.
(This thing hits almost as hard as Bete, and it's fast, too!) I thought, a surge of adrenaline sharpening my focus. (I've gotten stronger, but I'm still no match for a Level 5... not yet.)
A flicker of doubt momentarily clouded my mind, but it was quickly extinguished by a surge of unwavering resolve.
"Remember, kid," Venom's voice echoed in my mind, a steady presence amidst the chaos, "Trust your instincts, trust your training. We can do this."
I took a deep breath, centering myself. Fear was a luxury I couldn't afford. With a renewed sense of determination, I met the Goliath's next attack head-on, my blade a blur as I parried and riposted, weaving a dance of death in the heart of the dungeon.
The battle raged on, a whirlwind of chaos and destruction. The Black Goliath's roars shook the cavern, its every movement sending tremors through the ground. I danced around its attacks, my senses honed by Observation Haki, predicting its strikes before they landed.
The Goliath's club crashed down, sending shockwaves through the air. I met its attack with my own, the clash of weapons echoing through the chamber. Sparks flew as our blades met, the force of the impact sending me stumbling back.
With a roar, I channeled Venom's power, my muscles bulging as I pushed back against the Goliath's monstrous strength. The ground beneath my feet cracked, but I held my ground, my blade locked against the Goliath's club in a deadly stalemate.
The air crackled with tension, the silence broken only by the heavy panting of both combatants. The Goliath's red eyes narrowed, its rage palpable. It was clear that this creature was not simply a mindless beast; it possessed a cunning, a primal intelligence that made it all the more dangerous.
The adventurers watching from the sidelines held their breath, their eyes glued to the spectacle unfolding before them. They had never seen anything like it - a lone adventurer, wielding otherworldly powers, locked in a desperate struggle against a monstrous foe.
With a defiant cry, I pushed back with all my might, breaking the stalemate and sending the Goliath stumbling back. The initial clash of power had ignited a fire within me, a surge of adrenaline that fueled my every move. But as the battle raged on, the stark reality of the Goliath's strength began to set in. Each strike from its massive club sent tremors through my body, each parry a test of my endurance.
My movements, once fluid and agile, gradually grew sluggish. The Goliath's relentless assault pushed me to my limits, its speed and power overwhelming my defenses. Sweat stung my eyes, my breath came in ragged gasps, and a sense of dread crept into my heart.
(We're not going to win this at this rate,) Venom's voice echoed in my mind, his tone laced with concern. "He's too strong, and we're tiring fast. We need to change tactics."
The thought of using Stone Monkey flickered through my mind, the primal power a tempting solution. But the image of the adventurers watching, I want to try to keep some things secret.
The Goliath roared, its club slamming into my body with bone-jarring force.The world spun as a monstrous force slammed into me, a sickening crunch echoing through the cavern as my body collided with the unforgiving stone wall. Pain exploded through my being, a searing agony that stole my breath and blurred my vision. I slid down the rough surface, leaving a trail of crimson in my wake.
I heard people scream my name but I couldn't really tell who as I began to cough up blood. I could feel the ground tremble as the Goliath made his way toward me.
(Oliver, it's time,) Venom's voice was urgent, the desperation in his tone mirroring my own. "Let me out. Let me take over."
I hesitated for a split second, the implications of his words weighing heavily on me. But the Goliath was closing in, its next attack imminent. There was no other choice.
"Alright, Venom," I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do this."
Ais's hand tightened on her sword, her stance shifting into a battle-ready pose, her eyes locked on the Black Goliath with a fierce determination. Riveria rushed forward, her hands glowing with healing magic, but the severity of my injuries was clear.
Finn barked orders, his voice cutting through the panic. "Gareth, Tiona, Tione, hold that beast back! Riveria, tend to Oliver!"
The three warriors charged forward, their weapons raised, a desperate attempt to divert the Goliath's attention. But before they could reach the monstrous creature, a deafening roar echoed through the chamber, drowning out all other sounds.
The very walls of the dungeon trembled as an immense pressure bore down on us, a dark energy seeping through the cracks and crevices. The Black Goliath stumbled, its roar turning into a whimper as it instinctively recoiled from the overwhelming power.
"WE ARE VENOM!" it roared, its voice a symphony of rage and power.
From the darkness, a monstrous figure emerged, its form a living suit of slick muscle and power. White, pupil-less eyes glared, and a wide, toothy grin revealed rows of jagged teeth. A long, red tongue flicked out, tasting the air. His voice, a guttural growl, echoed with a hungry rage.
With a terrifying agility that belied his monstrous form, Venom launched himself at the Black Goliath. The cavern shook with the force of their clash, a whirlwind of darkness and fury. Venom's tendrils lashed out, ensnaring the Goliath's limbs and constricting its movements. His attacks were relentless, a brutal display of raw power and unbridled aggression.
The adventurers watched in horrified awe as they watched the sheer savagery of Venom's onslaught a stark contrast to my more measured fighting style.
The Black Goliath, once a terrifying menace, was now a plaything in Venom's hands. Its roars turned to desperate cries as Venom's tendrils tightened, its massive form flailing helplessly against the symbiote's relentless assault.
With a final, agonizing roar, the Black Goliath fell, its massive body crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud. The cavern was silent for a moment, the only sound the echo of the monster's death throes and the heavy panting of Venom.
The symbiote stood over the fallen Goliath, its form still writhing with residual energy. The adventurers watched, their faces a mix of awe, fear, and relief. The threat had been neutralized, but the power that had vanquished it was a terrifying mystery.
Slowly, Venom's form began to recede, the black tendrils retracting and merging back into my body. I collapsed to my knees, my body aching and my vision swimming. The adrenaline that had fueled the fight was fading, leaving me weak and vulnerable.
Riveria rushed to my side, her healing magic washing over me, soothing the worst of my injuries. "Oliver, are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I nodded weakly, my voice hoarse. "I'll be fine," I managed, "Just give me a minute."
As my regeneration began to take effect, I felt my strength slowly returning. I looked up at the faces of the adventurers, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension. They had witnessed a power beyond their comprehension, a power that had saved their city but also left them with a sense of unease.
"Well, that was a workout," Venom chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of pride. "Not bad for a first full-body experience, eh, partner?"
"Yeah, yeah," I groaned, wincing as I tried to move my aching limbs. "Just remind me not to get my ass kicked before summoning you next time."
Riveria beside me, her hands glowing with a soft, healing light. "Oliver, are you sure you're alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I'll live," I rasped, offering her a weak smile. "Thanks, Riveria."
Ais stood nearby, her expression a mixture of worry and awe. "That was...incredible," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bete grunted, crossing his arms. "Show-off," he muttered, but I could detect a hint of respect in his tone.
Tiona and Tione, ever the boisterous duo, were practically bouncing with excitement. "That was amazing, Oliver!" Tiona exclaimed. "You totally kicked that Goliath's butt!"
"Yeah!" Tione chimed in, "You were like, 'Bam! Pow! Take that, you big ugly pig faced!'"
I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, the lightheartedness a welcome balm to the tension that still lingered in the air.
"Thanks, guys," I said, my voice still raspy but sincere.
As the adventurers gathered around, their cheers and congratulations echoing through the cavern, I knew that this was just the beginning before they started to party.
Your clothes are ripped to shreds," Riviera commented, her cheeks tinged with pink as she averted her eyes.
I glanced down, realizing that Venom's transformation had left my clothes in tatters, barely clinging to my now more muscular frame.
Finn, ever the pragmatic leader, approached me, his brow furrowed. "Oliver," he began, his voice laced with a cautious curiosity, "what exactly is Venom?"
The question, though directed at me, was met with a booming response from the symbiote himself. "We are Venom," the voice resonated in my mind and echoed slightly in the cavern, a chilling yet exhilarating sensation. "We are the protector, the warrior, the unyielding force that shields Oliver from harm and empowers him beyond his limits."
A hush fell over the adventurers as they processed this revelation. Tiona and Tione, however, were practically vibrating with excitement. "That's so cool!" Tiona exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. "Like, you have a monster buddy living inside you?"
"Can he talk to us, too?" Tione chimed in, her voice filled with childish curiosity.
Bete, ever the pragmatist, cut through the chatter. "How strong can this... Venom... make you?" he demanded, his voice gruff but laced with a newfound respect.
"Strong enough," I replied, a hint of a smirk playing on my lips. "Strong enough to protect those I care about."
Riveria's expression softened. "I assume Venom is some sort of spirit," she asked, "Though it's power... it's unlike anything I've ever encountered."
Ais tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Could Venom make me stronger too?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of hope.
"Maybe," I replied, "It's possible that Venom's power could enhance your abilities, but it's not something I can promise."
Ais's gaze intensified, her expression serious. "I see," she murmured, her voice thoughtful.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me, the adrenaline from the battle fading, leaving me weak and unsteady. My vision blurred, and my legs wobbled.
Before I could fall, Ais's arm shot out, catching me and steadying me. "Easy there," she said, her voice gentle.
Venom, ever vigilant, didn't wait for permission. Black tendrils snaked out from my back, reaching towards the fallen Goliath. With surprising delicacy, they extracted a massive, pulsating black stone from the monster's chest, absorbing it into my body. The Black Goliath dissolved into dust, leaving behind a few shimmering drops that Venom eagerly consumed.
The Loki Familia watched in stunned silence. "How did you do that?" Finn asked, his voice filled with awe.
"It's... complicated," I replied, still feeling the aftershocks of the battle and Venom's actions.
. "Hestia," I murmured, summoning a portal to her home. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and my vision darkened. The last thing I saw was Ais's concerned face before darkness claimed me.
Twilight Manor Hour Later
The meeting room was thick with tension. Loki lounged on her throne, a goblet of wine in her hand, her expression unreadable. Around the table, the Loki Familia's executives were engaged in a heated discussion. The topic: Oliver, the Trickster Tarnished.
"We can't let someone with that kind of power slip through our fingers," Bete growled, his voice laced with a mixture of apprehension and ambition. "He could be a valuable asset to the Familia."
"Or a dangerous liability," Finn countered, his tone measured but firm. "We still don't know the full extent of his abilities, or the true nature of that... creature he calls Venom."
Riveria nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "His magic is unlike anything we've ever encountered," she mused.
Gareth, ever the voice of reason, spoke up. "We need to tread carefully," he cautioned. "Oliver has shown us that he's not one to be underestimated. We should approach him with respect, not force."
Loki chuckled, a sly glint in her eyes. "Respect is all well and good, Gareth," she purred, "But power responds to power. We need to find a way to make him see that his interests align with ours."
The discussion continued, each executive offering their own opinions and strategies. But amidst the chatter, Ais remained silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity.
Oliver's display of power had shaken her, his transformation both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The gentle touch of his hand as he'd steadied her during his moment of weakness was a stark contrast to the ferocious power he wielded in battle.
He's not like anyone I've ever met, she thought, her gaze distant. He's powerful, mysterious, and... kind. But there's also a darkness within him, a raw, untamed energy that's both alluring and frightening.
She couldn't deny the intrigue she felt towards him, the desire to understand the depths of his power and the secrets he held. But she also couldn't ignore the unease that gnawed at her, the fear of what he might become if that power were to consume him.
The meeting continued around her, but Ais was lost in her own thoughts, her heart echoing the question that lingered in the air: Who really is Oliver?
(Why do I feel this way? It's different from what I feel towards Bell...) Ais pondered, her brow furrowing in confusion. Bell was a goal, a symbol of her past and a path towards her revenge. But Oliver... he was an enigma, a whirlwind of power and contradictions that both intrigued and unsettled her.
Hestia Familia - Later that Night
The gentle clatter of teacups and the soft murmur of conversation filled the cozy Hearth. Hestia, her brow creased with worry, recounted the events of the day to Bell and Liliruca.
"He came back injured," she sighed, her voice laced with concern. "The Loki Familia brought him here unconscious. They said he fought a mutated Goliath all by himself."
Bell's heart sank. He remembered the argument he'd had with Oliver, the harsh words he'd spoken in a fit of jealousy and insecurity. Guilt gnawed at him, a heavy weight settling in his stomach.
"It's my fault," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I hadn't..."
Hestia reached out, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "Bell, it's not your fault," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "Oliver made his own choices."
But Bell couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow responsible. If he had been stronger, more confident, maybe Oliver wouldn't have felt the need to prove himself. Maybe he wouldn't have been hurt.
"He took down a mutated Goliath... on his own?" Lily's voice was filled with awe, but Bell heard only the sting of jealousy.
Oliver, always one step ahead, always stronger, always the hero. The familiar pang of envy twisted in Bell's heart, a bitter reminder of his own perceived inadequacies. He had wanted to be the one to protect, to prove his worth, but once again, Oliver had outshone him.
Hestia's gaze softened as she looked at Bell, sensing his inner turmoil. "Bell," she began, her voice gentle, "Don't compare yourself to Oliver. You have your own path, your own strengths."
But her words offered little comfort. In that moment, all Bell could see was the gap between himself and the Tarnished hero, a chasm that seemed to grow wider with each passing day.
Suddenly, the door to the apartment creaked open, revealing Ais Wallenstein standing in the doorway. Her golden eyes scanned the room before settling on Bell, but only for a moment.
"I want to see Oliver," she stated, her voice firm and unwavering.
Bell's heart skipped a beat. The intensity in Ais's eyes, the way she brushed past him without a word, it stirred a strange mix of emotions within him. Jealousy, admiration, a longing for her attention - it was all tangled together in a knot of confusion.
"He's asleep," Hestia replied, her tone cautious. "Perhaps you could come back later..."
But Ais didn't hesitate. With a determined stride, she walked past Hestia and into Oliver's room, leaving Bell to grapple with the whirlwind of emotions that her presence had stirred within him.