C27: Chains of Liberation and the Dungeon's Gambit
Prologue: The Auction of Shadows
The slave market reeked of despair—iron collars clinked, whips cracked. Nero lounged in the auction's VIP section, hooded and unnoticed. On the block: an Oni boy snarling in defiance, his sister trembling beside him, and a spectral girl flickering like dying embers.
Auctioneer (leering):
"Next lot—exotic, untamed. Bidding starts at ten thousand gold."
Nero raised a finger. "I'll take them all."
The crowd gasped. The auctioneer smirked. "Payment upfront."
Nero (smiling):
"Oh, I pay in penalties."
Screams followed.
Scene 1: The Phoenix's Mercy
Nero shattered the slaves' cursed collars, blue flames devouring the runes. The Oni boy gaped as his chains crumbled.
Oni Boy (growling):
"Why free us? What debt do we owe?"
Nero (grinning):
"Debt? Nah. Just hate rich jerks."
The spectral girl materialized, her form solidifying into a young woman with eyes like storm clouds. "Fernando butchered my village. Let me fight with you."
Nero's flames flickered in approval. "Welcome to the chaos."
Scene 2: Darky's Haunted Heart
Darky swaggered toward the spectral girl, oozing false charm. "Hey gorgeous, ever date a demon?"
Specter Girl (deadpan):
"I'm dead. And you're… a cat?"
Darky yowled, leaping onto Nero's head. "GHOST! KILL IT!"
Nero (peeling him off):
"You're a demon. Act like one."
The Oni boy's sister giggled. "He's… fluffy?"
Scene 3: The Mentor's Flame
The Oni boy—Kaito—ignited azure fire in his palms, unstable and wild.
Kaito (grunting):
"Teach me. I'll gut Fernando myself."
Nero tossed him a melon. "Burn this. Not the tree."
Kaito's flames vaporized the fruit—and the bench.
Nero (snickering):
"Close enough."
Scene 4: Dungeon of Deception
Eri adjusted her priestess robes, flanked by trembling students. The dungeon's entrance pulsed with cursed energy.
Teacher (monotone):
"Survival optional. Glory eternal."
Saki (whispering to Eri):
"Monsters here feel… angry."
Eri's clone had already scouted ahead—corpses littered the halls.
Scene 5: The Savior's Fury
Shinji collapsed, blood pooling as an S-rank monstrosity loomed.
Shinji (coughing):
"Nero…?"
A fist clad in hellfire punched through the beast's chest.
Nero (disguised voice):
"Backup. Nice to meet you."
He healed Shinji with a touch, blue flames knitting flesh.
Eri (internally):
Show-off.
Scene 6: Portal's Price
The dungeon shuddered. A vortex swallowed Nero, spitting him into a cavern where two demons played chess with skulls.
Demon 1 (sighing):
"Rude guest. No snacks?"
Demon 2 (grinning):
"Let's eat him."
Nero cracked his knuckles. "You'll choke."
Epilogue: Whispers in the Dark
Fernando's Throne Room — Night
Arata knelt, blood dripping from a fresh wound. "The phoenix spear's wielder interfered."
Fernando (stroking a raven):
"Let him play hero. Every martyr feeds the Primordial."