Dungeon of Niflheim

93 Chapter 93: The elite bodyguards

Rock and Jin felt rather unnerved with Drogan’s expressions unable to read what was going on in his mind. The two brothers looked at one another and shrugged. They’d just ignore him, what did it matter to them how Drogan felt.

Instead, they got more and more pumped up, eager to meet this fabled guild master, Bastion. Killing him would make it the second B-rank they’ve managed to kill and would greatly endorse their street cred. They’d most likely be able to extort more money out of Adam once they succeed, demanding wages of B-rank level guards nearly 5 times their current salary is what they believed would be appropriate. Not a single thought of doubt crossed their minds, they viewed Bastion as nothing more than a lamb on the chopping block just waiting to be killed.

The last time they killed a B-rank was years ago, before they had to flee their last area and met Adam. The battle was hard fought, and they nearly lost their lives, but the opponent was youngish and an archer not exactly the hardest choice for them, but they just attributed it to their awesomeness. Now several years later they were even stronger and better equipped so taking down an old retiree should be a piece of cake. The two revealed in glee and anticipation as they waited on edge for their opponents to descend the stairs and meet their maker.

Back upstairs

“Found it,” Leo announced after checking his 5th bookcase. In the middle of the middle shelf there was a golden gilded book without a title on the spine, when he went to pull it out, he heard something start to click bringing a smile to his face.

Not waiting on his allies, he pulled the book back all the way causing a mechanism to move across the ceiling and along to a bare part of the wall.

The uncovered part slowly started to move, a rectangular gap quickly started to thicken in the shape of a large door before part of the wall slid into a crevasse in the side, revealing the stairs down to the third basement.

Leo smiled awkwardly as he stared over into the black doorway, happy that he found the entrance but also worried about what it entailed. The main fight was upon them, after encountering the elite guards they’d be on their own, him Luna and Frost. Those three alone needed to deal with any remaining foes as well as Adam himself all while hoping that Ryuu and Bastion succeeded in their battles. He was nervous and rightly so.

The rest of the group moved over at his call, each of them standing close to another as they stared into the stairwell all with differing emotions.

.....

“Shall we go then?” Frost asked with excitement in his eyes as he faced Leo, the party leader. Ryuu and Bastion also had similar looks in their eyes as they turned to their nephew. It was finally time for them to do their part.

“Haaaaaaaa” Leo released a deep sigh lamenting his worries, he wasn’t strong and full of excitement like these three battle fanatics. He touched the warrant hidden in his clothes to give him strength, imaging his parents before his spoke.

“Yes, let’s go. Taka, Bruno you two stay up here and guard the entrance. Anyone that’s one of Adam’s lackeys, send them packing.” Leo looked over at the two young adventurers with commanding looks causing them to instinctively stand straight and salute like soldiers responding to a commanding officer.

“Understood young lord.”

“It will be done.” They spoke with determination and confidence no longer moping about their jobs.

“Good, let’s go down then.” He grabbed hold of Luna’s hand and pulled her in close, to protect her as well as give himself some comfort. Luna was more than happy to move in close and nestle her head next to Leo’s shoulder with a happy smile that reminded Frost of Maya, it sent a chill down his spine. One of her was more than enough he couldn’t cope with another.

He turned away and walked down the stairs first with Ryuu and Bastion following close behind. Leo and Luna followed in last since they were the weakest and wouldn’t be taking too much part in the subsequent fighting.

Once they’d all descended the stairs and were out of sight, Bruno and Taka took their places as guards, looking stoic and steely eyed, determined to put down anyone who comes up or down that wasn’t supposed to.

However, if a group of goons, especially those of the higher level type did so happen to enter and wish to descend there wasn’t much the two of them could do, it was merely a show of strength. Hopefully, any goons that stayed in the upper levels of the mansion either stayed there out of fear or went outside to assist against the 14 adventurers who were still battling like crazy. Even down in the second basement they could occasionally hear the sounds of large explosions and screams from above revealing the intensity of the upstairs combat.

The group walked down a dark set of stairs once again. This time however Frost didn’t have to worry about any waiting ambushes, no the foes weren’t exactly hiding their locations. He could feel the stench of bloodlust be poured in from the bottom of the stairs beckoning him down to face them. It was strong and barbaric, but Frost loved it, his muscles felt light and filled with power as he allowed the intent to wash over him as though a healing spell. He couldn’t restrain his smile which grew larger and larger the further they descended. Now without his mask it was certainly an interesting image. An incredibly handsome face smiling evilly was far more disturbing than an ordinary one.

Problem being that no matter how pumped up he got this fight was not his. Frost knew his limits now and knew for a fact that he’d stand no chance against those guards. Even if he used every trick, he had he’d probably come up short. Of course, it wouldn’t be a simple fight if it was the two upper C-ranks, although he’d lose, he could probably take a limb or two but still be beaten in the end. No, this fight was for the equally if not more battle crazed old men behind him.

They too were releasing their killing intent but downward into the third basement. Frost felt as though two knives were stabbing into his back as another three stabbed his front, it kept him on edge to say the least.

It didn’t take the long to descend, probably due their excitement Frost and the two old men walked fairly quickly which forced Luna and Leo to quickly follow suit.

Opening the door to the first room of the third basement they were met with a large expanse, probably over 500m2 of open space with a bunch seats arranged on the outskirts. It appeared to be a cross between an arena and warehouse. Most likely some of the smuggled goods would be forced to fight here for the enjoyment of a few extravagant customers.

A subtle smell of blood entered Frost’s nose as he stepped over the threshold.

‘Blood was definitely shed in this room on a regular basis.’ Even the grey stone ground had patches where it was reddish or brown in colour where no amount of cleaning was enough to completely remove the stains. This was a battlefield and their opponents where already waiting for them.

In the middle of the arena stood the three elite guards he witnessed glued to Adam on the first floor balcony several hours ago. Each of them sporting wild smiles and crazy looks in their eyes as though watching prey enter their den.

Frost felt his blood boil and his vision start to go red, he clenched his jaw and fists as the urge for battle overwhelmed him, he wanted to fight them so much. The battle would be glorious he couldn’t ask for a more fun opponent or better arena.

His three opponents however merely scoffed once again at the young Frost; he wasn’t their opponent. But with his face now revealed they were slightly in awe. Never before had they seen such a beautiful face, even among the elves. This awe quickly turned into hatred with Rock and Jin suddenly having the urge to smash that face in regardless of whether or not it’d be considered bullying the weak. As men they felt it was an obligation to smash that pretty face of his apart.

Drogan however reacted differently once the awe faded, he was curious since he didn’t recognise the face but more than that it was interest, Frost was right in his strike zone, elven men were his favourite. Their soft skin armed with their beautiful faces were irresistible to him. He couldn’t help but drool slightly and develop a slight blush similar to Maya when she first saw him. It was a shame this man was an enemy and quite a serious one given that he’s the main reason Leo was here in the first place and not dead in a ditch somewhere.

‘Such a waste.’ Drogan released a depressed sigh, lamenting at the unfortunate future of this beautiful young man before staring hard at Frost’s features hoping to memorise his visage before it got destroyed.

Frost’s battle lust was quickly doused by ice cold water when he received that lust induced gaze that pervaded his body. A horrible chill went down his spine as he took a step back in fear, he didn’t know why but for some reason his body was warning him of a great danger one of a different type, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but he was unable to resist.

After stepping back, he refused to even look in Drogan’s direction, all his battle lust being completely evaporated.

Bastion stifled a laughter as he saw and understood the events that just happened. When he first saw Frost’s face being revealed when he was fighting a few D-rank goons he was absolutely gobsmacked. Frost was the most beautiful man he’d ever seen and even he was momentarily charmed, and he was 100% straight. He could only imagine the shock the enemy mage must have received given his predisposition. Even the three goons that were fighting Frost were all stunned in place the moment his mask finally fell, unfortunately that was what led to their untimely demise, Frost’s face was literally a weapon he could use to stun his foes.

He now felt that the mask he always wore was quite necessary. Without it there’d probably be riots in the streets, woman and men flocking towards him. He thought Maya was attractive enough but if she walked hand in hand with Frost throughout the town it would be chaos utter chaos. He was however reminded of his late wife thanks to this, bringing a grateful tear to his eye so he volunteered to help out his new young friend, walking ahead of him and covering him from the perverted gaze of the enemy mage.

Frost now hidden from view was able to breath and relax quietly muttering “thank you” to Bastion for reasons he still did not fully understand but was grateful none the less. Still unnerved by Drogan he remained hidden behind Bastion trying to make himself look as small as possible, it didn’t help that he was significantly taller than the old dwarf, but it was the thought that counts.

Drogan however was not pleased, with his eye candy being taken out of view by a scruffy old dwarf, he almost spat in disgust at the contrast between their faces, he didn’t like dwarves.

He glared accusingly at Bastion filled with hate, but his eyes were torn away when Ryuu took a step forward, his aura struggling to be contained drew his gaze, this was his real prize, a fight with an experienced and more powerful mage.

Lightning seemed to jump between the two mages eyes as they sized one another up, both of them quite impressed with the other. Ryuu was a little older recently turning fifty something whereas Drogan was in his early forties less than decade of difference was not much in the scheme of things but a big difference in regards to magicians. 10 years was a long time to master your magic and face all manner of instances, Drogan didn’t think for a second the fact that Ryuu being a father as well as an important court mage requiring him to work heavily in administration had weakened him in anyway over the years. This was a full on high ranking B-rank mage standing before him. Analysing his strength and his soon to be opponent, he couldn’t be distracted by notions of lust even if the fruit was incredibly tantalising.