Chapter 129: Expedition (2)

"Thank you Katrin!" Agni said as she drew closer and nuzzled her face against the busty brunette's own cheek.

Seeing an opportunity, Shula and Gigi joined in as well, creating a group hug. Katrin just chuckled to herself as a gentle blush came across her cheeks.

"I knew you weren't cheating on me. Which is fortunate for you!" Agni whispered, which caused Katrin to laugh even harder.

The amount of time Katrin must have spent on creating custom gear for everyone was substantial. Especially to create twelve high quality items in less than two days time. Agni could no longer complain about her absence the past few days and resolved to plan an activity with her best friend the moment they had free time.

The group of seven made their way to the lounge where Vivian Lex, the leader of Mystic Tower awaited. Agni was also surprised to see another familiar face.

"Ah! What are you doing here?" Shula shouted as she pointed towards the blonde haired woman standing next to Vivian.

She quickly turned, revealing her bronzed skin and mature features. It was Bracha! Her hair was done up in a bun, bound by an ornate chain. Her form fitting bodysuit reminded Agni of something Gigi might wear, almost to the tee. The deep grey bodysuit was also covered in various plates and pads, particularly along the vulnerable areas like the chest, shoulders, forearms, thighs and shins.

The plates seemed to be imbued with magic, for magic lines could be seen visibly glowing from them.

"Surprised? You're surprised no?" Bracha said with a beaming smile. Her figure was impressive as usual, particularly her hips, as she offered a thumbs up. Vivian just sighed as she walked directly towards Agni, catching her by the arm to separate her from the others.

"Did you tell Bracha we were going on this expedition? Why? Why would you do that?" Vivian seemed more….weary than angry, nevertheless she firmly gripped Agni's arm.

*I'm starting to feel like I'm back in highschool.* Agni thought before answering.

"Y-yes. Should I not have done that?" Agni knew the answer based on Vivian's reaction, but still what else could she say?

Rather than respond Vivian cast a glance over towards the bespectacled blond and sighed.

"It's...not a terrible idea. Bracha is capable. She's a Guardian after all. Her personality is just a bit difficult to handle." Vivian's grip on Agni's arm finally relaxed. Bracha waved towards them both, offering another smile.

"It's been a while since I've seen her this happy…" Agni remarked as she nodded in Bracha's direction.

"That's because she'll do anything to get away from that desk." Vivian remarked. She finally joined the rest of the group so that Vivian could finish preparing for the mission. Each member was handed out several items, most were high quality potions, Agni realized this because she'd also gone shopping a few times and lamented at the pricing.

[Potent Belle Restoration Potion

Restore a moderate amount of mana. 450 MP]

[Potent Yue Leaf Restoration Potion

Restore a moderate amount of health. (750 HP). ]

[Greater Yue Leaf Restoration Pot

Restore a 1,000 HP between all current party members equally ]

Of the three potions, two were vast improvements over the normal versions, easily three times as strong. She also had previous experience with a Greater Yue Potion during the incident versus the slimes. Ironically enough, thinking about conflict caused Agni to think about the snatchers.

It had been such a long time since Agni thought about them, or at least it seemed that way. She wondered, just for an instant, what those people were up to now? Agni's interest was sheerly out of curiosity. In fact she had to repress a scowl as her mind traveled back to the image of Katrin impaled upon a spire of rocks.

"What are you making such a serious face for? We haven't even set out yet." Katrin's voice was enough to bring her back to the present.

"Just thinking… about….stuff." Agni replied as her expression softened.

Aside from the unexpected addition of Bracha, there was also another person. He looked...imposing to say the least.

The man was tall, slender and fit. So fit in fact that his muscles resembled steel.

"Talk about zero body fat." Agni whispered. It was hard not to inspect him from head to toe. The man had tanned skin, bronze in color which was slightly darker than Bracha's. His hair was black with silver highlights, though it was unkept and spiky it exuded wildness. Across his left brow was a scar which trailed down along his eye and half of his face. Likewise there was a small scar across his lips along the right side of his face.

He wore a cloth shirt made of decadent material, it was loose fitting and allowed one to see his bare chest and wrapped abdomen. His pants were made of the same loose fitting material as his shirt and all of those were covered by a sleeveless overcoat. His forearms were wrapped in fabric as well.The collar of the coat seemed wild and rugged as it was made of some sort of animal fur, the aesthetic matched the look in his cherry red eyes.

This person gave off a steely demeanor, nonchalant and not to be fucked with -- these were the two distinct vibes Agni picked up on. This sensation was amplified by his broad shoulders, building arm muscles and impressive height; he stood around 185 cm (6'2 or so in feet). As such most people felt loath to speak to or approach the man. Except Shula.

"What kind of get up is that?" Shula asked as she pointed towards the wild haired man. She walked forward and grabbed a tuft of his shirt, fingering the material in her hands before she became deathly quiet.

"This is…..so soft...what is it?" Shula asked, she was genuinely surprised by the supreme feel of the fabric between her fingertips. If she could, she would wear clothing made of this material all of the time. The man shifted his eyes downward, as if he was witnessing a bug speak. He lifted his hand and raised it towards Shula's forehead, then with a single pluck of his finger Shula was forced to release her grip. The impact didn't sound like anything special, but Shula's reaction said differently. She immediately released his clothing and took a step backwards, even as her mouth opened to wordless protest. She gripped her forehead as her eyes bulged, a red mark had already begun to form on her pale, delicate skin.

"Don't touch strangers. It's impolite." His voice was deep and surprisingly silky. What's more it echoed despite the fact that he wasn't speaking very loud at all.

He then directed his gaze towards Agni and began to walk her way. The sensation was difficult to describe, his gaze was like that of being singled out by a lion. Yet there was a strange sense of defiance bubbling up from within Agni. It screamed to her, "hold your ground", thus she straightened up and steadied her breathing as the man drew closer.

Soon she and the man were standing before each other, eye to eye. She stared up at him, determined not to lose the silent fight despite the pressure this person exuded. Everyone else had already taken a few steps back, while Shula was busy struggling not to cry as a small bump formed on her forehead.

The man's eyes had taken on a strange appearance. The edge of his iris was highlighted by a ring of energy, while the edge of pupils also glowed with the same sort of energy. Agni felt, for the briefest of moments that she was being stared into rather than looked down upon. The sensation caused her heart to beat ferociously. She thought the sound of thumping in her ears might even be hazardous to her health.

"So you're the new Leviathan huh?" He said suddenly after a few seconds of silence. He simply stood before her, hands in the pockets of his overcoat. His eyes moved across Agni's body from head to toe, as if he was accessing every aspect of her.

"Well.. at least you seem reasonable." He added, and then the intense pressure that Agni felt was gone. The man turned and walked back towards his original position, standing next to Vivian and Oliver.

Agni felt….confused more than flustered.

*What the hell was that about?* Shula's voice rang through the succubus' head.

*Do you know that asshole?*

*No..* Agni replied.

*Well he seems to know about you. He called you a Leviathan.* Shula reminded her.

*Yea..* Leviathan was a term Agni hadn't heard since her visit to the Demonic Chapel in Kirlunst. Leviathan, a class of demon that was said to be amongst the most powerful. One capable of bending hundreds or even thousands to their will upon a whim through the power of vice.

Shula made her way over to Agni, it was apparent that she was trying not to cry. She bit her bottom lip even as a small trickle of blood rolled down her forehead.

*He did this with one finger?* Agni thought to herself as a hint of anger rolled through her. She fixed her own gaze upon the man, even as she inspected Shula's wound. It was already closing due to her natural regeneration as an adventurer. In all reality there was no need to make a fuss over it, but she couldn't deny-- she was a little pissed.