Hell Difficulty Tutorial Side story (non-canon) - A Nya to Remember

POV Ruby

Observing the countenance that could provoke even Diligence into a physical altercation, I share the same sentiment precisely. It's not as if Nathaniel's face displays any particular emotion or smugness; rather, he maintains his characteristic neutral, impassive expression, which invariably projects an aura of arrogance. The most vexing aspect is that, as is his habit when pleased, the corners of his lips betray a minuscule upward twitch, and his eyes narrow ever so slightly in amusement.

“Should you harbor doubts regarding my veracity, feel free to consult Spark. I am confident he can corroborate my statement,” he declares. His familiar, held tenderly in his arms, glances between us, its ears flopping with each movement.

Conceding my defeat, I respond, “There is no need. I do not believe you would utter falsehoods. I simply did not anticipate-”

“I did forewarn you that the figure would astonish you, yet your statement seems incomplete, wouldn't you agree, Ruby?”

A myriad of methods for dispatching him spring to mind, many of which would not even necessitate the expenditure of my Qi. A mere thought would suffice. A fractional lapse in my control, a subtle release of my presence. The very radiation emanating from this Sanctuary could obliterate his fragile form if certain safeguards were deactivated.

Nevertheless, through gritted teeth, I utter, “I simply did not anticipate such a quantity… nya.”

“Excellent.” He claps his hands together, a feat managed even whilst cradling his companion, who then emits its peculiar vocalization and begins playfully nipping at Nathaniel. He, in turn, remains unfazed. “I must venture back to Megacity for a brief expedition. Therefore, as stipulated by our wager, which you accepted, the care of Biscuit falls to you.”

Nathaniel turns to engage in conversation with his familiar, and I deliberately divert my attention to afford them privacy.

My thoughts relentlessly explore the myriad possibilities of exploiting the inimical connection shared between them. The prospect is disturbingly facile, and as Master Lissandra would undoubtedly remark, the link is remarkably… rudimentary. Though I am aware that its strength will escalate in parallel with their own burgeoning power, eventually reaching a threshold where even my eavesdropping capabilities would prove futile.

His familiar bestows a lick upon Nathaniel’s face, prompting Nathaniel to index a hundred touches on the creature’s nose with his finger, all the while the familiar persists in its playful nipping.

At times, I ponder the extent of Nathaniel’s comprehension regarding the primordial Pantophagic energy inherent in his familiar. Would his demeanor shift were he privy to its entirety? Unlikely. In a peculiar sense, he is an extraordinarily guileless individual.

Finally concluding their interaction, Nathaniel halts before me, extending his hands which cradle his familiar. The creature regards me, its tongue lolling from its minuscule maw.

I remain stationary, prompting Nathaniel to shrug and gently place his familiar on the ground, bestowing a pat upon its head. With swift resolve, he pivots and proceeds towards the portal I created.

“Until we meet again, Ruby,” he calls out.

“Later… nya.”

The familiar utters a sound, and Nathaniel finally departs. Casting my gaze upon the familiar now beside me, it tilts its head and looks up.

Disregarding its presence, I return to my seat and initiate Cognitive Severance to meticulously review the recently compiled records and the reports submitted by my Masters of Greed.

The entire process transpires in mere moments. However, the familiar, exhibiting palpable boredom, levitates with surprising buoyancy to perch atop the table. It then proceeds to traverse the scattered documents before selecting a large, spherical mana stone. Grasping it firmly in its mouth, it retreats a few steps and deposits the stone before me.

“What is it that you desire?”

It emits its characteristic vocalization once more.

“I will not be establishing a mental link with you. It could prove perilous for you, and-”

My words are cut short as it emits a series of sharp barks. The tone carries a discernible edge of annoyance, compelling me to replay the sounds mentally. Analyzing them through the wavelengths of its mind, previously observed, I discern a conveyed meaning.

“You cannot possibly be serious.”

It barks again, emphatically.

“You know what? Perhaps placing you under Kindness’s tutelage would be more appropriate. We would then ascertain your bravery. And here… nya. Are you content now?”

Seemingly appeased, it nudges the spherical mana stone with its nose, causing it to roll towards me. I secure it just before it tumbles from the table’s edge.

“What precisely do you wish for me to do with this?”

Another bark.

“Nya. Damn it all,” I mutter, granting its telepathic overture access to my consciousness while cautiously lowering my Thaumic Cognitive Envelope to permit a limited interaction, ensuring no stray thoughts escape nor any intrusion into my own mind.

Within this mental space, I replay the image it transmits, narrowing my eyes as I scrutinize the familiar. Throughout this exchange, it remains seated upon the documents, its tongue hanging out, regarding me with an air of cheerful contentment.

“This,” I declare, raising the spherical mana stone, “was pilfered by one of the most accomplished individuals in this domain. It originated from the most secure vault within Domus, secreted away directly beneath the watchful gaze of the Ruler of Diligence. You possess no comprehension of the sheer impossibility of such an undertaking.”

“Precisely so,” I affirm, gesturing with the stone from side to side.

Utterly unfazed by the profound implications of my words, the minuscule creature’s gaze follows the oscillating stone with the unwavering focus of a pendulum.

“This is an organic mana stone, created with a dragon scale as its core. Infused with a few system loopholes and some unique methods only Diligence possesses, this stone can theoretically contain the heat of an entire star.”

With more barks, he urges me to move the stone around faster.

After three consecutive annoyed barks, he stands up and taps his feet on the table.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

With a sigh, I toss the orb, and the bond leaps off the table, quickly scurrying after the rolling mana stone until it catches up.

On its short legs, it bounces triumphantly back to me. I wait patiently as it slowly levitates back onto the table and approaches me.

Initially, I extend my hand to take the stone to throw it again, but it doesn't let go. So, I reach further and retrieve it while it's still in its mouth.

It refuses to release the stone.

“But you want me to throw it again. Why aren’t you dropping it? Nya?” I inquire, puzzled.

It still doesn't let go. I apply slightly more force to retrieve it. The tiny creature doesn't seem upset and hops up and down excitedly, anticipating my next throw.

This time, I hurl it much farther.

It leaps up and starts to run after it, but upon realizing the distance, it slows down and eventually stops. It sits on the ground, looking towards where the mana stone continues to roll, then, as if forgetting, twists to groom its fur.

It then turns and trots back to me, floating onto the table where it lies down, resting its head on its front paws.

I take the opportunity to resume my work, though my gaze keeps drifting towards it as it lies there motionlessly. Gradually, my hand moves almost involuntarily. As it draws near its face, it doesn't flinch away but calmly observes me.

My fingers gently brush its nose, the same one Nathaniel touched countless times. I move higher, softly placing my palm on its head. Its tail begins to sway as I stroke its head. I flinch in surprise when it licks my hand. When I stop, it remains, closing its eyes until its breathing slows and it drifts to sleep.

Once I'm sure it's asleep, I lower my head to observe it closely, listening to its soft breaths.

With a flick of my hand, the round mana stone flies into my palm. I carefully place it between its paws.

Diligence continues to share records, seeking my vote on specific matters before proceeding to obtain votes from Kindness and Wrath. We are not in his Sanctuary but in a hidden chamber within the Megacity.

“Is that all, nya?” I ask.

“I still don’t comprehend your speech patterns. Do you lack any semblance of dignity?”

“I have no idea what you are referring to, nya.”

A squeak, a scream, and then a chuckle draw my attention.

On the floor lies Diligence’s vessel, Zant, and the small creature, Nathaniel’s bond, is currently gripping Zant’s leg, dragging the tiny vyssari across the floor.

Zant doesn’t seem bothered and laughs while playfully resisting, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

“Zant…” Diligence breathes out, but makes no move to intervene.

Lust crosses her arms, her hair, wings, and eyes a pale pink hue.

“So you are here because you wish to watch tutorials through your floor, nya,” I reiterate.

“Precisely. Oh, how adorable my baby was back then. I want to witness our fated encounter. And why do you consistently append that word to your sentences? Is it a trend? Perhaps I should adopt it as well.”

“No. I lost a bet, nya.”

“How pathetic. And why do you conceal your identity as a Handler? Furthermore, you should try dressing more provocatively. Flaunt your figure! You are stunning. Truly, it has been so long. You can cease acting like you're still a disciple under that monster, perpetually prepared for battle.”

“But I am always ready to engage in combat. And you are the last person whose advice I would heed, nya.”

"Well, I don't want you harming my precious ones, so I'll agree to anything you say. Not many in the universe would dare to confront you anyway, so there's no shame in it," Lust chuckles. She pushes her chest out, subtly flexing her arm muscles, her smile fixed on me before her eyes shift to Biscuit. "Give him to me. I desire him."

I allow a sliver of my presence to emanate as I advance, stopping just within arm's reach. “You desire something? Truly? Right in front of me? What if I desired something from you instead? What if I became avaricious?”

I intensify the pressure, focusing it directly upon her, and her hair, wings, and eye color start to darken and change.

Then, behind me, my bond lets out a bark, and I can only sigh.

“Right, I forgot. Nya. Are you pleased now?”

Another bark followed.

Several hours after that, while concealing my identity, I make my way to the predetermined meeting spot with Nathaniel. True to his word, he's there, though accompanied by more individuals. It might even be inaccurate to refer to him as 'he' at this moment.

My gaze drifts down to the bond cradled in my arms, and Biscuit looks up at me. I feel him squirm, stretching upwards to lick my cheek.

Perhaps… after all, why shouldn't I keep him? No one could possibly prevent me.

Yet, I dismiss the thought as Biscuit squirms again. I gently set him down, and he immediately bounds back towards his original companion, apparently unconcerned by Nathaniel's current appearance.

Nathaniel is, at this precise moment, a woman.

A rather attractive young woman at that. Her left arm is pale, she has shoulder-length wavy black hair, and his distinctive trait shines within her mismatched eyes. Her physique is athletic. However, the expression she wears is identical to his usual demeanor, even if it does seem peculiar on this new face.

“What is it?” Nathaniel inquires, even the voice possessing a similar yet altered quality.

From behind Nathaniel, a man steps forward. He is taller, possesses blonde hair, gray eyes, and wears an eyepatch. A crown composed of primal lightning hovers above his head.

This man places his arms around Nathaniel's shoulders and smiles at me, stating, “Please excuse our current condition, and Nathania as well. We participated in an expedition to a concealed vault beneath the Megacity, and one of the traps caused this unfortunate alteration. However, Lily assured me it's only temporary, and we should return to normal within a few hours.”

“Get lost, Tess. I’m certain Lily could fix this but chooses not to, simply so she can keep tormenting me,” Nathaniel retorts.

“I would never!” another man exclaims. He is petite, with black hair, pale skin, and brown eyes. He possesses a surprisingly cute and pretty appearance, and he glances away with a guilty expression that utterly betrays him.

“Is that the truth?” Nathaniel, or rather Nathania, breaks free from the tall blonde man's embrace and stops before the petite, black-haired individual. While cradling Biscuit in her right arm, Nathania gently places the fingers of her pale left arm on the petite man's chin, tilting his face upwards to meet her gaze. “I can feel your heartbeat accelerating.”

She leans in closer, her voice inexplicably softening as she murmurs, “You’re a dreadful liar, Lily.”

The black-haired, petite man blushes and pushes her away, muttering something under his breath. The tall blonde man, chuckling, then embraces Nathania, ostensibly to protect Lily.

Throughout this entire exchange, Biscuit is passed around and jostled, yet he maintains an expression of pure delight. His eyes find mine, and his telepathic link connects with my mind as he conveys his thoughts.

Turning away, and just moments before initiating a warp, I transmit a final message.