(Hinezumi inn)

Hinezumi Inn. Dokapon’s greatest relaxing inn for monsters, humans, and ponies to relax and enjoy. If they didn’t come for the food, they were their to enjoy the hot springs which was located outside in the center of the building. The inn is mostly used as either a place for adventurers to come in to relax for the night, or some of the monsters live there seeing how it can be a hotel as well. Peppita, opened the door to the inn as she, Veronica, and Asphyxious entered the building.

“This place looks really nice.” Asphyxious said in a low tone, not wanting to wake Veronica up who was being carried by him.

“The Hinezumi Inn is one of Dokapon’s greatest inn. They pride themselves when it comes to making a inn look good.” The harpy said as she lead them to the service desk.

“Maybe we can share a room?” Asphyxious asked smiling softly to the harpy. Only for her to smile back as she walked over to him and smacked him upside his head. Asphyxious just smiled awkwardly as he still held the vampire in his arms.

“That’s only for married couples, or those that are dating. You’ll be getting a room for yourself while we girls will share a room together.”

“Sorry, after a goddess had her way with me. I’ve had a problem controlling my urges.” Asphyxious explained with a light blush on his face. “But I am getting better at controlling myself… Hopefully.” He said, with a worried look on his face as he looked around at the inn.

“Let’s hope so.” Peppita said as she walked back over to the desk and rang the bell. As she rang the bell, a puff of fire appeared from behind the counter as a Hinezumi appeared once the flame died off.

“Welcome to the Hinezumi Inn. My name is Amber Fraland. How may I help you today-.” Amber paused as she saw Peppita standing in front of her. “Oh hi Peppita. Are you here because you burned the guild down again?”

“Are you okay?” Asphyxious asked looking at the fire coming off her wrists and legs. Before his face turned a shade of pink as he saw Amber behind the desk.

“I’m fine, why would you ask?”

“You’re… On fire?” He asked as his mind wondering how her dress did not get burned away from the flames.

“This is pretty much a hinezumi’s coat. Even though it may look like we’re on fire, this is pretty much part of who we are.”

“Oh sorry, I’m new to all this. I haven’t meet a lot of girls like you or anyone from this world before.” Asphyxious a apologized with a small bow of his head.

“It’s okay, no worries.” Amber said as she looked over at Peppita. “I take you’re here because of Peppita burning down your house or you were staying at her guild and she burned it down...again.” Asphyxious blinked at this and slowly looked to Peppita. He stared at the harpy as if to question how did she burn someone's house down and how many times? It didn’t help Peppita as she looked embarrassed about it and was trying to avoid the question.

“Um…not this time..Amber…”

“If you’re wondering what happen, this girl here accidentally burned the knight’s guild to ground ten years ago after the King got married to her sister.” Amber said as Peppita face turned bright red.

“It was an accident! How was I supposed to know you had to keep an eye on fried food while it’s cooking!”

“Okay calm down you’re going to wake up Veronica. Ms. Amber, can we get two rooms please?” Asphyxious asked.

“Two rooms? Are you two dating or something?” As soon as those words left Amber mouth, both Asphyxious and Peppita blushed bright red.

“W-We’re not dating or anything.”

Asphyxious quickly nodded his head in agreement. “R-Right, one room’s for them and the other is for me.” He explained quickly.

“Oh okay, my bad for assuming that you two were together.” Amber said as she reach under the desk and handed them their keys. “Your rooms are on the second floor. Room numbers twenty-four and twenty-five.”

“Thank you.” Asphyxious replied before using his tail to take the keys.

“Be sure to visit the gift shop and relax at our glorious hot springs.” Amber said as she bowed to the harpy and lich. “As always, enjoy your say at the Hinezumi Inn.” Asphyxious nods his head as he and Peppita went off to look for there rooms.

(Hinezumi Inn, Room twenty-four)

“Welp, looks like we’re gonna be staying here for a day or two until the guild is done being repaired.” Peppita said as she motion Asphyxious to lay Veronica on the bed next to the dresser near the closet.

“Sorry if I cased you any trouble.” Asphyxious said as he handed her the key to their room. “I’ll be next door if you need me.”

“It’s fine. Stuff like this is normal for me.”

“Well, I’ll be next door then…” Asphyxious added as he left the room.

“Well while Veronica’s a sleep, I might as well head over to the hot springs and relax a bit.” The harpy said as she walked over to the closet and grabbed a towel. “All work and no play make jack a dull boy, or in this case girl.” She said, giggling as she looked around to see if anyone heard that. “...I really need to stop talking to myself at times.”

Meanwhile, Asphyxious was looking over the room he would be staying in. For the most part it looked nice. “Better safe than sorry.” He said and casted some runes in the room to warn him if someone came in. Before going to bed to sleep.

(Morning)

As the sun started to rise over the kingdom of Dokapon, the light that it was casting shine through the window as it hit Veronica in the face. Causing the vampire to moan a bit before slowly opening her eyes. Blocking the sun’s rays with her hand, her vision began to clear as she found herself in what she could guess was the Hinezumi Inn that Peppita mentioned. Looking around the room she notice Peppita sleeping on the floor with half her body on the bed.

“What happen before I feel asleep?”

“Nothing much happen besides her moaning in her sleep and thinking she was eating something sweet.”

“That would explain why she has that pillow in her mouth...should we wake her up?”

“I wouldn’t bother with it. Now get up. We have work to do.”

“And that would be?”

“We’re going back to the knight’s guild. Today will be your first day on doing a job quest.”

“We’re doing that today? I figure we wait a bit before doing that.”

“The soon we get this over with, the sooner we can get what we need. Now get up and get yourself ready for today idiot.”

“You really need to be a little bit more nicer.”

“The day I do that will be the day I die. Now get up and get yourself dressed.” Veronica rolled her eyes as she pulled herself up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. Inside the bathroom she closed the door behind her as she she took her night clothes off, which was just a long sleeve shirt and a pair of underwear. Fully naked she headed to the shower as she turned the water on. Placing a hand into the running water to see how it felt, she walked into the shower as she began to wash herself.

While Veronica was busy taking her shower, Peppita snorted a bit before finally waking up from her food induced sleep as she found herself chewing on a pillow. The harpy quickly pulled herself up from the floor as she spat the pillow out of her mouth.

“Ugh! Gross!” She said, still trying to get the taste of pillow out of her mouth.”Note to self, don’t eat before going to bed from now on….or at least not eat too many bag of gummy worms.” Just as she was about to find something to wipe the saliva from the pillow, the door to her and Veronica’s room opened as Asphyxious walks in with nothing but a towel around his waist and over head. As he was drying his hair.

“These hot springs are just what I-.” Asphyxious said before stopping in his tracks. “-needed?”

“What the hell are you doing in our room!?”

“Your room!? This is my room!”

“No this is our room you idiot! Look at the room number outside.”

“I did, it has my number on it!”

“Look again perv.” Peppita said as she pointed to the number on the inside of the door behind him.

“Okay this was not funny.” Asphyxious said not looking happy. “Who swapped the numbers on the front of our doors!”

“I wouldn’t be surprise if it was one of the employees that did that.”

“Sorry about that, I’ll go to my room now.” Asphyxious replied as he was about to leave. Only for the door to the bathroom to open as Veronica walked out wearing a towel covering her body.

“Ah! Nothing like a shower to make a girl feel fresh and…..new?” Veronica said as she notice Asphyxious in their room. “Um….hi?”

“Umm, I was just leaving....” Asphyxious replied before turning around and going to his room.

“....What was that all about?”

“How the hell should I know? What am I? Your guide to almost everything?”

“You kinda are in most cases.” Veronica said as a grin appeared on her face.

“....Fuck you, you smug little brat.”

“Love you too Shalltear.”

(Knight’s Guild)

“Ah, you have returned.” Blueblood said as he took a seat at a nearby table. “I didn’t expect for you to return here quite sooner than expected. Had I know that I might have wore my armor for this. But I digress, I take you’re here to begin your training right?”

“I’m just here to give Veronica a hand.” Asphyxious replied.

“You okay? You seems like you look tired?”

“Let’s just say I was the target of a number of pranks before we left the inn.” He replied rubbing his face.

“Ah, the room warp prank. They tend to do that to anyone at the inn from time to time. I remember the first time that happen to me.” Blueblood said as Asphyxious looked at him with a deadpanned expression. “What? That how I meet my wife.”

“Lucky you…I’m going to take a nap.” Asphyxious said before leaving the Vampire and Harpy with Blueblood.

“Anyway, let’s get back to business then.” Blueblood said as he turned his attention at Veronica and Peppita. “For your friend Veronica, she’ll be going out into the field with my daughter.”

“How is she doing by the way? I haven’t seen her since you had her go on a quest to gather some materials in the mountains.”

“She’s doing fine, still the same as usual.”

“By usual you mean she’s still bites folk for making fun of her size?”

“....Well...it’s better than how she was be for-.” Before Blueblood could continue, Asphyxious was soon sent flying from outside of the front door of the building back inside as he had a black eye and bite marks on his arms and legs.

“All I said was, what was a little girl doing here?” Asphyxious said as they looked over to where Asphyxious came from. Looking over they notice a girl wielding a huge sword standing there with an angry expression on her face.

“HOW DARE YOU CALL ME LITTLE YOU SCRUBLORD! I’M GOING TO RING YOUR NECK FOR SAYING THAT!!!”

“....Not a dull day in this place huh?” Peppita said as she helped Asphyxious up from the floor. “Hi Charlotte.”

“Oh, Aunt Peppita. I didn’t know you were visiting here.” Charlotte said as her expression quickly change from anger to calm. “Would you mind moving out of the way please. I need to take care of that guy over there for calling me little.”

“Why the biting? It always the biting.” Asphyxious said sounding kind of out of it.

“This wouldn’t be the first time something like this happen. Though I’m a bit surprise that you’re still standing.” Blueblood said as he walked over to Charlotte. “Sweetie, what did I tell you about attack people for calling you short?”

“Always do it when mom is not around.”

“Well that and what else?”

“Give them three strikes then attack them.” Charlotte said as Blueblood patted her on the head.

“Veronica, get your class or whatever before this child kills me.” Asphyxious said as he hid behind her as a shield as Charlotte glared at him.

“She’s not going to kill you...she’ll possibly keep biting you until she get tired of it.” Blueblood said as he picked Charlotte up and place her onto his shoulder. “Anyway Charlotte, it’s time for you to introduce yourself to Veronica.”

“Who?”

“The vampire that the guy you beat up is hiding behind.”

“Ah okay.” Charlotte said as she jumped off of her father’s shoulder and walked over to Veronica. “My name is Charlotte Blueblood. Princess of Dokapon. And daughter of Blueblood. It’s a pleasure to meet you Veronica.”

“Pleasure to met you too Charlotte.” Veronica said as she looked over at Peppita. “So she’s going to train me?”

“In a way yes, but it’s more like she’s going to introduce you to how to fight and do job quest.”

“Yep, I’m pretty much the girl who new folks come to when it come to introducing them to adventuring. If you want to partake in exploring for the first time, you come to me.” Charlotte said as she looked over at Asphyxious. “OI! Pansy! Get your ass in line!”

“I am not going to enjoy this, at all.” Asphyxious complained as the little knight walked over to him, and flicked him on the forehead.

“Quit your complaining wimp. Seeing how you want to call me short and all, you’re gonna come with us to carry any loot that we might get. Now get up and follow us scrublord.” Charlotte said as she turned around then motion Veronica and Asphyxious to follow her.

[The Forest of Beginnings]

“Welcome to the forest of beginning.” Charlotte said as the trio made it to the forest.

“I’m glad I picked my lich form for this.” Asphyxious said calmly as he followed behind the two girls.

“Yeah because that’s going to help a pansy like you.” Charlotte said sarcastically.

“Whatever…”

“A little brief history about the forest. This forest was actually the place is the origin of where the six kings came from. Minus my father of course, this takes place years ago. All six kings appeared here from another world. Being displaced and all they first formed a home here by making a small little home for the six of them. As time went on more and more displaced like my great grandmother ended up here, the small home soon became a small village, then town, then city, and soon a kingdom. In a way to make sure that we can have a way for everyone to have a home to live in, the six kings soon got the idea of making six kingdoms for them. And just like before the process continued on during the years.”

“So there’s more displaced like myself and Asphyxious?” Veronica asked.

“Yep, that’s pretty much the gest of it.” Charlotte said as she turned around to look at the two displaced, only to notice Asphyxious not beside the countess. “Where did your friend go?”

“He kinda left during your little history talk about the forest of beginning.”

“.......I’m going to enjoy hurting him for that.”

“It could be because you beat the living daylights out of him that he walked off.”

“Oh for the love of pete. Seriously? Great, come on vampire. We have a lich to look for. During this time, I’ll be telling you what you need to be careful of around here.”

Asphyxious used his staff to cut his way passed a log that was in his way. He didn’t even know what they were looking for. So for now Asphyxious was just going to study the forest and the wildlife that lived within it. Asphyxious had Abby and Banjo guard his flanks as he was looking at a small insect. The Pistol Wraiths looked around, and would draw their weapons at a sound. Only to find a small animal that was no threat.

“This place is so strange.” said Banjo as he holster one of his pistols into his coat. ”How long we staying out here boss?”

“As long as we need to.” Asphyxious replied before looking at the strange cat head… Thing. “It seeing weird things like this that make me question my sanity.”

“So do I shoot it?” Asked the ghost adjusting his hat.

“Only if it attacks.” Asphyxious replied going back to what he was doing. The lich stopped what he was doing when he saw a shadow. Only for it to disappear. “Keep an eye out, we may not be alone out here.”

“Ummm Asphyxious?.” Banjo asked, just as soon as the lich turned around he was met with something large.

“What the hell? Is that a giant tortoise?” Asphyxious asked looking up at the large riptial. Only for it large mouth to open and tried to bites down on where Asphyxious was, only for him to appear behind it by teleporting away. “Oh hell no…”

“Well what do I do with you? You're too big to kill and try and bring back. What do I do?” Asphyxious asked rubbing his chin. The large tortoise didn’t find him right away as it was looking around. “Maybe I’m going about this all wrong, I don’t need to kill it just drive it off.”

“Who are you talking to sir?” Banjo asked as the lich looked back at the ghost.

“Sorry, I like to think out loud.” Asphyxious replied thinking about what spell to use on the large beast. Asphyxious took careful aim and used hellfire right under the large tortoise belly. Making it roar as it moves to get away from the heat of the flames. The Lich nodded his head at a job well done, only for his eyes to widen to see a wave of water slice through the monster cutting it in two.

“And that is how you use a skill in battle.” Charlotte said, as she and Veronica walked from behind a tree.

“What a waist…” Asphyxious said moving over to the fallen beast. “It had so much to live for.”

“About time we found you. I figure you might gotten lost around here.”

“I’m fine…” Asphyxious replied before examining the dead monster. The two ghost returned to their soul cage that was hanging from a chain around Asphyxious waist. “Did you find what you was looking for?”

“Nope, not yet. Still teaching her about the basics and stuff. So far she knows how to use skills after showing her what I mean when I killed that monster.” Asphyxious did not reply this time as he looked up at the monster head. He reached up and closed it eye before going to the other eye and closing it as well. “Why did you do that for?”

“I value life, for I was denied death.” Asphyxious replied softly as he started to move away. “We should be going, it body will attract others to feed from it.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Charlotte said as she pointed to the dead monster transforming into a baby turtle and walked off. “See.”

“Huh, never seen that before?” Asphyxious added as he watched it leave.

“Well if you stayed during my brief history of this forest then you would know that the monsters here don’t die. They just turn back into their baby state to start life anew until they die again.”

“I see.”

“Maybe next time you wait before walking off dumbass.” Charlotte said as she notice Asphyxious deep in thought. “Hey! Are you listening to me!?”

“S-sorry, lead on ma’am.” He replied before giving her a bow.

“No need.” She said as she moves over to a bush and motion them to look through it. “This is what she’ll be fighting.”

“It looks...interesting?” Asphyxious asked looking at Veronica, then back to the slimes.

“This is what I’m suppose to be fighting?”

“We been having some problems with the slime king. Mostly because he keeps trying to take over Dokapon. We don’t see him as a threat, but he can be annoying to the guards standing outside at night. Fighting him shouldn’t be a problem seeing how he’s a level one boss. But if he does prove to be a problem, then I’ll just heal you.”

“I’ll offer support when needed.” Asphyxious added. “I have some buff and debuff spells that will help. I’ll use them once you’re ready to fight.”

“Okay.” Veronica said as she unsheathed her blood sword and walked over to face the slime king.

“Who dares enter the domain of the Slime King?” The monster said as he focus his attention at Veronica making her way towards him.

“Um, hi. I’m Veronica.”

“A vampire huh? So Dokapon sends their greatest champion to defeat me?” The Slime King said as he orders his minion to surround her. “Well then Champion of Dokapon. Prepare to be defeated by the Slime King!”

[Activating Combat Mode]

“....You have got to be kidding me?” Shalltear said with a bit of an annoyed tone in her voice.

“Well it’s not like we have a choice in the matter. I mean we don’t have to kill them. Just knock some sense into them.” The countess said as she notice one of the slime monsters trying to tackle her. Only for it to bounce off her, causing no damage to her.

“....If it wasn’t for the fact that they’re level one monsters, I would’ve killed these fools by now.”

“Yeah well too bad.” Gripping her sword, Veronica lashed out at the slime monster as she sent it flying back towards the Slime King. “It’s weird, but I find these guys funny.”

“How have you not been killed yet?”

“Luck I guess.” Veronica answered as she dodge another slime monster trying to attack and counters with her sword. Sending the slime flying back.

“Go my minions! Fight for your king and all the free food we will get!” yelled The Slime King as three more of his minions appeared in front of him. Only they had a sword, an axe, and a spear. This was when the Lich acted.

“Hellbound.” Asphyxious said as a runes appeared around him and the ground glowed under everyone's feet. The slimes looked like they had a harder time moving around. “Hellbound, I can not be targeted by enemy charges. While within 30 feet of me, Enemy's treat open ground as rough terrain.”

“You do know it’ll effect the minions but not the boss right?” Charlotte asked.

“Not true for my spells.” Asphyxious replied.

“Oh really? Then take a look at their king.” Charlotte said as she pointed her sword towards the King as he was pretty much tackling Veronica. Though it doesn’t do much seeing how the King was pretty much….well...weak.

“Odd, the only way this spell would not work on him is if he had pathfinder.” Asphyxious muses rubbing his chin.

“It could be that...or it could be the limiter that was placed on Displaced beings from off worlds.”

“Hellbound is an upkeep spell, it not that powerful.”

“Be it upkeep or not. You’re not from this world. Meaning that the limiter affect those who are not of this world. My father along with the other Kings placed this law about 2 to 3 years ago.”

“Whatever, I know my magic and what it can and cannot do. Oh look she’s fighting.” Asphyxious pointed out as Charlotte turned her attention back at Veronica who fired a ball of dark energy at The slime king. The attack caused the king to explode as he was reduce to a small miniature version of himself when the flames died out.

“Huh, guess we didn’t need my next two spells I had lined up.”

“Like I said. The Slime King is weak seeing how he’s level one and all.”

[Victory!!!]

Level up!:

Level 1 - Level 5
Job Class: LV 1 - LV 5

HP: 150 +5
MP 150 +5
Strength: 130 +5
Magic: 95 +10
Defense: 120 +5
Speed: 77 +5
Magic Attack: 70 +10
Magic Defense: 100 +10
Luck: 20 +5

Magic Unlocked:
Dark Ball: Channeling darkness from one’s heart. The user can fire a ball of pure dark energy at their foes. The attack sometimes cause blindness at times.

MP: 5

“....Um...is this going to happen every time?” Veronica asked as she notice Charlotte and Asphyxious walking over to her.

“So, how does it feel to beat up a slime?” Asphyxious asked.

“Eh….kinda weird...especially when they can’t really fight back as well.”

“This isn’t the end fools.” The Slime King said as he slowly started to retreat along with his minions. “Soon I will take over Dokapon Kingdom, and I The Slime King will rule you all!!!” With a hearty but adorable and cute laugh, The Slime King along with his minions ran off into the forest.

“.....This is going to be a normal thing huh?”

“You’ll get use to it after awhile.” Charlotte said as she patted Veronica on the back. “Not bad on taking care of The Slime King Veronica. With a little practice, you’ll be getting the hang of things around here.”

“Well if I am no longer needed, would it be alright for me to go back now? Or would you need my help with something later?” Asphyxious asked.

“I’m think we’re fine for now. Thanks for the help Asphyxious.” Veronica said as she walked over to the lich, jumped up, and kissed him on his left part of his face. Asphyxious turned back into his human form and just stands there with his eyes widen from what she just did.

“U-umm, no problem. It was my pleasure.” Asphyxious replied and bows to her. “If you ever need me you have my token.”

“Oh right, I should hand you one as well.” Veronica said as she hand Asphyxious a bat plushie from out of her bag. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Asphyxious replied taking the plushie. “I do hope we meet again.”

“Feel free to visit whenever.” Charlotte said as she showed off her own teeth at the lich. “Just makes sure you don’t call me short next time.”

“I won’t.” Asphyxious replied before looking at Veronica. “Know what to say?”

“Yep.” The vampire nodded as she pulled out Asphyxious’s token. “Our contract is over, you may return home now.” A portal opened behind him as he gave one last bow before leaving through the portal.

“Well that was interesting.”

“Much as I would love to stay here and chat, but I think we should leave before we lose track of time.” Charlotte said as she motion Veronica to follow after her. “Come on, let’s head back home.”

“Right.”