Dungeon of Niflheim

Chapter 38: Meeting face to face

Not hearing Maya disagreeing Frost manoeuvred the dungeon screen to show an area of the second section. Leo and Luna could be seen sheltering within a well-hidden and well defended glade similar to the one Frost first greeted his frost dwarves. He already ordered for his dwarves and other monsters in the forest to avoid the kids if possible.

“Looks like they’ve found a good place unfortunately it’s pointless given that magic device.” Frost admired they’re initiative as he sighed.

‘A tracking device is just unfair besides, it shouldn’t be with someone so evil, it’ll be much better in my hands.’ Frost stood up and straightened out his clothes.

“Maya, you stay here and monitor through the dungeon screen, keep me updated through telepathy in regards to the bandits’ movements, it’d look suspicious if I kept bring up the dungeon menu while in front of them.”

“So, you’re definitely going?”

“Yeah, it seems like fun plus I quite like the character they’ve shown so far.” Frost smiled towards her trying to relieve her worries.

Maya sighed and shook her head before smiling back. ‘Seems as though my young master is a stubborn one.’

.....

“Good luck then young master.” Maya bowed whereas Frost nodded before teleporting away leaving her alone in the private space.

“Hopefully, this won’t end up badly.” Maya whispered before taking her seat in front of the dungeon screen.

Near the entrance to the 3rd and final section Frost suddenly materialised, his white and blue attire matched well with the surroundings, giving him the appearance of a deity.

Frost looked around to get his bearings before bringing up the dungeon menu.

“600 metres away, perfect.” This was more than enough distance for him to not be noticed immediately. Frost’s plan was for Luna and Leo to think he appeared from deeper within the dungeon, heading back out after his exploration.

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Knowing exactly where the two were Frost started walking, not covering up the sound of his footsteps in the slightest. A few minutes later he was within earshot of Luna and Leo.

Hearing movement, Leo’s body tensed up and his throat tightened. He looked towards Luna bringing his finger to his mouth urging her to be quiet. Luna nodded her head as she tried to even breath more silently.

The footsteps drew closer and closer, keeping the same momentum yet no voices could be heard. Gripping his sword tightly against his chest Leo resisted the urge to look up from their shelter, hoping that the person or monster would simply pass them by. But fate had other plans. The footsteps continued heading right for them, the owner was less than 10 metres away.

‘Shit we’ve been found!’ Leo gathered his courage moving quietly towards the only opening in the glade preparing to strike with his sword at the opportune moment. He sent Luna a few hand signals telling her to remain quiet and prepare to cast a spell just in case.

Leo began counting down the seconds until the person would arrive. Sweat trickled down his arm and then to his sword, his jaw was clenched shut and his eyes grew more bloodshot as the seconds passed.

‘5 4 3 2 1!’ The moment he reached 1 Leo swung his sword with his entire strength, releasing all the pent-up pressure. This strike would easily cleave a tree in half yet the moment the sword was about to reach its target a beautiful white hand grabbed the tip stopping it dead in its tracts.

Leo was awash with fear, all the hair on his body turned upwards and his heart felt cold. He tried with all his strength to push the blade forward, but it was as though it was in a vice, it didn’t move an inch only causing Leo to turn red in the face from over exertion.

Leo quickly saw that his sword wasn’t going anywhere so he released his grip, took a step backward before leaping forward with his right hand held at his waist preparing to punch.

The entity still partially hidden by branches lightly laughed, allowing Leo to continue. Leo angered by this laugh felt as though the enemy was looking down on him “Ahhhhh!” He roared as he unleashed a powerful punch towards the person’s obscured face, hoping to smash that laughing mouth of his.

In the background Luna started to chant a spell hoping to catch him off guard however the enemy saw through this. He lightly tossed the sword held in between his fingers towards Luna.

Don!

The sword flew through the air with some force and the butt of the handle smashed into Luna’s forehead immediately silencing her chanting and knocking her into a daze. Luna could barely see anything, but stars let alone continue to cast a spell, she had failed.

At the same time Leo’s fist was edging closer and closer, the man smiled, dodging to the right making Leo’s punch narrowly miss its target.

“Bleurgh!” The moment the man dodged he also attacked, sending a punch of his own directly at Leo’s undefended abdomen knocking the wind out of him. He then grabbed the back of Leo’s neck and tossed him towards Luna. Luna was still stunned from being struck by the sword’s handle so how could she evade the tossed Leo.

Boof!

Leo slammed into Luna knocking them both to the ground. The two let out painful groans as they shifted off one another.

“To suddenly attack without provocation, who taught you to be so rude?” The man seeing that both Luna and Leo were in no shape to continue attacking walked through the glade’s entrance fully revealing himself, this man was of course Frost.

Maya had warned him in advance about their current state but even so, he didn’t expect to be met with a sword the moment he entered attack range. Luckily, there was a large difference in strength between him and Leo otherwise he might’ve met his demise. He looked over at the two kids with a harsh grimace, he was annoyed.

Not expecting those words to be said Leo was startled, he didn’t recognise the voice and it didn’t sound like a bandit. He raised his head to look up at Frost, as did Luna.

The moment they did it was as if a bomb exploded in their minds, never in their lives had they see such a beautiful person, even elven royalty would pale in comparison to the man standing before them in fact they’d look downright ugly. Leo instantly felt defeated in more ways than one whereas Luna couldn’t help but blush. The two silently stared at Frost with their jaws agape.

Seeing as how they continued to stare at him and not answer Frost only grew more impatient, his mouth and eyes started to twitch in frustration. “I asked you who taught you to be so rude so as to attack someone without provocation!” He shouted, releasing a wave of pressure towards the kids. This immediately brought them back to their senses.

“S...sorry we thought you were someone else.” Leo hung his head in shame, he felt guilty and averted his gaze downward.

“We thought you were one of the people chasing us and attacked without checking please forgive us.” Luna bowed; her heart filled with remorse.

Frost stood there silently inspecting the wounds on their bodies with sharp gaze before sighing and revealing a smile. “Very well I’ll forgive you since it looks like you’re in bad shape, luckily nothing happened.”

“Thank you, senior, for your benevolence.” The moment the two said the word ‘senior’ Frost could hear some uncontrollable laughter coming through telepathically, which he chose to ignore. With his current appearance he truly did look to be their senior. And having always been called young master by Maya it was a nice change.

Happy with his new title Frost smiled. “No need no need, as your senior I should be forgiving.” The laughter in his head only intensified. “You said that you’re being chased, by whom and why?”

“Ah! About that we’re being chased by....” Before Leo could finish speaking his mouth was covered by Luna, causing Leo a bit of distress. He angrily looked towards her with accusation not knowing why she did that, but he was met with an even fiercer glare, so he stopped struggling.

Luna removed her hand and faced Frost. “Sorry senior I’d rather not have you involved in our predicament, it’s for your own safety.” Luna bowed once more; her heart filled with grief. She didn’t know the strength of this man before her and they already attacked him out of the blue, how could she have the heart to drag him into their mess.

This man was innocent and incredibly handsome he didn’t deserve to be dragged down with them after treating them so gently. Leo understood Luna’s intentions and mostly agreed with her however what chance did they have alone, but he shoved those thoughts down following Luna’s lead.

Frost stared at the two, their eyes were filled with determination however their fists were clenched and trembling.

‘Hoh! That’s interesting even though they know that with my help they could have a higher chance of survival they won’t ask me since I’m an innocent. I’m liking these kids more and more.’ Frost couldn’t help but show a wild smile.

“I respect your kindness young lady, but I’ll determine what’s safe for me and what’s not.” Frost spoke firmly, putting his foot down.

“Eh!” Luna and Leo were taken by surprise, they looked up at Frost in confusion.

“First off, what are two, 15 maybe 16 years old?”

“..... I’m sixteen and Luna’s fifteen.” Leo answered weakly, feeling as though he was about to get a lecture.

“Exactly you’re still kids and from what I’ve seen so far good kids at that. If I don’t help you it’d go against my principles.” Frost didn’t fully understand what he was saying or why, all he thought was that Luna and Leo deserved to live and it was within his power to allow it so he would. His stubborn side was being shown.

“B...but.”

“No buts tell this senior how he can help.” The laughing in his head grew unstable and it turned into a coughing fit but again he chose to ignore it.

The two kids looked towards one another, seeing frustration within each other’s eyes. They truly didn’t want to bring trouble to such a kind senior but what choice did they have. If they continued to refuse, they’d only insult him. Luna released a deep sigh before nodding towards Leo signalling him to tell the story.

“Thank you, senior, for your help however I’ll remind you that if you choose to get involved, you’ll be in great danger, are you fine with that?” Leo sternly looked towards Frost.

“Whether I’m in danger is my problem, start talking.” Frost replied with confidence, unlike Leo and Luna he knew exactly what he was up against and held little fear.

“Very well first off we should introduce ourselves, my name is Leonardo Vaccos Furano, first son of viscount Furano, ruler of the nearby territory, but you can call me Leo, and this is Luna Satoru my childhood friend and fiancé.” His eyes were full of love as he introduced Luna causing her to lightly blush.

Frost was surprised; he didn’t fully understand the importance of Leo’s position but hearing that his father was the ruler of Furano the nearby largest town to the dungeon he felt that his decision to help had paid off. Getting friendly with the ruling family of Furano should provide endless benefits. However, although he found it a bit unexpected that was all, on the outside his eyes simply opened a little wider.

His reaction or lack of reaction actually had Leo at a bit of a loss. Even high-ranking adventurers would have more reaction than Frost. He continued on “Luna, and I are also E-rank adventurers and came to Northrend forest to hunt winter boars, nothing we hadn’t done before but....” Leo showed an expression filled with hatred; he clenched his teeth hard before continuing.

” Given my position as heir to the viscounty my uncle insisted that we be accompanied by a house knight which occasionally I have to agree to, not something I like but since I’m an only child and on the cusp of adulthood, it’d be foolish not to take precautions. However, my usual guard was... indisposed so he assigned me one of his, a man named Alex!” Mentioning the name ‘Alex’ Luna showed a furious expression and spat towards the side in disgust. Frost continued to listen quietly already fairly certain of the outcome.

“At first everything was fine, he just acted like a regular guard keeping his distance and occasionally giving us some advice. But once we were deeper into the Northrend forest he suggested following him to an area which he said held many winter boars. Since his previous advice was helpful I regrettable decided to trust him.” Leo’s angered swiftly transformed into regret and self-blame. If only he hadn’t listened to Alex then they may have avoided this disaster.

“Once we reached the stated location, Alex vanished and we were immediately ambushed by the red hawk bandits, we were betrayed!”