Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 96 - The Burning Dungeon, Part 2

"Hey," Ami called as she approached Van, who was walking deeper into the cave alongside Unicus and Arnolt.

"What's 'Hard Swing'?" she asked, drawing everyone's attention.

"...It's just the skill's name," Van replied casually.

"Then why did you shout it?" Ami raised an eyebrow.

"Because it has more strength that way," Van said flatly.

"Really?" she pressed, her expression skeptical.

"No, not really. I just like shouting it. It's the same effect either way," Van admitted with a smirk.

"Hmmm!" Ami pouted at his teasing.

Van chuckled internally as his thoughts drifted. '...Right. Shouting a skill name is just how Magus and I used active skills. It's not necessary; focusing intently works just as well. But for the residents of this world, their methods are different—they rely on calculations and precise manipulation of mana in their bodies to invoke a skill. Summoners, though, have it easy. They just communicate with spirits and give commands...Hmm...I wonder...'

Van's gaze narrowed as he opened his status window, scanning it thoughtfully.

'All my stats are sealed to 500. If worst comes to worst, I'll have to fight this enemy like this. But my Intelligence is at 50 now, and my Mana is at 200, thanks to the [Seed of Darkness] passive. Still, I haven't gained a single new active skill besides [Hard Swing] and [Summon] for the Guardian of Wind. So...'

...Could I learn a new skill if I mastered mana manipulation the way they do?

"Brat," Arnolt's voice interrupted Van's musings. "Who gave you that armor and sword? Really?" His single eye scrutinized Van with a sharp stare.

Van blinked, shaking his head to refocus. "Ah, a dwarf I came across gave them to me as a gift."

"Did he now...?" Arnolt's tone was laden with curiosity.

"Yeah," Van nodded. "He said they were just gathering dust, and I needed curse-negating gear. It worked out."

"Hmph. Just gathering dust, huh? And where exactly did you meet this dwarf?" Arnolt asked, scratching his beard.

Van hesitated. '...At a prison. I broke him out after getting thrown in myself for proposing to the Dwarven Matriarch. She was short but gorgeous. If she'd had green skin, she'd have looked like one of those goblin wives from comics. When I told him that after we broke out, he laughed for hours, then gave me the armor and sword as thanks for the entertainment. Called me a desperate idiot and left shortly after.'

'...Yeah, maybe I should keep that part to myself,' Van thought, shaking his head. 'I'll just be blunt with him and say I don't feel like sharing. Dwarves appreciate if you're straight with them.'

"I'm not comfortable sharing," Van finally said.

"...??????" Arnolt tilted his head, his brow furrowed, before narrowing his gaze in suspicion. "Did ya' fuck him for that armor and sword? Wouldn't be far-fetched," he asked bluntly, drawing everyone's attention.

"ARNOLT!! That's enough! He said he wasn't comfortable with it!" Unicus nearly erupted, glaring at the dwarf.

Van sighed, feeling their suspicious gazes burn into him. 'Right. However blunt you think dwarves are, they're ten times that.' He rubbed the places where his temples would be beneath his helmet. 'Maybe I should reveal a little to clear the misunderstanding...'

"I'm not comfortable," Van repeated, "but it's because it was a... uhm, a difficult time for me. We met at a prison," he emphasized.

"Ah, that explains it..." Arnolt clicked his tongue thrice, lowering his gaze in pity. "A dwarf's libido isn't to be underestimated when someone catches their fancy. No need to be ashamed, brat. We've all done shameless things for gold and armor. And in whatever prison you may have been, the sorest of the bunch are always located there." He shook his head solemnly, entirely misunderstanding.