CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118

"Reward for clearing the dungeon," Satou said. He drew Void Fang slowly, the blade emerging from its scabbard with that distinctive sound of tearing silk.

Both Loki and Morgana took an involuntary step back as the sword was revealed.

"Dread Mother preserve us," Morgana whispered. "That’s a Reality-Class weapon. I’ve only read about such things in the oldest texts."

"Reality-Class?" Satou asked, though he had a suspicion from the sword’s properties.

"Weapons that don’t just affect the physical world, but reality itself," Loki explained, his voice carrying genuine reverence. "Blades that can cut space, arrows that strike across time, spears that pierce through dimensions. They’re artifacts from the Age of Gods, before the current era. To possess one is to wield power that transcends normal magic."

He looked at Satou with new appreciation—and a hint of wariness. "That sword, combined with your current state, makes you dangerous to almost anyone on this continent. Richard Clay is powerful, yes, but you..." Loki shook his head in wonder. "You actually have a real chance to win."

"How long until the fight?" Satou asked, sheathing Void Fang. The blade vanished back into partial non-existence.

"Three hours," Loki confirmed. "The Arena of Fallen Stars is prepared. Every demon lord will be in attendance—even Malakor confirmed he’ll observe personally. Word has spread about this fight. Chronus has been boasting that his champion will kill you in minutes. The betting pools are heavily against you, even with your new power."

"They don’t know what I’ve become," Satou said.

"No, they don’t," Loki agreed with a sharp smile.

Satou looked at Morgana, his expression softening from the hardened warrior he’d become back into something more human—or at least, more like the person he’d been before entering the dungeon.

"Morgana," he said quietly. "Please take me home. My people are worried about me."

Loki and Morgana exchanged a glance, and then both smiled—genuine, warm smiles that carried understanding.

"We had expected you to say that," they said in perfect unison.

Loki stepped forward, placing a hand on Satou’s shoulder. "Most who gain power like yours would immediately want to prepare for battle, to strategize, to spend every remaining moment honing their new abilities. But you..." he shook his head with something like fondness. "You think of your people first. That’s why I chose to support you, Satou. That’s why I believe you’ll change things."

"Your settlement is stable," Morgana added, beginning to channel magic for the portal. "Cassius has performed admirably in your absence. There have been minor skirmishes with wandering monsters, but nothing the settlement couldn’t handle. Your people are strong. You’ve built something resilient."

Purple energy began swirling in the air, coalescing into a shimmering gateway.

"But they miss you," Loki said. "Especially two particular women who’ve been haunting the settlement’s entrance, waiting for any sign of your return. You should prepare yourself for that reunion. You look... different. Very different."

"I know," Satou said, glancing at his reflection in Morgana’s conjured ice. The iridescent scales, the glowing eyes, the silver-streaked hair. "I’m not sure they’ll even recognize me at first."

"Oh, they’ll recognize you," Morgana said with a knowing smile. "Love sees past appearances. Though I suspect one of those reunions will be more complicated than the other."

The portal stabilized, showing the familiar sight of his settlement’s entrance on the other side.

"Three hours," Loki reminded him. "I’ll open a portal to collect you when it’s time. Spend what time you have with your people. Say what needs to be said. Because after you fight Richard Clay..." he paused meaningfully. "Everything changes. Win or lose, nothing will be the same."

"I understand," Satou said. He stepped toward the portal, then paused. "Loki. Morgana. Thank you. For believing I could do this. For giving me the chance."

"Thank us by winning," Loki replied with his characteristic sharp grin. "And by making Chronus’s face twist in fury when his champion falls. I’ve waited decades for that satisfaction."

Satou stepped through the portal.

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The moment he materialized in the settlement’s entrance courtyard, he was spotted.

A goblin scout on the nearby wall saw him appear and froze, his eyes going wide. Then he started shouting.

"CHIEF! THE CHIEF IS BACK! CHIEF SATOU HAS RETURNED!"

The effect was immediate. Doors burst open. People came running from every direction. Within seconds, a crowd was forming—goblins, orcs, the rescued women, everyone who’d been anxiously waiting for news.

But they stopped when they saw him. Really saw him.

The crowd went silent, staring at the transformed figure standing in their midst. Satou could see confusion, uncertainty, even fear on some faces. He didn’t look like the hobgoblin who’d left. He looked like something else entirely—something powerful and potentially dangerous.

Then Urgak pushed through the crowd, his single eye taking in Satou’s new appearance with the practiced assessment of a warrior.

For a long moment, the orc chieftain said nothing. Then he grinned—a fierce, approving expression.

"You survived," Urgak said simply.

"I did," Satou confirmed.

"And you’re stronger. Much stronger." It wasn’t a question. Urgak could sense it, could see it in Satou’s bearing, in the way reality seemed to acknowledge his presence.

"Strong enough to win tomorrow," Satou said.

Urgak’s grin widened. "Good. Then you won’t die and leave me to run this mess by myself." He stepped forward and clasped Satou’s forearm in a warrior’s greeting. "Welcome back, Chief."

That simple gesture broke the tension. If Urgak accepted this transformed version of Satou, then he was still their chief. The crowd surged forward, voices overlapping in excitement and relief.

Kelvin burst through, nearly tackling Satou with an embrace that would have bowled over his pre-dungeon self. Now, Satou barely moved, his enhanced strength and mass keeping him rooted despite the enthusiastic impact.

"Big brother!" Kelvin’s voice was thick with emotion. "You’re back! You’re actually back! We were so worried—you look different but you’re back and—" He pulled away, really looking at Satou for the first time. "Whoa. You look... really different. Cool different! But scary different. But mostly cool!"

"I’ll take that as a compliment," Satou said with a slight smile, ruffling Kelvin’s hair with a clawed hand that made several onlookers flinch. But Kelvin didn’t seem bothered at all.

Cassius appeared next, bowing formally. "Lord Satou. The settlement has been secure in your absence. Three minor monster attacks, all repelled with no casualties. Resources are stable. Morale has been... tense, but holding."