Dungeon of Niflheim

"So….have you decided yet?"

"You know asking that with sparkling eyes does little to hide your opinion on the matter."

"So does that mean it's a yes." Daki blinked her big doe eyes in a flirtatious manner.

"Haaaaaaaa no I'm still undecided." Frost sighed and shook his head, putting off his decision.

"Tch you're no fun, I was looking forward to experiencing a dungeon war." Daki visibly pouted which looked incredibly sexy, but his mind was firm…. ok he wavered for a moment, but could you blame him.

The topic of contention Daki was talking about was a dungeon war challenge he received 4 days ago from his younger brother Kadrick. Now since Frost took part in the exhibition match with Gobuske he was exempt from having to take part in another dungeon war before the next family gathering, meaning he had the right to refuse.

Though running away wasn't exactly his style he had sufficient reasons to reject such an aggressive challenge.

First his territory was currently in the initial stages of development, an important state that he didn't want to ruin. Second the DP he was getting right now was quite plentiful thus engaging in a dungeon war with someone of Karrick's standing was likely more trouble than its worth.

Third he knew the true reason for Karrick's challenge, and it pissed him off, he didn't want to play to that bastard's tune.

Overall there was very little reason for him to accept Karrick's challenge in fact he had more reason to reject it outright but the idea of running away pissed him off almost as much thus the lack of a decision on his part.

"I'll hold off on making my decision until Ladius and her team have finished their investigation." He used Ladius and her comrades as an easy excuse.

"Tsk, if you don't want to do it then just say so don't use others as excuses. Where's the confidence that I fell for?" Daki didn't let up, she really, really wanted to take part in a dungeon war. Tales of the battle against Gobuske frequently escaped the lips of the Nanna and Loki. She thus felt a little left out.

Frost's lips twitched in response to her accusation.

"As usual you don't pull your punches."

"Isn't that what you love about me?"

"..."

"Haaaaa I guess you're right; I really shouldn't be using others as excuses, but I'll still hold off until they're done. Karrick can stew for a while before I put him in his place."

"Really you're going to do it." Daki nearly jumped in glee from his answer, a wide smile quickly growing on her lips.

Frost leaned towards her and poke her forehead.

"Since my beautiful green enchantress wishes to see a dungeon war how can I possibly reject her wishes."

"Hehehehehe." Daki giggled before planting a strong kiss on Frost's cheek. "Now that's more like it."

Karrick's number among the dungeon cores was 053 and his DP standing during the gathering was in the early 40s, a pale shadow of Frost who was ranked number 4 and likely on the up thanks to the monster stampede and the prosperity of the Niflheim territory.  A rather brutish looking man who had the form of a red scaled lizardman and was known more for his brawn than his smarts, a trait that was shared with another sibling that Frost really, really didn't appreciate.

Pyro who was the 3rd eldest and holder of an element directly opposed to him was not only similar to Karrick but his boss if you will.

Karrick who was also a user of fire magic was subdued by Pyro in an earlier challenge. Being so easily crushed by someone of a similar style and element Karrick willingly came under Pyro's influence once asked. His challenging of Frost was actually under the orders of Pyro in an attempt to mock him and reduce his standing among the other cores.

'Though I really hate having to follow the tune of that bastard it's better than letting other's think I'm weak. Sorry little brother but you chose the wrong sibling to follow.' An evil smile adorned Frost's lips as he finally made up his mind to crush Karrick and his foolish thoughts. Just because he was a user of the fire element did he think he'd be a match for himself, foolish and naïve.

The only fire user that could go toe to toe with him was Pyro of that he was certain.

Frost and Daki enjoyed some time alone together before later teleporting to the training space where Khuno was ready and waiting.

"Are you ready?" Frost asked calmly with a large pile of shining mana crystals lying to his left.

"Yes milord, I'm ready to take the plunge." Khuno responded with a determined nod. He had reached max level a while ago and had been steadily accruing mana crystals so as to breach the boundary between C and B-rank.

Frost himself as well as his dungeon was still lacking the ability to support a B-rank monster let alone two. Therefore like with Findlay before him Khuno needed to absorb mass amounts of crystals, to the point that he was ready to burst before attempting evolution. Of course luck would also play a large in whether or not he succeeded but both he and Frost had high hopes.

"Alright, let's begin." Frost nodded his head and ordered the start of the procedure. Both Nanna and Loki were here for support while Maya and Findlay were left to manage the dungeon's affairs.

Slowly Khuno started devouring mana crystals, topping off his saturation levels to the point that it hurt. Every mana crystal he absorbed would increase his chance at success. He refused to lose to Findlay.

"You can do it Khuno!"

"Just one more!" Nanna and Loki cheered in support of his efforts while Frost clenched his fists nervously. Daki meanwhile looked on in amazement, this process was so different to what she knew.

'Could I evolve if I stuffed myself with mana crystals?' Daki never worried about her rank and species as a monster. She was intelligent enough that she could grow and advance similarly to that of a sapient but upon choosing to bond with Frost she suddenly felt lacking. She wondered if evolution would allow her to bridge the gap between her and Maya as well as Frost himself.

'I'll experiment later.' She vowed to give it a try. Perhaps she'd become even more lovable and sexy after evolving, that alone was incentive enough.

"I…I'm…at the limit." Khuno said through strained breaths.

"Then advance Khuno!" Frost gave permission and a second later radiant light burst out from Khuno; he was advancing.

Pressure spread out from the ronso captain as his aura formed. luckily Frost expected this and shielded Nanna and Loki from it, they were still too weak to safely endure such pressure after all.

"Urgh!" Groans of pain escape Khuno's lips as his body was forcibly reshaped by the abundant mana that flowed through his veins. An intense burning sensation followed by the crushing and breaking of bones almost overwhelmed his consciousness, but he fought through it knowing that to faint here would mean failure.

The light surrounding him eventually grew to be so mesmerising that his original form could no longer be seen.

'Come on Khuno, you can do it.' Frost looked on with hope as did everyone else.

"AAARRRRGRGHHHHHH!!!" Suddenly Khuno screamed in pain which was followed by a final blinding flash of light and mana that forced the observers to cover their eyes and look away.

"KHUNO!!" Frost screeched in a panicked tone before rushing towards his loyal subordinate. Before he could arrive by his side however a large blue hand stretched out from the mana induced fog and smashed against the floor causing it to violently rumble. Next the body a ronso a fair bit bulkier and taller than Khuno revealed itself.

Its skin appearing glossier, muscles more supple and its white tufts of hair being more prominent and with a tinge of blue at the tips. But the most eye-catching feature was its mighty horn that grew from its forehead, far more grand than what Khuno had before.

"Khuno is that you?" Though it was impossible for it to be anyone else Frost found the changes to be very drastic.

"Ehhh of course it's me milord. Did I change so much that you don't even recognise me?" Khuno answered in a slightly deeper voice, genuinely worried about his new appearance.

"Hahahahaha no just a little blown away, you look very strong Khuno, very strong indeed." Frost laughed and patted Khuno's muscular shoulder while smiling.

Khuno looked even more impressive than he first envisioned for the B-rank ronsos or elder ronsos as he called them. Underneath his muscular stature Khuno's ability to handle cold fire chakra and his mastery of the ice fire element were equally boosted, turning him into a real powerhouse with multiple strengths, just like his master.

Keen to view the exact details Frost brought up Khuno's new status page.

Name: Khuno

Race: Elder Ronso captain

Rank: B

Level 1/60

Along with the basic details there was a vast plethora of both active and passive skills accompanying Khuno's new rank as well as spectacular ice fire spells that even Frost couldn't use (yet). Like Findlay, Khuno was more of a commander but that didn't mean he couldn't deal devasting damage when he wanted to.

Frost believed that a match between the two of them would likely come up even, perhaps he may even be at a disadvantage. Luckily however Khuno showed no signs in rebelling against him. He was as loyal as they came.

"Thank you master." Khuno kneeled in reverence to his master and placed his arm across his chest in salute as he displayed his unwavering devotion, bringing a prideful smile to Frost's lips.