Danmachi: Magic Meister

Mutated Jackbird Part 2

When I awoke again, I found myself still on the couch in the one room of the guild. Hecate was still letting me use her lap as a pillow as she read through a book. I was still groggy but less so than before. I managed to push myself up and sit normally though I could tell that I wouldn't be heading into the Dungeon for a while. Not that I was complaining, at least.

When Hecate saw me awake, she let me sit up before letting me look around.

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"It's been three hours since you've gone to sleep, Ed," Hecate answered the unasked question I had on my lips. "The investigation is still underway and the examination of the monster won't be finished until tomorrow."

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I nodded in understanding as she got up and gestured for me to do the same. I could stand and walk, a bit shakily but I could. We then made our way out of the guild and I was surprised to see that it was night. Hecate grabbed my arm and guided me back home as my mind was in a whirlwind of thoughts. Once we got back home, She pushed me up the steps and into bed before curling up next to me. I registered her warmth and hugged her before my mind drifted off to sleep once again. This time, at my own volition.

When I woke up the next day, I found myself alone in bed. My mind felt clearer than it was last night and my body didn't feel like it was made of lead. I got up and stretched before wincing as my body was still recovering. I vaguely remember someone forcing a potion down my throat but it seemed like it wasn't an Elixer and didn't heal me completely.

I sighed as there wasn't much I could do. I slowly made my way downstairs and found Hecate and Demeter waiting for me with a massive bag on the table with a vanilla folder. Hecate and Demeter greeted me as I sat down.

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"Afternoon," They greeted to which it was, afternoon.

"Afternoon," I greeted back. "What's with the bag and folder?"

"The guild just dropped off the finished report and the drops from the... 'incident' yesterday," Demeter said, I'm guessing that she either found out or Hecate told her.

"I've already read and verified the contents of the bag," Hecate told me as she handed me two slices of toast. "Eat, you haven't eaten anything since yesterday."

"Thanks," I said with a smile as my stomach rumbled.

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As I ate the toast, Hecate informed me of what the report said. Even though I trusted her, I read over the report myself just to be sure and rummaged through the sack. Altogether, there was the normal drop of the Jackbird egg, but the rest of the 'Slaughterbird' body was there with what I collected and my broken knife. Although, it wasn't in the best condition. But what surprised me the most was the Magic stone. The stone was roughly the size of a baseball and was a deeper purple than the normal ones.

Demeter, who just had heard of the incident, was only given sparse details about it. So her face when she saw the Slaughterbird's body was that of fear. The large roster-like body was about the size of the largest dog breed and when I told her what I did to defeat it, she wanted to have nothing to do with it. According to her, any monster that could take on a level three on the first floor would be nothing but trouble.

As I debated what to do with the corpse and magic stone, a knock sounded throughout the house. Demeter, being kind, went and answered it as she had things to do and was gonna leave right after. She came back while escorting two women. A redhead and Tsubaki. After escorting them, Demeter left.

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"Hephaestus, it's good to see you," Hecate spoke as she eyed the redhead.

"Hecate, I hoped you came to see me when you first came down," Hephaestus spoke with a smile.