As the wheel begins to slow to a stop, Cain realizes it’s going to land on one of the “???” marked tiles. But a strange one, instead of the markings being a color like blue or purple, they’re a tarnished Bronze color. That’s not a quality Cain has ever seen before, or even heard of.

The pointer settles to a stop, not even bumping the edge of the spot and an announcement appears on his screen.

[Ancient Reward Box Gained]

“It’s an ancient reward box?” he says tentatively to the group, looking at the box in his hands. It doesn’t look like much, just a worn old wooden box with tarnished hinges, but the description makes it sound impressive.

“Well, open it. The suspense is killing me.” Elmira laughs, her pixie voice making the laughter sound like tinkling bells.

[Ancient Spell Gained]

[Summon Lesser Demonic Companion] learned. Will upgrade to Greater Demonic Companion when 100 demonic summons are known.

Cain linked the description and mentally prepared himself to Summon his new Demonic Companion. Would this be like his Lesser Golems? Just a small combatant? The word Companion makes it sound like there might be more to it.

[Companion Generating]

[Assessing Requirements]

[Demonic Companion Created]

The Demon fades into being. Black hair with pale skin and almost see through fleshy wings showing visible veins like a bat.170cm tall, plus her long black horns. Well muscled and in her underwear. Definitely in her underwear. Boxer briefs and a sports bra to be exact, in plain black cotton.

“That’s umm, interesting? Why is the Summon naked? That’s never happened before.” Misha struggles to express her surprise, but nobody else has managed to speak at all.

“Greetings Master.” The Demon bows to Cain “I am Vala, your Summoned Demonic Companion.”

“The Summon speaks!” Mythryll gasps.

“Of course I speak. What sort of Companion can’t communicate?” Vala sounds confused.

“Vala, could you tell me a bit about yourself and your abilities? The spell wasn’t very descriptive.” Cain asks the scantily clad Demon, trying to understand just what he summoned.

“The Companion spell creates a lifelong assistant based on your current and predicted needs. You can equip me as you see fit and I will return with the same equipment every time I am summoned. Once you have amassed 100 different Demonic Summons I will be upgraded to a Greater Demon.”

“Okay, so you were created in your underwear so I could equip you with what I needed? What abilities do you have and what can you use?”

“My apologies. I am a Wrath Demon. Skilled in close combat and capable of wearing the heaviest of plate armors, or even chain mail if desired. The abilities generated were [Damage Leech] which will grant a portion of my damage as healing to the party, and [Demonic Wrath] which will increase the damage of party members and constructs.”

Cain is fairly sure that when those abilities were first created, they didn’t have a Puppet Master in mind. That’s just ridiculously awesome.

“You were created to Heal? Was my healing deemed insufficient?” Misha asks in a dangerous tone.

“Output wasn’t considered. Only 1 of the 43 current members and constructs in the party can Heal, so a companion with a group Healing ability was deemed essential. The next priority was damage output as a large number of durable Tank type members were found. So a damage increase aura was generated, which required the Wrath Demon form.” Vala replies happily, looking to be praised for her useful existence.

“Well, the spell was correct. Misha is overworked being the only Healer, and you can never go wrong with more damage. But I should find you gear before I get yelled at for letting you stand around in your underwear.” Cain laughs.

Much like the day they met Elmira, gear is collected to be passed over. Plate boots, pants, chest and gauntlets at epic quality are all found, as they haven’t cleared their inventory in a while. A two handed sword, a Shield that reduces damage taken by 20 percent and a Legendary spear also make the cut. Vala can’t equip accessories of any kind, but still, she is pretty well geared.

Red Plates that just cover the upper torso, thighs, gloves and lower legs over black form fitting light chain mail body suit is the appearance she gets, the equipped helmet becoming just a golden ring around the base of one tall black horn.

Vala’s feet are cloven hoofed, so the boots are more of a shin guard, but overall, the visual is of a deadly, heavily armored Demon Warrior.

“Now that you look the part of a Wrathful warrior, I should ask: How big is the damage increase aura you give?” Cain wonders, checking his new Companion for missing essentials.

“Fifty percent of modified damage as a bonus.” Vala shrugs. “It will go up if I’m promoted to a Greater Demon, and again if you keep me beyond first class change.”

Char laughs “She says that as if it might not be enough. Your ability is very good Miss Vala.”

“There’s no need to call me Miss. Summoned Companions are on par with slaves.” Vala shrugs.

“Actually, going through the records embedded in the Ancient Spell, this is only the second time a Companion other than a Succubus was created, so maybe that was just a peculiarity of the previous users.”

“What abilities does a Wrath Demon have? Beyond those created for the summoning spell.” Mythryll asks, trying not to laugh at Vala’s disdainful tone as she speaks about the previous users of the Demon Companion spell.

“We can sense emotions and vaguely predict what will please and anger others. It helps create and satisfy Wrath. That plus enhanced combat ability are the essentials of the Wrath Demons.”

“That sounds fun! Do me. What would make me happy?” Elmira giggles.

“You want to snuggle in a pocket?” Vala says uncertainly. “I think that’s what I’m sensing.”

Elmira cheers and claps, but the others look around in apprehension. That’s a dangerous ability used correctly. Plus, who wants their secret desires known, except maybe the pixie who requires so very little to make her happy.

Cain strokes Vala’s horn and smiles. “It’s good to meet you Vala. How about we test out your new abilities on some unsuspecting lust demons?”

Proper introductions and socializing can wait until tonight when they’re finished inside the dungeon.. As long as it doesn’t set off the city alarms, Cain intends to keep Vala around full time.