An Overgeared Fiction(VRMMO Theme) [Saharan Successor]

[trips]

Saharan Successor as a title now makes sense lol. Mathias stumbling too early on a future event because of how he treats Satisfy as real versus a game to be completed is the kind of mistakes I like to see in these hyper realistic VRMMO games. Can't account for every single human action or success in Mathias's case and failure in Grid's case. Nice little mention of him too lol.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 31 – Iljnoks Raid I

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With his visit over, plenty of time passed since the party of players entered this small settlement of the Gravelmark Kobolds, and Mathias along with Vek returned back to the central part of the settlement.
There Vek went to gather his four brothers while Mathias summoned the party who gathered immediately after his notice, looking ready for their challenge. Only after Vek and the other four kobolds returned to him, he began starting discussing about Iljnoks where slowly it descended into a debate, where all the players made their point on what abilities the bear used in the past fights.

"The fight would start slowly because Iljnoks has a bigger size, but each of his attacks would be devastating enough, so make sure you keep that in mind. His attack pattern in the early stage is easy to read, until he turns to the final stage when morphs his body into a smaller version, that boosts high agility and power.

Each of his attack patterns will be hard to read at first, but brace yourself until you get used. Afterward, you will have to keep your resources ready for a final push that would kill Iljnoks."

Mathias explained to them the patterns he knew from the Beta Phase, while Vivian also noted down what patterns she saw in this version, and there weren't contradictions.

Thus later on, with a consensus reached, and a strategy that settled down the gameplan for the players, only Vek with his kobolds brothers were out of touch and confused by the complex discussion the humans had, and for that Mathias took them under his wing and explained to them what to do in the fight.

"Little Vek, you and your friends will be the ones to hit the monster once it is out of position. When his defenses are opened, you will jump from the backline and strike with all you got. The fight will be a long one, or a short one depending on what that monster got hidden under its sleeves. I don't want mistakes from you that would expose you. Compared to humans who can take one or two hits, your kind is still fragile, even with the armor."

"Another notion I will have to add to you five, your Elder has entrusted your safety to me, so do as I say and you will not be hurt."

Anjo and MikeIron looked weirdly at Mathias who even lowered himself on his knees to talk level to level with the kobolds, unable to understand why he was so kind to some NPC's, but Paula and Vivian didn't gesture anything, and kept quiet, as if they understood something, but not fully.
"Yes, human Lord! We heard the orders from the Elder and we entrust ourselves in your leadership!" responded the four kobolds beside Vek understanding their role in the fight, while Vek bowed his head, as if bowing to his commander.
[Your Dignity has risen by 10 points.]

Giving them a confident smile, he turned toward the players after getting on his feet, and sharing the quest he received to them, it served as another boost to their morale, but when Mathias told something in the party chat, it got responded in an apathetic way.
Mathias: MikeIron, Anjo if you notice the kobolds being out of position, try to divert the hits that might kill them.
@MikeIron: Man, I really can't promise anything, if I get myself killed in the process, what then? If you guys manage to kill the boss, where would be my EXP and level up? If those creatures die in the fight because they were to dumb to get hit by the bear, is none of my business as tank. Aren't they just NPC's this is part of the quest where the kobolds help us kill the boss, just like in the other games
Mathias raised his head to look at the black-american player with his ruby eyes going a bit cold and Vivian along with Paula could feel the shift in temperament the crimson-haired man was showing right now, which made Paula to quickly send MikeIron a private message.
@Paula: Stop talking
Vivian: Idiot, stop being selfish in front of him since you are carried by him not the other way around.
@MikeIron: Did I say something wrong? Those kobolds are just NPC's, is my responsibility to protect them if they die? As long we clear the quest and defeat the boss, that's all that matters.

Mathias moved past what he heard, and if things would go so bad that the players he was teaming up would act out of order, and screw the quest requirements, and endanger the kobolds, he would just let them die, and continue the fight with the kobolds.

'I am not here to carry anyone. As you said if you get out of position and get yourself killed, none of my business.'

The way Mathias gazed was dead serious, and as he picked the kobolds, he moved ahead, while the players followed after him. Slowly, Mathias and the other 9, took on the path toward the tunnel, which lead to the cheering of the Kobolds who were aware of what was about to happen.

"Vek, you have to succeed! You are our champion!"

The young kobold gripped his hand on the dagger as the cheers flowed, and even trembled a bit with nervousness, but feeling Mathias large hand touch his head, patting it while the Red Aura around him made contact with his skin, he calmed down a bit, continuing to follow after him, as if he already learned the kobold settlement on his palm.
.
.
Getting closer and closer to the tunnel exit, the group could see the stones being dropped down, with the entrance collapsed from the collisions Iljnoks was doing. However, by the moment they had arrived, it was silent, without much sign of activities from the bear monstrosity.
"Could it be that the monster disappeared?" asked Anjo, unsure of why it was so silent.
"No way, it can't be that bugged." replied MikeIron, preparing himself for the encounter.

Mathias who was at the front of the team, with the kobolds, activated his arcane buffs and waited for his mana to recover before advancing anymore, while Paula proceeded the same, giving buffs to all party members.
Only after everyone was buffed, even the kobolds, did the party proceed to get closer to the exit, where Mathias could see the bear sitting in the center of the room, seeming to rest, but his face, facing the tunnel entrance told the opposite, being filled with evil intent.

*SNIIFFF* *SNIFFF* (A/N: Stop, get some help)

Taking some deep breaths, Iljnoks got up, starting to sniff even more, and it seemed it picked on Mathias's scent, the one who gifted him with a "generous" present before escaping.
"Here it comes." mumbled Vivian, who touched her arrow holder.
Meanwhile, Mathias who from the moment Iljnoks sniffed at him, activated his movement speed, 'Raven's Movements' and channeling his mana for a spell, he signaled Vek to open the exit, which the kobold reacted at light speed as if he was synchronized with Mathias in that moment.
"Let us dance you damned menace. I've bested you once, I'll do it a second time, and this time it will be more convincing even without Fay."
Dashing from the tunnel, with his hand shining in a dark-purple light, he cast 'Arcane Barrage' on the monster while approaching Iljnoks, taking even the monster by surprise, while his party members couldn't even react properly, except for Vek who with his kobolds exited the tunnel and started encircling the bear.
Once the three missiles hit Iljnoks, with one dark-purple portal revealing itself from behind him, sending out a 'Chaos Arrow', Mathias who arrived in front of the bear without showing any fear, only a chilling confidence, moved with his spear, executing a new movement from Haycien's repertoire, called 'Eclipsing Rose' leaving the body of the bear monster full of crimson red thorns, causing the 'Bleeding' debuff.
This entire outburst of attacks dealt a staggering [9850] damage, with the bleeding constantly hurting the monster each second, and instantly with the monster fight started, Iljnoks focused on Mathias using his claws to hit him, but it missed the target as Mathias predicted his attack pattern.
Still acting as the main engagement force, being in the pocket, he slashed the monster large body with basic piercing attacks, before sending an 'Treachery' and combining it with 'Bloodfall' after doing the spinning attacks.
The sidestepping as he retreated and air jump, performing flawlessly the descending strike gaping the flesh on the monster's flesh, making Mathias seem similar to the characters from Marvel's.
Yet, Iljnoks who wasn't affected by the debuffs from 'Bloodfall' quickly sent out a claw strike, which collided with Mathias's 'Arcane Barrier' sending him flying and making him suffer quite the hit.

[You have suffered 642 damage.]
Vivian when started shooting her arrows at Iljnoks with some worry because she might draw the aggro away from Mathias and get herself killed. Shooting her 'Power Shots' three times, before she even knew the bear monster roared, sending a shockwave skill that targeted her, hitting her for a wapping [544] damage.
After that shockwave, Iljnoks charged at her with a highspeed unlike the size of such a monster, and using her 'Tracker's Leap' she dodged the initial charge, but with her jump being limited to only 15 meters, it wasn't enough to escape the aggro she drew to Iljnoks.
MikeIron and Anjo who were out of place since the fight began, could only curse and try taunt Iljnoks, their greatest foe, but it was for nothing. The bear monstrosity didn't even bother to stop for a millisecond and contemplate the curses, instead, it focused on intercepting Vivian, who woke facing a bear without her escape skill being out from the cooldown for usage.
"Careful there, human."
She felt herself pushed by a strong force, but the damage she suffered wasn't high, it was in the domain of decimals, and turning her head, Vivian saw Vek facing Iljnoks instead of her, swiftly dodging the bear attacks, and using the Fang Dagger to counterattack, sending the beast in a frenzy.
"Brother, you are out of position! Listen to the leader's instructions."
"Don't bother about me, I have free rein to act as I see fit from the human leader. Am I right?"
Mathias who bounced back from the collision of Iljnoks large claw appeared at the bear's back and sent out the 'Waning Moon', the juiced-up version of 'Piercing Rain' which and after executing the attack, he followed up with the 'Piercing Rain' that got boosted by the attack speed boost from the latter skill.
Mathias: Give me some mana Paula. At least you and Vivian do not sleep, as for the rest, they can continue sleeping. You can also focus on your restraining spells, and slow the bear down as we discussed.
@Paula: Understood Mathias. But if I channel on the restraining side of my spells, there will not be heals.

Mathias didn't respond, focusing back on the fight, and moving like the waves of an ocean with bursts of attacks each available moment, while when Iljnoks was trying to fight back, he was fooling the creature with feints.
The other two melee participants also tagged in making their presence felt, with MikeIron doing his job for tanking the monster, and also attacking with his skill which were more based on his defense, and health which was translated into damage when attacking.
An interesting concept, and as such Mathias who was freed, appeared beside Paula who was concentrating on her nature spells of controlling the vines wrapping around Iljnoks, making the fight easier for the rest of the party members and even the kobolds who began contributing each time the monstrosity was opened.

The party looked confident as the health of the beast was melting in the face of the flood of attacks, and as the monster was rendered helpless in the face of the crowd control Paula was offering and Mathias's high paced attacks which were hitting like a truck, doing double damage when compared to the rest of the party with exception to Vivian and Vek.

Iljnoks in the time of 4 minutes that it took for him to reach 60% has filled with cuts that oozed green blood, which gave off smoke when touching the floor. The game plan looked to be stellar, without breaking. Only that, unlike what the party has recalled Iljnoks entered the next phase ahead of time, releasing a deafening roar, relieving the pain and attacks.

Soon, his body started to morph turning more compacted and slender, it reminded Mathias of the last phase Iljnoks entered in his fight. He immediately remarked this change, and the party instantly panicked because this was the phase they blocked from advancing.
"Why did he change at 60%, last time we fought this monster it was at 25%. This is absurd, now we don't even have a chance to win." commented Anjo, who was looking at Iljnoks from where he got pushed.
.
[Iljnoks - Lv. 45]( 72.560 / 120.000 HP)

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 32 - Iljnoks Raid II

---

"Why did he change at 60%, last time we fought this monster it was at 25%. This is absurd, now we don't even have a chance to win." commented Anjo, who was looking at Iljnoks from where he got pushed.
.
[Iljnoks - Lv. 45]( 72.560 / 120.000 HP)
.
"Attack from long distance, Vivian, Paula. Don't give him chances of breaks." noted Mathias, keeping Vivian and Paula constantly on their top shape.
"Arcane Missile" "Arcane Missile"
[You have dealt 1776 damage to Iljnoks.]
[You have dealt 963 damage to Iljnoks.]
"[Skullpiercer Shot]"
"[Wrath]"
The girl's attack also did a substantial hit to the monster, continuing to hit Iljnoks until it got to [63.420 HP] and sending him into a frenzy again. He instinctively attacked the one that dealt the most damage to him, in doing so charging at Mathias where MikeIron and Anjo reacted and choose to intercept the monster, taking over the tanking job. Nevertheless, their strength couldn't null the monster's power and with a swift claw attack, they were sent off a journey hitting the walls of the room.
Mathias also charged forward after drinking his plethora of buffing potions, who consisted of the intelligence and strength potions that boosted the primary stats assigned to their name. The boost in power was enough to make a difference in the fight, and with his old partner Ragnius, he blocked the charge using the blade of the spear that collided with the sharp sword-like claw.
*ROAR*
At the moment the weird duo of monster and human were sizing one another, Vek and his team of kobolds sneaked some attacks angering Iljnoks even more, and moving his legs to strike them down, they got out of range just in time. With boiling anger from the hits he couldn't pay back, he soon outpowered Mathias pushing him back to the girls.
After pushing Mathias back the bear swiftly dashed toward Mathias and dodged Vivian's shots, making the huntress comment with frustration.
"Is this even possible? His dodges are so frustrating, it couldn't be a bug right?"
Hearing her observation, Mathias still with his focus on Iljnoks, took the chance to sarcastically remark.
"So this is the reason you guys blocked at this phase? It dodged all your arrows and you got stuck without finding a way to deal damage?"
"Arghh, yes! I hate to admit by his mechanics are just too advanced for beginner-level players. Do you have a solution, Mathias? How did you beat him at this point?" inquired Vivian, who drew once again her arrows to shoot Iljnoks who once again dodged.
"Predict his path of dodges, and also anticipate where he would most likely incline to dodge."
Saying that, he activated [Raven's Movement] to intercept the beast, and instead of trying to fight it with pure strength, he began clashing blows, blocking one another's attacks before their defenses broke and each got opened up to attacks.
Just like this, the beast managed to slash at Mathias's chest and shoulder causing in total a massive hit of [2130] but that exchange could be said to have been won by Mathias who executed again '[Eclipsing Rose]', '[Ghost Spear-Mars]' and ended up with [Treachery] whose two attacks, one jab and spin from a total of 7 hits got dodged, and then instead of ending the exchange with Bloodfall, he blasted a missile pushing the monster back while it was about to strike him down again.
The fight between Mathias and Iljnoks continued until the bear monster released a toxic gass from his mouth which hit Mathias headon and giving an unexpected debuff.
[You have suffered from 'Toxic Breath' and got paralyzed for 5 seconds]
'He got me, I didn't expect him to have such a skill. This is a new one.' thought Mathias as he was frozen on his feet holding tight on Ragnius, before seeing Iljnoks blast him with another heavy claw strike, sending him away from where he was, before turning toward the ladies group.
.
On another hand, Vivian was absent-minded with her eyes lazily following Iljnoks, thinking about what Mathias's remarked, on predicting where Iljnoks dodge path would be, and immediately when she saw the monster charge at her, she woke from her absent-mindedness, lamenting on how stupid this moment of pause from her was.
"Ahh, I am so bad. What's wrong with me, to stare around like some heatstroke harlot."
Afterward, she gripped tight on her bow and began firing arrows in Iljnok's direction, while Paula was using her Nature Magic to summon vines with an attempt at slowing the bear monster down, but it was all for naught since her attempts all got destroyed with sheer might.
"This new phase is too new for me. I can't predict where he will dodge, or how he will attack." said Vivian who couldn't believe how lucky or broken Iljnoks was in that moment, managing to dodge all her arrows.
Meanwhile, Paula was breathing hard, from her stamina that was drained by the 'Vine Control' but she still was sensible enough to notice the struggle Vivian was, and in an act of encouraging her, she remarked.
"It will be fine, Vivi. Just focus on what you have to do, we got this far and even got this monster to 45%."
The girls couldn't hold Iljnoks in place, and the beast continued charging for them, in the passing Anjo with MikeIron dashed to intercept him, wanting to get the aggro back and allow the fight to flow as it was at the begging, but it failed miserably for them, unable to even hold the monster in place for 15 seconds.
When Iljnoks was about to hit both Paula and Vivian, the huntress was quick to act, grabbing Paula and escaping using 'Tracker's Leap' leaving the bear monster to eat her dust.
*GROWL*
Roared the bear monster as he watched his prey escape with a large jump, but what followed next was an arrow hitting him right in his left eye.
This didn't affect his vision at all, as he shifted targets, focusing on the weakness of the group, Anjo and MikeIron, who were relieved the monster returned back to them as if they gained the aggro again. What they didn't know was that Iljnoks could feel who was the strongest and weakest person in this group, wanting to avoid Mathias as much as possible and focus on the rest of the players.
"Good, this is our chance, Mike. You have on the leash I will start slashing him."
The Guardian executed his skills which Iljnoks took head-on, while Anjo slashed its body in a rapid fashion, burning his mana using the skills under his arsenal. Things looked successful for the two until their attacks started being dodged and with an instant skill attack from Iljnoks, their health was cleaved in half.
"Human, move away. You will die."
"SHUT UP, LITTLE RATS! WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING!" shouted Anjo, feeling frustrated of the fact his attacks were dodged by the bear.
Vek, could see from the side how malicious the eyes of Iljnoks were when looking at the two humans he was fighting, and there was a dark aura around his large hind legs, which give him a bad feeling, and without telling the two humans that were in close range he dashed forward, and hit the two players just when Iljnoks attacked, blasting the entire ground.
*ROARR*
Opening his mouth revealing his decayed mouth, Iljnoks used a shockwave attack which blasted Vek into hitting the room's wall.
[Vek] (3740/ 5000 HP)
.
Mathias who recovered from the paralysis, charged back at Iljnoks, making the beast once again fight with its archenemy, ignoring the rest of the players and the kobolds, until he managed to push Mathias back after 2 minutes of fighting, with his 'Arcane Barrier' collapsing from the damage accumulated.
MikeIron, seeing Mathias being pushed back, used his movement skill to charge at Iljnoks and attack, while Vivian was firing her arrows. Vek and his kobolds weren't idle either, being a part of the damage dealers of the fight.
Paula was having the hardest job to fill, being required to heal MikeIron whose health melted whenever Iljnoks was hitting him, and Mathias could notice that her mana resources even if they were recovering, were drained on healing this tank who from his view looked more like a meat tank, only good at draining the healer of its resources. In addition to this, there was even the gall this person had into asking Paula the impossible because of his incompetence.
"Paula! Heal me or this raid will fail. Don't laze around!"
"I am trying my best."
"Arghh, this is what you call trying? Why am I constantly at 25% HP?"
Mathias and the kobolds looked at the MikeIron in a weird way. Vek didn't understand much about the stuff the black man welding the large shield and armor was talking about, but he understood that it was wrong to ask the cleric of the team to solely focus on just one person. However, Mathias, unlike Vek, had a complete understanding of what was happening, and he acted on it without saying anything to the team.
Dashing from where he was attacking Iljnoks, he appeared before MikeIron, sending a straight right punch on his face, blasting him away, and taking over tanking, opening his mouth when Anjo stopped from fighting looking vigilantly at Mathias, saying in a cold, and merciless tone.
"If you stop fighting, I will kill you right now. I'll not be sitting here and letting people drag me down. As for that incompetent fool, he better get his mind in place. He is just a trash newbie player who doesn't know how to use his defensive skills and anticipate the attacks of the monster. You guys would be dead by now if not for me and the healer."
Then giving MikeIron a cold stare on where he got sent flying, he told with a dead-serious tone.
"Get your mind in place and you better don't do something stupid. Rusted Iron stay put right there and contemplate, with you or without, it will be the same."
"Paula, I want you to focus your attention on the entire group, not just a tank who doesn't know how to do his job." ended Mathias saying, continuing the fight againt Iljnoks, while the players who got briefly paused because of the sudden burst of emotions Mathias had.
MikeIron, who got up from the ground after being punched in the face by Mathias, even heard his sarcastic mockery, calling him 'Rusted Iron' looked with total aggression, as he cursed back.
"Motherfucker! You got a problem with how I do my role? You fucking rasist!"
Mathias scoffed, ignoring that ignorant person's curses, and he was even preparing to exit the party and PK him if he would attack back, but from how things progressed in the fight the guardian didn't act, instead moved to contribute on attacking the boss.
@Anjo: Calm down for now. We need this arrogant bastard to kill the boss, afterwards, we will PK him and take all the loot that drops from him.
@MikeIron: That's what I will do without you even telling me that. Hmph, he has the gall to call me an incompetent tank? As if he had any idea what it takes to fulfill that role.
It was a private conversation, and Paula along with Vivian didn't know what their plans was after the fight, but the fight continued without bickering, with Mathias fulfilling the role of tank and DPS-er without problem, making the Guardian feel even so smaller.
The fight progressed with some ups and downs, but they managed to get through the second phase of the fight even surviving a resource-consuming mini-phase where Iljnoks began recovering his health until it reached 50% HP from 35% HP.
The monster's health got once again chopped and when it reached 25% HP, it roared like it was consumed by darkness, pushing away all the party members. The body of the bear started releasing a dark mana and its body shrank, even more, turning more skeletal-like.
It was a horrific morphing, which made Paula scream in fear when it saw the nightmarish monster that looked more demonic than ever, with his body sprouting bone spikes from his head like a devil's horns, and with his spine having spike bones.
*ROAR*
Mathias who rebounded from the initial shockwave which allowed the bear monster to transform into its last phase looked with his crimson eyes at the demonic monster with a dead cold seriousness, and with Ragnius who was moments away from upgrading itself, he awaited the monster attack in guard.
The bear charged with a speed that toppled his initial agility and strength, and with his mind being crystal clear thanks to 'Arcane Intellect' he moved his hand along, blocking Iljnoks attack which triggered the long-awaited rebirth of his weapon.
[You have suffered 345 damage.]
Even if the attack was blocked, his arms got numb from the strength the monstrosity was displaying, but he managed himself, feeling spirited by Ragnius whose rusted blade and low-quality shaft wood began suffering changes.
[Your 'Soul Bound' item, Ragnius has surpassed his former limits, and reached a new stage, becoming a Normal Rated item.]
With that notification, the party members could see Ragnius releasing a dark-crimson light, while the rust began peeling off the blade, dropping on the ground like flakes, and revealing a sharp dark-crimson blade, and also a black wood shaft that had a small crimson mark on it.
"Partner, we still have a long way to go to fully recover you, still, thanks for the boost in power!"
Mathias who once again collided weapons with Iljnoks claw gritting his teeth bracing for the impact, but the force he felt was slightly elevated because of the new strength Ragnius augmented him with.
.
.
[Ragnius]
Rating: Normal (Growth)(1%)
Durability: 352/450
Attack Power: 195-375 | Critical Chance: +3% Attack Speed: +5%
* 5% increase in your attack power
* 10% increase in maximum health.
* Attack speed will increase by 0.5% for every attack that connects.
* There is a small chance that your attacks will ignore 35% of the enemy defense.
* There is a very low chance of the spear releasing the ego ability <Demise>
A spear forgotten from the annals of history, yet it still gives off small fragments of its splendor and glory.
A spear that was once thought to be the sole weapon of a saint brought to the status of a scrap weapon ignored by everyone and looked down upon, however without the rightful master, the spear will never break off from its past.
It will be the symbol of fear to the enemy and a symbol of protection to its master.
Conditions of Use: Chosen by Ragnius' slumbering ego.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 33 - Bloodline Awakening

---

Mathias even when getting the well-awaited boost from Ragnius, still had to struggle juggling around his cooldowns, and immediately after sidestepping an ending skill from Iljnoks, at that moment the bear monster was left opened from his evasion, he casted 'Evocation' which kickstarted his mana recovery and granted him unlimited mana.
Paula who was focusing on her role of supporting the party either be by healing or granting mana, or being a nuisance for Iljnoks, from the backline watched in shock as Mathias's high mana gauge started refilling alertly, making the crimson-haired man look more mysterious by the manner he brought to the table new skills and techniques.
She didn't know much about fighting in general, but she saw some fighting matches on TV along with her father, where two men would fight in a round cage. Those moments she saw on TV, from those fighters' footwork, looked familiar to her when Mathias was moving in the fight against the bear monster, using slick footwork.
Nevertheless, this short observation of her, harmless, didn't get in her role as a support, which kept the fight standing.
With Mathias's encouraging words, she felt her value in the party, more than the damage dealers, even though a DPS-er was the integral part, the engine of the machine, without it you wouldn't have a car running.
.
The fight continued on getting more intense where Iljnoks was dabbling between 10% and 25% HP thanks to his insane regenerative spells, everyone in the party was breathing heavy, even Mathias's whose Stamina bar was simply cursing him in those moments.
[Stamina: 25/100]
It was a weakness, the bear monster sensed and pushed more on the gas pedal, increasing the intensity of his attacks even more, even mixing it up by doing AoE attacks which placed the entire party in jeopardy. Feeling the pressure he placed on all the party members, even the kobolds who didn't have the guts to sneak attack him, he continued on with this strategy.
"DAMN! SMARTASS DO SOMETHING AND STOP HIS AOE ATTACKS!" screamed MikeIron who was at 25% HP after only three AoE attacks from Iljnoks.
Mathias, who at that moment, was on 40% HP ignored the Guardian, and only focused on fighting Iljnoks and intercepting his single target attacks which were mostly for him.
Both the Guardian and Warrior were in a bad spot, taking the AoE attacks from Iljnoks fully, who cleaved their healths like they were ants, without even focusing on them once since entering phase 3. Anjo took some steps back to take a health potion, but when he did that, Iljnoks shifted his gaze like a monstrous ghost, and pounced at him with a jump that looked akin to Vivian's 'Trucker's Leap'.
"AHH! Help me! Keep the aggro on the monster!"
Mathias, who even after activating 'Evocation' couldn't kill the monster in his burning phase, turned his attention at the blonde warrior who distanced himself from the center of the fight, to take a potion. Channeling his mana which wasn't in outstanding conditions, when Iljnoks was about to land on Anjo, and cleave his head, delivering the final blow to the Warrior, a dark-purple missile was shot which pushed back the monster giving the player a chance to breathe.
Still, it wasn't enough to stop Iljnoks, who arrived moments later in front of the warrior, and with a malicious face that induced nightmares, he slashed his bony, metallic claws at the helpless player where it left a dark claw mark.
"ARGH! I am dead." said Anjo who closed his eyes, not wishing to see this nightmarish creature for even one more second.
The putrid smell of decay coming from Iljnoks was nauseated, but what he felt wasn't crawling pain, instead it was a stinging pain followed by an impact where he lost some small amount of HP. Opening his eyes, confused, he thought Mathias's came to save his ass, but what he saw was two of the small creatures who were breathing hard with a deep claw cut on their chest, crawling away from Iljnoks.
"Hah, thank God those little rats are also good at something."
"REBE! HASS! shouted Vek who turned angry when he saw his closest friend suffer the attack of Iljnoks, and with his anger burning deep inside of him, there was a small change in himself, the pressure he was giving off changed, while his crocodile snout and head shifted a bit, along with his eyes shining with a red color.
"BEAST, YOU WILL NOT TAKE AWAY MY BROTHERS!" shouted Vek, while his roar was akin to a dragon's cry.
Gripping tight on the 'Fang of the Enforcer' that burning red blood dropped from his hands, he dashed toward Iljnoks from the backline and appeared in front of the bear monstrosity right when it was about to cleave the downed kobolds.
Slashing with his entire strength with the blade covered in his own blood, it was ignited by the striking movement, and when he managed to land that attack on Iljnoks, the monstrosity released a pained scream, sending a shockwave attack with the intent of blasting Vek away from him.
Yet this small creature, which looked grander than ever, remained strong and continued his assault on Iljnoks, while he released another dragon cry, with his body constantly growing while he was slashing the dagger at the monstrosity, becoming larger than his brethren.
Mathias, who was quick to react, sent a private message to Paula informing her of something quite ruthless and cold, before activating 'Raven's Movement' and drinking a mana potion along the way.
"Focus all your healing on the kobolds. They are the conditions of clearing the quest. Don't even bother with me, just keep them alive."
"What about Anjo and the rest?"
"Vivian will be fine, as for those fools, let them die."
There was no more response from Paula, but her actions spoke louder than words, beginning to heal the kobolds who got wounded, and while Vek was entering a transformation in itself, Mathias appeared next to Ilknoks, and sent an 'Eclipsing Rose' which made the monster looked even more crazed.
[Critical!]
[You have dealt 5652 damage to Iljnoks]
After that attack, Vek still continued on fighting Iljnoks even if the monstrosity struck back, wounding what was expected to a frail kobold, but his HP was lowered slowly, with attacks that only did 278-347 damage.
In just 15 seconds, Iljnoks was turned close to death, point where all the player's morale rose, beginning their last round of attacks. The Guardian used his charging attack which almost backfired, Anjo also salivated at the thought of how much EXP he would gain from killing the boss monster and even thought of Ninja Steal the loot since Mathias was most likely the one to receive the rewards, but because of the party system, if he kicked him now he probably would retaliate and PK everyone.
Vivian who contributed a lot for this fight, even being at the receiving end of Iljnoks crashing attacks, drew her bowstring to the limits, and sent her strongest attack.
Meanwhile, Mathias, who was the closest to Iljnoks noticed the monster getting darker and darker, inflating itself and giving off a heavier pressure, with dark lights around his body, building up.
'Self-destruction attack? Damn, it really is, he wants to kill everyone in this tunnel, as he would also die in the process. Wait, this is an undead monster, it for sure has some skills to heal himself from only 1 HP.'
A swift mind with only some signs taken from the state of the monster proposed a crazy plan the monster was intending on doing, but he prepared himself, asking Paula for a Mana Recovery spell, giving him enough to activate another skill in preparations for what was about to come. It didn't take long and Iljnoks released a deafening roar, where all the dark lights accumulating from his body started spewing, targeting everyone in the party.
Mathias sent a private message to Vivian before pulling Vek, and the rest of the kobolds next to him, before the burst of light was about to touch him like a gamma-ray burst.
'It should work on this attack. It has to.'
'Soul Spear - Destruction'
With a heavy spear form, he slashed at the dark ray of mana with Ragnius covered in his entire Red Energy resources, which deflected that ending attack from Iljnoks, moving back toward its originator, while Vivian did a 'Tracker's Leap' with Paula in her arms, escaping the 'Death Ray' before another ray of dark light came from Iljnoks with the intent of hitting her.
Anjo and MikeIron weren't as lucky to receive an escape plan from Mathias and got themselves incinerated on the spot, decaying into gray light fragments where both being at the second death, were logged out from the game.
Still, Vivian watched the ray of light come toward her and wanted to face the ending with a strong will, but then came Iljnoks roar and collapse, which was followed by the disappearance of the 'Death Ray'.
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Mathias could only bask at the huge number of damage his reflect spear technique did followed by the entire collapse of Iljnoks whose entire flesh started melting, before giving a nightmarish roar and turning into gray light fragments,
[You have dealt 10.425 damage to the target.]
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[Ding!] [World Achievement! Congratulations, your party has defeated the <Undead Monstrosity Iljnoks> . As a participant in the challenge, you will gain the following rewards:]
[All party members received the title 'Menace Hunter']
[You have received 175.000 EXP.]
[You have acquired 500 Gold Coins.]
['Fallen Iljnoks Boots' has been acquired]
['Iljnoks Spine Bow' has been acquired.]
[Blessed Weapon Enhancement Stone (6) has been acquired.]
[Blessed Armor Enhancement Stone (6) has been acquired.]
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[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
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[Do you wish to announce to the world your achievement?]
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[You have declined.]
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Looking at the girls, while he dropped on his knees to get a breather from the tense moment he went through, he cleared out the notifications he gained from the defeat of Iljnoks, and when the notification about him announcing his achievement came about, he instantly declined, without a question asked.
Still, there was something unresolved, the kobolds behind him were agitated, and were talking in draconian, while from nowhere Vek released another draconic roar. The sound of something dropping to the ground echoed in the tunnel room, and after turning his body he could see Vek spasming on the ground, with his veins appearing all over his body.
"HUMAN LORD! WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR BROTHER?" asked the kobolds panicked, not knowing what was happening to Vek.
Approaching the kobold who was struggling on the ground, while the other kobolds were constantly asking him to rescue Vek.
'Ahhh, little ones, how should I know what is happening? I am not a kobold or dragon? Dragon?'
At that moment he was contemplating on a way to be of help, he heard from inside his brain, like a telepathic link, an old man's voice, who sounded as if he woke himself up.
{Wuaa, quite a bad sleep after being getting myself dried like some fool done by prostitutes. Hmmm, what's this smell of mana? Dragons? Wait, there's no way a dragon will be in Gravelmark.}
'Oyyy, old ghost, did you woke up?'
{Ahh, right, I am now linked to this snob kid. Indeed, this great me has woken up, but I still need to sleep.}
'It doesn't matter, tell me do you know something about what's going on with the kobold?'
{The little dolls of the dragons? If I am not wrong he just awakened his latent dragon bloodline, and is running out control. Right, I am correct, how can I not be? I remember that fight with the kobold who moved like some thief in my territory.}
'I don't want to hear your story old man, tell me do you have a way to control that bloodline?'
{Hey, little snob, you are asking too much from this poor old man, who woke himself surrounded by a claustrophobic space. I've stayed trapped enough in those roots who sucked me dry. Fine, fine, I do have a way, but it might backfire, do you want to try?}
'Just tell me what I have to do.'
{Tsk, and I thought I will relax with my new young buddy. Kid, that Red Energy power I have given you comes from my bloodline. Similar to the dragon's blood that is imbued with magical powers. Now, don't interrupt me with stupid questions. There's still a difference between my blood and the ones of the dragons, mine was created after a long path of training myself and my body, while that of dragons comes from their shitty worldly gifts.}
{Regardless, use your Red Energy and infuse it inside the dragon, since it also has a soothing effect on other people, calming them and healing them.}
'That's it?'
Not getting an answer back from the old man, who was resting like some beggar, scratching his butt as if he looked at a TV, in his face instead was the view Mathias was seeing with his eyes, and with what else Red Energy Mathias had in his body, he started gathering in his hands, and pushing the kobolds away from Vek who was spasming and had blood on his mouth, later dropped down and touched the kobold's chest.
The old man who watched everything, smirked a bit while talking to himself.
<For someone who didn't have any prior guidance, or even being rundown by me on how to use the Red Energy, he managed to understand the manipulation principle. Interesting. It took my sons months to understand how to move Red Energy.>

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 34 - Ancient Heirloom Rediscovery

---

<For someone who didn't have any prior guidance, or even being rundown by me on how to use the Red Energy, he managed to understand the manipulation principle. Interesting. It took my sons months to understand how to move Red Energy.>
<I will not get bored at all from what I eavesdropped on this lad, he reminds me of my youngest son, even that punch on that ant was worth all my money>
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Mathias whose hands were releasing the Red Energy, it almost made the kobolds question if what the crimson-haired human was doing could help their friend, but with each second passing, the Red Energy started diminishing from his hands, with them covering the kobold.
The signs of calming were visible which made the kobolds look at Mathias as if he was a saint, even Paula with Vivian who approached to see what was happening could see Vek whose appearance morphed turning bigger. Along the way they could see the kobold cry from pain.
"What is happening to the little creature?" asked Paula, not knowing what was happening standing beside Vek, readying herself to heal him.
Vivian remained at the back, not saying anything, while Mathias was silent focusing on guiding his Red Energy inside Vek's body.
Only after he used all his Red Energy on Vek, did he turn his attention on Paula, telling her in a calm manner.
"That little guy awakened his bloodline powers."
{Indeed, if I am not wrong they are called Dragonwrought, that kobold I fought also was one persistent Dragonwrought that almost made me cut his wings off. He dared showing off to me, about his ability of flight.}
{Right, I am curious about something. Little snob, check if that little puppy has started sprouting his wings.}
Hearing Haycien's voice in his brain as if he was some schizophrenic person, he looked down at the ring with a complex expression noticed by Vivian and Paula. Later the girls saw Mathias turn Vek on his side, where from his back two small wings exited breaking off the 'Gragger Boar Armor', instantly sending the kobolds noticing the wings into a frenzy.
"The Mythical Dragonwrought! Brother Vek awakened the ancestor's powers!"
{Bahaha, those little puppys reactions is priceless. 'Mythical Dragonsbutt' that isn't even comparable to Hel or Bun, the first Half-Draconians to plague my kingdom.}
'Old man, stop talking in my brain! I feel like I have mental problems already.'
{Sure, sure, I am still not used to being with someone after such a long time.}
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Soon, Vek gained clarity, opening his eyes all of a sudden and looking vigilantly around himself, only to see Mathias gaze at him along with the rest of the party.
"What happened to me? Argh, why does my body hurt so much? Lord Mathias, what happened to that monstrosity? Rebe? Hass?"
"We are here, Vek. The human lady has healed us."
"I am glad." responded Vek turning his head toward Paula, and trying to get on his feet when he reacted to a stinging pain coming from his back, where he could feel something that he could move, like a new limb.
"You have awakened your draconian bloodline, little Vek. From what I understood, you have become a Dragonwrought Kobold."
"A what? No way, someone like me become such a great being to the kobolds."
Nevertheless, Mathias could see that except for the level Vek gained from the defeat of Iljnoks, his health was the only thing he could see changed, becoming larger, even his name changed to just [Vek]. It was a good sign and was happy for the little one's success, who gave him the chance to discover the lake, where a memorable event happened in his life with good and bad sides, just like in a coin flip.
Settling down, Mathias's left Vek with his brethren, before turning toward Vivian and Paula and opening the trade exchange interface between himself and the huntress.
"I got something for you since I have no use for it, I'd rather give it to you. I don't have an archer in my guild, so I don't take priority in it."
Vivian saw the system notification asking her if she wanted to accept the trade exchange interface between the two, and hearing his comment, she accepted, only to wake herself with the bow Mathias gained from Iljnoks.
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**************************
[Iljnoks Spine Bow]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 490/490
Attack Power: 278~380 Firing Speed: +20%
* When an arrow hits the target three times in a row, 150% additional damage will be done.
* Every time you shoot an arrow, the firing speed will increase by 1%. This effect will only be applied up to 35%.
* The skill 'Demise of the Dead'' will be generated.
A bow created from the spine of the "Undead Monstrosity Iljnoks" and it still holds inside its marrow, the evil, malicious energy that empowers the bow.
This bow will be the worst enemy of any alive creature. Requires special sturdy arrows to be used otherwise simple arrows will not withstand the evil malicious influences of the bow and will suffer mutations while firing.
User Restriction: Holder of Title: <Menace Hunter>
****************************
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When Vivian looked at the specs of the bow and checked her own bow which was a rare one, it left her aghast, without words. Nonetheless, it was Mathias who woke her from the bewildered self, with a calm, yet serious question.
"You earned that title required for the bow? Right?"
"Hm? Yes, yes, sorry I was a bit taken aback. What did you ask me?"
"About the title required."
Checking her notifications and title section, she saw the "Menace Hunter" which on itself was a boost to her powers beside this bow, and telling Mathias about this, she stopped him right before accepting on her end the transaction.
"Do you need anything for this bow? I can't just simply take it for granted. I am not a beggar or a cheap woman who uses her appearance to take advantage of guys."
"I don't need anything, this is also what you deserve for the heavy participation in the fight, unlike some fools who take this as simply a game."
"Sorry about those two, I don't know them personally. I was approached by them in the forums, and so we teamed up, same for Paula. However, I live in the same State with Paula so we meet after teaming up."
"I see, good for you two." replied Mathias with a small smile on his face, which made Vivian feel a bit weird gazing so close to this crimson-haired man, whose eyes were like precious rubies.
{Son no one can resist the Saharan genes. I tell you, this is how I conquered my wife.}
'Tsk, old man, want to know something? I don't care. Now buzz off and leave me in peace for some moments. Go sleep or something, just don't butt in.' thought Mathias when hearing Haycien's comment, which made it feel as if he was making fun of his new appearance.
{Son, no need to be mad at me, just take me as a Sagely Grandfather, who wants to guide his lost grandson in courting a girl. Just look at this little doll, with that healthy waist and bosom, she is perfect for mating. The success of the child being born healthy is 100%}
Mathias, who heard the old man's comments while looking at Vivian, couldn't stop his eyes from rolling, which made it seem he had some problem with the girl in front of him.
"I have some eye problems. Anyway, are you going to take this bow or not?"
"Are you asking? Obviously, let me get this little monster, he will be in good hands. This monster made me die so many times, it was about time he makes up for the damage caused and all the arrows lost."
[Transaction has been completed]
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Done with the aftermath of the raid, the party made their way toward the Kobold settlement where on the way toward the base, it was complete silence, making the kobolds worried, while Mathias was listening to Haycien's clamorous comments who began telling Mathias's the story about how he fought against the Ancestor who settled inside Gravelmark.
Yet, when they entered inside the entrance of the kobold settlement there wasn't even the guards, however the whispering began evidently, and after stepping inside the Common Room, a sea of kobolds waited there with Elder Morkl.
The gathering of kobolds, which made Mathias believe it was about the entire tribe of kobolds, instantly reacted when Vek and the rest entered their sight.
"WHOAAAA! THE CHAMPION HAS RETURNED BACK HOME! THE PROUD KOBOLDS ARE BACK! WELCOME HOME!"
"CHEERS TO THE GOOD HUMANS WHO HELPED US!"
Facing themselves with such cheers made the two girls feel awkward, while the kobolds dashed toward their brethren who took them in their arms, launching them in the air, only Vek remained side by side with Mathias who was walking toward the old kobolds in a calm, collected manner.
"Young human, I've seen your fight, using my magic. You've left me aghast with your valour and courage of facing that monstrosity that could rival the demons in hell. You've also kept to my selfish request of protecting my children, I can't express how grateful I am right now."
"Elder, no need, raise up." said Mathias's who went to hold the old kobold who wanted to bow to him, while Vek also stepped forward in greeting his elder.
"My child, at long last you have succeeded in awakening your latent draconic bloodline and even successfully attained the strongest evolution to us kobolds, the Dragonwrought. At last, the memoir left by the ancestor for the future Dragonwrought, entrusted to the All-Watchers can be revealed. Follow me, humans, little Vek."
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Soon, with the departure of the small group, they arrived at the Elder's house, entering inside another section of the house that was more like a praying room, where the stone statue of a small creature with wings on his back was revealed.
"Before I start opening the memoir of the ancestor, I promised something to the young human, let me show you what was kept protected for generations of my people."
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[You have cleared the quest <Defeat the Undead Beast Iljnoks> gaining the following rewards:]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[Affinity with Gravelmark Kobold Tribe increased by 40]
[The Event "Ancient Heirloom Rediscovery" will be triggered.]
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In the moments, Mathias's and the girls were receiving their quest rewards, with Mathias's being the only one to enjoy the full rewards, and the girls only getting the EXP reward, the old kobold was turning toward the back of the room starting to search for something, which took him quite a while, but he nonetheless fished out something enveloped in spider silk fabric that was quite slim, making Mathias's ponder what could it be.
"To be honest with you, young Mathias, I also don't know what this Heirloom passed from All-Watcher to All-Watcher truly is, so I am also looking forward what it could be. I just heard from my predecessor that its meaning is enormous for us kobolds."
The old kobold began taking the silk bandages from the thing he was helding in his arms, slowly revealing the portrait of a certain someone.
"A painting?" asked the girls when they saw the back of the heirloom.
On another hand, Elder Morlk's eyes turned big, shifting his attention to the painting and later to Mathias's, and back and forth with his hands trembling, from fear or emotions, it was unknown.
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"How can this be?"
The old kobold was still going back and forth until Mathias went closer to him to stare at what he was looking at, and he was left surprised, because it was a portrait of someone with crimson hair just like his own, only the difference was that it was short-styled. With ruby eyes that could penetrate into matter itself, and an overall appearance that was reminiscent of Mathias's who was in front of him.
"That is not me. Look at the moles, nose and how his lips are. Calm down, I am not some ghost who came to haunt you, instead, I am willing to bet everything I know that I know the person in the picture."
'That's you right, old ghost, Haycien von Saharan?'
It took some time for Haycien who was gazing at the portrait using what Mathias's saw, but it made the old man sigh, and respond slightly melancholic, reminiscing about past events, and with a calm, warm voice, Mathias heard him tell.
{That little kobold did something unnecessary. I've told him to not put to heart the fact I didn't go heavy on him and allowed him to stay in Gravelmark, the safest location in my Kingdom at the time I founded Titan. By that time, the world was full of chaos and conflict, the Hegemon Wars beginning, with different races murdering against one another.
{The Elven Empire with their Godly Gifts controlled most of the Western Continent, while I carved my way to Titan and began reconstructing the region I've managed to rest from the different races with all the different human tribes I managed to pick up from dirt.}
{Hah, those poor kobolds even now I can see their despair and fear, as they watched their leader fight against me. From what I understand they escaped from the Claws of Hel's tribes. Those warmongering puppets created by the Dragon of Destruction Brunhellier.}
'So in short, that ancestor of the kobolds wasn't trying to take revenge, instead took your gesture as an act of kindness, and so to immortalize this change for his people he painted your appearance?'
{You got the main picture, but damn, that little kobold drawing skills is so bad. Is my nose so crooked? Also, why is my hair so messy as if I came from the stomach of some beast I slew?}
'Who knows, maybe you did just that? Still, thank you, sir, for telling me these details.'
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Settling his thoughts after the conversation with Haycien in his mind, he still didn't have an idea how the old man looked, but the portrait painted an image in his mind. Following that, he told the old kobold about this story without going into unnecessary details, which pleased Haycien from the sidelines, and soon enough the old kobold calmed himself and went to grab the memoir as if remembering something crucial.
"What you told me right now young human, makes so more sense with the memoir left by the Ancestor. About how my tribe used to be the slaves of the half-draconian, a warmongering people who were created by an evil dragon just to brew chaos.
Now, everything makes sense. But this doesn't explain your indistinguishable appearance to the portrait of this great person who helped my ancestor in a time of need."
"It is really important?" asked Mathias, scratching his hair, feeling that something unnecessary will hit him in the face.
"Indeed."
"..." Mathias was quiet, while the old kobold too remained silent waiting for his answer, it looked as both froze, clinching out, and it needed an outsider to fill the answer.
At that moment, both Paula and Vivian were talking privately, managing to gaze at the portrait that felt as if it was Mathias on that painting, and by asking one another, they started filling the empty spots.
Vivian: Why doesn't he want to continue on with his quest? It is clear that the old kobold is asking him something related to his crimson hair. I've seen the videos he was in spotlight, the time he defeated the gang members from Titan, and also when he defeated Reis. His hair was of a raven color.
@Paula: Don't tell me you are one of those fans? Also, is Mathias's really the Black Spearman from that famous video?
Vivian: I am not his fan! Anyway, let me try and ponder what the old kobold wants from Mathias so we can go on with this Event. Otherwise, we will be stranded here for a long time, with those fools remaining silent, gazing at one another.
@Paula: But how? Do we even know what he wants from Mathias?
Vivian: I have a link, but it is worth a try, we just have to spin some words, like a puzzle and the event will be cleared, or in the best case make Mathias talk, giving him an impulse. A kick in his ass, so to speak.
@Paula: Vivi, you really are bad, but is worth trying.
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Vivian cleared her throat after being mocked by her friend, Paula, however unknown to her, she attracted the attention of the Elder and Mathias who simultaneously turned their heads at her.
"Is something on your mind, young lady? Could you help your friend out? Maybe he is too shy or ashamed to tell me the truth." mentioned Elder Morlk, to Vivian who felt even more awkward in those moments.
She gazed at the old kobold whose face was genuinely curious, while later at Mathias's who seemed to be of someone who eat some spoiled food, nevertheless, she told her thoughts out.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 35 - The Kobolds Allegiance?

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"Elder, my friend here is shy to open up about who he is, but he that person descendant. Just look at the similarities, while the one in the picture has his own distinct features, making it unique, it is visible the similarities and as such, meaning my friend is that person descendant."
Once she said that a long sigh was heard from Mathias, but nothing following up, besides that, he was bickering with a certain old man in his brain.
{Accept it, kid! You are my Successor, there's nothing to be ashamed of and not open about it. You will be the Emperor of this country I built from nothing and take over the torch and finish all my unfinished plans.}
'No. I will not accept any unnecessary burden. I might sound like some bitch, but I don't want more drama in my head. Wait, what did she just said?'
{Bravoo, little baby. She is a keeper for sure. Now accept it kid!}
'Quiet. I will think about it. When I am home, we will talk in full about who you are, what you want from me, and what you want to achieve. Also, I will tell you what I want from my journey.'
{Ohh, I like it. Short and direct.}
With the old ghost silenced, Mathias released the long sigh, Vivian and Paula heard, before turning toward the old kobold who was turning the pages of the book he was holding, before he stopped seemed to read the contents of the memoir and speak out.
"The person in the portrait is the one called Haycien?"
"Indeed, the old ghost haunting me is that person, just a nagging old man." commented Mathias's, to which the kobold noted down, and immediately got on his knees and bowed down.
"I am here to serve, Master Saharan!"
"Wait, wait, that's too sudden, what got into you? My name is Mathias not Haycien, we don't have any relation except for the curse he placed upon me."
"No, young master, my ancestor has mentioned his lament for not being able to follow that great person, and help him fight against the other races, and expressed his entire regret when hearing about his death. He wanted to meet that great person one more time and pledge allegiance to him, but it was too late.
What followed next were years when he tried to approach the children of that great person but his request wasn't even received, instead was frowned upon. Since then, the ancestor never left the Gravelmark, and focused on protecting the surroundings against the strong monsters that began settling in the region. Such his last wish from the future generations was to be able to encounter the descendants of the great person who showed kindness, and pledge our services."
Hearing his story, Mathias still added his part, telling him in a serious but collected tone.
"You tell me, old kobold. Why would you restrict yourself and serve me? I am not even one of them, instead, an outsider who got cursed by that "Great Person" to look similar to him, by what magic, I don't know. Do you even understand what it would mean for your people?"
"You are wrong young Mathias, I can feel a strong power inside your body as in the ancestor description of how we could identify the descendants of that Great Person. From his words, even if those descendants of his would be just some simple people who descended from grace, we the Gravelmark Kobolds should be behind him."
'Old man, is this your doing? Some plan you schemed in the past for this moment?'
{Lad, would you believe me, I had absolutely no idea what that little kobold did after I allowed him to settle at Gravelmark? The story itself is new even for me.}
Meanwhile, without telling to Mathias's the rest of what he felt about this situation, Haycien sighed, giving off a small smile and shaking his head.
<I even allowed you to roam free in the world. I just told you to stay put there until my conflicts with the other races would be taken care of. It seems you really took my words literally, but now that I think about it, your children would become a supporting hand for this little snob of mine.>
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Back to Mathias who still didn't want to accept this idea that some person from the past would write some wish that would make all the tribe serve him just because of what curse the old man brought upon him. It was too inconvenient and unexpected, but the old kobold was adamant on what his Ancestor had wished for, and that he wouldn't break it off.
Even showing the memoir to Mathias that was filled with the draconian language he obviously had no clue to read, but taking Vek he told the kobold to traduce word by word the part which mentioned the wish.
Before reading to Mathias, Vek did a quick scan of the contents and even he was surprised by what was written there, and starting to traduce, it made Mathias's stock his chin, reminiscent to the times he had a bushy beard.
"My children, you might ask me why I would write down such a wish. But you wouldn't know or experience those times, the chaos and bloodshed between humans and the other races. How they gave us the chance to escape from the ruthless draconians who used us like slaves to build their Empire. Most of you were born in a peaceful atmosphere because of His Majesty's efforts to create peace in the world.
We are now able to call the land we live in blessed because of the peacefulness and beautiful resources that would appease our desires and gifts granted by the Dragon Father.
So listen, child of mine, we are now to live without being enslaved by the other races because of him, the one who just laughed in a friendly manner when I told him my story and simply suggested to me I move to the mountain filled with gems. Because of my past attempts of reaching out to His Majesty's sons, who rejected all my attempts at meeting them, I want you in the distant future in case His Majesty's descendants and the country turns into chaos, and lose their grace, to help them."
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Vek turned toward Elder Morkl, who raised his hand as if to stop him from reading, and later shifted his attention at Mathias's whose face was dead serious, seeming to contemplate the information he gained, he said to him.
"Concisely, what the Elder said is true."
"I understand, now you two quiet down, I have to think about it." remarked Mathias, staring at the two kobolds, and entered a deep state of silence.
Looking at Vek after five minutes, he asked him in a calm manner, a simple question.
"What do you think little Vek? Would you want to see your tribe entrusting their future to my hands just because of a dead person of the past? Be honest."
Vek when hearing that question addressing him, he shifted his gaze on the old kobold who didn't gesticulate anything, leaving him to say his opinion.
"... I don't care that much about the past and what the ancestor has done. I am not the leader to decide for the tribe, but if I was the leader, I would want to befriend the human who helped my tribe from the monster haunting us."
"Just befriend, correct?"
"Indeed, we still don't know who you are, what your intentions are. Also, you could be someone who might bring danger to my people, so I would rather just befriend you and have that type of interaction."
While Vek was speaking his mind, Mathias began chuckling, as if his assumption was correct, and it resulted into something akin to a self-shoulder pat, thus, when the young kobold ended speaking his mind, Mathias got the lead of the discussion and asked Elder Morlk.
"You've heard your Chosen One. Our relation from this day will be of acquaintances and be on friendly relations. Also I am not in any position to help you or support you, at least right now. I am just an adventurer with a spear in his hands and some magic gifts."
"Sigh, fine. If this is the decision of that great person's descendant, I will not bother you with this subject. However before you leave, I will gift you some things which from what I heard it will be useful to you. Now, if you excuse me, I still have to talk with Vek about his new transformation." informed the old kobold the human group, and starting with the girls, followed by Mathias's the party of three exited Elder's Morlk house, leaving only Vek inside.
The two old and young kobold looked at one another, with Vek turning out to be taller, it made Morlk laugh in a happily, accepting Vek's stance on the Ancestor's wishes.
"You did well little Vek. Better than I ever could do it. I've saw your valiant efforts and determination, the manner you protected your brothers and even how you runned out of control. You have a lot to learn from now on. How to utilize your new gifts in an manner that it wouldn't harm you and the ones close to you."
"Elder, can you tell me what happened, Lord Mathias only told me that I awakened my draconic bloodline." inquired Vek, feeling slightly awkward for not having the entire picture from what happened in the fight against Iljnoks.
"That young human helped you stabilize your bloodline powers using his own unique powers that are exactly like the ones used by that great person from the Ancestors description which he itself felt on himself. A red calming aura, that could destroy mana itself and also soothe the most worldly pains."
Touching his chest, the kobold was reminiscent about the moment he woke himself being surrounded by a gentle red veil, and with Morlk's explanation, he got most of the story.
Taking their time talking about what the Dragonwrought was, and what abilties each was blessed by their bloodline, Vek only heard from the Elder about what abilities their Ancestor, Gurgulmak, has managed to awaken, and slowly, with most words being said, Vek opened his snout as if he wanted to say something but stopped short.
"Elder, I want to go outside the mountain and explore the world. Would I be allowed to explore the world with Lord Mathias?" asked Vek at last, looking with hesitation at the old kobold, who turned sad, yet responding to the request thrown at him.
"If this is what you wish for, little Vek, I will allow you. I think it will be beneficial for you to see the world, and later return back with all the knowledge you managed to gather. In the end, I and the other old ones are still restricted to what we've read and heard from our predecessors but your generation is different.
You young ones want to explore around, even the mines began turning you down. However, you will have to take the ancestor memoir that contains the guidance for the dragonblood awakening. Study it well in your journey and don't get discouraged and upset when others will give you weird stares."
Vek, dropped on his knees and bowed to the Elder, thanking him for everything he has done for him, and all the patience he has showered him with even in the days he was checky.
"Come on little one, don't make me cry. Be good and listen to Mathias, and also go say your farewell to your friends." said the old kobold with emotion on his voice, trembling when speaking, and with a hug, Vek later exited the house.
.
.
On another hand, Mathias who was walking in the Groove area with the two girls, heard the huntress mention in an apologetic tone.
"I didn't intend to make it hard for you, I just thought you had to progress the quest you were facing with the kobold Elder."
"Have I said something about it? It is fine, I know or better said I understand why you did that. I can even thank you since things settled down nicely on my end and also the kobolds side."
"Still, why haven't you accepted the offer? If you would have gained the kobold tribe as your helping hand, you could have grown faster and become the strongest player in the game. Why are you restricting yourself?"
{Well said little doll. Why didn't you accept the offer of the kobolds? You've wasted all of that old kobold's effort in writing his wishes.}
Ignoring what Haycien was whining about, he responded to Vivian while strolling in this garden the kobolds managed to cultivate, followed by the girls.
"Hmm, you got an interesting point. Do I restrict myself and my options? Probably. But let me ask you Vivian, would the story of this world be the same for me if I would hoard around all the help, advantages that the general public doesn't have the chance? My way of passing by this world is different as you might have noticed. I don't care much about the levels given by quests, or levels in general, instead, I want to explore each of the people's stories. The deep story of the individuals, ahh and besides I am an amateur novelist so it helps me around hearing more stories."
Vivian was surprised by his response and began pondering on what he implied, she was discussing this information with Paula who also was taken aback by his response.
@Paula: I don't know what to say Vivi, either he has some vendetta, or he might be that smart to figure out something most don't. But I am more inclined to believe he has some vendetta.
Vivian: No, but now that I think about it you have seen how serious he took the contents of the quest. I can swear he was ready to kill both Anjo and MikeIron if they sabotaged even for a slightest the fight. He always had stamina spared for any possibility.
@Paula: It's too troublesome for me, I don't even want to be bothered. I am still not sold on the idea that NPC'S have a soul and their feelings are unique as some small circles of players speculate. Right, Vivi, what will we do with those two, you are the party leader after they died.
Vivian: Hmph, I don't care about those idiots.
[You have kicked from party, <Anjo>, <MikeIron>]
Vivian: Much better, we don't need those two, since we can always find out some tank player or warrior to fill the empty roles in the party.
@Paula: What about Mathias? It seems to me he can fill in any role, Tank, DPS, Support.
Vivian: Don't bother, it is hard to keep such a player in our party. If he was a professional LTS player, the money required to just have him in our party would empty our pockets. Just that boss fight would be about 5.000$ or more.
.
Nevertheless, Vivian still talked with Mathias, filling the time with one of the most basic questions on the internet.
"I never asked you Mathias, but where are you from? Because of the translation device we can't tell you if you are a native english speaker or foreigner."
"Ohh that, I guess the translation device is quite handy. I am from Romania."
Paula who picked her ear on what Vivian and Mathias talked and heard about his country of origin, started fantasizing about the tall castle from the vampire movies, the Bran Castle or some alteration of it.
"Is it true that Romania has Vampires?" asked Paula looking at Mathias face who gave her an expression as if she had some problems in the head, making her turn embarrassed.
*Chuckle* "It depends on which Vampire you are referring to. The old zombies who still don't want to kick the bucket and die lurking with corruption as their only source of satiety? Or the ones from the movies?"
"The ones from the movies."
"Haha, you have one in front of you." joked Mathias using his right hand to blow his untied crimson hair, and gaze her with his ruby eyes, and placing an attempt at a charming Vampire persona, while approaching Paula.
Paula, when seeing Mathias so close to her turned even more embarrassed, with her cheeks becoming red, and walking toward Vivian, staying next to her.
{Good one, son. That was some charming move even I would appreciate. Just look at that little doll, all beaming red. Where have you learned that? Ahh, also so you know Vampires are real. Beriache is one of them. I heard she is quite the beauty, but it is a shame I couldn't meet her, I would have taken her out for dinner.}
.
Still ignoring Haycien's comments, he did a small laugh, before telling Paula in a casual tone.
"It is always amusing to see the foreigners' reaction when they ask if vampires are real. Who knows, we still haven't found Vlad's remains, which means his legend would forever be carved in stone and he will continue haunting his enemies.]
"Wow, so even you don't know. What about the castle? I heard it is quite old."
"..."
'Should I tell her Bran Castle isn't really Vlad's castle? Tsk, I don't like lying.'
"His castle is indeed old, but it was destroyed by the Ottomans. The castle I am talking about is called Poenari Castle, which was his original castle, not Bran. To be honest, Bran in fact is the castle of the Teutons who had settled in the Brasov region in the 12th century at the Arpad Hungarian King's request after the Crusades which, let's say, ended quite unfortunate for all sides with the Fourth Crusade and Fifth Crusade."
After saying that, he did a forced cough, and told the girls in a sarcastic way.
"Ahem, yes I know I am not the party type guy."
The girls looked at Mathias with some amusement, finding him interesting, especially Paula who had some interest in the mysterious vampires, making her remark.
"Wow, there's another castle. I never heard about it. Also, how do you know all these things?"
"Just a hobby of mine. History."
As such, the group three talked around, until their stamina refiled, with only Mathias going up the Elders mound to see what else he required from him.
When Mathias stepped inside and walked toward the main room, he couldn't find the old kobold, but not long after, he heard the sound of something hitting the ground, along with the pain cry of some old person.
"Damned boxes, why have I placed them so high when I am so old?"
"Elder, are you alright?"
"Ohh, it is you young Mathias, so you are ready to leave Gravelmark? Come in and give me a hand, I am stuck between those pine boxes."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 36 - Departing the Gravelmark

---

Mathias, hearing the old kobold seeming to struggle, walked toward where the voice came from and saw the old man covered in the wooden boxes filled with gold pellets and gemstones. The sight was so shiny that Mathias couldn't believe what he was seeing.
'I saw that this part of the mountain is filled with jewels since I managed to get my hands on two gemstones, but to think I would see so much gold. This quantity makes it feel as if the old kobold hit the jackpot and robbed the bank or something.'
"Give me a hand and help me out." said Elder Morlk again, where Mathias recovered from his initial shock and started lighting the wooden boxes and clear out the gemstones covering the old kobold.
"Elder, don't tell me you intend to give me those gemstones and gold pellets?"
"Ohh this? If you want it you can take it, humans value this type of shiny stones more than us kobolds. However, what I wanted to give you is some crafts I did in my younger days, it should be in one of the wooden boxes."
"There's no need, Elder. I am good with only Dahlia's Tears."
"No, no, take it as me wanting to help my tribe by helping you out. You can help us buy weapons, armors, other things human use, and so improve the lives of the tribe. It would be hard for me to take out so much of the shiny stones and sell them to the humans." commented Elder Morlk after he grabbed into Mathias's hand and slowly raising up with his help.
"Sigh, it is for certain they will take advantage of you since you don't know how much they value for the humans. Still, I want to ask you, are you sure about this choice?"
"Yes, you are a good young man. I've seen it with my old eyes, you aren't greedy and are a humble human. Entrusting the shiny stones my tribe managed to get from the mountain and having you help us buy different things would be the smartest idea I have ever come up with." mentioned the old kobold as he dusted his tunic before moving toward a wooden box that didn't drop to the ground from the storage room.
Using some of the dropped boxes as platforms, the old kobold took hold of the elevated wooden box, and taking it in his arms, he later showed Mathias what he had inside.
"This is some of the works I did using the golden rocks who I melted with my fire magic, and later shaped using some sand soil model, before I polished them using the stream rocks. The other shiny stones are also unique holding mana of the mountain spirit, ahh, the ghost you have been mentioning."
{WHAT? Don't tell me that tree sucked me so dry that it started distributing the mana and red energy inside the mountain?}
'That… This could be a reason so many strong monsters lurk inside the mountain, from rocs to gryphons.'
{Rocs? Those annoying chickens have settled in my territory? Since then I thought I've cleared them out from Gravelmark.}
'Who should I ask, old man?'
{That bastard Zik. It is most likely his doing.}
'I doubt it old man, you know there is a natural instinct of animals or better said beasts to return to their place of origin. Like fish who move to the place they spawned to lay their eggs and so on. That isn't the doing of a person in general. Right, also, who is that Zik you mentioned?'
{Some beggar.}
Mathias who heard Haycien's short and cold comment felt that this subject was slightly delicate, and he didn't pursue to find out. With time he would find everything from the old man. He could even note in his mind that the old man wasn't a danger to himself as he initially thought, being a demon who wanted to possess him, since he had his talks with him while he was strolling inside the Groove area, where Haycien told him who he was once again.
The way someone would understand information when they were calmed down was completely different from a stressed self, and his talks with Haycien returned to a normal state.
'Anyway, old man, a quick question. How many enemies did you leave with unfinished business before you had to pass the fire?'
{Lad, why are you so worried that someone would come to hunt you down? I doubt people from my era are even alive, except for the demons, that beggar bastard, and the boy who managed to strike an almost dead Cadmus, and end his poor life. Hmph, he became a "Dragon Slayer" but he didn't even fight that dragon head-on to claim that title.}
'You sound jealous old man' chuckled Mathias with his inner voice, while on outside he was focusing on looking around the jewels and talking with Elder Morlk
{Buzz off lad. I am the first Mythical figure of the Human race, the First Emperor of the Humans. I, Haycien von Saharan, I could fight head-on against dragonkin, that title of Dragon Slayer should have been handed to me but I heard about Cadmus health state too late and that lucky kid stole the kill.} replied Haycien inside his brain, sounding slightly displeased by those memories of the past.
'Aye! Old man was the strongest, the first Emperor.'
Besides the talk he had with Haycien, Mathias was interested in the earring the Elder presented him in the Beta Phase for Fayrene, it was a pair of earrings that were of an Epic rating which boosted the Mana of the user and also who gave a calming effect when casting spells, which from how he connected the puzzle it was most likely caused by the Red Energy belonging to the old ghost.
"You want that earring? That pair is the best work I've done, along with another bracelet. Here, let me show it to you."
Saying that the old kobold who saw Mathias handle the pair of earrings, he started digging in the box full of jewels for the specific bracelet he had in mind, and soon he fished it out, showing a slim golden bracelet that had small gems around in a circular pattern, giving the impression it was a pristine crafted item, which in itself was for Mathias.
"This is really impressive Elder Morlk. I've heard kobolds have an innate affinity for mining and making tunnels, but to have an affinity for crafting is new for me. I thought dwarfs had that type of gift."
"My methods are lacking because I lack the materials required to build such delicate items. But, we kobolds also have the gift of crafting from the Dragon Creators. Just that, as I said, our techniques are lacking."
"I see, when I return to the village with the goods I will buy using the gemstones, there will be also methods of crafting jewels. Wouldn't it be a shame if you kobolds with this innate gift of searching for gemstones can't materialize completely by crafting something to your liking?"
"Correct, I will leave it to you, young Mathias. You can take all the jewels I have made and return with something that can change the tribe."
Mathias shook his head, only taking the earrings, and bracelet along with the gemstones and gold pellets which he didn't even bother to estimate how much they valued in gold. Afterward, when the old kobold noticed that Mathias didn't take everything, he looked confused, but he got reminded by something critical.
"Elder, you also need to reward the future adventurers who will knock at your door. You need to make a good impression on them so they don't pick on you. Still, I will try to make some plans so they don't target you, even the craziest ones."
"Right, I almost forgot about them. That's how we will do it, young Mathias. Ahem, also I have something else to tell you."
"Hmm?"
"That, little child, Vek, he plans to adventure in the world, and will for certain ask you to allow him to join you in your journey to the human kingdom."
Hearing this, it made Mathias nod his head calmly which made the old kobold feel relieved, especially when hearing the latter mention.
"I think it will be a good idea for him to explore the outside. He can do it first by accompanying me, and if he later wants to go by his own, I will be there to give him support to the best of my abilities. Even introduce him to the Adventurer's Guild, since there might be some divergences from the way he looks."
"Thank you. I will leave that child in your care and teachings. I am sure he will learn a lot from you and from these adventures. My hope for him is that he will exceed the Ancestor and become the greatest Kobold Chieftain, even uniting the scattered brothers from the world." said Elder Morkl, wanting to bow at Mathias, but was stopped short by his hand, raising his head to see him shake his head in a peaceful way.
"No need for such curtsy between us Elder. It will be my pleasure to look after him, so be at ease."
.
.
Talking for a bit more with the kobold elder, who reminded him of certain things about the dragonblood powers that Vek awakened, and ways for him to control those, but they were vague because Vek awakened fully, while the old kobold had a partial awakening, and certain information he knew couldn't apply in his case.
"It shouldn't be bad if he learns the ancestor memoir and diligently trains himself to control that power."
Once things were said, Mathias bid farewell to the old kobold, and exiting the house walking down the mound, he saw Vek along with Vivian and Paula where the young kobold was talking about something he couldn't pick up. However, when he stepped down, Vivian said something with a small chuckle.
"Here he is, go on, tell him what you want to do."
Vek turned his head, and saw Mathias arrive close by, and looking up, he took some seconds before opening his mouth, while the latter seemed to be interested in what he had to say.
"Mathias, can I join you in your journey to the human city?"
"I don't mind it, you are more than welcome to join me."
Getting his approval made Vek jump in the air, which made the girls giggle, feeling a weird sensation when seeing the ecstatic kobold who was display emotions they could relate to.
"Easy, little Vek or you will start flying around here and hit your face into some cavern."
"Ahh, sorry."
"Don't be, take it easy. The journey will take three days to reach Titan, so you better be prepared."
Vek showed Mathias a small fabric bag that was tied around his waist, strapped on the protective trousers that he was wearing, and without asking him anything else, he started walking toward the exit of the tribe settlement.
"You've bid your farewell to your friends, right?"
"I did."
It was a back and forth between the human and kobold walking side by side, which made Mathias who was taller seem like his father, making the girls gossip, getting their natural instinct of women to talk behind the back of others.
@Paula: Isn't it amusing how well those two have bounded together?
Vivian: I mean, to me it feels as if Mathias got a pet, but I will obviously not be open about this. Still, that kobold is quite intriguing. You've heard from the old kobold that only the first kobold to settle in this place was a Dragonwhatever.
@Paula: Indeed, his name also turned golden from the silver he had in the fight. Since that fight was so tense, I didn't notice but thanks to the recording I managed to pick it up.
Vivian: Paula, you've recorded the entire fight?
@Paula: Since the instance began, I've been recording the fights so I could use it as teaching material if I would do something wrong
Vivian: Share it with me too when we log out.
@Paula: Sure thing, Vivi.
.
.
Meanwhile, Vek was asking Mathias all short of questions, about the outside which was reminiscent to the moment Orpheus was asking him lots of questions, but this time he was patient since his overall achievements for this part of his journey were great.
"Easy, don't ask me so many questions all at once. There are also things I don't know and I will have to adventure outside to experience for myself those unknowns."
"Ahh, was it too much?"
"A bit, but if you place one question at a time, I will try to answer."
The party made their way toward another tunnel which led to where Iljnoks made its den, at the biggest gallery, serving as entrance to the Gravelmark Kobold Tribe. Taking this path was even faster compared to the narrow and extensive tunnels he had taken.
The wall itself seemed to be a stuffed, without an exit creating confusion between the two girls, who gazed at Vek who took them on this new path with slightly questioning in their expression, but Mathias who noticed this brushed it off, telling them calmly.
"Be patient. There is most likely a mechanism which will open the exit to the settlement."
"That's correct, Mathias. My apologies to the human ladies if they got scared." remarked Vek, who apologized at the girls, before rushing toward the cavern wall, later starting to touch the loose rocks as if he was solving a complicated puzzle.
'Wow, I have never seen such a thing, only read about it in fantasy books.' thought Vivian when seeing Vek rapidly move the rocks which formed a puzzle mechanism, such could be said for Paula who was an adept of the fantasy novels.
With a cracking sound, what followed next was a small entrance being revealed in the wall with the outside being in front them.
Exiting the tunnel and entering the monster's den place, Mathias could see the skeletons he remembered from the Beta Phase which made him place his on Vek's head, patting it for some seconds before stepping forward, but the moment he and the party walked toward the center of the den after closing the tunnel, voices began getting stronger.
"Slow down, I heard some movement in that room, it should be the boss room. Start preparing for the raid since those rats and spiders were quite a pain to deal with."
"Understood, guild leader. We are good to start the raid."
More voices were heard whispering around and discussing the "boss-fight" but once they stepped inside Iljnoks lair, they were met by Mathias's, Vek, Vivian and Paula walking forward in a calm manner, getting closer and closer to the party.
The player who seemed to be the leader of the group wanting to raid Iljnoks, was someone called Mando who was a level 28 user, belonging to a guild called [Corrupt Dust], the players next to him were also high level, there being other 4 players whose level ranged from 24 to 26.
"Stop right there for a second." said the guy Mando, a man in his mid-twenties with a trimmed beard, with a tall body, standing at 1,88 meters having olive skin tone, with black hair and brown eyes, making him feel closely related to the Mediterranean Climate-zone people.
He was welding a Glaive in his hands which surprised Mathias a bit, while his body was covered in normal knights plate armor.
"Hmm?"
When Mathias stopped Vek also followed his lead, along with the girls who gazed at the party of 5, seeming to wait for Mando's inquire.
"You guys have cleared the instance right? The destroyed tunnel at the half the instance is also your doings?"
"Something like that. It seems our party was first to arrive at the instance and clear the bosses. There should be a problem right?" asked Mathias using a polite tone while looking at Mando with his crimson eyes, making the latter feel weird since it was his first time encountering a man with crimson hair and eyes that only by using lenses you could achieve.
'This dude kind of looks effeminate, maybe that's why he dyed his hair that color and even grew it out. Hah, should I force them to give me a chunk of the loot from the bosses? Wait, I can't see the nameplate of the effeminate one because of his hat, but those two chicks, are level 29 respectively 30'
Mando opened the level ranking ledger and instantly could see both girls on the top 10, with Vivian being top 2, giving him a shock of his own, returning his gaze at Mathias who was hiding his name with the hat.
'From how those babes are positioned behind him, he should be the leader of the party, could it be, this guy is Kraugel? Now I understand why his level would get higher so quickly he is raiding bosses with his team. Phew, good to know, otherwise I would have messed up and get myself killed. My character is still not prepared for PvP, I need to complete all the steps of getting my class skills from the Guard Captain.'
Mando after quickly sorting out his thoughts, and even turning his attention for a brief moment on Vek who was a Level 40 NPC who wasn't marked as a monster even though it had the appearance of one.
'Maybe this is how he levels up, using that high-level NPC. Anyway, let's get out from here and climb the mountain if there's nothing more to do in this instance.'
"Thanks for the response, you've helped me a lot with not wasting my time on an already cleared instance. Let's go guys, we still have lots of monsters around this mountain to clean." said Mando to his party, who noticed that his look was serious, implying to not create a mess with this team.
.
In the end Mando and his guild were first to leave, hurrying to the instance exit, leaving Mathias and his party alone, to continue their walk slowly but surely out of the instance.
Vivian: It looked to me that those guys were about to challenge us for the spoils.
@Paula: That's also what I thought, but is good that Mathias managed to short things without fighting out.
Mathias: It's not because of me, his expression changed the moment he looked at you two girls. It wasn't your looks that dissuaded him, but instead your levels. Have you noticed at what rank you two are?
Talking it privately so their "extravagant" talk wouldn't be picked by Vek and later create all sort of confusions for the little kobold, the girls opened the ranking ledger out of curiosity, and were dismayed.
.
[RANKING LEDGER]
Kraugel - Lv. 31
Vivian - Lv. 30
Red - Lv. 29
Paula - Lv. 29
Hurent - Lv. 28
Fang - Lv. 28
Mando - Lv. 28
Chris - Lv. 27
Mihara - Lv. 27
Yura - Lv. 27
.
.
@Paula: Wow, we are in the top 10. This is crazy. I never imagined I could see this day, I am spot on with those crazy people. Heh, I am about to overtake that Red guy from your guild Mathias.
Mathias: Good luck with that, but you will have to work hard to beat that maniac who only sleeps 4 hours a day. Otherwise, how do you think he is constantly in the top 10?
Hearings, his question in the chat, it made Paula take smaller steps outside the instance, and not long after she asked Mathias.
@Paula: What class does Red have?
Mathias: No idea, let me ask him.
Turning to his friend list, he whispered to Red the basic question Paula wanted to know, to which the latter responded in style.
Red: Boss, don't tell me I've gotten myself a fan? Tell me it is a young lady?
Mathias: Yes, you are in luck, now tell me what class do you got.
Red: Have the young lady message me. Let me bask in that feeling of being approached by a girl.
.
Ending for a moment his talk with Red, he later shifted chats, and told Paula using the party chat.
Mathias: He told me that if you are curious about him, why not ask him directly.
It took quite a while for Paula to gesticulate something, but Vivian could tell from her reactions that she was thinking hard on what she should do.
'What a simple girl. Still, let me pull this mysterious guy's tongue a bit more, maybe I fish more information from him.'
Vivian: Mathias, why aren't you disclosing your level for the ledger?
Mathias: You should open the option of receiving whispers from users you don't have at the friend list.
Getting his response, it got Vivian curious and without thinking too much on her action, she opened the setting, and instantly her chat box was filled with messages, from the most creepy ones to the sexual harassment ones, so and forth, but there were also genuine congratulations. Evidently, they were little because the disgusting messages were predominant.
Vivian: Why did you tell me to do that?
Mathias: This is just a part of being a known person. With fame comes also the jealousy of individuals who want to achieve more from themselves or those who don't know where to channel their hatred and anger to, so instead, they go after public figures. Technically, anyone who allowed the system to register their levels on that system has turned into a public figure.
Vivian: I understand, so this is the main reason you decline the world announcements for the boss fights. But there should also be benefits for the ones who disclosed their levels.
Mathias: Who knows. I am not in the position to want more than I have. Comparing me now to the one from the Beta, there's differences from the ground to the sky.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 37 - A New Party in the Making

---

While Mathias was talking with Vivian and was exiting the cavern, Paula took it on herself to whisper Red, who was lazing around in the grand square of Dewars City along with his two new buddies, Evan and Lane. They were recuperating from a successful hunt they did not too long ago, now waiting for their stamina to recover and figuring out how to split the loot they gained from their adventure.
Red was a tall mid-twenties guy with short hair styled quite decently. His black eyes were also sharp, making his overall appearance that of a charismatic adventurer. His gear was composed of leather armor from toes to bottom, while the weapon that was strapped on his waist was a slim longsword.
"Man, it is so annoying having to wait for the stamina to recover. Hey, Red, are you listening? What are you daydreaming about?" asked another guy, with a curious expression on his face.
This was Evan, who stood next to Red on the fountain brick foundation, was a young man in his early twenties, with shoulder-length brown hair that was styled loose and disheveled with some side hair being tied low behind his neck. He had a weird weapon in his hand that looked like an old type gun which he was spinning on his fingers while looking at the people passing by. The armor he was wearing was closely similar to what Red had.
"Just leave him be, he is probably flustered by the fact the guild leader keeps on overpassing him while he tries so hard to reach Top 1." commented another young man, similar age with the other two, while he was polishing his sword with a river stone.
"The Uncrowned Champion? He probably has challenged an S graded dungeon or something otherwise, I can't explain how he jumped 8 levels from where he was stagnating with his crazy journey in the mountains." remarked Evan, telling Lane someone who had light brown skin with dark hair and eyes, wearing armor similar to the other, having himself some troubles with Mathias's level jumps.
"I mean, it is weird that he doesn't level constantly and doesn't even release his name for the ranking ledger. Still, it should be none of our business what he does with his freedoms."
"Red, what are you doing man?" continued Lane asking the one standing at the center, seeming to be pondering on something.
In the meantime, the two were asking him about him, Red was having a good time in the private chat, talking with a certain someone, called Paula.
Red: You are with Mathias right now? Can you tell me how strong he has gotten since I last saw him?
@Paula: He managed to fight those strong bosses on his own without being pressured. Those were bosses with levels of 45. But you didn't respond to my question, what class do you have that you level up so fast?
Red: Hmmm, what should I do? What if you are an enemy who wants to use my weakness to beat me in a PvP?
@Paula: Then, no need. I will find it on my own with time.
Red: Hey, hey, I was kidding. Don't turn off the chat since I am bothered waiting for my Stamina to recover. How could I turn off my only fan?
@Paula: I am not your fan. I was just curious since you were constantly in the top 5.
Red: That's hard work, like how athletes want to say it, 1% talent, 99% hard work. I am just a swordsman. That's my class, Swordsman.
@Paula: I see, I thought you had something rarer, but if I am not wrong, [Swordsman] should be a standard class, right?
Red: Unfortunately for me, yes.
.
Red filled his time talking with Paula in such a way, which made him ignore the two guys beside him who stopped bothering themselves with Red. Instead, they started watching the people in the street and talking with one another.
"Evan, should we really move to Titan?"
"I mean, I bet if we go to Titan, it will be easier to get quests and start leveling at a high rate. We will also be able to meet the guild leader. What's more, I want to duel him, I am curious to see if this class I gained after stumbling on that old pistol is going to beat the guild leader."
"Hah, lucky bastard. [Gunslinger] is an Epic class. You can smoke him and blast his brains out with only some rounds." remarked Lane, seeing a fight between Evan and Mathias as an easy win for the Gunslinger, who gained a powerful Epic class.
"No man, you are wrong, I am limited by my ammo. This is the biggest weakness of my class, I need ammo! Otherwise, I am a sitting duck who can't do shit in a fight. All my mobility and power will be nonexistent if my ammo isn't there." responded Evan in an exasperated tone, feeling annoyed by the unnecessary comments of his teammate.
"Can't you build them yourself?" asked Lane, not seeing any weakness in Evan's [Gunslinger] Class.
"I can't since I am not an Alchemist to have the gunpowder formula. Or either a blacksmith to make my bullets shell. However, thank God my class gives me 50 bullets each day. Otherwise, I would be left without a way to play the game."
"Not so much. You still have to try to make those bullets on your way."
"Don't think I will not, is just that, I don't have the resources to hire alchemists to make the gunpowder and a blacksmith to work on creating bullet shells for me. It would be easy just researching outside how bullets are made, and I can guide them."
As they talked around with each other, with Red being mostly nonresponding, a group of 6 players started walking toward them in a menacing manner, filled with aggression which made Evan and Lane turn their attention to them.
"Aren't those the idiots we fucked in the Blackpine Forest?"
"Get ready. They probably got petty and want revenge for what we did to them one week ago." commented Evan who stopped from fiddling with his revolver while, Lane also stopped his polishing movement, getting himself ready for the confrontation.
The one who walked toward the group of three, was a user called [Fuseblade] a level 26 user, while the group he brought were 23-25, it was unknown to the two from what region this person was, so they didn't bother, one fact was understood, he wasn't a Chinese or Asian in general.
"I finally found you bunch of cheating dogs. Do you think you will escape with what you've done to me and my boys in the hunting ground? I've given my word that I will destroy you three, and this sweet moment finally arrived."
Evan, who remained sitting on the fountain support, seemed to be interested in what Fuseblade had to say, so he didn't act or comment back.
The guards of Dewars city turned their eyes on the group of players who seemed to be about to fight it off in the city, an act they banned since things escalated a lot between the guild PVPs. With more and more joining in the Chaotic escalations.
Yet, as that chaos was slowly brewing, Red was having a nice conversation with Paula, even asking her if she wanted to team up in the future.
Red: Paula, why don't you bring your friend along and team up with me, we will make the perfect combo, along with my other two friends, who by no means are slackers. You bring the most needed support to any team since it is rare nowadays to see someone focusing on a support class since everyone wants to be a "Hero".
@Paula: I will think about it, but right now, I am still teamed with Mathias, and we are going to Titan while you are in Dewars. Slight complications right there.
Red: Don't worry, I will take care of it, and come to Titan too, and afterward, can we play together?
@Paula: … Maybe.
Fuseblade seeing Red not switching any gesture after his group was approaching Red and the other two, shouted to the young man relaxing, chatting with a girl, he tried to pick up.
"Has that dog turned braindead to not respond to me?"
.
Red: I have some problems I have to resolve. Someone came to get taught again how to speak. Are you up for some chatting afterward? After one hour, maybe?
@Paula: No problem, I've added you to my friend list.
[User 'Paula' has sent you a friend request. Will you accept it?]
'NICE! Morpheus, are you even asking? From that sweet and gentle voice, she must be a cute babe. Ahh, can't wait to meet her face to face.'
[You have accepted the request.]
Red: My pleasure. Now bye, take care of yourself in the meantime.
@Paula: Take care.
.
Evan and Lane glanced at Fuseblade and later at Red who still had a smile on his face from his talk with Paula before his attention was shattered from the talk with his possible future partner. Frowning, he turned his attention on Fuseblade, the guild leader of [Blackdawn], and to dismiss his slight anger, he asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Ohh, you've come for another lesson? So you know the Duke banned all flights between players inside the city. I am curious what will you do now? Fight us?"
"Hmph, I know about that you fucker, instead I am here to challenge your shitty guild for a Guild War. I am placing on the fight 10.000 Guild Reputation Points. Are you going to accept it, you bastard?"
"Only this much? What else?" inquired Red, with a wicked smile on his face, making Evan and Lane also smile cheekily at the group of 6 players.
"Bastard! Fight me already!"
"Nah, I don't feel like fighting anyone. But if you bring to the table more rewards to entice us, I will consider."
"Fine, plus 300 Gold coins." said Fuseblade, gritting his teeth.
Red, before agreeing with the challenge, waved his hand at one of the city guards, who saw the outlander call for him, so out of duty, he went to check on them.
"Sir Guard, we want to stage a fight on the square, under your supervision. Are we allowed?"
"Is that an Adventurer Guild War?" asked the guard, trying to figure out what Red meant by staging a fight.
"Ahhh, yes, yes, that's the type of fight we will do." replied quickly Red, before the guard nodded his head, turning toward Fuseblade asking him for the items he is willing to place for the challenge.
He only took the money bag, because the reputation will be transferred to the opposite party if they win.
"All is good with me. 5% will be taken as me overwatching this fight."
Fuseblade gritted his teeth, but didn't comment on what antics the NPC had in his store, sending the challenge to Red.
[Guild leader of <Blackdawn> is challenging your guild to a war. You hold a leadership role in <Leviathan> guild and can decide if you would accept the challenge]
"3vs6?" asked Red with a broad smile stretching his body slightly.
"Obviously. Why? Didn't you say numerical advantage means nothing to you?"
"Indeed, it means nothing, especially when fighting against noobs." replied Red, who sent a message to Mathias.
Red: Boss, you will gain some notifications, don't get confused. I am starting a Guild War with some scrubs.
Mathias: Don't die.
Hearing Mathias's response made Red chuckle before sending a message to Evan and Lane, giving them the instructions and later accepting the challenge, starting a countdown of 5 seconds before the fight would commence.
"Hahaha, guild leader, those bastards accepted the challenge. They are dead meat, don't worry." said one of the guys behind Fuseblade, who drew his sword, readying for the fight.
On the other hand, Red opened his status window for a brief moment to ensure his secret power was activated before focusing on the actual fight.
.
[Status Window]
Name: Red / Class: Swordsman
Level: 29 / Title: Knight Slayer / Mark of the Wild / Taste for Blood
Health: 3075/3075 / Mana: 550/550
.
Strength: 250 -> 375 (GOLDEN RATIO) / Stamina: 150
Agility: 250 -> 375 (GOLDEN RATIO) / Intelligence: 120
** Stats with the golden ratio will be increased by 1.5 times
.
'My little secret, I will make sure this golden ratio will not escape my lips. Hmm, maybe I will tell Mathias since he seems like a chill dude who wants to help us with what he can. I should train my sword skills a bit with those guys before I move out from this place, too many eyes will make this troublesome.'

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 38 - Leviathan vs Blackdawn

---

With the countdown over, the 9 players spurred into action, attracting the attention of the citizens of the Duchy along with the players who stopped in place immediately gathering around when seeing that a Guild War was commenced.
"Guys, who are the ones fighting?" asked a low-level player the group of players who gathered for the spectacle.
"The Leviathans are fighting against Blackdawn's again. Red will butcher those idiots again." commented a girl in the crowd, seeming to know about Red and the other players from Leviathan Guild.
"So that is Red. The high ranker, who has been in the top 3 since the game started. He should be the guild leader, right?" inquired the same low-level player, curious to find more about Red and the others.
"No idea, but he should be since his level is the highest. I can't imagine who could beat the top 3. Kraugel and the new top 2 Vivian don't have any guild disclosed under their name, so they shouldn't be the leaders."
"If I am to bet on who the guild leader is. It should be another Beta Phase Player like Cain or Lucas." remarked another player watching on the starting fight.
.
The players fighting in the Guild War had no clue what the players were talking about and instead focused on the fight at hand, with Lane taking over the role of Vanguard charging at Blackdawn's people without a worry in the world, making Fuseblade smirk and order his players to act fast and eliminate Lane.
"[Earthblade Release]"
Lane released a crowd control skill waving a sword slash that sent out a blast of dirt in the faces of the enemy, making them stop for 2 seconds, enraging them more than their initial defeat was.
"Hmph, I got you, bastard. There's no way for you to escape this."
Lane switched to a guard stance, seeming to expect the attacks of the Blackdawn's players, but what followed suit was a strong gust of wind being blown close by with the appearance of another person who slashed his longsword in a diamond pattern cut.
"[Lone Rider's Flash]"
Fuseblade, who was about to deliver his sword skill on Lane, suddenly stopped because of the paralyzing effect Red skill had. Even his guild members were paralyzed by this AoE attack, where they could see Red gaze at them with his cold black eyes.
"This skill I gained after I cleared the boss of the hunting ground you've been hoarding. It is an Epic sword skill called Lone Rider's Flash with a 3-second paralysis. Ahh, two seconds have already passed."
"I got you covered."
"[Spiral Flame]"
The sound of a gun being sent alive, shouting with thunderous roars, with the smell of gunpowder in the air, and with the temperature rising, followed by the cry of pain from one player next to Fuseblade.
Lane also jumped in action and took advantage of the brief seconds of paralysis, striking with a sword skill that moved with a large swing downwards, called [Juggernaut], taking away 35% of the HP of the player he targeted.
Red started fighting using basic attacks, putting pressure on the players while Evans started looking for the perfect shots using his revolver while Lane fought side by side.
The fight in about 5 minutes that they were fighting made the plaza quite busy with players and the inhabitants of the city there was even a middle-aged man watching from a close distance drinking from a jug some alcohol. His body was reeking of alcohol, but the manner he was staring at the players' fight was of some interest.
"Your Grace, should I stop this fight before the commotion gets bigger?" asked someone who came closer to the middle-aged man, drinking from his jug.
"*Hich* Let them be. They paid the guard the fee that would allow them to fight. Things seem controlled enough that they didn't damage anything in the square." responded the middle-aged man, watching the spectacle.
Red, after those 5 minutes, suffered from some hits even though his agility was the peak of all players, failing to dodge or parry the instant skills thrown by the players in his direction.
From the 3vs6, the fight became a fair one with the Blackdawn's contracting in number, making Fuseblade even more flustered for not killing Lane, who seemed the weakest of the bunch.
As for Lane, he was relatively low HP, being at 35%, while Evan's faired better than Red or Lane standing behind them and using his firepower to strike the enemy down, him being the one killing the three members of Blackdawn.
Red started pushing on to end the fight since his buffs were soon to wane off, which was an outcome he didn't want, and instead of focusing on Fuseblade, he and Evan began concentrating their attacks on the other weaker guys beside Fuseblade.
Seeing their plan, Fuseblade give the order to his remaining guild members to focus their attacks on Lane, at least having a chance of pulling a win in a 2vs2.
"Guys, they are about to send me to hell."
"Use your defensive cooldowns already." told Evans, who got in melee range, standing close by preparing his 6 round of shots.
"Fuck, but afterwards, I can't use my attacking skills." retorted Lane, who started entering a heavy stance, raising his sword in a middle guard.
"Idiot, you will get yourself killed otherwise. Stop looking for kill-steals in Guild Wars."
"Fine! IRON GATE!"
Around Lane, with the use of his sword, a barrier was formed, which started protecting him from the Blackdawn's attacks, each hit dealing 3-4% damage, making the latter shout at Red and Evan for hurrying and end the others.
Red just smirked at the panicked comments of his teammate, and using his high agility, he arrived at the back of a Blackdawn player where he unleashed a sword combo skill, slashing all over his body.
'[Antumm Winds]'
Next, he dashed away, evading the counterattack, and with the space he gained between himself and his target, he raised his slim longsword in the air before placing his sword close to his body and later shifted the sword stance in seconds, now focusing on the target.
'[Phantom Executioner]'
The moment he activated his skill, he charged at the Blackdawn user in an instant piercing his heart, leaving him to disintegrate into grey light fragments.
"Red! Hurry, I can't get this bastard off me!"
However, it wasn't Red who got Lane's back, that being Evan who reloaded his firearm, starting to shoot at fast succession at Fuseblade and his guild member, stopping them from ending Lane, who was at 6% HP, and as he used his skill to fire off those 6 bullets, Red also jumped in action, killing off the weaker member of Blackdawns, leaving out only Fuseblade.
"Isn't this a Deja-Vu?" commented Red, who looked at Fuseblade where along with this entire fight, his HP gauge reached the range of 35%-40% HP
"You won because you have the advantage of levels, and the class you have seems strong early game. I will return when everything has been settled down for my revenge."
"Come on, man, there's no need to be so petty. In the end, this is a game. Why would you want that revenge so much? I am available for PvP challenges 1vs1 if you feel like testing yourself and want to test yourself. Nevertheless, since the last time we fought, you improved a little bit."
Fuseblade gave Red a weird glance, having a hard time comprehending the double meaning of Red words, if there were any. Then when he heard Red continue talking as he walked toward him, it felt as if his initial thought was correct.
"Hah, but those challenges will require you some money in advance. I am not giving free lessons to so many people who might even have recorded me."
"You cheap guy, you just want to extort me but don't know how to ask." said Fuseblade, who gripped his sword and later charging at Red, not caring about Evan or Lane.
"Haha, maybe." laughed Red, who also charged toward Fuseblade, clashing his longsword with his two-handed sword.
"Here, a piece of advice, if you have chosen to go for the two-handed sword as a Swordsman or Warrior, start training on how to use heavy attacks. That's the advantage of that sword." said Red while in close range to Fuseblade before separating.
"I know what I am doing."
"You can take my words either way you like. I just pointed out a mistake I've seen. Your sword skills fit the katana type better for drawing attacks. The weapon doesn't always make the user instead, it can even limit you. You could pick a katana type sword and check it out for a difference, but this is after the PvP is over."
Fuseblade took a health potion barely in time before he had to dodge Red's fast sword attack, which made him ponder on what was said.
'Maybe he is right. The type of sword also is important for the skills I have. I hate to admit it, but his skill and sword type fits rather well, with him having higher agility than mine for certain. I'll have to check it out after I respawn.'
The fight didn't take long since Red had the speed advantage and was able to pick on Fuseblade open spots like a surgeon, with his attacks being precise and coldblooded, making the guild leader of Blackdawn suffer.
Still, he didn't allow himself to die so quickly, hitting Red with two instant sword skills that couldn't be dodged by the swift swordsman that looked to move along with the wind.
.
As the fight was reaching its end, the middle-aged man wearing casual clothes, and constantly drinking alcohol with a person also wearing casual clothes to blend with the crowd, remarked when seeing Red swift movements and sword attacks.
"That young outlander is really talented with the sword. He should be going for the path of a Wind Blademaster or maybe the Sword Saint?"
"Hmph, there can only be a Sword Saint, and those outsiders will never reach that level, unlike that betrayer, Piaro. Why even remember me about that thing, you fool?"
"Sorry, Your Grace. It wasn't my intent" apologized the man to the middle-aged man whose name was covered by a hat.
"Anyway, let's move on. I still have some activities to be done before my schedule is empty."
"Your Grace, don't you want to congratulate that young man? He could become a great asset for the House. From my sources, the other noble Houses started acquiring the outlanders under their services and guide them to grow faster than the rest of outlanders, using their abilities to the fullest."
"I would be an idiot to give wings to tigers. Those outlanders don't have a sense of belonging to our lands. They are here just to waste their time, kill monsters, look around places, fight against one another, and be a nuisance for me. Understood? There could even be some of them who are ambitious enough that are looking forward to becoming Dukes, Kings or even Emperor."
"Hah, don't be kidding, Your Grace, there's no person alive who can take down His Majesty Juander."
"Who knows what the future might hold for us, Myles. The Princes also began growing with each year, and their desire for the Throne would make them enter a conflict, regardless of what they want to tell the public about their ambition. The Dukes are fully aware how irresistible the Crimson Throne is for the mortals, me included."
"Sigh, Your Grace, sometimes I wonder if you are drunk or sober." said the middle-aged man who looked like a scholar, walking after the drunk person who started hiccupping and later say.
*Hic* "That I don't know" *Hic*
Not long after they left, the crowd started cheering and applauding for the show. Red, Evan, Lane, and the Blackdawn's lead by Fuseblade managed to deliver, making the only three standing alive take a deep breath and return back to the fountain, climbing it up watching the crowd surrounding them.
"Man, shouldn't we get the heck away from here? Look at those guys burning with desire in their eyes." asked Lane, who was breathing somewhat forced, faring the worst in the group.
"My bullets! I've wasted all of my ammo for today!"
"Sigh, poor guy, at least we made 300 gold and also give some EXP and reputation for the Guild along with lots of advertisements for the future. Now, quiet, let me address the public." said Red, who got up standing on the fountain, making the Guards around feel slightly weird by the outlander who was using their central square as some resting place.
The players and even the citizens seemed interested in what Red had to say, and got quiet, expecting something.
"Thanks for being quick to find what I wanted to do. I hope you enjoyed the display my friends and I put for you, and with this occasion, I am sure someone still records this. I want to make a public challenge to anyone or any guild who wants to challenge me, Red and my guild, Leviathan. Just send me an email in the game, and we will sort out a location."
"RED! What about your leveling? If you would do that, how would you keep on being the highest-ranked person?" asked someone from the crowd, curious.
"Haha, obviously, I will take on the challenges according to my feelings. If I am tired of killing monsters, I might settle down for a while and take on the challenges. So spread my words. Don't disappoint me since I will check on the forums."
Both Evan and Lane stared at each other and could only lament in the private conversation.
Evan: My ammo! That crazy fucker want's me to kill myself or what?"
Lane: Bro, you got your hands on an Epic class why bitch about it? I am using a Rare one.
.
"Let's log out and log in when the rest of the stamina has recovered." said Red to the group, being the first to log out, creating a bigger reaction from the public.
"Motherf … That crazy bastard."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 39 - The Challenging Leviathan

---

The results of the Guild War between Leviathan and Blackdawn instantly created a sensation on the forums and even specialized news outlets who reported and aired the recordings some players took, selling it later to the TV stations and outlets.
The name Leviathan, as simple as it was, with multiple meanings began introducing itself in the minds of the public thanks to Red, Evan, and Lane's performance, which mesmerized the wide public. Even the Blackdawn managed to make a good impression with the resilience and relentless attitude against the Leviathans, along with showing some sportsmanship in how the guild leader of the Blackdawns proceeded to die, in, dignity.
At first Mathias didn't think much about what Red told him, and only wished him good luck in his sarcastic way, but then after 7 minutes, while he was on his way toward Titan, inside Empar Forest, he spotted in place while his surroundings were full of tall trees, a notification welcomed his sight, confusing him on what happened.
[Your guild has received 20.000 EXP and 10.000 Guild Reputation Points.]
'What's this EXP and Reputation? Was this part of what Red fought for that Guild War?'
'Don't tell me he did something crazy again and messed with the guild by placing money on some gambling?' thought Mathias, starting to place the puzzle pieces in his mind, before he opened the guild interface, where he saw its EXP and reputation rise up, getting closer to leveling up.
*********************
[Guild Name: Leviathan]
Level: 1 (25.175/100.000)
Reputation: 28.425
Master: Mathias
Number of Members: 9/30
Affiliation: None
Alliances: None
Hostile Relationships: None
Inclination: Neutral
Territory: None
*********************
'Indeed, it has grown. Interesting way of getting EXP and reputation points to raise the level of the guild, but then again, I have no clue what benefits I would gain if I steer the guild in an alerted way of raising the reputation.'
'Guild Wars, hah? Who could have thought doing a fun activity would get you such rewards. This could be a way to raise the reputation and experience of the guild itself by taking on such Guild Wars with different people. Ahh, this sounds so degenerate, fighting All-In with all the reputation points and EXP for your guild.'
.
"Something happened, Mathias?" asked Vek who was next by, looking vigilantly around himself, still not able to get used to the new environment.
"No, I just thought of something. Look around yourself and explore this zone, this is Empar Forest. I will stop for a brief moment, go have your fun."
"Can I go look around the Forest?"
"Obviously, aren't you going for an adventure? If you stick around with me all the time, you might not encounter those adventures since I took a clear path of the forest."
Vek agreed without delay, taking his dagger from the sheath his friends gave him, before going inside the forest to look around for beasts, plants, or any surprise.
Vivian asked Mathias what happened, but before he could respond it was Paula who commented feeling slightly awkward for knowing this answer.
"Red is fighting against Fuseblade, or so he told me."
Mathias nodded his head and told the girls the fight was over, and as he was doing that, his guild chat was flooded by the other members commenting about what Red and the others did.
malakai: Goddamn it, I am flooded with whispers from all different people wanting to join the guild. What's going on?
Maple Mist: Same, did some bug happen? Big brother, have you done something? An advertisement?
@Orpheus: Yes man, I never in my life experienced such a flood of messages from different people.
malakai: What's more, I got spotted by the players in Moroiz City and they started chasing after me like crazed people. Someone tell me what happened!
@Leona: Mathias, I have the same problem.
Hearing their confusion, he too was spellbound by this feeling, and he just explained to them about how Red initiated a Guild War against another guild with Evan and Lane, and afterwards how the guild gained EXP and Reputation Points, which instantly made Vlad remark in a sharp manner.
malakai: Could it be that idiot did something extra that he shouldn't? Louis, quickly go check the internet and tell if there are articles about our guild.
.
Maple Mist, or what Vlad used to call him by his given name, was currently in a hunting ground in Gelder Territory with his body being covered by a small magical shield that had the element of wind. (A/N: That's Duke Rigals Family Name, you might ask who is Rigal? It is the Archer riding the Archgryphon and blasting people with his Archery as if he was some sniper with a big caliber sniper rifle)
Before he could even stop in place to process the new event that happened in the guild, he glanced at a group of small impish-like creatures, called Edemps and Graesps that give chase to him, holding in hands bloody clubs, and wearing some rags.
"Hey, can't you give me a break? My friends need my help with something." Remarked Maple Mist, feeling frustrated by the high number of monsters in the Gelder Region of the Saharan Empire.
'[Gust of Sylph's]'
From his hands a strong gust of wind that looked like a air cannon blew toward the group of level 25 monster that were cashing him like crazy.
Maple Mist did a substantial hit to the monsters but his resources also suffered along the way, and out of ordinary for this young-looking mage, a one-handed sword appeared from nowhere, before he dashed toward the wounded monsters.
Using another spell on himself, Louis appeared before the monsters, and with a slash of the sword, he cleaved the limbs of two targets. At the same time, the pressure around him changed, winds started appearing from nowhere, surrounding Louis, and with his hand extended he called out with his young still immature voice, sounding serious.
"[Piercing Wind Needle]"
The winds turned into condensed needles that pierced the monsters, pushing them slightly more, starting to gather mana for his last spell before ending this annoying chase of the Edemps and Graesps. Along this process, the monsters connected some hits that bypassed the Wind Shield.
"[Sylph's Breath]"
A strong magic attack that seemed to be Louis Ultimate Spell he learned in this new journey of his, blasted the group of monsters that give him chase, instantly earning the reward of six monsters.
'Hah, damned Graesps, if Lady Gisselle wasn't bothered by those monsters that disturbed the Forest Peace, I wouldn't be bothered with them. Still, I have to continue hunting them, and clear the quest Gisselle gave me, or she will punish me.'
Stopping his quest progression, he looked around himself for any possible enemies still after him, and only after he saw it was clear, he dashed out from the kill spot, turning himself into a safer location inside the Forest, climbing a large tree, reaching the level of a four-story-high building.
It was unknown why Louis choose to be so safe, but the way he proceeded to search for a safe spot was similar to Mathias. Thus in the tree's safety, accompanied by the gust of winds, he opened the browser and began searching for what Vlad implied.
Maple Mist typed simply the keyword "Leviathan" and his browser was already filled with results, along with videos.
"Could it be? Is it as Vlad mentioned?"
Accessing the videos at first, he saw Red who he met along with two guys he never met before, fighting against a group of 6 guys belonging to the Blackdawn Guild. The fight was quick-paced, with intense moments, with most of the Blackdawn players focusing on Lane who acted more like a Tank for the group, where Red and Evan started clearing them out one by one.
The video was taken from the sideline and certain small details were not picked accurately, but Maple Mist had formed in the period of time he played the Beta Phase and even the Live Phase a sharp eye for those details and could see for the first time how strong was Red compared to the people who participated in the Beta Phase 'Guild Wars Tournament'.
Yet what stuck the most for Maple Mist was the end speech Red gave to the audience, which made him get panic-stricken, as if something bad was about to happen to him.
"I have to tell the others this. So this is why he logged out with those two."
Quickly ending his search, and returning his attention to the game, Maple Mist began telling in the guild chat what he found out, which made all the guild members give different reactions.
malakai: That crazy person. Matei, what person have you brought in the guild? I'll not be fighting anytime soon since my class got to Rare grade when I awakened the Shadow Breath. I will fight people when my class is raised to Epic.
@Leona: I only arrived at the Judar Cathedral and have to meet the Pope. I can't participate in any fights.
@Oprheus: I am done for some PvP if the rewards are up to the hassle.
@Ape Wine: I can't wait to see what the other players got hidden under their sleeves.
Mathias: Take it, easy guys, those three who dig this hole will be responsible for those fights and only if the number isn't even we'll see what we can do about it. Tsk, this is too much publicity which I don't want to deal with, so you better don't tell anyone I am the guild master. The future members of the guild only add your friends or those you see trustworthy.
Mathias: There's no reason to stress about it, such news will die down if we lay low if we want that, but with Red personality, we could only wish.
Dispersing the tension in the guild, he returned his attention back to the Empar Forest, where he saw Vivian and Paula seem to be absent-minded, as if they were watching something on their browsing interface. Thus, he waited calmly, watching the two girls that it made Haycien remark in a perverted tone.
{They aren't bad at all, especially that Vivian doll.}
'You started again?'
{What kid? What? Can't I enjoy some beautiful flowers after being stuck for hundreds of years inside a tree?}
'Have I specified you can't? I doubt, however, don't bring those remarks, it makes me embarrassed of myself or better said, of you.'
{Come on son, I am not really that perverted. I only had three wives, so give me a break. I didn't even take concubines, and remained loyal to my wifes. Right, do you have a partner? While I was trapped inside the mountain, I could feel that there was a girl in my bloodline. Want this old man to pull some string for you? I tell you lad, even if my bloodline has been washed by the time, my descendants can't be ugly.}
'Ahem, I have my soul partners, so I will pass on your offer. Nevertheless, you will meet them, so don't annoy me with questions.'
{Ohh, I didn't expect this. You seem like a quiet kid.}
Mathias didn't comment on the old ghost remark and gave some benefits to Haycien with his gaze focused on the two girls who minutes later returned to the game, and noticed his gaze.
"What are you looking at?"
"Your faces. So, what were you absent-minded for?"
"I got some messages from my friends about the buzz happening in the forums, so I went out to take a peek. Your Red sure has some screws loose to take on the Blackdawn's like that. Three vs Six, and he still won in a decisive fashion. He even challenged the entire Guilds to fight against your Leviathans.
Still continuing Vivian began listing the guilds he saw taking off in the forums and in the game, making Mathias face turn blank from his smiling and easy going face, a shift even the huntress noticed.
"You have the Snake Guild led by Zibal, one of the top players of LTS who joined Satisfy, there's also Hao, a mysterious person whose guild is called Hades, having a strong following in the forums, mostly formed by Chinese people who spam a lot inside the forums. Ice Flower Guild led by Bodre, another top player of the LTS era, Yak Guild led by Bubat, Zeraph Guild led by Ralph and lastly from what I remember, Giant Guild led by Chris, and Tzedakah Guild led by Jishuka.
"Ohh, and do not forget the Beta Phase giants, From the Stoned Ones to Bacon, Sofa Kings, and Smurfs."
Mathias didn't respond to Vivian, which made the woman believe her words upset him, but she was wrong, instead, the latter was contemplating on all the names he heard, and with Vek being close to them, seeming to finish his exploration, he remarked.
"Your analytical skills are good. Are you by chance in a prestigious University?"
"Those are personal details, who I'll rather not discuss."
"I see. By the way, should I add you in the mix of players and guilds who will want my head along with my guild's fictive crown?"
Hearing Mathias's remark, Vivian looked at Paula who shrugged her shoulders, which made her ponder for a bit, and as they took off after Vek returned, she told Mathias in a calm but cheeky tone.
"Wouldn't it be an overkill if I would also target your small puddle fish? Especially when I know who the mysterious guild leader of that guild is? What should I do? Target you like a hunter does his prey or keep the friendly relations."
Mathias chuckled, mentioning in a friendly way.
"Even if you would target me for PvP or Guild Wars, I wouldn't take it as a personal attack. This is just an aspect of competing against one another to find who is the best, and that's how it should be."
We can still be friends at the end of the day and if you need my help with Raids, I can place my muscles to work."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 40 – Returning to Titan

---

Vivian and Paula took note of what Mathias said, and didn't discuss this aspect openly, but the girls were having a conversation on this theme. If they should make or join a guild on their own accord.
@Paula: Vivi, I'll stick with you. If you want to make a guild and you believe it would be fun, I will not mind, the same for joining a guild.
Vivian: Thanks Paula, I will think about it. I am sure those two blockheads will pester me about why I kicked them from the party and find trouble with me.
.
.
On another hand, Mathias and Vek were talking back and forth, with the young kobold asking the questions, while Mathias was trying to explain to him to the best of his abilities.
It was when they got closer to the forest exit that they saw a lot of players killing wild beasts that Vek looked rather surprised at how efficient the players were at killing the wild beasts in their "parties" as Mathias explained to him.
"Don't worry, little Vek, they aren't fools to act like this when they encounter your tribe."
"I know, the Elder is quite strong himself and will be able to take care of the tribe until I return home from my journey." said Vek, still staring at the players who were fighting the Owls, Boars, and even Dire Wolves.
.
.
Mathias and the group continue on with their journey out of Empar Forest, and when they got on the Stone Road leading toward the unknown for the young kobold, he reacted like how someone who saw fire for the first time would do. He lowered himself to the ground and started caressing the stone road to feel on his skin the leveled stone pattern.
*Giggling* "Mathias, it feels so amusing, As if you took someone from the countryside and he saw a Mall." said Vivian looking at Vek, who was still checking the stone road.
"Let him be, don't make fun of him. I bet you would do the same if you were in his circumstances." declared Mathias, holding his laughter.
"I will never do this. Not even in a million years."
He gave off a small smile, later lowering himself on his knees, to get on the same level as Vek, and tell the young kobold.
"This is the foundation of the Saharan Empire that we are stepping on right now. Is called Via Grenhal, and is one of the principal roads going from Titan and leading to the territory of Duke Grenhal."
"Ohh."
"Indeed, this is quite the feat of marvel. From what I know the amount of paved road that is inside the Saharan Empire would be enough to encircle the planet itself."
"Ohh."
Vek could only make some sounds since he was fascinated with the Via Grenhal and how smooth, flat, the rocks were. It took some convincing work to be done for Mathias to have Vek stop ogling at the road as some crazed person, but then he remembered something, whispering in the chat to the girls.
Mathias: Kobolds should be obsessed with tunnels, rocks in general, right?
Vivian: No idea. Paula, you are into that D&D game, help out.
@Paula: Well, it depends on what story you would choose to go with, but it seems the developers implemented the interesting story about the kobolds instead of the dull one. This makes me believe this kobold is really attracted to the road. Ahhh, he started trying to take the roads out, stop him before the Black Guards patrolling the road appear.
Mathias hearing the girls who mentioned about the Black Guards he reacted instantly grabbing Vek by his nape and raising him in the air, in doing so waking the kobold from his spellbound.
"Huh, what happened?"
"You were about to do something stupid by taking off the stones from the road which is a no-no around here. Now let's move before night catches us." explained Mathias the reason he took Vek by his nape, later releasing the kobold from his grip.
Following that, the party began walking the long road toward the grand city of Titan, the Jewel of the Saharan Empire, the seat of power for the Saharan Imperial House. It was a pleasant journey for the group who no longer had to be alert on possible enemies, and with each minute they walked, the distance closed in revealing the shadow of some grand walls standing proud, and immemorial.
{It is exactly as I left it, nothing changed with Titan.}
'I don't know what to say, old man, maybe the outside didn't change but the inside from my perspective and knowledge, changed, enough that it would noticeable at first glance.'
{I am curious to see what changed. Lad, let me take you to my Imperial Palace, we'll solve quickly who is in charge and later we shall start on solving the unresolved plans I left untouched such as fighting the Abyss Empire and also reaching the Eastern Continent.}
'Old Haycien, please no complicated information right now. What's the Abyss and the Eastern Continent? We will discuss those things another time, also, forget about taking me to the Imperial Palace, if you want me alive and kicking.' told Mathias in a calm voice inside his mind, which made the old man raise from his seating position and question why he would say that.
{Son, I might be a ghost, but once I start talking about the secrets they will have to give in and accept my demands.}
'That is if you were alive. Right now it is only me and the power you gave, nothing more. With the addition of a chattering old ghost that makes me at times want to smash my head on a wall.'
{You say they will target you once they spot you?}
'Old Haycien, the desire for power runs deep in the human mind. The desire for the throne is so strong that anyone would wish they could get to sit on it. But without proving one's power, I would be like a fool who got to the executioner's gallows and allowed them to behead me.'
{You are too passive, lad. It can't be that hard.}
'No old man, it is that bad. The Saharan Empire you left is now filled with corruption from the lowest levels of the Pyramid to the highest level, where your descendants sit. This generation Emperor did something so foolish that I have to wipe his ass clean, so things don't degenerate into a Civil War.'
{Lad, you know you can't escape from me after telling such an interesting piece of news.}
'I'll leave it for the night'
As Mathias and Haycien were holding a discussion inside his brain, Vek could see the city walls appear more grandiose with each minute passing, and with the night starting making his appearance around themselves, they arrived safely to the South Gates that was made of decorated metal and even had some gold inside it.
{Porta Aurea, they maintained the gate at least. I extorted the dwarfs to have them make the gates so much that all my friends looked at me as if I was some sick person.}
'And you had to do it?'
{You bet. Those gates have a magical built system of defense that coordinates with the heart of the palace. I used to protect the city when I fought against the Elves, Orcs, Half-Draconians, you name them. In that war, for Supremacy over the Western Continent, there wasn't the concept of innocence on all sides. Everyone wanted the other side dead, regardless of what motives they might have.}
' I understand. You really have a lot to teach me, old man. I am new to warfare and military aspects. I want to become a Red Knight so I'll be in your care.'
{Sure lad, I will teach you everything I know, from how to court ladies to how you can crush your opponent fighting styles regardless of weapon. At the end of the day, I am not a demon as you called me at the beginning, maybe I scammed you at first, but I had to do it otherwise this old man would have been drained of power, and who knows when I would have awakened or worse case I would be turned into nothingness, something I don't even want to think about.}
'My reaction was up to the stress and pain I had suffered. If I place you in that kind of ordeal, how would you react?'
{Piss my pants probably?}
'Exactly. Nonetheless, it's all good right now, I don't feel animosity for what you've thrown at me. My apologies for cursing you, sir.'
.
While the two were talking in his mind, night already settled down in the sky, giving the journey toward Titan a more mesmerizing feeling to it. One could see the lights around the Watch Posts being lit up, with the Imperial Guards watching all the movements of foreigners who approached the city.
Such was the case for Mathias who when he arrived in front of them and was stopped by the patrolling Imperial Guards who still as before in Mathias's recollection were grouped in teams, with two groups on the gate itself and another two groups on the ground, seeming to control the flow of visitors which was considerable.
The amount of chariots filled with goods, or people made it seem as if the city was never sleeping even if the clock showed that it was [21:45] for the Satisfy world.
Then his turn with his group came to arrive at the checkpoint the Imperial Guards were handling, and when stopped the first thing Mathias heard from the guard.
"The entrance cost 250 silver coins for new visitors. The red-head along with the different species of creature. The two ladies can enter, they are inhabitants of Titan. Also, your reason for visiting?"
{What? They charge for entering Titan! How low have they gotten to do such a stupid thing? ARGHHH, my little jewel turned into some brothel.}
'Now, now, don't rush to conclusions, old Haycien.}
"Business-related" replied Mathias calmly gazing directly into the eyes of the Imperial Guard who could see even in the dark, thanks to the fire around the gate, his crimson hair, and ruby eyes, something he never saw in his life.
"I see, as for that creature next to you?"
"This is my kobold familiar."
"Ohh, a kobold, I heard they are quite the barbarian creatures who would attack mountain villages. Let me look at it for a brief moment." said the Imperial Guard who was a level 150 NPC and whose HP he could see, being at 9800, looking down at Vek who was next to Mathias, also looking with curious eyes at the guard with his draconian red eyes.
"Interesting creature indeed. It seems to know his place and not be hostile to humans." mentioned the guard who patted the head of the kobold without hostility, since he wanted to check Vek because of his curiosity.
.
Mathias looked at the Imperial Guard whose armor looked cheaper than the Black Knights or the Red Knights, and without shifting his facial expression, he took 500 silver coins from his inventory and handed them to the guard who made way, allowing the party inside.
"I didn't know there was a cost for entering the city since we spawned inside Titan." mentioned Vivian as the party entered the Capital City using the South Gate.
"It is fine, well, from here our journey will diverge. Thanks a lot for the pleasant time, and let's hope we meet again on another occasion."
As he said that, the group reached at a crossroads of the streets where one could go toward the Central Forum of the city where he first spawned, or move around the periphery which was filled with citizens and players alike.
"It was a pleasure for us two, meeting you. All the good wishes to you, and hehe, watch your back."
With the girls and the boys separating after bidding their farewell and sending their good wishes, Mathias started walking in an opposite direction compared to the girls.
Glancing at Vek he released a wide smile, that took the young kobold aback, and what with an excited voice he told him.
"Welcome to Titan, little Vek. This will be your home starting today, and whenever you need my help with something, just ask me without feeling ashamed. Getting used to such big place is troublesome even for me, and I might have to ask around the guards for directions, especially in the Inner City."
"I understand. Then I will not hold back." responded Vek, feeling energized by Mathias's spirit.
Afterwards the two, went along with one direction in mind, the Wallmor District, the place he called his home inside Satisfy, Fayrene's Workshop. Yet, they still did some detouring, with Mathias wanting to show Vek around some places that were relatively close to the South Gate.
They started off by going toward the Grand Market to acquire something he felt he had to get because of the stares he was receiving in the city.
"Tsk, is too annoying being the only one with hair like this. I feel like one of those spoiled rich kids who never got beaten in their lives. And, no I am not talking about you old man, so don't start feeling offended."
{I am not offended at all, I just roll my eyes at how sensitive you could be. You are now a Saharan, be proud of the glorious crimson color that was marked in stone by this great me.}
"Mathias, was that targeting me?" asked Vek, who heard Mathias talk outloud what he intended saying in his mind.
Turning his eyes at Vek, he shook his head, telling him. "Do you remember the Gravelmark Spirit and the story I told you about it? Well, now it haunts me for good, and I have to keep him engaged otherwise my head will get a headache."
"Right, right, the Gravelmark Spirit is with you now. Say my greetings to him and all the guidance he has given me in the past."
{For nothing little puppy, I was bored at that time, so I could only talk it out with you kobolds.}
.
Mathias ignored what the old ghost was talking about, and as he arrived at the Grand Market, he navigated rapidly toward a shop he was accustomed to visiting in the Beta Phase, and it was still there. An old lady wrapped with a blanket sitting in a rocking chair, napping, around a booth.
Vek saw the old lady, and later turned at Mathias who had a nostalgic smile on his face, and with each step he was taken toward the booth filled with diverse goods, it made the old woman to slowly open her eyes, and be greeted by the young man wearing a black suit, with a black hat resting on his long crimson hair, where as his ruby eyes watched her in a calm, friendly way.
"Good evening, madam. Sorry for disturbing your nap."
"*Yawn* No problem lad, how can I help you?"
"Can you help me with two masquerade masks? One for this little one beside me, and another for me."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 41 - A Sweet Reunion

---

The old lady, still in her rocking chair, glanced at Mathias and later at Vek, and with a curious expression, said while pointing at the young kobold.
"That little pet of yours, is that a kobold?"
Vek wanted to refute such claims, yet Mathias told him that he had to play along if he didn't want the humans in the city to feel threatened by him.
'Humans are so weird. It's clear I am not Mathias's pet and they still insinuate that aspect. But I can manage it, so far they have been good with me without treating me like some monster.' thought Vek when hearing the old lady comments, later raising his head at Mathias to see what he would do.
"Madam, he isn't my pet, instead is a friend of mine who journeyed out with me. He wants to become a famous adventurer, exploring the wide world, and testing himself with the challenges the world has in store for him."
"So, the kobold isn't your pet? You should be careful since there are people who feel too arrogant to even accept that a person of a different species entered Titan without the supervision of someone else. Hah, I am too old to be bothered by those things, so better tell others the kobold is your familiar or pet to not get dragged in some unnecessary things."
"Thanks, madam, but it will be fine, it is not my first time in Titan." said Mathias with a calm smile, while the old lady got up from her chair, wrapping the blanket around her body, complaining slightly about the weather which had turned colder.
"Ahh, I should start acquiring wood for the winter, it already gets quite chilly at night that I have to use this blanket. By how the weather has turned, the first snowfall isn't that far."
Soon she went to the part of her booth and took in her hands some masquerade masks she showed Mathias, a full mask of silver-white color that could cover his entire face, but then added when gazing at Vek.
"There's nothing for kobolds. I might sound hateful, but those masks were only created for humans and elves, maybe they could be worn by dwarves or gnomes if I gave them a child's size. Sorry, but this old lady can't do anything about it."
Vek, who saw Mathias fiddle with the white mask that had a clean design, with only some decorations around his temples, looked at the old lady, telling her in a calm tone.
"I am okay without a mask. Thank you for trying to find something for me."
"Ohh, he even knows to talk in the common language. Good boy, for that I will try searching harder, if I am not wrong there should be something for the dogs of the noble ladies when they take them to The Masquerade."
While the old lady went back to search a mask for dogs, Vek turned his head at Mathias who took his hat off and started gathering his disheveled long hair arranging it before pulling it back and starting doing some braids, which confused Vek making him want to throw a question about something he didn't understand.
"Mathias, what is 'The Masquerade' the old lady mentioned?"
"Hmm? That's an annual Carnaval staged by the Imperial House to bring together the young of the city and act as a matchmaker. Going there youngsters can find their partner, but the interesting aspect is that everything is shrouded by the intrigue of the mask. Apart from this, you might lay your hands on some high noblewoman and that will come to haunt you later."
"Apart from this, there will be all sorts of spectacles, from people performing music, theatrical acts, and even exotic spectacles."
"I still don't understand what you said, but I guess I will have to see it with my two eyes to have a concrete image." replied Vek while Mathias only chuckled, agreeing with the assumption.
He was still arranging his long hair, reaching the finishing touches where he used the braids he did to tie down his hair in a man-bun, before placing his black hat on his head.
{What's the reason for the new hairstyle?}
'Nothing big, I just felt those stares hitting my back feeling annoying, so I opted to make my hair shorter by tying it down. Why?'
{Never tried growing my hair, since my tribe had a law of men having their hair cut short. Ahh, I feel like an old man now thinking about those humble origins of mine.}
'Glad to know that, it makes you more relatable and easier to approach, compared to a high and mighty being who started haunting me, such as a forgotten God.'
{No need to mention, young pup. Right now I am just an old fart without any power}
.
By the time Mathias finished putting in order his new hairstyle, the old lady, Ann, returned from her booth holding in hand a mask that was a large cone mouth, along with all the rest of the mask parts, and when she got to the boys, she placed the mask on Vek's head and saw if it was fitting him.
"Seems a bit large at the snout, but you will handle it, right, little boy?"
"It's all good, lady. Thank you."
Ann shifted a smile on her old face, and patted Vek's head, before turning to Mathias who held in his hand the mask, with the hair now tied down.
"It seems you want to surprise someone or want to hide from something. While I never saw red-heads in Titan, those eyes I feel I saw them before. So they aren't really that special if I have seen them in my life."
"It's the later part, madame. How much would the masks be?"
"2 gold coins." said the old lady in a casual way, as she returned to her chair, gazing at Mathias with a face seeming to tell, she knew something.
Handing her the money in a careful way to make sure she would drop the coins, he smiled at her when he closed her palm, making the old lady also smile, mentioning.
"I am not that old that I would drop the gold coins. Not a single coin from my palm got away from me. Thank you, young man, for buying from this old lady and not from those shrewd people who raise the prices of their goods, calling it "Better Quality". It means a lot to me."
"I know." told Mathias with a genuine kind expression, knowing the old lady's backstory, which was rather bitter tasted, thus he opted to buy from her knowing she needed the money for her granddaughter's sickness.
How did he know about the old lady's story? Mainly because Fayrene bought a lot of house decorations from her, and himself acting like a carriage for her, he found certain things, which made him sigh, at how unfortunate certain people could be even in this Fantasy World.
If someone would even think for a moment, that a Fantasy World was all sunshine and rainbows, without people suffering from sickness or poverty, and all the hurdles the outside was experiencing was like wearing a blindfold and remaining blind to such aspects of life.
.
.
Departing while buying from Lady Ann some other gifts for Fayrene and Jeanne, still unknown if they would remember him, it made Vek and Haycien question his choices again, to which he preferred to remain silent.
{Ohh, I get it, those are the gifts for your ladies. But didn't you already get the earrings and the bracelet? Don't tell me you got encroached with some courtesan that would dry you of all the low amount of money you have?}
'That's not it, old man. Don't stress yourself about my personal life. Fayrene and Jeanne are sweethearts who don't even care about my financial situation. Hah, this makes me tell you a story, so perk up apparently because I will only tell this story once.'
He began telling Haycien about the Beta Phase while omitting certain details which were unnecessary for the old man to know, but in sort, he explained the hurdle the outlanders had to experience before. They relieved their life again inside the World and acquired a plentiful amount of experiences or even bountiful relations.
Thus, telling Haycien about how he met Fayrene, how he tasted death for the first time because she wanted to test a spell on him, and later going into small details about how the feelings for her started brewing with the time he had to spend constantly close to her, from learning to tailor, and even magic from her.
The old ghost was silent for all the process of the story, but Mathias could still hear some sounds of emotions from him, then when he told Haycien about how he passed the Ancient Tree before, it made the latter scratch his white hair and beard.
{It seems familiar, you said you heard some sort of voice while passing correct?}
'Yes, but at that time I thought it was just me imagining voices, and it was already late for me to explore more into details.'
{No problem, it must be those gods who got angry at you outlanders not knowing how to put you in check.}
'You can take it as such.'
As he walked off the Grand Market, he started going toward the Wallmor District, his home inside Satisfy while reaching the end of his story.
Vek could see many interesting places left and right, with people crossing the streets making this place feel alive and full of spirit. The people he saw since entering Titan City, overshadowed the population of his tribe so much that it was scary thinking what such force could do to his home.
Many interesting shops appeared in his sight, enabling him to grasp certain ideals of the humans that would prove useful for himself and his people. From taverns to clothing shops, as the young kobold walked close to Mathias who was hiding his face using the Masquerade Mask, there were more shops he didn't understand their utilities, similar to the Grand Market.
'This adventure is worthed. I would have never seen so many people in my life, if I didn't go together with Mathias. So many people and they seem to have simple clothes unlike some of the people in that 'Grand Market' Mathias mentioned.'
Mathias didn't even bother himself to check each individual place knocking on the door of the shops, because he knew each of them by heart, and even knew each owner of the shops, then when he entered the square of the Wallmor District where the small fountain was residing, he could see people gathered around and have a party.
'That's my story before everything had to end.' said Mathias to Haycien before walking toward the fountain and taking a place on a bench close by, watching the people drink, and celebrating something.
They didn't even bother with the newcomer who was masked, feeling it normal, and it was obvious since Wallmort was the home of the Clark Syndicate and all sorts of dangerous people lurked around this place. Yet, everything seemed calm, and the atmosphere was enjoyable to the ear to him, because of a man called Michael. He could see this NPC with a silver nameplate with lights of gold around it, who had a rather big level compared to most of the NPC around him with the exception of certain individuals.
[Michael - Lv. 215] (???)
The other guys, Mathias knew as his followers were level 180 and 190, yet the way he glanced at them was respectful without any hostility, something Michael picked when he gazed into his ruby eyes while drinking alcohol.
{Lad, your story was really intriguing and so touching that it reminded me of my first wife and early marriage days before I found my inner power. She was someone from my tribe, who gave birth to two of my sons, and who I treated as part of my soul. Those two girls, Fayrene and Jeanne, are good dolls. All I can wish for is that everything will be alright. So be courageous, son. You are now a Saharan, not some insignificant sissy to worry about what others will think about you.}
'I hope it will be alright, but I will not drop into despair. I am not that type of person, instead, I will win their hearts again.'
{That's my boy. That's how a Saharan lad should be. Dignified, Charming, Courageous, and Resolved.}
Whilst Haycien was trying to encourage Mathias, the latter patted the young's kobold head, asking him quietly.
"What do you think of Titan, little Vek?"
"Huge. With a lot of interesting places that have shining rocks on top of them."
"Sure, but you can't take them away otherwise we will get in trouble." remarked Mathias, when hearing about what Vek was thinking, implying he saw the gold on certain decorations in the Grand Market appealing, awakening his kobold instincts.
"Mathias, I know I shouldn't do anything bad, such as taking the rocks from certain places, and also the shiny ones. I don't want to trouble you since it will put a stop to my adventure."
"Haha, so you still know your priorities." chuckle Mathias before, telling Vek about certain things that might seem interesting about this place they were, from the dangerous people here to the interesting people and activities one could do here.
"What is beer?"
"Is like the wine made by the Elder, but it tastes totally different. Right, how old are you, little Vek?"
"Hm, how old I am?" asked Vek before beginning to use his fingers to count his age, until he turned ar Mathias and telling. "I am 8 years old."
"Wow, so you are that young?"
"Indeed. Is something wrong?"
{That would be equivalent to 24 years old in human age since kobolds have a faster growth, and they multiply like rats. I mean it. I am even surprised the kobolds I settled in Gravelmark didn't reach numbers that would make them take over the mountain itself.}
'There are monsters in the mountain who prey on them, so the number is kept in check.'
{Most likely.}
Returning his focus back to Vek, he shook his head while responding casually. "I was just curious, nothing to worry about."
After another couple of minutes passed, he got on his feet, attracting the attention of the guys at the fountain, before they returned back on their drinking and partying, Mathias took Vek with him toward a small building with small decorations at the windows, but nothing extravagant like how the buildings in the Inner City area were decorated and built.
Vek could see immediately the shift in Mathias state, where the Red Energy around his body started to swain around like a flickering lightbulb. Looking around himself, he could see at the window a small candlelight, and later saw the placard with the name of the place.
[Night Fay Tailorshop]
"Hah, I am finally home after so long."
When Vek heard Mathias say that, he got closer to his back, and looked toward the door as Mathias knocked in a balanced way on the door.
There was no response from inside, even with his senses enhanced by Haycien's transformation, yet he didn't hurry to baseless conclusions. Still, with the mask on his face which hid the expression of worry on his face, he knocked on the door again.
Minutes passed and no response and another knock followed suit, where he placed his head on the door awaiting a response.
Thankfully no one had seen his expression of worry, but then with seconds passing, something new entered his ears, with the footsteps of someone being heard by him. Before the door was opened, Mathias removed his head from the door and went standing straight, awaiting.
"Haven't you read the placard, I am taking orders only on Mondays and Fridays. Why bother me at this late hour?"
The voice of the woman, he was awaiting rang in his ears which settled all his stress down, and when she opened the door she was holding in her hand an oil lamp to see in the darkness as a simple girl.
It was Fayrene, Fayrene Arundell, his Arcanist, standing right in front of him, unchanging. As elegant, and mesmerizing as when he left her, with silky raven hair reaching her waist, milky white skin, and violet eyes that could be noticed even with the lamp light, with a small fragment of perfume being sent off by her clothes, and hair.
On another hand, Fayrene, who didn't expect any visitors with except to players, where she behaved as if she was the apprentice of the tailor, never taking an order from them, to be entangled in unnecessary relations with the outlanders who behaved so friendly with her.
Their words were irking strongly in her mind, such as "You are lucky for getting a crafting class already." and so on, which she had absolutely no clue how to explain. Her Arcane Tome wasn't of use even with Mathias's notes.
Thus, with her new visitor, she tried to look for his name as she saw the players who acted friendly with her, but because of the hat he was wearing, it was impossible. It was a man of average high, with a silver-white mask made from ceramic with delicate ornaments which made her feel it was too expensive.
His clothes also looked too expensive and unique, never seeing them before in all the time she worked as her mother's assistant and as Tailoress inside the biggest city of the World, Titan. A black suit with delicate touches, assorted with a white-shirt and a red tie, making his ruby eyes, the only thing she could see from, along with some strands of crimson hair.
"Sigh, gentlemen you must be a noble who wants to make an order for a dress? Your lady dress perhaps? Hello? Sorry if I might be rude, but at this hour people are sleeping, so please hurry."
Fayrene said that while staring at the man with the silver-white mask, where she later noticed how the man placed his hand at his mask, making this encounter slightly awkward, but she remained quiet, awaiting a response.
"Good evening to you too, my lady. My apologies if I disturbed you from your studies." replied Mathias, who removed his mask, and also placed his hat back in his inventory, revealing his entire appearance, where Fayrene could see a young man with tied crimson hair and ruby eyes.
"Do I know you by chance? Your voice?"
Mentioning that, Fayrene could see in front of her eyes the name of the young man, making her look surprised, before shocked.
[Mathias - Lv. 32]
"My lady, if I am disturbing you, please tell me, so I can visit you another time." said Mathias, with a calm voice, stirring all sorts of emotions inside of her.
"It is you! Is it really you? MAT!" exclaimed Fayrene who dropped the lamp on the ground and dashing in the young man's embrace, placing her head in his chest and starting crying.
"I thought it was just a sweet dream since you have never come back after a month. But you returned to me."
Even Mathias started shedding some tears as he hugged Fayrene into his embrace, caressing her back before casting [Isolation] around themselves, and later saying with emotions in his tone.
"Everything worked out. From now on everything will be fine. No one will split us apart."
"Dear, what happened to you, your hair, and eyes? Is it really you, or am I dreaming again?"
"Don't worry, love. I will tell you everything that has happened to me. This hair and eyes mean nothing right now, all that matters is us."
"How have you been, Fay? Have you been healthy?" asked Mathias after kissing Fayrene on her lips, with Fayrene also making out for all the blank times she had to endure, with all sorts of perverts hitting on her from a large selection of people.
"I've been fine, there's been some problems and things I see which I can't explain or make in words how to describe them, but I will try. You have just returned to Titan, right? Come inside first, since your Isolation range has grown a lot since the last time I remember you using it."
Holding her in his arms, picking her up effortlessly, and touching her face with a delicate caress, he remarked calmly.
"A lot of things have changed, dear. Wait, your name is white?" inquired Mathias after taking a better look at her nameplate.
"So this is what your kind sees. I have not turned crazy after reading your letter. Hah, I can finally confess to those struggles I've been holding inside of me for so long."
"Wait, Fay, you have to take me slowly since I am still under the effects of emotions. Before we talk in private, let me introduce you to an interesting fellow who decided to follow me for my future adventures."
Fayrene turned her gaze on the masked smaller creature, whose name she could see it without problems as [Vek - Lv. 45], making it easier for her to understand certain things, but she had no idea what creature Vek was.
"He is called Vek, I can see it too."
"Indeed, Vek, please let me introduce you to my soul mate, Fayrene."
"Fayrene, Vek is a Dragonwrought of the Gravelmark Kobold Tribe."
With Mathias placing her down from his embrace, Fayrene took some steps toward Vek who removed his mask, revealing his kobold features that had some closer resemblance to a humanoid rather than a kobold and later lowering herself to his level, she extended her hand for a greeting.
"Lady Fayrene, I heard about you from Mathias along the journey here. It is my pleasure meeting you."
"Likewise, Vek. I hope you get used to living around with humans and don't get upset when some of the humans will throw insults and look down at you for the way you look since I too have my own defects which I welcome fully."
Then, she picked up the lamp she took, and while holding Mathias's hand, she got back inside the house, lighting up the candles for the salon where Mathias used to relax, while writing and sewing.
"Wow, there's so many things here." commented Vek before Fayrene even lit the candles to welcome back Mathias.
"I've tried to keep it as it was back then, but there are lots of decorations missing." replied Fayrene to Vek, after making some light in the salon room, and with the couple of Mathias and Fayrene opening up to each other about their times separated, she mentioned to him in a calm voice.
"Mat, there is also someone else who is waiting for you night by night, so you better didn't forget about her."
Fayrene could feel some tremble in Mathias's hands, before she gazed at his face giving off a relieved smile, while later feeling his caress.
"How can I forget about you two. How could I? Even if my letter wouldn't be imprinted in the Tome, I would still return for you and win your hearts again."
They kissed again, before leaving Vek inside the salon room, and walking toward their private room, where they settled her reading table, glazing at each other, and sometimes at the Ancient Tome giving off a white-purple light, a brighter color compared to his Arcane Magic.
He even extended his hand and released his arcane energy to make a sparrow which made Fayrene surprised by how easily Mathias formed his spell, and also the dark-purple color of his arcane.
"The arcane, it changed for you. What grade have you managed to awaken by yourself without me?"
"This time I managed to gain the Grade A, and this dark-purple light from what I managed to figure out myself, it is linked to the Chaos Element."
"You've been 'Chaos Blessed'?" inquired Fayrene in a soft tone while she took the sparrow in her hands, and looked at it.
"How do you know?" asked Mathias back, the woman who initiated him on this path.
"Because I am blessed by the 'Order'."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 42 – Half-Player

---

The two moved on to talk their heart out, moving away from the magic talk and going into personal discussion, where Mathias felt some worry about what Fayrene specified was happening to her.
"Fay, so you can see the name under my head, correct?"
"Yes, it is white, and it also says about some level that I don't understand. All the outlanders I've interacted with treated me like I was one of them, which makes me question many things. Apart from this, I also encountered moments where they would ignore me when I would not want to be noticed by anyone."
Mathias, who watched Fayrene's face, saw her nameplate color changing into a green color, signifying she was just a common NPC of the world, but seeing that change from white to green made him shocked, which made Fayrene get worried, asking him.
"You've noticed?"
"I did. This is really a delicate thing, I can't explain, dear. What else do you see that isn't normal to you."
"Apart from being able to see the names of people without even knowing them, I saw a message right in front of my eyes, specifying about how <The Party formed by some people unknown to me, have defeated a unique boss> but because it was so annoying to me when I said it to be closed, it turned off. Am I going crazy, Mat?" asked Fayrene, holding Mathias's hands tightly.
Mathias looked at Fayrene as if a ghost had arrived in front of him, which made Fayrene even more scared of what was happening to her, but soon she noticed how he turned calmer, which soothed her mind.
'Could it be? I didn't do something that broke something which interfered with the system? A bug? Is this really a bug that gave Fayrene the system of users? But how? I doubt Morpheus, the Administrator of the Game, would even do such a thing. The developers? Bah, if they knew that such a bug exists, I think they would try to erase Fayrene from the game at all cost along with me who triggered this bug.'
{Kid, what witchcraft have you done!? I don't understand a single thing of what you say right there, what bug, what developers? Who is Morpheus?}
'Old Haycien, quiet down! I am not in the right mind to explain to you what shit I have jumped in, okay? Better go to sleep while I solve my problems. That doesn't concern you. I will take care of the Saharan burden you've thrown at me with or without your support.' said Mathias in his mind, while being full of emotions and stress from the thought of what might happen to Fayrene if things would be found out.
{Sigh, lower your voice, that was really loud.}
'Because this is a serious time, now shut up!'
Ignoring the old ghost murmurings, Mathias, who was pondering on what to do while holding Fayrene hands, later told her in a quiet voice, barely audible.
"Call this. "Open Menu" and tell me what you see."
She did as Mathias told her, and her violet eyes gave off signs of fear, especially when an extensive list of things appeared in front of her, like a hologram.
"What do you see?"
"A lot of things, such as <Capsule Setting> which seems to be more dim compared to the other names, <Notifications>, <Chat and Friends>, <Sound>, <Voice>, <Block List>, <Hotkeys>, <Interface>, <Recording> which is dim like the <Capsule Setting>, <Verification> along with a <Log Out>, which is dim as if doesn't exist. That's all I see."
"My God!" exclaimed Mathias, who looked at Fayrene's scared face, who started trembling when hearing that exclamation.
"Did I get cursed?" asked Fayrene with a shaky voice, looking at Mathias, whose face marked surprise and contemplation.
"A curse? It might be a curse if you don't understand what that thing is. However, once you have an understanding, it will be easy to adapt to your new circumstances."
"What do you mean, Mat?"
"What I mean by new circumstances is that you become like me, a player. A half-player from what I can understand from how your system is configured, but nonetheless a player."
"A player?"
"It is complicated, dear, it really is. But to me, and the other of my people let me give you an analogy. This world is just like a dream where we connect and can interact with the inhabitants of this world. As you could have noticed, most of our motifs are different, but one thing is in common we want to progress, and that is done by fighting monsters and also doing tasks given by the people."
"..."
"I am just, a dream?" inquired Fayrene with a sad tone, while looking at Mathias expression, who quickly changed into sadness, where he took her in his arms, and hugged her, telling her softly.
"No dear, no, you are not. You are as real as one woman could be, just that we are separated by a veil of darkness. My breath, can you feel it? My warmth is still there, just like yours. Our hearts beat the same. You tell me, are we different apart from the thing we call the system and inability to die for good?"
"I believe you, Mathias. Please, tell me more if it isn't hard for you."
Looking at the cooldown of the [Isolation] that was about to wave off, he cast it again, as if doing a chain casting, before telling her in a gentle tone.
"Fay, my world is connected to your world thanks to a magic device we call Capsule, this name you might have noticed from your Menu Settings. Thanks to the device in question, we are linked by our minds to access a portal to enter your world. But we can't always remain in this world because we players are only connected with our minds. This is why you might have seen me in the past not being around or disappearing for no actual reason."
"This means on the other side, you have to live your life, sleep, eat, drink water to sustain your body?" remarked Fayrene as if understanding what Mathias explained to her.
"More or less, but this doesn't mean I don't enjoy the food here. To me, it tastes like food, just that it has a different effect on my body here, not outside since this is just an extension of myself."
Fayrene began placing the two and two together, as Mathias explained to her the differences in their world, and slowly she started calming herself down before turning again worried, asking him.
"Then who am I?"
"You are Fayrene, regardless of what curse might have been thrown in your way. Simple as that, my little darling." whispered Mathias, kissing her forehead, holding her in his arms.
"You will teach me how to deal with those complicated things, right Mat?"
"I will. We have all the time in the world. Let me try something. Tell me what you see."
Mathias went to his system interface and saw he could add Fayrene to his friend list, which once again reinforced the idea that Fayrene was no longer a normal inhabitant of the 'Satisfy' world, turning into something unique in itself.
[You have added user 'Fayrene' to your friend list.]
"There's a new message in front of my eyes, asking if I want to accept the [Friend Invitation]"
"Good, now let me give you a rundown on how these choices work."
Holding her hand, he moved it around where he estimated her system notification would be and patiently told her how she could move her own hand and interact with the new window in front of her eyes or command it using her voice, which made her astonished when finding she could use this curse in such ways.
[User 'Fayrene' has accepted your friend request.]
"A sound came to my ears, like a bell ring." told Fayrene, flinching a bit, but Mathias's just caressed her hand before starting guiding her on how to use the system.
He instructed her on how to open the friend list, where she described to Mathias what she was seeing, where an old list was made, with only one name inside, that being his own. Explaining to her the concept of the friend list and what uses it had, Fayrene, who had her interest picked, told him in a soft voice.
"Whisper something with that curse."
Mathias: This is how we will keep in touch going forward when I will go on my adventures.
Fayrene, who prior to that had her chat window activated by Mathias, saw the new line appear on the box, and she seemed confused about how it came about. Still, following his tutorial, Fayrene used her mind to say something, which instantly wrote a message on the chatbox before she had to press [Send].
@Fayrene: I don't know what to say. It's too overwhelming and feels even more convenient knowing such a thing existed.
"Indeed, it is very convenient. Besides that, you can also use your voice to talk with your friends using the same interface."
Nodding her head, Fayrene looked at the interface, and like a diligent student as if she was holding a pen in her hand, she looked for the options in front of her eyes before tapping there, like an old lady who discovered the smartphone.
"It isn't that?"
With a chuckle, Mathias asked curious. "What are you looking for?"
"The voice thingy."
"Haha, go to options, and you have to tick the option for voice chat."
.
Fayrene who was getting herself used with the interface of the system, which was an older version to Mathias from what he concluded in his exploratory checks, it could be said she had the Alpha Phase system interface, which was slightly limited compared to what the normal users had access too. However, the basic features were still there, and it even boasted a medieval-styled interface that wouldn't overload Fayrene with unnecessary information.
"Ahh, I found it." … @Fayrene: Does it really work as you said it does?"
"It does, I heard you loud and clear." who made a weird expression as if the echo created by the close distance between the two interfered with the voice message.
.
.
Time passed as they moved on from the system-related information. Now that Fayrene had some notions of it and didn't have a found reason to panic, the couple went back to talk about their lives before the reunion. Fayrene had filled Mathias about her projects and how she was still trying to learn Arcane Orb.
Along the way, she also mentioned Jeanne, and how she was doing with the Rebecca Church and how she chose to retreat slowly from the church activities Archbishop Julius was tasking her with after her memory about him resurfaced, which made Mathias sigh and blame himself.
"Don't tell me it is my fault for her choice?"
"No, dear. She saw how more of those newcomers have joined the Church, and was sickened by their glances and arrogance. So, she would only attend the Cathedral only when needed, that being when Old Julius needs a report on the Church Activities and Expenses."
"Apart from this, she has been healthy, and we started getting along well since reconnecting with one another."
"I am glad to hear that. My second worry was about Jeanne, since her case is more sensible. Both of you need my entire attention from now on. I will try to remain inside Titan for as long as I can, so we can catch up with all the time we missed each other. Right, Fay, do you want to hear who I have met when I get back?"
"You know I can't read your mind. So don't be mysterious. Isn't it enough you've now become a red-head after knowing you with that silky black hair?"
"Cidarian."
Fayrene made a sound of bewilderment before she touched Mathias's white shirt after he withdrew the black coat placing it inside his inventory and later called surprised.
"You've met my family? Now it makes sense why your clothes feel so familiar. Isn't this mom's handiwork."
*Chuckle* "Can you tell it by touch?"
"Obviously, this sewing pattern belongs to mom. She was the one who invented this method. So you've met them, right? Come, don't be shy, tell me more. How have they been? Are they healthy? Aen, and Theo, have they grown up, or are they still cheeky. Is dad still stubborn about his livestock, not wanting to pick up on something easier to do? Hah, don't tell me about mom. She should be relaxing without care since she stopped sewing."
"Ayyy, so many questions all at once. You are right, love. I was sent to Cidarian, which shocked me too, especially when I remembered your childhood stories. Everyone is okay back home. I don't know how big the boys were in the past, but they have almost grown into handsome lads. I can't say they are cheeky, especially when I made them work a bit, swinging the wooden sword and spear.
"They did it without complaining? Without mom forcing them to do it, or dad saying a thing?"
"Not a single breath of complaint have I've heard from those little ones. Those two have big dreams, so they should work hard to achieve them. I've also opened their eyes about certain things they still didn't understand, so in the future when they grow older, I can smile and remark that I was part of their growth."
He told her about how he would teach the boys his spear techniques and also teach them mind games that would improve their brainpower. Mentioning Charles, he told her the stories of the first interaction he had with him, and how he placed him to "Challenges" which ended more favorable for him, making Fayrene laugh out loud, happy to hear how her father suffered in defeat.
"Hahaha, that old man, this is what he deserves for trying to challenge my Mathias. Well done, that would teach him a lesson."
Mathias could only smile, seeing Fayrene happy, and after she calmed down, he continued with his story, about how he milked the cows, picked eggs, cleaned the manure of the cows, reaped the grass, and so on, the menial things any farm boy would make around the farm.
Fayrene was smiling from ear to ear, as she was holding on Mathias's hands while he was telling her the stories of her family and the Cidarian village, from start to finish, how he created those clothes with Jasmine, and rekindled her passion for the craft, how he gave Charles an excellent idea to materialize the milk provided by the cows he was raising for their leather.
Yet when Mathias mentioned the mountain bandits and the wild beasts, she turned serious and asked before he could continue with his story.
"They still weren't dealt off by the Duke's Guard? Even after 2 years, they have ignored Old Aridai requests for help."
"Now, now, let me finish my story." tapped Mathias two times on her soft hands, resuming his story, where he told her how he dealt with the wild beasts, and later the mountain bandits along with his guild members, Orpheus and Ape Wine.
She breathed out relieved to know those criminals were dealt with, no longer being torn in her back when thinking of her home. Nevertheless, Mathias could be at times ruthless with people and even with himself, and what he followed, telling Fayrene gave her goosebumps.
It was the story of the Lurking Spiders and the Spider Queen, which triggered a phobia of spiders inside of her, which was amplified by his vivid description of those monsters and how he fared against them.
"That experience with that Spider monster even now haunts me. The thought of what if she attacks the village. I told mom about that danger so be at ease. If things go sour, she knows what to do."
"We need to solve that problem. How can we put our trust in a monster?"
"I know, but as I am progressing in strength, that monster will also grow. Can we risk it and really create a catastrophe and drag innocent people into chaos? Calm down. Everything will be fine."
.
.
The night settled down completely, and it almost seemed as if Mathias forgot about Vek, who was left inside the salon room. Nonetheless, the young kobold wasn't offended or upset. Instead, he made himself comfortable on the soft couch, and with time flying, he started dozing off without a care if it was right or wrong what he had done.
It was by that time, Mathias and Fayrene exited their private room, only to see Vek snoring, with his long tongue sticking out from his mouth, with his tail wrapped around himself to fit the space of the couch.
"Let him sleep there, dear. I am okay with him until he starts understanding the customs of the humans. Good night, and take care of yourself. Don't forget to visit Jeanne when you return, or I will bleach your hair into black again."
"It will be without effect."
"You never tried, right?"
"I did not, but that old man said it is a mark I have become his successor."
"Sigh, I still can't believe what you have stumbled upon."
"Me neither." said Mathias, moving to give Fayrene a long kiss on her lips, before the young lady send him off with all the wishes she could muster, resulting in a bitter-sweet separation after Mathias logged out, vanishing in gray light fragments.
.
.
"[Clock]" said Fayrene where a clock appeared in the corner of her eye, telling what the hour was, in an efficient way.
[01:40]
'This curse seems quite convenient with the small functions it has for me. Knowing the time is always a forte while working in the cloth business and magic. There are some interesting functions I have to practice using, like the alarm.'
Thinking that, she gazed at Vek for a brief moment, and with a small smile, she walked back to her private room, later casting a spell on the door, placing a lock on it, still on her guard even if she knew Vek was someone brought by Mathias and it wouldn't be a danger for her. She wasn't willing to lower her guard to just anyone.
Changing herself in her sleeping clothes while in bed, she played around with the system interface, getting accustomed to activating and deactivating specific options. Especially at the Friend List, she played around with Mathias's nametag and even wanted to type something, from a love letter to some well wishes, that made her face turn embarrassed.
'This thing seems to be so useful. Being able to talk with your loved ones from all the corners of the world, always knowing if they are alright. Whoever cursed me with this curse or gift, I don't know if I should thank you or bane you, but for the only reason I can be connected with Mathias when he will leave for his adventures, I am thankful.'
Later on after getting tired of staring at the system window, she placed her alarm, slowly closing her gentle eyes and returning to the dream realm.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 43 - Red and the Black Market

---

Mathias, in the time he exited the capsule, he had a feeling of relief in his chest, knowing that everything settled down nicely and he would have to risk of destroying any bridge between the girls.
Looking at the clock, it was 10:35 PM, and it was right about the time he was preparing to sleep. Going to eat something easy for his stomach to digest and later taking a cold shower which sent another kick to his metabolism and also relaxing him.
Doing extra steps in that direction, after the shower, he returned to his laptop and started looking around, browsing what news appeared online.
'Should I muster my courage to see what mess James made? I mean, it can't be that bad?" thought Mathias to himself as he typed on the browser the name of his Guild, which instead of returning feeds about the Mythical creature and its lore, it was articles about his Guild that appeared on the first search.
'Ahh, I have an ominous feeling about this.'
While thinking about what could be said, he began accessing the articles and read the comments of those writers, followed by the user's comments, and later watched the declarations of wars sent by the petty guild leaders who thought of themselves as too great.
'They already have their heads so inflated by their ego?'
Saying that to himself, he unpaused the video revealing a blonde man with long hair, blue eyes with sharp eyes and features, looking deeply at the camera recording him, as he pointed toward it without saying a thing.
"Snake Guild accepts your challenge, pound snake, bastards who stole the name I wanted to give my Guild. Red, you talked a lot about not feeling the pressure of the future challenges, just because you defeated those Blackdawn's, this means nothing.
Everyone raiding on your coattails are just casuals who don't understand a thing, you, Leviathan's are nothing, and I, Zibal will prove you so.
From now, Snake Guild will be in a war against Leviathan Guild."
.
Closing the video and reading some of the comments belonging to people who got hyped by Zibal's message, as for Mathias, he wasn't impressed at all by those thought words and treats.
'A rambling dog? Why does there have to be people who take some competitive challenges so personally? Did James insult you or something in the forums or Louis? I doubt they would even do this.'
Moving to another video raising in view count, belonged to the 'Ice Flower' Guild Leader, Bondre, a man who had his hair dyed in a blue color whose body was giving off chills of cold, a video taken similarly as Zibal inside the game, where he declared that he accepted the challenge to war and that he would teach Red a lesson.
There were more guilds lined up that Mathias's skimped, with some belonging to the Beta Phase, who threw some words at the Leviathan's, mostly out of jealousy. Still, there was an interesting video posted on the forum where a woman with foxy-red long hair, with tanned skin with mesmerizing green eyes looked at the camera in a setting that wasn't set up at all, she responded to a reporters question without fretting.
"Jishuka, will the Tzedakah Guild give course to the Leviathan Guild Challenge?"
"We are not interested right now in fighting those Guild Wars since we have nothing to prove. We will see who is the best Guild in the future when the landscape settles. This Leviathan Guild, even if Red is the lead figure outside, a prolific Beta Player, this means nothing to the Hegemon's of LTS."
Even with that response, the guy who asked her that question while she was hunting mobs pushed his luck to get more information from one of the LTS Paragons who moved to Satisfy with her entire Guild, but before he could even say something, an arrow flew past his head, grazing his face and creating a flesh wound.
"Get lost. Can't you see I am busy?"
.
.
Watching that video, it made Mathias give off an interested expression before he shook off, almost chuckling at the excessive response Red's actions had garnished.
Aside from the video messages of what could be said, Mathias's future challenges, some newer content creators focused on delivering the news from inside Satisfy and also discussing certain things, groups or individuals who made it on the news, such as the Leviathans.
Specifically analyzing Red, Lane, and Evan's strategy while taking on the Blackdawn's, announcing the arrival of new professional players from LTS such as Jishuka and her Guild, or Chris along with the Giant Guild.
Such analysis content creators had insightful remarks that even had Mathias's stop for some minutes to hear what they had to say, and where he stopped next was a Q&A session where the host was taking questions from the audience in the comment box.
@GHeLs: Jesse, what are your thoughts on the new landscape of Satisfy?
@heyyou: Have you seen the new videos of the Guild Masters who are on high rank?
@YESIMFUNNY: Jesse, what is your level inside 'Satisfy'?
@CuteAsDuck: What do you think of the World Announcement for that Necromancer Mallus?
AllGoodNamesRGone: What classes or paths would you recommend us to take?
@HairyPoppins: Hey Jesse, first let me thank you for the great content. Now, as for a question for you, and even the other people in the chat. What Guild would you join if you don't want to make one.
The host who noticed the last question from @HairyPoppins placed a smile, later watching his audience give their thoughts, spamming the chatbox with Guild Names, but what was more often to be spotted by Jesse, the host of the stream, was 'Leviathan' and 'Tzedakah' followed by Giant Guild and Snake Guild.
"I see you guys have made your mind on some choices, so allow me to keep my answer to myself so I wouldn't influence any of you. All the choices you've guys noted are worthed, but now with the help of another question I've seen about the landscape of Satisfy."
"This is the best part of Satisfy, we can't never know who will stand on top. The Leviathan's might be the best right now in the early game, while later, another guild will come to dethrone them if you would want this analogy. There is a precedent in history, is called Thucydides Trap, go read about it and you will understand the dynamics of how Powers get to power and decline."
.
"As for the World Announcement, it's just something we think unique, but with time we will find it common because there is so much content with hidden bosses it would be stupid to even try counting them. The party who defeated that unique boss, I will give my hat off. They are high rankers, with only Vivian and Paula disclosing their levels. So we can assume the rest also have a high level to match the two I mentioned but opted not to reveal their information."
.
Mathias who remained to listen for some more minutes to this [Jesse On Ice], making him give a subscribe and have his channel saved just because he found his opinions neutral and was unbiased.
'Sigh, James this type of advertising isn't really the smartest way to play it in the long run, but it is what it is. It makes people aware of us, and thus I will also have to set the standards higher, make the Guild truly one for elites.'
Delighting himself for plenty of time, he moved to finish posting his novel chapters online, afterwards returning back to watch the contents for Satisfy.
Then as he was browsing around, with the clock showing 11:43 on his phone an app on his phone started sending off a call that he looked up to see belonging to James. It was a surprise even for him that his phone was capable of installing the Dns where his Guild took their offline discussion.
[James]
'What now? Have you come to apologize or something for the borehole you dug yourself?'
Responding to his call while leaving his sarcastic remarks for himself, he heard Red say in an apologetic tone.
"Boss, by chance, you are not angry on me for that open challenge I've thrown for the other guilds. It's just easy money and experience taking on those noobs while they are still "noobs"."
To which Mathias, who felt serene knowing that Fayrene and Jeanne were alright, remembering him after all that time and having their memories intact after the reset, replied casually, inspiring confidence and yet a calm mood which assured Red he didn't mess up.
"It will be on you to clear out those people trying to challenge the Guild. I don't want people to know I am the guild leader. Have Vlad help you around with the PvP since his class needs to grow also I've seen Orpheus and Ape want to join. They are quite good players, so don't forget about them."
"Boss, it seems you are in a good mood tonight. I will not bother you with why. Anyway, besides hearing your opinion on the Guild Wars, I wanted to tell you about something. There's been established exchanges who want to buy ingame gold at a high cost, but there's no gold on the market for them to buy."
A shift in his face happened when hearing about such concept that has already found their claws on Satisfy, he didn't mind asking Red for more details to which the latter was more than glad to explain.
"Mathias, this type of exchange will make you question it for a bit, but listen. They set this up like a Black Market since those guys need to get authorized by S.A Group, and the U.S Government, which will take a while. The rate is 15$ per gold as we speak right now. I sold all my gold coins, about 450 coins.
If I didn't have to pay the tailor to craft my leather armor, I would had more. But, there are gold to be made anywhere inside Satisfy as long you know to look.
Here I will give you the links to their address. Use, a VPN since it is on the Dark Web."
"Are you sure this is legal?" asked Mathias, being skeptical about this type of business and way of exchanging gold for real money.
"Yes, man, don't stress about it. You just have to contact them, and they will run you down with the procedure. They are not scammers. It is that they want to stay hidden from all the lights thrown at them."
"... How much would they later sell the gold?"
"That I don't know, nor should I care." said Red without stressing himself, as if the deed was done already.
Nevertheless, Mathias took this chance to inform Red about some quick thoughts he got for this type of Black Market Exchange, which made it feel like he was throwing a jab at the idea of being able to exchange ingame gold with real money.
"I see, this will mostly be cracked soon so wash your hands James, or you will be suspended. There's no way S.A will pass on this side of becoming the middle-man and earn some money or set unique standards for conducting such exchanges. There's also a worry about inflation, something those guys can do by shifting around the value of money inside the Satisfy world. Just having those in mind, you can see how ruthless the S.A might be on cracking on those guys."
"Mathias, don't you try scarring me with those suspensions. Those guys assured me it wouldn't lead to any repercussions, but, hah, who am I kidding, at least I got myself some money to cover the expenses of the capsule."
.
.
.
Following his talk with Red, regardless of how honey-covered the idea was, he didn't bite it, not caring or bothered to check the Dark Web link, being reticent to such notions of quick money.
It was instilled inside him from a young age that money doesn't grow on trees and that one had to work hard to earn a living.
He still was doing fine at his work, blessed without any back problems from the cleaning he was doing. With this new day at work, with a night of sleep so soothing knowing Fayrene was alright with Jeanne.
While at work, Vlad could notice the shift in his temperament and even asked him, curious of what happened on their break.
"Hey man, have you sold your gold using that Black Market? James has been mentioning that he made 7.000$ selling all his gold. That's one crazy guy right there, and I like it. Is that why you are more approachable?"
"Don't get me started with that Black Market exchange since it is not the reason I feel good right now. I returned to Titan."
"By chance, has your plan worked out?" asked Vlad curious, while he was taking a sip of his coffee.
"What do you think?"
"Hmm, good question. I bet it worked out otherwise you would be down on the floors, crying."
"Let's not exaggerate, but that's right, their memories of me are still there."
When Vlad heard Mathias's response, his mind thought of a certain old man with a missing eye and arm, before he asked in a curious tone.
"Could it be that the old man still remembers me even after the game was reset? After all this time? I only got my class to Rare, and I can't explain why since I did the same things as the old man instructed."
"You mean the old assassin? Weren't you saying you never wanted to meet him again?" replied Mathias with a sarcastic question that rubbed some salt on Vlad's scars, but nevertheless, the latter's response was positive.
"In the end I would still have to run against him and help him reach that 'Transcendence' thingy. Most likely I can't escape from that old man, but I want to believe I did."
"To be honest, I thought for a bit on why your class might not be the grade you had back then, and my point would be this. Have you done the tests that old man placed you? If you did them, then it must be something concerning him, as if he shared some of his power to help you?"
"Hmm, you got a point there, I didn't do those tests since I found them useless. No way it is that since it is about a type of resource. Maybe it is the old man who helped me back then."
.
.
With the break time finishing while leaving their talk to an endpoint, they returned back to their stations since the hotel began turning busier with each day of November as if it was to anticipate December. The work also piled on his shoulders, but he didn't complain about this workload, thankful enough to be paid a decent salary.
Following the day of work, he changed his clothes in the changeroom and with a large backpack containing more equipment to it, and instead of going to the metro station, Mathias moved toward the MMA Gym that was positioned relatively close to the center of the city but in a more remote area.
Walking on the streets, he could feel how the temperature dropped compared to the last weeks, making him think about how Winter was knocking on the door, readying itself to send its gift.
.
Arriving at the MMA Gym and entering the door, the first thing he heard and saw was a middle-aged man wearing a black suit followed by two other guys holding gym equipment in their hands, showing them to the head coach. Turning his head at the newcomer, the expression of the head coach shifted, shifted to a less angry look from what could be described as a heated exchange between the middle-aged man in suit, and the old man.
"Quiet down for a second, Georg, I have a donkey on my head, which is hard to manage."
"Then, if I am taking your time, we will return another day. We got all the time in the world to solve that contract. Sir Vinisan. I will return tomorrow with the list of equipment my company can offer. The only problem is money."
"Hah, money? This is how you guys want to play by rising prices."
"Sir Vinisan, you were once a legend of the UF. How can I try extorting money? I am just notifying you of the new contractual changes my superiors have sent me to notify you, and they are based on the materials used to pad the bags and the mats, gloves."
Ending saying that the middle-aged man followed by his assistance left the gym, but as they the two guys behind the middle-aged man passed, they noticed Mathias's and bumped on him with bad intent, pushing the latter aside.
The middle-aged man heard that and turned his head, only to see Mathias regain his balance and look sharply at the one who bumped into him as if he was ready to fight it out, leaving the gym door with a 'Hmm' sound, and outside he remarked to his men.
"That boy's balance is interesting even after you pushed him aside."
"Hmph, just that look on his face where he was ready to fight, made me surprised."
"Anyway, none of my problems, it would be funny to see you busting that kid's face in a ring."
.
.
After the "guests" went out of the gym, the head coach walked toward Mathias and gazed at him, before he punched him in his shoulder, saying with annoyance.
"Two weeks boy. You've left me hanging that long without a concrete answer. You said you would at least check the gym for some hours, but nothing. So, you've decided to follow this full-time?"
"Not yet, I am still working on that Hotel Job, and I also have another project I am working on."
"Kid, just drop that job of yours and pursue fighting. You've got the 'IT' in you boy. You didn't even get intimidated by those 2 hoodlums."
"Why should I feel intimidated by some idiots who pushed me? Anyway, sir Vinisan, I really can't leave my job without financial support."
"Aren't you playing some game? Make money using that, and pursue fighting if this is what you want?"
"It isn't so easy, sir. Let's not talk about this, I am here to learn something new."
"Hah, sure, go change into your training equipment, and we'll see what we will work." told the coach to Mathias, to which the latter nodded his head and went to the locker room, leaving the coach to walk toward the training area, where the number of people dropped down since the first time Mathias arrived.
'I can't let that boy waste his talent doing some shitty cleaning job, working for some corporation who will pay him in garbage sums. Even now, I remember those crazy reflexes the kid showed in the spar with a professional. Those reflexes are natural, he is like a rough diamond that needs polishing, and I will create a scary monster similar to those in the legends of MMA.'
'He only needs to work on coordinating his hands correctly and learn the perfect form for each technique. I should focus more on striking, so he can have some fun before making it dirty with grappling and wrestling.'

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 44 - Mind Games

---

The atmosphere in the gym changed a bit, turning itself louder with an old man giving instructions behind a young man with tied raven hair who was punching the bag with eagerness.
"Let your hands lose, one-two hook."
Mathias got his instructions and followed the order, doing a combination of two jabs, the one-two, before turning his hip to send the hook, which made a loud sound on the punching bag.
"Good, but remember to not lean too much on your lead leg. Now repeat the combo, later add some uppercuts and crosses."
Following the instructions, he shifted around his punches, adding more flavour to his hit selections, which made the people who were training in the gym to stop and watch Mathias putting on some hard work, with the old head coach barely able to contain his smiling face, keeping a straight face.
The new people who joined the gym who noticed Mathias hitting the heavy bag asked themselves, trying to figure out if they had seen this long-haired young man before.
'Is this guy some professional that has been recruited by the coach?'
Gabi, the disciple of the old man who was a professional MMA fighter, entered the gym only to be welcomed by the exhaling sound of Mathias and his punches, along with Sir Vinisan loud instructions.
"Gabi, who is the guy doing work at the heavy bag?" asked the newer guys, slightly nervous about approaching the professional fighter, and when he focused on the corner of the gym where Mathias was working the bag with diverse combinations of strikes, he whistled.
"He improved even if he didn't come to train at the gym? Gosh, is this some blessed guy with natural instincts for fighting? His combinations are faster than the last time he came to the gym. That's Mathias. He is not a professional, not even an amateur at that. Instead, he is just some dude who comes to the gym at times, just to kill some time."
"Ohh, so he is just someone who came to lose some weight?"
"More or less."
"But look at the way he throws the jab and moves his head and pivots from lead hand to power hand." told the guy next to the professional guy, who could only nod his head, and later go to change into his training attire.
As he returned, he noticed the head coach move toward him before focusing on him and his training regiment for this season when he didn't have fights lined up for him. The old man simply relayed some instructions before he told the other coaches to keep the other gym members in check so they would lax out before going back to Mathias, who moved to punch the bag with only left-hand jabs.
'Good kid, you even know what your weakness is and started focusing on the hand you aren't yet coordinated with. What should I do with you, lad? You are only 21. We could try a boxing career or an MMA one.'
'Before that, let me test your reflexes and reaction time, and we will also have to have a deep talk and explain to you again your gifts.'
Gripping his old fist full of scars and calluses, the old man remained close to Mathias as if he began turning into his shadow, that the latter didn't even notice, being in his own world while throwing his punches, sweating around in the process.
'Jab, Jab. Just like throwing 'Piercing Rain' relentlessly and ruthless, no one stands in front of my eyes as I fight. This feels so natural to me since I've started picking on the spear inside 'Satisfy', the movement of the jab is similar to the spear jab, just that my body is the weapon.'
Controlling his breath, with each jab he threw, exhaling, creating a rhythmic manner of breathing in and out while throwing his jabs, soon he was stopped by the old coach.
*Whistle-Call* "Kid, aren't you bored of the punching bag? So you know if you mess it up, you'll have to pay. Let's stop the punching training and do something more interesting. A game since I heard you like games."
*Jab* *Jab*
He heard the message, but his body was still captured in the rhythmic movement of his jabs, slowly stopping himself and later turning his head at the old man.
What he saw was a casual expression on the coach expression, and without questions, he followed him to another part of the gym where they entered a room where all more tables held some small wooden blocks, a wall packed with posters containing numbers, medicinal balls, and other equipment he didn't understand its usage such as a big screen enough to cover a room.
"Welcome to my lab, kid. I've never given you a test because I didn't feel like it. It takes time until I decide to test newcomers, but you've got me curious to find out something."
'This room feels like some psychiatric room … Don't tell me he wants to test if I am crazy? That thing I am not, so it should be a cakewalk.'
"Can you run me down on what those things are for?" asked Mathias as he was helped by the old man to take his gloves off while they continued discussing.
"To test how fast your mind is, since in fighting the faster you see certain things, the easier it would be for you to compute and evaluate responses to what's thrown in front of you." mentioned the coach, placing the gloved on a chair, before he laughed at Mathias next question.
"I see, so you aren't testing to see if I have mental problems?"
"Hahaha. Why would I even care about this? You don't seem to be someone with problems, you signed the paperwork anyway?"
"Right, right, so what do I have to do now?" asked Mathias who walked deeper in the room and gazed at the wall filled with posters containing number boxes and the wooden blocks.
The old man, walking toward the posters which contained diverse numbers from smaller to bigger, in all different variations, and even having the numbers turned upside down to make it harder, give Mathias a casual explanation of what he should do, without explaining to him the details to why, and what results would be appropriate.
Then, with Mathias getting a general idea, he heard the old man pointing at one poster close to him in a rapid fashion that took him by surprise.
"Tap on the wall on all the numbers in a degressive way."
Getting his instructions, Mathias looked at the wall broadly, taking in his eyesight all the numbers, and seeing all the numbers and quickly sorting them in the order the coach asked him to order, he started tapping rapidly on the wall, that it made him question his abilities.
'Aren't I too slow? I think I can do it faster.'
"That's all, sir." responded Mathias after finishing the task at hand, looking at the other poster and doing the same exercise, taking the old man by surprise who pushed the button of the chronometer, quickly nothing in his head.
'32 seconds, the first try, followed by 27 seconds on the second try. Lomachenko was able to do this in 24 seconds at the peak of his career.' though the old man when he saw what number the chronometer was telling.
"Sir, what's next? This number counting seems quite interesting. Should I also do it in an ascending order?" asked Mathias, waking the old man from his pondering, where he could only agree, quickly setting his chronometer.
Mathias moved to another poster with numbers from 1 to 25, where he started tapping the numbers in an ascending fashion having all the numbers in his eyes and easily finding them in his count, reaching 27 seconds, followed by another try at another one where he got a 29 seconds, making the coach stare as if he saw a ghost at the back of the young man.
"This shall be all, Matei. Let's do see how you will do with the wooden blocks and add more fun to it?"
"Sir, I can't really call this fun. It's an interesting mind exercise, if I may say so. This room should be used to train reflex and mind reactions to certain elements?"
"So you've understood it without me telling you much."
"I mean, sir, it isn't really that hard to guess. At first, I thought it was some psychiatric room, where you test people to see if they are able to go to the next level." remarked Mathias what he thought the use of the room was.
"Haha, I don't have enough money for a psychiatrist. Let me show you the next exercise."
Following with his gaze the old coach, he saw him walk to the table close to the posters where the wooden blocks were spread around in a messy order, and next he saw the old man place the wooden blocks in order building pyramids, before moving toward the poster with numbers and quickly in 30 seconds solving the poster, returning back to the table and starting ordering once again the wooden blocks in pyramids.
'Wow, placing those wooden blocks in that way should take a lot of precision and patience, maybe also steady hands? This old man is the real deal to be able to move his hands so smoothly at his age, even after his hands seem to be busted.' thought Mathias when gazing at the old coach hands before he heard it was his turn to perform.
Getting at the table, he looked at the wooden blocks spread around and started to arrange them closer to him in a meticulous way, making his life easier to make the pyramid shapes, he then started taking in his hands and started forming the foundation which was relatively easy for him, but then when he had to form the pyramid, his first inclination was to use both hands to balance the wooden block.
"Don't cheat, lad. One hand for both pyramids. So you know, once one pyramid falls, even if you are about to finish, you will have to redo it. Understood?"
"Loud and clear."
Taking a deep breath, calming himself, he used both his hands to slowly place the wooden blocks and form the pyramid before taking the other two blocks and doing the same for 10 rows. Nevertheless, he messed up at the 6th row, failing to balance a block dropping down.
*Tsk* "That's really annoying, my fingers for sure will get numb after this." commented Mathias, to which the old man remained silent and watched Mathias restart the entire process.
By the second try, Mathias completed the wooden block part and moved toward the posters, starting counting the number in an ascending way as quickly he could do before returning to the table and ordering the wooden blocks again.
Like this time passed with the old man and young man spending their time, in silence with the sound of wooden blocks touching the table and the sound of a hand touching paper. Yet the speed Mathias was completing his tasks slowed down, the reason?
Constantly doing this without a rest affects your hand steadiness, so it's not as easy as it looks. Doing such a mundane task many times over, concentration, muscle memory and mental agility are brought into play. It was mental training to its basics forms, and Mathias could observe a small improvement in how steady his hands were moving, coordinating one another in the process.
On the other hand, the old coach was concentrating on Mathias as if he was contemplating something important.
'Let's see his reflexes before I leave him be. It's already 25 minutes since he is doing the peripheral vision exercise.'
"That's enough, Matei. I'll show you another exercise that you might like." said the old man taking three coins from the table and starting out with only one coin in his hand.
"A coin toss?" inquired Mathias, pondering on why he should do that, but not long he got his answer when he saw the old man toss the coin in a short fashion, and later with a lightfast movement catching it in his fist.
"That's just some parlour tricks, let me show you something more advanced. You'll repeat this afterwards, so take a look at how I place the coins and toss them, followed by picking them."
It seemed as if the old coach wanted to show off, and show off he did, placing two coins and doing the coin toss and catch, followed by three coins toss and catch, stopping right there. Then, Mathias started doing the coins toss, starting with one, reaching the second mark, and as he got comfortable, he attempted to toss three coins, but when he was about to catch the third coin, it escaped his grasp.
"How is it? It doesn't seem so easy at first try."
Agreeing with the coach, he tried multiple times the third coins toss. Sometimes he had the magic touch of catching the third coin, but mostly it was him dropping them.
"I will stop here, sir. I feel I will turn flustered if I do this more times."
"Easy, lad. It's not like we will do this like brainless fools. This was just the first day, where we got used to the techniques. Hah, time passes so fast sometimes." remarked the coach taking a look at his watch, to which Mathias did the same and was surprised to see that he reached two hours of staying in the gym.
"Kid, be sure to return to the gym as often you can so we can work on your punches. I told you before, but you have that 'IT' factor for a champion. Your mind is a strong one, the reflexes are there, you are a fast learner, most people would desire such traits and you are still young. You can pursue that type of fighting career if you wish."
Mathias, who put the coins back to the table, still had one in his hand that he fiddled, like a poker chip trick, seeming to contemplate on what the old man remarked.
"Sir, I think I mentioned to you why I signed for your gym, that is to learn the real fighting, which would help me with this game I play, called 'Satisfy'. It is a virtual reality type of game, which uses something similar to your body to live there. It is something where you have to fight a lot, so it would be obvious I would wish to have some advantages. Never in my head, I would think I can box or fight against others in a boxing ring or MMA cage."
"I see, you did mention this, but I took it as some excuse since you started later than the rest. Kid, I want you to consider what I mentioned. This isn't just from an old man who doesn't know anything about life. My hands are proof of my hard work and also the belt in my office."
Remembering the belt in the coach office, he thought at first it was visible an old replica he bought to style his office, but when Mathias heard that in a newer context, he stared at the old man with curiosity.
"Don't give me that stare. I was a UFC champion in my younger days. Your grandfather might have heard about me when I won the belt and brought attention to this country from a wider audience. The first Romanian UFC Welterweight Champion."
"Adrian Vinisan …" murmured Mathias, filling the entire backstory to what the old coach said.
"You've retired because of some affection in your hands only being able to defend the title three times. I've saw a video about your rise sir, but the videos on you later on just turned to obscurity with newer generations of fighters appearing."
"Nothing I can do about it, I wasn't even promoted by the media of this country even though my record was 24-3. Even now they don't care about this and only promote nonvalues. We had some boxing World Champions in the past, they all settled down in other countries. The reason? The disrespect this country showed to them, from the lowest casual watcher who never sweated a gram in a gym to those pigs in the higher seats of power."
"Hah, sir Vinisan, it's fine. I understand, plenty enough the place we are right now. Nothing has changed in the mentally of the people for a long time. A time even my grandfather remembers crystal clear. But let's not derail, do you really think I can do something in this sport?"
"Lad, as I see you, you are a rough diamond that needs his jeweller to turn it into a shining star. If you want to see what's the difference between someone born for this, and someone who might get far with lots of training, see the new recruits who have joined with big dreams of becoming champions."
"Weren't the others I've seen walk off like that too? Talking big and after one week never to return?" asked Mathias in a sarcastic manner, something the old man took it with a grain of salt throwing a jab on Mathias who blocked it using his shoulder.
"See kid, you are different. You blocked even that punch, even though you got relaxed. It's all up here." said old Adrian, pointing at his head as if to signal Mathias was off the charts in that aspect.
Yet to Mathias it didn't feel anything special, he just noticed the jab and raised his shoulder to block it. Only after the end session of the training, when he was walking on the street accompanied by the wind and the sound of the traffic, that he started contemplating on this session of training.
'There's really a big leap I've done since the last time I went to the gym. Yet I can only mask my surprise, and keep a straight front, unfazed. Could it be that my fighting experience is also built by the fighting I am doing in the game?'
'I have to test it out, otherwise I will never know the answer and lie to myself as if I am someone special, when I am just your average Joe.'

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 - Chapter 45 - The Drunkard Adventurers

---

Mathias who returned home, dealt with menial tasks he should complete whenever returning home, afterwards without even checking his mails or spending some time online, that he reconnected inside the game.
Slowly following the loading sequence, his vision was brought back to Fayrene's main room salon, in a serene atmosphere for his mind especially after training at the gym.
Looking around himself in the room, he could see Fayrene back at the workstation working on one of the projects she mentioned for a girl that had an event to attend but didn't have the right clothes to appear presentable.
Not even entering inside the game with all his feet, that Fayrene, who was sewing, noticed his appearance with the system and without expecting a private message, she told him.
@Fayrene: Welcome back love. Don't forget what we talked about last time.
"Why are you using that instead of talking with me directly? Are you shy?" asked Mathias who walked closer to her, placing his hand on her waist, and taking a peek at her face.
"I want to get used to using that ability, only by training will I be able to do that. Aren't you my little guinea piggy, who give his word that he would help me with my studies?" remarked Fayrene, before throwing that question at Mathias in a cheeky way as she continued sewing.
With a sneaky smile, he kissed her neck which tickled her, before mentioning calmly.
"This isn't nice, being called a piggy doesn't fit my tests. Anyway, we will work on that for as much as you want, dear. For example when I am away, there's no reason to consume your thoughts on controlling that typing feature. We got a lot of time on our hands so you will see how smooth you will be turned into someone like me."
"Mat, I was playing around yesterday when you weren't home with that curse, and entered a weird thing called Ranking System with a lot of names being presented in that old list, but I can't spot you there even though I can see your "Level" is higher than most of the names I see on the list.
That remark from Fayrene made him hum, as he watched from her side the way she was sewing on the dress in question in a serene way, where he mentioned to her in a joking way,
"You too aren't far from reaching the top, since you are level 25, but it is something I don't suggest because of all sorts of complications that will come after it."
"What could happen?"
"Random people will message you, with all sort of attempts at grabbing some words out of you. Also, from my perspective, it is annoying dealing with so many people constantly wanting your attention."
"I see, then forget it, is not so interesting. Besides, how was your day?" asked Fayrene after keeping in mind what Mathias said
"My day? Slightly tired but now I am recharging myself sitting like this." said Mathias who rested his head on Fayrene's shoulder in a gentle way, without placing all his weight on it, balancing his weight to be as careful with her.
She placed down her needle and touched and caressed Mathias cheeks, and as she turned he gave her a kiss, and later went to the kitchen to prepare something to drink.
"Mat, you really should go, I don't want to make Jeanne feel bad by holding you with me right now. Just this cup of tea, okay?"
Seated down beside the fireplace as he watched the water boiling, while also gazing at Fayrene who made herself busy in the kitchen, cleaning some vegetables with the intent of cooking something fresh for Mathias.
"Understood, my dear. It wasn't my intent to neglect Jeanne. After I finish the cup of tea, I will be off. Right, where is Vek, I haven't seen him inside the salon." responded Mathias to Fayrene's request in a calm way, before inquiring about the young kobold.
"He is outside in the courtyard. I don't know what he is doing, maybe he went out to look around. I told him to stay put and wait for you, but he didn't listen and chose to go out. I was even curious to find out more about him, but I can't force him."
"Don't worry Fay, that kobold will not vanish anywhere."
As the couple were waiting for the tea to be done infusing, they didn't waste time and instead started talking about random things, especially targeting the system which was a mystery box for Fayrene even after Mathias explained to her the general framework.
Fayrene, when Mathias asked if she had remaining questions and uncertainties with the system nodded her head, but with an amused tone she told him.
"There's so many things I want to ask, especially on that bag you use. I have no idea how to use it, or if I have it. Hah, I will stop here dear, otherwise we will talk hours upon hours and it wouldn't be fair to Jeanne.
"Note down somewhere your questions and when I come back, we'll see how I can be of service." said Mathias as he took his black hat from his inventory, and bowed with it like a magician doing tricks.
Fayrene noticed how magical the hat appeared in his hands and couldn't help but be fascinated.
Once Mathias finished drinking the cup of tea, he bid farewell to Fayrene temporarily, and taking his butt from her house, he stared at the courtyard where no one was around.
'Strange, where could that kobold be?' thought Mathias when he exited the house, looking left and right for a sign.
The old ghost inside the ring bound to him, something he couldn't even unequip, gave his thought after being silent his entire interaction with Fayrene.
{Kobolds are curious creatures by nature, it is normal he wouldn't resist the desire to explore around.}
'Ohh, old Haycien, it seems you are awake. I thought something was off since you were quiet since I returned.'
{Lad, I don't know what trickery those Gods have done to me, but since you went to your world, I couldn't see anything, it was blank, darkness with some dim lights all around me. Gladly I was inside the inner pocket of the ring, and I didn't suffer some unthinkable backlash.} told Haycien seeming to hold quite the happening since he logged out.
'Darkness and dim lights? As if you were in a room-like space?'
{Yes, it felt like a room. You know something about that, lad?]
'I do. That's the place my people would enter after we go to our world. It shouldn't place you in danger, at least this is what I believe.'
{Lad, is not that I am fearful of something since I passed the torch, but sticking around, and watching the progress since my era, would be interesting. There's also your kind here which will bring more chaos to the world. I like that.}
'That's something which will happen at one point, but not now. My people and I are still too weak to mark our presence on the world stage.'
As he was talking with Haycien, he took on a walk, strolling toward the fountain of the district, where no one was around.
'He is not here.'
{Lad, don't you have that system thing? Use it to search the kobold, if he is around.}
'Right, he is still at my party, I can check the map and see where he is.' said Mathias after being reminded by Haycien that he could use the party features to check Vek's location which was instantly found.
It was an unexplored part of the city as it is shown in the map, but in fact it was a location he knew about, that being the <Raven's Tavern>. The slight discomfort of not knowing where Vek went was removed, and to make sure he was okay, he opted to visit the place again and buy some drinks for the drunkards.
{Wow, such a big heart. Why do you wish to buy them alcohol?}
'Come on, old Haycien, making friends in different places is always good, especially when you encounter the immortals. Those guys are always at the pub, regardless if it is day or night, they will pick up on all sorts of news.'
{I get it. Wait, immortals?}
'Not in that way, that's how I like to mock them, since they are always at the pub, as if they don't have homes.'
{Ahh, they might be beggars who knows.}
Still talking with Haycien, he quieted down as he walked down the alley of this zone of the city that was still bustling as he remembered it be. The scenery was one of a strong community, where they lived their lives day by day. The inhabitants of the periphery compared to the inner city were wearing simple clothing and even rugs.
Keeping everything to himself and not disturbing anyone, Mathias spotted the familiar two stories high building where his journey also shifted in a certain direction, that had a crow's head on the building's front placard, along with the nameplate of [Raven's Tavern].
[Once you enter 'Raven's Tavern' you will have to respect the rules imposed by Innkeeper Edmon.]
Reading that notification, he cleared it out and before even stepping inside he could hear the laughter and the drunkards discussing with fervor a certain subject.
"Piss off, let me talk with the weird creature. Boy, what booze do your people produce, it is like the Dwarfs?"
"Fucker, let me do the talking, can't you see you are wasted and can only think of more booze?"
Entering the tavern he was assaulted by the smell of alcohol, just like in the real world, and a loud atmosphere that buzzed in his ears. All the tables of the pub, with the counter of the bar included, were occupied with the "Immortals" residing there, encircling a small creature who looked nervous in those moments.
Innkeeper Edmon was still there, doing business, and at that moment was looking rather low on the draconian creature with wings tucked behind its back, who was assaulted by the drunkard's questions relentlessly.
"What's wrong little creature, we aren't going to eat you." told another drunkard who noticed Vek was silent in those moments.
"Wasn't that the other way around?"
.
"Now, now, guys, get lost and leave my new customer alone. It is rare for new people to come to my tavern, except to those poor outlanders who are worse then beggars." commented the Innkeeper who punched two of the drunkards in the face, pushing them from Vek in a joking manner.
Nevertheless, Vek and Edmon heard the arrival of the newcomer and turned to meet who it was, a man that had a black hat with crimson hair tied down in a bun, ruby eyes that were noticeable from the mask he was wearing, and an immaculate black suit making the drunkards sharpen their drunk eyes on Mathias, as if their stupor was just a lie.
"Welcome, to my establishment, dear guest." said Edmon who couldn't tell if the newcomer was an outlander or some rich person from the Inner City.
Mathias who heard the innkeeper warm greeting, turned his head around the tavern to check if Corvus was there, and he didn't miss out from his field of view, being headfirst inside a large alcohol jug and probably sleeping soundly after a heavy drinking, only afterward did he greet the innkeeper respectfully and later getting toward Vek.
"There you were, why didn't you tell me something before leaving?"
"I didn't want to disturb the mistress, so I went out to look around this place. Sorry if I troubled you." explained Vek later on apologizing, to which Mathias just shrugged his shoulders, patting his head.
"It is fine, just be careful of the shady people."
"Like the humans next to me?" inquired Vek who turned his head to look at the drunkards, who felt offended and wanted to lash out.
"No, they are fine people. They will not harm you, especially if you give them some booze. Here, this is from me, take care of my familiar. Innkeeper, will this suffice for those 6 to drink until they pass out?"
Edmon, who heard Mathias rhetorical question, and saw him pull off 20 gold coins looked surprised at this generous patronage, and most people in the tavern turned their attention to Mathias as if they saw their treasure trove.
"Young master, why would you do such a gesture?" asked one of the drunkards who saw Mathias pull of 10 gold coins, and placing them to Edmon.
"Why not? Haven't I told you to watch over my familiar?"
"That creature is your familiar? I thought it was some of the foreigner of the Empire who were sent to have an audience with the Imperial House." asked the same drunkard who surprisingly had a level 175, and a silver nameplate.
"Indeed. Thanks in advance." said Mathias in a calm voice, as he gazed at the drunkard [Achelm Katein] who gazed sharply at him, where he could only see his ruby eyes and a red aura that was like a small veil.
{Kid, in order to not release your Red Energy you have to think about keeping it inside of you, is like inhaling air in a calm way, and you will have to keep that state of calmness until you master the usage of the Red Energy to a basic stage.}
Mathias who asked in the meantime he talked with the innkeeper and the drunkards he knew were the big deal, but who chose to remain in anonymity and drink themselves to death, received his instructions and rapidly acted on them, masking his breathing with the mask he was wearing.
Achelm who saw that red aura for a moment saw it disappear, which made him ponder while the other drunkards also gazed at Mathias.
'An interesting power. I feel I've seen it somewhere, but I can't remember where. Hah, I can't remember where I saw this type of aura.'
Accepting the gesture without much fuss, Achelm even patted Vek's shoulder as if to assure they had him covered, and with Mathias about to finish his business inside the tavern, he last gave Edmon a bottle of wine which made Vek curious what he wanted to do with the bottle Elder Morlk gifted him.
"Innkeeper, can you give this bottle of wine to that friend sleeping at the back?"
The drunkards looked at him surprised, but didn't say anything, while Edmon took the bottle and placed it away, nodding at Mathias.
"Do you want to give a name in case that person likes the content in this bottle and asks around the people?"
"My name is Mathias. Take care and enjoy yourself. Vek don't make trouble for the sirs, and you can ask them around for your dream."
Vek turned to see Mathias leave the tavern leaving him alone with the humans who shifted their approach with him, with Achelm and Rolic being the ones curious to find what the young kobold wanted to achieve, and when they found he wanted to become an adventurer, they reacted as if one of their compatriots returned home.
"Little one, we got you covered. Tell me, are you serious about adventuring around? It will not be a problem for us to introduce you to the leader of the Adventuring Guild and register you as a member."
"This, I don't know what to say, I need to ask Mathias and hear his opinion."
"I see, then we will wait. Right, little one, why is your friend wearing a mask, is his face scarred or something?"
"No, he just hates it when people stare at him for some reason." replied Vek not thinking much about this question and responding with what he thought was the answer.
The drunkard took a large mouthful of beer that Edmon placed on the table with the money given by Mathias, and thought to himself the reason why Mathias was wearing his mask inside the Wallmort District if he wasn't some sketchy person who wanted to do some harm in the city.
In the meantime, Edmon placed the wine bottle on Corvus table, without disturbing the middle-aged man from his sleep, returning back to his counter to serve the drunkards who talked with Vek about all sort of things, from monsters to fights, showing great knowledge on those subjects which made the young kobold ask.
"How do you guys know so much about monsters?"
"That's because we are retired adventurers."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol.2 – Chapter 46 - Don't you lie to yourself, kid

---

Mathias who left Vek alone inside the tavern, like an irresponsible father leaving his son in a supermarket, walked toward the inner city of Titan, being reprimanded by Haycien who couldn't contain his amusement on how he dealt with the drunkards and the problem of Vek.
The visible change in architecture when stepping out of the peripheral district made Haycien remark in a melancholic tone when he couldn't recognize any building entering Mathias's view field.
{There's simply nothing I can relate inside Titan. Did time really change so many things? What have they done to my jewel?}
'Old Haycien, I feel I know some places that you might relate to, we will pass there soon. Still, you can't say you didn't see anything that you can't relate to, Porta Aurea is still around along with the walls, right?'
Haycien remained quiet, but Mathias who entered deeper in the inner city, and began walking toward the Forum of the city he still didn't know its original name, the place that was set as a respawning location for the players of Titan.
Stepping toward the square that was made from marble stone, where a large column was residing at the center where many people gathered around talking, and grouping up. Aside from that the citizens of Titan were also gathering around, similar to what was happening in the Beta Phase.
Getting closer to the column, and looking around the forum that looked ancient but in a maintained state, put on a smile, where he could instantly feel himself energized with inspiration for his novel just standing around this place even though his content reached the first bits of the War against the Sassanids.
{It lasted. To think this first part of the city I've built still stands strong gives me some hope, lad. Is there also the Common House for the elected people to discuss the needs of the people around here?}
When Mathias heard that, he pondered for a bit, before placing the connection of what the old man mentioned, and responded in an affirmative way.
'If you refer to the Senate House, it is behind the Forum.'
{Senate? I've named that thing the Common House because it was to represent the common citizens, not Senate. It feels disconnected with the role, just hearing that name.}
'Old Haycien is none of my business, I am just telling you how they are called right now, and from what I understand, it is where the nobles of the Empire would assemble to discuss events of national interest and front them to the Emperor.'
{WHAT? Nobles? Do you mean people with privileges? You mean the descendants of my twelve knights who were the backbone of my Red Legion?}
'No, there's lots of nobles in the Empire, from the lowest Baron to the highest Duke.'
{MERDA! WHO WAS STUPID TO GIVE PRIVILEGES TO MORE PEOPLE?} shouted the old man rising on his feet, seeming to be angry at what he heard from Mathias, but soon got pacified by Mathias's calmness, who remarked what he understood from the history of the Saharan Empire which had large connections to Roman Empire history.
'Old man, this is what happens when there are certain Emperors who are weak, unfit to rule. They are manipulated by the people around them into giving concessions and rewarding the shrewd ones. With years upon years passing since your Era, things went in that direction with the people in power turning more corrupt with each day.'
{Is it really as you say? Has my Empire failed yet?}
'No, the foundations you've set for the Imperial House were strong enough to stop the greedy nobles, but from what I've read of the past, there have been many rebellions from Princes who desired the Crown for themselves, unsatisfied with the choice of the Emperor. With the support of the Duke Houses, they fought against their brothers, challenging the throne and the Emperor's decisions itself.'
{Argh, so frustrating having to listen to such weaknesses. HOW? WHY? You want to say all the progress I've made in reaching my dreams, leaving all that wealth and power to my sons and descendants didn't reach any substance? We still haven't got to explore the Eastern Continent and deal with the Sea Monsters? Entering Abyss to deal with Lolth and her Empire of Drows?}
'Not to my knowledge, old Haycien. Calm down, is there even a reason to consume yourself in this stage? You've done everything you could do to the best of your abilities, and created a strong stage for the humans to rise, correct?'
{Indeed, I've even instructed my sons to work together to follow my goal of destroying Lolth with her army of Drows that were sitting under our doors, waiting to envelop the world into chaos.}
'Sigh, old man, we can't turn back time, so all the energy we spent consuming, lamenting on the past, is just wasted energy that could be spent doing something productive. I didn't read anything about drows or this Lolth attacking the Empire, but the variant races I have a feeling will be a problem for the Empire since the policy they use to put it mildly is rather "extreme".'
{Haven't they been integrated after all this time? Wait, I have a feeling they didn't even give a shit about my wishes and abandoned all my plans for the Empire. I've planned out for the slow integration of the variant races using our customs and language, by giving them universal education, without discriminating them of the past conflict. The young ones had no fault for the War of Hegemony.}
Mathias stopped in place as he listened to Haycien detailed plan he had for the future generations to follow after his end was rushed, and luckily thanks to his mask, the players and citizens couldn't see his face that turned shocked to disbelief at how comprehensive the plan was for someone who didn't have the knowledge of the modern world. He listened quietly at the old man's lament and how he was swearing his descendants for not abiding to his plan, and now creating a deep weakness that was piercing deeper and deeper in the Empire's throat.
'Sir, if I may add something.' said Mathias, wanting to stop Haycien from his angry rant, who managed to fill Mathias' head with all sorts of details that weren't necessary for him, creating a headache that stopped him.
{My apology, lad, if I filled you with uninteresting information. I am a hotheaded person at times.}
'No, no, everything you've said could have worked in the past and I am even impressed at how detailed it got, but those descendants of yours they probably didn't understand and comprehend the deep meaning of [Universal Education] or [Infrastructure Regrowth] and the other plans you've instructed them to follow. The human nature is one to be easily temped by greed and sin.'
{Fuck them. I've spent so much time writing that plan, and they just spit on my face. They even took down the Statue of Apollo from the Column of Apollo. Don't tell me he got killed by Rebecca after I died?}
'Sir, I really respect you, but please no more information all at once. I will not be able to take it if you tell me all of these things.'
{Fine, lad. I will keep quiet for now, go reunite with your lover. I am curious who this Jeanne is too, the first one really seems like a darling. I like her.}
"Because she is a darling." told Mathias out loud, but not noticed by the players who believed he was just an NPC, ignored by them which was a feeling hard to describe.
He walked toward a stage placed at the exit of the forum, where NPC were gathering around with a small number of players who were interested in what the NPC on top of the stage had to say.
[Reid - Lv. 168]
Seeing Reid from a distance thanks to his enhanced senses, he approached closer to the group, touching on some people's shoulders to reach slightly deeper to see the 'Speaker' which turned some heads to him. Yet when hearing Mathias' calm, apologetic voice, that contained some charm to it, they just nodded their heads accepting the apology, returning their attention back to Reids.
{What are you doing, kid?} inquired Haycien, who from the vision he could see in the inner pocket of the ring, was a mid-twenties youngster wearing relatively wealthy clothes which signified that he was for a well-off family.
'Nothing much, just listening to an interesting person speaking from his heart.'
Settling down, he began listening to the 'Speaker' Reid who added new subjects compared to the times he listened to him in the past. This time he touched a tricky question which was the Red Knights.
** Was there a need for so many knights? Were the Red Knights that important to the safety of the Empire even though they are a drain to the treasury of the Empire. **
Mathias placed his hand on the chin, behind the mask, started stroking his chin, and pondered, while Haycien was lashing out at the 'Speaker' for even daring to address this question.
{Who would defend you, loose pants? Will you defend your wife as she is r@ped by the Orcs, Goblins, Cyclops? Will you defend your children with those words of yours? By Sol, don't tell me those children of the Empire turned so braindead that they failed to realise what's the most important thing that allows them to breathe at ease.}
'Hmm, indeed, without an army to defend you, you are buttnaked against your enemy, a chicken awaiting slaughter. But he has one point because from what I've heard the Knights are paid quite the substantial salary compared to a simple infantry commoner.'
{Give me a break, it can't be so high that they will not be able to pay the Knights. I was able to feed and pay for 12 Legions.}
'Old Haycien, those were other times, because the Empire is still the "Hegemon" of the continent, the citizens of the Empire are lavishing in those gains, the salary of a soldier, in this case a knight has been increased exponentially since your time. There might be some truth to his words, but apart from this, there's only slander to place intrigue in the minds of people.'
'Anyway, I had enough of listening to rhetoric, on this point I will not agree with you 'Speaker' Reid.'
'It feels as if you are trying to stir something and implant the seeds of doubt on the public and players. A dangerous path that will lead to your death, so I'll rather hope you aren't walking that route.'
{A rebell?}
'They are called Revolutioners in my home. That [Speaker] might as well be one of the future leaders of such a chaotic movement. But I will not be quick to judge.'
As Mathias was talking with Haycien about what they heard from Reid, he made his way out from the crowd using 'Raven's Movement' making his departure unnoticeable, but Reid's noticed that the masked person wearing an expensive dark suit who he thought to be a respectable noble who was attracted by his ideals left the stage area, turning toward the exit of the Forum, and walking toward the residential areas of the well off citizens.
Stepping on this new area, it made Haycien feel speechless at how lavish the mansions were compared to the peripheral ones that even he found familiar in size, the houses on the alleys couldn't even be compared with the periphery residences. It was like comparing a wolf with a chihuahua. It was the same species but totally different worlds.
It was precisely what Mathias thought at that moment being on the same length with Haycien on this subject, those rich people really enjoyed themselves in building extravagant mansions that might even run for a Castles money.
Soon Mathias who was walking on the streets of the Inner City Residential Area and gave the impression he belonged to this place, where the Imperial Guards didn't even bother to check on his identity, feeling he was some extravagant noble who liked to keep his identity secret when going outside arrived in front of a mansion's gate.
The mansion was two stories high, large enough to make Haycien ask who is lover was to be so rich to own such a place.
"She isn't rich herself, this mansion was a gift from a noble who she healed in the past."
{A gift? This feels suspicious. Kid, couldn't it be that someone is trying to steal your woman?} asked Haycien whose wrinkled face shifted a bit when contemplating such a possibility in Mathias's stead.
Yet Mathias who opened the gates of the mansion, entering inside its courtyard could only chuckle a bit, and tell the old man some things about Jeanne since he didn't talk about both the girls with him, not wishing to discuss his personal life. Slowly but surely, in the amount of time it took Mathias to walk toward the mansion's large and luxurious door, Haycien also mentioned feeling he did a mistake getting to conclusions too fast.
{I've heard of such a curse in my life, but I don't remember what it implied. Was it from a book I've stolen from the Elves? I've skimped the contents of most books that weren't talking about fighting arts of the different races I've defeated, but if I get this feeling, it means it was something interesting.}
'You really know about such a curse?'
{Lad, I don't know, I've read about it, but now I don't remember since I wasn't really that interested in random information back then. Just polishing myself was my main motivation. The ancient books I've collected from all the races, I left it in my library, if not those fools from my bloodline burnt them or something.}
Taking a relaxing breath, he nodded registering the information, feeling a bit better knowing that there might be some information on what the curse Jeanne suffered was all about.
Sorting out his thoughts, he gazed at the door and knocked on it in a calm way, waiting for someone to respond to his door. It felt as if he was once again standing in front of Fayrene's door and she was giving him the cold treatment, but it was morning, about 10:24 so it wasn't the case for Jeanne who he knew was a morning religious woman.
Once again knocking, he waited in front of the door for about 30 minutes and still no response, which made him ponder, and staying an additional 5 minutes with no response, he choose to check with the Light's Cathedral.
Back on the same path he took, he walked back to the forum, and taking another route toward the Cathedral, he didn't gather the gazes of the people with his masked self, and black suit. Only when he stepped on the steps of the Cathedral were people focusing on him.
The players that gathered here in a large number to do their quests, noticed the arrival of the newcomer who was wearing the silver-white mask reminiscent of the Venetian Masquerade, and chit-chatting they started, from questions about who the person ascending the Cathedral's stairs might be.
"Seems an important noble to me with that black suit, and mask. All signs of a noble of the Saharan since they are really arrogant people who despise players. Who knows, maybe even the notion he might meet face to face with a player will be troublesome." theorized a player, telling another one as Mathias was passing by.
"I don't know, nor do I care about this type of NPCs. We will get to their level at one point and we will see if they can be arrogant at that time, for that we need Rebecca's Church Power to raise the ranking ladder."
Meanwhile, Mathias ignored those types of proclamations from the players which made Haycien remark on them, feeling that their conviction was good enough to be successful.
'Yet without luck and talent, having only one aspect to success is all for nothing. All the people who succeeded in life had these three aspects I am mentioning, luck, talent and conviction of their success, ahh, and to not forget an additional, a lot of hardwork.'
{You aren't wrong there, lad.}
Getting closer to what was an impressive landmark of the Titan City, the beauty of the Light's Cathedral was breathtaking with his glorious size and architecture that was a combination of gothic styles, roman styles, and renaissance elements. Mathias in his first visit to the Cathedral thought he saw a fantasy version of Rouen Cathedral, but each time he would revisit this place, his perception would change, when noticing the elements from Hagia Sophia, the Roman Temples, or Cologne Cathedral.
Then after climbing the steps toward the mound and reaching the leveled field suited with great artistic style with a small plaza, and something akin to a garden where people could wait for the church services in a peaceful atmosphere, accompanied by the warm statue of Goddess Rebecca whose beauty and serenity remained unchanged.
Mathias walked closer toward the Giant statue of the beautiful woman with long white hair that cascaded down to the ground, while her clothing was a white milky dress that complemented her beauty even more.
Compared to his visit where he was overwhelmed Mathias familiarized himself with the Goddess and was even on the receiving end of some benefits as if he found his "Sugar Mommy" as Vlad liked to call it when he heard the experiences he had with Rebecca.
{Son, you better aren't thinking of doing what I guess you will?}
'What? I just want to offer my respects to the Goddess who protected the World.'
{Bah, don't you lie to yourself kid, I know you know certain things about the gods. Even if you are looking to suck up to her. DON'T! You are a Saharan! We don't bow our heads to anybody, only the parents who gave birth to us, and our wives.}
'I get it, old Haycien, but still, some benefits can't be passed on.'
{Kid, I will tell you from experience that bitch has an evil side, eviller than Yatan. She managed to defeat Hanul and his supporters with only the Gods she created. When I was young I also sulked to her believing she could guide me and my tribe to victory in the early stages of the Hegemon War when the human tribes were scattered, not unified by one force.}
{She was the Guardian of the Elven Empire back then and was so adamant on seeing us humans die that it made me doubt reality. As if she saw us like a creation that wasn't meant to happen. ARGH, it makes me remember those harsh times where I lost so many of my childhood friends in that early war because I let myself believe in that slut words.}
Mathias who gazed at Rebecca while hearing Haycien's words that contained emotion, which not even a sociopath could fake, had his ruby eyes shift in intensity with his irises starting to burn with a dark-purple flame, before Haycien reminded him hurriedly.
{Don't think about it and allow that slut to sense you. She is connected telepathically to every statue worshiping her and can sense even the smallest amount of anger from people she deems dangerous. I was deemed dangerous when I was the Human Emperor, and she was one of the main reasons for my death.}
'SHUT UP OLD MAN! STOP TALKING SHIT THAT MIGHT MAKE ME THINK TO MUCH INTO THIS RIGHT NOW!' shouted Mathias who tried not to think of what he heard, thus not getting influenced by the negative thoughts and stepping into a trap he couldn't exist.
Breathing out rapidly, as he distanced himself from the statue, he didn't receive any notifications, didn't even see Rebecca release her divine power, something that even Haycien praised Mathias for keeping his emotions in control and ignoring his remarks.
Walking toward the Cathedral that was opened to the public the day he was visiting, he stepped inside and failed to spot Cabrils inside the main lobby, making him ponder if he was sent once again on that mission to fight the Lich inside Toulmont Duchy.
Once inside the 'Light's Cathedral', he could see the grandiose frescoes and mosaics similar to real life, using religious motifs of saints and angels on the ceiling. The arches and supporting beams of the Cathedral were all made of marble stone decorated with various sculptures.
Moving undisturbed by the priests, he stopped in a corner the group of priests who were the pig's Archbishop Julius was drying out of their family money, and not giving them too much attention, he entered in the main part of the church that was like a crossroads with more paths that could take him to different sections of the building.
Wanting to go visit Jeanne, he took the familiar path, but after walking for just a bit more, some priests stopped him, telling him in a calm and warm tone.
"Her Excellency Jeanne has ordered that she will not take visitors. My apologies, your lordship." explained the priest who too believed Mathias was a noble, since he didn't take off his mask or hat.
Feeling relieved knowing she was in the Cathedral, Mathias mind relaxed, and with a respectful and even dignified tone, he chose to build this masked persona around he told the priests.
"Fully understood Her Excellency wishes, however, if you can, relay this message to her. Someone who she is expecting will wish to meet her."
Nodding their heads, the four priests tasked to keep in check any outsider who might want to disturb Jeanne, agreed with Mathias request, and as he left this section of the church, they didn't move one bit from where they were standing, not even themselves daring to enter inside Jeanne's office.
Yet, Mathias to fill his time as he waited for Jasmine to finish her work, walked toward the Cathedral's main hall and took a seat closer to the altar entrance, taking his equipment for writing out and undisturbed by anyone beginning his writing under Haycien's curious eyes.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 47 - A Gentleman waiting for his Priestess

---

Yet, Mathias to fill his time as he waited for Jeanne to finish her work, walked toward the Cathedral's main hall and took a seat closer to the altar entrance, taking his equipment for writing out and undisturbed by anyone beginning his writing under Haycien's curious eyes.
Time passed and he continued writing unbothered by anyone in his surroundings, as if he was alone in this entire building, there were some priests who got curious about the man with crimson hair writing something and walking parallel to him, they could only see his mask and ruby eyes.
"Is that allowed?" asked a priest who spotted Mathias alone at the front benches writing.
"If he doesn't disturb anyone let's leave him alone without disturbing him. It might be a noble and I really don't wish to get into a mess by arguing with him to leave the Prayer Hall." remarked another priest after the first young priest inquired about Mathias.
They returned back to their activities, giving tasks to the new church members who the Archbishop allowed to join, leaving Mathias who didn't even notice their presence in those moments. Hours passed since he settled down there and even the players got curious about the weird nobleman who didn't move for hours.
Getting closer to Mathias there was a player nun who told another nun her theory on who the crimson-haired man could be.
"What if he is a quest giver waiting for us players to approach him? It doesn't break anything trying our luck since there's a smaller number of quests from the priests."
"After you."
Walking toward Mathias they noticed the sheets of paper spread around him, fully written in immaculate calligraphy, yet before those girls could even say something they noticed the masked man gather his sheets of paper around, asking with a calm voice.
"How could I help you, young ladies?"
Hearing that calm voice that exuded some charm the player nuns couldn't back away, and apologized for bothering Mathias in those moments.
"Ahh, lord, our sincere apologies if we disturbed you. We were curious if you required anything since you've stood here for quite some hours."
"Don't worry, young lady, everything is alright. I don't need your assistance, but if you may, could you bring me some sheets of paper?"
"Sheets of paper?" asked the player nun, staring confused at Mathias's masked face, only noticing his mesmerizing ruby eyes.
"Indeed, young lady. It wouldn't be too hard, correct?"
"Understood, lord." said the girl who initialized the interaction with Mathias, gently stepping away from Mathias's proximity along with her friend who was still confused.
"What a weird noble. Right, Aurora, have you received a quest?"
"No, but let's bring him the paper, who knows we might trigger a quest chain."
On another hand, Mathias who placed in his inventory the work he still had to continue but lacked enough paper to get on with his flow of words printed down, gazed around the praying hall of the Cathedral while talking with Haycien who found it amusing how he was taking advantage of his new appearance and hat to mask his appearance to one of a noble.
{Lad, now I understand why it is so easy for you to behave like a noble, that character in your story Justinian, is spot on you, right? This explains everything and how calm you behave even in moments of stress. You really have reimagined yourself in such a setting and world, in a way even I could believe.}
{Haha, what's amusing is that you are the type of person who would lead the charge of your army by how you wrote that war scene with the enemy Empire, the Sassanids. Also shrewd, I like it, the more you write that book of yours the more I understand your character and soothes my heart knowing I didn't pick the wrong person.}
'Ahem, old man, some privacy please. Don't embarrass me. Also, don't make it seem as if I take advantage of those girls, I got some rewards for them.'
Inside the inner space of the crimson ring on Mathias's index finger, the old man did a shrewd expression, where all his wrinkles were put on display, grinning a bit and turning it seem creepy, but a pure chuckle dispersed that feeling, making him look as a proud old man, pleased with his life choices.
Getting back to hitting some talk with Mathias where he asked him about the army formation and strategies he wrote inside his story, it made Mathias realize he now had a person to talk about all his ideas and test his theories with an already experienced ruler, making his plots even stronger than before. Thus, until the two girls returned empty-handed, Mathias was having a pleasant conversation with Haycien about military formations.
"Lord, we returned. Sorry for the wait, but the priests didn't allow us to take the paper. However, we solved your request in a way. Here, would those suffice?" asked Aurora, who looked slightly nervous, but later on calming when hearing Mathias' serene voice.
"This secret will be between the two of us, young lady. Sorry for risking yourself for my selfish request. Here, this is for you."
Saying that, and looking at the young nun with a clean appearance, wearing nun clothes show the sheets of paper she took, in an underhanded way from the stingy priests, he placed his hands inside his coat pocket and opened his inventory from there, simulating the action of an inhabitant taking money out, he brought 20 gold coins for the girls and handed them to Aurora later closing her hand.
"Share it between one another."
The young nun who felt the warm touch of the masked nobleman and also heard his charming voice, turned slightly embarrassed, taking some time to gaze into his eyes before having her friend help to move away from Mathias who had a smile on his face.
"Aurora, planet Earth transmitting to Aurora, are you alright girl? What's got into you? Your cheeks are burning." told the other nun after distancing from Mathias, who placed his quil back on the inkwell resuming his writing.
"I don't know, I never experienced such a thing with the NPC's here. Even when I saw Paladin Gabrils who is a handsome guy in itself, I didn't behave like this. Hah, that crimson-haired noble must be hiding a really hot face, that he chose to hide it, just by listening to him gives you the impression he is a gentleman."
"Or just a hypocrite who likes to fool with pure girls. Anyway, how much did he reward us for the paper?"
Opening her closed fist, she could see twenty sparkling gold coins that had an eagle engraved on it, the standard for Saharan currency to have the stem of the Empire engraved, the Imperial Phoenix.
"Wow, twenty gold coins for just some insignificant paper? Isn't that nobleman too generous?"
"Hah, this feels too much, but they will help us greatly with buying the priest skills we need to grow and help the guild." replied the second nun called Sera, feeling excited about the rewards the two gained from Mathias, who they believed was a magnanimous NPC.
Yet before leaving Aurora took some pictures of Mathias side revealing his masked self, and tied crimson hair along with his elegant suit, choosing to share the story she encountered in a fan group she was subscribed to discussing interesting NPCs who helped players around.
@Elaxi: That's the figure of a good-looking man right there, where you found him Aurora, don't tell me it is from the Church you joined?
@Melisandre: Aurora, you did well for sharing this NPC with us, but we don't know his name. How will we be able to find him?
@Cersei: That's right, I am not on Titan . How would I be able to meet him?
@Elaxi: I doubt there are many crimson-haired NPC's around the city so it wouldn't be hard to find him.
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It was a certain event that wasn't in Mathias's control nor could he do something to change the outcome, since he just wanted to help out some beginners in the game because they too excused him of moving away from the Cathedral and missing out the chance of meeting his Priestess.
Slightly more hours passed, and from the other part of the Cathedral's Light, in the part, Mathias wanted to go, the door of a room was opened revealing a decently tall woman, that was 1,80 meters, with arranged golden hair, braided at the end of her back, enhanced by her hazel eyes.
She was wearing a white priest clothes decorated around making it feel like she held a higher rank inside the church, while her figure was so captivating that the priests who noticed her exit her office could only lower their gazes, and as she walked toward the central hall of the Cathedral, the priests who stopped Mathias notified her, slightly nervous.
"Your Excellency Jeanne, there is a masked person that gives me the feeling he is a noble who arrived hours ago and is currently sitting inside the praying hall doing some weird activities."
The blonde woman turned her gaze at the priest who stopped her, frowning a bit, before she inquired for more details.
"What do you mean by weird activities?"
"Well, you can't say it is weird, but he seems to write. Since he went to the praying hall and settled down he didn't move from there and has since been writing."
Another priest, also mentioned to Jeanne seeing her frown, trying not to bring some trouble upon them.
"That person also told us to tell you something vague. "Someone who you are expecting will wish to meet you". We choose to ignore it since you instructed us not to disturb Your Excellency, but that person still remains there."
Shaking her head at the priests, while sighing, she waved her delicate hands at them as if to dismiss them, before taking on herself to see who was the mysterious masked person who wanted to meet her so much.
Walking toward the praying hall from the central hall, the sound of her steps in the silent Cathedral, that got enhanced by her delicate heel shoes that were matched by her elegant priest clothes that was a combination between a nuns and male priest clothes that fit perfectly on her body, showing off her curves and even bosom.
*STEP*
*STEP*
Her heels touching the marble stone created a balanced echo, but as the blonde woman entered the praying hall and noticed in a corner a man who had crimson hair tied down, wearing a black hat and also an imposing black suit as if he was some a High-Ranked Yatan Servant, she slowed down, until she stopped altogether.
Her dignified appearance and straight back started trembling a bit, as she murmured to herself.
"That way of sitting and writing. After so many hours that I watched him, when I see someone doing the same, I always think its him and make a scene."
"He can't be my Mathias, with that crimson hair, so it should be a noble who wants something from me."
Calming herself down, and proceeding to continue approaching Mathias in a dignified way that emanated confidence and elegance, before she could even greet the crimson-haired man or glance at his face, a familiar serene voice was heard inside the praying hall.
"My lady, I heard you don't like visitors, since when? Nevertheless, I still took it on myself to meet you."
Jeanne, still skeptical even after hearing his voice, saw the man raise on his feet, dusting off his black suit, and glance at her still wearing the mask, giving away only his ruby eyes.
"Does Your Excellency have any business with Rebecca's Church?"
"Hum, it seems my appearance truly is impeccable, but my voice didn't change, did I change?"
{Yes sure, blame it on me. Nevertheless, ohh boy, you make me feel jealous right now.}
When Jeanne heard him remark that in a sarcastic way, with his calm voice turning cheeky, she once again turned nervous, questioning if what she was hearing was right. Her train of thought rapidly was cut off when Mathias walked toward her, giving off a small veil of Red Energy around his body that made him more mysterious.
Stepping back to keep her distance away she stumbled and when she was about to hit the floor, immediately a pair of warm hands got to her back supporting her.
"My, my, you are still stumbling even though this pair of shoes seem to have small heels."
She didn't feel any repulse from the embrace of this masked man which resulted in her eyes turning soft, slowly bringing her hands to his face and taking his mask off, revealing the face of the man she was holding dear to her scarred heart, night by night waiting for him to return.
"It's you, darling. You've finally returned home, but what happened to you, your hair and eyes?"
"Shhh, I will explain everything to you, dear." mentioned Mathias who placed his finger on Jeanne's lips, gazing at her as picked her up.
"I've missed you." blurted Jeanne, as she brought her head closer to his chest that was warmer than before with the Red Energy touching her.
"Me too, I've missed you, my gentle Jeanne. Have you finished all the work for today?"
She didn't say anything, and like a cat that found a safe location, remained quiet only agreeing softly with what he asked her, making the latter chuckle moving to kiss her forehead.
Not doing anything that might be explained as indecent in the house of the Goddess, he remained quiet, embracing Jeanne whispering in her ears some loving confessions, which made her giggle, before the couple walked away from the Praying hall with the intent of exiting the Cathedral, placing a front that they weren't close to one another so they wouldn't give the church members the chance to spread some dirt on Jeanne even if she was the daughter of the Archbishop.
As the couple left the Cathedral, creating a wave of discussions between the priests and players, who saw the nobleman exit together with the Bishop of the Church or how the players called her The Priestess, inside the altar of the Cathedral, a spacious room that looked more like the Papal bedroom, where beside a table containing a bottle of wine a man with long white hair, and a full white beard gave an all-knowing smile as looked into a mirror not to far from him.
"My little girl, so that was the person you've been waiting for so long? The reason you've fully embraced your curse? For the brief moment, I could see the young man's appearance he doesn't seem to be a noble descendant. Yet his behavior was noble and pure intended, that he abstained from doing something that would be frowned upon and that could attract Rebecca's attention even if I sealed most of her sight in this place."
"One thing I've picked up that needs more investigation from me is his aura. It seems I'll have to meet this lad, to make sure my daughter is safe. Ahh, the troubles of being an actual father actually started building up and I will suffer like those old friends of mine who had to separate with their little girls."
The old man who gave off the feeling that he was at the peak of his life, without even a wrinkle on his face, emitting a white light around his body as he was drinking from the bottle of wine, later did a pathetic expression thinking how Mathias would steal his daughter, Jeanne.
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Outside the Cathedral's ground, the couple was walking the steps, exiting the territory of Rebecca's Church, point where Mathias who took Jeanne by her waist, brought her closer to himself, saying in a gentle way.
"What do you want to do now, dear?"
"A kiss." said Jeanne in a shy way, now that she no longer saw in the possible sight of Rebecca, she acted as a love-struck lady.
Mathias didn't say no, and stopping in place with Jeanne, while the citizens and players passed by, he gave a deep kiss to Jeanne, attracting some gazes to him that didn't matter at all.
Jeanne's heart was beating in an alarming way, as she felt his warm tongue capturing her own, and with her body still not used to these sensations only remembering them, she moaned a bit and reacted similarly to the past, biting his tongue and panicking.
Her eyes were closed, able to see Mathias whose eyes called out in pain, yet she tried to escape the kiss after biting his tongue, but miserably failed, as if Mathias was out strengthening her.
"Just like before, you really are a bad kisser, Jeanne." remarked Mathias jokingly as he caressed her face, watching her turn embarrassed before she chuckled saying in an apologetic way.
"Have I done it again? My bad. I will make it up this time." said Jeanne, who went back to his embrace, kissing him on her own, while she casted a small spell that made her breath chilling, she watched with a confident face how Mathias expression shifted, turning pleased.
"Whoa, this is new. Dear, where have you learned that?"
She told him in a soft voice, whispering, as if she remembered when Mathias did the same with her, when she asked about his arcane magic.
"A secret. Have you liked this? I've trained myself a lot to surprise you."
"Not bad, really not bad." mentioned Mathias who caressed her face, later resuming their walk getting toward Jeanne's mansion.
They were hand in hand, like a love-struck couple and as they were walking toward Jeanne's house, they were discussing all sort of things, mostly Jeanne pulling Mathias' tongue out, and getting him to talk.
He could only oblige and start talking about his new adventure that started from Cidarian, where he told her about Fayrene's parents and his interactions with them, making her curious.
"Fayrene never talked about her family that much with me, is she okay with them?"
Mathias could only hold her hands tighter and remark in a soft voice.
"Dear, I think it wasn't that, but she is conscious about what happened to you and how you were an orphan and didn't want to upset you by bringing out such memories. She is as sensible as you are, so my guess is that she didn't want to bring them out because of that reason."
"I see, but she is mistaken, I don't mind it at all. In fact, it makes me more happy hearing about such stories. It makes me visualize that part of my younger self that I never had. Still, with father Julius, I didn't miss out too much, apart from being confused because of my curse."
Holding her closer to his chest, he walked like this without continuing his story, imagining in his mind that even if she was telling that it didn't affect her, deep down there were still scars that had to be mended slowly, thus only after she really showed signs that she returned to a better state, he continued telling her about his adventures, the monsters he fought, the bandits, the kobold settlement he encountered and so on.
"What about the red-hair, you missed that out?"
"That is the last piece I will tell you. Patience my dear, don't you like my storytelling?"
"Hmm, you are slow." teased Jeanne before placing her finger on his lips, knowing he would have some comeback words to muster, remembering him fully as a devilish person.
Taking note of that finger, as Jeanne rested her finger on his lips, he smiled before opening his mouth and rapidly capturing her finger, biting it in a teasing manner.
They continued messing around with one another, Jeanne doing her magic tricks that would be like jabs from the wind magic to the icy magic she knew, but Jeanne found out that Mathias leveled up in his teasing game, and using his Red Energy Manipulation, he made certain birds that began resting on her golden hair like decorations, before starting messing with her, entering her clothes, and ticking her.
"Ahhhh, that's not fair, you are clearly cheating." said Jeanne as she moaned at the front of the door, but Mathias who used his creations to pickpocket Jeanne's clothes, opened the room, while laughing in a haughty way.
"This is your fault, who told you to tease me. Now that I've captured you, I'll see what the little angel can do against me."
Holding her in his embrace, as he opened the door, entering the familiar house, he went to the main room, where Jeanne was first to reach the couch, and stare at Mathias who smiled at her, removing his hat, and also undoing his tie revealing his crimson long hair.
"Jeanne, have I told you? You look so gorgeous in those clothes."
The little red bird got out from her clothes and got on her head returning back as Red Energy back to Mathias, who removed his coat and also removed his tie before sitting next to Jeanne and calling out in a serious voice.
"[Isolation]"
Jeanne could see that from Mathias's body a dark-purple energy wave exited his body, making her ponder why it wasn't like Fayrene's magic.
"There are two paths to Arcane Magic from what I concluded. The first is an Order where you are blessed by it, and another spectrum is the Chaos which I follow. It shouldn't be something to worry you dear, I am still the same little curious devil that got mesmerized by the pure angel."
"She will not be able to hear us?"
"There's only the two of us right now. Why? Are you afraid of her?" asked Mathias holding her hand, now being able to open up about certain subjects that would be too delicate to talk openly with others.
Jeanne kept her quiet not knowing what to answer, but soon her silence was broken by her saddened words.
"I don't know what to believe Mat. Fayrene explained to me certain things, but I wish not to believe them. Yet, I feel I have already dropped in sin, and I fear she will notice this and strip me of all my power, turning me useless."
{Poor girl, tell her lad. That whore can't do shit since she is bound to Asgard. She can only send her Avatar down along with her creations, but if she does that, and by any chance, she loses her Avatar, Hanul will probably notice it and start moving.} commented Haycien after a while, where he turned silent, giving Mathias all the privacy in the world, even reading himself to close his vision in case things turned hotter between the two.
'You say so?'
{Yes, lad. Tsk, I'll rather not go into details since it brings up quite the nasty memories of the past. Anyway, that girl shouldn't be worried, the divine power can be build-up by the user or be granted by Rebecca. For most of the people in that church it looks as if the divine power has been build up.}
'Right, the Archbishop, he is planning something, so he should know certain things about Rebecca.'
{I haven't seen him to give my thought, but I told you what I know about Rebecca in short details so I don't occupy too much of your brain space.}
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Returning his focus to Jeanne in that brief exchange that took seconds, he held her to his chest and told her calmly.
"Dear, do you fear I would reject you if you lose your power?"
"... Yes." responded quietly Jeanne, choosing not to look at Mathias ruby eyes.
"Sigh, you silly. Do I really look like a person who uses the people around me, especially for power? What have I told you in the past, do you remember?"
"…"
"Regardless of how my curse would later or turn out, even if I would be turned ugly, you will be there for me." mentioned Jeanne, remembering his words, when they were sitting like this, talking about themselves.
"And that what matters the most is what is inside, even the ugliest can be a beautiful person on the inside."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 48 – Displaying Qualities of a Wife

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Taking his time to calm Jeanne down, explaining in simple words what Haycien told him about Rebecca, she instantly reacted, telling Mathias that in fact, Julius taught the core priests a technique to build divine power in a specific way.
As she explained that technique, inside the inner space of the ring the white-haired Haycien jumped up from his lazy position, and shock could be spelled on his face.
<That person managed to find a way to take divine power from the Gods without them even giving away! HOW? This isn't like the Gods of the Eastern Continent that Zik told me who have been built from the faith of the people. They are stealing from the Gods, slow amounts that she couldn't even notice, but he probably intents to build his Transcendence on that, or even reaching Divinity.>
<Hahaha, in what Era have I been woken up? My successor is also someone holding great potential, maybe just maybe, all my dreams would be completed by him?>
The old man remained silent, thus not making a big deal from what Jeanne was telling Mathias, in doing so not creating more trouble for Mathias into digging too much on certain things that should remain untouched.
Afterwards, Jeanne moved on to tell Mathias about casual things which made their conversation more enjoyable rather than being placed to talk about heavy subjects.
"You've said you love my clothes, but can you guess who made them?"
Chuckling while moving his hands on her golden hair, he smiled and responded with an obvious to him.
"I only know one tailor that you are confident enough to open up, and that is Master Tailor Fayrene Arundell."
"... Was it really that obvious?"
"Haha, you two are my sweethearts, knowing from Fayrene that you two reconnected together, and discussed many things, it would be a simple connection. She also taught you to walk on the heels, right?"
"Yes and no, since I remembered how you taught me to walk on heels, Fayrene only give me some support since my body had to remember the balance. But enough about my inability to walk on heels, what about you? You still haven't responded to me, what with the dyed hair and eyes."
"I've been cursed." responded Mathias in a simple, yet chilling way that made Fayrene almost jump away from him and perform some exorcism.
"Cursed, like me?"
{Come on girl, don't listen to this foolish brat, I've blessed him. Old Haycien doesn't curse people like witches.}
Ignoring Haycien to the best of his abilities as he went into ranting mode, but some of his comments still made him laugh, making Jeanne confused.
"I have an old ghost inside of my head that constantly talks, he says he didn't curse me but instead blessed me. Hah, but if you ask me dear, I can tell you my opinion on what happened to me. Would you believe me if I tell you, I am now a Saharan?"
Hearing his questions, Jeanne raised her eyebrow taking Mathias face in her hands, studying him attentively, making Mathias smile by how comical her serious side turned out to be in those moments. However, he didn't say a thing, keeping quiet as Jeanne studied him closely.
"Ruby Eyes as the members of the Imperial House. Go on, tell me more, who is the ghost that cursed you?"
Gazing into Jeanne's hazel eyes he was pressed by the couch, making him reminiscent about how Fayrene would be able to hold him down, and without a way to escape, not he wanted to escape he told her about how he stumbled upon the crimson ring on his finger and moving past the pain details, only telling her "It hurt a lot" before reaching the final part where he woke himself having this new hair and eyes, with even his skin tone turning paler.
"That old ghost is Haycien von Saharan. Does this name ring a bell?"
"It is familiar, let me think about it first. Don't tell me the answer yet."
Jeanne placed a pondering expression, and she stood like there holding Mathias cheeks in her hands, before not long her expression shifted into "I got it" as if she found her answers before she turned to shock, and asks once again Mathias to make sure.
"Are you really referring to who I am thinking? That mythical figure?"
{Lad, I like your ladies. They are smart and also beauties.} told Haycien to Mathias in a pleased tone, while the latter could only nod along with the hands that were holding his face.
"That's who I got in my head. An annoying old ghost."
"Unbelievable. Does this mean, you really are a Saharan now?"
"Just in abilities, my guess is that if I would go show my face to some nobles or the Emperor, they would have me executed as some sham."
Jeanne shook her head and started telling Mathias what she remembered reading about the First Emperor. She told Mathias that his name was carved in stone on the mausoleum down the Cathedral of Light, and also carved in the annals of history.
Jeanne was still as interested in intricate information as he was, telling about some of Haycien's noteworthy achievements that survived the passage of time, which made the old man remark whenever she would tell his achievements.
{Most of those achievements seem a bit inflated, but there's truth to them. By now, the history seems to be distorted and transformed into Myths and Legends. This is something I can't change, and I have to live with the people having a certain perception of me.} remarked the old man after clearing his throat in a funny way.
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"Ahhh, but Mat, if I think about it more carefully, you really are in trouble. There are already 4 princes, and Empress Marie will for sure want you dead if you appear out of nowhere and challenge the claims of the other princes. But, you aren't stupid to do that, so how will you be able to deal with this problem of being associated with the Imperial House?"
Getting this question, Mathias looked at Jeanne and started entertaining this thought of what his plan would be, since he too didn't think much about it, being only focused on reaching home and reuniting with Fayrene and Jeanne.
"You didn't think about it?" asked Jeanne when noticing Mathias expression that told he didn't plan a single thing.
"I have some ideas, but I still haven't planned that deep since I just wanted to see you girls being safe. Now that I have that spare time, I will plan out something since besides getting myself with this curse, I am also required to solve some problems left behind by the old man."
"Still, to complete what you remarked about Haycien, it's as you said, he agrees with most of it."
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Time passes with the couple standing together like this on the couch until their body turns stiff from lazing around in a cuddling position. Using this chance Jeanne ran off to her room to change her clothes into some comfortable clothes as if she was a simple girl from his time.
"What are you staring at?"
"If I can't even admire my lady, then who will? Some drunkard on the streets?" joked Mathias as he walked toward Jeanne, kissing her forehead, which was spotlighted by a clean hairstyle, where she tied her long hair into a ponytail, before stealing another kiss on her lips.
"Cut it off, do you want to see my lips getting bigger?"
"I wouldn't mind that, they will turn out more delicious." smiled Mathias teasing her, before Jeanne took him by his arm, and walked him to her kitchen which was double the size of Fayrene's with more equipment and furniture.
"I will show you something more delicious."
"There might be something sweeter than your lips."
Jeanne looked at Mathias and started laughing, looking at him as if she knew what he referred to, but brushed it off with a giggle, and also a remark.
"Sometimes it is better not to tease so much, because you will be taken by a storm when that teasing is backfiring. I am serious, I want to cook something together with you, since I've trained for that too in the time I spent at home. Changing your occupation from being always stuck in a large amount of paper and having to do reports about what changed to some freedom, can disrupt your daily schedule."
Mathias shifted his cheeky persona and asked her about the players who have joined Rebecca Church and the other progressions that they made since she recovered her memories.
"Well, nothing changed with except to the number of outlanders that stormed Titan, and created at first chaos since we didn't know what to expect. But slowly with the Black Knights and Red Knights tasked to keep the order of the city, the situation turned to normal, and now we are right now, without any particular events, except for your return." explained Jeanne with her angelic voice, while placing a gentle smile.
Entering the kitchen, Jeanne pulled up her blouse sleeves revealing her delicate, milky skin, and walking toward the closet she returned with some vegetables in her arms, and slowly in a harmonious way, she started giving Mathias orders to how he could help her.
"Darling, can you wash the vegetables as I prepare the knife and the other ingredients?"
"Definitely"
As such the lovers began cooking something traditional for the Saharan Empire, that gave the impression to Mathias he was cooking a "Hunter's Stew" when Jeanne in a clumsy way, explained to him she never cut meat before and had no idea how to clean the game meat.
"Don't laugh! I never used that type of meat before."
Not minding this, he stopped from preparing the vegetables, and taking her back, and holding her hands he began teaching her how to clean the meat, and efficiently section the cuts, so they could use the remaining meat for another time. She could see her hands holding the knife glide on the meat and feel for the first time how one could butcher meat.
It was an experience that will remain with her, since in the past she never cooked for Mathias, instead of being the other way around. Thus since recovering her memories of their relation, reliving them, she decided to make some changes that could surprise Mathias.
After finishing preparing the ingredients, Jeanne stopped Mathias from helping her, starting cooking the ingredients herself for the final product, settling the latter on a seat beside a table, where she took out a bottle of wine.
"This is a wine from my brother Gabrils. Hah, it was so complicated to tell him for what use I needed the wine since he doesn't remember you at all. Not even father remembers you, so it will be complicated to explain to both of them our relationship."
"Sigh, brother Gabrils even old Julius, they didn't escape that harsh moment. But it will be fine, both are good men and will not stand in our way. Aren't you an independent lady now? This image of you is perfect, as you are cooking and standing beside the pot."
"They will be fine, I am not worrying about that. Father will be a bit delicate to deal with, but if Gabrils reunites with you, even if he doesn't remember, I am sure you two will get along fast. Right, now I remembered something, you told me that women in your home don't really know how to cook?"
"Indeed, what about it, dear?"
"I also didn't know how to cook not to long ago." said Jeanne while pouting a little bit gazing at Mathias who was drinking slowly the wine in his glass.
Swirling the wine in the glass, before taking a sip, he later laughed a bit, telling Jeanne.
"Those girls besides not knowing how to cook, they also don't want to learn and are spoiled that is infuriating. Anyway, why do you compare yourself with them? You are way better than those spoiled girls who desire everything in the world without any realistic concept to those desires and claims."
"Way better?"
"Yes, I like all your new "girlish" aspects and I know you've put in a lot of work just for me. To tell you something, besides fancying an elegant lady, I like toms too. I feel you are really cute trying to impress me with cooking, and it makes me proud to know you remember my preferences."
She didn't show her face to Mathias, but slight embarrassment was rising up, and they remained quiet, before Mathias had to break the silence, and resume his discussion with her and catch up with the events in Titan.
By the time the stew finishes cooking, Mathias was expecting a lot from Jeanne since he saw some spices that smelled appetizing, and with some final touches of dazzling parsley on the stew, Mathias was greeted by a plate containing the stew steaming hot.
Jeanne walked closer to him standing up, it was a funny situation for Mathias who remembered the old cooking shows where the judges would put on thought expressions just so they could put some emotion in the participants.
Blowing on his spoon, glazing at the food, and later at Jeanne who felt the pressure of his look as he got all of a sudden quiet, beginning to rub her fingers behind the back in nervousness.
'Go on try it. This is father's recipe. It can't fail. He even made fun of me when I asked him to teach me how to make the stew.'
'What now? Don't tell me you don't like it.' thought Jeanne who saw Mathias put the spoon in his mouth and changed his expression to a serious one.
On another hand, Mathias was pleasantly surprised to taste the hunter's stew that felt similar to a paprikash, but he choose to hide it so he could boil Jeanne a bit more. Taking another spoon, he looked at Jeanne with his ruby eyes, that it even made Haycien get annoyed by his silent treatment.
"How is it?" asked Jeanne gazing back at Mathias who put her little heart to test.
"Delicious." exclaimed Mathias, giving her a wide smile, as he wiped the spicy from his lips.
"Come here and try it, and see for yourself."
Taking another spoon from the stew, he gave Jeanne a try, who was hit by the spicy from the stew which at first didn't do much damage, but soon her milky-white face turned rosy from the spicy stew.
"Too hot. Whoa, I dropped too much spice." said Jeanne while blowing her mouth and waving her hands, even going as far to jump, so that sensation would go away.
*HAHAHA* "Poor one, you aren't strong yet."
Jeanne showed off her culinary skills, and also appealing her wife's qualities but the cooking, even if it was delicious, backfired on her hard, making her run off to drink some water.
After the meal, with Mathias preparing her some rice that could go with the stew and also taking away a bit of the spicy flavor, went on spending time with Jeanne until night came about with the two spending their time in a productive way, and not being to clichy with one another when not needed.
Preparing to leave Jeanne, the Priestess guided Mathias to the gate of her mansion, holding his hand, looking a bit dejected for some reason.
Glazing at her, he didn't know the exact answer, but he got a signal that remained from the last close time he had with her before separating, and to clear out her dejection, he told her calmly.
" I know you are not ready, so don't force yourself to do something that you might not like. I will not force you."
Jeanne heard Mathias, but shaking her head, he told him in a mosquito voice. " That's the only thing I have to do, but it's like I am haunted by my fears and can't proceed. What if I will not recognize myself after doing it?
Taking her in his embrace, he pacified her, telling that he wasn't someone to be solely focused on the bodies of girls, and reminded her that there are plenty of girls who have the same fear as her in the world, with except to an almighty being watching her.
"You imp, I bet you are after our bodies."
"Blah, a little bit. But that's only with my sweethearts." remarked Mathias chuckling a bit, before planting a kiss on Jeanne's tender lips.
"Why have you done this? Do you wish I don't sleep at all tonight?"
"This is just a small impulse, so all your courage will take over you, and you will be mine later on. How long will you be able to resist? Hehe, I can't wait to see you. Jokes aside, darling, I will pick you up tomorrow since I have some gifts for both you and Fayrene. How will it be okay, at home or at work?"
"It will be troublesome at work since there's lots of eyes, home I feel it will be better, I also have time to change clothes."
Nodding, giving her another kiss, this time on the forehead, he bid farewell and left her with her curiosity up, without opening about what his gifts might be, spreading out an intrigue veil.
"Good night, love. Don't think too much about what we talked with, since those things can only be worked out slowly and with patience."
"Understood, darling."
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Separating from his second muse, he went on the same path home while thinking about his future plans for the game since he managed to leap certain steps from his plan with the girls remembering him.
'I should go forward with that wish. Acquiring Gravelmark Mountain on my name, thus having the rights of controlling the salt lake and the surrounding resources. The best path for a commoner like me to reach nobility is to enroll as a knight, from Black Knight to Red Knight.'
{Lad, don't forget you have me. I've selected all my knights with these very eyes, so I know how to work you in order to reach the requirements of a knight.}
'Thanks for the moral support, old man, but I think I will be fine on my own.'
{Don't be stubborn, lad. I might not be able to show you direct examples, but I doubt you are stupid not to understand my explanations.}
'Old man, I can only use 4 techniques from that technique of yours.'
{That's something else, lad. What I will teach you is how to use Red Energy and also how to fight using your body straight as a weapon.}
'Like some Murim style martial arts?' thought Mathias as he walked down the principal alleys that still had people walking around as if it was morning, a city where lights never settled.
{What Murim child? Is that something from your world? Regardless, you will understand once you see my Body Art.}
He could only accept silently the help, and as he returned to the Wallmort District, he went to check on the Tavern and pick up Vek from the Drunk Adventurers, before he could even get to the tavern, the sound of people laughing coming from the courtyard was heard by him.
"Go on little one, what will you do now? Didn't you say you want to become an adventurer with that meager strength you will just be some C-graded Adventurer. You will not get any contracts at all with that low grading."
"You guys are too strong!"
"Then grow strong on par with us, little kobold. Hah, that master of yours didn't pay us to teach you these fundamentals."
Walking slowly toward the courtyard while wearing his silver mask with his long hair flowing down, forgetting to tie it down, the drunkards stopped from beating Vek with their sticks and turned toward him.
"Young man, do you want to tests your skills against this drunkman?" asked Achelm Katein reeking of alcohol from a distance.
"No need, I believe you warmed up quite well teaching my little friend here a worth lesson, maybe worth more than what I gave you." mentioned Mathias, taking another 10 gold coins that he threw casually toward Achelm, where the drunkard grabbed each individual gold coin even the ones thrown to test his agility.
"Kekeke, at least you understand. Let's go back boys, we got more funds for booze."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 49 – Kindling Your Dreams

---

Alchem took his buddies and left Vek whose red scales looked a bit bruised, but nonetheless, the kobold didn't seem upset, instead told Mathias with an excited voice.
"There are so many strong people here. I am just like a small ant compared to them."
"Ohh, you now saw that the path forward is a long one, and there's more room to grow, right? Hungry?"
"A little bit."
"Then let's return to the tavern and eat something before returning home."
As Mathias said that, he extended his hand to Vek, and after getting up, the duo entered the Tavern, where the laughter of men who were telling some stories about Vek, suddenly stopped when noticing the newcomer.
"No offense taken, you can continue. We are here just to eat something." said Mathias calmly to the one telling the story, before getting a slight nod, and continuing.
Reaching the tavern counter, where Edmon was pouring some beer in mugs, he asked, turning his head at him.
"How can I serve you, young man?"
"The Specialty of the tavern and two cups of wine."
"Are you sure, young man? It's quite spicy." asked Edmon out of courtesy, not wishing for this crimson-haired possible nobleman to suffer from the specialty of his wife, since she had the pathos of ushering in the cries of the brave who tasted her food.
Besides this the Innkeeper wanted to make sure, Mathias understood what hitch he was stepping in, while the people all as if some type of trauma awakened in them, they shifted their attention on Mathias, discussing openly about the one who took on the challenge of the 'Speciality' that made the madame of the tavern infamous with all cheap people and beggars of the Wallmort District.
Mathias didn't answer the question, knowing what Edmon implied since he took on that challenge in the Beta Phase and was taken aback by the "Speciality" , a dish that made him crave for spicy food even outside, discovering the benefits of the spice on real-time. He didn't answer the inquiry, but the innkeeper could hear a small chuckle, which gave the impression he was offended, thus Edmon no longer bothered to ask questions.
'I warned you, lad. Now, don't you dare to make some drama here.'
Getting his confirmation, Edmon simply noted down the order on a small piece of paper, and ringing a bell, a young lady, Silvia, Edmon's daughter, walked out asking the innkeeper for the note he wrote before quietly returning back to the kitchen.
"Hah, old Edmon, that lass of yours sure is shy around people." commented one of the drunkard adventurers, barely able to see Silvia's butt for a brief moment.
"Piss off. You better don't think of anything indecent with my little jewel or I will cut your dicks off. Wait, I can't with you since you are stronger than me, but I will ask brother Corvus to do it for me."
Achelm shrugged his shoulders and smacked the drunkard who remarked about Edmon's daughter in an indecent way, telling Edmon with an innocent voice.
"Brother Edmon, you know I don't recognize those people. It's on them if they mess up something, now come pour me one more please."
"Whoa, Achelm, that's cheap. Don't think I don't know what you were …"
*BAM*
Before the drunkard could continue mentioning what Achelm was "doing" the latter swiftly reacted to dispose of possible danger to his source of alcohol and also another danger that might make him run for his money, the Crow.
In the meantime, Vek who got used to the atmosphere of the tavern, even the antics of the drunkards that didn't contain any malice, turned to look at Mathias and saw that he was staring at the drunkards.
"Mathias, aren't you disturbed by the atmosphere here?"
"Me? Why should I? This type of atmosphere makes food go down even smoother, so no need to bother with me."
"That's right, lad. For a noble kid, you know what's up. Once again, cheers for the great patronage." raised Achelm his mug of beer celebrating Mathias for his magnanimous patronage.
After a while, Silvia arrived from the kitchen holding in her hand two bowls steaming hot, that she placed on the counter, before returning again with the remaining tableware and bread buns with two cups of wine. Behind her, from the lobby that took the kitchen and the tavern rooms, a middle-aged lady wearing simple clothing could be seen gazing toward the counter.
The drunkards and the rest of the people in the tavern turned silent when this woman made her silent appearance, while Mathias took half of his mask off, and slowly enjoying the 'Speciality'. Inside the bowl steaming in front of Vek and his eyes, was a soup that had all sorts of vegetables reminding him of the Russian Borscht, with a red papery color, giving off an appetizing smell.
"Thank you for the meal." heard the drunkards not far from Mathias, glancing at half of his face, as he started eating silently.
Vek too followed Mathias' customs, doing the same thing as thanking for the food, and later on using the tableware in a clumsy way.
"HOT!" exclaimed Vek after he ate five spoons of this soup, making the people laugh, and making the woman at the corner smile a bit, but as she watched the two, Vek and Mathias, she failed to notice Mathias signaling some displeasure.
Eating slowly the soup, as if he wasn't affected by the spicy soup, in about 10 minutes that it took him to clear out the entire bowl, he didn't whine at all about the hotness, instead they could see him snack his lips, before taking the remaining bread left out, which he used to clean out the remaining leftovers from the soup.
"Madame, your soup makes my heart warm, making me remember my mom's Borscht. Thanks for the meal." mentioned Mathias lowering his mask to fully encompass his face, as he was looking at the middle-aged woman whose expression warmed out, just like in the past when she heard Mathias mention his mom's food.
"Much good may it do you, young man. This is the first time when I see a nobleman eat my food, so I will also note it down somewhere in my marks." affirmed the middle-aged woman who walked back to the kitchen.
Not too long, Vek too finished the bowl of soup, and saw Mathias drink casually the wine, while he was playing around with the gold coins, tossing them and catching them in a fast way. Sometimes he would toss one, before placing on more gold coin and tossing them shortly where he would catch them, just like how the old coach taught him to train his reflexes and mental quickness.
"Are you done, little Vek?"
Grabbing the glass with wine, he downed the alcohol on his throat, burping, making the people in the tavern chuckle a bit, and with Mathias too finishing the remaining wine in one gulp, he took another 50 gold coins that he gave Edmon for the food.
"It is too much, young man. I might accept it for those fools, but with my own product, I feel I would cheat you. The food costs 50 silver coins per portion."
"I know, and so what? Just keep the gold coins and maybe do some renovation around, it will attract more people. Maybe hire some orphans who live day by day struggling to keep themselves alive, into your establishment, allow the madam to teach them how to cook, let them assist your daughter in cleaning the tavern, taking orders, and other menial things."
"Young man, it is too much even for me."
"It is a lot even for me, but do you see me caring that much? Take them before those guys steal my money."
"Ed, take the coins, I will consider what the young nobleman suggested." said the woman in a loud voice from the kitchen leaving Edmon without a choice but to take the coins from the counter.
.
.
Bidding his farewell to the Innkeeper, he took Vek with him after glancing once at the people around, he getting out from the tavern, Mathias went on the district streets that seemed to turn quieter as if a sleeping spell has been cast on the streets.
Regardless, the atmosphere on the streets was pleasing, and his return home, to Fayrene, where inside the raven haired lady was writing something at the main room counter under the lights of the candles.
"I am home, dear."
The raven-haired woman raised her face a bit to glance at Mathias and Vek, before returning to writing, which made Mathias curious into finding what she was up to.
"Are you troubled by something, Fay?" asked Mathias who arrived next to her, resting his left hand gently on her shoulder, as he took a look at what she was writing.
It had some numbers, but mostly it was some sketches where Fayrene seemed to structure how she would envision her tailoring business succeeding.
" I am planning to expand the workshop, but it is too complicated. I remember everything you taught me, but I just can't figure out in which direction to take this endeavor of mine. I don't want to be sitting here by myself sewing, and having a select few enjoy my work."
"Indeed, it would be a real tragedy, but don't consume yourself too much. Let's have a discussion, a brainstorming session. Have your quil ready." said Mathias with a small smile while tapping on Fayrene's back.
"Thank you Mat."
"Heh, is there even a reason to thank me? Since I am the Administrator of this Workshop, I have to give my all to my Lady Director and Boss. So let's start with those circles you've marked on the sheet. What could we do about them?"
"How should I put it Mat, but my funds are simply nonexistent. The biggest problem is the lack of funds to acquire materials for better projects. If I want to expand it I also need people to work alongside me, I can't just make you work for free with me, and don't get me started with the Arcane Study, we are maybe on the same level right now with regard to the magic since I have no recollections of what I've learned.
Mathias chuckled in an easy-going way, staring at Vek who watched the couple talk about things that he had absolutely no idea. Still, the atmosphere was pleasant for him who walked toward the couch and nested himself there, while the couple was discussing.
"Fay, I am also a tailor now, a beginner one, but nonetheless a tailor, which means I can still put on the work. Jokes aside, dear, you think the problem is insufficient funds?"
Hearing Mathias's questioning tone, as if he was testing her, she pondered for a brief moment before confirming to him the stem problem.
"That's right and besides that, there's also something else. Here, and here."
Saying that, Fayrene showed Mathias the circles she made on the sheet of paper where written down was "supply", "equipment and ``qualified people'. It looked at first a simple problem for Mathias but then thinking about the setting of the world, where it looked closely in hand with a medieval era, he pondered, while Fayrene too was quiet.
"We talked about this type of expansion."
"Indeed, step by step." remarked Fayrene, who was tapping with her quil on the sheet of paper.
"Step by step you'll navigate the Oceans. Let's wrap it up and draw conclusions. It is true you need funds to start advancing on your workshop, either by crafting and selling individual pieces you've crafted and later investing it, or search for an investor who would put his money on your ideas, giving them a breath of life."
"I don't have enough pieces to even sell in order to expand. I barely make the end meet with the orders I get. As for someone to help me? Who would even have that type of money?"
Fayrene explained to Mathias her struggles while the latter remained behind her as if he was her shadow, turning quiet thinking of something. Fayrene raised her head from her seat to glance at Mathias who gave off a confident smile.
"Dear, I was waiting to tell you about something, since I wanted to surprise you and Jeanne at the same time. But my adventure from Gravelmark toward Titan wasn't fruitless, make space a bit so I can show you what I mean by that."
Fayrene brought to her inventory bag the quil, inkwell, and paper she used, before in front of her, a closed bag that released a metallic sound when hitting the table appeared, followed by a box that started being filled with gemstones.
"There are more gemstones apart from this box, but I will resume to only show you this much since technically I am half owner of these valuable gemstones. Once I will turn them into gold coins, this will be my investment for your dream."
Fayrene stared at Mathias as if she was a ghost, with trembling hands picking up one gemstone that was similar to the one Mathias gained from the first Elite Owl he hunted in Empar Forest, The Cracked Sapphire which he managed to sell for quite the sum of money, more than she ever saw.
"How? There's so many gemstones here. Enough to buy multiple mansions inside the Inner City." asked Fayrene, picking another gemstone, that she observed attently.
"As I said and mentioned in my story, but it seems someone didn't pay a lot of attention, my adventures were not just focused on traversing Gravelmark and reaching Titan. I went to solve the problems the kobold friends in the mountain had with the bear monstrosity."
The memories of her fighting alongside Vek and Mathias resurfaced as if they were fresh, which made it easier to understand the dangers fought by Mathias and the party he teamed. She nodded after most of the puzzle pieces were combined, remarking with complex feelings.
"This is the wealth of the Kobold Elder, I will not allow you to waste it like this, Mat."
"There's enough to fulfill my promise to Elder Morlk, acquiring equipment and other materials that their tribe would require. But simply put, there's a surplus of gemstones that I have split up. One for you, and the rest I didn't show which will be used strictly for acquiring equipment and other necessities."
"So the Kobolds will not suffer from us using these gemstones?" inquired again Fayrene to make sure, there was no doubt about the origin of the gem, not wishing to enter into a string of complications.
Before Mathias could respond to her, the one with an answer was Vek who made himself comfortable on the coach, remarking calmly, as if those gems were nothing much besides shinny rocks.
"Lady Fayrene, it is still troublesome for me to understand why you are so nervous looking at the shiny stones. They are something common for us kobolds, in fact we like to gather around those types of shiny stones, and make some ornaments from them. Besides, if I am not wrong Elder Morlk gave Mathias what has been gathered for the past generations of his."
"You heard him, the kobolds will be fine. Believe me, Fay, when have I did something that will put someone in danger? Or cheat someone of what is rightfully theirs?"
"Sigh, it better be as you said. For a peasant girl like me, the value these gems hold is more than I can grasp."
"It will go to the right cause. Still, the process of converting the gems into gold will be slightly troublesome so until I sell the gems, I will take the pouch with gold and use it to acquire the equipment needed for more people."
"Is there something wrong with the gems to make it troublesome?"
"Well, last time we didn't raise much attention because it was only one gem, a low-quality one at that, so imagine how it will turn if I take all those gems for sell. For starters, the jeweler or owner of the shop might not have the funds to buy my gems, then the news will spread around, bandits, thieves, gang members, all sorts of shady people would come after me."
"Thus, I will have to make a plan for how to dispose of those gems and earn their full value, so our little business can start growing. I am your Guardian Angel, my little Fay." laughed Mathias at the end, when he thought about something similar to what existed, called Angel Investors.
Fayrene whose biggest hurdle to date got magically removed, by one gentle smiling, young man, who proclaimed himself as her 'Guardian Angel' she couldn't help but chuckle along, later on placing a kiss on his lips in a grateful way.
"My 'Guardian Angel' I am leaving myself in your care. Even after you taught me all those complicated notions, I can only understand so little. However, Mat, one lingering worry of mine is concerning a possible failure of this endeavor."
Caressing her face, he shook his head and mentioned calmly.
"It is too early to worry about such things. I will tell you certain things after I show you my last surprise I was holding back. Remember how I told you in brief about the Fortress Ruins used by the mountain bandits who I fought, but there was still one more secret left there, an Underground Vault."
Taking back the gemstones, and letting Fayrene take ownership of the gold coins, a total of 650 gold coins which in itself was a lot for the simple woman, he later started taking out books that he stashed on the table.
"The Vault of that Ruined Fortress belonged to a past Great Magician Frederick, who had a death wish, and even achieved his wish, leaving out a vast library untouched by those bandit brutes. I took a bit of my time to turn the pages of randomly picked books, and I noticed they all had something in common, they were magic-focused books."
Once he said that Fayrene approached the table timidly seeing with her two eyes the old books that were still dusted, or had dry leather pages used to write down the contents.
If she managed to keep her composure about the gemstones and money, finding her past reliving helpful, this other surprise from Mathias put her little heart on a challenge.
Her legs trembled as she opened the books to take a glance at their content, and thankfully with Mathias to hold her and give his support.
"Am I dreaming? Pinch me please."
Mathias, who was holding her up, pinched her cheeks, making her joilt, before she spoke with emotions in her voice, and tears flowing down.
"This is simply too much to comprehend. I … I don't deserve such a gift, and honor of having ownership over so many magic books. I am just an amateurish girl who only recently discovered magic. An nobody like me can't hold on to so much knowledge.
I can only say my dreams have some substance, but they are just dreams. Yet, now?"
"Shhhh, don't be silly Fayrene. Do you remember when you told me your dreams?" inquired Mathias, wiping her tears in a gentle way, as he took her in his arms.
"The Magic School. But it is too early, I can't. I am just an Apprentice, no way I can teach others magic."
"Silly girl, I brought those books so you can read them, thus making the first steps in creating your own magic library and further developing your knowledge. This is the kindling fire for that pure dream of yours. For dreams, we can't abandon them and have to at least attempt at reaching them before saying 'No'."
In his warm embrace, Fayrene could feel herself calming down, with Mathias words acting as an anchor and also a Lighthouse, guiding in the darkness of her anxieties.
"Good, you calmed down. Why are you so anxious lately? It is unlike you Fay. Once again, it is good to have dreams regardless of how foolish or unachievable they might sound, only by trying one can see the truth."
With Mathias giving his motivational speech, it was visible having an excellent effect on Fayrene who felt more empowered, something which made Haycien remark in a content way, as if he was reminiscing about past memories.
{Bravo! A well-prepared speech that made even this old man feel your emotions. 'It is having a dream regardless of how foolish or unachievable they might sound'. I couldn't agree more. Boy if your lady ever feels scared of dreaming big, tell her about this old man who from the lands of a small tribe, taking along on his shoulders that tribe, he elevated to the pinnacle of glory, turning it into an Empire.}
'Thanks, what you said also motivates me a bit, even though your time was different.'
{For nothing. In fact kid, you got me curious since young ones like you shouldn't even have such concepts down. What is your dream?}
'My dream? On this land or outside?'
{Why not both?} asked the old man with a curious expression on his face as he rested inside the inner dimension of the crimson ring.
'I haven't settled on a final dream inside this world, but I guess reaching the pinnacle of this world could be my Lighthouse to keep me on a target. As for outside, it might sound foolish or confusing, but I dream of giving once again life to the abandoned monuments of my country.'
'In terms of how achievable this is, it is 98% unachievable, but dreams never die.'
{You need money, right?}
'It is complicated, only to acquire those monuments from their scum owners would require a high sum, then you might also have to hold legal battles with different institutions who have their own agendas. A headache if you take your time to go deeper into each detail, but the dream is idealistic and grandiose, that's something I foolishly dream of.'
{If you need guidance from this old man, some sagely words, you know where to find me.}
In the time Mathias was having his conversation with Haycien, it was also when Fayrene calmed down, and started taking in her own inventory the books, holding each of those books carefully before they disappeared.
"I will read all of them, and teach you those spells. Just tell me what you want to learn and I will do my best." mentioned Fayrene with a committed vigor, only belonging to those who started to believe that they could achieve their dreams.
Time passed, and the couple later joined the bed after an ample discussion, there they could destress from all the complicated subjects they had to manage. Both were just as inexperienced with regard to taking a business to a concrete stage, which Mathias confused to Fayrene that he might be wrong at times.
"This is why I always want to have a discussion with you in regard to those subjects, because I am not really experienced. I have the notions, the drive, and even some of the madness of jumping in the fire of investing money, but in the end, I am just like you, Fay."
Stroking her raven hair in the bed as he mentioned that, he heard Fayrene remark slightly tired.
"Compared to you, I am shy, not willing to take risks that big."
"Yet, you did. Haven't you risked taking me inside your home when you knew nothing about me? Haven't you risked by picking up the Ancient Tome from the graveyard outside Cidarian? Your scars? Also a byproduct of your gutsy personality. Going alone to a big city from the simplicity of Cidarian?"
She brought her head close to his chest, and with a pouting expression along with a displeased tone, she mentioned.
"Can't I even get spoiled a bit?"
"Hmm, obvious. Still, if we are on that subject, I can say that compared to you, I am more shy."
"You? Shy?"
"Indeed, don't deny it, I am a bit of an introvert myself."
"Maybe a bit, but that doesn't make you a shy person."
The couple had their moment of laughter, lifting the atmosphere from the early heavy talk about the workshop development or the Magic School, and slowly after Fayrene entered the dreamland, Mathias waited patiently while Fayrene used his left arm as a pillow.
He still had a lot of time before returning to his small-sized room, in the single room apartment he was living in, and with Fayrene sleeping profoundly he slowly extracted his arm from her grasp, later on walking out without disturbing his sleeping princess.
Closing the door to their room, he turned his eyes toward Vek who sensed his arrival getting up from the coach he was standing.
"Mathias, are you going to train? Can I join?"
"Follow me, and don't be noisy."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 50 – Mediocre

---

On a windy night, a crimson-haired young man walked outside the warm house that guested him not to long ago, where a small creature the size of a little boy tagged along, downing a leather armor that was skintight, and at first sight holding a dagger around the belt of his trousers.
The young man kept on moving at a greater distance from the house, stopping at the periphery of the courtyard.
The small creature looked around himself, confused, but soon the crimson-haired young man cleared his thoughts.
"This far will not disturb Fayrene's sleep. You can train here without having to worry about random people staring at you, or others that might annoy you. This is my training place since I knew this place."
The small creature using his draconian eyes could see in the dark night the training ground settled down by the young man, a space, delimited by some trees, and full of weeds that could soften a landing.
"How should I train?"
"Like how you used to do back home?" inquired the young man, with some confusion in his tone, while gazing down at the small creature that got embarrassed immediately.
"I didn't really do that much, except for swinging the dagger around so it doesn't feel awkward." responded the small creature, taking out his dagger from the belt and starting showing to the young man how he trained, by doing some basic sword attacking patterns.
Inside the young man's brain, a voice belonging to an old man ringed, commenting along with the observation of the red-head.
{That kobold has some talent for someone who was never taught the sword or any weapon in general. Still, lad, have him stop my eyes hurt just watching him. What is with that footwork? Barbaric swings, he holds a dagger for Rebecca's Ass, the movement and fighting style is completely different from a sword.}
'I mean, his attacks seem to flow instinctively and from his reflexes. They are efficient when it comes to killing your enemy.'
{Yes and no. His movements are too wild and stiff which would lead to him getting opened up. Sigh, do you really want to know what using a dagger-type blade looks like?}
'It doesn't hurt me knowing, but how will you show me? I can only hear your voice, without seeing you.'
{Do you know how to dance?} inquired Haycien something out of ordinary, which made Mathias look confused as Vek was swinging around the dagger in a careless way.
'I know a bit, since my mom was adamant to me enrolling into the school dancing club, but what relevance does knowing how to dance have here?' replied Mathias in a short way, with his memories about the time in his elementary school that he enrolled in some program to learn how to dance.
{Well, it does. You just have to move according to my instructions, and maybe you will open your eyes to what dagger play is supposed to be.}
After the two settled down on how this training session would look like, he went to light some torches that he placed around to make the atmosphere amiable for the night. Looking at Vek who was playing around, he took out a dagger-type weapon from his inventory that was something dropped by the mountain bandits he killed, a normal-rated weapon without any effects besides the statutory attack power.
Grasping the dagger in his hand, the voice of the old man whose voice gave off some eagerness to what was about to happen.
Starting off slowly, Haycien told Mathias about some fundamentals, from how his feet should be positioned and how the guards should look like. The guards suggested by Haycien had a weird pattern, that from his view were lacking defense.
'Sir, are you sure the guard should look like this?' asked Mathias who raised his right hand, holding the dagger up, as if he was readying to block a punch to his side.
{Just follow my lead, as you learned to dance. This will be a coordination, between my voice and your body, so don't think too much}
Isolating his thoughts away from disturbing him, Mathias then allowed Haycien to continue on guiding him, who remained on the idea of having his leading hand raised with the dagger before he moved.
The way he told him to move was also a fundamental thing for the dagger play, never extending to much, and using short steps, it a sense as time passed it made him feel he was pivoting on a boxing ring, reading himself to strike.
His movement was noticed by Haycien who could feel his executing each step to the word, and was surprised to see how well coordinated Mathias was under his commands.
{Good, we played a bit with the footwork and stances. Now is the time to start something you have probably been waiting for a while. I will not go into much detail tonight, since we have plenty of time on our hands.}
Not questioning back, giving a silent answer to the old man who was smiling widely, his wrinkled and ancient face seemed to release some Red Aura, but it soon vanished in empty air.
Nevertheless, the training for Mathias just began, as he was listening to some weird attack patterns that he at first didn't question but when he visualized an opponent in front of him, he stopped in place and asked out loud.
"Sir, aren't those dagger techniques too reckless? My defense when attacking is completely exposed, and if I am not wrong once someone parries or blocks my strike, I am certainly dead if not severely wounded."
{Kid, this is where you are wrong. Less questioning my techniques and practice those movements until the sun rises. All the basic things I've taught you tonight, practice them until your nose bleeds.} replied Haycien in a direct way, telling him in his face the steps he should follow to get down the basic techniques for the dagger.
'No offense sir, but I feel you took me wrong, I am not really interested in the dagger as a weapon, but the spear. I wanted to give a hand to the kobold and maybe teach him some fundamentals to take him to another level.'
With Mathias saying that in his mind, he still did the dagger strikes taught by Haycien, where an instinctive thought of his was to also combine the footwork, similar to the 'Raven's Movement' and the spear techniques taught by Corvus. When he combined the footwork taught by Haycien, something clicked in his mind and it wasn't the old man.
His movement got more fluid together with the footwork, and his strikes got unconsciously enhanced adding a more swift and domineering appeal to them. In that moment he discovered the new changes, his face was giving off a faint smile that made Haycien remark.
{You say you don't like the dagger, but it seems you have a blast right now.}
Hearing the old man say that, Mathias suddenly stopped in place, glancing around himself and later at his right hand that was grasping the dagger tightly.
{There's nothing wrong with being able to use more weapons. Lad, if you want to stand at the pinnacle of this world, only by knowing how to use a sword, or a spear, the basic weapons that most people would focus on, will not suffice. I don't even have enough time to explain to you the advantages that learning other types of weapons would bring to you, as you grow forward.}
{But I will start with this, learning different weapons, it means you learned what your future enemies might be able to do. Think lad, the advantages you could gain above the rest who just focus on a sole weapon.}
{For example, you still choose to main the spear, but this is in theory because you are still young and your convictions will fluctuate as you learn more and understand your body to another level. Yet, for example, you face a dagger master, knowing what a dagger master can do, using your spear, tell me, how would you feel?}
Mathias who got such deep words from Haycien was silent, contemplating on what was said, and at the beginning, he was prone to disagree with what the old man said, and even mentioned.
'Sir, but don't you think that with the time I have, it should be better to simply master one weapon?'
{That would be something you naturally are inclined to do, that's how I was when young, and mastered the spear. But then, after you master it and notice the natural weaknesses of the spear, things you can see only by experiencing certain defeats. Thus, to make sure those defeats never repeat, you diversify your knowledge and master more weapons, until you turn sick of how much information you got stored in your mind.}
With the old man's response which sounded a bit sinnister in the grand scheme of things, Mathias agreed with his point, it felt as if a small seed was planted inside the mind of this young man, whose ideals were still swaying, not fully knowing the correct path to the pinnacle, but standing there silently gazing at Vek who was slashing his dagger and moving like how Mathias did, he remarked taken aback.
"It would take a crazy person to pull this off. Does this mean I am with the greatest madman in history? How long do you say it will take me to master your knowledge?"
{Hahaha, thanks for the compliment. How long do you ask? A lifetime.}
"More specific?" inquired Mathias gazing at the moon in the sky that gave off a gentle light one of the views that captivated him, the moon that was constantly smiling to him whenever he was down or tired.
{Specific? Lad, the rate you assimilate information is a quick one. I've noticed that you managed yourself well with the footwork, maybe because you use those lousy steps you call 'Raven's Movement', nothing to brag about for a signature footwork. Regardless, if you really put your mind into this, and train yourself constantly, assimilating my knowledge, you will stand at the top by the time you are in your thirties.}
He didn't comment on the estimation Haycien gave him, and only contemplated to himself, but when he saw Vek make some mistakes in his movement, his moment of thinking ended.
"Come here, little kobold, that's not how you do the footwork."
"It is not? But I thought I had mimicked your technique correctly." responded Vek who got called by Mathias.
Later on Mathias showed to Vek in a slow way the pivoting of the footwork taught by Haycien, along with the strikes that made the kobold step back as he felt the pressure of each attack.
Continuing showing to Vek the right way intended for the techniques, he later gave a chance to the kobold to demonstrate if he understood what he explained.
The kobold movement was still off, that he later got hit by a branch Mathias picked from a nearby tree, in a similar style Corvus taught him by beating him whenever he would mess up.
It took a while for Mathias to instill some discipline in the kobold who was recklestly doing the footwork without any coordination, just acting on instincts, but slowly with the night flowing and the two training together, the changes in the foot placement in Vek started to be seen, while Mathias was reinforcing his newly acquired skills by teaching the latter.
"Vek, you need to practice the technique in a clean form to understand how the footwork and strikes work, otherwise just by blindly following the technique you will later encounter moments when those will not work or be countered and you will not understand why. Slowly repeat the footwork and slashes, until you feel the motion fluid, just like you saw in me."
"But why?" asked Vek who felt slightly flustered by how slow he was asked to move and attack.
"So you can master the technique and adapt it to all sort of situations of combat"
{Well said, lad. Well said. You really are fit for teaching others. Unlike me, your patience is slightly higher. If it was me teaching that kobold, I would lash that branch on his body until he got each step correct.}
'I am not a fan of violence, what I did was just giving some stimulus to enforce certain ideas, and help the kobold rectify what was wrong. Anyway, now I will train my spear a bit. Sir, can you tell me afterwards the things you've seen me doing wrong?"
{Sure, not like I had anything else to do.} remarked Haycien jokingly, giving his approval to what Mathias requested.
Nodding his head, Mathias took out Ragnius, the dark crimson spear which looked normal, but was still in a slightly poor condition even at this point. Yet nothing of concern to Mathias, who began doing his normal spear drills.
From the spear stances that he began combining with attacks, such as [Piercing Rain] or [Sweep Thrust], which were diligently trained regardless of how boring they seemed as he continued on that path, aware of the fact that those boring repetitions would take him far.
In the past when he was training those drills, each and everyone of his attacks would leave him grasping for breaths, with now the [Piercing Rain] consuming 35 MP, along with the [Sweep Thrust] that were linked together. They indeed took a toll on his mana resources in the past, but to the new Mathias, the one who had the class of Saharan Successor, the former techniques that would drain his small mana core, were now just small droplets of rain to his mana core.
Hours flew by, one by one with Mathias religiously training his body, spear technique and mind, leaving himself covered in sweat that he took off his shirt, leaving his upper body naked to be chilled by the night's wind.
Vek stopped from what he was doing, after getting tired of the relentless drills Mathias told him to execute, lacking in Stamina compared to Mathias who was like a phoenix, shining with the Red Aura enveloping himself.
{Mind and body controls the Red Energy, lad. You are leaving your Red Energy radiate outside.}
His mind was starting to get fatigued with his Stamina resource reaching a low level, and with Haycien's warning, he began to take deep breaths, while swinging his spear in a menacing way.
Getting the Red Energy under his control again, he activated 'Raven's Movement' and started to get to the finishing part of his drill, combining all of his attacks into a pattern he made out, visualizing in his mind the fights and challenges he underwent. From the encounter with the Lurking Spider Queen that marked him, where he was running that encounter in his mind, trying to find a way he could have lasted longer, to Evander's fight where he took in all the attacks he saw from the bandit leader and later in his mind doing the fight again.
This method that might sound crazy, only achievable by those with a visualizing capacity, and strong minds alike, but it was something that give Mathias this feeling of being "wierd", being able to remember the things that marked him to the smallest details, while the events that didn't mark him, being slowly removed from his mind.
Executing all of his spear techniques and draining himself from mana, and stamina, he collapsed on the greenfield, and while gasping for air, he asked out loud.
"How was it, sir?"
{Mediocre.} remarked Haycien with a serious voice, not sounding sarcastic nor joking.
"I see … "
Mathias in those moments he was recovering his breath, felt a bit down hearing that appraisal of himself, but then the old man continued.
{Mediocre by my standards. If it was Dehakel he would probably proclaim you as some "genius" for the dedication to the spear you have shown. Nevertheless, your techniques that you have drilled, besides my skills that drained you quite fast of your mana and Red Energy are the basic stuff I would maybe teach my grandsons too.}
"This means I am not bad?"
{No, not really. You've got the basics down, and are like a rough diamond waiting to be discovered and polished by a master jeweler. Lucky for you lad, you got that Master Jeweler right besides you, who will clean you up of all impurities.}
"Hah, that sounded a bit wierd."
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Some minutes passed after he said that where it got silent, but then, the old man's voice resounded again inside Mathias's mind, confused.
{Kid, I am still weak, and as I pondered to myself what to work with you, I have just too many skills and techniques especially for the spear. Yet here is the problem, I can't teach you my lineage spear techniques until you slowly master my techniques.}
'It is fine sir, no need to stress yourself about this. The techniques you've given me suffice for the starting journey and as I master that technique and you also slowly recover, you will be able to teach me.'
{Sigh, to heck with this, I really wanted to teach you something cool. Fuck, it seems I am only limited to those basic techniques, and those more advanced ones, require you to grow and for me to recover a bit.}
'It is fine, thanks for the help regardless.'
{It is not.}
'We'll manage something, but to not derail from the subject, can you tell me the things I make mistakes with the spear?'
{Where should I even start?}
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On another hand while Mathias and Haycien were having their discussion, trying to improve one beginner spearman's mistakes, the same could be said for the rest of players who didn't stop from advancing in this journey of theirs, regardless of what path they pursued, they didn't stop.
The levels of those players were raising ever so slowly, with only two days being enough for a certain one called Kraugel to dethrone the Uncrowned Champion, where beside him was the one who made the most buzz in those early days of the game outset, Red.
He managed to rise to level 33, while Kraugel got to level 35, with Vivian and Paula stagnating since Iljnoks Raid.
However in those early days of the game, everything could change with a snap of fingers, since there were still more people joining the game daily, beginning their adventure, or those who got slowed down by a chain of quests, ignoring the leveling aspect, and focusing more on those early intricate quests.
Such was the case of a lady, in her mid-twenties, with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a clean chain armor that small decorations imprinted on it, a sign that is was some cheap metalwork, but instead an excellently crafted armor.
Currently, she was staring at a middle-aged man who had purple long hair, who looked at her uninterested, but nevertheless, he listened to the woman before him who told him about the story of how she helped out an old man inside a recused village in Fullbaz with all sort of menial things, from washing his clothes, spreading ointment on his back that was filled with scars.
It was a special encounter of this young lady, which marked both old person and girl, as such, for her efforts of ridding the old man of his pain, he mentioned to her about his past which shocked her.
With her story told to the middle-aged man in front of her, whose expression got caught by the raven-haired woman, and after she finished her part, he remarked.
"To think that retired old man would still be breathing and even remembered the Church he so selfishly chose to leave behind. Nevertheless, it seems you two got connected in a sense, so I will listen to that single request I've left for former Cardinal Thomas Wolsey."
"Your Holiness Pascal, I want to join Judar's Church and follow in the footsteps of old Tom."
"That's the request you want using the last favor that old man has with me?" asked the middle-aged man sitting on his ecclesiastic throne, glazing more intently at this woman in front of him that was rather gorgeous if he took his time to admire her appearance.
"Indeed, Your Holiness, I want to join Judar's Church."
"Haha, then why didn't you go to the priests first to ask for enrolment? You wouldn't be using that favor."
"Sir Thomas told me to use it, and directly ask you, Your Holiness."
"Tsk, that annoying old man. His Greatness, God Judar the Lord of Wisdom and Health, is witness to my early days as a priest who got under Cardinal Thomas's wing, learning the craft from him. Do you know why that old man instructed you to tell me this?"
The raven-haired woman, in the chain armor, shook her head, waiting for the middle-aged man to respond directly.
"That's because now I have to return the favor for all of his teachings and take you under my wing. Hah such annoyance, how old was that old man by now? Around, maybe 71 years old? Can't he kick the bucket by now? Regardless, take this medallion of mine, and present it to Cardinal Reinhard and he will guide you for the beginning since I am busy right now.
After you progress, I might think about giving you a chance to be under me."
'Didn't you just say you will accept it? Now you changed your mind? Hah, is this really the place old Thomas mentioned with such melancholy? I only feel I landed in the wrong place.' thought the young woman while glancing shortly at the man on the Ecclesiastical Throne, Pascal.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 51 - The Scheming Old

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The raven haired woman after receiving her instructions from the Pope of the Judar Church, Pascal, she walked from the audience room of the Wisdom Cathedral, holding in her hand a small medallion containing a half moon surrounded by three stars shaped like diamonds, that gave off an pleasing aesthetic.
From her inventory, she took another older medallion, seemingly ancient, that had carved on it an Owl gazing at her in a deep way, as if it could see through her, along with two small branches next to the owl.
Gazing at the two medallions, especially at the ancient medallion that she couldn't read the description or even name, compared to the one she received from Pascal which had a full description and name.
[Pascal's Medallion]
Description: A sign representing the Judar's Church and the current Pope, Pascal. It can be used to appoint responsibilities or entrust someone with a task, representing the Church.
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Sighing, as she noticed her quests checkpoints being cleared out, she only had to go to the Bishop of the Church, and show the medallion she received from Pascal and move on with her journey. Then, when she entered the main hall of the Cathedral, and later on toward the office where the Bishop was located, she saw a line of people waiting for their appointment, and she was far from the first people to the office door.
Staring around herself, she noticed that each individual waiting in line was a player of the game, just like herself, with no sign of inhabitants of the world waiting.
'Don't tell me, that person did this intentionally, so I get discouraged from joining the Church, and thus renaging the favor old Tom gained? Well, too bad for you since I am not going anywhere.'
She opened some of the game's features, such as the streams, and began watching the others play around while she was advancing ever so slowly, before when she reached the mid of the line, she got bored, and opened her Guild Chatbox, where to her surprise it got quite active since Red's infamous moment after defeating Blackdawn's.
They were all discussing something that Mathias, remarked inside the chat, about him getting to Titan, and starting to sort out things and set up the base for their guild there.
'Wow, he already progressed so much in the game that his level is in the top rankings. It is thanks to him that I could get used to this world and instill about how I shouldn't look at those characters as just that characters of a story.'
'Nevertheless, this approach allowed me to start in a more realistic way compared to the rest of people who place their entire energy on clearing out quests and hunting monsters.'
'What can I say, just like how Mathias mentioned, you have the heads of a coin that whenever someone throws it it lands on the heads, meanwhile the tails are a small part of the entire community that play the game for various reasons in an unconventional way.'
Time passed with Leonor chatting around with the other guild members, especially with Maple Mist who was around the same level as her for most of the time. Each and everyone has already planned their journey, and the path they want to take with their abilities.
She was slightly luckier to stumble upon old Thomas inside a small village at the end of Fullbaz region, a former Pope of the Judar Church, as per his words. Even now Leonor was marked by how nonchalantly the old man told her about his past, as if it meant nothing to him.
He was someone who stepped down from that position, which conflicted with Leonor's thoughts, understanding how prestigious such a title meant for an individual. Yet, the old man who hid a body full of scars, he remarked belonged to the Vampire Duke, Fenrir, and other demonic beasts that attempted to enter the world.
Her time in that village was enjoyable, since it was a time where her time was limited for the game, restricted by her meetings with the directions of the hotel and being required to write reports after reports with different prognosis.
Only when she was inside Satisfy and was hearing the crazy stories of the old man, as she was cooking him soup, could feel relaxing, destressing from the annoyance of her tasks.
Those weeks flew by for her, and unknown to her when, but the old man was giving her some instructions about sword fighting, and even taught her some basic sword skills, out of gratitude of making his later years slightly easier.
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Back on the waiting line composed by the players, she took the ancient medallion given by the old man, with the pretext he didn't need it and also had no idea what it was too.
'This is something he found in the ruins of a building he was tasked in his younger days to destroy. But why gave it to me? Could it be cursed? Don't tell me I will be turned in a similar way like Mathias?'
Shaking her head dispelling such thought, placing back the medallion with the owl inscribed, she continued waiting patiently in the waiting line, where some whined for taking it so long, or others who arrived later simply quit standing in line and forced their entry.
'What a fool. This is already the 12th guy who tried this and was forced out like some dying dog. I wonder who is the person inside that office to rough those guys up so badly. A priestly person wouldn't resort to violence in such a way, right?'
Leonor could only ask herself that question, her boredom starting making its presence felt, since she began talking to herself, something she missed doing since she was in University and had to work on difficult projects, in her Economic Majors.
With more time, going out, people were entering and exiting the office of the Judar Cathedral, like they were puppets, some showed happiness, others swiftly left the main hall to probably begin the rest of their quests to join the Church. She was among the first in line, and her patience was finally paid off when she heard a male voice from inside the office.
"NEXT PERSON IN LINE"
Getting the invitation, Leonor entered the office, before closing the door, where inside was a middle-aged man with black hair, that had marks of aging, containing strands of white hair, and beside him were two old men, where their name was visible for her.
[Cardinal Luis - LV. ???] / [Cardinal Dominik - LV. ???] / [Cardinal Reinhard - LV. ???]
'I can't even see their levels, just like old Tom and Pope Pascal.' thought Leonor as she stepped inside the office, and greeted the three cardinals, that gave her the impression she was in a job interview from their stares.
"Blessed be, young lady. Have you decided to join the Judar Church, correct?"
"Don't get her startled by that fast brother Luis. Let her feel more comfortable. Take a seat, dear." said the second old man, called Dominik with a warm voice, making a hand sign for her to sit.
On another hand, the middle-aged man, who didn't return the greeting, seemed quite pissed by how he looked around, unlike the old men who smiled warmly at her. He didn't waste his time, just to stare at some girl, and asked the direct question.
"Recommendation or the direct path of joining the church? Be swift, there's more of you people waiting to be assigned the challenge for joining the Church."
Leonor, who took a seat on the other side of the table where the three Cardinals were staying, heard the middle-aged man inquire and replied in a calm way, to the delight of the old men.
"I have a recommendation if you could call it as such? This letter was written by Thomas Kasper, and he is the one who guided me to reaching Judar Cathedral." said Leonor in her calm voice, before giving the letter she showed to Pascal, to Reinhard, and later on placing the medallion she received from Pascal.
The Cardinals had a surprised expression, especially the younger one who opened the letter and started reading it. It contained the words of the old man Leonor took care before continuing her journey, which all had some honest words about the young lady, and also a reminder of the favor they all had to repay him.
"Tsk, I am glad I didn't get indebted to that shrewd old man." commented Luis with a chance of voice, sounding slightly displeased when reading the letter.
"Well, well, I thought that old man was cursed after stepping down from his position as Pope, for showing such disrespect for leaving the Church. Yet, it doesn't look like he forgot about us, and sent one of the outsiders to us, by recommendation at that." remarked Cardinal Dominick, glancing at Leonor with now, sharp and fierce eyes, while Reinhard's expression eased up, seeming to think about something, before asking Leonor.
"What path do you want to take as a member of the Church?"
"I want to become a Paladin."
The two old men, returned to their calm state, but the way they looked at Leonor changed slightly, no longer as friendly since they understood who recommended her, but it was different for Reinhard whose attitude changed, as he asked the woman before him.
"Are you sure you want to go in that direction? Compared to a priest or magic-user which would suit a woman, becoming a paladin is challenging for a woman. Sigh, it seems you have decided for a long time, and with Pascal's medallion it means you will be under my guidance."
After saying that, he placed the letter in his priestly clothes, and later taking a fresh sheet of paper, he began inscribing something, before giving it to Leonor.
"Follow these instructions for now and we will meet again tomorrow when I am available. Do you have any place to sleep?"
Taking the note which triggered a quest for her, she responded to Reinhard before studying the contents of the letter and quest.
• [Cardinal Meeting] •
"There's no problem with that, sir. I've rented a room inside the city outside of the Cathedral compound."
"I see, good then. You can take your leave now since there's more waiting beside you, wishing to become members of the Judar's Church."
"Thank you for your time, Your Excellencies."
Leonor moved out, leaving the office while her expression eased up as she was reading the content of the quest, a point where she decided to return to the Velnior City, the closest city to the location of the Judar Church, that was a journey of 25 minutes.
Outside of the Cathedral, she decided to move to the forests and hunt a bit some wild beasts, to clear some quests she gained from inside the city.
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[Reclaim the Forests]
Difficulty Level: B
The Captain of Velnior City Guards has entrusted the newly arrived adventurers the task of keeping the sprawling beasts of the Shermar Forest. Reducing the beasts population to a stable level without breaking the ecosystem enveloping the region.
Quest Clear Condition: Hunt down the monsters of Shermar Forest, and bring the trophy of 50 beasts to Velnior City Guard Captain, Juan Luis. (11/50)
Quest Reward: 35.000 EXP & Affinity with Captain Guard Juan Luis increased by 5 points
Quest Failure: None
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"I should be able to clear the quest until I have to go to sleep. From the emails I received there's more pressure on the lower branches to show more profits. Sigh, in the worst case, there will be layoffs since there are more workers than they believe would solve the financial problems of the hotel."
As she walked, her thoughts were consumed by the news she received from the directions about the possible layoffs that will happen the next year, but those worries of her diminished once she entered Shermar Forest and started spotting the monsters she was required to hunt.
Some Impish-like monsters, called 'Edemp' and 'Graesp' were like infesting rats that created an imbalance in the territory of Velnior City, by ambushing people, attacking the nearby villages that were under the protection of Count Velnior. However, for some reason the Count never bothered to take notice of the notices sent out by the elders of those respective villages attack by those pesky monsters, and over time with ears, thanks to their breeding speed, they multiplied exponentially, moving out to different territories.
Leonor from what the notice she took from the Notice Board of Quests in the Central Square of the city, described their breeding speed as similar to rats, while their attitude was of pure hostility against humans. Another important notice besides other irrelevant to Leonor were the territories they liked to occupy, caves, forested zones, mushy places.
Once inside the forest, all her former thoughts vanished, the worries about her work completely wiped out, feeling the pressure of the new environment she walked in. Taking out a broadsword, which looked rather normal, and later getting into guard, she looked vigilantly around herself.
*SHRIEK*
The large scream soon got heard closer to her, making her react rapidly and face the two Level 24 Edempt's, the green-skinned version of the two monsters that make it feel as if it was a goblin in front of her.
She didn't panic and showed a calm, unlike someone who just began playing the game.
Leonor moved first to attack the two monsters, calling her attacks in her mind, starting off a skill she learned from old Thomas in the time she spent with him besides cleaning and talking with him, or doing other quests in the village she was staying for almost one month.
'[Arc Slash]'
[You have dealt 432 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 375 damage to the target.]
Both monsters suffered the same amount of damage, that reached 807, which was quite high for a player her level with a Rare graded weapon that she already began outleveling. Those impish monsters screamed in pain continuing their attack, as if their only goal was to exterminate any intruder in their territory.
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[Edenp - Lv. 23] (7500 HP)
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Their health was relatively low for a monster their level, but what they lacked in health they boosted in attack power, which was rather troublesome for the aspiring Paladin. With the monsters not stopped by her skill, they reached her and attacked her as she also displayed her skills.
'[Flurry]'
Before those monsters could connect Leonor activated her skill, another of her starting mentor skills in the game, that sent out 5 strikes in a rapid succession that felt as if they were lighting fast, yet it wasn't enough to stop the monster that felt to her suicidal.
[You have dealt 337 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 241 damage to the target.]
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[You have dealt 316 damage to the target.]
Three attacks connected with one monster on her right side while the other two attacks on her left side, dealing in total a [1476] damage, and being on the receiving end later on with two hits of [245] and [281].
She gritted her teeth to fight on the pain received, and later on reacted by sending another sword slash, cutting at their mid-section, pushing them away from her, and swiftly afterwards beginning her ending phase, where she began displaying her skills, then next when both sides got drained of resources, finishing the battle with the young lady winning, decisively.
[You have defeated one 'Edenp' gaining the following rewards: 1850 EXP, 120 silver coins, Blunt Club, 1x Trophy]
[You have defeated one 'Edenp' gaining the following rewards: 1850 EXP, 95 silver coins, 1x Silk Fabric, 1x Trophy]
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Name: Leona / Class: Warrior
Level: 21(12800/24600) / Titles: Strong Hands (20 STR / 50 STA) / Peaceful Mind ( 25 STR / 25 INT / - maintain calm in dangerous situations)
Health: 1210/2625 / Mana: 25/650
Strength: 225 / Stamina: 150 / Agility: 90 / Intelligence: 125
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Clearing out the notifications she received, Leonor climbed inside a tree, just so she could be safe while recovering her HP and MP that she wasted using the high consuming skills learned from old Thomas.
"Hah, this will take a while to recover, but I should be safe here, those Graesp, or Edenps don't know how to climb on trees. Old Tom, your skills are consuming too much mana and I can only use Air Strike, High Slash and Flurry without being drained in a fight."
'I wonder how are you doing, old Tom since I left. You better clear after yourself or you your hut will be like a pigs enclosure.'
The young lady was thinking about her first memorable days inside Satisfy, and specifically at one old man that felt to her like a parent she never had the chance to bound, and while she was resting, recovering her mana and health, inside a small hut where the fireplace was lighted, two old men talked casually about a specific subject.
*ACHOO*
The short-haired old man with snowy white hair, full beard and golden eyes giving off a warm light sneezed suddenly, splashing some droplets on the second old man who had long white hair with blue eyes, and a full beard maintained cleanly, compared to the latter.
"Bless you."
"Thanks but also no thanks. Is that little girl scolding me again for not cleaning after me?" inquired the short-haired old man looking confused around himself.
"Thoma you got attached to someone at your old age, especially a younger girl?"
"Don't get your thoughts to worked out. I took care of an outlander girl for one month. At first I was curious to see how they compare with us, and I was pleased to find they are just like us. Their emotions are the same, and slowly as I found more from that little girl, I found that she was quite the poor girl, an orphan who struggled in life."
"Sigh, old friend, it could be fate that we are destined to give our hands in our later years and rescue the newer generation from a dark path."
"That little girl, the little lioness, is already a grown woman compared to that little doll of yours that got cursed for that unfaithful union."
"The one with many faces sees everything if she wants it and you open your door for her to enter. You know, Thoma, it is easier to allow someone in your home rather than throwing him away."
"Is the plan going well, brother? Or did I step down too fast?"
"Everything goes according to the plan, so far. We only need to make Racena to cooperate with the Church she leads. As for Devigro, he is already spreading his corruption from his power-hungry and greedy mentality. No one is bothering looking in this old man direction beside some foolish boy who comes to pray for his wife's salvation."
"That boy, Juander, still didn't stop asking the questions, while the answer is evident from the way things got conducted."
"Is none of my business Thoma, I told him when Aria died that it was by dark arts, but that foolish boy couldn't believe me, or choose to ignore my warning in that moment he was mourning her death."
"Right, but what should we do with Yatan and the Tower of Wisdom?"
"So far they aren't aware, and this is how it should be. Only my successor and you know about this plan, no one else. Anyway, let's not talk about this, since it is still not the ripe time. Tell me, have you elucidated the mystery of that medalion you found inside those ruins that marked you?"
"Even now I have that vision of the gorgeous woman that looked so pitiful, with scars and chains all over her body as she was trying to say something to me, something I couldn't understand. But with time, as I was trying to find any leads toward more artifacts similar to the medallion I've stumbled upon, I started losing the drive of finding more since our plan was beginning and it required all my attention."
"Then, why have you given the medallion to that girl?"
"Why not? She is an outlander, maybe those artifacts were intended for them to find, not us, old men with their foot at the Death's doorsteps."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol.2 – Chapter 52 – The Hunt
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The young woman continued fighting the monsters infesting the Shermar Forest, kept hunting down those monsters which took on her time, to complete it. Aside from the Edepths or Graesp, there were other types of monsters and wild beasts from wolves, to boars, all sorts of predators belonging to the forest.
As she was fighting the beasts, Leonor checked her items' durability to make sure they wouldn't break in a fight, and to her disappointment, the sword and chainmail began deteriorating with each hit she received from the monsters.
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[Well Crafted Sword]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 32/145 | Attack Power: 125-210 | Attack Speed: -2% | Critical Chance: +2%
*There is a small chance of automatically reflecting an enemy attack
A sword crafted inside the city of Velnior, by an advanced blacksmith master, who was satisfied with how the blade he forged exited. Showing a good balance even though the weight of the sword overall exceeds what a one-handed sword should be categorized.
User Restrictions: Level 35 / More than 200 STR points and 100 STA points.
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'I should say quits now, and go to Velnior before I lose my items. The monsters will not go anywhere, beside this Forest, so I should remain patient and not greed for more loot.
[Leona - Lv. 22]
She even leveled up since she began hunting the monster, managing to gather about [31/50] trophies by the time she started leaving the forest, directing herself on the principal road leading to the Velnior City.
Walking out of the Shermar Forest she encountered a decent number of players doing the same quest as her, some grouped up, while in most cases they were solo players. The interaction she had with those players was nonexistent, declining all attempts at teaming up with those players, for an unknown reason, only she had the answers.
Still, her journey since stepping on the principal road, Via Severiana, was smooth, with the road itself being maintained, making the journey for traders or adventurers easier, with the only problem being the nuisance of the monsters that overpopulated.
Before she even noticed, a Milarium at the side of the road appeared, giving Leonor the signal she wanted to see since she began her journey back, about being close to her destination.
Each minute it passed, she began seeing the end of the forest, and with another Milarium at the exit, she could see in the distance the walls surrounding a city. The buildings were still distanced, only being able to see the Count Castle, and the walls, with the rest of the landmarks missing from her sight.
The access to the city was available for everyone at a small fee of 150 silver coins for foreigners who could attest to their residence linking them to Velnior City. Yet, once Leonor arrived at the front of the city gates where the city guards got stationed, she heard them ask if she was a resident or a foreigner.
"Will this suffice to get me identified?" asked Leonor as she showed the guards a piece of paper written by the innkeeper he was staying, guaranteeing for her as someone who paid for her stay.
"I see, then everything is good. Next." remarked the guard, giving back the piece of paper to the latter, before calling out for the next in line.
Entering the city, Leonor went directly to the blacksmith to repair her armor and sword, later on with her items repaired costing her only [500] silver coins, she visited the Market to sell all the materials she gained from the Edepths and Graesp.
It was a common sight having players moving around the Market and staring at the stalls without talking to the NPC's as if they were just nuisances, only talking when wanting to find the price of certain items or when buying. On another hand, Leonor who got taught early on by Mathias and also by living the experiences she had early with old Thomas, she behaved differently with the NPC's treating them just like how she would want someone to treat her.
Thus, because of her approach, the people in the city also behaved more openly with her, reacting when she would approach their stalls, such was the case for a middle-aged man, whose stall was selling clothing fabrics.
"Welcome back, young lady. Have you come to sell me materials again or to buy?" asked the middle-aged man whose clothes couldn't compare to what his counterpart in Titan was wearing, giving off a humble origin and decency.
In general, this was for every person holding stalls in the market, all were simple people who wanted to make a living by selling the products they produce.
"Greeting to you too, sir Fran. I got some materials I gained from hunting inside the Forest, mostly cloth fabrics." responded Leonor who took out a part of her loot, the cloth fabrics.
"This is great. I feel it is much better when we got adventurers like you that would sell the things you don't see a use for such as the cloth fabrics. We could finally get a breather on the trade that was monopolized by the big families controlling the production of silk and other fabrics."
"The price is still the same. You are fine with it, young lady?" inquired the merchant, who took a glance at the fabrics, some were a bit rugged while others were dirty with blood, still, one could see that their quality was decent.
"Sure. It is as you said, I don't have much use for those fabrics, so why not sell it to someone who needs it rather than letting it collect dust and mold with us."
The middle-aged merchant give Leonor a wide smile as he looked at her face, before reverting his glance to the fabrics, as if he didn't want to be seen as a pervert to glance at his new customers in an indecent way.
'Is something on my face? Do I still got some of those beasts' blood on my face by chance that he reacted like that?' thought Leonor, when noticing the reaction of the merchant.
Nevertheless, it was something that lasted a bit, since the merchant returned to his professional side, and looked at Leonor strictly as a customer and client, soon to settle down on a decent price for Leonor.
"Like three days ago when you visited my stall, I will offer you 35 gold coins for all those materials. This is according to the market price, you can check it around if you don't believe me."
Leonor gazed at the middle-aged man in a calm way, nodding slowly to the offer, not bothering herself with economics inside this world, since it would bring out a headache about the hotel management she had to do, and without a second thought, she accepted the offer.
Getting a small pouch containing the gold coins, she thanked the merchant who overreacted, bowing his head at her, making it seem comical and almost as if he scammed her for a lower price, but it was obviously not the case, thus she walked away from the fabric merchant stopping after some minutes to another stall, where different items were put on display.
From toys to weapons, too weird accessories, this stall owned by another middle-aged guy, had everything a player would want to explore around.
Her interaction with this merchant running this weird stall, was short and direct, with her giving every single piece of useless equipment she didn't need that dropped from the Edenps or Graesp which made the guy excited.
"Are you sure you want to sell those things?"
"Do I look as if I had any interest in them?" questioned Leonor giving the merchant a stern look, which made his excitement lower down, becoming quiet with the question, waiting for the offer.
Taking his time to contemplate on what to offer, he in the end offered her a decent price. She, regardless of how low it was, wouldn't be bothered to negotiate since it wasn't in her interest.
"Ten gold coins will do the job. Hand them over. A question out of curiosity, do you have customers who would buy those things, beside the weapons you got on display?"
"Plenty, my lady. I don't lack customers at all, don't I have one right now in you?" said the merchant with a smile, as he placed on the stall counter 10 gold coins, that Leonor took them.
"Well, it seems I now found the person I would get rid of the junk from my hunts. No offense, I wasn't referring to the items you have on display as junk."
"No worries, lady. I know what you mean, and I am thankful that you choose me to sell your items."
Leaving this stall, she, later on, strolled around the market to see if she could find something, but without her even noticing night came about rather swiftly, making her prepare to walk to the inn, and settle down before the day would come, point where she chatted with her guild members for a brief time, and later on logging out from the game, since her game time was about to exceed what she intended for her daily intake.
Nonetheless, in her talk with her guild members, a private message hit her from Malakai, who asked her in a polite way.
malakai: Boss, I would be late for work for about 2 hours, can I recuperate the missing hours in another day?
@Leona: Why tell me, call your Department Head and notify him. Hah, you guys always rely on me to give you those leaves. Besides, are you in the process of doing some quest by chance?
malakai: Indeed, boss. Some high noble wants me to become their house assassin, The Ravasi House to be specific, one of the families who are influential inside Moroiz Duchy. The leader of the house, Gianfranco Ravasi saw my potential and gave me a lot of new interesting tasks with the intent of helping me grow faster than most players. Yet, the risk is big too, since the people I am to get hostile to are nobles too. There's one quest where I have to follow the son of Count Romeo, an enemy of Lord Ravasi, and surveilled his activities in the Duchy Capital.
@Leona: So you need to spend a lot of time following that person. Good luck with your quests, and don't get too drunk in this game since it can become addicting. Also, remember to call your supervisor, not me.
malakai: Sigh, fine. Also, don't worry boss, this is why those developers put a 16 hours limit, so addiction doesn't trigger, at least too fast. How were your quests going on another hand?
@Leona: It is fine, I've met some interesting people so far here, and my quest has progressed to another stage since I reached Judar Church. Tomorrow when I log in the game, I should be able to proceed with the remaining quest and get access to the skills belonging to Judar Church.
malakai: This means our guild finally got its hand on a healer. This is great, since no one wanted to become a healer, only little Louis Class seems to work more like a support rather than a DPS.
@Leona: Sorry to break it to you, but my intent isn't to be a healer. It is more fun fighting, feeling that trill, rather than staying in the backline, constantly casting heals or what other spells there are in the game. In my class, I want to become focused on attack and maybe some support, but it remains to be seen, I'll have to hear Matei's opinion. I'll no longer stay connected, take care. Bye.
Ending the conversation there, where the real-timer showed the clock sitting at 20:50, she logged out, revealing on outside a young woman in her mid-twenties, that didn't have any make-up on her face, wearing some casual, comfortable clothes, getting on with preparing for the end of the day as she yawned.
On another hand, inside a large city, a young man with blonde hair, and a piercing in his ear, wearing dark-colored leather, was watching from a distance a young boy about 13-14 years old being accompanied by two middle-aged guys, who were his bodyguards.
'Damn, don't tell me Ravasi wants me to kidnap this boy? I am not lowering myself so low for some experience since I can always run to Mathias in Titan, now that he arrived first.'
Glancing at the bodyguards, the blonde young man clicked his tongue seeming displeased, mostly of how high their level was compared to his level 26, sitting at a comfortable level 175, which would make them capable enough of squashing him since he didn't focus on building his HP, rallying on his high agility.
'Shadow Breath'
Though Malakai as he started to exhale some dark smoke, he later on continued following his target from a safe distance, without attracting the attention of people, especially when it was night.
'Sigh, kid, just go home already, I have other things to do besides following you. My level has stagnated since I gained this quest of following you.'
His movements didn't give him away, keeping his eyes on his targets, until he saw the boy enter a certain district that it became familiar to him, the "Red District" where the brothels were located, and something he experienced himself.
'Ohhh, interesting choices, little guy. But are you big enough to manage those sluts? This is new, such information will be good for Lord Ravasi, but then let's get closer.'
Using his shadow ability, he veiled himself while moving using the cover of the building walls, making him feel just like a shadow, yet, such abilities that were destroying common sense, were draining him down rather rapidly, just for the chance of getting more information.
'Damn it, this skill is draining me too fast.'
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[Shadow Veil]
Rating: Unique
Using the power of the shadows to veil yourself from the light that might touch you, blending along with shadows of inanimate objects or animated objects.
Skill consumption: For 5 seconds you use this ability, you will consume [5] Shadow Energy along with 50 Mana
Skill Cooldown: None
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The skill indeed had a high consumption, but the ability itself was versatile, giving him the potential of becoming the strongest assassin if learning on to correctly use the skills, as they were intended to be used, and this was something that Malakai was struggling to get in order, the way his skills were intended to work.
Since those were some of the skills he learned in a rush from his Master, Shadow Lord Bayek, and now he was struggling placing them in order. Nevertheless, he wasn't stupid as to not figure out their utilities, and as such, he saw the advantages of using Shadow Veil when spying on people.
Minutes passed and his resources declined, with him inside the brothel, after entering using another exit, he was like a phantom, haunting the young boy of 13-14 years old, who left his bodyguards outside in the looby.
'That would be the perfect opening for assassination on the weaker target. But since he didn't receive such instructions nor was he informed on why he had to spy on that boy, he glanced at the bodyguard's faces that had a stern look before taking his leave, just in time where his resources got to his limit.
[Shadow Energy: 15/80]
'Let's get out of here before someone notices me and rats me away.'
Going on the same route he went away, from the lobby, he noticed a girl with lascivious curves that made him grope her ass, before leaving the brothel.
The prostitute looked around confused, only noticing a large shadow on the floor belonging to a man, who disappeared after bypassing the door. She touched her ass that was slightly hot, before continuing on with her night.
On another hand, Malakai who exited the brothel still using his 'Shadow Veil' after getting some distance he canceled the ability, revealing himself blending with the crowd.
'That ass, I have to return and give it a run. But before that, let's report to Lord Ravasi what my investigation results were."
The time passed and using the time of the world it was already 2 AM, but the city of Moroiz still didn't go to sleep, continuing it's activity with the help of the lamps installed in the main streets.
The night was another time for the nocturnal predators to be active, such as the case for assassins, thieves and criminals of any kind, who were brewing their sick plans in this. Apart from them, there was a young man with blonde hair approaching a large mansion guarded diligently by the militia of the person residing in the mansion.
Malakai was allowed inside the mansion compound, without any questions, where later notified the butler, while asking if the Count was still awake, only to receive a negative response, with the butter telling him to wait until tomorrow.
"He is sleeping?"
"That is correct. You can return in the morning when the Lord is awake."
Hearing the butler's response, Malakai could only nod his head, and not bicker about this, thus he choose to leave the mansion and went on to hunt some monsters in the hunting grounds.
He only played for until the timer he placed ti alert him when to log out alerted him while he was fighting some wild beasts of level 25-28.
"Time to get out. If the noble would start getting annoyed that I didn't report to him at the right time, there is nothing I can do about it. I didn't even have to trouble Leonor about missing some hours on the job."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 53 - Cain the Olympic Champion
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It has been one week since Mathias returned back to Titan, where there wasn't much of progress leveling wise, his level still stagnated to level 32, while the bright star of the game, Kraugel, reached level 45, while the Leviathan's Red was pushing ahead, ranked second, after Kraugel being level 43.
The environment and landscape of the rankings were always interchangeable but the top 10 was stable, being led by the ones since the beginning. The only difference was the disappearance of Vivian and Paula, who level up slower than the rest, yet, maintaining their ranking to the top 50.
Nevertheless, those changes didn't matter for two individuals of relative same age who together with two youngsters stared at a livestream, where it was televised the Olympics. The broadcast anchor was doing a great job of telling to the public the competitions that were about to happen, in the following day, with one particular notion that interested the raven-haired young man.
"Matei, why are you interested in watching the Olympics? There are so many other good shows to watch nowadays, especially about Satisfy. We'll get to learn more about the situation of other guys, and what the rest of the content is for the rest of the kingdoms. Why the Olympics?" asked the blonde-haired guy, in question, Vlad, who held a can of beer in his hand, while glancing at the TV female anchor.
"That's right, big brother, this is quite lame." mentioned Gabriel, Vlad's little brother, while his friend Ian remained quiet, listening to what the anchor had to say.
"It is 22 November, the Olympic boxing final, that's what I want to see, afterwards we can do whatever." replied Mathias, calmly, giving the boys the context of why he wanted to watch the Olympics.
"Just some amateur boxing, right? What's so interesting?" remarked Vlad, taking a sip from his can of beer, before time flew by, and the event they were waiting for appeared on the TV screen, which was on time with the schedule Mathias knew from checking online.
The transmission of the arena that was filled to the brim with people that waited patiently for the event to happen. In the center of the arena, there was a boxing ring, that reigned supreme, making its appearance for the four guys watching the TV, where the new anchor of the transmission, with only the voice being audible began giving a rundown to the finalists of the Middleweight Category.
[We are just about to watch a spectacular match between the one of the best in this generation of fighters. Arturo LaMotta whose record is an impeccable 62 fights with 0 loses, the coming from New York, but representing his mother country, Italy. He is a phenomenon whose fight style only resembles the greats in boxing. It makes me say from the bottom of my heart, he resembles Saul Canelo Alvarez with his style.
On another hand, we can't overlook the other finalist, from Uzbekistan, Bakhodir Rashitov, his amateur record of 26-2, but one thing is to mention all of his defeats belong to his starting career, since then he has been on a 17 win-streak, showing off his raw talent in the Olympics, taking the spot of the Dark Horse.
But will he be, that Dark Horse to upset this phenomenon? We can't only watch to see what the two fighters will offer to our eyes.]
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On the couch where the four stood, Vlad scratched his head, not knowing anything about those names, nor even caring, but glazing at Mathias, he saw him nod agreeing with what the anchor was telling.
"I want to watch this match just because of Arturo."
"Do you know this guy by chance?" inquired Vlad, feeling it weird for Mathias to say such a thing, but then he heard his little brother who pointed out at the TV where someone began walking out, with the camera being focused on it.
"Big brother, that guy is familiar."
"Hmm, you are right, but why do I feel the same?"
"Doesn't that guy looks like Cain from Stoned?" inquired Ian, after both Vlad and his younger brother Gabriel, gave their tries recollecting their memories about who the guy on the screen could be.
"Indeed, well done Ian, that is indeed Cain, the guild leader of 2Stoned2Care. This is who he is outside of the game, not that he made too many waves nowadays since he probably was training his butt off for the Olympics."
Vlad could see this young man 1,83 meters tall, with tanned skin, a physique that could make many people jealous, and even a handsome face to top it off, all the bonuses for creating a star. After he made his first steps, a popular song of the generation began walking him out, creating a buzz with the younger people in the audience that cheered for Arturo's walkout.
Raven hair, slit back to not become uncomfortable, wearing his red boxing attire, he entered the ring in a calm way.
"CAIN!!! YOU CAN DO IT!"
The voices of the fan-girls who came to attend the Olympics staged in Paris was distinct becoming loud, and as Arturo was waving his hands at the fans while smiling warmly at them, it made his old coach in particular grunt in annoyance while gazing at this pupil of his doing all this fanservice.
"Arturo, son, focus. Don't get drawn in those little girls chanting for you, and giving you the impression you are the best. There is always a match for anyone. We planned the gameplan for Rashitov but things can change at a twist of fingers."
"Aye, pops. Do you really think I am getting consumed by the chants of those girls or the public? This is a fight, not some spectacle, while there are some aspects to it. I am here to win gold, and later get my crown in the real ring. This is just a warm-up."
The camera was on the coach and pupil and there could be some talk between the two, as if they were planning something, but Mathias who watched from far away, could see the small change in Arturo's eyes, where a visible fighting spirit was transmitted.
Not too long, his opponent too walked out, a 1,86 meters, brown hair, a caucasian looking person walked out, wearing the blue attire, using a traditional Russian song, which didn't vibe too much with the public, but the boxer in question didn't even glance at the public, only focused on one person, standing in the red corner with close eyes, whereby his side an old man was telling something.
"Bakhodir, don't forget the game plan, don't get caught in what fight that little bastard wants you to fight. He will try to feint you and use his footwork to open your body, so to counter this you have to jab and connect cleanly afterward with some combos. Once you've cut his legs, you've taken his entire advantage."
"Understood coach. I will not disappoint."
"I know, now show me the best boxing."
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Getting into the ring and walking to his corner listening to some of the referee instructions before the fight started, the two finalists started the match, where both started slow, measuring each one's strengths, with Arturo being the one to have the initiative in the fight, using a fast footwork, and jabs to keep the Uzbeki mind thinking constantly of what he wanted to do.
The sound of the people in the audience cheering up at each of the contacts, made the coach's shouts being unhearable, but Rashitov's coach was constantly shouting for him to get to work and follow the gameplan.
It was then, with his coach impulse that Rashitov finally started boxing, taking Arturo on his defense. He eat some body shots in the process which were scored by the judges, and whenever he wanted to feint him, and set him up, the response was jabs to his face.
'So, you don't like my feints? I see, but I still got my aces to try, so let's see what you are good at.'
The 3 minutes first round ended with a win for Bakhodir Rashitov, who raised his hand in a victorious fashion, before returning to his stool.
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Vlad who watched the first round of the Olympic finals, turned to ask Mathias a simple question.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Hard to say, from what the Russian guy showed, it seems he got Arturo's number. But then, I've watched his Olympic circuit fight and could note something. Cain is a fitting name that he picked for his character now that I've seen him on the ring."
"What do you mean?"
"Just watch, the next round."
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With a minute of break, the two fighters in the ring got back to action, with Bakhodir Rashitov sticking to the same gameplan as in the first round, but as 25 seconds of the second round passed, Arturo shifted his stance going Southpaw, where he unleashed a lightning fast jab to his face, before connecting cleanly with a liver shot.
Grunting in pain, Rashitov's eyes shifted a bit as he glanced at Arturo who began to let go of the reins on his feet and start his own style fight. The fight got one-sided with the Uzbek being on the defensive, with Cain bisecting his enemy boxing style and defense as if it was Neo downloading the Matrix.
"TIME"
The referee got between Arturo who was unleashing his shots on the Uzbek who could only attempt at fighting back but without much success.
Arturo glanced at Rashitov with an emotionless expression, with his bruised lips irking up slightly as if he was mocking his enemy, and after the Italian returned in his corner, he glanced at the trainer who was telling him some mistakes he made on the second round.
"Calm down, I got the attack pattern of that guy. He has nothing for me, if he opens his body in the third, I will drop him and take the gold home."
"Kid, don't lower your guard. Just follow with what we worked, and if he begins to counter your southpaw, go orthodox."
"Hah, I will start orthodox."
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On the TV, the match with the first round being won by Bakhodir Rashitov, and the second round being won by Arturo LaMotta, the third round started rather similar to the first round, which made many out lookers question what Arturo was trying to do.
Mathias was curious too, and as the round began he saw the two get in the ring center and throw jabs at one another to feel the distance, and after all the setups and plays were done, Arturo was light on his feet, dodging most of the punches the Uzbek had for him, and along the way countering him. Doing the counter puncher style, and then pushing on with a flurry of punches, that opened his enemy body, right for the taking.
A liver shot thrown by Arturo knocked the man down, starting the countdown. The referee was doing the counting from the moment Rashitov's knee touched the canvas.
Cain was surprised to see the Uzbek get up from his shot, but that attack drained most of Rashitov's resources, making him just ready to go on a journey to the Shadow Realm, and with the referee commencing the fight between the two and with one more minute on the clock, he quickly made a work of his guard, and with the jabs setting his combos, an uppercut dropped the Uzbek again.
The referee didn't allow Rashitov to get himself damaged more than it required and stopped the match, relieving the latter of unnecessary damage.
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The four guys watching the match from Bucharest, especially Vlad, was shocked by the fight he saw, and threw a question at Mathias, who nodded his head with the fight he saw.
"How did he do it?"
"Do what?"
"Knock the guy down, he was winning the fight at first."
"Boxing is like a chess match. You don't make all your moves from the first starting minute, instead, check around to see what the enemy might have in store for you. Thus Cain who had more moves under his sleeve got the guy done."
"A check-mate. Or how in boxing, knockdown."
Things began getting cleared out in the boxing ring, as the two young men were discussing aspects of the match, soon the ceremony of crowning the Olympic champions also was staged with the bronze medalist and silver medalist standing lower than Arturo whose expression remained of a chilling calm in the entire time the procession was happening.
"Congratulations again for the victory. Do you have some words for the end, Arturo, for the people awaiting your future move to professional boxing?" inquired one reporter after the awarding ceremony ended.
"Thank you and also my appreciation for everyone supporting me and my career. With my coaches, I wouldn't be where I am right now, so props to them, Cesare Ricatii, Luca Agnesi, and so on.
My plan, for now, is to focus on this new game I've started playing, Satisfy since my friends there make fun of me for being the lowest level person in the group. So, it will take maybe one year before someone sees me on the professional stage, knowing all the things going on with me."
"We would wait to hear more from you, Arturo."
Beside this one reporter, there were others who asked their question to Arturo who remained calm, responding to most of the questions, until he glanced at a clock on the arena, and cut short his media time, walking off with his old coach and assistant, ending this series of Olympics in a good taste and without any incidents.
On their way to the locker room, the old man, Cesare Ricatii remained quiet for most of the walk, but then a question was thrown at him.
"Arturo, do you really want to get this old man in a hospital or something?"
"Why ask pops?"
"With that stupid game of yours, it will eat at your training time, and turn you into shit. A weakling as most kids nowadays have turned out to be."
"Pops you say this because you never experienced 'Satisfy'. I'll buy you one capsule with the prize of the Gold Medal, so you can also relax a bit when you get bored at home."
"Hmph, I am too old for "games". Maybe when I was younger, I did some playing, but now? At 62, what can an old man like me play?"
"Nah, pops, you play it with your mind, not hands or body. It can turn you into your younger shape once again from what I've heard from the forums I've read."
"Merda, are you serious?"
"Si, vecchio sfigato." responded Arturo, in Italian, chuckling for a bit, when glancing at his old coach's face.
"Little piece of shit, don't you dare make fun of me."
"Just a little bit. Anyway, we got the gold. Didn't you say you always wanted to participate in the Olympics but because of your financial situation you couldn't? Now, we got it."
"Does it even matter that I couldn't participate in the Olympics, I was an immigrant, so it is obvious why they didn't allow me. But this is all of your work done in the gym, and less mine."
After they got to the locker room, and with Arturo in the shower room, the two old men, the head coach and assistant, were talking about what Arturo remarked about the game, if it could make them younger and so on, and while the young man was showering, he heard old Cesare say.
"I'll buy that thing myself, you just help me set it up in my room."
"HAH? Did you say something, pops?"
The old man repeated himself, again, and what he received as a response was a blatant laugh, but before the old man could get angry, Arturo agreed while remarking.
"Can't I even wash myself nowadays?"
"I'll turn off the warm water if you complain."
"Go on, try it, if your back is feeling too well."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 54 - Ruffle their feathers
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The four guys watching the TV switched channels, with the older leaving the little ones on the Satisfy News channel that was doing some analysis about the top player. In that time, Vlad and Mathias returned to the computer and resumed watching some replays of Vlad's fights that were rather intense.
Vlad, took out a recording of him escaping from the bodyguards of Count Romeo, after he was tasked on surveilling the son of the Count. Continuing on that same job after notifying Count Ravesi, about what he saw, which brought quite a smile on that noble face, enough to reward Vlad with 200 gold for the information and some EXP, getting on with the rest of the quest chain.
It was the day after he logged out, when he returned to Satisfy and got the Count awake, that he managed to have that conversation.
Vlad before starting the recordings he had, told Mathias, the backstory of the situation and how he got into it, missing the boring details.
"It all started on Tuesday, after I reconnected and delivered the information that Count Ravesi, entrusted me with the job of surveilling the son of Count Romeo, and report his activities, and the places he would frequent. Nothing big at start, but then with more days, beside surveilling that brat, I stumbled upon a small detail. That boy or better said his father has deep connections with the leading Syndicate of the City that owns the dark industry of the city, prostitution, drugs, slaves, and so on."
"This recording is me fighting off the syndicate bastards, which I managed to kill since they were level 38-40, surprisingly low level compared to the bodyguards. Yet, those bodyguards picked on the small sounds I made after killing those syndicate rats, and they started attacking me."
"Give me your thoughts, how would you handle this situation, without attracting their attention and spilling blood?" inquired Vlad, while playing the recording, where Mathias began watching the entire process, from the Mansion of the Ravesi, to what Moroiz looked like.
"Go fast-forward until you reach the moment you approach them, the rest is trivial to me."
"Hey, don't make it sound as my entire journey was trivial." remarked Vlad feeling a bit salty, at what Mathias said, but nonetheless, he went fast-forward with the video until the sky of Moroiz turned dark.
Mathias could see from a distance a young man about 13-14 years old accompanied by four bodyguards, going toward a building that looked more like a workshop of sorts. Along the way, he could see Vlad approach them, and get inside the range of the building, and as the video was going forward, he could notice the people who were supposed to be simple citizens of the city, start acting weird.
"Stop the video."
"Huh?" confused, Vlad stopped the recording, and could see Mathias point his finger at two little boys about 12 years old, who when noticing Vlad's appearance, they quietly in the direction of another alley.
"If I am not mistaken, those two reactions aren't normal. Take a look, yourself, so I don't seem like some haunted person."
Vlad focused his eyes on the kids Mathias was pointing at who retreated in an abnormal fashion, which began making sense later on with the rest of his story on how the syndicate guys managed to pick up on his whereabouts and attack him, followed by the bodyguards.
Going forward with the recording where the fight was playing out, Mathias was laying back on the chair and whistled at the fighting skills Vlad was showing off that killed the 3 syndicate guys in a rapid succession.
"Those are some skills right there brother. Hmm, you should have evaded the fight from the first time you saw them approach you in an aggressive way, and if they continued on following you, you could devise a plan to take them out without leaving any signs. But doing it direct is also good, just that you didn't expect those high level bodyguards to appear."
"Well, can't say yes or no. I wanted to kill those syndicate mobs, since they gave off quite the decent EXP, and afterwards escaping, and vanishing from the tracks I've left. But, it seems I am still weak compared to the high level mobs and had trouble getting my tracks lost."
"Pretty much, we still have to bide our time before trying to fight back against the high level people of that world. Yet, this doesn't mean we can't have them work for us, and do the dirty work, just like how they want to have us "outlanders" work for them."
"How? Only those low level npcs might want to work for the players so they can live, but the high leveled ones can simply kill us."
"Really now? Even in that world, money can buy a lot of things and apart from this they value feelings and bounds."
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Spending his time with Vlad and his younger brother, and friend, Mathias after some hours, took his leave, partially solving the reason why he got caught up into that mess, and bidding his farewell he left the apartment, moving back to his home.
On his way to the metro, he got a call from his little brother, Cristian which was just in time, the time-range he would call him to talk about his day and what events happened at home. Even inside the tram, he discussed with his little brother, about random things, music, some movies that appeared online, and with great interest talking about Satisfy.
"Big brother, I took on a part time job so I could start gathering some money for the capsule."
"What's the job about?"
"Cashier."
"And you got a part time job?"
"Yes, but it is a night shift, so wish me good luck since I will need it."
"Haha, good luck, little brother, you'll see for yourself how money is made and by then you will rather work for your own money than ask mom."
"I know, I know. It is really frustrating that the price is so high, and it is not like I can come over to your home to play. The journey would take about 4 hours, so no thanks, I will rather buy it myself. Anyway, big brother, will you return home for Christmas?"
"Yes, I will return, hasn't mom told you guys?"
"Not really. It seems she was trying to make it into a surprise. But it failed."
"No, no, keep it a secret. I will come for one week and return back for the New's Years, maybe."
"That's great."
He continued on even on his way to his apartment, having Cris also put Alex on the phone, so he could hear his voice, and hear about his doings. His expression was that of being genuinely happy to talk with his little brothers, and when he reached home, with his phone on his hand, Mathias could only smile.
"I kind of missed having those two nag on me. Good that we healed that frosty moment, and got back on the track."
Entering his apartment, he didn't have to cook anything since he eat with Vlad some cooked food, yet he didn't escape doing his laundry, not that he had to lift too many fingers, only being required to select the clothes according to color and material before placing them on the washing machine.
Afterwards, he went and cleaned his apartment, changed his bed lingeries and made sure there were was no mold around the walls. Why would he do such things, some of you might ask? This was the monthly cleanup that he would do on a Saturday, and played a big role in his apartment not being infested by some pest, or mold.
Just with all those tasks completed, he went inside the capsule, and reconnected inside Satisfy, where he was welcomed by the sight of Fayrene and Jeanne being together in the salon room, having in their hands dresses.
"Look who decided to return home. Sister, doesn't this newcomer feel like a stranger?" inquired the raven-haired young woman, as she stopped looking at the crimson haired man who magically made his appearance in the room.
"I don't know him." replied the blonde young woman, barely holding a laughter from coming out.
Mathias glanced at the two girls who from the first moment he returned back, started playing him on their fingers, he too acted shamelessly saying.
"I don't remember having maids in my house, could it be I am turning senile from a young age? Wait a minute, the two of you, could it be, are you stealing from me?"
"Steal what?" asked Fayrene, with a wide smile on her face, walking closer to Mathias, as she studied his face, for any breakage.
"Aren't those the pieces I've worked tirelessly for about one month? I don't remember showing them to others, so my only conclusion is, you've stolen them from me."
"Sister, let's run, he caught us." remarked Jeanne who acted as if she was a thief caught in the act, panicking and taking the dress in her hands and running toward the exit, the direction Mathias was placed.
The crimson haired young man give a evil smile and from his body a red aura veil appeared before from this aura, a rope began forming, and directly capture the running muse, who acted pathetically when being captured.
"Ahhh, he captured me! Sister, help."
"That is something new. But it will not last for long." commented Fayrene, who placed her slender white hand toward Jeanne releasing her white-purple arcane magic, with an attempt to cut off the ropes, but before she knew, a burst of a rope captured her too, bring her closer to the crimson haired man.
"I've caught both of you little temptresses."
The two young ladies didn't put any resistance body wise, but acted up quite pathetic, before they walked to Mathias, and entered his embrace.
"How was it?" asked the two girls in a calm way, while giving him a kiss on his lips.
"There needs to be more work done, but for amateur actresses you could sell the story to an untrained audience. But I like this kink of both of you, it trains your mind and also mines."
"Not again! You will not go train anywhere this time, and spend time with us." said Fayrene who used her red rope to bind Mathias, and restrict his way of escaping.
"This is really not bad, I could stay like this until tomorrow, just like this. Gazing into both of your eyes, who wouldn't want this? Even the old man will not fuss about it."
"Wait, didn't you say Lord Haycien is asleep?"
"Right now, he is awake. Why?"
Fayrene expression turned embarrassed and later glanced angry at him, remarking.
"What should I think knowing that someone else is along with you, watching me? When I change my clothes or when I'm in bed."
"Haven't I promised that I will make him turn his head? Also, he is an old man, why should it bother you? Is not like you can see him, correct?"
"Arghh, you better kept that a secret about having someone inside your mind."
"Come on sister, don't be harsh on Mat. He now really holds a big responsibility on his shoulders and could be constantly in danger because of his new identity." said Jeanne who was beside Fayrene, in Mathias hold.
"Even now I can't believe he became one of them. You know a Royal. A Saharan."
*Cough* "I am still Mathias, your average adventurer, explorer of the world, and the stories of people. The darling of Fayrene and Jeanne, friend and drinking partner of the drunk, and Guild Leader of the Leviathan. Ahh, to not forget, also the Administrator of Moonlight Workshop."
"Yes, yes, you are not important. At least to the outside you are not, but to us? You are more than you think." replied Fayrene to the attempt of brushing off the idea he was close to being one of the Royals, which failed.
"Come on, dear. At least don't remind me of that? I've thought a lot about it and it is still too risky for me to approach them."
"Why don't you write the book again and give it to His Majesty? Without saying anything else, just the book. It worked at first, right?" asked Jeanne, trying to help Mathias with everything she could, even those small suggestion could mean a lot.
"I've thought about it too, and it is indeed an idea, but right now I really don't want to be bothered with that mess. The reality is that I still have to train myself more, and grow stronger, to protect you in case someone wants to target me. I don't even have to tell them about my intents that I will be on someone's blacklist."
"Okay, dear. We will not talk about it, then. But you didn't tell us about those dresses?"
"That was supposed to be a surprise that would go along with the second gift I postponed in giving it to you."
Saying that he released his Red Energy ropes that he began to proficiently use after having about one month of training on how to control this new resource, and with both girls out from his "claws" he took out the jewelry he took from Elder Morlk.
Fayrene when she saw in Mathias hands the earrings that were imprinted in her memory she reacted pleasantly surprised, while Jeanne who was fresh on this aspect felt weird. She received gifts from the nobles who were infatuated with her, but she had her heart shutdown for the outsiders, with the only exception of being Mathias, and those close to her that she could count on one hand.
In Mathias's hands was the pair of earrings, and bracelet, that he presented to them with a small smile.
"I wanted to also gift you something done by my hands, as such I crafted the dresses instead of doing the tapestry. Why not do the tapestry? …
Let's say my ego grew a bit since I learned sewing socks and underwear, it grew big enough to allow me to have the confidence of taking on that job of doing my little temptresses two dresses. The intent was to have them match with the pieces of jewelry."
"If you wanted to make a surprise you shouldn't have left it on the open, even though you hid it, you should have taken it to your inner dimension." remarked Fayrene who was staring at the earrings and also at the purple dress, Mathias has tailored for her, a [Epic] graded piece.
Meanwhile, Jeanne was quick and placed the bracelet on her right arm, which was embroidered with pearls, fine jewels, having a pure golden aesthetic, that matched with the silver-golden dress he tailored specifically with her in mind.
"I can't ask for more. Yet, I would wish to see my little devil back, understood, darling?" remarked Jeanne placing emphasis on the tapestry he did for her in the Beta Phase that she was missing so dearly.
Fayrene too was on the same bucket, missing the piece of tapestry Mathias gifted her, the timid kittens, which would always soothe her mind whenever she would miss Mathias, and without mentioning that, it was enough for her to glance at Mathias in a certain way that he understood the message.
"I will not forget to do that when I have free time. Besides, what do you think of the dress? I did it in the spare time I had between my trainings, I even tried a technique me and old Haycien cooked, to bolster the quality of the treads.
{Well, lad, I can't take away the credit from where it is due, you really are a weirdo. I never thought one could use Red Energy in that way, and you proved me wrong.} remarked Haycien, while he was leaning back, watching a white wall, not peering into the scene of Mathias and his women.
Fayrene and Jeanne who still held he dresses in their hands, went again searching for the details, with the raven-haired young woman having a keen eye when it is about tailoring, and since she touched the dress, she could see feel it had a warm sensation to the touch, as if the dress was emitting energy.
The two didn't say anything, and instead retreated to Fayrene room to change, only afterwards when they returned like goddess that descended into the earth. One that felt like she was the sun, giving off a divine light and another woman that was mysterious as the moon, not losing our to Jeanne that was using her divine powers for capturing Mathias attention, she too released some of her arcane powers, while they were aproaching Mathias who was mesmerized by both of them.
"What do you think our answer is, Master Tailor?"
"Anything I would have given you, would fit perfectly. My skills don't even allow me to build a dress that could put even the Gods to shame when watching both of you. Noo, I will do it, just so when I stand on the top I could watch their pitiful expression of jealousy." mentioned Mathias who was admiring his muses, shining even with his so-so dresses that were intended only to match with the jewels.
Fayrene who got in front of him, pinched his nose in a cute way, while telling him jokingly.
"You can barely sew your socks and underwear, and want to become a master tailor before me? Bad! Bad!"
On another hand Jeanne took Mathias in her arms, to protect him from Fayrene, and it looked as if she was taking his side, while blowing on the nose teased by the raven-haired goddess.
"Sorry sister, but I will make sure he becomes a Master Tailor first."
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious? So I get to enjoy more time with him and have more dresses done for me." told Jeanne as she showed a mocking expression to Fayrene, who got shocked by the "backstab" playing right in front of her.
"I will not allow it! Mat will work for me, until he grows white hair." said Fayrene as she went to recapture Mathias from Jeanne's hold.
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In the moment, the two girls were seeming to "quarrel" Haycien who glanced at the show Mathias was participating, and had the chance of noticing Fayrene and Jeanne wearing the clothes he tailored, even he someone who could be said to have meet the most beautiful women, was taken a back.
{Son, you really are a damn, lucky son of a gun. You are more shameless than even this great me.}
Hearing that, Mathias had to split his mind in two portions one that was playing along with the two girls, and their fake quarrel, and another that was talking with Haycien.
'What do you mean? Am I shameless?'
{Obviously, capturing those two dolls, makes you shameless, as if one wasn't enough.]
'I don't want to hear that from you, old man. They aren't perfect, but to me this is all I ever wanted. As for being lucky? Maybe? I could have been rejected by both of them, especially Jeanne.
{Bah, empty talk. If you want to do them, tell me, so I can give you the private space.}
'I am not that horny, having a partner doesn't only mean you have to stick your manhood and procreate.'
{That's a low blow, child. I wasn't like that, at least in my case. I loved all my women dearly, and I gave them enough space and time, so I wouldn't force them to do it with me.}
{But forget about it, it isn't about me here. Tell me while you still mess around, what do you want to work on for training?}
'Isn't today dagger and fist fighting?'
{Good, at least you have the priorities on point. I will leave you alone until then, have fun. Ruffle some of their feathers a bit since they are quite daring today. This will teach them a lesson. Hahaha.}

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 55 – The Malignant Saints
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Taking his time to spend with both Fayrene and Jeanne, he left them to his daily training, inside the courtyard, where one could see some made-up boxing bags, even some target practice that had arrows sticking from the body, with the courtyard transforming into a mancave, full of wood equipment and dummies.
It felt as if he was preparing for war, but was he?
Reaching the dummy he tapped it before unleashing a nasty elbow that had all the wood release a cracking sound.
{Is your blood going hot after messing around with your ladies?} asked Haycien when he noticed Mathias deliver that strong hit to the wooden dummy.
Withdrawing from the dummy, he said in a calm, casual voice, as if he didn't really mind the question.
'Not really. I just felt like throwing that elbow, since I eat an elbow right in my face at the sparring session that even right now it hurts me. This was just me destress a bit, aside from doing the tailoring projects.'
{Ohh, some bastard picked on you, outside? But I don't sense any bruise or wounds on your body.}
'I also have no idea why. Regardless, it is a controlled fight, not something to fuss about. Like how you would spar with your friends, I also do such a thing, but with my fists, legs, and in general, body.'
{What was that called, again?}
'MMA. The abbreviation of the discipline, Mixed Martial Arts.'
{Yeah, that is an interesting concept. What do you say, little Mathias, how would my fist techniques do if you would combine it with that mixed martial art?}
Walking toward a part of the courtyard, he got in a crossed leg position, then later took out a lot of linen white bandages that he began wrapping around his hands, giving them protection to unwanted, and unnecessary damage. Simultaneously, he was pondering about the techniques Haycien told him he knew, yet not learning them at all for being too hard to comprehend without an example in his eyes.
'Hah, it is hard, old Haycien, I can't comprehend your fighting style at all. The training you've shared with me, I can do it, but not the techniques. For whatever reason I can't wrap my head around. Your 'Spirit-Crushing Fist' if I am not mistaken is similar to a karate technique, but once again there's more abbreviations and techniques that differ. It might be something even more ancient, thus I need to study my land history, maybe I will at one point understand it.'
{What about the 'Phantom Step'?} inquired Haycien feeling quite down after hearing that Mathias still didn't understand his techniques just by doing it verbally.
'Those ones, I have about 20% of the activation, but the way it works is unlike my Raven's Movement. My muscles always spasm after trying that technique of yours, and I have to stay sit for hours.'
'What's more? My stamina depletes as if it's devoured by some monster. Whose fault do you think I had to spend more time sewing rather than training?'
{And is my fault you are stupid? This great me tries to selflessly pass on all his fighting knowledge, to make you into the strongest person of his generation, but you brat simply want to sew.}
'Old man, I have my own limits that once I overpass, I get in this mess. Once my stamina is depleted, I can only sit down and wait patiently to recover. You wouldn't understand it, but it's frustrating, as frustrating as when you got trapped in the roots of the Nourishing Oak.'
{Fine, let's not blame one another. I am too mature for quarreling with someone that could be my grand-grand and many other grandchildren. I'll see what you do for now, at least the training is useful to you.}
'I am still getting my ass handed in the gym, but I can see progress, so I will not stop anytime soon.' mentioned Mathias releasing his frustration from being bound to the stamina system once again.
Thus as he was waiting for the stamina to replenish, he started reminiscing about how in the past he had to wait like this whenever he was training because of his limitations. A line of thought got more spotlight in his mind, and from curiosity he asked his old partner.
'Say, old Haycien, should I go pray a bit to Rebecca to solve my stamina problems? It worked in the past quite well, as such my speed will be faster in training.'
{Heck no! You'll be cursed for sure, just drop it. Wait for your energy to recover, and do the training without needing to be entangled in her games of interests and power plays. She is a sore loser, and will do everything in her power to see you fail.}
'I mean, in the past I even saw a vision of her when I prayed for some blessings. She quite the virgin beauty type. I know the Archimage refers to the gods, as his enemy, and it seems even you got your fair share of hostility with some of them, but you can't take away the fact she has the potential of allowing me to climb the ladder faster.'
{I'll rather have you use Zik, and dry him rather than that bitch. She is really unpredictable, while Zik, I can say I know him the best, especially his personality.} said Haycien, trying to make it sound, that using Zik, someone he still didn't know who could be, can be a better choice of assistance in climbing the ladder.
{Still, that guy is manipulative so we should be careful. Maybe approach him after you grow stronger, and could at least resist his deception skills.}
'I wouldn't even be bothered right now. But for the love of God, can you at least tell me who this Zik is? You always make it sound as if this person is a bastard who cheated you, so it should be someone important, am I right?'
{Sigh, and when I thought you would leave me alone. You had to be curious and sniff around, openings. Sure, I will tell you who this bastard is, and maybe it will also open your eyes a bit about how deep the history of this world truly is.}
*Sniff* 'What can I say, I am delicate with those small details left untouched.'
{Sometimes it is better you weren't. Ahh, from where to start? I will start with a question first. Lad, what do you think about past civilizations, do you believe in such a notion?}
'Yea. There's nothing to scoff about it.'
{Good, then what I will tell you next will be slightly shocking, but from my understanding, the world has suffered from the wrath of the gods once, which brought upon the destruction of the world. However, before that happened the world, created by the Gods, was the same as ours. Humans, elves, all sort of races lived in harmony there, with the Gods actually being magnanimous as to guide those inhabitants.}
{There wasn't an over the top influence, with the Gods only giving the people just the necessities, your average farming tool, methods of agriculture, basic magic, and so on. The gods got satisfied by the power of faith given by the inhabitants, and as such they devised a plan to take on more of this faith, which was on making all the humans and variant races to solely pray on the main deities of Asgard.}
{Yet the humans seemed to be more numerous than the Elves, and their faith power stronger. Therefore, to have more leverage over the humans, the gods of Asgard have chosen 7 talented humans to be blessed with some of their powers, binding them and their fate to the same Gods who blessed them. With an example made from those tangible to the people, everyone began showering the gods with their fate, seeing the deeds done by the Chosen Saints. This was their name, the Saints. The Avatars of the Gods on Earth.}
Mathias was listening quietly to this story, with great attention as to not miss even the smallest detail, and slightly some of the information given by Haycien matched with what information he had from the Ancient Tome, with obvious bias since the Archmage was an elf.
Nevertheless, the story of Haycien got the the point where the Saints, have saw on the schemes of the gods, and their facade and indifference to mankind 's suffering and imperfections. The wars still didn't stop, the plagues and famine didn't stop, the natural calamities not even a slightest. Mathias could only think that this revelation felt like a cold shower on a frigid day, or being submerged into the depths of the ocean where you could feel the pressure crushing on you.
With time, even his Stamina recovered, but he didn't budge from where he was sitting, listening to Haycien's story who explained to him about the Seven Saints, and how their war began, taking the Gods by surprise when they attacked the Asgard. Those were some details Mathias had no idea, since the Archmage didn't bother himself to register the inside information of the conflict, but to his satisfaction and appreciation for a good story, Haycien had some jaw opening infornation, but this too stopped all of a sudden when the old man turned silent.
'What's wrong old Haycien? Did you forget the tale?' thought Mathias immediately afterward, feeling with a hole in his stomach without a continuation.
{I don't know more information apart from what I have told you, but let's say the war was nasty for both sides, but in the end the Saints were defeated by the superior Gods. Such as Zeratul, Judar, Dominion and as an act of revenge the gods destroyed the civilization built by the Saints.}
{Now that I am done with this story, let me tell you another perspective of this story told inside my tribe, after who knows how many years have passed since that war with the Saints for the people's freedom of choice and faith. Those same saints I have learned in my youth as being one of the evilest people of mankind, who brought the God's fury upon us, they who have spit in the face of the gods, burning with the desire of becoming gods themselves after tasting the fragments of the God's Gifts.}
{The Seven Saints of Humanity who fought for the humans salvation, have been recorded in history as The Evil, Seven Malignant Saints}
Mathias' brain was running at full capacity, making order of all the information he received, and also deleting the unnecessary information that would have accumulated inside his brain and take on space not required. Such, with his small silence from Haycien, he interjected and remarked in a slow, cold voice inside his mind.
'Such was the fate of those who could see but not react in time. With most of your story being stored in my head, I am inclined to even suggest that Zik of your past is one of those Saints who fought against the Gods, otherwise, how would you, some tribesman, be able to awaken your bloodline powers and be aware of such information without someone of that time telling you.'
{Sigh, kid, your calmness sometimes makes me worry about your safety. Ahem, to be specific, Zik or how he introduced himself first, Zikfrektor, is one of the Seven Malignant Saints, holding on to the Gods curse, the Sloth's Sin.}
In that quiet moment, after Haycien remarked about Zikfrektor's identity, the system's notification clamored inside his mind with a ring, followed by what Mathias interpreted as a confirmation of the fact he understood the story.
[Ding!]
[You are the first player to open the Episode: Seven Malignant Saints]
[The progression of the Episode has reached 5% after hearing the story of Red Emperor Haycien von Saharan who has an intermingled past with one of the Seven Malignant Saints, Sin of Sloth Zik.]
[Your intelligence has risen by 20]
[Your reputation has been increased by 10.000]
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[The Sin of Sloth has sensed something, stopping from his never-ending studies, yet without taking long, he resumes his work.]
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'No wonder, the Archmage was looking down on them, on those seven saints who got played by the Gods.'
'Old Haycien, let's leave the story at this point since I am too weak to even attempt at deceiving a plan for now. We will talk about it in the future, I am certain of it. What are the chances of running on Zikfrektor and him recognizing that I am your Successor?'
{If you don't release your Red Energy and keep your composure there is maybe a 5% he sniffs you out since when he actually tries that fucker is really scary. But because of his curse, the Curse of Sloth, he rarely even exits his residence, and only when he wants something would he exit. His residence is that weird-looking Palace in the opposite direction to my home.}
His system once again notified him about him connecting the pieces about who the mysterious Grandmaster of the Empire was, Zikfrektor, one of the Seven Malignant Saints, but without being bothered, he sorted this formation and placed it into the "future problems" sector of his mind.
With his stamina recovered, he started his training again, until night came, that he chose to stop, and glance around himself, only to find Vek close by watching him silently.
"For how long have you been there, little Vek?"
"I returned from outside the city where I went to explore around the Empar Forest and fight some wild beasts like you suggested. It took me more time to get access in the city because the guards had to check with the Adventurer Guild and confirm that I am indeed one of their members." remarked Vek who showed Mathias a bronze medallion with an engraving on it that was like a necklace for the young kobold.
It was one of the doings of Mathias and the drunken adventurers, who went to introduce Vek to the Adventurer Guild and give their recommendations for the kobold. He wasn't there because he didn't want to be seen by a lot of people, especially players who began joining the Adventurers like they were buying fresh bread.
However, he sorted it out with the former adventurers after placing some money in their pockets to assist Vek into his wishes, and walk him into the first steps of his path.
Still, curious about his day, Mathias asked Vek some simple things, as he took out a linen towel and started drying his sweat, after the drilling.
"Has all been good with the hunt?"
"Yea, I tried to not go overboard against the Owlbears who descended the Gravelmark Mountain and entered Empar Forest to search for prey. They were quite challenging enemies, but I managed to learn a lot from fighting those bears."
"Owlbears descended the mountain? I didn't expect this, but they might be prone since they aren't located deep in the mountain like the other dangerous monsters."
"Yes, I also gave the guild the trophies of the bears I hunted, gaining some contribution to the guild, and growing the amount of points I need to become a silver ranked adventurer."
"I see, do you know what benefits you can gain?"
"Yes, if I become a silver ranked, I am allowed to ask a Master of the Guild to teach me one of the techniques suitable for me, along with being allowed to buy artifacts cheaper, ahh, and I could also take on Quests attached on the Quest Board." mentioned Vek, remembering on the fly the benefits he could muster as an Adventurer.
"They sure are the Empire's Adventurer Guild. Not leaving out the enticement one bit."
Remarking that, he stayed for slightly more with Vek, talking casually about their day, and afterward he returned back inside the house, where both Fayrene and Jeanne were playing a board game, that was brought out by Mathias who carved each individual pieces and even the board, since the last one he did was removed by the reset.
"Fayrene, you really aren't merciful. Why make Jeanne suffer by playing against you?"
Hearing Mathias ask that, Jeanne chuckled while Fayrene frowned glancing at the crimson haired man who just returned home holding a towel in his hands as he stepped toward them. Getting at the table the two girls were playing he was shocked by what he saw, the whites from Jeanne sides were crushing the blacks controlled by Fayrene.
"Hmmm, hard spot you are in Fay."
"Arghh, did you teach Jeanne better than me or something? How does she know such, hard to counter openings?"
Looking at Jeanne as Fayrene inquired if he didn't contribute more than he was supposed to do, against her rival, not long after with the blonde girl taking a bishop in her fingers, she moved diagonally getting Fayrene's King in check.
"You are wrong, sister, Mat taught me probably the same amount, if not, he should have played more against you. From what I remember you always beat him in this game. However, once I showed this game to father, and explained to him the rules and how the game works, we played most of the time at the Cathedral since I recovered my memories."
"Still frustrating, even with Arcane Intellect you are beating me. Is the Archbishop really that good at chess?"
"Yea, he always beats me in a new way."
Fayrene tried her best to at least get a draw from this chess match, but Jeanne with her angelic smile that seemed to hold some cheekiness put an end to the match, check-mating her opponent.
Mathias let the girls contemplate on that match for a brief moment, before he gathered their attention, and entered a discussion session, about something that was on his mind.
"Girls, I think it is time to put in motion the plan for the Moonlight Workshop. In this one month we devised the plan, searched around the market, and our possible competitors. We have a big advantage of the funds from Elder Morlk, but those need to be changed into gold."
"Would it be troublesome for us if we take all those jewels to the pawn shops and sell them?" asked Fayrene, who felt an excitement that Mathias finally gave his green sign, but at the same time was worrying about the funds.
"If we go just the four of us to sell the jewels it will be dangerous, but for that I have an ace up my sleeves, and use my friends to convert those jewels into money."
"The ones you have told us about that you are waiting to arrive in Titan?" asked Jeanne curious, only to get a small nod for answer.
"They sure are slow to arrive here, but no problem, since they are away, it will be easier for the plan to begin."
"Okay, I will start bringing my sketchbooks, and pick up the simpler dress and clothes ideas. I will also try to search for possible candidates to work for the Workshop. Right, Mat, how long will it take for all those steps to be completed?"
Turning his head at Fayrene, Mathias put a pondering expression, where not too long after, told her calmly.
"If everything goes smoothly, about one month to set the new location for the Workshop. But we have to also search around possible locations to put the new workshop, and also equipment, and so on. It will be a hard month, especially that it should be the winter season right now."
"Indeed, I've noticed that the temperature dropped down a lot since last month." commented Fayrene, who still went on with her plans, while Jeanne remained sitting next to Mathias, relaxing her head on his shoulder.
At the same time, Mathias was on his guild chat, notifying all his guild members about his plan.
Mathias: Guys, I need your help with something rather small, but at the same time sensitive.
The guild members who were online all of them reacted fast, with the addition of some members introduced by Orpheus and Ape Wine from their adventure inside Grenhaler, specifically 'Astromania' and 'PageUp' two amusing individuals for Mathias to read in the guild chat.
Red: I smell something interesting that is about to happen. Bigger than the commotion I did.
Maple Mist: Is something difficult?
Everyone had a say in this, but turned quiet once Mathias explained to them some small details about his plan, without giving off the main reason for doing what he was about to do, without steering the imagination of the guild members, he went to the pinpoint.
Mathias: I will put on the Guild Storage some precious stones that I want you guys to sell in your specific locations. Why I am doing this, is because there are too many of them for just myself to sell without attracting the attention of unwanted people, thus you come along to rescue me.
Red: I see, how much are we talking here?
Mathias: I have rubies, diamonds, ambers, amethysts, sapphires, jade, and many other gemstones I have no clue what they are named or what their worth could be. Once again, I have a lot of them and this stops me from going to some jeweler and selling them, because is like placing a target on my back, regardless of how well I mask my movements.
The guild member's interest was picked instantly when Mathias did a list of the gemstones he recognized, and even the new guys agreed on helping Mathias with selling the gemstones, but Ape Wine asked a good question for that might have been considered but the rest.
@Ape Wine: Can we take some of the gold to assist us with our journey?
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Mathias who was fondling with Jeanne's silky blonde hair, read in his mind that question, and after contemplating this, he sighed which attracted Jeanne's attention, before placing her at ease with a caress on the cheek.
Mathias: You will have to tell me how much you sold the gemstone, and how much you want your cut to be, so I can consider it. Does it sound fair? Is not as if I want to make you work for free, thus it feels normal even for me if someone asked me such a request to consider a small part of the sum of money.
@Ape Wine: Understood. Thanks, this is all I wanted to hear. I will be around Grenhaler to pick up the gemstones.
Mathias: I will assign to each person 10 gemstones, thus making it easier for each of you to solve this problem of mine without stirring up the attention of unwanted people. Take care until then, I will notify you when I will place the items on the Guild's Storage.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 56 – Unplanned Meeting
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After he explained to his guild members what their task was, if they wanted to help him, he later changed himself in his 'Victorian Clothes' and started braiding the end strands before tying it down, with some help from Jeanne who did mind giving a hand into whatever Mathias decided doing.
Fayrene who exited her room, holding in her arms some notebooks, noticed Mathias changed into the 'Noble' Persona, the crimson-haired noble that visited the Wallmor District and even dined down into the Raven's Tavern, gifting out people with some booze money.
The people of the Wallmor District were trying to find out who this masked noble that made a good introduction of himself last month, only Fayrene and Jeanne when hearing those gossips from the citizens, knew the answer and had in front of them the 'Crimson-Haired' Noble.
"Are you going out to sell some of the gemstones?" asked Fayrene holding the sketchbook in her arms, seeing Jeanne help Mathias place his bowtie.
"Yea, I will also go out to look for possible places for the workshop and also give an note to the Adventurer Guild for the job we are looking for. You haven't changed your mind on what type of people we should hire, correct?"
"No, it is the same as when we talked. I don't care about experience, since they can always be taught, but if they also know how to tailor it will be splendid."
Nodding his head from where he was sitting, after Jeanne finished arranging his clothes, he gave her a kiss on the lips and turned toward Vek.
"How is it little buddy, do you want to accompany me around Titan?"
"Sure, I got nothing better to do anyway." responded the little kobold, getting up from the coach he was resting.
Without delaying more, he bid his farewell to the girls, and exited the house together with Vek with the intent of visiting the Bank of the Empire, where it was configured that each guild had an space where they could share goods from a distance without using the Auction System that was rather popular in the player's circle.
Looking around himself after exiting Fayrene's house, after distancing away from there, he placed the silver mask, and walked toward the center of Titan taking along Vek with him, as good luck charms.
Exiting Wallmort District, and getting on the main road, he could see that people were still up, with the clock showing 20:12 when he checked for briefly. The main boulevards of Titan had some lamp posts that used oil to illuminate the streets and create a pleasant atmosphere for the citizens that still wanted to continue on with their activities even at night.
The city with an architecture that combined both ancient roman style and renaissance style, was always a delight to Mathias eyes who felt mesmerized even by the apartment buildings that were similar to what the Romans would have built, but around the corner he would always be met by Renaissance architecture.
'Hah, whoever designed this city, sure has some good tastes. I still can't believe how well both styles combine.'
{Indeed, it is quite pleasing to the eye, seeing some buildings that resemble what I would have built in my reign, and the newer concepts of my descendants. At least they didn't sully my Pearl, with dirt, and kept the city in shape.} commented Haycien who could see exactly what Mathias was gazing around, him being pacified by Mathias and the walks they would do around the city when picking up Jeanne from her home.
An old ghost that lived in another age, slowly got used to a newer lifestyle, where people's culture changed along with the time.
It was challenging for Mathias to keep Haycien in check and to explain to him certain things he knew about developing architectures, and all the documentaries and research he done for his Novel, proved useful when holding such discussion with a senior who by no means, should be looked down upon for being from another age.
Vek remained close to Mathias, and with the glances thrown by the people, who saw the masked Mathias for a brief moment, the two arrived in the Inner City and it took Mathias some time to find the building of the Imperial Bank of the Saharan Empire.
However once he got there, he was shocked by how big the building was, it looked rather familiar to him, similar in style to the Bank of England, but containing a more aesthetic look, compared to the real counterpart.
The building itself was guarded by the Imperial Guards, and it was unthinkable how one would actually dare to stage a robbery inside this grand building.
Stepping closer to the building, and walking in the direction of the entrance, the guards noticed him approaching along with Vek, and acted according to some protocol, greeting Mathias, thinking he was some noble from how he clad himself and behaved.
"Good evening, Lord. My apology in advance, but the rule of the Governor is to not allow people's familiars inside the building."
Mathias turned his ruby eyes at the Imperial Guard, a NPC that had a level 175, about the same with his colleagues, and without making a scene, he patted Vek's head, and stepped forward the steps of the Bank, while Vek remained outside, watching the exterior of the building, where the latter heard one of the guards, ask curiously.
"Hey, you. You seem quite the intelligent creature, can you speak?"
Vek placed his attention on the guard, and nodded his head, responding affirmatively, making the Imperial Guards surprised, before not long they started asking some casual questions, which made the kobold feel slightly relieved that they didn't mean harm.
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Meanwhile, on another hand Mathias continued on with his walk toward the building, having one Clerk open the door for him with a respectful bow, before Mathias was welcomed by the large lobby of the building. It was similar to the entrance of a palace, decorated with mosaics and sculptures from ones that looked old or new.
Looking around, one thing beside the architecture that bought him, he saw a large chandelier that was giving off a bright light where when he stepped forward, noticing that the building had two directions he could go, where many others were already conducting business, from the wealthy looking citizens of Titan to the players who were exploring the functions of the Bank inside the game.
Mathias went toward a Clerk of the Bank, where he asked him calmly, not removing his black hat to greet him.
"Can you guide me toward an available official to take on my request?"
"Good evening, Lord. With pleasure. Please follow me." responded the Clerk in a respectful way, taking Mathias toward the left-wing of the building passing some players in the process, who glanced at Mathias and scoffed a bit.
"Hmph, stupid NPC, you are showing differential treatment right there."
The Clerk continues on guiding Mathias, even being annoyed by the comments of the players.
"Lord, since the apparition of the outlanders, my life has turned hard. Having to answer to their stupid requests, questions and so on, as if I am an all-knowing or His Excellency the Governor."
The players heard the Clerk remark that, and went on to push him, but before they could touch the Clerk guiding Mathias, the crimson-haired noble-like person who gave off a charming, mysterious atmosphere to him, grabbed the hand of that player, and using his smooth footwork, he tripped the player down.
"Know your place before acting up into an institution of the Imperial House."
The Clerk was taken aback by Mathias who reacted to defend him from the impulses of the player who felt that he got offended by the treatment, and he called the Imperial Guards stationed to keep the peace inside the Bank, yet it was Mathias who dissuaded this, waving his hand at the Clerk.
"You people, after being allowed by the Governor, and given so much respect from the ones in power, you still behave like some animals. I see that you will never return here."
"Now, now, sir. This is just a small incident that doesn't require such punishments. Let's say we never took to mind that push."
"Understood, Lord." answered the Clerk, before turning his attention on the player who got countered by Mathias in a casual way, remarking coldly.
"You should thank this Lord, for being lenient and not minding your transgression. However, I will not forget this incident. Now, after me, Lord." ended the Clerk saying in a respectful way, unlike the first part that was full of hatred, as if he got into a nasty incident with some players that it marked him.
The players could only see Mathias depart, and the one who got countered by Mathias remarked with shock about the hit he received from just that trip.
"I got hit by 98 dmg from the hand block, and 479 from the leg attack. That crimson haired NPC, even though we can't see his name, is probably a super graded NPC."
"Man, don't screw us, since we want to take a loan from the Bank and buy some items. You should stick your pride and arrogance apart for now, especially in this heavily protected area. Luckly that NPC didn't seem to be bothered by your stupid act, and just tripped you down."
"Fuck, sorry, my hot-headedness again starts acting up. My apologies Guild Leader." remarked the player as he bowed his head to a guy who had his hair dyed in ink-black hair color, having black robes of a magician, who still gazed at the back of the crimson-haired man.
"Stay put for once, and let me discuss with the official." remarked the Guild Leader, a player whose level information wasn't disclosed, only the name, [Tanatos].
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Continuing his walk toward an opened bank office where it seemed to be an hand to hand approach where the official was separated by a glass barrier that had an opening for allowing paper or objects to freely pass.
"Lord, we don't have to wait for more. I will take my leave, if you wish for further assistance, I will be at the junction of the looby."
Mathias took some gold coins from his inventory that he gave the Clerk, who was even more pleased by the treatment Mathias showed him, and the notification window he received from the system, was enough to tell him so.
[Your affinity with Clerk Jerald has increased by 10 points]
{Son, I really can't recognize you when you put that mask on your face, and put on that suit. You also controlled well your Red Energy into your block and trip on that foolish idiot.}
'Yea, now I understand what you mean by infusing your muscles with energy, to increase your agility and strength. For someone of that level to be hit so cleanly by me, even after I didn't go to hunt and progress in level for about one month.'
{Child, what do you mean we didn't progress? We have done a lot this month since we arrived here. Your spear is much better than in the past, the dagger fighting, the sword fighting also improved a lot, and to not forget, the body techniques. Even if you didn't understand my Dark Heaven and Earth Technique, the fundamentals of body training are there.}
'Hmm, if you say so. Now, quiet for a bit, since I have to talk with the Bank Official.'
Walking to the counter where Mathias could see a middle-aged man with a monocle on his right eye, wearing something akin to a banker, and with a respectful greeting from Mathias, the official inquired what business he wanted to do with the Bank.
"I want to open the Guild Storage and add some items there, if possible."
The official nodded his head, and confirmed Mathias he had to pay a fee of 2 gold coins which was quite a lot in the early stages of the game where most players barely collected the amount of 50 gold coins at level 20, but for his pockets it was an acceptable price.
Once he paid the price, in front of his eyes, a new interface opened showing something akin to an inventory bag, that was stylized, made fancy for the players, the equivalent of the amount of money one had to pay to get to this interface.
{Wow, so this is what it feels to be an outlander, but it's quite easy to get accommodated with it. Maybe this is the reason your little doll was able to get used.}
'QUIET. We don't talk about that outside.' shouted Mathas inside his mind, from fear the systems would hear the inner conversation inside his mind using the head-gear of the capsule.
Haycien quickly remembered something from a previous talk with Mathias, inside the Isolation Spell, and shut his mouth, looking vigilantly around himself inside the inner dimension of the ring, where he managed to make a coach using the mana he accumulated from Mathias.
{I forgot about it. My bad.}
Not pursuing this subject, since he also understood from where old Haycien was coming, someone trapped inside one place for hundreds of years, tortured by boredom and sadness of not seeing your aspirations completed.
In time, with the Guild Storage window opened, he could see that it was blank, no one even bothering to fill it up with items for other guild members.
Thus, opening his own inventory, he began by filling it with 10 cheap fabric poaches that were filled with 5 gemstones for each. Occupying 10 sockets of the storage room, before he placed the gear items he picked from his hunts, from the items that dropped from all the monsters he hunted and kept in his inventory without selling or trading them with the Kobolds.
There was also the boots he received from Iljnoks, that he placed on the last page of the storage room.
'All done now. Let's notify the others, and afterwards, I'll see if I can meet the Governor and do some business with him.'
{That was rather fast knowing how slow and meticulous you are}
'Haha, are you jabbing at me for being slow?' asked Mathias sarcastically, to which the old man simply released a hearty laugh.
Still, with the Guild Storage opened, he notified the rest of the guild members, who reacted as if Christmas arrived faster, and not giving more details then he previously did, he privately messaged Malakai.
Mathias: Bro, on the last page of the Storage Room, I've left you the Boots from Iljnoks that I mentioned could fit you. I don't need new gear until level 100 or so, so see how it does for you. It boosts critical, agility and movement speed. So enjoy it.
malakai: BINE BOSS! I thought you forgot about my pleas for donating those boots to me, I'll pick them up immediately since I am in town.
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Seeing Vlad react so excited, he smiled behind the mask, and closed the guild chat and the guild storage, returning his focus on the official.
"Sir, is the Bank by chance buying gemstones or items in general?"
"We get that question quite often with the arrival of the outlanders, this news might have reached your ears too. The answer for that question depends on what items we are talking about here. Gemstones and gold will always be bought by the Imperial Bank, but the criteria for items has been settled down by the Governor."
"The bank will only transact for jewels, precious weapons, chainmails, artifacts, and other small varieties of goods that are rare. Apart from this the Imperial Bank will not conduct any other transactions. So what would it be, Lord?"
With the question being passed by the official on the field net, his ruby eyes gestured some emotion, before responding to the official calmly.
"I am looking to sell some gemstones."
Along with the response, he placed a deluxe leather bag that give the impression he was a real deal, who wanted to sell his gemstones for some quick money for various reasons, and when the official opened the leather bag, he placed back on the counter the bag, and looked with big eyes at Mathias, as if a ghost arrived.
{Hahaha, it feels as if he eat some shit. Poor guy, he probably never saw so much gemstones in his life.}
'I don't blame him, even my face dropped a bit when I saw Elder Morkl take out that box filled with precious gemstones.'
{Bah, you did fine, you kept your composure all the time, and even tried to reject the gemstones. Most people would be filled by greed and take outright the loot, but you are different. Money doesn't control you, it is otherwise it seems. From what I could observe, you try to invest a majority of your money into that workshop your wife intends to build. Which is something I salute for.} remarked old Haycien after Mathias tried to don't make this into a big deal.
Besides this talk with Haycien, Mathias saw the official try to return to normal, and after some minutes, he heard him say.
"Your Excellency, I am not authorized to decide on such a transaction, I have to notify the governor."
The official used a magic device to call someone, and not long after, the voice of a man was heard by Mathias, inquiring into a serious voice.
"Canute, if you are calling me for no reason without any serious problem, I will cut your salary for the expenses of the magic device, since it only works 20 times before turning useless."
"No, Master Hadrian, I have an important customer who wants to sell some gemstones, and as per your instructions when it comes to amounts that overwhelm me I should always notify you."
"Sigh, at least you know the procedures. But really now when I have such an important guest with me?"
Mathias could hear a woman's voice from the magical device that the Official Canute was using, a mature, sexy voice, remarking.
"Hadrian, I don't mind it. If it comes to gemstones, it might interest me and maybe I will compete with you."
"Marie we should continue our talk. … Fine. Canute, bring the customer to my office." told the one called Hadrian before the magical device got closed.
With the official returning his full attention to Mathias he bowed respectfully to him, apologizing for the delay in response, and was relieved when Mathias didn't even bother himself to remark a thought, maintaining his cool behind the mask, only his ruby eyes and crimson hair being visible.
Taking the gemstone bag from the counter, and returning it magically from the view of the banker, adding another veil of intrigue to himself, he, later on, followed the official reaching the junction where the Clerk Jerald was surprised to see Mathias together with the Bank's Official.
Stepping forward on the stairs, he climbed to the second floor of the building, where the hallway was guarded by four Red Knights, in order of Gyurutan, Rove, Kamiyan, Albert, who instantly sent Mathias on a check with the pressure they released.
'Is the Governor that important to be guarded by 4 Red Knights? I thought the Red Knights only respond to the orders of the Imperial Family.'
{Those armors looked similar to the armor of the Legionnaires. But being more ornate and fancier rather than being practical.}
The knight who seemed to be the leader of this group, Gyuratan noticed the arrival of Mathias and Canute, and without questioning them, he made way with the other three knights for their entry.
'Seems they know about our arrival and didn't do a check.'
Entering inside the office after Canute, he could see an spacious office that was warm, full of decorations and paintings around, where relatively close to the window, the wooden office of the Governor who was resting on his chair, facing the figure of a woman with raven hair cascading like a waterfall over her back.
The dress she was wearing was extravagant, making her appear radiantly like a sun in this room, but she still wasn't facing Mathias to see her entire figure.
"Master Hadrian, this is the customer that I couldn't deal with by myself. Your Majesty, my apologies, even though you had an appointment with the Governor."
The Governor, a middle-aged man with short black hair, with the appearance of a scholar, waved his hand at Canute, giving him the sign to withdraw from the office, a dismissal, leaving only Mathias inside the spacious room, together with the woman who still didn't turn her head, and the middle-aged man, whose position was as Governor of the Imperial Bank.
"I greet both of you, Excellencies. If I knew I was troubling you, I would just make another appointment at another time." greeted Mathias after Canute left the room.
"Don't worry, Lord. You are not disturbing my meeting with the Governor at all, in fact, I heard you have in your possession a small treasure trove." remarked the woman, who raised on her feet, and took the chair from a facing position relative to the middle-aged man, and placed it into a position that she could gaze at Mathias and also Hadrian.
"Take a seat for yourself." told Hadrian, who pointed at another chair not too far from the table, and as he walked toward the chair, turning his back at the mature woman, her eyes turned curious, as she watched Mathias's crimson hair strands.
Only after he returned with the chair, placing it relatively close to the mature woman, he clanced for a bit at her name, and luckily for him, the mask saved a big blunder of his.
[Marie - Lv. ???]
'That face and appearance, that name, it's her, Marie! The biggest puzzle piece of my side quest.'
{Who is she?}
'Fuck me, what now? I've met her too early. I didn't plan to meet her right now whatsoever. I am too weak to even try acting on her. Gramps, you are asking who she is? She is the current Empress of your Empire, Marie von Helsen.' (A/N: She still has her lady family name, since she is only Juander's concubine, nonetheless, she's still the Empress regardless. Also, if I am not mistaken, noblewomen back in history, didn't change their names to take on their husband's family name when they were marrying.)
{So what? What's to be scared about this doll? You can't act on her? Bah, you want something from her, right? Use your assets, and try painting the first part of this story. You have plenty of charms, and also are a good boy, who might make this cougar interested.}
"Lord, did something happen?" asked Marie, whose expression turned slightly worried, a fake worry, nonetheless, it looked real on the outside.
"My apology, Empress. I am ashamed to remark that I didn't recognize you at first, and only after glancing at your beauty, I remembered."
Marie's expression when hearing Mathias' calm, warm voice, which even had some hint of charm, was perplexed at how she couldn't remember having met a crimson haired noble before, especially with ruby eyes that had a stronger color palette than Juander's, her husband. She thought about ordering Mathias to unmask, but she dropped the idea, feeling enticed to see what the crimson-haired man had in store for her or Hadrian.
'Interesting, I can't recollect having met such a noble before, but he isn't scared at all of talking directly with me, which is a plus. Most nobles, except the Dukes, would just cower away, or stare at me with desire, never to approach me directly.' thought Marie, who quickly acted to pacify Mathias telling him in a calm, mature voice.
"Lord, don't worry. How should we address you?" asked Marie, curious to find more about this masked crimson-haired man, who she could see took out from his dark coat pockets a leather bag engraved with details, and also having some ornamental symbols, from the ones belonging to the Order of the Dragon, while gazing at her with his mesmerizing ruby eyes, and responding simply with.
"Octavian."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 57 – Casting a Bait.
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"My name is Octavian, Your Majesty." replied Mathias, in a calm way as he glanced at the woman next to his left side, while passing the bag of jewels that contained 12 gemstones towards the man, who quickly reacted by taking the bag and open it.
The mature lady switched her gaze at Hadrian and could see that his expression shifted a bit, into brewing some interest. She later had her own turn to take a look inside the delicate leather bag, with symbols ornating the bag all around.
'Ohh, there are Sapphires and Diamonds, those types are quite rare on the market. Even I couldn't get my hands on some type of gemstones, even with all my influence. Still, I can't tell if they are genuine or true.' thought the ink-black haired mature beauty, while taking one of the gemstones in her delicate hands.
After some minutes passed, both Marie and the Governor of the Imperial Bank, Hadrian, contemplated on the treasure trove Mathias has brought upon them.
"My Lady, if I may?" said Hadrian, glancing at Marie's hand that held the sapphire in a unique shape in her hand, admiring its beauty.
"Ohh, my, I got captured by this one. I might buy it for myself if it will not conflict with your Lord Hadrian. What price do you wish to get from this sapphire, Octavian?"
Mathias who ruby eyes barely drafted from the figure of this woman that had so many of the puzzle pieces he required to succeed in completing some of the important tasks he left unturned in the Beta Phase.
As such, he acted as charming and mysterious he could be, even though he didn't know the full value of the sapphire, his past encounter with the Jeweler in the Grand Market who gave him a brochure with the gemstones prices regulated by the market.
"My Lady, the offer for you is simple. How much are you willing to give me?"
Marie could feel the calmness in his voice, without any tremors, even though he had in front of her the Empress, it felt to her as if the masked man in front of her, treated her as some common woman. Intrigued by this, she started playing with the gemstone in her hand, and observed Mathias's ruby eyes for each second, she remained quiet.
"This gemstone is of a color to my tastes, the shape is also pleasant to the eye and could be the centerpiece for a necklace or bracelet. You don't want to give a price? Even if you might be on the losing end?"
"Not at all, I trust your judgment, my Lady. Regardless of price I am not losing since I have been graced by your elegant presence."
Marie when hearing Mathias comment, smiled a bit pleased by the warm tone of his voice, and still taking her time to register the appearance of this crimson haired man, she told him a price.
"How about 30.000 gold."
Hadrian who was checking on the rest of gemstones using his abilities as a jeweler, he even left a bit his chair to bring his equipment where he even took a glance at the sapphire in Marie's hands before she gave a response.
'You are really profiting over this man's bewitching. Well, from what it seems I will be having a big profit if he has no clue about the prices of what he brought, only that sapphire can reach 150.000 gold if sold to the right auction house.' thought Hadrian, watching Mathias reaction, and the pure looking smile Marie was giving, fully knowing it was fake.
"I see, I trust your judgment my lady. May this gemstone find a better home, and make your beauty radiate more than it is now." responded Mathias whose expression behind the mask was of a cold indifference.
On another hand, Marie felt some shame hitting her after Mathias agreed on her price, but while listening to his eulogy, she extended her slender white hand toward him, with the top of her hand toward Mathias, as if she was giving him full graces for the business she has managed to close.
Faced with this unexpected turn of events, it felt as if his first chess moves baited his opponent in playing with him, a game unknown where it would lead.
{Use your power on the lips. Trust me, she will feel it, making her spellbound. Just show your lower part of the face, it will make her burn with curiosity.} remarked Haycien from the sidelines, observing this game between Mathias and Marie.
Doing as Haycien suggested, with a stable control of his powers, he guided the energy to his face, and later specifically on a body part. Leaning his face toward Marie and raising his silver mask he ornated using some clean symbolism to it, only to his lower half. Marie could see his lower half face revealed, holding a clean appearance and a chiseled jawline.
Kissing the hand of the lady, one of the most chivalrous gestures in history, went smooth with Mathias giving Marie a kiss where he raised his eyes at the face of the woman he was spreading all his allurement for a good impression.
Returning to his chair, and lowering his mask, he left Marie alone with her own thoughts as he began talking with Hadrian.
On another hand, Marie since the moment Mathias kissed her hand and felt his warm lips, gently touched her hand, also sensed another thing which she couldn't understand, but something that was like a stimulus that began brewing inside of her. Later on she continued to observe Mathias without interfering into the talk he had with Hadrian.
'Clearly a young man, early twenties to mid-twenties. Well behaved and collected, knowing how to talk and treat ladies. Wait, he seems to show that he knows about jewels prices since he didn't bite on Hadrian's lower prices.'
'He offered that sapphire to me with that price just for me? Is he like the rest of them who just want favors from me?'
Marie kept on watching silently as Hadrian and Mathias debated openly, with Mathias asking Hadrian about the names of the jewels, and thus remembering only so-so about the prices he knew from the past. The black-haired mature lady could only giggle a bit when seeing how Mathias was like a stubborn bull who didn't want to give his gemstones for a single penny of disadvantage.
"Lord Octavian, you have to give me some leeway to work here. The market prices can always fluctuate, and what prices you might know that apply for those jewels, can shift. You have some splendid specimens, but the cost of polishing them, cleaning, and repurposing them for another use will also cost me. So, let's meet in between and everyone can deal with some profits."
'Hmph, you thought I was some fool to give my jewels for cheap? I only did it with Marie because I had to bait her, but you are just playing Pawn Stars with me.' thought Mathias in a cold tone, which was fully supported by Haycien.
"Final price for all the gemstones, taking in account the costs you specified. My final price is 235.000."
"You really can't go lower? 205.000?"
"Lord Hadrian, you fully know the true value of those gemstones. Compared to where we started at first, this price of mine is considered enough." mentioned Mathias with a serious voice, as if he was talking from equal to equal with the Governor.
All of these signs given off by Mathias made Marie more curious about who this masked person could be.
'Could it be? Is he related to the Grandmaster? Or some of the strong people remaining secluded in the Empire territory, the ones Gyuratan mentioned. Only that scary person would be able to look at everyone with an air of indifference.'
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Apart from what Marie was thinking, Hadrian remained silent contemplating about the price Mathias wanted, and with some annoyance he reluctantly agreed, handshaking with Mathias, and remarking.
"Lord Octavian, I don't know who taught you to be this stubborn while doing business, but sometimes it might also backfire on you, without getting any deals done."
"Indeed, and I am fully aware of this, but to be honest, the full value of the gemstones, especially when taking in account the magic gemstone that if lucky could be sold to some Great Mage for a fortune. Who is losing out?"
"Hah, obviously me. There's only a handful of Great Mages, and it is unlikely they will be interested in the magic gemstone."
"Ohh, but if you can't find a Great Mage to sell it, why don't you wait for the outlanders to grow? They show great potential." remarked Mathias, in a mysterious way which made both Marie and Hadrian to look with weird glances at him, but they didn't comment on what he said, and Hadrian simply moved on.
"Anyway, let me get the money and seal off the deal."
"Lord Hadrian, I haven't brought money with me, can you lend me enough so I can pay Lord Octavian for the sapphire?" asked Marie in a casual way, not feeling that her request was something out of ordinary.
Mathias took this chance of opening that Marie showed, and waved his hands at her, dismissing such a notion.
"Your Majesty, you can always pay me yourself whenever you want and have the gold on yourself."
"Ohh really now? But wouldn't it be unfair to you, Lord?"
"It will be fine. Wouldn't the story about the Empress running off with the money of some poor man, tarnish your grace and reputation? We can't have this, right, Your Majesty?"
"You couldn't be more correct, since people like to gossip a lot nowadays. Even the smallest insignificant news that might give reasons to people to gossip will be turned into something bigger."
Hadrian who was at one of the safes in his room, glanced at Marie and asked her to be sure.
"Your Majesty, do you wish for me to withdraw 50.000 from the bank and add along with my price?"
"No need Hadrian, since Lord Octavian is such a gentleman, it will be a pleasure to make sure I did the paying, isn't it right, Octavian?"
"My lady, whenever. In person, using a proxy, however, your heart desires."
"And how would you want it?" asked Marie, with a curious expression on herself, watching for Mathias eye reaction, who also were on her, making her feel even better when all the attention was given to her.
"Obviously, I wouldn't ever miss the chance of being graced again by you."
Hearing that straightforward response from Mathias, it send all sort of signals to Marie, who was twirling her ink-black hair in a pleased way.
"I see, then my Lord, you should be present for the Masquerade. Who knows, maybe you will get your money, or something else. It is unknown what the future will have for us."
Nodding his head at the mesmerizing woman in front of him, he later waited silently for his money, and with Hadrian bringing out a large bag, that he placed on the office table.
"This bag contains coins worth 10 gold coins, and 100 gold coins. Everything is here, please count them out."
Taking the bag in his hands, a notification window popped out, telling him about the content inside the bag.
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[Bag of Gold] - Worth (235.000 gold)
[Do you wish to withdraw the item?]
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'Not yet. The appearance of a normal person is worth more right now than being stubborn.'
"Lord Hadrian, I will put my trust in you since I don't wish to embarrass myself with my low counting skills. I shall take my leave and let Your Excellencies continue with your meeting. Farewell, my lady, I will wait for you at the meeting."
Bowing at Hadrian, and later doing something bolder that might backfire on him, that being off giving Marie another kiss on her hand, which the lady didn't find any problem. In fact, she was rather pleased by the courtesy, insane boldness, and tender lips that injected her again with his Red Energy that acted like an aphrodisiac.
"Have a pleasing night too, Octavian."
Exiting the office and leaving out Marie and Hadrian, the Governor remarked in a cold way, as if he was slightly annoyed by the deal he completed with Mathias.
"I always hate doing business with annoying, stubborn people. I could barely cover my expenses if I resell them."
"Don't kid yourself Hadrian, if you go to Goldhit, I am sure she will want to acquire that magic gemstone since she is obsessed with them, and is not like you will have to work that much to reach her since she will return to Titan for the Masquerade." commented Marie shifting the way she held her legs, while continuing glancing at the Royal Blue Sapphire.
"It is still annoying. I couldn't get maximum profits from this deal. Right, Marie, you eyed that young man quite a lot, have you noticed something about him?"
"That Octavian? I have never met him in about 10 years since I have become Empress, so we can exclude the fact he is a noble. Maybe he is one of those reclused people? Like Kirinus? I really couldn't care less, but the first impression was pleasant."
"Sigh, you really are easygoing when it comes to handsome guys. Aren't you afraid Juander might get upset by this?"
"Now, now, Hadrian, this is just cordial meetings. Let's continue on with the talk, where was I before getting interrupted?"
"You were explaining to me how you wanted to form a new Knight's Order to be your soldiers."
"Ahh, the Rose Knights, indeed. I want you to fund this endeavor of mine."
"Marie, you know I can't take money from the treasury without justifications. His Majesty each month sends Chensler to check on my records, and if they don't match up, it will be messy."
"It is easy to deal with that old man."
"Sure, for you it might, the Empress of the Empire, who would dare to touch you beside foolish youngsters with burning blood? But that's not the point. Why would you want to gamble on such investment? Managing Knightly Orders is a headache, and a money whirlpool, having to feed, train, suit them in armor and so on."
"To consolidate my power as Empress and start building one of the Pillars for Edan's Ascension." remarked Marie in a casual tone to Hadrian as if it was something common, but the expression on her face turned colder.
"Marie … It will be hard."
"What wasn't hard in this life, Hadrian? Come on, don't be that cheap as when we first meet and do me this favor. It will be an investment that will pay off, that's something I can assure you."
"How? Is unlikely Juander will give the title of Crown Prince to little Edan regardless of how much talent he shows. The first in the succession line is Roland while the second one is Durandal, both of those kids saw signs of wanting the crown, especially the second prince."
Marie's expression turned even colder as she gazed at Hadrian, playing with the sapphire in her hand, and remarking with a detached voice.
"This will remain to be seen, what I am certain about is that my little Edan will be Emperor. What will you do, Hadrian, will you assist me again?"
The middle-aged man remained silent as he watched Marie toss the gemstone around, contemplating on his choices in a detached way, and after some long minutes passed, he reluctantly nodded his head.
Marie stayed for a bit more to talk with Hadrian, with a totally shifted attitude, of a warm woman, satisfied, and when she raised on her feet to depart from Hadrian's office she patted the man's shoulder, remarking.
"I will make you the Prime Minister of the Saharan Empire, Hadrian. If everything works according to how I foresee the future, our futures will be bright."
"I understand Marie, I will wait comfortably in this chair of mine to see how it will turn out. In the worst case I will be demoted if something unthinkable happens, and return back to my small village to sell fish."
"Those years have passed long ago, dear. Your future is bound to mine."
Exiting the office with a calm expression on her face, the skinny Red Knight, Gyuratan was there to greet her first, and remark with an emotionless voice.
"You took more than I expected inside. Don't tell me you did it with that mortal?"
"Mind your business, I only took you out with the rest, so it doesn't feel like you aren't doing your custodian's tasks." replied Marie coldly, to this man, as he walked forward, followed by the other 3 Red Knights, leaving the fourth, Gyuratan, behind, where the latter gave off a creepy smile, remarking to himself.
"Mortals get drunk on power rather easily. The more power you want, in order to feel that sensation of domination over the others, the more you will descend into darkness. Marie, you shall sign for my full return to this World as I am on top of you."
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On another hand, Mathias who picked up Vek departed the Imperial Bank, and using his Raven's Movement that looked rather oddly compared to when he learned them from Corvus, he made his disappearance, just when some Imperial Guards were about to ask him some questions followed by the Bank's Officials.
"Strange, he should have been here not too long ago. I wanted to give him a business card, so whenever he wanted my help he could contact me."
"You lost your chance, Jerald. That red-head departed."
"Sigh, is fine. Go back to work guys. I've seen you lazing around lately."
"Gave us some slack Jerald, we were about to crush those punny outlanders who attacked you, but got stopped by that guy."
In a corner of a nearby building Mathias who held Vek by his hand, breathed out relieved that he wasn't dragged into a commotion by the gemstones he sold, and with a still early stage of the [Phantom Steps] a skill he still didn't receive a notification of learning and acquiring it, he began feeling pain in his leg muscles, as if his muscles fibers torn apart.
"Mathias, what happened?"
"Nothing much, I just took the fastest way to make myself disappear in a cool way, let's go before some people find me strange." remarked Mathias who changed his suit, into some clothes a commoner would wear, along with wrapping his crimson hair into a black Shemagh, doing a Chaperon out of it, as if he was some Medieval Rich guy, so as to avoid suspicious looks.
Nevertheless, he didn't escape Vek's curious questions, never seeing such a thing, even when exploring Titan, which made him laugh as he began taking off from where he stopped to change his clothes and put a new headgear.
"Haha, that's another efficient way of not showing my hair to those from outside. As you can see, I have to make my appearances quite rare around so people can forget about me. Otherwise if I don't diversify, I'll get caught, and something bad will later happen to me."
Entering another part of the Inner City which he was familiar, he went looking around with Vek for available space to set Fayrene's and his shop, and as the night went on, for better or worse Mathias with his kobold friend return back to Wallmor District, entering the house after some weird pattern walk.
Then with the first hour of the sunrise, he went to train again, doing a short drill of his spear skills, and stopped when getting notified by Malakai and Red.
malakai: Bro, I love you. Those boots are crazy good, just as you mentioned. I've placed all the money on the guild storage. You should have seen the Counts expression when I brought those gemstones to him for selling. Ahh, yes, in total I have managed to gain 25.000 gold.
malakai: Have you done it on purpose and placed some low-value gemstones on those bags?
Mathias: No, not really. I might have learned some things about gemstones from my outside research for my novel, and the trade with that jeweler, but overall I have no control over the gemstones. Also, I only have about 10 more of those. Thanks for the hard work, bro.
Red: Yoo, boss. I come bringing news, me with Lane and Evan managed to sell the jewels you placed on the guild storage. Let's say that those jewelers we sold our stuff were quite cheap ones, but nevertheless I think I got a fair price all around, 56.000 gold. Ahh, I stopped 6k from that sum, for the three of us, as damage expenses to our minds, having to hear about the prices of some gemstones.
Red: I'll sell all that gold of mine. 30k Baby! I'll even come to Bucharest and give you a kiss, you bastard. Last thing, I didn't ninja loot those boots you left on the last page of the storage room, thinking it was for Malakai.
Mathias: Hasn't that gold selling thing been busted one day ago?
Red: Yea, but so what? Is like with PirateBay man, you catch one more pirates take off to sail, thus those authorities just mess up the more they want to stop this trade of gold for cash.
Mathias: You do you, but I don't want to hear from you about you getting banned.
Red: No worries man, I got this. Anyway, I wish you good luck with that project you want to do in Titan. I'll be there maybe next week since I've cleared most of the early content for Dewars. I am level 45 already, soon to hit 46 after I turn in a quest.
Mathias: Good luck to you too, James. You will feel the boredom of being too high of a level soon.
Red: Hahaha, I doubt. I've heard from Malakai that he got himself killed by Great Mage Ashur because of a stupid quest. An NPC with the level close to 300, that's just a light for me to push myself and reach his level.
Ending his talk with Red and Malakai, slowly with the arrival of the day, the others also sent him messages about their success in selling the gemstones he sent off, and calculating in his mind the amount of gold he should have, while subtracting the gold some of the guys took from his treasure trove, it reached a staggering 481.000 Gold.
Vek who was beside him, as he was resting on a bench of the courtyard, heard Mathias murmur a number he couldn't understand, before the latter turned silent, contemplating.
"By what those Deep Web market prices are, 1 gold for 10 $ wouldn't I be a millionaire right now? Fuck, just now I remember a big flaw in all these tasks I gave them, they're prone to betray in any guild regardless of how naive I might want to be at times. Let's lock the Guild Storage so they don't get greedy about withdrawing more than they shouldn't."
"Tomorrow, I will go with Fayrene to check for places that could fit the modern workshop for clothing line."
"Little Vek, I will have to leave you soon since I have to return from where I am from. You can do whatever you want, just be careful and do not upset those bandits of the city since they are petty and arrogant."

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol. 2 – Chapter 58 - The Rebirth of a Violinist
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With the new day that came on, returning from his work without any changes to his schedule. Mathias began doing his menial tasks to keep his apartment in a clean environment, and afterward started working out for about one hour that he kept his heart rate slightly higher, burning some calories in that way, nothing out of ordinary for him, but he had a weird sensation in his legs as if he tore his muscle fibers and had constant cramps, but with him not doing any movements that would strain those muscles.
"What is happening with my legs? Damn, this hurts like heck. Let me stretch them out a bit and apply some ointment to calm the area in question."
Doing himself a leg massage, spreading the ointment on the calf's area that bothered him, he started scrubbing deep that ointment which contained some menthol, until the freshness and chilliness assaulted him.
"Good, this feels much better. I might have to check on the coach to see if I am doing something wrong in my movements. I'd rather not have this repeat to me again, because cramps are truly annoying to deal with."
Following that he entered the capsule without checking his laptop, and when he returned it was once again night, about 4 AM. The correlation of time was messing up with him at times, but he had no way of fixing it, just getting adjusted to it, and immediately as he stepped back in Satisfy, the first one to greet him was Haycien, who also woke himself from his stay in a blank world similar to the Death Realm the players would be brought when dead.
{What are you up to for today, lad? Same as the other days? Training and later spent time with your ladies.}
'Pretty much. I don't see my schedule shifting around as of late. Sometimes being consistent in what you are doing proves to be harder than one can imagine.'
{You are proud of this, lad? Of not changing your activities? Ohh, wait, actually you got a lot of things to do, that workshop together with the little girl.} remarked Haycien remembering the fact that Mathias will check around the city for an available place for his workshop.
'Another thing I learned is that I can withdraw my money from any banker inside the city, not just the Imperial Bank. This will make the transition easier for me, without bumping into the ones I did last time.'
Getting inside the house, he could see Vek snoring while sitting on the coach of the salon, and without bothering to wake him up, he went to sit at the workstation, taking out some fabrics from his inventory along with his tailoring equipment that were rather cheap, from the Grand Market, he began to sew them at the light of the Red Energy that was similar to lighting an old-style lightbulb. On the table was the sketch of a cape that had some fur material at the hoody area.
The cape had a medieval style to it, along with the small details he added on the sheet of paper, and with his materials and equipment sorted out, he began working on the winter cape.
{Here you are again, doing this tailoring. Aren't you bored?}
'Not really, it is quite fun nowadays. Similar to writing my story, but since I have plenty of chapters in advance there, I can disconnect from there, and focus on this other side-job, making clothes for my women.'
{That should be a winter coat?}
'A Winter Cape, that uses the linen, wool, and the wolves pelts I managed to gather to this day. They come in handy right now when I start working on those projects.'
Time passed and he worked uninterrupted on his project, seeing the progress being done with his own eyes, while at the same time training his control over the Red Energy as he manipulated it to light the workstation.
Then as he grabbed the wolves pelts, and positioned them around the hoody, he heard Fayrene waking up and walking out of her room, which prompted him to place all his work on his inventory, keeping it a secret from her.
"Morning, darling. Are you writing again?"
"No, this time I was playing with something else. How was your day yesterday, any incidents?" inquired Mathias, to check on the events taking place in Titan yesterday when he was out, until reconnecting to the game.
"As far I am concern, I didn't note anything down of noteworthy. Some players came to the shop, but I turned them down, with the same old excuse "Master hasn't returned to take orders."." remarked Fayrene yawning a bit, as signs that she clearly just woke up.
Mathias closed his Red Energy fire flys, and raising on his feet, he walked toward Fayrene taking her to his chest, looking into her eyes.
"No, my breath is smelly since I just woke up." said Fayrene, guessing what Mathias was about to do, and without showing any signs of care, the young man moved to give her a kiss on the lips, before ending it in a cheeky way.
"What are you talking about, you are so sweet. Smelly? I only smell this pleasant flavour to my taste buds and nose."
"Dummy, let me wash my face properly and prepare myself before getting all cheeky, or I will tease you."
Still holding her in his arms, staring at her beautiful face as she remarked that, he could only smile and place carelessly his hands on her buttchecks, fondling them a bit.
"That doesn't work on me, Fay. Haven't you learned your lesson in the past? But if you changed your tactics, who knows, maybe you will win."
Fayrene gave Mathias an evil smile, and as he played with her, she managed to fish her hands down, and capture an evil Leviathan, before she lowered her hands and touched the rocks of gibraltar, making Mathias expression turn scared.
"No, don't think about doing it. Fay, the fate of our descendants is on stake. If you squeeze, who knows what will happen."
"Ohh, really now? Then I'll want to see you slowly move off and leave my butt alone."
{Lad, be careful of the balls! Those are what's the most important! She is crazy if she is readying to squeeze}
'Quiet down old man, those aren't your balls at stake!'
{You idiot, that's why I am saying this!}
Mathias lowered his hands from Fayrene's plump buttchecks and with his hands in a vertical stance, he looked down at Fayrene's right hand that still was adamant on not letting go.
"Ahem, I know that outside is quite cold and all, but I can always hug you if you are cold. Those ones are for other purposes."
Fayrene, glanced amused at Mathias, before she released the hostages, freeing his descendants from a cruel fate, making the young lady chuckle as she walked toward the bathroom, and after she finished with her make-up and picking up some casual clothes, she returned back to Mathias who was tossing some coins at Vek in a silly way.
"What are you doing?"
"I am training his reflexes. Want to try? You only have to pick the coins I toss in your direction."
"No thanks, I am an Arcanist, what could physical reflexes do for me anyway?" asked Fayrene as he observed Mathias tossing coins at Vek as if he was tossing treats for a puppy.
Mathias who heard Fayrene comment smirked a bit, and remarked in a calm way.
"Reflexes for a Mage can also prove useful. An example for you would be when you are facing an enemy who usually fights in melee range, by having trained reflexes you can react faster to what situation is thrown at you in that said fight. Additionally, if I am not wrong, reflexes are connected to the mind, thus by training the reflexes you would also boost your mind."
"I see, I will take note of this. Anyway, are you ready to go outside? Didn't you say we will go out to look for a new location for the workshop?"
"Immediately. Little Vek this is the last round. All the coins you manage to pick are yours."
"Bring it on. I'll catch all the shiny coins."
Hearing Vek said that, it gave Mathias a bigger impulse, and in doing so he began throwing the coins faster at Vek with most of them hitting him directly in his face. Only a couple of coins did the kobold managed to pick from the ones thrown.
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Ending the play there, he left Vek inside while Fayrene and himself went outside hand in hand, as if they were on a date. Both looked normal appearance-wise, with Mathias still using his Chaperone Hat, and wearing clothes that were intended for winter, which looked rather protective compared to autumn or spring clothes. Fayrene too, had a comfortable pair of trousers made from some dyed black leather, pair of boots that give her some additional centimeters, making her almost the same height as Mathias, with a shirt and simple overcoat to protect her from the lowered temperature.
"There's no snow yet, but the temperature sure got lower." remarked Fayrene, holding Mathias hands, while exiting Wallmor District.
"Indeed, even the rest of the people took their comfy clothes for the winter out. We aren't the only ones who changed the clothes."
Fayrene glanced around herself where she could see the players walking around the streets just wearing their armors they gained from hunting or whatever they bought in the city, they didn't seem to care about the lowered temperature, which made them like outsiders in this type of setting.
@Fayrene: Mat, by chance are you feeling the lowered temperature or are you acting?
Mathias: I can feel it. Why? Have you noticed the players on the streets who still wear their armors?
@Fayrene: Yea, and they don't seem to care at all.
Mathias: Haha, just wait when the first snow comes and you'll see how pathetic they will look, asking for shelters or starting buying warm clothes for winter. The Fear of Cold is real even here, so prepare yourself for a show.
@Fayrene: You shouldn't laugh about it. Getting sick because of insufficient clothing sucks.
Mathias: Yes, but those fools can't die for good, which will make it even comical seeing them storm the markets to get themselves warmer.
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In this way, Fayrene and Mathias exited the Wallmor District, passing by the familiar shops of the zone, such as the Utility shop, Tavern, Nelmon's Workshop, and so on, and something he could notice was that the Syndicate Criminals of the city were more disciplined, without causing ruckus inside the District or overall the entire city.
It felt as if the ones in charge shifted his strategies along with the appearance of the outlanders, and in doing so avoided the cases of players receiving quests of hunting the Syndicate guys.
Mathias asked Fayrene if she knew something about the new changes that were happening inside the Syndicates, in the range of time he wasn't inside Titan.
@Fayrene: I have no idea Mat, aside from that incident that happened to me with those guys who wanted to extort me, and got saved by Michael, since then I didn't have any rundowns with them. However, in the firsts weeks there was a lot of chaos inside the city with the Players attacking the citizens of Titan, maybe there's also a conflict between them and the Syndicates.
Mathias: Hard to believe, but there are also some changes that you might be right. The only possibility is that they attacked the pawns of the Syndicate, since they are weak, which might have alerted the leadership of those groups, making them change their structure and tactics.
@Fayrene: Mat, I hope you will not get entangled with the Syndicates. I remember that you got angry when I told you that story of getting apprehended by the syndicate bastards.
Mathias: Who knows. Right now I don't intend to do anything dangerous, I only want to grow our little workshop.
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Like this, the couple took on searching and looking around for an available location they could rent or buy, along the way also spotting at one of the banks where Mathias opened his Guild Storage, withdrawing all the funds inside.
Continuing with their search, they noted down some potential locations they stumbled upon, around the periphery, but with a good location closer to the Inner City.
In passing going for another location, from a Shop, two young ladies exited that place, a blonde one wearing the robe of a magician along with a thicker cape, along with another girl with brown hair, sporting a leather armor, trousers, high boots, and a thicker cape similar to the blonde girl. Stranded on her back was a medium-size bow made from the bones of a certain creature.
"Vivi, doesn't that person walking together with that raven-haired girl look close to Mathias? I can't tell from the hair since he has it covered by some hat, and the nameplate is also covered."
The brown-haired woman glanced in the direction the blonde girl pointed and could see the a couple walking hand in hand in the direction of the Inner City, and as she focused on his face, until she mentioned slightly taken aback.
"It is really him. I didn't see any video of some Syndicate bastard being killed, so it means he moved on with some quests. Still, Paula … who is that woman?"
"No idea. Why? Are you jealous?"
"Me?? Why should I?" inquired Vivian, glancing at Paula as if she eat something rotten,
"Well, you know better than me. Always constantly mentioning him, that's one of the first signs." remarked Paula chuckling, before Vivian put her hand on her mouth, saying in a sarcastic way, as she later brought her arms around Paula's waist, pinching her.
"What about you Paula, that guy Red is quite handsome himself. Aren't you lucky? Trying to seduce guys online, without even meeting them face to face, bad girl."
"There's nothing between me and James. We are just chatting, nothing that serious."
"Ohh really, and the reason you don't want to go to Toulmount is because of what?"
The girls were making fun of one another, but Mathias, who was distanced when passing by noticed his former teammates, and send them a greeting message, and checked on their levels to gauge the progress they made. Vivian was level 39, while Paula was level 38, among the top players of the game, but far from the top 5 they were after hunting Iljnoks with him.
Vivian saw the message interface ringing with an envelope icon, and a red mark, and opening it she saw Mathias's message.
Mathias: It seems you girls are doing fine inside Titan, and even raised your levels in the process. Glad to see this, and don't forget if you need my help around, don't hesitate to ask me since I will be inside Titan for a while.
Paula glanced at Vivian, as if she received a message, and whispered to her friend.
"He really isn't an arrogant jerk to make it seem as if he doesn't know us."
"I know."
Vivian: You really stagnated since the last time we played together, aren't you afraid I will hunt you down for some rewards?
Mathias: Everything has its flow, me not leveling doesn't mean I am stagnating, lioness. How have you been?
Vivian: Good enough to receive some quests from the Adventurer Guild that I cleared with Paula. Those two fools from the first party still tried to approach me, and recreate the party. Ahh, right, those two have turned into your biggest haters, so be careful.
Mathias: I will, thank you for telling me. Hah, Vivian, if you want to join my guild, I don't mind it. You can always team up with my guild members since they reached your level.
Vivian: Thanks, but no thank you. I don't need a guild right now.
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As Vivian said that, Mathias turned his head toward the Ranger gazing at her with his calm, ruby eyes, giving her a small understanding smile, before returning to his usual route, hearing Fayrene mention in a soft voice.
"Are those two the ones you teamed up to fight Iljnoks, the ones you mentioned in your story?"
"Hmm, indeed. Nice girls to be around. You could place your trust on them to carry on their task."
"I see, they are into those types of things? Party?"
"They play together, so you could consider that a party, but they aren't in a big group, like how I am, part of Leviathan. It makes me want to recruit them seeing them by themselves, and in the meantime I even extended an invitation."
"And the result?"
"I got rejected."
Fayrene when hearing Mathias mention that started chuckling a bit, patting on his shoulders, and joking.
"All your luck vanished when you met me and Jeanne."
"Maybe not." chuckled Mathias, continuing his journey toward the Inner City, to check the possible locations on sale or rent for the workshop.
Entering the Inner City, Fayrene felt the stares she received annoying, especially from the guys who wore wealthy clothes, making her snug closer to Mathias who remained unbothered, wandering the streets in search for places for buying.
The Inner City wasn't lacking in such places, and Mathias brought the a small notebook he crafted where using something akin to a pencil he inscribed the locations and prices the respective sellers wanted to receive, and when afternoon came about, Mathias took Fayrene to a restaurant to eat before resuming their search.
The restaurant was located in the Inner City, making it a first for Fayrene, similar to Mathias, yet he was giving off a confidence that didn't resemble someone who was visiting places for the first times. When inside, they were greeted by the warm temperature, good tasting music which resembled classical music to Mathias.
"Do you have an appointment reserved?" asked a butler who walked toward the couple.
"No, are there available tables for two?" responded Mathias, while asking the butler if they could dine.
"Gentleman, Lady, follow me."
The butler turned around and walked ahead inside the restaurant, while Mathias and Fayrene just followed around, until they arrived at the main room of the restaurant where one could have the impression it was full of guests.
"You two are really lucky since not too long ago, some guests left after finishing eating. The table is distanced from the stage, so my apologies if you wanted to be accompanied by some music."
"It is fine." responded Mathias calmly, not finding any problem with the server since he had no fault in the restaurant being full, and getting to his seat with Fayrene, pulling her chair first before settling down, he later watched on a stage that hosted some people playing instruments he wasn't familiar with, but sounding somehow decent.
"… Fay, the music here is rather unique."
"Yea, I know, I heard this once when I went to Grenhaler to visit my grandfather." Remarked Fayrene who told Mathias about her mother's family, the Arundells, and how they were treated in Grenhaler.
At the same time Mathias ordered for the two food from a menu, and at Fayrene's insistence opted for the cheapest serving, and yet still spending about 50 gold, making Fayrene want to pull Mathias hairs out for bringing her to such an expensive place.
"This place is too expensive. Hah, I want to barge inside the owner's office and take my money back."
"Now, now, this is a unique occasion, darling. This is our date. We should relax before we take it off and search again the city."
"Still, this is too expensive. The food is not something that you would spend so much on, and I really don't understand why those people come here to eat when you could make your own food for cheaper, much cheaper."
"Maybe those rich guys don't know how to cook, or are just too rich that they would rather go to restaurants?"
Talking with Fayrene while taking breaks to eat, he watched the stage where people were taking turns to play their respective instruments, after being introduced by one Clerk, and with their meal about to be over, just when they were about to get up and leave, a young man with long black hair cascading down, wearing some cheap clothes walked on the stage, not accompanied by the Clerk.
Everyone dining looked confused at who this young man could be, holding a wooden case in his hand, but they could understand, he was an outlander from how the air he was giving off, slightly nervous, slightly detached.
Mathias and Fayrene, especially the raven-haired girl saw the nameplate of the young man on the stage, and whispered Mathias.
@Fayrene: That's a player? Should we stay for more, I am curious what music your people would listen to.
Mathias: Ohh, you don't want to leave now?
@Fayrene: If the music is bad, I might leave.
Mathias: So many centuries of music and material, if that person messes up his chance to impress some rich guy, he is a fool.
@Fayrene: This means your guy's music is rich in history?
Mathias: We have so many masterpieces, it is hard to pick which one is the best.
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Meanwhile on the stage, the young man whose nameplate was simply Johan was surrounded by emotions when he stepped forward on the stage, without even having the Clerk support in introducing himself, as if they wanted him to fail. Glancing at the public for a brief moment before withdrawing his stare from the public, his left hand trembled a bit.
'This is the first time I am playing the violin since that accident where I lost my left hand. I managed to craft the violin here, but I don't know how it will sound for real. If they would like music from outside.'
'I have to do this, I spend all my fortune for this chance to play here.'
'I should start with something to attract their attention and also something that fits this winter? What to play? Something a bit darker? Well, Schubert could do it without any lyrics those people shouldn't know about Erlking.'
Placing the case he was holding in his right hand, the later opened revealing a unique instrument for the public dining, and taking the violin in his hand in a graceful way, he introduced himself.
"Good afternoon or good evening since it should be night soon. My name is Johan and I hope that you take a liking to my music."
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"He is quite nervous right now, but he managed to do the first thing, and introduce himself to the public." mentioned Mathias, who ordered some wine spending 2 gold coins, while for Fayrene he bought some fruit juice.
When the butler returned with the wine, and fruit juice, the young man on the stage began playing on his violin making Mathias get shocked at what song this young man attempted at playing.
"Good one, man. Isn't this Schubert?"
The violin started in an alerted way, making Mathias smile in a knowing way, while his expression turned a bit colder, and accompanied by the violin reciting the first verses of the song, going with a lower tone, before going deeper, making Fayrene surprised at how dark the tone of the song was.
"Who's riding so late, in the night and wind?" "It is the father with his child." "He grasps the boy in his arm." "He holds him securely; he keeps him warm."
Fayrene who was listening to the song both from the vocalized song by Mathias, who wasn't lacking in voice, and the violin song, was shocked. Mathias continued on until he stopped abruptly at what could be said the half of the song.
" My son, why do you hide your face so fearfully? / "Father, don't you see the Erl-King there? The Erl-King with his crown and train?" My son, it's a streak of mist."
Then came a softer yet darker voice, giving Fayrene goosebumps, as if he was the sinister Elf King that was on to catch his prey.
"You delightful child, come with me! / I'll play wonderful games with you. / Colourful flowers grow on the shore.
Stopping there breaking from singing while his ruby eyes that gave off a dark-purple light, he noticed Fayrene giving him a look, as if she wanted him to continue on, but shrugging his shoulders, he mentioned.
"I forgot the rest of the poem. What? Can't someone sing along to a good poem? Turn your head and enjoy the violin. That song is damn hard to perform, he should be a master violinist."
"I never knew you have a talent for singing." remarked Fayrene in a serious way trying to recover from the poem, making Mathias just smile at her, returning his attention to the violist who from the first song captivated the entire public.
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On the stage, Johan was having a blast playing his violin that he almost forgot about the fact he was on the stage, his face gave off a wide pure smile, of excitement and joy, while his mind was full of thoughts.
'I can continue playing the violin here, grandfather. I don't have to abandon the violin anymore.'
Ending the song, only then did he look at his audience that began applauding him.
"Bravo, whoever you are, I want you to play that instrument for me privately."
Those types of arrogant comments, made Johan frown, nevertheless he appreciated the applause and bowed to the audience, before turning to step down, but the voice of a man stopped him.
"Where are you going? Continue playing, teach those frogs what the violin is about. What else do you know, Master Violinist?"
Hearing that comment, he turned quickly his head to scan his audience, but failed to notice someone out of ordinary, such as a player in this establishment, and no longer wanting to depart, he placed his violin back on his shoulder, starting to play his instrument.
'Whoever you are, thanks. Let me see if you know Sarasate.'
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Fayrene, who was beside Mathias when he opened his mouth to stop the young man, noticed Johan stare around the audience for whoever remarked that comment, and pinched his hand.
"Didn't you say you don't want to draw attention. What are you doing right now?"
"Allow a genius to rebirth. Now be quiet, he is about to play. Let me enjoy some good music since the rest of the music was simply trash."
Once Johan played, Fayrene was assaulted by another goosebump inducing sounds, making her grab onto Mathias hands, whose smile while drinking wine was of deep satisfaction.
"Sarasate. Hah, this guy is cultured. What's next, Paganini?"
"Why do you know what he plays?" inquired Fayrene shocked that Mathias had an idea of what the violin songs Johan was playing.
"Why do you ask? Because I love classical music, that's why."
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A/N: Raise your hand if you like classical music, regardless of instruments.

 

[Morpheus146]

Vol.2 – Chapter 59 - The old man and his rundown stable
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Johan was in a new world of itself since the tragic accident he suffered after a car accident, he was now being reborn on this restaurant stage playing to his ears delight and audience's delight. From Schubert to Sarasate, then going for Vivaldi's Seasons, then after he played for about 35 minutes, he took a final stare at his audience, saying with a calm voice.
"This will be my last song for this evening. It is called La Campanella."
Doing some adjusting to his violin, he followed suit by playing the song that was familiar to Mathias in the audience.
The young man wearing a Chaperone Hat while drinking wine, and watching the spectacle in front of his eyes had a leisurely smile, admiring the talent of the young violinist, and after he finished his performance, he was among the first to applaud Johan.
His gesture woke the audience who also began applauding in an excited manner, while the system notification was showering Johan with all sort of messages from EXP, to Reputation with Saharan Empire being raised up, and so on. It was a sight to behold for the young man who only wanted to play his violin and never focused on the game aspect of 'Satisfy'.
Then, afterwards he saw the man wearing a medieval-styled hat he saw in medieval setting movies, accompanied by a gorgeous lady walking out of the restaurant, it was exactly the one who applauded first.
'Could it be, he is a player?'
[Player 'Mathias' has sent you a friend request.]
'Hah, what's this? Right, the friend list thing, let me accept.'
[You have accepted the request.]
Mathias: Splendid performance, you really touched me with how you played Sarasate and the last part of the song. If you ever need help inside Satisfy, money, a good word to the NPC's, require help in leveling up and unlocking new content, I would want to use this chance to extend an invitation to my Guild.
Johan: Thank you, are you the person who just left the restaurant?
Mathias: Sharp. I will leave you alone now since you made a ruckus with those rich guys. Just be yourself and treat those people as normal guys, similar to outside.
Johan: Wait, what is the name of your guild?
Mathias: Leviathan
Johan: I see, I don't know much about the game and the player landscape since I only focused on building my violin and practicing, but sure. It would be nicer having others to talk around and make friends.
Mathias: Gladly.
Johan saw another notification appear in front of his eyes.
[Player 'Mathias' has invited you to join the Guild, Leviathan.]
[You have accepted the invitation.]
Many other notifications appeared in front of his eyes, from the guild interface which appeared fresh, and the guild chat, where Mathias sent a welcoming message to him, followed by rapidly the others who were online.
'Wait, wasn't there something like the ranking ledger in this place? One of those names seems familiar from when I took a look when I arrived here, Red, Lane, and Evan. Those guys were in the top 20 or something in that sort of order.'
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[Guild Members: 1. Mathias - Lv. 32 (Guild Master)
2. Red - Lv. 46 (Officer)
3. Malakai: -Lv. 40 (Officer)
4. Maple Mist: - Lv 37 (Officer)
5. Leona – Lv 35 (Officer)
6. Evan: Lv.43
7. Lane: Lv.43
8. Orpheus Lv.39
9. Ape Mist: Lv.39
10: Astromania Lv-38
11: PageUp: Lv-39
12. Johan: Lv. 5
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Red: Welcome to the guild, friend. If you need any guide tutorials, I'll be online to help you.
Johan: Thank you guys for the welcome, but I am not that invested in the game aspect, instead I just want to explore things at my own pace.
Mathias: Either way is good. No one will shame you for not killing some monsters, so don't worry and play the game however you want. I invited you to the guild to give you the chance to spread your talent, at least if you want that.
Left without words by this person he only met from a distance, and who by now exited the restaurant, Johan looked around at the public who requested him of all sorts of things, with the notification system going wild with quest alerts. It was a chaotic mess, but it gave him a jolt of excitement having such a chance of performing for more and also gaining something.
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Mathias, who left the restaurant, took out two scarves, wrapping one for Fayrene and another one for himself. The couple continued on their search while the temperature dropped down a bit, nevertheless, it was welcoming enough for a walk.
Minutes passed, and they moved from location to location, until they stopped rather closely to the Hippodrome, and with a notebook in hand Mathias and Fayrene were discussing which option was the best for them.
"I don't know Mat, all those locations seem so expensive even to rent, only the places with a bad location are decent, price-wise. Should we still check more, maybe others will place new notices for sale."
Turning his gaze down on the notebook, he couldn't agree more with Fayrene, and before taking off he told her in a joking way.
"I'll be fine with even some ruined place, just so I have the right location."
"Let's go walk for a bit more, we haven't checked the neighborhood of the Hippodrome. It is always busy and noisy, so we might have some success."
"Fay, the prices around here are too high, it would gobble up the entire budget." mentioned Mathias withdrawing his notebook, and taking Fayrene's hand to check a possible available location for sale or rent where they could arrange a workshop.
Taking off again, after entering some neighborhoods, Mathias arrived in a location he felt familiar, and his gait slowed down a bit glancing at the houses and later on the end of this street there was a rundown building, akin to a stable.
"Is this building abandoned in this location?" asked Fayrene while stopping to check the rundown stable from outside, while Mathias too, stepped deeper toward the stable, and with his Red Energy making something akin to a lamp, he searched for a notice.
Nevertheless, right in that moment, the barking of dogs took the couple by surprise, especially Fayrene who grabbed Mathias, and later on as the dogs barked, appearing in front of him the voice of a man was heard, angry at the dogs barking.
"Can you for the love of God stay quiet! There's no way someone would even bother with this place so go back into your pens."
The dogs didn't back off even after the voice of the man was heard, and Mathias who stepped forward after seeing the dogs didn't intend of attacking, instead trying to alert the person in this building, he stepped forward, and even used his Red Energy to pacify the one closest to him, making him stop from barking and approach him curiously.
"It is fine little friend, I am not here to cause trouble."
*Woof*
Patting the dog's head, he looked past the moldy wooden gate of this building, where past it a dirty old man walked toward him without any source of light to check him out. However, the Red Energy used by Mathias to see around was like candlelight for the old man who could see the young man staring back, without any malicious intent.
[Pliny – LV. 105]
It was the name of the old man, who had dirty white hair, and a messy white beard where dirt accumulated, making his overall appearance an instant throw-off, but not for Mathias who responded calmly when the old man asked about their visit.
"What two little ducklings want from this old man? Aren't you afraid my dogs will end you?"
"They aren't rabid dogs, so I'll rather believe they will soon turn into puppies. However, sir, If I may, before I respond to your question, can you respond one simple question for me?"
"Ohh, you know how to talk, unlike those around me. Ahem, sure, go ahead." responded the old man who appeared before the wooden gate, supporting himself with a cane and also holding on the gate, which started shaking a bit, a sign it was giving off under the stress.
The old man, called Pliny, observed these strange visitors, a young man wearing a hat akin to the rich people, and a young lady that too didn't lack in clothes, nonetheless they were simple compared to the rich people.
"Sir, are you the owner of this place?"
"Yes, why ask, don't tell me you are one of those ingrates who wants to force me out? This place is my son inheritance, I will not give it away in any shape and form! Over my dead body!"
Fayrene who heard, the old man response walked to grab into Mathias right hand, suggesting him on a private message to not disturb the old man too much, and not follow up with his questions. Yet, Mathias wasn't on the same page on this one, and choose to follow his guts and inquire more about the old man situation.
"Sir, I fully understand your concern, but from what I can see your conditions and living situation is precarious. Your son, where he is?"
"It doesn't concern you. The more you ask me about those circumstances, the more I tend to believe you are one of those sharks who want my property."
Hearing the old man say that, Mathias maintained his calm, and glancing around using two Red Energy sparrows to observe the building that looked more akin to a stable with an extension where a rundown house was situated, which made Mathias feel slightly bad for the old man who was living under such conditions, and clearly strained by his age by now.
"Sigh, gramps, I really could give two shits about this dump of yours so calm down first. You seem quite weak, maybe slightly sick. Since when did you have a decent meal?"
"Hmph, are you trying some schemes to have me lower my guard? Kids nowadays are quite shrewd l tell you." remarked the old man, still suspicious of why Mathias even bothered to talk with him.
"Sir, I will be honest, your property apart from being the way it is, offers a relatively good location for what me and my partner want to build, but since you cut all the strings to having such a conversation, I abandoned that thought. Right now, I am simply curious about you, since you look rather weak, signs of not eating properly or being sick. Do you want to eat something?"
"So you aren't after my house? What do you want for food? I will not give you my dogs since they are like my little grandsons."
"I want nothing from you old man, it just sickens me seeing you like that. Come, let me pass so I can give you some food."
Saying that, Mathias took Fayrene in his arms, and jumped over the wooden gate, landing next to Pliny, who was taken by surprise by how agile this young man was, making him say.
"Just like Harkal when he was younger."
"Did you say something, old man?" asked Mathias hearing the old man mumble something but not fully audible, and with this approach, he could see the old man better, he was frail and skinny, signs of malnourishment.
His eyes turned softer, especially when remembering all the teachings of his grandfather who explained to him, that whenever he would see an old person struggling, an old beggar, besides the first preconceptions that it was some drunk, a lost cause in life, to view it differently.
"Old man, let me help you to your house."
"No need, I can walk by myself just fine." rejected the old man with some stubbornness in himself, and even some pride, which started pissing off Mathias, later on wrapping his hand around the senior's shoulder, turning like a beam supporting the old.
The old man gave an angry comment, but he couldn't budge Mathias at all, even if he had a higher level than Mathias, because of his old age, and weakened state, he couldn't outpower Mathias who was brimming with Red Energy. On another hand Mathias who steadily without rushing arrived with the old man, Fayrene and the 3 dogs at the old house he scanned using his sparrows.
The old man turned rather silent, contemplating on this new changes going on with him.
Stepping inside the house, Fayrene used her Arcane Energy to light the dark house, surprising the old man, and what meet Fayrene and Mathias was a giant mess. It was unknown since when the house was cleaned, but this didn't affect the couple who just sighed.
In the time he was guiding the old man back home, Mathias told Fayrene about why he couldn't turn his back on this old man, and it was rather eye-opening for the young lady.
Mathias: Think about it Fay, what if this old person was your grandfather, living in such conditions. Sure, you might think he isn't a relative and has nothing to do with you, but I was taught to not give my back to the elderly in such cases.
Mathias: I might not be able to help everyone, since I am just one person limited by many things, but for those that I can help, I will extend my hand, especially to those deserving. I have a feeling that the old man has been abandoned by his family or they went separated by death, with his family leaving him alone.
@Fayrene: Please, don't talk about those dark things. You know I can't handle it. Do you want me to cook something?
Mathias: Please do so. Do you have the utensils and food?
@Fayrene: Since I learned to use this system thingy, I have placed a lot of things there in the poach.
Fayrene took an oil lamp from her inventory bag placing it on a dusty table, and later on using her magic she did some cleaning enough that she made space to arrange for a cooking station, making the old man feel strange with those two youngsters who without even being blood-related extended their hand to help him in his dire hour.
On another hand while the gorgeous lady was cleaning around his mess, the young man beside him extended his right hand that shone with a gentle Red Aura that he touched his dirty forehead. Following that gesture moments later he felt a warm sensation in his chest, turning his body hot before he felt certain pains he was fighting against diminishing ever so slightly.
"Boy, what witchery have you done to me? My back pain and neck pain got easier on me."
"Nothing much, just some treatment for a senior. Will you talk to me now without rejecting my honestly? My partner will prepare the food immediately, and until then we can talk. Talking with someone is the easiest way of clearing one's concerns."
"Hah, what weird children. You clearly aren't from Titan, correct?"
"Well, you are right on that. How do you know?"
"Why even ask? Those so-called neighbors couldn't wait to get their hands on my property after I die, and would rather see me die, early. But I try hanging on, waiting for my son to return, and pass everything to him."
"I see, since when was the last time you've seen or talked with your son? Letter or whatever form."
"Sigh, lad, my son is a Red Knight. I am sure he has been unable to return to Titan because of the wars he has to fight against the enemy races. But to give you a concrete answer the last time I talked with him was two years ago."
"What a surprise. Wait, you really mean it, two years ago?"
"Yea, you looked rather conflicted, boy. What is wrong? Could it be that my feeling was right, that something unthinkable happened to Harkal?"
"Two years ago was the persecution of Duke Welf, the Leader of the Red Knights. I don't know if you are aware, but every knight that aligned with Duke Welf has been deemed traitor to the Crown and since then have been marked as high criminals deserving capital punishment."
Saying that he swiftly regretted being this direct and touching the back of the old man, he could feel him tremble, and to save his sorry ass from talking too much, he remarked.
"Nevertheless sir, it is still unknown if your son is one of them, if he is dead or alive. Yet it is always good to think positively until proven wrong."
"That's right, lad. How could my son be dead after I raised him into a powerful knight."
"Indeed, sir. However, they are still in danger because the Emperor didn't recall his stupid act of deeming those people into criminals. So you have to stay strong and healthy if you want to pass this inheritance of yours to him."
"How? I am an old man. My body can no longer work from day to night as it used to be. I can no longer raise horses, guide people into riding. The portions I have are over since last 3 days, lucky that those three puppies have brought me some trash to eat, otherwise I would be dead by now."
Fayrene who arrived with a steaming soup after Mathias kept on talking with old Pliny, until he received a quest from the system which was rather soothing for his soul.
[Ding]
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[Help Pliny survive until meeting his son.]
Difficulty: Secret
Pliny, the father of a Red Knight who has been deemed a traitor, is awaiting his son's return to pass his inheritance, but to no avail. The son never returned or gave signs of life that would soothe the mind of the aged elder.
Nevertheless, the elder remains headstrong in his desire and convictions and refuses to pass without having a last meeting with his son.
Quest Clear Conditions: Assist Pliny in meeting his son Harkal
Quest Rewards: Unknown
Quest Failure: Nonexistent
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It was a Secret Graded quest that appeared to Mathias and Fayrene alike who was cooking the vegetable soup, and for the first time being placed in the foot of a player who had to clear quests. It filled her with all sorts of thoughts and emotions, that she learned to manage.
In due time, when she arrived with the food, the old man with the first spoon was brought to tears, eating without commenting, only at times glancing at the couple that gave him a warm look.
"Youngsters, are you still interested in building your Workshop here? I am willing to lend you the stable, but not sell it, just rent. Little Mathias, you remarked you are no longer interested in my hogsty, but what would you say now?"
"Haha, it seems you are food motivated. Just that bowl of soup was enough to make you progress so much? Darling, fill him another bowl, maybe we can have him sell the place."
"Don't you dare! I told you, this property is my son's inheritance."
Both Fayrene and Mathias began chuckling at the reaction the old man had, and with the young man's pats, dismissing such claims, Pliny felt better knowing it was just a joke.
"What's the change of mind, old Pliny? Weren't you against even thinking of letting others touch this place?"
Scratching his old dirty hair and beard slightly embarrassed, Pliny mentioned to Mathias.
"I was thinking while you opened about the reason you approached my place, that workshop of yours. You could make my estate look better, and it would look better when Harkal returns and sees that his old man didn't die starving."
"Ohh, quite the old fox. Before striking this deal, one question."
"..."
"We will have to renovate that stable, which means most of the insides will be removed entirely. Being aware of that, would you still accept it?"
"Arghh, I guess no one wants an old run-down stable. Fine, but with the condition, you don't touch the outside too much."
"Deal."