A boy sat by the windowstill in a dorm filled with slience.
Looking at the campus spread out in the horizon, he could not help but feel as if this was all a dream. It has been two days since he left his middle school behind to come here.
The first day of school went without fuss. No one knew about his past. In fact, he was treated like a normal student, something he had not experience in a long long time.
“Finally, I could experience some proper schoollife.”
That, of course, was talking about his previous school, in which his father is the principal. With the shadow of his father looming behind him, everyone dared not tread on his toes.
Such isolation, for him, was the worst.
Now, he was determined to live like any student would do. A proper school life.
“Master Ian, the parcel has arrived.”
The peace in the dormitory is broken by a mechnical voice. The origin of the voice was a 3 foot tall female android, dressed in a maid uniform.
The name of that android was Ein, one of the boys inventions. It could be called the world’s first self-aware android. Frankly, it was a pleasant surprise for the boy when the android began to talk to him.
The boy shifted his view towards the parcel laid by the doorstill. A 6-foot long object laid within. That object, was a VRMMORPG machine called <>.
Shifting his weight off the chair, he moved towards the parcel. Step by step, he lifted the delicate object off the floor and brought it to the side of his four poster bed. Without fuss, and without hurry, he torn of the wrapping bit by bit. As the <> was slowly revealed, the boy felt his throat constricted.
A glossy black casing covered the delicate machinery encase within the <>. In the front, a picture of the unicorn was engraved on. Unicorn Corps. At the side, a row of buttons, labled with cues for easy usage, allowed the user access even in the capsule. Most of all, it was the lush inner coverings of the <>, made of pure velvet, that gripped him. How…how expensive this capsule must be?!
“It seems that this capsule is the Black Omicrom Version. It is rumoured that only 50000 capsules is ever made. Looks like your father made a adjustment to the order.”
The boy made a “tsk” sound as he run his hands over the machine. Even someone without much technical expertise like him could see the complexity of the machine. Suppressing his rising distaste at having to own his father a favour, he slowly lowered his body into the <>.
His entire body sunk into the capsule. A floating sensation overwhelm him. One of the benefits of the Black Omicrom Capsule is its inner lining, which ensures that the user is not distrubed by anyone while gaming.
Taking a deep breath, he positioned his body according to the instructions. Steadying his heart, he called out:
“Link Start!”
And the world faded into darkness.
----
A nexus of violent colors exploded in his vision.
Voices in a thousand tongues played in his ears.
Taste of a multitude of favors bursted in his mouth.
And his nose, smelled smells indescribable.
“You are a new player. Register?”
“Yes…”
Ian was overwhelmed. He was drowning in senses, many which he never felt before. He did no thought that one could be drunk on senses. But, now, he is.
Then, as quick as it began, it stopped.
He felt solid ground under his feet. Looking around, he saw that he was in the reception room of a hotel. Push chairs, chandeliers, scenery, paintings, all the things seen in a typical hotel are seen here.
In one corner, standing motionlessly, was a waiter. A piece of cloth covered his face, but from what the boy could see, the waiter was a young men in his twenties.
The waiter, as if sensing his gaze, gestured towards a screen. In the screen, the boy could see himself reflected within, as naked as the day he was born.
The boy could feel his face turning red. Looking at the waiter, he opened his mouth to ask a question.
Only to see the waiter say one line.
“Character Creation.”
“Oh…”
The boy said cynically. What? Do you think I don’t know such a simple thing? The boy scolded in his mind. The question he wanted to ask was how they knew how he looked naked, not what is was about.
Shaking his head in annoyance, he erased the waiter from his mind. From now on, he resolved to ignore the waiter no matter what.
First thing he did was to walk around the empty reception hall. Peeking in the reception desk, looking around flower pots, even trying to take the painting off to look of safes, all those childish things he did. And he continued to do them. On and on, on and on.
His reward, however, was watching the waiter get more and more annoyed. Murderous intent seem to seep out of him as he stared at the boy without pause.
Oh? When he is going to snap? The boy hid his glee as he watch the waiter rapidly approach the limit. Bit by bit, the waiter was getting pissed.
“Are you playing Royal Road or are you playing a Spot-the-Clue game?!”
“Oh? Hello, is this Unicorn Corps? Yes, yes, one of your employees just abused me. You should know what will happen if I complain right? I recorded everything down. Compensation? Really? Hmm…how about you give me a special skill? Gee…thanks!”
The boy smiled at the waiter, who collapse on the ground in a pile.
“Thanks.”
Saying that, he strolled over to the screen.
----
“<
The boy almost puked at the cutesy voice just blasted in his ears. Looking in front, he saw a real life model of himself standing there. A set of controls materialized around his hands, each controlling a feature of the body.
“Hmm…make this bigger…make this longer…yes…activate the <
“R-18 content is restricted to under 18’s!”
“What? I can’t mess with that? Nooo…screw you!”
This continued on for a long time, with repeated blarings of “Immaturity”, “Too gross”, “Please be considerate of the possible truma of other players from seeing this.”. Finally, after an epic battle of boy vs AI, the boy finally transformed himself into his ideal character.
“Name: Xin Nexuslight, God of Death!”
Before him stood a pale young man, with a lock of lushious black hair. His eyes are a shade of purple, with dark colored lips. A hint of black can be seen at the side of his eyes. His finger had a certain type of delicacy, as if was a maiden hands.
All in all, the man did not look like a man nor a woman. Was this an example of transgender?
The boy did not care for such things. After christening the avatar made by his own hands, he felt himself getting sucked into the avatar.
The boy was no more, and Xin Nexuslight, God of Death, was born.
My idea of how Xin looks like:
http%3a%2f%2ffc01.deviantart.net%2ffs70%2fi%2f2011%2f0...3b6ct5.jpg [http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/067/7/5/god_of_death_2_by_daotrang91-d3b6ct5.jpg]
----
A purple comet descent over the night sky of Versailles. There are talks of it being a secret quest, but this was quickly thought to be false after nothing happened for a few days. As a result, the comet became nothing more than a oddity in the history of Versailles.
----
When Xin opened his eyes, he was standing in the middle of a busy town square. The town square was surrounded on all parts by merchants fighting to get thier goods sold. Seeing a unfamillar face appear, a bunch of merchant rushed forward.
“Hey, do you want this potion? It is very cheap, only 5 coppers!”
“Buy this rabbit pelt! It will help you survive!”
“Look at this cool sculpture! It can provide you with benefits!”
Xin grimanced in disgust. Looking down on all of them, he spoke in a haughty tone.
“Get out of my way.”
The next moment, the merchants, as if they are struck by lightning, moved out of the way in shock. Xin may not realise it, but his looks gave him a air of nobility. Even when he is dressed in nothing more than rags, he still pose a intimidating air.
“Skill <
“Tsk!” Xin strolled from his starting location without hurry after he noticed the people staring at him. Following that little show, he felt it is the best to get out as soon as possible.
Only until he was out of the sight of the merchants did he breath a sigh of relief. He did not meant to show his true colors that easily. It seems that he got a little conceited after he got into the world.
Looking around, he realised that he is currently in a backalley of a shop. Then, the realism of the game struck Xin. Every piece of trash, including the adominable smell, was reproduced perfectly. Xin was in no mood to admire though. The backalley smelled of trouble.
He hasten his footsteps. Backtracking his way out of the alley, he rejoined the main crowd as soon as he can. However, the moment he stepped into the crowd, everyone’s eyes are on him.
At this moment, Xin was regretting making his character too……obvious.
“Arghh…damn!”
He did not falter as he moved step by step towards his destination with faked nonchalance. He could not turn and run now. He must not fear.
“Gained +2 <
He felt the air around him change a little. Now, it seems easier to move through the crowd. His footstep got a heavier and he walked with his back a little straighter.
His final destination was infront of him. A tavern that says <
That was how it works according to the website anyways.
When he stepped into the cavern, slience reign over all of its customers.
“Is he a NPC?”
“No…look at his clothes. He is a beginner.”
“But to have such a character…”
“How much time did he spent on it?”
Hushed whispers came from all sides as he became a topic of discussion. Well, he could be talk about for all he cared. He need his equipment.
“Shopkeeper, come over here for a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Username:Xin, Item ID: 8489389, Aesilis Ex Hiastol.”
“Aesilies Ex Hiastol. Here is your time.”
The tavern owner took out the item from beneath his table as if he had expected him to arrive. With a touch from Xin, the item vanished. On his neck, a new rosary appeared. At his waist, hanged a blood red rapier. Looking at each item carefully, satisfied that nothing is wrong, he quickly left the tavern.
He did not leave without notice though. Not everyone in the tavern was kind enough to let a beginner carrying what looks like expensive items around go free. Especially a dumbass who equips it immediately.
Xin held the rapier <
“However, giving it some practice would be good though. I heard that there was a Beginner Training Center right?”
Xin looked to the far off building in the distance. With a thin smile, he headed towards there. How long has it been since he praticed fencing?
----
The instructor was bored. Everyday, everytime, he looked at a simillar scene. Beginners hitting at manniquients, shooting at manniquents, punching at manniquents…sigh…it was a sight anyone can get bored off.
He still remembered that a long time ago, he had once being one of the Five Generals of this kingdom; <
Gazing at the door in disinterest, he saw a pale young man enter. The young man had eyes of a deepest shade of purple and walked with a air of nobility. Sensing something interest was about to happen, he looked on intently at what the young man was about to do.
Only to see him draw his blood red rapier and pierce the mannequin right through its throat.
Blood spilled forth from the mannequin as the young man retracted his blade. The blade was stained with blood from the mannequin. The young men gave a satisfied smile at seeing the result. With another slash, the mannequin was cut into half.
“What…”
The mannequin should be immpossible for a beginner to destory. It is made to withstand even the most deadly of attacks. Yet, with one strike, he cut the mannequin in half.
No…something is wrong…there should not be any blood in the mannequin. Where did the blood come from?
Everyone in the training hall was shocked the next moment when the young man scooped a handful of blood. And drunk it all.
Then, someone screamed.
Right now, the young man truly looked like a devil.
----
After drinking the blood, Xin smiled in delight. Looks like what he guessed was right. Drinking blood indeed increased the effect of the Rosary. Right now, the cut he made on his arm before he came in is already gone. His <
Looking around, he was surprise to see everyone looking at him. What is wrong?
Just then, a sword swung directly towards him. He jumped back on reflex before thrusting forward. The rapier slice through air as the person holding the sword retreated.
“Ho…you are quite good.”
The next slash came faster than before. Xin could barely avoid the blade. However, he took the moment to slash at the person waist.
A series of high speed slashed passed between them. Xin was barely holding on, but each slash was weakening him considerably. <
“Damn…I am losing.”
It has been so long since he had been pushed to the brink. However, Xin refused to give up. He still had the pride of a champion to uphold.
The high speed exchange does not seem to be stopping soon. Left…right…up…down, he was blocking all of them based on instinct alone.
He planned to hang on as long as possible. As if the both of them had entered a unspoken truce, as both of them did not use skills. Right now, their footwork, thurst and slashes are all based on pure skill.
Finally, the battle ended. The blade of the young man lied a far distance away, as the instructors blade pressed against his throat. Normally, Xin would have ignore this and continued attacking, but his <
“<
“Skill <
“Skill <
“You are good for a beginner. Looks like you have skills. How about I make you a offer? I am bored of this training hall. Why don’t you become my disciple.”
“<
Xin felt into slience. A brooding atmosphere fell over the entire training hall.
Then, he laughed. He laughed loud and hard.
“Your disciple? I accept. But one day, I shall defeat you. Remember today!”
“You have accepted <
“You have challenged <
“Fine! I await that day.”
Xin moved away as the blade left his throat. Reaching for his rapier, he slid it back into its sheath. Once again, he moved towards the pool of blood from the mannequin. His rosary dipped into the blood as he kneeled down beside it.
“<<100 HP>> recovered.”
Standing up, he looked at his new master.
“So? What do you plan to do with this disciple of yours?”
----
“What I am about to show you is the <
Right now, the both of them are standing in the courtyard, weapon in hand. Nexus — a rapier, Darius - a longsword.
The next moment, Darius began to move in a series of movements. Each movement was akin to a gust of wind blowing, making it impossible to see properly.
Each movement combined with the other in seemly random patterns, making it impossible to predict.
“The <
“<
“Sure.”
He raised his rapier and copied what Darius was doing. For some reason, he instinctively knew how to do each move when Darius shown him. After going through all the movements, Darius looked at him and asked, “Can you remember all of them?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, get ready.”
Without warning, Darius attacked him again.
When his rapier was once again knocked off from his hand, Xin scowled at Darius in irritation.
“What the heck? Why are you attacking me? Aren’t you suppose to be my master or something?”
“Hmm…you see, I don’t really know how to be a master. The whole reason I wanted to make you my disciple was because it was too boring just sitting there being a instructor of the training hall. You know, I was really glad when you challenged me and all, but you don’t need to worry cause I would be beating you everyday.”
“So I am just your sandbag?”
“Come on, be more respectful! I am your master after all. Pick up your sword.”
And thus began the string of beatings from the failure of a instructor who taught him nothing aside from a footwork.
----
“Damn that old geezer!”
The boy got up from the capsule in annoyance. For the pass 4 hours, he was beaten yet and yet again by that old instructor. The only good thing that came up of it was that his <
Looking the clocked placed nearby, the boy realised it had only been close to 3 hours since he logged into <
“Sigh…I don’t really feel like going down, but…”
He did not want a repeat of what happen in his previous school where he had no friends at all.
Wearing his black overcoat, he leaved his dorm room. As the door closes behind him, a voice sounded from his android Ein.
“—missio-n suc-c-ess-ful. t-ar-get no-w in Ki-ngdo-m of F-reyi. ta-rge-t d-id not n-otice an-yth-ing.”
----
The boy sat in one the chairs along the fringes of the canteen. Looking at the people coming down for dinner from the dorms, the boy gave a sigh of content.
He was planning to just sit there quitely, looking at the crowd while chewing on his burger, but he was rudely intterupted. By a nosy individual dressed in red.
“Hey, can I sit here? There are no places left.”
The boy gave a glance at the canteen. It is true that there is no place left to sit. Nodding his head in consent, he continue to chew his burger.
However,
“Guys! I found a place to sit!”
The boy choked on his burger. Turning his head around in shock, he saw another two more people approach the sit. Oh my, how am I suppose to eat the burger in peace now? The boy lamented in his heart. It was his antisocial personality rearing its head again.
“Leo, who is this guy sitting here?”
So the boy is called Leo?
“He was the kind samanthatrian that gave his sit to us.”
“Oh…what is your name?”
Mmm…the burger is delicious…wait?! Is he talking to me?
“Ian…my name is Ian…”
“Ian, nice to meet you, I am Nico!”
“And I am Soleil.”
The boy took a good look at both of them. One of them was a dressed in a blue cardigan. His blonde hair was spiking up, giving him a wild look. A contrast to his finely cut features that look like those of an aristocat.
The girl beside looked completely alike to the boy, abeit a more femine version. Her hair was tied in a twin ponytail, cascading down her. Her demeanor was like that of the sun. A bright and sunny appearance, that was the best description.
Are they siblings? The boy looked at both of them in confusion.
“In case you are wondering, they are siblings.”
Leo helpfully chipped in.
Nico took the seat right next to the boy while Soleil took the seat next to Leo. The boy looked on at Leo and Soleil suspiciously. Is there something going on?
“And yes, Soleil is my girlfriend.”
No wonder. So it is a case of a overprotective brother accompanying his sister on a date?
Before the table sinked in slience, Nico kickstarted the conversation.
“Hey Leo, did you manage to complete that quest of yours?”
Quest? Don’t tell me…
“Of course. With Soleil help, killing the boss in the dungeon was easy!”
Leo said that while rubbing Soleil head. Soleil pouted at Leo in annoyance before adding on.
“Hmph! Without me, you would died a hundred times already!”
“Sure…sure…you are the best Soleil.”
Nico leaned towards the boy in a conspiratorially.
“It did not even take them one minute to start flirting once more…”
The boy could only nod his head in agreement at the scene before him rapidly evolved in a romantic direction.
“How could you even stand this?”
“I don’t. The only reason I am here is to make sure they don’t go overboard. If they don’t, I usually just pretend that I am invisble.”
“Ha…ahahha…that is very bad right? I mean, we are still young…”
“Yes, that is what it should have been, but <
“Beyond your age huh? Hmmm…”
“What are you guys speaking about?!”
Soleil seems to have heard what they are whispering about. This is further solidified by her blushing.
“Speaking of which, Ian, it seems you play <
“Yeah. I just started recently though…”
“That is great! Where are you? I just started recently too. We could form up a party with Soleil!”
“Ermm…I still have not pass the 3 week lockdown yet.”
“Oh…thats too bad. Nico, that reminds me. Where have you been? I could not contact you at all in-game.”
“…Lean over here. I am currently doing a A-rank quest for Hermes Guild. In one of the Forbidden Zones.”
Everyone’s eyes when O.O when they heard what Nico said. The Forbidden Zones are legendary for being deathtraps. No one had manage to explore it without suffering huge casualties.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Don’t worry…I would not die so easily. Plus, I am not the only one there. I still have my party members. Aside from that, Ian, I have a piece of advice for you. The first 3 weeks are important. They are what seperate the good players from the bad. In this 3 weeks, make full use of it.”
----
“Make full use of it…”
The boy was lying on his bed after bidding goodbye to Leo and company.
“Does getting beaten up by Darius counts as making good use of the 3 weeks? No matter, I guess I would just continue till I beat him.”
----
The next day, Xin opened his eyes in the courtyard. In his hands, he still held the rapier.
The sun was currently shining overhead, turning the courtyard into a burning furnace. Just ahead, Xin could see Darius swing a massive sword in a series of patterns.
Each swing seems to carve apart the very air itself apart. The sheer force of the attack causes the very courtyard itself to tremble.
Is this Darius true power? Interesting.
Xin step forward in a dash, activating one of <
“<
The rapier was thrust forward with unnatural speed, aim directly for Darius’s throat.
“Fool!”
Darius swung his sword at the attack instinctively. The moment the rapier contacted the blade, Xin was blown away.
“Baam!”
A human-sized hole appeared in the Beginner Training Center.
“What the heck! That is too powerful!”
Xin crawled out of the hole, looking quite pitful in his current state. His clothes are all in rags and his rapier was bent in an unnatural angle.
“Of course. Even if that attack was executed perfectly, your base strength is still too weak. Don’t forget, you are still untrained. Don’t worry though. I though of a perfect way to make your stronger so I can have more fun.”
“…What way?”
“Fighting, of course. However, you would not be fighting me. Rather, you would be fighting everyone in the training hall. I just promised the person that beat you a rare equipment. Just about now, everyone would have heard of the news. If you want to walk up in one piece, you better get ready.”
“Fuck…damn!”
One of the hopefuls have already reached the courtyard.
“Die!”
Swinging his sword at him in a haphazard manner, the beginner tried to hit him. However…
“Screw off!”
“<
Xin thrust his sword right into the beginners chest. With that attack, he regain a little health due to the <
“All of you assholes, come at me!”
Xin shout out in defiance as the rest of the beginners decided to bum rush him in a horde.
“<
<
Blood spilled over the courtyard in streams as Xin and the beginners enter a tussle. One by one, the beginners shattered into polygons as Xin attack. Be it the overwhelming skill or the overwhelming weapon, the beginners stood no chance.
However, the beginners have number on their sides. Besides, not everyone was without skill. Bit by bit, Xin was pushed to the brink. <
Finally, it was reduce to two people against Xin. One of them was a warrior equipping a polearm and a swordsmen with a longsword.
“What a monster…that weapon and skill…! Hey, swordsmen, lets go two on one. We will decide who the reward goes too later.”
“Sure…”
Xin did not speak a word. Right now, his health was at an absolute low. He gripped his rapier harder and slipped into one of <
Burning all of his mana in one shot, he beckoned for them to come.
Two of them rushed towards Xin.
“<
“<
The two of them unleashed their most powerful moves at him. Xin stepped with one foot forward. And then the next. Faster and fater he moved, each step becoming a blur. At the point of intersection, he spun. Like a tempest, he spun his sword with a destructive force far beyond his level.
“HAAAAAAH!”
Two wounds appeared simultaneously on the two warriors. Both of them, slowly crumple to the ground before shattering into pieces.
“Finally, it is over.”
“You have completed challenge <
“Gain Level +5”
<
A skill that allows the user to exude a aura that dimishes the fighting sprit of everyone in the vicinity. Gained from facing multiple opponents without fear.
Drains 5 MP/s, lowers everyone morale by 10% and damage by 15%
“Looks like you survive. Hmmm…should I give you the equipment them?”
Darius spoke to him with an eyebrow raised. A helmet materialised in his hand and he threw it over.
“That is the <
“Gained <
<
A helm once wore by a champion of a god. Gains the wielder 20% increase to base speed and +10 dexterity. Gains the skill <
“That equipment is a rare equipment that bestows upon the user a skill. The <
When Xin equipped the helm, a circlet of sliver appeared on his forehead. Two wings line the side of the circlet. A string of arcane words are engrave along the circlet.
The circlet shone for a moment, before Xin dissapeared.
And appear behind Darius with his rapier shotting towards him.
“Die, you piece of shit.”
“Sigh…how useless.”
Darius stomp his foot onto the ground. The shockwave from his stomp repelled Xin once more and he crashed onto the wall. Another human-sized hole appeared on the wall.
“Now, we are done with the first step of your training to get stronger. As you can see, you are still weak. However, the next part should give you a chance.”
“What are you trying to get me to do again?”
“Nothing, just that I need you to go meet this few people.”
Saying that, he passed Xin a list.
Gabriel Snowwind, High General
Mary Viendela, Court Magician
Rachel Darksin, Archer
“Now, go.”
“Go f@ck yourself.”
----
Gabrield Snowwind, High General:
“Hmm…someone sent by Darius? So who is the unlucky bastard huh? Oh, he is Darius disciple? That is great. Time you pay me back, Darius. Heheheh…”
Xin felt shivers down his spine as he sat in the waiting room of the barracks. After a while sitting in the stifling room, a imposing person entered the room.
He was more than 190cm tall, towering over everyone. His face was full of scars, memorial of fights long passed. On his back carried a sword more massive than Darius. Without pause, upon seeing him, the sword came crashing down on him.
“What the heck?!”
“Oh, so you have some skills. Good, I still need you alive to repay the debts your master left behind.”
“Debts? Don’t tell me…F@CK!”
Before he could so much as run, Gabriel grabbed to his sleeve.
“Don’t you dare run. The moment you move, I will kill you.”
That was how Xin found himself cleaning the barracks for the troops.
Frankly speaking, cleaning the barracks was no easy task. Cleaning the barracks involve ordering all the army supplies, a terrible demanding physical task. Yet somehow, Gabriel manage to make it so that he is the only one doing such manual duty for the entire barracks.
Within the span of a single day, he was forced to clean the entire barracks of all the filth. Before he knew it, he was collapsed on the ground panting.
“I…am…going to die…”
“No, you would not. Now, get up and help my soldier spar.”
“What…fuck you…you asshole.”
“Go.”
Xin was hauled to the training grounds and thrown into the squirming mass of flesh and sweat.
“Boys, this is your new training partner. Now, why don’t we give him the usual ‘welcome’?”
“Yes General!”
With that, poor Xin was left in a pit of tigers. Tigers who are eagerly looking down on their prey.
----
Xin was trapped. He had nowhere to go. On all sides, soldier surrounded him. He is unable to escape no longer. There is only one ending left.
Xin brought his rapier to his heart. Reading himself, he slide the sword towards his heart.
“I rather die than submit!”
“Like you can.”
Tha massive sword impaled itself between him and his rapier.
Gabriel voice resonated in everyone’s ears.
“I will give you a chance. If you can beat my soldiers in combat for 10 consecutive fights, you would be free. If not, heheheheheh…you will get a taste of what your master did to me…”
“I accept. However, you better give up now. To protect my chasity, I would beat all of you.”
“Go on and try. Who wants to try first. The person who beats him gets a promotion!”
“Me! I will trash him!”
A big and burly guys stood out first. On his hand, he held a mace of ginormous size. Looking at Xin, he smile and taunted.
“Boy, you best give up now. I am <
Sounds like what a cheesy villian will say. No matter, he is dead anyways. Xin smiled at the foolishness of the first victim as he rushed forth.
…
After 5 rounds of muscle-headed idiots, Xin was getting bored.
Is everyone here brainless? Is it?
Xin removed his sword once more from the bleeding wound of the soldier. As much as he tried to avoid casualities, two of the soldiers have already suffered grevious wounds.
Looking on at the rest, he beckoned for another soldier to come up. Grinning at Gabriels gradually worsen mood, he readied his rapier once more.
…
The 10th and final round.
It was this round where Xin was throughly beaten.
As he lied in the pool of blood gathering by his feet, he once again look up. At the girl who beaten him.
“I admit you are good, but you are bounded by your own weak body.”
Says the person who powered through his guard with pure brute strength.
“Now, admit your defeat.”
I did not want to use this but I still have my pride to uphold. Sorry.
“Will you lay down your sword?”
“In your dreams.”
Xin has planned this long before the match started. When the rival stands gloating over him, is when he will strike. The next moment, he was already behind the girl, rapier to her throat.
“Now, would you surrender?”
Xin voice made it clear that he could kill her without hestitation. Looking at Gabriel face turning to ash, he could just about guess the relationship between Gabriel and the girl.
So they are father and daughter, huh? I could use this to free myself.
“Gabriel, let me go and I shall leace your daughter unharmed. Refuse, and you shall never see her again. I am a Freeman, she is not.”
Xin is implicitly telling Gabriel that he cannot die while his daughter can.
Faced with such a choice, Gabriel had to give up.
“Fine, you pass! Damn it, what kind of monster has Darius sent me! I am suppose to test you and train up your strength. Yet you when on and trashed all my soldiers. How am I ever suppose to face my troops again?”
“Train me? Explain.”
“Darius wanted me to let you train with this soldiers and improve your strength by combat. However, you beat all of them with your strategies. Wait…there is one person you did not beat with your strategies. Yes! Xin, I give you a choice now. You can choose to leave or stay. If you stay, you would be trained ‘specially’. If not, you can go on. But free my precious!”
“Daddy, shut up! I don’t need you to free me. Let go, you freak!”
Xin was elbowed in the gut by the girl infront of him. He kneel over in pain the next instant as he was assault by waves of pain.
Damn…that fucking brute strength…
“Wait…I change my mind. Looks like you have no choice anymore. You are staying here.”
“…”
What comes around goes around… If only had Xin surrendered then...
----
“Die, you fucking asshole!”
Once again, Xin learned the unreasonableness of the Kaede brute strength. His guard was once again foil by the sheer force in which she broke through.
“Weak…”
“Not everyone has strength like yours! Is your mother a troll or something…”
“What did you say?”
A foot came flying towards his face with such force that Xin flew away before the foot even touched his face. Slamming against the wall of the training ground, Xin coughed out a glob of blood.
Kaede stared at Xin without a trace of remorse. Dressed in a uniform reminiscent of a Roman legionary, together with her well-defined features, she looked like a Goddess of War. However, her shitty personality and bad temper destroyed all vestige of holiness.
Flinging her lustrous red hair backwards, she grabbed the collar of Xin tunic. Pressing him against the wall of training ground, she spoke to him with barely veiled menace.
“The next time you speak about my mother is the time you die. I don’t care if you are a Freeman or not. I will kill you again and again until your soul is destoryed. Understand?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“Now pick up your rapier. I still haven’t got enough of beating you for threatening my father.”
Xin could not disagree. Picking up his rapier with a sigh, he resolve himself to face hell.
…
A right dash again…
Xin began to figure out the pattern in which Kaede is attacking in.
She does not attack according to any set pattern or strategy, instead relying on brute force to force her way through any guide.
However, there are certain habits which she would show before she attack. Such as always dashing before attacking with a vertical slice.
She probably does not realise it, but it is getting easier to read her moves
It is time for Xin to make his move now. Grasping the rapier with both hands, Xin dashed forward too.
If Kaede was surprised by his action, she did not show it. Instead, she continue her attack.
Such blind faith in her strength…
Suddenly, Xin dissapeared from view.
He had crouched down, rolled to the side, and used his rapier to slice the heels of Kaede just as she swung her blade. Before she knew it, a blinding pain from her feet forced her to kneel down. Kaede felt the cold steel of Xin rapier against her neck.
“Strength isn’t everything.”
“Yes it is, you loser.”
Mustering her strength, Kaede pressed against the ground with her hands, lauching herself backwards. The hoof of her heels landed exactly on Xin’s stomach as he crumpled over into a heap.
“If it was a real battle you would have died already…”
Xin squeezed out the words from between his agonize gasp.
“If it was a real battle, I would not be dressed like this. Your moved would not have worked at all.”
“Hmph…if it was a real battle, I would have done this!”
Xin jumped forward and grabbed Kaede before she could react. Remember all the martial art videos he had once watch out of curiosity, he grappled Kaede into a submission position.
“There are ways to render that strength useless, Kaede.”
“Get off me!”
Just then, Gabriel happened to walk into the training center.
“Xin…have you understood the way to combat…WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY DAUGHTER?!!”
It was then Xin realised that his position was really wrong. He was pressing onto Kaede from behind as she lied on the floor. The both of them were grunting from the exertion as Xin tried to keep her from escaping. From a outsider pespective, it could be seen as something else entirely.
Which is of course what a overprotective father saw…
“DIE!!!!”
A massive sword cleaved towards Xin as Xin hurriedly freed himself from the position.
…
After being chased around by a massive gorilla of a man with a huge sword, Xin finally collapsed from exhaustion.
“Wait…before you kill me…let me explain…”
“Too late. Explain to me when you are reborn.”
The sword stabbed towards his stomach without hestitation.
Kaede, who was watching this show with amusement, interceeded at this exact moment.
Stopping the blade of the sword with one hand, Kaede spoke to her father with an even tone.
“Father, even though this beast of a man wanted to take advantage of my chasity…”
What? Chasity? Look at yourself! Do you even have what it takes to be a woman in the first place?
“Killing him would do nothing. Instead, I propose we drag him along in the next <
Do you hate me or something? Bait? Fuck that!
“That is a good idea. Xin, I shall spare your live. However, I don’t think it would be worth much considering you would be dead tommmorow anyways. Enjoy your first death.”
…
Xin just had about enough.
----
The next time Xin logged on, he was chained to a post with a huge 4 letter word pasted over it.
“B.A.I.T”
Looking around, he realise he was at the outskirts of town. Somehow, the fields have been evacuated of all beginners. Soldiers stand at ready in orderly rows, spears and swords equipped. Some adventures also gather, scattered in their own groups.
A pop-up appeared infront of him.
“Joined <
And with it came a short description of the strategy for <
Apparently, the strategy for the <
1) An unlucky piece of shit gets kicked into position of being a bait/sacrifice to lure the <
2) Ambush kills them all. Check if the unlucky piece of shit survives.
3) Rinse and repeat.
This was a method that allowed for maximum profits at minimal cost. Usually the bait will be some convicted criminal but now, it is Xin.
Xin’s job is very simple. Run. And don’t get killed.
Standing behind him was Kaede in full battle armor. She was correct. The move Xin did the last time would not work when she is in full armor.
“Are you ready, B, A, I, T?”
She place her sword at the neck of Xin.
“If you try to escape, we would shot you. If you refuse to move, I will kill you. If you survive, good for you. Now, go!”
Kaede gave Xin a big kick on the back as she unravelled the chains. Signalling for the rest of the troops to get into position, she looked on as Xin flew right over the hill ahead.
“Serves you right for defeating me.”
…
It was only after Xin landed face first in mud did he realise that his entire body is coated in a special scent.
A scent that smells suspiciously like meat.
Roasted meat.
Turning his head towards the back, he could see the silhouette of Kaede staring at him.
The message was clear: Move.
Resigning himself to fate, he turn his head the other way.
The forest ahead was showing signs of activity. Beast of all kinds are gathering at the edge of the forest, including wolvews, bears, foxes, lycans and all sorts of creatures.
As Xin take a tentative step towards the forest, more and more creatures gather. They are waiting to see what their prey will do.
Another step.
Xin thought he could see one predator licking its lips in trepitation.
Another step.
The atmosphere was becoming tense. The beast were starting to fidget.
Another step.
One of the wolves took a step forward and snarled.
Another step.
A huge commotion happened on the beasts side. A huge boar, many the times the size of a grizzly bear, with blood red fur and two tusk the size of a battering ram appeared.
“<
Another st…fuck it. Xin turned and ran.
And all hell break was unleashed.
…
Xin ran as if his life depended on it. Which is true because his life really depended on it. Everys single type of hell from the forest was on his heels right now, with the huge boar at the foremost.
“Damn you Kaede!!!!!!”
Xin ran like he never did. As he ran, numerous messages popped up infront of him.
“Learned skil <
“Gain +5 determination!”
“Gain +3 dexterity!”
“<
He felt lighter as the skill activated, fuelled by his desperation. He sprinted pass the ambush point and did not stop until Kaede stretch her arms infront of him.
“Baam!”
Xin slam right onto her arm and collapsed.
“Soldiers, stand at guard. Today, we shall bring back a huge haul!”
“YES SIR!”
“As for you,” pointing at Xin, “get ready for the next run.”
With that, Kaede readied her sword and jumped at the huge boar while the rest of the soldiers hacked at the beast.
Of course, Xin need to get something out of it too. Drawing his rapier, he proceed to stab at all the dying mobs on the pretense of “cleaning up the battlefield”. He tried to avoid the adventures though. The last time he tried last hitting, someone sent a fireball flying towards him.
Meanwhile, Kaede was challenging the boar one on one. With each hit, shockwaves can be seen over the battle. Hit by hit, she slowly pushed the boar back. Wings of flame unfurled behind her as she unleash a skill that cleaved the land in two.
Right now, she truly see like the Goddess of War.
Of course, some of the adventures, no doubt in hopes of gaining more reward points or such, helping her too, be it with blessings or the occasional magic spell.
There are no melee adventures present helping her as they are all dead.
Xin, on the other hand, had no desire to help.
He would just sit there and watch like a coward until the time comes.
----
The second part! Woo! Thanks for reading and please help me check for errors!