“Are we really going to do this?” Cole asked, anxiety lacing his voice. “It’s almost nightfall. We need to head to the church while we can still see the road. I don’t want to get lost with monsters lurking in the shadows, ready to take a bite out of me when I’m not looking.”
“Relax. We have plenty of time, and it’s a temple, not a church,” Eden replied, determination clear in his tone as he descended the rope.
This was their second descent using grappling hooks into the depths of a dark vault, the air thick with tension and the faint glow of garoba stones illuminating the damp stone walls. These underground chambers were once used as secret vaults to hide treasures, but Eden knew from past experiences that the clever and greedy had already stripped them bare.
The evidence of past exploits was everywhere—the gaping holes in the walls where garoba stones should have been stood testament to the treasure hunters who had come before. Yet Eden felt compelled to explore these depths, not for loot but to lay the groundwork for his true purpose. He needed to keep his party engaged, prevent them from becoming suspicious of his intentions.
“Empty,” Cole announced, his tone dripping with resignation.
“Yeah, but there was something significant here,” Mason said, rifling through the remnants of crates and debris.
“Bad luck. Let’s head back up. The third time’s better than the first two,” Eden said, his disappointment masked by determination. The venture hadn’t been entirely fruitless; he was only a few hundred experience points away from leveling up to Level 5 and unlocking the skills.
As twilight enveloped the sky, the party emerged from the ruins of what was once an enormous structure. The chilling shrieks of monsters echoed ominously through the air, sending shivers down their spines.
“They’re just communicating. Don’t panic,” Eden reassured them, scanning the darkening surroundings for threats.
“How can you be so sure?” Raul questioned, his unease palpable.
“I know monster language,” Eden quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Can we use the healing potion now? My wounds are stinging, and my HP is down to 39%,” Karas complained, clutching his side.
“We’re low levels. There’s no infection or risk of worsening injuries. Be a man and endure the pain. That potion can recover 20% of your total HP and even regrow a lost limb under level 5. It’s not necessary to waste it on this expedition,” Eden said firmly. “Now let’s keep moving.”
The sounds of the Tormented Disasters grew louder, their cries filling the air as night descended. The city buzzed with an unsettling energy, a living entity that thrummed with danger.
Turning left at an intersection, the scent of damp moss intensified, mingling with the chilling air. Eden estimated it was around four in the morning back on Earth, given the hours they had spent in Ahartohaim.
He wasn't entirely sure he would find what he sought in this city, but the memories of a past group of players who discovered a secret room echoed in his mind.
Worst-case scenario, I’ll have to wait longer to change my class, and I’ll miss the boost. I think I can live with that for—
His thoughts were abruptly cut off as two monsters crashed into the street a few meters away.
The party tensed, Karas and Maras raising their shields defensively, while Mason and North nocked arrows to their bows.
The Tormented Disasters paid them no heed, too consumed in their own vicious battle. They slashed and bit at each other, dark blood pooling on the stone slabs, staining the moss a deep purple.
“Is that actual blood?” North asked, his face pale.
“Yes, let’s move!” Eden urged, pushing forward despite the gruesome scene.
“Shouldn’t we wait for them to finish each other off?” Raul suggested hesitantly.
“We can’t linger here all night,” Eden replied, advancing toward the blood-soaked fray.
As he drew closer, he observed that the monsters were oblivious to his presence. Seizing the opportunity, he darted in behind one, thrusting his sword into its back. He missed the heart, but the creature reeled from the sudden attack.
The other monster, sensing an opening, lunged at its opponent, aiming to rip its throat out. Blood sprayed across the ground—and Eden—only to evaporate before it touched him, as if repelled by some unseen barrier.
With its adversary distracted, Eden swiftly plunged his sword into the heart of the first monster, claiming the EXP for the kill.
The surviving Tormented Disaster, now without its primary opponent, turned its fury on Eden. A wicked grin spread across Eden's face as he slashed its neck, dealing [ - 38 ] damage and rendering it [MUTE] for several precious moments.
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The monster flailed its long arms, aiming wild slashes at him, but Eden stepped in closer, plunging his sword deep into the monster's trunk. He felt the sting of its claws as it retaliated, inflicting [ - 14 ] and [ - 7 ] damage.
A basic fire attack landed on the monster’s head, a brilliant courtesy from Damian, who this time was ready to lend a hand. The monkey’s body disintegrated into a shower of sparkling light particles, leaving behind a solitary piece of equipment.
“Nice shot,” Eden praised, snatching up the item. “Another piece for dagger users. Aurin, this one’s for you.”
It was a pair of boots, their craftsmanship fine but unremarkable. Eden pondered whether to mention that they would soon need more than just one set of clothing for their living. Perhaps now was not the time.
“Why did you attack them when they weren’t even bothering us?” Raul asked as they trekked toward the temple.
“Easy EXP,” Eden replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
The rest of the journey was marked by an uneasy silence, each member of the group channeling their focus into the ambushes that lurked in the shadows, ready to spring forth at any moment.
As they finally reached the temple, the imposing walls and heavy metal doors loomed above them like a fortress, and exhaustion flooded over them. They collapsed onto the dusty wooden floor, littered with pebbles and debris.
“Can we log out now? I want to sleep in the comfort of my own bed,” Mason yawned, stretching out like a weary traveler after a long journey.
“Yes, you can log out now. We still don’t have bedrolls, but you have a maximum of six hours to rest. Keep your phone on in case we need you,” Eden replied, feeling the weight of fatigue pressing on his shoulders as well.
“Yes, yes. I swear I’m working harder here than if i had an actual job,” Mason joked, a tired smile gracing his lips.
“Depends on your perspective,” Eden said with a chuckle.
“I have a question,” Aurin piped up. “When we kill monsters or players, there’s no blood, but when the monsters kill each other, there is. Why is that?”
The question hung in the air, prompting everyone to ponder. Eventually, all eyes turned to Eden, who answered with a resigned smile, “I told you Ahartohaim is more than meets the eye. This world unfolds in stages for us. I don’t know all the details, but I think we’re being given time to adapt.”
“Adapt to the ‘normal’ way of this world?” Aurin asked, skepticism lacing his tone. “Sounds plausible.”
Eden nodded. “Well, we have plenty of time to find answers. For now, let’s log out and get some much-deserved sleep.”
“Good night!”
“Night!”
“Happy dreams!” Damian chimed in.
“Good night, brother!” Cole replied, his voice a quiet echo in the dim temple.
“Good night!” Eden responded. It felt good to have friends again.
* * *
When Eden returned to Ahartohaim, earlier then everyone else, the night still held sway over the world. He wished he could remain in the comforting embrace of sleep, but duty called. Despite feeling less than refreshed after his insufficient rest, he steeled himself for the task ahead.
He ventured deeper into the temple until he found what he sought: the altar. He paused several meters away, slamming his foot against the floor until he detected a section that resonated with a dull thud, different from the rest. Then, he began chopping at the wood with his axe.
'Can you tell me what you’re doing?' Zizi asked, her voice echoing in his mind.
“Making a hole in the floor,” Eden replied, his focus unwavering.
'I see that, but why?' she pressed, curious.
“There’s something beneath it.”
'And why not enlist your friends to help?' Zizi inquired, perplexed by his solitary endeavor.
Eden glanced around the room, ensuring no one was there to interrupt him. “Because what I need is too important to risk.”
'And you don’t trust your friends?'
“Their older versions that I knew, yes. But I’m still unsure about their current selves. I need to test them further,” he confessed, struggling to dislodge the axe that had wedged itself into the floor.
'I understand,' Zizi said. 'What exactly do you intend to retrieve?'
“My ticket to becoming the first ‘Phantom Blade’ player in this life.”
'Are you sticking with the same class as before? I told you you’d do better as an assassin or archer.'
“They don’t have what a ‘Phantom Blade’ can offer.”
'And you still got heavily wounded by an archer in your previous life,' Zizi pointed out.
“I’m not claiming my class is invincible; it’s just the best fit for me.”
'Aha,' Zizi said before darting out of Eden’s head, transforming into a small, glowing orb that flitted about the room.
Eden continued his labor, cutting a square into the floor, and when he had cleared the wood aside, he gazed down the stone stairs leading into darkness. The walls were adorned with garoba stones, creating a mosaic that told stories of long-forgotten gods.
Zizi returned to his mind as he cautiously descended, ever vigilant for traps. The staircase ended after a little more than ten meters, revealing a wide corridor lined with rusted metal doors.
Ignoring those for the moment, Eden made his way to the lone door at the end of the corridor. Unlike the others, it was adorned with faded purple hues and an ancient image still visible beneath the wear of time.
He grasped the handle and twisted, forcing it open after several attempts. What lay beyond was a room cloaked in impenetrable darkness.
“Zizi, can you illuminate my path?” he requested, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.
His concerns proved unfounded as the moment he stepped inside, torches ignited with a ghostly purple glow, casting flickering light across the room.
Instinctively, Eden drew his sword, heart racing, but nothing stirred in the shadows. He waited.
'Alright, that was creepy,' Zizi admitted, her voice low.
“Got you scared, spiritual faery?” Eden teased, glancing around the room.
'No torch lights on its own. But it’s the same fire you controlled, so I wasn’t scared—just surprised.'
“Mmm.” Eden nodded, focusing on the open coffin at the far end of the room. As he approached, he peered inside, revealing a long, dust-covered skeleton. Clutched against its chest lay a dagger, adorned with precious stones, and beside it, a black book inscribed with the golden words, "Arak ar-Saim" (My Last Wish).
Eden’s expression grew serious. He placed a hand gently atop the skeleton’s, whispering, “Nasiv iv almen” (peace in the afterlife), before carefully retrieving the items from its grasp.
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[Congratulations, you have acquired the gift and testament of Uruk Al Zah]
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[You are now eligible to obtain the hidden class "Phantom Blade"]
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The notification resonated within Eden’s mind, the words materializing before his eyes like a beacon of hope.
'Is that one of you?' Zizi asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It was,” Eden replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. “A high-ranking one.”