For as long as he could remember Melchior aspired to become a renowned knight of the empire. As a young child he listened in awe as Granny Hilde told him tales of the great warrior heroes of the world both past and present. The story of Sir Siegfried Demonblade, a magic knight who defeated the evil sorcerer Ragnor Bloodwood in single combat to solidify Seigfried’s spot as one of the 8 arch mages of the 8 arch-mage alliance, a position he still held to this day. He thought of the tales of Jorgen Stormshapper, a Dwarven warrior of unparalleled strength who still led the strongest mercenary army in the world. Then there was his favorite, the story of Sir Deitrich Giantsbane. Sir Deitrich had been the Lord commander of the imperial forces that had fought in the giant subjugation war many centuries ago. Many tales of Sir Deitrich’s exploits were still spoken of to this day, but one story in particular came to mind as Mel stepped through the dungeon door facing down hundreds of Akere-Konko. Deitrich, having been separated from his troops, encountered the main army of the Giants. Outmatched and outnumbered, Deitrich had released his full aura, and had essentially bluffed, causing the Giant enemies to hesitate. That hesitation had bought Deitrich the time he needed before his troops arrived as reinforcements. Unfortunately for Mel, there would be no reinforcements for him. His knees began to shake, and his sweaty hands could barely keep their grip on the short sword he had swiped from the storage room where they had found Taiomi’s Jade. Is this what Deitrich felt like back then? Mel thought to himself as he readied himself for battle.
“There’s too many fight, what do we do?” Yelled Glenn, as he drew out a short sword, they had found back in the storage room where Jade was being kept.
“Run for it, Glenn and Mel stay with me, and we’ll hold them off while Darius and Lady Yumia escape.” Yelled Taiomi, who already drawn Jade from off her back. Without saying anything Mel saw Darius grab Yumia’s arm and start running. Mel mustered up his courage and yelled.
“Not that way, head to the south, the tree line marking the end of the swamp lands is that way.” He said pointing to the south.
“Thanks, we’ll see you guys soon.” Darius said, turning on his heel and bolting in the direction Mel had pointed. Mel was taken aback by how fast Darius was moving. I wonder if he was lying when he said he wasn’t level 10 yet. Mel wondered as he drew a short sword, he had also found back in the storage room. Too bad I don’t have a great sword, but this is better than nothing. Mel thought as he ducked out of the way of an arrow sent his way. When they tell the stories of the great knight Melchior Mannerheim, they’ll start with this battle right here. He thought as the Akere-Kongo warriors began closing in.
Darius ran as fast as he could, with the little girl in tow. He wasn’t sure how far the tree line was from their current position, but he didn't have time to think about that.
“Wa, wait.” Yumia said as Darius dragged her along.
“We don’t have time to wait, we have to make it to the tree line so the others can follow.” Darius said without stopping. Over the sounds of the twos ragged breaths and the sloshes of their footsteps, Darius heard the clash of metal on metal, and he assumed the fighting had started behind them. Each step he took was harder and harder as he trudged through the murky ankle-deep swamp water as fast as he could. After running for a while Darius could finally see what he figured must be the tree line marking the end of the swamp land.
“There, I think that’s it.” He said pushing himself to go a little faster now that he could see their goal. He slowed as he reached the tree line, and he stepped up and out of the swamp onto the hard dirt ground of the Forrest floor. Trees that seemed foreign to Darius spread out all around them. I wonder what kind of shoes they have in this world. He thought as he helped Yumia out of the swamp. As she stepped out of the murky swamp water Yumia’s eyes went wide and she called out.
“Behind you!” Darius turned just in time to see nearly a dozen Akere-Konko warriors dropping down out of the trees all around them.
With another slash of her sword, Taiomi slashed through two more Akere-Konko soldiers. Her breath was already heavy as she slowly made her way to follow after Darius and Lady Yumia. She could just make the two of them out off in the distance. Darius was helping Yumia up and out of the swamp, so she turned to Mel and Glenn who were still locked in battle.
"They've reached the tree line; let's get out of here." She called out over the sounds of the skirmish. Taiomi had been pleasantly surprised by how well the other two had held up in this fight, but the battle was starting to visibly take its toll on both of them. Glenn had blood seeping through his tunic down the right side of his abdomen. Mel was faring a bit better, but the many cuts and bruises covering his body were starting to build up. Taiomi was getting ready to turn and make a run for it when a loud croaky voice echoed out over the battlefield.
“I shall handle the girl myself, don’t let the other two get away.” From the swarm of frog men, stepped out the largest of the Akere-Konko Taiomi had seen. He stood nearly 8 feet tall, and his skin, if you would even call it skin on a frog person, was a pale red with brown spots.
Taiomi debated whether or not to face it head on, or to make a run for it to follow the others. She thought of her master, lord Mitsupachi. He was a man of honor, and no matter the situation he would have taken on a challenge such as this one without hesitation. Even the 8 Arch-mages feared him, which is why they had recently been so vehement about the Kiriken shogunate joining them to make it the 9 Arch-mage alliance. However, her lord had refused them every time, yet none of the supposed strongest mages on the planet wanted to test their might against her lord in single combat. Instead, they conspired behind the scenes, trying to angle them, and the alliance as a whole into a better position to attack the Shogunate, or just the Kiriken Clan itself. The building animosity between her lord and the alliance was the main reason why he had agreed to send his daughter and many of his trusted vassals as a diplomatic envoy to establish ties with the empire. Sure, her lord could crush the Arch-mages if things devolved and it came to war, but even her lord wasn’t foolish enough to think such a conflict wouldn’t come at a cost. Having an ally in the empire would deter any other world power from coming in after such a war to take the Shogunate for themselves.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Taiomi wasn’t sure what would happen now after their vessel got caught in that storm leading to this situation, but that was something to worry about once they were safe. Taiomi turned to look at Darius and Lady Yumia off in the distance. They had made it to the tree line but were surrounded by a smaller group of Akere-Konko. Taiomi let out a sigh. As much as Taiomi wanted to take on this creature, she couldn’t right now, not while Lady Yumia needed her.
“Now, run for it!” She yelled, and alongside the other two, they bolted in the direction of Darius and Yumia, with the hoard of Akere-Konko following close behind.
Melchior shuffled backwards as he warded Yumia behind him with one arm.
“Stay behind me.” He said as he looked around at the frog men forming a circle around them.
“May your deaths serve as tribute to the great God Spiro.” Croaked one of the frog people as it Lunged at Darius with an overhead slash of its scimitar. Darius barely managed to sidestep the strike, and on pure instinct countered with a straight right punch aimed at the creature's face. Much to Darius’ surprise the blow landed, and the force of the blow sent the creature flying backwards until it collided with a tree about 10 feet away. Darius stood with his arm still outstretched from the punch, and he looked at the unmoving body of the frog man. He snapped out of his shocked state due to a new box popped up in his vision.
You have defeated level 46 Akere-Konko
You have gained 1 Level
You have gained 1 Level
You have gained 1 Level
You have reached Level 12
You have 1 New Skill Selection
Darius barely had time to read through the boxes and wave them away before three more Akere-Konko lashed out at him, but this time they were too close for him to dodge. Darius crossed his arm forming what people in his old world used to call a cross block. The blades on the scimitars dug into the skin of his forearms until they reached the bone. Darius grimaced from the pain, instinctively taking a step back. If I can just buy some time to think, maybe I can get a new skill that can get us out of this. Darius thought as the scimitar strikes kept coming, leaving cuts all over his arm and exposed torso.
“Darius, look!” Yumia yelled right in his ear, causing Darius to recoil. When he turned to look, he saw the other three running toward them. The hoard of Akere-Konko was hot on their tail, the charge being led by a large fearsome looking frogman that towered over the others. The momentary lapse in focus proved costly, as a scimitar dug into Darius’ thigh, causing him to stumble and fall to one knee.
“Fuck, if only I could see my status again maybe I could.” Darius began to mutter to himself, but he stopped when a window popped up. He glanced at it and began to smile, even as the continuous scimitar strikes continued cutting into him.
Name: Darius Lazarov
Age: 26
Race: Human
Level: 12
Title: Champion of Osufuu
Attributes
Strength: 22
Agility: 22
Vitality: 32
Intelligence: 22
Wisdom: 22
Fortitude: 22
Awareness: 22
Charisma: 22
Luck: 32
Skills
Interpreter
Hand-to-hand Combat Level 1
Traits
Traveler
Osufuu’s Blessing
Heart of a Champion
Free Attributes: 90
New Skill Selections: 1
So not only do I get 10 free attributes per level, but I get an extra attribute per stat every level too? Also, I get to choose my new skills every ten levels? I thought the others said you just unlock a skill every ten levels. But if that’s the case, how did I unlock Hand-to-hand combat? Also why does hand-to-hand combat have a level, but Interpreter doesn’t? Whatever, I’ll think about it later, but for now. Darius snapped out of his thoughts, forcing down the countless questions swirling around his head and instead focusing on the new skill selection option. As soon as he did a new box appeared, and Darius quickly glanced through the options.
New Skill Selection! Please select a new skill from the options below.
Water Magic
Earth Magic
Light Weapons Mastery
Heavy Weapons Mastery
Magic Storage
Darius didn’t have time to consider his options as a scimitar swung straight at his head. He managed to duck out of the way, his thoughts still spinning from his new skill options. He really wanted magic storage, but that wouldn't help him here and now. He had never handled any sort of weapon before, and without a weapon in hand right now, neither Heavy weapons mastery, nor Light weapons mastery would help. He ruled out those three, considering the last two, but then a thought struck him. What if I can’t use the skills right away? Even if I unlock Water, or Earth Magic, will I be able to use it right now? Darius was once again snapped out of his thoughts, but this time it was due to a shriek that came from Yumia. Darius turned to go help her, but another Scimitar digging into the same wound on his thigh brought him to his knees once again. He looked on helplessly as the Akere-Konko surrounded Yumia. Just as they were about to attack her an Ethereal blade shot through the air, stabbing straight through the three Akere-Konko who were about to attack Yumia.
“My Lady, forgive me but we have no time, we have to run for it.” Taiomi said, as the Ethereal sword flew through the air and back into her outstretched hand. The ethereal light from Jade began to fade away once it was back in Taiomi’s hand. Yumia gave a quick glance at the fast-approaching hoard of Akere-Konko and merely nodded.
“Can you stand? Or do you need help?” Mel asked Darius, extending a blood covered hand. It was then that Darius noticed that the Akere-Konko that had been attacking him had all already been slashed through and lay still on the ground around them.
“I’m fine, let's go.” Darius coughed out, grimacing as he fought his way to his feet. No more words were needed between them as the group of five dashed off into the forest away from the swamp. We need to escape first, then I can go through all of these new boxes and information, then I can choose a skill. Darius thoughts were the only thing distracting him from the pain in his leg as he ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He ignored the echoing war cries of the Akere-Konko behind him as his thoughts spun with countless questions. Darius pondered the mysterious workings of the world around him, wondering if there were underlying rules akin to those found in video games or fantasy novels. Maybe this system had something to do with this God Osufuu? He continued pondering his many unanswered questions as the sounds of the Akere-Konko began to fade into the distance, being drowned out by the groups panting breaths and heavy foot falls as they ran further and further into the forest.