Unlike how it was in Sephera's tower, I found myself floating above the battlefield. I could see my body down on the mountain, motionless on the ground. Celine was running up to my corpse, screaming. I could see the disbelief and horror in the other party members' faces. My eyes took in the scene before me, and I felt... nothing. No anger, no despair, no relief. Just... numbness.
[System alert: Your specter will now take control.]
I watched Celine stop in place as a flurry of shadows began to wrap around my body. Even the Grudge of the Fallen paused its attacks, seemingly gazing at my body with rapt curiosity. Or was it fear?
The shadows continued to swirl around my body, slowly taking form. They coalesced into a familiar shape, my own body, but distorted and twisted. It was as if I had become some sort of grotesque parody of myself.
[Name: Specter (Luquier Vaunt) | Level: 628]
[Title: N/A]
[Health: 15000 | Strength: 5000]
[Speed: 5000 | Magic: 5000]
[Risk: 10000 | Stat Points: 0]
[Experience: 0%]
[System alert: Risk bonus added to Specter (Luquier Vaunt).]
I smiled softly to myself. I honestly wasn't sure that this was how things were going to turn out, but it was better than I expected. Of course, I did think about using Final Gambit, but the Linked Trait worried me. I didn't want to see if the boss would also revive if I did. Using Death Match was both the best thing I could think of, and a chance to see how it worked before I had to wait at least 2 years to use it again.
[Name: Specter (Luquier Vaunt) | Level: 628]
[Title: N/A]
[Health: 1500000 | Strength: 500000]
[Speed: 500000 | Magic: 500000]
[Risk: 10000 | Stat Points: 0]
[Experience: 0%]
Oh, damn. I realized that if I was overpowered compared to other Players, then my specter was pretty much god-like.
[Name: Grudge of the Fallen | Level: 628]
[Linked Health: 15000]
Nice. Another gamble that paid off. I knew that in the virtual predecessor, 'Last Stand' treated the player and their specter as two separate entities.
[System alert: Specter (Luquier Vaunt) has equipped Soultaker.]
That was weird. Usually with a boost in stats like that, I figured that my specter would just punch it once. Why did it equip my weapon?
[Luquier?]
"What– Sephera?" I replied to the blue floating message.
[Thank god ;^; I thought I wouldn't be able to reach you here.]
"What's up?" I asked, my voice sounding... different. Not quite human. More ethereal, almost. If this was what being a ghost was like, I could get behind it.
[I'm just... this is honestly the first time I've ever seen something like this.]
I watched my specter tense, causing the Grudge to immediately roar and charge up multiple red beams.
"You've never seen someone with the Reckless Immortal Title or the subsequent skills?"
[Yeah. And frankly... this is almost... unholy. Like, Celine's Title is acceptable. Drawing from the Phoenix mythology? That's within reason. But you... your entire being is an anomaly.]
"What are you trying to say?" I asked Sephera, watching my specter grip the Soultaker tightly.
[The power you have here... it's not meant for Players, or even Admins. Playing with death, that's something frowned upon, but not unheard of. But you're not a Necromancer-type Player, nor are you manipulating the lives of others. You're manipulating your own life- your very soul.]
I couldn't even track my specter as it disappeared from view. A second later, I heard the Grudge roar in pain, its cry cut short.
[System alert: Grudge of the Fallen has been defeated.]
Holy shit. It was taken down in one hit. I spotted my specter at the top of the mountain, brandishing the Soultaker.
[System alert: Death Match has ended. Reviving Player Luquier Vaunt.]
I felt my body begin to dissolve. As I stared at my specter with wonder, there was a paralyzing wave of fear. My specter lifted its head towards me, as if it could see my ghostly presence.
[Your specter is a part of you. Rather, it's always been a part of you, Luquier. I'm not completely sure on what exactly it is, but I am sure of one thing.]
My specter raised an arm, pointing it directly at me. I shivered, feeling a tugging sensation as my soul was slowly pulled towards my specter.
[I know this is the path you have chosen, but please be careful. As best as I can explain it, your specter IS you.]
I came face to face with my shadowy counterpart, staring in the darkness that blanketed its face. The presence felt familiar and foreign at the same time. It was like looking at a reflection of myself that had been warped beyond recognition. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice little more than a whisper. I knew seldom about the specters, even with the countless hours I poured into the game.
[I don't know. I just have a feeling your specter is more sentient than you realize.]
As my vision blurred, I found myself staring up at the mountain peak, the sky above awash with the crimson light of dawn. A cool breeze rustled through the pine trees, carrying with it the stench of burnt flesh and sulfur. The sounds of battle had faded, leaving only the distant cries of carrion birds circling in the sky.
[Congratulations! Tessa Iskra's Party has cleared the Mountain of the Unforgiving.]
[Rewards: Grudge of the Fallen core (x7)]
[System alert: All Players (7) have received a Grudge of the Fallen core.]
[You have gained 1000 (x50) experience points.]
[Total experience gained: 50000%]
[Level up!]
[System alert: Excess Stat Points from Risk bonus has been absorbed by your specter.]
[Congratulations! You have earned the achievement: 'Overwhelming Strength!']
[System alert: 'Even Death Can't Stop Me!' Achievement has been updated.]
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
[Number of Deaths: 301 | Reduction: 30.1%]
[Something useful will be given to you.]
[System alert: No new skills have been found.]
I blinked in confusion at the sea of blue screens in front of me. Some of what it was saying raised some questions, but I didn't have time to explore that as Tessa and the others caught up to me.
"Luquier... what just happened?" Tessa whispered, her eyes wide with confusion and perhaps a hint of fear. I could feel her shaking slightly, as if she were trying to process what had transpired. "Your specter... it seemed to be in control..."
"That was the other energy I sensed," Celine added quietly, her voice barely audible over the distant cries of the birds. "It's like it... became you."
The portal we entered from crackled to life, replacing its black void with a red light, signaling an exit. As the rest of the party joined us, I felt the weight of their gazes on me, their curiosity and trepidation mixing in equal measure.
"Yeah, what the fuck was that?!" Krion shouted, pointing a trembling finger at me. "You just took over, dude! We barely knew what was going on!"
Bryant's arms were slung over Yulton's and Carrie's shoulders, babbling incoherently. It seemed like the shock of dying had gotten to him. I found it strangely funny to see him so disoriented considering I had died as well.
"Look, I don't know what happened either," I said, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "But I think we should be grateful it's over. We're alive, we've got the cores, and we leveled up. Let's just get out of here and go home."
"Luquier's right," Tessa stepped forward, seemingly over her shock. "We should head out and have the GPA gather the leftover monster cores. They'll divide it accordingly for us."
"But–"
"We'll discuss this later," Tessa's words cut Krion off. "Right now, we need to get some medical help."
The portal glowed brighter, the red light seeping out to encompass us all. As we stepped through, the cool mountain air of the otherworld gave way to the familiar buzzing of the city. It was dark, a stark contrast to the bright crimson skies of the dungeon. The Players and GPA officials that had been waiting for us brighten upon seeing our return.
"Thank god!" a GPA officer cried, rushing forward to help the injured. They gently led us away from the others, ensuring that we received medical attention first.
As we were led away, I glanced back at the crowd. Tessa was already deep in conversation with the GPA officials, no doubt explaining what had happened. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, even from this distance. It was an unsettling feeling, but I knew I'd have to face it eventually.
"Yo! Luke!"
I saw Tommy and Sarah running up to me, looking relieved.
"Dude, I can't believe you're alive," Tommy said, clapping me on the shoulder. "We thought we'd lost you there."
In spite of the situation, I couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, we were scared something bad would happen," Sarah added, her voice a little shaky.
"Holy shit, Luquier- Did you grow even stronger in the dungeon?" Tommy stared at me. Sarah was taken aback, but concentrated. Her eyes widened as she saw my stats.
"Er, yeah..." I chuckled awkwardly, using my Soultaker to Shroud my stats once again. "It's... a long story."
"One that I hope you'll have time to explain?" Tessa interrupted, joining the three of us. "I'm sure our friends here would love to know what happened in there." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that suggested she wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"I would also like to be involved," Celine approached us as well, turning our group of four into five. I glanced at each of them before finally sighing to myself.
"Okay. Can we use your office, Tessa?"
----------------------------------------
It was a quiet and uncomfortable car ride as I sat in the back, with Tessa driving and Celine in the passenger seat. Tommy and Sarah had taken another car, following us to the GPA building. I took the time to go over the rewards I had gotten from the dungeon.
[Name: Grudge of the Fallen core | Grade: S]
[Description: A particularly powerful gem of energy, infused with the essence of countless tortured souls. It pulses with dark power and gives off an aura of cold menace.]
Indeed, the core felt sinister, but I figured with a grade of S, I'd be able to sell it for a ton of gold. I put the purple gem back into my Inventory, tapping on the Achievements tab.
[Achievement: 'Overwhelming Strength!]
[Acquired by defeating an opponent in a single strike with damage more than double its Health.]
[Description: Upon killing an enemy with one hit, gain a huge boost to your Strength stat for 1 minute. The amount of the boost is equal to the difference between the enemy's Health and your damage dealt. Can only be attained one per day.]
Finally, an Achievement that wasn't useless, though it had a daily limit. That was fine, I was already strong enough. I opened up my Status Window, a little shaken by the system message I had received earlier.
[Name: Luquier Vaunt | Level: 1128]
[Title: Reckless Immortal (A)]
[Health: 15000 | Strength: 5000]
[Speed: 5000 | Magic: 5000]
[Risk: 10000 | Stat Points: 2500]
[Experience: 6%]
So it was real. My specter somehow absorbed the excess Risk points I should've gained. I ran the calculations in my head.
[My god, it took 5 million Stat Points from you?!]
I tutted softly, a mixture of confusion and annoyance within me. I didn't know why or how, but the fact that the specter just took 5 million Stat Points like that rubbed me the wrong way. Where did it even go?
I glanced at the Soultaker in my Inventory.
[Soultaker damage: 1250620]
Huh. Aside from the extra point from the Grudge of the Fallen, there was no sign of the extra points. I felt a sense of nervousness wash over me, but I forced it down. At least I gained some Stat Points.
[Health: 17000]
[Strength: 5500]
[You have no remaining points left.]
There goes that. I was pretty sure nothing was faster than me, and my Magic Stat was at a comfortable ratio. Health and Strength seemed like the best options at this point, since my Risk was dangerously high already.
As for the 'Even Death Can't Stop Me!' Achievement, I didn't see anything in my Inventory, nor any notice of an item reward. Seems like it would be given to me later.
I checked my Skills, glancing at the one I used earlier.
[Death Match: 628/1128 days remaining.]
I quietly sighed, slumping back into the car seat as I cleared the screens. Tessa caught my eyes in her rearview mirror.
"How are you feeling, Luquier?" she asked, her voice gentle.
"Eh, could be worse," I replied absentmindedly. Celine turned around in her seat, giving me a curious glance.
"That's not the response I usually hear from people I've revived." she said with an undiscerning gaze. "You seem... different."
"I'll explain it all," I sighed again, rubbing my eyes. "I had this system message that told me something... strange. It's complicated." I paused, gathering my thoughts. "But it's not that big of a deal. Just some weird glitch in the game, I guess."
"Good, because we've arrived at the GPA," Tessa said, pulling the car into a parking space. "I'm very curious about what you'll be explaining."
----------------------------------------
Tommy and Sarah arrived shortly after we did, and we all piled into Tessa's office. We sat on the expensive-looking furniture surrounding an equally illustrious coffee table.
"Would anyone like anything to drink?" Tessa offered, gesturing to a small mini-fridge in the corner. "I have coffee, tea, and water... or something else, if you need it."
"Water's fine," I replied, still feeling a little drained from the whole ordeal. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Tessa poured each of us a glass of water and took a seat at the head of the table. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Alright, Luquier. Whenever you're ready."
I took a deep breath before starting my story from the beginning, when I first awoke in Sephera's tower. Besides Tessa and Tommy, Sarah and Celine reacted with looks of surprise and confusion as I explained the events that led up to my return to Earth.
"No wonder your specter was so... abhorrent," Celine murmured. "With over 300 deaths, it makes sense as to why it was overwhelmingly strong."
"Now that we're all caught up with your history," Tessa took control, staring pointedly at me. "Why don't you explain your Title and Skills?"
I hesitated for a moment. It wasn't that I didn't want to tell them, I was just unsure of how they'd react. I decided to deal with their reactions later as I explained my Title and various Skills.
Their expressions were the most reactive towards hearing the requirements of my Title and Death Match, with disbelief and shock written all over their faces. Even Tessa, who had been the most calm and collected throughout this whole ordeal, seemed taken aback.
"That's... unheard of," Celine muttered. "I never thought one's own death would be a mechanic to use... Sure, I can cheat death, but there are limits to my abilities. You, Luquier... I'm not sure what to think."
Tommy simply stared at me silently. I couldn't tell what he was thinking or what he was feeling. "That's... amazing," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought..." He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. "Is that why you were so eager to climb the tower floors? Because you're literally immortal, just like your Title?"
[Luquier, don't.] Sephera's message suddenly blocked my vision.
"Huh? Why not?" I quietly replied. I held up a hand, motioning to the others to give me a moment.
[If you tell them the truth about Matches, there's no telling what they might do.]
"Well, it's better than not knowing, right? If everyone knew, then we'd just focus on getting as strong as possible. We might actually clear all 100 levels of the tower before whatever doomsday will happen."
[That's exactly what I don't want to happen. You saw it with your own eyes in that dungeon break.]
"...What?"
[Honestly, I can't stop you from telling them. But just keep this in mind...]
I glanced at the others, who were waiting expectantly.
[Dungeon breaks correlate to the current global level that the tower is on. That's why its level was 28. Well, at first anyway.]
"Wait, then that means–"
[Yeah... that's why Earth never got beyond the 50th level. The dungeon break that occurred was level 50. And every time, without fail, there were no Players strong enough to clear it.]
****
[Name: Luquier Vaunt | Level: 1128]
[Title: Reckless Immortal (A)]
[Health: 17000 | Strength: 5500]
[Speed: 5000 | Magic: 5000]
[Risk: 10000 | Stat Points: 0]
[Experience: 6%]
[Skills]
[Divinity (Passive)]
[Holy Element 1128/1128]
[Death’s Shadow 1128/1128]
[Reap 1128/1128]
[Final Gambit 1128/1128]
[Death Match 628/1128]
[Achievements]
[Even Death Can't Stop Me!]
[Pick On Someone Your Own Strength.]
[Untouchable.]
[New Beginnings.]
[Bullying the Weak!]
[Overwhelming Strength!]
[Items]
[Silver Serpent]
[Soultaker (1250620)]
[Warp Cube (x1)]
[Grudge of the Fallen core (x1)]