The Panda gave the scale back to Weed. “I see and understand now. Destiny has chosen you fair one, the shackles of time have bounded me. My pride blinded me and I failed to see that the wheels of fate are in motion. Tell me adventurer, what name do you go by?”
“My name is Weed.” Weed spoke those words with great uncertainty. Maybe for the first time Weed wondered whether taking on the title Weed was the right thing to do? The overwhelming pressure the Panda exerted on his mental senses made Weed want to come out of the closet and explain about how he took on the title Weed out of his own arrogance. Lee Hyun set an unsurmountable goal for any one individual to beat, Lee Jun was just beginning to come to terms with that as he progressed through Elementarem Vim.
So many times had he faced inner turmoil, choices and difficulties … Elementarem Vim was a game which required both his creativity and rationale thought. It tired him to no bounds reading in between words, continuously processing information around him and deciphering the truth from the false. Given his inexperience in life and VR gaming Lee Jun had no option but take his time to analyze information. It was different for a well versed experienced player who would interpret the information in a more direct manner…but then again maybe since Lee Jun was new to this VR environment he had a new questioning perspective for everything. Nonetheless, beating Elementarem Vim appeared to be a daunting task and Lee Jun chose the name Weed without much deep thought…he was so uncertain about his decision he wondered should he in fact regret it.
However before Weed could even put his thoughts into words, the Panda did The Panda made curled his fingers into the shape of a fist and grabbed his clenched fist with his open hand while bowing to Weed. It was a dignified gesture which expressed the Guardian’s respect for Weed. The Guardian didn’t bow to Weed cause Weed was superior or anything (Weed has been established as an inferior being), he was only and strictly only expressing acknowledging Weed’s existence, it was no more than a late formal greeting.
Weed wore a bewildered look on his face, the bowing came out of nowhere. He had no idea what was going on, ‘What destiny? Shackles? Pride and Fate? Is this all part of some quest?’ Weed grew frightened with each passing moment. For so long he had had no breakthrough and now when finally something good was happening Weed questioned it and doubted it. ‘If its too good to be true then it’s probably not true’ was Weed’s mantra in Elementarem Vim. This was not just a mantra but a lesson Weed was well versed with. Many a times it happened with Weed that initially an opportunity would appear succulent and ripe for the picking but it was as dangerous as the lure of an anglerfish!
Weed was thoroughly confused. ‘Did I underestimate the power and value of the black diamond?’
Weed carefully looked at the scale, it was no more exciting than a boring piece of rock. He couldn’t feel the slightest traces of mana or magic or anything unusual from it. He considered it nothing more than a unique jewel stone, yet here stood the Panda bestowing upon him sweet words. The very showcasing of the black diamond changed the Guardian’s attitude towards Weed. Some explanation was certainly due! Weed grew more and more suspicious of the black diamond and the Guardian. Weed’s guts were screaming for the hidden and lurking danger in those sweet sugar coated words. Weed could feel the back of his hair as he waited for the Panda to finish.
The Panda returned to his normal seating posture and grabbed a bamboo out of thin air. It was one of the many details about the Panda that caught Weed’s attention. He wondered how the Guardian kept doing that. It was as if the Panda had some inter spatial dimensional ability…Weed pinched himself secretly to keep his thoughts from going astray. ‘The black diamond!’ He thought to himself as he stored the item back into his inventory.
Weed continued looking at the Panda with a questioning appearance however the Guardian showed no signs of elaborating on the scale.
“He goes by many names, you may know him as Shadow and a thousand years ago he was know by the people of Versailles as Hanzel Oklarth, before that as Crimson Nightshade … the list goes on forever. However the one name that is truly his and that which can never be his again is Mortis Obitus.” The Panda spoke the last few words with a shiver running down his spine.
Weed’s eyebrows were crossed as he put the words together… ‘Latin…for Death?’ Lee Jun had never formally studied Latin but he built an interest after the release of the title Elementarem Vim. Knowing of the name of his nemesis did not comfort him in the least bit. Weed could feel a cold tight grip around his heart; somehow he felt closer to the edge of death than before. Just knowing his opponent’s name had such an effect on him. It wasn’t all negative, Weed was equally excited and could feel the virtual adrenaline coursing through his veins; the excitement and proof of being alive.
“He was one our brethren, amongst the elder ones. However his ways did not go down well with some and hence his title of God were snatched away from him as judgment. Taking away his Godhood meant casting him away into mortal realm for an eternity of suffering…”
“But?” Weed asked the moment the Panda paused.
“The decision to cast him away to the mortal realm had unintended consequences…” The Panda spoke while shying away his eyes in apology.
“Unintended consequences?” Weed asked in a stern tone. Although it was just a game, Weed could feel his anger rising. These unintended consequences had him nearly kicked out of virtual reality forever…
“Yes unintended.” The Panda solemnly replied. “Although his Godhood was taken away from him, the powers that he had received from birth; his divine powers could not be taken away from him. It had unintended consequences for the mortal realm.”
“Unintended?” Weed asked again with an eyebrow raised. ‘Yeah right, more like disastrous.”
“I am not here defending the Gods, Weed.” The Panda explained his position clearly on the matter. “However, I am explaining this to you because this much you need to rightfully know as heir to the most unfortunate destiny…”
The Panda paused to let the words sink in. Weed carefully thought over each word, each sentence a hundred times. The Panda was hinting to something and Weed was slightly concerned.
“The divine realm and mortal realm had truly remained separate since the beginning of time however when Mortis was handed his sentence…that one day changed everything…since then the two worlds have been mingling on more than one occasion. The fine thread that separated the two worlds was broken and the balance collapsed. Placing Him here was a mistake, it has been widely been acknowledged by all in our community. The beings of the mortal realm were of no match to Him and his divine powers even though he was …”
“Mortal?” Weed completed his sentence, catching on with the game’s plot.
“Yes that was our folly.” The Panda sighed. “Since then we have waged war several times with Mortis or whatever name it is that he goes by and each time he has tasted nothing but defeat.”
“…” Weed was waiting for the Guardian to say ‘but’, there had to be a catch. If Shadow was defeated each time then there was nothing to fear.
“But..”
‘Knew it!’ Weed smiled.
“His schemes grew more and more devious. With each passing day, night, era, Mortis grew more cunning and sly. His existence is an abnormality in your world and he makes use of those abnormalities created by his presence…his schemes have grown complex and beyond our comprehension. It must be the reason why I have not sensed him in Lavias as yet, he must have figured out a way in.” The Panda said this as he looked towards Weed for an answer.
“…” Weed was caught unawares, he didn’t ever think his implausible theory would ever be heard out.
“You do know he is plotting something here in Lavias?”
“Yes..” Weed replied hesitantly.
“I sensed something in your words when asked if I wanted to know about the truth. Had I known you were the harbinger of the golden era, I would not have treated you so improperly…” The Panda spoke with a smug face while boasting of how his unintended actions were justified. “Though I should have guessed there was something sinister at work when so many worshippers were slaughtered before me.”
“At this time…” Weed began slowly. He found it difficult to put such a grand theory into words. In his head it made perfect sense, but when he had to discuss it with the Panda he struggled. There was just so much information that was dispersed and Lee Jun’s mind worked like a computers. He was still processing the information while trying to stich any loopholes in his theory. “It is not more than a mere theory…but the handiwork of the destruction is something I believe belongs to Shadow.”
The Panda nodded in agreement. “Yes, Mortis is known for massacres…how blind of me not to notice.”
Weed wondered if the Panda would have really noticed anything at all had it not been for him. There was still a condescending arrogant tone in the Panda’s tone which said that he had done no wrong. Weed wondered about that too, the Guardian of the Land, he who is supposed to protect its people from the fiery nature of evil and divine wrath made mistakes upon mistakes. Weed was slightly jealous of the Panda too, even after committing such foolishness the Panda would get away with no punishment. There was no one to judge the Panda…Weed stopped his thoughts there. ‘Well I don’t know how they function…’
“Although…I agree with you. I fail to see how this massacre is one of Mortis’ handiwork? I felt the pain and hatred of the people who died on this soil…it was the atrocities committed by those sent by his Grace.” The Panda interjected. Weed wasn’t at the slightest miffed by the question, he had in fact been expecting it. The Panda was a poor actor. He pretended to be dumb and stupid but was fairly quick witted. Unfortunately for the Panda, Weed saw through the act.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Which is also why you didn’t sense him.” Weed quickly countered.
The Guardian was thoroughly confused.
Weed smiled seeing the Guardian slip and give a confused look, of course there were many who wouldn’t have been able to keep up with this. On the surface of it, it looked like nothing more than a coup. However, as the coup had progressed Weed could sense many inconsistencies; the appearance of ninjas was the start of the coup. If one were to mistake it simply as a coup then they would have been swept up in the tide and be killed by the soldiers who came rushing in the end…
“It would be a bit more insightful if you could explain that please.” The Panda expressed his confusion and inability to keep up with Weed’s intellect.
“What if there was a way to orchestrate the entire massacre without directly being involved?” Weed asked.
“Nonsense.”
“…” Weed kept his silence, he wanted the Panda to come out with all the arguments so that he could clarify each one and leave no speck of doubt in the Panda’s mind.
“The massacre was carried out by those sent by his Grace! Are you saying that your kind would collude with such a monster?”
“…’ Again Weed kept his silence. The Panda wasn’t wrong in his guess but…
“..” the Panda cooled down a little as he realized he had become quite emotional and loud.
Weed took the opportunity to explain. “A little deeper…under whose guidance were they acting?”
“…” The Panda was at a loss of words.
“The problem is…Guardian of Lavias..” Weed just realized he didn’t know the Panda’s name. “You awoke from your slumber when the killings began…there was a nefarious scheme unfolding over many many years. It began like a seed in the heart of Lavias and grew slowly in the shadows and when it finally bloomed…tragedy of unheard of proportion struck Lavias…”
“…how long ago?” The Panda asked. “How many years ago was this scheme put into action?”
“At least six years…by my estimate.” Weed replied. “It could be older though.”
“…”
“Those involved in the massacre would have never sided with Shadow. However, I have not denied the possibility that one or more of my kind maybe working hand in hand with him.”
The Panda clenched his fist tightly.
“The question I wish to ask you, Guardian of the Land, when did the first of my kind appear in Lavias?” Weed needed just a bit more information to make his theory foolproof. “You would know of each creature that roams these lands, wouldn’t you?”
The Panda frowned. “This is not within my ability what you ask for. Moreover it happened so long ago…I vaguely remember it…”
“…” Weed’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “Seven or eight years ago?” Weed suggested as the Panda struggled to recall.
“Yes! Now that you mention it…the first came…maybe seven year or eight years ago…there were a few more after him and then six years ago it was like the flood gates from another dimension had opened forth...” The Panda replied.
Weed’s heart nearly leapt in excitement. ‘FOUND YOU!’ Weed’s heart was racing excitedly, the game became available to the public six years ago (in VR), for any player to appear before that would have to be a beta tester…Weed grew excited as he considered the possibilities; his foe was not Shadow… ‘No Shadow is just the tool in this entire plan…the real enemy is the puppet master.’
“I can tell by your smile that you discovered something invaluable from my confirmation?” The Panda asked with an eyebrow raised as he waited for Weed to fill him in.
“It just strengthened what I already believed in…” Weed replied courteously.
“…” The Panda remained suspicious, he could tell Weed wasn’t sharing everything with him.
“I’ll explain it all..” Weed replied as he noticed the Panda’s awkward silence. “But first, I needed to know one more thing…though I am unsure if you will be able to confirm it…Did this person or any of them ever meet the Lord of Lavias? Richard?”
“I wouldn’t know…” The Panda replied quietly, growing slightly frustrated as he loomed in darkness not knowing anything.
“Then only Richard or Arthur could provide me those details…” Weed mumbled.
*THUD* The Earth rumbled a little. Weed was startled as he looked up; the Panda just pounded the ground.
“Explain.” The Panda said in a stern tone.
“This being Mortis, his innate power is to corrupt?” Weed asked.
“Yes, I guess it could be one way of thinking of it. In our language we call it, ‘Nusquasé’…it is a power born from the depths of darkness; origins which we are yet to understand…”
“There have been sightings…” Weed began to explain but stopped. The earth shook once again. This time it wasn’t the Panda… Weed looked at the Panda who suddenly looked up and was focusing on something behind Weed... Weed looked behind him and could see the obscured background reappearing and the vicinity regaining its colorful hues.
“What’s going on?” Weed asked feeling unsettled.
The Panda smiled uncomfortably. “Alas we are short on time Weed and there is only little that can be done for you. It is unfortunate that I cannot hear you out completely but know this I believe in you.”
“…” Weed remained mum. ‘Time is short?’
“It is most impressive that one so young such as yourself has decided to journey on this path.” The Panda spoke while chewing the end of the bamboo.
Weed decided he had to interrupt, he had had enough of being shrouded in mystery. “Ummm, I am slightly lost. What path are we talking about here?”
The Panda smiled like a grandparent doting its grandchild. “Now I understand your hesitation but you know very well what path we are speaking about here…”
“What do you mean?” Weed blurted out. He was growing tired of these word games.
Weed felt a sharp stab through his heart. The Panda wore a devious smile on his face or maybe it was a normal smile and Weed was imagining it to be devious, either ways the tone in the Panda’s voice gave Weed the hint he needed. Weed was soaked with dread as the clues started fitting together one by one…
“Kill Shadow?” The words took forever to leave Weed’s lips and were no more than a soft whisper. Had it not been for the Guardian’s amazing hearing he wouldn’t have even heard Weed.
“As this world expands the Elders can no longer sit idle and watch over Him with constantly. That is why you, whose been chosen, must vanquish the evil that plagues your land.”
TRRRING!!!
You received a quest! This quest cannot be turned down.
Check your quest menu to learn more about it!
Weed didn’t even bother looking at the quest he already know what it was all about. Weed frowned, this was a quest…of unimaginable proportion. Weed couldn’t even imagine the level of this quest. Then again the rewards were possibly as big as the billion dollar prize money…
“This is too much for me too handle…I can’t do it…” Weed said with tears brimming in his eyes. Weed desperately wanted to say leave it to me, but he knew better. He knew well that completing a quest of this size would near impossible for him alone especially given his current character state.
The Panda smiled. “My parting gift to you…”
“Wait…”Just as the words left Weed’s mouth he received the following messages appeared before him:
TRRRING!!!
You received the title Adventurer!
This title is granted to only those who seek the truth not for the rewards but to satisfy their own innate and insatiable curiosity. You have been recognized for diving into the great depths of mysteries, for following your heart and seeking a grand adventure!
May these gifts be of great help to you in your coming forth adventure!
For more details see the Menu!
TRRRING!!!
Quest Settings have now been updated!
You have received 4 additional quest slots for each type of quest!
You can now hold up to 6 active primary quests!
You have been granted adventurers exp bonus!
Adventurers are people who seek the grand truth and +3% REWARD BONUS!
This is a rare title! You can combine it with other titles!!
All status debuffs removed!
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Authors Note:
1. Hello there!! Exciting times!! 99 Chapters!! WOOOOTT!
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