While Vecna took his break from playing Satisfy, not forgetting that he needed to take care of his body, he first went to stretch around the Capsule Area, doing lunges and squats, before returning to his capsule, enjoying the packaged meal his little sister prepared for him.
"Should I get a membership at a Gym? There's one rather close to my apartment in the Old Town."
As he pondered about his life, on another corner of the globe, inside Seoul, the same type of relaxed atmosphere was in a bustling building covering many floors, the headquarters of the S.A Group which gave to the world the Satisfy Game.
The developers gathered around a large screen, eagerly anticipating the live feed of Vecna's performance in the quest assigned by Alistar, enjoying their break time with buckets of chicken and bottles of Soju.
"Nahee, you did well to keep tabs on this player. Who would think he would get Alistar's Hidden Piece? The required amount of strikes was a variable that even Morpheus couldn't predict, and it left it to be randomly generated by Alistar's Intelligence."
The one to speak was a man showing a captivating presence. He possesses a tall and well-built physique, unlike the stereotype that game developers were Nerds, he was standing at around 183 cm, with a sturdy frame.
"As Head of Operations, from the moment a player gets under our radar, we'll start checking on their activity in case it would affect the World Play of Satisfy. You don't need to praise me for doing my job Minseok-ssi."
Replying back was a woman of vibrant beauty, appearing rather professional and with a serious demeanor.
She has a slender figure, standing at an average height of around 168 cm. Her dark shoulder-length hair is neatly styled, and she wears a pair of sleek, rectangular glasses that add a touch of intellectual sophistication to her appearance.
She looked back with sharp, focused eyes at the developer called Choi Minseok, one of the 33 developers of the Satisfy Game. The eyes behind her glasses conveyed her keen attention to detail and analytical mindset.
The Head of Operations for this large corporation, Yoon Nahee, dresses impeccably for the gathering, wearing tailored business attire, favoring elegant blouses, pencil skirts, and high heels, which accentuate her confident and polished presence.
"Relax. Wanna drink some beer? Also, you don't need to fake that meticulous appearance and just join in some tender chicken wings."
"Sir, you're breaching your limits." commented Nahee in a straightforward manner, rejecting the offer.
From a large projection on a screen, the sight of a tall blonde man, about 193 centimeters, with Western features, battling against three Automatons played on in the eyes of the Developers.
There was a group of devs that watched the man's move with impressed eyes and even asked around how one could do those techniques.
"Don't be fooled by what you see. This person isn't some beginner who got it lucky. From Morpheus' estimation of his brainwaves, he would be in the top 100 players Worldwide if not higher because of the broad benchmarks." commented a developer, Kim Jisung, one of the people whose job was to test the game for bugs and glitches with Morpheus's assistance.
He was one who knew first-hand how bulletproof the game was against the dirty play that would invoke Cheating inside Satisfy.
There was no such thing as Cheating inside Satisfy. One could take advantage of the rules of the game until Morpheus would balance the player taking advantage of a window in the rules they as developers built upon.
Lim Cheolho, the lead developer, stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the screen as the scene unfolded.
He watched quietly as the scene unfolded as a movie in front of his eyes, listening with curiosity at what opinions his colleagues had about this new player that broke from his cocoon.
"Keep a close eye on Vecna's performance. He's been a variable from the moment he got his Class. No, if I remember the reports, it says he was hard to read even when he was leveling in the past."
"You'll understand why once you've read his report. Going into the Forsaken Village a level 260 Leveling Ground and entering the Baron's Manor, the Boss Lair for some treasure chest. Insanity."
"Understood, Cheolho-nim. Anything else?"
"No, for now let's watch him. Curious to find how he would deal with Alistar's Suppression Room at only level 9. This quest should push him to his limits, and if he isn't careful might lead to a failed quest."
"Indeed, if he fails I bet it will sting him for months. With how Alistar's personality is, if Vecna fails, he'll probably move from Valoria in his quest to find a worthy successor."
"Yet if he passes the quest, the synergy between his Class Quests and Alistar's Quests would make it worth all the suffering." said Choi Minseok, wearing a mysterious smile as if he knew about a hidden detail that other devs weren't aware of.
"Are you hiding something Minseok? Weren't your team the one to design the Storylines for the Saharan Empire Downfall?" asked one of the developers, Park Sunghoon, who remained neutral in the debate about Vecna.
"And? Isn't your team the one who created the storyline for the Saharan Empire? --Chuckle-- Heh, but you also focused on the other Kingdoms. Tch, tch. Leaving your baby all exposed."
"What if a bad man decides to make that Empire its playground?"
"Y-You! You better haven't inserted some nonsense for Morpheus to implement."
Choi Minseok's outgoing persona suddenly shifted for the worse, as he locked eyes with Park Sunghoon, watching him coldly as if he had a grudge with this man.
"Minseok! Enough. Take your personal affairs outside, not in this room." reminded Lim Cheolho the former easy-going guy, leading to him scoffing as he shifted his attention back at Vecna, holding this player in high-regards from what he saw this far.
'This Vecna guy, he isn't half-bad. From how you played this far, I can tell that you're promising. Keep going, and don't give up on the challenges even if they might seem impossible to do at your current state.'
The atmosphere in the room calmed down, with Lim Cheolho biting into the chicken wing, nodding at the agile parries Vecna displayed against the Automatons.
Yoon Nahee, too, nodded as she leaned forward, her eyes focused on the screen.
"Indeed, these are the effects of becoming a Vampire. His class, 'Caine's Reincarnate,' is a Hidden One, a Top-Tier Hidden Class. While it's not one of the Legendary Classes, its potential is for certain Legendary."
"Even Morpheus can't gauge the power-level of this Class. When it was created we thought about the Late-Stage of the Game where the Player Base would be established."
"Ahem, it's more of an Antagonistic Class like Baal's Contractor."
As the scene shifted to the Suppression Chamber, the developers watched in awe as Vecna effortlessly maneuvered through the intense battle against the magical automatons.
"Look at his swordsmanship. It's unrefined, but effective. He prioritizes efficiency over flair, choosing the path of least resistance." commented one of the devs who took a liking to Vecna's swordsmanship.
"It's not at Kraugel's level for sure. However, I'll give him some points for being creative."
"He only has some Basic Swordsman skills, the rest is all on him. Footwork, strikes. Meanwhile Kraugel started gaining Book Skills for Sword Attacks early, since the release of the game, forming a strong skill-set."
"Regarding player Vecna. His vampiric skills… They synergize perfectly with his swordsmanship."
"Who would think that those random skills worth nothing at first glance could be put to use in such a way. The Uncanny Grip and Soaring Leap grant him unmatched agility, while his blood magic reinforces his attacks."
Hearing the devs not dismiss a player once in a while because of their lack of talent in utilizing their classes at their fullest potential, brought a sense of peace in the conference room.
Soon enough, the voices of Lim Cheolho and Yoon Nahee acted for commentary while everyone else tried to focus on the fight Vecna had with the Automatons.
Lim Cheolho: "His instincts and strategic thinking are impressive too. He utilizes every opportunity, making the most of his vampire abilities and environmental advantages."
As the battle reached its climax, the developers exchanged glances, captivated by Vecna's performance.
Yoon Nahee: "Wow. His proficiency with the unique vampire skills is remarkable. His mental responses are top class in all categories. The lightning strike ability prevents his targets from defending or dodging."
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Choi Minseok: "It's a testament to his adaptability in combat."
Lim Cheolho: "Indeed, but what surprises me the most is his resourcefulness. Despite being low-level and without his former equipment, he leverages every advantage available to him."
Soon enough everyone got into a silent state when Vecna turned rather monstrous, using the Automatons for punching bags, training his abilities live in front of their eyes.
They all knew what he was doing, and among the devs Choi Minseok began laughing, pleased with what he was seeing.
"That's right. He isn't an idiot at all. You don't leave scraps on your plate. Gulp up everything."
"He got his hands on a Radiant Mana Gem… Isn't this a mistake for a player to get their hands on those rare alchemical materials this early?"
"Why worry? The Radiant Gems are useful if the Player has a connection with the Tower of Eternity or the Tower of Wisdom."
"They can receive commissions from Archmage Goldhit to deliver magic resources in exchange for various items or experience."
They took a stop from talking when the self-destruction of the Halberd Automaton happened.
From how they watched the fight unfold, in a 3rd person perspective, one might think that Vecna got caught in the explosion.
--Cough--
Their faces dropped when hearing Vecna's remark, breaking off the cold, calculative Vampire Boss that he appeared for so long.
{Stick it up your ass. I almost got blasted by that Boom Bot.}
…
…
(A moment of silence in the Meeting Room of S.A Group)
"Can't blame him. The guy wanted to farm some more stats, that bot took away from his pleasure." commented Minseok, nodding to himself, understanding the thought process Vecna had right now.
{Hah. Hah. Let's calm down. It wouldn't sit well for the ones watching me, to see this Vampire Lord pathetic.}
{Afterall, I'm a predator born of darkness. My Maid even worships me as her God.}
{No way, I'll get myself done by some machines.}
"He is deep into his Role-Playing for sure." remarked one of the Devs, holding back a laugh.
Their attention shifted back to the screen, where Vecna stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, his posture radiating confidence and determination, where suddenly he vanished from the first room of the Suppression Chamber.
Yoon Nahee: "He's an unpredictable player. A possible wild card in the game."
Lim Cheolho: "That's what makes Satisfy so thrilling. We never know what some players will do next."
As the developers continued their discussion, someone else finished his meal and even took his time to stretch around, readying himself for the 2nd part of the Quest 'A Knight's Forgotten Legacy'
Appearing back on the grounds of the Suppression Chamber, the dust settled down and no imminent dangers could be felt by his Vampiric Instincts.
'Let's check the rewards I care about.'
'Open Inventory. Search Item. Novice Knight's Blade'
[Novice Knight's Blade]
Rating: Rare
[Durability: 120/120 | Attack Power: 90-126 | Attack Speed +1%
* The Skill
A sword designed for aspiring swordsmen taking their first steps into the world of combat. It is a reliable and sturdy weapon that provides a solid foundation for honing one's skills on the path to becoming a formidable knight.
Users Restriction: Level 15 or higher, More than 75 Strength.]
.
[Novice's Resilience]
Type: Active
[The sword enhances the user's defense by 20% for a duration of 60 seconds. It serves as a defensive measure to provide novices with a small margin of protection in dire situations.]
Skill Mana Cost: 100
Skill Cooldown Time: 30 minutes
'Decent. A timely upgrade for the second challenge.'
Switching the weapons, and in his hand a longsword of about 78 centimeters took the spotlight. Its blade has a slight curved edge that transitions smoothly into a pointed tip. The width of the blade gradually narrows toward the tip, allowing for precision strikes.
The Novice's Knightblade features a single-edged design, with a sharpened edge along one side while the opposite side remains flat. The blade itself is forged from durable steel, imbued with a dark metallic hue that gives it a rugged and worn appearance, indicating its usage in combat.
The hilt's guard is minimalistic yet functional, consisting of a simple crossguard that protects the hand from enemy strikes.
Towards the pommel, a small emblem or insignia may be engraved or etched into the metal, symbolizing its status as a weapon suited for novice players. The pommel itself is designed for balance, slightly weighted to counterbalance the blade and improve handling.
Holding the sword with one hand and smoothly slashing the empty air made his cold face shift a smile.
'This is what I was familiar with. The Longsword is the best choice for my style.'
'I can change my swordplay from a one-handed approach to a power move with the two-handed hold.'
Practicing his sword strikes by himself, he got satisfied by how his body moved, slowing down as he decided to check the other items that he could hand Elysia for use.
'Search Item. Conjurer's Staff'
[Conjurer's Staff]
Rating: Rare
[Durability: 78/78 | Magic Power: 218 | Casting Speed: +2%
* The Skill
A powerful staff crafted for adept spellcasters who have honed their magical abilities. It emanates an aura of mystical energy, making it a prized possession for those who seek mastery over magic.
With its intricate design and enchantments, it serves as a conduit for spellcasters to channel their magic and unleash devastating spells upon their foes.
Users Restriction: Level 50 or higher, More than 185 Intelligence.]
.
[Mana Surge]
Type: Active
[* Grants the user an magic power boost of 25% for a duration of 60 seconds
It serves as a powerful tool for turning the tide of battles and overwhelming opponents with amplified spells.]
Skill Mana Cost: 500
Skill Cooldown Time: 30 minutes
.
'This is a Staff that most magicians would spend quite the sum to get. Even if it's just a Rare item, it could take you to level 120 and beyond easily.'
'Well, I have no interest in using this Staff since my Blood Magic is … nonexistent.'
'I'll sell it to Elysia. Hmm, that would be for the better. She grows stronger, and my purse also gets fatter.'
'Next on the list before I start my preparations for the 2nd challenge.'
'Search Item. Spell Book: Fireball'
.
[Fireball (Skill Book)]
Rating: Epic
[Fireball is a powerful offensive spell that harnesses the elemental forces of fire.
When cast, the caster conjures a sphere of intense flames, shaping it into a compact ball of fire. With a flick of the wrist or a spoken incantation, the fireball is launched towards the target, hurtling through the air with speed and precision.
It boasts tremendous power but consumes a lot of resources, dealing 900% of the user's magic power, and having a high chance of triggering the 'Burning' Debuff.
The Debuff afflicts the enemy with burns each second for 20 seconds dealing 50% of the user's magic power overtime.
Conditions of Use: None.]
.
'None?'
'Does that mean I can wield some magic if I so choose? I just require to gain my spells from Skill Books. Convenient.'
'However, it doesn't show the mana consummation for the spell, but it should be in the 600 MP and beyond range.'
'Only hurling one of those fireballs would drain me of MP, which is why playing as a Swordsman is the better choice.'
'Can't deny that Mages are powerful after they get more mana, but it would slow me down if I start spending my Stat Points solely on INT.'
'So? I'll get Elysia more indebted to me.'
Vecna nodded pleased that he already sorted out what he should do with the Mage Items, and with plenty of time on his hands to clear another section of the Suppression Chamber, he started the preparations.
Taking out the Book of Night from his inventory, he reluctantly called out the name of a skill.
"Blood Bank."
There was an instant reaction from the Grimoire as bloody tentacles sprouted from its cover, enveloping Vecna's left arm which began drying up, slowly his whole body withered, turning into the appearance of a mummy as he sacrificed his Vitality.
[You have stored 99% of your Vitality inside the Book of Night]
Even in his mummy shape, where his Vampiric Features protruded out, with his predatory eyes standing out the most, his recovery process kicked in immediately after the Sacrifice.
'Hah, it feels as if worms would crawl under my skin. Thankfully I don't pass out from anemia, and this shit sensation passes after I recover to about 20% of my HP.'
'I also have the Regeneration Stat that I can't help but commend it for being so useful in fights.'
His eyes couldn't help but stop on the Mana Crystals that adorned the Dark Chamber, acting like a source of light for this dark environment.
Fixated as he was, it took a couple of minutes for Vecna to move on, shaking his head with a disappointed expression.
'I can't mine it. Miner's Resolve is usable at level 50. Damn, how could this opportunity pass so casually.'
'Forget it. I'll get the Refined Gems from the Automatons, and this time I'll not give them a second chance to self-destruct.'
Pondering as he was about a missed source of money, he stood tall before a large sealed door leading to the second part of the Suppression Chamber.
"..."
…
"Will you open it? Or want me to push my weight inside?"
[So crude.]
The voice of a being that sounded rather feminine entered Vecna's ears, and he didn't even bother with the insult, standing tall before the sealed door.
[Patience, young Vampire. You've passed the first Trial too quickly, and even had to use such methods to bully my creations?]
"Do you have a problem with that?"
[I would lie if I say I don't. This is why I will have to prepare something special for you. Until I complete my preparations, you will have to wait.]
[Thank you for the understanding.]
'This bitch… There's no doubt. This is an annoying bitch scheming on me.'
Vecna kept his quiet, he didn't agree nor disagree with the request of this Watcher. Instead, he tightened his fist, and suddenly punched the sealed door, using his [Earthshock] that delivered a strong shockwave, creating a large mark on the door.
"Scheme all you want. I'll have your neck soon enough."