In the moonlit night, after concluding the negotiations with Jishuka, Vecna headed to the Mail Office to fulfill his commitment to Laella and her Guildmaster.
The city's architecture, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlamps, cast elongated shadows that danced across the cobblestone paths. His footsteps echoed in rhythmic cadence, a steady beat against the backdrop of the sleeping city.
As he navigated the winding streets, his destination came into view: the Post Office, a stone edifice nestled seamlessly within the tapestry of Valoria's urban landscape.
The building's exterior exuded an aura of solemn functionality, its sturdy stone walls for a utilitarian purpose. Arched windows adorned with intricate ironwork added a touch of elegance to the otherwise unassuming structure.
Upon reaching the entrance, Vecna pushed open the heavy wooden door, revealing an interior bathed in the warm glow of flickering lanterns. The atmosphere within was hushed, the tranquility broken only by the occasional rustle of paper and the soft murmurs of users conducting their business.
Rows of counters stretched before him, each attended by an NPC clerk ready to assist. The air was scented with the faint aroma of aged parchment, invoking a sense of nostalgia for times when communication required physical letters and parcels. Vecna approached the counter with practiced ease, the click of his footsteps melding with the subdued hum of activity.
The clerks, dressed in traditional attire reminiscent of postal workers from a bygone era, moved with practiced precision, attending to users' needs with a blend of professionalism and courtesy.
"How can we help you, dear customer?" asked an NPC clerk at the Post-Office, the same middle-aged guy he visited when handling his C.O.D business.
"I wish to send a Cash-On-Delivery mail to a friend." responded Vecna calmly, but with the night environment where the lamps tried their best to bring light into the building, his appearance had a monstrous visage.
The clerk took a step back when his eyes glanced at Vecna's predatory eyes, followed by tremors that he couldn't explain why.
"Don't worry. I will not hurt you." continued Vecna noticing the passive effect his Vampire State had on weak-minded humans.
The clerk took a deep breath of air and before Vecna the Mailing Interface opened.
'Only Blazing Nova and Longbow of Precision for the C.O.D. The rest of the items I will put on the Auction House since no one bothered to contact me.'
It's not that they didn't bother to contact him, it was another fact at play. He turned off the setting that allowed all sorts of people to contact him, where he had the screening set for only users from level 180+ to contact him.
'Alright. Use them well, my ladies.'
His fingers moved quickly into tapping the icons of his items, dragging them in the mail interface and setting up the claim for them, beginning with 205,000 gold, an exorbitant sum of money, and ending Laella's spell for 87.500 gold.
"This should be all. Take this, for the Post-Office services."
Vecna placed a small bag of coins on the clerk's counter, about 20 gold coins, and departed from the building, vanishing as he blended with the Shadows of the City.
Leaving the Mail Office, Vecna felt the cool night air embrace him as he continued on his path.
Guided by the moon's gentle radiance, Vecna's purposeful steps carried him through the quiet streets of Valoria towards his next destination: the Auction House. The city's nocturnal charm was alive in the stillness of the night, punctuated by the intermittent glows of magical lanterns that lined the thoroughfares.
His movement speed was doubled at Night, how couldn't he take full advantage of this advantage and finish his business inside Valoria City.
He opened a certain window in his system that many users usually ignored in their Character Interface. This was the Movement Speed which was easy to understand but at the same time difficult to grasp in its actuality.
Each character in Satisfy has a baseline movement speed, which is the default speed at which they move when walking or running. This speed is determined by the character's race and class.
While the majority of the users were humans, yet having to explore the other races and their contents, enjoyed a movement speed of 100%, while Dwarfs like Maribel if she would be in her former body would be at 95%.
Yet there were also agile races like Elves, akin to Elysia who was blessed with a body that would put to shame most models and actresses with claims to Awards. She enjoyed an base movement speed of 115%
As for Vecna? Because of his Race Change, becoming a Vampire, his movement speed shifted to an insane amount that would put to shame all races without counting the bonus he has from his skills.
[Base Movement Speed: 130%] → Dark Environment Celerity Boost: [260%]
[#A/N: Think of the movement speed thingy akin to how it plays out in World of Warcraft since that's my main inspiration. To give you an analogy, you should also watch a clip about flying mounts in World of Warcraft. Well, Vecna is that fast when he moves in Dark Environments (but not really).]
He wasn't a demon for nothing.
'Since I'm already a ghost by the player's standards. Let me check how the Abyssal Ring interacts with my agility and speed.'
'I haven't had the chance to use it, apart from wearing it once to check my full status with % increases.'
As he walked, Vecna's fingers absently traced the contours of a small, obsidian ring in his pocket. The Abyssal Ring, a relic of his latest conquest, held immense potential within its unassuming form. He had yet to fully explore its capabilities, and curiosity tugged at his thoughts.
'This reminds me of Tolkien's Stories. The One Ring. However, this Abyssal Ring looks far better compared to the Movie adaptations.'
Pondering about the Abyssal Ring, it didn't take long for his destination to come into view. The bustling Auction House, a beacon of activity even in the late hours.
Its luminous signs cast an iridescent hue across the surroundings, inviting users to explore the treasures that lay within. Upon entering, the bustling atmosphere of commerce washed over him like a tide of energy, the excited chatter of buyers and sellers mingling harmoniously.
With a fluid motion, he retrieved the ring from his pocket, its polished surface absorbing the ambient light like a vortex of shadows. With a purposeful exhale, he slipped the ring onto his finger, the cool touch of the obsidian band sending a trigger to his nerves, making his index finger twitch.
'Don't bite your new master, Artifact. Can't you already sense that I'm a greater being than your former master Camio?'
As he examined the artifact, a malicious smile surfaced on his calm expression, while the ring began releasing dark mana when it made contact with his flesh.
Familiarizing himself with the Abyssal Ring's properties, he focused his attention on the specific ability that intrigued him: Shadowstep.
[Shadowstep]
Rating: Legendary
[The wearer can utilize the power of the abyss to perform a quick and evasive maneuver known as "Shadowstep."
This ability allows them to momentarily merge with the shadows, becoming intangible and teleporting a short distance to evade attacks or gain a tactical advantage.
Skill Mana Cost: 500
Skill Cooldown: 2 minutes]
'You better perform to my expectation since I have high standards for a Legendary Item. Just like the Book of Night, offer me the World.'
'Activate Skill: Shadowstep'
He activated the ability, and in an instant, his surroundings shifted. The world seemed to blur and twist as shadows converged around him, the boundaries between reality and obscurity warping into a transient dance. Vecna's form dissipated from the moonlight, becoming intangible and ephemeral like the very shadows that embraced him.
In an instant, Vecna seemed to melt into the shadows themselves, his form blurring and distorting as if becoming one with the darkness. He vanished from his original spot and reappeared a short distance away, seamlessly transitioning between realms of light and shadow. The transition was swift, almost imperceptible to those around him.
'Hmm? I am inside the Auction House? That was about 50-100 meters range. Great versatility in combat, but I still have to find a way to control the distance of traversal.'
Inside the Auction House, the bustling atmosphere was interrupted by a momentary disturbance.
Gasps and startled whispers rippled through the crowd as some users witnessed a figure materialize out of thin air, seemingly from nowhere. Vecna's sudden appearance was akin to that of a phantom, a being that defied the laws of space and time.
The more astute observers quickly surmised that the newcomer might possess Rogue-like skills, particularly Stealth, that allowed them to move undetected. A mix of curiosity and wariness hung in the air as users exchanged speculative glances and hushed conversations.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Did you see that? He just appeared out of thin air!"
"Definitely a Rogue, probably with some high-level Stealth skill. Must've turned it off before entering."
"Looks like he enjoys making an entrance."
While some users speculated about Vecna's skills, others returned to their transactions and discussions, dismissing the incident as an intriguing but ultimately minor anomaly.
Vecna himself remained composed, his expression unreadable as he navigated the Auction House, his steps calculated and his thoughts focused on evaluating prices and strategies.
As he moved through the crowd, Vecna's presence left a subtle sense of unease in his wake, a testament to the mystique he had inadvertently cultivated.
Pausing before a display case that held his items, Vecna's fingers danced over the interface, his eyes flickering with intent. With practiced moves, he set the prices for his wares, each digit a calculated move in his grand strategy.
The Auction House was a realm of opportunities, a place where shrewdness and insight reigned supreme. And Vecna, with his keen intellect and unyielding personality, driven to earn even the smallest penny, was poised to make his mark.
'Good enough. The commission is about the same.'
'If everything goes smoothly, and the prices reach higher marks, I'm bound to earn… close to 500.000 gold.'
'I would become a millionaire in four transactions of High-Level Items.'
'Hah, some people really have it easy in life. To spend so much money over some useless items that wouldn't do you any good in real-life.'
'Virtual Reality turned the Real World into a degenerate landscape. Everyone is rushing to escape reality without keeping in mind that their bodies are still bound to the same reality they want to escape.'
'I guess, they act like the Pharaohs of the Ancient times. Spending all their money for a better 'afterlife'.'
With the exchange at the Auction House completed and his items safely handed over, Vecna's steps led him back to the familiar confines of the tavern.
Having his cooldown free, he once again used Shadowstep to enter his room, making his return for being ghostly silent. Without being required to slip through the doorway or escalate his window like some thief, he made it back safely.
The subtlety of his movements, like those of a predator stalking its prey, ensured that his presence went unnoticed by the sleeping Elysia and Maribel.
'Look at them. They are really deep sleepers.'
'Which is commendable, but that makes them vulnerable. If not, they think I will watch over their backs.' thinking that, a small smile formed on his expressionless face.
Seated comfortably in an armchair positioned near the beds, Vecna cast his gaze over the peaceful scene before him.
The soft moonlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the room's contents. Elysia and Maribel lay undisturbed in their slumber, their forms serene and innocent, unaware of the events that had transpired outside their dreams.
'Right, let me check Elysia's Stats. Has she grown while I was away?'
'Check Blood Servant Information.'
[Name: Elysia Aranel Moonshadow
Age: 16 | Gender: Female | Race: High-Elf
Class: Arcane Enchantress
Titles: First Servant, Touched by Blood, Strives Toward Revenge, The Noble Scion, The Graceful Sylph.
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Level: 42
Strength: 80 | Stamina: 140
Agility: 172 | Intelligence: 780
Charm: 350 | Dignity: 82 | Insight: 186 | Political Power: 102
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The Princess of Silverwood Kingdom.
She lives past the destruction of her once-glorious kingdom, the Silverwood Kingdom, at the merciless hands of the Saharan Empire. As the sole surviving member of the High-Elven Royalty, she witnessed the annihilation of her people and the desecration of her homeland.
Stripped of everything she cherished in life, experiencing the Hell of Life at an early age. Sold into slavery after being captured by the hunting dogs of the Empire, she swears upon her name and Ancestors that she will survive.
She will live to see the downfall of the Saharan Empire, and if possible contribute to its downfall. throne and forced into hiding, Elysia vowed to avenge her fallen kingdom and restore the honor of her noble bloodline.
After a nightmare that held her captive for months on end, where only her desire of revenge kept her sane, she walks the crossroads of fate with a mysterious Vampire that she swears to serve for her own desires.
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Skills Possessed: Beginner Elemental Magic (B), Elven Archery (B+), Elven Arcane Magic Knowledge (A+), Politics (A+), Elven Grace (S), Bloodline Resilience (S), Discerning Eyes (S+), Ancient Elven Summoning Spell(SS), Sylphic Agility (???), Arcane Enchantress Magic[Sealed] (???)
.
His eyebrows raised a bit, his crimson eyes showing slight signs of being moved, and as he calculated the total of primary stats that Elysia had, he brought a screenshot of his stats when he was around her level.
'Ohh my. I know I have a monster on my hands but for her to grow so quickly and for her stats to rise so explosively.'
'And I thought I was a monster for having the stats equivalent of a level 160 player at only level 75.'
'Well, well. Aren't you making me curious to see what the Elven Blood is capable of doing with Magic?'
'Hopefully, you didn't slack or your neck will feel it.'
He had an evil grin on his handsome face as he stared in Elysia's direction, to the point when he thought of something nasty for the Elven beauty, he noticed her turning around violently and pulling the blanket over her body as if to hide from someone.
'Hmm. I feel offended. She probably sensed my emotion.'
The quietude of the moment allowed Vecna to turn his thoughts inward, his mind meandering through the possibilities that lay ahead.
'Since I have nothing better to do. Let's check the new updates from the Book of Night. There should be 2 new rewards from that nasty Wheel.'
From the first spell he got his hands on, the Blood Missile, he expected to get something better for the reward of level 50 mark respectively level 75.
The anticipation of gaining new abilities, of honing his supernatural prowess even further, tugged at the edges of his consciousness.
The Book of Night lay open in his hands, its pages radiating an otherworldly aura of darkness and power.
Vecna's fingers brushed over the parchment with curiosity, each turn revealing inscriptions that were both arcane and cryptic. His keen eyes absorbed the words as they danced across the ancient paper, their meaning often eluding the understanding of any but a chosen few.
Within its pages lay the essence of his lineage, the distilled knowledge of a Vampire God. Vecna's mind absorbed the information like a sponge, his thirst for mastery over the supernatural was hard to grasp for the normal people.
His gaze moved fluidly across the script, his crimson eyes narrowing with focus as he sought out spells that could elevate his abilities to new heights.
The Grimoire rested in his hands, its pages brimming with knowledge and tantalizing secrets. He turned the pages with a casual yet deliberate touch, his crimson eyes scanning the contents in search of spells that might prove worthy of his attention.
Vecna noticed that as his level increased, certain pages that were crystal clear, void of information filled up, revealing those bits of knowledge that were essential as a Monster of the Night.
The pages rustled under his fingers, the ancient paper exuding a blood mana of a greater quality of Vecna's.
As he navigated the passages of the bloody grimoire, a sense of solemnity enveloped him. He finally reached the section that interested him the most.
[Blood Mastery]
-Unclaimed Blood Magic Related Rewards (2)
'Show me what you have for me.'
Right now, this malicious artifact, pulsated with an otherworldly energy. Its black pages seemed to writhe with a life of their own, and the crimson eye emblazoned on its cover bore witness to the power that lay within.
Vecna's lips quirked into a wry smile, he wasn't excited, but couldn't be said to be indifferent over such matters. The spells the Divine Artifact had for him were Top Notch, all capable of making a difference in unique situations.
The turning pages finally settled down, revealing a bloody page that started materializing itself.
['Book of Night' will generate four Random Blood Magic Related Boons that the user will have to choose from.]
The bloody page that suffered new changes as the drawing of four purple cards shining with a blood color revealed themselves to Vecna.
It was a game akin to the 'wheel of destiny' where the artifact's crimson eye watches with an almost omniscient air.
There was no way of knowing what you gained as Reward, being left to the mystery of fate. Still, when he tapped on the last card to his left, an animation happened on the page where bloody tentacles wrapped around the mystery card in a macabre dance.
'Stop building up my Hype. I'm no longer a kid to be excited about surprises.'
'... Just don't be stingy with the rewards, Mr. Book.'
[User has made his pick.]
Time seemed to stretch as the card revealed itself, followed by the rest of his possible rewards, leaving his face devoid of emotions.
'...'
[You obtained a 'Skill Level Raiser Boon']
This wasn't all the Book of Night had in store for Vecna as it turned the other cards, which revealed to be greater choices compared to a 'Skill Raiser Boon'. Skills such as the 'Blood Wave' and 'Blood Explosion' that he missed in his first 'Game' with the addition of a new skill on the shame list 'Blood Haze'.
From there a window of all the Blood Spells that he had appeared all containing a (+) sign to symbolize that they could be raised in level.
'Wait. Now that I have returned back to my senses, a free level up to my Skills isn't half-bad. I could get a skill that I use only once my entire gametime. Wouldn't that roll be wasted?'
[★ Available Blood Magic Spells for Boon(5)]
'It's either Blood Requiem or Blood Missile. Obviously, in this situation you level up the skill you use more often.'
[You have chosen 'Blood Missile'. The choice is final?]
'Yes.'
Thinking for a bit at this transition, he made sure to raise the level of the spell he used most often, that being Blood Missile.
[Blood Missile - LV.2]
Rating: Epic
[Blood Missile is a powerful and sinister spell that harnesses the essence of blood magic to unleash devastating projectile attacks. Conjures dark energies and infuses them into projectiles, imbuing them with the essence of life force and unleashing them upon their foes.
* Deals 390% of your magic power to a single target, there will be a 20% chance for the spell to trigger 'Bloodburst' effect which makes the Missile explode upon impact.
* Dealing an AoE hit to nearby enemies and spreading the blood magic effect to multiple targets, dealing a hit of 690% of your magic power.
Skill Mana Cost: 250 MP
Skill Unique Consumption: Consumes 4% of your Vitality
Skill Cooldown Time: 4 seconds]
★ Special Effects: Under the 'Sanguine World' the skill will evolve, having its effects doubled, while the cooldown timer of the skill is decreased by 100% and the following activation free of charge.
The raise was satisfying, so he proceeded with a calm mind to get his revenge on the second tarot game of the night.
It was him against the mysterious eye, only one victor would claim the greater reward.