Chapter 16 “Queen of Blades. Part one.”

The tomb of Edward Third the Great, nowadays no one even think about getting close to that place. The tomb used to be called a dungeon but everyone knows that it’s definitely not a dungeon by any means.

Inside the tomb one can find a spirit of great king who once ruled over a large empire. His empire is no more though, as it fell over two hundred years ago. All that king has left are his tomb and his crown. The spirit of the king defends his last possession with all power he has. He does not interact with the world on his own but he can control objects which surrounds him. And what surround him are graves of people that used to serve him in the past.

In history of EOA, back in the day when this place was first discovered, many players were going there and tried to put their hands on the crown. It was a crown of great king after all, it should have been some unique, one of the kind item that would have great stats or even start a quest chain. That’s was what all thought at least.

After many tries and with combined force, a group of adventurers managed to destroy every skeleton that king summoned. Still even though they won, they left that place empty handed as it turned out that you can’t move the crown from its original place which was skeleton of the king. In the end, all effort and resources that people put in those fights, everything was in vain. They didn’t get a single reward out of it. In normal dungeon or hunting place one would at least get some experience but skeletons, even though incredibly hard to fight against, didn’t give even gram of it.

At some point people started to wonder. What was the reason to go to this place in the first place? The answer that most have arrived was that there was no reason.

Nowadays, no one sane would try to go there anymore as people knew the tales already and knew it was meaningless to try. Still, there were some people, left that wanted to go there.

“This time I will definitely manage!”

Before the entrance to the Tomb of Edward Third the Great stood a figure in brown cloak. In comparison to all others hopeless challengers, this person had actual reason to enter this tomb. The name of this person was Rin, although practically no one called her by that name. There were several reasons for that. One of those reasons was also the reason why she wore clothes that revealed nothing. One couldn’t see her face as it was all covered by a hood. Still one could recognize this character pretty easily should he even heard of her. In parts around Karma city, all players know that figure around 170 in height in brown cloak with a red mark of blood on the back of cloak is more dangerous that any monster they will ever encounter. People also knew that areas around ‘Tomb of Edward Third the Great’ were the places of doom as one could find ‘her’ there, from time to time. Even going in south direction from Karma was considered suicidal as that was where tomb was located. Those facts were one of first things that one should learn if they want to stay in Karma for little bit longer.

Rin wanted to enter the tomb as quickly as possible. She wanted to complete the challenge of the king’s ghost. It was not the first time she was doing that and probably not the last one. This time however she couldn’t do it right away because as sometimes it happened, three people went against ‘common knowledge’ and come to this place and waited for her before the tomb. What worse, the man from the middle stopped her and with single sentence, ‘he asked for death’.

-stop right there Queen!

“I hate that name.”

-don’t call me that. Get away if you want to stay alive.

She answered. Although the saying was ‘you meet her you die’, the truth was that Rin wouldn’t kill anyone if they didn’t disturb her. Although sometimes when she was in bad mood disturbing her only meant standing in her way when she walked on the road or just entering her field of vision.

Although it looked like two on the back already wanted to run, the man on the front started fearlessly.

-don’t be so aggressive. I have a business proposition for you, nothing else. Just hear us out.

“Why is it happening again?”

She knew what it was about. It was not the first time that someone called out to her for with similar words.

-I don’t care about your proposition. Leave!

-it’s a good deal I tell you. You can only gain from it. It will also take no more than five minutes from you. All I want is a single piece of information that all.

“Waste of time.”

Already being irritated, she decided that there is no use in words anymore. Although Rin didn’t move at all, above her three different shaped swords in ruby color appeared. They were all floating in the air and they were pointed in direction of uninvited guests.

Seeing this occurrence, one of the two at the back turned around and wanted to run away but the one in the middle stopped him and caught him by his collar.

-you have 5 seconds to run.

Rin added last sentence.

-wait! If you don’t want to play it nice then listen to this. We have a hostage. As long as you don’t tell us what we want, we will keep her imprisoned…

It looked like the man at the front became desperate and lost his calmness. He said his triumph card.

“Sorry Mary, looks like you have trouble because off me again.”

Rin apologized to her friend in thoughts. It also wasn’t the first time that something like that happened. Although in this world her friend’s name wasn’t Mary but Yume. The man continued.

-you should know who I talk about. After all, the only person that cold hearted Queen of Blades cares about is…aaaaaa!

Rin didn’t move but the ruby swords that she summoned flied. They had a speed compared to an arrow released from the bow. In three seconds, three swords pierced through three intruders each.

“And I even told him to not call me that. Looks like my fifteenth try will have to wait.”

-you!

Rin shouted to the one of three that survived. It wasn’t by luck. He survived because he was only damaged in leg and not in the chest like two others. Leg wound also prevented him from running away so it was the best choice.

-yes!

-if you value your life, tell me where is she?

-I don’t know.

-wrong answer!

Trying to scare him even more she started to speak louder. One ruby sword appeared above her just like before.

-no please I really don’t know.

Second sword appeared as well.

-last chance. Remember if you lie to me once more you are dead.

Rin gave him ultimatum.

-please no. I will tell everything.

-before you say anything. I will say it once again. One lie and you are dead. Do you understand?

-I swear I won’t try to lie again. First of all, I want to say that we didn’t really want to kidnap her!

-didn’t I just say one lie and you are dead. And here first thing you say is… .

-no no no no, believe me! We are simple players that wanted to know secret of your skill ‘unlimited blade’, that’s all. We only kidnapped her because we were scared. In the first place it was your friend that gave us the idea to kidnap her.

Normally it would have been an unbelievable story that no one would ever believe in. Still after it happen many times already, Rin wasn’t even surprised by that fact and knew that it wasn’t a lie.

“That again… well at least I will meet her”

-anyway, what were you scared of?

-you won’t get angry?

“Why does he act so innocent all of sudden? That’s why they all should just… never mind.”

-I am the one that ask questions.

-I understand, please don’t kill me.

-the longer it takes, the more likely that I will.

-we were scared of dying. There are rumors that even if someone friendly ask Que… .

-stop right there!

Rin loudly interrupted him.

-yes!

-if you value your life don’t even think about calling me that. There is no a single person in this world that called me that and lived after.

-what I should call you then?

“This guy really doesn’t listen at all.”

-… .

-sorry I wasn’t to ask questions.

He arrived at the answer second later.

-looks like you have something in that head of yours.

-so the rumor about you is that you kill everyone that asks about that skill.

There were few versions of the rumors. This person heard the light version of it.

-so you kidnapped her and thought you will have assurance that I will at least spare you because of that?

Rin continued.

-well something like that.

The man answered.

“Why are they all so stupid? Even worse, it happens two times a month. They kidnap Mary and think that I won’t kill them? Isn’t it completely the opposite of it? They just give me a reason to do it.”

Rin couldn’t understand their thoughts and decided that prolonging this conversation has no uses.

-just tell me where is she.

-there is a cave east of here. It’s very close. I can show you a way.

“That place again. It’s not even original. It became a daily quest for me.”

In MMO’s daily quest were tasks that could be done once per day.

-you don’t have to I know the way.

Rin knew that place way too well.

-really, can I go then?

-you kidnapped my friend so I can’t just let you go like nothing happened.

She didn’t feel like spearing him or rather, she never felt like spearing anyone in the first place

-please no. I can’t stand loses of fifteen levels.

Last surviving person kneel down and started to beg.

“I for one should know how hard it is to get those levels back.”

-I will give you a chance. What is your level right now?

-153

-how can you be so weak and be 153? Did you play the same game I did?

-I am not weak! I can deal with anything that came at me and are on my level.

“…”

-anything you say? Then could you defeat a player that is, for example 130 level right now?

-130? Well difference in level doesn’t mean much but if it is 26 level difference then I think I could even manage without using one hand. I am confident in my PVP skills.

-hooo.

The sword that she summoned earlier lunched in survivor direction and cut off his left arm. Blood started to flow out. He screamed in pain.

-aaaaaaa!

-here is your chance. As I said, one more lie and you are dead. Because I hate liars in general show me that you spoke the truth. I have 130 level at the current moment so if you can deal with me using one hand you can live.

After hearing this, the man bleed out to death without even trying.

Rin started walk to the east as she had to give up on the tomb challenge right now. Still, she wasn’t in hurry even though her dear and only friend Mary was kidnapped. She was not worried either as after all it happened for a ninth time already.

After going through the forest for five minutes, she soon found the previously mentioned cave. It was the most popular spot to hold someone captive to Rin’s information. It was a fifth time that she came here out from nine kidnapping cases.

She looked inside. There were two men in dark clothes standing there and six corpses lying around. Rin knew whose those corpses were.

This place is originally the hideout of bandits. Those bandits were not players but NPC-enemies of humanoid type. There was even a job in Karma to eliminate them. Although the job involved slaying thirty bandits, not just six. More of them could be found deeper inside. All you needed to do is choose the left tunnel and you would find seven additional caves. You needed to go through them one by one, deeper and deeper. In last cave, from time to time a ‘bandit leader’ appeared. He is a ‘rare mob’ so if someone manage to kill him he could loot quite a sum. Still this cave wasn’t popular place to level up, or even earn money. Deeper inside, there were numerous traps that would activate if one walked inside. They could get you a poisonous effect that was hard to deal with. Also to find bandit leader one would need an incredible luck. Apart from this rare mob, the job and other bandits didn’t give that much so no one cared.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Rin knew that kidnappers wouldn’t even think about going down as it was meaningless. Thanks to that she that all enemies were inside the first cave and she knew their number, not that it would matter should there be more. She also knew that if she couldn’t see Mary in the first cave out in the open. It meant that she was in a brown cabin that was inside that cave. Why could Rin be so sure of that? Because it was the fifth time that she had to rescue her friend from this place and somehow Mary always was in that place.

“This time there are only two of them. Boring.”

Rin entered inside and ran to one of them. Two ruby colored one handed swords appeared in her hands, although she didn’t unsheathe two weapons that were in sheaths attached on her right side.

Before her first enemy even unsheathed his weapon she already ran up to him and slashed off his head. The second one faced in her direction with two-handed sword in his hands. He didn’t try to ask any question.

Rin throw both of her swords at the same time in man’s direction. He reflected them with a powerful slash. The swords landed on the ground and after a second disappeared with the sound of broken glass.

Rin empty handed start running to her opponent. Still there were quite a distance and the man had the time to prepare for her after defending. The moment she was in range he released a powerful swing downward over from the head. Rin spin on right foot and dodged the attack with ease. While spinning in her hands a two one handed swords once again appeared and with the force of spin she slashed the man in three with two parallel wounds on belly. He didn’t have a chance to do anything. He probably didn’t even know what exactly just happened as he died too quick.

With sounds of battle ended someone’s voice appeared in the air.

-over here. Help, I am trapped…

Rin walked to cabin and opened it. There was a girl with brown long curly hair inside. She didn’t exactly look like someone who should be trembled in fear because she was imprisoned by bad kidnapers. Without care she said.

-it’s you again Amy. Eh, I finally thought that some knight came to rescue me.

Amy was a nickname that her friend always used. Nickname was however based on another name Amanda which came from a different world. In a same manner Rin didn’t use her friend name Yume but instead she said.

-Mary!

Rin took down her brown hood. Then with left hand, she took out her long red hairs which so far were trapped inside her clothes. They landed at her back. Her hairs were really long, long to the point where some of them reached upper level of her thighs. There even were cases that someone mistook them for a cloak. In comparison to Yume’s her were completely straight and silky.

-Amy, I already told you. I want some knight to rescue me and once again you ruin the fun!

Yume said as she left the cabin. The conversation between them started.

-what fun? You think that it’s funny for me to save you every time?

-as I said I don’t want your rescue. What I want is a knight. In silver shining armor. Just so you know other colors won’t do.

-yes, yes knight, good luck with finding one. But why those who kidnap you always come to me. Can you explain it?

-if not a knight then a prince will do as well. But he must have white horse and blond hair.

“Don’t ignore me!”

-you really have weird dreams.

-those are normal dreams. You should have them as well. Don’t you want to find a knight that will defend you with his life?

From times to times Rin could not understand her friend.

-you should rather focus something that has a meaning.

-meaning? And what are you doing for pass few months, or should I say years already? Go to that crypt over and over again. You die, lose levels, level up then die again and again. It’s never ending loop.

-it’s important!

-what’s important? Some stupid quest. All you do are those stupid quests. No it’s not even a quest this time, it’s just a prequest. You won’t get even a reward for it.

-the reward is a quest that comes after. It will be definitely high ranked one I tell you.

-the higher rank it will have the worse it will be for you. Anyway, I already told you if you want to complete that quest. Find yourself a party for it.

-no one would go to that place. Also it’s not like I can just stand somewhere and look for party a normal way.

-ah, I have forgotten that you don’t have anyone who you could ask for help.

-I am fine that way! I don’t need anyone help! I will manage on my own!

Rin started shouting as to convince her friend. Although, she was not convinced herself.

-here you are again. So Amy, which try is it this time?…

Rin looked down, closed her big blue eyes and answered quietly, as if she didn’t want to answer.

-so?

-it’s fifteen. So okay, maybe you are right and I need some help. So Mary?

-no.

-why!?

-no.

-Mary!

-you can’t depend on me forever. Remember the last quest? I told you. ‘This is the last time that I help you. I don’t want to fight monsters anymore, and definitely no if I have no chance at winning. There are so many other things that one can do here.’

-like what?

-looking for a prince is my goal now. It’s also not easy, as I said he has to have blonde hair and ride white horse!

-ble.

-you are 19 now. You should change that tomboy attitude and also look for one yourself.

-from my perspective it’s you who are strange.

-that is an attitude which makes it impossible for anyone to befriend you.

-I said that I don’t need any friends. And I have you Mary.

And that was main reason why no one would call her ‘Rin’. She had only a single friend that would use a different name. Apart from that no one else to talk to at least no other adventurers. Still having a single good friend should be considered much more precious than thousands of acquaintances.

-eh, what would you do without me?

It looked like Yume will have change of heart. With hope Rin asked.

-so will you help me with a quest?

-no.

-Mary.

-Amy, you can’t depend on me forever like this.

There was one characteristic of her friend and that was if she said something once she would never go back on it. Adding to that she was really stubborn.

-fine, I will just continue on my own. Fifteen try is waiting and I am coming! Although I will surely die as Mary doesn’t want to help me!

-even if you say it loudly, it’s not like we can do it with only two people. And you definitely cannot do this just on your own.

It was not that Yume didn’t want to help her. It was just that even if she did, nothing would change.

-you didn’t see how far I got last time. This time for sure.

-you should know that even if you somehow manage to beat this part, there will be many other parts as well. What quest giver told you? This is only a test to see if you are suitable for what to come.

-then what should I do? I found this quest, I should complete it!

-you know what you must do. Find people who will help you with it. Let’s see, if you gather at least two that you will consider capable I will help as well. I can also call up some people that I know.

-but they wouldn’t be able take up the quest. They would need to befriend questgiver, which is impossible to begin with. Especially now that he is no longer here.

-there is definitely a way to get it. You just don’t want to find it. Although this was the first time I even heard of questgiver going on vacation because he was bored of waiting.

The questgiver that gave Rin her prequest went somewhere and she couldn’t find him for past few months.

-even if he was here befriending him would be still impossible. You also couldn’t do that.

-well if I can’t even speak with him, how can I befriend him?…

When questgiver was here Yume also tried to get the quest but she couldn’t get to him as he was living in locked off space. Only Rin was allowed to see him.

-anyway that doesn’t change the fact that you need help. I know it will be hard for you to find people just like that. So you should… .

-I told you many times I won’t join any guild, no matter what!

It was not that Rin had any bad memories with being in a guild. It was just that she hated the sole idea of it.

-if that is the case, give up on the quest. Tell that quest giver that he has to find someone else for it.

-no, I will manage on my own. It’s definitely worth it. And every time I can get farther and farther.

-do what you want then, I can’t convince you anyway…

Yume tried to convince her few times already and she knew that this won’t work. She changed the subject instead.

-by the way Amy, are you going there right now?

-I was going to but now that I meet you and it’s been a while we can at least.

-ah, really, you say that you don’t need any friends. What would you do without me?

-the only friend I need is Mary, so… can we spend some time together?

-I can’t deny that request can I?

-Mary!

They left the cave found a good spot and set up a place to sleep. They ate and continued to talk. Rin started

-as suspected of Mary, you are better cook every day.

-you should also learn how to cook Amy. You are a girl after all.

-what does it have to do with anything?

-you know. You will find your prince one day and you will want to win his heart. Cooking is easy way to do this.

-Mary what happened to you over those pass few months? You used to be normal and now.

-no, it’s you who is abnormal.

-but what is it exactly that you want? Some stupid guys like one that I cut today. Or those that I cut yesterday?

-or any other day. You kill too many of them for my count.

-you should have seen them. Really how did they reach this level? And how did they pass the same 100 level barrier that I passed. I somehow don’t believe they actually managed to do it.

-it’s you who is too good. And you know that unlimited blade is unfair skill to use.

-that’s why I don’t use it too often.

-ah… because you are that good at fighting, you become even more unapproachable. Remember that not everyone have a chance to learn under master of fighting arts.

-if I kill them fast, they should learn something from it. The way of a warrior is a way filled with pain and suffering. I am trying to pass to them some knowledge.

-eh… .

-that’s what master was saying, I think that he was right, although those people somehow don’t study their failure and don’t become any better with time.

-you didn’t change at all. Still, I believe that one day you will change that attitude and will also look for prince on white horse.

-I don’t think so. Not in my case.

The atmosphere has become a little heavier.

-… it will get better after some time, don’t worry. Anyway. Come and let us sleep already.

They have fallen asleep next to each other under the starry night.

Next day before Rin even woken up, her closed eyes were wet with tears. Yume who woke up before her was looking at her while stroking her hair. She would not ask for a reason behind those tears as she knew it too well. She wouldn’t be able to do anything about it anyway. The true problem was that no one in this world or the other world could do anything about it.

After waking up Rin challenged Tomb of Edward Third the Great once again and the result of fifteen try was failure.

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