TeddyPicker stood crouched in the darkness a few meters behind Grace and Kain. The crypt's darkness was absolute. Only a tiny orange flame torch gave a flickering glow that threatened to die out at any moment.
The silk maroon cloak was surprisingly useful. Even from about 10 meters away, Grace and Kain lost sight of him. In the darkness of the crypt, it was easy for him to blend in and disappear.
-Quest Status-
Consult the High Priest
You have made the journey to the small village of Byr-Noldim in the Byr-Syria region. Find the remains of the High Priest and consult his journal for details.
Restriction:
Completed 'Religious Pilgrimage'; Class Quest
Reward:
Skills related to profession.
The next step of the quest was to locate the remains of the High Priest, who had gone into a crypt, and hadn't returned. The High Priest had disappeared over 800 years ago, so TeddyPicker hoped whatever remains were there, it was somehow protected.
Faint scraping and rasping sounds echoed through the dark cave, and TeddyPicker could already make an educated guess as to the inhabitants of the cave.
...undead...
Even though his level was low, he was unexpectedly tasked with entering this crypt, filled with undead, to seek the remains of the High Priest. If not for the help of the High Level users he had hired, TeddyPicker would have failed the quest long ago.
Kain and Grace shuffled forward slowly. Since they had no rogue-type skills, they couldn't ascertain the levels and types of undead in the cave. They moved forward slowly, so as to only attract small numbers of undead at a time.
- TeddyPicker, there is a room, about 200 meters ahead of us. It'll take about 30 minutes to reach it. You're walking a bit fast, so slow down.
Grace was using one of her druidic class skills to communicate with whichever animal was closest in the vicinity. In this case, she commandeered the help of a mole.
- Ok thanks. I'm staying back for now. Let me know when you're at the entrance.
Except for the occasional rattle, there weren't any sounds coming from their party. As long as the amount of undead wasn't too dense, they would be safe.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
After a few moments he heard a quick sound. A blur appeared in the torchlight, followed by a ringing clash of steel on steel.
Armoured opponents? TeddyPicker was surprised. These are the first of their kind that we've encountered.
TeddyPicker was far enough back, that he could only see the faint silhouette of Grace. He could barely see Kain at all.
After a few seconds it was quiet again. He waited a few moments before he shuffled forwards. It was deadly quiet now.
Strange, I can't even hear the undead's gasping... TeddyPicker thought.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The rattle of bones was surprisingly nearby! TeddyPicker squinted and tried to spot any movement, while ceasing his own shuffling.
Clack! Clack!
Suddenly he felt a painful piercing sensation.
What the-?!
*ding*
[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- You have suffered a fatal sneak attack and have died!
[/col][/box]
**
Mark opened his eyes, half filled with frustration, half with amazement. For a moment he was stunned silly. He got out of the pod, still in disbelief.
"AAAAHHHHHHH!!!" He screamed suddenly, overcome with frustration.
HOW CAN I JUST DIE LIKE THAT?!!!
Only after a few moments did he feel a bit calmer.
Well...He thought, taking a deep breath, now what?
Since it was his first death since he had created his character, he didn't know what to do for the next 24 hours. For the first time since he could remember in the last two years, he was thoroughly bored.
Hm, I guess I'll go to the gym and workout a bit... He decided.
Once the plan was made, he quickly changed into training gear and left the house. He kept replaying the moment of his death.
Didn't see anything... barely heard anything...
"It's so unfair!" he said to himself, as he walked past an old lady waiting at a bus stop.
"Don't worry," she replied kindly, with a smile. "If you push past the unfairness, you'll always find great rewards."
Mark paused, confused. "Uh, thanks," he said, before continuing.
Strange old lady...
**
Mark had been doing a complete cardio workout, and was now on the treadmill. He had worked up a sweat, and his muscles were burning.
My endurance is pretty weak, He thought. I've only run...8 km...in 38 minutes.
He kept checking the digital clock on the treadmill, but it increased slowly, even as his body began to move more and more sluggishly. He'd started with the intention of running 10 km, so he still had a fair distance to go.
"Excuse me, sir," a voice said, next to him.
Mark almost felt his soul jump out of his body, so great was his shock.
He stumbled for a split second, and had to run a bit faster before he recovered. "Yea?" he replied, not bothering to take of his earphones, or pull the hood of his hoodie down.
After a few seconds of silence, he watched as a slender feminine hand reached over the treadmill and hit the power button. The treadmill came to an abrupt stop.
"What the fu—" as he stopped and turned, his eyes took note of the gym uniform, accompanied by her muscular legs and frame. His eyes made a quick jump to her face, and froze.
Bright blue eyes, short blond hair, a small bump on the bridge of her otherwise straight and slender nose, with a 1 cm long scar which was a twin to the one on his knuckle – Mark recognised her instantly, even though her hair was styled shorter.
"Er, yes?" He said nervously, hoping she didn't recognise him.
Shit! Of all the people in the gym, why does it have to be her?!
She looked at him closely. Even standing on the treadmill, Mark was only 10 or 15 cm taller than her. Last time they had met, he was perhaps a little more than 1 cm taller than her.
After a second or so her eyes narrowed in recognition. "Oh it's you," she said in disgust.
Mark stuttered. "Err, hi Julia?" He stepped down from the treadmill.
"I'll give you ten minutes to leave, before I call security," she said coldly, looking at his face.
"What?" Mark's eyes widened; his face reddened as the nearby gym-member's overheard the conversation. "Why would you do that?"
"You know how restraining orders work, right?" She said sarcastically.
Mark sighed in resignation and held his hands up. "Fine, let me just get my stuff from the changing room."
Mark walked briskly to the changing room to collect his gear, before making his way to the gym entrance. Unsurprisingly Julia stood near the entrance, waiting for him.
"Give my regards to your sister," he said bitingly, as he pushed the revolving door.
Mark didn't look back and stomped off, petulantly. For all his silent anger and embarrassment, he would never get truly angry at her, even though she had filed a restraining order against him which had more than complicated his life.
Before he knew it, his feet had carried him back to his place. He couldn't help but replay the events that had led to this situation in his head. Even at this point, two years later, he was still torn up over it.
"Mark? Is that you?" Mark's mom called from the kitchen.
He went inside, to speak with her. He hated having to raise his voice during a normal conversation. "What's up?" he asked.
Mark's mom, Gina, was making a salad for herself. Although she was nearing 50 years, she looked like she was 10 years younger. Well, all her good habits had helped – regular gym visits and self-defence classes had helped tremendously with her figure, and her good eating habits had kept her skin smooth, barring a small handful of wrinkles.
Today her long hair was tied up in a bun, indicating she had returned from a self-defence class. The light brown skin of her face, however, was flushed, indicating that she was embarrassed... or angry.
"What the hell were you thinking violating that restraining order?!" she nearly screamed at him. "Do you think jail time is a joke?!"
Angry it is...
"How did it filter down to you?" Mark asked, ignoring her rhetorical question.
Gina looked at Mark for a long moment. Despite paying rent for living at home, and being cut off from any and all allowance, Mark hadn't complained once. She sometimes wondered how he got the money to pay for his expenses, but she never asked. Looking at his face now, she could see he wasn't feeling guilty about anything.
Taking a deep breath she tried to calm down. "Jennifer's mother, Sandra, gave me a very pleasant call a few minutes ago," she said, facetiously. "She wanted to involve the police, but I managed to dissuade her."
Mark shook his head and gave a humourless smile. It isn't even 30 minutes since I saw Julia, and already I am being threatened with police involvement.
"I had free time today, so I decided to go to the gym," he said. "I happened to bump into Julia, who asked me to leave, which I did."
He took a breath then continued, "There wasn't a scene or anything, so it probably just got blown out of proportion."
His mom looked at him carefully for a moment, saying nothing. She noted the mixed feelings he had, as his expression changed briefly.
"If there's nothing else, I'm going up to shower," Mark said, before turning to leave.
Gina stood silently, before returning her concentration to the salad.
This may be impossible, but I think he likes her, she thought curiously.
**
TeddyPicker moved slowly, holding a quarterstaff in front of him warily. Since his insta-death episode, he had decided that they would move as a group. They made more noise, and attracted more attention this way, but it was safer for him to just let Grace and Kain do all the fighting.
After all, I don't even have a single combat ability, he thought irritably. Ishtar really is testing my patience with these impossible missions.
"We're close, only about 100 meters left," Grace said, so softly he had to strain his ears to hear her.
He glanced over at Grace, walking slightly behind him. The dark greens of her cloak seemed to absorb the light emanating from the torch. She was a mysterious figure.
Several times the small group had been ambushed by five or six undead. When either Kain or TeddyPicker had been injured, she was able to restore their health with a light touch. She didn't even need an incantation.
Grace noticed TeddyPicker's look, and nodded at him with a smile, indicating he should keep his eyes forward. TeddyPicker turned towards his other mysterious companion, Kain.
He had yet to use any skills, as far as TeddyPicker could tell, so it meant he had a lot of experience in sword fighting. The Longsword he used, both as a two-handed weapon, and sometimes one-handed, and TeddyPicker realised he hadn't seen Kain use a shield, though obviously the blade was meant to be used in conjunction with a shield.
His full body armour was some sort of dark steel, but because of whatever charm he had equipped, TeddyPicker couldn't estimate the value of it. Still, he had seen one or two arrows hit the armour and simply bounce off, not leaving a scratch.
"Careful, there's a small group of skeletons to the left of us," Grace warned in a low voice.
The tomb was only about 1 km in diameter, but shuffling as they did, it took much longer to cross that distance. Sometimes they simply stood still and allowed Grace to use a skill to find her bearings. In the oppressive darkness it was easy to get lost with just a small torch for light.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Hearing that sound, TeddyPicker put his guard up. He wouldn't be surprised again. His only job was not to die. How embarrassing would it be if he couldn't even do that?
With nothing but a pale flicker as warning, three skeleton soldiers rushed their small group. While the levels of the soldiers only went up until 150, and as such, wasn't a challenge for users whose levels neared 300, they were deadly for TeddyPicker whose level was only 34.
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In the space of a second, TeddyPicker watched as two skeletons aimed for Kain, while the other one rushed him. Before he could even respond, he saw a metal blade flash in the torchlight, beginning the descent that would take his life.
His only reaction was to close his eyes and hope.
After a few moments he opened his eyes, wondering why he was still alive. The skeleton was immobilised by the vines spell, about three meters away from his, the sword still held high up in the air. He decided it would be safer for him not to disturb the skeleton.
"Thanks," he whispered softly to Grace.
She nodded and focussed on maintaining the spell. After a few drawn out moments Kain returned and quickly dispatched the poor skeleton.
After a few moments of silence Grace activated her spell/skill and then indicated they should walk forward slowly.
After about 30 minutes at this pace, they finally closed the distance to the other side of the tomb. After walking against the wall a few moments, they found the entrance to the room.
"You go in, we'll keep guard," Kain said, after checking to see if the room was empty.
TeddyPicker nodded and walked inside the small room. The light of the torch was enough for him to be able to see what was inside the room, though he couldn't make out small details.
The first thing he noticed was a shiny object on a small bed. As he approached it, he could make out a small shrivelled body clutching a large clear gem – perhaps a diamond – the size of a pigeon's egg. The gem was set in a thin 4 bar cage of pure gold [REPLACE link].
The craftsmanship wasn't superb, and perhaps the amulet would only fetch around $1000.00 if it was sold in real life.
Looking around the room, he was able to see a small writing desk with three books on it. The room was empty except for these items. TeddyPicker gathered the items into his inventory, including the amulet.
He paused in front of the body as a sudden thought took his fancy.
He closed his eyes and solemnly held his hands together and said quietly, "Ishtar, Bless this dwarf, who was in your serving for so many years, and allow his soul to rest in your gentle embrace. Amen."
For a long moment nothing happened.
It was worth a try, TeddyPicker thought, opening his yes.
*ding*
[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- Your Faith has increased by 5! (Faith +5)
[/col][/box]
Fufufu, so predictable, he thought smiling.
He nodded to Grace and Kain as he left the small room, and they steadily began their movement back. On the trip back, they weren't disturbed by the undead, and didn't have a single encounter.
**
TeddyPicker stood next to Hinder. They were at the entrance of the village, saying goodbye to Grace and Kain.
In his hands, Kain was holding a gigantic bag, containing 50 000 Gold. "Well, we'll be leaving now," he said. He helped Grace mount her horse, before mounting his own. A third horse, TeddyPicker's one, was now a spare that they would be returning. "While they pay was good, and the work was easy, only contact us again when your level is considerably higher."
TeddyPicker nodded in understanding. While the pay was average, they had lost more than a month (in real life) of time they could have used to gain levels.
"Thanks again for your help," he said. He nodded at Kain, then at Grace. He stood and watched for a few minutes as they left the village.
Hinder turned to him, "We've prepared a room for you," he said. "Tomorrow we'll discuss what you found in the tomb and how you can integrate into the village."
TeddyPicker nodded and followed him.
When he was alone, he took out the three books, as well as the amulet. Two of the books were sealed, and the third seemed to be a journal.
He opened to the first page. He was surprised to find the writing legible.
To the one who follows in my footsteps:
I have travelled a long and arduous road, filled with scorn and suffering. Even to this day, my goals seem so far out of my reach, my soul burns in humiliation.
All that I can do is guide you to Ishtar's Will, and equip you with the knowledge I gained through trial and error.
Know that you walk a difficult path, and that the journey to bring Ishtar to Versailles requires a pure heart and a keen mind. There can be no room for doubt or fear, or you will falter.
Ishtar's hand can be gentle and beautiful, or merciless and cruel. As the chosen of Ishtar, you must guide Her divine hand so it shelters all of her followers.
The people I gathered are simple dwarves and men, and they are not easily persuaded. However, they are devout and will not betray their faith.
I hope you can find the correct path. Know that the Evening Star watches your progress, and that Ishtar will judge you in the afterlife.
High Priest
Golbun
After the first page, which was the note, TeddyPicker continued reading the contents of the book. It described the nature of Golbun's revelation on the mountain peak, and what he needed to be done. It also described his successes and failure.
*ding*
[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- Quest Status has been updated!
[/col][/box]
Ishtar's Will
You have made the journey to the small village of Byr-Noldim in the Byr-Syria region. After consulting the High Priest's journal you were made aware of the true aims of Ishtar's following.
Through whatever means necessary, domination, conquest, or religious subversion, make Ishtar the dominant deity on the Continent of Versailles.
Difficulty:
SS-Grade Quest or Prophet Profession Quest
Reward:
???
Restriction:
Cannot refuse this quest
No time limit
TeddyPicker stared at the message in silence. After a few minutes his mind began to work in overdrive, trying to calculate the chances of success.
I've already complained enough to last a life-time, he thought. All that's left to do is to work hard and try and increase my chances.
He glanced over the journal, filled with writings of the old dwarf.
This High Priest was ill-suited to this task, TeddyPicker thought, calmly. Ishtar must've been desperate to get a follower. This will require incredible leadership and charisma. I'm seriously out of practice with that.
TeddyPicker finally turned to the remaining items, inspecting them.
Methods of Divine Artificing
The Master Blacksmith and High Priest of Ishtar managed to pool together his vast knowledge and create this skill, in order to produce more divine artefacts.
The book is only of use to those who have reached master level in any crafting field.
All members of the Ishtar following can learn this technique provided they are skilled enough.
Restriction:
Reached Master Level 1 in any crafting field.
Ishtar's Divine Aura
A skill to manipulate the divine aura of Ishtar.
The book is only of use to those who have joined Ishtar's Following.
All members of the Ishtar following can learn this technique.
Restriction:
Effects vary and depend on Faith.
Divine Artefact – Caged Soul of Ishtar:
Durability: 15/15
Type: Amulet
A work of varying craftsmanship. The gemstone used was poorly facetted, resulting in little to no refraction of light. The gold metalwork on the other hand was fashioned with great diligence, showing the imbalance of skills.
This is a Divine Artefact of Ishtar's Following, and can only be used by those of Ishtar's Faith.
Effect:
Wisdom +15
Faith +15
Charisma +5
Effects depend on whether user is dead or alive.
Restriction:
Follower of Ishtar
Note:
If the user is alive:
Abundance (passive):
Productivity of entire land and all crafts increased by 10%.
Owned land becomes more fertile.
If the user is dead:
Spite (passive):
Calls undead of varying rank (effect dependant on the user's Faith)
TeddyPicker smiled in surprise. While the artefact's stats bonus paled in comparison with those from the richer religions on Versailles, it was a helpful tool for a ruler to get a small bonus. In addition, on the battlefield, it could be very advantageous.
The skill books were also pretty useful.
"Learn Ishtar's Divine Aura, Learn Methods of Divine Artificing!"
*ding*
[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- You have learned 'Divine Aura'
[/col][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- You have learned 'Divine Artificing'
[/col][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]
- You are not qualified to use 'Divine Artificing'.
[/col][/box]
Well, this at least, is a small compensation, but I still have a long way to go.
**
Mr. Lee was on one of his rare lunches. He had received so many messages and notes for meetings and updates today, that he simply ignored them and took lunch.
Today he was in a private garden restaurant, with his aged wife. Mrs Lee chatted slowly, knowing that Mr. Lee didn't like to be pestered with small talk.
Ever since the start of the Royal Road project, Mrs Lee had been taken to less and less lunches with her husband. She was happy just to be out and having lunch at her favourite restaurant.
Mr. Lee laughed at the anecdote Mrs Lee was relating to him. While his exterior was calm and relaxed, inside it was anything but!
Damn, how could this happen?! He thought frantically, trying to maintain his smile.
Royal Road was a game that mimicked real life. To the extent that people in Royal Road experienced similar hardships as in real life. It also mimicked, accurately, the amount of hard work it took to get anywhere in the world.
How in the world did someone manage to activate an End-Game Quest?! He was half-impressed, half furious. Royal Road has barely been released for two years! And with the security systems in place, we can't even monitor the user, or get any details about the quest!
All he had received was an email sent to him by the main AI which controlled the Versailles continent. At first he had thought it was a joke, but now, four hours later, he was waiting to get flown in a helicopter to Unicorn's Head Office within the next two hours, for a meeting with the company's top brass.
The email had simply said:
ENDGAME Quest has been activated!
User: TeddyPicker
**
:arrow: Chapter 4