Chapter 23: MISSIONS
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We descended a narrow staircase into a smaller arena beneath the main hall. The atmosphere was different—solemn yet pulsing with intensity.
At the center of the arena stood a sumo ring, its pristine, flat white surface gleaming under the lights. Three Jingozi occupied elevated seats on one side of the arena, their hoods obscuring their masked faces. The Shogun sat with his royal guard on the opposite side.
Six combatants from each faction stepped into the ring and bowed to the Jingozi. The Samurai bowed another time to the Shogun, who responded with a curt nod. The fighters loaded their Jingozi cards and assumed stances distinct to their class.
Immediately, all but the Monk collapsed onto the mat, writhing in pain.
“Matches are over in an instant,” Edric said. “Time outside the Jingozi arena stands still, though the battle may have lasted days.”
I said nothing, observing the fallen players, their faces contorted in agony. The Monk reached over and offered a hand to anybody who would take it. The clay Demi-Golem accepted, its massive hand clasping the Monk’s. The others scoffed while dragging themselves out of the ring.
The crowd was subdued compared to the one above. Here, spectators quietly observed the competition. One of the Jingozi tossed a black pouch onto the mat, which spilled open to reveal black Jingozi tokens.
The Monk gathered his prize and faced the solemn crowd. He performed the traditional Bao Quan Li, forming a fist with his right hand and covering it with his left palm. Fellow Monks joined him, embracing each other in silence. The Demi-Golem approached the group, offering his respect and camaraderie. That’s what Cragmarr would do, too.
As a new group entered the ring and bowed, I blinked into the Jingozi arena.
I wonder if this will work.
When I opened my eyes amidst a furious battle, the arena's usual unblemished surface was now a blood-soaked battleground.
To my left, the Amazon warrior moved with frenetic grace, her twin blades flashing as she sliced through flesh and bone, blood spraying in her wake. Her movements were fluid and almost dance-like. She decapitated a Ninja with a blinding swift strike, the head rolling to my feet.
Directly before me, a metal Demi-Golem towered twenty feet over the battlefield. Its massive fists slammed into the ground, causing shockwaves that sent opponents sprawling. The impact shattered bones and tore bodies, splattering the area with gore.
The Samurai executed a series of precise strikes. His katana cut deep, severing limbs. Behind him, two female Samurai launched a volley of arrows at other faction members fighting across the arena.
Ninjas darted in and out of the melee, throwing shurikens and launching surprise attacks from every angle to disorient and confuse opponents. Their movements were almost invisible, a blur of speed and agility, blending into their surroundings. They slit throats and stabbed hearts, moving to the next kill before the bodies even dropped to the ground.
A lone elven Monk commanded the ghostly snakes, their translucent forms slithering through the air around her. They hissed and snapped, lashing out at enemies while coiling as a shield around her. When one spectral serpent fell, two more took its place.
The Emperor stood at the center, surrounded by a squad of knights. He wielded a wand emanating dark energy, sending shadow bolts in every direction. Bodies convulsed before crumpling to the ground, where swords skewered them.
The round ended. The Monk extended his hand to draw all the green Zii coins strewn across the arena into his palm, and the fighting stopped. Bodies shimmered and vanished, including any living minions. Even the Golem reverted to his original size.
With the battlefield reset, the six players repositioned themselves to draw another hand of cards. The Amazon stood ready in the starting position for the next round.
I blinked back, and the Monk was declared the winner. The whole experience was so jarring it knocked the wind out of me. Edric’s eyes were on me in an instant. I struggled to steady my breathing, forcing a weak smile.
“I... I don’t feel well,” I said. “It must be the excitement and the food.”
The Overlord’s gaze lingered, his expression neutral.
“Very well. I will return you to the Shogun,” he said. “But first, I would dearly regret it if I did not indulge in some amusement of my own.”
* * *
Edric strode onto the stage, forcing the previous players to scramble out of his way. The Shogun’s gaze landed on him and then on me, his face twisted in anger. Edric savored the reaction with a grin.
“Next match,” Edric commanded. “I shall now represent the Emperor faction.”
The Jingozi acknowledged him with a slight nod, and a drum beat welcomed the players from the remaining factions into the ring. Each bowed to the Shogun. Edric didn’t but simply kept looking back at him with a smirk.
Each player was a level 96 tier 4 Jingozi Master, but Edric, at tier 5, didn’t even display a level. I shuddered as I imagined what was about to unfold in the arena, but also curious.
Everyone took their battle stance except Edric, who spread his arms and tilted his head upward. All the players collapsed in agony while he remained unmoved.
The Monk and Samurai suffered the worst, convulsing and vomiting blood before falling unconscious. Splashes of crimson stained the once-pristine, white ring. Faction members tried to rush in to help, but Edric raised his hand, halting them. He materialized four purple, glowing Zii coins and placed them on the eyes of the lifeless Monk and Samurai.
After a deep breath, Edric snapped his fingers, and the Zii melted into the eyes of his victims, reviving them. The Monk and Samurai coughed as they came back to life.
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A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of fear, confusion, and outrage. Satisfied, Edric lowered his hand, allowing others to enter the ring and tend to the injured. The Shogun’s face twisted with fury as he stormed out of the arena with his guards.
* * *
As we returned to the prison, Edric remained pensive, idly twirling a long iron wand in his hand. The wand had an oversized amethyst on one end with a spiked tip on the other.
He leaned forward, waving the point inches from my face.
“Rest well, Ember. Maybe I’ll see you at your execution?”
Day [32/40]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [20 Days]
The tension in the war room was palpable as I stood with Taikumi, Sora, and the twins. My hands trembled as I recounted the previous day's events.
“You should’ve seen it,” I said. “He’s a monster.”
“Of course. It was an unfair match,” Sora scoffed, leaning back in her chair with arms crossed. “That’s what the Emperor faction does. They use these displays as acts of intimidation, nothing more.”
“Sora is right,” Taikumi agreed. “But Edric’s presence is a surprise. He’s not just any Emperor. He is the faction leader, and his influence is second only to his cunning. We must not underestimate him.”
I slammed my fist on the table, startling the twins.
“How can the Jingozi allow this to happen? Aren’t they supposed to be impartial?”
Taikumi sighed, glancing at Sora before speaking.
“The Emperor faction has always been the closest to contesting the Jingozi’s power. This odd relationship grants them a certain degree of deference. It’s a delicate balance, and Edric knows exactly how to exploit it.”
Hikari and Kaito exchanged worried glances.
“What does this mean for our plan, Taikumi?” Hikari asked.
“It means we must be careful. Edric’s presence complicates things, but we can’t afford to back down. The plan is too important, and it’s been effective thus far.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” I said.
“What are you going to do?” Kaito asked.
“Get stronger,” I said, turning towards the door. I stormed out of the room, leaving the others in silence.
* * *
I tore through my Ninja missions, each representing a stepping stone toward more power. Every waking moment was consumed by the drive to gain more strength. Between missions and hurried meals, I trained.
My level 10 power spike became an obsession, a singular focus drowning out everything else. I pushed myself harder. Feelings and emotions went out the door, replaced by cold efficiency and stone-like focus. People murmured around me that I had changed, more menacing and unnerving. Even Kitty kept her distance.
I didn’t care.
The concern in their eyes, the whispers behind my back—nothing mattered. What mattered was reaching the next level.
* * *
I infiltrated a hidden labor camp where villagers were being forced into indentured servitude. Rather than picking off the guards one by one, I stormed the camp, maiming the Samurai with a flurry of card shots. The prisoners stared, confused, their expressions a mix of gratitude and fear. I was gone before they could voice either.
MISSION COMPLETE: THE LABOUR CAMP
Infiltrate the hidden labor camp and free the slaves.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [5/10]
Remaining Time: [19 Days]
* * *
When I attacked the operations of a low-level smuggling ring, stealth was unnecessary. I went right through the front door, assaulting the leaders into submission. After torching the place, I made an example of the three ringmasters, hanging them unconscious off a bridge.
MISSION COMPLETE: THE SMUGGLING RING
Dismantle the local smuggling ring.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [6/10]
Remaining Time: [18 Days]
* * *
A key witness sought protection from a famed assassin, this time a rogue Ninja. I confronted the assassins head-on, battling him in the streets as onlookers gathered. The crowd watched in stunned silence as I beat the assassin within an inch of life, leaving the witness shaken but safe. Even the local Samurai guards kept their distance, unwilling to risk their lives for criminals or commoners.
MISSION COMPLETE: PROTECT THE WITNESS
Protect the witness from a rival guild of assassins.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [7/10]
Remaining Time: [17 Days]
* * *
Exposing a ruthless Samurai lord required evidence, but I broke into his estate anyway, tearing through his guards. He caved and wrote a confession to spare his life. After discovering his fetish for children by the art in the room, I blinded him with a flashbang card. I then used his blood to mark the walls with a warning from the Ninja faction.
MISSION COMPLETE: EXPOSING A TYRANT
Expose a Samurai lord and get a signed confession of his crimes.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [8/10]
Remaining Time: [16 Days]
* * *
Another corrupt official was evading justice, hiding away in a safe house. To expose him, I delivered the evidence of his corruption directly to his peers by finding their wives and giving them a message to take home. I’d visit their children next. The next day, the official’s allies turned on him, executing him without hesitation.
MISSION COMPLETE: END THE CORRUPTION
Ensure the corrupt official no longer lives by any means necessary.
QUEST UPDATE: NINJA GUILD
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [9/10]
Remaining Time: [15 Days]
* * *
The local resistance group needed protection for another meeting. My mission notification warned of a mole within their ranks, so I informed them I knew who it was. I promised to expose all the traitors at the gathering and punish their family, friends, and mistresses. The meeting proceeded without a hitch, and all members—except one—were accounted for. The traitor was found later having committed seppuku to atone and spare his family.
MISSION COMPLETE: DEFEND THE RESISTANCE
Expose the mole and protect the resistance during their critical meeting.
UPDATE: YOU HAVE COMPLETED A QUEST [NINJA GUILD]
Complete 10 Ninja Guild Missions
Progress: [10/10]
Bonus Experience Available
Remaining Time: [14 Days]
LEVEL UP
Name: Ember [8160]
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Level: 10
Deck Cards: 36 [Battle] / 9 [Spell]
Day [39/40]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [13 Days]
That night, I lay in a hot bath, scrubbing the blood and grime from my skin. I discovered a bone splinter lodged between my knuckles. Steam rose around me, blending with the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. And I was torn. On one hand, I felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing I’d made an impact—even if it was through fear and violence. On the other hand, I barely recognized myself.
As I soaked, lost in thought, Sora appeared in the doorway. She stood silently, as she often did, watching me. As usual, our eyes met, and I expected her to walk away without a word. Instead, she gave a slight nod of approval—at least, I thought she did.
“Get out,” she said. “You’re due for interrogation.”
The bath suddenly felt ice cold.