Chapter 12: Future
After the battle, Neriehem got down from the floating rubble. Once his feet touched firm ground, everything fell down, burying bodies of ex-bishop and librarian deep below. Also, darkness that was covering the sky dispersed, revealing beautiful sunrise. Seeing it, whole city cheered from the fact that they got to see the new dawn.
Neriehem however didn't pay attention to any of these. On the way down he spoke with the goddess, who explained the way curse worked. And that to get rid of it, he must kill the one who cast it. However when he said that he killed both bishop and librarian, the only answer he got was that “Ganteyr was the one who cast it”.
It seems that somehow, his body really transferred inside the game world. He knew that from the amount of pain he felt, which was enough proof that there was nothing to lower pain threshold.
That, and after he descended he felt sudden pressure on his body. With a shout, he got down on his knees. He knew what it meant. Lencraea explained to him, that since his body transferred to the game world, his current avatar will merge with his real body, creating a mix.
Since his game race was an Asyrian, as a human he obviously became Half-Asyrian. His stats also received considerable decrease. Also his appearance changed a little, however since he mostly changed the placement of scales and hair length, he didn't suffer big changes. Actually the only changes he experienced was shortening of his hair, as well as disappearance of scales on his face.
One could say that these made him even more handsome.
He decided to call up his status window to check the changes.
Status WindowName:NeriehemAlignment:GodsentLevel:---Class:NoneRace:Half-AsyrianGender:MaleTitlesCrimson Blitz, The SaviorFame:5000Infamy:0-Health:100% / 100%Health Regen:1% / SecKi:100% / 100%Ki Regen:2% / SecSoul Power80.1% / 100%Soul Power Regen2% / Day-Strength:620Agility:800Vitality:550Perseverance650Intelligence:30Wisdom:30Leadership:230Willpower500-Attack:LethalDefense:MediumPhysical ResistancesSlashing:40%Piercing:35%Crushing:10%Elemental ResistancesFire:50%Water:-50%Wind:0%Earth:0%Light:90%Darkness:140%As Half-Asyrian you have:
- increased rate of gaining increase to melee-related statistics;
By receiving The Savior title, you have Light and Darkness attributes increased by 90% each.
Upon crossing the 100% resistance, you now can absorb damage dealt by the respective element.
It was hard to comprehend the weakening he received. He lost almost 70% of his hard-earned stats, counting out Willpower – which was something unrelated to his body.
- “Still, it's nothing I can't recover” - he thought, as he closed the window.
He started to walk, as his sister found him, and joined him. That was when he told her everything. About the curse, who was the mastermind behind demons raiding the city every night, and what he must do in order to be freed from this game, or rather – world. As a man, Sebastian didn't let his emotions take over.
Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to survive on the streets on his own.
But Viricide couldn't keep her calm. She immediately panicked, worried about her brother. She wanted him to stop joking. But when Neriehem hugged her, she broke to tears, hiding her face in his arms.
She finally understood that it's not a cruel joke.
Her thoughts came back to the day of Sebastian's birthday. She blamed herself for buying the game. She blamed herself for being unable to do anything to help him deal with the situation.
- I won't die, you know. Not until I get to see you in the real world again – he whispered into his sister's ear silently. Those words made her rise her head and look directly into Neriehem's eyes.
- Promise? - she asked quietly.
- I swear on everything I am – he told her seriously, looking into her eyes.
After his oath he saw some light return to her. She stopped crying, but her eyes were still red.
- I'll believe you.
* * *
Finally the rest of the concealment time passed.
During it, everybody focused on rebuilding the city to it's previous state. Everybody did their own share of contribution.
Neriehem worked the hardest out of everyone. He didn't have time to rest, if he was to become stronger. He took only quick breaks for eating, dealing with daily needs and sleeping. He found out that he gets muscle cramps after overworking them.
However that didn't stop him.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
In the meantime his sister went to N.O.V.A. Corporation main office, and surprisingly met with the CEO. However she only received words of apology from them, along with news that they are unable to do anything regarding Sebastian's status.
In other words they had no power over the game they created.
They explained that it's not them who governs the other world, but an AI they created. It seems that there anything is possible. However the CEO assured Clare that they're working on resolving this accident.
Somehow she withheld her emotions, as she thanked for the attention to the CEO and left the building. She only started to cry on the way back home.
* * *
On the day of his departure, whole city gathered to see him off. Everyone wanted to see the hero who saved the city and it's people. On that day nobody was working. NPCs one by one came to him, grasped his hands and thanked him.
Neriehem didn't know what do to at first, but later he got used to it. He kept repeating that he did what he had to. Of course by his side was Viricide.
Finally he was coated in white light, which blinded everybody. After their sight returned, Neriehem was no longer there.
* * *
Neriehem opened his eyes and looked around.
Right now he was in endless white. No matter where he looked, there was white nothingness. After a minute from it came out a person.
There was only one word to describe her: beautiful. She had perfect figure, flowing golden hair and on her face shined wonderful smile. She wore full-lenght white sleeveless dress with a cut on her thighs, revealing slender legs, bare shoulders and showing cleavage.
When Neriehem looked into her eyes, he immediately started drowning in them and their azure color.
- “Stay calm, stay calm. It's just a game. Falling for someone who's not real isn't right. And she's definitely not real. That's just some NPC” - he told himself. After that he took a deep breath and composed himself.
Seeing that, the woman before him smiled, as if he just passed some test. Then she spoke.
- Congratulations, my hero. You've finally finished your concealment period.
Neriehem recognized the voice. It was Lencraea.
- Why are you here? - he asked. But the goddess didn't seem offended by the straightforward way of speech. On the contrary in her eyes flashed some kind of admiration for the person before her.
- It's about reward for your deeds in the Beginners' City, obviously. I don't have to remind you of them, do I?
- Of course not.
- Well then, normally players only would choose the place they want to go. However I can grant you one request you make, unfortunately beside freeing you of the curse – she said, taking seductive pose.
Neriehem gripped his chin, thinking. Obviously he would need to be stronger. He thought about the possibilities, when his sight wandered towards the exposed parts of goddess' body. Immediately his face reddened, with him being glad that he's got scarf around his face. Goddess gave him amused look.
Finally he decided that he wants something to help him become stronger. Hearing it goddess took out simple steel necklace. It was made based on 8-arm star design with square-shaped black gem in the middle.
She hung it on Neriehem's neck, saying that it can lower wearer's stats, leaving desired amount left. Also while stats are lowered, the gain is the same as if they were on that level. After that she explained how to activate it.
Neriehem was very grateful for that. Finally he won't have to order special-made armor and weights, as well as making his training more efficient.
Finally goddess asked him where he'd like to go, presenting him a map of a continent. It was divided into 5 regions, each having at least 2 main cities:
[tr]
RegionCityCenter:Alor
Radrens
Gurth Citadel
Lerien
North:Arh`khur
Leolia
Kyrr'eEast:Indra
Ko'dah
Kourr'ramSouth:Arak-khur
Muri'alen
Jourtan
A'thielWest:Moran
Angara
He immediately decided to go to Angara. That was something he decided on yesterday along with his sister. She would never forgive him if he went somewhere on his own and died, as well as she would never forgive herself.
Goddess smiled at his choice, although her eyes showed surprise, as well as slight admiration. She somehow expected him to go to the center region, since it was the first unlocked region, and therefore the safest. However she quickly composed herself.
- The only thing left is to send you off. I'll be watching you, and how you shall fare on your journey.
Neriehem only nodded.
Then the goddess came closer and kissed him slightly on the cheek.
- Receive my blessing of good fortune and luck. I hope it will help you during your darkest hour.
- You believe in luck? - Neriehem asked, making Lencraea chuckle.
- No, but it's something you believe in, don't you? Now go.
Then she disappeared, and Neriehem was alone again.
He won't let anything stop him from breaking free from the shackles of the curse.
Unknowingly he smiled, as he thought of the far-away future.
______________________________
So, umm, yeah. This is it. Beginners' City Arc is officially over. And with it, the series as well I suppose.
The reason is that I've lost the drive to continue it (I don't have any actual plan for the plot later on - as I have said a few times, I wrote it all on a whim).
Keep in mind that this doesn't mean I won't write anything at all in the future.
I have another series in mind, which will be an experiment of sorts.
I'm not going to spoil the fun, so don't ask about it. Please? :-)
Since I'm not really going to answer (and yes, I am a mean author)
I think I said all I wanted to. Keep your heads up and be happy ^^
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