Hey there folks, before you start eating this chapter alive, I would like to tell about a change I've made in the wording
'armband' changed to 'wristband'.
I did it because it makes more sense this way, especially with ankleband.
After all, ankles are to legs what wrists are to arms. :P
All right, enjoy your read. [th_096_K.gif]
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Chapter 7: Clare's story
- 'Finally I've made him happy' – thought Clare as she was looking at her older brother, Sebastian. It was his 22nd birthday today, and she felt relieved that her choice of present hit the mark.
Of course it was only thanks to the lottery ticket that turned out to be victorious one. If not for that, she wouldn't ever be able to afford the cost for VRG and Rising along with yearly subscription. She felt useless, like a dead weight holding down her brother, who was struggling to ensure she had received throught education. Once she got accepted into a good university, she would be sure to be recruited for a job after graduation.
Sebastian did so much to her, and yet the only thing she could do was to suprise him using the money he won. However when she was researching information about the game, she once wandered onto the auction site.
She saw that Rising had received a category on it's own. Initially, Clare planned to check whether there are some discount VRGs. However now she couldn't resist the temptation to check it out.
There, she saw unbelieveable sight. The category had thousands of offerts like 'Selling Steel Sword of Blazing Ice! Good damage, Mid-high Durability. 5-50% Chance to freeze! Only 30000 USD!'
She had to refresh the site a few times before she believed her eyes. She looked at the offers on the site for some time, before she decided that she will order two VRGs.
She was going to help her brother. If she couldn't do it in real life, she would do it in virtual one.
* * *
Do you want to become the Rising Star?YesNo
- Yes! - she said enthusiastically. She will become strong enough to support her brother. Clare decided that no matter what, she will help him.
However she was thorn between two choices.
Ever since she was little, the thought of magic fascinated her. At first, she imagined herself as a good fairy which would help everybody with the use of it. As she grew up, the image changed to that of respected magician, helping everybody with their problems, no matter how big they were.
However when she was researching information about the game, she accidentally found a video uploaded by some random user. That man was using two handguns and was all alone in some dark dungeon. Clare watched in ave as he was fighting hordes of monsters coming at him from all directions. She couldn't avert her eyes from his graceful movement and mastery over his weapon.
As she was still having trouble deciding on the path she would take, the character creation process started. She quickly chose her name to be Viricide and sex as a female, while thinking – 'Who the hell right with mind would chose diffrent sex then in real life? Discounting total perverts of course.'
After that she was presented with a choice of 20 out of 28 races. She found out that the reason is that she knew too much about certain of them, so they were blocked for her. Incidentally those were races she wanted to become, so she had read a lot of information about them.
- 'What should I do now?!' - she panicked. After all, she couldn't know that after someone researched certain races thoroughly, they were blocked for that person. All of the races she searched info about were especially gifted in magic. This has shocked her greatly. She was now forced to chosing race, about which she knew only name.
After twenty minutes of meditating on the problem and looking trought all of the races before her, she decided to become a Dark Elf. Then she spent another half an hour perfecting the image of her avatar – 'No, my image' – as she thought by now. Then she was teleported to the City of Beginners.
There she appeared in a dark, stone temple. There appeared a message about information restriction while inside City of Beginners. She got angry at the creators for playing such a cruel trick on her, as well as on people who placed information about their races on the net after going trought 40-day confinement. And she felt angry with herself for being so greedy for knowledge.
After she calmed down, Clare decided to see where she is. When she walked around the temple, she imagine the work it must have taken to make a game so detailed. At the thought of the time spent on it, she felt chills going down her back.
Soon enough she got used to the virtual reality and went out. There she was shocked, seeing all buildings somehow equipped with gears. They were everywhere, linked into one, great mechanism and as she looked around, she saw that the center was great tower with giant clock on it.
She was dazed with the sight, fortunately the square she was in was strangely empty. However she could hear some sounds she took as a chase trought the city.
Then she thoguht about her status and skill information. She quickly called it out and checked what it said.
Status WindowName:ViricideAlignmentNeutralLevel:- - -Class:NoneRace:Dark ElfGender:FemaleTitle:NoneFame:0Infamy:0-Health:100%/100%Health Regen:0.5% / SecMana:100%/100%Mana Regen:2% / SecStamina:100%/100%Stamina Regen:1.5% / Sec-Strength:8Agility:12Vitality:9Intelligence:15Wisdom:15Luck:10-Attack:100%Defence:100%Physical Resistances:Slashing:0%Piercing:0%Crushing:0%Elemental Resistances:Fire:5%Water:5%Wind:5%Earth:5%Light:5%Darkness:5%As a Dark Elf you have:
- increased hearing sensitivity and range;
- additional rate of gaining increase to magic-related stats;
- additional rate of increasing agility stat;
- lower rate of increasing strenght stat;
- naturally increase to elemental resistances by 5%;
- additional starting stats in intelligence and wisdom at the cost of losing leadership;
- extra 2 points in agility at the cost of 2 points from strenght.
Viricide wasn't quite happy with the loss of Leadership stat, but she could chose worse.
- 'At least it's quite magic-heavy class. Good for me' – she thought to herself and started looking around. She immediately spotted guard, so she came closer to him.
- What do you want from me, otherworlder?
- I would like to ask for direction where library is.
- So you're new, huh? Library is west from here – told the Guard, pointing where it is.
- Thank you have a nice day.
- Wait a second, there's something I have to ask you about. Did you just arrive here?
- Yes, is there any problem?
- Well, you see... I would advise you to rent a room in an inn to spend night in.
- That's what I plan to do later, when I'll be going to sleep.
- That's not what I meant. These days, you see, there are demons appearing on the streets at night. They are preying on everybody stupid enough to go out in the street. Especially otherworlders.
- Isn't it your duty to get rid of them?
- If you met one, you would know that it's impossible. You wouldn't be able to even move. And that's coming from the likes of you, who don't fear death, you know.
- Then how come there are still people here?
- Because every house is protected by a barrier of sorts. It's made so that it will hurt every demon trying to break in. We do not know who put them there, but we have survived thanks to them so far.
Viricide talked with the guard for a few minutes after that and then left for the library.
When she finally reached it, she was suprised. The building was much lower then what she imagined. Then she read the name:
The great library
Upon reading that she couldn't help but chuckle, seeing such opposites before her.
The building had only one story and was built on a 20x25 meters area. It was like a single family house in real world!
But still, Viricide went inside. She didn't come here for nothing.
- 'Who knows, maybe it magically enchanted so that it will be bigger inside?' - she thought to herself, as she was opening doors leading inside.
There she was stunned. It has overreached her expetations by over 50 times. The building really was enchanted, making it four times bigger than on the outside. However what was the most suprising was a giant well at the middle, with staircase leading to the lower levels.
The staircase was only accessible by the librarian, as it was placed behind his desk – or that's what Viricide concluded.
To the sides were rows of desks and tables with comfortable chairs.
Inside of the library was also isolated from outside sounds. There was unbelievable silence. Viricide was willing to bet that she would be able to hear a feather falling on the ground here.
She quickly came to the librarian. He was an old man without any hair and wearing small glasses. He was dressed in a white robe.
- How can I help you, lass? - he asked as she came closer.
- I would like to read books about magic – she said bluntly.
- Ahh, right. I shouldn't have asked. You otherworlders only come to libraries for those things, right? - he said venomously and handed over book called 'Manual for beginner spellcasters'.
- What do you mean? - Viricide asked puzzled.
- Exacly what I told you. Now go and learn those spells. Don't bother me unless you want something else – old librarian shunned her away.
Viricide got angry at the librarian for such a cold treatment. However she had no idea what how to react, so she went to the closest desk and started reading.
* * *
Five hours passed and Viricide finally finished reading the book. After completing her lecture, she was awarded with two spells:
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Mana BoltBeginner10%Basic offensive magic skill. Shots out little bolt of pure mana made to inflict damage. Accuracy depends on the caster.
Number of bolts: 1
Cost: 10% max Mana / Bolt
Number of bolts will increase with skill level.
- 'Oh yeah, I got something useful! I wonder what's the next one is...'
[tr][td100]Skill for lighting up dark places. Basic magic spell. Useful for magic apprentices to gain better control over mana.
Cost: 3% max Mana / Sec
Cost will lower with skill level.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Mana LightBeginner10%
Viricide was stunned with the cost of each spell.
- 'What the hell, this much mana for some weak spell? Damnit, waste of time. Unless there's some kind of way to lower the cost... Okay, I've decided' – she thought as she closed the book and headed towards the librarian. She didn't like him at all from the way he treated her, so she wanted to keep it short.
- Here you go, the book you gave me.
- That was centrainly fast for the likes of you. I thought it would take you whole day.
- Then I guess you underestimate us, otherworlders. But I didn't come here to argue with you. I want to borrow books about mana and mana control.
- Ohh, clever one, aren't you? Seems like some of you can move those tense heads of yours after all. Wait here for a moment. I'll go get them.
With those words old librarian turned around and quickly went to the staircase. Viricide followed him with her eyes.
After two minutes he came back to her with six books of diffrent sizes.
- Here you go.
- That was fast. Didn't the thought to stall a few hours cross your mind?
- It did, but I concluded that the faster you get what you want, the faster you will go away. I wouldn't want to dirty my hands with your corpse after you had jumped inside to try and get those books yourself. And I really mean it. There's a spell placed on the staircase that burns everybody who's not a librarian. Safety measures. Anyway, some of your friends tried that and they didn't end well. That's what you should know.
- They weren't my friends.
- Tell what you want, the truth is that every single one of your kind treat each other as if they knew each other. That and they treat us, city residents, as something lower.
- Not every one of us is like that!
- Tell you what. You got your books, now go away.
And so Viricide had lost another time. She went to the same desk as before and started reading.
* * *
After she was done with second book, she received new skill:
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Fast ReaderBeginner10%After going trought heavy books, you have increased the speed at which you read, as well as amount of information remembered.
Increase reading speed by 15%
Instantly remembers vital information.
Reading speed and amount of information remembered increases with skill level.
She was happy with the fact and with increased speed she went trought another book. So far she has read books about mana in particular, as to increase her understanding of this force. So far she learned that it's what makes up the world.
However certain races are able to store up excess amounts of mana in their bodies, enabling them to cast magic spells. Mana regeneration is in fact the magic user's body absorbing surrounding energy and storing it in his own body.
At first the amount is miniscule, however it can be increased with training and meditation. Intelligent people tend to have higher amount of mana then others. However because they are used to using it according to the percentage they have, instead of using lesser amount of total mana for the same effect, they use the same % of the resource and gain greater effect.
Congratulations!
You have gained a vital piece of information leading to mana control skill.
You are now able to learn the art of limiting the usage of mana.
Viricide withheld the desire to shout with delight. Just now she had found the way to become master mage. Her dream of being a mage was going to become true.
As she was going to start reading another book, librarian came to her.
- Get out, we're closing. The night is coming.
- W-what? Can't I stay here for the night?
- No you can't. You're only going to let monsters in. And while they kill you, they are most likely going to destroy everything that's not protected.
- I won't let them in.
- Yeah, right. I don't believe that.
- Then you don't have to, old fart. Just lock me in.
- Hmph, arrogant wrench. Just you wait until tomorrow. I can't wait to see your face by then... Hahaha!
- You bet, I'm not going to get scared of a night in the library.
- Yeah yeah. Have fun.
After saying that the old man went outside. Viricide could hear the sound of the locked doors. She waited a few minutes, then went to the doors and tried to open them. They didn't even budge, so she sighed with relief. She didn't want that old fart to give her false safety, only to trick her into dying.
* * *
Night fell. As there was no light source present, she was forced to use her Mana Light spell. Thanks to that she could continue on reading.
- 'It sucks that I have to make stops every two mintes though. Still, it's better than trying to read in the dark!' - she cheered herself up.
Trought the night she received information that the Mana Light skill has leveled up. When she checked, she saw that the upkeep cost went down from 3% to 2.95%. It wasn't worth it in her eyes.
As she went trought the books, from time to time she received notification that either her intelligence or wisdom increased. Each time intelligence received extra point, the mana light started shining brighter and luminated more and more space.
After she went trought second book, a number of windows popped up before her:
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Mana Manipulation MasteryBeginner10%As you have gained general understanding of what is mana as well as it's properties, you have understood the way to manipulate it's flow. Now you can adjust the amount of mana used for each of your spells. Level of this mastery increases with number of changes you make.
Later levels enable creating own spells.
Notice:
Thanks to aquiring Mana Manipulation Mastery, the properties of learned spells have been changed:Mana Bolt:- cost changed to: adjustable.
- number of missiles changed to: adjustable, maximum: 1 (depending on mastery over this spell)Mana Light:- cost changed to: adjustable
- thanks to Mana Manipulation Mastery the spell can be used offensively; can cause blindness.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
- 'Finally! I can tune down this stupid light so that I won't run out of mana every two minutes or so' – thought Viricide happy with the archevement. She focused a bit and library darkened, when the light weakened. Meanwhile she took third book and started reading.
Soon enough she finished reading. While she was reading, she got reminded of the description of Mana Manipulation Mastery. Especially the part about the level increasing with amount of changes made.
Anyway now she has finished all books she asked for. There weren't any more to read, since every book was being kept at the well. Viricide for a while thought about that sadistic librarian, but soon she got sick of it. To focus on something else, she decided to practice her Mana Manipulation Mastery. For that she kept on making the light stronger and weaker. After half an hour she checked her progress. It was now a whopping 60% to the next level. She quickly resumed her training, and after an hour she checked again. However this time the skill didn't increase. Viricide got mad, but then recalled that that skill's level increased with the number of changes made. Not just with making changes. However she was stucked now, as she had no idea what else she can do without destroying furniture here. After a while she thought of laser beams.
She thought of changing the chape of the light. However no matter what she did, she couldn't make it. Soon enought she felt her eyes closing and she found that the chair she was sitting on was really confortable. Then her head dropped on the book lying closed at the middle of the desk and she fell asleep.
* * *
Viricide woke up. First thing she noticed was that she was lying on the desk with a book under her head. Second was that it was bright inside. And the third was that she was very hungry. She opened her inventory and took a piece of bread she found inside. After quick breakfast she felt little better, however the taste of the thing was disgusting. Instead she looked around and saw the old librarian watching her. She swallowed her aversion to the man, picked up the books and gave him the books.
- Oh, you're still here. I thought you left.
- No, I didn't. You should stop thinking too much or your head will burst.
- Hah, now this is a first. You're a thousand years too young to speak to me like that, kid.
- You must have gone senile from all those years, you old prick.
- You know what, I've had enough of it. GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LIBRARY!
Along with the shout Viricide felt sudden pressure as she was thrown trought the room all the way to the doors. Which somehow opened up right before she crashed and she flew out to the street.
Crash!
People were grouping up to see what was the thing that flew out of the library. Everybody circled the person lying down.
They saw that she was a complete beginner, still in starting rags. However everybody noticed that she was beautiful. She had long, cyan hair reaching her waist. Men immediately became captivated. Women however just gave her a glance of superiority and went their way.
- 'Goddamnit, so embarrasing. Couldn't that bastard just just finish on shouting at me to go away? I soo want to kill him...' - Viricide was slowly standing up as she had those kind of murderous thoughts.
Men on the other hand suddenly started giving her some money. She had no idea what was going on, but she accepted everything they gave her with a smile. While first ones did it out of pity, others soon joined only to have her show them that smile of hers.
Men are such disgusting species.
After a while she sucked all the money she could get and somehow left before they realised she wasn't there. When they did, Viricide was already in the tailor shop ordering some set of leather clothes. By a chance there was one set like she wanted it to be, so instead of ordering a new one she asked to buy that one and asked to make little amendments. After a few minutes Viricide came out of the shop, finally looking like a normal person.
She looker around and when she saw a guard, she immediately went to him.
She asked for the direction of training range.
* * *
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Everybody inside was practicing. The Instructress looked at each of them, and nodded with satisfaction.
She was tall, elven woman. Because of her mastery over every ranged weapon, she was appointed as the instructress of this training range. A few years passed sine that moment, and now she looked proudly over her domain.
It was very long building, divided into three segments: archery range, entrance and weapon storage, and gunners' range. Right now she was watching over her trainees in the gunners' range. So far nobody caused problems, and everyone was practicing wholeheartedly. There were no slackers.
Then she heard someone coming in. As went to the entrance, she saw a dark elven girl coming inside. Instructress frowned, since dark elves were more gifted in magic.
- Welcome here, traveller. What do seek here?
- I want to train shooting two handguns – replied newcomer. Instructress only nodded and said:
- The fee for week of training is 50 silver. And by that I mean proper training with guidance and display of correct form of shooting.
- Deal.
Instructress frowned, as she didn't expect her to agree so quickly. However she couldn't refuse when she saw newcomer handing over the money.
- All right, come with me. I'll show you the basics – she told as she grabbed two handguns from the storage and headed to gunners' range. Viricide followed her.
After a minute they reached closest unmanned practice target.
- All right, there you go. I'm going to show you how to properly aim with two handguns, since that's what you requested. However before I start, there are some things you should know about the basics of fighting using this kind of weapon.
- I'm all ears – replied Viricide. Instructress immediately thought that she likes her. She was straightforward with her words, unlike most of these otherworlders.
- All right. First, do you know what's the most important while fighting using two handguns?
- Hmm... how accurate you are?
- Close. That's the second thing, however less important only by a lesser margin. Can you imagine standing still and aiming at the enemy while he rushes at you?
This time Viricide went into deep thoughts. After a minute she lifted her head and said:
- I wouldn't be able to do that, the pressure will be too much for me.
- However that's how you usually shoot. While standing, right?
- Well... yeah.
- And that's the beginners' mistake, chick!
- What do you mean?
- Handguns aren't long-range weapons unlike bows and crossbows. The second one actually requires you to be stationary while reloading... no matter. Handguns are made for mobile mid-close range fighters. Look around you. Do you see what those guys are using?
Viricide immediately looked at the other trainees. - They are using... rifles?
- That's right. And they are standing still because it's easier to pick up then the bow or crossbow, you know. However when mastered, you will see that it's actually considerably weaker then the bow. There are no new possibilities with rifles, only one attack pattern.
- But isn't it the same with bows?
- You're right, however bows possess greated damage when compared to a rifle. And after some time of firing arrows the archer can shoot more accurately then any rifleman.
- Then why are those guys training to use it?
- Because they are stupid. They were bent on training with it. However with handguns, the situation is a diffrent world honey.
- Why's that?
- You will get the answer after I tell you about the basic of handgun fighting. You see, it's all about mobility.
- What?!
- Exacly. Because you will be mostly on the frontlines, you will have to be quick on your feet. Just so you know, it's not an easy path. However I can see you're determined. I don't know about you otherworlders, but I often think you know something normal person wouldn't know.
- Umm, so what about the handguns?
- Ah right. Well, because you're going to be close to the enemy, you'll be able to see him from up close, right? Then imagine if you were far away. What would you see then?
- Oh, so you mean that the strength of close-combat lies in ability of the fighter to attaack from much more directions?
- Exacly. However that's where the problem comes in. You're going to have terribly high agility to even think of fighting like that. And because of that you're going to do some errands for me... - said Instructress, finally revealing her true colors. - Of course I will reward you after you complete the tasks given. Oh, and you're going to take those handguns. Just so that you get used to them.
- Uhh, right?
- Fine then, get to the work. You are to deliever this to...
After that Instructress continued to give Viricide a lot of tasks involving running around the city. Because there was a time limit, she had to push herself to make it in time or she will fail and go trought a punishment. Also, in case she gave up, she won't be able to come to the training range ever again.
So, Viricide was cursing Instructress and her sadistic ways of training.
However the training itself was very effective, as by the end of sixth day she reached 100 agility.
Of course Viricide stayed at the range for the nights. Sometimes she trained and slept, other times she slept and logged out.
Thanks to the training she was going trough, on the third night she even received new stat
New stat aquired: FocusYou are able to concentrate better on your tasks. Helps with casting magic. Improves aiming skills while using ranged weaponary.
Unable to allocate points to this skill.
Skill rises with the state of the user's mind.
After she had gained the skill her aim drastically improved. Of course, she kept on using the Mana Light. However, she also trained in the use of Mana Bolt.
Six days passed since Viricide started training. Right now she was wondering whether she could strengthen bullets she fired. She tried to do it with various methods. Finally she managed to infuse one of the bullets. When she fired it, the power of the shot was astounding. It left a hole and the practice target. Since then she worked on infusing bullets with mana before they were fired.
After Instructress saw that, she ordered Viricide to sign up for the tournament. Viricide did as asked and the next day took part in it. She had a good night's sleep trought the night and took care of her real body. Of course she prepare a dinner for her brother, who was still playing.
She had no idea that Sebastian was going trought his murderous training.
* * *
On the tournament she was defeated on her 4th fight. However she found out that what Instructress said about the mobility being primary focus of gunners like her was true.
After that she was told to train shooting while moving in every direction. And so Viricide trained hard, running around the gunners' range and shooting to targets she passed. When she was confident with running in straight lines, she moved to the next step and started changing directions while shooting practice targets. Also, from time to time she infused bullets with mana so that they would become much stronger.
Eventually she gained new skills made specially for this kind of combat:
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Maze StepsBeginner10%Your movements become unpredictable. Enables sudden direction changes while retaining present speed, no matter how fast you go. Your speed is the limit!
Cost: 5% max Stamina / direction change
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Mana InfusionBeginner10%You are able to strenghten your weapons using mana. The outcome is vast increase in damage done with the use of them. Strength depends on the amount of mana infused.
Finally the week of training under Instructress' eyes ended.
- All right, I would like to ask you to return those guns you have been using.
- What? I don't get to keep them?
- Not really.
- But you told me that I'd be rewarded if I did all that running for you!
- And you were. Don't tell me that you thought getting that much stat points is normal! Because I tell you, it's not.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Oh all right then. But where can I buy my own pair of handguns? After all you just took the pair I had...
- Right here! I can proudly say that it's the only place where you can get your own gun or handgun! I can even make a custom order just for the fact that you actually survived my training!
- 'Just great... at least I can make a custom order' - thought Viricide at that news. - All right then, can you make a pair of handguns that can both fire physical ammunition and magic bullets?
- Why would you need it? - asked Instructress, curious.
- Because I have the Mana Bolt skill and I would like to put it to some use. And there might be a moment I run out of ammunition. That would be my end.
- You're right with that. However you don't need any special kind of a handgun for that, dear. The thing you need however is the special kind of magazine. You know, the one that can absorb mana, and shape them into bullets.
- Really? Then that explains why I couldn't fire bullets of mana from those handguns...
- W-whoah, you have tried doing that with these handguns?
- Um, yeah.
- Did you come up with the idea yourself?!
- Yeah.
- Wow... You know what, I'm going to give you two handguns and magazines for magic bullets. As you already know how to infuse bullets with mana, then you shouldn't have problem with filling them. It works in similar manner.
- Are you sure? You're unexpectedly generous today, you know.
- I just have a good day – said Instructress smiling, while she went to the storage for the weapons she offered. - All right, here you go. Think of it as an investment of sorts.
- Whose?
- Mine. There's something in you, that will change this city for better.
- Then doesn't that mean you're really investing in yourself?
- Hahaha, well if put it that way, I actually do! - she said grinning broadly – But don't you dare to lose this equipment. You hear me? It's worth a fortune.
- You bet!
After that Viricide asked whether she could still come here to train individually. Instructress agreed, however she said that in return she would have to sign up to the tournament and show her how much she has grown.
Of course Viricide agreed.
* * *
She was currently on an errand from training hall. This time she received the pay, so it was worth the trouble. She was heading back when she heard about the no-restrain duel. She got interested, so she went to the arena along with a stream of interested people.
She knew how it is to be standing in the pit. She stood there in the last tournament. However, she was paired up against the tournament's champion. She watched the man in favour fight against the person he lost against, so she knew how strong he is.
As he looked at the underdog, she couldn't help but pity him. It seemed like he was dragged there by force.
Much to her suprise underdog won. Viricide was stunned by the show of his strength. - 'I want to be like him' – she thought. However when she came to her senses the man already left. She immediately headed to the counter and asked the boss of the arena if that man signed up for the tournament. She wanted to meet him and learn how he got so strong. After the NPC told her positive answer, she left immediately.
She had to be even stronger.
* * *
The tournament was starting soon. Viricide was heading towards the arena, thinking about her character. It seems that she became a hybrid between a mage and a gunner. Magic gunner? She liked the sound of it. She couldn't wait to meet the victor of the duel she witnessed three days ago.
She believed that it was him who killed all those demons today's morning. If it wasn't him, then who else? Nobody here was powerufl enough.
She finally arrived at the arena. She confirmed her participation and headed towards the waiting room. There she saw him. During the break she took from game she found out that the man was really her brother. That information shocked her, however she didn't show how much of an impact it had on her. Later on he told her about the very effecting practive method he discovered. He just had to use weights during every moment of it, and he would gain stats at tremendous speed! However he didn't tell her how heavy they had to be.
She was about to ask him about it, when she dropped the thought. She's going to find out by herself. Also, if she were to blow her cover she wouldn't see how strong she is. Her brother would never fight with her seriously.
That's why she only stood there, watching him. Soon enough some guys came over to her, hitting on her. She played along, trying to find out as much information about them as she could. In return she teased them a little. Was she bad? She didn't think so. For her that was just another method of fighting. While the guys were busy praising their strengths, she only thought about the plans to deal with them all.
* * *
Finally it was semi-final. She was going to be matched agains her brother.
She didn't fear it. There was nothing she could change now, and she was confident in her skills. Also, her brother seemed to burden himself with those weights of his more and more. She had no idea how were they made, but she was going to show him that giving handicap to enemies will be deadly for him.
However she still prepared a letter for him, in case she lost. There she wrote about the reason why she didn't expose herself.
* * *
She couldn't believe it.
He actually dodged her bullets from so close. All she could do was look at him in daze, as he cut her into two halves. She couldn't stop admiring her brother for winning agains all the odds. Eventually before her body turned into dust, words leaked from her mouth:
- Haha, as expected of my older bro! You're really strong, huh...?
* * *
She was amazed. He dealt with Lark beautifully. Altrought it seemed that he was going to lose at first, somehow he dodged or parried every strike. Also, trought the fight, it seemed he had gotten faster. Viricide watched every second while holding her breath. It was wonderful fight. She revered Sebastian even more now. She adored him for going trought every difficulty he faces. And that most of them were the ones he placed upon himself. With the will to catch up with him, she headed to the training range. She wanted to ask Instructress about whether there are some weights she could use.
However she was stopped by her brother.
She didn't want to see him now. She didn't want to burden him.
She wanted to become strong enough so that she could see him to eye.
However he told her that he was the rumored Savior. Of course she beleived it. However it's diffrent from knowing. She despaired, because she feared that he was going somewhere out of her reach.
But he gave her hope.
He wanted her to kill demons alongside her, as he told her that was the fastest way to train.
Then he offered to make her weights he had, so that the hunt would bear even more fruits.
She immediately agreed.
As they went around preparing for the night to come, he told her about his discovery of useless movement. He told her that his training with weights not only did increase his strength, but also removed a lot of unnessescary movement he had. That was what made him so skilled fighter.
In turn she told him about Mana Manipulation Mastery, and how it worked. Together, they formed a theory that it might work alike with Stamina, where the more you spend it, the stronger skill's effect becomes. After that both of them wandered about the city waiting for the nighttime.
From time to time she had noticed that Neriehem was in deep thoughts, however he didn't tell her what he was thinking about.
But Viricide knew that her brother wanted to make sure of something. He caught a dangerous idea, and wanted to put it to the test.
- 'If only he would share it with me...' - she thought.
The EndPrevious ChapterNext Chapter
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All right, I have no friggin' idea what's the deal with Mana Light spell table.
When it was posted alone, it worked just fine.
...
I really have to lower table count in those chapters...
EDIT:
I forgot to tell ya: I have re-made status table from the scratch, however the tons of free space are still there.
I have no idea what's the cause, I can only apologise for inconvenience.