Silence fell on the strange space. Quickstep, Liam, and Silent Acacia took deep breaths as they stared at the boss. In front of them was Toxanerla, kneeling on the ground, her chest heaving bitterly.
“Please, adventurers. Spare me! I haven’t taken my revenge yet!”
The witch looked pitiful, the cloth covering her eyes about to loosen before she hastily put it back in place despite her exhaustion.
Silent Acacia and Quickstep glanced at Liam, but they already guessed which choice he would make. After all, killing a relevant NPC cut off all future interaction, denying possible stories or loot.
Just as the couple had guessed, they saw Liam putting away his weapons and copied him.
“Thank you, adventurers. Here, this is the Staff of Melvun. Take it and never come back here!”
Toxanerla spoke weakly. She put a small bag onto the floor before dragging her injured body back into the hut. With a bang the door shut heavily.
Liam wasn’t bothered by the witch’s attitude, taking the bag from the floor.
Suddenly a strange feeling of repulsion assaulted the party. The world around them spun, throwing them out forcefully.
With a thud they ungracefully landed on their butts, back in the black and white forest.
“Hey, this was a good fight!”, exclaimed Silent Acacia happily as he helped up his girlfriend.
“Yeah, it went well.”, agreed Liam.
“So, what are you doing now? Do you need to stay with the infernals?”
“Aren’t you a bit hasty?”, laughed Liam. “Shouldn’t we take a look at the loot before talking about this?”
“Loot? You mean that bag contains more than just your staff?”
“Of course.”
Liam nodded matter-of-factly while pulling on the bag in his hand. It disappeared in a burst of light. A ring remained in his hand while a few other items were transported into Liam’s inventory.
[Ring of Monedran’s Claw
Category: Uncommon
Level requirement: 20
Agility: 8
Physical Damage: 30
Pet Physical Damage: 50
During the forging of this ring powder made form the horned claw of the mighty dragon Monedran has been added. The vague dragon pattern forming on its surface makes it a must have for fashionable nobles.]
Although the ring did look quite stylish it didn’t cause much excitement among the trio. Even Silent Acacia only took it reluctantly, since Zorn didn’t rely on physical damage.
Glancing at the other items, which were mostly of green quality, Liam could only admit that his luck wasn’t great.
Only a consumable scroll containing a strong spell could rouse his interest, eventually coming in useful during the next dungeon raid.
After sorting through the loot, Liam addressed his friends:
“Ok guys, I’ll continue my quest now.”
“Can we help you?”
“No. I have to bring this staff back to the city. You guys would only get into danger.
“Pity. I guess we will return then.”, said Silent Acacia, looking at his girlfriend for approval.
“Alright. You remember what I told you earlier?”
“Yes. We should be fine.”
Liam nodded his head, looking at his friend with a hint of worry:
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Be careful then.”
Quickstep and Silent Acacia were surprised, letting out some chuckles:
“Don’t underestimate us! If necessary, we will fight our way through!”
“Ok ok, sorry!”
Seeing Quickstep’s confidence, Liam changed his tune. The trio laughingly said their goodbyes and disappeared into the forest.
After separating from his friends Liam directly returned to Mighty Rentrasn’ar’s City. He kept his head low on the way, avoiding players as much as possible.
Fortunately, he didn’t come across another caravan. Thus, he soon arrived at the city without getting into trouble, entering the compound belonging to the Black Chain Rebellion.
One of the skeleton’s eyes lit up brightly as it spotted Liam.
“Adventurer! The liberator has been awaiting you. Did you get the item?”
“I did.”
“Great, follow me!”
The skeleton seemed to be in a great mood from Liam’s reply, directly leading him to the main building.
When Liam entered, he was met with the familiar cold atmosphere and Pontrakas’s hollow gaze from up on his throne. The liberator’s raspy voice echoed impatiently in the room:
“Adventurer. Did you succeed?”
“Of course, liberator. Here is the Staff of Melvun!”
Liam didn’t delay, taking out a tall staff from his inventory. It was made from a black bone permeated with pulsing light green mana lines. They led into a bright gem inserted at the tip of the staff. Small bones were attached to the staff as decoration.
“Good!”
Pontrakas rolled this single word, causing it to shake the building faintly. The fire in his eye sockets burned brightly as he raised his hand.
The Staff of Melvun broke out of Liam’s hand, falling into the liberator’s grip. He caressed it with his bony fingers. Despite his faceless skull one could feel the admiration Pontrakas had for this artifact.
“Staff of Melvun. It has been too long since I could last wield you. Let’s work together this time for the glory of our Black Chain Rebellion!”
The staff seemingly responded to Pontrakas’s words, trembling in his hands. At the same time the usually silent guards suddenly spoke in unison, their rattling voices producing an eerie sound:
“Glory to the Black Chain Rebellion.”
“Hahaha! Right! Adventurer, you did well. Take your reward on the way out!”
“It was my honor.”
Liam spoke solemnly as he left the building. At the door an attendant handed over a small bundle, which officially ended his quest.
[
[Evaluation: S]
[Receive 1100EXP]
[Receive Tome of one thousand bones]
[Receive 700 Relationship with ‘Black Chain Rebellion]
[Pontrakas received his valued artifact. But what will he do with it?]
Liam only took a glance. He didn’t have time to care for anything now as he had to get into position quickly. He left the city in a hurry.
In the meantime, Pontrakas stood up from his throne. His cold gaze seemed to penetrate the entire city, landing on the city lord’s fortress.
“The time has come!”
The liberator’s announcement reached the ears of all his subordinates. Movement came into the Black Chain Rebellion.
When Pontrakas stepped outside with his close guards, the other skeletons were already prepared, welcoming him while standing in disciplined rows.
“Glory to the Black Chain Rebellion.”
The deafening sound of all the skeletons speaking together could be heard in a large part of the city.
Many players halted what they were doing, discussing in the chat.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. What’s a Black Chain Rebellion?”
“Isn’t it a small faction at the outskirts of the city?”
“Guys, you need to see this! The skeletons are going on a parade!”
“What parade? They are clearly going to war!”
“War? Against whom?”
“The direction… it seems to be the city lord?!”
The sudden event attracted everyone’s attention. All the players in the city flocked towards the main street, whether in hope for a quest or just to join in the fun.
Some courageous fools even jumped in front of Pontrakas, asking if he needed any help, only to be quickly dealt with by the guards.
Soon, no one dared to block the skeletons’ way, watching curiously as they marched along the street and positioned themselves in front of the city lord fortress’s gate.
“Rentrasn’ar, come out to die!”
Pontrakas’s deafening shout echoed through the city. For a while there was no answer.
Suddenly multiple gates opened within the fortress. Heavily armored Black Abyss Demons walked onto the walls. With their chests sticking out proudly they represented the clan’s might, looking down on the lesser infernals outside.
When all the guards were in position, a large gate higher up in the fortress opened. A tall silhouette stepped out the shadows, swaggering with an air of superiority.
He wore striking leather pants and black boots, leaving his upper body bare. Bulging muscles could be seen below his thick black skin. A few patches of red colored skin highlighted the contours of his body.
His face looked brutal just from a glance with three red eyes and a protruding chin.
“Is that the city lord?”
Whispers could be heard among the players. Even the most unruly among them were suppressed by the authority emitted from Rentrasn’ar.
However, a moment later they remembered they were still in a game.
“Damn, what do you think we will get for killing him?”
“It has to be a legendary weapon! Maybe even something like a super legendary unique one!”
“Quick quick, come up with something!”
The players talked excitedly. They ran up and down the walls, searching for any loopholes.
Meanwhile Rentrasn’ar ignored the riffraff, staring at Pontrakas outside his gates.
“You finally came Liberator Pontrakas? I thought you would forever hide, guarding your small throne without any land to lord over. What gives you the courage?”
Pontrakas trembled for a moment before entering a calm state. He knew that the fight had already begun.
“Aren’t you embarrassed to speak as so? Hiding in your fortress all day even in your own territory? You are afraid that humans break through, and you will have to bear the brunt! Pathetic!”
“Afraid? Me? Ha! Let me show you what fear means!”
The city lord laughed loudly as he got impatient. A dark, ominous mana gathered around his body. With a sudden leap he sailed high through the air. The entire city shook when Rentrasn’ar landed outside, crushing rocks to dust.