Chapter 10 - Iron Slasher Mercenary Group
Dario looked at the status attributes of the people around him. Veda, show me the status of the experts. He telepathically messaged.
Gerald Killeway Lvl. 44 Main Job: Dual Swordmaster Titles:
HP: 3780
MP: 88
AP: 1500
STR: 220
DEF: 243
VIT: 184
INT: 80
WIS: 64
SPR: 199
DEX: 60
SPD: 156
LCK: 82
Evasion rate: 0%
Critical chance: 0%
Nocturne Mallory Lvl. 44
Main Job: Warrior
Sub job: Master Thief
Titles: Master Thief
HP: 4111
MP: 108
AP: 1077
STR: 210
DEF: 172
VIT: 146
INT: 149
WIS: 94
SPR: 135
DEX: 204
SPD: 179
LCK: 66
Evasion rate: 25%
Critical chance: 35%
Caesar Ryozen Lvl. 36
Main Job: Ronin
Sub job: Samurai
Titles: The One Blessed with Luck
HP: 2996
MP: 77
AP: 1250
STR: 197
DEF: 243
VIT: 111
INT: 159
WIS: 201
SPR: 124
DEX: 89
SPD: 136
LCK: 255
Evasion rate: 15%
Critical chance: 77%
The three laying next to the campfire were in deep slumber.
“Mhm.”
It looks like Caesar is about to wake up. Dario thought.
Soon after, Nocturne suddenly opened his eyes as if awakening from a nightmare. He sprung from the ground and immediately formed a cautious stance. Instantly, Nocturne’s eyes were fixated on the one with the black robe sitting next to the campfire.
“Y-You!” Nocturne shouted.
Hold, Nocturne. Caesar swiftly messaged.
Then, Nocturne’s attention fell to Gerald as he was the only one laying near the unknown stranger.
“Your friend catches on well,” the hooded figure said.
From the tone of the individual’s voice, Nocturne instantly deduced that it belonged to someone younger than him.
Nocturne used his mind message skill, Whisper. W-What’s going on?!
Caesar placed his hand on Nocturne’s shoulder.
“Be at ease.”
He saw his ally say those words with a calm expression. All of a sudden, an abrupt comment was made.
“What’s with all the noise?” Caesar and Nocturne turned their shoulders and saw Gerald slowly getting up.
“This stranger has a lot to explain,” Gerald said in a firm tone.
Of course, a person deserves an answer as to why they were attacked. Then, Dario removed his hood.
!!
The three Peak Realm experts were surprised.
How can someone that young be in this cursed desert? Caesar thought.
“Gahahaha!” Gerald let out a hearty laugh. “Ouch! Damnit, my body took quite a beating.”
It appears that the three were still mentally fatigued.
Dario silently chanted.
“Curaja.”
Green light swirled around the three like bubbles under the sea. It was quite a serene view. And the feeling of being healed by such a spell made them experience extreme euphoria.
“Forgive me, that should help ease the mental fatigue,” Dario commented.
“Tell us, young man, are you one of the Omen kin?” Caesar questioned.
“Hmph,” Dario grinned. “I am Dario, Lord Disciple of the Omen Sect.” The young man proclaimed his name and status with an aura of dominance.
The three experts felt tense, “What does the Lord Disciple want with us?” Nocturne questioned with cynicism in his tone.
Dario stood and made a bowing gesture. “On behalf of my Master, the Iron Slasher group is invited to become citizens of our nation.” So far, they haven’t heard such a humble remark from the young man.
Gerald perked up his eyebrow.
“So, this was all just to join your country?” A slight pause could be felt amongst themselves.
“Yes,” Dario replied, still maintaining the courteous bowing gesture.
Once again, a burst of hearty laughter was loudly heard, “Gahahaha!!”
“Gerald, you keep on laughing and you’ll receive an internal injury,” Nocturne scoffed.
Dario looked at the three and secretly envied the comradery between them. One could tell that they’d been together for quite some time. The young man hoped that the Iron Slasher group would join the Omen Sect. And from what he’s seen, they were fine-quality people.
Gerald crossed his arms and his easy-going demeanor was instantly washed off. “Say that we joined the demonic people, what would we get in return?”
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Dario broke his position and clench his right hand in front of the three. “Everything.”
***
The Omen Sect is one of those countries where they measure power levels in an unorthodox way. Other countries have an antiquated measuring system. For instance, the number of arcane circles around a Mage's heart indicates the tier of spells one can cast. The more arcane circles, the more powerful the Mage. For physical fighters, imbuing Aura into one's weapon is a sign of Mastery, and are treated with the utmost respect.
This is the Omen Nation's traditional power level chart.
The lowest and bottom of the bunch are called Third Rates. The masses are at this level and are unskilled and usually serve as cannon fodder or meat shields.
The level above Third Rate would be Second Rate. A little bit more useful than Third Rates but mostly serve as infantrymen.
A First Rate martial artist is the class of power where people tend to recruit these types of individuals. Dependable in the front lines and make for suitable disciples. There are at least a thousand of them in any large country.
Now, Peak Level characters are unique in the fact that they are worthy to be called Masters or Experts. A person at this level must be completely proficient in weapon mastery. Masters at this level have reached the pinnacle of their martial arts. If a thousand individuals count among the Third, Second, and First Rates, then only a few hundred exist in the Peak Realm. This is the level where imbuing Aura can be sensed. In rare cases, some individuals can actively imbue Aura into their weapons.
Transcendence Realm is the level where the strong are known and unknown. Not only are they notable physical fighters, but they also hold a deep reserve of MP and AP. Controlling Aura is second nature to the few at this level.
The level that is thought to be impossible to achieve is where only a handful exists. There is no real name for this level as it is a realm where only one in one million is born, however, the Omen Sect names the rare few who attain such a level a "Martial God."
That is the level Jinn intends for his disciple to be by the age of seventeen, "I must say, sir, that feat is nigh impossible. Throughout Murim China's history, a Martial God usually attained such a level at a young age. I'm afraid Dario is too young for it."
Staring off into the Twin Moons shining overhead over the clear night sky, Jinn was admiring the scene. Sightseeing has never been more enjoyable now that he's fused with nanomachines. Jinn felt a sense of reprieve whenever his eyes dawned upon a beautiful scenery.
A devilish grin appeared on Jinn's handsome face, "Bring up Dario's screen and watch the steps of this young man, my Disciple."
Veda instantly popped a screen detailing live current events. Corpses of various monsters were spread about in the vast desert.
Not too far, Dario is seen cutting down an old Undead, a Revenant. These specific monsters are naturally spawned. According to the information of the Omen Tribe, Revenants are strong Undead creatures that level slightly above Death Knights.
Strong, but, lacks versatility, still, the Revenant will serve as a nice tank for Parsifal. Dario thought.
(Author’s note: tank, the one in the party who receives the enemy’s attention while being on the defensive, soaking up oncoming attacks.)
The Sith Lord’s job allows Dario’s familiars to resurrect the Undead, even for physical fighters. What was thought to be exclusive to magic users only, Parsifal, a physical fighter and magic archer has the ability to summon Undead. However, the number of undead is offset due to not being a pure arcane user who studies magic, therefore, Parsifal has around five familiars as his pool.
Moving along, Dario had defeated a Revenant and the spoils belonged to the victor.
Successfully resurrected a high-tier Undead!
Revenant Lvl. 60
Class: Transcendence Realm
4th Class Mage
Main Job: Dark Paladin Species: Demon
Rank: Lieutenant
Boss (sealed)
Elite Boss (sealed)
Swirls of manastream and green sparkling lights surrounded the old Revenant.
The tall Undead knelt. A deep and eerie voice vibrated from the Revenant, “Master, please grant this Paladin of darkness a name.”
“Hmm? Do you not know your original name?”
Dario’s knowledge of Revenants is quite extensive since Ancient Undead like Revenants exists in deserts, burial sites, and forgotten ruins. Therefore, Hollow World, the oldest desert in Soa, would qualify to have a lot of them.
In the old tales, Revenants were as strong as a unit of Transcendence Realm practitioners. An absurdly strong undead that could reach the height of Elite Boss level.
“...It has been so long...Master...forgive this one…”
He has a hard time speaking. Thought Dario.
“Looks like you’ve lost your original power. Alright, when you are at the level where you once were, I will refer to you as, ‘Revenant’ for now. You will be under Parsifal’s command and his adjutant.”
“Understood...Master.”
A pop-up appeared in front of the young disciple.
Congratulations! You have succeeded in resurrecting a high-tier Undead, Revenant!
A devilish grin appeared on the young man’s face. Even though he was hooded like a mage, his grin pierced the darkness.
That grin. I’ve always hated that grin. The old butler sighed. Nothing I can do about it. The young disciple resembles you so much, sir.
Dario flicked the screen.
Haha! Parsifal’s first familiar. He’ll serve as a good battalion commander.
The young disciple knew exactly what an Undead like a Revenant would mean under his command. Although far from its original power, the attributes alone were enough to make it worthy of being resurrected.
It’s fine if it doesn’t have a name. Once it regains its original strength, the Undead will remember.
With that thought in mind, Jinn and Veda witnessed Dario’s magnificent feat of slaying an Ancient Undead known as “Revenant.”
“Did I not tell you? You don’t know, what I know.”
“Ahem. No need to gloat, sir,” Veda replied.
Jinn lightly laughed.
Chuckle.
Very good, my disciple. To think that the three Experts wanted to hunt that Revenant all along.
A sinister grin appeared on Jinn’s face. Were I in your stead, would you do the things I would do? Thought Jinn.
***
The three powerful Experts that Dario had recruited were not part of the Omen Tribe. Gerald, Nocturne, and Caesar are contract mercenaries. They were commissioned by Elder Saru to weed out the monster infestation at Hollow World. Those three accepted such a deal because of their eagerness to improve martial arts. It is the way of the warrior and those three fit that description quite well.
It was strange at the beginning. When the group crossed Hollow World, they discovered a plethora of strong monsters deep within the vast desert. Then, they spotted a peculiar sight.
It was an old man throwing a circular object at monsters the three could not deal with at the time. Surprised, they observed for a little while longer. The old man was simply throwing the huge chakram with little effort. And just like that, the higher-level monsters were sliced smoothly in one stroke.
Eventually, the monsters were eradicated. Just when the three had witnessed something incredible, the old man suddenly disappeared from their sight.
Where'd the old man go? Whispered Gerald.
How the hell should I know? Replied Nocturne.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind their crawled position.
"Why I'm right here."
!!
The three warriors sprang from the sand and were immediately in their fighting stance.
Hmmm… Peak Realm huh? Thought the old man.
And that's how Elder Saru and the three Peak Experts met, that is before they received a personal lesson from the Demonic Teacher about how rude it is to peek without permission.
That is the short version of how they met. There are plenty more experiences that they shared with the Demonic Teacher but the most important was imbuing Aura into one's weapon. Although the three were at Peak Realm level, to perform the skill Blade Aura is typically seen at Transcendence Realm. However, the three wanted to utilize Aura at Peak Realm. This feat is only possible if the individual is talented and has insight into High Qi.
Despite this, the Demonic Teacher taught the three the First Verse of the Omen Sect's cultivation method. It was a skill passed down from the Original Vicegerent and was taught to warrior tribesmen.
Seeing the burning vigor in their eyes of wanting to become stronger was a good enough reason to teach it to them. If not, the good manners shown to the old man by the three Experts were a good indication that he wasn't teaching it to a bunch of meatheads only in it for power. After all, the three individuals mostly displayed a warrior-like attitude through and through. Not only that, Gerald, Nocturne, and Caesar had their code of ethics, values, and morals.
"And that's how the story goes," said Gerald.
"He let out some vital details but it's good," replied Caesar.
"You never do things in halves, old friend. Hehe," Gerald chuckled heartily.
Nocturne asked a question, "So you want to recruit us into your Tribe? In exchange, we'll grow to heights that we haven't thought of?"
The young man, Dario nodded his head, "Indeed."
The three experts grew silent. Contemplating the words of the young man who single-handedly destroyed them not long ago. A few moments had passed. The first to make a move was none other than the leader of the three, the one-armed man, Gerald Killeway.
"There's no reason to hesitate. I accept.”
Nocturne saw the conviction in his old friend’s eyes. He knew that Gerald would not turn back now.
“Ahem. I accept as well,” Nocturne said with folded arms.
The last one to not accept fealty was Caesar.
“To be a Samurai means to serve. I must know you or your Master is worthy to be under servitude.”
Dario caressed his chin, a posture noting that one is in thought, “You three said you would consider joining if I slew the ancient Revenant you guys have been wanting to hunt?”
The three experts nodded. “Very well,” Dario replied. From the shadow of Dario, a tall demonic creature climbed its way up.
“This is the Revenant. He is now bound to me and serves as my Undead Knight.”
The appearance of the Revenant goes as follows; a tall Undead and contrary to most Undead beings, the Revenant is a demonic species and is not in a skeletal form. Dario’s Revenant was wrapped up in bandages on its lower half and sported a Spartan-looking helm.
Its Undead face was terrifying to look at, especially with its glowing red eyes. Specifically speaking, this Revenant that Dario was lucky to resurrect is a rare find even amongst the Revenant species. Finding a demonic-type Revenant is what makes this one special. It’s more common to find skeletal Revenants. That can only mean that this Revenant may have a hidden story.
Caesar’s eyes were wide open, “Our lifelong goal of defeating such an Undead is now your Knight,” Caesar said, almost unbelievingly.
“That’s correct,” replied Dario.
“Then I happily join the Omen Sect,” a smile came upon Caesar’s face as he said those words and made a solemn bow.
Dario also bowed, “Very good. On behalf of my master and ruler of the planet Soa, we welcome you to the Omen Sect.”
Gerald and Nocturne also bowed.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself, I am Dario, Lord Disciple and Judge Magistrate of the Omen Sect.”
“I am Gerald Killeway, born in Carne Village and blessed with the talent of a warrior spirit.”
“I am Nocturne Mallory, also born in Carne Village. My family hails from a long line of Thieves.”
“And I am Caesar Ryozen, born in the hidden forest of bamboo, Ether Village. My lifelong goal as a Samurai is to find a leader worthy to be followed.”
Although their circumstances may be different, there were no lies when they told a detail about themselves.
“The honor is all mine to receive people such as you into our tribe. Please, gather the rest of the Iron Slashers.”
“The rest are stationed at an oasis with a huge gorge,” Caesar said.
The wise Samurai foresaw that they would end up joining with someone as powerful as Dario and had the rest of the Iron Slasher group make camp not too far from their location. Fortunately, Dario knew most of the part of the vast desert.
“Gate,” Dario chanted. “This portal will lead right in front of the oasis.”
No longer surprised by the young disciple’s power, the three Experts nodded their heads and went through the wormhole.
Suddenly, the view of the huge gorge at the center of the oasis came into view.
“W-What!” Someone shouted.
“Hey, guys! Grab your gear and get moving!” Gerald shouted.
The rest of the Iron Slasher mercenary group was told by Caesar beforehand that their company will be making drastic changes. In other words, they understood that their mercenary company would be absorbed.
With that understanding, they finally had something to look forward to. After all, being backed by a sect or a country is sure to garner power and security. Even the youngest and most inexperienced of the Iron Slasher group understood that their group alone is not enough to survive this extremely cruel world that is Soa. Nothing else needs to be said as they were already on hold with their gear ready to move at any time.
Veda, call the Regalia. Dario relayed.
At once, young master. Veda relayed back.
Once that message was sent, the beautiful-looking ship that resembled a futuristic yacht would arrive at their location in a manner of moments.
Again, Dario found himself with a grin on his face. Deluc, soon, you’ll be under my control.