During the ambush, Ryou grapples with a barrage of question in his head. ‘These people's motives’, ‘how they uncovered his presence’ and ‘who the fuck are they’. Yet, in the heat of the moment, he just reacted on pure instinct, honed through years of unexpected confrontations, he seized every opportunity to turn the tide, swiftly killing the surprised rearguards and making them lose some advantage they might have to overwhelm him. His blade danced with the precision of a seasoned warrior, his sole focus was retaliation against the assailant, fueled by a visceral need to thwart those who sought to harm him.
And, amidst the chaos, a face caught his attention, and a surge of anger coursed through him as he identified Azuki, the vice commander of Bloom, orchestrating the ambush. And when he witnessed some players attempting to harm Elsa, the embers of outrage smoldered within Ryou. Memories of hardship and betrayal from his past life surfaced, intertwining with the intricate web of his dark emotions.
Ryou's eyes bore into Azuki with a deathly intensity but despite the storm inside him, his words maintained an eerie calmness. "I will go to that guy and kill him."
Azuki, still smiling, responded with a veneer of politeness, attempting to halt the unfolding conflict. "Rem-san, can we please stop the fighting? No one would profit from this exchange."
Ignoring Azuki, Ryou pressed forward, indifferent to the well-lined formation of players ahead. Azuki persisted with his irritating smile, attempting to explain, "Rem-san, I take it you were angered because we attacked first. But it was just a joke; we didn't mean to harm you. Remember that day you insulted me..."
"Shut it, fucker! I can't take anything more that is coming out of that hole," Ryou roared, his face contorted in abhorrence, cutting off Azuki's attempt at justification. The tension escalated, painting a vivid picture of simmering hostility and unresolved grievances.
Ryou's rhythmic walk transformed into a sprint, a burst of energy propelling him toward the newly formed phalanx of Bloom players. With an explosive acceleration, he unleashed [Jump], soaring three meters into the air, covering a remarkable ten-meter distance to approach Azuki. The cowardly Azuki, cocooned by five steadfast Guardians, found his sanctuary disrupted as Ryou invoked [Snowy Field], a tempest of icy winds destabilizing their balance.
However, Ryou's efforts to breach the unyielding defensive shield of the Guardians was met by an insurmountable barrier. While elemental Spells cascaded from all directions, multiple arrows also homed in on him, and an eclectic array of players—swordsmen, spearmen, assassins, and berserkers—loomed threateningly from the rear. The formidable Guardians, firmly entrenched in his path, presented an imposing obstacle.
Sensing the encroaching squeeze of space, Ryou, already in a crouched position, swiftly leaped forward with unparalleled speed. He targeted the gap between two Guardians, sliding through and daringly grappling one. Ingeniously, he turned the Guardian into a living shield, absorbing the projectiles meant for him, thwarting the onslaught with a strategic and daring move.
Despite Ryou's 14 strength, lifting the heavily armored Guardian was beyond his physical limits. Instead, he strategically positioned himself, utilizing the Guardian's tower shields as a makeshift barrier against the onslaught of spells and arrows. While a few attacks managed to graze Ryou, the Guardian succumbed to the relentless barrage, disintegrating from the unintended friendly fire.
Sensing an opportunity, Ryou swiftly closed the distance to Azuki, unleashing a devastating [Chop] that inflicted -41 damage. Azuki was sent hurtling three meters away from the impactful strike. Eager to pursue, Ryou found himself confronted by a renewed volley of ranged attacks, with melee fighters converging on him from all sides.
Ryou, wielding dual swords with expertise, engaged a diverse array of melee players, his swift strikes sliced through the air with unparalleled finesse. Overpowering swordsmen with sheer physical might, he forced them backward, leaving no room for counterattacks, while his almost preternatural agility allowed him to effortlessly sidestep spear thrusts and dance around the lethal maneuvers of assassins.
Within the tumult of battle, Ryou displayed a masterful dance of evasion, effortlessly utilizing the bodies of melee opponents as impromptu shields against the onslaught of spells and arrows.
The air crackled with arcane energy as [Fire Ball], [Acid Spray], and [Dark Beam] surged towards him, each a deadly ballet of destructive intent. Yet, Ryou's nimble reflexes and keen awareness rendered him an elusive target, a phantom in the chaos, gracefully sidestepping every magical onslaught. The Rangers, armed with skills like [Fast Arrows], found themselves outpaced and outwitted by Ryou's unpredictable movements. Attempting to predict his trajectory proved a futile endeavor, as his elusive finesse confounded even the most astute players.
The dual blades in Ryou's hands became an extension of his fluid movements, a mesmerizing display of martial prowess. With a seamless transition between defensive maneuvers and skillful parrying, he painted a captivating spectacle on the battlefield. Awe-stricken foes found themselves caught between admiration and confusion, their shock echoing through the chaos that enveloped the battleground.
With purpose in his movements, Ryou pressed forward, relentlessly pursuing Azuki who, in retreat, began issuing frantic commands to his team.
"Shallo Depth, unleash [Fire Ball] now! It's fine if you miss; just make it count next time."
"Misty and Growler, deploy [Fast Arrows] on both his flanks. Anticipate his every move and don't miss this time."
"Nama, you fool, you missed him completely! Get your act together."
"Moonshade, Blaze, Shiro, halt his retreat! No more misses; don't let him slip away you imbeciles."
"No, no, no!"
As the fight unfolded and and many melee players dwindled, Azuki's elegant smile faded, replaced by panic-stricken eyes. His composed demeanor shattered, replaced by insults, the once-confident vice commander found himself cornered, his leadership challenged amidst the chaos.
"Don't worry, Vice Commander, your turn is imminent," Ryou's sardonic tone echoed through the chaos as his blade seamlessly sliced through a swordsman's neck and killing him on the spot. Like any virtual game, New World have the absence of gore but it did little to diminish the pain that lingered.
Azuki's anxiety surged, his grip around his own neck betraying the fear that coursed through him. In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, he shouted, “R-retreat, retreat, everyone, seperate and fall back”
But
Ryou, activating [Fast Step], effortlessly dispatched those unfortunate enough to be in his immediate vicinity and with a strategic employment of [Jump], Ryou materialized in front of the startled Azuki. Ryou, long ago could have jump near Azuki but he didn't do so, because jumping by his sides and killing him would make the mob around him unpredictable, they might flee, or worse they might attack Elsa, so until now he didn't use this skill during the melee fight.
The Vice Commander, reaching for his arrow, found himself outpaced by Ryou's relentless assault. Ryou seized Azuki's neck, lifting him off the ground with an ominous intent, and from the induce suffocation, a stark +1 damage indicated Azuki's futile struggle against the tightening grip of impending defeat.
In a moment of mercy or perhaps sadistic creativity, Ryou chose not to end Azuki's life through prolonged suffocation. Instead, with a crimson orb clutched in hand, he pressed it against Azuki's chest. The orb radiated a vibrant red glow as it began to absorb Azuki's remaining HP.
In a futile attempt at resistance, Azuki convulsively kicked, punched, and uttered muffled words through his gagged voice. However, the flailing struggle could only do much, as the absorbing red orb swiftly drained his blood. Within a mere three seconds, Azuki's defiant struggles ceased, and marked his demise with a cold finality.
_ _ _ _ _
Elsa's transition from a mundane Npc shopkeeper to an Npc's player plunged her into a profound dilemma. The familiar routine of her role in the slums, though fraught with harsh realities, provided a semblance of normalcy. Now, burdened with newfound responsibilities and the expectation to aid her master, Elsa grappled with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
The automatic resurrection ability, a safety net in the face of peril, did little to assuage the fear rooted in her reluctance to engage in conflicts with other sentient beings. While battling monsters felt within her grasp – a clash with tangible foes lacking intricate emotions – confronting people presented an entirely different challenge. The intricacies of human behavior, the emotional toll of clashes with fellow beings, and the ethical dilemma of causing harm clashed with Elsa's innate human or half-nymph nature. The fear, not of physical harm but of navigating the complexities of interpersonal conflicts, paralyzed her.
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As Elsa observed Ryou, her master engaged in a fierce battle to divert attention away from her, an earnest desire to assist him tugged at her. However, she held her ground, acutely aware that despite her higher level, becoming involved would likely render her a burden under the onslaught of spells and tactics.
In the tense waiting game, a chill crawled beneath Elsa's skin, sending shivers down her spine. Sensing danger, she pivoted towards the source and locked eyes with a scrawny figure clad in dark attire, silently maneuvering from tree to tree.
Silent Wind, the mysterious intruder, abruptly halted his stealthy advance when Elsa's gaze pierced through the shadows. Emerging from the concealment of the tree, he regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.
In the face of Silent Wind's unexpected approach, Elsa, though limited in battle experience, responded with instinctive caution. Casting [Vine Marsh], she summoned twisting vines to ensnare him, attempting to curb his movements. However, Silent Wind, displaying unexpected agility, deftly sidestepped the encroaching vines, leaving Elsa momentarily surprised.
A sheen of sweat betrayed the man's exertion as he urgently pleaded, “Elsa-san, please don't attack. I'm not here to harm you; I just want to talk.”
Evaluating the sincerity in his eyes, Elsa remained vigilant. Trust was a precious commodity and it could not be easily bestowed upon. Her staff raised once more, Elsa began initiating the incantation for [Vine Marsh], unwilling to lower her guard despite his plea.
"E-Elsa-san," Silent Wind began with pleading eyes, stammering through his words. "C-can you tell me what is your skill level and proficiency on that spell just now?" His expression seemed almost desperate, as if this information held profound importance to him.
Elsa, feeling a twinge of mercy, offered a concise reply, "It’s max."
The simplicity of her answer, however, sent shockwaves across Silent Wind's face, transforming the preparedness for an imminent demise into an expression of disbelief.
After a moment of composed recovery, Silent Wind spoke earnestly, "You are strong, Elsa-san, but I don't kill an innocent person like you, so I would retreat for now." Without further explanation, he turned and vanished into the depths of the forest, gradually distancing himself from Elsa.
A sigh escaped Elsa's lips, a mixture of relief and lingering uncertainty. The encounter left her pondering, for something didn't quite add up. If Silent Wind intended to retreat, why approach her in the first place? If fear prompted his withdrawal, why assure her he wouldn't harm her? Elsa couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this encounter than met the eye, leaving her with unanswered questions lingering in the air.
“...”
Ryou, having dispatched the threat from Bloom, approached Elsa. Despite her scowl, he noticed a subtle relaxation in her expression. With a reassuring smile, he said, "Miss Elsa, you can relax now. I don't think they'll come back."
Elsa's gaze lingered on him for a while before she remarked, "Young master, your smile is quite different from what I witnessed during the battle."
Puzzled, Ryou inquired, "Were you really scrutinizing my smiles amidst the chaos?"
Blushing slightly, Elsa replied, "Young master, you may have chased away the foxes, but you are a wolf yourself." Her worries dissipated, she playfully curled her lips into a teasing smile.
Caught off guard by Elsa's sudden switch to her nymph's seductive charm, Ryou gazed at her momentarily before shaking his head with a slight smile. "For now, let's go for the dungeon again, Miss Elsa."
Leading the way to the cave entrance, Ryou encountered the system prompt:
System: You are near a dungeon, would you like to enter [Y/N]
Choosing 'yes' once more, the system presented the difficulty options:
System: Please choose the difficulty mode
- Normal
- Hard
- Hell
Choosing the third option, Ryou led Elsa into the realm of 'Hell' after conquering 'Normal' and 'Hard' difficulties. The transition transported them to a starkly different landscape, far removed from the gloomy forest of their previous trials. Now, a foreboding forest mountain stretched before them, the scenery, that once might be a picturesque site, now stood transformed.
Dried-up trees clung desperately to the rocky and scorched terrain, and a dark water river meandered its way down from the mountain, reflecting the eerie glow of the red moon above. The atmosphere was charged with an unsettling sense of dread, accentuated by the crimson hue of the lunar light.
Elsa and Ryou were teleported near the base of the mountain, positioned by the dark river that snaked through the ominous landscape. The air carried a sense of suffocation, as though the challenges awaiting them in this hellish domain were woven into the very fabric of the environment.
Ryou observed the involuntary grimace on Elsa's face, detecting a sense of disgust rather than fear this time. Anticipating her snappish remarks, he swiftly intervened, "I think we should go that way." He pointed towards a small opening amidst the trees, subtly redirecting her attention.
Elsa, though visibly uncomfortable, merely nodded in acquiescence. However, her expression shifted to one of speechless disbelief and uncertainty as Ryou continued, "We need to dip ourselves in the dark water first." The suggestion hung in the air, met with a palpable hesitation from Elsa.
Ryou understood her reluctance, but it was needed as this time it was not about facing monsters but escaping from them. The dark water, though distasteful, served a crucial purpose. In this realm infested with sensitive zombie animals and undead humans, the scent of a living being especially a half-nymph could easily attract a horde. Submerging themselves in the dark water was a necessary precaution, ensuring they could navigate the ominous landscape without becoming the next feast for the ravenous creatures that lurked nearby.
With a reluctant whimper reminiscent of a cat enduring an unwanted bath, Elsa complied with Ryou's explanation, submerging herself in the dark essence water. The discomfort etched on her face betrayed the distaste of the situation, yet the necessity of avoiding the looming threat of monsters outweighed her reservations.
This ‘hell’ domain was reserved for elite party teams only and the minimum requirements must be level 11. In New World, facing a horde of monsters above level 10 without reaching that threshold was a futile endeavor because Level 10 marked a pivotal point of ‘Ascension’, which grant individuals a sub classes that augmented their physical or magical prowess. No amount of tenacity or cunningness could compensate for the sheer power disparity, making strategic navigation and careful avoidance the keys to survival in this Hell landscape.
…
The path Ryou led Elsa on was a known route in his past life when players had reached an average level of 14, a way founded when some players wanted to ascend the mountain without attracting hordes of zombies. This narrow trail followed the river, flanked by large trees and offering fewer open spaces where zombies typically lurked.
However, an unusual challenge arose as 2 or 3 zombies began emerging every minute during their ascent. Ryou initially attributed it to the inherent difficulty of clearing the dungeon for the first time. Yet, the frequency of human zombies accompanied by other creatures escalated, culminating in the unexpected appearance of the Shadow Hound, the first Boss. Battling and winning against it had became a challenged with additional zombies complicating their fight.
Upon reaching a plain area after climbing a rocky incline, Ryou's suspicions intensified. A monstrous figure materialized before them – a giant grizzly bear with a rotting body, marred by decay, with half its face exposed, revealing sinister skeletal features, and its chest displaying a skeletal rib cage.
Dark Zombie Bear (Great Elite)
Lvl 10
HP: 1050/1050
The Second Boss, out of place was on their intended path,and it prompted Ryou to realize that Elsa's half-nymph scent might have led all these monsters before them, to astray from their supposed field area.
Assessing the situation, Ryou spoke to Elsa with a solemn tone, "Miss Elsa, we don't have time to fight this bear." His gaze swept the surroundings, and he pointed to a path, instructing, "I'll hold him off for a while, please take that route."
Elsa, with a sense of collaboration, suggested, "Young master, we can work together, and—"
Interrupting her, Ryou asserted, "Miss Elsa, if you're concerned for me, please follow my lead. We need to act swiftly before more zombies converge on this location."
Hesitant yet understanding the urgency, Elsa nodded and made her way toward a massive boulder. The bear, sensing her attempt to escape, roared and charged in her direction.
"Not so easily, you grizzly rotten ghoul!" Ryou's defiant shout echoed through the mountainous terrain as he brandished his swords and unleashed [Shadow Bind].
Suddenly, from the earth beneath the undead grizzly, ten dark tentacles emerged, attempting to ensnare and restrict its movements. The bear, however, countered with a formidable swipe of its paw, tearing the tentacles asunder. Yet, the relentless shadows tentacles spawned once more, persistently latching onto the zombie bear.
The creature howled in frustration, attempting to close the distance toward Ryou. Yet another set of unseen forces from the shadows intervened again, as ten additional shadow tentacles manifested, pulling the bear back, entangled in their grasp and slowing the Bear's movements.
Seizing the opportunity, Ryou navigated a narrow path behind a large boulder, perilously close to the cliff's edge. The bear's enraged howls echoed through the mountain, but the constrained path prevented the creature from pursuing. Drawing upon skills he learned in his past life, Ryou and Elsa manage to evade the relentless pursuit of the undead grizzly.
[Shadow Bind] (Rank 3 Basic skill)
Manifests ten ethereal tentacles from the target's shadow, pulling the target to the ground with a 10% of the user's strength. The tentacles lingers for 10 seconds. Cost 8 mana
Cooldown of 1 minute.
Originally, it should be a Rank 4 Intermediate skill, but its prowess is now diminished by half due to the absence of the requisite skill book. Despite Ryou's reluctance to deploy this diminished version, the pressing need to confront the menacing bear compelled him to utilize the compromised skill, as staying there would again lead a horde of zombies flooding their path, leading to potential demise and a 20% loss of their experience points—an outcome he didn't want, especially when it involved the safety of Elsa.
Traversing a tortuously slow path, Ryou and Elsa ascended through a labyrinth of rocky terrains and steep inclines. The culmination of their arduous journey unfolded atop the mountain summit, revealing an expansive, contrasting landscape. A lush carpet of grass greeted them, a stark departure from the desolate, scorched earth and rugged terrain that had defined their trek thus far. There also stood an immaculate white altar radiating a divine aura.
This ethereal sanctum provided a stark juxtaposition to the foreboding surroundings in the mountains. Nestled within the altar's pristine confines was a statue of a headless goddess, and adjacent to it stood a human paladin, ostensibly guarding the sacred space with unwavering devotion. However, upon closer inspection, the paladin's countenance revealed the grotesque face of rot.
Devoted Spirit Paladin (Super Elite)
Level 12
HP: 2400/2400
Within a 50-meter radius of the altar, Ryou, resolute and purposeful, sheathed his swords and addressed Elsa, "Miss Elsa, let's liberate this tormented soul from his long agony.”