[Rookie Mission: Level 5, The Denouement]
[Prove your worth and release Varina from haunting souls]
[Reward: Unlocking Slaughterer’s Weapon
Release Slaughterer’s curse]
[Penalty for failure:
Curse unleashed and kills its user and hunts their family
2000 credits deduction.]
---
[Time Duration: Nil]
[Time Left: Nil]
---
[Are you ready to embark on today’s mission?]
[Yes] [No]
‘The curse!’
A shiver ran down Archie's spine as he read the mission prompt. Failure would mean the release of the curse, leading to his death and the pursuit of his family.
“What's the next step?”
As Archie mulled over the upcoming mission, he noticed something that made him pause.
‘The time duration is Nil. Does that mean I have the choice to undertake this mission or not?’
‘It doesn't seem like a mandatory mission.’
Archie gazed at the screen, lost in thought for a few moments, then remembered another task he had to complete. He swiftly tapped the base of the machete’s handle, causing it to reveal its details:
[Slaughterer’s Weapon]
[Varina Message:
Unchain the curse and consume it, Valiant Player. I have waited for eons for a player like you to emerge and free me from this accursed weapon.]
[Class: Epic (Cursed) (Upgradeable)]
[Abilities:
Release its curse to wield it]
[Curse Activation: Player’s Blood Sacrifice]
‘Consume the curse! What could that possibly mean?’
Archie raked his fingers through his hair in bewilderment.
‘All these are confusing as hell. I’ve never heard of an inscription change, and even more bizarre is that it gave a message like it’s speaking to me directly.’
‘Is this normal in a Rift Runner’s life?’
Archie was unable to decipher these messages or the mission, but one question loomed larger than the rest: should he undertake it or not, especially given the absence of a specific time limit.
Archie settled down in his usual spot beneath the tree where he used to do pull-ups. He was encircled by a bed of white flowers that formed a soft cushion.
The fragrant scent of the flowers had a soothing effect on him. He stared at the screen and mused,
‘No matter what happens, Rookie missions are easy mode in the end. It might be similar to the stone monster encounter. Perhaps this mission will involve five stone monsters.’
[Rookie Mission: Level 5, The Denouement]
[Prove your worth and release Varina from haunting souls]
Archie also noticed the word "Denouement" on the screen and understood its meaning, ‘Finale,’ which helped him make a decision.
“Let’s do it. It says it’s the final mission. Does that mean the machete only upgrades to the Legendary class?”
Archie pondered for a few seconds and gradually started connecting the dots,
“Rookie mission, there's no mission class with this name. Does that mean it's exclusive to Rift Runners? If the Common mission is lower, then the Rookie mission must be even lower.”
“Hmm… Considering the Rookie class is the lowest mission class, a reward of a Legendary class weapon is more than anyone could hope for. I've overlooked so many clues so far. I need to pay more attention to every word on the screen.”
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With his doubts cleared, Archie decided to undertake the final quest, a decision he felt strongly about.
Archie seized the machete and ascended the tree branch above him. He wanted to survey the area before making any decisions. Once he had a clear view of the castle's center, he clicked [Yes] to initiate the mission.
“WOOSH!” Archie was rifted from the castle the moment he clicked yes. Before he could comprehend what had happened, he vanished from the spot.
“Grrrr…” Five dummies materialized in the center of the castle. Gradually, they transformed into hyena-faced stone beasts similar to the single dummy from before, but each one brandishing different weapons, ranging from spears to dual swords.
The air was charged with an ominous energy as the stone beasts prepared for battle, their menacing forms casting dark shadows across the ruins.
Each beast started moving in different directions, brandishing their weapons menacingly. Their sharp, hyena-like faces scanned the surroundings with predatory precision. It was clear they were on the hunt for Archie, their movements coordinated and deliberate, closing in on their target.
However, Archie was nowhere to be found in the castle; he had been rifted away, leaving the stone beasts to search in vain.
Where did he end up?
--- DARKNESS ---
Archie found himself in an abyss of nothingness, shrouded by an all-encompassing darkness, a scene eerily similar to the trial orchestrated by Avery. However, this time, he could discern everything in front of him; he was certain there was nothing there.
Archie’s machete was not in his grasp. He attempted to activate his E-Screen to summon the weapon, but to no avail. As he grappled with his current predicament,
“ILLUMINATE!” “ILLUMINATE!” “ILLUMINATE!” “ILLUMINATE!”
From the depths of the void, a multitude of lights began to materialize around him. In a heartbeat, he was encircled by a constellation of thousands of lights.
Archie refrained from investigating the lights as he was overwhelmed by a foreboding sensation, warning him not to venture closer.
A chill wind swept over Archie, causing him to shiver. He cast his gaze upwards and spotted a small golden light high above, radiating brightly.
Archie could discern that the light was descending, its brightness intensifying with each passing moment.
The light descended to Archie’s eye level. Archie could clearly see that it was not a mere speck of light. It was spherical, about the size of a basketball, pulsating with golden energy that ebbed and flowed from it. The intense golden light outshone the surrounding lights.
Archie’s eyes mirrored the brilliance of the lights. He felt an irresistible urge to reach out and touch it.
“THUMP!” “THUMP!”
The golden light began to pulsate rhythmically, akin to a heartbeat, but it evoked a deeper sensation within Archie; it was as if a child was stirring within a womb.
Archie’s own heartbeat began to sync with the rhythm of the light. Amidst the tremors, Archie felt an odd sense of comfort emanating from the light and, driven by curiosity, he pressed his ear against it.
Archie didn’t hear anything distinct; the pulsations continued as before. Archie withdrew from the light, retreating a few steps back.
“THUMP-THUMP!”
Gradually, the pulsations began to quicken, the rhythm becoming erratic and increasing in frequency.
“BOOM-BOOM!”
The light erupted, releasing a massive surge of golden energy that scattered across the surroundings and reached the distant lights.
Archie dropped to his knees as he beheld the true forms of the lights surrounding him.
The pulsating golden light slowly began to illuminate the entire area, revealing an army of undead, numbering in the thousands, if not more, surrounding Archie on all sides.
Each undead creature bore a menacing look, their fierce eyes locked onto Archie. He saw a variety of species, ranging from humans to demons. Archie was unprepared for this colossal battle. He was on his knees, uncertain of his next move.
In response to his silent plea, the golden lights began to glow with increased intensity, and cracks started to form around the sphere.
“KABOOM!” The light detonated, sending a massive shockwave that pushed the undead back several meters, causing them to topple over each other.
Archie rose from the ground after being knocked back and saw the spot where the golden light had been.
A woman with golden hair, fair skin, and brown eyes stood there, clad in a blood-stained white wedding gown with a veil on her head. Her face bore an expression of profound sadness that could move anyone to tears.
What Archie feared the most was the sight of the woman wielding a brown, wooden carved machete. Reading the inscription on the machete, Archie murmured under his breath,
“Varina, The Slaughterer”