So here is the next chapter and I'm trying to incorporate the VR theme into the story more. Hope you like it!
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Now that we have where we are going settled and after gaining the money from selling those pelts before, I finally have enough coins to buy a proper gift for Relix. He’s not going to like it though.
I make my way over to the oversized tiger in an attempt to give him his gift. An oversized saddle with small bags that can hold half the amount of a player’s inventory. It took all of my money to buy it and if he doesn’t use it I am going to make him use it one way or another.
“Ah, Mr. Relix I have something to give you that might interest you.” Holding the equipment up and grinning, he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“What the hell, kid? You want me looking like some domesticated horse?! Even Demius didn’t stoop as low to saddle me! You gotta be kidding me punk why shoul-“
“I’ll raise the amount of tuna you will be fed.”
“Deal.”
No matter how wise he is it’s still hard to fight instincts hehehe. Right as we finished Synth logged in and I went ahead and summoned Lyra too. We gathered at the gate and hopped-well more like climbed-on top of Relix and put the town of Geddi and their mysteriously rich farmers behind us.
On our way to Onyx domain it was very different from the surrounding area of Blackthorn City that was next to the mountains. Here instead of large trees and scattered forests are rolling hills and untouched by human(oid) hands. This is something you would have trouble finding in real life.
The breeze is fresh and other than the constant grumblings from Relix about the itchy saddle it was quite a nice ride.
After a few hours of riding and me constantly checking my map through the in-game menu directly linked to GlobalDome’s forum, we finally near Onyx Domain.
The surroundings start to drop in temperature and it gets a little chilly. Also the grass starts to lose color, slowly losing life. It feels eerie and I would have expected to hear a ghost cackling or howling if it weren’t for the buildings up ahead.
Entering the village it has many players milling around trying to sell various potions for the groups heading into the dungeon. Also there are other players selling armor and weapons, all of them at an exorbitant price no doubt. Furthermore none of them are selling scythe’s; go figure.
The village is known as Onyx Village, named after the dungeon itself. Many buildings look like they prosper rather than the feeling you get when you enter this cold climate and ominous area.
Without anything to do since I have no money for healing potions or mana potions I send an invite to join my party to Synth.
Send Invite to: Synth
Since Lyra and Relix are my summons then they automatically join the party labeled as ‘pets’. Lyra, Relix, and I are currently at level 20, while Synth is 36.
My thoughts are interrupted by Relix who apparently can see the party screen too, which is weird because I didn’t know they could do that since pets cannot. Apparently he and Lyra both are sentient summon NPC’s that have similar player privileges to a certain extent.
“You are level 20? Then you can make a Lesser Hell Covenant right? You have the class Hell’s Collector and also have Dark attribute powers so you should be able to.”
“Huh? What’s that?” This is news to me, usually something like this pops up when you level or you gain it through a quest.
“A Lesser Hell Covenant is when you make covenant with a being from Hell. However it is different than a summoned servant like that young lady.”
He points to Lyra who is totally not listening to the conversation, instead holding my arm in a position that makes it seem like I’m her lover.
“Then how is it different?”
“One, the Hell dweller-let’s call it that for now-must want to live again. If he/she/it doesn’t wish to leave then it will not work. That pretty much is the majority of Hell anyways.
Two, the Hell dweller can choose whether or not to sign the covenant and fight alongside you when they see you, or go back to that infernal shit hole. Unlike the servant summoning where you are stuck with what you summon.
Three, the two who signed cannot harm each other and others put on the ‘no-injury’ section. Note that you can bring the covenant up at any time to add or remove people from the list. With both agreeing confirmation of course.
Four, since it is not a servant/master relationship you cannot command each other to do something. Yes you are probably wondering ‘what the hell do I do if they go on a rampage killing all the NPC’s in sight!?’ Well there is a failsafe for such situations. The Hell dweller covenant member can only attack ‘monster’ and ‘aggressive player’ types.
Aggressive players are those who target you for an attack or target the other covenant member. Even if they target someone on the ‘no-injury’ list, the Hell-dweller can attack if they want to.
Lastly, since you can only do Lesser Hell Covenant instead of Greater, then the being you summon will start out at half your level and stats. Which would be level 10.
I myself was in a Greater Hell Covenant with Dark Lord Demius when he was alive. That was a good old ass-kicking, village burning, barbarian torturing time.”
This information puts me on edge. It sounds like a straightforward deal, but there has to be a loophole that the scheming demon I bring back from the ‘underground body burner’ could take advantage of. Although the ‘thing’ would be only level 10, who knows what freaky voodoo shit they could do to others.
I look to Synth and see what she thinks.
“I think that whatever you bring out of that ‘hell hole’ is going to be deceptive and cunning, but if you put it on a tight leash you’ll be able to keep it in line.”
That’s quite surprising. She is usually indifferent about this sort of stuff. Well I might as well try it!
“Alright how do I do this? I’ve gotten pretty good at drawing my pentagram magic circles!”
“I see, good choice. The covenant requires you to do a normal magic circle that can even be drawn with a stick in the dirt.”
That was anti-climactic. I was hoping for something like last time. A sprinkle of this and a dab of that on top of a witch-looking drawing.
“Aaaand? Anything else?” I ask promptly.
“Yes, just feel your mana flow in your body and will it to move onto the magic circle. It’s not as hard as it sounds. Also remember to close your eyes and visualize a link, like a tunnel to hell, looking from our side to theirs. Just don’t ‘step’ through that tunnel unless you want your soul to be devoured by the hungry restless souls populated there. After establishing the tunnel think about wanting to find a partner that will wage war or battles alongside you and fight to the bitter end. Someone will ‘walk’ through that tunnel and appear before you on top of the magic circle.
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Then if you and the Hell-dweller find each other suitable, the contract will appear and you will sign your names and of the others you wish to add to the ‘no-injury’ list. Also while she is being summoned to inspect you she cannot leave the magic formation or hurt you.”
Now that the explanation is over I went and used my fingers instead of looking for a stick and drew a magic circle. It took less than a minute and I am standing behind it facing towards the center with my eyes closed and target my mana on the circle in the ground.
I chant the name of the spell:
“Lesser Hell Covenant.”
-Establish link with Hell?-
WARNING: Do NOT enter the tunnel
or your player’s level and stats will reset to zero and you will
be teleported to your initial starting area.
“Yes.”
Yikes, I’ll keep that in mind. No entering, no problem.
I feel like I am teleported to some sort of tunnel that resembles the ones used for highways going under mountains. However through the end of it I can see fire and a red background although it’s too far away to see anything else.
Then a silhouette appears and a second later streaks towards me right as everything goes black and I open my eyes to see the magic circle and 30 meters around the ground fried to nothing and Lyra yelling while trying to put out the rest of the mini-fires. I’m glad Smokey the Bear isn’t this game’s AI or else I would have been banned for life.
Getting back on topic, in front of me is the most adorable thing that has probably come out of Hell and ever will. A Red panda. The red fur and the black eyes with a striped tail is sizing me up while looking with a demeanor that doesn’t fit its animal persona. It looks as though it has an intellect rivaling humans.
http://www.knoxville-zoo.org/sites/www/Uploads/images/Exhibits/panda1_709041545401.png
Suddenly a whirlwind envelopes the creature and a second later it stops, and almost my heart too! There is a stunning 5’ 9” red haired woman that rivals the beauty of Synth. However she has almost the same predatory gaze as Lyra that makes me want to shiver, turn tail and log out. I’m still stunned as to how she transformed. Curiosity got the best of me so I focused on her avatar:
[Shapeshifting Magi ‘Rose’ lvl: ???]
The only thing I could do was gulp. And what really stopped any words from forming was the level! When it shows ??? that means something at least x3 levels or more of my current. Based on the surprised and small bit of fear on Synth’s face I’m sure she read the same thing. But Relix is just sitting there whistling and trying not to make eye contact like it has nothing to do with him. Is he positive that my kindergarden dirt drawing can hold a bad-ass like that?!
Better get this done fast before she gets the same idea.
“Umm, Hello, My name is Grim and you obviously know why you are here. So I’ll get straight to the point, do you want to sign a covenant and team up with me?”
At least it was better than last time and not something like ‘Yo, wanna bust some heads with me?’
“It sounds interesting, and life away from those demon perverts is a good deal. The fact that you have a succubus and not a normal cat will make it more entertaining. But why should I go with you other than that?” she asks with a tone that seems like she is testing me.
I guess I can’t give her fish, huh. Ah! I got something.
“Because I am most likely going to end up in fights with the Holy Order since I am, you know, the collector of hell and have a lusting demon succubus along with a former animal companion of a Dark Lord. I’m sure you would have fun here.”
“Hahahaha, you make a good point child! Yes, those holy twats did think I was someone following the Dark. They killed my family and hunted me just like the witches. Even though I shapeshifted they could still sense the mana in me which I cannot hide or modify no matter what form I take on.”
At that last part her eyes looked solemn as she gazed towards the ground. Time to cheer her up!
“Wow, it seems like we have a common enemy. Those holy sacks of crap and bones won’t know what’s coming. Then shall I show you the contract so we can sign?”
-Lesser Hell Covenant-
A mutual binding that allows an entity from Hell to join the player in their adventures.
The Greater Hell Covenant spell cannot be automatically used
and will take a quest to complete.
The quest will be given at a much higher level.
Here are the details of the rules…
The explanation goes on and tells the same thing Relix already explained.
“Great, it should be entertaining to follow you on your journeys, and nice to meet you I my name is Rose.”
Rose has accepted and signed the covenant.
She will now have her stats and level set to a default base of level 10
After she accepts I take the time to input Synth, Lyra, and Relix names in the ‘no injury’ list just to make sure. Although I do not think she would betray them, it’s better safe than sorry.
She suddenly starts a whirlwind signaling she is going to transform and then turns back into the red panda and scurries over to me and climbs up to my shoulder. I pet her soft fur and she nudges my head in approval and delight.
Then I guess it’s time to plunder the dungeon!