*One... Two... Three... Thirty, eh? Thirty one, counting the leader...* I thought to myself. As I was planning on what I would do, the battle already initiated.
Ten of the thirty men made their way towards me, holding sinister looking blades in their hands. Probably coated with poison.
"Stay behind me." I gave a brief command to Aim and Lily. My voice brought them back from terrified stupor in which they complied in haste.
I readied my gun and activated my skills.
"Buckshot." I aimed my gun and shot. Three bullets flew which hit their targets. One of those bullets even pierced through the enemy and reached another one behind him. Their health and defense seems to be on the low side so four of the ten attackers quickly died. Not minding what happened, the other attackers continued towards me. The other twenty started preparing, gripping their weapons tightly, ready to pounce at me anytime.
"Smoke Screen. Quickdraw." I activated two skills almost simultaneously. I threw the smoke canister that appeared on my hand to the other twenty to cause confusion. I started my barrage of bullets to suppress the attacking rogues.
"Arghhh!" Screams of agony echoed in the cave wherever my bullets hit. Even though I tirelessly fired bullets using my maximum speed, one or two still gets through my defense.
Whenever someone closed up the distance for a meter, I use the barrel of my gun to strike them and force them back. Though, this gives the other attackers some time to get near.
'Ding!'
You have gained new skills!Gun Sweep (Active/Passive)
Beginner Level 1 - 0%
Uses your gun as a blunt weapon.
Gun melee damage +6% (Passive)
Knockback Percentage 11%(Passive)
Gun melee damage +15% (Active)
Knockback Percentage 100% (Active)
Critical hit damage 300% (Active)
Warning: Continuous usage lowers durability quickly and may cause jamming of the gun.
Mana Cost: 20Firearms Mastery (Passive)
Beginner Level 1 - 0%
Improves your gun wielding capabilities.
Damage using the gun +6%
Attack speed with the gun +11%
Slightly improves accuracy.
Faster reloading speed.(Graves doesn't need this.)
Farther range.
I read through the skills as I fended off the enemies. Nice! Faster attack speed.
The continuous hordes of enemies got some hits in. Since their blades were coated with poison, my life is slowly sapped away. Good thing my innate passive skill --- True grit, lowers the damage I receive. Though, I can't do anything about the damage over time of the poison.
'Tch' I clicked my tongue in annoyance. This wouldn't end like this. I have to retreat for a bit to prepare for another clash. My Smoke Screen is also thinning and would fade out soon.
"Collateral Damage." I readied my gun and shot. The recoil shook my arms, the skill's power was improved by my Firearms Mastery. The rogue who got hit in pointblank range flew away for a few meters, dead. His body crashed into another one as shrapnels caused more sounds of death to echo in the cave. The rest of the bandit group had the look of shock, fear and confusion.
Not wanting to waste the opening, I started my counterattack.
"Buckshot." I closed in on one of the bandits and activated my skill. His body got flung and hit another bandit. The flung bandit died while the other is critically injured.
Seeing this, some of the bandits started to hurriedly run away. Though, those that did received a nice bullet in the face. This further instigated fear in their group.
"Go ahead! I like moving targets." I taunted. This worked quite well as two of the other remaining bandits aggressively attacked me in a fit of rage and panic.
"Gun Sweep." I tried my new skill. It was rather effective as it flung two grown man away. Sounds of ribs crushed rang, muffled under the vortex of screams.
One by one, I killed each of them. The sounds of flesh ripped, skins torn, blood spilt, bones crushed and bodies pierced could be heard everywhere. This caused the enemies' number to dwindle, until it fell into one. A crying mess on the floor, the leader of 'Forbidden Fruit'... Serpent.
"N... No!" Serpent muttered inaudibly, screeching all the while.
"End of the line." I coldly replied, placing the gun muzzle into his forehead and pulling the trigger. A loud bang echoed in the room, afterwards, the cavern became deathly silent.
I turned around and looked at the other two to see them stare at me in awe, respect and fear. Well, I became really bloody so this would cause even the bravest of the brave shudder in fear.
Lily stared at me for a bit and started tearing up as if finally understanding what happened.
Aim, on the other hand quickly regained composure and said a small 'Thank you' in a soft voice. Afterwards, he went around and looted the corpses of the bandits.
Lily ran towards me, almost tripping on the way since it was slippery with blood splattered everywhere. When she reached me, she hugged me and started bawling. Saying how scary it was. Though they wouldn't really die, they would still feel pain if they did get hit. She also started spouting thanks every once in a while between sobs.
*Really... With innocent people like this still in this world... I guess it ain't that bad of a world.* I thought to myself as I sighed. What that sigh means, nobody knows.
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A floating sensation followed by an eerie whiteness of the place.
"Where... am I?" I muttered incoherently in a half-asleep state.
I ---Twisted Fate, am in a place unknown to me. I somehow got transported here one way or another. My head throbbed in pain as memories flowed into my mind. Ah... That's right. I'm back here again.
"Welcome back, Fate." An elderly voice entered my ears. When I looked to it's source, I saw him ---Yoo Byung-Joon, the creator of the 'A.I.' that manages this world.
"Hello." I replied. Keeping a plain countenance in check.
When I sleep in this world, there are times where I got sent here. A place Versailles called 'Dreamland'. Apparently, this is the place where people that sleeps inside the game gets transported. If their consciousness were to wake up while their avatar is still asleep, they would be able to see something like a dream.
Seeing me like this, Byung-Joon smiled. "So, is your answer still the same?" He asked.
"Of course. I still have no reason to follow your wishes." I muttered uninterestedly.
"Really? Do you have no desire of going to 'this side'?" He asked while staring at me meaningfully. Yes. When I first reached this place, Yoo Byung-Joon offered me to go on their side. The place 'players' calls the 'real world'. He also offered assistance when I reached their side. In exchange, I would have to help them with their experiments. I'd me something like a guinea pig, though not like I would be surgically operated with.
"I've already told you beforehand. My abilities have some restrictions. It's not like I'm omnipotent that I can do anything I want." I replied in an unamused tone.
"Is that so? Even so... If I help, we'd be able to get around your restriction easily." He said coaxingly. Damn old fox, I always feel like I'm dancing in his tune whenever I talk to him.
"Even if that's the case, I have no wish to go to a world with no magic." I resolutely replied.
"Even though our technology is far more advanced? If you come here, we'd be able to give you some of our technology." He said, cutting me off.
My face froze up for an instant, momentarily breaking my poker face. I composed myself and thought deeply about his offer. He looked at me with a knowing smile. I really want to wipe off that sly-looking smiling face.
"...I'll think about it." I answered. When I first heard about their technological advances, I was in shock. Though the techmaturgy of Runeterra is rather amazing as we also have created A.I.s, theirs are far more advanced. For them to be able to create something that could pass through the boundaries of the world, the things they called rockets, drones and satellites... Are they even sane to think of leaving the world and venturing forth through the void of the universe? Those things were both fascinating and terrifying.
"Good. Just tell me when you've already decided. I know that you will, and it's just a matter of time." He looked at me and smiled. I really hate this disgusting feeling of being held at the palm of his hands...
"I'd forget about this conversation once I wake up anyways." I mumbled softly. That's right. Since this is the world of dreams, just like normal, whatever that happens here would get forgotten once you return. But somehow, whenever I come back in 'Dreamland' I start to remember my older visits here, accompanied by a slight headache.
"It seems like our time is almost finished. You would now be returning in a bit.> Versailles spoke up. Her voice felt fainter and fainter by the second. Moments later, my body glowed in a bright white light, making the two seem like silhouettes, no, like smoke swaying or black flames flickering. It only took a bit before the smoke dispersed into the vast whiteness. My eyesight dimmed and I lost consciousness.
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"Ughh..." I woke up and held my head as I felt pain. It was an unsettling feeling like I was forgetting something important. Though, when I think about it more, the more painful the headache became.
I looked around and saw that I was in the wagon. I peeked outside to see the vast forest.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked my partner. She stopped for a bit and answered.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
"18 hours, 32 minutes, 24 seconds, 967 milliseconds and 863 microseconds and 42 nanoseconds or 66,744,967,863,042 nanoseconds." She replied quickly. Yup, she's part of a genius A.I. that made this world.
"Anyways... I'm hungry, wanna eat?" I asked her.
"Alright..." I muttered to no one in particular as I started preparing for the continuation of our journey.
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"Roooooar!" A Forest Lion roared as it pounced at me. It was significantly weaker compared to the monsters I encountered before as it was near a city. The Azure City, Sky's hometown. I decided to stop by the city to resupply as I was running low on spices, before I continued my way towards Mantichoras Forest near the western edge of Brent Kingdom. I also want to have a chat with her parents. To at least convey her feelings.
I swung the lithe fire rapier I made using Object Transformation. It already reached Intermediate a while ago and is now at 7%. As Intermediate Object Transformation an change something into another even without the same attribute, I fiddled around the skill and changed our campfire into a flaming rapier, which I copied from the treasures we found at Fortunas' Mausoleum. It burns those that the blade touches, while I remain unharmed from its flames. Though, I could still feel the heat emitted by the flames, but it wasn't that bad.
The thing is, my mana is rapidly sapped if the attributes were different. The campfire was of fire attribute while the rapier I copied was of metal attribute. Good thing fire and metal are closely entwined so the cost was within my range. But if an opposing elements were changed into the other, like earth and wind, I could only wonder what'd happen.
The forest lion roared in pain, it started running away after getting hit.
I released my bloodlust which placed pressure upon the fleeing lion. Its feet sunk into the loamy soil of the forest, as if the killing intent I released took on a physical form and pressed the lion down.
I cancelled Object Transformation, leaving me a quarter of mana left.
I ran towards the forest lion and activated my Body Transformation. Since my Body Transformation is at level nine, my transforming speed and mana cost were cut, making it faster with less mana cost. I changed my right hand into a blade and severed the lion's head by the neck as soon as I reached it, leaving its' fur behind.
I returned my hand to normal to pick up the loot when suddenly...
'Ding!'
Your Body Transformation has reached the Intermediate Stage!Body Transformation (Active)
Intermediate Level 1 - 0%
Transforms one or two part/s of your body using your imagination.
Can use simple and complex transformation at your level.
Mana cost: Varies
Warning: When an NPC sees something unusual with you, they may get afraid.
I inevitably smiled as I read the system message. Why shouldn't I? My magic, the goal of my life, just improved! Who cares if my poker face is broken?
Anyways, I controlled my emotions as I took the loots. I returned to the wagon and prepared the forest lion I just hunted into food. Some parts of it was already cooked due to the flaming rapier.
After finishing the food, I meditated. Vers looked at me curiously, suppressing her laughter but I focused on my task while ignoring her. I want to try out my new skills.
I held a steel lump and placed it into the campfire. The hear quickly reached my hand, burning it. I endured the pain as I concentrated on what I was doing.
"Object Transformation!" I spoke out my skill, almost screaming due to pain. I suppressed my urge to drop the steel bar out of my hand.
Slowly, the reddish steel bar started changing in shape. Copying an object I was well acquainted with.
"Arghhh!" I groaned out, unable to restrain the welling scream.
Your Object Transformation failed!Object Transformation lost 7% proficiency.
Warning: Another failure would return the skill back to Beginner Stage.
*Darn it!* I grumbled inwardly, the heat was still felt in my hand as I kept on enduring the pain.
"Object Transformation." I said. The pain in my hand made it feel like my whole arm was melting off. Vers was now nowhere near the laughing fairy from a while ago as she was already panicking while she sent all the healing spells she knew on my way, with tears in her eyes.
My Berserk Skill activated sometime in between. It wasn't so bad as it reduced the pain I receive by 3%.
The melting steel transformed slowly as the heat it had slowly faded as it took shape. The big steel lump was changed into twin blades. As soon as the transformation finished, I separated the blades from the flames of the campfire.
The finished product was something that brings about nostalgia. As I was admiring the object's beauty, a system message took my attention.
'Ding!'
You've created a Lich BaneLich Bane - Durability N/A
Tier: Legendary
Stats
+80 mental stats
+250 mana
+5% movement speed
Passive: UNIQUE – SPELLBLADE: After using an ability, your next basic attack deals 75% base Offense (+ 50% Magic Damage) bonus magic damage. 2 second cooldown.
A nostalgic description made me remember Runeterra. It seems like items from the Fields of Justice would keep their descriptions in this world.
"Ah, Crap!" I muttered. My mana is getting sapped at a crazy rate! It would only last for a few more seconds. I'm so not gonna repeat that process. I looked for my options and thought of an idea, though it was just a gamble... Like always.
"All or nothin'." I muttered as I open my extra inventory given in the Fields of Justice. A seven slot inventory that can take any object of any size, though, the seventh slot only allows special type of items.
When I placed the Lich Bane in the inventory, the blades magically disappeared as one. I looked at my stats and saw that the item's buff was still with me. Great!
I smiled and laughed like a maniac as my plan had worked like how I wanted, perseverance and tenacity does give rewards!
"Haaa... It's an object back from ma' home. You know what? Here. Show information about Lich Bane to Versailles." I said in resignation. My hand still throbs from the pain but there was no wound as the flames also cauterizes whatever wound it may cause. My berserk was also gone so the pain I felt was more intense, though, it was slowly fading away with time.
Vers stared at the empty space in front of her, probably reading the system message I sent her. After finishing, she stared wide eyed at me.
I smiled wryly at her actions, I pat her head with my fingers and stroke them.
"Thank you, Vers... I'm sorry. Sorry for makin' you worry..." I sincerely told her. She became red like a ripe tomato and started averting her gaze.
I removed my hand and went on planning on what to do next, ignoring the inner turmoil I caused the fairy. An idea came into me so I tried it out, not wasting a moment for a second thought.
"Body transformation." I said, changing my hair into a new one. I made it long and blonde as to change my appearance. I also smiled kindly as if changing along with my hairstyle. As a master of poker face, I could also fake emotions and smile all day.
'Ding!'
You've changed your appearance!By changing your appearance, NPCs wouldn't be able to recognize you by default.
Your fame and notoriety would revert to 0 while you are transformed unless found out.
Any fame or notoriety gained while transformed wouldn't be transferred back, unless found out.
Titles wouldn't work and can't be gained unless found out.
"Nice." I muttered.
"Ah! I just changed my appearance as to hide my notoriety, turns out... It works." I answered the unspoken question. Afterwards, I went my way to the wagon.
<...> Vers gazed at my profile feverishly as I walked past her... Eh? Do I look strange?
I went ahead and continued walking after stopping for a moment as I don't particularly care about appearances unless there's a need to do so. I'd just find what I look like some time later, when I see a river or something.
I rode the wagon and continued forwards. Towards the City of Azure in the distance.
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Author's Note(Grumblings):
Holla! BBeLiN here. Nothing worth noting right now. The release was delayed a bit as I was busy with projects school. Oh right! I became the president of the computer club even though I'm just a grade nine student(smiles smugly). Also, the anime club has pulled through! We're finally able to create a club for anime otakus at school.
Anywhelp, just the epilogue left before this volume is finished. I'll do it later or tomorrow~
Kids, don't copy this person. Mañana habit is bad. Procrastination causes unnecessary troubles later. This is something learnt from experience.
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