Writer's Note: Hello! Been busy due to coming finals and multiple papers, some of the longer ones I already did. Whatever the ratings, I'm still writing. Zamiel and company decide to fight the orcs attacking the humans up ahead. It is there that Zamiel learns just how much the world has changed. Two chapter release this time. The Snake Immortal chapter is to be released tomorrow.
Chapter 8: The Changed World
"I'll stay with Maybelle, making sure she fights safely," Lajakel said as he, Maybelle, Proto, and Zamiel chased after Aerogan.
"I have to fight?" Maybelle asked, seeing Lajakel nod. "I...I will try, uncle."
"Uncle?" Zamiel frowned.
"Yeah, I am her uncle. She just never calls me that as I am always lecturing her," Lajakel laughed as she stuck her tongue at him. "I'll help her deal with the psychological trauma of her first kill. You go on ahead and help out Aerogan."
"Right," Zamiel said and sped up, leaving the two in the dust as he appeared beside Aerogan.
"You go kill the ones near the humans. I'll attack the archers first," Aerogan said as he saw Zamiel appear beside him.
"A pincer attack," Zamiel nodded. "Just be wary of possible reinforcements."
*Ping*
System NoticeYou have begun D Rank quest: To the Rescue
The humans have made the Northridge Fashion Center into a fortress. They are currently under attack by orcs and the three Beta Players in the area are at the opposite side of the mall, fighting the main force. Rescue the humans being assaulted by the surprise attack at the rear by killing the orc invaders.
Your actions will determine a change in the status of the mall-turned-fortress.
The boss has a hidden, evil power.
Rewards
+20 silver
Rank 2 Black Wolf Plate Armor
Rank 2 Heavy Orc Boots
Increased hostility from orcs
"Be careful of a leader. He might be more powerful than us," Zamiel warned as Proto appeared beside him. It cried out and jumped behind him. Zamiel's speed was fast enough to turn and see a black sphere of mana pierce Proto in the heart, killing it instantly and stepped back in horror as its corpse deteriorated before his eyes.
*Ping*
Proto is Dead
Due to an attack that targets the soul, Proto is dead as it lost all its health with the single blow. <
Current pets: Green Falcon variant (egg form).
"Death magic!" Aerogan cried. "Get to cover!"
"What the hell?" Zamiel cursed as he and Aerogan ran inside the nearest house, an explosion occurring behind them.
"What was that?" Zamiel asked.
"It was a spell bolt fired from a staff. However, staffs with the death affinity are forbidden due to its soul-targeting capabilities," Aerogan said. "I'm afraid Proto is dead. What do we do? We can't help the humans now."
"We can," Zamiel said, handing him a flask of ice essence. "We'll use the houses as cover and make our way to the enemy leader. Cut off the head of the snake, and the rest will follow."
"The staff is too dangerous," Aerogan nodded. "Lajakel is protecting Maybelle, so they'll be fine. What do I do with this?"
"It contains frost essence. Throw it and the enemies will be covered in frost, instead of flames. It will help us breakthrough the enemy forces to the leader," Zamiel said. "Staffs are too over-powered. We need to get in close. If you can make him still for three seconds, I can use my <
"Which is why you need him stalled for three seconds. Got it," Aerogan nodded and paused as he started toward the next house. "You're not thinking of using its staff, are you?"
"If it drops as loot, maybe. Unlike you, I can't just loot a body and get everything I want. However, I can get some things you can never get as well. It's a kind of balance," Zamiel shrugged. "Magic is cool and all, but I have lived learning the sword in both my lives, memories of training still in my head. Like my <
"A tool that permanently killed Proto," Aerogan sighed. "Death magic. Damn. I'm sure you Beta Players could resurrect your pets, but we can't. In front of Death, I suppose even your pets cannot be resurrected if their souls are destroyed. As Proto was too young, it did not have much strength. It's too bad."
"It didn't do much. I'm just glad my Green Falcon variant still sleeps in its egg," Zamiel sighed as they ran into another house, a familiar hiss and explosion occurring behind them.
"Might become a phoenix. I can see them now," Aerogan said, the two looking out the window. "They're at a giant building with strange carriages without horses."
"Must be where the cars are repaired," Zamiel said. "Not good. It's a wide open area. Try to block the orc mages sights by running in front of the orc archers. We can use their bodies as meat shields."
"Barbaric, but it is the only option," Aerogan nodded as the two rushed out the house. Zamiel could see an image of a black skull within the spell bolt as a tall orc waved a black staff at them, streaks of black flames exploding like grenades as they missed and hit the ground.
"Lavetika! Lavetika!" the orc mage howled, pointing its left hand at Zamiel and Aerogan as it shot another spell bolt from its staff.
"<
"Ah, I'm jealous he can learn skills so fast," Aerogan sighed as he beheaded two orc archers with his twin short swords. His eyes widened as the orc mage blocked <
"If it was just the fire element, I would just walk up to it and kill it," Zamiel cursed as he leaped over a car behind him. After all, Zamiel was immune to fire and burning damage.
"What do we do?" Aerogan asked as they joined up behind another car.
"I can use <
"Leave it to me," Aerogan nodded. Zamiel breathed deeply and ran out from cover, Caliburn back in its sheath as he ran to the orc mage.
"Lavetala! Lavetala!" the orc mage roared, sending a giant spell bolt at him.
"Go!" Zamiel roared as he waited until the last second before using <
Taking advantage, Zamiel lifted his right hand toward the bottom of the orc mage's left leg. As the orc mage blasted Aerogan back with a shock wave from its staff, A metal steel bear trap appeared below its foot, closing shut and piercing inches inside the orc's left leg. As Zamiel used his <
"<
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"You cut it at the waist, where there was only cartilage and not bones. Truly terrifying skill," Aerogan praised.
"When it comes to horizontal cuts or downward cuts, speed is essential. An upside sword is fastest for horizontal cuts, and a sword using pure raw power makes a fast downward cut more horrifying," Zamiel said. "I learned this while using my sword and training with the dagger."
System NoticeYou completed To the Rescue
Using teamwork, you slayed the orc mage leader of the sneak attack. With the deaths of the orcs, the mall is secured from dangers to the rear. The orcs will not forget what you have done here today.
Rewards
+20 silver
Rank 2 Black Wolf Plate Armor
Rank 2 Heavy Orc Boots
Increased hostility from orcs
Boss Drops: 3 silver; mana gem
"Ooh!" Zamiel cried out, taking out the mana gem. These were incredibly rare items used for rune enchanting. One could inscribe runes onto the gems and watch it fuse and transform the item, armor, or weapon it was inserted into. Zamiel took out the dinosaur leader's head while Aerogan looted the other bodies. He then copied the runes onto the mana gem and inserted it into Caliburn.
*Ping*
Rune Enchanting now level 2
Zamiel is now level 11
Access to Rank 2 items is now granted
Due to mana gem insertion, Caliburn is now Unique Rank sword Divine Dragon Sword
As Zamiel chose option 2 to increase his five basic stats by one each, he looked at the new sword. The sword had a black manta ray leather grip, the sword with a wing-shaped cross guard. At the center of the cross guard was a white gem with pale blue runes over its surface. The runes created a linear labyrinth design on the center of both sides of the blade. What seemed like veins on the gem also spread onto the winged sword guards. It was a long sword of beauty, the sword emitting embers of snow white and purple flames along the blade.
"Divine Dragon Sword. Not a bad sword," Zamiel grinned as he admired the sword. His eyes were still sand-colored, but his hair returned to its blonde color, a streak of snow white and purple hair appearing on the side of his head. Like the flames on the sword, the flames around the black pearl and the flames on the rune tattoo on his chest also became snow white and purple flames. It could be said that the pale blue flames was waiting to awaken its true form all this time.
"Now you look like a wood elf," Aerogan nodded as he appeared. "Got stronger too. Let's head back to the others."
"Yeah," Zamiel nodded as he made more ice flask to reach the max holding of nine. Then, he put up two for auction. Unlike potions, ice flasks could be made more easily and he did not need to find herbs, collect blood, and vials to make the potions. Afterwards, he inspected the sword while Aerogan desired to kill the fleeing orcs.
Divine Dragon Sword
Fueled by runes of ancient times, this sword is one which does justice to the dragon scales used to make Caliburn. It is a sword of ancient power. As a unique sword, it is as strong as its wielder and has the potential to rival legendary swords. As a unique rank item, it cannot break, dull, or lose its shine.
Effects
Burning damage
+5 Strength
"Man that felt good, killing all those orcs," Aerogan said as he returned to Zamiel. "You good to go. Time to talk with humans."
"I'm ready. Let's get Maybelle and Lajakel," Zamiel nodded.
"You killed the mage?" Lajakel asked as he saw Zamiel in his knew steel and black fur armor, black metal boots on his feet with a spike protruding above his toes on each metal boot.
"Where's Proto?" Maybelle asked, Zamiel sighing.
"He died. Don't cry though. I have another pet. It just hasn't hatched yet. It's a falcon now, but it is a variant and sure to become a phoenix in the future," Zamiel said, patting her head.
"Un," Maybelle nodded. She seemed to have matured after fighting the orcs. She was level 10 now. No doubt, Lajakel injured all the orcs that Zamiel and Aerogan avoided and had Maybelle finish the orcs off. However, it scared Zamiel as there were a lot of orcs.
"The humans are approaching," Aerogan said, the four looking to their left to see humans with machine guns. As Zamiel suspected, the humans did not have magical weapons. With no ranked weapons, all their bullets did was push back the orcs.
"It's elves! Elves!" one of the men cried as people appeared out from behind the cars that formed several layers of defense from the street to the mall.
"They don't seem to be our enemies," another said.
"Of course not. Those are wood elves! One of those three Beta Players said they were our allies. However, we never managed to find them, the angelic race, or the dwarves.
"Two of the elves have different armor. The adult is wearing the same armor as one of the young elves, but his armor and weapons are definitely superior. The elf wearing black armor and that cool sword must be a Beta Player!" a teen said, pointing to Lajakel and then Zamiel.
"You made the mall into a fortress?" Zamiel asked, the others gasping as it seemed the teen's guess was true.
"You're a Beta?" a woman asked.
"Yes. Now, what happened?" Zamiel asked. "It's only been about a week or two, I think. How could the city be so....desolate. How did the orcs advance this far inland?"
"Ah, you're one of those Beta," the teen said, everyone staring at him. "What? My big brother is one of the three Beta and he was also shocked. On the forums, certain Beta awakened only a few days after what we called the Cataclysm."
"The day our world fused and hell on earth came," an elder noted, the others nodding in agreement. People were robbing others, raping others, and doing whatever they wanted as they gave up. After all, they needed to kill so many orcs and monsters to increase just one level and too many were afraid to take the risk.
"Only a few days...." Zamiel muttered and looked at the boy. "What is the date? What year is it?"
"Whoa! Not even a year passed. However, it is October 17, 2109," the teen said. "You said it's only been about two weeks for you, right? Then you must have been sleeping for four months. Summer is long gone."
"Four months...." Zamiel said, stunned. It was true though. The virtual reality game released in June 3, 2109. Jin Portman's life was like a movie in third person. He did not know what Jin thought or felt throughout his eighteen years of life. He had no memories of being Jin. Part of him already felt detached but seeing the world changed after four months was a lot to take in.
"So this whole place is a fortress?" Lajakel asked.
"Yes, Sir Elf," a man nodded. "It was where we could host the most refugees and hoard enough clothes, food, and supplies at a given notice. Some of us reached level 3 and had enough coppers to buy rank 1 weapons. Most of us chose guns as they required less training than melee weapons. Killing from afar is much easier than killing up close, physically and mentally. Most of them went to fight the main orc forces down by Nordhoff and Shirley. We did not expect an attack from the north east. Luckily, you four came. When we discovered that orc mage, we thought we were done for."
"It is dead...right?" a man asked, nervous.
"Yeah. I killed it," Zamiel said. "Whatever orcs were near the mage, Aerogan finished them off."
"I hate mages. If it wasn't for the fact that staffs are made of wood, they would be even more lethal as they could break bones with their staff," Aerogan spat.
"Let's get inside. The others will be relieved the surprise attack failed so miserably," a man in a security guard uniform said, the others nodding as they left before the four elves. "May I ask your names?"
"I am Lajakel. These two are Aerogan and Maybelle. The Beta is Zamiel," Lajakel answered.
"It seems having just 1 gold or a few silvers makes you rich. Well, it is like that early on in games. Still, rank 1 weapons are only a few copper. I suppose I should have bought a few. No matter. I use rank 2 items now," Zamiel thought as followed the security guard into what was once the Northridge Fashion Center, also known as Northridge Mall.