*ping*
The Shackles That Binds Us Apart
You have recently discovered the existence of your twin sibling. He/She is momentarily engaging a losing battle against an unknown force and will soon be consumed. Locate his/her position in order to find out his/her state. This Quest cannot be refused and will fail automatically should you pass over the time limit.
Quest Difficulty : ??
Time Limit : 1 Year
- Rewards -
???
- Failure -
Destruction of the current world's state
The lost of your twin sibling permanently
???
*ping*
Quest Accepted
Volume 1 Chapter 6
Capital City of Shiva
[ The next day... ]
(*Wakes up*)
Hnnghh... man, I wonder when was the last time I had such a good night sleep. I could barely hold myself from continuing sleeping. But I can't since Ramiv and even Nerai had already woken up.
"Oh, you're up, kid." (Ramiv)
"Good morning, Data (*smile*)." (Nerai)
Rubbing my eyes, I replied to them in a low tone voice.
"Morning, you two." (Data)
Hmm? Something feels... different. My body feels as light as feather. I also feel like... I am forgetting something from last night.
Wait a minute...
I'm pretty sure that the gems on my hands were colorless before. But now, the gem on my right hand is white, while the one on my left hand is black. Additionally, I can feel that they are resonating with each other unlike before where it is as if they were... sleeping.
"Hey kid. Get yourself over here and help us pack up our stuff into the bags. We're leaving soon." (Ramiv)
Rising my hand as a signal that I'll be joining them soon, they resumed their activities. For now, I think that it's for the best that I conceal the fact that the gems' color have changed.
"Inventory Menu." (Data)
Now then, just how do I cover my hands? Tucking them in my pockets all the time will prove to be a hassle as I will need to use them from time to time, while it will also trigger suspicions from other peoples. I would love to use gloves but... (*scrolls over interface to equipment type*)
Huh? Is this... a glove? Since when did I have a pair of glove? So many strange things are happening today...
Regardless, I'll seize the opportunity and equip the glove as quickly as possible. While pulling it out, I can feel it radiating a somewhat familiar aura and yet, I cannot distinguish of its owner. Hmm...
"Activate Analyzing skill. Target Analyzing : The gloves. Priority Analyzing : Full Information." (Data)
*ping*
Erebia Magus GloveType:HybridDurability:25 / 25Attack:5-15Defense:5Quality:Unique
It is a glove that looks seemingly weak at first, but actually evolves as the user becomes stronger. It may appear to be a glove, but it is in fact a weapon.
Due to possessing special characteristics, this equipment cannot be analyzed by others under normal circumstances.
[ Soul Bound ]
- Stats -
Intelligence +5
Wisdom +10
- Additional Effects -
Magic damage increased by 5%
Damage taken during casting decreased by 5%
Restore MP by 10% of the inflicted magic damage
Increases Spirits absorption rate by 10%
What... what kind of glove is this?! A weapon in the form of a glove is unheard of! Not to mention, it's [Unique] and even soul bounded to me! Urgh... my head... my head.
Putting all those amazing details aside, the gloves is performing a fine job at hiding the gems. Unless someone touches the back of my hands, they won't even notice it's there.
Now then, let's begin helping... never mind. They are already done.
"Did you fall asleep or something? We have already finished the preparations to go back to Shiva." (Ramiv)
"Finally, we can go home!" (Nerai)
"Oh, hahaha sorry. I was thinking about something. Didn't expect for both of you to finish packing so soon, though." (Data)
"Forget about that, now help us wi-.... ehhh.. Got yourselves a new pair of glove, ain't you?" (Ramiv)
"Yeah, I thought I'd hide these gems from the public's eye. Found it in one of the drawers. I don't really stand having too much attention focused too much to myself." (Data)
Doesn't seem like he noticed the difference in the gems. Guess I'm safe, for now. Wait, Nerai is coming closer. Oh no, have I been discovered? Hoping that she did not, I clenched my fists so that in the event she tugged it, the gloves won't fall thus revealing the gems that is now black and white in color respectively.
"Oooo... silver colored gloves looks nice on you Data!" (Nerai)
She states that as she circles around me checking out the new gloves that had glued itself onto me. Whew... that was a close call.
"Haha, anyway enough. Both of you come over here now, I'm going to use the 'Recall' scroll already. We've been away from Shiva for quite some time, so let's not waste any more time and get going." (Ramiv)
Pointing his finger to the floor telling us to come over there, he holds the 'Recall' scroll I gave him in his left hand. Slowly, I walked toward him while Nerai just sprinted there. Well, I guess it's time to see how does this Shiva city looks like.
"Ok now, listen carefully. I'll be teleporting all of us near the entrance to the Capital City of Shiva so make sure you don't do anything stupid when you are over there. And I'm talking about you, kid." (Ramiv)
"I can understand that. But why don't you just teleport inside the city instead of doing so much of a trouble as to teleporting all of us outside instead?" (Data)
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"That's an easy question. Shiva is covered with a magic barrier that is specifically made to resist impacts from the outside in order to ensure that the civilians within does not get injured. " (Ramiv)
"This very barrier also prevents anyone to directly teleport inside the city, thus we can only teleport near the entrance." (Ramiv)
"I see, well I'd probably do the same if I had ruled over a city." (Data)
"Hahaha, dream on boy. Anyway, I'll be using the 'Recall' scroll now, so be prepared." (Ramiv)
I wonder, how does one use the 'Recall' scroll? Ramiv doesn't seem to be opening the scroll any time sooner and since I never really had the chance to use it before, I'm quite curious at the moment. With an intense stare, I watched Ramiv's every movement as to not miss any of its display. Noticing my curious stare, he said
"Actually acting like a kid of your age eh? I guess you do have a cute side to you after all." (Ramiv)
"Erghhh...shut it old man. Just hurry up and do it." (Data)
"Haha, watch closely kid. Blink, and you'll miss it. Nerai, you ready?" (Ramiv)
"Yes father!" (Nerai)
After finishing his sentence, I noticed the 'Recall' scroll started to emit a faint green light, seems like he imbued his life force to the scroll. Then, he suddenly threw up in the air... and it's hovering! Following up with the throw, to my surprise, Nerai started chanting some words.
"Within my memory, holds the best of our dearest requests! With your power, return us to where we seek to be, Recall!" (Nerai)
The moment she stopped chanting, the thin rope that had the scroll tied, shattered into nothingness. The scroll, where it is now open, began expanding towards the ground and closed beneath our feet, shaping of what it may seem like a sphere from the outside. Naturally, Ramiv and Nerai's bags are brought along.
For a moment right then, I had felt as if the mana within the surrounding area had changed drastically. A few seconds later, the wall of paper within us suddenly retracted to the ground beneath us, and in the end, turned into ashes.
Well... honestly it was a little bit anti-climatic, when looking back at how extravagant the way they had to activate the scroll. Regardless, it appears now that instead of being inside the small house, we are now near the entrance to the Capital City of Shiva.
Behind my back, was the forest that had extended to as far as the eye can see. Coming out of the forests, was the ground path probably used by carriage with horses which leads to the city's entrance, with no single trace of grass growing on it. Such a contrast, as the ground surrounding the path is filled with such healthy looking grasses.
At my front, on the other hand, lies the gigantic walls that surround the city. Many people seems to be lining up to get inside Shiva and are in such a hurry. Looking closely, I can see that there are both Travelers and People of The Lands in the line. I also have noticed that there are a few knights checking bags and carriages from the peoples that's lining up. I'm betting it's a security check for a reason, most of the time for a thief being loose, or a wanted criminal is seen wandering within the range of Shiva's vicinity.
After a few minutes of lining up, it is finally our turn to enter the city. Passing every security check like it's nothing, we are almost entering the city until the last stage of security check. The knights there have been staring at me for quite a while for as long as I can remember as we made our way through the place, until one of them stopped us in our track.
"Hold it right there. That kid right there, come here." (Knight with a red crest)
Huh? Is he calling out to me? Oh man, I guess not every sailing can always go so smoothly. Slowly, I turned to face the knight, went out of line and approached him. Taking a deep a breath, I calmed myself down from the unknown pressure.
"I don't think I have ever seen your face before. I had been tasked to guard forts, cities and various other places within this region, yet I don't recall having spotted you before." (Knight with a red crest)
"Not to mention, it may be subtle, but I can feel a considerably peculiar aura coming from you. Now, state your name and your business here." (Knight with a red crest)
Tch, he's sharper than he looks. I don't know who he is, but I might want to plan out my steps carefully in the future if I am to meet him again. Now then, to answer him.
"My name is Data and I am a Traveler. In the past, I had been held back from venturing out to the vast world due to certain personal issues. However, today I was saved by two peoples, and thus I am momentarily accompanying them." (Data)
"I cannot comprehend as to what made you believe that I'd be producing such aura, but heed my words. I am nothing but simply a passerby, for I am weak and fragile." (Data)
"A mere kid possessing such high conversing skill capability? Surely you cannot expect me to buy that,do you? But to confirm if you are telling nothing but truth, allow me to analyze you." (Knight with a red crest)
"I have nothing to hide, thus I am not afraid. Please, go on and analyze me." (Data)
It's not like he can analyze me anyway, so I better get ready to run for it once he does. Looking around to find escape routes, I began focusing some of my mana into my legs. I don't know how, but ever since last night's sleep, I have been able to take control of my mana and slowly began to master performing tricks with it. Looks like the knight is getting ready to analyze me. Time to get into position.
"Activate Analyzing skill. Target Analyzing : Data. Priority Analyzing : Full Information." (Knight with a red crest)
*ping* (Message appears in front of the knight)
"..." (Knight with a red crest)
Well, that's what you get for trying to analyze me. Okay, time to run away.
As I was getting ready to release my mana to sprint away, my intentions was entirely erased as I saw an unexpected message.
*ping*
You are currently being analyzed by an unknown People of The Land
...What?! How's that possible? Shoot, what now? I didn't expect this situation to actually come where I can actually be analyzed. I hope there isn't anything weird in my window stats. Standing still in front of the knight, I was simply waiting for his answer.
Wait, now that I think about it, where is Nerai and Ramiv? Checking around,the surrounding was filled with crowds due to the commotion of me being asked questions by the knight and me for having quite the bizarre attitudes unbefitting the age of a 12 years old kid. Suddenly, a familiar face popped up between the crowds of unknown peoples jumbled between the People of The Lands and the Travelers. Just in the nick of time, I'd say.
"I'm sorry, but this kid is with me. Is there any problem?" (Ramiv)
"You are the father of that child? Well you see,there is a fe-..... wait, that voice..." (Knight with a red crest)
Hearing Ramiv's voice, he turned around as soon as possible and then made a shocked face. It seems like these guys knows each other?
"Oh hey! I remember you, aren't you one of the newbies back in a certain mercenary camp where I used to be the instructor? Hm... what was the name again..." (Ramiv)
"It's Trevor, sir! It is truly a pleasure to meet you again after some time!" (Knight with a red crest = Trevor)
"Yeah, the same to me. Hahaha, look at you, used to be a snotty brat back in the camp, but now a leading captain knight eh? Not bad, I'd say so myself." (Ramiv)
"Not at all sir! It is thanks to your contribution that I am who I am now." (Trevor)
And thus, the conversation went on and on, to the point this Trevor guy literally forgot about me. I had the impression he was a cool, serious knight at first, but looking at the state he is in now, man he's nothing but a guy who admires his idol. Well, nothing wrong with that really. It's just, I'm seriously getting tired hanging around here. The crowd had dissipated a long time ago since the tension in the air was cooling down after the appearance of Ramiv. And it's night time already, just how long do these two want to keep up their conversations?!
No longer being able to hold out any longer, I poked Ramiv's body in a hope of a response and turning his attention to me, and seems like it was a success.
"Old man, I'm tired already being here. Let's go back already. Speaking of which, where is Nerai?" (Data)
"Oh sorry, Nerai is back home since some time ago when you got split from us. And sure, why not? Let's go." (Ramiv)
“Sorry Trevor, seems like he can’t stand being here any longer. I recall you had some business with him. What was it about?” (Ramiv)
"About that... actually, I'll call you later to talk about it. For now, he seems exhausted, so I'll let him off the hook for now." (Trevor)
"Hahaha thanks. Your help is much appreciated." (Ramiv)
"Not a problem, sir!" (Trevor)
And thus, I had finally managed to pass the entrance safe and sound, but exhausted as hell. Thinking of future adventures, if I cannot even fare well against obstacles like these, how am I going to survive in this world? Living in that void space sure took its toll on my mentality. Regardless, today's event was unexpected, and it actually feels new to me so I am yet to able to fit myself in it. That night at Ramiv's house, I was so dead-tired that I literally jumped on a random bed and fell asleep instantly.
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Author's Note :
Today's chapter took a little longer than usual as I am momentarily getting adjusted to using the tables codes. The table editor that was made by this website, I had so much difficulties with it that I had decided to simply rely on my own capability.
Anyway, thank for you for reading the chapter :).
And as always, advices, criticizing, suggestions etc. are welcomed as usual.