Chapter 4:
“Yeowouch,” Drytmes roared as the thin rims of the spectacles seared his meaty hands with the heat of a thousand suns forcing him to drop it. As the hot white spectacle collided with the oak floor it exploded into a million pieces.
The explosion sent rays of light that engulfed the entire room, blinding both Drytmes and Zero. Before either of them could react, a hole the size of a needle appeared ontop of Drytmes’ desk and began pulling both of them in.
The pull felt like pinches to Zero which was odd because he had imagined it to be more painful. Perhaps the system didn’t let pain go above a certain point; a concept which Zero understood and appreciated.
Drytmes on the other hand was writhing in pain and as if rejecting Drytmes the hole spat him back out and doubled its speed on pulling Zero in. And after another second the light along with Zero was lost to the black hole that collapsed on itself, satisfied.
***
You are the first person to enter ‘A Hero’s Sanctuary’
+10,000 fame
2x EXP gain for a week (in-game time)
2x Drop rate for items (in-game time)
The first monster you kill will drop the best item they have.
You have obtained the title: InfamousYou are currently the adventurer with the most fame in The Source. This is a temporary title that shifts when another adventurer out-fames you.
-This title grants no effects.
You are the first person to acquire an immortal item
+50,000 fame
+10 to all common stats
You are the first person to equip an immortal item
+100,000 fame
+25 to all common stats
Your class is now Hero of heroes!
You have acquired a new skill: Cloak
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Cloak (active)Skill Level: Mastered (99.99%)A unique skill passed down from Hero of heroes.
-You can borrow the strength of a past Hero of heroes indefintely.
0 mana per second
You have acquired a new skill: Bestow
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Bestow (active)Skill Level: Mastered (99.99%)A unique skill passed down from Hero of heroes.
-You can grant the class ‘Hero’ to (12) animate objects.
8% permanent reduction in common stats per use
How do you like it, Zero, the new Hero of Heroes?
“What? Who is speaking? Why is it pitch dark in here?” Zero spun around in confusion trying to locate the voice in the blank emptiness that surrounded him. Save for the pop-ups giving off light he could see nothing or no one.
Do not fret. Why does everyone always panic? I am a part of you--inside your head if you will. I will explain shortly so calm down.
The voice bouncing around in Zero’s head made him dizzy but he calmed down after the voice’s announcement.
Okay. You’ve calmed down faster than others since you have achieved serene mind so explaining this will be easier. Oh and what is this? YOU are not from this world? Interesting. Well, for now, just listen and remember because I do not like to repeat myself.
I, if I am to be compared to things, am an ancient thing that was one of the first creations from The Source. It was a long time ago and I do not remember much. However, inscribed in me is a mission that I cannot rid myself of. I am drawn to people, people just like you. People who can change the world. My mission as I mentioned, is to aid you as you fight off the many evils lurking in Galise. There are great evils that normal people cannot fathom. It is our duty to deal with these evils before it ever harms anyone.
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For these tasks you will need great power and you can acquire great power only through hard work. I will not take no for an answer hence I only ask, ‘are you ready?’
‘Ready for what’ Zero thought.
Why, for your training of course. All Heroes need training and the Hero of Heroes is no exception.
‘What will I be doing?’
That’s simple, you learn fastest with experience so you will be fighting the undeads.
‘Undeads, are they strong? I am only level one.’
Do not worry, you will have help from one previous Hero of heroes. See there, here they come.
Out of the darkness conjured from thin air emerged mighty humans and elves and half-beasts and dwarves and dragon people and a few oddly shaped creatures that Zero had never seen before. They each came clad in battle gear and the atmosphere grew heavier with each new presence.
One of these 51 Hero of Heroes will be with you throughout your training. Each one of them are immensely strong, as you will be when you pass into the void too.
‘Are these their souls?’
Hardly. A soul is a weird concept. These images you see before you is more of an imprint of what they left behind; yet their personality, memories, and power are still intact. But save the questions for later, here they come to inspect you.
‘Do you mean I do not get to choose?’
Of course not. Hero of heroes can be very stubborn and lazy so taking on an apprentice is not something anyone would just do. But if more than one Hero of heroes chooses you then you can choose, but do not count on it.
Verifying the voice’s statement more than half of the group of Hero of heroes turned away and disappeared into the darkness again. Those that remain whispered among themselves and eyeballed Zero up and down. Before Zero could feel embarrassed a familiar looking face strode towards him.
This young man with a ponytail tied behind his head and with an inch thick spectacles resting on his nose was none other than Sordello when he was in his prime, some hundred years ago.
“Hello there young orc, do you remember me?”
Zero gawked. “Yes, but how do you remember me?”
“I or whatever I am now remembers everything up to the point of my passing. It’s a weird feeling really. You will know oh some hundred or thousand years from now when you have also passed.”
“I have so many questions to ask you,” Zero exclaimed.
“Very well, we will have too much time to talk because I will gladly become your mentor. For now tell Ureah that I will become your mentor so we escape this darkness.”
I can hear you two just fine Sordello. Okay then Zero, it appears Sordello is the only one who volunteered to….
As if cut off the voice, Ureah, quieted down as a giant mass of muscle crept up behind Sordello and announced his presence.
“I, Gtzrovd, will be mentor to the orc.”
Sordello turned around to face Gtzrovd and laughed.
“Now this is a surprise. Out of all of us why did you choose to mentor someone for the first time? You know what mentoring someone means for you right, Gtzrovd, also known as The First Hero of heroes?”
Again Zero stood shocked. Surprised he could even be more surprised by the turn of events considering how his day, or few hours in-game has went Zero just watch and listened while the scene unfolded in front of him.
“Well Zero,” Sordello sighed,”as much as I would like to be your mentor, I also want to see how the strongest of the Hero of heroes partnered with an adventurer will turn out. I do not know much about Gtzrovd’s personality but his strength is unrivaled. You’ll have no problem with the trails with him by your side. Ah and I almost forgot. We can definitely meet again just be sure to collect a lot of…”
Well, Sordello spoke a little too much so I sent him away. No need to spoil the fun yet. Everything in due time. Now. Zero you and Gtzrovd are in a pact of mentor and mentee that will last for longer than you know. You will see soon enough how much you two will need each other. Now without further ado let the training begin!
Zero braced himself for the flash of light and Gtzrovd grunted and stretched his huge frame as they were teleported off somewhere far away.