Here we go folks.
Lets get to the show.
----------------------------------------
The fight has begun.
Between a Spriggan and Salamander.
Kirito and Eugene.
A Survivor vs a General.
Everyone at present, the Caith Sith; the Sylphs; the Salamander Soldiers, they are all watching the spectacle of a battle right in front of their eyes.
"This will be tough. They're both equally skilled, but Eugene's weapon is far superior." The Slyph Leader said anxiously.
"...Even so."
"Hahahahaha." They turned towards the one laughing.
"What are you guys worried about? Kirito won't lose to that guy."
He was a Spriggan, from what Leafa knows is that this guy is a friend to Kirito for quite a while. She doesn't seem to like the guy, but Kirito seemed to respect him at one point.
His name was Suko Kenshin. Apparently he is also new to the game of Alfhiem, yet he manages to move like Kirito at some point.
'Almost like they played this before...'
"What you say is impossible to believe," Sakuya replied. "Eugune's weapon has the ability to ph-"
"Phase through weapons and armor, ignoring them." He said. "But that doesn't matter, the show's nearing the climax."
To others it looked like Kirito was losing due to Eugene's weapon to ignore armor and weapons, Kirito was cornered by the Salamander...
But that stopped when Kirito decided to use a smoke bomb spell with an area of effect to hide and borrow his companion's weapon, Leafa.
"What!" They exclaimed, covering their faces almost barely. With the wind and impact of the force of the smoke directly at them within range.
"Go for it man!" Suko cheered while coughing in between.
The Salamander General grunted in annoyance and swiped the smoke around him, clearing it. He looked around and saw no signs of the Spriggan 'diplomat'.
The audience around him thought that he ran away, seeing that he was nowhere to be seen.
"Wait for it," Suko said, making people look at him. "this will be a fight you guys won't forget."
"...!"
They then heard something from the skies above.
They looked up and saw the Spriggan making a dive, with his sword pointing towards Eugene. The glare of the sun was minimizing the General's vision, thus making him rush towards him since a surprise attack won't change anything.
Up until the Spriggan brought up another weapon in hand.
A dual weapon style.
Kirito rushed at Eugene at no end. While the Salamander General kept up the struggle, he was still cornered and at the point that his HP was decreasing at a rapid rate.
All of them were speechless, up until they all suddenly cheered.
"HURRRAHHH!"
"Splendid! Simply Splendid!"
"Wow, nice fight!"
The Caith Sith and Sylphs cheered in joy. While the Salamanders nodded at the awesome fight that they all witnessed.
"That was good."
"Damn."
"An awesome fight I'd like to say."
"Don't think anything can top that."
While everyone just talked and chattered on how awesome the fight was and so, Leafa kept on staring at Kirito. Finding herself a new light to the newcomer (since he played the game like literally recently and thus a newcomer).
Also feeling in the inside that she was starting to have a crush on him... Though she won't admit that anyways.
"Heh, told you so. Kirito won't lose to someone like him." Suko boasted proudly, although, in these circumstances, his words didn't find themselves arrogant.
More like proud of his friend's victory.
*Beep!*
'Huh?' A notification popped up in front of him.
-Emergency Alert!-
-Head Hunting-
-Objective: Escape is the only option, Dying is the second, Fighting is not an option-
-Time Limit: None-
-Reward: 100,000 Yrd, 850,000,000 EXP (Only if you survive)-
-Bonus: ?-
-Bonus: ?-
-Failure: Death, no exceptions-
'What the hell!?' Suko's eyes widen, both in disbelief and confusion. '"Emergency Alert?" The hell, there wasn't anything like this from any of the Gamer fics I read!'
*Beep!*
New skill acquired! (Fear Resistance - Passive) (Level: 1)
This skill allows you to be more resistant to fear-based abilities. The higher the level, the more resistance you can take out.
Before anyone could explain, insert explosion.
BOOM!
The Fairies covered their eyes from the dust particles and the force of the wind hitting their eyes. I don't know how this works, but apparently you can get blind by having sand particles on your eyes which also applies in virtual fking reality!
"What!? Who is it this time!?" One of the fairies around shouted.
As the cloud of dust settled, they saw 3 figures slowly standing up from a crouched position on which they could barely see.
And what imprints into their sight confuses them even more.
3 fairies. A Spriggan, Sylph, and a Caith Sith.
They all looked like dirty brigands, and all 3 of them seem to be highly equipped for combat.
"Who are you!?" Sakuya exclaimed with authority in her voice. "Identify yourselves-!"
"Silence wench. You have no authority, none of you do." The Spriggan spoke in a rough, deep tone. Along with some dust in his voice. Almost like a cowboy accent. Was it a voice modifier?
"You're outnumbered Spriggan, no matter what you try to do, you will die trying!"
"...I think you are mistaken, I am not here for you."
The fairies around glanced at each other. "Then why are you here?"
"I am here for him." He pointed towards one of the two Spriggan that is in between Leafa and Sakuya. "His head is something we need to collect."
"Tch, bounty hunters eh? What is it that this man do?" Alice Rue, leader of the Caith Siths, went in a combat stance as she pulled up her claws.
"Yeah!" Suko exclaimed, hiding his nervousness behind the shout. "What the hell is it that I do to you guys!? I'm just a beginner of this game!"
"...Gaia."
That word alone made the Gamer froze. Inside of the Gamer's mind, he was panicking but the {Gamer's Mind} almost instantly cleared his emotions. But this still causes more questions that needed answers he cannot get.
Who are they? How did they know that word? Who is it are they working for?
He quickly deduced that by using {Inspect} on them, but the results were... shockingly scary.
Name: ! $)& Bounty Hunter, [Renegade]
Race: Spriggan ( $Error!%)
Class: Unknown (?)
Level: (?) 60
HP: ? (65)
MP: $!Error$
STR: ? (58)
VIT: ? (55)
AGI: ? (40)
INT: 50
WIS: 41
CHR: 21
LUC: 39
RES (Resistance): ? (46)
S.A (Special Ability): ? (80)
'What the hell...!? What are these!? Special Ability!? Why is that bastard's MP not showing? Did he use some kind of interference magic? No, there shouldn't be any spell that allows that in the game!'
While Suko began to contemplate what he is currently seeing in his notification box, the rest furrowed their brows in confusion.
"Hah...?"
"Hand him over, and all of you shall be spared. Otherwise, you lot will be involved in the bounty. Extra kills would mean extra cash." He said almost eagerly, making them tense even more.
While in reality, he was simply bluffing. Of course, he would kill them if they get in their way, but they wouldn't exactly be getting any cash from any of them. They aren't really much of a threat, but merely nuisance that would get in their way, distractions. For the real prize is the Gamer just righttt in front of them.
Before anyone could do anything, someone swooped in from above.
"Kirito-kun!"
"Leafa! What's going on here?"
The Slyph quickly began to tell what exactly happened around, slowly causing Kirito to get irritated and upset at the 3 unknowns.
"Oi," The FAKE Black Swordsman called out. "I'll give you a chance. Leave or die."
"...Hrk- Hahahahahaha," Askad began to laugh, making the others except for Bela and Idina who were barely keeping their laughter in control, wildly that is. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA-!"
"What's so funny!?" One of the Caith Sith bodyguards shouted.
"Hahahahaha, haaaaaaa..." Askad breathes in and out, despite being undead. But able to feel his emotions clearly is something that he finds likable with body change whenever he goes to another world. The body change is only restricted for world transfers, however, there are other circumstances that allow full-on set body that didn't need any change for adaptation.
"We also know who you are, Black Swordsman. Or would you rather be called, Beater?" That made him froze and his eyes wide as dinner plates. "Information is such a dangerous item to have, you never know what you can use it for. It's such a... double-edged blade."
"How... Wait... Are you from that hell!?"
'You don't want to mention it eh? Alright, I'll play along.' "You would see us the same as fellow survivors from that hell, Faker. But let's go back to business shall we? We strayed far enough from the topic."
"Are you Laughing Coffins!?" Seethed in anger from Kirito.
That bristled a reaction from the 3. "Don't be foolish Faker, were not from that murderous, insane guild."
"Then-"
"Enough talk," Askad said, making the two girls behind him to draw out their weapons and pointed at them. "Let us kill our target, and then we'll be on our way."
"I won't let you have him." Kirito readied his blades once again. The girls behind him began chanting magic, healing him.
"Then it seems you chose poorly, Faker." Askad raised his blade towards the MC. "You're in our way."
After that, Kirito shot like a bullet. Anyone else would barely block or dodge to his awesome speed.
But unfortunately, he fought the wrong opponent who is used to fast-paced combat to extreme measures.
'Slow...' Askad easily parried the blades out of the way with before delivering an elbow blow to his stomach. While it doesnt do much damage, but that alone would conduct massive pain and stunned him for good several moments.
"GAH!" While it was virtual and all, but the headgear apparently gives stings of pain to its user, enabling it to sense that they are taking damage or so. It restricted the pain-limitations to an extent that only stings were felt.
But in this case, it was an exception to that rule.
Kirito flew backward, almost falling at the diplomat groups' feet.
"Kirito-kun!" Leafa exclaimed worriedly before chanting out a healing spell.
"What the!?"
"Just by an elbow?"
"Is that a skill of some kind?"
'No, it was a simple attack. Nothing much of a fancy.'
"...Weak." The bounty hunter in case mocked. "And you are supposed to be the famous leader Beater of the Vanguard squad? Ridiculous."
The fairies then tensed, putting their weapons out and up. Explosions then occurred at the trio's position.
"Wha...?"
"Get the hell out of here, you fools!"
"Out of this town, bounty-hunter faggot!"
The Salamanders grinned, knowing that their firepower was powerful enough to decimate a high-level Player even with high-quality gear. While the Salamanders hollered, the Sylphs and Caith Siths relaxed. Thinking that the idiot renegade fairies just overestimate themselves because the firepower of a Salamander is nothing to laugh about.
"Huh... I guess we should get rid of the insects eh?" A voice spoke out, making them surprised. Before anyone could move, the Salamanders' midair suddenly disappeared to pixels.
"What the- ARGHH!"
"Over there!"
"Where!?"
"I see him!"
"No, there!"
By piece or by pair, the assault squad of Salamanders were now being picked off by a blur.
"What is going on...?"
"Simple to say," The group on the ground widen their eyes, hearing a familiar voice. "They are too weak to handle us."
The dust cleared quickly, revealing a dome-shape spell covering the renegade fairies. However, only the Spriggan and the Slyph were there, no sight of the Caith Sith renegade was seen. But they quickly deduce where she was at...
Her usage on rope-blades, she quickly cut down the Salamanders trying to put up a resistance. Even the veterans of the Salamanders who were used to fast-paced fighting in the game haven't seen this kind of speed until recently with their General's duel on the Spriggan Diplomat.
Even if her race isn't specialized in speed, her past-world experience, and her equipment makes up for it in this world.
"No way..."
"How the hell!? Did they use a high-level spell!?"
"Impossible, you cant chant that fast."
'...What the fk?' The Gamer thought, feeling a cold sweat behind his neck. 'How are they doing this? How do they know about Kirito? Were they from SAO?'
"Who the hell are you?"
"Again with this question?" Askad replied mockingly, leaning his head backward. "As I said before to that Faker over there," Pointing towards the stunned Kirito on the ground. "my answer is the same."
"You know what I meant, you punk." Suko said coldly.
"Horsemen of the Apocalypse" Answered immediately, almost no hesitation. "You wouldn't hear of our guild, but its Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
Everyone was confused, even the Gamer. None of them have heard of a guild named "Horsemen of the Apocalypse". Either that was a low-profile guild, or they are just straight-up lying. But considering the tone, it almost apparently doesn't.
"Now, mind handing over our target?"
In response, the fairies in front of him raised their weapons against them.
"I'm afraid we would have to refuse your request, bounty-hunter." Sakuya.
"Yeah, we won't let you kill them." The Caith Sith leader, Alice. Replied.
"...*Sigh*. What is it with you guys trying? Stop acting like you're the good guys at this moment because you all ain't."
"What do you-!"
Askad interrupted by throwing out his chains onto one of the Slyph bodyguards, wrapping him up before pulling it back in force.
The guard tried to get out of the chains, but it was too strong. Later on due to the compression of the chains, his HP quickly went down and died into pixels.
The group looked at the floating orb in place of the recent bodyguard of the Slyph.
"As I said, you chose poorly."
"If you want me then," Suko spoke up, mostly in anger and frustration. "Bring it on!"
Askad felt a smirk crawling up in his mouth. "That's more like it!"
The Gamer rushed towards the bounty-hunter, dual-wielding swords. "Oh? A fanboy eh?" He taunted as he blocked an attack coming to his side.
"Shut up!"
[Oi, what about me?] Idina grumbled, mostly out of annoyance because she was left out apparently.
[Go deal with the ones taking care of Kirito. If you can, just try to avoid killing them. Incapacitating them is enough, wouldn't want them dead even though they could respawn]
Because reviving dead players is quite a btch to do.
He would admit, but not openly, that the Gamer's attack is relentless. The attacks were angled to his liking.
'Is he intentionally doing that or... something else?' Askad thought as he parried and blocked the Gamer's attacks. He could easily break through his defense but seemed like a trap.
A Gamer rushing towards someone who is stronger than them either has some kind of a OP trump card level skill or just literally a dumbass.
He preferred the latter tho.
"Turning Point, activate!" Suko shouted. Askad looked at him like he was an idiot before realizing that the sonofabtch just used a skill! Shit!
He cursed before jumping away. He looked to where the Gamer was and saw nothing. Feeling in his gut, he turned around and sliced through the air and his blade met resistance.
'Typical strat.' He mused, looking directly at the Gamer's furious expression. Without most of his powers applicable in this world, it would take time to beat the Gamer. But if he had his real strength back, he could just insta-kill this cocky punk.
"Sukooooo!" A voice rang out through the air. "I'm coming to help you!"
'Kirito!? Shit! The stun duration ran out?! Or was it...' He looked and see Leafa standing with a courageous expression on her face. 'That lil btc-'
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
His thoughts cut off the moment Kirito's blade met at his open-sided body, dealing damage. "GRK!" He grunted. Being alive in this world seemed to make the pain-system a little more... fking excessive.
"Nice!" Suko said, going to his side. "Thanks for the assist."
"Your welcome. You got any idea who this guy is?"
"No, never seen or heard of him before. He could be one of those backers of Laughing Coffin." Suko eyed on the bounty-hunter, who was seemingly doing nothing but giving distance.
Bad move, is what the two would think.
Because he was simply stalling for Bela to fire her spell upon them.
"{Enhanced Fire Storm}"
*BOOM!*
They were caught off guard by that. But Bela didn't stop there, she continued firing multiple firebolts at the two like a machinegun. The orb behind her was a magic item that amplifies her magic damage and greatly reduces cooldown and mana-usage, making it a very very extremely useful item.
For another one's perspective, it looked like she didn't notice several persons flanking up behind her.
"Don't take your eyes off from us you-!"
Bela cut them off by responding with a good fuck you to the face.
Lol no, ain't like that.
The Slyph Hopper went behind their attacks. Even she was interrupted by the chanting, she turned her sights at her attackers.
Bela had managed to deliver a surprising blow to Kirito and Suko. She wouldn't be able to support until she dealt with the ones on the ground, mainly the diplomats and they won't be easy considering they are one of the Leaders of the Factions. Two of them at that.
With both the Gamer and Fake Black Swordsman briefly down, Askad went in for the kill and experimentally cast a buff that enables him to go faster.
'Please work damn it. {Silent Cast} - |Lighting Body|!'
Immediately, he felt a rush of electricity around him. Time seemed to slow down around him and his perception going above than normal now, he has chance.
"What kind of magic is that!?"
He didn't answer, because he didn't need to. The mission comes first; the Gamer needs to die.
Askad looked like a blur, or to be exact; it looked like he vanished out of thin air. With veteran experience from Kirito and Suko's ability to sense danger, they managed to block an attack coming from their behind just barely.
With their guard off, Askad stabbed through Kirito's stomach, spurting out virtual blood. And wrapping Suko using his chains.
The two shouted and cried out in pain. For some reason, the Undead mercenary smelt blood. Though it was seemingly impossible. Were the Dive-Helmets technologically advanced than their own? His thoughts were no since their worlds are different in their own ways.
Putting those crappy thoughts aside, he pulled out his blade from Kirito and slashed him several times; dropping down to the ground with red on his HP.
"Papa!" Yui was out of Kirito's pocket and tried to dive down to her 'papa'. While it would make Askad have second thoughts, he remembered that the lives in this world matter none when compared to the lives of the universe itself.
"Now, we're good as alone, Gamer," Askad smirked. He felt a liking on being a villain in this scenario. "Just to let you know, you were just delaying your own death."
"Gahh!" He cried out in pain as Askad wrapped the chains a bit tighter now. "G-Grk, why t-the hell are y-you doing this...!?"
"Mission, nothing else kid." He answered. "But I will give you a chance, make sure you choose correctly otherwise you wouldn't live to see another day."
"H-Hah!" Suko said cheekily. It seems he has some cockiness, a trait that was found in most Gamers. "L-Like I would a-agree to y-y-your damn terms!"
"Oh? Fighting spirit eh?" He squeezed the chains harder, his HP was dripping like a waterfall but stopped briefly. "I haven't said the terms yet punk ass kid, listen or you will die for sure. Not even Gaia will bring you back once your sou is done for."
"...A-And what the hell do you m-mean by that?" He could hear a tinge of fear slipping through that tough-guy act.
"I would like you to leave this world and come with us," He said plainly. "Anything you hold on from this world, drop it. And transfer to another."
"W-Wha? What the hell d-do you mean by that?"
Before he could reply, he felt damage and stumbled to the side, letting loose his grip on the Gamer.
"Suko-san, run!"
'Shit!' He thought as he turned to see Leafa holding out her hand towards them with a magic circle on her palm.
[Any of you two free?]
[A little busy here!]
[Just give me few more minutes cap~!]
Shit. It looks like he's gonna have to do this alone. Eh, challenge accepted.
He threw his chains towards Suko, but the Gamer managed to dodge this time. He closed in on him and got a hit on the undead. That didn't last as long as the two clashed again.
Blade against blade, blade against chains.
One earned, one gained.
Two beings of the same yet so different system.
"Last chance," Askad said coldly, is tone speaking ways that he doesn't want to play this annoying game anymore.
"And let Asuka be f**king abused by that bastard!? Then my answer is no!"
"Then let's say you agree on leaving this world, doing that will allow me and my comrades would murder that sadistic fuck for real."
"Like I would believe you!"
He sighed. 'Typical naive Gamer. To die firsthand for a friend you don't even know and think you are similar to each other? Get the fuck out of here.'
"Then don't curse or blame me for this." He blocked Suko's attack, diving close to him. He was really close, too close to his face. "You just removed a chance to live to fight another day, Gamer."
Askad stabbed his sword through the Gamer's virtual stomach. While it may seem virtual to all so nothing is actually life-threatening to their real bodies.
Except for the Multiwalkers that is, their souls have been transferred into the game's data, altering the codes and enabling them to be like "Players" but at the same time as "Unknown Boss Encounters".
Ahhh~ The power of G-Man at disposal.
"I'll be coming for you in the real world, Gamer."
Deciding to end it with a glorious execution, he grabbed his head, pulled out the sword from his stomach, and cut his head off with his body falling off and slowly turning into pixels as does his head.
"HAHAHAHA, YOUR HEAD IS MINE!"
The Gamer's body including the head turned to pixels before slowly transforming into a floating orb of fire slowly descending onto the ground.
[Phase 1 is complete girls] He {Message} them. [I'll be requesting a leave from this world, we'll be on the Real World so prepare to put on low-profile]
[Roger!]
[Weepee! We can beat that guy to death right?]
[Hahahah, as much as I want to the same, no we cant] And before she starts to pout, he continued. [But, we can beat him still. We just need him alive, not dead. Letting the authorities get him is a life-sentence in prison. Killing him is just too good for that fucker]
[Let the scum rot in prison eh?]
[You know me now, Bela]
Concentrating on his mind, he managed to gain a connection back to the ass Gman.
'Gman, if you ain't busy right now, mind transpo us to SAO's real world? Ya know? Where it's not virtual?'
'Ah, Askad my errand delivery boy-' 'SHUT UP WITH THAT TITLE!' '-You manage to deal with the Gamer?'
'No damn it, not yet. Apparently our Gamer is still alive and he only used the dive-helmet as a medium. So his real body isn't done yet. I've planned to influence him to leave this world, but he's too blind to fucking see.'
'Hmmmm. They are apparently 'Gaia's Children', quite stubborn you see. Most of them have that kind of trait.'
'Well, fucking yeah? Because they think they are the 'main characters' of this fucking story they think they're in!' He shouted.
'At least you are not as blind as they are. Anyways, I'm opening up a portal around. . . A mile, north of your location.'
'North... On the ground?'
'Yes, it won't be seen too quickly, and there are currently no players around within a 15-mile radius, so you're clear to go.'
'Alright, thanks.'
"Bela! Idina!" He shouted, gaining their attention. "We're leaving! Bounty's been accomplished!"
"Alright~!"
"Finally."
The two veterans of their special expertise left their fights against their losing opponents. From what they were originally numbered were cut down to almost 2/4 from the original party present. The leaders of Slyph and Caith Sith factions were almost beaten down with their bodyguards incapacitated, unable to fight back.
They looked at their fleeing opponents in disbelief, dumbfounded to why the hell are they retreating when they could actually defeat them here and now!
"Don't run away from me!"
Except for one who seemed to be furious.
Leafa charged in, her rage all be known as she quickly closed in on Askad who blocked her attack before pushing her away aside.
"And why should I?" Askad said calmly. "Either you care either of the two or rather that faker swordsman that fell down, I'd suggest you get to him first before he turns into an orb."
The Sylph gritted her teeth in anger before deciding to dive down and heal up Kirito.
'Of course, you fell in love with him. Heh, incest at best but indirectly.' He mused before flying away towards the located portal.
The trio sped up. Nearing the location of where Gman had told them, they landed onto the ground and searched for the portal. Not long afterward, they found it and saw the other side of the portal revealing to be a city. The Real World of SAO.
"Alright, so we're gonna head out to the other side and find the Gamer's location." He said to the girls. "However, I want to stress this out importantly; that you should take all means necessary to stay low fucking profile. This world hasn't encountered fantasy type shit nor magic in real life, and the head-gear hasn't upgraded to a level of degree that looked like VR to be on godlike-technology. Orbital Scale hasn't happened yet, you two following?"
The girls nodded with their expressions were happy and yet firm, but nonetheless serious in their art.
"Good, we'll still be the same in our Alfheim avatars. So hide whatever stands out in public."
'If only I brought that stupid [Cloak of Illusion], damn it. It would really help me in this situation.'
He annoyingly clicked his tongue before heading into the portal. They arrived at the Real side of this world, and are in some kind of alley. This is good because if they were transported somewhere public, he's going to hate Gman so much.
And the bad thing is? He can't do shit but shout and curse at that stupid divinity!
They immediately hide anything that shows out. Removing most of their equipment and wore anything that would hide their clothing and equipment that would show off from public eyes.
And they need to go in stealth as they try to locate the Gamer's position.
Thankfully, they won't need to blindly go look around the damn country.
Askad's orb can locate mission targets that quickly deduce their location easily without asking anyone as much. The orb works like a 'hot and cold' mechanic, the brighter it glows the near you are to the target. If it doesn't, then it's obvious that you are nowhere near the fucking objective.
Should be easy to fucking understand that stupid concept you fucking pleb-
Alright. . .
Continuing.
Askad had changed his clothing as best as he could to blend into modern society. He's outfit kinda made him look like a mafia gangster with a fantasy-vibe hybrid to it.
For the girls; Idina simply covered herself with a dusty cloak which covered her whole body, and wrapped herself with a scarf also matching the color scheme. But it failed to hid most of the sexiness of her curved body. (Female Arabian Assassin)
Bela literally turned herself into a bounty-hunter lookalike. Wearing a mask to hide most of her face including the ears, fortunately, and a cap to hide her hair and prevent it from flying around which would block her vision. Practical usage.
However. . .
"What the hell are you wearing?"
Her outfit although, looked like she was geared for war. Black tactical body armor with ragged clothing patched around, making her look like a homeless person wearing out-worn armor, but it does make her look 'weak'. Good for underestimation.
"What?"
"I mean, your outfit literally says: "Dangerous!" all over the place! People would easily notice! They'd probably think that you're a terrorist or something!"
"Well, I doubt so."
"Oh? And why is that?" Askad said sarcastically.
Bela glared as she wore a long jacket that hid her top, while tying a cloth around her waist that covered her armored padded legs. All in all, she looked like she was wearing heavy winter clothing. Which was perfect since he felt the temperature around him cold, making him assume that it is seasonal winter.
"...I stand corrected."
Bela scoffed in a mocking way, although there was a slight tone of smugness around. "I've proven you wrong, Captain." She said sarcastically in the last part.
'Oh damn, what a fierce woman!' He thought. Women like her are quite interesting to have company, but when it comes to normal talking; he doubts so.
Askad shrugged, although secretly defeated and ashamed, he opened his palm revealing a small orb gem. He then points randomly before it glowed briefly once he pointed to a fixed direction to where it glowed before.
"...North-East of here." Askad said. "Let's go."
And thus, the Multiwalkers moved out.
----------------------------------------
To the Gamer. . .
Location: Gamer's Place, Apartment
. . .
A lone teenage boy was rummaging through somewhat a moderately-sized pile of stuff. Random stuff, mixed with various items such as books, scrolls, and blueprints.
"Shit shit shit, who the fuck were those guys?"
His mind was at work. Enhanced by "Gamer's Mind", "Accelerated Thinking", "Mind Perception".
He was currently dead in the game, but right now he is going through the internet to search for more data about them. However, the catch is that there is literally nothing known about them. He also managed to access through the game's database to review the three players but saw nothing about them. Almost like they didn't exist nor did they register.
Literal ghosts.
'Were they hidden-events? They obviously can't be NPCs... Are they Gamers as well? Fuck, but why are they hunting me down?'
His thoughts were cut off as he received a notification of targets heading to his location. And fast.
'What!? How the hell are they going so fast!? Helicopter? Damn it!' He quickly stuffed everything around his room into his inventory before equipping his gear.
Running out of his apartment, he jumped from the railing and landed on top of a roof. Luckily there weren't any people nearby so he doesn't have to worry about attention.
'Shit, I need to get more distance before I use {ID Create}! Fuck, this is the worse timing!'
Increasing his speed using mobility skills and spells he managed to learn, almost going faster than a car.
He smirked thinking that he managed to outrun these unknown enemies, but his eyes widen when he saw the still the same three dots slowly gaining on him.
That caused him to run much faster than before. Also, he gained several levels of increase on his "Sprint" skill because of that. Boosting him even by a bit, but still doesn't outrun those 3 dots in his mini-map.
'Shit! Where to go!? Fuck!'
"Mini-map set course for any unpopulated areas!" He shouted as he parkoured and hopped building to building.
The System then plotted course on dozens of unpopulated areas that he would be able to reach, but some locations give a little benefit.
'Tch, to the abandoned building then!' The mini-map then set his course to the abandoned building that is a dozen meters near him. If he chooses any other locations, he'd be caught by them anyways. It would be too late.
Plus, he would be damned if he gets people involved in this. It would also put big attention on any other possible enemies.
Some moments later, he managed to reach the abandoned building. To put it like this, it was a pretty rundown location. The place almost seemed abandoned, literally buildings were barely maintained, and streets were filled with nothing. No one on the streets.
It was a perfect place to set up an ambush.
'Time to fight back!' He smiled in thought as he worked on to put up plans against these unknown assailants.
. . .
[We're nearing our target, prepare for a fight] Askad said, jumping through several roof-tops.
[Wait, are we heading towards that...]
Noticing where they are headed, they saw abandoned buildings. A pretty rundown area, he sensed that there were no people around due to the obvious conditions of the buildings in the area itself.
[Looks like our target is a goody-two-shoes. Makes our work easier, but brace for any ambushes]
[Would'nt he barely has any time to set up traps? I mean, we're literally almost there!]
[Yes, Idina] He said firmly but mused by his companion's personality on wanting to fight, even if he just met them recently. He glanced back towards the eager assassin following behind him. [But this is a Gamer. They have limitless potential for what they can do, even for low levels. If this one is cunning and smart, then he is dangerous. I doubt our boy is a brute-minded idiot]
[Ahhhh~ I see. So we should be careful then?]
Bela facepalmed. [That is what he just meant, Idina!] She groaned in frustration.
Askad noticed as they go further ahead, the glow on the orb gem gets slowly brighter. Getting the idea where their Gamer is, it seemed to be glowing brightly at the direction towards an area of abandoned buildings.
'Ah, so our target is a goody-two-shoes. But at least he has standards... Even if it's just a bit.'
[Possible target is nearby, get ready]
The two didn't need to be told twice as they draw their weapons out. Their expressions of silliness and friendliness were now gone, replaced by cold, seriousness. When it comes to the job, emotions would just distract or put you away from the target/objective.
The Multiwalkers slowed down. Askad being experienced in this kind of situation back in YGGDRASIL, since it was literally common for Heteromorphic races to get ambushed by Human and Demi-Human races with their stupid ass reason to target them. Fk the Devs for that.
But with that, it may have caused players to either switch races or quit the game entirely, but players who still stayed had adapted to these PKs.
Askad raised his hand, stopping the girls.
"Hey, what gives? The Gamer is right there!" Idina retorted. Really wanting to beat the fuck out of this naive kid who thinks he is the main character of this world. That kind of concept fucks people's belief thinking that the world is in their hands. They always underestimate the cause of wishes and unwishes for that to literally happen.
The undead mercenary ignored the retorts of the so-eager companion and turned to Bela. "You got anything that would blow that building up?"
"For what?" She asked as she holstered her weapon, readying a spell.
"To destroy that building. I can sense that bastard is hiding, also with spell traps that I can somehow get. And besides, what's better than to go in there when our enemy is literally in a home advantage with traps instead of bombing the crap out of that building to get him out?"
"That... sounds better actually. But are you sure? It would get a lot of attention."
"They'll just think its a gas leak or electricity failure that caused an explosion. Fortunately, with no one literally living around here, it'd take time for the authorities to get here anyway. So we got extra safe time to make sure we finish up."
The soldier grinned. "Good, I get tired to quietness sometimes." She quickly draws up a spell, chanting several words out before pointing her palm towards the abandoned apartment with magical circles.
"Idina, once she fires, you go in there and drag our target out. We can quickly finish this if we do it gank up on him."
"Got it..." She grinned maliciously, licking her lips in anticipation. Jeez, she is frigging bloodthirsty.
"{Enhanced Force Implosion}!"
The building almost instantly exploded from the inside. Almost like a bomb went off inside.
'At once, I pity the dude getting in that blast.'
Idina threw herself towards the building. She looked like she flew and jumped across the building like an acrobat without any support. She dodged the debris falling towards her and used to agilely moved around the destroyed building.
She noticed movement, taking a moment's time to confirm that it was the Gamer-
Never mind its the Gamer.
She rushed immediately as she saw the target, which in turn noticed but wasn't able to put up any defenses in time. Idina thrust her blades towards him, stabbing only the arm as he unconsciously dodged. Probably due to his passive defenses.
"GAHHHH!"
[Target confirmed; he is still alive Captain!] Idina reported back as she attacked once again. This time, the Gamer managed to defend but only barely.
Askad inclined his head, brandishing his weapon to the side. Bela following in suit.
"Hold," He said, surprising Bela.
"I thought you said we would gang up on him and finish him off quickly?"
"Let Idina gain her prize. And besides, our little torture event with our... businessman would be near towards the end of season 1 right? We would come back to this world next time, that I promise you."
"But why? Why not now?"
"Because... our Faker wouldn't be able to move on if he didn't do his way on that scum bastard."
[Idina, we'll give you time to enjoy with the Gamer. But if you take... lets longer than two minutes, we would be forced to intervene and finish the job]
The sadistic warrior couldn't help but grin wildly on her Captain's statement.
[I thank you, Captain!]
"HAHAHAHAHAHAH! I GET TO ENJOY KILLING YOU OFF, GAMER!" She screamed like a maniac.
"W-Wai-!"
Idina cut his words off by making a slash to his side, which he managed to dodge but barely. "No talk! FIGHTTTTT!"
The Gamer could only dodge and retreat backwards. Low health and at a complete disadvantage, his passive stats are the only things that are keeping him alive. His {Complete Reflex} and {Auto Dodge} are the main thing that he is able to dodge at Idina's fast rate of slashing. But they only do so much that they are at the limit, as well as leveling up its usage but in a slow process.
Suko gritted his teeth, seeing no chance of negotiation now, and they are not fucking around. He could die here.
BUT HE won't! NOT NOW, NOT EVER!
"Don't underestimate me!" He shouted, materializing his sword from his inventory. Idina was briefly surprised before crossing her swords to block his attack.
"Ooh~" She hummed. "Finally you snapped, little naive boy!"
"I'm not little, nor am I naive!" He shouted. "Don't underestimate me!"
A potion materialized on his hand, drinking it as it appeared. Healing him, but not fully healed. He still has a dozen more potions, but with his current build, he is not good for long terms if this goes on.
Knowing one skill that can do big crits, he has to go close. It will be risky, but it will be enough for him to getaway. For some reason its only one of the three that just attacked him. He didn't know where are the other two are, but he has to run.
Gracefully but barely dodging an attack that this crazy girl threw, he acrobatically slashed her side.
"|Cleave|!" He shouted, activating his skill.
"GGGGAAAAHHHHH!" Idina screamed. She felt the blade cut her insides, her magically enhanced armor was not able to protect against the Gamer's attack.
Stunned by the pain, Suko saw this as an opportunity. "Don't blame me for this girl, but you attacked me!" He give another slash, aiming towards her neck.
Even if this was 'slow' for Idina's perspective, she couldn't move. The attack somehow left her stunned, unable to move.
'Sorry guys... I got too selfish.' As she saw her death coming, she closed her eyes.
But as she closed her eyes, a blur appeared in front of her.
*CLANG!*
The two were left bewildered.
"W-WHAT!?" Suko exclaimed in shock.
"Huh...?" Idina said confused, wondering what just happened. Did she die? Was this an illusion?
The man in front of her sighed. It was her Captain.
"Damn it Idina, I thought you were experienced enough for a fight like this. You sure you were fooling around to let this punk get you?"
Idina smiled, although weakly. Bela appeared to her side. Her expression was furious but mostly a look of concern as she eyed at her bleeding wounds. "Idina!" She exclaimed, grabbing her and lifting her up to not make her fall down.
[Take her out, I'll put an end to this] Askad said within their mental connection.
[Askad! At least give me an opportuni-]
[THERE IS NO TIME FOOLING AROUND YOU STUPID, PIECE OF SHIT!] He shouted. For the first time, he was in company of the two. [THROW THAT STUPID SENSE OF PRIDE AWAY AND TAKE HER TO SAFETY!]
Bela looked at their Captain as he forced the Gamer away from them, pushing him back almost like an unstoppable truck going at full speed.
"Hah! I think you should be-"
"Prepare for your last moments of your life, Gamer." Askad said coldly.
What happened next was surprising. The undead disappeared from the Gamer's sight. Knowing this pattern already, Suko turned around to attack him. Only that he just slashed the air, nothing there.
"Wha-!?"
"In front of you, rookie."
Askad immediately stabbed both his blades into the Gamer's chest. Blood spurting out from both openings of the wounds. Without any words, he quietly wrapped his chains around Suko's head.
'{Silent Cast: Bleeding Flames}'
Suko immediately bursted into flames, screaming in agony.
Askad grabbed him by the neck, making him gurgle in both pain and suffocation as he tightly squeezed his hand.
"Experience a painful death, Gamer." He said before tightly squeezing his hand into a fist, bloodily decapitating him. Letting the body drop unseriously like a sack of potatoes and making a thud as it dropped to the ground.
It was the first Gamer he had killed as well. He thought that he would feel any emotions but to his expectations, he felt none. Almost felt like he just finished a chore.
'It was only business kid.'
He gave a last glance at the bloodied corpse of the latest Gamer before heading to where the other two were. He could sense them and they were not too far from his position.
He went to them and saw Idina lying on the side of the wall with Bela holding her palm with a healing spell out. He noticed that Idina was unconscious, probably from the sudden exhaustion, she took a hit from the Gamer.
Bela briefly glanced at him before speaking. "She took a big wound from that. If it weren't for the armor you gave, she would have been done for."
Askad hummed. He didn't know what to say really, he never experienced something like this. Never in his previous life before.
"You don't care?" The soldier girl said coldly. Misunderstanding this as a cold backhand to Idina's condition. "She almost died back there." She growled lowly.
'Well, I don't know what to say woman!' He would have retorted but he held his tongue back. "I care Bela. I'm not worried because you are healing her right now."
"Don't give me those smart ass questions, Captain." She stood up, glaring at him. "I don't care if your our Captain or not, but you should be considerate with the ones you are in charge with!"
"..." He sighed, slumping his shoulders. "You're right. I apologize for that. I was prioritizing the mission rather than the safety of the ones under my care. I should have finished that bastard before than giving him a fighting chance after all..." He muttered at the last sentence.
Bela could only look at him before giving a satisfied nod. "Fine... But this doesn't make things better."
'No, no it doesn't.'
Bela then walked back to Idina, examining her body in case for anything else. Leaving Askad to his thoughts.
He had expected something like this to happen. Underestimating and not thinking about extended possibilities in situations that would risk both life and death. Missions that are ranked on Tier 6 is something to be done carefully.
He cursed himself for being on the wrong twice now, twice that he had got his recruits under his charge endangering their reincarnated lives. Gman could just easily revive the Multiwalkers, yes, but that doesn't mean you can let them die every time. It was an unofficial rule to not get yourselves killed even if you would get resurrected again.
There are things that would not allow certain abilities nor powers to intervene and support the Multiwalkers. Cosmic Deities like Gman, Gaia, Cosmos, Master, etc, they could only use their powers within limit as they are only Wardens of Reality Creation. Not able to entirely abuse it lest they would be targeted by the others for removal in case of another situation like the DESTROYER happens.
A situation like that happened, it took eons after eons after eons to defeat him.
A story like that would be explained until next time.
'Doubts about your leadership?'
He growled lowly. 'Reading my mind damn it?'
'No, I don't need to read your mind what is going on nor do I have to understand what emotions you are giving out.'
'...Do I really need to do something like this?'
'Straight to the point... Like being in charge of sorts?'
'Yes.' He angrily replied. 'I have no skills in leading a squad, not even a small group of people. I'm just someone who gets things done in my way and alone.'
Gman chuckled. 'You are not the only one who has experienced like that before. There are leaders who were unwilling to become leaders of their people, or even taking charge of the situation. Yet they managed to become great leaders whom the people see their support for.'
'And I prefer not to be counted as one of them.'
'And yet half of them had said those exact words, my child.'
'Child? I'm not your child.' He narrowed his eyes at nowhere.
'Meh,' If he would see Gman, he would probably shrugged his shoulders. 'Just go with the flow, makes the atmosphere more dramatic.'
' "Go with the flow" my ass.' He thought. 'And are we done here? We already killed off the bastard Gamer.'
'Yes, you are clear. The plot may have been altered, but that is not enough to cause disruption on the SEALS. And you are allowed to leave, just go to the building in front of you, portal should be up in about... now.'
And after the last word spoken, there indeed appeared to be a golden portal.
'You would still be in touch with other Hoppers that would be assigned to you, Courier. You have to get used to that.' And with that, he felt the mental connection disappear.
He fell silent. The words of a cosmic deity is something to uphold, yet at the same time to be worried about.
'And did that fking ass call me Courier? Well fk, what number should I be then?' He mused. Knowing the existence of the New Vegas Courier, something he found the person some respect. Despite the alternate universes from that game world.
He went back to the two girls. The happy-trigger warrior was still unconscious, and Bela turned her head towards him. Her face blank, but he could still see some faint of hatred beneath those eyes.
"Mission is cleared, we can go home now."
Bela nodded as she proceeds to carry the unconscious companion on her shoulders like a sack, but carefully and gently.
As they near the portal, Askad spoke in a low tone but enough to hear his words.
"I may be sorry for my actions, Bela. But in times like this, emotions would mean nothing when its face to face with the mission."
With that said, he headed into the golden portal. Even if those words meant to put her to reality, he couldn't help but had a feeling that when he said those words...
He feel regret.