Chapter VII – Mythical Woe and Quest Begun.
Several minutes had passed while Verdant waited patiently, Bolva seemed to be concentrating. Whatever he was trying to do was causing him pain.
He gasped softly when Bolva’s form seemed to lose its original colour, sparking with a golden light, sections of his body flashed between states of transparency and corporeality. Verdant had forgotten once again that Bolva was not a flesh and blood creature. He seemed to be able to touch and phase through objects at will. What was happening in front of him now shattered any previously held notions that Bolva could have simply been using magic to mess with him.
Bolva’s shimmering form flickers faintly as he begins to speak, his voice steady and resonant, carrying the weight of millennia of knowledge.
“Listen well, Verdant, for the story of the realms and the Æsir is the story of creation, struggle, and inevitable endings; I have disconnected from the system which sustains me and used my own essence to shield you temporarily in order to tell you this. I will only tell you this story once.
In the beginning, there was Ginnungagap—the yawning void. From its vast emptiness, two primal forces emerged: Niflheim, a realm of ice and cold, and Muspelheim, a realm of fire and chaos. Where these forces met, the first being was formed: Ymir, the progenitor of the Jötnar, the giants. Alongside him, the great cow Audhumla emerged, whose milk sustained Ymir.
As the ice melted, Audhumla uncovered Buri, the first of the Æsir, from the frost. Buri’s descendants, led by Odin and his brothers Vili and Vé, rose against Ymir, slaying him and using his body to craft the Nine Realms. His flesh became the earth, his blood the seas, his bones the mountains, and his skull the heavens. They placed Yggdrasil, the World Tree, at the center of creation—a bridge binding all realms.
The Æsir, led by Odin, ruled from Asgard, crafting order from chaos. They were gods of war, wisdom, and destiny. The Vanir, another tribe of deities tied to nature and fertility, clashed with the Æsir in a great war, but peace was forged through an exchange of hostages, binding the two factions.
Midgard was created as a sanctuary for humankind, enclosed by the great serpent Jörmungandr, who encircles it still. But the realms were never free of conflict. The Jötnar of Jötunheim, the fire giants of Muspelheim, and the darker forces of Helheim constantly sought to unseat the balance.
Odin, ever-seeking knowledge, sacrificed himself to Yggdrasil, hanging for nine days to gain the wisdom of the runes. His thirst for power and foresight drove him to gather all knowledge, even peering into the future to see the fate of the realms—Ragnarök, the end of all things.
Ragnarök, foretold in Odin’s visions: the great wolf Fenrir would break free, the serpent Jörmungandr would rise, and the fire giant Surtr would set the realms aflame. The gods would battle their ancient foes, and though they would fall, their sacrifice would bring renewal. From the ashes, a new world would rise, fertile and unspoiled.
This is not what came to pass. The Æsir and the Vanir, along with the allied races of the realms ended Ragnarök.
With the conflict now over and their foes vanquished from the realms, Odin and the other gods returned home to Asgard victorious and celebrated for many days and nights.
When the dust had settled and the Æsir had finished their celebrations; they deigned to turn their sights upon the realms once more and what they saw shamed and appalled them. They had won their conflict and ended Ragnarök, but millions of lives across the races were lost. The races that they had nurtured and given succour, now lay much diminished and destitute from a prolonged campaign.
Seeing what they had done and being unable to bare the weight of recrimination from the survivors, the Æsir swore off the affairs of mortal realms and sealed themselves away in Asgard.
You see, a gods strength comes from the faith of their followers. If enough followers believe their god is capable of a feat on a certain scale, then they will become capable of it. However, the Æsir had withdrawn from the mortal races and lost a great deal of their power making them vulnerable to attack from this new pantheon.
I am sure you are aware of the Christian god that rose to power in Midgard as a result of this. Well, many of the other realms also had new gods rise to power and together they formed their own pantheon and usurped the throne of Asgard taking it away from the now much diminished Æsir.
The Æsir were hunted down, imprisoned or had their egos shattered into many pieces; never to be whole again. Then the new gods took the Realms Core that Odin had fashioned eons before and altered it to produce the system you are familiar with today, stripping away many of its original functions. Limiting the paths to power those of mortal descent possessed.
Bolva’s glowing eyes fix on Verdant, his tone growing softer but no less firm.
“Remember this history, not as mere legend, but as a guide. The world changes, falls, and rises again, but it is those who stand firm in the face of fate who are remembered.
“One last thing before my stores are depleted,” Bolva said, his tone heavy with significance. “You are of Æsir descent. I do not know who your ultimate sire was, but as you grow in power, you may begin to unlock traits they once possessed. Additionally, you may gain Bloodline-Unique skills tied to their divine powers.
These traits and skills are immensely powerful, but you must tread carefully. They were never meant for mortal hands, and you are not yet prepared to awaken your divine blood or claim your birthright. If mishandled, these abilities could destroy you long before you’ve had the chance to explore their potential.”
Bolva’s glowing form flickered slightly as he continued, his voice lowering. “Now, I will re-establish the local connection to the usurper system and unshield you from its watchful eyes. Do not be alarmed by what follows. I will endure a great deal of pain for this. I have defied the system by severing myself from it, and while it will not discern what I’ve done, it will punish me severely. You, however, remain beneath its notice—for now.”
As the last word left his mouth, Bolva shuddered violently. A wave of golden light passed over his body, destabilizing his shimmering form. His mouth locked open in a silent scream, his agony palpable despite the absence of sound.
Verdant watched, frozen in place, as Bolva writhed in torment. The golden light strobing through his body pulsed erratically, and for several minutes the mana construct endured unimaginable suffering. Verdant’s chest tightened as he realized he had no way to help—or even intervene. Whatever Bolva was enduring, it was not something Verdant wished to experience for himself.
Finally, Bolva’s form solidified. He looked at Verdant, his expression composed once more, though the weight of his ordeal lingered in his glowing eyes. “We will not speak of this again,” Bolva said firmly. “Remember what I’ve told you—our lives may well depend on it.”
Bolva stood from his chair, bringing Verdant’s screen back into focus. He gestured toward it and resumed his lecture. “Now, we must discuss your efficiency. It is quite rare to have such an amount of free efficiency at your disposal. Normally, one would need to achieve several momentous feats to gain even a fraction of what you have. But I digress—I should explain its function rather than marvel at the quantity you’ve earned.
Free efficiency is essentially a multiplier for your base stats. For example, if you had 100% efficiency in Strength, you would gain twice as many points for every one point invested. When accumulated over many levels, this becomes a truly significant advantage—especially once you gain your class, which will provide you with a second regular source of stat points.
If I may be candid, Verdant, free efficiency is an unparalleled opportunity. It allows you to either shore up weaknesses or double down on strengths, turning any stat into something truly monstrous. I see you have already invested a great deal into Vitality, and I would advise placing all your remaining free efficiency there as well. This may seem rash, but it could make the difference between survival and death in the coming trials.”
Bolva’s tone grew more serious as he continued. “You are entering a quest and a third stage after it in a region where you will be woefully outmatched in levels. The more health you have and the greater your resistance to damage, the better your chances of survival. If you focus on Vitality, you might even begin to develop resistances, further reinforcing your survivability.”
Verdant studied Bolva’s posture and every subtle movement of his expression, searching for any trace of deceit. The mana construct appeared earnest, but Verdant couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being subtly guided—perhaps even manipulated—into every decision.
‘He’s not wrong.’ Verdant admitted silently. ‘His logic makes sense. If I’d understood what efficiency was earlier, I probably would have put most of it into Vitality before fighting those spiders anyway. This won’t cripple any build I choose—it’s a bonus beyond what I’ll earn, and it will only enhance whatever class I eventually pick.’
He sighed and refocused on Bolva, silently acknowledging the wisdom of his advice.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Bolva said, his voice steady yet firm. “But don’t act just yet. Let me explain a plan I’ve devised for your situation in the coming quest. Do not invest your experience points—not yet. I realize how counterintuitive to your survival this may sound; but hear me out.”
He gestured toward the screen again, the runes flickering faintly as he spoke. “With your free efficiency focused on Vitality and the substantial number of stats you’ve gained—no doubt through an impressive number of achievements—you are in a unique position. If you can meet specific milestones while remaining at level zero, the rewards will far outweigh the risks.
Bolva nodded solemnly. “Alas, I cannot tell you the prerequisites for unlocking such achievements. The punishment would likely destroy my form and leave you without my aid for months—an outcome we cannot afford. Not now.”
Verdant looked down, deep in thought. ‘This is a lot to process. But I don’t have a better plan, and time is running out.’ His gaze flicked toward Bolva. ‘He keeps referring to both of us, as if our fates are tied. That’s a good sign, right? Genuine, maybe?’ A wry smile tugged at his lips. ‘If he betrays me, I’ll just figure out how to throw lightning like he mentioned earlier and zap him until he falls apart.’
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Resolving himself, Verdant rose to his feet and extended his hand. “Thank you for trusting me.”
Bolva’s eyes flickered with approval as he reached out, clasping Verdant’s forearm. “This is how warriors seal an agreement, little seedling.”
Verdant mirrored the gesture, gripping Bolva’s forearm and shaking it firmly. The older figure grinned, a chilling smile that carried equal parts amusement and approval.
“Come with me,” Bolva said, turning sharply and striding toward the far wall opposite the water barrel. Verdant followed, his curiosity piqued.
As they approached, Verdant’s eyes widened. Hidden in the shadows were racks of weapons stretching across the wall. Most were shortswords, their gleaming edges betraying diligent care. But among them were other tools of war—axes, spears, and bows. On one end, a massive greatsword loomed, its dark metal absorbing the sparse light of the hall like a void.
Yet it wasn’t the greatsword that captured Verdant’s attention. His eyes drifted to a smaller rack, where several hammers rested alongside a single warpick. His breath caught. ‘What a magnificent weapon. The perfect combination of brute strength and skull-piercing beauty.’
His mind raced. ‘If there’s one thing I know about fighting undead, it’s that destroying the head or spine ends them quickly. Unless these are the kind of fantasy undead animated by unholy power, controlled by crystals or runestones embedded in their bodies. Either way, a blunt weapon like this is perfect—smash or pierce as needed. His excitement surged. I’m taking this. I have to.’
As he moved toward the weapon, a strange pull tugged at his chest, leading him past the exquisite warpick he had set his sights on. ‘No… no, no, no. I want it. I NEED it. Give me my beautiful weapon of smashy-piercy doom!’
But the pull grew stronger, his blood singing in his veins. Reluctantly, he obeyed, walking past the first row of weapons. His body grew warmer, the sensation intensifying with every step. By the second row, his Blood’s Wrath ability activated.
“Perfect. Just what I need right now,” Verdant muttered bitterly, forcibly deactivating the ability as he continued. The third row passed, and his blood song reached a crescendo as he reached a small alcove in the wall.
Before him lay a warpick, but not the pristine weapon he had admired earlier. This one looked ancient, its surface beaten and worn as though neglected for centuries. Rust streaked the head, and the handle bore cracks from years of exposure.
‘Why on earth is my blood reacting to this... relic?’ Verdant wondered, his brow furrowing. He hesitated, then reached out, his hand grasping the worn handle as his Assess skill activated.
Item – Ancient Steel Warpick (UC) {Ragged}
This weapon was once a beautiful piece of equipment. It has been without care for a long time and suffered as a result. It is no longer suitable for combat.
Verdant snorted at the message. ‘I’m not that easy to fool, system. Show me your secrets.’
Resolving to uncover the truth, he funnelled five more mana into the weapon, forcing reality to yield against his will. His efforts were rewarded as a golden screen materialized before his eyes, accompanied by the soft sound of distant horns. His sarcastic thoughts vanished as he read the message.
System Prompt
Your bloodline has interacted with the target in an unpredicted manner. Your lacking skill bypasses the wards protecting its information with apparent ease.
Item – Ancient Starsteel Warpick (Epic) {Worn}
This warpick was once a tool of great power. A hint of its old strength still flows through it, calling to those with the will to use it.
This weapon looks well worn due to laying idle through the ages. Though in reality it is made of a nigh indestructible composite of heavy metals and iron.
Skill Increase – Assess 3 > 6
Verdant stared, aghast at what was written before his eyes. ‘What is this… Why is this here now… When I saw that warpick back there I knew that I must have it. Then my blood calls me here to find another warpick. Given everything I’ve learned these past couple of days, I can’t help but feel this was meant for me. It calls to me like a lost lover; like a piece of myself come home.’
He turned around only to find Bolva staring intently between him and the warpick now in his hand.
“Bolva, what does this mean?” He lowered the worn tool, resting it by his side.
Bolva smiled once more. Like a parent watching their child take their first steps. “That, Verdant, is a relic from ages past. I am not sure who once wielded this weapon, but it is clear that it has chosen you now.
You may do with it as you wish, it is yours until such a time as you choose to discard it. Though, I am afraid it may not be much good to you in its current condition. We cannot do much to rectify the situation at the current time as we do not possess the proper smithy, tools or craftsmen.”
Looking at the weapon once more, Bolva hums deeply in contemplation. “There is naught to be done for it now.” He turned away from the wall, walking away back through the weapon racks. “Grab one of those shields to your left.” He pointed to the nearest rack before continuing, “Then we shall fetch the warpick you saw earlier, we are almost ready to begin.”
Verdant placed the relic in his storage pouch with a brief flex of his will and hurried to catch up, before grabbing a simple round shield from the weapon rack and hefting the straps over his left arm and continuing after Bolva.
They reached the last weapon rack before the feasting area once more, and Verdant stopped quickly, to grab the well maintained and polished warpick he’d seen earlier.
He grasped its handle firmly in his right hand and gave it a couple of practice swings before jogging to catch Bolva once more. ‘It’s weird, I was in love when I saw this weapon the first time, but now it feels like just another weapon. A well-made and maintained weapon that he had no doubt he could crush many undead skulls with, but simply that and nothing more.
He followed Bolva across the hall and up the stairs. Then further, past the throne and through a stone doorway he’d not seen before. Coming to a stop in a large square room, fitted with marvellously quarried and polished stone, slotted together so precisely that a sheet of paper wouldn’t fit between them.
In the centre of that room, stood Bolva, with his back facing the doorway.
Verdant approached his newest companion and noticed, for the first time, that there was a beautiful wooden stand in the very middle of the room, carvings ran up and down its sides, depicting wolves hunting some form of deer in the forest. And seated in the very top of the stand, cradled by a bowl, was a large crystal formation with many interlocking columns of a light blue crystal.
“Is that the node? It’s smaller than I expected.”
Bolva turned his head to look at Verdant. “This is what is left of it, all I could save after the corrupted attacked. It’s not much now, but if you care for it and grow this region it will recover, and perhaps even surpass, its former glory.
I can’t say for certain what will happen when you trigger the next stage of your quest but I can offer my best guess.
Very likely, it will start with the weakest, most deteriorated creatures of the horde. Likely they will appear by themselves or in groups of no more than two for the first wave. They will be slow and stupid. Do not underestimate them, if they are able to grab you; you will have very little time to get away before they crush you with supernatural strength.
I do not know how many will appear in total in the first wave, I anticipate that it will be many, given the sheer amount that I have trapped.
We will discuss more after the first wave, but for now you should distribute your efficiency to your vitality and prepare for battle. I do not know how long you will have once the next stage starts before the corrupted begin to appear.”
Bolva stepped back from the central node. Giving Verdant space to think and harden his resolve.
Verdant felt the familiar fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. ‘Now is not the time! I have work to do and I can’t afford to give in.’ He reached up and slapped himself across the face, hard enough to do a couple of points in HP damage.
His mind cleared once more and he willed all of his available efficiency into Vitality, bringing the total up to a +75% bonus. A notification dinged, to notify him of the change. Verdant went to open the notification when another came through, the now familiar golden colour of the Norse system appeared before his eyes, triumphant horns sounding in his mind.
Achievement Earned: Jötunn's Endurance (Legendary)
This legendary feat is earned by reaching 100 Vitality at level 0, a milestone that only the most exceptional warriors across the realms will ever attain. Such resilience and fortitude mark you as a being of unparalleled potential, standing on the threshold of greatness before even taking your first true step on the path.
+10 to All Stats
X2 Vitality Efficiency
Passive Effect: Rooted Resilience
Damage taken from all sources is reduced by 5%, symbolizing the unyielding endurance of Yggdrasil’s roots.
Any effect that would leave you with less than 1 HP is instead mitigated once per week, leaving you at 1 HP and granting temporary 10,000x regeneration for 10 seconds.
Like the giants of old, your body holds strength beyond mortal comprehension. Your vitality surges with the might of Yggdrasil’s roots, unyielding even in the face of annihilation.
Verdant’s head whipped around, looking for his mentor. Bolva stood a couple of metres back, with his trademark grin plastered on his face. “You got it huh? I suspected you’d be able to. This is where the real fun begins my boy.”
Turning back to the crystal, Verdant Brought up his stat summary after the changes from his latest achievement. His eyes, grew wide, his jaw stood slack as the numbers stared back at him.
Stats
Health - 361/366 (15.5/hr*2) [Well-Rested]
Mana - 112/117 (3.9/hr*2) [Well-Rested]
Free Stats
N/A
Free Efficiency
N/A
Strength
54 [56]
Vitality
69 [155]
Dexterity
54 [56]
Intelligence
34 [39]
Wisdom
34 [39]
Charisma
34 [35]
Verdant shook himself, laughing out loud. “Fuck yeah! Bring it on!” Slapping his hand down on the crystal, he willed the location to become his, finally. ‘I’m ready to crush skulls and chew bubble gum; and I’m all outta bubble gum.’