《Death Knight》 Chapter 1: Primordial Conquest Author: Side project. A cousin of mine asked to post this chapter after he read it and see how far it could go. The Necromancer King is my main project so sorry if you desire a daily release if you like this story. Enjoy.) -------------Chapter 1: Primordial Conquest----------------- A black limousine pulls up in front of a large dome-shaped building. Two young teenage boys step out of the limo. One is an excited boy with large muscles and blonde hair and green eyes. He wore dark blue, slim jeans and a white shirt with a black and red dragon on the front encompassing almost his entire front shirt. The other boy sighed as he walked out. He had a slightly muscular build with light brown hair and grey eyes. He was wearing a traditional martial arts robe and pants with a red sash around his robe to keep it closed and prevent it from exposing his chest. "We''re here! The 17th Annual Gaming Convention!" the blonde haired boy grinned. "I thought we were going to the dojo? My first degree black belt test is next week. I got to practice my forms and techniques Marcus," the grey-eyed boy said. "Relax Odin. Stop being all about fighting like your namesake Viking god and enjoy this convention. As a SECOND degree black belt, as your superior, I order you to follow me man. This is gonna be epic. You''ll see. Tell you what, there''s a new Jet Li movie coming out on DVD right? I''ll get an autographed DVD signed by Jet Li himself for you," Marcus said. "We''re barely fifteen and you''re still addicted to Virtual MMOs. They came out when...eight years ago?" Odin mused as he followed Marcus inside. Odin decided to take along for two reasons. One, for the autographed DVD of Jet Li, a martial artist turned movie star and a career path he was interested in. Two, the gaming convention was twelve miles outside of the city and the bus that traveled that far out the city passed by once every three hours. Odin was surprised to see so many people when he entered the dome building. Posters of ads for games where on every wall and door. Odin even saw some people cosplaying as famous characters in some of the gaming ads he saw. He narrowed his eyes as Marcus sighed about not cosplaying either. Odin received stares as he wore his training uniform and wished he had changed first before blindly entering the limo of his childhood friend. Marcus Haunt was the single child of two wealthy doctors who created a hospital chain and restaurant chain respectively. His parents were always busy so for the first ten years of his life, Marcus lived alone under the care of house maids and butlers. When Marcus was eleven, his parents let him enter a public school and Odin Argent was his first friend. Marcus never chatted with people his own age and was shy and often bullied out of jealousy for having rich parents. Odin saw a dojo and decided to sign up with Marcus so that they could defend themselves in the future. Marcus had greater talent and excelled quickly and could have been a third degree black belt if he hadn''t decided to stop taking official promotion tests and pursued Virtual MMOs and became a die hard addict. "There it is Odin! The main event of the gaming convention. A chance to enter a two year beta phase of the new game before its official release a month after it''s over," Marcus praised, his eyes gleaming as he saw a large podium in the center of the building as they entered the stadium. "The game is called Primordial Conquest. It''s a game where every one hundred levels is a God level with the highest hundred level tier being a Primordial. Once you get past level one hundred, you can leave the planet, known as the Mortal Realm, and ascend to one of nine Immortal Realms. Being a Primordial is like being a god amongst all gods. They play in the Divine Realm." "That sounds like a lot of levels. Doesn''t the game get tiring that way?" Odin asked. "No way man! Each of the Immortal Realms has hundreds of galaxies and thousands of planets. You get to be an astronaut in a fantasy setting and explore the known universe," Marcus said with awe. "The game really shines once you beat a God level quest and ascend to the Immortal Realm of your choosing. I read the forums too. Saw a view videos on the game''s official website. It''s beyond amazing. The best Virtual MMO fantasy game of all time!" Odin and Marcus stood in a long line as Marcus bought them Pepsi as they waited. After an hour of waiting, Marcus and Odin were finally at the front of the line. Marcus''s heartbeat was pulsing fast with excitement while Odin stretched his aching legs and was glad the wait was over. He never played a Virtual MMO so he didn''t know just how lucky he was to get a chance to play the beta phase of Primordial Conquest in the eyes of gamer addicts. "You guys are lucky Player 946 and 947 out of the one thousand intended releases for this convention," an official representative of the game smiled. "We, at Primordial Gaming, hope you enjoy the two year beta before its official release. All races and classes will be available to choose from. You may only make one file. Your first name will be your alias along with your real life appearance simulated in the race you choose. Names and appearances can be altered once the beta is over. Please note that the starter class you choose determines the route your character will take as you advance further into the game. Thank you for choosing to play Primordial Conquest. Please sign the waiver to be responsible for any mental and psychological traumas you may experience while playing the game and proceed to the gaming area ahead." Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. "I''d hate to have his job," Odin muttered as they signed the waiver. "To fake a smile and repeat those lines for every participant has to be a drag." "Yeah. Anyway the gaming area is just ahead. I''ve been waiting three weeks for this. We almost missed out on a chance to play the game," Marcus grinned and dragged Odin to the gaming area. "I gotta admit, I can see why you are so excited for this game. These holographic statues look awesome. Are they the starter classes and races?" Odin asked as they entered a large room. Twelve blue holographic statues surrounded them on the ground while twenty other holographic statues stood on pedestals above the previous ten. "The first twelve on the ground are the classes while the other twenty are the races. Beta players get growth weapons and a special spatial ring with unlimited inventory when we start the game. Choose wisely. We only get the one beta toon to play as," Marcus said. Odin left Marcus as he stared at the holographic plates below each statue. The twelve starter classes were knight, assassin, berserker, gladiator, slayer, cleric, archer, mage, Mesmer, thief, ranger, and summoner. The three magic classes were mage, Mesmer, and summoner. The three rogue classes were archer, thief, and ranger. The three melee classes were slayer, gladiator, and berserker. Finally, the hybrid classes were clerics, knight, and assassins. Each category had its advantages and weaknesses while hybrid classes were more balanced but did not have any advantages in a single category. To his Odin''s surprise, Marcus chose to be an assassin. It was a class that involved all three basic classes. Marcus wanted to experience all aspects of the game and the assassin was perfect for it and could utilize all weapons. Odin chose the knight. Knights were restricted to carrying a shield and lance but had the capacity to use magic. As the game''s starter class depicted how he would play, choosing the knight meant he could be both a warrior and a mage later on while having a lot of defense. He never played Virtual MMOs but in gaming, having a high defense made it much easier to survive a battle. Now Odin and Marcus had to choose a race. While Marcus pondered on what race to be, Odin walked toward the holographic statue of the demon race. He touched the slate and it showed him various pictures of him as a demon. Being part demon was also an option so Odin chose that. He stopped browsing as he saw the description of a demi-human spawn of a human and a demonized dragon. Demi-human with the genes of a demonized dragon cannot be a rogue type class. Demonized dragons are dragons that have become demons and are no longer able to use their dragon magic. Those who choose this variation will have black horns pointed back above the ears and have black mana and superior strength. Weakness to all light magic. Many races will shun you but will not harm you unless you are present in a nation hostile to demons. Dragons will become hostile to you as you are an embarrassment to your forefather''s race. Able to learn demonic arts and magic. Able to manifest and manipulate black dragon fire and immune to all fire arts and magic. "I''ll be a demi-human than," Odin said. "While being an outcast my be bad, I can use demon warrior arts and magic. I can also create black dragon fire and will be immune to it. It''s not like I can''t enter any cities anyway." "Oh yeah! Dwarf power!" Marcus grinned. "Yo, Odin! Ever played a game where an elf and a dwarf had a child? This game rocks. I will look like a dwarf albeit a little taller and use magic while maintaining a ten percent resistance to it. It''s damn OP!" Odin and Marcus finalized their decision and a blinding light appeared below their feet. Odin turned around in alarm. They hadn''t put on a Virtual MMO helmet or entered a capsule. "What''s going on?" Odin shouted. "I don''t know! I never read this in any of the forums. All I saw were videos of gameplays." Marcus shouted back. Chapter 2: New World (Author: Hello. Odin and Marcus have chosen their race and class, but are mysteriously swallowed by an unknown light. Where are they taken to? Are they still part of the game? By the way, making tables sure is tedious. The length of chapters for this story is how long I would have written for a published work and an experimentation on writing longer chapters. Depending on how it goes, The Necromancer King will also be similar in length minus the constant tables. Enjoy the chapter.) -----------Chapter 2: New World-------------- "AUUUUGH!" Odin and Marcus shouted as they were swallowed by the light. On a planet in a parallel world to the game, several summoning circles were in place all over the globe. The kingdoms and empires of the world had begun what was soon called The Great Awakening. A world war was breaking on the planet. The fifteen planets had entered a linear alignment, the first in over three million years. The world needed heroes, beings blessed by powers of legend, to aid them in the war. A thousand could be called and a thousand lives would be taken, not from their dimension, but from parallel worlds of other dimensions similar to theirs whether in reality or otherwise. Odin and Marcus were taken from the latter. By venturing into the game, they were chosen. All one thousand heroes were the lucky people who received the beta access for Primordial Conquest. "It''s been three days and nothing has happened since it began glowing," King Reyard muttered. "We were lucky enough to be able to summon six of the Thousand. What is taking so long?" "Perhaps the six of the Thousand have not been decided by the Primordial Gods yet," the royal advisor, Thomas, answered. "Wait! Something is happening to the Hero Circle! They must be arriving! Knights of the realm, to your stations. Lords and ladies, please take a step back as the heroes will arrive. They might not be happy being taken from their home world." A flash of white light emanated from an azure circle of runes on the ground and six people appeared as the light dimmed and vanished. Odin, Elgar, and four others had appeared. They had appeared in a white shirt, pants, and shoes with the body and appearance of the race they chose.
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed Quest: The Great Awakening. All heroes of the Thousand have been summoned. All heroes have leveled to Level 1. Please note that the class you have selected will be accessible upon reaching Level 10. All skills learned prior to the Class change will be accessible regardless of class.
"Whoa what is that?" a male human hero asked. "Where are we?" a female elf asked, gazing at her surroundings. "Hey Odin you okay?" Marcus asked. "Whoa! Everything seems taller! I feel heavier too." "These horns feel weird," Odin murmured as he blinked rapidly while his vision returned. "It said a thousand were chosen. I know a thousand players would be picked but this feels too real." "Welcome heroes of the Thousand," a middle-aged man in a lavish crimson robe and gold crown beamed. "I am King Reyard and ruler of the Baos Kingdom. I apologize for summoning you all from your world, but the empires and kingdoms of my planet are preparing for a threat from the Chaos Planes, monstrosities that live beneath the surface of the world even deeper than the dark elven and dwarven kingdoms. We need your help. My kingdom is located next to a dwarven kingdom beneath the mountains to the west. Once that kingdom falls, the Chaos will come for my people next. We need the might of the heroes to help strengthen my kingdom''s defenses and aid the dwarven kingdom when we hear their call." "Indeed. You will defend both kingdoms. To not aid the dwarven kingdom is to further our chances of destruction by the Chaos. I am His Majesty''s royal advisor. My name is Thomas. Please, take a moment to take in what you have heard," a middle-aged man in a dark cerulean robe bowed. "Best to look up the status screen," Marcus whispered as he walked to Odin. "We seem to be in our selected races. We are also wearing black spatial rings. According to the forums from the other people who accessed the beta from other conventions, each spatial ring contains runes visible only to the owner and are unlocked on Level 10 when we get our class change. You saw the notice right? It feels just like the game but it isn''t. The other four seem to know this. They must have waited for weeks like I did." "This is such a drag," Odin sighed and shook his head as he visualized a status screen in front of him. "No other choice but to do what it takes to survive. Why do I always get dragged into Marcus''s troubles all the time?"
Odin Argent
Level 1 HP: 70/70 MP: 50/50 EXP: 10 Next Level: 100exp Class: None Gold: 10
Statistics
STR: 17 VIT: 24 DEX: 10 INT: 14 WIS: 19 LUCK: 10
Titles
Hero of the Thousand Knight-in-Training Enemy of Dragons Lightning Demon Half-Blood Scion
Equipment
Rune Spatial Ring (Equipped) Hex Lance (Stored)
[tr]
Active Abilities
Hex Bolt (telekinetic energy bolt) Dark Heal (only able to self-heal) Comet (Insufficient Mana and details unknown) Shadow Flare (non-elemental attack and drains half of current HP on use) Guardian''s Aura (increases defense of all party members by 20%) Feral Lion Roar (sound wave attack that inflicts damage and instills fear) Mad God''s Slash (lance attack that ignores armor defense)
Passive Abilities
Fire manipulation (purple flames of a demonized dragon) Lightning Manipulation Immunity to fire Immunity to lightning Immunity to poison Resistant to paralysis Resistant to pain Resistant to darkness Resistant to curses Resistant to illusions Absolute weakness to light Health regeneration 10% per second Mana regeneration 5% per second
"As expected of a defense oriented class," Odin mused. "My physical and magic defense as well as my health are all higher than my other stats. Wisdom is magic defense and intelligence is magic attack. Too bad about Comet magic and that Shadow Flare seems like a trump card. I wonder what my stored lance does?"
Hex Lance
Lance given by a Primordial Beast Capable of becoming a Legendary rank lance Growth Weapon Capable of transforming when infused with special crystals Able to use hex bolts Restriction: Odin Argent
"Wicked. No wonder so many people want to gain access to the beta," Odin grinned as he brought out Hex Lance from his ring. It was a black lance with a dark crimson energy inside, creating a strange pattern on the lance. Small sparks of lightning crackled as he held the lance. Even when he put the lance back in the ring, he was able to create small, lightning spark. Odin supposed it was because of his lineage of the demon blood in his body. "Dude, this is definitely like the game," Marcus sighed with awe as he held a war hammer in his hands. It was shaped like a hammer, but had a white wooden handle and a brilliant square-shaped diamond mounted at the top. "Your weapon must have been given by a Primordial God right? That means we must be in a world equivalent to the Mortal Realm of the game. I bet defeating the Chaos is our God level mission to become level 100 and ascend to the Immortal Realms. I got this Divine Judgment from a Primordial Sovereign. It even has regenerative powers. I''ll bet all weapons of the thousand of us here must have been given by a Primordial of some kind." "We''re really stuck in a parallel world outside our own dimension," Odin sighed. "I don''t think we can go back. I can use some kind of hex bolt and other magic, but my intelligence is too low. Out of my seven abilities, only three are warrior arts." "Whoa! Only seven abilities? I got like twenty! We must be OP because we are heroes and only we can use them. You must have a lot more passive abilities though to make up for it seeing as you chose a knight class and our toons are modeled for our selected classes beforehand," Marcus sighed. "I must have a lot of abilities as I am an assassin. I got a war hammer, which I suppose if I am discovered and no longer need to stealth myself, and a magical reloading crossbow which I haven''t looked at yet but it must be OP too. I got two growth weapons! We''re walking cheats man. I never saw any stats or abilities as great as ours in the forum. I guess it isn''t exactly like the game." "I am Elizabeth Strider," the female elf greeted. "I am an elf aspiring to be a cleric and received a scepter from a Primordial Healer." "Johnny Torque''s the name," the only pure human among them said. "I chose a berserker and wield a battle axe given by the Primordial of Rage. I''m guessing these Primordial Gods sent us here and gave us these weapons as compensations for kidnapping us from our world for this event." "My name is Marcus Haunt, a half dwarf and half elf," Marcus grinned. "I chose the assassin class. I got a crossbow and a war hammer from the Primordial Sovereign. Don''t know why I got the war hammer, but the crossbow is nice. This is way different from the forums." "I am Odin Argent. I am a demi-human with demonized dragon blood," Odin nodded. "I chose the knight class for defense. I got a lance from the Primordial Beast." "You should have gotten a shield too," Johnny frowned. "Marcus also chose a hybrid class and got two Primordial weapons. Strange." "Maybe cuz he got it from the Primordial Sovereign? I got two items from a Primordial Sovereign too. My name is Mariko Tsuki. "I am of the beast race, particularly a polar bear. I chose to be an ranger. I got a bow with magical arrows and a short sword from the Primordial Sovereign. I can tame beasts in the future. Probably once we get our classes at level 10." "We''re only level 1. We''re only OP for about five levels above us and below. I am Toshio Tsuki. I am Mariko''s older brother. I chose a demi-human with orc blood so my skin is grey tinted. I might have lower intelligence but I have a lot of health and defense because of the orc blood," the last hero said. "I chose the mage class and got a staff from the Primordial of Carnage. I am guessing we, and the other Thousand, are avatars of sorts meant to represent them in the fight against the Chaos. I''m down to fight for honor and to protect my sister, but I believe our death will result in a permanent Game Over unless there''s some kind of resurrection magic or item somewhere." This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "I do not know what these forums or levels are but I do know how to gauge someone''s strength," Thomas interrupted. "If you say you are level 1 heroes then I can surely tell you based on your strength that the weakest of the Chaos are around level 50. However, the weakest of the Chaos always travel in hordes of dozens, hundreds, and thousands. You may train with us and strengthen our defenses or head to the dwarven kingdom to aid them while risking your life to level faster. The choice is yours. We are not like other kingdoms and know how to make allies better than enemies. Please, take your time amongst yourselves to choose. When the Chaos attack in any part of the world, you will be teleported to the Hero Circle below you. Once the attack is over, you will be returned to the nearest city of your original location. I know it seems suspicious, but there are one thousand heroes. Someone will choose to fight and defeat the Chaos." "I am staying," Elizabeth said. "I''m a cleric so I can help these people and heal the sick like a true noble. Back in England, I was the daughter of a noble, but the only noble thing I did was donate to charity. I could also learn some self-defense while I am here." "Toshio and I are staying here too. We could learn a lot from the people here in the palace," Mariko agreed while Toshio sighed as it was his duty to protect his younger sibling so he had to stay. "Well I''m going to the dwarven kingdom," Johnny grinned. "I''ll level up faster there and see what I''m up against with my own eyes. I could kill some of the allies of the Chaos to level and see how they operate." "I will join the adventurer''s guild and explore the world. I''ll fight the Chaos once I get more battle experience," Marcus said. "Odin? What''ll you do? If you''re doing something different, we gotta be on each other''s friend list so we can send mail to each other. It should work." "Weird getting mail like this," Odin observed after they added each other and sent a mail to experiment. "I''m going to travel the world and face strong opponents like in the books I read. I could learn some things while exchanging pointers as well as the strengths, weaknesses, habitats, and monsters from outside sources. I''ll probably go to the library first and read some maps." "Then it is decided. Wonderful! Three of you chose to stay. More than I hoped," the king laughed. "The other three of you are free to do as you like. As for the three heroes who chose to stay, we must begin your training at once. We don''t know when the dwarven kingdom will fall, but they are a stubborn, battle-hardened race of veterans. They may struggle, but they will endure for a time." Odin, Marcus, and Johnny received spare clothing, five gold, and some food for their journey. They left the palace and stopped in front of the palace gates after they received a royal insignia. The royal insignia meant that they were under the protection of the king and would grant them many favors while in his kingdom. Johnny added Marcus and Odin to his friend list, telling them that he would notify them if he needed help or if the dwarven kingdom fell. "Those three who stayed behind probably take the safer route when playing games and never went into any dangerous dungeons," Johnny explained. "It is no use making friends with them. If we don''t die and meet again by some chance, we''ll probably be a heck of a lot stronger than them. Good luck guys. Hopefully we meet again in the Hero Circle when the Chaos attack." "I''m heading back inside to read in the imperial library. I know we can learn any skill regardless of class until level 10 and there might be a skill book in there somewhere," Odin said. "I won''t be there to back you up when you get caught in another mess." "What are you? My butler? Geez. I am a second degree black belt. I may not be confident with the crossbow or war hammer yet, but I do have nine weapons: two fists, two elbows, two knees, two feet, and good old fashioned MMO experience," Marcus laughed as he bumped fists with Odin. "I''ll learn a lot of skills easily by joining a guild. Not that the twenty I have aren''t OP anyway. It is good you''re going to the library. You said only three of your seven abilities are warrior arts. Reading will increase your intelligence in some MMO. Good luck man. Thanks for always having my back and sorry for dragging you into this. I may not miss my folks as they were never there, but I''ll miss the housemaids and butler who were. You''ll miss your parents. Sorry man." "It''s the Primordial Gods who chose us that have to be sorry. We just got an unlucky draw," Odin said. "Try not to die on your first mission. Try to join a party with a healer. You probably have weak defense and health due to your class. We''ll see ach other again." "You''re the one who has to be worried. You''re the dangerous one. Don''t think I don''t know what books you read. You always liked the books where the bad guys made major accomplishments," Marcus warned. "You''ll probably find some way to experiment on the Chaos as they have power. Don''t get yourself killed bro. You''re the only one I can trust with my back no matter what happens. You''ll never betray me and I won''t betray you, but others will. Watch your back with those heroes if you ever meet the other of the Thousand. Most of them have played MMOs for sure and we both know how ruthless true MMO gamers are." Odin unknowingly felt like a huge burden was lifted as he saw Marcus walk away. He turned and followed one of the knights to the imperial library. Odin spent many days reading books on languages and maps. Thanks to his ability to experience the world as a Virtual MMO, he was able to automatically learn the languages as soon as he finished the books as well as increase his world map.
Due to reading for so many days, you have received the following title Dedicated Scholar
SYSTEM NOTICE
Titles cannot be unequipped. Permanent stat increase. +1 DEX +5 INT +2 LUCK
Level Up
Every level will reward 5 assignable stat points. Skills become stronger with every level 2 bonus stats will be rewarded based on class. Non-assignable. Class: None HP increases by 17 MP increases by 25 4 bonus stats will be rewarded based on racial lineage. Non-assignable. +1 STR due to Dragon lineage +1 WIS due to Demon lineage +1 LUCK and DEX due to human lineage
"Not as much as I hoped but the languages and expansion of the world map is worth it. I just need more skills," Odin sighed. "Thankfully, I only increased one level. I need to find a skill book before I go. To think I gain so many stat bonuses. Maybe it is because I am a hero. Otherwise, why else would heroes be so overpowered and respected regardless of their abilities and items?" "Done reading young man?" the librarian asked as he saw Odin leave. "Yes. Sorry about coming here every day. Do you happen to know where I can find some skill books? They''re kind of like books that describe how to use spells or perform warrior arts." "Yes I do. As one of the Thousand and a recipient of the royal insignia, you are allowed access into the vault of the imperial library,'' the elderly man smiled. "Follow the knight into the basement where you can access the vault. Please note that you are only allowed to learn one of any kind of spell or warrior art. As you are a dedicated scholar, you may learn one more. It is well within my power to grant you that as the imperial librarian. Choose wisely hero. Your actions from this day forth will affect many people, whether immediately or otherwise." "Thank you for your kindness," Odin bowed and entered the vault after ten minutes. Most of the skill books were spells. There were a few good warrior arts but not very many. He picked one summoning spell to aid him in battle and one warrior art. [table]
Golem Creation
A legendary inanimate creature made of clay and stone. Permanently summon 1 golem for entire current MP. MP will not regenerate for four hours upon creation. Golem will evolve as user levels up. 50% Magic resistance 50% Physical resistance Stats based on the user Maximum minions controllable: 3 Minions currently controlled: 0
Received title: Golemancer
Due to learning Golem Creation, you receive stat bonuses. Golems will favor you and fairies will distrust you. +3 VIT +1 STR +1 WIS +10 Health
"No way! It''s like I gained a level. I suppose learning summoning magic gives you a title. You gain and lose favor though. I should choose wisely on my remaining summoning magic," Odin observed, happy with the sudden increase. "These stats are perfect for a knight. I should get another defensive warrior art. I guess this world is like a few other MMOs where mana is used for both spells and warrior arts."
Gravity Repulse
Imbues mana into the user''s shield. Repels and damages foes. Restriction: Shield
"Nothing gained here. I guess the only way to gain bonus stats is through titles and summoning magic. My lance didn''t seem to add any stats. I guess armor, weapons, and items, will give passive or active abilities when equipped if it is special. Well, it''s more balanced this way," Odin said. "Welcome back. Did you choose well?" the old librarian asked as Odin returned. "Yes I did. Thank you. Do you know where strong knights go to compete against one another? I aim to become the greatest of knights and want to observe how they fight and catch a few pointers from the veterans," Odin asked. "Oh, then you would have to head to Matran City in the Kingdom of Frildor. Many warriors from all over the continent participate in various tournaments and competitions there. Many famous knights also go there to test their skills," the librarian said. "Good luck young hero. The journey is long and there are many bandits. A mountain range exists between our two kingdoms so many dangers lurk there. Take the armor of the imperial guard and a shield with you. It should serve you well and deter some who would attack you." "Thank you so much for all your help," Odin said as he changed into silver armor with azure cloth with the emblem of a griffon on his chest. He looked like a knight. All he needed now was to actually get the class. He thought he would get a quest and realized that this MMO only cared about the main story line. Odin returned to the palace to sleep over night before he would begin his journey. He summoned a golem and a black and dark brown humanoid appeared at around four feet. It had no distinctive features save for a large dark violet colored oval clay where a face would be. Odin took a bath before changing into plain clothes and went to sleep. Chapter 3: Blood and Fire (Author: Hello all. Now that introductions to the new world are in order, it is time for Odin to explore the world. Here are a few ominous words to consider while I write my story. The Thousand are called to fight the Chaos. They believe that they can stop the Chaos. They believe that they can drive it back and destroy it. However, there are those who support the Chaos and serve it, listening to the false promises of glory and power. No one can resist the touch of the Chaos. It is only a matter of time before you cave in and embrace it. Its followers are coming. Its allies are rising. The Chaos will come. So long as the Heart beats, the Chaos will come. Will you choose to embrace it and let it consume you, or attempt to sail through the waves of attacks and endure it? This is the final event before Odin leaves on his journey. I wanted to introduce an enemy and this was how I thought of it. In a book, an enemy is usually referenced early on but does not make an actual appearance. Enjoy.) -----------Chapter 3: Blood and Fire------------- Wake up. Wake up.... up....up. Wake up. Wake up Odin Argent. Wake up! Odin''s eyes burst open and he leaned up quickly from his bed as he woke. Odin shook his head and held his head with his left hand as he stared out the window. He became alert as he saw a full moon become dark purple and saw the night sky become red. "It is a Chaos Moon! The Chaos is attacking! Knights, to your stations!" a voice cried from below. "My lord," a squire shouted as he burst into the room and saw Odin. "I was sent by the royal advisor! You must don your armor quickly! The Chaos appeared out of a tunnel some miners had made near the city. As the Chaos have appeared in the Baos Kingdom where you are located, Thomas said that you would not be teleported to the Hero Circle. They are currently mounting an attack on the townsfolk in the city outside the palace. You must aid them!" A few of them have already reached the outer gates. "I see them! I see them! The Chaos are attacking the outer gates! Archers, focus your arrows at the monsters below! We must protect the King!" a knight shouted. "Go. I will fight them shortly. Follow the servants and other squires to a place to hide," Odin said and saw the squire nod furiously before running, not stopping as he ran half his body against the wall as he left. A white glow illuminated Odin as he equipped his armor and donned his shield. He rolled his shoulders as Hex Lance appeared in his right hand. Odin ran out of his room and began running to the throne room. He was only level 2 and he had forgotten to set the five stat points he received when he leveled. He couldn''t distribute them as he was on a battlefield. His golem trekked after him slowly as he ran. The true danger lies not with Chaos here. "Who are you?" Odin shouted as he ran to the throne room. "How can you talk in my head?" Odin shouted in alarm as a sword suddenly cut downward in front of him as he ran past a door. Odin positioned his shield in front of him and ran through the sword like a battering ram. Odin heard a bone break and a scream behind him. He looked back to see knights in black armor glaring back at him, one of them holding his arm. Odin frowned as he saw a red health bar above their heads. There three knights in total and they were all level 5.
SYSTEM NOTICE
You have begun quest: Blood and Fire. You are under attack by knights who support the Chaos. You must slay ten Black Knights to succeed the quest. Your actions will determine minor changes in the storyline. Rewards Prestige Stat unlocked +10 Prestige +500 EXP Ring of the Witch King (Growth Item) Increased hostility from the Chaos
"Oh great! Now I get a quest? I was right. I only get quests that affect the main storyline," Odin snarled he used his warrior art: Lion''s Roar. The Black Knights felt fear and were stunned while Odin ran forward. He slammed his shield on the broken arm of the injured knight and thrust his lance through the armor of another knight. The injured knight fainted from the pain and the third knight roared as he slashed at Odin. "Golem!" Odin roared and his golem took the blow meant for Odin. Odin ordered the golem to crush the head of the fainted knight as he faced the last knight. He grunted as he took blow after blow from the knight''s sword. He angled the shield and watched grunted as the shield deflected the next strike instead of blocking it, causing the knight to lose his balance at the lack of recoil. With a roar, Odin covered his lance with lightning and pierced the knight through to the wall. Odin heard a squishing sound as he collapsed on the floor from exhaustion. He didn''t feel anything when he killed the knights and wondered why. Weren''t you supposed to feel guilt when you killed someone? Rather, he felt so excited that he tried to control the urge to laugh.
Passive Ability Unlocked
You have unlocked the passive ability: Heartless As a descendent of the dragon race, you do not feel guilt when killing another life form. Taking a life makes you faster. You feel as if time slows down after killing someone. Movement increases by 5% for five minutes after every kill. This effect stacks up to three times.
"Are you serious? Such an ability exists?" Odin said, incredulous. "I don''t even get a notice if I am hit or when I hit? I have to watch the HP bar above them then. Got to find seven more." Odin ran all over the palace, killing knights in a hurry. The royal guards and servants he passed through looked at him in fear as he attacked isolated Black Knights mercilessly. He would slam at them with his shield like a battering ram and activate Gravity Repulse to slam them in the wall. Then, he would proceed to finish them off with one thrust with his lance covered in lightning. injured royal guards and servant he rescued would follow him as he proceeded to the throne room. The palace was on fire, but Odin walked through it unfazed. He was immune to fire and would shield the servants and injured until they entered the throne room. By then, he had become level 4. A Black Knight spotted them and ran at them. This knight was different. He carried a broadsword made of crimson metal with veins of a dark purple metal along the side of the blade.
Black Knight Captain Level 7
Leader of a squad of traitorous Black Knights Kill him for the good of the people. Ally of the Witch King HP 103/120 MP 165/190
"A mini-boss! I have to kill him, but he is three levels above me. No choice but to go all in," Odin shouted as sparks of lightning crackled all over his body. "Get over here!" Odin''s shout dragged the attention the knight captain''s attention. Odin stuck close to the wall on his right. The knight captain would be handicapped in the narrow hall and he would not have to worry about attacks from the right side as the wall was there while he wielded a shield on his left. He repeatedly thrust with his lance as he stood close to the wall. The knight captain could only swing on Odin''s left side or step back and attempt to stab him. Realizing he couldn''t do much damage, the knight captain threw his great sword at Odin. Odin grunted as he blocked the blade and took three steps back against the weight of the attack. The knight captain lunged forward and grabbed the shield, wrenching it from Odin before slamming him in the gut with it. Odin gasped for breath and yelled in pain as the knight captain slammed the shield on his exposed back as he bent forward from the first strike. The golem rushed forward, but the knight captain slammed the golem with the shield as a bat, destroying the upper half of the body. The lower half was sent flying and would take some time to regenerate. Odin had a little over half of his HP as the knight captain tossed aside the shield and lifted him by the neck. Odin quickly stored Hex Lance in his spatial ring and tried to pry the hands of the knight from his throat. He activated Guardian''s Aura with a shout and felt less pain as he continued to be strangled. "I''m not letting you kill me!" Odin rasped and closed his eyes. Dark purple dragon fire spread all over his body. Odin''s eyes suddenly opened as he used his trump card: Shadow Flare. A huge explosion of dragon fire, with Odin as the center, exploded. The knight captain was immediately incinerated by the blast. The floor and walls melted while the stain glass windows and the throne room doors were blasted into tiny, burning pieces. Odin collapsed on his knees, both hands on the ground to keep him from falling on his face. He panted heavily as his health was reduced to less than a quarter remaining. Usually, one could kill monsters up to three levels no problem in MMOs, but this was a mini-boss so the stats were obviously much higher.
Level Up
Gained 5 selectable stats. Current stats unused: 20 Racial stats rewarded No class stats rewarded
Congratulations
Completed: Blood and Fire
You have defeated the knights who betrayed the kingdom. The Chaos will take note of you for slaying their allies. The Witch King has fled, dropping his precious ring. Rewards Prestige Stat unlocked +10 Prestige +500 EXP Ring of the Witch King (Growth Item) Exceptional hostility from the Witch King Increased hostility from the Chaos
Level Up
Current Level: 6 Current stats unused: 25
Title Unlocked: Fiend Savior
Your ruthlessness in killing while saving others has inspired awe and fear in the hearts of others +2 DEX +15 HP
"I didn''t expect this title. I guess my Heartless title is too blame for this one," Odin laughed as he stumbled into the throne room. The servants he saved helped him sit on a bench against the wall to relax. His armor was broken and slightly burned while his shield was incinerated in the blast. His golem was his minion and was not affected by the blast. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.Once he relaxed and caught his breath put the black spatial ring on his left hand while he put the Ring of Witch King on his right hand and observed it.
RIng of the Witch King
A ring containing the power of the Witch King. The owner of this ring will walk the path of darkness. Stat rewards increase every 10 levels Legendary Rank Item Cannot be unequipped +20 STR +17 DEX +14 WIS +21 VIT +100 HP
SYSTEM NOTICE
Warning You have worn the Ring of the Witch King. You have been tainted by the Chaos. Permanent Affliction: 10% No longer able to be tainted further by the Chaos. Will not become a monster of Chaos. +10% Damage and Defense against the living.
"Holy....Those stats are unreal! Just what is that Witch King? Was it a high tier boss among the Chaos? Tainted by Chaos? What does that mean?" Odin asked and grit his teeth as he felt his right arm burning. No one noticed him as a knight burst in to report of the aftermath of the attack. He growled as he tried to endure the pain. A weird jade energy spread from the ring and entered his right hand all the way to his right shoulder. Veins of azure energy appeared on his entire arm like a tattoo. His eyes began glowing an iridescent blue.
Level Up
Current Level: 7 Current stats unused: 30
Immediately after the pain subsided, Odin wore a cerulean hooded jacket, a white shirt with a griffon emblazed on the chest, and black paints to replace his destroyed armor. He wore a white chain mail shirt underneath his shirt as a symbolic piece a knight would wear. He held his head as his eyes felt like they were burning. His whole body was brimming with power and Odin immediately set all the stat points he had half split between STR and INT.
Odin Argent
Level 7 HP: 70/297 MP: 31/200 EXP: 710 Next Level: 1000EXP Class: None Gold: 15
Statistics
STR: 59 VIT: 48 DEX: 36 INT: 34 WIS: 40 LUCK: 18
Titles
Hero of the Thousand Knight-in-Training Enemy of Dragons Lightning Demon Half-Blood Scion Dedicated Scholar Golemancer Fiend Savior
Equipment
Rune Spatial Ring (Equipped) Hex Lance (Stored) Ring of the Witch King (cannot be unequipped)
"Wow. These monster stats are because of the Ring of the Witch. I can''t believe it," Odin sighed with awe. "This is great. I can wear these regular clothes and not worry much about obtaining special armor with enhanced effects. I can stand out less and avoid more trouble." "Is that true?" a voice yelled, drawing Odin''s attention. "The fabled Witch King actually appeared? Which greedy miner caused all this mayhem to dig a min so deep?" "I know not Princess Reina," the knight cried as he fell on one knee and slightly bowed his head. "The Witch King entered into a rage as one of his rings mysteriously disappeared. The enter mine as well as a few surrounding towns are nothing but a field of craters. A quarter of our forces were wiped out by him alone. Another quarter died trying to fend off the Chaos Beasts that entered the capital. Luckily, three heroes assisted us evacuating the civilians. They did not fight as they were too weak but many lives were saved due to their efforts. They also fought the rebel knight army, saying those groups of experts were only level 2 and up. They single-handedly wiped out the rebels and mentioned something about passing level 10 and gaining their classes. I know not what that means." "What?" Odin asked, confused. "They must have faced more knights than I did. Seeing as I got the ring and they didn''t, they must have gotten a different quest than I did. I only learned one skill outside of my class called Golem''s Creation. That should be enough as I have this awesome ring." "Were any of the knights and citizens tainted by the Chaos?" the princess asked. "Yes," the knight said, tears falling. "Many of the palace guards and civilians were tainted. Some of them immediately turned into monsters. Fortunately, none of them turned into Chaos Beasts, but the devastation is tremendous. At least 10% of the capital lies in ruins." "We are lucky the attack occurred close to the capital where we concentrated our forces," the princess sighed. "Many more lives and homes would have lost if it occurred a further distance away. Go and return to my father and the three other heroes. I must talk with the hero here. He has saved many of the people in the palace as well as a terrifying brute outside where the doors used to be." "Sorry about that. I was on the verge of death," Odin said as the knight left as all the remaining people shifted their attention on him. "No need to apologize Fiend Savior," the princess said. "We all know that you faced the elite of the forces here who meant to wipe us all out. On behalf of my father, the king, thank you for protecting the people. What would you like as a reward of your valiant effort?" "I only need information about Chaos Beasts and about how they taint others," Odin said. "It sounded quite serious seeing as it made the knight cry." "Alas, you ask of a sad reward," Princess Reina sighed. "Chaos Beasts possess an impure energy consisting of the life force of the planet. In essence, they possess the mana of the planet itself. As you know, once you surpass the amount of mana you possess, you explode right? Planets also explode if too much mana is extracted than it can regenerate. It is said that Chaos Beasts were once the wild life experimented on when other life forms came to this planet." "What about the Witch King?" Odin asked. "Many of those horrible scientists have ascended but a few have not. One of them is the Witch King. A scratch of bite from a Chaos Beast spreads the Chaos, the impure mana of the planet, into a new vessel,. It changes you. Twists you into something more. Something that should not exist. It is said that the Witch King and his peers possess the pure mana of the planet and create more Chaos to absorb more and refine it in their bodies. Whenever a Chaos Beasts or monster tainted with Chaos dies near them, the Witch King becomes more powerful." Just like the azure energy that resides in your right arm. Finish what you need done here. We need to meet. You have much to learn boy. Much to learn about this world you now call home. "Thank you Princess Reina," Odin bowed. "I must leave. I plan to go to Matran City in the Kingdom of Frildor. There are many warriors who gather there and I wish to learn some pointers from them." "Goodbye Fiend Savior," the princess bowed. "We will meet again when you appear in the Hero Circle." Odin left the throne room and quickly left the palace. Not many people were startled upon seeing weird veins on his hand uncovered by the coat and glowing blue eyes. It seemed that all sorts of being lived on the planet. Odin was glad as it would be easier to avoid attention. He was to be a knight, but he did not want to be tied down to one kingdom like a knight would be. Odin followed the mysterious voice into a ruined part of the city desolated by the attack. Many broken statues lay on the ground as he approached the ruins of some sort of ancient temple. Odin stared silently at the ruins of a giant statue. It was a huge lion stone sculpture with wings of a dragon. It was a simple, but highly detailed statue but it radiated power somehow. At last, we meet. Well, we could never meet physically but it is as close as it gets. Break the head of the stone sculpture and wear the ring. It will bind itself to you and allow only you to speak, touch, and hear my son. As you might have guessed, I am the Primordial Beast. The same Primordial God that granted you your lance. You should use a Hex Bolt sometime. It is a small piece of my own power and has many interesting effects depending on what it hits. I must go now. Primordial Gods are only allowed to converse until their avatar obtains a tutor to guide the, not matter what path they choose. Odin took out Hex Lance as he stood over the sculpture''s head. His eyes widened in shock as the dark crimson energy in the lance transformed into the azure energy similar to the one in the veins on his right arm. He realized it must have been the pure life force energy Princess Reina suspected the Witch King had. He stored the lance away after he destroyed the head. Inside was a ring made of an ash colored wood on a black metal chain. He shrugged and put the necklace around his neck.
Title unlocked: Avatar of Beasts
You have worn a wooden ring containing the spirit of the son of the Primordial Beast. You are recognized as an avatar of a Primordial God. You may now learn from the spirit as you travel on your journey. The necklace cannot be unequipped.
Ability unlocked: Eyes of the Beast
You are an entity with pure, planetary life force and the avatar of the Primordial Beast. You have gained the ability to see through the eyes of any beast, magical or ordinary. You can control the beast''s movements if it is below your level. Your body cannot move while you use this ability.
"Wow! This is great! I can manifest my spiritual body now!" a voice said. "Only you can hear me, but someone finally can! Thanks kid. You have no idea what it''s like being stuck in a statue and being mistaken as your father. The things people said to me...it has been way too long. You may see a body, but I exist in your mind. It''s complicated. The necklace is just a decoration now but you can store mana in it. When you run out, draw out the mana you poured into the ring. Pour in mana daily and use it wisely. You have a golem so you might not have to worry about using a lot of mana for now. Later on, your enemies will be numerous and more powerful than you and your golem can handle." Odin stared in front of him as a ghost-like body appeared in front of him. A purple furred lion with a lighter purple main and purple dragon wings appeared the size of a cat. The spirit obviously did not care about its lack of size as it could move around and fly. Still, it took all it had for Odin not to laugh at how uncomfortably cute it looked. Chapter 4: Drastic Measures (Author: Hello. I wrote ten chapter for The Necromancer King but I forgot to save them before a random blackout happened. The neighbors said one of them tripped a wire for using so much power. I dunno. I will take a small hiatus for The Necromancer King to write the chapters. I always write the chapter before posting it for The Necromancer King. Expect the next few days to only be this story. Sorry to all who enjoyed my other story. I just want that story to flow and make sense you know. It is my best story so far. Odin survives the Chaos attack and gains the power of planetary life force in his body. He does not know how to use it but his stats are abnormally high. However, the world is full of all sorts of dangers. Odin may be strong amongst heroes, but he is but a speck of dirt before the might of the Witch King and other entities like him. Some say heroes have great luck. I say that heroes have the greatest and worst luck compared to others. Enjoy.) ------Chapter 4: Drastic Measures------------ "I am the son of a divine purple lion king that became a Primordial God and earned the moniker Primordial Beast. I have lost count of how many trillions of years have passed. I died long ago in the Immortal Realm and was sealed inside the ring you now wear as a necklace. The people who killed me were punished by my father. He sealed my spirit into the ring and the people he punished put my ring prison inside the detailed statue where you found me. I was cast it into the Mortal Realm where people would remember my father and honor him as the statue was built in his likeness. After that, I lost track on how long I had to wait for someone like you to appear," the lion spirit sighed. "I will aid you as you travel on your journey, but note that my aid comes from my words. I cannot touch the physical world and none but you can notice my existence save for Primordial Gods like my father who sealed me in the ring to save me as I died. I have learned much as I had been sealed. Choosing to follow my words is up to you. I am a part of your mind now. I thank you, Odin Argent, for allowing me to roam the outside world once more. Oh, right. I need a name. It''s been so long I forgot my name. Call me Trillion. It has been trillions of years anyway." Odin stared at the lion spirit and thanked it. Now he had a portable fountain of knowledge at his disposal. He was also curious about his new ability. Odin failed to notice a rather powerful wizard watching him as he left toward an armor shop to receive a shield using his right as an owner of the royal insignia. He didn''t need a magical shield with amazing effects with his high stats. He just needed a shield that was portable and would not break. He found it convenient to be like a player in a Virtual MMO as he could learn skills quite easily. He took advantage of his royal insignia to learn various crafts. It only held power in the Baos Kingdom so he might not be able to be able to learn crafting skills as easily. One important thing he learned is that crafting skills did not have levels like a normal MMO did. You had to actually practice the skill over and over to learn it. However, what you learned, you could automatically create afterwards with the necessary materials. In this way, practicing and creating new recipes were vital in order to create the items you need or envision. You could create anything you wanted. It was a more free kind of crafting. Unfortunately, learning crafts did not increase your level or give EXP. In order to plan for a journey, Odin learned several types of crafting skills. Odin stopped by the apothecary. He learned there was no such thing as health potions, but he received a notice saying that only heroes could make and use health potions. He practiced how to identify herbs and materials and how to make a simple mana potion, haste potion, and various cures for poisons and sicknesses. He also learned how to cook as well as how to skin and cut meat. It also served well when he learned how to craft leather. He spent many more days learning how to smelt and smith various weapons and armor as well as how to mine ore. He spent the last few days learning about enchantments and how to read runes, gaining several books on many different types of runes so he could continue his learning. While he let his body rest at night in a room in an inn, at no cost due to the royal insignia, he explored his new power. He used his new ability to see through the eyes of many basic pets and animals such as cats, dogs, and squirrels. Sometimes he would learn how to control their bodies under the lion spirit''s guidance, learning that there are times when he might need to control the bodies of beast in order to fulfill some kind of purpose or task. As time passed, his proficiency with the crafts and his new ability became advanced and Odin finally felt that it was time to leave the city and head to Matran. However, fate had different plans for him, particularly a wizard who had been following his body over the past few weeks. It was around midnight when the lion spirit saw someone enter Odin''s room. Alarmed, the lion spirit quickly shouted at Odin to wake up. "WAKE UP! A very powerful entity has entered the room!" the lion spirit yelled. Odin''s eyes widened and already equipped his usual clothes as he sprung out of his bed. He turned to face the door, but paled as he saw a strange light and knew it was too late. "Time to sleep hero," the voice of an elderly man said and Odin was cast into a deep sleep instantaneously. "Ugh," Odin groaned sometime later and rubbed his eyes. He cried out in alarm as he was in a black steel cage. He was wearing his azure coat, griffon shirt, white chain mail shirt, and black pants. However, he saw his shield on the floor outside his cage and could not open his spatial ring to withdraw Hex Lance.
Warning
User is trapped in a metal cage that disables mana. All warrior arts and spells cannot be used. Abilities that do not require mana are not and cannot be restricted. User''s golem is immobile and cannot be controlled while in the cage.
"You''re awake! A lot has happened while you were cast into a magical induced coma. It has been two weeks since you were kidnapped. The wizard who attacked you was smart enough to keep you in the Baos Kingdom. A Chaos attack happened and you could not teleport to the Hero Circle as you are already in the kingdom. It seems the Witch King tried to find his ring," the lion spirit reported. "Why you were kidnapped I do not know. However, as I have fused into your mind, I saw that he is a level 84 mage. Other than that, I cannot say anything more." "At last, the hero awakens," an old man in a white robe with black seems said as he entered the room. "Heroes are something else. I expected a few more days before you would awaken." "Who are you and why did you attack me? Why am I in this cage?" Odin roared. "Believe me Fiend Savior, I would not kidnap you if I did not have a reason to," the man replied. "I am a very ancient man. Well, half a man anyway. I am of the beast kin. I am half human and half beast. I have orange furred bear ears and come form an ancient tribe in one of the continents ruled by the beast kin. We are still in the human continent. I kidnapped you as I cannot stay long here. There is much you do not know about my world and this was the only way you could here me. Forgive me. I will cast a spell on you that will transform you. Your true form will be what you will change into, but if you can overcome it, you can change back. I must break the Hero Circle''s hold on you." "What? Hold on me? Transformation?" Odin cried. "Let me go! Let me----" A flash of light, similar to what he saw before he was kidnapped, appeared. Odin screamed in pain and lost all feelings in his limbs. The lion spirit could only watch as Odin began to liquefy. The lion spirit was speechless as an azure colored slime lay where Odin Argent once was.
System Notice
Due to a powerful magic, your original form is no longer a demi-human. Due to the pure planetary life force in your body, you are not turned into an ordinary green slime. Your true form is now a stellar slime. Mark of the Hero''s Circle has been broken.
Title unlocked: Life Energy Devourer
Your body has been mutated by pure life energy. You are now able to consume life energy. You can now sense places with high densities of life energy. Increased hostility from the Chaos. Gained immunity from water spells and warrior arts. + 10 Prestige
"As expected of someone who has stolen the power of the Witch King," the mage nodded with approval. "You have pure life energy within you. You must be the one my nemesis has been searching for." "...." Odin could not speak as he did not have a mouth or see. He could hear the man quite well though as his body seemed to react to vibrations. When someone speaks, the vocal chords vibrate and ricochet to form a sound that is manipulated into a speech. Odin sensed the vibrations and was able to interpret what the man said. Odin sensed an energy in his surroundings and started absorbing it into his body. The mage and the lion spirit watched in anticipation and noticed Odin form a monster core in his body. All monsters contain cores in their body which are highly coveted for use as materials to create mana stones and runes. Odin''s mana core was a small crimson stone containing the same energy that used to exist in the Hex Lance. ".....I''m going to kill you!...huh? I can see and talk? I have no mouth?" Odin said, confused. "Quick! Devour some of these slimes. I want to see what happens. It will also make you stronger!" the man cried as seven crimson slimes appeared in a flash from the man''s spatial ring. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Odin was released from the cage and stared at the crimson slimes. The crimson slimes seemed immobile and could not move. Confused, Odin moved toward them. He envisioned eating them and a glob of slime in the form of a giant hand extended from his body and grabbed the slime, destroying it as it touched his main body. Half perplexed and half excited, Odin repeated the process to the other six crimson slimes.
Title unlocked: Cannibal Gourmet
You are an ancient slime that devoured a Chaos Beast turned into a crimson slime. You were unsatisfied and excited after you ate one and did not stop until you ate them all. Gained the ability to transform into a demi-human. Gained the ability to evolve. Must continue to eat monster cores to evolve. Monster cores eaten: 7 +10 HP +20 MP +5 LUCK +30 Prestige
"I''m me again!" Odin cried in alarm as he imagined himself as he was before. "You are something more. Take a look at your right arm. The veins are gone right?" the man said and Odin saw the it was true. "You should feel the core in the center of your chest. Those blue veins of life energy that used to be on your arm now permeate around your chest. However, your crimson monster core should have crystalized and become a purple crystal monster core. It should allow you to absorb both pure and impure planetary life force. You have become more than what you were. I am sorry, but you need to understand that what I did was necessary for my people." "Turning me into a monster? A f*cking slime?" Odin roared. "You thought that was necessary? Not only that, you made me a cannibal!" "You killed a Chaos Beast," the man said. "Your monster core should have finished absorbing the power of their monster cores."
Level Up
You have eaten 7 Chaos Beasts in their weakened state. You are now level 10. Class unlocked: Knight. Knights receive +1 DEX and +1 VIT upon the next level. Stats unused: 15. You are the last of the Thousand to get a class. As the last to gain a class, you lose all unused stats. There are 741 living heroes with a class. There are 361 heroes with hidden classes.
Hidden class unlocked: The Witch Knight
As the bearer of the Ring of the Witch King, you unlocked a hidden class. You are the only one who chose to be a knight still alive.
You are a knight as well as a monster. You have the life energy of the planet in your veins. Death is your friend. You regenerate HP and MP as you walk among the dead. You have profound strength as a knight and are more proficient with magic. You are able to bind a Narghulis as a minion. +20 STR +10 INT +10 DEX +10 VIT
"I got a hidden class, but didn''t learn a class ability," Odin sighed. "I suppose I''ll have to discover it somehow, but what is a Narghulis?" "You can worry about that later. It is a beast beyond your current capabilities," Trillion said with a slightly dreadful voice. "You have become a purple king slime. I can tell from my powers. How else can you transform? Still, I would not reveal to the public that you are a slime for obvious reasons." "I apologize once again for taking such drastic measures, but it paid off. You are stronger once more and more similar to the Witch King now," the old man said. "I heard that you wished to head to Matran to fight amongst powerful knights. However, the warriors of the beast kin are far more proficient at warrior arts than humans. You are also the Avatar of Beasts. The beast kin will listen to you. You must stop them from their petty wars and unite them to fight against the Chaos. You are the only one the beast kin will think twice about refusing an audience. Furthermore, your true form is that of a monster. You have the potential to evolve as the beast kin and I do. If you wish to fight against the most powerful of knights, I implore you to journey to the beast continent of Uzalga to the east. On behalf of my race, I beg you. Stop us from warring amongst ourselves and aid us against the Chaos. The human, dragon, and demon lands have many heroes and we have but a few dozen." "It would be best to go there. You are the Avatar of Beasts, the champion of my father. There are many more exciting challenges in Uzalga and plenty of dangerous monsters to kill for a knight who is a friend of death like you," Trillion agreed. "There are plenty of monster cores to help your purple crystal monster core to evolve. You may have become a slime, but you don''t always have to be one. You can stick to this form.." "You have turned me into a purple king slime, but have given me more planetary life force," Odin said, staring at the man. "If I head to the capital, can I learn how to harness its power?" "Yes," the mage said. "I, Harker Grizer, swear that you can. You have seen me change your true form. That is only possible using life energy. Only monsters and beast kin can harness life energy and only the echelons of the beast kin can teach you how. Head to Uzalga. The entire continent is one kingdom with many tribes. Please visit some tribes on the way to the capital and help fight the Chaos. I cannot teleport you so you must sail there. I must go now to inform my king. I thank you and am very sorry for changing you. You can no longer gain any racial abilities from the demon and dragon lineage you once were but whatever you could use still remains with you. I''m afraid I am not powerful enough to allow you to keep learning more of their abilities." "First the Chaos attack and now this," Odin sighed as he exited the building after Harker teleported. "I thought heroes had good luck?" "He did bring you to the port where you can catch a ship," Trillion encouraged. "That''s something. All you need to do now is to survive the voyage. It should last around three months by ship. He also gave you one thousand gold. The voyage only costs 10 gold. 20 for a private cabin according to my memories from people who prayed to my father''s statue." ''Three months?" Odin shouted. "I am already the lowest level hero, seeing as I was the last to get a class. Even with my high stats, I won''t be able to level unless the ship is attacked." "You can take this time practicing your form and doing body strengthening," Trillion suggested. "You gained a lot of power too fast. You need to give yourself time to adjust to it. You must learn your strengths and weaknesses in order to improve them. Power is one thing, but controlling that power and using it efficiently at the right time is the most important thing to master. You are also the most hated enemy of the Witch King. He won''t find you in the beast continent as most heroes are in the human and demon continents with an average amount in the dragon continent. Let''s take this one step at a time. I am your master now. With my knowledge, I will train you to be the greatest knight in the Mortal Realm!" "I guess I did get a little overpowered too quickly," Odin agreed. "I can also learn how to harness life energy in Uzalga. I suppose my path is set." "So it is my young student. So it is," Trillion laughed. Odin paid the gold and boarded a ship to Uzalga. A lot happened too quickly. He was an aspiring red belt who was forced to attend a gaming convention. Now he was trapped in a parallel world to the game and forced to become a hero. He also became the number one target of one of the most powerful beings and became a purple king slime. The absurdity of it all almost broke him mentally. Perhaps this voyage can grant him some peace of mind and allow him to adjust to his new life. -----------Somewhere in the mountains in Uzalga------ Harker hastily entered an ancient temple. Before him, beast kin of all kinds wearing hooded black robes with dark purple seams approached him. Harker knelt down on one knee and bowed his head low as they stood ten feet before him. "The task is done. The Avatar of Beasts has set sail for Uzalga. He has become a purple king slime with a purple crystal monster core. In his demi-human form, he is about five foot ten inches wearing a blue hooded coat with a white shirt with a griffon emblazed on the front. He also wears a strange white chain mail shirt underneath and black pants and shoes. He appears to be a knight with powers similar to the Witch King," Harker reported. "Good work. The Primordial Beast will be pleased. The champion can only grow strong enough for his task by experiencing many hardships," one of the priests said. "He is the only knight among the Thousand still alive. He will bear a burden more grave than most. The Primordial Beast has told us that only he can slay the Witch King. We have sent one of our own to record his progress. He will meet our informant in due time. For now, we must pray to the Primordial Beast that he survives the voyage. There are many dangers, but a slime can survive underwater if the ship is destroyed. I can only prey that he is strong enough not to be eaten when it does." (Author: For those who don''t realize it: he can change into either form. He still has the blood of a demon dragon, but he can''t learn anymore. Just saying. I realize some may hate this but this is MY original story. Thanks for reading. Again, The Necromancer King is on a short hiatus.. Chapter 5: Body Strengthening (Author: So much hate for the last chapter. Well, I am a writer and everyone knows you can''t please everyone. He can transform into either form but is essentially a purple king slime. He still has his powers such as the lightning, black dragon flames, and the Shadow Flare spell. He is still part dragon and demon. I never said he lost all the traits. He just can''t learn any more. Well, this story is my own so I will write it as is. Odin starts his voyage and begins to learn under the tutelage of Trillion, the lion spirit and son of the Primordial Beast. He begins to notice things as a monster that he never noticed before. Meanwhile, the Thousand contend with the many assaults of the Chaos, led by the Witch King. None of them know that Odin is the source of their problem. Changed the level up table. Well, enjoy.) --------Chapter 5: Body Strengthening-------------- Odin had a private cabin and was admiring the ocean as the ship set sail. He had been on a short cruise once around Lake Tahoe when he was young. He had never been to the beach or on an ocean cruise. "Okay enough sightseeing. It is time to train," Trillion said. "You''re a spirit that was trapped in a statue who knows how many millions or billions of years you said you were," Odin replied. "I only accepted to call you master due to you being the son of the Primordial Beast. Wouldn''t so many years trapped in a prison break you mentally?" "Just because I was stuck in some statue, doesn''t mean I can''t experience the world and learn new things," Trillion sighed. "To you Mortals, years mean something. To immortals like me....years mean sh*t. I have become part of your mind and you can see my spirit. Who can say that I am not just a figment of your imagination that your subconsciously created to rationalize your current situation? Hell, how can you believe that the Primordial Beast led you to me or that, by some random chance, you were turned into a purple king slime? This could all be some crappy a*s nightmare for all you know. No being can truly explain or prove that they are self-aware. The world is full of absurdities and I''m afraid your very life is full of it." "I see this world as if I am a player in a Virtual MMO. I don''t think training can do very much," Odin said. "Listen to me for a second. Just because you see it as a game, it doesn''t mean it''s not real. People die here. People kill each other, rape each other, eat each other, love and hate each other, and whatever the hell it is they do. That''s how they live their lives. You noticed that some aspects of this Virtual MMO is different that other games right? That''s because you are living an integration of that system in real life," Trillion said. "Being a part of your mind, I accessed your miniscule fifteen years'' worth of experience. From the moment you popped out your mommy to when you came to me. Was your life easy? Compared to many who live in a world where only the strong and the obedient survive, it was. You may not get any levels, but you can gain stat points right? Your body is not the same as it was before right? The form you prefer is the body you chose before you came here. You''re five feet ten now. That''s about four inches taller than before. You have a six pack now. You only had two and that''s just me being nice about it. You have black horns and light brown hair and glowing blue eyes. You were a very ordinary, blonde haired kid with blue eyes. Don''t get me started on your true form as a slime. You really think you don''t need training? Even martial arts masters in your world needed years of training despite so much natural talent. Now, let''s get to it. You only have three months until you enter a continent where the weak get eaten or worse. There is less civilization there. Only the strong are heard. Let''s get started." Trillion had Odin wake up at dawn and jump off the ship after tying a thick rope to his waist. He would swim and keep swimming after the sip until he broke his limits. Once he did, he would keep swimming until the ship dragged him by the rope. Some days there was no wind so Odin would have to swim around the ship. The crew and passengers saw his training as a sort of entertainment until they got used to seeing it. He also gained a title.
Title unlocked: Swim Junkie
You constantly swim in the ocean as if it is your drug. You persist in swimming, even after being called a fool by others. Gained the ability to breathe underwater. +10 STR +10 VIT +10 Prestige
Odin didn''t know what the prestige was for and assumed it was just reputation.He also studied the rune books he got at the capital and learned about the world through Trillion. Trillion may had been trapped, but the lion spirit was trapped in an ancient temple and many adventurers would go and pray to the statues of the Primordial Gods and talk about their lives, dreams, and experiences. He also got a title for constantly studying runes.
Title unlocked: Rune Archaeologist
You spend most of your free time studying runes. No matter how old the rune is, you still continue to study it. Gained the ability to detect runes. Gained the ability to extract runes from items. +10% higher effects when you use enchantment magic. +10 INT +20 WIS +10 Prestige
Odin spent the entire morning swimming and most of the afternoon reading runes and getting lectured by Trillion. He would spend the rest of the afternoon to midnight practicing his forms and stances with his shield and lance. Some members of the crew and guests on the ship started sparring with him to pass the time on the voyage. Eventually, people started betting on who would win with the ship''s captain getting a portion of the winnings. Instead of sleeping, he would sneak of the ship and turn into a purple king slime under Trillion''s instructions. Slimes did not get tired so Odin would feel extremely refreshed in his new form. Trillion told him that people never killed slimes near water. Slimes were part liquid and actually expanded and became stronger when near water. Odin felt as if he was one with the water, letting the ocean currents direct his body below the ship. Being a slime was different. He could visibly see mana in the air. Mana didn''t just exist in the body. Mana was everywhere. He could see strands of mana all around him. He began to differentiate the strands and saw two kinds of strands. The green strands were mana. He could follow the strands and it would lead him to other life forms. The azure and crimson mana strands didn''t point at any one location. He realized that they were pure and impure planetary life force. The strands were in perfect harmony and seemed to blend together as they flowed around him. "Beautiful isn''t it," Trillion murmured. "This is what monsters see everyday. It''s why monsters and beasts, like myself, make our homes in places where these strands are thickest. The beast kin have the ability to sense the strands somewhat but only a monster can see what you see. It''s not really seeing with the sense of sight but rather gaining the ability to sense and detect it through your monster core. Monsters and beasts absorb impure planetary life force, but we do not become part of the Chaos because it is natural to us. I suppose the reason is the monster core, but for beasts, it a kind of instinctual ability." "Then why do the Chaos live so deep underground?" Odin asked. "The deeper one goes towards the planet''s core, the thicker the azure and crimson strands of mana are. Mana is life force, but only the azure and crimson strands naturally belong to the planet and its creations. Gods made humans, demons, and dragons. The planet needed life and made monsters and beasts." Trillion explained. "The Chaos feed on impure planetary life force in order to survive. Only the weak ones are sent above ground by their masters to increase the amount of Chaos monsters and hopefully form a Chaos Beast. The creators and masters of the Chaos, like the Witch King, kill the weaker Chaos monsters for their monster cores and absorb and refine the impure energy into their bodies. The more Chaos Beasts, the more people can be turned into monsters to serve as their energy source. You are not able to harness its power yet so you do not understand the obsession of being able to gain more planetary life force and use it.." "This reminds me of a spirit world I saw in some anime and movies," Odin muttered. Odin spent the next two months constantly repeating the cycle of training. He was lucky enough that a few monsters ventured near the ship and gained enough experience to level up once to level 11 and distributed his five selectable stats to DEX. The more DEX he had, the more agile he was. That way, he could swim farther from the ship and still make it back fast enough before he was stranded at sea. Knights automatically have their two class stats as DEX and VIT for a reason. Knights needed to protect others and themselves with their shield and be agile enough to deftly block numerous blows and projectiles with their shields. Odin also mastered his demonic ability over lightning. He was exceptionally more dangerous in water as the damage was magnified and he was immune to lightning and would suffer no backlash if he got wet. Essentially, he could become the best lightning user as he could shape and condense the lightning however he pleased and was not restricted into a parameter like spells and warrior arts. The same went for his dark purple demon dragon fire. Save for the highly explosive and concentrated Shadow Flare spell that consumed a lot of mana and half of his HP, he also had no limits in its manipulation. However, Odin still wasn''t able to cast Comet or learn any details. It made him wonder how overpowered the spell was to require so much mana. Comets were giants blocks of ice moving in a fast velocity in space so it had to be an ice spell. Probably the most powerful ice magic ever. His spells and warrior arts become more powerful as he leveled so he wondered how destructive the Comet spell was. Either way, his body strengthening really paid off and Odin was really adjusted to his new body and capabilities. The perfect body had to five aspects in perfect harmony. Those aspects are strength, flexibility, toughness, explosiveness, and agility. Of the five aspects, only flexibility was not affected by a stat. Strength spoke for itself. Explosiveness was tied to strength and intelligence which determined how effective his warrior arts and spells were. Toughness was determined by his vitality and agility was determined by dexterity. Using his knowledge on runes, he enchanted the azure coat and white chain mail shirt he always wore. Enchanting always made them clean so he didn''t need to clean them. He always remembered to change his boxers, pants, and shirt with the spare clothes he got from the palace and the spare clothes he made while learning crafts. He laughed as the real world would obviously have restrooms and undergarments of sorts. He enchanted his azure coat to be indestructible. It did not block any attacks like a normal coat, but he would not need to replace it. It was also enchanted to create a ordinary curved blades to sprout out of his body at will. If he was attacked from behind, he could sprout giant curved blades in a straight line down his back toward the enemy. He could create a curved blade on both of his arms in case he was disarmed and needed to fight barehanded. Shields did not protect his back and he was almost killed back at the castle once a stronger foe disarmed his shield. As for his white chain mail, he enchanted it to deflect projectiles and be indestructible as well. While it couldn''t break, the damage could still go through. He also enchanted it to reduce effects by spells or warrior arts and absorb a small amount of damage as well like a magical armor would. He was able to cast such powerful enchantments due to his extensive studies as well as some help from Trillion. One very special affect he put on the white chain mail was the ability to fly. He would practice late at night when no one was awake. In the end, the last two months were very productive. His coat and chain mail were indestructible so no one would be able to see the monster core and azure veins of planetary life force on his chest. He also knew that many of the heroes would buy magical armor and weapons with powerful enchantments of their own, but he did not choose to stay in the kingdom he was summoned in, did not join a guild either, and chose to explore the world. He could only depend on himself and Trillions knowledge and experience as he while he was dead and after to survive. As he finished his training, Odin relaxed at the ship. They suffered five thunderstorms so the voyage would take a lot longer than three months as planned. They planned to stop at an island on the way to Uzalga. It was an island famous for its location as a trade center between the Kingdom of Baos and Uzalga. Ships that paid a tax to the island and received official papers were allowed to travel to the island and its waters. Naturally, that gold was paid in part by the fees Odin and the passengers had to pay to sail to Uzalga. Uzalga was about three weeks away from the island by ship so the voyage was near its end. The ship would stay a few days to pay the gold, resupply, and allow the passengers to buy and sell items before leaving once more. Sea bandits didn''t dare attack the island and ships could pay another fee for extra protection to their destination. However, the protected waters of the island were about ten miles. Many sea bandits attacked outside those perimeters and all ships were fair game so long as they also gave 40% of their gains to the island or faced annihilation. The island was called Sea Wolf Cove as it tolerated bandits and many powerful and wealthy people lived on the island under its powerful protection. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Odin was sitting in his room, reading a rune book, when he heard a loud bang on his door. Odin put his book in his spatial ring and opened the door. He saw a pale faced sailor sweating down his brow. "A ship of sea bandits lies just outside the island''s waters. It is heading toward us and we''ll be under attack. Get ready to defend yourself!" the sailor cried. "The sea bandits are not allowed to kill those on the small wooden boats, but you''ll have to defend yourself if you want to keep your valuables. Abandon ship or abandon life. Choose quickly! The captain says they''ll be boarding us soon!" "Finally!" Odin laughed. "I have finally have a higher chance to gain experience. I''m just going to use my fists and lightning. No need to reveal my fighting style." "Here they come!" one of the sailors roared and a black ship with a black flag sailed into view. Many mages must have been on the ship as ice javelins and fire balls came from the bandits and were aimed at the deck of the ship. The hull was not damaged as the bandits obviously did not want it to sink. Odin blasted apart ice javelins and fire balls with lightning as they approached his direction. He was glad he still had his demonic powers. He felt so OP in that moment under the constant barrage of fire and ice, yet he was unharmed while others died. As a Witch Knight, he was able to recover his mana faster as he was soon surrounded by dead bodies, he did not recover any HP as he was uninjured. He laughed as he remembered he was immune to fire and only blocked the ice javelins. Those who struggled to avoid both looked at him in surprise and fear while the barrage continued until the sea bandit ship arrived at the ship''s starboard side (right side) and the sea bandits began to board. Odin''s pants and shirt were charred but he put out the flame before they charred. "Gentlemen," Odin grinned, rolling his neck as lightning crackled throughout his body. "You''ll make a stress reliever after all my training." Odin charged at the knights, surrounding his fists with lightning as he sent them flying due to the voltage. He laughed as they tried to hurt him, their swords hitting his coat, but not drawing blood. He had resistance to pain and only felt his HP bar drop a little as he continued his slaughter. Sometimes he threw spears of lightning at them, pausing a moment to admire the weaker leveled bandits incinerate to ash. Heroes were always OP until they met a boss and Odin, after two months of training, was even more OP with his abnormally high stats despite his low level. "Your cur! How dare you enter my ship!" the sea bandit leader roared as Odin walked into the cabin with a bandit in both hands. "Boss!" one weeped. "He''s a monster!" the other said. Odin, as he had the Heartless title, felt no guilt as he tightened his hold on one bandits head and blasted him with lightning. The bandit''s body convulsed several times under the lightning before it became still. He dropped the bandit and had lifted the other bandit in the air using his monstrous strength. He turned the bandit''s head so he could see the leader out of the corner of his eye before breaking the bandits neck and tossing him aside. "Level 8 and 9 bandits are nothing but cannon fodder for my experience. I hope you''re more of a challenge sea bandit," Odin sighed. "I haven''t had enough experience to become level 12 just yet. It seems hidden classes require enormous amounts of experience as they increase in level. Will I gain a title after I kill you? Maybe learn a warrior art or spell for my class? Do you not have a mouth and a tongue? Are you so frightened that you cannot talk back?" "That title really makes you different as you fight," Trillion laughed. "Glorious. Just like a beast. Eat or be eaten! Kill it and be done with it. Better yet, kill the crew from the ship we are at! Then become a slime and travel to the island unnoticed with all their treasure! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Odin didn''t realize it but the more he killed, the more heartless he became. Whether it was the influence of the demonized dragon blood in his veins or the fact that he had become a monster, he didn''t know. All he thought, like any other gamer did, was that killing mobs gained experience and that the more you had, the easier the game got. The sea bandit captain was level 10 and cast three giant spears of ice at Odin. Odin used his warrior art, Lion''s Roar, to damage the ice spears and cast fear into the leader. He grinned as he saw that that the captain was a beast kin. "Oh I''m gonna have some fun with you," Odin said cruelly and sat down while staring at the frightened leader in the eyes. Beast kin were part beast and part human. As Odin was a higher level than the sea bandit captain, he used Eyes of the Beast to not only see through the sea bandit''s eyes, but control him as well. "What have you done to me? Why can''t I control my body!" the bandit screamed as Odin controlled the body and heard the bandit''s mind. "I am the Avatar of Beasts. You made a mistake attacking me. Now I can kill off everyone. I''ll kill the rest of your men and kill the passengers of the ship, leaving the sailors alive," Odin said using the bandit''s mouth. "Just enjoy the last moments of your life. Be grateful that you died at the hands of a Witch Knight. Witches are stereotypically evil and I never wanted to be a hero. I just want to be the strongest knight in the land. The strongest warrior, just like how I wanted to be the best martial artist on Earth. Well, time for the grand finale."
Title unlocked: Tyrannical Knight
You are a knight that only cares about your own interests. You don''t see the value of life and are a knight of death. Churches and temples all over the world will feel tremors of an ancient evil. They do not know that the ancient evil that walks among them is you. Paladins all over the world will hunt you down once your identity is discovered. The Primordial Beast is pleased with your actions over your weaker prey. +10 Luck +100 Prestige
"And there it is," Odin grinned in the bandit''s body. "I suppose a little part of me died upon getting the Heartless title. I wonder if I can still get a girl friend? I don''t wanna die a virgin." "That''s what you''re worried about?" Trillion roared with laughter. "Don''t worry. Some girls like boys with a dark side. Just finish killing the bandits and passengers, but why leave the sailors alive?" "I need witnesses to see that I didn''t kill them to avoid suspicion. They''ll think I was cast off the ship during the fight once I appear on the island a few hours after they leave," Odin said. "I suppose being a part of my mind makes you visible to me, even in another body." Odin made short work of the rest of the bandits as they foolishly turned their back to him as they believed that it was their leader in front of them.
Level Up
Current level: 12 Stat points unused: 5 Class stat points rewarded. Racial Stats rewarded.
After Odin killed the remaining bandits after he got the notice, he turned to the people on the other ship. He easily killed the ones who chose to fight and let the bandit''s body take many blows. As he was resistant to pain, he felt only some of the pain before he sent smaller, more accurate ice spears at the passengers in the wooden boats. He let one sailor on the boat think he got a lucky shot as he let an arrow pierce the bandit in the neck, his real body''s eyes opening as the bandit died. He quickly scoured and put in all valuables into his spatial ring before sparking a few lightning to ignite a fire and jumped out of the ship and changed into a purple king slime. He roamed the depths of the ocean while he waited for the sailors to return to their ship and leave. It wasn''t an event of the main storyline so the bandit leader was not an overpowered mini boss. As he was a higher level, killing an entire ship of sea bandits with levels lower than him was simply like grinding on weak mobs. As the sun set and day turned into night, Odin traveled in his slime form to Sea Wolf Cove. He turned into his demi-human form and let his body float and appear on the beach. The guards on the beach saw him and Odin kept his eyes closed as they approached him and felt his pulse. As a guard felt his pulse, he lifted Odin''s unconscious body and took him to his own home which was closest in town to the beach. Trillion described what was happening around Odin and told him he was taken to a small shack and laid down on a couch. Trillion also whistled and said a cute girl was tending to him. Unable to resist the temptation after many jokes of harassment, Odin opened his eyes and pretended to be confused. He rubbed his eyes as his vision adjusted and saw a girl about his age stare at him with medium brown hair and emerald green eyes. Odin was temporarily lost for words actually looked like a lost puppy. "Who are you?" Odin gasped before the moment passed and he recovered his wits. He noticed she had slightly pointed ears and wasn''t human. "My name is Lana and you are at Sea Wolf Cove," the girl answered. "My father found you and brought you here. He is one of the guard captains. A ship came by earlier after an attack by sea bandits. We got their logs and found that you matched one of the people described on their passenger list. You''re lucky my father found you. Take a moment to rest. You nearly drowned and must be very exhausted. Don''t worry. No one touched your clothes. I see you have a spatial ring on you left hand and very ancient ring with a lot of mana around your neck. You should change your clothes and replenish your mana. Demons and dragons are sluggish and feel weak if they have low mana." "That girl is no ordinary elf and the guard who found you is definitely not her father," Trillion warned. "Bandits pay tribute to this island for a reason. Never assume anything by appearance or trust any words of people who befriend bandits." Odin changed into a plain white shirt and pants with brown leathered shoes. He kept his white chain mail shirt and azure coat as they were enchanted and could not be dirtied. He put his used stat points in DEX and STR. He needed to be quicker and more powerful if he wanted to fight as he did on the ships. His ability was his demonic racial trait and did not consume mana. His lightning was a part of him as was his dragon flame with the exception of his spell, Shadow Flare. He shook his head and stretched his muscles before walking out of the room and heading downstairs where Lana was cooking. ------------------------------------------- "It has been several months since the Chaos have been attacking. The Witch King, himself, has led every charge!" King Reyard snarled. "Why does that monster keep attacking us?" "Calm down father," princess Reina said as they sat in the restored throne room. "We have three heroes who have assisted us in killing the civilians who turned and many elite knights and mercenaries who kill the stronger Chaos Beasts. The Witch King will grow tired of losing so many Chaos Beasts and turn his focus elsewhere." "The source of his wrath is that mysterious light that appeared and stole his ring out of thin air," Thomas agreed. "The Witch King has spread out his forces in order to find it, making it easier to defeat his army." "Your Majesty, don''t worry. My brother and I are level 21," Mariko bowed. "Our levels are increasing due to killing the newly turned Chaos monsters and the weak leveled ones." "Only the civilians who lived in isolation while people in the more populated areas were able to be evacuated without harm," Toshio continued. "I am also healing the injured knights on the battle field and have become a level 34 War Cleric. I have access to more widespread healing spells and support spells to aid the knights fighting the stronger Chaos Beasts," Elizabeth said. "It is true, thanks to the heroes, many of the areas attacked by the Chaos suffer less fatalities than other areas. Sure, almost a quarter of the Thousand have died, but we are enduring," Thomas said. "But for how long?" King Reyard asked. "How many more people have to die until the Thousand become strong enough to face, much less kill, the likes of the Witch King and the rest of the masters and creators of the Chaos. My people are suffering Thomas and am powerless to stop it." None of them said anything as they watched the king grieve. They all hoped that the Witch King would give up his search soon and that the constant attacks by the Chaos would end. They didn''t want the Witch King to attack other kingdoms, but felt that the people of the Baos Kingdom had suffered enough. (Author: This is a head''s up on the status of the heroes of the Thousand. Currently 741 heroes have survived and gained a class. 361 of those heroes have hidden classes. Odin is a level 12 Witch Knight Elizabeth is level 34 War Cleric (them healers....) Mariko and Toshio are both level 21 Marcus and Johnny are still alive.) Chapter 6: The Witch Blade (Author: Hello all. Odin has completed his training and killed several sea bandits in such a cruel manner, he gained more enemies. He also meets a mysterious elf named Lana in Sea Wolf Cove. Meanwhile, the three heroes who stayed behind in the Baos Kingdom have made astonishing progress in leveling due to constant fighting against the Chaos. In this chapter, Johnny, the boy who made friends with Marcus and Odin has spent the last few months fighting. Marcus arrives in the dwarven kingdom on a mission to access some ores in the mines. Little did they know, the Chaos were there. Odin also decides to stay a few days on Sea Wolf Cove and train some more there. He also decides on an alias that would soon become known all over the island and more. Enjoy.) Chapter 6: The Witch Blade "Are you sure we''re headed the right way?" Johnny asked. "We should have arrived at the mines by now." "I got me scouts up ahead. The roads are blocked Johnny boy. Calm down and let me scouts be," an old dwarf grunted. "Hey! Elf! Ye doin'' alright back there? You''re half dwarf ye know. Ye ain''t even wearin'' heavy armor. Aren''t ye assassins supposed to be nimble an'' stuff?" "Sorry General Ogdal," Marcus said. "I''m kind of mildly claustrophobic. I don''t do well in dark caves." "Bah! I blame ye elf blood in your veins. Come along now. Ain''t much farther to go," the general said. Some of the dwarven guards snickered and followed General Ogdal. They never met a dwarf, much less a half dwarf hero, afraid of dark caves. Marcus had arrived on his first solo C rank mission. He joined the adventurer''s guild in the Baos Kingdom and spent many months doing E, D, and C rank missions. However, he never did any solo missions. After a few weeks, he passed level 10 and got the hidden class: Shade Assassin. His class allowed him to become one with shadows and appear out of another shadow by looking at it from the shadow he resided. It was the perfect assassin class and he was practically invincible at night. However, he never accepted missions in dark caves. He felt too overwhelmed by both the darkness and how small caves were. Now he was level 22 and accepted his first solo C rank mission to retrieve rare ores in the dwarven kingdom under attack by the Chaos. He met Johnny as he waited for an audience with the king. Johnny had become a rank 20 Golem Berserker. It was a crazy hidden class and could only be accessible with a heavy price. Johnny had lost both of his arms as he fought before he reached level 10 and was saved by the dwarves. He couldn''t bear living without arms and tried to commit suicide many times until the dwarves decided to give him prosthetic arms from scrapped golem experiments. The magical transformation was complete and the golem arms fused to Johnny''s body. Now, Johnny wielded his massive battle axe he got from the Primordial of Rage in his right hand and a massive dwarven steel battle axe in the other. His class change actually changed his body, making him over six feet tall and a muscular build to match. He no longer looked like the teenager he did before that struggled wielding a battle axe with both hands. Johnny also got the title: Destroyer Golem and was respected by the dwarves for his resilience while fusing his new arms and his prowess in battle afterwards. "I know, I''m a badass," Johnny grinned as he saw Marcus stare at him. "I owe the dwarves a lot for giving me new arms. The place for you to mine the magical ores is up ahead." Marcus, Johnny, and General Ogdal arrived in a large hall fit for giants with piles of ore veins to mine from. General Ogdal gave Marcus a special pickaxe to mine the veins of magical ore without damaging them. Johnny relaxed with the dwarf guards and listened to their war stories. "Not good. Me scouts were supposed to arrive to switch rounds a while ago," General Ogdal frowned. "Oi! Sidel! Juggar! Go an'' scout ahead and find me other scouts. Somethin'' smells fishy and we dwarves hate fish." Both dwarves saluted and quickly ran to the other end of the hall. Just as they were about to leave the hall, one of the missing scouts appeared and fell on the floor, evidence of several bites and claw marks destroying his armor. One of the dwarven scouts cursed and beheaded the dead dwarf with an axe. "Chaos Beast!" the scout cried out in horror as a giant tentacle wrapped around the other scout and yanked him out the hall. Everyone else froze in shock as they heard a loud scream followed by the sounds of tearing of flesh and breaking of bones. Juggar, the last scout, ran back and shouted, "Run! Run like ye lives are at stake! Run!" The other side of the hall burst as a giant, tentacle boar entered the room. It was absolutely hideous. Impure planetary life force must have contaminated a boar, twisting its body and growing piles of crimson crystals over its body with giant black and crimson crystal tentacles coming from its rear. It was twenty feet tall and about thirty two feet long. Blood dripped from its mouth as another tentacle sprang forth and grabbed Juggar. "Blasted boar!" General Ogdal roared. "Ye killed me nephew! On behalf of the Silver Hammer clan, I''ll smash ye to a bloody pulp with me hammer!" "Johnny," some of the guards nodded and followed General Ogdal, a tear falling down Johnny''s face as he turned to grab Marcus. "We need to go! NOW!" Johnny cried and grabbed Marcus by the waist and lifted him up like a sack of potatoes. "Where a Chaos Beast is, the infected Chaos monsters are sure to follow! We need to warn the kingdom to stay away from the mine!" Sure enough, twisted forms of dead dwarves and the local wildlife in the mountains appeared behind the Chaos Beast. They ignored the dwarves as they heard the Chaos Beast howl. One of the guards locked the hall doors as Johnny dropped Marcus outside. Johnny fought against fifteen of the infected as they escaped through the doors. They bit and clawed at him, but Johnny killed them all. As they were not a Chaos Beast, Johnny was not tainted. "There must have been hundred of those things in there," Marcus panted. "There was only one Chaos Beast," Johnny said silently as he led Marcus back to the kingdom. "General Ogdal will be fine, but some of the guards will die. I glimpsed the Chaos Beast''s level. It was only a level 53 Chaos Beast. Probably newly turned too. General Ogdal is level 76. Even if Chaos Beast''s are overpowered, they can''t infect someone whose level is ten higher than theirs.Chaos Beasts usually travel in hordes just to kill and infect the weak. As it was just one, it must have been a scouting party. We got lucky. Some of the dwarves will come back home." Marcus blanched as he didn''t expect the stubborn old dwarf who yelled at him was so strong. If Marcus wasn''t a hero of the Thousand, he would probably have been beaten to death by General Ogdal for being afraid of dark caves. True to Johnny''s words, General Ogdal arrived back in the kingdom. Twelve of the thirty two guards and all four scouts died. General Ogdal said that the mine would be closed as it wasn''t a victory even though the Chaos Beast was killed. The Chaos had a hive-like mentality. What one saw, the others saw. The dwarven mine would soon be overrun and all the veins of magical ore would be lost. It was huge loss. ------------------------------------------------ "Are you sure you don''t want to go to Uzalga with the sailors?" Lana asked a day after the mine attack. "I''m glad you chose to stay here during your stay at Sea Wolf Cove. Not every day you meet a demon dragon Halfling." Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Yeah," Odin laughed awkwardly. "Halfling...sure. I chose to stay for a while longer because of the coliseum. You mentioned many powerful warriors and monsters would be fighting in the arena. Could I somehow participate?" "You can but your life would be forfeit," Lana said silently. "Most of the participants are usually prisoners who have broken the laws here. If you volunteer and survive, you may keep the monster core of the monsters you slayed in battle as well as a hundred gold coins or one mithril coin. There are many types of currencies, but the universal one is metal. 100 bronze coins is one silver coin. 100 silver coins is one gold coins. Lastly, 100 gold coins is one mithril coin. However, most people value a mithril coin more than one hundred coins as mithril is the lightest metal in the world and nearly indestructible. Only adamantium and dragon scales and bones can break mithril and both adamantium and dragon scales can break each other. The weird white chain mail shirt you wear is made of a mix of mithril and steel. However, it seems to be enchanted and is more durable than pure mithril. You must have known a powerful enchanter. If you can enchant items and sell it on the black market, your identity will remain anonymous and you can obtain some mithril coins." "I am a hero of the Thousand and was given this chain mail shirt by the Baos Kingdom," Odin said. "I enchanted this chain mail shirt myself." Lana looked at him, wide-eyed and said, "You should not mention that to others. Knowledge on runes is extremely rare and the runes on your mail shirt are so ancient that many of my people would kill for it. Not even the mention of a hero would give them pause to slay whoever owned that shirt or imprison whoever made the runes." "High elves still value their runes after all this time. I used to be in one of their temples long ago. It''s probably been centuries since the high elves disappeared and kept themselves hidden," Trillion mused. "Most of their race was forced to mix with wood elves. Wood elves were more physically gifted with warrior arts but were able to sense planetary life force and harness the power of life energy. She must be a mix. If so, her father, the wood elf, is her real father, but where is her mother? This girl might have high elven blood. I''m quite positive." "A high elf?" Odin murmured silently. "Do you still wish to go to the coliseum?" Lana asked. "You are a monster. I could see a bulge on your chest which must be a monster core. Don''t tell anyone you are a monster. You might be taken as a highly prized slave as you can transform and a hero." "I am a purple king slime," Odin said, staring at Lana. "Are you not afraid of me? I am a monster." "No," she said softly. "You haven''t harmed me or my father even though you are dangerous. As soon as my father and I heard of the sea bandit attack and saw the bulge under you shirt and chain mail, I knew that it was you who slayed them. Just be careful when you choose what kind of battle you want to participate in. If you get wet, the bulge will be more prominent. I suggest putting the core deeper in your body so that only a miniscule amount will show. I will wait for you to do so before I show you around the island. The coliseum fight starts in eight days. You should first familiarize yourself with the island and train in the eastern part of the island where the trolls live. No one would miss the disappearance of those menace." Odin nodded and felt a tingling sensation as the purple crystal core went deeper into his body, almost touching the muscles near his spinal cord. He shook his body and wore a simple white shirt and light brown pants with his azure coat and white mithril chain shirt hidden underneath. Lana and Odin walked outside where Odin could see many wooden shacks lined up with the harbor up ahead. He followed Lana in the opposite direction of the harbor and up the hill. They passed by many decorated buildings made with interesting architectural designs. "On the other side of the bridge is where the troll territory begins. Going there is suicide, but seeing as you are a monster, you should be able to see their mana strands and avoid going in the direction where they meet and become denser. Many trolls would be at the ends of those strands. The weakest trolls live near the bridge so you should start with killing them. Good luck. I will have my father sign you up for the tournament. It will cost some gold. What would you like your alias to be?" Lana asked. "You must also indicate whether you use warrior arts, spells, or both as well as what weapons you will use." Odin paused momentarily as he considered his situation. Odin took out a black robe with silver seams and transferred the runes on his azure coat to the robe. He put on the black robe and stored the azure coat in his jacket. He tested the robe and could summon a gold shield and curved swords all over the exterior of his robes like spikes similar to when he had the runes on the azure coat. He thought about his class and about revealing his demonic ability over lightning and draconic ability over purple demon dragon fire. He then thought about his now indestructible robe and mithril chain mail shirt and his overpowered strength and massive HP. "How about The Witch Blade?" Odin asked. "It''s a nice alias and fits my true fighting style well. I will use demon lightning and demonic dragon fire. I can create a golem, but I don''t intend to use such a slow minion and it is quite restraining to cast with such a high price. Say that I use a lance just in case but I will most likely use my fists. I don''t wish to reveal that I am a hero. As for a shield....I don''t plan on using it anymore. I am a Witch Knight. I might not be restricted in what weapon I can wield seeing that I can use these curved sword runes. Say that I am aspiring to defeat the Witch King. That''ll get a few laughs." "You are definitely more than you seem Odin," Lana smiled. "I will do as you have asked. I do agree on the shield. It is quite restrictive, but your coat has a shield rune so I do not need to report that you require a shield as it is made from a rune. Be careful fighting among the trolls. They are highly territorial and travel in packs. If they smell enough blood, they will hoard upon you." "Oh, I''ll be careful," Odin said menacingly as he took out Hex Lance. "I need to practice using my curved sword runes on my robe and will use my shield rune id need be. I just need to know one thing. Do they have monster cores?" "They do have monster cores, but the life energy in them is rather weak. They always convert the life energy they have to expand their muscles and become stronger. Anyone of them can crush a rock into dust. Do not let them grab you," Lana said. "Good luck. See you in eight days in front of the coliseum." "Finally, time hunt prey and feast upon them. Troll flesh is delicious. Trust me. I''ve eaten a lot of that race while I was alive. It is indeed strengthened by life energy and have very weak monster cores. You have proven the efficiency of your training over the effortless slaughter over the sea bandits. You are the Avatar of Beasts and will now hunt like one. Kill them all Odin. KILL THEM ALL!" Trillion roared with bloodlust. "Leave none alive!" Chapter 7: Tides of Change (Author: Hello all. Odin had become considered an ancient evil after he viciously took over the sea bandit leader''s body and killed people with it. The Chaos took over one of the precious dwarven mines and Odin heads to slaughter the trolls to prepare for the coliseum. The emergence of heroes were always accompanied by tides of change. The forces of evil only become stronger when discovering the emergence of heroes and a lot of horrible things happen. The Witch King is angry and new forces emerge from the shadows to take advantage of the Chaos attacks. Enjoy.) ---------Chapter 7: Tides of Change----------- "Why did you help the monster hero so much Lana?" a wood elf asked as Lana returned home. "Father, he is the Avatar of Beasts, the champion of the Primordial Beast. His name is Odin Argent and was summoned in the Kingdom of Baos," Lana said silently. "He is also a hero of the Thousand and has been courteous since he awoke. He knows I have high elf blood and, most of all, he carries the Dread Ring. The ring that was stolen from the Witch King. One of five all-powerful rings, two of which belonged to the Witch King." "He has the ring? Does he know of its powers?" her father asked. "He is a monster so he can harness it." "He does not know how. He was changed into a monster by a beast kin mage named Harker," Lana answered. "The crazed mage who is a follower of that accursed church," the wood elf cursed. "Then this, Odin, is being used. He just does not know it yet. If people find out he has the Dread Ring..." "No one has seen it and lived to tell the tale but our people," Lana assured him, sorrow in her tone. "We should be glad that only two Rings of Power remains among the Chaos. I led him to the trolls so that he may slay them to prepare for the coliseum. He wishes his alias to be Witch Blade." "If he is slaying in the troll territory, no doubt he will enter the cave and discover the dragon sealed there. He looked like a child of a demonized dragon. No doubt his presence will stir the dragon in its slumber." "It cannot escape its crystal prison, but perhaps he may be able to slay it in its weakened state," Lana said. "Arkilay, father, I do not believe that Odin is the ancient evil you sensed in the ocean, but I admit that he has the potential to be one." "No doubt we believed him to be an ancient evil if he used the power of the Primordial Beast in a malevolent method," Arkilay agreed. "The sailors claimed the sea captain leader was a beast kin and slayed his own men before killing the passengers, sparing the sailors. Observe him for now when he returns. Follow him on his journey from now on. Lead him to the high elves who have moved their kingdom to Uzalga. Do not let him meet with Harker and his fellows." "I, I understand father," Lana said and bowed slightly before she left to finish the request Odin asked of her. "I should return and inform my wife," Arkilay muttered. "I have now met with fourteen of the heroes who passed by Sea Wolf Cove, the major power and trade center in the sea. I also need to inform her of the Dread Ring." Arkilay immediately left his home and the cove after turning in his resignation to the island guards. He had much to report and longed to see his wife once more. ---------------------------------------------- In a black crystal palace on the other side of the planet, five individuals knelt before a throne made of dragon bones. Each individual was in charge of an army with separate objectives. One looked like a human clad in brilliant black armor, but his eyes were completely black, as if his pupils fused with his irises and overcame the whites of his eyes. He radiated black mana and had a pure black sword at his belt. If one leaned in closely, he could hear screams coming from the blade. This individual was Cuortag Black Sword, a fallen warlord of ancient times granted immortality by the Fallen God. He was the leader of his army of orcs and goblins. He army was in charge of invasions. The second individual was a large gorilla-like creature with blazing red fur and a third eye on the middle of his forehead. He was the leader of an army of demonic beasts and was known as Gorjak. His army was in charge of subjugation and breaking the wills of rebellion in the hearts of the populations successfully invaded by Cuortag''s army. The third individual was called Yazala, an arch lich who was responsible of creating more undead to protect the realm and summon dangerous beings to serve their Fallen God''s will. The fourth general was a dark elf dressed in black and crimson fur armor with a giant staff in her hand made of twisted wood and blood crystals, mana stones created by sacrificing the living through a dark ritual. Dark elves had skin the color of stone and lived in the darkness and were superior in espionage and smithing of mithril. Her army was her God''s eyes and, sometimes, the dagger he covers in blood. Her name was Izlara. The fifth general was a demonized dragon in human form and was in charge of creating weapons and armor for the other armies. His army alone was responsible of protecting the Fallen God. His name was Venos and he was the Right Hand of the Fallen One. "Something has awakened me," a low voice said from an orb made of shadows that permeated from the bone throne. "Izlara.....did you find out what it was?" "Fallen One, your servant has indeed discovered the cause," Izlara bowed, her voice full of utmost respect and devotion. Before her was just a speck of the Fallen One. That speck alone granted immortality to the five generals. They could only be killed if the speck was killed, but the Fallen One would remain unharmed. Not even the five generals know where the true body of the Fallen One was or the depths of his power. "It came from the sea between Uzalga and the Baos Kingdom," Izlara reported. "Each of the heroes was granted a weapon by the Primordial Gods, but very few were made champions. The one in the ocean was a champion who used his powers for a malevolent purpose." "Only the first act of malevolence can be detected. The power of the Primordial God the hero used was one that belonged to a higher echelon. It belonged to an ancient Primordial God I haven''t felt in a long time: The Primordial Beast," the speck of darkness said. "It felt changed. The hero was obviously not a beast as it would have been even more powerful and received more powers. This one was a hero and a monster, thriving with planetary life force." "It must be the hero who stole the Dread Ring from the Witch King. My spies have confirmed that the WItch King is frantically spreading his forces. It seems like he lost something important to him. If a hero has life force and he was located between Uzalga and the Baos Kingdom, then he wields the Dread King," Izlara bowed. "So another Ring of Power is taken from the Chaos....." the low voice said, pausing for what seemed like an eternity as the hearts of the generals beat furiously. "...I have decided. It is time to invade the land. Cuortag and Gorjak, I turst you generals have not lost your skills since the last invasion?" "Of course not, Fallen One," they cried in unison. "Very good. Invade the lands near my kingdom. Yazala, it is time for you to summon fiends once more. Venos, you will train my forces here and enlarge the numbers of my army. The Chaos will try to stand in my way. Only the weak can be infected. If they remain weak, feed them to the stronger ones alive," the voice ordered. "As for you Izlara, send the dark elves after the champion who owns the Dread Ring. Capture it and bring him to me alive and without any of it missing. As it is a monster, I can use my power on its core and subjugate it to my will. I will soon have two Rings of Power. I must own the Dread Ring and its master! Do not fail me." "By your will, Fallen One!" the five generals shouted and left the throne room in a flash. ---------------------------------------------- Odin felt a shiver down his spine and shook his head as the moment passed. He had spent the last hour running back and forth to the bridge while he fought the trolls. He had two major problems and three facts he learned about his body. The first problem was that the trolls had a heightened sense of smell for blood and killing one troll attracted dozens more. The second problem was that the trolls used ice magic. Odin''s true worm was a purple king slime and he realized his body was highly vulnerable to ice magic as he was light magic. He was never harmed by the sea bandits'' ice magic as he overpowered it with his lightning, but they came from a singular direction. Even the bandit leader attacked him from the front. Trolls had fur layered with ice and life force. Not only were they brute strong, but they could freeze a target on contact. Odin''s demi-human form felt and looked like a half human and half demonized dragon, but it was originally slime. His hand froze as he met a troll''s punch and Odin staggered back as it was blasted to pieces. Thanks to his resistance to pain, he felt only a numbing sensation. In his rage, he blasted all the trolls with lightning, killing enough to escape to the bridge. The second fact he learned about his body was that he regenerated rather quickly as a hand of purple slime would appear followed by transforming to match the appearance it had before of a demi-human hand. One time he even had his head bite off as a troll bit him from behind. His vision went dark once before his head regenerated. He realized as long as his core was undamaged, he could regenerate his body as a slime monster did. To people who didn''t realize he was a monster, he would seem as if he was immortal. The final fact of his body that enlightened and excited him the most was when he devoured the corpse of a dead life form. He could transform into a perfect likeness of that monster, just like his demi-human form. So far, he could become his true form of a purple king slime, a crimson slime, his demi-human form, and a troll. Trolls were fifteen foot high brutes with the body of a muscular human with white fur and the head of a baboon. They had low intelligence unless they were in groups. It seemed that the more trolls were gathered together, the smarter they became. Odin decided that if he saw a cool monster, he would kill it and devour it in his slime form. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it With each race he ate as a purple king slime would gain a fragment of their memory. Odin learned more about trolls and about how they lived. The trolls on the island were guarding some sort of sacred creature sealed deep in their crystal cavern home. Only the weakest of trolls were sent to the bridge to discourage the people on the other side to stop them from trying to free the creature. Odin very much wanted to eat it if it made the trolls fight to free it to such an extent. Perhaps the monster core of the creature would make up for the weak cores of the trolls. "Seems like this training will actually pay off quite nicely," Odin murmured as he began eating monster cores as a slime before turning back to his demi-human form. "Thanks for the meal." As he saw a fragment of the troll''s memories, he saw what he looked like through the troll''s eyes. Odin was a five foot ten demi-human with light brown hair, black dragon horns pointing back above his ears, and glowing blue eyes that sent chills down the troll''s spine. He saw himself incinerate troll after troll with lightning. He saw himself laughing as he skewered a troll with Hex Lance. He saw one troll frantically tear at its chest as it was hit by a Hex Bolt, its eyes full of terror just before it blew up. He saw troll after troll blow up, vaporize by lightning, or destroyed by the lance. All the while, Odin was shouting with bloodlust and adrenaline on how much experience he was getting. He saw the trolls attack with fervor as his hand shattered, but quail in fear as his head also shattered only to see it regenerate out of a purple liquid of sorts.
Level Up
Level Up
Level Up
Current level: 15 Current stats unused: 15 Class stats awarded. Racial stats awarded.
Odin shrugged as he didn''t gain a title, but he didn''t expect to get a title for every little thing he did. Now that he was the same level as the weaker trolls, he moved deeper toward the crystal cave, leaving fields of dead trolls behind him. One horrible truth he learned that eating a body of another race not only gave him the ability to transform into it, it also increased the amount of experience he needed to level. Even after killing fifty two trolls only gave him three levels as he ate the body of a troll after his first encounter. If only he knew the side effect before eating the body. As he decided on the alias of Witch Blade, he would become known as Witch Blade or Odin the Witch Blade to those who knew his real name. They would see Hex Lance and assume he was a very powerful warrior. He was not known as a hero outside the capital of the Baos Kingdom save for the shop keepers, guards, Thomas, and the royal family. No one would know he was a hero of the Thousand unless he publicized it and he would be a fool to do so. He was summoned a s he hero but he didn''t want to be one. He wanted to be the most powerful knight and his OP stats and abilities were slowly taking him there. He spent the following day resting to improve the ancient runes on his mithril chain shirt and black robe. He copied the instructions in his ancient rune books and, under the additional guidance and knowledge of Trillion, was able to modify the ancient runes even further. The shields he could summon were now made of mithril as well as the curved swords he could create from his robes as spikes and control at will. As for his mithril chain runes, he couldn''t come up with any new additional rune enchantments or effects he deemed necessary. He quickly used pure mana to dispel the dirt from his body as he changed his clothes and put on the chain mail shirt and robe again along with the rest of his clothes replaced. By the time he was done, it was night fall and only six days remained. Before he went to sleep, he summoned his golem. It now stood at five feet but all other characteristics were the same as before. It moved a little faster but was still slower than the average human. He was blissfully unaware of the danger coming his way as he fell asleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marcus was distraught as he returned to the guild in the Baos Kingdom and reported the news to the guild attendant there. They were also shocked about the loss of a dwarven mine and gave Marcus some gold as the mission became a solo rank B mission upon the appearance of a scouting party of the Chaos appearing. "Welcome back Marcus," Mariko smiled as she saw Marcus return to the palace to sleep. "How was the guild mission?" "I failed it. The Chaos are getting more aggressive in their assault on the dwarven kingdom in the mountains. Does it even have a name?" Marcus asked. "There are so many that we just don''t say the name as there is no need for it," Thomas answered as he arrived with Toshio. "How goes Hero Johnny? I heard he suffered a horrible accident." "He has...recovered," Marcus said silently. "Not what he once was physically, but he has mentally improved. Is the Witch King still leading the charges here in the Baos Kingdom?" "Not since an ancient evil was detected by a church down in the town," Toshio answered. "It would seem that a hero who became a champion of the Primordial Gods is misusing his power. I heard that such a hero would be destroyed in the Immortal Realms according to some of the higher tier priests of the church and that they were instructed by the immortals they worship to find and withdraw the power from the hero and place it in someone more worthy. I''d avoid the churches and temples on this planet. They are more like a cult of fanatics than they are people of religions." "More than that, it seems that whoever misused that power also owns the Dread Ring," Thomas continued in a hushed tone, beckoning them to a more secure location so that the guards could not hear them. After they arrived in the throne room with only the king and Princess Reina in their company, Thomas continued saying, "The Dread Ring is one of the five Rings of Power. The Witch King used to own two of the rings, one of them being the Dread Ring. Each of the Rings of Power have devastating abilities. No one but the wielder knows what it is as they change per wielder. So the hero who now owns the Dread Ring will access a different kind of power. What it is, I pray we do not find out. I wouldn''t worry though. The Dread Ring could only be used by those who can harness life energy. No one but the Witch King and his ancient foes know what it looks like. It could very well look like your special spatial rings you each own." "So people are looking for this dark hero?" Marcus asked. "Yes, but most nations and empires are investigating why all the heroes who should have become heroes of the knight class, in your words, were killed. I believe that Hero Odin chose to be a knight in the future? He has not appeared in the Hero Circle during the attacks so I assume he is either dead or still within the Baos Kingdom. It is a long way to the harbor to catch a ship to Uzalga. It takes about two years on foot unless he hired a mage with enough power to cast a greater level teleportation spell." "He''s alive. He''s still active on my friend list like Johnny," Marcus said as he paused a moment to read something invisible in front of him. "My friend list says that he is a level 12 knight. Too bad it doesn''t say if he got a hidden class or not. Johnny is still a level 20 berserker but I know for a fact he has the hidden class Golem Berserker. I guess the friend list only indicates their main class, level, and whether or not they are alive. Should I contact him?" "No," King Reyard warned. "Only we know that he chose to be a knight in the future and a few more who know that he is a hero. Whatever killed the heroes who wanted to become a knight must have had a reason for it. So long as Hero Odin does not reveal that he is a knight, he should be fine." "I will have our spy network investigate their deaths father," Princess Reina said. "Marcus, you should continue your guild work and please notify us of any significant events that transpires during your journey. I will send one of my spies to notify Elizabeth of what we discussed and to continue to support the troops on the frontlines. According to Mariko and Toshio, she is leveling at a tremendous rate there. It is prudent that she remains there. Mariko and Toshio will continue their instruction here and assist in the evacuation of civilians when help is required. I will summon you all once I have more news." "Yes, Your Majesty," they all bowed and left. "The Witch King has not attacked and the kingdom is calm on the surface at least," Thomas said as he and the king were left alone. "We need not worry about him personally appearing for now." "Thomas, how goes the research on the corpses of the infected? Have the mages found a cure or some kind of method to prevent the change?" the king asked. "No, but some of our best medical mages and light mages have gathered and I will personally assist them in the task. Worry not, Your Majesty. It will be done," Thomas bowed. "The we can launch a counter offensive and drive out the Chaos from the kingdom permanently without fear." Chapter 8: The Crystal Cavern (Author: Hello! Now both an ancient evil (the Fallen One) and the Chaos both want their hands on whoever owns the Dread Ring. The King of the Baos Kingdom begins investigating why the heroes who chose to be knights were all killed. Lana''s father, Arkilay, returns to the high elf kingdom to report to his wife. Odin, after devouring and witnessing fragments of a troll''s memories, is curious as to what kind of ancient creature would make all the trolls so desperate to free. Enjoy.) ----------Chapter 8: The Crystal Cavern------------- Odin thought the world had gone mad or, at least, the sky did. Odin awoke as he felt his monster core react. He automatically transformed into a slime, and his body trembled. The night sky had become red, just as it did during the Chaos attack from before. This time it was different. Odin could sense vibrations from the azure and crimson mana strands and it hurt. It was as if the sound waves were unnatural and it had some sort of effect on monster cores. Trillion tried talking to him but it kept appearing and disappearing from sight. Trillion was part of his mind and it seemed as if Trillion was fighting something. Odin propelled his slime body forward. He saw trolls die left and right as they had gone mad. He discovered that eating their cores helped keep him sane and kept eating it. Then he saw something he didn''t expect.
System Notice
You have begun quest: The Red Sky Incident Many Chaos Beasts have breached the surface and tainted the air with their crimson, impure life energy. Heroes all over the world are fighting the monsters who have gone mad due to excessive impure energy. Only monsters with lower levels of evolution are affected. Survive and retain your sanity until the Chaos Beasts are slain. Devour the monster core of the creature in the cave to evolve. Hero Rewards Heroes who survive this quest will be awarded gems for their weapon upgrades. The Fallen One will begin capturing heroes. Fallen One will pursue the Dread Ring. The Chaos will become less aggressive for three months. + 10,000 experience +10 mithril coins +10 gold +10 silver +1 bronze Personal Rewards Receive Grimoire Dragon Pants Receive gem for Hex Lance upgrade
"Holy.....this must be one of those major storyline quests. To actually receive a weapon upgrade and a new piece of armor? Who is this Fallen One? Capturing heroes?" Odin repeated, confused. He realized every hero would receive a quest at the same time and that there were possible variations for each hero as he got the Ring of the Witch King and others didn''t. Whoever had the Dread Ring was probably priority number one.
System Notice
You are the owner of the Dread Ring. Must be able to harness life energy to use its special powers.
"Oh f*ck! It''s me! I got both the Witch King AND the Fallen One after me?" Odin cried in shock. "I definitely need to keep my identity as a hero on the down low. For now, I need to eat monster cores and kill that ancient creature in the cavern to get rid of this damn headache." Odin continued to eat monster cores while his monster core shook less and less violently with each core eaten. Odin did not know what Trillion was fighting, but he was pretty sure it was because of Trillion that he did not go insane now after seeing the system notice. He would occasionally position himself behind another troll if one troll went to attack him in its rage. He would finish off whoever won with a lightning bolt from his body and eat both of their monster cores. It would not take Odin long to reach the cavern but he decided to kill all the trolls outside first as they would regain their sanity after the event. Odin wondered what triggered the event in the first place. After forty minutes, all the trolls in the area were dead and Odin was nearing the level cap to level 16.
System Notice
Heroes alive before the quest: 741 Heroes slain: 54 Heroes alive: 683 Heroes tainted by the Chaos: 17 Heroes turned into a Chaos Beast: 1 Heroes turned into monsters of the Chaos: 16
Odin waved the notice away as it appeared before him, blocking his vision. As Odin entered the dark cave, water dripped from the rocks above. Odin paused once to see if Marcus was still alive on his friend list. Relieved his best friend was still alive, Odin continued making his way to the heart of the cave where the creature was sealed. He saw some trolls unaffected up ahead and counted five of them. The trolls roared as they saw Odin and charged at him. Odin blasted them with lightning and slowed them down enough to move his slime body out of their path. The trolls had to bend low as they tried to claw at him. Sand sprayed everywhere as their brute strength crumpled the rocky ground to sand under their onslaught. Huge chunks of Odin''s body would freeze and shatter and Odin would frantically get out of their way as he regenerated. He roamed between their legs, spreading purple demon dragon fire below him. The trolls would scream and Odin blasted lightning around him, finishing the trolls off. Odin had no time to rest and ate their monster cores before moving on. He could feel more of his mind losing control. Trillion was starting to lose against whatever he was fighting. Odin had to kill the creature quickly or fail the quest. Odin stopped in awe as he appeared in a large clearing in the end of the cave with a huge dragon with its entire body from the neck down trapped in some kind of crystal. "YOU!" the dragon roared, creating a shockwave with its voice that sent Odin back two feet. "I smell demonized dragon blood in you! Disgraceful! Why does a slime have such dishonorable blood?" "Now, how did you get trapped in there? This is gonna be a hassle to obtain your monster core. I suppose dragons really are monsters. Pure blooded ones anyway. If even you can''t get out of the crystal, then I''ll just have to absorb you into my body to devour you and your monster core. Be grateful. You made me a dragon slayer like in the legend," Odin laughed. "My only regret is that I''ll have to earn even more experience to get to the next level. What a drag." "I''ll burn you, insolent slime!" the dragon roared and breathed a large river of fire at Odin. Odin didn''t move and continued to laugh as the fire engulfed him. The dragon''s eyes bulged as it saw that he was unharmed. "Impossible! Slime''s are weak to fire and ice! Dragon flame is the epitome of all fire. Nothing burns hotter and brighter than dragon flames besides the sun!" the dragon roared. "I am one of the four Elder Dragons! You cannot eat me!" "Tut tut," Odin sighed. "For one of the great Elder Dragons, you''re level is too low. Much too low. Only level 37? I suppose maybe the crystals sealed so much of your power, it would have been a better fight if you were whole. Oh well. My mind is breaking and I need to eat you to keep it. I''ll evolve and probably level a lot when I eat you." "NOOOOO! To be eaten by a slime! NO! Stay back! I can give you my riches! I can give you dragon magic!" the dragon pleaded. "Sorry. System notice said my true form''s a purple king slime. Can''t learn anymore dragon or demon magic. Not that I mind. I can manipulate lightning and demon dragon flame in whatever shape I choose. Spells and warrior arts? They just restrain you and cost you mana. Riches? I don''t really care so long as I have enough to get what I want," Odin sighed as he hopped in his slime body and landed on the dragon''s head. "Just be a good old lizard and accept your fate. Begging for your life only makes you more pathetic. Killing you is so easy because you can''t do anything. Well, your little vexations make it a bit more entertaining." "I won''t let you!" the dragon roared, but it was unable to use ay dragon magic and could only use its flames and create shockwaves with its mouth. It roared and twisted its head, but the shockwave originated from its mouth outwards like an invisible, expanding cone. Odin was very much safe from the powerful shockwaves atop the dragon''s head. Odin''s body suddenly expanded as purple slime extended from his monster core and wrapped around the screaming dragon. The dragon roared more dragon fire, but it was no use and slowly, painfully, dissolved into the purple slime as it was eaten alive. If slimes had a mouth, Odin would probably burp loudly. Odin didn''t think it was possible to burp telepathically. Odin''s purple crystal monster core shook as it absorbed the body and the dragon''s monster core. Odin sighed as he didn''t want to absorb the body as it meant that it would take even more experience to level. Odin''s slime body began to lose shape as the monster core shook. Azure and crimson mana strands suddenly ripped and were being absorbed in Odin''s monster core as if it was a black hole. Odin screamed as he felt as if he had bones being fractured over and over. After two minutes of constant agony, Odin''s crystal monster core was white and orange. His slime body stabled and materialized into a bright orange goo that spread around the monster core. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
System Notice
Congratulations! You have evolved into your third evolution. Evolved from a stellar slime to a purple king slime to an imperial impurity slime. You are now a slime among slimes. You are life energy form in physical form. All slimes will worship the ground you hop on in your slime state.
Completed quest: The Red Sky Incident
You have eaten an elder dragon and evolved into an imperial impurity slime. Your body can now contain impure planetary life force without conversion. You have retained your sanity and will keep your mind in control. Trillion will rest after constant fighting within your mind. Hero Rewards Heroes who survive this quest will be awarded gems for their weapon upgrades. The Fallen One will begin capturing heroes. Fallen One will pursue the Dread Ring. The Chaos will become less aggressive for three months. + 10,000 experience +10 mithril coins +10 gold +10 silver +1 bronze Personal Rewards Received Grimoire Dragon Pants Received gem for Hex Lance upgrade
System Notice
You have become level 27. Your rank is 257 out of the surviving 683 heroes. All awarded stat points have been determined automatically. You now require one hundred times as many EXP to level. Restriction to dragon form: Level 50. Titles have been restricted to 7. Stats will no longer be increased for all heroes. Heroes have become a threat due to abnormal high stats. System has begun balancing. Due to evolution, stats have been awarded. System is now balanced.
"I''m stuck with my stats? Well, some games have a limit and this is like real life. It didn''t indicate that my level won''t increase. I guess that is fine. Levels and skills are the ones that determine how effective stats are. Not the stat amount itself. " Odin roared as he transformed into his demi-human form. "I couldn''t even choose where my selectable stats would go. It''s convenient how I''m already wearing the Grimoire Dragon Pants. My body seems to have changed as well as my lance."
Odin Argent
Race: Imperial Impurity Slime Level 27 HP: 567/972 MP: 643/700 EXP: 27, 431 Class: Witch Knight
Statistics
STR: 107 VIT: 101 DEX: 95 INT: 92 WIS: 89 LUCK: 71 Prestige: 173
Titles
Hero of the Thousand Enemy of Dragons Golemancer Fiend Savior Avatar of Beasts Life Energy Devourer Tyrannical Knight
Equipment
Rune Spatial Ring (Restriction Odin Argent) Impurity Spear Grimoire Dragon Pants (Restriction: Odin Argent) Enchanted Mithril Chain Mail Enchanted Black Robe Spirit Prison Necklace (cannot be unequipped) Dread Ring (cannot be unequipped)
Gem Evolution
Hex Lance has evolved due to a strange crystal that sealed an elder dragon. Hex Lance has become Impurity Spear Weapon now radiates impure life energy. Hex Bolts have tripled in power.
"Interesting," Odin laughed as he stared at his new body. He was now five feet eleven inches and his hair reached the middle of his back. The pure life energy veins that used to be visible around his core vanished. His now orange and white crystal monster core was in his chest. Impurity Spear now comprised of a dark wooden shaft with a crimson snake coiling around it. Out of its mouth at the top of the shaft was a shining, acute, and triangular spear head made of mithril with a small triangular metal within made of a strange orange metal. The eyes of the snake were made of an azure crystal. The entire spear itself was indestructible as it was still a weapon of a Primordial God, even with the materials it is comprised of. Odin was sad that he would not be able to speak to Trillion as the lion spirit would be in a deep slumber for who knew how long. He was truly on his own now. There was no doubt in his mind that he was strong with so many of his stat points close to 100. He didn''t have to worry about titles or stat points anymore and just had to focus on his levels. He felt as if his real life was less of a Virtual MMO. He probably had a few days left until the coliseum. He couldn''t wait for all the carnage to begin and test out his upgraded spear. Since his stats would never change, he knew his limits and could focus on a fighting style that suited him without having to adjust for his stat changes. Now it wasn''t a matter of stats but a level of skill. It was the difference in levels and skill that would determine if Odin could become the strongest knight now. Odin was well pleased. Odin spent the next few days experimenting with his new body and practicing his spear techniques. He would cook the troll meat and eat it in his demi-human form. He still needed to eat, but only if he wasn''t in his slime form. He wanted to turn into a dragon, but he would have to wait until he got to the level requirement. The Chaos Beasts that caused the event were killed along with all the infected but the hero who became a Chaos Beast. No one knew where the former hero went. It was the first humanoid Chaos Beast and its existence scared a lot of veterans. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Twelve dark elves in black armor stood over a few dead bodies on a bandit ship to Sea Wolf Cove after raiding port cities in Uzalga. The dark elves disposed of the bodies and stared silently at the captain and a quarter of the crew they left alive. They needed the bandits alive to sail to the island where their target was waiting. "According to some of the bandits, it seems the coliseum will host many fights in the arena. Someone even took the alias of Witch Blade. I believe this person owns the Dread Ring," one of the dark elves whispered to their leader. "Then we shall head to the coliseum and find our target," the leader said. "The general said to capture him alive and in one piece. That means we must defeat him and use sealing runes on his body. For the glory of the Fallen One!" "Glory!" the dark elves shouted, scaring the bandits. They had sailed and plundered many ships for many years. They knew about the Fallen One and screamed in their hearts. Whoever the Fallen One wanted on Sea Wolf Cove was doomed. None of them doubted it. Even if the dark elves were slain, more would be sent. It never ended until what the Fallen One wanted done was done to perfection. (Author: And that pretty much sums up the end of an era. Literally. Stats are no longer applied (unless you somehow change your race or evolve like Odin). Another way to change stats would be to replace pieces of yourself like Johnny and his prosthetic golem arms that boosted his strength and allowed him to wield two battle axes (two-handed weapons) in each hand. Now the only way to survive was to depend on your level and skill. Stats are just a bonus but it is how you apply those stats and apply your training that will allow you to defeat or kill your foes. The pace will get slower now as the plot thickens. Enjoy.) Chapter 9: The Coliseum (Author: Hello all! Happy Father''s Day. Someone asked about Odin''s stats so here goes. Like the last chapter stated: Odin is ranked 257 out of 683 heroes. That means there are at least 256 heroes stronger than him through a combination of stats and levels. Odin''s stats are high but he is not the strongest. However, his experience is the most unique given what he''s been through. The time has come to introduce the arena! Blood! Death! Someone ending up as lunch for another while another loses his lunch watching it. The carnage! The adrenaline! All that good stuff. Odin returns to Lana and they head to the coliseum. The dark elves sent by General Izala have also arrived in Sea Wolf Cove. All that''s left for them to do is to find who has the Dread Ring and take Odin to the Fallen One. Enjoy.) ------------Chapter 9: The Coliseum----------------- Odin used his spear to mine some of the crystals that once sealed the elder dragon. The crystals were obviously very powerful and he could use them as materials for his enchantments. He tested out his mithril shield and curved mithril sword spikes as he imagined being attacked by a swarm of trolls. After fighting imaginary trolls for thirty minutes, Odin stopped and stared at the now empty crystal cavern. One day he would transform into a dragon that looked like the one trapped inside. He would look like large dragon with brilliant black scales and dark purple eyes that would instill fear when looked upon. The only difference was that he would be much more powerful than the one he absorbed. Trillion remained dormant in his mind and he hadn''t hear even a whisper since the event ended. He only had about three friends: Marcus, Trillion, and Lana. Johnny was in his friend''s list but he barely new the boy for half a day before they parted ways. To the rest of the world, Odin would be cruel and relentless if they wronged him. Kindness for kindness and bad for worse. Odin wrinkled his nose at the smell of rotten blood and burned the bodies of the trolls with demon dragon fire. He did not want to start a plague with their rotting bodies. If you killed something, you had to destroy the body or bury it very deep. Some people just overlooked the small details and real life was different than a game or story book. If a hero tried to save the village, he could, but he might overlook some of the long term affects of his choices. A wise man once said, "For every action, there is a reaction. For every wrong, a right. An endless cycle of balance and imbalance. In the end, there is no life without death. No beginning without an end." Odin finished burning the bodies and destroyed the cave before returning to the bridge. He took one last look at the direction of the cave before continuing down the path to Lana''s house. He paused as he saw her watering her flowerbed in front of her house. The scene reminded him of how peaceful his life once was before he followed Marcus to the gaming convention where it all changed. He was no longer human now and he saw mana strands everwhere he looked. They were permeable though but sometimes the thicker strands glowed and blocked what he would have seen if they didn''t exist. He could stop the mana flow near his eyes to not see the strands, but his life was in danger now. Peace had become a dream now. There was no character selection or in-game store to alter his character. He was stuck for what he was: a monster, wanted, and knight with abilities no one had on Earth. "Hello Odin," Lana smiled as she saw him walk to her. "You''ve become stronger. The life energy is more vibrant around you as if you are made of it." "Hey Lana," Odin said softly as he followed her into her house.. "A lot happened during my training. The trolls are dead and the dragon is gone." "You killed it?" Lana asked. "Yeah, for an event. The Chaos attacks should be halted for about three months save for individual actions," Odin nodded as they sat down around a table. "I also read something about the Fallen One. He is chasing me as well as the Witch King." "No," Lana gasped as her face turned pale. "This is bad. The Fallen One is an ancient evil that has existed since before the Chaos. When my people and the other races of this world besides the beast and monsters appeared on this planet, the Fallen One was ruling it. The records of my people state that the world was covered in darkness before the Fallen One was driven back and split into many pieces. Most of those pieces were sealed away. A small speck of the Fallen One escaped and controls a small kingdom on the other side of the planet. If he is chasing you, he has begun trying to rule the world. He''ll desire the Rings of Power once more. All five used to be his, each representing one of the five primary elements of nature. The elements are wood, fire, earth, gold, and water. Each of the Rings of Power hold absolute authority over one of those elements. The Dread Ring contains the power over the element of wood. The Witch King was feared due to his power over earth and wood. The reason the Chaos can escape their prison world beneath the earth is because of the Witch King and his Ring of Power." "Then these primary elements are the most powerful of all the others. I had always thought it was fire, air, water, and earth," Odin sighed. "Those are the four basic elements of mana, the fuel for our spells and warrior arts," Lana replied. "The records of my people say that the army of General Izala is the Fallen One''s eyes and ears as well as the dagger in the knight. They are an army of dark elves who specialize in espionage and assassination. I would not trust a dark elf. Chances are, they work for General Izala. I will accompany you from now on, if you''ll have me. I know much about the dangers you face and hope that you meet with my people instead of heading to the capital of the beast kin in Uzalga. I can''t say much, but what I can say is that you are being used by Harker." "It seems that there is much I don''t know," Odin laughed weakly. "I trust you Lana. I''m glad to have you by my side. I just hope you''re accustomed to running for your life as I have many enemies. Dragons, the Witch King, and the Fallen One all want me for their own twisted purposes, dead or alive. After the fights in the coliseum, we leave for Uzalga. We''ll head for your people as you wish. Elves must have fountains of knowledge and I would be foolish to reject an opportunity to access it." "Great," Lana smiled. "Now as for your fight in the coliseum, there are many things you should know about it first. The fights in the coliseum are not just for one day. It lasts a month and occurs every three months after it ends. There are many tests to undergo for some of the more difficult fights for a volunteer. As much as the island loves fights, the masters of the islands only enjoy seeing the wicked die without a fight. If you do not prove you are strong enough for the fight, you will not be able to participate." "So it''s like an elimination to weed out the weak and prevent a fight that lacks entertainment. The more equal the fight, the harsher and bloodier it is as well as more unpredictable. These kinds of fights make the most money for gambling," Odin nodded. "I assume there are ranking systems and different kinds of matches?" "The rankings are pretty much like the adventurer''s guild. The ranks from weakest to strongest are F,E,D,C,B,A,S and SS. However, there is never any arena fights ranked S or above. Furthermore, just because a fight is given a rank, doesn''t mean that the arena is very powerful. There is more than one kind of interpretation for strength," Lana answered. "There are fights where only one man can survive out of a group of five or more. There are individual fights against other participants or monsters. There are also fights with group against group. I will watch you fight from the stands and try to see if any dark elves are hiding. The trials to qualify for the fights is tomorrow. I suggest resting first. Tomorrow is a big day. Some will try to assess your true power. Best to hide your power and display only a little amount over the bare minimum qualifications." "I see. Thanks Lana," Odin said and went upstairs to the guest room to rest.
System Notice
System will now install updates. Alpha Phase has been completed. System has been remodeled. All racial changes will now finish integration. Prosthetic limbs will now be altered to feel like the original. Heroes who are part human will now feel hunger based on their race. Evolutions are now inaccessible. Partial genetic changes are still available. Racial changes are still available. Physical appearances will be revised. Beta Phase now commencing. All heroes awarded Vessel of Deities.
Received Ark of the Phantom
For surviving the Alpha Phase you have received a Vessel of Deities. An orb containing a small piece of a Deity''s power. Allows the hero to transform into a seven meter tall giant of armor. Hero cannot die while transformed. Restriction: Odin Argent. Uses mana upon use. Transformation ends when all mana is consumed. Restricted access until level 40. Charged with impure life energy.
Learned: Eclipse Desolation
Unlocked a class skill. By gaining the ark with the power of the Phantom Deity, you gained his power. Incorporating its power, the Witch Knight can blast a wave of energy at the opponent. Non-elemental energy wave.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
System Notice
Deities are powerful immortals who live in one of the 9 Immortal Realms. Primordial Gods are the master of Deities and live in the Divine Realm. Current location: Mortal Realm.
Odin and other heroes who were sleeping woke up upon seeing the constant system notices. Each of them finally unlocked a class specific skill incorporating the power of a Deity. The whole world trembled as each hero received an orb which was an ark they would use to transform. Ancient ruins began appearing all over the world and new types of monsters and new continents appeared as the world even expanded and doubled in size. No one but the heroes knew what was going on. The alpha phase was over. Just like in a game, the world was reformatted and edited for new content and improved gameplay. Stats were officially locked and titles were no longer awarded. In the Divine Realm, the Primordial Gods were amused as their new toy was upgraded. Now the world would become even more entertaining. The world expanded and the Chaos took advantage. The Chaos took over most of the new lands that appeared and ceased all attacks while its creators and masters, such as the Witch King, began making their plans. The tides of change have come and gone. Now the planet had to adjust to the changes made by the tsunami. They had born witness to a greater power they could never understand and had no ideas that they were just pawns in a game to the Primordial Gods. Odin grabbed his stomach as the global expansion of the planet ended. He felt a hunger he never experienced before. His glowing, iridescent blue eyes gazed at the mana strands around him. They had seemed to change. They were more dispersed and many of the crimson and azure mana strands seemed to break off and plunged into the earth. Lana ran upstairs to Odin''s room to make sure he was alright. She gasped as his hair had turned abyssal black with some hair strands the color of a dark orange like his dark orange and white monster core. She felt life energy emanate strongly from a strange orb that appeared beside Odin. Odin put the orb in his spatial ring and stared at Lana. "Do you have a monster core?" Odin asked. "I need to feed. The world changed somehow. As a Hero of the Thousand, I know this. I can feel the hunger of a monster now. I''ll probably need to feed on monster cores often." Lana quickly gave him a monster core from her spatial ring and watched Odin press the monster core against his own crystal monster core and watched it dissolve into impure planetary life force and disappear in his chest. Odin sighed in relief as the hunger passed and thanked Lana. "It''s morning," Odin murmured as he saw that the night suddenly changed to dawn. "The world has changed. Nothing we can do about that. You should go ahead and eat breakfast Lana. I''ll join you downstairs later when we leave." Unsure of what transpired, Lana nodded and headed downstairs. Odin would always need to feed on monsters and devour their cores now to survive. He would no longer absorb monster cores to evolve, but to survive. He changed into his usual gear and left for the coliseum after an hour. He joined a large line that formed outside the coliseum. There were several open areas where tests would be conducted. The first test was a test of strength. Anyone who wished to volunteer in the gladiator games in the sands of the arena within the coliseum had to break at least 20 boards made of ebony wood, wood as hard as steel. "This test usually eliminates some of the weaker people already," Lana said as she gave him one of the boards that would be used. "The wood is as hard as steel. Usually people who only want to participate in the weaker fights pass only the first test. You''re Volunteer Number 71: Witch Blade. It would be best not to say your real name while you are here." Odin had both hands on the ebony wood board. Curious as to how strong it was, he pulled it from both sides. He smiled awkwardly as it tore in two quite easily. He incinerated it into ash with his lightning before Lana looked back. "The tiles are quite hard right? No magic can be used to break the tiles. It should not be hard for you, knowing what you are. Just don''t stand out too much unless you want to fight in the gladiator games with several of the strongest gladiators gather to fight very powerful monsters," Lana said and saw him smile. "Ah, you do wish to participate in that arena. The requirement to fight in the most deadly fight is to break 50 boards. The minimum requirements are high for all three trials. There are also seven rounds of slaughter before the grand finale with the most powerful of beasts there." Odin waited until it was his turn. He tapped the board lightly and turned away. The number of boards he broke were fifty seven. He started toward the next testing area when someone got in his way. The man was over six feet tall and quite muscular. However, he only broke thirty eight boards and did not qualify for the top ranking arena games. The big man pointed a huge pike made of a mix of mithril and steel and pointed it at Odin''s face. "You cheated Witch Blade. Someone like you could never break fifty seven boards with a simple tap. Furthermore, you dare call yourself Witch Blade," the man laughed, the crowd clearing. The man was a very powerful local with a reputation. No one wanted to get on his bad side. Odin merely glanced at the man before grabbing the pike and crushing it in his fist. The man was only level 18 and people were scared of him? It seems the rankings did not consider levels in the eyes of the heroes. Everyone who saw paled as he crushed the pike. Even if it wasn''t pure mithril, such strength was definitely out of their expectations. "Just be glad we''re not in the arena," Odin said as he grabbed the color of the man''s shirt and pulled it forward, smashing his forehead on the big man''s face. "If we were in the arena, you''d have more problems to worry about than a broken nose and a few missing teeth. Get lost." Odin ignored the cursing big man and felt a bang sound a moment later on his back, forcing him forward one step. He looked back and saw the big man stare back at him, wide-eyed, as he looked between Odin and the crushed pike in his hands while blood flowed down his face. Odin gabbed the guy''s arm and used sent a spark of lightning in the man''s body. The crowd watched as the man twitched violently before he slumped to the ground, unconscious. "All fools," Odin spat and turned to face Lana. "Are all these people as weak as that guy?" "No," Lana said, smiling as she gestured to the next area. "But most of them are." Odin and Lana walked to the next testing area while some people in the ground pulled the poor man out of the way to continue the first test. Odin paused as he detected small waves of azure and crimson mana strands converge on someone watching from a distance. He looked to his left and saw an elf with skin the color of stone and glowing purple eyes. "Lana, what do you see to our left hiding behind the wall over there," Odin whispered to her. "I see a wood elf," Lana answered as she took a quick glance. "Wait, I can sense enormous mana strands around her. It must be some kind of illusion magic. Why? What do you see?" "It appears that the spies of this General Izala who serves the Fallen One you mention before are quite good in their job. Most likely they will participate in the arena where I will fight," Odin said. "The spies and assassins always work in groups of twelve," Lana warned. "Four to scout the target. To determine the target''s strengths and weaknesses. Four to join them to assassinate the target. Half to fight from a distance while the other four fight face-to-face. The last of the four assassins oversee the mission and are the strongest. They intervene should the other eight fail. The last four never fail. Two of the twelve always know necromancy. That way, not even death can stop them from their mission. How many do you see?" "All twelve of them. Not only that, they seem to have noticed that we saw them and dissolved their illusion. They know I won''t run. Seeing as they revealed themselves, their objective is not to kill me," Odin observed. "They must know you are a monster," Lana realized. "They must aim to take you to the Fallen One to bind your monster core and make you his slave. What do you want to do?" "I''ll kill them in the arena. I chose to be a knight and I gained the Witch Knight class. I will face them head on and skewer them with my spear," Odin said, the bloodlust rising within him. "I want those monster cores and the flesh of monsters to cook and eat. Since the events of last time, I have an unending hunger for monsters. I always feel a need to feed. The hunger can only be controlled, but it always comes back. I can''t let some dark elven assassins stop me." Lana nodded and Odin passed the second and third test with ease. The second test tested his reflexes while the third test tested his speed. Odin and the dark elves stared at each other as the other twelve also passed the trials. Odin cracked his knuckles and couldn''t wait for the first of the fights in the arena. He found out one of the dark elves would be fighting with him in his first fight in the first round with nine others surrounded with various monsters. The fight would end when all monsters were dead unless the participants wanted to keep going until one man stood standing. "I''ll start with one and slowly kill my way until you''re all dead," Odin said silently as he and Lana walked past them to return to her home. "Try to make it entertaining. I killed a dragon and it wasn''t much of a fight as it had its magic sealed. You should be better than that. I''ll be waiting in the sands in the arena. You better bring the best armor and weapons you got because I''m going to kill that dark elf first before I kill and take my prize, the bodies and monster cores that are just waiting for me to take them all and devour them." Chapter 10: First Blood (Author: Hello all! I am still looking over The Necromancer King. I did say it was a short hiatus. I will resume writing The Necromancer King sometime in the near the end of this week. This means the chapters for this story will have a larger gap between releases as The Necromancer King is my main story. Don''t worry. I will continue writing this one. I have written a story a while back maybe two years ago(?) on super heroes and villains lol. I might upload that in the future if I stop writing one of these two stories. Most likely, I won''t but I did have a few failure stories. Anyway, Odin has returned and fights the first fight of seven rounds of Elimination Hoard with one of the dark elf assassins sent to capture him in the match. The games begin in this chapter! Sorry for the long author''s note this time around.) ------------Chapter 10: First Blood-------------- "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Coliseum of Carnage, the center of our humble Sea Wolf Cove!" the arena master shouted at the one hundred thousand packed. circular coliseum. "Yesterday, we had many people who actually volunteered to participate in the games! As we have done three months ago, we save the main event for each day for last! Today''s main event is the first game of sand and blood of the first round of our greatest arena game of our beloved coliseum: Elimination Horde!" The crowd roared with glee and excitement before the announcer continued, saying, "Yes! YES! Wonderful! The games these time have drawn quite the crowd. Rumor has it, we have two heroes here among us! They are participating in the last match of the first round! As you know, there are a total of seven rounds. Only ten people can pass per round. If nobody dies for both teams participating in the first and second match of the first round...well...you can expect BOTH TEAMS TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH! Both of the heroes hail from the dangerous continent of the beast kin: Uzalga! Both of them are well known warriors in Uzalga and I hope to see them last to the final round! They are also of the beast kin race, a race dominant in warrior arts and with a few famous mages among them!" "YEAH" "Kick their a*ses!" "Beast kin RULE!" "Get outta here fur ball!" "Hahaha. What a lively crowd. Four gladiator games will commence before today''s main event! You can expect no less blood and death from any one of them before the main event! Place your bets, prepare your snacks, control your whores, check your breeches, and enjoy the games!" the arena master yelled, the crowd roaring with approval. Odin was waiting with the other participants for his turn in the arena. Volunteers could wait for the arena games and their friends or sponsors could see the arena through mystic crystal mirrors specifically enchanted to act as a screen. Volunteers waited in a lavish hall next to the arena with plenty of drinks and food and had access to the arena''s armory. If they survived at least three rounds, the volunteers could keep the weapons and armor they used and can choose to drop out at any time. Prisoners and slaves were in their own halls with little food and drinks and were given worn down weapons and armor to fight with. Prisoners were not expected to survive, but the masters of slaves who did received huge monetary rewards for supplying fighters for the games. "Do you know what monsters I''ll be eating, I mean killing?" Odin asked while he and Lana watched the other fights from the mystic mirrors. "The first round is always the easiest and has trolls. They''re probably the last of the trolls on the island," Lana answered. "There are also nine other fighters. One of them you already know." "One of the dark elves sent by General Izala under the Fallen One''s orders," Odin nodded. "Yes. The dark is registered as the alias Fell 2. The others are called Fell with numbers 3 to 12. The commandant of the assassins is called Fell Leader. Fell 2 is a master of twin swords and most likely uses pure mithril swords and black leather armor with the main parts of the body made of pure mithril. Luckily, the weapons of the heroes are rumored to be able to cut through mithril, adamantine crystals and dragon bone and scales. Your only problem is hitting the dark elf," Lana explained. "You''ve probably been training with the spear for a few months, most likely when you first arrived here. Dark elves usually have methods to seal their target''s mana temporarily. Use your lightning and demon dragon flame as they are your abilities and don''t require mana. At least, that''s what the records of my people stated." "It''s true," Odin grinned. "They don''t require mana and I can freely manipulate them in any shape I choose. I can also regenerate any wounds and have resistance to pains and poison. I have immunity to fire, water, and lightning. I''ll be fine. Tell me about the others." "Four of the others are prisoners, all of them convicted for theft, murder and rape. They were sea bandits who ventured into the island''s waters without paying the fee," Lana said as she saw Odin frown. "They will each be given iron armor and an iron sword and shield. The remaining four are slaves. Each of them are given full steel armor and weapons with various enchantments. They must be the strongest slaves of their master to be given such expensive equipment. None of them will pose a threat to you." "I''ll let them deal the with trolls. My priority is to kill that dark elf," Odin said as he stared across to the other end of the hall and waved at the assassins. "Sve tre knurl horus kala," one of the dark elves snarled. "Malik sura walka lu musa," another of the dark elves said as he put his hands on the first dark elf. "Calm yourself brother. We''ll capture the monster soon. You are one of the four in charge of assassinations. Paralyze him and trap him as we usually do for capture missions." "Yes leader," Fell 2 said, calming down. "I will not fail." The dark elf pulled over a dark hood and mithril mask on his face and brandished his mithril swords. Strands of silver hair could be seen around the mask beneath the hood, dark purple eyes glaring at Odin. Odin withdrew Impurity Spear and stared back at the dark elf. Approximately two hours later, it was time for the main event. "Ladies and gentlemen! The time has come! The first arena game of the first round of the Elimination Horde has begun," the arena master cried, his white steel armor shining as he stood in the center of the arena while all eyes paid attention to the four gates. "In the western and eastern gates, we have four slaves and four prisoners. This arena game has a twist as all four slaves belong to the same master so you can be sure they''ll team up together!" The crowd booed as the prisoners came out, throwing food and other items at them. The prisoners in their iron armor held their heads down as they stood thirty feet to the right of the arena master. The four slaves, dressed in their enchanted steel armor and weapons, stood thirty feet to the arena master''s left. "And in the northern gate, we have our two volunteers. Volunteers that have shown remarkable scores during the trials. A dark elf of unknown origins, Fell 2! The other is a spear wielder and demi-human with demonized dragon blood, Witch Blade!" the arena master roared, the crowd cheering as Odin and the dark elf assassin appeared and stood in front of the arena master, their grips tightening on their weapons. "Oooh! It seems these volunteers have a grudge against each other!" the arena master cried. "Excellent! I hope you''re all ready. As a safety precaution, we have magic barriers placed above the arena stands so that you can enjoy the carnage and mayhem, no matter how dangerous it is without fear of your life. The first round is tradition, but might be the last time as our pestilent neighbors, the trolls, were mysteriously wiped out a few days ago. Even the dreaded elder dragon, who has been sealed there before the masters of the island even built our beloved island homes and coliseums, has been slain. Please rise and bow to the honorable masters of Sea Wolf Cove!" The arena master left the arena and invisible magical barrier soon appeared as five people in gold and mithril armor appeared and sat on the podium. They were the five masters of Sea Wolf Cove. The leader, a member of the beast kin with crimson wolf ears and tail stood proud and greeted the audience. His name was Tylock the Sea Wolf. He was joined by his wife, two daughters, and his youngest child and only son. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Let the main event begin!" Tylock roared as he clapped his hands after he sat down on his throne. Fell 2 and Odin immediately stepped away from each other. Odin shot a bolt of lightning from his left hand, the dark elf dodging by rolling on his right. Odin slammed his left hand on the ground, bolts of lightning spreading like a web. The dark elf cursed and used magic to create a wall of earth to neutralize the wave of lightning. Taking advantage, Odin ran toward the wall, pausing as he used his warrior art, Lion''s Roar. The dark elf was stunned with fear long enough for the earth wall to shatter and smash into the dark elf with a few large fragments. The dark elf did a somersault as the fragments only pushed him back due to the mithril armor and threw daggers of mithril as he spun upright. Odin laughed and blasted the daggers away with a large magnetic pulse created by his lightning. The dark elf ran towards him, twirling his twin swords. Odin let the dark elf draw near and then used his shield rune to summon a mithril shield as he simultaneously cast his warrior art, Gravity Repulse,. The dark elf was blasted backwards by the sudden push of gravity and landed heavily on the floor. The crowd cheered at first while they saw the prisoners devoured by the trolls and exploded with excitement as the four slaves grouped together and fought the trolls. The sudden fight between Fell 2 and Odin shocked the other half of the coliseum who were closest to them and they also cheered madly. Lana smiled and cheered along with many of the other volunteers who survived the previous four fights. Only the eleven remaining dark elves did not cheer, their eyes narrowing as they saw Fell 2 struggle. Odin deactivated his shield rune and did a mock bow at Fell 2. Fell 2 roared with rage as he stood up and threw dour strange rods in a box-like formation on their half of the coliseum. Odin recalled seeing such rods used as a memory from the elder dragon flashed in his mind. Those rods sealed mana and only the owner could continue to use mana. The rods were fused to the owner by blood so the dark elf would not be affected. Odin gestured to the dark elf, lightning crackling over his body. "Are you done yet? Tre vur juk daye?" Odin mocked in dark elven using the elder dragon''s memories. Fell 2 roared and cast six fire balls, simultaneously in his direction as the dark elf ran forward. Odin rolled his shoulders and grinned. Odin had changed after he evolved. He could sense the mana in another living body and watch them move as if they were in slow motion as his reflexes had improved exponentially. He laughed as the fireballs hit him and blocked the dark elf''s strike with its twin swords. The dark elf''s eyes opened in shock and screamed as Odin returned fire with fire, opening his mouth and breathing a small river of demon dragon fire at the dark elf. "Argh!" the dark elf screamed as he was hit by the demon dragon fire. The dark elf cast a large orb of fire around himself, but the fire didn''t go out. "Demon dragon fire," Odin shrugged. "Not as powerful as pure dragon fire, but ordinary water still cant'' put it out." The dark elf muttered a stream of curses as he removed his upper armor and hood, pieces of his mask melted, revealing his left eye up with the edges of the mask burnt away. Odin paused for a second as he stared at his chest, seeing a mithril sword halfway embedded with rune carvings on the side of the blade. He recognized the runes to be ancient runes of severing. It made sense for it to cut through his mithril chain mail as the sword was also made of mithril and equally enchanted. "That hurt," Odin snarled and pulled out the mithril sword with his left hand. The dark elf, the masters of Sea Wolf Cove, and everyone else watching their fight were shocked as Odin pulled out the sword, his wounds regenerating with some some orange liquid. "What?" the dark elf gasped in shock. "Hmmm? You look like you never saw someone regenerate before?" Odin laughed as he tossed the mithril sword aside. "Did you think I was an easy target?" The dark elf tossed his other sword aside and drew out a stringless bow, runes glowing along the wood. Odin frowned as an arrow of light appeared as Fell 2 pulled his arm back as if he was drawing on an invisible bowstring. Odin quickly threw bolts of lightning at the four rods, breaking them. Odin jumped back as he summoned another summoned another mithril shield and focused it on his chest as a magical arrow of light streaked through the sky. Odin grunted as the arrow pierced through the shield and hit him on the left a below his right shoulder. Another arrow flashed and hit Odin as it hit his stomach as he was knocked back by the pain of the first arrow. Odin snarled as he regained his footing, his wounds regenerating once more. He used Lion''s Roar once again, temporarily stunning the dark elf with fear. "That bow''s a pain," Odin said with bloodlust and used Hex Bolt. A large ball of crimson and black energy burst from Impurity Spear and slammed into the dark elf. The dark elf''s bow and the left arm that held the bow burst from the psionic energy bolt. The dark elf screamed as a little from the left elbow down disappeared and suddenly gushed with blood. Everyone watching the fight stood to their feet. The mithril armor that covered the dark elf''s left arm had also been blown apart and they had never seen such magic. However, it wasn''t a spell or warrior art as it was an ability granted to Odin when he first obtained Hex Lance which upgraded due to an evolution gem into Impurity Spear. Odin sent three more Hex Bolts, destroying the rest of the dark elf''s limbs. Odin ignored the dark elf''s screams as he slowly walked to him. Odin stared down at the dark elf and raised his spear at him. Odin paused as he felt an arrow bounce off the back of his black robe. He stared back and saw the four slaves, one of the slaves holding a bow. Annoyed, he left the dark elf to bleed to death and created a whip of demon dragon fire. He whipped it around and let it slash on the slave who shot him. The slave screamed as his body, armor flesh and all, burnt to ashes as it was knocked back by the force of the impact. Odin felt the mana disappear behind him and knew that the dark elf had died. He let the other three slaves kill the rest of the trolls before ripping out the monster cores and outing them in his spatial ring. The three slaves were tense with fear and were relieved that he did not kill them. Odin was not evil. He only killed those who tried to kill him with the exception of those who had monster cores inside them. "The fight is over!" the arena master declared knowing Odin had left them alive for the next round by his actions. "Four have survived to the next round! You will see them in a main event in eight days! Let''s give a round of applause to our fighters and the winning gamblers! Good show! Wonderful fights!" Odin stared emotionlessly at the dark elf and sent a ball of demon dragon fire at it, putting it out after the body burnt to a crisp. He stared at the holes in his chain mail and shirt and used his mana to repair them. After they were fixed, Odin turned and left the stage, followed by the slaves who dare not to leave first in case it would insult him. Lana smiled and handed Odin a cup of water, relieved he was alright. The eleven dark elves glared at him but didn''t dare to do anything as they decided to return and make countermeasures for the next engagement. Two of them were participating in the second fight of the first round and would meet Odin in the arena if they survived. They left the hall first, not bothering to collect the ashes of their comrade. Brothers and sisters in the dark elven army were used to death. Those who died were considered weak and would eventually be replaced if the dark elven team of assassins returned successfully. "One down," Odin said silently as he and Lana left the hall and headed back home. "Two more will soon follow."