《Age of Eternity》 Chapter 1: Into the Haven Builds. I love builds. Min-maxing everything is such a delight. Finding the gear that brings out my character''s greatest abilities and boosts me to the top of the rankings... that¡¯s where I thrive. In Royale Online, I was unbeatable. I could have ruled the game forever, if Blazer, the guild leader of the Sun Bringers, hadn¡¯t kicked me from the guild¡ªthe top guild, mind you. And all because I took his spot on the leaderboards. The guy couldn¡¯t handle it. Without that safety net, it didn¡¯t take long before I got chased out by the other guilds. I still crave that thrill, that edge of always being the best. And that¡¯s when I saw it: Age of Eternity, a game unlike any other. And with it, the EternaLink, a full-dive VR system exclusive to the game. This wasn¡¯t like the usual VR headsets¡ªit was a new level of immersion, a full-body experience that felt real. Costly? Definitely. But worth every cent if it meant escaping into a world where I could push my builds to the max, with endless skills and synergies to explore. I ordered it the same day, and when it arrived, I wasted no time. Laying down, I fitted the sleek headset around my head. As soon as I booted up the game, an array of brilliant colors enveloped me, and the title screen appeared with a sweeping orchestral score: AGE OF ETERNITY. The music was grand, an operatic symphony that gave me chills. The login sequence was seamless, scanning my face as an ID tag, before dropping me into character creation. The game¡¯s races materialized in front of me: Hyrian, Elvas, Dwargo, Cyrilan¡ªall classic fantasy archetypes with their own unique traits. I scanned through the stats, calculating potential builds. The Hyran''s magic bonuses were tempting, and Elvas had a natural affinity for magical damage. But the Cyrilan race offered a balance between strength and intelligence, perfect for a hybrid playstyle. Decision made, I selected the Cyrilan race. Next came the aesthetics. I¡¯d usually go for black-and-white hair, my signature look in Royale Online, but this time I opted for stark white hair paired with jet-black armor. As I customized, a small notification appeared on the screen: ¡°Choosing your base colors extends to every piece of equipment in the game, maintaining your color scheme.¡± Perfect. No more wasting time dyeing my gear over and over just to keep my look consistent. It was exactly the kind of streamlined detail I appreciated. Finally, I named my character Astraeus. In an instant, the world blurred around me, and I found myself standing in a dusty, sunlit courtyard that looked like it was plucked straight from some ancient civilization. Worn stone statues lined the edges, and a tall, imposing NPC clad in cracked stone armor loomed nearby. ¡°Welcome to Age of Eternity, Astraeus,¡± came a deep, resonant voice that seemed to echo across the courtyard. ¡°To begin your journey, proceed up the path and speak to Commander Garrick for your training.¡± Taking my first steps, I felt the immersive control; no lag, just fluid, lifelike movement. I followed the path, my anticipation building. Commander Garrick, a towering figure clad in stone-like armor, awaited me at the end. He nodded as I approached, his voice resonating as if he¡¯d spoken my name a thousand times. ¡°Welcome to basic training, Astraeus,¡± he rumbled. ¡°Choose your weapons¡ªSword, Daggers, Staff, Bow, Three-Quarter Staff, Hammer, Glaive, Whip, Scythe, and even Wands. You can combine two weapon sets for unique combinations, but if you¡¯re after magic¡­ that power requires patience and practice. For now, try a quick combination.¡± I scanned the options, fingers hovering over each. Normally, I¡¯d go straight for the wand to kickstart a magic build. But I remembered something from the forums: the wand was bugged right now, spells misfiring and casting inconsistently. Why the devs hadn¡¯t removed it from the lineup was beyond me, but I wasn¡¯t about to risk my initial build on it. ¡°Sword and bow it is,¡± I decided, selecting them with a decisive tap. This combo would give me a solid balance¡ªreliable close-range power and long-range versatility. Testing the sword, I watched as a small chain counter flickered on my HUD, tracking my attacks. I grinned, thrilled by the precision as I switched to the bow and fired a few quick shots into the target, watching the chain counter climb higher.* Commander Garrick seemed pleased, nodding approvingly. ¡°Well done. Now, proceed to Haven and speak with Oril the merchant for your first task.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. I nodded back, selecting the ¡°Nod¡± gesture, and turned to follow the path down toward the city gates. As I stepped out of the training ground, the sprawling city of Aeternum Haven unfolded before me. Its medieval architecture, vibrant marketplaces, and bustling streets were a testament to the game¡¯s immersive design. Players and NPCs mingled around, each absorbed in their own activities. Some were seated on benches, deeply engrossed in books with a ¡°Reading in Progress¡± icon floating above them, while others lounged or napped with a faint ¡°ZZZ¡± status¡ªa seamless integration of real-world actions into the game¡¯s fabric. I took a moment to observe, appreciating the attention to detail. This wasn¡¯t just another game where players ignored the lore and focused solely on leveling. Age of Eternity encouraged immersion, rewarding those who took the time to explore its depths. Approaching Oril, the merchant, I could see the worry etched into his virtual face. ¡°You there! New blood, are you?¡± he called out, gesturing toward the crates stacked beside him. ¡°Could use a hand if you¡¯ve got time. Goblins ransacked one of my shipments outside the walls. Think you can retrieve it for me?¡± First quest, classic starter. I accepted with a nod, and the quest tracker marked a spot on my map, just beyond the city gates. The goblins outside were a decent test for a starter build, and I sliced my way through them with ease, feeling the raw satisfaction of well-timed strikes and parries. The combat felt as real as it gets, even giving me a slight twinge of soreness after I swung too wildly. When I finished, I returned to Oril, who gave me an approving look. ¡°Well done, Astraeus. But if you¡¯re aiming to get stronger, you¡¯ll need a Class Permit. Without one, you¡¯re limited to the basics.¡± He gestured toward a towering cathedral-like building in the city¡¯s heart. ¡°Head to the Sepulcher. Speak with the Guardian Dragon there and lay your hands upon the relic. That will unlock your true path. And you¡¯ll gain access to the Atlas of Power¡ªa sprawling tree of abilities that will let you build a character unlike any other.¡± My heart raced. I¡¯d heard rumors about a massive skill tree in Age of Eternity, but the Atlas of Power sounded like a min-maxer¡¯s paradise. An extensive passive skill tree that synergizes with active skills? This was exactly what I needed. I hurried toward the Sepulcher, passing players browsing vendors, some idling on benches or reading in-game lore with books in their hands. The attention to detail in this game was unmatched. Inside the Sepulcher, the light dimmed, the air thick with the scent of ancient stone and incense. At the center of the chamber lay a massive stone relic guarded by a serpentine dragon, its eyes a molten gold that seemed to follow my every movement. I approached slowly, laying my hands on the stone. ¡°Seek power, do you?¡± its voice slithered through my mind, deep and resonant. ¡°Place your hands upon the relic, Astraeus.¡± As soon as my hands touched the stone, a sprawling web of nodes¡ªthe Atlas of Power¡ªappeared before me, stretching infinitely in every direction. Paths led to skills enhancing speed, damage, resilience, and others branching off into more esoteric powers. I felt a thrill of anticipation. Each node was a piece of potential, waiting for me to shape it. Scanning through the Atlas, I noticed a single node that many players likely missed: the Loremaster node. It was tucked away in a less prominent branch, easily overlooked by those who rushed through the skill tree. But for me, as a min-maxer, it stood out. I selected it, feeling a subtle surge of energy as it integrated into my build. The Loremaster node granted me lore bonuses¡ªmore experience, additional skill points, and increased gold drops. It also unlocked special lore quests that offered unique gear not found in the auction house or trade boards. These quests delved deeper into the game¡¯s history, rewarding those who engaged with the lore with artifacts that could be crafted or imbued with traits tailored to my build. Perfect for someone like me who loves optimizing every aspect of my character. As I navigated the Atlas, the Loremaster node became a central pillar in my build strategy. It wasn¡¯t just about raw power; it was about understanding the world and using that knowledge to gain tangible in-game advantages. This was what set me apart from the majority of players¡ªthose who sped through levels without considering how the world itself was programmed to evolve. They missed out on events like the Tombs of the Ancients and the hidden bonuses that came with the Loremaster node. Leaving the Sepulcher, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Atlas of Power wasn¡¯t just a skill tree; it was a roadmap to mastery, rewarding those who took the time to delve into the lore and uncover its secrets. As a minority of players who understood the system, I was already ahead of the curve, avoiding guild affairs and public arguments to focus on my own path of optimization and discovery. As I continued my journey, I couldn''t help but feel that Age of Eternity was more than just a game. It was a living, breathing world with hidden depths waiting to be explored by those who dared to look beyond the surface. And I, Astraeus, was determined to uncover every secret it had to offer. Chapter 2: Loremaster It was a novel idea, of course¡ªthe Loremaster node held the key to my goals. Unlike the usual paths players took, where speed and efficiency reigned supreme, the Loremaster path offered something unique: quests that led to the heart of the world¡¯s history and mysteries, hidden from those who merely skimmed the surface. Standing in the bustling town square, I brought up the Atlas of Power, eyes skimming over the vast web of nodes. At first glance, it looked like leveling was solely quest-based, but the intricacies were deeper. Each node seemed to influence not just power but my understanding of the game itself. The forums were already buzzing with theories and strategies, most of which focused on weapon mastery levels and dungeon grinding. Efficient leveling paths, optimized builds¡ªjust the usual min-maxer fare. But the Loremaster path was still an enigma, discussed only in hushed speculation. Most players breezed past it, dismissing it as "fluff." But if this game was as immersive as it claimed, fluff was exactly what I needed. Selecting the Loremaster node caused a notification to flash in my HUD. The first Loremaster quest appeared before me in glowing text: "The Ancient Tombs: Find Scholar Valari in Twilight City." Twilight City was the regional hub, a sprawling metropolis known for its intricate architecture and player-driven economy. It seemed like everyone would have to pass through there eventually. I took a deep breath, anticipating the journey ahead, and began my trek. For the next two hours, I scoured the area around Haven, searching for hidden lore or clues I might otherwise miss. I delved into forgotten shrines, examined ancient-looking statues, even eavesdropped on NPC conversations. Yet, all I uncovered were faint echoes¡ªwhispers of a world that had once thrived, fractured by something dark and consuming. Despite finding little in concrete lore, the time wasn¡¯t wasted. Every interaction, every ambient sound, made the game feel more alive. But now, the path to Twilight City awaited. As I neared the main road, a group of players stood off to the side. They looked seasoned¡ªgear shimmering, weapons ornate. One of them turned to me with a smirk. "Hey, newbie," he called, his tone a bit too smug. I took in his armor, which was almost excessively decorated for a level 60 Knight. PvP wasn¡¯t enabled at low levels here, so I didn¡¯t see the harm in at least hearing him out. ¡°Help you?¡± I asked, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. "You need a party to help you level? We¡¯re all high-level,¡± he said, gesturing to his team. "We even have a guild." I shook my head. ¡°No thanks,¡± I replied evenly. ¡°I prefer going solo.¡± The man¡¯s expression shifted, a frown creasing his face. ¡°PvP is enabled at level 20,¡± he warned, voice tinged with a hint of malice. ¡°You might want to be careful when you leave the safety of Twilight City.¡± It was a threat, plain as day. But I was unfazed. By the time I hit level 20, my build would be well on its way to perfection. Still, I kept my response curt. ¡°PvP? Not interested. Thanks.¡± As I walked away, his attempts to call after me faded into the background, lost in the wind that swept through the open grasslands. The game¡¯s attention to detail continued to impress me¡ªthe sway of tall grass, the rustling leaves, even the crunch of dirt underfoot. Tiny rocks lay scattered along the path, and with a flick, I picked one up, tossing it casually into the distance. Small things, but they hinted at the depth and care that went into this world. Finally, the city loomed on the horizon. Twilight City was a marvel, a sprawling, gothic metropolis that somehow felt both grand and oppressive. Towers reached toward the sky, connected by arching bridges, while bustling crowds moved along its cobbled streets. Entering the Grand Square, I took in the lively scene: players hawking their wares, guilds recruiting newcomers, and merchants selling rare weapons. But none of that interested me, not now. I had a mission. As I moved deeper into the city, a familiar figure in the crowd caught my eye. It was a face¡ªno, an avatar¡ªI thought I recognized from Royale Online. A memory stirred, but I pushed it aside. There were more pressing matters to attend to. After some wandering, I finally located the temple nestled near the edge of town, its massive doors adorned with symbols and runes. Inside, a robed NPC stood, her serene expression framed by flowing, silver hair. This had to be Scholar Valari. As I approached, her gaze met mine, and her voice was smooth, almost reverent. ¡°Greetings, Loreseeker,¡± she said. ¡°The fable of the Tomb of the Ancients is one you must hear.¡± She paused, as though gathering the weight of her words. ¡°In the age of the Ancients, a great war ravaged the realms. Heroes rose above all, binding themselves in an eternal struggle to stave off the Eternal Convergence¡ªa cataclysmic force that merges worlds, devouring them into oblivion. When the battle was over, these heroes were laid to rest, interred in grand tombs built by their followers. Yet, a dark spell tore through the realms, scattering these tombs, hiding them from all but those who truly seek knowledge.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. As her tale ended, a notification blinked across my screen: Quest Complete! I gained a level, and a set of odd stones appeared in my inventory. Each one had a unique, weathered look, etched with symbols that hinted at powers untold. The descriptions indicated that these stones fit into specific slots within the Ancient Tombs. Excitement sparked in me. These stones were more than just collectibles; they were keys. The Loremaster path was beginning to reveal its secrets, and each step brought me closer to unraveling the core mysteries of the game. I opened my character menu, glancing at my stats. The level-up had granted me several attribute points, which I quickly distributed with the precision of a min-maxer. But there was no rush to optimize every point just yet; I¡¯d refine my build as I progressed, ensuring I had an edge when PvP eventually became an option. For now, my path was clear: the tombs awaited, hidden across the world, shrouded in mystery and danger. And as I left the temple, I felt a thrill¡ªa sense of purpose. This game wasn¡¯t just about leveling or loot; it was about discovery, secrets that only a few would ever uncover. And I was determined to be among them. As I gathered my thoughts on my next move, I noticed someone approaching¡ªanother player, this time a cleric wielding a hammer and shield. She looked well-prepared, her gear signaling a clear focus on undead combat. Something about her seemed familiar, but it wasn''t until she spoke that I realized who it was. "Thought you''d be playing this, Avicious¡ªor should I say Astraeus, as you''re known now." Her voice carried that same sharp edge, though tempered with a level of professionalism I remembered well. "Mira... or should I say, Aethera?" I replied, matching her tone with a smirk. "What happened to Royale Online? Did it turn to dust once I got chased out?" She sighed, nodding as if to confirm my suspicions. "It did. Blazer''s ego went through the roof after you left. He claimed to be the best player, whether it was PvP or PvE, but he completely shattered the guild. Everyone else quit eventually. Some moved on to Gun Bringers Online, but most of them ended up here, in Age of Eternity." I couldn''t help but feel a pang of satisfaction, though I masked it with a casual shrug. "Figures. And here I thought I was done with all that." Aethera chuckled, brushing off the memory with a smile. "Well, you don¡¯t seem to have changed much. Still running a fighter-mage hybrid, I see?" "Yeah, figured I''d stick to my strengths," I replied. "But I''m aiming to spec as a Warlock this time. The game doesn¡¯t rely on wisdom or charisma stats, so building around Int and Str made sense. Plus, I get to min-max my favorite way. And that Atlas of Power? It¡¯s impressive." Aethera''s face lit up in recognition. "You must have spent hours charting out your path already, right? Find anything interesting?" "Loremaster node," I said, watching her face as she opened her own Atlas. To my surprise, she scanned her tree and found¡­ nothing. That whole section of her Atlas was missing, with branches that led nowhere. She even sent me a screenshot to prove it. I tried to send her my view, but all she received was a black screen. "That¡¯s¡­ strange," she murmured, tilting her head. "Could just be a bug, though. Some parts of this game have been known to glitch, even with all the QA testing. Maybe it¡¯s server-side?" "Yeah, probably nothing," I agreed, though I made a mental note of it. There was something unnerving about being the only one with access to such a pivotal questline. "So, anyone from the old guild here I should know about?" I asked. "Is Blazer lurking around in Age of Eternity?" Aethera sighed. "Yeah, unfortunately. Blazer¡¯s here, along with ShogunBeater, Toshishun, and LionGangChampion. They even formed a guild, same as before. They call themselves The Sun Bringers. But don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell them you¡¯re around. Blazer¡¯s ego¡¯s fragile enough as it is." The news felt like a stone in my gut. These were the very players who had turned my last gaming experience into a nightmare, driving me to quit. I took a long break after that, nearly two years, and now they¡¯d found their way here, too. But I had moved on, and the thought of them ruining another experience lit a fire within me. This time, I would handle things differently. "Idiots follow their leader, I guess. Good to see you¡¯re not with them," I said with a nod toward her lack of a guild emblem. Aethera shrugged. "No interest in guild drama. But if you¡¯re planning to go it solo, maybe we could still team up here and there? It¡¯s always useful to have an undead-killer on hand." I considered it, but I¡¯d already made up my mind. "I¡¯m going solo for now. There are unique bonuses in this game for solo players, and you can still run dungeons without a full party. They even have specialized NPCs for that. Maybe later, if I need the best materials for endgame gear, I''ll join a raid. But for now, I¡¯m sticking to the plan." "Still focused on the endgame, as always," she replied with a knowing smile. A notification popped up in my HUD: Aethera has requested friendship. I accepted, and her avatar smiled. "Knowing you, you¡¯ll be diving deep into the lore, right?" she asked, her voice softening. "Naturally. I¡¯m a lore hound, after all," I said, rubbing my hands together. "No way am I passing up the rewards hidden in the lore. I¡¯m taking my time with every quest." She grinned. "Well, if you¡¯re in it for the lore, let me give you a heads-up. Every major city in the game has a Sepulcher. At some point, you¡¯ll get a quest to retrieve an hourglass for the Guardian Dragon. But be warned¡ªthere are loot robbers waiting around that area. They¡¯ll exploit the boss fight mechanics to stun players and steal drops, except for the hourglass." "Good to know," I said, making a mental note. "Thanks for the heads-up, Aethera. I¡¯ll keep an eye out." "Anytime. And if you ever need a solid cleric, you know where to find me." She gave me a casual salute and turned to leave, disappearing into the crowd. I was left alone again in the bustling square, my mind brimming with plans. The Sun Bringers might be here, but this wasn¡¯t Royale Online. I had an advantage they didn¡¯t¡ªa fresh start, a hidden questline, and my own path forward. Chapter 3: Tomb of the Ancients As I strolled through Twilight City, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the details the developers had woven into every corner. Gothic-inspired spires loomed against a perpetually gray sky, their dark stone facades cracked and weathered, almost as if they bore the weight of ancient curses. Cobblestone streets stretched between shadowed alleys, and every corner held secrets waiting to be uncovered. The craftsmanship left me gobsmacked. Amid my awe, the murmur of nearby players caught my attention. They were discussing something unusual¡ªa recent spree of player killings. ¡°Crossbones,¡± I overheard, a name whispered with palpable disdain. ¡°They¡¯re hunting in packs and slaughtering anyone who strays from the city.¡± Another player added, ¡°Their leader, Skullhead, is a Necromancer/Berserker hybrid. He even doxxes people who cross him¡ªreal sicko.¡± I rolled my eyes. At first, I figured it was just another bratty kid with too much time and too little discipline. But with every word I heard, I realized Crossbones was more than just a guild of griefers. They had the power to back up their threats, and Skullhead? He sounded like the type of player you wouldn''t want to cross, especially in PvP. Pushing that thought aside, I decided it was time to find some quests outside the city. That¡¯s when it popped up on my HUD¡ªa quest notification for The Tomb of the Ancients. The map marked it about 1.2 kilometers away, deep within Twilight Forest. The quest description hinted at rare loot and significant experience. I couldn¡¯t resist. Smiling, I took off, feeling the thrill of adventure with every step. After a brief jog through the forest, I reached the entrance. The tomb loomed before me, stone pillars half-consumed by the creeping vines of the forest. A chill wind howled through the gaps in the ancient masonry, and the faint echoes of whispers seemed to linger in the air. I took a steadying breath, drew my sword, and entered. Inside, the atmosphere thickened, the dim torchlight casting long shadows on the cracked stone walls. As I descended, each step reverberated through the empty halls until I reached the final stair. Suddenly, I heard a faint rattling. Torches lining the walls burst to life, their flames casting flickering light on the skeletal remains beginning to assemble before me. Rusted blades and axes materialized in their bony hands as they lurched forward. This was my first real grind, a chance to put all my training to the test. I moved fast, smashing through skulls with the pommel of my sword, weaving between the undead, my blade an extension of my focus. With each encounter, I felt my understanding of the game sharpen, my reaction times tighten. There were countless waves of these skeletal foes, but I was in the zone, and before I knew it¡ª Level Up! A cheerful chime rang in my HUD as I hit level 20. I let out a triumphant breath and opened my character sheet to examine my new options. Status Screen: Astraeus (Level 20) Class: Fighter / Warlock Primary Attributes: Skill Points: 5 Available Sub-Classes: Warlock New Warlock Skills: As I scrolled through my options, a new prompt appeared: Choose a Patron for your Warlock Subclass. Each Patron offered distinct benefits, each with a trade-off. Brali the Unfettered Segos the Ageless Braelia the Darkened I didn¡¯t have to think long. Braelia the Darkened sounded like my kind of Patron¡ªpowerful and direct, with just enough risk to keep things interesting. Patron Selected: Braelia the Darkened The Warlock skill tree opened, and I couldn¡¯t resist diving into it. But balance was key. My Fighter abilities needed to stay sharp for melee encounters, and yet I wanted to push my Warlock skills enough to wield some serious magic. After some thought, I allocated my points, pulling a couple from Warlock to boost my Fighter stats. Updated Skill Points Allocation: Satisfied with my progress, I turned back toward the depths of the tomb, my hand instinctively gripping the hilt of my sword. Now, with the dark powers of a Warlock at my disposal, this dungeon would be nothing but a proving ground for what I could become. A clattering sound echoed from further down the corridor¡ªmore skeletons. But this time, I was ready for more than just a melee brawl. As they closed in, I raised my hand, feeling the arcane energy pulse within me. ¡°Let¡¯s see what Braelia¡¯s power can do.¡± With a smirk, I cast Arcanic Blast and watched as the dark energy surged from my fingertips, striking one skeleton head-on, its bones shattering on impact. The thrill of combining Fighter strength with Warlock magic filled me with new purpose. The path I was forging between these two roles would make me a flexible, unpredictable force in battle. The grind for Fighter and Warlock XP individually was steady, yet my character level would remain the key to unlocking higher-tier content, quests, and dungeons. Reassessing my gear, I grinned. I could feel the progression in my movements and skill execution, each step closer to mastering this hybrid build. With this kind of edge, taking on the monsters in this dungeon felt almost too easy. I¡¯d found the right path¡ªone that balanced power, agility, and now, a touch of arcane. The door closed with a resounding boom as I stepped into the boss room. Torches on the walls flickered to life, casting eerie shadows on the stone floor. There it was¡ªthe Tomb Guardian: Hero Galan. My eyes narrowed, taking in the twisted creature before me. Once a renowned hero in the game¡¯s lore, he¡¯d been corrupted beyond recognition, now serving as a monstrous sentinel for the tomb. His health bar flashed at the top of my screen, larger and more ominous than I¡¯d ever seen. ¡°Loremaster Node Active: 30% EXP Bonus!¡± I grinned. This would be worth every swing of my blade.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Galan¡¯s hulking form lurched forward, and his face¡ªa sick mockery of humanity¡ªcontorted with rage. He had four massive, muscular legs like a lion, but his head was unmistakably human, with skin stretched taut and hollow eyes that burned with unnatural light. His entire body was covered in thick, dark scales, a hybrid of man, beast, and horror. His tail lashed behind him like a whip, covered in jagged spikes meant to tear into flesh. Whoever had designed this thing had a twisted imagination, and I was about to tear it apart. I sidestepped as he lunged, his massive claws swiping just inches from my face. Close. He was faster than I¡¯d expected for something so big, and I could feel the weight of each attack. He whipped his tail toward me in a vicious arc, aiming to skewer me, but I anticipated the strike, ducking low and rolling forward. As I came up behind him, I brought my sword down hard, severing the tail in one swift strike. Critical Hit! His health bar took a solid chunk of damage as the severed tail thudded to the ground. Galan reared back, letting out an enraged, guttural roar that echoed through the tomb. I braced myself, ready for whatever came next, when a notification popped up. ¡°Enrage Mode Active: Attack Power Increased by 30%¡± ¡°Oh, fantastic,¡± I muttered, gripping my sword tighter. He charged again, this time faster and with a mad fury in his eyes. He lunged with one of his huge front paws, aiming for a killing blow. I barely had time to dodge, twisting to the side as his claws scraped my shoulder, leaving a shallow gash. That¡¯s gonna hurt tomorrow, I thought, but there was no time to dwell on it. I retaliated with a Power Strike, slashing across his exposed side, the sound of flesh and bone tearing under my blade¡¯s edge. Another chunk of health vanished from his bar, but Galan wasn¡¯t slowing down. In fact, he seemed even more furious. He lowered his head and exhaled a plume of dark smoke, flooding the room and obscuring my vision. Great, I thought, wiping my eyes and activating Fade Step. The skill allowed me to phase in and out, giving me a brief window of invulnerability as I dashed to the side, avoiding a swipe that would have been a one-hit kill. Galan came out of the smoke with a bellow, his claws leaving gouges in the stone floor. I switched tactics, activating Arcanic Blast and targeting him with a blast of arcane energy. A surge of dark blue light shot from my hand, striking Galan¡¯s shoulder and staggering him back. He howled in pain, his health bar dropping another notch. I seized the opportunity and dashed in, using Dark Pact Enchantment on my sword. My blade glowed with arcane energy, crackling with raw power. I swung with everything I had, aiming for his neck. The enchanted blade bit deep, the energy pulsing through his corrupted form. He let out a strangled roar, his health bar now down to its last quarter. But he wasn¡¯t done yet. Galan reared back and emitted a screech that shook the walls, launching himself at me in a berserk frenzy. His claws swiped in a flurry of attacks, each one faster and deadlier than before. I parried one, then dodged, barely keeping up as he forced me back toward the wall. He swung his claws in a wide arc, and I used Riposte, countering the blow and slamming the pommel of my sword into his face, staggering him. This was it. The final strike. I activated Arcanic Blast again, but this time channeled it directly through my sword with Dark Pact Enchantment. My weapon glowed with a fierce, pulsing light, and I charged forward, aiming straight for his heart. Galan saw the move, and for a brief moment, I could almost see something human in his eyes¡ªsomething that recognized the end. With a final, powerful thrust, I drove the sword deep into his chest, the arcane energy exploding on impact. His scream echoed through the room, a haunting wail as his corrupted form dissolved into black smoke. His health bar emptied, and then a loud chime rang out as the victory screen flashed. ¡°Boss Defeated: Tomb Guardian Hero Galan¡± I let out a long breath, adrenaline still pumping as I surveyed the room. The boss¡¯s broken form faded away, leaving behind a treasure chest at the far end of the room, glimmering with the promise of loot. I sheathed my sword, still basking in the rush of victory, and stepped forward. Congratulations! Bonus Experience Applied: 30% XP! A rush of experience points hit my HUD, leveling me up once more. This was exactly the kind of grind I needed, the kind that would put me far ahead of the competition. And the loot... well, let¡¯s see what rewards my efforts had earned. I opened the treasure chest I found a new weapon ''Adamantine Sword of Wounding'' this was something I could use, I equipped it right away, looking at the sword further it had a Channel enchantment on it which means I could use the Dark Pact skill and the durability would not be affected like before, looking at my other sword chunks where falling off as if it was rusting, ''5% Durability" that one fight had taken it down by 95%, then I saw it a set of armor ''Warlocks Armor of the Pact'' I scanned it and it synergized with my current build, I grinned this was a stroke of pure luck, I equipped it and sure it looked ugly so I switched back to my original appearance. The armor increased my Arcanic Blast damage by 20%, As I savored my victory over the Tomb Guardian, a small, ominous dot appeared on the edge of my map. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, another player emerged¡ªa towering figure in bone-plated armor, his helm shaped into a grinning skull. Skullhead. "Hand over the loot, newbie," he sneered. "That''s our stuff you¡¯re hoarding in your inventory." I raised an eyebrow. "Skullhead, I presume?" He gave a smug laugh, arms crossed. "Nice to know my name precedes me. Now quit stalling and fork it over." "Sorry, it''s already account-bound," I replied with a smile. "And equipped, too. Not exactly something I can drop." I could almost see the anger flicker in his eyes beneath that skull-shaped helmet. "You know," he growled, his voice dropping, "I could dox you. Find out where you live, mess with you beyond the game." "Go right ahead," I replied calmly, amused at the empty threat. "Think threatening other players is going to get you what you want?" He bristled, his voice rising in pitch. "Then killing you will just have to do. You know the level gap between us? I¡¯m maxed out, and my gear is epic. You should be cowering." "Maxed out, but I¡¯d bet you never actually learned your class," I said, crossing my arms. "Learned my class?" He laughed, loud and harsh. "I¡¯m a Necromancer/Berserker¡ªtop meta build in the game. Overpowered as hell. Who needs anything more?" I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. "So, no subclass, then?" "Subclasses are for players who don¡¯t know how to dominate with the right setup. But enough talk. Branded, show him how we do PvP." A shadow slipped out from behind a column¡ªa rogue, dual-wielding daggers. The name Branded floated briefly above his head before he lunged, a blur of motion. I raised my newly-equipped sword, ready to test it against his speed. This was about to get interesting. But as I prepared to engage, my character froze momentarily, and my sword flickered, almost as if glitching. I could feel my HUD lagging, the inventory briefly duplicating the weapon in my hand. I¡¯d read about this rare bug online¡ªthe artifact overlap. A glitch that could accidentally stack a weapon¡¯s stats, creating a devastating advantage. Skullhead must have sensed something different in my stance. "What¡¯s this? A glitch? You cheating, newbie?" "Not sure what you mean," I replied, stepping forward with a grin. I activated Arcanic Blast, sending the shimmering projectile hurtling toward Branded, who sidestepped but still took a hit that drained a chunk of his health bar. His movement slowed, the advantage clearly mine. "Branded, stop fooling around!" Skullhead barked. "He¡¯s just a low-level scrub!" I sidestepped quickly, using Fade Step to dart past Branded¡¯s next attack and reappearing directly behind him. With my glitched weapon still enhancing my output, I landed a precise blow, enough to bring him down in one strike. Branded crumpled to the floor. "You¡­ hacked, didn¡¯t you?" Skullhead sputtered, disbelief clear in his voice. "Hacked? Just some extra skill," I said, watching him seethe. "Guess you should¡¯ve picked a subclass after all." In a fury, Skullhead raised his arm, dark energy crackling around him as his Necromancer skill, Raise Dead, summoned two skeletal minions. He activated Berserk Rage, his movements faster and more powerful, swinging his massive axe at me with lethal force. But with the glitch still active, I was ready to counter. Channeling the enhanced power from my Dark Pact Enchantment, I deflected his swing, managing to land a strike to his shoulder. Skullhead stumbled back, clutching his side, his health bar dipping visibly. "That¡¯s¡­ impossible," he gasped. I met his glare, unshaken. "Guess there¡¯s more to this game than maxing out levels and epic gear." The combat here was more than just hacking and slashing. Agility and reflexes actually mattered, rewarding precision over brute force. Each swing was calculated, each dodge timed; personal skill and reaction played a huge role over just raw stats. Watching Skullhead¡¯s health bar tick down slowly from the bleed damage on my new weapon gave me a thrill. It wasn¡¯t enough to pose a serious threat to him, but it was satisfying to know I wasn¡¯t just another low-level newbie. I was a pro gamer, and I was here to prove it. "Minion Drain," Skullhead sneered, lifting one of his summoned skeletons as dark energy flowed from it to him, healing him. Even the bleed effect from my sword faded as he siphoned the skeleton¡¯s energy, wiping out my last bit of damage. ¡°You¡¯ve got some skill for a newbie in this game,¡± he admitted grudgingly. ¡°My friend Blazer would love to take a crack at you when I tell him about this encounter.¡± He laughed as if this was all some elaborate joke. "Let¡¯s go, boys," he ordered, signaling his rogue companion and the summoned skeletons. ¡°We¡¯re retreating for now.¡± And just like that, they vanished, leaving me standing alone in the tomb. With the threat gone, I finally took a moment to scan my inventory¡ªand the glitch that had briefly boosted my weapon¡¯s power was gone, back to its normal state. Odd, but I wasn¡¯t going to question the luck. One thing was for sure, though: the Tomb of the Ancients was now cleared, and Skullhead and his goons knew I wasn¡¯t a player to mess with. I looked back at the empty tomb and smiled. Chapter 4: The Necromancer As I made my way through Twilight City¡¯s bustling streets, I headed straight to the news boards and forums. The city¡¯s towering walls and narrow alleys hummed with chatter from players and NPCs alike. There, sprawled across the digital boards, were rumors¡ªand plenty of them, thanks to Skullhead¡¯s petty vendetta. According to his Crossbones guild, I¡¯d ¡°exploited¡± my way through the Tomb of the Ancients, using ¡°underhanded cheats¡± to steal loot that, by Skullhead¡¯s logic, should¡¯ve been his. The accusations were as wild as they were baseless, but it was clear his guild had been busy seeding the story across forums and message boards, turning the whole thing into some sad attempt at character assassination. Most players, especially the ones who had a history with Crossbones, saw through the act. They piled on with their own tales of Skullhead¡¯s shady antics¡ªPK ambushes, loot sniping, and general underhanded gameplay. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh at some of the stories; turns out, I wasn¡¯t the only one who¡¯d gotten under their skin. Letting the rumors sit, I switched gears and dug through the forums for lore threads and rumors of hidden quests. Anything that could give me an edge¡ªunique items, exclusive gear, unclaimed EXP boosts. With Skullhead¡¯s smear campaign in the background, I was more motivated than ever to take my build to the next level. To get my mind off things, I decided to tackle some side quests around Twilight City. Gathering herbs and hunting down packs of beasts felt refreshingly simple after the Tomb. As I ran through the forest outside the city, I started to experiment with movement, incorporating parkour into my fighting style. To my surprise, the game engine actually allowed for that level of freedom¡ªvaulting over obstacles, rolling from jumps, wall-running where possible. The added finesse made me grin; it was hard not to feel unstoppable as I cut through enemies in smooth, fluid motions. After turning in my quests and cashing in the rewards, fatigue hit me. I logged out, set the headset aside, and stretched, realizing I hadn¡¯t eaten all day. Grabbing a snack, I glanced at my phone¡ªMira had bombarded me with messages about the Skullhead rumors. She seemed worried, but I reassured her that he wasn¡¯t worth the brain space. Then I noticed a text from an unknown number. It was just a random line of code, cryptic but oddly intriguing, and something about it told me this wouldn¡¯t be the last time it came up. The next morning, I dived back into the game, eager to continue my streak of progress. As I loaded into the inn where I¡¯d last logged off, I noticed a group gathered by the bar. At the front of the pack was someone I recognized, a figure I wasn¡¯t thrilled to see¡ªBlazer. Blazer had his usual smug expression, and the moment he spotted me, he strode over, dropping a heavy boot onto the chair beside mine. He gave me a condescending once-over before grinning, a self-satisfied look in his eyes. ¡°Well, well, well. So it¡¯s true¡ªour so-called Zero Hero is back, and already crawling up to level 30.¡± His name tag flashed across my HUD: Blazer. Just the kind of drama I didn¡¯t need first thing in the morning. I leaned back and smirked. ¡°Look who¡¯s here to drop some wisdom. The fragile egotist finally found me.¡± Blazer¡¯s smug expression faltered. ¡°Fragile? Last I checked, I was the one still standing. You¡¯re the one we kicked out of the guild, remember?¡± ¡°Oh, I remember, all right,¡± I replied. ¡°The guild you and your lackeys hijacked¡ªthe one where I made all of your builds, sourced all your gear, boosted your PvP rankings. But then you had to ruin it by chasing me out, too insecure to handle the one person who did the work.¡± The faintest hint of annoyance flickered in Blazer¡¯s eyes, quickly masked by his smirk. ¡°You really think you¡¯re hot stuff, don¡¯t you? Here you are, already getting accused of exploits. Or did you think Skullhead was making that up?¡± ¡°Right, because Skullhead is known for his honest dealings,¡± I replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°All he and his guild do is gank noobs and loot-snipe, and they still couldn''t take me down. You really believe his little story?¡± Blazer¡¯s smirk faltered, just a fraction. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if I believe it or not. What matters is that the rumor¡¯s out, and people are talking. This game¡¯s mine to rule. You? You¡¯re just a has-been trying to play catch-up.¡± ¡°Play catch-up?¡± I scoffed, standing to face him. ¡°Here¡¯s a reality check: you can hoard gear, chase the meta, scream about ¡®rules,¡¯ but you know what you¡¯ve never done? Actually master your build. You¡¯re so busy trying to dominate the leaderboards, you forgot what it¡¯s like to actually play.¡± Blazer¡¯s face flushed, his bravado slipping. ¡°Master my build?¡± he echoed, laughing harshly. ¡°Why bother with that? This game¡¯s about power. You either have it, or you don¡¯t. And I have it. But keep climbing the ranks, if you want. Just know that I¡¯ll be right here at the top, waiting to remind you exactly where you belong.¡± Without another word, he turned and strode off, his entourage following close behind. I shook my head, watching him leave with a mix of frustration and pity. Blazer had always been arrogant, but this¡­ this was something else. He was slipping further and further into his own ego, letting his insecurity rule him. The guy had never learned that power wasn¡¯t just about gear or numbers¡ªit was knowing how to wield it. As the inn¡¯s door swung shut behind him, I let out a sigh. The game had changed, and I could feel the competition heating up. But one thing hadn¡¯t changed: I was here to win, no matter who or what stood in my way. I opened my quest log, scanning to make sure I hadn''t missed any key quests. A few story quests still sat there, waiting to be completed¡ªmost were a bit under-leveled for me by now, but that would make things easier. Breezing through the story content would give me some background on the world and possibly unlock more rare nodes on the Atlas of Power. I still had about ten skill points to spend, waiting until I gained another ten levels to make my next strategic allocation smoother. For now, I was focused on unraveling more lore. The Loremaster passive skill, which amplified my understanding of the world''s myths and history, glowed faintly in my menu. The quest I picked up was titled "Galant and the Necromancer". The story unfolded as I accepted it: Centuries ago, Lord Galant, King of the Isles, banished his court mage, who had delved into dark experiments that defied both reason and humanity. Branded a necromancer, the mage unleashed plagues and twisted the dead into servants for his own twisted amusement, staining the land with his dark power. In a final stand, Galant mustered his armies and waged war upon the necromancer, forcing him into exile. When Galant confronted him in the desolate Wildlands, he sealed him away with a powerful holy incantation. Yet now, that ancient barrier weakens, and darkness stirs. If the necromancer breaks free, his wrath will once again sweep across the realm. Brave adventurer, journey into the Wildlands and prevent this evil from rising anew. With a slight grin, I hit "Accept." My map updated, showing the Wildlands sprawled out beyond Twilight City and the dense expanse of the Twilight Forest. The Wildlands was a wasteland, dotted with crumbling ruins and failed settlements. From the map alone, I could tell it was designed to look like a no man''s land¡ªa graveyard of those who¡¯d ventured too far and failed. I''d heard stories of players struggling out there; it wasn¡¯t just the monsters but also the infamous Crossbones Guild that lurked in the shadows, preying on anyone daring to tread their turf. They loved ambushing low-level players, swooping in to steal their loot, but after our last encounter, I was pretty sure I¡¯d given them a reason to reconsider messing with me.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. I set off, winding my way through Twilight Forest, its dark, twisted trees parting occasionally to let slivers of dim sunlight through. The atmosphere gradually shifted as I approached the Wildlands. Shadows stretched longer, and the air felt colder, carrying the distant, haunting echo of forgotten battles. The scent of decay clung to the breeze, and the ruins on the horizon seemed like silent sentinels, watching for the necromancer¡¯s return. The Atlas of Power pulsed faintly in the corner of my HUD, reminding me of those unspent points. I knew that taking down the necromancer could unlock even more skill nodes, potentially opening paths few others would be able to access. But this wasn¡¯t just about leveling or loot; this was my chance to delve into a deeper storyline, to explore the mysteries buried in Age of Eternity''s lore. As I got closer to the Wildlands, an eerie mist began to crawl along the ground, thickening until it seemed to cling to everything, obscuring my view. Low moans drifted through the fog, and spectral shapes moved just beyond sight, phasing in and out like echoes of long-lost souls. A notification blinked on my screen: "Entering High-Level Zone: Wildlands. Warning: Player-vs-Player enabled.¡± I gripped my weapon tighter. I¡¯d have to stay on guard, not just for the necromancer¡¯s minions but for any Crossbones scouts lurking nearby. Whatever was waiting for me in those ruins, I was ready to face it¡ªand if Crossbones wanted to try their luck again, I¡¯d be more than happy to remind them just how costly their last ambush had been. As I moved deeper into the Wildlands, it was like clockwork¡ªplayer-killers (PKs) were all over the area, a sign that Crossbones or another guild was at work. Crossbones had made a name for themselves as notorious griefers, but they weren¡¯t the only threat out here. There was one guild that struck fear into even high-level players: Red Masters. These guys were serious build obsessives, master players who knew the mechanics and had honed their skills to an art form. They clashed with Crossbones often, fighting for dominance and kill-stealing when it suited them. But I was smarter. I kept to the shadows of the ruins, quietly making my way further in, letting the maniacs clash steel and spill blood around me without drawing attention to myself. The sounds of chaotic combat echoed nearby¡ªclanging metal and crazed laughter mingling in the mist. Corpses of monsters littered the ground, killed off faster than they could respawn. In the distance, I spotted a familiar sight: Skullhead, The GM of Crossbones, locked in combat with a rogue. But this rogue wasn¡¯t just another scrub; he darted around Skullhead with practiced agility, stabbing him with daggers in precise, relentless strikes. The name over the rogue¡¯s head was Zero, and his guild tag read Red Masters. Trouble. I was well aware of Red Masters¡¯ reputation, but thankfully, I was out of range for both detection and map tracking. I watched from my hiding place, waiting for the battle to play out. After a tense struggle, Skullhead finally retreated, licking his wounds. But then I felt the sharp ping of a detection spell¡ªa net had been cast, and it found me. A handful of Red Masters¡¯ members teleported in around me. My pulse quickened as I prepared for the worst, but then I received a Voice Whisper from Zero. ¡°Hey, I know you¡¯re watching us,¡± he messaged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my guild and I won¡¯t PK you. Come over and have a chat.¡± I hesitated. Generally, you didn¡¯t chat with the "bad guys" of the game, especially not Red Masters. But sneaking around them and bolting would probably only draw more attention. So, with little choice, I stepped out of the shadows and walked over. Zero looked me up and down with a smirk. ¡°So you¡¯re the one Skullhead¡¯s been complaining about. Odd¡ªyou don¡¯t look like a cheater.¡± ¡°Just a glitch, nothing more,¡± I replied coolly. ¡°Ah, the hero tomb glitch,¡± Zero said knowingly. ¡°Yeah, that happens sometimes. Weapon pops into your inventory unbidden. But anyone who¡¯s had a run-in with Crossbones usually gets hounded out of the game. Guess you¡¯re tougher than the average player.¡± ¡°Skullhead¡¯s never met a player like me,¡± I said, a hint of smugness slipping into my voice. Zero chuckled, clearly amused. ¡°Word is you¡¯re a hotshot from Royale Online. Top player for three years, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Until my own guild turned on me, yeah,¡± I said, my voice laced with bitterness. ¡°Except for one friend, of course.¡± ¡°Avisious the Immortal, now going by Astraeus in this game,¡± Zero noted, clearly well-informed. ¡°Fighter/Warlock build, right? Unconventional, but it looks like you know what you¡¯re doing. I¡¯m guessing you picked up the Loremaster node, too? Thirty percent more XP on lore and story quests?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You know an awful lot for a typical player. Guessing you¡¯ve been around since the beta?¡± Zero nodded. ¡°Red Masters have been here since the beginning. We only recently started clashing with Crossbones.¡± ¡°And what exactly are they up to?¡± I asked, genuinely curious. ¡°They¡¯re loot-sniping,¡± Zero explained. ¡°Forcing other players to hand over rare drops from the Tombs of the Ancients. Somehow, they¡¯re bypassing the personal instance protection.¡± Before I could respond, Zero turned to one of his guildmates. ¡°Rugar!¡± A towering figure stepped forward, clad in a Pristine Grace armor set¡ªa Level 60 build of pure Fighter class. He wielded a Titanium Blade, powerful enough to make even hybrid builds wary. Zero looked back at me with a grin. ¡°Rugar wants to duel you. Just a friendly match, to see if you¡¯re the real deal.¡± I didn¡¯t really have a choice, so I drew my sword, its rare gleam catching Rugar¡¯s attention. His eyes narrowed in recognition. ¡°My name is Rugar,¡± he said, his voice carrying a faint smirk. ¡°I used to play Royale Online. You were my biggest rival in Realm versus Realm. I was King Regulus¡ªring a bell?¡± I laughed, genuinely surprised. ¡°The King returns, huh? Yeah, I remember you. Your Barbarian build was nearly unbeatable.¡± ¡°Nearly,¡± Rugar corrected, chuckling. ¡°You killed me so many times I eventually quit and started fresh here. Linked up with Zero, and here we are.¡± He unsheathed his sword, his stance ready. ¡°Shall we?¡± I activated my Dark Pact ability, watching as my sword glowed with an inky, black aura. Rugar lunged, fast and powerful, but I sidestepped with Fade Step, dodging his strike and bringing my sword down to clash against his. He blocked, and I twisted mid-air, landing with precision. He lunged again, but I countered with Arcanic Blast, sending him reeling back. A chunk of his health bar dropped. ¡°Not bad,¡± Rugar said, clearly impressed. ¡°That¡¯s some serious power, especially for your level. What kind of passives are you running?¡± I smirked. ¡°Loremaster.¡± The whole guild laughed, Rugar included. ¡°An XP passive and a rare drop from the tomb? You¡¯re something else, Astraeus,¡± Rugar admitted, still catching his breath. Zero observed our duel with a critical eye, nodding. ¡°Not to mention the finesse in how you wield your blade. This game¡¯s combat engine allows for full freedom of movement, and you¡¯re using it well. That twirling technique could catch any would-be PKer off guard. Satisfied, Rugar?¡± Rugar sheathed his sword, nodding. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s him, alright. The legend himself has come to Age of Eternity.¡± Zero and the others exchanged knowing glances. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll be on our way,¡± Zero said, giving me a respectful nod. ¡°I¡¯ll leave a scout behind to ensure you reach your destination safely.¡± I held up a hand. ¡°No need. If Crossbones or any monsters want a fight, I¡¯ll give them one. Skullhead learned the hard way. His health bar took a nice hit from the bleed damage alone.¡± Zero nodded approvingly. ¡°Suit yourself. Good luck out there.¡± With that, he and his guildmates teleported away, leaving me alone once more. I took a deep breath, surveying the landscape of the Wildlands. Shadows stretched over the ruined landscape, broken only by the faint glow of decayed barriers and ancient spells fading in the distance. The Necromancer awaited, and these Wildlands were mine to conquer. Chapter 5: Unlocking the Build The Wildlands sprawled out like a living labyrinth, occupying roughly 35% of the map¡¯s total area, an untamed territory with no safe zones in sight. As I ventured deeper, the monsters began to respawn, dotting the landscape with scattered clusters of hostility. I pushed through them relentlessly, grinding experience as I went, my movements flowing seamlessly thanks to the game¡¯s advanced movement engine. Vaulting over obstacles, twisting mid-air, and weaving around creatures with precision, I cut a path through the wilderness until, at last, a massive, decaying castle loomed on the horizon. This had to be it¡ªthe Necromancer¡¯s domain. A faint glow encircled the castle, a shimmering holy barrier, as if daring me to step inside. When I touched it, a doorway appeared, opening as though it recognized my intent. Taking a steadying breath, I walked through. My HUD lit up with Player Instance 3, suggesting that I was alone for once¡ªjust me and whatever horrors the Necromancer had waiting within. I ascended the dilapidated stone steps, the eerie silence punctuated only by the distant howling wind and the faint creak of ancient wood. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows¡ªan armored specter with empty, haunting eyes and an aura that pulsed with malevolent energy. Dullahan. The monster¡¯s name appeared, along with its stats: high defense, strong magical resistance, and a formidable HP bar. A voice, disembodied and cold, echoed through the hall. ¡°Join my army of the dead,¡± it called, the words dripping with an unnatural malice. I smirked. This was going to be interesting. Quickly, I checked my inventory: Inventory: Satisfied, I downed a Potion of Motion, boosting my speed and activating Light Step, which allowed me to move over trap floors without triggering them. My sword gleamed in the dim light as I charged forward, clashing with the Dullahan. Steel met steel in a resounding clash, sparks flying as I forced it back. The Dullahan swung a colossal, jagged blade in a wide arc. I leapt, narrowly dodging as the blade carved into the stone where I¡¯d stood. Mid-air, I activated Arcanic Blast, a surge of dark energy bursting forth from my weapon, shattering through the Dullahan¡¯s defenses and chunking its HP by half. With a final twirl, I drove my sword through its chest, piercing the core of its cursed armor. Its death brought a satisfying Level Up! notification as my experience bar shot up. I barely had a moment to savor the victory when the echoing voice returned, now tinged with a sinister amusement. ¡°You may have bested my sentinel, but you won¡¯t leave here alive.¡± Pressing forward, I finally reached the castle¡¯s main chamber. The air was thick with dark magic, crackling like static, and there in the center stood the Necromancer¡ªa skeletal figure draped in tattered robes, eyes glowing with unholy fire. Behind him, hundreds of skeletal hands seemed to claw out of the ground, an endless army ready to spring forth at his command. ¡°Welcome, brave adventurer,¡± he sneered. ¡°I¡¯ve been expecting you.¡± The battle began in an instant. The Necromancer raised his staff, summoning waves of skeletal minions that rushed at me like a tidal wave of bone and rusted armor. I ducked and weaved, cutting through them, each slash of my sword cleaving multiple skeletons at once. But for every one I defeated, two more took its place. Realizing I was getting swarmed, I activated Shadow Step, briefly phasing out of sight and reappearing right in front of the Necromancer. I unleashed Dark Pact, imbuing my weapon with shadow energy, and struck at his core. But he was fast, almost preternaturally so, deflecting my blow with a shield of dark energy that sent me skidding back across the floor. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± he taunted, raising his arms as a vortex of necrotic energy swirled around him. The devs must have been watching this because the mechanics in play felt like something out of an intense action anime¡ªevery move precise, every strike calculated. The Necromancer¡¯s spells came faster now, volleys of dark fire and poison blasts filling the room. I sidestepped a fireball, barely managing to block a shadow tendril aimed at my torso. My health was dropping steadily, and I chugged a Healing Potion as I regrouped. Time to kick it up a notch. I activated Ethereal Guard, an advanced skill that bolstered my defenses and added a reflective barrier. As the Necromancer cast another poison cloud, I charged through it, unaffected thanks to my All Remedy X buff, and closed the gap between us. With a quick series of slashes, I broke through his shield, each hit chipping away at his HP. Suddenly, he unleashed his ultimate move¡ªa dark ritual that summoned a massive skeletal dragon from the floor, its hollow eyes blazing with fury. The beast roared, and I knew this was the final test. Dodging its initial strike, I aimed for its exposed ribcage, launching an Arcanic Blast that shattered part of its bones. But the dragon retaliated, swinging its tail and sending me flying into a wall. My health dropped dangerously low, and I barely had time to drink another potion before the dragon was upon me again. Drawing on all my skills, I combined Fade Step and Blade Dance to weave around its attacks, slashing at its joints and weak points. Bit by bit, I wore it down until, with a final thrust, I plunged my sword into its skull, watching as it dissolved into ash. The Necromancer staggered back, his power drained, his skeletal form crumbling. ¡°Impossible...¡± he rasped, his voice fading as his body disintegrated into dust. As the last remnants of his magic faded, a treasure chest appeared in the center of the room. Legendary Loot Drop! flashed on my HUD. Opening it, I found a set of rare equipment and a weapon unlike anything I¡¯d seen before¡ªa cursed blade that seemed to pulse with dark energy. Although I was the wrong class to use it, I had to sell this thing as a set which could net me a rather cool million gold which would set my gear up for awhile.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Smiling, I took the sword and sheathed it. The Wildlands had been conquered, and the spoils of victory were mine. With a glance back at the ruined castle, I headed for the exit, ready for whatever challenge awaited next. Returning to Twilight City was surprisingly smooth. The trip back was quiet, a peaceful run through familiar terrain without a single player or NPC trying to waylay me. Twilight City, with its sprawling markets and bustling auction house, was my next stop. I had a feeling about the gear set I¡¯d looted from the Necromancer¡¯s domain¡ªsomething told me it¡¯d be worth checking the Auction House for. When I found the same set listed, I nearly choked. 100 million gold! The listing had sat unsold for at least two years, gathering virtual dust. No one seemed interested at that price. I shrugged and decided to test the waters myself. Posting it for a more reasonable 10 million gold, I watched as, almost instantly, it sold. Gold filled my account in one quick transaction, and I couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the simplicity of it. With newfound wealth, I turned my focus to finding an armor set that would actually suit my level and my hybrid Warlock/Fighter build. Scanning through endless pages of equipment on the market, I felt the frustration build. Nothing within my level range synergized with the skills I was developing. If I wanted something powerful, it was clear I¡¯d have to craft it myself. Heading over to the crafting forums, I dug into the intricate process of creating custom Warlock gear. My gold was about to be put to good use. With gritted teeth and a determined spirit, I invested in crafting materials, leveling up both my Leatherworking and Swordsmithing skills as I went. Reaching level 50 in both disciplines was no small feat, but soon, I was ready to dive into specialized Warlock recipes tailored for Dark Pact abilities. While searching, I stumbled across something interesting¡ªa skill book with an "upgraded" label. The item description read: "Use to increase your Dark Pact skill and Arcanic Blast by 15% damage." There were thousands of these skill books in the auction house, and no one seemed to be talking about them. Either they didn¡¯t realize their value, or it was some obscure find I¡¯d lucked into. With a sly grin, I purchased a few of these mysterious skill books, equipping my character with an extra boost. With my Leatherworking underway, I began crafting the Epic Dark Pact Warlock Armor set, focusing on amplifying my Dark Pact and Arcanic Blast skills. Each piece of armor increased my Dark Pact and Arcanic Blast damage by 30%. With the skill book boost, that meant a total 70% damage increase. Combined with my build¡¯s other attributes, my character was starting to look incredibly dangerous. Next, I set my sights on a weapon that would complement my new power. I began forging the Adamantine Sword of Epic Wounding, a weapon that allowed bleed effects to stack on themselves. This meant that each consecutive strike would cause an exponential increase in bleeding damage¡ªa perfect match for my offensive Warlock/Fighter build. With my armor and weapon nearly complete, I opened up the Atlas of Power. The massive skill tree unfurled before me, and I began to invest points in the Warlock path. Damage, defense, and stacking abilities illuminated as I unlocked new skills, crafting a build that would be both resilient and deadly. Warlock Skills Unlocked:
  1. Ethereal Step - Allows me to briefly phase out of reality, bypassing physical obstacles and avoiding enemy attacks.
  2. Dark Pact: Life Drain - Deals damage to enemies while healing me for a portion of their lost health.
  3. Dark Pact: Stamina Drain - Siphons stamina from enemies with each strike, replenishing my own.
  4. Dark Pact: Mana Drain - Absorbs a portion of the enemy¡¯s mana, refueling my own reserves.
  5. Arcanic Blast: Cone Shape - Unleashes Arcanic Blast in a wide cone, hitting multiple enemies at once.
  6. Arcanic Blast: Chained Enemy - Chains the blast across several enemies, similar to a Chain Lightning effect.
  7. Arcanic Blast: Elemental Fury - Modifies Arcanic Blast to cycle through different elements, adding versatility in combat.
Fighter Skills Unlocked:
  1. Iron Grip - Grants immunity to disarm effects, allowing me to hold onto my weapon no matter what.
  2. Parrying Riposte - Automatically counters a successful parry, dealing damage to the attacker.
  3. Switch Hit - Allows me to switch my weapon hand mid-combo, confusing the enemy and adding a feint to my strikes.
  4. Overwhelming Strike - A powerful attack that breaks through enemy defenses, dealing significant damage.
  5. Achilles Sweep - A low, sweeping attack that targets the enemy¡¯s legs, reducing their movement speed.
  6. Enduring Fight - Increases my health and stamina by 15%, improving my endurance in prolonged battles.
  7. Warcry - Boosts my damage by 5% for a limited time, rallying me into a powerful, aggressive stance.
  8. Final Stand - A last-resort ability that converts all remaining mana and stamina into a defensive barrier that blocks all incoming damage, though my HP gradually drains while it¡¯s active.
My stats were now refined, tuned to perfection. The Warlock and Fighter skills complemented each other, and with each unlocked ability, my build transformed into a truly dangerous hybrid¡ªa character capable of handling hordes of enemies while sustaining high damage output and maintaining solid defense. I tested my new skills in a nearby combat zone, unleashing Arcanic Blast: Cone Shape to clear swathes of enemies in a single strike. The Chained Enemy effect allowed the blast to leap between targets, decimating groups that tried to swarm me. When things got hectic, I activated Ethereal Step, phasing through enemies and positioning myself for a surprise counterattack. With the Adamantine Sword of Epic Wounding in hand, I closed in for melee combat. Each swing stacked bleed damage, forcing enemies to take continuous health damage even after I¡¯d moved on. The combo of Dark Pact: Life Drain and Stamina Drain meant I could sustain my health and stamina even in prolonged battles, making me nearly unstoppable. Twilight City¡¯s crowded Auction House and bustling streets had faded into the background. All that mattered was the thrill of battle, the feeling of invincibility that came with each skill activation, and the satisfaction of seeing my enemies crumble before me. It felt like the devs had created this world just to let players push the limits, to create scenes of combat so intense they felt ripped straight from an anime. And I had built a character that could live up to that vision. With a final check of my gear and a smirk of satisfaction, I headed back out of the city, eager to test my build on something bigger, something worthy of the power I now wielded. Rumors abound about a new Tomb of the Ancients that had spawned. The Loremaster exp bonus activated but I was now extra careful as I would enter Crossbones'' nonsense and Skullhead''s personal vendetta. I double checked my gear and skills, the Dark Pact skills had no limit on what could be stacked up, I activated all 4 skills as the skill icon on my skill bar was now glowing indicating continued use. Every minute that ticked by 4 MP was being used but with every hit on an enemy the MP drain would be negliable. The Tomb stood before me as an audio log started playing ''The Ancient Tomb of the Hero Gurlax, a Barbarian Chief who was the first on the frontlines against the enemy. His bravery and command of the earth allowed his golems to run over the hordes of the enemies, Gurlax was murdered by an assassin in the final days of the war, his tomb is a monument to his bravery and mastery of the earth'' Golems.. great, they were a problem even in Royale Online as the most powerful was a Neutron Golem, hit it once and it explodes. I wondered what kind of golems this place had. Chapter 6: The Strange Encounter The tomb was suffocating. Even through the digital interface, I could almost taste the damp air, thick with the scent of moss, rotting wood, and decaying corpses. The developers had outdone themselves in crafting this grim atmosphere¡ªit felt oppressive, alive. Undead creatures shuffled aimlessly, littering the corridors like vermin. I carved a deliberate path through them, my sword singing with every swing. Each strike replenished my mana through Dark Pact: Stamina Drain, ensuring I remained fully prepared for whatever lay ahead. This time, I wasn¡¯t rushing. No chance I¡¯d let anyone loot-snipe me after all I¡¯d done to get here. The Crossbones Guild had a reputation for dominating high-value zones like this, and if they caught wind of what I was after, they¡¯d descend on me like vultures. I stayed cautious, moving through the tomb¡¯s labyrinthine passages with purpose. As I ventured deeper, the faint sound of voices reached my ears. Players. I ducked into the shadows, activating Ethereal Step to blend with the dim environment. My heart raced as I listened. "Skullhead said he¡¯ll be here shortly. What do we do if other noobs come down here?" one of them muttered. "They get PK¡¯d¡ªwhat else?" the other replied with a low chuckle. "You¡¯d have to be stupid to come into the tombs while we¡¯re here." Idiots. They thought they owned this place, but their overconfidence would be their downfall. Peering from the shadows, I assessed the situation. Two players: one a light-armored cleric wielding a staff, the other a straightforward fighter clad in heavy gear. They were blocking the archway to the boss room, their presence radiating smug complacency. I had to decide¡ªsneak past them or take them out. The answer was obvious. I wasn¡¯t going to risk Skullhead¡ªor anyone else¡ªshowing up while they still breathed. They hadn¡¯t seen me, which gave me the upper hand. Two against one wasn¡¯t ideal, but with my new abilities and gear, I was confident I could tip the scales in my favor. I set my sights on the cleric first. Take out the support, and the fighter would crumble. I prepared Arcanic Blast: Cone Shape and aimed at the cleric. With a flick of my wrist, dark energy erupted from my hand, a wave of shadow and elemental fury roaring across the room. The blast struck true, slamming into the cleric and throwing him off his feet. He screamed, clutching his chest as his health bar plummeted. Before the fighter could react, I stepped into the fray. My blade met his in a furious clash, sparks flying as steel scraped against steel. He recovered quickly, pushing me back with a heavy swing of his broadsword. "Think you can take us, huh?" he snarled, lunging at me with a powerful strike. I sidestepped, activating Switch Hit to feint a strike from my left hand before seamlessly swapping to my right and delivering a sharp counter. The blow sliced through his defenses, triggering the bleed effect from my Adamantine Sword of Epic Wounding. Blood sprayed, and I grinned as the debuff icon appeared above his head. The fighter roared in frustration, swinging wildly now, his movements erratic as he tried to regain control. Meanwhile, the cleric was staggering to his feet, fumbling with a healing spell. Not on my watch. I unleashed Arcanic Blast: Chained Enemy, the energy leaping from the fighter to the cleric in a dazzling arc of destruction. The cleric cried out again, his health dropping into the red. One more hit would finish him. The fighter saw my intent and stepped in, his blade coming down in a devastating arc aimed for my head. I activated Parrying Riposte, meeting his strike and twisting his weapon aside with practiced precision. My counterattack struck him squarely in the chest, staggering him and giving me an opening. With a quick glance, I saw the cleric attempting to crawl away. I wouldn¡¯t let him escape. I dashed forward, using Ethereal Step to phase through the fighter¡¯s next desperate swing. My sword came down on the cleric, finishing him with a clean strike that sent his health bar to zero. He crumpled to the ground, a lifeless heap. The fighter roared in rage, his attacks growing reckless. He was bleeding out now, his health steadily ticking away thanks to my sword¡¯s effects. Activating Achilles Sweep, I aimed a low strike at his legs, cutting through his armor and crippling his mobility. He stumbled, falling to one knee. "You bastard!" he growled, swinging his sword in a wide arc. I dodged easily, raising my blade for the final strike. "Should¡¯ve watched your back," I said coldly, bringing my sword down in a decisive blow. His health bar hit zero, and he collapsed alongside his cleric companion. Descending the staircase toward the boss room, I could feel the air grow heavier with each step. The flickering torches along the walls seemed to dim as I approached the massive stone doors. Pushing them open, I entered a cavernous chamber. In its center stood the boss¡ªa towering figure that could have been mistaken for a half-giant, covered in matted furs and clutching a massive spiked hammer. His hulking frame radiated menace, his glowing, ember-like eyes locked onto me the moment I stepped inside. I double-checked my gear. Potions? Ready. Remedies? Ready. Skills? Cooldowns refreshed. This was going to be brutal. ¡°Who dares... awaken me from my eternal slumber!?¡± he roared, his voice reverberating through the chamber like an earthquake. The entire tomb shook, dust and pebbles raining from the ceiling as an ethereal dragon¡¯s visage materialized behind him, its glowing eyes piercing through the darkness. Before I could react, he planted his hammer into the ground with a deafening crash and launched himself at me, bare fists raised. His sheer speed caught me off guard, but I activated Light Step just in time to evade his first strike. His punch slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave that rippled through the chamber. The force alone shaved a quarter of my HP and left me with the Afflicted debuff. "Of course," I muttered, hurriedly downing a remedy to cleanse the status. My offensive and defensive abilities were halved, and that wouldn¡¯t fly here. The moment the debuff cleared, I reengaged, dashing forward with Light Step to close the distance. I aimed for his sides, slashing deep into his exposed flesh. Blood sprayed with each hit, and the Bleed debuff icon appeared above his head. Good¡ªit was working. I kept moving, circling him to avoid his powerful swings, cutting into his arms, legs, and back. Each strike stacked the bleed damage higher, but he barely seemed to notice. He roared in frustration, his hammer dragging through the ground as he tried to keep up with me. Then, with a mighty leap, he jumped back, his body glowing faintly. I stopped in my tracks as the air around him began to shift. "You will witness... the ascension of a mighty warrior!" he bellowed, his voice booming like a war horn. The dragon¡¯s visage behind him shimmered and then merged with his body in a flash of blinding light. When my vision cleared, he was no longer a half-giant. He had transformed into a massive, bipedal dragon, his scales glinting like polished obsidian. His hammer crackled with energy as he gripped it with clawed hands. The ground trembled beneath him as he stomped forward, his glowing eyes fixed on me. Without warning, he raised his hammer high and smashed it into the floor, sending a shockwave of jagged stone and energy rippling through the room. I barely managed to leap into the air, avoiding the brunt of the attack. My heart pounded. The bleed debuff was gone¡ªhis transformation had reset it. "Of course it did," I growled under my breath, gritting my teeth. This was going to be a slog.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. He roared again, lunging forward with a speed that belied his massive size. His hammer swung toward me in a deadly arc. I ducked, feeling the rush of wind as it narrowly missed my head. The ground cracked and splintered where it struck. I countered with a slash to his leg, but my blade glanced off his hardened scales, leaving only a faint scratch. ¡°Seriously?¡± I muttered, rolling to the side to avoid his follow-up swing. He was relentless, each strike shaking the room and forcing me to stay on the move. My stamina was draining fast, and my attacks weren¡¯t doing much against his scaled hide. I activated Arcanic Blast: Elemental Fury, channeling a volley of energy bolts infused with fire and ice. They struck his chest, staggering him slightly, but the damage was minimal. He roared in irritation and retaliated with a sweeping hammer strike. I dove to the side, but the shockwave from his missed attack still sent me tumbling. My HP bar dipped dangerously low, and I scrambled to my feet, chugging a health potion as quickly as I could. He wasn¡¯t done. He slammed the hammer into the ground again, this time sending a series of jagged stone spikes racing toward me. I dodged left, then right, narrowly avoiding each one. The final spike grazed my arm, dropping my health even further. This was bad¡ªI couldn¡¯t afford to keep trading blows with him. I needed a new strategy. As he lumbered forward, I activated Ethereal Step, phasing out of his line of sight and positioning myself behind him. I aimed for the back of his knee, slashing with everything I had. This time, the blade found a weak spot, cutting through the scales and drawing blood. He roared in pain, staggering slightly. "Gotcha," I muttered, following up with Achilles Sweep to target the same leg. His movements slowed as the attack crippled his mobility, but he was still far from finished. He spun around, his tail whipping through the air. I barely ducked in time, feeling the rush of wind as it passed inches above my head. His hammer came down again, but I activated Parrying Riposte, deflecting the blow just enough to keep myself alive. My counterstrike landed on his chest, drawing another roar of frustration. I was running out of stamina, and he wasn¡¯t showing any signs of slowing down. My health bar was dangerously low, and I was down to my last potion. This was going to come down to the wire. As he raised his hammer for another devastating blow, I activated Final Stand, bracing myself for the incoming strike. My defenses surged, blocking the attack completely, but my HP began ticking down rapidly. This was it. I channeled all my remaining energy into one final Arcanic Blast: Chained Enemy. The blast struck his chest, arcing across his body and tearing through his remaining defenses. He stumbled, his health bar finally dropping into the red. With a roar of defiance, I lunged forward, driving my blade into his exposed chest. He let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing to the ground, his massive frame shaking the entire chamber. I stood over his fallen body, panting and covered in sweat. My health was at a sliver, but I¡¯d done it. The room fell silent as the boss disintegrated, leaving behind a shimmering pile of loot. A notification popped up in my HUD: Tomb of the Ancients: Hero Gurlax Defeated. As I sifted through the loot, my eyes lingered on the necklace, Dark Pact of the Eternals. It gleamed with an otherworldly black hue, its surface pulsing faintly like a beating heart. The description intrigued me: a Warlock-centric item that boosted stats evenly by 15. It seemed modest, but in a game like this, it was rare and invaluable. I slipped it into my inventory, already imagining how it would synergize with my build. Turning to leave, a chill ran down my spine. A presence. My instincts screamed at me before I even registered the faintest sound¡ªa whisper, like breath brushing against the nape of my neck. "Who''s there?" I called, gripping my sword tightly despite my nearly depleted HP. Fighting now would be futile, but dying wasn¡¯t my concern. It was who¡ªor what¡ªwas here with me. Out of the shadows stepped a figure draped in long, flowing robes that seemed to defy the game¡¯s rendering. The textures rippled unnaturally, like static bleeding through the fabric of reality. The figure¡¯s face was obscured by a hood, but what lay beneath wasn¡¯t human. Two hollow, glowing eyes stared at me, devoid of warmth, their light flickering like dying embers. "You are... a fascinating gamer." The voice was hollow, layered, and unnatural, as if multiple people were speaking in unison. I took a cautious step back, my pulse hammering in my ears. The game glitched. The cavern blurred, textures warping and tearing around the edges of my vision. The figure didn¡¯t move, but its presence seemed to distort everything around it. "You seek not riches," it said, its voice resonating deep within my chest. "But you seek to be the best builder. This... makes you privy to the darker aspects of this world." My head swam as the glitches intensified. Walls flickered in and out of existence, the torchlight dimming into an eerie, unnatural blue hue. It felt as if the game itself was... alive. Twisting. Breathing. "Who are you?" I demanded, though my voice came out hoarse and unsteady. The figure tilted its head, a faint trace of amusement emanating from it. "Someone who watches. Someone who observes... this world very closely." I flinched as the glitches worsened, the very air vibrating with static. For a moment, I thought my VR set was overheating, but then I realized it wasn¡¯t just my game. It was me. A suffocating pressure wrapped around my chest as the figure spoke again. "The guilds that hunt you¡ªthe Crossbones, the Red Masters¡ªthey are nothing compared to what lies ahead. Your talent will attract... attention. Not all of it welcome." "Wait! What do you mean by darker aspects?" I demanded, my hands shaking. "This is just a game, isn¡¯t it?" The figure leaned closer, and for the first time, I noticed its shadow¡ªor rather, its absence. Where its form stood, the ground beneath it was consumed by a void, blacker than anything I¡¯d seen. "This is not just a game. This is a test." The words felt heavy, as if they carried a weight I couldn¡¯t yet comprehend. "A test to see who is worthy to ascend." "Ascend to what?" I asked, my voice rising. It didn¡¯t answer. Instead, it stared at me, its hollow gaze piercing through my very being. Then, without warning, the room shifted. I was no longer in the cavern. I was standing in an endless expanse of darkness. Around me, whispers echoed¡ªindistinct voices murmuring my name. My breath hitched as I spun in place, but there was nothing. Just me... and the figure. "Those who tread the path you have chosen... rarely emerge unscathed," it said, its voice now a low growl. "Beware the unseen rules. Beware those who would watch... and those who would play." Before I could respond, the figure dissolved into smoke, vanishing as if it had never been there. The cavern flickered back into view, but I was left cold, my heart racing. A faint whisper lingered in the air, barely audible: "The days ahead will not be silent... nor peaceful." I stood there, frozen, the enormity of what had just happened sinking in. This was no ordinary NPC encounter. This was something else. Something darker. And as I left the boss room, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. I logged out of the game and sank back into reality. My eyes were sore, my head throbbed, and the questions swirled around my mind like a storm. What the hell was that? I couldn¡¯t shake the image of the hooded figure or the cryptic warnings it had delivered. Dark aspects to a video game? It sounded absurd. If the developers had built something sinister into the game, wouldn¡¯t someone have leaked it by now? This was the age of data miners and whistleblowers, after all. Yet something about this felt... wrong. Even the EternaLink unit, supposedly able to run endlessly without overheating, had been running hot after I logged out. I shook my head. "Worthy of ascension," it had said. The phrase echoed in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts. It was too much, even for a pro gamer. Grabbing a glass of water, I downed it with a couple of headache pills and collapsed into bed, the disjointed thoughts following me into fitful dreams. The next morning, I groggily sat up and immediately reached for my phone. My curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the game forums. If someone else experienced that strange encounter, maybe they¡¯d posted about it. Scrolling through threads, I found one by Mira, one of the few players I respected. Her post was straightforward but tinged with the same unease I felt ''Hi all, I was in the tombs last night and this crazy but very creepy glitch occured, a figure said some weird cryptic dialog, Devs can you explain this or is there an event that we don''t know about? For whatever reason it was really creepy.'' Her words hit close to home. At least I wasn¡¯t alone in this. I scrolled down to the replies, expecting more insights, but my mood soured immediately when I saw Blazer''s name pop up. His reply was dripping with his usual brand of obnoxiousness: ''Mira I saw it too, something about ascension or some weird nonsense. Odd how you are posting first, I figured hotshot would post it first but I forget he is trying to be original'' I clenched my jaw. Blazer. The self-proclaimed big shot who built his reputation by piggybacking off others. His entire response was bait, aimed squarely at me. Asshat. I closed the app before I could stew on it any longer. Whether Blazer had actually seen the figure or was just trying to stay relevant didn¡¯t matter. I had bigger concerns than his pathetic attempts to stir up drama. Mira¡¯s post had confirmed one thing: I wasn¡¯t imagining it. This wasn¡¯t a random glitch or a fever dream born from gaming too late into the night. Others were seeing this figure too, and whatever was happening in EternaLink was far bigger than any one of us. Shoving Blazer¡¯s nonsense aside, I turned my focus back to the game. There¡¯s something here. Something hidden beneath the surface. If this was part of the game, I was determined to uncover it. If it wasn¡¯t... well, I needed answers, no matter the cost. Chapter 7: The Duel I logged back in, the flickering light of the virtual tavern greeting me as my avatar materialized. Was it a need for answers? Or was it just pure, unrelenting curiosity? I couldn¡¯t say. Maybe it was both. Either way, my drive to perfect this build pushed me forward. The recent fights left their mark, not just on my level but on the game¡¯s politics. The Crossbones guild, once an unstoppable juggernaut, now felt the sting of defeat¡ªdelivered by someone twenty levels below them. It proved what I¡¯d always believed: levels didn¡¯t dictate skill. The cleric and fighter I¡¯d wiped in the tomb were the first dominoes in what I intended to be a chain reaction. This game had problems, and I was more than happy to be their catalyst. My musings were interrupted as a familiar, obnoxious voice cut through my thoughts. "Hotshot pondering on how to be smug today?" I didn¡¯t even have to look to know who it was. Blazer. Of course. "Well, if it isn¡¯t the petulant child in all his glory," I replied, glancing at his avatar. Level 70 now. Not bad. But a quick inspection of his build made me smirk¡ªhe was sticking to the tired old meta. The same stale strategies that had ruled the game for ages. I aimed to introduce something better: my own meta. "Still refusing to acknowledge my greatness?" Blazer leaned in, his virtual face inches from mine. "Greatness?" I arched an eyebrow. "This isn¡¯t some juvenile power fantasy, Blazer. And your repeated attempts at character assassination only make you look like a moron. Especially when it comes to Mira." That hit a nerve. His face contorted in irritation, but he quickly masked it with his usual smugness. "I think it¡¯s time we settle this once and for all," he said, stepping back and drawing attention from the tavern''s other patrons. "I challenge you, Astraeus. One week. Grand Arena. No excuses, no hiding behind your ¡®build genius¡¯ nonsense. I¡¯ll prove you were never at the top of your game in Royale Online." And with that, he spun on his heel and strode out of the tavern, leaving me both irritated and... profoundly confused. What even was that? A schoolyard challenge? Still, he wanted a fight. Fine. I¡¯d give him one. I pulled up my stats, my grin growing as I saw the gains from my recent escapades. Current Level: 48 Base Stats (Post-Distribution): Synergy Bonuses: My new skills made the possibilities endless. The combination of Warlock and Fighter unlocked new synergies I couldn¡¯t wait to test. The Atlas of Power nodes I¡¯d unlocked added an extra layer of customization that would make me unpredictable in the arena. New Skills Unlocked: Fighter Skills: Warlock Skills: Fusion Skills: The Atlas of Power had unlocked even more potential. I placed points strategically to maximize my build, focusing on nodes that enhanced both physical and magical damage, as well as debuff synergy. I looked at my damage modifiers and nearly laughed. Arcanic Blast alone had a 40% boost from my stats, gear, and the new synergy bonuses. Add in the curses and fusion skills, and Blazer wouldn¡¯t know what hit him. "One week, huh?" I muttered to myself, stepping out of the tavern and into the city streets. "You¡¯d better bring your A-game, Blazer. Because I¡¯m about to rewrite the meta." The Atlas of Power''s shimmering interface hovered in front of me, nodes branching out like a galaxy of untapped potential. My focus settled on one specific node: Archon''s Defense. It would cut an enemy''s damage output by 25%, and against someone like Blazer¡ªwhose entire strategy revolved around high burst damage¡ªI needed every edge I could get. The ability to refund and redistribute nodes was a lifesaver. I¡¯d rework my build specifically to make him embarrass himself, turning his over-reliance on the meta into his downfall. Blazer was skilled, no doubt, but predictable. The way he refused to adapt would be his undoing. As I was deep in thought, a familiar voice broke my concentration. "So it¡¯s finally come down to this, huh? Blazer laid down his challenge?" Mira''s tone was equal parts exasperation and amusement. I didn¡¯t turn around. "Yes. And I have no doubt he¡¯s going to try some nonsense. So, I¡¯m preparing. I don¡¯t expect a fair 1v1, knowing his sycophantic followers. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll have backup." Mira raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "You have friends other than me?" I smirked. "Not exactly. I¡¯m calling in a favor from the Red Masters. Their GM, Zero, is... an interesting fellow. A beta player, but not one of those arrogant fossils who think their early access makes them gods. He¡¯s sharp and knows how to play the long game." Her eyes widened in mock horror. "You¡¯re going to involve Zero? The Red Masters? You do realize they¡¯re a max-level guild, right? What if they decide to PK you on the spot?"The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "I¡¯m not worried," I replied, brushing off her concerns. "Besides, the point isn¡¯t for them to fight Blazer. I want them to be a deterrent. If Zero and his guild are out there in full view, Blazer¡¯s little squad won¡¯t dare pull anything. The crowd, too¡ªthey¡¯ll think twice before interfering." Mira sighed but didn¡¯t argue. "Fair enough. Just don¡¯t get yourself killed before I can say ''I told you so.''" The Red Masters¡¯ guild hall was located deep in the Wildlands, a sprawling, treacherous region infamous for its high-level monster spawns and dangerous terrain. Unlike most games, Age of Eternity allowed guilds to establish their halls practically anywhere, as long as it wasn¡¯t too close to key story zones or spawn points like the Tomb of the Ancients. The Red Masters had chosen a spot near the Necromancer¡¯s Lair, a dungeon I had already conquered through the story quests. Traveling there wasn¡¯t as hard as I¡¯d expected. Monsters avoided me now, their aggro triggers nullified by my level. It wasn¡¯t long before I arrived at the guild hall¡ªa surprisingly small, unassuming house with the Red Masters¡¯ emblem glowing in bright neon above the door. As I approached, the door creaked open, and Zero himself stepped out. His avatar was an imposing figure clad in crimson and black armor, his weapon¡ªa massive greatsword¡ªslung casually over one shoulder. "Well, well," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "What brings you here, Astraeus?" I wasn¡¯t intimidated. Not by him, not by anyone. Still, I¡¯d prepared for the possibility of betrayal, stashing my inventory in storage before making the trip. "I came to ask a favor," I said plainly. Zero¡¯s brow arched. "A favor? I heard about Blazer¡¯s challenge. Let me guess¡ªyou want me to PK him?" I chuckled. "No, nothing so crude. I want you to be present at the fight. Out in front, where everyone can see you. Your reputation alone will keep things from spiraling out of control. Most PK guilds won¡¯t interfere if they see the Red Masters watching. Even Blazer¡¯s comrades will think twice." Zero leaned against the doorframe, stroking his chin. "Interesting. But what¡¯s stopping his lackeys from trying to gank you anyway?" "Nothing, really," I admitted. "But they¡¯re cowards at heart. They¡¯ll hesitate if you¡¯re there. And if they do try anything, well..." I grinned. "I doubt they¡¯ll last long under your guild¡¯s gaze." He considered my words, then nodded. "Your reasoning¡¯s sound. I like it. Tell you what¡ªwe¡¯ll show up in full capacity. I¡¯m curious to see how you fare against Blazer. He¡¯s got skill... for a baseline fighter. But you and I both know it¡¯s not about levels. It¡¯s about how you adapt your build to the situation." I narrowed my eyes. "What¡¯s the catch? There¡¯s always a catch." Zero smirked. "A small favor, to be decided later. Nothing major¡ªjust keep it in mind. We¡¯ll see you in a week, Astraeus. Don¡¯t disappoint me. Oh, and knowing the history between you and Blazer, this could be the kind of battle Age of Eternity hasn¡¯t seen since that guy in the bird mask... Wonder what game he¡¯s playing now." He chuckled to himself before turning and disappearing into the house. I stood there for a moment, collecting my thoughts, before turning and making my way back to town. The week ahead would be grueling, but I¡¯d be ready. Blazer had no idea what he was walking into. The week had finally come to pass. I logged in early that morning to make some last-minute adjustments. After tweaking my build and ensuring my inventory was primed, I opened my mailbox to find an Arena pass waiting for me. The sender? Blazer, of course. "Just so you can''t say you didn''t know how to get here, chump." Same old Blazer. Even in something as trivial as sending a pass, he couldn''t resist a quip. I shook my head, dismissing the notification. However, a quick glance at the forums revealed the extent of his antics. He¡¯d been smearing my name across the community, dragging up the past and branding me a fraud. According to him, I was a "fake gamer" and a "cheater." Some players sided with him; others openly mocked his obsession. It took a certain level of charisma¡ªor desperation¡ªto turn an entire game¡¯s population into your personal bounty hunters, chasing someone across the map until they logged off for good. It didn¡¯t matter. Blazer had failed then, and he¡¯d fail now. I teleported to the arena using the pass. It was colossal, easily one of the most breathtaking structures in Age of Eternity. Massive stone pillars reached into the sky, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shift and shimmer as the sunlight hit them. Dust and small bits of debris cascaded from their edges, animated with such care it felt real. The sheer artistry of this place was overwhelming¡ªa testament to the developers'' dedication. Players filled the stands, their chatter blending into a chaotic symphony. Bets were being placed everywhere: a level 55 challenger against a level 70 juggernaut. I had no illusions about the odds stacked against me. Blazer wasn¡¯t some low-skill PKer like Skullhead; he had real talent. But his short fuse? That was his Achilles'' heel, and I intended to exploit it. As promised, Zero and the Red Masters were present in full force, their crimson banners fluttering in the wind. Across from them, Skullhead¡¯s Crossbones guild had also arrived, undoubtedly hoping to see me fail. Even new players¡ªlikely curious about the spectacle¡ªhad filled the cheap seats. This wasn¡¯t just a duel; it was an event. Blazer entered from the opposite side of the arena, his new gear practically glowing. Legendary Armor of the Dragon Slayer and the Legendary Berserker Blade: Guts. Typical Blazer, going all-in with flashy PvP gear. Meanwhile, I still wore my tried-and-true equipment from the mid-level grind. It wasn¡¯t legendary, but it offered excellent defense and mobility¡ªexactly what I needed. "Didn''t think you''d actually show up, hotshot," Blazer sneered, his voice carrying through the arena. "Why not?" I replied, stepping forward. "Afraid people might see this for what it really is? A level 70 bully trying to stomp someone 15 levels lower than him. Not a great look, Blazer." "Spare me the speech," he shot back. "This is about proving what everyone already knows: you''re a fraud. All your so-called skill? It''s nothing but exploits." I rolled my eyes. "Still clinging to that? Just because you couldn¡¯t build a solid character in Royale Online doesn¡¯t mean I cheated. Face it: you couldn¡¯t keep up then, and you can¡¯t keep up now." His face reddened, the veins in his neck visibly straining. "I¡¯m gonna crush you and show everyone that Avisious was a pathetic, lying bastard." I sighed, activating my Dark Pact abilities. My Fighter/Warlock hybrid build gave me access to a mix of devastating melee skills and hexes. I had tweaked it just enough to keep him guessing. Without warning, Blazer activated Two-Handed Stance, his blade shimmering with energy as it doubled his damage output. He dashed forward with Lunge Strike, a blur of steel and fury. But I was ready. With a quick series of commands, I unleashed my opening salvo: Debilitating Hex, Curse of Drudgery, and Grand Hex: Siphoning. The effects stacked instantly. His movement slowed to a crawl, his attack and defense were weakened, and his MP and stamina drained away. Blazer staggered mid-lunge, his momentum all but gone. I activated Light Step, darting around his sluggish form and slicing into his side. A Bleed debuff appeared above his head. "Predictable as ever, Blazer," I taunted, circling him. He growled, swinging wildly with a horizontal slash. I ducked under it, countering with Achilles Strike. The hit landed cleanly, reducing his movement speed even further. "Come on, Blazer," I said mockingly. "All that shiny gear, and you can¡¯t even keep up? Did you forget how to read tooltips?" "You son of a¡ª!" he roared, activating Berserker¡¯s Rage. His movements became erratic, and his attacks grew more powerful, but his defense plummeted. "Ah, there it is," I said with a smirk. "Your favorite crutch. You know, Blazer, if brute force was all it took to win, you''d be unstoppable. But it¡¯s not, is it?" He charged, swinging his blade in a furious combo. I dodged each strike with precision, his stamina bar visibly depleting with every missed attack. "You¡¯re running out of steam," I said, landing another blow that triggered Weaken. "But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll end this quickly. Wouldn¡¯t want you embarrassing yourself too much in front of your fan club." Blazer snarled, attempting to close the distance with a desperate Overhead Smash. I sidestepped, activating Siphoning Slash. His MP hit zero, leaving him unable to cast any abilities. "Oops," I said, feigning surprise. "Looks like someone forgot to manage their resources. Rookie mistake." The crowd roared as I landed the finishing blow¡ªa Crescent Arc slash that sent Blazer sprawling to the ground. His HP bar hit zero, and the arena fell silent. I sheathed my sword, turning to the audience. "Thanks for the warm-up, Blazer. Next time, maybe bring a strategy instead of just whining about the past." "This isn''t over!" Blazer shouted at me "It is Blazer, put the past to rest. I beat you fair and square, you should know levels and gear don''t make the player, skills and careful tweaking here and there of abilities and resource management makes a build work, you''re just jealous as you never measured up to me" The Red Masters cheered, while Skullhead¡¯s guild sat in stunned silence. Blazer lay defeated, his grudge shattered for all to see. For the first time in a long time, I felt... free. Chapter 8: Crueler Intentions With Blazer thoroughly humiliated, sprawled across the arena floor, I scanned the roaring crowd. My heart should have been pounding with adrenaline and satisfaction, but something else gnawed at me. Among the throng, I spotted it¡ªthe same cloaked figure I had encountered in Hero Gurlax¡¯s tomb. The one that spoke in riddles and left me more confused than enlightened. And then, the game froze. The crowd became eerily silent, their movements suspended mid-cheer like statues in a surreal tableau. The figure materialized before me, its presence exuding a strange energy¡ªequal parts eerie and¡­ oddly celebratory. Its tone was jubilant, almost mocking. "Excellent." The voice echoed, carrying an unnatural resonance. "You¡¯ve proven yourself not just to this audience, but to the world of Age of Eternity. It¡¯s not levels or gear that define greatness¡ªit¡¯s effort, ingenuity, and raw talent. All of which you possess in abundance. You¡¯ve reminded them all what separates the casuals from the pros." I tightened my grip on my weapon, glaring at the specter. "You spoke in riddles before. If you¡¯re going to pop up after every fight, at least tell me what you actually want." The figure chuckled darkly. "Straight to the point, I see. Very well. Let me lay it bare: I was one of the creators of this game, before I was cast aside by the very company I helped build. Their betrayal was... unforgivable. They treated me like garbage. Can you believe that? Like common trash!" Its voice twisted with venom at the last word, but I wasn¡¯t buying the sob story. "If they got rid of you, then how are you even here? Last I checked, game devs don¡¯t haunt their own code." The figure leaned closer, as if confiding a forbidden truth. "Because I transcended. This world¡­ it¡¯s more than just pixels and algorithms. It¡¯s alive. And now, I¡¯ve become part of it. I¡¯ve ascended to something greater than human. And you, Astraeus, are destined to be my vanguard." I blinked, then burst out laughing. "Vanguard? Yeah, no thanks. I didn¡¯t grind through toxic guild drama and petty rivalries just to become someone else¡¯s lackey. I have my own goals¡ªbeing the best player in this game, on my own terms. Your whole ¡®revenge against the system¡¯ shtick? Hard pass." The figure¡¯s tone grew colder, its joy evaporating like smoke. "You would reject the gift I¡¯m offering? To rise above the mediocrity of players, to wield true power¡ªnot just within this game, but beyond it? Do you not understand the opportunity I¡¯m giving you?" I crossed my arms, unwavering. "Oh, I understand just fine. There are plenty of other players who¡¯d jump at the chance to be your lackey. Me? I don¡¯t need your shortcuts or your vendettas. I¡¯ll earn my place at the top the hard way¡ªwithout your so-called gifts." The figure¡¯s form darkened, its edges flickering with static like a corrupted file. "Then so be it, Astraeus. You¡¯ve chosen your path, and I will ensure it is fraught with hardship. The victories you claim today will taste of ash tomorrow. I will turn this game into a nightmare for you, and you will beg for respite before the end." I smirked, unfazed. "Nightmares? Bring them on. I thrive under pressure. And when I do reach the top, it¡¯ll only make it that much sweeter knowing I did it without you." The figure lingered a moment longer, its presence heavy with silent fury, before vanishing in a burst of glitch-like particles. The game unfroze, the crowd¡¯s cheers returning in full force. They chanted my name, celebrating my victory as Blazer was unceremoniously carted off the field by his guildmates. But their cheers couldn¡¯t shake the unease that crept over me. Whatever that figure was¡ªglitch, ghost, or something else¡ªit wasn¡¯t done with me. And somehow, I doubted this would be our last encounter. For now, though, I let the roar of the crowd wash over me. This was my moment, and no bitter dev-gone-rogue was going to steal it from me. I returned to Twilight City, a place that was usually buzzing with life¡ªplayers advertising rare loot, groups recruiting for dungeon runs, or the constant hum of proxy voice chats. But now, it was eerily quiet, like the aftermath of a forgotten battle. No traders hawking their wares, no rowdy banter. The silence was almost suffocating. It felt like a sign: my time here was done. The Coiled City called to me. Far across the Wildlands and through the treacherous Corax Mountains, it was a sprawling metropolis coiled like a serpent around a massive central pillar. Its structure was both chaotic and awe-inspiring, and its bustling hub would be my next destination. The Wildlands posed no challenge. The lower-level monsters skittered out of my way, and I didn¡¯t bother with the newbie players cautiously grinding in the area. I don¡¯t PK out of malice¡­ No, when I PK, it¡¯s purely out of pettiness. But today wasn¡¯t the day for indulging that part of myself. My focus was set on the Coiled City. When I reached the Corax Mountains, the terrain shifted. Jagged cliffs and snow-dusted peaks surrounded me, their ridges hiding veins of ore and other resources. For a miner, this place was a paradise. For me? A detour I¡¯d take another time. My goal was clear: cross these mountains and reach the next safe zone. That¡¯s when I saw them. Blocking the narrow pass ahead was a familiar sight¡ªan obnoxiously armored player and his group of equally obnoxious lackeys. Skullhead. The self-proclaimed king of PvP griefing. His ridiculous oversized helmet glinted in the dim mountain sunlight, and I groaned internally. "Well, well," Skullhead sneered, raising his weapon. "Stop right there, noob."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He was still calling me a noob. How creative. "What do you want, asshat?" I shot back, casually resting my weapon on my shoulder. Better to call him something fitting. He grinned smugly, clearly enjoying the attention. "Blazer was a high-level badass, and you buried him. There¡¯s no way someone like you¡ªa nobody¡ªcould pull off moves like that without exploiting the system." His tone was dripping with unwarranted confidence. I sighed, shaking my head. "Blazer? Still an idiot. Look, if you¡¯re gonna accuse me of hacking, at least do your homework first. Tell you what¡ªgo look up Royale Online, check the top ten meta builders of the last decade. Ignore every name that isn¡¯t Avisious. Then, when you¡¯re done, come back and let me know how it feels to be the dumbest person in this game." He blinked, confused by my casual dismissal. One of his lackeys whispered something to him, and Skullhead¡¯s smug grin faltered. Without a word, he opened his menu, presumably to look me up. The silence that followed was the sweetest thing I¡¯d heard all day. When he finally returned, his face was pale beneath the glowing skull helmet. "You¡¯re¡­ that guy, aren¡¯t you? Avisious. I¡¯ve seen the vids. Fifteen players¡ªhigh levels¡ªand you cut through them with nothing but a basic thief build." His voice trembled slightly, and the confidence he¡¯d arrived with was now long gone. I smirked. "Correct. And what you saw back then? That was just me playing around. This Fighter/Warlock build I¡¯m running now? This is the new meta. It synergizes with every stat, every skill tree, and every playstyle I¡¯ve mastered over the years. Blazer lost because he relies on the same tired stamina-draining combos and basic attack spam. The guy doesn¡¯t even know how to move properly in this game." Skullhead swallowed hard, glancing back at his crew, who were all shifting uncomfortably. "Here¡¯s the thing, Skullhead," I continued, stepping forward. He flinched. "Players like me? We don¡¯t play this game to follow the rules. We rewrite them. And if you¡¯ve got half a brain, you¡¯ll do yourself a favor and find another mountain pass. I¡¯m not in the mood to babysit a bunch of clowns today." For a moment, he looked like he might say something. Instead, he motioned to his group, and they slinked off without another word, disappearing into the rocks like the vermin they were. I sighed in relief as the path cleared. No unnecessary fights, no wasted time. The Coiled City was waiting, and I had no intention of letting anyone¡ªor anything¡ªslow me down. Eventually The Coiled City came into view, descriptions of it did it no justice, the thing was massive, I''m suprised it didn''t render at the base of the mountains from the Wildlands side. I made my way down the path, there were hundreds of higher level players with their own guilds and hunting parties. The forums weren''t kidding¡ªthis was just the beginning of the real game, a mere tutorial before the deeper, darker layers unraveled. Standing at the base of The Coiled City, I spotted the unmistakable glow of a quest marker hovering above an NPC stationed near the city gates. The farmer, clad in worn-out overalls and clutching a crude pitchfork, gestured with desperation. "A Wyvern has been terrorizing the outskirts, torching fields and devouring livestock. If you wish entry to the Coiled City, you must slay the beast and bring us peace." Straightforward enough. Slay the Wyvern, gain access, and progress the story. It was a textbook entry-level quest, but I couldn¡¯t help feeling intrigued. Wyverns were far from true dragons, but they were still formidable opponents, and I wanted to see how the game handled such encounters. After all, the last dragon I faced was undead¡ªa very different flavor of challenge. Accepting the quest, I followed the marker into the outskirts. Along the way, I passed several players heading back toward the city gates, cheering over their victories. Most carried minor loot and wore wide grins of satisfaction, clearly reveling in their recent triumphs. When I arrived at the quest location, the Wyvern was already waiting for me. It perched on a jagged boulder, its crimson scales shimmering in the sunlight, eyes locked onto me with predatory intent. As I approached, it let out a thunderous roar, the force sending ripples through the air. I wasted no time. Drawing my sword, I unleashed Arcanic Blast: Dark Surge, a crackling wave of violet energy hurtling toward the Wyvern. The attack struck true, the dark energy ripping a chunk from its health bar. But the Wyvern wasn''t one to be underestimated. With a beat of its massive wings, it launched into the air, circling ominously above me. "Alright, big guy. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got." As it swooped down, claws extended, I activated Light Step, my body becoming a blur as I darted forward, evading the strike and closing the gap. Swinging my sword, I aimed for its flank¡ªbut the blade bounced harmlessly off its shimmering scales. A HUD notification blinked: [Notice] Wyvern immune to physical damage. Use elemental or magical attacks. Perfect. A grin spread across my face. This was the kind of challenge I thrived on. Switching tactics, I raised my offhand and called forth Wizard¡¯s Perk: Lightning Bolt. A brilliant streak of electricity erupted from my fingertips, slamming into the Wyvern mid-air. The beast shrieked, stunned as arcs of lightning danced across its body. With it momentarily incapacitated, I chained another spell: Arcanic Blast: Dark Chains. Shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around its legs and wings, pinning it to the earth with a resounding crash. Now immobilized, the creature writhed in fury, but I wasn¡¯t done yet. I activated Dark Hex: Weaken, a glowing sigil forming above the Wyvern as its defenses visibly crumbled. Its health bar dipped further, leaving it wide open for my finishing moves. Channeling Arcanic Blast, I unleashed a flurry of strikes, the violet energy exploding on impact and carving massive chunks from its health. Each blast echoed through the valley, a symphony of destruction. The Wyvern made a desperate attempt to lash out with its tail, but I stepped back, easily dodging the sluggish strike. With one final Arcanic Blast, the Wyvern let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its health bar depleted. The ground trembled as its massive frame hit the earth, lifeless. As the Wyvern¡¯s body faded, a small pile of loot materialized at my feet. Among the spoils were a bundle of crimson scales, a venom sac, and an unusual glowing orb labeled ¡®???? Orb.¡¯ Its tooltip offered no explanation, only an air of mystery. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll figure you out later,¡± I muttered, pocketing the orb. A popup appeared in my HUD: Quest Complete: The Wyvern Access to The Coiled City is now granted. The gates creaked open, revealing the sprawling metropolis of the Coiled City. Its architecture was breathtaking¡ªbuildings spiraled upward along the city¡¯s central pillar, while intricate pathways and sky bridges connected districts in a dizzying maze. I stepped forward, noting the wary eyes of higher-level players who briefly glanced my way. They were sizing me up, but I paid them no mind. My focus was on what lay ahead. Rumors spoke of the Coiled City being more than just a hub¡ªit was a gateway to two massive dungeons, one beneath the city and the other high above. I couldn¡¯t wait to explore both. This was it. The start of the game¡¯s darker, more complex layers. And I was ready to carve my path through them, one victory at a time. Chapter 9: The Guild The Coiled City was vast and full of promise, but it also signaled the start of something different¡ªsomething darker. Sure, the Twilight City and the Tombs of the Ancients were challenging, but this? This was on another level. Rumors about the Lower Dungeon painted a grim picture: stone statues that came to life, capable of delivering one-hit kills to anyone who couldn¡¯t master dodge mechanics or rely on a sturdy shield. The catch? Solo players couldn¡¯t freely explore the Lower Dungeon. You needed a guild. I cursed under my breath. The idea of joining a guild again stirred unpleasant memories. My last guild, back in Royale Online, had been the reason I¡¯d nearly quit gaming entirely. The thought of having to rely on others, even temporarily, made my stomach twist. But if I wanted to proceed, I didn¡¯t have a choice. There was one person I could trust. Even if she was insufferably smug at times. I opened my voice menu and sent a quick message: ¡°Mira, I¡¯m in The Coiled City. If you want to meet up and discuss a potentially lucrative partnership, let me know.¡± Her reply wasn¡¯t a message but her actual arrival. Half an hour later, she strolled into the Brass Tavern, her rogue¡¯s gear polished and pristine. Mira sauntered over and sat across from me, her smirk already forming. ¡°So,¡± she began, her tone dripping with amusement, ¡°you¡¯ve discovered the downside of being a solo player. Parties and guilds are the key to unlocking the real content. Told you.¡± I groaned inwardly. I¡¯d walked straight into that one. ¡°I see you¡¯ve joined a guild yourself.¡± My gaze flicked to the emblem by her name: ¡®Ascension.¡¯ ¡°Don¡¯t let the name fool you,¡± she replied, leaning back. ¡°That specter¡ªyeah, the pissed-off dev haunting the game¡ªasked if I wanted to ¡®ascend.¡¯ I told it no. I¡¯d rather climb the mountain myself.¡± I raised an eyebrow at her response, intrigued. Mira had rejected the specter¡¯s offer, just like I had. That made me wonder: who had actually taken the deal? ¡°So, the guild name,¡± I ventured, ¡°is it just... on the nose, or is there more to it?¡± She shrugged. ¡°Kind of both. Like the Red Masters, Ascension has been around since the beta. Joining an established guild gives you access to more resources, better intel, and the kind of experience you can¡¯t grind for. Levels don¡¯t equate to skill, after all. Plus, the guild master wants to meet you. He¡¯ll be here in about ten minutes. You willing to give him a chance?¡± I hesitated. Memories of Royale Online surfaced¡ªspecifically, the betrayal by Blazer and his cronies. They¡¯d turned guild politics into a weapon, forcing me to quit the game entirely for a time. The scars of that experience hadn¡¯t fully healed, but the allure of the Lower Dungeon tugged at me like a siren¡¯s call. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s see what he has to offer.¡± Exactly ten minutes later, a tall, imposing figure strode into the tavern. Apollo, the guild master of Ascension, exuded confidence. His gear was a mix of heavy plate and intricate runes glowing faintly with arcane energy, befitting his unique Mage/Berserker class. He approached our table and extended a hand. ¡°Astraeus. It¡¯s an honor. Mira¡¯s told me about your exploits back in Royale Online. I played it a bit myself, during its peak, and your name was everywhere.¡± I shook his hand, wary but intrigued. Apollo continued. ¡°I understand you¡¯re here for the Lower Dungeon,¡± he said. ¡°And I¡¯ll be blunt¡ªyou can¡¯t access it solo. The game¡¯s design locks it behind guild affiliation, partly for balance and partly to force cooperation. Now, I know you prefer going it alone, but joining a guild doesn¡¯t mean giving up your autonomy. It just opens doors.¡± Apollo gestured to the seat opposite him and sat down. His eyes held a spark of curiosity. ¡°Now, about you specifically,¡± he said, leaning forward. ¡°There are rumors about your fight with Blazer¡ªabout how you dismantled him with skills most people don¡¯t even think to combine. The way you mitigated the MP drain from the Warlock¡¯s Dark Pact abilities? Genius. I¡¯ve seen plenty of Fighter/Warlock hybrids, but none that operate with your level of precision. You¡¯re a builder, Astraeus, and one hell of a creative one.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. His praise caught me off guard. I wasn¡¯t used to guild masters being so genuine¡ªor so knowledgeable. ¡°So,¡± he continued, ¡°what do you say? Ascension offers you access to the Lower Dungeon, resources, and a team when you need it. We won¡¯t get in your way if you want to solo most of the content. But here¡¯s the hard truth: the game won¡¯t let you progress past this point without joining a guild. The dungeon will chew you up without backup, no matter how skilled you are. And being part of a guild provides more than just access¡ªit offers protection. Not that I think you need it, but it¡¯s there.¡± I glanced at Mira. She gave me a knowing look, smug but supportive. I sighed. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll join. If only to keep Mira off my back.¡± Apollo grinned and extended his hand again. As we shook, the system notification popped up: You have joined the guild: Ascension. The deal was done. I was officially part of a guild again. But this time felt different. Ascension wasn¡¯t Blazer¡¯s crew. They didn¡¯t feel like backstabbers or opportunists. For the first time in years, I felt a flicker of optimism. The Lower Dungeon awaited, and with this team, I might actually survive long enough to see what lurked in its depths. The chat box flooded with messages welcoming me to the guild. ¡°Welcome to Ascension!¡± ¡°Glad to have you, Astraeus!¡± ¡°Mira¡¯s been talking you up!¡± Each line of text came from a different member, their enthusiasm evident. The sheer size of the guild¡ª230 members¡ªmeant a mix of potential allies and, if things went sideways, possible adversaries. But they seemed like decent people, gamers who enjoyed the game as much as I did, though trust wasn¡¯t something I gave lightly. I glanced at Mira, who was grinning. Apollo was about to leave but turned back, his expression serious. ¡°There are two things I expect from every guild member,¡± he said. ¡°First, have fun. If you¡¯re not enjoying yourself, what¡¯s the point? Second, attend the weekly guild meetings¡ªevery Tuesday at 6 p.m. The schedule¡¯s in the Guild tab on your HUD. Show up. Share your insights. Learn from others.¡± He gave me a sharp nod and then strode out, leaving me with a mix of curiosity and determination. A weekly meeting... it seemed mundane, but it was also an opportunity. These players had far more experience in the game, and I was hungry¡ªno, ravenous¡ªfor information. Mechanics, lore, strategies¡ªeverything that could give me an edge. I was here for the climb, not the handouts. Mira stayed behind, her expression turning curious as she leaned forward slightly. ¡°So, about that spectre... Was it aggressive when it made the offer to ascend?¡± I thought back to the encounter, the strange chill that crept into my core as it spoke. ¡°Aggressive? More like insistent. It acted like I¡¯d earned the right to ascend, but the way it framed it... I don¡¯t know. It felt off, like it was dangling bait.¡± I paused, studying her face. ¡°I wonder how many players it¡¯s managed to lure. I doubt the offer¡¯s some game-breaking shortcut, though. That¡¯d be too easy.¡± Mira¡¯s brow furrowed as she fell into thought. She was an analyst in the real world, always working theories like a puzzle. Her voice was steady, but there was a sharpness to her reasoning. ¡°If the spectre¡¯s offer isn¡¯t limited to a small group and it¡¯s appearing to newbies as well, then it¡¯s a psychological play. The quick and easy path can be tempting for people who can¡¯t stomach the grind. Someone like Blazer, though?¡± She shook her head. ¡°No. He wouldn¡¯t take it.¡± ¡°Not even after I humiliated him?¡± I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Mira tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°How many times have you clashed with him? He always comes up short, but he¡¯s no fool. Blazer would never stoop to something like that. His pride wouldn¡¯t let him. If anything, beating you with his own skill is probably what keeps him coming back.¡± A small smirk touched her lips. ¡°Or, well, it did. Word is, after your last match, he took a break. Went to ¡®touch grass,¡¯ as they say.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at that. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d beaten him so thoroughly.¡± Still, I put Blazer out of my mind. The Lower Dungeon was the real challenge now. ¡°What about the Higher Dungeon?¡± I asked, pivoting quickly. ¡°How do I get access to that?¡± Mira blinked at my abrupt shift but answered smoothly. ¡°You¡¯ll need an Orb of Ascent. From what I¡¯ve heard, it¡¯s only found on the lowest floor of the Lower Dungeon.¡± I frowned. ¡°How many floors are we talking?¡± ¡°150,¡± she said, her voice carrying a note of warning. ¡°And it¡¯s brutal. The traps down there? Sadistic. Someone got one-shot by a flame jet even though they had maxed fire resistance¡ªthese are people who hunt Red Flame Dragons for fun.¡± The sheer scale of the challenge made my pulse quicken. ¡°What about the bosses?¡± ¡°Mini-bosses all the way down. The type changes depending on the floor, time of day, even how many monsters you¡¯ve killed. Oh, and the regular monsters?¡± She smirked. ¡°They¡¯re non-standard. Everything¡¯s two tiers above normal. Skeleton soldiers are now skeleton captains. Skeleton mages? Liches. And the AI? Adaptive. Every single monster learns your patterns, adjusts tactics. Some have even developed immunities to specific attack types.¡± My mind reeled at the possibilities. A dungeon that fought back, that punished predictability. It wasn¡¯t just a test of skill¡ªit was a proving ground. And then there was the spectre. A rogue AI, perhaps? Or was there more to it? A fragment of a long-dead dev, haunting the game world? Theories bubbled in my mind, but I shoved them aside. Right now, the dungeon was calling. The Lower Dungeon wasn¡¯t just a challenge¡ªit was a crucible. One I intended to conquer. ¡°I¡¯ll need to grind for EXP and gear before diving in,¡± I muttered, more to myself than to Mira. The feverish anticipation was already building. She studied me, her sharp eyes catching every flicker of excitement. ¡°You¡¯re already planning your run.¡± ¡°Of course. The Loremaster node might even pop in there. If it does...¡± I trailed off, already imagining the loot, the knowledge. Mira laughed softly, shaking her head. ¡°You never change.¡± I logged out shortly after, the game¡¯s intensity still thrumming in my veins. Back in the real world, I grabbed food and a drink, sinking into my couch as the sound of rain pattered against the window. The rainy season had started. Chapter 10: The Lower Dungeon Part 1 The sheer size of the entrance to the Lower Dungeon was overwhelming¡ªmonolithic even by the standards of a game. Massive stone pillars lined the towering archway, etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly like a slow, steady heartbeat. It was both a warning and an invitation, daring players to enter its depths. For the first ten floors, the dungeon was a single-instance zone meant to ease new players into its challenges. But starting from floor eleven, it became a battleground of PvE and PvP chaos, where both monsters and other players could spell your doom. I just hoped my recent victory in the arena had sent a clear message to anyone watching: I wasn¡¯t easy prey. Steeling myself, I crossed the threshold. The air changed instantly. Gone was the fresh breeze of the overworld, replaced by an oppressive chill that clung to my skin like damp fog. My boots echoed against the cold stone, the sound ricocheting down the narrow corridor. The faint reverberations made my ears twitch. Sound wasn¡¯t just ambiance here¡ªit was a tool, perhaps even a weapon. I resolved to move quietly, quickening my steps but keeping them light. But as confident as I felt, I wasn¡¯t a rogue or thief class. I had zero Trapsense. That ignorance cost me almost immediately. My foot pressed onto what seemed like an ordinary pebble¡ªjust a hair out of place. The faint click was the only warning I got. I leaped back on instinct as a wall of wicked spikes shot out from one side and smashed into the opposite wall with enough force to shake the corridor. The spikes drilled deep into the stone with a deafening screech, then receded with an ominous hiss. I exhaled sharply, heart hammering. Lesson learned. Carelessness here meant death, plain and simple. Cautiously, I moved forward, scanning the ground like my life depended on it¡ªbecause it did. The traps in this section of the dungeon weren¡¯t subtle. Pressure plates, faintly glowing runes, and small, unnatural gaps in the floor stood out to a careful observer. I mapped them out in my mind, taking note of where to step and where to avoid. Progress was painfully slow, but I¡¯d rather take my time than get skewered. Then, as I rounded a corner, a low grinding noise froze me in my tracks. The wall behind me slid open with a groan of ancient mechanisms, and a roar of flame erupted into the hallway. My stomach dropped. Move! I activated Light Step, feeling my body surge forward as the jet of fire surged toward me like a tidal wave. The corridor erupted into an inferno, the heat licking at my back as I dove into a shallow alcove carved into the wall. The flames shot past, filling the air with a roaring sound that drowned out everything else. My chest heaved as I pressed myself against the stone, willing the heat to dissipate. When the fire subsided, I peeked out cautiously. The blackened walls glowed faintly, radiating heat. The mechanism hummed ominously, resetting itself. I started counting under my breath. One minute. Two. At exactly ninety seconds, the jet of flame roared to life again, and fifteen seconds after that, a massive wall of fire raced down the corridor, incinerating everything in its path. I cursed under my breath. The timing wasn¡¯t generous, but it was consistent. That was something I could work with. I just had to move with precision. One misstep, and I¡¯d be ash. The next stretch of the corridor was lined with jagged tiles that screamed trap. I crouched low, examining the layout. A faint shimmer caught my eye¡ªthin tripwires crisscrossed the floor at ankle height. I picked up a loose piece of stone and flicked it ahead. The moment it hit the wire, the tiles erupted like landmines, sending spikes shooting up in a cascade of destruction. I gritted my teeth. It wasn¡¯t just the traps themselves¡ªit was the relentless layering. Every step felt like a test of my nerves, my patience. And the dungeon wasn¡¯t just testing me; it was hunting me. That thought chilled me more than the dungeon¡¯s icy air. As I continued deeper, the traps grew more insidious. A seemingly ordinary puddle suddenly burst into a swarm of acid-spitting insects. I rolled to avoid the spray, their acidic spit sizzling against the stone. A hidden dart launcher sent poisoned needles whizzing past my face, and a collapsing floor tried to drop me into a pit of writhing snakes. Every sense was on high alert, my adrenaline pumping nonstop. When I finally reached what felt like a safe zone¡ªa small chamber with no visible traps or hazards¡ªI leaned against the wall, gasping for air. My supplies were untouched, my health intact, but my nerves were shot. The first ten floors were supposed to be the easy part, yet I already felt like I¡¯d survived a gauntlet. But if this was just the beginning, then the depths of this dungeon promised horrors I couldn¡¯t yet fathom. I straightened, gripping my weapon tighter. If death was going to find me here, I¡¯d make it earn every inch. This was just the start. Ten floors? I¡¯d conquer them all¡ªand the 140 waiting below. Floor 5 is where the danger ramped up, the devs were very sinister making this place but judging from the volume of players on the surface you could reach level 90 here if you were smart. Small slimes littered the path and with every move the floor burned with acid. No sense in touching them. A lifebar appeared with the name ''Grand Acid Slime'' as the slimes in the area quickly merged into one another as this massive square block of slime formed before me, it reached into its own body and pulled out a sword and swung it at me, dodging it easily enough, it didn''t bother turning around to fight me, it simple ran the sword through its body and another arm came out of it. This creature could not be flanked by any means but knowing slimes they had a solid core but this was going to be a different approach. Slimes were generally immune to physical attacks due to how their bodies adapated to force, in essence they are non newtonian fluid, solid when hit but is a liquid when left alone. Observing it wasn''t going to do much as it had the same attack patterns, I parried each strike but the acid was going to become a problem so to test the waters I hit it with an Arcanic Blast, the spell blasting through the slime as its HP dropped by half, I hit it again and it died. A pop up appeared ''Level UP! Level 55 Achieved!'' Stolen novel; please report. Fighter Skills Unlocked Overpower: Expert Overwhelming Aura: Decreases Enemy defences while inside your aura by 15% Final Stand: Mastery: Uses 15% less Stamina but further increases Defence by 50% Switch Hit: Mastery. Increases the damage used by Switch Hit by 15% Double Bash: A swift and brutal double strike that hits in a single motion, Damage is based on weapon damage and passives (65% extra damage Triple Bash: Same as Double Bash but hits 3 times and can be used in a single motion, damage and passives work the same Warmaster''s Stance: Increases damage by 25% and lowers defence by 25%, decreases Stamina useage by 15% Warlock Skills Unlocked Eternal Pact: Further increases damage using Warlock powers by another 15% Heart of Darkness: Infuse your body with entropic forces, become immune to magic for 30 seconds Grasp of Entropy: Choke your enemies with Entropy and drain their mana (50-150 per second Arcanic Blast: Grandmastery, Further increase the damage of Arcanic Blast by 25% Chains of Ivenna: An AOE attack that stuns and immobilizes enemies while slowly leeching their stamina, lasts 10 seconds Strip the Soul: A large HP leech and drain, healing yourself with fragments of the enemy''s soul IThe elation of progress was short-lived. I had been making steady gains, carefully selecting nodes in the Atlas of Power to synergize with my build. I had just unlocked Diabolos Leeching, granting me a potent 10% HP and MP leech for both physical and magical attacks. With this newfound edge, I descended to the next floor, expecting to tackle a sprawling cave system filled with monsters lurking in every shadowed crevice. Goblins, worms, or worse¡ªI was ready for anything. Or so I thought. Before I could take more than a few steps, the game glitched violently. The screen fractured with bursts of static, and my vision swam. In an instant, I was no longer on the intended floor. Instead, I landed in a dark, featureless room, the glitch fading as a sign materialized before me. Floor 10. Panic set in. I¡¯d been forcibly dragged five floors deeper, skipping critical preparation and resources. Worse still, my Log Out button was blacked out. My body screamed for rest¡ªI could feel the faint pangs of hunger and fatigue clawing at me in the real world¡ªbut the game wouldn¡¯t let me go. This was no accident. A pissed-off dev, maybe angered by my rapid climb through the dungeon or an exploit I hadn¡¯t even realized I¡¯d triggered, had forced me into this. And judging by the smooth, polished stone underfoot and the eerie silence, this wasn¡¯t just any floor. This was a Boss Level. The room stretched into a cavernous expanse, its edges vanishing into oppressive darkness. At the center stood a solitary figure¡ªa warrior clad in ornate black samurai armor. Every inch of his gear was etched with intricate demonic motifs, from his horned oni mask to the jagged spikes protruding from his shoulder plates. He radiated a palpable aura of menace, as if the room itself recoiled from his presence. Above him, a name and health bar flared into existence. Hisashi, The Black Samurai I gritted my teeth and drew my blade, activating my standard combo of Four Dark Pacts, the power flowing into me like a dark tide. I stepped forward, my focus locked on the towering samurai. Then, he turned. His movements were deliberate, almost unnervingly calm, as he pivoted on his heel to face me. His hollow, glowing red eyes behind the mask bore into mine. When he spoke, his voice was deep and resonant, tinged with both honor and malice. "I was once hailed as the strongest and most skill warrior in my clan, today we put our steel to the test" He drew his katana with a smooth, deliberate motion, the blade gleaming with an unnatural, dark light. Then, without warning, he lunged. The force of his opening attack was staggering. His blade clashed against mine, and the sheer weight of his strike sent a shockwave through my arms, nearly driving me to my knees. My health bar dipped slightly from the impact alone, and I could feel the boss¡¯s overwhelming strength pressing down on me. I activated Light Step, a burst of speed propelling me out of his range just as his blade smashed into the ground, cracking the stone beneath him. Hisashi straightened fluidly, his stance unbroken, and turned to face me again. I retaliated, chaining together a series of strikes infused with Diabolos Leeching. My blade glowed with dark energy as I slashed at his side, the leech effect siphoning fragments of his HP and replenishing my own. His health bar dipped slightly, but Hisashi seemed unfazed. He countered with a devastating sweep of his katana, forcing me to dodge again. This time, he didn¡¯t relent. His movements blurred as he transitioned into a relentless flurry of strikes. Each swing carried an almost mechanical precision, and even my enhanced speed struggled to keep up. My stamina bar began to drain rapidly as I dodged, parried, and rolled to avoid his onslaught. Phase 1 Complete Suddenly, Hisashi halted, stepping back into a low stance. The room darkened further, shadows pooling around him as his blade ignited with black flames. His health bar shifted to a second phase, and an alert popped up: Phase 2: The Shadowblade Ascendant The temperature in the room seemed to drop, and faint whispers echoed in the darkness. His attacks now left trails of fire in their wake, the ground burning where his blade struck. I used Arcanic Blast, hurling a bolt of destructive energy at him, but this time he deflected it with a swing of his katana, the projectile dissipating into harmless sparks. This wasn¡¯t just a test of strength anymore¡ªit was a battle of endurance and adaptability. I switched tactics, activating Chains of Ivenna. Ethereal chains erupted from the ground, lashing toward Hisashi and wrapping around his limbs. For a brief moment, he was immobilized, giving me an opening. I launched into a series of Triple Bash strikes, each hit landing with brutal efficiency, followed by a Switch Hit aimed directly at his chest. His health bar finally dropped below the halfway mark. But Hisashi roared, the chains shattering as his aura exploded outward. The force sent me skidding across the floor, my health dipping dangerously low. "Impressive, but let us see how you deal with true resolve!" His blade shifted, elongating into a massive nodachi wreathed in black fire. He raised it high, the room trembling as he prepared to unleash a devastating attack. I had seconds to react. Activating Heart of Darkness, I became immune to magic for 30 seconds. Hisashi brought the blade crashing down, the impact releasing a wave of dark fire that engulfed the room. My immunity held, but my stamina was nearly gone. This was it¡ªa final stand. I activated Final Stand, bolstering my defense, and rushed him. Our blades clashed in a blur of strikes and parries, sparks flying with every impact. My health teetered on the edge as I unleashed Strip the Soul, draining the last fragments of his health and healing myself in the process. Hisashi staggered, his health bar finally hitting zero. He dropped to one knee, his blade falling to the ground. "Well fought.. You have proven your resolve" With that, he dissolved into shadows, leaving behind a chest filled with loot¡ªand a path to the next floor. Victory had never felt so exhausting. There was no loot but a large chunk of Exp, when an alert popped up: ''Level UP! Level 60 Acheived'' I smiled but Floor 11 was considered a Safe Zone. After that battle I made my way down. A truth would occur to me down here... Chapter 11: The Lower Dungeon Part 2 Player-run areas had a certain charm, if you could call it that. They were cobbled together in ruins and wastelands, a mix of shoddy ingenuity and opportunism. Inns with lumpy beds, overpriced shops selling subpar potions, and taverns filled with players scheming or flexing their gear. It was as if everyone here had mastered the art of extracting every last coin from desperate adventurers like me. This settlement was no different. Built in a decayed city, it had a strange air about it¡ªa creeping sense of unease I couldn¡¯t shake. Maybe it was paranoia from the dungeon ordeal, or maybe the place itself carried an unseen threat. Either way, I didn¡¯t dwell on it. Fear wasn¡¯t a luxury I had time for. After what felt like an eternity, my log-out button finally reappeared. Relief washed over me as I stepped into a dimly lit tavern, found an empty table, and logged out. When I opened my eyes, the real world hit me like a freight train. My body was weak, my head throbbed, and my stomach growled angrily. It was no wonder¡ªI¡¯d neglected myself for four straight days. The disorientation from being immersed in VR for so long made me stagger to the bathroom, where I barely reached the sink before vomiting. Leaning on the counter, I stared at my pale, hollow-eyed reflection. My EternaLink had been hacked. Dozens of texts from Mira confirmed my fears. The Spectre wasn¡¯t just an in-game menace; it had manipulated my connection, trapping me in the game against my will. My phone buzzed, breaking my spiral of thoughts. It was Mira. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Her voice was laced with concern. ¡°Barely,¡± I croaked, rubbing my temple. ¡°I just need food and water.¡± She didn¡¯t sound convinced. ¡°There¡¯ve been three deaths linked to Age of Eternity. The devs announced an emergency patch, and the game¡¯s going offline for a whole week.¡± I froze. Deaths? That didn¡¯t make sense. Age of Eternity wasn¡¯t like other full-dive games where mistakes could lead to lethal accidents. ¡°What do you mean, deaths? How does that happen?¡± ¡°No details yet, but it¡¯s serious enough that the servers are shutting down. What actually happened to you?¡± I took a deep breath, the memories of the past few days swirling in my mind. ¡°I went into the Lower Dungeon alone, like I planned. It was fine until I hit floor five. Then the Spectre showed up. It glitched me straight to floor ten¡ªa boss level. No warning, no prep. I had to fight the Black Samurai, and¡­ I beat him, but it was brutal.¡± There was silence on the other end before she spoke again. ¡°And you¡¯re okay now?¡± ¡°My head¡¯s pounding, my body feels like crap, but yeah. I¡¯m alive.¡± ¡°You need to rest. And eat. I¡¯ll come over in the morning with breakfast, okay?¡± I hesitated. Mira and I had history, more than most gaming partners. Back during the Royale Online days, we weren¡¯t just teammates¡ªwe¡¯d been a couple. We gamed together, lived together, until everything fell apart. When Blazer and his followers wrecked my reputation and drove me out of the game, it led to drama that ended with Mira moving out and us breaking up. Despite it all, Mira had always been a constant. She understood me in a way few others could. ¡°Thanks,¡± I muttered, feeling oddly vulnerable. ¡°Get some sleep,¡± she said firmly. Morning came with a loud knock on the door. Still groggy, I stumbled to answer it. Mira stood there holding a tray of food¡ªan egg sandwich, miso soup, and a tall can of iced coffee. ¡°Eat up,¡± she said as she brushed past me, setting the tray on my cluttered table. Mira hadn¡¯t changed much. She still had the same magnetic energy that drew people to her, but beneath her polished surface, she was as ruthless as any top-tier gamer. I dug into the food without hesitation. It was exactly what I needed, grounding me after the chaos of the past few days. Mira leaned back in her chair, watching me with a smirk. ¡°With Age of Eternity down for a week, a lot of players are heading back to Royale Online,¡± she said. I couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°Is my name still at the top?¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°The devs removed you from the Top 20 Builders, but they put up a statue of you in Gathering City. It actually looks decent.¡± I laughed. Back in those days, I¡¯d been called the Master of the Meta. I¡¯d reshaped the competitive scene, turning overlooked classes into powerhouses. My builds were legendary, and I even worked with the devs to refine the game¡¯s balance. Sure, I¡¯d been arrogant about it, but I¡¯d earned that arrogance. But those days were long gone, and despite the nostalgia, I wasn¡¯t sure if revisiting Royale Online was the right move. Then again, with Age of Eternity offline and the rest of the player base flocking back to Royale, maybe it was worth a look. ¡°I might check it out,¡± I said between bites. ¡°Just to see if I can still kick some ass.¡± Mira grinned. ¡°You better. The game¡¯s changed a lot, but I¡¯d pay to see you wipe the floor with the new meta players.¡± For now, though, Royale Online could wait. I had breakfast, a rare moment of peace, and Mira¡¯s company. After everything that had happened, it was enough. I scoured the forums for news on the Age of Eternity deaths, looking for anything that could connect the dots. Theories ranged from rogue AI to intentional sabotage, but nothing concrete. As I sifted through the chaos, a text from an unknown number pinged my phone. We know you¡¯ve been hacked. Please provide data on the hacker ¨C GM Smasher. I stared at the message. I wasn¡¯t stupid enough to engage blindly, but curiosity got the better of me. I replied cautiously: Put me in contact with your head developer, and then we can talk. It felt like a shot in the dark, a bluff they¡¯d probably ignore. To my surprise, my phone buzzed seconds later. A call. ¡°Hello?¡± I asked, unsure what to expect. ¡°This is Sato Junko,¡± a calm, professional woman¡¯s voice replied. I blinked. ¡°You¡¯re the lead developer for Age of Eternity?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she confirmed. ¡°We¡¯ve been monitoring your account activity and noticed several anomalies. Some of the code affecting your account has started to seep into other parts of the game. This ¡®Spectre¡¯ that players are discussing¡ªwhat do you know about it?¡± I hesitated, piecing together how much to reveal. ¡°The Spectre claimed the company had it¡ªor rather, him¡ªkilled. Honestly, I think it¡¯s just some low-tier hacker. He causes graphical glitches, pulls stunts like locking players into areas, and, worst of all, seems to have hacked the EternaLink system itself. That¡¯s where things get dangerous.¡± There was a pause on the other end of the line. Finally, she spoke, her voice more deliberate. ¡°We will send you a replacement EternaLink unit immediately. Please box your current one and hand it to the delivery agent when they arrive. The servers will remain offline, so this is your chance to disconnect safely while we investigate further.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. I frowned but nodded to myself. ¡°I don¡¯t have much choice, do I?¡± ¡°Consider it a precaution,¡± Junko said. ¡°Thank you for cooperating. And if you recall any additional details about the Spectre, please inform us directly.¡± The call ended, leaving me with more questions than answers. The urgency in her voice felt genuine, but I wasn¡¯t about to let my guard down. This situation was bigger than I¡¯d realized. After boxing my EternaLink unit and handing it over to the courier, I found myself staring at my empty gaming setup. With Age of Eternity down and no VR system, there wasn¡¯t much to do. But an idea started forming, one I couldn¡¯t ignore. Royale Online. It had been years since I¡¯d logged into that game. Once my playground, it was now a distant memory, marred by drama and betrayal. Mira had mentioned that players were flocking back during AoE¡¯s downtime, and curiosity gnawed at me. Did my old builds still hold up? Was my legacy intact? I dusted off my old VR rig, a clunky relic compared to the EternaLink. It took hours to set up and even longer to update the game. By the time I logged in, the familiar sight of Gathering City filled my view. The first thing I noticed was the statue. It stood in the heart of the city, unmistakably modeled after my character: the Master of the Meta. A smirk tugged at my lips as I circled it. Even after everything, they couldn¡¯t erase my influence completely. The chat was alive with players, old and new. Some debated the viability of revamped classes, while others traded tips on gear and strategies. I couldn¡¯t resist joining a nearby duel arena, eager to see if I still had the chops. The first challenger was a cocky player wielding a new meta build¡ªsomething flashy with a lot of AoE damage. But they didn¡¯t anticipate my unconventional tactics. Old habits kicked in as I dismantled their strategy, exploiting every weakness with surgical precision. By the time the duel ended, a small crowd had gathered. Whispers rippled through the chat: ¡°Who¡¯s this guy?¡± ¡°Wait¡­ is that him?¡± ¡°No way, I thought he quit ages ago!¡± I grinned, adrenaline pumping. Maybe it was nostalgia, or maybe it was the sheer thrill of proving myself again, but for the first time in days, the weight of the Spectre and AoE¡¯s mysteries faded. "I see this game has been lost without its Master to preside! That simply won¡¯t do," I declared with a smug grin, my words dripping with arrogance. The chat exploded in response, players flooding the screen with messages: ¡°No way, it¡¯s him!¡± ¡°Meta King is back!¡± ¡°Was wondering when he''d show up.¡± My pure Evocator Wizard build hummed with power as I effortlessly blasted through challengers. My gear was leagues beyond what most players could dream of, a culmination of countless hours farming materials and rerolling affixes with cruel RNG gods watching. My prized possession? The Dragon God¡¯s Staff of Ultimate Magic. Sure, the name was clich¨¦, but its power was anything but. Renaming it required real money, and I''d already spent my allowance on getting The Avisious Tower immortalized in the game. As I basked in the crowd''s attention, my eyes locked on a familiar figure. Blazer. His classic Flaming Sword Knight archetype glowed ominously as he leapt from a nearby rooftop, landing with a heavy thud. "Couldn¡¯t resist crawling back now that AoE is down, huh?¡± he sneered. ¡°How about a duel for old times¡¯ sake?" I scanned his build. Subtle tweaks here and there, but nothing I couldn¡¯t dismantle. "Why not?" I said, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. Blazer grinned savagely, activating Barbarian¡¯s Fury. His attack power surged, doubling instantly. One hit would hurt like hell. He roared and lunged, sword ablaze, the flames licking the air as he closed the gap. I stood my ground, calm as ever, and activated Silent Spells. No incantations, no flashy hand movements¡ªjust raw, seamless magic. I buffed myself with every advantage the game allowed, my fingers already dancing across my setup for the inevitable counterattack. Blazer charged with reckless abandon, but his movements were too familiar. He had a new flourish¡ªa spin meant to disrupt timing¡ªbut spinning was my thing. His sword smashed into the barrier I cast at the last second, sending sparks flying. His grin faltered as I raised a finger. "Lightning Driver." A spear of pure lightning erupted from my outstretched hand, screaming through the air with deadly precision. Blazer¡¯s reflexes were sharp, and he twisted away at the last moment, the lightning grazing his armor. "Nice dodge," I quipped, already chaining my next combo. "Let¡¯s see you dodge this." I unleashed Tornado Wind first, whipping up a furious vortex that pinned him in place. Before he could recover, I layered it with Dark Pulse: Wind, creating jagged, slicing currents within the storm. He grit his teeth, raising his shield to weather the damage, but I wasn¡¯t done. "Lightning Spear!" I called, a crackling bolt forming in my hand. I hurled it into the vortex, the wind amplifying its speed and unpredictability. Blazer cursed as he rolled out of the storm, barely escaping with singed armor. "You¡¯re slipping, Blazer," I taunted, lifting my staff for the finale. "Crushing Force." The air above him rippled before a massive gravitational burst slammed down, pinning him to the ground. He groaned, his movements sluggish as the pressure bore down on him. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten predictable," I said, stepping closer, my voice cold. ¡°Same tricks, same overconfidence. Admit it¡ªyou¡¯re outclassed.¡± Blazer growled, trying to push himself up, but the fight was already over. One final Lightning Driver lanced toward him, exploding in a brilliant display that left him sprawled, defeated. The chat erupted again. ¡°Blazer got SMOKED!¡± ¡°Avisious back to flex on us plebs!¡± ¡°Absolute domination!¡± Blazer coughed and grumbled as he respawned nearby, glaring at Blazar stood still for a moment before sending me a private voice message. ¡°Need to talk. Meet in the Waiting Room.¡± I nodded and waited for him to enter. When he did, there was an unusual air of seriousness about him. ¡°So, listen,¡± he began, his voice low and measured. ¡°You keep seeing that specter asshat, don¡¯t you?¡± There was no arrogance, no jabs or uncouth words this time. It almost sounded like genuine concern. ¡°Yeah. Floor 5 of the Lower Dungeon,¡± I admitted. ¡°He glitched me and dumped me on Floor 10.¡± Blazar raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering across his face. ¡°Floor 10? So, in essence, he¡¯s making you cheat?¡± I sighed. ¡°I didn¡¯t have much of a choice. I barely made it out alive. That bastard hacked my VR unit.¡± Blazar frowned, the concern deepening. ¡°Damn¡­ Mira and I have been digging into some of the employees¡¯ pasts at EternaLink. Turns out, a few devs got canned for abusing the tech. One of them managed to keep his access to the game. Do you still have your EternaLink unit?¡± ¡°No,¡± I said, shaking my head. ¡°I returned it to the company this morning.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Blazar paused, his tone dropping further. ¡°The deaths¡ªthose people who never logged back out? One of them was just sixteen. The third death was a guy who died of malnutrition. Couldn¡¯t log out, couldn¡¯t pull the unit off his head, and the paralysis meant he couldn¡¯t even scream for help. It¡¯s sick.¡± I leaned back, processing his words as he continued. ¡°And then there are the Ascended,¡± he added. ¡°The ones who took this idiot¡¯s deal. Their characters are nearly maxed¡ªstats through the roof, gear that¡¯s absolutely top-tier. But you know there¡¯s no such thing as free power. Whatever this guy is offering, it¡¯s gotta come with a cost.¡± Deep down, I knew Blazar wasn¡¯t as much of a hardass as he liked to act. Our rivalry had always been more his thing than mine, and moments like this proved he was alright beneath the bluster. ¡°Mira brought over breakfast this morning,¡± I said, shrugging. ¡°So at least someone still cares.¡± Blazar let out a dry laugh. ¡°She still loves you. Don¡¯t ask me why, but she does. You two used to be RO¡¯s power couple. Now, in AoE, you¡¯re just the lone wolf.¡± I half grinned Yeah, I guess," I said, leaning back. "Besides, what exactly are you offering here?" "I''m offering to watch your back," Blazar said, his tone softer than usual. "Like the old days. The Sunbringer Guild still in the spotlight." I raised an eyebrow. Blazar always had a flair for dramatics, but this time, there was something genuine buried beneath the bravado. He exhaled deeply, his usual confidence faltering for a moment. "I know we didn¡¯t exactly see eye to eye¡ªabout anything. I made a mistake, thinking I had to be the best at everything. I obsessed over my builds, tweaking and refining, but nothing I ever came up with could match the way you played. I got into AoE for the purity of it, the freedom. But then I saw you in there." He hesitated, as though weighing his next words carefully. "The color scheme. Your moves. I knew it was you. And then Mira told me you¡¯d been playing, and... I lost it. Seeing you there just pissed me off. Like you were crashing my game. But honestly?" He sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was wrong. You¡¯ve always been better, and not just because of your builds. You use the damn game like it¡¯s a part of you." I stared at him, unsure what to say. Was this Blazar''s way of apologizing? "Look," he continued, his voice steadier now, "I know I¡¯m a Grade-A prick. I know that. In the real world, I¡¯m just some rich guy. But in VR, I¡¯m a beast. Or at least, I thought I was¡ªuntil you showed up. If you ever need help in AoE, I¡¯ve got your back. No strings attached." I nodded, letting his words settle. "Thanks. I¡¯ll think about it." Blazar gave me a small, almost reluctant smile, then logged out. A week later, my new EternaLink arrived. The redesign was sleek, a significant improvement over the older model. It even had an emergency Disconnect button¡ªa physical override to force a shutdown, no matter what. It seemed EternaLink wasn¡¯t taking any more chances. I unpacked the device, hooked it up, and booted up the game. After patching the client and logging in, everything seemed normal. My inbox pinged with an official email: We have reviewed your VR unit, there was imbedded code in there to override the system and cause systematic failure, forcing you to stay logged in, the issue has been resolved. Any further issues reply to this email and we will sort it. The email didn¡¯t address whether the rogue developer¡ªor whatever they were¡ªhad been dealt with. I had a sinking feeling I¡¯d have to find out the hard way. My character loaded in exactly where I left off: Floor 11 of the Lower Dungeon. I checked my inventory¡ªmy Atlas of Power, my equipment, my skills. Everything was intact. I took a moment to adjust my gear, ensuring I was ready for anything. The glow of the dungeon walls flickered in the distance, shadows playing tricks on the edges of my vision. It was time to return to the grind. And that¡¯s when the game took a dark turn. Chapter 12: The Lower Dungeon Part 3 Players began flooding into the area, visibly battered from the grueling boss fight on the previous floor. Their parties were tight-knit, with healers still casting residual spells and tanks adjusting their gear, their virtual sweat almost palpable. I couldn''t help but notice the stark contrast¡ªwhere their camaraderie thrived, I stood alone. A group of players, noticeably lower in level, caught sight of me. The leader, a Knight-Holy Champion hybrid with gleaming armor that looked fresh out of a cash shop, approached with a skeptical look. "Hey, you lose your group or something?" he asked, his tone more curiosity than concern. I didn¡¯t even blink. "No. I''m a solo player," I replied flatly. The group exchanged incredulous glances, then broke into laughter. "You''re running this dungeon solo? Are you crazy?" one of them asked, though their tone shifted when they noticed my lack of a party tag but a guild emblem that spoke volumes. They quickly checked my level, their grins faltering. "Bad vibes," someone muttered as they stepped back, deciding to leave me alone. Typical. Solo players always made groups uneasy¡ªtoo unpredictable, too outside the norm. I shoved the thought aside and continued. The exit to Floor 11 loomed ahead. Floor 12 promised juicier content, or so I hoped. Expectations rarely matched reality, though. As I progressed, monsters backed off at the sight of me, their AI recognizing I was far too over-leveled for the area. Annoying. By the time I reached Floor 15, I was itching for something worth my time. Instead, I found death. The cavernous floor was littered with player corpses¡ªdozens of them sprawled across the ground. Strange. Normally, dead players respawned at the nearest safe zone or starting point, their bodies vanishing in seconds. Yet here they lay, as if frozen mid-defeat. Curious, I crouched over one of the bodies, a mage named "Hiru." Scanning the avatar, a status window popped up: "Deceased." My brow furrowed. Deceased? That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. Before I could piece it together, a shadow descended from above, landing with an ominous thud that echoed through the dungeon. "Well, well," came a mocking voice, laced with menace. "Someone¡¯s feeling brave, wandering here all alone. Not very smart, are you?" The speaker was clad in armor that practically oozed malevolence, its jagged edges glowing faintly with corrupted energy. I scanned him instinctively, but his name field was glitched¡ªreplaced by a string of wingdings and symbols. "Oh? And you are?" I asked, my voice even, masking my growing suspicion. The figure bowed theatrically. "I am one of the Ascended," he said, his tone smug. Ah, so this was one of them¡ªsomeone who had taken the deal. Pathetic. "So, power through backdoor hacks and deals with specters instead of earning it yourself?" I shook my head, disgusted. "How pathetic. Really." His grin widened unnaturally. "So he offered you power too, and you rejected it? Foolish. Look around you." He gestured to the corpses. "A level 25 taking out level 50s without breaking a sweat!" I crossed my arms. "Cute. But I didn¡¯t need shortcuts to take down level 60s at 25. That¡¯s called skill. You should try it sometime. How many of you Ascended morons are there anyway?" His grin faltered for a second before morphing into a sneer. "We number Legion," he declared grandly. I snorted. "So, what? Ten? Twenty dumbasses running around thinking they¡¯re gods?" My mocking tone hit its mark; his smug demeanor cracked, anger flaring in his eyes. "You insolent fool!" he spat, his voice rising to a childlike tantrum. "I am Ascended, and you will BOW BEFORE ME!"This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that¡¯s gonna be a hard no. Especially not to some second-rate PK trash. And I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯ve done to these avatars." I gestured to the corpses. That set him off. He laughed¡ªa chilling, hollow sound that echoed through the cavern. "These avatars? Oh, they¡¯re more than just avatars now." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "The price of power is competition. These players... they¡¯re still in their VR rigs. Frozen in time. Trapped. Their minds, their lives... mine to control." My stomach churned, but I didn¡¯t let it show. So this was it¡ªthe embedded code I¡¯d been warned about. The one that turned a game into a death sentence. "You mean to tell me you killed them here and in the real world?" I asked, my voice cold. His laughter returned, more unhinged this time. "The Ascended must cleanse this game of its filth! Only through their suffering can we create a world worthy of our power!" Delusional. Just another wannabe god in a game where power was meaningless without effort. I shook my head. "Let me get this straight," I said, slowly unslinging my weapon. "You took a shortcut, sold your soul to some glitchy specter, and now you¡¯re running around murdering players in and out of the game to ¡®cleanse¡¯ it? That¡¯s rich. You¡¯re not a god. You¡¯re just a bug waiting to be squashed." He snarled, his corrupted armor flaring with energy. "Mock me all you want, fool. I will end you here and now!" I cracked my neck, leveling my weapon at him. Running wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot for me. This Ascended clown was going down. "Bring it," I said, a dangerous grin spreading across my face. "Let¡¯s see what your stolen power¡¯s really worth." His face darkened, shadows crawling across his corrupted armor as he hurled a bolt of crackling black lightning at me. The air sizzled with malevolence as it shot forward. I activated Light Step, vanishing from its path in a blink. The bolt struck the ground, sending chunks of stone scattering in every direction. "That all?" I taunted, reappearing behind him. "Is that how you ambushed these players? Throwing magic around like confetti? Come on, man. A god should have real smite vibes." His rage was palpable, twisting the game¡¯s code around him like a vortex. His movements became erratic, almost unnatural, as if he were bypassing the system''s constraints. The dungeon walls shimmered and glitched around us. Yet when he lunged with his corrupted blade, I was ready. Our weapons collided, sparks erupting in a dazzling shower as steel met whatever unholy alloy his sword was made of. He pressed forward, his strength enhanced by the specter¡¯s deal, but I countered with a quick parry and used the momentum to force him back. "How¡¯d you dodge that!?" he bellowed, frustration mounting in his voice. I laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that echoed in the glitching chamber. "What are you, twelve? It¡¯s called skill, you neophyte." With a quick step forward, I executed a precise backslash, the edge of my blade grazing him. The bleed debuff symbol appeared above his head, faint but unmistakable. His smug grin returned, even as the damage ticked. "Still can¡¯t kill me," he said, sneering. Then his confidence wavered as his HP bar dropped again. "What?!" He hesitated¡ªa fatal mistake. Activating Light Step again, I closed the gap instantly, appearing at his side. My blade bit into him a second time, and the bleed effect not only reset but stacked. His HP chunked dramatically. "Pay attention," I said with a smirk, "or you might actually die." Snarling, he stepped back and chanted a Heal spell. Golden light enveloped him, and his HP bar began to creep upward¡ªbut the bleed debuff remained, steadily chipping away at his progress. "Heal doesn¡¯t cure debuffs, genius," I said, shaking my head. "You¡¯d know that if you weren¡¯t such an idiot. Pro tip: try Cure or Protection next time." His health plummeted again, the stacked bleed ticking faster than his healing could keep up. Panic set in. "STOP!" he screamed, his voice cracking. "If an Ascended is PK¡¯d, we die too! The same happens to us in the real world!" His voice was desperate now, his earlier bravado completely gone. "You don¡¯t understand¡ªyou¡¯ll kill me for real!" I paused for half a second, just long enough to see the raw fear in his eyes. Then I shrugged. "Killing one piece of trash to save these hapless players..." I tilted my head mockingly. "I wonder what my personal code of ethics says about that." He raised his weapon again, trembling, trying to prepare for my next attack. But it was already over. I leveled my hand at him, my fingers glowing with a growing, swirling energy. "Arcanic Blast." The spell hit him like a freight train, amplified to 110% damage. His avatar exploded into a shower of corrupted pixels, his screams abruptly silenced. For a moment, the dungeon was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the dungeon''s ambient sound effects. Then, just as suddenly, the bodies of the fallen players began to shimmer. One by one, they vanished, their avatars dissipating into faint motes of light. I watched silently, my grip tightening on my sword. Did they respawn at the safe zone? Or was it something worse? The Ascended¡¯s respawn location was unknown to me, but one thing was clear: he wouldn¡¯t be coming back here anytime soon. I turned, my focus shifting to the next challenge ahead. This wasn¡¯t just a game anymore¡ªit was a battleground for survival. And if the Ascended thought they could rule it, they had another thing coming. Chapter 13: The Lower Dungeon Part 4 Something gnawed at me as I headed back up to the safe zone. The unease didn¡¯t fade until I saw the formerly deceased players beginning to respawn. Relief washed over me as they flickered back to life, logging out one by one, their avatars vanishing into thin air. I had no idea how long they¡¯d been trapped down there¡ªor what they had gone through¡ªbut nobody here mentioned a word. Maybe they had seen the carnage and retreated. I wouldn¡¯t have blamed them if they had. The tension in my chest eased slightly, and I decided to call it a day. Heading to the in-game tavern, I sat at a rickety wooden table, logged out, and placed the headset beside me. The dim light of my apartment was jarring after hours in the game¡¯s haunting dungeons. I rubbed my eyes and reached for my phone, finding a message from Mira. Hey, check out the forums when you get a chance. I clicked the link she¡¯d sent, and the game forums loaded up. Dozens of posts flooded the screen, a mix of frantic complaints and heartfelt thank-yous. Most centered around the same topic: the mysterious player who¡¯d somehow saved them. A notification flashed on my screen¡ªan incoming call. ¡°Nice work,¡± came a familiar voice. It was Sato Junko, head of QA at the company behind the game. ¡°So¡­ they were trapped like me, then?¡± I asked. My voice felt heavier than I¡¯d expected. ¡°Only¡­ in a worse situation?¡± ¡°The embedded code in their VR headsets was altered,¡± Sato said, her tone neutral but professional. ¡°Since you managed to defeat that Ascended player using corrupted code, everything¡¯s been restored. You¡¯re like a walking QA team, you know?¡± She chuckled softly, but it did little to lighten the mood. I wasn¡¯t in the mood for praise. ¡°If you know so much, why are you dragging your heels on this? Have you figured out who¡¯s behind it? These ¡®Ascended¡¯¡­ they¡¯re not just cheating; they¡¯re breaking the game. Moving faster than average players, using corrupted code, killing people, even¡­¡± My voice trailed off, bile rising in my throat at the thought of what I''d seen. Sato sighed, a sound of exasperation and fatigue. ¡°We¡¯ve traced it back to Takahiro Sakaguchi.¡± The name hit like a gut punch. ¡°Wait¡ªthe Takahiro Sakaguchi? He was one of the original devs, wasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± she said grimly. ¡°He was a major cog in how the game¡¯s systems work. He designed the movement and combat mechanics, which explains why these Ascended can break speed caps and exploit the system so efficiently.¡± ¡°And you know where he is?¡± I asked, my voice sharp. ¡°We¡¯ve located his in-game hideout,¡± she admitted. ¡°It¡¯s where he spawns and gathers his Ascended recruits. The problem is, he¡¯s using corrupted client-side code alongside server-side GM privileges. He¡¯s essentially bypassing all our safeguards and firewalls.¡± I gritted my teeth. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you can¡¯t stop him?¡± ¡°We¡¯re working on it,¡± Sato said, frustration creeping into her voice. ¡°But people like Takahiro know the system inside and out. Every block we put up, he sidesteps it with something else. It¡¯s like playing chess with someone who¡¯s always two moves ahead.¡± Her words hung heavy in the air. I felt the weight of what I¡¯d done start to settle in. ¡°The Ascended I fought... did his headset kill him? Or was that just another bluff?¡± I asked quietly, dreading the answer. Sato hesitated. ¡°The VR set that player was using¡­ malfunctioned. The cooling system overheated. It¡­ burned out his eyes.¡± I felt my stomach churn. ¡°You¡¯re telling me¡­ I killed him?¡± My voice cracked on the last word, the bile rising higher.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°No,¡± she said quickly, firmly. ¡°This wasn¡¯t your fault. Takahiro is overriding the system remotely. He¡¯s the one responsible for these malfunctions¡ªhe¡¯s intentionally turning the hardware against the players.¡± But her words did nothing to settle the nausea clawing at me. I dropped the call and bolted for the bathroom. The bile finally spilled over, and I retched into the toilet. I didn¡¯t care about being the ¡°mysterious savior¡± in the forums. I didn¡¯t care about the thank-yous or the praise. All I could think about was the charred eyes of a player I didn¡¯t know, and the sickening fact that I¡¯d been part of this nightmare. The TV blared in the background, a news anchor reporting on the tragedy with a clinical detachment that made my stomach churn. "In a shocking incident, a VR headset malfunctioned during gameplay, causing catastrophic injuries to a 13-year-old boy. The device¡¯s cooling system reportedly overheated, burning the boy¡¯s eyes and leaving him permanently blinded. Authorities are investigating, but experts say this may be connected to recent reports of corrupted game code." The image of the boy¡¯s parents flashed on screen. They were young, their faces pale and lined with grief, as they stood outside a hospital, clutching each other. Their tears blurred as my vision swam. My stomach twisted again, and I doubled over the sink, retching violently. The sound of a door opening barely registered. Mira¡¯s voice cut through my haze. ¡°Hey! Are you okay?¡± I turned, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Mira stood frozen in the doorway, eyes wide with concern. She dropped her bag and rushed to my side. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I croaked, though the bile rising in my throat betrayed me. ¡°You don¡¯t look fine,¡± she said, steadying me as I swayed. Her eyes searched mine, filled with worry. ¡°I¡­ I was responsible for someone being seriously hurt,¡± I said hoarsely. Mira froze for a moment, her hand gripping my arm tighter. ¡°That kid on TV? You¡­ did that?¡± I shook my head, the weight of her words pressing down on my chest. ¡°Not directly, but¡­ it feels like I did.¡± She guided me to sit on the closed toilet lid, crouching in front of me, her hands on my knees. ¡°Talk to me,¡± she said gently. I took a shaky breath. ¡°That kid was one of the Ascended. He was breaking the game, trying to kill other players. I stopped him. But his headset¡­ the code he was using¡ªit must¡¯ve overridden the safety mechanisms. It overheated and¡­ burned him.¡± Mira¡¯s face was pale, but her eyes stayed locked on mine. ¡°You¡¯re saying this wasn¡¯t a glitch? Someone made the headset do that?¡± I nodded. ¡°Takahiro Sakaguchi. He¡¯s a former dev. He¡¯s been turning the game into a deathtrap. Somehow, he¡¯s weaponized the VR headsets. I¡­¡± My voice faltered, memories of being trapped in the game flooding back. ¡°He almost got me, too. Being locked in like that, paralyzed, unable to log out¡ªit¡¯s like being awake during surgery. You¡¯re screaming inside, but nothing works.¡± Mira grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me this sooner?¡± I looked away, shame creeping in. ¡°What was I supposed to say? That I¡¯m playing a game where people can die in real life? That I might¡¯ve caused it?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t cause it,¡± she said firmly. ¡°This Takahiro guy did. He¡¯s the one pulling the strings, not you.¡± I shook my head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what Sato or anyone else says. I was the one who struck the final blow. I¡¯m the reason that kid¡¯s in the hospital.¡± Mira stood and crossed her arms, her tone shifting from gentle to firm. ¡°Listen to me. You¡¯re not responsible for his injuries. You¡¯re trying to stop people like Takahiro. If you hadn¡¯t taken that Ascended down, how many more players would¡¯ve died or been trapped like you? You¡¯re doing what the devs should be doing.¡± Her words struck a chord, but the guilt still clung to me. ¡°Maybe I should just step away. Let the devs handle it.¡± Mira frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not you talking, that¡¯s your guilt. You¡¯re stubborn as hell¡ªalways have been. Don¡¯t let one tragedy derail what you¡¯ve been doing.¡± I sighed, running a hand through my hair. ¡°What if it happens again? What if more people get hurt because I¡¯m trying to play the hero?¡± ¡°Then you figure out a way to stop it,¡± she said without hesitation. ¡°You said this Takahiro guy is using corrupted code, right? Maybe there¡¯s a way to fight back, to take the Ascended down without killing them. Isn¡¯t there some way to disable their code without dealing lethal damage?¡± I grimaced. ¡°The game isn¡¯t built for that. Non-lethal classes don¡¯t exist in Age of Eternity. It¡¯s all swords, spells, and death. If they come after me¡ªor other players¡ªI don¡¯t see any other way.¡± Mira sighed, leaning against the bathroom sink. ¡°Maybe not now, but games have glitches, exploits. If Takahiro can manipulate the system, maybe you can, too. There has to be a way to fight back without risking more lives.¡± Her words hung in the air, heavy with possibility. For the first time since the fight, I felt a spark of hope. ¡°You always know how to put things in perspective,¡± I said, managing a weak smile. ¡°That¡¯s because I care about you, idiot,¡± she said, her tone softening. ¡°Now, how about I make you some tea, and we figure out your next move?¡± I nodded, grateful for her steady presence. For now, I could breathe a little easier. But deep down, I knew the fight was far from over. Chapter 14: The Lower Dungeon Part 5 I felt uneasy. Hopeful? Sure, but it was a thin hope, like clinging to a rope over a dark abyss. Returning to the game felt like walking back into a fire that could consume everything. My life, my sanity, my soul¡ªit all felt precariously balanced on the edge of that virtual world. The image of that kid haunted me. His desperate pleas, his screams as the fight ended¡ªit replayed in my head over and over. He¡¯d begged for mercy, and though I¡¯d struck him down out of necessity, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I had dealt him a punishment far worse than death. That boy was blind now, his life permanently altered because of the corruption infecting the game. The news reports didn¡¯t help. Every screen, every headline, painted the tragedy in stark colors. The parents had received a massive settlement from the EternaLink manufacturers¡ªa payout large enough to soften the blow, but not large enough to restore their son¡¯s vision. The game¡¯s developers, however, weren¡¯t budging. Age of Eternity wasn¡¯t shutting down. I understood their decision. The week they¡¯d shut the servers down before¡ªtrying to resolve glitches¡ªhad cost them millions of dollars. Investors had threatened to pull out, and the microtransaction train, which pumped out endless revenue, had ground to a halt. They weren¡¯t broke by any means, but the idea of closing down again, especially with news of the Ascended spreading, clearly terrified them. Still, the numbers gnawed at me. Twenty? Maybe a hundred? That was the estimated number of these so-called Ascended, players using corrupted code to cheat death and dominate others. Each one of them was a ticking time bomb, capable of turning the game¡ªand by extension, the world¡ªinto chaos. For those outside this mess, who think this is just a game, let me put it into perspective. I spent 1.72 million yen on this setup. That¡¯s the price of an average car. The EternaLink VR headset, the game license, and a rig powerful enough to run it at full specs¡ªit wasn¡¯t a casual purchase. For most players, it was an investment. And now, it felt like a gamble where the stakes were life and death. Yet, despite my doubts, despite the bile that rose every time I thought of the boy I¡¯d harmed, I couldn¡¯t stay away. I couldn¡¯t turn my back. The devs were working tirelessly, or so they claimed. Sato had assured me they were doing everything they could to root out Takahiro Sakaguchi and his army of Ascended. But their efforts felt distant, abstract. I couldn¡¯t see their progress, couldn¡¯t feel it in the game where chaos still ruled in the shadows. And I? I had unfinished business. The dungeon was still there, looming in my mind like a challenge I couldn¡¯t ignore. Whatever was at its heart, whatever mysteries or dangers it held, I needed to face it. If not for myself, then for the players still trapped in this nightmare. I logged back in, the familiar hum of the VR rig enveloping me. As the world of Age of Eternity materialized around me, I clenched my fists. The uneasy feeling lingered, but so did the spark of determination. If I had to walk into the fire again, so be it. This wasn¡¯t just a game anymore¡ªit was a battlefield, and I wasn¡¯t ready to retreat. At least not until my name, Astraeus, shone at the top of every leaderboard in radiant letters for all to see. Call me prideful if you wish, but games¡ªwhether pixelated challenges or sprawling virtual worlds¡ªwere made to be conquered. Age of Eternity was my mountaintop, and I wasn¡¯t stopping until I planted my flag. I logged back in, the familiar digital hum enveloping me as the world materialized. I found myself back at the tavern in the player-run city, where every price tag was an insult to my wallet. A so-called Adamantium Sword of Slashing was listed at 1.1 million gold. Laughable. I could craft one for 50k if I had the materials, but of course, the lazy and uninformed bought them up without a second thought. I chuckled at the absurdity as I stepped outside. If Mira had been here in her investigative capacity, she¡¯d have sniffed out the extortion racket in seconds, but her real-world sleuthing skills far outstripped her in-game efficiency. Not that she was bad¡ªMira was an elite gamer in her own right. But her gear wasn¡¯t optimized for the dangers lurking here, and today, I would find her in trouble. Descending deeper into the dungeon, I kept my steps light and my senses sharper. The labyrinthine halls of the 13th floor stretched before me, dimly lit by eerie green crystals embedded in the walls. My ears strained for any sound¡ªfootsteps, the growl of monsters, or worse, the distinct sound of spells being cast. I rounded a corner, and there she was: Mira, cornered by a pack of morons from Crossbones, their signature black-and-bone armor marking them as members of one of the game¡¯s most annoying PvP guilds. Their attacks barely scratched her thanks to her auto-regeneration, but I could see her mana bar depleting steadily. Her equipment was designed for PvE¡ªperfect against undead mobs, but painfully suboptimal in PvP scenarios. Her attackers, unaware of my presence, jeered and taunted. ¡°You really think you can outlast us, sweetie? Just drop your loot, and we might let you crawl back to the safe zone.¡± Mira¡¯s jaw clenched, and I could tell she was spooling up one of her slow-charging Holy Smite spells. It wouldn¡¯t save her before her mana ran out. Versus players spells were slower at least charging skills like Holy Smile. Time to step in. With a flick of my hand, I activated Light Step, my body blurring forward at incredible speed. My sword gleamed as it slashed through the first attacker, his form dissolving into a shower of disjointed pixels. At the same time, Dark Pact: Mana Drain and Stamina Drain triggered, replenishing my own resources and crippling his allies. The second attacker didn¡¯t fare any better. I channeled Arcanic Blast, the concentrated energy punching through his chest and sending him screaming back to the respawn point.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Standing in front of Mira, I turned to the last attacker, who was visibly shaken. ¡°Spot of trouble?¡± I asked smugly, my voice carrying a casual arrogance. ¡°Oh, my hero,¡± Mira deadpanned, her sarcasm thick. ¡°I was just about to wipe the floor with these clowns myself.¡± I grinned but turned my attention back to the remaining player. ¡°Tell you what, buddy. Your two friends are already back at the safe zone nursing their egos. Why don¡¯t you do us all a favor and leave the lady alone?¡± The Skullhead member sneered, trying to muster bravado. ¡°Hmph, a guildy coming to your rescue, babydoll? Just you wait. Our GM¡¯s gonna¡ª¡± He froze as his gaze flicked to my name. His face went pale. Without another word, he turned tail and ran, disappearing around a corner like his life depended on it. ¡°Where ya going?¡± I called after him mockingly. ¡°I thought we were gonna fight!¡± When he was out of sight, I turned back to Mira. ¡°You okay?¡± I asked, my tone softening. She sighed, brushing dust off her robe. ¡°I was fine. Those idiots couldn¡¯t hurt me if they tried, but my mana¡¯s another story. My gear¡¯s all PvE-focused. Hitting them with my maces is like swatting them with a feather.¡± I nodded, taking in her equipment. Blessed Maces of the Dawn¡ªgreat for smiting undead, terrible for PvP. Her robes had excellent auto-regen stats but were lacking in mana efficiency. ¡°Didn¡¯t I teach you to keep your options open for PvP?¡± I teased lightly, though there was a kernel of seriousness in my words. She huffed. ¡°I know, I know. Apollo thought the whole Crossbones-versus-Red Masters drama would keep PvP guilds out of the dungeons for a while. He told us during Tuesday¡¯s session¡ªby the way, I covered for you. Again.¡± I raised an eyebrow, but she continued. ¡°Anyway, Apollo said Crossbones has a new guild member. Some legendary hunter who¡¯s been tearing through the game. That¡¯s why we came to Floor 13¡ªto farm Pearls of Power. They drop here and give minor stat boosts.¡± ¡°Let me guess. Those idiots thought you had some?¡± I asked. ¡°Yep. And they decided to ¡®shank¡¯ me just in case.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°My auto-regen¡¯s solid, but my mana pool¡¯s too small. I need a bigger pool to outlast fights like that.¡± I crossed my arms. ¡°Or you need better regen. Look, your pool¡¯s 1200, right? You need at least 25-30% regen in combat and 60% out. Prioritize mana efficiency on your gear. You¡¯ll sustain longer in fights and won¡¯t have to rely on potions.¡± She frowned, mulling it over. ¡°Like how I built my Cleric in Royale Online?" ¡°Exactly. Back then, you had 1800 mana with a 40% in-combat regen rate. You never ran out during boss fights, even with sustained healing. Replicate that here.¡± She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. ¡°You know, for someone who never logs on for guild meetings, you sure know a lot.¡± I grinned. ¡°I just hate seeing you waste your potential, Mira.¡± She smirked. ¡°And yet, here you are saving my ass. Some things never change.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just call it muscle memory.¡± I winked, motioning for her to follow me. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s clear this floor properly. We¡¯ve got Pearls to farm.¡± Pearls of Power were infamous for their absurdly low drop rate, and for good reason. They weren''t just rare¡ªthey were almost mythical. The Auction House had none listed, which wasn¡¯t surprising. If a player managed to get one, it would either be used immediately or hoarded for personal gain. Trading them wasn¡¯t an option either. The game¡¯s Terms of Service strictly forbade RMT (Real Money Trading), and anyone caught engaging in it would face harsh consequences¡ªaccount deletion and a permanent blacklist of their IP address. For many, the risk wasn¡¯t worth it, but there were always desperate players willing to try. Mira had rattled off the exact drop rates for Pearls of Power earlier: a +3 Pearl had a 0.003% chance to drop from normal mobs, 0.009% from elites, and 0.02% from bosses. Those numbers were almost laughable. Still, it made sense from a game balance perspective. If the pearls were easily obtainable, players would exploit the system, and the economy would spiral out of control. But it made me wonder¡ªif the drop rate was so abysmal, what kind of parties were grinding these floors, and for how long? Surely, there were better ways to spend your time. Or maybe the allure of such a rare item was too tempting for some to ignore. I pulled up the forums while following Mira¡¯s lead through the dimly lit corridors of the dungeon. She moved with practiced ease, clearly more familiar with this area than I was. Her guild likely shared shortcuts and strategies during their meetings¡ªmeetings I rarely attended. I wasn¡¯t the "team player" type, and everyone in the guild knew it. Apollo, our guild leader, tolerated my behavior because I got results, but I knew even his patience had its limits. Scrolling through the forums, I found a detailed breakdown of the pearls. They went up to +15, each increment exponentially rarer than the last. The forums buzzed with theories and complaints about the drop rates. Most players wrote them off as a pipe dream, while others swore they had found ways to "increase their luck." I rolled my eyes at that¡ªsuperstition was rampant in games like this. But as much as I dismissed it, I couldn¡¯t deny the temptation of holding a +15 Pearl of Power in my inventory. Not that it would ever happen; the odds were equivalent to squeezing blood from a stone. Mira stopped as we reached a crossroads. She gestured to the left path, her voice casual but tinged with amusement. "That way leads to a jumping point. Not many people take it, but it¡¯s there if you¡¯re feeling adventurous." "Jumping point?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" She smirked. "A shortcut to Floor 60. Devs added it after a petition from around 30,000 players. People were sick of grinding their way up and down, so they implemented this to streamline the trek to the first safe zone up there. But it¡¯s a one-way trip¡ªyou can¡¯t come back down through it." I nodded, the logic settling in. A shortcut to bypass 47 floors of grinding? I could see the appeal, though it felt like a cheat code in a game that prided itself on difficulty. "I¡¯m heading to the next floor," Mira said, gesturing to the opposite corridor. "There are some materials I need for crafting. Keep an eye out for trouble." "Always do," I replied, watching as she disappeared down the hall. Her movements were precise, her confidence unshaken. For a moment, I considered joining her¡ªold habits died hard¡ªbut curiosity pulled me toward the jumping point. The hole yawned before me, a swirling, faintly glowing circle marking its boundary. I took a breath, stepped forward, and let gravity take over. The descent was surprisingly smooth, the glow intensifying as the world around me seemed to dissolve into a loading screen. Moments later, I landed with a thud, knees bending instinctively to absorb the impact. The air was immediately different¡ªheavy, damp, and cold. I stood in the middle of a dense forest, the towering trees shrouded in thick mist. A notification popped up in my peripheral vision: "Floor 60: Forest of Eternal Sleep." The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. This floor wasn¡¯t just ominous¡ªit felt alive. The mist coiled and shifted like it had a mind of its own, and the silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional creak of branches swaying in an unseen wind. I had barely taken a step when the ground beneath me trembled. At first, it was subtle¡ªa faint vibration, almost imperceptible. Then it grew stronger, more rhythmic, as if something massive was moving beneath the earth. The trees around me swayed in its wake, their roots groaning against the force, but no trail of destruction followed. Whatever it was, it moved without leaving a trace. I tightened my grip on my sword, my instincts screaming at me to stay still. The mist thickened, swallowing the path ahead and obscuring my vision. The tremors continued, closer now, their cadence unnerving. Each step forward felt like a gamble, the unknown pressing in from all sides. And then the mist shifted again, this time unnaturally. It wasn¡¯t the wind¡ªit was purposeful, deliberate. I was no longer alone. My curiosity had led me here, but now I wasn¡¯t sure if that was bravery or foolishness. Chapter 15: The Lower Dungeon Part 6 The soft sound of footsteps echoed around me, barely audible over the oppressive silence of the mist-choked forest. My heart pounded as I turned in slow circles, scanning the dense fog. Then, they appeared¡ªgleaming red eyes piercing the haze, unblinking and eerily still. One pair became two, then three, then many. It was clear now: I was surrounded. A notification flashed on my HUD: "Guardians of the Wood" Below it, a massive HP bar stretched across the screen, spanning what felt like the length of my vision. My grip tightened on my blade as I took a defensive stance. The air grew heavier, the silence thickening with unspoken malice. Suddenly, an arrow shot from the mist, whistling toward me. Instinct took over¡ªI dodged to the side, the arrow embedding itself in the dirt where I¡¯d stood moments ago. Then, it stepped forward. From the mist emerged a figure¡ªan elf, but not like any I¡¯d seen before. Its glowing red eyes glared with cold malice, and its features were twisted in a way that betrayed its origin. The Guardian brandished a blade, its movements unnervingly fluid as it lunged at me. Our steel met with a deafening clash, sparks lighting the mist as I parried its strike. Its strength was impressive, but I was stronger. With a sharp counter, I drove my blade through its chest, and the Guardian crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The massive HP bar on my HUD dropped, a small chunk carved out. They didn¡¯t retreat, but they hesitated. The mist swirled around them as if alive, hiding their forms until they were ready to strike. Then came the arrows¡ªseveral this time, raining down in rapid succession. I activated Light Step, my movements swift and silent as I wove between the incoming projectiles. The sharp crack of arrows embedding into the ground echoed around me, each near-miss heightening the tension. Were they invisible until they attacked? Or was the mist itself part of their design? There wasn¡¯t time to puzzle it out. Two more leaped from the haze, their blades flashing in the pale light. I pivoted, my sword catching one mid-air before driving into the other. Their bodies fell, dissipating into dark particles as the HP bar on my HUD chunked down further. It was progress, but not enough to make me feel safe. The mist seemed to shift in reaction, drawing closer, thicker, and more suffocating. Then, the HP bar vanished altogether. The mist began to thin slightly, revealing the gnarled forest around me. Twisted roots clawed out of the ground like skeletal hands, and the trees loomed like watchful sentinels, their branches tangling overhead. I scanned the area, my blade still drawn, my instincts screaming at me not to lower my guard. This place reeked of danger. Misty woods in games like this were always bad news¡ªa breeding ground for ambushes, curses, or worse. Yet here I was, right in the thick of it. I knelt to examine the ground where the Guardians had fallen, but there was no trace of their presence¡ªno dropped items, no loot, not even a disturbance in the earth. The forest seemed to reset itself, the unnatural silence creeping back in. A faint rustling caught my attention, barely audible over the sound of my own breathing. My eyes darted toward the noise, but there was nothing there¡ªjust more mist. I stood, every nerve on edge, and slowly began to move forward. My footsteps felt unnaturally loud, the oppressive quiet amplifying every crunch of dead leaves beneath my boots. The further I went, the thicker the mist became again, coiling around me like a living thing. Shadows flickered at the edge of my vision, and though I saw no eyes this time, I felt the weight of unseen gazes. The Guardians were gone, but something else lingered. Something worse. I tightened my grip on my blade, taking a slow, steady breath. Whatever was ahead, I¡¯d deal with it. But in a place like this, confidence could turn into arrogance. And arrogance would get me killed. I hadn¡¯t died in this game¡ªnot yet, anyway. I¡¯d come close more times than I cared to count, but somehow, I always clawed my way out. Bitter defeat wasn¡¯t something I was ready to taste. After pressing on through the forest, I stumbled across a small, long-abandoned campsite. A few weathered logs formed makeshift seating around a fire pit filled with cold, gray ash. The sight was oddly comforting in this relentless landscape. When I sat down, a notification flashed across my HUD: "Log Out Available" It caught me off guard. Normally, you only got this option in safe zones like taverns or designated rest areas, but I wasn¡¯t about to question it. My body ached from the tension, and my mind was fried from the constant vigilance. I hit the Log Out button and pulled off the headset. The game dissolved into darkness, replaced by the dim light of my apartment. Stretching my stiff neck, I leaned back in my chair, trying to shake off the lingering unease of the Forest of Eternal Sleep. That¡¯s when my phone buzzed, its sharp tone cutting through the silence. ¡°Hello?¡± I answered, rubbing the bridge of my nose. ¡°Nice work on that Ascended,¡± came the clipped, no-nonsense voice of Sato. ¡°The results weren¡¯t exactly what we were hoping for, but you got them faster than expected.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. I could hear the faint hum of machinery on her end of the line. She was probably in one of those stark, sterile labs she seemed to haunt. Her tone, as always, was clinical, detached¡ªlike the fact that some kid would never see again didn¡¯t even register as a blip on her moral radar. ¡°The cops raided our mutual friend,¡± she continued, her words cold and efficient. ¡°Didn¡¯t find much¡ªjust an empty apartment and a pile of ramen cups stacked in the middle of the floor. The investigation continues.¡± So, he¡¯d bolted. Smart. If I¡¯d been him, I¡¯d have done the same. ¡°You tipped them off?¡± I asked, leaning forward, my voice low. ¡°Logical move, I guess. But now what? All you¡¯ve done is smoke him out. We¡¯re no closer to figuring out how to reverse the code on these Ascended units¡ªor stop the corrupted headsets from frying people¡¯s brains.¡± Sato¡¯s silence lingered for a moment, a calculated pause. I could almost hear the gears turning in her head. ¡°This isn¡¯t about stopping it,¡± she finally said. ¡°Not yet. It¡¯s about gathering data, testing hypotheses. That¡¯s the only way we¡¯re going to¡ª¡± ¡°And how many more ¡®tests¡¯ are going to leave kids blind?¡± I snapped, cutting her off. ¡°If these Ascended are just glorified guinea pigs, then say it. But don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re doing this for the greater good. We both know that¡¯s not your priority.¡± Her tone sharpened, losing its veneer of calm. ¡°You think I like this? You think I want more casualties? I¡¯m working with what I¡¯ve got, and what I¡¯ve got is a labyrinth of corrupted code with no map to navigate it. You want answers? Then maybe don¡¯t shoot down the only people trying to find them.¡± I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. This wasn¡¯t going anywhere productive. ¡°Look,¡± I said, forcing my voice to steady, ¡°if you¡¯re so determined to keep this under wraps, why not post something on the forums? Say the headsets have corrupted code in their cooling systems and can overheat. A warning like that might keep a few people from getting hurt.¡± Sato let out a dry, humorless laugh. ¡°You think that¡¯ll work? Pleading to fragile egos on some forum? Half the players will brush it off as a scare tactic. The other half will see it as a challenge. You know how these communities are. They¡¯ll just dive in deeper, looking for exploits and glory.¡± She wasn¡¯t wrong. Gamers had a knack for turning warnings into dares. But sitting around waiting for the next victim didn¡¯t sit right with me either. ¡°So what then?¡± I pressed. ¡°We just keep watching this nightmare unfold and hope the answer magically drops into our laps?¡± ¡°No,¡± she said, her voice chillingly calm now. ¡°We find the people who started this. And we make them fix it¡ªor make them pay.¡± The line went dead before I could respond. Typical Sato¡ªalways leaving me with more questions than answers. I stared at my phone, then back at the headset on my desk. The game¡¯s twisted world might¡¯ve been digital, but the consequences were very real. And I was starting to wonder if I¡¯d already stepped too far in to turn back. I couldn¡¯t dwell on the chaos of Floor 60 for too long. As tempting as it was to farm experience there, I logged out for the night. Survival came first, and exhaustion wasn¡¯t a stat I could afford to max out. By the time 6 p.m. rolled around, I was sprawled on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through forum posts about the Ascended. That¡¯s when I heard a sharp knock at the door. Grabbing a weighty wrench from the toolbox by the entryway, I checked the door camera. A strange-looking guy stood outside¡ªunkempt, tall, with a patchy beard¡ªand standing next to him was Mira. I cracked the door open, the wrench in hand just out of sight. Before I could say anything, the man spoke, his voice smooth but familiar. ¡°Hey, hotshot.¡± I narrowed my eyes. That smirk was unmistakable. ¡°Blazer?¡± I asked, before shaking my head. ¡°No¡ªTakashi. What the hell are you doing here?¡± He laughed, casually leaning against the doorframe like we were old friends catching up at a bar. ¡°Figured we¡¯d check in. Mira said you might want some answers about those Ascended players. We¡¯ve been digging.¡± ¡°Digging?¡± I arched an eyebrow, stepping aside to let them in. Takashi wasn¡¯t the kind of guy to show up uninvited unless he had something worth saying. He and I went way back to the Royale Online days. He was an engineer for a massive car factory, one of those guys who always managed to be smarter than he looked. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mira chimed in, kicking off her boots and flopping onto my couch like she owned the place. ¡°Floor 61 is where those Ascended players gather. And get this¡ªapparently, they go there to ¡®Receive the Wisdom of the Ancient God.¡¯¡± I snorted. ¡°Let me guess¡ªsome cult roleplay nonsense?¡± Takashi shrugged, crossing his arms. ¡°It¡¯s either that or they¡¯ve bought so deep into the RP that their minds are starting to blur the lines between the game and reality. Either way, it¡¯s messed up. Half of these kids are so wrapped up in it they¡¯d probably burn their own headsets out willingly.¡± The mention of headsets made my stomach turn. I glanced at Takashi. ¡°Sato called me again earlier. Congratulated me¡ªif you can even call it that¡ªon the kid who got his eyes burned out. Have you two figured out anything else?¡± Mira shook her head. Takashi let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Not much. Just rumors. Ascended players who stay in too long start showing signs of, uh¡­ detachment. Less irl activity, more fixation on ¡®the game world being the real world.¡¯ Sound familiar?¡± I nodded grimly. It was all starting to line up in a way I didn¡¯t like. Switching gears, I asked, ¡°Takashi, what floor are you grinding now?¡± A smug grin spread across his face. ¡°I¡¯m on Floor 80,¡± he said, clearly thinking he had me beat. ¡°Then you passed through Floor 60. The forest, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, his grin fading. ¡°Be careful in there. There¡¯s a PK guild that camps the area.¡± Great. Another bunch of fun-suckers ruining the game. ¡°You run into them?¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Takashi said. ¡°They¡¯re sneaky. They like to use the mist to ambush people. And trust me, it¡¯s not just the guild. The Guardians of the Wood are bad enough on their own.¡± I leaned forward, my interest piqued. ¡°The Guardians. Did you fight them?¡± He nodded, his expression darkening. ¡°Yeah. Two of them came out of the mist. Creepy bastards with glowing red eyes. You take them down, and they just¡­ vanish. It¡¯s scripted, I think. Pretty clever design. Makes the player feel on edge, like something¡¯s stalking them in the fog. It¡¯s no wonder that PK guild camps there¡ªit¡¯s the perfect setup to scare players into panicking.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the guild¡¯s name?¡± I asked, already running through potential counters in my head. ¡°Slayers, I think.¡± ¡°Creative,¡± I muttered sarcastically. ¡°They use the mist to snipe other players, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, pretty much,¡± Takashi confirmed. ¡°If you¡¯re heading back to Floor 60, you¡¯d better watch your back. They¡¯re opportunists. And if they see you alone, you¡¯ll be their next target.¡± I glanced at Mira, who gave me a wry smile. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve got your hands full, hotshot,¡± she said, echoing Takashi¡¯s earlier greeting. "If they come after me they will learn the hard way. After floor 60 where is the next safe zone" I asked "65" said Takashi "Good. Right I''m going to eat and go get some sleep. A long day tomorrow and a long day of grinding" Mira and Takashi left me to my devices. Floor 61 was now going to be my goal, these kids would have to learn the lash of defeat or perhaps somehow I''d figure something out. Chapter 17: The Lower Dungeon, Final Logging back into Age of Eternity filled me with a gnawing sense of dread. It wasn¡¯t the PK guild hiding in the mist or even the Guardians of the Wood that unsettled me. No, it was what lay beyond: Floor 61¡ªthe Ascended. These so-called "chosen ones," chasing forbidden power, had become the game''s darkest enigma. The stories I¡¯d heard painted them as zealots, enslaved by an algorithm that blurred their sense of reality. Their delusions of divinity weren¡¯t just roleplay; they were infectious. I reappeared at the small, abandoned camp where I had logged out, its decayed tents and smoldering embers a fitting backdrop for the unease settling over me. The Log Out button was still there in the corner of my HUD, taunting me with its simplicity. I could leave now¡ªlog out, stretch, walk away. But I wasn¡¯t the type to run from a fight, especially not when I had come this far. Taking a deep breath, I checked my inventory. Potions? Full. Weapons? Sharpened and ready. My blade gleamed with the enchantment I¡¯d ground hours for¡ªa faint blue aura, barely noticeable, but potent enough to turn the tide if things got messy. No non-lethal options existed in this game, which made what I was about to do weigh even heavier. ¡°How do I stop them without killing them?¡± I muttered under my breath. There were no passives, no mechanics for mercy in Age of Eternity. The developers had crafted a world where violence wasn¡¯t just the answer¡ªit was the only option. And yet, the thought of cutting down a group of misguided kids chasing a god complex turned my stomach. I wasn¡¯t na?ve, though. ¡°Kids¡± was a misnomer. Plenty of adults played this game, and I knew firsthand how many would take power without hesitation or question. The Ascended weren¡¯t just foolish¡ªthey were dangerous. If the rumors about their so-called "Wisdom of the Ancient God" were true, then they were a threat to more than just themselves. I had no choice but to confront them. With a resigned sigh, I stood and moved toward the edge of the misty forest. Every step crunched against brittle leaves, each sound echoing like a warning. The mist coiled around me, heavier than before, and the distant glow of red eyes flickered in the shadows. The Guardians weren¡¯t going to let me pass without a fight¡ªnot again. As I gripped my blade, the HUD flashed: Guardians of the Wood HP Bar: 100% The air chilled, and the fog thickened as their eyes multiplied in the darkness. I tightened my grip. The first one emerged¡ªa red-eyed elf, blade drawn. His movements were fluid, almost lifelike. The AI for these NPCs was astonishing, mimicking human-level reflexes. Our swords clashed, the metallic ring piercing through the forest. I parried his strike and drove my blade into his chest, his HP bar chunking in response. Another appeared, then another. This wasn¡¯t the warm-up fight I needed, but it was the one I got. I activated Light Step, dodging the arrows that came whistling through the fog. Two more Guardians leaped from the shadows, their swords aimed for my head. I rolled to the side, countering with a wide slash that caught both in its arc. Their HP dropped, the bar on my screen shrinking with each kill, but the mist only seemed to thicken. The fog wasn¡¯t natural¡ªI was sure of it. It was part of their design, an environmental hazard meant to disorient and frustrate. But I wasn¡¯t going to let them have the upper hand. The final Guardian fell with a sharp cry, and the mist began to clear. Their HP bar hit zero, vanishing from my HUD, but I didn¡¯t relax. My instincts screamed that something worse was coming. When the last trace of the fog dissipated, I found myself at the base of an enormous stone staircase leading to Floor 61. Each step was carved with intricate runes glowing faintly, pulsing as if alive. At the top, the gate loomed¡ªan ancient structure of blackened metal, twisted and jagged. I took the first step. The sound of my boots echoed against the stone, and with every step, the air grew heavier. By the time I reached the top, my HUD was flashing again. Warning: PvP Zone Activated I wasn¡¯t alone. A figure stepped out from the shadows near the gate. He wore a hooded cloak, the deep crimson fabric emblazoned with gold symbols that I didn¡¯t recognize. His weapon¡ªa curved, jagged blade¡ªhung loosely at his side. ¡°You¡¯re the one who cleared the forest,¡± he said, his voice distorted through a voice modulator. ¡°Impressive.¡± I didn¡¯t respond, keeping my blade at the ready. ¡°You¡¯ve come for the Ascended, haven¡¯t you?¡± he asked, stepping closer. The gate opened behind him, revealing a glowing, ethereal light. ¡°Foolish move.¡± Before I could reply, he lunged. His blade clashed against mine, the impact sending a jolt up my arm. He was fast¡ªtoo fast. Activating Light Step, I dodged his follow-up strike and countered with a flurry of my own. He parried each one, his movements precise and calculated. ¡°Who are you?¡± I demanded, locking blades with him. He laughed, the sound low and menacing. ¡°Just a gatekeeper. You¡¯ll find out soon enough what lies beyond.¡± With a burst of strength, he shoved me back, creating distance. Raising his free hand, he activated an ability. The ground beneath me glowed red, and I barely had time to dodge as spikes shot up, narrowly missing me. This wasn¡¯t a normal player. His abilities weren¡¯t in any class tree I¡¯d seen before. ¡°You¡¯re stalling,¡± I said, circling him. ¡°Maybe,¡± he replied. ¡°Or maybe I¡¯m just enjoying the last moments of your sanity.¡± I didn¡¯t give him the chance to follow through. Charging forward, I feinted left before slashing right. My blade caught his side, and his HP bar dipped, though not by much. He retaliated with a spinning strike that clipped my shoulder, my own HP bar flashing yellow. The fight was brutal, every swing and dodge a test of endurance and skill. Finally, with a perfectly timed parry, I broke through his defenses. My blade sank into his chest, and he staggered back, his HP bar draining to zero. As he fell, the gate behind him swung open fully, the light intensifying. His body dissolved into code, leaving only his voice behind. ¡°Welcome to the wisdom of gods,¡± he said, his tone mocking. ¡°You¡¯ll wish you never came here.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the gate. The teleportation sequence dragged me through rapidly shifting skyboxes: verdant forests, barren wastelands, endless ocean skies. Finally, my surroundings resolved into a dark, jagged cave. The soft sound of dripping water and the faint echoes of footsteps greeted me, underscored by a chilling drone of what I soon realized was chanting. Proximity Voice Chat Activated. Whispers melded into words as I moved deeper, crouching to avoid detection. The glow of torches spilled through the cavern ahead, revealing a massive amphitheater carved into the rock. Hundreds of players were gathered, each adorned with the title Ascended. Their names above their heads glitched into unreadable Wingdings, clearly manipulated by illicit code. My lips curled in distaste. At the center of this madness, elevated on a makeshift dais, stood the instigator of it all: Takahiro Sakaguchi. The Sermon of MadnessHe was an avatar of arrogance¡ªa long, black robe adorned with gaudy gold accents and glowing crimson eyes. His voice boomed through the cavern, dripping with false reverence. "You gather today to receive my wisdom! Soon, we shall ascend those deemed unworthy. Those who resist will join the collective, willingly or not! Fear not, my chosen, for you undertake a task that will transcend games, humanity, everything! We shall¡ª" I dropped from the shadows, landing with a flourish directly in front of his dais. The sound of my boots against stone silenced the room, every glitchy head snapping toward me. Takahashi¡¯s sermon came to an abrupt halt, and his glowing eyes narrowed. "You..." he hissed, his voice low but boiling with rage. "Yeah, me," I spat back, my voice carrying venomous disdain. I jabbed a finger at him. "Have you told them what happens if they fail to comply, you little criminal? Told them about the kid in Osaka whose eyes were burned out by your corrupted code? Or how you¡¯re playing god by hijacking their EternaLinks for your own selfish revenge fantasy?" A ripple of confusion swept through the crowd. Murmurs broke out among the Ascended, some shifting uncomfortably. Takahashi''s composure cracked. "How dare you!" he roared, his voice echoing with digital distortion. "I have given them power! Power they chose! Not threats¡ªgifts! They stand here because they are worthy!" I chuckled darkly, drawing my sword. The polished blade gleamed in the torchlight. "You want power? Earn it like the rest of us," I growled. "This game is about freedom, about overcoming challenges¡ªnot handing your soul over to a pissed-off NEET who''s salty at the devs." A private message flashed on my interface: Keep him occupied. We''ve traced his location, but we need you to engage him to deploy a Code Injector in your inventory. It¡¯ll tag his avatar with malware, exposing him to the authorities. Target him directly¡ªdon¡¯t engage the crowd. I opened my inventory quickly, finding the Code Injector. A sleek, glowing attachment for my blade appeared, its timer ticking ominously at 999 seconds. I attached it to the hilt of my sword and took a deep breath. "Alright, Takahiro Sakaguchi" I called, my voice dripping with challenge. "Let¡¯s see if your stolen power holds up against someone who actually earned theirs. Or are you too much of a coward to face me?" His avatar warped with a sickening animation, morphing into a massive, muscled figure clad in obsidian armor. His long black hair flowed wildly, and in his hands materialized an impossibly large blade¡ªa twisted, jagged monstrosity resembling a dragon''s spine. "You¡¯ll regret those words, worm," he snarled. The amphitheater erupted as he lunged, his massive blade cleaving through the air like a falling meteor. I sidestepped just in time, the impact cracking the stone beneath me. Takahashi was fast¡ªunnaturally so. Before I could recover, he chanted a spell. Fireballs launched from his fingertips, but as they arced, they fragmented into dozens of smaller, homing projectiles. I rolled, zigzagging to avoid them, but a few grazed me, eating into my health bar. "Pathetic!" he bellowed, closing the gap again. I activated my counter¡ªAbundant Step of the Pact. A surge of shadow propelled me forward, and I struck him hard with my blade. Dark Pact: Stamina Drain, Mana Drain, HP Drain activated simultaneously, siphoning his energy into mine. The Code Injector hummed ominously, embedding itself into his avatar. "What... what have you done?!" he screamed, dropping to one knee as his avatar glitched and warped. His movements became sluggish, his attacks delayed. "Just evening the odds," I said, smirking. He swung his massive sword in desperation. I dodged and followed up with Impaling Strike, driving my blade through his chest and pinning him to the stone floor. Sparks erupted from his glitched avatar as the Code Injector did its work, flooding his system with corrupted data. "You... you traitor!" he gasped, his voice distorting as his health bar drained. I leaned close, my tone ice-cold. "This isn¡¯t betrayal¡ªit¡¯s justice. Enjoy the cops, Takahiro." As his avatar disintegrated into a pixelated mess, Sato¡¯s message appeared in my interface: He¡¯s in custody. The operation was a success. Thanks for your help. I turned to the stunned crowd. "I¡¯d suggest you all log out and rethink your life choices. Your ¡®god¡¯ just got fried." One by one, the players disappeared, logging out in silence¡ªexcept one. He lingered, his glitchy form cloaked in black smoke. His malice was palpable. "We¡¯ll meet again," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "And when we do, I¡¯ll have a coffin ready." With that, he vanished into the shadows. I returned to the Safe Zone on Floor 60, exhaustion washing over me. Stepping into the tavern, I spotted a woman sitting alone at a table. Her nameplate read Sato (GM) with her level marked as ???. She smiled and motioned for me to join her. "Odd that we never hear phones through headsets," she said as I sat. "Just wanted to thank you for your help. Those coerced into the Ascended have had their EternaLinks patched. Oh, and I replaced that bugged orb in your inventory." She was referring to the ??? Orb. I opened my inventory to find its replacement: Orb of Ascent. "Use it wisely," she added. "With it, you can descend to the bottom of the Lower Dungeon¡ªor ascend to the Upper Dungeon. Your choice." she logged out with a smile. I logged as well, stretching and turning on the news. The broadcast began with an ominous tone, the soft hum of tense strings weaving through the background as the anchor appeared. Her expression was grave, her voice steady but weighted with unease. ¡°In what authorities are calling an unprecedented breach of digital and personal safety, police have apprehended Takahiro Sakaguchi, a former developer of the groundbreaking Full-Dive MMORPG Age of Eternity. Sakaguchi was accused of orchestrating a sophisticated and highly dangerous malware operation, weaponizing the very technology that powers the immersive virtual reality experience.¡± The screen shifted to footage of the arrest: officers in tactical gear storming a dimly-lit apartment. The room was a chaotic mess of tangled cables, flickering monitors, and scrawled diagrams on the walls. The faint glow of code danced on the screens, with glimpses of Age of Eternity¡¯s interface overlaid with corrupted imagery. ¡°According to investigators, Sakaguchi¡¯s malware exploited vulnerabilities in the EternaLink VR headsets, causing the devices to overheat to dangerous levels. This malicious code led to severe injuries, including the case of a teenager in Osaka who suffered irreversible damage to his eyesight.¡± The anchor leaned slightly forward, her tone sharpening as she delivered the next detail. ¡°When questioned, Sakaguchi confessed to his involvement, stating he was part of something far larger and more insidious. In his chilling words to authorities: ¡®You don¡¯t get it. This is just the beginning. I¡¯m just the first step. The real architects? They¡¯ll make the game your reality. And when they do, you won¡¯t even know you¡¯re already lost.¡¯¡± The footage cut back to the anchor, her eyes narrowing slightly as she continued. ¡°The implications of Sakaguchi¡¯s statement have sent shockwaves through both the gaming and cybersecurity communities. While the developers of Age of Eternity work tirelessly to address vulnerabilities, many now question just how deep this conspiracy runs¡ªand what might still be hidden in the game¡¯s code.¡± The image on the screen transitioned to the familiar logo of Age of Eternity, its edges flickering as though corrupted. Shadows seemed to spill outward, giving the impression of something alive and watching. ¡°Authorities warn all players to remain vigilant, urging them to update their headsets immediately and report any suspicious activity. And yet, the central mystery remains¡ªif Sakaguchi wasn¡¯t acting alone, who are the architects he alluded to? And just how far are they willing to go to see their plans realized?¡± The background music faded, replaced by an unnerving silence. The anchor¡¯s voice dropped to a chilling near-whisper. ¡°And in a final, unsettling twist, just days after his arrest, Takahiro Sakaguchi was found dead in his cell. Authorities report his eyes appeared to have been burned from the inside, and his body bore dozens of unexplained lacerations. The investigation is ongoing.¡± The screen cut to black for a moment before a cold, metallic logo of the news channel appeared, accompanied by a discordant hum. The broadcast ended, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. I knew then... That this wasn''t over. END OF THE FIRST ARC: THE ARRIVAL OF THE MASTER BUILDER AGE OF ETERNITY SECOND ARC: THE GATHERING STORM THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18 THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR 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JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18THIS IS NOT A CHAPTER, JUST PLACE HOLDER, CLICK NEXT CHAPTER FOR CHAPTER 18The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Chapter 18: The Upper Dungeon Part 1 After Takahiro Sakaguchi¡¯s death, I stayed off Age of Eternity for a couple of weeks. The immersion had been so intense that it blurred the line between game and reality. I needed time to ground myself. Still, the game had a way of calling you back. When Mira¡ªor Aethera, as she was known in the game¡ªsent me the trailer for the new expansion Isles of Destiny, my resolve to stay away crumbled. I clicked ¡°Play,¡± and the trailer unfolded in breathtaking detail. The Age of Eternity logo shimmered as the camera panned across the floating isles of the expansion. Massive landmasses hung like inverted mountains in the sky, teeming with alien biomes¡ªshimmering forests, ash-laden wastelands, and crystal-studded plains. Amidst it all were sprawling cities, their towering spires under siege by Amalgamation Abominations¡ªgrotesque monstrosities of flesh, metal, and magic. The trailer climaxed with the Queen of the Isles, her radiant form sending a clarion call to heroes across the land. Then came the final announcements: New Raids. New Dungeons. New Tombs of the Ancients. Six New Classes. Twelve New Subclasses. Finally, the release date flashed: 12/06/2055. I leaned back in my chair, the shadow of a smile on my lips. A free expansion, no subscription, and a promise of new challenges. But before I could dive into the Isles, I had unfinished business: the Upper Dungeon. The Upper Dungeon wasn¡¯t just any dungeon¡ªit was a treasure trove of rare materials. And those materials were the key to my next objective: crafting the Unbidden Set, one of the best gear sets for a Fighter/Warlock hybrid like me. Its stats, passives, and bonuses were perfectly tailored for my dual class. The set wasn¡¯t something you could simply loot. Crafting it required an absurd amount of rare materials and I had every intention to farm as much as I could carry. This raid was my chance to gather as much as possible. With the new expansion looming, players would soon flood the dungeons, making resource farming a nightmare. I wasn¡¯t tackling this one solo. Even I, Astraeus¡ªFighter-Warlock and usually a lone wolf¡ªknew the dungeon required a team. And there was no better team than the guild I belonged to: Ascension. I shot Mira a quick message: "Looking to do the Upper Dungeon Raid. Can you get me a decent team?" Her reply came instantly. "Why now? Don¡¯t you want to finish the Lower Dungeon first?" I chuckled and typed back. "The Orb of Ascent only works once. I¡¯m choosing the Upper Dungeon." "Suit yourself," she responded. "I¡¯ll see who¡¯s available and meet you at the entrance." I leaned back, satisfied. My level 30 crafted gear had served me well, but it was time for a real upgrade. The Unbidden Set was my goal¡ªnot just for its synergy with my build, but for the crafting challenge it presented. Gathering the materials would be brutal, but it¡¯d be worth it. The Coiled City was bustling. Players swarmed its winding streets, preparing for the expansion. It wasn¡¯t the largest hub in the game¡ªthere were only two¡ªbut its intricate, serpentine design, with floating platforms and towering spires, gave it character. What Age of Eternity lacked in sprawling hubs, it made up for with hidden treasures and content buried deep in its world. I arrived at the dungeon entrance, finding Mira first. She waved, her Cleric robes practically glowing with divine energy. Apollo showed up next, his Mage/Berserker hybrid aura unmistakable. His grin was as sharp as the massive axe on his back. "PvP? I know you¡¯re good. PvE? Let¡¯s see if you can keep up, Astraeus." I smirked. "Stick around, and you¡¯ll find out." The other two members of the group arrived together. A massive man in gleaming armor laughed heartily as he approached. His shield alone was large enough to serve as a table for six. "Ravok¡¯s the name," he said, slapping his chestplate. "Knight/Juggernaut. I¡¯m basically unkillable, so stick behind me and you¡¯ll be fine." His grin was infectious. "I¡¯ll hold you to that," I replied, shaking his hand. The last member was quieter¡ªa teenage girl with a glowing bow slung across her back. Her voice was light but carried a teasing edge. "Selene. Ranger/Sharpshooter. I¡¯ll cover you from the back, but don¡¯t expect me to hold your hand." I froze for a moment, taking in her tone and mannerisms. She reminded me of someone. "Helvecta?" I asked, recalling a Witch I used to run with in Royale Online. She raised an eyebrow, smiling slyly. "Good memory. Didn¡¯t think you¡¯d recognize me without the pointy hat." Apollo crossed his arms, watching us. "So we¡¯re all friends now? Great. Astraeus, care to explain why we¡¯re raiding this place? The Upper Dungeon isn¡¯t exactly a walk in the park."This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "I¡¯m after materials," I said. "100 Verdant Crystals, 25 Orichalcum Ore, 30 Azure Silk, 100 Ancient Fragments, and 100 Verdant Gemstones." Ravok let out a low whistle. "That¡¯s quite the list. Let me guess¡ªthe Unbidden Set?" "Exactly," I replied. "It¡¯s the best pre-expansion set for a Fighter/Warlock. Plus, crafting it will max out my item crafting skills." Mira nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense, but the Upper Dungeon is brutal. If we¡¯re not careful, we¡¯ll wipe and lose hours of progress." Apollo grinned. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. If he screws up, I¡¯ll clean up the mess." "Charming," I said, shaking my head. Ravok laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. "Don¡¯t worry, mate. Between my shield and Selene¡¯s aim, we¡¯ve got this. Just don¡¯t go wandering off solo, yeah?" Selene chimed in, her tone playful. "And keep your head down. I don¡¯t need you walking into my line of fire." I chuckled. "I¡¯ll keep that in mind." The five of us turned toward the dungeon gates, massive stone slabs etched with glowing runes. The Upper Dungeon was dangerous, but it was nothing compared to the chaos of the End Zones, where level 90 players slaughtered each other for dominance. Here, at least, there was a chance for teamwork¡ªif we played our cards right. "Let¡¯s get started," I said, stepping forward as the gates groaned open, revealing the labyrinthine depths beyond. The air shifted immediately, damp and heavy, carrying the faint scent of decay. As our group ventured in, the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi cast eerie patterns on the walls. I moved to walk beside Selene. She adjusted the bow on her shoulder and glanced at me, curious. "How¡¯d you end up playing Age of Eternity?" I asked. Her lips curled into a small smile. "After the guild crumbled into oblivion, I quit Royale Online after you left. You made my Witch seem like the most powerful curse and hex user in the entire game. It was too easy¡ªcrushing people left and right, winning every duel without breaking a sweat. At first, it was fun, but then..." She shrugged. "Boredom hit. Hard." I nodded slowly. Helvecta had been infamous in Royale Online, feared and respected. She continued, "When the guild fell apart, I didn¡¯t see a point in staying. Then someone mentioned this game, and I figured, why not? It¡¯s different. Here, I¡¯m level 87, and every skill, every shot, feels earned. No one handing me the perfect build. No shortcuts." She gave me a sidelong glance, her smile tinged with amusement. "Feels good to breathe, you know? Not just be ''Helvecta, the Unstoppable Hex Queen.''¡± I chuckled softly. "I get it. Back then, I pushed hard¡ªcrafted the perfect set, optimized every stat, and turned you into a force of nature. But yeah, when the meta¡¯s solved and you¡¯re at the top, it loses something." "Exactly," she said, her tone lighter now. "Here, I actually have to work. And you? Still climbing leaderboards?" I smirked. "Something like that." Our footsteps echoed as we entered a vast chamber. The air grew heavier, the faint squelching of something moving in the shadows setting everyone on edge. Mira raised her staff, casting a glow that illuminated the space ahead. A hulking mass of rotting vegetation emerged, its vine-like arms twisting unnaturally. Its faintly glowing core pulsed with sickly green light, embedded deep within its body. "Shambling Mound," Ravok said, his voice steady. He slammed his shield into the ground with a resounding clang. "Let¡¯s see if it lives up to the stories." "Formation," I called out, stepping back slightly to let Ravok take the lead. "Looks like a compost heap with an attitude," Apollo muttered, flames already gathering in his hand. Selene smirked as she drew her bow. "Let¡¯s turn it into mulch." The mound moved with surprising speed, its arms lashing out. Ravok intercepted the attack with a grunt, his shield absorbing the brunt of the impact. "Eyes on me, ugly!" Ravok bellowed, his shield glowing faintly as he activated a taunt ability. The creature roared and redirected its focus entirely on him. Selene darted to the side, notching a glowing arrow and firing into the mound¡¯s core. The impact caused the creature to shudder, but it quickly regenerated, vines twisting together to heal the damage. "This thing¡¯s got crazy regen!" Selene called out, loosing another arrow that struck true but barely slowed the creature. Apollo hurled a fireball, the explosion sending chunks of vegetation flying. "We need to overwhelm it before it can rebuild itself!" Mira¡¯s voice rang out, calm but commanding. "Focus attacks on the core. I¡¯ll keep everyone standing." Her staff glowed brightly, a pulse of holy energy washing over us, bolstering our defenses. I stepped into the fray, my sword humming with arcanic energy. "Keep it pinned, Ravok!" "Already on it!" he shouted, slamming his shield into the creature¡¯s vine-like arms, locking them down. "I¡¯m unkillable, remember?" Selene¡¯s arrows flew in rapid succession, her precision staggering. Each one struck the core, but the mound¡¯s regeneration remained relentless. "Not enough," I muttered, stepping back to channel my energy. I gripped my sword tightly, its runes flaring as I drew on my Warlock powers. "Cover him!" Mira shouted, noticing what I was doing. Apollo leapt forward, his axe cleaving through the mound¡¯s regenerating limbs, while Selene continued her barrage. Ravok, true to his word, held firm, taking every hit the mound threw his way without faltering. "Time to end this," I said, my voice low but resolute. My free hand began to glow, arcs of dark and luminous energy spiraling around it. The energy built into a crackling orb as I channeled my Arcanic Blast, the ultimate manifestation of my hybrid class¡¯s power. The mound reared up, its core glowing brighter as it prepared for a massive attack. "Now, Astraeus!" Mira called out. I thrust my hand forward, releasing the Arcanic Blast. A beam of concentrated arcane and infernal energy erupted, tearing through the air with a deafening roar. It struck the mound dead center, obliterating its core in a blinding explosion of light and shadow. The creature let out a final, ear-splitting shriek before collapsing into a pile of lifeless debris. The glowing mist around it dissipated, leaving the chamber eerily quiet. Apollo whistled, clearly impressed. "Well, that¡¯s one way to mulch a heap." Selene glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, that was... ridiculous. What was that?!" "Arcanic Blast," I said, sheathing my sword. "120% damage bonus with my passives and gear. Perfect for punching through regen." At level 80 the Warlock''s Arcanic Blast was able to be channeled for more damage, this was just the test to see if my build thus far was good enough. Ravok laughed heartily, slapping me on the back with enough force to almost knock me over. "And here I thought I was the showstopper! Guess you can share the spotlight, huh?" Mira chuckled as she healed up Ravok¡¯s minor wounds. "If this is what you¡¯re like in PvE, I¡¯m not sure what Apollo was worried about." Apollo grinned. "After dominating someone in PvP, I''m waiting for that parkour style fighting you do but for now a simple attack like that leaves my curiosity satisfied" "Don¡¯t get too comfortable," I said, glancing further into the dungeon¡¯s depths. "This was just the first fight. We¡¯ve got a lot more ground to cover." The others nodded, regrouping and preparing for the next challenge. The Upper Dungeon was only getting started, and we were ready to face whatever came next. Chapter 19: The Upper Dungeon Part 2 I knew how to work within a team. Teamwork in games is easy: everyone has their roles when it comes to beating the content. A single tank, two DPS (damage per second), and a healer¡ªthat¡¯s the standard formula. Age of Eternity, however, didn¡¯t stick to that format. If ten DPS players wanted to dive into a dungeon together, that was fine. There were no class restrictions on raids or dungeons in general. This party, however, didn¡¯t just adapt to my skills¡ªwe thrived together. Ravok was simply unkillable, thanks to his dual class of Knight/Juggernaut. His main passive, Ultra Regeneration, was borderline broken. Each attack that landed on him regenerated a set amount of HP, and after combat, he gained a massive 75% regeneration buff. Combine that with his staggering defense and aggro-pulling abilities, and he was an immovable wall. Mira¡¯s build had been optimized to perfection. Her MP regeneration during and after battle was through the roof, her cooldowns were nearly nonexistent, and her healing spells were amplified by an incredible 75% thanks to her synergized gear and passives. Her signature ability, Automatic Smite, triggered whenever any hostile creature or player came within 90 meters of us, dealing half of her total Smite score¡ªboosted by a 225% synergy from her build. On top of that, it halved their healing and damage output, a nasty debuff courtesy of her Holy Priest passive. Her god, Bringer of Light, further enhanced her holy skills, adding a flat 25% boost to everything she did, including healing. She wasn¡¯t just support¡ªshe was a fortress of divine power. Apollo was pure chaos wrapped in brilliance. His Mage/Berserker class was more like a battle-mage monk. At level 90, his ultimate ability, Pure Elemental Force, was insane. He could channel raw elemental magic into devastating attacks or imbue himself with elemental energy to become a living force of destruction. With his Berserker rage mechanics, he healed for a portion of his HP with each rage stack, making him tough to take down. His damage output was obscene, but he still relied on Mira¡¯s healing to keep him from overextending. And then there was Selene. Her ability to adapt on the fly made her invaluable. She was our Ranger, specializing in rapid-firing arrows and fluid combat tactics. Her primary passive, Chameleon, allowed her to remain unseen until she attacked, making her the perfect infiltrator. But when the fight started, she unleashed a storm. One of her hallmark skills, Rain of Retribution, unleashed 500 arrows in rapid succession, each one enhanced by her gear¡¯s crit and elemental bonuses. She wasn¡¯t just an evader; she was a sniper and a whirlwind combined. Together, we formed a team that was greater than the sum of its parts. Each of us had our strengths, and each of us had the experience to maximize those strengths while covering each other¡¯s weaknesses. No challenge felt insurmountable. But Age of Eternity wasn¡¯t going to make it easy. As we pressed deeper into the dungeon, the walls began to pulsate with an eerie, otherworldly glow. The oppressive air buzzed with latent magic, a sure sign that something dangerous lurked nearby. Our first major challenge wasn¡¯t just dangerous¡ªit was an abomination of nightmares. Emerging from the shadows, the Hexbound Wyrm slithered into view. It was a monstrous, serpentine creature with a body of chitinous black scales etched with glowing crimson runes. Its head split into a nightmarish maw that opened like a blooming flower, revealing rows of jagged teeth. The Wyrm¡¯s eyes glowed with malice, and its runes pulsed in rhythm with the corrupted mana that filled the air. ¡°Hexbound¡­¡± Ravok muttered, gripping his shield tightly. ¡°That¡¯s gonna be fun.¡± The Wyrm let out a guttural roar, shaking the ground beneath us. It was more than just noise¡ªwaves of disruptive magic radiated from the sound, sending ripples through the air. My mana reserves dipped slightly. A siphoning ability. Great. ¡°It¡¯s draining us!¡± Mira shouted, her staff already glowing as she began weaving a counter-spell. ¡°Keep it busy!¡± I barked, stepping back to strategize. Ravok took the lead, as always, raising his shield and charging forward. The Wyrm lashed out with its tail, the crimson runes flaring as it struck with crushing force. Ravok absorbed the hit, his Ultra Regeneration kicking in immediately to mend the damage. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± he taunted, slamming his shield into the creature to draw its attention. The Wyrm hissed and lunged, its massive jaws snapping inches from Ravok¡¯s face. Apollo wasted no time, summoning a storm of elemental fury. Fireballs, bolts of lightning, and shards of ice rained down on the Wyrm. Each attack struck true, but the runes absorbed a portion of the damage, glowing brighter with every hit. ¡°It¡¯s reflecting!¡± Apollo called out, as one of his firebolts rebounded, nearly catching him in the shoulder. Selene darted around the battlefield, her Ranger agility keeping her out of harm¡¯s way. She fired arrow after arrow, targeting the Wyrm¡¯s exposed joints and vulnerable underbelly. ¡°The runes are protecting its core!¡± she shouted. ¡°We have to disable them!¡± Mira yelled, channeling holy light into a protective barrier around Ravok. ¡°Keep its attention while I purge those runes!¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The Wyrm roared again, this time unleashing a stream of corrosive black mist from its maw. It swept across the battlefield, eating away at the terrain and forcing us to scatter. ¡°Stay on it!¡± I called, stepping forward. My Fighter/Warlock hybrid class excelled in moments like this. I summoned spectral chains to lash the Wyrm, binding its movements temporarily. The creature writhed, its runes flaring as it struggled against my magic. ¡°Now, Mira!¡± Mira planted her staff into the ground, unleashing a radiant wave of holy energy. The light slammed into the Wyrm, dimming the crimson glow of its runes. ¡°Keep hitting it!¡± Ravok shouted, slamming his shield into the creature¡¯s flank. Apollo grinned. ¡°Gladly.¡± He raised both hands, channeling his signature ability: Pure Elemental Force. His body crackled with energy as he transformed into a living storm. With a roar, he charged the Wyrm, unleashing a devastating barrage of elemental strikes that bypassed the creature¡¯s weakened runes. The Wyrm shrieked, its defenses collapsing under the relentless assault. This was the moment I¡¯d been waiting for. Drawing on my mana reserves, I unleashed Arcanic Blast. My gear and passives amplified the spell¡¯s power, and the blast struck the Wyrm¡¯s exposed core with pinpoint precision. The explosion lit up the dungeon, and when the light faded, the Hexbound Wyrm lay motionless, its crimson runes shattered. Ravok laughed, slamming his shield into the ground. ¡°Now that¡¯s what I call teamwork!¡± Apollo smirked, his elemental form dissipating. ¡°Nice shot, Astraeus.¡± Selene nodded. ¡°Efficient, as always.¡± Mira stepped forward, wiping sweat from her brow. ¡°Well done, everyone. That was no ordinary beast.¡± I allowed myself a small grin as I surveyed the fallen monster. This was the kind of battle I lived for¡ªa test of skill, strategy, and teamwork. But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. Even after all our effort, we had only gathered half of the materials I needed. The elusive Verdant Crystals were still deeper in, and Apollo, ever the problem solver, claimed he knew a shortcut. Without hesitation, we followed his lead, jumping into what looked like a massive, gaping chasm. Only this wasn¡¯t a typical descent. As we fell, gravity shifted, pulling us upward instead of down. A disorienting sensation gripped me as the black void gave way to light, and we slammed into what felt like a solid roof¡ªonly to emerge in a sprawling, forest-like area. Massive, ancient trees loomed overhead, their twisted roots crawling over moss-covered rocks. But it wasn¡¯t the scenery that caught my attention. It was the movement. Ahead, towering figures¡ªgiants, easily the size of small buildings¡ªroamed through the dense undergrowth. Their heavy footsteps shook the earth beneath us, their forms radiating a primal, almost oppressive energy. The air itself seemed thicker here, tinged with the faint scent of ozone and decay. ¡°This is Floor 50,¡± Apollo announced, dusting off his armor. ¡°Told you it was a shortcut.¡± Mira quickly took stock of our inventory, murmuring a count of our remaining potions. Thankfully, we were still well-supplied. I glanced at my interface and noted with satisfaction that I had leveled up twice during our previous battles. Level 89. I was getting closer to the cap¡ªthough with the new expansion raising the level cap to 100, the road ahead would be even steeper. Apollo turned to address the group, his tone commanding but calm. ¡°From here, teamwork and adaptation are what will get us through. Astraeus,¡± he said, turning to me, ¡°you¡¯re moving up front with Ravok and me. Mira and Selene will stick to the middle and back as usual.¡± ¡°Up front?¡± I raised an eyebrow, though I wasn¡¯t surprised. He nodded, tapping the hilt of his axe for emphasis. ¡°We¡¯re going to need your chains and curses to lock these things down. Plus, your attacks pack a punch. These monsters are immune to elemental magic, so I¡¯ll be at a disadvantage. But I¡¯ve still got this.¡± He hefted his massive axe with a grin. ¡°It¡¯ll do the job.¡± I nodded, accepting my role. Mira raised her staff, her holy energy radiating outward as she infused us with her divine buffs. Warm, golden light settled over the party like a protective shield¡ªonly to stop short when it reached me. The familiar chill of rejection crept over my skin as the holy energy dissipated. Above my head, a dark sigil appeared, the mark of my Dark Pacts. My abilities were incompatible with her holy buffs; they relied entirely on the corrupting power I wielded. Mira sighed, clearly displeased, though she quickly adjusted. ¡°Fine. Just don¡¯t blame me when you get flattened,¡± she muttered, though her usual edge was softened by a hint of worry. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, gripping my weapon tightly as dark energy crackled along its edge. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll do what I do best.¡± With our roles set, we moved forward into the forest. The giants were massive, but their movements were slow and deliberate, almost deceptively so. Each step felt like a minor earthquake, and their groans echoed through the thick canopy above. ¡°Eyes sharp,¡± Ravok said, his shield raised, ¡°and stick to the formation.¡± I grinned, already feeling the rush of the coming battle. This wasn¡¯t just about survival or gathering materials anymore¡ªit was about proving we could overcome whatever the game threw at us. Floor 50 was only the beginning, and we were ready. Just as we started making our way through the huge forest The ground trembled violently as the giants broke into a run, their massive forms crashing through the forest like battering rams. The oppressive air around us thickened, and an unnatural chill prickled my skin. Then, without warning, the entire forest plunged into darkness. The faint glow of Mira¡¯s holy staff and the flickering embers of Apollo¡¯s axe were swallowed by the void, leaving only the oppressive sound of the giants¡¯ thundering steps. My HUD flickered, glitching for a moment before a massive HP bar slowly crept across the top of the display. ¡®Queen of Shadows.¡¯ Her name appeared in jagged, blood-red text, and the weight of her presence pressed down on us like an iron vice. ¡°She¡¯s here,¡± Apollo muttered, his tone grim but steady. A low, guttural laugh echoed through the darkness, reverberating like the growl of some ancient predator. It came from everywhere and nowhere at once, sending a shiver down my spine. Ravok slammed his shield into the ground, his aura flaring to life. ¡°Form up! We¡¯ve dealt with worse!¡± ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Mira snapped, her voice shaking just enough to betray her nerves. She raised her staff, light sputtering at its tip as she fought to pierce the gloom. The shadows around us began to move, writhing like living things. Tendrils of blackness curled and reached for us, and the silhouettes of the giants became distorted, their features twisting into grotesque shapes. ¡°She thinks we¡¯re her next victims,¡± I said, gripping my weapon tightly as dark energy pulsed through it. A grin spread across my face, sharp and defiant. ¡°She¡¯s wrong.¡± The laugh echoed again, louder this time, as if the Queen of Shadows herself found my words amusing. But I didn¡¯t care. Chapter 20: The Upper Dungeon, Final The Queen of Shadows loomed above us, her form shrouded in an amorphous mass of writhing darkness, as though the night itself bent to her will. Her glowing crimson eyes pierced through the blackness, locking onto our group like a predator sizing up its prey. Apollo tightened his grip on his axe, the veins in his arms pulsing with the rage magic that infused his abilities. He muttered a quick incantation, his aura flaring to life in a fiery blaze as he activated his buffs. Ravok knelt briefly, driving his massive shield into the ground as a radiant golden glow enveloped him, signaling the activation of his regeneration and defensive passives. Beside him, Mira clutched her staff tightly, a radiant halo of holy energy radiating outward as she invoked her most potent blessings. I focused inward, channeling the dark energy that fueled my abilities. I activated Dark Pact: Stamina Drain, Mana Drain, HP Drain, feeling the unholy power surge into my weapon. My sword pulsed with a sickly, iridescent glow, an extension of my will. I knew the risks, but with my drains active, my own lifelines were secure, no matter what damage I took. She was too far for me to hit directly¡ªyet. My mind raced, piecing together a plan. If I could use the trees to gain height and activate Sky Walk, a fusion ability that would let me stay in midair, I could strike her directly and disrupt her summoning. But before I could share my thoughts, Apollo¡¯s voice cut through the tense silence. ¡°She¡¯ll descend quickly,¡± he began, his tone sharp and commanding. ¡°When she does, she¡¯ll summon Scorpion Spiders¡ªbatches of five at a time. Don¡¯t bother with them. Focus all your attacks on her to interrupt her summoning. The spiders will disappear if we keep her disrupted. Watch out for her Weakening Aura¡ªyou¡¯ll know when it activates. It¡¯ll slow you, drain your strength, and cut your defenses.¡± He paused, his gaze landing squarely on me. ¡°This is your first time here, Astraeus, so listen carefully. Once her HP drops to 50%, Phase 2 will start. She¡¯ll transform into her melee form and switch to close-range combat. Stay sharp.¡± ¡°What does she drop?¡± I asked, smirking as I finished prepping my abilities. ¡°Verdant Crystals,¡± Ravok rumbled, his shield gleaming as he straightened to his full height. ¡°And probably the rest of what you need.¡± I grinned, my confidence swelling. ¡°Excellent. Let¡¯s do this.¡± The Queen¡¯s laugh echoed again, but this time it was sharper, more guttural, as though she were amused by our defiance. Without warning, she descended like a streak of black lightning, the sheer force of her presence causing the ground to quake. Her arrival was heralded by the appearance of Scorpion Spiders, their grotesque, armored bodies skittering into view, claws clicking menacingly. ¡°Focus on her!¡± Apollo roared, charging forward, his axe blazing with elemental fury. He swung with precision, each strike aimed to disrupt her summoning. Ravok moved to his side, his shield absorbing the Queen¡¯s retaliatory strikes. The spiders rushed toward Mira and Selene, but Mira¡¯s Automatic Smite triggered, radiant bolts of holy light slamming into the advancing creatures. They screeched, momentarily stunned, giving Selene time to unleash a barrage of arrows. I darted to the side, weaving through the chaos. The Queen¡¯s towering form loomed above, her limbs slashing downward in sweeping arcs that forced Apollo and Ravok to adapt quickly. I leapt onto the nearest tree, activating Sky Walk. The ability propelled me upward, each step on the air leaving a ripple of dark energy in my wake. As I reached her, I unleashed Arcanic Blast, the spell slamming into her chest with a satisfying burst of shadowy energy. The Queen shrieked, her summoning circle flickering as my attack disrupted her concentration. ¡°Keep hitting her!¡± Apollo shouted, his axe colliding with one of her limbs in a burst of sparks. The Queen retaliated, her Weakening Aura flaring to life. A wave of oppressive energy washed over us, and I felt my movements slow, my strength sapped. My drains counteracted the worst of the effect, but I could see Apollo staggering slightly, his swings losing their usual speed. Mira raised her staff, chanting quickly. A burst of holy light enveloped us, temporarily negating the aura¡¯s effects. ¡°That¡¯s the best I can do! Keep going!¡± she called. The Queen¡¯s HP bar dropped steadily, her shrieks growing more frenzied as we hammered her with coordinated attacks. When her health reached the halfway mark, she froze mid-motion. The forest fell silent, an unnatural stillness blanketing the battlefield. Then, her form began to shift. The amorphous shadow coalesced, condensing into a sleek, armored figure with bladed limbs that gleamed like obsidian.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡°She¡¯s transformed!¡± Apollo warned, retreating briefly to assess her new form. The Queen lunged forward with terrifying speed, her melee attacks a blur. Ravok intercepted her, his shield barely holding against her onslaught. Sparks flew as her blades clashed against his defenses. I dropped back to the ground, landing beside Apollo. ¡°What¡¯s the plan now?¡± ¡°Same as before,¡± he said, hefting his axe. ¡°Hit her hard and fast. Mira, keep Ravok alive. Selene, aim for the joints in her armor. Astraeus, keep disrupting her with curses and drains.¡± I nodded, gripping my sword tightly. ¡°Got it.¡± As the fight raged on, our coordination became second nature, each of us playing our roles to perfection. The Queen¡¯s attacks grew more frantic as her HP dwindled, her movements losing the precision they had in the beginning. In one final, desperate attack, she unleashed a whirlwind of shadowy blades, forcing all of us to retreat. But Ravok, ever the tank, stood firm, absorbing the brunt of the damage. ¡°Now!¡± Apollo roared, and we surged forward as one, unleashing a final barrage of attacks. My sword found its mark, plunging into the Queen¡¯s core as dark energy surged through her. She let out a deafening screech before collapsing, her massive form disintegrating into wisps of shadow. The battlefield fell silent, and the tension finally eased. A chest materialized where the Queen had fallen, its glow signaling the end of the fight. ¡°Verdant Crystals,¡± Ravok said, grinning as he opened it. ¡°And a well-earned victory,¡± Apollo added, his voice tinged with pride. I couldn¡¯t help but smile. The Queen of Shadows had been a formidable opponent, but we¡¯d proven we were even stronger. I had what I needed but as Apollo looked at me it was decided that we call it a night, roaming here for hours had the fatigue set in. We returned to the Coiled City and entered the tavern and logged out. I took the headset off and a message appeared on my phone "Hey, we never properly thanked you for the assist... So thanks, we are sending you a code for early access to Isles of Destiny, we want you to see it first hand... As thanks. -Sato" I felt as if this was some kind of nepotism after assiting Sato with that Ascension nonsense. I deleted the message and went to sleep, though the unease it left me with lingered in the back of my mind. My dreams were restless¡ªshattered fragments of the game, of those red eyes staring through the mist, and of the Ascended''s twisted faces. When I awoke the next morning, sunlight barely filtered through the curtains, casting pale streaks across my cluttered apartment. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, but something was off. The screen flickered erratically, lines of static running across it. The corners of the display were corrupted with dead pixels, a shadowy mosaic creeping inward. A message abruptly appeared in the middle of the screen: "I said we would meet again. This time, I think we should meet in person so I can gauge the kind of man you are." The text seemed to shimmer unnaturally, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. My chest tightened. Whoever this was, they had crossed a line. I grabbed the phone, my hands shaking, and felt a pang of rising dread as the text distorted and twisted, repeating itself over and over. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I ripped the back of the phone open, yanking out the SiM card with more force than necessary, then headed straight to the kitchen. The sink gurgled as I ran cold water, tossing the phone under the stream. I watched as the circuits fizzed and popped, the screen going black. The SiM card followed, snapped in half between my fingers. I didn¡¯t care how much money I¡¯d wasted¡ªbetter a destroyed phone than a compromised one. The thought of someone watching me, tracking me, sent shivers down my spine. Still, the unease lingered. If they could hack my phone, what else could they access? My EternaLink? My online accounts? My apartment felt suffocating. I needed air. I threw on a hoodie and left, locking the door behind me. The streets outside were loud and bustling with the usual chaos of the city. Horns blared, vendors called out their wares, and pedestrians pushed past one another. It felt almost surreal, as if the noise of the world clashed violently with the silence inside my head. Every shadow seemed to stretch longer than it should. Every passing glance from strangers felt scrutinizing. Paranoia seeped into my bones as I made my way to the electronics store, the weight of unseen eyes pressing on me with each step. The store was a small, dimly lit corner shop crammed with every gadget imaginable. The shopkeeper, an older man with sharp eyes, barely looked up from his newspaper as I entered. "Looking for something specific?" he asked gruffly. "Yeah, I need a new phone. Something secure. And no... apps or features I don¡¯t need," I said, keeping my voice steady. He raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t ask questions. "Over here," he said, leading me to a shelf lined with basic models¡ªones designed for privacy-conscious buyers. "This one¡¯s barebones. No GPS, no browser, just calls and texts," he said, holding up a compact device that looked almost archaic compared to modern smartphones. "Perfect," I muttered, pulling out cash to avoid leaving a digital trail. The shopkeeper took my money and handed over the phone without ceremony. "Word of advice," he said as I turned to leave. "If you¡¯re worried about privacy, stay off the grid altogether. These things aren¡¯t as secure as people think." I nodded, clutching the phone tightly as I stepped back out into the chaos of the street. A cold wind swept past me, raising goosebumps on my skin. I glanced over my shoulder more times than I cared to admit as I walked back to my apartment. Every alley seemed darker, every passerby a potential threat. The city no longer felt like home¡ªit felt like a hunting ground, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I was the predator or the prey. When I finally returned to the safety of my apartment, I double-checked the locks and dropped the new phone onto the counter. For the first time in years, I felt a strange disconnection from the digital world I had come to rely on. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I stared at the EternaLink headset resting on my desk. It was still there, waiting for me. The game always waited, and now it felt as if the line between the virtual and real was blurring in ways I couldn¡¯t control. Whoever had sent that message wasn¡¯t done with me. That much was clear. Chapter 21: The Incomplete Quests The week of release had arrived, and with it came a wave of excitement sweeping across the forums and in-game hubs. Players were diving headfirst into the expansion, exploring the new content with reckless abandon. I had waited patiently, knowing full well the chaos that came with day-one bugs and server overloads. By the third day, the dust had settled. The devs released a massive four-page document outlining a host of fixes, including the removal of corrupted Ascended code and critical updates to the EternaLink firmware to prevent hacking. After downloading the colossal 320GB expansion and its 82GB patch, I logged in. The title screen had transformed into a visual masterpiece. Towering, upside-down mountains dotted with biomes loomed ominously in the background, their surreal beauty a stark contrast to the world¡¯s chaos. The orchestral score swelled, building to an epic crescendo that made my heart race. Then came the cinematic: "The Isles used to be peaceful. Those who lived upon the lands thrived in harmony, their prosperity a testament to their unity. But then the portals opened. From them emerged abominations¡ªgrotesque amalgamations of metal, flesh, and magic. They marched, burning and devouring all in their path. The Illuminate Queen, in a desperate act, unleashed a beam of radiant light, a plea that resonated across the world¡­ "Adventurers! Will you rise against the tide of darkness? Embrace your destiny and defend the Isles. The future awaits your courage!" The cinematic ended, and I found myself back in the game, standing in the tavern where I had last logged out. The world felt different. Everything was sharper, richer, more alive. The grain of the wooden tables, the flicker of the hearth¡¯s fire casting shadows across the room¡ªit all felt so tangible. Even my avatar¡¯s movements seemed smoother, more lifelike. Despite the allure of the expansion¡¯s new content, my priorities were elsewhere. I opened my inventory, and a wave of satisfaction washed over me as I saw the materials I had painstakingly gathered: Everything I needed for the Unbidden Set was finally in my possession. Without wasting a moment, I navigated to the crafting station in the Coiled City. The crafting system in Age of Eternity wasn¡¯t like other games; it required precision and timing. Each piece of gear needed to be forged with care, or its stats could drop below their maximum potential. This was where my Master Item Crafting skill came into play. The first piece was the Unbidden Helm, a sleek, dark masterpiece designed to enhance both my stamina and magic regeneration. The interface lit up as I carefully combined the Verdant Crystals and Ancient Fragments, watching the bar fill with precision. Success. Next came the Unbidden Chestplate, a heavy yet flexible armor piece that amplified physical damage reduction while boosting Warlock abilities. The process was nerve-wracking, but another success. Piece by piece, the set came together¡ªthe Greaves, Gauntlets, and finally, the Mantle, which synergized perfectly with my Fighter/Warlock hybrid build. Each item shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow, as if it recognized the destiny awaiting me. Fully equipped, I checked my stats: I couldn¡¯t help but grin. The synergy was perfect, turning my character into a powerhouse of self-sustained damage and resilience. Before diving into the expansion content, I took a moment to focus on my Atlas of Power. With the challenges of the Isles of Destiny ahead, it was time to respec for versatility and survivability. I reallocated nodes, removing some of the physical damage mitigation I had built for the Upper Dungeon, and instead focused on boosting HP and MP. My new build included an additional 25% armor boost, giving me a robust 60% physical damage reduction and a balanced 55% elemental negation. Combined with my hybrid class and the Unbidden Set¡¯s bonuses, I was ready to tackle whatever the game threw my way.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Despite the allure of the expansion, I couldn¡¯t ignore the unfinished quests from the main storyline. One chain stood out: "Aspects of the Dragon." The title alone hinted at something grand. As I accepted the quest, my Loremaster Perk activated, boosting experience gain by 30%. At Level 94, the level cap raised to 110 meant I still had plenty of ground to cover before I could maximize my potential in the new content. The first quest in the chain led me to the Concrete Jungle, an eerie zone on the outskirts of the Coiled City. As the lore unfolded, I paused to appreciate the narrative details: "The dark ages following the Eternal Convergence transformed the once lush green woods into a desolate concrete wasteland. Trees turned to stone, their petrified remains towering ominously. The creatures within adapted to the harshness, gaining strength and destructive power. At the heart of this labyrinth lies the Deep King, an ancient beast undefeated in combat, protected by the enigmatic Dark Seekers who guard its lair. Few have dared to challenge this dominion of ruin, and none have returned." The Concrete Jungle was unlike any zone I had traversed before. The petrified forest loomed with twisted, jagged trees of concrete. The air was unnervingly still¡ªno birds, no animals, just the echo of my boots on the hardened ground. Despite my focus on efficiency and leveling, the lore''s depth pulled me in. For the first time in a while, I found myself reveling in the storytelling. As I ventured deeper into the jungle, the ground began to tremble. Out of the petrified trees emerged Golems of Decay, their rocky forms adorned with jagged protrusions and glowing, molten cracks. I gripped my Unbidden Blade, the familiar black lightning sparking to life as I drew it. These creatures were no mere fodder¡ªthey scaled to my level, a new quality-of-life feature I hadn''t fully appreciated until now. The golems charged, their heavy steps thundering as they closed the distance. I smirked and activated Dark Pact: Stamina Drain and Dark Pact: Mana Drain, watching as my sword pulsed with energy. The first golem swung its massive stone arm, but with a quick Light Step, I sidestepped the attack and countered with a sweeping slash. Black lightning arced through the air as the blade tore through the golem, its HP bar chunking dramatically. The second golem raised both arms to slam down on me, but I retaliated with an Arcanic Blast, the attack amplified by the Unbidden Set¡¯s bonuses. The dark energy surged forward, shattering the creature into crumbling shards of concrete. The feeling of connection¡ªof actually gripping and swinging the blade¡ªwas far more immersive than before. The new updates to sensory feedback were astonishing, making each strike feel tactile and powerful. More golems emerged, their molten cores glowing brighter as if reacting to my presence. I leapt into the air using Sky Walk, chaining a flurry of attacks mid-flight. The combination of agility and power kept the golems disoriented as I rained down blows from above. Each swing drained their stamina and mana, leaving them sluggish and vulnerable. As the last of the golems crumbled, I sheathed my blade and surveyed the silent, desolate forest. This was only the beginning of the "Aspects of the Dragon" chain, but it had already reminded me why I loved this game. The thrill of combat, the intricate lore, and the ever-evolving world¡ªit was all here. In the distance, a faint glow pierced through the gloom. It was a marker for the next leg of the quest, leading deeper into the jungle. The sense of foreboding was palpable, but so was the excitement. Whatever lay ahead¡ªbe it Dark Seekers or the fabled Deep King¡ªI was ready to face it. Chapter 22: Astraeus vs The Monk The deeper I ventured into the Concrete Jungle, the darker and more foreboding it became. Every step echoed against the concrete trees, every crack or creak sending a chill down my spine. It wasn¡¯t just the eerie silence¡ªit was the feeling of being watched. It gnawed at me, unrelenting, until I heard it. A faint scrape, boots against the ground. I turned, my hand already on the hilt of the Unbidden Blade. He stood there, a figure cloaked in shadow, his stance low and poised for combat. The name above his head flickered, clear enough to read: Blackfist, Level 99. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the reputation,¡± he said, his voice calm but cutting. ¡°Astraeus, the great solo player. Master of builds. The one who stands alone.¡± The PvP alert flashed across my HUD, a warning I didn¡¯t take lightly. I tightened my grip on the blade. ¡°Looking for a fight?¡± I asked, my tone cold, trying to gauge his intentions. He smirked, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Not just a fight. A reckoning.¡± His words carried weight, but it was the way he moved¡ªgraceful, deliberate¡ªthat caught my attention. His gear wasn¡¯t just for show; it was optimized, every piece clearly tailored to a Monk/Pugilist hybrid. That class combination wasn¡¯t new, but it was rare. And then it clicked: the way he carried himself, the calculated aggression. This wasn¡¯t just another player. ¡°You¡¯re from Royale Online,¡± I said, the realization dawning on me. He laughed bitterly. ¡°Took you long enough. Yeah, I¡¯m from Royale Online. Back when the Sun Bringers were more than just Blazer¡¯s vanity project. Before you waltzed in and destroyed everything we built.¡± I raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. ¡°Destroyed? You¡¯re blaming me for that mess? Blazer had the ego of a planet. Whatever happened to Sun Bringers was on him, not me.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± His fists began to spark with black lightning, the energy crackling ominously. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just Blazer. You showed up with your so-called genius builds, shaking up the meta, and everyone flocked to you. Suddenly, my guild, my strategies, were irrelevant. I was tossed aside like garbage.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not on me,¡± I said, my voice steady. ¡°If your builds couldn¡¯t hold up, that¡¯s on you. I didn¡¯t ruin anything¡ªI made the game better.¡± His eyes darkened, and the lightning around his fists intensified. ¡°Better? You turned it into a playground for min-maxing sycophants. And now, here you are again, at the top, thinking you¡¯re untouchable.¡± ¡°Let me guess,¡± I said, trying to keep him talking, ¡°you¡¯ve been nursing this grudge for years? How pathetic.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your pity,¡± he growled. And then, the title appeared above his head: Ascended. My stomach sank. He wasn¡¯t just another PvP junkie¡ªhe was one of them. ¡°The Ascended¡­¡± I muttered. ¡°So you sold out. Took their shortcut to power.¡± His grin widened, his teeth bared like a predator. ¡°Power you couldn¡¯t possibly understand. The Architects see potential in me, something you could never achieve. And now, they¡¯ve sent me to deliver a message.¡± He stepped forward, the ground cracking beneath his boots as black lightning surged around him. ¡°The Architects send this warning: ¡®The world will bow before us. Those who stand in our way will be blinded by their own arrogance.¡¯¡± ¡°The Architects?¡± I asked, narrowing my eyes. ¡°What the hell are they?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± he said, his tone mocking. ¡°If you live long enough.¡± He lunged, and I barely had time to react. His speed was unlike anything I¡¯d faced before. One second he was ten feet away, the next his fist was slamming into my blade, the sheer force sending me flying back. I hit the ground hard, my HP dropping by nearly a third. ¡°You¡¯re slow,¡± he taunted, his voice cold. ¡°All that theorycrafting, and you forgot how to fight.¡± I scrambled to my feet, activating Dark Pact: Stamina Drain to try and keep up with his relentless assault. I swung the Unbidden Blade, the black lightning coursing through it clashing against his fists. But it was no use¡ªhe was faster, stronger, and completely overwhelming. He hit me with a devastating combo, each strike precise and punishing. My HP bar blinked red, a sliver away from zero. Every time I tried to counter, he was already three moves ahead, dodging or blocking with ease. ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got?¡± he sneered, landing a crushing blow to my ribs that sent me crashing into a tree. ¡°I expected more from the so-called master.¡± I coughed, struggling to stand. ¡°You¡¯re just a puppet,¡± I spat, my voice defiant despite the pain. ¡°Whatever power you have, it¡¯s borrowed. You¡¯re nothing without them.¡± He laughed, a hollow, joyless sound. ¡°Keep telling yourself that, Astraeus. Maybe it¡¯ll make the pain more bearable.¡± With a final, devastating kick, he sent me sprawling onto the ground. My vision blurred as the world tilted, my HP hovering dangerously close to zero. He loomed over me, his fists still crackling with power. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t kill you outright,¡± he said, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°But consider this your warning. The Architects are coming, and when they do, there won¡¯t be a place left for you.¡± With that, he vanished in a flash of black lightning, leaving me broken and humiliated in the middle of the Concrete Jungle. As the pain subsided and I regained my composure, one thought burned in my mind: this wasn¡¯t over. The Architects had declared war, and I wasn¡¯t about to lose.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. My HP began to regenerate, but it was painfully slow. Blackfist''s debuffs had hit me hard: Slow Regen, Min Heal, Like a Rock, and Low Attack. My recovery, speed, and attack were all gutted. It felt like I was trudging through a swamp. I opened my inventory and downed a Remedy X, watching the effects vanish from my HUD one by one. Still shaken, I opened my friends list and sent a voice message to Mira. "What is it, Astraeus?" she asked, her tone brisk but concerned. "Where¡¯s Blazar?" I asked. "On a business trip with his father. Why?" "I just ran into your old guild master from Royale Online," I said flatly. Silence lingered on the line before she replied. "Bokken... He always blamed you for ruining R.O., turning it into your personal playground," she said cautiously. "Well, he just beat the hell out of me in the Concrete Jungle," I said, grimacing at the memory. "If AoE had synaptic feedback, I¡¯d need a stretcher." Her gasp was audible. "He¡¯s in Age of Eternity?" "Ascended. And, Mira? He hits like a damn truck, no scratch that he hits like a truck throwing another truck, chunked my HP before I even knew what hit me. He said something about ¡®the Architects.¡¯ I don¡¯t know what they are, but I¡¯ll figure it out. Warn Apollo. I think he might target the guild next." "You¡¯re part of the guild too, you know," she said, frustration creeping into her voice. "Reach out if you¡¯re in trouble." "I know," I said. "Just tell Apollo. As for me, I¡¯ll make sure the next time we meet, I¡¯m ready." I ended the call and returned to the Coiled City. After logging out, I leaned back in my chair, the fire of determination burning in my chest. I opened the patch notes for The Isles of Destiny and scrolled through until something caught my eye. "After the Illuminate Queen used the last of her powers to send her message across the skies, it came with a gift. Introducing 12 new subclasses and 6 new main line classes, this time in Age of Eternity there will be free respeccing not just for the Atlas of Power but for your primary classes as well, Tired of being locked in playing a Fighter/Ranger? Respec your entire playstyle, just remember to buy or make the equipment yourselves" This got me excited so I started looking. I scrolled down the list, looking for something that fit me. My eyes stopped at one word: Spellblade. The description was short but enough to grab my attention. Spellblade: Overview I clicked for more details. The abilities were built for someone like me: Elemental Imbuement to boost damage, Second Blade to summon a spectral version of my primary weapon, and Ethereal Dash for mobility. But it was Second Blade that sealed the deal. A second Unbidden Blade, mirroring the stats and abilities of my main weapon? The possibilities were endless. Even better, unlocking the subclass was simple¡ªa quest tied to an old shrine in the Crystal Tomb. All I had to do was defeat an elemental spirit. Easy enough. I set down my tablet, a grin spreading across my face. This was exactly what I needed. Blackfist had outpaced me, but Spellblade would change that. I¡¯d be faster, deadlier, and ready for round two. Logging back in, I immediately set the Concrete Jungle quest aside. The allure of unlocking the Spellblade subclass was too enticing to resist. The quest, titled "The Quest of Sword and Sorcery," appeared on my HUD: Long ago, before the Eternal Convergence, there were warriors who blended the raw force of sorcery with the precision of a blade. These Spellblades were lethal, harnessing illusions and elemental magic to become unstoppable combatants. But their ultimate pursuit was the elusive, legendary power known as Vorpal¡ªthe ability to sever fate itself. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the mention of Vorpal. The lore surrounding the ability was infamous in gaming circles: a chance to deliver a single, devastating strike that could end fights outright by severing an opponent''s head¡ªor even cutting them clean in half. The idea of weaving that into my build was irresistible. The quest marker pointed to the Crystal Tomb, located on Floor 5 of the Lower Dungeon. The tomb¡¯s entrance would only open for those actively on the quest. With a quick check of my inventory and gear, I set out, weaving through the familiar traps and corridors of the Lower Dungeon until I reached the floor. As I approached the tomb¡¯s wall, the solid crystal shimmered, and sharp, claw-like formations pried it apart, revealing an entryway. The moment I stepped inside, the wall slammed shut behind me with a resonating boom. The air felt heavy with power, every step I took echoing sharply against the crystalline floor. A booming voice reverberated through the chamber: Seeker of the Spellblade, prove your worth. Defeat the Crystal Elemental and claim its heart... or perish." I glanced at the updated quest log: "Objective: Obtain the heart of the Crystal Elemental." Straightforward enough¡ªon paper. I¡¯d read forum posts about these tertiary subclass quests and their notoriously brutal difficulty. Most of the complaints came from players attempting them at level 20 or lower, ignoring warnings to properly prepare. The moderators¡¯ responses always made me laugh: ¡°Come back when you¡¯re ready, kid.¡± As I ventured deeper, the tunnel walls glistened with refracted light. The ambient glow intensified as crystalline skeletons began forming from the walls, shards breaking apart to assemble humanoid figures armed with jagged weapons. I drew my Unbidden sword, its dark blade flickering with black lightning, and began carving through them. They shattered with satisfying cracks, but more kept spawning, surging from the walls in an unrelenting tide. Realizing the futility of fighting them endlessly, I pushed forward, using my mobility skills to dodge and weave through the narrow passageways until I reached a massive clearing. Before me stood a colossal chamber. Four enormous crystalline golems loomed like sentinels, encircling the centerpiece: a monolithic Crystal Elemental. Its translucent body pulsed with raw energy, a massive crystalline heart beating visibly at its core. A swirling storm of shards and light enveloped it, radiating power. I crouched low, taking in my surroundings. Smaller crystal creatures patrolled the floor below, shimmering as they moved in erratic patterns. Their reactions to any disturbance were instantaneous, and I had no intention of being overwhelmed. I picked up a loose rock and hurled it into the center of the chamber. The moment it struck the ground, the creatures swarmed it, reducing it to dust before returning to their posts. "Noted," I muttered. Brute force wasn¡¯t going to cut it here¡ªat least not yet. I leaped down into the pit, activating Light Step mid-air to control my descent. As soon as I landed, the crystal creatures surged toward me, their jagged bodies gleaming under the storm¡¯s light. I swung my blade in wide arcs, the black lightning coursing through it slicing cleanly through their crystalline forms. Shards scattered like rain, but my assault triggered one of the larger golems. The ground trembled as the massive sentinel came to life, its crystalline body groaning under the strain of movement. It stomped toward me, each step sending shockwaves through the chamber. I dodged its first swipe, activating Dark Pact: Stamina Drain to keep my energy replenished as I struck its legs. The shards chipped away but barely made a dent in its HP bar. "Great," I muttered, sidestepping another massive swing. "A damage sponge." The smaller crystal creatures weren¡¯t letting up either, forcing me to divide my focus between clearing them out and avoiding the golem¡¯s relentless attacks. I activated Dark Pact: Mana Drain, channeling energy from the creatures into my reserves, and fired off an Arcanic Blast at the golem¡¯s chest. The blast hit, staggering it slightly, but its HP bar barely budged. This was going to be a war of attrition, and I was just getting started.