"In exchange for our labor, we''ll trade the khopesh for several items in your inventory."
¡°Julian¡?¡± Juliet was taken aback.
"O... Oh?" And she wasn¡¯t the only one, Bran seemed even more confused. His eyes flickered to the glowing [Epic] khopesh they had just made, still radiating with power on the table. His mind raced, realizing how rare and valuable a Mid-tier [Epic] weapon like this was¡ªespecially in Ethaca.
Epic weapons were graded into tiers¡ªlow, mid, and high¡ªand this khopesh was clearly in the mid-tier, far superior to anything Bran had displayed over the shop.
"Deal! Take whatever you like from the shop," Bran quickly agreed, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He didn¡¯t want to lose this opportunity, thinking that Julian must be some fool to make such an offer.
Juliet, standing next to Julian, could no longer hold her shock.
"W-Why?" she stammered, her eyes wide as she looked at him. She couldn¡¯t believe he was trading the khopesh so easily.
"It''s fine, Juliet," Julian whispered as he leaned closer. "You can make more¡ And don''t worry. [Juliet''s Devotion] won¡¯t be with them for long."
"What...?" Juliet blinked in confusion. "How can you be so sure?"
"I need you to trust me on this, please."
¡°That¡¡± Juliet hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. And with a deep and hesitant breath, she handed the weapon over to Julian.
¡°Give me that!¡± Bran, still smirking, quickly snatched the khopesh from Julian¡¯s hands. He admired the blade for a few seconds before scrambling to secure it somewhere in the forge.
"Can I pick anything I want, then?" Julian asked calmly, though Bran was too preoccupied locking the sword in his vault to notice.
And since Bran wasn¡¯t minding him anymore, he walked over to where the weapons were laid out on racks. There were swords of all shapes and sizes, shields, axes, spears¡ªand without even looking at them too much, Julian¡¯s fingers brushed lightly over the hilts and blades as he moved down the row.
Julian did not bother checking the weapons and equipment with [Guidance] at all, he just felt the metal in his hands¡ªletting them feel all that he needed to know.
But very soon, however, a frown slowly crawled on his face.
¡°There¡¯s¡ nothing of worth here," he muttered under his breath but not silent enough as the other smiths nearby could hear him. They glanced at each other. They were annoyed, sure, but they couldn¡¯t say anything at all¡ªnot after what they¡¯d seen earlier.
"Just a waste of metal,¡± Julian let out a deep sigh as he shook his head, ¡°I can almost feel them crying, begging to be melted down and reforged."
The blacksmiths clenched their jaws, but they couldn¡¯t argue. Julian wasn¡¯t wrong, and they all knew it. The quality of their work didn¡¯t come close to what he and Juliet had produced.
¡°I¡ suppose this will do.¡± Finally, after a long moment, Julian picked up a short sword¡and a shield. He looked at them thoughtfully, then turned to Cyrus. "Is this good enough for the dungeon?"
¡°Y¡ª¡±
Before Cyrus could answer, MEGAN¡¯s messages popped up.
"Huh..." Julian blinked a few times. He wasn¡¯t used to reading chat responses yet, but MEGAN¡¯s enthusiasm was impossible to ignore. This was only MEGAN, Julian couldn¡¯t imagine what it would be like if he learned to read and actually started responding to them.
"Okay. And then..." He then turned back to the pile of steel ingots in the corner of the shop and gestured to them. "Can we take some of the ingots and this black thing as well since I only picked up a sword and a shield?"
Bran, still busy securing the khopesh, barely paid attention to what Julian was saying. "Take as many as you want! Just leave the shop already!"
Julian glanced at Juliet, who was still a little reluctant. But with a nod, she started loading the cart with the steel ingots they would need. Juliet was looking at Bran from time to time as she piled up the cart filled with steel, but he had no response at all.
And so¡ Juliet took that as a sign to take more. A lot more.
After what seemed like half an hour, the group left the shop with Juliet rolling a cart filled with a mountain of ingots¡ªthe wheels could barely even hold the weight anymore as they started to creak across the stone street.
"Uhm¡ I know this is a lot of ingots, but did we really need to give up the khopesh?" Juliet finally broke the silence, her voice slightly heavy. "And you said it wouldn¡¯t be with them for long? What¡ do you mean by that?¡±
¡°Well¡¡± Julian let out a quiet sigh as he readied himself to say the lie he had practiced in his mind over and over again, ¡°...I thought about it¡ªbut someone¡¯s been stealing my work, and then they stole the ordinary sword we made as well. So... it¡¯s likely whoever¡¯s been stealing my stuff will take the khopesh too."
¡°That¡¡± Juliet narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
As for Julian, he did his best to keep a straight face even though he was feeling the tension.
"That... makes sense!" Juliet gasped, ¡°Someone¡¯s been stealing your work this entire time, pretty boy!?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian¡¯s quiet sigh turned into relief as Juliet seemed to believe him.
"I still feel bad about losing the khopesh," Juliet sniffled, her fingers tightening around the cart''s handle as she trudged forward, ¡°But you¡¯re right¡ªwe made it twice, we can make it again. But for that to happen¡¡±
Juliet¡¯s voice lowered as she seemed to have suddenly been wrapped in her own thoughts. And once again, the only sounds being made were the struggling wheels and Cyrus¡¯s incessant whispering.
And soon enough, they arrived back at Juliet¡¯s humble outdoor smithy. But as soon as they settled the cart¡
¡Juliet suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Julian.
¡°Julian!¡±
"What... what are you doing!?" Julian immediately tried to pull her up, but he couldn¡¯t even budge her for even a single millimeter.
"I¡¯ve thought about this and I want you to hear me out¡" Juliet groveled, her head almost touching the ground, "...Make me your apprentice!"
¡°Huh¡?¡± Julian stood frozen for a moment, blinking as he tried to comprehend what was happening. "But¡ª"
¡°Please!¡± Juliet¡¯s voice shook with desperation, cutting Julian off.
¡°Juliet, please get¨C¡± And before Julian could respond, floating words appeared before him.
[Guidance]
The Lv. ?? Blacksmith, Juliet, wants to be your apprentice. It is up to you to decide whether to accept her or not. Accepting her will lead to the continuation of the quest: [Juliet¡¯s Dilemma.]
¡°A¡ continuation of the quest?¡± Julian blinked at the words as he whispered to himself.
¡°Wait¡¡± Juliet immediately looked up, her wide eyes locking onto his as she heard his whisper. "You mean... this entire time, you didn¡¯t know you were on a quest¡?"
¡°You¡ knew I had a quest?¡± he asked, his confusion growing as even he himself didn''t even realize that he had one.
Juliet nodded slowly. "I received a quest, too. It said to confront Bran, and it would lead to... good things. But wait¡ I thought¡ I assumed you also received a quest¡ªand that¡¯s why you were helping me.¡±
¡°No. I¡ I don¡¯t like checking Guidance too much,¡± he admitted, keeping his tone casual.
¡°What other reason would I have for helping you, Juliet, other than to help you?¡± Of course, there was also the fact that everything that was happening was his fault, but he wasn¡¯t going to say that.
¡°T¡ that¡¡± Juliet¡¯s lips trembled slightly at his words, and without any hesitation, she once again pressed her forehead against the ground, even harder this time. "Please, accept me as your apprentice!"
¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m at the point where I could accept an apprentice,¡± Julian let out a long sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck, ¡°We could be¡ª!?¡±
¡°Please!¡± Juliet''s forehead hit the ground with a loud thud again. The sound was so loud that it almost drowned out the noise from the other smithy. "I will do anything, Master Julian!"
¡°No, I¡¡± Julian was about to refuse her once again, but feeling the genuine passion and determination in her voice just made him pause for a second.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
¡°Please!¡±
¡°I¡¡± And after a few more seconds of thinking about it, Julian sighed and crouched down, gently placing a hand on Juliet¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t really know about being a master, but¡ I know I¡¯ll learn a lot from you too, Juliet. So¡ okay.¡±
¡°Okay¡?¡± Juliet¡¯s very slowly lifted her head up as a bright smile crawled on her face.
"Okay, but please don¡¯t call me master. We¡¯re¡ smithing buddies."
¡°Really!?¡± she gasped, her forehead still very much swollen from hitting it on the ground several times. "Thank you, pretty boy!"
"!?!" Julian¡¯s breath caught in his throat as Juliet suddenly threw her arms around him in a tight hug, her strength overwhelming. And right there and then, he realized just how much physically stronger Juliet was compared to him.
"O¡okay," Julian wheezed, tapping her arm several times to signal her to let go. "That¡¯s¡ that¡¯s enough."
"S¡sorry, got a little excited," Juliet chuckled, finally releasing him from her iron grip.
¡°...Right,¡± Julian coughed.
¡°Well then¡¡± Juliet then placed her hands on her waist and glanced around at her messy smithy. "I¡ need to clean all of this up. You had somewhere you needed to be, right?"
¡°Uh¡¡± Julian glanced over at Cyrus, who nodded eagerly.
"Yes," Julian said, "Are you going to be alright by yourself? Someone might¡ steal all of these. This is a lot."
"Heh. I dare them to try!" Juliet suddenly reached behind her forge, pulling out a large axe with ease.
"I¡¯ll be sleeping here from now on," she declared, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the area, daring anyone to approach. "I also want to see the look on that guy''s face when the khopesh gets stolen, ha!"
"Right¡" Julian instinctively backed away from the axe, his hands raised slightly in surrender. "We¡¯re going now. Be careful, Juliet."
"You be careful. You¡¯re going to a dungeon, right?" Juliet¡¯s eyes flicked toward the cart of ingots, her expression protective, almost like a hawk watching over its nest.
¡°Hm. Thank you.¡±
Juliet did not really respond anymore and remained fixated on her pile of ingots, her axe held tightly in her hand, ready to defend her precious metals. Julian gave her one last glance, letting out a hum before they started walking back toward the inn.
"Well, folks, that was an intense moment, right¡?¡± And while all of that was happening, Cyrus was still deep into the chat, ¡°Our very own Sword Junkie just took on his first apprentice! I don''t know about you, but I¡¯m already looking forward to seeing what kind of weapons these two will forge in the future. But for now¡ it¡¯s time for the dungeon!"
¡°Cyrus¡¡± Julian turned to Cyrus. "Just¡ how do quests work, exactly? I didn¡¯t even know I had a quest relating to Juliet."
¡°That¡¯s¡ a little bit complicated and simple at the same time,¡± Cyrus cleared his throat as he strayed away from the chat, ¡°Some quests would automatically be accepted, and if the [Guidance of Artemis] didn¡¯t think it was major or important enough, it won¡¯t even bother showing it to you¡ªafter all, if it alerted you every time someone requested something, you¡¯ll just end up blind, reading a wall of texts every time you talk to someone.¡±
¡°...And if it asks you to confirm a quest?¡± Julian asked.
¡°Then that means the quest is really, really¡ªwait¡¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes quickly narrowed, ¡°...Don¡¯t tell me you have a major quest?¡±
¡°I¡¯m just curious.¡±
¡°Ho¡¡± Cyrus narrowed his eyes even further. But he didn¡¯t really press on and just shook his head.
¡°What¡ what about Levels?¡± Julian quickly tried to change the subject, "Is there¡ some sort of reference for how strong one actually is?"
"That¡¯s even more complicated," Cyrus raised his finger. "Sure, levels are a clear indicator of your strength, but this isn¡¯t like your typical video game. This is real life. Stats grow over time depending on how you train, how often you fight, and even your natural abilities."
¡°Hm.¡± Julian nodded, listening closely.
"Take you, for example," Cyrus continued. "You managed to defeat those goblins and even those racist grunts from the Order of Artemis, right? That¡¯s because you were already strong, Julian. I mean, bro. Look at your arms. Look at it."
Julian glanced down at his arms, and then at Cyrus¡¯s arms which were thinner than even his wrist. "Hm¡"
"To give you a reference, the average player starts with a strength value of about¡ 3," Cyrus explained, raising a finger as he spoke. "I started at 3 myself. The average adult hyum should also be around that. What about you? What did you start at?"
Julian furrowed his brow, trying to remember. "I¡ think I started at 9."
"What¡ª?!" Cyrus nearly choked on his own breath. "How much do you bench, bro?! What the¡ are the rest of us just weak as shit?"
¡°No¡¡± Julian didn¡¯t really know how to respond to that, "By the way I was told by the scientists at Humanity Engineering that hyums are about five times stronger than humans? Wouldn¡¯t that mean that I am¡ªI mean this body, my clone, would be about fifteen times stronger than a typical human?"
"Well¡ I don¡¯t think it works exactly like that. I mean, sure, hyums are naturally stronger, but if it were as simple as multiplying strength, higher-level folks would be like literal monsters. But... Huh¡ I¡¯ve never really thought about that. Chat?" Cyrus blinked several times, clearly thrown off by Julian''s question. "Hey, chat¡ªdoes anyone know if that¡¯s how it works?"
Cyrus¡¯s eyes moved wildly for a few seconds before shaking his head.
"Yeah¡ I¡¯m not reading all of that,¡± Cyrus waved his hand, ¡°But listen, Sword Junkie. You don¡¯t need to worry about it too much. While there are people here who can lift entire houses here, but they¡¯re usually above level 100 and busy exploring Artemia.¡±
"100¡?¡± Julian breathed in, ¡°What¡¯s¡ the highest level anyone has ever reached here then?¡±
"Well¡ according to their history and legends," Cyrus stopped walking for a moment, meeting Julian¡¯s gaze, "the Eldazen who led the war against the Gnarfolks was level 250. They said she could cut an entire mountain with her blade."
"What¡?" Julian tilted his head in confusion.
"Yeah. The Great War?" Cyrus narrowed his eyes. "Didn¡¯t¡ you read the handbook that came with the LinkGear?"
"I¡¯m blind," Julian deadpanned.
"What I meant is didn¡¯t your AI explain any of this to you?"
"I skipped most of the tutorials," Julian sighed.
"Man¡ you should really listen to your AI more," Cyrus chuckled, ¡°She¡¯s like¡ really helpful.¡±
A hint of a smile crawled on Julian¡¯s face as he saw MEGAN bombarding him with messages.
"Anyway," Cyrus cleared his throat and continued, "the Eldazens are a different race from hyums. They¡¯re shorter, like half the size, but they are¡ proportionate. And they are a really, really beautiful people, Julian. Like¡ really.¡±
"But you also don¡¯t have to worry about meeting any of them soon, though," Cyrus sighed. "I once traveled to their country for a stream, but they turned me away as soon as we docked on the harbor. Spent weeks in a ship, but nope¡ªno dice. Lost a ton of subscribers over it, too. Something happened along the way and... I don''t think they like hyums anymore."
"And the Gnarfolks?" Julian asked.
"Oh¡ Oho¡ They¡¯re the ones you really need to worry about," Cyrus explained. "Horns, tails, bigger than you, the whole deal. They¡¯re a lot calmer and peaceful now a hundred years after the war, but they¡¯re still a savage race. And if there¡¯s one thing the Order of Artemia hates more than players¡ it¡¯s those gray, horned bears. Honestly, the racism in this world could do a little work."
"You¡ know a lot, Cyrus," Julian was impressed by his knowledge.
"I do this for a living, Julian. And seeing as you¡¯re part of the Otherworld Project, you should know all of this too." Cyrus replied with a smirk. "But enough of that¡
¡3 people just donated 300 credits each back to back! Thank them, thank them, Julian!"
"300¡¡± Julian''s eyes widened at Cyrus¡¯s words, ¡°Wait¡ that¡¯s 900 credits¡?"
"Oh, yes¡" Cyrus grinned.
¡°In just this stream?¡± Julian¡¯s breath slightly turned heavy at the thought, ¡°Just in one day?¡±
"Newbie, that¡¯s still not counting the smaller donations,¡± Cyrus clicked his tongue several times and wagged his finger, ¡°Those add up. Like, really add up.¡±
"Shouldn¡¯t¡¡± Julian¡¯s breath hitched, ¡°...Shouldn¡¯t we thank them too?"
¡°Oh, Sword Junkie¡¡± Cyrus placed his hand on Julian¡¯s shoulder, ¡°If you thank everyone, we won¡¯t be able to move from here.¡±
¡°There¡¯s that¡ many?¡± Julian¡¯s breaths once again turned heavy.
¡°Yes, that¡¯s why you should only thank¡¡± Cyrus leaned in closer to whisper the names.
¡°Uhh¡¡± Julian gulped as he memorized the names. And after a few seconds, Cyrus leaned away from him¡ªmaking sure the chat was seeing him. "Are you sure we''re doing this here...? The Order of-"
"Relax. Most people don''t care." Cyrus gestured to Julian to go on. "Despite what Humanity Engineering wants you to believe, hyums are pretty chill. In fact, I''m telling you this... more hyums probably hate the Order than us so-called ''Evil Spirits''. Most don''t even believe we exist, and there''s even another church opposing the Order, very much like our situation back home."
"Hm..."
"Now go on... go. Enough learning about the lore and history of Artemia. You have people to thank."
¡°Uhm.. T¡ thank you, Radh¡ Ashwin, and Benihaniman?¡± He almost even fumbled the names. And before he could even relax¡ª
¡°Ah! Another one donated! So¡ so many whales!¡± Cyrus once again raised his voice and leaned closer to Julian.
MEGAN seemed to be incredibly excited upon this sudden turn of events. Just¡ how many people are actually donating to their stream right now?
¡°Thank you, Kirisuk for the donation.¡± Julian waved his hand to acknowledge the donator.
¡°And¡ that should be it, or does anyone else want to follow? No?¡± Cyrus waited for a few more seconds. And when there was no one else making a large donation, the two finally moved on¡ªbut from how Cyrus was still whispering to himself, it would seem there were still people donating.
How was he even able to keep up with all of the chat?
Once he learns to read, will he also be doing that¡?
***
¡°Cyrus, you bitch!¡±
And soon, they reached the inn and met with the people waiting for them¡ but judging from their expressions, they might not be too pleased.
¡°Do you know how long we¡¯ve been waiting here!?¡± The smallest member of the group was the first to speak. And from how she sounded, she seemed extremely young¡ too young to be part of Otherworld.
It was a bit ironic, however, as she was the one who was wearing the bulkiest armor between the three, with a longsword that was almost as tall as her entire body.
¡°T¡Talia¡¡± Cyrus awkwardly laughed as he approached the group.
"Not cool, man. Definitely not cool." The tallest and skinniest one in the group muttered, shaking his head in disappointment after taking off his hood.
"Dyrroth, Talia, come on!¡± Cyrus chuckled nervously, raising both hands in surrender. ¡°You know me! If I¡¯m late, it¡¯s for a very, very good reason!"
¡°Huh¡¡± The last member of the group, a middle-aged, bald man with a stern expression, stepped forward, his focus not on Cyrus but on Julian. He looked Julian up and down, seemingly sizing him up.
¡°So¡ this is the newbie that¡¯s been causing all that buzz, huh?¡± the man grunted.
¡°Ah, Titus. Yes!¡± Cyrus quickly stepped between them as he noticed Titus doing something. "This is the man of the hour, the one everyone¡¯s talking about¡ªthe Sword Junkie!"
Titus ignored Cyrus''s dramatic introduction, still examining Julian from head to toe. "You military, boy?"
¡°...No,¡± Julian replied, unsure of where this conversation was headed.
¡°Well, you should be," Titus muttered, circling Julian as if inspecting him. "We could use more guys like you instead of all those cyberware-obsessed motherfuckers who seem like they¡¯re still sucking on their mama¡¯s titties.¡±
¡°Uh¡¡±
¡°You¡¯ve got real strength there, bud.¡± Titus smirked, ¡°Good to see some fucking meat on the bones for once. I¡¯m guessing you have a huge willy too?"
¡°What the¡ªWoah! Woah! Alright. Ha¡ Hahaha!¡± Cyrus quickly raised both his hands and his voice as he stared Titus in the eyes.
¡°Titus, let¡¯s keep things friendly here," he laughed nervously, glancing at the chat and back at the group. "This is a PG stream, remember? We¡¯re gonna get cancelled if you¡¯re too much."
¡°Tch.¡± Titus scoffed as he crossed his arms. "Weaklings complain too much these days. You don¡¯t like what I say? Then shoot me in the face, I dare ya. Newbie, how about it? Want to join the military?"
¡°...You¡¯re not even from the same country, Titus.¡± Cyrus groaned.
¡°There¡¯s only one country now, boy. And that¡¯s Earth¡ªthose Martians and moon dwellers are getting a little too comfortable up there and need to be reminded of something.¡± Titus scoffed.
¡°Uh¡ Titus, seriously,¡± Cyrus whispered loudly as he pointed at his eyes, ¡°Buddy, bro, we¡¯re live.¡±
¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Titus muttered, ¡°Those pussies are¡ª¡±
¡°Titus!¡±
While Cyrus tried to handle Titus, the smaller member of the group, Talia, approached Julian.
"I¡¯m Talia," she said, introducing herself with a peace sign that Julian had no idea the meaning of just yet.
The tall, skinny one followed suit, holding out a fist to Julian. "Dyrroth, what¡¯s up, bro?"
Julian, unfamiliar with the gesture, shook Dyrroth¡¯s fist instead of bumping it with his own.
"My name¡¯s Julian Winters."
¡°Right on, brother. Full name and all,¡± Dyrroth chuckled while nodding, ¡°I dig that, eyy.¡±
The introductions seemed to relax the tension somewhat, but Titus still kept his arms crossed, watching Julian carefully. But after a few awkward seconds, Cyrus cleared his throat loudly.
"Alright, folks!" he announced to the chat and the group. "We¡¯ve wasted enough time. It¡¯s time to run some dungeons!"
Or so that should have been the case¡ªbut they still actually had to travel and leave Ethaca.
Fortunately for them and the chat, the dungeon Julian was going to was only half an hour''s walk from Ethaca¡ªand Cyrus spent the entire time talking without pause to keep the chat completely entertained.
Truly, a professional.
¡°So¡ this is a dungeon?¡±
Julian had seen countless strange things since gaining the ability to see in Artemia, things he couldn¡¯t quite explain because he didn¡¯t really understand them¡ªbut this¡ this was something else. As he stood there, staring at the structure before him, a wave of confusion and awe washed over him.
Cyrus had already explained what dungeons were to him, comparing them to¡ trees. And looking at it now, Julian could see why. The thick, gnarled roots, the vines twisting and wrapping around themselves like veins, and the bark-like exterior all gave it that familiar shape.
But this wasn¡¯t just any tree. No, this¡ thing was shaped like a mouth¡ªa massive, breathing, living mouth formed entirely of vines and roots.
It pulsed. It moved. It breathed.
From a distance, it was hard to even see properly, despite the fact that the area around it was clear for half a mile¡ªand yet here it was. But maybe that was just him¡ Julian still wasn¡¯t used to seeing things, after all.
¡°I feel something¡¡± Julian crouched down; tilting his head to the side as he placed his hand on the ground. "I feel¡ a pulse.¡±
Cyrus stepped forward, ensuring his eyes were capturing every angle of the eerie entrance with Julian on it.
¡°Well, remember how I told you that a dungeon is alive?¡± Cyrus cleared his throat. ¡°I was being literal¡ªthe dungeon is alive and sentient, Julian. The Pores of Artemia, or as I¡¯d like to personally call it, Artemis¡¯ Pimples.¡±
The Pores of Artemia¨Cthe way Cyrus explained it to him back in the cafe, they are living, organic¡ pathways, in a way. They differ from each other, and the insides sometimes shift randomly¡ªand perhaps the most important thing he told him¡
¡is that it is filled with monsters.
¡°But¡ can you really feel it?¡± Cyrus asked, ¡°...That the dungeon is alive?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian breathed out as a small hint of a smile crawled on his face, ¡°It¡¯s¡ beautiful.¡±
¡°Uh¡¡± Julian blinked a couple of times as MEGAN started typing words he couldn¡¯t understand just yet.
¡°Yes,¡± Julian then turned his attention back to Cyrus, ¡°It¡¯s like¡ it¡¯s breathing.¡±
"Well then," Cyrus clapped his hands together, taking a step back toward the others. "Let¡¯s get this show on the road. It¡¯s time to see what¡¯s inside!"
Julian straightened up, his grip tightening around the sword and the shield he had taken from Bran¡¯s smithy. But as he took a step forward, he noticed that Titus and the others were several meters behind him.
"Aren¡¯t we all going in together?" He asked.
"Oh, don¡¯t worry about them," Cyrus grinned. "This is your dungeon run, Sword Junkie. You¡¯re the star here. They¡¯ll be right behind you if things get bad, but for the most part, you¡¯re running this entire thing solo."
Titus stepped forward, resting his fist on Julian¡¯s shield. "Don¡¯t sweat it, Recruit. We¡¯ll be watching your back. Nothing¡¯s happening to you."
Talia nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You¡¯ll be fine. We call this a beginner¡¯s dungeon for a reason¡ªnothing¡¯s gonna happen!"
¡°That¡¯s right¡¡± Cyrus couldn¡¯t help but smirk at Talia and Titus¡¯s comment. "That¡¯s right¡ nothing will happen.¡± He whispered, ¡°Keep setting those flags up¡
¡I¡¯m sure nothing would happen.¡±
¡°Flags¡?¡± Julian glanced at Cyrus, a little unsure of what he meant, but before he could question it further, the dungeon¡¯s ¡®mouth¡¯ let out a deep, guttural sound, the vines shifting slightly as if urging him to enter.
¡°Well, okay then¡¡± Julian took a deep breath, nodded to the others, and stepped forward into the unknown,
¡°...For Ellie.¡±
Chapter 30: Julians First Dungeon Run Is Too Boring!?
¡°It¡¯s warm...¡±
Julian wasn¡¯t expecting the dungeon to be warm, but as soon as he stepped inside the entrance that looked like it had swallowed all of them whole, it felt like a warm breath whiffed over his entire body.
¡°...And this is burnt,¡± Julian crouched down, touching the familiar texture of ash¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t from the dungeon¡¯s floors which were seemingly made of bark and vine, not at all.
Cyrus, who was busy trying to find the right angle to capture Julian, let out a small chuckle. ¡°They¡¯re probably just some weak fire monsters. Nothing to worry about. We¡¯re in a beginner¡¯s dungeon.¡± He flashed a grin, still very much hoping that something fun and eventful would happen if he set up enough flags.
Julian straightened, still feeling the heat under his palm. ¡°Fire monsters¡ shouldn¡¯t we have brought water with us, then?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not how¡ª¡±
¡°Pft.¡± Before Cyrus could respond, Talia¡¯s quiet snort whispered in the air. ¡°What do you know about dungeons, Newbie?¡±
Julian shrugged, ¡°Just what Cyrus explained to me.¡±
Talia stepped closer, her tone a bit more serious now. ¡°Here¡¯s something to remember, Julian. The monsters and layouts of dungeons can change. They¡¯re not static. What you see in one run might not be what you get in the next. That¡¯s why most adventurers in Artemia don¡¯t carry maps of dungeons because they don¡¯t stay reliable for long. Remember the map you got from the so-called Newbie Package? Yeah, that¡¯s useless in dungeons.¡±
¡°So... none of you have technically been here before?¡±
Dyrroth, who had been standing off to the side, grinned. ¡°You could say that, my dude. We¡¯re as fresh here as you.¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Talia continued. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. They say that the dungeons are supposedly connected to the planet¡¯s core¡ªthe deeper the dungeon is, the more dangerous it is. And in this case, Ethaca Dungeon is extremely shallow, that¡¯s why the hyums consider it as a beginner¡¯s dungeon.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian nodded, soaking in the information. ¡°That¡¯s... interesting. Thank you for the information, Talia.¡±
Talia chuckled, her sharp demeanor softening for a moment. ¡°No need to be so formal, pft.¡±
¡°Do you see this, Chat? I think we¡¯re converting our Sword Junkie into a gamer.¡±
¡°Cy, can you shut the fuck up?¡± Talia glared at Cyrus. But alas, Cyrus was a professional, perhaps too professional as he did not stop talking at all and communicating with the chat as they pressed deeper into the dungeon.
Soon, however, the air became thick and almost suffocating. Julian felt it more than the others, the warmth crawling up his skin¡ªafter all, heat is something he had lived with almost his entire life; even the slightest change of temperature¡
¡he could feel.
¡°!!!¡±
And without warning, the ground cracked beneath his feet, a series of sharp, jagged lines forming as something moved below the surface. The others stepped back instinctively, but Julian¡¯s eyes remained locked on the ground.
And then they revealed themselves as the floor exploded¡ªsmall, fiery creatures seemingly made of molten rock, tendrils of flame whipping around them as they rolled, or perhaps crawled, across the dungeon floor.
"Julian, watch out! Those are Flame Spawns!" Talia shouted from behind, almost pulling out her longsword but quickly remembered her role, ¡°They may seem like harmless jellyfish, but they¡¯re very dangerous!¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian didn¡¯t need the warning, however. His body already moved on instinct, dodging the first spawn as it lunged straight at his face. Julian could feel the heat almost touching his nose as the tendrils of the Flame Spawn stretched toward him¡ªit looked weird, even for Julian.
He drew his shortsword in one smooth motion, the blade reflecting the light of the creature as he swung it toward its fiery body.
¡°Hm¡?¡± The hit connected, but something wasn¡¯t right¡ªJulian did not feel any impact at all, just a slight resistance as if he had just dipped the blade into oil. The Flame Spawn also barely staggered, its molten body reforming almost instantly where the sword had sliced.
¡°It¡ didn¡¯t work,¡± Julian¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked at his sword.
"Come on, Julian!" Cyrus shouted, hyping up the stream. "Let¡¯s go, baby! Show them what you¡¯ve got!"
Another spawn charged at him, its fiery tendrils whipping dangerously close to his face again. But once again, Julian rolled to the side. He swung his sword toward the fiery small creature again, only for the same result to happen¡ªit was completely unaffected.
¡°Hm¡¡± He really only stared at the regenerating flames in front of him for a few moments before glancing at his shield.
And without thinking, he bashed the creature with it, hard. Julian finally felt some resistance, and he heard something cracking into pieces¡ and after a moment, the Spawn just started crumbling into a pile of scorched rock and flickering embers.
It worked.
Julian didn¡¯t hesitate anymore as a smile started to crawl on his face. He sheathed his sword back to his waist and just held the shield with both hands. He charged the next spawn, smashing into it with the weight of his shield, sending it skidding across the floor before it exploded into dust.
Another spawn shot toward him, rolling like a boulder of fire; its tendrils responsible for keeping its momentum. Julian raised his shield just in time to block the impact, and surprisingly, the force of its small frame was enough to push him back. His feet slid against the ground, but he held firm. And with the smile on his turning into a whispering cackle, he shoved the creature away and then quickly followed it before swinging the shield down in a crushing blow, snuffing out the creature of fire in one hit.
Titus, Dyrroth, and Talia looked at each other while this was happening; their eyes, narrowed and their heads subtly nodding for some reason. As for Cyrus, well...
¡°Chaaaat!¡± Cyrus was losing it in the background as he continued to hype the chat up¡ even though Julian was only fighting what could be considered a low-level ¡®slime¡¯ in video games. ¡°Yo, chat! Are you seeing this?! Julian¡¯s a beast! This guy¡¯s insane!¡±
Julian barely heard him. His focus was entirely on the fight. The heat radiating from the spawns made it harder to breathe, but he was used to it. He darted from one spawn to the next, his shield coming down again and again, each hit reducing the creatures to rubble. With each hit, the smile on his face continued to grow wider and more manic.
And finally, the last spawn lunged at him, but Julian was ready. He sidestepped to dodge the attack and slammed his shield into its back, crushing the core with a final, resounding hit in the air and causing the fire to splash like lava.
¡°Ho¡¡±
And with his heavy breath, the silence fell. Julian now stood among the broken remains of the flame spawns, the heat still pulsing through the air.
¡°That was¡ something.¡± He glanced back at the others. Talia, Titus, and Dyrroth were watching him, all nodding and clearly impressed. Cyrus, meanwhile, was also grinning like a maniac.
¡°That¡¯s my boy!¡± Cyrus laughed. ¡°Too easy! Now let¡¯s move on to even more exciting battles!¡±
Cyrus moved ahead of the group, tapping Julian on the shoulder, and gestured to him to move even though he had just finished fighting.
Julian didn¡¯t really mind, however¡ªas compared to the daemon¡ as well as the shadow crawlers, this wasn¡¯t anything at all.
The group continued to go deeper into the dungeon, and aside from some Flame Spawns shooting out from the ground again and again, and Julian dispatching them in the blink of an eye¡
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¡the exciting battle that Cyrus promised the chat did not come to fruition at all.
¡°No¡no! L!? What do you mean ''L''!?¡± Cyrus could not help but clasp his hair tight, ¡°Seriously, why didn¡¯t something bigger happen!? I promised the chat something epic and now they¡¯re all flaming me! I¡ I seriously thought there would be a boss fight, at least! Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be a [Boss] monster here!?¡±
¡°Ugh.¡± Talia rolled her eyes. ¡°Relax, Cy. It¡¯s a beginner¡¯s dungeon. It¡¯s already in the name.¡±
¡°My dude, chill¡¡± Dyrroth gestured to Cyrus to calm down, ¡°You should have picked a better dungeon for the bro, this is too easy.¡±
¡°Why didn¡¯t any of you betray us!?¡± Cyrus groaned dramatically. ¡°I picked you guys because you know Kitty hates me! I was hoping for at least one of you to turn on us. Where¡¯s the chaos?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be stupid,¡± Talia crossed her arms, looking unimpressed. ¡°You¡¯re not paying us enough for that kind of entertainment¡ and why would we betray you, Cy? We¡¯ve also been your friends for as long as we¡¯ve been friends with Kitty. And FYI, you hate Kitty, not the other way around.¡±
¡°Damn it!¡± Cyrus exclaimed, throwing his arms up.
And while Talia seemed incredibly done with Cyrus¡¯s antics, Titus was nodding his head. ¡°...You were hoping we would betray you and risked the life of the newbie? Bold, very bold. This is why I like you, kid.¡±
¡°Agh! People are leaving!¡±
¡°...Well, I guess that¡¯s that,¡± Talia shook her head and shrugged as she turned around. Titus and Dyrroth also turned, leaving Cyrus just groveling on the ground and lamenting the unsuccessful first stream.
Julian hesitated to leave Cyrus at first, but as soon as he heard him praying for something bad to happen¡ Julian just decided follow Talia and the others.
¡°Ah, guys!¡± Cyrus quickly got up, ¡°Wait¡ wait for me!¡±
Several minutes later, the group was nearing the entrance, and yet Cyrus was still whispering under his breath. Unfortunately for him, nothing like what he wanted to happen happened at all¡ªand the light of the outside was now once again reflecting in all of their eyes.
¡°Next time you pick a dungeon, pick something harder if you already knew that this newbie was something else,¡± Talia scoffed as she heard Cyrus still whispering to himself.
¡°I didn¡¯t expect for there to just be Spawns!¡± Cyrus groaned, ¡°Maybe we should just return to Juliet, Julian¡ªsome people are requesting to see you make weapons again.¡±
¡°That¡¯s rad¡¡± Dyrroth glanced back at Julian, ¡°...Can I watch you make something, Newbie?¡±
¡°Uh¡ sure?¡± Julian just shrugged in response.
Talia also glanced back at Julian with an excited look in his eyes. ¡°Oh? Can I also wa¡ª¡±
Before she could finish her words, however, the walls suddenly started to rumble. A low, deep vibration that traveled through the dungeon like a pulse.
¡°Uhh¡ Did anyone else feel that?¡± Talia¡¯s eyes narrowed.
¡°Yes.¡± Julian quickly nodded as he had actually been feeling the tremors since earlier.
¡°Uh, yeah, dude,¡± Dyrroth said, glancing nervously around. ¡°That didn¡¯t feel good.¡±
Talia frowned, her hand instinctively moving to her sword. ¡°Dungeon tremors aren¡¯t that unusual, but that... felt different.¡±
The rumbling grew louder, and suddenly, the light in front of them¡ªwhere the entrance was¡ªbegan to shift.
¡°Is it¡?¡±
The vines and roots that had made up the walls started to move, twisting and rearranging themselves¡ and soon, the entrance just closed on them.
Cyrus stepped back, the playful tone gone from his voice. ¡°Wait, what the fuck? What¡¯s happening?¡±
[When two graves are dug, many will suffer. You are within the gods'' reach and have been detected, Julian Winters. The punishment shall now be carried out.]
And while everyone was wondering what was going on, Julian was currently staring at the words floating in front of him. He looked at the others, but none of them seemed to be looking at anything floating in front of them.
Talia cursed under her breath, snapping him back to the moment. ¡°Damn it, Cyrus! You raised the flag!¡±
Cyrus, looking genuinely confused, stammered. ¡°I¡ªwhat? What did I do?¡±
¡°You and your fucking flags!¡± Talia spat, pointing at him. ¡°All your whining about wanting something to happen, and now the dungeon¡¯s shifting!¡±
¡°Wait, wait!¡± Cyrus raised his hands defensively, a nervous laugh escaping him. ¡°It¡¯s true that I was setting up flags, but I didn¡¯t want a fucking Dungeon Shift to happen!¡±
Julian was confused as he glanced at the others. ¡°What¡¯s... a flag?¡±
¡°A flag is¡ª¡± Dyrroth began, but before he could explain, Talia cut him off.
¡°Are you seriously going to explain that right now!? The exit¡¯s blocked!¡±
The dungeon was rearranging itself, the walls trembling as the roots and vines twisted into new shapes. They were¡ completely being locked in on all sides.
Cyrus tried to force a grin, clearly trying to play it cool for the chat. ¡°I mean, this is kinda exciting, right? A Dungeon Shift? That¡¯s... good content.¡±
Talia glared at him. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot.¡±
Titus, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up, his voice low and serious. ¡°A Dungeon Shift... here, in the Ethaca Dungeon? That¡¯s not normal.¡±
¡°Is it dangerous?¡± Julian asked, his hand already tightening around his shield.
¡°Very,¡± Talia said flatly, her eyes scanning the shifting walls. ¡°Ethaca¡¯s supposed to be a beginner¡¯s dungeon. This shouldn¡¯t be happening.¡±
¡°We¡ we need to get out of here, my dudes¡± Dyrroth muttered, his stuttering.
Talia nodded. ¡°Dyrroth, try to cut the exit open. We don¡¯t have time to mess around.¡±
Dyrroth stepped forward, pulling out two daggers from behind him as he reached for the vine-covered exit. ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll¡ª¡±
Before he could finish, the floor beneath them gave way. And in an instant, the ground crumbled, and they were falling¡ªsliding down into the dark, deeper into the dungeon.
¡°W¡what the fuck!?¡± Talia screamed.
¡°No, no¡!¡± Dyrroth tried punching his daggers through the vines, but the walls of the dungeon were too hard for his blades.
The descent felt like it lasted forever. The tunnel they fell through was steep, twisting, and Julian could not help but feel regretful that he was involving other people again with his ridiculous Master of Shadows quest. His heart raced, but there was nothing he could do but ride it out¡ literally.
And after a few more seconds of sliding, bouncing, and being thrown around, they finally landed¡ªrolling on the cold, uneven, and rough floor. Julian thought he lost his vision for a bit, but it would seem all of them couldn¡¯t see anything because of the extreme darkness.
Cyrus was already talking to the chat again, his voice shaky but trying to stay upbeat. ¡°Well, chat... things just got a little crazy. We¡¯re, uh, deeper in the dungeon now. Way deeper.¡±
Julian groaned as he pushed himself up, the cold floor underneath him a sharp contrast to the intense heat they¡¯d felt before. His body ached from the fall, but nothing seemed broken. Around him, the rest of the group was slowly getting to their feet.
¡°Everyone okay?¡± Talia asked, brushing dirt off her bulky armor.
¡°Yeah, yeah, just fine,¡± Dyrroth muttered, shaking his head as he stood. ¡°That was... not fun. Not fun at all, my dudes.¡±
Julian looked around as his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, taking in their new surroundings. The chamber they¡¯d landed in was massive, the ceiling disappearing into the darkness above them. The walls, unlike the ones in the upper dungeon, weren¡¯t made of roots or vines. Instead, they were cold, dark stone. It was eerie¡ªtoo quiet.
¡°Titus, light.¡± Talia whispered.
¡°Roger that.¡± Titus summoned a small ball of fire to light the room. Julian could not help but stare at the fire¡ªno. At the magic. He had already seen several people using magic in Artemia, but this was the first time he was actually seeing it up close and personal.
Unfortunately, he was not able to admire it for long¡ as the flickering light revealed what had been hidden in the shadows¡ªstatues. Dozens and dozens of them.
¡°People¡?¡± Julian¡¯s breath caught as he took in the sight. The statues were human-like, but not quite. Twisted figures, some missing limbs, others with their faces frozen in grotesque expressions of pain or fear, and some missing their heads altogether.
They were made of copper, their once shiny surfaces dulled and corroded by time. They looked broken, like they¡¯d been forgotten down here for centuries.
¡°Living Statues,¡± Talia said, her voice calm but serious.
¡°Living¡?¡± Julian asked, glancing at her.
Talia nodded. ¡°Yeah. They move. And they fight. But these ones...¡± She stepped closer to one of the statues, examining its tarnished surface. ¡°...since they¡¯re made of copper, they shouldn¡¯t be that hard to deal with. The problem is the goddamn fucking number of them.¡±
¡°How many do you think there are?¡± Julian asked, his voice low.
Titus, scanning the room, let out a low whistle. ¡°There¡¯s probably more than a hundred of them.¡±
Cyrus, looking pale, finally spoke. ¡°Uh, chat... I don¡¯t think we¡¯re supposed to be here.¡±
¡°Brilliant deduction, Cy,¡± Talia snapped, her tone sharp. ¡°Now shut up. You got us into this mess.¡±
¡°How is this my fault?¡± Cyrus protested, looking genuinely offended.
¡°You raised the flag!¡± Talia shot back.
¡°Dudes, chill,¡± Dyrroth said, trying to keep things light. ¡°Relax. These things aren¡¯t even moving. We can just sneak past them.¡±
Talia frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable. Living Statues usually don¡¯t move until something triggers them. Titus, lead the way.¡±
¡°Great. So let¡¯s not trigger them,¡± Cyrus muttered, clearly uncomfortable as he stayed near the back¡ªbut not because he was truly scared, but because he still wanted to capture Julian even despite the danger they were in.
And as the group began to move, Julian caught something in his sight, something moving in one of the Living Statues¡ªjust a slight shift. The head, maybe? Its position had changed, ever so slightly.
Julian stared at it, and the statue¡¯s copper eyes, once blank and lifeless, seemed to be looking directly at him now.
¡°...I think this one is looking at me,¡± Julian said quietly.
Talia turned to him, her brows furrowing. ¡°Please don¡¯t say that right now. Did¡ is it really looking at you?¡±
Julian didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes darted around the room, catching similar movements from other statues. They were completely still when he looked directly at them, but he knew what he¡¯d seen. They were waiting. Watching.
¡°Shit, you¡¯re right,¡± Talia said as she noticed too, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°We need to get out of here without triggering them.¡±
Julian gave a tight nod, his grip on his shield tightening. The others followed Talia¡¯s lead, moving cautiously toward an arc that seemed to be the only exit from this mysterious chamber, trying their best not to disturb anything.
The air felt heavy, every step echoing slightly in the dark, cold space. The copper statues loomed over them like twisted sentinels, their empty eyes following the group even though they hadn¡¯t moved¡ªyet.
¡°Stay calm, and try not to touch them,¡± Talia warned again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cyrus, walking carefully behind Julian, muttered under his breath. ¡°How am I supposed to find a good angle for the stream if we can¡¯t touch anything?¡±
¡°You¡¯re¡ still streaming?¡± Julian whispered, glancing back at him in disbelief.
¡°It¡¯s not like I can turn this off,¡± Cyrus replied, his voice tense. ¡°And someone just donated 300 credits. You¡ should probably thank them.¡±
¡°...Now?¡± Julian blinked.
Talia shot Cyrus a glare. ¡°Are you fucking serious, Cy?¡±
The group continued to creep forward, the arc still too far for comfort. Julian kept his eyes on the statues, scanning for any sign of life. For now, they were still¡ªtoo still.
Suddenly, Titus, who had been walking in silence, froze. He lifted a hand, signaling for everyone to stop.
¡°Ssh,¡± Titus whispered, his head tilting slightly. ¡°I think I heard something.¡±
The group went silent, their breaths held.
¡°Sorry, my dudes. But¡ª¡± Dyrroth¡¯s face flushed as the loud, unmistakable sound of a fart echoed through the chamber.
Talia groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°God damn it, Dyrroth!¡±
¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry, my dudes! I was trying to hold it in!¡± Dyrroth stammered, his face red with embarrassment.
For a moment, the tension in the room seemed to break. Even Julian cracked a smile. But the relief was short-lived.
A loud scraping sound cut through the chamber, coming from somewhere in front of them. The scraping sound came again, and another statue seemed to have moved, just a little. Then another. And another.
¡°They¡¯re moving,¡± Julian said quietly, his voice tight.
The statues, which had been so still moments before, were now more obvious with their movements. Their limbs creaked and groaned as they began to shift in place. And all of a sudden, they were all just looking at them.
But still, none of them were attacking just yet, and the group continued to move toward the arc.
¡°S¡ shit¡¡±
¡°What? What is it?¡± Talia turned to look at Dyrroth as he once again made a noise, ¡°Don¡¯t fucking tell me you¡¯re¡ª¡±
And before she could finish her words, she noticed that Julian was pulling Dyrroth by the arms¡ and that a copper sword was stuck in Dyrroth¡¯s stomach.
¡°This¡ is not good, my dudes.¡± Dyrroth chuckled awkwardly as he took a step back and pulled out the copper sword. His eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back, blood seeping through his fingers as he clutched the wound. ¡°I¡ didn¡¯t even notice.¡±
Fortunately for Dyrroth, Julian was able to hear and feel the air shift¡ªbecause if Julian hadn¡¯t pulled him the moment he did, then the wound would have definitely been bigger.
¡°Titus! Heal him!¡±
¡°I got it!¡± Titus roared, quickly rushing to aid Dyrroth.
But it would seem the rest of the statues weren¡¯t going to wait anymore. One by one, they started to move even wilder, their twisted copper forms coming to life as they closed in on the group, surrounding them from all sides.
¡°Get ready!¡± Talia shouted, finally drawing her longsword as she looked at all the Living Statues slowly walking toward them. ¡°Julian, you might want to stay back! We know you¡¯re strong¡
¡but this is way beyond your¡ª¡±
And before Talia could finish her words, Julian already stepped beside her and unsheathed his sword, and tightened his grip on his shield.
¡°No,¡± Julian breathed out as a small smile crawled on his face again.
¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±
Chapter 31: Music To His Ears
"Let¡¯s just get this over with."
Julian¡¯s words were a whisper, but they still echoed throughout the dark cold chamber¡ªthe echoes did not last long, however, as it was soon drowned by the twisting noise of the metal surrounding them.
Julian tightened his shield on his arm, raising it and his short sword at the same time¡ªboth, faintly reflecting the Living Statues that were now rushing and surging toward them. It was almost like a sea of copper, or perhaps a tidal wave that completely overwhelmed Julian¡¯s enhanced senses; loud enough to cause his head to tilt.
Talia stood next to him, her eyes sharp and focused as she quickly noticed Julian¡¯s discomfort. ¡°Julian, don¡¯t get reckless. This isn¡¯t the same as¡ª¡±
Creak!
But her words were cut off as the first of the statues finally reached them.
Julian moved to block the lunging statue, crashing to it with his shield and sending it stumbling backward. But of course, he had no time to rest at all as the living statues did not give them the benefit of attacking one by one, no.
Another one was already threatening to cut Julian¡¯s head off. He stepped forward to meet the attack, swinging his sword at it¡ but his blade just bounced off the statue¡¯s copper skin with a harsh clang.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian¡¯s eyes started to narrow as he took a step back; his hand slightly shaking from the impact. Even with him reassessing the situation, his body still instinctively dodged the sharp limbs of the two copper statues that were swinging toward him. He looked at Talia, only to see her longsword cutting through the living statues with slight resistance.
Cyrus was still¡ surprisingly completely unharmed¡ªhis eyes completely focused on capturing all of his moments.
As for Titus, he knelt beside Dyrroth, a soft glow emanating from his hands as he concentrated on healing the deep wound in Dyrroth¡¯s stomach.
¡°Hang in there, buddy,¡± Titus muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I¡¯ll patch you up in no time."
¡°Kh¡¡± Dyrroth, pale and sweating from the pain, nodded but said nothing. His hands clutched at the dirt around him, his breathing shallow as he watched the battle unfold around him.
With Julian finally fighting with a veteran beside him, his inexperience in combat was finally starting to reveal itself¡ªnot only to the Chat, but to himself.
Talia was almost like a whirlwind as she made her way through the copper statues; each swing of her blade took one of them down¡ªand if her blade didn¡¯t fully cut them in half, she quickly pulled out her blade and then swung it right at the same exact cut, finishing what she started.
She ducked under a sweeping blow from one statue, slicing cleanly through its arm in a fluid motion, before spinning on her heel and driving her sword into another statue¡¯s neck. Her strikes were deliberate, efficient, each one aimed at disabling her opponent with minimal effort. There was no wasted movement at all.
As for Julian, it was fully obvious now to the people in the Chat that he was fighting with sheer brutality and instinct.
His strikes were refined, yes¡ªbut he always swung the sword with full force. Unfortunately, his full force did not seem enough to actually cut through the bodies of the copper statues.
A statue lunged at him, and Julian met it head-on, slamming his shield into its chest with a resounding clang. The force of the impact sent the statue staggering, this time, however, he did not follow up with an attack at all and just started dodging all the attacks that came his way.
And yet, even with Julian¡¯s lack of experience finally showing¡ª
¡°The¡ the Chat¡¯s going wild again!¡± Cyrus screamed as he weaved through the dozens and dozens of living statues to try and get a better angle of Julian.
¡°Newbie, you¡¯re swinging too hard,¡± Talia glanced over at Julian, her lips curving into a slight smirk. ¡°It¡¯s about finesse, not just power.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian did not really say anything, just glancing at her to let her know that he was listening¡ªand listen he will.
With calm, deliberate precision, Julian stepped forward¡ªand this time, he lifted his sword and lightly tapped the copper plating instead of swinging at it. The sound that followed was faint, almost imperceptible amidst the chaos of battle. But to Julian, it was all that he could hear. His eyes narrowed as the metal rang out, the vibrations crawling up his arm, through his body, and into his ears.
The sound was hollow, echoing in a way that made him pause. He could feel it¡ªthe raw metal just calling to him¡ª and it told him everything he needed to know.
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¡°Oh¡¡± His lips curled into a slow, almost dangerous smile, the noise flooding his senses. It was like hearing an unspoken language, a language only he understood. ¡°...There it is.¡±
In an instant, his eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, Julian swung again¡ªbut this time, it was precise, deadly, aimed at the point where the copper statue¡¯s armor was weakest. His blade cut through the statue¡¯s chest with startling ease, the metal offered no resistance as it cleaved cleanly in half.
The statue crumbled at his feet, its severed halves hitting the ground with a dull, resounding crash.
¡°Got it,¡± Julian muttered under his breath, the satisfaction unmistakable in his voice. His smile widened as the copper pieces clattered to the floor, lifeless and broken.
¡°Ho¡¡± He took a moment to lightly tap each statue before delivering precise, devastating blows to their weakest spots. One by one, the statues fell before him, crumbling into heaps of copper and dust.
¡°Yes¡ yes!¡± Cyrus, meanwhile, continued to glide through the chaos with¡ surprising ease. A statue lunged at him from the side, but Cyrus didn¡¯t even flinch. He casually dodged the attack, his hand flicking out to deflect the statue¡¯s blow with minimal effort.
¡°Y¡¯all seeing this, Chat!?¡± Cyrus grinned as he spoke with the chat. ¡°We are witnessing it now, the evolution of the Sword Junkie¡ into the Sword God!¡±
¡°Oh¡ shit.¡±
¡°Newbie!?¡±
Everyone turned to Julian, only for them to see blood dripping from his chin.
Moments ago, Julian had just dispatched another statue when he suddenly felt a sharp pain explode across his face. He blinked, momentarily stunned as he realized a statue had managed to get past his defenses. Its sword had sliced cleanly through his cheek¡
¡splitting it wide open.
No matter how abnormally high his perception was, the sheer number of living statues rushing and lunging toward him at the same time was still higher. In fact, his abnormally high senses were probably giving him more trouble since he was hearing and feeling everything at the same time¡ªit was just too much.
¡°Ha¡¡± Blood gushed from the wound, dripping down his chin in thick, hot trails. His tongue brushed against the torn flesh¡ironically tasting copper.
And then¡ Julian smiled. Perhaps the pain was actually what he needed all this time.
His lips, or what remained of them, curled into a bloody grin, the gash making his smile wider than it actually was.
¡°Newbie!¡± Talia pushed the living statue rushing toward her so she could focus on Julian for a moment¡ªbut Julian barely heard her. The pain was sharp, searing, but it only fueled him. And very soon, his laughter echoed through the chamber, dark and twisted, as he lunged back into the fight with even more ferocity than before.
Wild. He was wild.
The statues fell before him, one after another, as Julian moved through them like a force of nature. His smile never faltered, even as the blood continued to pour from his wound. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous, something¡ unhinged.
¡°What the¡¡± Talia¡¯s eyes narrowed¡ªshe wanted to back Julian up, but she did not really have the luxury to do so at all since she was also busy with the dozens of living statues surrounding her. And so, she decided to focus on her own battle, cleaving through the wave as fast as she could.
She and Julian, slashing and cleaving through the seemingly endless barrage of living statues. And after what seemed like an eternity for the two of them, the last statue finally fell and broke into pieces.
The chamber, once filled with the sounds of battle, was now eerily quiet. Julian stood amidst the sea of copper, his sword and shield dripping with his own blood. But still, there was a hint of a smile on his mangled face.
¡°Newbie!¡± Titus, who had just finished completely healing Dyrroth, rushed over to him, his hands already glowing as he placed them on Julian¡¯s mangled face. ¡°Hold still, Julian. I need to fix this before you lose too much blood.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian let out a small wheeze as his hanging meat dangled from his jaw.
¡°Titus!¡± Cyrus also quickly rushed toward Julian, ¡°Make sure you do it right. Julian¡¯s face is one of his many assets, The ladies in the Chat are already freaking out, and if you don¡¯t do this well¡¡±
¡°I know a woman¡¯s scorn and wrath, boy,¡± Titus scoffed as he focused on closing the gaping wound in Julian¡¯s cheek. The magic worked quickly, knitting the flesh back together with a faint glow. Within moments, the wound was gone, leaving only a faint scar that was only noticeable when stared at for a few seconds.
Although Julian¡¯s wound might have looked threatening and fatal, it wasn¡¯t at all, at least not compared to Dyrroth¡¯s injuries.
¡°Good as new, Newbie,¡± Titus muttered as he stepped back to see his handiwork, ¡°I would say even better than before. Manlier, like a soldier walking out with a medal.¡±
Julian touched and patted his face, and surprisingly so, Titus was able to reconstruct his face without issues at all. ¡°Thank you, Titus.¡±
¡°Did¡ I miss anything?¡± Dyrroth, now fully healed and back on his feet, pressed on his stomach as he approached while looking at the piles of broken down copper, ¡°These things aren¡¯t supposed to be here. This isn¡¯t cool, my dudes.¡±
¡°You¡¯re fine standing up?¡± Talia glanced at Dyrroth for a bit. And as soon as he put both of his thumbs up, Talia quickly switched up her focus on the far side of the chamber, where the faint archway they were initially walking to stood hidden in the shadows.
¡°Think that¡¯s the exit?¡± Dyrroth suggested, following Talia¡¯s gaze.
¡°We¡¯re about to find out,¡± Talia sheathed her longsword back to her waist before glancing at Julian, ¡°Can I borrow your shield? I¡¯m leading the party from now on.¡±
¡°Uh¡ sure,¡± Julian quickly unstrapped the shield and gave it to Talia.
And as soon as Talia tightened the shield on her arm, the group cautiously approached the archway, weapons at the ready. They stepped through, their footsteps echoing in the narrow passage beyond.
¡°...I don¡¯t think this is the exit at all.¡± Titus narrowed his eyes at the thinning path.
¡°My dudes, I¡¯m¡ª¡±
¡°I swear, if you are about to fart again.¡± Talia glared and pointed back at Dyrroth.
¡°I¡¯m not!¡±
¡°You better. The last time you farted you almost died.¡±
¡°Do you see this, Chat¡?¡± And while everyone was getting tense, Cyrus was still making sure that he was capturing all of Julian¡¯s better angles even though he wasn¡¯t the one leading the dungeon anymore. ¡°I think this is it¡ªthe boss battle we are waiting for.¡±
¡°Can you just stop it, Cy!?¡± Talia almost hissed at Cyrus, causing him to quickly move behind Julian¡¯s muscular frame, ¡°If you just joined the battle, it would have already been done in no time at all! The newbie almost died!¡±
Cyrus wagged his finger while clicking his tongue. ¡°But he didn¡¯t¡ªhe survived, and now lots of people are donating.¡±
¡°You¡¯re still thinking about money now!? You¡ª¡±
Before Talia could finish her words, Julian¡¯s loud breath whispered in the air.
¡°How much did we gain from that, Cyrus?¡± He asked. And as he and Cyrus started talking about the donations, the only thing Talia could really do was shake her head and moved forward.
And very soon, they made it into an opening¡ªit wasn¡¯t an exit at all, but a much smaller chamber, the walls covered in intricate drawings and symbols. Runes, etched into the stone, glowed faintly in the dim light.
¡°What are these things?¡± Talia¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked around. And before anyone else could respond¨C
[Congratulations, you have found the Hidden Quest: The Bridge.]
¨Cthe [Guidance of Artemis] appeared for every one of them.
Julian¡¯s eyes widened as the message floated in front of him. ¡°It says there¡¯s¡ª¡± He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, Talia¡¯s hand shot out and covered his mouth with a firm grip. Her eyes were wide with urgency, her gaze darting toward the Cyrus.
And of course, Cyrus quickly understood this gaze. His usual carefree demeanor instantly disappeared as he snapped his fingers right in front of his eyes exactly four times.
¡°Is it down?¡± Talia¡¯s long breaths whispered.
¡°Yes.¡± Cyrus quickly nodded and started walking around the chamber.
¡°What¡ did you just do with your hands?¡± Julian asked.
¡°I shut down the stream,¡± Cyrus glanced back at Julian, ¡°You can set hand gestures to turn it on and off, and the AI overseeing the stream from up there in the space station would recognize it.¡±
¡°That¡¯s convenient,¡± Julian hummed ¡°¡How do I turn mine off?¡±
¡°Shit!¡± Cyrus quickly rushed toward Julian, grabbing him by the shoulders as he looked him in the eyes, ¡°MEGAN, turn the stream to private! The control was passed over to you, right!? It¡¯s important that you do so!¡±
¡°She¡ says yes,¡± Julian looked at Talia, and he could hear them all letting out a sigh of relief which almost harmonized in the small chamber they were in. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
Talia didn¡¯t immediately respond. She was too busy scanning the room, taking in the details of the strange drawings and symbols.
¡°This is a hidden quest, my dude,¡± Dyrroth muttered, his voice tinged with awe as he stepped closer to the walls. His fingers brushed over the markings, tracing the intricate patterns. ¡°A hidden quest¡ right beneath a beginner¡¯s dungeon. And it hasn¡¯t been discovered by anyone else? I don¡¯t know about you, my dudes¡
¡but that doesn¡¯t make any sense to me.¡±
Chapter 32: The Hidden Quest...?
[You have found the Hidden Quest: The Bridge.]
¡°My dudes, it still keeps saying that.¡±
Dyrroth¡¯s voice cut through the silence, casual as ever, but no one paid him much attention. Talia¡¯s eyes swept the chamber, her frustration barely contained as she studied the markings on the wall.
¡°Stop talking and start hustling. We need to find whatever¡¯s next. And Cy, what are you doing not helping?¡±
¡°If we end up not finding anything, I can still post this later¡ªI¡¯m still recording Julian¡¯s adventure,¡± Cyrus replied without even glancing at Talia. Even without the live stream on, he was still getting all of Julian¡¯s good angles.
¡°You¡¯re still recording in this situation?¡± Talia¡¯s disbelief practically crackled in the air.
¡°Well, maybe if you stop complaining¡ª¡±
¡°Argh!¡±
¡°My dude, chill.¡±
¡°I¡¯m chill!¡±
Talia was not chill at all. Her voice, echoed through the small chamber and crawled on the mysterious etchings and markings that filled all of its four corners. In fact, all of them were making noise, and the only ones who had remained quiet the entire time were Titus and Julian.
The palm of Julian¡¯s hand was as dirty as it probably would ever be¡ªfilled with blood and all the dust and dirt this small chamber had collected on its walls, and from the amount of dust that was now resting in his hands, this place has remained untouched for a very, very long time.
¡°Hm¡¡± There was something in the wall, something he could feel, even if the others couldn¡¯t. The stone, ancient and worn, whispered secrets through the small cracks that ran along its surface. His fingers followed these faint lines as though they were guiding him, ignoring the chatter from his companions.
And soon¡ª
¡°I think I found something,¡± he said quietly, almost to himself. The moment the words left his mouth, however, the others were already on him, swarming over like moths to a flame; their breaths enough to blow away all the dust on the walls.
¡°What is it!?¡± Cyrus asked as his excitement grew; his eyes, zeroing in on Julian¡¯s hand. He leaned closer, trying to focus on the spot where Julian was pointing, but alas, despite his best efforts, it all just looked like... more stone.
¡°What¡ is it?¡± Cyrus repeated, the eagerness now laced with confusion.
¡°Let the boy speak,¡± Titus said in his usual low tone, moving forward at a measured pace. Like the others, he scanned the wall but found nothing out of the ordinary.
¡°I think it¡¯s a button,¡± Julian casually said. And without a second thought, he pressed into the wall.
¡°...Did you just press it?¡± Talia¡¯s eyes went wide, her voice rising in pitch. She didn¡¯t need him to answer¡ªthe quiet click that followed told her everything she needed to know. ¡°Why¡ did you do that?¡±
¡°My dudes, it¡¯s a button,¡± Dyrroth breathed out, ¡°It¡¯s meant to be pressed.¡±
¡°A nuclear button is a button too! Does that mean it¡¯s meant to be pressed!?¡± Talia shouted, her frustration spilling over. ¡°Excuse me, am I the only one normal here!?¡±
¡°Amateur, there¡¯s no such thing as a nuclear button. It¡¯s a switch,¡± Titus commented.
¡°That¡¯s not the time to be talking about that right now!¡± Talia snapped back.
¡°Dudes, chill¡¡± Dyrroth raised his palms, ¡°...And you¡¯re the one who talked about it.¡±
¡°I¡ guess you guys are right,¡± Talia paused as she rubbed her temples before letting out a long sigh. ¡°...We would have pressed it in the end anyway.¡±
¡°It¡¯s doing something.¡± Julian took several steps back before Talia could finish her words.
And as soon as Julian said that, the chamber¡¯s air grew dense, heavy, as though something ancient had been disturbed. Talia¡¯s expression changed¡ªher instincts kicking in as she scanned the room for any sign of danger. Dyrroth¡¯s hand hovered over his weapon, and even Titus took a cautious step forward.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
¡°Is it opening something?¡± Talia whispered, her body tensed for whatever might come next.
¡°No,¡± Julian tilted his head to hear whatever was happening, ¡°I hear the sound of water¡ but not quite.¡±
Before anyone could ask what he meant, the floor beneath them came alive, ancient symbols etched into the stone beginning to glow with a dull, eerie luminescence. The hum was low but undeniable, vibrating through their feet, as though the very heart of Artemia was awakening beneath them. Julian was confused with what he was seeing, his untrained eyes being overwhelmed by the dancing lights.
¡°Stella Artemiae¡¡± Titus gasped at the glowing symbols on the floor; the most emotion he had expressed throughout the entire dungeon.
¡°Star of Artemia?¡± Talia narrowed her eyes.
¡°Old magic.¡± Titus whispered. ¡°Magic of the gods themselves.¡±
¡°Cool¡¡± Dyrroth looked around as the light grew brighter.
¡°Not cool! Newbie! You might have just kill¡ª¡±
[You have found the hidden quest: The Bridge.]
¡°¡ªor maybe not!?¡± Talia gasped, her anger quickly replaced by surprise. The notification blinked again, the [Guidance of Artemis] displaying a message for them all.
[Prerequisite: Must be the bearer of a [Unique] class. Only those who are chosen by the stars themselves have the right to walk this path.]
"...Or maybe not?" Talia¡¯s earlier excitement deflated like a balloon.
Then, as if to add insult to injury, the message flashed again: [You do not meet the requirements to proceed with the quest.] The glowing symbols flared brighter for a moment before the chamber was flooded with an almost blinding light.
And the next thing they knew, they were out of the dungeon.
¡°Teleportation magic,¡± Titus muttered, glancing around their new surroundings. His tone was as calm as ever, though a hint of awe still lingered.
¡°Is that a big deal, my dudes?¡± Dyrroth seemed unimpressed. ¡°We have Radiant Gates.¡±
¡°Two completely different things,¡± Titus scoffed as he crossed his arms. ¡°Radiant Gates are explainable. Magic is not.¡±
¡°Explain Radiant Gates, then, my dude,¡± Dyrroth replied with a smirk.
¡°Do I look like a scientist to you?¡± Titus rubbed his bald head.
¡°Guys¡¡± Before Dyrroth and Titus could continue their conversation, Talia whispered as she looked around. ¡°...We went through all of that for nothing?¡±
¡°A battle for one¡¯s life is never nothing.¡± Titus spoke with a firmness that echoed his earlier tone. ¡°You young ones always want instant rewards. We have gained valuable experience¡ªthat is something money can¡¯t buy.¡±
¡°No¡¡± Talia shook her head, her eyes drifting toward Cyrus. ¡°...We gained money.¡±
Cyrus just smiled as he saw everyone looking at him. But Cyrus, however, looked at Julian.
¡°It¡¯s his decision. This is his stream,¡± Cyrus pointed at Julian, his voice casual but with an edge of anticipation.
Julian blinked, clearly not expecting the sudden shift in attention. ¡°What¡¯s my decision?¡±
¡°To sell this information or not.¡± Cyrus gestured to his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s your decision, Julian.¡±
¡°...How much?¡± Everyone looked at Julian with anticipation as he asked that.
¡°A lot of money.¡± Cyrus nodded and smiled. ¡°So, what do you think?¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian looked down to think about it. This wasn¡¯t just a random quest¡ªthis was something only someone with a [Unique] class could complete¡ which is exactly what the Shadow Blacksmith class is¡ªthis is a quest that he could do. And it was probably best to hide it.
¡°N¡ª¡±
Before Julian could give an answer, MEGAN flooded his eyes with messages. He doesn¡¯t know what the other words meant, but if she said yes, then¡ª
¡°Okay.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°We should sell it.¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Talia¡¯s relief was palpable as her shoulders sagged slightly. Dyrroth cheered with a fist pump, while Titus gave a simple, approving nod.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about the share of Talia and the chipmunks.¡± Cyrus winked at Julian. ¡°I¡¯ll handle that. And for now¡ I think our clones all deserve a rest.¡±
¡°You literally did nothing the entire time.¡± Talia crossed her arms.
¡°She¡¯s right, my dudes,¡± Dyrroth chimed in with a shake of his head. ¡°I¡¯ll drop by your place later, Cy, and you can buy some of my organic weed. Old-school, just how they liked it back in the 21st century, eyy.¡±
¡°You know I don¡¯t do that stuff.¡± Cyrus shook his head. ¡°But you¡¯re right¡ªwe should all meet in real life to celebrate the success of Julian¡¯s first official stream!¡±
¡°I¡¯ll go if the Newbie goes.¡± Titus crossed his arms.
¡°Same.¡± Talia also looked at Julian.
Everyone turned their attention to Julian once again. He felt their gazes, like a spotlight was suddenly cast on him.
¡°I¡ can¡¯t really leave my area right now.¡± Julian shook his head.
¡°I¡ can¡¯t really leave my area right now,¡± Julian admitted, his voice low but firm. His words hung in the air, and Cyrus stepped in before the silence could grow awkward.
¡°We should let the Sword Junkie rest,¡± Cyrus said with a chuckle, moving to ease the moment. ¡°We¡¯ll set the celebration somewhere close to where we met, Julian. That way, you won¡¯t have to go far. For now¡
¡back to the inn!¡±
¡°I¡ only leveled up twice?¡± Julian was now lying down in his room at the inn, staring at his [Status]. He fought dozens and dozens of living statues, not to mention the Flame Spawns, and he only leveled up twice again?
¡Did killing humans give more points to level up? But they did mention that Dirk, the soldier from the Order of Artemia that he killed, was level 12. It was most likely because of the difference in their levels.
Perhaps this was the more normal pace in increasing one¡¯s strength in Artemia. But then again, his Vitality should only be at 9¡ªdid it increase during the battle on its own?
And not to mention his Perception. He hadn¡¯t put any Free Points in that yet, and yet it has grown by 4 all on its own. Interesting.
¡°Hm¡ MEGAN wanted me to prioritize speed,¡± Julian muttered to himself, fingers tapping lightly against the edge of the bed. He weighed his options. Agility would help in fights, make him faster, more elusive¡ªessential in this world where every second counted.
¡°I¡¯ll put three points into Agility,¡± Julian whispered, eyes focused on the glowing numbers. ¡°And I¡¯ll decide the rest later, MEGAN.¡±
Julian felt his body being restructured again. His body shifted, muscles tightening and bones realigning, but the pain was bearable now that he was used to it. However, perhaps due to that, even after several seconds had passed, he still found himself on the bed of Artemia since he did not faint at all.
¡°...Do I need to wait to fall asleep before I could return?¡±
Come to think of it, this was Julian¡¯s first time not fainting back to Earth.
Can you return me to my real body? He thought, letting the question settle. And just like that, he felt it¡ªhis consciousness drifting, the world of Artemia fading as if a switch had been flipped.
Truly, what a marvel in technology this was.
***
[Good work out there, Julian.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian gave out a loud hum as stretched his arms and legs as soon as he felt the stiffness of his body after being stationary for so long. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t such a good idea to use the LinkGear while sitting up.
¡°How much did we earn, MEGAN?¡± Julian placed his hands on the LinkGear, "And can you tell me why we didn''t hide the quest? I thought about what you were going to do in that situation. And I-"
[I believe you have more pressing matters to do, Julian. Sorry.]
¡°What¡? Why? Wait¡¡± Julian paused as soon as he realized something¡ªthe beeping that was repeatedly singing a song of dread in the room¡ he couldn¡¯t hear them anymore. ¡°W¡what? Where¡¯s Ell¡ª¡±
¡°...So, that¡¯s what you¡¯ve been doing there?¡±
And almost immediately as he took off his LinkGear, Ellie¡¯s voice whispered in his ears.
¡°Ellie¡?¡± Julian stuttered; his breaths, a mix of relief and shock.
¡°You¡¯re¡ awake?¡±
Chapter 33: Summer and Winter
¡°I¡ woke up an hour ago. I told MEGAN not to tell you, so don¡¯t blame her,¡± Ellie¡¯s voice was still a little hoarse, but Julian could hear her moving already. Every faint sound¡ªher footsteps, the rustling of her hospital gown¡ªgave him a strange comfort.
Relief completely washed over Julian¡¯s throat, which almost locked up when he heard the beeping sounds of the machine no longer beeping. Her voice still sounded hoarse and slightly whispering, but from the tone of her voice, she truly had been awake about an hour ago¡ªJulian would know, he had memorized every cadence of Ellie¡¯s voice and what they meant.
¡°How are you feeling?¡± Julian asked as he followed her with his ears, each of her steps bringing solace to him.
¡°I¡¯m¡ fine now.¡±
¡°...No, you¡¯re not.¡±
There was a long pause before Ellie¡¯s soft, trembling voice answered. ¡°No, I¡¯m not¡¡±
Her vulnerability broke through, and the tremble in her voice became more apparent, each word shaking as though carrying a weight too heavy to bear. Her steps faltered, a near stumble that betrayed the strength she tried to maintain.
¡°I¡¯m¡ terrified, Julian.¡± She stammered.
¡°You don¡¯t have to be.¡± Julian stood up and placed the LinkGear on the chair, not even bothering to grab his cane¨Cthis may seem like a small, insignificant gesture to many, but it was not at all. His cane had always been his item, the thing that made him feel safe and comfortable. But with Ellie in the same room, he didn¡¯t need it at all.
¡°The men that did this to you¡¡± Julian stepped forward with a whisper, ¡°I met with them and talked¡ª¡±
¡°I know what you did. And that¡¯s why I¡¯m scared¡¡± Ellie approached Julian and placed her palm on his chest, ¡°...I¡¯m scared for you. Those people are dangerous and¡ I would have paid them eventually, I was just a little late because¨C¡±
¡°Because you¡¯ve been taking care of me my whole life, Ellie,¡± Julian whispered, gently lifting her hand and placing it on his cheek. ¡°And I¡¯m sorry for that.¡±
Ellie¡¯s breath hitched, her hand trembling as she lightly bumped her fist against his chest in frustration.
¡°Why¡ would you be sorry for that? I chose to take care of you. I chose to be with you¡ªthat was my choice. I would never be sorry for that because I loved you then and I love you even more now.¡±
Her words, spoken without hesitation, carried the weight of years of suppressed emotions. Each syllable felt like it was dragging something raw and painful out into the open.
¡°It¡¯s just¡¡± she continued, her voice breaking, ¡°It became too much, you know? I got tired. Tired of always having to take care of you. We¡¯ve lived under the same roof for more than a decade, and I can count the number of times we had sex on one hand, Julian. Don¡¯t you know how weird that is?¡±
¡°...¡± Julian remained silent, letting her words hang between them like the heavy air in the room.
¡°We¡¯ve been friends for more than 20 years, Julian¡ªand in all that time I had to take care of you. Always putting you first even when we were children, always¡ always you.¡±
Ellie¡¯s hand started to tremble on Julian¡¯s chest, causing her to grip his shirt to stop herself from doing so before she continued the words wanting to escape her lips.
¡°And I did all of that because I wanted to.¡± Her voice became weaker, ¡°I wanted you to need me. I wanted you to want me. I wanted you to rely on me. I was obsessed. I am obsessed with you, and it destroyed both of us. We¡¯re not¡ we¡¯re not healthy for each other, Julian.¡±
Julian did not respond at all, only letting out a small breath to let Ellie know that he was listening. And for a while, the two of them just stood there. Inside a hospital room, letting the silence linger for more than it should.
But perhaps that is what they needed. Silence.
¡°Do you¡¡± And that silence was broken by Julian as he finally held Ellie¡¯s trembling hand; his large hand completely covering hers, ¡°...remember the first time we met?¡±
Ellie smiled softly, a weak laugh escaping her as a tear slipped down her cheek.
¡°Winter and Summer,¡± she sniffled. ¡°Primary school. You weren¡¯t talking to anyone and the teacher just put us together because of our names. You were so weird back then¡ but I guess you still are now.¡±
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
¡°I don¡¯t remember it. I don¡¯t remember any of that.¡±
Ellie¡¯s soft laugh quickly faded as she heard Julian¡¯s words. ¡°Oh¡¡±
¡°I don¡¯t remember meeting you because, in my mind, you¡¯ve always been there.¡± Julian continued, his voice soft but steady. ¡°I know that you weren¡¯t there physically, but¡ you were. You saved me. Our parents died at the same time and place, but I didn¡¯t know what was happening. All I knew was that you were there¡ªyou were holding my hand, and I wasn¡¯t scared anymore¡ And I realized all of that now, Ellie. I realized how much you¡¯ve sacrificed for me.¡±
Ellie gripped Julian¡¯s hand tightly, her own breath shaky as the memories of that day flooded her mind.
¡°I didn¡¯t sacrifice anything, Julian.¡± Ellie shook her head, her voice firm. ¡°I told you¡ªI wanted you to need me.¡±
¡°MEGAN¡¡± Julian sighed. ¡°When I asked how you were able to afford MEGAN, you told me you received a settlement from the daemon incident.¡±
¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Ellie quickly said. ¡°I was young, and I wanted to give you something, I didn¡¯t care how much it would cost¡ª¡±
¡°That was a lie,¡± Julian interrupted, his voice soft but resolute. ¡°MEGAN told me the truth. Your aunt paid for her, in exchange for your inheritance. You gave up everything for me.¡±
¡°MEGAN!?¡± Ellie looked into Julian¡¯s eyes, ¡°Why would you tell¡ª¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know if I could ever repay what you¡¯ve done for me¡¡± Julian gently placed his hand on Ellie¡¯s cheek, ¡°...but I¡¯ll try. I¡¯ll try my best.¡±
¡°No¡¡± Ellie quickly shook her head, ¡°...Julian, we¡ we¡¯re already done. I love you, I really, really do¡ªbut this isn¡¯t going to work, it never will and¡ª¡±
¡°It doesn¡¯t have to work,¡± Julian cut her off. ¡°I am not asking to be together again, Ellie. I am asking you to let me take care of you from now on. We don¡¯t need to be lovers, we don¡¯t need to be anything else than friends¡ªlet me take care of you from now on, please.¡±
Ellie blinked, her hands moving to Julian¡¯s hair, smoothing down the messy strands. ¡°You can¡¯t even take care of yourself, Julian¡¡± she whispered. ¡°Look at you.¡±
¡°MEGAN has already paid for the hospital bills.¡±
¡°What¡?¡± Ellie¡¯s breath hitched as she heard Julian¡¯s words. ¡°What¡ do you mean? With¡ what money?¡±
And before Julian could answer her, her phone that was resting on the side of the bed rang.
[¡®My Baby¡¯ is calling. Would you like to answer?]
¡°My¡ baby?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked at Julian¡ªthat was him. But it did not really take long for her to realize that it was MEGAN calling, ¡°Answer it.¡±
[Fufu¡ 3258 Credits] MEGAN did not even bother with the greetings as her cheeky chuckle whispered in the air.
¡°...3258 Credits?¡± Ellie blinked a couple of times as she looked at her phone, which now had a hologram of MEGAN floating on top of it¡ªwell, since she and MEGAN looked alike, it was practically her who was being projected.
[That¡¯s how much Julian earned during a single stream,] MEGAN continued. [Of course, since it was his first stream and highly promoted, the number might drop in the next one. Still¡ª3258 Credits. And I¡¯ve already subtracted Cyrus¡¯s cut. But we still need to pay taxes¡ or do we? Hehehe¡]
¡°You earned¡ 3258 Credits from a video game?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice trembled slightly, disbelief creeping in. She turned fully to Julian, eyes wide. ¡°Wait, a single stream? What does that¡ mean?¡±
[It means that in a single day, Julian earned more than your monthly rent.] MEGAN¡¯s smirk grew more pronounced as if she were savoring the revelation.
¡°What¡?¡± Ellie¡¯s shock deepened as the reality of it hit her. ¡°Julian¡ that¡¯s more than what I make in a month. What¡?¡±
¡°We¡ earned that much?¡± Julian echoed her shock, clearly just as surprised.
[Yes,] MEGAN¡¯s smug tone returned as she started dancing. [YES! Hehe¡ Hehehehe!]
¡°Julian¡¡± Ellie¡¯s breath caught as she looked into his face, grabbing him by the cheeks. ¡°You can buy new clothes now. You can¡ you can groom yourself¡ Maybe next month you can even put a down payment on buying your apartment back! This¡ this is very good, Julian! This is¡ª¡±
¡°I can take care of you now,¡± Julian cut her off, his voice calm yet firm.
Ellie¡¯s excitement faded as quickly as it had come. Her hands slowly dropped from Julian¡¯s face as she shook her head, a weary sigh escaping her lips.
¡°Julian¡ no. Taking care of someone is more than offering financial support. You need to actually be there for them. And this is your chance¡ªa chance to finally live on your own. Be independent. It¡¯s just¡ª¡±
[Oh!?] MEGAN¡¯s mouth opened; her hologram closing her eyes as she saw Julian suddenly leaning down and placing his lips on Ellie to shut her up. Of course, it was useless closing her hologram¡¯s eyes as she was actually seeing everything happening up close since she was Julian¡¯s eyes in the first place.
¡°You¡¡± The kiss was soft at first, hesitant. But soon, Ellie¡¯s resistance melted away, her hand rising to cradle the back of Julian¡¯s neck as she leaned into the kiss, even sliding her tongue inside Julian¡¯s mouth as her body betrayed her.
After a few moments, however, she pulled back, her chest heaving, cheeks flushed. ¡°What¡ What did you do that for!? That¡¯s¡ that¡¯s unfair, Julian!¡±
Julian sighed, a small apologetic smile tugging at his lips. ¡°I¡¯m¡ sorry. But we always kiss when we¡¯re celebrating something.¡±
¡°I kiss you.¡± Ellie gritted her teeth, words barely forming in her mouth. ¡°You¡¯ve never kissed me. Why would you¡ that¡¯s¡ that¡¯s so unfair, Julian. Why would you do that? I¡¯m¡ I¡¯m so ready to just be done with all of this and you¡ We were making progress of being independent of each other and¡ and you¡ you¡¡±
She trailed off, the words stuck in her throat. For a moment, it seemed like she would pull away entirely, like she was about to walk out of the room. But then, she closed the distance between them again¡ªthis time with more force. Her arms wrapped around Julian¡¯s neck as their lips met once more; the kiss, deeper, more desperate.
[Wow, great. The toxic couple is together again. But children, this is a hospital!] MEGAN waved her hands, [This is a hospital! Guys! I think someone¡¯s coming¡ Guys!]
***
¡°They¡ trashed my apartment too.¡±
After the eventful moment in the hospital, Julian and Ellie found themselves back at her apartment¡ only to find it in complete disarray.
The front door hung loosely on its hinges, and the inside looked worse¡ªbroken furniture, shattered glass, belongings strewn across the floor like an angry storm had passed through¡ªand from how one of her windows was shattered from the outside, they probably entered from there.
Julian ran his hand along the floor, feeling the broken pieces of glass and debris.
¡°It¡¯s not safe here anymore, Ellie,¡± he said quietly. ¡°MEGAN¡¯s already searching for a place for us to stay tonight.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Ellie only responded with a deep breath, ¡°...I¡¯ll go pack some of my clothes.¡±
[Julian.] MEGAN whispered, sounding far more serious than before.
¡°You already found a hotel?¡± Julian stood up, brushing the dirt off his hands before supporting himself with his cane.
[No. There¡¯s something else. I don¡¯t think Ellie wants to tell you, but¡ there are words written on the walls.] MEGAN¡¯s tone was sharp, a hint of unease creeping in.
¡°Words?¡± Julian¡¯s brow furrowed as he tilted his head. ¡°What words?¡±
[They are very¡ revolting.] MEGAN¡¯s voice started to quiver. [I don¡¯t know if I should tell you too.]
¡°What is it?¡± Julian¡¯s grip on his cane tightened.
[They are¡ They wrote that they would¡ rape her if she doesn¡¯t pay up soon.] MEGAN¡¯s voice slowly became mechanical. [And then sell her organs. They wrote all of it in red paint, Julian¡ªthe color of blood.]
¡°What¡?¡± A squeeze whispered in the air as Julian gritted his teeth.
[They wrote it everywhere, Julian.] MEGAN seemed to reflect Julian¡¯s growing wrath.
¡°Do you still have their IDs saved?¡± Julian could barely contain the tremble in his voice.
[Yes.]
¡°Then¡ We¡¯ll pay them a visit tonight.¡±
First Halloween Special: A Very Hot, Steamy Halloween
____________________________________________
Earth. Sky Net. Julian¡¯s Apartment. Year 94XX. 2 years before participating in the Otherworld Project.
____________________________________________
¡°Trust me, Julian! This would look very good on you!¡±
[I agree. I wholeheartedly agree 1000%]
¡°Can the two of you at least tell me who I am dressing up as?¡±
¡°I already told you! You¡¯re hot Dracula!¡±
¡°W¡ª¡±
Halloween¡ªa tradition of the planet Earth that withstood the test of time even after thousands and thousands of years. Wars passed and entire civilizations moved to the moon and several other planets, and yet Halloween has forever remained in the hearts of people.
They have forgotten how it started, but it did not matter at all. It was a brief moment of time when adults with responsibilities could dress up and act wildly like children again.
And right now, with a weight literally being inserted inside his mouth, Julian¡¯s costume was complete.
¡°What did you put inside my mouth?¡± Julian licked the thing attached to his teeth, only to feel a soft sharpness brushing the tip of his tongue.
¡°...Fangs, Julian.¡± Ellie sighed, wiping her finger on her own costume before finally standing beside Julian and wrapping her hands around his arm, ¡°Dracula¡¯s a vampire, and vampires have fangs.¡±
¡°...And who are you dressed up as?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side as he felt the soft feathers touch him¡ or perhaps it was fur?
¡°I¡¯m your werewolf girlfriend.¡± Ellie shrugged as she started dragging Julian out of the apartment, ¡°Now come on, we¡¯re going to miss the party!¡±
¡°There¡¯s¡ a party?¡± Julian hesitated, ¡°But I was supposed to finish a sword I was¡ª¡±
¡°Julian.¡± Ellie groaned and sighed as she hastened her pace, quickly getting onto the elevator before Julian could decide to completely stay for the night, ¡°Forget about your knives. Forget about everything else and just enjoy dressing up and partying for now¡ªthere¡¯s more to the world than just this apartment and your¡ your swords.¡±
¡°I know there is more to the world, Ellie¡¡± Julian quietly hummed as he felt the elevator descend, ¡°...But everything that I want and need is already within my reach¡ªyou.¡±
¡°That¡¡± Ellie almost choked on her own breath, ¡°...Please don¡¯t say things like that in public. I¡ I might want to return home quickly.¡±
¡°Then perhaps I should say more things like that so we¡¯ll go home.¡± A hint of a smile crawled on Julian¡¯s face, ¡°But are we really going to a party¡? I don¡¯t think what I¡¯m wearing will be appropriate for it.¡±
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¡°Oh, how so¡?¡± Ellie asked as the elevator doors opened.
¡°I can feel the wind on my chest and stomach,¡± Julian muttered as he patted his chest, which was bare for everyone to see. He was only wearing a long leather coat and pants¡ªand complimented by a long, silky white wig.
His chest and rock-hard abs, open for everyone to appreciate.
¡°Well¡¡± Ellie giggled as she walked ahead while still holding his hand, turning around and smiling even though he couldn¡¯t see her, ¡°...I want to flaunt you to the world, Julian. I want everyone to see that you and I belong to each other.¡±
¡°You and I do belong to each other.¡± Julian tilted his head, ¡°Why do the others matter?¡±
¡°They don¡¯t.¡± Ellie sighed as she returned to Julian¡¯s side and walked beside him; guiding him across the neon streets of the Ground Level, ¡°Nothing else matters besides us. But still¡
¡I want them to know that you¡¯re mine.¡±
______________________________
Ground Level. The Sauvage - Medieval Themed Bar.
______________________________
¡°I¡¯ll go get us some drinks, Julian! Do you want anything!?¡±
¡°Water.¡±
¡°Try something more exciting, please!¡±
¡°Water¡ with ice.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ good!¡±
Julian was having a hard time making out which footsteps were Ellie¡¯s as she walked away. His senses, being drowned by all the music, murmurs, and the drumming of everyone¡¯s bodies as they caused the very floor itself to quake from their dance.
He had lived for more than 25 years, and yet this might be the first time he actually stepped on a club¡ªand this might be the last time¡ªif there was ever a moment in the future when he returned to a place like this, well¡ it would probably be because of Ellie again.
The only thing he could do now to prevent sensory overload was to grab the high-top table in front of him, focusing on only himself and nothing else. But alas, the silence he wanted to achieve was short-lived as MEGAN suddenly screamed in his mind.
[Ah! Warning, Julian! Warning! Hostiles approaching!]
¡°Hostiles? What are you¡ª¡±
¡°Hi there, are you with someone?¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side as he heard several voices approach him, ¡°Are they talking to me, MEGAN?¡±
[Yes! Be careful, Julian. Just from the thickness of their makeup alone, they are up to no good¡ªthey are barely even wearing anything! Do they even call that costumes!?]
¡°Yes.¡± Julian answered the strangers, ¡°I am with someone.¡±
¡°Well, we don¡¯t see anyone.¡± The women giggled, surrounding Julian and moving awfully close to him; some even letting their fingers wander across Julian¡¯s thick chest, ¡°Why don¡¯t you join us instead and we could¡ have some fun?¡±
¡°No, thank you.¡± Julian didn¡¯t hesitate at all, ¡°I¡¯m with someone.¡±
¡°Stop being so boring¡ if you want, we can go to the back and you can do it with all of us.¡± The woman giggled, ¡°You seem strong, I know you can¡ hold all of us. I¡¯ll¡ even let you do it in the back.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Julian hummed.
¡°We¡¯re serious¡ we¡¯ll let you do it.¡±
¡°I do not know what all of you mean by that.¡± Julian let out a small sigh as he was starting to get annoyed.
¡°They meant this, Julian.¡±
And before anyone else could react or respond, Ellie suddenly came to Julian¡¯s rescue¡ªwell, if it could actually be called rescue as she just slipped past the other women, wrapping her arms around Julian¡¯s neck before sticking her tongue into his mouth.
And she did not stop there at all, she even lifted one of her legs and rubbed it across Julian¡¯s thigh.
¡°Well¡¡± Ellie leaned away, a grin crawling across her lips as she wiped them with her fingers. She wasn¡¯t only wiping a mixture of both their saliva, no¡ªshe was also wiping blood, her blood as her lips were nicked by Julian¡¯s sharp fangs, ¡°...Why don¡¯t we leave and just go home for the night, Julian?¡±
¡°Are you sure?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side, ¡°But we just got here.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Ellie let out a small giggle as she pulled Julian away, ¡°I¡¯ve already shown them you¡¯re mine. MEGAN should have seen the horror on their faces, pft.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian just once again hummed as he let Ellie drag him away, ¡°I am still curious about something, Ellie.¡±
¡°Hm? What is it¡?¡±
¡°When they said about doing it in the back, what did they mean by that?¡± Julian asked.
¡°Oh¡¡± And a soft, and very long breath escaped Ellie¡¯s lips as soon as she heard that, ¡°Well¡
¡I suppose I¡¯ll have to quench your curiosity now. You seem to be a little thirsty tonight, Julian.¡±
¡°Well¡ you didn¡¯t get me the water with ice, Ellie.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ not what I meant.¡±
And so, the supposed long night of the couple became short-lived¡ªoutside, that is.
Because as soon as they returned to their apartment, the real horror began¡ªfor MEGAN, that is. The scenes she had experienced that night were something she wished to delete¡ªbut alas, it would forever remain in her memory.
It was a hot, steamy night filled with horrors for her.
[No. Stop... Stop!]
Chapter 34: My Forge
¡°Hm¡¡±
Julian was once again standing beside a sleeping Ellie, listening to the gentle rhythm of her breaths. He tried not to move, heck, he almost even didn¡¯t breathe himself as he was afraid to disturb the fragile peace she was finally able to embrace in her dreams.
The faint hum of the Sky Net crept through the windows, but here, with Ellie, everything just faded.
Each of her little movements whispered into Julian¡¯s ears¡ªeven the rustle of the blanket as her chest rose from breathing. It was¡ nice.
Truly, peaceful.
¡°Tss¡¡± This peace, however, was only on the outside of Julian¡¯s mind¡ªas his insides were currently in complete turmoil. He remembered the doctor¡¯s words to him, as well as MEGAN¡¯s. They beat her up to the point that her bones were shattered, to the point that the hospital had to reconstruct her entire body¡
¡and then as if that wasn¡¯t enough, they still threatened her.
Julian could hear it¡ªEllie¡¯s screams as they beat her up, probably stepped on her, pulled on her hair.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian¡¯s head trembled, tilting to the side as if wanting to remove the noises from his mind.
And then, MEGAN¡¯s voice broke the silence.
[Julian,] her voice whispered in his mind, calm and clear. [I found our first guy. He¡¯s nearby.]
Julian¡¯s head became still, but his body straightened slightly at the words.
[He¡¯s at a club on the Ground Level. We need to move fast¡ªhe¡¯s getting wasted and we won¡¯t be able to ask him questions soon, Julian.]
¡°Okay,¡± Julian closed his eyes, exhaling slowly through his nose. ¡°We¡¯ll... be fast.¡±
[I don¡¯t think that will be possible, Julian¡ªthis will be a very long night for the both of us.]
¡°Hm¡¡±, and with a breath Julian stepped back from the bed. He then grabbed the mask that was hanging on his neck¡ªthe mask that he uses to filter out whatever pollution was left in The Below.
Tonight, however, it would serve another purpose.
Julian placed it over his mouth; the straps tightening by themselves as he turned around and walked away.
¡°If that¡¯s so¡ then let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±
[We¡¯re getting close, Julian.]
Julian¡¯s steps were tapping very lightly through the crowded streets of the Ground Level¡ªas its name suggests, it¡¯s the lowest part of the Sky Net; covering almost the entire planet and mimicking the land below it.
But it wasn¡¯t like The Below at all, no. It was clean, bright even. It was alive with energy¡ªa chaotic mix of music, laughter, and arguments spilling out of bars and clubs. The neon lights flickered in the streets almost mixing in with the aurora that was clearly visible above them. The air was cold tonight, almost enough to bite one¡¯s skin¡ but all of these were nothing for Julian.
He doesn¡¯t see or acknowledge any of them at all¡ªright now, he is elsewhere. The mask helped him blend in the sea of people, and since he was not using his cane at all, he just looked like everybody else¡which is exactly what he needed.
[This is it, Julian] MEGAN¡¯s voice remained the loudest thing he could hear amongst the sea of noises. [You should know, there are a lot of people at the entrance of the club.]
He could already hear the music throbbing from the club, the thick pulse of bass making the air vibrate. And he could hear the people too, falling in line to be drowned by the noise.
[I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any other entrance, Julian. We need to slip past all the people and the bouncer.]
¡°Okay.¡± Julian slowed down as he adjusted his mask, following MEGAN¡¯s subtle guidance as she directed him through the shifting groups of people; his hands very subtly brushing against them, but not enough for him to be noticed.
No one noticed him at all, all of them were busy talking to each other, looking at their phones, or some were just downright already intoxicated to even care about anything.
[Now, there¡¯s a gap¡ªmove to your left, and start bobbing your head to the music. The bouncer is still facing our direction. Wait¡ wait¡ Go!]
Julian didn¡¯t hesitate as he slipped into the narrow space between two rowdy partygoers who were in the line as soon as he heard MEGAN¡¯s signal. And soon, he was hugging the walls of the building.
[Stick to the walls and act like you¡¯re supposed to be there.]
The neon sign of the club above him moved and danced, a complete contrast of how still he was in the shadows, unseen¡ªor perhaps no one just cared at all. He stayed there for a few more seconds until MEGAN told him to move inside the club as soon as someone stepped out; the bouncer, busy with all the other people, did not even notice him going inside at all. And just like that¡ª
[And¡ you¡¯re in,] MEGAN said, clearly satisfied with herself. [Good job.]
¡ªAnd almost instantly, the sounds of the city faded behind him, replaced by the banging sound of the speakers as soon as he stepped inside the club.
Unfortunately, Julian and MEGAN weren¡¯t as stealthy as they thought they were, as they weren¡¯t even able to take three steps before someone blocked their path¡well, something¡ªit was an android, hovering right in front of him and blocking his path.
[Unauthorized presence detected,] the android beeped. [Please, go back to the line or we will be forced to ban you for an indefinite amount of time.]
¡°I¡ª¡±
Before Julian could respond, MEGAN¡¯s voice cut in. [Let me handle this old-generation unit, Julian.]
¡°...Okay.¡± Julian sighed as he just let MEGAN do her thing. And not even a second later, it was almost as if he could hear the android¡¯s internal brain whirring and being confused by whatever MEGAN was doing to it.
And after several more seconds, the android hovered to the side and gestured to Julian to enter. [You make a fine point. Please, welcome to the Velvet Cat¡ªas apologies for the misunderstanding, you can have free drinks from the bar. Our courtesy.]
¡°...Thank you.¡± Julian¡¯s eyes narrowed as he stepped past the android before it could change its mind. ¡°What did you do to it, MEGAN? Did you hack into it?¡±
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
[I¡¯m not a criminal, Julian.] MEGAN scoffed, [I just convinced it that we are VIPs¡ªthose old generation units are gullible. And look lively, you¡¯re in a club.]
The club was alive with neon lights and pulsing energy. Every movement, every flicker of bass and chaotic steps was amplified in Julian¡¯s heightened senses; the noise, enough to overwhelm him for a moment.
[Julian, turn on the lights of your mask,] MEGAN instructed. [Let¡¯s blend in.]
Julian reached up to his face, pressing a small button on the side of his mask. And as he did so, a small hum whispered from his mask, followed by a sharp streak of purple neon lights that started to trail across its surface¡ªand as MEGAN said¡ they¡¯ve officially blended in with the crowd.
[Our target is in a VIP booth on the second floor,] MEGAN said. [Turn your head slightly left¡ª10 o¡¯clock. There should be stairs there.]
Julian shifted his gaze.
[Confirmed. Let''s head toward it.]
He followed MEGAN¡¯s instructions, letting her guide him through the crowd. Despite the chaos around him, Julian¡¯s focus remained sharp, his movements precise.
Julian continued moving through the mass of bodies, following MEGAN¡¯s direction. The crowd in the club was wild, very much so.
¡°Oh, what¡¯s this now?¡± And it didn¡¯t take long at all before several people¡ªmen included¡ªbegan gravitating toward him.
The mixture of scents was overwhelming¨Cno¨Coverpowering. Sweat, perfume, and a hint of vomit violated Julian¡¯s nose. And as if that wasn¡¯t enough, they started placing their hands on his chest. And before long, someone grabbed him by the waist.
¡°Hey there, big boy,¡± a woman¡¯s voice slurred, her words barely distinguishable over the pounding music. More hands reached for him, pulling him closer, attempting to draw him into the hypnotic rhythm of the club.
Julian was about to pull away. But before he could act, MEGAN¡¯s voice stopped him.
[This is good, Julian. Dance with one of them.]
¡°Why¡?¡± Julian whispered.
[Just do it, the law of the jungle will make a path for us.]
¡°The law¡ of the jungle?¡± Julian hesitated for a second, but he soon turned toward one of the women, his glowing blue eyes piercing through the dim neon light. She stared back at him, mesmerized. Julian moved slightly, his head bobbing awkwardly to the beat of the music¡ªit was a weird sight, as his face was not moving at all.
But still, it didn¡¯t take long before MEGAN¡¯s theory proved correct.
The woman he was dancing with noticed others trying to get close to him, her face immediately twisting into a scowl. The others, sensing competition, started closing in. And now, like the wildlife documentary of the past, it has become less of a dance and more of a territorial battle.
¡°What the hell, back off!¡± one of the women yelled, shoving another away, ¡°I was here first!¡±
¡°Uh, did you just touch me, you bitch!?¡±
¡°Who pulled on my hair!?¡±
And soon, the taps and light shoves turned into full-blown chaos. The crowd erupted¡ªdrinks, spit, and insults flying everywhere¡ªbut of course¡ Julian was able to dodge all of it with his quick reflexes.
It didn¡¯t take long for the bouncers to notice the commotion and even the ones guarding the stairs to the 2nd floor joined in to prevent the chaos from growing any further.
[Now¡¯s your chance, Julian,] MEGAN urged. [The bouncers are distracted. Slip through the stairs¡ªgo!]
Julian ducked low, moving swiftly and silently past the growing commotion. Everyone was too busy either cheering or taking videos of what was happening to even care for Julian as he took to the stairs.
He reached the second floor, and almost instantly, the music here changed¡ªit was still as noisy as the ground level, but it was different. The atmosphere here seemed more quiet, but more intense. Private booths lined the walls, filled with people indulging in every vice imaginable¡ªdrugs, drinks, and¡ more.
¡°Hey, who let you up here?¡± Unfortunately for Julian, the momentary distraction caused him not to notice that there was actually another person there who was as sober as him.
[No more point in stealth, Julian,] MEGAN¡¯s voice was calm, but direct. [Take him down quickly. Remember to use light force, you¡¯re stronger than¡ª.]
Julian rushed toward the bouncer even before MEGAN could finish her words, he had already heard where his voice came from¡ªand that meant his chin was just right below it.
¡°What the¡ª¡±
Julian¡¯s hand shot up, striking the bouncer under the chin with his palm in a swift, brutal motion. The man fell like a marionette, his legs instantly failing. If it wasn¡¯t for Julian catching his head, he would have probably hit it on the railing beside him.
[He¡¯s alive. Move on,] MEGAN reassured him. [You don¡¯t need to be too careful, everyone here is too out of it to care about what¡¯s happening.]
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed as he casually started walking forward; his head turned to the booths so that MEGAN start searching for their target¡ªwell, as it turns out, targets.
[Stop], Julian instantly halted as he heard MEGAN¡¯s voice. [I¡¯ve found him¡ªand lucky. I also recognized the other man. They¡¯re with 4 women, but you do not have to worry, they¡¯re completely out of it.]
¡°Okay¡¡± Julian casually approached the booth, very gently carrying them out with MEGAN¡¯s guidance as he didn¡¯t want to involve anyone else in what he was about to do. And as MEGAN said it, the women did not move at all¡ªeven the two loan sharks were just groaning and waving their hands when they noticed him.
It wasn¡¯t until Julian sat with them that one of them actually acknowledged him.
¡°Huh¡? Who¡ arve you shupposed to be, huh? I told¡ I told that Jerry dude¡ that we will be here the whole¡ª¡±
Before the man could finish his barely comprehensible sentence, Julian slammed his head into the table with a force that made the entire booth vibrate. Julian then casually pushed him to the side like a wet rag.
The other thug who was on the other side of the boot was shocked, and the sound quickly woke him up from whatever drugs were running in his veins. He quickly scrambled to pull out something from his waist, but before he could actually do so, Julian kicked the table toward him¡ªthe table, which was actually fixed on the floor.
¡°Gkhuh!?¡± The man wheezed as he felt the table violently slam to his stomach, and from the snapping sound that whispered in the air, he might have broken a rib or two. The thing he was grabbing from his waist, revealed itself to be a gun as it slid away from his hands and onto the floor.
Julian moved quickly toward the man, tapping him several times before finding his neck and pulling him closer toward him¡ªplacing him right next to him. The man groaned in pain as he clutched his stomach; he wanted to say something, but vomit came first.
¡°What¡ what do you want?¡± The man gagged and tried his best to say something. ¡°You¡ªAgh!¡±
Unfortunately for him, his efforts did not matter at all as Julian snapped one of his fingers in half before he could finish his words.
¡°What¡ what do you want!?¡± The man repeated his words, but now it was filled with dread and desperation¡ªhe knew. He knew that this man wasn¡¯t going to leave here until he got what he wanted. And from how Julian was just quietly watching him and letting the silence stretch¡ he truly meant business.
But finally, after a few more seconds, Julian opened his mouth. ¡°Where is your headquarters?¡±
¡°What¡?¡± The man blinked, ¡°What do you mean¡ªGah!¡±
And once again, Julian snapped another finger.
¡°Chow Chow Fried Rice is a virtual office,¡± Julian continued as if he did not just casually snap the thug¡¯s finger, ¡°Where is your real headquarters?¡±
¡°I¡ I don¡¯t know what you¡ª¡±
Slam!
A loud thud erupted in the air along with the music as Julian smashed the thug¡¯s head¡ªnot the man who was speaking to him, but the one who was already unconscious; he slammed his head again, and this time on the floor.
[Julian! You might kill him!]
¡°Detroit! It¡¯s in Detroit!¡± And upon hearing the cracking noise, the conscious thug raised both his hands in the air; flinching and afraid of what this large man might do to him. ¡°In The Below! We¡ we¡¯re in the tunnel leading to Windsor!¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian just immediately stood up and walked away from the booth. ¡°Thank you for telling me.¡±
¡°You¡¯re¡ you¡¯re leaving?¡± Relief flashed across the thug¡¯s face, but alas, it was short-lived. ¡°Who even¡ª¡± Before he could utter another word, Julian struck him with a sharp blow to the chin, knocking him out cold. The man¡¯s body slumped to the floor, joining his unconscious partner.
[That was¡ a little excessive, but I understand. Well done for holding yourself back, Julian.] MEGAN¡¯s voice hummed in his mind. [I¡¯ve already booked a taxi for us.]
¡°I¡ want to be beside Ellie as soon as possible.¡± Julian whispered as he patted and dusted his hands.
He casually stepped down from the second floor, his neon mask once again blending in with the crowd¡ who were still flinging their spit and fists on the dance floor even though the one who was responsible for the chaos was already slipping out of the club.
[LSB 6963. I see the taxi, Julian.]
And when Julian stepped outside, the musky and humid air that wrapped his body finally faded away. MEGAN spotted the taxi waiting for him by the curb and headed toward it, slipping inside without even thinking about the chaos he left behind.
[Destination: The Old Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Please fasten your seatbelts.]
The taxi hummed softly as it moved through the dimly lit streets, hovering in the air before heading towards the lower levels of The Below.
[Are you sure about all of this, Julian?] MEGAN broke the silence before it could fall. [You can still back out¡ªthere is no going back after this.]
¡°Do you want me to back out?¡± Julian asked as he rested his head back.
[My priority is your safety, Julian.] MEGAN whispered, [And what you are about to do is not safe at all, and you have authorized me to call the corresponding authorities whenever situations like this happen, Julian Winters.]
¡°...And are you?¡± Julian whispered, ¡°Going to call them?¡±
[...No.] MEGAN¡¯s voice turned deep and almost mechanical, [They have to pay for what they did to Ellie.]
Slowly, the bright neon lights and immaculate structures of the Sky Net faded away as they descended deeper into the planet¡ªthe buildings were still as high, but not as marvelous as above as they reached the Below.
The streets became narrower, polluted with buildings that were stuck to each other like legos.
¡°We¡¯re back¡¡± Julian whispered as soon as he heard the familiar noise of the Below, ¡°...Back to where I actually belong.¡±
[Don¡¯t you dare say something like that again, Julian.] MEGAN¡¯s voice became firm, [I told you to get rid of that self-loathing edgy bullshit already.]
¡°I¡¯m not¡¡± Julian hummed, ¡°...I truly feel this way, MEGAN. I truly do.¡±
[...How so?]
¡°I¡¯m blind¡ and different from other people. I am aware of that, aware of all of that.¡± Julian¡¯s hands started to roll into fists. ¡°And if it weren¡¯t for Ellie, if it weren¡¯t for you¡ I would be living in the lowest parts of the Below, MEGAN. I am a Reject of Humanity, I¡¯m lucky to even be alive.¡±
[Julian, I¡ª]
¡°You and Ellie¡¡± Julian''s mask trembled as his voice turned deep, almost¡ animalistic, ¡°...The two of you are my sanctuary, the¡ forge where I am created. And I want them to know¡ I want them to know what happens to those who sully my sacred place¡
¡I want them to know that they shouldn¡¯t do that.¡±
[Do not kill anyone, Julian. This is not Artemia¡ªlaws apply to you here.]
¡°I¡¯m not going to kill anyone.¡± Julian leaned forward; his words slightly prolonged and stretched, ¡°How would they know if I kill them? No, MEGAN¡
¡I am just going to talk to them.¡±
Chapter 35: The End to a Very Long Night
[We¡¯re here.]
¡°Hm.¡±
Julian snapped out of whatever stupor he was having as MEGAN¡¯s voice whispered in his mind. From the colorful neons of the Sky Net and some parts of The Below, the place where the taxi parked was completely devoid of any of that.
The taxi parked next to the tunnel, it was old¡ªincredibly so. MEGAN told him that it was once used for vehicles to travel from one island to the next, but now it was home to squatters¡ and criminals. And as Julian stepped out of the taxi, he immediately felt the weight of all the stares of the people there¡ and there were a lot.
People loitered around the taxi, some even following him as he made his way to the tunnel entrance; all of them, watching him with suspicion and curiosity.
¡°Oi!¡±
One of them even started to approach Julian, perhaps to ask why he was there¡ or perhaps to borrow money. But as soon as they saw Julian¡¯s blue eyes glow through the dim lights of The Below, they all quickly backed off.
And it would seem everyone just took that sign to leave him alone, as they all scurried away like cockroaches¡ªnot wanting to be involved with whatever was going to happen.
They knew it. These people may be the lowest of the lows, but they were very much survivors too. And they could feel it¡ they needed to avoid Julian as much as they could.
Julian could hear all of their footsteps as he stepped inside the tunnel; the noise, all mixing in his ears. And it was weird¡ªeven though the club was a lot noisier than the tunnel he was in right now, it was almost as if he felt himself even more drowned in this place.
The tunnel itself was¡ intoxicating.
The tunnel had become a sanctuary for the desperate¡ªand it was a perfect place for the loan sharks that hurt Ellie to be in. The squatters all huddled in the dark, using whatever scraps they could find to build their homes.
Julian knew it. He knew that he would be one of these people if it weren¡¯t for Ellie. After his parents died, the planet would have surely thrown someone like him here¡ and he would have died the very same night they would do so.
He continued to walk through the passage, trying to ignore all the whispers of desperation that almost deafened him. Fortunately for Julian, MEGAN¡¯s voice replaced all of it soon enough.
[There, Julian! 2 O¡¯clock!] MEGAN whispered loudly in his mind. [I recognize the man walking ahead of you. Let¡¯s follow him.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as his senses focused on the footsteps of the man MEGAN told him to follow. It wasn¡¯t that hard to follow the man at all¡ªbecause unlike most of the people in the tunnel, his steps actually had a destination, a purpose.
MEGAN guided him through the tunnel¡¯s winding paths, almost like a maze. But soon, however, they reached some sort of clearing where one structure stood above the rest. Unlike the other houses which were made of scraps and debris, the structure was a real building.
[He entered a house, Julian,] MEGAN confirmed. [That¡¯s most likely their base of operations.]
¡°...Can we enter through the windows?¡±
[...There are no windows. The only door is the entrance.]
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian tilted his head slightly to the side as if trying to listen to something. ¡°...I think I hear a generator somewhere.¡±
[Ah, good thinking!]
¡°But¡ I can¡¯t really pinpoint where it is with all the echo,¡± Julian shook his head.
[Let¡¯s survey the house, then.] MEGAN hummed, [Be careful not to be seen by anyone. Although¡ I don¡¯t think anyone really cares about you right now, they¡¯re even avoiding me. Well, your gaze, but you know what I mean.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian just casually walked toward the side of the house, quickly placing his palm and brushing it across the wall. And very soon, his hand led him to where the quiet and subtle vibration was coming from.
It was a large, metallic case attached to the side of the building. And without even waiting for anything else, he grabbed the cover; his hand, very slightly denting the sides of the panel.
He placed his other hand on the wall as he put all of his strength into prying the cover open¡ªand after what seemed like a quarter of a minute, he was finally able to pull it out.
[Alright!] MEGAN quickly cheered. [I see the fission battery, Julian. It¡¯s cylindrical and placed horizontally inside the case¡ªcareful not to pull it out too quickly.]
And even though Julian¡¯s fingers were still tingling and in pain from having pulled out the thin metal cover from its hinges, he quickly but carefully patted the inside of the case until he felt something warm¡ and cylindrical as MEGAN described it.
[Carefully, Julian. Be very careful.]
And even more carefully, he pulled out the fission core with the help of MEGAN.
Julian lightly grabbed the cylinder with both hands, his movements as slow and deliberate as possible as he began to slide it out of the case. The hum of the generator grew louder for a moment, then suddenly stopped as the fission battery came free.
The lights in the tunnel flickered for a brief second¡ before all of it plunged into complete darkness.
¡°What the!?¡±
¡°Oh man, I was trying to work on my portfolio!¡±
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
¡°Repent! Everyone repent! The end is near!¡±
[...Oops.] MEGAN¡¯s voice echoed in his mind along with the groans and frustration of the people in the tunnel. [Looks like the entire tunnel¡¯s power source was connected to this. No wonder no one¡¯s stealing it.]
¡°We¡¯ll return it once we¡¯re done¡¡± Julian sighed as he placed the battery in his pocket. The sounds of confusion of the people, getting wilder and louder by the second due to the darkness that now surrounded them.
For Julian, however, it didn¡¯t matter at all. The darkness that he had been trying to detach from his entire life¡ was now his ally.
[Let¡¯s go, Julian. I will turn off my lights for a bit.]
Julian walked back to the front of the building, and just right in time, as the door creaked open.
¡°I bet it¡¯s one of those fucking cocksuckers again! And why didn¡¯t any of you bring a flashlight!?¡±
¡°Can you stop complaining!? Just go, go!¡±
Several men stumbled out of the door, cursing and swearing as they clumsily rushed to check the generator. None of them even noticed Julian as he kept the door open and entered inside.
Inside the house, the air was musty, the scent of sweat and cheap alcohol clinging to the walls. It was eerily quiet now, with only the faint sound of voices coming from deeper within.
Julian¡¯s hand brushed lightly against the walls as he moved, feeling the subtle vibrations of the building. He was halfway down the hallway when a loud voice broke the silence.
¡°What are you idiots doing!? Why are the lights not on yet!?¡±
The voice came from the end of the hallway¡ªgruff and irritated.
[Oh? That¡¯s probably the boss, Julian.] MEGAN whispered.
Julian followed the voice, but as he neared the door where it was coming from¡ªhe ducked.
Wiing!
A sudden whoosh of air cut through the darkness, and Julian just ducked in time to avoid the massive fist that made it. It was then followed by the sound of metal scraping against the wall.
And just with that, Julian knew what¡ªor who¡ªhe was actually dealing with.
It was one of the thugs from the hospital¡ªthe large man with the cybernetic arm.
¡°Who the hell are you!?¡± the thug growled. His eyes, glowing red.
[Careful, Julian,] MEGAN sounded amused, [His eyes are enhanced¡ªhe can see you.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian only tilted his body to the side as the thug took another swing at him. This time, however, he also moved ahead and grabbed hold of his cybernetic arm. He then placed his foot on the man¡¯s thigh while the fingers of his other hand dug through the metal joint near the shoulder.
Julian might not be able to rip apart whatever material the arm was made of just yet¡ but flesh and bone were a different matter entirely.
With a sharp, brutal twist, Julian ripped the arm clean off the thug¡¯s body. The sound of tearing flesh and grinding metal echoed in the hallway, followed by a guttural scream of pain.
¡°G¡Graah!¡±
The thug howled, stumbling backward as blood and oil poured from the stump where his arm used to be.
¡°You¡ª¡± And before the man could make any more noise, Julian lightly slapped him with his metal arm; lightly, but enough to cause him to slam toward the wall.
¡°What¡ what was that!?¡± A different voice came from what MEGAN and Julian assumed to be the boss¡¯ office. The door soon creaked open, revealing a man who was holding a large, portable bulb that effectively lit up the entire room.
The man was about to step out when he saw Julian suddenly block his path. And since Julian was holding a severed metal arm, the man completely froze in shock.
¡°What the¡ª¡± And before he could utter the words he wanted to say, Julian¡¯s hand slowly and very casually reached out for the bulb he was holding¡ and crushed it even more casually.
And just like that, darkness once more.
¡°H¡huh¡?¡± The man could really only take a step back as he heard Julian step inside the office. Julian completely ignored him, however, as the sound of him closing the door creaked in the air¡ªit was then followed by a click.
¡°Derek!? What¡¯s going on!?¡± The boss¡¯ voice resounded in the darkness, ¡°Who was that!? Who¡ª¡±
And before the boss could finish his words, a loud rumble exploded inside the room. He didn¡¯t know what it was at first, but as he reached his hand out to get the gun from beneath his desk¡ he realized that the sound came from his desk crashing through the wall.
¡°Who¡ who¡¯s there!?¡± The boss stammered as he took several steps back until he couldn¡¯t anymore. ¡°What¡ what do you want!? Don¡¯t you know who we are!?¡±
The boss was starting to panic, and yet Julian remained quiet the entire time; the only sound he heard from him was a small whirr as MEGAN¡¯s lights turned on again.
¡°W¡ what the!?¡± The boss¡¯ terrified expression revealed itself; his eyes trembling as he stared at Julian¡¯s. ¡°What do you want!? Money? We have money!¡±
Still, Julian remained silent. But after letting the silence persist for several seconds longer, he finally spoke up.
"I want you to operate as far away from this area as possible," Julian whispered, but the boss heard his words loud and clear.
¡°What¡?¡± The boss blinked in confusion, sweat dripping down his face. ¡°What do you mean? Who sent you? Wait¡ are you Bulldog¡¯s man!? We have a truce, why are you¡ª¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know who that is.¡± Julian tilted his head slightly, his focus unwavering.
[Found him, Julian. Wow, these criminals really shouldn¡¯t be using social media.] MEGAN whispered.
¡°Then who¡ª¡±
¡°Move to the other side of the planet,¡± Julian¡¯s voice started to turn cold as he heard MEGAN¡¯s words.
¡°And forget your business here¡ Edward. Take Fatima and Linette with you and get as far away from here as possible.¡±
The boss, Edward, trembled as he heard his name being mentioned, but it wasn¡¯t until he heard the name of his wife and daughter that he almost choked there and then.
¡°H-How do you know their names?¡± the boss stammered. ¡°Don¡¯t¡ don¡¯t you dare bring my family into this! They have nothing to do with¡ª¡±
Julian placed his hand on the boss¡¯ shoulder¡ªhe didn¡¯t grab it, he just lightly placed it there to cut his words off. ¡°I won¡¯t harm them, Edward. That¡¯s against the law. But I will visit them tonight... just to let you know I¡¯m serious.¡±
¡°W¡what?¡± The boss¡¯ breaths became heavy. ¡°I¡¯ll¡ I¡¯ll go. I¡¯ll leave, tonight. Just¡ don¡¯t go near them. Please, you¡ you won¡¯t even see me tomorrow.¡±
¡°Then you don¡¯t mind me staying with you until you leave, Edward?¡± Julian hummed.
¡°Ye¡ª¡±
And before the boss could respond, the lights suddenly flickered back on. The boss could not help but just squint his eyes from the harsh light, but after a few seconds, he fully opened them again¡ only to see the large metal arm that Julian was carrying with him.
And he knew there and then¡ this threat was very real.
"Y¡Yes!¡± The boss raised his voice and nodded several times. ¡°You¡you can stay and watch me leave. You can even tell me where to go! Just¡ just don''t hurt my family."
¡°Okay¡¡± Julian just moved away from the boss and made his way to the side of the room; resting his back close to where he threw the desk.
¡°Let¡ please let me call my wife first. She would¡ª¡±
"Wait a minute¡"
And before the boss could finish his request, the other man in the room stepped forward and pointed directly at Julian.
¡°...I know who you are! You¡¯re that woman¡¯s retarded boyfriend!¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian quickly removed his back from the wall as the thug¡¯s words hung in the air for a couple of seconds.
And soon, it was followed by the boss¡¯ loud gasp; his face, pale and twisted.
¡°Are you fucking stupid!?¡± The boss screamed; his voice, filled with an intense desperation.
¡°H¡huh?¡± The thug blinked, confused at what he had done to deserve that. But then realization dawned on his face as he looked back at Julian, his own expression shifting to one of fear.
He just said something that he shouldn¡¯t have.
Julian let out a slow, deep breath¡ªit was quiet, but it carried a weight with it that made both men freeze.
¡°W¡wait, wait! Wait!¡± The boss'' throat cracked as he faced Julian, ¡°I¡ I don¡¯t know who you are, okay!? I don¡¯t deal with clients myself! If¡ if you want to kill someone, kill him! I don¡¯t know who you are!¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian took a half step forward. His head tilted to the side as he could hear MEGAN scream inside his mind over, and over, and over again.
¡°I¡¯m¡ truly sorry that it has to come to this,¡± Julian sighed.
¡°Then don¡¯t do this!¡± The boss kneeled and raised both his hands in front of his face. ¡°If you¡¯re sorry, then don¡¯t do this! You don¡¯t have to do this!¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian tilted his head once more.
¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ I wasn¡¯t talking to you.¡±
[Julian¡]
A few hours later, Julian was standing in front of a mirror; water dripping from his hair as he stared at his reflection¡ªno. As MEGAN started at his reflection.
[...You still have blood on your cheek.] MEGAN¡¯s voice was weak, incredibly so.
¡°Hm¡¡±
[The other side.]
Julian washed his face, careful not to drip any of the red from touching the towel hanging on his neck. No, he didn¡¯t just wash his face, he was scrubbing it. Hard.
[...It¡¯s clean, Julian.]
¡°Okay¡¡± Julian whispered as he slowly leaned away from the mirror and stepped out of the bathroom.
And the hotel, well¡it was as he left it. Ellie was still sleeping, she hadn¡¯t even moved. This time, however, Julian did not approach or go near her at all and just moved toward the chair that was facing the bed.
[Julian¡ talk to me,] MEGAN¡¯s voice cut through the silence, her tone softer than usual, almost hesitant.
¡°I will¡¡± Julian breathed out as his hand reached for the LinkGear that was resting on the table beside him.
[What are you doing? Are you seriously thinking about going to Artemia right now?]
¡°No¡¡± Julian hummed. ¡°I¡¯ll just let my clone eat something there and come back. I¡¯d like to be beside Ellie for now.¡±
And he did as he said. He transferred his consciousness to his clone in Artemia, he ate at the inn, and just immediately came back.
[Julian¡] MEGAN whispered as soon as Julian removed the LinkGear from his head. [...What we did tonight, it¡¯s¡ª]
¡°I¡ want to sleep for now,¡± Julian rested his head back on the chair. ¡°Is that okay?¡±
[Of¡ course, Julian.] MEGAN slightly hesitated. She wanted to say more, but she knew it would be useless for now. [It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve truly rested your mind.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian let out a slow breath, his body relaxing for the first time that night. ¡°Goodnight, MEGAN.¡±
[Goodnight, Julian,] MEGAN whispered, her voice soft, almost unsure.
And as Julian drifted off to sleep, MEGAN¡¯s last words whispered in the darkness of his mind.
[Julian¡ what have we done?]
Chapter 36: A Slice of a Normal Life For a Not So Normal Couple
¡°Julian¡? Julian¡ Julian!¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian woke up as he felt himself being shaken up.
¡°You fell asleep on the chair?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice softened now that he was awake. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you sleep in the bed?¡±
Julian¡¯s head tilted slightly at her question. ¡°We¡¯re¡ not together anymore.¡±
¡°What¡¡± Ellie paused in disbelief ¡°What do you mean ¡®not together¡¯? We just had sex last night, Julian. I¡¯m pretty sure that means we¡¯re back together.¡±
¡°Oh.¡± Julian blinked a few times. They did do that before he... went to meet with the loan sharks. ¡°Okay.¡±
¡°Ugh¡¡± Ellie groaned as she walked away for the bathroom. ¡°And why is your hair wet? If you were already awake earlier, you should have woken me up too. I feel so¡ sticky.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t want to wake you,¡± Julian replied as he touched his hair. Since it was still wet, it shouldn¡¯t have been long since he fell asleep.
¡°So¡ what are your plans today?¡± The sound of running water whispered from the bathroom as Ellie turned on the shower. ¡°Are you going back to that game?¡±
Julian lingered near the bathroom door, his ears listening carefully to her movements. ¡°No. I was planning on staying with you today.¡±
¡°Huh¡?¡± Ellie peeked out from the bathroom, already completely naked with only the steam covering her. ¡°What for? I¡¯m fine, really. Even the doc said there¡¯s no problem anymore.¡±
¡°I just want to spend time with you today,¡± Julian said.
¡°Seriously?¡± Ellie let out a long sigh as she closed the door. ¡°Seriously, Julian... I¡¯m fine.¡±
Her words didn¡¯t fool him at all. Julian could hear it clearly¡ªthrough the faint sound of the moving water, he could hear the tremble of her breaths¡ her cry. Julian stayed by the door for over an hour, just standing there listening to the sound of her sniffles.
And when she finally stepped out, she forced a smile, an expression she wore even though she knew Julian couldn¡¯t see her at all.
But she wanted to smile for him still.
¡°I¡¯m fine, Julian.¡±
¡°You are not fine,¡± Julian said, his tone unshakable. ¡°I would like to stay by your side, Ellie.¡±
Ellie let out another sigh, brushing her still-wet hair with her fingers. ¡°I¡¯m fine... How many times do I have to tell you?¡± She dropped the towel from her body, walking naked across the room to grab her clothes. She moved with the same ease and comfort she always had around him. ¡°If you stay with me, we¡¯ll just be stuck in this hotel doing... nothing. You can play your game. I¡¯m fine, Julian.¡±
Julian opened his mouth to protest, but Ellie cut him off before he could speak.
¡°How about this then?¡± Ellie asked as she started getting dressed, her voice turning lighter. ¡°Instead of you accompanying me, I¡¯ll accompany you. Before I slept last night, I talked to MEGAN, and she mentioned something about you meeting some... people? Some kind of celebration?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not important, Ellie,¡± Julian replied.
Ellie blinked, her frustration growing. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®not important¡¯?¡± She crossed the room quickly, grabbing Julian by the hands. ¡°Don¡¯t you know what kind of achievement that is?¡±
¡°I believe I can always earn the money¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯m not talking about the money!¡± Ellie shouted, shaking his arms lightly. ¡°Friends, Julian! You actually have friends now!¡±
¡°I have many friends,¡± Julian shrugged.
¡°Your knives don¡¯t count.¡±
¡°They¡¯re daggers,¡± Julian corrected her.
MEGAN, help me out here.¡± Ellie looked into Julian¡¯s eyes to try and get Ellie¡¯s opinion before looking at her phone on the nightstand. ¡°Why is MEGAN so quiet anyway? MEGAN? Can you call my phone?¡±
Several seconds passed with no response from MEGAN, causing Ellie to narrow her eyes in suspicion. ¡°Did¡ something happen last night while I was asleep? Did you and MEGAN get into a fight? You¡ª¡±
And then, the phone rang, and Ellie immediately answered it.
[I. Am. Here!] And contrary to Ellie¡¯s worries, MEGAN¡¯s voice was as jolly as ever.
¡°Are... you alright, MEGAN?¡± Ellie asked, approaching the phone cautiously.
[Oho¡ I¡¯m just a little busy being Julian¡¯s manager. I have a job now, you know, aside from being Julian¡¯s babysitter.] MEGAN¡¯s voice was extremely playful, trying her best not to make Ellie realize that something was going on.
¡°Right...¡± Ellie chuckled softly as she sat on the bed and started brushing her damp hair. ¡°What¡¯s got you so jumpy?¡±
[Cyrus called,] MEGAN explained. [He¡¯s wondering if Julian has time since the others are flying in. They¡¯ll be meeting on Topside New York in about an hour.]
Ellie¡¯s eyes widened as she paused in the middle of brushing. ¡°Topside New York...? Who are your friends, Julian? That¡¯s... like the most expensive part of the country¡ªno, the entire planet.¡±
¡°I do believe all of them are millionaires,¡± Julian said casually.
Million¡ª I... I guess that makes sense.¡± She glanced at the LinkGear, which alone cost Julian half of his apartment. ¡°You should really be keeping that in a vault. So... I¡¯ll just get dressed, and we¡¯ll go meet your friends? Please, Julian? If you want to stay beside me, let¡¯s not do it in a hotel because... well...a lot of things can happen.¡±
[Cyrus has already sold the information about the Hidden Quest, Julian,] MEGAN added with a nod. [It would be best to get our share in person¡ªit¡¯s common courtesy. Common.]
Julian hummed softly. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll wait for you to get dressed, Ellie.¡±
Ellie shook her head as she looked Julian over. ¡°Yeah... no. We¡¯re going to the Topside, Julian. You¡¯re not wearing that.¡±
¡°What¡¯s wrong with what I¡¯m wearing?¡± Julian patted his jacket. ¡°It looks fine from where I am standing.¡±
[Pft!] MEGAN burst into laughter, her voice crackling through Ellie¡¯s phone.
Ellie rolled her eyes, giving a scoffing laugh. ¡°No. You should still have plenty of money left... We¡¯re buying you something to wear before we meet with them.¡±
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
¡°Here, here it is! I¡¯ve always wanted to take you to this store! Let¡¯s go, Julian! Let¡¯s go!¡± Ellie¡¯s excitement bubbled up as she dragged Julian inside a large boutique.
¡°There¡¯s... not a lot of people in here.¡±
The mall was incredibly loud, with the people¡¯s whispers, the sound of their carts hovering in the air¡ªthe joyful music to blend them all together. But that orchestra disappeared as soon as they stepped inside the shop, causing Julian¡¯s head to slightly tilt to the side from the sudden change.
¡°Welcome to David Andrews¡¯, Madam, Sir.¡± A saleslady greeted them almost instantly. Julian could feel the warmth of something being offered to him.
¡°Hm?¡± he muttered, unsure what it was until MEGAN whispered in his ear.
[It¡¯s a warm towel, Julian. To freshen up.] MEGAN¡¯s voice sounded a little worried. [I think we should ask Ellie to go someplace else, Julian... I know we have money now, but this place might be a little too much.]
¡°MEGAN¡¯s saying something, isn¡¯t she?¡± Ellie smirked, as she stared Julian in the eyes. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t you want Julian to look like... he didn¡¯t just grab the first thing in his closet?¡±
[She¡¯s speaking the truth, Julian. Sorry.]
¡°That¡ª¡± Before Julian could respond, a man¡¯s voice approached from behind them.
¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s not the lady we¡¯re working on?¡± The voice was smooth and almost ridiculously friendly. Ellie could really only assume for him to be the tailor and maybe even the shop owner from how he looked. The tailor, however, was actually also staring at Ellie from head to toe. ¡°Really, really beautiful. Finally, some good-looking people in this store.¡±
¡°Oh, uh... thank you,¡± Ellie was slightly taken aback by the compliment.
¡°So, I¡¯m guessing this gentleman right here is the one who needs something?¡± The tailor shifted his attention to Julian, taking a quick scan of him. ¡°I¡¯ve already got your measurements locked in¡ªand what¡¯s the occasion?¡±
¡°We¡¯re meeting friends on Topside¡ª¡±
¡°Say less,¡± the tailor cut Ellie off the moment he heard the word Topside.
¡°Do you have any requests, Julian?¡± Ellie subtly tapped Julian.
¡°I want dark colors,¡± Julian said simply. ¡°Durable. Easy to move in.¡±
¡°I hear you. You¡¯re about 193... 6¡¯4¡± for the old folks still using those measurements. And that cane... oh, I have just the right design for you.¡± The tailor circled Julian, nodding in approval as he did so. ¡°Girls! Measurements, final touches!¡±
¡°Right this way, Sir. Ma¡¯am.¡± A saleslady gestured toward the fitting area, and Julian and Ellie followed deeper into the shop. Julian¡¯s heightened senses picked up the distinct smells of fabric¡ leather was the strongest one.
And as soon as they got there, Ellie was offered a beverage and asked to sit down on a large, obviously comfy sofa.
¡°Sir, please step into the scanner. Would you like any assistance?¡± The saleslady hesitated as she realized Julian was blind, her tone growing a little unsure.
¡°No, thank you,¡± Julian hummed. ¡°Do I need to take off my shirt?¡±
¡°It would make it easier for the scanner, but it¡¯s up to you, Sir.¡±
[I really hope Cyrus got a good deal on that Hidden Quest, Julian. This place is... I don''t know what Ellie was thinking bringing us here.]
¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, MEGAN... why did we sell the information on the hidden quest?¡± Julian asked as he stepped into the scanner.
[Because I don¡¯t fully trust Cyrus and his friends just yet.] MEGAN replied, her voice calm but cautious. [If we refused, they would easily guess that you have a [Unique] quest tying to a class change. People will eventually figure out about your Shadow Blacksmith class since you¡¯re a streamer now, but it would be best to be low-key for now since¡ªWhat are you doing, Julian!?]
¡°Julian!¡± Ellie nearly choked on the tea she had been sipping. How could she not when Julian just casually removed his shirt in front of the salesladies?
¡°I¡¯m... I¡¯m sorry!¡± The saleslady¡¯s eyes turned wide as she stared at Julian¡¯s incredibly toned and lean body. Perhaps a little too long before she decided to close to curtains and give Julian some privacy.
The saleslady then subtly glanced at Ellie to check if she was mad at her for staring at her boyfriend, but Ellie just let out a soft laugh while shaking her head.
[Julian, can we talk about what happened last night now?] And as soon as they had privacy, the tone of MEGAN''s voice shifted.
"I... would prefer not to, MEGAN." Julian sighed.
[But we need to talk about it, it''s for your mental health.] MEGAN whispered, [What you''ve gone through, it was...is a very traumatic experience and would have very negative effects on you in the long run.]
"I''m fine, MEGAN." Julian continued to undress, "And I know what we did was wrong, and I regret doing it... but I do not regret why I did it."
[It''s murder, Julian. And I am not telling you that you didn''t have to do it. You did what you did to protect yourself.] MEGAN also sighed, [I am just telling you that you need to talk about it. It is not healthy to keep your emotions bottled up, we talked about this.]
"I know." Julian smiled, "But I am truly fine, MEGAN. If I have to be wrong to protect you and Ellie... then I am wrong, I am... saddened about it, but I accept it."
[Julian...] MEGAN wanted to say a lot more things, but she of all people knew how stubborn he could be. And so, the only thing she could do was the thing she has always done, [...I am here for you, okay?]
"...Thank you."
And after being scanned and waiting for several minutes, Julian emerged wearing his new clothes¡ªa long, dark gray coat with an oversized collar and notched lapel. Underneath, he wore a sleek black dress shirt, accentuated by a stylish vest.
¡°Perfect... just perfect. Magnifique.¡± The tailor once again circled Julian while nodding his head in satisfaction with his own work. ¡°I can offer you a very generous discount if you¡¯ll let me plaster your face on the billboard outside.¡±
¡°That¡ª¡± Ellie began to respond, but the tailor cut her off.
¡°Or... how about I give it to you for free?¡± He smiled brightly, already knowing the answer.
¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± [Deal!] All of them agreed at the same time, even MEGAN joined in even though no one else but Julian could hear him.
¡°Done!¡± The tailor lightly clapped. ¡°And if you come back, I¡¯ll give you a 50% discount from now on. And you too, Ma¡¯am.¡±
Ellie blinked in disbelief. ¡°But... why?¡±
¡°I love beautiful people,¡± the tailor chuckled softly. ¡°Now, don¡¯t let me keep you any longer. Go flaunt my design to the people of the Topside.¡±
And as Julian and Ellie were practically pushed outside the door without having to pay for anything, Ellie could not help but just glance back. But the tailor was only waving his hand at them.
¡°What¡¯s¡ with what?¡± Ellie asked as they walked away. ¡°What just happened?¡±
¡°Are we beautiful, Ellie?¡± Julian also didn¡¯t know what to feel.
¡°Well¡ not to brag but¡ yes?¡± Ellie shrugged. ¡°But to give a set that¡¯s probably worth more than a thousand credits is¡ª¡±
¡°Come back again, Sword Junkie!¡±
And before Ellie could finish her words, they heard the tailor¡¯s voice shout from afar.
¡°What?¡± Ellie quickly looked back, only to see the tailor still waving his hand at them. ¡°Sword... Junkie?¡±
[Shit... we¡¯ve been had. He knew who you were, Julian!] MEGAN hissed in Julian¡¯s ear. [Go back. We need to go back!]
Julian remained calm. ¡°I guess he watched my stream?¡±
¡°Your¡ stream?¡± Ellie froze. ¡°Wait¡ Are you that famous now?¡±
¡°I shouldn¡¯t be,¡± Julian shrugged.
[We should go back and make him pay for the advertising, Julian! He probably knows how famous you¡¯ll be soon!]
Ellie blinked at Julian ¡°Do you want to go back?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Julian chuckled softly.
¡°...Let¡¯s just go meet Cyrus and the others.¡±
Back in the old world, it was said that traveling from Cleveland to New York would take at least 7 hours. But now, it only took Julian and Ellie to travel that same distance in under 20 minutes by train.
But their journey wasn¡¯t over just yet, no. The moment they arrived in New York, they still had to go up.
They had to take an elevator. A space elevator, to be exact.
¡°I¡¯ve been here once before, but I still can¡¯t get used to the view.¡± Julian¡¯s breaths caused the reinforced glass of the elevator to fog; the view of the shrinking and arching world below her, reflected in her eyes.
Julian tilted his head as he heard Ellie press her hands against the glass. ¡°It¡¯s your first time here, right? It¡¯s so beautiful,¡± she whispered.
¡°It is,¡± Julian answered. But his focus wasn¡¯t actually on the scenic description MEGAN was whispering in his mind, no. He was focusing on the humming of the metal that was currently surrounding him. ¡°The metal they used to build this thing, it¡¯s beautiful. I can feel it, it¡¯s so light¡ and yet incredibly rigid. It¡¯s even tougher than the metals back in Artemia.¡±
"I wasn¡¯t talking about the metal, Julian. But I¡¯m glad you like it." Ellie turned and gave him a blank look before sighing and leaning against his arm. "You know, Julian¡ We''ve been together for so long... known each other even longer, but this is the first time we''re actually doing stuff like this. You know? Normal stuff that normal couples do."
"I¡¯m... sorry," Julian said quietly.
"No..." Ellie lightly tapped Julian¡¯s chest. "...I wouldn¡¯t have appreciated it like this if what happened didn¡¯t happen. I¡¯m going to work double, Julian... and once I pay off the loan completely, let¡¯s... buy back your apartment.¡±
Suffice it to say, the other people inside the elevator could not help but awkwardly look at each other as they felt like they shouldn¡¯t be watching or hearing this conversation at all.
"You don¡¯t need to worry about the loan sharks anymore.¡±
"I do," Ellie sighed, her eyes still fixed on the shrinking view below them. "And don¡¯t you dare pay for any of it. It¡¯s my mess, I¡¯ll clean it."
¡°But¡ª¡± And before Julian could respond, a soft and somewhat catchy tune whispered in the elevator.
[Attention, passengers. We will be entering Zero-G in a couple of seconds. Please secure your belongings and make sure they are attached to you. Latching shoes are available at the entrance for your convenience. Pregnant women, people with disabilities, and the elderly are advised to have someone with them at all times. If you are alone, we have friendly androids who are available and happy to assist you...]
The announcement continued on for a couple of seconds until¡
¡°Oh¡?¡± Julian gasped as he felt his feet leave the ground; his body, getting lighter almost instantly.
¡°Hey¡¡± Ellie chuckled as she quickly grabbed him. "I¡¯ll go and get us some latching shoes, Julian.¡±
"...Okay," Julian struggled as he didn¡¯t really know how to position himself.
[You¡¯re okay, Julian. Just push gently against the ceiling with your cane.]
Julian did as MEGAN said, gently using his cane to push himself back on the floor¡ªor at least, where the floor used to be. It was weird, incredibly weird. If he wasn¡¯t hearing the metal hum, he probably wouldn¡¯t know where he was standing at all¡ or if he was even standing.
And soon, the sound of the elevator doors opening hissed in the air, and not even a second later¡ª
¡°Ah, there he is! And wow, you look... really good.¡± A familiar voice called out, and Julian instantly recognized it as Cyrus. ¡°Oh? And you must be Elizabeth Summers. Winter, Summer... well, if that isn''t fate, then I don''t know what is."
¡°H...Hi,¡± Ellie replied as she also slightly struggled with keeping herself steady. Cyrus, however, seemed perfectly at ease as he floated over with two sets of latching shoes.
¡°I got some latching shoes ready for you guys,¡± Cyrus said with a grin as he shook the latching shoes in his hands. ¡°It¡¯s a little tricky the first time, but you¡¯ll get used to it. There¡¯s a bench right over there.¡±
Ellie turned to look to where Cyrus was pointing, only to see a bench¡ on the ceiling.
¡°Right¡Julian, let¡¯s go.¡± Ellie awkwardly pushed herself using the handles in front of the elevator, all while holding Julian¡¯s hand.
¡°Is this your first time here?¡± Cyrus asked.
¡°It¡¯s... my second time,¡± she answered as she spun in the air and landed on the bench¡ all while still holding Julian¡¯s hand.
¡°Here you go,¡± Cyrus handed the latching shoes to Ellie before his own latching shoes stuck to the floor, ¡°I¡¯ll help Julian.¡±
¡°Oh¡ okay.¡± Ellie let go of Julian as Cyrus held him by the shoulder.
¡°Thank you, Cyrus.¡± Julian remained calm despite the lingering disorientation.
¡°No problem. By the way¡¡± Cyrus then leaned closer to Julian. ¡°Someone reached out to me since they didn¡¯t know how to contact you personally.¡±
¡°Hm¡?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side.
¡°Do you know one of your fans in the chat? The one that¡¯s incredibly active?¡± Cyrus whispered.
¡°...No.¡±
¡°SwordJunkieNo.1Fan?¡± Cyrus¡¯s voice turned a little louder.
[Ah, he¡¯s really funny, Julian.] MEGAN chimed in. [...But the guy hasn¡¯t donated even once as far as I know.]
¡°...I know him.¡± Julian hummed.
¡°So, he contacted me just a few hours ago¡ªso early in the morning¡¡± Cyrus continued; the smile on his face, widening by the second, ¡°Apparently, he wants to commission a sword¡
¡a real, actual sword crafted by your real hands.¡±
|
Latching Shoes(Grav-Lock)
Footwear specifically made to be used in low-gravity situations. It uses a cutting-edge nano-booster technology, known as Grav-Lock, to latch onto floors. It¡¯s impressive AI technology would automatically detect the nearest surface and let your feet land as gently and as comfortably as you want them to!
Not to worry, Grav-Lock has a 12-step safety process to ensure your safety! It is, and always will be, the safest way to walk in space.
This information is brought to you by Mitsubushi Motor Corporation, Pilot Your Ambition.
|
Chapter 37: The Party Together Again
¡°Commission¡ a sword?¡±
Julian has been crafting his entire life, tolling away without end inside his forge. His only reward was his own desire, happiness, and obsession. And yet he had never truly ever heard those words being uttered to him before¡ª¡¯commission a sword¡¯¡ª not even once.
He wasn¡¯t sure how to respond. But the small smile creeping onto his face said more than words could. Ellie, having just finished securing her latching shoes, immediately noticed the change in his expression.
¡°...What¡¯s got you so happy?¡± A small chuckle escaped Ellie¡¯s lips as she pushed herself down, slowly spinning before gently landing on her feet. There was a small hiss that puffed in the air, most probably from the latching shoes as it detected the floor.
¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Cyrus chuckled and smirked at Ellie, ¡°Sword¨CJulian here just got a request to craft a custom-made sword from one of his fans. His number 1 fan, I might add.¡±
¡°What...?¡± Ellie¡¯s breath caught as her eyes snapped to Julian. Her lips trembled, unsure whether to smile or not. But without waiting, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.
¡°Whoa!¡± Cyrus, who hadn¡¯t activated his latching shoes, was nearly knocked off balance by Ellie¡¯s sudden lunge.
¡°This¡ this is amazing, Julian!¡± Ellie¡¯s voice trembled as she struggled not to cry in public, though her shaky tone betrayed her efforts. ¡°Someone¡¯s finally buying your swords. Oh my god, Julian. I¡¯m so happy¡ I¡¯m really happy for you.¡±
¡°...Thank you.¡± A hint of a smile also crawled on Julian¡¯s face as he returned Ellie¡¯s embrace. And once again, the other people who were previously with them inside the elevator looked at each other, not knowing whether they were allowed to witness such a moment.
If only Cyrus had the other people¡¯s decorum, because right now, aside from almost turning Ellie and Julian¡¯s moment a group hug, he would have definitely pulled out his camera if the two had given his consent to do so.
Luckily for everyone, the moment didn¡¯t last long. When Ellie and Julian finally separated, the strangers around them seemed to collectively exhale. It wasn¡¯t jealousy that kept them quiet, not at all. They weren¡¯t envious of this beautiful couple who expressed their feelings openly, nope¡ªdefinitely not.
¡°I¡¯m¡ sorry¡¡± Ellie sniffled and wiped the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. ¡°I just got¡ a little carried away.¡±
¡°Oh, no... please,¡± Cyrus waved his hands, shaking his head, ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Have your moment. But wow, you two make a beautiful couple.¡±
¡°That¡ thank you.¡± Ellie wasn¡¯t used to getting compliments about him and Julian because, well¡ Julian didn¡¯t really go out much before. In fact, this might be the very first time they were actually on a trip together.
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°What is it, Julian?¡± she quickly looked at Julian as she saw him tilt his head.
¡°I¡¯m just¡ hearing something open,¡± he said, turning his shoulder toward the subtle noise. From the puzzled expressions on Ellie¡¯s and Cyrus¡¯s faces, it seemed only Julian could hear it.
Before either of them could ask¡ª
[Everyone, the doors to the Topside are opening. Please, refrain from going over the line until the red light that is placed in all four corners has turned green. Thank you, and welcome to the Topside.]
¡ªthe announcement cut through, confirming the opening of the doors.
¡°Wow...¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Your hearing¡¯s just as good in real life, Sword Junkie?¡±
¡°Hm,¡± Julian responded with a shrug.
¡°Ah!¡± And while the doors were opening, Ellie quickly kneeled and started helping Julian put on his latching shoes.
¡°Oh, let me¡ª¡± Cyrus was about to help keep Julian grounded, but before he could do so, he saw Julian swiftly but carefully move his cane toward the nearby handle to keep him stable. Cyrus¡¯s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but as soon as he remembered about MEGAN, it just quickly faded away. Julian has been blind his entire life, so it shouldn¡¯t be a surprise to him that he was capable of doing such things¡ maybe. Truly, Julian is a man of mystery.
¡°There we go,¡± Ellie fixed Julian¡¯s collars as she stood up. ¡°Just bump them with each other to activate or deactivate the Grav-lock.¡±
¡°Okay,¡± Julian replied, doing as she said. He immediately felt the pull of the shoes keeping him in place. It was still strange to feel weightless but held at the same time. This was better than before, of course¡ªyet it still felt¡ odd.
¡°Wow, Julian¡¡± Ellie¡¯s soft breath brushed his ear as the large doors continued to open. ¡°...MEGAN, be sure to describe to Julian what we¡¯re seeing.¡±
[Wow¡ forget your parents¡¯ apartment. We should live here from now on, Julian.] MEGAN, however, was too caught up in the sights to immediately fulfill her duty. But it didn¡¯t matter to Julian. Ever since experiencing sight in Artemia and gaining heightened senses, he could almost picture the world around him in his mind now.
The subtle sounds whispering to him, the vibrations tapping him, the temperature wrapping him, even the scent that lingers in front of his nose. He had an image he could create in his mind now that somewhat allowed him to see the things around him. Sure, they would probably look far off from what he was imagining¡ªbut it didn¡¯t matter.
He had an idea of what the Topside looks like, or at least what it would look like.
He could hear water continuously flowing, the rustling of trees, and the sound of the latching shoes hitting the ground. And he was hearing them from all directions, they¡¯re walking on the walls, even above and below. There were probably bridges everywhere, or perhaps pillars as he could hear the whispers and steps of the people circling the platforms, and that could only mean the bridges were actually cylindrical in shape.
The trees were the same. As for the rivers, Julian can¡¯t quite figure it out just yet.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
¡°Should we go, then?¡± Cyrus gestured to Ellie and Julian to follow him as he turned off his grav-lock and started flying up instead of walking forward.
¡°Uh¡¡± Ellie hesitated for a moment, but Julian had already deactivated his Grav-lock. ¡°Julian, don¡¯t let go of my hand, okay?¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian nodded as he let Ellie lead the way¡ªor more specifically, let her fly them both up in the air.
[This is¡ terrifying, Julian.] MEGAN gasped in his mind. [If I had a heart, it would probably be pounding right now. It feels like we¡¯re going to fall, but we¡¯re not. How are you so calm...?]
¡°Because I can¡¯t see anything, MEGAN,¡± Julian replied.
[Ha. Ha. Funny,] MEGAN scoffed. [You¡¯re probably so disoriented right now, with no idea what¡¯s going on.]
¡°I am disoriented,¡± Julian admitted, tilting his head slightly. ¡°But I know what¡¯s happening. I know everything that¡¯s happening.¡±
[Okay¡that¡¯s not creepy at all.]
¡°What¡¯s MEGAN saying?¡± Ellie asked, not turning toward Julian as she focused on navigating the zero-G space.
¡°She¡¯s just asking if I¡¯m alright.¡±
¡°...Are you?¡± Ellie chuckled softly. ¡°This must be so weird for you.¡±
¡°It is¡ It is very weird.¡±
The three continued to float up higher and higher¡ªno. At this point, Ellie had completely forgotten which was up or down. Everything just felt like the right direction no matter where she looked. The Topside¡¯s design was immaculate, but there was also a sense of chaos in it as all of the infrastructures did not really have any proper orientation at all.
Spherical structures dominated the view, from shops to restaurants, the rounded design being the trend here.
¡°And we¡¯re here!¡±
And the restaurant where they were meeting the rest of Julian¡¯s party members was also designed as a sphere. Well, perhaps calling it a restaurant would be an understatement, as the first thing that Ellie noticed was the large pool¡ªa spherical pool just casually floating in the air, surrounded by the restaurant.
It was a small resort.
¡°Wow¡¡± And it was designed so that when you look up, you¡¯ll always be seeing the pool and the people swimming in it. Ellie tried her best not to look impressed with everything that she was seeing, but she just couldn¡¯t help herself; her grip on Julian¡¯s hand tightening.
[...I want that, Julian.] MEGAN also expressed her amazement. [Once we¡¯re rich, I¡¯m going to have someone make something like that for us. Ah! They¡¯re playing dodgeball in the water, Julian! Julian!]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as he heard the joy in MEGAN and Ellie¡¯s voices. Throughout the years they were together, neither of them has expressed something like this. It¡¯s because¡ he hasn¡¯t made the effort at all.
¡°I¡ don¡¯t deserve the two of you,¡± he said quietly.
¡°What the hell is with that?¡± Ellie snapped, pulling his arm. ¡°Stop being so¡ emo. That trend has died and come back a million times already.¡±
¡°No, I just mean¡¡± Julian sighed. ¡°...I¡¯m going to do my best to deserve you both from now on.¡±
¡°Ugh,¡± Ellie booped his nose. ¡°Why are you so cute sometimes?¡±
¡°W¡ªOh,¡± Julian started to say something but stopped, turning his head slightly. ¡°They¡¯re coming.¡±
¡°Huh? Who¡ª¡±
¡°Is that¡ the Newbie!?¡±
Ellie did not need to ask at all as three people suddenly approached them with their loud voices. The only thing Ellie could really do was step to the side as the three started circling Julian, all of them looking at him from head to toe.
¡°I knew it.¡± Titus was the first to speak; his bald head almost reflecting the pool above, ¡°Damn it all, if only you weren¡¯t totally blind¡ªI could have snuck you inside the military.¡±
¡°Titus!¡± Talia kicked Titus on the leg to stop him from talking, but alas, she did not carry the strength of her clone at all and was even almost the one to be pushed away. ¡°I¡¯m¡ I¡¯m really sorry about that! I¡¯m surrounded by nincompoops. My name¡¯s Talia, by the way.¡±
¡°Oh, uh¡ Ellie.¡± Ellie smiled as she shook Talia¡¯s hand. She was slightly confused¡ªTalia looked¡ young, perhaps only a teenager. And yet she was also playing Otherworld? And from the looks of how everyone was centered around her, she was the leader of the party in front of her right now.
¡°My name is Titus, Ma¡¯am.¡± Titus stood up straight to introduce himself.
¡°I¡¯m Dyrroth, my dude.¡± And perhaps the one that¡¯s most out of place¡ or perhaps the one that¡¯s most in the place since he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts was Dyrroth. ¡°What¡¯s up? Eyyy.¡±
¡°...Hi.¡± Ellie still tried her best to smile as Dyrroth started throwing some sort of¡ gang sign in the air.
¡°And you already know me, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve formally introduced myself.¡± Cyrus stepped forward, offering a slight bow. ¡°I¡¯m Cyrus, Julian¡¯s current agent.¡±
¡°Should we eat, then?¡± Talia lightly clapped her hands and started walking away, ¡°I already had them prepare a private booth for us, I think the food¡¯s about to be done.¡±
¡°Well, I¡¯ll catch up with you all later, my dudes.¡± Dyrroth grinned as he peeled off his Hawaiian shirt and switched off his grav-lock, launching himself straight into the spherical pool above. Titus and Talia grinned at the sight, quickly tossing Dyrroth¡¯s shirt to the side and hiding it before continuing toward the booth.
As they walked, Ellie noticed something curious¡ªeveryone they passed seemed to greet Talia. The staff, the guests, even some passersby smiled and nodded at her.
¡°She owns the resort,¡± Cyrus whispered to Julian and Ellie as they neared the booth. ¡°Well, not legally¡ªher parents own it, but she¡¯s the one who bought it. You don¡¯t recognize her, Ellie?¡±
¡°Uhm¡ no?¡± Ellie whispered back.
¡°Was she famous?¡± Julian also asked.
¡°She¡¯s the youngest Catapult champion,¡± Cyrus explained, keeping his voice low.
¡°Catapult¡ champion?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Isn¡¯t that¡ dangerous?¡±
¡°It sure is,¡± Cyrus smirked and nodded. ¡°But don¡¯t tell her I told you, she¡¯s kind of a private person¡ªthat¡¯s why she likes going to Artemia, since the demographics between the two barely even overlap, if at all.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Ellie muttered, glancing at Talia again. The more she learned about Julian¡¯s new friends, the more amazed¡ªand a little bewildered¡ªshe became. ¡°Julian¡ you¡¯ve met some very unique people.¡±
¡°...I suppose they are,¡± Julian just nodded as he followed the group; his mind and body, finally getting adjusted to the Zero-G environment.
The booth wasn¡¯t as private as Talia said it to be. It was right next to the floating spherical pool, so close that someone could step through if they wanted. Still, it felt somewhat isolated, with the sounds of the restaurant muffled by the water and the soft chatter of the group.
¡°Okay!¡± Once everyone was seated, Cyrus stood up, raising a glass of whiskey. ¡°Before we start eating¡ªso the food will actually taste better¡ªI want to reveal how much we earned from selling the Hidden Quest, and who actually bought it. Round of applause, please.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Ellie almost clapped, but stopped herself when she realized no one else was going to do it.
¡°Boo,¡± Talia playfully stuck out her tongue, giving a thumbs-down. ¡°We should eat first!¡±
¡°No, no¡ Trust me, you¡¯ll want to hear this before we eat.¡± Cyrus cleared his throat, smirking. ¡°The one who bought the information from us¡ is none other than Humanity Engineering themselves.¡±
¡°Great, those psychos¡¡± Talia rolled her eyes.
¡°I kind of figured it¡¯d be them,¡± Titus said, crossing his arms. ¡°They¡¯re all about research. I bet they¡¯ll announce the quest publicly soon enough.¡±
¡°And how much did we make, Cyrus?¡± Julian asked, his voice calm but curious.
¡°Ho¡ I knew you would be the first one to ask, Sword Junkie,¡± Cyrus cleared his throat again.
[He should really get that checked,] MEGAN muttered, sounding both repulsed and annoyed.
¡°We made¡ 200,000 Credits!¡± Cyrus declared triumphantly.
And if Ellie wasn¡¯t already gripping Julian¡¯s hand tight, she would have probably let out a gasp there and then. She was, however, the only one who actually showed any reaction at all.
¡°...That¡¯s it?¡± Talia breathed out. ¡°That¡¯s not even¡ª¡±
¡°Each.¡± Cyrus snapped his fingers, ¡°They bought the information for a million flat. Each of us is 200,000 Credits richer.¡±
¡°Now that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!¡± And surprisingly, it was Titus who reacted first. He slammed his palm on the table before downing a shot. ¡°A newbie dungeon run pulling in 200k. Not bad, not bad at all.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Talia¡¯s face lit up as she realized the amount. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the price of the Birkin purse I¡¯ve had my eye on! This is a sign to finally buy it.¡±
Julian remained quiet amidst the celebrations, but Ellie leaned closer, her voice low. ¡°Julian¡ with a little negotiation, that¡¯s enough for a downpayment on your apartment. What the fuck¡ Who are your friends?¡±
As Cyrus said, The group ate well after receiving the news. And maybe drank a bit too well. By the end of the meal, Titus, Dyrroth, and even Talia were knocked out cold¡ªTalia asleep on the bench, Titus under the table, and Dyrroth with his head hanging over the edge of the pool.
¡°Is¡¡± Ellie gently adjusted Talia¡¯s head to make her more comfortable. ¡°...is she even old enough to be drinking?¡±
¡°She¡¯s 17. It¡¯s fine,¡± Cyrus shrugged. He was clearly drunk himself, though less so than the others. ¡°What I¡¯m more curious about is why Sword Junkie here hasn¡¯t touched a drop of alcohol.¡±
¡°I only drink water,¡± Julian replied, lightly tapping the glass of water in front of him.
¡°Huh¡¡± Cyrus leaned on his elbow, staring at Julian. ¡°You know, your genes would sell for a fortune. Ever thought about that?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Julian said, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m a Reject.¡±
¡°A Reject, you mean¡¡± Cyrus literally felt the alcohol moving out of his veins as he realized what Julian meant.
¡°They sterilized me when I was young,¡± Julian said, his tone casual despite the weight of his words.
¡°Julian¡¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened as Julian just casually revealed a very¡ private information.
¡°Huh¡¡± Cyrus, however, did not react negatively at all. ¡°Well, now that you¡¯re about to earn a lot of money, you can just have them undo it¡ªand there will be little Sword Junkies running around soon.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡¡± Ellie hadn¡¯t really thought about that at all, and she didn¡¯t really know how to respond¡ªhow could she, when she hadn¡¯t actually met someone like Cyrus who did not have a filter at all?
¡°Anyway¡¡± Cyrus then slid a card across the table, ¡°...Talia got all of us a room here. The two of you can go and¡ rest.¡± He said with a wink.
¡°Oh, no. We¡¯re going back to Clevesky.¡± Ellie replied, glancing between the key card and Cyrus.
¡°Nonsense, it¡¯s late,¡± Cyrus waved dismissively. ¡°And SwordJunkieNo.1Fan lives here on the Topside¡
¡We¡¯ll meet him tomorrow, Sword Junkie.¡±
|
Genetically Non-Viable Individuals(GNVI)
Often called Rejects of Humanity, are people born with physical or mental conditions that can''t be cured by any means. Due to humanity''s overgrowing population, most of the time, they are sterilized at a young age to stop the passing of "undesirable" traits, as decided by Earth¡¯s standards.
While it may be legally enforced on Earth, it has also become the center of a long, and ongoing ethical debate. Many consider it to be an infringement on basic human rights. As of now, however, Earth¡¯s governing authorities show no signs of changing their minds.
|
Chapter 38: Meeting the No. 1 Fan...?
¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry about Ellie¡ªshe¡¯ll be fine with Talia. I¡ I think.¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
Julian and Cyrus were currently floating in the air. Gently, of course, as floating more than 40km/h is actually illegal in Topside¡¯s residential and commercial areas. Be that as it may, however, Cyrus was completely stunned¡ªno, shocked at how Julian was actually able to follow him with ease.
Julian already told him that MEGAN was talking to him every second and telling him where to place his hands and such, but this was¡ monstrous. Cyrus even tried to close his eyes for three seconds and almost hit a stabilizing barrier. But of course, he couldn¡¯t really compare himself to someone who has been totally blind his entire life.
Unbeknownst to Cyrus, though, MEGAN wasn¡¯t saying anything to Julian at all. Julian had told her to speak up only when he needed help¡ªhe was trying to adapt to his heightened senses, feeling the vibrations around him. MEGAN would occasionally chime in, but her input was becoming less frequent.
¡°That cane of yours¡¡± Cyrus glanced back at Julian, staring at the cane hooked on his waist. ¡°It looks old.¡±
¡°It is.¡± Julian hummed, his hand brushing over the hilt of the cane. ¡°My father gave it to me when I turned eight.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡± Cyrus used his latching shoes to slow down¡ªdespite its name, latching on platforms and floors is not its only purpose, one could also use it to fly around the expanse of space. But of course, most people still prefer pushing themselves using the stabilizing barrier that could be found everywhere in the Topside. Cyrus then spun around, grabbing his camera and letting it go.
¡°What are you doing?¡± Julian tilted his head at the sound.
¡°Documenting,¡± Cyrus said as he gestured to his hands to control the camera, letting it fly around them, ¡°You¡¯re an influe¡ªan up-and-coming celebrity now, Julian. We need to vlog your life, or else the people will just forget about you. As much as quality matters, quantity does too¡ and you flying around like this while wearing that is just thirst bait, the girls will love it, and also the men. Where did you even get those clothes?¡±
¡°It¡¯s¡ a shop called David Andrews.¡± Julian said.
¡°David Andrews¡¡± Cyrus narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath, ¡°...I¡¯ll contact them for a sponsorship.¡±
¡°The store gave me these clothes for free,¡± Julian continued, patting his coat. ¡°The owner knew who I¡ªSword Junkie¡ªwas.¡±
¡°Ho¡?¡± The growing smile on Cyrus¡¯s face grew even faster, ¡°Looks like someone easy to talk to. I bet we can get a lot from that David Andrews guy. Just let me handle all the sponsorships and whatnot, Sword Junkie.¡±
¡°Do¡ you need some help?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Cyrus rolled his lips, ¡°MEGAN¡¯s enough of a help, I just call her whenever I need something. I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡ just how were you able to get a MEGAN? Those things are like¡ the top of the crop when they were released, and only a limited amount of them were sold before they were cut off.¡±
[Damn right I am.] MEGAN, who had been quiet, couldn¡¯t resist chiming in with pride. [I¡¯m the apex predator, Julian. Don¡¯t forget that.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian did not really answer and just smiled. And soon, after what seemed like another 30 minutes of floating up, they reached a part of the Topside where the establishments and the infrastructures were far in between from each other¡ªthey seemed to have reached a very private residential area¡ considering all the large houses. And their view, well¡
¡there was nothing else above them anymore. Their view is the dark, and colorful expanse of space itself.
Nothing, however, could have prepared them for what they were seeing now that they¡¯d reached their destination.
¡°I knew SwordJunkieNo.1Fan would be extra...¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes darted left and right, his voice filled with disbelief. ¡°...But this? This is extra with extra steps.¡±
Who could blame him? They were looking at a mansion¡ªa literal mansion tilted horizontally inside a large, swiveling globe, spinning like a colossal clock on steroids.
¡°If he wanted to simulate gravity¡ why didn¡¯t he just live down on the planet?¡± Cyrus blinked a couple of times in disbelief. ¡°He practically used 80% of his lot just for the swiveling contraption thingy alone, which is like what¡ a kilometer long? Just how¡ rich is this guy? He lives on the top of the Topside too. What the fucking bourgeoisie is going on here?¡±
¡°Interesting.¡± Julian, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction. His head was tilted to the side, listening to the movement of the swiveling and rotating house.
¡°Uhh¡ I guess this is the entrance?¡± Cyrus and Julian floated toward a much smaller globe that had a door on it.
¡°Hello?¡± Cyrus pressed the intercom, ¡°This is Cyrus, we have an appointment with¡ SwordJunkieNo.1¡ª¡±
[Ah! Please, come in! Come in!]
And not even a second later, the door automatically slid open. Cyrus and Julian hesitated to float inside at first, but the two just shrugged and just went on with it.
¡°I guess¡ we should get strapped,¡± Cyrus said, heading toward a horizontally inclined seat with straps. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, Sword Junkie?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian responded. Cyrus didn¡¯t need to ask. Julian was already strapping himself in just fine. As soon as they were settled, the chamber they were in started moving.
¡°I swear, this is so extra,¡± Cyrus muttered, not sure whether to be impressed or overwhelmed as they accelerated, likely syncing up with the mansion¡¯s rotation. ¡°I¡¯m liking this dude more and more.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian exhaled deeply, the sensation of gravity becoming familiar again. A few seconds later, the large door on the other side of the chamber opened, revealing the yard that surrounded the swiveling mansion.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
¡°You know, I just thought of something¡¡± Cyrus took in a small gulp as the two of them removed their straps, ¡°...We¡¯re not going into some sort of sex dungeon, right?¡±
¡°You set this meeting, Cyrus,¡± Julian said, turning his shoulder toward him. ¡°If it turns out to be one, you¡¯ll be the one participating.¡±
¡°¡I was joking, bro.¡± Cyrus sighed as he stepped out of the chamber. The view made him gasp. ¡°Wow¡ beautiful. Nauseating to look at, but beautiful.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as MEGAN explained to him how the view of the expanse of space was rotating around them. It was¡ weird.
¡°Wh¡ª¡±
And before Cyrus could say anything else, a loud voice came rushing toward them. ¡°Sword¡ Sword Junkie!?¡±
"Here we go,¡± Cyrus muttered. ¡°Put your game face on, Julian. Time to meet¡ªwhat the¡¡±
Cyrus¡¯s eyes turned completely wide as he saw the man running toward them. He had pictured all sorts of images in his mind as to how SwordJunkieNo.1Fan looked like¡
¡but an old man with a glorious white beard was absolutely never one of them. And he was obviously muscular too, not as much as Julian, but he was.
¡°I¡ I can¡¯t believe it¡¡± The old man stopped two meters in front of Julian, staring at him from head to toe. ¡°Sword¡ Sword Junkie in ze flesh!?¡±
The old man seemed to want to touch Julian but was actively stopping himself as he adored him from afar. As for Julian, well, he was slightly weirded out by how many people seemed to be circling around him these days. Was this going to happen a lot now that he was a ¡®celebrity¡¯?
¡°Are you¡ Sword Junkie No.1 Fan?¡± Julian asked, and the old man finally stopped circling around him.
¡°Ah, ja! Forgive me, forgive me!¡± The old man burst out into a fit of laughter, ¡°My name is Hans. Hans Tauber.¡±
¡°Julian Winters,¡± Julian stretched out his hand, and Hans immediately reached for it and started shaking it¡ªhe started off as gentle, but as soon as he felt how rough Julian¡¯s hand was, the old man¡¯s eyes just widened in disbelief.
¡°Your¡ª¡±
He was about to say something, but was cut off by Julian, ¡°You¡¯re also a blacksmith, Hans?¡±
¡°How¡ How did you know!?¡± Hans beamed, glancing between Julian and Cyrus. ¡°Ja! Ja! True¡ true blacksmiths are different! You are a dying breed, Julian Winters. I vould say almost extinct already. The children today¡ they only know how to print und print weapons, no soul at all.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed.
¡°Are you hungry? Do you want to eat? I had my bots prepare something,¡± Hans offered, trying his best to hide his accent.
¡°We just ate, Hans.¡± Julian tilted his head to the side, ¡°Maybe we should do that later and talk about what you wanted done?¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Hans gulped, ¡°...Okay. Please, follow me.¡±
Hans was initially walking toward the mansion but suddenly changed direction to a hatch that was a few meters away from it¡ªand from how it sounded as the hatch opened, it was thick, incredibly so.
¡°Uh¡¡± Cyrus, who was letting Julian take the lead, leaned closer to him, ¡°...I want to tell you that if this turns into some sort of sex dungeon thing, I want you to know that everything I will do from this point on is being forced upon me. Okay?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not anything like that, Cyrus.¡± Julian once again tilted his head as a familiar sound started to call him.
¡°How would you know¡?¡± Cyrus narrowed his eyes in suspicion, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve been diddling?¡±
¡°...diddling?¡±
¡°...You don¡¯t know what that means? It involves a lot of baby oil and blood¡ª"
¡°Haha!¡± Hans seemed to have heard Cyrus¡¯s words as he glanced back, ¡°This is no sex-dungeon, my friend¡ªnein. This¡ this is something better!¡±
A click whispered in the dark chamber as Hans flipped the light on¡ªand no¡ªit was not a sex dungeon at all, but a vast forge¡ªa pristine, well-maintained forge. The forge itself roared to life as soon as they stepped inside, filling the room with an intense heat.
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian tapped his cane against the floor, letting the vibrations ripple through him. ¡°...These tools are old, Hans.¡±
¡°Oi, you shouldn¡¯t say that,¡± Cyrus nudged Julian, ¡°And how do you even know that? Is MEGAN telling you this stuff too?¡±
¡°I¡¯m glad you appreciate my setup, Sword Junkie,¡± Hans¡¯s voice was filled with pride, though a hint of nervousness crept in. ¡°Ja, all of these¡ ancient pieces I acquired. Some go as far back as the 20th century, all of them¡ cost me a lot of money. I am very happy a true blacksmith appreciates it.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian continued to walk around, letting MEGAN quietly describe the forge¡¯s details to him.
¡°Ah!¡± Hans followed, almost bouncing as he knocked on one of the larger machines. ¡°This one is special! I got it from an era when my ancestors were waging war.¡±
¡°A forging press?¡± A small smile tugged at Julian¡¯s lips as he gently tapped his cane against the machine. ¡°It¡¯s¡ large.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Sword Junkie,¡± Hans chuckled nervously, his accent failing to hide itself. ¡°I only use zis when mein arms get tired! I try to stay traditional, ja! Zis und ze grinder are mein only two machines! Everything else, I do by hand!¡±
Hans rambled on about the history of each tool, clearly passionate about his collection. Cyrus couldn¡¯t complain, though. It was rare to see Julian so engaged in something other than blacksmithing¡ªwell, perhaps not, as this also had something to do with blacksmithing.
For over an hour, Hans gave them a tour of the forge, showing off every piece of equipment with immense pride.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to Cyrus, Hans got down to business.
¡°Three times,¡± Hans cleared his throat before raising his thumb and two fingers, ¡°I am willing to pay you three times if you make the weapon here, using all of my tools and equipment.¡±
¡°Oho¡ now, we¡¯re talking.¡± Cyrus stepped forward as it was finally his turn, ¡°You can discuss all the things about money with me, the Sword Junkie does not deal with such things. But three times and you¡¯re putting the Sword Junkie on the spot, hmm¡ I think we will be requiring a bit more than that.¡±
¡°Of course!¡± Hans¡¯s admiration only seemed to grow as he looked at Julian. ¡°I¡¯m willing to pay anything!¡±
¡°What do you think, Sword Junkie?¡± Cyrus asked, ¡°Are you okay with crafting a weapon¡ª¡±
Cyrus did not really need to finish his words as he saw that Julian already removed his coat and was already folding his sleeves up.
¡°Okay,¡± Julian shrugged as he gently placed his cane beside the forging press.
¡°Well, there¡¯s your answer,¡± Cyrus chuckled, turning back to Hans. ¡°But I¡¯ve got one condition¡ªlet us stream the whole thing for the fans.¡±
¡°Hoho.¡± Hans chuckled as he crossed his arms, ¡°Ze more people who appreciate ze Sword Junkie, ze better. I am all for it. Go ahead, lackey.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡±
Cyrus lost his chance to refute as Hans suddenly walked away, pulling out something from one of the crates and then placing it on the table close to Julian.
Julian¡¯s hand immediately found its way to the metal, his fingers brushing over it. ¡°This¡¡± Julian¡¯s voice was soft, almost reverent. ¡°This is the same material used in the space elevator¡¯s foundation.¡±
¡°It is¡¡± Hans gulped, ¡°It¡¯s called the Xylarion. How¡ did you even know? This metal¡¯s not commercially available on Earth.¡±
¡°I can hear it.¡± Julian smiled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s humming to me, Hans.¡±
¡°Then, can you¡ª¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian didn¡¯t let Hans finish. His hand glided over the cold surface of the ingot. "What do you want me to make with it?"
¡°A kitchen knife,¡± Hans said without hesitation.
¡°...A kitchen knife?¡± Cyrus¡¯s hands which were busy setting up his cameras instantly paused as he heard that. ¡°You asked for the Sword Junkie personally¡ just for a kitchen knife? Don''t you have those fancy vibrating thread slicers for that...?¡±
¡°Wait, no¡ please, listen.¡± Hans breathed out, ¡°After I retired from my career, I vas lost, ja?I found cooking. Became a chef in mein old age. A kitchen knife will be very personal to me, and knowing that I can carry it everywhere¡ to have you, Sword Junkie, craft it vould be mein utmost pleasure. Ze kitchen knife¡ªit is mein veapon.¡±
¡°Okay,¡± Julian gently grabbed the xylarion ingot and wasted no time getting to work¡ªand he quickly noticed something. It was more resistant than anything he had ever touched. The forge already roared, and yet the xylarion stayed completely hard for far longer than usual.
¡°This¡ will take a while,¡± Cyrus muttered, adjusting his camera angles.
¡°Yes,¡± Hans nodded as he watched in fascination even though Julian was only heating the metal, ¡°The xylarion¡¯s melting point is way higher than anything you''d find on Earth, or this galaxy for that matter. Normally, you''d need to use a machine¡ but I don¡¯t think the Sword Junkie plans to do that."
Julian didn¡¯t even go near the press or heed it any mind at all. He had already grabbed the hammer, waiting for the right moment. The forge continued to roar, the flames enough to cause their sweat to fall endlessly, and then dry it all the same after only moments. The fire was wild, infernal.
And finally, when the metal finally softened enough, he moved swiftly, pulling it out of the forge and onto the anvil, striking it with practiced precision.
¡°Is he really¡?¡± Hans once again gulped in disbelief, ¡°He is hitting ze metal at its softest points. I vas told by ze people I got zis metal from zat they use special equipment to find zis¡ but he is just feeling it? Zis is¡ impossible, but¡¡±
"Bro, I don''t understand you. I have an auto-translator so just speak German."
"He¡¯s just feeling the metal..." Hans completely ignored Cyrus. "This is¡ and he¡¯s actually molding it that easy? What¡ This should be impossible, but¡¡±
Hans¡¯s awe only deepened as Julian worked. The rhythmic clang of the hammer filled the room, each strike more precise than the last.
¡°Uh¡¡± Meanwhile, Cyrus made sure to be as far away from Hans as possible as he saw his face getting redder by the second. He thought he would never meet anyone as eccentric as Julian, but he was¡ªin the presence of two of them.
¡°This is¡ this is amazing. He¡ªHm?¡±
But just after a couple more seconds, both Cyrus and Hans looked at each other as Julian just suddenly stopped moving.
¡°What¡¡± Hans wanted to approach and ask what was wrong, but he stopped himself from doing so as he truly did not want to interrupt Julian and his process. Cyrus was also starting to get worried as this was the first time he had seen this kind of expression on Julian¡¯s face.
He was¡ uncertain.
And he was right, Julian truly was uncertain, but not in the way he was thinking.
There was a thought currently inside Julian¡¯s mind as his hands stopped working¡ªor perhaps it was a certain type of intuition. The gods of Artemia are completely unpredictable, and not to mention beings of absolute power.
And so what if¡ just what if¡ªif this metal turns into something equivalent to an [Epic] grade weapon in Artemia¡
¡Can the [Master of Shadows] also claim it?
Chapter 39: Mein New Baby
It was just a feeling.
It wouldn¡¯t be necessarily true.
At the very least, at least it shouldn¡¯t be.
But there was this feeling dancing around Julian that the [Master of Shadows] quest might actually just absorb this weapon. He knew it was improbable, but if there was even a percent chance of it happening, he wouldn¡¯t risk it.
¡°Sword¡ Junkie?¡± Cyrus and Hans once again looked at each other, confused as to why Julian suddenly stopped moving. Neither of them could approach, however, as they saw the somewhat conflicted expression on Julian¡¯s face.
Should he do it? Should he lower the quality so that it wouldn¡¯t be equivalent to an [Epic] grade weapon?
Julian lowered his hammer as his fingers once again started feeling the xylarion metal.
¡°Sword Junkie!?¡± Cyrus gasped as he saw that¡ªhow could he not? The metal should be scalding hot right now, and yet Julian casually placed his hand on it. He initially thought that Julian didn¡¯t know what he was touching, but no. The loud breath that escaped Julian¡¯s lips was enough for Cyrus to know that he knew exactly what he was doing¡
¡and he was angry. But why? Why would he be angry?
And Cyrus was right¡ªJulian was angry, very much so. He was angry at himself, angry for even thinking of deliberately lowering the quality of the knife he was about to make.
¡°Hm¡¡± The anger escaping his breaths almost became a growl as he tightened his grip on his hammer. How could he even have such a thought? Lowering the quality just because he feared that the Master of Shadows would take the blade away?
Never. He should never have a thought like that again. It would be a disservice to him and all the other things he has made¡ªand most importantly, it would be a disservice to the metal he was holding right now.
If the Master of Shadows was indeed going to take any [Epic] grade weapons he would produce, even back here on Earth¡ then he just has to make sure that it won¡¯t be [Epic] grade¡ªit would be higher than that.
Julian quickly raised his hammer again, striking the metal and causing a ripple to blast through the entire forge, literally.
¡°What... what''s happening!?¡± Cyrus rushed toward his drone as it began to lose control in the air. ¡°What was that!?¡±
¡°It¡¯s... the metal.¡± Hans, struggling to stay steady, looked like he might collapse any second as the ripple blasted through him. ¡°Ze metal is singing to us¡ªnein, it¡¯s weeping. Weeping tears of joy."
¡°Huh?¡± Cyrus narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of what was happening. He was about to speak again, but another ripple hit him, blasting across his face. He felt it down to his pores, each clang of the hammer sending vibrations through his bones, almost as if they were resonating with the sound.
¡°These are...¡± Cyrus gulped, realization hitting him. ¡°Perfect hits... on Earth?¡±
The gravity of Artemia and Earth were worlds apart, and of course, with Artemia¡¯s game-like mechanics and magic, the physics between the two planets differed as well. The concept of [Perfect Hits] should really only apply in Artemia, where the laws of their world govern it. [Perfect Hits] weren¡¯t just about hitting the metal perfectly; Artemia¡¯s system would adjust and enhance the effects whenever triggered.
But here, on Earth, it didn¡¯t make any sense at all. There was no governing god, no magic to manipulate or amplify reality. In short, it should be impossible.
Perhaps it was the sheer impossibility of what was happening that caused this strange ripple, a force that Earth itself didn¡¯t seem to understand. With no magic to guide or adjust the situation, Earth could only react violently to what Julian was doing. The planet was confused, and this ripple was its way of trying to cope with something outside its grasp.
This was groundbreaking¡ªthere was no doubt about that. Yet it seemed like Cyrus was the only one who truly grasped the significance of what was unfolding before him. Then again, in the grand scheme of things, did it even matter? Because right now¡ª
¡ªmore and more viewers were joining the stream by the second. And why wouldn¡¯t they? Watching this incredible display was mesmerizing, but not necessarily for the reasons Cyrus initially thought.
Most of the viewers weren¡¯t really focused on what Julian was doing at all. They didn¡¯t care about the art of the craft, the perfection of each strike, or the impossible scenario unfolding with the metal. No, they were here for something else entirely. They were captivated by Julian himself.
The way his thick arms bulged with every hammer strike, the definition of his muscles under the dancing flames of the forge¡ªhe was a sight to behold. His glowing blue eyes, locked in one place, added an air of calm, almost making him seem like a stoic painting. And then there was his broad, muscular chest, partially exposed from his shirt, which had loosened with each swing of the hammer. But the most captivating part of all was his face¡ªperfect, sharp, and effortlessly strong.
Why would they care about perfect hits when Julian¡¯s face was more perfect? Of course, Cyrus was looking and thinking that from an agent¡¯s perspective, understanding that Julian¡¯s appearance was one of his biggest assets. And now, with each strike sending ripples through the air, blowing Julian¡¯s hair back and revealing even more of his face, the viewers were hooked. They were eating it up. Eating it all up.
And their physical representation was right beside Cyrus.
¡°Amazing, truly amazing¡¡± Hans was now on the floor, his old legs had already given up on him. His eyes. however, were still completely locked onto Julian.
Clang!
His head flinched with each violent ripple. Hans had seen Julian''s mastery before, through streams, but witnessing it in person was a completely different experience. It felt surreal, like something beyond reality. Why was it now, seeing it up close, that he couldn¡¯t quite believe what was happening?
This was something else, something entirely different from anything he had imagined.
Julian wasn¡¯t just a genius¡ªhe was a force, a monster capable of bending reality through sheer skill and precision. Each strike of his hammer seemed to warp the air around him, as though the world itself had to obey his will.
Of course, Cyrus and Hans knew they were just imagining it¡ªhow could something like that be happening? But even knowing that, it felt like the impossible was unfolding right before their eyes.
And neither of them knew exactly when it happened, but suddenly, Julian was done. The endless rhythm of hammering had finally stopped. Time had slipped away unnoticed, completely absorbed by the work in front of them.
Three hours. That¡¯s how long it had taken. Three straight hours of hammering, perfecting every tiny detail. By the time Julian moved to grind the blade, it was so precise that it took him less than five seconds to finish polishing it.
The blade gleamed, it was an immaculate white, almost like milk. It was unlike anything either of them had ever seen before.
¡°Do you have a hilt ready for this?¡± Julian asked, approaching Hans with the finished xylarion blade in hand.
¡°Huh¡?¡± Hans stammered, feeling utterly unworthy to even gaze upon the blade. As Julian offered it to him, he found himself instinctively pulling back, not daring to touch it.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
¡°A handle. You can fit one yourself if you want to,¡± Julian said, gesturing for Hans to take it. ¡°You¡¯ll be the one using it, so¡ª¡±
"N¡ªnein!¡± Hans shook his head vehemently, backing away quickly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare touch it! Wait, bitte, just wait here!"
Hans scrambled off, returning moments later with a stick. But not just any stick. It was dark¡ªno, not just dark, black. Incredibly so, as if it absorbed light itself.
¡°Zis hardwood is from a planet several galaxies away,¡± Hans explained, kneeling as he presented the piece of wood. ¡°Ze gravity there makes life impossible for most. I vould be honored if you used it."
¡°...Okay.¡± Julian shrugged casually, then began shaping the wood into a handle. With practiced ease, he cut it and sandwiched it perfectly around the full tang of the blade. The fit was flawless, as if the handle had always belonged with the blade.
And finally, it was complete.
¡°Here¡¯s your baby, Hans. Come and hold her.¡± Julian set the knife gently on the table. Both Cyrus and Hans approached it cautiously, almost mesmerized by Julian¡¯s words, as though the knife was truly a living thing.
It might as well have been.
It was perfect¡ªperhaps even more than perfect.
¡°Can you¡¡± Hans¡¯s voice trembled, his gaze shifting between Julian and the blade. ¡°...carve your name on it?¡±
¡°No,¡± Julian said, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯ll lower the quality of the blade.¡±
¡°No¡¡± Hans shook his head even more vigorously. "It will¡ it will increase its worth beyond this world. Bitte, Master Julian¡ please!"
¡°Fine.¡± With a reluctant nod, Julian took the blade back and carefully etched his name into the hilt.
Hans¡¯s breaths were shaky, and even after Julian handed the knife back to him, he was too afraid to touch it. Instead, he placed it back on the table gently, as if it might break under his fingers.
¡°I¡¡± Hans clutched his chest, clearly overwhelmed. ¡°...I don¡¯t even know how I can pay you for this.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t need to.¡± Julian smiled softly. ¡°Just working with the xylarion was¡ª¡±
¡°Woah, woah. Wait¡¡± Cyrus quickly cut in, not letting Julian finish. ¡°...I¡¯ll handle the money matters, Sword Junkie.¡±
¡°100,000.¡± Hans breathed out, his gaze still locked on the knife. ¡°I vill pay you 100,000.¡±
"What the fuck?" Even Cyrus was shocked, "I... I mean... wow."
¡°That¡¯s¡ too much,¡± Julian said, a quiet hum escaping his lips. ¡°I only provided the labor, Hans. I think even 1,000 Credits would be already too much. I can''t possibly accept that kind of money when I only worked for... 3 hours?¡±
"Exactly, und even zat amount isn¡¯t enough.¡± Hans whispered, closing his eyes, clearly still processing the gravity of the situation. ¡°You deserve every bit of it und more. I vish I could give you more, but¡ zat¡¯s ze most I can spend vithout getting approval from my granddaughter.¡±
¡°But¡ª¡±
¡°And it will serve as a deterrent.¡± Hans scoffed, crossing his arms while shaking his head. ¡°People need to know zat if zey vant a piece of ze Sword Junkie¡¯s craftsmanship, zey¡¯ll need to pay for it. Und it¡¯s done. I¡¯ve already sent ze credits to your bank. I¡¯m not exaggerating, Master Julian, ven I say zis¡ªzis knife is vorth more zan a million credits now."
¡°A million credits¡¡± Julian listened to the hum of the blade once more. ¡°...Can I ask how much the xylarion ingot was?¡±
¡°...You actually understand him?¡± Cyrus blinked, "I can''t even understand the guy."
¡°I got it for 750,000 credits,¡± Hans said casually. ¡°I got it at a discount thanks to certain connections.¡±
¡°What¡?¡± Julian¡¯s breath hitched as soon as the number registered. Just for that single piece of metal? Then how much did New York actually spend on constructing the space elevator?
¡°What were you before you retired¡?¡± Cyrus asked, now shutting off the stream as he stared at Hans.
"Vell, zat¡¯s not important.¡± Hans waved his hand dismissively, letting out a hearty laugh. ¡°Now come! I¡¯m sure you¡¯re both hungry! Let me cook something for you¡ª¡±
¡°Grandpa!¡± Before Hans could lead Julian and Cyrus out of the forge, a gust of wind blew through the chamber, carrying with it a fiery voice, ¡°What¡¯s this alert from the bank about a hundred K being withdrawn!? You didn¡¯t even bother¡ªOh.¡±
The sharp tone softened immediately when its owner caught sight of Julian and Cyrus.
¡°You¡ you didn¡¯t say you had company over, Grandfather.¡± The woman¡¯s demeanor shifted quickly, standing up straighter as she cleared her throat. ¡°Who¡ªHuh?¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian, sensing something, turned his shoulders in her direction just as the woman turned her gaze toward him.
¡°I recognize that voice¡¡± Julian whispered, tilting his head slightly. [Cindy Solis from the hospital, Julian,] MEGAN chimed in, her tone cautious. [She¡¯s the Exterminator, remember?]
¡°Yes,¡± Julian murmured. ¡°Cindy Solis.¡±
¡°Julian Winters.¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes narrowed as she scanned Julian from head to toe. ¡°What¡ are you doing here? Are you here because¡ª¡±
¡°Because I invited him.¡± Hans raised his voice, stepping in front of Cindy with his arms crossed. ¡°Und don¡¯t speak to our esteemed guests like zat, meine Enkelin."
¡°You¡ invited him?¡± Cindy stammered, her eyes darting between her grandfather and Julian. ¡°Where¡ did the two of you even meet?¡±
"Vot do you mean?¡± Hans furrowed his brow. ¡°You¡¯re ze one who introduced me to ze Sword Junkie."
¡°Huh?¡± Cindy¡¯s eye twitched in confusion. ¡°What do you mean I introduced you? When did that happen?¡±
¡°When you left his stream on.¡± Hans shrugged. ¡°I vas curious why you were so glued to ze screen. You¡¯re usually out training, but zere you were, vatching ze Sword Junkie¡¯s stream¡ª"
¡°Grandpa!?¡± Cindy quickly rushed to Hans, covering his mouth. ¡°That¡ that was part of an ongoing investigation!¡±
¡°Investigation?¡± Julian tilted his head. ¡°You¡¯re investigating me, Cindy?¡±
¡°I¡ was! Was!¡± Cindy stammered, quickly shaking her head. ¡°I had to because of the strange circumstances surrounding the daemon¡¯s death.¡±
¡°Oh¡? What¡¯s this now?¡± Cyrus leaned in, rubbing his chin as he soaked in the unfolding drama, ¡°You were involved in a daemon incident, Julian?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian hummed. ¡°Cindy and her team found and rescued me.¡±
¡°¡®Rescue¡¯ isn¡¯t really the word I¡¯d use.¡± Cindy narrowed her eyes, scanning Julian from head to toe again.
¡°Wait¡ you¡¯re Cindy Solis!¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°You¡¯re the guild master of the Phantom Brigade! Julian, she¡¯s famous in the hunting world!¡±
¡°¡The hunting world?¡± Julian tilted his head slightly. ¡°You¡¯re also involved with the Exterminators?¡±
¡°Ho¡¡± Cyrus smirked. ¡°My portfolio is diverse, Sword Junkie¡ªI go where the money and fame are. Some Exterminators are sponsored by companies. It¡¯s practically a sport now.¡±
¡°Excuse me?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyebrows shot up at Cyrus¡¯s words. ¡°A sport? What do you mean ¡®sport¡¯? Tens of people die every day from daemon attacks, and you¡¯re calling it a sport? Who even are¡ª¡±
¡°It seems we won¡¯t be having that dinner after all, Sword Junkie¡¡± Hans interrupted with a soft sigh, shaking his head in disappointment as he positioned himself between Julian and Cindy. ¡°...I would have loved to talk more, but¡ª¡±
¡°I got it.¡± Cyrus winked, quickly guiding Julian toward the exit. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go. This is a private moment now.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian grabbed his cane. ¡°...Thank you for letting me experience the xylarion, Hans.¡±
¡°No, no.¡± Hans shook his head with pride. ¡°The pleasure was mine, Sword Junkie.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian murmured as he and Cyrus left, leaving Hans alone with his granddaughter, who looked like she was about to explode. Fortunately, she just sighed, holding back her anger.
¡°What did you call him here for, Grandpa?¡± Cindy¡¯s demeanor shifted the moment she was alone with her grandfather, her tone sharp. ¡°You know I¡¯ve been investigating him. I¡¯ve been trying to recruit special people for the guild since we¡¯re being left behind by the others.¡±
¡°And you said it wasn¡¯t a sport.¡± Hans scoffed, shooting her a glance before turning back to the xylarion knife. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your investigations, Cindy. I called the Sword Junkie to make me a knife.¡±
¡°And why are you calling him Sword Junkie¡?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyebrow rose, her frustration building. ¡°I don¡¯t care about the Otherworld or whatever¡ªit¡¯s him I¡¯m suspicious of. He was there when¡ªwhat¡¯s that?¡±
¡°My new baby.¡± Hans finally lifted the xylarion knife from the table, his fingers brushing over the cool blade. ¡°Hold it, but be gentle.¡±
¡°Julian Winters made this?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes narrowed as she felt the almost weightless blade in her hand. ¡°Wait¡ this is xylarion metal. Grandpa!?¡±
"Ja."
¡°Why did you turn it into a kitchen knife!?¡± Cindy shouted, exasperated. ¡°You told me you were going to have someone turn it into a Phasing weapon! Grandpa!? And why would you even use a knife to cook!? Why don''t you just use a Thread Slicer!? You know, those things that vibrate and can cut meat like it''s water that all the restaurants use!?¡±
"Trust me, meine Enkelin¡¡± Hans scoffed again, crossing his arms. ¡°...This is better.¡±
¡°Better!?¡± Cindy¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°How can a kitchen knife be better than a weapon that could cut through a daemon¡¯s shell!? What were you thinking!?¡± She wanted to toss the knife away, but knowing its value stopped her. ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of the metal!? I¡¯m hiding it from you from now on!¡±
¡°You¡¯re holding it,¡± Hans said with a smirk.
¡°What?¡± Cindy frowned. ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m holding it? This is just a kitchen knife. Where¡¯s the rest of the metal?¡±
¡°All of it was used for that.¡±
¡°What?¡± Cindy¡¯s mouth dropped in disbelief. ¡°A single ingot of xylarion can make several weapons, Grandpa. What do you mean¡ª¡±
And then it clicked on her. The weight of the knife was almost non-existent, and yet it was there. But it shouldn¡¯t be there at all since it was made with xylarion, the only weight she should actually be feeling was from the handle¡ and yet she was feeling the weight of the blade too¡ which should be impossible according to its size.
¡°No¡¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes widened as she looked up at her grandfather, her expression one of pure disbelief, "No way."
¡°Yes.¡± Hans¡¯s smirk only grew wider.
Cindy gulped, walking over to the forge press. Without warning, she swung the knife across the press.
¡°What are you¡ª¡± Hans started, but before he could finish, the damage was done.
He rushed over to snatch the knife from her, checking it for any sign of damage. Of course, the knife was flawless. His beloved forge press, however, was not.
They both heard it. A creak, followed by the large forge press splitting clean in half and collapsing to the floor.
¡°No way¡¡± Cindy gasped, her reflection visible in the smooth, impossibly clean cut. ¡°...Julian Winters made that? Just¡ who is he? Can I have that knife, Grandpa?¡±
¡°No.¡± Hans quickly hid the knife behind his back. ¡°Not only can you not have it, but you also need to pay for that forge press¡ªdo you have any idea how rare it is!?¡±
¡°Grandpa¡¡± Cindy was hardly listening, her mind racing. ¡°...Can you get more xylarion? Bring¡ bring Julian Winters back here!¡±
"Vot do you think he is, a circus performer?¡± Hans waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for Cindy to leave. ¡°Ze Sword Junkie doesn¡¯t cater to people who don¡¯t appreciate his greatness. Und do you think I can just summon xylarion out of thin air?"
¡°Tell your contacts I¡¯ll buy it!¡± Cindy pleaded as she kneeled and hugged Hans¡¯s leg, desperation creeping into her voice. ¡°Please, Grandpa¡ you¡¯re one of Germany¡¯s Master-rank Exterminators¡ you can get more!¡±
¡°I¡¯m retired, girl.¡± Hans clicked his tongue. ¡°Now go, shoo! Leave me vith mein new baby."
¡°But¡ª¡±
¡°I said shoo! Don''t you have that tunnel back down on the Below to handle!?¡±
"What the!? How would... and we''re not even sure it was a daemon attack just yet!"
Unbeknownst to everyone who watched the crafting of the blade, however, they have actually witnessed history being made. If taken to Artemia, the xylarion alone would ensure an [Epic] grade weapon, it didn¡¯t matter what the result was. But with Julian¡¯s hands¡
¡everybody who watched the scene unfold in front of them has actually witnessed the birth of a [Legendary] weapon.
Now, whether or not it would have actually been taken by the Master of Shadows if it was registered as [Epic] grade, well¡ Julian will never know.
¡°Cyrus, you¡¯ve signed an NDA contract with me, correct?¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ correct. Why are you asking me? MEGAN should confirm all of that.¡±
Outside Hans¡¯s revolving house, Cyrus was a little taken aback by Julian¡¯s sudden question as they were floating down the Topside.
¡°So, anything I tell you in secret would be kept a secret?¡± Julian once again asked.
¡°Pretty much. I¡¯ll be in jail and lose all my reputation.¡± Cyrus shrugged, ¡°Why¡? Are you about to tell me a super duper secret?¡±
¡°I have a quest for a Unique Class.¡± Julian then revealed so casually. After all, since he was going to be spending a lot of time with Cyrus following him around in Artemia, there was no use in trying to hide it from him. And most importantly¡
¡Julian has finally decided to actively finish the [Master of Shadows] quest once and for all. He can¡¯t accept any more crafting requests without finishing it first.
¡°Oh¡¡± Cyrus blinked a few times, continuing to float down as he glanced at Julian.
¡°...I already knew that. It¡¯s so obvious.¡±
Chapter 40: Oh...
[It makes sense, Cyrus has dealt with hundreds of Players. You probably checked all the boxes.]
¡°Yes. He did say the weapons disappearing every time was what gave it away. Do you think Juliet knows too?¡±
[There¡¯s a high chance she does, Julian.]
A few hours after Julian¡¯s meeting with SwordJunkieNo.1Fan, he was back in their temporary lodging¡ªthe hotel near Clevesky. Initially, Julian and Ellie planned to stay somewhere cheaper, but with the sudden influx of money, they both shrugged and decided to enjoy the hotel for a while.
He and Cyrus had talked about how to proceed now that Julian had decided to trust Cyrus with the information, and the two of them agreed to keep the Unique Quest a secret for as long as possible. But of course, Cyrus wanted to slowly hint at it to the audience, just to build up hype.
Cyrus also mentioned the benefits of revealing it early, like gaining a larger audience, but he believed it wouldn¡¯t go viral that way¡ªthe discovery had to feel organic for the audience.
¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask, MEGAN¡¡± Julian hummed thoughtfully.
[What is it?] MEGAN¡¯s tone grew serious as she sensed the change in his mood.
¡°...What does ¡®viral¡¯ mean?¡±
[You¡ª]
¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Ellie interrupted as she stepped out of the bathroom.
¡°We were just talking about what to do next in Otherworld,¡± Julian said, relaxing in his chair.
¡°Oh? You¡¯re playing later?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the LinkGear resting on the bed.
¡°How exactly does that work? Your real body is asleep while your mind is out there with your clone?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure how it works, but yes,¡± Julian confirmed with a nod. ¡°That¡¯s basically how it goes.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ a really productive way to use your time,¡± Ellie said, blinking in awe. ¡°If you use both times wisely, you could really improve in social cues and understanding people, Julian.¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian tilted his head. ¡°How so?¡±
¡°Like realizing that you and MEGAN could¡¯ve talked about whatever it was you¡¯re talking about while the two of us showered together,¡± Ellie sighed, the rustle of her clothes whispering through Julian¡¯s ears as she started getting dressed. ¡°I was waiting for you to join me.¡±
¡°It is not time for me to take a bath yet.¡± Julian stood up from his seat, tilting his head to the side as he heard something, ¡°Someone¡¯s in front of the door.¡±
¡°Huh? What do you¡ª¡±
¡°Cleveland Police Department.¡±
Ellie did not really have the chance to wonder at all as their sudden visitors introduced themselves from the other side of the door, knocking several times and one more as they stated their purpose, ¡°We have questions to ask Elizabeth Summers, we were told she was in this room. We would truly appreciate it if you could help us with an ongoing investigation.¡±
¡°The¡ police?¡± Ellie gasped as she looked at Julian, ¡°Do you think¡ this might have something to do with the loan sharks? What¡ what do I do, Julian? Are they¡ are they going to arrest me for doing business with them? I thought they were¡ª¡±
¡°Ellie.¡± Julian quickly approached her, gently placing his large hands over her shoulders, ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, okay? I¡¯m sure of it.¡±
¡°That¡¡± Ellie stared at Julian¡¯s lips for a moment, taking in a small gulp before nodding and walking to the door to meet the officers with a confident fire in her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m Elizabeth Summers.¡± she introduced herself before gesturing to the two officers to come in, ¡°Please. Anything I can do to help.¡±
¡°We¡ won¡¯t be long, Ms. Summers.¡± The two officers halted their steps as soon as they caught a glimpse of Julian standing behind Ellie; one of them almost pulling out his gun there and then since he did not expect to meet someone as imposing as Julian there.
It might just be a small minute feeling, but being trapped in a small hallway with Julian was not really something that gives a lot of¡ confidence. His large arms and hands alone felt like they could grab them at any moment and snap their necks.
It did not help at all that his eyes were glowing.
¡°We¡¯re¡ sorry for disturbing you.¡± The officers gulped, ¡°But we have a few questions we need to ask you¡ªdo you know this man?¡±
One of the officers unfolded her phone which projected a hologram of a person.
[Julian! It¡¯s the boss of the loan sharks!] MEGAN quickly chimed in, [Don¡¯t do anything! They don¡¯t seem to be here for you.]
Julian made sure not to react at all, just stepping closer to Ellie and placing his hand over her shoulder.
¡°No¡¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes as she looked at the person, ¡°...I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen him before.¡±
¡°What about this one? Is he¡ª¡±
¡°He¡¡± Ellie gasped before the officer could even finish her words, her eyes trembling as she saw the hologram.
[...It¡¯s the one with the cybernetic arm, Julian.] MEGAN¡¯s voice turned deeper.
¡°Do you know him, Ma¡¯am?¡± The officer asked again.
¡°Yes.¡± Ellie answered without any hesitation as she knew that these officers already knew the answer to their questions¡ªlying here would only put her in an even tighter spot, ¡°Why¡ is there something¡ª¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
¡°He¡¯s dead, Ma¡¯am.¡± A small smirk crawled on the officer¡¯s face as she looked Ellie in the eyes, ¡°And so are the rest of his friends and colleagues.¡±
¡°Dead¡?¡± Ellie stammered, her eyes widening in shock, ¡°What do you mean¡?¡±
¡°The higher-ups think it might be gang-to-gang violence.¡± The other officer joined the conversation.
¡°They are a pretty notorious gang around here, and they target women like¡ you.¡± The man glanced at Julian, ¡°Desperate and in need of help¡ªwe found you from the list we salvaged from their hideout. You¡¯re actually the 9th person we¡¯ve visited tonight, and you won¡¯t be the last.¡±
¡°So¡ they¡¯re dead?¡± Ellie stammered, ¡°Do¡ you know who did it?¡±
¡°We were hoping you would.¡± The officers let out a sigh at the same time, already knowing the answer, ¡°But we know you have no idea about anything. This is all just a formality. And truthfully, us ground unit don¡¯t think this was done by another gang.¡±
¡°Then¡¡±
¡°Daemons.¡± The officers once again sighed, ¡°With the state of the corpses, we believe daemons did it¡ no human could have done something like that. And there¡¯s been a lot of them on The Below lately.¡±
¡°Daemon attack, again¡?¡± Ellie covered her mouth as she looked at Julian, ¡°There¡¯s¡ no chance you¡¯re returning to your apartment, Julian.¡±
¡°Well, we won¡¯t keep you.¡± The officers then smiled and nodded as they shook Ellie¡¯s hand. The male officer was about to shake Julian¡¯s hand, but he was left completely hanging.
¡°Stupid,¡± the female officer muttered, lightly hitting him on the back of the head as they left the room.
¡°Wait, is there anything I need to do?¡± Ellie called out before closing the door.
¡°Don¡¯t deal with shady people anymore,¡± the female officer advised, pointing at her.
¡°Oh¡ uh¡ right,¡± Ellie chuckled awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯ll take that advice to heart. Thank you.¡±
And as soon as Ellie closed the door, she quickly turned around and leaped into Julian¡¯s arms.
¡°What¡ what the hell was that¡?¡± Ellie¡¯s breaths turned heavy, ¡°I thought¡ I thought I was going to be in trouble. I thought we were¡ spending too much time in Cloud 9 and now they were going to take it away but¡ they¡¯re dead? Those people are dead?¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian gently brushed his fingers across Ellie¡¯s damp hair. She must never know¡ªshe must never know that it was him who massacred the loan sharks and left them down the Below like trash, ¡°I suppose the problem solved itself, Ellie. I told you¡
¡you¡¯ll be fine from now on.¡±
Ellie spent an hour in Julian¡¯s arms, and then another hour with him inside her. And finally, as she just fainted right there and then from exhaustion, it was time for Julian to return to Artemia.
¡°Ugh¡ you guys are like animals in heat.¡±
In the Between, MEGAN was rolling her eyes at the invisible Julian, ¡°Remember when I still had to explain to you everything that was happening while you and Ellie were having sex, Julian?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian answered without any hesitation, ¡°Why are you not doing that anymore?¡±
¡°Stop being such a weirdo. Yuck. Ew.¡± MEGAN rubbed her arms dramatically, shivering at his words. ¡°You¡¯re an adult now, Julian. And according to surveys, 14.12% of the human population prefers having sex with the lights off. So¡ just consider yourself part of that percentage. Pft. Sorry, that was a tasteless joke.¡±
¡°How would you know, MEGAN?¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°How would you know it¡¯s tasteless when you don¡¯t have a tongue?¡± Julian bantered.
¡°Ha!¡± MEGAN pointed at him, grinning. ¡°Touch¨¦, my boy. Touch¨¦! You¡ªOh.¡±
MEGAN wanted to talk to Julian more inside the Between, but his consciousness was already fully transferred to his clone, leaving her alone inside the empty void.
¡°Taste, huh¡¡± MEGAN very gently traced her fingers on her lips, ¡°I¡ do wonder what it tastes like.¡±
And soon, those words faded into the darkness, taking MEGAN along with her¡ªthe longing, however, will perhaps forever remain in the void.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian wasted no time stretching his clone¡¯s limbs, also making sure to relieve himself before he left his room. Since the owner of this inn was a player, toilets were practically mandatory¡ªand surprisingly enough, they were clean and worked properly. Of course, they felt quite different from what Julian was used to, but it didn¡¯t really matter at all.
¡°We¡¯re not going to stream today, MEGAN.¡±
¡°I wonder if Juliet¡¯s back at her forge.¡±
And with his meal done, Julian finally finished his ritual and stepped out of the inn¡ªwell, at least that was what he expected to happen. Before he could even get up from his table, he suddenly found himself surrounded by several people, some of them even sitting with him at his table.
¡°Is you, right? Is you?¡±
¡°Is me¡ what?¡± Julian leaned back as one of the men started pointing at him.
¡°Oooh, is you!¡± The man stood up and started spinning around, while his companions also started wheezing and breathing in harmony as they stared at Julian with amused expressions on their faces, ¡°My brother, dab it up. Dab it up.¡±
¡°Dab it up?¡± Julian could really only stare at the man¡¯s hand as it reached toward him before finally shaking it a few moments later.
¡°Ei, ei yo, man! The Sword Junkie¡¯s holding my hand!¡± The man then quickly pulled away and started high-fiving his friends, ¡°Youse famous, man. Shit! I ain¡¯t gonna wash this hand for weeks!¡±
¡°Me too, brother! Share some love here!¡±
And soon, the entire group was reaching all their hands toward him. Julian had no idea what all of this meant, but this group was funny so he just let them continue whatever it was they were doing. Soon, however, their excitement finally calmed down as some of them started dissipating away and returning to their tables¡ªall except for the first one who approached him.
¡°You going to the Streamer Awards, Sword Junkie?¡± The man asked.
¡°...I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know what that is.¡± Julian hummed.
¡°Brother, but youse a streamer.¡± The man narrowed his eyes in suspicion, his head weaving from left to right, ¡°But then again, youse with Cyrus, right? He should be telling you this stuff. They hold it every year and you definitely be baggin¡¯ that Rising Star award, brother.¡±
¡°I¡ probaby won¡¯t be attending it.¡± Julian hummed, finally getting the chance to stand up.
¡°Like hell you ain¡¯t, bro¡¡± The man pointed at Julian again, ¡°...me and the gang finna vote for you.¡±
¡°Oh, uh¡ Okay.¡± Julian shook the man¡¯s hand again as he reached out, ¡°Thank you.¡±
¡°Be seeing you out there, Sword Junkie. Be careful of them Order of Artemia bitches. Them pigs been on high alert ever since they found the bodies you left behind on the way here.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian hadn¡¯t really thought about that¡ªin fact, he had almost completely forgotten that he had already killed people in Artemia. It all seemed so¡ trivial now. Their deaths, just a passing thought in his mind, and not even. As long as he could keep himself and the people he cared about safe¡
¡he would kill more if he needed to.
***
¡°Ah, Julian! Where on Artemia have you been!? I thought you and that sissy boy died in that dungeon¡ªI was getting ready to follow you.¡±
¡°Juliet.¡±
After Julian¡¯s somewhat eventful encounter with the random group back at the inn, he went straight to Juliet¡¯s outdoor forge, quickening his pace to avoid being recognized by any more players. If Cyrus were here, he probably wouldn¡¯t be having this problem. But alas, Cyrus was going to have to take a backseat for now, as what Julian was about to do wasn¡¯t something that should be seen by the chat just yet.
¡°You¡ haven¡¯t crafted anything?¡± Julian¡¯s eyes quickly landed on the mountain of ingots they¡¯d gotten from Juliet¡¯s old employer, and it looked almost exactly the same as he had left it.
¡°No, pft.¡± Juliet lowered the large axe she was holding and glanced at Julian. ¡°These are ours, so I can¡¯t just use them whenever and wherever I want to.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian approached the mountain of ingots, tracing his fingers along their cold surface. After a few seconds, he let out a small breath, turning his shoulder toward Juliet and looking at her. ¡°...I have something to tell you¡ªand it¡¯s really important that you don¡¯t tell anyone else.¡±
¡°...Sounds serious.¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes narrowed as she sat down on the anvil. ¡°I¡¯m your apprentice now, I¡¯d literally be going against the guild¡¯s code if I disobey you.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian actively heightened his senses to check if there was anyone nearby who might be listening to them, and as soon as he confirmed that there wasn¡¯t, he carefully stepped closer to Juliet and whispered,
¡°I have¡ª¡±
¡°You¡¯re an Evil Spirit, aren¡¯t you?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°...Huh?¡±
Juliet and Julian practically stared at each other¡¯s eyes due to the quick and slightly quirky exchange¡ªwell, the staring was more Juliet, since Julian was not really used to staring anyone in the eyes yet.
¡°No.¡± Julian¡¯s words were slow as he slightly backed away from Juliet, ¡°I was going to tell you that I have a Unique Class quest.¡±
¡°Oh¡ pft.¡± Juliet rolled her lips as she looked away, ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious? I realized it when Bran came running out and screaming that someone stole the khopesh we made¡ªI was watching their smithy the entire time, Julian¡ no one entered or left even once. That means the blade just vanished into thin air, which could really only mean that it was a prerequisite for someone¡¯s quest. Yours.¡±
¡°Oh.¡± Julian hummed.
¡°...So, you¡¯re not an Evil Spirit?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes narrowed again.
¡°...No.¡± Julian answered.
¡°You sure¡? It¡¯s alright if you are, I hate the Order. But wow, you guys are actually real?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not¡?¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
¡°...Huh.¡±
Chapter 41: The 10th
¡°You need¡ to craft 10 [Epic] grade equipment¡ and the shadows will all take them?¡±
Juliet sat in front of Julian, her eyes slightly trembling from everything she had just heard. And while she couldn¡¯t believe what she just heard, Julian seemed to be completely calm, as if the weight of what he had just revealed wasn¡¯t heavy at all¡ªit was. It was very heavy.
10 [Epic] grade equipment¡just for a unique class? Anyone else might have probably already abandoned the quest, but now that she was remembering who was right in front of her, maybe the task wasn¡¯t so daunting after all.
¡°So¡ both the weapons we created together disappeared,¡± Juliet whispered, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the outside of her forge for anyone who might be listening in on them, ¡°Does that mean we only need to make 8 more? Wait, what do I mean ¡®only¡¯!? Julian¡ that¡¯s crazy! That¡¯s almost the entire portfolio of a Master Blacksmith¡ and we¡¯re not even going to get them?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian hummed, ¡°That is why I want to focus on finishing the quest¡ªI want to be able to hold our babies.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Juliet¡¯s breaths slightly trembled, her hands adjusting her bandana as she tried to process everything. She looked at the ground, and then at Julian again, ¡°What happens if we finish making them? Is that it? You¡¯re going to be¡ whatever your Unique Class is?¡±
¡°No.¡±
¡°No¡?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°What do you mean ¡®no¡¯?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian repeated, ¡°After I finish the ten weapons, I need to craft a [Unique Epic] grade weapon.¡±
¡°...Why am I starting to regret becoming your apprentice, pretty boy.¡± Juliet almost pulled out her bandana there and then, her eyes widening as she looked Julian in the eyes, ¡°Do you even realize how rare that is? [Epic] grade pieces of equipment are already hard to come by, and you¡¯re telling me you need to make a [Unique Epic]? And although not at the same level¡
¡that¡¯s the closest you could get to [Legendary] grade, Julian.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, returning Juliet¡¯s gaze and causing her to slightly be flustered. After all, he barely looks anyone in the eyes, if at all, ¡°That¡¯s why I need your help, Juliet¡ªI don¡¯t think I can do this without you.¡±
¡°T¡that¡¡± Juliet scratched her head, barely able to retain eye contact with him, ¡°Heh¡ well, alright then, pretty boy. When do we start?¡±
¡°You¡¯re fine with all of this?¡±
¡°Heck yeah,¡± Juliet stood up and gave Julian a thumbs-up, ¡°The better my master is, the better it is for me. I am so in, pretty boy. I told you that I am all in, and I¡¯m not going to back out now.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡± Julian also stood up and smiled.
And after that, neither of them spoke. Juliet leaned against her anvil, her thoughts racing as she once again tried to wrap her mind around everything. But very slowly, she took in a deep breath and started lighting the forge.
¡°Well¡¡± The roar of the forge whispered in the air along with her words. She turned to Julian, the lines of her silhouette flickering orange from the dancing flames, ¡°We¡¯ve¡ got a lot of work to do, huh?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian let out a small breath as he started rotating his wrists and stretching his fingers, ¡°Let¡¯s just get on with it, then.¡±
And as soon as the fire was hot enough, the two got to work almost immediately¡ªand this time, Juliet was completely in assistant mode. She wasn¡¯t even a striker, no. She just watched Julian, letting the clanging of the hammer whisper to her. And as soon as she hears the metal hardening, she quickly pulls it from the anvil and reheats it in the forge.
She really only needed to do this once per blade, however, as Julian was capable of completely shaping the metal to whatever he wanted in a very short amount of time. Sometimes, not even¡ªshe just ends up grinding the edges and sharpening them, but even that takes so little time since Julian even molds the sharp edges himself.
In truth, Juliet wanted to be involved more in the crafting process¡ªbut right now, at her level, she would probably just get in the way. And perhaps this was better, after all, she was practically sitting right in front of a master class¡ all she needed to do was watch and listen, again, and again.
¡°Ah! Julian, our first [Epic]!¡± After just the 2nd blade, they were able to craft an [Epic] dagger. Julian only glanced and smiled at it before once again confining himself within the roar of the forge and the heat that almost scaled their skin, tireless crafting weapon after weapon.
One would think that Julian¡¯s effort would dwindle along with the mountain of ingots, but not at all. Each new weapon they forged had a life of its own¡ªeven those that were only [Rare] grade.
And soon, Juliet finally witnessed the thing she was waiting for. The shadows started to shift.
¡°This¡¡± Juliet quickly looked at Julian, who also glanced at her in response. She was about to voice her thoughts, but she noticed that some of the blacksmiths working nearby were actually watching them¡ªhow could they not when Julian was practically mass-producing something they needed to work incredibly hard to achieve?
Most of them were whispering among themselves, their eyes as wide as they could be with awe.
¡°Ack!¡± Juliet quickly rushed out of the tent, grabbing a handful of heavy drapes from the side of the forge and hastily covering all the sides of their tent, leaving only a bit to keep the air flowing. The onlookers were not shy in expressing their disappointment with their loud groans, but Juliet stepped out and started pointing and shouting at them to leave¡ªsuffice it to say, when she came out with a large axe in hand, they all just scurried away like roaches.
And once she was sure there weren¡¯t anymore people lurking about, she stepped back inside¡and what awaited her caused her entire body to freeze there and then.
The shadows now completely surrounded the entire forge, and although she knew it was impossible, it was almost as if she could feel them hugging her, veiling her in a warm, and comfortable whisper.
It was weird. She thought the shadows would be cold and¡ ominous, but not at all. It felt quite¡ welcoming.
But of course, her opinion once again changed as she saw the [Epic] grade weapons that Julian had made with all of his heart slowly disappearing into the darkness¡ªno. They weren¡¯t disappearing at all, although it was imperceptible at first, she saw the real form of the shadows as they crept toward the weapons¡ªthey looked like heads. Perhaps wolves? Birds? Maybe even human, she couldn¡¯t quite explain it.
But they were here, they were everywhere¡and she even felt that the shadows were actually also watching her. It should feel menacing, but not at all.
¡°I¡¯m¡ not going to get absorbed too, am I?¡± Juliet nervously gulped, but still took a step closer to Julian to assist him. The shadows moved faster and faster, swirling around the weapons¡ªand soon, all the [Epic] grade weapons they had made disappeared. The dagger, the axe, and even the blade of a spear that Juliet had not completed attaching to its shaft yet.
Yes, Julian did not only make daggers even if it would have been easier. He wasn¡¯t rushing at all, no. The serene smile on his face proved to Juliet that he wasn¡¯t actually just doing this to complete the quest, not at all¡ªhe was doing this because he truly loves it.
And with that thought entering Juliet¡¯s mind, a tear could not help but trail across her cheek.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.She made the right decision¡ she made the right decision to follow this person right in front of her.
¡°Thank you, Master Julian.¡± Juliet whispered as she grabbed a cloth, not to wipe her tears, but to wipe the sweat from Julian¡¯s brow.
Hours passed, yet Julian¡¯s hand moved with unwavering precision, each strike sending a deep, rhythmic vibration across the forge that sent a slight tingle crawling up the back of Juliet¡¯s neck. If she could be locked away in this forge with Julian forever, she probably wouldn¡¯t even regret it.
She had fallen in love with his craft, no. She had fallen in love with him, and she didn¡¯t intend to deny it. But not in a romantic sense¡ªno, this was a profound respect for Julian, both as a person and as a blacksmith. It was to the point where she silently promised herself that she would never leave his side, no matter what.
And a few minutes later, the 5th weapon was finished¡ªa beautifully crafted war axe. As she began lightly hitting and fitting it to the handle she¡¯d made while Julian was forging, a sense of longing crept in. She wanted to keep this war axe for herself. But alas, after a few moments, the shadows returned to claim it.
Another hour slipped by, and this time, Julian paused, expecting another glowing orange ingot to be placed in front of him¡ but none came. He looked over at the pile to see if they¡¯d run out, but there was still at least half left.
He then turned to Juliet, only to see her grinding the last longsword he made; the hilt already attached. The smile on her face, almost chuckling. She then placed the sword on the ground and took a step back, standing beside Julian.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Julian tilted his head.
¡°We¡¯re done, Julian.¡± Juliet let out a heavy breath, glancing at Julian with a wide, and proud smile on her face, ¡°That¡¯s the 8th one¡ you actually did it, you monster.¡±
¡°That¡¡±
¡°O¡ oh?¡± Juliet almost leaned away as Julian suddenly placed his hand on her face.
¡°You¡¯re crying?¡± Julian rubbed the tears in his fingers, ¡°Did something happen?¡±
¡°Oh¡ no.¡± Juliet awkwardly smiled, wiping the tears on her cheek as she did so, ¡°I¡¯m just¡ thank you for letting me be a part of this, Julian. I¡¯m learning so much, so¡ I promise you¡ I promise you that I am going to improve on my craft so that I can actually be worthy to stand beside you.
¡°...You don¡¯t need to be worthy.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°When you were smiling earlier, I feel like that is more important than anything, Juliet. If you love what you¡¯re doing, then being worthy doesn¡¯t matter.¡±
¡°You¡¡± Juliet let out a tiny gasp at Julian¡¯s words, before softly chuckling as she nudged his shoulder, ¡°...You¡¯re sounding more and more like a master, pft. You¡ªoh, it¡¯s happening.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
This was actually the first time Julian was watching it. This was the first time he was watching his baby get taken away by the shadow.
And like Juliet, Julian did not feel any violence or greed from the shadows at all¡ªno. If anything, the shadows felt excited¡ªeven though that was the tenth piece of equipment it had absorbed, it still felt excited to claim it, like a little child¡ like him.
Julian did not have a really great impression of the so-called Master of Shadows, but if he was this excited in obtaining what he made, then perhaps he wasn¡¯t so bad, after all.
¡°And there it goes.¡± And now, with the last of the [Epic] grade weapon sinking into the darkness, Juliet was finally able to breathe out a sigh of relief; her chest that had been inflated since the start, now allowed to relax.
And soon, the shadows too, faded away and the light of the forge once again danced across the soft walls of her smithy.
And now, all that remained was the silence¡ªthe two of them, still staring at where the weapon disappeared into. The weight of what they had just achieved, finally falling upon their shoulders as the two fell to their butts there and then.
They looked at each other, with Julian once again letting Juliet¡¯s face reflect in his eyes. And after what seemed like a minute, the two smiled at the same time.
¡°Yes!¡± Juliet raised both of her fists in the air and screamed, even howling like a wolf due to her excitement overflowing, ¡°You did it, pretty boy! You did it!¡±
¡°Yes, we did¡¡± Julian softly chuckled as he let his head fall and relax, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. Although he still crafted more blades the very first time back at the town of beginners, the effort he exerted here was much greater,
¡°Now¡ it¡¯s time for the [Unique Epic].¡±
¡°Yeah, no.¡± Juliet quickly lowered her fists, her eyes now black as she glanced at Julian again, ¡°That¡¯s not happening, not here.¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian tilted his head, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°We¡¯re talking about something that equals a [Legendary] grade equipment here in terms of rarity.¡± Juliet sighed, shaking her head as she stood up from the ground, ¡°These ingots and my forge won¡¯t be able to make something like that. We¡¯d need a special material and a special fire. You¡¯re the best blacksmith I have ever seen, pretty boy¡ªbut with just steel, that¡¯s not happening.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed, listening to her words, ¡°What do you suggest, then?¡±
¡°We need to visit the nearest Blacksmith¡¯s guild.¡± Juliet sighed, ¡°The closest one is in Calydion. If we rent some Seikrobos, we should probably reach it¡ in 3 days?¡±
¡°Wait¡¡± Julian stood up from the ground, ¡°...What do you mean by a special fire?¡±
¡°...It¡¯s a different kind of flame with special properties, usually enhanced by mages?¡± Juliet narrowed her eyes, looking at Julian from head to toe, ¡°You¡¯re an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°Why¡ are we talking about that again?¡±
¡°Because even a kid would know that.¡± Juliet let out another sigh while shaking her head, ¡°You should probably avoid asking strangers those kind of questions, pretty boy¡ªyou might get in trouble if a supporter of the Order realizes you¡¯re an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°...I¡¯m not an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°Ack, sure. Sure.¡± Juliet waved her hand, ¡°The name seems tasteless anyway. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re evil at all, Julian.¡±
¡°I¡¯m¡¡± Julian did not really know how to answer that as he had already killed people¡ªhere and on Earth, ¡°...I try to be a good person, Juliet.¡±
¡°Alright then.¡± Juliet clapped before wiping the sweat on her forehead, ¡°We should probably prepare for the trip. I¡¯ll prepare the supply and the seikrobos¡ and let¡¯s meet here tomorrow?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you need help in preparing?¡± Julian asked.
¡°Psh, no¡¡± Juliet waved her hand as she started unfolding the drapes and airing out the forge, ¡°...I¡¯ll just sell the materials we have left since we can¡¯t bring it. As for my forge, well¡ªI think I¡¯m just going to sell it.¡±
¡°What¡?¡± Julian lightly gasped, ¡°Why would you do that?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be back here anytime soon.¡± Juliet shrugged, ¡°It will just be wasting here if I don¡¯t sell it¡ªand would need money for our travels too, I can¡¯t let you pay for everything.¡±
¡°B¡ª¡±
¡°It¡¯s not negotiable.¡± Juliet grinned.
Julian wanted to rebuke, but it was not really his place to say anything about this at all. And so, with a long and very deep sigh, he just hummed and nodded before bidding his farewell and returning to the inn.
Once again, Julian felt a small sense of anticipation. The thought of creating something truly unique, something beyond what most blacksmiths could even dream of¡ªit once again stirred something inside him.
¡°Tomorrow, then¡¡± Julian lay down the hard bed, staring at the wooden ceiling of his room. He was excited to journey to the so-called blacksmith¡¯s guild, but for now¡
¡°...Guidance.¡±
[STATUS]
Name: Julian Winters
Class: No Class
Level: 11
Health (HP): 115/120
Mana (MP): ??/??
Stamina (SP): 34/158
Strength: 14+
Agility: 18+
Vitality: 10
Mana: ?
Perception: 21+
Free Points: 15
Skills:
You have no skills yet. Please select a class as soon as possible.
Abilities:
Hyper Instinct - Due to some unknown factor undetected by the [Guidance of Artemis], your senses are highly abnormal. All Skills affected by Perception will have increased effectiveness.
Active Quests:
Master of Shadows
The Flames of Juliet
Explore the world to gain more quests.
[End of STATUS]
¡°Hm¡?¡± Julian let the information enter his mind, his eyes widening with all the numbers, ¡°I¡ gained 4 levels? Is it because of the Living Statues?¡±
More than likely, it was also probably because of all the forging he had done. His Strength and Agility had increased on their own. And once again, his Perception had grown even higher¡ªhe probably didn¡¯t even need to assign any points there since it seemed to rise on its own.
"MEGAN, I have 15 Free Points," Julian whispered. "Should we go with what we talked about¡?"
MEGAN¡¯s message appeared swiftly in front of the [Status Box].
"Then¡ 6 points to Strength, and 9 points to Vitality," Julian said, gritting his teeth in anticipation of the familiar pain that was about to course through his entire body. Once again, he felt his bones and muscles restructuring¡ªit was something he was getting used to, but it still hurt.
"Okay¡" Julian took a deep breath that echoed through the room, closing his eyes as he prepared to return to his original body.
After several seconds, he felt his consciousness start to fade.
***
"Where¡¯s Ellie?"
Julian immediately noticed the emptiness of the bed upon returning to Earth, his hand instinctively reaching out to the other side of the mattress as Ellie¡¯s scent was absent from the room.
[I told her you were returning, so she went out to get something for you to eat, Julian,] MEGAN¡¯s voice whispered in his mind. [You seem to be getting more comfortable going back and forth between your two bodies.]
"I¡ think so too." Julian removed the LinkGear and sat up. "I need you to look something up for me, MEGAN."
[Oh¡?]
"What¡¯s that place called¡?" Julian murmured, standing up and carefully placing the LinkGear on the bed.
"The place where you learn martial arts?"
Chapter 42: Onward to The Lands of Artemia
¡°Are¡ you sure we¡¯re in the right place?¡±
Julian was now standing in front of an old building. A building that seemed like it didn¡¯t belong in Sky Net at all¡ªgranted, it was on the Ground Level, but the fact that it was tucked between two skyscrapers made its antique exterior even more obvious.
[Yes, Julian.] MEGAN softly chuckled, her words a little playful, [I am sure we are in the right place.]
¡°I¡¯ve also checked the reviews of this place, it¡¯s really good.¡±
And Ellie was actually also there, carrying a large duffel bag as she took a long, and very deep breath. The old building reflected in her eyes, her eyes that showed both excitement and a slight trace of nervousness.
¡°Are you sure about coming with me, Ellie?¡± Julian asked, noticing how tightly Ellie was gripping her bag.
¡°Yes.¡± Ellie nodded firmly, though her gaze was fixed on the wooden entrance. ¡°I just¡ don¡¯t want to be helpless if something happens again.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian tilted his head to the side to closely listen to Ellie¡¯s breath, taking a moment to make sure that she wasn¡¯t nervous. But with how still her breaths were, it would seem her resolution was even higher than his.
¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± She was even the first to step forward and enter the building, and almost instantly, the stillness of the old building faded away. A heavy, pulsing rhythm quickly hit both her and Julian as an intense silence whispered in their ears¡ªthe air was heavy, incredibly so.
There were rows of mats everywhere, with 3 sparring rooms all occupied by both men and women; all of them, moving with a heavy purpose, quite literally. Their muscles flexed under the bright lights, their grunts and groans completely filling the air.
This old building was a gym. A dojo, to be exact.
¡°This is¡¡± Ellie took in a small gulp, her eyes darting around the chaotic and explosive scenery in front of her. She almost forgot to breathe for a second, and if didn¡¯t whisper under her breath, then she probably still wouldn¡¯t be breathing, ¡°I¡¯ll¡ go check in at the front desk. MEGAN¡¯s already sent them an online application, so I shouldn¡¯t take long. Are you¡ fine here by yourself?¡±
¡°I am.¡± Julian hummed. And not even a second later, he could hear Ellie just running away; the excitement in her steps almost enough to drown the intensity in the air.
[I think it¡¯s a good idea that she came.] MEGAN whispered in his mind, [It will help her mind cool off with everything that¡¯s happened to her, Julian.]
¡°Hm.¡± And now with him left alone, Julian calmly started listening to the rhythm of the moving bodies around him, pulsing throughout the large hall and causing the hair on the back of his neck to slightly stand up.
His senses have been overwhelmed a lot of times ever since he discovered Otherworld, and now once again, it was as if he could feel everyone moving. Their breaths, the rustle of their clothes, and even the slight tension and change in their muscles¡ªhe could hear and feel them all.
Despite Ellie¡¯s request to stay near the entrance, Julian slowly wandered farther inside. His cane that was tapping softly on the floor, drawing a few glances here and there.
After all, how could they not be curious about Julian? He was blind, but most importantly, he was built like a brick wall, no. He was the entire fortress itself. And since Julian was currently wearing a tight-fit sports shirt, the shape of his body was even more obvious.
And very soon, a muscular man who was even taller than Julian strode up to him. The man¡¯s eyes looked at him from head to toe, and once again¡ Julian found himself being circled by someone.
¡°Ho¡?¡± The man stopped in front of him, offering a low grunt of approval as he finished studying Julian. ¡°You here to learn how to fight? And is that your girl over there by the counter?¡±
¡°Yes¡ and yes.¡± Julian replied, facing his shoulder toward who he could really only assume to be a trainer.
¡°Huh¡¡± The trainer raised an eyebrow, glancing at Julian¡¯s cane. ¡°But you¡¯re blind.¡±
¡°I know,¡± Julian answered without any hesitation.
¡°You know, huh?¡± The trainer¡¯s eyes narrowed as he stared at Julian¡¯s face¡ªand without even any warning, he raised his fist and shot it straight toward Julian¡¯s face. The room seemed to hold its breath, the impact mere inches away¡ª
Snap!
A loud sound echoed throughout the entire gym, causing everyone to turn their attention to the two, only to see the trainer¡¯s fist right in front of Julian¡¯s face. Everyone was in shock, how could they not be?Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Their trainer just struck a blind, defenseless man. If none of them knew the trainer, then they would have definitely already called the cops. But they all knew him, and he was definitely not the kind of man who would bully someone.
And then they saw it¡ªthe fist did not actually hit the blind man¡¯s face at all, no. It was the cane. It was the cane that was hit.
¡°You¡¡± Of course, the one that was most perplexed was the trainer himself. There shouldn¡¯t have been any time for Julian to raise his cane, much less block his fist. He had no intention to hit Julian at all and planned to stop his fist an inch away from the front of his nose.
The groans and grunts of the people were quickly replaced by murmurs, everyone¡¯s eyes were now glued to Julian, wondering who he was and what just happened.
¡°Impressive¡¡± The trainer¡¯s expression shifted from surprise to intrigue. He took a step back, his eyes locked on Julian, ¡°But let¡¯s see what you can really do.¡±
¡°I was just lucky.¡± Julian whispered.
¡°Heh. Sure you are.¡±
[Julian, be careful¡ªaccording to the test we did earlier, you could probably flip a small car.] MEGAN whispered in his mind as soon as she saw the trainer go into a stance, [If you accidentally hit him with just a little more power than intended¡ you could kill him.]
¡°W¡ª¡±
¡°Julian!?¡± Fortunately for everyone there, however, the trainer did not get the chance to test Julian at all as Ellie¡¯s voice broke through the murmurs, ¡°Is everything alright!?¡±
The trainer stared at Julian for a few seconds before finally relaxing, softly chuckling in response while retracting his stance.
¡°Oh, everything¡¯s more than alright.¡± The trainer looked at all the curious faces before turning to Ellie, ¡°This gym¡¯s about to have the most fun it¡¯s had in years.¡±
¡°Stop staring at the seikrobos, pretty boy. You¡¯re starting to make it nervous.¡±
After his intense and unexpected encounter in the gym, Julian returned to Artemia a few hours later. The early morning light spilled softly over the landscape outside the city of Ethaca¡ªa vast and open field, which almost felt like it would drown you if you stared for too long.
Julian, however, had not even looked at the horizon even once.
He was now standing before a seikrobos, his fingers tracing the creature¡¯s feathered fur, curious whether it looked as strange as it felt. He had only touched a single animal before¡ªan owl. Ellie had brought it home one day, insisting they take care of it.
Unfortunately, a week later, it was shot after escaping their apartment and eating the neighbor¡¯s cat. This seikrobos, however, reminded him of that owl¡ªits feathered texture was similar, even if its overall build was likely worlds apart.
The seikrobos was massive, standing taller than him with thick, muscular legs, short arms, a long neck, and an elongated head.
The way Cyrus explained it to him, it looked like a mix of three extinct Earth creatures: a T-rex, an ostrich, and a greyhound, though that meant little to Julian since he didn¡¯t know what any of those looked like.
But whether they looked weird or not didn¡¯t really matter at all, they were extremely handy; Juliet was able to hang all of their supplies on their back without a problem at all.
¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± Cyrus was already mounted on his personal seikrobos, bouncing with barely contained excitement. The moment he¡¯d heard about Julian¡¯s plans to travel to the next city, he¡¯d informed the chat and even updated Julian¡¯s social media feeds through MEGAN.
Yes. He and MEGAN have created several social media pages for Julian. They have really only advertised it with the chat¡ªbut soon, they planned on opening it up to the public. But of course, that would have to wait.
¡°The chat¡¯s already eating this up, Sword Junkie.¡± Cyrus rubbed his palms together, a soft and almost mischievous chuckle escaping his lips, ¡°Even if nothing happens during this journey, people love a long, quiet trek. Some of them would even sleep while the stream is going.¡±
¡°...People do that?¡± Julian finally removed his gaze from the seikrobos as he moved to its side, trying to figure out how exactly he would mount the thing. But after a few moments of consideration, he decided to stop overthinking and just go for it.
He made several attempts, though his movements were a bit stiff. Each time he tried to swing his leg over, the seikrobos shifted slightly, leaving him half-dangling. The creature huffed, casting Julian a look of reluctant tolerance¡ªor maybe it was just getting back at him for staring at it so long.
Julian tried one more time, but before he could raise his leg, Juliet¡¯s laughter burst out from behind him.
¡°Pft¡ forget it, Julian.¡± Juliet patted his shoulder several times, shaking her head before waving Julian to follow her, ¡°Just ride with me for now.¡±
¡°That¡¡± Julian glanced back at the seikrobos, but it took another step away before he could even do anything else. And so, with a sigh, Julian just gave up and joined Juliet on her mount, while the seikrobos that was supposed to be for him was designated to carry all the luggage instead.
¡°Uhm¡¡± Juliet thought he would hesitate to ride behind her, but not at all. Not only did Julian did not hesitate, but he also wrapped his arms around her waist without saying anything at all, causing Juliet to flinch.
She glanced back at Julian, but he wasn¡¯t reacting at all and he had this clueless expression on his face that he always has.
¡°You know, pretty boy¡¡± Juliet sighed as she grabbed the reins, ¡°...you¨Cno, don¡¯t mind my words.¡±
¡°Alright, is everyone set!?¡± Cyrus seemed to be completely used to riding a seikrobos as he circled around Julian, making sure to get the right angle,
¡°Alright, Chat. The Sword Junkie is now leaving Ethaca and into the wild world of Artemia. We are finally going to see him go through an adventure, face failures, meet new species. And maybe¡¡±
Cyrus whispered as he made sure to focus on Juliet¡¯s face, ¡°...Find love? But what about Ellie, his long-time partner and confidant back on Earth? Well¡
¡I suppose we just have to find out in the next chapters of¡ Sword Junkie: Journey to Artemia!¡±
***
¡°How many attacks have we had the past few weeks?¡±
Somewhere back on Earth, in a vast room lit up by a wall of surveillance footage, live maps, and countless images and videos of daemons, hundreds of people were currently scrambling about without pause.
The only ones who were not running around were the two people who were overseeing the entire room from above; their eyes, reflecting everything that was happening. The chaos, however, seemed to weigh nothing compared to the conversation they were having.
¡°52% compared to last month.¡±
¡°52%!?¡±
¡°Yes. And it¡¯s rising each day. Based on the spike, it¡¯s possible¡
¡that a Daemon Wave would be happening again soon. And it will be the biggest one yet.¡±
Chapter 43: Artemias Beauty
¡°So¡ you¡¯ve never really ridden a seikrobos before?¡±
¡°Yes. I¡¯ve never ridden animals before.¡±
¡°Even on¡ what do you call your planet again?¡±
¡°Earth.¡±
¡°Huh¡ feels like a short version of ours. And¡ªOh, hold on. It¡¯s going to get bumpy!¡±
Contrary to what one might expect, the seikrobos do not bark, chirp, or growl¡ªthey clack. Their thick, blocky set of teeth drummed loudly each time they wanted to express something.
And with Juliet giving the animal a small nudge, the seikrobos clacked its teeth again as it picked up speed. And it is as Cyrus said the journey would be¡ªscenic.
They have been traveling an endless sea of grass for hours on end. Julian was shocked that such a place could actually exist. He had always felt confined, caged.
Even if he couldn¡¯t see back on Earth, he felt it. The jungle of concrete that reached the skies might make you feel like you could reach the expanse of space itself, but that was only reserved for those capable of it.
For those down below, Earth was a cage; suffocating.
But here, everything just felt so¡ free.
The sea of grass that was dancing with the gentle push of the wind, the small creatures that were peeking out from the swaying blades, curiously looking at them as they passed by¡ªonly bound by the rules of nature.
And every so often, they¡¯d pass other travelers. Some nodded and waved, while most quickly hid their luggage. Some rode seikrobos like theirs, while most were on foot, tightly holding their large bags as they gave Julian and his companions a friendly nod.
¡°Woah¡¡±
And at one point, a flock of wild seikrobos dashed by and ran next to them; their thick legs causing the earth to shake as they galloped effortlessly, almost gliding onto the field of grass.
Juliet glanced back at Julian, clearly amused when she saw him seemingly wanting to reach out his hand toward the wild seikrobos. ¡°Pft¡ you¡¯re acting like a child, pretty boy.¡±
¡°I get that a lot.¡± Julian did not mind the comment at all, even hinting a smile as the flock of seikrobos all went away into the distance, ¡°Is it always so peaceful here?¡±
¡°No.¡± Juliet answered without any hesitation, ¡°There are creatures that could eat you, kill you, or just downright play with you if you don¡¯t follow the trail.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian really only reacted with a sigh. Another hour passed, and they found themselves trekking close to a cliff, most probably to avoid monsters.
Below the cliff was a vast expanse of trees, once again stretching far beyond the horizon. It was a deeper shade of green than the sea of grass they previously journeyed¡ªalmost figuratively, as it seemed to represent a deeper part of Artemia. The sun was also starting to hang low, casting its warm light over the forest.
There was a faint mist veiling over it, almost as if they didn¡¯t want Julian to see everything they held.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian felt the shift in temperature as they passed into the shadow of the cliff. A cool breeze drifted up from the valley; water, seemingly flowing from nowhere as they fell down into the thick forest.
"That¡¯s the Forest of Taurys down there," Juliet noticed him staring at the sea of trees. "We definitely don¡¯t want to find ourselves down there¡ªif I remember correctly, the lowest level of the creatures down there is¡ 30? Craftsmen like us would need an escort to travel there if we don¡¯t want to be food.¡±
¡°Huh.¡± Julian hummed.
Juliet glanced back at him once again, and when she saw how he had fully relaxed into the ride, she gently pulled the reins and stopped the seikrobos.
¡°Want to give riding this thing another shot?¡± She asked.
¡°...Okay.¡± Julian did not really refuse at all and even quickly dismounted along with Juliet. Since the other seikrobos were still filled with luggage, they decided to try it with her mount instead.
He approached slowly, his hand carefully resting on the seikrobos¡¯ thick neck as he prepared to climb on it alone. But just as he mounted, the seikrobos suddenly took an unexpected step to the side, causing Julian to lose his balance.
¡°Pretty boy!?¡±
Unfortunately, Julian¡¯s foot caught the reins and he was dragged away; the creature, veering so close to the end of the cliff. Fortunately, however, the seikrobos stopped before the two of them could actually fall, probably to their deaths.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian freed his foot from the reins and casually stood up like nothing happened, patting his clothes before looking back at Juliet and Cyrus, ¡°...These things don¡¯t really like me.¡±
¡°You¡¡± Juliet held her breath as she stared at the blank expression on Julian¡¯s face, dirt still sticking to his face.
As for Cyrus, well, he was actually also slightly nervous. It¡¯s true he wanted a thrill, but Julian falling down a cliff would be quite a short thrill, ¡°That¡ that was close. Right, Chat?¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
And as Cyrus¡¯s eyes were bombarded by the chat, he could not help but stutter with his words. ¡°W¡what the!? Why are you people blaming me!?¡±
¡°Pft¡¡± After holding her breath, Juliet let out a quiet breath of laughter as she quickly reached out to Julian. ¡°Okay¡ okay¡ªmaybe it wasn¡¯t such a good idea to try this next to a cliff. Just¡ ride with me for now.¡±
And so, with another failure, they continued on with their journey. And soon, the scenery around them shifted to a more rugged terrain; the air, growing cooler and more crisp as the trees began to stretch above their heads, completely veiling the setting sun; its rays, piercing through the leaves and casting patterns across the thick roots beneath them.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian stared at the light and shadows dancing around him, letting his eyes absorb everything they could.
The day wore on, and now they found themselves out of the tall trees and onto rocky slopes. Everything just felt new to Julian, and as the night fell, his other senses kicked in¡ªbringing new life to everything around him.
¡°We should stop here for the night.¡±
With the darkness consuming their path forward, the group decided to pause their journey while there were still tall rocks that could serve as their walls for the night. Julian still wanted to continue as he didn¡¯t really see any problems with the darkness, but of course¡ he was sharing this world with other people now.
And from the howls and growls he was hearing from the distance, well¡ it truly was probably best to stop traveling.
They made camp, setting up tents while Juliet distributed the supplies she had prepared.
¡°I¡¯ll take first watch.¡± Cyrus winked at the two, ¡°The two of you can rest.¡±
And as the fire crackled in the center of their camp, they each took turns on watch. Juliet did not really have any trouble falling asleep almost immediately¡ªafter all, she prepared everything. And then she also had to ride with Julian, which took a lot of toll on her physically¡ and maybe emotionally.
As for Julian, well¡ he and Cyrus had the unfair advantage of being able to instantly ¡®log off¡¯ to let their clones rest. He just had to set up an alarm for 2 hours back on Earth, and Cyrus wouldn¡¯t even need to wake him up for his turn.
Nothing eventful really happened during his turn. But it was eventful enough for him; all the sounds he was hearing, the rustling of the leaves, the white rays of the moon dancing on the cold ground. It was¡ fun.
But of course, 2 hours of rest was not enough for his clone and he had to wake Juliet for her turn.
¡°Hm¡?¡± Juliet wiped the saliva trailing across her chin; her bandana, slipping away from her head as she sat up, revealing her long, blonde hair which quickly flowed down her neck. She looked completely out of it as she started looking around, but as soon as she saw Julian, a sigh escaped her lips.
¡°Right¡ we were traveling.¡± She yawned while tying her hair and wearing her bandana again, ¡°How¡ long have I been sleeping?¡±
¡°A little over 4 hours.¡± Julian sat on the ground, ¡°Do you want to sleep more?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Juliet waved her hand and scoffed, ¡°...You go to sleep, pretty boy. You¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t seem to be used to traveling.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian smiled in response.
¡°But I am curious though¡¡± Juliet once again yawned, ¡°...You and that guy. You¡¯re able to fully control whenever you¡¯re returning to your¡ original body? How does that even work? Is it like magic? You¡ªOh.¡±
Unfortunately for Juliet, as she glanced back to Julian, he was already completely knocked out and asleep.
¡°Huh¡¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes narrowed as she leaned closer to Julian, watching his completely still expression as he slept. She reached out, carefully poking his cheek gently at first, but she increased the pressure when she realized Julian was not reacting at all.
¡°Pft.¡± She soft giggled as Julian didn¡¯t even stir at all, finding his deep sleep both amusing¡ and a little scary. She continued to poke Julian¡¯s face, but her fingers brushed a little lower, accidentally grazing his lips.
¡°O¡ oh¡¡± She quickly pulled back, her cheeks slightly flushed as she moved away from Julian, ¡°You¡¯re¡ really out cold, huh?¡±
Unbeknownst to her, however, Cyrus was actually awake... and even whispering to the Chat about what was happening. He wasn''t going to waste such dramatic material go to waste, after all.
And soon, morning came again and the world began to wake along with Julian and Cyrus. None of them really talked as they began packing again and continued on with their journey. The 2nd day was quieter, the only sound being uttered was the steady rhythm of the seikrobos¡¯ steps.
Julian, Juliet, and even Cyrus had settled into a peaceful, and comfortable silence. And very soon, the rocky paths became narrower¡ smoother as they moved between two plateaus.
Julian once again tried to see if he could ride the seikrobos, but he once again found himself being dragged across the sharp rocks. Suffice it to say, everyone found it amusing. And so, once again, Juliet just found herself in silence as she felt Julian¡¯s arms around her.
This silence, however, did not last long this time as suddenly, a massive tree stretched across their narrow path, blocking their way entirely.
¡°Oh, wow¡¡± Cyrus was the first to react, a small smile crawling onto his face. ¡°This isn¡¯t deliberate or suspicious at all.¡±
Without warning, he suddenly leaped from his seikrobos¡ªalmost soaring through the air¡ªas he latched himself onto the tall walls of the plateau beside them.
¡°Alright, Chat¡ wake up, wake up!¡± Cyrus called out, his voice bright with excitement as he alerted the chat. ¡°You don¡¯t wanna miss this.¡±
¡°Pretty boy¡ let¡¯s go down.¡± Juliet whispered as she and Julian also dismounted; her eyes, scanning the narrow path as she carefully moved to the other seikrobos and pulled out her war axe. She kept her grip ready, scanning the large boulders around them.
As for Julian, well¡ªhe just stood there with his head tilted to the side.
¡°I hear¡ twelve people.¡± Julian muttered, his voice steady and calm. ¡°No. Not people¡ animals?¡±
¡°Not exactly,¡± Juliet replied, tightening her grip on the axe as her eyes narrowed, her voice taut. ¡°There¡¯s really only one creature that lurks around here in this area¡ªFautyrs. They¡¯re nasty creatures, Julian¡ stay on guard.¡±
As soon as she spoke, shadowed figures began to emerge from behind the boulders, their skin blending into the rocks and earth. Their heads resembled those of goats, with hollow, dark eyes and twisted horns spiraling backward. They had human-like torsos covered in coarse, matted fur, while their legs were thick and shaped like a horse¡¯s, ending in cracked hooves that sank heavily into the ground.
Julian¡¯s first thought was that they might be Gnarfolks because of the horns, but he remembered what Cyrus had told him¡ªGnarfolks have tails, and these creatures didn¡¯t.
The Fautyrs crept closer, their dark eyes fixed on the group, twisted mouths curling into sinister grins that showed yellowed, sharp teeth.
¡°Ku¡ kuku¡ people¡ so small group¡¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian¡¯s eyes widened as he caught their muttering. He quickly turned back to Juliet with a hint of confusion. ¡°They¡ talk? They¡¯re people?¡±
¡°If you can call it talking,¡± Juliet muttered, her stance tense. ¡°And no¡ they eat people, Julian.¡±
¡°They eat people¡¡± Julian echoed as he carefully moved closer to Juliet, grabbing his shortsword and shield from the seikrobos. A slow, dangerous smile formed on his face.
¡°...Then that means we¡¯re free to kill all of them.¡±
Chapter 44: The Blacksmiths Guild...?
¡°Kh!¡±
Julian¡¯s feet slid back, heels digging into the ground as he blocked the force of a Fautyr charging straight at him.
The creature¡¯s twisted horns pressed hard against Julian¡¯s small shield, vibrating through his arm.
¡°Meehh!¡± He barely had any time to react as the Fautyr swung both of its arms, its dirty nails angling for his throat.
Julian abandoned the shield. There was no choice, as it was already wedged against the fautyr¡¯s horns¡ªand perhaps he just dodged back just in time, as another fautyr rammed through the air he¡¯d been standing in just moments earlier.
But of course, Julian didn¡¯t just dodge. With a sharp motion, he sliced across the back of the creature¡¯s knee, meeting a bone-jarring resistance as his blade struck just right between the joints, forcing the Fautyr to just drop there and then.
Juliet, not far off, had been watching the action between her own swings. She already knew Julian could handle himself, but this¡ªthis was something else.
Sure, he¡¯d made it through a dungeon and had experience fighting monsters, but she also knew the difference between his level and her own.
Julian shouldn¡¯t be stronger than her, but he is. So, this is the kind of beings the gods favor, she thought.
But a head-splitting bleat jerked her focus back to her own battle as another fautyr lunged at her with its horns bared.
¡°Crap!¡± Juliet brought her axe up in a firm block, meeting the attack head-on. Unlike Julian, however, her feet did not slide across the ground at all and instead stood firm. And with a smirk, she slammed her elbow into the back of her axe.
¡°Meehhh!?¡± The fautyr¡¯s horns cracked under her force, pieces flaking off as it staggered back, dazed. Unfortunately for the fautyr, that was the only moment Juliet needed to completely separate its head from the rest of its body.
But of course, this wasn¡¯t going to be too easy.
The Fautyrs moved around them with unsettling coordination, their forms slightly disappearing into the boulders and the plateau walls. Their skin and fur seemed to change colors with each step, reflecting whatever material they were close to.
Their pathetic attempt to camouflage themselves, however, was completely useless against Julian.
A fautyr lunged toward him, expecting to catch him off guard. But alas, Julian did not even need to turn around to know that it was coming¡ªhe just casually dodged to the side, once again crouching down to slice it just behind its knee.
¡°MmmEehh!?¡± The Fautyr tumbled, letting out a furious hiss that almost sounded like words. Well, considering they could actually talk, it might have been trying to say something.
Soon, more and more lunged at Julian, none of them waiting for their turn as they all moved at the same time. But Julian was completely undeterred, his strikes aimed precisely at the weakest points.
¡°Hold on, hold on, Chat¡¡± Cyrus, who was watching everything unfold while latching onto the plateau walls, muttered under his breath, his voice carrying a note of excitement.
His eyes flicked back and forth between Julian¡¯s sharp, controlled strikes.
He couldn¡¯t help but just breathe in awe at what he was witnessing. But most importantly, the Chat was loving it.
Cyrus focused on Julian¡¯s effortless movements, his hits landing with almost eerie precision, each strike more accurate than the last¡ªthis wasn¡¯t something a newbie should be capable of.
Cyrus recalled the little meeting he¡¯d had with MEGAN back on Earth just before the journey started, remembering how she mentioned that Julian had begun training in actual combat. But this¡
¡Julian¡¯s hits were so exact they seemed almost too good to be true¡ªeach move targeting the Fautyrs¡¯ weak spots perfectly.
Knees, necks, wrists. Every strike cut through with pinpoint accuracy, like he wasn¡¯t just fighting but disassembling them piece by piece. Cyrus watched, captivated by Julian¡¯s flawless aim. In blacksmithing, Julian was already a legend for his perfect hits. But now, here, on the battlefield, he seemed to also be hitting [Perfect] strikes.
¡°Just¡ what sort of monster are we witnessing here, Chat!?¡± Cyrus mumbled, shaking his head with a smirk.
And Julian just continued, seemingly improving right in front of everyone¡¯s eyes.
And soon, the clearing grew eerily quiet as the last fautyr fell, a dull thud echoing against the rocky walls around them.
¡°Ha¡¡± Julian exhaled, his stance loosening as he felt the silence settle over the battlefield. For a moment, he almost forgot where he was, the thrill of his own movements taking over until the stillness of victory finally reached him.
Juliet approached him, catching her breath as she observed him with an impressed, almost mystified look. ¡°You¡ you know, I thought you could fight, pretty boy, but that? That was something else.¡±
¡°Sword Junkeh!!!¡± With the fautyrs all dead, Cyrus finally returned to the ground, a broad smile plastered across his face. ¡°Look at you¡ªif you keep this up, Humanity Engineering might just end up sponsoring us for an ad themselves.¡±
¡°Is¡ that a good thing?¡± Julian asked as he sheathed his sword; his entire demeanor, turning meek again.
¡°Good?¡± Cyrus scoffed, his voice ringing with amusement. ¡°It¡¯s more than good¡ it¡¯s fucking great. We¡¯ll basically be¡ªwhat the.¡±
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And before Cyrus could finish his words, the sound of Juliet carving through the flesh of the fautyr whispered in his ears¡ªit was the chat that caught it first, causing some of them to leave from the horrific sight.
¡°Hm?¡± Julian noticed the shift in Cyrus¡¯s expression, causing him to turn around and also check on Juliet.
¡°Fautyr pelts are popular with adventurers, thieves, and assassins¡ all kinds of uses. They¡¯re highly resistant to the elements.¡± Juliet started to explain without being asked.
¡°Oh?¡± And Julian seemed completely intrigued as he just left his conversation with Cyrus and approached Juliet, ¡°And what about the horns?¡±
¡°Meh.¡± She casually smashed the twisted horns of the fautyr without any effort, ¡°Not much we can use them for. They crumble into dust after they die. Mostly decorative, if anything.¡±
Julian, watching her work, glanced down at his own hands. ¡°...Mind if I try?¡±
Juliet looked up, a little surprised, before letting out a small chuckle. ¡°Sure, pretty boy. Go ahead. I think we¡¯ve got a few extra knives in the pack.¡±
Julian went over to their supplies, rummaging through until he found one of the knives. He quickly began working with Juliet, his movements were careful, mimicking her technique as much as possible.
¡°Not bad,¡± Juliet murmured, glancing over at him with a nod of approval. ¡°Just don¡¯t go too deep¡ªyou want to keep the pelt as intact as possible.¡±
¡°Right.¡± Julian responded, adapting his movements as he watched her.
And soon, with the creatures completely harvested and their pelts packed securely, the group finally moved on.
It took a few more hours before a new horizon began to unfold before them¡ªa vast expanse of deep blue, meeting with the sky and almost seamlessly melding with it. Julian wasn¡¯t in the water at all, but it felt like he was drowning just by looking at it.
¡°That¡¯s¡ the ocean.¡± Julian knew exactly what it was. Even though this was the first time he was actually seeing it, it felt as if he had seen it countless times. The ocean was MEGAN¡¯s favorite thing, she had described it to him so many times¡ªan endless, moving canvas of mysterious life.
¡°So¡ this is what it looks like,¡± he whispered to himself.
¡°You¡¡± Juliet glanced back, her eyes softening as she felt the tremble in Julian¡¯s breaths, ¡°...You¡¯ve never been to the ocean before?¡±
¡°I have, with my parents... a very long time ago.¡± Julian smiled, ¡°But this is the first time I¡¯m actually seeing it.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡± Juliet was a little confused as to what Julian meant by that, but before she could actually push further, Cyrus¡¯s loud voice rang through their ears.
¡°Alright, alright! We¡¯re so close!¡± Cyrus raised his fist in the air, and his seikrobos did the same, ¡°Let¡¯s pick up the pace as some of the Chat are complaining already!¡±
Cyrus then pointed at the city resting next to the ocean. It was large, perhaps larger than Ethaca¡ªbut from afar, it wasn¡¯t as grand. The buildings were shorter and there weren¡¯t any towers at all¡ it wasn¡¯t even surrounded by a wall.
¡°Onward, to Calydion!¡±
¡°The Chat he keeps on mentioning¡ what exactly is it?¡± Juliet glanced back at Julian.
¡°They are people watching us right now.¡±
¡°Huh¡ weird.¡±
And very soon, the road gradually widened, bustling with travelers and traders alike, all making their way to the city that now sprawled before them.
The closer they got to the city, the more intense the noise became¡ªthe haggling, the shouting¡ªit was a thriving market, perhaps thriving too much as one would have a hard time trying to even find a place to actually walk.
And of course, they had to stall their seikrobos on one of the many stables outside the city¡ªexcept for Julian¡¯s, as it was responsible for carrying all of their things. Julian wanted to hold the reins of the seikrobos as they walked into the city, but alas.
¡°...They really don¡¯t like you, huh.¡± Juliet softly chuckled as she grabbed the reins from Julian.
¡°You need to be very careful what you buy here, Sword Junkie.¡± Cyrus said, his eyes darting from stall to stall as they passed through the first establishment, ¡°This is a trade city, meaning anyone can set up shop here¡ªno permits at all. But that also means that it¡¯s every customer for themselves. If you¡¯re not careful, you¡¯ll end up paying three times what you should.¡±
As they moved through the maze of stalls and booths, Julian listened to the hawking cries around him, each vendor trying to outdo the next in screams and enthusiasm.
The voices almost blend together in an orchestra. And unfortunately, no conductor at all to guide them.
¡°You don¡¯t need any permits to sell here?¡± Julian asked.
¡°Nah,¡± Cyrus replied, casually pushing a vendor who tried to sell him something. ¡°Also, if you want something¡ you know¡ special, I might know a few black markets here and there.¡±
Julian tilted his head. ¡°Something special? Like what?¡±
¡°You know. Something something,¡± Cyrus chuckled, but Julian just blinked back at him, still completely confused as to what he was trying to say.
¡°How¡ do you know more than me?¡± Juliet, who was walking ahead of them with the seikrobos, glanced back at Cyrus, ¡°And also, let¡¯s not¡ do anything against the law for now and focus on heading to the blacksmith¡¯s guild.¡±
¡°Aye, aye, el capitan!¡± Cyrus raised his thumbs.
To say that Calydion was populated would be an understatement. Julian couldn¡¯t even walk without someone accidentally hitting him on the arm. This city¡ it seemed to alive for him. It was starting to make him uncomfortable being around so many people.
Fortunately, after seemingly spending an eternity winding through the crowded streets, they found themselves in an area almost devoid of any people.
Juliet stopped in front of an old building, its bricks worn and crumbling. A faded sign hung above the entrance, swaying precariously in the wind, its lettering barely readable.
¡°Is¡ this it?¡± Cyrus squinted, scanning the old building from floor to roof as he listened to the creak of¡ well, everything.
¡°It should be¡¡± Juliet muttered, raising her war axe to steady the sign. ¡°It says it¡¯s the blacksmith¡¯s guild, but¡ this isn¡¯t quite how I remember it.¡±
Cyrus shrugged. ¡°Maybe they moved to a bigger place and left this place to rot.¡±
¡°No. Someone¡¯s here.¡± And while the two were contemplating whether they were in the right place, Julian placed his hand on the old bricks of the building, ¡°I can hear it¡ metal.¡±
Juliet and Cyrus exchanged a glance, both slightly puzzled. They couldn¡¯t hear anything but the noise of the city.
¡°What do you¡ª¡± But before they could respond, Julian was already pushing the door open, leading them into the darkness of the old building.
As they stepped inside, a wave of silence enveloped them.
The clouds of dust danced in the dim light that filtered through broken windows, casting long shadows across the worn, empty space. There were pieces of chairs and tables scattered everywhere.
¡°This place¡¡± Cyrus muttered, glancing around, ¡°...looks like it¡¯s been abandoned for ages.¡±
Juliet¡¯s eyes swept across the walls, noting the empty hooks that might once have held weapons and tools. Her grip tightened on her axe. ¡°There¡¯s definitely something strange here. No way this is the same guild I remember.¡±
But Julian, still listening intently, started walking forward, his gaze fixed on the far side of the room.
¡°The sound¡ it¡¯s coming from the back. Someone¡¯s working,¡± he murmured, his footsteps echoing in the quiet.
¡°Oh¡ I hear it now.¡± Juliet whispered.
The trio moved through the shadows, their steps cautious as they followed the faint sound of clanging metal. With each step, the noise grew louder, rhythmic and deliberate, guiding them deeper into the heart of the guild.
At last, they reached the back where the forges were set up, the dim glow of embers casting a blue hue over the old, cracked stone walls.
And there, hunched over an anvil with a small flame flickering beside him, was an old man that seemed even older than the building itself. He was shirtless and gaunt, his bald head reflecting the faint blue glow of the fire.
¡°Hm?¡± And as he sensed their presence, he stopped, lifting his head to reveal a face worn with deep lines and wrinkles. His eyes were sharp, however, despite the drooping skin around them. The only hair he had were his thick, curled white eyebrows that nearly touched the side of his cheeks.
Julian took a step closer, but not toward the old man, no. His was gaze fixed on the flickering flame in the forge.
¡°This is¡¡± He stretched his hand toward the flame, his expression shifting to a look of slight confusion.
¡°This flame¡¡± Julian whispered, ¡°...It¡¯s cold?¡±
The old man¡¯s lips curled into a slight grin as he heard that, his voice a raspy whisper that echoed through the quiet room.
¡°It is¡¡± He whispered, ¡°...But not cold enough.¡±
Chapter 45: Taming The Blue Flame...?
¡°So¡ I guess you are all wondering why a place like this¡ªa place once filled with life now looks like a forgotten tomb.¡±
¡°Hm, no. Not really.¡±
¡°Well¡ it started with a rumor.¡±
¡°Welp, okay then. Chat, I guess we¡¯re going to get some backstory.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± The forge¡¯s flames barely illuminated the old halls of the guild, flickering like ghosts dancing in the darkness.
Truly, to call it old and abandoned would be an understatement¡ªsome of the dust even seemed like it had already settled on the walls and the floor.
And perhaps in a wave of irony, the only one that felt alive here was the one that looked like he could already be a corpse¡ªthe old man.
¡°It started with a rumor¡¡± The old man repeated his words in a whisper as he looked around his tomb, ¡°...But before that, I want to tell you that this place was once the pride of Calydion. We had master blacksmiths from every corner of the land. We have even been visited by the Eldazens.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed quietly as he listened to the old man. Cyrus and Juliet, however, only sighed as they knew this was going to be a long story.
¡°This place, my guild¡¡± The old man, the guild master, stood up and started walking. Julian instinctively tried to help him, but the old guild master refused. His steps were weak, but each one still held a sort of dignity and pride that you wouldn¡¯t expect coming from someone so emaciated.
His hands soon moved slowly over workbenches, gathering all the dust between his fingers as he spoke, ¡°...My guild used to be so filled with life.¡±
¡°I remember.¡± Juliet whispered as she looked around the shadows of the smithy, her eyes seemingly reflecting the light and energy it once had.
¡°And all of that disappeared because of a rumor.¡± The guild master finally returned to the start of his story; his weak and trembling eyes, glancing at the trio,
¡°Word spread of an enchanted forge¡ªone said to hold a flame spirit. And so, the guild pooled our entire budget to bring it here, no matter the cost. We thought that maybe, maybe if we managed to tame this flame¡ others will start thinking that we are the best too.¡±
He paused, looking at the blue flame with a gaze filled with regret¡ but also hope. ¡°This forge was supposed to be our ticket to the highest ranks. Enchanted flames that would enhance any metal, giving it properties other forges couldn¡¯t dream of.¡±
His voice soon grew bitter, and any hope left started to wither. ¡°But every blacksmith who tried to tame it¡failed. We all failed. I failed.¡±
Juliet took a step closer to the flame. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t anyone use it? Was the flame just¡ too intense?¡±
¡°Ha¡¡± The old man let out a small, sad chuckle. ¡°Intensity wasn¡¯t the issue. The issue is that the rumor was true, truer than I would have ever wanted it to be.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian also glanced at the dim blue flame, slightly confused about whether or not the guild master was being literal.
¡°It¡¯s¡alive.¡± The guild master raised his trembling finger and pointed it at the flame, ¡°That flame has a spirit bound to it, and it does not simply let anyone control it. Every blacksmith here tried to tame it, but none of us could meet its demands. One by one, they left, went to other branches. I stayed, hoping to keep the place alive somehow. But this guild¡
¡it has become my tomb.¡±
¡°So, it¡¯s only you here?¡± Julian asked, his head slightly tilting as he listened.
¡°Yes.¡± The old man nodded, his expression growing somber. ¡°Just me, and a forge that refuses to serve any master. I¡¯ve come to accept it¡ªthat maybe this guild will end with me.¡±
The silence hung heavy after the old man¡¯s story, each of them absorbing the weight of what he¡¯d said. Even Cyrus forgot to whisper something to the Chat, afraid that it might break their¡ immersion.
Juliet¡¯s gaze shifted between the enchanted blue flame and Julian, a spark of determination flashing in her eyes.
¡°So¡¡± she whispered, her voice steady, ¡°If no one here could tame the forge, what does it actually want? You said it has a spirit, right? Why can¡¯t we¡ awaken it?¡±
¡°Because it¡¯s angry now.¡± The old guild master laughed wryly, his steps becoming violent as he approached the fire, causing both Julian and Juliet to move away, ¡°To awaken the spirit within that flame, you¡¯d need to put a part of your soul into it. It¡¯s¡like pouring your life into the forge until it recognizes you as its master¡
¡but we poured too much, we pushed too much that the spirit within had become wrathful.¡±
¡°That¡¯s going to be a problem.¡± Juliet sighed, slightly wincing as she glanced at the old guild master, ¡°We¡sort of need this flame to create a [Unique Epic] weapon?¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
¡°Then I am afraid you have come to the wrong place.¡± The old guild master shook his head, ¡°Only a blacksmith with true mastery can resonate with the flames now¡ªanyone less would find themselves incinerated by its cold touch.¡±
¡°You just described my master.¡± Juliet pointed at Julian, excitement escaping her curling lips, ¡°He¡¯s a grandmaster.¡±
¡°Grandmaster? Ha!¡± The old guild master scoffed in amusement, staring deep into Julian¡¯s eyes, ¡°He doesn¡¯t even possess a [Blacksmith] class. The spirit would eat him alive.¡±
¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± Juliet¡¯s eye slightly twitched, slightly annoyed at the fact that Julian was being looked down upon, ¡°He might be even better than you.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about being better!¡± The flames danced along with the dust as the guild master¡¯s voice caused the entire smithy to tremble, ¡°It¡¯s about being worthy! The spirit requires someone with the [Blacksmith] class to touch it¡ªwhat do you think would happen if someone not possessing it would touch it!? He will burn! Turn into ashes!¡±
¡°Okay, alright¡¡± Juliet turned her head away as the old guild master¡¯s saliva started spraying everywhere, ¡°...But I¡¯m telling you, Julian is¡ª¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine, Juliet.¡± Julian cut her words off.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s not fine.¡± Juliet scoffed as she finally let go of her war axe, resting it on a nearby bench before approaching the flames again, ¡°Well, old man. I do have a [Blacksmith] class. Mind if I try?¡±
¡°Maybe that¡¯s not the best idea.¡± Cyrus, who had been quiet the entire time, placed his hand on Juliet¡¯s shoulder, ¡°The spirits are¡ prideful creatures, Juliet. I¡¯ve met one before and they¡¯re not really someone to be trifled with.¡±
¡°Eh. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± But Juliet was already stepping toward the forge, her gaze locked on the blue flames. She rolled up her sleeve, holding her hand out to the flames, her breaths deepening as she drew closer. The cold fire flickered, almost as if it was sensing her approach.
¡°You heard the old man¡¯s story, no one¡¯s died before.¡± She whispered, ¡°Alright¡ here goes nothing.¡±
As her fingers inched closer, the blue flames flickered and twisted, reacting to her presence with an almost curious movement. And for a very brief moment, just as her hand brushed the fire, Julian noticed her eyes turning completely white.
¡°Juliet¡?¡±
¡°Ssh!¡± The old guild master stopped Julian from approaching, ¡°She¡¯s now in the presence of the spirit, do not touch her!¡±
Julian quickly paused as he heard the guild master, making sure to take several steps back so as to not disturb Juliet.
A second.
A minute.
An hour.
An entire hour had passed, and yet Juliet¡¯s hand remained above the dim fire. But very soon, however, when they thought they would have to wait for another moment to pass¡ the flames surged violently, wrapping around Juliet¡¯s arm with a fierce grip.
¡°Gah!¡± Juliet gasped awake, her arm locked in place as the cold flames crawled up her skin as if it was alive. Its touch was both searing and chilling, an intense cold that burned with an unnatural¡ and weird ferocity.
¡°Juliet!¡± Julian stepped forward instinctively, but the old man held up a hand.
¡°Wait!¡± the guildmaster barked. ¡°If she pulls back too fast, it¡¯ll only tighten its hold.¡±
The cold flames began to creep higher, its icy grip biting into her skin with a sinister intent.
¡°Tch!¡± Cyrus leaped forward, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her back, yanking her free and throwing her far away from the forge.
¡°What¡¡± She staggered slightly, catching her breath as she looked down at her arm, now lined with faint, frostbitten marks where the flames had touched. Soon, however, those marks disappeared almost as if nothing happened.
¡°I¡¯m¡¡± Her eyes met Julian¡¯s, and she shook her head, a weak smile of reassurance on her lips, ¡°I¡¯m fine¡ I guess it doesn¡¯t like me that much?¡±
The old man¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I told you. Only an unparalleled blacksmith can dominate the flame, and even then, one has to prove themselves worthy. The guild had high hopes for this enchanted flame¡ but instead, it broke us. What could some no-name like you ever hope to achieve?¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian¡¯s gaze drifted back to the cold flames. He took a step closer, observing the faint blue aura that seemed to pulse from within.
¡°Don¡¯t even think about it, kid,¡± the old man cautioned, eyeing Julian¡¯s movement. ¡°You don¡¯t have a [Blacksmith] class, and I already warned you¡ªthis flame doesn¡¯t play nice with imposters. I would suggest the three of you leave this place and never¡ª¡±
¡°Sword Junkie, what are you doing!?¡±
¡°Julian!?¡±
And before the guild master could finish his words of warning, Juliet and Cyrus¡¯s eyes went wide as they saw Julian just casually placing his hand over the frosty fire. And the moment the tip of his fingers touched the blue flame, everything just suddenly went silent.
¡°Hm?¡± Julian looked around, only to see everyone frozen; Juliet and Cyrus, reaching out to him¡ but their bodies were completely suspended in time. And soon, Julian¡¯s vision blurred, and everything around him dissolved into a sea of blue.
Julian felt his feet leave solid ground, drifting in a space that was endless and bright, with hues of blue swirling like chilled mist around him.
He recognized this sensation¡ªit was eerily similar to the Mana Chamber in the Tower of Mana, but this place had a chill that seemed to seep right through to his bones¡ but at the same time, it scalded his skin with heat.
¡°This¡ place again?¡± Suffice it to say, Julian doesn¡¯t have a very fond memory of this place.
He tried to look around, but everything was shrouded in a gentle, icy glow. There was no clear form, no shapes to guide his vision¡ªjust an expanse of¡ a cold light.
¡°Another one?¡± Then, slowly, something began to take shape in front of him.
A figure emerged from the blue haze, materializing as if woven from the cold flames itself. Its body soon took the shape of a human, wreathed in blue flames that flickered with a strange and wild calmness.
¡°Hm¡?¡± The spirit¡¯s eyes glowed faintly, piercing Julian with an intense, scrutinizing stare.
The spirit tilted her head, her voice soft yet sharp as a blade. ¡°So¡ this is the one who dares touch the flames of Searadyn?¡±
¡°Uhm¡ Yes?¡± Julian casually waved his hand at the spirit, a small smile crawling on his face, ¡°My name is Julian.¡±
¡°I do not care for your name!¡± The spirit lashed out, waving her hand violently at him and causing multitudes of solid flames to spike out from the empty space¡ªall pointed at Julian.
¡°I am an Avatar of Searadyn, Spirit of the Frostfire,¡± she announced, her voice like the crackle of ice. ¡°You stand here with a foolish audacity, mortal¡¡±
¡°Sorry.¡± Julian sighed, his eyes looking at the weird, solid flames inching closer and closer to him, ¡°I just wanted to talk.¡±
¡°Talk¡?¡± The flames surrounding the Avatar of Searadyn faltered, her deep eyes twitching as they stared at Julian, ¡°You¡ You are not even of the [Blacksmith] class. And yet you want to talk... to me?¡±
Her form surged forward, her flame-wreathed hand reaching out as though wanting to snap his neck there and then.
¡°Kh¡¡± Julian felt an intense cold wrap around him, but even still, he held his ground.
¡°I am already more than vexed from having been awakened by that foolish girl¡ªand someone like you dares even touch me? Me!?¡± The Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s voice caused the entire domain to quake,
¡°Your death will not even be enough to quench my wrath!¡±
Chapter 46: The Wrath of the Master of Shadows
¡°Your death will not even be enough to quench my wrath!¡±
The icy flame that gripped Julian¡¯s neck grew tighter by the second, almost reflecting the wrath that was seeping out from the flame spirit¡¯s lips. Her face which was veiled in a flickering frost, twisted into a deep scowl as she glared at Julian¡ªthe disgust in her deep eyes, almost drowning.
¡°You¡¡± She hissed, her voice even colder than the flames dancing around her, ¡°You foolish mortal.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian slightly tilted his head to the side as the Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s burning hands tightened even more, her fingers like a cold and sharp iron, ¡°Tell me, what gave you the audacity to touch my flames? Do you even understand who you¡¯re dealing with?¡±
¡°I was only hoping to¡ª¡±
¡°Silence, child!¡± The flames dancing atop her head exploded. She stared at Julian for a few more seconds before her grip finally loosened, her deep eyes now looking at Julian like he was some sort of insect that she could crush at any moment.
¡°What exactly are you trying to accomplish here?¡± She continued, the disgust in her voice even more prevalent now, ¡°Do you think this ridiculous act of¡ stoicism and ridiculous self-confidence can get you through a trial of fire? Where blacksmiths more skillful than you have failed?¡±
¡°I¡¯m¡ not here to accomplish anything, or to prove myself better than those that came before.¡± Julian sighed, ¡°I am only here to ask for your help¡ that your flames might assist me in making a weapon I need.¡±
¡°Huh¡?¡± For a moment, the spirit was silent, her flames dancing and crackling as she stared at him in disbelief.
¡°Help you make a weapon?¡± she repeated, a hint of mocking amusement dripping from each word, ¡°A simpleton who hasn¡¯t even earned the title of [Blacksmith] has the nerve to ask a spirit of frostfire for help? Pathetic.¡±
¡°I know.¡± Julian once again sighed, this time a hint of a smile crawling on his face as he spoke to the fire spirit, ¡°It¡¯s just¡ª¡±
¡°No.¡± The Avatar of Searadyn raised her palm, cutting Julian off as her eyes narrowed; the flames dancing around her, now hissing wildly, ¡°What even made you think you could ever possibly deserve my power?¡±
¡°Uhm¡¡± Julian scratched his chin, ¡°...Please?¡±
¡°Please¡?¡± The Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s eyes twitched at the word. And soon, her flames erupted in a wild, icy blaze, ¡°You truly have no fear, do you?¡±
The Avatar¡¯s voice lowered, turning into an ominous whisper. ¡°Then I suppose it¡¯s time I teach you the cost of such arrogance.¡±
The Avatar of Searadyn did not let Julian respond at all. She suddenly flew toward him, embracing him with her frostfire, literally. The chill bit into Julian¡¯s skin, the icy burn crawling through him like a trillion ants.
And yet, Julian did not pull away at all. Even as the flames surged over him, even as he found himself engulfed by the frozen inferno, Julian did not pull away. Instead¡
¡he even welcomed the flames and embraced the Avatar of Searadyn back.
¡°Julian!?¡±
Back in the smithy, Cyrus and Juliet both gasped as they saw a thin trail of smoke curling up from Julian¡¯s body, his skin paling as if freezing from within.
¡°Julian!¡± Juliet¡¯s voice broke through the tense silence as she reached out to him instinctively, but the old guildmaster held up a hand, blocking her path.
¡°Stay back!¡± the guild master warned, his voice sharp. ¡°That fire isn¡¯t something mortals like us could handle. If you touch him now, you¡¯ll only burn along with him!¡±
¡°But we can¡¯t just leave him there!¡± Cyrus protested, his usually calm demeanor gone. He even almost turned off the chat there and then. After all, who wants to see their idol burn alive¡ even if it was just a clone? ¡°There has to be something we can do!¡±
¡°No.¡± The guildmaster shook his head, eyes dark with resignation. ¡°It¡¯s too late for the boy¡ªhe has been doomed by his hubris.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
¡°No.¡± Juliet clenched her fists, refusing to look away from Julian¡¯s smoldering figure. ¡°It¡¯s not over. Julian can handle this.¡±
Meanwhile, within the strange blue domain, Julian was groveled to the ground, completely engulfed in frostfire, his body burning under the Avatar¡¯s pettiness. Yet, even as the flames licked at him, biting into his skin and crackling with deadly intensity, he made no sound.
¡°What¡¯s the matter, child?¡± The Avatar watched him closely, irritation twisting her features as she noticed his calm expression, ¡°Are you too weak to even scream, child? Where is your confidence now!?¡±
¡°Why¡¡± Julian glanced up at her, his eyes steady even through the scalding cold. ¡°...Why is your kind always so violent and unreasonable? This¡ this is the second time I¡¯m being¡ harassed like this.¡±
¡°What would you know about my kind?¡± The Avatar¡¯s flames faltered slightly, her face contorting in frustration as she heard Julian¡¯s words. And then, with a sharp wave of her hand, the flames around Julian extinguished in an instant.
His body, however, was left completely charred and battered.
¡°Enough,¡± she snarled, her gaze piercing. ¡°I will ask again. Tell me, mortal¡ what makes you think you are worthy of wielding my flames?¡±
¡°I¡¯m¡¡± Julian slowly rose to his feet, his charred skin crumbling and flaking¡ªsnowing ash on the blue ground beneath him. He couldn¡¯t even feel any of the pain anymore, ¡°I¡¯m not worthy. I came to you because I want to make something I¡¯ve never had before. A cold flame, that¡¯s something I¡¯ve never even heard before¡ªand when I heard you crackle in that forge¡
¡you sounded lonely.¡±
¡°Huh¡?¡± The Avatar¡¯s eyes narrowed as she examined him, her flames flickering slightly lower; her voice a mixture of disbelief and restrained anger, ¡°You think¡ I¡¯m lonely?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°But also so¡ beautiful.¡±
¡°W¡what are you even saying!?¡± The Avatar¡¯s flames flickered.
¡°And it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t possess a [Blacksmith] class¡ªI¡¯m actually also here because of a quest. It¡¯s for a [Unique] Blacksmith class, and when I saw you for the first time¡ I knew already that you could help me achieve that with ease.¡±
¡°You¡¡± The Avatar of Searadyn stared at him in silence for a moment before her laughter erupted again, louder and harsher than before. ¡°A quest for a [Unique] Blacksmith class? You¡ a mortal without even a Class¡ dare dream of something so grand? Do you even understand the depth of your own ignorance? What¡
¡What sort of imbecile would even give someone like you, a simpleton, a quest!?¡±
Her laughter reverberated through the blue domain, but soon, a ripple spread across the azure space, the light around them dimming as shadows began creeping up from beneath Julian¡¯s feet.
¡°Hm?¡± Julian blinked, watching as the shadows crawled throughout the domain.
And of course, the Avatar¡¯s laughter ceased there and then.
¡°What¡ what is this?¡± the Avatar¡¯s voice grew uncertain, her flames flickering erratically as she glanced around, ¡°What did you¡ª¡±
[[You dare call me an imbecile!?]]
Julian¡¯s eyes widened as words suddenly materialized in the air before him. He didn¡¯t even need to guess, he instantly recognized the presence that filled the space.
¡°W¡what!?¡± And although the words only came to Julian as a message in his mind, the Avatar actually seemed to hear it as she clutched her flaming ears, obviously in pain.
¡°Who¡ who are you!?¡± The Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s flames dimmed further, the once blinding light of frostfire turning into a faint glow under the consuming darkness of the shadows. She stumbled back, her hands clutching her head as if the voice physically hurt her.
¡°What have I done to deserve your wrath?¡±
[[I am the Master of Shadows, puny spirit. And you have shown me insolence.]]
¡°The¡ the Master of Shadows. Could it be¡¡± The Avatar¡¯s form trembled, her once proud posture shrinking under the oppressive weight of the words.
¡°But¡ you¡¯ve perished eons ago.¡±
[[And yet here I am.]] The shadows rippled violently in response, the surrounding darkness now coiling around the flaming silhouette of the Avatar of Searadyn.
¡°Uhm¡¡± And Julian watched in confusion as the Avatar¡¯s flames wavered, her power seemingly shrinking under the relentless shadows.
The Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s fierce flame dulled to a faint flicker, her once blazing frostfire now subdued and trembling in the presence of the Master of Shadows. She fell to her knees, casting a fearful look toward Julian, then to the shadows, her hands reaching up as though to shield herself.
¡°Please¡ forgive me,¡± she stammered, her voice stripped of all its previous confidence. ¡°Master of Shadows¡ I¡ I had no knowledge that you¡ you have touched this mortal with your primor¡ª¡±
[[Submit or perish.]] The Master of Shadows did not let the Avatar of Searadyn finish her words, the shadows that now veiled the entire domain, trembling in rage, [[You, not even a spirit herself, only an Avatar¡ actually dare to question my only acolyte?]]
¡°I¡ I truly did not know. I¡ª¡±
[[Silence! Submit or perish!]]
¡°I¡I¡¡± The Avatar¡¯s gaze moved toward Julian, her once disdainful expression now a mixture of fear and confusion. And with hesitant, trembling hands, she held out her palms to him in a gesture of surrender, her flickering now radiating submission instead of authority.
¡°Uh¡¡± Although Julian somewhat had an idea of what was happening, he was still completely confused about everything. The only thing he could really do was step forward, glancing at the Avatar¡¯s outstretched palms, ¡°What am I doing?¡±
He hesitated, unsure if he was supposed to shake her hand, pat it, or do something else entirely. And so, with a quiet sigh, he simply placed his burnt hand against hers.
¡°Kh¡!?¡± The moment their hands connected, a surge of power shot through him, the dark domain around them starting to ripple and crack as the Avatar¡¯s flames crawled and melded with his charred skin. The blue hue of the realm intensified, and the cracks spread over his body like molten lines¡ªthe blue hue violently seeping out of each crack and line.
Julian felt a strange heat engulf him¡ªnot the intense, scalding pain he¡¯d felt before, but something warm and cold at the same time, healing, as if the fire was becoming part of him.
His burnt skin began to flake and peel away along with the darkness that shrouded the domain, revealing smooth, untouched skin beneath.
And very soon, the darkness that had swallowed the realm faded back into the light blue hue, restoring the tranquil atmosphere.
¡°Okay¡?¡± Julian looked around, lightly humming as he felt the change.
The Avatar of Searadyn was still kneeling in front of him; her head, fully bowed down in submission. Her entire form, now radiated a calm and subdued pain.
[Congratulations, Julian Winters.]
And before he could actually speak with the now subdued Avatar, a message flashed before him in a soft, calming manner¡ªobviously the [Guidance of Artemia].
The words hung in the air for a moment, then another message popped up,
[You have tamed an Avatar of Searadyn, the Spirit of Frostfire. As the first [Classless] to accomplish such a feat, the gods have granted you 10 Free Points as a token of their admiration.]
Julian stared at the words, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and amusement as more notifications began piling up in front of him.
¡°Uhm¡¡± Julian shook his head, scratching the back of his neck as the congratulatory messages kept popping up,
¡°...But I did nothing?¡±
Chapter 47: The Avatar of Searadyn
¡°Are¡ you alright?¡±
Minutes have passed inside the domain of fire and ice, and what was once a violent torrent that seemed like it would shred Julian into pieces was now incredibly¡ tranquil.
The chill felt softer now, the frostfire dancing around the Avatar of Searadyn¡¯s silhouette completely calm as her knees still touched the azure floor. Very soon, however, a deep breath escaped the avatar¡¯s lips as she finally stood up.
She took a step back, and there, Julian could feel the glint of sorrow beneath the dancing flames.
¡°Are¡ you alright?¡± Julian repeated.
¡°Tell me, my new master¡¡± The Avatar of Searadyn murmured; the wrath in her voice, extinguished along with any of the violence she previously held against him, ¡°Do you know what it¡¯s like to be passed down¡?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian answered without any hesitation, ¡°But I do know what it feels to be treated like a child who doesn¡¯t know how to do anything.¡±
¡°Then I suppose, in a way, our souls do not differ.¡± A hint of a smile crawled on the spirit¡¯s face, fragile¡ but persisting, ¡°I too, have been treated as nothing but a¡ tool.¡±
¡°But¡ aren¡¯t you supposed to be a powerful spirit?¡± Julian replied, observing his arms that were previously completely charred by her frostfire.
¡°Powerful¡¡± A faint, almost bitter chuckle slipped from the avatar¡¯s lips. Her flames, flickering as she looked at her domain, ¡°...And yet I have been trapped here for ages, my autonomy relying on foolish mortals¡ªmortals who do not even realize what they are holding.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian continued to listen, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of her words.
¡°Time and time again, they¡¯ve sought me¡ªgreat blacksmiths, renowned and popular¡ªall of them thinking they could master me.¡± She paused, her flickering eyes narrowing as she looked at Julian, ¡°They made promises, each one swearing they would be able to create the most fantastic things¡ and yet¡ª¡±
Her flames suddenly flared, no longer violent but just¡ disappointed. It cast a very small shadow behind Julian, a trace amongst the endless blue.
¡°¡ªeach one of them failed¡ and once they knew they lacked the strength to wield me, they were quick to abandon, never to try again. Those proud blacksmiths, supposedly considering themselves to be greater than their peers¡ none ever proved worthy of my flame.¡±
Julian remained quiet, sensing the dismay of her words, but then he spoke, simply, ¡°I was right then, you were lonely.¡±
The Avatar¡¯s flames dimmed once more as if the weight of his words doused the remaining wrath within her flames. She turned her gaze away from him, her voice now a whisper compared to before, ¡°A long time¡ for an eternity now, I have been lonely. Until now.¡±
The Avatar of Searadyn met with Julian¡¯s eyes again, and he responded with a smile.
¡°I am truly sorry that you have to serve someone like me.¡± Julian whispered, ¡°You could leave if you want to, you do not have to force yourself because of the Master of Shadows.¡±
¡°No!¡± The Avatar of Searadyn stepped forward, placing her hand on Julian¡¯s bare chest¡ªthere was no sizzle at all, and no pain, however, there was only a cold, but comfortable warmth. It was hard for Julian to describe what it was¡ but it felt nice.
There was no longer any anger in her touch.
¡°For one to be acknowledged by the Master of Shadows¡¡± She sighed, ¡°...That would mean that I am the one unworthy of you. And so, if you will have me, Julian Winters, then I offer my power to you¡ªand if need be, my life. Let this be what binds me to you, my covenant.¡±
¡°...Okay.¡± Julian hummed as he gently held the avatar¡¯s hand, ¡°I do not know what I could offer you, but let me be the person who will never abandon you.¡±
¡°That¡¡± For a long moment, the Avatar of Searadyn stared at him, her flames flickering with a new softness. Then, she tilted her head, the hint of a smile flickering on her spectral face,
¡°...I would very much like that. From this moment on, I am with you. Use me, Julian Winters¡ªand use me well.¡±
With that, the blue light of the realm intensified, growing violently as the Avatar¡¯s form dissolved into shimmering embers that wrapped around his hand, filling him with an intense, chilling warmth.
And as his vision blurred, he heard her voice one last time, a whisper in the icy light.
¡°You have my loyalty, Julian Winters. May we forge something the world has never seen.¡±
Julian closed his eyes from the intense light, and as he opened them once again, the familiar dim glow of the forge welcomed him back. The guild felt warm, almost causing him to sweat¡ªa reminder that everything that happened inside his mind was real.
He then took a breath to collect himself, feeling something new within him¡ªa chill that hummed in his veins, powerful but quiet¡ tranquil.
¡°Julian¡?¡± Juliet¡¯s voice was the first to break his stupor. She stepped forward, a smile crawling on her face as she carefully patted Julian¡¯s shoulders¡ªchecking to see if she would be burnt. And when she didn¡¯t, she immediately lunged toward him and gave him a hug, ¡°You¡¯re back!¡±
¡°Yk¡yes¡¡± Julian gritted his teeth from the pressure of Juliet¡¯s grip. Fortunately for him, Juliet noticed how much he was suffocating and quickly let go of him.
¡°Welcome back, Sword Junkie.¡± Cyrus also tapped Julian¡¯s chest, ¡°You had us worried there for a bit.¡±
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.Cyrus would have been hyping the Chat right about now, but he opted not to do so because he was a little wary of the old guild master¡ªafter all, with the prejudice he had been showing from the start against Julian not having the [Blacksmith] class¡ he might probably be a follower of the Order of Artemia. He needed to be careful.
¡°You¡¡± And while he and Juliet were celebrating Julian¡¯s return, the old guild master looked incredibly astonished. Confused, but very much astonished.
His eyes were wide, his gaze fixed on Julian with a mix of shock and apprehension.
¡°What¡ happened in there?¡± He asked, the tremble in his voice obvious for everyone to hear.
¡°The spirit and I talked.¡± Julian raised his left arm as he finally realized the shift in weight on it. And everyone glanced at the back of his hand, all of them noticing for the first time a faint marking¡ªa delicate, symbol inked along his skin.
It was snow, half veiled by fire.
¡°Huh¡¡± He held up his hand in front of his face, and with a snap of his fingers and a simple thought, a wisp of blue flame sparked to life in his palm, hovering cold and serene.
¡°Julian¡¡± Juliet gasped, the excitement in her breath barely containable, ¡°So, you did it. You actually tamed the spirit¡? This is¡ wow.¡±
¡°H¡how!?¡± The guild master took a step back upon seeing the blue flame dancing above Julian¡¯s palm, ¡°How¡ how did you manage to control it without a [Blacksmith] class? When¡ when no one else could¡ This is¡ unheard of. What¡ And without mana¡?¡±
¡°No.¡± Cyrus crossed his arms, his eyes also staring at the blue flame, ¡°Spirits don¡¯t require mana for control, old baldie. They draw power from the essence of Artemia itself.¡±
The guild master stared at Cyrus for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath and turning back to Julian with a solemn expression laced with regret and shame.
¡°Forgive me¡ I judged you unfairly, young man¡ªno, Master Julian.¡± The guild master lowered his head, ¡°My eyes, would seem, have grown too old to recognize greatness, no. Perhaps I knew from the start when you noticed the temperament of the flames, I just refused to admit to myself that someone so young would be¡ better.¡±
¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Julian waved off the apology with a simple shrug. ¡°Would you mind?¡±
He then walked toward the forge, the flames hovering on his hand flickered along with him. His eyes reflected the weak blue flames in them, and with a breath, he reached his hand out¡ letting the flames on his hand connect and dance with the weak sparkle within the forge.
And in an instant, the forge came to life. The walls were instantly bathed by the cold, blue glow¡ªthe roar of the flames, restoring the beating heart of the smithy.
¡°Oh¡¡± Juliet whispered, a cloud of vapor escaping her lips from the sudden chill. ¡°It feels strange... like standing in a blizzard but warmed by a bonfire at the same time.¡±
¡°Like having a fever.¡± Cyrus nodded, eyes wide with wonder as he felt the comfortable, almost soothing ache settle over his skin.
¡°T¡ this¡ this is¡¡± The guild master, meanwhile, stood back, watching in awe as the once-dormant forge blazed to life under Julian¡¯s control. His eyes, barely visible beneath his sagging brows, glistened, and it seemed as though tears might spill at any moment.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian also seemed satisfied with this, softly humming before looking back at the guild master. ¡°Would it be alright if I borrowed your forge?¡±
¡°Borrow it?¡± The guild master blinked. And soon, a slow, almost reverent smile crawled onto his face¡ªa smile that did not last long at all, as it was replaced by burst of laughter, ¡°After what you¡¯ve done, you are welcome to do anything you want here, Master Julian! You¡¯ve¡ you¡¯ve given this guild a¡ a second chance. I will even name this guild after you!¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ not necessary.¡± Julian chuckled, raising both of his palms as the old guild master leaned close to him, ¡°I just want to borrow the smithy to forge something.¡±
¡°Then please.¡± The guild master lowered his head in respect, ¡°Show me the skill of one who has tamed a flame spirit.¡±
Julian rolled his wrists and was about to prepare himself¡ªbut it suddenly dawned on him.
¡°...Will normal steel even be¡ª¡±
¡°I have just what you need.¡± The guild master, however, raised a hand before Julian could even express his problems, ¡°Wait.¡±
The guild master walked to a small alcove, reaching beneath a dusty cloth, and with a grunt, he dragged a massive crystal into the open. The crystal was even large than Julian¡¯s torso in diameter, but even then, it almost looked invisible¡ªif it wasn¡¯t for the blue light refracting around it, Juliet and Cyrus might not even know the guild master was holding something.
¡°This is Glacivyr metal.¡± The old man placed the crystal, no, the metal on the nearby bench, causing almost the entire smithy to shake, ¡°It was brought here along with the enchanted flame¡ªit is a rare metal, and only under the chilling heat of the frostfire is it controlled.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not a crystal?¡± Juliet leaned closer to look at it, careful not to actually lose it from his sight despite its size.
¡°No.¡± The guild master took a deep breath, his soft voice laced with regret, ¡°It is a metal endemic to the lands of the Eldazen. We bought it for almost half the price of the enchanted flame¡ªand yet we could not even harness both¡
¡half of it is yours now, Master Julian. Consider it my gift for bringing this place back to life.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian hovered his hands above the clear metal, feeling its incredibly smooth surface on his fingers, ¡°...It feels heavy.¡±
¡°It is.¡± The guild master gave a small smile¡ and then just heaved the entire sphere into the flames of the forge. The flames of Searadyn instantly veiled the clear metal; its surface shimmering and transforming, softening under the flames.
¡°It¡¯s¡ melting?¡± Juliet muttered, slightly worried that they might lose such a precious metal.
¡°Not quite melting,¡± the guild master explained, his eyes never leaving the sphere. ¡°It¡¯s getting ready.¡±
And soon, the glacivyr became almost gelatinous in appearance and slowly began dancing along with the flames, jiggling.
¡°Now, girl! Remove it!¡±
¡°H¡huh?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened as the guild master handed her a large pair of tongs. Her confusion only lasted a split second, though, and with a firm grip, she moved swiftly to pull the Glacivyr from the forge. She expected it to squish under pressure, given its molten appearance, but it held firm¡ªstill incredibly solid, perhaps even the hardest metal she¡¯d ever worked with.
And it was heavy. Very heavy.
¡°Put it back on the bench, girl!¡± the guild master shouted.
¡°Alright, alright!¡± Juliet grunted as she hefted it back to the workbench. ¡°And wait, why am I even following¨C¡±
And before Juliet could finish her words, the guild master suddenly drew out a long katana out of nowhere. And without even a word, the old man swung his blade¡ and cut the glacivyr cleanly in half before turning to Julian.
¡°Now, for your half.¡± He whispered, ¡°What are you planning to make so I can make it to the size you need?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± It was clear that Julian heard the guild master since he glanced at him, but he didn¡¯t answer at all. Instead, his gaze was fixed on his half of the Glacivyr metal, his fingers slowly unclenching from the hammer he had actually already instinctively grabbed from one of the workbenches.
There was a quiet intensity in his eyes, and soon, for some reason, he let go of the hammer and just placed it back on the bench.
¡°Julian, what¡ what are you doing?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened as she watched him extend his bare hands toward the Glacivyr.
He didn¡¯t reach out for any other tools; instead, he simply rested his hand on the surface of the metal, closing his eyes as his breaths became extremely calm.
And with a subtle hum escaping his lips, frostfire surged from his hands.
¡°Wait¡¡± The guild master, eyes wide with disbelief, took an instinctive step back to give Julian more space, ¡°Master Julian¡ are you really about to¡ª¡±
¡°She told me to use her well,¡± Julian murmured, almost as if speaking to the flames dancing across his palm, ¡°...and I intend to do just that.¡±
¡°No¡ no way¡¡± Cyrus sucked in a breath as he realized what Julian was about to do,
¡°...Is he about to forge that thing using only the spirit of the flame?¡±
Chapter 48: Searadyns Veil
¡°Okay¡¡±
This is not something Julian has ever done before, and probably never would if he did not discover Otherworld, if he didn¡¯t discover Artemia. He was already learning about this world bit by bit through MEGAN and Cyrus, and yet nothing truly comes close to experiencing it firsthand.
Magic.
He might not have expressed his jubilance, shock, or joy at being able to manipulate flames with the flick of his fingers¡ªbut he was truly, truly excited. Enough that he was actually losing control of himself in glee.
And now, it was showing on his face with a trembling smile as he caressed clear metal before him.
¡°Hmn¡¡± Julian took in a slow, and steady breath as he let the tip of his fingers brush the surface of the large, and soft clear metal¡and as he lightly tapped it, it bounced and jiggled playfully; parts of it, perking up with each of his touch.
He tapped it again, and this time, the flames around his fingertips surged, seemingly responding to his intent and moving as if they were part of his own body¡ªand right now, they probably were.
The flames spoke to him, they spoke to him like how his hands speak to him. They respond to each beat of his heart, each breath. He didn¡¯t need to command, they just do it.
The flames of the Avatar of Searadyn obliged with loyalty that was almost instinctive, the bond between him and the spirit, although but a blink, was already so deep that it felt like he had lived with it his entire life.
¡°Let¡¯s get started, then¡¡± Julian murmured as the frostfire dancing around his fingers hissed. He tugged at the parts of the glacivyr that perked up, pulling it almost like a thread of¡ water, but not quite.
With a sharp flick of his wrist, he bent the thread, and a violent spark erupted. Violent, yes¡ but controlled.
It didn¡¯t feel like molding clay. No, it was a different feeling altogether¡ªthe closest way Julian could describe it is when one tries to untangle a wire, or tie it in a knot that you desire.
A steel wire, yes. Or perhaps a thick aluminum foil? That is what it felt like to mold it¡ except harder, much harder.
He had to stay fully concentrated. He controlled the frostfire, yes. But at the same time, he had to follow it too; keeping a careful balance of pressure, cold, and heat to coax the metal into the shape he envisioned.
And soon, the blue flames sparked even more frequently, even more violent as he finally stretched it.
¡°Is it just me¡ or is it getting colder?¡± Cyrus whispered.
¡°Ssh!¡± And Juliet immediately shushed him.
Julian stretched it as long as his arm could stretch, the flames in his hands pulsing across the clear metal with each second he pulled. He then carefully placed the glacivyr back on the bench, giving it a twist.
¡°Shit!¡±
¡°Ssh.¡± And this time, it was Juliet¡¯s time to be shushed as she accidentally gasped as the blue spark that erupted with the twist was even more violent than the last. The cold that it carried with it, enough to cause the air to creak.
Julian gave it another fold, causing the sparks to just fly and bloom without consequence. And when he was satisfied with the width, the blue flames dancing around his fingers became solid, a frozen flame.
¡°Hm.¡± And with a breath, this frozen flame hammered the clear metal, no. Perhaps hammered was not the right word to use, but attacked. It attacked the glacivyr with utmost precision, compressing its twist and turning it into blocks.
And while the flames were violent, the brushing of Julian¡¯s hand as it hovered across the metal was not. If Ellie were here, then she would have definitely recognized the way Julian moved because¡ he always held the same gentleness whenever he massaged her.
Soon, however, the intensity of the flames increased¡ªand the glacivyr could do nothing but obey his will.
¡°Hm?¡± But then, a small miscalculation. But not on his part.
The Avatar of Searadyn had a will of its own, it had emotions¡ and it got excited as the weapon was taking shape.
As the flames attacked the tip of the flattened glacivyr, a wave of violent chill burst outward from Julian¡¯s hands¡ªsharp and biting¡ªfreezing the entire surface of the workbench in an instant.
It was then followed by a ripple which caused jagged icicles to grow from the frozen surface, some of it even pricking into his arm.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as he did not expect the pain. But he quickly let a large breath escape his lips, lifting both of his hands almost as if to console the spirit of the flames, ¡°...It¡¯s fine, relax.¡±
Slowly, meticulously, he resumed molding¨Cno, forging the clear metal. The blue sparks now erupting each second.
The three watching him noticed something, however¡ªhe seemed to be folding the clear metal even though its shape had already been established¡ªand he did so for hours on end, seemingly lost in the rhythm of¡ creation.
They were confused as to what he was doing as at one point, it even seemed completed, and yet still, he folded and shaped it again and again.
Another hour passed, and finally, Julian stepped back from the bench; his heavy breaths releasing vapor as they escaped his curled lips.
¡°Julian¡ is that¡?¡± Juliet whispered, eyes wide as she stared at the clear weapon.
The weapon he¡¯d forged was shaped like a rapier, elegant and slender, yet¡ larger, almost as long as a traditional longsword. The blade gleamed with the same clear, crystal purity as the Glacivyr, as though it were nearly invisible¡ its form revealed only by the gentle blue of the frostfire coiled around it.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
¡°It¡¯s¡ almost too perfect,¡± Cyrus murmured, leaning in, his eyes fixed on the glowing weapon.
And while Juliet and Cyrus were amazed by that they were seeing, the guild master frowned slightly, looking doubtful.
¡°A rapier, but¡ that size?¡± he was confused, scratching his head, though his gaze held an undeniable glint of admiration.
Julian took a step forward, lifting the blade. It was heavy, the weight pressing down on him as he gripped it with both hands. He swung it once, feeling the flow of the weapon, testing its balance and power.
And seeing him swinging it, the guild master¡¯s confusion became even more apparent, ¡°So¡ it is a longsword? But why is it¡ª¡±
And then, with a flash of blue light, Julian twisted the handle with his hands. Sparks crackled, and in an instant¡ the single blade divided into two.
Twin Rapiers.
The longsword shifted into two identical rapiers with oversized guards that completely shielded his hands.
Magic. Julian, as promised, took full advantage of that, mixing magic with craft.
¡°Wait, did he just¡ª?¡± Juliet¡¯s voice was filled with amazement as she watched the transformation.
¡°No way,¡± Cyrus breathed, eyes widening.
And before their amazement could even fully reach its peak¡ªanother spark erupted from one of the twin rapiers.
¡°What¡¯s happening now!?¡± The guild master held his breath as they all watched as the rapier shifted in Julian¡¯s hand, its long blade folding like origami¡ªa rose, but not quite. It became flat, transforming into a full shield that seemed almost invisible to the naked eye.
¡°No. Freaking. Way!¡± Cyrus sucked in a very deep breath as he pulled his hair back, each word that was coming out of his mouth was filled with disbelief and awe¡ and he wasn¡¯t alone at all.
¡°Hm¡¡± And while everyone was expressing their shock, Julian started moving around with his new equipment. Raising the shield, thrusting the rapier¡ªand even swinging it. Unlike his concealed rapier back on Earth, this clear blade was wider and its edges were extremely sharp and could also be used to slash.
But perhaps the most crucial part was the balance. He had crafted this for himself, and it felt like an extension of his body¡ªmuch like the flames his fingers now instinctively summoned.
With each thrust, swing, and even as he just raised his shield¡ a fierce, chilling aura pulsed forward, a scalding for that threatened to bite into anything that was even unfortunate enough to stand in his path.
And once he was satisfied, he whispered for the [Guidance], curious as to how Artemia sees his weapon.
[Item: Searadyn¡¯s Veil]
Type: Shifting Weapon [Current form: Rapier and Shield]
Grade: Epic [Unique]
Durability: 250/250
Sharpness: 160
Defense: 90
Weight: 9.5
Special Effects:
-
Perfect Balance ¨C The balance of this equipment will always be perfect. Enhances Strength and Agility by 15%
-
Searadyn¡¯s Blessing ¨C Searadyn has granted the wearer of this equipment resistance to extreme temperatures, providing constant comfort and substantial resistance to fire and ice attacks.
-
Spirit''s Loyalty ¨C Only those acknowledged by the Spirit of Searadyn can feel the Special Effects and use the Skills of this weapon.
Skills:
-
Glacial Rebound ¨C Upon successfully parrying an attack, a burst of frostfire emits from the shifting weapon, pushing back the attacker. Has a 5% chance to momentarily freeze the attacker.
-
Searadyn¡¯s Wrath ¡ª The shifting weapon leaves a trail of frostfire in the air with each swing, damaging anyone who goes near it over time. The trail disappears after 1.2 seconds.
Description:
Forged in communion with Searadyn, the Spirit of Frostfire, this Shifting Weapon carries both her enduring power and her quiet sorrow. Searadyn¡¯s Veil embodies an ever-shifting form, its clarity concealing a fierce spirit ready to defend and protect. Every swing and parry reflects a promise: the spirit¡¯s enduring loyalty to the one who recognized her loneliness and chose her companionship. The wearer wields not only a weapon but the memory of a powerful, silent ally¡ªone whose flames now live to serve a worthy hand.
[End of Description]
|
[Congratulations, Julian Winters. You have finished the labor: Craft a [Unique Epic] Weapon (1/1)]
¡°Hm¡¡±
Julian glanced at Cyrus and Juliet, a subtle, satisfied smile hinting on his face as he saw the notification from the [Guidance of Artemis].
He examined the status screen of the weapon, humming as the information entered his mind. And after a moment, he flicked the remaining rapier, and with another flicker of blue light, it shifted, morphing into another shield.
¡°...That¡¯s done.¡± Julian took a long breath, lowering his hands, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction in the weight of his creation.
¡°Thank you for letting me borrow your forge.¡± He glanced up at the guild master, who was still staring at him, eyes wide with amazement. And without another word¡
¡he began walking toward the exit. The two, almost invisible shields swinging along with his arm.
¡°Wait¡ you¡¯re leaving just like that?¡± The guild master blinked.
¡°Yes¡?¡± Julian paused, glancing over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve done what I came here to do. Thank you, guild master.¡±
¡°Well¡¡± Juliet shrugged, giving the guild master a somewhat apologetic look before gathering her things, ¡°...You don¡¯t have to worry, he¡¯s like that with everyone.¡±
¡°But¡ I was going to announce the guild¡¯s revival,¡± the guild master stammered, watching as they prepared to leave. ¡°People would come from all over¡ Master Julian, I would like to introduce you to them!¡±
¡°No, thank you.¡± Julian hummed, already half out the door. ¡°There¡¯s still something I have to do.¡±
¡°Is¡¡± The guild master hesitated, frowning. ¡°Is this about your¡ unique class quest?¡±
And as soon as the guild master said those words, Cyrus subtly snapped his fingers several times to cut off his stream¡ªafter all, they didn¡¯t want the Chat to figure out about Julian¡¯s secret quest just yet.
¡°You¡¯re aware?¡± Cyrus asked cautiously, his tone low and guarded.
The guild master nodded, a soft chuckle escaping him.
¡°It wasn¡¯t hard to figure out by the end,¡± he admitted. ¡°I¡¯ve met countless blacksmiths at my old age, and someone like Julian, with the talent he has¡ being [Classless] could only mean one thing: he¡¯s bound to be touched by the gods. And so¡ what¡¯s the quest, exactly? Perhaps I could offer some guidance.¡±
"Hm." Julian turned his shoulder to the guild master, hesitating for a moment before he answered.
¡°I need to defeat a creature called Orpuk using this weapon.¡±
¡°An... Orpuk?¡± The guild master¡¯s face went pale, his eyes widening with what looked like genuine shock. Julian, Cyrus, and Juliet exchanged a glance, waiting for him to elaborate.
The old man blinked, mouth opening slightly. ¡°That...¡±
They leaned in, tension thick in the air as they saw the shock in his eyes.
¡°...I don¡¯t know what that is.¡± The guild master whispered.
¡°You¡¯re really starting to piss me off, old man.¡± Cyrus¡¯s eye twitched, his jaw clenching as his annoyance reached its peak.
¡°But¡¡± the guild master remained serious, raising his finger in the air,
¡°¡I know someone who might.¡±
Chapter 49: Julians Perfect 1-Week Plan...?
¡°Hm¡¡±
Julian had completely forgotten when the last time was that he was just standing around with nothing to do¡ and it was making him anxious to the point that he kept on fidgeting with his new baby¡ªSearadyn¡¯s Veil.
He probably doesn¡¯t even know that he was doing it; turning the twin rapiers into shields, and then back again as he stood in front of the window of an inn¡¯s humble room. He was staring at all the people walking around the bustling street of Calydion, the light of the night sky subtly hitting his face.
The steady hum of conversation in the street, mixing with the sparks erupting from Searadyn¡¯s Veil each time he shifted it from one mode to another.
¡°That¡ looks really fun.¡± Juliet settled into the bed across from him, her eyes blinking each time the Searadyn¡¯s Veil sparked, ¡°But you¡¯ve been doing that for an hour now, aren¡¯t you going back to Earthemia? Earth, sorry. I¡¯m still not used to saying that.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian finally realized what he was doing and immediately stopped, shifting the Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a longsword and then carefully placing it on his bed, ¡°...I¡¯m sorry, were you sleeping?¡±
Juliet¡¯s eyes narrowed, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, ¡°No.¡± she whispered, ¡°...We were talking about what we¡¯re going to do until the guild¡¯s reopening a week from now. Wait, don¡¯t tell me our conversation just suddenly withered from your mind?¡±
¡°I... got distracted.¡± Julian closed his eyes as he sat down on his bed, his body not even sinking even a single inch onto the mattress from how hard it was,
¡°I thought you were just going to take it easy? You said you were just going to eat and sleep.¡±
¡°It was a jest, pretty boy.¡± She groaned, but soon, a giggle escaped her lips, ¡°I was thinking of exploring the city, and then dropping by every day on the guild to see how the old man¡¯s doing. And then take on some hunting quests¡ªI feel myself getting rusty, and it¡¯s been a while since I leveled up. I feel like I¡¯ve been level 15 for like, years now.¡±
Julian nodded, taking in her words. ¡°That sounds good.¡±
¡°...Do you want to like¡ accompany me?¡± Juliet whispered.
¡°Yes.¡± Julian shrugged, ¡°We are already in a party¡ªit wouldn¡¯t make sense if we don¡¯t do it together.¡±
Juliet smiled, relieved. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. We¡¯ll explore and hunt our way through the week! It¡¯s time to gain some level!¡±
¡°Levels¡¡± Julian whispered to himself as he finally remembered something, ¡°...Guidance.¡±
_________________
[STATUS]
Name: Julian Winters
Class: No Class
Level: 12
Health (HP): 195/220
Mana (MP): ??/??
Stamina (SP): 67/178
Strength: 20
Agility: 18
Vitality: 20^
Mana: ?
Perception: 23^
Free Points: 13
Skills:
You have no skills yet. Please select a class as soon as possible.
Abilities:
Hyper Instinct - Due to some unknown factor undetected by the [Guidance of Artemis], your senses are highly abnormal. All Skills affected by Perception will have increased effectiveness.
Flames of Searadyn - An Avatar of Searadyn has sworn eternal loyalty to you, granting you the ability to manipulate the flames of the Spirit of Frostfire.
Active Quests:
Master of Shadows
Orpuk¡¯s Whereabouts
The Flames of Juliet
Explore the world to gain more quests.
[End of STATUS]
_________________
¡°Oh¡?¡± Julian stared at this [Status]. And once again, it would seem his Perception increased all on its own by 2.
His Vitality had also increased by one, likely the result of forging Searadyn¡¯s Veil and enduring her flames. It probably contributed to his leveling up as well, along with taking down those¡ goat-man hybrids, the fautyrs.
But of course, the most significant upgrade, and the one Julian was focusing on, was the gift from the gods: 10 Free Points.
And right now, there really is only one stat Julian was thinking of on where to put it all.
¡°...Put all the 13 points into Strength.¡±
He felt it. He felt it when he was trying to mold the glacivyr ¡ª it wasn¡¯t only because of his promise with the Avatar of Searadyn that he used the frostfire alone to completely forge the Veil, no ¡ª the other reason why he let go of the hammer¡ was because he lacked the strength to mold the clear crystal with his current strength.
He¡¯d known it from the moment his hands touched the Glacivyr. And if the rare metals of Artemia would all require such force, prioritizing Strength was essential. After all, he was, first and foremost¡ a blacksmith.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.And after enduring the pain of increasing his Strength stat, Juliet let out a long and deep breath, laying down on the bed beside the Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
¡°Goodnight, Juliet.¡± Julian shifted his head, the brief flicker of the room¡¯s light in his eyes fading as he seemed to go still.
¡°Good¡ª¡± Juliet paused, shaking her head as she noticed that Julian was already knocked down, ¡°You¡ should have at least waited for me to say good night back, Master Julian.¡±
¡°Oh¡ What¡¯s the matter, Juliet?¡± And all of a sudden, Cyrus¡¯s voice rang out in the dim room, grinning as he just popped up from his own bed. Yes, Cyrus had been with them in the room the entire time.
¡°Could it be¡¡± He leaned over, eyebrows waggling, ¡°...Someone¡¯s falling?¡±
¡°Ugh.¡± Juliet rolled her eyes before throwing a thick, hard pillow straight toward Cyrus¡¯s head, causing him to just lean back.
¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand.¡± Juliet¡¯s words were quiet, turning her gaze back to the sleeping Julian, ¡°What I have for the pretty boy is respect, utmost respect.¡±
¡°Sure, sure,¡± Cyrus threw the pillow back before turning to sleep, ¡°Just deep, undying respect¡ got it.¡±
***
¡°Oh, welcome back.¡±
Ellie¡¯s voice was the first sound Julian heard as he woke up on Earth. It was, however, mixed with the soft hum of the holographic television that was next to the wall. He then heard Ellie running around before returning to his side, handing him a glass of water.
¡°Thank you.¡± Julian took it. And as he drank, he noticed the voice speaking from the hologram¡ªfrom the way she was speaking, it was probably a reporter. He wouldn¡¯t have heeded the voice any mind at all¡ but in this case, he couldn¡¯t ignore it.
How could he?
[...and authorities still believe the recent deaths are likely connected to underground crime activity, despite that police department¡¯s insistence that it was done by a daemon¡]
How could he ignore it when it was reporting the¡ incident on the tunnel back on Cleveland.
[Julian.] MEGAN¡¯s voice whispered in his mind, [She¡¯s been watching and searching any article on the Cleveland tunnel incident¡ªshe¡¯s been at it for hours now.]
Ellie waved her hand and shifted the news feed to another report. She was scrolling through various stations, but they all seemed to be covering the same story: the gruesome deaths from that night.
¡°Is¡ something bothering you?¡± Julian asked.
¡°I just¡¡± Ellie hesitated to speak, but after a few more seconds, she waved her hand down to shut off the hologram, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m just¡ I¡¯m waiting for news about what really happened to them, I guess I¡¯m hoping they¡¯ll figure out who¡¯s behind it?¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian was the one behind it.
¡°Those bodies. Julian, it was like¡ like a horror movie.¡± Ellie¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°I saw some of the leaked images going around on social media, and they were¡ you know how I like watching car and bike crashes from when everyone still drove on their own and didn¡¯t rely on AI, right?¡±
¡°I¡ am very aware of that, yes.¡± Julian sighed as he remembered all the nights he could hear Ellie gasping while watching horrific videos¡ªand yet she still continued to watch them¡ plus those criminal documentaries.
¡°Well¡¡± Ellie moved closer to Julian and placed her hand on his thigh, ¡°...Their bodies reminded me of those accidents. Their limbs looked like they were run through by something¡ their skulls were crushed and their bellies¡ exploded. No human would have done that and it¡¯s obviously a daemon¡ and yet why are they still investigating?¡±
¡°You¡ might be overthinking again.¡± Julian was trying his best to lie. His heartbeat, steady even as her words weighed heavily in the air. He knew Ellie knew nothing, and that any of her suspicion wasn¡¯t directed to him.
And yet, he couldn¡¯t help but feel like she was about to point at him at any moment now.
¡°Hm¡ well, anyway.¡± A smile crawled on Ellie¡¯s face as she scooched under the blanket next to Julian, resting her head on his shoulder as they shared a blanket, ¡°What¡¯s the plan today? Are we heading back to my place? Not that I mind these fancy hotels¡ but it¡¯s getting kinda expensive.¡±
And before Julian could answer, MEGAN suddenly popped out from the hologram on the side of the wall.
[Good morning, Ellie!] She waved her hand.
¡°MEGAN¡?¡± Ellie was confused at first as to how she was projecting herself, ¡°Oh, right¡ªI forgot I gave you permission to connect to the projector.¡±
[That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. Fufu.] MEGAN crossed her arms before pointing at Ellie, [19,400. For the last 3 days, Julian¡¯s streaming profit has brought in a total of 16,400 Credits! And half of that was just earned in the last stream.]
¡°Wait¡ what!?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, her voice almost cracking as her eyes darted back and forth, ¡°I thought you said his daily earnings would decrease!?¡±
[We were wrong.] MEGAN wagged her finger, her nostrils expanding as the smile on her face widened, [It continues to increase¡ªand Cyrus said that Julian is now the fastest-growing streamer in the galaxy.]
¡°B¡but¡¡± Ellie stammered, her lips not knowing whether to smile or sob, ¡°...It hasn¡¯t even been a month?¡±
[Fufufu¡] MEGAN nodded with a hint of pride, [...And with our current savings, and based on my calculations, we could buy back our apartment!]
Ellie gaped at Julian. ¡°Are you¡ going to buy it back?¡±
¡°No.¡± He hummed.
¡°Huh?¡± [Huh?] Both MEGAN and Ellie seemed momentarily stunned, their faces heavy with surprise. But soon, Ellie¡¯s face softened as she rested her head on his shoulder again.
¡°Why not?¡± she ashed, her voice a little hushed, ¡°It¡¯s¡ your parent¡¯s place, Julian. It¡¯s the only thing they left behind for you.¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian¡¯s hand trailed to the side of the bed, his fingers brushing on his cane that was resting there, ¡°The apartment is also a reminder of all the time I was being taken care of like a child. I would like to move on from that.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Ellie fell silent as she gazed at Julian, her eyes filled with understanding and sympathy. And after a moment, she placed her hand on his cheek, pulling him into a gentle kiss, ¡°...If that¡¯s your decision, Julian. Then I¡¯m all for it.¡±
¡°...Thank you.¡± Julian rested his forehead on Ellie¡¯s. The two of them, staying like that for a moment. As for MEGAN, well, she was wiping the tears rendering from her eyes.
And after what seemed like an eternity, Ellie pulled back with a smile, her hand lingering on Julia¡¯s cheek, ¡°So, what do you want to do today?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian thought for a moment before he replied, ¡°I was thinking of heading to the gym.¡±
¡°Well¡ let¡¯s.¡±
***
¡°Footwork!¡±
There were a lot of sounds echoing in the gym¡ªthe clanging of the weights, the steady thump of people¡¯s bodies, their heartbeats, and yet the only sound Julian could really focus on was the trainer¡¯s voice.
He was standing in front of him, holding two batons while he worked on the position of his feet.
¡°Footwork!¡± the trainer barked, pushing Julian¡¯s feet into position with his own. ¡°You can swing like a pro all you want, but without the right footwork, you¡¯re a sitting duck sucking on cock!¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°Footwork!¡±
Julian could do nothing but adjust his foot again, only for the trainer to move in and trip him up. He could have easily avoided it, but the point of all of this was to learn how to fight and fight well.
And so, without uttering a word, he stood back up.
¡°Again! Left horizontal slash!¡±
¡°Okay!¡± Julian roared back as he swung the baton with a practiced arc, feeling how smooth it was moving through the air. His swings, refining with each shift in weight and angle.
¡°Ha!¡± And then, with another swing, he cut up a giant wolf lunging at him completely in half. After training the entire day, he was now back on Artemia, using what he learned against beasts and monsters.
He stepped back with intent as the trainer had taught him, swinging his almost transparent longsword.
¡°Julian, behind you!¡±
And not even a millisecond after hearing Juliet¡¯s warning, several sparks exploded from his longsword as it turned into one big shield, blocking the large club that was threatening to smash his head in from behind.
Another day had actually passed since he fought with the wolves, and this time, he was fighting a hobgoblin¡ªand as Juliet explained it to him, they were¡ much larger cousins of the normal goblins.
Julian felt himself almost fold from the hobgoblin¡¯s strike, and he did. He let himself fold, spinning in place as another spark boomed from Searadyn¡¯s Veil, the shield blocking the club, much smaller now as half of it turned into a rapier which he swiftly thrust up straight through the monster¡¯s chin¡ killing it instantly.
¡°How¡¡± Juliet slightly stammered as she saw the hobgoblin fall, ¡°...How are you even improving so fast?¡±
The days that followed were a whirlwind. During the mornings on Earth, Julian wakes up to the hotel where Ellie is waiting. By afternoon, they trained in the gym, refining his footwork and endurance until it felt like his senses could extend through each movement, every shift in balance and weight. And when night came, he was back in the mornings of Artemia, training, fighting, and forging with Juliet, each task a test of the new skills he¡¯d gained¡
¡Cyrus and Juliet even teamed up to teach him how to read.
The week flew by without a hitch, and soon, it was only a day before the reopening of Calydion¡¯s Blacksmith Guild. Without a hitch, yes. Until¡
¡°Did¡ you have more questions for me?¡± Ellie was once again in front of the two officers who visited them last time. And this time, they did not sound as friendly at all.
¡°Not you, Ma¡¯am.¡± The female police officer shook her head.
¡°Huh?¡± Ellie was confused at first, why would they be here if not to ask her more questions?
But then, she noticed the officers were looking behind her¡
¡looking at Julian.
¡°Sir, we need you to come to the station with us.¡±
Chapter 50: Julian, Interrogated.
¡°Uhm¡ excuse me?¡±
The noise surrounding the Clevesky Police Station was overwhelming. Police cars hummed steadily in the air as they came and went without pause. Suspects pleaded their innocence and begged to be let go, their desperate voices merging with the blare of sirens that drowned out everything else.
Yet, even amidst the noise, the only thing Ellie could truly hear was the pounding of her own heart as she stood in front of the station.
She wanted to go inside, but the officers had told her they didn¡¯t allow civilians in without probable cause¡ªand worrying about Julian wasn¡¯t a probable cause.
"Hello? Excuse me?" Ellie tried stopping anyone she could, but most officers simply waved her off, while others smiled politely and informed her she wasn¡¯t permitted inside.
¡°Julian¡¡± she whispered. All she could do now was try to calm herself, resisting the urge to bite her nails as she anxiously waited for Julian to come out, wondering what exactly was happening inside.
Unbeknownst to Ellie, however, she wasn¡¯t the only one who was wondering what exactly was happening.
¡°This is ridiculous, the guy¡¯s bind!¡± Inside one of the station¡¯s many interrogation rooms, Julian was alone, seated right at the center. The soft light that encapsulated the entire room, not leaving a single shadow to trace even the slightest edges of his silhouette.
¡°I agree, let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± There were 4 people watching him from the other side of the illuminated wall, and from the looks on their faces, they were all incredibly tired¡ and their voices reflected that.
Soon, however, one of those illuminated walls dimmed, replaced by a large image.
¡°We just showed you something, is your AI describing it to you?¡± The female officer¡¯s voice resounded in the white room.
¡°Yes.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°It¡¯s surveillance footage of me on the Ground Level.¡±
[I¡¯m sorry, Julian. I really thought I¡¯d surveyed all the cameras.] MEGAN whispered, her voice extremely quiet so as to not disrupt Julian¡¯s thoughts.
¡°And what were you doing there?¡±
[Careful, Julian. They usually don¡¯t ask questions they don¡¯t already know the answer to.] MEGAN quickly added.
¡°Depending on the time, I believe I would be on my way to a club called Velvet Cat.¡± Julian did not pause at all with his words, acting as calm as possible.
¡°Walk? Without your cane?¡± The voice of the officers sounded sharp.
¡°Yes.¡± Julian hummed, his fingers brushing the hilt of his cane, ¡°The Ground Level is filled with noise and people, with the help of MEGAN, I could walk perfectly fine even without my cane. I do it sometimes to help me stop being dependent too much on it.¡±
¡°Velvet Cat. The club the loan sharks usually frequent. The loan sharks who beat your girlfriend half to death. The loan sharks who are now all dead.¡± The officers stated, ¡°You don¡¯t happen to have anything to do with that, do you?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian tilted his head slightly.
¡°So, what were you doing in the club¡ªon the very same night their gang was brutally wiped out?¡±
¡°I asked MEGAN to find where they usually hang out.¡± Julian sighed, his voice as sincere as possible, ¡°I wanted to talk with them. To tell them to stay away from Ellie.¡±
¡°And how did that work out for you?¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Julian¡¯s sighs grew louder, ¡°We couldn¡¯t find any of them. MEGAN told me that the club had a 2nd floor, but we weren¡¯t allowed to go up there¡ªso I just went home.¡±
Fortunately for Julian, the condition that he had been carrying his entire life had become his salvation. Every subtle movement, each flick of his finger, and his heart rate were all actually being monitored by an AI designed to detect deception.
And it picked up nothing.
But the AI did not detect anything at all.
¡°See? This was a waste of time,¡± one officer grumbled to his partner. ¡°You¡¯ve read the man¡¯s file. Why are we even here?¡±
¡°Can you shut up and just do your job?¡± his partner snapped.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
Julian was asked several more questions, staying inside the station for an entire hour before finally being let out. The police officers and even those who were not involved in the case at all, apologized to him¡ªhow could they not, after all?
They just dragged a blind man to ask him some nonsense.
***
¡°Julian!?¡±
Relief washed over Ellie, her voice rising to a near scream as she rushed toward Julian the moment she saw him stepping out of the police station.
¡°What¡ what did they ask you? Why did they have to bring you to the station!?¡± She quickly bombarded him with questions, her hands patting him all over to check if he was hurt in any way.
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Julian chuckled, gently grabbing both of Ellie¡¯s hands and clasping them together. ¡°They¡¡±
Julian proceeded to tell her everything that happened inside the station¡ªthe questions, and the fact that he¡¯d been found near the club.
He hated lying to her, but it was necessary.
¡°You¡ wanted to talk with them to get them to leave me alone?¡± Ellie gasped, her eyes trembling as they reflected Julian¡¯s face. But soon, her brows lowered in anger.
¡°Why would you do that!?¡± She slammed her fist on Julian¡¯s chest. ¡°What if they dragged you somewhere? What if¡ what if they took you to that tunnel, and you were there when the daemon attacked!?¡±
¡°I just visited the club, Ellie.¡±
¡°But what if!? You¡¡± Ellie¡¯s voice wavered as she fought back more words, her teeth gritted in frustration. After a few breaths to calm herself, she wrapped her arms tightly around Julian, pulling him into a hug. ¡°Thank you¡ thank you for caring so much about me.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not even enough.¡± Julian gently brushed her hair, his fingers subtly massaging her scalp to soothe her. ¡°Not even close to how much you¡¯ve cared for me, Ellie.¡±
¡°Ha¡¡± Ellie tried her best to keep herself from crying then and there. Fortunately for her, she didn¡¯t have to try too hard, as something unexpected caught her attention¡ªa woman was watching them, or rather, watching Julian.
¡°Do¡ you need something?¡± Ellie asked, her tone cautious.
¡°Julian Winters.¡± The woman quickly replied, pointing at Julian as she stepped closer.
Julian recognized her voice immediately; he¡¯d met her twice before. ¡°Cindy Solis.¡±
¡°Oh?¡± Ellie blinked, looking Cindy over from head to toe. Cindy was incredibly stylish, wearing an oversized camo jacket with the zippers open to reveal a crop top that accentuated her toned figure and hard abs¡ and decently sized breasts.
Even with a cap on, it was obvious that she was strikingly attractive¡ªand she moved with an air of authority around her; her body straight and her walk almost a march.
And with that, Ellie reacted¡ nothing at all. ¡°You know her, Julian?¡±
¡°She¡¯s the leader of the Exterminator guild who rescued me.¡± He answered.
¡°What!?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes brightened, nearly choking as she turned back to Cindy. To Cindy¡¯s surprise, Ellie grabbed both her hands tightly. ¡°Thank you¡ thank you for saving Julian.¡±
¡°Oh. Uh¡¡± Cindy was caught off guard, feeling a bit awkward as Ellie looked at her with such intense gratitude.
¡°It¡ it¡¯s nothing,¡± Cindy replied, gently freeing herself from Ellie¡¯s grip. ¡°I was just doing my job, ma¡¯am. And¡ wait. May I ask what you¡¯re doing here, Julian Winters?¡±
¡°They just brought me in for some questions.¡± Julian smiled. ¡°I happened to be near a place where an accident occurred.¡±
¡°I see.¡± Cindy nodded, her professional demeanor softening slightly as her gaze lingered on Julian¡¯s hand for some reason.
¡°By the way,¡± she said, clearing her throat to maintain her composure, ¡°the knife you created for my grandfather¡ªI couldn¡¯t help but admire its quality, Julian Winters.¡±
¡°Oh¡ Thank you,¡± Julian hummed, his lips slightly curling.
¡°And¡¡± Cindy cleared her throat again, ¡°...would it be possible to make a request?¡±
¡°Okay,¡± Julian replied without any hesitation.
¡°Really?¡± A smile spread across Cindy¡¯s face, but she quickly suppressed it to maintain her professionalism. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be making a request soon. Your going rate is a minimum of 100k, right?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied casually, leaving Ellie completely stunned.
¡°100k¡?¡± Ellie gasped, a proud smile blossoming as she looked at Julian, her eyes filled with pride that his efforts were finally bearing fruit.
¡°I¡¯ll contact you again soon, Julian Winters.¡± Cindy extended her hand to Julian, but he didn¡¯t shake it. After all, he was blind.
¡°Thank you!¡± Ellie stepped in, shaking Cindy¡¯s hand instead. ¡°And by the way¡ are you here because of the daemon incident in the tunnel?¡±
¡°You know about that?¡± Cindy blinked. ¡°I guess it is all over the news. Yes, my team is handling it.¡±
¡°Oh. So, it was a daemon, then?¡± Ellie¡¯s curiosity was piqued.
¡°I¡¯m not supposed to divulge this, but¡¡± Cindy leaned closer to whisper, and Ellie mirrored her, ¡°...the wounds are unlike anything we¡¯ve seen from a daemon before.¡±
¡°Then¡ are you saying it¡¯s something else?¡± Ellie whispered back.
¡°There¡¯s a possibility it isn¡¯t a daemon,¡± Cindy nodded. ¡°At least, it doesn¡¯t resemble any daemon in our archives. But daemons have many forms; this might just be something we haven¡¯t encountered yet. We don¡¯t know yet.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡± Ellie looked deeply intrigued. ¡°But¡ª¡±
¡°Miss Cindy! We¡¯re waiting for you!¡±
Before they could continue, someone called for Cindy from inside the station.
¡°Oh, that¡¯s me.¡± Cindy sighed, stepping back and waving at Ellie. ¡°Julian Winters, expect a call from me soon!¡±
With that, Cindy walked to the station, though her gaze kept drifting back to Julian until she reached the officer who called for her.
¡°That tall man¡¡± Cindy asked the officer, ¡°...what¡¯s he in for?¡±
¡°Oh, nothing.¡± The officer waved a hand dismissively. ¡°He just has a connection to the case. The girl he¡¯s with was one of the loan sharks¡¯ victims¡ªand get this, the guy was spotted near the club those motherfuckers usually hang out at¡ on the same exact night of the incident.¡±
¡°Wait, are you saying he¡¯s a suspect?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes widened.
¡°Pft, nah.¡± The officer chuckled. ¡°He¡¯s blind. We¡¯re just following protocol, is all.¡±
¡°Ho¡¡± Cindy whispered to herself, watching Julian and Ellie as they got into a taxi. ¡°...It¡¯s you.¡±
¡°What was that?¡±
¡°Nothing,¡± Cindy replied, lowering her voice.
¡°Has your team found anything? The folks here are tearing their hair out trying to crack whatever¡¯s going on.¡± The officer grumbled in frustration.
¡°Yes.¡± Cindy nodded, still watching the taxi fly off. ¡°It was a daemon.¡±
¡°Agh¡ finally. We all knew it.¡± The officer rolled his eyes. ¡°I swear, the government just wants drama. I¡¯m pretty sure your team¡¯s exhausted dealing with them too. Can¡ I ask what type of daemon it was?¡±
¡°The kind I want in my guild.¡±
¡°What was that?¡±
¡°...Nothing.¡±
***
¡°Oh. Morning, Boss.¡±
¡°Boss?¡±
A few hours later, Julian returned to Artemia, only to be welcomed by Juliet¡¯s weird greeting.
¡°Yes.¡± Juliet yawned, stretching her neck and cracking her knuckles as if she¡¯d just woken up herself. ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep last night, so I thought about it. You don¡¯t like me calling you ¡®master¡¯, and ¡®pretty boy¡¯ is starting to get old. Plus¡ it¡¯s too long. So, ¡®boss¡¯ it is.¡±
¡°If¡ that is what you¡¯re comfortable with, Juliet. Then, it¡¯s fine.¡± Julian nodded, not affected by Juliet¡¯s yawn at all as he stood up from the bed.
¡°Where¡¯s Cyrus?¡± He asked as he noticed Cyrus was gone.
¡°He¡¯s the one who woke me up. He said¡ he was going to pick us some clothes?¡± Juliet seemed unsure, ¡°For us to wear in the reopening of the guild later.¡±
¡°Clothes?¡± Julian looked over at Juliet¡¯s clothes and then down at his own. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with what we¡¯re wearing now?¡±
¡°Boss¡¡± Juliet sighed,
¡°We look like peasants.¡±
Chapter 51: Rigid, Rough, and Itchy
¡°Woah, this feels so smooth. Where¡¯d you even get these clothes?¡±
¡°Now you actually look like a hyum.¡±
¡°What did you say!?¡±
For the past few days, Cyrus and Juliet had grown comfortable enough with each other to bicker and banter freely. Unfortunately for Julian, his ears weren¡¯t quite as enthusiastic about this newfound camaraderie.
Still, he enjoyed being around them. They were¡ funny.
There was, however, one thing he hadn¡¯t noticed: just how poor his clothes had actually been this entire time. He¡¯d been wearing the same type of outfit since he arrived in Artemia, and even the newer clothes he¡¯d bought were much the same.
Rigid, rough, and itchy.
¡°Hm.¡± The outfit Cyrus picked out for him was still a tunic, but it felt smoother against his skin, with sleeves that reached all the way to his wrists. Cyrus had also bought him a pair of gloves that covered the base of his hands, perfectly concealing the mark of Searadyn.
Julian was now equipped with a waist belt that went over his tunic, from which a fully covered Searadyn¡¯s Veil hung. They¡¯d wrapped Searadyn¡¯s Veil as Julian didn¡¯t want to attract attention right now. If people saw him carrying a glacivyr weapon openly, they would quickly guess he was the one who reignited the flames of Calydion¡¯s forge.
In his current state, that was attention he couldn¡¯t afford just yet.
¡°Are the two of you ready?¡± Julian muttered, fixing his leather gloves as he looked at his companions, who were still at each other¡¯s throats, ¡°It will not be nice to keep the guild master waiting.¡±
Both Cyrus and Juliet cleared their throats, retracting their hands and patting their newly bought clothes. Surprisingly, the two were careful enough not to rip their clothes, there weren¡¯t even any creases at all.
¡°How¡ much are these clothes anyway?¡± Juliet said as she admired their outfits¡ªone doesn¡¯t even need to feel the fabric to know they cost a lot of money, ¡°These must¡¯ve been expensive, no?¡±
¡°They¡¯re alright.¡± Cyrus shrugged, following Julian out of the room, ¡°They didn¡¯t really cost me that much.¡±
¡°How¡ rich are you?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes narrowed in suspicion, grabbing her axe as she followed the two, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ve only been here for¡ less than a decade? Like your body¡¯s basically a child?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t ask those questions, dear Juliet. Your medieval mind is not ready for it.¡± Cyrus turned around, walking backward on the creaking hallway of the inn¡ and wagging his finger at Juliet, ¡°And which part of this body do you think is a child? Have you seen my muscles?¡±
¡°Uh¡¡± Juliet tilted her head to the side so she could look at Julian, his shoulders almost double the size of Cyrus, ¡°...Have you seen the Boss?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t compare me to that beautiful ogre. Ugh.¡± Cyrus groaned, waving Juliet off as he walked ahead of the group, ¡°Now onwards, my companions. To the party!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s make sure not to separate.¡± Juliet walked beside Julian, ¡°We don¡¯t know the people there, and those high up in the Blacksmith¡¯s Guild can get a little snobbish, Boss.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°I don¡¯t really talk to people that much.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Juliet tightened her grip on her axe, ¡°Someone might want to take advantage of you if word slips that you¡¯re the one who lit up the forge, Boss. So¡ I¡¯ll make sure to stay by your side.¡±
¡°Food!¡±
Juliet had barely taken three steps into the newly-renovated Blacksmith Guild before she abandoned the group entirely, rushing toward the table overflowing with food.
Who could blame her, though?
Being so close to the ocean, Calydion offered all kinds of seafood on the buffet: a massive crab nearly the size of Julian himself, oysters, and other sea creatures that looked more like monsters than food.
¡°Julian, look.¡± Cyrus nudged Julian¡¯s arm, subtly gesturing toward a group of people as soon as Julian looked his way.
¡°Order of Artemis.¡± Julian quickly recognized the uniforms the group was wearing.
¡°I was already planning to stay quiet for the whole stream, but now I¡¯m definitely going silent,¡± Cyrus whispered. ¡°That means the Chat needs more visual stimulus¡ªgo ahead and walk around, Sword Junkie. I¡¯ll stay close. I mean, look at this place! It doesn¡¯t even look like the same place anymore.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian responded with a nod and began to walk around. Cyrus was right; the smithy looked completely different, almost unrecognizable.
Gone were the clouds of dust, and the worn-out chairs had been replaced with new ones. There was even a counter with a receptionist behind it. The guild now felt like it truly was a respected organization in the city.
And judging by the way people carried themselves, it was clear that most of the attendees were influential¡ªand from thick most of their arms were, many were likely actual blacksmiths.
However, there were also guests dressed in such luxurious clothing that even Julian, relying on his weakest sense¡ªhis eyesight¡ªcould distinguish their wealth. Their hands, extremely smooth and probably have never held a hammer before in their entire life.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Well, either way, it didn¡¯t matter. He wasn¡¯t planning to mingle with any of them at all. No, he was already making his way toward the forge¡ªor more precisely, toward the clear armor displayed before the dancing blue flames, equipped on a mannequin.
Luckily for him, since they had arrived late to the party, most people had already stopped admiring the armor, giving him a chance to examine it in peace.
He¡¯d been there when the guild master of the Calydion Blacksmith Guild began working on it. He knew just how much pain and sweat had gone into its creation, and now, as he stood in front of it in all its glory, the only thing he could whisper was:
¡°...It could¡¯ve been better.¡±
Unfortunately, Julian still needed practice lowering his voice when he whispered, as once again, a few people overheard him. Thankfully, most only threw him a glance, probably assuming he was just some pretentious critic.
One young man, however, was glaring at him rather intensely.
Oblivious to all of this, Julian walked away casually, eventually spotting Juliet at a nearby table.
¡°Master Julian.¡±
Sadly, before he could join her for a bite, the guild master approached, introducing the man beside him.
¡°This is the person I was telling you about. Mr. Garret here is an expert in all matters related to monsters and beasts. He¡¯s amassed the largest bestiary collection I know of.¡± The guild master beamed. ¡°Mr. Garret, this is Master Julian.¡±
¡°A good day to you, Master Julian.¡± Garret bowed his head, holding his monocle to prevent it from slipping.
¡°Yes.¡± Julian mirrored Garret¡¯s bow. ¡°Good day to you too, Garret.¡±
¡°When I was informed I¡¯d be meeting someone Kino was indebted to, I certainly wasn¡¯t expecting anyone quite so young.¡± Garret softly chuckled, seemingly amused as he looked at Julian from head to toe. ¡°Judging by your appearance, would you happen to be a warrior?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian didn¡¯t deny it.
¡°And I gather you¡¯re looking for a particular creature, is that correct?¡± Garret adjusted his monocle, but before he could continue, the guild master clamped a hand on each of his arms and lightly shook him.
¡°Take care of Master Julian, Mr. Garret. I¡¯ll leave you both to talk freely.¡± The guild master chuckled, the scent of alcohol drifting from his breath.
¡°Right, then.¡± Garret fixed his sleeves, ¡°Shall we have a chat, Master Julian?¡±
¡°Okay. My friend already has a table. We could just talk there.¡± Julian suggested.
¡°Splendid. Please, lead the way.¡± Garret gestured, and they made their way to the table.
¡°Wha the¡ª¡± Juliet hurriedly swallowed everything in her mouth as soon as Julian and an unfamiliar man suddenly joined her table.
¡°I must ask, Master Julian,¡± Garret began, seemingly unfazed by Juliet¡¯s presence as he focused intently on Julian, ¡°what sort of favor did you do for the guild master of Calydion¡¯s Blacksmith Guild to earn a personal introduction like this? Kino¡¯s not usually one to be so¡ cordial.¡±
¡°It was nothing much.¡± Julian smiled, a small sigh escaping his lips.
¡°Ah, very well, if you say so. We all have our secrets.¡± Garret smiled in return, picking up on Julian¡¯s reluctance to elaborate. He then placed both hands on the table, taking a deep breath before snapping his fingers.
A large book materialized instantly over his hands.
¡°Oh?¡± Julian couldn¡¯t help but let out a small gasp.
¡°I have the [Scholar] class,¡± Garret said with a soft chuckle, resting the large book on the table and opening it, creating a small ripple of air. ¡°Now then, which creature were you seeking?¡±
¡°Orpuk.¡± Julian tilted his head, his eyes fixed on the book. And even though he had really been only learning to read for a week or so, he understood the contents of the book.
He understood that it was completely empty.
¡°An Orpuk¡¡± Garret murmured, hovering his hands over the blank pages of the book. And soon, Julian watched as words and images began to materialize on the empty pages, only to vanish as quickly as they appeared, replaced by others, again and again.
¡°Hm¡¡± The pages continued this strange dance for several seconds before Garret lowered his hands with a sigh.
¡°Are you quite certain it¡¯s a monster, Master Julian?¡± he asked, sounding more disappointed with himself than anything else.
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied without hesitation.
¡°Then I¡¯m afraid I must apologize for being of little help.¡± Garret closed his eyes, and the book disappeared at once. ¡°This Orpuk, if it truly exists, hasn¡¯t left so much as a whisper in the records¡ªif it had, I assure you, it would be here, however scant the details.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian tilted his head slightly. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Garret.¡±
¡°Well, should you find yourself seeking any other creature¡¡± Garret sighed softly, rising to his feet. He gave a courteous nod to Juliet and Cyrus, who were watching from the other side of the table. ¡°...do feel free to approach me whilst I¡¯m still in the city. Once again, I do apologize for failing to assist, Master Julian.¡±
With that, Garret took his leave.
¡°Well, he was useless.¡± Cyrus groaned, scratching his chin as he scoffed. ¡°And I don¡¯t know about you, Sword Junkie, but I¡¯m starving.¡±
The group enjoyed the buffet for a while longer, sampling all the dishes. But once they had tried everything, there¡ wasn¡¯t really much reason to linger, so they decided to leave.
¡°Ah! That¡¯s him, guild master! That¡¯s the guy who said your armor wasn¡¯t up to snuff!¡±
Unfortunately for Julian, it seemed they wouldn¡¯t be leaving the party without a bit of trouble. A young man blocked their path¡ªthe very same one who had overheard Julian¡¯s comment on the glacivyr armour.
¡°Me?¡± Julian stared at the young man¡¯s finger to confirm he was pointing at him.
¡°Who!? Who dares speak ill of my craftsmanship!?¡± The guild master¡¯s voice boomed across the smithy, causing all the guests to glance toward the commotion.
¡°Him! It¡¯s him!¡± the young man insisted, still pointing.
¡°Who¡ªOh.¡± As soon as the guild master approached and saw Julian, all the alcohol in his system seemed to leave his body. His face, however, turned an even deeper shade of red.
¡°He¡ª¡±
¡°You fool!¡±
Before the young man could say another word, the guild master smacked him on the back of the head, sending him tumbling across the ground.
¡°I¡ apologize, Master Julian,¡± the guild master said, gripping Julian¡¯s arms with genuine concern. ¡°I hope you weren¡¯t offended by that blathering fool.¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian shrugged. ¡°We¡ were just leaving.¡±
¡°Ah¡¡± The guild master adjusted Julian¡¯s sleeves for him, stepping aside with a polite smile. ¡°...Please, Master Julian, do pay the guild a visit again before you leave the city.¡±
Fortunately for Julian, the situation resolved quickly, and they were able to leave the party without further incident. Unfortunately, their mission was unsuccessful¡ªbut at the very least, they¡¯d enjoyed some good food.
¡°That was a waste of time.¡± Cyrus snapped his fingers to end his stream. The three of them walked through the streets of Calydion, which were now quieter under the soft white glow of the moonlight.
¡°What exactly does your quest say, anyway? It should at least hint at where this Orpuk creature is,¡± Cyrus asked.
¡°It¡¡± Julian consulted the [Guidance]. ¡°...just says to kill the special monster.¡±
¡°That¡¯s pretty vague,¡± Juliet commented, rubbing her stomach as if she feared it might burst from her recent indulgence. ¡°And ugh¡ I ate too much.¡±
¡°She has a point, you know,¡± Cyrus sighed. ¡°Artemia¡¯s bigger than Earth. We¡¯d be lucky to find it before we die.¡±
¡°Eh, relax.¡± Juliet waved a hand dismissively. ¡°The quest was given to Julian by Artemia herself. The gods handed it over¡ªthey¡¯ll probably pave the way too. I met him, didn¡¯t I? I¡¯m sure the gods had a hand in that.¡±
¡°I admire your optimism.¡± Cyrus walked a few paces ahead. ¡°And while I agree there¡¯s some merit to what you¡¯re saying, this isn¡¯t really a game. It¡¯s not linear. Quests don¡¯t work¡ª¡±
¡°Excuse me. Are you the group asking about the Orpuk?¡±
Before Cyrus could finish his words, a woman¡¯s voice called out from behind them.
¡°I¡¡± The woman hesitated. ¡°...may have some information you need, but I require your assistance first.¡±
¡°Well, shit¡¡± Cyrus muttered under his breath, biting his tongue.
¡°...I stand corrected.¡±
Chapter 52: The First Clue to Orpuk
Cyrus hadn¡¯t planned on turning the chat back on, but since this might lead to clues about the Orpuk¡¯s location, he wanted to share it with them. After all, even though they were hiding the fact that Julian was on a [Unique] class quest, he still wanted to drop a few hints.
Right now, the Chat was watching Julian as he passed through a large gate leading to a mansion in the luxurious part of Calydion. They¡¯d expected the woman who¡¯d approached them to be wealthy, but they hadn¡¯t anticipated she would be this wealthy.
Initially, they hadn¡¯t intended to follow her, but when she mentioned why she had heard of Orpuk, they quickly changed their minds.
A curse.
The woman¡¯s father had been cursed, and she claimed a follower of Orpuk was responsible. That caught their attention, and since this was really their only lead, then it wasn¡¯t like they had that much choice.
One of them, however, was sort of regretting following the stranger to a creepy mansion right about now.
¡°Why¡ does this place feel so empty?¡± A chill crept up Juliet¡¯s spine as she noticed the eerie lack of servants or anyone else to greet them, which there should be just from the size of this estate alone. And now, with their absence, the manor seem even larger.
All the flowers and plants in the extensive garden had dried up, leaving only withered remnants. Not even a single lamp or torch was lit.
¡°My¡ father is a very private man,¡± the woman explained, her voice weak. ¡°And his business¡ if his competitors or investors knew he¡¯d been cursed by some¡ some sort of cult, they would take advantage of his vulnerability. So, he dismissed all the servants to keep this misfortune from ever reaching the outside world.¡±
¡°...And yet you¡¯re telling us?¡± Cyrus narrowed his eyes.
¡°You¡¯re a party of warriors, are you not? Adventurers?¡± The woman sighed, shaking her head as she led them into the mansion. ¡°I overheard your conversation with the scholar¡ªmy apologies for that. But when you mentioned Orpuk, I had to know¡ªand I could only assume you were here to slay it after what I heard.¡±
¡°So you just happened to overhear us?¡± Cyrus glanced at Juliet, who shot him a look that clearly said, I told you so.
¡°Artemia has a way of bringing together those who need each other. We are forever indebted to her [Guidance].¡± The woman¡¯s steps slowed as she placed a hand over her heart, her voice softening. ¡°I do hope we can help each other¡ and that my father will finally be free of his curse. Please, follow me to his quarters.¡±
¡°This place is even worse than the Blacksmith Guild was when we first saw it.¡± Juliet rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the cold. The air felt even chillier inside, and the sight of cobwebs crowding every corner of the mansion didn¡¯t help.
¡°I¡ truly apologize.¡± The woman noticed Juliet¡¯s discomfort as they climbed the stairs to the upper floor. ¡°This place hasn¡¯t been the same since the servants left.¡±
¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine.¡± Juliet shrugged, ¡°We¡¯re used to musty places.¡±
¡°...And forgive my curiosity, but I¡¯ve told you how I know of this¡ infernal creature, or whatever Orpuk may be.¡± The woman glanced back at them, ¡°But how is it that you know of it?¡±
¡°We¡¯re monster hunters.¡± Cyrus quickly fabricated a story. ¡°We¡¯ve traveled far and wide in search of it.¡±
¡°I see.¡± The woman offered a faint smile. ¡°Then perhaps this quest of yours will bring about an improvement in my father¡¯s health. Not far now; his quarters are just ahead.¡±
¡°...Just how big is this place?¡± Cyrus whispered. He had to keep the conversation going, as the star of the stream, Julian, wasn¡¯t exactly chatty. Julian had been silent the entire time, not saying a single word¡ªuntil now.
¡°That woman is strange,¡± he whispered, slowing his steps as he leaned closer to Cyrus and Juliet.
¡°I know, right?¡± Juliet whispered back. ¡°Living alone in this massive house? I¡¯d hate to be here if I needed the loo in the middle of the night.¡±
¡°...That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Julian hummed. ¡°I can¡¯t put my finger on it, but something about her is¡ off.¡±
Before they could delve into Julian¡¯s intuition, the woman halted and turned to face them.
¡°Here we are.¡± She sighed, stopping in front of a large door. ¡°I must warn you, my father¡ he looks terribly unwell. I can¡¯t even say if he¡¯ll respond to your questions, but perhaps, if he realizes you¡¯re warriors here to help, it may give him the strength to speak. Please.¡±
With another sigh, she opened the door, and a small breeze stirred, sending dust and cobwebs dancing in the hallway.
¡°Father. I¡¯ve brought someone who might be able to help you.¡± The woman¡¯s voice rose with anticipation as she entered her father¡¯s room. ¡°Father, are you awake?¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
She glanced back at the group, gesturing for them to follow her as she approached the large bed. Like much of the manor, her father¡¯s chamber was shrouded in darkness, with only the faint light of the moon hinting at the luxury it once held. Even that grandeur, however, was cloaked in the shadows of dust drifting through the moonlight.
As they drew near the bed, they encountered what felt like the final coffin in this dying manor. Her father lay there, barely more than skin and bones.
His eyes were sunken, his cheeks so hollowed that they revealed the faint shape of his teeth, and the few strands of hair remaining on his scalp clung weakly. From his shoulders down, his body was completely covered with a thick blanket, yet it was evident that the rest of his frame was as frail and withered as his face.
¡°Wh¡ªHm?¡± Juliet was about to say something when she noticed Julian tilt his head, his fingers brushing the wrapped hilt of Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
She paused, then glanced at Cyrus, who had also noticed Julian¡¯s familiar¡ little habit.
A habit¡ªbecause throughout their time together journeying and fighting monsters without pause the last few days, there was really only 1 reason why he was doing that.
He was preparing to use it.
¡°You said he was cursed by a follower of Orpuk?¡± Cyrus asked, keeping his tone carefully neutral so that the woman wouldn¡¯t notice his growing suspicion. ¡°How do you know it was a¡ follower of Orpuk?¡±
¡°They shouted its name,¡± the woman replied, her voice heavy as she ran her fingers through the thin, brittle strands of hair left on her father¡¯s head. ¡°They shouted, ¡®By the will of Orpuk.¡¯ I heard it so clear, and it¡ I don¡¯t understand, you know? I don¡¯t understand why my father deserved this¡ he¡¯s always been kind to people. He¡ª¡±
¡°H¡¡±
¡°Father!?¡±
A hoarse, strained gasp slipped into the air as the old man¡¯s mouth twitched, struggling to form words, though none emerged from his parched lips.
¡°Father, I¡¯ve brought guests!¡± The woman stepped back, gesturing for the group to come closer, a flicker of excitement in her eyes. ¡°Please¡ introduce yourselves!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡± Cyrus and Juliet hesitated, but Julian didn¡¯t. Without a moment¡¯s pause, he leaned in close to the old man¡¯s face.
¡°Julian¡?¡± Juliet whispered, uncertain. Were they wrong? Was Julian not wary at all?
¡°H¡¡± The old man wheezed as Julian leaned closer, his face only a foot from the elder¡¯s parched lips. The man struggled for breath, but then a word finally escaped his mouth: ¡°H¡ Ha¡ Hail Orpuk!¡±
The old man¡¯s eyes flew open, his hoarse voice scratching through the air, sending a ripple that scattered the dust around the room. His blanket flew off¡ªrevealing a dagger in his hand already aimed at Julian¡¯s neck.
Or it would have been. Before he could even lift his arm, Julian seized his wrist, pinning it to the bed.
¡°Hm. I heard the metal.¡± Julian whispered, eyeing the dagger as he pressed the old man¡¯s head back down, stopping him from lunging forward to bite him.
¡°Hail Orpuk!¡± the daughter suddenly screamed as well, charging at the group while brandishing a large sword.
¡°What the¡ª!?¡± Juliet quickly raised her axe, blocking the woman¡¯s sudden strike and deflecting it to the side before ramming her shoulder against her. The woman was pushed back, but she barely flinched, her gaze unblinking and eerily intense.
¡°Hail Orpuk!¡± she screamed again, lunging once more at Juliet. Before she could close the distance, however, something crashed into her¡ªhis father¡¯s body, hurled from the bed by Julian like it was a bag of trash.
The two tried to rise, but a flash of blue sparked across the room as Julian lunged forward, Searadyn¡¯s Veil: Twin Rapiers, crossed in front of him.
Without hesitation, he struck, stabbing both of the woman¡¯s thighs. And before she could react, he sliced off her legs, then swiftly sliced both of her arms too.
Julian didn¡¯t stop there; he did the same to the old man, severing limbs with calculated precision.
¡°Sword Junkie!?¡± Cyrus couldn¡¯t decide whether to close his eyes or not, shocked by the brutality. He didn¡¯t want the Chat to see this, knowing some of them wouldn¡¯t react well and might even leave, but it was already too late.
¡°W¡why!?¡± Even Juliet was shocked. ¡°They weren¡¯t that strong, Boss! We could have just tied them up!¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian hummed, raising both his rapiers to show Juliet and Cyrus. ¡°They were already dead.¡±
¡°What do you¡ªOh!¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened as she noticed the absence of blood on Julian¡¯s clear blades. She glanced over at the father and daughter, and sure enough, not a single drop of blood was seeping from their severed limbs.
¡°I told you earlier something felt off,¡± Julian said, looking at Cyrus. ¡°I only realized what it was when I leaned closer to the old man¡ªit was their hearts, they weren¡¯t beating at all.¡±
¡°Are they¡ Undead? Inside the city!?¡± Juliet¡¯s breath caught as she focused on the two bodies, now lying completely still as if they didn¡¯t just try to attack them earlier.
¡°No, they¡¯re not undead,¡± Cyrus interrupted, approaching the bodies. He crouched down and lifted the old man¡¯s face for a closer look. ¡°If they were, there¡¯d be obvious signs¡ªgray eyes, decaying flesh, the usual. This is¡ different, Julian. Someone was controlling them.¡±
¡°...Or something,¡± Juliet added, narrowing her eyes.
¡°There¡¯s something else off about them,¡± Julian murmured, shifting Searadyn¡¯s Veil back to its default form and hanging it on his waist. He then approached the bodies, grabbed them by their severed legs, and dragged them into the moonlight.
Cyrus and Juliet were initially confused by his actions, but as soon as he dropped the bodies and stood beside them, they quickly understood what was wrong.
The bodies cast no shadows.
¡°...You noticed that?¡± Cyrus muttered, making sure the Chat could see what he was seeing.
¡°They¡ don¡¯t have shadows,¡± Juliet said, finally approaching the corpses. As someone who had witnessed shadows moving around and absorbing Julian¡¯s swords, she was now certain of one thing. ¡°...We¡¯re definitely on the right track, Boss.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed in agreement.
¡°What if¡ªwait, what¡¯s that?¡± Juliet rushed to the bodies, crouching down and quickly tearing open the woman¡¯s shirt, revealing her chest.
¡°Whoa!¡± Cyrus immediately raised a finger to block the view from the stream, worried about demonetization. People could handle graphic violence, but nudity? A definite no-go. ¡°What is it? What did you find?¡±
¡°It¡¯s a tattoo,¡± Juliet whispered, staring at the emblem inked in the middle of the woman¡¯s chest. ¡°I recognize it¡ it¡¯s the symbol of that bar down by the shore. But¡ I thought that place was run by a big gang. Why would they¡ª¡±
¡°Stop!¡± Cyrus snapped his fingers, shutting off the stream. ¡°Cliffhanger. Let the chat marinate on this a bit.¡±
¡°What nonsense are you spouting now?¡± Juliet scoffed, irritated by the interruption. ¡°What do you think, Boss?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian just shrugged, then lifted the old man¡¯s corpse to carry it. ¡°You said they were being controlled, Cyrus?¡±
¡°...Yes,¡± Cyrus replied with a sigh.
¡°Then we should bury them. I think they deserve at least that,¡± Julian said as he began walking away with the body.
¡°...And after that, we pay the bar a visit.¡±
Chapter 53: Well, This is A Bar Fight
¡°So¡ how many do you think there are?¡±
¡°A lot.¡±
A small grunt whispered in the air as Cyrus joined Julian and Juliet behind a wall of large crates and barrels. They weren¡¯t alone, however¡ªthe dead eyes of rotten fish, along with their maggot and fly companions, were also listening to their quiet conversation.
Julian was the only one who seemed bothered by the smell, trying his best not to cover his nose and instead concentrating on Cyrus, who had just returned from scouting Dasaki, the saloon which had the same emblem as the tattoo of the two corpse puppets they fought back on the mansion.
¡°But¡ it feels just like a normal saloon.¡± Cyrus sat down, resting his back against a damp fish barrel, which squelched unpleasantly, making Julian¡¯s head tilt to the side instinctively.
¡°Nothing out of the ordinary¡ªpeople go in, spend a bit of time inside, then leave.¡± Cyrus shook his head and sighed, ¡°The conversations I overheard sounded normal, too. I think there¡¯s an upper floor, though, so, as we already guessed earlier¡
¡we need to go inside.¡±
¡°Why do you think those two aristocrats we buried had tattoos from this¡ gang?¡± Juliet asked, peeking out from behind the crates to look at the saloon. ¡°Did they have the tattoos before¡ or were they marked after they died?¡±
¡°Maybe they weren¡¯t aristocrats at all,¡± Julian whispered. ¡°The mansion was probably abandoned a long time ago, and the only metals I sensed were the weapons they were holding. The mansion was likely abandoned and looted long before, and they just used it to lure us in.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Juliet blinked a few times, taking in his theory. ¡°...You can be really bright sometimes, Boss.¡±
¡°No,¡± Julian quickly replied. ¡°It was MEGAN who figured it out.¡±
¡°Whoa, you can read her chat now?¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s only been a week since we started teaching you how to read.¡±
¡°Just some bits and pieces.¡± Julian smiled, humming slightly. ¡°Enough to understand what she¡¯s saying¡ or at least what I think she¡¯s saying.¡±
¡°The Chat¡¯s going wild with that, Sword Junkie,¡± Cyrus said, blinking as messages poured in. ¡°Most of them can¡¯t wait until they can chat directly from your POV.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian merely breathed out in response before asking, ¡°And what about their levels? Since we¡¯re going inside the saloon, do you think we can handle them?¡±
¡°Is MEGAN this asking again?¡± Cyrus glanced at him.
¡°No, it¡¯s me.¡± Julian replied, finally adjusting to the smell of the decaying fish as he peeked out to look at the saloon¡¯s exterior.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t be able to tell you their exact levels,¡± Cyrus sighed, shaking his head. ¡°But if the two aristocratic puppets from earlier are any indication, then I think we¡¯ll be fine. Well, at least you two will.¡±
¡°You know, you never really ever fight¡¡± Juliet narrowed her eyes, eyeing Cyrus with suspicion. ¡°But don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed how you just brush off attacks from monsters whenever they lunged at you. What level are you, exactly?¡±
¡°Tut, tut.¡± Cyrus wagged his finger in front of Juliet¡¯s face. ¡°This isn¡¯t about me.¡±
¡°He¡¯s level 82, Juliet,¡± Julian answered, ignoring Cyrus¡¯s attempt to dodge the question.
¡°What!?¡± Juliet nearly knocked over one of the crates in her shock but managing to catch it, ¡°What are you even doing here and not out in the high-level areas? And wait¡ªyou said you¡¯ve only been technically alive for a few years here! How are you so strong!?¡±
¡°Heh¡¡± Cyrus smirked. ¡°I used to be a hardcore gamer, all about min-maxing. But when I met Kitty here, I realized I enjoyed streaming other people¡¯s adventures more and interacting with people. Besides, my class¡ isn¡¯t really built for direct combat.¡±
¡°Okay¡ I didn¡¯t understand any of that,¡± Juliet replied, squinting at him. ¡°But who¡¯s this Kitty? Some lost lover?¡±
¡°Nope! I have a loving wife and husband.¡± Cyrus waved her question away with a grin.
¡°Huh? Did you just say you have¡ª¡±
¡°Shh. Not important.¡± Cyrus put a finger in front of her lips¡ªunfortunately, one smeared with rotten fish juice. ¡°We¡¯re here for Julian, not me. Everyone¡¯s already sick and tired of me. So¡
¡Sword Junkie, your call. Should we leave this for tomorrow or head in now?¡±
¡°W¡ª¡± Juliet nearly swung at Cyrus¡¯s head for brushing rotten juice on her lips, but Julian spoke up before she could act.
¡°No, we should do this now,¡± Julian stated firmly, without hesitation. ¡°If they know about us, there¡¯s nothing to stop them from attacking us while we¡¯re back on Earth. It would be too dangerous for Juliet to be left alone, guarding our bodies.¡±
¡°Hm¡ Right.¡± Cyrus sighed and nodded, rising to his feet along with the others. ¡°But, technically, she could just run and leave our bodies if things got dangerous.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll kill you right here if you want.¡± Juliet scoffed, glaring at Cyrus. ¡°You really think I¡¯d leave you guys? Even if the gods struck me down, I wouldn¡¯t abandon you.¡±
¡°And that¡¯s exactly why¡¡± Julian turned his shoulder to Juliet, his gaze steady, ¡°...I need you to stay here, Juliet.¡±
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.¡°W¡what?¡± Juliet chuckled in disbelief, brushing off his words. ¡°What do you mean, stay here? I¡¯m part of the party.¡±
¡°We don¡¯t know how dangerous the people inside are,¡± Julian whispered, his voice calm. ¡°There¡¯s a real chance we might not make it out.¡±
¡°And that¡¯s exactly why I need to go!¡± Juliet¡¯s grip on her axe tightened. ¡°You need me in there.¡±
¡°If we die, it¡¯s only our bodies here in Artemia that die, Juliet,¡± Julian sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll still be alive in our real bodies.¡±
¡°Not for me.¡± Juliet¡¯s voice was low, almost a growl, as she leaned in close, her gaze fixed on his.
¡°Not for me,¡± she repeated, her voice trembling. ¡°If you die here, I¡¯ll never see you again. So please, don¡¯t say that¡ªnot to me. Never.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian glanced at Cyrus, who simply shrugged in response.
He then turned back to Juliet, and, seeing the fierce resolve glistening in her eyes, the only response he could muster was a quiet hum.
¡°Okay,¡± he relented with a sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±
***
¡°Howdy, boys.¡±
Cyrus was the first to enter the saloon, the doors swinging behind him as he made his entrance. His arrival was met with glares and scowls¡ªsome patrons even spat on the wooden floor before completely ignoring him.
¡°Huh. Tough crowd.¡± Cyrus shrugged, striding over to an empty table in the corner. And not even three seconds after he sat down, a barmaid approached with a warm smile.
¡°Can I get something for you, love?¡± she asked, her tone friendly and inviting.
¡°Soup, bread, and your finest booze,¡± Cyrus replied, his gaze subtly tracking the next person through the door¡ªJuliet. Unlike him, she drew lingering stares, most of the saloon¡¯s patrons looking her over from head to toe.
Instead of sitting like him, however, Juliet made her way to the far corner of the saloon where a board displayed various quests and tabloids. No one dared approach her even with all the gazes, and the large war axe beside her likely played a role in that.
A minute later, Julian entered, ignoring the stares directed at him as he walked straight to the bar.
¡°What¡¯ll it be?¡± the barkeep grunted as Julian sat down in front of him, barely glancing up as he continued wiping a glass that was already spotless.
Julian set Searadyn¡¯s Veil beside him, once again wrapped carefully in cloth so that no one would take a second look at it.
¡°I¡¯ll have water,¡± he said, looking the barkeep directly in his eyes.
¡°...That¡¯s it?¡± The barkeep snorted.
¡°Water¡¡± Julian added, holding his gaze steady, ¡°...with ice.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± The barkeep stopped wiping and stared at Julian as though he were insane. ¡°Listen here, boy. We don¡¯t serve¡ªHm!?¡±
Before he could finish, Julian¡¯s hand shot to Searadyn¡¯s Veil, causing sparks to fly as he split it apart¡ªnot into rapiers, but into twin shields, deflecting two sudden strikes from his left and behind.
A loud clang echoed through the saloon as Searadyn¡¯s Veil rang out like a gong¡ªa gong signaling the beginning of chaos. All around, patrons sprang into action¡ªeven the barmaid who had taken Cyrus¡¯s order lunged at him with a concealed blade.
¡°All hail Orpuk!¡± The patrons shouted in unison, their roars filling the room as they chanted their praises over and over.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian pushed away from the bar, transforming his shields into twin rapiers mid-motion before stabbing his attackers in the neck¡ªall without breaking eye contact with the barkeep.
¡°Everyone but the bartender is already dead!¡± he announced, raising his voice. As he did, a chair smashed into his back. Julian could have dodged, but he didn¡¯t bother, knowing he could handle it.
He tilted his head to the side and stepped away, dodging an attacker who leaped from the upper floor of the saloon. Unfortunately for this would-be assailant, Julian transformed Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a longsword, swinging it upward to meet and cleave the attacker cleanly in half before he even landed.
¡°D¡ Die! All hail Orpuk!¡± The barkeep joined the fray, lunging over the bar with a dagger aimed at Julian. Julian spun, kicking the dagger away before thrusting Searadyn¡¯s Veil toward the barkeep¡¯s neck, stopping just short of severing it.
¡°Gkh¡¡± The barkeep could only grit his teeth, frozen in place, as he stared at the near-invisible blade held inches from his throat. Julian held his gaze for a moment, then abruptly turned and thrust his sword toward a stool behind the barkeep, hooking it with his blade and flinging it at a crazed woman charging toward him.
The woman staggered from the impact, trying to recover only to find Julian upon her in an instant. With swift precision, he pierced her neck with the twin rapiers, then split it apart cleanly with a single fluid motion.
Meanwhile, Cyrus captured every moment, his grin widening as the Chat went wild with donations. He glanced at Juliet to ensure she was holding her own, then turned his full attention to Julian, thrilled by the unfolding scene.
Of course, Cyrus wasn¡¯t free from attackers either, but he dispatched anyone who rushed him¡ using only a fork.
As for Julian, he seemed to be dancing¡ªeach step deliberate and elegant as he wielded the twin rapiers like extensions of his own body. A large man charged at him with a greatsword nearly the size of his torso. Julian didn¡¯t dodge; instead, he let the greatsword slide down the length of his rapier, noting the difference in weapon quality from the sound alone, and that the glacivyr could take it.
Guiding the greatsword downward, Julian deflected it to the ground. In that instant, a cold fire erupted from Searadyn¡¯s Veil, surging toward the large man and forcing him to stumble back as his clothes began to crumble under the freezing flames.
It was one of Searadyn¡¯s Veil¡¯s skills, [Glacial Rebound]. Sadly, the 5% chance of freezing the attacker was not triggered at all¡ but it didn¡¯t matter.
Julian seized the moment, stepping on the large man¡¯s foot before transforming Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a longsword and driving it up through the base of the man¡¯s chin.
¡°Wait¡ Julian!¡± Cyrus shouted in warning as he spotted someone aiming a crossbow at him. It was already too late, however, as the bolt has been fired¡ªbut Julian moved seamlessly, withdrawing Searadyn¡¯s Veil from the man¡¯s skull and slicing through the bolt midair, splitting it cleanly in half.
¡°What the¡ fuck!?¡± Cyrus clutched his hair in disbelief. ¡°Did¡ did anyone else see that, Chat!?¡±
Julian was only level 15¡ªa level known as a soft cap for the people of Artemia, and advancing beyond it required intense training and relentless monster hunting. Some of these corpse puppets were definitely above level 15, but Julian moved with uncanny precision to overwhelm them all.
He wasn¡¯t necessarily the fastest, but he was precise and efficient¡ªeach movement perfectly timed, with no wasted energy.
If it were an official term, Cyrus would probably call it, ¡°Chat¡ chat¡ he¡¯s doing consecutive [Perfect] dodges!¡±
Those don¡¯t exist as far as Cyrus knew, but it didn¡¯t matter.
When the guild master had said Julian was blessed by the gods, Cyrus thought it sounded a bit cheesy. Impressive, yes, but cheesy. Now, seeing him in action, he couldn¡¯t help but agree wholeheartedly.
¡And the Chat felt the same way.
Chapter 54: Trending, Venting, and Bending
¡°Ha¡¡±
A long, deep breath whispered through the now silent confines of the saloon.
What was once a bar filled with life, now almost devoid of it aside from those still standing. Julian, Cyrus, and Juliet. But then again¡ perhaps it hadn¡¯t been filled with life at all.
The corpses littering the floor were, as Julian had said, mere puppets of flesh. Once living, desecrated to be machines meant to kill. Well, not anymore as their bodies now sprawled in eerie stillness.
And the worst part of it all was that it was evident from the 5 seconds of the fight that Julian would decimate them all.
The gong of his shields signaled the start of this battle, and now his deep breath signaled the end of it.
Not a single tint of blood could be seen, and not a single drop could be heard¡ªexcept for the silence of death. And very much like the bodies they¡¯d encountered at the mansion, these corpses were now shadowless, gone as soon as their brains were severed from their bodies.
¡°All these people¡¡± Juliet sighed, wiping her sweat as she surveyed the aftermath. ¡°Do you think they were innocent once? Good people¡ before they were turned into whatever they are now?¡±
¡°It¡¯s¡ best not to think about it.¡± Cyrus tried to avoid the sight of the fallen bodies, instead focusing on the barkeep, who was actually also still alive, but not standing. He was trembling against the wall as Julian loomed over him.
¡°P¡ please!¡± The barkeep held up his hands in a plea, dropping to his knees with tears streaming down his face. ¡°I¡ I have a family! Please, don¡¯t kill me.¡±
¡°What is Orpuk?¡± Julian asked, resting the glacivyr blade on the barkeep¡¯s shoulder. He didn¡¯t press it to his neck, he didn¡¯t threaten him with it. He just¡ left it resting there.
¡°I¡ I don¡¯t know!¡± The barkeep stammered.
¡°The gods will have your guts, boy!¡± Juliet slammed her war axe on the floor. ¡°You were chanting his name earlier! Don¡¯t think we didn¡¯t hear that!¡±
¡°I¡ I only joined in to save myself! I swear, I don¡¯t know anything about Orpuk or whatever it is! Please!¡± the barkeep sobbed. ¡°I just¡ a year ago, some people in robes approached me, gave me a lot of money to set up this bar. It was a huge sum¡ I don¡¯t know anything else!¡±
¡°...What do you know?¡± Julian sighed, crouching down while keeping Searadyn¡¯s Veil resting on the man¡¯s shoulder.
¡°I¡ wait¡¡± The barkeep¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at Julian. ¡°There¡¯s¡ a cargo ship docking here soon. I think¡ I think I overheard that this¡ Orpuk thing will be on it.¡±
¡°When?¡± Julian pressed.
¡°Two¡ªno, three moons from now,¡± the barkeep gasped. ¡°It¡¯ll arrive with the usual trade ships. I¡ I think it¡¯s coming from Edzea.¡±
¡°Edzea?¡± Cyrus¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Are you certain?¡±
¡°This old man¡¯s spinning tales.¡± Juliet shook her head. ¡°The Eldazens haven¡¯t traded with us since before I was born! Why would a cargo from those short people be here!?¡±
¡°I¡¯m telling the truth!¡± the barkeep pleaded. ¡°Please, you have to believe me! I didn¡¯t even know these people were¡ undead! If I had, I would have reported it a long time ago! Please, I¡¯m a follower of the Light of Artemia! I¡ I think all life is precious!¡±
¡°Now he¡¯s just spouting all sorts of lies.¡± Juliet shook her head, ¡°You say that after you tried to stab the Boss!?¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡¡± The barkeep kept his head even lower.
¡°You¡¯ll have to decide what to do with him, Julian.¡± Cyrus crouched down beside Julian, placing a hand on his shoulder and whispering in his ear, ¡°I¡ can kill him if you want.¡±
¡°Where did they say they¡¯d deliver the cargo?¡± Julian ignored Cyrus for now, shooting another question to the barkeep.
¡°I¡ I don¡¯t know.¡±
¡°Do you think it could be brought here, in your bar?¡± Julian stood, scanning the saloon strewn with bloodless corpses.
¡°I¡ no? I don¡¯t know.¡± The barkeep¡¯s breathing grew ragged. ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t know anything else.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s just tie him up for now. We might need him for some answers,¡± Julian sighed. ¡°Then we¡¯ll turn him over to the police after we finish the quest.¡±
¡°And that¡¯s a wrap. Tell MEGAN to end the stream on your end too.¡± Cyrus snapped his fingers to end the stream, then kicked the barkeep hard in the chin, knocking him out cold. ¡°You just confirmed it, Sword Junkie¡ªthe Chat¡¯s probably going nuts when you mentioned the quest.¡±
¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have done that,¡± Julian hummed, glancing at Cyrus.
¡°Nah.¡± Cyrus smirked, casting a final look around the corpse-filled saloon. ¡°It¡¯s about time they got a taste of what¡¯s coming. Because I¡¯m telling you, Julian¡ a storm¡¯s brewing here in Calydion.¡±
Unbeknownst to the group, another storm was stirring on Earth¡ªor, more accurately, across the vast sea of the internet, flooding the forums and social media of Otherworld.
***
¡°Julian, you¡¯re blowing up.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
Julian, seated on the bed with his back against the headboard, instinctively patted himself as he heard Ellie¡¯s words, only for Ellie to swat his hands away with a playful smile.
¡°You know that¡¯s not what I meant, stop being so¡ old you,¡± she said, pouting as she crawled on top of him, pointing a finger right at his face even though he couldn¡¯t see her. But as Julian lightly caught her finger and smiled, it was clear he knew her well enough to read her gestures.
¡°Oh? You still remember how I used to be?¡± Julian chuckled softly as Ellie settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around him.
¡°...Who wouldn¡¯t?¡± Ellie sighed, resting her head against his chest, her eyes closing as she listened to his heartbeat. ¡°You barely talked, you were¡ stimming a lot, easily overstimulated. So, don¡¯t waste all the time and money your parents spent on all your¡ therapy. Okay? You¡¯re not actually blowing up.¡±
¡°But you¡¯re the one who said I was.¡± Julian¡¯s tone turned deliberately flat, almost robotic.
¡°Not literally! Seriously, Julian!¡± Ellie groaned.
¡°I was kidding, Ellie.¡± Julian¡¯s fingers brushed through her hair gently. ¡°Kidding. I wouldn¡¯t even be able to joke like that if my condition was regressing, right?¡±
¡°...Right.¡± Ellie leaned back, pouting again as she narrowed her eyes at him.
¡°So, what did you actually mean when you said I was ¡®blowing up¡¯?¡± Julian asked, tilting his head.
¡°The forums.¡± Ellie slid off his lap and snuggled beside him under the blanket. She tapped her watch a few times, which projected a hologram in front of her. ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on Otherworld¡¯s forums.¡±
¡°Oh? Since when?¡± Julian asked, amused. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t like reading stuff up?¡±
¡°Well, no¡¡± Ellie shrugged, scrolling through the hologram¡¯s posts, ¡°...But I needed to make sure no one was trash-talking you.¡±
¡°You¡¯re sounding more and more like MEGAN,¡± Julian chuckled.
¡°It¡¯s the other way around, okay?¡± Ellie clicked her tongue. ¡°MEGAN¡¯s like my little sister, and you¡¯re our little teeny-tiny baby brother.¡±
¡°Then I guess we just committed incest a few minutes ago,¡± Julian deadpanned.
¡°Agh!¡± Ellie laughed, playfully smacking his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t make it weird!¡±
¡°You¡¯re the one who said it.¡±
¡°Stop it.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian sighed, resting his cheek on the top of her head. ¡°So, are they, Ellie? Are people talking trash about me?¡±
¡°Well, some of them are. And they¡¯re very loud.¡± Ellie sighed, shaking her head while¡ downvoting all the weird and rude comments about Julian, ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªthose who don¡¯t like you will always be the loudest and will always want to share their opinions because, well¡ if they don¡¯t like you, then that means other people shouldn¡¯t too. And they¡¯ll really make it known, they¡¯ll even support and work with each other to make you fall.¡±
¡°...Okay,¡± Julian hummed.
¡°That¡¯s it? Just okay?¡± Ellie chuckled.
¡°I don¡¯t think it matters how other people perceive me. Perhaps only you and MEGAN.¡± Julian continued to massage Ellie¡¯s scalp, ¡°They do not know the life I have lived, so their opinions do not matter at all, at least for me.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡± Ellie gazed at him, kissed his lips, and rested her head back on his chest. ¡°...I wish we could all live in that bubble of yours, Julian. Because right now¡ I really want to kill these people for talking crap about you. Ugh!¡±
¡°You¡¯re¡ really invested in that.¡± Julian sighed, ¡°And you¡¯ve said so much, but not the reason why I was blowing up.¡±
¡°...Oh, right. I forgot all about that.¡± Ellie paused her downvoting spree. ¡°You¡¯re blowing up because of some¡ main quest? Isn¡¯t MEGAN saying anything about it?¡±
¡°MEGAN¡¯s¡ been busy counting our money.¡± Julian said as he could actually still hear MEGAN whispering inside his mind, counting and doing calculations even though she could actually do it instantly. If anything, MEGAN¡¯s sort of been avoiding him ever since he killed all of the loan sharks¡ªwell, not much avoiding since she was literally a part of his body, but enough.
¡°Well, look who¡¯s suffering from success.¡± Ellie laughed softly as she continued scrolling. ¡°Ah, here it is! It says you might be the first person since¡ uh¡ Ryouhei to complete a main quest!¡±
¡°But I¡¯m not doing a main quest,¡± Julian clarified. ¡°I have a [Unique] class quest, Ellie.¡±
¡°...What¡¯s the difference?¡± Ellie tapped her watch, turning off the hologram as she focused on Julian, and Julian alone.
¡°Well, the quest I am doing is set to change my class, my abilities.¡± Julian answered.
¡°Woah¡¡± Ellie brushed Julian¡¯s cheek, ¡°...I don¡¯t know what that means but that¡¯s so cool. Maybe I should also start playing Otherworld, am I allowed to borrow that LinkGear thing?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian sighed.
¡°What? It¡¯s worth a million credits and you can¡¯t share it with anyone else?¡± Ellie gasped, ¡°...They really are selfish assholes.¡±
¡°Maybe we should get going?¡± Julian suggested, ¡°I have hand-to-hand combat training with Leto this afternoon.¡±
¡°No¡¡± Ellie¡¯s voice weakened, ¡°...I¡¯m wet again, Julian. Let¡¯s go¡ one more before we take a bath and leave.¡±
¡°Again¡?¡±
¡°It¡¯s¡ it¡¯s because you keep massaging my head and ears!¡±
***
Days passed, and Julian and the group were now seated at the docks of Calydion, inside a humble restaurant, and watching as the ships arrived from the ever-changing horizon of the sea. First, it was orange, and now it was as blue as it could be.
¡°Are we sure this old man¡¯s cool for his words?¡± And it wasn¡¯t only the three of them anymore seated at the table, Talia was there too, her words filled with suspicion as she stared at the barkeep, who Julian and the others kept as a hostage the past few days.
¡°If he wasn¡¯t, then I¡¯ll make him.¡±
And, naturally, with Talia came Dyrroth and Titus.
¡°I¡ I¡¯ve been cooperating willingly!¡± the barkeep stammered, paling as Titus cast him a look that suggested he might start plucking fingernails at any moment.
¡°My dude, chill¡¡± Dyrroth waved his hands, ¡°...No one¡¯s gonna hurt you, I think.¡±
The three were actually called by Julian himself 3 days ago and got there as fast as they could. After all, more manpower was crucial since¡
¡None of them had any idea of what they were about to face.
Chapter 55: Something A Little Freaky
¡°The sun¡¯s getting colder.¡±
Titus stood outside the restaurant, leaning against the window near where Talia had her arms out, head resting on them as she yawned.
¡°Can¡¯t you just say it¡¯s getting dark, like normal people?¡± Talia murmured almost unintelligibly, her yawn lingering longer than it should, mirroring the stillness of the orange sea stretched before her.
And the sea wasn¡¯t the only thing still; even the ships were frozen in place, with no sign of movement, nor any new vessels appearing on the horizon for hours now. The group took turns observing and checking each of the ships as they docked, and they were sure what they were trying to find hadn¡¯t come up yet.
¡°When in Rome, do as Romans do, Talia. When in Rome.¡± Titus crossed his arms, glancing over at her.
¡°What does that even mean?¡± Talia groaned.
¡°It¡¯s an old proverb from the ancient world.¡± Titus smirked, seemingly proud of himself for some reason.
¡°...Right.¡± And that¡¯s when Talia decided to leave him alone, leaning back from the window to look at her companions who were all quietly sitting around the table.
Julian sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the dock¡ªshe hadn¡¯t seen him take his eyes off it even once.
They¡¯ve been at the restaurant for almost half a day now, fortunately, most restaurants in Artemia are used to people idling inside their establishments due to adventurers and monster hunters¡ªas long as they spend money inside, they didn¡¯t care what they were doing.
Even if they were sleeping, like Dyrroth, Juliet, and the barkeep they were holding hostage. Well, Juliet and the barkeep were asleep; Dyrroth was back on Earth, busy with something else but still watching through Cyrus¡¯s stream so that he would be able to get into the action as soon as he needed to.
For now, though, Cyrus was quietly chatting with his audience, occasionally moving to get a better angle of Julian doing absolutely nothing.
¡°I¡¯ve heard that some people like watching others do nothing or even sleep¡¡± Talia sighed, turning around to see Cyrus glued to Julian. ¡°But even the newbie has viewers like that? I thought they¡¯d want more action.¡±
¡°...Look at his face, then look at mine.¡± Cyrus grinned, moving beside Julian and sticking his face close to his. ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t want to watch him?¡±
¡°Makes sense. I¡¯d pay not to see your face, Cy. Heh!¡± A grin crept over Talia¡¯s face as she flipped him the middle finger.
¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be home drinking milk?¡± Cyrus shot back, raising his own middle finger.
¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be dying of old age?¡± Talia raised another middle finger. ¡°Seriously, you look like a potato baked in beef tallow.¡±
¡°Why is that so specific?¡± Cyrus raised his remaining middle finger. ¡°And you look like the butt of an alpaca.¡±
¡°What even is an alpaca!?¡± Talia shouted, irritated by the sound of his insult.
¡°It¡¯s an extinct animal!¡±
¡°And why do you know what its butt looks like!? You freak!¡±
As the two bickered, Julian, caught in the middle, couldn¡¯t help but glance back and forth at their raised middle fingers, now nearly touching in front of him. Soon, however, he sighed and leaned back.
¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any need to argue.¡± Julian lowered their hands. ¡°From my limited perspective of what beauty is, you¡¯re both¡ average-looking.¡±
¡°That¡¡± Talia¡¯s eye twitched. She didn¡¯t mind exchanging insults with Cyrus, but something about Julian¡¯s blunt, unintentional honesty felt like a blow to the gut.
¡°...Why do I feel like I just got roasted even though I know it wasn¡¯t?¡± Cyrus stepped back, clutching his chest dramatically.
¡°If you kids are done playing around, I need you to come look at this.¡±
Fortunately for the two, before Julian could say anything more, Titus knocked on the window, motioning for the group to look outside. Finally, another ship appeared on the horizon.
¡°You think that¡¯s it?¡± Talia leaned out of the window to watch the distant speck against the dimming wall of the orange sun, the ship casting a large shadow and making it seem larger than it was.
¡°Is that our target, my dudes!?¡±
¡°What the¡ª!?¡± Talia nearly jumped as Dyrroth¡¯s head appeared suddenly over her shoulder. ¡°Weren¡¯t you just asleep a second ago!?¡±
¡°Relax¡ I had the stream on in the background.¡± Dyrroth bobbed his head, wiggling his pinkies and thumbs in a mock dance. ¡°I watched everything. Eyy.¡±
¡°...Are you actually high right now?¡± Talia arched an eyebrow.
¡°Nah, I was in my real body,¡± Dyrroth sniffed. ¡°You should try it sometime; it¡¯s trippy. Like you¡¯re super stoned, and then when you shift back here, everything¡¯s crystal-clear. It¡¯s the best high without technically being high. My senses are through the roof. It¡¯s like¡ I can see through you.¡±
¡°What the fuck!?¡± Talia swatted his finger away as it crept dangerously close to her face. She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, Julian stood up from his seat. And just like that, the group fell silent for some reason, eyes shifting to the approaching ship.
¡°Could that be the ship we¡¯re waiting for?¡± Julian murmured.
¡°If it¡¯s not, then we probably already missed it,¡± Talia shrugged.
¡°She¡¯s right.¡± Titus nodded. ¡°The sun¡¯s setting soon. I¡¯d bet this is the last ship docking today.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian turned, walking over to Juliet and gently shaking her awake. He didn¡¯t need to say much¡ªafter all, they¡¯d done this exact routine with each new ship arrival. This time, however, everyone headed out with him.
To say Calydion¡¯s dock was large would be an understatement. Even with its vast size, however, the sheer influx of ships made it look small, almost overwhelmed. There were probably no fewer than a hundred ships moored here, not counting the smaller boats.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Crates, barrels, and cargo were scattered everywhere, it almost made it hard to traverse around it since it almost became a maze across the dock. Fortunately for the group, this also made it easy to slip into the shadows near where the new ship was docking without attracting attention.
The only real challenge was dealing with the noise and the smell. Though the dock wasn¡¯t bustling with people right now since everyone was done unpacking their things, it was still far from quiet.
The waves, though gentle, rocked the ships just enough to create a symphony of creaking wood, strained ropes, and other assorted sounds¡ªa chaotic hum that filled the air. Perhaps a reflection of what the group was feeling right now.
And the smell¡
¡°You alright, my gigadude?¡± Dyrroth quickly noticed Julian brushing his nose.
¡°...The smell.¡± Julian hesitated before answering, unsure if Dyrroth had actually been addressing him. ¡°But I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll get used to it in a few seconds. And they¡¯re about to bring something out.¡±
¡°Okay, here we go.¡± Talia muttered.
No one really questioned Julian¡¯s words; they all turned their attention back to the ship at his word. Onboard, several workers were now unloading a large crate. At first glance, it didn¡¯t appear special¡ªjust another crate among the countless others scattered around the dock. No, in fact, it truly wasn¡¯t anything special.
¡°...Are we sure it¡¯s them? Nothing about this ship stands out from the millions we¡¯ve surveyed.¡± Talia whispered, her voice tinged with skepticism.
¡°Hey, recognize anyone?¡± Juliet nudged the barkeep, who they now had gagged to keep him from shouting to the crew of the ship just in case. The barkeep, however, seemed tired of all of this, a sigh escaping from the cloth in his mouth as he watched the people unload the crate.
He didn¡¯t react at first and was about to shake his head, but soon, his eyes widened, and he began excitedly pointing at someone. Of course, his hands were quickly swatted down by Juliet as it was going over the crates.
¡°If you shout, or if I hear your voice go any higher than it should be, I¡¯ll stuff you in one of these crates and throw you into the ocean. You got it?¡± Juliet whispered, her tone taking on a slight menace as she adjusted the cloth in his mouth.
¡°Hmn. Hmn.¡± The barkeep nodded vigorously, then gasped slightly as Juliet finally pulled down the gag.
¡°Them.¡± The barkeep pointed at a group of figures draped in robes, their faces obscured by oversized hoods. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯re the same people who approached me a year ago, but they¡¯re definitely wearing the same clothes.¡±
Everyone exchanged glances as the barkeep¡¯s words hung in the air.
¡°Now, please¡ I¡¯ve done what you asked. Just let me go, and I¡¯ll¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Juliet¡¯s fist connected with his chin.
¡°How do you want to do this, Boss?¡± Juliet casually asked, as if she hadn¡¯t just knocked someone out cold.
¡°Let¡¯s¡ watch them for a while.¡± Julian didn¡¯t even glance at the barkeep, his attention focused entirely on the group carrying the cargo. ¡°They¡¯re¡ handling it very gently.¡±
¡°I see what you mean.¡± Talia narrowed her eyes at the crate, her suspicion growing. ¡°What do you think¡¯s inside? Don¡¯t tell me¡ it¡¯s actually that Orpuk thing?¡±
¡°That¡¯s possible.¡± Titus joined in, his gaze following the crate. ¡°Look at the holes¡ªI am positive they¡¯re for ventilation. I do the same thing when I ship out my champions.¡±
¡°Champions¡?¡± Talia raised an eyebrow, clearly not following.
¡°Yes. My cocks. Champions.¡±
¡°Co¡ªYou mean chickens? Wait, you mean cock fighting? Isn¡¯t that illegal?¡±
¡°Not on Proxima Centauri.¡± Titus scoffed.
¡°You¡ªack. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Talia waved Titus off dismissively. ¡°But if Orpuk really is inside that thing, then¡ª¡±
¡°They¡¯re illegally smuggling monsters into the city.¡± Juliet continued her thought, ¡°I think this is way above a simple quest now, Boss. Should we¡ inform the guards? But if we do, it might mess up your quest¡ No, forget what I said.¡±
¡°Hey. If it¡¯s the Orpuk, my dudes, why isn¡¯t it making any noise?¡± Dyrroth stood up, only to be immediately pulled down because of his height. Fortunately, they caught him just in time before one of the people from the ship could notice.
¡°Alright, chill. Chill.¡± Dyrroth raised both his palms in surrender as he saw Talia glaring at him. ¡°I¡¯m just saying¡ do you hear anything from the box, Sword Junkie?¡±
¡°I¡¯m¡ not.¡± Julian hummed, still watching the group. ¡°What do you think we should do, Talia?¡±
¡°Huh? Why me¡?¡± Talia blinked a few times, glancing at Julian. ¡°This is your quest, you should be the one calling the shots.¡±
¡°And my call is to listen to you.¡±
Julian said without hesitation. Talia gasped slightly, her face reddening before she quickly turned her focus back to the cargo.
¡°Well¡¡± Talia narrowed her eyes, ¡°I was thinking we could intercept them right now, but that might bring more trouble since we don¡¯t know exactly what we¡¯re dealing with yet.¡±
¡°What if we take a few of them on and disguise ourselves as them?¡± Titus suggested.
¡°No.¡± Talia immediately shook her head. ¡°I watched the stream of the Newbie¡¯s fight back at the bar. If the ones controlling these dead people are here, they¡¯ll immediately find us out. Worse, they might even set a trap for us by pretending they haven¡¯t noticed us.¡±
¡°And what if they go back to the bar and find it empty, my dudes?¡± Dyrroth asked.
¡°Probably not.¡± Talia narrowed her eyes even further. ¡°I initially thought the controlled people might share a hive mind, but considering you¡¯ve killed¡ªI mean, untethered them all¡ªand none of these new ones are reacting¡ That means they don¡¯t know what happened at the bar.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian stared at Talia for a moment, his gaze lingering. Talia, flustered, felt her face heat up.
¡°W-what?¡± Talia gulped nervously, avoiding his gaze.
¡°Good work, Talia.¡± Julian smiled at her warmly.
¡°That¡ I¡¯m just¡ You asked for my opinion, I just¡ gave it.¡± Talia stammered, her words failing her. She was about to continue when she saw Dyrroth and Cyrus watching her, eyebrows raised, their lips twitching into grins.
¡°Someone has a little puppy crush on the Sword Junkie.¡± Cyrus covered his mouth, clearly enjoying the moment. ¡°I wonder who.¡±
¡°Ta¡ ahem¡lia.¡± Dyrroth pretended to cough, his voice dripping with teasing.
¡°Oh, shut up.¡± Talia punched Dyrroth in the gut, sending him tumbling to the floor. She quickly turned her attention to Julian, but he was still focused on the group from the ship, who were now carefully placing the crate onto a cart.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian murmured, studying them. ¡°How strong do you think they are?¡±
¡°That¡ I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± Talia sighed, glancing at Julian before turning her gaze back to the ship¡¯s crew. ¡°But Titus?¡±
¡°Let me.¡± Titus crossed his legs, sitting on the ground with his eyes closed. A subtle breeze began to stir around him as he focused.
¡°He¡ can tell someone¡¯s level?¡± Julian¡¯s eyes widened slightly.
¡°Well, something like that.¡± Talia shrugged, her voice calm. ¡°His class helps him detect and check people¡¯s mana.¡±
Everyone watched as Titus¡¯s breathing grew heavier with each passing second. His bald head gleamed faintly under the moonlight, casting a glow that made him look calmer than he already was. And after what felt like an eternity¡ªperhaps actually only half a minute¡ªhe finally opened his eyes and whispered,
¡°It¡¯s the three people our unconscious intel pointed to, they¡¯re the ones who¡¯ll give us trouble. The mana flowing from them is stronger than average. And that small one that looks like it could be a child, I¡¯m certain it''s a Mage¡ªand a more powerful one than me.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± The group turned their attention to Julian, waiting for him to decide on the next move. He didn¡¯t take long, his gaze firm and resolute as if the path forward was already clear.
¡°...They¡¯re making a move. Let¡¯s follow them.¡±
And without further hesitation, the group began to shadow the small convoy. As they tailed the figures with the cargo, a collective sigh of relief escaped them when it became clear the crate wasn¡¯t headed to the bar.
But their relief was short-lived, vanishing entirely when they realized the cargo¡¯s actual destination.
It was the manor where Julian, Cyrus, and Juliet had been lured just days before.
But, well, it wasn¡¯t exactly the location that made their breaths pause.
It was the crowd that had gathered inside the estate grounds.
¡°What the fuck¡¡±
Perched on the roof of a nearby house, Julian and the group surveyed the manor, and they could see everything. And what they were seeing made them unable to tear their eyes away from the eerie sight below.
How could they, when almost 200 people were clustered together in the moonlit courtyard, crowded¡ and completely still?
But most importantly, they were all naked. And perhaps the most second important part, was that even from afar, it was obvious that they were all old people.
¡°Where¡ did these people even come from? Are... you sure you still want to continue the quest, Boss?¡±
"Shit... we''re not going to be able to stream this."
"That''s seriously what you''re worried about here!?"
Chapter 56: The Ritual
"Old¡ naked people. This is not how I expected to end my day on Artemia, my dudes. Or maybe I¡¯m not even here and still high on my bed.¡±
¡°Can you shut the fuck up?¡± Talia hissed, her voice a sharp whisper. ¡°Anyway, I don¡¯t think they care about those corpse puppets you guys eradicated at all¡ or maybe they don¡¯t even know about them.¡±
The air was damp, clinging to their clothes and sinking into their skin as they crouched on the roof, watching the eerie scene below. The sun had long vanished, and though sounds from the city continued in the distance, none reached the unsettling stillness that enveloped the estate.
Beneath them, across the courtyard, the old, naked figures still hadn¡¯t moved an inch.
¡°Julian¡¡± Talia whispered, her sigh filled with unease as she turned to rest her back against the roof. ¡°Are you sure all of them are alive?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t be sure. But I heard heartbeats.¡± Julian whispered back.
He¡¯d edged close enough earlier to listen and determine whether they were corpses¡ªand, unsettlingly, they weren¡¯t. At least, not the ones he could make out before retreating to avoid being discovered by anyone from the estate.
Two hundred of them, old people who have not even moved an inch¡ all of them are possibly alive.
But while the crowd of old people remained unmoving, the people who had arrived with the ship had already set up some sort of altar¡ªan ornate table they carried out from inside the mansion.
Perhaps it wasn¡¯t technically an altar, as they hadn¡¯t lit any candles on it or even placed some sort of idol. But Julian and the group could only assume it was meant for some ritual, considering how they¡¯d placed it right in front of the crowd.
¡°This is¡ getting scary.¡± Talia¡¯s quiet breaths seemed to mirror everyone¡¯s unease. ¡°I¡¯ve been in dungeons and fought weird monsters that were terrifying, but these are people. Literal people.¡±
She wasn¡¯t the only one struggling with the creeping dread. Julian glanced over to see Juliet¡¯s lips parted, quivering slightly; her fingers were wound so tightly around her weapon that her knuckles had turned white. Besides that, she hadn¡¯t moved¡ªalmost as frozen as the figures below.
¡°Are¡ you alright, Juliet?¡± Julian asked, gently placing his hand over hers to calm her.
¡°I¡ am. But the little girl¡¯s right, Boss.¡± Juliet¡¯s voice was a shaky breath. ¡°Something¡¯s not right here. I mean¡ I expected your quest would get creepy after seeing you forge those [Epic] weapons and the shadows claiming them¡ but this? This is a cult.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s not sit around here any longer,¡± Titus muttered, sliding down the roof slightly. ¡°We¡¯ve seen all the entry and exit points, we know the number of hostiles. We¡¯re ready to move.¡±
¡°Easy, Titus.¡± Talia¡¯s eyes shifted back to him before refocusing on the estate. ¡°Look, I¡¯ll be honest: we don¡¯t even know if Julian¡¯s quest is related to this. I mean, it probably is, since he said something about shadows, but rushing in blind won¡¯t help. Sorry, Julian.¡±
¡°What for?¡± Julian tilted his head.
¡°Well, you know, because¡¡± Talia gestured vaguely at her own eyes.
¡°My dude.¡± Dyrroth sighed, rolling his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t think Gigadude cares about any of that.¡±
¡°Right¡¡± Talia¡¯s eyes narrowed as she glanced at Julian, who looked completely puzzled by her words. ¡°Let¡¯s just¡ wait a bit longer¡ªat least until we know what we¡¯re actually dealing with. We need to see what¡¯s inside that crate.¡±
¡°Roger that.¡± Titus grunted, crawling back to the top of the roof to continue scanning the estate.
¡°They¡¯re¡ really listening to her, huh?¡± Juliet murmured, leaning toward Cyrus, who had been muttering quietly to the Chat, trying to figure out how to stream a bunch of naked elderly people without being flagged.
¡°Oh. That¡¯s because she¡¯s the leader of their party,¡± Cyrus replied, glancing at Juliet before nodding toward Talia.
¡°She is? Not the bald guy?¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened.
¡°Nope.¡± Cyrus shrugged. ¡°Talia¡¯s smart, very smart. Possibly low EQ like the Sword Junkie here, but she¡¯s very smart.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve said that three times.¡± Juliet frowned, focusing on Talia with renewed curiosity.
¡°Because it¡¯s true.¡± Cyrus grinned. ¡°She¡¯s a Catapult champion.¡±
¡°I have no idea what that is,¡± Juliet raised an eyebrow.
¡°Just think of it as a¡ sport where you have to calculate the trajectory of your ship almost instantly several times in the span of seconds or you risk hitting something and dying since you would have no way to maneuver mid-flight.¡± Cyrus explained.
¡°Yeah, I still have no idea what you¡¯re saying.¡±
¡°Good, because I¡¯d have breached my Humanity Engineering agreement if you did.¡± Cyrus smirked, covering his mouth as Juliet¡¯s confusion deepened.
¡°What¡ª¡±
¡°Movement!¡± Titus raised his hand, catching everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°They¡¯re finally opening the package.¡±
The group snapped to attention, their heads popping up over the roof¡¯s edge as soon as they heard Titus¡¯s words.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Below, the three robed figures began prying the crate open, their movements slow, deliberate, almost reverent, very much like how gently they carried it to the estate.
It took several careful minutes, but soon the group understood why they treated the crate as such.
¡°Is that¡¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes widened even further, shock clear on her face, ¡°...Is that a child?¡±
It was a child. The crate was holding a small child.
No. Perhaps small would be an understatement as the group could actually barely see the child from the distance. The child was perhaps the size of a hand and a forearm, and they could easily make that distinction as when one of the robed individuals gently lifted the child up, he did so just with both of his palms. And perhaps the weirdest thing about it all was that it wasn¡¯t a baby, no. It literally looked like a child, barely passed being a toddler, perhaps 5 years old.
¡°Oh, shit¡¡± Cyrus whispered, his voice tense. ¡°...It¡¯s an Eldazen.¡±
¡°Here¡?¡± Juliet¡¯s shock grew, her gaze darting to Julian. ¡°W¡wait, wait¡ Boss. I know this is your quest, but this is¡ this affects the entire country now. Maybe we need to report this.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian glanced at Juliet, but before he could say anything, a soft, chilling hymn echoed across the courtyard.
¡°What the¡¡±
The elderly figures, which had remained motionless for hours, started swaying, their heads bobbing left to right in complete, eerie unison.
¡°Okay, it¡¯s official¡¡± Talia shivered, rubbing her arms. ¡°...This is officially the creepiest thing I¡¯ve ever experienced.¡±
The humming grew louder as the robed figures raised the Eldazen child above their heads, only to slowly lower it onto the altar. The child looked heartbreakingly delicate, lost in the sea of faces staring up in reverence.
¡°If that child¡¯s Eldazen, then¡¡± Titus murmured, his eyes shifting to the shortest robed figure out of the three, ¡°...I¡¯m certain that one is too.¡±
¡°What are they doing here?¡± Juliet gulped. ¡°They¡¯re the ones who cut off trade with us. Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯re breaking it?¡±
The robed individuals gathered around the altar, kneeling as they raised their hands, fingers curled as though sketching invisible symbols in the air. And soon, the shadows around the estate began to pulse and tremble, at first with slight tremors, then with wilder and wilder movements.
The shadows of the old people too, began to separate from their forms, stretching out like dark, sentient streams rebelling against their entranced owners. Slowly, they merged, slithering across the courtyard floor toward the altar.
The shadows gathered and crawled up the sides of the altar, swirling around the child¡¯s tiny feet.
Then, a pulse.
The child, who had been still until now, flinched, and then, with no warning, began to cry¡ªa wail so pure, so innocent, that it cut through the dark ritual¡¯s malice. That cry, however, was not a cry of a child being woken up, but of a child hurting.
¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Titus slid down, his voice breaking the group¡¯s trance. ¡°No more waiting!¡±
Without looking back, he leaped from the roof.
"Titus!" Talia clicked her tongue in frustration. "Damn it! We didn¡¯t spend all this time watching just to rush in without a plan!"
But Titus didn¡¯t listen, already breaking from their cover as he sprinted toward the estate.
¡°Newbie.¡± Talia turned to Julian, but he didn¡¯t need any more instruction; he nodded, determination already set in his eyes.
¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with,¡± Julian murmured, sliding down the roof to follow Titus. The others exchanged quick glances and, perhaps with a resigned sigh, joined Julian in the charge after their teammate.
¡°Plan?¡± Julian asked as Talia caught up beside him.
¡°The old people won¡¯t be a threat¡ªwe need to focus on the ones in the robes first,¡± Talia said as they neared the estate gates. ¡°Assume the smallest one is an Eldazen mage; that makes them the most dangerous. And as much as I hate to do this¡ we¡¯ll need to grab that child as leverage and use it as a hostage.¡±
¡°Titus!¡± Julian called, and Titus glanced back, catching the signal instantly.
¡°I¡¯ll infiltrate through the back,¡± Titus said, peeling off from the group and moving to the side of the estate to enter unnoticed.
¡°And us?¡± Julian asked.
¡°Where else?¡± Talia smirked, though there was a flicker of nerves as she truly found the old naked people creepy. She pointed toward the front gate. ¡°We go in loud and make sure the baldie goes unnoticed.¡±
Talia unsheathed her longsword as they ran, and she didn¡¯t hesitate at all as she reached the gate, she slammed her weapon down on the chains, snapping them with a metallic clang that echoed into the eerie quiet.
The naked, swaying figures nearest to the gate didn¡¯t flinch. Their bodies continued moving, heads bobbing in a rhythm, mouths issuing that low, guttural chant. Not one of them even looked their way or stopped at all.
But something else did.
The Eldazen child¡¯s cries ceased abruptly as the fingers of the three robed figures stilled, the shadows that had been creeping toward the altar, abruptly recoiling back to their owners as the three figures glanced back at the noise.
The three figures turned sharply, and before the shortest of them could react, Dyrroth¡¯s daggers were already inches from her neck. But alas, in a heartbeat, the robed figure on the right lunged at Dyrroth, kicking him away and sending him sliding several meters across the stone ground.
The second robed figure didn¡¯t hesitate to also attack, raising a crossbow and firing at Dyrroth without a word.
But Talia quickly dashed forward, blocking the bolt with her longsword and barely flinching as it rebounded off the blade.
Dyrroth retaliated instantly, throwing a dagger toward the one holding the crossbow. But the robed figure dodged with a backward tilt, her hood slipping to reveal her face¡ªcold and unyielding, almost emotionless. Undeterred, she raised her crossbow again, this time pulling another from beneath her cloak, firing both in rapid succession.
¡°Shit!¡±
¡°Got you!¡± Juliet interceded, swinging her war axe in front of Talia and deflecting both bolts. She didn¡¯t pause, charging the woman with the crossbows before she could reload. But before Juliet could land a blow, the robed figure who had kicked Dyrroth intervened, pulling her ally back just as Juliet¡¯s axe was about to cleave her companion¡¯s head in half.
Yes, they were both women.
Meanwhile, Julian found himself locked in a different standoff entirely. He stood frozen, staring at the short, robed figure who was staring back at him with an odd expression. It wasn¡¯t hostility¡ªit was something almost like recognition, a strange familiarity he couldn¡¯t shake.
While the others were caught in combat, the shortest robed figure simply observed Julian, as though weighing him. And slowly, she unlaced her robe and removed it completely¡ªand true enough, she was an Eldazen.
Just as Cyrus had described, she was extraordinarily short, half the size of an average human¡ªor hyum, in this case¡ªbut perfectly proportional, delicate. Her exposed arms were covered in intricate tattoos, symbols that spiraled like living lines of ink, their patterns hauntingly similar to the mark Searadyn¡¯s Avatar had left on Julian¡¯s hand, but not quite.
But beyond that, something else struck Julian¡ªher scent. A dried flower¡¯s fragrance, sharp and distinct, like a perfume. It was the same exact scent as¡
¡°...What¡¯s your relationship with the child?¡± Julian asked, slowly unwrapping Searadyn¡¯s Veil as he glanced at the child on the altar. ¡°You smell alike.¡±
¡°Interloper, my bond with the child is no matter of thine concern. she whispered, her voice a calm, eerie calm as her tattooed hands began to glow.
¡°Is he your son?¡± Julian¡¯s gaze shifted momentarily to the child, whose breaths were coming in heavy, strained gasps.
¡°He was.¡± Her voice trembled, but an almost crazed smile twisted her lips as she spoke.
¡°But no longer. He is become the child of shadows, the vessel to guide us back unto the light... the very incarnation of Orpuk, reborn.¡±
Chapter 57: Not The End I Wanted
He discussed this with Cyrus for a long time¡ªthey have already confirmed that all of this had something to do with his quest, but there was also a possibility that his quest would take a very long time to complete.
He said something about a linear quest, and in terms of video games, they were long storylines that one had to follow. And he said that the quest they were on right now, [Master of Shadows], checked all the boxes for a linear quest.
For one, they were being led right through it¡ªeverything that was happening, the people he had met on Artemia starting with Juliet. It was a chain that made sure he wouldn¡¯t diverge from the path.
And in most cases, Cyrus said that these quests would take a while to complete. And that all of this, the corpse puppets, the mansion, the cargo from Edzea¡ªthey were just a set up for a longer quest.
But it would seem he might be wrong.
Because right now, they were already in front of a ritual that might be summoning Orpuk himself. But of course, as Cyrus said, it might also just be a prologue for what¡¯s to come.
Either way, it didn¡¯t really matter for Julian. What mattered right now¡
¡was raising his crystal shield to block the raging pillar of fire roaring toward him.
The Eldazen woman didn¡¯t hesitate at all. With a series of motions with her hands that made it look like she was dancing, she summoned a wall of fire, hurling it toward Julian with a calm incantation. The flames coiled, spiraling through the air toward him like a wild beast.
The fire clashed against his shield, but Julian stood unmoved, holding his ground against its searing rage. Without waiting for anything else to unfold, he charged forward.
The flames parted. Julian was like a stubborn rock on a river, unyielding as he moved toward the Eldazen mage without any resistance at all.
¡°Who are you people?¡± The Eldazen mage narrowed her eyes, stretching her arms wide to both side, instantly dispelling the pillar of flames. Her hands glowed colder now, her tattoos blazing in icy hues as she brought her arms together.
And with a fluid, flowing motion, her fingers began to weave a spell, and in the next breath, she flung lances of ice into the air, each one streaking toward Julian like javelins, aiming to pin him down.
Julian was about to stand his ground again, but he sensed the odd trajectories of the ice projectiles. And so, rather than merely bracing with his large shield, he quickly shifted his grip on Searadyn¡¯s Veil, transforming it into a shield and rapier.
And the timing was perfect¡ªthe javelins suddenly altered course mid-flight, arcing around him in a coordinated assault, like hungry predators preparing to strike from all angles.
With instinctive precision, Julian parried the incoming lances with his rapier, and then deflecting the others he couldn¡¯t with his shield. Each time he batted one aside, the enchanted javelins lost their velocity, a subtle effect from [Glacial Rebound] allowing him to swat them away like they were nothing more than brittle glass.
Julian wasn¡¯t just defending, no.
Footwork.
Each deflection brought him closer, his footwork precise and deliberate as he advanced. Every step closed the gap between him and the mage, a dance drilled into him by his trainers back on Earth.
But unlike the monsters he¡¯d faced in recent days, the Eldazen mage wouldn¡¯t allow him to close in easily.
With a scoff, she dropped to one knee, slamming her palms against the ground. And as she did so, tendrils of earth uncoiled from her fingers, twisting like serpents as they slithered forward, ripping apart cobblestone and earth alike in their relentless advance.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian¡¯s eyes narrowed as he felt the ground quake beneath him. And with a deep breath, he brought Searadyn¡¯s Veil together, morphing it into a larger shield and slamming it into the ground. The impact shattered the earth tendrils before they could encircle him, dispersing the attack in a violent ripple.
But her magic was relentless, each spell seamlessly flowing into the next. Fire, ice, earth¡ªone by one, she summoned them in an unending cascade, each element blurring into the next as Julian countered them. His movements were fluid, almost instinctive now, as he shifted Searadyn¡¯s Veil from one form to another, blocking, parrying, and deflecting in a desperate bid to close the gap.
Yet every step forward, the Eldazen mage took two steps back, eluding him like a shadow, keeping herself just out of reach.
Julian had always been warned that true mages¡ªthose who could wield magic as naturally as breathing¡ªwere the most dangerous foes in Artemia. Now, facing the Eldazen mage, he understood why.
Meanwhile, across the courtyard, Talia, Juliet, and Dyrroth¡¯s battle with the mage¡¯s companions.
¡°Juliet! Left!¡± Talia shouted, spotting the arbalist as she raised her crossbows, aiming at Juliet¡¯s exposed back. Juliet spun just in time, her war axe slicing through the air to intercept the incoming bolts. Her swing deflected them, but¡ª
¡°No! Juliet, it¡ª¡± Talia''s warning came too late. The instant Juliet''s axe struck the bolts, a small click echoed, followed by a blast that hurled Juliet back, her axe flying from her grip as she tumbled several meters away.
Talia was going to help her up, but she did not get the chance to do so as a bolt came flying in her direction.
Dyrroth couldn¡¯t really offer any help, as he was completely engaged with the pugilist who kicked him away earlier¡ªa towering woman almost as tall as him, wielding an oversized gauntlet, with its sharp knuckles ominously glinting under the moonlight.
The two exchanged blows, with Dyrroth¡¯s daggers clashing and creating sparks each time it made contact with the pugilist¡¯s gauntlets. His movements were quick, and he was obviously faster than the muscular woman¡ªbut the woman knew how to utilize every part of her body.
Dyrroth tried to stab her foot, but it was also protected by a pair of greeves¡ªwhich she used to kick him straight in the chin. Fortunately for Dyrroth, he was able to block with his hands. But still, it caused him to slightly lose balance.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
¡°My¡ my dudes! Gonna need some help here!¡± Dyrroth¡¯s shout was desperate as his back hit the ground. Just as the pugilist raised her foot to drive her greave into his skull, Juliet rammed into her side with a powerful shoulder, knocking her off balance and buying Dyrroth a moment to scramble away.
Juliet did not really pause as she raced to get her axe.
Back near the altar, Julian continued to press forward, but the mage¡¯s spells still came at him in a relentless barrage. Fire erupted beneath his feet, forcing him to leap back. Icicles hurtled toward him, razor-sharp, and he dodged to the side just in time. His breath was becoming ragged, his stamina waning.
¡°This ends now.¡± The Eldazen mage sighed as she watched him struggle.
Her hands glowed, and with a triumphant gesture, she cast a spell that sent the very earth beneath him trembling. Blackened vines erupted from the ground, snaking around his legs and pulling him down.
Julian struggled against them, shifting Searadyn¡¯s Veil into twin rapiers, slicing through the vines even as more shot up around him. But the mage wasn¡¯t done. She raised both hands, her tattoos blazing as a glowing sphere of flames materialized between her palms. The sphere expanded, crackling with malevolent energy.
¡°I shall reduce you to ash!¡± the mage hissed, her voice ringing out across the courtyard.
Julian, however, instead of shifting Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a large shield, did not brace himself at all and even shifted his weapon into twin rapiers. And with a breath, he roared,
¡°Titus, now!¡±
¡°No one moves!¡±
The violent sphere of fire forming between the Eldazen mage¡¯s palms instantly withered away as she turned around, only to see a bald man¡¯s head violently reflecting the moonlight. But of course, that wasn¡¯t the first thing the Eldazen mage noticed¡ªit was the knife he was holding, as well as the neck it was placed on.
¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Titus repeated, holding the dagger closer to the Eldazen child¡¯s throat. But of course, Titus didn¡¯t have a single intention of even causing a drop of blood to flow from the child¡¯s neck¡ªhe was just scaring them.
¡°You dare lay your hands on Orpuk, our guiding light and savior!?¡± the mage¡¯s voice cracked with raw desperation, a mix of spit and fury spraying from her mouth.
¡°This is your child! You¡¯re sacrificing your child!?¡±
¡°He is but a vessel! It is an honor to¡ª¡±
And before the Eldazen mage could finish her words, she saw two long arms emerging from behind her. It was Julian, kneeling down right behind her with his arms stretched out¡ªholding the two rapiers and pointing them directly at her eyes.
And without even waiting for the Eldazen mage to say or do anything, Julian plunged the rapiers into her eyes.
¡°Grah!¡± Her scream echoed through the courtyard, blood gushing from her face as Julian removed the rapiers. But before she could move, Julian once again plunged the rapiers through her eyes¡ªand this time twisting and moving them to completely re-arrange her brains.
And just like that, the mighty Eldazen mage dropped to the ground.
And suffice it to say, her companions faltered, their attention torn between Titus and their now-fallen leader¡ªa deadly mistake. Juliet seized the opening, bringing her war axe down with brutal force on the pugilist¡¯s shoulder, her strike cleaving deep. The arbalist barely had time to react before a sword pierced her chest; Talia pulled her blade back and swiftly severed the woman¡¯s head.
And just like that, silence blanketed the courtyard, broken only by the low hum of the old, naked people still murmuring in their trance.
¡°They¡¯re... still singing?¡± Talia murmured, moving closer to the elderly crowd with her brows drawn in concern. She and the others waved their hands, snapped their fingers, even shook some of them, but nothing worked¡ªthey remained as still as statues, eyes blank.
¡°C¡¯mon, my wrinkled dudes,¡± Dyrroth muttered, shaking one of the elders. But it was useless; they were entirely lost to the hypnotic spell.
Titus, meanwhile, gently placed the small boy back on the altar. He checked his small, delicate frame for any signs of harm, but the child was surprisingly unscathed.
¡°The child seems fine.¡± Titus pulled back to call for the group, ¡°We¡ªHm?¡±
But as Titus started to turn away, the boy¡¯s eyes snapped open. And in a blur, the child lunged at him, sinking tiny, sharp teeth into his shoulder.
¡°Argh!¡± Titus stumbled back as he instinctively threw the child back to the altar. He clutched his shoulder, the blood seeping between his fingers.
And in the same instant, the old naked crowd fell silent, their heads freezing mid-bob. They stood motionless for a bit. But then, one by one, as if controlled by the same grim conductor, they collapsed to the ground.
Their shadows, vanishing completely from beneath them.
¡°Heh¡¡± And slowly, everyone turned their heads as a whisper escaped from the altar. The child rose to his feet, impossibly small and yet commanding in his presence. He lifted his gaze to the group, and in a voice deep and hoarse, words escaped from his mouth filled with Titus¡¯s blood,
¡°I, at last, have awakened. And you who have delayed me, I will tear down your light.¡± The child sneered, each of his words dripping with malice, ¡°My shadow has come, to sniff out every last glimmer¡
¡I am Orpuk. But for you who stand before me, I am the harbinger of the voi¡ªHm?¡±
But amid his words filled with rage and hatred, something broke through¡ªa crack in his fierce mask. Tears, streaming down from his eyes, and what reflected from them was a child¡ªfrail, scared, and trembling.
¡°P¡please¡¡± A whimper escaped from the malice as the boy¡¯s small frame shuddered, ¡°It¡ it hurts. I want¡ I want my mo¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°Julian!?¡± Juliet¡¯s horrified cry echoed as Julian, without a moment¡¯s hesitation, crossed the courtyard in swift strides and pressed his longsword through the child¡¯s chest.
¡°I am truly sorry.¡± Julian whispered. There was no anger, no violence¡ªonly an endless, quiet compassion as he drove the blade in deeper before the child could truly transform into the monster he was meant to become.
He kept his hand resting on the child¡¯s head as he carefully pulled the blade out, guiding the boy to lie back on the altar as though preparing him for sleep.
¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to be born this way,¡± Julian repeated softly, his voice carrying the weight of his own memories. ¡°I understand. I know how hard it is, so rest now. Your mother¡ she¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±
¡°...My mommy?¡± the child¡¯s face softened, the darkness it once held now completely gone.
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied, his words warm as a lullaby. ¡°And your mother loves you very much.¡±
¡°She¡ she does?¡±
¡°Hmn. She told me just now. She told me how proud she is of you. And that it¡¯s okay¡ and when you wake up, she¡¯ll be there.¡±
¡°Mommy¡¡± The child¡¯s face relaxed, a peaceful smile barely gracing his lips as he took one last breath.
¡°Mommy¡ I love¡¡±
And then... his words trailed into silence.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian gently closed the child¡¯s eyes, watching as the life faded from his face. For a moment, he sat in stillness, letting the shadows of what he had just done fall upon him. And then, he rose to see his group.
Juliet stood, trembling as she tilted his head back to prevent the tears. Talia, on the other hand, was unable to hold back and wrapped her arms around Juliet, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
Titus looked at Julian with a conflicted expression, anger and pain mixing in his eyes. Still, he managed a solemn nod, acknowledging the necessity of Julian¡¯s actions.
As for Dyrroth, well, he just let himself fall on the ground.
Cyrus also finally emerged, but he didn¡¯t say anything at all and just focused on the solemn painting in front of him.
And soon, the [Guidance of Artemis] flickered in front of Julian.
[Congratulations on killing the [Special] monster, Orpuk.]
Julian, however, barely glanced at it, waving it away and turning his attention back to the small body on the altar.
That¡¯s it? That was his quest?
Although it would have been harder, Julian preferred to fight monsters. Because for some reason, this felt¡ wrong.
¡°Juliet¡¡± Julian whispered, his voice incredibly weary as he looked at Juliet. ¡°...We should approach the authorities now. All these people¡ we can¡¯t bury them alone.¡±
¡°Okay. Just¡ let me rest a little, Boss. We should¡ªBoss!?¡±
Juliet¡¯s words froze as her eyes widened in horror. And it wasn¡¯t only her, the rest of the group gasped as a massive shadow formed behind Julian, spreading over the ground like an ominous wave before it surged forward.
And without even any warning¡ it swallowed him whole and wrapped him in darkness.
And in this darkness, the [Guidance of Artemis] once again came to him with a message.
[4. ???]
It was the final part of his quest. And slowly, the question marks faded, replaced with a new message:
[4. Clear¡???]
[4. Clear the [Special] Dungeon, Orpuk¡¯s Dreams.]
Chapter 58: Julian, Alone
Everything happened so fast.
The silence fell over the large garden. Everyone just stared at where Julian disappeared, swallowed by a weird tidal wave of shadows. The remnants of that shadow still actually lingered, drifting like smoke¡ªbut Juliet and the party did not care about the ominous dancing darkness at all.
They just stood there, completely frozen and dumbfounded.
But soon, Juliet¡¯s voice cracked the silence.
¡°Julian!?¡± She screamed, frantic. She stumbled forward, reaching out to the empty space where Julian had been just moments ago, but all she could really feel was the drifting smoke as it disappeared in her flailing hands.
¡°Boss!?¡± She called out again, but no one answered.
¡°Shit¡¡± Cyrus, who had been calm the entire time and even enjoying what was happening, was trying to come up with an explanation for all of this for the Chat¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t really control them at all as they swarmed and spammed his eyes with questions he couldn¡¯t answer.
¡°Is¡ the Newbie dead!?¡± Talia ran toward Cyrus and grabbed his arm, ¡°Is he dead!?¡±
¡°I¡ don¡¯t think so. He¡ª¡±
The party¡¯s panic was shortlived, however, as the entire estate suddenly began to rumble. And before any of them could wonder what was happening, roots violently twisted up from the ground, almost like snakes gasping for air.
The roots continued to expand wildly, rising, twisting, and merging into a massive, grotesque wall. The very earth itself shifted, towering above them and swallowing the entire estate.
¡°Oh, shit¡ we¡¯re in the middle of a dungeon spawn! Artemia¡¯s growing a new pimple!¡± Talia screamed, her voice filled with alarm as she retreated. ¡°Everyone, get out! Now!¡±
Titus and the others did not really hesitate to follow Talia¡¯s orders at all. They ran and pushed through the dust and debris as the ground beneath them trembled and cracked. Talia took the lead, cutting a path through the forming rubble with her longsword.
But there was, however, one of them who refused to retreat.
¡°No! I¡¯m not leaving Julian!¡± It was Juliet, whose eyes were still staring to where Julian disappeared to even though it was now completely covered by dark roots and vines.
¡°Dude, stop!¡± Dyrroth almost growled at her as he tried to pull her away, but Juliet fought, her voice strained as she continued to cry out.
¡°Julian! We can¡¯t abandon Julian!¡±
¡°We¡¯re not abandoning him, alright!?¡± Dyrroth gritted his teeth, ¡°We just need to¡ª¡±
And before he could finish his words, Cyrus suddenly stepped in and punched Juliet on the chin without any hesitation at all, instantly knocking her out.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He caught her, lifting her gently over his shoulder as a small sigh escaped his lips.
The estate behind them continued to twist and shift¡ªand very soon, the ground started to collapse, swallowing the bodies of the old naked people, devouring them completely before once again closing in.
¡°S¡ shit.¡± The party barely made it out the gates, and as they looked back¡ªthe dungeon¡¯s entrance had fully taken shape.
It was dark, jagged. An archway covered in twisted, and almost sickly roots. But still, like all of Artemia¡¯s dungeons, it was alive¡ªbreathing¡ and the group breathed along with it.
And as soon as they were sure that everything was calm, Talia stepped forward. Although they could describe it as an entrance, as it looked like an entrance¡ there wasn¡¯t actually a way to enter the dungeon at all.
It was blocked by a door of thick roots. And as Talia tried to pry or slash it open with her sword, it did not even scratch or budge at all.
¡°It¡¯s¡ no use.¡± Talia groaned in frustration as she looked back to the group, ¡°But at least we know that he¡¯s alive¡ this is a Solo Dungeon.¡±
¡°S¡ shit. That¡¯s what¡¯s up.¡± Dyrroth stammered as he fell to his butt, ¡°The dude¡¯s¡ alone in there.¡±
¡°He¡¯ll be fine.¡± Titus huffed as he also sat on the ground, rubbing his bald head while he looked at the ominous dungeon,
¡°If anyone¡¯s going to clear that dungeon alone¡ it¡¯s him.¡±
***
And while everyone worried for Julian, he was drifting in a sea of darkness. His senses were dulled and his body completely unresponsive.
But he wasn¡¯t unconscious, no. It just felt like he was trapped within his own mind. He was aware of everything that was happening to him, even though nothing was.
But soon, a soft voice echoed through the darkness, piercing through the still silence.
"That¡¯s right¡ come to mommy. Walk this way.¡±
And he recognized the voice instantly.
This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.It was his mother¡¯s voice. He remembers it because it was warm, incredibly comforting. Julian wanted to move, but he was completely bound by the darkness around him.
Another voice joined in. It was faint at first, but it gradually became louder¡ªand it wasn¡¯t someone he recognized.
"He¡¯s improving. With proper treatment and therapy, Mrs. Winters, he could live a full life¡ He¡¯ll be just like¡ you and me. But if you want, we could offer¡ enhancements to his brain.¡±
¡°Enhancements? Then it wouldn¡¯t be him! He wouldn¡¯t be my baby boy!¡± His mother¡¯s voice was raw with emotion, cracking with desperation.
¡°Honey, they¡¯re just offering options¡ª¡± Another voice joined in, and he once again recognized it instantly. The voice belonged to his father, calm and direct. ¡°Options we won¡¯t take. I¡¯m sorry, Doctor.¡±
¡°Of course. We¡¯ll continue with therapy. It works, Mr. Winters. We don¡¯t have to change anything. If you follow the schedule, stick to the therapy through the end¡ other people won¡¯t even notice that he¡¯s different.¡±
¡°What about his¡ behaviors? His¡ stimming is becoming more aggressive. He¡¯s four now and barely speaks. I just¡ I just want him to be ready for the world.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ perfectly normal for someone with his condition, Mom. But if I could suggest something, maybe do an activity that you could do as a family together? And also something that he could do when he is alone. It¡¯s common with children of Julian¡¯s condition to hyper-fixate on something, and that doesn¡¯t have to be negative. If you could redirect¡¡±
The words and voices soon began to fade¡ªand Julian realized what they were, memories. Memories that even he himself does not remember at all. But how?
How was he hearing them right now?
¡°We have to hide him, Jayce! We need to protect him!¡± The voices once again returned, his mother again¡ªbut this time, loud and frantic.
¡°Charlotte¡ Charlotte calm down, okay? Look, he¡¯s here. He¡¯s¡ he¡¯s healthy. Okay? Look at our son, he¡¯s so healthy.¡±
¡°We¡ we shouldn¡¯t have done this. We shouldn¡¯t have¡ we shouldn¡¯t have brought him out into this world, we¡oh¡ hello there. Oh, my baby¡he¡¯s¡ he¡¯s so beautiful, Jayce. Jayce, look at him.¡±
¡°I know¡ I know.¡±
¡°We shouldn¡¯t have done this, Jayce. I¡¯m scared¡¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. I know a place, we can hide there for now. I know some people there¡¡±
Julian wanted to hear more, but their voices faded once again, replaced by nothing but silence and darkness.
Well, silence. As the darkness around him began to wither away, replaced by faint, colorful lights.
He blinked, taking in his surroundings. He found himself lying on the ground, staring at a ceiling littered with dark roots, and vines. The flowers and leaves, casting a faint light¡ªcreating a surreal beautiful glow amid the dark roots.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian rubbed his nose, the scent of earth and faint decay lingering in the air. He sat up, and he didn¡¯t even need to guess where he was as soon as he looked around¡ªhe was in a dungeon.
[4. Clear the [Special] Dungeon, Orpuk¡¯s Dreams.]
The [Guidance of Artemis] once again appeared before him, reminding him of why he was there. He really only stared at it for a few seconds before waving it off.
Fortunately for him, he wasn¡¯t as helpless the last time he was thrown in an unexpected situation. He looked down, and Searadyn¡¯s Veil was right in his hand.
¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with, then.¡± He whispered as he tightened his grip on his weapon.
And once again, fortunately for him, he didn¡¯t need to choose a path at all. There was nothing but a wall of roots and vines behind him, and the only way forward was, well¡ forward.
He began to walk, his steps whispering and cracking on the earthen floor. There were no monsters at all, no threats, nothing¡ªbut it made it feel even more dangerous, ominous.
This silence, however, was suddenly interrupted as something appeared in front of him, causing him to almost swing his weapon.
It was MEGAN, her message popping out in front of his eyes.
¡°I think¡ I¡¯m in a dungeon, MEGAN.¡± Julian lowered his weapon and sighed in relief, ¡°Wait¡ is my stream on?¡±
¡°Do you want to¡ Oh.¡± Julian whispered to himself as he tried to read MEGAN¡¯s message. And after what seemed like an entire minute, he hummed, ¡°Okay, they already know about the quest. But only show me your messages.¡±
Julian hummed again, and although he was sure that she knew¡ªher presence truly gave Julian all the confidence he needed to move forward.
He continued down the dark, dried corridor, where the faint light from glowing flowers seemed to almost dance in his wake. Each blossom brightened when he was at a distance, but as he neared, they would close up shyly, retreating into themselves.
The corridor was empty, but at the same time, the dungeon felt so alive to Julian. He could hear it, the way it breathed¡ the way Artemia breathed.
The pat seemed endless in front of him, stretching on and on with no turns at all or any diverging paths. It truly was just one long corridor. But still, Julian was careful, extremely so.
His caution was fruitless, however, as he soon arrived in front of a large¡ metal door.
¡°This is¡ old.¡± Julian placed his hand across the metal door without any hesitation at all, letting his fingers trace across the strange, intricate carvings on it. At the center of the large door was the depiction of some sort of creature¡ªthough its head was scratched away, making it impossible to discern what sort of monster it was.
Parts of the door were already covered in roots, almost as if it had been there for centuries, perhaps even longer.
¡°Huh¡¡± The metal was cool under his touch, and before he could even wonder how to open it¡ªthe door roared.
Well, not really, but it sounded like it did as the entire corridor began to tremble from its presence.
Julian hasn¡¯t even done anything, and yet it began to slide open on its own; the roots, the ground, and everything else between quaked.
He barely even noticed MEGAN¡¯s words as he was too focused on what lay beyond the door. But he didn¡¯t hesitate at all to step forward into the darkness welcoming him inside.
The door quickly closed behind him, humming and clanging as it sealed him inside. But it didn¡¯t matter to Julian¡ªafter all, he was trapped either way.
For a moment, he stood in the familiar pitch darkness. But then, as if fully welcoming him, small lights flickered to life above him. Flowers and leaves, similar to those in the previous corridor, began to glow.
Thousands and thousands of them. MEGAN had described to him the Milky Way and the galaxies before, and even though he was sure the aurora above him wasn¡¯t it, it was probably close.
The hall he now found himself in was vast, stretching into the shadows beyond the reach of the flowers¡¯ light. And as he gazed around and stepped forward, he noticed that the blossoms on the floor, unlike the ones above, started to bloom a subtle path forward.
And they did. Their gentle luminescence guided him forward, drawing him to the center of the room, where something glinted under the faint light¡ªa silver box.
Well, whatever it was, it was metal¡ and something was inside it. He could feel it.
And as he drew closer, he noticed that it was decorated with runic engravings similar to those on the door.
¡°Hm¡¡± Taking a steady breath, Julian reached out and placed a hand on the coffin¡¯s surface.
For a moment, nothing happened.
But then, the silence was shattered by a sudden, violent movement from within the box.
¡°Oh.¡± Julian quickly pulled back as the coffin¡¯s lid burst open. It was a shadow, leaping out from the coffin with terrifying speed. Julian barely managed to lift up Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a shield, blocking one of the creature¡¯s clawed limbs as it slashed toward his neck when it shot out.
The impact sent him skidding back, but his eyes remained completely focus on the dark creature. How could he not, when he recognized it?
¡°MEGAN¡¡± He whispered, sparks forming from his weapon as it shifted into a shield and rapier, ¡°...That¡¯s the monster I told you about, the one I fought in the void.¡±
It was the shadow crawler, its limbs long and twisted like a spider¡¯s, body cloaked in shadows that seemed alive.
But something about it seemed¡ different.
It stared back at Julian. And soon, the creature began to shift and morph, its body expanding and contorting into a figure familiar to Julian and everyone watching his stream¡ªit took the form of man. A small man.
A shadow of an Eldazen.
Its gaze remained fixed on Julian. A haunting smile¡ slowly stretching across its face.
Chapter 59: The Grave Veiled by Flowers
¡°This¡ the Sword Junkie¡¯s alive.¡±
A deep sigh of relief escaped Cyrus¡¯s lips, enough to cause the air in his lungs to completely wither away. After all, he was already planning to rush to a nearby tavern and return to his real body to gather news about Julian. Fortunately for him, even the usually quiet users have started flooding the Chat, sharing updates about Julian and what was happening to him.
¡°How¡ would you know that?¡± And the first to respond was Juliet, who had woken up after being incapacitated by Cyrus himself, ¡°Are you¡ sure?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Cyrus replied firmly, nodding as he turned toward Talia and the others, who were still trying to find a way through the dungeon, ¡°Guys! Julian¡¯s alive! We should probably get out of here before anyone else shows up.¡±
¡°Wait.¡± Juliet grabbed Cyrus¡¯s arm before he could step away, ¡°I¡¯m not going to abandon Julian.¡±
¡°No one¡¯s abandoning him.¡± Cyrus once again sighed, ¡°We¡¯re gonna return after more people come¡ªit won¡¯t be good to be the first person here since they would ask us questions about what happened. And the Chat¡¯s going to update us with everything that¡¯s happening, no one¡¯s abandoning anyone.¡±
¡°The Chat¡¡± Juliet¡¯s voice softened, her eyes narrowing as she looked Cyrus in the eyes, ¡°They¡¯re watching the boss right now?¡±
¡°Yes. I¡¯ve explained this to you before, right?¡±
¡°Then¡ what¡¯s Julian doing right now?¡±
¡°They¡¯re saying¡ he¡¯s been staring down a shadow monster for an entire minute now?¡±
Talia, Dyrroth, and Titus heard Cyrus¡¯s words just in time as they approached.
¡°A minute?¡± Talia muttered, her face carrying a mixture of confusion and worry, ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on in there?¡±
***
Back deep into the veins of Artemia, it is as the Chat said¡ªno one moved at all. Julian didn¡¯t move, and the shadow crawler didn¡¯t move from its spot.
It had been staring at Julian for an entire minute now, its head tilted slightly to one side, as if curious about him.
Julian assumed it to be copying an Eldazen, after all, it was almost the same size as the Eldazen mage he had fought just moments ago. But it was hard to tell as its silhouette almost seemed like smoke, struggling to maintain its shape.
Aside from its form, it had no features at all aside from its eyes¡ and its mouth.
Its smile stretched impossibly wide, cutting through the darkness of its face. There were no teeth, just an endless void of blackness that deepened the longer Julian looked at it. The smile didn¡¯t seem friendly. It wasn¡¯t hostile, either. It was just¡ there.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed, his thumb lightly brushing Searadyn¡¯s veil as he waited for the creature to move.
But the only thing moving around them was the silence, only broken by Julian¡¯s breaths. Julian was ready for the creature, but it wasn¡¯t doing anything and showed no signs of doing anything.
And so, Julian did what he thought most people would do in a situation like this.
¡°Hello¡?¡±
He greeted the shadow.
But the only thing that greeted Julian back was once again silence. The creature had already tried to attack him once, but it was only when he touched the coffin¡ªmaybe it was waiting for Julian to do it again?
And so, rather than waiting for something unpredictable to happen, Julian cautiously walked to the coffin. His eyes, however, never left the creature at all, anticipating its sudden attack.
Still, the shadow didn¡¯t move. It simply turned its head to follow him, its black silhouette tilting in sync with his movements.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian really only hummed as he stood beside the coffin, and now that he was close to it, the feeling he felt earlier was confirmed¡ªit wasn¡¯t just old; it was perfect. The patterns that were carved on it, the way it glowed and reflected the glimmering flowers¡ªthis coffin was crafted to be in this exact same spot, it was made to rest here, exactly here.
Julian reached out, running his fingers along the cool metal. The carvings depicted scenes and figures that felt like they were telling a story, but very much like the carvings on the door, it was incomplete. No, it was complete¡ªbut someone defiled it, scratched parts of it away to obscure whatever story it might have once held.
But still, Julian knew. He knew.
¡°Whoever made this¡¡± He whispered, ¡°...is almost as good as me.¡±
And as soon as he said those words, a sound came.
A sharp, clicking noise filled the room, quiet at first but growing louder. Julian retracted his hand from the coffin and turned slowly, his eyes locking onto the shadow crawler.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
The clicking noise was coming from it. But it wasn¡¯t laughing, no. It was something else, almost as if it was trying to tell him something. But whatever it was trying to say, Julian couldn¡¯t understand at all.
¡°Hello?¡± Julian repeated his greeting as he stepped closer to the shadow, making sure his grip on Searadyn¡¯s Veil was as tight as it could be, ¡°Are you trying to tell me something?¡±
The shadow continued to click several more times. But soon, it tilted its head again to the side, its hollow eyes staring once more at Julian as if checking him. And then, very slowly, the smile on its face faded¡ replaced by a frown.
A frown even wider than the smile it showed just moments ago. It stretched downward unnaturally, twisting into something unsettling.
¡°Hm?¡± Julian raised his shield and rapier as the creature raised one of its small hands, bracing for an attack.
But instead, the shadow didn¡¯t attack at all. It placed its hand on its chest. No, it placed its hand through its chest. And with the clicking noise once again whispering in the air, it pulled something out from its own body¡ªa blade, or at least it seemed like it.
Like the rest of its body, it was a shadow. The weapon seemed to drip darkness, not reflecting anything at all.
The shadow stretched its weapon to the side, its form shifting as it adopted an almost elegant stance. And then, for the first time, it moved.
One small step forward.
Julian let out a small breath as he shifted into a defensive position, but it didn¡¯t take long for him to notice that something was wrong. The shadow was walking toward him, and yet¡ the distance between them wasn¡¯t shrinking. If anything, it seemed to stretch farther¡ and farther.
And then, in a blink, the shadow was gone.
No, not gone.
Julian¡¯s instincts screamed at him, and he ducked just as the shadow blade whistled through the air where his neck had just been moments ago.
And he didn¡¯t even have time to counter before the crawler¡¯s small foot snapped toward his chin. He raised his shield to block, but then, the foot suddenly disappeared¡ªstriking him in the ribs instead.
¡°Kh!?¡± The impact was enough to send him flying, the pain exploding through his chest as he violently rolled across the ground.
And he could feel it. As he groveled on the ground, he could feel several of his ribs scratching each other, completely shattered.
¡°Ha¡¡± He struggled to push himself up, coughing large amounts of blood and spit on the ground. His breathing was completely ragged, and he quickly grabbed for a health potion that was inside his waist bag¡ªhe gritted through the pain, his breaths almost a wheeze.
But alas, he barely managed to open the vial when the shadow suddenly appeared next to him.
And even through the excruciating pain, Julian shifted Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a large shield and covered himself from the attack that was coming. Unfortunately, even with his calmness, the potion slipped from his hand, completely shattering on the ground and spilling everywhere.
Fortunately for him, the shadow didn¡¯t attack at all.
Instead, its already small frame crouched beside him, tilting its head curiously at him. And once again, it just stared at him. And then, with another series of clicks coming from it, it plunged its free hand into its chest once again.
Julian was going to attack while it was busy, but he paused when he saw what the shadow pulled out¡ªit was a health potion.
And it wasn¡¯t like the one Julian had dropped at all. This potion shimmered faintly, a liquid more radiant and pristine than anything Julian had ever seen. The crawler held it out for a moment, even shaking it as if mocking him. And after it seemed satisfied, it took a step back while pointing at the potion with its blade.
It was inviting him to take it.
Julian did not really hesitate at all to grab it. After all, why would it need to trick him?
Just after that single exchange, Julian knew¡ªhe knew that he was no match against this shadow at all. That kick alone was much stronger than the daemon he fought, much stronger than the shadow crawlers back at the Mana Chamber¡ªthis shadow didn¡¯t see him as a threat at all.
It was toying with him.
¡°I get it¡¡± Julian wiped the blood from his mouth before downing the potion in one gulp.
Warmth spread through his body, knitting his broken ribs and soothing the pain in his chest. His strength returned as if he¡¯d just woken from a deep, restful sleep. Julian rose to his feet, the potion¡¯s magic working wonders.
The shadow once again smiled, and this time, it gestured to Julian to attack¡ even lowering its blade while doing so.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian could really only sigh as he shifted Searadyn¡¯s Veil back into a shield and rapier, but he didn¡¯t lunge forward. Instead, he held his ground, waiting for the shadow to make the first move again.
The shadow tilted its head, almost as if surprised with Julian¡¯s response. Its smile widened, and then, for some reason¡ it plunged its sword into the ground.
¡°Hm!?¡± Julian¡¯s instincts screamed, and he leaped to the side just as the blade suddenly erupted from the ground where he had been standing.
It¡ used Julian¡¯s own shadow to attack? How was he going to¡ª!?
Julian didn¡¯t have time to finish his thought as the crawler stabbed the ground again. This time, the blade burst upward from where Julian was landing, forcing him to swing his rapier toward it while still in the air.
¡°Oh?¡± Julian quickly noticed the shadow blade withering as he parried it, but he also saw the shadow crawler already pulling another weapon from its chest.
But of course, Julian wasn¡¯t going to let it. He rushed forward, intent on closing the gap before it could even pull whatever weapon it was pulling.
¡°Wh¡ª!?¡± But as he charged, his foot caught on something, sending him sprawling to the ground. He quickly gleaned back, but there was nothing there. Nothing to have caused him to trip.
But as he narrowed his eyes, he noticed a leaf floating¡ªno. It wasn¡¯t exactly floating, but it was being held¡ by the shadow of a flower¡¯s petal?
The shadow¡ tripped him?
Julian didn¡¯t have time to think at all, however, as he quickly rolled to the side, barely dodging the small hammer that was on the way to completely crush his head.
Julian kicked himself up, leaping into the air to avoid any more attacks. But even as he ascended, the shadow was¡ suddenly above him, its small hammer raised high.
Julian shifted Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a large shield, bracing for impact.
The hammer collided with the shield, and Julian felt the shockwave rattle through his entire body. And the force was enough to¡ completely separate the shield into two.
Julian managed to grab Searadyn¡¯s Veil, quickly shifting it into twin rapiers and gritting through the pain of an obviously shattered arm. He quickly stabbed through the shadow even as he fell, but the tip of his rapier was inches short of reaching its neck.
¡°Kh¡!!!¡± Julian¡¯s back brutally slammed into the earth, his body bouncing from the impact. And Before he could even hit the ground again, the shadow¡¯s small hand grabbed his ankle, its fingers digging through his flesh as it dragged him away.
And then, with terrifying strength, it hurled him across the room.
And once again, Julian found himself rolling violently across the floor before crashing into the wall with a deafening thud. The force, enough to cause the entire cavern to tremble, the wall caving slightly under the force.
¡°Ha¡¡± Dust and debris fell along Julian as he slumped down the dented and cracked wall¡ªhis vision, fading as he felt his bones clawing out from his flesh.
¡°Oh?¡± He looked at his arm, which now hung and swung at his side, clearly shattered and dislocated. But Julian gritted his teeth through the pain, forcing himself to move. He couldn¡¯t stop now¡ªif he lost consciousness here and returned to Earth, he knew he would never come back.
And so, even with his arm completely shattered, Julian picked up the twin rapiers from the ground¡ªusing whatever strength he had left to turn it into a longsword so he could try to use it with one hand.
And the shadow just casually watched him do all of this, the smile on its face widening as it did so. That smile, however, did not last long at all¡
¡as Julian let out a smile of his own.
¡°I¡ I know what you are now¡¡± And soon, Julian¡¯s smile turned into a chuckle as he looked at the shape of the hammer the shadow was holding, it was a cross-peen hammer, "Or at least what you were...
¡a Shadow Blacksmith.¡±
Chapter 60: The Nameless Blacksmith
A Shadow Blacksmith.
It made sense.
What better way to end the quest than to fight the thing he might one day become? Most of what Julian had learned in Artemia came from Cyrus¡¯s words and MEGAN¡¯s research. But if there was one thing only Julian truly understood, it was how the gods treated them like playthings.
They were probably watching right now, clearly entertained. The people from Earth were watching too. And in the end, there was no difference between the two groups. They wanted entertainment, and Julian got something in return.
The only problem was¡ªhe was absolutely no match for this shadow.
It wasn¡¯t just because the shadow was stronger. It was because Julian¡¯s abnormal senses¡ªthe ones that usually gave him an edge in every fight¡ªwere useless here. He couldn¡¯t hear the shadow. He couldn¡¯t smell it. He couldn¡¯t feel its presence. All he could rely on was his sight, something he wasn¡¯t used to depending on during combat. And even that wasn¡¯t enough.
How could it be when the shadow barely had a form to be seen? Just a silhouette that seemed to shift and ripple as if it were made of smoke.
It was as though Julian was a mouse caught in a trap, waiting to die and disappear.
Still, Julian¡¯s smile persisted. He gripped Searadyn¡¯s Veil with his left hand, the weapon heavier than ever since his right arm had gone completely numb. His back rested against the cracked wall, the only thing keeping him upright.
¡°Just¡¡± His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, as he slowly raised the longsword. The blade trembled slightly in his grip as he pointed it toward the shadow. His smile persisted, defiant in its quiet way. ¡°...Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±
And once again, the shadow replied. And once again, Julian couldn¡¯t understand it at all. The low, rhythmic clicking sounds filled the room. They hummed in the air, echoing off the roots and walls of the dungeon.
The shadow¡¯s form wavered for a moment, its smoky edges flickering like a candle about to be snuffed out. Its head tilted to one side, its hollow eyes fixed on Julian, as if considering something.
It took a step forward.
Its steps echoed faintly, it was right in front of him¡ and yet Julian truly found it difficult to even recognize its presence. It felt as though it wasn¡¯t there at all, but he knew it was, and it was approaching closer and closer to him.
¡°Huh¡¡± Julian braced himself, tightening his grip on Searadyn¡¯s Veil as best as he could with his only working arm. He wasn¡¯t sure what the shadow was about to do, but he wasn¡¯t going to just lie down and admit defeat.
But then, the shadow didn¡¯t strike at all.
Instead, it crouched down again, as small as it already was. Julian didn¡¯t even realize that the shadow was already right in front of him again. It tilted its head to the side, looking up at Julian curiously like it had done from the beginning.
And once again, it spoke to him. The low, clicking sound filled the air, but softer now. And then, without warning, the shadow plunged its hand into its chest¡ªanother potion. It held it out to Julian, shaking it slightly as if mocking him to take it.
Well, it didn¡¯t matter if it was, Julian was going to take it.
He only inspected the potion for a moment before downing it down in one gulp. The warmth spread through his body almost instantly, the pain in his chest easing as his broken bones mended. His breath steadied, and the weakness in his limbs faded.
Very much like the last one he took, the vial was able to completely heal him in seconds. It was unlike the normal potions he had been drinking the past week whenever he got wounded during his hunts with Juliet¡ªit almost even felt like the potion could recover a lost limb.
Hopefully, Julian wouldn¡¯t have to test that.
¡°Thank you.¡± Julian breathed out as he gently placed the vial to the side and stood up slowly, his eyes locked on the shadow.
The shadow didn¡¯t reply. It simply stepped back, raising its weapon slightly before gesturing for Julian to attack once more. Its unnervingly wide smile returned, stretching across its featureless face.
But Julian didn¡¯t move.
¡°No,¡± he sighed, walking away from the wall as he did so.
The shadow froze. Its smile faded again as its clicks just stopped. It stared at Julian, taking a step forward as it held the hammer in his hand.
And yet, Julian remained still, his grip on Searadyn¡¯s Veil tightening.
¡°What are we even doing?¡± Julian muttered, shifting his weapon into a new form, ¡°You know you can kill me anytime you want to, I want to change our game to make it fair.¡±
Julian didn¡¯t rush to attack. Instead, he took a deep breath and began shifting Searadyn¡¯s Veil into its many different forms, letting the shadow watch as he displayed its craftsmanship.
¡°I¡¯m not a warrior, and one of the only two reasons I learned to fight was to be worthy of wielding the lives I have created.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
The first transformation was smooth. The longsword in his hand caused the dim light to distort, shrinking and separating into twin rapiers. Julian adjusted his grip, twirling the right rapier into a shield.
¡°Do you consider them alive too, the weapons we make? Because I have always considered them to be my children.¡±
Julian took his time, ignoring the clicking that was growing louder from the shadow. He transitioned the rapier and shield into two smaller shields, holding them up as if he were testing their weight.
¡°That¡¯s why when the Master of Shadows was taking them away, I was always¡ in pain. And so, the only other reason I learned how to fight was to be able to protect them, and the people I care about.¡±
Then, with a low hum, the shields merged into one large shield, broad and solid, its surface almost invisible to the naked eye. And finally, he returned Searadyn¡¯s Veil to its original longsword form, holding it in one hand as he exhaled slowly.
Through all of this, Julian never looked at the shadow at all. He was just looking at Searadyn¡¯s Veil, admiring it¡ªholding it as if it truly was his baby.
The shadow, however, didn¡¯t share his calm demeanor. Its silhouette began to twitch, its head tilted further and further as it stared at Searadyn¡¯s Veil. Its reaction was unreadable, but for everyone who was seeing it, it was clearly growing more agitated.
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you¡¯re stronger than me,¡± Julian muttered as he finally turned to the shadow. ¡°It doesn¡¯t change the fact that I¡ am the better blacksmith between us.¡±
Julian¡¯s words carried no malice or bravado at all. It was a simple statement, spoken with the weight of conviction. It wasn¡¯t arrogance or showmanship¡ªit was pride. Pride in his craft.
The shadow froze, its clicks falling silent.
Julian also paused, his grip firm on Searadyn¡¯s Veil. And with a breath, he took a small step closer to the shadow.
¡°This is my latest work.¡± He lightly held the longsword with both hands, his fingers lightly brushing the clear blade. ¡°You¡¯ve seen what it can do. Every part of it, I created.¡±
Julian took another step, now pacing slowly as he spoke. His tone, devoid of any arrogance, ¡°To forge it, I tamed a flame spirit¡ªone that wanted to burn and freeze me alive.¡±
The shadow didn¡¯t respond, but its body seemed to ripple faintly, its silhouette almost vibrating with suppressed energy¡ªanger? Annoyance? It doesn¡¯t really matter.
¡°The only reason it isn¡¯t better¡¡± Julian continued, his voice softening, ¡°...is because it had to be less. What about you, Shadow Blacksmith? What is your latest work?¡±
The shadow didn¡¯t react at first. It simply stared at Julian, its form eerily still. And then, as if processing the question, its clicks returned¡ªlow, deliberate.
Julian ignored the noise. Instead, he turned his attention back to the coffin. ¡°This¡ this is beautiful. Almost perfect, even.¡±
The shadow tilted its head to the side, as if curious as to what Julian was about to do.
He let his hand hover over it for a moment before suddenly slashing his longsword through it in a clean, diagonal cut.
¡°But as I said¡¡±
The sharp clang of metal on metal echoed in the chamber, and the coffin fell apart¡ªits two halves sliding away from each other like silk. Julian lowered his weapon, taking a step back to examine his handiwork.
¡°...It is not better than mine.¡± He whispered, ¡°The metal you used to make your box is clearly of better quality than the glacivyr, and yet it couldn¡¯t even withstand an inferior material¡
¡simply because it is inferior.¡±
And when Julian turned his gaze back to the shadow, he saw it trembling, its silhouette twisting and distorting violently. Though it had no clear features, Julian could feel its anger. The clicks that had filled the room became erratic, sharper, almost like screams of frustration.
¡°Please relax.¡± Juliah sighed as he stepped to the side, ¡°I only want to know if this metal box is the best thing you can do¡ or if there¡¯s something else you are hiding inside your¡ chest. Maybe a [Unique Epic], like mine?¡±
The shadow remained still for a moment, and then, with a flick of his hand, the hammer disappeared. And without even any hesitation, it plunged its hand into its chest once again.
And when it pulled back, a new weapon emerged¡ªa longsword.
Or at least, it would have been a longsword for Julian. In the Eldazen shadow¡¯s smaller hands, it seemed massive, almost like a greatsword. Its edges danced faintly with the same dark energy that surrounded its body.
The shadow took a single step forward, gesturing for Julian to move aside. It was clear what it intended to do¡ªit wanted Julian to see how easy his weapon would cut the coffin too.
¡°You¡¯re doing it in that form? I suppose that¡¯s fair,¡± Julian muttered, stepping to the side as the shadow approached the coffin. ¡°You¡¯d need the extra power to cut it as cleanly as Searadyn¡¯s Veil did.¡±
¡°Kikh?¡± The shadow¡¯s form rippled again, its body twisting even more violently as it looked at Julian. It gripped its weapon tightly, raising it high.
But then, the shadows surrounding its form began to fade.
¡°Hm?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side as he watched as the shadow began to unravel, the darkness that cloaked its figure slithered away like mist, dissipating into the air.
And what emerged beneath wasn¡¯t the terrifying, and dark creature that Julian expected.
It was a woman.
Her skin was pale, almost translucent, and wrinkled to the point it resembled the walls of the dungeon itself. Her frail frame barely seemed capable of lifting the massive sword he carried, yet his posture was unnervingly straight. Long, white hair cascaded over her shoulders, lifeless as if it hadn¡¯t moved in centuries. Her face bore deep lines etched with time and struggle, her eyes hollow pits that still seemed to hold a faint, unsettling glow.
But Julian wasn¡¯t focusing on her features and appearance at all, no. All of Julian¡¯s senses were fixed on the weapon she was holding.
A blood-red blade, its surface appearing wet and pulsating, as though it were alive, truly alive.
¡°It¡¯s¡¡± Julian whispered as he approached the Eldazen without fear or worry, ¡°...It¡¯s very beautiful.¡±
The sword radiated an aura that screamed of precision, artistry, and¡ agony. It was a masterpiece of its own kind, yet it felt wrong, as though forged in torment.
The Eldazen stood silently, her breathing shallow but deliberate. Despite her fragile appearance, there was an undeniable presence about her¡ªa weight that pressed against Julian like an invisible force. But Julian didn¡¯t care at all¡ and neither did the Eldazen.
She raised her weapon high, showing it to Julian.
And for the first time, Julian finally saw the shadow¡¯s smile as it truly was.
It wasn¡¯t ominous at all, nor was it wicked.
It was just arrogance, no. Confidence. Plain confidence.
And for the first time since she made herself known to Julian, he could finally feel her presence.
¡°I see you now, Shadow Blacksmith.¡± Julian smiled as he looked at the Eldazen with respect.
He can feel her now¡ and that means he could also kill her¡ªno. That¡¯s wrong too. Because she¡¯s dead, she has been dead for a very long time.
And Julian will free her.
¡°Well¡¡± Julian then stepped back. And instead of stepping to the side so that the shadow blacksmith could approach the coffin, he stood in front of it and shifted Searadyn¡¯s Veil into twin rapiers¡ªraising one horizontally toward the woman, kneeling in front of her so that the rapier would be within her reach.
¡°Let¡¯s test it, then¡¡± Julian whispered,
¡°...which one of us is the better blacksmith.¡±
Chapter 61: The Best I Have Ever Met
There was no confusion between the two.
As soon as Julian held his rapier sideways in front of the shadow¡ªthe woman¡ªshe immediately understood what Julian intended. It was barbaric, a method every blacksmith alive would scoff at as the most absurd way to test a weapon¡¯s quality.
But they were going to do it.
Both understood what was about to happen, and each wore a smile as they prepared for it.
One smiled with utter confidence, her wrinkled face tightening as she looked at Julian with a mix of amusement and disdain.
The other smiled with quiet trust, his face calm and resolute. Unlike the shadow blacksmith, Julian wasn¡¯t looking at his opponent¡ªhis focus was entirely on her weapon. She seemed to be saying something, the clicking noises emanating from her blending into the silence. Even though Julian couldn¡¯t understand the words, he felt as though he could grasp the meaning behind them.
She was mocking him. Her gestures and clicks seemed to sneer, telling him that his transparent weapon was no match for her blood-like blade. It wouldn¡¯t even take one strike, she seemed to say, for her weapon to shatter his glacivyr rapier into pieces.
¡°Well¡¡± Julian¡¯s voice was steady as he responded, his tone carrying neither malice nor insecurity. ¡°...I¡¯d much prefer it if we just let our babies talk instead. So, please¡¡±
He adjusted his grip on the rapier, ensuring it wouldn¡¯t budge or falter when the shadow blacksmith¡¯s weapon struck down. His movements were deliberate, precise, as though preparing for a ritual.
Yes, they were about to slam their weapons against one another¡ªsharp edge against sharp edge¡ªuntil one blade gave out and shattered. They didn¡¯t need to do this. There were countless, more effective ways to test the quality of a weapon. In fact, this method was the absolute worst, reserved for fools and brutes.
But for two artisans who had long surpassed the title of ¡°master,¡± this was the most thrilling way to do it.
And the first turn was the shadow blacksmith¡¯s.
And without another word, she brought her weapon down with a ferocious precision. But as soon as their blades met, a smile crawled on Julian¡¯s face as he instantly knew that she held back¡ªmatching his level to ensure that their contest was about their weapons and not their strength.
Their blades clashed, and the chamber erupted with the resounding clang, the sound rippling through the air like a wave.
Julian felt the impact resonate through his entire body, each vibration telling a distinct story. It was absurd to think so, but to him, those vibrations spoke volumes¡ªthe story behind the shadow blacksmith¡¯s strike.
The force behind the strike wasn¡¯t driven by malice at all; the blade made of blood, however, was a completely different tale altogether¡ªit was a weapon forged with pain, cruelty, and unimaginable sacrifice. Whatever methods the shadow blacksmith had used to forge her masterpiece, Julian knew they were anything but kind.
And as the vibrations finally stopped, the shadow blacksmith smirked as she pulled her blade back, swinging it through the air as if to flaunt its pristine condition.
But to her credit, not a scratch marred its surface, but the same could be said to Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
And while the shadow blacksmith was checking her blood-forged sword, Julian simply raised his rapier without even checking it, ready to strike down at any moment.
The shadow blacksmith noticed this, causing her smirk to falter into a quiet scoff. She then placed her bloodsword sideways between her and Julian, ready for him to strike.
And so, it¡¯s Julian¡¯s turn¡ªand unlike her, he did not bother to do anything else.
He swung his rapier down, the arc of his blade as precise as the shadow blacksmith¡¯s. But unlike her, there was something else besides precision¡ªthere was fluidity. Not as a warrior who eradicates life, but as someone who creates things with his hands.
The shadow blacksmith¡¯s face flinched ever so slightly as the clash between their blades caused a sound that was clearer, sharper¡ and purer than her strike. The sound hummed, echoing through the dark cavern, like a song almost.
The shadow blacksmith instinctively inspected her blade again, her fingers lightly brushing its surface. Meanwhile, Julian had once again already positioned Searadyn¡¯s Veil, ready for it to be struck by her.
And once again, it was the shadow blacksmith¡¯s turn. But before she could strike down, a smile crawled on Julian¡¯s face.
¡°Thank you for being fair,¡± Julian said suddenly, his voice calm yet sincere, causing the shadow blacksmith to pause, ¡°I know you could have pulled out a [Legendary] or even a [Mythic] grade weapon from your chest, but you didn¡¯t.¡±
The shadow blacksmith¡¯s smirk returned, the clicking noises escaping from her lips sounding slightly amused.
Clang!
She swung her blade down, and the resulting clash produced a tone eerily similar to Julian¡¯s previous strike. But this time, however, it was as if the flowers heard the contact between the two blades. The flowers¡¯ glow flickered, their light trembling in rhythm with the vibrations.
And even after another strike, neither weapon showed any sign of damage. The shadow blacksmith was saying something again, her clicking sounds sounded so profound, if only Julian could actually understand.
Well, whatever she was trying to convey, she didn¡¯t seem to care that Julian couldn¡¯t understand her. She repositioned her blade, holding it sideways in preparation for the next exchange.
And once again, it was Julian¡¯s turn.
¡°Why are you even here?¡± Julian asked, his voice carrying a quiet weight as he raised his blade. A weight that seemed heavier than either of their strikes. He then glanced briefly at the cleaved coffin behind him. ¡°You¡¯re dead, like the corpse puppets we¡¯ve been¡ ending. I can¡¯t really imagine how someone¡ or something can control a being as powerful and majestic as you.¡±
Julian was not really hoping for a response at all. He brought his rapier down again, because as he said earlier, the only way they could actually understand each other was through their creations.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Clang!
The sound of the impact resonated differently again, as if infused with¡ words rather than force.
And the flowers answered once more¡ªnot just flickering, but blooming around them and filling the cavern with light. Their glow danced like an aurora across the cavern floor, creating a mesmerizing sea of colors beneath their feet.
A gasp, or at least it sounded like it, escaped from the shadow blacksmith¡¯s lips. Her eyes, softened as she looked down at the flowers¡ªand for a moment, it seemed as if she was gone, away to a completely different place.
And as she returned, a whisper of longing remained in her eyes.
She said something again, her clicks much softer again, almost¡ wistful.
She caressed her blade again, but this time not to inspect it.
A smile crawled on her face, no longer of confidence, no longer of pride¡ªit was just a smile, nothing else. She brushed her fingers across the blade, causing its surface to shimmer and ripple like liquid.
¡°Hm¡¡± A small hum escaped Julian¡¯s lips as he felt how much passion was in her touch, he even almost felt it himself. But as he stared at the blade which moved like water, it once again reminded him just how little he truly understood about the world of Artemia.
His own weapon, Searadyn¡¯s Veil, was crafted with cold fire¡ªa feat he had considered extraordinary. Yet, here stood a blade that defied the reality he knew.
Clang!
The shadow blacksmith struck Julian¡¯s blade once more, the force reverberating through the chamber. Still, nothing happened.
Julian took his turn again, and then her; the two, locked in a rhythmic dance of strikes without violence or malice. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as their hands moved and their blades clung to one another, this was no longer a contest at all, it was a¡ duet.
And then, after what felt like an eternity, a new song whispered through the air¡ªa crack.
Julian¡¯s rapier.
It wasn¡¯t Julian¡¯s weapon that cracked. The sound was faint but unmistakable, a fragile imperfection, now spreading across its surface.
The shadow blacksmith¡¯s clicking grew louder, her tone almost mocking as she stepped back slightly in excitement. But then, after a few moments, her pace once again softened as she approached Julian.
She then gently brushed her hand across Julian¡¯s weapon, her movements almost apologetic as she caressed it; her fingers, trailing across its smooth surface. If she had been alive, tears might have traced down her face already with how curled her brows were.
Julian, however, only smiled even as he stared at the cracks.
And once again, it was his turn to strike.
He raised his damaged rapier and brought it down against the shadow blacksmith¡¯s blood sword. The impact rang out, and the cracks in his sword scattered and multiplied¡ but it wasn¡¯t only his creation that was damaged now.
A crack now also formed across the shadow blacksmith¡¯s sword¡ªor rather, it bled. Thick, crimson liquid seeped from the cracks in its surface.
Julian stared and listened to the blood dripping on the ground for a few moments. He then let out a small sigh as he placed his sword sideways.
¡°Let¡¯s¡ just get this over with, then.¡±
And once again, perhaps for the last time¡ªit was her turn.
The shadow blacksmith nodded silently, raising her own weapon as she prepared for one final strike. Her hollow eyes locked onto Julian¡¯s, her expression still quite unreadable, but it was as if he could understand her now.
And with a loud click escaping her lips, she swung her blade down.
Clang!
As their blades met, Julian¡¯s rapier shattered completely, splitting into two halves¡ and yet Julian did not look away at all, even as the other half of it flew across his face, slicing his cheek¡ he did not look away.
Even as the bloodsword sliced through his chest, he did not look away.
The wound wasn¡¯t fatal, of course, but it was deep enough to make him stagger.
The blood sword didn¡¯t fare much better, however. The crack along its edge spread rapidly as it moved in the air, and as soon as it struck the ground, the weapon completely snapped in half; the blood, scattering everywhere and even painting the ground and the beautiful flowers red¡ but the red did not last long.
It dried up almost instantly, turning brown¡ and then just turning darker and darker.
None of that mattered, of course. Because the winner was clear now; even with their weapons both destroyed, the winner was clear.
The shadow blacksmith won.
She looked at Julian, her wrinkled face filled with pride and¡ sadness. She was in pain. She was in pain upon seeing her weapon shatter, she was in pain upon seeing Julian¡¯s weapon shatter.
And for a moment, they simply stared at each other.
¡°Ha¡¡± And after a few more moments, Julian clutched his chest, his breathing labored as blood seeped through his fingers.
The shadow blacksmith glanced at her broken blade, then at Julian. Her expression now filled with respect.
She then nodded as she buried her hand on her chest again to pull out another weapon. But then¡ she paused as she saw Julian do something.
Julian raised his other hand, and there¡ the other half of Searadyn¡¯s Veil stood completely tall¡ and whole.
The shadow blacksmith froze, her hollow eyes narrowing as she stared at Julian¡¯s raised rapier. For a moment, there was confusion on her face.
But then, slowly, the realization dawned on her. Her clicking speech shifted into something exhilarating¡ªsomething that almost sounded like laughter.
It wasn¡¯t the cruel, mocking laughter that Julian had heard earlier. No, this was something else entirely. Her frame quaked lightly, her form trembling as the laugh echoed faintly in the cavern.
And then, tears¡ªbright red like the liquid from her blade¡ªtrickled from her eyes.
And soon, her laughter quieted, replaced by a serene smile as she raised whatever remained of her sword.
But of course, there was nothing there, only a trail of blood that dripped from her hand. And yet, her face held no bitterness, only acceptance. She stared at Julian, her gaze so gentle that it cut through Julian even more so than her sword.
She understood it now¡ªJulian¡¯s words.
And because of that¡ she finally spoke,
"This whole while, I believed it was I who wielded restraint¡ªyet lo, thy blade, halved and wanting, hath labored under incompleteness."
Julian froze for a moment, startled by her response. All this time, she could speak?
"I am outcrafted," she continued, "and outwitted. As it must be, for such is the nature of the craft."
Julian stared at her, but after a few moments, he let out a small hum and smiled, ¡°And I was wrong too¡ªyou are the best blacksmith I have ever met.¡±
"And thou, young one¡" She replied, her voice clear and gentle for the first time, "...art the finest I have encountered. And believe me, child, I have encountered many."
¡°Thank you. I truly did enjoy this, not knowing whether my sword was truly better.¡±
"Thou jest. It was not even a contest."
"Well..."
"And now, thou art destined to become as I am. Take heed, young one¡ªlet not the darkness consume thee. Embrace the shadow, but never the dark.¡±
¡°What¡¯s¡your name?¡± Julian asked, his voice filled with a gentleness equaling that of the shadow blacksmith¡¯s.
¡°Erin,¡± she answered with a faint, bittersweet smile. ¡°And yours?¡±
¡°Julian Winters.¡± And with those words, Julian gripped his rapier with both hands and raised it high. And as he did so, Erin closed her eyes and looked up. The two stood frozen for a moment, like a painting almost.
The two of them, shrouded by the aurora beneath their feet.
And then¡ Julian breathed out.
The rapier sliced cleanly through Erin¡¯s shoulder, the blade cleaving through her flesh and bones¡ªwell, it wasn¡¯t that hard at all. There was no resistance, her flesh was almost sand, and her bones paper.
Erin didn¡¯t scream or flinch. Julian reached out to catch her, but there was nothing left to hold.
Her body¡ it simply crumbled, her form disintegrating into fine ash that scattered through the air. Her smile disappeared last, etched into the darkness before being absorbed by it.
It will, however, now forever exist in Julian.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian stood still, staring at the empty air where Erin had been. He felt a weight in his chest¡ªnot grief, but a quiet understanding. He then looked at his hand, the ash melting and completely disappearing.
He didn¡¯t really have time to contemplate, however, as the flowers that lit up the cavern began to close. One by one, their light faded, wrapping the room in the familiar embrace of darkness.
[Congratulations on clearing all the labors, Julian Winters.]
That¡¯s it, then?
Well, of course, it might seem quite simple now¡ªbut Julian¡¯s Otherworld body had actually almost died several times in the course of doing this quest¡not to mention he had also almost truly died.
[The Master of Shadows is now proceeding to grant you the abilities of the Shadow Blacksmith.]
The words appeared in front of Julian, their glow cutting through the darkness. But before he could even process them, the world around him¡ completely vanished.
He was no longer in the cavern.
Julian found himself suspended in an empty void, surrounded by nothing but the vast, endless space of¡ nothing.
But soon, that nothing turned into a scenery of war.
¡°Where¡ am I?¡±
Chapter 62: The Birth of Artemia
The world¡ or was it the universe?
Julian found himself in the middle of nowhere. A vast, endless desert that seemed to shimmer like night sky. But there were cracks everywhere, and beyond those cracks lay an infinite void of light, silvers twinkling at a distance beyond what Julian could comprehend.
But if there was something that Julian could comprehend, it was the violence.
Above, below, and to every horizon¡ªthere was war. A raging war that seemed to have no sides at all. It wasn¡¯t a battle between two sides, but a field of chaos with countless armies clashing with each other.
At one point, alliances seemed to be made, only to be broken; brothers and sisters fighting against each other. There were knights clad in radiant armor, their swords and spears, unlike anything Julian had seen before, blazing like the sun itself.
He would have loved to just stare at their weapons and inspect them, but Julian was distracted by all the rage. By everything that was happening.
There were massive constructs everywhere, stone, metal, and some other material Julian couldn¡¯t recognize. They hurled destruction everywhere and to everyone¡ªperhaps that was the only redeeming quality of this war.
It was fair, everyone was dying and losing.
Julian then saw swarms of beings with wings darting across the endless void, their forms shifting as they ripped through anything in their path; their wings, cutting the very space itself. There were also monstrous beings larger than the mountains Julian had seen, all locked in battle and shaking the very foundations of whatever this place was with every blow.
And yet, throughout this raging chaos, the very center of it all was calm, eerily so.
Floating at the heart of violence was a cube, a perfect cube that was darker than the void itself. It did not reflect light, nor did it reflect the violence surrounding it.
It was just¡ there. Existing.
Or perhaps, not even?
It wasn¡¯t massive at all, and there seemed to be nothing special about it except for the fact that it was at the center of everything¡ and perhaps it was the very reason why the chaos was happening in the first place.
Everyone seemed to be moving toward it, wanting to possess it¡ and yet no one could have it.
But then, throughout the chaos, there was order¡ªor at least perhaps an illusion of it.
It was a single arrow, flying across the battlefield and whistling peacefully through everyone and everything without a single hint of violence. It just flowed through the war, glowing faintly with a silver-green light surrounding it.
And then, the chaos stopped instantly as the arrow struck right into the Cube.
Everyone then watched as the arrow slowly stood tall, shifting casually amidst the carnage¡ªit turned into a woman, draped in what could be considered a humble robe made of fur and leather.
Everyone screamed and roared, pushing each other as they rushed toward the woman. But their cries were for nothing as the woman claimed the cube, embracing it before vanishing into the void.
The battlefield stilled. The armies halted, godly beings frozen in shock, as if the entire war had been extinguished in an instant.
And then, somewhere¡ª Julian watched as the very same woman whispered into the darkness. She wasn¡¯t in a cavern, nor was she in the same void where the war was happening, she was just¡ there, along with her cube.
The cube rested in her hands, its edges faintly pulsing with an unnatural energy that seemed to consume the faint light around her. She then let go of it, and it did nothing at all but just float there.
¡°Why¡?¡± Julian whispered to himself. Why would this seemingly odd cube that does nothing at all cause a war of that scale?
¡and why was he being shown this? All he wanted was the Shadow Blacksmith class, he didn''t need to know any of this.
Of course, any thoughts escaping Julian completely paused as the woman reached for her bow and pointed it at him.
And without any hesitation, she fired. Julian instinctively flinched, but the arrow just suddenly stopped before it could actually reach him¡ªit stopped an inch from reaching his chest before the arrow curved, twisting in the air.
It then turned, spiraling back straight toward the woman and piercing her chest.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
The woman gasped softly, but she wasn¡¯t in pain. A smile so serene spread across her face as she let go of her bow.
Blood did not spill from her wound, but rather, there was a leaf. And soon, roots began to emerge from the wound, winding down her body and wrapping it¡ªbut before her silhouette could completely disappear, she embraced the cube.
The roots continued to grow, expanding and intertwining until they filled the void, and as they grew, so did something else.
A world was born.
The roots twisted into continents, their tendrils spreading into rivers and mountains. From her heart came the lifeblood of this new world, a core that pulsed with warmth and light. Atmosphere swirled into being, blanketing the new creation with life-giving breath.
¡°Artemia¡?¡± Julian murmured as the colorful sphere reminded him of the very first thing he had ever seen in his life.
Was the woman perhaps¡ Artemis herself? Was this the story of Artemia? If so¡ then why was he being shown this?
Julian¡¯s gaze followed Artemia¡¯s growth, its lands expanding and thriving. Cities were born from their soil, and life flourished. But as the world grew, a shimmering veil began to cover it¡ªa barrier of swirling light and shadow, wrapping Artemia in a protective cocoon.
It was the very same veil that was preventing most technology from entering Artemia. But¡ why exactly did they need it?
His question quickly found its answer when the stars dimmed, and massive shapes appeared at the edges of the void surrounding Artemia. Ships¡ªtowering, monstrous vessels. Their surfaces were sleek and gleaming, bristling with weapons that seemed to hum with power.
Julian wondered what they were at first, but it felt and looked similar to the space station his clone woke up from, but not quite. He hadn¡¯t really seen any of Earth¡¯s spaceships and stations before, but he felt that these ships weren¡¯t from Earth at all. The hum they created seemed¡ much more powerful than anything humanity could create.
But humans have traveled the cosmos for thousands of years, trying to find life and advanced civilizations. And throughout this journey, they have discovered the sad and boring truth¡ªhumanity is the advanced civilization.
¡°MEGAN, are you here?¡± Julian muttered. But there was no reply at all¡ªit would seem he was alone in this vision, and soon, this vision was once again filled with fire, literally.
The ships opened fire.
Beams of energy, explosive rounds, and torrents of fire rained down upon Artemia. The veil held strong, absorbing every impact. But the relentless barrage didn¡¯t cease. Waves of destruction pounded against the barrier again and again, each strike rippling across the shield like a stone cast into water.
Julian had no idea how long it actually lasted, he had no sense of time here. Perhaps it lasted for seconds? Minutes? Perhaps even years.
But soon, the veil flickered.
And once again, Julian¡¯s vision shifted. He was no longer watching from above¡ªhe was standing on Artemia, gazing up at the sky as explosions lit up like a violent aurora.
¡°It won¡¯t hold anymore.¡±
¡°Hm¡?¡± A voice slightly startled Julian. He turned quickly, finding himself face-to-face with a man standing right next to him.
But no, the man wasn¡¯t actually looking at him at all¡ªhe was gazing past him, his eyes fixed on a small figure standing on top of a boulder.
It was a girl¡ªor at least, she seemed to be at first glance. But no, her features were sharper, more mature. It was an Eldazen woman, young and slight, yet there was a weight to her presence that belied her size.
And right there and then, as Julian stared at her¡ªhe quickly recognized whose presence it was.
Erin. The Eldazen was Erin.
¡°Child¡¡± The man spoke again, his words sending chills down Julian¡¯s spine almost as if he was actually talking to him.
¡°Do not let it consume you. Embrace the shadow, but never the dark.¡±
Julian stared at him, his mind racing. Was this man¡ the shadow blacksmith before Erin? Or was he the Master of Shadows?
¡°You will be lonely, but such is our duty. Go out into the light, protect it.¡±
Julian¡¯s vision soon blurred after those words, and the voices around him became muffled. He could no longer make out what the man and Erin were saying, but he could at least hear one thing as the man repeated it over and over again.
Box.
Was he referring to the dark cube? The very same one that Artemis claimed and wrapped Artemia around?
Of course, Julian wasn¡¯t really going to get his answers. Instead, he watched as the man¡¯s silhouette began to change. Shadows soon crawled out from him and enveloped his body, wrapping around him like tendrils until his figure became indistinguishable.
And almost instantly, the darkness expanded, growing taller and broader until it towered over the horizon.
The man had transformed into a colossal figure, a giant shadow that seemed to scrape the heavens themselves.
The shadow giant reached into the empty sky, pulling a massive hammer out of nowhere that gleamed faintly in the dim light. And with a deep, resonant hum, he raised the hammer high, striking the sky.
Darkness spread outward from the impact¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t malevolent or sinister at all, but it felt protective, as though the shadow itself sought to shield Artemia from the onslaught it was taking from the countless ships surrounding it.
The giant shadow¡ was repairing the very skies of Artemia. Was he¡ the one who created the veil?
And it seemed to work. The bombardment from the alien ships faltered as the veil grew stronger, reinforced by the shadow.
But then, one ship suddenly broke through, much smaller than the others. It pierced the atmosphere like a spear, its weapons unleashing a single, devastating shot.
And then, as it entered Artemia, it released another blast.
The blast tore through the shadow giant, punching a hole clean through its chest.
¡°NO!¡± A scream echoed through the air, raw with anguish. Julian turned to see Erin¡ªHer face contorted with grief as she watched the shadow fall down onto his knees.
Julian could feel it. He had no connection with the man at all, but he could feel the great sadness that was escaping from Erin¡¯s lips. A rage that he was familiar with.
And soon, the shadow began to wither, its immense form dissolving into the air like smoke. The hammer slipped from its grasp, and the figure¡ just faded into nothingness.
The ship descended, landing close to Erin. But she quickly hid, her eyes watching as the vessel¡¯s ramp began to lower and open.
And although he wasn¡¯t being seen at all, Julian also did the same¡ªhiding with Erin as they both watched as the figures emerged from the ship; their steps heavy as their feet touched Artemia¡¯s soil.
¡°What¡?¡±
It wasn¡¯t only Erin¡¯s eyes that widened as they saw them.
They walked like humans, that¡¯s for sure¡ªbut they weren¡¯t. Their forms were sleek, their skin a dark, almost metallic hue.
But most importantly, their heads.
It reminded Julian of daemons.
Chapter 63: Julian Winters, Reforged by The Shadow
Julian had only seen the daemons from MEGAN recreating them inside The Between, but he was sure of it¡ªthe faces of the people who stepped out of the ship were eerily similar to the daemons.
No.
Perhaps not just similar at all.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian decided to move away from the boulder and approach the invaders, checking the way they moved and spoke. Of course, Julian couldn¡¯t really understand what they were saying at all, but the fact they were speaking in the first place intrigued him.
Throughout his entire life, he had been taught that the daemons are mindless beings capable of only acting on their instincts to destroy. Well, true enough, they were still destroying¡ªbut these people, these humanoid daemons clearly moved with purpose and intelligence.
These¡ people could even potentially be even more advanced than the humans.
¡°MEGAN, are you truly not seeing this?¡± Julian called for MEGAN again. But alas, it would seem he truly was alone in this vision.
It would have been very nice to get MEGAN¡¯s input on this. But this could also have been for the best¡ªafter all, this sort of news would have exploded. Humanity Engineering, and probably even the government would personally approach Julian to get more information¡
¡and they would most likely discover that his clone¡¯s strength was carrying over to his real body. And as MEGAN told him, they would probably start making tests on him and probably even dissect him.
¡°Are you truly daemons?¡± Julian stood in front of one of the humanoid daemons, and to his surprise¡ it looked back at him. He was about to put up his guard, but then heard a loud scream coming from behind him.
He turned, only to see Erin exploding with rage; tears flying away from her eyes as she passed through Julian¡¯s body, lunging straight toward the daemon on the front.
She didn¡¯t even use any weapons, she clung to the humanoid daemon¡¯s shoulder and snapped its neck in two. And from the shadow the daemon¡¯s head made when it bent, Erin plunged both her hands and grabbed a pair of small katars¡ which she used to decapitate the daemon she had already killed.
She then pushed herself away from the still standing corpse, almost flying in the air. And then, one by one, she cut them down, her whole body, literally a whirlwind of death as she danced in the air. They had no chance against her fury, Julian did not even have a chance to see what sort of weapons or abilities the humanoid daemons had due to her overwhelming skill.
She moved like a violent shadow, silent and merciless.
And now that Julian was seeing it from an outside perspective, he was starting to understand why he couldn¡¯t even figure out Erin¡¯s movements at all when they fought¡ªwell, when she badly beat him up.
At first, he thought that Erin was entering the shadows and leaping through the darkness, teleporting¡ªbut no. She wasn¡¯t doing that at all.
She was just literally erasing her presence, almost as if she didn¡¯t exist at all. And even right now, she was just walking toward the last invader¡ and yet, it felt as if she was nowhere and everywhere at the same time.
Julian have heard of mirages and illusions from MEGAN, but this didn¡¯t feel like it fit their definitions at all.
Erin wasn¡¯t just making illusions or bending the shadows and light, it felt as if she was literally bending space itself¡ maybe. Julian was the last person to ask about things like this as he had literally been totally blind his entire life.
But that is what it truly felt like¡ªshe was bending space itself.
And as the last invader fell, Erin stared as the life whisked away from the daemon¡¯s dark eyes.
She remained like that for a while, all the rage and her wrath dancing on her trembling lips. But soon, both also died down¡ or perhaps were just given a rest as she stood in front of the invaders¡¯ ship.
For a moment, it seemed she might destroy it, her katar faded away and she pulled a large hammer from the ground. But then, as she posed to strike down¡ she stopped, her gaze hesitating.
And soon, she turned away, leaving it there to be forgotten¡ªand forgotten it was.
Time shifted. He watched as the ship was swallowed by the foliage. He watched as the lands of Artemia merged and divided, kingdoms rising and falling. And through it all, Erin remained¡ªunchanging, alone.
The years stretched into decades, centuries, and then a millennium. Julian saw her solitude, the weight of her isolation pressing down on her.
She was eternal, yet she was utterly alone. But why? This all felt useless to Julian¡ªwhy was he shown her eternal loneliness, when the visions did not show at all why? For what purpose was she alone?
What was she doing all these years? Why is Julian only being shown her loneliness and not the other things she had done throughout the years? Her accomplishments, her creations?
And at last, the time came when Erin could bear it no longer. Julian watched as she created something¡ªfrom the forge she created life. Not a weapon, not an object, but a life¡ªa reflection of her.
Erin created a clone of herself, a perfect mirror.
And this reflection did something she couldn¡¯t¡ªlive a normal life. A life Erin could only observe from the shadows.
The reflection grew older, had children, and those children had children. For generations, Erin watched over her lineage. Her family was peaceful, thriving in a world she had perhaps literally forged.
But of course, when peace persists, it will only be a matter of time when war is awakened.
Erin¡¯s family was slaughtered, their blood staining the land. The pain in her face was unbearable to witness. How could it not be¡ when those who killed her family were also her family? This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
And once again, the rage that was hiding within her grew. Her grief turning into rage, turning into guilt. From the very hands in which she created herself, she ended them all.
And from their blood, she forged a blade. Her hands trembled the entire time, her emotions in a complete frenzy; perhaps it wasn¡¯t even her that forged the blade, but whatever was left of the life she never had.
She was never the same after that. She still had family, her lineage grew wide¡ªbut she was never the same. The light in her eyes dimmed, and darkness began to consume her.
But Erin was fully aware of her descent into darkness, and Julian watched as she isolated herself.
And there and then, she forged and created the very last thing she would ever make¡ªa coffin, the very one Julian had found her in.
She then screamed, causing the entire land to tremble. And from the tears of blood she shed, a ripple formed on the ground as it dropped¡ and from that ripple emerged the Cube, the very cube that started this all.
She grabbed the cube, placing it inside the coffin¡ alongside herself and forever sealed it shut. The earth seemed to accept her offering, swallowing the coffin whole as though paying its respects for the very last time¡ªa burial.
Time passed, and the coffin remained buried, untouched.
Artemia moved on, and the Legend of Erin was forgotten.
And then¡ fade to black.
¡°Oh¡ That was it?¡± Julian¡¯s voice echoed in the void, and he seemed slightly frustrated. How could he not be? He was shown all of those, and at some point, he hoped that the visions would show him Erin crafting a [Mythic] grade weapon¡ªbut alas, nothing.
¡°I¡ feel like I wasted my time.¡± He whispered.
And soon, the darkness around him shifted, rippling like water. And from the shadows emerged a figure¡ªa man, imposing¡ and tall, incredibly tall¡ªthe very same shadow giant he had seen at the start, Erin¡¯s master.
And this giant once again pulled out a colossal hammer¡ and he wasted no time at all to raise it and swing it down toward Julian.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, but he didn¡¯t flinch at all. He even stretched his arm to the side to welcome it as he sensed no malic in the strike.
But either way, malice or not¡ the colossal hammer struck him with earth-shattering force.
Clang!
The pain was indescribable. Julian felt as though he were being crushed, no. He was crushed. Every part of him shattered into pieces.
But he wasn¡¯t being destroyed, not at all, no.
He was being reforged¡ into a shadow.
The hammer rose again, striking him once more.
Clang!
With each blow, parts of Julian¡¯s body transformed, turning into shadows. His arms, his legs, his very essence were reshaped, reworked, and rewired into something new.
Clang!
The hammer struck again and again¡ until it couldn¡¯t.
It couldn¡¯t because Julian now stood tall, unyielding¡ªhis hand stretched up to meet the hammer, causing a ripple to explode and cause everything to disappear. The hammer, the man, and everything else dissolved into smoke.
And soon, this smoke was absorbed by Julian¡¯s body.
[Congratulations, Julian Winters.]
And as those words appeared before him, a gasp escaped his lips as his entire being jolted¡ªnot jolted awake, as he wasn¡¯t asleep. It was just¡ jolted.
He was back in the dark cavern, standing amidst the flowers which were once again one by one blooming to fill the wild hall with color. And within those colors, the [Guidance of Artemis] once again made itself known.
[You have been reforged by the primordial element, tempered by its unrestricted potential¡ªas nothing came everything, you are now bound by the ultimate law: nothing.]
¡°Huh¡¡± Julian muttered as the words kept popping out in front of him.
[You are now the Shadow Blacksmith.]
¡°I am¡?¡± Julian muttered, glancing down at himself, ¡°But¡ I don¡¯t feel any different?¡±
He was also waiting for the Master of Shadows to make himself known, as he always does. But for some reason, he was eerily quiet and not spamming over the [Guidance of Artemis] at all.
Could it be that now that he had finished the quest, the Master of Shadows was completely done with him?
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian sighed as he looked around before once again glancing down to check on him. He didn¡¯t feel any different at all, but that doesn¡¯t mean nothing changed. And so, he called for¡ª¡±Guidance.¡±
[STATUS]
Name: Julian Winters
Class: Shadow Blacksmith [NEW]
Level: 15
Health (HP): 240/240
Mana (MP): 90/90
Stamina (SP): 181/182
Strength: 38^
Agility: 27^
Vitality: 22^
Mana: 10[NEW]
Perception: 30^
Free Points: 0
Skills:
Shadow Forge[NEW] ¡ª Your mind and spirit are able to enter the Shadow Dimension, a timeless domain created by your will and the will of those before you. The forge exists beyond mortal constraints, granting you the freedom to craft anything, everywhere.
MP Cost: 1 MP per Minute while inside the Shadow Forge. Cooldown: None
More details: By submerging your hand into the shadows, you can access the Shadow Forge. Time flows differently inside the Shadow Forge, it does not flow at all. The space within is connected to your Shadow Vault, where you can seamlessly access everything you have stored. Once your spirit leaves the Shadow Forge, your physical body will be in the exact position, space, and time it was before you entered the domain.
Shadow Festival[NEW] ¡ª The shadows are your domain, and distance is an illusion within them. Slip through the very confines and constraints of space itself, traversing anywhere and everywhere without limits instantaneously.
Domain Range: 10sqm. MP Cost: 10 Mana per Second. Cooldown: 3 minutes
More details: You are able to create a territory within a set area. While Shadow Festival is active, you are able to freely teleport anywhere within the area. Anyone caught within your range is plunged into a world of illusions, where the shadows dance and create chaos, making things appear farther or closer than they actually are and making it nearly impossible for them to predict your movements.
Shadow Sculpt[NEW] ¡ª Bend shadows to your will, turning them into solid tangible forms. The complexity of your sculptures depends on your Perception. The durability and duration depend on the Mana spent.
MP Cost: Conditional Cooldown: None
Abilities:
Hyper Instinct - Due to some unknown factor undetected by the [Guidance of Artemis], your senses are highly abnormal. All Skills affected by Perception will have increased effectiveness.
Flames of Searadyn - An Avatar of Searadyn has sworn eternal loyalty to you, granting you the ability to manipulate the flames of the Spirit of Frostfire.
Shadow Vault[NEW] ¨C By submerging your hands into the shadows, you are able to store crafting materials, tools, and weapons you have created in a limited pocket dimension.
More details: Note that any other objects not designated or related to crafting will be spat out. The size of the pocket dimension will grow bigger when certain conditions are met. The limit of object types you can place inside the Shadow Vault will change when certain conditions are met.
Current Storable Objects: Forging materials, Forging Tools, Crafted Weapons.
Current Storage Area: 15cbm
Null Presence[NEW] ¨C You are the shadow itself. You exist and do not at the same time. With massive concentration and focus, you are able to blend seamlessly with the space around you instinctively, becoming almost undetectable. By your will, your presence can be fully erased when standing still.
More details: Note that this effect is lessened or completely canceled for those with a higher Perception than you. Those with detection magic can also cancel this effect. Using this too much will consume a lot of SP.
Active Quests:
The Shadow of Artemia[NEW]
The Flames of Juliet
Explore the world to gain more quests.
[End of STATUS]
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian squinted his eyes perhaps for the very first time in his life as he stared at the wall of texts in front of him,
¡°...So, I did change.¡± He said.
Chapter 64: The Otherworld (Part 1)
¡°Huh¡¡±
Julian had been staring at the words currently floating in front of him. He didn¡¯t quite know what to feel at the moment. Even though the information was being directly injected into his mind, as if carved into his thoughts, he still felt extremely overwhelmed.
He was so used to the [Guidance of Artemis] only providing him with the basic information about himself, and so he wasn¡¯t quite used to being bombarded by information.
Despite his confusion, one thing became crystal clear¡ªErin¡¯s overwhelming presence, her ability to vanish like a phantom and strike without warning, finally made sense. What she could do, what the Shadow Blacksmith could do, seemed almost an antithesis to Julian¡¯s abnormal senses. Her abilities weren¡¯t just impressive; it felt as if they were tailored to counter him.
¡°No wonder I didn¡¯t stand a chance,¡± Julian muttered. His tone carried no lament, only admiration. Erin had wielded the shadows as her ally, molding them to her will with elegance and precision. And now¡
¡he could too, with practice, of course.
But Julian didn¡¯t linger on the combat potential her skills promised. The idea of fighting rarely thrilled him. No, his thoughts were consumed by something else entirely¡ªtwo things, in fact, that sent a jolt of excitement racing through his chest.
Shadow Vault and Shadow Forge. The possibilities these two abilities could do flooded his mind, almost in chaos.
The idea of accessing materials and tools seamlessly, storing his creations in the folds of reality itself? Well, even Julian, who lacked the skill to imagine anything else other than crafting and forging, thought of it once or twice before in his life.
How could he not? It should be the dream of all craftsmen.
And then¡ªShadow Forge.
The ability to step into a forge anytime, anywhere, unhindered by the constraints of space or time? What more could he possibly want?
And now, thinking about it¡ªis it possible that Erin accessed this during their fight? Maybe even the first weapon she used against him was something she had created in the Shadow Forge?
The potential of this skill felt limitless. In theory, from an outsider¡¯s perspective, Julian could forge a weapon or armor instantaneously, summoning it from the shadows as if by magic. Of course, he knew that the process wouldn¡¯t actually be instant for him; he¡¯d still have to craft it within the Shadow Forge¡ªwell, for him, that was the best part.
¡°Pft¡¡± Julian, like an eager child barely able to contain his excitement, covered his mouth with his hand. The thought of suddenly forging something out of nowhere sent a thrill down his spine. It wasn¡¯t just the utility of it¡ªthere was something undeniably fun about the sheer theatrics of it.
And of course, like a child, Julian knelt down, ready to test his newfound abilities immediately. But then, just as quickly, he paused. A realization struck him, cooling his excitement for a moment.
¡°Mana¡¡± He whispered.
He had mana now.
From the information the [Guidance of Artemis] had injected into his mind, he understood he could spend about an hour and thirty minutes inside the Shadow Forge with his current¡MP. But Julian knew himself. He knew how easily he could lose himself in the rhythm of creation, forget the passage of time, and push beyond his limits.
What exactly would happen to him if he consumed all of his mana?
Now wasn¡¯t the best time or place to find out. Although he was itching to test every one of his new abilities, he forced himself to prioritize his immediate situation. He needed to get out of this place first.
But how?
Julian looked around, and his eyes quickly settled on the coffin he sliced in half. And with what he had witnessed in his visions, it now felt slightly ominous, stark against the vibrant blooms of the flowers that still danced their light around it.
The coffin seemed to call to him. It wasn¡¯t a voice exactly, but there was something in the silence that urged him forward. He could almost imagine Erin herself whispering to him, beckoning him closer.
¡°Hm¡¡± He let out a slow breath, standing and patting the dust from his hands. And then, he approached¡ªeach of his steps toward the coffin echoed faintly, as though the shadows themselves were talking to him. It felt¡ strange.
And as he now stood next to it, he felt a hum coming from the metal.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
¡°Erin¡¡± He whispered as he brushed his hand on the cleaved coffin¡ªa single coffin that had so many stories to tell.
Julian finally knew what was etched on the cover¡ªit was the arrival of the invaders, Erin must have carved their likeness into the metal herself, ensuring she would never forget the beginning of her end.
This coffin was her prison, her sanctuary, and her last act of defiance against her fate.
Was it her wish that someone¡ªanyone¡ªwho found it would know her story?
But if that were true, then who had scratched out the face of the humanoid daemon depicted on the lid? Who didn¡¯t want her story to be told?
¡°The quality of this coffin reflects your crumbling mind,¡± Julian whispered, pulling his hand away as though the touch burned. ¡°You were already falling apart when you made this¡ªyou truly are the best I have ever seen, Erin.¡±
The blood-forge sword, the coffin¡ªthese were creations born not from mastery but from depravity. They were the products of anguish, desperation, and a brilliance consumed by darkness.
¡°I would have loved to see something you forged when you were still at your prime. To see¡¡± Julian¡¯s voice trailed off, ¡°...if you were better than me.¡±
There was no malice in his words, no arrogance, no gloating. It was an honest thought, unburdened by pride.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as he moved the coffin, examining what was left inside it¡ªbut it was as empty as the shadows surrounding him.
The Black Cube was gone.
¡°Did¡ someone take it?¡± He whispered. The vision was clear, Erin buried the Black Cube with her.
Had it been taken? Stolen by someone while she slept eternally?
If so, was the person who stole the Cube responsible for Erin being able to move even after her death? Perhaps responsible for all those corpse puppets? Orpuk?
Was the very same person who took the Cube be the one who scratched out the faces of the humanoid daemon?
Or perhaps¡ was it the Black Cube itself? Had its malevolent influence seeped into Erin¡¯s dormant body and those of the other puppets? But from the visions he had seen, there was no malevolence at all.
Questions swirled in Julian¡¯s mind like a storm, the possibilities endless yet none offering clarity. But one truth anchored his thoughts: even in death, Erin had held onto fragments of her memory and will.
A testament to how strong she truly was.
¡°I hope I¡¯m worthy of your legacy, Erin,¡± Julian whispered, his voice carrying the weight of his thoughts. He stepped back, his gaze fixed on the broken coffin. ¡°But I don¡¯t know why you showed me all of that¡ªit doesn¡¯t have anything to do with me.¡±
He let out a quiet sigh, his words growing softer.
¡°I am truly sorry it had to be me, Erin. But the only legacy I really care about and will carry forward¡ is the fact that you were a blacksmith. So, thank you for showing me the extent of what I can do.¡±
He did witness Erin in her prime. She showed him what she could do... and what he could do.
She forged an entire copy of herself¡ªwithout the use of technology like Humanity Engineering, she forged a copy of herself just using her skills and abilities.
If she could do something like that, then does that mean Julian could potentially do it too in the future?
If so, then¡ would it be possible to create a body for MEGAN? And then perhaps ask Humanity Engineering to transfer consciousness to it?
¡°Hm¡¡±
And almost as if summoned by his thoughts, his vision was suddenly filled with messages by MEGAN.
¡°A few seconds?¡± Julian whispered. To him, it had felt like he was trapped inside his visions for a few hours, witnessing the birth of Artemia and Erin¡¯s downfall. This confirmed it, then¡ªMEGAN and the Chat did not witness the visions at all, and that¡¯s a good thing.
¡°I¡ have a new class now.¡± Julian said, ¡°Cut the stream for now so we can build suspense.¡±
¡°W¡ª¡±
And before Julian could say anything else, MEGAN immediately bombarded him with more questions. Her curiosity was endless, and her endless messages began to blur in his mind and his vision.
The only thing Julian could really do was take a step back and sigh. ¡°We¡¯ll¡ talk once I¡¯m back on Earth¡ªI have a lot to tell you, MEGAN. But first¡ I need to find a way to get out of¡ªOh?¡±
His words caught in his throat as the cavern suddenly shifted. The roots beneath his feet coiled and writhed as the entire cavern started to move, to shrink; the coffin in front of him, also being swallowed into the depths of Artemia.
Julian was also engulfed, but he wasn¡¯t being swallowed at all, no. He felt himself being pulled upward¡ at an insane speed.
He wasn¡¯t disoriented at all, however. In fact, it was quite soothing to him, and for nearly a full minute, he was tossed and propelled in different directions.
MEGAN¡¯s messages flashed relentlessly in front of him, asking if he was alright and if the dungeon was collapsing as it was hard to figure out what was happening from her perspective.
Julian didn¡¯t respond¡ªwell, he couldn¡¯t. He was completely focused on the direction where he was being thrown around in the darkness.
And soon, without warning, the journey stopped¡ and he was literally spat out into the open air by Artemia herself, literally.
Fortunately for him, his senses were too great and he just somersaulted in the air with finesse, landing on his feet.
¡°Hm¡¡± And in front of him was the entrance of the dungeon¡ªwas. The entrance was now being swallowed back into the ground, slowly returning the vicinity to what it was before. Well, of course, it couldn¡¯t really return to its previous condition, but Julian quickly recognized where he was.
He was back at the estate where the shadow swallowed him without any warning, where it all began.
He continued to watch the dungeon disappear, sinking into the ground. And like it had never been there, the air around the estate stilled, heavy¡ but calm.
This calm did not last long, however, as he heard footsteps and heavy breaths from behind him. He carefully turned around, only to see several city guards surrounding him, their weapons drawn and pointed at him. An entire army of them, dozens.
¡°What is this¡?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side as he glanced at the soldiers.
¡°Take a step back!¡± One of the guards roared, his voice extremely commanding, ¡°Take a step back, or we will kill you!¡±
¡°Kill me?¡± Julian hummed as he heard the words, he then tightened his grip on Searadyn¡¯s Veil¡ªwell, or so he thought.
He glanced down at his hands¡ only to see he wasn¡¯t holding anything at all.
¡°No¡¡± He whispered.
Did he just¡ accidentally drop Searadyn¡¯s Veil while he was being vomited by Artemia?
Chapter 65: The Otherworld (Part 2)
Julian wanted to test his new abilities, but he didn¡¯t actually think he would be testing them against people. And as he stared at the army of guards in front of him, he had two options.
He didn''t have Searadyn''s Veil with him, and creating a weapon inside the [Shadow Forge] was out of the question¡ªhis [Shadow Vault] should be empty. That left him with two real choices: vanish entirely using [Null Presence], or subdue them all by using [Shadow Sculpt] and [Shadow Festival]. Then again, there was also the possibility of using all three at once.
Even though he hasn¡¯t really used any of them yet, it felt like he knew how to. But of course, knowing how to use something is different from mastering them.
But wait¡ªwhy were these people even pointing their weapons at him in the first place?
¡°Boss!?¡±
And almost as if to snap him from his thoughts of violence, a voice cut through the tension that was lingering in the air. He quickly turned to look at the familiar voice, only to see Juliet pushing her way through the guards.
¡°Julian!? It¡¯s really you!?¡± She was running toward him, practically ramming the guards with her shoulders and throwing them to the side. And following closely behind her was the rest of the party.
¡°Lower your weapons!¡± Titus roared, ¡°He¡¯s with us!¡±
¡°He¡¯s the one we told you about!¡± Talia added, even swatting away the spears herself while frantically waving at the guards to stand down.
Before Julian could respond, Juliet threw her arms around him, pulling him into a brief, tight hug. The warmth of her relief radiated through the embrace. But as she realized what she was doing, she pulled back almost immediately, her face tinged with embarrassment as she began inspecting him from head to toe.
¡°You¡¯re¡ you¡¯re okay?¡±
Cyrus also did the same, circling him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. ¡°What happened to you in there, Sword Junkie? And did you just¡ clear a dungeon by yourself? I was getting updates from the Chat, but I couldn¡¯t really concentrate on everything that was happening.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian let out a small hum, his gaze calm as he glanced at his friends.
¡°I have a class now,¡± he revealed casually, causing Cyrus, Juliet, and the others to freeze momentarily in stunned silence.
¡°It¡¯s done, then!?¡± Talia¡¯s voice quickly broke the silence as she rushed forward, her face lit with excitement. She almost grabbed Julian, wanting to shake him for answers. ¡°What class is it anyway?¡±
¡°It¡¯s¡ woah?¡± Julian was about to answer, but he felt a sudden weight fall upon him as his vision momentarily faded.
¡°Let the Newbie rest for now,¡± Titus stepped forward as he noticed Julian¡¯s weight shift, ¡°He must be incredibly exhausted after what¡ª¡±
Before Titus could finish his sentence, Julian¡¯s knees buckled. His vision blurred, and his body gave in to the sheer weight of everything he had endured.
¡°Julian!¡± Juliet¡¯s voice was sharp with alarm.
¡°Welp.¡± Cyrus moved quickly, catching Julian before he could hit the ground.
¡°Cyrus, is he¡?¡± Juliet asked quietly.
¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± Cyrus assured her, adjusting Julian¡¯s weight against his shoulder. ¡°His body¡¯s just exhausted. Let¡¯s get him back to the inn for now¡ we all need to rest.¡±
¡°Okay¡¡± Juliet nodded, though the worry on her face didn¡¯t dissipate. She hovered close to Cyrus, her eyes locked onto the unconscious Julian¡ªshe knew that he was back in his real world.
But alas, as they started to walk away from the scene, a group of uniformed figures emerged from behind the army of guards, the insignias on their coats unmistakable¡ªsoldiers from the Order of Artemia.
The soldiers formed a line, their eyes locked only on Julian.
¡°Great,¡± Talia muttered under her breath, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon.
¡°This is the last thing we need right now.¡±
***
And while the party on Artemia was encountering an unexpected and unwelcomed development, Julian was groaning and moaning as he woke up.
It almost felt like it was the first time he was waking up and traveling back from Artemia again.
He quickly reached up for the LinkGear, carefully removing the device from his head as he sat up.
[Welcome back, Julian.] MEGAN¡¯s voice came through in his mind almost immediately, her tone laced with concern. [How¡ are you feeling?]
¡°Well¡ ugh.¡± Julian took a moment to answer, his body still adjusting to the sensation of being back to his real body. ¡°...I feel a little weird.¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
He started moving his arms, and it felt quite sore for some reason¡ªa different sore from usual.
[A little weird, huh¡ You said there¡¯s a lot you need to tell me. Did¡ anything happen while you were zoned out earlier?] MEGAN asked, [Did¡ you see visions again like last time?]
¡°Yes,¡± Julian let out a long and deep breath, ¡°I had a vision¡ and I saw humanoid daemons on Artemia.¡±
He didn¡¯t hesitate at all to reveal what he saw to her, and there was none in MEGAN¡¯s response either.
[...I¡¯ll start digging anything that might remotely connect to that. But¡ you¡¯re a Shadow Blacksmith now?]
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°My clone gave out before I could test it. I¡¯ll just do it once I return. And Ellie¡¯s¡ in the bath?¡±
[You know her. She should be done in¡ªOh, she¡¯s out.]
¡°Oh. Julian, you¡¯re back?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice came out along with the steam from the shower, cheerful and curious as she saw Julian awake.
¡°Did anything happen? MEGAN was just telling me there¡¯s been a lot of excitement going on in the Otherworld¡ªuh¡¡± She suddenly paused, her hands that were patting her hair dry also froze as her words trailed,
¡°When did you get a tattoo?¡± She asked.
¡°Tattoo?¡± Julian tilted his head slightly, the confusion evident in his voice.
¡°Yeah.¡± Ellie approached him, continuing to dry her hair as her gaze locked on his hand. ¡°Wait¡ when did you even get it? And why am I only noticing it now?¡±
[Julian¡ show me the back of your hands!] MEGAN¡¯s voice cut through the air with an edge of nervousness.
Julian raised his hands slowly, turning them as MEGAN instructed. And there, a faint mark was etched onto his skin¡ a very familiar mark.
[Julian¡ that¡¯s Searadyn¡¯s mark. Why¡ how¡?]
Ellie squinted, her breaths filled with worry as she noticed the tension in Julian¡¯s face¡ªan expression he never really makes unless something extremely serious has happened.
¡°Uh¡ Julian? What¡¯s going on?¡±
But Julian didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he quickly moved from the bed and instinctively reached for his cane.
But as soon as he did so, Ellie screamed.
¡°Julian, your hand!¡± Ellie rushed forward, pulling him away for some reason; the panic in her voice, piercing through Julian¡¯s ears. But before he could actually ask what was wrong, she stammered, ¡°Your¡ your hand¡ it just¡ it disappeared!? What the¡ What the fuck!?¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Julian was confused, but before his mind could even wander and wonder anything, he felt a familiar chill in his palm. He was holding something, something extremely familiar.
The shape of its handle was undeniable, a rapier. The remaining half of Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
[What the fuck¡] MEGAN¡¯s voice mirrored Ellie¡¯s shock. [Julian¡ your hand really just disappeared into the shadow, and now¡ how? What¡?]
It wasn¡¯t only Ellie and MEGAN who were shocked, Julian was too. His breaths grew heavy as he let go of the rapier, only for it to be swallowed by the shadow beneath his palm and vanish completely¡ªno. It didn¡¯t vanish at all. He felt it.
Searadyn¡¯s Veil was inside his shadow now.
¡°What the fuck was that!?¡± Ellie shrieked, almost stumbling back. ¡°Julian¡ what¡¯s happening!?¡±
¡°That¡¡± Julian began, but before he could form the words, something more unexpected happened.
[[So, this is your world, Julian Winters.]]
A floating set of words began to fill the void of his dark and blind world. It wasn¡¯t the [Guidance of Artemis], however, it was more raw.
The Master of Shadows.
¡°You¡¡± Julian whispered, extremely confused. He even tried to wipe his artificial eyes to make sure he wasn¡¯t hallucinating or experiencing visions again, ¡°...You followed me here?¡±
[Julian¡?] MEGAN was also confused as Julian was brushing her body, which is Julian¡¯s artificial eyes, [What are you doing?]
¡°Who are you talking to, Julian?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice also cracked in the air, ¡°You¡¯re scaring me. MEGAN, what¡¯s happening!?¡±
[I¡ I don¡¯t know!] MEGAN popped out from the holographic display on the wall; her face that was identical to Ellie, also expressing an identical look of utter concern.
[No one followed no one, Julian Winters.]
Julian couldn¡¯t really respond to MEGAN and Ellie as the words kept popping up in front of him¡ªno. It would be better to say that it was popping up inside his mind instead¡ªit was¡ a weird ¡°sight¡±.
[[You brought us here. And unfortunately for you, it would not just be us for long.]]
¡°...Us?¡± Julian¡¯s breath hitched.
And as if in response, another set of words emerged¡ªthis time calmer¡warmer. The [Guidance of Artemis].
[As we said before, Julian Winters, we are watching you. And today, we will truly be watching you everywhere. But as always, you have my guidance. Good luck, Julian Winters.]
¡°What?¡± Julian reached out instinctively, but the Guidance¡¯s words quickly faded into the darkness.
And all of a sudden, he felt himself not only blind, but deaf as a roaring silence screamed inside his mind.
The gods of Artemia¡ were watching him even on Earth now? What does that even mean? And... what does the [Guidance of Artemis] mean when it said he has its guidance?
Could it be?
Julian¡¯s breaths turned even heavier as he was about to try something ridiculous. He paused, covering his ears to calm himself down. And after a few moments, he whispered,
¡°Guidance.¡±
And there and then, as he uttered those words, a blue window and a familiar group of words appeared before his world of darkness.
¡°Julian?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice cut through the silence, trembling with desperation. She had a lot of questions, but when she saw Julian cover his ears, she swallowed them all and tried to be as comforting as possible, ¡°Are you okay? Do you need something? Do you want water?¡±
¡°Ellie¡¡± Julian quickly held Ellie¡¯s hands,
¡°I have something to tell you¡ and you might have to sit down for this one.¡±
***
Somewhere far from Julian¡¯s hotel room, another scene of chaos was happening somewhere on Earth.
The DCC, or Daemon Control Center was alive with activity. Well, it always is¡ªbut it was even more so now. The alarms blared, and glowing monitors filled the room shifting tens of images per second.
Uniformed personnel were running everywhere, screaming and pointing at each other.
¡°Report it! Call the Exterminator Guild! Just call anyone!¡±
¡°I¡¯m receiving a signal here too!¡±
¡°How many is that now? Are they all in unpopulated areas!?¡±
They were all yelling, most of them shuffling through the images and data streaming on the screens they were responsible for.
And above them all, watching from a window that oversaw the entire DCC, two figures were watching the chaos. They stood still, their faces pale with bewilderment.
¡°What¡ what did we just see?¡± One of them asked, her voice trembling and uncertain.
¡°We, Dr. Ling, just witnessed how daemons infiltrate our planet,¡± the other replied, his voice heavy with disbelief. He adjusted his glasses, staring intently at a specific monitor.
¡°Dr. Heinz¡¡± the woman, Dr. Ling, tried to calm herself, but she trailed off as the largest monitor also caught her eye.
Among the many screens filled with shifting and chaotic imagery, this large screen was eerily still. It was a barren field, but at the very center was a dark, swirling mass, its edges shimmering faintly as though distorting reality itself.
¡°It¡¯s a wormhole¡¡± Dr. Heinz whispered, leaning closer to the window, ¡°...a Portal?"
And from that portal, the daemons emerged. All different variants of them, flying out almost without end.
And it didn¡¯t seem like it was going to close anytime soon.
¡°...I think the planet might be in trouble.¡±
Chapter 66: Shrinking World
¡°Are you an Evil Spirit?¡±
¡°You¡¯re an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°Why are you an Evil Spirit?¡±
Julian sat in a cold, dimly lit prison cell. His arms were bound by heavy chains, he was drenched in a strange viscous substance that he truly hoped was just oil, and in front of him were people threatening to light him on fire.
They have been asking him the same questions over and over again for more than an hour now ever since he woke up in the world of Artemia, their voices sharp and as threatening as the torch they were holding.
Even with this, however, Julian remained still. His face extremely calm and almost stoic¡ªand even with all the questions being rained down upon him, he hasn¡¯t offered a single word, not once.
¡°You are truly not going to answer any of our questions?¡± One soldier stepped closer to him, the flames of the torch he was holding causing the shadows inside the cell to dance.
¡°We¡¯ve been trying to wake you for three days now.¡± The soldier asked, ¡°Why have you only just woken up?¡±
Julian could very well answer the question, but he just looked up at the soldier and sighed¡ªbecause several moments from now¡ something was about to happen.
***
Three days ago, Julian had told everything to Ellie.
He sat her down, telling her about how he had inherited the strength and abilities of his clone on Artemia, and he even told her about the visions and the creation of Artemia.
He¡¯d never really heard her so still and quiet, and the only sound that was whispering from her was her hands that were, at the very moment, just subconsciously drying her still-damp hair from having showered just moments ago.
She truly never expected to be presented with¡ whatever Julian told her.
¡°That¡ is crazy,¡± Ellie muttered after a long silence. Her voice seemed filled with disbelief, but from how she held Julian¡¯s hand, she believed him instantly.
¡°...Thank you for telling me, Julian.¡± Her voice trembled. She was right, everything Julian told him was crazy, insane¡ and yet she believed all the same.
How could she not, when she had seen Julian pull out a transparent sword just a few seconds ago from thin air, and then return the said sword into nothingness?
¡°So¡ you¡¯re like a superhero now, huh? That¡¯s¡ a little terrifying.¡± She chuckled softly.
¡°No. I just have¡ abilities.¡±
¡°So, MEGAN knew about this too?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Is that why she¡¯s hiding right now and not showing herself? Does she think I¡¯m going to get angry?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°No¡¡± Ellie breathed out, adjusting her bath robes as she softly chuckled, ¡°...It was for the best that no one else knows about this. One time, I read this documentary about the mutants who were born after World War 4, and they were experimented and hunted by-wait.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
Out of nowhere, Ellie¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line; her eyes narrowing as she stared at Julian.
¡°Julian, remember when you were interrogated by the police? And you told me it was because you talked to two of the loan sharks?¡±
¡°...Yes.¡±
¡°Did¡ you hurt them?¡±
Julian stiffened but didn¡¯t really answer. Fortunately for him, fate was on his side this time¡ªas he was about to open his mouth to speak, the sudden chime of the doorbell interrupted their talk.
Ellie did not immediately get up, her eyes still narrowing at Julian as he waited for him to answer. And Julian did the same, just sitting still without doing anything at all. But after a few moments, a small sigh escaped his lips and he said,
¡°...I would be lying to you if I said no.¡±
Ellie closed her eyes as she heard that, but with a short sniffle, she embraced Julian and whispered,
¡°Thank you¡ and I¡¯m sorry you had to do that for me.¡±
¡°No. I would do it again if I need to.¡± Julian brushed his fingers along Ellie¡¯s damp hair, ¡°You do not know how much I care for you, Ellie.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
¡°And you don¡¯t know how much I love you, Julian.¡± Ellie smiled and gasped. There were more words wanting to escape her lips, but the doorbell rang again and she just rushed away from Julian, adjusting her bath robes again as she made her way to the door.
As for Julian, he tilted his head to the side as he heard the familiar voices seeping in from the door.
¡°It¡¯s¡¡± She looked through the peephole, ¡°...Talia and the others? Were you expecting them?¡±
Ellie opened the door, and Cyrus strode in immediately.
¡°Ellie.¡± Cyrus just greeted her with a nod, his expression somewhat grim. And it wasn¡¯t only him, Talia, and even the incredibly chill Dyrroth were equally serious.
¡°Julian!¡± Cyrus raised his voice, ¡°You need to go back to Artemia. Now!¡±
¡°This¡ seems urgent.¡± Ellie clutched her bathrobe before getting clothes to wear and rushing to the bathroom, leaving Julian with his friends.
¡°You need to go back to Artemia,¡± Cyrus repeated, his tone even more serious.
¡°What¡¯s¡ going on?¡± Julian asked, but he was already reaching for his LinkGear that was resting on the side of the bed.
¡°We tried to stop it, my dudes¡¡± Dyrroth nervously chuckled.
¡°But you were taken by the Order of Artemia.¡± And Talia continued his words, ¡°We really did try to stop it, but we¡¯d be making a ruckus if we insisted any further. But right now, the Order¡¯s keeping you¡ªwell, your clone inside one of their prisons. Titus is keeping watch on you with that muscular girl, but he couldn¡¯t get inside.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian didn¡¯t hesitate at all. He put the LinkGear back on his head¡ but nothing happened. He even pressed the button to transfer his consciousness to Artemia manually. Still, nothing.
¡°What¡¯s¡ going on?¡± Cyrus started biting his nails.
¡°I¡¯m¡ still here.¡± Julian muttered, ¡°Is my clone¡ dead?¡±
¡°That¡ª¡±
And before anyone could answer, MEGAN¡¯s avatar popped out from the holographic display of the room.
[No. It¡¯s not.] MEGAN crossed her arms, [I have actually been talking to Humanity Engineering since I also watched your clone be dragged away by those goons, Julian¡ªand they have confirmed that your clone is alive and fully operational. They are currently investigating why you can¡¯t transfer, but the vital signs are perfectly stable.]
¡°Oh, good¡¡± Cyrus, Talia, and Dyrroth all instantly fell to the floor. Their breaths almost escaped from their lips on their own. Even Ellie, who just got out of the bathroom now fully dressed, let out a sigh of relief despite not knowing what was happening.
But while everyone began to relax, MEGAN raised her hand to get everyone¡¯s attention.
[That¡¯s not all, Julian. I am still talking with them now¡ªand they have sent you an invitation to visit their main office.]
¡°Visit?¡± Julian repeated, pulling the LinkGear from his head. ¡°Why?¡±
[They didn¡¯t specify,] MEGAN replied. [But they¡¯re requesting your presence at their headquarters on Ceres-9.]
¡°No way¡ You actually got an invitation to their main office?¡± Cyrus¡¯s eyes lit up as he looked at Julian, ¡°You should go, Sword Junkie! It¡¯s only in the next galaxy!¡±
¡°Wait, next galaxy¡?¡± Ellie crossed her arms, ¡°He¡¯s never been that far from Earth before¡ªwhen did they say this is again?¡±
[They¡¯ve offered to send an escort to pick him up immediately,] MEGAN said. [They seem very eager to meet him.]
¡°Huh¡¡± Julian hummed. He was about to refuse¡ªafter all, he would essentially be surrounded by the universe¡¯s most intelligent people¡ªthere was a chance that someone there would notice that something was wrong with him.
[I know what you¡¯re thinking, Julian.] MEGAN whispered in his mind before he could decide, [But it will be more suspicious to decline. Everyone, and I mean everyone would jump at the chance to visit Humanity Engineering¡¯s main headquarters. If we refuse¡ it¡¯ll only raise questions.]
¡°...Very well,¡± Julian trusted MEGAN¡¯s words almost immediately as he grabbed his cane and stood up from the bed, ¡°Let¡¯s hear what they want.¡±
And half an hour later, someone was already ringing the doorbell. Cyrus rushed to open it, and there, a tall and extremely professional-looking woman stood. Cyrus felt himself shrinking as he met eyes with the woman, but she did not seem to care at all as her gaze quickly fell onto Julian.
¡°Good evening, Mr. Winters.¡± The woman bowed her head despite knowing that Julian was blind, ¡°My name is Victoria, and I will be your escort today. I¡¯ve been dispatched to take you to Humanity Engineering¡¯s main office on Ceres-9.¡±
[Julian¡ she¡¯s not human.] MEGAN whispered.
¡°Hm. I know.¡± Julian¡¯s nose slightly twitched. Victoria did not smell human at all, and even though she looked incredibly human to the others, the scent and humming of the metal inside her was clear to Julian¡ªhe doesn¡¯t know when it happened, but his senses have continued to improve to the point that he could actually hear someone¡¯s heartbeat even from meters away now.
Victoria was an android.
¡°I assume that Mrs. Winters will be coming with us?¡± Victoria¡¯s eyes turned toward Ellie.
¡°Mrs¡?¡± Cyrus, Talia, and Dyrroth all turned their attention to Ellie, ¡°When did the two of you get married?¡±
¡°We¡ we haven¡¯t.¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked at Victoria. In truth, she had actually been searching the internet about marriage and all that stuff¡ªwas¡ Humanity Engineering buying their data?
¡°I apologize.¡± Victoria bowed her head, ¡°Based on the profile they have given me, I assumed the two of you were married¡ªbut will you be the one coming with Mr. Winters, correct? Since he is a GNVI, he would need a guardian to leave the Sol System.¡±
¡°Uhm¡¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes before nodding, ¡°...Yes. I¡¯ll be the one coming with him.¡±
¡°Good.¡± Victoria once again bowed her head, ¡°Please, if you follow me¡
¡I will take you to your vehicle.¡±
***
In another part of Earth, the Daemon Control Center still buzzed with activity, perhaps even worse now. The room was bathed in red warning lights, but the voices of the people running around dominated the entire hall that was filled with images of daemons.
There were hundreds of drones now hovering above the Portal that opened somewhere in a vast deserted area located in the Sahara, raining fire upon all the daemons that emerged from it.
¡°Have we gotten a response from the Exterminator Guild yet!?¡±
¡°I¡¯m picking up activity on the western perimeter!¡±
¡°It¡¯s a mass of flying daemons! Our drones are sitting ducks out there!¡±
And while the chaos continued, the two heads of the DCC, Dr. Heinz and Dr. Ling, continued to watch what was happening. They exchanged grim looks as they monitored the battle from their elevated station.
¡°This is a waste of resources,¡± Dr. Ling muttered, her tone sharp. ¡°We should send in strike drones, no one lives there.¡±
¡°No. Let¡¯s just go with your earlier suggestion.¡± Dr. Heinz shook his head.
¡°Are¡ you sure?¡± Dr. Ling''s face immediately lit up in excitement.
¡°Yes. It¡¯s time we see what¡¯s on the inside. Send a wired drone inside the portal¡
¡It¡¯s time we see what¡¯s on the inside.¡±
Chapter 67: Love and Daemons
¡°This¡ feels so extra?¡±
When they were told they would be escorted, Ellie initially thought Victoria would simply guide them¡ªbut it turned out to be an entire convoy. Of course, that wasn¡¯t even the most extravagant part.
A literal red carpet was rolled out, leading them to their vehicle.
¡°Doesn¡¯t it feel like¡ we¡¯re celebrities?¡± Ellie whispered, hesitating to even step on the carpet. ¡°Well, I know you¡¯re some kind of celebrity now¡ but if I knew this was going to happen, I would¡¯ve worn something more formal than a short dress.¡±
¡°I think you look beautiful, Ellie.¡±
¡°Thank¡ªHey!¡± Ellie lightly pushed Julian away, but her soft giggle betrayed her playful irritation. She quickly looped her arm around his, pulling him close.
¡°But that car¡¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes as they approached the vehicle. Its design was sleek, its surface reflecting the sky so perfectly that it appeared almost invisible. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen that kind before.¡±
¡°I wasn¡¯t aware you knew a lot about cars,¡± Julian whispered.
¡°Uh!? I used to have a car, remember? I can at least recognize the cars I¡¯ve seen in the air!¡±
Ellie¡¯s hesitance lingered as they neared the luxurious vehicle. Victoria, noticing this, stepped ahead and gestured for them to proceed.
¡°And you would be right, Ms. Summers,¡± Victoria said with a polite smile. ¡°This is Humanity Engineering¡¯s company vehicle¡ªboth capable of atmospheric and interstellar travel.¡±
The car doors opened automatically as she spoke, revealing an interior that made even the lavish hotel they had stayed in pale in comparison. It was more like stepping into a private suite than a vehicle.
Ellie¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight, and she wasted no time pulling Julian inside. She gently helped him settle into one of the plush seats before her gaze darted around the interior as she marveled at every detail.
¡°It¡ really feels like we¡¯re VIPs, Julian,¡± she whispered.
Victoria, clearly overhearing her, smiled as the car doors began to close. ¡°It is because you are, Ms. Summers¡ªyou are a category 3 person, and Mr. Winters is a category 5.¡±
¡°Category what now?¡± Ellie leaned forward, peering at Victoria in confusion, but the doors had already closed, leaving her question unanswered.
¡°What¡¯s¡ with that?¡± Ellie narrowed her eyes as she moved closer to Julian, ¡°They put people in categories? I¡¯ve heard a lot of bad things about Humanity Engineering on the net¡ maybe they¡¯re actually true?¡±
Julian did not really know how to respond to that at all, and Ellie just once again chuckled as she relaxed in her seat and started fiddling with everything. She did, however, stop when the previously fully tinted windows and moonroof uncovered the world outside¡ and they had actually already left Earth.
¡°I¡ didn¡¯t even feel it.¡± Ellie gasped as she looked outside. But while she wasn¡¯t feeling anything, Julian was feeling it all; his senses were picking up on every minute motion, causing him to just sit still.
¡°Hmn¡¡± Ellie, of course, noticed that immediately as she returned to his side, placing his arms around her so that he would stop tapping it on his knee, ¡°We¡¯re already in space...is MEGAN describing you what we¡¯re seeing now?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian started to relax as the sound of Ellie¡¯s heart beating drummed, he felt it resounding through his entire body even more so than her warmth, ¡°And I somewhat have an image in my mind of what you¡¯re seeing¡ªI saw flowers very much like it.¡±
¡°Flowers¡?¡± Ellie¡¯s voice started to become quiet, ¡°That¡ sounds romantic. Did you see it in the Otherworld?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed as he brushed his fingers across Ellie¡¯s hair.
¡°...I wonder if I could also join you there someday.¡± Ellie sighed as she rested her head on his chest, ¡°I want you to see me.¡±
¡°I see you, Ellie. You¡¯re already all I see.¡±
¡°Hmn¡¡± Ellie closed her eyes as she tightened her fingers around Julian¡¯s thick and dense arm.
[I would appreciate it if you did not try to have sexual intercourse inside the car.] This solemn and peaceful moment, however, was interrupted by Victoria¡¯s voice,
[Might I suggest that you look at the sights instead, Ms. Summers?]
¡°Wha¡ª¡± Ellie immediately pulled herself away, her face turning red with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to respond, but her words were stolen as her gaze locked onto the window displaying the colorful planet they were passing by. Her breath caught, her earlier fluster forgotten.
¡°...We¡¯re already passing Mars?¡±
Due to Martian land laws, the nature and wildlife of the planet have been preserved from the time it was fully terraformed¡ªit was humanity¡¯s first attempt, and it held a very special place in history.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The real estate was also much higher, and most of the people who buy land there also prefer to keep it one with nature, unlike Earth which has already completely integrated technology into its roots, quite literally.
¡°You know¡ I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if we were born on Mars.¡± Ellie sighed.
¡°You¡ were born on Mars.¡±
¡°You know what I mean.¡± Ellie groaned, ¡°My parents had to move to Earth when they had me and all that stuff.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed, ¡°Your life might have been better if you stayed on Mars.¡±
¡°Pft, no. Not a chance.¡± Ellie violently shook her head as she once again rested her entire body on Julian, ¡°Then I wouldn¡¯t have met you. I would take all the suffering and heartaches as long as I can be with you, Julian. And I know¡ I know that you can never love me the way I want you to love me, and that¡¯s okay. That¡¯s fine¡
¡I will love enough for the both of us.¡±
Julian did not really respond, and instead just rested his cheek on Ellie¡¯s head; the two of them, just letting the sound of their hearts speak for them.
After several more minutes of this silence, another gasp escaped Ellie¡¯s lips as she stared outside. How could she not, when the previously vast emptiness of space suddenly gave way to an enormous¡ªno, to a colossal structure?
It was a ring that seemed to stretch endlessly. Lights and energy pulsated across its surface like veins, but that was not what made Ellie gasp, it was what was inside the ring.
¡°Is that¡ the Radiant Gate?¡± Ellie leaned forward in her seat.
[Yes,] Victoria¡¯s voice once again hovered inside the cabin, [One of humanity¡¯s greatest achievements, constructed in the last quarter of the 7th Millennium¡ªit has allowed humanity to travel the cosmos, making a distance of hundreds of thousands of lightyears of travel in a single second.]
¡°Huh¡¡± Ellie¡¯s awe deepened. ¡°I¡¯ve only seen it in documentaries. We were supposed to visit it back in school but it was canceled.¡±
The Radiant Gate shimmered, and Julian felt the subtle vibrations that were seeping from it even though it was still tens of thousands of kilometers away from their vehicle. And as they got closer and closer, MEGAN, who had been keeping quiet the entire time, popped up from the car¡¯s holographic display.
[Victoria here also forgot to mention that the invention of the Radiant Gates also led to the surfacing of the Daemons,] MEGAN said while raising a finger, [It is believed that the daemons have detected Earth and humanity due to the energy signatures it emitted.]
[Because that has not been proven.] Victoria followed up.
[You are only saying that because Humanity Engineering can be connected to the company that developed the Radiant Gates.] MEGAN scoffed.
[I will not participate in this debate.]
[That¡¯s righ¡ª]
[Mr. Winters, Ms. Summers.] Victoria did not let MEGAN speak again, the volume of her voice rising as she addressed Julian and Ellie instead, [You will feel a brief shift in gravity¡ªand since I have been made aware that this is your first time passing through the Radiant Gate, you will feel slightly disoriented.]
As they got even closer to the Radiant Gate, the vehicle slowed and everything began to vibrate. There were other ships there, some even larger than the buildings back on Earth¡ªbut no matter how big they were, as soon as they passed through the inside of the ring, they disappeared.
The inside of the Radiant Gate did not seem special at all, it just felt and looked like a black hole. Well, not necessarily a black hole, but a void¡
¡very much similar to the one that just appeared on Earth.
***
Back in the DCC, the chaos that had once plagued it was now almost non-existent. Well, that is if you only look at them¡ªif one were to actually listen with their ears, one would hear how loud everyone was breathing.
And everyone¡¯s breaths were stuttered, and most of their feet were tapping the floor in either anticipation, fear¡ or both.
The monitors which were previously showing different feeds were now all synchronized to just show one single feed¡ªits point of view, the circular void where the daemons were coming from.
Of course, unlike the Radiant Gate, there was a twirling vortex of¡ something dancing along the portal¡¯s silhouette; faint streaks of violet and crimson, perhaps a visual representation of how ominous the inside would be.
¡°T-minus 1 minute,¡± a technician reported, his voice slightly trembling as he watched the portal grow closer and closer. And as the screen was filled with nothing but black, everyone held their breaths.
The screen distorted momentarily, a violent static crackling as the drone finally passed through the portal. And for a very brief moment, everyone was truly, completely silent.
None of them really knew if this was going to work, or if they were even going to see something inside. They¡¯ve already attached several wires to the drone since their wireless feed might not work at all, but they were still unsure if it would actually survive in the first place.
But soon, the screen lit up again, revealing a barren, and alien landscape. Alien¡ªthat was really the only thing they could describe it as.
Even with humanity¡¯s experience with space travel, even with the millions of planets they have landed on¡ªthe place they were seeing on the screen right now was completely alien.
¡°Releasing Survey Drone.¡± The technician broke the silence. And soon, at the very center of the DCC, a holographic map of the surrounding area lit up¡ and everyone just stared at it.
¡°What¡ is this place?¡±
Jagged rocks were jutted from the ground, almost like the spines of a colossal beast¡ªand maybe it was? But that wasn¡¯t what made everyone just freeze and stare in awe, no. It was the mass of rocks and debris floating in the air.
From the data they were receiving from their drone, the gravity of the plane was higher than Earth¡¯s¡ and yet boulders as large as cars were floating in the air?
¡°And once again, humanity discovers change.¡± Dr. Heinz stared from above, ¡°What do you think about this, Dr. Ling? Uh¡ Dr. Ling?¡±
Dr. Heinz looked around for his partner, only to see her down the control area along with the other scientists and technicians.
¡°Where¡¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°...Where are the daemons who keep emerging from the Portal? Where are the daemons!?¡±
Dr. Ling then changed one of the monitors back to the outside, only for everyone to see daemons still crawling and flying out of the portal¡ªand yet it was relatively peaceful on the other side.
¡°Uhm¡ the survey drone is picking up a weird energy signature.¡± The technician announced.
¡°Pull it up. Quick!¡±
The map of the mysterious plane zoomed in on a sort of¡
¡°Is that¡ a tower?¡± Dr. Ling blinked a couple of times as she stared at the structure, ¡°That¡¯s¡ that¡¯s a building. That would mean that¡ did the daemons build it? But they¡¯re supposed to be mindless creatures. Wait¡ just¡¡±
¡°Calm down.¡± And finally, Dr. Heinz also left the observation deck overseeing the entire DCC, placing his hand on Dr. Ling¡¯s shoulder to calm her down, ¡°We don¡¯t know anything yet.¡±
¡°And that¡¯s what¡¯s scary.¡± Dr. Ling smiled nervously, ¡°Can we get a read on the tower? We need more data on this, it¡ª¡±
And before Dr. Ling could finish her words, the screen turned black and the hologram disappeared.
¡°What happened!?¡±
¡°A daemon swiped the drone!¡± The technician roared, ¡°We lost the connection!¡±
¡°Then send in more drones! We¡ªno¡¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s voice suddenly lowered as she glanced at her partner, ¡°...Drones won¡¯t be enough, we need a human inside the portal. I¡¯ll go in.¡±
¡°What?¡± Dr. Heinz¡¯s eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists, ¡°Are you crazy?¡±
¡°I won¡¯t be going alone!¡± Dr. Ling removed her coat as she just rushed away,
¡°I¡¯ll¡ take one of the Exterminator teams with me!¡±
Chapter 68: A Familiar World
[We are about to enter through the Radiant Gate. Mr. Winters, Ms. Summers, please refrain from moving too much while we pass through the gate.]
¡°Isn¡¯t this¡ quite exciting?¡±
Even with Victoria¡¯s calm voice coming through the speakers, Julian could feel Ellie¡¯s stammered breaths and the trembling grip of her fingers on his arm. She clung to him tightly, forcing herself to sound like she was having fun.
Ellie always tried to project strength, even in her darkest moments. He remembered how, after being beaten nearly to death by loan sharks, she never once showed her fear to him¡ªnot in words or actions.
But Julian knew. He always knew.
Now, in moments like this, she allowed tiny cracks to show, small glimpses of her vulnerability. Even then, she tried to mask her fear in playful tones.
Julian could acknowledge this and comfort her outright, but he remembered his therapist¡¯s advice from his childhood: sometimes, the best way to help someone who hides their pain is to simply be there.
So that¡¯s what he did. He said nothing, offering his silent presence and wrapping an arm around her waist, holding her close to remind her he was there.
This comfort wasn¡¯t only for her¡ªJulian felt uneasy as well.
He didn¡¯t know what it was; whether it was the heavy vibrations that he was feeling everywhere, or if it was the weird humming that was whispering from the Radiant Gate. And even though he couldn¡¯t see it at all, he knew that it was colossal just for the fact that he could hear the hums also coming from everywhere.
He was just feeling¡ confused.
¡°It almost feels like we¡¯re about to dive deep into the ocean,¡± Ellie whispered, her voice quieter now as she pressed closer to him. ¡°It feels¡ suffocating somehow.¡±
¡°Hm,¡± Julian replied, his fingers brushing against her arm to reassure her.
And as the vibrations grew stronger, Victoria¡¯s voice once again resounded from the speakers. [We are entering the Radiant Gate in 3¡ 2¡]
Julian instinctively held his breath, his body tensing as the vibrations intensified, clinging to his skin like a second layer. But then, almost as quickly as they came, they were gone.
The vibrations vanished. The humming silenced.
And so did Ellie¡¯s warmth.
¡°Ellie?¡± Julian¡¯s voice was sharp, breaking through the silence as he realized her presence was gone. His hand reached out, searching for her, but he found nothing.
But as he sat up straight, he also realized another thing¡ªhe wasn¡¯t sitting at all, nor was he standing.
He was just floating, floating in the nothingness of darkness.
¡°What¡ what are they doing to him, Jayce!? What are they doing to our baby boy!?¡±
¡°Charlotte, please¡ they¡¯re only checking on him, okay?¡±
And all of a sudden, Julian once again found himself wrapped around the familiar voices of his parents. And now that he was calming down, he finally felt the familiar feeling of this place of nothingness¡ªit was the very same void he had experienced back on Artemia, when he was pulled down into Erin¡¯s grave.
Memories.
Memories from when he was a little boy, a toddler. Memories that he shouldn¡¯t even remember.
¡°He was fine! Our Julian was fine! Why¡ why is he¡I told you, Jayce. I told you a hundred times that I didn¡¯t like this place at all! We¡ we should have stayed at¡ª¡±
¡°We would already be dead if we stayed! They would have murdered him! Charlotte, just please¡ I know¡ I know it¡¯s hard, but please¡ we¡¯re supposed to be a team.¡±
¡°Then support me!¡±
¡°I am! What do you think I¡¯m doing¡? Did you think I wanted our child to be¡ to be different?¡±
From how they were fighting and shouting at each other¡ªwas this the moment they found out that there was something wrong with him?
It was probably hard for them, Julian thought. To have a defective child.
¡°This¡ this is my fault¡ I knew¡ I knew that you and I, Jayce¡ that we weren¡¯t supposed to be. I¡ I should have been content with just the two of us... I shouldn¡¯t have¡ I shouldn¡¯t have brought him into this world.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t say that¡ we both wanted this.¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with him, Jayce. He¡¯s perfect¡¡±
¡°I know.¡±
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
¡°We¡ we don¡¯t belong here, Jayce¡ We don¡¯t belong here.¡±
¡°Julian, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
And as Ellie¡¯s voice suddenly cut through the darkness, Julian once again found himself wrapped in her warmth and her weight. The vibrations, returning and once again harassing his senses.
¡°You just kinda spaced out on me while we were talking,¡± she whispered, poking his cheek in her usual playful manner.
¡°We¡ were talking?¡± Julian¡¯s voice held a tinge of confusion as he tilted his head, trying to recalibrate himself to his surroundings. ¡°What were we talking about?¡±
¡°What? Seriously? We were talking about¡ªyou know what, it doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re here.¡±
¡°Here?¡± Julian repeated, tilting his head again. This time, he focused on the vibrations outside, and sure enough, it was different from what he remembered before he blacked out.
¡°I thought we were going to pass three Radiant Gates?¡± he asked, bewildered by how quickly they seemed to have arrived.
¡°We¡ have.¡± Ellie¡¯s words stretched as Julian could feel her leaning closer to him, ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me you fell asleep? You were literally just talking a while ago.¡±
¡°I¡ was talking?¡± Julian was now even more confused. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t really have any time to ask what exactly went on as the car doors opened for them.
And almost immediately, a familiar scent overwhelmed his senses¡ªa scent so vivid, so raw, it felt out of place. It was almost devoid of the metallic tang of technology and instead carried the earthy aroma of untouched nature. It was the scent of adventure¡ of Artemia.
¡°Wow¡¡± Ellie stepped out of the car while holding Julian¡¯s hand, ¡°...Look at this place. I¡¯ve never seen so many plants in my life, Julian. I¡¯ve seen holographs of Mars, and even that doesn¡¯t compare to¡ this.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t think copying Mars was their intention,¡± Julian replied quietly, inhaling deeply. The scent wrapped around him like a memory. ¡°I can smell Artemia in this place, Ellie.¡±
¡°Artemia¡¡± Ellie whispered, her voice carrying a sense of wonder. ¡°...That¡¯s the country in the Otherworld, right?¡±
And before Julian could answer, Victoria once again made herself known,
"It is what they call their planet, Ms. Summers.¡± Victoria said as she once again gestured to the two to follow her, ¡°And Mr. Winters would be right¡ªHumanity Engineering has spent a decade configuring the plant life on Ceres-9 to be as close to what Artemia has natively. It has been a difficult journey, of course. Now, please¡ I do believe they are already waiting for us.¡±
[These Humanity Engineering have quite the fetish, huh. They made their android so life-like¡ isn¡¯t that illegal.]
¡°MEGAN? Shhh¡¡± Ellie hissed, instinctively covering her watch as MEGAN¡¯s avatar appeared on its small screen. She shot a quick, apologetic smile at Victoria when the android glanced back, masking her surprise. ¡°...Maybe it¡¯s not the best time or place to be talking about them like that. And¡ wait¡ Victoria¡¯s an android? I¡ didn¡¯t even notice. I thought she was just stern.¡±
[The two of you don¡¯t have to worry, I¡¯m overclocking myself so that when I detect anything suspicious, I¡¯ll immediately contact the space force.] MEGAN whispered, [I¡¯ll be quiet for now. Over and out.]
¡°She¡¯s¡ been really happy lately, huh?¡± Ellie softly chuckled before wrapping her arms around Julian¡¯s again, ¡°But this place¡ªArtemia¡¯s really like this?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian tapped his cane on the ground, his senses literally extending through the vibrations around him as he inhaled deeply. ¡°Minus all the tech I¡¯m hearing.¡±
¡°Tech¡?¡± Ellie glanced back, but their car was already gone, ¡°What tech?¡±
¡°There are multiple cameras around us, Ellie.¡±
¡°There¡ are?¡± Ellie stiffened slightly, standing a little straighter and adjusting her dress as the words sank in. ¡°It¡ just feels like we¡¯re in a large garden. And that flower¡¯s glowing! Was¡ that what you meant earlier?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, he couldn¡¯t really confirm since he wasn¡¯t sure himself. The scent might be similar, but there was also something different about it.
There were other people there too, all wearing lab coats. Ellie tried greeting one of them, but it was almost as if they didn¡¯t even see her at all as they just rushed to whatever it was they were doing.
¡°Everyone¡ seems so busy.¡±
Victoria continued to lead them across the sprawling facility, her heels clicking against the ground in rhythmic precision. Soon, their path took them through a panoramic tunnel, where the glass walls offered a sweeping view of the vast jungle outside.
¡°Huh¡¡± Ellie brushed her hand across the glass, wondering why they suddenly put up a barrier. But as she saw some of the tall and large leaves moving from afar, she quickly retracted her hand and just continued following Victoria.
As for Julian, his breath was slightly taking a pause as he could hear several creatures from outside the tunnel. Before he could actually make them out, however, they reached a large biodome.
The biodome was devoid of trees, instead hosting an expansive garden bursting with color. Orchids and plants Ellie had never even imagined lined the pathways and walls. She turned her head in awe, unable to comprehend the sheer variety of flora.
But then again, with thousands and thousands of habitable planets discovered, it would be rarer to actually know all the plant life reflecting in her eyes.
There were rows of colorful flowers throughout the biodome, some even crawling across the walls of the dome itself, the color was almost too much for Ellie as she just instinctively focused at the center of the dome, where she could see several people already there and looking at them.
¡°Mr. Winters, Ms. Summers. Please, go ahead,¡± Victoria said, halting just shy of stepping onto the metallic platform that stood in stark contrast to the natural surroundings. ¡°The others are already waiting for you.¡±
¡°O¡kay?¡± Ellie also bowed her head when Victoria did.
¡°Thank you, Victoria,¡± Julian said.
¡°I am only doing my job, Mr. Winters.¡±
¡°But still, thank you.¡± Julian insisted before he and Ellie made their way to the center of the dome, where the people all let out different reactions as they approached. Julian could hear most of them letting out sighs of relief, while the others¡ did not seem quite welcoming.
¡°Julian Winters, we have been waiting for you.¡± A man with a loud, and robust voice almost like the sound of a drum was the first to greet Julian. The man stretched out his hand to him, and Ellie had to nudge Julian before he shook the man¡¯s hand.
¡°Oh¡ right. I apologize.¡± The man cleared his throat, ¡°My name¡¯s Michael, I am¡ well, I don¡¯t really have a set position in the company. You can just say I am one of Humanity Engineering¡¯s¡ data analysts.¡±
¡°Hello.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°My name¡¯s Julian, and this is Ellie.¡±
¡°Good afternoon, Ms. Ellie.¡±
¡°Oh¡ no, please¡¡± Ellie raised both palms, smiling awkwardly as Michael greeted her. ¡°...Just pretend I¡¯m not here.¡±
¡°Right,¡± Michael nodded and clapped his hands as he stepped back. ¡°Since we¡¯re all here, I suppose it¡¯s fitting that everyone introduces themselves.¡±
¡°Do we really have to?¡±
¡°But we already know each other.¡±
¡°There is nothing wrong with introducing ourselves again.¡±
¡°You really think the blind guy¡¯s going to make any difference?¡±
And as the other people gathered there started talking, Ellie could not help but slightly gasp as she did not like the tone some of them were using at all. She was about to say something, but Julian pulled her closer as soon as he felt her starting to get agitated.
And as the chatter continued, Julian raised his hand, instantly silencing the room.
¡°May I ask why you invited me here?¡± His tone was casual, almost disinterested. ¡°I still don¡¯t know why I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°Oh, right. Right¡¡± Michael cleared his throat, ¡°...Well, Mr. Winters¡ªwe have gathered the 5 of you here, not counting the lovely Ms. Ellie, of course, to explore a dungeon you should actually be still quite familiar with¡ªthe beginner dungeon near Ethaca, or rather¡ the hidden quest that you and your party discovered.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian tilted his head.
Right. It had been Humanity Engineering who bought the information about the Hidden Quest.
And if the others here were also personally invited¡
¡°Then I suppose everyone else here has a Unique Class?¡±
Chapter 69: Mysteries on All Sides
¡°What do you think about the other guys, Julian? I don¡¯t like the bald one with a lot of cyberwares.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve only known them for less than an hour. Ask me again after a week.¡±
¡°Hmn¡ are you really sure there aren¡¯t any cameras here?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t think it matters anymore, Ellie. We already did it.¡±
¡°Well, I couldn¡¯t help it. Okay?¡±
Julian stood in front of a tinted window, completely still as he stared at the vibrant garden that stretched endlessly before him.
It was beautiful, very much so. The garden seemed to be so meticulously designed that one could stare at it and never get tired of it¡ªalmost like an abstract painting worth a million words. And yet, he couldn¡¯t really see any of that. It was only MEGAN¡¯s voice inside his mind that made it so beautiful, the way she described it to him.
They were far away from where he stood, yet it almost seemed as if he could feel the subtle vibrations of each petal swaying across his bare skin.
Bare skin¡ªyes, Julian was completely naked.
And behind him, Ellie¡¯s light footsteps approached; her warmth, enveloping him from behind as she wrapped her arms securely around his waist. She rested her cheek against his back, seemingly wanting to hear his heart that barely changes beat.
¡°Just come back to bed, what are you even thinking about?¡± She whispered, ¡°And stop standing in front of the windows naked.¡±
¡°You said they were tinted.¡± Julian smiled, ¡°And¡ I want to listen to what¡¯s out there.¡±
After the much eventful introduction with the four other players who also had unique classes on Otherworld, Humanity Engineering asked Julian if he wanted to join the party to do the Hidden Quest with them.
The wise answer would have been no, but once again, MEGAN warned that it would be more suspicious not to accept it and it might even put Humanity Engineering behind his back¡ if they weren¡¯t already, that is.
And so, Julian and Ellie were still on Ceres-9, in a nice, luxurious room provided to them by Humanity Engineering, and they will be there for the duration of the Hidden Quest. His LinkGear was also delivered to Ceres-9 with Cyrus¡¯s help.
Unfortunately, they can¡¯t go ahead with the hidden quest just yet as Julian is still unable to transfer his consciousness to his clone. Suffice it to say, his new party members who were already a little off with him were starting to get even more impatient, and they weren¡¯t afraid to show it to him.
If it wasn¡¯t for Julian pulling Ellie away, there would have been a lot of¡ unpleasant words exchanged.
¡°Does your back still hurt?¡± Ellie asked as she started massaging his back.
¡°I think I just need to stretch it.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°I might go to the gym.¡±
¡°The gym they showed us in the tour? ...Isn¡¯t it like late already? I don¡¯t see any more people outside. Even those crazy scientists that were running around are gone.¡±
¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going now. Do you want to come with me¡?¡±
¡°Well, duh?¡± Ellie groaned as she skipped away toward the closet, ¡°You have like crazy superpowers now, but it would be weird if they see you roaming around without me. Wait¡ hm¡ I swear I saw them give us some gym clothes¡
¡Ah! Here it is! Weird¡ they even know our sizes.¡±
***
While Julian and Ellie remained on Ceres-9, enjoying a somewhat calm but worrisome tension, the silent chaos unfolding at the Daemon Control Center was anything but calm.
Everyone was holding whatever they could hold onto as tight as they could. How could they not?
Every set of eyes in the room was glued to the monitors, where they could see Dr. Ling sprinting for her life.
¡°Dr. Ling, get out of there now! Get out!¡± Dr. Heinz¡¯s voice roared through the comms, desperation bleeding into every syllable.
And from the speakers, Dr. Ling¡¯s stammering reply crackled. [I can¡¯t! We¡¯re so close to the Tower!]
What was supposed to be an exploratory mission into the Daemon Plane turned into a nightmare. Yes, the term Daemon Plane was decided just a few hours ago before Dr. Ling decided to walk through the portal.
Everyone sighed in relief and celebrated as nothing happened to Dr. Ling and the Explorer team she was with when they stepped through the portal¡ªbut of course, that celebration was short-lived.
¡°There is no ¡®we¡¯ anymore! The exterminator team you¡¯re with are all dead!¡± Dr. Heinz¡¯s voice snapped, his stress showing from the veins on his forehead, ¡°Get out! We¡¯re sending in the Quark Drones to blow the entire thing up!¡±
[Then all the more reason to get to the Tower!] Dr. Ling¡¯s voice wavered between panic and determination as she darted between jagged rocks and ruined terrain. And she wasn¡¯t alone, the faint screeching of daemons echoed through the speakers, chilling everyone in the room.
[People have already died! We need to get data on this! Send me some androids, no more lives should be lost in this!]
¡°Damn you¡¡± Dr. Heinz gritted his teeth, ¡°We¡¯ve already wasted too much resource on this! Sending in androids would shut us down!¡±
[No, God damn you, Heinz! Fuck the money!] Dr. Ling screamed, her breath hitching as the screeches grew louder, closer.
A tense silence filled the DCC room as Heinz¡¯s expression hardened. Finally, he growled under his breath.
¡°...Fuck.¡± He turned to one of his assistants. ¡°We¡¯ll just send in another Exterminator team. But they will be there to rescue you, nothing else.¡±
[No!] Dr. Ling¡¯s voice blasted through the speakers again, but Dr. Heinz ignored her this time.
¡°That¡¯s not negotiable anymore,¡± he said coldly, ¡°Do we have another Exterminator team free?¡±
The assistant hesitated for a moment, checking the roster on their monitor before replying.
¡°Yes¡ the Phantom Brigade responded.¡±
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
***
Back on the relatively calm Ceres-9, Julian and Ellie were already in the gym.
And as they already expected, it was completely empty. Even then, however, Julian took a moment to confirm there were no cameras, tapping his foot lightly on the floor and walls to pick up any vibrations that might indicate any hidden devices. MEGAN had double-checked for him as well, checking if there were any wireless connections they needed to be worried about.
[Yup, yup¡ All clear, Julian. No cameras, no surveillance¡ªnothing here but you and Ellie.] MEGAN confirmed.
And while Julian was only getting started, Ellie was already running on the treadmill, her pace steady as the soft hum of the machine filled the room.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian listened to her breaths as he started stretching his neck and arms. And with a heavy breath of his own, he whispered, ¡°Guidance¡¡±
***
[STATUS]
Name: Julian Winters
Class: Shadow Blacksmith
Level: 15
Health (HP): 240/240
Mana (MP): 90/90
Stamina (SP): 181/182
Strength: 38
Agility: 27
Vitality: 22
Mana: 10
Perception: 30^
Free Points: 0
Skills:
Shadow Forge ¡ª Your mind and spirit are able to enter the Shadow Dimension, a timeless domain created by your will and the will of those before you. The forge exists beyond mortal constraints, granting you the freedom to craft anything, everywhere.
MP Cost: 1 MP per Minute while inside the Shadow Forge. Cooldown: None
More details: By submerging your hand into the shadows, you can access the Shadow Forge. Time flows differently inside the Shadow Forge, it does not flow at all. The space within is connected to your Shadow Vault, where you can seamlessly access everything you have stored. Once your spirit leaves the Shadow Forge, your physical body will be in the exact position, space, and time it was before you entered the domain.
Shadow Festival ¡ª The shadows are your domain, and distance is an illusion within them. Slip through the very confines and constraints of space itself, traversing anywhere and everywhere without limits instantaneously.
Domain Range: 10sqm. MP Cost: 10 Mana per Second. Cooldown: 3 minutes
More details: You are able to create a territory within a set area. While Shadow Festival is active, you are able to freely teleport anywhere within the area. Anyone caught within your range is plunged into a world of illusions, where the shadows dance and create chaos, making things appear farther or closer than they actually are and making it nearly impossible for them to predict your movements.
Shadow Sculpt ¡ª Bend shadows to your will, turning them into solid tangible forms. The complexity of your sculptures depends on your Perception. The durability and duration depend on the Mana spent.
MP Cost: Conditional Cooldown: None
Abilities:
Hyper Instinct - Due to some unknown factor undetected by the [Guidance of Artemis], your senses are highly abnormal. All Skills affected by Perception will have increased effectiveness.
Flames of Searadyn - An Avatar of Searadyn has sworn eternal loyalty to you, granting you the ability to manipulate the flames of the Spirit of Frostfire.
Shadow Vault ¨C By submerging your hands into the shadows, you are able to store crafting materials, tools, and weapons you have created in a limited pocket dimension.
More details: Note that any other objects not designated or related to crafting will be spat out. The size of the pocket dimension will grow bigger when certain conditions are met. The limit of object types you can place inside the Shadow Vault will change when certain conditions are met.
Current Storable Objects: Forging materials, Forging Tools, Crafted Weapons.
Current Storage Area: 15cbm
Null Presence ¨C You are the shadow itself. You exist and do not at the same time. With massive concentration and focus, you are able to blend seamlessly with the space around you instinctively, becoming almost undetectable. By your will, your presence can be fully erased when standing still.
More details: Note that this effect is lessened or completely canceled for those with a higher Perception than you. Those with detection magic can also cancel this effect. Using this too much will consume a lot of SP.
Active Quests:
The Shadow of Artemia
The Flames of Juliet
Explore the world to gain more quests.
[End of STATUS]
***
His status appeared before him, floating words materializing in the black void that was his world. It still felt strange¡ªdisconcerting even¡ªto see something in the endless darkness he¡¯d known all his life.
He had already seen this several times back on Artemia, but it was¡ really weird to see it here.
¡°Should¡ we try my new abilities?¡± Julian muttered, brushing his fingers against the air where the words hovered.
[Absolutely not. No!] MEGAN quickly cut in, her voice firm. [We don¡¯t fully understand what your abilities actually do yet, Julian. Just¡ go and stretch, or lift, or something. It¡¯s been a while since we last checked your strength.]
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, lightly tapping his foot on the floor to feel where the machines and metal were. And his shoulder quickly pointed toward the pull-up bar.
Technology has evolved drastically over the years, but the fundamentals of training one¡¯s body naturally remain largely unchanged.
Approaching the pull-up bar, Julian reached up with one hand¡ and pulled himself up with ease.
¡°It really feels weird.¡± He then swung on the bar, gripping it when his feet directly pointed to the ceiling. And with even more ease, he lightly pushed himself up in the air¡ before balancing himself on the bar with two fingers.
And as Ellie saw this from the treadmill, she quickly slowed her pace.
¡°You¡¡± Her lips parted slightly as she watched him, her eyes tracing the way his muscles moved. And when she realized she was biting her lips, she quickly shook her head, banishing the¡ titillating thoughts creeping into her mind.
And since her pace was already ruined, she hopped off the treadmill altogether to just walk over to Julian and watch him more closely.
¡°Ho¡¡± Julian leaped gracefully off the bar, landing soundlessly before turning his attention to the dumbbell rack. He brushed his fingers across the weights to choose which one to lift¡ before ultimately gripping the entire rack and lifting it clean off the ground as though it weighed nothing.
¡°You¡ really are a superhero now, Julian,¡± Ellie muttered, biting her finger as she sat down on a nearby bench since her legs were giving out.
¡°Well, there are probably millions of people stronger than me back in Artemia,¡± Julian hummed as he carefully set the rack down.
¡°That¡¯s a little crazy to think about. Don¡¯t you think?¡± Ellie tilted her head, thinking over his words before suddenly asking, ¡°Hmm¡ if we went to war with them, who do you think would win?¡±
¡°Hmm¡¡± Julian paused to think about it. And after a moment, he answered,
¡°Earth.¡±
¡°Hm¡ I guess that makes sense.¡± Ellie also hummed, she was about to say something else, but a voice suddenly cut in between them.
¡°And the two of you would be correct.¡±
Ellie and Julian were startled, Julian even more so.
Ellie quickly turned toward the voice, only to see Victoria standing behind them, dressed in gym clothes that somehow looked both casual and professional.
Ellie was only mildly shocked, while Julian was utterly baffled that he hadn¡¯t detected her with his abnormally heightened senses.
How¡ did she manage to even slip past him unnoticed?
"As I thought, Mr. Winters. You are not a normal human at all¡ªyou are¡ a mutant," Victoria said, a calm smile spreading across her face. "Please, do not bother hiding it. We know far more than you think, a great deal more."
Julian did not really know what to respond to that and just kept quiet for a few seconds. But after a few breaths, a sigh escaped his lips and he said,
"I am not a mutant." And he wasn¡¯t lying at all.
Ellie had also brought up the topic with him earlier this morning, and even MEGAN had entertained the possibility at first. But after all the research, she was confident: Julian wasn¡¯t a mutant.
[Julian, do not say anything else. Let me handle this,] MEGAN¡¯s voice whispered sharply in his mind before he could say anything else.
And after she whispered, her avatar suddenly materialized on Ellie¡¯s watch, causing Ellie to shake her hand for a bit before she realized it was just MEGAN¡¯s hologram.
MEGAN then pointed at Victoria with her tiny holographic finger as soon as Ellie¡¯s hand calmed down, [You know, for an escort, you seem to know a lot more than you should. And you also seem to have an unusual level of freedom for an android.]
[I could say the same to you, MEGAN.] Victoria tilted her head slightly before offering a polite bow. "Well, I apologize for the deception. But please, do not call me an android¡ªI am a cyborg. Though, if I¡¯m honest, I prefer to be called human."
[A human¡? Then why do you sound like an android!?] MEGAN pressed, her finger still aimed violently at Victoria.
"Because I wish to sound like an AI," she replied, raising her hand to cover her mouth as she smiled in amusement.
"You, MEGAN, are obviously imitating the way humans speak. Why shouldn¡¯t I be allowed to replicate how AIs speak from time to time?¡±
[You¡ª]
Before MEGAN could speak, Victoria once again bowed her head at Julian. "But again, I must apologize for my earlier pretense. Allow me to reintroduce myself¡
¡My name is Victoria Wilkes, and I am the acting CEO of Humanity Engineering."
Chapter 70: The Influence of Humanity Engineering
¡°My name is Victoria Wilkes, and I am the acting CEO of Humanity Engineering."
¡°Like¡ for real?¡±
Ellie quickly covered her mouth, as those words she just uttered were supposed to be just for her mind. But alas, the situation was just too weird and shocking to her that she couldn¡¯t help it anymore¡ªthere were really only so many reveals she could take in a single day.
¡°Yes.¡± Victoria did not seem to mind, just softly chuckling as she covered her mouth; probably the most human action she had done since they met her. She was about to say something else, but MEGAN once again pointed at her.
[That still doesn¡¯t change the fact that Julian is not what you say he is. He isn¡¯t a mutant,] MEGAN lightly scoffed, [Do you even have any proof of what you are saying?]
¡°We have satellite footage of Mr. Winters fighting against the daemon alone, with his concealed rapier.¡± Victoria replied, not even a single hint of doubt in her voice, ¡°Need I say more?¡±
[Purely speculation without physical proof.]
¡°I could show you, but I think it would be faster to say that we also know about your little altercation with the loan¡ª¡±
[Stop.]
If it wasn¡¯t for MEGAN cutting off Victoria, Julian would have probably already reached for his cane that was resting on the bench near him.
[Are you blackmailing us now?] MEGAN¡¯s voice turned deep, and even Ellie¡¯s brows started to lower as she glared at Victoria.
Victoria¡¯s smile softened as she raised a hand, waving off MEGAN¡¯s accusation.
¡°Not at all,¡± Victoria¡¯s smile softened as she raised a hand, waving off MEGAN¡¯s accusation. ¡°Humanity Engineering does not engage in such tactics. My intent is merely to inform you that we know everything that happens on the surface of Earth¡ªeverything.¡±
[That itself should have serious legal implications.]
¡°That would be, but we dictate what is legal or not. Humanity Engineering is much larger than any of you seem to understand. We are everywhere, we¡ are.¡±
[It doesn¡¯t matter,] MEGAN snapped, [And you¡¯re wrong. Julian isn¡¯t a mutant. If he were, it should have shown up when you scanned his body and created his clone. Or are you saying that the technology of Humanity Engineering isn¡¯t as good as you make it out to be?]
MEGAN¡¯s words seemed to have done something to Victoria as the confident smile on her face twitched. Only momentarily, however, as her lips once again curled as she took a slow step toward MEGAN, bending and leaning down closer to her small hologram.
¡°Oh?¡± She hummed, ¡°Then if he is not a mutant, then he must be something else entirely¡ªand now we are even more curious about him. For the sake of humanity, that needs to be verified.¡±
MEGAN¡¯s avatar quickly froze for a split-second before an awkward smile crawled on her face, [No. You got us¡ªJulian is indeed a mutant.]
[Psst, Julian. From now on, if any of these people ask, you¡¯re a mutant.] She also quickly whispered into Julian¡¯s mind; her avatar not changing expression at all.
¡°Hm. Then from now on, I wish we could be transparent with each other.¡± Victoria took a step back before bowing her head at Julian again, ¡°It is my honor to meet you, Mr. Winters.¡±
The tone of Victoria¡¯s voice lingered, her steps brimming with excitement as she began circling Julian slowly¡ªsomewhat like a predator, but not quite.
He could hear her voice moving around him, but Julian could not hear her walking at all¡ªit was as though she wasn¡¯t actually with them in the gym at all.
¡°And so,¡± Victoria halted her steps, ¡°May I ask what you know about mutants, Mr. Winters?¡±
¡°Not much.¡± Julian replied, his shoulder following her voice.
¡°Then allow me to enlighten you, then.¡± Victoria clasped her hands behind her back, also glancing at Ellie so that she would not feel out of place,
¡°Mutants were thought to be the next step in human evolution¡ªat least that was what the world believed at the time they were born. Shortly after World War III, a remarkable phenomenon born from the ashes of destruction and the innate violence of men.¡±
Julian lied¡ªhe already knew what Victoria was saying. MEGAN had actually already told him all about that.
And mutants, by all accounts and records, already exhibit their mutated abilities at the time of their birth or moments after.
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Julian is not a mutant.
And so, instead of listening to Victoria, he was trying his best to pick up the faintest vibrations and shifts in the air as Victoria spoke¡ but aside from her voice, there truly was nothing.
In fact, even her voice vibrated weirdly.
¡°Sadly, mutants only lasted for two generations before they vanished entirely¡ªand that is already giving the length of their existence more credit.¡± Victoria continued, a trace of passion escaping her words,
¡°But they weren¡¯t hunted, not at all¡ªif anything, they were celebrated. But their genetic markers proved tragically fragile, with a mere 0.0269% chance of being passed on to offspring. Their extinction was a tragedy as humanity had hoped they were the future. It was already a marvel to have even given birth to a second generation.¡±
A disappointed sigh whispered throughout the entire gym as Victoria shook her head.
¡°They were faster, stronger, smarter than any ordinary human. But of course, as is nature,they had their own quirks and disabilities, but their unique abilities more than compensated for it. Some mutants could even defy physics itself¡ªflight, for instance. It was recorded that some of them could fly¡ªmagic, perhaps? Perhaps it was a chance for Earth to become like Artemia.¡±
Victoria¡¯s smile never wavered as she finished her explanation, tilting her head as though waiting for a response from Julian. And when she saw him just standing still, a small chuckle escaped her lips.
¡°Did I not just explain your existence, Mr. Winters?¡± She said, ¡°Based on what we have reviewed on the footage we captured, you seem to showcase immense strength, speed, but most importantly¡ªan abnormally high level of perception to the point of almost precognition. And in exchange, nature thought it necessary for you to be born without eyes and for your mind to be¡ limited.¡±
¡°Hey¡¡± Ellie did not appreciate Victoria¡¯s last words at all.
[And what is your company going to do about that?] MEGAN also shared Ellie¡¯s irritation.
¡°You do not have to worry at all¡ªHumanity Engineering, as our name already suggests, is first and foremost a bio-engineering company. We simulate and create.¡± The tone of Victoria¡¯s voice slowly became monotonous again, ¡°And we also observe, and for our benefit, Mr. Winters¡¯ existence shall be given priority and protected at all costs.¡±
¡°Then, do we have your word that you will keep my existence a secret?¡± Julian finally said something, his voice carrying a lot of weight.
¡°No.¡± Victoria shook her head, ¡°We actually wish the opposite¡ªwe were hoping that you would reveal yourself to the world, Mr. Winters.¡±
[What the fuck?] MEGAN could not help herself as she pointed at Victoria, [Why would we do that!?]
¡°Because sooner or later, people will know¡ªdo you not wish to reveal it yourself rather than other people?¡± Victoria tilted her head, ¡°And people already do now¡ªCindy Solis.¡±
¡°I know her.¡± Julian whispered.
¡°And she knows what you are.¡± Victoria bowed her head again, ¡°And with how things are developing back on Earth, I do believe that she is about to invite you to join her team¡ªjoin her.¡±
[Why are you giving us orders?] MEGAN¡¯s voice deepened, [And what if Julian doesn¡¯t want to do what you want him to do? Are you going to reveal his existence?]
¡°No, it is completely up to Mr. Winters what to do.¡± Victoria shook her head.
[Then why do you want him to reveal himself!?]
¡°Because the world would be looking for hope soon, we would very much prefer it to be you, Mr. Winters.¡± Victoria¡¯s gaze latched onto Julian, ¡°But whatever your choice is, know that Humanity Engineering will back you. And if you are in doubt as to what we are capable of, do not be¡
¡we are the wealthiest and most influential organization in the universe of men. We control entire governments. The current leader of Earth, we put there.¡±
Ellie took in a small gulp as Victoria did not even give out a trace of lying at all.
¡°And MEGAN is right.¡± Victoria snapped her fingers as she glanced at MEGAN¡¯s hologram, ¡°We are related to the people who created the Radiant Gates, because it was us¡ªwith the snap of our fingers, we can cripple trade and entire societies¡
¡We are humanity itself.¡±
[Why¡] Even MEGAN visibly gulped, her holographic avatar stiffening as she stared at Victoria. [...Why are you revealing all of this, and so soon? Based on my studies, corporations like yours typically operate from the shadows until the very last moment¡ªand by studies, I mean novels and comic books.]
¡°Because,¡± Victoria replied, her gaze once again latching onto Julian, ¡°We wish to be transparent with the only living mutant in the entire universe.¡±
¡°...And what do you ask in return?¡± Julian hummed.
¡°I am curious about that myself.¡± Victoria¡¯s unwavering confidence faltered momentarily as she took a deliberate step back. ¡°If it were up to me, we would simply dissect you¡ªbut the person above me has requested that you be treated with the utmost care.¡±
[Be careful there,] MEGAN¡¯s eyes narrowed as she folded her arms. [Your true colors are showing. And what do you mean by ¡®the person above you¡¯? You¡¯re the CEO.]
¡°As I mentioned earlier,¡± Victoria delicately covered her mouth, ¡°I am merely the acting CEO. And my relationship with the true CEO is quite similar to what you have with Mr. Winters, MEGAN. It is¡ª¡±
¡°Someone¡¯s coming.¡± Julian¡¯s voice cut sharply through Victoria¡¯s words, his head tilting slightly toward the door.
Victoria paused, tilting her head momentarily as if listening to something. Then she nodded, her composure unfaltering. ¡°So it would seem. Until next time, Mr. Winters¡ªand please, do think about everything I¡¯ve said. There is no use hiding what you can do. People will find out. This is not a comic book. Wear a mask if you like, but scanners exist that can see through it¡
¡and are you not tired living in the shadows?¡±
¡°They are coming,¡± Julian repeated, his voice firmer this time.
¡°And if I recall correctly,¡± Victoria continued, hastening her words, ¡°You are sterile due to having been tagged as GNVI, correct?¡±
Her eyes, however, was not on Julian as she said this. Instead, she was staring at Ellie.
¡°I would like for you to know¡¡± Victoria added with unsettling calmness, ¡°...that we could fix that.¡±
¡°What do you¡ªHuh?¡± Ellie¡¯s words were cut short by a startled gasp as she watched Victoria suddenly vanish into thin air. There was no flicker, no fade¡ªshe simply ceased to exist.
[Wait¡] MEGAN¡¯s voice lowered into a suspicious whisper. [She was a hologram!? But¡ from where was she projecting!?]
Julian¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as he exhaled deeply. Finally, he had an answer as to why he couldn¡¯t detect or sense Victoria at all. Unfortunately, there was little time to process any of their questions before the person Julian had sensed earlier stepped into the gym.
As soon as Ellie saw who it was, her expression instantly darkened. Any trace of confusion was replaced with exasperation.
How could she not express slight anger, when the one who entered was the very person who was not shy to insult Julian earlier during their introductions?
¡°Huh? What¡¯s a GNVI doing here?¡±
Chapter 71: Chaos before Chaos
¡°What¡¯s a GNVI doing inside a gym?¡±
A GNVI, Genetically Non-viable Individual. People who weren''t allowed to procreate due to their inherent illnesses and conditions, in this case, Julian Winters.
Ellie¡¯s frown deepened the moment those words echoed across the gym. The man who had entered didn¡¯t even attempt to mask his scorn. He was only slightly shorter than Julian but noticeably stockier, his dark skin accentuated by the white tank top that barely concealed his bulging muscles.
Ellie¡¯s fingers curled into fists at her sides as she turned toward him. She truly wanted to just rush at him and punch him right in the face, but she stopped herself and only glanced at Julian, who only slightly turned his shoulder to the noise.
The man then approached them confidently, his eyes sweeping over Julian from head to toe; the disdain in his eyes extremely obvious.
The man¡¯s name was Vijya Thacker¡ªand Ellie knew that she shouldn¡¯t judge someone by the way they dressed, but the man was just oozing bad intentions.
Vijya didn¡¯t seem to be done, however, as he leaned next to a nearby rack close to Julian, a smirk crawling on his face; the words he uttered next, almost dripping with venom.
¡°Blind¡ and the information just came to me that you are also autistic¡ªI wonder why they didn¡¯t just abort you and pull the plug altogether?¡± He said.
¡°You¡¡±
Ellie¡¯s jaw tightened, her knuckles white as she struggled to contain the anger exploding in her chest.
This man had no restraint or shame at all. If it were up to her, she would just bash his head in with a plate.
Perhaps it was a good thing that Julian had the powers because if not¡ she didn¡¯t know what she would do to Vijya. She was about to open her mouth to snap back at him¡ªbut Julian¡¯s calm demeanor stopped her.
He didn¡¯t even heed Vijya any mind at all, he turned his back to him and walked back to the pull-up bar again. And without even giving a response at all, he pulled himself up with ease so he could continue warming up his body.
Ellie¡¯s glare burned holes into Vijya, but she eventually sighed and returned to her treadmill. She could feel her pulse pounding in her reddening ears, but she trusted Julian enough to not speak for him.
And of course, Vijya¡¯s brows twitched in irritation as he realized he was being ignored. It truly didn¡¯t sit well for him that Julian did not even bother saying anything to him at all and completely dismissed him.
And so, with a loud scoff, he marched to the pull-up bar next to Julian¡¯s¡ and also started doing his own pull-ups.
All of a sudden, it became an unspoken contest¡ªbut only for Vijya.
And about thirty pull-ups late, his arms were already trembling. His breath came in uneven gasps as he struggled to keep up. He did, however, laugh triumphantly as he watched as Julian was the first to stop.
¡°Ha!¡± He breathed out as he dropped from the bar, his voice echoing across the gym. ¡°Guess that¡¯s your limit, huh? Maybe stick to the treadmill next time.¡±
And while Vijya was reveling in his supposed victory, two of his new party members stepped inside the gym; their brows, immediately lowering as they were drawn to the scene that Vijya was causing.
¡°What the fuck¡? Is he seriously insulting a person with a disability!?¡± The smaller of the two, a wiry young man with fiery red hair, barked loudly. His fists clenched as he moved to rush at Vijya, but the woman beside him raised an arm to block his path.
¡°Why are you stopping me, Nat?¡± the smaller man growled, glaring at her.
¡°Just watch, Benjamin,¡± Natasha replied calmly, her voice monotonous yet firm as she placed a finger on her lips to shush. Her piercing gaze was fixed on Julian, while the smaller man, Ben, was confused as to why they weren¡¯t helping.
But he was about to find out.
Julian was entirely unfazed by Vijya¡¯s taunting, almost as if he was just in his own world as he grabbed the waist belt hanging near the weight rack and wearing it.
Benjie was slightly confused as he glanced at Natasha; momentarily confused as they watched Julian attach several weight plates to the belt and drag them next to the pull-up bar. And without even uttering a word or even a breath to ready himself, he hopped and grabbed the bar once more¡ causing the weights to just dance in the air.
The added weight did nothing at all to slow him down as he began his pull-ups again.
Vijya¡¯s mocking grin faltered as his disbelief grew. His eyes darted between Julian and the stack of weights hanging from his waist, unable to process what he was seeing. Determined not to be outdone, he stormed toward the weights and copied Julian, already struggling as he attached the same number of plates before jumping to grab the bar.
The result was immediate¡ªand humiliating. The moment Vijya pulled himself up, the heavy weight yanked his body down, and if it wasn¡¯t for him grabbing onto the sides of the pull-up bar, then he would have definitely slammed to the floor.
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Ellie quickly stopped running again as she saw what was happening, a small smirk crawling on her face as she approached Julian; her eyes, however, were staring at Vijya, whose arms were clearly hurt when he grabbed the bars.
¡°Julian.¡± She then called softly, her voice cutting through the sound of the clinking weights hanging beneath Julian¡ªand Julian did not even hesitate to let go of the bar even as he was in the middle of lifting himself up.
He dropped from the bar, landing gracefully despite the heavy plates strapped to him.
¡°Water,¡± Ellie said as she handed him his bottle, and he took it with a quiet breath. And while he was drinking, Ellie wanted to wipe his sweat off, but even as he patted his clothes, there were no signs of sweat at all. His breaths weren¡¯t even heavy.
¡°Hmn.¡± Ellie nodded before his gaze once again fixated on Vijya, who was still struggling to maintain any semblance of dignity after what happened to him.
And unknowingly, Ellie¡¯s lips once again curled into a smirk. This time, however, Vijya noticed her looking.
¡°What are you looking at, you bitch!?¡± Vijya¡¯s voice exploded across the gym, "You''re acting all that when your fucking boyfriend''s just a diversity hire!?"
He ripped the waist belt from around his waist and violently marched toward her and Julian, his steps heavy and full of fury.
Julian immediately turned his head in Vijya¡¯s direction, his hand instinctively brushing Ellie¡¯s arm to reassure her.
¡°What the!? Is he seriously going to attack a woman!?¡± Ben, and even Natasha stopped watching the situation and quickly rushed to the three.
But they froze mid-step.
Their eyes widened as they watched Julian reach out and just grab Vijya¡¯s face with one hand.
Vijya¡¯s scream was muffled, the sound completely swallowed by Julian¡¯s thick, rough palm. His fingers stretched easily across Vijya¡¯s features, completely covering his nose and mouth, leaving only his wide, and panicking eyes visible.
¡°I would appreciate it if you don¡¯t call her that.¡± Julian¡¯s voice was deep, almost groaning. He didn¡¯t sound threatening at all, in fact, it almost even sounded like he was asking. But it still carried something they didn¡¯t know how to describe, but it sent a chill down everyone¡¯s spine.
And even his grip on Vijya¡¯s face wasn¡¯t aggressive¡ªif anything, it seemed almost casual. But Vijya¡¯s frantic squirming and muffled grunts showed everyone how powerless he felt in Julian¡¯s grasp. He clawed at Julian¡¯s wrist, his legs kicking wildly as he tried in vain to free himself.
When one of his kicks landed a solid hit on Julian¡¯s shin, Julian simply sighed and lifted Vijya effortlessly into the air.
¡°Please, stop it,¡± he calmly asked.
Ellie didn¡¯t really know what to feel as she watched Vijya squirm and struggle. He deserved it, of course, but as soon as she noticed the strain on Vijya¡¯s face and the tightening of Julian¡¯s grip, her tone shifted.
¡°Julian, let him go. It¡¯s fine.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian did not even hesitate, he just immediately let go of Vijya.
Vijya stumbled back, his hands shooting to his face as he gasped for air.
¡°You¡¡± he wheezed in frustration and anger, ¡°...You were enhanced by Cyberware!? You think that¡¯s fair!? Why are you even pretending to be working out when you¡¯re practically a machine!¡±
Ellie¡¯s lips parted, ready to fire back, but before she could even get a word out, Ben could no longer take it and stepped between them.
¡°Are you actually stupid!?¡± Ben screamed, violently waving his hands before pointing at a man double his size. ¡°Do you even listen to yourself when you talk?¡±
¡°What the fuck? Where did this little fucker come out from?¡± Vijya snarled, his fists clenching at his sides.
¡°You heard him,¡± Natasha joined in, her voice calm as she stepped closer to Ben. ¡°You are being an idiot. Based on the information we gathered about him, Julian Winters is biologically incompatible with cyberware implants.¡±
Julian remained silent and still seemingly unnerved about the entire thing. But deep inside, Natasha¡¯s words were ringing inside his mind.
It would seem Victoria might be right, he thought. These people had only met him yesterday, yet they somehow already knew private details about his medical history. If they could do this much in such a short time, then that means anyone with real pull could investigate everything about him.
He could try to hide what he could do, but sooner or later people would find out. He could probably hide if this was the ancient times, but this was a different era altogether.
¡°You people¡ are ganging up on me? On me!?¡± Vijya¡¯s face twisted in a scowl as he looked at everyone before settling his gaze on Julian, ¡°This isn¡¯t over, retard. You hear me!?¡±
Vijya almost growled at Julian before turning on his heel and storming out of the gym, his steps almost as heavy as his ramblings.
And as the doors slid closed behind him, Ben let out a long, exaggerated sigh and turned back to Ellie and Julian.
¡°You guys okay?¡± he asked, his tone gentler now.
¡°Yeah, we¡¯re fine. Thank you,¡± Ellie said, her expression softening as she gave Ben a grateful nod.
¡°That guy¡¯s a real piece of shit,¡± Ben muttered, shaking his head. ¡°There¡¯s something seriously wrong with him. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve met someone like that¡ªhe¡¯s like a character out of some cheap novel or something.¡±
¡°Motherless behavior,¡± Natasha added, brushing her short blonde hair to the side and tucking it between her ears.
¡°I know.¡± Ellie let out a sigh as she leaned on Julian¡¯s arm. ¡°There are always people like that. It¡¯s¡ exhausting.¡±
She then glanced at Ben and Natasha, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Were you two here to work out too? Or¡?¡±
¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± Ben replied casually, rolling his shoulders as he glanced at Natasha, who handed him a towel. ¡°Figured we¡¯d burn off some energy.¡±
Ellie¡¯s eyes flicked between the two of them, her brows furrowing as she noticed how naturally close they seemed.
¡°Do the two of you know each other? Like¡ from before Humanity Engineering invited you here?¡± She said.
Ben grinned. ¡°Know each other? Yeah, you could say that.¡± He threw an arm over Natasha¡¯s shoulder, tip-toeing as he pulled her close. ¡°We¡¯re married.¡±
¡°Oh¡?¡± Ellie¡¯s jaw dropped, ¡°Isn¡¯t¡ this unique class thing supposed to be extremely rare? It¡¯s incredible that the two of you are married and got a rare class at the same time.¡±
Ben laughed as he waved his hand. ¡°It is. But you¡¯ve got it confused. We actually met at Artemia before we even knew each other here.¡±
¡°Wait, what!?¡± Ellie blinked rapidly. ¡°You¡ you¡¯re kidding, right?¡±
¡°Nope. At first, I actually thought Nat was a native hyum,¡± Ben said, chuckling. ¡°She was so into RPing, I almost didn¡¯t realize she was a player.¡±
¡°RPing?¡± Ellie tilted her head, clearly lost.
¡°Role-playing,¡± Ben explained, his smile widening.
As the conversation continued, the four of them naturally drifted into a circle¡ªand forgot to work out and exercise altogether. Ben and Ellie carried most of the conversation, exchanging stories and other stuff, while Julian and Natasha stood behind them just listening on as their respective partners told embarrassing stories about them.
And this didn¡¯t become just a one-time occurrence.
The group had decided to meet at the gym again, and they also spent time together outside the gym chatting and exchanging information. As for Vijya, well, although he decided to lay low, it was obvious that he still had it out for Julian.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn¡¯t get the chance to approach Julian at all. He also had no one to talk to anymore, and their last party member was completely silent and always in the room spending time with himself.
Well, that is, until 2 days later when Humanity Engineering finally confirmed that Julian could finally connect to his clone again.
It was time to go back to Artemia.
Chapter 72: Misunderstandings in Another World
¡°This¡ looks kind of bizarre. And¡ not to mention creepy.¡±
Ellie had been surprised a lot since stepping on Ceres-9, but once again, her awe echoed softly in the pristine, immaculate large hall she found herself in.
The walls were so white they almost seemed to glow, and the ambient temperature was so perfectly calibrated to one¡¯s body that it made her feel almost drowsy.
¡°It is¡ªit¡¯s quiet.¡± Julian, who was lowering and settling into a large capsule beside her, hummed and agreed to her. The capsule was incredibly soft, almost cradling his entire body like a soft cocoon. And as he lowered himself, Ellie couldn¡¯t help but also press her hand down in the capsule, only for fingers to almost dig into it.
It was the same capsules used in ancient virtual reality games so that the players¡¯ bodies would be extremely comfortable throughout their game¡ªbut of course, Humanity Engineering always has to be extra.
Their version, although looking like an egg and incredibly simple, actually had intricate technology inside to keep Julian as comfortable as possible. He was told it would even move his limbs and body from time to time to prevent soreness and stiffness.
¡°The others are already on Artemia?¡± Ellie¡¯s gaze wandered to the other capsules positioned in a circle around the room. Most were already closed and humming quietly, with Julian¡¯s temporary party members already connected to their clones.
¡°Ben and Nat didn¡¯t wait for you?¡±
¡°They still have to make plans to rescue me¡ªmy clone,¡± Julian replied as a staff member approached him with his LinkGear.
¡°Is¡ MEGAN still not talking to you?¡± Ellie asked as she leaned over Julian¡¯s capsule and started fixing and adjusting his clothes.
¡°I¡¯ve been trying to talk to her for 2 days now, and all she replies is ¡®Sshh. They¡¯re listening.¡¯¡± she sighed.
As if on cue, MEGAN¡¯s voice whispered directly into Julian¡¯s mind. Hurried and¡ hushed.
[Because they are.]
¡°She says because they are,¡± Julian repeated her words to Ellie.
[Aack! Don¡¯t say anything! Sshh! I¡¯ll chat with you when you¡¯re on Artemia!]
And just like that, MEGAN went silent again.
¡°She¡¯s¡ become a little paranoid, huh?¡± Ellie let out a soft chuckle, she too, was actually still suspicious of Humanity Engineering.
Although things had been calm for the past few days, Ellie¡¯s instincts told her not to trust Humanity Engineering just yet¡ªthey were too¡ accommodating to Julian. And all they are asking is to be a friend of him?
Highly suspicious.
¡°Are you going to Artemia now, Mr. Winters?¡±
And just as that thought crossed her mind, Victoria¡¯s voice crawled behind Ellie, causing her to stiffen up.
¡°I am.¡± Julian hummed as he slightly turned his shoulder to Victoria.
¡°Are you comfortable?¡± Victoria asked as she approached Julian¡¯s capsule; her hands, brushing across the surface of the capsule, causing Ellie¡¯s brow to slightly flinch.
¡°I am.¡± Julian hummed.
¡°Do forgive me about something, Mr. Winters,¡± Victoria sighed, her tone shifting.
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°I have only been informed that Vijya has been antagonizing you for the past few days. I wasn¡¯t made aware of it until earlier this morning.¡±
¡°Was he?¡± Julian tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused.
Ellie, on the other hand, was far less composed. Her brow furrowed as her eyes locked onto Victoria¡¯s attempt at a regretful expression.
Wasn¡¯t made aware? She thought. After she said that Humanity Engineering knows everything?
But of course, Ellie did not let anyone know what she was thinking and just smiled.
¡°We¡¯ll make sure to talk to Vijya after your mission. Such behavior from a much lesser being is unacceptable." Victoria continued, her tone casual as if she did not just say something incredibly¡ prejudiced. She even had a smile on her face as she patted the capsule and stepped away,
¡°Be safe out there, Mr. Winters. Ms. Summers¡¡±
Ellie¡¯s shoulders tensed as Victoria turned to her. ¡°If you would come with me.¡±
¡°Oh¡ okay.¡± Ellie glanced at Julian before hesitating. ¡°Julian, see you later.¡±
¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Julian smiled and pointed at his fake eyes, which is technically MEGAN.
Ellie rolled her eyes, exhaling through her nose as a small smile tugged at her lips.
¡°Ha. Ha,¡± she muttered a fake laugh, leaning over the capsule and pressing a quick kiss on Julian¡¯s lips.
With that, she turned and followed Victoria across the room. She was confused at first as Victoria just moved to a blank wall, but as Victoria pressed her hand on the wall, Ellie was reminded of how companies like Humanity Engineering love their secret doors.
Or in this case, an elevator, hissing softly as its doors opened.
Ellie stepped inside the elevator after Victoria, and was a little surprised that she could see the outside through the doors and walls. And from how smoothly the elevator was ascending, it was using an even newer tech than the one used in the space elevator.
And as the doors slid open, she was greeted by a large room with several holographic screens.
The walls of the room were lined with glass that offered a full view of the capsule room below, and she could see the staff walking around and checking Julian and the others.
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¡°Have you ever watched Mr. Winters¡¯ streams, Ms. Summers?¡±
Victoria¡¯s question pulled Ellie¡¯s attention away from the view below. She turned to see Victoria gesturing toward a sleek, modern couch positioned in the center of the room. Ellie hesitated for a moment before sitting down, her eyes scanning the room for hidden cameras or other signs of surveillance.
¡°You¡¯re a very doubtful person. Aren¡¯t you, Ms. Summers?¡± Victoria sat down beside her, ¡°You do not have to worry, the only cameras we have in Ceres-9 are at the entrance and the containment units. All of our staff, you see, are the best of the best¡ªthe very top in their fields. Monitoring them would be an insult to their skills.¡±
¡°So, you don¡¯t monitor your staff but you monitor everything?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡±
Ellie narrowed her eyes at Victoria, but chose to just keep quiet and focus on the holographic screens, quickly realizing she was looking at¡ªlive feeds from each of Julian¡¯s new party members.
She could see Ben and Natasha¡¯s respective points of view, each showing their preparations for their journey into Artemia. Vijya¡¯s screen was present too, his movements as aggressive and impatient as ever. There was also another feed showing Jin, the elusive fifth party member, who had been holed up in his room the entire time and only coming out now.
¡°This is¡¡± Ellie muttered, leaning forward as her eyes darted from screen to screen.
Victoria pointed at a specific hologram displaying nothing. ¡°That¡¯s Julian¡¯s stream. He¡¯s still connecting to the Otherworld, so nothing¡¯s showing yet.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Ellie nodded.
¡°Is there something on your mind, Ms. Summers?¡±
¡°Please, just call me Ellie¡¡± Ellie sighed, ¡°And¡ I¡¯m really sorry for being so suspicious of everything.¡±
¡°It is completely normal,¡± Victoria soft chuckled, ¡°You have taken care of Mr. Winters almost your entire life¡ªit must be difficult to see him spreading his wings now.¡±
¡°No. God, no¡¡± Ellie slightly sniffled and laughed, ¡°...I love it. I love that he¡¯s finally spreading his wings¡ the only problem is that he never learned to run first, and that¡¯s my fault. And now I need to protect him from those who want to take advantage of him because he doesn¡¯t know any better.¡±
¡°But if I remember, you were taken advantage of just lately?¡± Victoria tilted her head.
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°The loan sharks?¡±
¡°You¡ even know about that?¡± Ellie¡¯s brows lowered, ¡°Next thing you¡¯re going to tell me is that you also know what conditioner I use.¡±
¡°We also know that.¡±
¡°And no one has tried to sue you people yet?¡±
¡°For what?¡±
¡°Breach of privacy.¡±
¡°In this day and age where people¡¯s lives are completely on the internet?¡±
¡°Joke¡¯s on you, I only use social media to contact people.¡±
¡°Admirable¡ªdo you know that I¡¯ve grown to like you very much, Ellie?¡±
¡°Huh¡?¡± Ellie slightly leaned away from Victoria, ¡°Because I¡¯m rude?¡±
¡°Because you are you. I have lived for more than a millennium, and you are the first person who isn¡¯t afraid to show who you are¡ªeven after knowing that I am Humanity Engineering¡¯s acting CEO.¡±
¡°Wait¡ a millenium?¡±
¡°Yes. My brain, my mind has been passed on from one body to the next. Even now, I am in multiples; my mind is in several other cyborgs, doing different works.¡±
¡°What? That¡ has to be against the law.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Victoria just shrugged, ¡°One of me is even working in the World Government.¡±
¡°My god¡¡± Ellie¡¯s breaths stammered, ¡°Are you¡ okay?¡±
¡°Of course. It is a curse to have the skills and knowledge that I have¡ªbut it is also a blessing. 6,000 years ago, we could barely land a rocket back into atmosphere and on land. And now, we have tactical suits with self-sustaining oxygen that could fly from Earth to Mars in less than an hour. Fascinating, isn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°...You¡¯ve been alive for 6000 years?¡±
¡°No. What?¡± Victoria¡¯s eyes widened, a small chuckle escaping her lips, ¡°I¡¯m just a little over a thousand¡ and thank you, Ellie.¡±
¡°For what¡?¡± Ellie raised an eyebrow.
¡°For asking me if I am okay.¡± Victoria smiled and looked down, ¡°No one has asked me that for a very long time.¡±
¡°...Don¡¯t make it weird.¡± Ellie also smiled, slightly nudging Victoria as she did so.
¡°And Ellie, I am serious¡ªHumanity Engineering could reverse Julian¡¯s sterilization. In fact, we are asking the two of you,¡± Victoria looked Ellie in the eyes, the tone of her voice incredibly sincere, ¡°Mr. Winters¡¯ genes should be passed on, naturally.¡±
¡°That¡¡±
¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like that too? To have children?¡±
¡°I¡ do. But¡¡±
Julian wasn¡¯t a mutant. They weren¡¯t even sure that whatever he had could be passed on¡ªThe only reason Victoria and Humanity Engineering was treating Julian like this was because of that.
If they found out that he was carrying his clone¡¯s capabilities in Artemia¡ what would they even do to him?
¡°Ah!¡± Fortunately for Ellie, she could avoid the topic altogether as Julian¡¯s stream finally popped up,
¡°It¡¯s¡ it¡¯s starting. He¡ wait¡ªIs he in jail?¡±
***
¡°Are you an Evil Spirit?¡±
¡°You¡¯re an Evil Spirit.¡±
¡°Why are you an Evil Spirit?¡±
Julian sat in a cold, dimly lit prison cell. His arms were bound by heavy chains, he was drenched in a strange viscous substance that he truly hoped was just oil, and in front of him were people threatening to light him on fire.
They have been asking him the same questions over and over again for more than an hour now ever since he woke up in the world of Artemia, their voices sharp and as threatening as the torch they were holding at his face.
Even with this, however, Julian remained still. His face extremely calm and almost stoic¡ªand even with all the questions being rained down upon him, he hasn¡¯t offered a single word, not once.
¡°You are truly not going to answer any of our questions?¡± One soldier stepped closer to him, the flames of the torch he was holding causing the shadows inside the cell to dance.
¡°We¡¯ve been trying to wake you for three days now.¡± The soldier asked, ¡°Why have you only just woken up?¡±
Julian could very well answer the question, but he just looked up at the soldier and sighed¡ªbecause several moments from now¡ Ben, Natasha, and the others should be infiltrating the prison.¡°That¡¯s it. No more questions¡ªremove one of his ears, then take his toes if he¡¯s still not answering,¡± the lead soldier barked, his voice cold and sharp. He stepped back, gesturing to another soldier armed with a gleaming pair of scissors.
Well, that¡¯s not good, Julian thought, his lips pressing into a thin line as he tilted his head slightly to glance toward the corridor outside his cell.
He truly hoped that his new party members were planning on rescuing him anytime soon.
He¡¯d already tried to pry apart his restraints, but his muscles refused to cooperate. The chains binding him seemed to sap what little strength he had left.
Should he attempt to use his newfound abilities?
And before he could decide, one of the soldiers grabbed his head, forcing it still. The cold touch of the scissors now hovering dangerously close to his ear.
¡°Stop!¡±
A deafening roar cut through the tension, shattering the eerie quiet of the dungeon. The sharp sound struck Julian¡¯s ears before the scissors could, and he exhaled a silent sigh of relief.
Moments later, the echo of hurried footsteps filled the corridor.
Julian¡¯s brow furrowed. There were more than four sets of feet approaching¡ªsignificantly more.
¡°Release that man, now!¡±
The command rang out, and every soldier in the cell froze, their rigid forms betraying their fear. Almost in unison, they stepped aside, standing at attention with their heads lowered.
Julian turned his gaze to the cell door just as his ¡°rescuers¡± arrived. And it wasn¡¯t Ben or the others.
Instead, a new group entered¡ and from what they were wearing, they also belonged to the Order of Artemia. Their uniforms were far more ornate, the insignias on their armor gleaming like polished gold.
They moved with an air of authority that left no doubt about their higher rank.
One of the men stepped forward and quickly cut through Julian¡¯s restraints with a small blade. Two others grabbed Julian¡¯s hands, inspecting them closely with wide eyes.
¡°Bishop, look!¡± one of the soldiers exclaimed, raising Julian¡¯s hand to reveal the mark etched on the back of it¡ªthe Mark of Searadyn.
The old man, the bishop, stepped forward, causing the golden sash draped around his neck to flow softly with him. His piercing eyes studied the mark before slowly shifting to Julian¡¯s face. The bishop exhaled deep, extremely deep.
He then let go of Julian¡¯s hand and reached for the golden sash around his neck, gripping it tightly before pulling it and moving his arm to the side. The sash danced in the air, but only momentarily as it snapped and stiffened straight into some sort of¡ blade.
The soldiers in the room immediately dropped to their knees, their heads bowing as if in prayer.
¡°You dare¡¡± the Bishop¡¯s voice trembled with restrained fury, his gaze burning holes into the trembling soldiers,
¡°...You dare lay hands on someone who has been touched by the gods!?¡±
Chapter 73: The Rescue, and The Rescued
¡°...You dare lay hands on someone who has been touched by the gods!?¡±
The soldiers fell to their knees, trembling, their whispers of prayer filling the cold air. And yet despite their fear literally oozing from their noses, none of them begged for their lives.
They accepted their fate, some even crying with smiles on their faces. The bishop, however, glared at them with disdain on his face¡ªand soon, he too, offered a prayer; placing his golden blade in front of him as he clasped his hands together.
"Artemis, Mother of Light and all that is Pure, cast thy judgment on the sinful. In the name of purity and justice, I return these souls to thee, unworthy though they may be."
And not even moments after his last words, the blade in his hand moved swiftly, almost a blur and a glint. Each strike was precise, cutting through the soldier¡¯s flesh as if they were bubbles. The poor soldiers barely even had time to gasp before their bodies turned into pieces and their blood filled the stone floor.
Despite all this violence, however, the bishop¡¯s blade seemed completely untouched by the carnage; not a single drop of blood stained its surface.
The bishop lowered his blade, letting the silence settle before speaking softly to the fallen.
¡°May Artemis accept you, for Artemia has not.¡±
Julian observed this slaughter even in his weak condition. His eyes, however, weren¡¯t on the bodies at all, but on the blade of the bishop as it once again softened into a sash as soon as it touched the nape of his neck, settling naturally as if it had never been a weapon at all.
Julian could hear a faint hum resonating from the sash.
Was it enchanted? Magic, perhaps?
Or¡ was it perhaps forged from a material unknown to him?
Julian hasn¡¯t had the time to even hold a hammer to craft anything for a few days now and he was starting to get a little¡ agitated; his fingers were starting to itch.
If only he had put something inside his [Shadow Vault], then he could probably be forging something right now under these people¡¯s noses. But alas, the only thing he has in it right now is Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
Perhaps he could pull out Searadyn¡¯s Veil and fight?
[Health (HP): 42/240]
Okay, perhaps not.
And while Julian was at a loss as to what to do, the bishop approached him; placing a hand on his shoulder¡ quite firmly.
¡°Are you okay, my boy?¡± The bishop asked, his almost groaning voice laced with genuine concern. ¡°I apologize, truly. My people, most of the time, are lost and don¡¯t know what they are doing.¡±
The bishop began examining Julian for injuries, his eyes narrowing as he circled Julian, looking at him from head to toe before nodding in satisfaction.
¡°What is your name, my boy?¡± He then asked.
And Julian quickly replied with his name, ¡°Julian.¡±
¡°A fine name!¡± The bishop laughed robustly. He then draped a cloth over Julian¡¯s shoulders, gesturing to the men he was with to make way, ¡°You must be cold. Come, come¡ªwe will get you into a warm bath in no time.¡±
And without waiting for a reply, the bishop wrapped an arm over Julian¡¯s shoulders, almost locking him in place as he guided him outside the cell like he was some sort of lost puppy that was rescued.
But of course, this wasn¡¯t exactly the rescue Julian was expecting¡ªwhere were Ben and the others, exactly?
And why were these people walking around him as if he was some sort of VIP?
They surrounded Julian, flanking him on all sides as they walked through the already narrow, and dim corridor. There were other people in the cells, and all of them did not dare at all to look at the bishop.
And soon, the heavy doors of the prison creaked open, and Julian winced as the bright light harshly struck him in the face.
And even with his eyes closing by themselves, the salty tang of the sea that filled his nostrils immediately told him that he was still in the trade city of Calydion. The faint crash of the waves against the docks also whispered in his ears.
But perhaps the loudest noise was the whispers flowing in the air from all directions. Julian¡¯s eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and what welcomed him were the curious and suspicious eyes of the large crowd before him.
All of them were making a path for the Order of Artemia, but it was clear that they were trying their best to check who was being escorted by the bishop of one of the most prominent religions of their land.
Throughout all this fiasco, however, Julian¡¯s thoughts were focused elsewhere.
It was the right decision not to fight back in the cell, he thought. For one, his strength was barely enough to walk straight. And two, he had no idea what level the bishop was.
The only thing he could do was wait for something to happen, and that moment came right after he thought of it¡ªas within the sea of unfamiliar faces that were looking at him, a familiar scent caught his nose.
He turned his head, and there in the crowd, was Juliet.
She stood still, her eyes reddening and barely holding back her tears. Beside her were Cyrus and Talia¡ªand standing behind were his new temporary party members, Ben, Natasha, Vijya, and Jin.
Julian met gazes with the married couple, and the two quickly but subtly nodded their heads at him.
As for Juliet, well, she looked like she wanted to rush to Julian¡¯s rescue. In fact, if it wasn¡¯t for Cyrus and Talia holding her back, she would have probably lunged onto the Order of Artemia there and then.
Julian¡¯s new party members, however, did not seem as patient as they locked eyes with Julian. They then raised three fingers¡ªa signal that meant they were moving to Plan C.
Julian subtly shook his head before glancing toward the bishop, giving a silent warning that the bishop might be a threat. But Ben did not seem to care at all, and Natasha, Vijya, and Jin were already on the move, separating and weaving subtly through the crowd.
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And then, out of nowhere, a voice erupted.
¡°Order of Artemia scum!¡±
¡°You are a disgrace to the Goddess!¡±
This was Plan C¡ªto create panic and incite a small riot so that the team could slip past and rescue Julian. And it was working, as soon, those who hate the Order of Artemia from the crowd also started joining the taunts and sneers.
It didn¡¯t seem, however, to be working as the bishop heeded them no mind at all¡ªeven gesturing to his men to stand down and focus on getting Julian away.
¡°The Church of Zeldan should wipe you out! They are the one and true religion!¡±
Those words, however, seemed to have an effect on the bishop as his steps instantly halted.
¡°Who dares!?¡± His voice boomed, and with a tug, he pulled his sash again, the golden blade snapping into place. Of course, his men followed suit, unsheathing their weapons and shoving their way into the panicking crowd.
This was the wrong decision, however, as the crowd completely descended into chaos. People screamed and shoved, scattering in every direction. And soon, the panic reached its peak.
Unfortunately for Julian and his party members, the bishop and his men seemed intent on completely shielding him from all and any chaos that was happening around them.
And that¡¯s not good at all.
And so, Julian let out a long and very deep breath before whispering, ¡°...[Shadow Festival].¡±
The moment he activated the skill, the air and light around him shifted unnaturally. Within a 10-meter radius, the space seemed to distort, bending and twisting as though the world itself had become unsteady. What was once near had become far, and what was once far had become near¡ but not really. It was¡ weird.
The people started to stumble, tripping over nothing as their senses were overwhelmed by the surreal space.
¡°This is the word of the Evil Spirits!¡± The bishop roared, shaking his head to try and focus through the distortion, ¡°Protect the holder of the Mark of Searadyn!¡±
¡°B¡bishop! He¡¯s gone!¡±
¡°Gone!?¡± And as the bishop heard his men cry, his head snapped toward the spot where Julian had been standing, only to find only the cloth he had draped over him lying on the ground. The bishop¡¯s eyes widened, his teeth grinding as the fury inside him grew instantly.
¡°The Evil Spirits¡¡± He whispered, and soon, those whispers turned into a roar, ¡°...The Evil Spirits have abducted him! Men, search the city!¡±
¡°But¡¡± The bishop¡¯s men hesitated as they found themselves staggering and stumbling, struggling against the distortion that was playing with their senses.
¡°Imbeciles! Just close your eyes!¡± The bishop barked, his voice echoing through the distortion as he grabbed his men one by one and threw them out of the range of [Shadow Festival].
¡°Now find him! Rescue the young man from the clutches of the Evil Spirits!¡±
Unbeknownst to the bishop, however, Julian was actually already almost at the edges of the city of Calydion. Although it was his first time using the [Shadow Festival] skill and only knew the basics of it since it was injected into his mind, it was enough.
He teleported beside Juliet, and she did not even ask or say anything before lifting him over the shoulder and carrying him away from the chaos. The group followed behind her closely, making sure they weren¡¯t being followed as they navigated through the narrow alleys.
¡°Now, what was that all about, Sword Junkie?¡± Cyrus trailed beside Juliet with a wide smirk on his face, ¡°Man¡ if only I could livestream this or record it, the Chat would have lost their mind. That was¡ one of your new skills, right?¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian did not really have any strength to say anything, only humming as Juliet made sure he didn¡¯t fall off. And after what seemed like an incredibly tense several minutes, the group finally emerged outside the city of Calydion, but none of them slowed down.
Titus and Dyrroth were already waiting for them there¡ with a band of seikrobos with them. The group wasted no time at all to mount the reptilian birds, not even opening their mouths as they rode away.
Julian was riding with Titus, who was healing him and controlling the seikrobos at the same time. The group did not stop at all, even to drink some water.
And finally, after what seemed like nearly 6 hours, they finally stopped. They chose a secluded clearing next to a large rock, offering good visibility while hiding them at the same time.
Juliet dismounted her seikrobos first, rushing to Julian and quickly throwing her arms around him.
¡°Boss!¡± She cried out, her tears soaking into his shoulder as she held him tightly, ¡°I¡ I thought you were dead! And then¡ and then these new people came with Cyrus and told me that¡ by the Gods, you really are alive.¡±
Ben and Natasha exchanged a glance, shrugging with a knowing look on their faces.
But of course, one of Julian¡¯s party members was not as reserved to hide what they were feeling.
Vijya, of course.
¡°Don¡¯t you have a girlfriend in the real world!?¡± His voice cut through the emotional moment, ¡°So, you¡¯re a backstabbing cheating whore, huh!?¡±
And as soon as Juliet heard that, her tears stopped abruptly as she turned to glare at him; her expression was one of pure annoyance. But she quickly calmed her breaths and shook her head.
¡°I know about Ellie.¡± She said, ¡°I am just happy that my master¡¯s alive. And who even are you? You¡¯ve been talking bad about Julian ever since we met earlier.¡±
Vijya scoffed as he stepped closer to Juliet, but before he could say anything, Talia stepped forward.
¡°Knock it off.¡± She snapped, placing a finger on Vijya¡¯s chest and standing firm despite her small size, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you have a unique class or whatever the fuck it is, but knock it off. I''ve never met someone as irrational and as annoying as you, I actually didn''t think people like you existed and you''re completely destroying the vibe here. I''m warning you, knock it off.¡±
¡°Or what, little girl?¡± Vijya sneered as he towered over her.
Talia didn¡¯t flinch at all, her stance solid as she jabbed her finger even harder at his chest, ¡°Or Cyrus here will make you regret opening your mouth, big boy. So, sit the fuck down.¡±
¡°The fuck?¡± Vijya glared at Talia for a few seconds more, but his eyes soon landed on Cyrus. While it is true that Vijya was stronger than those who had the same level as him because of his unique class¡ªbut Cyrus was one of the oldest players of Otherworld.
The last time he checked, Cyrus was at level 60 plus¡ and he was only at 34. And so, even though Cyrus was not even looking at him at all, Vijya clicked his tongue and backed down.
Julian, meanwhile, dropped onto the ground, still trying to recover his strength as the group began setting up camp. Even though Titus had already fully healed him, his body seemed to still be stiff after being immobile for more than 3 days.
Everyone gave him some space to catch his breath and move his body around¡ªwell, surprisingly, except for Jin, who had been quiet the entire time back on Ceres-9.
¡°Here.¡± Jin approached him, holding a small glass vial filled with a glowing orange liquid, something Julian hadn¡¯t really seen before.
¡°Drink it. It would help your body recover.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡± Julian quickly thanked Jin and opened the vial¡ and Jin, for some reason, was staring at him with wide eyes.
¡°You know, I¡¯ve been following your streams for a while now. Watching you forge all that stuff, and the Searadyn¡¯s Veil. Where is it? Is it with you? It¡¯s quite mind-blowing, honestly. And don¡¯t even get me started when you were crafting it, you were massaging that clear metal? What did it even feel like? Like hot and cold at the same time? The way you¡¡±
Jin had been quiet the entire time back on Ceres-9. In fact, Julian couldn¡¯t even remember an instance when they actually talked. And yet right now, in Artemia, it felt like he had no plans on closing his mouth at all.
It came to a point when Julian couldn¡¯t keep up at all with what he was saying as he had been talking for nearly an hour.
Jin was the only other unique class that focused on crafting. But it would seem his and Julian¡¯s similarity did not stop there.
Was he¡ on the spectrum too? Julian thought.
Julian wasn¡¯t actually the only one rescued at the moment. Back on Earth, Dr. Ling was just pulled out by Cindy¡¯s exterminator team from the Daemon Plane. They sat inside a combat ship in silence, letting only their breaths speak for them.
Blood and soot streaked down Cindy¡¯s armor, and their weapons scattered on the floor of the humming ship flying away from the danger.
Dr. Ling, however, was anything but silent.
¡°Why the hell would you do that!?¡± She screamed at Cindy, ¡°Why did you pull me out!? We were so close to the tower! This close! You hear me!? This¡ª¡±
And before Dr. Ling could finish her words, Cindy responded to her with a palm resounding and snapping right on her cheek. And since Cindy was still wearing her combat armor, the slap might have loosened a tooth or two.
¡°Are you done?¡± Cindy almost growled at her, ¡°Don¡¯t think that I¡¯m one of your people, I¡¯m not. You don¡¯t shout at me, you got it?¡±
¡°That¡ª¡±
¡°And you¡¯re needed somewhere else¡ªwhile we were inside rescuing you, your friends called.¡± Cindy closed her eyes and sighed,
¡°They said another portal popped up.¡±
¡°What!?¡±
¡°And I''m told this one¡¯s next to a city.¡±
Chapter 74: Testing the New Party Members
Evil Spirits.
Juliet had grown up hearing tales of them from her parents. She was told their presence began appearing around the time she was born. Her parents, however, had only learned of them through the Order of Artemia, an offshoot of the Church of Artemis.
They were initially a part of the Church of Artemis, which her parents were a part of. But since the existence of the so-called Evil Spirits could not be proven at all, the Order of Artemia was abolished and abandoned by the church.
Those who believed in the existence of Evil Spirits, however, did not waver. They saw it as their sacred duty to expose and eradicate these malevolent entities, and so they broke away from the Church, creating their own religious sect.
Opinions on them varied. Some viewed them as extremists who sowed fear and chaos among ordinary citizens Some believe and agree with them. But most, like Juliet, dismissed the entire notion of Evil Spirits altogether.
She did not believe the Evil Spirits existed at all, but now there were 9 around him, sleeping peacefully.
Well, they weren¡¯t exactly Evil Spirits, they were Players. And from her understanding, it was some sort of soul transference magic, they were from a different plane far away. And they weren¡¯t sleeping, but their soul was now just with their original body.
At least, that¡¯s how it had been explained to her. Juliet still found it all a little confusing, despite hearing about it many times.
Fortunately for her, her swirling thoughts were interrupted by the crunch of footsteps on the slightly frost-coated ground as someone approached her by the fire.
¡°How are you?¡±
They weren¡¯t all exactly asleep, since there were 10 of them there, two people were tasked to keep the first watch.
Juliet and Julian.
¡°Boss.¡± Juliet glanced up at him as he sat down on the ground beside her, the vapor flowing from their lips extremely visible, ¡°It¡¯s getting a little cold, huh?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian blew out a quiet puff of air, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the campfire.
¡°...Shouldn¡¯t you be resting?¡± She said.
¡°I think this body¡¯s rested long enough.¡±
¡°Are we really returning to Ethaca? Cyrus told me that you¡¯re going on another run with the dungeon there with these¡ strangers?¡±
¡°Hm. We¡¯re going to check something out. Do you think your old place is still there?¡±
¡°The smithy? Well¡¡± Juliet sighed, grabbing a stick on the ground, and started drawing circles in front of her, ¡°...Probably not.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to sell it, and we ended up returning so soon.¡±
¡°Pft, nah. We¡¯re returning, but it doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re staying, right?¡±
¡°Right.¡±
¡°And I bet your hands are itching to craft something. I¡¯ve actually been sketching an armor, since that¡¯s the only thing I can do while¡ while waiting for any news about you. I didn¡¯t really even know if you were alive or not, I was only going with what Cyrus was telling me. It was¡ hard.¡±
¡°You were that worried about me?¡± Julian hummed as he glanced at Juliet, ¡°Thank you, Juliet. And I also can¡¯t wait to work on the armor you designed when we have the time.¡±
¡°Uhm¡ after the dungeon run, maybe?¡±
¡°That would be ideal, yes. It¡¯s just a shame I can¡¯t show you my new crafting skill.¡±
¡°What¡ is it?¡±
¡°It¡¯s¡¡±
The conversation trailed off, going from crafting to other memories of Ethaca, the two of them speaking in quiet tones as the night stretched on. The fire crackled and popped, occasionally spitting embers into the chilled air.
And by the time their watch ended, the frost on the ground had thickened, and the fire had burned low. But as they rose to wake the next pair, Juliet glanced at Julian one last time, and a small, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips.
¡°Boss?¡± she whispered.
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°I know this isn¡¯t your real world or your home¡ but thanks for not dying.¡±
¡°...Hm.¡±
Back on Ceres-9, Julian and his temporary party members all used their time on Earth to either eat or workout.
But of course, Julian and Ellie also used the chance to¡ dabble in more intimate activities until it was time to go back. The group didn¡¯t really spend that much time back on Earth, as their priority was to finish the mission as fast as possible so they could all get paid and return to their normal lives.
¡°You are not jealous at all?¡±
And as the group drew closer to Ethaca, Victoria and Ellie¡¯s eyes still reflected their progress as they watched through the holographic screens. The two, well, it wasn¡¯t that the two have grown closer in the 3 days they¡¯ve been spending together¡ but they¡¯ve grown¡ comfortable, in a way.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
And right now, Victoria was looking through Ben¡¯s eyes who was behind Julian, who had his arms around Juliet¡¯s waist while riding the seikrobos.
Ellie only glanced at Ben¡¯s stream before letting out a soft chuckle as she saw what Victoria was getting at.
¡°There¡¯s like zero point in getting jealous.¡± She muttered, ¡°And Julian¡ he doesn¡¯t really love the same way we do. And, I guess¡ that¡¯s what makes him really special?¡±
¡°I am aware of his condition¡¡± Victoria¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°...But you don¡¯t feel jealous at all? Even with their nightly talks?¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Ellie shrugged, ¡°If anything, I¡¯m quite happy that he¡¯s actually talking with other women. Since you know everything, I¡¯m sure you know that¡ there was a time when Julian only talked to me and MEGAN for 3 years¡ and I just let it happen, you know? I felt so guilty that I started taking him out to clubs, malls, and all the places where people gather¡ªbut it didn¡¯t really change anything. When people approach and speak to him, he¡¯ll just talk like normal as if he hadn¡¯t spent the last three years being completely closed off from other people.¡±
¡°He¡¯s a very colorful person, isn¡¯t he?¡±
¡°He is.¡± Ellie smiled, ¡°And I love him very much for it.¡±
Another day passed, and the city of Ethaca finally stood before Julian and the party; its towing walls, bathing in the golden hues of the setting sun.
And as they entered the city, Julian found himself staring at the Tower of Mana again¡ªhe knew there were a lot of buildings taller back on Earth, but seeing it was still different. It almost looked like it could pierce the clouds.
It had been only a few months since he last laid eyes on the city of Ethaca, and yet it felt like a lifetime ago with everything that had happened to him.
The rest of his party members didn¡¯t linger to admire the view, however¡ªas each of them parted ways to prepare for the dungeon. Natasha and Ben headed toward the local market with Jin, while Vijya just stormed off without a word.
They were to meet an hour later outside the city, and as for how Julian was planning to spend this hour, well, he visited Juliet¡¯s old smithy along with her, and Cyrus and his original party members also tagged along.
But alas, when they arrived, Juliet¡¯s sigh almost pierced through their ears as someone had already taken over her old smithy. But she didn¡¯t seem as crestfallen, however, as her eyes quickly wandered to the smithy of her old boss.
It was now abandoned, the once-consistent chimney that had blown smoke and fumes without pause was now just fuming out¡ nothing.
¡°Heh¡ serves him right.¡± Juliet scoffed, ¡°I¡¯ll just go check on it¡ªI¡¯ll meet you at the tavern when you¡¯re done with the dungeon, Boss?¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Julian hummed.
And soon, Cyrus and the others also started bidding their farewells.
¡°We¡¯ll see you later, Newbie.¡± Talia lightly punched him on the chest, ¡°You better be careful with those guys, especially that Vijya dude. I think he''s more loose in the head than you are."
"Right... Thank you."
"I don¡¯t care what kind of unique classes they have, but if they do anything to you¡ tch. Me and the guys will find a way to fuck them up.¡±
¡°Right¡¡± Julian smiled and repeated, ¡°...Thank you.¡±
¡°Take care, for real. Now¡¡± Talia then let out a long and very loud sigh as she looked at Cyrus, who seemed to be sulking as he walked away with his head down, ¡°...We have to take care of that guy. He¡¯s been going on and on about how he¡¯s bummed that he won¡¯t be able to stream your hidden quest¡ªyou better bring out something good, or else the guy¡¯s going to be like that for weeks.¡±
Talia, Dyrroth, and Titus all laughed as they made their way to Cyrus. As for Julian, he lingered in the plaza of smithies for a moment¡ªafter all¡
¡he wasn¡¯t just here to check on Juliet¡¯s old smithy.
He wanted to fill his [Shadow Vault] with a few¡ necessary things.
***
An hour later, Julian and the new party have gathered at the gates of Ethaca, and they did not waste any time at all.
Soon, the vine-covered entrance to Ethaca¡¯s dungeon loomed before them, the air around it thick with life¡ and something else. The group moved inside, their steps crunching softly against the dried leaves beneath their feet.
¡°This place is a waste of time,¡± Vijya muttered, breaking the silence as he glanced at Julian and smirked. ¡°We¡¯ve already been here before, and nothing happened. Do you really think the retard¡¯s presence would change anything?¡±
¡°How about you shut up? You¡¯re the one who shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Ben scoffed as he glared back at Vijya.
And while Ben was coming to his rescue, Julian didn¡¯t react at all. His gaze was distant, or perhaps close¡ since there were words floating before his eyes.
[When two graves are dug, many will suffer. You are within the gods'' reach and have been detected, Julian Winters. The punishment shall now be carried out.]
The punishment¡ again?
He had initially thought that the Master of Shadow¡¯s punishment was over. He had already gone through it already, and he was now also officially a Shadow Blacksmith.
Or was this something else entirely? He wasn''t even actually sure if he was talking to the same gods since they weren''t talking to him at all, but rather just presenting themselves as floating words.
Well, whatever it was, Julian was not really complaining as it was their way to the hidden quest. And soon, the walls began to shift. The vines along the entrance twisted and coiled like serpents, sealing off their only way out.
¡°You were saying?¡± Ben scoffed, shooting Vijya a glare.
The ground beneath them soon trembled, cracking and breaking apart as the dungeon roared to life. They were already expecting what was happening next, but they were still surprised when the floor gave way, and they were swallowed into the abyss.
And while they were sliding down through this darkness, several thoughts were racing in their mind¡ªbut one stood out: there was something special about Julian Winters.
They have actually already been invited by Humanity Engineering to do this dungeon, just a day after they bought the information from Cyrus¡ªand when they visited it last time, just like Vijya said, nothing happened at all.
Julian Winters was the key. But why? What makes him more special than them when they all have unique classes?
But of course, the party did not really have time to think of any of that as they found themselves in the stomach of Artemia, each of them landing with an unceremonious thud, grunting as they were spat out into a vast chamber of bricks and aged marble. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of iron.
The darkness pressed against them like a heavy veil, but it didn¡¯t last long.
¡°Well, let¡¯s light it up,¡± Ben whispered.
He snapped his fingers, and the transformation was instant. The floors of the chamber began to glow, streaked with veins of orange that pulsed like molten lava¡ªor perhaps it was. The only thing stopping it from being so was that it was not emitting a searing temperature at all.
Instead, the warmth was almost¡ soothing. But most importantly, it lit up the entire cavern.
And there, reflecting the vibrant orange light beneath their feet, were the living copper statues¡ all completely whole and standing again.
They seemed frozen in time, but Julian could feel it¡ªthe subtle vibration in the air as if the statues were preparing to awaken.
And they did.
Julian was about to pull out Searadyn¡¯s Veil, but Ben suddenly kneeled on the glowing floor and placed his palm flat against its surface.
And as he did so, the floor rippled¡ and the once-solid ground around them moved as though it were truly¡ magma.
And it was.
All at the same time, the copper figures were swallowed by the rippling floor, their bodies sinking and melting as if they were no more than wax in a fire.
And just like that¡ªthe hundreds of living copper statues were gone.
From what Ben had told Julian, his class allowed him to control magma, and transmute inanimate and non-living things at a molecular level, reshaping them into molten energy.
The Molten Architect, he called his class.
Chapter 75: A Difficult Situation
¡°So, this is the secret¡ cave?¡±
¡°It¡¯s obviously not a cave.¡±
The living statues did not pose any threat at all, and Julian¡¯s party did not spend a second more even dwelling or checking on them as they went straight to the secret chamber.
The party split up, each inspecting a different part of the chamber; all of them, however, had their brows lowered in concentration as they reviewed the markings on the wall. As for their contract with Humanity Engineering, everything they were seeing was being recorded by them, and they were asked to be as thorough as possible.
Jin was even scraping some of the soot and dust from the walls to check if they were truly just soot and dust, putting them inside the empty vials he brought with him.
But while everyone was busy gathering data for Humanity Engineering, Julian walked straight back to the button he had found the first time¡ and pressed it.
¡°What the¡¡±
¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡±
And as the ground started to tremble, everyone¡¯s eyes strayed everywhere before landing on Julian, who was clearly the one responsible for the situation since he still had his finger pointed at the button.
¡°Are you out of your fucking mind, you retard!?¡± Vijya roared louder than the rumble cracking within the chamber. He charged toward Julian, but before he could reach him, the words of the [Guidance of Artemis] appeared before all of them.
[You have found the hidden quest: The Bridge. Prerequisite: Must be the bearer of a [Unique] class. Only those who are chosen by the stars themselves have the right to walk this path.]
Everyone¡¯s breaths turned heavier as they read those words. Hidden Quests, more often than not, were extremely dangerous and usually involved almost impossible-to-beat scenarios.
One doesn¡¯t just doesn¡¯t walk to it, which¡ is literally what Julian just did.
[Congratulations, all of you are welcomed by The Mother.]
¡°S¡ shit¡¡± Vijya cursed, sucking in his breath to try and calm himself down. But of course, that wasn¡¯t going to happen anytime soon. And instead, he glared at Julian, ¡°You fucking retard! Why would you press that without fucking saying anything!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s all just calm down!¡± Ben raised his voice as he moved between the two.
¡°Are you still taking this nonviable¡¯s side!?¡± Vijya did not let up, pointing violently at Julian as he barked, ¡°You should have been aborted!¡±
¡°I am not on his side, not this time. No.¡± Ben pushed Vijya away as he sighed; his brows furrowing as he also glared at Julian, ¡°You better have a good explanation for that, Julian.¡±
Julian didn¡¯t flinch at all and just started at everyone¡¯s frustrations. And instead, he remained completely calm and said, ¡°Because there¡¯s nothing on the other side¡ªI didn¡¯t hear or feel anything.¡±
¡°The¡ other side of¡ what?¡±
Julian didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he stood in front of the wall¡ as it began to slide open with a slow, grinding noise. The dust spilled from the edges almost like water, and the light from the chamber stretched into the darkness beyond.
¡°It¡ was a door?¡± Natasha muttered as she quickly stepped in front of her husband and summoned a glowing, translucent circular barrier to protect the both of them.
¡°You opened up a door, you fucking retard!?¡± Vijya barked, almost quite literally. His stance shifted as his arm began to mutate, swelling grotesquely into a rocky, jagged fist.
¡°This might be a hidden boss chamber,¡± Jin added, his voice filled with excitement as he also hid behind Natasha¡¯s barrier, and pulled out a glowing vial from his bag. ¡°This¡ is getting exciting.¡±
The group¡¯s reactions varied¡ªcaution from the married couple, excitement from Jin, and frustration from Vijya¡ªbut they were all very careful as they prepared for whatever was coming at them.
Julian, however, remained still, his gaze calm as he fixed on the dark hall in front of them as if he could see everything. And considering as he just stepped toward the darkness that presented itself to them without even any caution, everyone thought he actually could.
¡°What¡¯s with him?¡± Vijya spat, glaring at Julian. ¡°Stay within the formation! You¡¯re going to fuck all this shit up!¡±
Julian didn¡¯t respond again, and as he stepped through the darkness, the reason for his calmness finally became clear. The walls lit up, the flowers blooming as they slowly veiled the darkness with their color.
And there, what awaited them¡ was nothing.
¡°Huh?¡±
Ben and Natasha were the first to follow Julian inside, and it was just as Julian said¡ªthere was nothing on the other side.
Well, perhaps not exactly nothing. It wasn¡¯t empty, there were things scattered everywhere¡ªrusted set of armors, broken weapons, and all sorts of other things that also looked broken¡ and rotten.
The scent of decay filled the hall, unnatural and disturbing at the same time. The walls, the floors, and even the ceiling felt grim.
And within the decayed steel were skeletal remains, brittle and fragmented¡ªalso seemingly rotten.
¡°What¡ happened here?¡± Jin whispered.
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¡°A painting of a battle left unattended for centuries.¡± Natasha looked around at the large hall, her eyes landing on the throne that was right at the end of the hall.
¡°Is that a throne?¡± Vijya glanced at the others, his stone-like fists slightly crackling as he moved them.
¡°Could these things¡ be undead?¡± Jin then tossed a vial toward one of the armored skeletons. The liquid splashed and sizzled as it escaped from the shattered vial, dissolving the bones and armor almost instantly, but there was no reaction, not a groan, no a twitch, ¡°...I guess not?¡±
¡°Guys, don¡¯t let your guard down,¡± Ben warned, his voice as quiet as it could be as he continued to scan the room. ¡°There might be a hidden bos¡ª¡±
Before he could finish, the glowing text of the Guidance of Artemis appeared before them once more, cutting him off¡ªand as soon as they read what it was, all of their expressions fell.
[Hidden Quest: The Bridge, has already been claimed and started. Find the person who claimed it to join the Hidden Quest. You may leave through the teleportation circle.]
¡°Someone¡¯s¡ already started it!?¡± Vijya¡¯s voice exploded through the chamber. He clenched his rocky fist tightly, ¡°Then why the fuck are we even here!? Why didn¡¯t you just say that in the first place!?¡±
Vijya cursed at the [Guidance of Artemis] as if it would respond to him. But of course, it did not. The only response they received was the light right at the center of the hall, which everyone could really only presume to be the teleportation circle out of there.
¡°These¡ gods really do like to play with us,¡± Jin muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow before he returned his vials to his bag. The sound of glass clinking together inside, almost instantly released all the dreadiness linging in the air.
¡°Well, this was also a waste of time. I¡¯m out of here and will see you guys IRL.¡± He shrugged before straightening up and almost walked cartoonishly toward the glowing teleportation circle.
¡°Wait! We still need to find out who accepted the quest!¡± Ben called after him. He stepped forward, trying to stop Jin.
Jin, however, just shrugged again. ¡°It¡¯s probably someone from the Order of Artemia. Look at the insignias on their armor.¡± He gestured lazily toward the rusted remains of armor scattered across the chamber. ¡°And that flag over there.¡±
He pointed toward a tattered banner hanging limply on the wall, its faded colors and emblem unmistakably belonging to the extremist Order. And without another word, Jin stepped into the teleportation circle, his form flickering briefly before vanishing entirely.
¡°What the¡ªthere must be something here, right!?¡± Of course, no one really shared his nonchalance at all. Vijya was the first to break the silence before it could even happen, his voice exploding as he stormed toward the corpses, shoving away the brittle skeletons and rummaging through the debris.
Ben and Natasha exchanged a look before turning their attention to the throne at the far end of the room. Its once-regal design was now dulled and corroded, a relic of a time long past. They checked it for anything and also combed through the surrounding area meticulously.
Julian, meanwhile, stood motionless near the center of the chamber, tilting his head slightly as he listened to the vibrations created by his companions¡ªand the party did this for several hours.
But alas, the only thing they have was still the clue that the Order of Artemia was somehow involved in this.
¡°...Do you think it¡¯s someone from the Order of Artemia, or maybe an outside party that was with them?¡± Ben asked, his breath heavy from finding nothing at all.
¡°Perhaps we should also ask whether or not anyone made it out alive.¡± Natasha stood beside her husband, and although not as obvious, she was also disappointed with finding nothing.
¡°That¡¯s true, huh? All these people¡ they all should have unique classes, right?¡±
¡°Yes. Since from the wording of the [Guidance of Artemis] earlier, only those who have a Unique Class could enter this hall¡ªthose who do not be forcefully teleported out, as what happened to Julian Winters and his party members before.¡±
Natasha started walking around the hall again before approaching one of the rusted armor, ¡°But I think what we need to worry about is whether or not the one doing the quest right now is a Player... or if it is a native hyum. And there is the state of the corpses too.¡±
¡°...Why? What¡¯s wrong with them?¡± Ben narrowed his eyes, but Natasha did not answer and instead glanced at Julian.
¡°Julian, you are one of the best blacksmiths in the Known Universe, correct?¡± Natasha asked without changing the tone of her voice, or any changes in her expression.
¡°Maybe.¡± And Julian also answered without any changes in his tone, ¡°It would be hard to say without meeting other traditional blacksmiths.¡±
¡°Please, do not be so humble¡ªyour labor alone costs a minimum of 100,000 Credits. But I am losing track. I asked that question because I wanted to know if you noticed anything wrong with the armor and weapons¡ªbecause I have seen aged weapons myself throughout my journey in Artemia, and¡
Natasha paused her words as she picked up a sword from the ground, only for the blade to crack and turn into dust almost immediately; its ashes seemingly wanting to whisper of the massacre that happened to them,
¡°...they do not look like this at all.¡±
¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Julian hummed, the tone of his voice turning gentle as he looked at the set of armors and weapons, ¡°These metals are corroded the same way as the walls, the floor, and the throne are corroded. It is¡ unnatural, and inhumane. They are¡ dead, instead of being allowed to age.¡±
¡°What are you even talking about?¡± Vijya¡¯s rough voice completely overpowered Julian¡¯s soft words, ¡°Fuck this shit. We didn¡¯t find anything!¡±
¡°It¡¯s a fucking quest, Vijya. That¡¯s usually what happens in a quest.¡±
¡°Speaking of which¡¡± Natasha once again glanced at Julian, ¡°...I have been reading the forums and people are starting rumors that you are doing the Main Quest of Artemia, and I am inclined to agree with them¡ªeven more so now. We have already run through the beginner dungeon several times, and yet we were only swallowed by the planet when we were with you, Julian Winters.¡±
¡°...I don¡¯t know anything about a main quest.¡± Julian just looked confused.
¡°Well¡¡± Ben moved between the two, clapping his hands to get rid of whatever mood was in the air, ¡°...Whatever it is, I believe we should discuss this in a more comfortable place. And when I mean comfortable, I mean back in our real bodies.¡±
And as Ben said that, Natasha nodded in agreement as the two walked toward the teleportation circle. And surprisingly, Vijya also followed behind them, muttering curses under his breath.
As for Julian, well, he didn¡¯t follow behind them at all. Instead, he walked toward an inconspicuous section of the hall, one seemingly no different from the rest of the mess.
He knelt and began sifting through the rubble, his hands brushing aside brittle bones and carefully pushing fragments of corroded metal. His movements were precise, almost as if he knew exactly what he was looking for.
But then, his body tensed. The pores on the back of his neck opened wide as his senses warned him about¡ something. And without hesitation, he rolled to the side just as a massive stone fist crashed into the spot where he had been crouching.
The force of the impact sent shards of debris flying, the floor beneath erupting violently.
Julian sprang to his feet, his steps bouncing backward as his gaze locked onto the silhouette from the cloud of dust¡ªVijya.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed. He was so busy trying to find something that he did not even notice that Vijya did not step onto the teleportation circle at all.
¡°Tch,¡± Vijya spat, cracking his stone-encrusted knuckles. ¡°Humanity Engineering seems to have taken a liking to you, you fucking retard. But let¡¯s see if they like you enough to pull me out before I can kill your clone.¡±
Julian stepped back cautiously, his head tilting slightly. ¡°You¡ are a very aggressive person,¡± he said, completely confused.
¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve done anything to you?¡±
¡°I just fucking hate you,¡± Vijya growled as he clobbered his fists together, the sound of rock grinding against rock echoing through the chamber. ¡°And after I¡¯m done with your clone, I¡¯m going to beat the shit out of you in the real world. Then¡
¡I¡¯m going to steal your girl.¡±
¡°I''m afraid I have to agree with Talia, you are a very irrational person¡ I don¡¯t appreciate that at all.¡±
Chapter 76: A Frustrating and Unreasonable Situation
¡°Why the fuck are you so fast!?¡±
Booms and cracks erupted repeatedly, the sound snapping sharply through the air as shockwaves from Vijya¡¯s fists pummeled the ground. The earth quaked violently, splitting apart under the relentless assault, but for all the destruction he caused, none of his strikes even grazed Julian.
For a brief moment, Julian wasn¡¯t sure what was louder¡ªthe thunderous quakes Vijya was causing or the man¡¯s ceaseless shouting.
Julian effortlessly evaded him, leaping back or darting to the side, always just out of reach. But it wasn¡¯t because Julian himself was particularly fast¡ªin truth, Vijya was only slightly slower than him. They might have even been evenly matched in terms of raw speed.
The difference was Julian¡¯s senses. Vijya may as well be telling him was he was going to do next with how predictable he was.
Amidst the predictable chaos, MEGAN, who had been radio silent in her paranoia over being watched by Humanity Engineering, finally broke her silence through the Chat.
Julian¡¯s focus wavered briefly as he tried to read the information. Avoiding Vijya¡¯s relentless attacks already made it hard to read, and his limited literacy skills didn¡¯t help. But still, he managed to pick out the important details.
Level 33.
That was more than double his own level of 15, meaning Vijya was, on paper, at least twice as strong as him. One hit, Julian realized grimly, would likely end the fight instantly.
Another term from MEGAN¡¯s message caught his attention: AoE¡ªArea of Effect. From what MEGAN had taught him in their lessons, AoE skills could damage or affect a wide area.
But he was sure that Vijya hadn¡¯t used a single skill yet¡ but each of his normal punches seemed to already have an AoE effect, sending shockwaves that cracked the ground and flung debris in every direction, like miniature earthquakes.
And as Julian was busy making sure he was enough distance away from the rampaging Vijya, another message popped up at his peripheral.
¡°Thank you, MEGAN,¡± Julian whispered, leaping back to avoid another ground-shaking punch. The impact sent cracks spidering out beneath him. ¡°But weren¡¯t you called PrettyOneeChan before?¡±
As if on cue, Vijya¡¯s roar tore through the air like thunder: ¡°Seismic Charge!¡±
Vijya¡¯s sluggishness just suddenly evaporated. And in an instant, he surged forward like a juggernaut.
¡°Die!¡± he roared again, his crazed grin widening as he saw Julian freeze in place.
Or so he thought.
Without warning, Julian disappeared.
¡°Huh!?¡± Vijya¡¯s furious charge came to an abrupt halt, his feet sliding on the ground.
¡°Where the fuck are you!?¡± And he roared again, but this time in the empty air. Well, perhaps not exactly empty.
Julian actually stood just a meter away from him, motionless, his presence completely erased. If Vijya had just chosen to take a few more steps, he might have barreled into Julian, breaking and shattering his bones.
One of Julian¡¯s new passive abilities have been triggered¡ª[Null Presence].
As long as Julian remained perfectly still, he was completely invisible to anyone with a lower Perception stat. And even if he moved, his presence would remain muted, difficult to detect.
The skill was incredibly effective, but it demanded immense concentration. Yet, this ability felt like it had been designed for him. While he, admittedly to himself, might lack in the thinking department, he had an almost superhuman ability to focus and concentrate.
Still, it wasn¡¯t without its limits. Holding his breath, he stayed rooted in place as Vijya prowled nearby like a predator searching for prey.
¡°Show yourself, coward!¡± Vijya roared again, the sound echoing off the chamber¡¯s walls. He slammed his massive fists together, the force of the impact shaking the ground.
Julian was actually quite perplexed right now.
A coward? Why would he even attempt to fight someone who was obviously stronger than him?
Other than footwork, the one thing that Julian¡¯s martial arts instructor drilled into his mind was knowing when to run¡ªand this was definitely one of those times. He wanted to shut Vijya up since he was starting to mention Ellie again, but this wasn¡¯t the right time and place to do it.
Still, it was a shame. Julian had detected something peculiar earlier, buried beneath the rubble. It gave off a strange resonance¡ªperhaps some sort of metal or it might not even be nothing at all. Whatever it was, it felt¡ odd.
He had hoped to see what it was, but survival was the priority now.
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And soon, as Vijya¡¯s frustrations grew and he started rampaging and just randomly punching the air and destroying the ground around him, Julian decided to move.
His movements were minute, silent, and extremely careful. As long as he could reach the teleportation circle, then he would be able to escape.
But it didn¡¯t go as Julian planned at all. Before he could take 3 steps, Vijya roared. ¡°Earth Pulse!¡± Vijya slammed his fists together, causing a strong shockwave that threw Julian in the air even though he was far from Vijya. ¡°Found you!¡± And as his silhouette once again appeared, Vijya did not waste time at all as he rushed to him, ¡°Seismic Charge!¡± he once again roared. Since Julian was in the air, he could not dodge at all. Or could he?
¡°Die!¡± Vijya repeated, but then, he watched¡ as Julian seemingly jumped in the air. ¡°You can fly!?¡±
No, not exactly. Julian had seen the previous shadow blacksmith, Erin, use this before¡ªturning shadows into solid and letting them stay where it were. He¡
¡jumped on the little shadow beneath the soles of his feet.
Ridiculous.
Julian activated [Shadow Sculpt], a risky decision considering his limited mastery of the skill. But he remembered when Erin tripped him in their fight. The shadow which she manipulated from the flower beneath his feet hovered inches above the ground¡ away from its actual source.
That meant that not only could he sculpt the shadows, but he could also leave them in the air¡ and let them stay there. Literally untethered from logic.
He was going to use [Shadow Festival], but that was best saved for emergencies. And while this moment might qualify as an emergency, there was always the chance Vijya could pursue him outside the dungeon. It would be fine if Ben and Natasha were there, but what if they weren¡¯t?
And so, Julian just went with a gamble¡ªhe manipulated his own shadows to create a path in the air. It was clumsy and awkward, but it worked¡ªat least for now.
Meanwhile, Vijya stood rooted to the ground, utterly bewildered as Julian moved like a¡
¡°Are you a monkey!? You unevolved ape!¡±
But of course, like most things, Julian¡¯s skill had limits¡ªand one of those limits was presenting itself to him right now¡ªsince he was using his own shadows to create footholds, they were bound to run out soon.
¡°Oh¡¡± And true enough, he was now completely devoid of any shadow in his body to the point that he almost did not look real at all from Vijya¡¯s perspective, almost like he was a hologram drawn there.
And soon, Vijya watched Julian plummet toward the ground.
Luckily for Julian, he was already near the teleportation circle¡ªclose enough that he could reach it with a short sprint. And sprint he did.
¡°Pussy!¡± Vijya¡¯s voice bellowed behind him, ¡°You think this would be over if you run!? I really am going to fucking fuck your girlfriend!¡±
And of course, those words stopped Julian.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian muttered, exhaling sharply as he turned around to face Vijya. ¡°We are being watched right now. Humanity Engineering will not like this.¡±
Vijya erupted into laughter, loud and derisive. ¡°You think they care about you!?¡± His fists clashed together, echoing like distant thunder.
¡°Why do you think they haven¡¯t forcefully pulled me out yet? It¡¯s because pulling me out would put me in danger¡ªand they would never risk that. Do you know who I am? Who my family is!?¡±
Julian didn¡¯t even bother reading MEGAN¡¯s frantic typing. He already knew what she was saying.
And he had planned to run¡ªhe really did.
But now¡ he wasn¡¯t feeling it anymore.
Julian straightened his posture, as he looked Vijya in the eyes¡ªsomething he usually doesn¡¯t do to people.
Vijya¡¯s lips twisted into a taunting smirk as he saw this. ¡°There he is¡ the Sword Junkie finally shows himself,¡± he muttered.
But Vijya had it wrong. The Sword Junkie would be armed, and he would have a smile on his face¡ and Julian was carrying neither.
Instead, he raised his hands into a stance that was ancient, yet simple¡ªboxing.
And of course, the sight of Julian preparing to fight him with nothing but bare fists made Vijya¡¯s veins bulge in anger.
¡°You¡¯re seriously going to fight me with that?¡± His lips twitched. ¡°Now I know why you were born¡ you were born to fucking piss me off! [Seismic Charge]!¡±
Vijya¡¯s roar of fury shook the chamber as he charged at Julian like an enraged bull. His stone-encrusted fists promised devastation with every step forward.
Despite this, Julian remained rooted.
The air thickened as Vijya¡¯s crazed laughter exploded through the chamber. His raw strength was intimidating, but Julian¡¯s focus did not waver. He knew one solid hit from Vijya would utterly destroy his fragile clone¡ªbut even then, he stood firm.
And when Vijya was only meters away from hitting him, Julian whispered under his breath,
¡°[Shadow Festival].¡±
In an instant, the atmosphere around them distorted. The floor rippled and twisted unnaturally, as if reality itself had gone mad. Vijya stumbled slightly, his footing unsure as his vision blurred and his sense faltered.
But then he grinned, an unsettling expression stretched across his face.
¡°Hah! You think I haven¡¯t figured this out already?¡± Vijya roared. ¡°When you used this against those shmucks, I¡¯ve already learned how to counter it!¡±
And with those words, he shut his eyes tightly.
¡°You¡¯re nothing compared to me! I beat you, I¡¯m better than you, I¡¯m the superior human!¡±
With that, he charged forward blindly, confident that he would find Julian and crush him with a single strike.
Seconds passed.
His laughter faded as confusion replaced his confidence. He was running, yet he hadn¡¯t felt the impact of a wall¡ªor Julian.
Vijya¡¯s eyelids snapped open, only to see open fields stretching before him and the city of Ethaca on the horizon.
He was¡ outside.
¡°What the¡¡± Unknowingly, he had stepped onto the teleportation circle that was actually behind Julian.
¡°You¡¡± Vijya growled as his stone fists slowly shifted to normal, ¡°Motherf¡ª¡±
And all of a sudden, Vijya¡¯s words were cut short.
His throat locked, and the color of his eyes disappeared.
And then¡ without rhyme, warning, or any reason, he just collapsed to the ground¡ªlike a lifeless doll with no one to catch him.
Back in the secret dungeon, Julian was already casually rummaging through the rubble he had rummaged through before, almost as if his altercation with Vijya did not happen at all.
Meanwhile, MEGAN bombarded his chat with messages.
¡°Thank you,¡± Julian hummed, brushing aside more debris as he tilted his head, listening intently to the vibrations beneath the rubble. His senses were locked onto a distinct hum, a sound that resonated stronger and stronger the closer he got.
Finally, after several moments of digging like a mole, Julian¡¯s hands brushed against something warm and rough, almost powdery. He pulled it free from the debris, revealing a black, unassuming rock.
¡°This is¡¡± Julian muttered, holding it up to the faint light of the flowers. The moment it left the rubble, the humming that had been so overwhelming vanished completely¡ªas if the rock had never been special to begin with.
Julian frowned, perplexed. It had been so loud earlier, almost deafening in its intensity, as if it were calling out to him. But now, in his grasp, it was utterly silent.
He stared at the black rock for a few seconds before deciding he needed help.
¡°[Guidance],¡± he whispered.
Almost immediately, the [Guidance of Artemis] answered him, filling his eyes with the item¡¯s details:
[Dodona Coal: A coal native to Dodona. It¡¯s coal.]
¡°...Huh?¡±
Chapter 77: Flames of Juliet
¡°Vijya¡¯s¡ not with you?¡±
Julian didn¡¯t spend much time examining the coal he found beneath the rubble of the secret dungeon. There wasn¡¯t much point, given that he had no idea what or where Dodona was. After ensuring he hadn¡¯t overlooked anything in the ruined chamber, he stepped onto the teleportation circle and was transported out.
He remained on high alert, fully expecting Vijya to be waiting with his stone fists ready. But instead, he was greeted by Ben and Natasha, who stood near the teleportation exit, visibly prepared to fight. But as soon as they saw Julian materialize alone, their shoulders lowered, but their eyes still scanned for Vijya.
¡°...No.¡± Julian tilted his head slightly, also trying to hear for any hints of Vijya nearby. But with the grass only hindered beneath Ben and Natasha¡¯s feet, it confirmed that there weren¡¯t any souls for at least a dozen meters. ¡°He¡¯s not with you?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Ben exhaled sharply, his brows furrowing in frustration as he ran a hand through his hair. ¡°When we realized you and Vijya weren¡¯t behind us, we rushed back here. That guy¡¯s been gunning for you since the start.¡±
Natasha, standing silently behind her husband, nodded in agreement, her gaze flickering toward the surrounding area.
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°He did attack me in the dungeon.¡±
¡°What!? Are you alright?¡± Ben¡¯s concern was evident as he stepped closer, his voice tight.
¡°Yes. I was able to trick him. He seems to be a more¡ simple-minded person than I am.¡±
¡°Trick¡ him?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Ben blinked, his lips quirking into a faint smile. ¡°Huh¡ that would¡¯ve been fun to see.¡± He sighed, stretching his arms over his head before glancing at Natasha.
¡°Anyway, the wife and I decided to spend some time walking around the city for a while because¡ wow¡¡± His eyes softened as they wandered over the distant Ethaca. ¡°How long¡¯s it been since we were last here? The memories¡ feels like it was just yesterday I broke out of that weird tree cocoon and almost got mangled by goblins.¡±
¡°Are you truly alright, Julian Winters?¡± Natasha¡¯s gaze lingered on Julian, even as Ben was already lost in thought, planning their next move. Her concern was evident¡ªhow had he managed to emerge completely unscathed? She knew what Julian was capable of, but she also knew the threat Vijya posed.
¡°I find it remarkable that you managed to trick him, given the difference in your levels,¡± she said, her eyes scanning Julian for any signs of injury.
Julian opened his mouth to respond, but Ben cut him off, laughing as he walked away.
¡°Oh, please. Have you seen that guy¡¯s temper? It¡¯s like most of his IQ is in his mouth¡ªassuming he has any. I know guys like that. Always get what they want. If I were you, Julian¡ I¡¯d be watching my back.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian shrugged, trailing behind as the married couple began heading back to Ethaca.
¡°Are you returning to your real body as soon as we return to the city?¡± Natasha asked over her shoulder.
¡°Not yet. I still need to talk to Juliet about something.¡±
Ben slowed his pace to walk alongside them, narrowing his eyes at Julian with a mischievous grin.
¡°You know,¡± he began, smirking, ¡°technically, even if you sleep with Juliet, it wouldn¡¯t count as cheating. They debated that ages ago on the forums when Otherworld first launched.¡±
¡°Benjamin.¡± Natasha¡¯s tone was sharp as she shot her husband a glare that could pierce armor. Ben raised his hands in surrender.
¡°I¡¯m kidding, I¡¯m kidding! Just wanted to see how he¡¯d react.¡± He glanced at Julian, then frowned. ¡°And¡ he didn¡¯t. Wow. You know what I¡¯ve realized these past few days we¡¯ve been together? You and Ellie have, like, the most insane and secure relationship I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±
¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Natasha agreed, her expression softening as she glanced at Julian.
¡°What¡¯s the secret, man? You¡¯ve been together since, what, 14?¡±
¡°A secret?¡± Julian seemed genuinely puzzled.
¡°Yeah, the secret to how you two have stayed so solid for so long. What¡¯s the magic?¡± Ben grinned, and even Natasha, usually so stoic, was watching Julian expectantly.
Julian didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We¡¯re together because we¡¯re supposed to be together. I don¡¯t know any other way to live.¡±
¡°That¡ well¡ wow.¡± Ben was at a loss for words.
Suffice it to say, the walk back to the city was quiet after that. It wasn¡¯t until the married couple bid their farewells that they talked again¡ªas for Julian, he returned to the smithy plaza to find Juliet.
And find her he did¡ still in front of her old boss¡¯ shop. This time, however, she wasn¡¯t just lingering¡ªshe was directing workers who carried crates, carts, and other supplies inside.
¡°Ah, Boss!¡± Juliet¡¯s face lit up as she spotted him approaching. ¡°I decided to sign a contract to use this place while you were gone.¡±
¡°You rented it?¡± Julian tilted his head, peering into the shop. ¡°You have that kind of money?¡±
¡°Boss¡¡± Juliet blinked at him, baffled. ¡°Remember I sold all my stuff? And you let me handle all the loot from our nonstop one-week hunt back in Calydion? I have a lot of money.¡±
¡°Huh.¡±
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¡°Yup.¡± Juliet crossed her arms, nodding in satisfaction. ¡°Oh, and Cyrus said you¡¯d be busy in, you know, your world. So, I figured we wouldn¡¯t have much time to travel across the lands anyway.¡±
¡°He said that I would be busy? With that?¡±
¡°I¡ don¡¯t know. He mentioned something about a strainer¡ Sterner? Streamer? Just something about awards or something. But enough about that, look here¡¡±
Before he could respond, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the shop. ¡°...I even rented the shop space too! We can display everything we make here. Imagine it¡ªa shop filled with [Rare] equipment, nothing less. And maybe even some [Epic]... and then¡ªwait¡ Boss!? Are you crying!?¡±
Tears streamed down Julian¡¯s face, catching everyone off guard. The workers paused mid-task, exchanging confused glances. How could someone who looked so muscular and strong¡ actually crying right now in front of all of them?
¡°I am¡ very proud of you, Juliet,¡± Julian said, releasing a deep breath. A gentle smile spread across his face. ¡°To have your own shop¡ I almost feel ashamed you still call me master, especially when you¡¯re clearly more accomplished than I am.¡±
¡°W-wait, Boss! Boss!¡± Juliet waved her hands frantically, her cheeks flushing pink. ¡°I didn¡¯t rent this just for me! If I¡¯d done it only for myself, I¡¯d just lose money. I rented it for you. Well¡ for us.¡±
¡°For us?¡± Julian blinked, clearly surprised.
¡°Hmn.¡± Juliet sniffled, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to push past the emotion bubbling up in her chest. ¡°Since you¡¯re going to be busy, I figured you¡¯d want a place to relax and de-stress. I even had a bed brought in, so you can sleep here, wake up, and get straight to work.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian¡¯s gaze wandered as he began to explore the shop, eventually making his way to the smithy in the back. ¡°...This is very nice, Juliet. Thank you.¡±
¡°I know, right!?¡± Juliet exclaimed, practically skipping to follow him. She raised her arm as though to sling it around his shoulders, only to awkwardly stop mid-motion and pat him on the back instead. ¡°I¡¯m already imagining all the things we¡¯ll make here!¡±
¡°Your armor,¡± Julian said simply.
¡°Yes! Have I shown you the sketches yet? No? I¡¯ll show you tomorrow!¡± Juliet¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re probably tired though, right? I¡¯ll just ask about the dungeon later.¡±
¡°Speaking of the dungeon¡¡± Julian trailed off, reaching into his pocket. ¡°I found something I need you to check.¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Juliet tilted her head as Julian retrieved an object¡ªa lump of coal.
¡°Do you know what this is?¡± he asked, holding it out.
¡°A coal?¡± Juliet frowned, staring at the item in confusion. After a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration, and she called upon the [Guidance of Artemis] for answers.
¡°...It really is just a lump of coal,¡± she muttered, her tone uncertain. ¡°But¡ it¡¯s from Dodona? That¡¯s pretty far¡ªalmost Gnarfolk territory. But why do I feel like I¡¯ve heard that name being mentioned recently, but I can¡¯t remember where¡ Huh. And you found this in the dungeon?¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
¡°That¡¯s strange.¡± Juliet let out a long sigh, crossing her arms. ¡°I¡¯ll try to dig up some information, but it¡¯s late. You should get some rest, Boss. The bed upstairs is already set up, and I¡¯ve moved your stuff there too.¡±
Julian hesitated. Before he could respond, Juliet¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Ah! Wait¡ªwhat do you want to name the shop?¡±
¡°That¡¯s your decision,¡± Julian replied, his tone warm.
¡°Hmn. I want you to name it.¡±
Julian considered this for a moment before nodding. ¡°Then¡ name it Flames of Juliet.¡±
¡°W-what?¡± Juliet froze, her face instantly turning scarlet. ¡°Why my name? That¡¯s¡ª¡±
¡°It¡¯s the name of a quest I have involving you,¡± Julian said, his voice calm as his eyes fixed on the glowing text in front of him.
¡°You¡ have a quest about me?¡± Juliet¡¯s voice rose in pitch, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°What does it say?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve never really checked,¡± Julian admitted, tapping the quest to reveal more information. ¡°It says¡ to offer you a braclet?¡±
¡°W-what!?¡± Juliet stumbled back a step, her face blanching as her hands instinctively shot up to cover her mouth. ¡°Why¡ why would Artemis tell you to do that!?¡±
¡°It doesn¡¯t explain,¡± Julian said, tilting his head in genuine confusion. ¡°Why are you so startled? What¡¯s a¡ª¡±
¡°You¡ you should go to bed, Boss,¡± Juliet cut him off, her voice shaky but firm.
¡°But¡ª¡±
¡°Sleep!¡± Juliet snapped, practically shoving him toward the door.
Julian, stunned, let himself be pushed out of the smithy.
As the door closed behind him, Juliet remained rooted in place, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to steady her breath. Her face glowed so red it seemed as though her cheeks could ignite the forge itself.
¡°Why¡¡± She whispered softly, ¡°...Why would Artemia make you do that? You¡ you already have someone.¡±
***
¡°Welcome back to Earth, Julian. Well¡ not exactly.¡±
And as soon as Julian woke up in his real body, the first voice that welcomed him was Ellie. She quickly held his hand, handing him a bottle of water.
¡°Thank you.¡± Julian immediately drank the water before getting out of the capsule. With his feet landing on the floor, he quickly felt the vibrations around him and noticed that aside from Ellie, there was no one else there.
Other than Ellie, the only sounds were the steady, rhythmic breathing of Ben and Natasha in their capsules.
¡°Jin and Vijya are gone?¡± he asked.
¡°Jin already left. But Vijya¡¡± Ellie¡¯s voice wavered as she moved closer to Julian. ¡°...We need to leave now, Julian. As in, now.¡±
¡°Why?¡± The softness in Julian¡¯s tone vanished, replaced by a sharp edge. His brows furrowed as he tightened his grip on Ellie¡¯s hand. ¡°Did Vijya do something to you? Where is he?¡±
¡°N-no.¡± Ellie swallowed hard, glancing toward the door. ¡°These people¡ they¡¯re dangerous, Julian.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°I was watching your stream with Victoria, and we saw Vijya suddenly attack you. I¡ I told her to do something, and she left me alone for a bit. When she came back¡¡± Ellie¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°I saw them dragging Vijya away from his capsule. They ripped the LinkGear from his head and just destroyed it. Isn¡¯t that¡ dangerous? I think¡ I think they killed him.¡±
¡°That¡ª¡±
Before Julian could respond, a calm voice interrupted from the side.
¡°That truly pains me to hear, Ellie. I thought you had grown to like us over the past few days,¡± Victoria said with a soft chuckle, her presence as unnervingly calm as ever. ¡°And no, we did not kill Mr. Thacker.¡±
¡°Where¡ is he, then?¡± Ellie stepped in front of Julian protectively.
¡°We are merely¡ talking to him.¡± Victoria waved her hand dismissively, her smile never faltering. ¡°We believe in diplomacy here at Humanity Engineering, Ellie. That¡¯s something we have in common with Mr. Winters. Isn¡¯t that right, Mr. Winters? We like to¡ talk first.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian¡¯s response was little more than a grunt, his eyes narrowing.
¡°Anyway,¡± Victoria continued, her tone breezy, ¡°I assume the two of you are heading home now? I¡¯ve already had my team prepare a ride for you. Sadly, I won¡¯t be the driver this time.¡± She sighed dramatically. ¡°It¡¯s a shame you didn¡¯t find anything. Someone must have beaten us to the Hidden Quest. But rest assured, Mr. Winters, our team on Artemia is working tirelessly to uncover more.¡±
¡°What about the coal I found?¡±
¡°That¡¯s entirely up to you, Mr. Winters. According to Ms. Juliet, it¡¯s just a lump of coal,¡± Victoria replied with a sly smile. ¡°But it would be much better in the hands of the best blacksmith in the Known Universe, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
¡°Now, I believe your ride is ready. Are you sure you won¡¯t stay?¡±
¡°We¡ still have things to do. You heard them, there''s that... Streamer Awards thing we have to prepare for.¡± Ellie gripped Julian¡¯s hand firmly and pulled him toward the exit. ¡°Thank you for the hospitality, Victoria.¡±
¡°Well, no doubt Mr. Winters is winning the Newcomer category. I do hope you¡¯ll call me sometime,¡± Victoria said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. ¡°It¡ was a pleasure to talk to you, Ellie.¡±
Ellie stopped mid-step, her hand tightening around Julian¡¯s. She turned to glance at Victoria, holding her gaze for a few moments before nodding.
¡°I will. Just¡ promise me no more creepy stuff.¡±
¡°...I promise,¡± Victoria said quietly.
With that, Julian lifted a hand in a brief wave, echoing Ellie¡¯s farewell as they left the room.
¡°So¡¡± Victoria muttered to herself, her gaze drifting upward as if addressing the empty air. ¡°Do you really think they¡¯re ready for what¡¯s about to happen¡
¡Erin?¡±
Chapter 78: The Shadow Forge, Finally
¡°Ah! Where did that thing come from!?¡±
¡°It¡¯s one of my skills. I already told you about it.¡±
¡°Wait¡ so, that¡¯s from Otherworld?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
A few hours after Julian and Ellie left Humanity Engineering, they returned to their hotel. Somehow, they ended up on the bed for their usual nightly activities¡ªdespite it still being the afternoon.
Julian had expected to be knocked unconscious when they passed through the Radiant Gates, but nothing happened. He hadn¡¯t fainted, nor had he dreamt of his parents again.
It was a shame. He would have liked to hear their voices once more. He still couldn¡¯t tell whether they were memories or something else. They felt like memories, yet they were far too vivid, far too lucid to be real.
But there was no point dwelling on it now. He needed to focus on the present¡ªwhich, at the moment, was the object in his hand.
¡°What¡ is it?¡± Ellie asked, resting her cheek against Julian¡¯s chest as her eyes locked on the black rock he was holding.
¡°It¡¯s coal.¡±
¡°Coal!? You¡¯re going to get it all over the sheets!¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes widened in alarm. ¡°Why do you even have that!?¡±
¡°...You¡¯re right.¡± Julian turned his free hand downward and let the coal sink back into its shadow. ¡°I forgot. Sorry.¡±
¡°Wait, wait¡¡± Ellie propped herself up, her curiosity piqued. ¡°You can just bring anything with you from that other planet?¡±
¡°Hm. Only certain things that count as crafting materials,¡± Julian replied, opening his [Guidance] window. The display still felt strange to him¡ªbeing blind, yet seeing words appear vividly before him.
¡°Crafting materials¡ like gold?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes narrowed, her mind clearly racing.
¡°Gold¡¡± Julian tilted his head, recalling the bishop¡¯s blade¡ªthe gold-shifting weapon he had encountered. ¡°...I think I could, if I found some.¡±
¡°...Are you thinking what I¡¯m thinking!?¡± Ellie leaned back, practically bouncing on the bed in excitement.
As her energy reached a peak, MEGAN appeared in a flicker of light from the holographic display, matching Ellie¡¯s enthusiasm with an animated nod.
[It would seem you¡¯ve arrived at the same conclusion,] MEGAN said, her voice brimming with pride.
¡°I know, right!?¡± Ellie pointed at MEGAN, grinning ear to ear. ¡°Julian can, like¡ bring gold back here, and we could sell it! Wait¡ªmaybe I should get my own LinkGear so I can handle all the logistics for Otherworld stuff. That way it¡¯d be seamless! But¡ no¡ who¡¯d take care of you while you¡¯re there? Never mind, never mind.¡±
Ellie cycled through at least five emotions in rapid succession, pacing the bed without a care that she was completely naked. Finally, with a long sigh, she plopped down again, her excitement fading into disappointment.
¡°What time are you meeting Cyrus today?¡± she asked, her tone softening as she calmed down. ¡°You¡¯re going Topside again, right?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian hummed. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to meet at Talia¡¯s restaurant at five. They also wanted you to come.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Ellie blinked, glancing at her watch. ¡°...But I still have some work to finish. Hm¡ I think I can wrap this up before four.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll wait for you, then,¡± Julian replied without hesitation.
¡°But¡¡± Ellie bit her lip, her gaze drifting to Julian¡¯s bare chest. Her eyes trailed downward toward his waist, but before they wandered further, she shook her head sharply and darted to her desk. Grabbing a pair of glasses, she slid them on and quickly began tapping the air in front of her.
Julian tilted his head slightly, listening to the mix of sounds coming from her glasses. Ellie had always been passionate about music. Since she was a child, she¡¯d dreamed of becoming a singer. She had the voice for it, and she certainly had the looks.
But so did millions of others.
The harsh reality of the industry hadn¡¯t stopped her from pursuing her dream, even if she knew she was past the age to debut as an idol. Instead, she had channeled her passion into sound design, carving out a career as a sound effects artist.
It was always music for her.
And the reason was clear as to why.
She wanted Julian to see the world around him through music. That was what she told him when they were still teenagers, that it was her dream to make music so good that he would be able to see it, figuratively, of course.
The memory made him smile, as it always did.
¡°W-what?¡± Ellie turned around, her cheeks faintly pink as she noticed his grin. She laughed softly. ¡°Stop being creepy. You¡¯re distracting me. Shh!¡±
¡°It sounds beautiful, Ellie,¡± Julian said, the warmth in his voice impossible to miss.
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¡°You¡ can hear it from there?¡± Ellie blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. ¡°You really are like Superman now.¡±
¡°MEGAN says I¡¯m more like Daredevil.¡±
¡°...That¡¯s a thing?¡±
[It¡¯s a very old comic book character!] MEGAN joined in, her voice still cheerful. [Sadly, most people only know Superman and Spider-Man these days.]
¡°There¡¯s a Spider-Man?¡± Ellie glanced back at her, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Wait¡ªstop distracting me!¡±
[You¡¯re the one who asked!]
¡°Ssh!¡±
And with a playful huff, Ellie buried herself back in her work, fingers moving rapidly as she fine-tuned her project. Meanwhile, the other two returned to what they were doing, with MEGAN scouring the Artemia forums, quietly gathering information.
And Julian, well, he stayed on the bed, listening to the soft hum of Ellie¡¯s sounds mixing with MEGAN¡¯s occasional mutterings. As he waited for Ellie to finish, he considered what to do. There wasn¡¯t much, but one idea came to mind.
He was going to finally try his major skill, the [Shadow Forge]... completely forgetting the fact that time would not move while he was inside it.
He reached toward the shadow beside him, his hand vanishing into its depths as he whispered, ¡°Shadow Forge.¡±
The world around him shifted immediately. He felt as though his entire body had been propelled into the air, an intense sensation of acceleration coursing through him. But even as the feeling overwhelmed his senses, his body didn¡¯t move.
The feeling was similar to transferring his consciousness from his real body to his clone in Artemia. And yet, it was distinctly different.
It felt like stepping through a doorway¡ªand then, he was there. For the very first time, Julian stood inside the [Shadow Forge].
He had expected a simple mindscape, a space with limited interactions and vague impressions. While it was a mindscape, it felt far more real than he¡¯d imagined. And perhaps it is real, he was truly inside a forge.
And he could actually see.
The forge itself was not what he expected, either. It had a sleek, modern design, though he wouldn¡¯t actually know what a modern forge looked like. Still, this felt like one. A terminal with a glowing screen stood to one side, its faint light cutting through the darkness.
A workbench sat nearby, flanked by a wall where the tools he had stored in the vault were neatly displayed. Beside it was a large, empty podium that seemed to serve some unknown purpose.
Everything else, however, was nothing but darkness. The floor, the walls¡ªif there were walls¡ªthe ceiling, and perhaps even the horizon, were all a deep, impenetrable black.
But the most striking detail wasn¡¯t the forge itself.
No, it was the fact that he wasn¡¯t alone.
The Avatar of Searadyn was there, her form wreathed in cold blue flames that danced gently around her body. She stood near the forge, watching him approach.
¡°Greetings, Master,¡± she said, bowing her head slightly.
Julian paused, his surprise well-hidden behind his casual tone. ¡°Hello. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be seeing you again so soon.¡±
¡°I have been with you throughout your journey,¡± the Avatar replied, her gaze fixed on him. Her movements were minimal, almost statuesque, as though she existed separately from the world around her.
¡°...You should sit somewhere,¡± Julian said, breaking the silence.
¡°We have no chairs, Master,¡± she replied, her head tilting slightly as she glanced around the forge. ¡°And I do not mind standing, as I am not truly standing. I am a spirit¡ªI exist, yet I do not.¡±
¡°Wouldn¡¯t you be more comfortable sitting?¡± Julian pressed.
¡°I do not know.¡±
¡°Let me make you a chair, then,¡± Julian hummed, walking toward the forge¡¯s terminal.
The screen lit up as he tapped it, displaying a user interface. Instinctively, he understood its functions¡ªthe [Guidance of Artemis] had already fed him the knowledge, after all. But of course, the process of using it was still completely foreign to him.
He tapped the screen several more times, examining the options. The glowing interface fascinated him, and he found himself wondering if this was what others saw when using their holographic screens.
And soon, his gaze eventually landed on an icon labeled Materials.
He tapped on the icon, and as he did, a list of items from the [Shadow Vault] appeared¡ªdifferent types of ingots, wood, and various miscellaneous materials. He selected one of the listed woods, and with a faint shimmer, it materialized on the large podium.
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian studied it for a moment. He was about to approach and gather what he needed, but the Avatar of Searadyn stepped forward, her flames flickering softly.
¡°How many would you like, Master?¡± she asked.
¡°Take them all out for now.¡± Julian responded casually. As the Avatar removed the wood from the podium, he scrolled through the list and selected a steel ingot, gesturing for her to retrieve it as well.
While she worked, Julian continued exploring the terminal. After a moment of tinkering, he found the application to control the fire. With a simple motion, he raised a virtual dial, and flames roared to life within the forge, casting warm light across the black expanse.
¡°What are you making, Master?¡± the Avatar asked, her curiosity evident.
¡°Some nails to build your chair,¡± Julian replied, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring any nails because I wasn¡¯t expecting to make furniture. I should¡¯ve gotten some rods¡ªthey¡¯d make this easier¡ªbut Artemia doesn¡¯t stock those in the shops.¡±
¡°You¡ are truly making a chair for me?¡± The Avatar¡¯s white, flickering eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You do not need to do that, Master.¡±
¡°I want to make something,¡± Julian said, his voice calm as he heated the ingot. ¡°What better to make than something we need right now?¡±
The Avatar of Searadyn remained silent, watching intently as Julian began shaping the metal. A faint smile crept onto her face as she observed the precision of his movements.
Yes, she had chosen the right master.
Even though he was merely making nails, his craftsmanship was leagues beyond any blacksmith she had encountered in her long existence. The very fact that this space¡ªthe Shadow Forge¡ªexisted was testament enough to how extraordinary he was.
Even she didn¡¯t fully understand what this place was.
In no time, Julian had crafted a simple chair. When the Avatar attempted to sit, however, her presence immediately began to scorch and freeze the wood simultaneously, forcing Julian to create a protective plate to cover the seat.
¡°Next time, I¡¯ll make you a bed,¡± Julian said, stepping back to inspect his work.
¡°There is truly no need for that¡ªI do not sleep,¡± the Avatar replied, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°Rather, you should focus on making more seats¡ for the other flame spirits you will conquer.¡±
¡°Hm? I can have more spirits follow me?¡± Julian asked, his brow raising slightly.
¡°Yes. But my place will always remain special.¡± The Avatar gestured toward the tattoo at the back of Julian¡¯s hand. ¡°I am the first spirit bound to you, after all.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian glanced at his hand thoughtfully. ¡°Where can I find more of your kind?¡±
¡°We are everywhere, Master,¡± she replied with a soft smile. ¡°And you already have one close to you. I can feel it¡ here, in the forge with us.¡±
¡°Here?¡± Julian tilted his head, puzzled.
The Avatar of Searadyn stood, her flames flickering brighter as she moved to the terminal. ¡°May I?¡±
¡°Of course,¡± Julian said, stepping aside to let her access the screen.
She navigated the interface with surprising ease, selecting a specific material. Moments later, a faint shimmer marked the material¡¯s appearance on the podium. Julian frowned in confusion as he recognized it.
¡°The Dodona Coal?¡± he asked, staring at the single lump of blackened rock. ¡°That¡¯s a spirit?¡±
¡°I am certain you felt it, Master,¡± the Avatar said, her voice low as she approached the podium. ¡°That is why it is with you now.¡± She leaned closer to the coal, her flames casting a soft glow over it. ¡°It is quite small¡
¡but there is an ember persevering weakly within. A spirit, dying.¡±
Chapter 79: Celebration on Both Ends
¡°I don¡¯t hear or feel it anymore.¡±
¡°The fact that you could sense it at all proves how remarkable you are, Master.¡±
Julian and the Avatar of Searadyn stood on opposite sides of the wide podium, their gazes fixed on the Dodona Coal. Julian strained to hear the faint hum he had perceived before, but the coal was now completely silent.
The Avatar of Searadyn reached out, gently picking up the coal. She held it close to her forehead, and the cold blue flames surrounding her flickered and rippled, momentarily shifting to a calm orange hue. The reaction was brief¡ªno more than a second¡ªbefore she returned the coal to the podium.
¡°Even I can barely feel it,¡± she said, her tone laced with admiration as she glanced at Julian. ¡°It is alive, but its existence is smaller than the dust on your shoulders, Master. And yet you sensed it, even without investing points in Perception. Your natural awareness is¡ extraordinary.¡±
¡°You¡ know that?¡± Julian tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.
¡°Of course, Master. We are connected¡ªour souls are bonded. Though your body lives in darkness, I can feel how magical this world of yours is.¡± The Avatar of Searadyn closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as if savoring the air. ¡°It is a strange and wondrous place, filled with structures that tower over even Artemia¡¯s greatest mountains.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed softly.
¡°I will forever be grateful that Artemis deemed me worthy of meeting you, Master,¡± the Avatar continued, her form beginning to fade into a wisp of blue flame. As she floated closer to Julian, her voice echoed softly in the darkness, ¡°You are the greatest blacksmith I have ever known. I eagerly await what you will create next.¡±
¡°...Thank you,¡± Julian replied, his voice steady as his eyes followed the wisp until it disappeared.
For a moment longer, his attention returned to the Dodona Coal, straining once more to catch its elusive hum. But it remained silent.
With a sigh, Julian decided to leave the Shadow Forge¡ªEllie might have finished her work by now. But as he went through the door that wasn¡¯t really a door, a realization struck him: time didn¡¯t flow inside the forge.
¡°Oh,¡± he whispered to himself as he heard Ellie still working.
And so, with nothing to do, Julian simply waited. Sometimes, doing nothing was a pleasant reprieve. He sat in the stillness, letting his mind rest.
But while Julian and many others on Earth enjoyed moments of peace, the Daemon Control Center and the Phantom Brigade, led by Cindy Solis, were fighting for survival.
For days, they had battled their way back through the portal and into the Daemon Planes. The World Government had been made fully aware of the escalating crisis, and their initial response¡ªto bomb the interior of the portals¡ªhad been swiftly dismissed.
Most of the Congress members were scientists and experienced soldiers. They understood that bombing would solve nothing and might even worsen the situation.
Instead, funds were even allocated to bolster the DCC, granting them the resources necessary to push deeper into the portals and uncover the truth about the Daemon Planes.
At long last, Dr. Ling and Cindy¡¯s team had reached the top of the tower.
While Cindy and her squad held their ground, ensuring no daemon came close, Dr. Ling was busy circling the object that seemed to be the heart of the Daemon Planes.
If Julian were here, he would immediately recognize it¡ªdespite his blindness.
A black box floated at the center of the tower¡¯s apex. It was eerily similar to the black box Artemis had carried when she created Artemia. There were subtle differences, but the resemblance was unmistakable.
¡°Look, Doc¡ªI don¡¯t wanna rush you or anything, but hurry up!¡± Cindy barked, glancing over her shoulder at Dr. Ling before resuming her vigil. Hundreds of monkey-like daemons, each as large as two men, were scaling the tower, swarming both the inner and outer walls.
¡°Our drones that are keeping the fuckers out are running out of juice! We don¡¯t wanna be here when that happens!¡±
¡°Shh!¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s voice was calm, almost dismissive, as she continued studying the black box. She meticulously collected data through her glasses, poking, prodding, even tasting the box¡ªnothing.
She muttered to herself, running countless simulations, utterly unfazed by the chaos around her.
¡°Doc! Let¡¯s just grab it and go!¡± Cindy¡¯s patience snapped as she abandoned her post and rushed toward the black box. She reached out to grab it, but Dr. Ling¡¯s hand shot out, seizing her wrist.
¡°You won¡¯t be able to move it,¡± Dr. Ling said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m wearing a suit capable of lifting a ton with ease, and this thing didn¡¯t budge¡ªnot even a fraction of an inch. It¡¯s as if it¡¯s anchored here, floating ceaselessly¡ inevitably.¡±
¡°What¡¯s inevitable is us getting rushed by hundreds of daemons!¡± Cindy snarled, her combat suit rippling like scales, light seeping through the seams as she yanked her wrist free. ¡°These daemons aren¡¯t strong¡ªD-Class at best¡ªbut with their numbers, we won¡¯t have time to keep you safe. So whatever it is you¡¯re planning, you better¡ªWhat the hell are you doing!?¡±
Cindy¡¯s voice faltered as she saw Dr. Ling raise the gun she¡¯d been given¡ªpointing it directly at the black box.
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¡°I¡¯m doing the one thing I haven¡¯t tried yet,¡± Dr. Ling said with a faint smile.
¡°You¡¯re fucking cra¡ª¡±
Before Cindy could finish, Dr. Ling pulled the trigger.
The gun let out a quiet whistle, the sound barely audible over the chaos outside. Cindy and her team instinctively turned toward the box, their eyes wide as they watched. The beam didn¡¯t pierce the box outright¡ªit vibrated against its surface, as though struggling to break through.
Then, slowly, the beam began to sink into the box.
No one spoke. No one moved.
The black box started to crumble. Its surface disintegrated like sand, fragments breaking apart and cascading downward.
At the same moment, the daemons scaling the walls began to fall. One by one, the monstrous creatures plummeted into the abyss below.
Cindy¡¯s team stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats. Whatever had just happened, it had turned the tide of their desperate mission.
¡°Boss, you have to see this!¡±
At her subordinate¡¯s urgent call, Cindy rushed to the edge to look outside. True enough, the daemons were now sprawled lifeless on the ground. Confirmation came swiftly from her team inside the tower¡ªthose climbing the stairs had dropped dead as well.
¡°Did¡ you know that was going to happen?¡± Cindy muttered, her voice sharp as she turned to Dr. Ling.
The doctor simply adjusted her glasses and shook her head.
Cindy¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°You didn¡¯t know, and you did it anyway!?¡± she screamed. ¡°What if that thing exploded? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be a scientist? Are you crazy!?¡±
¡°A scientist wouldn¡¯t reach my position without being a little crazy, Ms. Solis,¡± Dr. Ling replied, her tone calm as she smiled faintly. ¡°But now we¡ª¡±
Her words were cut off by a sudden burst of light beneath their feet.
The glow expanded into a circle of light, intricate markings etched within its radiance. Dr. Ling immediately crouched, trying to record the phenomenon with her glasses. But before she could capture much, the light vanished.
And so had the tower.
The team found themselves outside, surrounded by the ground forces who stared at them in shared confusion.
¡°We¡¯re¡ back!?¡±
¡°Weren¡¯t we just inside the daemon plane? Did we get warped out!?¡±
¡°Wait¡ªthe portal! Where¡¯s the portal!?¡±
At those words, Dr. Ling spun around, her gaze searching for the portal. But it was gone. The spot it had occupied now sat empty.
¡°It¡¯s¡ gone,¡± she muttered, her voice tinged with realization. ¡°Destroying the black box¡ closes the portal.¡±
¡°And killed the daemons,¡± Cindy added quietly, standing beside her. Her voice carried a heavy weight. ¡°It would seem, Doc¡ that we might¡¯ve just discovered how to stop the daemons from attacking the planet entirely.¡±
Dr. Ling adjusted her glasses, her gaze flicking to Cindy. She didn¡¯t acknowledge the soldiers crowding them, bombarding them with questions.
¡°It would seem so, Ms. Solis¡ it would seem so.¡±
As the two women exchanged glances, Cindy overheard two of her men talking nearby.
¡°That light that warped us out¡ didn¡¯t it look kind of like the magic circles in Otherworld?¡± one of them asked.
¡°...What¡¯s an Otherworld?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t know Otherworld? What, do you live under a rock?¡±
Cindy ignored them at first, but her eyes widened as the conversation sank in.
¡°Doc,¡± Cindy said, her tone softer than usual as she leaned toward Dr. Ling, ¡°you¡¯ve got a lot of connections, right?¡±
¡°...Why?¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s eyes narrowed, suspicious of Cindy¡¯s shift in demeanor.
¡°Do you think you could pull some strings to bring a civilian onto my team?¡± Cindy asked, her voice earnest.
Dr. Ling blinked, her face twisting in confusion. ¡°A civilian? Why would you want¡ª¡±
Cindy raised her hands defensively. ¡°I think he¡¯s going to be vital to my team¡ªand he might even help us learn more about these portals.¡±
¡°There¡¯s someone like that? Is he a scientist?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Cindy said, a grin slowly creeping onto her face.
¡°¡He¡¯s a blacksmith.¡±
***
¡°Cheers!¡±
A few hours later, while the DCC quietly celebrated their first major victory against the Daemons in nearly a thousand years, Julian and his party were also toasting to his rescue from the Order of Artemia.
Julian, of course, wasn¡¯t drinking, so Ellie took his shots for him, exhaling dramatically after each one. Her exaggerated breath after downing another shot brought a smile to his face.
¡°Let¡¯s toast again¡ªfor Julian winning the Newcomer award!¡± Cyrus declared, refilling the glasses.
Everyone turned to look at him, eyebrows raised.
¡°W¡what?¡± Cyrus stammered. ¡°I¡¯m already sure he¡¯s winning it.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves,¡± Ellie said, letting out a loud breath as she rested her head momentarily on Julian¡¯s arm. ¡°But¡ you might actually be right. I read on the forums that at one point, the number of his viewers passed the No. 1 Otherworld streamer.¡±
¡°Hm, he did,¡± Talia chimed in, sounding tipsy even though she wasn¡¯t drinking¡ªstill underage, after all. ¡°It even made the trending spot on this site I follow.¡±
¡°But I had MEGAN check¡¡± Julian sipped his water before joining the conversation. ¡°I didn¡¯t even surpass the top 5 Otherworld streamers in terms of viewers.¡±
¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re looking at the wrong thing, my dudes.¡± Dyrroth chuckled, waving a bottle as he stood from his seat. ¡°You should¡¯ve asked her to check the overall Newcomer page. And by the way¡ I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡ is MEGAN single?¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian tilted his head, clearly confused.
¡°What the¡ªstop being a pervert!¡± Talia shoved Dyrroth back into his seat. ¡°You¡¯re even targeting AIs now!? Ack, anyway, forget that guy.¡±
She waved him off before focusing on Julian again. ¡°You¡¯re going to win the Newcomer award, Newbie. No doubt about it.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian lowered his head thoughtfully. ¡°...But don¡¯t I need to be really famous for that?¡±
¡°You¡¡± Talia stared at him in disbelief before glancing at Ellie. ¡°Just how out of touch is your boyfriend, Ellie?¡±
¡°Well¡¡± Ellie chuckled softly, shrugging.
¡°He has a goddamn billboard outside!¡± Talia pointed toward the restaurant¡¯s window, where Julian¡¯s face was prominently displayed for all to see. ¡°Do you know how shocked I was when I saw that? I didn¡¯t even know he did modeling!¡±
¡°He¡ doesn¡¯t,¡± Ellie admitted, scratching her cheek. ¡°It just¡ happened by accident. The owner started using Julian¡¯s face as their model, and MEGAN negotiated the licensing fee so they could keep doing it.¡±
¡°What the¡¡± Talia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°...Must be nice to be so handsome.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not that handsome,¡± Julian said, waving a hand dismissively.
¡°Stop it, or I¡¯ll punch that perfect face of yours,¡± Talia muttered, pointing at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you see all the girls staring at you even though you¡¯re sitting here with Ellie?¡±
¡°No.¡±
The room went silent for a moment, and Talia winced as she realized what she¡¯d just said to a blind man. ¡°R¡right¡¡±
¡°Anyway,¡± Talia cleared her throat, ¡°I think some of them are approaching you right now.¡±
¡°Uhm¡¡± A group of girls arrived at their table, giggling nervously. ¡°...Aren¡¯t you Julian Winters? Can¡ can we take a photo with you?¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you see he¡¯s with¡ª¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Ellie interrupted before Talia could start rambling. She stood and looked at Julian. ¡°Do you want to take a photo with them?¡±
¡°Uh¡¡± Julian thought for a moment, then stood as well. ¡°...Sure.¡±
The girls squealed in excitement, letting their drones hover to capture the pictures. After they left, their laughter and giddy chatter echoed in the distance.
Unfortunately, the group¡¯s excitement attracted more attention, and soon, a line of fans began approaching their table for photos. By the tenth time, Ellie gave up trying to stop Talia, who had started blocking and shouting at them outright.
And soon, days passed.
And then, the day of the Streamer Awards arrived.
Chapter 80: The Streamer Awards Start
¡°...Boss? What are you doing here at this time?¡±
¡°Oh, did I wake you? Sorry.¡±
¡°Haa? Psh, it¡¯s fine. I was about to wake up in a few hours anyway.¡±
Julian had been standing silently inside their new shop for a few minutes now, his gaze on the weapons displayed across the walls. For the past few days, his only focus in Artemia had been crafting and forging, and it hadn¡¯t taken long at all to fill their inventory.
Of course, the inventory hadn¡¯t lasted long, either.
The people of Ethaca quickly discovered the shop and the exceptional quality of the gear they were selling. Soon, lines formed outside their door every morning, a steady stream of customers eager to own one of Julian and Juliet¡¯s creations.
It had been¡ a beautiful sight.
Julian could have stayed in that moment forever, watching people appreciate and purchase his work. But, of course, he could not. He had other responsibilities, one of which was happening in a few moments¡ªthe Streamer Awards.
¡°No¡¡± Julian hummed, finally turning his gaze away from his collection as he turned his shoulder to Juliet,
¡°...I¡¯m actually about to go, I just came here to check on some things, I didn¡¯t really mean to wake you¡ Have a good night, Juliet.¡±
He turned away, but before he could head upstairs, Juliet caught his hand.
¡°Wait, Boss.¡±
¡°Hm? Did you need something?¡± Julian asked, glancing at her.
Unlike her usual comfortable attire¡ªbaggy leather overalls and a loose shirt¡ªJuliet was dressed in a thin, flowing white nightgown. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow over her figure, making the fabric appear almost translucent.
Her bare shoulders and the delicate curve above her bosom were exposed; her hair, usually tied back and hidden beneath a bandana, now cascaded freely down her neck.
Julian stared¡ªnot out of admiration, of course, but of intrigue.
¡°I¡¡± Juliet whispered, but his gaze made her falter. She noticed his stare, and her confidence crumbled. She let go of his hand, forgetting why she grabbed it in the first place.
¡°...Have a good night, Boss,¡± she said instead, her voice accompanied by an awkward chuckle.
Julian tilted his head slightly, watching as she retreated, her usual demeanor replaced by a rare moment of flustered vulnerability. For a second, he lingered, unsure if there was more to her hesitation, but ultimately, he simply nodded before heading upstairs.
As for Juliet, she stared at her hand in disbelief, almost questioning herself why she would do such a random thing. But, was it really? Was it really random?
What¡ did she even want to say to him that she had to grab his hand? Right now, at this moment when there were only the two of them at the darkest hour of the incoming day?
And while Juliet wrestled with restless thoughts, all Julian needed to do was lie down and think of returning to his real body. And just like that, he was back in his real body.
¡°Finished what you were checking?¡±
As always, Ellie¡¯s voice was the first to welcome him. This time, however, they weren¡¯t in the comforts of a hotel room.
They were inside a car, hovering mid-air in the midst of a convoy. The vehicles were surrounded by hundreds of people and drones, all vying for photos and videos; even though the car was sealed tight and no sound should be seeping from the outside, Ellie felt like she could hear the people calling and shouting.
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied, removing the LinkGear from his head. Ellie quickly¡ªand carefully¡ªtucked it into one of the car¡¯s compartments.
¡°Seriously, why would you even bring that?¡± Ellie shivered, the thought of its cost making her skin crawl. ¡°That thing¡¯s worth as much as a small apartment, Julian.¡±
¡°We were so busy preparing all day,¡± Julian said with a faint hum. ¡°I figured my clone might get thirsty. And¡ I wanted to check on my babies before the event.¡±
¡°Pfft¡¡± Ellie nudged his arm lightly, her laughter easing some of the tension in the air. ¡°Anyway, are you ready? This is the first time you¡¯ll be around so many people, right?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian hummed again as he recalled his public escort out of prison by the Order of Artemia.
¡°Wow, look at you, Mr. Popular,¡± Ellie teased, her chuckle soft as her gaze shifted to the screen that showed the outside. Just a few more cars and it would be their turn to step onto the red carpet¡ªliterally.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
¡°You¡¯re nervous,¡± Julian said, tilting his head slightly as he heard her heartbeat quicken.
¡°Hmn¡¡±
¡°You don¡¯t need to be.¡±
¡°I know. It¡¯s just¡ I never thought we¡¯d experience something like this, Julian.¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
Ellie smiled softly, her nerves settling slightly as she placed a hand on Julian¡¯s cheek. Resting her forehead against his, she whispered, ¡°I love you.¡±
¡°And I love you,¡± Julian replied, his voice warm as they spoke at the same time:
¡°Let¡¯s¡ just get this over with.¡±
And just like that, all the noise around them disappeared. Right at this very moment, there were just two of them and no one else.
[Yes. Let¡¯s just get this over with.]
Well, MEGAN was also there with them sharing the peace, of course. This peace they were experiencing, however, was nowhere to be found outside.
The reporters, paparazzi, drones, journalists, and everything and everyone one could think of were currently battling it out¡ªwanting to get just even a single word out of the celebrities who were stepping out of their cars and walking across the red carpet.
¡°Kitty! Here! Look here!¡±
¡°Is it true that you and Peni broke up!?¡±
¡°Was there really a 3rd party involved!? Did you cheat on her!?¡±
¡°You¡¯re in a polygamous relationship, right!?¡±
¡°Some people said they saw you stepping out with 3 men the other night, is it true!? Did you design your dress yourself!?¡±
Among the sea of flashing lights and relentless voices stood Kitty, the No. 1 Otherworld streamer. Slanderous and scandalous questions bombarded her from all sides, yet she remained poised.
Kitty was a professional. She knew better than to let herself be provoked, fully aware that anything she said could¡ªand would¡ªbe used against her. Instead, she focused on what she was there for: posing and promoting her dress.
She was undeniably beautiful. Her small, delicate face was framed by silky dark hair styled in bangs, accentuating her almond-shaped eyes and porcelain skin. The simplicity of her hairstyle highlighted her elegance, a perfect complement to her striking presence.
Yet, her petite face contrasted sharply with her figure¡ªa body sculpted with curves that seemed almost unreal. Her long, red dress hugged her frame like a second skin, covering everything but hiding nothing. The fabric¡¯s smooth contours showcased her shape as if it were meant to meld seamlessly with the red carpet beneath her feet.
Kitty¡¯s beauty was undeniable, but it wasn¡¯t the sole reason for her fame. It helped, certainly, but it was her skill and dominance in the world of Artemia that truly set her apart.
She knew exactly what she was doing. But still, even with her silence, the crowd continued with their questions.
¡°Is it true you had an abortion!?¡±
¡°What do you think about Julian Winters!? He¡¯s going to be here today, any chance you¡¯re going to talk to him!?¡±
And there it was, a question that made her eye twitch a single millimeter¡ªand of course, the journalists and paparazzi did not fail to notice that one single movement. They all focused their questions there.
¡°What can you say about Cyrus!? He was the one who made you famous, right?¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been denying that the only reason you are where you are now is because of Cyrus¡ªbut now that he has made another person famous, people are saying that you¡¯re full of yourself. What can you say about that!?¡±
Of course, she still wasn¡¯t going to answer anything¡ but it was close, it was so close. And it took everything in her to keep her smile as everyone kept saying that she didn¡¯t deserve her fame at all.
But fortunately for her, the questions just suddenly stopped. It took a moment for it to register to her since she trying her best to stay calm¡ªbut she soon realized that everyone¡¯s attention was suddenly gone from her.
Instead, the paparazzi and journalists were whispering to each other as they looked at the couple who just stepped out of their convoy.
¡°Who¡ is that?¡±
¡°I thought the beauty and fashion influencers were done? Were they late?¡±
¡°Wait¡ that¡¯s the one with the large billboard on Topside.
¡°Billboard? Wait¡ It¡¯s the Sword Junkie! What the fuck!? He looks better in person!?¡±
¡°Sword¡ who?¡±
¡°Julian Winters!¡±
¡°He looks even better than the models earlier!¡±
¡°What¡ are they wearing?¡±
¡°Julian Winters! Julian! Look here!¡±
¡°Who designed your clothes!?¡±
And with that, they all turned their cameras toward Julian and Ellie, who had just stepped out of their car. And in truth, Ellie was already expecting to receive this kind of welcome.
After all, the clothes they were wearing were quite¡ unique. She and MEGAN had this idea of mixing modern fashion with the fashion of Artemia, which was essentially similar to the fashion of the humans more than 10,000 years ago now.
Julian was wearing a long, dark trench coat filled with sharp edges. It was gothic, featuring silver buckles across the chest and waist, accentuating his broad shoulders even more. He was also wearing a pair of silver greaves that reached up above his knees¡ªpartner that with his cane, well, he almost looked royalty.
But perhaps what made him look even more royal was the woman walking beside him.
Ellie had on a luxurious gown of deep burgundy and black, also adorned with intricate silver embroidery that flowed like vines over its sheer, fitted bodice that flattered her figure. The high neckline and sleeveless feature placed attention on her shoulders and arms, which were incredibly smooth and elegant. Partner that with her layered skirt that cascaded gracefully, shimmering with jewels¡ªshe looked almost like a queen.
And the one who designed these clothes was currently laughing and drinking wine right now while watching the broadcast.
¡°That¡¯s¡ an Otherworld Streamer?¡±
And those who were still unfamiliar with Julian were now searching and learning more about him.
¡°Why is he wasting that kind of face!? His height¡¯s not too bad too! Book him! Book him!¡±
¡°I think he would smell manly. Do we already have a model for that perfume commercial?¡±
¡°What was his name again¡?¡±
¡°Julian Winters! Look here! Look!¡±
¡°Are you stupid? Why are you telling him to look!? He¡¯s blind!¡±
¡°He¡¯s¡ blind? What!?¡±
¡°Julian, what¡¯s that on your shoulder!?¡±
And it wasn¡¯t actually just Julian and Ellie. It was Julian, Ellie, and MEGAN. Her hologram was currently projected on Julian¡¯s shoulder, standing casually as she wore the same dress as Ellie, but in a bright orange hue.
And of course, this wasn¡¯t without purpose, she waved at the paparazzi and all the drones and cameras, and with a big smile on her face¡ answered all of their questions.
[We¡¯re wearing David Andrews¡¯.]
¡°Kitty is right over there! Are you going to greet her!? What does it feel like to suddenly become famous!?¡±
[We¡¯ve never met Kitty before, but we¡¯ll be happy to meet and talk to her¡ªwe will actually be seated at the same table.]
And while MEGAN was answering the questions, both Julian and Ellie just had to look good¡ and look good they did.
And of course, Kitty did not like that at all. And for the first time, she glanced at one of the people from the crowd¡ªand judging from how the man nodded, it would seem they knew each other.
This man then made his way through the crowd, raising his hand and his voice as he asked,
¡°Is it true that you¡¯re a genetically non-viable individual, Julian Winters!? You¡¯re not allowed to procreate because you have a mental illness!?¡±
Chapter 81: The Streamer Awards....?
¡°Is it true that you¡¯re a genetically non-viable individual, Julian Winters!? You¡¯re not allowed to procreate because you have a mental illness!?¡±
And just like that, The vibrant chaos of the red carpet fell silent.
First, everyone turned their heads to the one who asked the question, wondering if they were crazy. Even in the cutthroat world of paparazzi and journalism, where outrageous questions were often asked for a reaction, there were still unspoken lines.
And this man had just crossed one.
Most of the journalists who were already aware of Julian also knew his condition. Yes, he was blind, and yes, he was mentally challenged. The blindness perhaps could have been talked about, but the mental illness? That was a sure way to kill your career as a journalist as people have always been sensitive to such topics.
There is really only one type of paparazzi that would ask such a question, someone who¡¯s in the pockets of those who want Julian Winters down.
And for someone who had just been in the limelight for what could be considered a blink of an eye, the way Julian would react to this would decide his fate as a celebrity. Fortunately for him, it would seem he had a MEGAN to answer all of the questions for him.
But to everyone¡¯s surprise, however¡ Julian opened his mouth to answer.
¡°I am.¡± And as soon as the words came out of his mouth, a small grin escaped Kitty¡¯s lips¡ªtruly, Julian Winters is just a boy who knew nothing of showbusiness. He wasn¡¯t trained at all¡ well, that was what she thought.
What no one realized was that Julian knew exactly what to say. Years of therapy had trained him for moments like this
How to act in public, how to use his disability as an advantage, how to blend in, what to say, etc. Of course, he had no chance to actually use any of that training at all. He kept to himself on Earth, and when he went to Artemia, it became useless as the people and culture there were completely different.
But right now, with a single smile from him, the silence that persisted became even more prevalent.
¡°I am registered as a GNVI,¡± Julian said, turning his shoulder toward the man who had asked the question. His movement allowed the cameras to capture every angle of his striking face. ¡°That is why I will forever be thankful to all of you who tolerate and accommodate me.¡±
He paused, turning to Ellie. His expression softened as he gently took her hand. ¡°And, of course, to my beautiful partner, who has stood by me my entire life, supporting me despite my condition.¡±
With effortless grace, Julian placed his cane behind his back and bowed, pressing a soft kiss to the back of Ellie¡¯s hand, making them look even more like a royal couple.
¡°And¡¡± Julian continued, raising his head to tilt it toward his shoulder, ¡°...to MEGAN.¡±
The holographic figure of MEGAN stretched her tiny arms wide and hugged his face, her bright smile only adding to the moment.
The crowd erupted in flashes, each journalist and paparazzi trying to capture the scene from every angle. Some even attempted to find a flaw in the image, but it was impossible. Julian and Ellie, in their unique attire, were undeniably the most elegant couple on the red carpet.
But the man who had asked the inflammatory question wasn¡¯t finished. Pushing through the crowd again, he raised his voice once more¡ªhe had a mission, after all.
¡°Speaking of Ms. Ellie¡ªthere are rumors that she was in trouble with some loan sharks from the Below. Was she involved in drugs?¡±
Julian tilted his head slightly at the question, his calm demeanor unwavering. ¡°Are you asking if Ellie is a drug addict?¡±
And the directness caught the man off guard. ¡°...Yes?¡±
¡°Then why didn¡¯t you ask that in the first place?¡± And as Julian chuckled softly, everyone else seemed to do the same, smirking at their colleague and relishing the fact that he was being outplayed in his own game,
¡°Still, the answer would be no. Where did you even get information?¡±
Julian¡¯s tone was incredibly lighthearted, with no trace of any malice or anger to it at all, which was truly catching the paparazzi off-guard.
¡°I¡ well, I heard some rumors.¡± The paparazzi stammered.
¡°Rumors?¡± Julian clicked his tongue playfully, shaking his head. ¡°Tch, tch, tch. And here I thought I was the GNVI.¡±
¡°Pft.¡±
The subtle jab sent ripples of laughter through the crowd, leaving the man visibly embarrassed as he sank into the crowd, disappearing in shame.
[Nice going, Julian,] MEGAN whispered in his mind. [Good to see all those years in therapy didn¡¯t go to waste. Now, leave the talking to me¡ªjust smile and look pretty.]
The paparazzi still had tons of questions, but unfortunately for them, Julian was no longer indulging any questions. But fortunately for them, MEGAN seemed eager to talk to them. But once again, unfortunately, there was no use trying to get something from an AI, and they would more than likely only be used for free promotion¡ like they already did with their attire for the night.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As for Kitty, well, she had to stay and smile as it was tradition to meet the artist behind her¡ªbut out of all the people, why would it be Julian Winters?
She had no choice, however, as she approached the couple with a smile on her face, ¡°It¡¯s nice to finally meet you, Julian Winters. I¡¯ve heard so much about you.¡±
¡°And I have also heard so much about you.¡± Julian took the initiative to stretch out his hand. And as soon as he did so, Ellie took a step back to give the two some space¡ªwith MEGAN also transferring to her shoulder.
¡°I hope not too much,¡± Kitty softly chuckled as she shook Julian¡¯s hand, and then held it while carefully placing her hand on Julian¡¯s back, guiding him for a photo before whispering into his ear, ¡°I like to keep a lot of things secret, after all.¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
¡°And you have to be very careful of that Cyrus, he might seem friendly now¡ but he has ulterior motives,¡± Kitty said, the tone of her words in complete contrast to the tone of her voice, ¡°Trust me.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian hummed again in response, and this time, he was the one who leaned closer to Kitty, ¡°Why would I trust you when you sent that man to ask me some interesting questions?¡±
¡°What!?¡± Kitty¡¯s eyes widened for a moment but quickly returned with a smile as she finally removed her hand from Julian¡¯s back. She looked at Julian for a bit, focusing on his eyes as she thought he could actually see, but no.
Now that they were close, it was obvious that Julian¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t real at all. She remained still for a moment, before letting out a soft chuckle and just moving away from him.
As for Julian, he just once again stretched his hand, and Ellie returned to his side. He doesn¡¯t know why, but even though his senses were being overly stimulated by all the things happening at the same time, a sense of excitement was also somewhat growing inside him.
He should be preparing to go to Artemia by now to craft some weapons, he also promised Juliet they would be working on the armor she designed. But¡ this night might just prove to be fun for him too.
***
Perhaps he spoke too soon. After the initial entry to the red carpet, it was as if everything had just been repeated.
As soon as he got inside the venue, there were once again reporters there who took photos of them and asked questions. But unlike the people around the red carpet, the questions the people asked inside were much more sophisticated and professional.
¡But sophisticated and professional were boring.
They asked about how long he and Ellie had been together, whether they were planning to get married, what was his relationship with Humanity Engineering, etc. And then they had to pose and smile, and then pose and smile again.
It was¡ even more exhausting than fighting the monsters of Artemia. Fortunately for him, MEGAN and Ellie were keen to answer the questions for him. It wasn¡¯t until they were seated at their table that they were finally able to rest and relax.
Those at their circular table, however, couldn¡¯t even watch the awarding that was going on and were missing everything.
The reason?
Kitty.
There was obvious tension between the two, mostly coming from Kitty as she was staring and glaring at Julian enough to bore a hole in him. Figuratively, of course. And¡ it also didn¡¯t help that Julian actually confronted her.
¡°I can feel you staring at me,¡± he said as he turned his shoulder slightly in her direction, ¡°Is there still something you wanted to say to me?¡±
Ellie, who was sitting beside Julian, slightly leaned away as she didn¡¯t also appreciate the way Kitty was looking at him. She did not say anything, however, as she didn¡¯t want to create anything that could be used as an issue by the media.
And now that they were somewhat far away from the eyes of the paparazzi, Kitty dropped all the pretense, her tone quite¡ aggressive as she leaned on the table and said,
¡°First of all, I want to tell you that I am not usually like this. I try to be as hospitable and friendly as possible to people¡ªbut there¡¯s a dynamic here that I can¡¯t ignore.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°Vijya Thacker.¡± Kitty muttered, ¡°He is part of my party, and the last time I heard of him was that he was with you and some other people at Humanity Engineering¡ªa secret mission for players with unique classes, he said.¡±
¡°I believe that¡¯s supposed to be a secret.¡± Julian sighed.
¡°And he also contacted me while he was on the asteroid, and he told me that you and he got into some sort of altercation,¡± Kitty leaned even closer, ¡°That was the last time I spoke to him. I know how¡ bigoted the man can be. Did¡ you do something to him?¡±
¡°No.¡± Julian hummed, ¡°But he did attack me while we were on Artemia, and Humanity Engineering saw it.¡±
¡°Fuck¡¡± Kitty closed her eyes, ¡°...That was fucking stupid. Look, I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°I just thought you did something, that¡¯s why I¡¯m a little agitated at you,¡± Kitty let out a long and deep sigh, ¡°And you¡¯re creepy. You just appeared out of nowhere and became famous all of a sudden. Honestly, I still think you¡¯re some sort of industry plant or something¡ how could you have been undetected this entire time? Like¡ where did you even come from?¡±
¡°Do believe me when I say that I also don¡¯t know why I¡¯m famous.¡± Julian smiled, ¡°I just merely wanted to know what it felt like to be able to see¡ªnothing more.¡±
¡°Huh¡¡± Kitty once again sighed as she finally leaned away, ¡°...Let¡¯s party sometime in Artemia. Although¡ I¡¯m actually in Gnarfolk territory right now, and you¡¯d probably die if you came with us. Never mind. You¡¯re¡ a Blacksmith, right?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian¡¯s face slightly lit up as she asked that.
¡°We¡ might actually need you,¡± Kitty¡¯s tone turned serious, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this some other time. You¡¯re about to go up.¡±
¡°Go up?¡± Julian muttered, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°They are announcing the nominees for the Newcomer award,¡± Kitty scoffed before chuckling, ¡°But honestly, everyone here knows it¡¯s you¡ªI mean, they haven¡¯t announced the names yet, but everyone¡¯s already looking at you.¡±
And true enough, almost unceremoniously¡ª
[...And I think we all knew this was going to happen! The winner of the Newcomer¡¯s Award is Mr. Julian Winters!]
¡°We love you, Sword Junkie!¡±
¡°Giga Chad!¡±
Julian tilted his head to the side with the sudden roars and cheers that were directed at him¡ªit was¡ too much. All the voices, however, instantly faded away as he felt the warmth of Ellie¡¯s hands embracing his arm.
¡°So¡¡± Ellie whispered to her as she helped him up the seat, ¡°...Shall we go, Mr. Bigshot? You did prepare a speech, right?¡±
¡°MEGAN prepared it for¡ªHm?¡±
And before he and Ellie could even take a step away from their table, the hairs on the back of Julian¡¯s head all stood up.
He quickly tapped his cane on the floor, letting him feel everything around him as the vibration rippled across. He felt the people, the chairs, the entire large hall¡ but there was something else.
Something growing, something emerging.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Julian Winters?¡± Kitty stopped clapping as she saw Julian¡¯s expression turning serious, his hand gripping the cane tighter. She was going to jeer and ask if he was getting nervous, but this wasn¡¯t the expression of someone who was getting nervous¡ªKitty was very familiar with this kind of sudden tense.
He was getting ready to fight.
But what?
¡°MEGAN¡¡± Julian whispered, ¡°...Take Ellie to safety.¡±
¡°Hmn?¡± Ellie blinked a couple of times as she heard Julian whispering. But before she could ask what was going on, everyone¡¯s attention suddenly went to the ceiling.
¡°What¡¯s¡ that?¡±
It was a crack.
A crack in space, opening slowly.
A Portal, and from it, something fell.
A nightmare.
Daemons.
Chapter 82: A Higher Being
¡°Have we cleared it all?¡±
Back in the DCC, the staff that had been running around without sleep for more than a week now were finally allowed to rest. After clearing their first official ¡°portal¡±, the portal that was closer to the city was cleared in less than an hour¡ªafter all, they spared no expense at all in destroying the black cube as fast as possible.
The World Government had also given them funding, allowing them to send drones and raining down hellfire from above. Fortunately, there were no flying daemons to destroy the airstrike, allowing the Exterminator team tasked to clear the portal to smoothly operate without any casualty or injury at all.
And so, right now, the DCC were literally lying on the floor, their breaths completely filling up the air with their reliefs. As for the Phantom Brigade led by Cindy Solis, as well as the other Exterminator team that was tasked to clear the other portal, well¡ they were currently celebrating a large paycheck.
After all, not only were they paid by the government, the equipment they lost were also reimbursed, which was usually not the case as they were considered a private entity and all of their equipment were their own.
The main Exterminator of this operation, however, was not celebrating at all as she was still with Dr. Ling and the DCC.
¡°Yes, but why¡ are you still here?¡± And Dr. Ling quickly questioned her presence inside the DCC. Cindy, however, did not seem to mind at all; she just crossed her arms while observing all the monitor and holographic maps inside the center.
¡°Because I have a feeling that¡¯s not the last we¡¯ve seen of the portals,¡± she muttered as she glanced at Dr. Ling, ¡°That¡¯s what your partner said too, that a portal would more than likely become a daily occurrence soon based on all the¡ data.¡±
¡°That man just can¡¯t keep his mouth shut, huh?¡± Dr. Ling clicked her tongue, adjusting her glasses as she returned Cindy¡¯s glance, ¡°And you¡¯re staying here so that you could help us save lives?¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m mostly here for the money.¡± Cindy shrugged, a small smirk crawling on her face as she started walking away, ¡°It just so happens that we¡¯re also saving lives as an end result.¡±
¡°I thought Exterminators are in it to save lives?¡±
¡°Then you¡¯ve been lied to.¡± Cindy softly chuckled, ¡°The repairs on my armor alone cost hundreds of thousands of credits if damaged. Do you think I¡¯d be doing this as a hobby?¡±
¡°Your grandfather¡¯s pension alone could cover that.¡±
¡°...You know my grandfather?¡± Cindy raised an eyebrow.
¡°Anyone who works with daemons knows your father,¡± Dr. Ling smirked, ¡°He¡¯s a legend, the exterminator who single-handedly wiped out the daemons who¡ª¡±
¡°Enough about my grandfather.¡± Cindy cut Dr. Ling off, ¡°Do you happen to have news on the man I told you to scout?¡±
¡°Tch, first of all¡¡± Dr. Ling rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she returned to whatever it was she was doing with her terminal, ¡°...I am one of the heads of DCC, I don¡¯t have time to do things like that. And second, I briefly checked on the man you wanted to pull into this world of ours¡ªand the only question I have for you is ¡®what were you thinking?¡±
¡°Then you have peeked a little in the world of Julian Winters?¡±
¡°There is nothing to peek at¡ªhe¡¯s just a rich kid playing that stupid Otherworld game.¡±
¡°Does the DCC still hate Humanity Engineering?¡±
¡°Hate? Pft, why would I hate them? Why would I even have an opinion of a private company?¡± Dr. Ling scoffed, and it was obvious that she wasn¡¯t even doing anything in her terminal and was just randomly swiping and panning the screen. But after a few breaths, she even stopped doing that and faced Cindy.
¡°I mean¡ they¡¯re doing some unethical and illegal things there¡ªthings that scientists like me swore not to even touch,¡± she said as she pointed at Cindy, ¡°Mixing human DNA with an alien species that¡¯s capable of¡ of magic? We are not gods, Cindy Solis¡ªno matter how much our technology has progressed to the point that we could be, we shouldn¡¯t¡ªbecause the last time we did, the daemons were sent to us by God to humble us.¡±
¡°...I didn¡¯t know you believed in a god, Doctor,¡± Cindy raised an eyebrow.
¡°What else should I believe in?¡± Dr. Ling adjusted her glasses.
¡°Science?¡±
¡°Do you not believe in god, Cindy?¡±
¡°Well¡¡± Cindy placed her hands behind her back as she once again observed the monitors and holograms within the DCC,
¡°...I believe that there is, somewhere out there in the infinite expanse of the universe, an alien species capable of biologically engineering lesser beings such as¡ us, humans.¡±
¡°Mel Cruz. I didn¡¯t know you quoted history.¡± Dr. Ling scoffed, ¡°And you don¡¯t think this alien species could be God?¡±
¡°No. I used to think it was truly just aliens.¡± Cindy shrugged, ¡°But throughout our history, we¡¯ve met 5 other intelligent species like us¡ªbut none of them had a higher level of thinking and civilization than us.¡±
¡°Because they excel in different things that are foreign to even us¡ªthat we are still trying to understand. The Funari live underwater under immense pressure. The Kregans have metal skeletons and hard skin, the Esalli can live in space, the Mordols can communicate telepathically, and then there¡¯s the Artemians, magic¡ªsomething we can¡¯t even begin to comprehend. How can you not think that is not the work of God?¡±
¡°Because I¡¯ve already met the alien species capable of biologically engineering lesser beings, Doctor,¡± Cindy answered without any hesitation,
¡°It¡¯s us.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be so arrogant to think that we are the higher beings, Exterminator.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t think that we are the higher being¡¡± Cindy smiled as she looked Dr. Ling in the eyes, ¡°...Because our history already found them.¡±
¡°What are you even talking about?¡±
¡°The Mutants.¡±
¡°The mutants were never meant to be our evolution,¡± Dr. Ling waved her hand and scoffed again, ¡°They died out in less than a century.¡±
¡°Did they?¡± And the smile on Cindy¡¯s face just grew.
¡°What are you even trying to say here? And I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re even coming to me for this, daemons are my specialty.¡±
¡°Go check on Julian Winters again.¡±
¡°...Are you saying that Julian Winters is a mutant?¡± Dr. Ling narrowed her eyes, ¡°That¡¯s impossible, genetically and theoretically.¡±
¡°Is that why Humanity Engineering is doing all sorts of favors for him?¡± Cindy smiled, ¡°The current CEO visited him herself.¡±
¡°Dr. Victoria Wilkes?¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°...She left her asteroid for Julian Winters?¡±
¡°You said it yourself, daemons are your specialty¡ªwhat if I tell you that Julian Winters was able to defeat a Class 2 daemon all by himself? Without any cyberware in his body, without even a suit of armor?¡±
¡°I would tell you that I am talking to a clown,¡± Dr. Ling¡¯s voice turned serious, ¡°Julian Winters is blind, and not to mention a GNVI.¡±
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
¡°Do you know what this is?¡± Cindy grabbed something from her pocket and spun it around her palm and hand.
¡°A white kitchen knife?¡± Dr. Ling raised an eyebrow as she saw the insanely immaculate knife in Cindy¡¯s hand.
¡°It¡¯s a Xylarion knife, to be exact.¡± Cindy then balanced the knife on her index finger.
¡°Why¡ would you waste a mineral like that on a kitchen knife?¡±
¡°Waste?¡± Cindy softly chuckled, ¡°This knife is capable of slicing a low-class daemon¡¯s exoskeleton like it¡¯s a piece of tofu. And it¡¯s even better than a phasing blade since it doesn¡¯t need any power source, and not to mention it¡¯s incredibly light. The only problem is the cost since this is condensed xylarion.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not interested in knives. We were talking about Julian Winters.¡±
¡°We still are,¡± Cindy carefully slipped the knife back into her pocket, ¡°The knife was made by Julian Winters by hand.¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°He said he could hear the metal hum and sing,¡± Cindy smiled, ¡°Julian Winters is a mutant. Don¡¯t you want to learn more about him? Don¡¯t you want to learn more¡ than Humanity Engineering? If he joins my team, our team, whenever we go into these portals, you will have a chance to study him face to face.¡±
¡°...And what do I even need to do for him to join your team? That¡¯s not my job,¡± Dr. Ling whispered, a small glint of light flickering behind her glasses, ¡°That¡¯s yours.¡±
¡°Not exactly,¡± Cindy¡¯s smile turned into a smirk, ¡°As the co-head of DCC, you have enough pull to get me more xylarions and other precious metals¡ªJulian Winters loves to forge. Give him materials, and¡ªis that supposed to be doing that?¡±
And before Cindy could finish her words, she was one of the holographic maps flickering and turning red. And not even a second after that, a loud siren echoed through the entire DCC, jolting all the staff awake from the ground.
Dr. Ling stared at the flickering hologram for a moment before rushing toward her terminal to check what it was.
¡°S¡ shit¡¡± She whispered, ¡°It¡¯s another portal.¡±
¡°Already?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes widened as she checked the hologram closer, ¡°Wait¡ don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s in the middle of the city!?¡±
¡°Los Angeles¡¡±
¡°The Below?¡± Cindy started giving notice to her team.
¡°...Sky Net.¡± Dr. Ling covered her mouth, ¡°I need to call Heinz!¡±
¡°Where is it, specifically!?¡± Cindy¡¯s feet moved back as she stared at the hologram.
¡°You already said it, Cindy¡ It¡¯s right at the center of the city¡ªNew Hollywood.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ a tourist spot.¡± Cindy¡¯s breath faltered. But soon, her steps halted, and Dr. Ling noticed this.
¡°What are you doing!?¡± Dr. Ling screamed, ¡°Go, don¡¯t wait for me! Our priority is to destroy it, not study it when it¡¯s in a city!¡±
¡°Julian Winters.¡±
¡°What!? Why are we still talking about him!?¡±
¡°No¡
¡Julian Winters is in New Hollywood.¡±
***
¡°W¡what?¡±
Everyone was frozen.
How could they not be, when just a few moments ago, they were all casually chatting with each other and having fun at their respective tables? But now, one of those tables was completely ruined¡ and decorated with the mangled flesh and blood of the people who were sitting there just moments ago.
Everyone knew that the daemons appear out of nowhere¡ªbut never did they imagine that one would actually suddenly come from above, not even from the sky, but from the high ceiling of the auditorium they were in.
Most of them wanted to scream, but they knew that as soon as they did so, the six-legged daemon that was still busy mutilating the people it killed with its blade-like arms would turn its attention toward them.
Their silence, however, did not last long¡ as another insect-type daemon the size of 4 adults emerged from the portal hovering above them. And this one did not seem as peaceful as the first¡ as it started swinging its arms and cutting the people without any warning.
¡°R¡ Run!¡±
And almost instantly, panic ensued.
[E¡ everyone, please remain¡ª]
And the host who was tasked to keep everyone calm was also cleaved in half by another daemon that fell from the portal¡ªno one cared, however, no one even actually realized as everyone was busy running for their lives.
None of them even realized¡ that there were already more than 5 daemons inside the auditorium.
¡°Where¡ where¡¯s the security!? Send out droids!¡±
¡°Help¡ please help!¡±
¡°Get¡ get off me!¡±
And then, just chaos. And the few who weren¡¯t going with the chaos were hiding beneath their table, already calling and alerting the DCC and Exterminators¡ªand one of those tables belonged to Kitty, who was currently talking with her AI.
¡°Send me my armor, I¡¯m going to kill these fuckers myself,¡± she whispered on her watch. She then glanced at the 5 other people underneath the table with her, but mostly focusing on Ellie and Julian,
¡°You guys don¡¯t need to worry, I have experience in killing daemons.¡±
¡°Are¡ are¡ are you an Exterminator?¡± One of the other people stammered, her snot trailing down her nose.
¡°No, but I¡¯ve killed my fair share,¡± Kitty leaned down, slightly lifting up the table cloth to peek outside, only for her to wince as she saw the carnage happening, ¡°What the fuck¡ why¡ why the fuck would they suddenly appear here, of all times?¡±
¡°Are¡ you kidding me right now?¡± Another person whispered, ¡°We¡¯re just Otherworld players, you can¡¯t seriously be thinking of fighting those things out there. We know you¡¯re the highest leveled player, but this is the real world, Kitty. Just hide here.¡±
¡°Shut the fuck up, pussy.¡± Kitty didn¡¯t even glance at the man, ¡°I¡¯ve killed stronger things in Artemia. My armor¡¯s going to arrive soon, so just stay here. And uh¡ your name¡¯s Ellie, right? As soon as my armor arrives, can you take Julian out of here?¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Ellie, who was latching on to Julian¡¯s arm, looked at Kitty, ¡°...Okay.¡±
Kitty was slightly taken aback. She didn¡¯t notice it earlier, but Ellie and Julian weren¡¯t reacting at all¡ªin fact, they didn¡¯t seem scared.
¡°You¡ seem to be taking this quite well,¡± Kitty muttered in surprise, ¡°People are dying.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve already survived a worse daemon attack,¡± Ellie whispered, ¡°And Julian¡¯s here, so I¡¯ll be alright.¡±
¡°What?¡± Kitty raised an eyebrow. She looked at Julian for a moment, only to see him just staring out into nothing. Well, since he was blind, he wasn¡¯t actually staring at all, ¡°What are you¡ªmy armor¡¯s coming.¡±
And without even any warning, Kitty suddenly rolled out from the table, ¡°All of you, run as soon as I distract them!¡± She roared.
¡°What the!?¡± The other people who were there kept the tablecloth slightly open to watch her, only to see her running toward some sort of rocket that was flying to meet her. She then leaped onto a table, before leaping again from it as the rocket drew near her.
And in less than a second, the rocket separated into pieces¡ªexpanding into a suit of armor that imitated her exact same pose in the air.
But before the armor could actually wrap around her¡ it was suddenly rammed by a daemon.
¡°S¡shit!¡± And so, with nothing to catch her, Kitty just went straight into the air¡ and then landed hard on a table, ¡°A¡argh!¡±
Kitty gritted her teeth from the pain, but she had no time to actually wallow in it as the daemon who rammed through her armor was already turning its tentacle-filled head toward her.
¡°A¡aw shit,¡± Kitty tried getting up, only for her to stumble back to the floor as she found her ankle broken, ¡°Fuck¡ fuck!¡±
The other people who were beneath Julian¡¯s table could not help but cover their mouths as they saw the daemon slowly crawling toward her, almost as if mocking her.
¡°No¡ shit, she¡¯s¡ she¡¯s dead! What do we do!?¡±
¡°What do you mean ¡®what do we do¡¯!? We just hide until the cavalry arrives! We have a GNVI with us, do you want him to die!?¡±
¡°Ssh! Quiet!¡±
And while the others were starting to panic, Ellie whispered into Julian¡¯s ear.
¡°Save her, Julian.¡± She said, and Julian slightly turned his shoulder to her.
¡°...But you said not to do anything that would expose me,¡± Julian whispered, ¡°Even if all of them die.¡±
¡°I did¡¡± Ellie let go of Julian¡¯s arm, ¡°...But she tried to save us, Julian. But¡ it¡¯s up to you.¡±
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian hummed as he thought about it, ¡°...I am curious about what she wanted me to forge.¡±
And as Julian was deliberating what to do, MEGAN whispered into his mind,
[I am ready whenever you are, Julian. It¡¯s time to be a superhero. I have already calculated the strength of the daemons¡ªyou shouldn¡¯t have any problems facing them if you¡¯re careful.]
¡°Very well. I¡¯ll be back,¡± Julian once again hummed as he casually lifted up the tablecloth on his side. And as soon as he did so, the other people there with them whispered loudly.
¡°What are you doing!? If you want to kill yourself, then just¡ª¡±
And before any of them could even say anything else, Julian lightly tapped his cane on each of their chin, instantly knocking them down. As for Ellie, she placed her hand on his arm and whispered,
¡°Please be safe, Julian¡ and kill them all.¡±
¡°I will.¡± Julian whispered back, ¡°I¡¯ll get this over with and come back to you.¡±
And with those words, Julian just casually stepped out from the table. Of course, no one really noticed him since everyone was still busy running for their lives. No one even heeded him any mind as he casually made his way to Kitty¡ who was surprisingly still alive as the daemon continued to seemingly mock her with its slow steps.
Soon, however, the daemon was finally content with relishing on Kitty¡¯s helplessness as it raised its blade-like arms. And feeling this, Julian ran¡ªwell, with his strength, perhaps it was better to say that he leapt, even cracking the floor he was standing on just moments ago.
And while Julian was on his way to Kitty, the only thing she could really do was grit her teeth as she tapped on her watch, calling for her armor. But alas, it wasn¡¯t responding anymore.
¡°I¡ am really going to die here, huh?¡± Kitty gasped as the sharp arms of the daemon reflected in her eyes. But as she was about to close them, something else reflected in them, ¡°What the¡ Julian!? What are you doing!? R¡ Run away!¡±
She saw Julian running toward her position. And if her mind wasn¡¯t panicking because she was so close to death, then she would have probably realized how fast Julian was running. But while she was urging Julian to run away, Julian was actually listening to someone else¡ªMEGAN.
MEGAN once again whispered in his mind, [From the way they landed earlier, they should be around 700 kilograms, Julian. That means¡]
Julian felt the vibrations around him, focusing on the daemon¡¯s sharp arm that was on its way to cleave Kitty in half. As for MEGAN, she just continued her words,
[...It means that you can actually lift these things with one hand.] MEGAN whispered, and at the same time she did so, Kitty¡¯s eyes turned incredibly wide in shock.
How could they not be, when the sharp blade of death was just inches away from slicing her torso in half? But that wasn¡¯t actually what caused them to turn as wide as they could be, no.
It was the fact that Julian was holding back the very blade of death from behind like it was nothing.
Chapter 83: The Sword Junkie Makes His Appearance
¡°Huh?¡±
She thought she was dead.
Kitty had faced death countless times in Artemia. At first, the fear was overwhelming, but over time, she grew desensitized. Death became a fleeting inconvenience, a reset button rather than a true ending.
Her audience had taken note of her fearless demeanor, dubbing her ¡°Fearless Kitty.¡± It sounded a little silly, but those who followed her streams knew how fitting the title was. Kitty wasn¡¯t just brave¡ªshe was calculated, skilled, and relentless.
The mantis-like daemons that had crashed the Streamer Awards? She¡¯d faced far worse on Artemia. These creatures were nothing compared to the horrors near Calydion, where even hobgoblins could prove a challenge.
For years, Otherworld had been considered one of the more ¡°boring¡± VR streams¡ªafter all, even if it was a world of fantasy, it was still pretty much reality. Yet, its niche audience numbered in the millions, captivated by its unique premise.
For the players, however, Otherworld was anything but boring. Sure, you could live a completely different life as someone else in other traditional VR games¡ªyou could even become an animal, if you wished and fly. But Otherworld offered something nothing else could offer¡ªunparalleled immersion. Every sensation, every experience could be carried back into reality.
In Kitty¡¯s case, she¡¯d commissioned a custom suit of armor designed to mimic the capabilities of her Otherworld clone. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it allowed her to replicate at least half of her combat prowess from Artemia.
She had planned to use that armor to fight off the daemons.
But plans didn¡¯t always go as expected.
One of the mantis-like creatures swatted her away like an insect, sending her armor skidding uselessly across the floor. If she¡¯d known this would happen, she would have invested in nanotech armor. But even for someone with her wealth, the operating costs were astronomical.
And now, Kitty could only watch as death loomed closer.
She had thought herself immune to fear. But in that moment, she realized the truth: she had never truly feared death on Artemia because it wasn¡¯t real. It wasn¡¯t her actual body that died.
It was a simple distinction but one often forgotten by those who had played Otherworld as long as she had.
But now, this was different. This was real.
She was about to die¡ªhelpless and pathetic, after promising the people at her table that she would protect them. If they survived, the only image they would remember was her being ridiculous.
Her thoughts twisted in shame, imagining them laughing at her failure. Reflexively, she turned to glance back at the table¡ only to see Julian Winters running toward her.
¡°R¡ Run away!¡± She shouted. It wasn¡¯t until the words left her mouth that she remembered¡ªJulian was blind.
A gasp of disbelief escaped her lips. Out of all the people she thought would try and rescue her, Julian wasn¡¯t even in her mind. Were¡ people playing Otherworld just crazy like her? But if that was the case, then the other people under their table should also be trying to rescue her right about now.
But then again, she was sure that they wouldn¡¯t be moving as fast as Julian.
Wait¡
Why¡ how was he moving so fast?
Was she the only one who could see this? Were the cameras capturing this too?
Her mind buzzed with questions, but all of them vanished the moment she saw Julian casually reach out¡ª
¡ªand grab the mantis daemon¡¯s arm.
The same arm that was mere seconds away from cleaving her in half.
For a moment, Kitty forgot about the daemon entirely. Her focus narrowed on Julian, her thoughts racing to catch up with the surreal sight before her.
¡°That¡ Julian¡ª¡±
Her words faltered as the daemon screeched, its entire body jolted back by the sheer force of Julian¡¯s grip. Unfortunately for the creature, its screech only exposed its weakness.
Julian wasted no time.
He snapped his cane open, revealing the rapier hidden within. The blade flashed as he drove it straight into the daemon¡¯s exposed joint, piercing its soft flesh with ease.
Unlike before, Julian didn¡¯t need MEGAN¡¯s guidance. The image of the daemon was already fully formed in his mind¡ªits size, its movements, its anatomy. He knew it.
The mantis daemon screeched again, this time stumbling backward in a violent retreat. Its other arm slashed wildly at Julian, but he used the momentum to leap, swinging onto the creature¡¯s pierced limb.
The blunt edges of his rapier twisted the daemon¡¯s joints instead of slicing through them, wrenching its arm at an unnatural angle.
¡°Hm¡¡±
Julian hummed softly, his grip steady as he felt the resistance of the daemon¡¯s limb against his blade.
And then, slowly, a smile began to spread across his face.
A rush of exhilaration coursed through him, his body buzzing with the thrill of the fight. Every motion felt sharper, more alive. The chaos around him faded, leaving only the daemon and the electric pulse of adrenaline surging through his veins.
Once again, the Sword Junkie makes his appearance in the real world.
With a sharp breath, Julian yanked his blade free while pulling on the daemon¡¯s arm with all his strength. The sheer force tore the limb clean off, sending a spray of dark blood into the air. But before the droplets could hit the ground¡ªor before Julian could fall¡ªhe drove his rapier into the daemon¡¯s neck.
In one fluid motion, he swung the severed arm, cleaving the daemon¡¯s squid-like head from its body.
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The creature collapsed instantly, its lifeless form crumpling to the ground as though it had never truly been alive.
Julian landed softly alongside it, casually dropping the mantis¡¯ arm as he stepped forward. His focus shifted to Kitty, who sat frozen in disbelief. Her wide eyes tracked his every move as he stopped in front of her and extended a hand.
She hesitated, her mind racing. Memories of their earlier encounter on the red carpet flashed through her thoughts¡ªhow he had hesitated to shake her hand. Was he¡ pretending?
¡°You¡¯re¡ not blind?¡± she muttered under her breath, her voice slightly trembling as she reached for his hand.
¡°I am clinically, totally blind,¡± Julian replied, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. He helped her to her feet before listening for the scattered remains of her armor. ¡°Can you still use your armor if I get it for you?¡±
Kitty tilted her head, her confusion deepening. But after a brief pause, she nodded. ¡°Yes¡ªit should still work. Once you grab a piece, the rest will merge into a briefcase.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ convenient,¡± Julian remarked with a faint smile. ¡°Stay here. Hide if another daemon shows up.¡±
Julian didn¡¯t know Kitty personally, but he knew her reputation. As one of the top players in Otherworld, he trusted her skill, and for now, that was enough.
Without another word, Julian picked up the severed mantis arm and darted toward the scattered fragments of Kitty¡¯s combat suit.
His senses were at their peak. Every movement, every sound in the chaos around him was sharp and vivid. He felt it before he heard it¡ªthe rush of air signaling a daemon diving toward him at breakneck speed.
Kitty opened her mouth to warn him, but Julian had already leaped to the side. The mantis¡¯ blades whistled through the air where he¡¯d stood a second earlier.
But Julian didn¡¯t just dodge.
While still in the air, he hurled the severed mantis arm straight at his attacker. The sharp blade struck one of the daemon¡¯s wings, tearing through it with precision.
The creature let out a screech as it lost control, crashing violently into the floor and smashing through several tables in its path. The sound of splintering wood and shattering glass echoed through the hall.
Fortunately, the tables were empty.
Julian didn¡¯t stop to finish the fallen daemon. His focus was locked on the humming vibrations of Kitty¡¯s armor. He ran toward the closest piece, and as he reached for it, the humming grew stronger. The moment his hand closed around it, the other fragments flew toward him, merging seamlessly into a compact briefcase.
He let out a small breath, turning back toward Kitty before throwing the briefcase straight at her.
He did not really have the luxury to run back, as the fallen mantis daemon behind him screeched as it got back up. But if it was only that, then he wouldn¡¯t have been as hurried, no.
The screeching of the daemons seemed to act like a rallying cry, summoning reinforcements. Two more mantis-like creatures broke away from the chaos, abandoning the other people they had been slaughtering to focus entirely on Julian.
If only he could use his [Shadow Blacksmith] skills, this wouldn¡¯t even be a challenge. But he couldn¡¯t afford to show his full capabilities here. He had already displayed superhuman strength and speed¡ªrevealing abilities akin to the [Active Skills] of his Artemian clone would raise too many questions.
He would have to rely solely on raw strength.
Fortunately for Julian, that was proving to be enough.
Gripping his rapier tightly, he let out a breath, his smile widening as he observed the struggling mantis before him. The creature, its wings ruined, wobbled helplessly to the side.
Julian didn¡¯t waste the opportunity.
He sprinted toward the daemon, its limbs flailing wildly as it tried to fend him off. But Julian wove around its strikes with fluid ease, dodging one of its slashes before lunging forward. His rapier pierced through a joint in its leg, causing it to collapse even further.
With the mantis dropping to one side, Julian stepped onto its leg, using the leverage to maneuver behind it. Taking a deep breath, he drove his rapier into the exposed flesh at the back of its neck¡ªagain and again.
The process was, well, slightly frustrating. The rapier, a weapon of precision and elegance, couldn¡¯t pierce the daemon¡¯s exoskeleton. Julian was forced to target the gaps and joints, prolonging each encounter. Still, he refused to abandon the weapon. It wasn¡¯t just a tool; it was his father¡¯s rapier¡ªa piece of his past.
Could I improve it? The thought crossed his mind. But¡ would it still be his rapier if I did?
There was no time to dwell on the question, however.
The two incoming daemons reached him, their blade-like arms swinging in wide arcs. They didn¡¯t care that their attacks struck the fallen mantis¡ªthey cut through its lifeless body with reckless abandon.
Julian reacted quickly. Kicking off the mantis¡¯ corpse, he launched himself backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. But instead of retreating further, he grabbed onto the severed end of the mantis¡¯ body, using it to pull himself forward again.
With calculated precision, he plunged straight toward the daemon on the left.
Like before, he aimed for the gaps. The rapier slid into the back of the creature¡¯s neck, severing vital connections. With one hand still gripping its shoulder, Julian turned to the remaining daemon.
It wasn¡¯t attacking.
Instead, it stood frozen, its posture rigid as if it were processing the unexpected assault.
Julian tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his mind for a split second. Whatever hesitation the daemon showed, it wouldn¡¯t last long.
And so, with a burst of strength, Julian pushed off the mantis he had just dispatched¡ªhurtling himself directly at the confused creature. The daemon mantis, however, snapped out of its stupor the moment Julian lunged.
Its blade-like arm quickly swung toward him with terrifying speed, cutting through the air as he hurtled forward.
There was no time to dodge.
Julian tightened his grip on the rapier with both hands, preparing to block¡ªno, blocking would be suicide. The mantis¡¯ blade was sharper, harder, and could easily cleave his weapon in two.
Instead, he shifted his stance mid-air, angling the rapier so the mantis¡¯ blade slid along its edge. The deflection diverted the blow, but the force sent Julian spinning uncontrollably before he crashed hard onto the floor.
The mantis loomed over him, its posture almost triumphant. But before it could press its advantage, Julian was already on his feet. His movements were fluid, almost mechanical, as he thrust his rapier into the joints of the daemon¡¯s legs.
And he was laughing.
A sharp, almost eerie laugh escaped his lips as he struck again and again, each thrust finding its mark. The mantis screeched in pain, its body collapsing as its legs buckled under Julian¡¯s relentless assault.
With its legs rendered useless, the daemon spread its wings, desperate to escape. The rapid beating created a gust of wind, sending debris scattering across the floor.
But Julian wasn¡¯t done.
He leaped, throwing the rapier between one of the wings and the exoskeleton. He then stood behind the creature, his hands gripping the wings. With a brutal yank, and a silent scream, he ripped them apart.
The mantis writhed helplessly, its movements reduced to frantic flails.
Julian landed gracefully, his laughter subsiding into a soft hum as he stepped forward. Retrieving his rapier from the severed wing joint, he moved behind the daemon. This time, he pierced the back of its neck slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the moment.
The mantis stilled, its body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
¡°What the fuck¡?¡±
Kitty¡¯s voice broke the silence, her words trembling as she stared at the scene. She was already in her armor, ready to join the fight. But she didn¡¯t really get the chance to do so.
All she could do was watch.
And it wasn¡¯t just her.
Even amidst the chaos, some had managed to keep their streams running. Cameras, drones, and personal feeds caught every second of Julian¡¯s battle.
The public buzzed, most of them even screaming through their screams. But Julian?
He simply stood there, his grip on the rapier steady, and the smile on his face as wide as it could be. His hands, trembling from the excitement of killing daemons¡ªfortunately for him, there were still more to kill.
Before he could take another step into battle again, however, MEGAN whispered in his mind.
[Julian, I¡¯ve received information from Cindy Solis, the leader of the Phantom Brigade.]
¡°Hm?¡±
[She said that the only way this wave would end was to enter the portal, climb on the tower, and then destroy a black cube. She said to wait for her and her team and just hold out.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian tilted his head as he listened to the humming of the portal hovering in the air.
[Why do I have a feeling you¡¯re not going to wait for them?] MEGAN sighed, [I¡¯d advise against that, Julian. You are alone.]
¡°It should be fine, MEGAN¡¡± Julian hummed as he turned his shoulder toward Kitty,
¡°...I won¡¯t be alone.¡±
As for Kitty, well¡ she was just confused as to why Julian was looking at her with a wide smile on his face.
¡°W¡what?¡± She muttered, ¡°...Why are you looking at me!?¡±
Chapter 84: Into... the Daemonverse?
Multiple streams captured the chaos unfolding at the Streamer Awards, each offering a unique perspective. Reactions varied wildly, from utter disbelief to blind adoration of Julian Winters.
But amid the frenzy, some viewers took a more analytical approach, replaying the footage and focusing on every frame that happened to capture Julian. The closer they looked, the quieter their reactions became¡ªshifting from skepticism to stunned awe.
<...Are you saying he¡¯s naturally that strong? I call cap.>
The live chats spiraled into chaos, messages flooding in so quickly they became unreadable. The one constant was Julian¡ªevery comment, every theory revolved around him.
As for the man at the center of the storm, Julian was currently dashing across the large auditorium, Ellie cradled securely in his arms.
While the chaos was everywhere, his only focus now was singular: getting her to safety. He was headed toward the auditorium¡¯s security, which was stationed near the exits. Some of them fought the daemon mantis at first, but their first priority was to minimize casualties, and evacuating the people proved to be the better approach.
And there was one more reason why they were able to focus on evacuating the people instead, and now that reason was standing right in front of them¡ªJulian Winters.
Each and every one of them froze on the spot, their eyes staring at Julian in disbelief.
Wasn¡¯t he just fighting the daemons? How was he suddenly here?
They continued to stare at Julian, and the bloodied rapier hanging to his waist. They did not even notice he was carrying someone until he gently set her on her feet.
¡°Make sure she gets out safely,¡± he said.
One of the officers hesitated, glancing between Julian and Ellie. ¡°Who¡ are you?¡±
Julian tilted his head slightly, but he did not answer at all and turned back toward the auditorium, where the sound of screeching daemons and chaos was still as consistent and as loud as before. He had already dispatched at least 6 daemons, and yet more of them still come.
¡°Wait, you can¡¯t go back in there alone!¡± one of the officers called out, stepping forward to stop Julian. But he was completely ignored, and the only thing he could do was watch as Julian grabbed the sharp blade of the daemon mantis, throwing it in the air and slamming it on the ground before finishing it with his rapier.
The security team all slowly looked at each other before turning their attention to Ellie.
We¡ better keep her safe, is what they all thought.
Julian, having just dispatched another mantis, tilted his head toward the exit. As soon as he heard Ellie being personally escorted by one of the security personnel, a small breath escaped his lips. And without hesitation, he rushed toward another figure surrounded by the bodies of daemons¡ªKitty.
Julian had always been averse to modern equipment and weapons. He loved doing things by hand, feeling every step of the process on a spiritual level. Modern equipment, with its reliance on machines and automated printing, lacked that connection. You clicked a button, waited, and voil¨¤¡ªa new piece of gear. It was boring even to think about.
But now, standing in the chaos, watching Kitty in action, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at what her combat armor could do.
Since donning the armor, Kitty hadn¡¯t even touched the ground. From the faint hum of her movements, Julian guessed the suit was equipped with small boosters that allowed her to fly or glide effortlessly through the air.
And at first, he thought she was using a gun¡ªbut no, it was a primitive weapon made with the current technology¡ªa bow and arrow.
Each arrow pierced through the tough exoskeletons of the daemons with incredible speed. The sheer number of enemies she had taken down had already surpassed Julian¡¯s count. Even more impressive, the arrows returned to her after each shot, guided by advanced tracking technology.
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Julian¡¯s mind wandered briefly. If he could create equipment like that¡ªmodern yet designed to look like it belonged in Artemia¡ªhe could take it with him without alerting some eyes.
Perhaps it was time to reconsider modern crafting.
But that thought would have to wait.
As Julian approached, Kitty descended, her boosters humming softly as she landed.
¡°What is it?¡± she asked. Though her helmet obscured her face, her voice came through clearly¡ and it was tinged with confusion. ¡°You didn¡¯t finish what you were saying earlier before you stormed off with your girlfriend.¡±
¡°We need to go inside the portal.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Kitty stepped closer to Julian, her tone incredulous. ¡°Did I hear you correctly? Did you just say we should go into that portal? The same portal where these bastards keep coming from?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied with a calm hum. ¡°MEGAN told me the only way to stop them is to enter the portal, find the tower, and destroy the black cube at the top floor.¡±
¡°Wait, wait¡ªwhere did your AI even get that information¡ª¡±
Before she could finish, Julian violently shoved her away. The force was enough for her to think her internal organs were left behind. But her boosters activated on their own, lifting her into the air just as a mantis daemon¡¯s blade slashed through the space where she had been standing.
¡°You¡¡± she muttered, quickly drawing her bow and shooting the mantis in the head. It crumpled instantly to the floor as she returned to Julian¡¯s side. ¡°...Is your AI actually letting you see everything happening in this auditorium?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not relevant right now,¡± Julian replied, pointing toward the portal without looking at it. ¡°We need to go inside.¡±
¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± Kitty said. Despite her words, there was a trace of excitement in her voice. ¡°Just the two of us?¡±
¡°I believe we can manage,¡± Julian replied with another hum. Then, without warning, he knelt slightly before launching himself upward with such force that the floor beneath him cracked. He shot straight toward the portal without a moment¡¯s hesitation.
¡°Insane¡¡± Kitty whispered, staring at the portal. ¡°...Just what¡¯s up with that guy¡¯s body?¡±
She stood frozen for a few seconds, torn between hesitation and curiosity. But after a moment, a small scoff escaped her lips. She activated her boosters and flew toward the portal.
¡°Here goes nothing,¡± she muttered, gritting her teeth as a mix of fear and excitement coursed through her. The portal loomed closer, its swirling energy both mesmerizing and terrifying. Kitty held her breath as she passed through it¡ªand held it even tighter when she saw what was inside.
She had expected to be greeted by dozens of daemons, prepared to fly up in the air and rain fire at the monsters, but¡
There was nothing.
Not a single daemon awaited them on the other side.
Only Julian was there, his broad back framed against the edge of the cliff they had emerged onto. Kitty carefully approached, stopping beside him, her eyes widening behind her helmet as she saw the horizon.
¡°That¡¯s¡ a forest, right?¡± Kitty asked, glancing at the sea of trees stretching endlessly before them.
¡°But¡ why is everything so dark and¡ gray? And are those rocks floating?¡±
They stood atop a small plateau surrounded by a vast, lifeless forest. While Kitty was awed by the surreal view, Julian remained focused, his heightened senses rippling across the terrain below.
¡°There¡¯s no wind here,¡± he muttered, stepping back slightly. ¡°And there are several daemons beneath us, hiding.¡±
¡°Okay¡ that¡¯s just creepy. How would you even know that?¡± Kitty narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her voice. ¡°Did you already send some sort of probe down there?¡±
¡°Something like that,¡± Julian replied with a hum. ¡°Do you see any sign of the tower?¡±
¡°Yeah, there.¡± Kitty pointed toward the distance. Unfortunately, Julian¡¯s abnormal senses didn¡¯t seem to extend far enough to detect the tower just yet. ¡°...You know where I¡¯m pointing, right?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Julian nodded slightly. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m still blind. Can you carry us there?¡±
¡°You want me to carry you?¡± Kitty asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
¡°Yes. Can you do that?¡±
¡°...Most men I know would be too embarrassed to even ask that.¡±
¡°I would assume so,¡± Julian replied calmly as he stepped closer to Kitty, stretching his arms out. ¡°How do you want me?¡±
¡°Just¡¡± Kitty breathed out a small laugh, shaking her head in amusement before pulling a rope from her armor. She began expertly tying it around Julian, creating a harness.
But as she drew closer to him, her hands suddenly stopped.
How could they not, when she just heard him sniff her?
¡°Did¡ you just smell me?¡± she asked.
¡°Yes. I apologize,¡± Julian answered without hesitation. ¡°You smell good. Easy to remember.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t¡ remember me by my scent,¡± Kitty muttered, her tone flustered. ¡°I put on a ton of perfume because of the event.¡±
¡°I know you¡¯re wearing perfume. I meant your scent. Each of us has a unique scent, and yours is quite distinct.¡±
¡°Are you a dog?¡±
¡°No.¡±
¡°O...kay¡ This is getting kind of awkward,¡± Kitty said, chuckling nervously as she tightened the last knot. ¡°Okay, all done. Try not to move too much¡ªwe really don¡¯t want to fall into that forest with all those monsters waiting for us.¡±
¡°Hm.¡±
Julian gripped his rapier tightly as Kitty¡¯s armor boosters hummed to life. Without warning, she lifted off, dragging him along. A smirk crawled across Kitty¡¯s face as she glanced at Julian, expecting him to panic or flail. But her smirk vanished when she saw his composure.
He wasn¡¯t panicking at all.
She thought about saying something, but the serious expression on his face silenced her. Instead, a small smile formed beneath her helmet as she focused on the horizon ahead.
This place is strange, she thought. Of course, she¡¯d expected as much¡ªdaemons had been a mystery humanity hadn¡¯t solved in over a thousand years. Yet, here she was, right in their territory.
And aside from the desolate gray landscape and the floating rocks that defied the laws of physics, it just looked¡ familiar.
¡°Are we just on another planet?¡± she muttered to herself. ¡°But my armor says the oxygen levels and gravity are the same as Earth¡¯s. But this is clearly not Earth, so another planet?¡±
Julian, naturally, heard her. ¡°MEGAN says it¡¯s a possibility,¡± he replied, turning his head so that MEGAN could scan the area. ¡°But it¡¯s hard to tell since something¡¯s covering the sky.¡±
¡°Yeah¡¡± Kitty looked up at the dark, oppressive sky. ¡°Some sort of fog or miasma. And the tower¡ªit looks man-made. Did¡ the daemons build it?¡±
¡°Man-made¡¡± Julian whispered, the phrase stirring memories of the visions he¡¯d seen in Erin¡¯s grave. The humanoid daemons.
Could they have been the ones who built these structures?
Before he could even be lost in his own thoughts, however, a loud, grating buzz filled his ears.
¡°I think we should go down now,¡± Julian said abruptly as he realized what the sound was.
¡°Huh? Why would we¡ª¡± Kitty turned to question him, but her words stopped short when she looked back and saw the reason.
A cloud was following them.
No, not a cloud.
Dozens upon dozens of mantis daemons were flying toward them, tracking their every move in the air.
¡°Ah¡ crap.¡±
Chapter 85: A Different Portal
¡°Hold on!¡±
Julian had always wondered what it would feel like to fall from a great height. Now, he knew.
Kitty didn¡¯t have the luxury of pondering anything as she dove straight down. The moment she saw the cloud of monsters heading toward them, she acted instinctively. There was a chance the daemons weren¡¯t after them, but that wasn¡¯t a risk she was willing to take.
Julian had said earlier that there were dozens of monsters beneath the sea of leaves below them. A dozen, she reasoned, would at least be manageable. And if the swarm in the air followed them down, the tight confines of the forest might force the daemons to attack each other.
The leaves whipped past them as they fell, Kitty¡¯s boosters roaring to slow their descent. She braced for the impact of crashing through branches¡ªbut the expected collision never came.
There were no branches.
The leaves weren¡¯t even attached to the trees; they floated midair, weightless and unanchored. As they brushed against the gray foliage, the leaves crumbled into fine dust, drifting downward with them.
Kitty barely had time to process what was happening. The moment they broke through the canopy, she fired her boosters again, slowing their descent.
She quickly realized her initial assumption was wrong.
¡°This forest¡¡± she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s not tight at all.¡±
The space between the trees was enormous.
The trees themselves weren¡¯t trees at all, at least not in any sense she understood. They were as tall as buildings, their surfaces smooth and angular like artificial structures. Their shapes were sharp and boxy, their appearance almost metallic.
¡°What the¡ how tall are these trees?¡± Kitty asked. ¡°If¡ they even are trees.¡±
Julian stood still, his head tilting slightly as if listening to the air. ¡°I don¡¯t think there are any monsters in the immediate area,¡± he said after a moment.
¡°Are you sure?¡± Kitty asked, her grip tightening on her bow.
¡°Yes,¡± Julian replied. ¡°The daemons in the air have already flown past us.¡±
¡°They did?¡± Kitty glanced upward, but the canopy had already reassembled itself. The weightless leaves floated back into place, covering the dark sky above like butterflies dancing in the air.
This entire place feels alive, she thought.
Even with Julian¡¯s reassurance, Kitty kept her guard up as she slowly guided them down.
Julian hung suspended, swinging slightly like a toddler on a harness. His calm, expressionless demeanor made the situation even more surreal. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he swiftly untethered himself, kneeling to place his hands on the earth.
Kitty opened her mouth to say something, but Julian raised a finger to his lips, silently shushing her before she could speak.
She frowned, not used to being treated so casually¡ªespecially since becoming famous. But as she exhaled a sigh, she found herself smiling.
¡°There are daemons in the direction of the tower,¡± Julian muttered, tilting his head as he focused on the vibrations in the ground. ¡°This place¡ it¡¯s confusing.¡±
¡°Tell me about it.¡± Kitty shrugged, glancing around. ¡°It¡¯s creepy too. And¡ªwait, now that we have a little time to relax, maybe you can answer some of my questions?¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°What are you?¡± Kitty stepped in front of Julian and leaned down, the face of her helmet turning transparent as she stared into his unseeing eyes. ¡°You clearly don¡¯t have a tinge of cyberware on your body. The only thing even remotely close to an enhancement is your MEGAN. Is it your suit? I¡¯ve heard a lot of people go incognito with their armor. Is it molecular tech like mine?¡±
Kitty grabbed Julian¡¯s left sleeve, tugging on it to examine its material. Her eyes, however, widened in surprise as the fabric ripped clean off.
An awkward silence followed.
Kitty stared at the piece of cloth she had torn, refusing to make eye contact with Julian¡ªeven though he was blind. But after a few seconds, she slowly and very carefully, but awkwardly placed the torn fabric on the ground.
¡°I¡ will pay you for that,¡± she said finally.
Julian simply raised his hand, his tone calm. ¡°There¡¯s no need. I received these clothes for free. Just apologize to the person who made them.¡±
¡°...Right.¡± Kitty narrowed her eyes at him, leaning away before turning toward the direction of the tower. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s talk about that later and just finish this¡ dungeon.¡±
¡°Dungeon?¡± Julian tilted his head. ¡°But this is a forest.¡±
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¡°No, I meant¡ªugh.¡± Kitty waved her hand dismissively and started moving ahead. After a moment¡¯s thought, she stopped and waited for Julian, who seemed to understand the gesture and took the lead. He was, after all, the one who could sense the monsters.
The two carefully navigated the vast gray forest. Kitty seemed like she wanted to talk, but every time she caught a glimpse of the back of Julian¡¯s head, she clamped her lips shut. She prided herself on being a good conversationalist, but there was something about Julian that made him utterly baffling.
She felt that if she started a conversation, it would just lead to her turning crazy with his responses.
While Kitty was busy watching Julian, he was preoccupied listening to MEGAN.
[It just makes sense, doesn¡¯t it? Try it later, after we¡¯re done here.]
¡°Hm¡¡± Julian let out a soft hum, considering MEGAN¡¯s words.
He had access to the [Guidance] in his real body on Earth, and MEGAN had theorized that Julian might actually be gaining experience points by killing the daemons here.
He could check now, but his focus needed to remain on their surroundings. If MEGAN¡¯s theory was correct, however, it would be a significant advantage.
Initially, Julian had planned to avoid the two daemons ahead. Now, he wasn¡¯t so sure.
¡°Do you want to kill the two daemons up ahead?¡± Julian asked suddenly.
¡°Huh?¡± Kitty squinted, scanning the path ahead. Her view was blocked by a large gray pillar. ¡°...Are you saying there are daemons behind that tree?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Well, we might as well kill them.¡± Kitty tightened her grip on her bow, the weapon whirring softly as an arrow automatically nocked itself. ¡°Let me¡ªwhat the!?¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, Julian suddenly darted away, pressing himself against the pillar and running around it with his arm stretched out, rapier ready.
¡°You¡ªwait for me!¡± Kitty growled as her armor¡¯s boosters activated, propelling her after him. She clung to the pillar and maneuvered carefully around the massive tree. Her bow was already drawn, but as soon as she rounded the pillar, she saw Julian already pulling his rapier out of a mantis daemon¡¯s neck.
She pointed her bow at the other daemon, only for her to discover that Julian had actually already killed it.
She was very impress, shocked even. But of course¡ª
¡°What is wrong with you?¡± Kitty snapped, her frustration boiling over. ¡°We should plan these things more carefully and¡ªwait¡¡±
She trailed off as her eyes locked onto the daemon corpses. ¡°...These daemons look different from the ones we killed outside.¡±
¡°They do?¡± Julian tilted his head, crouching to place his hands on the face of the daemon he¡¯d killed. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t discern the difference. The slimy tentacles on its head were as unsettling as ever, and its sharp, spike-like teeth still felt like sandpaper. The rest of its body was unnervingly smooth, almost like ice¡ªthe normal characteristics of daemons.
¡°They¡¯re darker,¡± Kitty said.
¡°Oh¡¡± Julian muttered as he realized why he couldn¡¯t tell the difference. ¡°...Could it just be because this place is dark?¡±
¡°Is a blind man really trying to tell me what I¡¯m seeing right now?¡± Kitty raised an eyebrow before activating her helmet¡¯s light and shining it on the daemon¡¯s body. ¡°Yeah, no. They¡¯re much darker. And¡ eww, are those veins on its face?¡±
[Kitty¡¯s right, Julian. These daemons look much more¡ organic, if you get what I mean.]
¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Julian replied.
¡°What was that?¡± Kitty blinked.
¡°Sorry, I was talking to MEGAN.¡± Julian removed his hands from the daemon. ¡°Do they really look that much different?¡±
¡°Well, yeah.¡± Kitty narrowed her eyes as she leaned closer to the corpse, ¡°They look¡ even scarier than normal.¡±
After briefly examining the corpses for a few more moments, the two pressed on toward the tower. Julian was eager to fight more daemons, but the thought of Ellie still being evacuated outside the portal made him opt for paths free of enemies.
Unfortunately, as they drew closer to the tower, avoiding daemons became impossible. With each gray tree they passed, one or two mantis daemons would appear, waiting for them.
But all of a sudden, when they finally reached a clearing where the massive tower loomed in full view, the presence of daemons abruptly ceased. The area was unnervingly clean, the ground smooth like the gray, boxy trees surrounding it.
¡°...Okay, this is even creepier,¡± Kitty muttered, her grip on her bow tightening as her eyes darted around. ¡°I¡¯d honestly prefer if there were monsters here.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Julian raised a hand, turning to face Kitty. ¡°I don¡¯t sense any monsters nearby. The last ones we killed were it.¡±
¡°That¡¯s what worries me,¡± Kitty said, shaking her head as her gaze scanned the clearing. ¡°This feels like a boss area. The big open space, the tower sitting right there for us to waltz into? I¡¯m not buying it.¡±
¡°Hm.¡± Julian crouched, placing his palm on the ground and tilting his head slightly.
Kitty, despite only working with him for less than an hour, had already learned to stay quiet whenever Julian did this. She watched as he concentrated, his senses rippling through their surroundings.
¡°It¡¯s empty,¡± Julian finally said. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ªKitty!¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Kitty turned to him, startled by his sharp tone. Before she could react, Julian grabbed her ankle and yanked her down. She dropped to the ground with a thud, her boosters activating reflexively before she quickly turned them off.
Kitty sat up, confusion etched on her face. ¡°What the hell was that fo¡ª¡±
Her words trailed off as her eyes caught movement near the tower. She froze, slowly turning her head toward the figure latched onto one of the gray trees.
A much larger daemon mantis, its blade-like arms nearly wrapping around the entire tree.
¡°Oh¡ fuck.¡±
***
Meanwhile, back in the auditorium, the chaos had finally settled. Cindy and her Phantom Brigade had successfully eradicated the daemons terrorizing the event.
¡°Shit¡ this is a disaster,¡± one of her teammates muttered as he surveyed the carnage. His gaze lingered on the countless corpses strewn across the floor before drifting upward toward the portal. ¡°Why the hell would a portal open here, of all places? Inside? Does that mean a portal could just appear in my house too? When this info gets out into the public, the panic would be¡ massive.¡±
¡°We don¡¯t know anything yet,¡± Cindy scoffed, pulling her phasing katana from the torso of a daemon mantis, slicing the daemon cleanly in half. ¡°We¡¯re done here. Let¡¯s stop wasting time and head inside¡ªI heard Julian Winters and someone else went through the portal.¡±
¡°They¡¯re probably dead by now, Boss,¡± another teammate said.
Cindy smiled in response, a rare sight that made her team exchange uneasy glances. Cold and militaristic, Cindy rarely expressed emotion¡ªand yet here she was, randomly smiling.
Was Julian Winters really that interesting?
¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯d die that easily,¡± Cindy said, her phasing sword retracting as she clipped it to her waist. ¡°But just in case, we need to¡ª¡±
¡°Uh, Boss?¡±
¡°What?¡± Cindy snapped, narrowing her eyes when she cut him off. But her teammate wasn¡¯t even looking at her.
¡°Is it just me, or does that portal look¡ different?¡± the teammate asked, pointing at the swirling anomaly. ¡°The last two just looked like cracks in space. But this one¡ doesn¡¯t it have a blue outline?¡±
¡°Blue?¡± Cindy turned her attention to the portal. Sure enough, a faint blue light outlined its edges, shimmering like flames.
Without waiting for further discussion, Cindy leaped toward the portal, her landing shattering the floor beneath her.
¡°Shit¡¡± she whispered midair,
¡°...Let¡¯s hope you¡¯re alive, Winters.¡±
Chapter 86: Finally
Kitty¡¯s heart raced as she stared at the colossal daemon mantis looming before them. The normal mantis daemons were already massive¡ªthree to four times Julian¡¯s height¡ªbut this one? It towered over even them, easily four times larger. Its blade-like arms gleamed in the dim, gray light, and its alien eyes reflected a predatory intelligence that made her skin crawl.
"Uh¡ Julian?" Kitty whispered, her voice betraying her nervousness. "Do we fight it? Or, like¡ run?"
Julian, however, wasn¡¯t even looking up at the towering creature. His head tilted slightly, his rapier resting lightly in his hand. Kitty thought he was getting scared, but not at all.
His expression wasn¡¯t one of fear¡ªit was more¡ puzzled.
¡°Julian?¡± Kitty asked again, glancing between him and the daemon. ¡°Big scary bug monster right in front of us! Should I take the shot or¡ª¡±
¡°I can¡¯t sense it,¡± Julian murmured, cutting her off. The tone of his voice making his confusion even more apparent, ¡°I know that it¡¯s right in front of me, but¡ it¡¯s like it isn¡¯t even there.¡±
¡°What do you mean, you can¡¯t sense it?¡± Kitty gritted her teeth, her grip tightening on her bow as her gaze flickered back to the mantis. ¡°It¡¯s. Right. There.¡±
¡°I know,¡± Julian replied, his calm tone only making the situation feel even stranger. ¡°I can hear the leaves falling around us. I can feel the vibrations in the ground from your breathing. But I can¡¯t sense it.¡±
Kitty blinked at him, her eyes once again looking back and forth between the monster and Julian, ¡°Oh¡ yep. Yep. That means we should run.¡±
Julian hummed, but before he could actually reply, he quickly grabbed Kitty¡¯s head and forced it down along with him as he ducked. The mantis¡¯ massive blade swept through the air above them, causing a whistle to whisper violently in the air.
Kitty yelped, rolling to the side as the mantis latched onto another tree in front of them, its blades embedding themselves into the flat surface. The daemon hissed, its tentacles vibrating in a rhythmic pattern that sent chills down her spine.
¡°Stupid bug won¡¯t let us go!¡± Kitty cursed, quickly climbing to her feet. ¡°We should just head for the tower if it¡¯s going to come after us!¡±
Julian didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he crouched slightly before saying, ¡°It doesn¡¯t have wings.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°It doesn¡¯t have wings unlike the smaller daemons,¡± Julian continued, straightening his posture. ¡°It¡¯s leaping. Jumping from tree to tree.¡±
Kitty stared at Julian, her brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°I thought you said you couldn¡¯t sense it?¡±
¡°When it attacked us, I could.¡±
Kitty groaned. ¡°Great. So, what? We wait for it to attack before you can do anything? Fantastic plan. Let¡¯s just fly away and¡ª¡± She cut herself off mid-sentence as her eyes flicked back to the colossal daemon mantis. ¡°Wait. No. That¡¯s stupid. It¡¯s too fast. If we fly, it¡¯ll just skewer us.¡±
¡°No, let¡¯s do that.¡± Julian, however, agreed with her so-called stupid plan, ¡°Fly up and head to the tower and destroy the black cube instead. I¡¯ll be the bait.¡±
¡°I already told you that it¡¯s a stupid plan. It¡ªwhat do you mean bait? You just told me you can¡¯t even sense it and you¡ª!!!¡±
Before she could finish, Julian moved with surprising speed, shoving her with such force that her thrusters automatically activated to stabilize her. The propulsion sent her flying several meters toward the tower, her body feeling the shock of the push like she¡¯d been yanked by a speeding flying car. She landed in a crouch, stunned and breathless.
¡°What the hell are you doing!?¡± Kitty shouted, turning back toward him. But her frustration turned to gratitude once again as she saw the colossal daemon¡¯s blade arm slam into the ground where she had been standing seconds earlier. The impact sent tremors through the flat forest floor, cracking the gray, metallic-like ground beneath them.
¡°Go!¡± Julian commanded. ¡°Destroy the black cube!¡±
Kitty wanted to argue further, but the sight of Julian suddenly leaping toward the daemon¡¯s blade arm froze her words in her throat. He latched onto the blade¡¯s smooth surface with both hands, gripping tightly as the creature retracted its arm.
¡°What the fuck are you doing!?¡± Kitty muttered, her eyes wide as she watched Julian cling to the daemon.
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The colossal mantis didn¡¯t seem to notice him¡ªor if it did, it didn¡¯t care. Instead, its alien eyes were locked in Kitty¡¯s direction, and its body coiled in preparation to leap.
¡°Oh, no, you don¡¯t!¡± Kitty growled, her boosters flaring to life. But before the creature could launch itself, Julian made his move.
And with surprising agility, Julian climbed along the mantis¡¯ massive arm, running across its forearm before launching himself toward its head. His knee slammed into its smooth, slimy surface with enough force to knock the towering creature off balance. The mantis staggered, its blade arms swinging wildly to regain stability.
Julian didn¡¯t stop there. He grabbed onto the writhing tentacles on the creature¡¯s face, using them as leverage to thrust his rapier into one of its massive eyes. The daemon let out a guttural screech, its body jerking violently as it tried to dislodge him.
Kitty watched, her breath caught in her throat. ¡°What a fucking monster,¡± she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.
And of course, she was talking about Julian.
Julian was about to stab the other eye, but before he could do so, one of the mantis¡¯s face tentacles whipped at him with terrifying speed. Julian managed to block it with his rapier, but the sheer force of the strike sent him hurtling through the air. He landed violently, rolling across the ground before coming to a stop, his body visibly shaken but seemingly unharmed.
Kitty exhaled sharply, her focus snapping back to the mantis. ¡°Shit¡ this is crazy. Don¡¯t you fucking die on me.¡±
Her boosters roared to life as she finally did as Julian said, and she began flying toward the tower¡ backward.
She had been fighting monsters for years with other people, and one of the things she had learned was to never turn your back against the enemy and always provide support for your allies.
She refused to take her eyes off the battlefield. And with a short but very deep breath, she drew her bow and fired several arrows as she moved. One arrow zipped toward the daemon¡¯s remaining eye, but the creature raised its blade arm just in time, deflecting the shot with a sharp clang.
It didn¡¯t matter, however, as she already expected that¡ªthat was why she let loose several arrows, which all hit their intended target. And like with what Julian had been doing since earlier, she opted to target the daemon¡¯s joints as she was unsure whether her arrows would actually pierce the creature¡¯s exoskeleton.
Only one, however, managed to hit its target; one of the joints of the mantis¡¯ leg was hit¡ªbut the damage seemed too small for it to even affect it.
¡°Baboom.¡± But with a whisper escaping Kitty¡¯s lips, the arrow lodged inside the mantis¡¯ joint suddenly exploded.
The colossal mantis staggered slightly, but its leg wasn¡¯t completely torn apart. But still, its balance wavered, forcing it to support itself with one of its blade-like arms. A guttural growl escaped its spiked teeth as it twisted its head toward Kitty completely.
That was a mistake, however. Before it could even try and leap toward Kitty with its remaining legs, it felt a tug from its loose limb. It looked, only to see Julian hugging its leg.
It wondered what Julian was doing, but there was really only one thing.
His chest was heaving violently as the veins on his arms pulsed from the sheer effort he was exerting. And with a quiet roar, he took a step backward¡ and pulled on the loose limb.
The sound of the daemon¡¯s loose flesh tearing apart squished in the air, and with a snap, the leg finally completely separated from the rest of its body. A loud thud followed as its leg slammed on the ground.
And the attention that the daemon gave Kitty was quickly transferred to Julian almost instantly.
Kitty caught the shift and gave a quick, firm nod to herself. Without hesitation, she pushed her thrusters to full power and shot toward the tower. The colossal daemon, intent on Julian, made no move to intercept her. Even so, Kitty kept her movements erratic, her sharp eyes still watching the colossal daemon¡¯s every move.
She could have gone straight for the top of the tower from the outside, but with the swarms of flying daemons that might be waiting for her above the dark leaves, that was a death wish.
Instead, she headed for the entrance below, vanishing into the tower.
And as soon as Kitty disappeared from sight, a sudden change rippled through the glade. The tension in the air thickened, almost suffocating, but it didn¡¯t come from the colossal daemon.
No, the shift came from Julian.
A slow, deliberate smile crept across his face as he stretched one arm out to the side.
¡°I thought she would never leave, MEGAN,¡± he whispered.
The colossal mantis tilted its head at him, an almost human-like motion of confusion as it felt a different scent of energy emitting from him. Its predatory gaze narrowed, its body tensing as it instinctively stepped back.
Julian¡¯s smile widened. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting to use this.¡±
Half of Julian¡¯s arm vanished, sinking into the shadows beside him. The mantis twitched, its tentacles trembling as though sensing an unknown threat.
According to MEGAN, this daemon¡¯s plane was completely covered in shadows. And so, as much as this was their home¡
¡it was also Julian¡¯s.
And then, another change happened.
From the mantis¡¯ point of view, Julian¡¯s silhouette began to shift and distort, but instantly.
His body became encased in a shell¡ªan exoskeleton eerily similar to the one covering the mantis itself. Dark gray with pulsating veins coursing through it, the¡ armor seemed almost alive.
And that wasn¡¯t all.
The arm Julian had plunged into the shadows reemerged, now gripping the hilt of a massive greatsword that was as large as Julian himself. The weapon was grotesque in its design, crafted from the severed blade-arms of the smaller daemon mantises they had slain earlier.
The edges of the sword shimmered with a faint, menacing light, its jagged surface exuding a lethal aura.
¡°Now¡¡± Julian whispered, his voice low but resolute as he swung the monstrous blade in a slow, deliberate arc. The weapon hummed, the air whistling faintly as its jagged edge sliced through it. He adjusted his grip, holding the hilt firmly with both hands as his stance shifted, grounding himself.
¡°We need to kill it before Kitty destroys that black cube,¡± he muttered. ¡°MEGAN, I need your help on this one.¡±
[Roger that,] MEGAN¡¯s voice rang clearly in his mind, her tone sharp and energized.
And as she spoke, Julian¡¯s eyes began to emit an intense blue glow. The light washed over the shadowy glade, pushing back the suffocating darkness in waves,
[Let¡¯s get this over with!]
Chapter 87: A Force to be Reckoned With
[Incoming!]
Julian ducked, the colossal daemon mantis¡¯ massive claw slicing through the air above him with a deafening whoosh. The force alone sent a rush of wind that tugged at his hair, fortunately not close enough to cut the ends.
Without breaking pace, Julian moved beneath the towering creature, his movements like leaf on water, avoiding the rocks despite the heavy weapon in his hands. His glowing blue eyes left a trail as he weaved and dodged the mantis¡¯ legs, feeling every movement in the wind while listening to MEGAN¡¯s words.
The greatsword in his hands felt like it pulsed as he swung it, the edge slicing through the air with a high-pitched whistle. And like with the rapier, he aimed for the exposed gaps between the joints.
He could very well aim at the legs themselves, but he was sure it would take at least 3 swings in a single spot before he could completely slice through due to the exoskeleton¡ªand that was a time he could use aiming at the daemon¡¯s weak points instead.
The mantis screeched in frustration, its long claws slashing at the ground in wild arcs, trying to pin him down. But Julian¡¯s movements were too erratic, and he made sure to stay beneath the colossal monster.
And finally, a squelch whispered in the air as the greatsword struck the center, lodging itself into the joint of one of the mantis¡¯ legs. The squelch was followed by a sharp crack that resounded through the glade as the weapon bit deep into its joints. The daemon flinched, its balance faltering slightly as the damaged leg spasmed.
But it wasn¡¯t enough.
The mantis writhed violently, yanking its leg back and forcing Julian to pull his blade free before he could sever it entirely. Its other claw came down like a guillotine, narrowly missing him as he rolled to the side.
[Julian!]
¡°Heh¡¡± Julian¡¯s breaths came heavy as he crouched low, but the smile on his face remained as he felt and listened in on the daemon¡¯s every movement.
He was worried about the daemon being completely undetectable to him, but that problem did not last long at all when it started going wild and fighting head-on.
Julian¡¯s grip tightened on the hilt of his greatsword as he prepared for another strike.
But suddenly, it would seem the mantis¡¯ instincts shifted. It lunged forward without warning, its movements unnaturally fluid for something so massive. It suddenly leaped away from Julian, latching onto a gray tree before once again closing the distance between them in an instant, its entire body slamming toward Julian like a spaceship.
Even with his abnormal senses, Julian barely had time to react. He swung his greatsword upward, holding it horizontally as a makeshift shield. The daemon¡¯s immense weight and momentum crashed into him, the impact sending shockwaves through his entire body.
The force of the blow knocked him off his feet, driving him backward. His boots skidded against the cracked ground, leaving deep grooves in the dirt as he struggled to keep his balance.
But the daemon wasn¡¯t finished. It lunged at Julian again, this time standing directly in front of him and unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks with its claws. Julian dodged some of the strikes, but many he was forced to block with his greatsword.
"Kh!" Julian grunted, the weight of the daemon bearing down on him. Even with precise blocks, the sheer force threatened to crush him.
The greatsword vibrated in his hands, straining under the onslaught. One of the daemon¡¯s massive claws swung wide behind its back, its sheer size enabling it to strike from unexpected angles. Julian leaped into the air to avoid the strike, but what awaited him above was the mantis¡¯ other claw, threatening to cleave him in half completely.
¡°Shh!¡± Julian gritted his teeth, his smile faltering slightly as he swung his greatsword with all his might at the incoming claw. He wasn¡¯t attempting to deflect the attack¡ªhe knew he lacked the leverage in the air, and the daemon¡¯s strength far exceeded his own in the first place.
Instead, he used the impact to throw himself sideways, allowing himself to maneuver in the air. The force sent his arms trembling, however; the shock rippling through his body. But it was a small price to pay for avoiding being sliced in half¡ªhe had no desire to test the limits of his new armor against this foe.
The daemon, however, was relentless. It slashed again, this time with both claws, heading toward Julian like a pair of giant scissors.
So much for being a mindless monster.
But Julian didn¡¯t panic. Instead, he held his breath, focusing his attention¡ªnot on the mantis, but on the tower in the distance. He was making sure that Kitty still had no way of seeing what he was about to do.
Once certain she was preoccupied inside the tower fighting with the smaller daemons, Julian plunged his arm into the darkness again¡
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¡this time drawing out Searadyn¡¯s Veil.
And in an instant, he vanished.
The daemon paused, its claws slowing down as it tilted its head in confusion. Its prey was gone. Before it could react further, its surroundings began to twist and distort¡ªthe ground shifted to the air, then became a wall. The entire space warped unpredictably, causing it to become even more confused.
But the daemon¡¯s focus snapped back as it spotted Julian again. It lunged, claws slashing, only to strike empty air.
Khik!?
A shrill screech escaped the daemon as it suddenly felt a sharp pain in its leg. It looked down, only to see Julian carving through the joint with both the Mantis Greatsword and Searadyn¡¯s Veil, the blades slicing cleanly through its flesh like it was ham.
The daemon swung at him in desperation, but Julian disappeared again, reappearing on its massive shoulder.
Unfortunately, his time with [Shadow Festival] was over¡ªmost of his MP had actually been spent crafting the Mantis armor and greatsword, and had not completely recovered yet.
Still, it was enough.
Julian let out a silent roar as he gripped the greatsword with both hands, plunging it into the gap at the daemon¡¯s neck. The blade sank deep, but Julian wasn¡¯t done. Shifting Searadyn¡¯s Veil into a shield, albeit a smaller one¡ªits full power lost in his battle with Erin¡ªhe used it to hammer the hilt of the greatsword, driving it deeper into the daemon¡¯s thick neck.
Bang!
The colossal mantis thrashed and writhed, trying desperately to dislodge him. But Julian used its wild movements to his advantage, forcing the blade deeper with every shake.
When the greatsword was embedded as far as it could go, Julian slammed it sideways, slicing through the tough flesh. Then, he buried Searadyn¡¯s Veil back into the [Shadow Vault], freeing both hands to grip the hilt of the greatsword.
He roared again, veins bulging in his neck as he poured every ounce of strength to lift the greatsword up.
Slowly, with a sickening crunch, he began to pry the daemon¡¯s neck apart.
The air echoed with the sound of ripping flesh and cracking shell, and with a final thunderous snap, the mantis¡¯ head tore free¡ªthough not entirely. It swung loosely, still attached by sinew, as the daemon¡¯s body spasmed uncontrollably.
Even headless, the daemon¡¯s claws flailed wildly, slashing at nothing in its death throes. But soon, its movements slowed, its massive body collapsing to the ground with a resounding thud.
Julian fell with it, landing hard on his back. He lay there, his arms stretched out to his sides, his chest rising and falling as he finally allowed himself to breathe in relief.
[Good work, Julian,] MEGAN whispered in his mind. Her usual jolly tone carried a hint of¡ something else as she continued,
[You didn¡¯t¡ even need me.]
¡°Nonsense,¡± Julian exhaled deeply as he sat up. ¡°I would¡¯ve been dead in three seconds at the start without you.¡±
[Do¡ you truly think that?] MEGAN¡¯s voice was softer, almost hesitant.
¡°I do.¡± Julian stood up, retrieving the greatsword from the ground before plunging his hand into the darkness. In an instant, his armor and the greatsword disappeared.
He then tapped his foot against the ground before walking to his rapier, which rested near a gray tree and casually picked it up.
[That¡] MEGAN seemingly wanted to say something, but fell silent.
¡°What was that?¡± Julian asked, tilting his head.
[Nothing. Let¡¯s focus on the task at hand, Julian.]
With that, MEGAN became completely quiet.
Julian hummed and waited for her to say something else, but when she did not, he returned to the massive mantis corpse, tapping his rapier against its exoskeleton to see if he could get any material from it.
It was thicker than the smaller daemons¡¯, but not significantly harder. There was nothing to get there.
¡°Well¡¡± He let out a thoughtful hum before quickly making his way into the tower. And what awaited him there were piles of daemon corpses.
Wasting no time, Julian climbed the spiral staircase, moving swiftly toward her location.
As he drew closer to her position, he tightened his grip on his rapier and leaped forward, piercing the neck of a mantis daemon before it aimed its claw at Kitty.
Kitty¡¯s eyes widened as Julian appeared out of nowhere, but she quickly glared at him.
¡°I had that,¡± she said, ¡°And why are you here? What about the giant bug!?¡±
¡°It¡ª¡±
¡°Don¡¯t tell me you killed it,¡± Kitty interrupted, looking at Julian as though he were some kind of monster.
¡°It¡ wasn¡¯t as strong as we thought,¡± Julian replied softly, stepping down from the daemon¡¯s corpse and back onto the stairs. ¡°But let¡¯s talk later.¡±
¡°Tch, agreed. I just want this shit done too.¡±
Kitty had countless questions, but she walked with Julian all the same. Together, they finally ascended to the top of the tower.
And there, as MEGAN had described, a black cube awaited them.
¡°So, we just need to destroy that thing?¡± Kitty narrowed her eyes, drawing her bow. But as she aimed, Julian suddenly approached the cube.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
¡°I want to check what it is first,¡± Julian replied as he found himself slightly drawn to the cube.
¡°Me too, but you said we needed to destroy it. Let¡¯s just do that. Also¡¡± Kitty glanced back, her eyes reflecting the swarm of daemons flying toward them. ¡°...I don¡¯t want to be here when that gets to us.¡±
¡°That¡ª¡± Julian began, but MEGAN cut him off.
[She¡¯s right, Julian. Don¡¯t touch it. You don¡¯t know how your shadow powers might react to it. You¡¯ve tried hard to hide your abilities from Kitty¡ªdon¡¯t risk it now.]
¡°Okay.¡± Julian took a step back, standing beside Kitty as she sighed and drew her bow again.
¡°Damn it,¡± she muttered. ¡°This would¡¯ve been a great stream. Our first live collaboration, you know?¡±
Without waiting for Julian¡¯s reply, she loosed an arrow at the black cube.
A ripple formed on the surface of the cube at first, almost as if it was swallowing the arrow. But soon, the cube started to crumble into dust. The cloud of daemons who were flying toward them, also dropped to the ground one by one like rain.
¡°Well¡¡± Kitty placed a hand on Julian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°...What happens¡ª¡±
Before she could finish, a circular light filled with symbols appeared beneath their feet.
¡°What the fuck!?¡± Kitty¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Julian!¡±
¡°Hm?¡± Julian, unable to sense the light, frowned in confusion at her reaction.
¡°That¡¯s Artemian magic!¡±
And with those words, a surge of warmth coursed through Julian¡¯s veins. He wondered what the sensation was at first, but then felt that his surroundings were completely different.
They were back in the auditorium.
¡°Julian¡¡± Kitty¡¯s hand was still on his shoulder. ¡°...That was Artemian magic. How¡ is that even possible?¡±
¡°That¡ª¡± Julian began, but a familiar voice interrupted him.
¡°I know you civilians have many questions.¡±
It was Cindy, with her entire team behind her looking confused¡ªthey just entered the portal, and now they were back in the auditorium, and that only meant one thing¡ª
¡°But I have a question of my own,¡± Cindy continued,
¡°How did a streamer and a blind man clear a portal by themselves?¡±