《God of Gacha - Reincarnated as a One-Star Character [LITRPG]》 1. Dont Forget to Remember Yourself Mumvuri had spent most of his twenty-nine years living for the sake of others. As the eldest of four siblings, who grew up in a broken home and a rough neighbourhood, the time he didn¡¯t spend experiencing pains a child was never meant to was spent doing chores. He did his best to shield them from the constant screaming and fighting their parents made them endure, spinning tall tales for his siblings and making them laugh as their tears dried. He comforted his two brothers and sister when their mother left and took care of them when he reached adulthood after their father took his own life. However, Mumvuri or Mumu, as his siblings called him, didn¡¯t mind. It was all stuff he had to do as a big brother. His only selfish desire was to be given time to play his favourite MMO, God of Gacha, which he had gotten for almost nothing a few years prior. It was so old; it wasn¡¯t even VR compatible or had any other special immersive qualities like modern games meaning Mumu had to play it the old fashion way with a mouse and keyboard. But, again, Mumu didn¡¯t mind. While everyone else was jacking into virtual worlds through advanced gear that allowed them to experience virtual worlds as if they were real, Mumu was clicking away at mobs, harvesting materials and completing daily quests without complaint. He didn¡¯t care that the combat loop was frustrating more often than not and that crafting times often took real world days for high end gear. Heck, he didn¡¯t even mind that, to get his favourite KVL, a Five Star NPC, which he could add to his party if he was lucky, had a drop chance of 0.000000001%. Her name was K''lum, and she was a Level 100 KVL, of which there were only four. Her full name and title were [K''lum the Undoer ¨C The Ace of the Deck]. This meant that she, as awesome as she was, was only the fourth strongest KVL. As for her appearance, she looked like a dark elf, even though there were no elves in GOG, and she was clad in gear of the highest tier, brandishing dark claws that could easily cut through mobs. She was perfect! But¡­ one couldn¡¯t just purchase her from the item shop, nor could they just buy any common pod since that meant the chance of getting her was almost zero. No, the best way to get her was to farm materials and craft [Godlike] Pods, which had the highest chance of dropping five-star KVLs, but they would more often than not drop [Godlike] gear, which, while good, resulted in duplicates. Mumu loved the tedium of it all. He couldn¡¯t afford to buy Pods and so painstakingly crafted each Pod he ever got. ¡°Bro?¡± Mumu blinked, and, like that, he was back in the real world. He turned around and saw his little brother peeking through the door, which made him smile warmly. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Kuda had another nightmare.¡± The eldest of his little brothers, Elias, reported prompting Mumu to check the time, revealing that it was a few minutes past midnight. He got up with a groan and coughed painfully when he fully stood up. He then followed Elias to the room he shared with his brother. The two teens shared a bunkbed, and Kuda sat with teary eyes on the bottom one. Mumu sat by his side and looked into the boy¡¯s trembling eyes. ¡°Lay it on me, buddy. What happened?¡± He asked as Elias got into the bed above. Elias softly explained he dreamt that he was stuck in a dark, uncomfortable place where, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t get away. ¡°I see. Well, I¡¯ve heard that dreams and nightmares are tied to what we want or what we¡¯re afraid of. Maybe you feel like you¡¯re stuck in real life, too. Have you thought about that?¡± Mumu asked as he gave his brother the gentlest pats on the back. ¡°No.¡± The boy lowered his eyes in consideration. ¡°Then give it some thought. Think about what you really want or something that¡¯s been bugging you because it may very well explain the cause of your nightmares. Won¡¯t take them away though, but knowing is half the battle, or so they say.¡± Mumu wearily smiled after trying his best to sound like he knew what he was talking about when he too was struggling with feelings of stagnation. Elias nodded before lying down to sleep. Mumu covered him up before standing to leave. ¡°Goodnight, you too. And stop sending your brother to do stuff for you.¡± Elias looked like he wanted to whine about it, but Mumu promptly closed the door, leaving the boys to sort it out between themselves. He then returned to his room where, after checking the time again, he logged off of GOG and, after smoking for a bit by the window, limply fell onto bed. . .. Morning came with a series of painful coughs, but they were par for the course, and so he dragged himself out of bed at around four am, showered before his siblings got up and made them breakfast. Dahlia, his little sister, was the first to awaken and she whimpered out of her room while holding her overly large teddy bear. ¡°Good morning, Mumu.¡± He replied with a playful grunt as he drank his sugarless coffee. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. The boys woke up soon after and bickered their way to the table, where they joined Dahlia for breakfast while Mumu smoked outside. His vision had been steadily getting worse, making the sunrise blurry and harsh to look at, but at this point, so much was wrong with him that it felt normal. The kids eventually readied up for school, and since they all attended the same school, which wasn¡¯t that far, he saw them off before locking up and heading to work himself. He worked at as a field technician in a network company and he had developed a deep hatred for cables. You see, while the masses enjoyed the ease of wireless devices and networks, everything still stood atop a foundation of wires that had to be manually installed and maintained. Mumu found a strange comfort in this, however. Knowing that people were connected in ways they couldn¡¯t even see. ¡°Hey, Mu.¡± A colleague, Clive, called from above as Mumu replaced a corroded junction box that was in a manhole that was built into the sidewalk. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°You heard about that new game that came out? The one where the gear can literally take your consciousness and implant it in a virtual setting?¡± ¡°Yes, I have, and I think that sounds terrifying. I can barely handle having low health on a normal boss fight, so imagine experiencing simulated death.¡± Mumu sighed while pulling himself out of the manhole, only to be bombarded by the afternoon sun¡¯s light. ¡°Damn¡­ when you put it like that, it sounds like the worst things ever. And I also didn¡¯t consider the fact that the developers would then have a copy of your consciousness to do whatever they want with.¡± Clive drooped while Mumu placed another cigarette between his lips with a shaking hand. ¡°See? This is why I play GOG¡ª¡± Mumu was interrupted by a series of agonizing coughs. ¡°You okay there?¡± Clive asked with furrowed brows. ¡°I¡¯m good, I''m just¡ª¡± More coughs came, and they were so painful that Mumu dropped his cigarette. Clive rushed to his side just as he fell to the side as blood began to accompany each cough. Mumu assured his colleague that he was fine, but Clive immediately called an ambulance and had Mumu taken to the hospital. ¡°Give it to me straight, doc.¡± Mumu sighed after having changed into a patient¡¯s gown and undergone several scans. ¡°Geez, where to start?¡± The doctor wearily smiled. ¡°You could start with the bill.¡± Mumu playfully hissed, but the doctor shook his head. ¡°Your friend said that he would cover everything, so let''s just focus on what¡¯s most urgent.¡± More than anything, hearing that is what brought a strange and sharp pain to Mumu¡¯s chest. The doctor then gave him a shopping list of diagnoses, which were all news to Mumu since he couldn¡¯t remember the last time he had been to the hospital. ¡°H-how much time do I have left, doc?¡± He winced. ¡°I genuinely can¡¯t say. Any one of your issues could leave you in critical condition at any following moment so¡­¡± Mumu nodded before asking to be discharged. He knew that neither he nor Clive, for all his kindness, could afford the procedures and medicine he needed so, after changing into his normal clothes. The doctor had given him some pain meds, and they loudly rattled in his pocket as he made his way home, where Clive babysat his siblings. ¡°Mumu!¡± Dahlia was still at the age where she didn¡¯t think it was embarrassing to hug one¡¯s big brother, and so she ran into his arms. He gently picked her up while walking over to the couch where Clive and the boys sat. ¡°Well?¡± Clive asked through gnashed teeth. ¡°It ain¡¯t looking good, buddy.¡± Dahlia seemingly saw through her brother¡¯s smile and clung to him a little tighter. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mumu?¡± ¡°Big bro¡¯s just a little sick, that¡¯s all. Don¡¯t worry about it too much.¡± Clive stood up and, after putting Dahlia down, Mumu followed him outside. ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to say and no, you don¡¯t owe me shit.¡± Mumu bit his teeth. ¡°What we should focus on right now is saving for those damned operations.¡± Clive¡¯s words were like daggers to Mumu¡¯s heart. ¡°No, Clive. That¡¯s too much. I can¡¯t ask you to throw away so much¡ª¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if it means you get to be here a little longer, dammit!¡± Clive¡¯s words were a hushed scream, and this was enough to break the levees. The tears that Mumu had been holding for longer than he could remember finally began to fall, and without wasting a moment, Clive hugged him. Mumu, for the first time in his life, didn¡¯t know what to do. But, in the silence of the hug, Clive told him that it was alright. Clive eventually let go and, after giving Mumu a specific instruction, he left. Mumu, who was shaken beyond words, returned to his siblings and, after assuring them once again, saw them off to sleep. It was quite late, and so, for the first time in a long time, Mumu fell asleep without playing GOG. . .. The years that followed were sombre. With Clive¡¯s help, Mumu was able to pau for a few of the more urgent procedures and this helped him live until his siblings graduated but by this point, as he reached his mid-thirties, he was running on empty. Fortunately, both he and Clive had been promoted to more managerial positions, which meant that he had to do less field work, and this also helped him pay Clive back, who in turn helped pay to get Kuda, Elias and Dahlia. Ever the stubborn one, Mumu helped Clive get his first car, and the two went back and forth like this until the day when Mumu¡¯s body couldn¡¯t carry on anymore. He was admitted into hospital indefinitely, and it was there, as his body slowly fell apart, that he watched his siblings grow under the watch of their Uncle Clive. They, in turn, went on to take care of him. Paying off his medical bills and visiting him as often as they could. They, along with Clive, would be present on Mumu¡¯s last day on earth, and they all gave tearful goodbyes, which was more than Mumu could have ever asked for. But then again¡­ he never asked for much. This led to him realizing that he had never gotten the one other thing that he had wanted all those years prior. That legendary five-star character. This ended up being his only regret as he closed his eyes for the last time. . .. Mumu opened his eyes and the act itself was enough to make him gasp aloud which revealed that he now had a softer, higher pitched voice. He also seemed to be inside a bright and expansive place. He immediately fell to his hands and knees, allowing him to see that his arms were now slender, his fingernails tipped with black nail polish. He saw that he was also clad in a dark, form fitting body suit and his skin had a pale purplish hue. Mumu took deep and rapid breaths as he tried to assess this bizarre situation but, before he could fully calm his nerves, a gigantic face materialized before him but its form was ever shifting in shape and colour which made Mumu a little dizzy. That said, it was a voice that was, in the recesses of his consciousness, familiar. [Mmm¡­ underwhelming, but that much was expected.] The head spoke in a voice that seemed to come from everywhere, including Mumu¡¯s head, which made tears well up in his eyes. ¡°W-Who are you?¡± He whimpered while struggling to hold himself up. [I am the God in Waiting. Your creator and, Recrudescent as you may be, your soul has found its way into one of my Kuva?ai, and while I would like to speak further with you, your fate is already in the hands of another.] The voice echoed endlessly and before Mumu could ask it any more questions, he was pulled into the light beneath the head, awakening for a second time.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Axe of the Profaned] Weapon +15DMG (PHY), +15DMG (MAL) Battle Axe forged in the heart of malice, the charred world of Erinta Mu??ai where it is said the Miasmal Serpent was born. ???
[Standard Issue KVL bodysuit] Armor +15% DR Armour issued to all KVL by the mysterious God in Waiting. Made from durable synthetic fibres and offering a moderate amount of protection. Common
2. Fight in Flight According to the lore of God of Gacha, every KVL was bound to the one who would be its master. And so, the first face Mumu saw when he emerged from the Pod he appeared in after being pulled into the light of the God in Waiting was that of the one who would hold his fate. It was a boy who looked like the default protagonist in GOG. He had pure white hair, pale skin and grey eyes that were lined with tears and rain from the dark cloudy skies above. He was also clad in a grey jumpsuit and, according to the lore of the game, he was a clone who had just escaped a secret facility near the border where the armies of the Saints and Cultists were at a tense standstill. During the normal sequence of events, the player, one of the clones, managed to escape the clutches of their creators and, after sneaking through a scrapyard, they would find their first KVL in a Pod. One sent from above as if it was a gift from the gods themselves. The thing is, the rarity of one¡¯s first KVL wasn¡¯t guaranteed. ¡°Hey! Hey, you! Can you hear me?¡± The boy fearfully called while shaking a disoriented Mumu. ¡°Hands off, pal.¡± Mumu yawned while stretching her arms. ¡°We have to get out of here! It is not safe!¡± Boy¡¯s words were a desperate whisper but Mumu knew that, if this really was like the world of GOG, they wouldn¡¯t get attacked until they reached the edge of the scrapyard so she dismissively waved her hands. ¡°Alright, alright. Gimme a second.¡± She groaned in the same way an older person would as she stepped out of her Pod, even though her movements were light and painless. She looked around and saw that she was indeed in the same scrapyard from the game, only it felt entirely real. She looked herself over and saw that she was still in her slender, feminine form. The boy muttered all kinds of things while she moved her arms and legs experimentally, after which she took deep, painless breaths. She then nodded to herself while placing her hands on her hips. Either she was still in her hospital bed back on earth and was having a really realistic dream or, more excitingly, she had indeed finally died and had somehow been reborn in the world of GOG. She didn¡¯t even know how to begin to make sense of it, but it felt right. As if¡­ this was where she was always meant to end up. BUT WHY WAS SHE A ONE-STAR KVL AND NOT THE PROTAGONIST?! She looked her stats over again and frowned because it just didn¡¯t make sense. ¡°Hey, are you listening?¡± Mumu finally turned her clear gaze to the man. The label on his jumpsuit read ¡°115¡±, so she decided to call him that.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Grey Jumpsuit #115] Armor +5% DR Comfortable grey clothes are issued to clones after their flesh is put back together. Common
¡°What?¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ¡°This-This place is not safe! They w-will hurt us if they catch us.¡± Mumu felt a wave of sympathy after realizing that the boy, if they really were in the world of GOG, had experienced an unimaginable amount of pain and urgently wanted to be free, so she decided to help her with that before anything. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go¡ª¡± Mumu let out a terrified scream as something suddenly shot through 115¡¯s arm, tearing it off and sending the young man crashing backward. Mumu looked to the south and saw, hovering above the hills of rust and metal, two Patrol Drones that were rapidly approaching.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[M942 Hacksaw Light Machine Gun] Weapon +15DMG (PHY) Made from readily available materials, it is widely used by both the forces of the Saints and the Cultists. Common
[Steel Plating] Armour +45% DR Made from readily available materials, it is widely used by both the forces of the Saints and the Cultists. Common
Mumu froze as the sounds of gunfire filled the air. This wasn¡¯t supposed to be happening. The Drones were supposed to wait by the edge of the zone. Why were they actively hunting 115? Would they want to kill her too? Mumu¡¯s eyes shook as she saw bullets striking the ground near the boy. She bit her teeth and, before she could think any further about anything, she grabbed a bleeding 115 and threw him into her pearlescent Pod which she immediately closed. She then closed her eyes and flinched as the drones reached the Pod which they began shooting at, but since it was made from materials that were otherworldly, it took no visible damage. Mumu would have let out a relieved sigh, but she knew that things were different now. She couldn¡¯t treat the drones as simple bots in a game. They had most likely reported the situation to their masters and more trouble would come soon if nothing was done. But what could she do? She could wrap her mind around having to fight a human, but these were machines that were built to kill. What if they killed her? What would happen then? Mumu wasn¡¯t sure but she felt as though she wouldn¡¯t get another chance like this again so she needed to be careful. She couldn¡¯t recall if the character she appeared as was in GOG, but she did have an axe which, as if responding to her thoughts, appeared in her hand from a cloud of ominous black-red smoke. The Profaned Axe, as it was called, was as low tier as weapons came with the only silver lining being that it also dealt Malignant Damage. This was good because ordinary enemies without a (MAL) attribute took more (MAL) damage by a factor of 1.5x, and Malignant Damage also applied a debuff which ate away 10% of a target¡¯s HP when applied, something Mumu knew like the back of her hand. Her axe did 15DMG (PHY) and 15DMG (MAL), meaning that each hit she landed on the drones would go for 38DMG, which, unfortunately, would be reduced by 45% due to the high DR the drones had, but anything would die if you hit it enough times. And so, after taking a deep breath, she dashed out of the Pod, leaving it closed as she landed beneath the hovering drones that had 250HP each. She then dashed around the robots, testing just how fast her new legs could run and how much endurance she had. Back on earth, she could barely jog for thirty seconds and, in GOG, the controls were stiff and unresponsive but now, she was sprinting through piles of scrap faster than the robots could turn and so most of their bullets struck the ground behind her. She took cover, and her pointed ears perked up as the drones stopped firing. It seemed as though they were trying to keep their guns from overheating, which served as an opening. Mumu dashed out of cover, jumped almost two meters into the air and struck the top of the drone, lodging her axe into it and hanging from the robot which was around the size of a washing machine. She had initially planned to quicky hit it and run around again but hadn¡¯t expected her axe to get stuck in the drone, which wasn¡¯t possible in game, so she instead fearfully held onto the drone just as the other one began firing again. It struck its fellow drone thirty times before stopping to cool its guns again, but it had already damaged the first drone to the point that all Mumu needed to do was hit it once, and it fell to the ground as a pile of twisted metal. Mumu landed near another heap of scrap which she hid behind as the second drone stared firing again and, just as before, when it stopped to cool, she bolted out from cover, jumped onto it and tried hitting its guns, which protruded from its pentagonal hull. She succeeded, hitting both guns twice, damaging the two barrels and prompting the drone to spin wildly as it tried shaking her off. Mumu hissed out every breath and her vision sharpened as she turned to her next target, the vents which the drone used to vent its internal heat. She knew that it would take far too much time to hack away at its armour, so while hanging onto the drone, she hacked away at the vents, which bent inwards violently after Mumu¡¯s fourth hit. She jumped off of the drone and landed gracefully a few meters away. The drone, in its malfunctioning frenzy, charged at Mumu as if to ram into her, but she easily jumped over it, letting it crash into the ground. She turned to face the now stranded and overheating drone, slowly walking towards it and stepping on its now scarred hull. In this moment, as fear, adrenaline and a burning will to live filled her mind, she stood triumphant. Even if the victory was minor, she had earned it and¡­ it felt good. She hacked at the drone a few more times until it completely stopped moving and quickly shifted all of her focus back to 115 who she had left in the Pod. She returned to his side and winced upon seeing that his grey tracksuit was soaked with his blood. Mumu didn¡¯t know much about medicine or first aid, so in a moment of sheer desperation, she gently picked up the unconscious boy and exited the pod. More trouble was set to come if they didn¡¯t leave the scrapyard, and so she began lightly jogging to the south as indicated by the compass that appeared at the top of her vision. The reason why Mumu was heading south was because they were currently in Cultist territory and getting captured would mean a fate worse than death, so she needed to get to the parts of the world that were occupied by the forces of the Saints, which was in line with what was set to happen in GOG. She looked at 115 as she ran and held him a little tighter as his skin grew paler. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him everything was going to be okay, but things were so different that she didn¡¯t even know where to begin. She eventually arrived at the edge of scrapyard which sat on the edge of a cliff at the foot of which was a river. A river which went from the northern mountains to the far south and into Saint territory. Now, in GOG, this is where the protagonist would take his first KVL and make a jump for it, but the cliff was forty meters tall, and Mumu was incredibly afraid of heights. This fear, however, was superseded by the sound of incoming drones, and so, after taking a deep breath, she jumped into the river below, hoping she wouldn¡¯t hit the bottom and die. 3. At the Foot of Mountains Thankfully, Mumu and 115 hadn¡¯t hit the bottom of the river, but while was able to bear the cold and turbulent waters, 115¡¯s condition was only getting worse. She held him up as they were pulled down river and kept her eye on the southern horizon, which was a vast expanse of flat, war-torn land that was brightly lit by the light of the full moon above. In GOG, the protagonist would wash up on the southern riverbank and make their way further south, encountering cultists and gaining strength, but that was in the game. Mumu couldn¡¯t risk charging headfirst into enemies, especially with 115 in the condition that he was in, so she opted for a stealthier route. If she followed the river for a little further, she would eventually come across a Cultist riverside encampment which had a handful of low-level soldiers. Her main interest was the supplies within, and so she looked at a now shivering 115 and gently urged that he hold on. ¡°Just a little longer.¡± . .. Upon spotting the distant encampment, Mumu finally left the river and took 115 to a crevasse in the cliff which she placed him in. She then gently placed her hand on his cold cheek before exiting the crevasse and turning her sharp gaze to the camp. Now that she didn¡¯t have to carry 115, she could fully test her new KVL body and see just what she was capable of, and so she dove into the river and tested how long she could hold her breath as she swam. The average for normal humans was one to two minutes, but she could go up to four minutes underwater. She used this to swim increasingly closer to the camp, one of many outposts in the area. Stationed within were seven human soldiers, clad in basic gear and wielding standard-issue assault rifles. One of them was standing guard by the pier. While he would have done so robotically in GOG, he lazily sat on the edge of the pier and smoked a cigarette. His face was lined with deep scars that formed dark runes, and his eyes were yellowed.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[7MX Javelin] Weapon +15DMG (PHY) Made from readily available materials, it is widely used by both the forces of the Saints and the Cultists. Common
[Standard Issue Combat Gear] Armour +10% DR Made from readily available materials, it is widely used by both the forces of the Saints and the Cultists. Common
He hummed a surpassingly sweet tune while longingly peering out into the night. This made it a bit hard for Mumu to attack him, even as she floated undetected beneath his feet. He was real now. No longer a series of codes or a drone like the ones she¡¯d fought. She wanted to spare him if she could and recalled her battle with the drones. The fact that they had shot off 115¡¯s arm and the fact that she was able to destroy the drones one part at a time meant that damage was not a flat reduction in HP and was now actual, physical damage that could be applied however one liked. The stats she saw simply told her just how much damage she was doing overall. With this in mind, she torpedoed out of the water and before the soldier could even process what was happening, she gave him a swift chop in the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious before dragging him into the water. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. She carried him to the riverbank before returning to the camp where she sneakily incapacitated each soldier, getting better and quieter with each attempt. With them all unconscious, she ran back to the hole where she had left 115, picked him up and returned to the camp, where she placed him on a table before rummaging through the camp for medical supplies, which she found and promptly used on the boy. She, after cleaning his muddied body, wrapped his shoulder in bandages which she doused in a bit of medicine, much to the boy¡¯s slumbering anguish, and dressed him in some dry fatigues before covering him in a blanket. She then scanned the perimeter and made her way to the Cultists as they slowly regained consciousness. One of them, the one dressed in officers¡¯ uniform, glared at her, and this was the first time in Mumu¡¯s life that anyone ever looked at her with so much hatred. His blue eyes were like daggers, and if she hadn¡¯t tied him up, he would have certainly attacked her. ¡°If¡­ if I let you go. Will you leave this place?¡± Mumu¡¯s voice shook under the weight of hatred. The officer¡¯s face then twisted into a deranged smile, creasing the runes that were etched into his skin. He then broke into a laugh that sounded like it hurt before barking at Mumu, making her flinch. ¡°Idiot! Fool! Our defeat means our inevitable and torturous death, so whatever mercy you think you¡¯re giving us is wasted!¡± Mumu knew that the Cultists were an insane group that craved destruction and terror, but to witness it so closely¡­ It made her stomach ache and her temples throb with stress. ¡°Y-you can give yourselves over to the Saints¡ª¡± ¡°The very same Saints who will interrogate us before killing us? Of course! That¡¯s an even better idea!¡± The officer snapped as tears welled in Mumu¡¯s eyes. She knew she was being na?ve. That this version of things definitely wouldn¡¯t be a cakewalk. But she wanted to try. To try and bring good to this cursed, broken world. But this wasn¡¯t the time for good. So, she wiped her tears and looked into the officer¡¯s eyes, eyes that were overflowing with pain. ¡°You could come with me.¡± That¡¯s what she wanted to say. To offer these ruined men another chance, but she knew that it wouldn¡¯t be that easy. This world, Neo-Earth, as it was called, was a realm of untold horrors and pain. That¡¯s what the lore described it as, that¡¯s what playing GOG felt like at times, so in order to survive in this world, she would have to speak in the only language it understood¡­ violence. She raised her right hand, summoning her axe and placed it on the officer¡¯s neck. ¡°Yes! YES! Deliver us into the arms of the serpent! Take the first step onto the path of ruination!¡± Mumu took a deep breath and cleaved off the officer¡¯s head. Watching it fall from his body made Mumu want to vomit, but she bit her teeth and turned to the next soldier, who gleefully smiled even as she raised her axe. She killed him too, feeling worse than before, but this was necessary. If not here, there would come another time when she was forced to kill and when the time came, she didn¡¯t want to hesitate. And so, one by one, she killed the soldiers, bloodying her axe until one was left. The one she first subdued. He, after seeing his comrades die, looked genuinely afraid, and so Mumu lowered her axe. ¡°Come with me.¡± She softly offered. The pain in her voice made every word an agony. The soldier frantically nodded although no tears fell from his strained eyes. Mumu sighed before undoing his binds, but just as his arms were freed, he grabbed her neck and tried choking her but, since she was a KVL, she easily forced him on the ground and, as he relentlessly tried to kill her, she gently placed her palm on his neck and crushed it. Her tears fell onto the soldier¡¯s face, as it slowly drained of life. And when he died, she let him go and stood up, the silence of the night pressing down onto her as her heart raced. She looked at all the corpses and reeled from the horror of what she had done. But, in the mire that was her thoughts and as her body listlessly swayed from side to side, she remembered 115. His pale face and shivering body. She turned to the camp and made her way back to 115¡¯s side to see that he was doing a little better. He was warm now, but they were still in enemy territory, so she couldn¡¯t sit down and relax. She had spotted an All-Terrain Vehicle outside, and while taking the land route would be dangerous, following the river any further would lead them towards higher-level enemies, whereas the no man¡¯s land where the Saintly Armies and Cultists periodically clashed was littered with lower-level enemies. And so, after grabbing a few more supplies and throwing them into the back of the ATV, she gently placed 115 in the passenger seat as the rising sun gently bathed his still darkened face. Mumu then drove south at a slow pace, keeping an eye on the horizon from which distant plumes of smoke rose. In GOG, the protagonist, after escaping the Lair of the Caprine Lord and clearing some enemies in the unoccupied zone, would eventually come across some soldiers of the saints who would then take them to the city of Cu?al, which acted as the hub of the game. But from what Mumu had experienced so far, getting there wasn¡¯t going to be as easy. The city was no less than fifty kilometres away, and the land between was abuzz with combat. Mumu bit her teeth as she steeled herself for whatever she would have to do.
She drove for about fifteen minutes when suddenly something crashed in front of her, making her hit the brakes. The dust settled, and Mumu felt a freezing chill run up her spine upon seeing what had made the crater ahead. Standing at the point of impact was a woman clad in a bright red robe and wielding two batons that were tipped with long, pointed blades. Her face was obscured by a hood from which came a bright white light, but judging by its shape, it didn¡¯t look like she had a humanlike head any more. Mumu knew exactly who she was. A Five Star KVL and the second rarest in GOG. One of the most powerful in the entire setting, one who could help players defeat post-endgame bosses.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
??? ??? ??? ???
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Cloak of the Red Hunt] Armor +40% DR It is said that the divine threads woven to make this cloak were once a pearlescent white but, as Ellyn lost herself to bloodlust, taking the heads of friend and foe alike, it was forever dyed in the colour of all the blood she had spilt. Ultimate
[Fangs of the Oceanic Serpent] Weapon +100DMG (PHY), +100DMG (FRO), The Sages, when not deep in their trances, speak of an ocean at the bottom of all things. When their wandering spirits find themselves there, they see many amazing and terrifying things walking atop the ever still waters, like snakes that whistle the winds of winter. Ultimate
Every instinct in Mumu¡¯s body told her to flee, to run away, but she couldn¡¯t do so quickly enough with 115 in her arms. But she also couldn¡¯t leave him, and so, fighting her own terrified heart and quivering legs, she stepped out of the vehicle, summoned her axe and stood the silent monster before her. Mumu wanted to beg for her life. To prostrate herself before Ellyn, but she had to fight, and so she raised her axe only for her arms to fall off. A massive wave of pain followed, but before she could even begin to process it, her body suddenly fell backwards, and she let out a horrified screech upon seeing that her legs had been cleaved off. She wanted to deny this new, cruel reality. To go back to earth and to her family, but she couldn¡¯t, even in the depths of her mind, escape the pain. Ellyn slowly walked up to a profusely bleeding Mumu, peering through her white void of a face. Mumu knew that the only reason why she was still alive was because Ellyn, for some reason, had more use for her alive. [Revel in your pain, sister. It will be all that accompanies you before you are taken into his maw¡ª] Something struck the back of Ellyn¡¯s head, interrupting her, but at this point, Mumu had lost far too much blood and was blacking out. As she did, her teary gaze drifted towards 115, who was still unconscious. She wasn¡¯t sure who was attacking Ellyn, but she hoped they would show the boy some mercy. 4. Enter Dollman Mumu¡¯s mind burnt with pains she could feel even while deeply unconscious. She remembered everything excruciatingly clearly, regardless of how hard she tried to forget. Eventually, her body began to stir as she woke, but something was different. She felt heavier. Opening her eyes revealed that she was on an old bed in a small, dimly lit room that was plastered with blueprints and littered with mechanical components. As for her body, she set the blanket that covered her bare self to the side and softly gasped upon seeing that her once-organic legs and arms had been replaced with silver, metallic ones that were lined with intricate etchings. They somehow felt lighter and heavier.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Axe of the Profaned] Weapon +15DMG (PHY), +15DMG (MAL) Battle Axe forged in the heart of malice, the charred world of Erinta Mu??ai where it is said the Miasmal Serpent was born. ???
[Reinforced Alloy Composite Limbs] Special +10% DR, +5% DMG (PHY) Limbs made with such artistry and craftsmanship that, were it not for their metallic sheen and functional seams, would perfectly resemble organic ones.. Common
AS Mumu looked herself over, her ears perked up as she heard voices from outside the room. One of them seemed to be getting closer, and the door in front of her opened, revealing a now fully conscious 115. He was now in some clean clothes, and it looked like he had also gotten a new arm.
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Old Garbs] Weapon +5% DR Old Clothes that are drab in colour and smell of dust. ???
[Reinforced Alloy Composite Arm] Special +5% DR, +5% DMG (PHY) Limb made with such artistry and craftsmanship that, were it not for its metallic sheen and functional seams, would perfectly resemble an organic one. Common
His eyes widened upon meeting Mumu¡¯s weary gaze, and the boy immediately rushed to hug her. ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± He cheered as Mumu gently wrapped her arms around him and, in doing so, realized that all of the pain from before was gone, remaining only as echoes in her mind. ¡°And you have a new arm. What happened?¡± Mumu asked while gently rubbing the boy¡¯s cheek with her thumb. ¡°Well¡­ I am not too sure myself, but come! There is someone who wants to speak to you!¡± 115 chirped excitedly before seemingly realizing that Mumu was naked. His pale face rapidly reddened, and he slowly let go before standing up and bashfully inching back to the door. ¡°So¡­ please come see him when you are ready.¡± He muttered before slipping out of the room. Mumu looked down at herself and scoffed before standing up and changing into the dark grey jumpsuit that sat nearby.
Name Type Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Standard Issue KVL bodysuit] Armour +15% DR Armour issued to all KVL by the mysterious God in Waiting. Made from durable synthetic fibres and offering a moderate amount of protection. Common
She then exited the room, walked through a short corridor and frowned deeply upon entering a cylindrical space that was lined with the headless bodies of countless KVL that hung from strings as if they were puppets. This dark space was lit only by a beam of sunlight that came from a small hole above, and it fell onto a wizened old man who sat by a pile of KVL limbs. Hanging from his thin limbs were pure white garbs that matched his thinning hair although his eyes were hidden behind a blindfold of white silk. Standing by his side was a woman that Mumu immediately recognized. She, like Ellyn and even K¡¯lum, was three of the four rarest KVL in GOG and, as if they weren¡¯t statistically incredible enough, according to the lore of the game, these three women once fought alongside the gods in a primordial war.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
??? ??? ??? ???
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[F¨¥ngb¨¤o''s Wishbone] Weapon +100DMG (PHY), +100DMG (DIV) Bow crafted from what is believed to be the essence of the Vulture that governs all storms. Godlike
[Realstone Plastron] Armour +50% DR Armour supposedly forged from a chunk of reality itself Godlike
Stician, like Mumu, looked like a dark elf, and her bow never left her left hand. It also felt as though she was tracking every movement in the space around her, even though her eyes were still. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re too lucky?¡± The old man thundered. Mumu was surprised by how deep and loud his voice was. And it felt the slightest bit familiar. He finally turned to face her, as if he could see through his blindfold. ¡°How many times has your end been postponed so far?¡± Mumu frowned a little at his words. ¡°Don¡¯t make that face. I wasn¡¯t scolding you. Come, sit.¡± Mumu did as the old man asked, sitting by his side and looking at the arm that he was working on. It was made from a smooth, pearlescent material and had a warm glow to it. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re confused. That you yearn for the comfort of a distant, long-lost place, but was that place always so warm?¡± Mumu couldn¡¯t escape the depth of his voice or his words. They rang clearly in her mind, making her think back to the place she knew he was talking about. Her life on earth. ¡°It was hard fought, no? Then aren¡¯t all good things the same?¡± The old man warmly smiled. Mumu¡¯s gaze fell. ¡°I¡¯m sure you have many questions, and while I may not have all the answers, I will answer what I can.¡± ¡°Who are you, and why did you save us?¡± Mumu asked, after a moment¡¯s pause, as 115 entered the chamber, sitting by her side shortly after with reddened ears. ¡°You may call me Dollman, and I saved you because, tired of rotting away in this place, I thought to try a little harder, and I have been getting a little closer to what, I hope, will be my¡­ greatest work.¡± Mumu nodded while glancing at the arm in his hand. ¡°You seem to know your way around KVL bodies. Are you close to our creator? The¡­ God in Waiting?¡± For some reason, Stician snorted expressionlessly, making Dollman sigh. ¡°Calling us close would be an understatement, but yes. I know all there is to know about the KVL. I also know that, in the time to come, you will seek strength, and while I have no strength to offer, I know the path you will have to take to get it.¡± Mumu¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What do I need to do?¡± ¡°Before that, I must know what it is you are fighting for. Because I would look like quite the fool if I led you down a path of great power only for you to burn everything to the ground.¡± Dollman chuckled, making Mumu smile weakly. She then thought about how best to answer. The first thing that came to mind was 115. She wanted to for his sake but, in this moment, she remembered Clive¡¯s words from all that time ago. They alone filled her with warmth and determination, making her sit upright and look directly at Dollman. ¡°I am fighting for myself and those I care for.¡± Dollman turned to Stician, who shrugged. ¡°Fair enough. I truly hope that your resolve will be enough. And as for where you will find the strength I spoke of; it is held by three of my failures. They, like you, set out to change their fates only to either fall into the hands of the cultists or lose their will to carry on. Cruel as it may be, you will have to locate, defeat and return each of the gifts I gave them so that I may give them to you. Does that sound like the path you want to walk?¡± Mumu nodded, making Dollman let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Alright. Get some more rest, and when you are ready, I will send you off.¡± Mumu nodded again before standing and returning to the room she awoke in with 115 in tow. The two sat side by side for a silent moment, and Mumu leaned on 115 a little as if searching for his presence. He replied by leaning on her as well, allowing the two to sit in equilibrium. ¡°It never gets easier.¡± Mumu eventually said. ¡°The fighting will probably only intensify and we are likely to keep getting hurt. I cannot ask you to follow me and would rather you didn¡¯t but I know that my side is exactly where you want to be.¡± Mumu was in big sister mode, speaking to the boy as if he were on of her little brothers. 115 didn¡¯t speak, and she could feel as his heartbeat quickened. ¡°It''s alright. Although brief, you and I are all we¡¯ve had in this¡­ painful world. But, at least for now, I¡¯ll need you to stay here where it¡¯s safe.¡± Mumu turned to face 115, whose brows furrowed a little. ¡°But¡­ what if you don¡¯t come back?¡± Fear shook the boy¡¯s voice and its here that Mumu told her first lie. ¡°I will always come back.¡± 115 made a determined face, and to distract him from all that burdened his mind, Mumu changed the subject. ¡°Oh- I just realized that we haven¡¯t gotten a chance to properly introduce ourselves. My name is Mumu. Nice to meet ya!¡± The boy¡¯s ears reddened initially at Mumu¡¯s smile, but his eyes fell shortly after. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t have a name. at least, I don¡¯t think I do.¡± It was here that Mumu remembered that, in GOG, players named themselves, but the character they played as was a nameless clone, which made her feel even more sorry for the boy. ¡°A-Alright. Then why don¡¯t you give yourself one?¡± ¡°I can do that?¡± ¡°Definitely! Come on. Think of something that you like.¡± Mumu nodded encouragingly. The boy took a moment to think and glanced at Mumu a few times before finally taking a breath and giving his answer. ¡°Lavender.¡± Mumu¡¯s eyes widened a little. ¡°That¡¯s a beautiful name, but why Lavender?¡± She curiously tilted her head, and, for some reason, the boy reddened further. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s a pretty colour. That¡¯s all.¡± Mumu knew that. She also knew that her skin was the same shade but didn¡¯t see any significance beyond that. She shook aside her confusion and gently patted his head, running her fingers through his white hair. ¡°Alright, then can I call you Lav?¡± ¡°Yes, you can!¡± ¡°Alright, Lav. Let¡¯s gets some rest.¡± Mumu yawned while lying down to rest. Lav squirmed a little before laying down next to her and while he wanted to keep a fair distance from Mumu, she grabbed him and pulled him closer, falling asleep soon after, much to Lav¡¯s dismay. . .. Meanwhile, in the belly of the Lair of the Caprine Lord, Ellyn had been stripped of her clothes, face obscuring helmet and weapons as she laid on a bloodstained wooden table in the centre of a dark chamber that smelt of burnt flesh and ash. Her long white hair messily draped over the table, her pointed ears drooped as a stream of tears fell from her eyes. She wasn¡¯t tied down or bound, willingly keeping herself still as she took panicked breaths. She was scared because, stand above her was a being whose mere gaze alone, burnt all that it touched. He had the appearance of a refined older man, dressed in a fine charcoal black tuxedo and with white hair that was trimmed neatly. His blood red shirt matched his burning red irises that oozed Malignant energy and quite literally ate away at all they beheld. Hanging from his shoulders was a coat of fur that was charred back and it seemingly clung to him in an eery way. He walked with a cane, the handle of which depicted a goat and it helped him with his slight limp. [What is your sin?] He spoke in a voice that came from everywhere, including the innermost part of Ellyn¡¯s mind. ¡°I l-let one of your prized subjects escape, failed to capture an unaffiliated KVL and lost to the Jack of the Deck, Lord Acolyte Adsecula!¡± She chattered as the man¡¯s gaze burnt her skin. [How would you like to be punished?] ¡°As t-this is my first failure, please mark my skin with the words of failure, Lord Acolyte!¡± [Very well.] Adsecula¡¯s eyes widened a little, and his gaze began to etch markings onto Ellyn¡¯s skin, burning through several layers of tissue as he covered almost her entire body, filling the chamber with agonized, gut-wrenching screams, but through all this, Ellyn didn¡¯t move or run away. She accepted her punishment and hoped that, when the day came, the greatest of lords wouldn¡¯t find her distasteful. 5. Into the Hellfire Ellyn had been punished, but her penance was far from complete. She had been anointed by pain, but not even an eternity would be enough to make up for what she had done. Never before had she failed so¡­ grossly. She had been handcrafted by the God in Waiting to stand at the summit of lethality and yet¡­ After washing the blood from her burn marks, she stepped out of the shower and used one of her Realstone Shards to cast the [Focused Healing] on herself, but she didn¡¯t completely erase her scars. She wanted to bear the shameful marks while also returning her condition to its peak form. After drying herself and tying her hair into a neat bun, she changed back into her gear and left her quarters in the mountainside facility that was The Lair of the Caprine Lord. She passed many anointed guards and other personnel and eventually arrived in the briefing room where her superior and fellow KVL awaited. Her name was K''lum - The Undoer, and she was the most powerful Kuva?ai. Standing as a stunningly beautiful woman who resembled a dark elf. She had a long white ponytail and pointed ears and brandished a pair of legendary claw weapons. Her was no less magnificent, radiating energy as it clung to her form. ¡°Good morning, Lady K¡¯lum.¡± Ellyn deeply bowed, prompting her superior to raise her head from the maps on the table in front of her. Like those of Adsecula, K''lum¡¯s burning red eyes oozed with Malignant energy, although she took great lengths to keep it from needlessly harming anyone. ¡°Good morning, Lady Ellyn. This has turned into quite the mess, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Ellyn struggled to swallow as K''lum approached her. Her heels clicking loudly in the silence of the office. ¡°I genuinely have no idea where they could have gone. So¡­ what should we do? How should we clean up your mess?¡± Ellyn stood upright and faced the expressionless woman in front of her. The one they called The Ace of the Deck. ¡°I¡­ think we should resume operations as normal. Continuing the search would be a waste of resources.¡± K''lum¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Follow.¡± Ellyn kept pace behind the Ace as she led her into the storage bay of the facility. Their destination, in particular, was the bay where hundreds of human clones were kept. They were shoved into cramped, cubic spaces where they had to share food and facilities. The little boys and girls all quietly sat in their holds and didn¡¯t dare to look up at K''lum and Ellyn as they walked by. ¡°Need I remind you why our lord is going to such lengths with this particular project?¡± ¡°No, ma¡¯am,¡± Ellyn answered as she followed into one of the cells, making the children all crawl to the sides, their heads still low and their eyes empty. K''lum looked up at an air duct that led upwards. A climb that would have been impossible¡­ unless. The Ace then let out a deep sigh. ¡°Keep looking, find them and be sure to kill Stician when you do. I don¡¯t think I can trust you with the task of capturing her. Is that fair?¡± Ellyn¡¯s eyes shook, but the answer was clear. ¡°Yes.¡± . .. Mumu awoke before the sun rose, taking care not to disturb Lav, who shook a little, even in his sleep. She made sure to cover him up nicely as she got up and softly closed the door before making her way to Dollman and Stician, who looked like they hadn¡¯t moved at all since the day before. It was here that Mumu realized that she couldn¡¯t see Dollman¡¯s stats. She would have asked him why, but she wasn¡¯t even sure if the people of Neo-Earth could see stats like she did in the first place, so she shelved the thought. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Dollman asked while keenly inspecting a metallic foot. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Stician. Take her outside and tell her what she needs to do. I¡¯ll stay here and look after the boy.¡± The legendary archer nodded before leading Mumu towards a metal staircase that was hidden behind the wall of hanging bodies. The two ascended the cylindrical building, and Mumu realized that it was some sort of bunker based on its thick concrete walls and thick metal doors that led further up. Stician opened the last and uppermost one, revealing that they were at the top of a hill just south of no man¡¯s land. No matter how far east or west one looked, soldiers and vehicles were stationed along a border of scorched land. The sounds of distant gunfire echoed faintly, and the light of the morning sun was a little dimmer thanks to the smoke, which gave each breath a bit of a sting. Far ahead were the dark mountains wherein the dark Acolyte roosted. Mumu turned to Stician, whose sharp eyes scanned the expanse before her. ¡°I saved three others before you. Each of them was given something to aid them on the path they chose, but ultimately, they all fell for one reason or another. You will claim their gifts for yourself. Taking Cratia¡¯s Saintguard¡¯s Axe, Bia¡¯s golden eyes and Ne?kos¡¯ torso.¡± Mumu winced. Stician then pointed to the northwest, at a bridge that connected the two halves of the unoccupied zone that was bisected by the Blou River. ¡°Bia is over there. After succumbing to corruption, she lost her wits and has been causing trouble for both sides.¡± Stician shifted her index finger to a Cultist encampment to the Northeast. ¡°Cratia was captured and converted into a cultist. She¡¯s been helping them push further into Saintly territory, and Ne?kos is over there, moping in that forest. You can choose which order you want to get them in, but I am giving you three days. Good luck.¡± The archer said before turning to return into the bunker. ¡°Wait! Thank you¡­ for saving us.¡± Mumu said, making Stician pause for a moment. ¡°I only did as my master wished. That is what we KVL live for, after all.¡± She said flatly before entering the bunker and closing its massive door, which had a pearlescent sheen to it. Mumu bit her teeth as the archer¡¯s words echoed in her head. She may have been correct in essence, but Mumu was determined to carve forward a path of her own while also doing what was best for Lav. And so, she turned to the Cultist encampment. Why? Because there appeared to be a base belonging to the Saintly Forces a few kilometres south of it. If she was going to be operating in the trenches, she wanted to make sure she wasn¡¯t getting shot at from behind. So, she sought to establish relations with the soldiers below. She took a deep breath and dashed down the hill, her new feet crushing the ground beneath her and her arms perfectly in sync with all her other movements. She took an even deeper breath, recalling what once was and what she was running for. She eventually came across a group of soldiers who were marching towards the camp. It looked like they were coming from one of the many pillbox bunkers she¡¯d seen dotted across the expanse. Upon noticing her now gradual approach, they raised their guns, their weary faces hidden behind gas masks. ¡°Freeze!¡± One of them yelled, standing in front of the four others. Mumu stopped and raised her hands. The foremost soldier eyed her over, his gaze pausing at her ears. ¡°You¡­ you look like one of those KV-somethings. What¡¯s your name, and on who¡¯s side is your master?¡± The soldier asked. Clearly, he knew something about how KVLs worked. He also knew just how much stronger and faster she was than him and his men. That¡¯s why he was stalling for time as one of his subordinates radioed the camp ahead for support. ¡°My name is Mumu, and my master is on the side of the Saints.¡± She wasn¡¯t technically lying, but she also knew just those words wouldn¡¯t be enough to convince the soldiers. ¡°I have been tasked with dealing with the rogue KVL who has been active in this area and is aiding the Cultists.¡± A few of the soldiers softly gasped, and their leader let out a low groan. Clearly, they had been shaken by their experience with the rogue KVL, so much so that merely mentioning her made them tremble. ¡°A-Alright. If you really are an ally, then I''m sure you won¡¯t mind following us back to camp, right?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± The soldier nodded before gesturing that she walk ahead of his unit. She did so, taking slow steps down the path that led to the base. As she did, she tried dearly to calm her racing heart. This was the first time she had ever been held at gunpoint, and her stomach immediately knotted due to the stress, but she maintained a composed demeanour, taking advantage of what the soldiers thought of her. To them, she was a KVL, a summon sent to this world by a higher power and one who could shift the tide of battles. They needed her, and so were less likely to kill her. Or, at the very least, they were simply going to pit her against her rogue sister. She was eventually led to a spot a few meters away from Camp Crestfall¡¯s heavily guarded entrance, which, while similar in layout to how she remembered it in GOG, had a heavy and weary air upon it. The soldiers all looked at her with fear and hatred, whereas they would have otherwise just blankly stared at her back in the game. They all held their guns tightly, and Mumu¡¯s long ears allowed her to hear that they were holding their breath. She had been told to wait for the arrival of a superior officer who eventually came in the form of one Captain Kettle, whom she recognized as a quest giver from the game. He was dressed in uniform that had been blackened by ash, had an almost equally dark face that was lined with fading scars and had dull brown eyes. His gaze never left Mumu¡¯s, but she knew that he was thinking deeply about just what to do with her. ¡°At this point, I¡¯m convinced your kind are nothing but trouble. What is the name of your master, and how can we be sure that you¡¯re on our side?¡± His voice was light and raspy, damaged by exposure to MAL energy. ¡°His name is Lavender. A young and innocent soul, and while I cannot speak on his wishes, I know that he would want me to aid you.¡± This was how it worked. Although Mumu had mixed feelings about being bound to someone so strongly, the people of this world believed that a KVL was unquestionably bound to their masters, which¡­ was true in GOG on a gameplay level. Kettle nodded before pulling out a dirtied piece of paper. ¡°This is a battle report. That¡­ woman has killed no less than twenty of my men in the last month. I don¡¯t care how you do it; just take her out.¡± He forcefully pressed the paper onto her chest, making Mumu bite her teeth a little. ¡°But give me a reason, and you¡¯ll join the other one once air support finally arrives.¡± Mumu caught the paper as Kettle turned to leave. His soldiers remained poised, and Mumu, as she walked past them, lowered her head, afraid to meet their gazes as she made her way to the trenches ahead. As she walked, she thought back to the soldiers she had killed and wondered if their comrades felt the same as Kettle. If they wanted revenge. If¡­ they wanted to kill her. It was all so terrible to think about, but Mumu was more than determined to charge on. Her brows furrowed deeper at the fact that she was joining the cycle of violence that was war. And as her heart raced, as her breaths deepened, she saw a glimpse of herself at the centre of the cycle. A vortex that would cut apart anything that got in her way. She knew that this vision of herself would be hated by someone somewhere, but to get to where she wanted to be, she was prepared to become violence itself. 6. [Original Title Redacted] ¡°Let me tell you a story, boy. Of how a foolish god plucked souls from beyond the veil of reality and birthed them anew, tasking them with defending worlds that weren¡¯t their own time and time again from the forces of Malignance. Time and time, he sent the souls of the oblivious into the fire and time and time again, he watched them die. To aid these doomed heroes, he made for them companions, leal armaments who would follow them into damnation without question but in the eternity that passed since he began reincarnating heroes, the war between the forces of dark and light raged on without sign of ending. So, tell me. What would you do if you were that foolish god? How would you turn the tides ,and how many more souls would you sacrifice?¡± Lav¡¯s eyes shook as he sat before Dollman, who peered into the boy¡¯s eyes curiously. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Dollman¡¯s eyes fell a little, and he let out an understanding drone as Stician stood attentively by his side as always. ¡°I figured as much. Anyway, what is it that you would like to learn from one such as I? Ask away, and I will do my best to answer.¡± ¡°I want to learn how to fight so that I can help Big Sis!¡± Lav said with a determined frown, and this made Dollman¡¯s eyes narrow further. He looked the boy over and asked for his hand. Lav gave the old man his right hand, and Dollman slowly traced the lines on the palm of his hand. ¡°You too seek strength, and while I know of the paths available to Humans, KVL and all others alike, you¡­ are different. Where are you from?¡± ¡°I¡­ I''m not sure. All I can remember before managing to escape is a place of white walls that were often dirtied by the blood of me and many other kids. They tore us open, did all sorts of things to our insides and put us back together before feeding us nasty things. All I knew were screams and pain¡­ that¡¯s why I ran away.¡± Lav trembled as he recalled. Dollman gently squeezed the boy¡¯s hand, and for the first time since Lav had awoken in the bunker, the old man smiled. ¡°Then I suppose it''s fate that you found your caring big sister because she, like you, is different.¡± ¡°We¡¯re different?¡± ¡°Yes. She has the body of a KVL but possesses the soul of a hero and you¡­ You are something quite extraordinary yourself. I can feel a deep and dormant power in every one of your cells, coursing potently through your blood. Mmm¡­ do you mind if I take a sample?¡± ¡°Will it hurt?¡± Lav winced, and Dollman responded by gently rubbing the boy¡¯s inner palm with his thumb. ¡°You won¡¯t feel a thing.¡± Lav hesitated for a moment before nodding. Stician then pulled out one of the many arrows in the quiver that hung by her waist and promptly tapped Lav¡¯s index finger with the tip, drawing blood. The boy frowned as he watched a small bead of blood leave his finger. Dollman then took the bead with his own index finger, which he unceremoniously licked. ¡°I will need some time to properly analyse the sample, but, in the meantime, I think I know how best you will be able to assist your big sister.¡± ¡°How?¡± Lav asked with widened eyes. ¡°Mumu is clearly a close-range fighter, meaning the best way to support her will be to compliment her skills, and we just so happen to have a long-range fighter with us. Right, Stician?¡± The Archer looked the boy over. Her eyes narrowed, making Lac lower his gaze a little, but she eventually shrugged. ¡°I will teach him what I know.¡± ¡°Try to show a little more enthusiasm.¡± Dollman shook his head. Stician ignored him and walked towards the exit. ¡°Follow.¡± Lav glanced at Dollman, who nodded with a sigh. The boy then stumbled onto his feet and followed Stician out of the bunker as the dark of moonless night hung. From atop the hill where the exit was, he beheld the terrible war that was being fought as bullets shot across the air and distant bombs thundered. Lav wondered why the people in the trenches were fighting. He wondered why people fought at all. ¡°A KVL is fast and strong by nature, so, as to not slow her down, I¡¯ll need you to be fast and crafty.¡± Lav followed her down the hill and the two walked towards one of the nearby pillboxes where a unit of soldiers were canned in. ¡°Freeze¡ª oh, good evening, Madam Stician.¡± One of the soldiers said after sticking his gun out of the little bunker. ¡°Yes. Do you have anything you need help with? I just so happen to have some free time.¡± The soldier lowered his gun and thought for a moment. ¡°I heard another KVL was spotted near Camp Crestfall. Can¡¯t say what she¡¯s doing over there, so could you make sure she doesn¡¯t cause our boys any more trouble¡ª¡± ¡°She won¡¯t.¡± Stician asserted flatly. ¡°Oh. Do you have the same master?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°I¡­ I see. Well, in that case, could you perhaps deal with the one to the west, by the bridge or will be another support run?¡± The soldier asked as if expecting to be disappointed. ¡°A support run sounds like a good place to start. What do you need?¡± ¡°We lost contact with some of our boys in the forest east of here. Word has it that another KVL has been spotted there too, and while I know you won¡¯t help eliminate her, could you check if our boys are okay?¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll bring back their tags if they aren¡¯t.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more than we could ask for. Thank you in advance.¡± Stician nodded before leading Lav east. ¡°Run.¡± She said, but this made the boy tilt his head in confusion. ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡°Run to the forest. If I get there before you, I¡¯ll break one of your fingers.¡± Lav¡¯s eyes immediately widened, but after taking a quick breath, he jogged ahead. . .. Meanwhile, in the trenches not too far northeast, Mumu kept her head low and her exe in hand. Her boots dug deep into the mud, but since she was significantly more dextrous than a normal person, it didn¡¯t hamper her mobility. Captain Kettle had made his men aware that she was there, so they allowed her to pass whenever they crossed paths in the entangled web-like network of the trenches. Her goal was to get as close to the cultist camp as possible and wait for the incoming aerial bombardment that she¡¯d heard was coming with her sharp ears. And so, after finding a hole in the mud, she sat and waited as the sun steadily rose. Her heart painfully thumped in her chest as she sat near the edge of the unoccupied zone. Kettle hadn¡¯t given her a map or any other details, meaning that she¡¯d have to strategize as she attacked. On average, most soldiers had an Actuality Level of one and this meant that most of them had 100HP and were vulnerable to MAL damage, meaning that she would need around three well placed strikes for each soldier. She took a deep breath and squeezed her axe as the sounds of high-flying jets filled the air. What followed was a bone-shattering series of explosions that came from further north. Mumu didn¡¯t even wait for the bombs to stop dropping, climbing out of the trench and dashing as fast as she could across the UOZ. Her new legs allowed her to dash just far away from each explosion, that she was unaffected and her eyes caught the bombs long before they dropped. It was reckless. Stupid, even. But it was the last thing the Cultists expected, and so she charged forth. The Cultist Camp was a series of tents that were on the northern edge of the UOZ, and the reason why none of the bombs were blowing it to bits was because something kept jumping into the air and cutting apart the missiles long before they reached the ground. That something was a KVL. A few of the camp¡¯s guards spotted Mumu as she arrived, but before any of them could raise their guns, Mumu cleaved them apart, hacking off their limbs and chopping off their heads. She then ran into the camp proper, taking advantage of the fact that her target was distracted by the falling missiles. She went from tent to tent, killing soldier after soldier until all of them were dead, leaving her target who now stood in the centre of the camp after the bombs stopped falling. She, like Mumu, brandished a Great Axe, only it had a golden glow along its single edge. She had also realized what Mumu had done and so waited, resting her weight on her axe. Mumu emerged from the last of the tents, revealing herself to her target, Cratia who, like all KVL, looked like a dark elf only she had no hair at all, not even on her brow. She, however, was barely dressed. Her body was lined with dirty bandages that did little to hide the innumerable scars and markings on her skin. She glared at Mumu through bloodshot eyes and her face was plastered with runes that were cut deeply into her skin. ¡°Another¡­ another one of Dollman¡¯s playthings?¡± She convulsed whenever she spoke, her cracked mouth bled with every word, and her face was without expression, even in agony. Mumu, who had just killed several people, finally took a breath and looked her opponent over.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
??? ??? ??? ???
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Saintguard¡¯s Axe] Weapon +35DMG (PHY), +35DMG (DIV) One of the many armaments gifted to those who devote their lives to safeguarding the saints. Made from Blessed Gold, an alloy that is hardened mixing it with Realstone. Rare
[Dirty Bandages] Armour +1% DR Dirty Bandages. Common
Cratia was a glass canon. That¡¯s what Mumu deduced, and this fight would be won by whoever got the first hit. ¡°Can you¡­ Can you not speak?¡± Cratia flinched, messily wiping the blood that dripped from the side of her mouth. ¡°I can, but it¡¯s a waste of time since you¡¯re not going to listen to anything I say.¡± Mumu squeezed her axe¡¯s handle as Cratia curiously tilted her head. ¡°That¡¯s not t-true. I will listen to everything you have to say after I remove your arms and ask who sent you here.¡± ¡°Thought as much.¡± Silence followed as the two KVL stood ten paces away from each other. Cratia didn¡¯t move. She was waiting for Mumu to act first. Mumu knew this but also knew that standing and waiting wouldn¡¯t get her anywhere, so she dashed forward and swung her axe wide, expecting Cratia to dash backwards, but the KVL blocked the attack with the long handle of her own axe. This allowed the sisters to gauge how strong their opponent was and it was clear that, thanks to Mumu¡¯s metallic limbs, she had the advantage when it came to raw strength. Cratia dashed away and awaited Mumu¡¯s next move. Mumu let out a grunt before dashing forward and swinging her axe again, and predictably, Cratia dashed backwards, but since Mumu wasn¡¯t planning on hitting her with her axe anyway, she continued forward and kicked her sister in the gut, sending her stumbling backward. Mumu kept the pressure up by swinging wide again, forcing Cratia to block, but this left her open to getting punched in the face, with her nose being immediately broken. ¡°DIE!¡± Cratia headbutted Mumu, making her recoil with pain. The crazed KVL then straddled her sister and motioned to slam the blade of her axe onto Mumu¡¯s neck. Mumu blocked with her axe¡¯s handle and, while she should have been able to easily push Cratia away, the rogue KVL¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed gold as she used a skill which, consequently revealed it to Mumu. Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
Reflections of a Hero Buffs a single DMG type by 1.5x. 1RC OFF
This temporarily brought her total PHY damage up to 53 and made it harder to block. ¡°Any last words, sister? Perhaps you¡¯ll cry out for your master in you final moment!¡± Cratia hissed as her axe got closer to Mumu¡¯s neck. Mumu gnashed her teeth and used her legs to thrust her hips upwards, momentarily destabilizing Cratia, who fell forward. Mumu then pushed her off and swung down onto Cratia¡¯s left arm before she could crawl away. Strangely enough, Cratia didn¡¯t cry out in pain. She didn¡¯t make a sound even as Mumu hacked off her other arm, which she had tried to use to grab her axe. Mumu then walked up to her head, looked into Cratia¡¯s widened eyes and hacked her head off, something that would kill her, regardless of how much damage was actually done. [Congratulations on beating a Level 5 enemy!] [You Have Levelled Up!] [You have gained 1 Realstone Shard!] [You have acquired Saintguard¡¯s Axe!] [You have acquired Reflections of a Hero!] Remembrance of a Companion pt. 1 Cratia knew, from the moment she awoke in her pod, that she was special. The God in Waiting sent her down to the world of Neo-Earth with a will to fight that made her more than useful to her assigned Recrudescent, a young man who was meek and had trouble killing even the weakest of Cultists. She found it quite tedious having such a weak master and had to listen to him constantly whine about how he wanted to go back to his home world. It got to the point that whenever they were engaged in battle, she would charge ahead, killing cultists as she pleased. This worked in her master¡¯s favour because all he¡¯d have to do was just stand in the back and watch as she crushed all things metal, flesh and bone. When the two weren¡¯t fighting or assisting the Saintly forces, they stayed restlessly in one of the many tents that polluted the outskirts of the city of Cu?al. A vast network of mud, waste and fearful humans who clung close to each other, fearing the distant resounding bombs. Why hadn¡¯t her master, a Recrudescent being, been warmly welcomed into the bustling city? Because he wasn¡¯t the only Hero who had been sent from a time and place that was beyond the veil of reality. Many were already in the city, many who were more powerful and braver than him, and many more had come before only to die in the trenches just a few dozen kilometres to the north. This didn¡¯t bother Cratia or her master that much, however. Apparently, her master had met a pitiful end back on earth and was grateful just to be alive again, while Cratia was happy with just serving her purpose. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. And so. With this mutual understanding, the two lived on and, due to Cratia¡¯s many accomplishments, they were eventually able to get a better home near the tall concrete walls of the city that was considered the hub of trade along the trenches. They grew closer, with him serving a more domestic role. Tending to their home while she was out in the trenches. However, just as things seemed to be going well for them, the cultists launched an insidious attack. They hid several of their own among the refugees, and these crazed followers of the Miasmal Serpent had their bellies filled with explosives that were brimming with MAL energy. Since security in the slums was spotty, the cultists were able to get close to the wall, where they detonated their explosives. They failed to destroy the wall, but it is speculated that this was just a distraction for something even more dastardly. And for Cratia, this marked the day she lost her master. The pathetic little human she had taken a liking to and the one she had found comfort in had been reduced to a pile of crushed flesh beneath the rubble. In her wrath, Cratia returned to the trenches, where she butchered her way through the cultists until she fell from exhaustion, something which was rare for a KVL. She was picked up from the pit of mud and corpses she¡¯d made by Stician, who brought her to Dollman, who offered her wisdom and a new weapon. A great axe of divine make. While grateful for his efforts, all she could think about was getting revenge on the ones who had killed her friend. And so, at the earliest possible chance, she returned to the trenches where she killed more of their seemingly endless ranks. That was, until she encountered Ellyn - The Red Dullahan, who beat her up so bad that she wasn¡¯t able to land even a single punch. Cratia¡¯s strength, that which she had relied on her whole life, was found lacking. Defeated, she was taken deep into the Lair of the Caprine Lord where, without any resistance on her part, she was tortured and brainwashed into worshipping a dark god who would supposedly one day come to eat all things. She didn¡¯t care. Not anymore. The cultists told her to kill the soldiers she had once fought alongside, but it didn¡¯t matter. It didn¡¯t even matter when she met Mumu, who became the second person to triumph over her. She didn¡¯t say it, but she was grateful that the fresh-faced KVL killed her. Finally, she could join her master in eternal sleep. 7. Reduced to Such and then Some Mumu, who now held two great axes, turned to the east and, after taking a breath, began walking in that direction. At this point, her form had been blackened by blood, ash and mud. She moved with an unrefined, animalistic poise akin to that of a hungry, cornered beast. Taking care not to walk too closely to any active battlefields, she made her way east until she the Lingen Bridge came into sight. She stood next to a burnt and broken truck, which protected her from any strayers that happened to be whizzing by. From what she could see, both Saintly and Cultist forces had cleared the area around the bridge, leaving their dead and countless vehicles behind. Standing on the bridge was the source of all the destruction. Her next target. Lingering beneath the ever-darkening sky. Mumu immediately broke into a sprint, getting more and more in tune with her body as she did. Even after marching across the UOZ and fighting with Cratia, she still hadn¡¯t broken a sweat. This was what it meant to be a KVL. To be a weapon. A weapon didn¡¯t sweat, didn¡¯t cry and didn¡¯t complain. It did its job, and that was that. So, Mumu was determined to do hers. She eventually reached the bridge, and her arrival was immediately noticed by her sister, who turned to face her with eyes that glowed terribly red. Her long black hair was a dirty mop that stuck to her head, her jumpsuit was in tatters, and she carried a machine gun that would otherwise be mounted on a heavily armoured vehicle or aircraft. It looked like she had just ripped it off of a vehicle with its ammunition box still attached.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
??? ??? ??? ???
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Terraformer MKIV] Weapon +55DMG (PHY) Made from high-grade steel and weighing far more than any man could ever hope to carry, the belt-fed weapon, usually mounted in large vehicles, is often used to disable armoured vehicles and cover lines. Legendary
[Reinforced Alloy Composite Limbs] Special +10% DR, +5% DMG (PHY) Limbs made with such artistry and craftsmanship that, were it not for their metallic sheen and functional seams, would perfectly resemble organic ones. Rare
Standard Issue KVL bodysuit Armour +15% DR Armour issued to all KVL by the mysterious God in Waiting. Made from durable synthetic fibres and offering a moderate amount of protection. Rare
Mumu gnashed her teeth as Bia turned her gun¡¯s massive barrel at her. Then, before Mumu could even blink, Bia shot at her. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Mumu¡¯s body then, by pushing her body to its limits, dodged the bullet, letting it crash loudly far behind her. Bia let out a grunt before taking a few steps towards Mumu while shooting her a few more times, expecting to tear her apart instantly, but Mumu rushed towards one of the many ruined armoured vehicles, which was further damaged by the high-speed, solid metal projectiles. Mumu¡¯s heart jumped with every shot, and her eyes were wider than they had ever been in her life, but she remained focused. Desperately so. Bia seemingly realized that she couldn¡¯t just keep shooting at the vehicle, and so, at a speed that would have broken an ordinary soldier¡¯s legs, she dashed towards where Mumu hid, keeping her finger on the trigger and subjecting herself to ground-shaking amounts of recoil. Mumu dashed over to another armoured vehicle, but Bia kept up the pressure and continued chasing, which was completely fine with Mumu, who was waiting for Bia to run out of ammo. Bia, however, grew visibly impatient, letting out a roar before shooting at a gap in the armour of Mumu¡¯s cover. ¡°AAH!¡± Mumu screamed as a bullet tore through the vehicle and forced itself through her abdomen, leaving behind a palm-sized hole. She reeled forward in pain but immediately crawled to the other side of the vehicle as Bia came around to where she had been hiding. Mumu had made a mistake by letting Bia control the pace of the battle, and so, letting go of whatever she may have been holding onto, she forced herself onto her feet and, with her axes in hand, launched herself onto the roof of the burnt vehicle where she jumped onto an unsuspecting Bia. As the two crashed onto the ground, Mumu swung her axes down onto Bia¡¯s skull only for Bia to force her head to the side, letting Mumu¡¯s axes cut off only her right cheek, jaw and ear. Mumu tried to drag her axes across what was left of Bia¡¯s face, but the rogue punched Mumu in her gaping wound, sending Mumu screaming to the side as she loudly coughed from the pain. Bia tried scrambling away, but Mumu let go of her axes and punched what was left of Bia¡¯s face four times after straddling her. Bia¡¯s head jerked limply from side to side as Mumu raised her fists once more, punching her four more times until her HP was at 0. [Congratulations on beating a Level 5 enemy!] [You Have Levelled Up!] [You have gained 1 Realstone Shard!] [You have acquired The Golden Eyes That See!] Mumu ignored the fact that her wound had rapidly healed, thanks to her levelling up and continued to punch Bia¡¯s head until all that was left was a pile of flesh and bone. Her heart frantically knocked on her chest, and not a single thought passed her mind for a moment. What else could she think about? Instead, she turned to the east. Towards her next target. She got onto her feet and glanced at her stats.
Attributes
Combat Statistics
Skills:
Skill Name Effect RS Cost Type (OFF/DEF/TAC)
[Reflections of a Hero] Buffs a single DMG type by 1.5x for a single attack. 1RC OFF
[The Golden Eyes That See] Reveals a target¡¯s skills, additional attributes and weaknesses. 1RC TAC
Equipment:
Name Type Stat Bonuses Description Rarity
[Axe of the Profaned] Weapon +15DMG (PHY), +15DMG (MAL) Battle Axe forged in the heart of malice, the charred world of Erinta Mu??ai where it is said the Miasmal Serpent was born. ???
[Reinforced Alloy Composite Limbs] Special +10% DR, +5% DMG (PHY) Limbs made with such artistry and craftsmanship that, were it not for their metallic sheen and functional seams, would perfectly resemble organic ones. Common
[Standard Issue KVL bodysuit] Armour +10% DR Armour issued to all KVL by the mysterious God in Waiting. Made from durable synthetic fibres and offering a moderate amount of protection. Common
[Saintguard¡¯s Axe Weapon +35DMG (PHY), +35DMG (DIV) One of the many armaments gifted to those who devote their lives to safeguarding the saints. Made from Blessed Gold, an alloy that is hardened mixing it with Realstone. Rare
She let out a frustrated groan upon seeing that she now had two skills, but she didn¡¯t know how to use them and didn¡¯t want to recklessly use her Realstone Shards. So, after setting her stats aside, she continued east. . .. An exhausted Lav trudged behind Stician, who silently led him through the patch of trees that encircled a lake. Littered about were ruined vehicles that were half buried in mud and rotting corpses, which made the boy¡¯s stomach churn, but he bit his teeth, trying his best to keep pace in the dark of moonless night. ¡°I¡­ I wish I couldn¡¯t get tired like you.¡± He panted. ¡°We KVL experience fatigue, just at a significantly slower rate than ordinary humans.¡± Lav nodded as the two made their way further south, where they spotted a pillbox bunker which seemed eerily empty. Stician walked up to a tree and leaned against it before gesturing towards the bunker with a nod. ¡°See if that soldier¡¯s comrades are still there.¡± Lav swallowed before taking slow and fearful steps towards the pillbox¡¯s open doorway, which he trembled through to see four corpses splayed about. Clad in the tattered remains of their gear, it looked like they had been mutilated beyond belief, and this horrid sight made Lav fall to his knees and vomit whatever little his stomach held. Stician approached from behind, looking at the boy with unmoved eyes. ¡°Take their tags.¡± Her words rang like a thousand bells in Lav¡¯s mind. He bit his teeth, knowing full well the nature of the world he lived in. That the gore before him was but a taste and so, wiping the edge of his mouth with the back of his hand, he crawled onto his feet and stumbled towards the corpses. He then retrieved their dog tags, bloodied as they were and stood. ¡°Big sis?¡± ¡°Mmm?¡± Stician sounded flatly. ¡°I want to help Big Sis Mumu,¡± Lav said while tightly clutching the tags, and his words finally made a crack form on Stician¡¯s face as her eyes narrowed. ¡°I know you will. Now, come.¡± Stician led Lav out of the bunker, and the two made their way out of the forest. They then, with Stician making Lav run the whole time, returned to the soldier they¡¯d met, who they handed the tags to, bringing him to tears. This war was clearly taking its toll on both the land and the people. It was all so terrible, but Lav knew one person who could change it all. The person who had saved his life. The person whom he knew would go on to save countless others. Mumu. But he couldn¡¯t just leave her to bear the weight of it alone. He wasn¡¯t content with just helping her. He wanted to stand by her side as her equal and hold the eight of it all alongside her. ¡°What next?¡± He asked with eyes that burnt with more determination than ever. ¡°More supply runs.¡± . .. Mumu reached the centre of the forest to the east, where she stood searching for her next target. The sun had begun to rise, and a thick fog rose from the lake. While Mumu could still see quite far, it definitely slowed her down a little as she walked along the lake¡¯s perimeter, weaving through several broken-down vehicles and corpses. She eventually stopped upon coming across her target, clad in thick plates of blackened armour and brandishing a great hammer as she sat on an old log. The woman, the last of the three rogue KVL, only had one arm and long pointed ears and her long black hair draped from her hanging head until it touched the forest floor. The woman turned her tired eyes towards Mumu, who stood with her axes firmly in hand, and spoke with a voice that was so weak, it would have been lost if it weren¡¯t for the silence of the forest. ¡°If you have come to kill me¡­ please make it quick.¡± Remembrance of a Companion pt. 2 Bia and her master were two of a kind. He was studious and inquisitive, while she was keen and intelligent. He pursued the path of a hero with temperance and dignity, and she supported him in any way she could. Not just because he was her master or because he was destined to walk the heroic path but just because of how well they got along. Knowing a person, truly understanding a person was rare, even in times of peace yet there they stood side by side, facing all the world had to throw at them with raised heads. They gained strength and knowledge together, ate and bathed together, and it was almost inevitable that they went on to share a bed. They licked each other¡¯s wounds after each battle and complimented each other in every way when it came to how they battled. However¡­ The day came when he met his fate. What was supposed to be a simple mission into Cultist territory as the vanguard of a larger force, they encountered the Red Dullahan. The vanguard, consisting of seven KVL that ranged from level one to fifteen, alongside their masters, were barely able to keep Elynn shredded through them one at a time, eventually managing to stall until the larger force arrived. But by the time they did, Bia¡¯s master had already bled out in her arms. Bia blamed herself for being weak. For not seeking more power. This led to her return to the outskirts of Cu?al, where she searched for alternative sources of power, but conventional means were far too expensive. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Realstone Shards were exceedingly rare since one could only either get one by killing something with an Actuality Level of 5 or buying one, which would set one back by hundreds of thousands. Bia was a level five as well meaning that she couldn¡¯t guarantee success if she encountered an enemy that was as strong as her. She also didn¡¯t have anywhere near as much money, and so she did as she and her master always did. She read. She studied. And searched. Her quest for power eventually led her to Dollman, whom she encountered in a library. The two discussed many things, including the conjoined nature of creation and destruction. He was kind enough to gift her a pair of eyes that allowed her to see the weaknesses of her enemies, and all Dollman asked for in return was for her to come speak with him from time to time in his bunker. It was in these talks that Bia realized just how herculean a task getting stronger by natural means would be. Realstone Shards, crystalized fragments of reality itself, were just too hard to get. Malignant energy, however... seemed more readily available, and so Bia returned to the trenches. Her goal was the Cultist base that had been set up just across Linden Bridge. A dark factory wherein the Cultists stored the MAL energy they used for their insidious devices and explosives. Bia fought fiercely, purposefully absorbing MAL with each battle and every time, she lost more and more of herself since MAL energy wasn¡¯t a different type of energy, it was the coalescence of destruction itself. MAL ate away at matter and turned it back into pure energy, which, granted, she used to fuel her march into oblivion. She eventually reached the factory alongside the Saintly Forces, and just as they cleared the base, she consumed all of the MAL energy she could find. This would have ordinarily given her more power, but it also ate away at so much of her being that at some point, there was not much left of her apart from a burning desire for power and a thirst for revenge. And so, when the Saintly soldiers finally found her in the containment bays, Bia saw them only as the one thing she wanted to kill most. Ellyn the Red Dullahan. She killed them without mercy before descending on the rest of the unit, killing them all while thinking that she was fighting the one who had taken her world away. She killed for so long, and it only broke her mind further. What hadn¡¯t been eaten by MAL was constantly screaming with pain and grief. It was all so painful, so humiliating to have to relive her failure over and over again, that it was a relief when one of the phantoms she couldn¡¯t quite see beat her face in. With each punch, Bia¡¯s mind grew quieter and quieter. Until all was silent.