(AN: This is a story based in large part on my interpretation and version of an alternate Pyke from League of Legends as the main character. The main cast of Nazarick is gone, so if that's not your thing go read [God Rising: The Cult of Ainz] by AtheistBasementDragon since that is the best fic in existence. Reviews are welcome even if this is a passion project. Anyway, let's get to the story...)
Disclaimer: Based off of Kagune Maruyama's and a bunch of other things I don't own. All properties belong to their respective owners.
[Prologue]
The door opened and through came a sharply dressed man. His suit was immaculate and his face was perfectly groomed. He sat in front of the bed that was located in the centre of the room. On it lay a black man with many scars, who appeared to be in a coma of sorts, albeit artificially induced. Tubes filled with both nutrients and nanomachines ran into his veins. His face was covered by a ventilator and a state-of-the-art VR headset.
What was odd however were the patterns in the room, along with the artificial candles lit at what seemed to be crucial points. The walls had faint engravings and the carpet was slightly off-colour in some areas, the man being in the centre of it all. The visitor took out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling deep. Tobacco was one of the most expensive luxury products in the year 2138.
He coughed slightly, his lungs undoubtedly tar-like from the amount of tobacco he smoked. "Look at you. One of the most vicious killers the world's ever seen… reduced to this." he said, tracing the scar on his abdomen that was hidden by the suit. "You should've just died; the world has no room for monsters like you."
"They told me to cut your line and you still lived… They gave me everything I wanted and more, everything I needed to take you out… And yet here we are, old friend. All this?" he gestured towards his surroundings, "Their design. Hell if I know what it's about, but they made good on their word so I'll do well on mine."
He sighed, "A few more hours and I'll be here to put you out of your dream. You know, I'm grateful to you. If not for you I would never be the man I am today…" he chuckled, "And you know what they say, only a man can kill a monster."
The man put his cigarette out on the patient's exposed arm, searing the flesh and leaving another scar. The lights in the room dimmed and the visitor made his way to the door. He turned briefly, taking one last look at the man he once called a brother in arms, "The next time I see you it'll be final, since everything keeps going according to their plans. But, even if the world forgets you, I will remember you, the Bloodharbor Ripper."
Then the room was swallowed by the darkness…
[Chapter 1: Welcome to the Abyss]
YGGDRASIL had a lot of well-known players and guilds, some feared, some revered, but in the end it always was a matter of perspective. Asgard's worst nightmare would always be an invasion by the infamous Ainz Ooal Gown, while Helheim would fear Seraphim. There was however one exception to the rule, a monster feared by all, a force of nature on par or stronger than even the toughest World Enemies. Meeting him was a death sentence, none have escaped his grasp. A hunter with many kills under his belt that went after only the strongest players, never felled by anyone. The most infamous player in the history of the game. After the first couple hundred attempts on his life failed, even those done by entire guilds, the people eventually gave up. Considered a ghost, undetectable and untouchable, those that caught his ire were left for dead by those even closest to them, so that they didn't bring everyone down with them.
The devs, sadistic as they were, loved this stain upon the nine worlds, and so they gave him all he would ever need in his hunts. World Items specialised for him? Check. Job and race classes which effectively made him a World Enemy? Check. It was all fun and games for the developers, until the devs and those connected to them would try and play the game… Even in cities, they weren't safe, none would try to interfere with the Bloodharbor Ripper. They couldn't take away his classes, people would riot about it being unfair, even if they were as terrified of him as the developers. Soon, they gave up on trying and merely resorted to masking their identity from him. The only player to ever terrify even the developers. And what was his name, spoken only in hushed whispers, under layers of anti-divination magic, you wonder?
Pyke.
A monster unlike any other, but even this monster can't survive the end of the world. The game will soon end, but what would the end be without one last hunt?
[23:50:00]
10 minutes? Perfect. Pyke was psychotic, but everyone thought that he merely roleplayed. However for an ex-mercenary, who served in the Arcology Wars in the special division of the Navy, it was anything but. Deranged, not completely insane, but damn close. Screwed over by employers, his captain and crew alike, he seeks his revenge in this fictional world. The lower level players, with shitty gear and no cash, hailed him as a hero for he always slaughtered the high level players trying to PK them. And God forbid he saw you use a cash shop item, that would be a death sentence. All of those rich fuckers were the same, using people as pawns. Life wasn't fair, neither was the game, but he certainly tried to be the great equaliser.
The reason the Ripper seemed to be always on the hunt was because he was too dangerous in real life as well. After being betrayed during a covert black-op he went on a rampage which gave him his nickname of Bloodharbor Ripper. He was deemed too useful an asset however and put into a semi-coma, his consciousness alive in the game so he could be used if the military had a problem that needed rapid, destructive fixing, without his skills being as rusty as his hook. Such a time never came and he soon would be moved, but he didn't care, there was work to be done.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
"Fuck! Alaf, heal me!" yelled Terrus. "No point! There's 8 of them! Retreat!" yelled Surshana, their leader. Surshana, Alah Alaf, Terrus, Hydros, Gallus and Egnetius where under attack by the Apostles of Sin, or rather their main 8 members, 7 of them named after their respective sin and the final one who stood back and watched, going by the name of Era, their guild master. Surshana cursed under his breath "PKing when we're trying to get back to base for the final couple minutes, what a dick move!" Evidently one of them heard him as Pride shouted back "Ha! As if insects like you should get to live! What is a disgusting heteromorph doing with humans anyway?! Die!" The 6 guild mates accepted their fate, even if they did have a World Item in their base, it wasn't with them and they were outmatched in sheer numbers and levels. As Pride was about to cast a spell to finish them all off, the mist rolled in.
There was only one time the mist ever rolled in. It meant he was here.
All 14 players started sweating bullets in real life. All chatter died down. That monster was here. The mist made their spells dissipate. When a predator appears in a forest it becomes unnaturally quiet, and there was no greater predator in YGGDRASIL than Pyke. The only sound anyone heard were the footsteps of one abomination and a collective gulp. Eventually he came into view, a tall black man, standing around 195 centimetres, bald with scars on his head, a red bandana displaying razor sharp teeth. A massive, beastly skull surrounding his shoulder like pauldrons. Behind his neck a high collar of blue-green material embroidered with gold at the edge and coming out from under his shoulder guards. A blue-green cape drenched with water was draped over his back. His chest was exposed, showing off his muscles and scars, a red sash tied around the lower part of his waist.
On his waist was an oversized belt, the buckle being a massive, golden insignia. Off of his shoulders hung 2 large coins of gold, the famous golden krakens that he sometimes gave out to those who would assist him. His pants were black and loose in order to not constrain him in battle, as well as blend into the dark environments he stalked. His arms were covered in odd tattoos and scars from his previous hunts. On his hands he wore black, fingerless gloves, ensuring that his grip was always firm and never slipped.. A faintly glowing bone hook in hand. One edge was jagged, with 3 large spikes being created due to the indentations. The guard of the hook resembled a dragon-like aquatic beast with a glowing, blue eye, from whose maw the blade of the hook emerged. The blade itself had the pattern of scales imprinted on it. A rope was wrapped around his right wrist, in order to let him throw his hook and pull it, with its prey, back to him. In hand, a list. He pointed at a name on it and then pointed to Era, his glassy, blue eyes seeming to straight through her:
"You're on the list..."
Immediately the 8 players went into a panic attempting to cast spells and protect their leader. The calm and narcissistic demeanour of Era was nowhere to be found as she yelled "Protect me you fools! I can't die like this!" Suddenly, Gluttony's screams cut off, the only thing that was heard by the other players was "[Death From Below]". The fighting left them all in what must have been the abilities execute range. And every execution with it brings about another. "[Skill: Phantom Undertow]" the terrifying voice said as the man dashed through Lust, leaving a phantom behind him that, after a delay, launched to rejoin its physical counterpart , ending the frantic screams of Lust as it eviscerated him on contact. That dash brought him close to his next target, "[Skill: Skewer]" Pyke growled and disembowelled Wrath.
Surshana and his guildmates watched with silent awe. They have only seen videos of Pyke's massacres before, but seeing it themselves was different. Before anyone could react, 3 of the 8 were already dead. "[Triple Maximise Magic: Embrace of the Swimming City]" Pyke murmured, screams and gurgling followed, the mist dissipated and Pride, Greed and Envy were nowhere to be seen. Ripped apart by vicious monstrosities from the depths that were summoned by their king. None dared to find the so-called swimming city which was Pyke's domain. If this was just him hunting, what sort of fate would be met by those that intruded on his territory?
The only ones standing were Sloth and Era. Before either side noticed Pyke threw a hook directly through Sloth's chest, clearly aiming for the heart and, to his disappointment, only turning his opponent into motes of light instead of ripping his heart out. Era became frantic, all her guards were dead, the monster in front of her was pointing at the list. "Please, I'll pay! I'll do anything! It's the last couple minutes, let me live!" Surshana and company looked at her with grim satisfaction, knowing that while they may be next, she'll get what she deserves. Pyke seemingly ignored her, finally pointing his hook at her. "Why!? Why are you saving these pathetic dogs anyway!? I can give you so much more! Just let me have the satisfaction of crushing them!" she cried, desperate to appeal to the monstrosity.
"The world don't do fair and equal... but I do! [Death From Below]!" His right eye started to glow blue and suddenly an X appeared over Era's position, the next moment, she was dead, Pyke standing where she did, holding his hook next to his list, the World Items [Bone Skewer] and [Hunter's List], being used for the final time, to mark another name off the list. They could hear him murmur under his breath "Finally quit kicking..."
Surshana and his comrades were on the verge of a heart attack. 'Are we next? Oh fuck, we exchanged one killer for another...' After marking Era's name off the list, he turned to them, right eye still glowing, mist settling back in. All 6 of them gulped at the same time, 'Moment of truth...' they thought. To their surprise, and relief, he held out a couple coins, "Something for your effort." He handed them their cut and disappeared into the mist, the only sign that he was ever there being the loot from the corpses and the shining gold serpent coins in Surshana's hand. As quickly as possible they got out of there, not wanting to test their luck with the Ripper again. Certainly it was an amazing encounter to end YGGDRASIL with, but it is not one they would want to repeat.
Little did they know, the shark was stalking them, eventually stopping at his usual scouting spot which was nearby, the "Forsaken Mountain" as players got to calling it when he solidified his reign of terror. There he patiently waited for the shutdown. And eventually it came. It was a shame, at this point this was all he has known for 12 years, with only vague details of the real world when it didn't concern his mercenary days.
[23:59:55]
[23:59:56]
[23:59:57]
[23:59:58]
[23:59:59]
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
[00:00:00]
[00:00:01]
Seems, however, as if the universe had other plans... He found himself in a wooded area in contrast with the isolated summit he was on a second earlier. It seemed to be day, but the forest was so dense that barely any light got through the treeline. A military man like Pyke immediately calmed down, helped by his undead nature, and started testing his abilities. His passive [Mists of R'lyeh] worked perfectly and concealed his presence. He used [Ghostwater Dive] and plunged into the murky abyss, completely undetectable by anything less than a level 100 player specialised in divination magic.
The voices in his head remained, but that was nothing new. However, his senses felt sharper, much sharper. He could feel the humidity in the air, the phantom water flowing around him, his sense of touch was as he remembered from the First World. The smell of actual greenery and salt water was something he almost forgot. He quickly came to the conclusion only a madman would, this was a different world, and now, his real life. Well, no issue for him, he after all had a list to go through.
'Certainly weird, but it doesn't matter. My powers work, I have my hook and my list, business as usual. Wonder if the Swimming City is here, certainly feels like it is...'
The world was even more beautiful than he could imagine. Clean air, birds singing, actual flora and fauna, something unheard of in his first world that had been ravaged by corporations seeking profits. What things hide in the dark parts of the forests and in the depths of the oceans? For the very first time since he began his original killing spree, he felt genuine excitement. The list, of course, takes priority, but exploration is something dear to any mariner's heart, the Great Old One being no exception. He breathed in deep, savouring every molecule of air in the atmosphere.
Suddenly it hit him, a very familiar smell. 'Blood in the water. Perhaps the one who brought me here is there… Even if he ain't, might 's well see how strong I am here.' As brutal as Pyke appeared to those he targeted, he would help those in trouble and only target those he deemed as similar to the ones that stabbed him in the back. He was a monster, but only true monsters considered him as such.
With the smell of blood, he swam towards it like a shark, activating his passives, [Ghost's Swiftness] and [Abyss' Agility], to reach whatever was going on. The smell was distinctly of human blood, the right amount of iron and other minerals, which he could identify like it was second nature with this new body. Once again, the God of the Depths went to work his horrible craft…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Enri, a young girl of around fourteen with braided blonde hair, tanned skin and well toned muscle from field work, was running. Never had she ran faster in her life, adrenaline coursing through her body, Her little sister's, Nemu's, hand in her own, chased by some knight. Why? What did they do to deserve this? She fell, taking Nemu with her, cursing the root that tripped her, she could feel cold steel cut into her back as she held Nemu to her chest. 'This is the end. First mom and dad, now Nemu and me. Please, if there is a God, save Nemu!' "Oh no, don't die on me yet, I'm gonna have some fun with you and the little one." The knight said, laughing cruelly as he knew he was the apex predator in this situation. The situation however changed.
As if her prayers were answered, fog started to roll in. The knights briefly paused to inspect the unusual phenomena, the cursed Katze Plains were far from here, how come such dense mist was here? Their bravado shattered the moment something went awry, cowardice bubbling to the surface. Suddenly, a figure emerged from a ghostly puddle behind the knight. "Out of the murk!" The man yelled and stabbed the knight through the heart with his weird knife, having it come out of the front of Enri's would-be killer. The knight's heart was ripped out of his chest with the knife still piercing it, and crushed by the man of the mist.
The other knight couldn't take his eyes away from the gruesome spectacle and neither could Enri and Nemu. Was this the reaper sent by the Gods to save them or take them away? So many questions and yet so little answers. Breaking out of his stupor, the second knight ran as fast as he could, dropping his weapon to gain just that precious bit of speed gained by losing the weight of the broadsword. Death, however, cannot be outran. "Chasin' kids 'round, but you run like a coward when I show up!? Disgusting! Gulp your last breath! [Maximise Magic: Greeting of the Drowned]!" Suddenly, the knight was grabbed by tentacle-like appendages from the mist, seemingly made from water, with one going down his throat and filling his lungs with water until they burst. The two mangled corpses, one with a hole in his chest, and the other leaking bloody water from every orifice, struck fear into the two girls, who expected to end up like that.
After the gruesome display the man, or rather monster, turned to Enri. A mask, scars, adorned in bones and, oh Gods, the feeling of terror he exuded. He knelt down in front of her and put his hand into some sort of abyss, pulling out a red potion…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
"Drink this. It's medicine, you'll bleed out with a wound like that." Pyke said, as gently as his rough and intimidating voice allowed him. 'Here's my good deed for the day I guess…' The girl reluctantly reached out to take the potion, with her sister crying out, "No sis! Don't!" The protests however didn't stop her and she drank it. After all, when death itself hands you something, you accept. "Wow!" she cried out as her wound was healed. Now that he didn't have to worry about her bleeding out, the walking corpse handed her a couple other objects, a small statue and two small horns. "Cling to the statue when you are in danger, I will hear your plea, that I can promise. The two horns will summon loyal goblins, it should be useful for your level." He said empathetically, although his deep voice made it seem like more of a command. Suddenly the mist obscured all but what was directly in front of them. When his preparations for the ambush were complete, he motioned for them to follow.
"W-w-wait sir! I know it is selfish of us, but please save our parents!" Enri shouted, Nemu echoing her sister's plea. "If they're alive, I'll drag them to shore; now follow me so I can get to the rescuing." Once again he motioned for them to follow, grabbing their hands when they got close. The girls couldn't help but notice how cold his hands felt, as if the depths had claimed all his body heat. Enri pointed to the direction of the village and they arrived to a sad sight. The knights were obviously gathering all the villagers for a slaughter. One, who appeared to be the vice-commander, spoke up "Captain Bellius, two of our number went to the forest and haven't returned, should we check on them? The mist is abnormally thick, I recommend we finish up quickly, Sir."
The moment the 'captain' was spoken, time almost froze for Pyke, as he quickly looked at his list, and what would you know? "Captain Bellius Kalifus Zamra, top of the list. You brats stay here, I have business to take care of…" The vice-commander would never receive an answer as all that the captain could say was a mix of gurgling and thrashing. A human body is 70% water and it seems that fact didn't change in this new world. The captain imploded as Pyke manipulated the water molecules inside him to accelerate and thus heat up to the point his fat boiled and he burst; a rather handy skill awarded to him by his [God of the Depths] racial levels.
The knights immediately felt sick, but couldn't see their assailant due to the mist, and for that matter neither could the villagers. It would be rather hard to trust someone who commits such brutal acts as if it was as normal as breathing. All that was heard by the villagers was "[Maximise Magic: Grasp of the Drowned]!" followed swiftly by screaming, begging, ripping and tearing. Hands of those previously taken to the depths by Pyke answer their murderer's call and have the knights join them in eternal damnation beneath the waves. Rotting, soggy flesh, bones poking through it, appendages of all kinds, human, eldritch, beastman, reached out and sealed their fate. When the job was done he made the mist recede, lest he draw attention from anyone else nearby. He had anti-divination magic items, the mist was more to protect the villagers' sanity than himself.
All that the villagers saw when the mist receded was a blood-soaked man, surrounded by mutilated bodies. They understood he saved them, but he emitted an aura surpassing whatever bloodlust they felt from the knights. After a brief silence, he spoke, a rough voice evidently belonging to someone who dealt with blood and flesh as currency, "I saved you, and two other brats in the forest," he motioned for the two sisters to come forward, "but I didn't do it for free. I need information, I travelled a long way, although the first event doesn't give me high hopes about the region…." There is no such thing as free lunch, the villagers understood that and thus were rather relieved to hear no such honeyed words from their saviour. After a brief introduction the headman invited Pyke to his house and gave all the information he knew about the surrounding area. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Blah, blah, blah, politics. 'Like I would care about any fucking nobles. Those pigs are meant for gutting, not ruling." Turns out that Pyke could easily rule this world via force, if Tier 7 magic was the realm of the Gods then he was sure to be oblivion itself. However, he had no such ambitions, wandering around and checking names off his list, that was his calling. After they finished up and the village gathered for the funeral, performing sermons Pyke couldn't bother to understand, since no sermons ever saved him. He checked on his inventory.
'Hm, still full. Got enough wands to rip the continent in two.' His inventory was abnormally large, thanks to his [King of the Swimming City] job class, a perk of being a raid boss. With so much space just for him, he hoarded everything he got from killing players. He could even bring back all these people and not put a dent in his resurrection wand supply. 'I take lives, not give 'em. They'll have to be satisfied with living.'
He was coming to the village square, after the funeral finished, to find the headman before he moved on, but he knew from their worried face something was off. The knights that entered his detection range a while ago were probably the topic of discussion. "Ah, Lord Pyke! It appears some more knights are approaching the village." Said the headman. He probably thought asking for help again would cost him an arm and a leg and thus just informed his saviour, praying for the best. "Don't call me lord again, I'm no filthy noble." Pyke snapped at him. "I ain't greedy either, I'll give you this one on the house. Gather in the square, maybe they won't be hostile, but better safe than sorry."
Gazef Stronoff, a broad, tall, suntanned man and the royal head warrior, the strongest warrior in the Re-Estize kingdom. He was on his way to hopefully save Carne village from what he saw at the other villages he tried to protect, almost total annihilation and scorched earth. As the village came into view, he sighed with relief, he wasn't too late this time. He saw the headman standing there to greet him, but the figure next to him stood out much more. A tall black man, at least 195 centimetres tall, radiating an aura of violence that Gazef was accustomed to. An adventurer perhaps? Something about him however felt off, an eerie feeling Gazef couldn't get rid of.
"My name is Gazef Stronoff, Royal Head Warrior and Captain of the Royal Select!" At that moment the world froze for Gazef, the sheer amount of bloodlust emitted by the scarred man next to the headman knocked him off his horse and onto his knees. "Gazef Stronoff, not on the list, lucky. The only good captain is a dead captain, but I suppose you must be an exception. Try to stay off the list if you want to keep your head above water..." He said after consulting the weird, abnormally long, soggy parchment. Gazef finally regained the strength to stand when the bloodlust subsided. "Who are you?! I would know of a man who can knock me to the ground with his presence alone!" he exclaimed, while simultaneously trying to think of a way to save the villagers from this monster clad in flesh.
"No need to be so on guard Stronoff, let's just say I've unfinished business with a captain or two… As for who I am, my name is Pyke, the Bloodharbor Ripper. Some knights and their captain attacked this village, so I butchered them. And it seems I shouldn't be the one to be wary of. You are surrounded by some magic casters." The man, now known to Gazef as Pyke, calmly answered. He quickly looked over his shoulder and saw his vice-commander galloping towards him, "Sir! We are surrounded by men summoning angels!" There was only one answer Gazef had to this, "Fuck…"
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Pyke and Gazef were looking out a window at the magic casters and their angels tightening their encirclement. 'This is bad. There's so many of them! If only those damn nobles didn't interfere with my job!' Gazef thought to himself. The kingdom was corrupt, corrupt beyond belief in fact, rats and snakes permeated the royal court as if they belonged there. Pyke looked at the captain and tilted his head, like a cat watching a curious sight, "Any idea who they might be? A backwater like this has nothing to offer for invaders."
"They must be from the Slane Theocracy, one of their special ops units, the scriptures. I've no clue why they're here, but if you, Sir Pyke, don't know, then I suppose they are after me. If only those damn nobles didn't take away my gear!" Gazef yelled, hitting a table during his outburst and shattering it to splinters.
The Ripper, a hunter unmatched, saw in Gazef a part of himself, an upstanding military man betrayed by snakes in the high echelons of society. "Judging by that bastard in the middle, it's the Sunlight scripture, specialised in monster extermination, led by Captain Nigun Grid Luin, real bastard. Sir Pyke, I'd like to hire you, you saved this village once, please find it in you to assist me as well." He said while taking a knee. If any nobles were to see this scene, they would surely have an aneurysm, a man representing the king, albeit still a commoner, kneeling in front of a nobody.
The answer to Gazef's question was rather surprising, Pyke slapped him across the face, enough to sting and leave a mark, and made him stand up. "Don't kneel to me, I'm not one of those pigs in the court, just a killer. Let's say I wouldn't help you, captain¸ what do you do then?" The answer was filled to the brim with venom and hatred, but it wasn't aimed at the warrior-captain. Pyke was a fair man, he'd normally agree to help, but Gazef was a captain, he would surely protect the village, however this man is what he is, not on the list, but his personality is still in question. "So that's a no, huh? I'll have my men run and break through the encirclement, I'll stay and fight them off. Please at least protect the village!" The warrior-captain pleaded to the mysterious man.
After consulting his list, Pyke answered, "You know, captains always favour the ship over the crew, but not you. It seems our goals align, Captain Nigun Grid Luin is on the list. I'll help ya. Follow my lead, I'll do the killing." The moment the village's saviour finished speaking, Gazef was filled with hope. The mere bloodlust of this man knocked the strongest warrior in the kingdom onto his knees, the scriptures may be strong, but this man was on a different plane of existence. The eerie feeling came back to the warrior-captain, his senses screaming danger and as he looked out the window, mist started to appear. "I've killed a lot of monsters Gazef, none of them lived in the sea and it seems I'm 'bout to add another to the count. Hard day's killin' ahead…" He said, a smirk undoubtedly hidden behind his blood red bandana. With that, he motioned for the head warrior to follow. There was only one thing on Gazef's mind, 'The hunter becomes the hunted…'
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
The Katze Plains were a cursed land, covered by mist and filled with undead due to the negative energy permeating every piece of soil in the area. Nigun and his scripture were deeply familiar with it, having been sent there on various extermination assignments, the deadliest of which being elder liches. It was always unnerving to stand on cursed ground, but this mist was significantly more terrifying. The one spell that would be able to do something to this degree was the 6th tier [Control Weather] and only one human could cast spells of that calibre, Fluder Paradyne of the Baharuth Empire. Gazef was a warrior, certainly strong, enough to normally be a job for the Black Scripture. With his full gear the Sunlight Scripture would most likely prove insufficient. The only reason Nigun felt confident was because of the machinations in the Re-Estize royal court and the trump card he had with him. The plan needed to be exact, or the glorified exterminators known as the Sunlight Scripture would have met their match, thus this unexpected turn of events was unnerving. What was going on?
In the end it wouldn't matter, first he would eliminate Gazef, gaining enough prestige within the internal political channels of the Theocracy to challenge even those of the Black, and then he would eliminate those whores from Blue Rose. Coming from the upper echelons and nobility of the Theocracy, his first defeat, at the hands of complete heretics no less! 'How dare she call herself a priestess and defend filthy demihumans!' he thought to himself, caressing the scar left by the adventurer team's leader's cursed blade, an intentional reminder of who he had to purge.
But, as it turns out, sometimes a shark takes the bait and sinks the whole ship.
Out of the thick mist appeared two figures, one of them being the target, Gazef. However, the other was unnerving. A giant of a man, scarred and dressed in hunting trophies of massive beasts. This. This was an unwelcome variable. "Ah Gazef, came to beg for your life and that of those pathetic heretics you call peasants? And who is this man next to you, perhaps you are here to sell the head warrior to us?" he chuckled, confident of his ability despite the bizarre circumstance. His confidence immediately took a hit when; "Sir Pyke, mind if I could take the captain alive to interrogate him and bring him to the capital?" Gazef asked, "Nah, this one's mine. You can keep the tadpoles, the captain must go down with the ship." he was soundly ignored.
"Ha! Look around you! Maybe you don't see it because of the mist, but you're surrounded! The glorious Sunlight Scripture would never lose to heretics like you! One random adventurer or whoever you are won't change a thing!" Nigun exclaimed, with the confidence of one who has already claimed victory. Sick of his bullshit, Pyke unleashed a part of the [Incarnate of Terror] class, his [Suffocating Presence I], just enough for the Sunlight Scripture to panic and act rashly. "Angels attack him!" Nigun screeched, listening to his primal instincts rather than reason. The angels stabbed right into Pyke, skewering him. "I knew you were all talk! Pathetic adventurer! Pull the angels back and butcher Gazef next!"
Gazef stood there with a neutral, even bored expression, unnerving Nigun, 'How blind can someone be?' The head warrior asked himself.
"Why aren't you pulling them back?!" their captain screeched, the priests, equally flustered, yelled back the only thing they could think of "We're trying!". They all stared at the man, finally noticing that the angels' weapons were entangled in some kind of bluish mist when they were meant to pierce through him. All they heard was "I fucking hate seagulls. [Summon: Lurker Below]." and a snap of his fingers before a massive angler shark came from below the angels and tore them to shreds in its maw. The creature was at least the size of an ancient dragon, 40 metres in length and 10 metres wide, despite it being partially obscured by the fog. With greenish scales, razor sharp teeth and a lantern-like appendage hanging from its head, shaped like a tormented human face, it was the embodiment of a sailor's nightmares. Feathers ripped from the angels flew towards the Sunlight Scripture, carried by wind permeated by the smell of blood and sea brine. The creature quickly dissipated back into the mist, the lantern on its head shining faintly before disappearing.
"That's impossible!" yelled Nigun. The Scripture was in disarray. Why was he unharmed? Was it a skill? A martial art? Is he a hunter? How in the name of the six Gods did that fucking fish appear from the ground!? Nigun became hysterical "Attack with all the angels! He can't block all of them!" As the command dictated, the angels rushed at Pyke, "[Skill: A Thousand Cuts]", only to disappear into motes of light and for the hunter's hook to start dripping angelic blood. "No matter how many you throw at me, it ain't gonna be enough. I'd kill your Gods just like the rest of you kraken chum!" the unliving nightmare shouted. "Blasphemy! Principality Observation! Kill him!"
There is no way this creature could kill the Principality, Nigun after all had a talent to strengthen summons and the angel already had good defence, being a Tier 4 summon. Nigun blinked and saw a horrible sight, the Principality Observation had a hook straight through its head, "[Skill: Rip Them To Shreds]!" the abomination yelled, the Principality suddenly had gashes all over its body and broke apart into the light which characterised angelic summons. "I smell panic, hahaha" Pyke chuckled, sending chills through the members of the scripture.
There was only one way to banish this creature, the crystal containing the tier 8 angel Dominion authority, the direct servant of the Gods. "Buy me time while I summon the highest tier angel!" This led to the Bloodharbor Ripper being bombarded with tier 3 spells, which never reached through the mist, and iron pellets from slingshots, that simply went through him as if he was just an apparition. Finally, Nigun managed to summon it, "Behold! The highest tier angel! [Dominion Authority]!" Pyke looked at it with disinterest, what is a level 50 something creature going to do to him? "I can feel your fear from here! Shame you couldn't join the Theocracy, surely you would have made it into the Black Scripture! However, circumstances dictate I need to kill you and Gazef, be honoured to die by its hand! Use [Holy Smite]!"
The angel's mace shattered to pieces and the spell started… Only to disappear into nothing. "Impossible!" "How!?" "What!? the scripture cried. "The mist is my domain fools, that spell is a mere ripple in the ocean, a drop of water against a tsunami. Now then, time to chum the waters! [Maximise Magic: Gate to the Abyss]!" Under the Principality, water started to appear, deep to the point of being pitch black, a whirlpool visible in it. The angel fell into it, as if the very air was being sucked into the watery void, struggling against the force, but eventually being dragged under into the dark waters.
The morale of the theocracy's troops shattered and fell into the waters along with the angel. "All of you surrender, ya get to live. On your knees, small fries." The entire theocracy immediately surrendered, how could they have hoped to fight against something that could kill even a Tier 8 angel without a sweat?! "But not you captain. Nasty people meet nasty ends, Captain Nigun. [Death From Below]!" All Nigun felt was a chill and then a drowning sensation, looking around him he saw some kind of city. Lost souls of past victims wandered around him, eyes glassy, bodies bloated, green-bluish skin characteristic of a drowned corpse. They quickly ripped him apart upon noticing him, reforming him into an abomination that would join their ranks. The last thing he heard was a hoarse whisper, 'Welcome to the Abyss…'
All that the surface dwellers saw was a blue line following the Ripper's right eye as Pyke moved faster than their eyes could follow and executed Nigun. He threw a Gold Serpent coin at Gazef, "Something for your effort, and information. Without you I wouldn't have found him to cross his name off of the list. Now then, one more thing left to do." He snapped his fingers and bound all of the remaining scripture members with ropes made of water, until something more physical could be found. Then he turned and looked into the sky, "I see you…"
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
The Thousand Leagues Astrologer, the 7th seat of the Black Scripture and the most powerful scryer alive, more commonly known as Kara to her companions, woke up as usual. She donned the outfit left by the Gods, brushed her dirty blonde hair and went to the Cathedral of Darkness in the capital of the Slane Theocracy, Kami Miyako. She arrived after grabbing some food from a local vendor, made her way to the scrying chamber where the Miko Princess that would buff her resided and pulled out the list of targets.
First, the treasury. 'All normal. I don't even know why they ask me to check on Zesshi, not like anyone can actually beat her…' The treasury was guarded by that monster of a half-elf and protected by wards made by the Gods themselves. If someone managed to get down there and beat her, it was already too late. But, nothing like that could ever happen, so she moved on.
Next, looking for the traitor from the Black Scripture who stole a crown of wisdom, Clementine Hazeia Quintia, sister of the 5th seat, Quaiesse Hazeia Quintia also known as "One Man Army." The Windflower and Clearwater scriptures were already after her, but no luck so far. Last time she was seen was moving towards E-Rantel. The scrying didn't show anything intriguing so Kara moved on.
Finally, she was supposed to monitor Nigun's hunt for Gazef. She had nothing against the warrior-captain, but the Cardinals' word was law, who was she to argue? She moved her vision to Carne Village, where the final showdown was supposed to take place. To her discomfort, the area was shrouded by mist and she could only see the area of battle, nothing else. The peculiar figure caught her eye due to his powerful gear, seemingly surpassing even the most sacred of the Artefacts of the Gods, but she wrote it off as an illusion or trick of the mind. They were surrounded by an entire Scripture, now it was just a clean up job.
She saw the man get stabbed and dissolve in mist like a Vah Uhn, except it also constricted the angels. Then he wiped the other ones off the face of the world. Her jaw dropped along with the food she was holding when she saw him instantly kill the Principality. This man was at least on the level of an awakened God-Kin. A potential recruit? A note-worthy enemy? The cardinals would decide that, for Kara it was just a very entertaining show.
Nigun used the crystal containing the angel, sealing the fate of Gazef and the stranger in her mind, even though something felt weird in her vision. The angel used [Holy Smite] and she expected for the duo to turn into ashes… The spell however got cancelled and the angel obliterated. This was not something even Zesshi could do, what kind of monster did Gazef find!? She couldn't even track his movement when Nigun disappeared.
She could feel anxiety building up in her, heart pounding, sweating pouring and she almost had a heart attack when the creature looked directly at her point of view and whispered "I see you…" No wonder her view was limited, he wanted her to see this. Suddenly, her eyes were gone, blood gushing from them as she collapsed from the shock. Her attendants found her on the ground yelling about a monster and his damned city, magic being futile in healing her injuries beyond making them non-lethal. The Astrologer was now permanently blind without magic, which she refused to use, for fear of seeing that again.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Pyke activated [Maximise Magic: Glimpse of the Swimming City] and [Skill: Claimed by the Deep] to give that peeping bitch a lesson about what terror means and to steal her eyes. He juggled them between his hands, the brown-red eyes still covered by blood. "Ha, that'll teach 'em!" he said to no one in particular. "Oi Gazzy, you can handle the clean up." Quickly passing over responsibility, dispersing his mist, diving into the phantom water and making his way to the village he hummed to himself "Gone another name, they are to blame. There goes one more, at least this one wasn't a bore…"
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
After the debacle with the scripture, members of his Royal Select were eager to ask him as many questions as their breath permitted, but he had no idea how to even begin answering them. Gazef ordered the binding and interrogation of the remaining members of the scripture. Once the order was given and his men got to work, he sat down under a tree and reflected on what he saw. This man, seemingly appearing out of thin air, or perhaps thick air given the mist that follows him, decimated an entire Scripture, including a being that killed a Demon God. In one hit no less!
He ran through the strong people he had heard about, legend, myth or otherwise, but none matched the description of the Bloodharbor Ripper. Albeit, some spoke about a being of ungodly power that even the Eight Greed Kings and Six Great Gods were afraid of, and that one did indeed wield a harpoon. Alas, he was no theologist, let the Slane Theocracy ponder about this man. For now one thing was sure, Pyke saved both the village, his men and himself, thus he needed to at least offer an audience with the king so he may be rewarded. "But how the hell will I find him? He just appears and disappears like a ghost! Guess I'll ask the headman at the square." Gazef murmured to himself.
It turned out to be the right call, Pyke was there poking and prodding at the prisoners, mutilating them before healing them and repeating the process. Gazef knew this man was unhinged, but he certainly seemed to have a better moral code than most nobles. "Sir Pyke! May I ask you to accompany me to the capital? I'm sure the king would reward you with almost anything!" Gazef proposed, secretly hoping to not let either the Theocracy or the Baharuth Empire employ such a monster, immediately gaining the power to conquer the world.
"Hmm, I got nothing better to do. A crew comes in handy, and I need information anyway. If you tell me about the region, I'll come. I've come a long way as a mere hunter living beneath the waves. Ya want me to provide us transport? 've no clue where yer gonna stick all these worms. Normally I'd give them a quick death, but bastards like these are scum. If you have a half decent torturer at the castle then I'll go." he said after kicking a bound scripture member. The quick answer was a pleasant surprise to Gazef, "We do. Wonderful, Sir Pyke. I'll tell you everything I can, without betraying His Majesty of course. If you'd be so kind as to provide the transport we'd be in your debt."
"Just pay me with intel, [Carriage of the Swimming King]." With that several massive carriages appeared, each followed by a waggon with a cage, all more beautiful than whatever carriages the nobles of Re-Estize had. However, the most eye-catching were the beasts, with a fish tail, covered in black scales and possessing glowing red eyes, as if the legendary soul eaters had an aquatic counterpart. At this point, Gazef was merely waiting to see more amazing feats, if for nothing else than telling Climb about it when he returned, that kid always liked stories.
"They'll appear like regular ol' horses to everyone else. Pack these bastards in the back and let's go. No point in re-stocking, I'll just magic us up some grub. Maybe even a bit of rum for a job well done. I'll be at the front, join me when yer ready." Gazef did as he was told, finally seating himself next to his saviour in the very spacious carriage. The interior, much like the exterior, was dominated by various shades of blue and green, like the sea. Carvings depicting creatures such as sirens, naga, merfolk, and ordinary things such as seashells, adorned the carriage. Just fancy enough to look good, without being a complete eyesore like some of the carriages of wealthy nobles.
"So what do you want to know Sir Pyke?" asked Gazef. "Call me Pyke, I'm a killer, titles don't fit a murderer. I need everything, nobles, economy, political structure, guilds, maps. Assume I know as much about the surface as you do about the madness below the waves." Answered Pyke.
"In that case, call me Gazef. Well, firstly there are two factions…"
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Deep in the bowels of the floating city of Eryuentiu, the Platinum Dragon Lord, Tsaindorcus Vaision, stirred. The self-styled protector of the world, one of the rulers of the Argland City-State, and one of the strongest dragonlords left after the Greed Kings' massacre. What did he protect the world from? Players. The scum who were summoned by his father, the Dragon Emperor, using his own soul in a bid to gain more power. Not only did that lead to his death, but to the entire race being dethroned as rulers of the world and almost being wiped from the face of the planet.
Now he resided here, in the central chamber of the city of the Greed Kings of old, coiled around the throne, surrounded by artefacts that could make a mere peasant a hero in the eyes of the people. Many dared intrude into his layer, including some players. Most of them became fuel for the Dragon Lord's wild magic, but some of them went on to become heroes, slaying the so-called Demon Gods that once served the Greed Kings.
Ever since then, he has monitored the world for new threats summoned by the lingering spell of his father, going as far as to develop wild magic for that exact purpose. Now, that magic has alerted him to a new being's arrival. There were many unforeseen horrors in the hidden nooks and crannies of this world, some he wouldn't dare face, but they mostly stayed dormant for millenia. The issue with players being their ambitions and activity. Besides Riku Agneia, with whom he kindled a friendship, and those who joined the legendary thirteen heroes, not once has a player attempted to do good or stayed out of the spotlight. Would this time be different? Or would he once again have to brace himself for a battle of mythical proportions?
He unleashed his wild magic, expecting to have the usual happen, showing everything about the player. This time however, the unexpected happened, it was blocked, a thick veil surrounding the object of his divination. This could only happen if this one had one of those dreaded items, World Items. He expected such a thing to happen eventually, what came next however, unnerved him to no end.
He found himself in an underwater city, everything outside of it pitch black, as if the void itself had taken up residence beneath the waves. Then he saw a man falling lower, evidently already dead, drowned if it was Tsa's guess. Out of the city came cohorts of abyssal creatures beyond his wildest imagination. Fish larger and tougher than him, with teeth sharp enough to pierce his scales like paper. Constantly shifting abominations, blinking in and out of existence, malformed with malice. The souls of other drowned men and women of various races, ripped and tortured as if they endured hell itself. He expected the man to end up like them.
He was wrong…
The man was taken by them and elevated as their king. His right eye glowing blue, like a beacon to those lost under the tides, they flocked to him like fish to an anglershark's lure, hoping his elevation will bring them new brethren. He sat upon the throne of the Swimming City, malice and rage radiating from him. The parchment that he took out struck fear into the Dragon Lord, for he recognized it for what it was, a World Item. Tsa observed as he scribbled on the list, writing name after name after name. Eventually he finished, locking eyes with the Platinum Dragon Lord. Terror. Sheer and utter terror gripped one of the mightiest beings of the New World. The Greed Kings and 6 Gods were nothing compared to this monster!
One of the abominations handed their king a hook made from bone, another World Item, with a hunger for souls larger than even the most malevolent of beings Tsa had met. The monstrosity accepted it, pointing it at the lizard intruding on his territory and immediately the monstrosities sprang to action, ripping and tearing the Platinum Dragonlord, attempting to have his soul stay in that bottomless abyss.
He blinked and found himself back in the throne room of the Greed Kings. "Oh Father, what have you done?! Now..." He said to himself. He had heard of this one, all of the previous players felt immeasurable fear towards the entity. Stories upon stories of slaughters performed by an unstoppable force of nature. It was here now.
"Now drowned madness walks the land…"