Felix Argyle sighed as he walked towards the dungeon.
Another day of torturing a scum awaits him and he resented it.
For six months, despite all the efforts of both him and Julius, the cultist never spoke.
No matter what he did, how painful his methods were, how badly he was beaten, the Sin Archbishop of Pride never uttered a word.
To Felix, it was just so odd as before the cultist was imprisoned, he spoke a lot. Begging and Pleading to be heard, even going as far as stating his name and affiliation with the Emilia Camp.
It has been so long that Felix forgot what the cultist's name was.
But all he did remember was that he proclaimed himself as the half-elf's knight, to which the person herself denied.
Felix still remembered the despair on his face when Emilia said those words.
"I don't want someone like you to be my knight. And even if you were, consider yourself relieved of your duty."
Seeing the cultist slump in defeat gave Felix such satisfaction that he almost made an ugly smile.
That smile faded when Felix never got the reaction he wanted everytime he fried the cultist's nerves, cut his fingers, burned his body and even severed some limbs.
He of course healed them back, Felix still needs him to spit out how to cure his lady.
But the temptation to just end the cultist kept growing, same as with his frustration at the cultist's silence.
Felix hated it, but he grew Envious at the cultist's apparent resilience. All he could see when his eyes met his were determination and rage.
"Hrrg~." Felix shuddered.
The cultist already has a nasty pair of eyes, the wrathful look on them sent goosebumps throughout Felix.
He shook his head, as he placed his hand on the prison door, behind him was Julius.
...
...
Julius hated the Sin Archbishop of Pride. With passion nonetheless.
Ever since he joined Felix in his "sessions" with the cultist, he never thought he could hate someone as he did with the Archbishop.
There were two reasons why, and one of them was the determination of the cultist to not say a word.
No matter how hard he hits, or even if he hits the most vital part he knew would bring pain, the results were the same. Silence.
Another reason was the stare of the cultist.
Julius has clashed swords with many opponents ever since he was young, be it an enemy or a sparring partner.
Due to that, he developed an instinct to know if his movements, his steps and his swings were being predicted. And he felt that with the cultist.
It's not as if he's dodging his strikes, rather the cultist managed to decrease his pain by bracing himself before the attack hits.
There was even a time when he almost killed the cultist with harsher beatings, as due to him reaching the limits of his patience.
The idea that his name being remembered lies solely on the Sin Archbishop's information irked him.
Julius's hatred towards the Witch Cult only intensified after the battle in Priestella. All the innocent people who died and turned into abominations by the Archbishop of Lust, allies who died protecting the city, and his name being eaten.
It was no surprise that he hated the Sin Archbishop of Pride with so much passion.
And now, is just another day for a "session" with the cultist. And Julius can tell that his partner, Felix, was already getting sick of it, apparent on his sigh and shaking as they approached the dungeon.
Though there was that feeling that Julius cannot place. As if this day will be different.
As he felt a chill run down his spine.
...
...
"Inform all units! Guards, Soldiers and even knights! The Sin Archbishop of Pride has escaped!!" Julius's panicked and booming voice sent every prison guards scampering.
The Finest of knights grit his teeth in frustration. He never even bothered to hide his angered and desperate expression. But none could blame him for showing such indignity, how could they.
When Felix and Julius got to the cultist's cell, they immediately assumed the worst.
For the cell door was cut cleanly in three, and whatever weapon was used, was sharp and at the same time very hot, as the severed parts looked charred.
Inside the empty cell, the chains that bound the cultist was cut with the same weapon.
When they questioned the guards who were there, they said they haven't heard anything on the inside.
The two guards apologized profusely, saying that they did took turn in checking the cell to make sure that everything is in order.
Julius never let the guards finish their explanation as he immediately went out leaving behind a dumbstruck Felix, the two guards going along with him.
Felix meanwhile, remained rooted where he was. So many questions ran through his mind.
How did he get out? Was he saved? If so, then who? Will we be able to find him? Will I be able to save Lady Crusch?
Those questions raced inside his mind, but the thought of not being able to save his liege made his legs give out, as he fell on his butt.
"Wha- what do I do? It wasn't su-supposed to- hgk! Lady Crusch, I-I-I'm sorry. He wasn't supposed to es-escape!" Felix held his head as he mumbled.
He was so into his own world that he failed to notice the transparent figure passing him and heading towards the door.
A small "Clank" made Felix jolt as he turned towards the source, only to find a small black canister with an unknown language written on it, rolling towards him.
It stopped mere 2 meters away from him before it let out a hissing sound, and a black smoke.
Bam*
The sound of the prison door being slammed close made Felix yelp.
Though still dumbfounded, he managed to piece it all together when he heard a clanking sound right at the door.
He was locked inside, with a black smoke.
Immediately, he covered his mouth and nose with his hand as he ran towards the door. Banging on it as soon as it was in reach.
"O-Open the door! Help! HELP ME! *cough cough cough* I'm begging you *cough* open the door!"
His incessant banging, coughing and pleading was muffled by the door. Unfortunately for him, no one will answer his call as everyone in the building left in search for the escaped cultist.
...
...
Six months ago.
If there's one thing about the leveling system Subaru received that he understood, it's that he needed credits. Lots and lots of credits.
Like most FPS games, every weapon is expensive, but that also unfortunately applies to bullets.
Right now, he had zero credits, and he can only get it on login Rewards.
He concluded that there are other ways of getting credits, and that is by leveling up or even killing enemies.
Killing. That word still made Subaru frown.
Despite all the things he has been through, he couldn't seem to see himself killing someone.
Mabeasts he can, but people? Low chance he can actually pull it off.
Now that he has the weapons designed to do such, he still hesitate to picture shooting someone with a gun.
Speaking of guns, his choices ranged from guns he recognized as real. Pistols, submachine guns, shot guns and sniper rifles. That also includes grenades and different types of landmines.
Then, there were some Sci-fi weapons and even futuristic armored suits. Weapons that can blast plasma, exploding rounds and even destructive sounds. He can't picture how the latter works.
For suits, the costumization on it's appearance, capabilities and armored platings lies solely on the players.
Though it does cost credits for doing such, especially with the capabilities.
The suit's capabilities can be decided by adding mechanics called "Modules". And there's only 4 of them.
First one is the "Cloak Module". As it's name implies, it helps the player blend to their surroundings by turning the suit transparent. Though the player can be seen if they move due to the suit adjusting it's transparency.
Second is the "Perception Module". Not only does it give the Player the "Night Vision", and the "Infrared Vision". But it also helps the player set target marks on enemies, but the marks only stay when the targets are within certain range.
Third is the "Defense Module". Simply adds 40% of the Player's suit durability.
Lastly, the most expensive module, the "Power Module". It's ability is to double the Player's Speed and strength.
A suit can only use 2 modules, so Subaru needs to pick carefully.
Getting credits is Subaru's priority, and in his situation, Login Rewards was the best option.
It is a cycle of 5-day rewards, consisting of Health Vials, small to medium, and of course credits.
First day gives 250 credits and 2 small HV's. Second day gives 500 credits and 5 small HV's. Third day gives only 750 credits. Fourth day gives 1000 credits, and the Fifth day gives 1200 credits and 3 medium HV's.
That is 3700 credits, 7 SMV's and 3 MHV's in 5 days.
So Subaru made a calculation on his mind.
Right now, he can only use melee weapons and pistols at his current level. Higher type of weapons require higher levels.
Luckily enough, he can use any type of melees as long as his credits can afford it.
So with the price of the highest level melee, which is a blue double edged energy sword, the pistol, which is named "Beretta PX4 Storm", and the suit with the 2 modules with some grenades and extra bullets, Subaru concluded that he'll have to do Login Rewards for 5-6 months.
Meaning, he'll have to live through 6 months of torture, sneers, insults and shitty garbage food.
Subaru sighed, knowing that such a day is today.
'What else can I do?' he thought.
He stayed still, thinking and thinking, before he smiled.
'There is one, no, two more thing I'll get from all this torture.' Subaru thought.
One is the healing of his gate.
Subaru can feel it, everytime Felix heals him after every damage he did, his gate slowly and slowly gets healed along. A factor that he is grateful for but will never thank Felix about.
Two is combat stance and prediction of attacks.
He can try and learn how Julius strikes, where he strikes and when he strikes. Predict his next move and imagine how he'll dodge.
A frown appears on Subaru's face, actually surprised at how he just thinks like that. Though he can understand that his mindset was already affected by the constant torture and the betrayal of his so called "friends".
Nevertheless, he put those thoughts aside, as he heard the voice and the phrase that signals the beginning of his pain.
"So, nyow(how) are we going to do this~?"
...
...
Present Day
Subaru finally stepped outside, his Cloaking still activated.
He exited from a backdoor he found, leading straight towards an alley.
When he saw the orange ray up above, he almost shed a tear.
How long was it since he's seen the sun? How long was it since he's breathed fresh air? He didn't know, he didn't care.
For right now, he needs to escape Priestella.