This has got to be one of the biggest chapters I've written on any fic I have here. Its not every day that manage to crank out a chapter that's 13K.
But then again, a boss fight is being introduced this chapter, so it's to be expected.
Arhen
"You're scary. You know that?"
"You've been delaying for a while now, Faceman." I said.
"That's because I don't have much to say about her. Apart from her not staying for long."
We were being led outside of the mine via the wooden door in lines. Faceman was behind me, also in chains.
It was a tad bit frustrating, being chained up when I resolved to be more proactive. But I understand the necessity of biding my time.
While I was waiting for our line to move, I decided to finally check the notification I received for completing the previous quest.
Quest Completed.
[Silver Quest: Bound in Shadow]
[Description: In an attempt to successfully conseal a body of the overseer you've killed, you infiltrated the cell of a red herring you plan to use as a scapegoat.
After succeeding in concealing the body, you heard the sound of the gate to the mineshaft being open again and you realize that you're trapped!
Avoid the Overseers and make it back to your cell!
Clear Conditions:
[Reach Cell Block B] []
[Avoid the Overseers!] []
Reward: 1500 Exp, Increased Proficiency in [Gamer's Body, Ability [Stealth Proficiency]
I didn't manage to level up thar time. But I certainly was put close.
Proficiency Level in Skill [Gamer's Body] has been increased.
Ability [Stealth Proficiency] has been added.
Gamer's Body was close to reaching Level 50. Perhaps then the rate of regeneration will increase when I sleep.
"Skill Display, [Stealth Proficiency]."
[Stealth Proficiency] [Level: 1/100] [Auto-Skill]
Description: The wide and versatile art of Stealth. Hiding in the dark and amongst shadow.
It determines how well the user can make use of skills that pertain to Stealth.
Stealth-related skills are 3% easier to learn, stealth-based skills 9% more effective.
Just then, I heard the crack of a whip and the whole line started moving.
One by one, we were lead out of the mine, soon the time came where I took my first steps outside.
I was nearly blinded by the sight of bright sunlight after a long while underground. Not much of it, as the sky was grey from the snow falling down.
But it was pleasant for the moment that it was. Before being ruthlessly shoved into a cage by an overseer.
Faceman followed, nearly slamming into me as we both took places at the far end of the cage.
The metal was cold and it froze my back when I leaned against it. It warmed up after a while, but by then, the transport began moving, and the mines entrance grew smaller and smaller.
People were silent, there were no cries nor screams of jubilation like I expected. There weren't even sighs of relief.
"So you want to know about Weiss Schnee."
I looked at Faceman crouching beside me. "I do infact. It's what I paid you for."
"She's dangerous."
"Irrelevant." I retorted.
"May I ask why at the very least?" Faceman questioned. I turned away and faced the slowly passing leafless birch trees.
"She's made an enemy of me. Whether by intention or mistake. The details are such that I don't wish to convey the facts to you. But I intend to deal with her in some way." I explained, looking back at Faceman.
Again, he stayed silent and watched the snow fall. His rasping breath freezing in the air as his body instinctively shook while it hit cold air.
"The only thing I really know, is the fact that she can't stay here for long." Faceman started.
"That part has been bugging me. What did you mean by that?"
"Not much I'm afraid, I once caught her speaking to that servant of hers about it, it was right around the time that people started dying in the deeper shafts leading from the 36th to the 50th ore vein."
I scoffed. "No surprise there. Given all those cave-ins."
"Actually, you're wrong about that."
I turned to Faceman. "I am?"
"Well, yeah most of the deaths there were caused by cave-ins. But the cave ins weren't caused by accidents relating to fire dust."
Faceman then turned back at me. "You said that you killed Jaxter in Ore Vein 36 right? Then you should have noticed it right? The lack of any pickaxes or even foot tracks in the shafts."
He brought up a good point. I may have not had the time to look around the shaft much, but Jaxter's pickaxe was the only thing I could use to conseal myself from Weiss.
Looking back on that, even the decision to do something like that was kind of foolish considering Weiss of all people would have noticed the lack of mining equipment down there.
"Furthermore, they were killed by something. Some of them were ripped to shreds, some of them looked like there were eaten by something. Don't really like remembering it." Faceman said, resting his head on his elevated knees.
"Why?"
"..."
The rat-morph's fists slowly began to tighten around his shiv. "My little sister was among the ones killed. Didn't bother with any kind of name after that."
Ah. So in a way, Faceman is just like Jaxter. He and his sister were probably the only ones captured and had to rely on each other.
Faceman probably relied more on her than anything, even if technically it has only been about three days since I woke up in my cell.
I've realized that life as a slave miner isn't particularly an easy one. Although my problems have naturally resolved themselves over time, there were moments in which I struggled a bit.
He's had more experience living here than I did. And if there's one thing that I've noticed, the fear, the death, the atmosphere...it eats away at you.
Faceman wanted someone to remind him of what life once was. Something that any vestige of his previous life before the mine can cling to.
That someone was his little sister. So when she died, the last thing that made Faceman who he was died along with her. Leaving him without any way of reminding himself of who he was as a person.
Thus the name Faceman. His face is whatever the people around him portray it to be. It can be deceitful, lost or at this moment…
Sad. The empty kind of sad. In which one always knew how empty you are inside, and your heart begins to sting.
You eat and eat and eat, searching for that momentary happiness, but the pain never recedes, because you know that nothing will ever completely fill you.
Such a sad notion, one befitting of one who calls themself 'Faceman'.
I chose not to pry for more information. There was ample time for something like that. Faceman didn't really seem in the state to be answering my questions anyway.
Taking this silence as a chance to rest, I leaned my head forward and closed my eyes. Drifting off into a state of awareness and unconsciousness.
I could still hear the swaying of the few leaves that remained on the birch trees, and the sharp, thin sound of bodies sliding alongside metal.
I kept my hand on my knife and master key as I drifted off to the still sound of snow drifting past the horizon, and falling onto my skin.
Weiss
The tracks and dry pads of blood became much more apparent the further she went inside the mineshaft.
Taking a moment to look at her tablet, it read that she was down in the 47th Ore Vein.
She wouldn't usually desend this deep into the foreboding dust mine, but there was an area down in the 50th vein that was opened up to the surface, in some attempt to initiate open shaft mining.
The machines were there, all but rusted and abandoned to the cobwebs that stuck to every crevice of the rusted monoliths. She found a few on her way over here.
As well as a few cages with dead slaves inside.
She stopped for a moment and looked down a corridor of cages and simply stared into the darkness within.
Something moved. Weiss could hear the light pitter patter of footsteps amongst flat stone.
Her ears caught the slight wisp of a growl, and moments later she readied her gun.
Not even a second later, an entity made out of pure shadow jumped out of the darkness. The cracks made of pure crimson that donned on its bone-like mask covered it's malicious snarl.
It's eyes never left hers, and the longer it stared the more it shifted it's body, and crept around her, scanning her, analysing her.
It limped slightly as it circled around her with foam frothing around it's sharp molars.
Treating her with the upmost caution it's beastly instincts can allow.
Weiss was surprised that it could sense the threat that she represented. It proved that not all monsters like this one before her we're stupid.
Yet, they fall all the same.
As the beast lunged at her, Weiss simply aimed her revolver at it and pulled the trigger.
The mask shattered beneath her silver bullet and the beast broke out in a rhythm of beastly wails and painful cries before simply fading away, slowly.
Leaving it's broken mask behind. She stared at it for a while before spinning the chamber again and holstering her weapon.
Continuing deeper inside the mine, unbeknownst to the numerous claw marks and tracks that covered the ground of where the beast first appeared.
And the numerous amounts of broken masks and bodies that littered the ground.
Arhen
Skill [Gamer's Mind] has reached required Proficiency Level.
Establishing Connection…
For a while, I sat in complete and still darkness.
It was the first time ever, in all the time that I have existed that I've heard completely nothing but pure silence.
Something flowed out, within the ever stretching blackness. It was small, a fading wisp. But it grew stronger the more it appeared before me.
It grew to the point of where I was able to simply tell it's shape. A small ember. The smallest I've seen. Flickering in the dark as more of those embers converged, and altogether, it sizzled out.
Then suddenly, with a flash of light that was unexpected within the dark, I found myself in a world that is gray. Feet digging into the muddy and murky grass. The blades shining from small droplets of rain falling lightly on top of each of them.
I looked to the sky, it was gray too. Perhaps more because of the dark clouds overhang that spilled a gentle drizzle upon my skin.
Children ran and darted around on the muddy ground in pale clothing, dirtying it. Most of them hung around in droves and played numerous games.
There were many facilities catering to that, seesaws, slides and jungle gyms. And as I turned around and looked towards what my back faced, there stood a giant wooden building.
It looked like a school, but was unlike any that I've seen. It situated many buildings and rooms. All of them with either barred windows or smashed panes of glass. Some of the wood was mouldy, sporting some vines and webbing along it's splinters, despite most of everything looking the same, it was easy to tell.
A single figure stood at the top of the dome-shaped jungle gym. It was easy to recognize it as a little girl. With hair that stretched across her back and rested within the ridges of her spine.
Her hair was pale, but it didn't seem white. The tone on her locks seemed similar to the sky.
I couldn't see any features of her face. As it was covered by the same coding that covered my left hand. The malware. But I was given the impression that she was staring at the ever expanding forest that stretched out across the barbed wire surrounding the playground.
"Hey!"
Just now, a boy ran past. His hair dark and his chin sharp like a woman's. He climbed up the dome-shaped jungle gym slowly as he tried to reach the girl that stood at the very top.
He stopped midway and called out to her once again. "Hey! Come play with us!"
The girl turned to the boy and stared before turning back to the sight beyond the fenced gate. The boy reluctantly relented and climbed down the jungle gym soon enough.
The other children joined him at looking at the little girl. "Leave her alone. She's being weird again."
"Yeah! Let's go!"
The dark haired boy smiled and joined the crowd of children that distanced themselves from the little girl and went to play tag nearby the entrance to the wooden building.
She looked at the other children for a while before turning back.
" ̴̵̷̛̹̪̟̼̖͕̦̥̋̑̍̽͒͢ͅŜ̴͉̺̰̩̩͖͔̫͖͎̭̪̘̫̖͖̤̝̖ͭ́̽͂̓̂̾̚͏̵̴̴̷̡̧̛̀̕͘͞͞͞͡͠ţ̶̶̧͍̮͔ͫͫ̈̓͛̿ͬ͐͆̂̈͗̌͂̓̈́̒̾ͫ́́̀̕͟͟͡ͅȧ͕̥͙̰͚̦͚̠͕̳͔̞̝̭̌̔̊̂̋͏̕t̵̢̨̛̮̝̠̳̱̳̗͇̳̖̣͇͚ͤ̍͐̆̎́̀̀͟ư̷̶̛̮͇̰̣͚̜̜͖̖̩ͬ̓̈́̍ͭ̐̓̂ͯ̑ͣ̀́͘͢͜͞͠ͅs̴̵̵̨͔̯̲̭̹͓͉̯̳͙̭͇̘̖͇̙̭̿̓͂̓̓͛̃̅̒̔̽̾͘͜͜͡͝͠͝ͅ.̲̪̙̳́͂͗̊ͩ̓̊ͬͮͨ̔̊̂̃"͎̞̰̳͈̬̟̬̝̠̩̪͓͙̥̻̇̋ͧ͊ͣ̋̓͛̊̾͆̊ͩͨ͆ͥͭ̌̉́͟͡
̶̸̨̧̖̜͙͓̘͕͇͉̥͎̖̗̙̪̀̋̎͒̽̄̐ͩ͗ͨ̀͘͢͞͡͠
I couldn't hear what she said. But a pale blue screen much like mine appeared. The coding on her face also covered some part of the screen.
There was one part that I saw. It was a notification, much like the ones I receive when I complete quests.
There was no part of her face I could see. But I felt like she was smiling for some reason.
Her lips moved again.
" Ỳ̷̨̛͡͡o̷̕͡͠͡͏̵̵͢͝u͟͏̶̴̷̧̛́́́̕͘̕͟͟͜͟͜ a̴̷̧̕͜͞r̷̡̛ę̴̸̶̴̡̛̕̕͝͝ ̵͟͏̡̛̛́̕͠͞t̵̵̷̸̴̡̧̡̀̀͟͜͝͞h̶͘͜é̷̵̵̴̢̀̕͟͟͜͢͠͝ ͏̡̨̀͜͟͟͞͞͏́o̧̡͏̶̸̶̵̷̧̧̧̧̧͟͝͠nļ̸̴̶̢̡̀͘͢͝y̧̕͝ ó̸̷̷̧̨̕ǹ̶͠͞͡è̷̸̶̶̷̷̢̡̡̢́͘͟͟͠ ̡̡̡̨͜͠ţ̷̶̢̢̛́̀̀́͢͜͡͞͝͞h̶̶̵̡̨̨́͢͢͏͜͡á̛́͜͜͞͏̷̴̷̧̨̢́̀̕͝t͏͏̛͏͞ u̡͝n̶̸̵̢̧̢̕̕͞͠d̴̵̶̨̧̢̢́̕͟͡͡͝͠è̢͘͜͜ŗ̸̷̀́͟͜͢͞͠͏̴̴̶͘͞͡ś̵̷̢̧̧̡̨́̀̕͢͜͢͞͏t̡̛͘͝ą̷̶̴̛́̀͘͜͝͏͏̶̶̢̡̀́́̕ǹ̶̷̵̵̸̶̶̡̨̛͜͟͜͠͞͝d̸̴̸̶̢̨́͘͢͜͞͠s̶̷̷̴̡̀͜͢͜͝͝ ̷̷̕͏̵̴̀͟͡͝͞͏͘m̴̵͜è̸̵̛́̕͢͞͏̶̸̸̡̀̀͡.͏̷̡̡̧̢̀͘͢͝͏̢͞"
Like before, another screen appeared before her. I couldn't tell what it said, but once again, I felt like she was smiling.
Even though the other kids left her alone, she didn't give off the impression that she was lonely.
Lines of code started creeping into the vision, and quickly, the drizzling rain, the sounds of the children playing and even the motions of the little girl's swaying hair began to gradually distort.
The sound of a notification arrived once again. And the little girl took her time in reading it.
" Yó̧̧͏̸͏͘͜ų̸̵̸͘͜ ̵̷̸́͡d̵̴̨̨̛́́͞͡͡o͢͏̡̕ń̴̢̢̢̀͘͘͞͡͝͠͞'̸̷̴̵̡̢́͘͢͢͝t ̡ņ̨̕͢͡ę̵̵̧̧̕̕͘͢͞͝ȩ̴́͘͏̸̡̢d ̷̷̷̨̡͘͟͜͝t̵̢o͏̛͘͞"
The malware ate away at the vision, and the coding rapidly climbed up my arm. Engulfing me and dragging me back into the darkness as the malware consumed the vision.
…
It was a struggle to open my eyes afterwards, but it was welcome when the nightly sky was the first thing I saw when I came to.
You've rested on a rough sheet of iron. 17.8% HP and MP has been restored.
My health was already full, so I didn't pay attention to the notification.
The surprise came afterward.
Proficiency Level in Skill [Gamer's Mind] has been increased.
Ability [Enemy Radar] has been added to Skill [System Analysis]
The entire area seemed a lot more clearer than the time I first got into the transport.
Even as we pass on slowly, I can now make out the shape of frost glands in the snow that pelted the forest and the snowflakes that fell from the dark sky.
As I looked around, I noticed that most of the slaves decided to take a page from my book and rest while they can. Some of them stayed away, like Faceman. And just watched the snow fall.
The rat's eyes looked a bit droopy, he probably was asleep earlier and something woke him up earlier than me.
Everything still was silent and tranquil, right up until I heard the sound of something snapping within the distant forest.
It could have been a white stag or some kind of deer. But my intuition was telling me otherwise.
Faceman was also staring curiously in the same direction I was looking. And together, we heard small occuring footsteps amongst the deep snow.
Many slow, small footsteps. Not only in the forest I was looking at but hiding amongst the large birch trees all around us.
Then at once, everything went silent.
Small bending sounds were made on the iron sheet, Faceman's entire body was shaking whilst holding into the primitive railing. He wore a confident smile, but the vigorous amount of sweat that poured down his scalp betrayed the terror that was seeping through his skin.
"Oh no." Faceman muttered.
I didn't have time to question what Faceman meant by that before I saw a black figure sprint out the forest at blinding speed and felt it slam against the cart.
The entire cage shook at the impact, but remained on its wheels as the mechanical horses that drew it as well as the sedan in front, sped up as fast as they could.
Many more black figures sprinted out the forest and hit against the cart, some of them missed and instead rapidly tailed the speeding cart.
Some of them were able to hang onto the railing and the moment the entity reached out into the cart and bit into the flesh of a poor slave I caught a glimpse of it's true features.
They were in the shape of wolves, but their fur was so dark that I couldn't make out any accurate features without looking closely.
Their most distinguished feature was the bone-like mask that donned their snout, eyes and most parts of their face and teeth.
The crimson streaks and burning eyes of the assailant flashed as it's teeth dug into the slaves neck and ripped out a chunk of her flesh before disappearing into the night.
Slaves began to scream in panic as the poor woman fell out the cart while hugging her bleeding wound and got stuck in the deep snow.
Her painful last shrieks were heard as the slaves watched her get ruthlessly torn apart and eaten by the black wolves that tailed the cart.
My eyes narrowed. "What are those things?"
"Grimm."
I turned to Faceman. He clearly got the message as he nodded and despite his body shaking, he started talking.
"Beings of darkness that are spawned from the negativity of living things. As such, they are drawn to them like beasts."
The Grimm slammed into the cart again. "No one knows why they attack, but the thing is that they are extremely dangerous!"
A black claw slammed into the iron sheet near to where I was sleeping and bent it. I quickly darted toward the claw and pried it off the metal.
The Grimm fell into the snow where it's mask was painfully crushed by one of the rapidly spinning wheels of the cart.
3,524 Exp
Your Level has increased.
"Tell me something I don't know!" I briskly yelled at Faceman.
"There are different types of Grimm, the one attacking us right now is called a Beowolf!" Faceman yelled back as he ducked underneath one of the furry arms trying to reach him.
So they are called Beowolfs then? "Do they have any characteristics that set them apart from other Grimm?"
"They do. Despite how they are made, some of them mimic the physiology of animals they represent. On top of being able to sense negativity, the beowolfs can also lock onto and track your scent!" Faceman answered.
I looked over the railing and saw two beowolfs sprinting alongside the cart. "They're fast too." I muttered.
One of them launched at me and before falling and getting run over by the cart like the earlier one, it managed to scratch me around my chest.
-352 HP
It nicked me pretty good, it hadn't managed to make me bleed but that was the least of my problems.
BOOM!
When the cart ran over the beowolf and shattered it's mask, fragments of it managed to puncture a wheel of the cart.
The whole frame started shaking as the cart began to slow down.
The cart itself was living on borrowed time. Before I could make any kind of plan to get off the constantly slowing transport, I spotted the vestige of a Beowolf for only a single moment before it slammed against the frame and the entire cart was driven towards a tree.
-7,589 HP
I heard the rapid metallic clicks of the mechanical horses speeding into the distance before my head smashed into a tree and my world went dark.
Klein
Looking to the left and right of the rapidly speeding sedan, Klein furiously tapped on black tablet, which sped through tens of hundreds of files that all began to turn red, then grey off.
He grimaced. They really shouldn't have stayed for as long as they did. So many of the slaves were getting killed.
At this rate, they'll only turn up with half of the slaves they've received from the dust mine.
What's worse is that Weiss remained in the mineshafts. To block entrance into the 50th vein.
Amongst the many Grimm that are no doubt getting slaughtered by her. Weiss could take care of herself just fine, but she wasn't one for bad news after she escapes from a situation like this.
"Sir!" The driver yelled as he furiously spun the wheel and swerved through the numerous trees.
"What is it?" Klein yelled back.
"One of the transports has derailed!" The driver said while looking at the rear view mirror.
"What!?"
Klein slightly raised from his seat and glanced through the window suspended above the back seat.
Sure enough, the cart that was tailing the sedan earlier is no where to be seen. Except for the mechanical horses that continued galloping past the car. Metal binds slashed with the only remnant of the transports being a bloody hand that still held onto the horses reigns, but was obviously torn off by Grimm.
Klein's eyes froze open, as he turned from the rear window to the windshield. "Make way to the Schnee Manor."
"But sir…?"
"We need to regroup with the overseers at the Manor. Lead a larger force to deal with the ambush in the forest before the Grimm make way to the plantation."
Klein turned to the driver, seemingly talking to himself as the driver kept frantically swerving around frozen trees. "We bring a larger force, and subjugate the smaller groups of Grimm assembling in the forest one by one."
"They've been rumors of a larger force, but the team will not engage until we get the affirmation of her participation. Until then, we just need to hold on." Klein said as he closed his tablet.
Arhen
The biting chill of frost glands were the first thing I felt the moment I came to.
Moving around still felt a bit sluggish. And my eyes felt a bit blurry as something oozed down a wound from my forehead.
The cart itself drove into a tree. With how thin these birch trees were, it was easy for them to snap and hold the downed cart in place.
In any way, I wasn't trapped beneath the cart, but crawling out was a challenge as there was a small gap of sheet metal I could crawl through.
But as I grew closer to the gap, I could hear footsteps crunching against frost.
I grabbed my knife, and manifested whatever strength I had remaining to pry open the gap in the sheet metal a little more.
STR Check l Req: 22 l Current: 24 l PASSED
In a slow, long creak. Part of the metal bent over. It was a small piece, but was good enough for me to force my body through.
It was only when I reached midway did I notice that the cart was suspended by the branches of a stronger birch tree. None of the wood pierced through the sheet metal, and it seemed I was the only one who was still in the cart.
I'd compare the fall from up in the cart to the ground to about half a storey.
Good enough.
I pushed myself off the gap in the cart and began a short but speedy fall face-first onto the snow.
My stomach hurt a bit, but I didn't receive damage. Thanks to the snow for cushioning my fall.
First, I took in the sight of the whole area. The accident didn't happen for very long, it was still very much in the night, and the sky was still a murky dark gray.
Many patches of blood were spread across the small site of the crash, with the some of the beowolfs already mauling on some poor unfortunate souls that were caught off guard.
The sound of crunching snow filled my left ear, and as soon as I could connect it with a figure, I found a Beowolf staring at me through its bone-like mask.
Slowly prowling around me with a consealed growl as it's crimson eyes shot daggers towards my throat.
As I stared back at it, rising from the snow slowly as I felt for my knife and grabbed hold of it at around my thigh.
My eyes darted to the left, and the Beowolf instantly pounced with a heavy snarl.
Before it's claws could even reach me, I drove my knife right through it's mask.
3,324 Exp
Your Level has increased.
As it's mask shattered and the Grimm dissapeared into the icy wind, I quickly inspected the flimsy knife and was disappointed when I found the blade bent at the seams.
[Flimsy Dividing Knife]
Durability: 4/20
ATK: 23 (9% DEX)
Description: A rather sturdy knife with it's blade being rather weak unless the pommel is held with a surprisingly tight grip. It's fairly light and is able to deliver quick slashes and attacks.
It's strong enough to pierce skin and cut flesh, but only if wielded with force. Damage scales with each 3 stat points over REQ in Dexterity.
This weapon has been damaged through repeated impact, and is currently one slash away from breaking.
Req: STR l 9 DEX l 12
So the knife only has one use left before it breaks. Then that rules out trying to brave the forest and escape.
If these Grimm are hiding in the forest like other wild animals, then a flimsy knife that's about to snap isn't going to be much help.
None of the other Grimm are looking at me at the moment. Focusing on their own meals.
I looked at the deep tracks in the snow, then up in the sky. I could still see the eclipsing monoliths of rusted machines in the distance.
We didn't seem to be that far away from the mines yet.
Quest received.
[Gold Quest: Sudden Ambush!]
Description: Finally moving away from the mine and en route to the Schnee Plantation around the Family Manor.
On the path towards the Manor, the negativity of the slaves in the transport enhanced by the lingering Aura of Weiss Schnee, has attracted the Grimm and have now ambushed the transport!
Ensure that you survive the attack.
Clear Conditions:
[Survive the Ambush and Reach Dust Mine 53]
[...]
Rewards: 6500 Exp, 12 Stat Points, Increased Proficiency in [Gamer's Body, Ability [Power Stance]
Well now. The objective has clearly been set.
And it makes sense. If I choose to fight the Grimm here, my death is all but assured. My only weapon is close to breaking and the snowfall makes any kind of precise vision a nightmare.
Fighting them in the mine gives me a slight advantage, as I already have a map of all the tunnels and shafts active with all hostile entities now being able to be displayed thanks to my increased level in Gamer's Mind.
Instead of diving straight into a sprint, I opted to slowly creep away from the crash site to avoid attracting attention with the little crunches my feet made amongst snow. Activating [Presence Consealment] just to ensure that I stay stealthy.
I found Faceman leaning against a tree just a ways away from the cart. Continuing my slow stride, I laid soft but firm strikes against his scalp.
Her groggily opened his eyes and before he could speak I smacked my hand against his mouth and pointed to the Grimm just ahead of him.
He gave a nod, then slowly stood up as I let my hand fall away from his mouth.
I motioned outwards into the trees, and like always he followed obediently. Slowly picking up speed as the crash site grew further and further away.
Eventually we couldn't see them anymore. But Faceman decided to break the ice despite me trying to be cautious.
"Aren't we going the wrong way?" He asked.
"This isn't the time for stupid questions Faceman."
I continued my stride back towards the mine, using my sight to note the deep tracks the cart made in the snow.
However, after a while. Only my own footsteps were heard stomping against the frost. I stopped and took a glance behind me. Faceman stood still, staring at his arms then fiddling with the barcode on his nape before staring back at me.
"The barcode isn't working. No overseer is near enough to manifest the chains. And that head slave just witnessed our transport derailing. When they come back, won't they think that all the slaves got eaten? And if so…" Faceman started.
"If so...what?"
"Isn't this the best chance to escape?" He asked.
He brought up a good point. Even if Weiss and her head servant would still know that were alive thanks to the tablet that scans barcodes, they wouldn't be able to do anything if we make it past the Atlas border.
However there are two glaring problems with that idea. One of them being the fact that unless I repair [System Scan] I'll be next to useless in new terrain.
I also don't have much gear to defend myself with, because escaping to another continent promised different and potentially, stronger, variants of the Grimm that just attacked now.
And that wasn't even the most immediate issue.
I also have concerns as to how long we can survive in the icy forest at night. The same one we were ambushed in.
My [System Analysis] won't work here because I don't have map data of the Solitas region. So I can't even plan out a safe way to the border, or have any way of defending myself if the Grimm that attacked us was just one small portion of those that dwelled in this very forest.
However. Despite the cons, I'm not able to classify taking the chance to escape as 'bad' idea. Hell, it even is one of the more logical ideas.
I turned to Faceman giving me a rather serious look. He could tell that I considered what he had said. By all accounts, it wasn't a bad plan. It might even be a good one.
But its not one that I would choose in this situation.
I've already died once. And I'm stuck with this malware that ate away my backlog data because of it.
By all rights, I shouldn't even exist.
But I do. And I'm willing to bet that this is going to be the only time that the malware is able to cheat the system like this.
I'm not taking any chances.
"You have a point. But there is a chance that those Grimm are still out there. And we haven't the means to defend ourselves nor tell left from right in this type of terrain." I explained.
"But you have no basis as to whether the beowolfs can track this distance." Faceman responded.
My eyes narrowed. He took that as his chance to elaborate.
"Lots of blood was spilled on the crash site. Blood itself produces a pungent odor especially when a lot of it has been spilled. To the beowolfs with sensitive nasal glands, their picking up two conflicting scents. Our body odor and that of the blood, In which given the distance, the scent from our body odor is being overpowered by that of blood." Faceman explained.
His theory would explain why I was able to get away from the pack so easily.
[Presence Consealment] would've muffled my footsteps against the snow. But they should have been able to smell me.
My thoughts were disturbed when I heard a twig break and my head snapped towards the dark trees behind Faceman.
The forest was dark, so the only thing Faceman could see amounted to that of silhouettes.
And thus had no idea that a Beowolf was crouching in the snow just behind him.
He must've felt the bloodlust. His rugged voice was swiftly killed by the silence the Grimms menacing aura had brought.
I heard another crunch against snow. Then a second twig snap under a furry footstep. I count three in total.
The other two were staying back, hidden behind the silhouette shadows of the trees in the distance. The only thing giving me any sort of premise were the crimson shine of their bone masks.
"Don't make a sound." Slowly, I reached into my waist and pulled out my knife.
"And don't even think of moving."
Faceman remained obediently still.
"You can feel them, can't you? I count at least three. The other two are backing up the one about to pounce on you."
The moment Faceman moves to look behind him is the moment they'll strike. I can't get near him without the other two getting me.
And we obviously can't outrun them either.
I have to create an opportunity in which the other beowolfs are delayed for us to get a headstart and dash towards the mine. Using the trees for cover and breaking aggression.
It was a risky plan, much riskier than trying to escape to the border.
It definitely wasn't a idea that I'd follow through were we in different situations.
In layman's terms. It was stupid.
"Look behind you." I commanded.
Faceman froze, then slowly creaked his head towards the black forest behind him.
Without a moments hesitation, the Beowolf's eyes gleamed with murderous intent as it made a leaping lunge towards Faceman's neck.
The moment it leaped, I dashed towards him and pulled Faceman away from the Grimm.
It was as though the scene had occured in slow motion, with the Grimm now lunging towards me alongside the two beowolfs at its left and right, furiously sprinting towards my flanks.
My flimsy knife in reverse grip, slowly making its way towards the Grimms mask, then just as slowly, the blade began to burrow inside midway before snapping off the handle.
It lost it's aerial balance and tumbled towards the snow, a painful howl sounding through the forest.
Without even checking to see if it was dead or alive, I turned on my heel and started running.
Raising my knees in big strides chipped away entire chunks of my stamina, but better that than being slowed down by the resistance of the deep snow.
The area was blanketed with snow fall, so I wasn't able to see the cart tracks leading to the mine anymore.
But I was using the machines that towered over the forest as a landmark. The mine was in the general northeast of the forest.
I found myself slightly relieved that I turned back for a moment and found only one beowolf chasing me. And rapidly catching up.
Faceman tailed behind, seemingly out of breath.
Through the act of sprinting in freezing Climates. Your [Dexterity] and [Constitution] have increased.
Suddenly, I got a little faster. And found it even simple to sidestep the Grimm.
The other two began to catch up to the one chasing me, though the injured one was rapidly slowing down.
The trees suddenly vanished, and once again, the tattered wooden entrance to the mine was in my sight.
I dug into my pocket and pulled out the master key while running. Slowing down just enough for it not to be a hassle getting the door open.
Faceman rushed inside with the Grimm hot on his tail. I forcefully swung the door wider and used it to knock-back the tailgating Beowolf from the entrance.
As soon as I got inside, I locked the door and kept on running. The holographic map appearing within my line of sight once again, and showing the countless red dots that were crowding the entrance.
"Don't stop!" I yelled while tapping Faceman on the shoulder.
"But aren't we safe in the mine now?!" Faceman retorted, while chasing after me.
"Trust me, that flimsy thing won't last very long."
The moment those words left my mouth, I picked up a huge snap sounding from the entrance.
One of the Grimms claws have managed to break through the door to the entrance, and is swinging wildly trying to grab onto anything nearby.
Then a second one smashed through, following the same motion as the first.
Then a third. And finally a fourth.
I turned on my heel and made a speedy dash across the hub area and the holding cells towards each wing, heading straight to the mineshafts.
Soon I heard a huge crash and suddenly one of the dots on the map dissapeared.
3,601 Exp
Your Level has increased.
It must have been the one Grimm that was injured by my blade. The force from breaking the door must've been enough to shatter the weakened mask.
The other beowolfs charged, uncaring of their fallen companion, straight towards me and Faceman.
The level up made my Dexterity reach a new level. I was almost as fast as the Grimm that were chasing me now. It made dashing to the gate and shutting it in front of them significantly easier.
We continued jogging until we couldn't hear their snarls anymore. Then finally, we stopped to catch our breath.
Faceman raised his hand to speak before letting it fall, too tired to commune anything without straining his lungs further.
I was in a similar state, but it was quicker for me to raise myself on my feet. My endurance no doubt was leagues better than Faceman.
"The Grimm won't be able to track us this deep into the shafts. The heat will cloud all of their senses." I said, looking back at the path to the gate.
"Yeah. But what do we do now? We obviously can't go back with all of those Grimm at the entrance." Faceman commented.
My eyes narrowed at the map. The red dots that signifies hostile entities were spread along the cell blocks. And like Faceman said, most of them were crowding the gate we just shut out.
While we were on the transport, Faceman mentioned that his sister was one of the victims of a homicide that occured in the ore veins between the 30th and 50th ore veins.
That suggests that the holographic map I have displayed, doesn't reveal the entire tunnel system of the mine. And that this actually goes a lot deeper.
While I was mining in the 36th vein, I took notice of the the machines that were there. And the machines that I spotted while outside. There were abandoned and long rusted. Most probably due to the snow constantly forming and melting on their figure for numerous years.
This aroused a question.
Why would the Schnee's need miners like me and Faceman if they had machines like those, so obviously meant for the purpose of open shaft mining?
It's simple. The Schnee's did once attempt to initiate an open shaft mining system. However, the same entity that has been causing the homicides was also the entity that managed to destroy the machines.
That's when the Schnee's started using the method of deep level mining to kill two birds with one stone.
The slaves that are forced to work here continue the operations of the Schnee Dust Company buy providing raw dust for refinement.
While also serving their purpose as Cannon fodder for the entity that destroyed the machines.
If Weiss Schnee is the owner of this mine, and knew of this, then she's more dangerous than she seems.
I would most likely encounter her while I'm heading deeper into the veins. She's unlikely to be as cordial as she was last time, so I would rather be prepared before I head deeper into the mine.
Faceman had spent longer in the mine than me, so after he took a short break I told him to take me to one of the Overseers Outposts at the end of each tunnel.
"What is this for?" He asked.
"We are not able to go back the way we came, right? Then the only way out is further in." I answered, walking up the wooden staircase right to a small hut.
"Further in? You do know what you're saying, right?"
"Don't patronize me." I warned.
"And what if you run into the little mistress again? You haven't exactly come up with a plan to deal with her yet." Faceman questioned, curving his one eyebrow.
"If that does happen, then I will deal with her."
Faceman stomped the ground, frustratingly. "That's what I'm saying! How?! How are you going to do it?!" He yelled.
For a moment, I turned away and glared at him. "Use your inside voice. You're making me lose focus."
He furrowed his eyebrows at my retort. And I don't know if it was the terror behind the thought of the Grimm finding us because of his shout, or if he remembered exactly what I was capable of, but he complied. Staying silent and watching me.
I could still see his frustrated and confused glance. I was unbothered by it, because it was justified. And by all rights, I would have done worse in his position.
I sighed and unlocked the door with the master key.
"You're right. I don't have a plan to deal with Weiss. And if we encounter her while we're down deep in the mine, I wouldn't have any way of avoiding a fight with her."
"But it's not like we have a choice. While I was down there, I spotted the remains of what seemed to be an open shaft mine." I started. Walking through the door and into the outpost.
Inside, there was a small desk with a radio and a map of the tunnels on it, alongside a chair with a small woven bag sitting on it.
Grabbing the small bag, I turned around and was met with a weapons rack suspended on a wall.
"Those machines we saw while we're outside?" Faceman questioned, following me inside the hut.
"Yes. My theory is that they were created long before you got here. And something down here managed to destroy the quarry that made the mine."
I started walking towards the weapons rack, and what produced a short gleam in my eyes was a slim sword resting on the stand, beside a leather holster and a short dagger.
"If the machines are still there, then there's a good chance that the remnants of the quarry, and the hole that it made to the surface are there as well." I said.
I took hold of the sword hilt and held it to my face to examine it. The blade was in very good condition, more so than the leather holster itself.
It was sharp as through it has never been used and was much heavier than the knife.
The blade wasn't as thick as the ones the overseers were carrying, it was long and slim like a rapier yet broad like a short sword.
[Straight Sword]
Durability: 100/100
ATK: 80 (3% STR)
Description: A well-made double edged straight sword designed for military use. The blade has been made with an alloy that is strong against cold and prevents rust at the cost of it being less strong than the common sword but sturdy enough to be a good choice if your back is against the corner.
The sword itself is a bit dusty, but in extremely good condition. It doesn't seem to have even been used. It is also light but strong, allowing good attack with minimal requirements to wield.
Damage scales with each 3 stat points over REQ in Strength.
Req: STR l 22 DEX l 17
I wore the holster over my back and latched it to my waist.
I gripped the straight sword and gave it a few swings until I could feel the familiar weight of a sword in my hand. Only then did I slide it into the holster.
"We might be able to get out of the mine if we head down there. Whether or not we escape to the border is a matter of what the situation will be like when we reach the 50th vein." I said.
Once again, before leaving the outpost, I checked the map and found multiple red dots moving across the lower veins. But significantly less than the ones outside.
I turned to Faceman who was fiddling around at the weapon rack. "Choose one that's light and fast to attack with. We might need the speed if the situation gets too dicey."
Quest updated.
[Gold Quest: Sudden Ambush!]
Description: Finally moving away from the mine and en route to the Schnee Plantation around the Family Manor.
On the path towards the Manor, the negativity of the slaves in the transport enhanced by the lingering Aura of Weiss Schnee, has attracted the Grimm and have now ambushed the transport!
Ensure that you survive the attack.
Clear Conditions:
[Survive the Ambush and Reach Dust Mine 53] ]
[Fight your way to the 50th Ore Vein!]
Rewards: 6500 Exp, 12 Stat Points, Increased Proficiency in [Gamer's Body, Ability [Power Stance]
As soon as I saw the update, I leapt out of the the outpost. Holding the sword on my waist was I landed.
Then I began a steady walk down the mineshaft that I was so familiar with. Looking past the numerous cave-ins and even the tunnel where that dog-worker blew up in.
The reality sunk in that the entity that destroyed those machines could still be lurking somewhere deep inside the lower shafts of the mine.
Weiss is down there, and she would be fighting it if she ever encountered it. The fact that I can't hear a thing except for light scraped against stone coming from the tunnel below me leaves me a bit relaxed but also tense.
The situation isn't going to solve itself this time.
Then I can only hold onto my sword and hope for the best.
Weiss
The first thing she thought as she stepped onto the hollow and empty ground of the 50th vein was that it was dark.
Devoid of any light except the natural glow of the moonlight, shining through the gigantic hole to the surface of where the quarry once stood.
She then spotted the machines that suspended to the surface. Broken elevators and metal foundations. Although galvanized, still are capable of reflecting the moon's glow on the damaged parts.
Thus the shaft didn't seem as dark as she expected. From here, Weiss could see the snowy clouds part away from the full moon, and some of them making a return trip.
It will be clear for only but a moment, but snow will start to fall once again.
There were many more of those Grimm on her way over here. Some of them she had even left behind because they were limping in some way like the first beowolf she encountered.
Her tablet that continued to buzz around in her pocket alerted some to her presence, but they were easy to deal with. Although they seemed to be getting stronger the closer she had gotten to this vein.
Now that she was finally here, she had a mind to pull out the tablet to see what the trouble is about. But soon, she placed it back inside her pocket.
She could hear them beginning to pop up again. Hiding behind the machines.
Weiss simply rolled the chamber on her gun, then pulled out her rapier.
And at that moment. Every entity hiding in the shadows, pounced.
Arhen
I could make out the numerous dark visages of the beowolfs all facing towards the broken elevator the moment it came to a screeching halt down in the 36th ore vein.
I watched my footing across the hole that was made, and was the first to step out when we finally landed. Faceman followed, clenching a knife at his side with confidence, yet still his palm still sweat hard against the handle.
I've been down here a total of three times, counting my present situation.
And each time, I have noticed some major changes to the vein.
The tunnel in which I buried Jaxter in is still trapped by rock. But the crying woman is still there as a fresh corpse.
Face down, ass up. With yellowish stains on the floor, her thighs and even her pussy. And dried blood stains covering up the rest.
I turned away from the sight and continued past the 36th ore vein and past the first group of rusted machines.
"Don't look left. You'll attract the Grimm if you vomit." I warned.
He obviously didn't listen. Even while following me at such a distance, I could hear Faceman about to hurl. But thankfully I didn't hear anything spill on the ground.
He must've held in his disgust. Commendable.
"It's exactly who you're thinking of."
"Jesus. I don't even recognize her." Faceman commented, speeding up his walk.
"As no one should." I looked back at the tunnel she was lying in. Then looked back into the path I was traveling on.
The tunnel before me was dark and only had light at the very end. It was hard to navigate, I even ended up stubbing my toe against one of those large bags of dust ores while traveling.
I fished out the fire ores and placed them into the small bag I tied around my waist. Just in case I needed explosives of any kind.
The moment I entered the tunnel, I traversed past the blue area of my map. And once again,I encountered a Beowolf nearby.
This time, it didn't even wait for a single moment. Charging at me as soon as it caught a glimpse.
I lowered my body and slowly drew out my straight sword from the holster. Holding out the tip straight to the oncoming Grimm.
As it jumped, I stabbed right through the beowolfs midsection.
But to my surprise, it wasn't harmed in any way and just kept frantically swiping it's claws towards me as I held it in the air.
The blade was heavier, but I waved the sword to the side and threw the Grimm of my blade.
It landed straight on its feet and glared at me with a snarl. Unharmed from my attack.
I narrowed my eyes as it charged at me again, and this time, aimed my sword at its bone-like mask.
My sword swung and arc and smoothly cut straight across the mask, and split it apart with minimal effort.
Like the others, it let out a deep roar as it dissapeared like mist into the darkness of the tunnel.
3,878 Exp
Ability [Sword Proficiency] has been added.
Looking at the ability, I brandished a small sigh. Then took a look at my hand holding the sword.
It was one of the abilities that displayed, but didn't actually dictate my experience wielding weapons.
Even now, I remember the blade I was holding while fighting Lucille. And as I do, the more vivid the memories become…
I find my muscles twitching, sometimes feeling instinctively familiar with the way I was fighting.
Is this what most gamer's call 'muscle memory?'
I may not be the same entity I once was, and I may have lost all my previous Proficiency, but my body still remembers.
What it was like, fighting at my maximum Proficiency.
It's like no longer remembering the theory behind something, but still remembering what it looks and feels like.
That's why I'm not particularly worried about this ability. This will probably be my highest ability by the time I reach the 50th vein given by how many Grimm there are beneath me.
Speaking of.
"We should keep moving." I said, walking through the dark tunnel and straight into the elevator.
Unlike the ones above ground or even in the other veins, this one was surprisingly well made. With mesh gates and a rusted metallic chassis.
With how loud the elevator was screeching on its way down, there was no possible way that the Grimm didn't hear us.
I was now well beyond the area that the map data accommodated for. And although I had the constitution to resist getting heat stroke this time, it didn't stop me form feeling how hot the air was.
It made the entire tunnel stink with that sickly sweet stench prevalent in our very own dead overseer and Half-orc.
The smell of rotting corpses.
The area itself was also far different than what I expected, it seemed to be another cell block. But it was bloody and had some significantly less lighting than ours above the ore veins.
Some of the metal behind the cages were rusted in every cell we came across. Some were even open, boldly displaying the remains of the numerous poor slaves who were subjected to this massacre.
This was where the homicides occured.
That's what my mind was telling me, judging from the mess, and the heavy shivers I could hear from Faceman behind me.
I didn't dare question him as to where inside this place did he find the corpse of his little sister.
Nor it was my place to, uncaring as I was.
Didn't really have the time either, to be indulging in such a topic. With the dozens of Grimm lurking around this area, and the one that was charging straight at me.
My sword instinctively drove straight across the Grimms entire body in a wide arc.
I was having an easy time cutting them down because of the built up momentum from their reckless charge.
The beowolf dissapeared into the air before it's bisected mask fell to the ground. Masterfully split in two.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
Proficiency Level in Ability [Sword Proficiency] has been increased.
The other Grimm in the cell block heard me kill their comrade. Despite not being able to see paths on my map, I could see the red dots slowly moving towards my position.
Plus...
I looked at Faceman. "You know how to use different types of dust right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"There's some bags at the 36th vein. The machines may not be as large as the ones we've seen outside but the dust will make a difference." I muttered, looking at the red dots again.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Go back to the 36th vein. Use the dust to figure out a way to escape." I said, turning around and staring at him.
He flinched for a bit, before turning a bit pale. Then reluctantly turning to the cage elevator.
He turned back. "You have a plan right?" He asked.
"What do you take me for? A good Samaritan?"
I swear I could've seen him smile a bit before raising the elevator up and leaving me in silence.
For a moment, he wanted to refuse. But then he felt the same thing I did and remembered that he wasn't a idiot.
Something is watching me.
Waiting for me in the darkness and oppressive atmosphere of the lost cell block.
Don't get me wrong. I wasn't stupid either, despite wanting to be left behind in this block.
If Faceman's sister was murdered in this cell block, then this is obviously the 40th to 45th vein. Despite no ore veins being visible in the cell block.
That means that Weiss is somewhere below. In the 50th vein.
Fighting while protecting someone who's most likely going to get one-shotted by the miss and her revolver isn't something I would like to experience as weak as I am. Where I, too, stand an equal chance of being killed by her.
So me sending Faceman back to escape without me, isn't as stupid or heroic as what it may seem, it's just me preparing for a fight.
While also being a generous employer who gives rewards for good work. Faceman has served me well as my second brain.
I think, that he also knew that. What sending him away meant.
Well. The Grimm on this cell block is also my way of preparing or my encounter with her in the 50th ore vein.
But killing them was getting quite a bit hard. Not only did they get a bit stronger the deeper I went, but there were also more of them. I count at least three that surrounded me, while I remained enclosed in a small area like a cell block.
As I speak, one of them rammed hard into my stomach while the other bit into my shoulder.
-480 HP
-1,530 HP
I heard in an instinctual yell of pain as I pried away the beowolf that bit into my shoulder, tossed it over my back and stabbed down into it's mask.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
I quickly kicked the Grimm that rammed me away and took a moment to examine where the other Grimm bit me.
My shoulder was bleeding, but not a lot. Thankfully it didn't rip anything away before I tossed it to the ground.
The Grimm that was just kicked skittered on the ground while the other was rushing my way just the same as the ones before.
And with a wide swing to the mask the moment it leaped, it was cut down just like the rest.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
The last one growled and began creeping around me. I never let my eyes leave the Grimms, lest it takes the chance to bite my other shoulder.
Soon it stood still as it growled and began crouching. It was then did I notice the black shapes that made out it's claws.
I prepared my sword and lowered my body, waiting for it's attack.
The beowolf then dashed and made a leaping lunge towards my head, I ducked and swung my sword upward which only seemed to strike against it's body.
As it quickly began to turn to face me, I stabbed my sword right through it's body and managed to pierce it's mask through.
4,155 Exp.
Your Proficiency Level in Ability [Sword Proficiency] has increased.
By now, all the dots that appeared for this area had been cleared. And the path to the elevator that would lead to the 50th vein was clear.
I leaned against a rusted cage in order to get a moments rest, careful as to not ignite the fire dust in my bag.
I took this moment to inspect the gear I had. The leather holster needed to be repaired as it was getting damaged by the sword slashing against it's threads each time I slid it inside.
The straight sword itself held up brilliantly despite cutting through bone. Although the bone in the masks was rather thin.
I raised myself to my feet and dusted off some if the dirt and blood stains before walking towards the elevator, thankful to the moment I took to rest and inspect my gear.
The elevator was the exact as the one that took me into this cell block, except that this one was substantially more bloody than the previous one, although it dried out.
The faint metallic stench worsened as I stepped inside and pressed the button to take me lower into the 50th vein.
It descended down a long passageway of rock, longer than that of any other tunnel before. With the heat just barely rising to the point in which I could feel it again.
Finally, with a large metallic click, it stopped.
Quest Completed.
[Gold Quest: Sudden Ambush!]
Description: Finally moving away from the mine and en route to the Schnee Plantation around the Family Manor.
On the path towards the Manor, the negativity of the slaves in the transport enhanced by the lingering Aura of Weiss Schnee, has attracted the Grimm and have now ambushed the transport!
Ensure that you survive the attack.
Clear Conditions:
[Survive the Ambush and Reach Dust Mine 53] ]
[Fight your way to the 50th Ore Vein!] ]
Rewards: 6500 Exp, 12 Stat Points, Increased Proficiency in [Gamer's Body, Ability [Power Stance]
Once again, just like last time. My entire body started stinging. It was worse with the bite in the shoulder, but I bit my tongue.
Somehow, the pain was far worse this time. When I looked back at the wound, I saw it gradually starting to heal.
Stat Points Received.
Your Level has increased.
Your Proficiency Level in Skill [Gamer's Body] has increased.
Skill [Gamer's Body] has met the required Proficiency Level.
[HP Regen] has been added.
[MP Regen] has been added.
Ability [Recarmda] has been added.
Skill [Fatal End] has been added.
Ability [Power Stance] has been added.
I took a moment in the elevator to recover, before walking into the 50th ore vein.
The first thing I noticed were the gigantic monoliths suspending towards the surface. Then I noticed the surface itself, it was snowing through the massive hole through what I assumed remained from the quarry.
Weiss was no where in my sight, but she made herself known right as I heard the chamber of her gun spinning, then the stinging feeling that shot through my head like lightning, that she was holding it right to my head.
Quest Received.
[Platinum Quest: The Winter Knight]
Description: Down in the depths of the mine that once imprisoned you, you have fought tooth and nail to reach the deepest level of the Mine. Only to encounter the one who put you in chains, down in this very same level.
The perfect chance to get rid of one who at some point you feared presents itself.
Clear Conditions
[Defeat Weiss Schnee]
Rewards: 34,000 Exp, 20 Stat Points, Skill [Cryomancy, Ability [Heart of Winter, B23 Control Module.
I racked up my brain for any other idea to get away from her without it resolving into a fight that I won't be able to win.
With her up close like this, I can feel the amount of power she's keeping hidden away.
It wasn't as overbearing or overpowering as Lucille's, but it was enough to make me reconsider fighting her.
I needed to deal with her some other way. Because I would need time that I don't have to be able to challenge her upfront and not get one-shotted like a NPC.
"Why are you here?" She started.
I stayed silent as her footsteps echoed across the desolate arena-like area.
I felt the chill of cold sliver press against my cerebellum. And the familiar breathlessness of the azure chains binding my throat.
"Speak." She commanded.
"The transport was destroyed."
"And so in your infinite knowledge, you decide to come here. Back to this mine, with a weapon in hand?" Weiss questioned sarcastically.
"What else was I supposed to defend myself with?" I retorted, managing to turn my head around to look her in the eye.
I remembered the conversation I had with Faceman on the transport and something clicked.
The idea I had was far more stupid than the one I had in the forest, and has an even lesser chance of working out the way I wish to.
But one part of me that shall never be brought to light considered the possibility a tad bit entertaining.
Creating situations I can exploit rather than just waiting for everything to work out itself sounded very entertaining.
I shifted the band on my neck against my collarbone just enough to reopen the bite wound. It hurt quite a lot, but blood started oozing down my shoulder the longer I held the neck bind in place.
Soon enough, I heard a growl. And as I looked at the map, the area was completely blacked out. But I could still see the dozens of red dots surrounding this arena-like tunnel.
The Grimm appeared in the shadows, the entrance, hopped down from the surface and clung to the machines. Some of them hid behind them, and others were stalking the two of us.
There were some normal ones, slightly bigger ones, and even a Beowolf that was very big compared to the others that surrounded us.
Her left eyebrow raised up as I felt her eyes loom over me, Then scan the entire area of Grimm before letting the azure chain disappear.
"Go."
She unsheathed her silver rapier and stared at the numerous Grimm making their way towards her.
Instinctively, as they closed in on her she took a step back. And continued until her back softly hit against mine as I too stepped back from the Grimm that surrounded me.
As she looked back at me, I could see her eyes widen in sheer surprise and puzzlement before continuing to stare at me before finally relenting and facing her own crowd of Grimm, positioning herself in a fighting stance.
I stared back at my own crowd, unsheathing my straight sword and preparing to fight. It was against my nature to help those that planned to kill me, but also against my logic to turn away free Exp.
For the time being, I'll be this mistresses parasite. And all I have to do was cover her back.
Quest Updated.
[Character Quest: The Loneliest of All]
Description: Down in the depths of the mine that once imprisoned you, you have fought tooth and nail to reach the deepest level of the Mine. Only to encounter the one who put you in chains, down in this very same level.
The perfect chance to get rid of one who at some point you feared, presents itself.
However, you rejected that notion by allowing the Grimm to track your position. And when presented with a chance to escape, you instead stayed with your captor.
She has reluctantly trusted her back to you, as there is no one else in the vicinity.
Ensure that you and your partner survive the attack.
Clear Conditions.
[Team up with Weiss Schnee and Defeat the Grimm!]
Rewards: 10,000 Exp, Ability [Character Matrix, Increased Proficiency in Ability [Sword Proficiency, Increased Proficiency in Skill [Information Matrix]
My eyes widened in sheer surprise before my heart caught up and started palpating rapidly.
Character Matrix? That was one of the single most powerful skills I had in my arsenal even back then.
Having it on hand will be immensely useful, especially now. Since it is only through that ability that I can gain Classes.
The update to the original quest was a nice touch, but my eyes were currently on the Character Matrix reward.
Having discovered newfound energy through the rewards tab, I pointed my sword towards the Grimm then turned back to Weiss, who at the same time was turning back to me.
We gave each other a nod, one more subtle than the other. Then together, we dashed towards our specific crowd of Grimm.
The Grimm charged in return, and the first one to reach me instantly found the tip of my sword buried in it's mask.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
The other two charged right after, and like the one before, both of them were cut down after they tried to leap towards me.
4,155 Exp
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
Your Proficiency Level in Ability [Sword Proficiency] has increased.
As the other beowolfs fell to my blade, I didn't even have the luxury of watching them disappear into mist before I caught one diving straight to my head from of rusted machines.
I raised my sword up high and swung a wide arc down that cleaved it apart. While it was diminishing, another one lunged at me and managed to strike my arm before I stabbed it.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
4,155 Exp
The last one crept up behind me from Weiss side, as it tried to get a little ambush before it was kicked to the side by me and slammed straight against the rusted machine.
It's partner decided to rush me in order to give the injured one a chance to recover.
It's claw strike was rather fast, but I managed to deflect the strike by holding the blade sideways on its flat edge before swiping down and cutting apart the Grimms mask.
4,155 Exp
At around the same time, the beowolf that was injured stood on its feet and growled before charging at me and being cut down as well.
4,155 Exp
Your Level has increased.
Your Proficiency Level in Ability [Sword Proficiency] has been increased.
The crowd around my area has thinned out a bit, and so I decided to take a look at how Weiss was doing against the mob.
And I was admitted stunned by how she was basically slaughtering the entire mob.
She dove in the air and shot at the ones which hid amongst the machines and that jumped in the air, while dancing through the crowds in the land and leaving only their masks behind in the large black mist of many of the Grimm disappearing at once.
While jumping, a Grimm had managed to sneak behind her mid-lunge. Before it could even reach her, I threw my sword and stuck it through it's mask before running underneath the rapidly disolving Grimm to catch my sword.
4,155 Exp
She spent a moment looking at me and the broken mask in surprise and mild impressment.
Weiss then got into another pose which faced the very last of the Grimm to attack, and spun the chamber of her gun.
I could only observe the runes of her revolver glow white before she vanished in a flash and reappeared in the middle of the Grimm mob before blowing them all away and turning all the Grimm around her into dust.
Quest Completed.
[Character Quest: The Loneliest of All]
Description: Down in the depths of the mine that once imprisoned you, you have fought tooth and nail to reach the deepest level of the Mine. Only to encounter the one who put you in chains, down in this very same level.
The perfect chance to get rid of one who at some point you feared, presents itself.
However, you rejected that notion by allowing the Grimm to track your position. And when presented with a chance to escape, you instead stayed with your captor.
She has reluctantly trusted her back to you, as there is no one else in the vicinity.
Ensure that you and your partner survive the attack.
Clear Conditions.
[Team up with Weiss Schnee and Defeat the Grimm!] ]
Rewards: 10,000 Exp, Ability [Character Matrix, Increased Proficiency in Ability [Sword Proficiency, Increased Proficiency in Skill [Information Matrix]
Your Level has increased.
Your Proficiency Level in Ability [Sword Proficiency] has increased.
Your Proficiency Level in Skill [Information Matrix] has been increased.
Ability [Character Matrix] has been added.
Reputation System has been Added.
Obedience System has been Added.
Affection System has been Added.
As I saw the numerous amounts of masks falling from the sky like rain, I started to question if my help was actually even needed in this situation.
And once again the tunnel was silent, except for the hollow noise of cold air passing through the holes in the mask.
Weiss signed. "Well, since that is finished."
She started walking straight towards me.
But before she could even reach halfway to me, she froze. And as I stared at her, I watched her grow pale.
Then I felt it.
Pure, wild and unbridled power. Lurking within the darkness that surrounded us. The oppressive atmosphere made each part of my body go as numb as a deer in headlights.
It's chaotic nature shadowed by the dark was so intense that you could literally taste it in the air.
I felt like I couldn't breathe. And each moment that passed by felt like it was only getting harder an harder to expunge any sort of air.
Then we saw the shadows moving, converging into one pool in the centre of the the tunnel.
In the same way that the Grimm dissapeared, this entity was being formed from black mist mixed with the numerous untold shadows of the 50th ore vein.
Soon, I could see the shadows begin to take shape. With gigantic legs and claws, and the same size arm that ran parallel to the thickness of the rusted quarry.
The only thing of note that we can accurately make out was the pale, pupil-less sclera and the large, razor sharp row of bloodied teeth.
In it's teeth, hung a crystal pendent that remained stuck in the entities gums. As it grasped it's head as though it were mad and roared.
The roar shook the very foundation of the mine and even caused the rusted quarry and machines to squeak and echo out into the surface.
I took one look at it out of habit just to know what the entity was.
[Name: ?̴̷̴̵̸̸̶̨̨̧́́̕͜͝?̨̀?̨͠]̸̵̵̵̡̧̡̢̛̀͘̕͡
[Title: Emmisary of Shadow]
[Race: Lesser Grue]
[HP: ?̷̧?̶̷͢͢͝͡?̴͟͟͠͝͏̵̢͜͜/̷̸̨̡̢̛̛͢͡͝͡?̸̶̴̴́͘͜?͏̵̧̧̀̕͟͡͞?̴̴̢̀́͡]̡̡̨̛͢
[MP: ?̷̧?̶̷͢͢͝͡?̴͟͟͠͝͏̵̢͜͜/̷̸̨̡̢̛̛͢͡͝͡?̸̶̴̴́͘͜?͏̵̧̧̀̕͟͡͞?̴̴̢̀́͡]̸̸̸̸̡̡̨̨̛̛̛̀̀͘͘͘͘͢͢͝͝͞͞
I grit my teeth in frustration, now of all the times not to be able to define it's health?!
Quest Received.
[Platinum Quest: The Emmisary of Shadow]
Description: The grudges of the fallen and departed have awoken this creature from darkness.
It is born from the dark desires of vengeance, born from those slaughtered by it.
Clear Conditions
[Defeat the Grue.]
Rewards: 65,000 Exp, Ability [Dark Aspect, Skill [Shadow Claw, Skill [Ghastly Wail, Skill [Umbramancy, 150K Lien.
Whatever Grimm still remained that me and Weiss weren't able to see quickly scuttled away as fast as their legs could take them.
Frantically, they clawed their way through anything, desperate to get away.
I couldn't blame them. Despite Lucille's transformation being significantly worse than this, it's the first time that a presence like this has been shown before me.
And as I continued to stare at the Grue, the only conclusion my mind could come to was…
Run.
Hope I didn't confuse too many people with who Arhen was going to fight, as it was pretty obvious that it was going to be Weiss but we got the Grue instead.
Sorry for the cliffhanger, it just felt good to leave it at this point and have more words to put into the next chapter.
How do you guys think this will turn out? Let me know.
Also, tell me if I should lengthen Weiss's dialogue a bit more during edits. I felt that it was a bit lacking in this chapter.