MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist #Chapter 33 - Read MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist Chapter 33 Online - All Page - Novel Bin
After Ren closed the COVENANT app, he went to their official website. And as he expected, their forum was exploding with all sorts of complaints.
There was even a petition that COVENANT should restart again for the sake of the majority that didn't know the official opening of the game. They blamed it on the developers' lack of information, and so far, the petition had already reached hundreds of thousands in just the span of hours.
Ren smirked.
As if that would move those shrewd developers. Not even the government nor the powerful and wealthy could dictate them, much less those teenagers who felt wronged.
Ren even thought that the developers were AI or alien from the lack of information about them.
Ren scrolled on the comments before he went into COVENANT's official website. By now, there was a player ranking posted on their page.
The game system judged the player rankings according to ATP, equipment, and items. And by this time, Ren was dominating the game as the top player.
Ren wasn't worried about his name being plastered on the developer's website. He was already expecting it.
With many players named Ren, he was confident that he wouldn't be found out.
It was another privacy perk of the game that Ren thought was a genius idea. By having players used their first name in COVENANT without disclosing their last name, there were bound to have hundreds of players with the name Ren. Unlike if they used a specific username that would otherwise be easily found out.
Only the system knew of their ID numbers. Not even the developers could casually look into their private information behind the strict security of the AI system, which mostly operated most of the game. Those things weren't available to the public.
Anyway, having his name plastered on the number one player on the rankings didn't interest Ren. He was cheating, so something like being number 1 or doing it for fame or glory wasn't on his list.
He was there for the money.
What he was eyeing was the name below his.
Rank No.2, Player Evie.
In the past, Evie was the number 1 solo player, and it was because she was grinding nonstop and seemed like she only logged out of the game to do daily necessities in life.
She was a Sprite with a Blue Mage subclass.
Not many knew of this, but the Blue mage subclass was the number one support class in the game. And Evie was a top player in this class.
Evie didn't belong to any guild. For some reason, she also loves money like Ren, and she often offered her services to top guilds every time there was a dungeon raid, guild war, or boss fight.Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
Not many knew of her real appearance since a Blue Mage, once evolved into an Illusionist, could hide their appearance using illusions.
And she only rose to fame after she evolved her class into an Illusionist, and by that time, she was already hiding her appearance.
However, Ren managed to dig her file in his past life all because she was recruited in a dungeon raid once by one of the top guilds, a guild he was working at the time, Sleeping Dragon.
Ren managed to piece together Evie's profile based on the descriptions from those who saw her when she was still a Blue Mage. And because of this, or mainly because of his doing, he exposed Evie's real appearance to the higher-ups of his guild, and since then, Sleeping Dragon was blackmailing her into working for them. For free.
Evie didn't belong to their guild, but Sleeping Dragon worked her to the bones just to keep her appearance secret. And because of her support, Sleeping Dragon entered top 5 in guild rankings.
Ren was guilty about it since he knew who Evie was. In fact, they were even classmates in Fate Academy.
While Sleeping Dragon belonged to the top ten guilds in COVENANT. And they were also the guild that was responsible for Ren's death.
They were a despicable guild who would do anything to win. Ren had no choice but to work under them since no guild was willing to take him in because of his past history for disclosing secret information. And he was there for the money and not to make friends with the players anyway.
But in this life . . . everything would change.
Ren's eyes glint ominously.
He was thankful for Sleeping Dragon for killing him. He wouldn't be here right now if they didn't.
However, he still hadn't receive his last pay and Ren promised to collect his payment with interest.
Ren's eyes stared at Evie's name some more. That familiar guilt ate him again. He felt like he had ruined her life, and there was this nagging feeling that he owed her –– BIG time!
And Ren didn't like the feeling that he owed someone.
Closing his phone, Ren thought of doing the same thing as Evie. It was where he got his idea of offering his services to top guilds and rich players in exchange for real money, just like she did in the past.
A mercenary.
Some would call these players.
"Ren!"
Upon hearing the sweet voice of a woman, Ren's thoughts were disturbed, and his heart fluctuated at the appearance of a cute girl in a branded lace dress. An expensive accessory pulled her short dark hair, and her dimple smile was still charming like the first time Ren laid eyes on them.
"Saya."
—-
A/N
Another short chapter
I'm feeling under the weather so my brain cells aren't working.
Help this poor author recover some brain cells with your votes
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"How are you?" Saya beamed and took the seat beside Ren at the round table.
Ren had to remind himself that this was not the past. That his relationship with Saya and Mike was still okay.
However, he still couldn't forget how the two of them used him. Especially Saya. She knew he liked her, and she took advantage of his feelings even at the cost of his expulsion from his previous guild.
And after they got everything they wanted from him, they didn't even help him or bother to ask how he was after being kicked out of his job with a blocklisted name.
But for the sake of Leonel, who wanted to continue their friendship, Ren would preserve and treat them as acquaintances, at least if not friends.
"I'm fine," Ren said and offered no further ongoing conversation.
Saya's smile faltered. She felt that there was something wrong with Ren today. Usually, upon the sight of her, Ren would shy away and even stammered his words of greeting. He would also make an extra effort to converse with her, even on the most mundane of topics.
Ren was cold, but he was never cold to her, which Saya took pride in since Ren was a looker and most of their classmate had a secret crush on him. They were just scared to confess because Ren was known throughout the school as merciless when it came to rejecting feelings.
Did something happen? Saya thought. He must have been tired of playing that game, COVENANT. Leonel asked them last night, but they didn't have a pod, and going out late into a café like everyone else didn't bode well with her.
She wanted her own Pod, and she and Mike would buy it later.
She wasn't really interested in playing, but since everyone was going to enter the game, she couldn't help but be pulled by the hyped as well, especially since Mike wanted to enter. There were bound to be girls in the game, and she had to keep a close eye.
"What's wrong?" Saya asked voice and face worried. "Are you sick? Did you pull an all-nighter with Leonel playing that game you talked about?"
Saya was about to touch Ren's head when the latter tilted his head away and looked to the other side.
Ren cleared his throat and said with a monotone voice, "Something like that." He wanted to appear neutral, but his feelings got in the way.
Saya blinked. There was definitely something going on with Ren. The usual warm guy she used to know was indifferent and cold to her. And for some reason, Saya's heart was constricting.
Saya dispersed her feelings and drank a glass of water to dissolve the awkward tension in the air. Usually, she and Ren didn't run out of topics to converse. But now, Ren's demeanor towards her was colder than the AC of the restaurant.
Ren must be tired of playing that game. Saya thought.
Come to think of it, something was different about him.
Saya ran his eyes all over Ren when the latter drank a glass of water.
His pair of mesmerizing silver eyes were sharp, adding to his already cold looks. He was gifted with a handsome face and lean physique, and the simple black shirt he was wearing looked so good on him.
But it was not his physical features that stole Saya's attention. It was like . . . there was a certain maturity and elegance from the way he moved and spoke, and this got Saya's heart skipped a beat.
What with him today? Saya mused to herself and pretended to look on her phone but occasionally peeked at the man beside her.
Ren was so different, and it was like he matured overnight. Even the way he held his glass was different. And when he drank his water, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and Saya seemed to be mesmerized by it. She swallowed hard and quickly drank a glass of water in one gulp.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable all of a sudden!
Rather, what's with me today? Saya shook her head. It was like she had just seen Ren for the first time. He was a looker before, but now he became . . . a noble?
Was it because of his strong back when he sat or the way he elegantly sipped his tea and crossed his leg? Or the way he spoke with coldness and indifference?
He was attractive before but now . . . he felt like he was the owner of this restaurant.Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
Saya shook her head and happily chirped while tapping the pad of her fingertips together. "I'm rather excited to play this game later. You and Leonel already played it last night, right? What do you think should I play? Mike said that he wanted to be a human Swordsman.
"I looked at the game's website and found many races and classes, and I'm not sure what fits me the best."
Saya looked over at Ren and smiled her brightest. "You're usually good with this stuff. I want to play a White Mage so I can support you and the others. What do you think?"
Ren's eyes were half-closed as he sipped his tea and said, "Just go with what you want."
". . ."
Saya's smile froze on her cute face.
That's it?
That's his reply?
"Uhm . . . are you alright, Ren? Are you not feeling well?
Ren finally looked at Saya's eyes, and the latter gasped when she was struck by his silver irises. But what made her breath hitched was the blankness of his stare.
"What made you say that?"
Saya pulled her eyes away and said in a timid voice, "N-nothing. It just felt like . . . you're rather . . . not in the mood today."
"Just tired from the lack of sleep," Ren lied. But Saya probably still didn't know that the VR game was sleep operated, so there was no way that he could be tired from lack of sleep.
Ren then looked at his phone, signaling that he didn't want to talk anymore.
Saya could only place a hair behind her ears and pretended to look at her phone to pass the time.
Why did things suddenly turned awkward between them like it was their first meeting?
Was there something I said or did? Saya recalled her memories but found nothing that could make Ren act cold towards her.
Finally, Saya breathed a sigh of relief when Leonel was in sight.
"Leo!" Saya waved a hand and beamed a dimpled smile.
Leonel was still as hyper as always and hopped to their table, full of enthusiasm, before he rattled to Saya about his and Ren's time in COVENANT.
Not long after, Mike also appeared together with an adult in his mid-twenties.
Ren's eyes rounded because that man was Scar, leader of Black Lions, the guild that Mike and Saya managed to enter because of his help.
Black Lion was contesting the number one spot with White Unicorn in the past. Black Lion and White Unicorn have pro players and some beta testers within their team, and it was very difficult to enter into their ranks if you didn't match all their requirements.
Ren wasn't present at this lunch meeting before because he was busy searching for part-time jobs. That was why he was surprised that Mike and Scar knew each other.
Come to think of it, they did mention Scar's name in the past, but Ren wasn't interested and quickly forgot.
This time . . . Ren was all ears.
Because it seemed like Mike and Saya didn't manage to enter Black Lion's guild in the beginning even if they knew the leader.
Did something happen?
—-
A/N
So my under the weather turned into a full blown cold that's why i didn't update yesterday.
The words are practically dancing in my eyes.
This will probably be the last update for the week until my throat and nose stop acting like crazy
Stay Safe everyone!
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late!" Mike greeted in all smiles. His set of white teeth was perfect without fault. He was still the same. Dawned in an expensive Louie Vuitton shirt and jacket and Yeezy sneaker paired with an expensive Rolex watch, Mike was eye-catching with his good looks and wallet.Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
"This is Scar, by the way. He's a childhood friend of mine and like a big brother to me. He just got back from his study in Zone A District 1," said Mike, the soonest as he and Scar take their seat.
Everyone exchanged greetings and pleasantries before Scar said in a generous tone, "order all you want. My treat."
"Eh?" Leonel whipped his head in Scar's direction, eyes shining. "Really? Then don't mind if I do!"
Leonel was grinning from ear to ear as he looked at the menu. Ren bet that he was just trolling around and would still order the most expensive food on the list.
Ren and Leonel both didn't understand Italian and French, after all. They were just here because Saya and Mike would treat them to lunch.
Ren also chose the most expensive meal out of the set. There was no need to be modest if the other party offered his generosity and goodwill.
As they waited for their order, everyone engaged in small talk except for Ren, who occasionally answered with a yes and no since he was mostly studying and thinking about what Scar was doing in their supposed to be a friends-only reunion.
Scar's voice was deep, and his face was serious that occasionally cracked with a smile. He had beads of clean-cut black hair, and the line of his face was hard and intimidating. He was refined-looking, and not a wrinkle was present on his neatly pressed polo and jeans.
Ren knew him in the game as a strict player that only expected the best from himself and others. Though he was the leader of the Black Lion guild, he mainly dealt with managing the internal affairs of the guild.
Black Lion's requirements for its applicants were high, and they only mostly accept rare classes or pro players. Sometimes they receive players who have rare or legendary items, weapons, and equipment like what Saya and Mike had in the past because of his help.
"Big Bro Scar is actually a pro gamer in a game called War of Guilds together with his friends, and they wanted to put up a guild in the new game COVENANT," Mike said. His high-pitched tone gave away how excited he was.
Ren knew Mike to be a gamer but didn't have the skills or patience to become a pro.
"I heard from Mike that you're just starting out," Scar added, "We are looking for players that are willing to take the role of the rare class Necrolyt and Chrono mage. Mike is hell-bent on becoming a swordsman while Saya wanted to be a healer to support his boyfriend."
Scar grinned, shaking his head a little. "Honestly, my friends already had those roles taken, and we wanted diversity within our ranks. And we have already established a rule for our soon-to-be applicants.
But since Mike and I knew each other, I'm willing to make an exception just for him. If you two are willing to change your race and class and recreate your account, then I'll take you all into our guild. Even if the four of you didn't have any experience in a guild and aren't pro players."
Ren and Leonel looked at each other.
SO this is what happened. Ren thought. Mike and Saya didn't get to enter because Leonel must have declined to change his race and class. And in the past, he wasn't even playing the game until the in-game currency was introduced.
Come to think of it. Ren did recall that there was a time when Mike said that he would buy him a pod in exchange, he would become a Necrolyt.
Ren ignored him that time because he was busy juggling his jobs and studies, and he didn't have the luxury of time to be wasting on a game.
Was that the reason why their relationship went sour in the first place?
Was that it?
Because he didn't follow his order?
The more he thought about it, the angrier Ren became, and the awful memories he was trying to suppress were resurfacing in his mind.
Mike shifted his eyes between Ren and Leonel with a big grin on his face. "Don't worry, big brother Scar. I'm sure Ren and Leonel would agree. Right? Right guys?"
Leonel scratched his cheek, eyes hovering over the ceiling. "I don't know . . . If I can't play as a dwarf, I'd rather not play at all."
"Leo, I think playing an awesome rare class like a Necrolyt or a Chrono mage is much cooler than a dwarf. And . . . I'll buy you a pod," entice Mike before shifting his eyes on Ren. "I'll buy you two a pod."
Scar nodded in agreement. "I think it's an awesome trade. You two will have a new pod and play a rare class, AND . . . you can even join our guild of pro players and rip so many benefits. Like monthly allowance, for example."
Leonel's eyes shone when he heard that money was involved, and his constipated face told Ren that he was really thinking about the idea.
The rumors regarding Scar were indeed true. Ren thought. He was a man who was overflowing with confidence and charisma, and he was never one to mince words. In fact, too much to the point of being annoying.
"The offer is tempting, but I like my race and class as it is now," said Ren with a solemn face and voice.
Leonel looked at Ren before he nodded in agreement. "I . . . I like my race and class too. As great as the money sounds, I still wanted to play as a dwarf. I don't think I could last playing the game anyway with a different race."
Mike was stunned for a whole minute before he burst out, "What are you two talking about? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Brother Scar said that there are rumors of an in-game currency later in the game. Do you know what that means? Real money and opportunities!
It's like the game would become a second world once the money starts rolling in, and every powerhouses will want to dominate this new world in the form of a guild. Do you really want to miss this opportunity to belong to one of the top guilds in the future? With Brother Scar leading, it would surely happen!"
Ren didn't budge even when Mike's caught his breath after his lengthy speech. "Even so, I still wanted to keep my current race and class."
Mike's mouth dropped before his smile disappeared and his tone of voice gave away his annoyed state. "Ren, that's why you can't excel from your current state because you lack the initiative to grab something life-changing right in front of your eyes. You can't see the future. That's why you're stagnant in your current state."
Ren wanted to laugh because he already knew the future. And he had a much larger plan for himself. He didn't need someone to dictate him which path he should take.
"Life-changing? If it is so life-changing, why don't you do it?" He then stared at Scar. "Why don't your pro friends play those rare classes if it's so awesome instead of shoving it down our throats in exchange for a position in your guild, that is . . . let me guess, an errand boys position until we evolved into a Necrolyt and Chrono Mage. And if that didn't happen, we would remain into an errand boy forever, right?"
Mike and Saya's jaws drop.
Scar's eyelid twitched.
Leonel choked on his drink.
—-
A/N
I'm feeling a bit better now but my tonsil is acting up next.
Like when it rained, it poured and it poured hard.
Stay safe everyone!
"Life-changing? If it is so life-changing, why don't you do it?" He then stared at Scar. "Why don't your pro friends play those rare classes if it's so awesome instead of shoving it down our throats in exchange for a position in your guild, that is . . . let me guess, an errand boys position until we evolved into a Necrolyt and Chrono Mage. And if that didn't happen, we would remain into an errand boy forever, right?"
Mike and Saya's jaws drop.
Scar's eyelid twitched.
Leonel choked on his drink.
When no one answered, Ren continued with a smirk. "Because I'll tell you why. Even if you know about the rare classes because of the Beta Tester's guide, you aren't sure if you could evolve into those classes.
"What's more, the strain of quests you must complete to make that happen is time-consuming compared to the generic classes that you're one hundred percent sure you'll advance.
"You just couldn't take that risk, especially if you belong in a guild where guild wars, dungeon raids, and boss fights happen at a moment's notice. You couldn't afford to wait for a classless Mage and lag behind from the others, or your prestige will drop."
Ren crossed his legs and smirked. "However, all your problems will be solved if some ignorant newbies were up for the job. They would take all the risks for you while you rip all the benefits. If they did evolve their class, then good for you.
"However, if they can't evolve their class, then they would remain at the bottom as errand boys with a crappy contract."
. . .
. . .
Everyone was stunned at Ren's remarks.
Leonel and the others had indeed known Ren as ruthless when it came to his arguments, but he was so soft when it came to them. Soft enough that he wouldn't even say a word of protest. He would just nod his head before as long as he would benefit from the deal, no matter how small, all for the sake of his friends.
What happened overnight that he suddenly changed, and he treated them like he was treating strangers?
"Ren you . . ." Mike didn't know what to say. Ren usually followed his orders without question. What's gotten into him that he was all antagonistic today? Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
"Ren, don't you think you're being too mean?" Saya chimed in with a pitiful voice and downcast face.
Mike was inwardly feeling happy. He knew that Ren couldn't possibly let down Saya like that. He would come around for her and would definitely try to console her into compromising instead.
However, things were just not going with Mike's plan when Ren stifled a laugh and said, "Mean?
"I'm being mean when your boyfriend was the one who brought some stranger into our supposed to be only friend's reunion without informing us. Then he wanted us to change our race and class so that he could enter into a guild at our expense."
Ren slightly shook his head with a fake smile on his lips. "Tell me. Did you really treat us like real friends or just your errand boys that you can casually boss around?"Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
Mike was speechless while Saya caught her tongue. It was the first time that Ren was so harsh on her. Was the man really Ren or some kind of imposter.
The Ren they knew would never say something like that, especially to her.
Ren changed his crossing leg from one foot to another and intertwined his fingers.
"Anyway, if you want to enter this guild, then be my guest. I won't stop you . . . just don't force us to change our class and take the challenge yourselves for once."
"Ren!" Mike didn't know what to say. Ren wasn't this difficult before, and when he suddenly did, he didn't know what to do. He never expected Ren to strongly disagree with him, so he was caught entirely off guard.
Saya got out of her daze and clapped her hands together to disperse the heavy atmosphere that settled between them.
"W-why don't we eat first? I'm sure Ren is just hungry, and he would be in a better mood later when his stomach is full." Saya released an awkward laugh, but no one smiled, nor did the heavy atmosphere cleared.
Ren's eyelid twitched, and Saya clamped her mouth shut.
Ren could be so intimidating with his cold eyes and indifferent face.
Saya looked the other way to escape Ren's scrutinizing gaze and pretended to drink her empty glass of water.
Ren silently released a breath. Saya was always like that. She would always take Mike's side. Even if he was wrong.
A good thing that he was long over her. The only good thing that came out of her betrayal was him losing all feelings towards her.
So even if Saya went on her knees and begged with all the tears she had, Ren would still ignore her.
"Whether I'm hungry or not, my decision is final." Ren rested his back on his seat and tilted his head to the side. "Rather, if you really wanted to join his guild, then why don't the two of you take up the role since you two haven't entered the game yet?"
"Ren . . . y-you . . ." Mike was annoyed, and his lips were twisting at the side. Then he faced Leonel when he couldn't get Ren to his side. "Leo, put some sense into his head. He couldn't see it now, but his future is riding on this."
Ren stifled a laugh. "My future? You mean your future."
Ren then ignored Mike and Saya's gaping mouths and looked at Leonel, whose face was sweating buckets. "What about you, Leo? How do you really feel?"
Leonel was shifting his head between Ren, Mike, and Saya. He was getting dizzy from all this back and forth, and his brain was hurting that nothing was coming into his mind. He was really on edge and wanted to cry from his current predicament. Why can't just everyone play the game however they want?
Or like normal teenagers who just wanted to enjoy the game and not think about guilds, money, and complicated stuff like the future.
It was meant to be played to escape the real-life stress. Not adding to it.
Since when did games became so complicated?
"Leonel!" Mike urged.
"Leonel . . . ," Saya implored.
"Leo . . . ," muttered Ren in a soft voice. He closed his eyes before opening them with a smile. "Just say what you truly desire."
". . ."
"I . . ." Leonel looked at every nook and cranny that he could lay his eyes and mind to rest before he stared down at his fidgeting hands. He enclosed his fingers together, breath shaky as he said, "I . . ."
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"I . . ." Leonel looked at every nook and cranny that he could lay his eyes and mind to rest before he stared down at his fidgeting hands. He enclosed his fingers together, breath shaky as he said, "I . . . I want to play as a Dwarf Defender."
". . ."
". . ."
Ren released the air he held and smiled. For a moment there, Leonel had him worried.
Mike sat on his chair with a defeated look. All strength was zapped from him.
Saya was frowning, couldn't understand what was happening to Ren and Leonel.
"Leo." Saya grabbed Leonel's hand and gently pressed it. "Don't you want us to play together and enter the same guild?"
"Of course, I want to," Leonel immediately said, "But do we really have to enter a guild to play together? Do we really have to change race just so we can play? Isn't this just a game meant to be enjoyed?"
". . ." Ren silently sighed. It was supposed to be a game meant to be enjoyed . . . until the in-game currency was introduced and COVENANT became the second world, that is.
Many things had changed by then. Friends betrayed each other for loots. Family turned to one another for a position of dominance. And only a few remained who were loyal and really enjoyed the game.
Sadly, Ren wasn't one of them.
And Ren prayed and hoped with all his heart that Leonel wouldn't change. His naivety and innocent thinking would put him in danger, but it is also why Ren likes Leonel in the first place. And he would make sure that Leonel would be strong enough to defend himself when that time comes.
Mike sighed. His patience was no more. "Leo. Ren. You two . . ." He shook his head and released an audible breath. "That's why you couldn't uplift your life because you both are indecisive. You think like poor people who wanted to change but didn't have the resolve to change. You didn't want to step out from your comfort zones and explore this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
". . ." Ren was speechless by Mike's shamelessness. He was indeed shameless before, but he overlooked it because they were just teenagers who didn't know any better.
But now that he had lived twice his current age, he no longer found Mike's shamelessness and selfishness adorable.
"I don't know what opportunity you're saying here, Mike. The only thing I saw here is you forcing your friends to take the role they didn't want in order for you to join a guild that you wanted."
Ren wanted to appear sad, but his feelings couldn't lie, and he smirked. "As I said, if you really wanted to join Scar's guild, then put the effort yourself and don't pin the responsibility on us so you and Saya could have it easy and play the race and class of your choice."
". . ."
". . ."
There was static between Mike and Ren, and the former couldn't comprehend since the Ren he knew didn't talk back to him like that. The Ren he knew wouldn't even care. As long as it would help Saya and he would benefit from it, he would gladly do it.
What happened to that guy that he suddenly became a different person altogether? Mike and Saya were incredibly baffled by this sudden change in Ren.
"Ugh . . ." Leonel raised his hand, trying to disperse the tension. "Ren already acquired a rare class."
Ren eyed Leonel before he released a big breath. He wasn't keeping his class a secret since it would be bound to be exposed later on.
And he knew why Leonel did it. His good-hearted friend was still trying to negotiate with Scar through his class. He hoped that Scar would forget about changing their race and class and take him in because of his Arcanist subclass. And as a result, Scar would take in every one of them, and they could play together like nothing had happened.
Naïve. Ren thought. From the moment that Mike brought Scar to this round table, their friendship was over.
I'm sorry, Leo. But I couldn't just sit around as they tell us what to do just because we don't have the same status as them. Ren thought to himself. They still think that they could bribe them with money and their cheap friendship, but Ren had enough of that.
He had enough of people taking advantage of him.
Scar's face lit up. "Oh? What class?" He was interested, and it showed on his face as he leaned forward from his seat.
Leonel's hope ignited. He stole a look in Ren's way before he said with an ecstatic voice, when Ren didn't protest, "An Arcanist."
". . ."
Scar was silent for a short moment before he doubled over in laughter. "An Arcanist? You actually chose that low-level class?"
He laughed some more before he shook his head and wiped the tears in his eyes. "I don't know how you acquired a rare class this early, but . . . that's the lowest of the low out from the rare classes. Its skills are useless and burdensome to level up, and it couldn't be used solo.
"It's the worst class ever. Even in a fight, it used too many resources with no return benefits. No guild would want that. Even a White mage is better."
Scar smiled in Ren's way. A condescending smile that wanted to belittle. "NO wonder you're too arrogant, little man. You think that you acquired gold but let me tell you this, you actually got shit."
Ren faced Scar head-on, face unperturbed. "And what made you say that? Because of some Beta tester who only took a glimpse of the Arcanist skills and spells? Before choosing a . . . let me guess, a Necrolyt class?"
Scar lips twitched before he shook his head. He chuckled and checked the time on his Patek Philippe watch. "Anyway, I have to be somewhere else after this lunch. I wanted to eat with you, but someone just ruined my appetite."
Scar stood from his chair before he snatched his wallet and placed thousands of bills on the table.
"But don't let me ruin yours. Order all you want. It is still my treat," Scar said before he made a turn to leave.
"Wait."
Ren's call halted Scar from stepping a foot out of the restaurant.
Mike and Saya sighed in relief when they thought that Ren would change his mind and was just playing hard to get to bargain a better deal.
However, their smile fell faster than a coin in a fountain when Ren continued.
"When you heard the name Ren with an Arcanist class resounding in the game, that's me. And don't worry, I will still offer you my services . . . for the right price, of course."
Ren was planning to hide his appearance when he was soloing the game and when dealing with rare items and equipment. However, he would reveal his face if he was doing mercenary stuff and if he was together with Leo and the others.
Ren didn't want to sound presumptuous . . . but only this time he would. He would not tolerate others looking down on the Arcanist subclass and saying that it was the weakest class out of COVENANT's subclasses.
The corner of Scar's lips rose into a condescending scoff before he walked forward without uttering a single word.
"Wait, big brother Scar," Mike called, but Scar didn't turn nor stop at his call.
Mike shifted his eyes between Ren and Scar before glaring at Ren and went after Scar. "Wait. Big brother Scar. Let's talk for a while!"
Saya also shot to her feet, and before chasing after Mike like she always did in the past, she left one final sentence.
"I'm disappointed in you, Ren. And you too, Leo."
Ren tilted his head to the side. "Likewise."
". . ." Saya's face crumpled, and her eyes watered like she was about to cry. She stomped her feet and went after Mike in a hurry.
. . .
. . .
"Wha . . . what just happened?" Leonel didn't understand what was happening. This was supposed to be a happy reunion between friends, but somehow . . . it turned into a war zone.
"What's wrong with those two? Just because we wouldn't enter this guild and change our class . . . and here I thought that this game would actually be fun with the four of us playing.
Ren didn't comment. Leonel might not see it yet, but Ren's eyes were finally opened. The only reason that Mike and Saya befriended them was so they had someone to boss around.
Ren was doing their assignments and projects before just to please Saya, while Leonel was like an errand boy who Mike ordered to buy things for him. They didn't complain since they were rewarded with food and free materials for their projects and some perks of free passes to movies and such.
But it would end here.
Ren would just think that he was working for Mike and Saya in the past and were not actually friends to kill whatever remaining emotion he had with them.
Leonel faced Ren with his puppy eyes. "Ren. We're still friends, right? Nothing will change, right? We're still going to play together, right?
Ren sighed. "Of course we are. Give them some time, and they will come around." He lied. He knew for a fact that after this encounter, Mike and Saya would change. Just because they didn't get what they wanted, they would act like brats. And it would only get worse once school started.
Ren looked at Leonel and said with an apologetic voice, "I'm sorry Leo . . . because of me . . ." Ren really didn't want to destroy their friendship.
If only Mike and Saya had remained seated and taken their side even after they didn't heed their command, Ren would have worked to mend their friendship and gave it a second chance.
But since it was apparent that they only befriended them to boss them around . . . it was time to say goodbye for good.Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
To begin with . . . did Mike and Saya even treat them as real friends? Or did they just want someone to lord over and do stuff that otherwise was annoying to them?
It was okay when they were teens and innocent, but now that Ren had already lived double his current age, he found it unpleasant.
Leonel looked at Ren's sorry face. Ren was usually stoic, and it was rare for him to say he was sorry and portray a guilt-stricken face.
Ren must really have wanted for them to play together too. Leonel thought.
He then took a large intake of air and breathed in through his nose, and placed his hands over his head.
"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said coolly with puckering lips.
He must be the big brother between them at times like this since he was older than Ren by months. He must comfort him and not make him guilty.
Leonel's lips pointed out. "Rather, those two should be the ones asking sorry to us. They're the ones who ruined the mood by inviting that guy, and then they have to go too far in forcing us to change our race and class and threatened us by not playing together if we don't."
Leonel was starting to get angry the more he thought about it and he munched a good size of the complimentary bread at the side.
"Who do they think they are?!"
His nostrils enlarge like fumes would come out of it before he released a big breath and his face returned back to being pitiful.
"Though I feel bad about Mike and Saya, I really don't want to play anything but a dwarf. It was the reason why I entered the game in the first place. I feel like the game would lose its appeal on me if I played something else."
Ren nodded in agreement. "Don't worry about those two. Rather . . ."
Ren looked at the line of waiters who were pulling carts of food in their way.
"We should worry about on how to finish that food." Ren didn't want to see Leonel's sad face and he redirected his attention to somewhere else.
". . ."
Leonel was in a daze for a moment, he didn't get what Ren meant, and after seconds that he finally did, he burst into a wide grin.
"Too bad for those two but more food for us then!"
—-
A/N
Sorry for the slow update everyone.
I'm still sick and in and out of bed. Like any cold, I was given hope of recovery in the morning, only to be crushed in the afternoon when it returned.
Hopefully, it would finally disappear this week.
Good thing is, my tonsil is alright now. Two big bottles of mouthwash did the trick
My doctor said that there might be a new strain of Dengue since our hospital is very full of patients suffering from it. I'm informing those in the TROPIC countries to be prepared
Always have your mosquito repellants with you. Prevention is always better than Cure
Stay Safe everyone!
Across the spacious private room in Gargino Restaurant, the main Gambino family was sitting crossed-legged on the tatami mats circling a long expanse of table.
The head, Augustus Gambino, took the center of the long table.
All sorts of delicious and luxurious dishes were laid on the table, but none dared to eat until the head had taken his first bite.
However, there was always an exception to the rule.
Isolde didn't mind her cousins and elders as they argued about COVENANT. She wasn't interested in politics, and all her attention was wholly on the platter of sushi on her plate.
Everyone was miles away from their Ancestral home and pressed with little time, they all agreed to meet at the center point of the CBD, which was the Highland Mall.
Apparently, Isolde's father wanted to use half their fortune to buy COVENANT's shares once it hit its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the market. And everyone else disagreed with him except Axel Gambino, Isolde's older brother, and of course, her, who was busy admiring her food.
One of the things that brought Isolde joy besides owning the latest gun in the market was eating delicious food and sleeping.
"It's just a game played by bored teenagers. And once class started, it would be long forgotten," said Xian, one of Isolde's older cousins.
Xian was competing for the head's position with Axel since he was older than Axel by months.
However, it was an impossible feat with Axel's brains and talents.
Augustus slightly shook his head and stifled a laugh before drinking his sake cup. "Do you know how many players are playing that game as we speak now?"
"A hundred?" Xian shrugged. "A thousand, maybe?"
Augustus eyed his son, and Axel nudged his eyeglasses perched on the bridge of his nose and said in a monotone voice, "More than one million players worldwide and counting."
Everyone's jaw dropped.
"T-that many?" Ingrid Gambino said. Isolde's aunt and Xian's mother.
"If not for the shortage of Pods, that number would have doubled or tripled by now," answered Axel showing the statistics on the board using his tablet to back his claims.
. . .
. . .
"If millions or hundred millions of players will play this game, then what would happen to our Casinos?" asked Ezequiel Gambino, one of Augustus's brothers.
Augustus slammed his cup on the table, and everyone flinched while Isolde readily snapped his fish from jumping off her plate with her chopstick when the table quaked.
"Gone. Barren. Pass out of time."
Augustus looked everyone in the eye seriously. His fierce hawk eyes and spiky beard made everyone swallow hard. "Ladies and gentlemen, guns and knives, this is no longer just a game. COVENANT will be a second world, and we must establish our footing in this second world!"
Everyone looked at each other, unable to refute the numbers backing the head's claims.
"Then . . . Should we just invest directly into the game? As investors, we are bound to have many benefits. No need to deplete our fortune just to buy its shares." said Emmy Gambino, Isolde's aunt who was married to Ezequiel Gambino.
Axel shook his head and said with a still robotic voice, "The developers wouldn't accept investors."
"What? Everyone accepts investors!"
"What do you mean wouldn't accept investors?"
"Who do they think they are?"
"Just because of a virtual game that's first in the market?"New n𝙤vel chapters are published on
Lee-Rin sneered. She was a beauty with long green hair and the daughter of Ezequiel and Emmy, who was Isolde's cousin of the same age. "Just because they're the only one with that type of game. They became arrogant and thought that with a million of players, they could dictate the economy? I'm sure others would develop a game like that. Let's wait and see."
Augustus's bushy brows twitched. "If you can wait fifty years or possibly a hundred years from now for others to replicate that same virtual game, then do so. Our casino and family name had already been long forgotten by that time. Buried by others who establish their clan in this second world before us."
"Eh . . ." Lee-Rin Looked away before she cleared her throat and drank her juice in one gulp to escape the embarrassment of being slammed by her uncle.
Does developing something like that takes too long? Lee-Rin asker herself since she was clueless with all things that aren't shoes, bags and clothes.
"Then . . . what are we going to do?"
"Though the developer declined investors, they replied with a letter saying that COVNENANTs shares would be available in the market in a few days. A billion share for every establishment in the game."
"A . . . a billion?"
"Are they out of their minds?"
"The business mogul Rutherford, the oil mining and shipping conglomerate Axis, the mega construction and developer magnate Si, the real estate tycoon Gokuwei and every old and powerful family are willing to buy these shares and establish their footing in this new world."
". . ."
". . ."
"T-they . . . They're out of their minds."
"It's business," said Axel simply. "One to make sure that we would never be left behind in the passage of time."
Augustus slammed his palms on the table, and everyone flinched again except for Isolde, who saved her fish from jumping out of her plate using her chopstick for the second time.
"Every member of the Gambino family will give half their wealth. Every last bit of that money will be used to buy COVENANT's shares when its IPO is released in the market and we will establish numerous casinos in this virtual world," said Augustus with finality.
"S-should we wait and see first?"
"Wait and buy after its market price skyrocket?"
"What are they going to do with all that money? Are they going to manipulate the market?"
Augustus looked over at his son and nodded.
Axel swiped over his tablet, and the board displayed another image. "They're going to introduce in-game currency after a few days that they released their IPO.'
"What?"
"In-game currency? Is that possible?"
"Something like an in-game currency is only possible if . . ."
"They have billions, and every powerful family is backing them," continued Axel.
". . ."
". . ."
Everyone's faces turned serious, and sweat slid to the side of their cheeks even if it was cold.
"I guess . . . they really planned this out."
Unlike with investing in the game, where an investor gets half or more than they had invested, not including the many perks, they chose the stock market as a source of money to fund their in-game currency. And having already more than a million players on the very first day of its opening, its share would only continue to rise, and no one in their right mind would sell a healthy milking cow when that time happened.
What's more, if every big names in the business industry establish their business in the game like a Casino for the players to past time and earn real money through gambling. A condominium or house where the players could buy with real money converted to gil. A mall where they could shop and dress their avatar. A mining industry that would mine stones for items and equipment, and so on . . . virtual money would start rolling in!
There was no way in hell that COVENANT's share would go down, and with everyone funding this virtual world, the in-game currency would surely become a success!
It would really be like a new world.
A second world where everything was possible!
. . .
. . .
As everyone was serious in their thoughts, Augustus took the time to study her daughter, who had a solemn face.
Her big eyes were looking down, and she was biting her lips in frustration. It was an indication that Isolde was seriously pondering about something.
Good. Good. Augustus said in his mind.
He knew of his daughter playing the game at the start of the opening. He even had her pod customized the very first time the developers launched their pod in the market.
And he would use this opportunity to make her the leader of their guild in this virtual world. While Axel leads the Gambino family in the real world.
Augustus was nodding to himself.
He was so sure that Isolde would want that. After all, she seemed to like the game where she could shoot real–virtual players without being jailed.
Isolde would surely like her own guild, and she would reign supreme in this virtual world. Augustus was hype, and he couldn't contain the silly grin on his face.
Meanwhile, Isolde was thinking of a different matter entirely.
How do you eat this perfection? Isolde thought, thinking seriously with a sheen of sweat coating her face. Should I swallow it whole and contain the burst of flavors? Or should I take tiny bites to savor its taste?
Hmm . . . Isolde's brows wrinkled, arms crossed, and eyes heated on the sushi platters in front of her.
"As I was saying," Augustus drew all attention to him, "I have called this urgent meeting, so you have enough time to liquidate your assets and prepare your money by this week. Of course your money will be returned to you once virtual money start rolling in. You know the drill."
When no one argued, Augustus stole a peek at Axel, and when the latter nodded, he cleared his throat and continued.
"Now that we made that clear, we'll go to the most important part. Besides establishing our casinos in the game . . . we will also form a guild to further solidify our foothold in this virtual world!
. . .
. . .
Everyone looked at each other.
"A . . . guild?"
—-
A/N
Last update for this week
Hopefully I'll fully recover this weekend so I could bounce back next week
Stay Safe everyone and enjoy your weekends!
Cheers!
It looked like flowers would pop over everyone's head while Isolde smacked her hands in glee.
She made up her mind!
She would consume it whole and savor the burst of flavors!
Augustus couldn't contain his grin when he saw that Isolde agreed with what he said. She seemed very excited about this. She surely wanted a guild to back her when she's shooting everyone to her heart's content.
Don't worry, sweetheart. Daddy would make this new world would be yours.
Augustus's sharp eyes looked over at Axel, and the latter nudged his glasses on the bridge of his nose and nodded, eyes twinkling with understanding.
"Now, as you all know, my daughter here," Augustus flexed his hand over at Isolde, whose mouth was full of sushi," she already entered the game at the very opening and had a huge lead over the others. What's more, she had the highest scores in terms of combat ability in her age group. I believe she's a great candidate to lead our guild in this virtual world.
"She's good with guns and had the skills to fight her way to the top."
Isolde didn't have time to savor the flavors of her sushi when all eyes went on her. She forced everything down and slammed a fist against her chest when it lodged in her throat before drinking a glass of water to dislodge her food to her stomach.
She then tapped a napkin on her lips and pretended that she didn't just choke with a mouthful of sushi in her mouth. She then faced everyone and said with a serious voice and face.
"That's right."
Augustus's eyes shone with expectation.
"But I got wiped out when I attempted Thunder Cave, and I was back to square one," continued Isolde.
". . ."
". . ."
Augustus's smile fell right off his face.
Axel's glasses skewed on his nose, but his poker expression remained stiff and unperturbed.
Xian was stunned before he guffawed. "Everyone, I think it's best if we decide the guild's leadership position to the one who has the highest ATP at the time when the GUILD feature is established in the game. What say you?"
Augustus's lips were pressed in a thin line when everyone agreed. He had already forced them to sell half their fortune. Pushing her daughter for the guild's leader position might trigger animosity towards them.
Augustus couldn't push his luck this time.
Could his daughter lie and be dishonest for once? Augustus lamented.
And please stop nodding your head in agreement with the others. Augustus clicked his tongue when Isolde agreed with everyone with a flower sprouting over her head.
"Very well," Augustus conceded, "we have ten pods available and pre-ordered hundreds more. The highest stat of your avatar will deice the role of the guild leader by the time the GUILD is established in the game.
"Of course, anyone could enter and assume the guild leader's position.
"However, it's best to leave it to the younger generation."
Everyone agreed. They were too old to play childish games anyway. They would leave it to their sons and daughters.
When everyone didn't have any more questions, the meeting was adjourned. While the youngsters all dispersed to their own gigs, the elders were left behind to discuss other concerns.
Isolde went out of their private room with her cousins when they were done eating. Her stomach was satisfied, and her mind was in a peaceful state.
It was time to head back home and grind!
Not for the leader's position. Isolde didn't care about that as long as she could play and shoot to her heart's content without being penalized for misbehavior.
Her cousins could have that position. She wasn't interested in politics and dealings with the many complicated inner workings of a guild.
Rather, she felt that a guild would just constrict her. She very much rather explore the new world on her own.
Free and unburdened!
She didn't want to be restricted by a guild and its many rules and obligations.
Isolde happily walked out from the guarded door and went into the restaurant's open space, where the majority of the public take their meals.
She was about to go home when something caught her sight.
Four tables away from where she stood, there was chaos ensued in the cliché form of diners who wanted to dine in the prestigious restaurant but didn't have any available table, which didn't happen since the restaurant was by reservation.
There was never a walk-in.
However, because of the commotion, Isolde caught sight of a man who was casually sitting at the adjacent table where the commotion was happening.
Isolde's big eyes widened.
Ren?
—–
After Leonel and Ren finished their free food, Leonel sat back in his seat with a bulging tummy.
Leonel sighed in bless as he rubbed his stomach. "Ah . . . this is the good life. Having to eat delicious food without paying a single scent."
Ren tapped a napkin on his lips. "I agree. The food tastes best when it's free."Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
"Couldn't agree with you more, buddy." Leonel picked the stuck morsel of food on his teeth before spitting it on his plate.
"Anyway, I guess that pod hopping is a no-go, huh?"
"Give it some time. I'm sure they'll call us later once those two cleared their heads," Ren said without a care. He wasn't expecting it. He was just saying it so that Leonel wouldn't think of Mike and Saya anymore.
"Hey, Ren. Look. Look." Leonel tapped Ren's shoulder and pointed at the entrance of the restaurant.
Ren looked over to where Leonel was jabbing his pointed finger, but he couldn't see anything that was attention-grabbing.
"Do you see it?!"
Ren squinted his eyes, but he couldn't fathom what Leonel was so excited about. "What?"
"That! That!" Leonel kept jabbing his finger in the direction of the entrance of the restaurant. "That girl! Her! It's Your Gaming Girl . . . LIRA!"
Ren raised a brow. ". . . Who?"
Leonel gaped at Ren before he grabbed his shoulder length golden hair in frustration. "How could you not know her?! She's a very popular game streamer in Zone A District 2! She have millions of followers, you know! That girl! It's your gaming girl, Lira!"
Ren eyed the only eye-catching girl near the entrance. She was sporting an oversize Burberry jacket over a tank top and shorts. Her wavy pinkish hair with streaks of blue was attention-grabbing, as well as the camera crew behind her back.
Are they filming? Ren wondered while Leonel was all excited. His eyes were emitting smoke from how heated he was staring at Lira.
"I can't believe it! It's really your gaming girl Lira in the flesh! The rumors are indeed true that Zone A is the nesting spot for all famous people!" Leonel brought out his phone and wanted to take a video when Ren stopped him.
"Taking pictures and video in this place is prohibited," Ren said seriously.
Leonel released a disappointed sigh before he hid his phone. "Bummer. And here I thought I could brag about this to the other fans. I'm a top fan of hers, you know."
No wonder his allowance was always gone. Ren thought. So it was where Leonel was spending it.
Ren just shook his head and finished his drinks before calling the waiter for the bill. He didn't have time to waste around in the real world. He still had so many things left undone in COVENANT.
"Leo, finish your food, and let's enter COVENANT together." Since their school was kilometers apart, Ren didn't have to worry about Leonel prying for his pod. Once money starts rolling in, he'd tell him that he bought one so he wouldn't suspect a thing.
But Leonel wasn't paying any attention to Ren as he said with a panicky voice. "Oh my god, Ren! She's going in our direction! Did she know that it was me who was spamming hearts in the chatbox when she went on live? Was she here because of me?"
He then looked at Ren and repeatedly tapped Ren's shoulder. "Quick, pinch me and tell me that I'm not dreaming. She's really going to me, right?"
Ren rolled his eyes. There was no way in hell that a popular streamer with millions of followers would notice nobodies like the––
Ren blinked.
He was speechless because Lira was indeed going in their direction.
Huh?
What?
How?
Did Leonel's stalker-like behavior finally bore fruit?
Leonel was sweating buckets, and he turned to stone when his eyes and Lira's met while Ren was turned into a statue for a different reason entirely.
Would his best friend finally advance into adulthood?
—-
A/N
I'm feeling better now that I'm fully rested
Thank you everyone for your well wishes!
It's time to pick up the pace
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Would Leonel finally advance to adulthood? Ren thought, stunned and astonished at the same time.
Leonel stood to his feet when Lira was just meters away from him and stammered.
"I-I'm!"
However, before Leonel could finish his sentence, Lira took a turn and went to the table just beside theirs. Sitting on that table was a dark-skinned boy with violet hair and an older woman in his forties.
They were eating their food in peace and silence before Lira's high-pitched voice stunned Leonel and Ren.
"This table is already reserved for me. Why the fuck is someone eating here?"
"Shh . . . Lira, mind your manners. Where in a public place. Someone might take a video of you," whispered her manager.
Lira just sneered. "This is a private reservation-only restaurant were taking videos and photos aren't allowed. And besides . . ."
Lira looked over at the people who were minding their business.
"All the people here are rich and don't give a damn."
"M-manners," uttered her manager, eyes shifting around if someone heard and saw Lira acting brazenly.
Lira flipped her hair and looked down at the dark-skinned boy. "What are you still waiting for? I said that's my table."
The dark-skinned boy frowned. "Your table? We have made a reservation here."
"Roz," the old lady nudged Roz. "It's fine. Don't speak like that to a girl. We've finished anyway."
Roz faced her mother, canines baring. "Mom. That's not a girl. It's an uncultured swine."
Ren smirked and nodded his head. The boy had guts. He must be around sixteen years old.
While Leonel was turned into a statue. He was too stunned that her idol's character was so . . . unmannered? She was like a Goddess on screen and felt like an angel when she talked on camera.
Since the unfortunate event was happening just a table next to them, Ren and Leonel had the front row seat of the drama.
Lira's beautiful face was smudged with angry veins. "What did you say, you little squirt?"
Lira squinted her eyes and leaned forward at Roz. "Don't you know who I am? I can make your fucking life miserable with a snap of a hand until you can no longer go out in the streets and anywhere else without being mobbed for the rest of your fucking miserable life. You'd rather wish that you'd never been born, and your future descendants would scorn at your grave for making their life miserable too."
She then straightened her back and crossed her arms with tilting hips. "Unless you scram the fuck away from my table. Right now."
Roz rolled his eyes. "I don't care who you are. You're rude and crazy. Go away before I call security."
"Wha–!" Lira's face fumed red.
"What seemed to be the problem here?"
Finally, a manager with a perfectly practiced smile intervened.
Lira jabbed a finger at Roz and snarled. "This kid is sitting on my table. Does this restaurant's prestige drop so low that it would accept anybody? I had made reservations here, and how dare you give my table to . . . to . . ."
Lira was thinking of words that were eluding her. ". . . Nobody . . . ," she uttered when a second passed, and she couldn't find the right words due to anger clouding her brain.
The manager's smile remained plastered on her face as she swiped on her tablet. "Yes. Miss Lira did make a reservation at our restaurant. However, you're fifteen minutes early from your reserved time, and they have made their reservation prior to yours."
Lira shook her head in disbelief. "What do you mean fifteen minutes early? Do you mean to say that I should come in late? It should be normal for a high-class restaurant to reserve their guests' tables an hour before they arrive! What kind of a Michelin awarded restaurant is this?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Lira," said the manager, "If you could wait for your table–"
"NO," Lira said with an edge. "Don't ask me to wait."
She then leaned closer to the manager with one brow raised. "Do you know how many millions of followers I have? One bad review from me, and you can say goodbye to your awards."
The manager's smile faltered from her face, and there was now a sheen of sweat coating her cheeks. "How about another table Miss Lira?" she bargained, eyeing Ren and Leonel's table since the two men were already finished.
Lira shook her head. "No. I want this table. I always made a reservation at this table. It's near the window, and I can view the landscape while I'm eating. It wouldn't be the same from any other angle!"
Our table is just meters from the window too. Ren thought. Though Ren had an inkling that Lira just didn't want to back down anymore after the commotion she started. He had a feeling that she just wanted to make it difficult for Roz.
Not my problem. Ren emptied his glass of water and tapped Leonel's shoulder. "We should go."
The scene that Lira created was already garnering attention.Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
"B-but . . ." Leonel's brows were crumpling. "Shouldn't we do something?"
Leonel was torn. He didn't know if he should do something about the situation or not. Clearly, Lira was over the line for just a table, and Roz and his mother also made a reservation prior to her.
"That's not our problem, Leo. Let's go. Your girl Lira might reconsider eating at our table if we leave."
"Egh . . ." Leonel was feeling dejected. He was still not over at Lira's true character. He didn't know what was more heartbreaking — finding out his idol's true persona or the shattered image he had for her. She was so different when she was playing live online.
He felt betrayed all of a sudden.
Ren was about to speak again when he heard the manager's voice.
The manager looked over at Roz and his mother with an apologetic face. "Excuse me. I'm sorry to ask this, but can you vacate your table now?"
"What do you mean vacate?" Roz's face couldn't be painted when he heard the manager took Lira's side all because she was a famous person. Where's the dignity of this restaurant? "Can't you see that we haven't finished eating yet?"
"Yes. I can see it. We can find you another table if you want," the manager said again, impatience in her tone this time.
Roz and his mother weren't garbed in branded clothes and didn't order the expensive meals. The manager would rather keep their good reviews than accommodate nobodies like them.
Roz's face darkened, and he opened his mouth to retort but was stopped by his mother.
"It's fine, Roz. Let's just go. We've finished anyway."
"Mom, what do you mean finished?" Roz eyed the half-eaten dessert.
"It's fine," said his mother with finality and took to her feet. "Let's just get the bill and go." She then looked at her son with smiling lips but sad eyes. "We don't belong here."
". . ." Roz couldn't refute anymore when his mother already stood to her feet. He shot one last glare at Lira, who had a condescending smirk on her face, before going after her mother.
"Tata." Lira snorted and took her seat at the table. She then brought out her phone and focused all her attention on it.
"Oh, my god. I can't believe it, you guys. I just met the rudest kid ever . . ."
Ren shook his head as he stared at Roz and his mother's retreating figures.
He couldn't help but take a large breath of air. Watching them reminded him of his parents.
He took another breath before he pinched Leonel's shoulder. "Let's go. Let's not waste any more time here."
Leonel shifted his eyes on Lira and Ren before looking down at his fingers.
"I guess that selfie with her would have to take a rain check," uttered Leonel with a gloomy face.
Ren was about to drag Leonel to his feet when he was stopped by a familiar deep throaty voice calling his name.
"Ren!"
"Ren!"
Ren recognized that voice anywhere. A woman with a deep throaty voice.Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
"Isolde?" Ren stood to his feet and greeted Isolde. She was sporting white slacks, long sleeve polo shirt, and an onyx dangling earrings.
With her strong stride and tall height, she looked classy, elegant, and intimidating, packed in one.
"Fancy meeting you here." Isolde beamed and looked over at Ren.
"You too." Ren was surprised to actually meet Isolde for the second time within just the span of hours. He thought that their next meeting was going to be in the game.
Isolde was about to say something when Leonel shot to his feet and checked Isolde from all angles. His image blurred at how fast he moved, and after seconds, he stood tall and pinched his chin.
"What a tall woman!" In glee, Leonel looked over at Ren while pointing at Isolde. "Ren, this is the first time I saw a woman this tall! She's almost like the same height as me!"
Leonel was ecstatic because he felt that he was no longer a giant. He even forgot about Lira.
Ren drilled his fist into Leonel's head. "Leo! Stop that. It's not polite."
Ren looked at Isolde while dragging Leonel's head down to apologize. "I'm sorry. He's just surprised to see another person who's the same height as him."
Instead of getting angry, Isolde just placed a hand over her tilted hips and smiled. "No worries. I'm used to everyone complementing my height."
Unlike Leonel, who was conscious of his height, Isolde was very proud of hers. And she took everything regarding her height as a compliment.
"By the way, this is Leonel, my friend," introduced Ren.
"Best friend," Leonel cut in and stood straight before his forehead crumpled, and his eyes squinted when he stared at Isolde. "Wait a minute . . .
"Aren't you that girl among that group who's going to attempt Thunder Cave?"
Leonel had an excellent memory for a guy who had a short attention span. Ren thought.
"That's right." Isolde nodded.
"Oh!" Leonel's eyes shone, and then he swept Ren with his knowing gaze while flexing his eyebrows. "Ehehehe. As I thought. Ren, you couldn't just stand there and watch them being wiped out, could you? Did you warn them not to enter Thunder Cave? I knew it that you're a good guy in secret."
Ren looked at Leonel with dead eyes. Leave it to Leo to always think good of people. He mused to himself.
Isolde chuckled. "Yes. Ren did warn me not to attempt Thunder Cave. Though I still did and got wiped out in the end."
Leonel placed a hand over Ren's shoulder and complained. "Eh? You didn't trust my buddy here?"
"Leo, it's a normal reaction. Who would trust a stranger's words?" said Ren.
"Me, as long as it's you," readily replied Leonel with shining eyes and a bright smile.
Ren just slightly shook his head with a slight smile on his lips.
Upon seeing Ren's genuine smile for the first time, Isolde was awestruck. She knew that Ren was handsome, even with a serious resting face. But when a genuine smile replaced his usual smirk, he completely looked different, and he suddenly became so much more approachable.
She could tell that Ren and Leonel had a very close friendship at a glance. And she couldn't help but be jealous. She didn't have someone like a best friend that she could be close with.
"Anyway, Leonel and I would enter COVENANT after this." Ren said, "Do you want to play with us?"
Isolde's eyes went wide. "Of course," she immediately replied without thought.
"Eh? You will?" Leonel asked in disbelief. He then shifted his gaze between Isolde and Ren when the two looked at him with questioning gazes.
"Ah . . . I mean. It's not that I don't want you to join us . . . is that . . . don't you have friends you'd rather play with than a bunch of strangers you just met?"
Ren was very confused right now. Leonel could be smart and perceptive if he wanted to. But right now, he was mostly insensitive. And he thought he was the insensitive one here.
Isolde wouldn't have agreed in the first place if she would play with her friends. But since she did, it was apparent that she had no friends to play COVENANT with. At least people who were close enough to her that she could call one.
Isolde was one of the boys. At least that was how Ren looked at her, and he wanted to hit Leonel a second time for making things awkward.
Isolde was speechless for a moment. She had friends but not close friends. Just people she knew enough for her to get close but not too close.
Her taste was different than other girls her age. And when others went bar hopping, karaoke, or shopping and hanging out, she was in the shooting range, sharpening her aim.
And before she knew it, she was already nineteen years old without a single close friend enough to call her very own best friend.
Isolde shook her head to get the depressing thoughts out of her system. She beamed and said, "No, I don't. Most of my classmates and friends don't play the game. At least not yet."
"I see." Leonel nodded, and his smile widened as he flashed an okay sign with his hand. "Then let's go and play."
Isolde nodded. "Let's exchange numbers and emails."
The three of them exchanged contact information before Isolde looked over at Ren and Leonel.
"Where do the two of you live? I'll take you home in my car."
"I'm at Zone A district 2 in Zephyrs Academy's dorms, while Ren here lives in district 1 near Fate Academy."
"Hee . . . so you two are in college just like me. I'm in Zephyr too, but I live near District 1," Isolde said.
"We're in the same school. Cool!" Leonel high five Isolde and added. "Fellow Zephyryans! You can tour me around campus when school starts!"
Isolde shook her head. "I'm actually a freshman this school year."
". . . Oh." Leonel blinked. He really thought that Isolde was older than them because of her built and intimidating face.
Leonel grinned and shrugged. "Is that so? Then I hope we'll be classmates. I'm taking up Academics, Master in History."
Isolde's eyes rounded. "Egh? Me too! I'm not smart with numbers and complicated stuff, and they said that course is the easiest and only takes three years to finish!"
"That's also the reason why I chose it!" Leonel chimed in. "I'm taking it because all I needed to do was memorize!"
Leonel grinned.
Isolde grinned.
"I hope we'll be classmates then."
Isolde nodded. "Likewise."
The two really hit it off at their first meeting, and Ren became the background from their conversation.
Isolde looked over at Ren when she noticed that he was being left behind. She then changed the topic with a clear of her throat. "If you're going home, then I'll take you guys in my car."
"Sweet free ride!" Leonel said.
"Are you sure? If it's no trouble, then we'll take up your offer." Ren always had a policy not to refuse others' offers.
Nowadays, it is considered rude not to accept the other's goodwill.
Isolde, Ren, and Leonel were about to leave the restaurant when Xian called Isolde.
"Are they your friends?" Xian asked, eyeing Ren and Leonel when he was in front of Isolde.
Isolde caught her tongue when Xian suddenly appeared and asked that out of the blue question.
Were they already friends? Was it alright to call them that now? Isolde was torn, and her lips skewed to the side.
It was Ren who answered, "Yes. We're Isolde friends. I'm Ren, and this is Leonel."
Isolde spun his head in Ren and Leonel's direction. Friends . . . the word was ringing in her head and fell right straight to her heart.
"Hi. I'm Xian Isolde's cousin," Xian said without a care. Not interested in Ren and Leonel since his attention was all focused on Isolde as he asked her," Can I speak with you for a moment?"
Isolde blinked, and clarity returned to her. She looked in Ren and Leonel's direction, unsure of what to do.
"Take your time. We'll wait for you outside," said Ren before pushing Leonel towards the restaurant's exit.
Isolde shot Ren and Leonel an appreciative smile before facing Xian. "What is it?"
Xian stared at Isolde for a moment before he coughed between his fists, clearing his throat. He already practiced his speech to discourage Isolde from participating in the guild leader's position.
He would use her gender as an excuse to get his way. Though Isolde was indeed a skilled fighter, it was always the men the others preferred to follow in their line of work.
"I just want to tell you that I'm going to compete for the guild leader's position and–"
Isolde raised her hand, stopping Xian from speaking more. "I get it. Don't worry. I'm rooting for you and the others."
". . . Huh?" Xian stammered, unable to comprehend Isolde's answer. "What do you mean? Aren't you going to compete with us for the position?"
Isolde shook her head and tapped Xian's shoulder. "I wish you all good luck."
And before Xian could utter a single word, Isolde already jogged to Ren and Leonel's direction without a care, leaving Xian with jaws dropping and eyes bulging.
He hadn't even spoken his speech yet!
He felt like an idiot for taking this game seriously while Isolde just brushed him off thoroughly.
—-
A/N
There was a glitched yesterday and I had to reset everything to retrieved my AllNovelFull account that's why I didn't publish
Anyway, here's a chapter and will publish another later if time permits
We'll enter the game next chap!
More character introduction after that!
Cheers!
"Isolde must be rich, huh? Do you think she had a limo?" Leonel asked Ren as they watched Isolde speak to her cousin.
Ren shrugged. "A limo doesn't suit her. Maybe a jeep or armored car."
"Cool. I always wanted an armored car."
Leonel then sized Isolde up and down. "She seemed to be a nice girl. Though a little awkward."
Ren almost choke. "It's you who is making things awkward."
Leonel ignored Ren and rested his eyes elsewhere with puckering lips.
"Excuse me. Aren't you going to enter? You're blocking the entrance."
Ren and Leonel's attention flicked at an otherworldly man with light blue hair donned in an expensive suit together with an alluring woman garbed in the finest silken dress.
Ren blinked because the woman was Silvia. Panic shot to his heart at the sight of her, but then he realized that Silvia didn't know his real appearance.
This restaurant is like a converging spot with people he knew. Ren thought, releasing the tension from his muscles. Though he didn't know who the man was together with her.
One thing was for sure, though . . . the two of them alone stole all the attention of the people in the restaurant. All eyes were on them, and Ren couldn't exactly blame them.
Even his eyes were drawn to the man's otherworldly looks and Silvia's beautiful face.
"Oh, sorry," Leonel apologized, and he and Ren made way for the two to enter the restaurant.
"Mr. Axis!" the manager personally came out and greeted the newcomers. "Miss Rutherford, this way to your table, please."
Axis? Ren skimmed his brain. They were an old powerful family that dominated the oil mining and shipping industry.
Was he the famous Ragnar Axis, the second young master whose rumored beauty caused a rift between powerful families because he chose Silvia as his soon-to-be wife? That caused the other young mistresses to be discontent.
Rich people have their problems.
Ren blinked away his boredom. Not his problem.
"Wow." Leonel whistled when Ragnar and Silvia were already meters away from them. "Look at those couple? They seemed like they aren't mortals at all."
Ren just shook his head at Leonel's exaggerated claims.
"Stop staring. It's rude," said Ren though he wasn't really reprimanding Leonel.
"I couldn't help it. It's like they're magnets, and my eyes are metal."
Ren chuckled.
Eventually, Ren, Leonel, and Isolde all left the restaurant and made it to their own house with Isolde's McLaren X4X7 Sports car, which took years off from Ren and Leonel's life of how fast Isolde was driving.
They thought that she had a chauffeur or drivers like Mike and Saya, and both their mouths dropped when she herself took the driver's seat when they reached her parked car that was customized clad in matte black.
After Ren and Leonel's soul returned to their body, they agreed to log in to the game as soon as Isolde was online.
Ren had at least thirty minutes to take a bath and change his clothes so he didn't have to log out later to do those stuff.
He wanted to play unhindered since it was time for their first dungeon attempt.
Ren was getting excited. Getting firstblood in this dungeon would yield equipment, and they really needed to upgrade their equipment ASAP.
As soon as Isolde sent a message that she was online, Ren didn't waste any more time and logged in to the game.
The three of them promised to meet up at Venezia Village in the Elves' territory since the first newbie cave was located there.
Gargantuan Cave.
It was the very first cave that could be cleared with their current ATP. It needed at least three players to clear, but Ren could probably solo it.
The only reason that he didn't was because that cave required a specific number of players to enter.
Once he entered his pod, he logged in and Ren arrived at Ironto village. It was the last spot he was in before he logged out.
After that, he pressed the save/teleportation crystal and teleported to Venezia village, the southernmost part of the Elven territory.
"Ren!" Leonel and Isolde waved their hands upon spotting him amidst the flocks of players.
"Look at all these people?" Leonel said the moment that Ren navigated his way towards them. "I was lucky that there was an empty pod in the café near my dorm. However there's only a cap of one hour play time to accommodate other players."
"It's expected as everyone already knew the game's opening," said Isolde with a half shrug. "If it weren't because there's a shortage of pods, these numbers would double by now."
Ren wasn't worried about Leonel playing only a day in the game. It was enough time to clear the dungeon.
Though in the future, Ren would convince Leonel to buy a pod once the in game currency was introduced. He had to be available at all times so he wouldn't be left out.
Because Leonel didn't have a pod in the past, he often logged in a café. But this café only have certain number of time to accommodate the influx of people playing the game.
In return, Leonel's playtime was greatly reduced and it was also one of the reason that he was left behind by the others.
"Sheesh. How do you navigate with all this crowd?" Leonel was getting dizzy from all the players going back and forth in a hurry to complete quests after quests to catch up with the others.
"Aren't you going to complete those quests again?" Ren asked Isolde since he knew that she was back to square one.Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
Isolde sighed, and her forehead wrinkled. "I'd rather grind than go through those errand quests again." Her eyes then went big and sparkly. "I'd rather go with you to this Gargantuan Cave!"
Leonel nodded his head in agreement.
"Very well then," said Ren. It was faster to raise her ATP in the cave than do errand quests anyway, and the items rewards were mostly basic items she could just buy in the shops.
The three of them then set out south from the village, with Ren leading the front.
"Is there something we should need first to attempt this cave?" Isolde asked, traumatized by her failed attempt at Thunder Cave.
Ren shook his head. "No. This is a newbie cave that can be cleared with three players."
"But my ATP isn't in the two digits yet since I recreated my account." Isolde was worried about this that she would be the source of defeat in their group.
However, Ren wasn't worried the least. He alone could solo this newbie cave.
"No worries, Ren and I have already reached two digits." Leonel winked and flexed his nonexistent muscles. "I'll take care of the enemies in the front and protect you guys while you destroy all the enemies from the back lines."
Isolde nodded while Ren was surprised that Isolde wasn't the least bit concerned about Leonel's appearance.
She had to be criticizing his beard in her head. Ren mused to himself, and the corner of his lips rose in a slight grin.
The truth was further, though. Isolde didn't find Leonel's Dwarven appearance and faked beard strange at all. She mostly grew up surrounded by men with all sorts of beards on their faces.
Her father was sporting a spiky beard that he carefully trimmed and gelled each day.
In fact, her father spent more time taking care of his beard than actually managing their casinos. He left it to his right-hand man and the many professionals and experts in their company.
Ren, Leonel, and Isolde chattered as they walked toward their destination. But upon reaching the fork heading to Gargantuan Cave, Isolde and Leonel's attention was stolen by players storming the other way.
"What's going on?" Leonel asked.
There where influx of players going into the southern fork of the forest leading to another place in the mountain range.
Ren already knew what was on the other side, so he wasn't really interested nor curious like the other players.
It was the disadvantage of having to live twice. The element of surprise was gone.
However, before he could open his mouth, Isolde and Leonel were already hyped and followed the crowds.
"Let's check it out," Isolde said in glee but was already following the other players.
"Yes. Lets. There might be a hidden boss there or treasures!" Leonel exclaimed in excitement and jogged beside Isolde.
Ren sighed as he watched Leonel and Isolde got hyped with the masses, skipping their steps with flowers blooming all around them, completed with rays of sparkles.
It's like there was two Leonel in the group.
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The fork in the dirt path diverged in two directions. The one straight ahead to the right would lead to the Gargantuan Cave, and the one in the south going towards the mountain range would lead to the land of the banish dark elves, Dark Ridge Mountains.
The Land of the Banished Dark Elves was located in the southernmost continent of Arcadia. At this point in time, players couldn't access it unless the [World Quest, [Rescue the Dark Elf Prince, Zeroth, was completed.
Elves and Dark elves were at war, so the borders between their lands were closed, and players couldn't access it without clearing that [World Quest] first.
[Rescue the Dark Elf Prince, Zeroth] was a giveaway world quest that was easy to complete since the developers wanted the players to have early access to the lands of the Dark Elves.
However, the player ATP must at least reach the 50s before that since the World Boss of that quest couldn't be defeated with ATP's below 50s.
Ren knew how to trigger that [World Quest, [Rescue the Dark Elf Prince, Zeroth].
However, he wasn't interested in it since the rewards were mediocre at best because it was an easy quest.
Though the reward equipment was rare, it wasn't legendary or an artifact. It was an OP equipment at the start, but more equipment would come sooner that was way better than those.
Although Ren was interested in a single item on the list of rewards. He was thinking of selling the information of that [World Quest] when the [Guild] feature was established, then ask that rewards item as compensation.
Or he could also sell the information for money.
Who knows?
But as of now, Ren's focus was on Isolde and Leonel, who were pushed by the crowds towards the border territory of the Dark Elves.
Everyone viewed each other as an opponent –– a competitor. They were hurrying southwards, afraid that they would miss something or others would hug all the items and monsters.
Ren slightly shook his head.
He leisurely took his time and took a breather at the greeneries around him before the landscape changed to one of dirt and rocks after passing the lush trees.
In less than thirty minutes, Ren arrived at a cave with glowing blue crystals. They were just normal light crystals and couldn't be foraged, but some still tried to attack it with their weapons, thinking that it would yield items. It was comical to see since the crystals just respawn endlessly.
The cave was short and straightforward before they arrived at a cliff with nothing but vast greens below and an open sky above. Forward in the dirt path were shadows of gigantic Rocky Mountains. It was covered in fog and couldn't be seen clearly.
The path leading forward was guarded by two massive stone pillars flanking both sides of what seemed to be the only entrance leading towards the Rocky Mountains and onwards to the land of the Dark Elves. Two towering guards double the size of an ordinary human were guarding the entrance, holding spears in one hand.
Upon closer inspection, the guards have dark skin beneath their armor, long elongated ears protruding from their helmets, and a very menacing look on their faces upon sighting the players.
Dark Elves.
A race that was known for its high magic and physical damage.
Their beauty contended with the white Elves though they were more ragged and barbaric looking than the graceful and elegant white-skinned Elves.
Another significant difference between the two besides the skin color was the ears. Dark Elves have large elongated ears, while white elves have pointy ears like the shape of a leaf.
Dark Elves were another race that was accessible later. Although only Elf Players could change their race into Dark Elves and acquire bonus ATP, skills, and spells.
However, that race change wasn't available until the [World Quest, [Rescue the Dark Elf Prince, Zeroth] was cleared, and the Land of the Banish Dark Elves, Dark Ridge Mountain, became accessible.
Ren stopped beside Isolde and Leonel as they watched a bunch of players stepping forward towards the giant pillars.
"Halt! That is as far as you go! This path leads to the land of the almighty dark elves. You critters go back whence you came, or we'll kill you without mercy," one of the guards said.
Everyone stopped and looked at each other.
Ren, Isolde, and Leonel stayed back, meters away from most players, but they still heard and saw what was going on.
Leonel had a face of a gawker.
Isolde was curious.
And Ren was bored.
"We want to enter the land of the dark elves," a player said.
The guard frowned and shouted, "Absurd! Just because you said you wanted to enter, we will just let you?! This is no place for the likes of you! Our land will not be soiled and dirtied by pretentious, backstabbing hypocrites like you! Get lost!"
The players were shocked at the display of hostility by the two guards, and they momentarily couldn't react.
Ren recalled the story of the two races. It started with the Queen of the Elves' daughter, Princess Elaine, being betrayed and killed by the King of the Dark Elves, Zeroth.
On the other hand, the dark elves wanted to get back their imprisoned King from the white elves' clutches.
That was the brief story found in the COVENANTS app.
However, Ren knew that it was a lot more complicated than that. And a bonus item was given to the player who successfully uncovered the truth behind the [World Quest, [Rescue the Dark Elf Prince, Zeroth].
And that bonus item was what Ren was after.
"You guys scram! No one is allowed to enter here!"
And, of course, the hard-headed players didn't heed the elves' warnings one bit. What's more, the more the two guards pushed the players away, the more the players wanted to enter their territory.
"Don't be afraid, everyone! I'm sure that this is just another quest. Once we defeat those guards, we can enter the place!"
"Yeah, that's right! It just might be a quest. We might be able to trigger one!"
Upon hearing the word 'quest,' it was like all the players could see were items and rewards. They grabbed their weapons and were ready to attack.
Ren shook his head as he watched the foolish youths. If he remembered correctly, those two guards were unkillable, and their ATP was in the three digits already.
To make matters worse, they were the type of NPC that would kill players once their [Relationship Level] dropped below [Ruffian].
Ren couldn't exactly blame the players since he was given a second chance and already knew this stuff that was otherwise new to the newbies who just entered the game. And unless they used a [Monocle, they wouldn't see the high ATP of the two guards.
What's more, the developers specifically wrote in their guide that the players MIGHT trigger some kind of an event or quest if they pressed the NPCs further, not knowing that some NPCs could kill them.
One player apparently was too greedy that he thought he could kill the guards and pushed his way through to the other side. He thought that the guards were low-level since the area was still near the newbie village.
Ahh . . . foolish . . . Ren thought.
Needless to say, that guy died on the spot in a fraction of a second when he stepped a meter towards the gate. A sharp spear pierced his heart, and white particles replaced his body.
. . .
. . .
"Imbeciles!! Do you think that puny insignificant creatures like you could defeat us? My strength is more than your combined STR. Your head will fly first before you even get a meter towards us!"
All the players immediately backed away. Some were shocked that an NPC had just killed a player. Others turned tail and ran while almost all immediately posted on the [World Chat].
"Let me try." A man slowly walked towards the grids but stopped before reaching that meter limit.
He was tall and muscular and dark. He could pass as a dark elf if not for his shorter ears.
The man probably chose a darker color for his skin compared with most elven players that chose lighter tones.
Isolde and Leonel were curios. The man looked strong and capable, but their curiosity was shattered when the man only stepped on that meter line, and his body vanished and was replaced by white particles.
Ren released an audible breath. "Let's go. This part of the map is a dead end. We're wasting time here."Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
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sigh . . . "Let's go. This part of the map is a dead end. We're wasting time here." Ren said and turned to leave.
Leonel placed his hands on the back of his head. "Too bad. I kinda enjoyed when those players vanished, though." He snickered and followed Ren from behind.
While Isolde took one last look at the two dark elves guarding the only entrance into their lands. Her big eyes were shining and full of admiration. Those two were strong, and they were kinda . . . cool.
She was also an Elf, and she was thinking if she could change her race into a Dark Elf.
"Is it possible to become like them one day?" Isolde asked when she caught up to Ren and Leonel.
"Who? Those two dark elves?" asked Leonel.
Isolde nodded, and Leonel smacked his fist on his palm. "Right, you're an elf too."
He then looked at Ren and asked, "Ren, you know about this stuff. Is it possible for her to change race?"
Ren grumbled under his breath when Isolde and Leonel looked at him with shining, expectant eyes.
". . . Yes."
"Oh!"
Both Leon and Isolde couldn't contain their grin.
"Then how about me? Is there another race for dwarves? Like a dwarf-dwarf?"
Ren raised a brow. "Dwarf-dwarf?
"You know, like a smaller dwarf!"
Ren stifled a laugh. "You still wanted to be small?"
"If there's a chance that I can be smaller still, then I'll take it."Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
"You should have told me that you wanted to be a bug in the first place. They're the smallest living things in this world."
Isolde laughed, and Leonel whined.
"You know what I'm talking about."
The three chatted their way towards Gargantuan Cave and stopped when they noticed that something was amiss.
Ahead, there were players surrounding the cave entrance, barging other players from taking a step forward.
"What's going on?" Isolde asked a player nearby.
The player's face was dark. "Those bunch wanted to monopolize Gargantuan cave and wouldn't let others inside!" he complained.
Ren looked over at the group that the player was pointing to and recognized some of their faces.
It was the Poison Viper guild — a group of rugged tugs who would do anything to get ahead of the others. Though the guild feature wasn't introduced yet, some players had already formed their guilds and groups to take advantage of their numbers.
Like this for instance where Poison Viper used their numbers to threaten other players and gain dominance over the game.
Their Leader, Vein, was a notorious player. Despite his level in the past, top-tier equipment, and exceptional skills, his questionable character was the stuff of legend.
Such an act of taking over an entire leveling field was only the tip of the iceberg. And even this early, they were already causing trouble for everyone, especially the newbies who couldn't content with their numbers.
Everyone could probably take them on if there were only ten of them. However, they were more than twenty, and more were joining their guild for the reason that some newbies didn't want to make them an enemy. They could finally grind in the area in peace by joining a much stronger force.
If you couldn't defeat them, then join them. Ren thought and shook his head in dismay.
Their numbers surrounded the cave's only entrance, and it was impossible to enter without a confrontation.
"What should we do?" Leonel asked. He was starting to get worried.
"Should we alert the game about this?" said Isolde.
Ren didn't reply. Alerting the developers or customer service about this behavior wouldn't bore any fruit since this was allowed. COVENANT was a guild-driven game, and the developers greatly welcomed anything that would encourage the players, whether good or bad, to join a guild.
Ren thought for a second. This was troublesome since he wanted to avoid PvP battles this early on. But there was another way if they waited . . .
"Hey."
Ren and the others' attention flicked to an Orc who was approaching their direction.
The Orc was the same height as Ren leaning on the leaner side with green skin. His pointy ears were small, his nostrils big, and his sharp teeth below protruded from his lips. And the most eye-catching was his light blue hair that was tied with a bone, drawing his fringe away from his broad head.
Orcs were the most hideous out of the races but they pact a punch like the beast. Not many chose this race because of their appearances, and most players only chose it because their guild asked them to change race so they could have an Orc in their guild. This was to ensure that their guild had all the races if there was a race-related quest.
Ren, Isolde, and Leonel shifted their heads to see if the Orc had a companion beside them. But it seemed like the Orc's business was with them.
Ren juggled his memory if he knew the green-skinned Orc but failed.
Although he had this nagging feeling that the Orc was very familiar, especially with that protruding light blue hair and frosty eyes of his.
"I'm talking to you," the Orc said as soon as he was in front of Ren and the others.
Leonel pointed at himself. "Me?"
The Orc nodded. "We met a while ago. At Gargino Restaurant," he said, eyeing Ren and Leonel.
". . ."
". . ."
Ren took a step back and gasped. "R-Ragnar Axis?"
Ragnar nodded. "Yes. I supposed that everyone knows my name."
"You know him?" Leonel asked Ren.
"He's that blue-haired guy a while ago together with that blonde lady."
Leonel's expression told that his brain was still loading before he finally recognized Ragnar. He then swept Ragnar repeatedly with his eyes from the man's toes up to the tip of his hair.
Leonel's mouth dropped. "T-that pretty boy turned into this! Why?! What?! HOW did that happen?! Why did you choose that race?!"
Ragnar just raised a brow at Leonel's question. "I don't want to hear it from a giant who chose to be a dwarf."
"Ragnar. Is that really you?" Isolde asked, squinting her big eyes at the Orc.
Ragnar nodded. "Yes. It's me, Isolde. Nice meeting you too. I wasn't going to approach them, but I noticed that you're in their group."
"You knew each other?" Leonel asked Isolde.
Ragnar and Isolde both nodded their heads at the same time.
"We're sometimes brought by our parents when they discuss business," Ragnar said simply.
"Anyway," cut in Ren, "How are you inside the game when you were still in the restaurant a while ago?"
Ren thought that Ragnar and Silvia had a date. Shouldn't date at least last the whole night?
"Ah, I guess you're curious about it." Ragnar tilted his hips and crossed his hands. His gestures were elegant and refined, which didn't match his looks and build.
"After my lunch with Silvia, I went home," Ragnar answered without care.
Ren expected that there was no love between the two of them since most rich people married their fellow rich group. Marriage was a business transaction. But still, how could he be so fast?
Like he understood Ren's thoughts, Ragnar added, "I owned multiple apartments in the city. I have one near Highland Mall."
. . . Rich people. Ren thought, slightly shaking his head. The veins on his head had been pounding like crazy ever since he returned in the past. His mind was crammed with all the ideas on how to uplift their life and buy his parents a mansion in Zone A's exclusive neighborhood.
But soon, he would suffer headaches on a different matter entirely –– about where to sleep from his long list of apartments.
The thought put a slight grin on Ren's lips.
"Anyway," Ragnar changed the topic, "Do you want to enter Gargantuan Cave?"
"Yes. Why?" Leonel asked.
For the first time, Ragnar's cold face gave way to a small smile . . . though his smile was terrifying in an Orc's body.
"I want to join you, of course."
Ren and Leonel looked at each other.
". . . Huh?"
"I want to join you, of course."
Ren and Leonel looked at each other.
". . . Huh?"
What was wrong with rich people nowadays? Ren thought. Don't they have friends that they would rather play with?
"Don't you have friends that you would rather play with?" Leonel asked, and Ren looked to the side with a sigh.
"NO," Ragnar said, with a proud tilt of his head. "I'd rather play alone. But then I heard that Gargantuan Cave couldn't be entered solo. And since we have a common acquaintance, I think it's only right that I entered your group."
Ren didn't understand that logic but . . . the more, the merrier, he guessed.
And having an Orc in the group would increase their firepower.
"I'm okay with it, but it's up to Ren and Leonel. I'm just tagging along," Isolde said with a serious expression.
"I'm cool. I'll leave the decision to Ren." Leonel didn't mind another stranger in their group. Rather, he liked that he got to know new people.
On the other hand, Ren was just curious why Ragnar chose to be an Orc. He wasn't against the idea at all that Ragnar was joining them.
"It's fine by me. The more, the better." I guess. Ren mused to himself.
Isolde's tight face loosened.
Leonel jabbed an okay sign.
And Ragnar's stoic face remained impassive even after joining Ren's group. It felt like he didn't know how to smile.
His resting, no care face was worse than Ren's. Leonel thought with a snicker as he eyed Ren and Ragnar.
"I'm Ren, by the way."
"Leonel's the name."
"Ragnar," he said and then pointed at the cave without wasting any more time. "Do you have any idea how we can enter the cave, though?"
"It's fine," said Ren.
"What do you mean fine?" Ragnar questioned.
Ren pointed toward the other players. "Sooner or later, these players will have enough, and riot would ensue. Let's use that chance to enter by then."
"So all we have to do is wait?" asked Isolde.
Ren nodded. "This place attracted a lot of players, and soon another group would emerge and challenge those guys' tyranny."
"But . . . they might get first blood." Leonel bit his thumb, looking worried at the cave.
"Don't worry. Bosses in caves and dungeons couldn't be defeated easily," reassured Ren.
"You seem to be confident with your words." Ragnar faced Ren. "Are you a beta tester?"
"Is that important?" Ren didn't want to be hostile with Ragnar. He might be a customer in the future, after all.
Ragnar shook his head. "No."
Isolde smiled and asked Ragnar, "I'm curious, though. Why did you choose an Orc out of all the races?"
"Yeah," seconded Leonel. "Didn't you regret it that you've ruined your pretty face?"
". . ."
Ragnar didn't answer.
There was silence lingering between the group until Ragnar took in a breath and said with a serious face and voice when Ren and the others looked at him with expectant eyes.
"The only reason I entered this game is because of this race. I wanted to look hideous and escape that hellish life I have in the real world.
"In this appearance, I don't suffer from all sorts of threats and blackmails. I wasn't drowning with gifts and letters every day. NO stalker was following me all around, and I could safely sleep and shower at night. I could finally eat and drink with a peace of mind that I wasn't consuming aphrodisiacs or love potions.
"Being ugly is what I longed for," said Ragnar with a resolute face and voice. "Being an Orc let me experience a new life without being chased, mobbed, and groped! This is the life that I longed!"
Ren was speechless.
Isolde's mouth dropped.
While Leonel just nodded in understanding. He tapped a hand over at Ragnar's shoulder. "I get you. Same thing as me. I chose a dwarf because I was a giant in the real world."
Ren was starting to get dizzy. He guessed that pretty boys have their own problems.
"Who gave you the right to barricade this place?!"
Their attention was stolen by a loud voice that rang deep like a gong. Meters from where they stood, a new group emerged.
It was a player with a Beast class. He had a tiger's ears and tail. A robust hairy body with bulky pecks, paws and sharp claws. He was leading a group of ten more players behind him.
Ren knew him anywhere. It was the guild leader of Roaring Tigers, Tor, and the sworn enemy of Poison Viper.
While Poison Viper was notorious for its vile deeds, Roaring Tigers were famous for their gallant and heroic fits. Although both guilds didn't belong to the top ten, they were strong in their own rights.
Was this the start of the enmity between guilds? Ren wondered.
"Yeah, you seriously think that this is your territory?"
"Everyone, let's trash them!"
As Ren claimed, the already tense situation went out of control very quickly at the appearance of a stronger force while the newbies rallied behind their back.
Though nobody could really kill or hurt the other since it wasn't a PvP fight, they could still push and overpower each other out of the way from the cave's entrance.
Roaring Tigers drew their weapons and charged forward with the newbies rallying behind them. Faced with this threat, Poison Viper couldn't just stand there and watch. At Vein's command, all guild member of Poison Viper met their charging enemies.
The entire area erupted into chaos within seconds.
"This is our chance," Ren said and commanded Leonel, "use your skill [Dash and Slash].
"Right. Everyone stay close behind me. I'll use my overpowered strength and awesome defense to smash our way through."
"Just do it," Ren said with dead eyes and a voice.
"YaArRgh!" Leonel shouted a battle cry before he charged forward. The wooden shield he held that was the size of him glowed golden as he activated his skill [Dash and Slash].
Leonel sprinted five meters forward, and all that was in his way was pushed to the side, creating a path for Ren and the others to move.
When a group of newbies tried to block their way, Leonel swung his hammer, and everyone that attempted to barge his path was flung to the side, stunned for five seconds.
Leonel's ATP was already way ahead of the others who just joined a couple of hours ago. They were no match to him.
Even though no one suffered from HP reduction from the fight, players were still hurled to the side and toppled to the ground, as well as suffered some status effects like stun.
"Good. Keep doing it until we reach the entrance to the cave!" Ren said, and Leonel followed with ears perking up from Ren's compliment.
"Remember, don't touch the save crystal!" Ren warned as they neared the entrance of the cave.
"Stop them!" shouted Vein when he noticed a large chunk of his guild members were tossed in the air by Leonel's skill.
"T-they're too strong!" another member of the Poison Viper shouted with tears in his eyes.
Leonel led the charge with his unstopped skill and shield, while Ragnar protected Ren and Isolde from the backline with his giant axe and incredible strength. At the same time, Ren and Isolde supported the two at the center.
Vein clicked his tongue when he noticed that Ren's group was like him. Players who entered at the very opening of the game and gained enormous advantage over the others who were just starting. Else, Ren's group couldn't possibly manage to defeat all the newbies that were blocking their path.
"Useless bunch of morons! Do I have to do everything by myself?!" Vein charged in Ren's direction, attempting to stop them, when a massive half-beast tiger blocked him.
"And where do you think you're going?" Tor obstructed Vein's path.Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
"Move bitch!" Vein spat.
Tor just smirked. "Make me."
While Vein was occupied with Tor, no one stopped Ren and the others from entering the cave anymore. The newbies that were guarding the entrance even scurried away at the sight of them, afraid to be flung to the side by Leonel's shield.
As the chaos was still raging outside, Ren and the others had safely entered the cave.
However, they didn't stop running to catch their breath. They run deeper forward, heading straight to the Boss's room.
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As Ren ran full speed ahead, he shouted again, "Don't swipe at the save crystal!"
In case someone died in his group, it was to make sure that they respawn in the village for the reason that there might be a chance that Poison Viper would still be in the area.
"Well, that was easy," huffed Leonel when they were deeper in the cave, and no longer heard the commotion outside.
"Don't let your guard down. There are still players inside and beast to defeat." Ren slowed down his pace when he was sure that no one was following them.
Ren knew that there would be Arachnids roaming around near the Boss's room so he gave out a warning. "Let's catch our breath first and survey our surroundings."
Arachnids were low-level beasts that could easily be defeated if all your ATP had reached two digits. But their height and webs were intimidating and scary. They weren't ordinary spiders like in the real world.
In ARCADIA, those Arachnid spiders were the size of a toddler or bigger and nasty as hell.
They attacked in swarms, and their webs were sticky. If you get hit multiple times, there's a high chance you'd be paralyzed inside a web cocoon for the Arachnid to feast upon you.
Leonel whistled. "Wow, talk about a celling full of cobwebs. This room is worse than our house."
There were thick cobwebs everywhere, and only a portion of space was passable.
"Avoid as many webs as you can," Ren said and added, "Arachnids would swarm in our direction if they noticed too much vibration from their webs."
Isolde nodded while Ragnar pressed his lips tight. The both of them already accepted that Ren might be a beta tester from his knowledge of the game.
While Leonel didn't even doubt Ren one bit. He just thought that Ren might have researched the cave beforehand or read the information in some secret forum that only he could find.
A couple of minutes passed, but there was still no sign of the Arachnid spiders.
"Did we enter the wrong cave?" Leonel stopped and scratched his head. "Is it just me, or there are no spiders in sight?"
"The others before us simply killed all the spiders in this area," Ren answered confidently. "They might still be respawning as we speak."
The rate of spawn time in the cave depended on the difficulty. The more the difficulty increase, the lesser the respawn time of the monsters. Since it was their first attempt, Gargantuan Cave was automatically set to normal difficulty. Thus the slow respawn time.
If they could clear Gargantuan Cave, then the other difficulties would become accessible like [Hard, [Nightmare, and [Sadistic] mode. The EXP gained would double as well, depending on how high the difficulty.
Though there won't be any more firstblood rewards, the high EXP gained, the honor of your name plastered on the leaderboard, and the stone of fame outside of the cave attracted a lot of guilds.
All guilds battled each other for the high difficulty and earliest clear time to gain prestige and be well known throughout COVENANT.
It may sound insignificant, but prestige is the most important when you have a guild. If you're known in all corners of the world, then a lot of players would want to join your guild, and your guild could even attract pro players if your name were always on the leaderboard and in the stone of fame outside of every cave and dungeons.
Operating a guild was good business. Top twenty guilds have special perks from COVENANT like 20% off all items in the shop, extra boost from rewards, and a monthly allowance worth thousands of millions in gil, among the many others depending on your guild's standing in the leaderboards.
What's more top guilds and players were more famous than superstars. Everyone remembered their name than their president's name.
That was why almost all players clamored for their guilds and name to be in the top twenty. The fame and money along with it was the dream of many players.
"It's a bad thing, right?" Isolde asked. "We couldn't grind to level our ATP at this rate." Especially her ATP.
Ragnar nodded. "Should we wait for the beasts to respawn first? Maybe try to destroy their cobwebs so they would come in our direction?"
Leonel rapidly shook his head. "Don't! I'm okay with one or two spiders along the way but dozens of them . . ." He shuddered and embraced himself, rubbing away the goosebumps erupting from his body.
"I'm getting hives just from imagining it."
Ragnar shot a look in Leonel's way. "You're a grown-up man. How can you still be afraid of a bunch of spiders?"
"How can you not?" Leonel spat back.
While the two argued, Ren was thinking.
To be honest, Ren was glad that he didn't have to waste time killing small fries like Arachnids spiders. The EXP he would get from killing them was minuscule. He would rather face the Boss now than waste his time on those creatures.
"We could wait for them to respawn, but we're pressed for time because of the unexpected turn of events. The other players might be catching to us as we speak. It's best that we hurry to the Boss's lair."
Isolde and Ragnar looked at each other. Their constipated faces told Ren that they disagreed with what they said.
"Are you worried about your low ATP?" Leonel grinned at Isolde. "Don't worry. You have a powerful dwarf defender in your group that would take all the damages for you!"
Isolde shook her head. "My ATP is low since I'm back to square one, and I'm afraid that I won't be much of help to you in a fight when we face the Boss. I think it's better if I grind first in here."
"My ATP is already in the second digit. Though I'm not against to a little bit of grinding," seconded Ragnar.
"You don't have to worry about that," Ren said before facing the direction deeper forward. "If we hurry, we might catch up to the other players before us and kill a bunch of Arachnid spiders ourselves."
Isolde's face brightened. That's right. Why didn't she think of that?
"I see. Then it's really best if we hurry than waste time around here and suffer a pincer attack if the other players catch up to us from behind," said Ragnar. The frown on his face was replaced with his usual poker face.
With everyone agreeing, they hurried onwards once more, avoiding all the cobwebs they could avoid and destroying those that were totally blocking their path.
Ren was right, Isolde thought. The Arachnid spiders were still dead and hadn't respawn yet. Judging from the number of cobwebs they destroyed, the Arachnid spiders should have been alerted and swarmed in their direction.
Isolde's hope of acquiring EXP through killing spiders was diminishing by the second as they traversed the straightforward path but still no sign of the enemy.
She was getting worried that she would slow the group down because she didn't have enough STR to land critical damage to the Boss.
Her plan was to enter Gargantuan cave and grind until her ATP reached two digits. It would be difficult because the monsters in Gargantuan Cave were higher level compared to the newbie forest where she was grinding the first time.
However, with Ren and the other's help, she would surely rack enough EXP to catapult her ATP to second digits in no time. And by the time they faced the final Boss, she could pull her own weight and wouldn't be baggage to the others.
Who would have expected that a group of thugs would block the cave entrance and cause problems for everyone?
To her!
I'm very unlucky. Isolde thought.
But then her big eyes drawn to a slit.
Rather . . . it's those guys who're at fault!
Isolde recalled their face and planted them in her memory. She swore that she would put bullet holes on their heads every time they met from now on.
CLiInNgG!
CLanNg!
Leonel flinched and stopped at the frontline. "Egh? What's that?"Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
"Could it be . . . ?" Isolde's pointy ears flinched. Her hopes rekindled at the sound of swords clashing against swords, and her face lit up.
Ren threw a slight smirk in her direction. "Rejoice, Isolde. You'll get that EXP boost after all."
Finally! Isolde screamed in her head and drew her revolver from her holster.
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Past another meter, Ren and the others arrived at a vast hall where a group of players was engaged with half a dozen Arachnids. Vile spawns of the [Dread Widow, the dungeon Boss.
Though they were nothing but hatchlings, they were knees in height and very fast. What's more, they could already shoot webs at unsuspecting players, turning them into nothing but mummies to be feasted on.
Leonel had goosebumps at the sight.
While a sweat rolled on Isolde's cheek.
"Boss! Some other group made it here!" player 2 alerted while fending off another strike from the Arachnid.
"Who are you?!" player 1 asked when they saw Ren and the others, but he was engaged with the Arachnids to do something about them.
The three of them were tasked by Vein to guard the Boss's room while their other members were fighting the Boss inside the enclosed door.
Though the boss room remained locked until the Boss was defeated or the players died, the three of them were making sure that the next group who would challenge the Boss were their members.
While Vein and the others guarded the cave entrance, there might be players who managed to enter like Ren and his group.
Isolde ignored the three players and was ready to take aim at the Arachnids when Ren stopped her.
"Wait." Ren swiped his hand on his screen and kicked Isolde out of the group.
"Wha–?" Isolde was flabbergasted and her eyes rounded.
"You'll earn more EXP this way," Ren cut in before Isolde could finish her sentence.
". . ." It took a moment before Isolde finally understood what Ren meant, and the corner of her lips rose into a wide grin.
"Thanks."
"Leo would be your guard. While Ragnar and I will reduce those Arachnids HP enough for you to finish them off."
He then faced Ragnar. "Is that okay with you? Or do you also want to grind?"
Ragnar merely gave a monotone reply, "My ATP is already in the two digits, and those Arachnids would no longer provide enough EXP and gill. So yes, I'm okay with it." Though he would grind later after Isolde's ATP reached two digits.
Ren nodded, and Isolde beamed at everyone. "Sorry, I'll just make sure to have my ATP in the two digits fast, and you can grind the rest if you want."
"Don't let your guard down, though," Ren warned. "Even though those Arachnids were low level, they could still kill you with two shots of their web at your current ATP."
"Understood. " Isolde licked her lips, and her big eyes glinted ominously at the baby spiders. "I will make this fast."
Angry veins erupted from the players in Poison Viper's group.
"Don't even think of killing–!"
Player 1 hadn't finished his sentence when Isolde fired her revolver, and the Arachnid he was engaged with was turned into particles while its EXP and loots went to Isolde.
Ren knew Isolde was a fair player, but he guessed that pressed with few options, she would also think of herself first.
"FUCK!" Player 1 cursed aloud. He was the one who reduced the spider's HP, but another just stole all his supposed loot. He was used to being the one who KS and not the other way around. "I'll fucking kill you!"
Player 1 roared and stormed at Isolde with his sword.
"Where do you think you're going?" Leonel met the incoming attack and used his skill [Parry] to deflect players A's sword strike.
"Move, asshole!" Player A spat, eyes burning at Isolde.
"Make me!" Leonel hurled his wooden shield, and player A flew meters back.
Upon seeing their leader take a hit, Players 2 and 3 ignored the Arachnids and stormed in Leonel and Isolde's direction with their weapons in hand.
"Ignore them," Ren said, casting [Probe] on the spiders.
‖ A R A C H N I D ‖
Location: Gargantuan Cave
Description:
Vile spawns of the Dread Widow.
These loyal spiders act as guardians, spies, and messengers, spreading their Fiendweb in the name of their dark mistress.
‖ A T T R I B U T E ‖
HP: 240
MP: 40
STRG: 15
DEF: 12
MDF: 10
INT: 7
AGL: 20
LCK: 10
‖ S K I L L ‖
Active Skill:
Web of Doom LV.1
–– shoot multiple webs to incapacitate enemies
–– cool down 2 second
–– cost –5 MP
–– 10% success rate of paralyzing enemy if LCK is higher.
‖ W E A K N E S S ‖
Weakness: Fire, Piercing
‖ E N D ‖
[PROBE successful!]
Ren pressed and used [Web of Doom LV.1] at the Arachnids that were heading their way.
Ren's MP was 180 and paired with his passive skill [Mana Conversion, his MP didn't budge even though he launched multiple [Web of Doom] nonstop to incapacitate the spiders while Isolde finished them off.
At the same time, Ragnar and Leonel were dealing with the players from Poison Vipers. Ragnar STR was higher than his players' counterparts thanks to his race bonus, and he could easily overpower the other players and flung them away with his axe.
While Leonel's DEF was the highest second to Ren. He absorbed most of the damage and skills that were thrown at them by the players from Poison Vipers. He was like an immovable rock that Ren and the others took refuge against their enemies' attacks.
Ren was surprised that Ragnar had good control and felt of his surroundings. He knew where to position to take advantage of the upper ground and could read his opponent's next move to counter their attacks before they could even make one.
Before his enemies could cast their skill, he was one step ahead and tossed his axe towards them, cancelling the activation of their skill.
Ragnar would be a good tank if he were a tank class. But being an Orc with good map awareness was also excellent.
Ragnar looked like a casual player, but Ren thought he was a pro from how he executed his movement.
Moreover, he wasn't even using a single skill the whole time.
He could be a top player if he wanted to. Ren thought to himself, and then he paused for a moment. Stunned.
Wait . . . Ren was hit with an epiphany, and the leaderboard in the past came into his mind. There was a time when a man named Ragnar was dominating the number one spot on the solo ranking before he was entirely forgotten after he vanished out of the blue.
C-could it be . . . Ren looked at Ragnar.
Somehow, Ragnar's green skin, lean but sexy pecks, protruding sharp teeth, and large nostrils became a picture of a hero fighting the bad guys. There were even sparkles of shining rays over him, and Ragnar's ugly Orcish face turned to something cool in Ren's eyes.
Ren shook his head and laughed at himself.
That can't be.
The world wasn't that small that he would actually meet the former top one who just vanished out of thin air before the media could get hold of his real identity.
"T-their strong." Player 3 backed away. Face ashen and eyes wide.
Players 1 and 2 also put distance between them and Ren's group. They had enough of being tossed, flung, and slapped to the side by giant axe and wooden shields.
The players of the Poison Viper guild could do nothing but watch as Isolde farmed all the Arachnids with the help of Ren, Leonel, and Ragnar.
It only took fifteen minutes tops for Isolde's ATP to reach the two digits, all thanks to Ren and the others' help.
"All good?" Ren asked after all the Arachnids in the area were slew by Isolde's bullets and Ragnar's axe. He then accepted Isolde back into the group.
"Yeah." Isolde beamed her brightest as she reloaded her revolver. She twirled her gun in her fingers before tossing it in the holster on her thigh.
"By the way. How is your skill the same as the Arachnids?" asked Isolde.
"It's one of my skills as an Arcanist."
"Is that so?" Isolde shrugged and brushed the matter off. A skill that could copy another skill, perhaps? "I guess rare classes really are more powerful than the normal ones, huh?"
"Do you want to change class? It's not too late, you know."
Isolde readily shook her head. "No. I'm good with my current [Sniper] class. Rather if I can't play as a sniper, might as well not play at all."
"Hm~Hm~," Leonel seconded.
"Your class is also a powerful class once you evolve it. In fact, all the classes are powerful if you know how to use them. The only difference of the rarer class is the added ATP bonus, compensation for the strenuous quest you must do to unlock it," said Ren.
Leonel nodded his head like a chicken picking grains.Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
"Then how did you acquire your rare class this early?" questioned Ragnar.
". . ." Ren dropped a meaningful smile. "You have to pay for that information."
"Fair enough." Ragnar flipped his hair, but then he realized that his hair was tied high on his bald head. "Anyway, let's add each other as friends. I'll contact you if I need that information."
Everyone exchanged contact information and added each other to their friend list, completely ignoring the three players from the Poison Viper guild.
Ragnar wasn't really interested in Ren's skills or his rare class. He was mainly playing COVENANT to escape his life in the real world. If he couldn't be an Orc, then forget about playing.
"Shouldn't we conserve our mana, though, for the final boss?" asked Ragnar.
Ren was aware that Ragnar was asking him. Out of the four of them, he was the one who relied heavily on mana.
"You don't have to worry about that," Ren said simply and didn't give any more information. He wanted to hide the information about his skills just to be safe. Even he couldn't disclose too much to Leonel since his friend couldn't shut his mouth sometimes.
Ragnar raised his none existent brow. "If you say so."
Ren then changed the topic and stared at the three players from the Poison Viper guild.
—-
A/N
BONUS Chapter later for reaching 300PS last week
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PS
Tunic 01. thank you for the review. but based on ur comments and review, i suggest STOP reading now while u r still ahead dnt wory i dnt delete review unless they're just hate or spam.
If i still see u comment and reading this story then u r a hypocrite for reading a book that u hate
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A/N
BONUS Chapter for reaching 300PS last week.
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—-
Ren and the others' attention flickered at the players from the Poison Viper Guild.
They were crouching in front of the giant door made of dark metal. Thick webs swirled around its frame in a tight hold, locking everyone from going inside and out.
Ren tilted his head and smirked. "Are you still going to stop us from entering?"
Isolde placed her hand on the handle of her gun.
Leonel readied his shield.
Ragnar swung his giant axe over his shoulder.
And the three squirmed together and sought comfort from each other's arms with shaking limbs.
"Y-you . . . you better stop now, or the whole Poison Viper will come at you," growled Player 1and he almost bit his tongue when Ren's eyelid flinched.
When PvP was established, going after someone was common. It was bound to happen that they would make enemies along the way.
It couldn't be avoided, no matter how kind you were. When you lose in a fight, you'd want revenge, no matter how you mask it with a smile on your face.
It was human nature to want revenge. Only a saint wouldn't.
Leonel coyly grinned. "Let them come then. But before they do, you three will be tossed in the air again and again until you let us pass that door."
Players 1, 2, and 3 held each other tightly when Ren, Leonel, Isolde, and Ragnar's eyes all twinkled with menace.
CrEeEcK . . .
Everyone's attention was stolen by the hinges noise from the giant door, followed by the cobwebs glowing dark before turning to dust.
The door to the Boss's room was now opened!
Players 1, 2, and 3's white heaving faces turned to one of arrogance yet again. Their comrades will finally come out, and together they will get their revenge!
"Ha! You four are in trouble now!" Player 3 shouted with a big sinister smile on his face.
"That's right!" roared player 2. "Ten of our strongest members will come out and trash your assess!"
Player 1 raised his head and looked down at Ren and the others with a crooked smile on his face. "It's not too late! Be glad that I'm in a good mood. I'll let you off after you hand over your items and weapons, or else . . . you'll find yourself in a serious beating!"
Ren and the others all looked at each other. What was the Poison Viper was spouting about when players couldn't hurt nor kill other players unless it were a PvP battle or guild wars.
"Are you perhaps confusing the real world with this?" Isolde asked and giggled while tilting her head to the side. "How cute."
"Egh?" The three players from Poison Viper guild caught their tongue. Their eyes went up to their head and thought for some time.
That was right. This was COVENANT, and they couldn't actually hurt them. The three thought.
Player 1 face burst red from embarrassment. "Shut up, ugly!"
Isolde's sharp eyes glint ominously, and player 1 flinched and hid behind Player 2.
"Ha! So what if we can't beat you?! We can hold you here and torture you!" player 2 shouted.
"Yeah! Like tossing you guys in the air like you did to us!" Player 3 seconded.
". . ." The image of being tossed and slapped to the side put a frown on players 1, 2, and 3's heads, and they grimaced at the memory.
Player 1 shook the depressing image out of his mind. "Anyway! Our brothers, come out and trash these assholes!"
Players 1, 2, and 3's smiles widened when the door opened fully. Their eyes were on Ren and the others with unabated attention, afraid that they would miss the regret and horror that would soon appear on their faces when their comrades all walked out of the door.
. . .
. . .
"Brothers?" Player 1 turned to look when a minute passed, and no one was coming out from the door.
"Huh?" Player 2 scratched his head. The room was empty, and nothing but darkness shrouded the space.
"W-where are they?" Player 3 had a bad feeling when not a silhouette was coming out from the darkness inside the Boss's room.
"I think your top strongest comrade all died in the hands of the boss and are now respawning in the cave entrance with a death penalty flashing at their faces." Ren smiled. A condescending smile meant to belittle.
"T-that can't be . . ." muttered player 1. But that was the only plausible reason since no one was coming out from the Boss's room.
Those were Poison Vipers' strongest members besides Vein. There were ten of them, and there was only one single Boss.
How could they be wiped out?!
Players 2 and 3 all looked at player 1 with dread. "W-what now?"
"Shut up. What can we do than play our final trump card?"
Players 1, 2, and 3 all looked at each other and nodded in understanding.
Ren and the others readied their weapon and took in a fighting stance.
Player 1 breathed deep, filling his lungs before shouting, "RUN!"
All three players scrambled to their feet and dashed towards the exit of the hall.
"You guys are lucky that I'm feeling in a good mood today!" shouted player 1. "I'll let you go and live this time but be careful when you come out! We'll have the place surrounded!"
"Ahahahaha! That's right! We remember your faces and will be hunting you!"
"Bleh!"
The three players all stuck their tongues outs and laughed before they disappeared from sight.
. . .
. . .
Silence descended and Ren's group couldn't react still.
Ragnar broke the stillness. "I guess the jokes on them since we didn't save in the save crystal." And since they didn't, they would respawn in the village.
Leonel snickered. "I wonder what their faces would be like when they waited for us for hours and found us gone in the end."
Isolde cracked her fingers, face dark and eyes glinting evilly. "Those bunch of *. It's them who should watch their back. I'll put bullet holes in their faces whenever I see them."
Ren just sighed. "Forget about them. Let's enter the boss room before more of them would come in here."
Usually, clearing the dungeon would take hours or even days, depending on the size of the dungeon. But Gargantuan cave was only a small size dungeon that could be completed within one hour if the party was fast.
The reason for this was because of mapping.
All areas and dungeons appeared blank on the map at the start, and a party member in a group had to map it out. Usually, another group was placed in a supporting role. This player was usually in the [Hunter] or [Animist] class. This person was in charge of mapping all nooks and crannies, traps and treasures, hidden rooms, foraging spots, and soon.
And since Gargantuan Cave was a straightforward cave, there was nothing to map, and Ren and the others arrived at the Boss's room in less than thirty minutes, all thanks to the players that cleared the Arachnids.
"Should we really enter?" Now that the giant door was staring at her face, Isolde was having second thoughts. She hadn't forgotten that time when she entered Thunder Cave with little preparation and no clue about who they were going to face.
"R-right." Leonel bit his shaking thumb. "Those guys said that ten of their strongest fighters entered. However, none came out."
"Maybe there's a [Teleportation Crystal] inside the boss's room?" Ragnar said, thinking with his fingers pinching his chin.
"Or they got wiped out," Leonel butt in with a nervous tone.
Ren didn't comment.
There was no save crystal in the Boss's room, and logging out features didn't work there. There was only a [Teleportation Crystal] in the form of an item. But that item was only available when the [Guild] feature was established in the game.
And those crystals didn't work inside the Boss's room either. You could only use it anywhere except there. And they were expensive.
"Let's go." Ren took the first step passed the edge of the door frame and entered the dark room.Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
"R-Ren!" Leonel ran after Ren while Isolde and Ragnar looked at each other before they went inside the room.
Their leader was already inside, and there was nothing more to say but to follow him.
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Pressed with no option but to follow their leader, Isolde and Ragnar entered the Boss's room.
"How did you know them, if I might ask," said Ragnar to Isolde.
"I met Ren when I attempted Thunder Cave. He warned me not to enter, but I still did and got wiped out in the end. And the rest was history."
"So he's a beta tester then?" That was the only explanation Ragnar could think of why Ren knew so much and why he was confident in taking on the Boss that otherwise, ten players who probably have double digits ATP couldn't defeat.
"Is that a problem?" Isolde turned cold, eyes squinting with threat. Ren and Leonel were nothing but nice to her, and she would not have someone exploit them, even if it was Ragnar.
"Not really. I really didn't care," Ragnar said, eyes on Ren. "I just don't want to die in the hands of some stranger I just met all because he was too overconfident.
"I wanted to make sure that he knew what he was doing. And assuming that he IS a beta tester put my mind at ease, at least."
Isolde looked to the side and clicked her tongue. "Then you shouldn't have joined our group in the first place," she grumbled under her breath.
When everyone was inside, the giant door closed and cobwebs formed on its frame, locking it from inside and out. Debris fell on the ground, and specks of dust settled when the wall shook.
When everything quieted, torches burned a blaze and illuminated the area. The large empty square space was covered in decaying cobblestones, moss, vines, roots, and thons and thons of thick cobwebs.
[Warning! You have stepped into the domain of Dread Widow!]
Everyone looked over the ceiling when the dust fell from above.
Hanging on the ceiling was a giant spider whose eight legs were six meters in length, deadly and pointy. Its body was the size of a one-story house. It had two glowing red orbs at the center of its bulging stomach. Its eight eyes glinted like fresh blood, and its large mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.
ScCreEch!
Leonel's eyelid fluttered, and he wobbled from where he stood while Ren steadied him.
"Focus."
Isolde gulped and used her [Monocle].
[Used Monocle x1
Remaining number of Monocles: 1]
ǁ D R E A D W I D O W ‖
Location: Gargantuan Cave
Description:
These horrific creatures spawned from the darkest pits of the Fiendweb, perfectly engineered to serve its master's agenda.
With venom that can slay dragons, unsettling stealth, and unshakable loyalty to the [Mother of Spiders]. Dread Widow spread their webs far and wide in pursuit of their mistress's enemies.
‖ A T T R I B U T E ‖
HP: 2 400
MP: 200
STRG: 16 3 [Domain Bonus]
DEF: 20 10 [Domain Bonus]
MDF: 10
INT: 19 4 [Domain Bonus]
AGL: 25 5 [Domain Bonus]
LCK: 8
‖ D A M A G E
R E S I S T A N C E S ‖
Bludgeoning [Non-Magic]
Piercing [Non-Magic]
Slashing [Non-Magic]
‖ C O N D I T I O N
I M M U N I T I E S ‖Read lat𝙚st chapters at Only
Poison
‖ W E A K N E S S ‖
Fire
‖ S K I L L S S P E L L S
Passive Skill:
Death Throes
When the Dread Widow dies, it explodes in a 10-meter radius sphere of poisonous ichor.
Razor Webweaver
The Dread Widow leaves razor-sharp webs on its trail, even ones suspended in the air. Anyone who comes into contact with the web suffers damage equal to the Widow's regular damage.
Shadow Stalker
The Dread Widow could hide in dark places and became invincible until it initiated an attack.
Active Skill:
Multiattack LV.2
–– the Dread Widow could make three leg attacks and a single bite attack.
–– 50% hit if LCK is higher
–– Cost –50 MP
Bite LV.3
–– 50% chance of Poison upon a successful hit
–– 50% hit if LCK is higher
–– Cost –20 MP
‖ E N D ‖
Isolde's face was white as a sheet. No wonder those players before them got wiped out. Its passive skills alone were enough to kill them.
Was this cave really a newbie dungeon that just four players could clear? Worse, her damage was mostly none magical attacks as well as Ragnar. The only one who could probably reduce the Dread Widow's HP was Ren.
In contrast, Leonel drew a blank look. He was clueless at the Dread Widow's information that appeared on his screen. He didn't even look at it since he would just have a headache from the numbers and descriptions.
As long as a single member within a group used Monocle, all the information would be spread to the other members as well. The same with mapping the dungeon. As long as a single member was doing it within a group, all the members would also benefit from the information on the map.
It was the reason why Guilds first sent out their support team to map the dungeon and gather the information about the Boss and the enemies lurking inside before they attacked with their main squad.
At the side, Ragnar was in deep thought. His brain was already formulating ideas on how to defeat the Dread Widow within the small time frame they were given.
Currently, his STR was well over 20, and his DEF was in the 17. He deduced that Leonel could keep the aggro on him for five minutes before his skill would run out, and only his defense was left.
With Ren's help, he could keep Leonel's health for about another five minutes, giving them ten minutes tops to defeat the Dread Widow before its attention was focused on Ren.
With Isolde and his combined attacks, they could land damage of about 20 since the Dread Widow had Damaged Immunities to non-magical attacks. But if the two of them used their skill, they might land 30 depending on their position and aiming skills.
Ren could probably use his spell against it and land another 100 and [Critical Hit] with his [Fire]. And as long as Ren had something in his list of skills to conserve his manna while Leonel didn't die in the fight, they could definitely win the war.
Ragnar only knew now the importance of a tank in a group. Without one, the Dread Widow would surely come after the damaged dealers first.
Ragnar made mental calculations and preparations within just seconds. He had already planned out his attacks and predicted his enemy's movement.
Ragnar tightened his hold on his axe and was ready to take his stance when the Dread Widow gave a loud cry.
SHhHrReEkK!
Everyone was caught off guard when out of the blue, multiple burst of Fire erupted out of nowhere. Two fires cleared the thick webs about an area of 100 sq. meters giving the group breathing space to move and attack, while one Fire directly hit the Dread Widow straight on its gaping mouth.
–542 Critical Hit!
[ Dread Widow suffered from BURN
–5% HP every minute ]
–27 (BURN)
"What the?" Ragnar was shocked to see the flash of damage that appeared on top of the Dread Widow's Head. His cool was shattered, and his head whipped in Ren's direction.
For that insanely amount of damage, Ren must have leveled his INT around in the thirties . . . no! Maybe even higher! Ragnar thought.
But what baffled Ragnar was the multiple attacks Ren made.
Could he shoot multiple fires now? Ragnar thought to himself? Or did he copy one of the skills of the Dread Widow?
Ragnar was curious about Ren's class and skills. But he wasn't that curious enough to inquire. It was a good thing that someone in their group was powerful enough to probably solo the Boss.
And besides, Ragnar had a feeling that Ren didn't want others to question his skills and ATP. Understandable since they were strangers. And Ragnar wasn't really interested enough to know. His policy was always to mind his own business and left the others alone as long as they left him alone.
Ren's INT was indeed high, and with the Dread Widow's low MDF, it was guaranteed serious damage against its weakness with an additional [Critical Hit] and [Burn] damage.
Moreover, Ren copied the Dread Widow's skill [Multiattack] and saved it to his [Mind Palace].
It was a powerful skill when paired with him since he was able to make four attacks in total. The only downside was the low percentage of success.
It only had a 50% chance cap when LCK is higher than your enemies. If it was 70%, Ren would have made a successful four attacks. And since his copied skill couldn't be leveled up, Ren made a mental note to erase it if another skill appeared just like it with a high percentage success rate, or better yet, no restrictions at all.
—-
A/N
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"What are you guys still waiting for?" Ren said, waking Isolde and Ragnar from their daze.
Isolde was confident with her skill, and she assumed that she was the main damage dealer within the group before Ragnar came into the picture.
But it wasn't the case now.
She felt embarrassed that she had questioned Ren before if he was good to be paid.
Clearly, he was well capable based on his ATP and skills alone. He could probably solo this cave — he and Leonel that is.
"The Dread Widow wouldn't die by itself," Ren called again and took the back lines when the Dread Widow shook its fur, and the [Burn] status was gone.
It gave a loud cry and zoomed towards them. Its eight legs were smashing stone floors, and within a blink, it had crossed the meters distance between Ren and the others.
Ragnar quickly regained his wits, tapped his foot on the ground, and avoided the incoming beast.
However, the following line in sight for the Dread Widow was Isolde.
Isolde gasped and was still out of focus when the Dread Widow suddenly loomed over her with its round mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.
Ragnar clicked his tongue and was about to auto maneuver and hurl his axe in the Dread Widow's way, but he wasn't confident that it would do enough damage to distract it, and Isolde could escape.
The Dread Widow's enormous talons reflected in Isolde's eyes; if she blinked, she would surely find herself back in the Village as a wisp.
"Aggro on me!"
Leonel's shout brought Isolde back, and she was given a second life when the Dread Widow's two front legs stopped midway from erasing her in existence.
The Dread Widow's head turned to Leone's direction before giving another loud battle cry.
"Come at me, you overgrown spider!" Leonel spat though his legs were shaking.
The Dread Widow ignored Isolde and the others, and its eight menacing eyes locked on Leonel.
"Leo, remember to cast that skill as soon as the Boss appears," Ren lectured and cast another [Multiattack].
But due to the low percentage chance and the Dread Widow's AGL and alertness, only a single fire managed to hit it, and the rest burned another area of its webs.
–547 Critical Hit!
[ Dread Widow suffered from BURN
–5% HP every minute ]
–28 (BURN)
Ren clicked his tongue. He could have ended the fight early if only four of his [Fire] hit its target.
"Ahahaha. Sorry. I got distracted." Leonel choked on his voice when the Dread Widow hammered her legs against his shield, followed by a bite.
Even when his guard was up, Leonel suffered from the Dread Widow's [Multiattack].
–24
–17
–15
–22
Ren immediately cast [Heal].
10
Due to the [Heal] spell restriction of just replenishing 10% of HP even with Ren's high INT, he could do nothing about it but shook his head when only a little HP was added to Leonel's Health bar.
Leonel's HP was still flashing red, and just another skill of the Dread Widow, he would find himself in Venezia Village without a body.
Even if they died, they wouldn't suffer any death penalty as long as the party was still alive. Though they couldn't revive their main body as long as the dungeon boss wasn't defeated or the party wasn't killed.
However, Leonel wasn't worried since Ren wasn't worried.
Leonel still had another skill up his sleeve, which he unlocked when his DEF reached 20.
Ren cast [Multiattack] again. If he couldn't hit the Dread Widow with multiple fires, then he would clear the thick webs sprouting nonstop wherever it went so the others could move freely.
A single fire hit the Dread Widow, and it shrieked in agony before Isolde and Ragnar joined in and attacked the Dread Widow with their weapons.
Like Ragnar imagined in his head. His and Isolde's damage didn't even dint the Dread Widow's HP.
They weren't worried, though, since the beast was going to die soon if another fire from Ren hit it.
–540 Critical Hit!
[ Dread Widow suffered from BURN
–5% HP every minute ]
–27 (BURN)
"We got 'em." Isolde beamed in relief while feeling embarrassed inside. She didn't do much, and it was all Ren who mostly took care of it.
Ragnar didn't mind as long as the enemy was taken care of. He was busy guessing Ren's total INT for his magic damage to be so high.
Leonel was grinning from ear to ear. He had never once been defeated when Ren was around. As long as he did his job, Ren would take care of the rest.
The spoil of wars was theirs!
"Leo, activate [Last Stance] now!" Ren shouted when the Dread Widow was still standing with its eight legs with just a 5 HP bar flashing red on its head.
Leone was confused but was already heading Ren's command without thought. It was an automatic response.
Just as Isolde and the others were thinking of their loot, a notification popped on their screens.
[The Dread Widow entered BERSERK MODE!]
[All Skills and Spells increased by a level!]
[The Dread Widow activated its skill BITE!]
Before Leonel could react, the gaping mouth of the Dread Widow filled with razor-sharp teeth took a chunk of his flesh.
–240 Critical Hit!
[ You suffered from Poison
–5% HP every minute ]
It was a good thing that Leonel activated his skill [Last Stance] that allowed him to resist any attack with 1 HP once a day. If he didn't, he was afraid he was back in Venezia village as a ghost waiting to be resurrected.
His HP dropped to 1, but Leonel wasn't out of the rocks yet. There was still the effect of the Poison that would sink in a couple of seconds.
And before the Poison could claim Leonel's life, Ren timely cast [Heal] and saved him by a hair.
10
–5 (POISON)
Isolde and Ragnar didn't just stand and watch. They both charged at the Dread Widow and killed it with a bullet and a cleaved in the head with an axe before the two immediately backed away when the Dread Widow was about to explode and filled the area ten-meter radius with Poison.
Everyone sighed in relief when the notification appeared on their screen except Ren, who looked over at Leonel seriously.
"Leo, consume Health Potions and get your Health back ASAP."
"Right. Since I still have the poison status on me. It would be idiotic to die when we finally defeated the Boss," Leonel said with his dopy smile before consuming Health Potions to replenish his HP.
"Shouldn't it be better just to die and respawn in Venezia Village than consume Potions? You wouldn't suffer a death penalty since we defeated the Boss, and you will revive with perfect health, too, saving your Health Potions in return," Ragnar commented.
"Is that right?" Leonel questioned, but he still drank the Health Potions. It wasn't because he didn't believe Ragnar. It was just that he tended to lean on Ren more.
"Ren, we should return to Venezia and get some rest in the inn. I really need to get this Poison off me." Leonel drank another bottle of [Health Potion, but his HP was still reducing due to the Poison.
[Antidote] were only available in towns and were inaccessible at this early stage.
Though a [White Mage] already had the skill for it. But since there was no White Mage within their group, all Leonel could do was to wait it out until the Poison status was gone.
In order to access Towns, there were specific ATP requirements for each class that had to be met. Like for the mage class, INT must be 30 first, while for the melee, their STR must be 30.
This was to ensure that the players were ready to accept much more challenging quests and proceed forward without dying multiple times along the way.
The developers could be kind if they wanted to. Though mostly they were sadistic and loved to torture their players.
"Don't worry. That's only a low-level poison. It would disappear after a minute," Ren said.
"I see." Leonel drank another [Health Potion]. "But how do we get back to the Village? Do we have to log out and log in?" Leonel asked, and Ren nodded.
"There's no logging out from the Boss's room. We could log out once we're in the hall outside those doors, and we will automatically appear in our last save spot once we log in," Ren explained further.
"Rather, is this really a Boss fight?" Isolde asked with a frown on her face. "The rewards we acquire aren't firstblood rewards. There should be at least a platinum chest, right?"
Ragnar agreed with her. "There aren't any notifications of first blood either."
Leonel blinked in rapid succession after he drank [Health Potion x10] and the [Poison] status finally disappeared and left his HP in peace.
"Come to think of it. Wasn't the Boss too easy?"
"Easy?" Ragnar smirked. "You almost died back there if not for Ren's timely heal on you."
"Shut up. That's not what I meant," defended Leonel. "I mean, it should be easy for a ten-party member with all their ATP's in the two digits.
"Think about it. They could easily defeat the Boss here if they had one or two mages."
". . . True," murmured Isolde with a deep frown on her forehead, thinking of their fight just now.
Ragnar huffed a smile at Leonel. "I'm surprised that you actually made sense for once."
"Huh? I'm always making sense."
Everyone's attention focused on Ren when he was silent at the side.
"Was that really the boss?" the three asked simultaneously.
Ren's poker-face face didn't budge before the corner of his lips rose in a concerning smirk.
"Who said that it was the Boss?"
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
"Huh?" a flower sprouted on Leonel's head. "If it's not the Boss . . . then who?"
"Who . . . ?"
Everyone went still at the sudden ghastly voice of a woman. It was like the sound of winds passing through trees in the middle of the night.
"Who . . . ? Who killed my adorable pet . . . ?"Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).(com)
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"Who . . . ? Who killed my adorable pet?"
"How dare you encroach your filthy feet in one of my mistress's domains."
Isolde and Leonel's fine hair stood on end at the creepy voice. It felt like a young girl's voice, slow, low, humming but raspy, and reminded them of a dead vengeful ghost.
"W-what's that?" Leonel pointed his finger at a shadow looming over the floor that appeared out of nowhere.
The monster emerged from its Shadow and took the form of a twisted creature with a woman's torso. Its skin was ashen, and replacing its belly down was that of a spider with eight misshapen legs, pointy and deadly at the edge. Its two arms deformed into a twisting spiral of flesh-like spears.
However, the most hideous was its face. If its voice were creepy enough to send everyone running for the hills, its face would give the faint of heart nightmares for weeks.
It didn't have a skin on its face, only dark grey muscles that spiraled and twisted to its hair. Hallows of smoky shadows danced on its back that assumed the shape of its locks. Sharp jaws spread its mouth wide, and two holes replaced its nose while a set of eight glowing red eyes dotted its head.
Leonel's vision blurred, and Ren pushed him straight when he wobbled from where he stood.
"Steady."
Isolde couldn't breathe from the enormous presence before them as she used a monocle with her shaking hands. She already took the role of the [Monocle] user in the group.
[Consumed Monocle x1
Remaining number of Monocle: 0]
ǁ M A I D E N
O F A G O N Y ‖
Location: Gargantuan Cave
Description:
"Loyal servants to the Mother of Spiders."
Once a high priestess in the Kingdom of the Dark Elves. She was captured by the Mother of Spiders and turned into a twisted foul form.
The Maiden of Agony now serves as the Mother of Spider's greater assassins, tasked with eliminating dangerous enemies.
‖ A T T R I B U T E ‖
HP: 5 000
MP: 500
STRG: 30 5 [Domain Bonus]
DEF: 25 10 [Domain Bonus]
MDF: 20
INT: 25 4 [Domain Bonus]
AGL: 30 5 [Domain Bonus]
LCK: 15
‖ D A M A G E
R E S I S T A N C E S ‖
Bludgeoning [Non-Magic]
Piercing [Non-Magic]
Slashing [Non-Magic]
‖ D A M A G E
I M M U N I T I E S ‖
Poison
‖ C O N D I T I O N
I M M U N I T I E S ‖
Sleep
‖ W E A K N E S S ‖
Fire
‖ S K I L L S S P E L L S
Passive Skill:
Cunning Action
On every action, the Maiden could perform one bonus action if its LCK is higher.
Shadow in the Night
The Maiden of Agony is invincible when in dim light or darkness. Critical hit if the Maiden sneaked behind its unsuspecting enemy.
Torturing Venom
The Maiden of Agony could inject deadly venom upon a successful hit.
Active Skill:
Multiattack LV.4
–– the Maiden of Agony can make two attacks with its hands and a single Snuff Light attack.
–– 70% hit if LCK is higher
–– Cost –100 MPRead lat𝙚st chapters at Only
Long Bow LV.4
–– the Maiden of Agony can detach her arms and throw them like spears.
–– Arm Regeneration takes 10 sec for each arm.
–– Cost –50 MP
Snuff Light LV.2
–– the Maiden of Agony can eliminate any light source for 2 seconds.
–– Cost –20 MP
‖ E N D ‖
Isolde and Leonel's mouths fell. Its ATP was way higher than the Dread Widow! And its passive skills complimented its active skills — no wonder the ten strongest members of the Poison Viper were wiped out.
Then what would happen to them?
The other three looked at Ren with disbelief and worry-filled face.
Did Ren just prank them?
Who would expect that the serious man who had a resting no-nonsense face could also be naughty?
Isolde was caught off guard while Ragnar sighed.
This was the consequence of trusting a stranger. He thought to himself.
Leonel just looked at Ren in surprise. He couldn't get over that there was another Boss. He was used to Ren playing pranks sometimes, and he mostly succeeded because he was a serious guy that others wouldn't think he had a mischievous side.
Only, his pranks were brutal, and no one was laughing when he was done.
"It's the real boss of this cave," said Ren with no trace of worry in his voice.
"Real . . . Boss?" Isolde was at a loss.
"There's another boss?!" shouted Leonel.
"A little heads up would be nice," commented Ragnar.
"I thought you didn't want spoilers?" Ren chuckled. He purposefully kept the Boss a secret from everyone. He wanted to see Leonel and Isolde's faces.
Leonel was shaking and couldn't utter a word while Isolde's big eyes were wide, paired with a tight face and a big sweat on the side of her cheeks.
The both look constipated.
A little mischief was nice once in a while. Ren thought. Since he was confident that they would come out victorious from this fight, even more so that Ragnar had joined them. He wanted to play a little prank for his amusement.
But of course, he wouldn't do this kind of stuff if he knew they would have a hard time fighting the Boss.
And there was another reason why Ren didn't tell them. It was a necessary sacrifice for his own benefit, that is.
"Yes, I hate spoilers," Ragnar admitted. "But I hate surprises more."
Ren just chuckled. "Relax. We can defeat it."
"Really?" Isolde's tight face loosened a bit. She forgot about Ren's little prank and abandoned her plan of putting a bullet hole in his head as a revenge joke.
"Yes. The same strategy we used at the Dread Widow. Leonel will keep the aggro on him while you two attack it simultaneously while I provide support at the back and reduce its HP as much as I could."
"I don't think that's going to work," Ragnar commented. "We got lucky the first time, and Leonel almost died. This time I think he would die for sure."
"Eh?!" Leonel whipped his head in Ragnar's way. "Why are you trying to kill me?"
Ren seconded Ragnar. "Yes, he will."
"Egh?! I will?!" Leonel shrieked.
Ren ignored Leonel, and he seriously looked at Ragnar. "And when he did, you will take his place."
Ragnar's eyes widened when he realized Ren's plan.
Ren was planning to sacrifice them as a meat shield until he could kill the Maiden of Agony.
And since they wouldn't suffer any death penalty as long as a single member of their party remained alive, Ragnar thought that it could work provided that Ren could finish the Maiden of Agony in the end.
". . . I see." Ragnar picked up his axe and faced the Maiden of Agony. There was no option for retreat, only forward. Though he didn't like it that he would be used as a cannon fodder, there was no other way. "I guess it might work."
"What would work?" asked Leonel, worried. Why did he feel that everyone was already planning his death?
The corner of Ren's lips rose when Ragnar caught his drift.
"But I don't think it would be enough." Isolde was worried. Apparently, she didn't know what Ren and Ragnar were talking about.
"It won't, and by that time, I'll be counting on you to distract it so I can finish it off." Ren flashed a slight grin at Isolde's way, and the latter caught her tongue.
Is he . . . depending on me? Isolde couldn't help but think this way, and her spirit was rejuvenated.
She was unaware that behind Ren's smile was a sinister plot to use her as a shield when the time comes.
"Leave it to me!" Isolde exclaimed in great enthusiasm.
"I'm counting on you." Ren smiled before facing the Maiden of Agony. "Let's go and claim our rewards!"
"Yes!"
"YaArRgH!" Leonel took a step forward, and the Maiden of Agony gave a loud scream when the trigger of attack was activated.
Leonel smashed his hammer against his shield and activated his skill.
"Aggro on me!"
It was time to end this fight!
—-
A/N
I got a contract for this book! YaAy!
Thank you to everyone for the support. This wouldn't happen without you
I can finally pay my bills. LOL
I hope that you will still continue to support this story until the end.
Even behind a paywall
We will start locking chapter around 55 or 60 a total of 70k words or more. I think its not bad . . . I hope.
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