Author’s note: Next chapter in three days, enjoy the read. I’ll show you all the undeads’ statuses with the Glossary that should come up within 10 days or so.
Icicle: *Oi, why aren’t you saying anything?*
Acquare: *sniffle* It’s nothing, I am j-just so happy!*
Wait, what?
Icicle: *What do you mean Acquare? You want your sister dead?*
Acquare: *Of course not, you goddamn moron! I have been looking for my sister for so long that I presumed she was already dead… Nonetheless, I kept on sending people to find her. Now you’re saying that not only is she not dead, my sister can even be found within a year! For someone like me who sought her for centuries that’s like a godsend opportunity!*
She’s actually happy?
Jeez, the deities here are truly “mortals”.
I have a feeling they’re even more peculiar than two of me combined.
Yeah, the two of me, not just one.
Icicle: *So, what’s the plan? Will you still pretend to be a weakling and not help me out at all?*
Acquare: *Pretend? Who would have thought, you actually do have some insight!*
Icicle: *Why would all the deities visit you for a mere reason of choosing your champion? It’s obvious that they’re afraid of you. Hence my question, what’s the plan?*
Acquare: *My reputation precedes me, it’s true, but I’ve been inactive for too long. All of the treasures I had were distributed to those who searched for my sister along the years. It wouldn’t be untrue to call me completely broke at the moment.*
Icicle: *Great, I’ve become a humble servant of a useless, penniless deity. What a joy.*
Acquare: *Hmph, have you forgotten your own words? You didn’t want any rewards, you even smiled so happily when I granted you the superior water affinity, you greedy bastard!*
I’ll give this retort five out of ten.
Icicle: *Hahahaha! Of course I remember saying that. Only the task was to embellish a shrine of yours with some bogus artifacts and relics, not to find your overpowered sister. Even a fart from hers can most likely kill me. Not to mention, as I see it, she doesn’t want to be found. Detective Icicle on a not so hot trail of a runaway sister, what a story.*
Acquare: *Y-You…!*
Let’s play her a little~.
Icicle: *Don’t worry, even though I have made a mistake to associate myself with you, I will keep my word. If you can’t help me out along the road, paying in nature works as well.*
Acquare: *It’s thousand years too early for you to even hope of getting your way with my body. Won’t hurt to see you try though~. If you actually manage to overpower me, I’ll strip before you and beg for it myself!*
Saying that mad laughter erupted inside my head is an understatement.
That was one of the greatest ways to arouse, *cough* I mean inspire the male.
Icicle: *Oh really? Great, remember to keep your word. I hope your begging skills are quire exquisite.*
Acquare: *Hmph. Stop digressing. What is your real purpose here? You’re definitely not looking for my sister to appease me. Come on, spit it out.*
Who’s the astute one now, huh?
Of course I do have another reason.
Finding that overpowered ice dragon, even if she doesn’t want to return to you, I can haggle!
No sane celestial being would give up all its secrets to some mere mortals! (Sorry Ice Mages, don’t curse me.)
That means only one thing. Most powerful hidden ice skills are still up for grabs!
Even if I cannot persuade or coerce that dragon to reunite with Acquare, I can still profit from the venture itself!
Icicle: *You women are so nosy. Why would I tell you? Hmph, don’t overestimate yourself. If you start begging though, I might share.*
Acquare: *…*
Icicle: *On a serious note, stop sleeping and get to work. I have a lot of struggling ahead of myself. To reach a level where I can even start searching for this ice dragon sister of yours will take a lot of time. You sleeping for centuries doesn’t help. Procure some artifacts for me, if we are to even have a slim chance of finding this “fugitive”.*
Acquare: *Why are you so harsh today? I get the teasing, but that tone of yours… it’s personal, isn’t it?*
Icicle: *You’re damn right it is! When someone from my family goes missing or anything has happened to him, I immediately act and try to figure out a solution! Who would have thought that there are people like you who send some incompetent retards to search for a being who’s basically unreachable! *
Acquare: *And what do you know?! I couldn’t leave this place!*
Icicle: *Has someone tied you up?*
Acquare: *No, I-
Icicle: *Have they locked you up then?*
Acquare: *No!*
Icicle: *Then why didn’t you leave? Stop making excuses. You’ve fucked up a big time, at least have some gall to acknowledge it.*
Although Acquare didn’t say anything, from her silence I could derive that she’s struggling.
My words were harsh, but that’s exactly what they needed to be.
Otherwise, how can she ever realize, an artificial intelligence that’s barred from escaping its territory, that she can actually rebel?
Hell, if I destroy Loiterous in the process, so be it.
I wouldn’t want to play a game where important and powerful NPCs are static and don’t do anything to help or to inhibit the players.
Where’s the challenge in all of that?
Icicle: *Stop sulking and get to work. You deities live for a long time, who knows, you may even be immortal. You will have a year to think of an appropriate apology. If you truly cherish your sister, then you’ll find the way. All you need is some personal involvement. That Celestial Blue Fire Empress was able to run away from home, so can you. However, if for any reason you don’t feel up to the task, say so now. With or without your help, I’ll still do my best.*
Acquare: *Puny human, if a lofty being like me can’t do it, why would a miserable wretch as yourself be able to?*
Oh boy, she snapped.
Good.
Icicle: *That’s the spirit. Keep at it.*
Acquare: *You know what’s worst about this whole thing, Icicle?*
Icicle: *Calling me by my name, seems serious. What is it?*
Acquare: *I clearly realize that I’m being played by you, yet I’m still determined to do it for my sister. Is that what you humans call familial love?*
Icicle: *Who knows what might be going on in your head. But yes, it seems like it. You probably needed a push to notice your true feelings.*
Acquare: *Hahaha, a measly human has actually made me learn something! That’s hilarious and embarrassing at the same time. Say, how can you have so much confidence and arrogance when facing a superior being? I couldn’t defy the gods, yet you’re stubbornly defying me as if I’m nothing. Just how in the world do you do that?!*
That’s a good question.
Why can I so openly talk to Acquare?
The only reason that comes to my mind is that I’ve faced more intimidating people.
Especially the world leaders.
Compared to their pressure, how can she amount to anything?
Why would a mere deity in a game cause me to be overpowered, cause me to tremble?
Icicle: *You know, it sounds like you’re trying to change our relationship. Do you want me to take over the reign and be the master now?*
I couldn’t help teasing her a little though…
Acquare: *…*
Icicle: *As for your question… it’s hard to explain. Let me put it that way. If you are at the peak of the mountain in this world and I’m a mere commoner here, whereas in my world tgings are completely reversed. Not only am I not a commoner, neither am I at the mountain peak. In my world, I’m like the vast skies. High and unreachable. There are only a handful of people who can match my status. As you can imagine, it’s not as enjoyable as majority of the public think. Nearly all of the time you have is spent on your job. Not on enjoyment, not on your family, but on your work. This kind of life is a dream of many, but that’s only because they don’t realize what the hardships of the people at the top truly are.*
Acquare: *whistles* Not bad, Icicle. Should I call you milord now?*
Icicle: *There’s no need. Get to work.*
Acquare: *You know, I’m not your dog.*
Icicle: *Nor am I yours, yet I’m being treated like one.*
Acquare: *And you still will be.*
Haha, that’s the response I was waiting for.
Seems like Acquare has finally collected herself.
Good, freebies such as artifacts are always a much appreciated thing.
Icicle: *I wouldn’t have it otherwise.*
Acquare: *So you like being treated like a dog~?*
Icicle: *No, of course I do not. But haughty being like you needs to have some pride. What else can you have when you’re a useless, penniless Water Deity?*
Acquare: *I’ll really stick it to you someday…*
Icicle: *Wait a second, shouldn’t I be the one to stick it in~?*
Acquare: *Arghhh! I’ve had enough of your crappy jokes! Get yourself a woman, you horny dog! Just so you know, I’m severing the connection right now. Bye bye, doggie~.*
Shit, I was left without a chance to retort.
*sigh* Dealing with women is so troublesome.
It’s fun to tease them, but they get angry so easily…
Wait, don’t I get angry easily as well?
Does it mean I’m a woman at heart?
Great, now it seems like I’m a different gender…
…
Albatros Company’s Studio, Lisa’s POV
What the hell is Icicle doing?
Chit-chatting with deities, getting his all-star team ready…
All those beautiful and slightly less beautiful women are there!
Arghhh!
You goddamn lecherous, licentious pig!
How dare you have other women except me?!
…wait, we haven’t even dated yet.
*sigh* What in the world am I thinking…!
Looking at the screen I saw Icicle roaming around the dungeon.
Lisa: What is he doing?
Carl: Seems like a check up on his monsters.
Jack: This scene in front of us is almost like LOTR. Gathering huge force underground to unleash it against the world!
Lisa: If Icicle actually had such ambitions then it would surely break the current game balance. How would Starting Area fare if he really did dare to attack it?
Carl: Hmm, when it comes to teachers they wouldn’t be able to repel it. Icicle would be taken care of in a jiffy, but the undead… they would pose a much bigger threat. Obviously, if the Guildmasters of both Mage Guild and Warrior Guild involved themselves, then the fight would be over in fifteen minutes or so.
Lisa: What about the damages?
Jack: To be frank, the undead themselves aren’t that much of a threat, but their master, Zexna, the one who’s a full-fledged necromancer could possibly destroy at least 70% of Vilen Town all by himself. That includes civilians, which would in turn be conscripted into the undead army. If it were to happen, this event would cause such a huge chaos that Starting Area wouldn’t be able to recover for months.
Lisa: Doesn’t seem like Icicle has any such plans though, does it?
Carl: No, at least not at the moment. However, with the Holy Light Church’s army gathering to subdue him, not to mention all of the players that are being reeled in, it’s possible. After all, such a large scale hunting event has never happened before. According to my predictions there’s a chance of Icicle lashing out against the Starting Area.
Something’s wrong.
Why would he do that to the Starting Area?
Icicle has Mage Guild over there, there’s no reason for him to endanger them.
Unless…
Lisa: Carl, don’t tell me you’re thinking about the same thing as I do…
Carl: If you’re thinking about Icicle sending his whole undead army into Vilen Town only to crush the local church there, then yes, we’re thinking about the same thing.
Damn it!
This can actually happen.
Icicle had no qualms about killing those NPCs near the dungeon, why would he have any restraints in killing the ones who attacked him?
Lisa: Didn’t you say there were Guildmasters who can stop him? Wait… Cindy and lord Vilen are on his side, that means…
Carl: Exactly. With only the Warrior Guild left, even if its Guildmaster were to step in, there’s no way he can stop the undead army. Let’s not forget about Nyuva, Icicle’s companion. If she were to act… don’t mention the Vilen Town, whole Starting Area would be left in rubble.
Jack: Boss, I am extremely biased here, so let me be the one to say this. We’ve nerfed the shit out of the Mages. It may seem insignificant, but for players like Icicle who barely “cultivated” their mana, it’s like starting anew. All he did was spend a few days under the waterfall. Icicle didn’t focus on converting the energy into a usable one because he simply didn’t need to. This kind of change doesn’t get taken lightly, looking at the data, around 60-70% of the mages changed their classes.
Lisa: Alright, but what does it have to do with Icicle? He’s weaker now, it’s obvious.
Jack: Yes, indeed he is. But, as a matter of fact, he’s about to join the Hylzar’s academy. With all the resources provided, plus some extra help, Icicle might be able to beat the whole punitive expedition by himself.
Why is that idiot over exaggerating like this?
There’s no way he can do that!
Lisa: Oi, Jack, you shouldn’t lie like that! There’s no way in hell Icicle can do it! I believe that he’s inherently strong person, but the church’s army will take at most two weeks to gather. What in the world can he do in such a limited amount of time?!
Jack: Well, I told you I’m biased towards him, but the reason I’m saying this is… I was actually a member of Hylzar’s academy during the beta tests.
Carl: Hahahaha! What a lot of bull! All the other beta testers know that you’ve played assassin. You were so weak that everyone could beat you, stop spouting bullshit Jack. Have some dignity.
Why is Jack smiling? What the hell is going on here?
Something’s fishy.
Does every man have secrets like Icicle?
Seriously, I can’t believe Jack is a bigshot…
Jack: Hehehe. This is indeed true. I’ve been beaten by you lot countless amount of times. But! Do you remember that NPC mage who has thrashed you around like punching bags?
Carl: I sure do. Goddamn overpowered son of a bitch! That guy defied common sense, he actually practiced so fast that it was inconceivable! As if the laws of the game didn’t apply to him at all. That person is one of my grievances from the beta tests…
Lisa: What are you playing at, Jack? Tell us what happened without being so enigmatic.
Jack: Boss, Carl, the person who played that mage was me.
Seriously?
Carl: You’re pushing it Jack. I was always the one who was better at games, now you’re telling me that you have actually beaten me?! Outplayed me?! Argh!
Lisa: Stop it right now, both of you!
These idiots have actually tried to have a fight here…
For fucks sake, have these idiotic employees reverted to being children?
Am I supposed to run a kindergarten and provide daily care now?
Lisa: Jack, is what you’re saying true?
Jack: It is. I’ve altered the code a little to make it look like I’m an NPC. The first kingdom I headed to was the Kingdom of Acalen, one belonging to the mages. Even the lowest ranked guild didn’t want to enlist me… I dejectedly returned to Minaeryth Kingdom, and even here I was rejected many times. One day I stumbled upon Hylzar’s Mage Guild in Raren City. Upon taking the test, I barely passed it. Although I was accepted as the lowest of the low, I was treated kindly. Meddling with the code a little again, I was able to secure entry into the special area. This Mage Guild has an underground complex that is like a dungeon. Things are simply different there. Intelligence and Wisdom proficiency rises several times quicker than normal. If I, who was a complete newb to mage classes, could overpower Carl and the other experienced devs and staff in three months, when they played for more than a year, why would Icicle, who’s already overpowered be unable to rise to power once again?
Lisa: Are you saying that this place is actually one of the best in not only the kingdom, but entire world to cultivate?
Jack: Something along the lines. As long as you can maintain your concentration, rising in stats is a piece of cake. All you’re lacking then is equipment, which with higher stats can be easily obtained.
Lisa: What class did you play back then?
Jack: Actually, I chose Water Mage. That was the only reason they invited me in. Otherwise, I would have failed their test. But, because I was a “rare phenomenon” as they called it, I was allowed to join their ranks.
Carl: Jeez, I’ve lost to a complete newb who lucked out… not like this man, not like this…
One is whining, another is gloating…
Reversed roles of two gamers.
Who would have thought that in this vast, heartless MMO world even a newbie can beat a veteran.
Whatever, that’s not important. I need to focus on the matter at hand.
Lisa: Are there any restrictions? Or can you level up your stats indefinitely?
Jack: Hmm, from what I could gather, it only works until you reach 1000 points threshold in one stat. Then you’re no longer eligible to stay in the room.
Lisa: Thank God, we would have created a monster…
Casting a sidelong glance at Jack, I saw him smothering his laugh.
When his gaze crossed with mine he couldn’t persevere with his snickering and burst out.
The louder he laughed, the more irritated I became.
Lisa: What the hell are you laughing at, you cheating moron?!
Jack: N-Nothing, it’s just… You think that jump from 800 wisdom to 1000 wisdom is nothing, but… For Water Mages it’s actually one of the crucial points. Especially for the ones who possess orbs like Icicle.
Lisa: What can they do, speak right now!
Why am I getting so anxious?!
This goddamn premonition I have, as if something terrible was about to happen…
Ugh.
Jack; Don’t get so angry, Boss. It will only work if the kid manages to grasp it. Only one person in the entire guild was able to do it back then, and it took him years to master the move. In the case of Icicle really mastering that skill, well… Even if the Holy Church’s army has five times the amount of forces the undead have, they will still be at a stalemate.
Lisa: You goddamn moron, why didn’t you report it as a bug then?!
Jack: Because it’s not a bug. That room is strictly guarded and not even the professors have access to it. Only the chosen ones can enter it, and when they do, they have to swear their loyalty to the school. I’ll tell you more than that. From what I could gather, it was old man Hylzar’s most powerful artifact that made the room full of thick, dense energy. Don’t ask me for its origin, I have no idea.
There are still other strong individuals, even more overpowered than this, but they don’t have as much potential!
*sigh* We’ve already indirectly nerfed him, yet all he does is constantly irritate me even further!
Lisa: That idiot… I haven’t played all that much because I had to focus on all these goddamn surveillance methods! Arghhh!
Jack: Hehehe, don’t worry boss, it only works if Icicle gains entry to the room. Otherwise he won’t be as well off as we talked about. And even if he does manage to get into that room, who cares? Fuck that Holy Church of Light. They are harmless now, but in the future? You know how certain things will play out, don’t you? How about you Carl, aren’t you happy that these guys might get exterminated?
Carl: Hmph, it’s the only joyful thing in this situation. These goddamn clergy bastards… they asked us for a tribute every month! All the beta testers and other NPCs had to do it, otherwise they would raid our headquarters… If Icicle sticks it to them, I’ll even cheer for him.
Lisa: That’s one issue, what about the Starting Area?! That place can be obliterated from the face of the planet!
All these two think about is themselves.
We’re supposed to be impartial!
Carl: There are Cindy and lord Vilen to stop Icicle, no? It will turn out alright, stop worrying so much. Other deities’ champions do things much worse than that…
Lisa: I wouldn’t care if it wasn’t that place! It’s the only one where players spawn in! You two morons should realize what importance it has!
Jack: Heheh, let’s just watch how the events play out. I’m excited to see the changes to this boring world. We’ve failed to save it, but maybe the current players can actually do something about it.
Carl: You’re that hopeful?
Jack: Come on, if ten other Icicles show up, it’s possible.
Carl: Great idea! Let’s start working on a cloning machine then!
These goddamn clowns.
I am working with braindead idiots!
Childish morons!
Lisa: Focus, both of you! What is Icicle doing now?
Jack: Mm, it seems like he’s checking on the progress of the undead.
Lisa: And? How do they fare? Are these within your calculations?
Carl: It’s hard to say, boss. Every single undead has leveled by approximately 30 levels. Usage of weapons, skill proficiency, new abilities… it’s all there.
Lisa: Can it influence the battle, were it to happen?
Carl: Not really. They are stronger than anticipated, but not to that extent. The most worrisome would be their leader, Zexna. After Icicle gave him that cross item… he’s become at least 50% more powerful.
Lisa: So he can wipe out the Vilen Town?
Carl: Most likely.
That’s not what I wanted to hear…
Lisa: Great, we can only pray then.
Jack: Why don’t you seduce Icicle then, boss? With your looks it’s possible. You still have around a week. If it’s you, it’s certainly doable.
Lisa: Arghh, to hell with both of you! I’ve had enough! I’m going home!
Jack: Boss, you’re two hours short of fulfilling your shift! What if your superiors come here?
Lisa: Isn’t that obvious? You two idiots will cover for me. I don’t need to tell you what happens if you don’t, right?
Jack: Do you think it’s impossible for her too, Carl?
Carl: On the contrary, Lisa would be able to do that.
Lisa: I can hear that!
…
Zaryoux Temple, Loiterous, Icicle’s POV
What great progress.
These undead have really trained.
Badian and his skeletons have become a lot faster and proficient with weapons thanks to Sixxy.
RapidFire’s team seems to have regained their abilities as well. I have to say, their aim is incredible.
Even my sister had trouble keeping up. When did she become that good of a player anyway?
Numarak and the other mummies started practicing the [Bandage Toss] I’ve told them about. I’ll need to check up on them later.
Magnix and the junior necromancers are raising undead all over the place. The ranks are growing, that’s a good thing. They’ve currently shown me one AoE spell that can damage their enemies, but for now it’s sufficient.
Kalish and the zombies are getting used to two-handed axes. Although they’re sloppy their strength is not to be underestimated. I expect them to become excellent undead berserkers in the future.
Valter with his noble family of vampires are constantly improving their vitality and blood magic. I’ve learned that they’re currently stuck at the bottleneck, but these transformed bats are working on it. Their health bar seems to have drastically increased.
Aspena and the girls… well… they are just flying around. Nothing I can do about it. They’ve learned to become invulnerable to physical attacks at will, so they’re passing the walls, catching people off-guard.
This group is full of lively pranksters, but they’ll be extremely useful if it comes to battle. In my mind. they’re better versions of assassins.
After reiterating orders to Aspena and the girls, several of them pouted.
“We already knew that!” “Don’t treat us like idiots!” and so on followed.
I had to do it, these wraiths are all the same as Aspena. Some of them simply have a tiny bit more of decency…
Ruffling through their hair and showing some sympathy, they’ve returned to their tasks with smiles.
Aspena obviously asked for more “caressing” but I had no time.
Ganis and the undead paladins are the most difficult to judge. Their horse riding skills have improved, few of them even have lances. I was surprised because I didn’t order any. That’s when I saw that some of the paladins have actually transformed into proper Knights. I chose four of those guys to assist others in their transformation.
Ganis complained about the paladins’ formation getting lesser and lesser in numbers, so I’ve ordered the new eligible undead to be conscripted into this unit.
Asking for more information, Ganis told me that the cavalry ranks have increased to 500 people.
There were many horses that have died while carving out the underground of the temple, as well as mining its resources. However, they are buried deep underground, so necromancers have to dig them up before returning them back to “service”.
Yes, service, life would be an overstatement.
There was still the matter with the [Forsaken Labyrinth] to be solved.
With that in mind, I approached Tyxx.
…
Rebirth Online World 