Two days ago, a demonic mage self-destructed and took down ten BOV personnel with him. In addition, someone agitated the Centipede Guardian at Clamore. Given the coincidence in the timing, officials of BOV suspected something and investigated the church. Turns out the Bishop plotted this and is currently on the run from the authorities. Accomplices of the incident were all detained and kept for further interrogation.
That's what the news reported.
Armin gazes at his assassin subordinate in his office. The elf presses his head against the ground.
"My apologies. I-I did not consider such a bold move from their side." The elf says.
Armin taps the table and sighs.
...
"Well, it's fine. You are excused."
This incident gave Armin the upper advantage. He can use this to pressure Joana.
"Hm?"
The elf assassin taps his ears and gasps.
"Y-Your Highness! Arsto survived! Along with three others, he is seen unconscious at the church in Clamore!"
Armin freezes.
...
"Heh..." a slight grin appears. "Arsto survived that?... Hahahaha!!"
He writes something on a piece of paper and gives it to the elf. "Send support to aid his recovery and observe him."
The elf bows. "Understood. I will not disappoint you." and he disappears.
Armin taps the table again, now in a good mood, he hums a light tune. "Now my plans can move forward," he mumbles.
=================================
1 day later...
=================================
The last thing I remember is Eva flicking my forehead. I don't know what she said to my other self and don't want to know.
Currently, I'm in bed in some sort of government infirmary. Healers working for the government in Clamore have been tending to my wounds in this small room consisting of only a bed, wardrobe and a window of wooden shutters behind.
Floorings of polished marble, walls of thick stone, and paintings hung, it's a fairly cosy chamber.
I have been questioned by the BOV a few hours ago about the incident.
When I ask about the condition of everyone, I found out that Kasli had gone into a coma, Leo is still trying to cope with the phantom pain of a missing arm, and Melissa disappeared.
------------------
System reboot complete!
Dear Player Samuel,
We apologise for the threat and confusion the system displayed. By no means were those intentional and such bugs are fixed.
To compensate for such an event, the administration team has provided the following:
1. ×10 Random High-Tier Crate
We sincerely wish the player all the best for the upcoming trials. May luck be with you.
Survive and grow stronger.
Best regards,
Star Valium Team
------------------
There it is. The system won't show up no matter what I did.
------------------
Side Mission Completed!
Reward:
1x High Origin pill
5,000,000 exp
------------------
------------------
Calculation complete.
Rewards:
1. The Stigma of Giants
2. Fresh Big Encephalon
3. 500,000,000 exp
Level up!
201->249
+49 free stats
------------------
I've grown twice as strong from the dungeon even though my physique broke from the penalty, thus numbing my mana sense.
It feels odd from the absence of mana which my body has accustomed to.
...
I stare at the corner of the room. "What do you want?"
The shadow materialises into a masked man in a full black hooded coat. He bows. "I apologise for my sudden visit. I am not here with malicious intent. I am here to deliver a message from His Highness Armin. Sir Arsto, His Highness would like an audience with you." he hands me an envelope with the royal seal.
As predicted, good.
I nod. "Alright. I will visit His Highness in a few days."
The masked man nods and disappears back into the shadow.
...
I get off the bed and head for church.
The once sacred and tranquil place of worship has been transformed into a scene of horror and tragedy. The stained glass windows, once portraying religious art, are blown out, and debris litters the surroundings.
Six tombstones were erected beside the crater for the six lives lost.
"Sir Arsto?" a familiar voice comes from behind.
Fiery orange hair waves in the wind. It's Leo.
However, despite his pale complexion, I see a mesmerizing hue of light in his vibrant orange eyes as if he was enlightened. A bandage neatly wraps around his half limb. He still wears the BOV uniform in his state.
...
"Leo..."
A faint smile appears and he walks to my side, gazing at the tombstones.
...
We both stare at the tragedy in silence. The air feels heavy with grief and solemnity.
"Arsto...do you remember what I said in the dungeon?"
"About you dying or quitting? Yes."
Leo scratches his head and gazes down. "I don't think I will quit."
?
I glance at his left arm. "Are you right-handed?"
He shakes his head. "But does that matter? I still have my right hand. I just need some time."
"..."
"May I ask why?" I say.
"Why? Well...two reasons. Firstly, it felt unfair. I should be dead by now but Kasli saved me. Because she pushed herself too much, I heard her energy core was destroyed. It would be unfair to her...and to everyone that died if I quit now. Lastly..."
Leo clenches his fist. "Revenge I suppose."
!
Impressive. He just lost his limb yet is mentally recovered. Not only that, I sensed anger and patience in his words, two of the hardest emotions to coexist.
--------------
You have successfully changed the fate of an individual. The fate of many and destiny will deviate.
Your existence grows stronger.
--------------
I've done nothing regarding that...
"You are strong," I say to Leo.
"Haha...that's not true."
He gazes at me and instinctively backs off.
"No, you are. At this very moment, I'm doing whatever it takes to calm down." I say.
"A-Arsto...your eyes..." Leo mumbles.
I'm not sure what he saw but I can see his body shivering.
I know my alter ego planned to only use Melissa and the other BOV officers as pawns. However, during the time I stayed in the BOV, I've grown attached to a few people. Audrey was one of them. She was a woman with a horrible past and has all right to hate humanity yet her vibrant kindness pierces the void.
I've grown strong enough and I only need one final preparation to execute my plan. It won't be long before I rip Joana's fucking head off.
Two days ago, a demonic mage self-destructed and took down ten BOV personnel with him. In addition, someone agitated the Centipede Guardian at Clamore. Given the coincidence in the timing, officials of BOV suspected something and investigated the church. Turns out the Bishop plotted this and is currently on the run from the authorities. Accomplices of the incident were all detained and kept for further interrogation.
That's what the news reported.
Armin gazes at his assassin subordinate in his office. The elf presses his head against the ground.
"My apologies. I-I did not consider such a bold move from their side." The elf says.
Armin taps the table and sighs.
...
"Well, it's fine. You are excused."
This incident gave Armin the upper advantage. He can use this to pressure Joana.
"Hm?"
The elf assassin taps his ears and gasps.
"Y-Your Highness! Arsto survived! Along with three others, he is seen unconscious at the church in Clamore!"
Armin freezes.
...
"Heh..." a slight grin appears. "Arsto survived that?... Hahahaha!!"
He writes something on a piece of paper and gives it to the elf. "Send support to aid his recovery and observe him."
The elf bows. "Understood. I will not disappoint you." and he disappears.
Armin taps the table again, now in a good mood, he hums a light tune. "Now my plans can move forward," he mumbles.
=================================
1 day later...
=================================
The last thing I remember is Eva flicking my forehead. I don't know what she said to my other self and don't want to know.
Currently, I'm in bed in some sort of government infirmary. Healers working for the government in Clamore have been tending to my wounds in this small room consisting of only a bed, wardrobe and a window of wooden shutters behind.
Floorings of polished marble, walls of thick stone, and paintings hung, it's a fairly cosy chamber.
I have been questioned by the BOV a few hours ago about the incident.
When I ask about the condition of everyone, I found out that Kasli had gone into a coma, Leo is still trying to cope with the phantom pain of a missing arm, and Melissa disappeared.
------------------
System reboot complete!
Dear Player Samuel,
We apologise for the threat and confusion the system displayed. By no means were those intentional and such bugs are fixed.
To compensate for such an event, the administration team has provided the following:
1. ×10 Random High-Tier Crate
We sincerely wish the player all the best for the upcoming trials. May luck be with you.
Survive and grow stronger.
Best regards,
Star Valium Team
------------------
There it is. The system won't show up no matter what I did.
------------------
Side Mission Completed!
Reward:
1x High Origin pill
5,000,000 exp
------------------
------------------
Calculation complete.
Rewards:
1. The Stigma of Giants
2. Fresh Big Encephalon
3. 500,000,000 exp
Level up!
201->249
+49 free stats
------------------
I've grown twice as strong from the dungeon even though my physique broke from the penalty, thus numbing my mana sense.
It feels odd from the absence of mana which my body has accustomed to.
...
I stare at the corner of the room. "What do you want?"
The shadow materialises into a masked man in a full black hooded coat. He bows. "I apologise for my sudden visit. I am not here with malicious intent. I am here to deliver a message from His Highness Armin. Sir Arsto, His Highness would like an audience with you." he hands me an envelope with the royal seal.
As predicted, good.
I nod. "Alright. I will visit His Highness in a few days."
The masked man nods and disappears back into the shadow.
...
I get off the bed and head for church.
The once sacred and tranquil place of worship has been transformed into a scene of horror and tragedy. The stained glass windows, once portraying religious art, are blown out, and debris litters the surroundings.
Six tombstones were erected beside the crater for the six lives lost.
"Sir Arsto?" a familiar voice comes from behind.
Fiery orange hair waves in the wind. It's Leo.
However, despite his pale complexion, I see a mesmerizing hue of light in his vibrant orange eyes as if he was enlightened. A bandage neatly wraps around his half limb. He still wears the BOV uniform in his state.
...
"Leo..."
A faint smile appears and he walks to my side, gazing at the tombstones.
...
We both stare at the tragedy in silence. The air feels heavy with grief and solemnity.
"Arsto...do you remember what I said in the dungeon?"
"About you dying or quitting? Yes."
Leo scratches his head and gazes down. "I don't think I will quit."
?
I glance at his left arm. "Are you right-handed?"
He shakes his head. "But does that matter? I still have my right hand. I just need some time."
"..."
"May I ask why?" I say.
"Why? Well...two reasons. Firstly, it felt unfair. I should be dead by now but Kasli saved me. Because she pushed herself too much, I heard her energy core was destroyed. It would be unfair to her...and to everyone that died if I quit now. Lastly..."
Leo clenches his fist. "Revenge I suppose."
!
Impressive. He just lost his limb yet is mentally recovered. Not only that, I sensed anger and patience in his words, two of the hardest emotions to coexist.
--------------
You have successfully changed the fate of an individual. The fate of many and destiny will deviate.
Your existence grows stronger.
--------------
I've done nothing regarding that...
"You are strong," I say to Leo.
"Haha...that's not true."
He gazes at me and instinctively backs off.
"No, you are. At this very moment, I'm doing whatever it takes to calm down." I say.
"A-Arsto...your eyes..." Leo mumbles.
I'm not sure what he saw but I can see his body shivering.
I know my alter ego planned to only use Melissa and the other BOV officers as pawns. However, during the time I stayed in the BOV, I've grown attached to a few people. Audrey was one of them. She was a woman with a horrible past and has all right to hate humanity yet her vibrant kindness pierces the void.
I've grown strong enough and I only need one final preparation to execute my plan. It won't be long before I rip Joana's fucking head off.
