Chapter 335. The Peak of a Blacksmith’s Art
A ctually, he had things to do. But before he stepped toward the exit, the dwarf’s voice stopped him.
“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?”
“Do you... need my help?” Raven looked back and saw that Hendelson was still working on the blueprint.
“Whom am I to measure for your arm? Myself? If you don’t mind walking around with an arm like this...” He waved his right hand and smirked, looking up at Raven.
“Khm, right... Yes... Measurements. Makes sense.” The rogue smiled wryly as he imagined himself with the dwarf’s arm. Would he really do that?
“It does, doesn’t it? But this is a unique order. This ain’t no sword or a frying pan — it’s an entire fucking arm! An arm that needs to become a part of your body and work like it’s your own flesh and bone. And don’t forget the curse. I need to study it thoroughly to prevent your new arm from killing you.”
The quest: The Diabolic Hand of Treason has been updated.
Stage Four added.
Goal IV: Stay with Hendelson until the arm is complete and help him with the order.
Crafting time: 0/14 days
“Wow,” was all Raven could say at seeing the message dooming him to waste full two weeks in this cave as a guinea pig.
He had hoped that he’d manage to gain a level or two before the event, but he could hardly manage that during the one free day he’d have after getting his new arm.
***
Two weeks felt like two years, but as they neared their end, Raven no longer regretted having stayed here.
Disabling the in-game messaging function, he focused on the quest and witnessed the creation of a unique item.
The magic worked by the blacksmith was beyond words. Raven felt inspired by merely watching it. Hendelson used many weird-looking instruments along with even stranger spells, keeping Raven both entertained and educated.
However, seeing his materials disappear one after another, Raven felt like someone was ripping his organs out along with them. Although he knew in advance what would happen, witnessing such rare items disappear was still painful.
Hendelson was melting, dismantling, joining, and mixing the materials, extracting their magic with special runes. No item escaped him; each was studied and double-checked thoroughly before it became a part of the project.
Some of the materials, such as the Yin-Yang Tree Bark, Sad Red Sun’s Tears, or Demonic Solstice Mushroom, gave off tremendous amounts of magic energy before disappearing or crumbling to dust.
When Hendelson was done with the materials, none of them were reusable, having been reduced to a pile of ashes or otherwise ruined.
This part of the process took only three days. The longest part was Hendelson’s study of the curse and making of the seal. Once or twice, he even waited for Raven’s real arm to regenerate to see how that affected the rest of his body. This culminated in a seal that consisted of three hundred runes and magic symbols engraved into a small, flat, round metal disc made of an unknown ore.
The disc was exactly the size of Raven’s forearm in the place where he’d usually cut off his cursed limb. About one-fifth of an inch thick, it had a floating golden bead inside it, the size of a gold coin.
With how generous Hendelson was being, Raven couldn’t help but feel something akin to affection toward the dwarf — but the feeling was gone soon after the blacksmith attached the seal to his stump.
“You’ll have to endure some pain. It’s the way it works. I hope you’re strong enough.”
These were the last words he had heard from Hendelson before he was thrown into a literal hell.
Once the disc touched his flesh, his body was pierced by agonizing pain that felt like a thousand sharp spikes being pushed deeper and deeper into his flesh. His blood seemed to be boiling, and his bones were on the verge of melting.
Raven screamed and screamed in excruciating pain. He had no idea of how long he had endured this torture that prevented him from even spitting curses at the blacksmith who was standing by his side and observing in silence.
When it was over, he barely managed not to faint. Some system messages came, but he didn’t care. He remained on the ground, too intimidated by the hellish pain to even try to move.
“The worst is over,” Hendelson said, looking at him. “While you catch your breath, I’ll explain how the seal works.” He sat down next to him. “It has two purposes. The first is to contain the curse and prevent your real arm from regenerating. The second is to enable you to control your new arm through that golden crystal inside. I’m ready to connect the new limb if you are.”
“Do it.” Raven’s flat voice was so faint that it could be drowned out even by the sound of a needle falling on the stone floor. But Hendelson heard him.
The work he had performed on Raven’s arm was the peak of his craft. He had put all his knowledge, skill, and experience into it. The arm looked like the crown jewel of a collection fit for an eccentric, or a sacred relic. It was a work of art, made of pure and tremendously powerful energies.
Each small detail, from the nerve endings and muscle fibers to the skin, had been reconstructed with all the care and patience Hendelson could muster. Through the flesh, one could see the lich’s bones entwined with cords of energy. And the bones looked different, too: not yellowed remains picked clean by vultures, but finest ivory.
This miracle had been made possible by a tremendous amount of unique materials and ingredients and Hendelson’s talent.
He had even recreated the blood vessels. However, they stood motionless. Once he brought the golden bead inside the disc to the arm, there was a thundering sound — and another wave of agonizing pain shot through Raven’s body.
Attention!
You fucking fuck! Raven cursed silently as he couldn’t even open his mouth to scream. His body seemed to be paralyzed by the agonizing storm.
Attention!
Attention!
Attention!
More and more messages were coming but his mind was focused on a single task: survival. He had to survive to make the fucking dwarf pay for lying to him.
The worst is over, my ass! You fucking piece of shit, I’ll shove that hammer up your ass!!!
Time seemed to stretch into eternity. His heart pounded like a hammer, threatening to break his ribs. His flesh was on fire, actual fire. Luckily, the burns healed rather quickly. The whole process felt like a full-body transformation in progress... or like being brought back to the world of the living by a deranged necromancer.
Eventually, it was over. The last lightning bolt, coming from God knew where, entered his artificial arm. Finally, he felt like he could move it like his own.
Congratulations...
The blood vessels glowed. The fingers gave a twitch. Clenching his fist, Raven felt how tremendously strong they had become.
At last, I’m whole again. I did it.
Attention!
Chapter 336. The Shadow of a Legend
I s that all?
Opening his eyes, Raven saw the cave’s ceiling far above. The world was still shrouded in darkness, but his sight was returning gradually.
Feeling his new arm stir once he thought of moving it, he shivered.
I had no idea it’d feel this good.
He raised himself a little, feeling the pain permeating his body gradually subside, and looked down at the arm. He had witnessed the process of making it, but back then it had been but a mere artifact. A beautiful thing, but just a thing.
Hendelson had mentioned that there was a small probability of his body rejecting such a powerful item. But as far as Raven could see, that hadn’t happened.
Moving his hand from side to side, and then bending one finger after another, he discovered that the arm’s functioning was just as splendid as its appearance. It reacted somewhat faster than his natural arm. Considering that his character was unique, a rogue with some demonic features, this transparent prosthetic with visible bones was unlikely to make him look any stranger than he already was.
Now, don’t disappoint me.
He took a breath before reading the item’s description.
THE DIABOLIC HAND OF TREASON
Type: Artifact (Inter-Class)
Activation: Hendelson’s Unique Seal
Rank: Bronze (Progressive)
Description: A transcendent instrument. A crazy idea — and perfect execution. An insane quantity of extremely rare and valuable materials was spent to create this weapon. Invented by the legendary arcane blacksmith, and born in the fire of his obsession to reach his limits and the peak of his craft, it has the potential to become as strong as the weapons wielded by legendary heroes — or even stronger.
Unfortunately, most of the arm’s powers have been sealed. Only the one with unyielding willpower can remove the seal and use them.
Seal: 10/10
Characteristics:
+ 20% speed
+ 20% spell/skill activation speed
+ 20% attack/recharging speed
Properties:
Arm Regime: The prosthetic can do everything a normal arm can.
Skills:
THE UNDERSIDE OF WORLDS
Apprentice
You can break open the fabric of worlds with a snap of your fingers and travel between Floors.
Cost: 1,000 space energy
Cooldown: 5 days
Limitations: /
Raven read the description several times, rubbing his chin and trying to fathom what exactly he was feeling.
The description was elaborate and the properties sounded too good to be true, but the feeling was bittersweet. He had spent a fortune to create this arm. He was now indebted to his friends. Not to mention that he had sacrificed some land on his Floor, however much he hated doing that at such an early point. The lands he had sold were unlikely to bring their owners any decent profit, but the very fact of sharing his ownership with strangers was depressing.
The irony was that he had discussed this issue with Curtis shortly before doing the exact opposite of what he had argued against.
He realized that he was yet to discover many of his new arm’s properties. In the grand scheme of things, he had probably gotten more than he had bargained for.
The ability to move between Floors is impressive. But why can’t I see the sealed properties?
“How are you feeling?”
Hendelson was looking at the product of his labor with love, paying more attention to the arm than to the rogue. His question sounded like mere politeness warranting no answer and Raven could hardly judge him for it. Hendelson had done an amazing job, and he had every right to be proud of it.
Looking up at the blacksmith, Raven was about to reply when he noticed some changes on the dwarf.
Is that... his aura?!
Hendelson was enveloped in dark-gray energy that flowed around him like melted steel. Raven was absolutely sure that he hadn’t seen it before.
What does it mean?
He opened the overlooked system messages, hoping to find the answer there, forgetting all about Hendelson’s unanswered question.
Attention! You have unlocked a secret file: The Artificial Ruler Set
Creating a copy of the file...
Creation complete.
File successfully archived.
Attention! Access to all Artificial Ruler Set blueprints has been denied.
Blueprint available: The Diabolic Hand of Treason
Reading parameters...
Attention! Forbidden Protocol Error.
User Mind Level: 1
Required Minimum Mind Level: 5
Attention! Configuring settings...
Initiating the candidate testing system...
Attention! Complete the test without losing consciousness.
Connecting...
Connection failed.
Connecting...
Connection failed.
Connecting...
Attention! Insufficient Mind Level.
The Diabolic Hand of Treason Sword Regime is locked.
Attention! Insufficient Mind Level.
The Diabolic Hand of Treason Dagger Regime is locked.
Attention...
Congratulations! You have completed the test.
Required Minimum Mind Level reduced to 1.
The Diabolic Hand of Treason has been activated.
The Diabolic Hand of Treason Regime unlocked.
Weapons: Use-Ready
Magic: Use-Ready
The more he read, the more startled he felt.
Jesus fucking Christ, what’s going on here?!
The last couple of messages (one of which was received by everyone on the Floor) were the most astounding.
Attention!!! A new legend has just been born in this world.
Grandmaster Hendelson Nir has ascended to the level of a Legendary Master.
Your relationship with Hendelson Nir has been upgraded.
Current relationship status: Trust
Congratulations! You have witnessed the birth of a legend!
Title awarded: A Witness of the Light
Description: You have witnessed the miracle of a legend being born and memorized it.
New skill:
THE SHADOW OF A LEGEND
Rank: Epic
Passive skill: Apprentice (0.0%)
Description: You have seen another person overcome their boundaries and ascend to the level of a Legend. Their every new accomplishment will award you XP and Influence Points. Help the Legend, and one day you will become a legend yourself.
“Fucking fuck.” Raven shifted his gaze to the smiling Hendelson, then back to the last message. Now I see why the description said that it was made by a legendary master. I’d better get him to live and work in Adamarona.
Considering this idea for about ten seconds, Raven had to dismiss it. He had nothing to offer that Hendelson didn’t already have at this point.
“You hear me, boy? Did you bite your tongue off?” Hendelson asked as he got tired of seeing Raven’s face go from sad to surprised and back.
“No, no... I hear you.” Standing up, Raven smiled and outstretched his hand for a shake. When Hendelson knitted his brows and shook it, he continued: “As you could see, the process was... A bit hard on me.” The rogue stumbled at remembering the agony he had been through, and the torture he had invented for the dwarf as payback. “It took some time to regain my senses.” Still holding Hendelson’s hand, he bowed slightly, expressing his sincere gratitude. “It looks like you have outdone yourself this time.”
He was as polite and courteous as he could be. It was vital for him that Hendelson produced more masterpieces for him and Adamarona. He also remembered the space crack next to the blacksmith’s old home. He really needed the energy he could get from it.
The dwarf flashed a broad smile.
“Oho, so you’ve noticed? I don’t often get a chance to work with that amount of wonderful materials. Maybe once in a thousand years. And I really, really appreciate you entrusting me with it.”
Is that even possible? Raven wondered, but his face didn’t betray his surprise. He was still smiling radiantly, taking one small step after another to his real goal. “Who else could I have asked for help?”
“True, true...” Hendelson stroked his beard and, turning around, went to his desk.
Caressing the wood and the tools, he was apparently thinking about something. Raven watched him without interrupting.
Two or three minutes passed before he spoke, his voice suddenly full of sorrow. He looked like a man who had suddenly lost his purpose.
“I... Erm... Truth be told, I don’t know what to do now.”
Just a second ago, he was on cloud nine, as happy and triumphant as one could get. But now, having wrapped his head around what had happened, he turned gloomy and withdrawn.
Raven squinted at him. Remembering everything Hendelson had told him about himself, he looked for a solution. After a while, he seemed to have found one.
Losing one’s purpose was scary. Having achieved their biggest dream, a person often felt a void inside their soul. An emptiness that seemed as it couldn’t be filled.
Hendelson had lived his whole life following his heart. He chased his dream, overcoming all obstacles in the way. Now he was on the summit, enjoying the beautiful view.
But he was alone.
Raven’s heart missed a beat. He had been striving for the top just as ardently as Hendelson, but he never gave a thought to what it’d feel like when he reached it.
Will I suffer the same fate?
He shook the thought away and, half-closing his eyes, listened to himself, looking for any changes. Finding none, he came back to reality.
I’ll think about it when it happens. For now, I have to help him.
“What do you mean?” he asked as he headed over to Hendelson who looked up at him with hope in his eyes. “Do you think you have no other heights to climb? Do you think there’s only one mountain in this world?”
“What are you talking about?” Hendelson asked with doubt. He was well aware that only one in a billion could accomplish what he just had. “I’m a Legendary Blacksmith! An icon for all dwarves. There’s no higher title in this world, except that of a God.”
Raven laughed, looking at Hendelson as if he were a boy telling everyone that his father was the strongest man in the world.
“Have you heard the story of the frog that lived at the bottom of a well?”
“Are you telling me I haven’t seen much of the world? How dare you?! Were you even listening to me? I’ve been to lands you haven’t even heard of. Do you think I’m still that frog?”
“I do. The bottom of your well is this Floor. You know there are ninety-nine more Floors, don’t you?”
Once he said that, Hendelson frowned. And then his eyes shot wide open.
“So,” he began slowly, as though not to scare off the hope being born in his heart, “so you think there’s someone more skillful than me out there?”
“I’m not sure if there is, but... Have you heard of the Swords of Nine Gates?”
“Of course I have,” Hendelson retorted, offended. This story was known to every dwarven blacksmith worth their salt. “But it’s just a story. An old wives’ tale. No one has ever seen that Column of Order.”
Hendelson was clearly skeptical but Raven knew that the pillars existed; the system message mentioned them. He only had to convince the blacksmith — and rekindle his curiosity.
But how? he wondered. He’d probably have to leave this problem for after the event. Shit. I hate missing a chance like this.
“I knew it...” Hendelson sighed, apparently disappointed when Raven got another idea.
“Fine. If you don’t believe in the Columns of Order, what about the heroes? Do you believe in them?”
“The heroes? What do they have to do with anything?”
“Have you heard of their famous gear?”
“Ah.” Hendelson’s voice showed even more disappointment. “You’re a nice fellow, Raven. I see you want to help, but... But what I need is some rest, not fairy tales. Let’s call it a day.”
Raven said nothing. Instead, he took out Pandora’s Box and put it down in front of the dwarf. “What about this?”
Hendelson looked awe-struck.
“Is that...?”
Chapter 337. The Monster of All Monsters
Two days ago
Khau’Krash Continent
The Disturbing Dope Plateau
A fter three weeks in the new land, the Rollin’ Dice and Fortuna members eventually managed to build the teleport. It took them that much time because of the constant waves of very aggressive mob attacks.
Fighting back, the players noticed that the monsters’ levels were much lower than expected, but they knew better than to underestimate their opponents.
To install and activate the teleport, one hundred wizards had to supply it with energy for an entire day non-stop. Fortunately, the saving option worked as normal so those who died respawned at their chosen spots. As they needed the teleport to work so that they could bring more of their clan members to this land, they continued to fight no matter how hard it got.
It wasn’t until several grueling battles had passed that they discovered the cause of the monsters’ unusual behavior. It was the plants growing not far away from their base. Their pollen was driving the mobs crazy.
They could have left this spot and set their base elsewhere, but there was no guarantee that that wouldn’t put them in an even worse predicament. Eventually, they solved the problem by getting rid of the plants with the help of Evil-In who was immune to their mind-controlling pollen.
The teleport installation marked the beginning of the Age of Conquest on the Khau’Krash continent. Once the two TOP clans erected the city walls, more and more teams and players would come in for their share of the treasure.
Founding the first city on Khau’Krash was the ultimate goal of both clan leaders. And it was absolutely worth all the effort as it would potentially allow their clans to take over the whole continent and build their own empire. The system would reward them lavishly as it always did those who achieved the impossible.
This plan required an insane amount of money and effort. That was where all the sponsors and adventurous players came in.
Controlling the teleport, the two clans would have complete control over who could enter the continent. By building settlements and protecting them long enough, Fortuna and Rollin’ Dice could become masters of Khau’Krash.
It was their golden ticket to success.
However, if the clans didn’t resolve the issue of the strange chasm, their castles in the sky would crumble before they were even built.
***
Crimson Berserker was heading north with a group of friends, toward the giant pillar that was barely visible in the distance. The mystery of this column, and the space crack next to it, was puzzling them since they had first set foot ashore.
Temporarily setting their disputes aside, the clans joined forces to explore the continent.
“Oh, I have—”
Once Racer said that, several voices chimed in.
“No, you don’t!”
“Can you keep your mouth shut for two minutes?!”
“Do you ever stop talking?”
“Wow! Hey! Rude...” Racer mumbled and pouted, but his friends knew him and his love for talking too well to be deceived.
“I hope that everything that the Dice told me about their Nick pal is true. I’d love to see the two of you meet.” Sadil looked at him with keen interest.
“I second that.” Floyd laughed aloud, and the rest joined in. Everyone’s mood (except for Racer’s) went up.
“I actually had something important to say,” Racer pressed on. “Do you remember that the Dice are our enemies? All the friendships we’ve made with them will become shitty very soon.”
“What do you mean?” Crimson Berserker looked at him over his shoulder, his voice showing curiosity.
“Kingmaker. She looks like a pretty little angel, but do you remember how many times she ruined our plans? Her gift of foresight and trap-making is unrivaled. And we’re facing her clan directly.”
“Come on, Zabit. You’re being paranoid.” Seductive Deviless didn’t like that he was praising Kingmaker, but she couldn’t disagree with him.
Deviless was almost as good at managing the clan’s affairs as Kingmaker was, but her rival was often a step ahead of her. If it weren’t for Crimson Berserker’s special powers, Fortuna would’ve lost many more battles to Rollin’ Dice. That was the very reason Deviless wanted their leader to go to another Floor as soon as possible. Seeing Kingmaker work her way up the TOP-200 list was irritating.
Zabit was Racer’s real name and he disliked being addressed by it in-game. However, the issue he had raised was too serious for Deviless to care about his feelings.
“Come on?” he asked back grumpily. “I’m just curious: how can we be sure she’s not scheming against us behind our backs?”
Sorith, who was walking by his side, snorted.
“Bullshit. Did you forget the contract we’ve signed? A fifty-fifty distribution of all the buildings and profits over the next two years. Of everything except each player’s individual achievements.”
“Still... I can’t stop feeling like she has ten secret plans for each one we know about.”
“Relax, Racer. You don’t sound like yourself when you’re like this.” Sadil grinned. “Kate took care of everything. They won’t backstab us. We’ll use these two years to prepare for another confrontation.”
“She’s right,” Deviless confirmed, smirking. “Our goal is to build a new country. I’m sure Kingmaker understands that this is a bad time for a fight.”
Racer paused, considering something, and then asked softly:
“Why do you think they brought Evil-In here?”
“What do you...?”
Before Deviless could finish, a melodious voice came from above. It was quiet but still distinctly heard by everyone, as if the speaker were standing next to them.
“Is it just me or did someone just mention an old friend of mine?”
Crimson Berserker stopped in his tracks, signaling Floyd and another buffer to begin casting spells. Everyone else got ready to use their active skills and drink potions with lasting effects. But the speaker wouldn’t show up.
“What the fuck?” Racer looked around, scythe at the ready, and activated Energy Will, his specialization skill that enabled him to detect any living creature’s energy traces within the radius of one hundred and fifty feet. However, he saw nothing, which he immediately reported to Seductive Deviless. “What’s the plan, boss?”
“No more mentions of you-know-who, for starters. Sorith. Save your progress and go check it out. And drink the potion.”
The thief nodded and gulped down the extremely expensive potion that increased Stealth by thirty percent. After that, he vanished.
The rest of the group waited with bated breath. The speaker was still nowhere to be seen. And before anyone could count to thirty, Racer’s name in the group chat turned gray.
He was dead.
Someone swallowed loudly. A gust of wind raised a veil of smoke to the sky — and a young woman appeared before them.
They sure like to make an entrance, Racer thought as he remembered Evil-In.
The woman’s race was difficult to tell, but she was definitely not a human nor a player. Her curiosity was displayed in her raised brows and the gleam in her eyes that were scanning the group.
All group members were seasoned players. They knew that using Identification on sapient creatures could have drastic consequences so they waited for Racer and another player who had the second level of this skill to identify her.
But once Racer looked at their opponent, he cursed loudly.
“Oh, we’re so fucked!”
A moment after that, his severed head came flying through the air, spraying blood over the other players, and his body disappeared into a shaft of white light.
Crimson Berserker survived longer than the rest. Unwilling to die, he activated a There and Back Again scroll.
Two minutes later, when everyone gathered at their respawn spot, which was ten miles away from where they had died, Seductive Deviless squinted at Racer, waiting for an explanation. But Drake, the group’s tank, spoke instead.
“It’s not his fault. Trust me when I say that his reaction was warranted.”
Everyone frowned at hearing that.
“Are you telling me she was a Duke? Like the Ifrit?”
“No. We’ve seen Dukes before. She was something else... One of those all-controlling monsters.”
Driarah, the Caller of Void
Rank: Princess