“WHAT WILL YOU DO?” El asked. For once, the raven had allowed his second incarnation to assert control. However, it was done grudgingly and due to compelling arguments. Two crystals!
“Go with the flow and act according to circumstances.”
“The river of life carries along mostly garbage and corpses... sir.”
I noted that the goblin was speaking quite freely, no longer feigning loyalty.
“There are also fish in the rivers. Don’t forget yourself, old man.”
“What use is my politeness to you? What do I care about your threats? The stronger the raven becomes, the faster will our fusion happen. You promised not to interfere, but now he has awakened the bloodline. My chances of winning in the fusion are close to zero.”
“Are you saying that I violated our agreement?”
“No, not technically, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking to you. What difference does it make now? Perhaps I’ll violate it when I die.”
“You won’t die.”
“A question of wording. To merge with someone else and change so much that you lose your identity? Yes, that’s not death at all,” the skepticism in the ghost’s voice was palpable. “You asked me to come, but now you’re wasting precious seconds of my life. If you don’t want to listen to me, then I can think about something more important.”
“Like what?”
“About beautiful female goblins dancing around me, for example. About their bouncing breasts. Every man should think about something like this before he dies. What else do you want to hear from a wise old goblin?”
“How about some sensible advice? Something more relevant to me.”
“To advise you, I first need to understand what you want.”
“To survive, to keep my freedom and increase my strength.”
“So primitive. World domination and a couple of cookies. That’s what they say here, isn’t it? And how do you plan to achieve this great goal?”
“The gods have invited me to a meeting. They might already know who I am.”
“What will you do?”
“I shall go. However, not to their domain, but to one of their temples on Earth.”
“Do you think they will be weaker there?”
“That’s one of the reasons.”
“Even so, it won’t help, for your powers are at different levels.”
“If the gods are so powerful, why do they stay out of our affairs?”
“Hmm, that’s true, this is a young world. A world that everyone sees as a new feeder. It is dangerous for your gods to descend to the planet, for they become vulnerable here. Yet if they wish to kill you, they will find a way.”
“They will, but it will be difficult for them to do it secretly here, unlike in their domain. I can always say where I’m going and place observers around.”
“So they are killed too? If a god needs to kill you, they will do it anyway. Right under your cameras, to demonstrate their power. Or later, in the shadows, if a god wants to keep what happened a secret.”
“I want your advice, not stories to frighten me. I have no deep enmity with them. We both want to protect our world. Couldn’t we come to an agreement?”
“It’s hard to say. Your gods are young, they haven’t grown rigid yet, and are thus unpredictable. They might even recognize your Heresy and allow it to become an official cult. However, I believe that they would prefer to destroy or subdue you. It’s what I would do in their place.”
I knew about the destruction option already. “Subdue?”
“They can assimilate your cult and make it part of their power. Make you their servant, perhaps even a priest. If you are lucky and your world survives, you might become one of the younger gods of your pantheon in a few hundred years.”
“Are you saying that my fears are unfounded? That if I hadn’t been hiding, I would have become a priest long ago?”
“It depends on your ambitions. A simple player could retain their freedom despite becoming a servant of god, but you will not have this choice. While all paths are open to the True Gods, Younger Gods are most often False ones. Their power has been borrowed, so their life depends on their master.”
“Even the gods are mortal,” I noted. “There is always a way to break free.”
“Not in this case. If a True God dies, their retinue loses its power and follows them into death. Will you choose this path? Will you agree to become a priest of one of the gods?”
If I had been shown this path three months ago, I would have grabbed it with both hands, but now, I could see how unreliable it was. You become a servant immediately, yet you turn into a god in the distant future, and that’s if you don’t die in the process…
“I’ll refuse.”
“A foolish choice, but I expected nothing else from you. Then, my lord, you need a more reliable plan than trusting in the mercy of the gods. I’ve known a couple in my time, and none were prone to such nonsense.”
I decided not to probe such acquaintances. After all, the goblin had initially demanded a one-letter name, hinting at his divine nature. Even if that was so, he was but one of a thousand ghost fragments that could remain after the death of a powerful entity. Many had fallen in the battle for Sar — and the name of the city imperceptibly became the name of the planet.
“I can hide on the Shard,” I continued. “The gods can’t get me there.”
“A great plan,” the raven nodded. “It will work, so why search for other options? We have found a solution!”
“Don’t play dumb. It’s a backup plan if nothing else works.”
“So is there a main plan?”
“An expedition to the Dungeon. I will be able to collect enough experience there to ensure a resurrection. Or obtain skills that increase its probability.”
“Sensible, yet these are only half measures. The gods can capture your soul, and then keep it captive or destroy it. They can destroy your mind, turning you into a madman, even force you into obeying. What will you say if they threaten to kill your entire family up to the seventh generation?”
I didn’t say that the gods wouldn’t do it. I had to consider all the options. The most obvious solution would be to transport my loved ones to the Dungeon, but this would be difficult. Yet I wasn’t ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of my pride. “I have taken precautions.”
“It is not enough. They don’t need documents, only a drop of your blood to track everyone down, including yourself.”
“It won’t be easy to kill me. I can return to my personal room at any moment.”
“If you make it, and if they let you. How long can you hide in there? An hour? Once they find out who you are, there will be no way back. Even the mask won’t save you. Do you understand now? You are in a vulnerable position, whichever way you look at it.”
“I can simply not go,” I stated the obvious. The disadvantages were clear, but I had to put forward this option as the conversation unfolded.
“Then you will lose the chance to solve everything peaceably. You cannot hide forever, and now that the gods have become interested in you, they will find you.”
I knew this already, so the old goblin’s statement only rubbed salt into the wound.
“Have you decided which of the seven gods you will visit?”
“No. I know so little about them.”
“You should gather more information about your enemies. Yes, they are your enemies, do not delude yourself! Alliances can only be made between equals, while to them, you are nothing more than a stubborn, yet useful tool that they cannot share. The choice they gave you is simply choosing who shall be your new owner.”
Of course, these were only guesses, but I could consider them later.
“I need advice. I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to become their pawn either.”
“To negotiate and keep your freedom, you must find a way to put pressure on them, or to pay them off. The gods rarely break direct promises. What have they offered you? There is still time to decide, they will not touch you before the deadline expires.”
It was just a guess again, even if it mirrored mine, so I wanted to believe it.
“Thank you.”
“Perhaps you can repay me with more than words in the future.”
“What do you mean?”
“Perhaps I can survive? It’s too early to say yet. The probability is too small…”
The voice began to fade, and I had time to see the raven’s flaming aura surround the figure. The owner of the body had reasserted his control over it.
“What was he talking about?”
“Talking about?” The raven yawned. “Not about crystals, obviously, otherwise I would have remembered.”
I nodded. For all its triviality, the conversation had disabused me of any illusions. If the goblin was right, this would be a surrender, not a negotiation. My choice narrowed down to whom I would sell myself to. Solely because the gods refused to share me and, perhaps, were too lazy to search for me.
If I wanted to keep my freedom, I would need more weighty arguments, and I could see only one so far.
* * *
Preparations for the expedition were in full swing — equipment prepared, people selected, ways to carry maximum loads in the allotted time investigated… I could do little to help, even the dimensions of the portal raised questions. These could vary significantly, according to the goblins, but the wider the portal, the less time it would remain stable. Therefore, scientists calculated the optimal size, while truck drivers learned to slip through the “eye of the needle”.
Technicians prepared the cargo, while specialists calculated the consequences of technology use and searched for what could be useful in exploring the new world. A unique, interesting and challenging task... Which barely concerned me.
For all my importance to the expedition, I was primarily occupied with various kinds of bureaucracy. I signed orders designed to form the colonial administration, delegated authority, and so on and so forth. I saw little point in all this paperwork, but the country’s leadership wanted to be on the safe side. When it came to a world available for colonization, full of resources and unknown treasures, one could never be too careful.
Settling people in, training, talking to the goblins, healing… The only thing that stood out were the magic lessons — the knowledge and skills of the shamans, brought from other worlds, had resulted in a short training course. Magic skills were tied to the System at present, but it was a power that could be used on its own.
“Greetings, Lord. May I commence the lesson?”
I sat down, ignoring the stares. It was seven minutes past nine. Bosses are never late, they are only ever delayed, and the goblin understood this much better than the newcomers in our department. I noted the most arrogant ones, who clearly needed a lesson in discipline. Although several training sessions had demonstrated my superiority, I was no longer the man of the hour. I was “strongly recommended” to avoid any missions until a base was set up on the Shard. So we had no opportunity to bond in battle until the Dungeon.
“Go on, Uli. I’ll listen too.”
Almost every player had magical potential that they could develop further. Even if they lacked Magical Ability, most were followers of a god, which meant they had mana, even if it was divine. Theoretically, not only could they use the borrowed power, they could also awaken the Minor Magical Ability. It was difficult and took time, and yet...
“...I shall teach you the basics, but how far you get will depend wholly on your perseverance.”
Despite the potential benefit of these lessons, increasing the survival rate of the group was most important right now. Magic training served as a kind of rest from physical training. Of the twenty latest newcomers, only three had neither gift nor patron, and separate lectures were held for them. The state didn’t skimp on instructors.
Another two, Kasoy and Leeloo, were “cultivators”, as those with the Qi Circulation System were jokingly called, and attended separate classes. These were also run by the goblins. There were twenty or so Qi Warriors among my vassals, and even a fully-fledged Spiritual Shaman who managed to combine both ways. Considering what the Dungeon contained and the huge number of spiritual stones, the couple could be considered lucky. Moreover, they could level up their stats at an astounding rate by swallowing the demonic cores. The trick was not getting too greedy and giving yourself time to recover. Otherwise, they would repeat my mistake and earn a Qi Deviation.
“The simplest exercise to develop control is learning to manipulate the flow of energy. To hold it slightly, and then let it go. To speed it up, and try to pause it.”
Many students were diligently writing this down, but there was no need with my memory. Plus, the lectures were being recorded on video. I closed my eyes and simply started practicing…
* * *
“Where am I?”
The goblin looked around in panic but, judging by the despair on his face, he knew where he had ended up. My rage had cooled and I was no longer eager to punish him, but it had to be done, as a lesson to the others. I was silent, watching the criminal.
“What will happen to me? Will I be fed to rats? Impaled? Thrown into a fiery pit?”
“You can atone for your crime. You took Nata’s arm and you shall now replace it.”
I looked at the woman, who showed little emotion. Memory’s a funny thing. I doubted she would have recognized this goblin on her own.
“How?” there was hope in his voice.
“I release you from your oath.” As I spoke, I waved my hand and removed the seal. Together with his chance of returning to the Dungeon in the usual way. The goblin was free, but judging by his wail, he wasn’t too happy about it.
“Nata, he’s yours. Take him away. Will you walk or will we have to drag you?”
Two soldiers stepped forward. The goblin needed to be removed from his kin, and scientists needed a native for their research. Not that anything horrible would happen to the criminal.
“I will walk, Lord.”
“Serve well and perhaps, someday, you will be forgiven.”
As I was leaving, I remembered that I had never learned his name. Well... as they say, a weapon has no name.
* * *
“Here, take a look. This was sent from our embassy in Brazil yesterday.”
I picked up the photo, but it took me a minute to realize whom I was looking at. Spider… the leader of the reserve group, who’d disappeared during the mission.
“Spider is alive? If he came to the embassy, then there is no question of betrayal, right?”
“He says that he died, but was resurrected.”
“That’s… possible.”
I suspected that the miracle was directly linked to the temples. Strange that he was in Brazil, and not Peru or maybe Machu Picchu, but there could be any number of reasons for this. For example, because Inti preferred a more crowded place. However, I didn’t voice this theory. This information had come to the “Major”, as I continued to call him in my head despite the promotion, from the presidential administration. Theoretically, I wasn’t supposed to know this.
“So far, this is the second confirmed case after the Brahmin. Evgeny arrives at Sheremetyevo Airport tomorrow. He will be checked and questioned. I’m sure you understand that we should keep this quiet for now. It would be good if a familiar face is there to meet him.”
“Of course, I’ll get on to it.”
* * *
I rarely watched TV in my old life, preferring the internet, but it was often murmuring in the background in my service apartment. It was usually showing news… Wins by the military and players in Japan, the killed and captured monsters. Work to restore urban infrastructure, civilian evacuations. However, it seemed that most of Honshu would remain empty. Talks at the UN, attempts to reach some kind of decision. Reality shows that often mentioned the superheroes. Experts predicting how the future would unfold. Bomb shelters reopening around the world, as well as evacuation drills and civil defense exercises.
I didn’t have time to watch it all, so I pulled up the recording and skipped over topics that I didn’t find interesting. Click…
“These new threats have provoked a real storm on the stock market. The world is on the brink of a new economic crisis. The stock exchange prices of the largest Japanese firms, which plummeted after the attack, have partially stabilized. The new Prime Minister of Japan said that he would not allow…”
Click... rewind…
The North Eagle fishing trawler, which was fishing off the coast of Alaska, caught a creature called a “kraken” in its net. Unfortunately, the fishing vessel’s nets were unable to hold the monster, and the crew was not sufficiently prepared for such a situation. Thirty-seven people were killed and forty people injured, while the monster escaped…”
The video in which the monster annihilated the unarmed crew was unhelpful due to censorship. I’ve seen it all before, anyway... Click.
“According to unofficial reports, the health of the Eternal President of the United States has deteriorated sharply. There are rumors that…”
This was more interesting. There was a chance that I would be sent on a business trip, but it was too early to think about. Click.
“Do not panic, the parasites have already been examined and found not to pose any real danger. As long as a person sprinkles salt on themselves at least once a day or takes a bath, everything will be fine. Look after yourself...”
There was a brief image of a packet of salt named Exorcism from one of the largest salt manufacturers. They certainly hadn’t wasted any time. Compared to the fall of so many stock prices, salt producers had gone up sharply, doubling in a couple of days. Since I’d managed to invest in them, I was now significantly richer. Yet this thought left me cold. It was mere pennies compared to what I would get from the Shard. I was already rich, with ninety-seven million dollars in my account, excluding the cost of my equipment. Even if I didn’t do anything else, this amount would continue to grow.
Click. Rewind. Finally…
* * *
“Can you tell us what were you awarded the title of Hero for?”
“For outstanding bravery and loyalty to my country, as stated in the order,” I waved them away. “The details are a state secret.”
“Is it somehow related to the events in Japan?”
“I can only say that I was there. Now, if would excuse me...”
This was the end of the interview. I walked through the crowd and ducked into the car, carefully closing the door behind me. The camera followed, showing a blurred number plate, and the frame changed. It looked natural, although I’d been informed about the “leak” in advance.
“Although the hero’s feat remains unknown, the identity of one of the most famous Russian superheroes — Captain Ivanov — has long been the subject of discussions online. We have images from Tokyo, where he fought to the last to protect civilians.”
The viewers were shown a video in which I heroically walked through the streets, and then finished off a Slime. It wasn’t much of an achievement, but videos like this had millions of views on YouTube.
“Who’s the blonde?” Eva asked lazily, just for the sake of it.
“I have no idea,” I grimaced, wondering where that damn camera had been. “But nothing happened. She’s underage.”
“Is that so? You had time to find that out?”
“Of course, I’ve always liked Asian women… Ouch…”
A slipper was thrown at me. The video suddenly stopped, and the announcer’s mustached face reappeared on the screen.
“Based on the award, a bronze bust will be installed in the hero’s hometown! Our reporters visited the school Vasily Vladimirovich had attended to talk with his teachers. As it turns out, he is fondly remembered here, despite the years that have passed.”
“So you’re from Kaluga?” Eva asked.
“The TV wouldn’t lie.” It looked so convincing that I almost believed it myself. They had interviewed my P.E. teacher, classmates, and a bunch of other people. The fake was incredibly well done.
“I knew him from when he was this big, practically from kinder. And he became a hero! It’s a pity his parents are both dead, they would have been so proud of him!”
“How did it happen?”
“I think it was a car accident.”
“Does he have any other family?”
“No, he is an only child. I taught him Phys. Ed., throwing balls, and all that…”
Eva touched my hand in sympathy. I didn’t rush to tell her that there wasn’t a single word of truth in this — not yet. At this point, the interview with the obviously hungover and unshaven P.E. teacher ended, and a reporter appeared. “A memorial plaque will also be installed at the school, on this very spot…”
I leaned back in my chair. Everything was going according to plan. Given the changes in my appearance alongside the growth in stats, even close friends would have struggled to recognize me, and now the lie had become even more convincing. The only weak link were the actors in the performance, but they didn’t look like intelligence agents. A guy with my name, of similar age and looks, had, indeed, lived in that city. Although this was a large country, they’d done a good job in finding a suitable candidate. The old photos showed a guy who looked a lot like me.
* * *
I was woken up by a phone call. Opening my eyes, I reached out and pressed the phone to my cheek, while glancing at the time. It was two o’clock in the morning. Although we’d gone to bed late, I felt strangely wide awake.
“What’s goi…”
“Alert!” a voice rang out. “A mission! Check the logs...” The call ended, forcing me to check the interface at once.
Attention! Invasion Detected (E)! (0/6000)
The mission has been accepted automatically!
Time remaining: 1 minute
You will be transported to the Outer Battlefield in:
7… 6… seconds
“Son of a…” I shook Eva and leapt out of bed. “Get up!”
A siren wailed, loud enough to wake the dead. But it was too late, the response time was awfully short. Our house was departmental, but it wasn’t on base, so the signal from the duty officers had arrived too late.
Attention! All Players assume full readiness! Urgent!
5… 4… 3…
“What’s happening?”
“Catch!”
I grabbed the bag, spun around, and threw it into Eva’s hands. Mine was under the bed, and I dived after it, realizing as I did that I would run out of time.
2… 1… 0…
I was lying naked on the floor of my personal room, with an open portal swirling in the distance. The timer was counting down a new minute. I hate the gods... and everything else about this.