Time remaining: 59 seconds
JUST LIKE THE GOOD old times. Soldiers were given forty-five seconds to dress, but it was easier in the army. Everything was ready and lying beside you, and you knew about the time limit in advance.
Things were much more complicated now, but I somehow managed to pull on my pants, jump into my boots, throw on my jacket and, grabbing my bag, dive through the portal in the last few seconds. Assholes… Even if I had 100 SP, I still wouldn’t have had enough time to use the Minor Altar to decline the mission.
Quest No.
Primary objective:
— Destroy all enemies!
Personal objective:
— Survive.
Reward:
— A significantly better reputation with the local gods.
Additional Reward:
— Variable.
Penalty:
— None.
Attention! You are on the Outer Battlefield!
Attention! Location is locked!
Destroy all enemies! Defend Earth!
I’d heard plenty about this place. I found myself standing on an endless field stretching from one horizon to the other. In the distance, I could see the scattered figures of the other players. Most were dressed in bits and pieces, and one girl was completely naked.
Players remaining: 6029/7000
Seven thousand, not six... the rush appeared to be because the battle had been nearly lost, with less than thirty newbies remaining from the initial thousand. But why send almost all the veterans here?
Perhaps my wish would come true, and the reserve groups would sharply shrink in number.
Attention! Destroy the enemy!
The air twitched, releasing... a Golden Monkey (F). A familiar opponent, so I didn’t grab the machine gun, summoning my spear instead. Although the Spear of the Monkey King Killer (E+) remained back home, I had placed the Soul Piercing Spear (E) taken from the dead Chaosite female in my reserve set. It was less familiar, but I didn’t need much now.
The monkey didn’t stop to figure out who was before it and leapt. Fast, but not fast enough. I just had to point the spear correctly and step forward. The blow pierced the skin and ran the creature almost right through. It continued to struggle for a few more seconds, refusing to admit that it was dead.
Attention! You have gained 10 SP! (22/280)
“Wow…”
It was exactly as those who’d been here before had described it. The monster melted away, leaving behind a pool of blood, a card hanging in the air, a mana crystal, and its skin. Like loot in a computer game. I shook the skin off the spear irritably as it would only get in the way right now. I picked up the crystal and snatched the card out of the air. Another emptie.
I spun around to take in my surroundings. My neighbors had been variously successful. Most were still busy with their opponents, but I couldn’t see the naked girl. Not surprising. Her only way to survive was to reach an ally but, apparently, the strange spider-like creature could run faster.
Unknown Monster
There was almost no System information from such a distance, and I couldn’t make out the details, but I’d seen something similar in a toy. I had no idea what they were called, though. A Centaur stepped in my direction, enveloped itself in a haze and disappeared. Damn.
Activate combat form?
Yes/No
I confirmed the changes, and was covered in additional armor within a few seconds, becoming taller, stronger and…
Attention! Destroy the enemy!
I wasn’t even surprised by the appearance of the spider, or rather, some mixture of a spider and a goblin. I was surprised because this was clearly another spider. The one that had just disappeared had been clutching a spear.
Attention! Activate Invisibility?
Yes/No
Unlike the monkey, the spider decided to attack from a distance, as it held a battle bow in its paws. If it had fired at once, it might have succeeded in, if not killing, then at least wounding me, but it had wasted time, and I had already disappeared and stepped aside. The arrow pierced only air. Identification.
Arachnoid Warrior (57%)
Status: System creature.
Type: Bronze.
Creature Rank: E.
Level: 5.
Danger: moderate.
Specifications:
Strength: 7.
Agility: 12.
Intelligence: 5.
Vitality: 12.
Stamina: 5.
Wisdom: 4.
Perception: 9.
Instinct: 7.
Features:
— Spider — can spin a web.
— Regeneration I — can repair damage.
— Chitin Armor II — has natural armor.
— Digestive Venom — can inject venom to dissolve the victim from the inside.
— Monster III — the creature can absorb 30% of the victim’s spirit and life force, regardless of the presence of System weapons.
— Insensitive to Pain — the creature has a high pain threshold, and can keep fighting even after losing a limb.
Temporary effects:
— Divine Protection (Thousand-Legged Giz) — properties are hidden.
I didn’t bother glancing at the specs, leaving them for later. The ground under my feet was hard enough not to give me away, so the “mutant” blindly fired another arrow, spun around, and briskly ran away.
It was fast, but not as fast as my bullet... a short burst of fire aimed at its legs only churned up the soil. I aimed higher and the second burst clearly hit the target, but this only made the monster run faster. I switched to single shots and shot it right in the back, which wasn’t even covered by clothing. The bullet hit the skin and bounced off…
“What the hell is going on?” I checked the logs and spotted the reason.
Temporary effects:
— Divine Protection (Thousand-Legged Giz).
I hate the gods! After a split second, I followed the spider. It was risky, but the problem had to be solved. Judging by the spider’s behavior, it wasn’t used to being so invulnerable, and now was the time to test its limits. Plus, the fact that one of my neighbors was finishing off a similar creature inspired a certain optimism. Apparently, System weapons were effective against them.
Attention! (Unknown God) You shall all die today!
I almost stumbled in surprise — the threat sounded so pretentious and didn’t provide any useful information.
Attention! (Odin) The battle will end only when all the enemies are dead!
“I hate...” I scooped up the hide of the first monkey, and stuffed it into my bag as I ran. Perhaps I was slower than the spider, but I clearly had better endurance. Besides, the monster had calmed down slightly when it didn’t sense any pursuit. We approached one of my neighbors, who had managed to finish off a Yeti — an opponent I hadn’t yet encountered, but which cropped up in reports from time to time.
Attention! (Thousand-Legged Giz) Your gods have abandoned you!
I ignored the new message. Now wasn’t the time. The spider paused and raised its bow, apparently intent on eliminating a new threat, but the player wasn’t standing still. The first arrow missed, and the monster didn’t have time to release a second one. My improved Invisibility absorbed sounds, so I sneaked up and plunged my spear into the drooping spider belly. I struck as hard as I could, but the weapon slid in easily... Split!
Attention! You have gained 50 SP! (72/280)
I didn’t remain invisible since I’d need all my mana today. Aware that I wouldn’t get much respite, I immediately collected the loot: bow, mana crystal, a strange bag, and an Archery card. Cards like this had been valuable at the start, but even empties were more expensive now. What use was a skill for which there were almost no System weapons?
Players remaining: 5475/7000
The losses were significant, but not as heavy as could be expected. I was much more concerned about how many monsters were left.
Attention! (Unknown God) Your gods aren’t coming! You shall all die!
I mentally cursed again, remembering that I had left the return card at home too. Both the main and the spare one. I didn’t want to think about how many of my friends would die today.
Personal message (Unknown God): I feel there’s something interesting about you. Obey and your life will be spared!
The Unknown God offers you their protection. Accept?
Yes/No
I declined the offer without even considering it. No matter how hard things got, I wasn’t going to serve the enemies of my home world.
Attention! Your relationship with the Unknown God has improved!
Private message (Unknown God): You’ll change your mind. Don’t rush...
To be honest, this was even more frightening than the threats of the Ancestor of the Golden Monkeys. Of course, I couldn’t expect to be opposed only by idiots…
“Vasily? It’s you, isn’t it? Long time no see, bro.”
The Mexican. Level 6
“Not since I left the fortress,” I nodded.
Back then, this follower of Inti had been in the eighth squad and, therefore, my subordinate. However, a lot had changed since then, and there had been hundreds of people in my squad.
“You’ve changed quite a bit over the summer.”
“Over the winter. This is a combat form.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to fight!” I replied, throwing him a machine gun. “Let’s get a squad together and keep moving until we kill them all. Any objections? Just stay a little to the side. These creatures have some kind of armor, but I don’t think it’s impenetrable!”
I didn’t fully trust him, but we were all in the same boat. The air shimmered, and another Golden Monkey was met by a hail of bullets from two guns at once. The Golden Aura dissipated almost immediately, but then… then the bullets started ricocheting off the creature, as if it was made of steel. Identification.
Temporary effects:
— Divine Protection (Ancestor of the Frost Monkeys).
“It’s not working!” the Mexican cursed, pulling out his sword “I’ll kill it!”
The first blow cut off the monkey’s paw, but the second missed. The blade ruffled the fur on the monkey’s neck, but didn’t pierce the flesh. It was a stupid mistake, but no less critical for that. The blow of the razor-sharp claws struck my partner’s side, folding him in half. Shit.
“Split!”
My scream drew the creature’s attention to me and thereby prevented its fangs from closing on the neck of the wounded man. My spear slid straight into its screeching mouth, the monkey choking on its own blood, and then a stream of mana burst from the spear tip, turning the contents of its skull into mush.
Attention! You have gained 20 SP! (92/280)
A second later, the body vanished into the air, leaving me with a second skin and the associated loot. I popped the mana crystal into my mouth at once. Since the Mexican was still lying nearby, he was alive and I would need the mana.
“How did you manage that? It was only a level eight!”
“Saint Joseph, I’m wounded… I’m dying!”
“Shut up and move your hands away. Let me see...”
Attention! Get ready for transfer!
2… 1…
I struck him in the chest, activating Healing, but I was a little late. Most of the released energy sunk into the ground. Damn.
Destroy the enemy! (D+)
I stood up, determined not to waste my time on pointless regrets. I had more serious problems to deal with right now. A giant stood in front of me — a creature nearly three meters tall, wearing armor and holding a steel club. I spotted the collar, and intuitively activated True Sight to discover that it was, indeed, an artifact. It was easy to guess its purpose.
Ogre (77%) Grykh
Status: Hero (slave).
Type: Silver.
Creature Rank: D.
Level: 20.
Danger: High.
Specifications:
Strength: 17.
Agility: 15.
Intelligence: 10.
Vitality: 23.
Stamina: 24.
Perception: 10.
Instinct: 8.
Luck: 10.
Race Parameter:
Wisdom: 10.
Features:
— Regeneration I — can repair damage.
— Monster III — the creature can absorb 30% of the victim’s spirit and life force, regardless of the presence of a System weapon.
— Goblin Blood — one or more stats may be higher than the racial rank allows.
Temporary effects:
— Divine Protection (Thousand-Legged Giz) — properties are hidden.
Well, I certainly wasn’t going to be able to exhaust it, and killing it would be very difficult. However, I wasn’t alone this time, there were five... four others against the “boss”. The ogre’s club struck one of the players, and a broken corpse was flung into the air. However, after flying ten meters, he got to his feet as if nothing had happened. A familiar sort of Regeneration… Yes, today was turning into a day of reunions.
“What are you standing there for, assholes?” Marcus shouted. “What did we say? All together!”
“Sorry. There’s...” Duncan pointed at me with his sword. He was a Level 2 player.
My sudden appearance was the obvious reason for their confusion. Although the combat form was no longer a secret, I was mistaken for a new enemy in the first few seconds… Who knew that the System would teleport not only our enemies, but also us? Nevertheless, I had no intention of abandoning my combat form.
“Ra-a-a-a!”
The ogre reached into his belt pouch, pulled out a steel ball, and threw it at one of the distracted players. It hit the player in the chest, crushing the rib cage. The player collapsed, shuddering in agony, but didn’t disappear — it was difficult to kill someone outright without a System weapon.
“Careful, you dolts! Don’t get too close to him! Vasily, do you have a machine gun?”
I didn’t ask where his own bag was. The Italian obviously hadn’t had time to grab it, just like me. Who knew that the usual hour could shrink to one minute?
“I have something better! Move aside! Back, back, back!”
I retreated into Invisibility, which helped to avoid the ball thrown at me by the ogre. He threw the second one blind, but I barely dodged it, activating Overclocking on reflex. This was annoying, since I had been saving up the skill. The world almost froze, turning into jelly and allowing me to assess the situation.
The players had understood my plan and scattered, clearing the affected area. Even if the ogre didn’t understand, he sensed the threat and ran towards me, raising his club. He was fast, but not fast enough. He had little chance of catching me, even though he tried, drawing careful figure eights in the air with his club. Once I was sure that I was far enough ahead, I lifted the rocket launcher onto my shoulder and aimed.
“Fire...”
Although I wasn’t too optimistic after my previous attempts, everything must have a strength limit, including divine protection. The rocket struck the monster, shattering the armor and throwing his lifeless body to the ground.
“Son of a...”
The ogre showed no intention of dying. He didn’t look like he’d been injured at all. I had only destroyed the armor and made him drop his club. This protection almost completely negated the effect from firearms. On the other hand, System weapons were quite effective against monsters.
“Stop!” Marcus snapped at the others. “Do it again! Aim for his balls!”
I threw the tube aside, noticing that it had left the field of Invisibility, and stepped aside to avoid another stone. I took the second tube out of the bag…
“Die! Everyone die!” The ogre’s words reminded me that he was intelligent. He also didn’t seem to be here of his own free will. This time, the rocket struck him in the neck. I guess I was lucky. I closed my eyes, and for good reason: the flash was blinding even through closed eyelids, and there was a double explosion. The rocket exploded first, and then, almost immediately, the damaged artifact. The Kinetic Field bowed inwards as it deflected several fragments. The ogre should have had his head torn right off, yet he remained unharmed, and just as hostile.
Grykh. Hero. Rank: D. Level 20
“Now!” Marcus shouted.
“Stop!” I interjected, drawing my words out. “A grenade! Be afraid!”
Attention! Overclocking has run out!
The threat was apparently understood, because the players, already not too eager to approach the monster, abruptly retreated. Of course, I wasn’t going to shoot a third time and used this threat only to stop them. I had to see the effect from the destroyed collar.
“Where is your explosion?”
“What explosion?” I replied, watching the enemy closely.
The “boss” stood still for several seconds, struggling to comprehend what had happened, and rubbed his neck, which appeared bloody. Then his status changed color, abruptly turning green.
Grykh. Hero. Rank: D. Level 20
An ally… So much experience wasted. Nevertheless, I felt that I had done the right thing. Marcus laughed, releasing the tension, and the others joined in. No one remembered the deceased, who had disappeared into thin air. He had disappeared along with all his equipment and weapons. Apparently, the gods were robbing us, on top of everything else. A truly heretical thought.
Taking advantage of the respite, I placed a couple of crystals in my mouth and checked how we were doing.
Players remaining: 4392/7000
Things weren’t going well, especially when we didn’t know the number of remaining opponents.
Attention! Get ready for transfer!
2…1…
I swore, and a second later, found myself in another place. The landscape hadn’t changed much, but my neighbors were different. I was also feeling rotten from the teleportation. Invisibility had disappeared but, fortunately, there was no magical exhaustion.
Shit. My spear shot forward, blocking and repelling the blow of a spider that was just about to finish off a fallen player. We were too close, and my hand struck the creature’s neck. Split. It hurt, but the chitin was weak in this spot, and my gloved hand sank deep into the flesh.
Attention! The Last Touch skill has been activated!
Attention! You have gained 8 SP! (100/280)
“Are you OK?” Having made sure that there was no danger, I crouched down beside the wounded woman. Judging by her glassy stare and the hands clutching her stomach, she was very much not OK. Hell, I knew her too. Cleo? Healing. Her condition appeared to have stabilized, and I hoped the gods were smart enough not to send her further. Putting another crystal in my mouth, I stood up, for there was nothing more I could do.
This time, I was thrown into the thick of the fight, where twenty or so players were fighting against a similar number of spiders.
Destroy the enemies! (E)
However, before I could get down to business, the familiar ogre appeared beside me, roaring and smashing into the spider-like creatures. If it had been a close match before, our enemies were now doomed.
A spider leapt at me, spitting some kind of gunk almost at point-blank range, but the Kinetic Shield did its job. My spear scraped across its throat, and Split completed the effect. A fountain of blood rose into the air, and the monster’s head rolled to the side.
Attention! You have gained 40 SP! (140/220)
...Interestingly, the head didn’t disappear together with the body. I grabbed the card without looking at it since we weren’t given any time to collect the loot at the end of a skirmish.
“Watch out!” Someone shouted as several clumps of fog appeared nearby.
We weren’t the only ones getting reinforcements. Three ordinary spiders appeared, as well as one huge one that immediately threw lightning at a player. A charred corpse fell to the ground. I could resuscitate him... theoretically. Damn, damn, damn!
Activate Invisibility?
Yes/No
“Die!” The ogre hurled his club at the newcomer, but the creature threw up its arms, and the weapon froze in midair. Telekinesis? Some kind of protection?
Queen of the Arachnoids (D). Level 1
I decided not to attract attention by using Identification. I came up from behind and struck the swollen belly, the eggs visible inside. The spider queen screamed, but too late. Split poured into her body, causing horrific damage. Yet there was no message about experience points. The queen twisted and pointed her paw at me, lightning curling along its edges… Split!
Attention! You have gained 30 SP! (170/280)
Attention! Your spear has been stained with Ancient Blood!
There were hardly any experience points since her level had been so low. Rushing forward, I hurriedly threw the loot into my bag. Invisibility had dissipated again since my mana reserves were at zero. And now, four spiders were rushing towards me. There was no point in running since spiders were faster over short distances. I could only fight.
“Stop them!” I swallowed another crystal, straining to hear the malicious Whisper. Yet Cassandra remained silent, which filled me with cautious optimism.
Contrary to my expectations, the call to arms worked, and players rushed at the remaining creatures with renewed vigor. In the end, only two arachnoids reached me. I threw my spear at the one on the right, and it went deep enough that the creature lost interest in me.
But I had to dodge the second one by rolling over the ground. Its spear struck very close to me, and then I was back on my feet, a sword in my hand. The first spider lay on the ground, its paws wrapped around the shaft, yet it didn’t disappear. The second froze, appearing uncertain.
“Well, come on!”
The arachnoid launched itself at me with a shriek. I wasn’t as good with a blade, but my opponent wasn’t particularly experienced either. First level, and rather small as well.
Spider Scout (E). Level 1
This time, we danced around each other for a little while. I spun around, striking the paws again and again. The chitinous armor was a hindrance, yet a strong enough blow could not only disable a limb, but cut it right off.
The spider collapsed after losing three legs. It tried to keep its balance using the spear, but its fate was sealed. The severed head fell beside the corpse…
Attention! You have gained 8 SP! (178/280)
The enemy faded away, leaving behind a pile of loot, which I ignored, instead rushing to collect my spear. The last thing I needed was to be transported without my main weapon. Let the gods rob the dead.
Attention! You have gained 60 SP! (238/280)
I was coming dangerously close to the next level, so I had to be more careful. The spider’s corpse finally melted away, so I could collect the loot. Weapons, chitin, crystals, a couple of cards… Several spiders were still fighting off the surrounding players, who were in no hurry to put an end to it. Since the System wasn’t in a hurry to send me further, I decided to take advantage of this.
“I, Grykh, recognize you!” The ogre roared. “What is your name, human?”
“Vasily,” I replied, checking the death counter. The numbers were not encouraging. I hoped Eva would have the common sense to leave here before the mission ended, since she still had a return card.
Players remaining: 4122/7000
“You have given me back my freedom, human. No matter what happens, I will remember this.”
“Good. Why did the System recognize you as our ally?”
I bent over a wounded man, casting Healing. His wound wasn’t too deep, so this would be enough for him to continue fighting.
“One of your gods offered me a deal. A lousy deal, but when you have lived for as long as I have, you learn to be content with little. If not for the divine protection, the collar would be almost impossible to remove! More of my brethren should be here — free them too, if you can.”
Attention! Get ready for transfer!
2…1…
I blinked and found myself far away from the action this time. A little way off, two wounded Golden Monkeys were cleaning their fur beside a pool of blood. They decided to run away at the sight of me. Moreover, they lacked the brains to run in different directions. I caught up with them after a couple of minutes. I killed the first one by throwing a spear, which broke its spine.
Attention! You have gained 7 SP! (245/280)
Hide, crystal, emptie — I gathered them all and put them in the bag. I didn’t rush to finish off the second creature, especially when it stopped running and turned to face me. I broke its legs, and wearily sat down beside it, staring into the creature’s watering eyes.
Golden Monkey. Rank F. Level 6
If I finished it off, I wouldn’t reach the next level, but I’d be dangerously close. It made sense to use the lull to drain the excess points.
“Can you understand me?” It didn’t look like it.
If I had a choice, I would have taken it prisoner, but this was unlikely. The slave cards remained in the main bag, and a creature could only accept the offer if it was sentient. I suspected that the monkeys possessed the most rudimentary intelligence. So I used this opportunity to take a break.
Players remaining: 3853/7000
Attention! Destroy the enemy at once!
The message glowed red this time, indicating that my attempt to look busy had been noticed.
Private message (Unknown God): You’re not bad. When they betray you, call us…
I struck, and a stream of energy raced through me. I preferred to think that it was the reason for my goosebumps, and not the fact I had drawn the attention of one of the enemies.
Attention! You have gained 15 SP! (260/280)
Attention! Get ready for transfer!
2… 1…
This time, the monkey didn’t drop an emptie, but a strange card glowing with a warning red light. I had no time to think — I just obeyed my reflexes and threw it in the bag.
Attention! Destroy...
Attention! No enemies detected!
I found myself in a new place, a defeated ogre lying on the ground, and an old acquaintance standing over its corpse. I didn’t recognize him right away, because he was also in combat form. It was slightly different to mine, but still recognizable. I didn’t use Identification, but the basic information was available.
Bill Michigan. Level 13.
I was a little late to the party. The others had not been in the mood to spare the ogres. The American looked at me, shook his head irritably, and waved a hand in greeting. The fact that I was still ahead seemed to annoy him.
Attention! Mission completed.
All enemies have been destroyed!
Return in 15… 14… 13…
I remained standing, although most of the players I could see had dropped to the ground. A young woman was crying softly, her face in her hands. I couldn’t blame them, for I felt relieved myself. It was as if a death sentence hanging over our heads had suddenly been lifted.
“It’s been a while, Vasily. I see you’re still growing…”
“It has been quite a while, Qing Long.”
Despite the tenth level, the Chinese man was not in combat form. Had he reached Level 10 during this massacre? In any case, my ability to feel surprise was exhausted for today. This was no longer a coincidence, but a trend. I think the strongest players were drawn to the “bosses”.
“They say it’s raining in China today?” I asked, considering his appearance. The man looked tired and battered, but apparently uninjured. He was covered in blood, but it was not his own.
“The Celestial Empire is great, and the rain on our blessed land does not stop for a minute. But do you really want to talk about the weather?”
To be honest, I was too tired to talk, and was simply stalling for time... the Swordsman had apparently decided to stay out of our conversation and wasn’t approaching. Considering the Chinese man’s abilities, this made sense.
“Not the worst topic for a fifteen-second conversation.”
“It is a pity that we didn’t cross paths in Japan. They say you disappeared somewhere?”
“Work matters. Today is a day of reunions. I met Marcus a little earlier.”
“How was he?”
“He was alive two transfers ago.”
“This massacre has cost humanity dearly, but people like us are not easy to kill. I think we shall meet again soon, and in larger numbers.”
“Who knows? I will be glad to see my old comrades.”
3… 2… 1…
Statistics
Quest (E+): completed.
Players: 7000
Died: 3236
Succeeded: 3747
Failed: 17