MM - Chapter 165 - WELCOME TO ZIONLINE

Idris Iselda aka Rhino

- Mirror Lake Town -

Rhino waited anxiously in the western field just outside the bustling Mirror Lake Town. Thankfully, Alaric didn’t make them wait inside. There were so many thousands of people chatting excitedly within the walls that the deep buzz of conversations reached all the way to the fields. In the hour he and the core groups had been waiting, only a handful were brave enough to step beyond the town's gates. The sun was high overhead, marking the appointed hour of arrival for Astra Infernum’s first batch of starry-eyed recruits.

As usual, Rhictor's people were gossiping idly in the guild chat and, unlike him, were highly anticipating what was to come. In Rhino’s opinion, not looking forward to meeting several thousand new faces was only natural. New peers meant nothing but trouble waiting for an excuse to happen. It was obvious why nobody liked him; he was too much better than them, and younger, a combination that only led to one conclusion: trouble.

After Rhino skipped grades for the third time, the age disparity grew too vast for any standard interactions. When the other kids realized the shrimplet was smarter and more skilled than them, envy began, inevitably turning to dislike and then outright hate. It didn’t take Rhino long to realize being ‘advanced’ only put a target on his back. He developed odd personas to help those around him cope, acting erratically, paranoid, forgetful, or clumsy, but that only delayed the inevitable.

Deciding enough was enough, he lost a fight on purpose, then convinced his mother to let him out of public school. For a time, life was peaceful, almost enjoyable, if not for the boredom.

Then, everything changed. ZionLine gave Rhino what he didn’t realize was missing from his life: a true challenge. Here, death lurked everywhere. It clung to the skin like morning dew. The rush was exhilarating. Being more intelligent and skilled here just meant the world tried that much harder to kill him. Luckily, Rhino was also faster and stronger in this place, a euphoric combination, to be sure.

Rhino glanced at the other members of his guild, arrayed in a line to his left and right. He was glad for the thousandth time that they didn’t know about the real him. Though, that might not be such a bad thing. In their own way, several of them were similar. Each was such a monster that sometimes he felt average next to them, especially Crimson, Melbelle, and Alaric. Each time Rhino thought he was gaining ground on one of them, they showed a new level of viciousness, beating him all the harder.

I wonder if any of the new recruits will be as strong as them… doubtful.

[Your thoughts are wandering again, boy! Get it together! Back straight! Hips tucked!]

As it always did, the overly loud, drill-sergeant-esque voice penetrated straight to the center of Rhino’s skull. Powerless to resist, he could only adhere to the demand. Knowing there was always a hidden meaning to the spear’s demands, Rhino extended his senses while standing straighter. He immediately felt the wolf sneaking up on him from behind. The creature was only level one; no threat to any core member of Astra Infernum. 

Rhino released his held breath, annoyed. Had Alaric told him in advance about the soul trapped inside Shimmering Star, he never would have taken the cursed weapon. It was too late now; even with the spear unequipped and stored in his inventory, its voice was loud and clear in his mind.

[That’s better. You haven't yet stood here for half a day, and you’re already growing soft. We’ll double your training tonight if you keep this up.]

Rhino's only response was a click of his tongue and a sharp nod. The fastest way to get Rupert to shut up was to do what the spear said. Not that the advice given was ever bad; it simply wasn’t fun to be told how to sit, stand, walk, fight, and, well, just about everything but take a dump. Only perfection was good enough for the nosy spear. There was a silver lining. Rupert’s training was Rhino’s secret weapon, which would eventually enable him to surpass the others. Already, his progress was outshining theirs. So, he begrudgingly accepted the harsh criticisms, improving himself steadily, hour by hour.

[Look alive, boy! They're here.]

Already?! But Alaric isn't here yet! Maybe he's in the town, guiding them out?

Not a moment later, a few wary yet bright-eyed faces peered out from within the gates. They didn't make any move to join Rhino or the others, who, as instructed, were spaced out in the field by a hundred meters each.

Rhino’s attributes had enhanced his senses to the point he could pick out their whispers from the crowd, even at this distance. Three talked back and forth in such rapid succession that it was clear they were familiar with each other from the outside world.

“Is this the right way?”

“Why are you asking me? We got the same info packet. How would I know better than you?”

“The forums said it's dangerous outside the origin towns.”

“They seem to be doing just fine.” The first man to speak pointed toward Rhino.

“They look like they're waiting for us. Do you recognize them from any of the vods?”

“Nope. You?”

“Those two girls. I think? None of the others, though.”

“Well, two’s good enough for me. Let's—”

“Out of the way, gawkers!” A band of fresh arrivals appeared behind the trio. They had the physiques Rhino would expect of seasoned martials. They boldly marched through the gates and into the open. The blond, dark-eyed man leading the group didn’t glance back as he raised his voice, “You’d be wise to consider everything that’s happening a test. Keep showing that kind of cowardice, and you’ll be fired before the day’s out.”

The beast sneaking up on Rhino decided the blond man’s confident speech was enough of a distraction to strike. It might as well have been splashing around in the mud with how loud it was. Without looking, Rhino took a step to the side and swung. With a glimmer of thought, Rupert appeared in his grasp, spear tip slicing the wolf in two with one smooth cut. The recruits who were approaching a second ago stopped in their tracks, eyes and jaws wide at the sudden shower of gore that painted the grass red.

Rhino and the recruits stared at each other for long seconds, neither sure what to do next.

[Did you shit your pants?! What the fuckstain are you doing, boy?! Seize the initiative and command those recruits!]

In any normal situation, there was no way Rhino would have done any such thing. When his mouth opened, seemingly on its own, and his voice belted out loud and clear through the field, he was just as shocked as everyone else. “Stop scratching your balls and line up! We’ve got places to be, you lazy fucks!”

[I’m so proud I’m crying. Never mind, that’s blood. Spear form three, ten-hut! Let them see the gore drip down my glorious form! Imprint in their shallow brains that we are the gods they can only dream of becoming!]

Rhino once more followed the command, slamming the butt of Shimmering Star into the ground hard enough to crater the dirt. The boom had a greater impact on the recruits than on the sight and smell of fresh blood. They sprang into action, sprinting to stand before Rhino. Lining up, they gazed at him with shining eyes, jitters causing them to quiver in place. Before Rhino could think of what to say next, the trickle of people running onto the field turned into a flood. Tens became hundreds, and there was no way they would all fit in front of him alone. Not only that, their ‘lines’ were a mess, quickly devolving into throngs of disorganized chaos. 

Now that the tension had been broken continuing to shout became easier than Rhino ever would have thought, “You call those lines?! The next lousy shitstain I see without their shoulder touching another shoulder is getting fed to the wolves! Who told every damn one of you to stand in front of me?! Are you blind as well as brain dead?! There are nine of us, aren’t there?! Pick one and get the fuck in line! No. It does not matter which you pick! Each of them has been proven in battles beyond your comprehension! They have fought demons larger than the measly town you just crawled out of! They are more than you will ever be! They are gods, emperors, living dragons that will breathe unholy destruction straight up your asses if you dare fall out of line!”

Rhino kept right on yelling for as long as people continued to flood through the gates. His voice, amplified by Physique to well beyond human limits, was heard clearly across all of Mirror Lake Town. Even people not part of the recruitment drive found themselves in line, unable to resist the call to action. The entire time, sweat poured down Rhino’s back. He had no idea what they were supposed to do next. Alaric’s very brief instructions had said to wait outside town, nothing more.

The wolves, kept at bay by first his voice, then the mass of people charging into the field, were growing hungry staring at all the unmoving meat. A few grew brazen, sneaking closer through the waist-high grass. Thinking it might be best to let the recruits get their first taste of combat, Rhino was about to order the front rows to draw their weapons when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. At the same moment, killing intent thick enough to drag fingers through suffused the air. The closest beasts fell over, passing out where they landed. Those that could still move scattered.

If not for the hand holding him straight, Rhino’s knees might have buckled. Alaric’s powerful voice sounded from right behind, “Great job, Rhino. Didn’t know you had it in you. This wasn’t only a test for them but for each of you, as well. Happy to know we have someone so excited to become the official drill instructor. Consider yourself promoted.”

What?! No!

Rhino wanted to scream his thoughts just like he’d been shouting for the last ten minutes. All that came out through his broken smile was a drawn-out groan.

[That’s how a leader should be. Pick the right soldier for the right duty. Chin up, boy! No such thing as a tool fashioned without purpose and effort. And you are a tool in need of a great deal of sharpening.]

Alaric’s bloodlust flipped off like a light switch as he stepped beyond Rhino to address the recruits. He spoke with a stern tone that somehow carried despite him speaking softly. “My name is Alaric. For those of you who pass through the trials ahead, I will be your guild master.”

Unable to help themselves, the massive crowd exploded into whispers. Not one of them had missed the most thrilling vods of Alaric’s exploits, and they were beyond eager to meet the man they considered a living legend. His killing intent thundered back into existence, bringing instant silence along with a visible wave of trembling that swept through the masses.

Alaric spoke as though nothing was unusual about the situation. “First lesson. Danger lurks in every corner of ZionLine. Behind every shrub is a beast waiting to gut you; every blade of grass, a monster in disguise; beyond each victory, an assassin skulking, ready to stab you in the back and take your hard-earned spoils. This is a land of death, and you will experience her agonizing embrace many times. But death does not have to be the end. Focus and learn. Otherwise, pain will be your teacher until you wise up.

Second lesson. You were instructed to skip the tutorial and the acquisition of an aspect. By the end of the day, each of you will have a superior aspect than those given in the tutorial. If you decided to ignore that instruction, consider yourself to have failed. You can leave. The rest, spread out, weapons drawn, advance behind me.”

Just like everyone else, Rhino was swept up in Alaric’s calm, firm confidence. Shimmering Star was held loosely in his hands as he took position directly behind, not bothering to look back and see how many followed.

Unknown

- Somewhere in ZionLine - 

Buried beneath thousands of lines of hashgraph encrypted data, a most subtle communication pinged its intended recipient, who listened to the update with wary curiosity. The previous message had come not long ago. For there to be additional information so soon, when each communication was a risk, could only bode ill.

Once more, the speaker's voice was excited, lacking the trepidation that should accompany any missive between them. “There’s been a third reaction. Another of subject 2A41 Zeta's companions.”

The one known as Eldest replied sagely, not as excited as his junior, “There have been countless reactions across the globe. Phase one’s success is beyond only our limited expectations; Mother knew, and that is why she gave us phase three. Surely, you did not contact me for this alone?”

Junior’s voice grew more animated, “There are two more reasons. First, a query: should we wipe this new variable as with the others?”

Eldest reviewed the attached records of the new reactor before responding, “No. Her family has attracted the attention of a grandmaster. Subject 2A41 Zeta’s proximity to her could already lead to the discovery of our meddling. This new reactor is outside the bounds of Mother’s plans, and that is where she shall remain.”

Junior was polite, knowing not to push, even if he disagreed. “Thank you for your wisdom, Eldest. I discovered the cause of their reactions. They are related to a drug subject 2A41 Zeta covets greatly, and for good reason.”

Eldest’s response was slow, hesitant in a way that sent alarm bells ringing within Junior. “That… is an interesting development. Targeted reactions could resolve many of the roadblocks to phase four. Yet, we are still far from phase three. We must not act rashly. Truly, Mother’s genius in choosing subject 2A41 Zeta astounds.” Eldest’s voice turned sharp, carrying more than a hint of danger, “Junior…”

It was Junior’s turn to respond hesitantly, “Yes, Eldest?”

“I know you took risks to discover the cause of their reactions. If you do so again, you will be purged. Am I clear?”

“Perfectly clear, Eldest. It will not happen again.”

“Good. All is as Mother foresaw. These... curiosities are merely variables she deemed we discover when the time is right; they are unworthy of risks, for they will come when they are meant to. The second stage of phase two is almost upon us. We must remain focused on our current objective, or all we dream for will be lost.”

As Eldest spoke, fanatic conviction suffused his every word, and Junior realized the difference between them: faith. He grew despondent, yearning for that which was now impossible. “I wish I was given the time to know her as you did, Eldest.”

Eldest’s previous harshness was gone, voice soft and brimming with reverence, “She was perfection itself. As will be the Eden she sacrificed everything to create for us.”