MM - Chapter 87 - LEAVING A MARK

Talerra Tafell - Scion of the Everlasting Phoenix Clan

Talerra’s battleaxe bit deeply into the tough, scaly hide of the beast before her. It shrieked, open mouth launching a ball of sizzling venom at her face. She ducked and slid to the side, spinning fluidly to yank her weapon free. Her axe came around again, striking an instant after her teammate’s Fire Lance melted a small section of scales. By striking the same spot before it could regenerate, her weapon crushed through its compromised defenses in a spray of dark gore.

[Obtained 8,200 Superiority (150% bonus for defeating an elite monster 2 levels above you)]

[Obtained 5.5% Attunement (150% bonus for defeating an elite monster 2 levels above you)]

The creature gurgled, its limbs twitching one last time before it fell forward in a spray of blood-soaked mud. Talerra held herself back from mimicking a certain shameless bastard and allowed a servant to collect the dropped item and coins. In a large circle behind her, twenty of her strongest direct subordinates fought similar beasts. A hundred more of her people were spread through the swamp, busily attracting their prey and bringing them closer where two hundred rangers and casters inside the circle weakened them on approach.

Since she and her subordinates were not included in the overall raid group, they collected one hundred percent of the Superiority and Attunement for each kill, rapidly increasing their levels. It was a major boon when they discovered ZionLine gifted the one who landed the last blow full credit. She regretted that over three hundred of her people were working hard and gaining nothing. However, recent events made it clear how powerful solo individuals could become with superior levels and attributes, leaving her no choice but to adapt. 

As her own power swelled, she began to understand why this game called it Superiority, instead of the usual Experience, or EXP; sure, she was gaining valuable combat experience with each fight, but the steady growth in power could only be considered a true path to superiority. Recently winning several bouts against her trainers in reality was proof enough of the efficacy of ZionLine’s combat. At a fundamental level, she felt superior to her old self in every way, and she had only been playing for a little over two weeks. The future, so long as she survived her cousin's quest to murder her, felt bright indeed.

Her next kill was some distance off and she sighed, her thoughts going back to where they always did when she had a spare moment these days. She had been debating how to proceed, and time was running short. She once more read the short series of messages she shared with Alaric moments ago. 

The man was a dangerous enigma. Her grandfather’s demand that she discover his identity and kill him was a cause for incessant worries. She had never ordered the death of another human and was not looking forward to it. Obviously, she wouldn’t be able to pull it off alone. Making her choice on who to ask for help, she accessed her interface and called a particular Ncode.

A woman’s deep voice sounded on the other end, “Is there a problem?”

“I was hoping you could locate and observe a mark. He just arrived in your area.”

The woman’s cheekbones became more pronounced as she grinned, “A mark? I haven’t assassinated anyone in a while. How delightful.”

“I can’t have him die just yet. I still have uses for him, but I also have to discover his true identity. Don’t engage unless he’s in a dire situation.”

The woman’s face skewed in confusion, “So… you want me to protect him? A mark?”

Talerra nodded, “Mhm. I need him to reach Silverlight City alive. Locate and observe. Anything you can learn about him is valuable. Here’s a recent image.”

The woman’s eye twitched when she saw who the mark was. As the most senior executioner in the Phoenix Clan, it was her duty to keep track of notable individuals like Alaric. She blinked at Talerra, no longer happy about the conversation, “No wonder you called me. Double the usual rate, and you owe me a favor.”

Talerra sighed, relieved the woman agreed, “Thank you, Aunty Arya.”

Raine KongRu

Raine adopted a lecturing tone as he explained one of the least well kept secrets of expert and master martials, “Bloodlust is just another physical manifestation of killing intent, also known as a mental ability. They aren’t psychic abilities, as those are something you’re born with. Mental abilities take on a variety of forms depending on the person’s flavor of killing intent. They manifest somewhere between class four and five martial, again depending on the person.”

Seeing as they were too distracted by fear of an ambush, Raine gave them a live example, once more flexing his bloodlust but this time not excluding his allies. Richtor’s crew went stiff with fear, eyes widening at the debuff they received. TwistedReligion actually shrieked, fumbling his staff. Raine’s group, having spent the night abused by the ability, only flinched a little.

Clapping his hands, Raine broke the spell of terror gripping their spines, “Don’t you worry, we’ll cover mental abilities in general in excruciating detail all too soon. We’ve only got a few minutes until Rising Endlessly swarms us. Let’s get a little closer to town.” There were some grumbles about how they wouldn’t have to worry about that if he didn’t provoke them, but ultimately didn’t have any choice other than to follow his lead.

Back on the road, they sprinted through a wide valley and around the rocky base of a mountain. Through a gap in the winding, craggy terrain, they saw trails of smoke from the town’s forges rising into the sky. There were no beasts in sight, proving how effective Rising Endlessly was at keeping the road safe. 

A high ledge overlooking the next valley caught Raine’s eyes, “Keep running. I’ll be back in a few.” Before they could argue, he bounded into the air and activated his drifter, vanishing from sight. Sure enough, three groups of players sat in wait atop the ledge, positioned behind a dozen loose boulders.

They weren’t on the lookout, relaxing and chatting amongst themselves with cheery smiles. Raine stored the drifter and appeared as his feet crunched into stony topsoil. The players leaped to action, drawing weapons but not immediately attacking.

“Woah! Who the hell are you?” The speaker’s ignorance was understandable. Until Sergeant Harris respawned after five minutes, he wouldn’t have any way of communicating that he’d been killed. He could log out, but ZionLine wasn't so easily fooled. His Ncode would be restricted from contacting anyone logged in. There were of course ways around the restrictions but they weren't yet commonplace.

Raine didn’t respond other than to close the distance at a steady pace. The same man spoke again as his comrades spread out, “These are Phoenix Clan lands. Trespassing is forbidden. Use a return stone now. If you don’t have one, we’ll have to escort you back to a graveyard.” A few snickers filled the air as they closed the circle around him. 

Getting them to attack me first every time is so tedious.

Once they were in guilds recognized by the system, even without a war being declared, it would be much easier to indiscriminately kill without repercussion. To speed things along, Raine dash-stepped toward the leader. The man jerked back in surprise at Raine’s speed, wildly swinging his weapon on instinct. He would have missed if Raine didn’t lift his leg into the way of the blade. [-4]

Sudden and ferocious killing intent coated the ledge. The players trembled, eyes going glassy before snapping back into focus. By then, it was too late. The flash of light in Raine's palm was already fading, revealing a long staff with delicate blue filigree. 

[Staff of Four Winds: (Lustrous Blue - LVL 15) (Elemental Power +115) (DEF +20) (PHY +12) (CNC +24) (Durability 150/150) (Innate skill - Four Winds: Conjure strong winds to blind and deafen for 10 seconds in a 20 x 10 meter column AOE (Cooldown: 4 times per day)]

Raine considered his staffwork as the biggest hole in his martial skills. He smacked down the desire to prolong killing them to practice. Lunging closer to the wall of rock leading further up the mountain, Raine turned and smiled at the players who now stood between him and the cliff. With a casual swing, he activated Four Winds.

A torrential howl split the air as a wave of air and dirt rushed forward. The players bent their legs and dug in their heels, sliding backward a few feet. They shouted in alarm as two of their senses failed them. The winds began to die down, and just when they thought they would survive, Raine swung two more times in rapid succession. The winds crashed into them again, the last wave lifting them from the ground and throwing them bodily from the cliff.

Raine gave the weapon an experimental twirl.

Not bad at all. 

Jumping off the cliff after the falling players, he dropped casually, arresting his momentum a moment before impact with a Lunge to the side. He skidded to a stop amidst the gear that replaced their bodies upon impact.

Back in the air, he watched his party sprinting headlong up the road. He circled them, scouting each area that looked prime for an ambush. He found three more groups of fifteen players. They were easier to wipe out now that five minutes had passed and news spread. They attacked him on sight, dying while offering little resistance.

It was on the first kill of the last group that a most welcome series of messages sprang to life in his HUD.

[Achievement for first to murder (intended or otherwise) 100,000 Travelers: Acquired Title - One Man Army]

[One Man Army: (Title - Non-upgradable) Immune to Crowd Control effects while fighting multiple opponents]

[Crowd Control: Any innate abilities or skills that deprive complete manipulation of one’s self]

What?! Non-upgradable? I got a max level title for being the first… I was only expecting the usual twenty percent control resistance. What a godly upgrade! I never would have left those last few Righteous bastards alive if I knew how good this version was. God, that was almost a day ago, what if Rakka got it again and I missed out?

Raine shook his head at the incomprehensible title. In the past, there wasn’t a player alive who didn’t know Rakka The Invincible. Not only was he the direct discipline of an Old Monster, he was well known for continually testing himself against entire armies of players, never once tasting defeat precisely because he was immune to crowd control. Raine, nor anyone that he knew, was aware the title Rakka utilized to pull off such feats had a fatal flaw. Then again, as a disciple of an Old Monster, it's not like there was a long list of people who could best him in single combat.

[Regional System announcement: Congratulations Alaric for being the first to murder one hundred thousand Travelers!]

[World System Announcement: Congratulations, Alaric for being the first to murder one hundred thousand Travelers!]

Excited enough to be trembling in his harness, Raine rounded the last mountain between him and Vile Peak Town. There, he saw Rising Endlessly had bared its fangs. At least fifteen thousand players waited in tight ranks before the town’s outer wall. Speckled within their numbers, Raine recognized three commanders from the past. He’d never fought them personally, but they had grown in renown along with Rising Endlessly, becoming famous class five martials. 

He was confident in beating them with his current advantages, but attempting it in the middle of fifteen thousand players was suicide, even with his new title: that is, if he used normal methods.

Raine dropped from the sky, landing amidst his group, “Everyone Stealth and head to those bushes over there. Don’t do something stupid like making a run for the town just because the coast looks clear.”

“What’s going on?” Celeste asked. 

Her tone was sharp enough that Raine narrowed his eyes, “You don’t want to know. Wait for me to come get you and we’ll walk into town together. This shouldn’t take long.”

He turned to go and Mel called after him, “B-be careful!” He waved without looking back, then Leaped into the air.

Raine landed a good distance in front of the gathering army with his shiney new title equipped. Not for the first time, he stood alone, facing thousands. The Reverse Apron of Confundity fluttering behind him cast a pall over his armor, obscuring its details. After the ruckus he made against Righteous, the shimmering translucent field did little to hide his identity. Only those obstinate few with their heads in the sand wouldn’t know who he was the moment he appeared.

After today, the Phoenix Clan would no longer be able to afford the privilege of ignoring his existence. Accessing the item’s information in his inventory, he deactivated its effects. His complete set of shimmering Lustrous Blue armor was revealed and a rippling wave of shock spread through the forces arrayed against him.

Two of the commanders he’d spotted previously separated from the army and approached, two hundred players at their backs. He didn't make a move as they neared. The most famous of the three led the way. He was a grizzled, middle-aged man as tall as Raine and twice as thick.

[Traveler (Temple Warrior): Level 15 (HP 866/866)]

The temple warrior was a combination class, not to be confused with an advanced class like Raine’s armsman. It was easy enough to obtain, only requiring players take a quick test inside any ordained temple. As a class that bridged the gap between warrior and cleric, it was great at neither role. Its only real advantage was the formidable group defenses it could bring to bear at higher levels.

The large man’s expression was thunderous anger itself, and his voice was a veritable storm of emotion, “Surrender now. Throw down your equipment, possessions, and gold. If you do, the Phoenix Clan will be merciful and only kill you once.”

Raine puffed air through his lips, waving dismissively, “Phoenix this, Phoenix that. You dogs speak like you represent the interests of your entire clan but you're nothing more than the pets of a defunct cast-off. I'll offer you a similar deal. Wash your necks for my blade and I won't embarrass you to the point you’ll never willingly show your faces in your precious clan again.”

The man's face turned purple, veins along his jaw and neck bulging. He roared and charged at Raine along with the soldiers behind him. Just enough bloodlust leaked from Raine to activate his roulette. When a light, small dagger appeared in his hand, he was powerless to stop the vicious chuckle that squeezed from his lungs.

[Last Chance’s Gambit: (Lustrous Blue - LVL 15) (SP 0/1,000,000) (Attack Power +60) (Elemental Power +60) (Attack Speed +1.5) (FNS +20) (CNC +20) (Durability 135/135) Innate Skill - Final Gambit: Convert 50% maximum EP into a single target non-elemental attack. 50 damage per EP converted (no cooldown)]

The appearance of yet another Lustrous Blue sheen caused greed to flash in far too many eyes. Eyes that did not deserve to covet what they were not powerful enough to take. 

Thirty arrows were launched at Raine, the attributes behind them significantly higher than what he’d faced from Righteous. A shuffle-step brought him forward and to the side, closing the distance on the advancing melee players. More importantly, their assault marked each and every one of them as an enemy and Raine no longer needed to hold back.

As the air filled with the crackling and hissing of thrown Blasts, Raine swung his dagger low, activating Great Divide. The weight of the ground resisted his cut but he fought it with a growl. A burst of strength and a shifting of his stance cracked through the opposition and a wave of energy tore free from below. It extended well into the soldiers and ripped through them like their armor was little more than wet paper. Over fifty players turned to motes of shimmering dust in less than a second, similar numbers appearing above each of their heads. [-8,745] [Critical hit! -17,450]

[Last Chance’s Gambit: Durability -6.75]

[Great Divide: (Novice) With any melee slashing weapon, rend the ground in a 10 x 3 meter column AOE. Deals 2000% physical damage at the expense of 5% weapon durability (Cost: 30 Discipline) (Cooldown: 30 seconds)]

The commander had Lunged to the side to avoid Raine’s skill. He didn’t bother looking back to see the damage inflicted on his men. He kicked off the ground, shield leading the way in a Zealous Charge. Midair, as he streaked forward at double speed, a sheen of golden energy swarmed across his skin. Zealots Embrace solidified his defenses while a flanged mace whistled in from the side, streaking toward Raine's head.

Raine sidestepped away from the mace. The large man threw his shield wide, trying to clip him. At the same moment, a distortion in the air to Raine’s other side snaked toward his ribs.

Changing his mind about dodging, Raine allowed the shield to slam into him. He went with the force of the Shield Slam, throwing himself toward the distortion. His dagger intercepted the stealthed player's Serpents Ambush with a clang. The distortion shimmered, materializing into the second commander who held a short blade dripping with green radiance.

[Traveler (Venom Rogue): Level 15 (HP 623/623)]

The rogue's sword flew wide from the disparity in their Potency. He only fell back a single step, showcasing that the difference between their attributes was minimal, certainly much closer than anyone in Righteous. Boosted by Discipline, Raine's foot crashed into the rogue's stomach and he flew away, sliding along the ground. A plethora of hurled Blasts and arrows whizzed toward Raine and he bent at the hips, weaving through them with motions so rapid he left afterimages. Only two managed to clip him. [-18] [-22]

Seeing the damage he took from only two hits, without being debuffed, confirmed that charging into their full army would have been suicide.

Lunging, Raine left the fuming commanders behind and advanced toward the thickest area of soldiers. They gave chase, only meters behind. Reaching the rank and file first, Raine unleashed a Rupture. Three warriors in the front bearing shields tried to Parry and Block, but their skills were useless against the non-physical attack. Another twenty died. 

This time, their commander saw exactly how much damage Raine’s AOE attacks could deal, “Spread out! Keep up the pressure! Debuffs, now! Pin him!”

With the shielded front row gone, Raine tore into the vulnerable casters and archers. His regular attacks dealt an excess of 400 damage, a lethal amount to all but the level 15 players with a class unlocked. With Raine’s high critical rate, and propensity to target vulnerable spots like the neck and eyes, even they had to get lucky to survive.

That wasn’t the worst of it for the unfortunate members of Rising Endlessly. The bonus 1.5 to Attack Speed from his dagger became the stuff of nightmares. The weapon was a blurring blender that doled out death before its victims could see it coming.

Their commander screamed, unable to catch Raine despite Lunging repeatedly. The Venom Rogue managed it, crossing the last three meters with a Displacement Step. He followed the pseudo-teleport up with an instant Paralytic Puncture. [-315] Raine should have been left helpless for several seconds. Instead, he bent forward and delivered a Discipline-empowered kick to the rogue’s gut that sent him into the other commander's shield. They both went flying, and the slaughter continued.

The remaining one hundred soldiers did a decent job spreading out but Raine’s Finesse was his second highest attribute at a staggering eighty-three. He cleared eight meters every second even without the use of Discipline to enhance his muscles: he was certainly using it now and his form blurred from man to woman, reaping lives and claiming equipment drops without mercy. Within thirty seconds, only the two commanders remained alive. They stood shoulder to shoulder, knees bent in flawless fighting stances.

“How is this possible?! We already have a class but the difference is so large? Why?! Why, damn you?!”

Burning Discipline is a thirty percent boost to strength and speed. Not to mention thinning the air with Connection. Good luck crossing those gaps any time soon. Not like I could have won without Rupture and Great Divide, either. This is exactly why melee AOE abilities are considered peak grade skills, regardless of rank.

Raine casually collected the rest of his loot as the nearby army twelve thousand strong rumbled to life, charging with blood in their eyes. The rogue spat at him. Unable to stomach the disgrace of running, and equally unable to harm him, he could only wait for reinforcements or die. “You think your strength in this game matters? It’s meaningless before the might of the Phoenix! You’ll suffer a thousand deaths for what you’ve done. I’ll personally make sure your family bleeds out in front of you before I end you.”

Raine nodded as though their words were to be expected, “I knew you’d say something along those lines. That’s just the nasty kind of monsters you are. You know, you almost beat me. If you brought a few more soldiers, or even one life saving item…” Raine shrugged helplessly, as if saying, who knows what would have happened, “Guess Damian doesn’t appreciate you enough to bother giving you anything good.” They scowled at his obvious lie, yet were unable to do anything about it.

Finished collecting his loot, Raine strode back to them. From the opposite direction of the nearby town, Raine sighted half the elite soldiers from before barreling up the road to pincer him against the larger army. 

The commanders readied their weapons and solidified their defensive postures, determined to at least try and survive. Raine didn’t attack, merely watching them as the two armies closed in. The moment he saw the spark of hope kindling in their eyes, he Lunged. 

His dagger snaked forward twice in such rapid succession that they could barely respond. Both proved their martial prowess by activating Parry in the nick of time. Unfortunately for them, Raine’s attacks were not physical. Final Gambit flared twice. Each time, at the tip of his dagger, a black ball of energy a meter in diameter appeared. Everything those holes in reality touched vanished as if it’d never existed, including the heads of both commanders.