Chương 57: Alpha (I)
<Zero>
Zero and Agnis quickly bolted towards the door. Running through the shop, he had to maneuver through the tight spaces without spilling any of Jack's tools on the floor. A couple of times, he thought his large body was going to knock a couple of dangerous-looking swords off the desk, but luckily he didn't. He wasn't so big that he had to suck in his breath to squeeze through the rows of weapons, exactly, but he was tall and could accidentally sweep things aside if he didn't pay attention
Some nearby guards were startled when Zero and Agnis ran from of the blacksmith's shop. Silver bastard swords were drawn in a hurry. They glinted dangerously around Zero's body, ready to strike.
"A monster!" yelled a guard as he aimed his sword toward Zero. Other guards turned towards the yell and met almost face to face with Zero, who was taller than them. He finally felt like he had grown, giving him a slight advantage—and he liked it.
A silver bastard sword swung towards him from the right. Zero stepped backward, dodging out of harm's way but bumping into Agnis in the process. She stumbled backward into the wooden door. Steadying herself, she only had to slip past him before she was completely blocked in the shop.
The tip of the sword slightly nicked Zero on his chest. He felt a small prick and noticed it drawing blood. Taking a couple steps back, he inhaled deeply and then let out a torrent of red flames aimed at the ground, startling the guards backwards. Heatwaves tanned their faces as they reeled back in fright.
"Gyahh!" screamed a guard. He covered his eyes from the blinding light and stumbled backwards from the intense heat. Many others dropped their weapons and cowered in fear of being toasted alive by the fire.
"Wait, stop! Stop!" yelled Agnis as she rushed forward. She raised her hands and waved to catch everyone's attention.
"Stop! He's my companion!" Agnis ran in between the guards and Zero.
Zero cut off his fire breath and stood ready to see if anyone would attack again. He was not going to die standing still. Even though there were many surrounding them, he was going to take down as many as he could with him using his teeth, claws, and fire.
"Please! He's my companion! Put down your weapons!" Agnis yelled at the top of her lungs. She pulled out a long paper that was beautifully inscribed with black ink. Written on it was the contract between Zero and Agnis.
The captain walked over to her and snatched the paper from her hands. He carefully read it line by line and peered back up at her with grunt.
"Stand down, men. It's a pet," replied the captain. He raised his hands to signal to his platoon. The sound of metal swords sliding into their sheaths could be heard. The captain roughly gave her back her paper.
"I am no pet," Zero snappily answered. Smoke rose up from his nose, ready to shoot more flames.
"Excuse me?" The captain glanced up Zero startled. The guards around him whispered in surprise to hear Zero talking.
"I said I am not a pet!" Zero accentuated the word to the captain.
"Then what are you?" The captain stood up straight and slowly moved his hands towards his sword.
"Didn't you hear her? A companion, and better yet, a Drezo Regalia. Remember that—if you can get it through your thick skull," replied Zero. He too was ready to strike out if the captain pulled his sword.
"Graaaaaawwwwgrgh!" The unknown voice broke the standoff between Zero and the captain in a matter of seconds. The continuous spine-chilling sound rang throughout the city. The residents scrambled in panic as they raced around to hide from the unknown danger. Baskets were toppled over, shop carts were stashed away quicker than when they were set up, and residents rushed home. The sound of the unknown voice grew louder and louder, and trembled in fear and hid for the fear of being found. The night sky turned pitch black; luckily for Zero, he was still able to see.
"What's happening? Are they already here?" said a young man in a panicked voice.
"No, they're not supposed to be here till the morning," replied a woman who was ferrying her daughter into the house.
"Where is it coming from?" The guards bustled around in confusion, trying to find the source. Their torches waved back and forth from one dark location to another, searching as people rushed by. The city had descended into chaos. People scrambled to bring their children, pets, and extra food inside before something disastrous happened to them.
"Graaaaaawwwwgrgh!" Another terrifying voice exploded like a ringing gong echoing into the darkness.
Loud bells clanged, warning the residents and players to seek shelter. People continued to duck and cover for the fear of being killed.
"The land sharks must be here! Everyone get ready!" shouted the knight leading the guards. The guards once moving in a chaotic mass quickly came to their senses and reformed their orderly groups. They raced up onto the city walls and waited for the oncoming battle. Standing like statues, they stared off toward the dark horizon, waiting tensely for the oncoming attack. Only the city lights illuminated the dark city walls, but out on the horizon nothing else could be seen.
No winds blew across the hot summer night, and no insects buzzed their usual songs. Only an eerie silence filled the air. It had been over a thousand years since a monster raid set its eyes upon the city walls.
Men, young and old, picked up any available weapons in the vicinity and readied themselves for the oncoming danger. High-level players stood ready, anticipating the battle, while the new players sought shelter. There were a hundred thousand players, and including the guards on top of the city walls, there were hundreds of thousands of combatants ready for battle.
"Tch." The minor guard captain spat away from Zero. "Move out! Whatever this thing is it is no concern of ours." His unit of guards went into formation and marched away without looking back. Zero snorted and watched them leave ahead.
Agnis patted him on the shoulder, making him turn his head towards her. "We should get going as well. I think it would be better if I rode on your back like a horse to stop people from attacking you."
"You'll do what?" Zero stared at her.
"I even bought a saddle for such an occasion." She shyly pulled out a saddle from her bag. It was a simple brown leather saddle with straps to go around the chest.
"A-a-a saddle?" Zero stuttered. He could not believe what he was hearing. Was this a nightmare? He smacked himself in the face to see which one it was.
"Why did you do that?" said Agnis, shocked at what she was seeing.
Zero groaned. It was not a dream. He should have known Agnis would be like this. "Forget it. I'll take my chances."
Agnis's face fell and her shoulders slumped at his answer. "But…"
"I said no!" Zero stated sternly. He was not going let her run all over him just because he had said yes to other things. If at any point he was going to allow her on his back, it would be on his own terms.
"Let's go." He trotted off towards the city gates, walking wearily for a possible another unsuspected attack from passing soldiers. The wind brought a familiar scent to his nose: a metallic smell he knew too well. He raised his head towards the direction of the scent.
Agnis sighed with disappointment. She put away the saddle in her bag and followed after.
"Come on, it wouldn't be too bad." Agnis jogged next to Zero, still hoping for a different answer.
"I said no." Zero cut her off without giving her time to say anything more.
"Graaaaaawwwwgrgh!"
Shivers went down his spine from the unholy sound. It was not something one would want to hear in the middle of the night, especially when everyone was on edge from the land sharks' upcoming invasion in the morning.
Weaving in and out through the crowds of waiting fighters, they made their way to the front of the gate. Large crowds of players and NPCs alike were pushing and shoving, trying to quickly get in. But anyone who noticed Zero moved aside with unease, and Agnis followed closely behind him, still pouting. Finally they exited the city and stepped from the panicked crowd trying to get in to a large but calmer crowd that stood watching the horizon.
A loud beeping sound exploded throughout each individual player's ears, while red angry-looking messages flooded across the players' menus.
Alert! Alert! Alert!
Quest override of all personal quests has been initiated.
Special Hidden Quest Alpha will be a priority. Other quests cannot be completed nor given until the Special Hidden Quest has been completed.
Special Hidden Quest Alpha has been updated.
An unknown force is encroaching on all the cities. The once-forgotten manmade horrors have been resurrected to hunt the living. With the timing of the oncoming waves that are set to come in the morning, another unknown force strikes first to ensure the complete annihilation of all humans, elves, dwarves, and trolls.
An unusual eerie curse is still in effect throughout Noriene. All residents and players are cursed till the source has been eradicated.
Difficulty Level: A
Requirements: The Seed Shard
quest: Dispersal must be completed.
The top twelve warlords of Noriene must meet in the same room and the majority must agree to combat the threat against Noriene. Once agreed upon, guilds may form temporary alliances and send out invitations to other players. Players who have watched the meeting choose which group they want to join for the duration of the quest. NPCs must also join the quest. All requirements also apply to NPCs.
Defeat: A preemptive attack has been initiated. Defeat the 9,999 manslaughters. The wave of the undead land sharks and the source that brings upon the curse. Must prevent all the residents of each city from being annihilated. Three-quarters of the population of each city must survive.
Reward: One high level armor from the highest level of monsters that they had killed during the duration of three days for each person. Experience points depend on how much you have contributed.
Deadline: The quest must be completed in three days. (1 day remaining)
2nd chance: Will you fight the shadows or walk amongst the dead?
You are given a second chance to choose to fight or die. Once chosen the consequences are much higher.
When one chooses to walk amongst the dead you will automatically die from the curse and will be forced to walk amongst the dead without any of your gear. All armor and items will be blocked for use until resurrection. Resurrection time has been extended to five days till the completion of the quest.
Special Zone Alpha effects have gone into place. For the duration of the required event, a special zone effect will take place throughout the major cities and surrounding areas. All attacks and defenses will go into real time. Fatality, wounds, and dismembered body parts are active and many more.
An extra message appeared on Zero's screen.
Phase one of the Curse of the Drezo Regalia has been temporarily lifted. You will be able to shift between Origin and Human form three times during the event. There is a three hour limit to stay in Origin Form and a 30-minute cool down time.
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