"How is it?" I asked nervously, wondering if the axe I made satisfy his expectation.

Instead of answering, Hagwim threw and spun the axe upward and caught it right on the handle as it fell down. He did it multiple times and eventually replied, "It isn't good as the previous one. Still, this is better than I expected. Good job laddie!" He smiled widely ear to ear.

Hearing that, I was also satisfied. But then I had something in mind I wanted to ask. "How about some spar?"

Hagwim's eyes sharpened as his gaze immediately turned toward me. The tip of his lip went up. "You really know how to raise the mood... I also think the same thing. I want to test the axe. Burhahahhaa...."

And so, our spar began.

Beside the beautiful garden of Wildcliff, we faced each other and readied our stance. Unlike our previous spar, this time, Hagwim seemed eager to attack. Well, it was understandable since he got a new axe on his hand. The same with me, I also had a new rapier on my hand.

///////

Black Rose Rapier (Unique)

Quality: A

Type: One-handed Sword

Restriction: Only Zeroth can use this item

Durability: 350

A unique black colored rapier with black rose and thorn adorned its guard.

Effect:

+500 P. Atk

+100 STR

+100 DEX

Status Effect:

Critical Bleed

5% Armor Pierce chance

5% Critical chance

[Enchantment]

• Dwarven Might

Boosts physical attack power by 30% for five minutes.

• Inscription of Holder

Can be called back to its owner hands with the cost of 50 Mana.

• Mad Chimpu — Swift Movement Lv. 7

For ten minutes, increase DEX and AGI by 21%.

///////

Critical Bleed.

Each time the user successfully landed a critical hit, bleeding debuff will be applied to the opponent.

It's a rare effect which I gained by sheer luck for creating the rapier. However, it was useless against Hagwim who was an Undead. It would be no good against Uruzak as well. Still, it would be mostly useful in the battlefield.

After a moment of silence, we both eventually rushed forward.

Clank!

I diverted Hagwim's axe with my rapier's guard and jumped away. As expected, his dexterity was truly terrifying. I barely defended his attack in a mere moment. Also, I needed to be careful since I used a fragile rapier against a powerful axe. One wrong move, my rapier durability would be depleted drastically and broken.

I could see Hagwim was smirking, taunting me to attack him. The tip of my lips went up. I accepted his challenge, so I rushed forward and readied my sword. Hagwim raised his s.h.i.+eld. Seeing that, I moved to the right to circle him. As I saw an opening from his side, I began to thrust my sword.

However, Hagwim immediately moved his s.h.i.+eld to his side and he raised his right hand to attack me with his axe.

Stab!

I stabbed his right hand and stopped it. As he was surprised, I spun with my back against his s.h.i.+eld and I grabbed the side of his s.h.i.+eld with my left hand. Then I pushed it sideways so the other side hit his right hand. Once he got stunned, I jumped away afterwards.

"Burhahahahha...!!!" Hawim laughed as he fixed his stance. "Interesting, laddie!"

We stood facing each other again.

"Now I'm gonna be serious..." Hagwim said.

Then suddenly he threw his axe toward me.

Surprised, I evaded it as fast as I could.

Swooos.h.!.+

I went really fast beside me and before I could think, Hagwim was already in front of me and trying to bash me with his s.h.i.+eld. I jumped backward to evade. But then I saw Hagwim's right hand raised. With my eavesdropping, I could hear the axe spun back to Hagwim behind me. I immediately ducked.

The axe pa.s.sed right above me and went straight to Hagwim's hand. As it got back, he threw it again towards me.

'Oh s.h.i.+-'

I rolled sideways and the axe hit the ground. When I turned my gaze back toward Hagwim, the axe already on his hand again. And of course, he threw it again.

'This Dwarf!' I scoffed.

This time, I rushed forward and evaded his axe. Hagwim waited with his s.h.i.+eld raised. I grabbed his s.h.i.+eld and pushed it away. However, it wouldn't budge. Then I accidentally saw his hand behind the s.h.i.+eld and he was smiling.

Swoosh swoosh

His axe was flying and spinning toward me. I moved to the right to evade and I saw him moved his s.h.i.+eld sideways as well, making an opening to catch his axe. It was an opportunity for me. I instantly thrust my rapier toward his neck. However, as he got his axe back, he swung his axe sideways right toward my rapier.

Slas.h.!.+

My rapier cut off his right hand.

Hagwim's eyes widened. "So it's not a fluke! I was sure you aimed my neck and I was about to parry it!"

As his right hand fell on the ground with his axe, we stood motionlessly.

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"Zeroth laddie! What is that swordsmans.h.i.+p!?"

I didn't answer, I just smiled at him.

・・・

Night before the war.

I was chilling at the balcony of Wildcliff castle, thinking about everything while enjoying the night scenery alone.

Then I heard a familiar soothing voice, and my heart jumped as it reached my ear. Strangely, it was beating really fast as I saw her appearance.

Mirage was wearing kebaya and sewek I made for her. Her hair was side swept which hanging on the left side of her chest. The tucked hair on her right pointy ear and her eyebrow-long bangs, she looked gorgeous.

She stood with the gesture just like exactly what I remembered about the women in kebaya back in the past.

"Am I doing this right? The gesture?" She said as she moved her hands, shoulders and head.

Seeing her doing  that, I just smiled. "Y-yeah..."

"Teehee..." She chuckled shyly. "Walking in this tight sewek is a bit hard."

"Uh yeah... But you can set it a bit loose, right?"

"I don't wanna disappoint you... So I try my best to wear them just like what you explained and you remembered in your memories."

"Okay... You look great. Don't worry..."

"What's with that halfhearted compliment?" She pouted.

"You are gorgeous." I said as I averted my eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself..."

Then I turned around to look at the city lights and the night sky again. I heard her footsteps drew closer and stopped on my left.

I slowly moved my gaze toward her. She was indeed gorgeous. And the light from the moon enhanced her beauty.

Her gaze moved and she caught me looking at her. Then she smiled shyly while averting her eyes.

I didn't know what to say. I was speechless. My experience of love was bitter and painful. Added with the mixed feelings of liking an NPC made my mind immediately shutting down.

I accidentally looked at her hand, and slowly my left hand tried to reach it.

'G.o.ddammit! Do I really deserve to love someone again?' I thought.

I stopped and pulled back my hand.

"Zeroth..." She called me softly.

"Hmm?"

"Remember the first time we met?"

"Yeah..."

The memories of the past began to flash within my mind. It was like watching a show with Mirage as the narrator.

"I was so afraid at that time. No memory of who I am, with the trauma etched on my mind. Subconsciously terrified, afraid of something I didn't even know. But you kept trying to calm me down, and once you called my name, I felt...like everything in my mind was gone in an instant. I was really glad. I'm glad you found me."

I kept silent and listening to her.

"You brought me to Eldan, with an exception of hiding my face. I didn't know why you did that, but you were the only one I could trust since you saved me. And you were the only person I had." She took a deep breath and paused for a moment. Then she continued, "You bought me clothes. You bought me foods. You took care of me. You were and are always kind to me. Even though I was a stranger. Some girl who you found at a cursed cave. I could be dangerous, you know. But you trusted me without knowing anything about me."

I scoffed and cut her, "You also trusted me. Some stranger who could also be dangerous, who could be doing bad things to you who were fragile at that time."

"Hehe... You're right." She giggled. "But you're not that kind of person though. I'm glad that you're the one who found me, not anyone else."

"I'm also glad that I found you." I faintly smiled to the moon.

"The first time we did Soul Connect. That was when I knew everything about you indirectly. Your feelings, your sorrow, your depression. It was really painful to bear everything at once. I'm sorry that I avoided you at that time."

I glanced at her sad expression, and then I tried to say something to comfort her. "It's okay. I can understand."

"Thank you." She sighed. "We've been through a lot. We always stay together and face every obstacles we encounter."

"Yeah..."

"Will you always stay by my side?" She asked. "Promise me to be with me through everything... I... I don't mind even if I don't meet my parents again. As long as I'm with you... I'm happy..."

It seemed she still thinking about what she saw within my memory. She knew that heroes could be corrupted. And she didn't want to lose me. It was the same for me.

To be honest, I was afraid. However, I had to do it. Otherwise, Heallance would be game over, including Mirage. She would gone forever if I didn't do something.

"I will..." I answered and unconsciously grabbed her hand. "I will always be your side to protect you."

She then held my hand back tightly.

"And I will always be your side to support you..."

・・・

Bastal — Alkronia

In a room with long table and several chairs, a meeting was held. At the end of the table, there were three luxurious chairs, and three beauties were sitting on each one of them. They were the three Princesses of Alkronia.

"How many?" Asked a beauty with blonde hair and green eyes who sat on the left luxurious chair.

She was usually wearing thick white robe, but now she was dressing like a princess. In her white beautiful gown, her body curves became more visible, yet no one dared to look at her.

///////

Vanea Grace Malavuur

3rd Princess of Alkronia

///////

"It is expected to be more than ten thousand strong, Your Highness. Hopefully, more will come to answer our call." An old man with black fine clothes replied in dignified manner, trying to be polite as possible.

"Hmph... I think that's good enough for now. We need to a.s.sign more soldiers on the Keep. What about the Heroes?" Asked a cute girl with a doll on her hands who sat on the right luxurious chair.

She had curly ginger hair with short twintails, upturned grey eyes, small pointy nose between her red cheeks, and thin red lips. Black gown wrapped her small and short body.

///////

Leticia Ern Malavuur

2nd Princess of Alkronia

///////

"The result is yet to be known since there is still a long queue. For now, more than six thousand are already registered to be affiliated with our kingdom. And if my humble mind is right, it will be over seven thousand Heroes sign the paper." The old man answered.

"That is more than I expected. With the power of the artifact, we shall successfully defend Bastal. Let's continue to the next phase." Said a beauty who sat in the middle luxurious chair.

She had silky long brown hair with golden tiara adorned her head. A pair of blue colored deer eyes, thick yet beautifully shaped eyebrows were above them. Long pointy nose, and pouty lips. She was wearing black and white gown which designed beautifully yet didn't leave her strong presence.

///////

Alicia Gran Malavuur

1st Princess of Alkronia

///////

Meanwhile at Bastal Town Square.

"Is your guild preparation going well?" Taiyo asked.

"Mostly done. Just need to wait till everyone online." Ja.s.sJuss answered. "I hope Aradun is right about the Dark Army. Otherwise, we need to give our all to defend."

"I'm sure it is true." Kimchi said as he approached them. "Let's just believe that so we can have hope."

"Hope is not attained, Hope is created." Ja.s.sJuss scoffed. "And Aradun created that hope for us. Well, even if it's just a false hope, everyone seems determined to do it."

"You're right. Everyone looked sad before since we didn't have anything to strike back. But now with Aradun's theory, we finally have a mutual goal. And all other guilds are united and become one, putting their compet.i.tive pa.s.sion aside. We're all hyped and excited." Taiyo raised his right fist in front of his chest. "Together, with everyone's power, I'm sure we will definitely win."

"Pfftt..." Ja.s.sJuss lightly laughed. "You j.a.panese really have interesting way with words which I thought only happened in anime."

"I take that as a compliment. Hahaha..."

"Let's just go to the meeting room." Kimchi said as he was stepping away from them. "We need to prepare everything perfectly."

"The same with Koreans. Acting cool and all..." Ja.s.sJuss smiled.

"Khisisisisi...." Taiyo held his laugh.

///////

Alkronia Defense Command Channel:

Kimchi (Blade Dancer) — Dungeon Hunter (South Korea)

Ja.s.sJuss (Moonlight Sentinel) — Mongol (Indonesia)

Taiyo (Sun Knight) — Sunset Horizon (j.a.pan)

///////

Roland Fort — Ghaldaran

A soldier rushed within the hallway while carrying a wounded man. Instead of going to heal him, he went straight to the command room where King Randolph was.

Drap Drap Drap Drap

Bang!

"Your Majesty!" The soldier shouted without manner toward Randolph.

Looking at the unpleasant sight, Randolph got mad. "What is this nonsense!?"

"I beg your mercy! Please listen to this man!" Said the soldier while he put down the wounded man.

Randolph was confused, but he decided to listen.

"Your Majesty... Please... take this..." The wounded man struggled to took out something from his clothes. The thing was long and wrapped with brown cloth.

Randolph hesitantly stepped toward the wounded man. Unfortunately, the man fell unconscious and the thing fell toward Randolph's feet. The cloth loosened a bit and he could see a little bit of the content. His eyes widened, and a moment later, his smile followed.

"You..." Randolph looked at the soldier.

The soldier trembled in fear as he knew he would get punished. However, it was the opposite.

"Good job for bringing the man here." Randolph said as he picked up the wrapped item. "Unfortunately, it seems he didn't make it."

The soldier buried his gaze to the ground, still couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Tell the Captain to prepare the army. We shall march soon."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The soldier immediately went out the room with the man's body.

Soon after that event, Randolph announced the plan to everyone in the fortress. Some were confused at first, especially the players. However, it was the King's order and no one dared to oppose it. Thus, they marched to the north once everything was ready.

Within the marching armies, three well-known Guild Masters were discussing the unexpected event.

"I have bad feelings about this..." BlackMamba said.

"It is the King's order, so we have to follow." Aradun responded.

"Actually, it's a pretty good strategy. Better than recklessly going straight to Helbron. Also, I look at Gordull Hills map and there are a lot of good spots to do surprise attack." Zhulong gave his opinion.

"Still, we don't know their number and it is very risky. However, I don't disagree with your opinion. It is plausible for us to win if we do the ambush right." Aradun responded. "How many players can do AoE in your guild?"

"My guild has about 500 players, I think..." BlackMamba answered.

"Mine about 900." Zhulong said as he looked at a digital window in front of him.

"Then, with mine, it will be around 2200-2300 in total. Regardless of their power, it is still good enough to kill 3000-3500 Dark Army Scouts during the surprise attack." Aradun smiled. "If it's done perfectly, we can cut their number up to 5000 units."

"Phiuuww~" Zhulong whistled. "Pretty good then."

"Indeed. Do you have the detailed topography of the hills? Let's discuss our position..."

"Yup! Sure do."

///////

Ghaldaran Defense Command Channel:

Aradun (Ice Sage) — Northern Star (European Union)

Zhulong (Ashura) — Sky Throne (Chinese)

BlackMamba (Venomancer) — Black Lotus (Mixed Guild of SEA)

///////