Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 54: Splitting Up

[You have some balls trying to mess up our boss's plans like that. But don't think you've won just because you split us up!] The bandit warns as he points his dagger towards me. [Your friends will die by my boss and comrade's hands and once I'm done with you, we'll collect your bones and make some badass weapons and accessories out of them!]

Eww... gross. Like I'd ever let them do that to my virtual body. Though, aren't players supposed to respawn after a few hours from their virtual deaths? Yeah, I'd rather not know what happens in between those times.

"If they can kill us first. They don't look that much, but I know my friends are strong. They'll stop your boss and save the commander and his escorts! But I'm getting ahead of myself. Look, uh... Brassa?"

[It's Basta, you dolt! I can't believe you would mess up my name like that! How dare you?!]

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I mutter. I intentionally mispronounced his name just to confirm how it was pronounced and also to mess with him a little bit. "Look, I'll get straight to the point. I don't like how you've insulted the sacred nature of the <Tested Wilds>. Do you know the consequences of whoever speaks ill of and/or desecrate this forest without any guilt or remorse?"

[No, I don't. And I don't care. Why do you even care about a bunch of weeds and thorns growing around here like it's a big deal?]

I sigh in response to his question. Apparently, he is too stupid to even know what this place really is.

"Do I need to repeat myself just to get through your big thick skull? This forest governs and stores part of the mana reserves of <Volo>. If this place goes down, the whole world will go down with it. And even in spite of all that, you have no care or love of the <Tested Wilds> to the point that you're willing to disregard and violate every known rule and tradition that people have tried to follow out of gratitude for many years now?"

[Gratitude? Tradition?! Who cares about that shit?! I don't know why those people even care about those so-called gods and mana to this day. I mean, it's just like any other forest. Plus, gods and mana are not real. All that stuff is made-up fairy tales that the kingdom just came up with. Who would want to believe that junk?]

He might have a point regarding those made-up stories from the kingdom theory. But I've seen the secrets that this forest was hiding with my own eyes. I may still have a lack of knowledge about the game's lore, but I've seen proof enough that the gods and mana are real in this world.

"That junk is what makes this world ticks! And if you keep disrespecting the traditions, you'll get what's coming for you."

Before I can continue, Basta takes out his dagger and shouts, [Oh, forget about your stupid ramblings about the kingdom's made-up gods and monsters! I'm going to fulfill our boss's mission and I'm not letting you and your friends go until you're all dead!]

Guess talking is out of the question for this guy. Well, I had planned to fight him anyway, so I quickly draw out my sword and give a smirk.

"I don't know. We're all strong and I doubt your boss and your companion wouldn't last one second with them."

For a few seconds, the bandit just stares at me for no reason. But all of a sudden, he starts laughing hysterically.

[Strong? What kind of a "strong hero" wields a weak iron sword around?! Are you trying to make a fool out of yourself?]

I was a bit confused at what he meant. I had changed my equipment to a stronger version of themselves and...

...

Hang on, did I change all of them? I quickly go over my inventory without lifting a finger and check my sword's stats.

[Starter Sword]

[An iron sword that is easier to wield, but it can only deal with small damage due to its worn blade.

Effects: +11 ATK

Quality: 10]

Oh, god...

[Well?]

I quickly stumble back, trying to restore some of my confidence.

"N-No, I'm not! Besides, every hero doesn't have to be determined by their weapons!"

Sure, I say that right now. But not my sword! Man, I was so focused on upgrading my bow through my crafting [Masteries] and Star's crafted gear that I forgot about upgrading my sword as well! Damn it, I should have paid attention to my equipment before I got here. Then again, I did beat that plague's source with Kazu's help. Maybe I might able to win this through my wits. Besides, what he doesn't know is that I have an upper hand and I'm not gonna let one Level 1 sword disrupt my plans.

"So what are you waiting for? Make your move!"

I stand firm in the center of the field with my sword right in front of me, ready to make a strike. Once I do, I mentally open up [Investigate] to get a glance at his stats.

[Cruel Bandit Basta Equil]

[Level: 19]

[The right-hand man of <Bane Zephil>, he is known for carving up his victims with his signature dagger and violating every sacred place such as churches or [Mana Landmark]s after ransacking villages and towns.]

[HP: 1000/1000]

Huh, he's one level lower than his boss. He's still strong, but it's enough for me to deal with alone.

[Okay, you've asked for it, brat!]

With one step, I watch Basta dash towards me as he laughs madly. But as he gets closer, I activate my [Parry] and countered it with a normal horizontal slash. It would cut him up in half after that, but he just takes one step away from its blade, leaving grazes on his nose.

[Is that all you got? I've seen weak soldiers swing their sword harder than you do!]

He then tries to stab me through the chest, but I quickly block it with my sword and activate [Counter Slash] as a retaliation, slashing his chest a bit lightly. After that, I twist my body and twirl myself into a bladed top to do a 360-slash to Basta. It manages to strike through his shoulders, but he still manages to sidestep out of his way and swing his dagger at my face. This causes me to block once more, locking our weapons together in a standstill.

[Ha! I say it again and I'll say it again! You are weak and you will perish at my boss's hands! You cannot stop his awesome...]

Oh, god, please... I quickly interrupt him with a swift kick in the gut and break our lock before trying to attack him with a vertical strike. Unfortunately, he quickly blocks it, trapping us in another lock

"Man, you're even more annoying than Arthur. You know what your problem is, besides your atheism?"

[What? The fact that you're dumb enough to believe those fairy tales?]

"No... The fact that you talk too much!"

Using most of my strength, I manage to overpower him enough to break the lock again, giving me the chance to step back a few meters away enough to catch my breath.

"Alright, I'm done playing," I said as I raise my sword once more. "Let's see if you can handle the bond between me and the <Tested Wilds>."

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Wind's Masteries

[Archery] Level 17

[Woodcrafting] Level 7

[Swordsmanship] Level 16

[Cooking] Level 6

[Wind] Level 14

[Physical Enhancement] Level 14

[Hunting] Level 14