Parallel (A Virtual Gamer's S...

By Renoe_K

1.4M 75.6K 8K

After being kidnapped and thrown into a VRMMORPG, 17-year-old Suzuki Mato must find the line between his real... More

Parallel
The King's Ballad (Part 1)
The King's Ballad (Part 2)
The King's Ballad (Part 3)
Chapter 1: It Begins
Chapter 2: Exposition, Exposition
Chapter 3: A Whole New World
Chapter 4: Rats & Thieves
Chapter 5: Welcome to Kerta
Chapter 6: Bows & Arrows
Chapter 7: Jade Yuhi
Chapter 8: Uncovering Secrets
Chapter 9: Hunting for Noobs
Chapter 10: Fladnag the Mad
Chapter 11: Tough Kills
Chapter 12: The Cub -_-
Chapter 13: Encounter Under Moonlight
Chapter 14: Syèl Rifatora
Chapter 15: Cigars, Books & Paintings
Chapter 16: Evil Pays
Chapter 17: Cashy or Kashi?
Chapter 18: The Suit Makes the Man
Chapter 19: Leila the Hunter
Chapter 20: Kill that Spriggan!
Chapter 21: Swindlers, Teachers & Blondies
Chapter 22: Blood vs Sword
Chapter 23: Mission Impossible
Chapter 24: Exile
Chapter 25: Of Ghosts & Beasts
Chapter 26: Darkness
Chapter 27: Elemental Justice
Chapter 28: Murder 101
Chapter 29: The Circle
Chapter 30: Bonds
Chapter 31: Leaving Ranad
Chapter 32: Lew Creek
Chapter 33: Froggers
Chapter 34: Stalkers
Chapter 35: Song of Death & Deceit
Chapter 36: Raise a Toast
Chapter 37: Twin Works
Chapter 38: Dinner Party
Chapter 39: Aktaver's Lair
Chapter 40: The Class (Season Finale)
Important Notice
Volume 2 Chapter 41: Season Premiere
Chapter 42: Before the Battle
Chapter 43: Pre-Battle (Part 2)
Chapter 44: Offline
Chapter 45: Battle for Riven (Part 1)
Chapter 47: Proud Kings
Chapter 48: Battle for Riven (Finale)
Chapter 49: Dreadful Exposition
Chapter 50: Dreadful Exposition
Chapter 51: He's Dark, He's Black...
Chapter 52: Future Plans
Chapter 53: Purpose
Chapter 54: Self-Reflect
Chapter 55: Merriheim
Chapter 56: Secret in the Canyon
Chapter 57: Suvron's Lair
Chapter 58: The Name, Suvron
Chapter 59: Powerful Women
Chapter 60: Family
Chapter 61: Desert Song
Chapter 62: Chaotic Dungeon
Chapter 63: Belrug
Chapter 64: Negotiations Successful
Chapter 65: In Your Arms...
Chapter 66: Rebirth (Part 1)
Chapter 67: Rebirth (Part 2)
Chapter 68: Bridge
Chapter 69: Expansion
Chapter 70: Rider
Chapter 71: An Enchanting Tale
Chapter 72: Dirge of the Emperor
Chapter 73: Fate (1)
Chapter 74: Fate (2)
Chapter 75: Fate (3)
Chapter 76: Time-Out
Chapter 77: Gamble
Chapter 78: Remember Her Name
Chapter 79: Memories of You
Chapter 80: Extinction
Chapter 81: Gladiators
Chapter 82: Mall Day
Chapter 83: Season Finale
Volume 3 Chapter 84: Judged by Flames
Chapter 85: Deep Within
Chapter 86: Girl in the Pit
Chapter 87: Zeing Ashqoj
Chapter 88: Battle in the Arena
Chapter 89: Audience with the King
Chapter 90: Plans Awry
Chapter 91: Captive
Chapter 92: The High Council
Chapter 93: Assassin's Creed
Chapter 94: Alliance
Chapter 95: Resolute
Chapter 96: Gentleman's Revenge!
Chapter 97: Kill Them All
Chapter 98: Reviewing Maggots
Chapter 99: Bloodline
Chapter 100: Scion of Blood
Chapter 101: Glass
Chapter 102: The Daeben Must Die!
Chapter 103: Mighty Aygor
Chapter 104: Awaken From the Dream
Chapter 105: Kashi's Wish (Definitely an Artifact!)
Chapter 106: Long Live...
Chapter 107: The World Reacts (1)
Chapter 108: The World Reacts (2)
Chapter 109: Serisis (1)
Chapter 110: Serisis (2)
Chapter 111: Chu Ling's Bomb
Chapter 112: Who Run The World?
Chapter 113: Dwarven City
Chapter 114: Crazy Heads
Chapter 115: Tryouts..
Chapter 116: Inside
Chapter 117:Upgrade
Chapter 118: Jerxas
Chapter 119: Train Hard, Grasshopper
Chapter 120: The Red Mage Returns
Chapter 121: War Assembly
Chapter 122: To Remember
Chapter 123: Art of the Forge
Chapter 124: Prelude to War
Chapter 125: A Merchant's Battle
Chapter 126: My Revolution (1)
Chapter 127: My Revolution (2)
Chapter 128: My Revolution (3)
Chapter 129: We Will Survive
Chapter 130: Battle of Assassins
Chapter 131: Domination
Chapter 132: Arrogance of the Strong
Chapter 133: Hatred Spanning Generations
Chapter 134: Building a Foundation
Chapter 135: New Dimension
Chapter 136: Rosendun's Guilds
Chapter 137: Alternative Interview
Chapter 138: Nerf That F**cker!
Chapter 139: Guildmaster-In-Training
Chapter 140: Restructuring the Guild
Chapter 141: A Maggot's Pride (Season Finale)
[Volume 4] Chapter 142: Season Premiere
Chapter 143: Fantasia
Chapter 144: HELL
Chapter 145: The Virus
Chapter 146: First Blood
Chapter 147: Live
Chapter 148: Where Men Gather...
Chapter 149: The Flow
Chapter 150: Archery Princess
Chapter 151: Get to Work
Chapter 152: Unification
Chapter 153: The Definition of Unity
Chapter 154: Hektor's Resolve
Chapter 155: The Bank
Chapter 156: A Cold Memory
Chapter 157: Meeting a Fan
Chapter 158: Dancing with the Stars
Chapter 159: A New World
Chapter 160: Chaos & Order
Chapter 161: Foundations of Government
Chapter 162: Kirkcour Woods
Chapter 163: Battling the Marilith
Chapter 164: Darian Alshmeer
Chapter 165: Bloody Morning
Chapter 166: Summit
Chapter 167: Battle for Dora
Chapter 168: Battle for Dora (2)
Chapter 169: Battle for Dora (Conclusion)
Chapter 170: Clinging Souls
Chapter 171: Betrayal
Chapter 172: Generals
Chapter 173: Longma Tribe
Chapter 174: My Way
Chapter 175: A Goblin's Fear
Chapter 176: A Goblin's Resolve
Chapter 177: The Chaos Order
Chapter 178: Probing Charge
Chapter 179: Desperate Battle
Chapter 180: The Chained God
Chapter 181: Battling the Demon
Chapter 182: Save Kashi!
Chapter 183: The Demon's Spear
Chapter 184: My World!
Chapter 185: God of Worlds
Chapter 186: Warriors' Resolve
Chapter 187: The Seeker
Chapter 188: The Maggots' Vice Guildmaster
Chapter 189: The Vampire's Prince
Chapter 190: Drixlia's Evolution
Chapter 191: Class Reunion
Chapter 192: The Chained Devil
Chapter 193: Sleepsong
Chapter 194: The Treasurer
Chapter 195: Transcendents
Chapter 196: Trains & Boats!
Chapter 197: The Best Entrance!
Chapter 198: The Prophecy
Chapter 199: The Merchant God's Test
Chapter 200: Puzzle Piece
Chapter 201: The Land of Roses
Chapter 202: Maggots' Defense
Chapter 203: Long May He Reign!
Chapter 204: The King's Interrogation
Chapter 205: Uruk-Thai
Chapter 206: To Be Human
Chapter 207: Who I Am
Chapter 208: Durst Awakens
Chapter 209: War Chief
Chapter 210: Fallout
Chapter 211: Empire's Foundation
Chapter 212: Empire's Foundation (2)
Chapter 213: Weight of a Life
Chapter 214: The Truth
Chapter 215: Kashi and Lunette
Chapter 216: Mato Suzuki(1)
Chapter 217: Little Su
Chapter 218: My Guild in the Land of Roses
Chapter 218: Holy Mother
Chapter 219: The Cursed Seven (1)
Chapter 220: The Cursed Seven (2)
Chapter 221: The Curse
Chapter 222: Nornesh
Chapter 223: Blood-Out
Chapter 224: Worthless
Chapter 225: Essence
Chapter 226: Boss Man's Stats
Chapter 227: Rex
Chapter 228: I Want to Fight
Chapter 229: Fancy a Date?
Chapter 230: Xu Yao
Chapter 231: My Path
Chapter 232: Drakase
Chapter 233: Sonic and Sayen
Chapter 234: Convincing General Adachi
Chapter 235: A Father's Cautious Love
Chapter 236: Bok's Resolve
Chapter 237: Transcendent Meeting
Chapter 238: Delivering the Scrolls
Chapter 239: Breakthrough
Chapter 240: Depart for Oni Hill!
Chapter 241: Battle for Oni Hill Begins (Season Finale)

Chapter 46: Battle for Riven (Part 2)

2K 167 13
By Renoe_K

Riven

1:30 a.m. 10th Maha, 1092.

Darkness loomed over Riven as torrid winds and punishing rain slammed against the city. The howling winds made it impossible to hear beyond shouts, and the blinding rain reduced visibility to less than an arm away.

Due to the unfavorable conditions, both armies retreated to their camps to treat the injured and mourn the dead. The gales rendered an attack on the walls suicidal. As a result, both armies decided to wait out the storm; the interim would allow them to prepare for a second round.

The only problem was in the Kertan camp. The siege towers had only worked so well because of the element of surprise. Given time, the lizards would definitely form a counter. Or, at the very least, be much more prepared for a wall battle than the last time. While this fact infuriated Absalon, there was nothing he or anyone else could do to change the weather. Hopefully, the players did not lose their spine when the time came.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Shadows ran across the southernmost walk-wall, their footsteps drowned out by the howling wind. Their daeben leader held up a closed fist, bringing the party to a hard stop. Despite the rain, they could make out what seemed to be a tower of some sort in front of them, lit up by the magelights around it.

Kashi took out his bow and then notched an arrow as he slowly edged his way towards the bastion. Beside him, Kira's eyes morphed to navy blue, further erasing her presence. Shadow and Craig were the only other Summoned in his group. Five of the volunteers followed closely behind the four, each unsheathing their weapon.

So far, they'd met no resistance, but that was only because they were still on the final southern wall. Once Kashi's party crossed the bastion, they would shift to the eastern wall. From there, it was a straight run across two bastions to reach the north wall. These walls would be manned. Especially after the next bastion. Well, it was easiest to see them as checkpoints on their quest.

Kashi pulled his hood over his head and then covered his nose and mouth with his scarf as he pressed against the wall beside the door. Shadow did the same at the adjacent wall, while Kira walked up to the door.

She sniffed through the bottom cracks and listened for sound from the interior. Satisfied, she stepped back.

"Seven of them: Three active, and two asleep on the ground floor, one ascending the stairs, and one at the top."

Kashi nodded. He gave instructions to Shadow and Kira and then awaited her signal.

"Now!"

Kashi burst the door open as the trio stormed into the room. The farthest drakul stood by a fireplace warming its fingers. The other stood by the exit door to their left. The closest was right in front of them with its back to the invaders.

Puchi!

The drakul registered the intruders but barely had time to let out a scream before Kashi riddled the farthest with arrows.

Shadow phased above the second and slit its throat, while Kira slammed into the closest, knocking it to the ground. She ripped its throat out before it had a chance to struggle.

The daeben made sure the sleeping drakul never woke again as he stabbed their hearts with his arrows.

Once their demise had been confirmed, the trio quickly ascended the stairs, taking them two at a time. None of their feet made any sound. Shadow and Kira had increased stealth because of their classes and race, respectively.

Kashi, on the other hand, had nearly maxed out the [Silent Feet] skill. He made sure to activate it every chance he got, even outside combat, to increase its level. He came to a halt in front of a wooden door. Kashi pushed open the door, and then continued up a flight of stairs, only slowing down when the rain began to enter the staircase.

Carefully, Kashi climbed the last flight of stairs, peeking into the room above.

Two drakul chatted in an unfamiliar tongue. A rope that led to a gigantic bell with magic circles etched onto it hung between them.

Kashi's eyes narrowed as he observed the bell. So that was the alarm mentioned on the map. Leila had said disabling them should be their first priority.

Kashi nocked an arrow. "HEY!" He sharply screamed, causing the drakul to turn around in shock. In that split-second where they registered his presence, he released his shot.

The drakul turned to pull the alarm, but the rope had fallen to the ground, split by the daeben's arrow. Enraged, the drakul turned their focus to the stairs, but then reeled back, crying out in pain as arrows bored through their skulls.

Shadow followed up the attack, with swift stabs to their exposed backs. He then nodded at Kashi as their limp bodies fell to the ground.

One of the volunteers donned the Drakul armor, then picked up the dropped magelight. His job was simple: pace back and forth to give an illusion that all was right with the post. He clasped hands with the delf, sharing a determined look. His job, while seemingly simple, was quite dangerous in its own right. He would have no means of defense should a squad of drakul decide to perform an impromptu checkup.

Everyone present understood this, but they had prepared themselves for such an occasion. After a brief goodbye, Kashi and his squad opened the doors to the east wall-walk.

The rain battered down even worse, with the last of the stars blocked by malicious clouds. The daeben's greatest fear was, however, was the occasional lightning flash that illuminated the world for a brief second.

Kashi shook his head to clear his mind of needless worries and then led his party down the wall-walk. Bobbing light a few feet from Kashi alerted him to a patrolling drakul. He motioned for only Shadow and Kira to accompany him as he made a mad dash for his target.

The drakul never knew what hit it.

Shadow ran up behind it, shut its mouth, and sunk his blade into its spine in one clean motion. Kashi quickly retrieved the magelight before it fell, and punched the guard, sending it flying over the battlements to the river far below. Its death cries were drowned out by the wind.

He handed the magelight to another volunteer, as the trio continued their charge.

They met, and dealt with three other drakul similarly, then stopped in front of the second bastion. Unlike the first, this one had an open canopy at the top. This was for added protection because half of the controls to the second gate was housed there. The drakul could snipe oncoming attackers from the vantage point.

Unfortunately, it provided minimal shielding from the elements. This caused it to be unmanned at the present time.

Kashi tied a rope to his arrow, drew the bow to full length, and then released.

While his arrow could not penetrate the castle walls, the wooden roof was a whole other matter. Thwack! As planned, the arrow buried deep into the ceiling.

Kashi tugged on the rope, but it held fast. Convinced it wouldn't plop off halfway, he placed a foot on the wall, then the next, and began his ascent. Pulling himself over the top, he plopped onto the canopy floor with a massive sigh of relief.

Kashi collected himself and disabled the alarm, then made his way down the stairs. He made to open the door, but it swung open of its own will, bring him face to face with a drakul.

Silence reigned as the two stared at each other.

The drakul opened its mouth to scream, but Kashi delivered a punishing blow to its stomach, lifting it off the ground. Its voice and breath caught in its throat as it stared at the delf with fright and disbelief. The delf stabbed an arrow through its snout, pinning the upper and lower jaws together, before stabbing three more through its heart.

Kashi caught the deceased drakul before it got to ground.

"Haere i runga i?" called a sentry from the bottom floor. Seconds later, footsteps could be heard ascending the stairs.

The daeben cursed as he dragged the body up the stairs. He tossed it over the side of the canopy to the rivers below as he awaited the sentry.

But it never showed.

A mass of white hair ascended in its stead.

Shadow waved at the daeben, signaling the demise of the sentries at the base. Kashi's distraction proved fruitful; It had been easy picking them off from behind as they climbed the stairs.

A recruit operated the switch for the gates while the rest exited the tower and continued further up the wall-walk.

The weather had worsened, and the daeben was glad they had their backs to the wind else it would have severely hampered their progress.

The attacking trio quickly dispatched all opposition on their path, and the bodies were tossed over the wall to hide them.

Bam!

Kashi, Kira, and Shadow crashed through the doors of the final bastion, stealth no longer a priority. There were quite a few drakul stationed here, but their numbers meant nothing to the trio. Less than two minutes after entering, the tower was captured.

Kashi entered the control room at the top of the tower. It was the only room with a window or, more accurately, a transparent wall. Its view was focused on the tower on the west end, its control room's magelight shining brightly through the storm. The only other notable feature was the control panel.

It was fixed to the wall below the window, with several buttons and doo-dads on it. It was also riddled with magic inscriptions on almost every inch of its frame. What caught his eye, though, was a device that looked like a phone. It was round, resembling a clam, but had a cable running from it to the panel.

While Kashi wanted to test it out, the worst thing that could happen was him mistakenly announcing his presence to the entire city. Instead, he chose to stick with Leila's plan. He held his breath as he flicked the magelight on and off in a pattern.

There was only nail-biting silence.

However, the tower opposite suddenly repeated the pattern, causing the daeben to heave a sigh of relief. So far, all had gone according to Leila's plans.

Using the light, they coordinated a countdown.

Kashicounted under his breath. On zero, he pushed a button and thenwaited for the magic to unfold.

Drakul patrolling on the north tower cursed the lousy weather for stopping their glorious battle. They didn't mind so much though, as it should subside by daybreak. They dreamed of cracking human skulls, using them as bowls for their victory wine. Haha.. tomorrow would be a glo-

Ruumble!

What was that? It felt just like... The drakuls' eyes widened in fear and shock. Impossible!

The ground shook even worse, and with it dawned a horrifying realization: the gates were opening.

Kashi grinned. Perfect! Everything was perfect!

He resisted the urge to jump for joy as he ran down the stairs.

"I'm guessing this means the gates are open?" Shadow asked.

"It's opening," replied the delf. "Craig, it's your turn."

"I must admit, I am rather relieved to hear that," replied the flame mage. "Was beginning to feel like a decoration." He equipped a bronze staff and began the incantations for a spell.

As he readied the spell, Kashi burst open the doors to the north wall. "Seems we had the same idea."

A drakul beyond the door opened its mouth to scream, but Kashi quickly leaped and kneed its jaw. It staggered backward, stunned by the sudden blow. A punishing kick sent it flying off the wall-walk to the earth several feet below. "Craig!"

"[Flame Vortex]!" shouted the mage as he stomped his staff onto the ground.

Spirals of flame burst out from Craig's staff, growing larger every second. As it burned the air around it, it took the shape of a dragon. The apparition flew high into the night, spun around, then crashed down. A raging inferno engulfed the city, barely hampered by the rain.

Kashi could hear the cries of the burning drakul even through the incessant thunder booms. He smiled as he turned to Craig. "Amazing! That was an awesome skill. Remind me to learn it sometime."

"You won't be learning anything soon, intruder," a broken voice called behind him.

Irritated by the interruption, Kashi turned to the drakul.

A red brute glared him down. Its muscles bulged, glistening in the flashes of lightning. Behind it was several drakuls armed with spears, pikes, and swords, aiming for the control room.

"Craig, Shadow," Kashi called. "Change of plans. You guys return alone. I'll hold them off."

"What are you planning?" Shadow asked. "You can't be thinking of throwing away your life to save others, I hope?"

Kashi scoffed. "What is this? A manga? I'm no noble hero. Don't worry about me. I'll catch up to you guys."

The white-haired ninja decided not to press the issue. "Let's go," Shadow said, pulling Craig along with him.

"You think we'll let you go?" cried the brute as it dashed forward.

"Earth-Shattering Technique, third form: [Wall]!" Kashi cried as he stomped the floor.

Gruu!

A wall of stone shot up from the ground and blocked the brute's advance.

Shadow and Craig used the opening to retreat. The flame-mage cast a barrier of flames on the bastion's south door to prevent any Drakul from entering--or at the least slow them down. Once the flame wall was up, they fled back to their starting spot, clearing out the few pockets of resistance in their path.

Meanwhile, Kashi retreated to the base of the bastion.

The drakul gave chase after smashing down the weak wall. The daeben eyed their approach, with the knowledge that soon some more would attack from the south door. He trembled as he stared at the hulking drakul, his fists clenching and unclenching rapidly.

"Don't bother begging for your life," said the drakul. "Cowards deserve no mercy."

It was only natural for the daeben to be terrified for his life. After all, he had to stand alone against an army of pissed off lizard-men.

There was only one problem...

Kashi wasn't scared.

No, Kashi brimmed with so much excitement, it was immensely difficult to keep his joy hidden. The reason for his happiness lay in the dull glow around his feet and legs. Ever since obtaining the skills from Ferulic's legacy, he had never had a chance to use them. Yet now, he had more than enough test subjects to practice on.

Kashi unequipped his bow as he beckoned the drakul's approach. "Please, do come. I do not have all day after all."

Kashi's words, matched with his unmasked excitement, sent shivers down everyone present.

The drakul could tell.

They weren't the hunters. No, they were all about to be slaughtered.

Elsewhere, Absalon watched the blazing dragon crash into the city, raising flame tendrils above the city walls. He knew that skill. It was one of the high-level AoE fire spells. It lacked substantial initial damage but burned for long periods. It was famous for being almost invincible. Still, to see it on such a large scale. Its caster was a genuinely terrifying person.

"That's surprising," Nyte said, walking up to him. "You think the pirates actually came through?"

Absalon shook his head. "Those stupid pricks don't have this amount of firepower. And they wouldn't risk their lives without a clear profit. No, this is a player... But who is it?"

The swordsman looked doubtful. "A player? How'd they get in? Were there remnants after our attack earlier?"

"Maybe... more importantly, this is a golden opportunity."

"What do you mean?"

Asha slapped them both on their backs. "What're you guys waiting for? They've graciously invited us in."

Nyte frowned, and then focused on the castle gates. A flash of lightning illuminated the opening gates, and he grinned. "Well, now, it'd be rude of us to refuse." He tapped Absalon's shoulder as he walked away to rouse the troops for a charge.

Asha glanced at the mayor/commander. "What's the matter? You have that look."

"I don't have a look," replied Absalon.

"Yes, you do. It's that 'bad, bad' look."

He glanced at her and sighed. Judging from the determination in her eyes, she would not drop the subject anytime soon. "I don't like it."

"Don't like what?"

"This situation. It's too easy. It feels like we're dancing to someone else's tune."

Asha raised a brow. "Heeh? As skeptic as always. Why can't you just believe in luck for once?"

"Cause luck depends on humans."

Asha sighed, shaking her head. "Well, don't worry." She tapped his shoulder and then said as she walked towards her unit. "Whatever we face, Nyte and I'll handle it."

Absalon watched her retreating figure. He had no doubt that his generals were capable in their own rights, but there was something... something wrong somewhere. He could feel a presence on those walls, a pressure that caused a tingling at the nape of his neck. It was a feeling he couldn't shake.

Absalon closed his eyes, and then drew in a huge breath. Whatever this feeling was, he would face it in the castle. And like every other challenge he had faced so far, he would crush it.

Minutes later, the Kertan army stormed Riven's open gates. The rejuvenated army slew the bewildered drakul with ease, but their momentum did not last. Little by little, the drakul roared, morphing to brutes, angered by the cowardly fire-attack on their homes.

The first sector was soon embroiled in the flames of battle, as the embers from Craig's attack died out.

Atop the walls, Kashi took in a huge breath to calm his beating heart. He turned and then ran down the wall-walk to meet up with Leila and the rest.

Inside the tower, clumps of flesh plopped off the blood-covered walls.

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