Fame is a fickle concept. It is the amalgamation of large amounts of attention, and once big enough, may become self-sustainable. However, it is also as fleeting, requiring large amounts of effort and novelty to maintain. Yet, that did not stop people from hankering after fame and doing everything within their means to achieve it.

That is why Daika Yamamoto is currently having a migraine.

A sharp, nasal voice chose that moment to blast from the speakers. “Hi, I am Blue Fist-“

“For the love of god, mute him!”

“Hai!” With a click of the mouse, the irritating quacks were silenced. Daika rubbed his throbbing temples in relief.

“Daika-sama, the Blue Fist shown in the videos fits the description.”

“Place a marker on the video uploader and track all of his subsequent uploads.” Daika wearily ordered, his eye-bags showing under the bright light from the screen.

“Hai!”

“Daika-sama. I found another one. Do we mark this as well?”

“Yes.”

“But its views are pathe-

“Do it. Mark all of them,” Daika irritably growled.

After Old Man Yashita had come by and demanded a detailed report on what netizens had termed The Vanguard Revolt, they have been working overtime to track down the four players who were known to be at the scene. At first, the only clue they had was dead, killed by the incongruity of the data output.

Then, the adelemitty video arrived on the net.

It showed everything they needed to know, up to and including why the soldiers went seemingly berserk and provided clues to the identity of one of the four. Some had decried it to be fake, but they knew that with a celebrity staking her reputation on it there was no way it could be.

The video would have proven to be what they needed for a complete report if not for Adele Mitty herself. The radio personality had declined a request to meet up through her manager, stating that she was busy. Their chase came to a grinding halt and there was nothing they could do, lest they were sued for harassment.

Just when they thought they were back to square one, a fellow moderator noted that he had seen the Blue Fist on another clip on the net and proposed the idea that Blue Fist himself could have uploaded his own video. Thus, it prompted the current search.

The only problem was that there were too many to count.

After the adelemitty video took the Internet by storm, copycats had crawled out of their holes by the droves, wanting to hitch a ride on the fame of this phenomenon. Each and every one of them had taken to calling themselves Blue Fist and claimed to be the one who had caused the Revolt. They also mimicked Blue Fist’s characteristics with varying degrees of success. Some had blue luminescence poorly photoshopped into the frame – those they did not even bother to consider – but a surprisingly good number of them looked real enough.

Most of them were barren, getting views only in the hundreds range.

Usually, all these videos would be shunned by the average viewers, doomed to fall into obscurity forever against the onslaught of an ever -increasing number of video uploads. However, because it was the only lead they had at the current moment, the moderator team had not much choice but to trawl through the dark side of Yuutoob for a longer while.

……………….

Defend Loyderidge – Quest Update!

The Hondurian army has retreated back to Vanguard Pass and a ceasefire is declared. Loyderidge still stands, an effort made possible together by the brave defenders of Loyderidge’s militia. The history books will forever speak of the day Caerheim finally broke away and declared her independence from the shadows of her origin country, Honduria.

The Joint Operation is successful.

You may collect your reward from the Militia Quartermaster located at the Militia camp.

For this battle you earned:

0 pts.

Total Contributions : 1104 pts

Pitiful amounts of contribution equates to a pitiful reward. Not like he cared about this quest that much. The real deal is in the next one.

Negotiate for Peace – Quest Update!

You have successfully sued for peace with Duplent Ashwald of Honduria. As per agreements on the signed paper. Duplent has sent orders to withdraw his troops back past the Grand Crossing after containing the revolt in Vanguard Pass. Honduria has resumed neutral ties with Caerheim while they settle their internal conflict in the central continent.

The Joint Operation is successful.

You may collect your reward from Trigent Ashwald.

For successfully completing the mission you earned:

7058Pts

• 2000 for delivering the Seal safely

• 1000 for handling the negotiations

• 2000 for esorting Duplent Ashwald to safety

• 80 for defeating 8 soldiers

• 60 for defeating 3 bow knights

As the commander of the operation you earn an additional 10% points from your operation members

• 1200 for completing objectives

• 718 for assorted kills

Total Contributions: 7058pts

This was the reason why being a commander of a Joint Operation is so lucrative. Gaining 10% of your operation member’s kills often propels the commander into the top rank without much trouble. The only way for the commander to not appear in the top ranking list would be to do nothing at all, and even then it would be difficult, depending on the total number of members. Beast idly wondered how much Lifey would have received in ‘Defend Loyderidge’. A boatload, he supposed.

Your Riding skill has increased to Basic 4

At the moment, they are riding down the paved road towards Loyderidge at a relaxed pace, allowing Beast to look through all his leftover notifications at his own time. Unfortunately, that also meant that others had time to pester him, namely Aveye.

“That seems to be one interesting item you got there.” The archer had gotten closer. “The mandibles, why are you keeping those things around for?

“Why not?”

“When I tried to identify it, I got nothing.” Aveye shrugged. “If I were you, I would have thrown them or sold them away a long time ago. So I thought there would be a purpose in you keeping it.”

“Well…”

Beast could feel the rest riding closer as well, as though they wanted to listen in on the conversation.

“… I thought I could make a weapon out of it.”

“What kind of weapons?”

“I have no idea. Daggers maybe? But they are not for me.”

Beast felt he might have spoken a little too much, for Aveye looked as though she had caught onto something big. “Who are they for then?” She asked, a little too eagerly.

“Someone I know.” He curtly replied in an attempt to cut off a dangerous route of conversation.

However, the archer would have none of it. It might have come as an occupational hazard of being a radio deejay.

“Awww. So, what is her name?”

“Huh? And how did you arrive at the conclusion it’s a ‘her’?”

“So it is a girl…”

“Hey. Wait. What?” Did he just fall for her trap?

Aveye looked as though she was processing the information with a thoughtful look, making Beast become more and more flustered.

“I might be a little jealous.”

“No thanks!” Beast cried. He could see Shadun and Naomi sniggering in the background, which was not helping the situation any.

In the end, he made up his mind to simply shut up so as not to provide more ammunition for Aveye to fire at him. That persisted until they finally reached the East Gate of Loyderidge.

Being one of the two remaining gates left of the war-scarred city, it still retained its original grandeur despite the massive damage sustained during the battle. Giant emblems of an eagle soaring about the Caerheim coat of arms were engraved into the stone, and banners of victorious gold and red hung overhead from the over-arching parapets. Above them, the distinctive towers of the Loyderidge palace peek over the stone walls, shining proudly under the warm sunlight.

It was an awe-inspiring sight, designed to take away the breath of any newbie. As a person entering the capital of Caerheim officially for the first time, Beast could not contain a sudden feeling of pride that gushed out from within. This is the city he had defended. His city.

“Halt.” A Caerheim guard shouted as he impeded their path. Behind him, several others noticeably tensed. “Identify yourself!”

Beast raised an eyebrow at the sight. Perhaps coming straight from the road leading from Vanguard Pass right after a war might not have been the brightest idea after all.

“The East gate is currently closed to those who would come from Honduria. Please turn back to where you came from.” The sound of weapons being drawn did not go unnoticed by Beast and his party.

“Are we going to fight?” A voice came from behind.

“No, Naomi, wait.” Beast hastily replied before things went beyond the point of return.

He was in a dilemma as to what to do when Shadun stepped forward and procured a letter from his pockets. “I have a letter from Court Historian Mealgar requesting our presence before Lord Trigent. Please let us through.”

The guard looked unconvinced, but took the letter over all the same. After opening it to read it through, he distinctively paled as though he had just made a grave mistake.

It was good thinking that Mealgar had already expected something to this effect and prepared a letter in advance.

“Ah… You are the esteemed Beast and his friends.” The tone of voice had changed noticeably, turning from hostile to friendly. “Please forgive my behavior. We are all jumpy from the last invasion by Honduria and there is the recent re-surfacing of bandits looking to take advantage of the aftermath of the war. I hope you understand.”

“Sure. So can we pass now?”

“Anytime.” The gate guard bowed in a mark of respect. “In fact, the Court Historian requests in his letter that we escort the saviors of Loyderidge up to the palace.”

Trust Mealgar to be this excessive. On the other hand, Saviours of Loyderidge; it did have a nice ring to it.

“That would be fine, but we would like to visit the militia camp before we head to the keep. Is that okay?”

He wanted to meet up with Gordo and collect the first joint operation reward while at it.

“As you wish.” The guard complied.

Having an NPC guard following behind as they walked through the streets of Loyderidge proved to be attention-grabbing. Many stares were shot their way, especially at the gate guard who was tagging along. It was uncommon to have an NPC follow someone, much less a gate guard, so people were wondering if somebody in their group have committed a crime to warrant such behavior.

Beast simply did not care and continued walking until he reached the Militia Camp. By now, it had already been emptied out except for the occasional player who was there to collect their reward and soldiers who had not been released from their duty. Upon entering the premise proper, Naomi stopped in her tracks. She was trembling slightly.

“Naomi?” Aveye probed, putting her hand on Naomi’s shoulder to provide some source of comfort.

“I… I am alright. I am just thinking about things from before.”

It might be a different kind of feeling, jarring even, to see the camp during and after a war, especially when she had been there for most of the war’s duration. The flood of emotions that welled up could be overwhelming enough to cause a few moments of weakness. Beast could sympathize.

Just then, a familiar royal knight spotted them and came over.

“Naomi! You youngsters!” It was Gordo, beaming. “Oh, and if it isn’t Jack from the East Gate.”

“Sir!” The gate guard following them snapped into attention. Gordo returned the salute before turning back to them.

“Good job! Through your efforts Loyderidge and Caerheim is safe.”

“N-no problem, sir.” Naomi stuttered, face slightly red.

“Have you met the quartermaster yet?”

They shook their heads in unison.

“If that is the case I will give you your rewards in his place. It is the least I could do as thanks.”

Dringgg!

You have completed the Joint Operation –

Defend Loyderidge.

The Hondurian army has retreated back to Vanguard Pass and a ceasefire is declared. Loyderidge still stands, an effort made possible together by the brave defenders of Loyderidge’s militia. As part of the brave militia who contributed to the city’s defense, you are entitled to a reward from the city’s coffers.

Total Contribution: 1104pts

+20 fame

+110 Public Relations with Caerheim

+5 gold

You have levelled up!

As expected, his share was not extraordinary. Five miserable gold coins were hardly enough to cover what he had lost to Alpyrius, but a reward offered is still a reward to take. Besides, there should be many more who died during the West Gate defense and thus got screwed out of the gate defense bonus. Their scores were probably lower than his.

“Now, I am glad that you stopped by the militia barracks, but do remember to meet Lord Trigent. I believe he is quite eager to see you all.”

“Sir, I will make sure of that.” Jack, the gate guard, affirmed.

“Good, now get going. Soon this camp will be closed. Foreigners and locals alike would not be able to enter.”

“Closed?” Naomi’s startled voice rang out.

“Yes, it has no other purpose for now. The soldiers have all returned to their homes after the war. Even I will be returning to my post among the Royal Knights. So shoo. Don’t stay and clutter up the scenery. ”

They were then unceremoniously evicted from the camp by the forceful hand of Knight Gordo. With that out of the way, they made way for the Loyderidge palace under Jack’s guidance, but not before Naomi gave the place she spent her newbie life in one last glance.

…………….

The throne room was as before. Trigent Ashwald sat on his seat, flanked by his loyal retainers. Mealgar was grinning, Riwana struggling not to show a smile and Lugwen was wearing his perpetual frown as usual. Trisha and Tristan, the assassin pair, were no longer cloaked. They stood silently by Trigent’s side, but their alert eyes told Beast that they were on guard the entire time.

“You may take your leave, Jack. Thank you for bringing them here.” Trigent spoke, his elegant voice ringing through the chamber.

“Yes, my lord.” With a soldier’s salute, the gate guard made his way out, leaving the players alone in the room.

“Now, it is time for us to conduct some administrative work.”

Beast could not contain his excitement. His well-earned reward is coming.

“I received reports from Mealgar and Riwana that you and your friends successfully met up with my brother and negotiated a treaty of peace. Mealgar informed me personally how well you handled the negotiations in his place and I must say I am impressed.”

Trigent smiled.

“I also hear that my little brother had some part to play in the chaos that followed. Even though it was out of our expectations, it still proved beneficial for us. For that, good work.”

He raised his hand. “However-“

In an instant, Trisha and Tristan disappeared and reappeared before them with weapons raised to their necks. Beast flinched at the sudden hostility, as did almost everyone else. Even Mealgar dropped his grin, surprised at the development.

He raised a questioning eye towards the sovereign of the country.

“It has come to my attention that there are some rumours already going around regarding this little bout of sibling rivalry. Of course, rumours will die down soon enough, but as an Ashwald in name and in blood, I would prefer not to air my family’s dirty laundry in public.” His hand dropped, and the assassins lowered their weapons in kind.

“I believe you understand.”

Trigent returned Beast’s gaze with his piercing eyes, as though directing the weight of his entire sentence unto him. Even if he had been smiling the whole time, it still did not discount the fact that Trigent meant what he said. Beast unconsciously gulped and nodded in silence.

While Aveye was the true perpetrator behind this with her video, it was logical that Trigent would suspect the whole group instead of a single person since he had no clue of anything outside of the game. Right at this moment, he was giving them the benefit of the doubt in what could constitute as a warning.

A glance at Aveye showed the archer wide-eyed in alarm. Beast hoped that she realized the gravity of what she had almost caused.

“Now that we have gotten that out of the way, thank you all for saving Caerheim.” In one sentence, Trigent switched the somber tone into a joyous one. Beast had no idea how to react, until the notification window popped up in front of him.

Dring!

You have completed the Joint Operation –

Negotiate for Peace

You have successfully sued for peace with Duplent Ashwald of Honduria while preserving the sovereignty of Caerheim. For this, the lord of the country, Trigent Ashwald, is eternally grateful, even though the consequences had riled up rumours he would rather not have.

Total Contributions: 7058 pts

+135 fame

+700 Public Relations with Caerheim

+35 gold

You have levelled up!

You have levelled up!

You have levelled up!

You have levelled up!

You have levelled up!

Seven hundred public relation points!

Thirty five gold pieces!

Five levels worth of experience!

While all the above were extraordinary for a quest reward, Beast could not help but feel a little disappointed. The Joint Operation had been ranked B- and was as hard as it had been to accomplish. Surely there should have been more...

No, he should not be greedy. He shall be thankful for what was given.

“As a personal commendation for a job well done, Mealgar had recommended that I allow each of you to pick an item from the palace vault as an additional prize. I agreed.” Trigent nodded to his court, who stepped forward towards them.

It was quite the pleasant surprise. Beast sent an appreciative look at the rotund historian who returned with a wink.

“Mealgar, Riwana and Lugwen will escort you personally to choose your reward. Because there are only three of them, Beast will remain here first.”

The Court Historian, Court Magician and Royal Guard all headed towards Aveye, Shadun and Naomi respectively.

“Bye Beast.”

“See you later.”

“We will be going first.”

Beast blinked. Why is he being singled out of the four of them? It may seem innocuous enough that there simply were not enough retainers for everyone in one sitting, but Beast felt that there was something more to it than what was said.

And he was right.

“Beast.”

“Yes?” With only Trigent and the assassin pair left with Beast in the throne room, the lord of the castle wanted a private talk with him alone.

“Duplent sent me a message after the war had ended.” Trigent pursed his lips, displaying the fact that he was not all too happy to be corresponding with the person who had sieged his city merely days ago.

“He wanted to meet you.”

“Wha-what?” Beast exclaimed. Was he not blacklisted? Why did Duplent want to see him now?”

“I am quite surprised myself. But his exact words were ‘Please tell Beast to see me in Garkan if he ever passes by Honduria.’”

Dring!

Duplent’s Invitation

You have received an invitation to visit Duplent Ashwald at his abode in Garkan city of Honduria, sent via Trigent’s Ashwald word of mouth. Garkan is the second largest city in Honduria next to its capital and it forms part of the Honduria Trinity surrounding Lake Foria.

Difficulty: E

Note: Ignoring this quest will result in its failure, upon which appropriate penalties will be taken.

Time Limit: 50 days

“I don’t know what you did, but to catch the attention of my brother like that, I am impressed and appalled at the same time.”

Beast could only smile weakly at Trigent’s comment. Normally he would have jumped at the opportunity for a hidden quest but when it concerned meeting soon-to-be one of the most powerful man in Agaia, it became daunting.

“He never really cared for others, much less Foreigners, so you must have been someone special. What did you say your profession was?”

“A historian, sir.”

“I see. Then it is too bad I already have Mealgar, or I would have considered poaching you right from under his nose.”

“Y-you jest.” Beast laughed weakly.

“Maybe I am.” Trigent chuckled. “And they are done.”

Right on cue, the side door swung open and three pairs of people re-entered the throne room. Shadun, Naomi and Aveye were all holding in their hands the item of their choice. Aveye chose an archer’s hat while Shadun had a small box as his reward, and…

“What the heck? Is that a pair of heels?”

True enough, Naomi emerged five inches taller, walking like a newborn lamb with a pair of steel stiletto heels. Every step she took was accompanied by a small wince and Beast inwardly wondered why she chose to undertake this suffering when she was obviously not familiar with it.

When asked, Naomi bravely replied through her apparent discomfort. “I thought it looked useful… owww.”

“… What can you use it for?”

She tilted her head. “Fighting?”

Beast had to suppress a sigh. Never mind the fact that somebody crafted such equipment – he should have expected it actually – but her reason for taking it was bizarre. How exactly are heels useful for fighting? They impede movement and cause instability. If anything they should be a liability. As a martial practitioner who placed importance on footwork and balance, she really should have known better.

“If you are done, the rest of you can wait outside the throne room for your friend.”

While the other three were ushered out, Mealgar led Beast through the side door. After that was a long winding passageway and a flight of stairs before they finally reached an inconspicuous door set into the wall.

Pushing it open, Beast was awestruck. Weapons and armours of all kinds adorned the walls and racks that littered throughout the vault as far as his eyes could see. In one corner, there was even a pile of accessories proudly displayed on a shelf. It was truly a treasure vault.

“Go on,” Mealgar urged with a tilt of his head towards the items waiting to be discovered. “I know you have a better eye than most of them.” The court historian chuckled at his own reference.

Beast nodded. He could indeed detect slight traces of blue aura interspersed among the clutter of items. It would be great if he could find an artifact out of them.

With that in mind he went to work.

…………

“Identify”

Fostner’s Longsword of Sharpness

Rare, Weapon, Magical

The sword crafted by royal blacksmith Fostner Gren of Caerheim for Prince Trigent. This sword is imbued with powerful magical enchantments after crafting that allows it to cut through steel. It was wielded during the expedition into the West Continent to great effect and now rests in the vault of Loyderidge.

Enchantment:

Sharpness +10% damage

Strength +10% impact

Durability: 60/60

Value: 78g

Damage: 58-63

Level Restriction: 55

Nope. That was not what he was seeking. Most of the items were products of Fostner and while they are undoubtedly fine products made with greatest care, he could not use them.

Beast skipped over what would be his twentieth item to a small contraption lying on the table he had used to place all the glowing items he could find. It would be the last glowing item he gathered in this treasure vault, hidden under a pile of otherwise ordinary weapons. Had it not been emitting a faint blue glow he would definitely had missed it. It better be what he needed or he will be emerging from this chamber empty handed once again.

It seems that Caerheim is too young a country to have a substantial collection in her vault. He should not have gotten his hopes too high.

It was a strange weapon, with curved blades protruding out of both handle pointed forward in the same direction, making the weapon seems not unlike a short u-shaped pair of horns. Gripping it by the handle, he was surprised to find it a good fit with his fist, the sharp blades that curved adjacent to his knuckles and towards the front giving penetration power to his punches. It was like holding a pointy horseshoe.

“Identify.”

Burfrest

Weapon, Artifact

He did not even wait for the rest of the description to load before exclaiming “Artifact Identify.” in glee.

You have discovered the hidden artifact -

Burfrest

Type: Historical

Artifact, Weapon

Tempered Elvensteel forged under the fires of a phoenix using the Crystalsmith Hammer, this small but deadly weapon was one of Gutrand Gren’s greatest works. One half of a whole, this weapon had been lost in time since ages ago. Those who can figure out the correct way to use this weapon will find it exceptionally versatile in all ranges.

Durability: 75/75

Value: 285g

Damage: 79-84

Level Restriction: 130

Job Limitation: Nil

When equipped:

+14 Dexterity

Artifact Power:

Mana Blade

Passive

-35 mana per second

Elvensteel is a good conductor of mana. Burfrest is able to coalesce injected mana into a solid extension of the weapon at will, increasing its range as long as mana is continuously flowing into the weapon.

+ 8 Strength

+ 2 Dexterity

+ 10 Luck

Despite being a level 130 weapon, level requirements are halved for him so he was perfectly able to equip it. Feeling the cool Elvensteel against his hand, it was a welcomed change from his weaponless days, even if the stats of the weapon seemed subpar for its level.

“Is this it? Hoho, good choice.” Mealgar’s voice came from behind, surprising Beast from his self-indulgence.

“Y-yea.” This fat man had an uncanny knack of moving around unseen, so much that he had forgotten he was here with him.

“Well then, let us get back to your friends. They have been waiting for quite some time already.”

Beast looked at the jolly man questioningly, “Are you not going to ask me about what I just did?”

He was of course referring to his excited yell that must have been audible within the vault.

“Not exactly.” Mealgar shrugged. “After all, why should I need to question the Lord Historian?”

Beast froze. Lord Historian… That is something most people should not have been aware of.

“How?”

Mealgar simply tapped his personal ring on the ruby crown with a knowing smile.

“I am a historian too, you know.”

Author's Notes:

And Beast finally got a weapon! Yay!!

Do let me know if it is too overpowered though, and give me suggestions on how to adjust it and I will see what I can do.

As usual, do comment and rate the story!

Edit: As people have pointed out. It does seem strange that Beast did not search through the treasury for all artifacts. So I have edited a small part in the chapter to make the transition better.

Cheers.