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Chapter 366: Gaia

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[Please, everyone, there is no need to be alarmed and afraid. I just need to talk a bit with Siva here.]

[Uh… Boss… she just burned your cover.]

“…” Siva felt like choking the Elf right now.

“Siva?!” everybody looked at Siva. “You’re Siva?!”

[Hm? You guys didn’t know?]

Siva hissed furiously, “They didn’t. I wasn’t even planning to tell them that yet you did.”

[Oops.]

It was hard imagining whether if she’s apologetic or not because even when she said “Oops” that bespoke of her surprise to her mistake, her frisky and flirtatious way with words spoke differently.

—fuck this! If things get messier, I wouldn’t even get my resources 6hrs later!

—this clueless bitch…!!

“Bitch, you just fucking messed up everything.”

Siva was mad with anger.

He even called a venerated existence like her as a bitch, indicating that his rational thinking already began sinking in the bog called fury.

After he spoke, the White Armour he was wearing clanked and clanged, and the firm armor bulked up along with the changing of its appearance.

Space rippled and tiny pieces of the BMA came out and formed into parts of his armour.

It was the Black Knight Armour Set of his BMA. It was the strongest state of his BMA that utilized all of the ‘tiny’ parts of the BMA into a compact set of armour that maximized heavy weight and defense.

A normal punch when in this ‘state’ will weigh a full megaton of an impact. A full force punch that is backed by momentum and assistance from the [Absolute Domain] will hurt a 100 times more. This was the imposingness of the BMA, of Siva’s pride and dignity, the Black Master Armament!

[Oh, I’m really getting it now.]

Again, it was hard to imagine if she’s being sorry or not since her manner of speech is too flirty.

SHOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!

An imposing air of savageness and violence now radiates from Siva; the bulky shoulder armor and daunting helmet that only showed his eyes and mouth through the small slit in the shape of a “Y” made the Humans feel as if they were looking at a War God who manifested his divinity of the will of death and slaughter.

The black luster sheen of the BMA bid a feeling of oppression, the red cape that fluttered without the wind behind him gave the sounds of a waving flag of war.

When he floats there, he was like a true divine being of savage violence, his aura and presence changed as did his armour’s style…

—all it took is only but a few moments.

Siva’s cover had been blown by The Oracle so it was senseless to hide it to them any longer.

There was no flash of light that indicated the full implementation of the Black Knight Set, but there is an invisible ripple of wind that spread from his body that forcefully pushed off any lingering speck of dust that managed to infiltrate the place despite the strict sanitation measures around it.

Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Siva…” they murmured, whispered, or thought of that name as they saw this imposing black armor.

And yet, before anyone could even react to any of the surprising events, Siva raised his hand and spoke in a cold and sinister voice, “I am going to give this warning only once. If this matter gets out of this place, I will make sure that all of you here will die as I take away this facility with me! So I will advise you to think before you defy your oaths!”

Almost instantly, three dignitaries’ stiffened as the words struck them just as they were about to do what Siva feared they would.

‘Cortana.’

[I’ve already marked their locations, sir.]

‘Make sure to mark their actions so they wouldn’t spread the word. What about Maki?’

[Leave it to me. Right now, we’re bordering 94%.]

“Stop it! You! Do you know what you’re doing?!”

Siva looked at the roaring Maki and he abandoned all his cordiality when The Oracle abruptly made him reveal his cover. She had definitely messed up his momentum and ultimately, his plans!

‘There is no plan that will work 100% at a time.’

[You should learn how to plan contingency plans.]

Siva took note of the remark. Then he addressed the crowd as it was the first important he must do to ensure the security of this event.

“My promise is still valid. I have sworn a Heavenly Oath that I will not hurt the Humans as long as they do not hinder me on my goal. If —and in the worst case scenario— you do choose to stand in my way right now, I will not think twice on taking away this facility whether you like it or not. And I don’t care if we fight it out to the end or not, I will stop at nothing until I find my brother.”

[95%]

Siva looked at The Oracle, “Bitch. You just tried to mess up my plans.”

If anyone else, especially Eleanor, would hear him address the Oracle this way, they would all think that Siva might have lost his mind and is trying to kill himself by calling the great Oracle a bitch.

But no! This is Siva. He was more than qualified to call her whatever he wanted to; not because of his inherent [authority], but because he didn’t care what they would say. He was angry.

CRASH!

Sounds of broken glass resounded to the ears of the dignitaries, to Higginson, to Hojer, to Gaspar, to the ears around them. Aside from the [email protected] rendering of the dignitaries, the 20 scientists in the area all heard it clearly… and it sounded when Siva took a single step towards the High Elf.

It was the sound of her [Bind] spell, being torn apart with sheer strength of his body.

[What a scary constitution. Did you get baptized to a Dragon’s Blood? That should at least be a True Dragon’s blood to enhance a mortal’s body on the level of a Quasi-Immortal.]

She was astonished, yet, she still sounded flirty. It even became a sort of lie when she bit her lower lip when she spoke the words. She was that bad at expressing normal reactions on these normal situations.

Siva was 20m away from her and so with a flick of a finger, an item flew towards her after a ripple in the fabric of space had occurred.

“That’s the item Gabriel gave to Eleanor. She wanted me to give it to you to foster a good level of relationship, but it seems that that won’t be happening any time soon. In exchange, I will just punch you in the face once. Please? Can I?”

He really wanted to do it!

She became flustered. This time she displayed a real reaction of distress, [Wait! I didn’t mean to do it, really! Please believe me, I didn’t mean to blow your cover! I didn’t know you were trying to hide it in the first place!]

“But you just did. And it’s too late now. give me your face…” Siva’s voice was calm but he really sounded very angry. His muscles, in fact, were all trembling because he was trying his best not to explode and go on a rampage right now.

In the end, he could only hiss the words at her.

Facts were there and Siva’s secret plans were all compromised. Now, he was buying time. He had to at least make sure that his scan of Maki would be completed since Higginson’s promise to help him search for Baron was made with an oath of him being Siva and not a Magic Knight.

The resources… the resources will have to be re-negotiated with new terms if the Humans choose to stick to their arses and stand against their oath.

“Whoa! Fascinating!” Hojer was having the time of his life despite being bound by invisible hands in place. “She can use Mana in a Mana-restricted area… this is really fascinating!”

Siva felt really uncomfortable and he started to feel more irritated.

Behind his faceless mask, he glared at the woman and released his [Killing Zone], only focusing on her, treating her as an enemy.

All the conditions for the supposed passive skill [Killing Zone] were met.

[Siva! What are you doing?!]

The initially relaxed and playful demeanor of that fairy goddess totally collapsed and was replaced by a mask of fear and discomfort.

She knew that Siva’s [Killing Zone] was unique as it focused his hate on the things he wanted to be destroyed and obliterated.

If Siva so choose to hurt her, then as the last line of defense for this world, Terroa will be doomed.

[Please, Siva, believe me! I didn’t mean it!]

Still, Siva was sensible enough to know what he had to do and not.

And those small moments of his hesitation gave the required time for Scion to approach him.

“Rex, I have to tell you something.” Scion pulled his sleeve but her eyes weren’t fixed on him. She was looking at a notification panel only she could see.

Siva was puzzled by her actions, “What is it?”

“Quest.” She said, confused, “I think I know the reason why she suddenly appeared here.”

Siva became curious, “You mean you triggered a quest?”

Scion turned to her and shook her head, “Rex, I was given a mission by Janus back in the castle at that time. Just now, it prompted me to continue it and talk to her.”

Siva frowned, “This is part of his quest to you?”

She nodded.

“Did you always know how to proceed on it?”

Scion shook he head, “There are no instructions given on my Quest aside from giving you support at all times and… and… you know… always being there for you.”

Siva detected what she meant by the last part so he also blush the same as her, if having pinkish oblongs with diagonal lines underneath his eyes was called blushing.

(AN: wait… that’s just awkward)

Siva heaved a deep breath and his shoulders also shook with the action.

He stared at the High Elf, “You’re going to answer questions and you’re going to do it honestly and wholeheartedly. Otherwise, I don’t care if you’re The Oracle, I will strip you naked and I will punch you in the face.”

He was a brute and a savage tyrant. Siva was so angry that he really did abandoned dignity and is willing to hurt an innocent temptress like her.

She, on the other hand, with her exalted position, was still an inherent [Tool] and a subordinate of a Trinity God and even though Siva’s position and her own status weren’t on the same level, just the fact that Siva was (once) a [God] made her innate subordinate character resurface itself.

“I will. I promise.” Not only did she acquiesce, she also lowered her head in submission.

This shocked the Humans entirely!

Being part of The Alliance, they were privy to the fact that the Hegemon behind the Circle of Magi is called “The Oracle” and they are convinced that the woman is indeed that Hegemon just by the Magic Spell she released that shattered their beliefs in the absolute protection of their ‘Artifact’.

And yet… she actually lowered her head at Siva!

What kind of situation is this?

Just who the hell is Siva?! How does he defy the common of anyone’s senses?

As Scion gave Siva a sweet smile, she turned to the Elf and started walking. Then, for the sake of making Siva assured of her safety, she asked in a loud voice, “Can you tell me who you are?”

The Oracle seemed to know what she meant and had understood her point. Her terrified face then softened and she explained:

[When I was reincarnated, I was born in the Inner Continents as one of the High Elves. I was given the name Gaia. That’s a long time ago… ah! But tell me, dear, are you the one who called me in this place? I really can’t comprehend. I was just in the middle of having tea when a portal sucked me inside it and teleported me here. Ara… ara… what a bewildering case this is.]

As fast as breathing, she was back to her playful nature already. She pouted adorably and put an eye-catching slender and delicate finger on her right cheek while tilting her head.

This woman was a natural charmer… or is she putting effort into it? Regardless though, all the Humans, including the supposedly stout Gaspar, were mesmerized by her beautiful actions.

The only unaffected ones were Maki and Siva.

Even Scion was blushing, thinking that this Elf is really a good person and a sister material for her.

Scion replied, “I’m not sure myself but Janus gave me a quest and just now, when I entered a certain range from the Crystal behind you, I seemed to have triggered the quest he gave me and gave me an instruction.”

[Ah… if it’s the work of Brother Janus, then it is a matter that we cannot comprehend no matter how much we think about it.]

(AN: this is a bit hard to explain. The “brother” in here doesn’t mean they’re related by blood (like she is Janus’s sister from same parents —kind of brother). This “brother”-address leans more on a very respectful way of how younger girls address older (usually by a few years older) men with an endearing familial affection. It is closer to how the young Japanese maidens call their crush “Senpai” in Japan; only, these types of contexts tend to be more aligned on a familial degree, unless specifically intended otherwise.)

Gaia, the High Elf, turned to Siva, [Now, it seems that we have our answer. Would you please lower your spirit and free me already? I’m really sorry for blowing your cover.]

For some reason, Siva was aligning this woman with Rafaela and Sefirah.

The three of them added a coquettish flare to all their actions, no matter how trivial and small they may be, for those were part of their natural gifts, part of their personality, part of who they are.

Gaia, the Oracle of the Circle of Magi, was a High Elf maiden gifted by mesmerizing characteristics distinctive of her race.

At that moment…

As soon as Scion acknowledged Gaia’s name, the game-part of RPG: Terroa received a change in its entirety.

*****

The world was once again thrown into a fervent roar of agitated excitement.

Because… for quite some time now, the first ever [System Announcement] ever since the event that changed Port City of Dragona, the City of Lights, in The North, suddenly appeared again.

When was the last time this happened?

It was around two months ago… before the time when Siva logged (back) in to Terroa.

Back then, the operators of RPG: Terroa threw a few [System Announcement]s here and there to ignite the fire of gaming in the hearts of the fans.

Whenever they threw it out, they would always make an announcement about a new patch, a new product, or a new [event] that will leave all of the players crying tears of joy in excitement.

It’s because for every [System Announcement], at least something new and unique to the game will be announced.

This time, however, was not an exception.

*****

For those players who were not in the midst of a battle, they all saw a red [System Announcement] in bold letters and blinking neon color appear in their visions.

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[System Announcement]

[A new dawn is approaching! The long lost Elven Race, legendary existences with the greatest of affinity with Mana, had been discovered by an adventurer! New and old players can now select the Elven Race as their starting Race. Pave your own path. Enjoy the great sights of Terroa and be your own legend as you create your own history!]

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The Elves: Direct descendants of the Goddess Elvira, Goddess of Flora and the Rain. Having great affinity with Mana from the day they are born, they have nigh-infinite lifespans that depended on the level of Affinity that they have with Mana. But as long as their lifespans are, their reproduction rate is low as well and so there are only a few of them being born every year cycle.

Racial Trait:

*Can only add the 100 extra stat points to MNA, STA, and/or DEX

*Can only use Bows, Staves, Rapiers, Orbs, and Wands as weapon

*Can only start at designated starting cities in the Southern Continent of Heartilia

*Can only wear Leather, Cloth, and Light Armors

*Gets additional buff of 20% MNA when in a body of water or surrounded by trees and greenery

*Gets the Racial Ability: [Nature Spring] when in a forest or a body of water, allowing players to bind their enemies and stun them for 5 seconds. Can only be used once a day; Drains 100% Mana Pool

*Grants additional 20% stat bonus to MNA

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[System Announcement]

[The description in the Maven Race in the starting player options has been updated!]

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The Maven: Terrans who descended from the bloodline of royal ethnicity; had immense intellectual knowledge but had weaker physical prowess. Said to have been direct cousins of The Elves because of one eccentric Elven Royalty that married a Muan Princess. In the past, when the Terran-Human Alliance was established, a small feud erupted from the Maven Tribe and the Elven Race’s representatives because of this history.

Grants: +15% stat bonus to INT and +5% to MNA.

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The racial traits are absolutely balanced; with the great additional buff for MNA, most of the Users that will choose this race would become rangers.

Noteworthy though is the fact that it has race-lock specific equipment requirements.

Players that will choose Elves as their race are all bound to be eye-candies; classic side characters for protagonists seen in dramas and novels.

They are actually expected to be better looking than the universal charmers… the Apollo Race.

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A racial feud born of difference?

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(AN: please don’t get confused. In Volume 1, ‘Elf’ is the slang for a player style that uses a bow and magic together. Now, we finally have real Elves but the player style will remain the same. Also, let me clear your confusions first: in Vol.4 and here, in Vol.6, I’ve reiterated that Terroa is first a planet filled with Muan refugees oppressed by Dragon Race and was saved by the True Terrans that had gone extinct or in hiding, until the founding of The Terran-Human Alliance; composed of the original Muans + Terrans + Humans. Please bear in mind that in Vol.5, and at start of Vol.6, I also stated that Terroa is the last planet made by our very own Goddess Terra. Janus, in Vol.5 had put the [key] to unlock the [cage] that sealed the last Gods and Immortals… unknown to him that they have all already been corrupted… but still said that he had arranged it to protect the planet that Terra had treasured the most. That said, it was easy to string together these clues: the “Terrans” in the Terran-Human Alliance are these people living in the [Inner Continents] that we have only tackled sparingly so far. The connection between Janus and Terra in regards to this planet will be clearer in the coming chapters so please be on the look out. It’s really hard to create a lore as detailed as this one. I had to check and recheck my Blueprint while also reviewing past chapters and reading through the entire volume 4 to 6 in order to not miss out any open knots. Whew! But rest assured, starting on this point onwards, we will be mentioning them more often the deeper we dig on the ‘truth’ of this world that is called Terroa! We are closing in on the end of the entire Arc………… around three more volumes!).

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