Dalgor

We were walking on a wide pavement road, which seemed to be made of limestone-like materials, with street lamps on each sides. It was similar as the ones we found in real life. But when I looked at it intently, it was some kind of magic stone that emitted the light. It might be byproduct of their mining industry, and it was probably the same stone which was shining in the dark sky above.

"I see..."

Some buildings were lost parts of their structure. Something surely happened in this place a long time ago, and Hagwim definitely knew what had happened. However, I didn't ask. Because something more urgent was going to happen in Heallance.

"Why are they showing up now, huh? Could it be he's trying to rebuild the Dark Army?" Hagwim muttered as he put his hand on his beard.

'So Beleth is the one who created the Dark Army.'

"Do you know who Beleth is?"

"That. I don't know." Hagwim shook his head. "When the war ended, I tried to find information about him. But, I found nothing. He's like a ghost. No one in Heallance knows about him except us, the ones who fought him in the last battle."

Beleth.

From what I read online, he was the 13th demon kings of Solomon with 85 legions of lesser demons served under him. He was fierce and powerful, and he shouldn't be summoned by amateur conjurer. But, he could grant you any wish when you summoned him. Well, it was common for demons to grant a wish in exchange of something.

However, lores were often different in games and stories. Some authors often blatantly made their own version of stories or characters different from the source materials, so their story could be considered as original.

I liked to find this kind of knowledge in games nonetheless. It was fun to explore the lores by myself and learn something new from them. I was addicted by the stories of the unknown.

I tried to dig some more information from Hagwim.

"How about the Dark Army? What are they exactly?"

When he was about to answer, he looked at me hesitantly.

"The Dark Army is... Corrupted Aphu."

"Corrupted Aphu?"

"Yes. And they can also corrupt the other kin as well. But originally, they were Aphu."

'I see. They seem really troublesome. If the war happens in the future, NPCs will definitely join the war and they can be corrupted at some point.'

The war would take a very long time considering the Dark Army might increase their numbers within the battlefield. It would be a disadvantage to fight alongside the NPCs. However, the war wouldn't happen anytime soon. So I just put the thought aside and kept following Hagwim as I was looking around.

I saw Mirage behind me, she seemed also enjoying the scenery of Dalgor. And then she smiled when she noticed me looking at her. I smiled back at her awkwardly.

Along the way, I caught multiple glimpse of shadows in the corner of my eyes. But I ignored them as I noticed something that piqued my interest the most.

I saw a grand structure ahead, which seemed to be a dwarven castle. It was still intact and in a very good condition.

The exterior, the wall, the enterance, the interior... They were uniquely designed. It was grandeur and majestic in dwarven way.

As we went into a hallway which led downward, Hagwim opened his mouth.

"Anyway, come to think of it. You're one of the new heroes, right laddie?"

"Y-yes..."

"Perhaps, the Dark Army will attack sooner than I expected."

"Dark Army will attack?"

"Summoned heroes. Beleth and Uruzak. Those are enough clues to guess that the upcoming war will come soon enough."

I was just thinking that possibility a moment ago. And it seemed I was right. Curious, I immediately opened the system and checked the BBS. I was too focused on my grinding and didn't read the news at all. And of course, the news about the Dark Army was filled all over the internet.

'The First Main Event!'

Long story short, Aradun got a quest about people kept missing mysteriously on Kovelack Mountain Range. Then he found a Dark Army Scout riding a tamed beast. He eventually beat them and brought their heads to Ghaldaran Kingdom. Thus, it triggered the main event story.

The news spread so fast and made every players hyped. Some who lack behind were trying to hunt regularly so they could participate the war. Everyone sought fame and honor, competitively against each other to show that they were the best in Heallance. It was the same for guilds, they wanted to be most powerful guild in Heallance.

"The world will be in danger once more."

He sighed and stroked his beard.

"I just want to let you know. I was there a thousand year ago...

The Dark Army, every single one of them had a strength of my golem you just defeated. But they were faster, skillful using weapons, and pretty durable. Their mages had powerful spells. Also, they could cast a spell to corrupt and change us to become one of them.

There were also beast masters who brought unknown monsters which strength equivalent to demi-dragons.

And their commander... They're as strong as Giants. As fear embraced us, we felt so powerless. And the battlefield became a one-sided massacre in an instant.

But then... a miracle happened. A group of hooded men came to the battlefield. Lights were illuminating the sky as they raised their hand. And then our brethren who had fallen, were resurrected back to life. We also couldn't be corrupted by them. Our morale was rising significantly in an instant. We continued fighting until the end. And then, you know the rest of the story."

"A group of hooded men? This is the first time I heard about them."

"Yeah, just like Beleth and Uruzak. Very few knows about them. After the war ended, they're mysteriously disappeared."

"I see..."

'There is so many mysteries that happened a long time ago. Beleth and Uruzak, Dark Army, a group of hooded men, Belgram and Melleth, the plague. And then the mystery of the secret experiment by Alkronia and Ghaldaran which happened 500 years later.'

As I was about to fall deep in thought, Hagwim asked me some questions.

"So, what do you want to do next? Are you planning on going to Alkronia? Or maybe Ghaldaran? And then join the war?"

"I... don't know that yet." I sighed. "Finding her parents is still my number one priority. Even though I'm not going, there are still hundreds or even thousands of new heroes out there that will participate the war eagerly. Also, I'm not really worthy to be called a hero. Because if what you just said about the Dark Army is true, then I'm not even strong enough to kill one of them. There's no point even if I join the war or not. So I guess, I better stay low-key and secretly follow their track."

'The strongest player so far has an average stats of 250 points. So they'll probably win the war eventually. I really do want to participate, though. But my status window says otherwise.'

"You're right, laddie. Pursuing Beleth and Uruzak in shadow is probably a good idea. They are the ones controlling the Dark Army, so defeating them will definitely end the war immediately. But they are far stronger than the Dark Army. Do you really still want to chase them?"

"I will be real. I already met them so I already know how strong they are. I know my own limit. However, if I happen to fight them in the future, then I'm not going to give up that easily."

"I see. Then, do you have any clue about their location?"

"Well, about that. As long as I follow her parents track, we will eventually meet them somewhere. Somehow, I think they're connected with them."

"Laddie, I really admire you. You acknowledge your own capability, yet you still try to save Heallance in secret. You seek no fame or honor. For me, you are already proving yourself to be a true hero." Hagwim smiled, but then he let out a deep sigh. "I really do want to help you, but... You know, I have no body."

As he ended his words, we arrived at the jail. Inside one of the cells, there was a skeleton. It was wearing the same armor as Hagwim.

"Ohhh..."

Hagwim sighed in sadness as he grabbed the bars and fell on his knees. He looked deeply in sorrow.

It was sad to see his astral figure who was looking at his physical remains. I wondered if his past kept flashing in his mind at the moment. The memories I didn't know of, yet I could still feel them in his emotions.

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

I was doubting, because there might be a risk for doing it. Regardless of the consequences, I was also very interested by the idea.

"Sir Hagwim. Would you mind if you can be one with your body again? Though I'm not sure if it works or not."

Hagwim immediately turned around.

"You can do that!?" He looked at me in shock. His eyes were wide open. "I mean yes. I'm intrigued."

I nodded and called the Soul Cubic. Looking at the cubic, he was amazed. He observed it curiously.

"What's this?"

"It's a Soul Cubic. Get in here so I can try the experiment."

He looked hesitant at first, but then Hagwim nodded. He was soon being absorbed by the cubic.

Once his soul was in, I entered the cell and stood in front of his body. Then I put my hand on his remains.

You used Astral Infuse

You succeeded!

Your class proficiency has risen from Beginner to Intermediate

New Job Exclusive Skills have been unlocked!

・・・

Narnuka Hills

A group of seven people was walking on a hill, trying to go to their usual hunting spot. However, a party of ten people already occupied the place.

"Damn fat Americans, why are they here?"

One of the American's guild member noticed the party who came closer towards them.

"Oh look, dog-eater bunch." A light-armored sleethar immediately mocked them.

"What did you say!?" The heavy armored human's face became red as he heard his insult.

"Hahaha... It seems you need to buy hearing aids."

"You bastard! I'll kill you fuckers!"

The heavy armored human was pulling out his sword in anger, and then the other did it as well. Their guild wasn't in a war, but it was still being called as guild war by some people. PvP was going to happen between the two guilds, however...

"Stop. Calm down." One of them stopped the angered man by putting his hand on his shoulder.

"Let me go! I'll give them a fucking lesson!"

"I TOLD YOU CALM DOWN!" He shouted in whisper.

"..."

He was then talking in whisper to the party members.

"Don't get baited in useless guild war. We cannot lose any more time. And we also cannot lose some of our stats, even if it's just a low chance, at least be more thoughtful to prevent that possibility. Furthermore, we are outnumbered. And if we continue this nonsense, we can lose a great amount of rewards from the main event. We must not think only a step, but multiple steps ahead. Do you want to take responsibility if we don't win the first main event?"

He asked as he glared every one of them.

"..." Everyone was silent.

His words were strong, and it showed that he truly had the authority to order them all. Of course, he was one of the captain of their guild. It was his responsibility to nurture them. After all, their guild was also aiming the first position of the strongest guild.

"You're right. Sorry." The triggered man apologized.

"Then, let's just leave and go to another hunting spot. We'll show them later in the real battlefield."

Seeing the other party turned around, the American group was confused. It was strange to see their usual behavior of fighting everything that triggered their anger had changed.

"Hey where are you pigs going? You're all scared?"

They left without words.

"Yeah you better know your place, filthy bastards!"

"Ceh." One of his friend scoffed. "Fucking Chinese, they unexpectedly calm."

"Yeah. Since the Grand Meeting is still on going, every guild is being cautious and carefully not making any wrong moves."

"I don't understand why they're so serious. It's just a game. We should enjoy it and do whatever we want."

"You're damn right. Shall we go to Lawless City and trigger some chaotic players?"

"Good idea. It's getting pretty boring in here."

"Hahaha let's go have some fun!"

・・・

Halmanir Mountain

A light-armored man was walking up a steep road. Far behind him, a robed female elf followed him.

"Oppa! Wait for me!" the elven woman shouted.

However, the man was not even turning his head and kept moving forward.

"Aish... This man always do what he wants!"

"Let him be, Byul-sshi."

A heavy armored Gigant tried to calm her down. However, the elven woman kept ranting.

"I'm so gonna punch him right in the face."

"You're so scary, eonnie. Kekekeke..." A light armored female dwarf chuckled.

"Ahh noona. You're a woman, please be a bit feminine." Added a light armored male sleethar.

"You wanna have some too!?"

Hearing the sleethar insult, the elven woman hit him with her staff.

"Aahhh have mercy, noona!"

'I'm playing with kids.'

The gigant put his hand on his forehead and sighed.

"Anyway, isn't it the time that our guild master attending another Grand Meeting?" The female dwarf asked.

"Ah right, it's today, isn't it?" The elven woman immediately stopped hitting the sleethar.

"I hope it will be going well this time..." The gigant folded his arms.

"Well, we need to focus on our quest. Guild Master entrusted this important job to us." The female dwarf put her fists in front of her chest.

"You're right. As long as we succeed, we will definitely lead the event."

As the gigant said those words, they fastened their pace to catch up with the light armored human.

・・・

Tagran Fortress

It was located between Alkronia and Ghaldaran territory border.

It was where the Grand Meeting was happening. One by one the attendant was entering the fortress which was guarded very tightly by NPCs.

Inside a big room in the fortress, top fifty guild masters were sitting around a wide square table. The meeting was led by top ten great guilds. And the topic of their discussion was about the First Main Event, The Dark Army.

"Everyone's here?"

A light armored human asked while his gaze was checking the table. Some of the guild masters gaze also wandering left and right. After seeing all the chairs were occupied, he continued...

"Alright. Let's start our discussion."