Aeon Chronicles Online_Book 1_Devil's Deal

by Dante Sakurai

  Rowan sighed. How did he get manipulated so easily? He grabbed her breast and pinched her nipple and decided: Yes, he needed her. Not anyone else. He needed the odd, infuriating, beautiful girl known as Gabrielle. He couldn’t understand the attraction but it was there—strong and needy. He couldn’t discard her even if he wanted, not just because she was the only dark support who could heal dark characters. She held all the leverage here.

  She waited patiently, a little smile on her pink lips. “So?”

  He said, voice neutral though strained, “You will be my little fucktoy when I want it. I want an at least fifty percent say on what gets built and how it’s run…” His eyes narrowed. “And I want you in real life.” Yes. A good demand. A primal part of his psyche demanded it.

  Gabrielle’s jaw sagged and her features twisted. Genuine surprise. “Huh? Why real life?” Her brows furrowed and she pointed her finger at him. “You’re not planning on killing me, are you?! You’ll regret it!”

  Now it was his turn to be surprised. The thought of permanently hurting her in real life was… Discomforting. A weird curling sensation settled into his stomach at the thought. He didn’t like it. “No, I’m not planning on hurting you. For some reason I don’t understand, I just want you in real life,” he said, looking her in the eyes.

  “Hmmmm…” Gabrielle considered him, calculating. “Accompany me to our private game launch party and I’ll think about it. If you turn out to be a meanie or bad at sex I’m chopping your fingers off!”

  Rowan scowled. Over a year of in-game time away. Though he was still a real-life month away from release and then he’d be stuck in… A safe-house because of the plan. Shit. He couldn’t promise her that. Teeth gritting, Rowan shrugged. Blast it. He’ll find a way—somehow. “Fine. Deal?”

  Gabrielle stared at him for half a minute more with a half-serious, half-childish face and nodded. “Okie dokie. Deal. Ya have my loyalty and my body!”

  Definitely a win-win. The only dark support in exchange for co-rulership. She needed him for an army and that put him in an advantageous position if she ever pulls a betrayal.

  She said a second later, “Stop being lazy and get on with ya ritual! I got a private message just then. One of the other dark players is outside fighting a group of level 190s. Dunno if they have the right keystone or not.”

  “Shit,” he breathed and cut his right palm after grabbing a health potion. He dragged the knife through the black mark with little pain. Blood mixed with the strange black substance, forming a dark-red, sticky goo. He didn’t waste another second as he carved the dark language into Gabrielle’s skin. Her face didn’t flinch in pain a single time, always focused on him, that usual tiny smile on her lips. And he couldn’t help but imagine himself ravishing her petite, curvy figure.

  * * *

  Gabrielle memorized every little twitch and twist of Rowan’s face as he worked on her body. He was more difficult to read than most of the dumb animals out there but he had a long way to go till he mastered his emotions. Same with her—though Rowan didn’t appear to be able to read her well. He often showed much confusion when interacting with her. That made him easy to play. Easy to get what she wanted: this continent and this world and the order’s praise. She’d let him have his way with her if he wanted. Maybe he’d even make her orgasm though it was unlikely. Few of her toys could do it. True pleasure came in fleeting or uncontrollable bouts like most other feelings.

  But one thing was troubling: why did he want to fuck in real-life? It made no sense. This virtual world felt exactly the same as the real world down to the smallest nerve. The human brain couldn’t tell the difference. And the virtual world augmentations allowed for much greater sexual pleasure. Higher stamina. More intense feelings. The VR pods could stimulate the brain in ways the physical body couldn’t. Gabrielle masked a face-scrunch at the thought. Rowan had to be planning something to take away her continent. He couldn’t be trusted. No one could. Only the strong survive and trust was double-edged, more often a weakness than strength.

  Those nano-tech muscle, bone, and skin augmentations the order had finished perfecting the other month sounded good right now. It’d make for a jaunty surprise—if Rowan tried to pull something on her. Like a knife to the eye. A silent, faceless giggle rattled in her head. Some fingers would definitely be coming off!

  Though if Rowan actually just wanted to have real-life sex then so be it. He’ll just have to settle for disappointment after realizing pleasure was so much better in this virtual world. Too bad the other dark-class guys wouldn’t touch her. And most of the monkey-brained NPCs made her want to vomit. In fact… Rowan was the first guy to continue showing any interest after a sharing a conversation with her. Huh.

  And come to think of it, her not-a-meanie mother would be happy to know she’d finally found a real friend. If that’s what Rowan was… What was a friend? What counted as one? The questions still hadn’t been answered in over a decade. The girl who had been assigned as her pretend-sister the other year was friendly enough. Ah, what was her name? Gabrielle blanked and mentally shrugged. It didn’t matter either way. Most so-called friends were of little use to her or the order. And the order was everything. They controlled everything in the real world. Everything. Like the Draconian King, the order was absolute. Rowan was useful to the order—for now—and Gabrielle had to make sure that forecast came true. Too much was riding on this convoluted, awesome plan.

  And she had to acknowledge: he wasn’t that much of a stupid animal. Quite cute of a face and body—though his hair was a different color than in real life. Smart when he calmed down. Uncle Vincent didn’t hate him so there’s that. Maybe sex with him would actually be better than with her crafted toys. A one in a hundred chance, however. Her core throbbed in false hope. She’d bite off his pinky if he ends up lasting less than a minute.

  Gabrielle floated her attention back to Rowan as he carved into her chest. Half-done now. This Necromancer ritual was much lamer than the Witch-Doctor one. All she had to do was lie down like a corpse while Rowan practiced his handwriting. Lame lame lame. Boring. The ritual didn’t even require a potion to be crafted. The Necromancer class better not be as terrible as this…

  Rowan’s eyes kept drifting to her breasts and pussy. Gabrielle spread her legs a little more and laughed inside as Rowan’s hand nearly slipped. Hehehe.

  “Just wait till we’re done here you little slut,” he growled.

  Big words boy. Big words. Gabrielle’s head tingled in anticipation. She shrugged her eyebrows. “Ya certainly talk big! Ya better not disappoint!”

  He blinked, tugs of surprise pulling at his face. “Tch, just stay still.”

  “Kay.” She giggled for him, quarter genuine.

  Rowan made another expression and mumbled something but a notification vibrated at the bottom-left. Another personal message.

  Not Insane: What is happening in there? Why the fuck did you call for me when you don’t even fucking help?!

  Not Insane was the crazed, super-angry one who played a high-agility, super-speed assassin class. Good for stalling. He was fun to tease.

  Gabby LeMort: Tea Party. Water boiling :)

  Hehehe.

  Not Insane: Fuck you.

  Gabby LeMort: literally?

  Not Insane: No you crazy bitch.

  Gabby LeMort: Hey! You’re the crazy one, you silly.

  He didn’t respond. Not after ten seconds. Not after twenty.

  Not Insane: Portal’d out. On your own. Their support brought a case of keystones so good luck. Couldn’t get to her. Peace.

  Not good. “Uh oh,” Gabrielle said out loud. That case could contain a Necromancer’s Keystone—unlikely because that cabinet was stocked with scrolls. But stupid animals were usually careless and lazy.

  “What?” Rowan said. He was close to finishing the engravings.

  How to begin without panicking Rowan? He usually reacted badly to this kind of stuff. “Ah… Good work!”

  He nodded a
fter a moment, now carving into her cheek. The dagger tickled as she checked her friend list.

  Ambiguous was also online. She could create a special wormhole to the temple with her Arcane-Dark skills and put up a bunch of obstacles. Chaos-Mystic. A damage dealing mage but also a distantly quasi-support with a lot of zone control and utility skills. Not as dark as the others but still technically dark. She was the sanest out of the lot.

  Focusing Water-Dark mana, Gabrielle sampled the magical signature of this temple and attached it to a personal message.

  [Attachment] Gabby LeMort (To Ambiguous Pain): Heeeeey… kinda need a distraction here. Temple signature attached.

  A reply in four seconds.

  Ambiguous Pain: lol did Insane die?

  Gabby LeMort: Nah, he ran away like a doggie.

  Ambiguous Pain: What a coward. Doesn’t even put his life on the line for the only support!

  Ambiguous Pain: OMW BTW. Channeling now.

  Gabby LeMort: Yippie!

  Ambiguous Pain: You owe me a set of Draughts for this.

  Ugh. Gabrielle was extremely low on ingredients.

  Gabby LeMort: Kay.

  Ambiguous’ location changed from a common boss location in the eastern continent to West GreenWood in Gabrielle’s friend list.

  About freaking time! She definitely needed better cast-speed gear. Perhaps some more raid-crashing with her…

  Ambiguous Pain: I’m here high above. Started off with a Temporal Rift and High Gravity Zone to slow them down. Their support is still topping up their party outside. She’s only level 92.

  Gabby LeMort: Snipe her! Snipe her!

  Easy pickings.

  Ambiguous Pain: Can’t. They have a 198 Paladin, their highest by far. He’s got a life link up. If Insane couldn’t take her out then I definitely can’t. I think one died though. Six left.

  Gabby LeMort: Awww…

  In retrospect, Gabrielle should’ve called for both Insane and Ambiguous at the same time. Even if they didn’t work well together. She hadn’t expected a full balanced party to show up so fast. But there they were. Outside and with a case of keystones. As the five’s de-facto leader, Gabrielle was the highest leveled and most experienced in the game. Her ability as a tactician was decent but often sub-par in situations like these. She’d often underestimate or overestimate the opponent. It was difficult to gauge a monkey’s ability. Like hiding a dark temple with a low-level town built atop it. Now that was insanely dumb.

  Ambiguous Pain: They’re nearing the entrance. Haven’t spotted me yet. I’m throwing every I got but that Paladin is good. He’s from those assholes at Light’s Justice.

  No! Gabrielle needed more time to make Rowan a man— Not a man… A Necromancer! The future of her glorious dark continent was at stake. “Are you done yet?” she asked Rowan, impatience leaking into her voice.

  “Eight and half more lines.”

  Lame. She chirped, “Take your time.”

  Gabby LeMort: Are they in?

  Ambiguous Pain: Just entered. Firing down the stairs from the trees. Just spotted me and they seem to be divided on whether to chase me or go in.

  Gabby LeMort: FIIIIGHT! Charge! Die for your support! I’ll give ya all the Arcane-Dark scrolls in the great library to the east if you hold them off!

  Gabrielle was going to anyway but a bargaining chip was a bargaining chip.

  Ambiguous Pain: What? That place is as fortified as the Water Mage Spire.

  Gabby LeMort: I’ll explain later! Just GO!

  Five seconds passed before Ambiguous responded, a teeny tiny sliver of worry cutting into Gabrielle’s belly.

  Ambiguous Pain: OMG! He’s a Fire-Dark or Ice-Dark isn’t he?

  Gabby LeMort: Go in and fight you cow! Almost done!

  Chaos-Mystics had long-range utility and zone control skills but all their damaging skills were medium to short range. It was a strange but interesting class design by the AI controller. Ambiguous seemed to like it at least.

  Ambiguous Pain: You tried to seduce him to win him over didn’t you? You sly bitch.

  “Done,” Rowan said, wiping his sweaty face.

  “Awesome! Now stab me!” Gabrielle roared.

  Rowan cut his palm once more with the dagger. His face muscles and neck tensed as the dagger flared in black and icy mana. Without hesitance, he plunged it into Gabrielle’s heart. Thanks to the Witch-Doctor Pain Attunement Passive, Gabrielle felt little pain as that strange black substance entered her bloodstream. A sensation unlike any other engulfed her mind as the sacrificial corruption spread through her body and emptied her health bar.

  She was left in the darkness with three popups.

  You have died! The dark gods commend you for your sacrifice!

  Respawning in 71 Hours and 59 Minutes

  Resurrection Stone Detected

  Would you like to use it now?

  World Boss Rowan Black has offered you an ascension to a World Boss

  Do you accept? (Warning. The ascension processes will consume 11 levels worth of character experience and lower every class skill tier by 1. Professions unchanged)

  Huh.

  Huh.

  Gabrielle stared, blinking at the last alert. Do it? Yes or no?

  She focused on the chat console and entered the command for flipping a coin.

  Chapter 15

  For Justice

  Jonathan Lee, also known as Jon BladeStrider in Aeon Chronicles, steered his Light Shard flying mount and checked his party list. Himself as the tank, one level 92 support, and five damage dealers—all still approaching the town on their land mounts. They were at least five or ten minutes away, riding in from the human capital in Greenwood.

  A fairly balanced party composition but the support was a weak link and a Shaman. Good for buffs and debuffs and auras but weaker when it came to healing, arguably the light version of Witch-Doctor. Gabby LeMort’s class. Jonathan’s ex-classmate. He suspected something off about her but nothing like this. She was pure evil inside despite that bubbly personality. Only a darkie could do this to a starter town.

  The remains of Stonehurst was death and destruction incarnate. Skeletons and corpses littered the roads within dispersing clouds of green poison. A blackened crater smoldered in the town center. The familiar black masonry of a dark temple jutted out of the earth. Jonathan knew his guild's idea of hiding a temple like this would one day backfire. And now it has. In potentially the worst way possible. LeMort was in there right now—with that newbie. Rowan. Though his appearance didn't match that of Rowan Black's, Jonathan had an incline it was indeed him. Rowan was an uncommon name and the rate of psychopathy or similar mental conditions was more uncommon.

  The remains of Stonehurst was death and destruction incarnate. Skeletons and corpses littered the roads within dispersing clouds of green poison. A blackened crater smoldered in the town center. The familiar black masonry of a dark temple jutted out of the earth. Jonathan knew his guild’s idea of hiding a temple like this would one day backfire. And now it has. In potentially the worst way possible. LeMort was in there right now—with that newbie. Rowan. Though his appearance didn’t match that of Rowan Black’s, Jonathan had an incline it was indeed him. Rowan was an uncommon name and the rate of psychopathy or similar mental conditions was more uncommon.

  Jonathan could still see and hear the day Rowan had murdered Max with uncanny clarity. Jonathan had stood there and done nothing. He’d saw Rowan approach Max with a scalpel in hand. He’d assumed Rowan was after paper towels despite the one unused towel laying on his workstation. He’d been too naive and trusting. It was his duty as a school council member to watch out for his fellow students and he’d failed them all. Especially when the dean had personally asked him to keep Rowan company and be extra-vigilant the day before. He’d failed and now had to live with the consequences.

  But worse of all… He’d watched for those three long years of Rowan’s torment at Max’s hands. And done absolutely nothing after the teachers had promis
ed to intervene but didn’t. If Jonathan had been asked to testify in the court case, he would’ve told the judge it was as much of his fault as it was Rowan’s. Because it was true. He’d done nothing when could have. Useless.

  But he was going to do something this time. Even if it was just a game, just a world filled with advanced AI, he wouldn’t fail again. He wouldn’t fail the innocent players and his guild Light’s Justice that stood for all good in this world. Jonathan wouldn’t allow more unjust suffering to take place. It was all too real. It felt real and identical to reality down to the smallest details. If he didn’t know better, he would say this is reality.

  LeMort must be stopped and defeated wherever she attacked like the evil, wandering boss she pretended to be. And if Rowan was beyond redemption, him too.