From the Beginning
Page 9
With an otherworldly shout of fury Dante did not stop attacking the large imp who was again in his weakened state taking double damage and before he realized it Dante had him down to ten percent health even before the weakened state wore off. Upon hitting ten percent Targith stood up quickly throwing Dante back while stomping around and turning a deep burnt red color.
Grabbing the chains of a few of the slaves Targith ripped the ends that were staked to the ground out and began swinging two of them around as the other slaves and Dante both looked on in horror. Using them as a makeshift weapon Targith ran with thundering footfalls in Dante’s direction. Dante though shocked by the scene in front of him kept his wits about him and managed to move out of the way of the incoming body of one of the slaves just before they were slammed into the ground where he was standing moments before.
With a sickening crunch Dante didn’t need to look back to know that if the slave had been alive before they were not alive now. Running around as Targith chased him it did not take long for Dante to realize that unlike the ability in the game this one did not seem to disappear after a time. He was doubly shocked when he went into stealth with Shadows of Chaos and Chief Targith seemed to know where he was still continuing to chase him.
Understanding that he would not last long Dante decided to end the game of cat and mouse after getting some distance by triggering Chaos Dash once to get far enough away from Targith before turning around and triggering it twice more to Targith’s surprise and managing to stop just behind the legendary beast. Not wanting to lose the critical attack chance while Targith was confused Dante burned through his remaining stamina and mana to drop Chief Targith to two percent. Once Targith reached two percent he stopped in his tracks and slumped over in a prone state allowing Dante to finish him off with several basic attacks screaming the whole time in rage and ignoring the prompts as they appeared.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 31.08
Attack Power:114
Defense Power:296
Health:1674/1674
Mana:812/812
Stamina:611/611
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +4
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+14 Hidden Circlet of Chaos
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+14 Leather Shoes of Chaos
L Earring slot Empty
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Burst of Chaotic Blades
Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:24.01
Attack Power:102
Defense Power:242
Health:1622/1622
Stamina:804/804
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +1
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Chapter Fifteen
It took both Terrance and Erchik to pull Dante off of the corpse of the chief when they arrived. With Dante launching one more Intertwined Fates at the dead imp Chief before coming to his senses. Looking around with the rage draining away Dante saw message after message in front of his eyes.
Congratulations! You have completed the achievement: Getting Stronger Every Day!
Upon hitting level 30 you may choose one reward from those listed below.
Mystery stone A randomly generated crystal to enhance gear.
Mystery rare or better gear A randomly selected piece of gear of rare grade or better.
+10 skill points 10 more skill points to spend on available skills.
Congratulations! You have completed the hidden quest: Sworn Vengeance!
Upon swearing to defeat Legendary Beast: Chief Targith and completing the task you have activated the hidden quest Sworn Vengeance! and your actions today will affect the world going forward.
Effect: Legendary Beast: Chief Targith will no longer spawn
Reward: 4,000,000 exp, 10,000,000 gold, and +18Imp Chief Hide Armor +30% Damage Reduction
Congratulations! You have killed another legendary beast and earned the title: Legendary Beast Hero
Warning!
Upon picking up Imp Chief Hide Armor it has instantly fused with your uniquely magical armor and added its stats and abilities to your armors current stats and abilities.
“Well there goes that plan” Dante said with a huff having planned to give the armor to Terrance.
Looking over at the remains of the legendary beast then quickly looking away Dante spoke quietly to Terrance “You can have any loot that trash has on him. I am done.” Then turning away he directed Erchik, the slaves, and the other imps who were pouring in to follow him out to the courtyard.
Once everyone was gathered outside Dante stepped onto the staircase overlooking the gathered crowd and cleared his throat before speaking up with a raspy voice “Chief Targith is dead and will never return,” which caused a roar of cheers from both slaves and most of the imps in attendance. After the noise died down he continued “I understand that everyone here was affected by the cruelty and greediness of that beast to different degrees.” Nods of agreement and shouts of harms done rose up only briefly until Dante raised his hand and went on “I know what this land once was like, and would like to see that it become such again in the near future. It will be difficult and will take the work of both humans and Imps to achieve.” Outpouring of angry yells rose from the crowd before Dante launched a harmless Chaotic Blast into the sky silencing everyone.
“This is not an order of a new dictator, nor is it a simple suggestion. This is fact!” He stared them down as if pinning them down with his eyes alone before speaking with a stronger more concise tone “Harm has been done by the imps but due to their leader and the inability to defeat him they were also harmed. Their choices and actions were not the best, but they did as anyone would do and made due. Now with that said from this day forward no slaves will exist in this kingdom. Human and imps will learn to work together and rebuild or fall together. Anyone,” he said staring daggers at some of the people and imps who looked like they may cause trouble “anyone who thinks that they cannot manage to overcome the past and grow will leave or face me now.”
Again shouts erupted and again he silenced them with a well-placed Chaotic Blast into the air “I do have to mention though that not only is this not the first or last Legendary Beast to die at my hands, but I am also an Adventurer and even if you somehow managed to kill me I would just keep coming back for everyone who wished to sow discord in these lands.”
Silence greeted him after a large gasp was let out by the crowd at this news. Directing Erchik and Terrance over to him Dante pulled them both up beside him and stood proudly with one on either side “These two are my friends and companions. They are people of this world and not Adventurers. Use them as an example and learn from the tyranny of Chief Targith’s reign. I would like a representative chosen by both humans and imps to step forward now. Ones willing to grow and learn and work toget
her to better the lives of all.”
Taking more than a few moments as Dante expected it would the two representatives came forth each one looking at Dante’s group with awe and offering polite bows of respect.
“Emrice is my name sir,” the older gentleman from the cell said as he lifted his head from the bow. “I believe we spoke briefly in the cell.”
Dante nodded recognizing the voice “Pleased to put a face to the name.” Before turning to the imp and nodding at him for an introduction while offering a gentle smile.
“Me name Argeck Chief Slayer” the imp announced pressing a closed fist to his chest and bowing more deeply.
Smiling again and nodding acknowledgment Dante and the imp helped Emrice onto the ledge for the leaders to be seen. “These are now your representatives. They will work together to lead you from this day forward. Should they fail, fall ill, or parish I expect you to pick leaders after them who will uphold the roles going forward to better help both your peoples.”
Cheers and shouts of encouragement range throughout the courtyard once Dante was done speaking. In the back as Dante had expected there were small groups of either only humans or only imps who sneered at him before heading out the gates and away from the celebrations. Having had enough of it himself, Dante helped down the old man and with Terrance and Erchik accompanying him he made his own way off of the castle grounds and away from the people. This time unlike with Terrance, Dante was not nearly as surprised to see Erchik listed as having joined the party.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 31.08
Attack Power:114
Defense Power:296
Health:1674/1674
Mana:812/812
Stamina:611/611
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +4
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+14 Hidden Circlet of Chaos
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+14 Leather Shoes of Chaos
L Earring slot Empty
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Burst of Chaotic Blades
Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:24.01
Attack Power:102
Defense Power:242
Health:1622/1622
Stamina:804/804
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +1
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Erchik: Crossbowman
Level:26.00
Attack Power:97
Defense Power:191
Health:1255/1255
Stamina:647/647
Attack Speed +1
Casting Speed +0
Critical Hit +3
Movement Speed +1
Chapter Sixteen
Once they were far enough out of the city that Dante could look back without seeing the lights any longer they stopped for the night and made camp. They made camp in a forest area just out of reach of an old worn down road heading south. Noise was absent from this part of the forest as everything seemed to have taken the night off as the trio sat around the fire quietly eating some rations. Before long Dante took the first watch letting the other two get rest since he was otherwise unable to sleep after the events of the day.
Looking up at the starry moonless skies Dante kept reliving the hell he saw in the throne room. Over and over again he saw what the Chief of the imps had done to the people. Of all the parts that stood out, the one he found the most horrid was the sight of the human slave being used as an impromptu weapon, that alone shook him the most. Shivering to his core Dante was distracted by his thoughts when he was suddenly tossed aside by something large followed by a roar of anger from the unseen assailant.
His companions though quick to rise were subdued by a purple haze that seemed to knock them unconscious as a shadowy figure loomed of Dante. As Dante tried to stand a clawed foot stomped him to the ground nearly removing what was left of his health points and pinned him in place.
Two sets of glowing green eyes looked down at him from the blurry shadow that had him pinned and spoke in a gravelly tone “So the Adventurers have returned have they?”
Kicking Dante aside leaving him with a single health point left and unable to move as the owner of the voice cackled with mirth “If you return from death come find the imp cave within three days, and we can discuss the return of your friends.”
Without warning something hit Dante and a window popped up:
Warning! You have died!
Killed by Imp Warrior
All exp for this level has been reset to 0%. Would you like to respawn at a nearby town or node?
Town/Node?
Not wanting to waste time Dante hit Town and as before he respawned in a bright flash. Looking around he panicked seeing that he was back in Fort and though people were rushing towards him with shouts of confusion and worry Dante didn’t stop to answer anyone, knowing he would have to move fast if he were to reach the deadline set by the creature. Triggering Shadows of Chaos to increase his movement speed Dante ran on into the night not stopping to fight wild creatures or stopping to rest for any longer than needed to regenerate his stamina and mana as he ran.
All the while curing himself for not having thought that one of the imp groups may have set some sort of trap for him outside of town. He’d also remembered something about a small camp of imps living in a cave along that road with a Legendary Beast but for the life of him the details kept slipping his mind.
Running while triggering his ability and stopping only when absolutely necessary Dante made it back to the remains of their camp in two days’ time. Not being a ranger class he could not track well but there was enough evidence pointing east that Dante figured it would lead him the closest to where his friends had been taken. Scouring the ground as he went he noticed at one point where one of his friends must have woken up and struggled before being beaten into submission. Blood spots could be seen along the ground as he picked up the pace and double-checked his party stats to see that both Terrance and Erchik were alive though Terrance was down to less than thirty percent health now.
Panic setting in again Dante stopped triggering Shadows of Chaos and instead used Chaos Dash shooting through the forest at breakneck speeds dipping through bushes and barely dodging trees as he launched himself closer to a looming rock face. Looking around Dante knew he should have tried to follow the trail because now there were no signs of either his friends or a cave.
Hoping that he was right in his memory he sped off to the right in hopes of stumbling onto the cave. After about fifteen minutes he dashed into a small group of level twenty to thirty imps and without a thought dispatched them one after another as his anger overtook him. Though as he calmed a bit he looked around and saw that he was standing in front of a cave entrance that was barely hidden by overgrown vines.
Now that he was thinking calmly he downed his la
st few mana and stamina potions and triggered Shadows of Chaos and slunk into the dark cave. Inside was dimly lit and after a few minutes traveling at his increased stealthed speed he could hear the chatter of imps and the scraping of feet on the ground as they moved about their business. Thinking that it would be best not to try to fight his way in Dante stopped in small crevices along the wall and reactivated his skill as he moved deeper and deeper into the caves.
Before long though he came to a central chamber with a large fire surrounded by Imps and three large totems evenly spaced around it with the leader of this group sitting crossed legged in front of the fire. Instinctively Dante inspected the leader and was not too surprised with what he saw:
Legendary Beast: Imp Wiseman
Level: 72
Health: 145,000/145,000
Moments later the Imp Wiseman spoke while looking in Dante’s direction “It would seem the tales were true and an Adventurer has come back to set this world back on the right course.” Then standing up and motioning Dante over “Come sit with me, and we shall talk. I will have your friends brought out and the human healed. If you listen, and we talk I can make it worth your time.”
Secret Quest!
The Imp Wiseman wishes to talk to you peacefully. Promising to heal your injured party member and bring them safely to you upon agreeing to the peaceful discussion. Also, offering a reward if you listen to him and give him a chance to speak.
Reward: Unknown
Do you accept: Yes/No?
Figuring he had nothing left to lose Dante dropped the stealth and walked over sitting just out of reach of the legendary beast and nodded his acceptance. Taking this as a good sign the Imp Wiseman sat back down and looked into the fire a moment before speaking.