The Way of the Clan 3 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  Yeah— if this were the real world, you’d need a little splash of gasoline to make the raw wood catch fire. Here, everything was easier.

  Achievement!

  You’ve achieved “Pyro” of the First Rank!

  See the table of obtained achievements in the settings for your character.

  Your reward for achievement:

  +.05% physical and magical damage by fire.

  +1 % chance of successfully igniting wooden objects.

  Well… I guess now I am an arsonist.

  Tired, exhausted physically and mentally, I stood in front of the fire and smiled happily. I found the hut, I had set fire to it. Now all that remained was waiting until the hut would be fully up in flames, and then I will have carried out the rest of the job. Finally, I would have repaid the mysterious Snessa.

  -- Ro-o-osga-a-ard! Ro-o-os! – A lingering, far cry echoed through the swamp and reached my ears. What the… but the voice was so familiar.

  -- Where have you gone?! Where did you go, stupid creature?! – I could detect distinct notes of panic in Whisper’s voice, which made me scratch my head in bewilderment.

  What do you mean, “where did you go?” I’m not hiding. I’d have no chance— the frail mage that I am— if I were trying to hide from the powerful ranger. Therefore, I wasn’t trying. I had just crossed the small moat with bloodsuckers and leeches to get to the shore of the island and had stood up to my full height, and was even standing against the bright backdrop of the intensifying smoky fire!

  Has he lost it or something?

  -- Shit! Shit! – the angry Whisper continued to yell out, and his voice moved with extraordinary speed from one marsh rock to another— Where the hell are you?!

  -- So the island is not a normal one, after all— I muttered and, putting my hands to my mouth to amplify my voice, shouted loudly— I’m here! Hey!

  I shouted and listened. Whisper had not heard me! And he continued to shout:

  -- Well, where are you, huh?! Say something at least! Damn! Damn! Damn him! But you didn’t use the teleporter… where the hell are you?! Did he drown or something?! Ro-o-os!!

  Turning around, I looked through the intersection and saw Whisper standing just twenty paces from me, looking in my direction. Standing and looking and seeing nothing.

  Thinking for a moment, I did some very lewd and inappropriate dance moves. Whisper did not see me.

  -- Aye, Whisper! – I yelled, waving my arms vigorously. Again nothing.

  I did not need to conduct any further experiments. Only certain people can see the hut. Only those, perhaps, who are supposed to burn this very hut to the ground.

  By the way… how’s that hut doing, anyway?

  I turned, startled, and whistled as the hut blazed in full color. The front wall and the roof were already fully engulfed, and a gust of hot air filled with smoke hit my face. Another five minutes, and the whole structure would collapse. It cracked deafeningly, and a few logs in the front cracked and distorted. The whole hut shook hard from the ground up to the roof… and the door, tightly closed until that time, slowly opened a little, as though inviting me to enter…

  -- No, no, no, no— I shook my head, which was plastered in mud, and was surprised to realize that I had already taken my first step towards the door— Damn…okay! Just one look. I’ll just drop by!

  Easier said than done. The hut was on fire! Approaching the door, I caught hold of the slimy edge and pulled, opening the door a crack. I gasped and stuck my head inside.

  -- D-damn!— in the next moment, I was inside the blazing hut, and rushed to the wooden table at the center of the room.

  The next actions I took were almost completely unconscious. For a moment, I forgot that I was not in the real world, and in Valdira. And it was all because through the smoke, I saw a girl lying on the table in a simple white dress. There is a person in the house, and I set fire to it with my own hands! Without hesitation, I rushed to save her, perhaps obeying some inner masculine instinct.

  Jumping through the fiery floorboards, I flew to the table and grabbed the limp body of the girl in my arms in a single motion. I darted back and… stumbled on something on the floor. Above my head, the ceiling slowly began to cave and the floorboards to crack. Another moment, and all would become a burning wreckage of logs and planks. One of the ceiling beams cracked in half and fell in, punching me in the back, and removed a third of my life.

  -- Ah damnit! – I shouted, rising to my knees and clutching the nearly weightless body of the girl. I felt something sturdy underneath my feet, among the fallen wood, and rushed to the door along the fiery carpet.

  A powerful kick, and the doors swung open with a crash. I dove outside.

  The crashing of hell resonated behind me and the same hut collapsed.

  Congratulations!

  The Quest “Burning the Past” is finished!

  Reward: 1200 Experience points

  A new level wasn’t given to me, but I had successfully completed the job. The girl in my arms prevented me from raising my hands to the sky and giving a jubilant shout.

  Brightness flashed behind me and the flames roared furiously, swirling around the island, and instantly dissolving the fog. The air was crystal clear. I stared fixedly at Whisper, who was standing twenty paces away.

  -- Aha! – said he triumphantly, staring at the girl in my arms, and then choked, looking somewhere above my head. Sighing in despair, I raised my voice slightly and asked:

  -- There’s something behind me, isn’t there, Whisper?

  -- Uhuh— nodded Whisper, reaching the jagged chain at his chest with a quick movement.

  -- Al-ri-gh-ty…-- I drawled, and turned around slowly.

  The cottage was no longer there. But the raging fire was still there, and had become an unbearably bright pillar of fire, and before my eyes, there formed a head in the giant flame… a cobra. Woven from the tongues of fire was the head of a snake, the eyes barely visible slits, and a huge hood behind it. The rest of the flames formed the body of the snake, vertically drifting into the damp earth.

  The cobra rocked from side to side and abruptly opened her mouth, and I heard a familiar voice which I had remembered from once having been in the shade of the tent of a mysterious fortune teller.

  -- What have you done… what have you done! – the cobra roared in fury, stooping over me and showering me in an unbearable heat. The girl shuddered and moaned, and I took a few hurried steps away, frantically remembering where I had left my last hidden teleportation scroll.

  -- Quick-ck— do it! Now!— the Snessa-cobra hissed furiously— Throw her into the flame! Do it now!

  -- N…no, thank you! – I snapped, dropping to one knee. With my free hand, I reached for the scroll— I’m not a fascist, you filthy snake!

  -- Yes-yes! We’re not like that! – cried Whisper’s voice beside me as he hunched down, ready to leap.

  -- Shut up!— the cobra lifted her head and from her mouth escaped a very long tongue of flame.

  In a desperate leap, Whisper was out of range of the danger, and I cried in rage:

  -- Do you want to burn her?! Then do it yourself! I didn’t sign up for this!

  -- I cannot!— roared the snake— I can’t do it myself! Throw her into the fire! I will gift you with my divine…

  -- No! – backing away, I shook my head again— I’m sorry, it’s not gonna fly.

  Another slight groan, and the woman lifted her head and winced. A dirty golden strand slipped from her face and I gulped, dumbfounded— I held a girl in my arms. Not even… I held a baby! The girl was about 11 or 12, not more.

  -- Oh you bitch! – I cried, looking into the eyes of the cobra— It’s a child! To throw her into the fire?! Damn you!

  -- She’s awakening!— the cobra ignored my words— Throw her! Throw her in now! Or it will be too late!

  -- Huh? – I was surprised, and looked down. I stared into two wide-open amber eyes, directed straight at me.

  -- Daddy…<
br />
  -- Huh?— my eyes bulged, and not a moment later small teeth closed on my neck… no, not teeth… fangs!

  A few hits of life were lost. The game interface flared violently and gave me a message after which I nearly fainted in shock:

  Total communication is established!

  Parental communication is established!

  Attainment!

  You’re achieved “Parent” of the first rank!

  See the table of obtained achievements in the settings for your character.

  Your reward for achievement: + 5% to the rate of growth of your children.

  Current Bonus: +5%

  -- U-uh… -- I croaked, mechanically clutching to my chest a… a daughter?

  -- What have you done! – I shuddered from the wild roar.

  The giant cobra let out a fierce hiss and began to swell rapidly, at the same time losing its serpentine shape.

  -- Whisper!— I shouted.

  -- Yes! What the hell is this!?— said the ranger in an astonished cry— Who are you holding?!

  -- Shut up and run!— I snapped back— It’s gonna blow!

  Raising the teleportation scroll to my lips, I whispered barely audibly:

  -- Village of Selenium!

  A bright rainbow flash carried us away, and I heard a quiet and ringing, childlike whisper:

  -- Daddy… what’s my name?

  Falling out of the portal, I spun my head and oriented myself in the space, so that I could make a run for the hotel. A few players and “locals” froze in surprise and gave me a long look. I assumed I was quite the spectacle— a man racing down the street with wild eyes, plastered with crusty algae and caked in mud. And in his hands, a golden-haired girl in a white sundress… or romper, God knows. Breaking into the hotel lobby like a hurricane, I flew headlong up the stairs. Three steps, and I was at the front door. That’s it. I’m home. Slamming the door and pressing my back against it, a bright scarlet message appeared on the screen in front of me:

  Warning!

  Attention to all adventurers of Valdira!

  The Ravendark Marshes has just experienced a breakthrough of Divine Wrath! Ember storm gusts of gale-force winds, eruptions of lava from the ground and acid rain, coupled with poisonous fog… and that’s only a small part of the mortal dangers which await you in Ravendark Swamp! If you want to save your life— avoid the area, which has been hit by the wrath of Gods! On the other hand— life is a game, and a game is a risk. Who knows what treasures await you there— from legendary class items to magic attacks, to rare alchemy items such as “Tear of God”! If you feel that you are ready to take the risk— then you are welcome to visit the hell of Ravendark! The break will last for six hours from the time of these messages.

  Good luck!

  -- Damn— I croaked— And it was so quiet a minute ago... Immortal! I appeal to you!

  The representative of the administration did not materialize out of thin air, but the sleepy Tyrant got up from the corner, yawned sweetly, and walked up to me. Waiting a few more seconds, I repeated the cry:

  -- Immortal! I appeal to you!

  No one appeared in the room, but a delicate knocking was heard at the door. Opening the door, I stepped back and politely bowed my head:

  -- Good day.

  -- Greetings— smiled the angel, standing in the hallway— May I come in?

  -- Please— I nodded— I’m sorry, there is no place to sit.

  -- I see. The famous Spartan style. I’m leafing through your records now, and it seems almost certain that I’ve already anticipated your next question. Is it about children and fire?

  -- Exactly. Is this, by the way, normal? I understand that this is just a game, but I almost became a Burner of living children, even in virtual reality.

  -- No— the demon shook his head— You chose your way of the game event, which was introduced into Valdira only recently. The child would not have been in danger even if you’d gone away, and had not looked inside the hut. There were other variants of this event, which I may not disclose. Does that answer your question at all?

  -- Absolutely, completely. Thank you. You’ve given me peace of mind.

  -- Happy to help. Now, about the question for the compensation towards your recent incident. In a couple of hours, you will receive a letter from the administration detailing several payment options. Just select any of them.

  -- Thank you— I once again said.

  -- More questions?

  -- If I may. What can you say about this fiasco, who is, for some reason, calling me dad— I pointed with my chin to the girl who clung to me and curiously studied the Immortal.

  -- From now on, you are her betrothed father— the demon enlightened me— The event is extremely rare, but not unique. Details about it can be read on the game portal or forum. Ah, yes… while she is a child— but it will not last very long— she’s just an ordinary little girl. But when she grows up, you will receive from her a single unique job.

  -- So… -- I nodded in confusion— And what am I then supposed to do with her? Educate her?

  -- I repeat— all of the information is available on the game portal. But as an exception… Listen, Rosgard. I can reassure you that you will not have to educate her— the demon smiled, almost imperceptibly— You have to do only the following. To give the baby a name. Then, choose one of the temples in Algora and give the girl to the care of the clergy, where she will be safe. And then, only occasional visits from then on, to help her financially or make small donations or offerings to her temple. After that, perform or abandon a unique job, and all your troubles will end. The easiest way to resolve this problem requires almost nothing— take the guard to any town or village guard and point at her, saying these words clearly: “A child is lost.” That’s all. The guard will take the child and take care of it for you. Or you can just leave her in the street or a hotel hallway. Tell her to stand still and walk away. The bond will be interrupted. But in this case, as soon as you move ten steps away and do not respond to her call, you will get a negative achievement “Heartless parent.” Which is not good.

  -- I wouldn’t do that! – I grumbled— Who do you think I am?

  -- This is only virtual reality— the devil smiled again— Do not forget. Does that answer your question?

  -- Yeah. Thank you so much for your time spent.

  -- That’s our job. Farewell.

  -- Farewell.

  The angel was gone… taking advantage of the door, I slid helplessly to the floor.

  -- Daddy…

  -- Eh?

  -- What about my name?

  -- Hmm… -- I thought, and almost choked when I heard a knock again. Like a commons hall, damn it…

  -- Who is it?

  -- I forgot! If you do not have time for the child at the moment— and you obviously do not have it, that time— the angel began.

  -- Yes… -- I politely encouraged.

  -- You can simply tell the child this: “Sleep, my darling, go to sleep.” And the child falls asleep to the moment you’re ready to wake her. By the way— the awakening phrase is, respectively: “Wake up, sweetheart, wake up.” Shall you remember, Rosgard?

  -- Yes! Thank you so much again!

  -- My pleasure. Have a good game.

  The door slammed and I, not wasting a minute, looked into the amber eyes of my betrothed daughter and whispered:

  -- Sleep, my darling, sleep.

  The little girl sleepily crossed her legs underneath her, and folded her hands to her chest. Soon the child was enveloped in a snow white radiance, and in a moment, an opaque white ball was in my hands. That’s good. That’s okay. Ain’t got no time for you right now, pipsqueak. There’s a lot of other things to deal with.

  And the demon was cunning, and beautifully hinted at a wild lack of time. As though I didn’t know, myself…

  Well… time for me to tell the same to myself, in a loving whisper: “Sleep, my darling, go to sleep.” My head was already buzzing, and Valdira was sending
me the first signs of coming Decay.

  Carefully, I lowered the crystal with the sleeping girl on a soft pile of clothes, and patted the puppy, who was looking at me questioningly, on the nape of his neck:

  -- And you’ve grown, Tyrant, after all. Now rest a bit and then we’ll go for a walk, I promise.

  The response was a delighted snort and I, fully satisfied, calmly pressed the “exit” button.

  Flash.

  Around me, slowly, a monotonous grayness turned.

  Exit.

  Chapter 6

  Park, Ducks, and Former Trouble.

  Once I was in reality again, the first thing I did was check my new home for signs of trouble. I checked to make sure everything was in order, and at the same time stretched my aching body anxiously listening to the cracking of my joints. No, with this lack of physical activity, it was necessary to do something. Fast.

  Said and done. I began to squat, groaning in effort with each movement. Then I did pushups until I couldn’t, swung my arms, and jogged around the house. Thanks to the second floor stairs, I was able to jog up and down five times, feeling my grateful muscles bloom and fill with blood.

  Wearily stretching, I went into the shower.

  Standing under the jets of hot water, I wondered: “What’s happening now”?

  Are the Albatrosses looking for me? Have they learned of the fact that I left my “ancestral” home?

  An even crazier thought flashed through my mind: “How’s that trouble Kira doing?”

  Hum… why have I started to go that way? A lack of female attention? Certainly. So this thought had climbed into my head. Or maybe I am just tired of this endless game, of the racing and never-ending succession of events and unconsciously want to distract myself, to switch to something else.

  The exercise and quick shower had fully awakened me. My stomach rumbled demandingly, needing something to eat.

  Half an hour later, well fed and contented, I sat in front of the computer.

  It’s time to check on the game forum, read the news about the world of Valdira… and look through the information associated with me, personally. Legend of Rosgard… yeah, that I did not expect, did not expect that at all.