“No clue. I didn’t think that I would make it this far, to be honest.”
They leaned on the railing, staring at the city below: crafter’s district, fighter’s district, the new crafter’s stadium that was being built. The Battle Arena had expanded dramatically, turning into a wide and large tower to host different fights. The trading districts, crafting districts warehouses, industrial centers. Restaurants, housing, and parks. The Association Circle, where each of the associations had changed their previously humble dwellings into grand buildings that were rarely seen in the Fourth Realm.
The barracks with their arrays to keep prying eyes away. The castle district, the heart of Vuzgal and home to Vuzgal Academy. Today, it was quiet, but the campus still had people wandering across its paths, heading to the libraries or to classes and workshops. Bunkers and hidden defenses were nestled into the cliffs around the valley that Vuzgal stood guard at the mouth of, extending down and around the city.
“If you could, would you go back?” Rugrat looked wistful, but his voice was serious.
Back to Earth? To a place without magic, without Alchemy, Alva? Missing limbs, having to carve out work in a business no one wanted to do and everyone wanting to kill you while you were doing it? To a life without mercenary work, without fighting?
Erik frowned. He would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t enjoy fighting. The rush, feeling alive as if everything led up to that moment.
“I don’t know. Would you?”
Rugrat continued to stare off as the sun rose slowly. “Warriors aren’t vital commodities on Earth anymore. There was a time when someone who was good with a weapon was worth their weight in gold. Now, we’re a liability and a life insurance payout.”
“So, would you?”
“Well, if I learned one thing from the recruiter who had signed me up, it’s to read the fine print. I’d only go if I could come back. If not, well, this feels more like home.”
Erik clapped Rugrat on the shoulder. “Anywhere you go, brother, I’ll be right beside you.”
Rugrat snorted. “Alrighty, you mopey shit, we shouldn’t be late to this competition.”
Erik pulled his hand back and pushed off the railings. “Look at you, being all professional and on time.”
“I am for the important things! Cheeseburgers, for instance.”
They reached the stairs to the tower, and Rugrat stopped. “Thank you, brother.”
Erik simply nodded before Rugrat turned back to the stairs and walked down. “We need a fucking elevator in here!”
“Right, shit! Actually, do we have any of those skeleton mages on birds left?”
“Uh, one sec. Yeah, I can see some in my interface.”
“Call them up, or else I’ll have stitches all day from these stupid stairs. Why did you want to do them?”
“I was told I was too sedentary, that I should do stairs more often,” Rugrat complained as they went back to the banister.
“You, sedentary? Aren’t you bashing the shit out of steel all day?”
“Iron, not steel!”
“Whatever—metal, you ass.”
“Well, I’ve been cultivating my mana, you see. Just sitting there all day, bringing in the mana, compressing it! Accept the mana into your core!” Rugrat gave his best impression of a noble sage teaching the world’s mysteries. “It’s fricking boring, and my ass goes numb from sitting that long! Now I’m getting told that I should move more often! No fricking pleasing some people!”
“You think that’s bad? I had some trader offering me damn skincare treatments!” Erik said darkly.
“Okay, well, you do look like a half-charred piece of meat with mercury coming out of you.”
Erik’s face twitched as they heard an eerie call from beside the banister.
Two undead birds landed in the room.
“What the hell do we hang on to?” Rugrat asked.
“The vertebrae? The mages make this look easy.”
“They’re cheating with their magic spells. One sec.” Rugrat jumped up and cast a spell on himself to chain himself to his mount.
“Did you just use your immobilization chains?”
“Yeah, one magical aerial seat belt. Want one?”
“Sure.” Erik shrugged. Spell formations appeared on the creature, and chains wrapped around Erik, securing him to the bony creature.
“Need to add in some damn seats. This is as uncomfortable as hell,” Rugrat muttered. “Nowhere near as comfortable as George.”
“Was that meant as a compliment?”
“What? He’s way more comfortable.”
“I guess that’s a compliment in some weird way.” Erik shrugged and tapped his legs on the side of the undead creature.
With a screech, it jumped off the banister and opened its wings. Faint shadowy wings appeared to catch the air as they banked and circled down the tower.
High Elder Cai Bo looked out of her carriage as it entered Vuzgal. Ahead of her, there was a procession of Willful Institute soldiers marching with their flags raised high. People moved to the side as they were checked and passed by the Vuzgal soldiers.
Cai Bo’s carriage was checked briefly by an officer before continuing on.
“The security here is very high,” Low Elder Kostic said.
“With so many powerful sects and fighters in one place, this much is expected. Even the head of the Fourth Realm Blue Lotus was checked.”
“They can do that?” Mercy Luo, Low Elder Kostic’s grandniece, asked before she closed her mouth and bowed her head in shame.
Cai Bo smiled slightly. Mercy was prideful and arrogant, though she had the right to be, becoming powerful and gaining her own loyal followers. Some might think her brutal ways were a flaw, but if used correctly, they could be a warning to others to keep them from crossing her. For someone so young, Cai Bo could see a bit of herself in Mercy.
Low Elder Kostic shot his grandniece a reproving look while Cai Bo looked away, as if it had nothing to do with her.
“There are many powerful forces gathered here. Vuzgal emerged as a power just over two years ago. Already, they host a massive amount of trade in the Fourth Realm and are the base of many crafters, fighters, and traders. They have alliances with different guilds, trading houses, and large sects with their innovative weapons, armors, and supporting formations and gear. Few people want to anger the Vuzgal leadership. With so many interests, if one person were to aggravate Vuzgal’s operations, it would cause everyone associated with them to rush in and assist. The Fighter’s Association is one of the few groups that are willing to host fighter’s competitions. That speaks to how powerful or connected one needs to be to hold a competition like this.” Cai Bo studied the people on the street. Weapons and armor were on sale everywhere: Alchemy concoctions, powerful consumable spell scrolls, defensive and offensive spell scrolls.
“Are those mana cannons?” Low Elder Kostic pointed to a nearby store.
Cai Bo’s eyes narrowed as she cast an identification spell. “They are, but there are bands of formations around the barrel. I think those adjust the power of the cannon’s attack and how fast it shoots. Few people are willing to sell strategic weapons. Sects make them and hold on to them internally. Vuzgal must be fearless to sell these to outsiders. There might be a flaw in them. I would suggest buying a defensive amulet. The seller has to prove their effectiveness. You can find a lot of powerful defensive gear here that one can hide on their person.”
The convoy continued toward the Battle Arena. More people filled the streets. Restaurants and taverns were full of people talking about the groups and fighters who would be making an appearance.
Cai Bo’s convoy reached the Battle Arena. With quick commands, groups of fighters of varying levels separated from the convoy and headed to register for the competition.
They had brought elites from the fortieth to the sixtieth level, intending to show the other forces that if they wished to attack the Willful Institute, they would pay a heavy price
. The Willful Institute nurtured members accepted into academies in the Seventh and Eighth Realm!
Cai Bo’s carriage came to a stop before a side entrance. The door opened for her, and she stepped down. Other carriages opened. Elders filed behind her as they walked up to the side entrance.
The soldiers there had an odd expression, but they quickly covered it up. A few checked their tickets and others stood by as backup.
Interesting. They must be wearing powerful formations to hide their levels and cultivation.
Cai Bo and her party strolled into the Battle Arena. With a few directions, they were guided to elevators that took them up through the Battle Arena, close to the peak.
Domonos and Chonglu were in the operations center of the Battle Arena. From here, they could coordinate everything happening in the city and in the arenas. It allowed them to communicate with the higher-ups and be close at hand if they needed to make decisions.
“I’ll have to thank your soldiers and medics for once again refereeing the matches,” Chonglu said.
“After the last fighter’s competition, we got a lot of good recruits and turned them into soldiers. My people use your training facilities all the time. Aren’t we both from the same place?” Domonos smiled.
“I guess you are right! I was overthinking. How is the security in the city?”
“We are operating the same way we did last year, but now, we have more police officers. It takes the burden off my sergeants. My soldiers are good at fighting. But they are not police officers. Thankfully, there were no issues last year. I feel better having more cops and just backing them up with my soldiers.”
“Any major issues?”
“Some local fights and brawls, nothing much. Just a few warnings so far. Things will probably heat up as people win and lose. With the associations being so close and the high-profile sects and figures here, most people are calmer than last year. Don’t want to piss off someone who could turn their life into shit.”
“Nice way of putting it,” Chonglu said. “I remember you being such a nice young boy.”
“You remember me being a training fanatic who was way too arrogant because of his father’s position.”
“Well, not anymore.”
“Yes, that Young Master Domonos doesn’t have a place in this new world. Although I hate the Willful Institute, it is because of them I learned the realities of the world and understood what Alva was offering me. If I hadn’t lost it all, I would have looked down on Alva.”
“The Willful Institute pricks are here,” Dominik Zukal said.
“Such a professional, Lieutenant Colonel,” Domonos said dryly.
“Not going to compliment the enemy. I’ll understand them, respect them, but ain’t gonna compliment them.”
“He even thinks like me—it’s weird.”
Zukal rolled his eyes and went back to reviewing what was happening across Vuzgal.
Domonos activated his sound transmission device, listening to the message. “Erik and Rugrat are on their way. I’ll go and organize things on the ground and receive them.”
“I’ll see you in the box.” Chonglu checked the screens that showed all the fighters who had qualified to participate in the competition. “Thankfully, we have extra arenas. Why are there so many fighting fanatics out there?”
“The Willful Institute is reinforcing Elder Mendes’s Meokar city. They have brought forces from the Fourth Realm. I sent word out to the rest of the guild, and they are mobilizing. Command units from Dragon Regiment have reached us and are organizing at different rally points. I hope you have some savings. We have people from across the realms coming to participate.”
Jasper’s sound transmission ended, and Blaze lowered his arm, glancing at the group behind him.
The branch heads and the competitors from the guild were there.
There was Kim Cheol and his heavy-armored juniors: Joan with her bow and light armor, Stephan, and the mages. Lin Lei and her assassins were talking lazily and tossing their weapons around. Emilia and her paladins were next to Kim Cheol and his people, checking one another’s armor. Derrick was drinking tea, though it wouldn’t have been strange if he were drinking alcohol, given the lazy expression on his face.
Blaze pulled out reports and studied them, jotting down notes on a different pad of paper. They had all matured since last year. Instead of worrying about their own strength, they took on others and taught them what they knew. Instead of just being the strongest members of the guild, they were real leaders. Even Derrick paid attention to the operations of his guild branches. This fighting had brought everyone together.
“All right, let’s head to the competition.” Blaze’s voice carried through the courtyard.
Everyone did their last checks and pulled out their mounts. They had no set mounts; they had all kinds of beasts. Most came from Alva. As time went on, more people went for “advanced training” with Alva.
Their gear was among the best one could get. They had adventured across the Fourth and Fifth Realms, carrying out missions and gathering wealth. Fighters were well paid, and the Adventurer’s Guild had more quests than they had guild members to carry them out.
There were tons of fighters between the levels of thirty and forty. Some were trying to get money together to head to the higher realms and the academies; others had settled into life in the Fourth Realm.
The new guild members allowed the Adventurer’s Guild to enter the Fifth Realm and carry out jobs.
Blaze waved his hand, opening his beast storage crate.
A massive beast as big as a carriage appeared. Her tail stretched out behind her covered in rocky spikes. Her skin was dull black armor plates covered with natural magical runes that sparkled with white light. She looked around lazily, letting out a baying cry.
“You’ve been sleeping for the last three days, Bassilla!” Blaze pulled out a Metal monster core.
Her eyes, which were filled with complaint, turned to excitement, and she shook her tail. Her entire body quivered, and her tongue hung out of her mouth, drool falling down her chin.
What am I going to do with you? “Sit.”
The ground trembled as she sat down. Her tail left scratches on the stone as it moved back and forth. She was taller than Blaze now, but she still had those puppy eyes.
Blaze reached forward and she leaned up. “Sit!”
She planted her butt back on the ground, looking offended.
Blaze held the treat for a few more seconds and tossed the monster core.
She reached out her neck and crunched on the monster core. It only lasted a couple seconds before she swallowed, staring at Blaze for more.
“Come on, we have work to do.”
She rested on all her limbs and shook herself. Just being around her, one could feel the power stored in her body.
Blaze jumped on her back. The rest of his group mounted up. Kim Cheol grabbed the flag of the Adventurer’s Guild and raised it high.
“Let’s go!”
The gates to the guild opened. Kim Cheol was in the lead, and the rest of the guild followed. They made a grand sight on their beasts. They all wore the Adventurer’s Guild emblem on their chest, and people moved to the sides of the road.
Other guilds opened their gates and marched out. Blaze nodded to some of the leaders.
They made a powerful procession through Vuzgal, their destination the Battle Arena.
I wonder what this year will bring.
Olivia listened to her sound transmission device.
“They’re here,” she said to Nadia Shriver, the temporary branch head who had turned into the true branch head in the last few months with the support of Elder Lu.
“It has been a long time since I last saw them,” Elder Lu said beside Nadia. He held the hand of his wife, adoration in his eyes.
She patted his hand and smiled back.
It wasn’t long till the helmeted bodyguards appeared, preceding Erik and Rugrat.
Olivia stared at the
m. They never showed up in public without masks and hid their cultivation deep. Was it really them? They could have been switched out.
The two men didn’t move to their seats and instead spread out to talk to different people.
“Elder Lu, this must be Lady Lu! I have heard a lot about you,” the shorter masked man said.
“Erik, I believe?” She reached out her hand.
“The one and only.” He shook her hand. “I see that the pill worked. If you have some time, please come and see me after all of this. I would like to assess you personally. It might not be anything more than what other healers have said, but I’d like to give it a shot, if possible?”
She glanced over to Elder Lu and then Erik. “I don’t want to waste your time. But I know it would put my husband’s mind at ease.”
“I took an oath to help others. If I didn’t try, I would be going back on my values.”
“Thank you, Erik,” Elder Lu said.
“You have done so much for us, and the Blue Lotus has always been kind. We’ve had some issues in the past, but that was the past.”
Olivia tightened, remembering the withdrawal from Tareng to Vuzgal.
“Miss Shriver, I hear that congratulations are in order! You have become the official head of the Vuzgal branch! Your auctions are legendary across the Fourth Realm!”
“Vuzgal has become a truly diverse city, one of the pillars of the Fourth Realm. It would be foolish not to develop in step with you! We might get left in the dust otherwise!”
They laughed, and Erik glanced over to Olivia.
“Commander Gray, you have become stronger since I last saw you. It is good to see you healthy and well. I hope we can put the past behind us.” He held out his hand again.
Olivia had wanted to hear those words for so long. Now that she did, she was thrown off. She had seen this moment in her mind so many times.
“Thank you, Lord West.” She clasped his hand and bowed her head.
“You were trying to do your best in a shitty situation. I should have explained things instead of keeping it secret. The Ten Realms makes it hard to trust others. Thankfully, I have come to trust the Blue Lotus deeply.”
Sixth Realm Part 2: A litRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 7) Page 42
