The Unknown God

Chapter 7 - 7 Preparations

The massacre came finally to an end. Half an hour had elapsed. During which, a few thousand players had lost their lives and lost 24 hours of precious time. It represented 80% of the player population. Furthermore, all the main powerhouses and key guilds had been part of it. Anyone that survived had an enormous advantage over the entire world, in terms of grinding spots, unique and special quests.

The sole culprit responsible for such devastation had just turned in his final quest for the day and prepared to log out.

[Warning: you have been marked by a steel predator within twenty kilometres from it. Logging out without disposing of the predator will result in a 24 hours ban and lost of 4 levels. Do you wish to continue?]

'Oh f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k. Alright, relax, first thing first, what do I know about it... nothing, alright who may know... maybe that guy.'

---

The inn was awfully quiet for this time of the day. Simply greeted the owner and ordered a drink, before knocking twice on the oak door of the private room. A neutral voice responded.

"Who is it?"

"The adventurer who located the settlement. Simply Umbra, iron rank militia recruit."

"...enter..."

The private room had been repurposed to serve as a temporary office due to an unfortunate event. The small room had a massive wooden table covered in a mess of doc.u.ments and parchment, in the centre of the room. Facing each other, two chairs stood on either side of the makeshift desk. On one of them, sat the tired captain. Without looking up he demanded Simply's business.

'Straight to the point, perfect!'

"Have you ever heard of a steel predator?"

The captain looked up from his work and studied the youth before him. After what seemed like a hell of a long time, he spoke.

"Steel predators. They are myths, legends of untold horrors, they serve as assassins for the demonkind. Once marked, their target's doom is assured. The only way to survive it is by killing them, even the demon lord cannot cancel the hunt... Killing it is impossible. Steel predators are similar to tigers with muscles made of solid steel. Strong and fast, they use their mouths to crush weapons and armour, used by its enemies. Using their sharp claws for combat purpose, they can launch simultaneous attacks towards a single target or to three opponents. Making them hard to pin down. Steel predators are completely immune to electricity or sound. Due to their deafness, steel predators are also immune to any magic that works by being heard. They possess a strong resistance against non-magical physical attacks as well as, fire and cold. But the deathliest thing about them is their sense of smell. It not only allows them to track their targets but also sees their surrounding, after all, they are blind..."

"I see."

'Steel huh. I could use that... yeah, that crazy enough that it may just about make it work. Yeah, alright let's do it. I'm going to need a few things first.'

"I see, there is rogue steel predator that just slaughtered a thousand adventurer a few kilometres from here, and it heading towards the settlement next. I estimate that it should be here in an hour. From what you said no one in this settlement can defeat this monster. I have a plan, that should work, no, will work but I'm going to need help from a wizard or a mage - Someone who can conjure, huh, invisible energy... which shocks..."

"Electricity?"

"Yeah, electricity. Oh and fire."

The captain agreed to Simply's request. But he was a little uncertain of the white-haired youngster. After all, that creature was something to spice up children tales. However, after what had occurred to him, he decided to play it safe.

"Great. Oh, by the way, do you have Corundum..."

"No need to describe it, I know what it is. Corundum is extremely rare. Lucky for you, we discovered a mineral vine a few days ago. I'm willing to make you a price, 1000gp for 100 grams. I'll deduct it from your rewards."

"DAMN, fine. Gimme."

Taking the small reddish crystal, Simply thanked him and left to collect some sea water before meeting up with the wizards.

---

Simply enter the small stone tower, situated at the edge of the settlement. This isolated building housed the small mage guild of Eternal Landing. This made it harder for players to discover it, that was a reason why there was no magic class yet.

Once within it, the first circular floor comprised of the reception area. Simply's destination was the third floor, where the labs were situated.

Two elderly people waited for him, a woman and a man. The woman wore a fiery red robe that glowed. She radiated a blazing presence. Her partner clothed in a bluish-white cloak stood beside her. Both of them were displeased with the situation and made no attempt to hide it.

Ignoring their expression, Simply gave the woman the salt pouch. He asked her to melt the crystals while instructing the man to electricity the molten result.

As for him, he busied himself by grinding the conundrum gems into fine dust, to the shock of the spectating alchemists.

Once, this was done he combined the products in a small clay jar. Adding powdered rust to the mixture, he sealed it all together and requested the switch to place a delayed fire spell on the cap of the jar.

Wizards can cast 'Delay', which is a low-level spell that triggers the activation sequence of another spell. Either by a code word or phrase or by a timer.

Done with his preparations, he thanked them and left for the gate.

---

The sounds of bells shattered the common life of the settlers. Those bells only rang during beast attacks. This was the first time they rang during the day.

Rushing down the beaten path towards the northern gate, Simply prepared himself for the next and most crucial part of his plan.

The guards were hastily closing the reinforced gate. Before they could even seal the exit, a shadow dashed past them exciting the safety of the palisade.

The steel predator slowed down a hundred meter away from Simply after spotting him. It began to leisurely make its way towards its prey.

Under the watchful eyes of the guards on the palisade, Simply stood his ground, eyeing the predator.

Ten meters separated the two. Simply drew his sword, a shouted the legendary battle cry:

"LEEROY JENKINS!"

---------------------------------

Level 3 (10%)

Name Simply Umbra

Race Human

Health 130

Mana NA

Stamina 137 (130) (+5%)

Intelligence 5