Sin of Pride

Inside of the metal building, a large wooden desk was accompanied by many... beings.

Their strength was... beyond me.

I'm very sensitive to mana, and these... creatures... have so much that it nearly stings to look them in the eye.

- " Sorry, excuse me... i'm uh.. here for, Syn? "

" A V.I.P. huh. Interesting, what relation do you have to Cobalt? "

- " My father fought for him during the Morin war years back, I'm here to do the same. "

" Ah, I know you... the kid Melody talked about right? I wonder why you are V.I.P. though... "

A Wizard asked such question without remorse, her hand placed upon her brown cheek in a thoughtful manner.

- " I'm uh... I don't know... I just told the guy at the booth about my gear and he told me to head here... "

" Ah... He must be one of the people with gear still... right? "

A Lady clad in Purple Armor similar to that of a Demon's ceremonial gear questioned out to the group, her breath stained the air with a similar air.

- " I uh, don't know what you mean... but this gear is grade high if you are wondering... "

" Of course... He must be import in the story lines if... he still has his gear... "

One of the multi eyed insect type people staggered her words with careful thought, she had a large pipe in her fanged mouth and web like designs on Athenian robes she draped over herself.

" What are you proficient in, Kid. "

The other Insect person spoke, her voice was jagged and metallic, I can smell the blood and toxins from here.

- " I know Spear arts, Shield arts, Ice Magic Arts, Healing arts minor, and tactics. "

" What about your friend there? "

My friend Rizen was standing still and quite like he was prepared for death, so I answered for him.

- " He is also able to use Spear arts, but he doesn't know how to cast magic... however his skin has an innate hardness of High Grade armor. "

" Intrepid abilities, you'd do well on the battle field. Syn is down stairs, below the hatch. Don't touch anything in the door. "

With a closing remark from a withering undead, I put my sights towards the metallic trap door.

- " Can I bring my friend too? "

" It doesn't matter much, go ahead. "

Finally, after being reaffirmed by a Paladin like warrior I open the trap door and climb down the icy cold ladders. Its Frost is similar to the residue from when we left the bunker after the war, it wasn't pure like you'd find ice normally... neither the clear appearance of Mana created ice.

Upon landing myself at the bottom of the ladder below the hatch, Rizen accompanying me, my eyes were placed solely on the large metallic door, it has an aura of ice and mist surrounding its openings... and as I open it to look beyond, it was astonished.

I've never seen the Dragon, but this surely was him. Laying in a small metal vat of icy water, surrounded by a multitude of people... including the Blossom Maiden herself.

- " He... hello? "

I managed to stutter out a greeting, my confidence going into this battle shrank as I saw the gathering. On a small metallic table layer a map and a small papyrus book, filled with many notes and other such writings... the map was full of small X's marking something or other.

}{}{ Identity: Prine Moro }{}{

}{}{ Affiliation: Son of Jack Moro. }{}{

}{}{ Equipment grade: High }{}{

Blossom Maiden - " Oh, if it isn't little Prine... how much you have grown since I last saw you, back at Morin right? "

- " It is go- good to see you... Blossom Maiden. "

? - " This guy's a V.I.P.? About time we got another one... ward about to start and we only got so much to work with, we were lucky Archmage Tower had written down Cobalt's magic knowledge at let us borrow it. "

?? - " Its obvious that they'd like some compensation down the line, like PMCs back in the day... if I remember correctly that is. "

? - " Fair enough, but anywho he's got usable equipment right? "

- " Yes ma'am, its... high grade Warrior type gear, named ' Dragon Touched Plate '. Its my father's set that I received after his death. "

I spoke quick and passionate, I love combat so much I don't know if I ended up a bit rude in my blurb.

Blossom Maiden - " I see, Jack's armor was enchanted by being around that Ice Goddess and Cobalt when he was at the barrier ... I don't see why it would be high grade still unless it was unique beforehand. "

? - " Unique equipment should be around Mid Grade now, his is probably a World Item considering he's an NPC. "

?? - " I didn't consider that, well its good to have you here... Prine was it? What's your pal's name? "

Rizen - " I am Rizen, I was a part of a lizardfolk clan once... that's all I have to my name, I did evolve to a Dragonborn... and I'm alright with a spear.

? - " I see, well... my name is Tungsten, the metal guy is called Syn... the lady with a hood is called Edo, and next to me is Melody... but you already know her right? "

Edo - " You weren't supposed to... ugh... "

- " Yes, She told me about my father and... well... uh, nothing. "

Melody - " Alright Prine, you said you were good at tactics right? Let's start working you right away, what strategy do you think our enemies will implement for their first attack? "

I took a small bit to think, only slightly getting myself distracted by looking at Melody... if they enemies are players, its likely they aren't a cohesive unit considering their size.

Its likely a large portion of enemies will come rushing at us as soon as the war starts, if we can hold off their rushes for long enough they'll likely gather up for one big push, if we win there it will become a decisive victory according to the System rules of war.

I shared my thoughts with those inside the metal room... but not before a large explosion rang off above me.