The Strike Back

"We can't speak over the phone?"

"I don't know if they tapped into my phone, you know where we meet. This time it's Phoenix Tears. Come as fast as you can."

"Alright."

Akiol frowned, he had just logged off not too long ago. However it sounded important, so he headed back to the pod.

A few minutes later Akiol was seated in the secret room within the tavern. The four O's all there as well.

Rebecca then began speaking, "We have some serious trouble. They have begun to make a move. Recently my temporary home was attacked, forcing us to move quickly. James, the same might occur to you. Stay safe."

Akiol nodded.

She continued, "I believe our phones have been tapped into as well. I suggest uninstalling the group chat app so we can maintain contact in-game. Are we in agreement?"

There was no arguments. So she carried on, "Now that the warnings are in place, we are going to strike back. They currently have two outposts in which their underlings reside in. Normally we wouldn't attack them, but there are some key people who are going to be taking temporary residence in here. Our goal is to kill these guys with an Orb of Greed."

Akiol asked, "Is there any point in this? Why damage them in-game?"

"We are merely slowing their plans. If my info is correct these key individuals are holding items crucial to those plans. If we can get a hold on either one of them, we will hold a very powerful position."

"So our entire plan is built around the chance that this item drops?"

"It has an increased drop chance, stacked with the Orb of Greed we should have a forty percent chance at it being in our grasp."

"What exactly is their plan?"

"A full assault against a Guild named Pierced Moon. They hold a very powerful item they wish to learn for their own purpose."

Akiol's finger twitched, it couldn't be. . . right? He asked tentatively, "This item wouldn't be called Seer's Eye, would it?"

"How do you know that?"

Akiol looked up at the ceiling, "Do you remember that bounty put on a purple haired sorcerer long ago?"

"Yeah? What about it?", Ocava asked.

"She's one of my party members, and she stole that Seer's Eye. Hence why the bounty. After a long fight I eventually handed it back to prevent further troubles. I should've kept it back then."

"Wait! You're the player who fought against hundreds in the highlight!"

"Yeah."

Rebecca was incredibly interested at that. She had assumed James had found some mentor to teach him how to fight like she had. However if he could fight like that since the beginning of the game, what did that mean?

Oranjay interjected, "If you have ties with the Guild, maybe we could get to the item before Withered Oaths!"

"Withered Oaths?"

"That's what they call themselves. Ordinarily the underground market of this game was meant for powerful objects sold at high prices. However there is a much more sinister, player made market. This is where Withered Oaths come in. In exchange for a large sum they will find a player in the real world for you. If you pay enough, then you could request some pretty gruesome stuff to happen to that same player.", Rebecca explained.

"How'd you get tangled with that kind of group?"

"Story for later. Besides this changes the plan a little. If we can obtain the item before they can."

"Which reminds me, how do they plan to obtain it? Fight with Pierced Moon until they hand it over?"

"Guild War. It's only available to those who have a Guildhouse. Whoever's Guildhouse gets destroyed first, the winner can demand one thing from the loser Guild. Alongside with some spoils of war of course."

"That sounds a little awful."

"The demand is limited, it has to be in-game material items. Or a challenge. Besides that a Guild can turn down a Guild War."

"Stabbed is an arrogant person too."

"Bingo, that's why we must stop this. If they can replicate a Seer's Eye, then the player base will not be safe. Especially not us."

"So what's the plan?"

"We assault their bases in six hours. James and I will take the first, you three take the next. Our goal is those key items, you're looking for something called an Abyssal Piece. If we obtain even a single one then we could delay them by a whole month. James, I will give you the plan here soon. Other than that you have five hours to prepare. Meet me at the front gate once the time has passed."

Akiol nodded, he planned to get back at those who kidnapped him. Such an evil place needed some correction. However he was quite powerless in the real world. So in-game would work for now.

"Alright! Let's get some revenge!", shouted Otion.

Akiol pulled out a teleport scroll and teleported back to Chalkworth. In terms of preparation he had no preparation.

Akiol didn't need potions due to his very minimal MP usage, and that he will almost immediately die once his core was struck. Whilst he could try for some accessories, those were decently rare and hard to obtain. So he planned to ask Kan'na for any of the scrolls she had left over. Perhaps one that packed more of a punch than a little warmth.

He opened the front doors to their home. He saw his whole party sitting on the couches. Jarvis looked at the door, "You're finally here."

Akiol felt like this was a situation where he would be interrogated for the reason why he was out so late. However he only nodded, "Yes, yes I am."

Tilia beckoned him over, "Come! I wish to see this Dragon."

"Is that why you all are here?"

Wrock acted like he was offended, "Of course? Who wouldn't want to see a Dragon?"

Akiol asked, "Givale, are you okay with this?"

'I'm fine, it is good they wish to see my greatness.' -Givale

'Ugh, she is doing it again.' -Stars

'You are just upset that they don't want to see you.'

'They already know about me.'

Akiol closed his eyes, "Stars. . . if you would."

Givale suddenly appeared, "Hello!"

The party was quiet upon seeing her. Givale wasn't disturbed by this. Instead she rubbed her nose, "Too astonished to see a dragon?"

Wrock stood up and walked over to Akiol. Putting a hand on his shoulder Wrock said seriously, "Sir, I'm going to need you to put your hands behind your back."

Akiol batted Wrock's hand off, "How dare you. She's older than me."

"That is not the excuse you should be making."

"Givale! Explain your circumstances."

Givale sat on Yielya's lap as she explained her story. The party immediately began comforting her upon understanding.

Wrock placed his hand back on Akiol's shoulder, "I misjudged you, to think you became a father instead."

Akiol sighed in defeat, "It feels like it sometimes. She and Stars argue a lot."

"Ah yes, father of two. Must be rough."

Akiol looked at Wrock who was clearly trying his best not to laugh even the slightest bit, "I should make you babysit for a bit."

"No thank you."

Wrock went back to the rest of the party. Occasionally he would crack a joke that made Givale laugh. Akiol couldn't help but smile at the sight, it was good she was enjoying herself.

Stars silently mourned, 'I wish I was treated like this when you made my reveal.'

"They would have treated you the same if you were in your human form."

'But that's so far away.'

Whilst the party chatted with Givale, Akiol managed to pull Kan'na free from the group, "Do you have any scrolls meant for combat?"

Her eyes suddenly lit up, "I have quite a few ones I want to test, but never found the opportunity. I'll give you the ones I am extremely confident in for you to test. Come."

Akiol followed Kan'na to her special office. The place was covered in different papers. Yet Kan'na masterfully searched through these and pulled out a few.

She held up two, "Teleport scrolls. Place this one where you want to teleport, then activate this one with a bit of your mana."

Switching the papers she held up three, "Basic fireball, though the explosion should be a like a Molotov was thrown. Could keep things at bay."

She held up a single scroll, "Chain Lightning, you should know what this one does."

Finally she held a stack of eight, "My masterpiece. The pièce de résistance of the spells if you would. Place this eight in roughly a circle, then whatever you want will disappear in a large explosion."

"How does that work?"

"By manipulating mana into its core types. Once mana-"

"I meant activation."

"Pour a little mana into one until it glows. Then place it in your preferred location. It should stick to whatever you want it to. Once all eight were placed in a rough circle shape then it will glow bright blue. At that point you have roughly ten to thirty seconds to get far away."

"That's quite the difference in time."

"I haven't tested it yet, so it should work. . . I hope."

Akiol chuckled, "I'll take them all. Let's see what wrath they will cause."

"I have a feeling that you are having vastly different outcomes appearing in your head than I. Still, let me know which worked, if it didn't tell me what happened."

"Roger that."

"Quick question, what do you need these for?"

"Going on a rampage with my sister."

"Oh."