The Paladin's Assault

'A few days have passed, but she's still been playing with me so much. Yui's just... avoiding me. My heart aches for Yui, yet it speeds up when I think of Symphony. I'm terrible, aren't I?'

Justice stretched a little, her eyes wandering the area as Symphony finished off the last of the Bugs they had been asked to annihilate.

[Level Up.]

"Hey, this was seriously out of the way. We're pretty far from the third town, so how about we head there next?"

"It's alright, Sym. The A.I. needs the Bugs dead, so it's cool to help. I can always become a Champion whenever I visit that town. I'm stupid strong anyway."

"Alright... I'll teleport to town. I need to get some sleep. What level are you now?"

"Uh... forty? Yep. Get your rest. I'll march! Hehe. Later Sym!"

"Goodnight Justice."

Symphony smiled warmly, making Justice turn a little red.

"So cute... so unfair."

Unable to see the blue spattered face of Symphony as she teleported out, Justice could only sigh softly as she began to head off to the third town. Even though they had skirted it, it was still the nearest town.

"So, you're here. You bitch."

Justice couldn't turn around fast enough as a sudden attack slammed into her from behind. The damage was massive, being a critical as well as a back strike.

"Augh... the hell?"

The voice seemed stunned, but Justice knew they had taken her counter damage in droves.

"Hmm. Counter damage. Luckily, I only lost a small sliver."

Justice pushed herself to her feet, her eyes falling onto Rook. His flanged mace was already in position for a second swing.

"Rook?! Why the hell did you follow us?!"

"Heh. Just removing a pest from my life. I don't need some stupid bitch getting between me and what's mine. Symphony will belong to me!"

Justice glared, her teeth grinding as she began to dash towards Rook. His eyes were alight with astonishment.

"How are you so fas-"

Justice used her blade, a long gash appearing across Rook's armor. He took a step back, his shock coming in greater droves.

"You did more than me?!"

'Your damage was cut in half, so let's just stick with that.'

Justice flexed her fingers, tightening her grip on the hilt of her blade. Lowering her center of gravity, she kicked off the ground and sprinted at Rook once more.

"Quick Slash!"

Her blade grazed the mace, veering off at an awkward angle. The tip nicked Rook's cheek, though dropped the damage significantly.

'Ugh... may need to try those new skills. Guardian brought me three more.'

[Passive:

Defense Up--Defensive Power is increased by 10%

Active:

Blade Thrust--Powerful thrusting strike. 170% base power.

Void Shield--Raises Magic Defense for three minutes. 30% boost.]

'He's not using magic, so my new attack is all I have.'

"Blade Thrust."

Wind spiraled around the tip of Justice's sword, her speed picking up. Rook attempted to parry again, but Justice smirked as she back stepped. The mace swung too far, opening his defenses.

"Perfect."

Her blade pierced his chest, the full power of the attack taking effect.

[Chosen secondary effect has activated. Admin is not strong enough to handle the target. The target level exceeds 70. Admin has the chance to leave, deactivating Chosen. The chosen secondary effect, Gear Alter, is available for a single piece of gear. Gear will be altered to be on par with the target.]

'What?! I'm still too weak!?'

"Ugh, you little bitch! Divine Smite!"

Justice barely jumped sideways, her leg being the only part of her body crushed by the mace. Rook grimaced as he was struck with even greater damage, but he could only smile with glee.

"Try to run now. Hehe."

[Vengeance Greaves hidden effect has activated. Damage to your legs cannot cause detrimental effects. Immunity to Slow, Broken Legs and Bind.]

Justice got to her feet, her mind whirling with a fun thought. She began to limp heavily, pretending to lean against her Sword for support.

"You'll die here."

"Helmet."

[Target entity has Heaven Circlet, part of a set. Iron Helmet shall be modified to the same grade of gear.

.

.

.

Equipped Vengeance Tiara.]

A sudden spike in pain appeared on Justice's head, though she smiled through the pain.

[Vengeance Tiara- Rank S+ MP+ 300, Int+ 30, Wis+ 30

Passive: Critical damage is reduced by 30%

Set Effect:

3/7: Passive: Increased health regen. Revenge damage is increased by an additional 200%

5/7: ???

7/7: ???]

'So critical deal a hundred twenty percent now? Good.'

Rook swung his mace, aiming for Justice's face. The wide swing was easy for her to duck under, giving her the chance to dash even closer.

"Quick Slash."

Her blade went from shoulder to hip across Rook's body. He stepped back again, his eyes alight with rage as he swung his mace again. Justice felt the mace crush her shoulder as she was sent flying. She rolled to a stop, barely able to stop her body from heaving a deep breath.

[Hidden effects of Vengeance Tiara and Vengeance Gauntlets has activated.

Tiara: Immunity to Stun, Confusion, and Blind.

Gauntlets: Immunity to Broken Arms, Heavy Weapons, and Slick Hands.]

'Jeez. Broken ass gear.'

Justice panted softly as she returned to her feet. She watched as her health began to regen, although slow it was still visible as it raised.

"How are you still alive!? I should just finish this and get my prize!"

Justice could see the rage in his eyes, a thick vein bulging on his neck as he shrieked at her. She clenched her blade tight, unable to deal with much more. Her stamina was running low.

"Come get me."

Rook began to run, his speed lower than Justice's. His eyes were fully locked on her, but they went wide with shock as a sudden attack pierced him from behind. A large stinger, fully black with strange glitchy textures, protruded from his stomach.

"Wh-what?"

He was lifted far over the creature, a nasty looking scorpion, then pressed back down into the ground. The stinger was pushed deeper, Rook vanishing in a burst of particles. Justice watched in horror as the particles coalesced once more, recreating Rook where he laid. The stinger was removed, allowing Rook back to his feet. He looked at his hands, his feet, even his mace. Every last piece had turned violent black, glitchy textures spreading over all of it. His eyes gleamed within the textures, piercing red.

"Rook? Are you... are you okay?"

She could see him smile; his gaze even creepier as he began to teleportation away.

"He did have that ability- W-wait! Rook!"

Justice threw her sword, hoping it would reach Rook before he vanished. The blade passed through him, sinking deep into the scorpion behind him. The creature screeched, collapsing on the ground as it died.

"How the hell? It was so close to being dead?"

Justice sighed, unable to reach Rook now.

'Where did he even go?'

["Admin!"]

"What? Mai?"

["I felt a surge of power from a Bug here. An especially powerful one appeared, then vanished. Please explain."]

"Th-the Bug... it killed a player. He was so angry, so lost in his own desires. I couldn't beat him, but the Bug did. He didn't fully die though; his particles came back. He was like a Bug. A Bug Player."

["This is dangerous. I have kept players from coming into contact with Bugs, having only lost Symphony once to a Bug. I safeguarded her, only losing her home address in the process. I didn't guard this player. I know not of what will transpire from his body being reconstructed."]

"Mai can you check for the player? His name is Rook."

["...he logged out."]

"Shit. Can you help me get to town?"

["Affirmative. Transporting now."]

Justice could feel a strange sense of weightlessness. When she blinked, she had already appeared at the entrance of the third town. To her surprise, Symphony was at the gate. Her eyes were filled with terror.

--

Thank you,

JScott, croix and Tech!