The Dance
Whilst talking to Chunghee, Eduard and his colossal broomstick moved towards the multiple ponds.
With the conversation out of the way, Eduard manoeuvred the colossal tree towards the empty spot by the ponds. Eduard channelled his energy to turn the tree upright before slamming it to the ground.
A "Boom" sound reverberated across the ponds. Their tranquillity was shattered by a barrage of dirt and rocks.
Done with his friend shit, Chunghee changed the topic.
Spoke of the devil, a booming explosion vibrated across the earth; it heralded the destruction of the world.
Majestic mountain ranges once stood dignified against the snowy onslaught now crumbled and collapsed. Its stone and soil reunited with nature. In its wake, only a field of sharp debris behind.
Floating islands once oversaw the world from high elevation; now like droplets in the rain falling to earth. Their earthbound collision flattened everything in their path.
Before Eduard could say anything, Chunghee immediately left the group call. Eduard was stunned at his friend's fast response. "God Damnit."
Eduard quickly moved towards his tree. He landed on a comfortable spot before activating his sigil. Purplish-grey energy shot out and connected to the blood runes.
'This is why I didn't plant the tree properly, Chunghee,' Eduard wanted to call Chunghee back and tell him that.
'This game hates me, doesn't it.' He sighed.
Looking at the encroaching tide of chaotic energy, Eduard stopped his channelling. He knew he couldn't outrun it. And just like him, another entity knew it too.
「Although you ignored his previous goodwill, you still managed to save the tree. The Game Master admires your resourcefulness. Hence, he suggests a new
「
「The Game Master hopes that you'll accept this deal to establish an amicable trading relationship with each other.」
However, like before, Eduard was unwilling to accept such a deal immediately. He asked The Game Master, "When will this deal expire?"
「The Game Master likes your character. Hence, for this first
Eduard smiled and moved to the highest spot on the tree.
From his vantage point, he could see the chaotic tide in the distance. It was an amalgamation, pulsating in vibrant colour, brimming with energy. Eduard could even see a vague glimmer of damned souls dragged by it.
Looking at it for a short while pained Eduard's mind, yet he continued to stare.
Stellarium was known for its life-like simulation in-game. Their latest entry Weltkrieg 1945, was no different. Users were able to use their real-life powers in the game. That's why plenty of companies also use Weltkrieg 1945 to train their recruits.
However, to Eduard, Out Rim was a straight improvement of Weltkrieg 1945. The in-game avatar was at least five times stronger than their real-life body; this also doesn't include improved energy and health regeneration. Energy manipulation was a lot smoother too.
Due to this exceptionally realistic simulation, any experience gained in-game can be translated to real life. That was why Eduard was staring directly into the chaotic energy. To untrained eyes, the tide of chaotic energy looked like a mess. However, to Eduard, it was a perfect symphony of destruction and harmony.
The tide of chaotic energy somehow managed to combine a multitude of different arts, technologies and magics. All these different energies wanted to consume each other. Yet, they pushed on together to swallow the world.
A perfect symphony of destruction and harmony.
If Eduard could learn how nature managed to do it, his energy control would improve exponentially.
Into the abyss, he stared. Eureka!
Eduard energy started moving on its own. Purplish-grey energy morphed crudely following the flow of chaos, shadowing the ever-shifting tide.
As Eduard was focusing on his Eureka, notifications started to pile up.
「Resolving error:….」
「The tide of chaotic energy is 8 minutes away. The Game Master urged you to accept the
「Resolving error:….」
「The tide of chaotic energy is 6 minutes away. The Game Master urged you to accept the
However, all were ignored. His coarse replication rapidly improved as his energy flowed ever closer to its chaotic counterpart. It was not only his energy that was changing, deep within his body, the heartbeat to the rhythm of destruction.
Like in tango, the tide was the lead and Eduard's energy was the partner; they moved in tandem. Their stage was heaven and earth; their audience was the verdant field; their applause was the sound of destruction.
What a beautiful dance of desolation!
However, as the tide approached, the sympathy changed. It called out for Eduard's energy; to join it; to complete it; to be together. The allure was enormous as the tide sucked away Eduard's grip over his energy.
A sane person would have stopped their energy. However, Eduard was different. He ignored the ringing notification.
「Resolving error:….」
「The tide of chaotic energy is 4 minutes away. The Game Master urgently urged you to accept the
Eduard closed his eyes. The boxing match had begun. In the right corner was the lightweight champion: Eduard the Erectile Reptile. In the left corner was the ultra-HD-deluxe-super-1080p-heavyweight champion: Chaos the Encroaching Tide.
Eduard knew that he wouldn't be able to win this. However, he still wanted to give it a go. Chaotic energy, after all, is rough; it forced everything to blend. Hence, Eduard's strategy was strategic control.
To the average mage or cultivator, controlling their energy is like handling a rope. One side will pull, and one side will push. If cut, then that string of energy was over.
However, to Eduard, it was more akin to strand rope. Unlike the traditional push and pull, Eduard can reinforce the contested areas with more strands or self-sacrifice areas with lesser strands.
Hence, that was Eduard's game plan. As the Chaotic energy encroached, it started pulling on his weaker area. Eduard reinforced crucial parts and cut off the non-essential. He also created many fake single strands to bait the Chaotic energy.
It was mentally consuming; as he had to juggle between the dance and the rope.
The rope tied the lead and the partner together. The chaotic energy, the lead, wanted to use it to pull them closer together. Eduard, the partner, wanted to play with the lead and keep extending the rope. A new equilibrium was born to this strange symphony.
As more and more notifications flooded in, Eduard knew the finale was coming. The tide attacked vigorously, and Eduard couldn't keep up with it.
Soon the final notification arrived.
「Resolving error:….」
「The tide of chaotic energy is 1 minute away. The Game Master urgently urged you to accept the
The tide of death had arrived; Eduard could feel his skin scorching; his mouth dried; his energy revolted; he started bleeding all over his body as his energy was sucked out.
"AHHHHHH! gobhho," blood filled his mouth, stopping him from even screaming.
From his position on top of the tree, he crashed down; Eduard dove through the tree's many branches, twigs and stubs. Down the length of the tree trunk, he went. Finally, Eduard arrived at the solid roots below.
His body was of a porcupine, punctured to no end. He laid there bloodied on the cold, dense roots.
Eduard finally looked at his notification.
「Resolving error:….」
「The tide of chaotic energy is 20 seconds away. The Game Master urgently urged you to accept the
"Hahaha! bogobo," Eduard tried to laugh as blood covered his mouth. "It is extremely unsportsmanlike to trick other people you know! Just activate the cleanse program already!"