Chapter 6 : Max Sees the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses
The steady rhythm of hooves echoed through the cobblestone path, but Max barely noticed the gentle sway of the carriage. His attention was fixed outside the window, where six towering beasts pulled the carriage with an almost unnatural grace. Each one stood over seven feet tall at the shoulder, their bodies covered in sleek, dark scales that gleamed like polished obsidian. Pure-Blood Dragon Horses—legendary creatures with draconic ancestry, rumored to rival the strength of dragons themselves.
Max (Internal): Pure-Blood Dragon Horses… I can't believe I'm seeing them up close.
The stories and lore from VV Fate's End had painted a terrifying image of these beasts, but nothing compared to the reality. In the game, players spoke of them in hushed tones, marveling at their destructive power. Max had always imagined them as impossible bosses, creatures meant to test the very best players. But now, they were in front of him, pulling his carriage as though they were mere workhorses.
Their scales shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting shades of black, deep purple, and dark blue. Wisps of smoke curled from their nostrils with every breath, the faint scent of sulfur lingering in the air, reminding Max of their draconic heritage. Their eyes, glowing faintly with an inner fire, hinted at the raw magical power that surged through their veins. The ground beneath their hooves cracked and smoldered with every step, leaving faint burn marks in their wake.
Max (Internal): No wonder the Duke was so feared. Even his carriage is pulled by monsters that could annihilate cities.
He had never understood the full extent of the Duke's power while playing the game. In VV Fate's End, it had seemed like the Duke's reputation came from his cunning and ruthlessness in battle. But seeing the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses up close, Max realized the Duke's power was more than just tactical genius—it was pure, overwhelming force.
Max (Internal): These creatures are level 500 at least. In the game, it took entire raid parties to bring down one of them…
Max shifted uncomfortably in his seat, suddenly aware of the weight of responsibility that came with the Duke's title. It wasn't just about commanding armies or managing political alliances; it was about wielding power that could reshape the world. The horses pulling his carriage were living, breathing weapons of destruction, and they answered to him now.
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The Guards and Their Mounts
As the carriage moved along the path, Max's gaze shifted to the Duke's personal guard riding alongside. Their horses, though smaller than the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses, were still monstrous in their own right. These mounts, covered in thick hides and exuding magical energy, were bred for battle. Their hooves clanged against the ground with a metallic ring, and their eyes glowed with the same faint magic that coursed through their riders.
Max (Internal): Even the guards' horses are far beyond anything I've seen.
In the game, mounts like these were a status symbol, a sign of a commander's prowess. They were powerful, enchanted beasts that could trample over foot soldiers and crush armor with a single charge. Now, seeing them in person, Max was struck by just how real this world had become. These weren't just lines of code or numbers on a screen anymore—they were living creatures, full of muscle, magic, and fury.
Max (Internal): In this world, they don't have levels like in the game, but if they did… those guards' horses would easily be over level 100.
The realization sent a chill down his spine. This was no longer a game. These creatures, these soldiers, were part of the legacy he had inherited. Whether or not he felt ready, the Duke's power was now his to wield.
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Max's Awe and Realization
Max leaned back in his seat, his fingers brushing the hilt of the sword at his side. It was a beautifully crafted blade, once belonging to the Duke himself. Max's grip tightened as memories of his friends flooded his mind—late-night sessions playing Fate's End, strategizing how to take down the Duke's forces, laughing at how overpowered his title seemed.
Max (Internal): My friends used to joke about the Duke. They had no idea how right they were.
He looked back at the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses, their strength palpable even from within the carriage. Max realized something important in that moment: the Duke hadn't just been a powerful tactician or a ruthless leader. He had commanded forces of nature, creatures capable of destroying entire cities. That kind of power didn't come from strategy alone—it came from understanding how to control the monsters that followed him.
Max (Internal): The Duke was more than just a leader. He was a force of nature in his own right.
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Definition of Level 500+ Characters
Max's thoughts drifted back to the game's mechanics. In VV Fate's End, characters or creatures with levels above 500 were considered "boss-level" entities. They weren't just strong—they were practically gods, beings capable of reshaping entire landscapes with a flick of their wrist.
Max (Internal): Level 500… that's the kind of power reserved for beings like dragons, demon knights, or ancient liches.
Boss-level entities had the kind of strength that could turn the tide of wars on their own. They were the ultimate challenge in the game, requiring entire guilds of players to bring down. Their destructive abilities were legendary—fortresses crumbled before them, armies fled in terror, and cities burned in their wake.
Max (Internal): And I'm sitting behind six of them. Six creatures that could obliterate a city without breaking a sweat.
It was overwhelming. The Duke's title didn't just come with responsibility—it came with unimaginable power. Power that could make or break an empire. Max's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his sword again, the weight of his new role pressing down on him.
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Max's Resolve
As the carriage rolled onward, Max's mind raced. The world he had entered wasn't just a place of politics and strategy—it was a world where raw power reigned supreme. The Duke's reputation had been built on the fear and respect that these creatures commanded. And now, that same power was his to control.
Max (Internal): I've inherited more than just a title. I've inherited a legend.
The path ahead wasn't clear, but one thing was certain: if he was going to survive in this world, he needed to learn how to control the monstrous forces at his disposal. Whether it was the knights, the guards, or the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses, they all represented a level of power far beyond what he had ever known.
Max (Internal): If I can't live up to the Duke's legend, I'll be destroyed by the very power I now command.
With that thought, Max's resolve hardened. He didn't have all the answers yet, but he knew one thing for sure—he wouldn't let this world break him. He would become the Duke this world feared, or he would die trying.
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