Wanderer's Game

If you had told me I would find myself navigating the catacombs of Hell's capital city just a month ago, I would've called bullshit instantly.

Clearly though I should lower my expectations of life, because now I'm deep below the surface with thirty people looking to me for guidance as we wander through tunnels littered with skeletons and bugs.

Myself and Grayfia stand at the front of this makeshift convoy, with Gehrman at the back and the servants between us. Each one of us is casting a small flame above ourselves to light the way.

So far, we've been down here for around six minutes, each one of them spent in utter silence. At any moment something could go horrendously wrong, and clearly everyone knows it as well as I do.

The tension down here is so thick I can almost feel it suffocate me, and the feeling is only made worse by the weight of everyone's lives upon my shoulders.

I brought them all down here with promises of freedom and safety. If they die, I've no-one to blame but myself. Then again, if they die I doubt I'll be alive much longer myself to feel any remorse.

Morbid thoughts aside, the plan has held up so far. The idea is to go South since it's the shortest path to the City border, so we follow the path and destroy every wall that blocks us from moving in that direction.

Every so often there's a violent shaking across the catacombs, unholy screams from the abomination that Beneram has become echoing throughout the tunnels.

I can only hope that he's enough of a problem that Bidleid and Daimadosu combined need to deal with him, giving us an open shot to the exit.

Our problems aren't just coming from above either. I would like to say that we've been unimpeded on our journey thus far, but the problem with abandoned structures like these is that something usually moves in after you leave.

Newborn Arachen

Level: 46

Stood I'm front of us upon eight hairy legs was yet another of these tall, goat-headed fucking spiders, blocking the path forward with a few of its young brethren.

Before I can even consider clearing the way, Grayfia lifts her hand and summons several spikes of ice beneath them all, killing them on the spot.

"Thank you, Grayfia."

She doesn't respond. She doesn't need to, we've done this song and dance three separate times since we got down here. Not that it matters, my focus has been elsewhere since we entered the pits.

Right now my shitty HUD is aflame with alerts from the system; Level rewards, new items, Skill Augments, Alduin hatching. I don't know if I have enough time to address them all before something goes wrong, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore them.

Available Stat Points: 192

Unused Skill Tokens: 64

As it turns out, the Tutorial ended as soon as Euclid passed, meaning all the rewards I received from his murder were enhanced. I've never been more thankful to finish a tutorial in my life.

My life now depends on this stat distribution. I need to make it count.

Alistair Mammon (Luocha)

Level: 112 (30/260)

HP: 7840

MP: 3379

STR: 58

AGI: 65

INT: 55

VIT: 63

LUK: 35

Fucking stupendous. The feeling of raw power that washes over me has my body shivering, and clearly Grayfia notices the sudden change given the momentary glance she sends my way.

"Master? Is something the matter?" The concern in her voice is unwarranted.

"I'm fine." I say, flexing my wrists. "Better than ever, in fact."

Her eyes linger on me for a moment before she moves on from the subject, though I immediately see that she's walking closer to me than before, our bodies almost touching.

[You must be wondering where your Stat Skills are, right User?]

My thoughts were occupied with much more important things than you, Anya.

[Rude!]

It's necessary with you sometimes.

[Hmph.]

...are you going to tell me about the Skills? Was the question rhetorical, or did you actually expect an answer from me?

[Stat Skills are an integral part of your experience! The first Stat Skill was a gift, I gave it to you on a discount at 15 points. You're supposed to get one every 20 points in a given stat. Speaking of which...]

I have to blink away the several notifications that blot my sightline, several new abilities being added onto my ever expanding kit.

After a few moments of reading the new Skills, I'm feeling a bit torn. Quite a few of these skills aren't worth much, just being small passive bonuses. Some, however, are much more special.

60 VIT Skill Unlocked!

Unlimited Brain Works: User is far more resilient against cognitive afflictions, and can function with a severely reduced brain mass for a short period of time.

I'm not sure how it works. Nor do I care. It'll keep me alive even further, and that's all that matters.

40 INT Skill Unlocked!

Biological Engine: User can convert HP into MP at a rate of 10:1. Mana regeneration is increased to 15% of total MP every minute.

This, this is what I live for. HP into MP is a wonderful exchange when I'm capable of healing myself infinitely.

20 LUK Skill Unlocked!

Loaded Dice: Reduces the chance of getting an item less than SR rank in Gacha.

The less I have to deal with shitty Gacha the better. It may not be much, but any improvement is a good step forward.

60 AGI Skill Unlocked!

Lethal Instinct: User can 'feel' incoming attacks from any direction. Dodging said attacks is dependant on the User.

Once more, I realise just how many boons I've gotten from going to Lucifaad. I fucking hate it here, but at least I've been compensated for my troubles.

There's one Skill I've not yet mentioned. The magnum opus. The icing on the cake.

40 VIT Skill Unlocked!

Flesh Parade: User is capable of restoring vital organs/limbs irrespective of concurrent existing ones. User is now unable to be cloned, as all DNA/Mana is considered 'null' upon separation from the body.

If there was a bloody Skill required, why the hell did you say all that shit about the 'Sovereign', Anya?

[I am restricted from directly guiding you. I can aid you, but I cannot show you the path on your journey. In lieu of that, I had hoped the words of the Sovereign would aid you through this lesson about consequences.]

Lesson about consequences? Seems a bit pointless to call it a lesson, I've got the Skill so now it doesn't matter. I've not learned anything, hell I'd say I've been rewarded instead.

[If you wish to play the smartass then by all means, go ahead User. You will be needing this Skill momentarily.]

Anya? What does that mean? Hello!?

Fuck. Something's wrong, I've never had a warning from Anya that didn't coincide with a Quest in some form. This must be different.

7440HP!

I cast a Prayer just to be safe and relish in the feeling of my eye returning, having peripheral vision once more after tearing the eyepatch off feels fucking phenomenal.

In the corner of my now expanded vision, I can see Grayfia skewer another cluster Arachen scattered along the walls. Anya's warning still running through my head, I get her attention quickly.

"Grayfia. Keep your guard up."

She immediately summons two blades into her hands and several magic circles begin to hover around her.

"Understood, Master. Shall I move forward and clear a path?" A sound idea, but one I shut down in an instant.

"We're in a labyrinth, beneath the surface. If someone else is down here with us, splitting up would be the worst choice we could make." She hums, and looks around.

"Do you think we could have been followed so easily down here?"

"We haven't exactly made our path hard to find, Grayfia. Anyone with half a brain could track us down."

Instead of an audible response, she gives a physical one, throwing her arm out to the side to stop me in my tracks. Before I can ask her intentions, I hear footsteps from directly ahead.

Calm, deliberate steps echo through the catacombs as coal-black armour slowly comes into view, the light dimming slightly as it does so.

Bidleid Beelzebub walks into view, his armour littered with purple bloodstains, his fists coated in it.

"An apt description, I must say. Tell me, rat, did you really believe your plan would work?" He looks so smug, I want nothing more than to strangle him.

"I'd say it's worked quite well thus far." My voice is strained as I speak. "How's your cousin, Bidleid?"

As if brought on by my words, the tunnel shakes and Beneram's unholy screams echo through the catacombs once more, his shriek far more pained than those prior.

Bidleid's gauntlets groan under the pressure his clenching fists exert upon them, his eyebrow twitching violently.

"You speak with such confidence now, yet last I recall you were screaming and begging for mercy as I tore out your eye." He steps forward slowly.

"Though, perhaps I didn't do a good enough job the first time, given you stand before me with both intact."

Hatred flows freely through my veins as he walks so casually towards us. I've never felt such malice towards an individual in both of my lives, and the feeling is revolting.

"You might just have the most impressive Healing ability I've ever seen, aside from the Phenex Clan." His smile drops into a pained grimace.

"A shame, then, that this talent is wasted on a fucking half-breed like you."

Before I can stop myself, I smirk and taunt him. "Is that jealousy in your voice that I hear, Bidleid? It's nothing to be ashamed of."

He doesn't respond for a moment, instead cracking his knuckles. His grin widens, teeth now visible.

"Why would I envy that which is to be mine?" He shudders briefly. "Oh, the things I have planned for you would make even Prometheus shudder."

Again, the words spill from my mouth unbidden, laced with enough vitriol that I surprise even myself.

"Those are some big words, coming from the man who spent the last decade hiding in a castle. Do you flinch whenever you see the colour red? Do you keep the lights on at night in case he comes back for round two?"

Bidleid growls, mouth curling into a snarl, before something in him shifts and it turns into a soft smile.

"I am going to enjoy breaking that spirit of yours, Mammon. Seeing your defiance wither away into submission will bring me more pleasure than you can imagine."

Charming.

Right, no time for games. My eyes dart around the cramped hallway, brain alight with thoughts, and I catch Grayfia's gaze. I think I have a plan. One that I imagine will benefit in the long run, but will hurt a fuckload as of now.

My hand crawls out behind my back and I begin a small countdown, one she quickly takes notice of. The servants behind me, silent in terror the whole time, back away even more as I do so.

"Take your time, rat. I won't be going anywhere unless you make me."

The tension escalates further and further as Bidleid waits for our assault. Grayfia shifts her legs as the count drops lower and lower, until finally I'm down to one finger.

Time to execute the plan.

------------------------------------

I move as fast as I'm able to, hoping to use surprise to my advantage as I turn and kick Grayfia away from me, trapping myself and Bidleid in a Circle of Life moments later.

"Master!?"

She looks on in shock for a moment, trying to push back into the Circle only to be met with an invisible wall. Despite what she may think, this isn't an elaborate suicide attempt.

My chances of survival have increased greatly. Gehrman and Grayfia can help me stave off Bidleid without worrying for the extra servants this way, I just need to survive long enough.

"Move around us, take a different route. I can hold him for two and a half minutes, get everyone else out and come back!"

She looks conflicted, unable to contend with the idea of abandoning me even if it will only be temporary.

"For fucks sake Grayfia, move!"

For a moment I'm worried she'll make my efforts for nothing, but then Gehrman finally shows himself with a hand on her shoulder and a solemn nod towards me and some parting words as he drags Grayfia away.

"Thank you, Alistair. For everything."

Before I can offer some form of acknowledgement, I feel a sharp pain in my head and dodge to the side immediately, seeing Bidleid's fist inches away from my face, his eyes alight with mirth.

"Two minutes? How optimistic of you, to assume you'll survive that long." As the Lucifuge Clan clear a path around us, Bidleid throws another fist at my chest, the force enough to create a small gust of wind.

Harbinger appears in my hands just before his fist collides with me, the clang of metal on metal echoing violently through the catacombs after I block the strike.

Bidleid pushes his fist in harder and leans in close, my own arms shaking from the pressure being put on them, one hand placed on the handle and the other braced against the back of the blade as sparks fly.

"Struggle however much you want, rat. By the day's end, I'll have you shackled in the depths of Pandemonia."

His teeth show once more as he grins. He's playing with his food, choosing to use one hand instead of both, treating my life like a toy to be played with.

My hatred burns further as he pushes against the Harbinger. To give myself some room, I dismiss the blade and dash to the side, watching as he stumbles from the sudden lack of an obstacle.

His neck snaps in my direction, his eyes unblinking. His arm lifts slightly, and a magic circle forms underneath me.

Instantly, thousands of enlarged bees appear from the circle and swarm me, my clothes being eaten away in seconds, my flesh following soon after.

-13HPx1388!

Piece by piece, they tear away at me. Every part of my body is torn and chewed and eaten and bitten and-

"ENOUGH!"

-90MP!

7300HP!

The torrent of fire I summon burns every last one of the bugs to a crisp, my body instantaneously fixing itself as the hollow feeling of being eaten alive washes away.

Bidleid watches on in mild amusement, his lips curled. Just before he says another snide comment, I summon Death's Cradle into my hand and cast Death Wish.

"Repent!"

Spectral vines coated in thorns seep freely from the lid of the coffin, Primordial Death given form in this world as they stab into Bidleid, restraining him briefly.

Upon making contact with the thorns the Blight quickly sets in. His skin begins to rot slightly, eyes turning yellow as patches of his body decay. He moves slower, breathes heavier.

This was always the trump card. The banker. The one that couldn't fail. Blight is a game changer when it comes to unfair fights.

When afflicted with Blight: -25% to all Stats. Unable to Heal. Lasts for 60s.

Time to get to work. Harbinger disappears and is quickly replaced by Caduceus, my body moving faster than a bullet as I dash forward and slice away at his joints.

Two strikes, each of the tendons in his elbows cut, but not severed. I try to go for a third slash, but Bidleid's fist crashes into my shoulder and sends me flying into the wall of the tunnel.

-969HP!

I grimace at the pain and feel something in my arm break, but I quickly dodge to the side as Bidleid launches a followup, his fist crashing into the wall I was thrown into.

His head snaps to me yet again, steam billowing from his clenched teeth. Before I can even try to dodge, he's thrown to jabs to my ribs, shattering them on impact.

My body flies away from him due to the sheer force of his punches, but before I can go too far he grabs me by the leg and slams me against the wall.

-3702HP!

My body aches violently, a small shudder coursing through my person as blood seeps through my lungs.

Bidleid stands over me, his foot raised to smash down on my skull. Thinking quickly, I summon the Harbinger in my left hand and shoot his leg, feeling life flow back into me.

7300HP!

With life coursing through my veins yet again, I put as much distance between myself and Bidleid as I can, who lost his balance after I shot his foot and had to take a step back.

His eyes lock onto the smoking barrel of the Harbinger, and he frowns.

"I tire of these cheap tricks, Mammon. Fight me like you mean it you pathetic wretch!"

"You really think I'd make it that easy for you? No, I'm gonna use every trick I've got. I'll throw dust, use my teeth, use the broken remnants of my own limbs if I have to. I am going to survive this, and there's nothing you can do to stop that."

The tunnel shakes violently once more, another scream from Beneram echoing throughout as Bidleid and I stare one another down. I need to move first if I want to keep Blight on him, though.

Circle of Life: 83s Remaining

My hand lashes out, Gravity Magic coating the limb as I amplify the weight Bidleid's armour hundredfold, his body quickly falling into a kneeling position as a result.

-570MP!

A manageable loss. With Bidleid on the floor, I take my chances and dash forward, Caduceus poised to skewer him through the skull, to end his miserable life.

Before I can even get close, a magic circle appears beneath me and I have no choice but to dash back and send another blast of fire as thousands of bees spew forth from it.

-90MP!

I almost allow myself a moment to relax, but then Bidleid dashes through the blazing inferno with another magic circle poised.

I feel the intended direction of his attack, Instinct kicking in as my head shifts to the side, his gauntlet brushing against my hair but doing no permanent damage.

Though I managed to dodge one hand, I wasn't fast enough to dodge the other. His hand wraps around my throat and squeezes, my windpipe all but crushed immediately as he lifts me up to meet his eyes.

I writhe around in his grasp, panicking at the sudden lack of air in my system, rational thoughts fading away in the face of terror. The effects of Blight are slowly fading, but he's still weak for a few more seconds.

"Fast, but not fast enough." The magic circle in his palm spins violently, Mana thrumming in the air around it. "I hope this pathetic resistance was worth the pain it's going to cause you."

Black spots fill my vision. I can barely make out the features on his face, and I see a sickening degree of euphoria on his features as bees slowly begin to spill out of his circle.

My hand slaps against his arm in some form of resistance, causing him to laugh as I grab onto his elbow and try to push it away.

"What's wrong, rat!? You were so confident only a few minutes ago! Was it all a lie!?"

The first bees make contact with my flesh, tearing it away piece by piece yet again. He lossens his grip around my throat enough that I stay conscious, so that I can't escape the torment he has planned.

-13HPx23

That's exactly what I want though. With my palm against his elbow, I summon my Magic Circle and cast my most powerful Skill. It takes less than a second.

"FREIKUGEL!"

-700MP!

-700HP!

7300HP!

The first thing I hear is Bidleid's screams. Then I hear my own. The searing heat from my palm causes my own skin to boil and bubble, but that's nothing compared to what it does to Bidleid's elbow.

The condensed beam of Mana burned through his armour and his flesh, the arm now hanging by threads of sinew as he heaves out each breath, his eyes wide in horror.

I try and drag the beam towards his head to kill him then and there, but by that time he's made several meters of distance and thrown up a wall of bees to act as a barrier between himself and the spell.

Every bee he had summoned was eviscerated by the Freikugel, but he was spawning them faster than I could kill them with it, giving him reprieve.

Seeing the futility, I cut the Freikugel and feel the sizzling of my own blistered skin. The pain burns, but it burns with the feeling of triumph, of overwhelming satisfaction.

My satisfaction is short lived though. Blight has long since worn off, so too has the Circle of Life, and there's no sign of Grayfia or Gehrman.

I can't apply Blight again to stop Bidleid from healing with Phenex Tears. Beneram hasn't shrieked in a while, so Daimadosu could appear at any moment. Things are quickly looking just as dour as-

"-GAK!"

------------------------------------

A hand wraps around my throat once more, my throat crushed instantly, blood and flesh spilling from the small pockets between Bidleid's armoured fingers.

"So full of surprises, aren't you Alistair?"

He moved faster than I could even comprehend. Not only is he taking me seriously now, but without Blight he's back to having his full Stat sheet.

"I admit, I've missed this. It's been a while since I had such a thrilling brawl."

He lifts me by the throat yet again. Before I can try to cast a Freikugel once more he takes both my hands into his own and clamps down with all his might, the bones and muscle instantly pulverised, now broken and useless.

My cries of pain are snuffed out by my own inability to even exhale. There's no air in my system, a silent scream is all I can muster as he slams me against the wall yet again.

I try to think of some way out of this, some trick still up my sleeve, but thinking is growing difficult. I can barely think straight through the agony pulsating in my system.

"You fought well, Alistair. But not well enough, unfortunately."

"...fuck...you..."

The words were hollow. Despite my fury towards him, I couldn't muster anything more than whispered profanities.

7300HP!

To my surprise, Bidleid laughs after I cast a Prayer to fix myself. It doesn't stop the choking, but it dulls the agony in my hands.

"Even now you fight. You still have that fire in your eyes. Good. I promise to put it to good use. To put you to good use. You and I will do great things."

I should be terrified. His words paint only the most horrifying of situations for myself to come. And yet, despite the terrifying implications of his words, all I feel right now is overwhelming relief.

Distantly, faintly, I can see them. Gehrman and Grayfia. She moves like a woman possessed.

Bidleid quickly drops my body to the floor and jumps back, barely dodging the blade of a scythe swung at him by Gehrman, cursing at the old butler.

Grayfia joins in shortly after, her every strike full of hatred, thousands of hovering blades following after ever attack, the summoned daggers spinning rapidly enough to act as sawblades.

Bidleid recognises a lost battle when he sees one though, and he quickly tries to make his escape through breaking open the ceiling and tearing his way to the surface of Lucifaad.

Halfway through bashing open a hole in the roof, using swarms of bees to keep the Lucifuge duo away, Bidleid takes one last look at me.

"You were impressive, for a half-breed. I hope one day we can draw blood again."

And then, in the blink of an eye, the man I've come to despise flies away, and I've nothing to show for it.

Seconds later, I'm being lifted up by Grayfia, carried towards the city outskirts. There's an odd taste in my mouth. Should I be proud, or disappointed? No matter. I'm alive. That's all that matters in the end.

I look between the two Lucifuge as we walk, and I can almost feel the animosity between them. Grayfia looks like there's a thousand things she wants to say, but we can't afford to wait and talk.

Instead, she just cradles me close to her and finally, finally we breach the teleportation block. I feel the spell take form beneath my feet, and I don't bother trying to stop the tears of relief from falling as I rest my head in my hand.

Fuck this city. Fuck Lucifaad. I better get a bloody medal for this.