"Unequip Mask of the Devil." The mask vanished into thin air, and his features slowly returned to normal. "Alright, finally."
Zero opened his door and walked down to the Guild's eating area. As soon as he entered, a loud voice called out. "Finally, you are here! Been waiting for you, Zero." John grinned eagerly. "I was worried you would not come down after the incident, but you look alright."
"Anyway, John, remember what I told you?"
John crossed his arms. "There has been a change of plans. Come over here."
Zero glanced at the table. A few unfamiliar faces were sitting with John. Some of them were from the squad that had been at the gate when he arrived, bruised and battered.
"So, whats up?"
"The count of this region wants to meet the two survivors and thank us personally," John said, his tone reluctant.
"The count wants to thank us? For surviving?"
"Zero, killing an Elder Wolf around these parts is a big deal apparently."
Zero sighed. "I keep forgetting John is not actually from Ancalen or the Kingdom. He is just an adventurer trying to make enough money for his family."
Suddenly, the woman next to John gave him a serious look, silencing the conversation. "Zero, was it? You probably do not realize how much what you did actually mattered, but you were there. You helped get revenge for my pupil, Marine. I heard what happened."
Zero quickly picked up on what she meant and rubbed his neck slightly.
"I am sorry I could not do anything," he muttered.
"Do not worry, I am just glad the beast died," she said with appreciation before continuing. "I will be accompanying you and John to Ishla, the half capital of the Eldich Kingdom."
"Half capital?" Zero questioned.
"Ah, that is right. You do not have much knowledge of this world yet. In short, due to political conflicts, there are currently two capitals in the Eldich Kingdom."
"This world has its own political systems. It is kind of scary how many moving parts there are," Zero thought, rubbing his neck slightly.
BANG!
The door swung open, and the guildmaster walked in. The room fell silent. He moved with a sense of calm and stopped in front of the table where John and Zero were sitting. "If it isn't the Elder Wolf Squad," he laughed before locking eyes with Zero. "And if it isn't the no-potential Water Player. I remember you."
John gave the guildmaster a puzzled look. "You two met?"
The guildmaster continued.
"Zero? Of course. He arrived in town about a month ago as one of our first Players." He looked oddly pleased to see him.
"I have to say, I didn't expect you guys to bring fame to this small city. I am grateful." He tossed a few items onto the table. "As a thank-you gift for surviving, I'll do you a favor, Zero."
"A favor?"
"Well, you might not be aware, but a lot of cities, even entire kingdoms, have started banning Players from entering their territories. Eldich will be joining them soon, I am afraid."
"Why would they ban Players?"
"Well, you guys keep showing up, but most of you have no talent or are nearly powerless. You are dead weight. It takes too long to train you up, and you take jobs from our citizens."
A brief silence followed.
"But since you did my town a big favor, like John, I will grant you a Token of Ancalen. It will allow you to travel relatively freely." He smiled. "Oh, and John asked me to have your crude sword repaired." He placed it on the table alongside the token.
The atmosphere in the guild quickly reignited, and soon, the room was filled with the sounds of eating and conversation once again.
***
Zero stood in front of the gates of Ancalen, staring at a wagon hitched to two horses. The vast plains stretched endlessly before him, breathtaking in their beauty.
Without realizing it, tears welled up in his eyes and began to fall.
"You okay?" John asked.
"It looks beautiful," Zero said, gazing at the world before him.
The wagon began to move, and soon, the towering walls of Ancalen faded into the distance. One hour turned into two, then three, then four...
Time passed, and it was getting late.Zero tried to log out… but nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing.
What is going on? Zero thought, confused.
John noticed Zero looking irritated."Don't you players normally evaporate at night and come back the next day?" he asked.
"Normally… but nothing is happening," Zero muttered.
***
BREAKING NEWS
11 PMElemental Online has mysteriously shut down, and all servers are apparently down. A malfunction with the login phrase yesterday made it impossible for dead people to log in and new players to join. The company released a statement saying they have no idea what's going on.
11:30 PMIt has been confirmed that about 40,000 people who were playing the game when the shutdown happened have mysteriously vanished from their homes. We are looking into the details and will keep you all updated
***
[System Notification]
—ERROR World-Link Discoonecting——System Deleting——Goodbye—
What is going on?
Zero looked around the small campfire his companions had made. He focused again in his mind System… System…
But not even the System load screen appeared. No logout. Nothing at all indicated he was playing a game, aside from his memories.
"Ahahah," he laughed a bit in his mind. Is this really it? My dream has come true? Being in a world where there are magical powers… the possibilities are endless.
The smile apparently creeped John out a bit."Zero, you seem to be in a better mood. You've been staring into space for a while now. Why not come introduce yourself to the rest of the people we're traveling with?"
"Alright," he muttered, pushing himself off the grass and walking toward the campfire.
The fire was lighting up the faces of the people sitting around it.
"Well well well, if it isn't the so-called Player," a voice called out.
John patted Zero on the back."Yes, everyone, you met him in the guild. But this is Zero, the second survivor of the Elder Wolf."
Zero looked around, studying their faces."I'm Zero. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances."
John took a bottle out of his backpack on the ground."I'm John. It's a pleasure to travel with you guys to Ishla," he shouted slightly before taking a drink.
Next to speak was a female."My name is Nimue. I was Marine's teacher. It's a pleasure to be traveling with you all to Ishla."
"My name is Limbus. I'm an archer who's traveling as the representative for the guildmaster."
And finally, the last one-the one who had been driving the wagon."I'm a butler of the Indila Family."
Zero looked around. He was still a bit bewildered, but everything was starting to make more sense. He leaned toward John, who had already finished drinking the whole bottle, and whispered,"The Indila Family… what do they have to do with us?"
John focused for a bit, clearly shaken by the information."They're one of the fifteen ducal households in the kingdom, and the Indila Family controls the region of Ancalen and more. As you know, the Kingdom of Eldich is huge. They were the ones who mobilized the adventurers and guards to stop the Elder Wolf and therefore have the rights to its contents."
I see, I see, Zero thought. Then I need to do something… being labeled like this is not good.
Limbus stopped and looked toward Zero."Doesn't Players normally vanish in the night?"
"Me?" Zero said, pointing to himself.
"Yes, you."
"I'm not a Player, I'm afraid…"
The area went quiet.
"Not a Player… I thought you were?" Limbus asked, genuinely curious.
"I lied," Zero said bluntly.
John looked at him in surprise."You're not a Player? … Why did you lie?"
Everyone stared at Zero as he said,"I needed money, so I acted like a Player."
As he said that, something clicked for John."I was told you had 0 Potential in water. All the other Players I've heard of had from low to very high. That was their one clear trait, and why we sought them out so badly. Being able to control magic at all is extremely rare."
The butler looked toward Nimue and asked something Zero didn't expect."Did he lie?"
Zero's head darted toward the butler and Nimue. She then said,"You know my ability very well. Since I owe you a lot, I'll answer your question. I do have an ability that lets me know if someone speaks the truth."
The butler repeated,"So did he lie?"
"Why do you want to know?" she asked bluntly.
"If he is not a Player, I need to ask him some questions. After all, Players since last month have been sighted all around the world and we have been in a scramble trying to figure out their locations. So if an unknown human at that, being in Ancalen City, not to mention the area, undetected… it raises questions."
"That is true," Nimue muttered. "He did lie, but he didn't fully lie."
The butler looked at her."So you're saying he didn't fully lie about not being a Player?"
"It would appear so."
The butler looked toward Zero."I think I'm understanding now. Zero is not your real name, is it?"
Zero grinned."No, it is not."
The butler asked,"So you're keeping your identity a secret? By choice?"
"That's right."
He glanced at Nimue, and she answered,"He spoke the truth."
After that, everyone went to bed, occasionally switching to take turns on night guard.
It was weird—sleeping outside with nothing but an old sleeping bag in a new world. But he couldn't help but smile. It was his dream, after all…
"Zero, wake up." He yawned. It was still dark outside. John was standing above him."It's your turn."
John tucked himself in, and after watching Zero stand up, he began falling asleep. The sky was dark but lit by three moons—two large ones and a smaller one—spread far apart. Something so surreal. Zero had been told he was the last to keep watch, so it should be morning soon.
Zero focused and thought, System. Nothing happened.
It seems like I was right. I'm stuck in this world. From what I can gather, the people here, especially the Kingdom of Eldich, don't have the best view of Players. And ever since the System disappeared, no announcements or anything showing a connection to the real world has appeared.
If I remember correctly, about 50,000 other Players were online when I logged in last. That means I'm not the only one stuck. The question is… what will the others do? Kill themselves to try to get back? But the downside is, if it's just death, we may never return even if we die.
His thoughts ran fast, analyzing everything. Then he remembered the mask. He tried to summon it, but nothing happened. He looked around, and when the moonlight hit his arm, he noticed a tattoo of some kind—a black crow. He touched it and instinctively thought of the mask. To his surprise, the mask appeared. He quickly pulled his hand away from the tattoo, and the mask vanished.
Imagine if I had put it on… I would've had to wait 24 hours. That would be bad.
An hour passed before anyone else woke up. It was Nimue, her elf ears twitching.
"Morning," Zero muttered.
"Thank you. I see you aren't that scared of keeping watch. I thought you would be, since you didn't seem used to being out here."
"I'm normally more awake at night. Anyway… what about you, Nimue? I know this might sound harsh, but what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean?" she asked bluntly.
"I would be quite heartbroken if my student died."
"Oh, that… It's the way of life. She got unlucky. But throughout my long life, if I mourn everything, it becomes exhausting."
"Long life? How old are you, Nimue?"
"782 winters old," she said like it was normal.
Right… elves age differently."So quite young, no?" Zero muttered.
It clearly caught Nimue off guard."Young, aha?" She laughed faintly. "You are a funny one."
"I've met elves older than 1200 years before," Zero said calmly, thinking back to a game he used to play where he met elves of that age.
Nimue looked at him, still a bit sleepy."Why is that not a lie…" she said, confused.
"Is it so unusual?" Zero said calmly.
"I suppose not. So, Zero, how old are you?" she smirked.
"In your years… around 17–18 winters, probably."
"This might sound a bit weird, but where I'm from we are not used to magic. Can you explain it?"
"Hmmmm," Nimue thought. "A place where magic is not practiced… must be quite far away from Eldich. But not completely unknown, since other kingdoms sometimes see magic badly. I'll indulge you then."
"Magic is the ability to manifest energy you store in your body through training. It's very, very rare, and that's why the kingdoms originally tried to befriend these so-called Players. Magic is not something you are born with, but something you can train to achieve, some with more talent than others. If you have no talent—and most don't—you will never be able to store enough magic energy in your body to do anything with it."
"Energy Magic is very peculiar because it's different from person to person. But Energy Magic is a long man's game. It takes decades to reach a high level."
"Now Spirit Magic is something much more used, but more destructive. You make a pact with a Spirit that lets you transfer the magic around you into energy. It's much easier to learn, but it comes at an immense cost. If you're born with an affinity for an element, it's possible to make a contract with a Spirit… but it costs your life energy. Most people who practice Spirit Magic don't reach past 38."
"Those are the two main ways. Of course there is more, but that should be the gist. I'm sure you already know the different types of magic like Earth, Fire, etc."
Zero listened carefully."So when I touched that crystal ball, and he told me 'Water, none potential,' what did he mean by that?"
"Ah, you mean the measurement tool," Nimue said. "It's generally used for babies, so families can figure out if their child has a magic that's valuable. If it shines green, it's usually Nature Magic, for example."
"So where does potential come in?"
"That's how much energy your body has accumulated unknowingly. If you have a lot, your body is a very good fit to wield magic. And if you have none… the opposite." Nimue looked toward Zero and continued, "But do remember that even receiving a magic type is already very lucky. Most don't. It just shows nothing. And having a lot of energy is even more miraculous. Normally, it's only big families who, through their bloodlines, pass it on
Zero glanced down."So what I'm understanding is the difference between becoming a Spirit User compared to an Energy User is that people don't have the capabilities to store their own energy, and therefore sacrifice their life to borrow the ability from a spirit?"
Nimue smiled."Precisely. But even that is difficult. You have to find a spirit with the same affinity, not to mention make it accept you."
"Sounds like a hassle," Zero sighed. "I'll stick to a sword," he muttered.
Nimue laughed faintly.
The sun rose, and they were once more on the dirt road riding toward Ishla.
***
"Sooo the wagon you scouted last night should be approaching us right?" a bandit said, hiding behind lush trees.
"Yes, I'm confident they should be riding through here any minute," the bearded man said with pride. "As I mentioned, about five people. They looked somewhat inexperienced, and their wagon didn't carry any important symbols, so it's most likely newbies." He laughed faintly.
Finally I'm gonna be able to get some more money. The rainy season is approaching rapidly, so it's gonna be even more difficult to do this by then.
"Boss! They're coming, I see them!"
The bearded man turned around."Alright, be ready. I'll let the other guys know."
Suddenly a halt could be heard. The horse screamed, hissed, and collapsed...
Limbus quickly looked out and asked the butler,"What's happening?"
"Seems like we have a couple of bandits."
Limbus looked around the wagon, quickly stringing his bow. He whispered,"Who can fight among us?"
Nimue answered immediately,"I can defend myself, but attacking is not my forte. If you get injured, I'll heal you."
John unsheathed his sword."I guess I'll have to fight. Seems like it's about eleven bandits or so."
"Good," Limbus murmured. "What about you, butler?"
The butler looked around."I'll certainly try, but I'm afraid my expertise doesn't lie in combat."
The bandits were getting closer to the wagon now. A confrontation was inevitable with one of the horses having collapsed.
Limbus's eyes darted toward Zero."Can you fight?"
Zero opened his eyes with a detached look."Don't you see I have a sword by my side? Of course I can fight."
They jumped out of the wagon, confronting the bandits. They had stopped in a narrow path surrounded by dense trees—perfect for an ambush. Not a surprise it happened.
"This is perfect," the bearded bandit sneered. "I was angry when we let that fleet of wagons transporting the Elder Wolf pass a couple of days ago. But these guys? We can easily take care of them and take their belongings."
"You're so right, boss. Looks like they have an archer and two swordsmen. The others don't seem to carry weapons."
The two groups stared at each other, waiting for someone to make a move.The eleven bandits had surrounded the wagon from the front, blocking the road. The butler and Nimue stood behind Limbus, who was preparing to support their swordsmen—John and Zero.
Suddenly Zero spoke up."So, what's going on? What are you guys after?"
The butler whispered to him,"Trying to talk with bandits is a bad idea."
"You got a better one? I thought you said there were no threats around."
The butler looked stunned, but answered anyway."The region between Ancalen and Ishla is considered bandit-free, but… sometimes things slip through."He glanced left and right, lowering his voice."I've contacted nearby stationed soldiers. If we can waste enough time, they'll arrive and help us fend them off."
"How much time?" Limbus asked.
"If a mage is stationed nearby… eighteen minutes."
Limbus looked uneasy."Alright. We'll try."
"So much whispering going on over there?" the bearded bandit shouted.
"Why aren't we attacking?!" another yelled.
The bearded one barked back,"Just making sure our calculations were right and they had no backup. Remember—don't let anyone escape. If authorities find out there are bandits roaming, they'll hunt us down."
Then, without hesitation, the bandits charged the wagon.
Limbus reacted instantly, firing two arrows. One hit a bandit in the shoulder; the other struck another bandit directly in the face, dropping him instantly. The one who survived stumbled back gripping his shoulder.
On the right, John was holding off two bandits as best as he could. On the left, more bandits rushed Zero.
This is it, Zero thought. I've only ever fought with swords in VR games. I doubt that counts as practice… but bandits are usually self-taught. They shouldn't be that hard.
He unsheathed his sword.
A bandit lunged at him. The slash wasn't very strong, but it still took Zero by surprise. His grip stayed firm as he parried, both of them stepping back. Before he found his footing, another bandit came from the side and slashed him, grazing his shoulder and drawing blood.
On the other side, Limbus and John were barely holding off about six bandits combined, with Nimue and the butler staying behind them. Together they were still standing, but the numbers were overwhelming. Limbus fired more arrows, but with the bandits closing in, it became harder to draw his bow.
Then the first real hit connected—John's right hand was sliced open. He stumbled back, barely managing to parry another attack. He only got out of range thanks to a well-timed arrow from Limbus.
Meanwhile, Zero wasn't doing any better. Already bleeding, eyes darting, he knew he couldn't take on three bandits at his level. Without hesitation, he sprinted into the dense forest, away from the open road.
The bandits looked stunned.
"Did he just betray his squad? And flee?!" one shouted.
"FOLLOW HIM!" the bearded bandit roared. "If he escapes, our operations will be jeopardized!"
The three bandits chasing him quickly disappeared into the forest where Zero had fled.
John spat out blood."Just my luck," he muttered. "Having to encounter an Elder Wolf and now eleven bandits. It's weird, huh? I'm still swinging my sword, but everything is moving so slow… my arm is not looking good."
He kept swinging, barely avoiding another deadly strike.
"I thought encountering the Elder Wolf, and the good reward I got, would finally let me go back home and feed my family. All I needed was this trip to Ishla to go smoothly…"
A bandit managed to break through and was closing in on Limbus, who was desperately trying to string another arrow. John leapt forward, dashing toward the bandit and, in a cruel twist of irony, managed to behead him.
But a second later, a sword pierced through John's stomach—clean through.The bandit yanked the blade out, and John staggered back. He wobbled, clearly moments from collapsing, but his eyes were still alive.
With everything he had left, he threw himself at the bandit who had stabbed him, slashing the man's leg—right before John's body finally gave in, collapsing lifelessly on the ground.
Limbus, finally managing to get a shot off, fired one more arrow and hit another bandit in the head. But a moment later, he also fell—impaled straight through the heart.
Nimue and the butler looked terrified. But the butler quickly pulled out a scroll from his pocket.A barrier burst to life around the two of them, forming a shimmering dome.
A bandit struck the barrier with his sword, but it didn't even crack.
"A barrier?!" he shouted.
The bearded bandit narrowed his eyes."Seems like it. Normally barriers don't last longer than ten minutes. When it drops, we'll get our chance."
He glanced around. Four of his men lay dead, with another clutching a wounded shoulder.
"I didn't expect them to put up such a fight," he muttered.
One of the bandits yelled,"The one who ran into the forest—should I go after him?"
"No. The three already chasing him are enough," the bearded man growled."Focus on these two. Don't let them escape when the barrier vanishes."
Minutes went by, and then a scream echoed from the forest.
"Seems like they finally got him," the bearded bandit muttered. He turned toward the wagon where the two were still trapped beneath the barrier. "Shouldn't be more than three minutes now."
The barrier began to fade. It wouldn't be long.
"Oh, alread—"
Before he could finish, something fast dropped from the sky and slammed into the ground with immense force. Dust shot up everywhere. A shadow stepped out of it — a man wearing black and greenish robes, unmistakably a mage.
One of the bandits immediately rushed him with a sword raised, but the mage blew him away with a single spell.
"Tempest," the mage muttered.
A blast of wind erupted with incredible force, smashing into three other bandits and hurling them into nearby trees, knocking them unconscious.
Only one bandit remained standing — the leader.
"You filth, how DARE YOU!" he roared. He unsheathed his sword and hurled it toward the mage.
But another tempest blast stopped it midair. The bearded bandit was launched off his feet, slammed into the wagon, and brutally fractured, leaving him unconscious.
The barrier finally went down, and the butler brushed some dust off himself."Uncivil bandits," he muttered, then looked toward the mage.
"Looks like you guys had a bit of trouble here," the mage smirked. "Didn't even know there were bandits in this region."
The butler answered promptly,"Normally there aren't. I'm glad you got here fast."
The mage turned his head toward the forest."I thought you reported there were about eleven bandits. I only see eight on the ground."
"The other three chased one of our swordsmen into the forest—"
As he said that, a figure emerged from the dense trees, carrying something in his hands. He was covered in blood but didn't look injured at first glance. Zero.
He threw the beheaded bandit onto the ground and walked toward the wagon.
"I see help arrived," Zero sneered. "Is John and Limbus dead?"
A voice answered,"They will be soon. They're in a critical stage."Nimue jumped down from the wagon toward John and placed her hands over his wound.
"Healing Kaoki."
As she spoke, small white threads of light flowed from her hands and entered the injuries.
"What's going on?" Zero asked.
The mage replied,"She's saving him. That's a high-level healing spell."
"She can really bring him back from near death?"
"Of course she can."
She quickly moved to Limbus afterward and repeated the spell. The bleeding stopped, though both men remained unconscious. John and Limbus had somehow been pulled back from certain death.
Zero took out his blade and began wiping the blood from it.
Later, two wagons arrived to gather the supplies and recover what had been damaged. As the road cleared, the city of Ishla finally came into view towering in the distance, shining in all its glory.