by Cobyboy
Chapter 7: Suit Up!
'It has been a really tiring day, carrying this supposed commander on my back while listening to some heavy exposition story I didn't ask for. Like damn! I just wanted to know why 11 continents and not 7 or 6 or whatever' Feihren sighed as he gently placed the injured man on grassy looking plain beside a dirt road.
It was now late in the evening. Lights can be seen off in the distance. According to Marvin, it was the Wolfenstein Kingdom.
But Feihren was definitely drained right now. It has been 4 hours straight! Carrying the guy all the way here from the woodlands!
A few minutes passed as Feihren glanced at the unmoving figure of Marvin whom was lying down.
'Is he dead? Well, I hope not. All my effort would be a waste… wait a minute'
'Already asleep? Asleep? Shouldn't I be the one who's dead tired right now? Shame on this kid, shame'. Feihren shook his head a few times before letting out a faint smile.
"Well, it's time for me to check my inventory I guess." He stated in a low voice.
'Inventory Open'
The General Exp he obtained back then could only be seen on the tabs under his own status page, but he had no idea on how to use it. So for now, he was planning to check out the skill book he obtained and to decide what he is going to place in his 3 vacant skills slots.
'Kings Aura Skill book'
A window popped up.
...
[Kings Aura]
"Effect: Slows enemies in an area around the user"
"Duration: 5 seconds"
"Slow: 3% enemy base movement speed"
"Area of effect: 15-meter radius"
...
Feihren keenly stared and re-read the details of the skill…
'This… is useless!?' Damn, what scam is this?'
'Is this some sort of parlor trick? Well, it does live up to its name one way or another right? Who would even run around in front of a king? An idiot?'
Annoyed as he was, he can't do anything about this skill. He closed the tab for the skill book, putting it in an alternate tab labeled 'Extras'.
Feihren sighed as he opened a particularly familiar tab for him.
'Skills' >>> 'Unequipped'>>>'Passive-effect skills'
Without hesitation, Feihren opened the tab for passive skills. He had no idea which active skills he would require for now because it has just been a day and a half since he got here? And he believes that the 4 skills within a class are enough for him in battle situations.
'[Great Bulls Heart] – Increase user's physical stamina, reduces stamina consumption'
'[Artemis Sense] – Improves user's physical senses, warns of minor dangers'
'[Pallas skin] – Immunity to piercing and blunt weapons on or below uncommon grade'
The choices he made had the reasons that follow,
His thought process went something like this, 'I'll still be carrying this guy in the morning. I'm gonna need the boost in stamina.', 'I might not die from the random dangers scattered about, but this guy would... Wow, am I caring or what?', and lastly 'My skin is not metallic, it's close to norm for people to not die after being stabbed, but for someone like me with this much HP? Will I ever bleed to death? Wouldn't that look crazy gory? A thousand bloody stabs and me not dying? Horrifying! Simply horrifying!' So he took the initiative of taking the most "normal" route in his picks.
"Now I'd better suit up I guess?"
Inventory >>> 'Armors' >>> 'Deity-Grade'
'Equipping non-deity armors? That would just be lame'
• Ancient Ares Stealth Sniper Armor
• Titan Cronus Heavy Gunner Armor
• Supreme Generals (Default Armor)
• Hermes Assault Rogue Armor
• Hades Armor
'The Stealth Sniper Armor? Hmm, unless I'm planning to assassinate someone then nope'.
'Titan's armor huh? I'd just be a walking giant wouldn't I? No matter how people look at me I would look hostile'.
'My class-default armor then? Eh, too flashy for my taste'. The armor itself is gold and silver plated so…
'Equip' >>> 'Hermes Assault Rogue Armor'
[Hermes Assault Rogue Armor]
"Description: Swift and Precise like Hermes"
"Effect: Grants bonus damage when equipping weapons in the 'Assault Rifle' class."
"Effect: Grants 30 'reactive armor' activations per 24 hrs. (Does not stack)"
"Effect: Grants user bonus movement speed (10%)"
"Effect: Grants user 'Helmet Tortoise of Hermes' (Reduce headshot damage received by 20%)"
Helmets are part of the set equipment. The proof of it being deity-grade armor was distinguished by the fact that it either has many good effects or a few effects of ridiculous power. The Assault Rogue was Feihren's choice as it fit his current circumstances best. Its usefulness is apparent in these kinds of situations.
The [Hades Armor] was out of the question, you'd be a walking red target!
A simple yet elegant looking brown leather coat covered Feihren from his shoulders to the sides of his knees, with trims of pitch black with a hint of purple stitching. The outline of the clothes was embroidered with a neon-purple color that faintly glows in the darkness of night.
The chest piece of the body was covered with a seemingly thin, non-lustrous metal plate that covered the left shoulder. As for the right side, it was beautifully strapped with a matte-black holster. This holds the entire chest piece together, running through the back of the coat and connecting to the waist belt, which was made of similar material.
A satisfied look appeared on Feihren's face as he slowly nods. Feihren kept the Five-Seven as his secondary weapon of choice, but now he has to choose his main weapon, and with the same mindset as he was choosing the armor, He was not planning to go low-key!
Inventory >>> 'Main Weapons' >>> 'Deity-Grade'
• Aloadae DP-12 Barreled Shotgun
• Azrael Kalashnikov AK-47
• Dionysus AK-9
• Samuel's SC-76 Thunderbolt
Sadly, he has fewer deity-grade weapons compared to the amount of armor and other things he has in that category. He has even fewer mythical-grade weapons. But in exchange, he has a few arsenals of Custom-grade weapons [1]. If not for the lack of durability on some of those custom-grade weapons, and also the lack of knowledge in regards to repairing them in this world, he would have preferred them more than the Deity-grade ones.
Feihren was confident in his gaming abilities, but he'd prefer comfort over benefits anytime, in regards to weapon choices at least…
'Equip' >>> 'Dionysus AK-9'
It was simply that… it was a lot quieter than the Azrael AK-47.
'It is not that big of a deal to prefer one over the other just for my self-justification right?' A smug grin appeared on Feihren's face.
...
[Dionysus AK-9]
"Description: Best metal works meet precise destruction"
"Base Damage: 180 per round" "Rate of fire: 600-800 RPM"
"Effective firing range: 440 Meters"
"Maximum firing range: 500 Meters
"Feed system: 20-round detachable box magazine (9x39mm)" "Inv. (+2,000 rounds)"
"Effect: Grants Armor piercing damage for every burst (3rd round)"
"Effect: Compensated mode: Damage increased to 200 (Removes Suppressor)"
"Effect: Suppressed mode: Deals 180 damage, but firing is below the standard hearing decibel (Removes Compensator) (Default)"
...
Feihren inspected the pitch black weapon with neon blue outlines that appeared.
'This looks simple enough, right? But just to be sure…' Feihren also spawned the simple looking gun case that comes with the rifle. Strapping it on as he stood up and stretched, he felt satisfied as he was now fully equipped!
'Ah, this brings back so many memories'.
As for the other classes he has access to, it would be better not to mess with it yet. He was tired after all.
&
nbsp; Slowly closing his eyes, Feihren began to sleep…
'Seemingly, it has not even been a few minutes yet but…'
Feihren slowly opened his eyes again, seeing a faint orange glow on the horizon.
'Eh? It's morning already?! Wow, talk about being so tired that you don't remember sleeping!'
'System warning: Artemis sense activated: Minor danger ahead'
Feihren keenly sensed what the system has told him as he saw an abnormally huge boar charging towards them!
'Dionysus AK-9!'
*Trkk! Trkk! Trkk!
'It was quiet… er… I guess? It did serve a purpose as an alarm clock so that good?'
A startled-looking Marvin stared at the seemingly different looking Feihren, as he took a glance at the huge dead boar. 'Instantly killed again? And what was that noise?' A blank expression was evident on his questioning face.
"I guess it's a fried boar breakfast for us then?" Feihren jokingly replied.
Chapter 8: Arrogant King
'Wolfenstein Kingdom city gates'
A distorted atmosphere could be seen as heat showered down from this afternoon's blazing sun. The horizon outside the main gate seemed desolate, with red and brown specks of dust floating about in this heat.
Two figures could be seen approaching at a slow and steady pace.
"Eh? Someone's approaching?"
A guard that was assigned to the upper part of the wall hadn't noticed the incoming figure rather quickly.
"Even though this is the main gate, very few people enter from this direction" Another guard interjected.
The main gate doesn't have very many people coming and going, not because the Wolfenstein kingdom has weak trade or commerce, but because the gate itself was created with the highest walls and the stoutest fortifications. This may also have something to do with the fact that this entrance was the closest to the King's Castle.
The geography of the mountain ranges surrounding the Wolfenstein kingdom did not allow it to have a perfectly symmetrical square shape. As such, the entire kingdom is leaning towards more of a really elongated rectangle than a square. The main gate is on one of the long sides and the mountain ranges are covering the other long side.
The commoners reside on the eastern side while merchants and traders reside on the western side. Most people enter from the western side as it was the center of trade and commerce. This is mostly due to the fact that the main market of the kingdom is there. On the other hand, commoners reside on the eastern side, for it was the agricultural lands. Farmers and ordinary residents alike are often seen entering and exiting the eastern gates.
"Send someone to verify their identity. Make them stay where they currently are!" The head guard commanded.
It would seem that an order like that was a little inhospitable, but the main gate is facing the entire Central woodlands, which is a big No man's land. It is a place in which enemies might easily reside. Acting cautiously is the head guards' responsibility after all.
Only a few minutes passed as the horse of the scout galloped back to the main gate, "It's Commander Mendi!" The scout exclaimed while gasping from his hurried return.
"Eh? Marvin? He's alive? Report this immediately." The head guard was in confusion, hasn't he heard that Mendi was killed during a chase operation commanded by the king a few days ago?
...
Feihren and Marvin arrived and were inspected thoroughly. Although it was not due to them thinking this 2 were hostile, one of them was still a total stranger to their kingdom.
"State your identity, a magic item will be used to verify anything and everything you say."
"Gama Feihren, a retired general of a fallen kingdom to the north" Feihren practiced this line
'Wait, magic item!?' His heart slightly jolted as now he suddenly realized that the last part of his "introduction" was totally just a made up backstory, but just as he was about to speak again.
"All clear, he's telling the truth. Inspect his baggage and equipment next." The inspecting head guard proceeded.
'Eh? Did I have some passive skill to convert my bullsh*ting into truth? No matter, it is still a good thing for me after all. I'll always accept any lucky breaks that come my way'. Feihren nodded in satisfaction as he carefully placed the black case he had on a wooden table.
"This is the preferred weapon that has accompanied me throughout my journey." Feihren stated and nodded in all sincerity. No lies there. Well… almost. And that's only because he had obtained this deity-grade weapon a few months ago when he was around level 990.
The case was opened and the guards that took a peek at what was inside let out a gasp of surprise and awe. It was simply stunning. It was such a beautiful… wand? Staff? Eh? What's this majestic looking thing in front of them?
"Sir, by any chance, do you happen to be a Battlemage? [1]"One of the guards inquired.
Feihren just crossed his arms and nodded with sincerity. In all honesty… He had no idea what they were saying to begin with.
The expressions of the guards changed as they immediately said.
"You're now allowed passage kind sir; the inspection has been completed"
"Many thanks," Feihren replied while doing a half-bow
"And Sir Mendi, the king has issued an order for you to meet him as soon as possible." One of the soldiers that have just arrived a while ago interjected.
Marvin politely nodded as both he and Feihren entered Wolfenstein.
...
"Are you seriously a Battlemage?" Marvin curiously inquired.
"Do I look like one to you?" Feihren said with a faint smile. Marvin sighed helpless as he asked,
"Do you have any business to be done in the kingdom? If not, I'd be glad if you'd join me to meet with the king." Marvin seemed to be asking as a joke, but a hint of sincerity could be clearly seen in his eyes.
As for the circumstance that happened during the pursuit operation, only Feihren had known the complete story, on how he was immediately abandoned by his own troops! That scene in which he had lost all hope on the brink of death.
Feihren replied with ease, "I do not mind, I am in no hurry after all."
This would be a good opportunity for him in any case.
After having a quick meal at a nearby pub, the two of them made their way into the Wolfenstein Kingdom's Castle.
...
"Oh? You really are still alive huh?" Not a single trace of interest can be seen in his face or heard from the completely bland tone at which he spoke. It was as if one has seen a pawn miraculously escape being eaten, and is ready to be asked to do another death-defying task for them.
This was King Louie the 3rd, 41st King of Wolfenstein.
An arrogant 'son of heaven' that has miraculously inherited the throne at the early age of 22, when he replaced his deceased Father three years ago. He was as ignorant in running a kingdom as his age suggested, but through these years the kingdom was still strong. As if some force behind it is keeping it intact and progressive.
"And who is this man beside you?" King Louie the 3rd inquired as one of his eyebrows rose, pointing at the man beside Marvin.
"He does not look familiar? Not from this continent, I suppose hmmm?"
"Your Majesty…" Marvin attempted to answer before Feihren overrode him and introduced himself.
"I am Gama Feihren, Your Majesty."
Feihren bowed while in his half-knelt position. "I am a retired commander from a fallen kingdom to the far north." He continued. "I have planned to humbly stay in your kingdom to start a brand new life, Your Majesty."
"Eh? A retired general of a fallen kingdom? You should have changed that to 'some coward who fled his dying country'. Typical of people from the Shodan Continent pfft!" King Louie the 3rd retorted, not giving any respect to this man's introduction.
'This rude kid…' He just creased his brows at the king's obnoxious reply as he sighed internally.
"…And you Marvin? Another coward! It seems you two are birds of a feather. Y
our very own troops reported that you yourself halted the chase, and turned tail from the pursuit? Pathetic! After I heard the news of you dying, I sighed in relief. Cowards like you don't deserve to return!"
Marvin just regretfully stayed in his knelt position, unable to retort and justify what actually happened back then. He was afraid that he will never be given a chance to act and gain back the respect that he lost from his subordinate's report. Truth is, he was assigned to be a knight commander by King Louie II. As such he was well respected by his own troops, even though he was once a commoner.