I wanted to make an assassin’s weapon. Something that would allow the kobolds to execute devastating attacks from stealth. Since I only had room for three runes, I needed something fairly exotic. First and foremost, I wanted the weapons to channel dark mana, similar to my sacrificial dagger. There was no way they’d adopt my own weapon’s terrifying ability to instantly kill a defenseless target, but I was confident that suffusing them with darkness would increase their stealth-related bonuses. And that called for a containment rune. I’d also need an outlet for all that power, which would take the shape of a binding rune along the blade’s edge. That left me only one more empty rune slot. And that was what I needed to test.
As an Expert-ranked Runecrafter, I was able to see a projection of an enchantment’s effects before committing to it. I took full advantage of that feature now. The design mode showed the holographic representation of a kukri, and I pulled out runes from my list to compose a new enchantment. The ‘Ma’ rune of containment went to the hilt, forming a socket in it. The ‘Og’ rune of binding came next, stretching along the whole of the blade’s edge. For the third and last rune, I selected the ‘Te’ connector rune, just to have something to work with. I didn’t bother passing lines through the weapon’s durability points. Then I leaned back and checked the projected effects.
Schema: MoTeg
Effect: Accept channeled energy through the grip and deliver it to the target upon impact.
It was a decent enchantment that could go well with warrior-casters who channeled elemental energy, but since I was planning to seal it with dark mana, it wasn’t all that suitable for my needs.
I took out the connector rune and replaced it with a strengthening rune. Without the connector, the three rune lines fused seamlessly together.
Schema: MoKeg
Effect: Accept channeled energy through the grip; empowers and delivers it to the target upon impact.
Better, but I wasn’t satisfied. I replaced the middle rune with the others I knew. Most of the runes failed to complete a comprehensive schema, and the few that did seemed underwhelming. Until I arrived at the very last rune I’d discovered: Shi, the rune of Flux.
Schema: MoShig
Effect: Accept channeled energy through the grip and deliver it to the target upon impact where it morphs and spreads.
Since I was planning on channeling dark energy through the weapons, the notion of said darkness spreading into the victim’s body was especially appealing to me. It almost sounded like the effects my dagger displayed when sacrificing victims, reducing them to black ooze.
I channeled the required 270 MP into the enchantment, intentionally slowing the process. In parallel, I condensed a bit of dark mana and funneled it straight into the open socket. When I’d first started practicing Runecraft, such delicate control was beyond me. I’d had to use special shadow-infused stones to achieve the same result. But my proficiency had grown in leaps and bounds since then.
When I felt the weapon about to burst from the power I’d channeled into the socket, I finalized the enchantment. The Enchanter’s Gem glowed brightly as it copied the effect to the other seven weapons.
I picked up one of the blades and examined it closely.
The curved kukri had transformed into a wicked-looking serrated weapon that was pulsing with dark energy so deep it seemed to phase in and out of existence.
Assassin’s Kukri
Description: This evil weapon thrives in darkness, seeking to spread its contagious affliction to its victims.
Type: Weapon [one-handed].
Rank: Magical
Durability: 50/50
Damage: 10-20 + 10 darkness
Effect: Sneak attacks or critical hits inflict an additional 300% darkness damage for 10 seconds (on top of standard sneak/critical bonuses).
I inspected the dagger in my hand. It wasn’t very impressive for a frontline fighter, but for a stealth assassin, it was priceless. A hit from the dagger would inflict 25 points of damage on average. Sneak and critical hits would multiply that damage by two to three times, so even by careful estimation, it meant a baseline of 50 points of damage. Then the special ability would kick in, adding another 150 points of dark damage for a total of 200 points in 10 seconds. That was enough to kill any average, level 20 soldier. And that was a minimum estimation. The assassins’ skills practically guaranteed a sneak attack with the kukri could deal 100 points of damage, then another 300 in 10 seconds. And I had eight of those deadly babies.
I collected the kukris and stepped outside the building. A row of kobold assassins dressed in fine leather armor embedded with kobold scales awaited me.
It doesn’t seem to bother them , I replied.
The kobolds stood calmly, watching me with their slanted lizard eyes. Two of them were level 12. The other six were level 11.
I motioned for the higher-level duo, Shikasha and Rickss, to approach, then handed them the kukris to divide among the others.
The assassins’ forms were partially obscured as they blended in with the perpetual darkness that shrouded the valley. The curved weapons they held oozed dark droplets that seeped into the equally dark ground. With their new weapons, the eight were a force to be reckoned with, especially with me around to coordinate their attacks. The only problem was their levels. They were too low for opponents we’d soon be facing.
“Time to spend some energy,” I said to no one in particular and brought up the settlement’s population tab.
Seeing my clan had amassed a respectable 428,690 EP, I selected Rickss and hit the plus sign next to his level.
Rickss
Level Increase: 32 (+20)
XP Required: 55,000
Cost: 59,030 Energy
Confirm: Yes/No
I frowned. That was a little too expensive. I didn’t want to blow my entire clan’s energy supply in one go. I readjusted the level, lowering it to 27.
Rickss
Level Increase: 27 (+15)
XP Required: 37,500
Cost: 39,780 Energy
Confirm: Yes/No
I hesitated. It was still a considerable sum, higher even than the 25,000 EP required to raise an individual to a tier 3 boss. Then again, my clan was generating 47,000 EP plus change each day. The future of my clan, and that of the trapped players, depended on the success of our mission.
I approved the cost and similarly purchased 15 levels for all the other kobolds leaving Shikasha and Rickss with their one-level advantage. Thankfully, the EP cost was a bit smaller for the lower-leveled ones.
After paying the exorbitant amount of 307,320 EP, I glanced at the assassins’ skills. Their main skill was unsurprisingly titled ‘Assassination.’ Having extensively used that skill in our attack on Novenguard, all the kobolds had it maxed out at around 20. Purchasing a skill upgrade was much cheaper than buying a level, and I had no qualms about shelling out another 9,000 EP to maximize the skill for all eight, leaving my energy reserves at a still respectable 112,392.
“Alright, troops,” I said. “We’re going to sneak into an enemy town and kill their leaders. Any questions?”
The kobolds looked at each other then shook their heads.
“Tell usss who you want sslain, and it will be done,” Shikasha said.
“Good, you will soon find out. Go to the cathedral and wait for me there.”
The assassins turned and seemed to blend in with the darkness, despite my Shadow-Touched vision. Only my heightened mana senses and access to the clan’s information tendrils allowed me to keep track of their location.
I took a deep breath, directing my thoughts to a faraway location, and teleported.
***
The long-range teleportation took longer than usual. I could feel my essence encountering a semi-tangible wall, and I knew I had hit Akzar’s wards. But despite the bad relations my clan had with Akzar, I was still a high priest in the Cult o
f Nihilator and was entitled passage. I felt the wards bend almost reluctantly and allow me through.
I materialized out of the darkness in the huge cathedral that was Nihilator’s place of worship in the hob-infested city. I leaned against the altar and closed my eyes as dizziness assaulted my senses.
“Dire Totem!” a familiar voice called out.
I turned and saw a goblin with a brown beard approach me, his wrinkled face filled with delight.
“Reiner.” I smiled at him. “It’s been a while.”
“Yes, Dire Totem,” he said. “Over a year.”
I winced. I had left Reiner in charge of the cathedral along with a dozen goblin workers. They’d had to fend for themselves inside a city that despised their clan. “How are things over here?”
“It could be better,” he admitted. “Akzar’s authorities are still looking to apprehend us, so we have been confined to the cathedral the entire time. Luckily, the church is still recognized as an official religious sect, and we still have many believers from the local population, so they can’t act against us directly.”
“Well, I’m here to try to change that,” I said.
The elderly goblin shook his head. “Forgive me for saying so, but that is a bad idea. The moment you exit the building, you’ll be recognized and arrested.”
I grinned. “I wasn’t planning on being seen. Or arrested. Akzar tried to attack us with a demon plague and has withdrawn our agreement to trade in Viridium. They’ve overplayed their hand. This city is going to be mine.”
The farm lord’s eyes widened. “But … Dire Totem, that’s … that’s …”
“Crazy?” I suggested.
“Very ill-advised. You will need an army at your back to even have a chance at punching through the inner quarter’s defenses.”
“I don’t need an army,” I said. “I’ve got something better.” Approaching the altar, I accessed the Runecraft Design Mode and selected the portal schema, applying it to the ground around the unholy altar. With the recent increase to my levels and Dark Mana skill, my mana pool was now just slightly over 6,000. I had no trouble channeling the required 7,200 MP into the enchantment since the proximity to my source of power refilled my reserves fast enough to compensate.
The runic lines glowed as power flowed through them, but to my dismay, a portal didn’t appear.
“What the crap?” I muttered as I probed the information tendrils around me. I quickly found the issue. The wards around the city prevented any unauthorized teleportation. As a high priest, I specifically had a marker that allowed me to pass, but the wards still prevented any other form of dimensional travel.
At least I can always rely on you to find the humor in any situation.
Not being able to open the portal and let the assassins through was a serious hindrance. I couldn’t teleport them along with me either as I’d already discovered the wards wouldn’t allow it. This was a problem.
“Hold on, Reiner, I’ll come back soon,” I said and teleported back to Goblin’s Gorge’s cathedral.
After the dizziness had passed, I found the eight kobold assassins quietly looking at me. “Kuzai,” I called out.
“ It has returned,” the sinister voice responded almost instantly. “Why does it summon me?”
“Stop your creep-routine and get out here, I need your help to perform a ceremony.”
The twisted dark dwarf slid out into the open. His gray, hairless skin was a stark contrast to his black robes. “How may I help the high priest?”
I didn’t see any other way. “I need us to perform another Communal.” I was reluctant to face Nihilator’s hunger for souls, but I couldn’t think of any other way. Time was running out.
Kuzai instantly perked up, and a satisfied grin appeared on his face. “Wonderful idea. The master is always hungry.”
“Feeding the big guy is what I’m here for,” I said dryly. I didn’t call the rest of the clan to the ceremony, figuring I should first check the cost.
I ordered the eight kobolds around the shrine and closed my eyes, placing my hands on the altar and feeling the dark energy pulse through my palms. Kuzai did the same from the other side of the altar.
“Nihilator, hear me,” I began. “I, your high priest, humbly request a boon. I would like to open a portal to Akzar to allow these eight assassins through so they may reap lives and glory in your name.” I figured it wouldn’t hurt to throw some extra incentive Nihilator’s way. My dark deity did enjoy inflicting death and destruction, after all. I also decided to keep my request small. Asking to open a permanent portal would have no doubt incurred a much higher cost.
“You dare invoke my name so soon?” The angry god’s voice filled the cathedral. “You have performed no great deeds in my name since I granted your previous request. Very well. You shall receive your reward, minion, but in return, I shall have the souls of these eight cretins. They shall be sacrificed in my name in four days’ time, or you suffer the consequences.”
“Shadow-crap.”
Communal
You have invoked the attention of your god.
Your standing with Nihilator is insufficient for the requested boon and has incurred a penalty.
In exchange for opening a portal through Akzar’s wards to let eight individuals through, Nihilator demands their lives be sacrificed within four days.
Warning: Refusal to accept will anger your deity and invoke dire consequences.
Do you accept? Yes/No
I had no choice but to accept. The eight kobolds represented an investment of over 300,000 hard-earned energy points. On top of that, they were intelligent and loyal individuals. But I did not doubt that refusing the deal would be even more dire for my clan. At least Nihilator allowed me the time I needed to fulfill my plan.
I also learned that my standing with the dark god had a significant impact on my ability to use Communal successfully. I resolved not to use it until I’d done some dark deeds in his name to please him. Converting an entire city’s worth of believers should do the trick.
“I accept.”
The kobold assassins exchanged uneasy glances but didn’t even try to protest as I sealed their fate.
Bright flashes of magic appeared around the open portal as the dimensional bridge fought against the wards on the other side.
“What are you waiting for? Get in,” I commanded the kobolds.
Not wanting to risk breaking the deal, I forwent using the portal myself. Instead, I teleported back to Akzar on my own.
This time it took longer for the dizziness to pass, and I barely watched as the last of the kobolds passed through the magical doorway before it winked out of existence.
Something was wrong though.
There were too many figures.
I rubbed my eyes and looked over the doomed individuals who’d come through the portal. I’d sent eight kobolds in, but there were nine individuals present. Lightly camouflaged, blending in with the cathedral’s thick darkness.
My eyes widened as I realized who the ninth member was, and it wasn't another kobold.
It was Lirian.
8 - Behind Enemy Lines
“What are you doing here?” I asked, gaping at my unruly daughter. Fear flooded me. The deal I’d struck with Nihilator covered only the eight kobolds, whom I’d committed to sacrifice at the end. There was no mention of a ninth person, and I damn well wasn’t about to sacrifice my daughter. But the fallout for altering the details of our deal would no doubt have dire consequences.
Lirian crossed her arms. “I want to help. I knew you would not allow me to, so I came without asking.”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to control my emotions. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it was for you to enter that portal?”
“N
o one saw me,” she said.
“The deal with Nihilator was to let only these kobolds through. Our god isn’t benevolent or forgiving.”
Lirian’s gaze held mine steadily. “No one saw me.”
That made me pause. Was it possible my daughter had somehow escaped the notice of a god in his own temple? It seemed unlikely, but the wily goblinette had already displayed equally unlikely qualities. A desperate hope flared in my chest. There was no way I was going to sacrifice my daughter, damn the consequences. But maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t be forced to face that impossible situation.
What do you think? I asked Vic.
This entire situation.
He gave a mental shrug.
Ugh. I didn’t need a reminder that my life in NEO was an open broadcast to the entire VI population.
I briefly considered leaving Lirian in the cathedral where she’d be safe, but I knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t stay put. And I didn’t want her blundering around the hostile city on her own. Teleporting her back to the valley was also impossible.
“Alright,” I said. “You’re coming with us, but you’ll do everything I tell you – no arguments. If I tell you to run away, you turn around and run, understand?”
Lirian nodded. “I do, Father.”
“There’s more at stake here than just the future of our clan,” I reminded her. “If I don’t keep you safe …” I looked at her meaningfully. She knew the truth. Nihilator would consume my soul in a mini-Armageddon, taking everyone around along for the ride.
“I understand. I will make you proud.”
Life Reset: Conquest (New Era Online Book 5) Page 13