Akiol began heading towards a location described on the note he picked up off of Harlow. It was a riddle of some sort, but Harlow added a few notes to it. One of which was a set of coordinates. Akiol was intrigued, he wouldn't have attempted the riddle, but since it seemed to be complete why not claim the rewards?
~ ~ ~
Travis had escaped his recent battle. He had fully grasped his strength and was confident he would win any battle. Once he escaped the area surrounding him seemed familiar.
It was then he remembered, there was a hidden artifact in the area. While it's power could be considered above average later. Right now it would be a handy item.
Artifacts were a unique item for players. Aside from accessories, armor, and weapons. There was a hidden equip slot granted only after a player found an item fit for the hidden slot. These were artifacts, objects meant to provide a large range of various buffs. From stat bonuses to skills every player desired one. Artifacts visual appearance was also varied. They could be a small necklace or ring, one famous artifact was a hovering illuminated crown.
This was the one thing Travis lacked, the artifact ahead was the only one he could remember. They were incredibly rare, and those who obtained them usually kept quiet.
Travis didn't know where the artifact was located, only that it was somewhere in his current area. With his current speed it would only take a few hours, he thought.
~ ~ ~
Desk Guy immediately got to work, the masked player named Two Tries was an invincible being to current players. Their stats were extremely high, not including the Berserk skill.
If he they met a battle was bound to break out. He would need to record it, regardless of who he was rooting for.
Two Tries was an anomaly in their game. Their fights would need to be recorded, their actions investigated. If there was any proof of an employee leaking info a large lawsuit would deliver itself to their front door.
He would also need to prepare to compensate any losses for the affected players. Video proof would help substantially.
~ ~ ~
Akiol arrived at the coordinates, it was an empty gravel filled opening. The area was strangely flat, so Akiol assumed he was in the right place.
Pulling out the piece of paper he read the notes again. It seemed like Harlow hadn't officially arrived here himself. Perhaps he sent a few lackeys to find it.
Akiol held onto the paper as he searched around. Moving a few pieces of gravel with his foot here and there Akiol failed to come across anything.
Akiol shrugged, perhaps the riddle hadn't been solved after all. There was a chance it was misleading or the reward was already claimed. Just as he decided to leave he heard a faint click.
The ground shook as a structure arose. It looked like a small temple. As soon as it fully arose from the ground a large beam of light shot into the sky.
"Oh so we're just gonna alert my presence to the entire continent."
The light faded and the temple stood quiet. Just as Akiol was about to walk towards it he heard a sound.
~ ~ ~
Travis had searched for only a small amount of time when a large beam of light caught his eye. Without hesitation he ran towards it, perhaps someone had already discovered the artifact. Or maybe it was something else.
Regardless of what it was Travis wasn't going to let the light go undiscovered. As he approached it he saw a silver haired player standing in front of a small temple. He didn't notice this player, so he threw out one of his throwing knives.
It didn't matter who this player was, Travis intended to take whatever was in the temple.
~ ~ ~
Akiol knocked a dagger out of the sky, he was surprised that someone had already arrived. A cloaked individual sprinted towards him. Akiol was shocked at the speed of the person, so he assumed it was a hidden boss of the temple.
The cloaked individual swung their sword with great speed. Akiol clashed his sword only for him to be sent flying back.
<-500HP (Akiol)>
A player?!
Akiol was shocked, while he never considered being part of the top of players. Receiving 500 damage from the strength difference was never something he even thought of.
Akiol looked at his sword, a large crack spiraled down the blade. While there was no durability for weapons, strong attacks could still break them. The force had significantly damage his sword, Akiol was sure if he received another hit it would shatter to pieces.
Akiol got up and watched the enemy player. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He would have to use everything. Activating [Aura Boost] he stacked it into speed. He would dodge the blows instead.
His [Power Sense] was giving him warnings of death. It was at this time that he received another notification.
The sense of death was increased, but Akiol was unsure of what it meant. He would have to do a thorough test later.
The cloaked player raised their arm and a dark beam shot out. Akiol dodged to the side and immediately shot towards the player.
The cloaked player swung their sword, the speed was insane. It seemed like the player was holding back before. Akiol barely dodged and counter attacked.
Their sword moved quickly and blocked the attack. Akiol's blade felt like it had hit a brick wall. His blade bounced of the sturdy block. Akiol quickly recovered and thrust it towards his foe.
The cloaked player grabbed the blade easily. Then using their sword, they chopped Akiol's arm. It easily cut his slime body and his arm fell to the ground. Sadly it was the arm holding his sword. The slime quickly reunited with his body, his arm grew back instantly.
This shocked the cloaked player, making them quickly step back and dropping Akiol's sword in the process.
Akiol swiftly grabbed his blade and focused, senses on edge.
'That's one of the lower eight swords!'
"What?! Is that why they are so strong?" Akiol asked Stars.
'No, they are just insanely strong. The sword is damaged severely. Yet it still is better than most weapons.'
Akiol clicked his tongue, this was great.
~ ~ ~
Travis was thoroughly shocked, a slime?! The slime race was an incredibly difficult race to obtain in the far future. He didn't understand how a player had managed to become one so early!
On top of that this player was decently skilled, with the slime race it wouldn't have been a problem to become famous. Yet Travis had no memory of such a person. Was it a case of the butterfly effect? Such a major thing wouldn't be cause with his actions right?
~ ~ ~
Akiol was on edge, he wasn't going to let his find go into another's hands. He needed a plan and quick.
The cloaked player dashed forward, their sword began a combo of deadly swings. Akiol focused, he was going to have to pay attention with every fiber of his being.
It was then Akiol entered the state of {Hyperfocused Battle Intensity}. This state caused the user to feel everything in their surrounding to even the slightest change. The slightest shift in wind, the movement of an opponent's muscles.
This was an ultimate state of battle, one many strive to achieve. Akiol was extremely close to reaching this state in his previous world. His battles with high level opponents in-game caused him to breakthrough this barrier.
Akiol saw the change in the opponents posture, the way their muscles moved. Akiol foresaw their attacks and moved accordingly.
If another player were to watch this from an outside perspective it would look like Akiol was dodging easily.
Akiol flowed through the extremely fast attacks. Even in the state of {Hyperfocused Battle Intensity} he could only dodge with the help from [Aura Boost].
Akiol found an opening, twisting his body he used [Leap] on the cloaked player's chest. Launching himself out of their attack zone.
"Stars, is it possible I can use that 'repulse' move again?"
'Your body has recovered, as long as you use that strength buff again it shouldn't be an issue.'
"Do I still have to shout the name?"
'Of course.'
Akiol would take it, he needed a strong attack. Something to end the battle quickly. A move from the second strongest sword in the game should work.
The two rushed at each other. One dodging while the other was attacking. As the cloaked player kept missing their demeanor began to change. They seemed excited, a strange reaction to not being able to land any attacks.
Akiol sensed a sudden change, dark mist extended from the cloaked player. When they attacked the speed was far greater than before.
Akiol's stats couldn't compare, even with his newly found state his speed wouldn't be able to keep up. It was like comparing a bike to a modern sports car!
Akiol's face was cut in half. Yet he didn't flinch, instead he absorbed his sword and dispelled Breaker of Stars.
While dungeon clearing throughout the week Akiol noticed something with [Aura Boost]. While he could exchange buffs for triple another, that didn't mean the previous buff could not be used.
It was like adding more power to another device to speed it up. If he changed the output to another buff it would change accordingly.
This meant he could change his buffs at anytime. Utilizing this Akiol changed his buff to strength, with the unknown power stats given by Breaker of Stars he clashed with the cloaked player's blade.
Breaker of Stars rebounded and vibrated intensely. Either than that no damage was suffered. The cloaked player seemed stunned at the situation once more, Akiol used this opportunity. Pointing Breaker of Stars at the cloaked player he shouted, "Repulse!".