The Lost Crown
"Even if we try hard, we will always be charged."
Chapter 4:
I arrived in the city of Regar, immediately went to the center, there was something I needed to check for myself, while I was thinking about what happened in the temple.
- Those damned racists! I will never forgive them - he said with a deep hatred and soon after Master Raash came into my mind and tears fell as he walked.
While I was walking, I felt being chased by someone hostile, I didn't decide to call much and went on my way, the center was quite crowded, I had to go around an alley between the houses to get to the other side, so I used my clairvoyance technique to see an easily accessible path, after seeing the best passage I went on, I walked to a crossroads, there were wooden houses around but it was quite dark, the houses covered the sunlight. I stopped at this place so the presence I had felt was approaching.
- Now, it looks like I found you - hooded stranger.
- Who are you? And what do you want with me? - I asked without patience
"Nice to meet you, I'm a mercenary, Gustaf, and I'm going to kill you," Gustaf said with conviction.
At this moment with our dialogue, another guy arrived, but for some reason it seems that he is still spying on us, I think he is waiting for us to do some action until the mercenary Gustaf said:
- I came to kill you two, get out of there mercenary.
After that another mercenary came out from behind the house, it seems that he is also looking for me, at the moment I am not going to use my power against these guys, maybe I should only use basic attacks, that's it.
- Now, how did you know I was here? Said the other mercenary.
Then Gustaf came at us both, so I attacked him with my sword, but he pulled a dagger defending my attack, I saw that this guy is really accurate and cautious, maybe I should see his power, so I will be more free to fight him in my way, I concentrated and did it.
Strength: 300
Magic: 200
Power: 600
Total: 1100
Only that? I thought he was stronger, I won't need to use my strength, I'll read the other mercenary's.
Strength: 400
Magic: 400
Power: 700
Total: 1500
This other one is a little stronger, what does this guy want with us? Being weaker than the two of us? does he hide his true strength?
As soon as he left, the mercenary beside me told me about his plan, it seems like a good idea to attack together, but this Gustaf is very suspicious to me, so we both go in opposite directions to attack him.
- So these wretches joined forces huh? Thought Gustaf.
When we attacked we managed to remove his cloak, he was a little strange, but at that moment when he fell his cloak, I felt an incredible aura coming from him, I couldn't believe I was hiding his strength all the time, he soon backed away and disappeared into the shadows, but I believe that would have work to face with our full powers.
"If that guy used his full power, I would have a job," I thought to myself.
Before I prepare to face the other mercenary, it seems that he changed his mind.
- What's your name boy? Asked the mercenary.
"My name is Raynard," I said.
- Nice to meet you, I'm Arthuro - he introduced himself - You know, I've been thinking here after I saw your mastery, how about joining our mercenary organization? He asked shortly afterwards happily.
Well, at the moment I am zeroed out on units [1], so I think it would be a good idea to get some money from this organization, as long as I don't accept big trouble missions, even because the elves are on my tail, so I gave the answer to the Arthuro.
1 - [Author's notes: units are money in our universe.]
- It may be ..., I accept your proposal, but how are we going to do that? - I asked.
- Come on, we have a long way to walk, our base is in the capital Terrar - refuted Arthuro tiredly.
Incredibly, this guy seems to be very calm, I don't think he is a bad person no matter how much he came to kill me, so we walked a lot, the capital was 300 units of Irrigation, so we traveled a long way facing beasts along the way , it seems that we are a beautiful duo.
After days of walking and facing the dangers of beasts and bandits we arrived in the capital, the city of Terrar, it was huge and there was the famous royal army and its miserable guards and maybe that Tulius was in the royal army too, Arthuro took me to a pier that was in the city and there was a secret entrance under the pier, when we went down the stairs, it had a huge wooden door, so we opened it.
- What! You are crazy? Why did you send him there?
- He who chose that mission, don't give me that one.
There were two mercenaries arguing, a beautiful tall, red-haired woman and another well-defined and dark.
As we entered the door, all the mercenaries that were in that room turned their attention to us, and looked mainly at me, maybe they are wondering what I was doing there, until the red-haired woman came towards us and quickly pulled Arthuro through the door. clothes taking him to the corner, I could hear everything with my keen hearing.
- You are crazy? What are you doing bringing this boy here? Asked the red-haired woman to Arthuro.
- Don't worry Sheyla, I brought him to be one of us, it would be a waste to have to kill him, in fact maybe I wouldn't even be able to kill him - Arthuro refuted, unconcerned with the situation.
- What do you mean, you couldn't kill him?
- Look at this boy Sheyla, just by looking at him, you feel absurd power, his power is like those of the ten strongest mercenaries in the world.
- Yes, you are right, but Arthuro, you will one day pay dearly for breaking one of our rules - said Sheyla worried about Arthuro.
- The ten strongest mercenaries in the world? - I wondered.
After this brief discussion the two came up to me, then asked me to accompany him, maybe it is for me to become a mercenary officially, we walk to another huge door, as soon as we open the door I see a very dark room, with little lighting , only the lighting of the torches lit, in the middle of a very empty room, had a kind of throne.
"Raynard, sit on the throne, and so you will become a mercenary," said Arthuro.
- How come I sit on the throne? What will happen? - I asked curious.
- As soon as you sit on the throne, it will mark your name on a part of the throne.
- Why does this have to happen?
- It is just a ritual of passage to become a mercenary, you will not suffer any pain do not worry.
- Okay, I'll go there.
I walked to the throne, as soon as I sat down the fire in the torches became stronger, out of nowhere I see a glow on the arm of the throne and my name was there, engraved on that wood.
- Congratulations, now you are one of us - said Arthuro cheerfully.
- ... - Sheyla just watched the event.
I was happy to participate in my first organization in my entire life, as soon as we left that room, Arthuro shouted: - NOW THIS GIRL IS ONE OF US! AND HE IS A WONDER.
All the mercenaries who were drinking screamed with happiness.
- Aaaaaa!
Some of them came to greet me and threw a big party, is it that everyone who comes here is like this? So we drank and ate a lot, I was tired of the walk and very hungry, I knew I would not regret coming here.
- What do you think you're doing, Arthuro? Whispered Sheyla.
- Don't worry about it, I said, this boy will bring us many benefits - replied Arthuro confidently - This Raynard is certainly what I'm thinking - he said right after.
Soon Arthuro took me to know more about the place, meanwhile we talked about the mercenaries, he explained to me who are the ten strongest mercenaries in the world, they all have access to all organizations, but they are not part, they have their own organization created by themselves and they command all the others in the whole world, basically all organizations have the boss, but he is not the one who has the full right of the organization, he told me their name in rank from weakest to strongest.
Sylas the Executioner
Kengan the Butcher
Gellius the Impaler
Faila, The Sorceress
Roberto the Father
Merida, The Cachaceira
Morgan the Nemesis
???
???
???
After he tells me the name and what they represent, the last three strongest ones are unknown to organizations, I think they didn't want their identities to be exposed, but they are the three most powerful mercenaries in existence, sure they are formidable people, so when we got to the rooms i jumped directly on the bed.
- Go rest boy, tomorrow you will have your first mission - said Arthuro
- Right! - I replied glad to do my first mission.
The room wasn't that kind of thing, but it was better than I expected, so I lay down, the party is still going on and their noise was hellish, but I was so tired that I slept like a rock, while I slept I had a huge nightmare like that day at the temple, i saw Louise throwing a lightning bolt at my chest and i also saw my master sacrificing himself for me, tears fell from my eyes while sleeping.
The next day, I got up very early, I was totally refreshed.
- Huh? Tears? Raynard asked himself. "I think I cried in my sleep," he said shortly afterwards.
I took my sword and - Toc, Toc, Toc -, - I'm leaving! - I shouted, as soon as I opened the door I came face to face with Arthuro, I think he came to take me to the hall, where there are the mission panels.
- Good morning Raynard - said Arthuro
- Good morning Arthuro.
- Are you ready?
- Of course I am.
We walked to the mission panel, there was a variation of Rank - F to Rank - SSS missions, I was impressed to see what they were about, ranging from beast things to things that involved the whole nation.
- Choose one you want - said Arthuro
I was excited that he told me to choose.
- Seriously? Okay, I choose this one.
I chose a Rank A mission
- Hmm, is Rank A? So so be it, let's get some supplies to go.
- Okay, I'll wait for you outside.
As soon as I turned to go outside, I felt like someone had passed me, maybe a silhouette, maybe just a figure ..., but I really felt in danger of seeing that energy. Passing through the hall I could see that they (the mercenaries) seemed to be good people, maybe everyone had very personal reasons for being there, maybe it was something worthy or not. But everyone was united by codes and conduct.
When I arrived outside I noticed that the city was much less busy when it was getting dark, it even had a darker climate I would say. Maybe it's my impression, but it is still scary.
Ah, the poster ... Let me see, it is very old and seems to be hanging on the wall for a few years. Why hasn't anyone completed it yet?
- So Raynard, I finished picking up the supplies and even got some apples, do you want one?
- Oh sure ...
- What's it? It seems a little worried.
- I think I should go alone, I don't want to leave anyone else in danger because of me. I've already lost a lot of people just because I'm close to people ... I think we should split up.
- Don't be so upset, stop thinking about it a little. Besides, we make a good team, don't we? And I don't think anyone would be able to fight us either.
I look at him and see that he was very happy and confident even after I told him here, maybe he is right.
- So Arthuro, I took a look at the poster I took and noticed that it is very old. Is this common to happen?
- I think so, we have very strong people in our organization. Maybe they don't like easier missions.
I think this is very strange, but he has much more experience than I do in this regard ... Maybe he is right about that, I think I better relax a little and concentrate on finishing this contract soon.
- Then come on!
- That's how it says!
After we left our organization, we walked for a few hours until we left the city and headed towards a village that placed the reward, a while passed before we finally stopped to rest a little from the long walk to the final destination.
- So Raynard, there are some posters of yours scattered in some places and I heard reports that your posters were me in other places in the world too. What did you do to make that happen? I mean, if you're really at fault.
- I don't know, everyone knows more about me more than myself, I just wish I had lived a simple and normal life, but everything around me ends in death or destruction.
- That's what I thought, you didn't seem like a bad person when I saw you from afar, but now I'm sure you're a good guy. None of this is your fault Raynard, nothing.
I hear his words looking at that little fire that we lighted up shortly after we stopped to camp, I saw many of my memories through those little flames ... I want to be able to help everyone, but it seems that the more I try least I can reach my goal ...
- Wait! did you hear that?
- Yes! Coming from the left in large quantities.
Thanks to my hearing that I trained with Raash, I know quantities and distance.
- Are you really good huh?
- That was a coincidence.
Maybe it's a lot more than I heard and now that they're getting closer I don't think it's human or wolves or things like that.
- Spiders! Damn spiders!
- Stay close to me!
We kept our backs to each other and with my hand I conjured a circle of fire to surround us and keep as many of those spiders as possible away from us.
- Wait Raynard, how did you do that?
- We don't have time for answers!
They started to jump over the barrier and were so numerous that it was difficult to cut them all off before they hit us, for a few moments I started to see things differently, it seemed that everything was slow ... My reflexes were even more refined, I managed to cut each one by one.
I think that thanks to the walk the city of Tera, facing beasts and everything, I improved even more.
- What happened to this boy?
- Looks like they're leaving.
- Good thing ... I was starting to get tired - said Arthuro
- I think we shouldn't stay here for long, we should get to our goal as soon as possible.
After we collected our things and put out the fire, we ran as fast as possible towards the village that had put up the poster, but after hours running nonstop, we finally arrived at the contract city ... But the city was completely empty and without life, there were marks of fangs among other signs of fights.
- What happened to this city?
- I don't know boy, but I'm sure those spiders have something to do with it.
We scoured the city for survivors or something that could help us solve what had happened there, perhaps even a clue as to what to follow.
- I feel someone's aura ... There!
- Leave it to me, Raynard!
He ran so fast that his cloak was windy, it was as natural as a fox ..., but he managed to capture whoever moved in the gloom of that abandoned city.
- Who are you? And what are you doing here !?
- II am just a wanderer searching the city se-mister ... - said the stranger
- He knows something, should we torture him? - I said trying to scare him
- No ... I think he will speak, right?
- Okay, okay, I know what's going on here, just let me go, please!
- You can let him go, he won't run any faster than us anyway.
I approach the suspect and place a detonation mark right in the center of his chest.
- N-I don't know, sir ...
- So I am pleased to explain to you, this is a detonation mark, if you dare to run or lie to me, I detonate and you die before you can say a word, so say what you know if it can't be the last thing will make.
- Raynard ... - said Arthuro a little scared.
- I speak, I will speak just don't hurt me ... It was the black claws, they are allies of the elves and other enemy armies of that continent, they came a few years ago and released biologically modified spiders so that they could control the whole village for through fear, but it got completely out of hand. The spiders in a short time proved to be stronger, faster and smarter, afraid of what could happen they ran away and left this mark of destruction, they ran away to the mountains of the caves and developed now they are numerous and strong ... I need get out of here.
- SPEAK MORE! - I take out my sword and aim at his throat.
- They started to go further than just this village, they attack villages, big cities, travelers and important loads ... There are reports that they chose a queen and have an inner hierarchy of spiders ... It is very dangerous to be around where they usually act ... Let me go before they come.
- Go ahead ... - I ordered the resident, taking his detonation seal.
He ran like he saw a demon ... I think we have big problems ahead of us.
- Raynard ... We must step back and ask our allies for help.
- I will not involve anyone else in this, if you do not want to come with me I understand.
- You're getting crazy? This mission is out of control, and from what I heard from this guy this is a Rank S mission, I understand ... You will not back down right?
- No, I'm not going.
- Then I'll go with you.
- Okay, so let's make sure I get the most out of it - I put a detonation mark on me.
- This boy is crazy - thought Arthuro
We wandered towards the mountains in which the subject had told us, on the way there were only trails of animal and other remains, it seems that they devoured everything that had blood. Only trees, plants and some insects were alive in the area affected by these monsters.
After passing over decaying bridges and climbing large slopes. We got close to where their first concentration point was, I could feel the presence of something threatening and I felt like a prey without having any reaction, someone was watching us with bloodlust.
- We're being watched. - I said in a low voice.
- Yeah, I can feel it.
- Raynard look - he pointed to a creature a long way away.
She was probably 2.10 meters tall and was extraordinarily endowed with muscles and large arms with claws at her ends. Dark eyes with a red in the center that stood out above everything, that creature was watching us intently without taking any steps, it was just waiting for the best moment or any sign of struggle.
- Can you calculate the attributes of that? Said Arthuro in a startled voice.
- No ... Just the aura that surrounds her.
That creature started to crouch as if preparing to jump towards us, but it would be impossible for it to jump from that distance to where we were.
"Get ready," said Arthuro aloud.
- Cert-
Before I could finish speaking that creature jumped at an immense speed in my direction, I could only see the impact trail that was on the ground from which it jumped ... I just had the reaction to defend that attack, my sword was shaking for because of the strength of this monster, it looked like it was going to break.
- I'm going! - said Arthuro
Before he could make an attack, the creature kicked him away with its hind leg.
- Arthuro!
The creature showed no effort on its face, it is at a much higher level than we had previously dealt with.
The creature remained without showing any kind of reaction, until it seemed that it was dead.
I used all my strength to get her away from me, this caused the creature to be hurled against the wall at high speed, a hole formed where it had hit.
I raised my hand towards the creature and emitted a continuous burst of fire.
The creature gradually came out of the hole and with difficulty holding the continuous blast of fire coming out of my hands, until I stop using them and it falls to the boiling ground, but it still seemed to be firm to fight again, without giving me a chance. I jump towards it with my sword.
After jumping towards the creature, I activated a technique I learned in the temple while training, the first fire technique: "True Fire Sword", thus activating an incessant flame in my sword, with this I can cut to the steel, I went forward attacking it, attacked over and he defended with his arm, but his indestructible carapace was cracking, I could see his expression on his face in despair at seeing his carapace cracking, so I continued to attack his shell incessantly.
I didn't want to get tired of this creature, so I used my other technique.
- "Corte da Luz!" I shouted.
So I attacked her at high speed with the sword on fire in all directions thus rendering her carapace useless, when I saw her carapace falling I saw under that creature a totally dark being and a purple aura rising.
- Gwaaaaaaaaaar! Shouted the creature, raising its aura in the air.
"I can see this is going to be work, shit," Raynard said, a little upset.
Before I saw anything, I just felt a silhouette approaching and the air left behind by the creature, instinctively defended its side attack, it was enough to get me out of the place I was in, it was pushing me away with its fast attack .
It seems that when his carapace fell, his speed increased dramatically and his strength too - This creature really is incredible - I said to myself. While we were facing each other Arthuro came running towards us, it seemed that he was not injured, I was relieved by that.
- Raynard! I'll help you, hang on there - shouted Arthuro worried.
- No! Don't come Arthuro, that creature and more dangerous than I thought, stay away - I ordered.
- Are you sure?!
- Have! You can count on me.
So Arthuro was watching from afar, because I don't want to involve him in my fights, I'm not worried about defeating this creature, I'm concerned about having others stronger than her, it seems like it's time to stop playing fighting and take this seriously, I concentrated my aura on the firepower of the sword, thus raising the power even more, it was difficult to breathe around me, the fire was so strong that I was burning oxygen, with my aura a little high I increased my statistics, the creature could not get close because the air around it was burning, for some reason I have a great resistance to fire.
I quickly advanced on the creature, it couldn't even notice when I got close, so I cut it in half and ended up on the other side, lessened my aura and kept my sword, while it fell half of its body all charred, before falling to the ground it just turned ashes.
"This boy is a monster," thought Arthuro, impressed.
Then I ran to Arthuro to see if he was okay.
- Is everything okay Arthuro? Did you hurt yourself? - I asked.
- No, no, everything is fine - replied Arthuro - Is he seriously asking if I'm okay? I should ask you that, Arthuro thought.
- Are you really OK? There's nothing wrong?
"No, everything is fine," I replied.
"What an incredible talent this boy has," thought Arthuro.
We went ahead with the mission, maybe this mission was not really for anyone, I'm sure that if it were someone else facing that humanoid spider, it would have been killed, after entering a forest the fog that had been there had become more dense, soon ahead we can see an immense cave, it had webs around it.
- Arthuro, I think that here that we must enter, maybe inside there is the real problem.
- Yes, let's go!
We ran to the cave, even though we brought supplies, lit a torch, there were many smaller spiders, but they all ran away, we went deeper into the cave until we found a part where it glowed with a strong blue tone, until we no longer needed the torchlight, before I realized it, we saw a giant spider coming down from the ceiling, it seemed to be ten times my size.
"Welcome, boys, I was waiting for you," said the giant spider in a vixen voice.
- Do you speak? - Arthuro and I asked at the same time scared.
"Of course, I am the queen, there is no one above me," said the vixen spider.
- How did you know we were coming? - I asked.
- My daughters tell me everything, in fact you KILLED! my strongest daughter - she said in a raised voice.
It seems that her temper is short, I don't know what to do with her, Arthuro seems to be unable to say anything.
- Do not worry guys, I will not do anything with you, in fact my strongest daughter died.
- So what do you want from us? - I asked.
- You know lately we are very hungry and the humans of this village have already eaten all.
- YOU KILLED ALL THE HUMANS HERE ?! Asked Raynard angrily.
- Of course, we have been hungry for a long time, my daughters need to grow up and I need to reproduce.
- But what you did was unacceptable, you killed a lot of people, and for my mission I cannot leave you alive.
- Raynard, you must make your choice, are you going to kill her or leave her alive? Asked Arthuro.
As much as I am undecided and my body is shaking, I have to do it for the sake of the mission, or many people may die from my decision, I understand your side, but it is your species or my species, one day I will surely be hated by my decision.
- I'm sorry queen spider, it's either my species or yours.
- I see, I already foresaw your decision, well you have nothing to do, right - said the queen spider with low self-esteem - At least take my smartest daughter, Silvia, can you promise me that? He asked shortly thereafter.
- Thank you for agreeing with me, I promise you that I will take you and protect you.
The queen spider gave me her daughter, she came out from behind her mother, as soon as I saw her she looked like a human child, but she had arachnic traits, one day I will regret my decision.
"Arthuro, take her out please," I said in a sad tone.
- Right.
After that with great remorse, I burned the whole cave, I used the strongest flame that was in me, so that their death would be painless, thanks to my fire resistance I stayed there watching that scene of them all turning to ashes, to never forget this decision that I made, maybe I will carry all the blame on me for years.
I left the cave sad, and outside a heavy rain fell, me, Arthuro and Silvia went to the village to take shelter, when entering an abandoned house we lit a fire.
- Boy, where is my mother? Asked Silvia innocently.
When Silvia asked this question, I soon started to shake, Arthuro looked at me trying to tell me to lie to her, so I did.
- I'm sorry Silvia, I couldn't protect your mother, and-she gave me you so I can protect you, I swear on my life that I will protect her - I told Silvia crying.
- Don't worry brother, I'm still here, you promised her and I'm still alive - said Silvia crying.
These words touched me deeply, I blame myself for lying to her and I feel happy that she is here, her words helped me lift a heavy weight on my back, she will now be like a little sister to me and I will protect her at all costs. Arthuro had a half-mouthed smile looking at the fire and Silvia was sleeping on my legs.
- Raynard, you can rest for a while, you who made the mission totally, let me stay on standby.
- Don't worry Arthuro, I'm fine.
Soon after, he falls deeply asleep.