The three actors that had stepped forward each had a different mask. The first to step forward wore a grey mask with deeply carved wrinkles and a silvery-grey wig, along with a plain white robe. The second wore a fairly simple white mask with a golden swirl under one eye and an elegant white robe. The last wore a fairly simple silver mask with a black swirl under one eye and an elegant black robe.
An actor dressed in a shimmering grey robe with a dark grey mask patterned after a demon jumped up from the crowd of actors behind the main three and began floating over head, standing on a large sword. The demon-masked actor began to narrate, his voice broadcasting to all of the members of the audience with ease.
"Before the Great Elder stood two youths, the crown prince Eric and his twin brother Butes."
The two actors playing the princes bowed towards the actor in the elderly mask before the one in white stepped forward, his voice projecting clearly. "Oh Great Elder, I fear a disaster has come to greet us at our gates. The demon king Eumolpus has commanded his troops to lay siege to the city, his army is nearly at our doorstep! The city's army is no match for Eumolpus' forces of evil, they are being slaughtered like sheep!" The elder responded in a croaking voice that could just barely be heard. "Young Crown Prince, please do not fear. If you can call forth our god Boedromios, surely he will grant his blessings to your people."
The two princely actors bowed once more, then the crowd of actors behind them suddenly stepped forward and the three disappeared into the crowd.
"Outside of the city gates, the demonic forces clashed against the soldiers defending the city." The narrator spoke as a large wall rose out of the floor of the stage, formed out of magic. The actors representing the soldiers all wore a light grey robe with a metallic plumed helmet, while the actors that represented the demonic troops wore black robes and masks with fierce expressions and demonic features. The actor playing Prince Butes led the soldiers to battle, fighting at the front of the troops.
One actor in a crimson robe and black demonic mask stepped forward from the rest of the troops. He flew up, surrounded by an aura of fire as the narrator continued. "The demon king Eumolpus stepped forward from his army to challenge the crown prince to a duel."
The actor playing the demon king shouted mightily, his voice causing the whole stage to shake. "Prince Eric, why do you cower behind your walls? I challenge you!"
The princely actor in white stepped forward from behind the wall, wielding a large sword. The demon-masked actor drew a sword from his belt, and the two began swinging their swords in an elaborate and elegant choreography.
The demon king finally disarmed the crown prince, causing him to fall to the ground. Just as he was about to finish him off, a golden light surrounded the prince. The actor playing the prince floated back up, but his mask had been swapped for one that was all gold.
"Just as the evil demon king was about to finish off Prince Eric, our god Boedromios granted the prince his blessing." The narrator explained as the actor playing the crown prince Eric continued fighting the actor playing the demon king, eventually defeating him.
"Well, that explains why demons are disliked by the other NPCs in this game." Hades mumbled to himself as he watched all of the actors stand together and bow, marking the end of the play.
He turned and glanced at Thanatos, wondering if his demonic companion would be offended by the play, but he couldn't read him. Thanatos seemed completely unperturbed, his face void of any and all emotions.
"Well, that was extremely... boring." Ares rested one hand on the pommel of his sword. Although the swordfighting in the play was mildly interesting to him, he would much rather be out fighting monsters and/or grinding levels and loot.
"Do you want to go head out to hunt some monsters?" Hades instantly could guess what Ares was thinking. When Ares responded with a wide grin, they decided to head out, retrieving their horses from the city stables, where people were allowed to keep their horses when visiting the city.
With no plan in mind, the group headed out, with Hades, after dismissing the effects of his Masked Ruby Amulet, making use of the map given to all the players by the system to lead the group to the nearest monster hunting area.
As monsters began to appear, Thanatos and Ares took the lead, swinging their swords quickly and efficiently. Watching the two warriors, Hades could only complain under his breath at his lack of a weapon. Of course, he didn't truly mean any of his complaints, as Thanatos was probably far more effective in combat than he would be.
The three undead harpies occasionally joined in the battles, but only when more than a few monsters attacked at once. Most of the time, they followed the order Hades gave to them in the beginning, scouting ahead of the group to allow them to avoid the more powerful monsters.
As Thanatos finished off the last of a group of snake monsters, Hades decided to check his status, and he could see Ares out of the corner of his eyes doing the same.
••••••••••
Name: Hades
Race: Demon
Class: Necromancer
Title: None
Level 4: 1500/800
Potential Points: 12
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 10
Constitution: 10
Charisma: 3
Luck: 16
Passive Skills:
^Deadly Commander
^Demonic Aura
Active Skills:
^Demonic Possession Lvl 1
^Summon Minion Lvl 1
^Revive Undead Lvl 3
^Poisonous Fog Lvl 1
••••••••••
Once Hades put his experience into leveling up, he would have a total of 17 Potential Points he could use to either level up his skills or stats. 'Level up Demonic Possession, Summon Minion, and Poisonous Fog to 3.'
[Use 9 Potential Points to Lvl 3 Demonic Possession, Summon Minion, and Poisonous Fog?]
'Yes.'
He also decided to increase his Dexterity by 3, saving the remaining 5 Potential Points just in case.
••••••••••
Name: Hades
Race: Demon
Class: Necromancer
Title: None
Level 5: 700/1600
Potential Points: 5
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 10
Constitution: 10
Charisma: 3
Luck: 16
Passive Skills:
^Deadly Commander
^Demonic Aura
Active Skills:
^Demonic Possession Lvl 3
^Summon Minion Lvl 3
^Revive Undead Lvl 3
^Poisonous Fog Lvl 3
••••••••••