Asuka waves away the trade screen as she stands on a dirt street. It hadn't taken her long to acquire the two items Tara had requested, but Asuka had to get someone else to find them. Since they were working together, it's the least Asuka could do. Besides that was a favor cleared. She huffs a breath before reentering the building she exited from.
This was the Venom Pride Mercenary Group's headquarters on Amethyst Forest World. Asuka's Story was not confined to a single country and World, instead she was free to explore several. It certainly helped given her situation, Asuka muses. Greeted by tens of rough looking men and women, the HQ of Venom Pride was the largest of their bases with a couple hundred folks entering and leaving at any given moment.
Asuka ignores the rowdy and rancorous atmosphere, slowly ascending a set of stairs. She knocks twice, waits, then knocks three times on the door at the end of hall on the third floor. It swings open with a small creak as she enters. Five people were present, two burly men on either side of the entrance while behind a desk was a skinny man who wasn't human. No, in fact he looked like an anthropomorphic viper. On his left and right behind him were two women, both also snake-like in appearance.
"You were successful in your trade?" The man asks, steepling his hands. Several gem encrusted rings are on display as he learns forward.
Asuka nods, hands resting on the hilt of her swords. "Yes, thank you, Viper. I appreciate your speed as well as your discretion."
He chuckles in response. "You're welcome. It seems you're a lucky client to keep. It's not often that one request brings me double the pay."
"Sir, you had better hope I am not misunderstanding you." Asuka's tone drops with a threat in her voice. The room feels as if it's steadily getting warmer, enough to be uncomfortable. The two men move to step in front of the door as claws are brandished from the women. A look of greed and confidence have entered their eyes. Instead, Viper waves a hand to stall their action.
"I simply wish to make a bet. I've heard such tales of your exploits and prowess that I couldn't help but be curious."
"And when I win, what will I get?" Asuka asks as if taking a loss wasn't even a plausible option.
Viper's eyes, which had been closed, opened at this. While he's still smiling, it doesn't reach his purple lizard gaze. "Arrogance is not cute, child, even if it is warranted. If you make it out alive, then not only will I owe you a favor and request, but I'll make you a 6th Scale member of my Snake Pride. However, if you draw the sword on your back at any moment, it's your loss."
On Asuka's back was a guardless greatsword, hidden within a black and gold sheath that was layered with intricate runes. It was a point of pride and problems for her Story and character. Hearing Viper's terms, Asuka visibly relaxes with a dazzling smile. Being a 6th Scale member was the third highest position. Since they spanned the several worlds' Asuka could visit, Snake Pride would be a good backer to have. "I only need one of these on my hip."
The clink of a sword being put away was then heard, as a red ring of energy expands vertically from Asuka. It rapidly collides with the four bodyguards who have jumped at her, sending them flying backwards. A flicker of invisible energy flows over Viper as a barrier appears without a scratch. The smile is now gone, replaced with a snarl at her display.
Casting an elemental ring then enfolding it with Force, a weapon's version of Intent, was no simple task. To do the former involved great control over their elemental as well as a natural affinity. To even access Force was even harder as the wielder needed to be perfectly in tune with their thoughts and actions with their weapon.
In the local area, only City Guard Captains were battle hardened enough to use Force. Asuka, for her credit, had been trained from a young age in the natural world with various swords. She was actually considered a prodigy in the real world, as it came to her as easy as breathing. Coupled with the Prowess book granting her Sword Proficiency, it didn't take long for her to reach the 25 points for minor Mastery. This was enough for her to quickly utilize Initial Sword Force alongside her Elemental Skills and Retention Techniques. This led to all of them increasing their power and effects by 50%. If she used her abilities in tandem with Sword Force, then their performance would jump to 120%!
Viper taps an inscription on his desk, causing the Snake Fang tattoos on the four unconscious guards to glow. They are all pale gray three Scales while Viper's own is a deep, venomous purple eight. It doesn't take long to realize that inscription is a type of alarm of some sorts.
Asuka makes a dash for the door, seeing two more mercenaries rushing in the room's direction. Pressing her pointer and middle fingers together, Asuka makes a horizontal slashing movement. The thin blade wave of Force smashes into their chest, with only one able to stabilize their footing instantly as their companion flies back into the wall at the other end of the hallway.
Asuka uses a unique footwork to appear before the still standing mercenary, a seemingly scraggly young man, using a quick draw Technique. He can't even begin to respond or even see her flissa as it cuts him down the middle. Luckily, her Hidden Stat [Mercy] allows her to toggle off the effects of what should be a killing blow. It even works on herself as a life-saving method, though only twice per day.
As more and more of the Snake Pride head in her direction, Asuka's crimson blade begins to give off a deadly glow. This is her [Ruthless] Stat which originally had a 10% chance of just inflicting the [Fear] on her enemies. In the Adventure Server, this status makes players complete a Will check, one of the Hidden Stats. If they failed then those with a weaker Will or Spirit stat the , they would either become immobilized in fear! It was the same here now with Asuka as many of them freeze up.
Now after having awakened her Bloodline a bit from reading the Ancient Alphabet, there was also a 5% chance of inflicting [Burn] with her [Ruthless] Stat as well. Furthermore, the more she swings her blade, the faster and more powerful each attack or parry are. This came from [Tenacity] which raised her Agility, Endurance, and Attack by 5% during continuous combat until they cap 50%.
Asuka doesn't even need to use her Elemental Crafts to fight these tens of enemies who keep flooding towards her, as many are white 2 Scales. Instead she's honing her one handed Sword Arts and Techniques at every moment. Once she's made enough progress her Prowess will go up which at best would give her another .1 to her Proficiency. Ideally, as she makes her way to the second floor where she finds several 4 Scales in the crowd, she can reach 27 before this little exercise is over. After all, the stronger the enemy she faces, the more Proficiency she'll receive. The clash with the 4 Scales actually prompts her to use her Fire Crafts alongside her Sword Arts now.
These are the people with the most combat experience when it comes to maneuvering and retaliation. Their strikes are as quick as they are heavy but not something Asuka can't bear to face head on. They just took a little more time.
"Flame Saw Dance." Asuka's body flickers around the crowd like a firefly as several wheels of fire burst in each place she passes. This was a combination of the spell Flame Saw and movement art Firefly Dance. The latter lets her jump short distances quickly as if she were a flickering firefly in the night, while the former makes a saw blade-like disk of fire that cuts through most defenses.
4 Scales members, equivalent to a mid stage Vein Plating in Tara's Story, can't seem to stop her as Asuka walks gracefully and slowly. Though hundreds of enemies are armed to the teeth, Viper having appeared at the front of them all with an angry yet intrigued look, Asuka doesn't even look concerned in the slightest. There were only two more 4 Scales and a 5th Scale among their numbers. Viper likely wouldn't take action unless it was truly dire.
"It's not enough," Asuka sighs loudly as she steps off the final step.
Viper smirks, ready to extend an olive branch. The girl was talented and would be a welcome addition among his forces. "I'm glad you understand your situation. Still I am a fair--"
Asuka rolls her eyes with a small laugh. "I meant you all aren't enough for me to draw my second sword, let alone Odrian's Honor. However, I do have something I'd like to try, so I think I should thank you."
Before any of them can become furious at being looked down upon, a sweltering heat floods over every person. Asuka has undergone an instantaneous transformation: uncountable blood red runes extend upon the right side of her face and hands. A broken flame red horn has materialized at the center of her forehead. Her eyes glow crimson as her canines elongate.
'W-what is this?' Viper thinks. None of his information channels mentioned something like this. Of course they wouldn't as Asuka hadn't used this transformation in public before. It was called Lava Seraph Takeover. Her offensive Stats are tripled in this state, her Burn effect evolves into Blaze, and any Fire Damage automatically criticals for double damage.
'Force Layer: Bleating Flame Circle.' Coating her sword with Force, Asuka doesn't hold back as she does a slow circular sweep. She finally fused her Techniques, Arts, and Crafts in one.
Another ring of Fire energy pulses from her before it takes the form of two wolf heads. Her full power attack that weaves through everyone, sending them flying out onto the street with the exception of Viper. Instead, the barrier defending him cracks and breaks. His eyes bulge as only someone of his strength or stronger should be able crack his shield.
Asuka's transformation falls away like flickering flames as she grins again, patting Viper on the shoulder as she goes by without a word. A crowd has appeared surrounding the members of Snake's Pride as Asuka exits, having won the bet. She rotates her shoulders before cracking her neck.
"This Disloyal Sheep is grateful for your challenge," Asuka thanks the sprawling group of mercenaries.
[The Disloyal Sheep]
For now, as long as you walk within your Story, you are forbidden from companionship.
It is harder to earn people's trust, especially allies of the Ordrian Sect. The more enemies you fight against the stronger and faster you become.
This was one of the titles that was given to her the moment Asuka arrived in her Story. Her virtual body was the second disciple of the Guardian of Ordrian Honor, one of the founder's treasured weapons. That ended when the young girl found her teacher dying from a sneak attack. She told Asuka to run and take the sword as this was just the beginning of internal strife among the order.
That was four years ago now, with Asuka being labeled as a dangerous deserter and traitor to the Sect. From ten to fourteen she had been hunted by former fellow students, even her ex Senior Sister. Luckily for her, the Sect had to keep some face, so they never sent people well beyond her level. Asuka would either escape or narrowly defeat them over that four year period. That, of course, changed once full control was assumed. Now Asuka's talent and abilities have made her nearly unsurmountable at the same level.
After her display, Asuka spends some time integrating within Snake's Pride. They greet her comfortable and affable with Viper giving her access to resources and jobs. Slowly, she's gaining a new name for herself in the public while growing her Skills and Techniques. It's about two weeks in that Asuka gets a summons back to the chatroom, causing her to be curious.