In the relentless swarm of Brown Blossom Bugs, Saad, Penelope, and Verena continued their coordinated assault. The bugs fell like autumn leaves, succumbing to the trio's superior combat prowess. However, the incessant barrage of attacks took its toll, gradually wearing down Saad's health.
[You have been poisoned by the poisonous pollen. You have resisted the low grade venom.]
The lack of notifications regarding the drops added an element of uncertainty to the battle. Saad found it vexing not to know the rewards of their victories, the spoils of war accumulating in an unseen inventory. Meanwhile, the poisonous pollen of the bugs posed a persistent threat, albeit mitigated by Saad's venom resistance.
Verena and Penelope, undeterred by the continuous onslaught, displayed exceptional combat skills. Verena's strikes were consistently critical, a deadly dance that drained the life essence from their adversaries. Saad observed Crimson Sovereign absorbing this essence, contemplating the implications for his own life essence reservoir.
As the battle raged on, Saad couldn't help but ponder the consequences of his life essence reaching full capacity. However, with the intensity of the fight, now wasn't the opportune moment for such inquiries. The passage of time proved deceptive, and with a sudden message, the trio realized they had achieved a significant milestone.
[You have discovered a part of the map. There is 1 more piece to collect.]
It seemed that second team had ended up discovering another piece of the map while they had been trying to clear the brown blossom worm cave.
Penelope's inquiry interrupted the rhythmic onslaught of Saad's attacks. Crimson Sovereign responded instinctively, creating a protective dome that enveloped Saad, marking its understanding of the situation.
"Kael, check it. Did the teleportation icon appear on the map?" Penelope questioned, her attention directed toward Saad. He halted his offensive, relying on the bloody dome as he accessed the map.
With a swift confirmation, Saad nodded, signaling that the teleportation feature was now accessible. However, before Penelope could voice her next query, Verena interjected with a request, "Can you shield all of us as we teleport?"
Her eyes were shining with over-enthusiasm and Penelope also just silently looked at Saad.
Saad hesitated, contemplating the necessity of such protection. Before he could articulate his thoughts, Crimson Sovereign, swirling ominously in the air, transmitted a message directly to Saad's consciousness.
[I won't do it. Who is this bizarre woman? Tell her I would love to choke her to death if she wishes. She should fear me and not the bugs.]
The sinister voice resonated with Saad, leaving him conflicted. While he had been inclined to agree with Verena's request, the AI's violent sentiment raised doubts. He pondered the appropriateness of such language regarding a player, expressing frustration at the developers' creation.
'Those damn developers are crazy.'
Saad hesitated for a moment, contemplating how to respond to Verena. Ultimately, he chose honesty over diplomacy. They were just teammates, and he didn't feel obligated to cater to her every request, especially after her persistent questioning.
Honestly, she was a little too much for him.
"It's an ego shield. I can't order it around," he explained, feeling a sense of satisfaction radiating from Crimson Sovereign as the blood shield took on a cape-like appearance. Although, it didn't touch him, he was still uncomfortable with the blood like liquid surrounding him. "Besides, the bugs are hardly doing any damage. You should quickly teleport if you don't want your HP to dwindle."
Verena stared at him, raising her eyebrows in a challenging manner. "It would be just for a second. You are such a stuck-up bastard, not much different than that shit Sybil who thinks he is a hotshot."
Perhaps Verena wasn't used to being denied but it was clear that her real personality was coming out.
The sudden shift in her expression and tone left Saad momentarily stunned. Before he could react, he witnessed Penelope opting for a swift departure, disappearing in a soft white light. He couldn't believe her reaction.
'So much for being a decent person.' He was bitter. And that snapped his last straw of patience.
"Hey! I didn't swear at you, so how can you say this to me? Just because you are a girl, you think you can get away with it?" Saad responded, his frustration evident as he abandoned the pretense of being the accommodating teammate.
He had initially sought to have fun and enjoy the game, but Verena's attitude had disrupted that intention. She was treating him like a joke. Did she seriously think she could get away with acting like this?
Verna locked eyes with Saad, her reaction to his refusal appearing unexpected. Saad, however, found a strange satisfaction in not yielding to her demands. She unleashed a sharp retort, accusing him of arrogance due to his rare equipment, and Saad frowned, perplexed by her sudden change in demeanor.
"Who do you think you are? Just because you got a rare equipment, you think that you can act like this? Guys are all the same. I was being nice to you, but you really can't take a hint," she lashed out, her voice sharp. Saad was left wondering about her true intentions, and he soon found out.
"Transfer the ownership to me. I want that shield," Verna demanded shamelessly, holding her spear in an offensive position. Saad couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"There is no way I am going to do that! Are you crazy?!" Saad's voice rose in shock and anger, but Verna only smirked, adopting a bully's demeanor.
"I am saying this for your own good. Just transfer it to me, and this can be easy for both of us." Her aggressive stance and unhinged behavior left Saad perplexed, but he had had enough.
"You know what? Thanks but no thanks! I am not going to give it to you, you batshit crazy woman!" Saad declared, his patience exhausted. He brandished his whips, and Crimson Sovereign emerged, drawing a glare from Verna.
Never had Saad encountered such a disruptive player. Despite her beauty, he felt an overwhelming urge to put her in her place.
A message popped up: [Player Verena is requesting a standard duel with Player Kael.]
Saad saw the message and was about to accept when another message appeared for both of them to see: [The dungeon is interfering with the duel. To duel a player, you must get permission from the dungeon master. Would you like to send a request to the dungeon master? Y/N]
Surprised by this unique detail, Saad looked at Verna. She muttered something under her breath, quickly pressed 'Yes,' and, within moments, received a response: [The dungeon master has granted permission for the duel.]
"You better not think that you will be able to get out of this now," Verna smirked.
"Bring it on. You seriously need a lesson. I hate people like you." Saad glared back, accepting the duel request. The confrontation was about to unfold in the mysterious depths of the Stitch Witch's domain.
The space around them twisted, and soon silver lines started to appear on the ground, entrapping them inside a shimmering silver box. A shallow pool of water materialized under their feet, transforming the surroundings into a vast sky. It was a breathtaking sight, but Saad had no time to appreciate it as the duel began.
Verena, with her spear in hand, exuded confidence as her piercing gaze locked onto Saad. Saad frowned, feeling nervousness bubble in his chest. She looked way too confident and her equipment was also way better than Saad's but he was ready. He had his own ways to win this dual.
Her spear lunged forward with incredible speed and precision, aiming for Saad's chest. Saad swiftly dodged, the crimson glow of Sin's Offering leaving a faint trail as he moved.
His whips cracked through the air, but Verena gracefully sidestepped, displaying an agility that surpassed Saad's expectations. She retaliated immediately. Her spear danced in intricate patterns, creating a mesmerizing display. Saad struggled to keep up, relying on the speed of his whips to create a protective barrier. The crimson sovereign, sensing the imminent danger, instinctively absorbed and countered the attacks.
As Verena saw Crimson Sovereign move around and keep Saad safe, her desire to get the shield for herself intensified.
Saad was confident at first, even if it was way harder for him to dodge her and how he hadn't been able to inflict much damage but as the duel continued, it became evident that Verena's movements were more refined, her attacks precise and calculated. Saad, however, was kept on his toes, relying heavily on the Crimson Sovereign's unique abilities to mitigate the onslaught.
Verena, overconfident in her superiority, decided to escalate the encounter. "Just admit defeat, you can't win." She was confident and not for wrong reasons and Saad angrily shouted, "Just shut up!"
Verena looked more languid now but her spear became a blur, striking Saad from multiple directions. Saad, pushed to his limits, grappled with his whips, attempting to parry the onslaught. The crimson shield flickered as it absorbed the powerful blows, leaving Saad barely standing.
Unbeknownst to Saad, Verena's level far exceeded his own. Her confidence grew with every successful strike, unaware that Saad's resilience was a result of the Crimson Sovereign's protective capabilities.