In a dimly lit inn, Maxim and a mysterious man in a hat made a secret agreement.
They didn't speak quietly, not keeping their conversation hidden from prying ears.
The man, partially hiding his face under his hat, spoke with an intriguing and mysterious manner.
"Would you like to take this outside?"
A glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
Maxim, however, remained unaffected, his expression unreadable as if he carried the world's secrets within him.
He calmly replied, a mix of confusion and unwavering confidence in his voice.
"No need, here is fine. I'll end this in a split second…"
The bystanders, curious about the enigmatic atmosphere surrounding Maxim, weren't sure if he was arrogantly self-assured or simply had unwavering faith in his own abilities.
"What did he say?"
"What in the actual fuck is happening?"
"Is this man for real?"
The man in the hat, astonished into silence, nodded in agreement, trying to comprehend the bold statement just made.
Taking advantage of the moment, he scanned the room, his eyes searching the faces of the gathered crowd in the inn or guild, looking for someone willing to challenge Maxim.
He challenged them, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of warning.
"Who would like to step up?"
His gaze, like piercing lasers, met the eyes of each curious onlooker, daring them to step forward and face the unknown.
"I'll reward anyone who tries…"
The question hung in the air, heavy with the possibility of a clash, the excitement palpable.
And then, from among the spectators, a figure stood up, his voice resonating with unwavering certainty.
"Let me take him on!"
The man declared, his voice breaking the silence like thunder. His presence demanded attention, radiating undeniable self-assurance.
He carried a formidable ax on his back, a weapon that spoke volumes about his reputation as Barkle, the Ogre Slayer.
Legends and rumors of his heroic exploits, tales of him single-handedly defeating entire ogre villages with his mighty ax, had spread far and wide.
He was renowned as one of the greatest ax wielders in the Thousand Valley, unmatched in skill, and his name struck fear into the hearts of ogres and adventurers alike.
However, Maxim, undeterred by Barkle's fearsome reputation, not even caring who is, simply yawned nonchalantly, shocking the onlookers.
"Huwaaaaarhhh…"
Like he just woke up in the morning.
Barkle, feeling a pang of humiliation, realized that his imposing presence had failed to intimidate this mysterious newcomer.
Momentarily taken aback, he watched as Maxim made an unexpected request, his voice tinged with boredom.
"Hey, can I get a drink first?"
Maxim's words lingered in the air, as if he already knew the outcome of the impending encounter and couldn't be bothered to rush into it.
He looked at Barkle, his arms outstretched in a gesture signaling the axe man not to take offense.
"Well, my friend, I'm just being honest," he casually explained, audacity unwavering.
"So please, wait a moment."
With audacity, Maxim strolled over to the nearest table, his steps deliberate and unhurried, as if he owned the place.
The table's owner, taken aback by the stranger's boldness, could only watch in stunned silence as Maxim grabbed a bottle of drink, swift and decisive in his actions.
The proprietor's mouth hung open, unable to form words in the face of such audacity.
Maxim raised the bottle to his lips, tilting his head back and downing its contents in one smooth motion.
The liquid flowed down his throat like a refreshing waterfall, and a satisfying
"Ahhh..." escaped his lips.
He couldn't help but indulge in a moment of nostalgia.
"I miss the beers on Earth, but I also miss this beer from the starting village in this game," he pondered aloud, his voice tinged with longing and a touch of melancholy.
Giving Barkle a lingering glance, Maxim retraced his steps, purposeful in his movements, returning to his original position, ready to face the impending confrontation that awaited him.
With a flourish of his hand, Maxim beckoned the hulking ax man to approach him.
"Alright, big guy, come to me," he muttered under his breath, his voice filled with a mix of bravado and curiosity.
As Maxim spoke, a hush fell over the bustling inn, and the atmosphere grew heavy with an eerie silence.
All eyes turned towards him, filled with a mix of disbelief and awe.
The patrons and guild members, engrossed in their conversations and merriment, abruptly halted at Maxim's audacious claim.
The very idea of courting Death seemed unfathomable, challenging the limits of human comprehension.
Whispers spread like wildfire throughout the room, weaving a tapestry of speculation and intrigue.
Some regarded Maxim with trepidation, their minds grappling to understand the implications of such a daring pursuit.
Others, more superstitious in nature, saw him as a harbinger of doom, a man tempting fate itself.
The air crackled with anticipation, tinged with a hint of fear.
But amidst the shock and disbelief, one man stood out from the rest—Barkle, a seasoned warrior known for his fiery temperament and unwavering bloodthirsty, who happened to be Maxim's current opponent.
His brows furrowed, his jaw clenched, and his muscles tensed as a surge of anger coursed through his veins.
A storm brewed behind his eyes, flickering with a dangerous intensity.
Soon, Maxim saw the system screen appear above Barklees head.
Ding!
—-
Rare Quest started: Gain Academy token and Mana Class change or acquisition.
Mission: Defeat the opponent barehanded.
Failure: Account suspended for three years.
—-
Barkle's facial features contorted, his jovial countenance twisted into a mask of rage.
"I'll kill you," he growled, his voice dripping with venom.
The room seemed to shrink around him as he advanced towards Maxim with a furious determination. His once-vibrant aura transformed into an ominous maelstrom of hostility.
As Barkle lunged forward, propelled by an overwhelming surge of wrath, an inexplicable invisible force halted him in his tracks.
Despite the tremendous speed and power behind his movements, he found himself immobilized, as if an invisible wall stood before him.
"Huh?"
The weight of an unseen pressure bore down upon him, pressing against his chest and stealing his breath.
In that moment of suspended motion, Barkle's mind was flooded with memories, fragments of a past encounter that had long haunted him.
He remembered the day he had ventured into a village of monstrous ogres, his sword glinting in the pale sunlight as he faced overwhelming odds.
The scent of blood and desperation had hung thick in the air as he valiantly fought, his every strike fueled by a vengeance-driven fury.
As Barkle took each step, he felt the weight of his mission on his shoulders
He had promised to bring peace to the innocent people who were suffering because of the ogres. But little did he know that his biggest challenge was waiting for him in a hidden cave.
By chance, Barkle found this secret cave while he was exploring the chaotic village.
The entrance was dark and mysterious, but it also seemed inviting.
As he entered the cave, he felt a sense of danger in the air. It was as if something evil was lurking in the shadows.
The darkness in the cave was suffocating. It felt like it was pressing against his skin and making it hard to breathe
He could hear the sound of water dripping in the cave, which added to the eerie atmosphere.
Barkle felt his heart racing and his breath getting faster.
And then he saw it.
There was a flickering light on the cave walls that created strange and spooky shadows. It was a terrifying sight that made him want to run away from this unholy place.
But Barkle was determined to defeat the ogres, so he kept going forward. The air in the cave became colder, and the walls seemed to be closing in on him. He felt like he was being trapped by a dangerous animal.
As Barkle reached the center of the cave, he realized how big and scary it was.
The darkness felt heavy, and it made it hard for him to breathe.
Fear took hold of him, and he felt like he was losing hope.
At that moment, Barkle made a difficult decision.
He decided to leave the cave and come back another time to fight the ogres.
It was a heartbreaking choice, but he knew it was the right thing to do to save himself.
When Barkle came out of the cave, he couldn't help but compare that situation while facing Maxim, a mysterious person standing before him.
Maxim's presence felt just as evil as the cave he had escaped from.
Barkle started to doubt himself and questioned the connection between Maxim's claims and the darkness he had encountered in the cave
His confidence wavered, and he took a step back, letting go of his anger for a moment.
The people in the inn watched anxiously as Barkle struggled with his doubts.
They were curious and worried about what would happen next.
Summoning his hidden courage, Barkle asked Maxim, with fear in his voice, "Who are you?"
His words carried both curiosity and terror.
The same fear that he had felt in the cave now returned, but it was even stronger in Maxim's presence.
To Barkle's surprise, Maxim didn't seem bothered by his fearful question.
His attention shifted to a screen that appeared before him. Barkle's question remained unanswered as Maxim focused on the mysterious interface that had appeared.
Ding!
The resonant sound of a notification chimed through the air, capturing Maxim's undivided attention.
He quickly glanced at the screen and read a message.
—-
New ability acquired:
Intimidation.
—-
It explained that intimidation was a form of soul-based magic available to anyone with an awakened soul.
Unlike specific game classes, it was considered a normal class.
The message also mentioned that intimidation could be used in unarmed combat and within the Universe of Fantasy and Adventure.
However, there was a condition—the magical aura associated with one's class would make them immune to the effects of this ability.
Maxim absorbed this new knowledge, and Barkle couldn't help but feel a sense of fear overshadowing any curiosity he might have had.
The people around them seemed unaware of the significance of Maxim's newfound ability. However, a man with a distinctive hat understood its power, now his face showed a mix of shock and admiration.
Wondering about the trials Maxim had faced to unlock such a formidable power, he remarked.
"No wonder he exudes such confidence. But to awaken such an intimidation force, one must have endured unimaginable brutality and experiences.
"Just what kind of trials has this young man faced to unlock such a formidable power?"
Upon hearing the man's musings, Maxim turned abruptly and focused his gaze on him.
Dust particles floated in the air, creating a mystical ambiance.
With determination and impatience in his voice, Maxim addressed the enigmatic man, asking if they should continue their encounter.
"Next?"
The man, partially concealed in shadow, shook his head slowly, indicating his reluctance to continue.
Instead, he turned his attention to Barkle, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Coat your weapons with magic…
"I'll take care of your mind later."
He wanted Barkle to confront Maxim with every fiber of his being.