> You get 200.000 Monster Diamond!
> You get Emerald Gemstone (3x)!
> You get Fragment Soul of Necromancer (x1)!
Ah, yet another Emerald Jewel.
With a total of five emerald gemstones now in my possession, I can harness its power to conjure a new enchantment.
>You activated Soul of Wind!
Is the Soul of Wind now active?
Strangely, there is no indication of any new magical spell, as is typically the case.
As I ponder this, another notification from the System interrupts my thoughts.
>Magician Rank: Arcanist!
>You earned New Summoning Spell!
>Active Skill:
Lightning Bolt
Gaia Endowment
Divine Thunder
Fire Storm
Lightning Spark
Blade of Fire
Quicksand
Ice Javelin
Frost Bite
>Passive Skill:
Magic Barrier
Mana Regeneration
Health Regeneration
Zephyr
Ah, a fresh tier for magicians?
I have ascended to the prestigious status of Arcanist!
Furthermore, I have acquired a novel incantation for summoning.
>Zephyr*
*Summon Zephyr, the Warrior of Wind (Maximum summoning: 3)
Curiosity consumed me as I cast my new summoning spell, Zephyr.
The large Magical Circle erupted with a brilliant emerald light, creating a gateway for tall, imposing warrior figures to appear.
They knelt before me, glowing with the same green light that eventually rendered them invisible to the naked eye.
Only those with heightened magical senses could see them.
I observed their slender yet muscular forms, already sensing their agility and envisioning how I could use them in stealth attacks.
With my current magical power, I could only summon three warriors, far less than the Legendary Sorcerer's ability to summon an army of Ice Golems.
But it was a good start for me to have a guardian spirit.
As I dismissed Zephyr, I made my way towards Avyanna who lay on the ground, her breathing and heartbeat slowly stabilizing thanks to her self-recovery spell as a Tanker.
But it wasn't fast enough for my liking.
Without hesitation, I reached into my System Inventory and pulled out a strong health potion, helping her to drink it.
"Alstair?" Avyanna's surprise was evident in her voice as she looked at me.
She couldn't believe how quickly the potion had helped her recover. "The Necromancer!" she exclaimed, panic rising in her tone.
"Alstair, we-"
"Calm down," I interrupted, holding her steady as she stood up. "The Necromancer has been defeated." I quickly explained how the dead orc had lost its Necromancy chain, leaving only the task of returning home.
As I spoke, the Magical Gate disappeared, leaving us stranded in the dungeon.
Panic began to rise in me as I wondered how we would find our way back.
But then I remembered - Knights carried a special item for emergency situations, a white crystal that could teleport them back home.
I didn't have it, but Avyanna should.
"Alstair, let's use this," Avyanna said, producing the white crystal.
My hunch was right.
As I approached her, a sudden Magical Gate appeared behind me, causing Avyanna to gasp and drop the crystal.
She was surprised by the arrival of more Knights, led by none other than Avyanna's father, Aldwin, a well-known elite of the Knight Association.
Behind him were A-rank and S-rank Knights.
Among the S-Rank Knights, I can spot William and Stella among the crowd.
As Aldwin and his troops make their way through the gate, I notice them trying to close the distance between us.
Every now and then, I catch them smiling at me, as if silently congratulating me.
But deep down, I can sense their watchful eyes, as if I am some kind of monster they fear.
Before Aldwin can reach me, Avyanna steps in, blocking his path.
Her voice is sharp as she asks, "What do you intend to do?"
Aldwin shrugs, seemingly unfazed by his daughter's stern gaze. "To escort you back home, Avyanna. What else?"
But Avyanna reveals her white diamond item, stating, "I have my own means. No need for all these knights."
Aldwin responds in a flat tone, "It is our protocol to rescue knights who have completed their mission in the Monster world but were unable to return due to the closed Magical Gate." Avyanna rejects her father's reasoning, saying, "Coming here with so many knights for a B-rank mission is excessive and embarrassing, dad."
But Aldwin stands firm, stating, "What could be more embarrassing than abandoning our family and creating a new guild, causing such a commotion in the public eye? Your streaming has drawn the world's attention. You are the root of this problem."
Avyanna protests, "What are you saying? You always blame me for everything!"
"My time with you is over. Go home. Now," Aldwin quickly intervenes, pulling his daughter away and pushing her towards the knights behind him, ignoring her continued protests.
He then turns to me, standing right in front of me.
"Alstair, the F-rank knight known as The Thunder Magician. Congratulations on completing this mission. I know it was only a B-rank mission, but it was complex and difficult. I have never seen a single knight dominate and defeat so many orcs, including an unsuspecting necromancer." Aldwin smiles as he shakes my hand, saying, "I know our first encounter brought some unpleasant news, but I can now say that I no longer believe in those accusations. Please forgive my initial doubts."
His words hold a lot of weight, coming from a member of the Knight Association Elite, and I can sense the sincerity behind them.
"It's no problem," I reply.
Aldwin leaned towards me, his eyes glinting with a knowing look. "There's something bigger than your F-rank, Knight," he said, his voice low.
I could sense the weight of his words, but he didn't want to discuss it here.
Not in this place.
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to brush off the topic.
"I think our guild has a mission coming up," I said, feigning ignorance. "Maybe we can talk about it later."
But really, I didn't want to waste my time getting involved in political matters with Aldwin.
All I cared about was reaching S-rank as quickly as possible.
There were so many dungeons I had yet to explore, and becoming an S-rank Knight was a requirement for entering the Abandoned Tower.
Aldwin's expression turned serious, and his words took on a commanding tone.
"The guild mission can wait," he stated firmly. "As a Knight, you are obligated to fulfill any meeting requirements set by the Knight's Association. And this meeting is crucial, as it relates to your role as a Knight. Do you understand?"
I cursed inwardly.
It seemed like I had no choice but to meet with him.
I could feel my plans for the day slipping away.
***
"Please have a seat, Alstair," Aldwin gestured towards the plush armchair in his luxurious executive room.
As I entered, I noticed there was only the two of us, as Aldwin's special bodyguard had already left and was stationed outside the locked door.
"Apologies for the interruption before your arrival.
My daughter can be quite rebellious at times.
I hope you can understand," Aldwin spoke in a lighthearted tone.
Just minutes before I had arrived, Avyanna had stormed into the room, protesting to her father, who also happened to be a member of the Elite Knight's Association.
She argued that as the leader of the Crystallice Guild, which currently only consisted of myself, she should be allowed in the executive room.
However, Aldwin disagreed and had her escorted out by the guards.
"Perhaps you are right about your daughter's rebellious nature. But I must say, I never expected such a heated argument between father and daughter," I couldn't help but comment.
Aldwin smirked, "One day, when you have a daughter of your own, you will understand and get used to it, Alstair," he said with a small smile. "Speaking of family, I must commend your dedication to providing for your mother and sister," he continued.
I fell silent, the weight of my family's situation always left me feeling a mixture of emotions, often bordering on depression.
"Apologies for bringing up such a sensitive topic. I can only imagine the difficulties you must face," Aldwin poured us each a glass of wine and added a few cubes of ice to mine, "I have heard your story from a few Knights who are familiar with your situation. It takes a strong Knight to risk their life on dangerous missions in order to pay off exorbitant medical bills. You are truly an extraordinary Knight, Alstair, even though you currently hold a low rank." Aldwin's piercing gaze fixed on me, as if he was analyzing me.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure under his scrutiny.
Aldwin took a long sip of his wine before speaking again, his words laced with irritation. "There are Knights with low ranks who can do extraordinary things. It may seem odd, but some of them choose to play their Knight Rank in an unreasonable way."
I couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by unreasonable?"
Aldwin's expression turned dark as he answered, "These low-ranked Knights have their own intentions, and they're not good. They work as assassins or they're just plain psychos during missions. They have no real loyalty to the Knight's code. They're Hunters, focused solely on defeating their prey. They're a disgrace, especially during these difficult times of Monster Invasion." He slammed his wine glass down in frustration.
I understood what Aldwin was talking about.
It reminded me of Winstein and his henchmen.
They were murderers, with no qualms about sacrificing their fellow Knights for their own gain.
Aldwin's next question cut through the tension in the air. "So, Alstair, are you a Knight or a Hunter?" His stare was sharp, filled with suspicion.
I could feel the pressure building, but I refused to back down.
"I am a Knight," I answered firmly. Aldwin's anger seemed to intensify, causing the glass in the room to crack and the floor to shake.
He was testing me, and I knew that an ordinary Knight would crumble under this kind of pressure.
But I held my ground, determined not to show any weakness.
The dialogue between us was tense, but I could sense the underlying danger in Aldwin's words and actions.
It was clear that he was trying to gauge my loyalty and intentions.
But I remained resolute, knowing that my actions would speak louder than words.
Aldwin hesitated before responding, his expression betraying his confusion at my calm demeanor.
"Since you joined the Arcton Fort Dungeon as a carrier, the Knight Association has been keeping a close eye on you," he said.
"But my attention was drawn even more when you teamed up with Winstein. It was a surprise when Winstein and many of his fellow knights died on the hidden dungeon mission. My daughter told me they were killed by a monster, but there was something strange about it," he continued, carefully studying my reaction.
"Winstein and his friend have been under our observation due to the high fatality rate among knights on their missions. We suspected they were up to something, but things became complicated when they were killed in action while on a mission with you," Aldwin explained, his words cautious as he fixed a piercing gaze on me.
"Do you really suspect me?" I countered, finding his conclusion rather strange.
"As I mentioned before, you are an exceptional knight. Your rank may be deceptive, perhaps a B or even an A rank. One thing is certain, you are not an F rank," Aldwin persisted, his murderous instincts bubbling to the surface.
I was ready for his attack, my magical barrier and Gaia Endowment spell already prepared in case he decided to strike at close range.
Several tense minutes passed in silence as we both prepared to face each other in battle.
Though I could easily initiate the fight, I knew it would be a waste of time and energy if I thought it through carefully.
I require the backing of the Knight Association to gain access to the dungeon gate I will need later.
In other words, I need to earn Aldwin's trust.
"I am not what you assume. Even if you try to coerce me with your power, I will not waver from my beliefs," I state firmly.
"The problem is that you are a member of my daughter's guild. You are the main reason Avyanna formed her own guild. Do you think I would take the risk of letting you go freely while you plot against my daughter?!" Aldwin shouts in anger and fear.
He slams his fist on the table between us, destroying it in one powerful punch.
Damn.
Initially, I thought it would be no issue to have a guild with Avyanna.
Now, it has become incredibly complicated.
"I am willing to escalate this into a deadly battle if necessary," Aldwin takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down even though his face remains red with fury.
"But I am the representative of the Knight Association. The world has placed great hope in us. If I were to act rashly, there would be a loss of public trust. I am also a fair individual. Your recent mission has earned enough contributions to elevate your F-rank to a D-rank. I will not interfere with anything that would harm your standing as a Knight," he continues, taking a swig of wine straight from the bottle.
"You are fortunate, Alstair. There are many who have faith in you. However, I cannot afford to take any risks when it concerns my daughter. Even if there is just a slight chance, you could be the Hunter. Whether you like it or not, I must assign you as a Knight Carrier for the next invasion mission," Aldwin declares after downing the entire bottle of wine.
"Next Invasion mission?" I asked.
"An A-rank invasion. We'll be targeting an elven hideout in the depths of Arden forest. The hideout is essentially a cavern brimming with precious Monster Diamonds. I've already handpicked a team to secure the area, which includes my own daughter," Aldwin replied.
He gestured towards me.
"You, on the other hand, will be the Knight Carrier responsible for gathering and transporting all of those valuable Monster Diamonds. No other carrier is willing to take on this risky task, so I have no choice but to assign you as the Knight Carrier." I knew Aldwin still had doubts about my abilities, hence why he wanted to test me as a carrier.
"I will accept under one condition. Once I successfully complete this mission as the carrier, promise me that you will not interfere with my or Avyanna's growth in our Knight rank," I stated firmly.
Aldwin took a moment to process my request before responding.
"If you manage to deliver all the Monster Diamonds to the Association, I will take your request into careful consideration," he finally replied after a long pause.
"Then we have a deal," I concluded without hesitation.
***
"Ugh, dad. You're making me cringe!" Avyanna grumbled as we made our way towards the Magical Gate for our next mission.
I couldn't help but share my private conversation with Aldwin, which only served to further agitate Avyanna about his unfair judgment of me.
Despite this chaos, my main focus was still on leveling up my Knight Rank.
The only guild that has accepted me so far is Avyanna's, and I have complete control over how our contributions are shared to ensure my growth as a knight.
William's and Kael's guilds may be other options, but I doubt I would have the same level of control in those elite guilds.
For now, staying in the Crystallice Guild is my best option, even if Aldwin continues to suspect me.
"Welcome, Avyanna!" A middle-aged man approached us, already wearing his Knight gear.
Behind him were five B-rank Knights, two archers and three swordsmen, along with a healer.
They were all preparing to be promoted to A-rank, just like Avyanna.
"I'm Erlan, the commander for this mission. I have a new message from the executive regarding your participation," he greeted Avyanna. "And I suppose he's with you as well," he added with a dry smile, looking at me.
Avyanna wasted no time in questioning Erlan about Aldwin's decision, still not accepting it.
But Erlan simply shrugged and explained that it was a direct order from the executive.
He then pointed to a large carry bag with mining tools tied to it, about 20 meters away to the east.
"It's a bit heavy, though. I can ask my friend to-" Avyanna started, but I quickly interrupted.
"No need. I can handle it on my own," I interjected.
And although it normally takes two B-rank Knights to carry such a heavy bag, I was able to use the Gaia Endowment Spell to easily lift it as if it were a regular bag.
Erlan and his team were clearly impressed, even gasping at my display of strength.
Avyanna praised me proudly, and I could see that her specialized camera attached to her Knight's gear was activated, meaning she was currently streaming.
I could only imagine the thousands of viewers flooding the comment section with their excitement.
Shifting my attention towards Erlan and his team, I catch a glimmer of light reflecting off a minuscule camera lens, which is currently being adjusted on each of their Knight Gear.
Are they also streaming, like Avyanna?
However, unlike her, they don't seem to be engaging with their audience, so perhaps not.
Furthermore, the cameras are all focused on them, a rarity for Knights to do simultaneously.
As I ponder this, Avyanna comes near me and whispers, "Do you see their hidden camera?"
"Yes, I can spot it on each of them," I reply in a hushed tone.
"The executives are monitoring you during this mission. Be cautious. We just want to complete this mission and regain our independence afterwards. We can get through this, Alstair," Avyanna tries to boost my spirits.
I understand Aldwin's deep concern for Avyanna's safety.
But to place so many cameras on the Knights just to find me guilty is absurd.
Whatever.
My only concern is to finish this mission as a Knight Carrier as swiftly as possible and move on. Amidst my thoughts, a brilliant blue light emanates from the Magical Gate of Erlan and his team.
The mission to uncover the elves' hideout in Arden Forest has begun.
***
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the trees towered above us, casting shadows that seemed to swallow the path.
The once bright sky now appeared gray, as if suffocated by the dense foliage.
The sounds of forest animals had faded into nothingness, adding an eerie silence to our journey.
"Stop," Erlan's voice cut through the stillness, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
His team quickly fell into formation behind him, each of them preparing their weapons for any potential danger.
I could see that Avyanna, as a Knight Tanker, was also ready for battle, her position encircled by the other Knights.
A sudden crackling of twigs caught our attention, and I could sense a menacing presence lurking in the darkness between the trees.
With sharpened senses, I could see pairs of red eyes focused on us, their murderous intentions clear.
The sound of knives and swords being readied grew closer, signaling that our attackers were ready to strike.
"It's goblins!" I heard someone cry out, and my heart raced with fear.
These short, green-skinned creatures with their sharp ears and brutal faces were notorious for their ferocity in battle.
They were well-equipped with leather armor and sabers, moving swiftly and silently towards us. "Attack!" Erlan's command was swift, and without hesitation, he and Avyanna conjured a Dome of Barrier to protect us.
The Knight Archer fired arrows at the goblins, causing them to squeal in pain.
Erlan and Avyanna rushed forward, their swords clashing with the goblins' weapons, while the Knight Swordsmen joined in to finish off the attackers.
The clash of blades and the screams of goblins filled the air as we fought for our lives.
It took several minutes, but we were able to defeat all of the goblins.
As the last one fell to the ground, the forest fell silent once again, the only sounds now the heavy breaths of my companions and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
The danger had passed, for now.
But something's odd.
The Goblin bodies still aggressively moved, seemingly impervious to their injuries.
Suddenly, flames erupted from their bodies as they transformed into fiery soldiers.
The murderous intent emanating from them was palpable, forcing Erlan and his team to maintain their formation.
"Incoming Fire-Spirited Monster! Build the dome now!" Erlan's voice was laced with panic as he and Avyanna raised their shields and manifested the Dome Barrier once again.
The clash of swords and searing heat against the barrier turned it red, a clear indication of the fire soldiers' relentless attempts to break through.
The Archer and Swordsman struggled to counter the fiery soldiers, their weapons unable to withstand the intense heat.
"Enhance the weapons!" Erlan gritted his teeth against the excruciating heat and ordered the healer, who was already preparing a buff spell.
The green light that emerged from the weapons was followed by a surge of newfound power.
"Now counter!" Erlan and Avyanna charged at the fire soldiers, pushing them back.
Seeing an opportunity, the Archers quickly shot their arrows, which struck hard thanks to the weapon enhancement and were then propelled further by the Swordsman's quick strikes.
The Knights and Fire-Goblins clashed once again, but despite their efforts, the fire soldiers showed no signs of falling.
The Healer was struggling to keep up with healing and enhancing the Knights.
Through it all, the team fought on, their determination and bravery unwavering.
But the question remained - how long could they keep this up?
The knights are struggling against the constant attacks of the fire soldiers.
Exhaustion looms over them as they fight to defend their kingdom.
I know I can help, but my current situation is complicated.
The executives are watching my every move, making it difficult for me to use my magic.
But I won't let their disapproval stop me.
I call upon the winds, silently casting my Summoning Spell: Zephyr.
Three invisible warriors of wind appear, ready to aid the knights in their battle.
"Attack the fire soldiers, make them lose their balance," I command Zephyr.
With lightning speed, the warriors unsheathe their swords and engage in battle.
The fire soldiers are caught off guard, their backs and legs quickly damaged by the swift strikes of the wind warriors.
As they struggle to maintain their balance, the knights are able to mount a more effective counterattack.
The winds howl and the air fills with the sounds of swords clashing and bodies falling.
The fire soldiers and knights are unaware of the source of the sudden gusts, too focused on the chaos of the battle.
As time passes, the fire soldiers begin to weaken under the onslaught of the knights and wind warriors.
Half an hour later, the battle comes to an end with the fire soldiers defeated and their flames extinguished.
Only the bodies of goblins remain.
"We have emerged victorious!" Erlan exclaims with pride.
The archer and swordman join in, congratulating each other on their hard-won victory.
Zephyr had successfully completed their task and it was time for them to return.
I glanced around, making sure no one noticed the way I called back my summoning spell.
The healer's gaze lingered on me, silent and curious.
I didn't want to raise suspicion, so I summoned back my wind warrior.
Even though I had successfully summoned back my warrior, the healer continued to watch me with suspicion.
She even started to approach me, clearly wanting to ask me something about my summoning spell.
Before she could reach me, Avyanna stepped in, firmly halting the healer's advance.
"The Knights are injured. We should focus on healing them first," she stated firmly.
"The monster is already dead. I need to confirm something with Alstair," the healer protested, still curious about my summoning abilities.
"We still have a long way to go on our main mission. Let's focus on preparing ourselves first," Avyanna's concern was evident in her tone.
"You're right, Laura. Let's heal our comrades before those fiery monsters come back," Erlan intervened.
"Fine," the healer let out a long exhale before returning to tend to the injured knights.
Avyanna smiled at me, her silent acknowledgement of my secret summoning abilities.
She gave me a thumbs up, signaling that the executives were still unaware of my powers.
I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that we had survived the attack of the fire-spirited monsters.
But the source of their power remained a mystery.
My best guess was that it came from the elves hiding in the cave within this forest.
Perhaps they used their arcana spells, similar to my summoning spell, to transform the defeated goblins into fiery monsters.
Fighting against the elves meant being cautious of their powerful spells.
I had to be careful.
The setting of the forest was still and quiet, providing a stark contrast to the chaos that had just ensued.
The only sound was the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
But I knew that danger still lurked in the shadows, waiting for us to let our guard down.
I vividly recall the moment I entered the forest through the Monster Gate.
The air was strange, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
Despite that, I could tolerate it as Erlan and his team were not greatly affected by it.
Even the Goblins who initially attacked us seemed unaffected by the odd air.
However, as the battle with Erlan and his Knights progressed, the Goblins began to act strangely.
Their breath became labored as they neared death, and to our surprise, fire spirits appeared and transformed them into fiery soldiers.
As we made our way through the forest, we finally reached the dreaded cave.
The air felt different as we approached it, and the uneasiness and stiffness that were once light, now weighed heavily on us.
"Alstair, is everything alright?" Avyanna asked suddenly, sensing my suspicion.
"The air is strangely toxic, if I may say so," I whispered.
"I feel the same. At first, I thought it was just temporary pollution, but the uneasiness is constant and even stronger now," Avyanna agreed with me.
"Perhaps we should take a break before entering the cave," she suggested, coming to a stop. I nodded slowly, in agreement with Avyanna's recommendation.
"Avyanna, what's the hold up?" Erlan's voice was angry.
"There's something off and dangerous in the air. We need to proceed with caution. It could be part of the Monster's plan," Avyanna replied calmly.
"We've all encountered this type of air before! This is a Dungeon, not a holiday destination! What do you expect? Fresh air?" Erlan was still furious.
"No, that's not what I meant. I was just-"
"Avyanna, I am the commander of this mission, not him!" Erlan cut her off, pointing at me.
"You are only a Knight carrier. Don't forget that. The final decisions for this mission lie with me. The executives are also watching us. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?" he threatened me with a murderous look.
I could see Avyanna becoming agitated by Erlan's words, but I stopped her. "There's no need to argue. Let's just go with the flow," I warned her.
I could see dissatisfaction on Avyanna's face, but she chose to remain silent, as I had requested.
On the other hand, Erlan and his Knights gave me cold stares, mixed with feelings of hatred and suspicion.
Well, if they wanted to enter the cave in these circumstances, I wouldn't stop them.
As we continued towards the cave, a notification from the System appeared.
Looking at it, I knew that things would be just as chaotic as I had predicted.
>The Eyes of Dullahan ring activated!
>The poison effect reduced significantly!