Chapter 17: Ruined Cities

Vivian stared at the punching bag, taking a deep breath. She dashed forward, releasing a series of jabs and hooks. The bag shook, swaying back and forth from its rope.

“Nice job!” a voice told her. It was her boxing coach.

He threw a towel towards her, allowing her to wipe up her sweat. Vivian sat down, taking deep, labored breaths. She was exhausted.

“You’ve really improved,” he told her with a smile, handing over a water bottle.

“Thanks Dave,” Vivian choked out between breaths. She took a swig of water.

“What made you decide to take up boxing?” the trainer asked her, “Why not MMA or some other type of martial art?”

Vivian frowned, unsure if she wanted to answer. Finally, she sighed.

“A couple different reasons,” she explained, “I wanted to get in shape and learn how to punch. The most important reason is because of my father.”

“Your father?” the coach asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. He was a professional boxer,” Vivian said, reminiscing, “One day, he broke his leg in a fight, ending his career.”

“I wanted to learn boxing because of him,” Empress said, an unreadable expression on her face.

Dave nodded in understanding.

“It’s quite noble of you to pick up where your dad left off! I’m sure he’d be proud!”

Empress smiled, “Yeah. He’d be surprised.”

“Let’s train harder then, so you can show him sometime!”

Vivian nodded, climbing to her feet.

Hours later, inside of the game, Empress made her way towards the Northfront plaza. She had an idea to level. Helia walked by her side.

“What are we doing here, boss? Didn’t you say there was a bounty on your head?”

Empress nodded, her plan was risky, but necessary.

“The shuttles to the ruined cities are here.”

“The ruined cities?” Helia asked, her face blank.

“Yeah. They’re open-world dungeons that take place in an abandoned metropolis. They’re full of primordial beasts and rare treasures. They’re the perfect place to level up.”

“Wasn’t the forest a good enough place to level, is this necessary?”

Empress nodded.

“The ruined cities have lots of players inside of them. It’s been far too long since I’ve hunted down other people. I need to start climbing the leaderboards again. Besides, they also have lots of intermediate-ranked beasts. It’ll be a great source of crystals.”

Helia frowned, “Won’t people hunt you down when they realize you have a bounty?”

“Yup!” Empress smiled, “It’ll save me the trouble of looking for them.”

“You’re crazier than I am,” Helia shook her head.

“Whatever.” Empress laughed, “Let’s go.”

The two walked towards a man holding a megaphone.

“Offering teleportation to the ruined cities! 50,000 credits per person!” he shouted through the device.

Empress approached him, “Teleportation for two please.”

The man’s eyes gleamed once he saw her. He opened his mouth widely.

“Empress!” he shouted in recognition, “You want to go to the ruined cities?”

Heads immediately turned towards the three. Greed entered their eyes. The man had purposefully spoken through the megaphone.

Empress paid the man’s ploy no heed. She nodded, handing over the credits.

“Very well! Teleportation for two, coming right up.”

A message popped up in front of Helia and Empress’ eyes, asking them to agree to the teleportation.

They accepted, disappearing from the plaza.

Instantly, dozens of people ran up to the man holding the megaphone.

“Teleport me!” they cried.

The man smiled widely, “Of course. Of course!”

Empress and Helia landed in the abandoned city.

“We need to hide, fast,” Empress told her sidekick.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to hunt them down or something?” Helia asked, confused.

“Yeah, but I can’t take on that many at once,” Empress admitted.

Helia nodded in understanding. The two girls immediately dashed through the streets. Shortly afterwards, a portal ripped open in space. People poured out of it.

“Where’d she go?!” the asked, desperately looking around.

The group immediately split up, all heading in different directions.

Empress and Helia ran. Empress would have teleported, but then she would have to leave Helia behind. As they sprinted, Empress planted barrier seeds in the ground. They ducked into an alleyway, waiting for their chasers to catch up.

When their pursuers dashed on top of the barrier seeds, Empress activated them, sending the group flying into the air. She immediately threw hundreds of barriers shards, cutting into them. As the people started falling to the ground, she grabbed Helia and dashed away. This process repeated a few more times. Empress was using a hit and run tactic to slowly whittle them down.

“You’re pretty diabolical,” Helia praised.

Empress only smiled, concentrating on her pursuer’s location. They were moving slowly now, afraid to step on any barrier seeds.

All of a sudden, a roar rang out. A massive rhino charged down the street towards the people. Its horn gleamed threateningly, charged with electricity.

“Crap!” Empress shouted, “The stupid beast is going to steal my kills!”

She immediately leapt out of her hiding place, teleporting after the rhino.

“Wait for me!” Helia yelled, running after her.

The crowd saw the rhino and cried out in fear, “Intermediate beast! Run!”

They employed their various abilities, all trying to escape the rhino’s wrath. Worried that her prey would escape, Empress employed a giant, layered barrier in the shape of a dome, cutting them off. The people cursed and cried out in fear, trapped in the force field.

The rhino speared one man through the stomach, electrifying his body. It stomped on another, killing her instantly.

“Stupid rhino! Leave them alone!” Empress yelled, appearing in front of it.

It glared at her, eyes red.

With a roar, it charged at her, horn pointed forward.

Empress teleported and punched outward. Her fist slammed into its side, causing it to tremble.

The creature snorted, unperturbed, swiping at her with its horn. Empress teleported away.

Her face turned ugly. The beast’s defense was incredibly strong. She would need Helia’s help for this one. She turned towards her companion, who had finally caught up.

“Don’t leave me behind!” Helia reprimanded her.

“Sorry,” Empress winced.