CHAPTER TWELVE

Run From the Dawn

Dawn’s body crumpled to the floor. Unlike NPCs who normally had their corpses remain in game, Dawn’s body was completely eradicated. The only thing that had not wasted away to nothing was a single ornate sword which stuck out from the remains.

Yep. Dawn was not going to be happy about this.

Crandor (Sealed)

Req: 50)270)STR, 50(230)WIS

Attack: 65-72

Holy Damage: 1-5

Unique Active: Immediately replenishes 500 health to the user while activating the ‘Smite’ enchantment for thirty seconds. Increases weapon attack by fifty and burns all enemies for 20 holy damage per second.

For a noob, such stats were ridiculous. He read one notable section aloud. “The favorite sword of the radiant hero, Bob. Due to the passage of time, it’s power has depleted and cannot show its full strength.”

Roari whistled. “Well, I’m sure she won’t miss that at all.”

Pale laughed nervously as he gauged the value of the weapon I his hands. Compared to the flimsy 10 damage sword that Dawn lent him, there was really no comparison.

Maybe it would be for the best if they didn’t come across her any time soon.

Roari looked around the Catacombs. The sudden quiet that had settled around them was unsettling. “So… Should we head back home?”

…

Ba-Dump.

Vanessi Sauer’s heart lurched as her eyelids popped wide open. Immediately greeted by the gentle ventilation of her pod, she laid there unmoving, feeling a mixture of regret and indignation.

“So I died… Again.”

She sniffed and wiped away the excess moisture from her face. Although she was no stranger to death, the accompanying cold was something that nobody could ever grow used to. Of course, it was all just a game, hence it shouldn’t matter much…but still.

It had been the second time in two days. An entire weeks worth of effort, lost in such a ridiculous way.

Against her better judgement, she allowed herself to be pulled into the schemes of two conniving rats. Though to be honest, what had she expected?

Her heart ached as she was on the verge of drowning in the wave of her own bitterness. Ever since she decided to venture into the Elseworlds, she had always shied away from groups.

It wasn’t hard either. AS there was only a few players in a massively expansive land. In the beginning, most were too busy diving into the lore or exploring the world to be bothered with each other.

The Storm Siblings however, had pretty much forced themselves upon her. Despite being exasperated by their antics, she had strangely enjoyed their company. After all, humans were still social creatures and as much as she denied it, she yearned for contact as well.

Somewhere along the way, she hoped that perhaps they would be different. And subconsciously, she found herself getting attached. She had even had half a mind to mentor them through the early stages of the game, but she never expected them to be so quick to stab her in the back.

Of course, it was all just a game. That was all. A Game.

As for the two of them? Well, she was just apart of their own game.

No, the blame could not entirely be put on them. She had never considered that their interests might misalign. Perhaps she could've discussed the situation first, instead of taking charge of the quest direction. That said, she never imagined Pale would be capable of summoning a hostile NPC. Perhaps that was why he was allowed to acquire such an obviously unbalanced class qualification quest.

In her mind, she had already begun the machinations towards forgiving them. She had almost absorbed all the blame before she caught herself.

'Never one to hold a grudge was it?' The personality trait that had pushed her to become attracted to the paladin class in the first place was also the same one that allowed people to take advantage of her throughout her entire life.

Vanessi sighed and finally pulled herself free from the pod.

The room where it was stored in was lavishly furnished and was a part of a far greater complex.

'Just what am I doing?’

“Miss Sauer? You’re up?”

“Yes. Dora. I finished a bit early today.”

The housekeeper, a fair skinned old woman peered into the room after noticing the noise. She looked at Vanessi (Dawn), perplexed.

“Miss, are you alright? Your voice is all throaty.”

“Yes. I just fought a really scary monster. Don’t worry about it. It’ll pass.”

“Oh...well if you’re hungry. I have a pot of crab bisque simmering. Should I prepare a bowl for you?”

“That’d be nice. Thanks,” Vanessi said woodenly.

As she unsteadily pulled herself up, she couldn’t help but remember a certain nickname that Roari had bestowed upon her. ‘Pushover’.

She grimaced.

Was it really that bad to be soft hearted?

Yes. Yes It was.

After all, one cannot survive in today’s society with a heart of glass. As even strong men such as her father would come home, broken and hollow after enduring the cruelty of the world of the elite.

'Well, it was probably better this way.' After all, she had no desire to venture into such a world. After seeing what those cruel men had done to her father. How he had to become stone to cope, stiff and joyless. Although Vanessi felt guilty for not being able to step up, she was also relieved that she was spared from such trials.

It seemed all too fitting. She laughed self-mockingly. Oddly enough, Roari had seemed more sisterly than her actual blood-related sisters. Rather than cold faced, stiff lipped strangers, Roari seemed more like a whimsical puppy. Oh dear...she really was getting attached. An ember began to smolder within the cracks of her heart. She made her decision.

She went over to her mini fridge and opened up its exclusive fridge messaging service. It wasn't long before a quiet reserved voice came out of her food storage device.

"...Hello?"

"Hey, Molly. It's Van. Is your father home?"

“Oh. He’s still playing, I think. Hang on.”

Vanessi waited patiently. Even though it was clear that Molly had walked away from the line, the faint sounds of the little girl yelling for her dad could still be discerned.

Sounds of cursing soon replaced the yelling, but soon, the man she was waiting for answered.

“Vanny?” The man was annoyed. “You couldn’t just whisper me? I was in the middle of a raid.”

“Sorry Uncle Steve, but I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“I died.”

“Again?” The man’s voice softened. “So I take it, you’re finally taking up my offer to help with your quest?”

Vanny smiled. Her Uncle was one of the few people who wanted nothing from her. While he was currently retired, he was busy running one of the few guilds currently gaining momentum in the Elseworlds. Due to many early access players making up the core, they had a stable foundation which enabled them to sweep up many newbies.

Even before the game’s release, their information network was already large and currently it was on the verge of exploding after the server launch. Coupled with the NPC mercenaries, they pretty much had eyes in every major city!

“No, I have that covered. But I do require another favor.”

“Shoot.”

“I want your help finding a couple of players.”

“Ahhh. I get it. They were the ones who murdered you?”

“…After a fashion.”

“I understand. I will start arranging the death squads.”

“Wait! No!” Vanessi was shocked at how nonchalantly he had suggested such a thing. “I just need help finding them. Sure they may have been a bit rude, but I wish to meet them again.”

“…And these were the people who killed you?” The refrigerator sounded concerned as if he couldn’t wrap his head around the girls motive.

“Yes. Their names are Pale Storm and Roaring Storm, both have relatively attractive avatars with distinctive grey hair.”

From the other side of the refrigerator, a ruggled, middle aged man looked at his phone in confusion. ‘Relatively attractive?’

"Well...okay, but might I ask what you plan to do with them?"

"You may."

"..."

He waited for a reply, yet the phone remained silent.

"..."

"..."

"Well?"

Vanessi who sudden found herself tongue-tied giggled nervously. “Isn’t it a paladins duty to forgive those who have sinned?”

“No, I believe you’re thinking of Jesus.”

“Nonetheless, I want to show them the error of their ways. I want to bring them back towards the path of righteousness. Call if rehabilitation if you will.”

“Van. You do know that every time you lie, you have that same stutter to your voice right?”

“…”

“You’re just going to beat the shit out of them, aren’t you.”

“Some light punishment may be a possibility yes.”

A cold snort came out of the refrigerator. It paused, as if contemplating something before finally giving an answer.

"Well...if it’ll make you happy. Just send me some video footage with their appearances, and I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Uncle! I'm sorry about the raid."

Thinking back to his precious guild members who were probably cursing his name, Steve smiled.

"It’s no problem. Family comes first after all!"

With that final confirmation, Vanessi ended the connection. She nodded to herself in satisfaction. After all, with her uncles help, the capture of the storm siblings was just a matter of time.

Still, due to her death, she would have nothing to do but simmer for the next twelve hours. Well, such a statement might be an exaggeration, as the weather was bright and sunny. At the very least, she could sunbathe on the balcony for a little while.

From her vantage point, she had a full view of a bustling metropolis. Coast City, with so many things to do, yet somehow she wasn't interested in any of it.

Vanessi sighed. She hoped the siblings wouldn't forget her. She certainly wouldn't forget them after all. With the resources at her disposal, they were bound to meet again soon, and when that happened...well...

Vanessi began to titter. Her slim figure shook with mirth as a quiet giggle escaped her lips. Soon, her giggles turned into low chuckles before she fully burst out laughing. She gulped for air as her laughing fit seemed uncontrollable. Should anyone passing by, see her, they would be calling the police to report a crazy person, but none of that mattered right now. Her laughter howled into the pale blue skies, leaving the sound of madness to dissipate over the mundane, happy city.

As she finally regained control, her heart fell as she breathed in a long drawn sigh.

'Ha...I really need friends.'