Leveling up the World

Chapter 773: Beneath a layer of Void

It was a good fight, Gen said, tapping Dallion on the shoulder.

A good fight Dallion repeated.

That could be argued. While he had survived the encounter, he had gotten a lot less than he had hoped. The colossus had died before answering the third question, and as for the achievement

Dallion looked at the black plaque on the achievement wall of his realm. Far darker than the materials of all other plaques, it seemed to be laughing, taunting him with its zero point reward.

Think that has something to do with the curse? Dallion glanced at his weapon guardians.

Both Harp and Vihrogon were there with him, and both had a completely different air. Harp emanated worry and pride, visible like blue clusters of grapes within her body. The dryad, on the other hand, only had blobs of regret.

Its possible. There are achievements that dont give anything, the dryad said. Youre lucky to be alive, Dal. I know you want to succeed in everything, but you faced a banished creature and won.

Harp won, Dal corrected.

You survived and without being turned into a chainling.

There was no denying the facts. Survival wasnt guaranteed in the real world, especially after such a monstrosity had emerged from the ground. That was also another reason he couldnt afford to waste opportunities. Even if the device wasnt activated now, it was already causing enough chaos for the void to drip into the real world.

Ill be fine. Dallion took a few steps closer to the achievement plaque. That was supposed to act as a reminder. Ignoring all the petty trivialities, he had two goals: save himself and save the world, preferably in that order. If he didnt, the void would consume both and he might well end up the next Star or a brainless chainling puppet.

Compelled by a slight degree of OCD, he slid his thumb over the plaque in an attempt to remove grime. To his astonishment, he succeeded. To an even greater surprise, the layer that briefly emerged beneath the grime was different from the one on top.

Dal, what are you doing? Vihrogon asked.

The realm owner gave him a sign to remain quiet, then slid his entire left hand over the plaque. A patch of cleanliness became visible.

VANQUISHER OF NAUGHT

(+1 Awakening, +1 Body, +1 Mind, +1 Reaction, +1 Perception, +1 Empathy, +1 Magic)

You destroyed something that no longer exists.

Vanquisher of Naught? He wondered as the layer of darkness covered the plaque before his very eyes.

What the heck is that? He turned to Harp.

It had to be linked to the curse! Apparently, it wasnt enough that he had to experience nightmares and crippling pain, but from here on, it seemed that some of the achievements he gained would be blocked. The only silver lining was that once he resolved the curse, hed instantly gain a lot of trait statistics.

Just to make sure, he rubbed off the area with the numbers. The numbers changed for a few moments, before turning back to zeroes.

I have never seen that before, the nymph replied.

I know what it is, Vihrogon said in a dark tone. Its the Star.

I killed the Star. Its too early for there to be a new one.

Then theres someone who knows some of his tricks. Think of it as a sort of delevellinga permanent illusion that makes something become less than it is. Back during my days of conquest, the Star used the same on those of questionable allegiance. As long as they fought for the right side, all was well. The rest of the time he nodded in the direction of the plaque. You better go. Three chainlings got to you while you were in your realm. There might be more who could do the same.

You were subjected to that, werent you? Dallion asked. Only someone whod been through this could experience such bitterness and regret.

It was a long time ago, the other replied and left in a dash of roots.

Dallion looked at the trail the dryad had created, then back at the achievement.

Who said Im worried?

Your horse, for one. Dallion reached out in the direction of the creature.

The animals quickly neighed and made an attempt to move back. The attempt was forcefully stopped by his rider.

Whats your level? another of the mercenaries asked.

Over fifty, Dallion decided to go with a plausible number.

A level fifty on a hunt. You must be after something very nasty or very valuable.

Its both. So, do we travel together? Or do you prefer to continue on your own?

Hesitation emanated from the woman like a beacon. Having a level-fifty hunter was a good deal, but at the same time, theyd be foolish to fully trust him.

Ill have to ask. The dwarves call the shots here.

Dwarves? Go ahead. Ill wait.

One of them turned around, galloping back to the rest of the caravan. A few minutes later, a horn soundedthe offer had been accepted.

As it soon turned out, the merchants that owned the caravan were just returning to the capital with their final haul. With the war between the Tamin empire and the Azure federation intensifying, even kingdoms that werent involved were stocking up. Alor was no exception. Formally part of the Alliance of Stone and Steel, they had fortified their cities, ready should the war spill into their territory.

Ironically, that was to Dallions benefit. Since all the information the General had given him was the name of the kingdom, the fewer cities he had to search, the better. With tensions high, it was logical that all treasures made their way to the capital, which had the best protection and the largest underground vaults.

Despite the strength of the group, and the relative calm of the area, there were frequent indications that the war raged throughout the world and not only that. One evening, just as the advance scouting party was preparing to check out the route the caravan was going to follow the next morning. A glow of purple emerged on the horizon.

There we go again, a mercenary said, barely even glancing in the direction.

Whats that? Dallion feigned ignorance. His aether sight made it perfectly clear that the glow in the distance came from vortexes.

Magic towers. The mercenary said with a dry laugh. They appear, shine for a few days, then vanish again. The mages go wild for them, even if most cant reach them in time.

I didnt know there were mages so far west.

There arent. We still get the towers, though. Theres been a lot of them lately. Good thing theyre harmless or the kingdom would be freaking out.

Harmless was hardly the word Dallion would use. As a mage, he wanted to rush towards the horizon and earn a few more levels of magic. He suppressed the desire. The vortexes werent a sign of anything good, but an indication that Adzorg had been tinkering with the device again, or would be.

If this keeps up, theyll reach the capital in a few months, the female Spike-clone said. Maybe weeks.

Werent they supposed to be harmless? Dallion asked.

No magic is harmless. The king sent a request for help from the rest of the alliance. Apparently, they cant spare the mages right now, so we get to look at the shiny lights and hope that nothing bad happens in the meantime.

Fat chance of that.

How long till we get to the capital?

Another three or four days if there are no surprises on the way. Depends on what the scouts say.

Three days was too long.

I think Ill be leaving you in the morning, he stood up, moving away from the campfire. If those things are as frequent as you say, Ill have to hurry up finding my prey.