The Achievement Junkie

Outside the city walls, before the invasion began, dozens and dozens of armed warriors and mages waited in the dark Silk Woods outside of Gilga. They stayed to the southwest, the nearest area to their point of invasion. The advanced group of three syndicate regents had already set out to stealthy blow a hole in the city wall. All those forces had to do was wait for the hole to be made before they could charge through the open fields and into the Leisure Guild.

Leading that groups were all remaining syndicate regents and a couple of dozen syndicate chiefs over lv. 60.

Hidden outside of those forces were three people. Those three were the calmest of all invaders and the most confident in their abilities. They were fully equipped and waiting for the moment that they would enter the battlefield.

"How long do you think this will take?" one of those men asked.

"Vladdy, there's no need to assume it so easy," another replied.

Glaring angrily at the man that replied, Vlad stated, "You know I don't like being called that, Ollan."

"Why are you so embarrassed? You're the one who chose the name "Hardy_Vladdy", so man up and work harder, Vladdy," the third person laughed. "Maybe then we'll finish up quickly and get some sleep."

"Jeara!"

"Calm down, Vlad. If you get too riled up too quickly, then it will only cause you problems on the battlefield," stated Ollan, perfectly calm.

"Hmm…" Vlad clicked his tongue. "Either way, let's hurry up and get this over with. Otherwise, we won't be able to sleep before the next dungeon run.

"Yeah, Vladdy's got a point, Ollan," added Jeara. "Can't we just charge in, us three? That would be quicker."

"Do you think the Legend of Trodar can be defeated so simply?" questioned Ollan, silencing both Vlad and Jeara. "Sure, he may not have his past level for some reason, but he was known for his tenacious tricks and strange tactics. I'm sure that this invasion won't go smoothly. Wouldn't you rather the fodder handle the surprise and learn from their failures?"

"Well… When you put it that way, I guess it makes sense… I just hope that happens sooner than later. If not, how will Vladdy be able to contain himself?"

"Enough of that!" Vlad complained, elbowing Jeara in the chest.

"Hey, if you're trying to get physical with a lady, then at least say it. Otherwise, you're just a creep afraid of women," Jeara joked, nudging Vlad's elbow away.

"It's starting."

As Ollan announced the initial attack, Vlad and Jeara both refocused on the city in the distance.

Right on cue, dark black clouds rolled in over the Leisure Guild almost instantaneously. Pestro's voice echoed, hardly audible to the far-off trio. Then, a portion of the city wall exploded in a roaring fire. Finally, the invasion was underway.

All of those syndicate members lying in wait ran out of the Silk Woods. Their target was blown wide open and practically asking to be invaded.

But as those invading forces were charging through the field, another explosion happened. They saw the rest of that portion of the city wall and the attached building be blown apart as something huge rushed out of the ground. Then, what was huge became massive. What was massive become colossal. And what was colossal became unfathomable.

That invading army of hundreds of warriors and mages all gasped that gargantuan beast looked straight at the. The beast then climbed out fully, protecting the hole in the wall with the back portion of his body.

Suddenly, that beast spoke, shouting, "All who dare invade shall perish!"

All eyes were open wide in shock and all spines were tingling at the shocking reveal of such a beast. And the fact that the beast's level was hidden to them only made things worse.

And just when they thought things were out of hand, they saw a four-legged beast hop onto Dragov's back. Compared to the towering centipede, the fox felt inconsequential. But their eyes almost fell from their sockets when that fox also began to grow larger than the city wall and was bathed in white-hot flames.

They all knew what sort of beast that was. And to face a Hell-flame Fox along with that fearsome centipede was beyond all of their expectations.

But as the army froze in fear, three figured jumped into action. Those three charged past the army and rushed toward the centipede and the fox.

Feeling a sense of relief, the army shouted for joy and followed those three into battle.

"Uh, uh, uh…"

A new voice suddenly echoed across the battlefield. It originated from in between the colossal centipede and the massive fox. That's was when the invaders spotted a single man casually walking out toward the army.

While the army didn't think much of the man, those three leading the charge felt their hearts sink to the bottom of their stomachs.

Only after getting closer did the rest of the army finally recognize the man, throwing them back into the woes of terror. How could they not recognize the skeletal armor and the crudely designed black blade that particular berserker used? And how could they not feel absolutely terrified to see their former champion siding with two of the most terrifying beasts they'd seen.

"You?!" In shock, Ollan rerouted himself and dashed toward his former training partner. "You're still alive?!"

"Very much so. In fact, I'm more lively than ever!" Hadurt chuckled, rocketing himself toward Ollan with a powerful leap.

"Vlad, you're with me!" Ollan shouted, immediately restrategizing. "Jeara, try to control that centipede!"

"You got it!" the powerful woman dashed toward the towering centipede, leading half of the invading army with her.

"Hadurt, why are you--"

"Vlad, there's no time to chat with your enemy," Ollan added while jumping back from Hadurt's strike, "not when he's that much stronger than you."

Hadurt's blade cleaved the earth easily, making a fifty-meter crevice. Chuckling, Hadurt stated, "Oh, you remember me so well, Ollan. I'm flattered, really. And make sure you try harder, Vladdy, otherwise, you won't be any fun for me."

"You--"

"Vlad, you're on defense and I'm on offense! That's the only way to contain Hadurt!" shouted Ollan, not hesitating at all.

"Not a bad plan… Have the lv. 85 berserker on the attack while the lv. 83 paladin defends to keep the berserker alive. Not bad at all," Hadurt stated with a smile. Then, Hadurt pointed at the centipede and added, "Too bad you can do that against him."

"Why do you say that?" Ollan inquired, trying to get as much information from the talkative tractor as possible.

"Let's just say that beast is a boss on his own. And let's not forget Bowzer," Hadurt chuckled, now pointing his sword at the fox who had charged into the remaining portion of the army. "You'll have to manage your troops better than that. Otherwise, that centipede will stomp you out and that fox will reduce your forces to cinders."

Eyeing Hadurt and taking deep, fuming hot breaths, Vlad shouted a question, "Why are you with them?! What could they possibly offer you?!"

With a sigh and a wry smile, Hadurt replied, "Something that you never could and something that you three were never privy to learn… Unlike you guys, I'll soon ascend."

"Are you nuts?!" Vlad chuckled and gave Hadurt a mocking look. "We'll become gods soon enough, now get back on the side you belong."

"I've already chosen my side and I stand by it. They're more honest and open, confirming the truth that I learned long ago," replied Hadurt. "If you want, we can chat for a bit but I'm sure Jeara would like to join that conversation as well. Too bad she's busy."

Hadurt shrugged and looked to Ollan while adding, "So, will we talk or duke it out? Take your pick before my blade gets antsy."