The Achievement Junkie

"Sillo, what is it?"

"Your excellency, can I also gain a level, at least one? I don't want to disgrace you anymore with being so weak."

"I appreciate your concern, but I don't think we'll have to worry about that anymore." Halmut reasoned, "With so many high-level gods, we'll out power and outnumber the leisure gods. Even if they revive their fallen, they'll only be lv. 90. And we'll only need to worry about Jack, Moranti, and Sterfen, which will be more than possible now. They'll have a few key members but the rest of the gods will grow weak and outnumbered."

"I must say," Torian spoke up, "their low-leveled gods are still formidable and not to be underestimated."

Halmut grinned and stated, "That's why we'll be sending in five groups into Glacier Keep, each being led by a high-level god. The Leisure Gods won't be able to do such a thing with their limited amount of high-level gods, giving us the edge inside Glacier Keep. Then, you can kill anyone without hesitation."

"Five groups? Are you not entering yourself?"

Everyone at the table was startled by Perchet's question, realizing the reality of Halmut's orders.

"That would be best," reasoned Halmut. "So long as I remain here, then leisure gods won't be able to send all of their strongest members into the keep. Also, didn't you notice that a single, highly-influential god on their side was missing from your battle?"

"Sterfen… What do you mean?" asked Torian.

Halmut replied with a shrug and a smug smile. "I imagine that he was waiting for me to make an appearance. After successfully assassinating Naparn, I think Sterfen has grown more confident and is now targeting me. So my staying here would be best for everyone. Unless you'd like Sterfen to join you all in the unknown temple, where he'd be at an advantage with his stealth skills…"

"I think we'll manage," Torian nodded, not afraid to admit his fear. "Jack has already proven to be a handful and he'll gain more levels as he helps the revived gods ascend. Limiting their high-level gods to Jack and Moranti would be best, as adding Sterfen to the list would possibly be too much for us with those three alone."

"I second that." Grixor nodded and sighed. "Of all opponents, at least Moranti fights head-on. Jack does too, for the most part, so he's a better opponent than Sterfen who constantly hides in the shadows."

"Then it's settled! We'll gain another nine gods and bolster our strength and numbers at the same time!" boomed Halmut. "Kylon, you'll leave three of your soon-to-be subordinate Flood Dragon gods to protect the seal while you and the rest join the expedition to Glacier Keep. You'll add your blood to some teleportation scrolls before gathering the candidates and venturing early to find Glacier Reef. As it unseals, tell us and the rest will teleport to your location. Understood?"

"Yes, your excellency."

"And be careful. If you're in trouble, immediately call us and we'll send reinforcements early should they be necessary."

"Of course, your excellency," Kylon agreed with a formal nod.

"Actually… I want you to leave two of the new gods at the seal and have one remain outside of Glacier Keep after it's been opened. Then we'll be more prepared if the leisure gods surprise us."

"Your excellency, I don't think we need to sacrifice--"

"Kylon, that's an order."

"... Yes, your excellency…" Kylon shook her head and sighed, answering robotically.

"Now, as an incentive for finding and gathering more treasures, I'll reward everyone according to the amount of treasures you bring back," added Halmut. "You all know about these, correct?"

A small mound of multicolored crystals suddenly appeared on the table before Halmut. All eyes were on them, curious as to what exactly they were.

"These are energy stimulants, given to me by my friends from beyond Kartonia. These are the reason I was able to defeat Skaryn and the reason you'll be able to grow much stronger after leaving Kartonia. I'll give you all a share after raiding Glacier Keep, but for now, I'll let you each take one and see for yourselves how potent they are."

Halmut tossed a crystal to each of the gods present, even the newly ascended Quake Dragon gods that survived the recent battle. But Kylon didn't receive one as Halmut mentioned, "For now, you shouldn't have one. Not until your condition passes."

The brief comment was quiet and overlooked by many as they began to roll the crystals in their hands. They were all too curious as to why Halmut was so dependent and confident in such a strange item.

"Calm your breathing and focus on the energy sitting within the crystals. As you clear your mind and focus fully on the energy in the crystals, you'll find that the energy will begin to leak out and will begin to seep into your body," explained Halmut, taking one his hand as well to demonstrate.

One by one, the legendary gods each attempted to feel the energy within the crystals. Tralbok was the first to feel the energy rushing into his arm and Torian was barely behind him, showing their talent and sensitivity to energy. Grixor struggled for a moment but soon was able to feel the rush of the powerful energy. Alcahain and Tyres did the same, liking the sense of power that it gave them, as did the newly ascended Flood and Quake Dragons.

While those gods were getting a glimpse of an energy high, a couple of others clutched tightly to the crystal but weren't able to absorb any energy. Or better said, they didn't want to attempt it quite yet.

Sillo's mind kept going back to Duorda's comments mid-battle.

"You're sloppy… Your control is getting worse by the second… Yet your trivial perspective of power limits you. How sad..."

The lone Twin Mage God had begun to view things differently. He wondered what his opponent had meant by control, curious to know if that was how the lv. 90 skeleton was able to easily overwhelm two lv. 93's and casually comment about the battle while doing so.