10 Veni, Vidi, Vici
Beneath a violet-hued, hazy sky, the marches stretched forth, an expanse of desolation and decay. The very land itself festered with poison, the undead clawed their way from the muddied depths.
The air was thick with a noxious fog that seemed to choke all life from the land. It clung to everything, casting a ghastly pallor over the gnarled trees that jutted up from the ground like skeletal fingers. These trees, once majestic and vibrant, had succumbed to the creeping decay, their leaves turned to ashen husks.
These undead, driven by some dark compulsion, wandered aimlessly in search of what?
A purpose long forgotten, perhaps. They were but specters of the past, trapped in a purgatorial limbo, cursed to rise from the depths of the poisoned mire.
Amidst the murky gloom of the swamp, a figure stood. She held out an arm as horde of undead approached her with intent to kill.
Her incantations, as they unfolded, were like a symphony of destruction, reducing the skeletal horde that surrounded her to mere splinters of bone and ash.
She appears to have a champagne-blonde hair, cut short in a daring and defiant fashion. Crimson eyes, like two burning embers, held a mystique that could ensnare even the most stoic of hearts.
She was clad in a black long coat that bore an insignia known only to a select few. The coat bore short sleeves, revealing forearms also adorning longer black sleeves that reached to her wrists.
A black and crimson belt cinched her waist. Her pleated shorts stopped just shy of the upper thigh. Knee-high socks led the eye downward to boots that bore the marks of countless muddy treks through poisoned marches.
"Nice one, Victoria" came the voice of approval from a figure in the shadows.
"I had no idea a vampire can be a cleric" chimed a ninja with a rugged, golem-like appearance.
"Valaine, your NPC is like being a vegan with a penchant for roasted chicken." the ninja continued.
Valaine, as she was known, brushed off the person's remark with a bemused smile. Her features now unveiled from the shadows of a tree, her platinum hair cascading like a waterfall of molten silver, and her eyes aflame with an unsettling crimson hue.
"It's just how the game works, Nishikienrai" Valaine replied "By the way, this is a good farming spot."
The swamp, a wretched expanse of poison and decay, was notorious for the sinister undead that lurked within its gloomy depths.
"Thanks to our racial traits" Nishikienrai added, "this is the best spot for her and us to grind XP."
Nishikienrai cast an inquisitive gaze upon Victoria. His features held a curious expression as he attempted to recall her name.
"What is her name again? Victoria Se-something?" he queried.
Valaine corrected him with a faint smile. "Victoria Ceres" she gently emphasized. "I had a bit of help from Ulbert when naming her."
Nishikienrai's curiosity was piqued. "What does it mean? Knowing Ulbert, it must have some deeper meaning" he pressed further.
Valaine's eyes sparkled with amusement as she explained, "I think it means 'Victory and Prosperity' I designed her to be my support, someone who would buff me in battle, considering my over-specialization in offensive classes."
Nishikienrai nodded thoughtfully, his exterior shifting as if in approval. The meaning behind Victoria Ceres' name seemed to resonate with his guild mate. An NPC served as a harbinger of victory that will give her success.
"Nishikienrai, stop admiring her and come look at this quick" Valaine asked him hurriedly.
Nishikienrai, still captivated by Victoria Ceres, was torn from his admiration by Valaine's urgent plea. He swiftly joined her, a curious furrow in his brow.
Valaine's demeanor was one of urgency, and that alone was enough to rouse his interest. He ventured to the precipice of a cliff where Valaine was, her NPC Victoria trotting beside him.
There, in a scene that seemed plucked from the annals of a forgotten empire, it beheld a deteriorating tomb, its Romanesque architecture hauntingly beautiful despite its decay.
It's a tomb, the air around it seemed to pulse with power waiting to be conquered, as if the very land held its breath in reverence.
"You know what this means, right?" Valaine inquired, her voice hushed with excitement.
Nishikienrai nodded solemnly. Without a word, he raised a finger to his right temple.
"Message" he intoned like a whisper.
In a realm far removed from their swampy surroundings, Touch-Me-If-You-Can or Touch-Me, a key figure within their clan, received Nishikienrai's transmission.
"I think we found a solution to our overpopulating clan problem." He relayed.
"Tell us more" then came the swift and expectant reply.
In the dimly lit roundtable chamber, two towering figures hunched over a map of The Great Tomb of Nazarick, carted by a recent scouting.
Around them, a dim, flickering light cast eerie shadows upon the chamber's walls, revealing the multitude of weapons and armors adorning the shelves.
The first, the co-leader known as Momonga, his visage of a skeleton mage, radiated an aura of command and power. Beside him stood the clan leader, Touch-Me, his armor resplendent with polished plates and a knightly crest.
They were the undisputed leaders of the clan known as Nine's Own Goal.
"It's a big deal," Momonga began "All the top guilds in Yggdrasil have conquered tombs, made them their base. It's time we partake in it as well."
"Agreed" Touch-Me nodded in silent agreement, his gaze unwavering beneath his helm.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon them both, for the legacy of Nine's Own Goal will be at stake. Would they be taken seriously if their base is in some low-level backwater cave?
Momonga tapped his bony fingers against the map, tracing the intricate labyrinthine paths leading to the coveted tomb. "We must approach this with strategically, Touch-Me. Recent scouting made me conclude a multitude of ideas on how to infiltrate and conquer it"
Touch-Me leaned closer, studying the map with unwavering focus. "Speak your thoughts, Momonga. Your insight has guided us far."
If skeletons can grin, a skeletal grin crept across Momonga as he began to outline his intricate plan.
Outside the tomb's imposing entrance, Valaine and her fellow clan members gathered in a show of unity, their armor gleaming in the eerie glow of under the moonlight. Their faces bore expressions that ranged from steely determination to anxious anticipation.
Valaine took a moment to stretch her limbs. Beside her, Bukubukuchagama, a fellow friend and guild member, raised an eyebrow, if slimes can even raise an eyebrow.
"You're not actually relaxing your muscles by stretching here" she remarked, her voice tinged with skepticism.
Valaine flashed a wry smile. "It doesn't duh, but it gives me confidence" she replied, her tone lighthearted.
"Did you study the plan they gave us?" Valaine inquired.
Bukubukuchagama nodded, her gaze drifting towards the entrance of the tomb.
"The PDF they emailed us? It's quite elaborate" she admitted, her respect for the clan's brightest strategic prowess evident in her voice.
"And to think that Momonga organized all of this…" A hint of contemplation crossed Valaine's features as she pondered her clan co-leader's capabilities.
"Makes me wonder why he isn't the clan leader" she remarked, her words laced with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
Soon after, the clan members of Nine's Own Goal began to move towards the tomb's entrance, their footsteps echoing through the expanse. The anticipation was palpable, the air thick with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Bukubukuchagama glanced at Valaine as she saw everyone moving. "Oh, looks like we're moving in" she remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement.
Valaine chuckled, her tone filled with playful banter. "Kay then. Let's meet up in the throne room, assuming you don't die on your way there."
Bukubukuchagama raised a mischievous glint in her eye. "Me? You should be worried about yourself. You're built like a glass cannon."
Their banter continued as they ventured deeper into the tomb, the torches lining the stone corridors casting flickering shadows on the walls. The atmosphere grew more ominous with each step, the air growing colder and more foreboding.
They knew there was no turning back now.
They adhered to the meticulous plan laid out by Momonga, Punitto Moe, and Bellriver, the clan's brightest minds. They had divided into six groups, each assigned a specific task to ensure an efficient conquest of the tomb.
The first group, comprised of agile scouts and swift assassins, took the lead, clearing the path on the first floor of undead. Their movements were like shadows in the darkness as they dispatched the tomb's undead, one by one.
Meanwhile, the second, third, fourth, and fifth groups embarked on their respective paths, heading towards rooms on the first floor that would lead them to the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors of the tomb.
Each group was equipped with the knowledge of their route and the enemies they might encounter, thanks to the scouts' earlier reconnaissance before the raid.
The sixth group, the heavy hitters, had a weighty responsibility. Their destination was the throne room at the heart of the tomb, where they would face the most formidable challenge.
Touch-me led the sixth group. Everyone understood their roles and that the fate of Nine's Own Goal depended on their success.
After group one and group five completed their tasks on the first floor, they must quickly regroup and move to join the sixth group.
The coordinated strategy allowed them to adapt to the ever-changing challenges within the tomb and maintain the upper hand against any potential threats.
Following the guide provided by the scouts and consulting the map, the clan members finally arrived at a corridor that held the key to their ascent to the sixth floor. Inside the room, they found a transportation circle, its mystic runes glowing with an eerie, pulsating light.
Touch-me stepped forward, his armored boot touching the edge of the circle. He exchanged a knowing glance with the rest of the group before nodding to the rest of their group. With a collective breath, he activated the circle.
A flash of light marked their arrival on the sixth floor, the members of group six emerged from the transportation circle, their presence filling the room. Touch-me, Valaine, Bukubukuchagama, Ulbert, and Peroroncino stood together, their roles clearly defined within the group.
Touch-me and Valaine were the vanguard, the front-line fighters for this current battle.
Bukubukuchagama took her position in front of the group. Her role was clear to bear the brunt of enemy attacks and protect her comrades.
Ulbert, the most powerful magic caster stood beside Peroroncino. His role was to wield the destructive forces of magic and support the group with powerful spells in a distance.
Peroroncino, an archer of unparalleled skill. His quiver brimmed with enchanted arrows, ready to also provide ranged support to the group.
Touch-me raised his hand, signaling for silence, and the group moved forward cautiously, their senses attuned to any signs of danger.
The ghost that sits upon the throne before them, and looks down upon them.
[King of Nazarick Lvl. 100]
This was no ordinary specter, no mere apparition, but a king of ethereal essence, fully clad in an imposing suit of ghostly armor that shimmered with a spectral brilliance. His form stretched to a towering height of twelve feet.
Upon his broad, spectral shoulders, he bore a voluminous fur coat, its otherworldly pelts swaying with an otherworldly, mournful grace, for even in death, the king exuded an air of somber majesty.
Adorning his regal visage, a crown of extraordinary proportions floated serenely, suspended a mere three inches above his noble brow. This crown, a masterpiece of ethereal craftsmanship, was a testament to the grandeur of his reign, its elongated spires and intricate filigree patterns defying the laws of gravity as they danced gently above his head.
By his side, stood two colossal greatswords, each as tall as the king himself. These weapons, shimmering with a ghostly luminescence, seemed to hum with power.
Seated with the authority of an eternal sovereign, he occupied the throne of kings.
The king's eyes, like twin orbs of pale moonlight, gazed unerringly into the group, as though he was waiting for a reckoning that had been foretold by prophecy.
Suddenly, the king steps up behind the party, bringing down his greatswords in a powerful dual strike that sends shockwaves through the room.
Touch-me and Valaine dodge out of the way, while Bukubukuchagama appears in front of the party to mitigate the attack.
Ulbert grimaces, sensing a surge of magic from the king, and he casts a spell to shield himself and the party. Peroroncino unleashes a flurry of arrows at the king, but his armor deflects most of the blows.
The party are taken aback by the sudden movement of the king, who seems to have blinked behind them.
"Remember what we practiced, Maneuver 1, go!" Touch-me shouted.
Touch-me and Valaine quickly shift their attention to the king, and Bukubukuchagama unleashing her taunt against him.
The King lunges at Bukubukuchagama, swinging his greatswords in a powerful cross cut. As she staggers back, struck by the attack, the king's eyes glare at her intently.
Ulbert draws his grimoire, his mind already locked onto a powerful spell he intents to cast. With a quick word and a gesture, Ulbert utters the spell, his eyes glowing with a orange light.
A swirling, glowing magic circle of pulsating orange light materialized beneath the King.
From the depths of the portal emerged a monstrous tentacle, a grotesque appendage. It snaked upward with a serpentine grace, its skin an unnatural shade of black, and it coiled around the enemy's armored form with intent.
The binding spell was relentless. The King fought against the grasp of the tentacle and he strained beneath the plate mail.
The king's eyes flash and his expression changes to one of pure rage, trying in vain to break free.
With a furious yell, the King of Nazarick thrusts one of his swords into the floor, the ground shaking beneath their feet as the might of the King is made clear.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he raises his other hand, a blast of green arcane energy erupting from his grasp. Ulbert was sent flying backwards from the King's spell, the grimoire slipping from his grasp and sailing through the air, canceling his binding magic.
The King of Nazarick's expression turns to one of smug arrogance beneath his helm, as he is now free from Ulbert's magic. Bukubukuchagama, quickly recovers, stepping into the King's path.
With a powerful body slam, Bukubukuchagama slams her entire body into the King's jaw, the force of the attack enough to send the King reeling backwards.
The King attempts to retaliate with a mighty swing of his greatsword on his other hand, but Touch-me parries the blow, his strength allowing him to barely hold the blade at bay.
As Bukubukuchagama keeps the enemy busy, Peroroncino sees his opportunity and takes it. With a powerful pull of the bowstring, he releases an arrow, the arrow whistling through the air towards the King of Nazarick.
As the arrow flies, the King's eyes glint, his gaze fixed on it. But as Peroroncino watches it with anticipation, the arrow curves mid-flight, its deadly trajectory deviating towards the King's solar plexus.
It struck the King hard that it sends the King back to the throne.
Quickly regaining his composure he summons back his weapons, his greatswords held at the ready.
Peroroncino tries to dodge the attack, but the enemy is simply too fast. As the greatswords descend from the ceiling, they find their mark, their razor sharp edges cutting through him in one fell swoop.
As his body collapses, the King's eyes harden, his gaze now focused on their remaining opponents.
"Second Maneuver! Ulbert, get ready!" Touch-me called out again.
Ulbert nods and quickly summons back his grimoire and equipping a hand-held hourglass item from his inventory.
Bukubukuchagama once more steps in to face off against the King, she lunges and held tightly in front of him.
As Ulbert, the Sorcerer, prepares to cast his signature spell, Touch-me and Valaine the two vanguards, launch a devastating combo attack at the King.
The King, unable to escape from Bukubukuchagama iron grip, takes the brunt of the initial assault, but quickly recovers with her extraordinary endurance.
But with every ounce of his strength, the King of Nazarick throws Bukubukuchagama aside, the King focuses on Touch-me and Valaine.
The two vanguards, quickly make their way back, putting some distance between them and their foe.
Ulbert casts the Supertier spell, the King's eyes widen slightly in surprise, but his expression remains unchanged as the spell's enormous magical energy surrounds him.
As the incantation dripped from his lips, the party quivered with anticipation, and the very air seemed to grow heavy with dread.
"[Grand Catastrophe]!"
Ulbert unleashed the cataclysmic might of his skill.
A torrent of hellfire erupted on the floor where the King stands on, a searing column of crimson and obsidian that bore down upon his enemy like the wrath of the hell itself. It scorched the very room.
But the climax of this fell incantation was yet to come. As the infernal flames converged upon the enemy, they erupted into a monstrous mushroom cloud that engulfed the room.
In the heart of the ominous plume, ghastly visages materialized, skulls, twisted and contorted, their hollow eyesockets radiating an otherworldly malevolence. These phantoms seemed to wail in agony, a cacophonous chorus of despair that sent shivers down the spines of all who witnessed this eldritch spectacle.
As the Supertier spell takes its toll, the King noticeably weakened, his body shaken by the tremendous amount of energy unleashed upon him.
With a casual movement, he summons a large shield and a massive warhammer. However, the King moves with a surprising agility, his gaze fixed on Ulbert.
With a powerful swing of the warhammer, he brings the weapon down towards Ulbert, the sorcerer's body unable to withstand the immense blunt force of the attack.
"Last maneuver, it's now or never Valaine!" Touch-me urged the team.
Bukubukuchagama and Touch-me, keeping the King of Nazarick occupied, step up to meet the King, their weapons at the ready. Touch-me, the warrior, quickly darts in, slashing at the King with his sword, before stepping back to avoid a blow from the enemy's warhammer.
As the two fight, Valaine prepares to launch a deadly attack at the King.
Bukubukuchagama draws the King's attention, holding her ground against the onslaught of the king's attacks.
"I'm ready!" Valaine alarmed the party.
Bukubukuchagama and Touch-me, recognizing the need to put some distance between them and the King of Nazarick, quickly back away, their weapons at the ready.
Valaine stands ready with an incredible array of weapons hovering in the air beside her.
Diverse shapes and sizes, ranging from relic tier to divine tier. An arsenal she accumulated in the past two weeks since she got Billion Blades.
Each blade, axe, and spear she summoned is a work of artistry, The weapons vary in size, from delicate daggers fit for stealthy assassins to colossal greatswords that seem forged for giants of Jotun.
Shapes diverge wildly, from the graceful curves of Elven sabers to the brutal simplicity of dwarven warhammers.
With a fluid gesture from her wrist, all the weapons rain down at the enemy.
As the weapons rain down onto the King, their sheer volume too much to be dodged entirely, the King is quickly overwhelmed.
The King's body is torn apart, his massive frame destroyed in a matter of moments.
They had emerged victorious, the tomb is now theirs.
The throne room of the tomb now lay before them, a vast expanse adorned with ancient tapestries and intricate carvings.
Nine's Own Goal had emerged victorious, and the tomb was now theirs. The sense of accomplishment and pride surged through the members, their faces hidden behind virtual helmets and masks, yet their collective spirit was palpable.
Touch-Me, the noble knight and leader of the clan, stood before the throne, gazing at it in silently.
Hours after their victory, His thoughts turned inward as he contemplated the events that had led them here.
He couldn't help but acknowledge that this entire choreography, this masterful plan, had been the result of the scouts' dedication and, most notably, Momonga's unparalleled strategic genius.
His thoughts whispered in the hushed corridors of his mind as he reflected on Momonga's leadership.
"I never could've thought of this plan in forever" Touch-Me mused, recognizing the depths of Momonga's intellect.
The co-leader's brilliance had guided them through the intricacies of this tomb's challenges, his strategic mind a beacon in the labyrinthine darkness of Yggdrasil.
Touch-Me felt a deep sense of respect for Momonga, a man who led with wisdom and vision, ensuring that Nine's Own Goal would ascend to greater heights.
As the clan members gathered around and celebrate, their voices a mixture of celebration and awe, Touch-Me couldn't help but smile beneath his helm, grateful for the camaraderie and the brilliant mind that had brought them this far.
Together, they had conquered the tomb, but their journey in Yggdrasil was far from over, and the legacy of their guild would continue to evolve under Momonga's guidance.
As the hours passed and the echoes of their victorious conquest reverberated through the tomb, the members of Nine's Own Goal reveled in their success.
The tomb, now rightfully theirs, served as both a sanctum and a celebration hall.
Its chambers were transformed into a festive gathering place, with banners of their clan hanging proudly from the stone walls.
The guild members clinked goblets of virtual wine, sharing tales of their exploits and celebrating their newfound wealth.
Amidst the revelry, the conversation turned to unexpected avenues. It was Touch-Me.
Touch-Me turned to Valaine with an unexpected question. His voice carried a tone of genuine curiosity.
"Valaine" he began, "have you ever considered aspiring to be a World Champion like myself?"
Valaine blinked, taken aback by the question.
She had always been a formidable member of the guild, but the thought of being a World Champion had never crossed her mind.
Touch-me regarded Valaine as not just a formidable fighter but as someone who had, time and again, proven herself as one of the top warriors in their guild.
In his mind, she easily occupied a position within the top three ranks, a position she had earned through the mastery of the game's mechanics.
Touch-Me, with his own prowess as a knight, rightfully held the first place among their guild's hierarchy.
Valaine, however, was a close second, her combat skills and combative thinking second to none.
And then there was Takemikazuchi, their one-hit KO samurai comrade who held the third position. He is a formidable force in his own right, rounding out the trio of top-ranked members.
Being a world champion was a daunting prospect, one that carried immense responsibility and prestige in the game of Yggdrasil.
Valaine's hesitation was palpable, and she cast a glance at Momonga, seeking guidance. The guild leader, his skeletal visage concealing his expression, nodded approvingly.
"It's a worthy consideration," he chimed in, his voice resonating with authority. "Being a World Champion would undoubtedly be good for our clan, or should I say guild now."
Valaine's mind raced as she weighed the idea. To be a World Champion meant representing not only herself but also Nine's Own Goal on a global stage.
It would bring recognition, prestige, and opportunities that she had never imagined. Yet, the weight of such a role also bore heavy responsibilities and expectations.
Noticing her hesitation, Touch-Me stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
He nodded with a genuine smile beneath his helmet. "Don't worry, I'll gladly take on the role of your mentor and train you."
Valaine's gratitude shone through her as she accepted the offer. "Thank you, I couldn't ask for a better teacher."
However, Touch-Me's expression turned more serious as he continued, "But there's a condition, While your World Item, Billion Blades, is a powerful asset, you must train without relying on it for now."
Valaine blinked in surprise, her hand unconsciously reaching for the ebony ring that had been her faithful companion.
"Without Billion Blades?" she repeated, her tone filled with uncertainty.
Touch-Me nodded and explained his reasoning. "You earned that World Item through your own efforts, However, becoming World Champion means mastery of skills and growing independently."
He continued, "Relying solely on Billion Blades might hinder your personal development. Use it as a last resort, a trump card for when all else fails."
"Your primary strength should come from your own abilities." He emphasized.
Valaine considered Touch-Me's words carefully. She had always been a skilled warrior, and Billion Blades had been a trusty item.
Yet, she understood the importance of personal growth and development.
With a determined nod, she finally replied, "You're right, I'll train without relying on Billion Blades. I want to earn my place as a World Champion."
Valaine finally replied, her voice filled with resolve.
"If it's for the good of the guild, then I'll give it my all. I'll become a World Champion."
