Whispers in the Shadows

As Vecna ventured deeper into the heart of the Orc Horde Camp, his 'Blood Sense' skill continued to guide him through the labyrinthine pathways. Shadows clung to him like loyal companions as he overheard the guttural voices of the Orcs conversing in their native tongue.

The Orcs, unaware of Vecna's presence, gathered in a crude assembly near the central area of the camp. A massive throne, carved from the bones of defeated foes, served as the ostentatious seat for their Warchief, Gorruk Bloodmaw. The discontent among the Orc warriors was palpable, their gruff voices rising in a chorus of frustration.

"Bloodmaw sits on his throne like a toothless wolf! We should be tearing through the human settlement by now!" growled one particularly disgruntled Orc, his tusks jutting out with each uttered word.

Another warrior, adorned with scars from battles past, spat onto the ground in disdain. "Aye, Krugg is right! Gorruk's lost his edge. We need a Warchief who thirsts for blood, not one who cowers behind stone walls!"

Vecna, concealed in the shadows, strained to understand the Orcish conversation with his 'Goblin Tongue Skill.' The guttural language proved challenging, but he managed to catch the essence of their discontent.

"He sits idle, scheming with the pink-skins who crawled into our territory! I heard it with my own ears," proclaimed a grizzled Orc, suspicion etched on his weathered face.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the gathering as the Orcs exchanged glances filled with skepticism and mistrust. The notion that Gorruk Bloodmaw might be colluding with the humans struck a nerve among the warriors.

"Perhaps the humans offer him shiny trinkets and soft beds. Gorruk might be dreaming of living like a human, feasting on their fat cattle and taking their women for himself!" suggested a brutish Orc with a wicked grin.

Vecna, hidden in the shadows, listened intently. The Orcs' conspiracy theories painted a vivid picture of their leader's supposed betrayal. It seemed that Gorruk's perceived inaction had fueled rumors of treachery, creating a breeding ground for dissent within the Orc Horde.

Vecna, while multitasking like the monster he became, not yet concluding his reconnaissance within the Orc Horde Camp, found a moment of respite to attend to other matters. 

'How much is this idea fueled by the Yatan Church members? Ahh, right, she probably has added me to her friend list. Let me check.'

His crimson eyes flickered with an otherworldly glow as he accessed the interface of his System. With a swift manipulation of unseen energies, he brought forth the familiar layout of his friend list.

The digital display materialized before him, showcasing an array of names, icons, and status indicators. As he scanned through the list, a notification pulsed at the top of the interface, drawing his attention.

[User 'Yura' has requested your friendship] (Accept/Decline)

Vecna's fingers, adorned with sleek, black gloves, hovered over the holographic options presented by the System's interface. 

As he considered Yura's friend request, the ethereal glow of his [Mithril Braces] caught the ambient light. These braces, crafted from the legendary metal known for its strength and resilience, adorned Vecna's forearms, offering both protection and a touch of sophistication to his ensemble.

The intricate craftsmanship of the braces was evident in the fine etchings and detailing, showcasing the exquisite workmanship that went into their creation. The mithril's silvery sheen complemented the overall darkness of Vecna's attire, creating a harmonious blend of style and substance.

'Oho, I can see my fiery Archer leveling up quite a bit from our previous transaction. The same goes for the Mage Diva, this Tzedakah Guild is promising. Worth investing in them to garner their favors.'

'Tsk, so many names sending their requests… That's why you don't become a public figure. Now I got to spend 5 minutes purging all of those requests and mails.'

After a while his finger was clicking nonstop on (Decline) without even switching an emotion from the names of 'Celebrities' that wanted to connect with him. 'Let's see what Yura has in store for me.'

A subtle smile tugged at the corners of Vecna's lips as he recalled their brief but intriguing conversation. Yura was no ordinary player; she had a role to play in the unfolding events of his strategic maneuvers. 

While Vecna typically disregarded friend requests to avoid an inundation of unwanted connections, Yura held a unique position in his grand design.

Acknowledging her as a priority piece in his intricate chess game, Vecna selected 'Accept' without hesitation. The digital prompt vanished, replaced by a subtle acknowledgment that the friendship request had been approved.

With the acceptance, Yura's profile information unveiled itself to Vecna's scrutiny. He perused the details she had chosen to disclose, information strategically shared for public recognition and ranking adjustments. Class, Level, Affiliation – these were the rudimentary pieces of data that players willingly exposed to shape their image within the game world.

[Yura - LV. 197 | Class: Black Magician | Affiliation: Yatan Church | Guild: None]

Vecna's crimson eyes scanned the information with keen interest, each detail a potential clue in the larger puzzle. Yura's role in the unfolding narrative was becoming clearer, and Vecna assimilated this knowledge into his mental repository of strategic insights.

'She dropped in rankings to only 7th. Well, considering the fact she's doing this Long Chain Quest and will participate in the future chaos, her level will settle comfortably to top 5 or 3.'

Satisfied with the additional layer of information at his disposal, Vecna closed the friend list interface, allowing the virtual display to dissolve into the digital ether. The subtle smile lingered on his lips, a silent acknowledgment of the calculated moves being made in the shadows of the game.

Vecna's silhouette melted seamlessly into the shadows as he navigated the sprawling Orc Horde Camp. The illusionary duplicates created by the 'Phantasm' skill moved in tandem with him, weaving through the chaos of the camp unnoticed. 

His steps were soundless, leaving no trace of his presence, a testament to the meticulous control he exerted over his vampiric abilities.

The virtual interface projected a mini-map before Vecna's crimson eyes, revealing the layout of the Orcish settlement. Primitive huts and bonfires dotted the landscape, creating a scene of organized chaos. As he approached the designated location, the markers on the mini-map guided him toward Arthur Vinespine's encampment.

'Arthur, my unwitting informant. Let's see how well you've adapted to the Orcish way of life.'

Vecna's thoughts resonated with a sense of intrigue as he neared the area where the prodigious son of the Vinespine Family and his companions were stationed. The 'Phantasm' clones dispersed slightly, fanning out to gather intel discreetly, while Vecna himself retained his central position, ready to converge the illusions at a moment's notice.

As he entered the outskirts of the encampment, Vecna's heightened senses picked up the distinct sounds of Orcish dialects and the clattering of makeshift weapons. The air was thick with the scent of primitive living, and the flickering light of bonfires cast dancing shadows on the rough-hewn structures.

'Let's locate Arthur.'

Vecna's gaze swept across the encampment, and soon, the mini-map highlighted the presence of Arthur Vinespine. He was situated near the central bonfire, engaged in conversation with a group of Orcish warriors. Their coarse language, punctuated by Arthur's attempts to communicate, filled the air.

'Davian, especially recommended Arthur for this job… So, he was the one who previously approached them to assist him in destroying Reginald.'

'Not bad, this guy has great adaptability.'

The 'Phantasm' clones, acting as silent observers, hovered near different points, capturing snippets of conversation and assessing the overall atmosphere of the encampment. Vecna, in his concealed form, moved with eerie grace, navigating the crowded space without drawing a single glance.

As he closed in on Arthur, the Aura Master seemed to sense an unusual presence. His gaze flickered toward Vecna's direction, but the illusory duplicates in the surroundings created a visual puzzle that left Arthur's instincts in doubt.

'Greetings, Arthur Vinespine.'

Vecna's voice echoed in Arthur's mind, a telepathic communication that bypassed the need for spoken words. Arthur's eyes widened briefly, realizing the source of the voice. He turned slightly, acknowledging Vecna's unseen presence with a subtle nod.

I trust the Orcish hospitality hasn't been too overwhelming for you and your companions.'

Arthur, still adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings, replied mentally, 'We manage. The language barrier is the biggest challenge, but we're making progress.'

Vecna's illusionary form approached Arthur, the Phantasms mimicking his movements with seamless precision. The 'Phantasm' clones stationed themselves discreetly, eavesdropping on Orcish conversations and monitoring the dynamics within the encampment.

'Your adaptability is commendable. It seems you've formed quite the diplomatic ties with our green-skinned hosts.'

Arthur's mental response carried a wry tone, 'Diplomacy might be a generous term. More like survival instincts kicking in. These Orcs are a formidable force, and we don't want to be on their bad side.'

Vecna's ethereal laughter reverberated in Arthur's mind. 'Wise choice. But let's not forget the real reason you're here. Information, Arthur. I hope you've gathered insights that will be of use to us.'

'We have. The Orcs seem to be in disarray, with internal conflicts brewing. Currently the two factions inside the Orc Camp are at a tipping point. One is centered around the Current Warchief, Gorruk Bloodmaw, while another group is centered on another Chieftain of a powerful Clan, this monster is called Dal'rend Blackhand.'

Vecna's interest sparked at the mention of Gorruk Bloodmaw and his 'Rival' Blackhand. 'Interesting. Dissension in the ranks. Tell me more.'

As Arthur delved into the details of the Orcs' internal strife, Vecna absorbed the information with a predatory focus. The mini-map displayed crucial markers—key figures, potential allies or threats, and the general layout of the encampment. 

The 'Blood Sense' skill silently worked in the background, providing Vecna with real-time updates on the health values of the Orcs within his proximity.

'So, the Yatan Church has Blackhand in their pockets from your observations.'

'Not only Blackhand, all of the Leaders allied with Blackhand. Their relationship is so overcomplicated that I had to do a lot of mental gymnastics to understand their standing. It seems that Blackhand wasn't satisfied with being spared in their fight for the Warchief Position, and has signed his Soul with the Demons for power.'

Not visible to anyone but Arthur Vinespine, Vecna thought for a moment, before telling the Aura Master to prepare his companions and be ready to escape from the Orc Camp at any sparks of conflict in the air.

With that, Vecna's presence retreated into the shadows, the 'Phantasm' clones converging and dissipating as if they were mere wisps of darkness. 

The encampment remained oblivious to the clandestine exchange, and Vecna, once again shrouded in mystery, continued to navigate the Orc Horde Camp, 

In the midst of Vecna's telepathic conversation with Arthur Vinespine, his mental focus attuned to the internal strife within the Orc Horde Camp, a subtle notification disrupted the seamless flow of his thoughts. The notification glowed in the corner of his vision, signaling an incoming message.

[You have received a message from your friend 'Yura'.]

Vecna, with his characteristic poise, allowed a fraction of his attention to shift towards the holographic interface. A translucent window materialized before him, revealing the sender's name—Yura. 

#Yura: I got almost fooled by you, scammer. How could you boast of being able to deal with this Episode when you're only a low-ranker. Barely reaching level 135, you'll just destroy all of my hardwork in building my reputation inside Yatan Church.

#Yura: You got to explain yourself, before receiving any information about Neberius from me.

Vecna's lips curved into a sly smile as he absorbed the inquiry. The question, though seemingly straightforward, held layers of implication. Yura, with her perceptive nature, was probing beyond the surface, seeking answers to the enigma that was Vecna.

'Women… They always like to nag about things so insignificant.'

His fingers, almost instinctively, danced in the air as he composed a response while maintaining his telepathic link with Arthur.

#Vecna: Level is but a number, dear. It conceals more than it reveals. Perhaps, with time, you'll understand that the way you 'High-Rankers' look at this World is wrong.'

#Yura: Continue lying, and I'll block you. 

'...'

As he prepared to leave the vicinity of the Orc Horde, his destination shifted towards the looming presence of the Yatan Church Camp. The tendrils of his influence reached out, unseen threads connecting with the Yatan Church's web of secrets. 

Vecna, the elusive puppeteer, continued to pull strings in the shadows.

'This bitch, she is itching for a fight. Since I'm in the vicinity, let's get you out of the camp and show you who's boss.'

{"That would be foolish. It's better you don't act now, or all of your plans will go down the drain."}

'Ohh, no. If I want to, I can manipulate her into showing up only by herself.'

{"Intriguing."}

'Women minds at times can be complex, but in the grand scheme of things they are easily manipulated when you know how to approach them.'

Continuing his advancement while in Enemy Territory, he didn't forget to 'entertain' Yura's banter, explaining to her how easily it would be for him to defeat her in a PVP, and that proudful mindset of a High-Ranker would be meaningless against the Strong.

Their gap can be breached so effortlessly with only a Strong Class or while being Overgeared.

Yet, she was held bent on not saying any information about Neberius only to quickly be cornered by Vecna, who would ask her what it would need to prove himself.

#Yura: Look. I'll give you information about Neberius with only a condition. Have this NPC 'Arthur' disappear from the Orc Camp. It's related to a Quest of mine that gives some generous rewards that would be a shame not to receive.

#Yura: If you can do this, I might share the contents regarding Neberius.

#Vecna: Might. What If's. Those words are quite annoying, let me think about. Will I profit over this or not?

Thinking carefully as he was moving out of the Orc Camp, particularly choosing the adjutant location to where the Yatan Church Camp was positioned, he wasn't missing much from having Arthur depart immediately.

'This isn't damaging at all for me. Since Arthur is due to depart soon.'

#Vecna: When do you want him to leave?

#Yura: As quickly as possible. But, we need to make a scene where I fight against the Aura Master and the Yatan Church members watch it. Otherwise… I got nothing at hand if I don't return with his head.

#Vecna: You're asking a lot for so little in return. To think you would be so shameless.

#Yura: Are you the one to say that? Hmph, you only got honey words. Can you do it or not?

#Vecna: Easily. But, now the scale of gains has turned upside-down. Neberius in the end is only a Black Magician and I can easily gauge his skills once I fight him. I only wanted to get his info from you so I wouldn't waste additional resources and time. 

#Yura: I assure you, the information I have on Neberius has never appeared on the Forums. I'm among the small group of users that have access to the Yatan Servants. 

#Yura: Will you do this, or we quit on our deal and alliance?

#Vecna: Hahahaha, I will remember this, Yuna. Let's do it at midnight. Gather your group of Cultists, but be aware that I will only leave out one member alive. 

#Yura: What for? This is just a fake fight

#Vecna: Ohh no, no. We'll have a fight. Our story needs to be compelling for the Monster to believe it. Don't you think so?