Chapter 13

***** //During the four-hour time period Fox had set his sword to 100% experience, giving the sword 75 experience. (575/600). Shadow Jump is now level 3, unlocking a new ability.

[Shadow Jump][Level 3]-Allows the user to teleport into a shadow. Leaves behind an 'imprint' of the user that will disappear after ten seconds or once attacked.

20-meter range. Mana cost:8mp - zero cooldown.

*****

Our conversation was cut short by MashaMura and Keto who insisted that we depart.

They seemed uneasy.

"Watch out!" Keto yelled as he jumped in front of us.

Keto used his Maki to create armor as multiple arrows peppered him. Most of them were deflected, but a few sunk into his flesh. Keto's Hp dropped to 75% with the damage.

We were being attacked! Bandits already!

"Don't just stand there, heal me! Fox! Wake up!" Keto commanded.

His words shook us from our momentary shock.

Jenkins used his Maki to form a ball of green energy. This energy flew out of his hand and began to heal Keto, bringing his Hp up by 5%.

Thirty yards away, tucked into the side of the mountain stood at least ten bow-wielding bandits upon a large boulder. There were equally as many mystics behind them.

They were in the perfect spot for an ambush.

Multiple arrows were suspended in the air by MashaMura's God Hand. He sent them back at the bandits. The Mystics behind them healed them back to full health as soon as they were damaged.

Activated Quick Steps!

I used shadow jump to close the gap, leaving behind an imprint that looked just like me. This imprint was like a hologram or a picture of myself at the moment I teleported.

I teleported 20 yards away in the shadow of a small rock.

My imprint was very convincing. The samurai Jenkins was yelling at it, "Fox! We gotta move man! Hey! YO! "

I waited for a second to let my mana recharge before I dove in.

"Fox! Stop!" MashaMura yelled.

Ahh, it's touching that he would worry about me, but I can handle these guys.

I ignored him and shadow jumped behind the bandits, leaving behind another imprint by the small rock.

The location I chose was in a blind spot for the bandits and the mystics.

Bandit[Level 4]-HP-20

Brandishing my sword, I attacked.

Activated Strong Thrust!

Activated Backstab!

Hit!

You have dealt 36 damage! (0/20)

Activated Corrupted Ninjato's hidden ability[Legendary] Soul Drain[Max Level]

Corrupted Ninjato has absorbed the soul of Player Bibi Longstockings!

Corrupted Ninjato has gained 1388 experience!

Corrupted Ninjato has gained a level!

Unlocked Ability-[Spread Corruption][Max]

Corrupted Ninjato has gained a level!

Unlocked True-Form!

Corrupted Ninjato's name changes to

Majeimiaso[Legendary][Level 4]

Unlocked Ability-[Minor Purify][Level 1]

Player Bibi Longstockings has been permanently deleted. Player will be no longer be able to log in.

Transferring game knowledge of Bibi Longstockings...

What the heck...

Permanently deleted...

I barely had time to process what was happening before the memories of the player Bibi Longstockings flooded my mind.

It was like remembering a bunch of stuff all at once that had never happened to me.

I saw myself becoming a bandit...

The joy of using a bow to take my targets...

I saw struggle with other players...

Leading to many deaths...

Each death would propel me to do better, try harder, make more connections...

This led me to start my group, gather the best and even convince a group of Mystics to join...

A small group of five...

They would be easy...

Suddenly I snapped back to my senses. I realized I was just standing amongst my enemies. Enemies I suddenly didn't want to kill anymore.

I knew their names. I remembered trying to recruit them along with the struggles we had to get through to be here.

I could feel something different about the sword. It was now emanating a dark aura from the blade that I could feel seeping into my being. It pushed thoughts and feelings of rage, hatred, and severe bloodlust.

It took everything I had to keep my body still. The blade wanted more...

More and more...a never-ending lust for...more...

I could feel my resolve slipping as the bandits began to notice that I had killed their leader.

I told myself " No! They are your friends! Right?!"

My head was all jumbled up...

I heard a whisper of a voice in my head, "Those aren't your memories. Just give in and let me...rip those weaklings apart...Think of how much stronger we will be..."

I instantly knew this to be the voice of the sword. I could feel it's desire, it's powerful presence looming in my mind threatening to take over.

It was pure evil.

The thought of what I would do if I gave in...scared the mess out of me.

Suddenly smoke filled the air and I could sense the strong presence of MashaMura's Maki next to me.

He spoke a single word while touching my back. "Escape!"

My body shifted as we teleported with the use of his escape spell. I was now well over 100 meters away, further down the mountain path. We appeared next to the others, who had just arrived. I looked back to see smoke covering the whole clearing.

MashaMura was pissed as he motioned for everyone to follow him down the path. We walked at a brisk pace but did not run.

"I used a sleeping gas as well, they will not follow us quickly. " MashaMura said quietly as he turned to face me. "Why did you disobey me?"

I looked down, unable to look him in the eye. "I...was trying to prove myself...I didn't know...the sword..."

He cut me off, "I know. I should have told you. Unless necessary, you must never use the sword on those from the ether. It will absorb their soul."

"That Bandit I killed...", I began, " his name was Bibi Longstockings, somehow I have his memories...he will never respawn...what have I done..."

"That's awful! Why would you do that to another player! I mean ether warrior!" Jenkins exclaimed!

"I didn't mean to...I didn't know!" I stammered.

MashaMura interjected, "What's done is done. You will have to learn to deal with these new memories. Long ago when I wielded the sword, I used it to defeat the undefeatable. I also gained their memories. How you view this as a game. The world will try to change your words, but I understand. I see through it. I know all about your numbers and levels, as does Keto. In your language, we would be called enlightened NPCs. Unlike you, this is my only life, my only world. Stopping the corruption and restoring peace and order to this world is all that matters. What you would call the Final Boss of this game is the man who betrayed me, Azaziel. He is a from the ether, a player like you three. He is the source of corruption. I am telling you this because from now on I will no longer be able to use my title. We will have to not draw attention to ourselves, and I will have to rely on you all. You will face corruption which promises great power, for which you must deny. I will need all of you to train hard and level up as fast as possible. You must learn to wield Majeimiaso to use it one more time. I need you to delete Azaziel. The only way to stop him is with a not strong warrior. "