Sodalitas

The cavernous tombs of Svartalfheim's air was thick with the scent of dirt, a taste of the depths where no sun's ray could penetrate. It was a realm untouched by time, where every step was a journey through the ages.

Amidst the cavernous tunnels and chambers in this underworld, the mine's most coveted treasure was revealed.

Glowing red crystals punctuated the rocky walls. They pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly light, casting a crimson glow that painted the rough-hewn caverns in a blood-red hue.

*Tink*

And floating gracefully through the subterranean expanse were levitating red jellyfishes, their ethereal forms drifting lazily through the air. They moved with a ghostly grace, their tentacles trailing behind them like translucent ribbons.

*Tink*

The walls were not merely adorned with crystals and jellyfish. Here, where the Svartalfheim's heart pulsed, minerals of untold variety shimmered and gleamed. Veins of precious metals glinted amid the stone walls.

*Tink*

A vast ravine opened up before the onlooker, its depths plummeting into an inky void that seemed to stretch on forever.

*Tink*

The ravine's jagged edges were a testament to the relentless power of time, as stalactites hung like ancient daggers poised to strike, and stalagmites reached up from the abyss like grasping fingers.

*Tink*

The continuous sound of pickaxe striking the rock reverberated throughout the cavern, a rhythmic cadence that echoed with determination.

A solitary figure stood out like a shadow among the flickering cave fireflies. Her hooded cape draped over her shoulders but with the hood lowered, revealed her striking features. She possessed an alluring beauty that contrasted sharply with the rough surroundings. Short, silver-colored hair was styled into two buns on the sides of her head.

Her delicate, almost porcelain-like skin was pale as moonlight, drained of blood, and her crimson eyes burned with a quiet intensity of determination beyond mortal comprehension. Her movements fluid and precise as if she was mining for a living for long time.

Her attention focused solely on the mineral before her. It was a peculiar stone, unlike any other in the mine.

This stone, unlike the others, seemed to pulse with an eerie, lavender colored spectral light. With a smile, her slender fingers reached out, delicate yet determined.

[Dreamstone x 1]

For hours, she mined this unique stones, her pickaxe was deftly chipping away at it like it was a precision born of long practice. Each strike of her pickaxe sent shards flying, adding to the growing pile of the Dreamstones in her inventory.

Her inventory, by now, held hundreds of these stones. She knew their value, it is currently a highly priced stone in the Yggdrasil player market. She is mining these to earn a profit, and use the gold to buy better potions and equipment for herself.

[Dreamstone x 1]

[Mineral Limit Reached]

With her virtual coffers brimming full with Dreamstones, she ventured out of the cave with success only to be met a living barricade in front of her.

[Cavernous Dragon Lvl. 36]

A Cavernous Dragon, as ancient as the stone themselves, a veritable titan of the caves in Svartalfheim. Its scales, the color of dark, weathered stone. Deep crevices ran like scars across its armored hide, Massive wings, tattered and torn from countless battles with subterranean horrors, were folded against its colossal body, their membranous skin translucent as parchment.

But it was the creature's head that truly set it apart. Its jaws, capable of crushing boulders with ease, gaped wide, revealing rows of serrated, obsidian-black teeth. Above the cavernous maw, two eyes glimmered with an eerie intelligence, burning like fiery orbs in the perpetual darkness.

And the most striking feature of this dread beast was its horns. Rhino-like in appearance, they sprouted from its skull, curling forward, their tips grazing the cavern's ceiling.

Her gaze fell upon a sight that would send most people terror. A dragon, an immense and terrible beast, loomed before her.

Any normal player would have ran, but this girl was built different.

She cast her gaze upward, her eyes narrowing in a calculating manner. Her fingers danced, tracing patterns in the air with an almost casual indifference.

[Triplet Maximize Magic: Obsidian Spear]

Above the dragon's massive form, something wondrous and terrifying began to take shape. Three shimmering dark spear materialized. Dark bladed tips, as sharp as any freshly forged weapon, suspended in mid-air.

The dragon, its eyes locked on the girl, seemed momentarily bewildered by this unexpected turn of events. It had, after all, grown accustomed to the unquestioning fear of those it encountered. But the girl remained resolute, her gaze unflinching.

With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed the spears, sending them hurtling toward the beast. They pierced the dragon's scales with a sickening sound, and its deafening roar echoed through the cave.

The dragon writhed in agony as the blades found their mark.

[XP gained!][Level up! 51 -> 52]

"Nice, 18 more levels to use the key" She turned away and continued to walk towards the cave's exit.

How long has she been playing this? Two months? Wait, it's three months now.

Ever since she used her seven vacation days to play this game, progressing became exponentially longer to level up and she barely has any free time after work.

She shook her head. This is no time to think about work, because this is the time for her to relax.

With a fluid motion, she swiped her fingers into thin air, opening a translucent holographic interface. From her inventory, she withdrew a flat handheld stone, inscribed with Old Norse runes. The runes shimmered with an otherworldly, golden light, illuminating the cave around her.

She broke the stone apart with her two hands as if it was a biscuit, and as she did, a magical circle materialized at her boots. It pulsed with the same radiant golden light as the runes.

[Teleport to Kvikrknttr? Y/N]

"Yes"

Instantly, the world around her blurred and shifted as if reality itself had been torn asunder. Her surroundings melted away, replaced by a swirling vortex of colors and energies.

In the blink of an eye, the girl was gone, whisked away to a destination, a place that was unlike any other, a sanctuary where the very essence of fantasy and reality converged, and where the races of myriad worlds came together in harmony, in Vanaheim.

High above the towering trees, there hung a colossal sphere, suspended in the air. It was a sphere of sheer opulence and grandeur, a testament to the boundless imagination of the developers.

The sphere itself was vast, its smooth, pearlescent surface shimmering in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy below.

Upon closer inspection, one would discern that this immense sphere was not solitary in its magnificence.

A complex network of bridges and walkways, adorned with intricate carvings and delicate luminescent runes, connected it to a constellation of smaller spheres, each containing its own microcosm of fantastical beauty.

These spheres floated alongside the central one, like a celestial chain of interconnected worlds. It was as if the forest canopy had come to life, weaving itself into a mesmerizing tapestry of spheres that danced gently in the forest's embrace.

Within these spheres, floating at varying altitudes, inside were islands and each island was unique.

Gargantuan mushrooms, their caps as wide as houses, sprouted from the islands' surfaces, their vibrant colors casting a soft, iridescent glow. Elven tree houses perched on the highest branches, nestled among the leaves, while dwarven forges, hidden within the islands' hearts, emanated the melodious clang of craftsmanship. Fey glens and tranquil pools, graced by the presence of ethereal beings, dotted the landscape, their waters reflecting the beauty of the forest and sky.

The inhabitants of Kvikrknttr, represents a multitude of NPC races. Elves conversed with dwarves, Centaurs, with their powerful hooves, trotted alongside graceful nymphs, while gnomes and fairies flitted about like sparks of light. Merfolks swam in the crystalline waters below, their scales glistening like jewels.

Kvikrknttr is a safe zone that disables all player to player damage. It is a a place where diplomacy, trade, and camaraderie thrived. Players all over Yggdrasil displayed their wares on floating market stalls.

Bargains were struck, alliances formed, and friendships forged.

Amidst the bustling bazaar of Kvikrknttr, a dwarf player named Woldrock stood with a sense of anticipation, his eyes scanning the kaleidoscope of players trading in the marketplace.

Clad in his blacksmith uniform, the insignia of his guild was proudly displayed, he bore a massive hammer strapped to his right side, a Legendary tier hammer he uses as a craftsman. His beard, a cascade of fiery red, flowed down his chest, and his stout frame exuded a rugged determination.

Woldrock had come to this extraordinary gathering place to meet a particular individual, a vampire named Valaine.

Valaine possessed a mineral of great interest to the dwarf, and in exchange, Woldrock had promised her golds for it.

As the dwarf continued to scan the multitude of faces and creatures, his eyes narrowed, and his bushy brows furrowed in concentration.

He recalled the distinct features of Valaine: silver-colored hair adorned with two distinctive buns, one on the left and the other on the right. It was a peculiar hairstyle for a vampire, and it made her stand out in any crowd.

Woldrock's gaze lingered on each figure that passed him by.

Elven players with their elegant poise and fair features, Beastmen with their robust stature, and even the occasional dragonkin drew his attention. But none bore the telltale silver hair and dual buns he sought.

Finally, just as doubt began to creep into his mind, a figure emerged from the crowd.

Her silver hair, a shimmering cascade of moonlight, was unmistakable. Valaine moved through the bazaar, her pale skin accentuated by the vibrant colors of the marketplace. Her eyes, crimson like the blood she craved, darted from stall to stall.

Their eyes met.

Woldrock offered a nod, acknowledging her presence. Valaine, her lips curving into a sly smile, inclined her head in return. It was a silent understanding and greeting.

As Woldrock adjusted his translation necklace, ensuring he could understand Valaine's words in her native tongue. Valaine approached with a large bag of the precious minerals he sought.

Dreamstones. 250 of them.

These stones possessed the unique qualities he needed to craft armor with boosted negative energy resistance enchantments.

Valaine gently placed the bag on the floor and turned her attention to the dwarf. Her eyes, still a striking shade of crimson, shines with excitement and curiosity as she awaited Woldrock's response.

With a deep breath, Woldrock whipped a holographic interface to her, displaying a digital contract with a sum at the bottom stating he would be paying her 500,000 gold for the 250 Dreamstones.

It was a significant amount, but it paled in comparison to their previous dealings.

Valaine's gaze lingered on the screen, and her lips curled into a faint frown "Five hundred thousand gold? Our last transaction was two million"

Woldrock scratched his beard thoughtfully, his expression grave. "Yeah, but times have changed" he replied, his tone measured.

He continued. "The demand for my armor was less in recent weeks. Other players are looking for other enchantments. New meta, new markets. I can't afford to pay you the same sum as before."

Valaine's crimson eyes bore into Woldrock's, and for a moment, it seemed as if she might protest further.

However, after a thoughtful pause, she sighed and nodded. "Very well," she conceded. "I get it. Markets shift. Five hundred thousand gold it is"

Woldrock inclined his head in agreement.

Valaine pressed "Accept" on the interface, sealing their agreement.

But it was not yet over.

"Also, I need you to upgrade my Kirugetsu to top tier" she stated.

She whisked an interface to Woldrock, showing him the details of her Kirugetsu.

Woldrock considered the request carefully, knowing the intricacies of such an upgrade. He finally replied, "Easy task for me. Upgrading it into a top-tier won't be hard. I'll need 150,000 gold for the commission."

Valaine's lips curled into a frown as she heard the price. "That's rather predatory, Woldrock" she retorted, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.

Woldrock, undeterred, leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "Valaine, you know the craftsmanship that goes into this kind of work. The enchantments alone requires a special job class to embed and a skilled hand. It's a fair price."

Valaine, leaned in closer to Woldrock, her voice taking on a sultry tone.

Her voice dripping with charm. "Come on, Woldrock, would you deny a discount to a cute vampire like me? Surely, we can work something out?"

She purred, her crimson eyes glittering with allure.

Woldrock, however, remained steadfast and unaffected by her attempts at flattery.

He was known not only for his craftsmanship but also for his shrewd business sense. "150,000 gold, take it or leave it"

he replied with a wry smile. "Quality work deserves fair compensation."

Valaine's shoulders slumped, and she let out a resigned sigh. "Very well," she conceded, her earlier resistance waning.

Woldrock nodded in acknowledgment. "Follow me"

Valaine followed Woldrock as he ventured deeper into Kvikrknttr, where there was a designated smithing area. It was a place filled with the echoes of countless craftsmen who had sought inspiration and solitude to ply their trade.

Woldrock found an available anvil and quickly rented it for the task ahead.

Valaine, observing with genuine curiosity, marveled at the meticulousness of his preparations. She had seen many blacksmith players, but Woldrock's dedication and skill were unparalleled. He laid out his tools and materials with precision, arranging them in an orderly manner

As Woldrock's strong hands began to manipulate the materials, forging and enchanting, Valaine couldn't help but be drawn into the mesmerizing dance of creation. The enchantments he wove into the Kirugetsu blade were delicate and intricate, a manifestation of his profound connection with the art of blacksmithing.

She watched in awe as Woldrock brought her weapon to life. The Kirugetsu, once a formidable blade, now shimmered with an otherworldly glow, its edge honed to perfection.

Finally, with a satisfied nod, Woldrock set down the newly upgraded Kirugetsu before Valaine. The vampire's eyes widened with appreciation as she examined the weapon.

Woldrock's gruff voice breaking the silence. "There you have it, Valaine. Your Kirugetsu, now upgraded to top tier."

Valaine took the weapon in her hand, the weight and balance familiar yet transformed. She couldn't help but smile and thank the dwarf for his work. But a part of her mind is frustrated that an upgrade would cost that much. She couldn't imagine how much would it cost for the other dagger.

She could've upgraded it herself, but she doesn't have a crafting related job class.

In this game, Valaine decided to min-max instead. To maximize her offensive stats as much as she can, she would need every offensive job-class she can get. She'd rather have a Smither upgrade her weapons for her and buy potions from other players.

With the matter settled, Valaine and Woldrock exchanged a final thanks, sealing their agreement.

She checks her friends list, a term that might be an exaggeration, for her list consists of just one person.

However, today, as she casts her eyes upon the list, a shadow of disappointment washes over her. Her friend is marked as offline. A frown tugs at the corners of her lips, and she sighs. There would be no epic boss battles and no shared triumphs through the virtual world tonight.

She pulls up the raid menu, her virtual fingers navigating the interface. Her eyes scan through the myriad of bosses available, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.

Tonight, her choice is clear: the Kruthik Boss, a creature lurking at level 40, a formidable creature that demands the collective might of a team of 5 members.

She selects the Kruthik Boss and sets the parameters: a minimum of five players and an average level requirement of 15.

There is a reason why she chose the Kruthik Boss. Not just for the thrill of the fight but for the valuable loot it drops.

The Kruthik Acid Hearts.

These acid-soaked hearts serve as consumables, capable of impressive regenerative healing due to her character's undead trait. She could also sell these to players for a nice price. She knows the Kruthik Boss like the back of her hand, she learned its patterns, attacks, and weaknesses from farming it a lot of times.

As her intent takes shape, she joins a public raid room with one person on it.

In an instant, she finds herself in a cave with Bio-luminescent green mushrooms that sprouted from the cave floor and clung to the walls, their phosphorescent radiance casting an eerie pallor upon the entire chamber.

The light played tricks on the eyes, making the cavern seem both larger and smaller than it truly was, and distorting the shapes of the stalactites hanging ominously overhead.

Moss, like a verdant carpet, carpeted the cave floor, a soft and inviting contrast to the harsh, jagged rocks beneath. It cradled the mushrooms in its embrace, forming a surreal, almost alien landscape. The moss, too, seemed to pulse with an inner light, casting eerie shadows that danced like spectral wraiths.

Amidst this subterranean garden, cobwebs clung to every available surface. Web strands stretched from the mushroom caps to the mossy floor, forming intricate patterns of silken lace that shimmered with the same unsettling green glow. The webs quivered ever so slightly, as if responding to some hidden presence within the cave, unseen but keenly felt.

It was draped like ancient tapestries, woven by the patient hands of countless spiders over countless yea-

"GREETINGS! TREMBLE BEFORE THE MIGHT OF THE ABYSSAL DARKNESS, FOR I, THE GREAT ULBERT, HAVE EMERGED FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL TO BLESS YOUR PITIFUL EXISTENCE!"

"What the fuck was that" This thought floated in Valaine's mind. With a turn, she swiveled to face the source of the disturbance.

There stood a figure most unusual. A level 20 Goatman? Demon? cloaked in velvety black fur.

He wore red long leather garments adorned with intricate golden trims accompanied with a black cloak that ended at his knees. Around his sinewy neck hung a necklace, a dark and malevolent ornament that hinted at dark bargains made in moonless nights. The pendant was a twisted visage of a demonic countenance.

But perhaps the most captivating aspect of this enigmatic figure was the staff he wielded with an air of both authority and mystique. Forged from black colored iron that seemed to drink in the surrounding light, the staff was a work of sinister craftsmanship. At its apex, a dragon-like creature clutched a magical gem sphere, its scales shimmering with a foreboding crimson hue. This gem, a sphere of pulsating, ominous red.

When Valaine turned to acknowledge him, Ulbert's eyes widened in sheer astonishment.

She was a vision of Gothic allure that struck him to his very core. Her attire, a symphony of darkness, bespoke of a refined and somber grace that transcended the ordinary.

A hooded knee-length cape, as black as night, cascaded over her delicate shoulders, concealing an assassin's frock, it bore an obsidian hue, its fabric woven with an intricate laced texture that clung to the upper chest up to her neck. And a bold and audacious chest window, framed by a macabre patterned lace.

Black, knee-high leather boots clung to her legs like shadows, their slender form accentuating the sinuous curves of her calves. An abundance of intricate laces, like a spider's web spun with midnight threads, snaked their way up the sides.

The hood had been lowered, unveiling her striking Vampiric features to the mushroom light's tender caress. Her hair, a silvery cascade of moonlight in its own right, that held him spellbound. Short and elegantly styled into twin buns that adorned the sides of her delicate head, it shimmered like starlight, catching the mushroom's glow in every strand.

Ulbert, whose own appearance spoke of aesthetic malevolence, found himself strangely entranced by her fashion choice. He couldn't help but appreciate the exquisite allure of her attire.

"Ah, my ladyship, your aesthetic is a true blessing to grace me" he declared.

"Uh, thanks?" she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"May I be privileged to know your name?" he inquired, his tone respectful.

Ulbert already knows her name by looking at her IGN floating above her head, but he wanted to ask her personally.

"Valaine" she replied, her gaze still unsure.

"Valaine!" he exclaimed with a bright smile. "A name that carries the meaning of 'Strong' in Latin!"

"Oh, thank you" Valaine said, her surprise evident. "I did not know that."

Valaine's pale brow furrowed in confusion, her thoughts racing like a tempest in her mind. This encounter defied all expectations, for this player, was unlike any player she had ever encountered.

Their acknowledgement of one another was abruptly cut short when three more people joined.

Two formidable warriors strode forth. Clad in the full regalia from a fiery serpent. Their helmets, wrought in the visage of snarling draconic maws, concealing their features, leaving only eyes aflame.

The armor itself was a marvel of craftsmanship, an intricate tapestry of red metal plating adorned with intricate etchings and rivulets of molten gold. Furthermore, every curve and contour of their bodies was encased in overlapping scales.

They both carried two greatswords.

Two serpentine creatures coiled around the grip, Crimson gems, resembling drops of blood, were set into the pommel. But it was the blade itself that captured the imagination, the metal shimmered like molten lava, in swirling patterns of crimson and obsidian. The edges was keen and wickedly sharp and honed to a deadly perfection.

Behind them, the last member of the group.

Draped in a yukata of bewitching design, it clung to her form loosely. Yet, this yukata was not one to hide her charms but rather to accentuate her curves. Its fabric, with daring abandon, danced along the curves of her supple shoulders, leaving them bared to the observer's delight.

Her visage is a human with feline traits, noticeable feline ears, and almond-shaped eyes. Her long raven hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. In her right hand, she held a staff of gnarled wood, its runes glowing softly.

All of the newcomers are level 40.

"Greetings, I'm Marshall, a warrior" introducing himself first.

"I'm Catch22, also a warrior"

"I'm Hollow1, a magic caster" Hollow1 chimed in.

"Valaine, Rogue" Valaine said, introducing herself.

"AND I AM THE GREAT ULBERT, A POWERFUL MAGIC CASTER FROM HELL" proclaimed Ulbert with pride.

A raid party full of damage dealers with no cleric or tank. Normally this would be a problem, but their levels are high enough except for Ulbert for the Kruthik to pose a problem to them.

But Valaine has one more problem she has to prepare for. Valaine was prepared for the worst.

As a heteromorph, players killing her was an ever-present threat. She had been lured into traps, ambushed in dark forests, and even being randomly stabbed in caves while peacefully minding her business. But something unexpected happened their voices rang out in camaraderie and warmth.

"Whoa, I really like your avatars!" Hollow1 exclaimed.

"Thank you" Valaine came with her brief reply.

"Thank you mortal! I am flattered!" Ulbert replied with a modest smile.

"Imagine having a party full of damage dealers, we could knock out the boss in seconds" Catch22 suggested excitedly and Marshall nods in agreement.

Valaine was taken aback by their kindness. She had expected them to PK her and Ulbert this instant. But they were different.

As the party delved deeper into the shadowy recesses of the cave, the oppressive darkness closed in around them like a vice.

However an unsettling thought gnawed at the edges of her consciousness. Something was amiss. She couldn't shake the feeling that the kindness she had encountered might indeed be a facade.

It was Hollow1 who initiated the treacherous act. Her booming laughter had faded into a sinister chuckle as She raised her staff.

Before Valaine could react, Hollow1 unleashed a two identical spells.

[Hold Species]

[Hold Species]

A vile incantation that sent pulsing waves of towards them from the floor. Their virtual body stiffened as a magical grip seized their limbs, paralyzing them in place.

"What...what did you just do mortal!? I'm paralyzed, what kind of sorcery is this!?" Ulbert demanded.

The others in the party did not react with shock or surprise. Instead, they watched with cold detachment, their true intentions now laid bare. As the paralyzing magic held them in thrall, Valaine's thoughts raced. They had been duped by these supposed allies? Laughable.

"We're going to be straightforward" Hollow1 said firmly ignoring Ulbert.

"First, we kill you" Catch22 continued, his voice unwavering, "then, we deal with the boss and get all the loot to ourselves."

"Then, Roll credits" Marshall concluded, a sense of finality in his words.

The tension in the room was palpable as they discussed their dangerous plan. However the plan already failed from the start. They failed to oversee the fact that they only restricted their movements.

[Dispel Magic]

Valaine has counter-measures against paralyzing spells. And she is now out for blood, she hates snakes like them who put out a facade. She is now surrounded by three foes, two warriors and a mage.

"Wha-"

Without warning she sprinted and attacked them.

With incredible speed, she parries Marshall and Catch22's strikes, deflecting their blades with ease. Her agility is unmatched, as she dodge and weave through the onslaught of attacks.

While Hollow1 focuses on blasting her with bolts of magical energy, the two warriors attempts to corner Valaine. She has to take down the mage first.

In a swift motion, she ducks under a sword swipe, rolled over and sprinted towards Hollow1. She delivered a swift kick to the catgirl mage's mid-section, knocking her down and sending her back.

She quickly charges towards her once more, using her impressive speed to close the distance between them. With a swift motion, she throws her dagger at her, aiming for center mass. The dagger streaks through the air, puncturing the mage and sinking deep into her chest.

The mage stumbles back, as she clutches at her wound. Her magic wavers, and the force of the impact sends her tumbling to the ground.

She quickly sprinted over to the fallen mage and grab the dagger from her chest, pulling it free with a sickening sound. With lightning-fast reflexes, she slashes her blade in every direction, cutting deeply into her flesh.

The dragon warriors rushes towards Valaine, their blades glowing with flames, but she easily sidesteps their strikes.

[Twin Maximize Magic: Obsidian Sword]

She summons a swarm of obsidian blades, moving them around in a circular motion to create a protective pseudo-barrier between her and the two warriors.

She watches as the two warriors approach cautiously, circling around the blades and preparing for an attack. As they move, the obsidian blades seem to follow them, forming a dynamic formation that makes it difficult for them to advance.

Valaine glances briefly at the fallen mage and noticed that she is still alive.

The dragon warriors notice her distraction and immediately seize the opportunity to attack. Her obsidian blades did a good job of keeping them at bay, but they are slowly gaining ground.

Utilizing her skills, she used [Misty Step] to suddenly teleport next to the fallen mage, catching her off guard.

Valaine quickly raised her blade and piercing the mage's back with lethal precision.

[Release]

A burst of blue flames imploded on Hollow1's body. Reducing the mage's avatar into ashes.

"Shit! Hollow's down!"

The Catch22 and Marshall are momentarily stunned by her sudden action, giving Valaine a chance to regroup and prepare for their next move. She notices one of the dragon warriors gathering his mana, preparing to cast a spell.

[Disrupt Magic]

The warrior is caught off guard and falters for a moment, allowing her a chance to capitalize on her advantage.

Valaine quickly rose her arm and command her obsidian blades to make the other player Marshall busy. They flew towards him, attacking him from all directions, forcing him to continuously dodge and block their blows.

She focuses her attention on Catch22, launching a series of powerful slashes towards him.

Valaine casted an Illusion Clone spell, generating multiple illusions of herself that move and attack in a coordinated manner. Catch22 is now confused, unsure of which illusion is the real body. He pause for a moment, trying to discern the real Valaine among the sea of mirages. She took advantage of this confusion.

She stealthily creep up behind him who is preoccupied with her illusions. She silently closed the distance between each other, her blade steadily approaching his exposed back.

Catch22 remains oblivious to her presence, his guard currently down.

She quickly lunges forward, striking at his back with lethal precision. He gasps as the blade pierces his armor and flesh, he falls to the ground with a quiet thud. Any lethal stealth attack from Valaine is an instant kill.

There is only one player left, and Marshall appears to be severely weakened by the barrage of attacks of the obsidian blades. He is breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath. He looks at her with a mixture of fear and anger.

She now stands before him. A single strike should be enough to finish him off.

She lunges towards the weakened player, aiming to deliver the finishing blow. However, Marshall has managed to retain some of his combat prowess.

He quickly parries her strike, raising his greatsword to deflect her attack. She attempts to follow up with a series of rapid slashes, but he effortlessly parries her attacks. The battle is not over yet.

[Serpent Strike]

Valaine unleashed her favorite skill, causing her strikes to bend and curve in impossible directions, completely catching Marshall off guard.

The dragon warrior looks on in disbelief, completely unable to follow Valaine's seemingly incoherent movements. With ease, she breaks through his defense, landing a devastating blow to his body.

The last player falls to the ground with a faint gasp.

"I'll free you in a sec-" As she turned to the location where Ulbert was paralyzed. What she saw instead was a goat demon leaning against the wall nonchalantly without restraints.

"You're free" She continued, surprised by Ulbert's quick action.

"Their magic is weak, it's nothing what the great Ulbert can't handle" He remarked confidently.

"So you just watched me fight them alone?" She asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice, placing both of her hands on her hips.

"They're twice my level, and there are three of them" he explained, "plus, I'm confident you can defeat them on your own."

"Fair point" She responded, her frustration easing.

"'I'm glad you were here. I would've lost five more levels again" He admitted.

"You handled yourself there earlier pretty well" He said with a hint of admiration, "Wanna join our clan?"

"Clan?" She questioned.

"Yeah, a clan. It's called Nine's Own Goal. Currently we have 14 members" He explained.

"I'll think about it" She replied, considering the offer.

"We have a level 90 blacksmith, he can craft anything for you for fre-"

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then, as if a spell had been cast, Her eyes transformed into a shining canvas of shimmering stars. They glistened with starlight, and a spark of enthusiasm ignited within her. The allure of having a blacksmith was too tempting to resist.

No more predatory commission fees.

This feels like jackpot to her.

"I'm in!"

Without hesitation.