A Week Ago... ...
In the Gold-leaf federation building, the well suited men and women trotted up and down the economic complex, paperwork flying everywhere along with loud voices of businessmen arguing over company stocks. Behind a large black door, a man sat in his sophisticated office chair, taking it all in from his office window.
"Did you get rid of the body?"
"Yes boss!!"
"Good! Now I need you to do something for me. An ally of mine in the business wants a loose end cut from him... You up for the job, Seok-Jin?"
"What's the loose end boss?"
"Some illegitimate child of the family head. Our ally wants her gone from the picture before the family head gets any funny ideas... Also, she's been looking for a cure for her mother's illness, some holy relic? Find her and make sure she doesn't come out alive".
"Right away boss!!"
Seok-Jin lowered his gaze, his hands clasped behind his back as he excused himself from the man's office. A handsome figure was left in his chair, stroking his cyan hair as he lavished in his material gains.
"I've always been a person of ambition... I did not crave what I built, I craved what was for others. Stepped on people's heads to reach to the top, just so no one could make it to where I have. That included you, brother. That night when you looked through that window and you saw the nasty things your so-called "wife" was willing to do for money, it was the most satisfying thing. I've always hated how no matter what you did, mother and father trusted you. Even on their death bed, they were happy to see you married with a child they thought was yours... Hahaha!!! Pathetic! In this new world order, watch me from your cozy seats in hell mother, father, brother, I'll rule everything!!!"
Present Day... ...
"If he's using The Maiden Executioner, I know the perfect attack combo to deal with it. The Maiden Executioner is designed for light type magic users, which explains his class as a knight. Little does he know that he's up against the best dark arts card master..."
"Shadow Magic!!"
Enveloped in pure darkness, Min-jun's figure blurred into a haze, leaving after images as he dashed around The Maiden Executioner's Apparition.
Tactical class spells that held great magnitudes of effect often came with an apparition that summarized the use of the spell. For The Maiden Executioner, it was a large blindfolded maiden, with a balance in her right hand and a sword in the other.
Min-jun's red eyes were all Seok-Jin could perceive. He was heavily guarding, a shield of light shining around him as he held his position.
"You think stealth skills work on light magic?!!"
Min-jun knew he was right, if he had hopes of defeating him, he needed overwhelming power. Creating distance, he looked over his shoulder, urging the girl to put up a light Barrier.
"But I can be of help to... ..."
"No! I won't waste my energy just so you can throw your life away, you hear me?!!"
"Activate Deck Draw!!"
"Summon Artifact cards- dual wielding daggers"
Notice: Left-handed Dark Moon Blade and the Right-handed dark dagger have been summoned.
"Now, one last trick... Summon the skill furnace card..."
Notice: Card Number 154: Skill furnace - Tier 5 - Status Card has been summoned. Would you like to forge a new skill?!
Y[]\N[]
"Yes"
Y: [✓]
Notice: Skill furnace has been activated: new skill has been forged from the combination of status points and monster materials from the shadow wolves. All status as such will receive a ten point decrease, with the exception of player SHADE's level.
New Skill: Shadow Strike adapted from the instinct skill, Dark Fang Ambush.
Specifics: concentrate darkness into sharp projectiles of energy. When paired with Shadow magic, efficiency of agility stat gains a 5% increment.
Would you like to keep this skill?
Y[]\N[]
"Yes"
Y: [✓]
"Good, with this new skill, I can deal some heavy damage".
Min-jun sped up, striking Seok-Jin's barrier with speed and precision.
"What's wrong, Seok, you seem a bit anxious, weren't you the one who threatened to end it right here?!"
"AAAARGH!! Don't you dare look down on me!!! Activate! Justice!!"
The balance in the maiden's hand suddenly tilted unevenly. Her sword was swung, its holographic appearance slicing through Min-jun and Seok-Jin's figures.
Notice: all player SHADE's status points have received a temporary 30 percent reduction. All status aspects of player Seok-Jin have received a thirty percent increase. This is due to relic interference.
"How do you feel?!! Sucks to be weak, right?!!!!"
With a sudden swing of his blade, Seok-Jin now had the confidence to fight, he struck Min-jun, or at least what looked like him.
"An after image?!!"
Behind him, Min-jun reappeared. With his break neck speeds, he had become an untouchable monster.
"How do you like my Waning Shadow spell?! For someone as weak as you, you'll never reach my skill level with borrowed power. Now, say goodbye to your little toy... ..."
[Shadow Purge]!!!
A torrent of Black energy surrounded the dual blades as he thrusted both of them into the legs of The Maiden Executioner. Leaping for momentum, he dealt devastating damage to the maiden's back, disrupting the spell and cancelling it.
Notice: all status effects have been Nullified.
Seok-Jin starred at his palms in pure shock, reading the system notification that had appeared for him.
Notice: The Maiden Executioner has been deactivated, Status penalty has been issued... ...
"Bwuah!!! Aaaargh!!"
He crouched to his knees in pain, blood oozing from every hole in his face and body. This was the price for untold power.
"I guess I don't need to ask who sent you. So my brother is alive, I'll find him myself. And when I do, he'd better hope he can handle what I'll do to him".
Notice:Status points have been gained, all status aspects have received a fifty point increase. Player Seok-Jin has died. Hence, all status items and artifact cards will be transferred, including The Maiden Executioner card.
New cards obtained: 45×
"I guess you can say this was a good hunt. Now what do I do with you?".
"Umm Sir, thank you for saving me".
"Don't sweat it. And it's SHADE, I'm no old man".
"I'd love to ask you some questions, but you seem in no mood to talk, so I'll leave you to get back to the City safely. In the meantime, here..."
Min-jun handed her a sack of food produce as a gift, since she looked like she hadn't eaten anything good in a long while.
"SHADE!! Please, wait!! Umm, here! This is my business card. You can call and ask anything. It's the least I can do for saving me..."
"Thanks, but if anything, I didn't save you, I put you in more danger. They might send more powerful people after you, be careful. My advice, trust no one in the meantime and lay low!!"
With that, he vanished into the darkness, leaving the girl in the open desolation.
"Avalon, did anything suspicious catch your eye while I was away?!"
"Not in particular, master. Although, I did notice a hawk spying over the battle field..."
"A hawk, in this bad atmosphere?! It's barely breathable. Must have been a contract beast. It would appear that people have become more tactful in this new age... ..."
Min-jun dispelled Avalon, walking away from the combat zone with his scale cloak fluttering in the wind. He was now sure, that in this new age, it wasn't all about hardwork. He needed to exploit his profound knowledge of cheat codes.
This meant continuing his raids on towers. His next stop, was The Marigold City Ruins.