MMORPG: The Elementalist

When the leader of the Zeus Legion mentioned the sensitive subject ‘Qin Ruo’ once again, Savior stayed silent for seconds, before making a reply that was both a little regretful and emotional.

“In the end, he had just reached Tier 5 and is a little wet behind the ears on many aspects, perhaps be a class below Leon in terms of ability… But in terms of overall combat ability, Qin Ruo certainly would not lose to him, and might even be a class above.”

“Just as I’ve thought,” Zeus sighed before adding, “To be honest, I was reluctant to believe that you got done by him, even assuming that he has now reached Tier 5 Supreme Champion levels… Things are a little bit awkward if that’s the case.”

“How so?” Savior stared blankly, sensing a more profound meaning behind Zeus’s words.

“Simple,” Zeus explained, “for a novice Tier 5 to rush into the ranks of Supreme Champions is certainly frightening. Given more time, there’s no telling if the Angel Faction would produce another formidable character like Scarlet, Netherclaw or Majestic Hero…”

Savior promptly twitched at those words, but that was when Zeus suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

“This isn’t right!”

With a change of tone, Zeus promptly explained his suspicions to Savior. “What’s with your AoE spell? I just checked the combat logs and found a three-second gap when you killed those Tier 5 in rapid succession… You shouldn’t have been killed by him…”

Several other voices spoke at once in the channel right after those words.

“Now you notice? Hmph… I’ve long since noticed that something isn’t right…” a clan leader of the Black Witch League said mockingly.

“That AoE spell must have a side effect. Killing eleven Tier 5 Champions with one swift stroke looks intimidating—even perverted. However, if my hunch isn’t wrong, the spell itself takes a great toll on you, a pyrrhic-victory kind of magic… Heh. Is my hunch correct?”

“Hehe. I was thinking the same thing.”

Someone else added in agreement. While the twenty-five clans had been unified under one banner for the Fifth League’s combined assault of Moonrise City, they were hardly harmonious given their daily competition. The clan leader who had was just spoken out was a case in point, being one of Black Widow’s strongest rivals and Savior’s love rival.

Even so, Savior never imagined that those perverted fellows could notice such an inconspicuous detail, and hence did not say a thing in the Party Channel, before finally nodding and admitting to the fact a few seconds later.

“You’re right. There are side effects, and it wouldn’t matter if I tell every single one of you. The cooldown period for Light: Devour is an hour. Furthermore, I won’t be able to condense light elements in the next five minutes, my magic charging speed would be 50% lower than usual in the next half an hour and my offense power would be at the lower limit… I would never cast that spell if things weren’t so dire, just as I wouldn’t have got pawned.”

There was a collection of sharp inhales in the channel when Savior earnestly revealed the negative effects of Light: Devour.

Unable to charge spells in five minutes, Savior’s only way to attack was relying on spells stored in Magic Scrolls. Unable to control the elements, his ability and versatility in fighting would plummet, greatly reducing his powers!

It could well explain how he would get killed by a novice Tier 5e Champion.

***

“Even if that’s the case, Qin Ruo’s ability remain formidable.”

Sensing that the atmosphere in the channel was becoming weird, Zeus hurriedly shifted the focus and turned the conversation back to what he had been worrying about. “With his current power, it’s a matter of time—and briefly at that—he becomes a Tier 5 veteran. I’m worried that if we fail here, he would be the one to establish the Fourth League of the Angel Faction… it’ll be difficult to see whether we would have another chance such as today.”

“…”

The channel was at once silent.

While the issue Zeus raised was a little ahead of time, the others in the channel were not short-sighted to not understand his worry… Though it was difficult to establish a League, it could be simple for certain individual who fit the conditions—very simple, at that!

First and foremost, ability. Qin Ruo’s was undoubtable: a Tier 5 Aquamancer with Divinity, items that approached Supreme Champion level.

Then came reputation and positive image. Qin Ruo was well known. Leaving his past feats aside, there probably would not be a single Tier 4 Angel Faction player who would not know the Winter Demon’s name after today’s battle.

As for Qin Ruo’s image, he would likely become a subject of many players’ admiration after he had

For such a person to make a public rally, form a legion, build a clan… When his honor points rise to a certain level, he probably would not need to do things himself. Champions with reputation possess great motivation to advance! Furthermore, virtually every player would strive to become a member of the League.

Should he join another clan that develops into a League, it would still be of considerable scale—in fact, the solo champions who had no clans appeared to be rather close with Qin Ruo when they met him above the city walls.

But even as he pondered, someone voiced his dissatisfaction against Zeus!

“Aren’t you lot being ridiculous? The siege is not over—or have we lost already? Wouldn’t thinking such things now be a little paranoid?” Black Widow’s voice interrupted the bizarre atmosphere in the party channel, before reeling on Savior with the tone of gangster lady.

“Savior, you’re never recovering the items you dropped. Even we would have a hard time finding your corpse north of the city, and there’s an even less chance of reviving you. Return to the city and revive, you could hurry here in time. Meanwhile, let’s execute the second plan!”

“…”

Savior was left speechless.

“The second plan?” Zeus said nervously. “You still think we have a chance?”

“Of course!”

Black Widow replied determinedly. Despite Savior’s fall, she remained convinced that the Demon Faction held a considerable advantage—they just had to rally for a great chance to take down Moonrise City, even if at a great cost.

“We’re clearly outnumbered by two to one on the north, and soon our comrades logging on at that place would be chased away.”

“And don’t forget the Angel Faction’s reinforcements,” someone added right after Zeus finished. “The battle has started more than half an hour ago, their backup is definitely coming for nearby towns. If we keep engaging, we would pay dearly for it!”

“All of you intend to give up?”

Black Widow’s single line silenced all of them, and that was when Death Jesus spoke.

“I agree with starting the second plan.”

After Death Jesus, Leon indicated that he would fight as well: he had not really dueled any Tier 5 Angel Faction Champion since the start of the siege, and was rather reluctant to give up.”

“Alright. Since all of you are not giving in, there’s no reason for us Zeus to retreat. We’ll rock a bit with you lot and the Angel Faction then!” Despite Zeus not having a good outlook about the battle to come, the Zeus Legion had not even boarded the ramparts even with their massive numbers, with most of their brothers having stayed in spectating positions. Retreating in such fashion was a weak finish to a strong start, and so he agreed to continue the siege as well.

Soon, Shaka, the League Master of the Twelve Zodiacs concurred with continuing the fight in a timely fashion as well… although his opinion did not hold much weight!

He may be a new Tier 5 who became famous overnight and claimed the top spot of League Master, he had no wings, his ability was inferior to Tiger Cub who was his subordinate, just as his position was gained by the Four Great Clans uniting. How would he win the respect of the Four Leagues’ Supreme Champions?

Everyone simply nodded and divided their task in detail, vanishing from the Party Channel.

***

Turning off the voice transmission, Shaka turned to the members of the Twelve Zodiacs who wore excited faces beside him. His tightened brow slightly relaxed as the sensation of being belittled in the Party Channel was relieved marginally.

Being the Fifth League Master, he was clearly aware that he still has much to do before the Twelve Zodiacs secured a position to stand equal with the other four Leagues…

But Shaka was not worried at all!

The League was already formed anyway. They would mature in time as long as he slowly arranged the League’s systems, and the name of the Twelve Zodiacs would be marked deep into the hearts of every Mythical Continent player—just like the other seven!

As for those veterans who would underestimate him…

‘Hmph! All of you underestimate the power of the Twelve Zodiacs!’

“Brother Tiger Club.”

Shaka suddenly turned toward a Bandit dressed entirely in soft black leather. Tiger Cub’s eyes that were exposed through his black mask flickered once as he turned away from watching the west’s combat status and looked at Shaka coldly.

For some reason, Tiger Cub had been behaving in that manner since his return from the Graveyard of the Gods—he was either on a mission or training his Pet, and was usually nowhere inside. Indeed, if not for the importance of the siege, Tiger Cub would be testing his combability with his new Pet here and mostly ignore him.

Shaka had grown accustomed to it. Either way, Tiger Cub’s diligence would benefit League and Clan, and he therefore did not ask about what happened in the Graveyard of the Gods.

But now…

“Tiger Cub, you’re up. I’ll say it again: The Twelve Zodiacs need just one victory—one that every player would remember!”

Tiger Cub’s eyes flashed.

“Who’d you want dead?”

“Scarlet Bauhinia, Netherclaw, Majestic Hero or Qin Ruo…”

“Qin Ruo?” A red glint flashed past Tiger Cub’s gaze that quickly calmed. “Even he could get the Twelve Zodiacs famous?”

“He could now: when Savior slew eleven Tier 5 Champions, it was he who took out Savior—there’s no greater spotlight! Get rid of him, and everyone would remember the name of the Twelve Zodiacs.”

At that, Shaka paused for a moment before suggesting, “In my opinion, choosing him is more realistic.”

“…”

Tiger Cub’s grip over his dagger tightened quietly as the harrowing voice in the Undead Sovereign’s cave sounded in his ears, as well as the ever-elusive Divinity Crystals…

Shaking his head, he mentioned the name of another person.

“I choose Majestic Hero.”