MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

[Welcome to Rite of Ruin, Vassal of the Demons!]

Violence.

’It’s the purest form of self-expression.’

Words were inherently untrustworthy.

’All language is an inadequate attempt to convey the ineffable nature of emotion.’

No words could ever truly encapsulate one’s love, hatred, sadness, grief, hope, or despair.

’They merely... attempt.’

However...

’Violence is not infallible, but it strips away the intermediary of the prefrontal cortex.’

It wasn’t a perfect measure of feeling, but the actions taken in the name of violence said far more than one’s mere claim of anger.

Although, there was one flaw: violence had many different motives behind it.

Perhaps one became violent out of jealousy, greed, or vanity. Maybe one became violent because of how much they loved something — wanting to either protect it or never dare let it go.

Clear Grave looked down.

"Truly, such rudimentary emotions lead to terrible complications."

Thankfully, Clear was above that level of violence.

His violence was different from the violence of those who lashed out unknowingly or were unable to control themselves.

His violence was measured. Carried out with calculation and forethought.

It wasn’t that he wished to hurt another, or that he even disliked them; it was that he’d learned throughout his years that every aspect of the meritocracy started and ended with violence.

No matter how ingenious, smart, or quick-witted one was, pure, unadulterated violence trumped all.

For at the heart of violence was the will to rise, no matter what.

The man at his feet coughed up a splatter of blood that painted his face and pointed ears crimson.

"You see, before you guys go and do something like that, you must ask yourself... Am I capable? Am I capable of looking him in the eye as I drive a dagger through his heart?"

Clear stood tall, bringing his foot down onto the man’s neck and pressing lightly against his windpipe.

"Am I capable of scratching with my nails if I lose my weapon?"

Clear applied a little more pressure.

"Am I capable of biting if I lose my hands?"

Then, he stomped.

"Am I capable... of becoming my own nightmare?"

[You have slain a Demon, Stev Manifold]

[Unique Kill Bonus!]

[+34 EXP]

Glowing purple leaves fell from the dark trees, covering his corpse.

[You have reached Level 4!]

[You have been selected as the next Champion of the Demons!]

[You have become the Fifth Champion of the Sixth Race, the Demons]

Clear clicked his tongue.

He’d not exactly been content with serving as the ’Vassal’ to the Demonic Champion, but neither had he planned to usurp the throne in such a fashion.

However, the First Champion didn’t live up to his standards. He was much too cowardly and apprehensive.

Entrusting his future in this new world to such a man was absolutely unthinkable.

So, he solved the situation the best way he knew how: murder.

In this new world, there was no law, no society, no code of compassion or morality...

As the first of their kind, they would be the ones to dictate such things.

It wasn’t as though Clear had some sadistic fetish for murder; rather, it was simply the most surefire way to make sure a problem didn’t come back in the future.

So...

He murdered the First Champion of the Demons.

Afterward, a new Champion was selected.

Naturally, the next Champion concluded that they would be next on his list.

Clear let them try. He gave them the chance out of simple curiosity.

He feigned sleep, then counterattacked after they did as he expected — assassinating them with sheer ruthlessness.

He left no method off-limits in the fight if it meant coming out on top in the one-versus-three. That lack of restraint overcame the numerical disadvantage.

And, in the end, he’d become the Champion of nothing.

He had no subjects under him. Nor would he for the next month.

’How did such invalids get drafted into a race known as "Demons"?’

Clear could only conclude they’d been summoned for no reason beyond serving as a test for him.

***

[Welcome to Rite of Ruin, First Champion of the Harpies!]

Adjusting to her new circumstances had been difficult for Fae Thorne and the other harpies, to say the least...

Waking up in a coliseum and being told she had to complete a ’tutorial’ while serving as the leader of the ’Eighth Race, the Harpies’ was one thing.

’But having to get used to forelimb wings on top of that?!’

’Oh woe is me!’

It had truly been a wild journey.

Still, the benefit of flight was most definitely worth it, especially considering where she and her four companions had been summoned: at the base of a gigantic, scenic mountain, beside the plunge basin of a glorious waterfall.

The only problem was the pantherine creature known as a ’Marauder’ that stalked the dense forest.

Fae had almost died on day one after being ambushed by one!

Thankfully, she and her comrades had managed to fight it off, and one of the other four had taken [Mend], allowing them to heal her right up!

***

[Welcome to Rite of Ruin, First Champion of the Salamanders!]

’A fucking salamander...’

Scarlett Azimov had been reincarnated in another world as a ’FUCKING SALAMANDER?!?!!?’

At least she was mostly unchanged, save for a tail, skin color, hair color, and colored spots that had appeared on her skin. But...

’Couldn’t I at least get a cute tail?! Not this stubby thing! It’s ugly af!’

Scarlett stomped over and took her rage out on the tutorial goblins.

’Like, fuck!’

’If I’m going to be transmigrated to a game and made a non-human, at least let it be a sexy race!’

Furthermore...

’And why not let it be an otome game?!’

’Why not make me the villainess princess who’s like... uber beautiful, but everyone hates me for no reason, then the third prince falls for me... and then that one duke he hates falls for me too and they compete for my affection!’

’Or maybe even make me a maid to a high-ranking count who’s being pressured into marriage and ends up turning to me, whom he secretly truly loves but is scared of the commoner divide!’

’I wouldn’t mind then.’

Was that really too much to ask?!

The moment Scarlett completed the tutorial, she looked around at the ash-covered world and the various crystals sticking out of the ground.

’And what’s with this terrible setting?!’

Where were the castles?! The hot princes?

Wasting no time, she began kicking around the ash at her feet, barely even registering the gigantic blazing fire next to her: the Totem of the Fifteenth Race, the Salamanders.

Then, another Salamander finished the tutorial and appeared next to her.

Spitting on the ground, Scarlett glared at the girl, who wore an innocent look on her face.

’You’re not even a cute boy! At least give me a cute boy!’

"What are you looking at?!"

Then, three others appeared.

All of whom were women.

Little did she know, her race was modeled after an Ambystoma klepton variant.

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