MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

Taking a few deep breaths, Vera eventually let go of the bracers. She opened her eyes and stared vacantly into the haze.

Then, in an oddly vulnerable tone, she quietly asked:

"What is your name...?"

Ash gazed deeply into her eyes, studying her pained expression for a few stretched seconds. Leaning forward, he whispered:

"Ashley... though I go by Ash."

"Ashley, huh... it’s a pretty name."

Ash’s eyes narrowed as he studied the flickering fear in her eyes — the lingering unease left over by being found by Cross.

Something within forbade him from admonishing her for using his full name.

’Why did I even give her my name in the first place?’

Nor had he warned her to ’call me Ash’ as he usually did.

Sighing, Ash unsummoned the bow and reequipped the dagger.

’Don’t tell me I’ve been captivated by her looks.’

Vera was indeed beautiful.

’No, that’s not it...’

Ash had never been in love, nor had he ever felt anything deeper than passing physical attraction. Maybe he wasn’t the best person to judge the authenticity of such feelings. Still...

’Damn it... what’s gotten into me?’

For some reason, Ash was annoyed. Annoyed by Cross’s callous treatment of Vera.

’Ah, is that it?’

Cross and Vera were siblings.

It was one of the few bonds Ash understood. A bond whose severance he had personally endured. In some twisted fashion, he saw his past self in Vera. The resemblance both captivated and confused him, leaving him in a state of pathetic indecision.

’As for Cross... that look in his eyes...’

The strange man faintly reminded him of his own brother.

"Vera, when you’re recovered, we will go hunt more Seal Scrawlers."

The princess’s forlorn expression instantly faded, giving way to a bright blush.

"Y-yes!"

"While we wait..."

Smiling lightly, Vera folded her hands together.

"That’s right. You wanted to hear about Father..."

After a slight pause, she continued:

"He’s strong. Incredibly so. But he’s also got a soft heart. For as long as I can remember, he protected Cross and me despite all the scorn we suffered."

Ash furrowed his brow.

’Cross was scorned too?’

"Someone like that has now ordered your execution?"

Letting out a quiet whimper, Vera cast her gaze aside.

"Yes..."

’And as a result of the only person on her side — the person she loved most in the world betraying her...’

"You decided to destroy the world for being cruel enough to force your father into such a decision? You also wish to punish him for abandoning you, is that it?"

Laughing awkwardly, Vera scratched her cheek with her index finger.

"That’s, uh... that’s a vast simplification of my reasoning. But you got it, mostly..."

Ash flipped the white dagger in his hand.

"I’d pegged you for an emotional woman for believing ruination was a noble pursuit, but having discerned your reasoning, I now see it’s something far deeper."

"Huh?"

Ash turned.

"Don’t question me further. I’ve already sworn to help you achieve your goals. That’s all you need to know."

Vera gave a mirthless smile, then said:

"Right, you said something about a vow... did you make it with Demitra?"

"Correct."

As the corners of her mouth dipped slightly, Vera muttered:

"What an odd one you are."

"I’ve heard that many times before."

"Not surprised."

Once again...

’Why am I not annoyed with her?’

Why was he letting her insult him? She’s done absolutely nothing to curry his favor.

Sure, Ash didn’t care what others thought of him, for he knew himself to be superior, yet neither did he tolerate disrespect, for allowing it was a trait of inferiority.

After sighing, Ash sat on the ground, this time keeping a watchful eye on the haze around them.

"Tell me more about potential pursuers. Any methods of tracking they employ that you’re aware of, as well as the extent of Cross’s and your father’s power."

"Oh? Yes, I shall..."

Vera went on to detail what she knew as best she could.

Her father was a man who possessed supreme talent in swordsmanship, but little aptitude for magic. Vera estimated his power as sufficient to take on twenty regular, fully armored knights without issue.

’A warrior class, I presume.’

Cross was the opposite. He wasn’t very skilled with a sword, but he was exceptional in his application of mana. Specifically, he excelled in earth magic. He also possessed an odd ability called [Spirit Eater], which, as the title suggested, allowed him to consume spirits. Doing so granted him temporary access to the spirit’s abilities and bestowed permanent bonuses to his mana and power. He could only consume spirits in their unmanifested state.

Finally, the next most threatening opponents would be the ’Hounds,’ a task force directly employed by the king to eliminate high-threat targets — many of them personally selected for possessing abilities suited to facing Vera or Cross.

There were sixteen in total, as far as Vera knew. Additionally, each had a few subordinates. These subordinates likely possessed tracking abilities of all kinds: scent, blood, divination, or whatever else.

In short, there was no way Ash and Vera could evade detection. A confrontation with the Hounds seemed inevitable.

Finally...

Ash had asked Vera about her own skill without [Spirit Heal].

"My swordsmanship is nowhere near my father’s, but I’m confident I could best a Hound or two without trouble. As for my magical abilities... they are nothing compared to Cross’s, but when combining swordsmanship and magic, I am roughly his equal."

Apparently, she was talented with mana as well, meaning she was a magic warrior of sorts — a hybrid.

’The middle ground between her brother and father.’

Eventually, Vera’s soul recovered enough to withstand another [Spirit Heal] if needed. However, now knowing their pursuers could be hiding in the smoke, waiting for her to exhaust herself, Ash decided it was best reserved as a trump card.

’Besides, I should see what she can do with the sword alone...’

Before, he’d assessed her as capable of little beyond what her abilities provided...

Ash dared not admit it, but he needed to rely on and trust her talent. After meeting Cross and sensing the gulf of power between them, that truth became clear. Someone like Cross could kill him the moment he cast [Focus].

Hell, without his glitch, he’d be dead already.

He and Vera needed a synergistic style that allowed them to fully exploit Ash’s glitch.

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