MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

Their talk ended there, but the wolf stayed a little longer at Ash’s side. Perhaps it wanted to watch over him or simply enjoy the view.

Despite the crucible of carnage below, the volcanic slopes and rivers of bubbling magma made for a strangely scenic sight.

Eventually, however, the wolf stood and returned to the princess’s side. She’d since fallen asleep for real, the multiple [Spirit Heals] having done a number on her mind and soul.

The wolf, from next to the princess, said:

"About your promise..."

Ash replied firmly:

"I will not forsake it."

That was a point of pride he refused to compromise on.

"Good. Our partnership continues, then. We will assist you in your mission to kill one of the serpents... Whether you ask for it or not."

"..."

’What a peculiar thing.’

Ash wasn’t so stubborn as to deny their assistance. After all, he’d merely declared what he planned to do. If another chose to follow him, he had no qualms.

’But if they wish to follow and cannot, that is a result of their own inadequacy.’

***

Ash didn’t sleep.

After his words to the wolf and princess, he could trust neither to watch over him.

Not that he’d truly trusted them the last time he slept. He’d simply been unable to resist the exhaustion.

’But, for some reason, I don’t feel the inclination as strongly.’

Ash could tell his body wouldn’t reject sleep, but it didn’t exactly yearn for it either.

For hours, he kept watch for their pursuers or any other anomaly. But by the time the princess woke, nothing unforeseen had happened.

Yet she seemed entirely unwilling to speak to Ash. She avoided his gaze and remained on the opposite side of the landing.

A little while later, the haze returned.

Thick smoke rolled across the mountainside, swallowing everything beyond a few meters.

Ash stood.

"I’m going to fight the Spire Serpent now."

The princess awkwardly nodded and summoned her broadsword.

"..."

The wolf sighed, then whispered:

"Alright... accept this blessing."

A moment later, the two wolf-eye tattoos on Ash’s arm began to emit a faint glow.

’Huh?’

[You have received Winter’s Blessing]

Strength surged through his limbs. Curious, he checked his status.

’Status.’

♱♱♱

Name: [Ashley Grave]

TITLE: [Dragonkin Champion]

LEVEL: [4] (EXP: 3/50)

STR: [32] (+13)

AGI: [29] (+10)

DEX: [29] (+10)

INT: [29] (+10)

CON: [32] (+13)

ITEM LEVEL: [36.5]

ACTIVES: [Dragon Fear] [Focus]

PASSIVES: [Scale Armor]

♱♱♱

’That’s...’

While it was an insane increase in his bonus stats, his earlier worry reared its ugly head. He didn’t know the bounds of his current strength.

’Tch.’

He would have loved to complain, but held his tongue.

’I’ll adjust on the fly.’

If he couldn’t do that, he had no right to aim for the pinnacle of all.

After all...

’Not every factor always aligns with my plans.’

Raising his hand, Ash drew back his arm and hurled the dagger toward the base of the spire.

The weapon spun through the haze for several seconds before striking the folded wing of a Spire Serpent clinging to the lower slope. The beast jerked around, staring at the white dagger as it dissolved into smoke before its beady eyes.

[You have unequipped [Scrawler’s Fang]]

Once the dagger disappeared entirely, Ash summoned it again. Having initiate combat, it was a slow process.

[You have equipped [Scrawler’s Fang]]

Sadly, his glitch prevented the thrown weapon from dealing damage, but he’d drawn its attention exactly as intended.

Angered, the green serpent began slithering up the mountainside, its jet-black wings beating to hasten its ascent.

"It’s coming..."

The wolf laughed.

"We have eyes."

Ash glared at her, prompting another chuckle.

The serpent crested the slope moments later, forcing his attention back to it.

Its long, emerald body coiled around the jagged rocks, while its black wings beat hard enough to scatter ash across the landing. With every flap, the haze churned violently, revealing brief glimpses of its glistening scales and narrow, beady eyes.

Ash lowered his stance.

"How long does the buff last?"

The wolf snickered.

"Who knows?"

’Asshole.’

The Spire Serpent opened its mouth, exposing two curved fangs, then lunged.

Ash ducked, keeping only his skirt clear of its path.

Its jaws snapped shut around his torso and head.

Or tried to.

The serpent passed straight through him, its head crashing into a boulder directly behind him. Its fangs scraped across the volcanic rock with a hideous screech.

’Strong.’

Ash sprang aside.

’[Focus].’

The world sharpened.

Before the serpent could pull its head free, Ash drove the Scrawler’s Fang into the leathery membrane of one wing.

Empowered by Winter’s Blessing, his dagger punched cleanly through. He dragged the blade sideways to widen it, but the serpent began thrashing its wings.

The damaged wing struck Ash in the side, sending him flying toward the cliff’s edge.

He twisted midair and buried his dagger into the stone just in time to stop himself from shooting over the precipice.

’That worked?’

The blade had chipped along its edge, but it had saved him from a tedious climb.

The princess stepped next to the serpent and raised her broadsword, its blade cloaked in a thin veil of water.

With all her might, she brought it down, directing the flowing water along the blade to increase its speed and force.

The edge slammed into the serpent’s scales with a heavy crunch.

The beast shrieked and violently swung its head, having finally torn itself free from the boulder.

The princess’s blow hadn’t pierced its armor, but several scales along its neck had splintered.

Ash pulled himself upright and advanced while [Focus] entered cooldown. The writhing serpent coiled across the center of the landing before turning toward the princess.

"I will aim to take out the wings so it can’t flee."

And once its wings were properly clipped, he’d relieve the bastard of its life.

The serpent slithered toward the princess, but midway across the landing, its head snapped toward Ash. Its body sharply changed course, surging straight at him instead.

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