MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

’That’s the first time in my life I’ve acted like a proper Texan.’

Ash wasn’t much for state or national pride, especially after spending most of the last few years in Germany, but he had to admit that riding the Seal Scrawler filled him with a sense of... ’joy?’

He didn’t know exactly what he was feeling, but he wouldn’t mind feeling it again.

In any case, he now had far less to worry about after receiving the [Spire Serpent’s Skin]. It wasn’t resistant to everything, but it offered solid protection against slashing attacks. He no longer had to worry about it being destroyed and sending him plummeting into the void.

At least, that concern had lessened, allowing him to focus on more immediate matters.

Glancing over his shoulder, Ash noted that the game system had yet to announce the other Seal Scrawlers’ deaths. They could return at any moment.

Worse, the commotion could attract the Seal Sentry.

"Staying on this island any longer seems like a bad idea."

The wolf laughed before replying:

"Keke. I agree."

Ash spun toward the heathen, who’d grown increasingly fond of giggling.

"Where do you get off being so contemptuous?"

The wolf smiled — or at least twisted its mouth into an imitation of one.

"Have I said something wrong?"

"No, but you—"

The princess slammed her foot into the ground.

"Can you two stop fighting?!"

Ash scoffed and kicked into motion.

"Hmph."

He ran up the boulder — the same one the Spire Serpent had lodged its head in — then launched himself from its peak and onto the chain.

After dismissing her sword, the princess followed along the same route.

The wolf jumped last, landing ahead of them before trotting onward, visibly pleased with herself.

Ash settled into a leisurely stride behind her.

Walking at his side, the princess opened her mouth as though she wanted to speak, but no words followed.

Ash noted her consternation.

’She probably hates me now.’

But if that was how it had to be, so be it.

Ash couldn’t allow himself to go soft.

’Not now. Not ever.’

***

About two hours into their journey, they reached the next sizable island beneath the chain.

"If we stop here, our pursuers will catch up. I have meat, and the princess can produce water. We have no reason to land."

With that settled, the three continued onward.

For some reason, however, the princess seemed upset by his words, as though he’d said something horrible.

She voiced none of it.

Either way, onward they went.

They marched until the haze finally lifted, revealing a peak suitable for shelter before the next veil descended.

More importantly, they had reached the point where the first chain was anchored. After resting, they would be close enough to make an attempt.

Ash checked behind them for any glimpse of a Hound or Cross and, fortunately, found neither.

The three disembarked from the chain.

After killing the few Seal Scrawlers that reacted to their arrival, the princess retrieved her dented tassets, and she and Ash finished the last of the Marauder meat.

’We can have the snake meat tomorrow before setting off to break the first seal.’

While they ate, the wolf approached Ash.

"You’re not going to talk to her at all?"

"Is there a need?"

"I guess not."

Without saying anything, the princess formed a large sphere of water and fastened it to Ash’s bracers for him to drink from.

Finally, Ash retreated to a corner and reluctantly drifted off, using his dagger as a pillow — his body forcing him into sleep after more than two days awake.

At least his new armor would make him difficult to kill. An attacker would first have to destroy the durable suit entirely.

Well...

Anyone except the Great Spirit.

She could kill Ash whenever she wished.

A fact he didn’t particularly like. But, in another sense, he only had that concern because of his glitch. Without it, anything and everything could kill him while he slept.

He wasn’t going to complain like an ungrateful dolt.

Neither would he ever ’thank’ the glitch directly for ’helping’ him. It wasn’t like he had asked for it in the first place.

***

’Ah, my neck is killing me.’

Ash didn’t dream this time.

Neither of past nor present.

And thankfully, nothing paid them a midnight visit.

Or perhaps something had, and the wolf had scared it off.

Once awake, Ash stretched and waited for the princess. He took a seat next to her sleeping form, her head resting against the wolf’s pelt.

Despite being asleep, the woman looked to be in pain.

’Perhaps a bad dream.’

Eventually, after one particularly brutal toss, she blinked a few times and saw Ash looming above her.

With a half-flip, she shot to her feet and hid her face behind her hands.

"Gyeah!"

"Keke."

The wolf looked back, then laughed and marched away, returning to lookout duty.

Ash studied the princess as she awkwardly calmed down and sat beside him. Realizing what she needed to do, she took out the tassets for them to cook on and conjured a ball of water for Ash.

Ash readily took the water and greedily drank while pulling out the snake meat and slicing off a few pieces.

As they waited for the meat to cook, the princess began tapping her foot anxiously.

"So... I assume we’ll make it to the seal today. I should probably tell you what we’ll need to do."

Ash turned to her with a serious expression and nodded.

"Go on."

"Well, uh... there will be a guardian of the seal whose life force is tied to the chain. Kill it, and the chain will weaken, allowing Demitra to sever it and undo one of the seals. But be careful, because the collapsing chain is quite deadly and will likely send the Seal Sentry into a frenzy..."

The princess continued explaining what little she knew until the meat had cooked enough for them to eat.

Once finished, they gathered themselves, then set out for the end of the chain.

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