Re: Apocalypse Game

The French noble led him to a room, and to Alan's surprise, there were three other players waiting for them. Among them were Cachellos of the Black Sand Mercenary, Zencher the new Death Knight, and a figure in silver-clad armor known as the Silver Rapier. Alan couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about the unexpected company.

Looking at the three of them in the room, Alan raised an eyebrow and said, "What is this? Do you want to cut my arms again?"

Hearing this, Axel chuckled and calmly took a seat, gesturing for Alan to do the same. He said, "To think you could even regain your arm in the game… and level 38!! Wow!! You really are amazing, Alan, very resourceful…"

Alan's expression remained stern as he replied, "I am sorry… I am allergic to flattery... Cut to the chase."

Seeing Alan's reaction, Zencher's face turned red with anger, and he shouted, "You lowlifes!! How dare you speak with such insolence!!"

Axel, however, remained unruffled by Alan's words. Instead, he gazes at Zencher, silently compelling him to calm down. With a courteous smile, Axel turned his attention back to Alan.

"Alright... Alright," Axel said in a soothing tone, "Alan, we are here to discuss a matter of great importance—the bonus quest to eliminate the Necromancer. Are you interested?"

Alan glanced at Cachellos, who seemed unperturbed by the situation. It became apparent that this was indeed about the bonus quest. Alan sighed and said, "Alright, tell me more about it."

Axel began to explain the events of the past two days. Silver Rapier, accompanied by Cachellos and his team of veterans, had been on a quest to track down the Necromancer. After successfully locating and defeating one of the B-ranking undead generals in the northern region, they had unlocked a B-ranking quest titled [The Lich King Tomb]. Axel's intention was to extend an invitation to Alan to join this quest.

Alan quickly pieced together that this quest Axel was proposing was likely the same one he already had, albeit with a slightly different objective. Axel's quest focused on clearing out the tomb, while Alan's version revolved around defeating the Fey Witch who likely resided within the same tomb.

However, Alan had no intention of revealing his quest, so he inquired, "Why didn't you share this quest during the meeting, and why approach me separately?"

Axel responded with a knowing smile, "Well, they'll be quite occupied with the defense preparations. Let's not burden them with additional concerns. Besides, bringing a large group of people would only make the mission more challenging, don't you agree?"

Alan pondered Axel's words in silence. Then, the ever-calm Cachellos chimed in, "We already have 30 experienced veterans prepared for this quest. You can bring along a few more if you want."

Alan maintained his calm demeanor as he probed further "You still haven't answered my question. Why me?" He then directed his gaze at Cachelos, the renowned mercenary leader, and added, "You have plenty of skilled players at your disposal, and I doubt you'd share such a high reward purely out of the goodness of your heart. So, tell me the truth."

Axel chuckled once more, showing a hint of amusement, and replied, "You're right; honesty is important in our discussions." He then turned to the Silver Rapier, who stood silently, awaiting Axel's instructions. Axel nodded, and the mysterious figure activated the quest to share with Alan.

[Hidden quest activated]

[You received a B-level quest: The Lich King Tomb]

[An ancient tomb of the old Britannia King has become the undead lair, find and clear out the Tomb]

Upon seeing the quest notification, Alan couldn't suppress a wry grin. "You don't know the location of the tomb, dont you?" This time Alan was the one who chuckled saying "This is your karma for exterminating all those NPCs."

Alan's mind raced as he pieced together the puzzle Axel presented. It was clear to him that Artorius likely possessed knowledge of his ancestor's tomb's location, but with the knight commander now gone, that avenue had been sealed off. Axel seemed to hope that Alan could gather information about the tomb from his surviving knights or the Fey companions who had accompanied him on his journey.

Axel's voice took on a pleading tone as he posed the question, "So, will you come and help us?" 

Alan pondered the request carefully. In truth, Alan had already devised a plan to tackle the quest on his own, relying on the players he trusted and the loyal Fey warriors. On the other hand, Cachellos and the veteran players could undoubtedly be valuable assets in the quest, but he would rather fail the quest than bring these veteran players, whom he couldn't fully trust. There was a chance that they might turn on him once the quest was completed.

Ultimately, Alan decided to prioritize trust over potential advantages. With a firm resolve, he replied to Axel's imploring question, "No, I won't help."

The words hung in the air, final and resolute. Alan was committed to his chosen path.

With his decision made, Alan turned away, fully prepared to leave the room. The Silver Rapier, shrouded in mystery and masked in silence, moved to follow him, but Alan was ready this time. He swiftly aimed his sawed-off shotgun at the fully clad figure and issued a stern warning, "One step closer, and I will blow your head off!"

Before he could depart, Axel made one last attempt to persuade him. "This quest could significantly lighten out tonight's battle and increase our chances of survival. Why wouldn't you care to help?"

Alan turned back to Axel, meeting the man's gaze with a cold, unyielding stare. "Like you even care."

Axel responded calmly, "Well, I don't. But you do. So, the only reason you refused is that you plan to complete this quest yourself, isn't it?"

Knowing there was no point in denying it, Alan admitted, "Yes, you're right. I might."

"Then the only reason you declined," Axel continued, "is because of me. You don't like me."

Alan's voice was unwavering as he confirmed, "Yes, I don't like you, and I certainly don't trust you."

Rather than reacting with anger or frustration, Axel, the French nobleman, surprisingly chuckled once again, which caught Alan off guard. "Ooo Alan... I am disappointed. I thought you, of all people, would understand me."

Alan's confusion was palpable, and Axel took it upon himself to clarify. "Don't you know why I am so greedy for those points?" When he noticed no immediate reaction from Alan, he continued, "Don't you know what my family, the Arnebout family, is famous for?"

It took Alan a moment to recall the questions, he had been so deeply immersed in the Apocalypse game that he barely updated with the things going on in teh real world. Took him a few seconds before finally, it hit him—the Arnebout family was known for owning a massive pharmaceutical corporation. This realization sent a wave of anxiety through him.

Axel maintained his wicked smile as he gazed at Alan, explaining, "Do you get it now?... I have a similar reason for playing this game as you do—to accumulate as many points as possible and bring back as many of those miracle serums to the real world... just like you're trying to do for your daughter."

The mention of his daughter's name sent a surge of anger through Alan, causing him to tremble as he demanded, "What are you trying to say?! SAY IT!"

Axel continued with a sinister undertone, "Ah, now you get it. You see... the quest could truly benefit you, and us too.. help us earn more points, and ultimately aid in securing your daughter's treatment. It ...really would be a shame if your little Arria ...were to go without her much-needed treatment."

Alan grasped the message hidden beneath Axel's words – if he refused to help, this man would harm his beloved daughter.

"You Bastard!!"

His heart pounded with anger and frustration as he absorbed the gravity of Axel's veiled threat. The mere idea that someone would stoop so low as to use his daughter as leverage sent waves of fury surging through him. He felt a burning desire to unleash his pent-up rage, to confront Axel in a way that would make him pay for his despicable tactics.

But Alan knew he needed to tread carefully. Axel had forced his hand, and the safety of his daughter was paramount. He couldn't risk endangering Arria by defying this ruthless adversary. With his voice dripping with irritation, he reluctantly agreed to Axel's demand, "We will leave in 5 hours."

Alan left the room, holding onto his anger. He understood that merely eliminating Axel wouldn't suffice. The man had secured his survival in the Apocalypse game with the hundreds of thousands of points he obtained from killing innocent civilians. Alan needed to devise a more strategic plan to deal with this looming threat.

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