Legendary Grade, Wrath of the Dead (1)
In an abandoned warehouse in Brockton, figures from Orion's staff could be seen inside.
"Is this info solid?"
Leading them was Choi Hyuk-su, an Orion intern who'd received direct orders from headquarters. In this world, he was known as Zeroth.
"Yes, sir. It's confirmed. People gathered in front of some building said so as they headed back. A silver-haired quest performer promised to help them."
"Silver-haired quest performer, huh. You know if you're bullshitting me, I'll make your life hell? A talent like me wasting time on nonsense is a huge loss, right?"
"Y-yeah, I know..."
Choi Hyuk-su—no, Zeroth—was drunk on his own power. Before entering the game, his life had been pathetic. He'd studied game development just to land a job, but the game flopped after a brief hype, leaving him scraping by on less than minimum wage. Debts piled up like mountains—student loans, housing loans. He wasn't living; he was surviving. Then Orion made a bizarre offer: join them inside the game for a new life. It sounded insane, but the moment he heard it, one thought gripped him: 'I won't have to pay back the debts.'
Once inside, a new world unfolded. Unlike reality, his power was immense. No more groveling; he dominated with overwhelming strength. Sure, Orion had plenty stronger than him internally, but they were on the same side, weren't they?
"I'll check it out myself first. You lot couldn't handle him even if you ran into him."
"Y-yes, sir..."
Seeing his underlings cower fueled his ego. They were just game NPCs before, but that didn't matter now—they were perfect for stroking his pride.
"Ahem. Keep digging while I'm gone. Might be bad intel, after all."
What if he caught Damian? Promotion for sure, and things would only get better. Zeroth brimmed with anticipation.
"These new hires lately are all weird, huh?"
"Tell me about it. Their accents are all off—who knows where they're from."
The remaining underlings took a break, waiting for their scouting colleagues to return.
Rumble rumble rumble.
How much time passed? The dark warehouse door creaked open, light spilling in.
"Scouts must be back."
"Yeah. Tell 'em to hurry—we gotta keep searching."
"Got it. I'll go check... Huh? What the—it's not them?"
"What? Who is it then?"
"Dunno. Some woman?"
They jumped up, eyes locked on the entrance. Sure enough, a woman stood there. Straight bangs, glasses, neat long hair in back, crisp blue suit. In her hand, a longsword dripping blood.
Jena, sent by Angela's orders to hunt them down.
"Are you Orion guild members?"
"Who the hell are you? How do you know us?"
"Ah, confirmed. Understood."
Thud.
Jena dropped something from her hand. Heads—their scouting colleagues'.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Jena vanished. The men panicked in the surreal chaos, scanning wildly, but she was gone.
"W-what the fuck! What kinda bitch is she?!"
"That's not the point! She's gone—vanished out of—gahk!"
Stab!
A longsword blade erupted from the man's chest. Jena stood right behind him.
"K-kill her! Now!"
The underlings drew weapons—fifteen in total. Guns, swords, shields. A few low-tier ability users mixed in.
Whoosh!
Slash!
Splatter!
But they were no match. Jena zipped at blinding speed, slicing waists, severing arms. It took mere minutes to finish them.
"Ugh... uuuugh..."
"Are you the last one?"
"P-please... spare me... I beg you..."
"Yes. Don't worry."
"Y-yes?"
"Lady Angela said bring back one alive. So..."
Crunch!
"G-gaaahhh!"
Jena grabbed the survivor's hair and dragged him away.
* * *
I floated a square shield behind the truck. Bullets from the enemy pinged harmlessly off it, halting their barrage on our ride.
"Gaaah!"
"Guhk!"
Not just blocking—their wild shots ricocheted back wildly. They had to stop firing.
"Floating a shield to move like that..."
"...Boss, that's gotta be his power. Controlling weapons, right? Like earlier."
"..."
"Never heard of an ability like that before..."
Jackson's squad couldn't hide their shock. They'd worked with ability users before, but this was new.
'Looks like they've given up shooting for now.'
They tailed us without firing, probably assessing the situation. But one was different.
Crackle crackle!
"Michael, hit that guy."
"Got it, ability dude!"
The lightning mage stepped up to attack in my place. I could've blocked with the shield if I read his aim, but the spread was too wide. Moving it would invite more fire. So I ordered Michael.
Whirr.
"Line up on that bastard's forehead."
His goggle scope adjusted back and forth. Aiming. He signaled ready; I gave the go.
Bang!
Crackle!
Bullet hit true. Problem: a Lightning Barrier surrounded him.
'As expected.'
Nothing surprising—ability users block basic bullets with their powers.
'Has a Lightning Barrier, so he's deep into the lightning skill tree.'
Reason I sent Michael: test his reactions, figure countermeasures. And...
This level? Manageable.
Shhht.
Assessed his tier. Time to end it.
Whoosh!
Targeted his vehicle first. Sent two daggers left at the tires.
Crackle!
He anticipated, firing Lightning to intercept.
'Gotcha.'
That was the bait. Needed something surer to stop the cars anyway.
Flick.
Vrooom!
Twisted my other hand. The great axe I'd snuck to the opposite side smashed the tire.
Boom!
Screeech!
Tire burst, truck veered into a tree.
"I'll handle him."
He was my mark anyway, and there was intel to squeeze. Left the rest to Jackson's crew. Used the slowdown to hop off and approach.
Hiss...
Smoke poured from the crashed car.
"You little shit...!"
The driver stumbled out, battered, pistol raised.
Whoosh!
Stab!
Easy pickings with a gesture. Real threat was the mage.
Crackle crackle!
As expected, Lightning blasted from behind the car. But he was hurt too—shot wide of me.
"What the hell are you?"
He emerged, looking rough. Lightning Barrier probably couldn't absorb the crash fully.
"I asked you first. Answer."
"What else? Quest performer."
Whoosh!
Replied, then flung a dagger. He Teleported away instantly, blasting Lightning again. Fast casting—lightning's specialty.
Crackle crackle!
This one nailed the angle. Straight-line attack, easy to dodge, but first real mage fight had me tense. VR didn't capture this—the ozone stink, scorching heat. All too real.
Still, Composure kept me steady.
"Wait... test subject? No, even then, how...?"
Muttering to himself. Stunned by magic plus summons. Lab affiliate, yet clueless about me?
"Go."
Whoosh!
Three daggers swarmed him. Familiars harass ranged mages—ignore them, they stick; focus, ignore your body.
Crackle!
Ability user instincts kicked in—he Teleported away. Knew clinging was bad.
Crackle crackle!
Lightning poured out. I countered with Shadow Strike.
As predicted, he dodged with another skill. Back and forth: my Shadow Strike, his Teleport and sporadic Lightning.
Time dragged—bad for me. Mana draining after three skills.
'If only no mana limit...'
Felt the shortage acutely, rationing to avoid backlash.
'One way without mana: the reflection shield.'
But couldn't rush it. He'd clocked the shield; blocking direct would make him redirect.
'Distract him first.'
Sent daggers to his flanks, great axe front. Then Void Rift.
Whumm. Whumm.
"...Huh?"
Rifts around him—panic. New attack baffled him.
Won't catch him though. He has Teleport.
Expanded rifts for coverage.
Whirr—
Tinnitus rang. Backlash warning. No more mana risks.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Couldn't stop. Needed total lockdown.
Crunch.
Downed a side-effect pill. Needed more mana.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Added Shadow Strike to rifts. Weapons screamed toward him.
"W-what the hell...!"
Crackle!
Instinctive Teleport, but overwhelmed by speed.
Crackle crackle!
Still missed—his Lightning Barrier.
'Not actively cast—passive.'
Reaction too slow for active. But beatable.
Now a mana duel.
Boom boom boom!
Crackle!
Crackle!
Weapons hammered the barrier, fading visibly. I poured relentless fire to pin him.
"Guh... guuuh!"
He knew too. Sustain this, barrier breaks.
Strain on me too—mana heavy. But cornered minds slip.
Rumble!
Crackle crackle!
His Lightning formed, aimed at me.
Now!
Exactly what I wanted. Shadow Strike on square shield, rocketed it forward.
Swoosh!
Ting!
Shield blocked Lightning dead-on. Perfect.
Crackle crackle!
"G-gaaaaahhh!"
Reflected straight back. My barrage plus his skill shattered the barrier instantly. He ate his own lightning full-body.
Hiss...
Smoke rose from his charred corpse. Well done.
Slippery rat though. Need binding skills.
Acquired 800 EXP.
Huge EXP haul for finishing him. Normally less, but Aptitude doubled it. Confirmed its power again.
At this rate, farming these guys exclusively works?
'Anyway.'
First, loot the hard-won prize. Then, rifle his memories for the gear intel I want.