339. Clone Convalescence
The clone was lost.
A vast flatland expanded far and wide. The blades of grass were but blurring specks beneath her. Even after a few days of travel, she wasnt able to accomplish her task. She luxuriated in knowing that the Prival Demon hadnt yet been seen beyond the borders of Inoria. But she couldnt lie and say that languor wasnt catching up to her.
Despair settled in as the first vestiges of the idea of surrendering and returning to the original crept into the clones mind. Perhaps Edithe was never with the adventurer army in the first place. Perhaps this task had been all for naught.
But her doubts vanished when she spotted the convoy. There had to have been tens of thousands of figures moving about. An army.
There, the clone thought. This is my destination maybe.
Hurry up! Get a move on! We want to be at the Helbir Plains by the morrow!
A burly man barked the order as the adventurers rushed about the camp. It was early in the morning, and no one wanted to be up at this ti of the day. But they had a schedule to keep. A scrawny man probably a [Mage] ran past the burly man with a stack of books in his arms.
Excuse , excuse
Oi, what are you doing?!
The [Mage] flinched, stumbling back as the burly man whirled on him. The books clattered on the ground.
W-wha?
Go and do sothing useful, you damn [Mage]! You arent helping no one with your books!
The burly man roared. The [Mage]s eyes grew wide as he began to sputter.
B-but my team has already
Excuse , Sirs. Is there a problem here?
A booming voice interrupted the both of them. The burly man spun around, frowning.
Who the
And paused when he caught sight of the looming shadow. A hulking green mass of muscle stood before the burly man. There was a pair of arms folded together disapprovingly as another set of arms held up a stack of wooden planks.
It was a Cyclops.
Well?
The Cyclops asked, furrowing his brow. The burly man hesitated as he looked up at the single eye.
I yes. I was just telling this gentleman right here that his efforts would be better used elsewhere.
There was a smile. A clear lie. The Cyclops shook his head, addressing the burly man who didnt even reach his shoulders.
Tell , Sir: are you affiliated with the Rembered Order Company?
I-I am a part of the Silver Vanguard.
Then if you are not with the Rembered Order Company, I do not believe this independent adventurer here has any obligation to listen to your orders.
The Cyclops gestured at the [Mage] who nearly squeaked. The burly man just nodded placatingly.
Why of course. I was simply offering him so advice. I assure you, there will not be trouble here, Sir.
Jaakko.
Pardon?
You may simply call Jaakko.
R-right.
The burly man shrank back as the Cyclops replied curtly. Then spinning around, Jaakko spoke for every onlooker to hear.
Good. Now that thats resolved, please everyone, proceed about your business.
--
He really went in and got involved, didnt he?
Zack sighed, cleaning his glasses as he watched his leader from afar. Beside him, Helen just rolled her eyes.
Of course he would. He wouldnt be our leader if he didnt have a strong sense of justice.
More like a strong sense of being a busy-body.
Everythings resolved without an issue. Why do you always have to complain, Zack?
Im not complaining. Im just saying, the last ti he got himself involved in soone elses business, we ended up trapped in a [Witch]s hut for three whole days.
It was more like six hours, Zack. Stop over exaggerating things.
Helen scowled, and Zack pushed his glasses back onto his face.
You get what I an. Were inviting trouble.
And yet
The Cyclops deep voice spoke over him.
Were doing whats right.
Jaakko patted both his teammates with his two free hands. They looked up at him, and Zack sighed.
I knew you were going to say that.
He adjusted his glasses as he shook his head. The trio stood there in the middle of the bustling encampnt. Jaakko, Helen, and Zack. They were adventurers independents who were affiliated with any company. And yet, at the call of one of the Three Honorable Companies, they ca.
The Rembered Order Company had swept through the Eastern Kingdoms, gathering any and every adventurer they could. Zack and his team had been dealing with a Manticore threat for the Kingdom of Traith before Jaakko caught wind of this. So they joined the adventurer army. And now, they were on their way to the Helbir Plains to et up with both the Rising Veterans and the Forsaken Companys own armies.
Zack shrugged.
Look, I just want to know what you wouldve done if that loud man was actually part of the Rembered Order Company. Because I highly doubt you wouldve backed down, would you?
I would not, yes.
Jaakko agreed simply. Zack knew that was the case. Their team would always get in trouble, no matter where they were. Usually, theyd be able to sohow resolve it especially with their status. But here?
There are hundreds of Platinum Ranks other than us here, Jaakko. Maybe even thousands. We wont get a pass this ti around if we cause trouble.
Zack glanced around the encampnt as it was slowly emptied out. A few faces glanced their way, curious. It was quite disconcerting, honestly. They were Platinum Ranked now. But they were a Gold Ranked team not long before, and theyd be quite content with their levels and strength then. It was only after theyd t that strange woman, the Savior of Silvergrove and Death of the Destroyer, Salvos, did they begin taking more risks.
Shed inspired them. The way shed fought in the Silkfall Crevice Dungeon had stunned the team. Made them reevaluate how they saw themselves. What they wanted to beco. Since then, they worked harder. Fought stronger monsters. Pushed themselves past their limits even to the point where so would call them mad.
It paid off. They were now around Level 80. And if they kept this up, they might even reach Level 100 in two or three years ti. And while being Level 80 was quite an accomplishnt for an ordinary individual, in the grand sche of things, they were just fodder.
A single low-leveled Diamond Rank could easily take on Zack and the rest of his team multiple tis over. They couldnt compete, at all. Especially if the Diamond Ranked had a high-leveled second Class.
Jaakko didnt budge.
And yet, soone has to stand for whats right.
You
Zack pinched the bridge of his nose. Helen snorted.
Were arguing over nothing as usual. Co on, we should really get a move on. Were going to be reaching the Helbir Plains soon.
Jaakko grunted, turning around. Zack eyed Helen as the encampnt was finally fully dismantled, and the adventurer army led by the Rembered Order Company made their way through a valley.
There were tens of thousands of adventurers here, behaving far more organized than adventurers had any right to be. But no one complained. The stakes were clear, and the reason they gathered together was simple.
Money.
That almost made Zack want to laugh. The Rembered Order Company had struggled rallying the adventurers in the Eastern Kingdoms until they offered a massive recruiting bonus for every company or independent that joined their forces. Such was the motivation behind most adventurers the silver, gold, or platinum theyd earn.
Zacks team was different, of course. But they were the outlier, mostly because of Jaakkos honor and Helens kindness. Zack himself had to find himself reining the two so they wouldnt get into too much trouble and actually prioritized making so money.
However, Zack didnt see glory or gold in this quest they were setting out on. He only saw death, despair, and doing what was necessary to save the Human lands. The Prival Demon had to be stopped. If not, then everyone would suffer. Thered be no point in any monetary value Zack had.
They stread their way over the landscape as the day dragged on, following alongside a river as a city made itself barely visible in the darkening horizon. It was already evening, so they would likely be stopping there to rest.
Thats Westshield.
Helen pointed out. Her lips curled up into a smile.
It ans were arriving at Shedos borders now. Well be entering the Helbir Plains soon
Zack could tell that she was excited. And he couldnt lie and say he wasnt a little bit eager to et up with the other adventurer armies. After all
Think shell be with the Rising Veterans?
He asked, and Helen blinked.
You an Salvos?
Who else would I be talking about?
Maybe?
She replied uncertainly. He wondered aloud as he walked next to her.
Im sure shed be impressed by how far weve co
They were now higher-leveled than Salvos was when they last t her. Zack couldnt lie and say he wasnt proud of that. But Helen wasnt.
You heard the news. Shes the Liberator of the Plaguelands now. Shes probably Elite at this point.
Well, of course. I didnt an to compare us to that insane woman.
Zack waved a hand off, speaking much to Helens chagrin.
Salvos is not insane. Shes just a poor girl who was forced into extraordinary circumstances, alright?
Sure, sure. Thats just your older-sister-side showing.
She scowled as Zack chuckled. The pair continued to chat, following Jaakko who didnt partake much in the conversation. Then they almost ran into the Cyclops when he ca to a halt. His single eye narrowed as he stared at the city.
Whats wrong, Jaakko?
Helen asked with a raised brow. Their leader leaned forward, speaking softly.
Is that smoke?
Zack blinked. He imdiately cast a spell of Enhance Vision. It was like he was looking through a spyglass. And he saw gray streaks blotting out the sky over the city. Then he saw the specks the figures assailing it. His breath was caught in his throat.
Westshield is under attack!
A voice bellowed for the entire army to hear. It was Mori Gladius. Leader of the Rembered Order Company. He was an Elite. A fad [Spearmaster]. He raised a glinting spear, rallying the adventurers into battle.
To arms! We face the Prival Demon today!
A susurration ran through all those gathered. They werent ready. No one was prepared to face the Prival Demon just yet. Theyd thought theyd have reinforcents. That the other Honorable Companies would be with them. That theyd be triple or even quadruple their current number.
It seed foolish to act now. But they saw the destruction happening before their eyes. Westshield was under siege. They had to move, even if they didnt want to.
Zack found himself nervously flipping through his spellbooks as they marched straight for Westshield. He wasnt sure what hed even be able to contribute in this fight. Would it be a full engagent? A quick battle before pulling back? Maybe they were just going to divert the Prival Demons attention?
There were a multitude of possibilities. But Zack didnt have a say on the matter. All he could do was trust that Mori Gladius knew what to do. The adventurer army moved straight for the city as its walls crumbled. As an explosion shook the earth. There was a flash a bright light cut through the smoke and the clouds.
It couldnt have been long since the attack started, but the city was already falling. Zack spotted monsters of all kinds from [Gatho Mammoths] to Chiras to Drakes. There were undead too. And the Mindreapers everyone knew about.
These were just the Platinum Ranked threats. That wasnt to consider everything else in the army. It sent a chill down Zacks spine. The closer they got to the fighting, the bigger the pit in his stomach grew. He swallowed and licked his dry lips. He wasnt the only one who was afraid. Everyones nerves worsened as another blast rocked the earth.
But before they even reached the city, there was a shout. A panicked scream. Zacks head snapped to the side as spells and arrows were loosed into the air. He spotted a golden flicker a glowing figure dodging the attacks, flying over the army.
Mori Gladius yelled at them to stop.
Do not attack! That is an ally!
His words cald the nervous army. Their attacks ceased as the glowing figure hovered in the sky, staring at the destruction in silhouette. Zack almost thought it was familiar. It stayed there for a mont, before glancing down. It stared straight at Zack, and he jerked back.
Why is it
Helens eyes grew round.
Thats
And the glowing figure descended. It landed next to Jaakko, Zack, and Helen. The three adventurers just looked at it for a mont. The Cyclops was the least put-off by its presence, while the [Archer] gasped. Zack was confused the only one left out of the loop. Finally, after a quick [Identification], Zack realized what he was looking at.
Youre Salvos?
The glowing figure bead at them. She spread her arms wide for a hug. Zack wasnt sure how to react to this flaming apparition of the adventurer hed t twice before. But he didnt need to say anything. Because Mori Gladius interrupted them.
The leader of the Rembered Order Company stepped up to the Salvos clone.
Interesting. I was curious as to who you were a clone of I have heard of such Skills,although they are incredibly rare. But to think that you are the Liberator of the Plaguelands. Your presence is a boon to us.
She nodded excitedly. He shook his head, turning to the city under attack. Then he offered her a hand.
Will you aid us in repelling the Prival Demon from the city, Salvos?
For a mont, she just stared at him. At his proffered hand. Then she snapped her fingers. Five more golden figures appeared behind her. More clones. They gave him a thumbs-up in unison.
Good. Then let us fight and save Westshield from its destruction.
Zack watched as they ca to an agreent. An unexpected ally appeared. One whod aid them in facing the Prival Demon here and now. It was almost reassuring. The adventurer army seed to be bolstered by Salvos presence. Or, at least, the presence of her six clones.
And yet, Zack didnt sigh in relief. He saw the flash once again like thunder. And he feared that it wasnt enough.
Announcent
Announcent:
I'm taking this Friday and next Monday off for Mother's Day celebration. No chap until Tuesday, the 10th of May.
If you'd like to read sothing else in the anwhile, I did just get a new book release. It's a young adult LitRPG Apocalypse called Trace. Consider checking it out!
This is the synopsis:
The world falls into chaos. Earth is integrated into the multiversal System. And all Trace has is a gun.
Trace Taylor was at a shooting range when the world was kidnapped by the alien species called the Esvol to begin humanity's integration with the System. Each individual person is given a femtochip implant and a class to fend for themselves before being sent back to Earth. Once Trace returns, she finds that the planet too is left scarred by this encounter.
Faced with monsters, dungeons, an annoying AI, and a lot of insane idiots, how will Trace co to survive this newly-changed planet?
Do note this is a Young Adult take on the LitRPG Apocalypse genre. It is also written in British English. But I highly encourage you to give it a shot... no pun intended!
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