The main square of Seraburg suddenly lighted up by a bright flash of a portal, through which two players stepped into the Seraburg.
A beauty, dressed in red, and a bald monk.
“So you say there’s a sculptor here?” – asked monk his companion in a calm voice.
“Yes. Don’t you read any forums? There was a huge uproar about the construction of that sculpture…”
“Hmpf! Like I don’t have anything better to do. The fact that we had to come to this hole of a kingdom is enough! If it wasn’t for this damn quest…”
“Ha-ha. Calm down. Soon we’ll finish it, get inside, and you’ll get what you want.”
Psyche and Mako were walking around the city, talking to each other. Psyche was a girl in a gorgeous red velvet robe, and Mako was a monk, wrapped in bright yellow ceremonial clothes.
“Hmmm… Those people…”
“A witch and a saint.”
“What are they doing in Rosenheim?”
Here and there people started to loudly discuss them. These two players from the Hall of Fame of Royal Road were widely known in the game.
Psyche and Mako, who were used to such reaction weren’t paying any attention. And though they weren’t showing their power, every player who was looking at them got an impression that there’s nothing they cannot do.
“Psyche, you remember that game we used to play?”
“Huh?”
“I wonder what that guy is doing now.”
“Mako, you’re talking about that guy, Weed, again?”
“Yeah. About that bastard. He was the only one to get ahead of me and humiliate me.”
A lot of best players of Continent of Magic were playing royal Road now. And most of them were looking for Weed.
Not so long ago, the old and dusty secrets of Continent of Magic were being discovered because of Weed. He was always hunting alone in the most dangerous locations of the game, and his fame was absolute.
Mako and Psyche, like many others, were zealously following his footsteps. Many times they watched from his hunt from a distance, and they saw, that however ridiculous that seemed, he was fighting, like his life was at stake.
When he was entering dungeons, he was slaying every monster inside. He was extremely violent and efficient when he was fighting the most dangerous monsters in the game. Players, that were following him were trembling in excitement, seeing how every strike takes one life.
Back then Weed was considered the most dangerous and most successful player, that never gives up, but always keeps going ahead, fighting and winning. That’s why everyone called him the Dark Knight.
Psyche and Mako reached the east gates.
“According to our information, the sculptor was last seen around here.”
“That’s him!”
Psyche pointed at Weed, who was riding a horse.
After going through so much trouble in the past 7 days, Weed decided that the way back he’ll spend with comfort.
Plains of Despair had small herds of wild horses, but only players of certain professions, like Knights or Mercenaries, were able to tame them. They could even make horses run faster.
But Sculptors didn’t have any abilities related to horses. Though even druids could use ‘Wolf Spirit’ and bards – their singing. But sculptors…
‘Profession, that thrives only through hard work.’
Only after crossing Plains of Despair, Weed seemed to truly understand the Sculptor profession.
‘Hya! Let’s see how fast you can run!’
He was a bout to send his horse into a gallop, when two players blocked his road. A woman in red robe and a bald monk. Not giving him any time to express his anger, woman asked:
“Are you the sculptor?”
“Yeah… That’s my profession, and what is it you want from me?” – warily asked Weed.
He didn’t like unnecessary complications and he didn’t have time for them.
Psyche smiled slightly and continued.
“That means I was right. It was you, who built the pyramid. Could you by any chance make us scorpion figurines, uncle?”
“I’m afraid not. It seems you purchased some figurines from me before, but unfortunately I don’t make any more souveneers.”
Weed didn’t have enough time to spend it for a couple silver coins, so he decided to lie. Some extra profit was always welcome, but right now he had an important quest waiting for him, with hopefully great reward.
“But we have an emergency. We need those figurines right now. Could you please help us?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. Ask another sculptor.”
Weed refused abruptly, showing that he’s not going to continue this conversation.
But Psyche, seeing that the situation is developing in a wrong direction, handed him a small gem.
“We already talked to other sculptors. They say, that we need a Sculptor with an intermediate skill level. Only such a sculptor will be able to carve us the necessary figurines.”
Unfortunately for Weed, the situation was getting more and more complicated, it was obvious that they’re not going to let him go easily.
“My skill level isn’t that great, besides I’m in a hurry.”
“We know, that it’s a difficult request. So if you agree to help us, you’ll get this gem as a reward.”
Shiny red ruby got Weed’s complete attention. He already had experience of working with gems and he easily estimated its value.
‘I could sell it for 400 gold. Or even 500 if i put enough effort.’
The regret over spending 70 000 gold was only strengthening his usual greed.
Weed quickly got off the horse, smiled brightly and said:
“If you give me a little time, I’ll make them right now. You can count on me!”
Psyche and Mako were looking at each other in confusion.
The moment they mentioned a gem, the sculptor’s attitude completely changed! He was even looking younger! They never before seen such behaviour in the game.
“We need seven figurines. Can you start right now?”
“Hmm… seven?”
“Is that too many?”
Psyche looked at him, a bit worried. Weed answered her with a sad look.
“As you know, I’m an artist. I admire art, that’s why I became a sculptor. Even when working on similar figurines, I have to make a lot of effort to maintain their originality, I have to use special techniques.”
Weed was saying that with crystal clear eyes of the most honest man in the world. From the side he looked like a most moral player, who devoted his life to art. Weed, who had a lot of experience in such matters, became an incredible actor.
“Oh! I haven’t thought about it. In this case, if you make us the figurines, we’ll add another gem to your reward. Can you make them from this material?”
Psyche took out seven red stones. At that moment she was warily examining the surroundings.
The monk has put his hand on the sword handle. If they noticed any suspicious movements, they’d immediately get rid of the sculptor.
But Weed was only looking at stones.
‘To cut them, one indeed needs an intermediate skill level. With Zahab’s knife I’ll be able to work with them easily.’
No wonder, that other sculptors refused the job, messing with gemstones of these two with just beginner skill level was very dangerous.
“Sure, I can. Wait a bit. I’ll make you best scorpions in the world.”
Weed relaxed, but kept the appearance of extreme focus, and started working. Usually there were many curious players gathering to watch him, but this time Psyche and mako were repelling any unwanted attention.
“Hey, Mako…”
“What, Psyche?”
“Do you think he might be playing this game too? Weed, I mean.”
Skillfully moving hands of the sculptor froze for a moment, before continuing work, like nothing happened. It was unlikely, that in this huge world someone was talking about him! Them must be talking about someone with a similar name.
“Hmmm. Most probably. I heard, that he sold his account in Continent of magic and moved here. There are rumors, that he’s not only playing this game, but became a paladin of Order of Freya. Of course you shouldn’t trust it much, but…”
“What, did he realize his mistakes and desided to follow the path of light? That Dark Knight, that was destroying everything in his path, like a death machine?!”
Weed’s hands started to tremble slightly. He sneaked a look at their faces.
Mako added in a low voice:
“I want to meet him so much…”
“I know, Mako. When you started playing this game 2 years ago, you was only regretting not killing Weed in Continent of magic.”
“Yeah… I wanted to best the one who was considered the strongest by everyone else.”
“I understand you. Everyone, who achieved anything significant in Continent of Magic must have had that feeling.”
“You bet! To beat the one on the top. To take his position and make him suffer. If he’s here, I wish I could meet him. No, I will definitely meet him! The continent is big, but our paths will definitely cross someday.”
“And what will you do when you meet him?”
“Oh, I’ll happily greet him. It’ll be such a joy. Ho-ho-ho!”
Psyche gave him a wry smile.
“Those are my thoughts exactly. When I meet him I’ll happily welcome him.”
“Right. We should kill him at least a thousand times.”
Weed’s hands were moving so fast, that they were barely visible. Only Zahab’s knife was flashing from time to time.
“Sculptor, there’s no need to hurry that much…”
“No…”
Weed finished the figurines as fast as possible and showed them to Psyche.
“You did a great job.”
She nodded with satisfaction, handed him the promised reward and turned to her companion.
“We can finally return.”
“Yeah, let’s hurry.”
Mako and Psyche said goodbyes to the sculptor, turned around and walked away.
When they were far enough, Weed sighed with relief.
‘Phew! I really shouldn’t tell anyone, that I have played Continent of Magic.’
As big was his fame, as strong was the hate, others felt towards him. After all he was dealing with everyone who ever attacked him with no mercy.
He has heard of Psyche and Mako before. But thanks to virtual reality, he was able to see faces of people, who might become his worst enemies in the future.
The main square of Seraburg suddenly lighted up by a bright flash of a portal, through which two players stepped into the Seraburg.
A beauty, dressed in red, and a bald monk.
“So you say there’s a sculptor here?” – asked monk his companion in a calm voice.
“Yes. Don’t you read any forums? There was a huge uproar about the construction of that sculpture…”
“Hmpf! Like I don’t have anything better to do. The fact that we had to come to this hole of a kingdom is enough! If it wasn’t for this damn quest…”
“Ha-ha. Calm down. Soon we’ll finish it, get inside, and you’ll get what you want.”
Psyche and Mako were walking around the city, talking to each other. Psyche was a girl in a gorgeous red velvet robe, and Mako was a monk, wrapped in bright yellow ceremonial clothes.
“Hmmm… Those people…”
“A witch and a saint.”
“What are they doing in Rosenheim?”
Here and there people started to loudly discuss them. These two players from the Hall of Fame of Royal Road were widely known in the game.
Psyche and Mako, who were used to such reaction weren’t paying any attention. And though they weren’t showing their power, every player who was looking at them got an impression that there’s nothing they cannot do.
“Psyche, you remember that game we used to play?”
“Huh?”
“I wonder what that guy is doing now.”
“Mako, you’re talking about that guy, Weed, again?”
“Yeah. About that bastard. He was the only one to get ahead of me and humiliate me.”
A lot of best players of Continent of Magic were playing royal Road now. And most of them were looking for Weed.
Not so long ago, the old and dusty secrets of Continent of Magic were being discovered because of Weed. He was always hunting alone in the most dangerous locations of the game, and his fame was absolute.
Mako and Psyche, like many others, were zealously following his footsteps. Many times they watched from his hunt from a distance, and they saw, that however ridiculous that seemed, he was fighting, like his life was at stake.
When he was entering dungeons, he was slaying every monster inside. He was extremely violent and efficient when he was fighting the most dangerous monsters in the game. Players, that were following him were trembling in excitement, seeing how every strike takes one life.
Back then Weed was considered the most dangerous and most successful player, that never gives up, but always keeps going ahead, fighting and winning. That’s why everyone called him the Dark Knight.
Psyche and Mako reached the east gates.
“According to our information, the sculptor was last seen around here.”
“That’s him!”
Psyche pointed at Weed, who was riding a horse.
After going through so much trouble in the past 7 days, Weed decided that the way back he’ll spend with comfort.
Plains of Despair had small herds of wild horses, but only players of certain professions, like Knights or Mercenaries, were able to tame them. They could even make horses run faster.
But Sculptors didn’t have any abilities related to horses. Though even druids could use ‘Wolf Spirit’ and bards – their singing. But sculptors…
‘Profession, that thrives only through hard work.’
Only after crossing Plains of Despair, Weed seemed to truly understand the Sculptor profession.
‘Hya! Let’s see how fast you can run!’
He was a bout to send his horse into a gallop, when two players blocked his road. A woman in red robe and a bald monk. Not giving him any time to express his anger, woman asked:
“Are you the sculptor?”
“Yeah… That’s my profession, and what is it you want from me?” – warily asked Weed.
He didn’t like unnecessary complications and he didn’t have time for them.
Psyche smiled slightly and continued.
“That means I was right. It was you, who built the pyramid. Could you by any chance make us scorpion figurines, uncle?”
“I’m afraid not. It seems you purchased some figurines from me before, but unfortunately I don’t make any more souveneers.”
Weed didn’t have enough time to spend it for a couple silver coins, so he decided to lie. Some extra profit was always welcome, but right now he had an important quest waiting for him, with hopefully great reward.
“But we have an emergency. We need those figurines right now. Could you please help us?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. Ask another sculptor.”
Weed refused abruptly, showing that he’s not going to continue this conversation.
But Psyche, seeing that the situation is developing in a wrong direction, handed him a small gem.
“We already talked to other sculptors. They say, that we need a Sculptor with an intermediate skill level. Only such a sculptor will be able to carve us the necessary figurines.”
Unfortunately for Weed, the situation was getting more and more complicated, it was obvious that they’re not going to let him go easily.
“My skill level isn’t that great, besides I’m in a hurry.”
“We know, that it’s a difficult request. So if you agree to help us, you’ll get this gem as a reward.”
Shiny red ruby got Weed’s complete attention. He already had experience of working with gems and he easily estimated its value.
‘I could sell it for 400 gold. Or even 500 if i put enough effort.’
The regret over spending 70 000 gold was only strengthening his usual greed.
Weed quickly got off the horse, smiled brightly and said:
“If you give me a little time, I’ll make them right now. You can count on me!”
Psyche and Mako were looking at each other in confusion.
The moment they mentioned a gem, the sculptor’s attitude completely changed! He was even looking younger! They never before seen such behaviour in the game.
“We need seven figurines. Can you start right now?”
“Hmm… seven?”
“Is that too many?”
Psyche looked at him, a bit worried. Weed answered her with a sad look.
“As you know, I’m an artist. I admire art, that’s why I became a sculptor. Even when working on similar figurines, I have to make a lot of effort to maintain their originality, I have to use special techniques.”
Weed was saying that with crystal clear eyes of the most honest man in the world. From the side he looked like a most moral player, who devoted his life to art. Weed, who had a lot of experience in such matters, became an incredible actor.
“Oh! I haven’t thought about it. In this case, if you make us the figurines, we’ll add another gem to your reward. Can you make them from this material?”
Psyche took out seven red stones. At that moment she was warily examining the surroundings.
The monk has put his hand on the sword handle. If they noticed any suspicious movements, they’d immediately get rid of the sculptor.
But Weed was only looking at stones.
‘To cut them, one indeed needs an intermediate skill level. With Zahab’s knife I’ll be able to work with them easily.’
No wonder, that other sculptors refused the job, messing with gemstones of these two with just beginner skill level was very dangerous.
“Sure, I can. Wait a bit. I’ll make you best scorpions in the world.”
Weed relaxed, but kept the appearance of extreme focus, and started working. Usually there were many curious players gathering to watch him, but this time Psyche and mako were repelling any unwanted attention.
“Hey, Mako…”
“What, Psyche?”
“Do you think he might be playing this game too? Weed, I mean.”
Skillfully moving hands of the sculptor froze for a moment, before continuing work, like nothing happened. It was unlikely, that in this huge world someone was talking about him! Them must be talking about someone with a similar name.
“Hmmm. Most probably. I heard, that he sold his account in Continent of magic and moved here. There are rumors, that he’s not only playing this game, but became a paladin of Order of Freya. Of course you shouldn’t trust it much, but…”
“What, did he realize his mistakes and desided to follow the path of light? That Dark Knight, that was destroying everything in his path, like a death machine?!”
Weed’s hands started to tremble slightly. He sneaked a look at their faces.
Mako added in a low voice:
“I want to meet him so much…”
“I know, Mako. When you started playing this game 2 years ago, you was only regretting not killing Weed in Continent of magic.”
“Yeah… I wanted to best the one who was considered the strongest by everyone else.”
“I understand you. Everyone, who achieved anything significant in Continent of Magic must have had that feeling.”
“You bet! To beat the one on the top. To take his position and make him suffer. If he’s here, I wish I could meet him. No, I will definitely meet him! The continent is big, but our paths will definitely cross someday.”
“And what will you do when you meet him?”
“Oh, I’ll happily greet him. It’ll be such a joy. Ho-ho-ho!”
Psyche gave him a wry smile.
“Those are my thoughts exactly. When I meet him I’ll happily welcome him.”
“Right. We should kill him at least a thousand times.”
Weed’s hands were moving so fast, that they were barely visible. Only Zahab’s knife was flashing from time to time.
“Sculptor, there’s no need to hurry that much…”
“No…”
Weed finished the figurines as fast as possible and showed them to Psyche.
“You did a great job.”
She nodded with satisfaction, handed him the promised reward and turned to her companion.
“We can finally return.”
“Yeah, let’s hurry.”
Mako and Psyche said goodbyes to the sculptor, turned around and walked away.
When they were far enough, Weed sighed with relief.
‘Phew! I really shouldn’t tell anyone, that I have played Continent of Magic.’
As big was his fame, as strong was the hate, others felt towards him. After all he was dealing with everyone who ever attacked him with no mercy.
He has heard of Psyche and Mako before. But thanks to virtual reality, he was able to see faces of people, who might become his worst enemies in the future.
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