Bro, I'm not an Undead!



Replicus was greatly annoyed.

If not because of the thing standing before him, then because of this name that had been attached to him.

Pherdanta was also visibly irritated behind the helmet she now wore, but for her, it was mostly because of this unwanted reception.

The barrier into the Severed Union didn't require any form of security. All one needed to do, was shut off any hostile or aggressive abilities, and they would be allowed to pass through easily.

"Will you let us pass now?" Replicus asked the black humanoid shape before him. He did not even bother to hide his hostility.

The thing tilted its head.

"Why, of course. Verification has been requested since the world has suddenly become a more dangerous place in the last few hours. Who knows who, or what may try to invade our safe space," it said.

"Hmmm," Replicus hummed.

From this side of the barrier, nothing could be seen expect the open sea that extended far into the horizon. This mechanism, aside from barring unwanted attention, also acted as a screening mechanism, since it took a lot of effort to sense where the barrier was. It was also equipped with a function that swept those who couldn't perceive it, a far distance away, warding them off from the Severed Union.

And of course, as said before, only the select were allowed to learn how to perceive this barrier.

"You may pass, Bright Storm. Again, I'm pleased you responded very quickly," the dark humanoid bowed, and did a gesture for the two to pass.

Replicus didn't waste any more time.

He walked forward, seemingly to cross the endless sea on foot.

Yet, in the next moment, it was as if his body was swallowed by the air, and he emerged elsewhere.

....

A dark blocky sky – as though made of bricks – appeared, as far up as the skies of Aigas. Thickly woven ropes as bulky as baobab trucks hung from this sky, and at their ends, vast, innumerable and astonishingly bright lanterns could be seen, giving light to the enormous space below.

What was under these lights, was quite the sight.

It was like a massive continent split into four portions that floated above the sea while keeping close proximity to one another.

Creating a series of connections to these four parts, were rickety-looking bridges that also seemed sturdy.

Currently, Replicus, and Pherdanta who had walked in from behind him, were on a portion that had a plethora of cramped, oddly decorated buildings and a shocking number of people interacting everywhere in loud voices.

These people didn't look like the usual common folk. Each and every one of them had an experienced air about them, and most looked like typical brigands.

Assortments of wares, weapons, poisons, and various artefacts were being sold by shady-looking characters who hollered at anyone who passed through the streets. Several nasty altercations could be seen around these makeshift shops, and it was obvious that centered around breaches in honesty – all its various forms accounted for.

Replicus walked forward and Pherdanta followed.

Seeing the crowds in her master's way, a burst of killing intent flooded from her body so abruptly, and so abundantly that the hundreds in the narrow streets all felt it at the same time, and grew pale.

Immediately, they scrambled out of the way.

Even those who had shoddy tables that held their portfolios, drew them away, and pressed against the walls.

A path was cleared in a breath.

Replicus passed through the clear street.

Several voices began whispering from all sides.

"Is... is that Bright Storm?"

"Of course it is, you fool! Couldn't it be more obvious?!"

"Dear Quintess! What is he doing on this side?! Shouldn't the likes of him be playing on the brighter sides of the Union?"

"Watch your tongue! You never want to jab even a little at a Faction leader. No legal process can save you from being cut down for it."

"Damn it. Look at that. What grade do you think the armour he is wearing is at?"

"Who knows? Rather than wondering that, I've been trying to join his Faction for a month. Or get contracted at least. I've heard he has one of the strongest and fastest rising Factions ever!"

"Of course he has. See that woman by his side? I heard she left one of the other Factions to join Bright Storm!"

Replicus could hear everything being said about him and Pherdanta, but he didn't pay it any mind. He didn't come here for compliments and theories, after all.

This quarter of this large arrangement was often called the Depraved Side. It was where common bandits who were yet to get properly attached lived.

But what did that even mean?

Well, the Severed Union, was similar to the Guilds Association.

Replicus had the suspicion that one took inspiration from the other – though it was likely the Guilds Association that was fashioned out of the concept of the Severed Union... maybe.

The Severed Union was an organisation with no ties to Feinheath or Opungale. This was to say, it was not aligned with humans or Sif specifically.

Even as Replicus passed the parting crowds, more than a few Sif faces showed. Some even ran various stores that he passed on the way.

The Union was said to have been created by the Nine Immortals, beings everyone considered a myth. The Union's purpose was an odd one. All combatants of some kind of value were invited, branded with the Union Seal, and sent out to... well, cause as much havoc on Feinheath and Opungale as possible.

It was a bit more complex than this, but this 'havoc' wasn't in the name of malice. In fact, it was supposedly meant to spurn varying degrees of tension, which Replicus had found odd and dark.

He wasn't at all convinced when he first heard this, because only low level bandits were sent to various regions of each nation, to kill and steal. He admitted that as Skullius, he had found the number of bandits wondering around to be very annoying, but it was hardly enough to stimulate something even in Pelian.

Or perhaps it wasn't some kind of growth that was being targeted, but awareness?

In any case, most bandits on the mainland were tied to the Severed Union. If they proved useful in some way, either by acquiring rare items or proving to have unique, valuable abilities, they would be attached to a Faction – which meant being contracted by one of the 34 leading organisations in the Severed Union.

This was what Kenno had been doing back when he met Skullius.

Being under contract with a Faction meant you got to serve them while gaining very profound rewards. Procuring important items in exchange for tools or money was usually the arrangement.

This was why Kenno and his men had been stealing relief meant for the Isise. Aside from foodstuffs, they hoped to intercept important artefacts that may have been supplied by the Purity.

With enough time serving as contracted brigands, it was possible to be conscripted into a Faction, which was the highest honour one could get. But what was the purpose of a Faction?

Well...

Replicus, after passing through a series of streets in this crowded space, finally found what he was looking for. A portly building that looked aged to imperfection stood between two shacks that had ancient-looking conmen advertising suspicious jewels and trinkets.

At the sight of Replicus, the old men fled, but of course, the Penetrator didn't care for them.

He walked over to girthful building, which sent a rain of rust from its metallic roofing falling to the ground, and entered through the unguarded doorway.

It was dark inside.

Threateningly so.

A carpet with a colourful sigil... no, a complex rune network, that shimmered with a furious surge of Aura, was the first thing Replicus saw when he 'squinted' down at the floor.

He stopped, choosing not to go any further.

Pherdanta immediately held the hilt to the sword on her waist.

"Hahahaha! Bright Storm, can't you fall for it even once," a deceptively joyful voice crisply rang out.

Replicus merely scoffed.

"Oh, goodness. I can only imagine why you are here. I might be seeing the Yormuness today depending on how I play my cards right now. Am I right?" the voice came again.

"That's exactly right," Replicus said in a chilling tone.