Civilization

Noticing my presence, the ghostly figures screech at me, attacking me with a sound wave attack. Withstanding the attack, I use Earth Spike in front of me as I notice the purple fishman dashing toward me. A flash of purple lightning curves around the Earth Spike, slamming into my spider legs as they quickly stretch out in front of me, blocking two silver daggers. Sparks flew from the clash, allowing me to get a good look at my opponent.

Surprisingly, the monster looked very human-like. Other than its distinct purple skin, two sharp fins on top of its head, and the slit gills at its neck, the monster looked like a human with large azure blue eyes. Its daggers on the other hand were unique and unlike any dagger, I had seen before.

The handle resembled the spine of a fish as it digs into the palm of the monster drawing blood. Instead of dripping to the ground, the blood runs up the handle defying gravity, pooling in a small groove that cuts through the center of the knife. The knife itself curves like a snake.

Its sharp edges screech along my spider legs as the purple fishman retracts the knife. Glaring at me, it points its knife between my eyes and angrily snarls at me. Its deep low speech causes goosebumps to form along my arm as I listen to the chilling tones.

"Do not interfere with my hunt, human. Otherwise, I will kill you first." - ???

"Sorry, but I have no choice but to interfere. I can't let you kill my future citizens." - Ian

"Hrmp, they are nothing but lambs in a slaughterhouse but if you insist on getting in my way. I will let my knives taste your blood first. I, Vogg of the depths, will sacrifice you to the Reaper." - Vogg

"Try if you can." - Ian

Flashing forward, Vogg clashes with my trident as I defend myself from a stab to the stomach. Retaliating my front spider legs stab downward only to be repelled by his other knife. Breaking the stalemate, I Quickstep to his left and sweep at his feet. Jumping upward, Vogg uses the ghosts as steps accelerating in the air as he circles around me. I could even see the ghosts gifting him more power as the blue threads that connect them shine brighter, like a beacon in the night sky.

I release the spider in the Arachne Ring, ordering it to attack the other fishmen and at the same time take out the Emblem. Gripping it tightly I activate the Emblem, releasing the warriors of the past. A ghostly blue aura wraps around my hand as the Emblem shines slightly, ejecting 5 blue clouds that surround me.

Vogg dashes toward me slashing at my throat, but is immediately parried by a bronze spear. Without a moment to lose, Vogg bounces around me using the ghosts as platforms and attacking me from different angles and directions. However, each attack was unsuccessful as the blue clouds dissipates revealing 5 sturdy shields and spears that surround me.

"ALALA!!! FOR ARCHON IAN!!! FIGHT TO THE DEATH!!! ALALA!!!"

Slamming their shields with the head of their spears, the 5 Hoplites scream and yell at the top of their lungs as their war cry booms across the battlefield. Dressed in bronze armor and blood-red linen under armor, their large concave aspis shields bang against the ground, sending tremors up my spine.

Race: Human

Health Points (HP): 120/120

Mana Points (MP): 25/25

Strength: 50

Vitality: 60

Intelligence: 50

Dexterity: 35

Agility: 50

Skill: War Cry, Spear Toss, Double Thrust, Charge, Shield Bash, Mortal Faith (Passive), Unyielding Will (Passive)

Equipment: Bronze Spear, Aspis, Bronze Helmet, Bronze Chest Plate, Bronze Leg Guard,

War Cry (Active) 3MP - Roaring the war cry of the Greeks, boosting the morale and strength of the surrounding troops, as well as strikes, fear into the enemies. Increase ally strength by 5% while decreasing enemy strength by 5%. Cooldown 30 minutes.

Spear Toss (Active) 1MP - Tossing the spear with great strength in a direction to do damage (50 + 100% Strength), at the expense of losing the weapon.

Double Thrust (Active) 3MP - Thrusting the spear twice in quick succession dealing increased damage in the second thrust (First attack: 25 + 50% Strength, Second attack: 50 +100% Strength) Cooldown 10 seconds.

Shield Bash (Active) 5MP - Charge forward slightly with the shield facing the opponent dealing damage on contact (30 + 80% Strength) as well as having a 10% chance to stun. Cooldown 1 minute.

Mortal Faith (Passive) - This user generates Mortal Faith as they block an attack from an enemy. After a total of 10 stacks of Mortal Faith, the user will be able to gain 10% Strength and 10% Agility for 30 seconds as well as heal for 10% of their maximum HP. The user will lose the generated Mortal Faith after 5 minutes out of combat.

Unyielding Will (Passive) - Being already dead, the user is no longer afraid of pain or dying once more. Their mentality has changed, and their strengths have been amplified, increasing their Strength and Agility by 10% when the user is below 50% HP and increasing their Strength and Agility by 25% when the user is below 10%HP.

Looking at the Hoplites that surround me, I become flabbergasted at their insane stats and skills. Not only were their stats similar to mine, but their skills were more threatening than mine, especially the two passive skills. With just the passive skills, they will become major threats on the battlefield the longer they are 'alive', but unfortunately, they will only last for 30 minutes.

"YOUR ORDERS, ARCHON!!"

Spoken in unison, the 5 Hoplites express their opinion as they get into defensive formation with me at the center. Yogg had been bouncing back and forth trying to pry open the wall but to no avail. The Hoplites were sturdy and kept their ground against the attack, stacking the Mortal Faith bit by bit.

"Kill the purple fishman!" - Ian

"ALALA!!!"

Raising their spears at the command, the 5 Hoplite spring into action. Receiving Yogg's attack, the Hoplite retaliates with a Shield Bash, slamming his shield into Yogg's chest stunning him for a brief moment. Almost immediately, the other 4 Hoplites surround Yogg slamming him with their shield, with a lucky hit to the head stunning the fishman once more. In hopes to disengage the Hoplites, the ghosts create 10 Ghost Spikes around Yogg piercing the feet of the Hoplites and reducing their HP by 15.

However, as if that attack didn't happen, the Hoplites proceed with their attack. Thrust after thrust could be seen as their spears enter and exit Yogg's body. Despite his extremely high agility, Yogg was unable to escape the Hoplite encirclement after he got hit with the first Shield Bash. It was like watching 5 bullies beat up a small child, a Yogg's body flops to the ground in a bloody mess before disintegrating into a cloud of purple smoke.

It happened so fast, that I barely had time to process the fight. The ghosts above the Hoplites were desperately attacking them with white balls and ghostly spikes but were unable to land any attack. Unable to reach the monsters, the Hoplites could only dodge while at the same time waiting for my next order. Their gaze reaches me as I fumble my words ordering them to eliminate the rest of the fishmen.

Screaming their war cry once more, they dash into the fray, stabbing their spears into the fishmen or blocking attacks with their shields. Knowing that they could handle the fishmen, I run toward Gewari who was crouching next to Luna. Luna's distinct fur served as a marker and under the moonlight, I could easily spot her. As I approach Luna and Gewari, I notice 2 other shadows next to Gewari.

"WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT? I'M WARNING YOU! DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" - ???

"First the fishmen, now goblins and wolves? I told you we should have stayed in that abandoned goblin encampment. Now all of your NPCs are going to die along with us." - ???

"SHUT UP!! We were so close to our destination. Look it is literally over there! We just needed to not get noticed by this group of monsters, and we could have been safe!" - ???

"Well, now we so screwed. I'll see you outside the game I guess…" - ???

"Wait… Evan? Babe?" - Ian

Hearing those familiar voices, I come closer as the two shadowy figures turn in my direction. Their faces were full of confusion but at the same time relief and excitement. I couldn't stop a smile from forming on my face as I look at their bewildered expressions.

"EVAN! BABE!" - Ian

"IAN?! WHAT THE HELL??" - Evan

"Oh my god…" - Rebecca

Running faster, I swing my arms around both of them as I crash into their bodies, pushing them to the ground with my momentum. I couldn't believe that they made it all the way here after so long. Especially since Evan had been traveling for so long, seeking out HavenFall.

"Wait, wait, wait. IAN! MY NPCS! SAVE THEM!!!" - Evan

"Don't worry, they will be safe. My NPCs are already fighting against the fishmen. On another note, I'm glad to see both of you!!!" - Ian