Leveling up the World

Chapter 222: On the Loose

FATAL STRIKE

Dealt damage increased by 500%

The Nox dagger drilled through the brill protecting the eye as if it were made of paper. The crack was less than a fraction of an inch wide, but enough for the blade to sink into the eye, reducing the snakes remaining health by half.

The entire head of the island snake trembled, despite the entangled forest keeping it in place.

Steady, Lux, Dallion said as the firebird pulled him away from the snake. Theres nothing to be worried about. Just one more and were done.

Dallion pulled the dagger out. The dryad was standing on a tree a few dozen feet from him. It was thanks to him that the snake was in this state, and he had left Dallion to take the victory. Not that there was anything to complain about, but Dallion had no idea that his shield guardian was so strong or that he could emerge from his shield state. The harpsisword had sort of done it, but it was nowhere as impressive as this. Did that mean that the dryad was stronger than the nymph?

You made me underestimate you, the snake said, its voice echoing through the air. Clever move to send you in. Id never think level fifteen to be a threat, while you had secret help all along.

Dallions more rash side wanted to shout out some comeback. However, he had to admit that the snake was right. It had taken two familiars to keep him alive and two equipment guardians to fight for him. Without any of those Dallion would have lost for certain.

Youre too late, the snake attempted to laugh, thick yellow liquid oozing from its eye. This piece of the seal will do nothing since hes already escaped.

Escaped? Dallion paused from going through with the final blow. In all the movies he had watched on Earth, that was the worst thing to do, and still the phrase had sparked a powerful flame of curiosity in him that needed feeding.

Do you have you keep pretending?

Im not. With your senses you should be able to see that. At least if you had both eyes

So, youre just another sacrifice. To think that youd end up being victorious

As you said, I had some help, Dallion admitted. Who escaped? he repeated the question.

Will you let me be if I tell you?

An interesting bargaining chip. It was clear that there was no way out for the snake. Dallion had both the tools and the will to go through with this. As long as he killed the guardian, he would complete the mirror pools task, which should get him and Gloria off the hook.

No.

Honesty? the snake snorted. A good quality in the worst of times. But even that doesnt matter. You'll never be able to find him. You can tell the Star and the rest of the world that. He has been out for years, its only now that you started bothering to find out. And he might not be alone.

I dont really need to know, Dallion decided to bluff, filling his words with certainty thanks to his music skill. I was only hired to clear the rind. One more strike and Ill do that.

Go ahead.

Mockery radiated from the snakes very being. It either didnt believe Dallion would go through with it, or simply didnt care.

Sorry, Dallion whispered, and performed his final attack.

FATAL STRIKE

Dealt damage increased by 500%

A roar unlike any Dallion had heard filled the air. It wasnt coming from the head along; all the islands let out a scream, then returned to silence as the creatures health reached zero.

The copyette is out there, the snake managed to say in its dying breath. Its already out there

VERMILIONS TEARS destiny has been fulfilled.

Your Attack skills have increased to 28

Attack? Not the best, but still an improvement nonetheless. If Dallion wasnt under so much pressure, he would have used his acrobatics more.

Dallion was just about to ask the dryad if he had any idea what was going, when he found himself back in the study surrounded by people. Lacking Lux, gravity took hold of Dallion with full strength, pulling him to the floor. Unable to keep his balance, Dallion stumbled, letting the artifact fall from his hand.

Kid? You okay? the tattooed man asked with the concern of someone who would have a contract void if anything were to happen to Dallion.

Yeah, Dallion managed to say. It was a bit rougher He glanced at his shield.

The piece of gear was strapped to his left arm, as it had been before. The more interesting part was that there didnt seem to be any marks or corroded parts on it. Everything was just as it was supposed to, very much to Dallions relief.

What happened in there? the silhouette figure asked, its voice a mix of dozens others, both male and female.

The guardian of the real was a giant snake made of islands, Dallion replied. In fact, he was in the realm. All the ones you sent before me died on the spot. I was lucky I didnt.

There was no need for him to share the details. The mirror pool already knew too much about him and his familiars; there was no need to provide them with additional information, especially concerning the abilities of his guardian.

I think he was called Vermilion. Dallion inadvertently looked at the floor in search of the ring.

As suspected, the artifact was there, but it no longer was a ring it had now transformed into a key. In other circumstances, Dallion would have asked to keep it as his prize, but something told him that this wouldnt be an option this time.

Vermilion? the woman from the Order asked. For the first time since hed come in, Dallion saw a spark or interest in her.

Thats what it looked like. Why?

Its not your concern. Did the guardian say anything? Maybe before you started the battle or afterwards?

A talking guardian? the fury asked.

All named guardians talk, the woman from the Order replied with a semi-sigh.

Is my work done? Dallion turned to the tattooed man. With this were all good and youll leave Gloria alone?

We wont harm her. Well even help with her chosen career. That should be good enough, I hope?

Provided you dont use her to ask me to do suicide jobs again.

Granted. If we have any suicide jobs, well approach you directly now answer the question.

Should I share this with them? Knowing that a copyette had escaped in the real world sounded pretty important. Dallion knew several people who were terrified of such a possibility. Of course, one of the people was Arthurows.

On the other hand, from Dallions interactions with copyettes, he didnt think they were nearly as bad as they were described. After all, dryads and nymphs were also imprisoned races, and they seemed pretty okay.

After I defeated him, the guardian said that I was too late and that hed already gotten out of there, Dallion said after a while.

He? the woman of the Order asked.

A copyette.

To Dallions senses, it felt as if there was an explosion in the room. Everyones fear suddenly peaked, screaming from them like a fire alarm.

Youre sure? the woman grabbed him by the shoulder.

Thats what he said. Dallion tried to pull away, but the grip was too firm. The womans level had to be higher than his.

Anything else?

Nothing. Just that Im too late and the copyette has been out for years. Why? Is it that important?

Everyone looked at him, as if he had asked the stupidest question in the world. That was exactly what Dallion was going for. The best way to make sure that he wouldnt be interrogated about something was to create the appearance that he had no idea what he was talking about. And still, he didnt think there being a copyette on the loose was such a big deal. Or was it?

A few years. The tattooed man crossed his arms. With that much time, he could have become anyone. Maybe even a noble.

The Order would have sensed if that were the case, the woman countered. No, hes hiding somewhere, amassing skills. When he has enough of them, hell make his first move. She bent down and took the key from the floor. The Order will take care of things from here. No need for you to get involved.

Lady, I dont want to get involved, the tattooed replied. Trust me.

I dont think thats what's been harming explorers, though, Dallion said. That was the guardian. I guess he didnt want anyone from learning the secret. Or getting the key. Personally, I think that

You did your job, the tattooed man interrupted. Cloud will take you to your room.

Dallion nodded. Not the best that could have happened, but something he expected. It would have been nice if they had given him some reward for his troubles, but knowing that Gloria would no longer be their target was more than enough. He only hoped that they kept their word.

Needless to say, youre not to repeat any rumors out in the open, the woman said. But in case you find something, let the Order know.

Of course, Dallion replied. Out of curiosity, what can a copyette do exactly? Even if everything written in the historical scrolls is true, its just one being.

One being with the ability to transform into anyone and learn nearly any skills. Given enough time they will find an organization to infiltrate then slowly rise to the top. It might be a guild, the city guard, a merchant organization, or even the city itself. If you only knew how many wars were started because of stray copyettes. In your place Id be careful of the people around you.

Ill do that.

Moments later, Dallion was led out of the mansion and, to be honest, he felt quite relieved. Not so much because he feared the people inside might do something to him; it was the mansion that really creeped him out.

I take it there will be no reward? Dallion asked once he and Cloud were out in the open.

Dont push it.

Dallion didnt. He could feel how tense she was, and knew from experience what she was capable of when she was pissed off.

Just as before, the fury pulled him up in the air and started the flight back to the open window of his room. Soon hed be back there and no one would be the wiser.

How do I find out if someone is a copyette or not? he broke the silence after a while.

You dont. After this much time in the open, the copyette would have learned to bleed. The only way to tell for certain is to kill whoever you suspect and hope for the best.

That didnt sound very practical for anyone else other than the fury. The way things were going, hed have to ask Nil more on the matter, and the armadil shielddefinitely the armadil shield! What the dryad had done in the ring was way too unusual for him not to. The moment he was back in his roomand was sure the mirror pool wasnt anywhere nearhe was going to enter the realm of the shield and have a long conversation on the matter. Hopefully, it was going to be a peaceful conversation.

What about the key? Dallion persisted. What does it open?

Something important enough to have a death trap in the keys realm. Maybe its the key to the copyettes prison, or the prison of a thousand like him. All that matters is that you keep your mouth shut.

As long as you keep your end of the bargain.

You dont get it. There are fifty people within the pool that can kill you in less than a minute. Youre not worth their time even without the hunters protection. We are in the business of giving warnings. The copyette isnt. The moment he finds out someone is asking about him, we might end up having a new Dallion and no one will even realize.