Parallel Vol. 1

Kashi sighed as he gripped the captain by his collar. His eyes bored into the older man’s. They resembled pools of death. Captain shuddered as Kashi brought his face close to his and whispered, “Tell me everything.”

The crew gathered around their leader as the captain spilled the beans. “W-we’re working with the Mayor of Ker-”

The daeben tightened his grip. “I already know that. Tell me something I don’t know.”

Sweat flooded the bandit’s face. “The loot is kept in a storehouse at the harbor,” he mumbled, tears streaming down his face. “Please spa-”

“You’re hiding something,” Kashi said. “Spill.”

“I-I can’t! Please! He’ll kill me!”

The air grew thick around the daeben. “And what do you think I will do?” He tightened his grip even more, causing the older man to choke.

“O-okay, I’ll talk!” He pleaded.

Kashi released him. “Speak.”

Captain clasped his sore throat as he gasped for air. “We were supposed to launch a surprise attack on the capital in a few days.”

“You are not in league with the lizardmen?”

“No. Damn reptiles occupied Riven right after the war.”

“How was this attack supposed to be carried out? I imagine you could not openly side with the army.”

“Y-you’re right,” he blubbered. “The bandits would raid Riven by sea, while he lead the adventurers to attack from the front.”

“I sense a but.”

“Promise you won’t kill me” He pleaded.

“If you don’t start talking, that is exactly what I will do.”

Tears poured down the man’s face. “Riven can not be attacked by sea.”

Kashi’s brows furrowed. “Explain.”

“None of you ‘summoned’ have explored that region so you don’t know. Riven sits on the steepest of cliffs. It is impossible to scale.”

“What about its harbor? I doubt the capital does not have one.”

“Its only harbor is carved into the mountain. It is sealed during emergencies.”

“Let me guess-”

“The reptiles have kept it sealed for the last decade. It’ll be difficult to open it from the inside. Utterly impossible from the outside.”

“I see,” Kashi said, smiling. “You never planned to assist Absalon did you?”

“Why should we? Looting the army’s dead bodies would have been much more fruitful.”

The daeben shrugged. “As expected of a coward. It was a good plan though, I’ll give you that much.”

“What now? Will you kill me?” An arrow struck the ground next to him and he shrieked in terror.

“Do not speak of death so calmly.” He put down his bow and turned to Jero. “Do with him as you see fit.”

Jero walked over to the bandit, holding his dagger in a death grip. He held down the bandit and raised his dagger to strike.

“P-please!” Captain begged. His face degenerated into an unsightly mess from snot, spit and tears. “Don’t kill me! Please!”

“How many people did you slaughter for your greed!”

“Hiii!”

“My wife was among those you assholes killed.” His voice was low; his words, slow... deliberate. “She begged too. You showed her no mercy.”

“P-p-please! I’ll change! I won’t do it again!”

Jero struck.. Stab!

“Waaaah!” Captain cried, shielding himself with his eyes. A few second passed and he realized he was not dead. He looked to the side. The cold blade dug into the earth.

Sighing, Jero drew out his blade and released him. “There is no value in taking the life of a coward. Mytra will be satisfied with your disgrace.”

Captain quickly knelt in a dogeza, and pounded his head against the ground.“Than-” His head rolled away from his body, blood spraying like a fountain. “...you?”

“Fuck you.” Hektor retrieved his axe, nose scrunched in disgust.

Kashi sighed and patted him on the back. “Hope that made you feel better.”

“No’ really.”

“Haha, let’s see if we can make you feel better then.” He said as they watched the corpse return to the circle.

“Wha you go’ in mind?”

A smirk crawled up the daeben’s face. “He did say something about a storehouse.”

A few minutes later, Hektor smashed open the doors of the storehouse. He stepped back, gaping in disbelief. “Holy...”

Kashi’s fists clenched and unclenched rapidly. “Hello~”

All seven men stared, transfixed by the sight. None dared move, frightful it would all turn out to be a dream.

Lunette and Shadow chose that moment to join them. “What are you guys staring at?” She turned to the direction of their stares. “Oh, my...” She had never seen so much gold in one place before. Chests upon chests were filled with coins, jewelry, weapons, maps, paintings.. It seemed to have no end. Whistling she walked in and reached for an emerald earring.

“Abababa!” The men yelled, sweat pouring down their faces.

“What’s wrong with you guys?” She put them on, and smiled at her reflection on a glass shield.

“It’s real.” “It’s not disappearing.” “It’s... Wooohooo!”

Lunette paled as they dashed past her, mad with joy and dove into treasure.

Paris grabbed a scepter and donned a gold crown with a fur mantle. Jumping onto the highest stacked treasure he proclaimed, “Ah, I knew I was born royalty. Now, all you commoners, bow before my perfection.”

Iason kicked the bottom chest and chuckled as he crashed to the floor.

“Look what I found!” Kashi called, rolling several barrels towards them.

“Is that what I think it is?” Jero asked, eyes widening.

“Only one way to find out.”

They all grabbed goblets of different makes. They shook with anticipation, as the daeben pried it open.

“Sweet Mera,“Jero muttered as he stared at the red liquid. He filled his goblet and gulped down the mixture in one go. “I don’t believe it. Honey Mead!”

“What?” The rest cried as they clamored for a taste. They cried out in joy and took many more swigs of the drink.

Iason walked over to Shadow and wrapped his arm around the youth’s neck. “Don’t be standing here by your lonesome.”

“No, I’m fi-” He let out an embarrassing yell as Iason lifted him. “Let me down!”

“Sure!” He said and tossed him into a full barrel.

“Why you!” Shadow cried as he hopped out and chased the lumbering man.

The party continued well into the night, with Iason toying with everybody, while fighting with Hektor every ten seconds. Even Kira wasn’t spared from his antics.

Exhausted, Kashi exited the building. He walked to the pier and sat down, letting the water lap against his legs. Then closed his eyes and lay down on the wooden walkway.

“Done already?”

He opened his right eye to see Lunette smiling down at him. “Ian’s scary when he’s drunk.”

“So you abandoned Kira? That’s not too brave is it?”

“She’s a tough girl. I’m sure she can handle it.”

A loud yelp rang out from the storehouse.

“You were saying..” she smirked.

He closed his eyes as a gentle breeze blew across. “She’ll be fine.”

She sat down beside him, and gazed at his peaceful demeanour. It was hard to believe he was the same person responsible for the destroyed fort. “Say, can I ask something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“When did you decide to add us to your plan?”

“Before we met.”

She inhaled sharply. “Huh?!”

“Well, to be precise, at Lew Creek.”

“How?”

“That was where I learned your ability. Decided you would be of use then.”

Those words should have annoyed her. They really should have. But his voice carried neither superficial pride nor conceit. Just honesty. “And the frogs?”

“Those actually came after I already formulated a plan around you. Till Jero told me just how fearsome they were, I considered them normal monsters.”

“Wait. So what if you never found me?”

“I knew I would. But I had a failsafe just in case. Was too risky though, and I really did not want to use it yet.”

“...You’re insane.”

Kashi chuckled. “So you’ve said.” He removed his legs from the water and placed it on the pier. His breathing evened out as he fell into sleep.

Iason left the storehouse, chugging down drink after drink. He looked to the pier where Lunette watched over the sleeping daeben. “Now, ain’t that a sight.”

Residential Sector

Building 3

Floor 4

Jade glared at her computer’s screen as she tapped on her mouse. “Come on, come on, come on!”

Her frustration was caused by the abysmal pace of the download. It had been a few weeks since the download begun, and so far, she was privy only to things most people knew.

“Do it, don’t do it.” She stared at the screen like it would suddenly display her answer.

She could attempt to create another backdoor, but that would largely increase the possibility of discovery. On the flip side, it would double the rate of download.

Her father had taught her that hackers should be patient. But he also said soon after that most were impatient by nature.

After staring at the screen for what felt like hours, she cracked her fists and set to work creating a new backdoor. “I hope this doesn’t come around to bite me in the ass.”

Elsewhere, a certain blonde, blue eyed man received a notification on his laptop. “Impressive,” he said as he pressed a button, deleting the warning from the system.

The afternoon sun glared harshly at Kashi, who yawned as he walked through the shattered walls into the fort. He was returning from looting all the Geruk Frogs that had died outside.

Deep in thought, he circled around the fort. The damage to the wall was a little more than expected, but nothing that could not be repaired. The buildings that had been squashed by the Geruk frogs were not really important; most were only living quarters.

What really bothered him was the matter of ownership. He had already tried to claim the fort, but he received a notification that said only guilds could be owners of certain properties. Not only was he not in a guild, but he could not create one because of the exile.

That left him with only one option.

“Ow, ow, ow.” Iason mumbled, rubbing his head as he and Jero walked up to him.

“Still hungover?” Kashi asked.

“Ha. I think I celebrated too hard there.” Iason tapped Jero’s shoulder, roaring in laughter.

“At least I didn’t pass out after only two drinks.”

Kashi was surprised to see the older man visibly embarrassed. “That was.. It’s been a while since my last drink,” Jero mumbled.

“Hai, hai,” Iason patted his shoulder as he turned to Kashi “What’re you doing up so early anyway?”

“It’s past noon,” Kashi replied, brow raised.

Iason shrugged. “Same difference.”

“I guess. I was thinking of what to do next.”

Jero paled. “D-Don’t tell me you plan on having us attack the capital.”

“Spot on.” Their terrified expressions were priceless. “Don’t worry, we won’t attack yet. Even I am not crazy. However, Jero-san...”

“Yes?”

“How would you like to be captain of this fort?”

“C-captain?” His voice shook, as he stared blankly at the daeben.

“Yes. I have a plan, but I can’t carry it out if we lose this fort.”

“Wow!” Iason exclaimed. “Oi, Jero what are you thinking too hard about? That’s as good an offer as lowly villagers like us get.”

“I.. I know that,” Jero said, staring at his feet. He sighed loudly, then looked at Kashi. “I will do it.”

“Good,” said the daeben. “All you have to do is sign your name in this book.” He tossed a huge ledger to Jero.

The half-elf signed the book and a notification appeared telling Kashi that the new Captain of the Fort was one Jero Wraithspear.

“To think I would become a captain.” Jero looked to the sun, a weary smile on his face. “If only Mytra could have seen this.”

“I’m sure she’s laughing her fine ass off,” Iason said.

He let out a short, painful laugh. “She did have a nice ass.”

“The finest in the continent.”

Kashi silently listened to the men reminisce. He knew nothing of loss, nor would he ever pretend to. Some things, a man should not fake.

“What is this plan of yours?” Jero asked.

“In due time,” Kashi said, grinning. “In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you gathered as many people that would lend their sword as soon as possible.”

“This part of your plan?” Iason asked.

“Fundamental part,” he said. “You can choose to start fixing the walls if you wish. But what we really need are ships. If its funds you need, we have more than enough.”

“How many people do you need?” Jero asked.

“About fifty. They should be split evenly between the five of you. It’ll be easier to coordinate.”

“Wait, five? Someone’s missing.”

“Hektor might be an excellent warrior, but he lacks the experience and patience required to lead. He can join any of your companies.”

“I see,” Jero mused. “I should be able to round up that much. Most will consider themselves indebted to you.”

“Thank you,” Kashi said as they walked over to the storehouse.

The rest of the crew slumbered peacefully, exhausted by the tension that had ebbed away during their celebration.

A notification informed him that there were a million gold coins in the room. He could not even begin to guess how much all the artifacts would sum up to.

“I don’t get it. Why live here if you’re as rich as this,” Jero said.

“No matter how much they steal, they can’t sell it without a fence,” Kashi said. “Worse off, in this trying times, the people with enough money to buy these items are probably those they were stolen from in the first place. A thief’s income is only as good as his customers.”

“If they could not sell them, why not just quit?”

Kashi sighed as he shook his head. “Some steal to live. Others live to steal. Depending on which side a thief is on, he might never stop his trade till he’s caught, killed or grows too old.”

“You seem to know a lot about this,” Iason noted.

“Heh. Good observation,” Kashi said, dismissing the topic. He scanned the treasure for anything that would be of use to him. And found out there were far too many. Be it the high level ore from the mines, or the unique bows, to the equipment... The thieves had really hoarded everything they had amassed in the past ten years.

He decided to identify everything. While immersed in his work, he did not notice the rest of the crew wake up and gather around him. He suddenly screamed, hands shaking as he stared at the item in his hand.

Tears of the Goddess

Heroes are not always born with talent. Drink and feel the power rise within you.

Permanently Increases Mana by 200MP

All the money in the world could not compare to this find. It was possible for him to buy potions that temporarily increased his MP. However, they were expensive and had short time limits. This on the other hand would permanently increase his mana.

He instantly drank it. It tasted nasty, but most good things did. Next, he pocketed a hundred thousand gold, leaving the rest for Jero and his mates. This was more than enough for the next stage of his plans.

His last course of action was to pack all the items he needed into large sacks because they could not fit into his inventory.

When he was done, he tapped Kira awake.

Jero and Iason assisted him to transport the sacks onto a schooner at the harbor. Kashi rested on the wheel, as the men walked up to him.

“Where will you be going now?” Jero asked.

“Ranad. Will spend some time there before returning to Kerta,” he answered.

“In that case, we’ll escort you,” Iason said.

“No, it’s fine,” Kashi politely refused. “The sooner we start recruiting, the better. I’ll be fine.”

“Then we’ll see you when you return.”

“Till then. I leave the fort in your hands.”

Jero held out his arm and Kashi clasped it tightly. “It was an honor fighting by your side.”

“The honor is mine,” replied the daeben. He turned to Iason and held out his hand. “As it was an honor fighting by you.”

The giant squeezed him in a bear hug. “You take care now. We’ll see you on the flip side.” he released the daeben and ruffled Kira’s fur. “Keep watch over him. He’s a crazy one.”

She barked and placed a paw on his outstretched hand.

The men hopped off the boat as Kashi raised the anchor. “Till we meet aga-”

“Wait!” Three voices shouted.

Kashi watched, amazed as Lunette, Shadow and Hektor jumped onto the deck.

“You weren’t thinking of leaving us were you?” Lunette asked. Her eyes were drawn together as she glared at him, arms akimbo. Her pout was - Suzuki would kill him for thinking this - somewhat cute.

“Oh? I thought you were exploring the area,” Kashi said.

“I was,” she curtly replied. “Until a certain someone turned me into eye candy bait. I can’t stay here another day.”

“Do you want an apology? That’s odd. I would have thought it would be a testament to your beauty.”

What the?! Everyone’s eyes snapped to him in shock. Who knew he was such a smooth player?

How can he say that so calmly? Color rose to her cheeks, as they heated up.

“What’s the matter? I expected a comeback,” Kashi said with a blank expression.

Realization dawned on her and she sighed. He was a complete buffoon. “Nothing at all.”

“What’s with the condescending look?”

She regarded him with pity. “Nothing at all.”

Kashi shrugged. It was not like he could unravel the mystery that was the female mind. “And, why are you coming along?” He said to Hektor.

“’Cause yer strong. I’m sure I’ll ’ave more fun if I stick wid ya,” Hektor said. He glared at the daeben as if daring him to refuse.

“If it’s for a reason like that, I’ll be a fool to turn you away. Looking forward to working with you.”

“I ain’t calling ya boss.”

“Never said you should.”

“Jus’ tot I’d lay I’ ou’ dere.”

Kashi laughed heartily as he gripped the wheel. “Well, then. Raise the sails.”