2025-01-13 19:51:31Vardy stepped onto the Sign, and the teleporting light him and everyone else. In a moment, they arrived in the dim interior of the Apex Realm temple, with its gray stone and tall gothic pillars.
"The Apex Realm. I never thought I'd be back here with you, master," said Ferah. She seemed happy at first, but then she squinted. "Something feels off about this place."
"What do you mean?" asked Vardy.
"The Apex Realm is supposed to be a safe space created by the twin gods Amara and Sindri. It should have a warmth to it from their powers. But I don't sense it. It feels...dead," said Ferah. "It's like this place is just a copy, lacking the real 'life' but still having its powers."
"I noticed that too," said Vardy. "My theory is that this isn't the real Apex Realm. It's just a replica, still holding its powers but lacking the true essence."
"Is that so?" Ferah looked around warily. "As long as you trust it, I will too."
"So far, it hasn't let me down," said Vardy. He leaped over the Wellspring of Life to the Forge where he found the System hammering away at nothing.
Ferah followed Vardy closely, raising her shield against the glitchy stick figure. "There's no point, Ferah. The Apex Realm is a no combat zone," said Vardy.
"Forgive me, master," said Ferah, lowering her shield but still eyeing the System suspiciously.
"I understand your caution," said Vardy. "This thing seems to be a fusion of Amara and Sindri, performing their functions in the Apex Realm. Can you sense anything unusual about it?"
Ferah stared at the System for a moment before shaking her head. "I sense no hostility. It feels unfinished, like raw energy."
"That's what I thought," said Vardy. "It only responds to certain commands. We have to rely on it for now."
"I trust your judgement," said Ferah. "Especially over my impulsiveness."
Vardy approached the System. "Here for a forging request."
"Ah, a forging, is it?" said the System. "I can do that any time! What'll it be, lad?"
"Soul forging," said Vardy, selecting the "Soul of Sly" from his inventory.
The orb floated to Vardy, and he absorbed it into his inventory. "This will do," said Vardy, equipping the mask. "Piece by piece, I'm ready for battle."
"Marvelous!" said Ferah, clapping her hands. "Onwards, then!"
Vardy and his growing entourage of undead traveled through the Vagrant forest. He knew the general direction of Haven, but without an Eye-Phone, he lacked a reliable map.
To make up for this, he had the Evil Eye float above the trees to guide them.
Every now and then, Ferah would sense danger with her "Defender's Vigil" passive. When this happened, Vardy would stand behind her shield while the Evileye scouted ahead with its permanent invisibility.
Although it couldn't pass through solid objects, it could maneuver through tight spaces and its omni-directional vision made spotting threats easy.
Mostly, Vardy encountered Essentrias, the most common Vagrant in the forest. These were easily defeated - Vardy alone could handle one with his physical stats.
In total, he defeated 5 Essentrias and gained 50 EXP.
After about an hour of traveling, they stumbled upon a pack of them, led by a larger Alpha with a red line of fur on its forehead.
The Evileye spotted them sleeping in a clearing by a stream, with a few keeping watch.
What do we do, master? Ferah asked telepathically. Should we just pass by?
I have a plan, Vardy replied, glancing at his skeletal allies, Luthor, and Tracy. Let's add an Alpha to our ranks.
Why not replace the zombies? Ferah queried. They're the weakest.
They stay with me, Vardy asserted. No more questions.
Understood, Ferah said. I'm sorry-
Don't be, Vardy interrupted. You're fine. Let's proceed.
Ferah charged in with her shield, drawing the attention of the Essentrias. She easily dispatched them, displaying her combat prowess.
The Alpha, blinded by the Skeleton Rogue, charged at Ferah, but she stood her ground, deflecting its attack with her shield.
As the other Essentrias swarmed her, Ferah unleashed her "Bloody Strike", incapacitating them.
Only the Alpha remained standing, but Ferah quickly disposed of it by impaling it on a tree with her shield.
Turning to Vardy, she removed her helmet, revealing a wide smile. Despite her exhilaration, she remained sane.
"A job well done, Ferah," Vardy praised. He paused, offering her a nod, hoping it would suffice to lift her spirits. He wasn't accustomed to giving praise, given his solitary upbringing.
The only commendations he'd ever received had come from his parents, who had spoken from a place of genuine warmth in their hearts. It had been many years since Vardy had felt that same warmth within himself.
"Thank you, master!" Ferah replied with a bow. "Mhm. Mhm." She nodded to herself, accepting Vardy's acknowledgment, no matter how awkward or minimal it seemed.
As Ferah absorbed Vardy's praise, he focused on the experience gained from the battle.
"Alpha Essentria slain!"
"+70 EXP"
"Essentria x10 slain!"
"+100 EXP"
"EXP Bar: 75/250 " 245/250"
Vardy sighed, frustrated to be just five points shy of reaching level 7. He disliked falling short of leveling up after a battle, but dwelling on it wouldn't help.
"Now, to resurrect this Alpha," Vardy stated, stepping toward the corpse impaled on a tree trunk by Ferah's shield. He tugged at it but found it too heavy for him to move alone. "Ferah, could you lend a hand with this shield?"
"Of course!" Ferah rushed over and easily dislodged the shield, highlighting the contrast between a warrior like herself and a mage like Vardy.
The Alpha Essentria's corpse fell to the ground, and Vardy, wary of any remaining threat, instructed his skeletons to stand guard over it.
Vardy explained to Ferah about the potential powers the Alpha might still possess, cautioning her to remain vigilant.
His concerns were alleviated when he saw a floating, green-outlined grave above the Alpha Essentria's body.
To resurrect the Alpha, Vardy needed to make space in his unit control, which was already maxed out at 8/8.
"Perfect," Vardy remarked, dismissing one of his Essentrias. "Rest now."
The Essentria licked Vardy's hand before disintegrating into nothingness.
"Now," Vardy said, kneeling beside the Alpha Essentria's corpse. He retrieved the curved daggers from its eyes and tossed them to the Skeleton Rogue. "Catch, Rogue. You'll need these."
With the daggers retrieved, Vardy activated his "Nega Force Rank 1", enveloping himself and his undead allies in a healing aura.
"Ahhh," Ferah sighed contentedly as she breathed in the negative energy. "The scent of negative energy!"
"It's still low-ranked," Vardy explained. "But I'm working on improving it. I'm curious to see how Altanas and Vagrants will react to it at higher levels."
"At least you won't have to deal with weaklings like these much longer," Ferah remarked disdainfully, eyeing the Essentria corpses.
Vardy contemplated the consequences of his power, acknowledging that it could inadvertently harm innocents.
But if necessary, he was willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. He had lost his reverence for life after his parents' deaths and now saw lives as mere game pieces.
"This is a discussion for another time," Vardy decided, focusing on resurrecting the Alpha Essentria.
"Serve," he commanded, channeling mana into the creature.
"-5 Mana"
"Mana: 93/93" 88/93"
Bright green tendrils flowed into the Alpha Essentria, causing it to shudder before rising to its feet.
"Alpha Essentria Lvl 7 reanimated"
"Units controlled: 7/8 " 8/8"
Vardy observed the reanimated Alpha Essentria, noting that he couldn't access detailed stats for reanimated Vagrants. He relied on his intuition to gauge their strength and abilities.
Based on his assessment, the Alpha Essentria was solidly D-rank, possessing multiple powers like muscle enhancement and shockwave generation.
"Now, Ferah," Vardy instructed, noticing her envy toward the Alpha Essentria. "You can drain the remaining corpses."
Ferah complied, using her "Crimson Furnace" ability to strengthen herself with their blood.
"Let's continue," Vardy suggested, but he paused as the Evil Eye signaled danger.
He linked his sight with the Evil Eye and saw something that made his heart skip a beat.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 11: The Forest’s Secret
The Evil Eye observed a Vagrant approaching Vardy, likely drawn by the scent of blood and death. It stood three meters tall, with smooth white skin and a heavily muscular body. It moved with a hunched back, dragging its knuckles along the ground. Its appearance was almost unsettling, resembling an overly muscled mannequin from a horror movie.This creature was a Geist. Vardy remembered from his research in White Oak that Vagrants were classified into three categories. Natural Vagrants, like the Essentrias, adapted to nature and behaved like wild beasts. Geist Vagrants, on the other hand, were inexplicable monstrosities that were functionally immortal and had a relentless thirst for blood and flesh. Titans were monstrously powerful Vagrants of legendary size."We're leaving," Vardy declared. He wasn't willing to risk a fight with a C-rank monster at the moment. Ferah sensed his hesitation and agreed to follow his lead."Geists hunt living humans," Vardy explained. "So, as undead, we sh
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 12: Shadows over Haven
Vardy and Ferah walked up to the Odinsons base. Odinson members stood up from tables and tarps where they enjoyed the shade to talk or play cards or inspect tech and put their hands to their hips, thumbing Bolter pistols.All of the Odinsons notably had an artificial blue left eye - a signature marking for their gang. Among this were tattoos that evoked the image of old Norse runes."What do you want, Mr. Mask?" An Odinson, a big guy, probably easily six foot two (~188cm), came up to Vardy and Ferah. He scratched his rough blonde beard with a mechanical hand and smiled at Ferah. "Or are you here to sell her? Cause' if you are, I'd buy in a damn heartbeat. Promise I won't rough her up too much, either. Gotta make sure you can keep her fresh to put food on your table, right?"A nerve became visible on Ferah's forehead, and Vardy immediately raised a hand in front of her as he sensed a lethal punch coming."No, I'm no pimp," said Vardy. "I'm here to buy tech.""Yeah?" said the Odinson. H
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 13: The Dark Soul
Quiet aftermath settled over the mobile home like a heavy shroud. Ferah stood amidst the chaos she had created, her eyes aglow with fierce inner light. Blood residue dripped from her weapons but her focus remained sharp. Vardy scanned the room with a calculating gaze - he knew they shouldn't be around here long. Odinsons might have reinforcements nearby.His voice low but urgent.”Get what we need”, Vardy ordered “quickly” Ferah nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the cramped tech room already. The kinda small Dimly lit, cluttered space was a maze of cybernetic parts, various tech forgeries, weapons and scattered equipment across the workbench. Some Burnt circuitry's acrid smell mixed with remnants of their battle, pungent odor hanging heavy. Vardy's Evil Eyes swept over the room, collecting data on every device with frenetic intensity. He needed an edge - something to aid his quest, in the impending battle.“We will need a tech card and some tools,” Vardy said, moving toward a corner wh
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 14: Unveiling the Dark Warlock
The air crackled with tension as Gardy’s mocking laughter echoed through the dimly lit room. The Colossus, momentarily staggered by Luthor’s arrow, slowly returned to its initial position itself, Its huge metal body groaning as it shifted its position.Its red eyes glowed sharply and brighter, and the air slowly vibrated with a slow sound combining a deadly energy. Luthor, covered in shadows, remains still at the doorway, his bow at a steady position, ready to strike at any moment, his expression unreadable.“You’re too late, Luthor,” Gardy hissed, stepping forward, her dark cloak swirling around her like a living shadow with its own mind. “The game has already been set in motion. Vardy’s fate is sealed. No one can escape now.” ahahaha his laughter filled the airVardy tightened his fists, his Evil Eyes glowing as he assessed the situation. Gardy was powerful, but he knew there was a weakness in her overconfidence and arrogance. She was so sure of her victory, so sure of her control,
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 15: The Fight for his Soul
The air crackled with dark energy as Sly’s desperate attack surged through the room. Vardy’s senses were on high alert, unimaginable thought circles him, the full weight of his power pressing down on him. Every fiber of his being screamed for him to unleash more force, to overwhelm Sly and end this madness once and for all. But a part of him hesitated,just for a moment. The darkness that roamed within him was potent, but it was not the only force inside of him now.The warlock’s magic stared and twisted, striking out in waves that threatened to swallow everything in its path. The walls around them cracked and splintered, the very foundation of the chamber groaning under the weight of the unleashed power. Luthor gritted his teeth, his bow pulled tight, eyes scanning the battlefield for any opening.“You can’t win, Vardy,” Sly growled, his voice filled with maddened conviction. “You will never control it. You will be mine, just like everything else.”Vardy felt the pulse of Sly’s dark e
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 16: The Rebirth of the Dark Storm
The cold wind outside the destruction of Colossus was very thick with the smell of burnt iron, more metallic odour and charred earth, though high in the sky, the sun seemed dimmer, as if the earth itself was holding its own breath. Standing at the edge of all that has been ruined, Vardy stared at the whole situation for a while, his hands still glowing dimly from the intended Magic he had unleashed moments before. The power was still with him, but it was no longer a burden, it was now a part and parcel of his life, an extension of his will.Farah on the other hand, was the first person to break the silence, That was… totally different master, you didn't just win, vardy. You changed the whole game", her voice held a note of praise and admiration, but there was something else lingering in her eyes, curiosity, perhaps. Or probably fear. Fear of what Vardy was going to become. Vardy didn't respond immediately, caution his thoughts were far gone, lost in the imp
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 17: The Forces of Shadows
The air vibrated with the energy of the coming storm as Vardy stood in the center of the battlefield, his mind sharp and focused despite the trouble around him. He could feel the plump of his own magic, a force that rolls just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed at the slightest command. But now was not the time for reckless power. Now, it was about control.The Aegaon soldiers, And their dark robes swirling like smoke in the wind, took their positions, their cold eyes fixed on Vardy alone.He could see their hands twitching, preparing spells of their own, arcane energies that could destroy the entire cities. But Vardy was no ordinary opponent. He had faced foes like this before, but none had the power of the Aegaon, nor the unyielding drive that they carried."Vardy, the Dark Warlock," one of the Aegaon leaders spoke, his voice a smooth, almost hypnotic tone. "You have the blood of the ancient warlocks flowing through you, through your vain. You are dangerous. But you are also
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 18: The Battle of Ashes
The battlefield was wasted with the remnants of destruction: scorched earth, spoiled and broken weapons, and the remnants of soldiers who had once been so sure of their victory. The air was thick with smoke, the stigma scent of burnt flesh and ozone hanging heavily around Vardy and his companions' breath. The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on their shoulders, but there was no time to mourn for.Ferah was already searching the horizon, her eyes narrowed as she looks for any signs of movement. Luthor, too, seemed on edge, his gaze ever watchful, always searching for the next threat. But Vardy, though weary, stood tall, his mind racing as he processed what had just occurred.They had won the battle. The Aegaon forces had been crushed, their leader terminated by Vardy’s final surge of magic. Yet, deep within him, something still gnawed at his thoughts. The Aegaon leader’s words echoed in his mind: "The darkness has always had a price, and you will pay it”. The weight of that stat
Latest Chapter
Chapter 87: The Hidden Passage
The artifact, the key to everything wasn't what he thought it was. It wasn't a weapon to wield, it was a curse to be avoided. But could they afford to walk away from it now? Dean was too powerful, and without the artifact, how could they ever hope to defeat him?Selene broke the silence, her voice low. "What now?"Vardy didn't have an answer. He had always believed that the artifact was their only hope, but now, everything had changed. They were no longer just fighting for victory, they were fighting for their survival, against an ancient force that could tear them apart."We keep moving," Vardy said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "We keep moving, and we figure out what to do with the artifact. But we need to be careful. That spirit wasn't lying. We have to find a way to use it without letting it destroy us."The group nodded, each gazing at each other.They moved and as they got to the base of Dean's fortress, Selene went ahead but stopped abruptly."This is it," Sel
Chapter 86: The Encounter with the Spirit
Vardy’s instincts kicked in, and he spun around just in time to see a group of Dean’s elite soldiers emerging from the trees, their weapons drawn and aimed at the group.It happened in an instant."Take cover!" Vardy shouted, ducking behind a snowdrift as the soldiers opened fire.They started shooting.Selene was the first to respond, sprinting towards cover as Vardy motioned for the others to follow.Ferah, gritting her teeth, took a few stumbling steps before collapsing against a nearby rock, her side pulsing with pain. Tracy was quick to her side, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her further into cover. "Stay down," Tracy urged, her voice low.I'm fine," Ferah growled, though the strain in her voice was evident. She fought to push through the pain, even as the battle raged around them.Vardy, spotting an opening, stood from behind the snowdrift, his rifle in hand. His aim was precise, and he fired a few rounds, hitting one of the soldiers in the chest. The man fell, but the o
Chapter 85: To the Mountains
The visions began to fade, the whispers weakening as Vardy found his center again. Slowly, he exhaled deeply.His pulse steadied, and the world around him came back to normal. His chest heaved, and for a moment, he just stood there, trying to regain his composure."Vardy!" A voice called urgently, sharp and concerned, gazing at him.He blinked, his vision clearing, he turned to find Selene rushing toward him, her face filled with worry. Her footsteps were quick, and before he could gather his thoughts, she was at his side, her hand hovering around to check if he was okay.What’s wrong? What happened?" Her voice was insistent, but Vardy couldn’t bring himself to tell her. Not now. Not yet.He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, steadying himself. "Nothing." His voice came out a little strained, but he forced a calmness into it. "I’m fine."Selene’s brow furrowed as she studied him, clearly not convinced. She didn’t buy it, and he could see the doubt in her eyes. She knew him to
Chapter 84: Into The Words
Marcus stood by the door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He was used to Dean’s outburst.The energy in the room was suffocating."We can still destroy the Dud," Marcus muttered, his voice low. His eyes were burning.Dean froze. Slowly, he turned, locking his gaze onto Marcus.For a moment, the only sound was the heavy breathing from Dean’s chest. Then, without a word, he stepped past Marcus, his expression unreadable.Marcus exhaled sharply, his jaw clenched.Something had shifted in Dean tonight.And that could only mean one thing, war was coming.***The next day, the sun rose over Haven in a haze.Dean stood before a large map of the city, his fingers tracing the lines of the streets as he spoke in a cold, calculating tone."Set my plan B in motion," he commanded Marcus, his voice sharp and unwavering.Marcus nodded without hesitation, his eyes narrowing in understanding. "It’ll be done."Dean watched as Marcus departed. With a final glance at the city map, Dean let his m
Chapter 83: The Horror
Luthor swung at one, but his weapon passed through. “Damn it! They’re not even solid!”Selene fired a glowing arrow. This time, it worked, the creature dissolved in a flash of light.“Magic works,” she called out.But the shadows were endless, slithering through the battlefield, wrapping around the resistance fighters.One latched onto Tracy’s arm. She gasped as her body grew cold. “Vardy….!”He turned, slicing through them with a pulse of dark magic, catching her as she stumbled. “Are you alright?”Tracy nodded, shivering. “We need to end this.”Vardy clenched his fists. “We take the tower now.”Luthor grinned. “Now you’re talking.”Tracy, still catching her breath, gave a firm nod. “I’m coming with you.”Vardy hesitated, but he saw the fire in her eyes. “Then let’s finish this together.”Just then the Altanas called for retreat.“Retreat! Retreat!” Their leader's voice rang through the air.Vardy and his group seized the opportunity to catch their breath even.Tracy breathed, at le
Chapter 82: Haven Falls into Chaos
The undead army he had summoned stood behind him, a silent, grim of soldiers with lifeless eyes and broken bodies, waiting for the command to strike.“Get into formation!” Vardy shouted over the chaos, his voice hoarse from the smoke and noise. “We’ll hold them here, keep the streets clear.”His allies, Selene, Luthor, and the rest of the ragtag group, rushed to take their places. But as they moved, the ground shook again, and Vardy’s senses prickled. Something wasn’t right. The ground beneath his boots seemed to ripple, as though the earth itself was reacting to the immense forces clashing above it. He turned just in time to see a group of Altana charging through the smoke.They moved with military precision, expertly encircling the group."Fall back!" Luthor ordered, his voice tight with panic. "They're too many."Vardy’s undead army began to clash with the mercenaries, the sound of bones snapping and metal clanging echoing in every direction. “Hold your ground!” Vardy barked agai
Chapter 81: The Battle Cry
It was the challenge Vardy had been waiting for, but it also meant everything was about to change.The group had gathered at their hideout, hearing the broadcast loud and clear. Vardy’s mind raced. He knew this was the moment, the one that would determine everything. The fight was inevitable now.Tracy stepped forward, her eyes filled with concern. “Vardy… you’re going to face him, aren’t you uh?”Vardy nodded, his expression hardening. “I don’t have a choice. He’s threatening everything we’ve worked for. The people we’ve rallied… they’ll be crushed if I don’t stop him now.”Tracy reached out, grabbing his arm before he could move. “Be careful. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m coming with you.”Vardy turned toward her, his face softening for a moment. “No. This is something I have to do. You stay here. Keep the people safe.”“No! I’m coming with you, Vardy,” Tracy snapped, her voice filled with defiance. Her eyes, usually soft and calm, were now sharp.The tension in the air betw
Chapter 80: I’m Unstoppable
“I have to,” Vardy said quietly. “I don’t have a choice.”With that, he turned, already moving toward the edge of the ship. The distant lights of Haven City beckoned to him, and he knew, deep down, that there was no other path for him. Dean had started something, and if Vardy didn’t stop him now, there would be no stopping.“We're all going with you, Vardy.” Selene voiced out all of a sudden.Vardy turned, his gaze fixed on them all, “no… no. I need you to take Ferah to safety.”“Who said I wasn't going too?” Ferah said, though in a low tone but, shocking Vardy.“No way! Ferah please..” Vardy objected, but it seemed like they all planned it and they weren't ready to yield.Vardy heaved darting round, not knowing what to say again.Meanwhile, in Haven City, the destruction continued. The city had descended into chaos. People were trapped in their homes, unable to escape the nightmare that Dean had brought.Dean stood at the heart of the destruction, his arms raised to the sky, comman
Chapter 79: I Will Take Over the World
“Stay with her,” Tracy said to Selene, her voice low but firm. “I’ll try to get Vardy to focus. We can’t let him slip away too.”Selene didn’t respond, but Tracy saw the faint nod of her head as she continued her work on Ferah. Tracy turned her attention to Vardy again. He was still standing at the bow of the ship, staring out at the water. She walked up to him, careful not to startle him, but when he turned to face her, she could see it. The change was in his eyes. The darkness was beginning to take over, without warning.“Vardy,” she said, her voice a little more insistent now. “You need to talk to me. This... this power is messing with your head, I can see it.”Vardy's jaw tightened, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the artifact even tighter. He looked at Tracy, his eyes narrowing. “I’m fine. You’re overreacting.”Tracy stepped closer to him, her heart pounding in her chest. “No, Vardy. I’m not overreacting. I know you. And this isn’t you.” She reached out, placing a hand
