Eternal Empire Online: The Rise of the Mythical Detective

Chapter 17: The Last Will And The End Of The Nightmare

As far as Trevol could remember, the ambiance of their group had never been this depressing. Including him, there were 6 users that are gathered and are tending their wounds and injuries inside the Break Room that Deidre build. Some of them would try to open their mouths only to end up sighing and closing it again.

Even the hot blooded Gambit and the well composed Deidre are both gazing down to the ground, disheartened. His two best friends are also the same, just in a lighter degree.

However, their states are nothing compared to that of Basche.

When he regained consciousness after getting caught by the explosion that completely destroyed the Swamp of Decay, he deeply sunk into depression and refused to talk or even interact to any of them. He didn’t even bother recovering his Health or repairing his gears. He simply sat and curled up like a ball in one corner and started crying.

And he understands him. He understands him because like him, they are also in a depress state due to the same reason.

Grimm is gone.

When they first fought Amradias, due to Master Bart’s presence, they were brimming with confidence that they will be victorious. When they accepted the quest to reach Master Stellio, they are also confident that they can subdue the forest and outrun Amradias. But in both occasions, they all ended up sinking into the pit of hopelessness when they realize how powerless they are in front of those predicaments. Then, during both those times, the one who saved them was none other than Grimm.

Since then, Grimm had become their sole emotional pillar. Not just in a sense that his presence gave them a sense of security, but his actions and accomplishments had also lived up with that faith.

So now that he’d disappeared, they’d lost their courage once again.

But that’s just half of it.

Regardless of how hopeless their situation might look and how regrettable it is to lose a comrade during battle, this is still just a VR game and Grimm isn’t truly dead. He will be revived after 24 hours. However, that too is no longer the case here anymore.

Ding!

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The effect of [Dark Shackles] has been updated.

The souls of the users within the vicinity of the Black Mist are now captured by the caster of the Dark Shackles.

Users whose soul has been captured will have their privilege as an Outlander stripped.

From now on, as long as the caster lives, those users that had lost their lives within the vicinity of the Black Mist will be permanently deleted after 24 hours.

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That notification appeared before them while they were trying to escape from the swamps. It had stated that Amradias’ growth in power had also upgraded the effect of his skills. Now, his Dark Shackles doesn’t just hold them captive inside the forest but it had also stripped them of their avatars’ indestructibility and despite knowing this, Grimm chose to give his life to save them.

That’s the reason why Basche is in a worse state than them. When they lost Grimm, Basche didn’t just lose the person he relies on. He had also lost the man he admired. And due to the effect of Dark Shackles, there’s a possibility that he might not be able to see him again.

Basche had been a long time member of his original Party and Trevol is well aware of his sole motivation for playing Eternal Empire. Though unsure about it, Trevol assumed that that goal of his had been fulfilled through meeting and knowing Grimm. So the thought of not seeing him ever again is now overfilling him with grief.

“So? What now?” Trevol asked, ending the long and awkward silence.

But no one answered.

“Guys?” He tried again.

“I’m not going.” Someone finally answered and it was Gambit.

However, Trevol looked at him, bemused, and thought that he heard him wrong. “What?”

“I said I’m not going to fight.”

“And I asked what does that mean?” Trevol became enraged and Gambit continued talking in a rough tone.

“It means that we can’t do it, alright! Even if we reach the Final Glade, even if we reach Master Stellio and acquire the means to kill Amradias, we can’t still do it.”

“H-how can you say that?”

“Because we’re not Grimm, Trevol.” It was Deidre who answered for him. “We’re not like him.”

Gambit nodded sullenly. “Ever since witnessing his true nature, I observed him. How he thinks, how he fights, and you know what I uncovered? I discover that he’s restraining himself, not because he wanted to but because his Game Avatar is too weak to withstand the power of the real him.”

Hearing that, Trevol’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Grimm is no ordinary person outside the game. He has real strength and he has real combat experiences and the way that he can easily adapt into any battle situation while maintaining his composure also proves that he had been in an actual life and death situation before.”

Deidre nodded in agreement while Kylo and Louie had also made an expression that they thoroughly understood where Gambit is heading through.

“Trev, more than the quest item or the quest skill, to defeat Amradias we’ll need that strength that Grimm has, the strength that unfortunately, only he has. And if you still don’t understand it, then I’ll simplify it. They’re gone, man. Master Bart and Grimm are both gone. They’re the heroes that we believed in, their presence are the symbols of hope in our current plight and they’re both gone. So tell me, how do you expect us to carry on now when we have no one to hold us together anymore, huh? How?!”

Trevol was lost for words after Gambit and Deidre spoke. He’s well aware how much Grimm’s presence means to them. Just like what he’d mentioned earlier, he was their sole emotional pillar ever since losing Master Bart. But he never expected that it was already at this degree. He never expected that they’re already this dependent to him.

“We never had a chance from the moment that Amradias appeared. If we fight then our avatars will surely be deleted. But we might survive if we run and wait until Amradias expose himself to the outside world.” Deidre said. “There are a lot of high level players out there. If this Event Quest reaches them, then they might be able to defeat Amradias and free us.”

“I’m grateful that Grimm chose to save us. But…” Gambit shook his head before gazing down with a gloomier expression. “…but I think he shouldn’t have. He should have saved himself instead. If it were him…”

“SHUT UP!”

They all flinched when all of the sudden, Basche stood and shouted at them in a menacing voice.

“Who the?” “Basche?”

“I can’t bear to listen to it anymore.” His fists clenched and his lips curled while his entire body shook as he spoke aggressively. “How, how could you say such humiliating things while using Brother Grimm’s name!? And you even dare to speak highly of him when you’re actually throwing all away everything that he sacrificed for when you decided to give up!”

“But Basche?”

Trevol turn his head away in shame. To be honest, he was on the verge of agreeing with Gambit and Deidre. But the moment that Basche spoke, he was suddenly enlightened on how absurd that idea was and he was so embarrassed that he’d actually dare to even consider it.

“What nonsense are you spouting about him choosing your life over his!?” He glared towards Gambit. “Don’t get too ahead of yourself dumbass, you’re not that special!”

“…W-what did you say?”

“Brother Grimm, Brother Grimm is a calculative person. He would never do such a thing if it will not benefit his goal. And his goal from the very beginning had always been to end Amradias. So when he chose to save us over himself, it was not because he cared about our lives. He did it because we’re the best possible action, the best solutions for his equations. And he brought us here for that task, a task that he’s expecting us to fulfill.”

“Basche, wh-what are you talking about?” Trevol asked, looking at Basche with perplexed eyes.

Basche then raised the parchment that he’s been clutching ever since he’d started lecturing them. “Brother Grimm knew it all. He knew everything that would happen. And everything he’d done, including saving us and fighting Amradias to the death were all part of his grand plan.”

Trevol took the parchment from him and the rest had also gathered around him to determine its content.

“Holy s**t!” And their jaws dropped when that was revealed to them.

“To think that…” Gambit tried to speak but he was dumbstruck that he’s lost in words.

Then Deidre said. “If all that are written here are true, then we actually have a chance to defeat Amradias.”

Basche nodded. And their group, after the tragedy of losing Grimm had once again looked with a new light in their eyes.

“So we can’t waste our time here,” Basche said. “Brother Grimm is expecting us to succeed.”

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

The place that they’d arrived at after crossing the valley of the Garurus was a relatively small open space, flat grassland area encased within the mountains and the valley that completely separates it from the rest of the Forest of Illusion.

“So this is the Final Glade,” Deidre gasped in awe as she welcomes the soothing effect of the area.

Then, a notification window appeared before them.

Ding!

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You have entered a Holy Land of the Cult of Illusion 

The Final Glade A sacred sanctuary created by the Founders of the Cult of Illusion.

You have entered a special area with an applied environmental effect.Ø This place is embedded with Sacred Power.

Ø Weakens all beings with Darkness Attribute and cleanses all forms of corruption.

Ø Alternatively, all beings that are non-Darkness Attribute will have their Abilities increased by 20%; and 30% if they are members or students of the Cult.

Ø Instantly recovers 50% Health and Mana.

Ø Increases Defense by 50%.

Ø Darkness Resistance +40%.

Ø Health and Mana Recovery Rate increased by 40%.

______________________________

Deidre jaws dropped as she exclaimed in shock after reading the content of the notification.

But that’s not all.

Ding!

______________________________

You’ve escaped the influence of Amradias’ Dark Magic

Effect of Black Mist has been lifted. 

Effect of Dark Shackles has been lifted. 

______________________________

“Oh my god,” Gambit murmured in a daze. “Grimm was right.”

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Defeating Amradias Walkthrough and Guide 

by: Grimm

Step One: Reach the Final Glade.

Aside for reaching Stellio and gaining the knowledge to defeat Amradias, there are other benefits for reaching the Final Glade.

1. The Final Glade is a Sacred Ground, an area with a Holy Magic so powerful that even Amradias’ overwhelming malice could not penetrate. Here, you can grow stronger while on the other hand, a demon like Amradias will be weakened. So more than anywhere, the Final Glade is the perfect stage for a final stand against him.

2. Since it’s an area unreachable by the malice of Amradias, it would also means that the Black Mist and the Dark Shackles would lose their effects on that place. Therefore, reaching the Final Glade would also give you back your freedom.

From then, the rest would be up to you. You’ll have the choice to either Logout and end your nightmare or push through and end this nightmare.

If you choose to logout, I suggest that you do it immediately. For though the Final Glade might still be beyond Amradias’ power, it won’t remain that way for too long. Eventually, he will grow stronger. Strong enough that even the Final Glade would be incapable of resisting him. Therefore, you have to make your decision immediately for you don’t have the privilege to take your time leisurely.

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Gambit looked at the others, verifying if any of them would want to back out now that they have the chance.

But with firm resolve on their faces, they all shook their heads and readied their selves for battle to come.

But if you choose the latter, please proceed to Step Two.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Advancing under the night sky and through the greenery of the field, Gambit and the disciples had finally reached the lake at the easternmost side of the Final Glade where a picturesque log cabin is established beside it.

“Master Stellio, are you in there!?” Gambit called out loudly in front of the house. “Master Stellio!”

But after calling for several times and no one still answered, they become uncomfortable and decided to kick the door open. When they entered the house, an Oldman emerging from behind the bookshelf with piles of books on his arms flinched on their sudden intrusion, causing him to drop all the books he was carrying.

“Hah, what the? Who are you people?”

“Are you Master Stellio?” Gambit immediately asked as he approaches him.

Though confused on their sudden appearance, the Oldman nodded. “Yes I am. How did you know my name?”

“Master Bart told us about you.” Trevol said.

“Bart? You mean my former student?”

“Yeah,” Gambit nodded. “Anyway, we badly need your help.”

“My help? For what?”

“For…” Gambit trailed off and tightened his hold on his sword before stabbing Stellio directly in the stomach.

Stellio coughed blood and immediately send Gambit flying using an unseen force. He then retreated away from them clutching his bleeding stomach. “What? Why?”

“You think you can fool us,” Trevol said to him as he, Deidre, Kylo, and Louie surround him.

“We know everything about your plan to lure us into your trap,” Gambit said as rise back to his feet. “Amradias!”

The moment that that name left Gambit’s lips, the Oldman’s face twisted and the impression he was giving off completely changed. The skin on his face started cracking and falling apart and his eyes engorged before turning red. Afterwards, a familiar voice emerged from his throat.

“How did you know?” Amradias growled, clenching his teeth.

______________________________

The Emissary of Darkness, Many Eyed Demon [Amradias] has appeared

______________________________

“A friend told us.”

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Step Two: Capture Amradias’ Deception.

Like I said during the Step One, the Holy Ground of the Final Glade has the power to restrain Amradias’ malice. Not just to the point of weakening him but technically as much as returning him into his human form.

When that happens, Amradias will be on his most vulnerable state. So vulnerable that he might even find it hard to battle a Level 50 user. Therefore, in order to secure an advantage and reach his goal, he’ll need to be creative while inside the Final Glade. And what I mean by creative is the usage of Deception.

Amradias will try to deceive and lure you onto his trap and the most probable scenario is disguising as Stellio. However, there’s a huge problem on that plan of his. One of us personally knew Stellio, and that one is me. Thus, he will surely do everything in his power to get rid of me (Not to mention that he’s also pissed that I gouge his eyes out, so he has a more personal reason) before we can reach the Final Glade.

Well, you’re reading this, so it means that he succeeded. But don’t worry, aside from damaging him bad enough before dying which will further weaken him once he entered the Final Glade, I will also tell you how to identify if the Stellio that you will meet is real or fake. And here it is;

Stellio is a Darkness Sensitive NPC. He can sense even the smallest specs of darkness in the surrounding. Therefore, without being told, he’s already well aware of Amradias’ release. So once you meet him in his cabin, expect that he’s already prepared and equipped for battle waiting for Amradias to arrive and confront him.

So if the Stellio you’ll meet is not in a state similar to what I had mentioned, he’s definitely a Fake.

______________________________

“Damn him!” Amradias cursed. “Even in death, that bastard is still a thorn in my throat!”

“And we’re here to finish what he started!” Deidre declared. “Everyone! Concentrated Attack!”

“AYE!”

All of the melee attackers rushed and swung their swords. But a black sword was suddenly on Amradias hand as soon as they lifted their swords. He then parried their attacks with ease using the swift and precise movement of his blade that even the arrow that Deidre shot through his blind spot was easily deflected.

SSSPHAGG!

“Heeeeeok!”

Amradias stabbed his sword to Gambit. And though he was able to raise his shield, the tip of Amradias’ sword unleashed an exploding sound shockwave that throw Gambit back for a few meters. Moving swiftly, he target Louie and Trevol next even before Gambit could hit the ground with the same attack. The two flinched and raised their shields. However, similar to Gambit, they were blown away despite succeeding in defending.

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-You’ve been hit by Naga Breath and received a Critical Damage, [Health (-700)]. 

-You have been inflicted by paralysis, [Paralyze Status for 3 seconds]. 

-Due to muscle spasm caused by the shockwave, when the Paralysis wore off [Attack and Movement Speed is reduced by 10% for 5 minutes].

______________________________

As Gambit crashes towards the bookshelves, that alert window popped before his eyes and at the same time, Amradias was already lunging to Deidre.

“Double Strafe! Rapid Fire!” She used her skills to increase her attacking power, firing speed, as well as the accuracy of her arrows in the hope of slowing down the approaching Amradias.

However, Amradias easily parried and evaded all of Deidre shots as he advanced closer. Fortunately, Kylo was there to push her aside and took the damage intended for her. Kylo took a heavy damage and sunk into critical state. But that’s a small price to pay in comparison of losing Deidre. With her low health and defense, that single blow alone was enough to obliterate her.

Sighing in relief, the young fey immediately recompose herself back to her battle stance and resume attacking.

Gambit and Trevol follow through after the paralysis wore off. They drank their highest grade recovery item and rushed forward while Louie went to aid Kylo.

“Flare Attack!”

Deidre informed to the rushing duo who both instantly responded by hitting the brake and covering their eyes.

A black colored arrow was then fired by Deidre that exploded into a blinding flare the moment that Amradias struck it with his blade.

“Ugh! My eyes!”

“Now!” Deidre signaled to Gambit and Trevol.

“Earth Splitter!”

“Great Divide!”

And the two simultaneously attacked the blinded Amradias.

______________________________

+Great Divider dealt a Critical Damage. 

+Great Divider sliced the target and inflicts a heavy wound, [Bleed for 1 minute].

______________________________

+Earth Splitter dealt a Critical Damage. 

+Earth Splitter struck a shattering blow, [Stun for 5 seconds].

______________________________

That serves as their much awaited opening. And without any delay, all of them bombarded their most powerful attacks.

“Rapid Fire!” “Double Strafe!”

“Unite!” “Earth Splitter!”

“I am Invincible!”

Ting!

______________________________

You have used Bragging 

Bragging’s Current Skill, [Intermediate Level 2 (11.03%)] 

Effects: [+2STR, +3% Attack Damage] multiplied by the number of people that heard you.

Duration: 34 seconds

Number of people that heard you: 8

Total Effect: +16STR, +24% Attack Damage.

______________________________

“Great Divide!”

Their first attacks connected and they all dealt damages ranging from Heavy to Critical. However, on their second attempt;

“Not bad.” Amradias murmured in a distorted voice after he stalled their movements. Both Trevol and Gambit’s swords were parried by his blade while his free hand grabbed Louie’s throat and use him as a shield against Deidre’s looming arrow before throwing him towards Kylo. A shockwave of raw and unfocused energy was then generated from his body that blasted and knocked them all to the ground. “But it’s useless! You lot aren’t as strong as the stoic kid.”

He said while Gambit along with Trevol and Deidre staggered to return to their feet. By now, Kylo and Louie are out of commission. They still have Health points left but they’re already incapacitated. So the three of them are ones left capable of fighting.

“Unlike all of you, he has the power and the unwavering conviction to strike me down. But too bad, he has a weak spot for sacrifices. He doesn’t have the guts to abandon any of his comrades to reach his goal.” Amradias shook his head. “Such foolishness! He should have saved himself when he had the chance instead of putting all his faith into you bunch of incompetent trashes. If it were him defying me right now, I would have met my doom already.”

“Oh shut the hell up!” Trevol said rudely. “We already knew that!”

“…W-what?”

“And we don’t need to be constantly reminded especially if it is from you!” Gambit added.

Deidre nodded. “We knew that we were nothing but inconvenience the moment that we started relying on him. And as much as it tramples my pride to admit that I was powerless, I thank him. I thank him so much for not abandoning us until the very end.”

“That’s why we will do everything to pay him back.”

“He gave us a task.” Trevol said. “For the first time, he actually relied on us and there’s no way in hell that we’re gonna fail him.”

Deidre clenched her fist and ordered. “Everyone, grab him!”

The three of them flocked towards Amradias. Gambit and Deidre grabbed both of his arms while Trevol seized his lower body.

“Fools!” Amradias mocked, blasting them again with his shockwave.

______________________________

-You’re within the blasting range of the Savage Aura and received a Critical Damage, [Health (-400)].

______________________________

“Didn’t I told it’s useless…None of you has the power to defeat me.”

But the three held still.

Gambit then grinned and retorted. “And we told you to stop spouting the obvious! Moreover, we’d never speak such a thing. What made assume that we’re here for that?”

“W-what!?” Amradias’ puzzled eyes stared at Gambit.

“Damn it! What took you so long!?” Deidre suddenly grumbled.

Amradias’ confusion deepened on Deidre’s words. However, he never had the chance to reflect further. For without warning, a blade pierced through him from behind.

“Ugh!…How did?…This blade is…?”

Gambit, Deidre, and Trevol finally loosen their grips on him and retreated backward. Amradias staggered and spun around to meet face to face with his assailant…Basche.

“Y-you…?” Though it was far too late, the realization of what had transpired struck him. “Oh, I see,” he said with an amused smile before his Health disappeared, “Hehehe, well done,” and his body scatter into black dust.

Three Hours Ago…

After reading the first two steps from Grimm’s Walkthrough, the disciples’ faces lit up and overflow with high hopes. However, when they reached the third and final instruction, those expressions were immediately replaced with frowns.

______________________________

Step Three: Defeating Him is still Impossible.

(So don’t fight him with that goal in mind.)

______________________________

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Despite injuring him, weakening him, and taking away his demonic powers, Amradias, aside from being a veteran warrior with decades of combat and battlefield experiences integrated in his flesh and bones, was also once hailed as the greatest disciple and member of the Cult of Illusion. Thus, whatever skill and fighting style we had gained and learned through the mentorship of Bart, Amradias has it all and more.

Therefore, with your current degree of skill and strength, even in his most weakened state, the usage of raw combat as a mean to end him is still absolutely futile despite all the advantages. So I suggest, don’t go that   way.

“What? Then how do you expect us to beat him then?” Trevol said as he read onward.

______________________________

Instead, you have to strike him down with a decisive single blow.

A task in which you can achieve by following these four simple instructions.

1. Five of you must fight him to buy time.

Just fight him, lure his attention, and prolong and survive the battle as much as possible.

2. The Sixth member must stealthily search Stellio’s cabin and retrieve the Angelic Blade.

While hunting in the forest four weeks ago, a special monster that I defeated dropped a book that belongs to Stellio and triggered a quest that tasked me to reach the Final Glade and return it to him.

That book was an encyclopedia of monsters. It was an interesting reading material, so while it was still in my possession, I invested a few hours a day reading it. A daily routine that eventually lead me to encounter the information that I’d never thought back then would be the key to end this calamity.

Written within the blank end pages of that book were the details of the Angelic Blade, a weapon that Stellio had spent his entire life creating for the sole purpose of ending Amradias once and for all.

Forged from the bones of 77 777-year old Holy Type beasts, the Angelic Blade is the ultimate weapon that can instantly kill any demon with a single strike. However, that effect can only be activated once and will only last for a duration of 10 seconds. So if you miss, it’s over. No second chance.

Therefore, the task of the retriever is very vital. For he or she won’t just retrieve the Angelic Blade from Stellio but would also have to strike Amradias undetected.

______________________________

“I’ll do it,” Basche volunteered.

“You sure you’re up for it?” Gambit asked.

He nodded. “I want to save Brother Grimm myself,” he replied with a firm conviction.

“Alright then.” Everyone approved and nodded. “Go for it.”

______________________________

3. When the weapon is retrieved, seize Amradias movements.

Self-explanatory whose task these are. I just hope that 2-3 of you are still standing when this phase is sets into motion or else it’ll be troublesome.

______________________________

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Deidre said.

“This is going to be painful, I just knew it,” said Trevol.

They both shudder.

______________________________

4. Strike Amradias down and end his terror.

THE END

______________________________

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Back to the present…

And finally…

Step Three was completed.

Ding!

______________________________

The Emissary of Darkness, Many Eyed Demon Amradias was slain and entered into an eternal rest.

Your Level has risen 

Your Level has risen 

Your Level has risen 

Your Level has risen

______________________________

The Effect of Amradias’ Dark Magic has completely disappeared! 

Ø Black Mist has been lifted. 

Ø Dark Shackles has been lifted.

______________________________

“What the…?”

“Huh?”

“This…this kind of feeling.”

They stared at the spot where Amradias disappeared in disbelief while experiencing the weirdest feelings they’d ever had. A feeling of joy and gratification that they could not express in words as the burst of notifications continuously popped in front them.

‘I-I’m..shivering..?’ Basche asked inwardly as he clenched his hand that delivered the killing strike to Amradias. And as this achievement dawn to him, the first thing that came up in his mind was, ‘Brother Grimm, I did it.’

“Guys,” Deidre panted. “We did it. We did it! We survived!”