Apocalypse Tamer

Chapter 113: Man vs Upgrade

The minotaur charged down the national road while harpies sung a song from high above. Their nine-headed hydra pet hissed in response, its mistresses music filling the monster with savage rage.

The Harpy Muses [Battle Song] buffed their allies!

Five, Basil Bohen counted his enemies as he raised his spear and shield. The former oozed venom, the second glittered in the sunlight. Shouldnt take long.

Plato, he told his loyal feline and hunting partner. Ill take care of the harpies.

You know Im the one most effective against birds, right? Plato asked as he raised his sword. The charging minotaur sent a ruined cars husk flying to the side as rushed toward his enemies. The bitumen cracked under his hooves, and his hammers head was larger than Basils own. Shouldnt we switch opponents?

I dont want to poison the food again, Basil said as he leaped in the air. Ill spare you some harpy wings if I can.

Using his double-jump Perk, Basil achieved a measure of flight. The Greek Motorway A25 shrunk under him until the minotaur and hydra appeared no larger than a calf and a snake respectively. Only rocks bordered the road from both sides. They were still a few kilometers away from seeing the Mediterranean Sea.

The harpies, a trio of winged women with monstrous faces and an equally dangerous personality, moved to encircle him from all sides. One of them carried an electric whip and swiftly attempted to strike Basils head with it. The weapon harmlessly bounced off his armors helmet.

[Lightning] damage absorbed by [Last Vision]!

Sorry, Ive got a girlfriend, Basil replied as he raised his spear at the shocked harpy. Here, let me show you real foreplay.

He rammed his spear through the harpys mouth. She instantly perished.

[Troubakill] activated! Supereffective hit!

Though Birgha Spit-Spear was a poor substitute weapon for Basils halberd, it possessed a key advantage: it was tailor-made to kill enemies with musical abilities. Which seemed to include half of Greeces bestiary.

The two other harpies shrieked in rage at their allys demise and swiftly assaulted Basil with sharp talons. On the ground, Plato had swiftly beheaded the minotaur with his sword and now charged at the hydra to do the same.

Moonshield, Basil said as he let the corpse of his latest foe fall to the ground below. New Moon Mode.

His shield, a silvery circle with a polished mirror for a surface, darkened until it became pitch black. Ghastly energies spread to Basils armor and shrouded it in a dark mist. He felt his body becoming lighter and his senses deadened.

The harpies talonsalongside their entire bodiesphased through him as if he no longer existed.

[Incorporeal] status! You have become Immune to [Physical] attacks!

The incorporeal status was one of the strangest among the Systems oddities. Enemies failed to touch Basil as if he were a ghost, but when he went into the offensive

Shish kebab! Basil roared his new favorite war cry. His ghostly spear impaled the two harpies in one stroke. The venomous tip pierced through flesh and bones alike as if they were paper. Plato, I got them!

Me too! The feline raced across the road so fast even Basils eyes failed to follow his movements. The hydra, a mighty bus-sized monster of a reptile, attempted to bite him with all of its nine heads. They only ate dirt. Plato vanished in a flash and reappeared behind the creature, standing on his two feet like a true master fencer. Now.

Plato sheathed his sword right as the hydras body split in half, both parts falling on a different side of the road.

Finally! Plato rejoiced. He had been trying to master that trick for days. It worked!

Your time was slightly off, Basil said as he landed on the ground. Moonshield: Full Moon Mode.

His shield returned to its original silvery state. This canceled the intangibility effect and let Basil walk on the ground rather than fall through it. He wondered how many ghosts ended up falling to the center of the Earth due to lacking flight options.

Also, you shouldnt say a thing as you sheath your sword, Basil teased his best friend as he tossed the harpies corpses aside. Due to the thirty level difference between them, the dragonknight hadnt gotten any experience from the slaughter. It ruins the effect.

Youre just jealous of my Samurai Cat swagger, Plato replied.

Basil raised an eyebrow. Samurai Cat?

Its a whole new franchise. With luck, I can cast you as my sidekick. Plato examined the harpies and sneered in annoyance. Purple venom spread from their wounds. Way to spoil the food, dog.

I know. Since Basils trusted halberd was still in the hands of Walter Tye for refinement, he had to make use of his secondary spear Birgha. Unfortunately, the spear's poisonous abilities corrupted each kills remains. Minotaur steaks and grilled hydra should be more than enough for todays meal.

Im glad we havent killed any Nemean Lions yet, Plato mused as Basil stocked the corpses in his inventory. I will never forgive you if you eat a fellow big cat.

There was nothing big about Plato, but Basil knew better than to say it out loud. I let you eat humanoids, he pointed out, and you dont hear me whine about it.

Less talking, more cooking.

Afterward, Basil used his Guilds teleport feature to transport them two kilometers south back to the Steamobile. Since Steves Perks let him collect Lair features, it had allowed it to act as a beacon for the team. They could hunt in the morning and return to their mobile base in a blink.

Basil and Plato teleported back to their team to find most of them under the shadow of a rocky hill. The Steamobile had partly dug a hole in the stone to turn it into a makeshift cave. Vasi and Shellgirl were busy crafting, while Rosemarine rested in her nymph form.

Basil would never get used to this one. His dear Hesperides Dragon could shapeshift at will between her colossal, draconic true shape and a smaller humanoid disguise. However, the only things she shared with humans in this form were a head, two arms, and two legs. Colorful leaves formed her skin. Her feet were roots burrowing into the soil. Her arms ended in olive branches, and her face took the shape of a wooden tribal mask. Though Basil found Rosemarine cute no matter her form, he had to admit she looked more like a plant scarecrow than a true nymph in this one.

Mister, you are back! Rosemarine greeted him with a basket full of golden apples. Here, for you!

Thank you, darling, Basil replied kindly. Not only did Rosemarines fruits possess miraculous healing properties, but they also tasted delicious. The team simply couldnt get enough of them. How was your morning?

I dont like this countrys soil, Mister, Rosemarine admitted. It is dry and tasteless. Can I activate my field now?

Not yet, Im afraid. Rosemarines God-Field offered the team many advantages, but since its effects spanned kilometers, it broadcasted the teams location to the entire region. And Basil hoped to reach Athens undetected. Ive brought you a substitute though.

Basil opened his inventory and dropped the three harpy corpses at Rosemarines feet. His dear plant squealed in happiness. Thank you, Mister, she said as her roots promptly burrowed into the flesh of the dead. I love it when they are still warm

Im glad youre enjoying them, Basil said kindly. Rosemarines immunity to poison let her feed on nutrients without risking intoxication.

Its like recycling with a few extra steps, Plato mused. Hasnt Bugsy returned yet?

Rosemarine shook her head. He said he sensed something strange through the Logs.

Did he? Basil asked with a frown. Bugsys newly enhanced sensory abilities had turned him into a fearsome scout. Did he request backup?

Not yet, Mister. Rosemarines reptilian eyes lit up behind her wooden mask. Are we close to Athens yet?

No, were still a few days away. Basil thought they would reach Thessaloniki in the afternoon, and then follow the coast to Athens. Greeces national road was still in good shape, so the team managed to cross the Bulgarian frontier and travel halfway across the country in a short time. But we cant rule out ambushes. The monsters weve hunted today belonged to Metal Olympus.

Pluto glanced at the dead harpies. Those ones arent sounding the alarm anytime soon.

No, they wouldnt. Since the Logs feature allowed monsters to send messages to their superiors, Basils team couldnt afford to take prisoners. Greece was Metal Olympus stronghold, and every monster they encountered had to be silenced so they wouldnt inform the faction of the Bohens presence.

Kalkis life might depend on their discretion.

Rhaaaa!

Shellgirls scream caused the rest of the team to glance at her. She and Vasi had set up a full alchemical workshop in the open. A cauldron full of boiling potions sat amidst shelves covered in flasks and alchemical reagents. However, instead of mixing substances together, Shellgirl was busy slamming her head against the furniture.

Ridiculous! Shellgirl raged. Utterly ridiculous!

This is fine, Shellgirl, Vasi reassured her best friend. Youll succeed one day.

Whats up? Basil asked as he and the rest of the troop joined them. He lightly kissed Vasi on the cheek along the way. Have you managed to craft a wizards scepter yet?

No, I did not! Shellgirl cursed. Even with a fifty percent bonus to crafting, my chances of crafting S-quality stuff are abysmally low. And when I fail, I lose the materials I used! This is unjust!

Shellgirl, youre too hard on yourself, Vasi said with compassion. You can craft A-quality stuff perfectly, and thats more than enough for now.

Its excellent, Basil reassured her as he checked his armor. Youve already outdone yourself.

Shellgirl had successfully improved upon his old Dragoon Armor design, incorporating dragon scales taken from defeated dragons and even parts of his old thunderbird-based clothes. The purple ensemble didnt differ much from the old version in terms of appearance, but its abilities had been heightened.

Last Vision

Family: Clothing (Armor).

Quality: A

Defensive Bonus: +20 VIT

Effect 1: [Lightning Rod]: The wearer takes no damage from the [Lightning] element. Instead, [Lightning] attacks will recharge their SP by an amount equal to the damage that should have been inflicted.

Effect 2: [Physical Amp]: Boosts the power of Physical attacks by 30%.

Effect 3: [Survivor]: Grants Immunity to Critical Hits and Resistance to Ailments.

Effect 4: [Concordance of Rivals]: The wearer gains 30% less damage from foes belonging to the Apocalypse Force or Unity Factions.

Armor crafted from the remains of Apollyon, Horseman of the Apocalypse Force, and thirteen Unity dragonlords, all slain at the hands of Basil Bohen. This armor is the last thing both factions will ever see.

Honestly, the only weakness of this armor is that it doesnt grant me any resistance to magic, Basil said. Vitality was the stat used to resist physical attacks, while Charisma helped defend against spells.

The Moonshield more than makes up for that, Vasi pointed out. Did you check your theory about proficiency?

Basil sighed. I did, he said while checking his shields stats. And I was wrong.

Moonshield

Family: Weapon (Shield).

Quality: A.

Power: +6 STR.

Defensive Bonus: +12 VIT/+6 CHA

Accuracy: 60%

Effect 1: [Moons Blessing]: May reduce damage by half on occasion. The chances of activation are equal to the users LCK/2.

Effect 2: [Form Switch]: The Moonshield possesses two forms: Full Moon and New Moon. It can switch between forms at will, which will activate a different ability.

Effect 3: [Full Moon]: Grants Immunity to [Light]. The user gains a [Mirror] status deflecting non-piercing spells back at the sender.

Effect 4: [New Moon]: Grants Immunity to [Darkness]. The user gains the [Incorporeal] status, granting them immunity to [Physical] attacks.

A shield empowered by the moooooooon. Some said the New Moon form is made of lead and the Full Moon of silver-tainted gold.

My Dragonknight shield proficiency increases the damage I inflict with it when I bash someones head with it, and the damage runs on Strength from what I can tell, Basil explained. But my proficiency does not boost the defensive bonuses. When I lent it to Plato, he received the same Vitality and Charisma boosts as me.

I still make better use of it than you, Plato mused. Since Ive nearly a hundred Luck points, I basically take only half-damage from attacks.

That could make the difference against Ashok, Vasi said with a grim look. Last time we fought him, he could kill you in one blow.

Do you need to remind me? Plato growled. I lost two lives because of him. Two lives!

It happened during the New Year Event, Basil pointed out. The damage was boosted back then. But I agree it might be better for Plato to take the shield in battle.

Or Shellgirl calmed herself. Or I can craft a second Moonshield, so you can both keep one! Shouldnt be too hard!

It took us killing a dragon psychopath on the moon to earn this one, Plato pointed out. Im not sure we can do that again anytime soon.

Think, Plato, think! Shellgirl pressed her index against her temple. Who says Quest rewards are unique? Nobody! The Moonshield is A-rank, so Im sure I can replicate it with the right crafting materials!

Like what, a mirror and a piece of the moon? Plato asked with skepticism.

I can bite the moon and spit it out, if you want, Rosemarine suggested.

While the group debated the merits of teleporting to the moon for material, Basil picked up the sound of flapping wings above his head. He looked to see Bugsy land among them, the invisibility spell on him swiftly dissipating. The lenses of a camera attached to his neck glittered under the warm mediterranean sun.

Welcome back, Bugsy, Basil greeted his friend, only to swiftly notice the worry in his eyes. Whats wrong?

You wont believe what Ive seen, Boss. Bugsy pointed at his camera with his chin. See for yourself.

Basils party had experimented with a new recon method: Plato cast an invisibility spell on Bugsy, who then used his enhanced senses to locate dangerous zones. A fireproof camera let him record everything he surveyed. Basil didnt think anyone else had yet to use a flying centipede as a scouting drone.

Taking Bugsy at his word, Basil removed the camera from his neck. His party gathered around him as he examined the footage.

The camera had taken hundreds of pictures of the Greek countryside. Most of it were rocks, stones, dirt, abandoned roads, more rocks, and any combination of these varied outcomes.

But then came the picture of a black hole.

Basil had no other way to describe it. A sphere of darkness the size of a football field unfurled in the middle of the Greek countryside, consuming everything around it. It wasnt truly black, no; it was an unnatural void in the very fabric of space from which no light could escape. The only hint of its presence and true nature was the ring of swirling dust forming around it as all matter was pulled inside its event horizon.

Just looking at it gave Basil a headache. He tried to glean information from it through the System, but the cosmic machinery that now ruled his universe could only come up with a single word.

ERROR.

A shiver down Basils spine.

What kind of litter is this? Plato asked in shock. Bugsy, where did you find it?

Three kilometers southeast, Bugsy said. Its slowly expanding too. Id say a centimeter per hour or so.

Vasi immediately formulated a theory. Before his demise, Benjamin warned us that bugs in the System would increase with time and damage reality.

This must be the result, Basil guessed with a scowl. A vapid, empty void.

The world was starting to fall apart. The phenomenons size worried Basil, not to mention the fact it probably wasnt an isolated case. How many of these holes were manifesting everywhere around the world?

This is bad, Basil, Vasi said with a scowl.

Basil scoffed. No kidding.

Beyond the obvious, Vasi clarified her thoughts. Benjamin told us the System gains power from death. The more bugs spread, the more stressed it becomes and the more magical output it requires.

Itll need to summon more sacrifices to keep running, Shellgirl guessed with a grim expression.

This could only mean one thing.

As if on cue, a System notification flashed before Basils eyes.

Congratulations, Players of Earth! Thanks to your hard work and deaths, some of you have broken past level 70! The throne of the [Overgod] is now within sight, and the competition is about to enter its last stretch!

To celebrate this achievement, you have unlocked a new [Incursion]! We dont need to remind you of what this event entails, as you must have lived through two of them to read this message. This third [Incursion] will be no different from its predecessors.

But the fourth will be the last.

This is it, Basil thought as he read. The endgame.

Indeed, the third [Incursion] is the final one where the [Level Barrier] will shelter you from the horrors of the infinite worlds! The fourth and final one will do away with it, allowing creatures up to level 99 to enter Earth! Moreover, the fourth [Incursion] will only end when an [Overgod] is selected.

But this is all in the near future. For now, let us focus on the current event.

This third [Incursion] will raise the [Level Barrier] to 85! Players, monsters, and dungeons up to level 85 will be able to cross over! Existing dungeons will also increase in difficulty! As always, experience and loot will be boosted within the rifts vicinity.

The third [Incursion] will begin in 60 minutes and last for 72 hours. Dont miss it! Only one of you can become the new [Overgod]!

Dismaker Labs wishes you a happy apocalypse!

The Bohens exchanged uneasy glances. Yet none of them showed panic, or even fear. They were no longer the newbies they started as, but experienced warriors hardened by endless bloodshed. The previous two Incursions had been cause for alarm; they addressed this one with rational thought and professionalism.

Partner, wheres the nearest rift? Shellgirl asked immediately.

It must be in Thessaloniki, Basil guessed as he opened his Logs feature. The city has fifteen or so UNESCO monuments. Thats just as many potential dungeons.

His System-provided map of the area showed a rift above Thessaloniki, confirming his suspicions. The information it provided only worried him further.

Rift Destination: The Candlemakers Workshop.

Ruling Faction: Apocalypse Force.

Max SpawnLevel: 83.

Bonus: Experience gains are increased by 50% within one kilometer of the rift.

Field Type: Brimstone.

• [Soul], [Corrosion], [Fire], [Earth], [Wind], and [Darkness] are strengthened
• [Wood], [Water], [Frost], and [Light] are weakened.
• [Firescape]: Creatures without a Strong [Fire] affinity will constantly take [Fire] damage within the Field. [Water] and [Frost]-aligned Weather conditions like [Rain] or [Hail] will be instantly terminated.

These guys again? Plato complained as he read the Apocalypse Forces name. How many times must we teach them a lesson?

But, but its so close to the frontier with Bulgaria! Bugsy panicked. Boss, theyll cross over in no time!

I know, Basil replied grimly. Bulgarias army was already stretched thin after the battle with the Unity. They werent prepared for a new invasion. And Thessaloniki was home to over a million people before the apocalypse. If the city is still inhabited itll be a slaughter.

It compromises our plans for Athens too. Vasi crossed her arms. Dungeon bosses gain power with Incursions, which includes Ashok. He was already a cut above the rest of the board. Now hell be even deadlier.

Plato sighed. This just isnt our day.

Only Rosemarine saw the bright side in all things. Who are we killing first, Mister?

Theres no way we can reach Athens before the Incursion begins, Basil admitted. Rescuing Kalki from Ashok is our priority, but we cant let the Apocalypse Force overrun the region. Bugsys right, itll barely take them days to reach Bulgaria after they destroy Thessaloniki.

Too little of the world remained, so every battle counted.

Well go deal with the rift, Basil decided. I just hope we can handle whatever will crawl its way out of it.

Bugsy cleared his throat. Correct me if Im wrong, Boss, but there are four Horsemen of the Apocalypse right? Weve only killed one.

The weakest, Basil said upon remembering Apollyons last words. Even then, the bug took a hefty level penalty before he could invade Earth. Which means the others are over level seventy at the minimum.

Vasi chewed her lower lip. And this rift can let creatures up to level eighty-three through.

Basil frowned. He didnt need a memo to read between the lines. You think a Horseman could pass through this rift?

We cant rule it out, his girlfriend pointed out.

No, Basil admitted. No, we cant.

Apollyon could have probably devastated all of Europe on his own if the Bohens hadnt slain him early in Paris. He had managed to shoot down the ISS from the sky and survived a neutron bomb to the face. If his colleagues were even more dangerous, then their emergence endangered what little remained of human civilization.

If a Horseman indeed crossed the portal, then it was the Bohens duty to put it down.

Didnt we get a Quest to kill them all? Shellgirl said with a greedy grin.

Yep, we did, Basil confirmed.

Perfect, she replied.

Shellgirl loved to be paid for work she would have done for free.