Endless: Hell's Swordsmen

Volume 4:Stalker

To describe Mephisto's expression as terrified would be an understatement. If it weren't for his tyrannical actions up till now, Astro would even believe that Mephisto was a poor tormented child who heard the approaching footsteps of his dreaded bully.

"N-Nakiu! Dammit, why are you still alive?? Fuck!" Mephisto cursed before turning to flee.

"Haha! Best buddy Phisto, stay around. I want to kill you once and for all today! Then afterwards, I'll worm my way into the heart of Crysta and cuckold you!" Lord Nakiu laughed as he gave chase to Mephisto's fleeing form.

The old man's voice was different from his appearance. While his voice made him sound like he was one inch away from death, the man looked like those old men who were placed on fitness magazines. He had flowing white hair that reached his waist that was billowing in the air. Astro assumed he was tall, but couldn't tell due to the distance between them. He wore a simple white robe and rode on a nimbus cloud like Goku. He looked more like a character from a xianxia cultivation novel rather than a western game NPC.

Astro wasn't surprised. After all, the AI for Boundless had access to almost everything except for military assets. This world was made to accommodate everything fictional and historical, so there were a myriad of elements within.

After the two disappeared into the horizon, Astro breathed a sigh of relief. Remembering himself, he creeped out of the alleyway to see the players and NPCs in heated discussion about what just occurred.

"What the hell was that? It felt like my body was trapped in ice!"

"This game is too wonky. That was too weird."

"I swear I saw something in the sky. Like a face or something."

"I did too! A really arrogant face that needed punching!"

Astro ignored them and blended in as if nothing strange had happened as he made his way to one corner of the marketplace from the townhall area. Unbeknownst to him, there was a hooded woman watching him carefully. Nothing could be seen of her features, but her form told of an exquisite beauty.

Beside her stood a woman wearing the basic outfit for clerics, a white dress with delicate embroidery. She was observing the area warily when she saw her companion's riveted gaze.

"Guild leader, what's wrong?" Sublime Notion asked.

"He is… interesting. I feel like I… I know him. But…" Riveting Night answered with an unsteady voice.

This made Sublime Notion perk up. Her best friend hardly ever spoke much and she never sounded uncertain. The fact that two characteristics of her personality had been breached instantly roused her interest. When she saw who her Guild leader was observing, she let out a cold snort.

"Him? He's slightly above average. The boys who are chasing after you in the University are much more attractive. Especially that rich young master, Johnny Blaze. This scrawny guy can hardly match up."

Riveting Night did not reply to that, but continued staring at Astro. Her eyes shined with interest and complex emotions were roiling through her. She was mostly cold and aloof to everything and everyone, but she felt… something… from him.

No one could hear it, but a Mad God was laughing in the background.

------------------------

Astro left Stagnant Moss town without any special fanfare or event. He had used his gold to expand his inventory slots to the maximum that could be possessed before the first update. It cost him a total of 30 gold, which no player would be able to afford easily until the first update. The AI would've predicted everything perfectly.