VRMMORPG: Rise Of The Blood Paragon

[Quest Name: Echoes of the BloodSiphon

Objective: Retrieve a scattered relic connected to the origins of the BloodSiphon Blade.

Description: Long ago, the BloodSiphon Blade was forged alongside a twin relic—an orb imbued with the power to stabilize its wielder's mind and amplify their strength. The orb was lost during a great war and is now rumored to be hidden in the Forest of Shadows, guarded by an ancient specter bound to the blade's curse.

Reward: 1,500 Merit Points, Blood Orb Relic, Potential Skill Enhancement

Risk Level: High ]

"Risk level high? So, this is how to get merit points. And wait, why does the quest look as though it's just assisting me with the blade? I might not even need the lore of the blade again if I can get the orb, as it'll calm all the demonic spirits in the blade down for me, and I can control my bloodlust," Lionel pondered as he looked at the sword. "But if I don't take the quest, there's no way for me to get the orb. Is it like a trap, what the game system does to make players take up quests by force, as they literally give them what they want in exchange for taking a quest?"

"And what is the Forest of Shadows? Where is that?" he muttered.

He then clicked on the Maps in the inventory section. It was greyed out and free, so he had no problem worrying about merit points to buy it.

"So, there's the world map here, and Karvin has to worry about crafting a detailed map for me to successfully escape from the palace—or rather, the prince, still me anyway," he mumbled as he checked the map.

The map was neatly laid out, bearing markings starting from the division of continents in the world, regions, realms, and kingdoms. But Lionel didn't dwell on the vampire kingdom too much.

He had learned something about the game system after thinking quite hard. Apart from quest earnings, players gain merit points to spend, and they also benefit greatly from the quests. The quests are also tailored to the current situation of the players.

So, it means that the Forest of Shadows mentioned can never be in the Vampire Kingdom. Lionel rushed straight to the Human Kingdom.

He clicked on the point marked Mortal Realm, where the humans live—a combination of so many people. He managed to make out some kingdoms but couldn't find the Forest of Shadows.

"It must be something hidden, or something I would need to work harder to find. Why this stuff?" He was utterly confused as he closed the inventory.

"I've had enough of this. So, I've settled the blade. I'm going to find a way to use it without getting controlled, as it's a very great asset—a three-star legendary sword with embedded abilities. Nah, it must be usable. So that's solved; I just need to complete the quest. Ah… I still need to accept the quest…"

Lionel then opened the quest board again and accepted it. Afterward, a notification congratulating him on deciding to take a quest appeared, and he closed the game interface.

Lionel was left with the sword in his hand, staring back at him.

"I also need to keep this somewhere."

Lionel returned the sword to his personal inventory before looking around the ship deck. It was a mess—assassins' corpses all around and blood spilled across the ship. His head also snapped towards Karvin, but he released the contact straight away.

Lionel moved away from his position, walking toward the corpses on the floor. He bent down towards the assassin leader's body, his hands roaming about.

He found nothing on him, sighed, picked up his sword, and moved on to the next assassin, doing the same.

By the time Lionel was done, he had already collected over 30 weapons from the assassins, which he kept in his storage ring that Karvin had given him.

Afterward, he picked up the assassins' corpses one by one and threw them into the sea. Lionel cleared the deck of the dead bodies, leaving only one—Karvin. He walked away from the side of the ship where he had just thrown the assassins and towards Karvin's body.

He searched Karvin's body and managed to get a ring from him.

"His storage ring?" he questioned. Without many words, he wore it on his left hand to accompany the ring on his right.

Then, he checked his own storage ring and brought out a large cloth he had planned to use for rest later. But since pressing matters demanded it, he used it instead.

Lionel carefully wrapped Karvin's body in the black cloth he had retrieved, leaving him by the side of the ship to burn later.

Finally, he checked the map and rode the ship onward.

_____________________

Winds swept through the thick forest, dust swirling around, weeds rustling with the heavy sound of thumping footsteps. A figure pried apart the weeds blocking their path, their head emerging into the open.

Lionel sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him, his sword dripping with the blood of his enemies. His breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest.

Behind him, figures followed, clad in identical dark attire, their weapons gleaming ominously by their sides. Their eyes glinted through the narrow slits of their masks, sharp and predatory.

Lionel burst into a clearing, the bushes and twigs falling away as he skidded to a halt. He whirled around, planting his feet firmly apart.

His Shadowflame Sword hummed in his grip, the hilt clenched tightly in his hands, veins bulging under the strain. The blade shimmered faintly, golden latent fire flickering along its edge.

The assassins emerged into the clearing moments later, five of them moving like shadows, their weapons poised.

Lionel took a deep breath, his stance lowering as he prepared for the inevitable clash. The assassins lunged forward.

"Arrgggh!" Lionel roared, charging to meet them head-on.

"Arghhh!" echoed the assassins in unison.

Their blades collided with a deafening clang, sparks flying as steel met steel. Lionel parried an oncoming strike, pivoting to his left to avoid a dagger aimed for his ribs. He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing two of the assassins to backpedal.

One of them came at him with a swift downward strike. Lionel ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the blade narrowly missed him. Another assassin swung an axe at his head. Lionel dropped low, the weapon whistling past his ear by a breath's width.

His legs burned with fatigue, every step growing heavier. The weight of grief over Karvin and the relentless battles had drained him, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

A sudden pain shot through his leg as a blade slashed his thigh. He staggered back, blood seeping through his fingers as he clutched the wound. An assassin leaped at him, weapons gleaming, but Lionel rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding their strike.

He scrambled to his feet, standing at a distance, his chest heaving. He was outmatched, his energy waning. The assassins closed in like a pack of wolves sensing their prey's weakness.

Lionel's eyes darted around, searching for a way out. He grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, hurling it at his attackers. They recoiled, momentarily blinded, and Lionel seized the opportunity.

His legs propelled him forward, adrenaline giving him one last burst of speed. He sprinted deeper into the clearing, the assassins shouting behind him.

As he ran, the air grew heavier, colder, and uncomfortably close. A strange stillness enveloped him, and then, without warning, the world around him plunged into darkness. Just as quickly, the light returned, leaving Lionel disoriented.

He came to a halt, blinking in confusion as he found himself standing in front of a big stone door. Beside the door stood an old man, his long white beard nearly brushing the ground. He leaned on a tall, weathered staff, his expression unreadable.

Lionel frowned, his sword still in hand, blood dripping onto the dirt below. His gaze flicked between the man and the door.

"Now, what is this?" he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion and wariness. His eyes scanned the area, taking in the surreal scene, confusion etched into his features.