Chapter 3
Careful Consideration
As Sylas delved into the memories he had inherited from his character, he began to piece together the actions and impact of the players who had entered this new world. According to the world's history, these players, or proclaimed gods, had populated and interbred with the denizens of this realm, claiming their offspring as descendants of the gods—a race of demi-gods.
The players, driven by their insatiable desire for power and control, had wielded their game abilities with reckless abandon, playing the role of gods in this new reality.
"Of course, all level 100 players are considered godlike in the game, let alone in the real world," Sylas mused, acknowledging the immense power that these players possessed. However, he realized that the true threat lay with those who had surpassed level 180 and above. Their power and potential for calamity in this new world were unprecedented, posing a significant challenge to Sylas's quest for survival and dominance.
With this understanding, Sylas recognized the magnitude of the task ahead. He needed to navigate through a world where players had become gods, and where the balance of power hung precariously in the hands of those who possessed the highest levels of strength and influence. In this perilous landscape, Sylas knew that he needed to tread carefully, strategize wisely, and remain vigilant against the formidable adversaries that stood in his path.
Sylas's disappointment and frustration echoed his sentiments about the drastic transformation of the players in this new world. Arkadia, once a game centered around wars and battles, had evolved into a realm where players were worshipped as gods, their followers building churches and temples in their honor.
"What the heck did they do in this world?" Sylas lamented, feeling disillusioned by the profound shift in the game's genre. The competitive spirit and the thrill of battle that had once defined Arkadia seemed to have been replaced by a sense of complacency and indifference among the players.
Observing the players' behavior, Sylas couldn't comprehend their lack of interest in actively participating in the world. Instead of engaging in battles and proving their strength, they chose to sit back and let their followers do the work.
"Where's the fun in that?" he pondered, struggling to understand the motivations behind their passive approach. For Sylas, the allure of conquest and the exhilaration of battle were integral to the gaming experience. If it were up to him, he would wage war against all players and reclaim his dominance, conquering the world once more.
As Sylas contemplated his situation within the bedroom of Sylas Oakenheart, he realized the significance of his surroundings. This mansion served as the residence of the Demon Lord of Misty Blood, a character deeply ingrained in the lore of Arkadia. Sylas understood that every player in the game was expected to adhere to specific roles within the world of Arkadia, shaping its history and contributing to its narrative.
In the past, players wielded significant influence over the game's lore, their actions and contributions leaving lasting impressions on the virtual world. However, in this merged reality, the players seemed to have taken their roles as creators and gods of the world too seriously.
The rules that once governed the game now extended into the fabric of reality, blurring the lines between fiction and truth. The players, once mere participants in a virtual realm, now held immense power over the fate of this new world.
As Sylas pondered his situation, a notification window materialized in front of him, accompanied by a voice that resonated directly in his mind.
[Greetings, It’s been a while Master]
The voice carried a sense of familiarity, though its origin eluded him. With curiosity piqued, Sylas inquired, "Who’s this?" The response came in the form of a mature woman's voice, deep and resonant, imbued with a captivating charm.
[Ara, have master perhaps forgotten about me? It was indeed a long time, Master.]
The voice persisted, and as it spoke, a grimoire materialized in front of Sylas. The enchanting voice seemed to emanate from within the pages of the magical book, adding an ethereal quality to the encounter.
As Sylas regarded the shimmering grimoire, he recognized it as his signature item, the unique artifact exclusive to his character: the [Myriad Archive]. This grimoire held significant importance in the lore of Sylas Oakenheart, passed down through generations of the noble family of the Misty Demon.
"The book called, or rather, someone inside it. I think I knew who it was," Sylas pondered, feeling a sense of familiarity with the entity trapped within the pages of the grimoire.
"Is that you, the previous Demon Lord of Bloody Mist, Aguina?" Sylas addressed the name of the individual sealed within the grimoire. According to the lore, Aguina was the predecessor who bore the same title as Sylas, defeated in battle and subsequently imprisoned within the confines of the ancient tome.
"Yes, my lord. It is I, Aguina. I have waited millennia for your awakening. You're the last of the supreme beings to awaken, my lord,"
Echoed Aguina's voice from within the grimoire, channeling directly to Sylas. The reverence and respect in her tone were palpable, as if she bowed in admiration to Sylas even within the confines of the enchanted book.
As Aguina spoke, the story of her confinement unraveled. She had been trapped within the grimoire as a consequence of the great race war between the demons and other races—an event deeply woven into the lore of Arkadia. In the MMORPG, players were integral to the progression of the story, and the demon race faced challenges controlled by the program. However, in this altered reality, the demons had transformed into a more ruthless existence, acting beyond the constraints of the game's programming.
"So I am the last player to be awakened in this new world? What happened during that period then?"
Sylas muttered to himself, reflecting on the revelations from Aguina. He realized that he was the final player to awaken as their playable game character in this newly merged reality.
During the period when Sylas existed as an NPC, a time when Steve wasn't invading his consciousness, he lived as the heir of the noble house of the Mist Demon. In this role, he played out the intricate narrative woven into the Arkadia lore. The players who proclaimed themselves as gods were known as "supreme beings." Upon awakening as their playable characters, they began to intermingle with regular humans and individuals from the normal world that had merged with the game realm.
The result of these unions was the birth of descendants with superpowers, mirroring the fantastical elements of the game. These offspring inherited the ability to wield magic and divine powers from the fantasy world, becoming a new generation of beings with capabilities far beyond those of ordinary humans.
"They get superpowers and bring all those in-game items into reality, and the first thing they did when they met people was to mate? Are you kidding me?" Sylas facepalmed, expressing his incredulity at the actions of the players who had awakened in this new reality.
The absurdity of the situation, where the players prioritized procreation and passing on their fantastical abilities, left Sylas bewildered. The convergence of the game world with reality had brought unprecedented changes, and the players' choices reflected a peculiar set of priorities.
"What else should I need to know about? What about my guild members? The guild members of Nightingale guild should have been awakened into their game characters too. What happened to them?" Sylas pondered, recognizing the importance of understanding the fate of his fellow guild members.
The realization struck him that his guild members, the companions with whom he had shared countless adventures and battles, must also have been awakened in this new reality. Their names were likely among the 500 active players listed on the window panel of the system.
Sylas rubbed his chin, contemplating his next move in this unfamiliar and potentially perilous new world, he recognized the importance of gathering information discreetly and without attracting unwanted attention from other supreme beings. To achieve this goal, surveillance and reconnaissance became his top priority.
Realizing the necessity of having a helper—a servant, if you will—Sylas turned to the knowledge stored within his memories. He recalled the ability to create a kin of demon to serve under him, known as a familia. These lesser demons could be crafted from the essence of another creature, bound to him as loyal servants.
With this plan in mind, Sylas set his sights on creating a loyal companion to aid him in his endeavors. A familia would not only assist him in gathering information and navigating this new reality but also provide an invaluable ally in the face of potential threats from other supreme beings.
As Sylas contemplated his plans and strategies, a pressing need for sustenance drew his attention. Realizing that he couldn't think on an empty stomach, he decided to take a break and grab some food for nourishment.
Descending from his bedchamber, Sylas made his way down the flight of stairs leading to the dining hall. The silence that enveloped the house puzzled him, and he couldn't help but wonder about the absence of other residents or staff.
"Where's everyone? I reckon this house has maids and housekeepers. How come I don't see anyone?" he mused aloud, his voice echoing faintly in the empty halls.
Arriving at the dining table, Sylas found it devoid of any staff or food ready to be served. The emptiness of the house, coupled with the absence of housekeepers and servants, stirred a mild irritation within him. This inconsistency challenged the expectations he had from the game world he had created – in-game, there should have been maids and housekeepers attending to his needs.
The perplexity of the situation heightened Sylas's confusion. As he sat alone in the dining hall, he pondered the fate of the people who should have been part of this household. Where had they gone, and what could have led to their disappearance?
With little time to dwell on the mysteries surrounding his empty residence, Sylas quickly consumed a loaf of bread to satiate his hunger. The urgency of his tasks weighed heavily on his mind, urging him to swiftly move on to the next item on his agenda.
As he finished his makeshift meal, Sylas's focus shifted back to the critical objectives that lay before him.
He took out his grimoire and talked to it again “Aguina, the pressing matter right now is for us to find a subordinate to do our bidding. I can't reveal my presence as I know for a fact that other players must have know that I have awakened too”
The talking grimoire fell silent for a brief moment, and Sylas waited with anticipation for Aguina's response. The ancient demon lord trapped within the confines of the magical book seemed to be contemplating how to address Sylas's concerns.
"My liege, perhaps you wondered why the other servant was not present right now?" Aguina's voice echoed from within the grimoire, posing a question to Sylas.
Sylas raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the inquiry. "Yes, is there an explanation for that?" he inquired, eager to understand the circumstances surrounding the absence of the other servant.
Aguina's explanation shed light on the fate of Sylas's NPC servants in the wake of the merging of the two worlds. As the realms converged, the NPC servants gained autonomy and free will, granting them the agency to choose their own paths independent of their masters' commands.
"Some of them chose a different path," Aguina continued, her voice resonating with solemnity. "A path where they were no longer bound under the rule of the supreme beings."
Sylas listened intently, absorbing the gravity of Aguina's words. It became clear that the NPCs had made individual choices, opting to forge their destinies outside the confines of servitude to their former masters.
"Those who remained loyal to their masters took decisive action," Aguina explained. "They sealed themselves and fell into deep slumber, a measure taken to protect themselves from being claimed by other supreme beings or falling victim to their wrath."
Sylas processed the information, acknowledging the reason for the absence of anyone in his residence. The NPC servants had either chosen to quit or entered standby mode, remaining undetected by the players – a strategic move on their part.
"Then, we're going to wake them up, shall we? It is time for them to greet their master," Sylas declared
“Who shall we get back first, My liege?” asked Aguina.
“We need to get our recon unit captain leader, Vampire Duchess Medivere. I need her scout, and espionage skill”
His goal was to get back all his old servants while also trying to recruit a new one along the way.Whether it's in the game or real life. My goal remains the same, to become a demon god. and he cannot do that without the aid of powerful subordinates.
Sylas prepared for his short journey, he delved into history books to glean insights into the events that unfolded 3000 years ago during the onset of the merge of the two worlds. The records painted a grim picture of that time, marked by widespread chaos and upheaval.
Many humans perished in the wake of the invasion, as monsters and powerful beings, alongside the players turned supreme beings, wrought havoc on Earth. The merging of the two realms led to a significant loss of life, with a large portion of the population either succumbing to the invaders or willingly submitting to the rule of the newly appointed supreme beings.
In the aftermath of the great merge, new churches and nations emerged, each vying for power and influence in the altered landscape
