Pantheon Online

Chapter 301 True Mechanics (Part 1)

301 True Mechanics (Part 1)

Exile groaned as he dropped his barrier and made another attempt to escape. But after having made several attempts, he couldn't even make it two paces before something cut into his chest again. Exile cried out in pain as he collapsed in agony and watched helplessly as three more greenish arrows impacted where he fell. This wasn't normal! The attacks were dealing damage now! And the enemy was too fast for him to keep up!

"Heh! Do you see now? It's easy for me to kill you!" The mysterious voice chuckled.

A chill ran down Exile's spine at its gloating tone of voice. 'Is this some kind of game-mechanic thing because of their authority?' His mind worked furiously as his thoughts raced through every possible scenario he could come up with while trying desperately not to die. 'I can't give in, but I don't see a way out!'

As his head started swimming with panic, a single thought popped into his mind. "I'll leave your inheritance alone if that's what you wish. I'm no match for a higher levelled god!"

"You really are an idiot," The mysterious voice laughed. "You think I'm one of the game's wills? What a moron. You're so sure of your strength that you can't even imagine being hunted by a weaker player!"

Mikijah finally revealed himself as he stepped out of the darkness. Exile glared at Mikijah as he sat on a fallen tree and stared at him coldly. He didn't remember ever meeting this player, but he knew better than to trust this man. 'This isn't going to end well.' He felt like throwing something at Mikijah in frustration, but there wasn't anything nearby he could use.

"Oh, please." He chuckled sarcastically as Exile tried hard not to grind his teeth together in anger. "Did you really think having high stats is everything? It's clear you have no idea about the deeper mechanics of this game."

"What do you mean?" Exile growled through gritted teeth.

"There are rules that govern how much damage you take when attacked by someone who has a lower value stat compared to yours," Mikijah explained calmly. "In fact, it takes a very specific set of circumstances for these attacks to be able to hurt you at all! The damage a lower-level player can deal to a stronger character is practically non-existent! However, what if I tell you this is only true on the surface? That the reality is much different?"

Exile's eyes widened as he listened to the explanation with disbelief.

"There are many variables that can be manipulated if you know how." Mikijah chuckled. "For example, you're a Tier 2 player. Probably on the high end of the levels. Now, take me. I'm only Tier 1, Level 9! Yet, here you are, rolling in the dirt at my feet. Unable to do anything against me."

Mikijah began chanting words of power. As he did so, Exile saw the glow of an effect he hadn't noticed before. A black barrier surrounded him from all sides while another spell activated a few paces above him. A brilliant beam of light pierced the air between them and struck the man standing at his feet!

Mikijah let out a short cry as his head was knocked backwards by the impact, but he didn't fall down as expected. In fact, instead of dropping straight to the ground, Mikijah just continued falling slowly until he stopped suddenly!

"What? What happened?" He looked down at himself in confusion as several large dark patches covered his entire body. "What are those?!"

The magic holding him in place vanished without any warning or fanfare, sending Mikijah crashing back onto the grassy floor, where he landed on his back with a loud thud. Exile stared in awe as blood began oozing out of two holes where Mikijah's eyes were a moment ago. Then with a final groan, Mikijah slumped over on his side like a puppet whose strings had been cut. His hand dropped away from the dagger that had stabbed into his own heart.

Exile sat up slowly and stared at his tormentor as Mikijah's body vanished among motes of light. Exile squinted as he studied Mikijah's orb that had been left behind. It was glowing brightly in the darkness, and there was an energy to it he'd never seen before. 'Who saved me?' Exile wondered as he looked around, finding nobody in sight. He silently swallowed as he returned his gaze to Mikijah's orb. 'Is it alright to take it? Or will my saviour kill me for taking their spoils?' He had no doubt that whoever had been able to kill Mikijah with such ease would be able to do the same to him.

As if answering his question, a sudden flash of white appeared out of nowhere right next to him. "Good day!" A woman's voice greeted him cheerfully. "Wow, what a mess this was. I'm glad I made it in time."

Exile nearly fell over in surprise when he saw who spoke. "What? Wait, did you save me?"

The woman blinked curiously at him for a moment before nodding politely. "Sure did! Allow me to escort you back to Valheim," she offered kindly as she took her time to pick out the direction. She then walked forward while Exile followed suit and found himself walking alongside a beautiful redhead that had eyes so blue they almost seemed translucent. "Oh, don't forget to grab Mikijah's orb. It should be helpful."

Exile gulped as he quickly retrieved the orb, storing it in his inventory before returning to the woman. "Who are you? Why are you out here?"

"Hm," the woman tapped her chin with a delicate finger as she continued walking. "I'm just out here performing a favour for a friend."

"A favour brought you out here?" Exile asked as he raised his eyebrows dubiously.

"Yep, but you can ask Paul all about it when you log out." She chuckled with a mischievous grin.