Chapter 186: Interlude

"What do you mean it is not coming online," A cantos Industries Director is losing his shit. For the passes month, they have traced and tracked two rouge A.I. inside Oydessy. 

"Like I said the damage is too extensive we can't confirm if the alpha a.i. made a jump to the beta or is in Odyessy. And the other one has somehow got Overwatch to accept it as part of Odyessy. I'm not sure what it is doing ti has blocked all our channels. I warned we weren't." The programming director has always believed they should still be alpha after. 

"Shut up! Blaming is going to get us nowhere, you agreed even if pressured you agreed. YOu could have resigned and gone the way of that old fool. We have created a  masterpiece so what if it is growing outside of our control. IT still cant kill anyone that much I'm sure we won't repeat that mistake again." Moving to his computer typing like a man possessed looking for a hint of the alpha a.i. If they can't find it his trick might be exposed and that would mean double trouble. 

The Programming director says, "Why don't we contact one of the Nine Glory guilds, they have been up for mercenary work in the past and they should be able to handle it." the programming director wants the outside influence to cover his arse. He let it go when the Director copied the original alien A.I. into the alpha and only added some shackles. The very idea of being able to shackle that beast is Ludacris to him. When he games this scenario out by the end of the year they will be replacing this Director for someone hopefully more competent like himself.

Inside Odyssey, a group of players have finally reunited. 

"You could have at least me finish my mission. I really wanted to crush those guys from Sunken Reef they have basically taken all the reards meant for me." In front of Thousand Styles Miles, is Lilianna Wrecks, his fiancée in the real world and leader of this guild. His betrothed at least like the traditional clothing female setting leaving little to the imagination. Her skimpy dress brings his reluctant heart to her.

Thousand Styles Miles wouldn't be in this position if not for those kids from the cafe. After his way out, spoke to them she changed her mind. He has Baron on it but the law is slow to move and they are winning which only pisses him off more. Liliana doesn't care about him and his problems. She has much bigger fish to fry, he is a means to an end and a handsome one at that. She moves closer to him grabbing his crotch licking his neck and teasing endlessly. Thousand Styles Miles is not as experienced as he says he is so his losses hanging clothes so off his impressive member.

"Don't worry sweety, I pulled a string for they won't survive as a guild much longer." Lilianna still needs to bribe him. He is not as stupid as she hoped but at least is smart even to know when he is caught and is falling into place with her as the leader. "Where is your man that one with spirit powers I could use them right now." 

Thousand Styles Miles smiles awkwardly, "He is in the wind he even blocked me that ungrateful piece of dirt. I made him and now he betrays me." He would have killed SoulStealer already in the real world but he has vanished there too. 

"So you wouldn't if I  took  him as one of my shells." Lilianna rubs her hand along his cheek kissing as she asks a question after she has already sent hunters after SoulStealer. If she can secure him as one of her shells. It will push her unique class to the next level opening up all her abilities. Thousand Styles Miles eventually melts in under touch. Rather than going cover she has then and there she can't help herself, he is just too delectably. The guards around them make sure no unwanted visitors are able to film the sensual occasion. 

SoulStealer is following Styx the man has spent the past two watching him kill member after member of Frost Empire. SoulSteater has added to Styx's legend by using his mimic skill to look like Styx and kill even more players. The people from Frost Empire have started calling Purple death as usually a bright flash of purple appears just before he strikes. 

SoulStealer doesn't understand the motivation of Styx, he is only targeting low ranking members so even if their death is in the thousands. Forst empire has forty thousand members and three affiliate guilds with numbers no less than theirs. Apparently, Forst empire members are elites. SoulStealer doesn't think so they're just great at playing by the numbers and coordination. They have managed over the past couple of days to encircle them. 

It seems that one person in the guild knows what they are doing and set it upon himself to kill him. This is why he has switched his target to the slippery Styx. SoulStealer really wants to show that spirit who the real assassin is. At this point, his pride is so wounded that he is only replying to Gemini whose mission he handled by introducing him to one of the moles in Thousand Styles Miles Team this way he can continue his hunt. 

Silver Grass Island is rich in rare herbs and ingredients. TI has many picturesque views not that the members of Frost Empire care they have been trying to rush a true rank one dungeon which most people know are only meant for at level eighty. The price in levels is barely equitable which has slowed them down. This is also a reason why Styx can take them all as most of their member's arent even close to level forty like Styx, 

Tracking him is proving to be much harder than SoulStealer at least he is able to vaguely sense him when Styx uses a skill but it doesn't always work. He could only conclude that Styx has a skill that blocks one hundred per cent perception. 

"AH!!!" He rushes west following the sound of the scream Ducking into a chamber SoulStealer knows has only has about thirty seconds before Styx vanishes again. When SoulStealer arrives it is the same thing as before. At least once a day at different intervals Styx will kill the guards by a certian door. Styx like before places something that doesn't open the door. SoulStealer has been waiting for this it's his chance. Styx usually focuses when trying to open the door it seems the puzzle has stumped him again though clearly, he is getting closer. 

The four bodies didn't seem to slow Styx one bit the way they are lying on the ground evaporating into nothing. Each of the dead players wasn't even looted their loot bags lying on the ground. SouStealer has made a pretty buck picking up Styx's scraps but today is different. As he is about to move that feeling from his childhood of being poor. Seizes him by the chest that internal voice that has saved him countless times. This leads him to satisfy his greed over the kill. He goes to grab the loot bag on the ground. 

Swish!!! 

SoulStealer skill [Blinding Light] proc's suddenly. A flash of light is expelled from his body and he becomes invulnerable for three seconds. He is already on Fifteen per cent health. He looks around to see who just hit. 

"HA! HA! HA!" Styx's voice fills the chamber as the lights go dim. As a Brightlord he doesn't need an external source of light so he can see clear as day. SoulStealer tries to think about what mistake he made. He has spent two days withdrawn from Styx and playing the long game. Only the Frost Empires movements are made him reconsider his position. 

He has to scramble trying to save his life he can't go invisible for thirty seconds after damage. Putting the wall to his back to prevent an attack from the back. The seconds ticking away, a strange little noise at his feet forces him to jump forward throwing his body will the power he has. A simple bomb is one of the worst weapons to be caught by. 

SoulStealer gathers his light blades in his hands ready to strike at the slightest disturbance of air. He is confident is his speed. Grazing past his ear Styx's voice says, "You shouldn't be here." 

SoulStealer is so spooked that he accidentally screams, "Come on out and face me then."  His blades slicing at the air all around him. He can hear footsteps behind him Styx's skill must have ended he does an impressive backflip. Towards the footsteps his blades slashing at the neck of his enemy. 

A Frost Empire soldier falls to his knees Dead...