"WHAT!!!!!!!! A YEAR, WE LOST A WHOLE YEAR!" Cynrik blurted loudly with spittle flying from his mouth, causing the translucent being to lean back and dodge.
Breathing heavily, Cynrik stared at the translucent being with bloodshot eyes.
"Indeed, as unfortunate as it may seem, the moment you and your party stepped foot in this Instance, time accelerated significantly. As a result, you have spent an entire year within the confines of this Dungeon instance even though the actual time exerted on your life span is still only a single day." The Central System projection calmly stated, giving Cynrik another glance.
"UGHHH, damn it all, that means we technically failed the fucking exam. GRAH, stupid fucking Wadbitch, and her stupid fucking games." Tearing at his hair in anger, Cynrik spoke his thoughts out loud, making the members of his party stare at him expressionlessly.
"Calm down, Cyn, we will figure it out when we get back, don't forget we've had the Exam tokens on us this whole time; take some solace, at least in the fact that Mom and Dad won't obliterate us when we step outside.
Brance's comment made Cynrik lock up as his eyes nearly rolled back into his head at the thought of how Cinyah would react when they left the Egress. He could picture the abuse he would suffer at her "loving" hands. Disappearing for a whole year within an Egress blew the entire Haylons Shadow event out of the water, and that in itself was a major stroke of bad luck in their mother's eyes.
COUGH, the Central System projection cleared its throat, bringing the focus back on itself again, and began speaking.
"As I stated, you will all be receiving Orange Egress Grade reward Chests as clear rewards. I will distribute them now." Then, with a wave of its ethereal hand and a few words in a strange language that even the brother's proficiency skill couldn't understand, four large golden chests manifested in front of each member of MyrkLys.
Cynrik went wide-eyed as he read the received notification.
-You have received a Special Grade Tier-2 Golden Chest.-
"Although I can not guarantee the rewards, I can inform you that you will receive something useful upon opening these chests. The random item list for chests above Silver Grade are specifically tailored to the one opening it. Therefore, anything that comes out will be based on their Class, Affinity, or miscellaneous item."
"Now then, since I have rectified the crisis to the best of my ability, all that is left is to designate the active quests you received as completed so that the Central Hub can deliver their proper rewards. Once this is achieved, you will all be teleported to where the entrance of this Egress once stood. This is the extent of the assistance I am able to administer."
Snapping its fingers once again caused all the members of MyrkLys to flinch as the last time it did so; a Deity was exploded, their vision lit up with notifications.
-You have completed the Quest First Alpha Egress Dive.-
- Instance Quest, First Alpha Egress Dive-
-You have entered the Green Alpha Egress "A-G-22097", and the exit has been sealed. The only way to leave is to complete this Quest. You will have 24 hours to do so. The quest requirements will not be shared between the party members, and you must meet them to achieve the Clear Status.
-Kill 25 Tier-1 Packhounds- (Complete)
-Kill 25 Tier-1 Fanged Rats- (Complete)
-Defeat the boss Kobold Shaman.- (Complete)
-You have obtained enough XP to level up your Prestige 2 times.-
-You have received Alpha Egress Perfect Clear Token: Platinum-
-You have received 50 Stat Points and 50 Skill Points.-
-You have received 500,000 Credits.-
-You have completed the Emergency Quest Subjugation Mission.-
-Emergency Quest – Subjugation Mission.-
-Because of an Anomaly created by Cobra Goddess Wadjet, a third party, this Quest is issued to the group known as "MyrkLys." This third party has infused a massive amount of Mana into A-G 22097's Egress Core, explicitly affecting the randomly generated Instance, causing the Dungeon Boss Quest to undergo abnormal and unpredictable changes.-
-Instead of facing a randomly generated Boss creature, a chunk of land from an unknown location has been forcefully moved into the space formerly occupied by the Egress's constructed Boss room. As such, it falls onto you and the members of your party to wipe out and rectify this occurrence.-
-Subjugate Kobold Soldiers.- (Complete)
-Subjugate Kobold Villagers.- (Complete)
-Subjugate Kobold Shaman.- (Complete)
-You have received a SSS grade on your Mission.-
-You have been recognized as completing the Mission with a perfect grade.
-You have received enough XP to Cap your Prestige to level 25.-
-You have earned the Title: Perfect Clear Expert.-
- Title: Perfect Clear Expert= When taking part in any Egress Missions, you will receive an additional 100% XP for any kills. This Title can be hidden from prying eyes or turned off and on.-
-You have received a Special Grade Tier-1 Platinum Chest.-
-You have received 100 Skill Points and 50 Stat Points.-
-You have received a Tier-2 Affinity Proficiency Orb (Dark).-
-You have received 25 points of KIN and 10 points of WILL.-
-You have received an Alpha Egress Perfect Clear Mission Token: Mythic-
Cynrik's entire body was wracked with spasms of excitement as he tuned out the outside world and focused on his loot. As expected, the rewards for completing both the Quest and Mission were astounding.
"()*^&#@$ %#@$(&* #%@$)@ @!#$$$ %()(#$* %&#*@ %*#$*#!!!"
Hearing the strange language again, Cynrik snapped out of his delusions and wiped the drool from his mouth. Then, hearing it for the second time, he quickly made a mental note. He tried to remember every word as perfectly as possible but soon found that the instant he tried, the information was seemingly deleted from his memory as if it had never been heard.
"I have annotated today's events and filed them away within the Main System Database. So it is time for me to send you all on your way. Thank you for your swift action in summoning a System Adjutacator so that we can rectify this issue to the best of our ability. I apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced. While I can not say it will not happen again due to your involvement in this great competition, I assure you that any being, Deity, or Mortal caught cheating and interfering with the agreed-upon rule set will be dealt with and punished; to the full extent of our capabilities."
Cynrik and Brance shivered as they could suddenly feel as if thousands of pairs of eyes were looking at them from every angle, making them uncomfortable.
The translucent being looked up at the sky and sneered in response to this sudden onset of eyes.
"That goes for each and every one of you. We have eviscerated the divinity and spirit of one of your peers and have no problem doing it again; if you understand, get out of my sight and keep this competition clean."
As quickly as the oppressive feeling descended, it disappeared except for three pairs of invisible eyes. One of which was filled with Killing Intent. Feeling this angry look burrowing into the side of his head, Cynrik smirked and placed his left hand under his chin before wiggling his fingers in a strange greeting with raised eyebrows. He assumed those eyes belonged to Wadjets Master, the Egyptian Deity Osiris.
THUNK
{STOP TAUNTING GODS, YOU FUCKING MORON, THAT GUYS LACKEY CAUSED US ALL THIS TROUBLE, AND YOUR DUMB ASS IS STILL SMARTING OFF.} Brance had bounced a weak [Air Missle] off his brother's head, causing Cynrik to turn and grin sheepishly at him.
"Everything is now concluded; it is time to leave. I only have one last parting comment, though." Then, for the first time, the expressionless transparent being wore a serious expression and looked directly at Cynrik and Brance, causing both to shift uncomfortably. Seconds later, they heard its voice within their minds.
'The two of you are also subject to these rules. Although you are not allowed to know their complete contents, be advised you can not receive any outside assistance from your Deities. We at the Central System Hub are always watching, and to be honest, we quite enjoy your antics. Good luck in the competition. May your blades stay as sharp as your wit.'
The Central System projection snapped its fingers and teleported MyrkLys out of the Egress with this parting statement. The sound caused each of the party members to shut their eyes tightly.
CHIRP, CHIRP
The first thing Cynrik noticed when he felt his feet touch down on the solid ground was birds chirping from overhead. The next…
FWWWOOOOOOOMMMM
Was the pressure of 6g worth of Killing Intent bearing down on his body, making him grin from ear to ear. The source was several people exerting 0.1g, meaning around 60 people were trying to pressure him, yet he was entirely unfazed.
Opening his eyes, Cynrik was greeted by the sight of nearly a hundred armed soldiers wearing full combat gear on their guard with weapons drawn and pointing at himself and the rest of his party.
But all of this subsequently stopped the instant a woman spoke up.
"REAVERS, SHEATH YOUR WEAPONS, AND REEL IN YOUR KIN; IF ANY OF YOU LIMP DICK BASTARDS HURT SO MUCH AS A SINGLE HAIR ON MY CHILDREN'S HEAD, I WILL FUCKING GUT YOU BEFORE SENDING YOUR ASHES BACK HOME TO YOUR PARENTS!"
"PPPFFFTT hahhahahahaha!" Hearing the stern yet familiar womanly voice screaming in anger made Cynrik and Brance burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Heyah Mom, fancy meeting you here hehe!"
SMACK
Cynrik was stunned as he was struck upside the head, but he paid no attention to it as an instant later, he was scooped up along with Brance and drawn into a tight embrace.
"You idiotic, ungrateful, unruly, unfilial children, how could you put so much stress and heartache on your beautiful mother? Do you realize how many new wrinkles I've gained as we searched for you? One year, you have been missing for an entire year."
"The only thing keeping your mother and me going was the signal from your Exam Tokens, which was the only beacon of hope telling us you were both still alive." Then, stepping up beside his wife and joining the family hug, Rikard's rough voice smothered the brothers.
Cynrik wanted to speak up and defend himself but chose against such an action, as he could already feel the tears dropping onto the crown of his head.
Beside him and trapped in the same group hug, Brance looked at his parents and saw they seemed to have aged at least ten years because of the ordeal, and he felt a pang of guilt in his heart. However, a simple look at their battle-worn armor told him that when they disappeared into the Egress and time accelerated, the two of them had dived numerous times into the same Egress in search of them.
The faint sounds of tears came from behind the Jetlensr family as the Sanfords latched onto their children like Cinyah and Rikard were.
"We are back, Mom, and oh man, do we have a story for you." When his Mom finally drew back and examined her sons, Cynrik beamed a bright smile and spoke up, making Cinyah giggle as she pinched his cheeks.
"You two are always getting in trouble the second I look away. Hiya, what is a mother to do when one son is a total rascal?"
Cynrik shrugged and dove back into his mother's embrace, shocking her, but Cinyah quickly adapted and returned the hug, placing her forehead on his shoulder.
"Sorry for making you worry, Mom…while I can't say it won't happen again, I can promise that Brancie and I have become much stronger.
"Yeah!" Brance flexed his arms, showing his biceps to Rikard, who laughed a boisterous laugh.
Having seen enough, Saylin stepped forward and examined the party of four children and was amazed at how much they had grown. Although a lot needed to be explained, as a so-called Permanent Egress had been destroyed for the first time in history, he allowed the families to have their moment before cutting in.
"Uhheem"
The sound of Saylin clearing his throat broke both families out of their happy moment and caused all eyes to be diverted to him.
"Let me start by saying welcome back. I can tell the four of you have had your fair share of hardships; however, now isn't the time to get comfortable. Unfortunately, you failed to meet the time restriction for last year's Academy Exams…."
"Oi, Old Man Saylin, lookie what I've got." Pleased of himself for cutting off Saylin's long, drawn-out speech, Cynrik held up the Perfect Clear Token he received as a reward for the Egress Quest and smirked cockily.
SMACK (4)
Puffing his cheeks and glaring at the ground while rubbing the back of his head, Cynrik angrily tossed the shining Platinum Token at Saylin, who snatched it out of the air with wide eyes.
"This…"
"It's a Perfect Clear Token, should be something yall have seen before, right? I'll have you know, even though a whole year passed out here, not even 24 hours went by inside A-G 22097 we passed with flying colors, including an Emergency Subjugation Mission." Cynrik held up a crimson red token, which he and everyone else received for their Perfect Clear of the Boss fiasco, and tossed it.
Stunned to silence, Saylin looked from the two tokens in his hands to the group of four children; the remaining three were currently holding up replicas of the same tokens in his hands.
"You enjoy trying to give me a heart attack, don't you, Cynrik Jetlensr."
"Che, you…a Tier-5 being getting a heart attack, don't even kid around. If that was possible, wouldn't all you old fogies be dying left and…."
SMACK
Steam could be seen floating off the knot on the back of Cynrik's head and Cinyah's open palm.
The group was quiet as Saylin mulled over what to do next. Eventually, he held up his Watcet, made a call, and used an ability to stop anyone from listening in.
About ten minutes later, he dropped the skill and sternly looked at the group of children, huddled together with their parents, and spoke authoritatively.
"Cynrik and Brance Jetlensr, Benjamin and Gabriella Sanford, the four of you have shown talent well above your Tier and have achieved something we at the Board of Academies haven't seen in over 200 years. Due to the extenuating circumstances presented by the destruction of A-G 22097, we at the board have decided to allow each of you to pass the Exams with full marks. In two weeks, you are to report to the fair being held in the test-taking location, where you will be allowed to choose which of the Academies you wish to join."
With that said, Saylin vanished from sight, leaving the armored Reavers and the two families in stunned silence.
"TSK, what a show-off."
Unlike everyone expected, it was Benny who broke the silence with a very "Cynrik-Like" response, making everyone present laugh.
"OI, WHAT KIND OF FAVORITISM IS THAT? HOW COME I GET HIT BUT BENNY DOESN'T!"
"Because Benny never acts the fool in public, unlike you, Big Brother."
Once again, everyone laughed.
An hour later, the only ones still standing at the edge of the massive crater were the members of MyrkLys. They were all wearing different expressions as they looked out over the devastation caused by the Egress's collapse.
"So I guess we will see you guys in two weeks. Get some rest; it's been a hell of a past couple of days. I am proud of you, knuckleheads." Crossing his arms and looking back at his friends and brother, Cynrik spoke up.
"Um…Big Bro Cyn…you realize we live next door to you, right."
"SHHHH, damn it, Gabby, can't you just let me have my moment in peace."
"Where is the fun in that Big Brother. If we let loose on your reigns, it would go to your already inflated ego."
"Agreed!" Gabby and Benny raised their hands and nodded fervently at Brance's comment.
"Tsk, whatever, let's go. MyrkLys Mission Complete. RETURN TO BASE"
"I think you mean home…we don't have a base."
"SHUT UP, GABBY!"
END OF VOLUME 2
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