GLITCH

The Lost Brother and the International Crisis

“What we need to do is to kill that Glitch.”

“But how are we supposed to do that if that Glitch absorbed the Cerberus?”

“Just as I said earlier, I halved his HP. We have a better win rate than earlier. It’s still in the state of absorbing the Cerberus. However, it’s absorbing it to remove its status debuffs. What we need here is teamwork. I know this is impromptu, but I think we got this. Stay away from each other’s attacks. That’s all that’s there to it. Wait, you guys are here for a long time, right? You better rest if you needed to, okay?”

“Eh? That’s the plan? Where’s the teamwork on that?”

“Kinda…and I don’t know if there is.”

While they’re still confused, I dashed to the enemy already. Well, sorry about being someone who doesn’t know how to teach someone my tactics. I don’t know how to elaborate on it.

So, there you have it. I’m sorry.

“Rylai is Rylai and always gonna be the Rylai I know”, says Miss Ferni.

What the—what are you thinking when you said that?

“Did she really mean it!?”

“Wow! She is a savage!”

“I never imagined that the five-star informant is acting a little rough. Might as well assist her.”

And now the three guys are side commenting—wait. How come I can hear them even I’m already a few meters away from them? That’s strange.

“[Demon’s Blaze].”

Edward released the skill [Demon Blaze]. It’s a skill that’s in a form of a small red dot, just like my [Pellet] and the inferior [Will-o-Wisp]. It basically burns the enemy at a faster pace upon contact than any other form of flame-attributed attacks out there. The dot reached the Guardian of the Fallen Blood Curse (I’ll call it Guardian next time since his name is way too long!) and burned it but it stopped almost immediately. It retaliated by shooting a beam of light towards him but Sven used [Knight’s Assault] to counter it. The two attacks dissipate upon impact.

“Don’t use any status effect skills! Remember that that monster absorbed Cerberus just to nullify any forms of status defects! You better use your best attack that could deal tons of damage!”

“Got it! I apologize for not being attentive enough!”

I could only nod as he started channeling his mana into a powerful skill. If I’m not mistaken, it’s [Savage Inferno], a skill that requires a lot of MP AND PATIENCE to cast. For that attack to be successfully created, one must act as bait to lose its focus to the caster. This time, Sven acts as the shield, Miss Ferni joins in the fight, dashing with her shield and bashing any incoming [Tentacle] attack sprouting like crazy from time to time, destroying them in the process. I’m just behind her (the reason why Miss Ferni is in front of me is due to me stopping to sprint and suggesting something to Edward). As for Sen…well…he’s fighting against the [Light Maiden], fifteen in all, all by himself. His agile movements keep his enemies at bay, and he’s not even got a hit, not even once.

“[Switch: Norm].”

All I could do is to prevent this creature from getting an opportunity to attack.

I hit it hard by doing something I never do: engaging in close-quarter combat. I flew up in the air thanks to my Tech Boots and evaded some attacks coming to my way and hit the Guardian with an ax kick and propelled it with the help of my Tech Gloves and the natural gravitational pull. It’s just a light tap, that’s for sure—what!?

With a single kick coming from me, the enemy’s head (which is identical to Licht’s face, but gross to the eyes) was damaged, and… Uwah, there’s some body fluids from it splattered on my face. But I can’t just stop my attack with just that.

•••

I’ll stop the clones with Sen instead. The numbers multiplied and now it’s more or less similar to a Glitch loop.

“Sen!”

“Ma’am? What’s wrong?”

“I’m here to back you up. It won’t do any good if even one of them would disrupt Edward’s concentration.”

“Got it!”

The enemies move in a coordinated manner, much more like a synchronous dance of leaves of a tree, swaying with every breeze gently passing through. Sen’s showing signs that he’s getting sloppier in evading. He’s now receiving a lot of wounds coming from them. Don’t worry kid, I’ll help you out!

“[Taunt]!”

Just as expected, the clones were now heading towards me in large numbers. I hit them with the best I could while minding my space. Meanwhile, Sen got behind me and took a breather.

“Are you alright? Swap with Sven so you have more time to rest!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Sen immediately runs off while I’m still hindering the clones’ movements. Sven replaced Sen’s place and together we combined our efforts to hit the enemy with all we have. One of the enemies was able to pass through but it’s fine since Sen is there to protect his brother.

I hit the enemy with my shield’s side and slashed the other, but there are new ones to replace them. This is getting more and more tedious by the minute. Sven already activated his own mode to enhance his capabilities. However, the swarm is getting thicker and it’s starting to overwhelm us. Even with the medicine I intake, it’s not plausible to recover the mental fatigue that’s starting to put a strain on my movements.

“Ma’am, it’s starting to become more and more difficult to beat. We can’t defeat them with their numbers.”

“That’s for sure. Anyway, we must hold the line, or else we’re doomed.”

“Both of you, step aside, please!”

“That’s our cue! Sven, let’s go!”

“Understood—eh?”

“What are you doing!? Let’s get out of the way!”

Even with my annoyed voice, Sven didn’t bat an eye on me. Instead, he’s looking in the direction of where the boss could be spotted. Curious, I turned around and saw that Rylai was able to knock some damage to his skull with just an ax kick.

“What…she could do that with a single kick?”

“I don’t really know, either.”

That’s totally unheard of.

But I’m proud of my niece to become this much strong. She’s stronger than ever. Well, it’s not time for me to bite the dust, so I’ll do my best as well.

“Hey, Edward! Shoot that attack to me!”

“I can’t do that, ma’am!”

“Don’t worry. Trust me!”

Edward hesitantly shoots his best attack. As soon as his attack touches my sword, all of his spell’s energy was absorbed. From that moment, I used the energy I gathered to create an energy extension of my sword and did a horizontal sweep, aiming at the waistline of the clones or summons or whatever it is. My attack sliced them all, and the energy slowly dissipates as I loosen my focus.

“Whew…”

“That was awesome!”

“You think so, Sven? You could do it though? Based on the nature of that Tech Sword Rylai gave you, that sword could handle with energy more efficient than what I did earlier.”

“I’m still not used to it, even though I’m wielding it for a considerable amount of time.”

“One day, you’ll learn. Well anyway”, I turned my gaze on Rylai who’s fighting against that monster with her usual gloves. “I need you to watch closely. That’s the future instructor you guys will have.”

“Won’t we help her?”

“No. If we do, we might become deadweights and hinder her instead. I’m totally out of shape after that. And I think that the same goes for all three of you actually. We’ve been here for hours, fighting endlessly. Any more than we could chew would eventually choke us. Now, let’s withdraw.”

•••

“Burst Shot!”

“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!”

Well, jokes on this guy, I have something under my sleeve that helps me in this mess I’m in.

Honestly, I can’t depend on them for how they’re weary to my eyes. Their souls also tell the same thing. They’re exhausted. They did their best. Now it’s my turn to help out.

A certain ability goes through my mind. I could only use it for a year, so it’s something I must keep for dangerous situations. However, THIS moment is one of the many bad events I experienced and will experience in the near future.

It’s my skill [Ability Exhaust], a skill that reduces the stats and limits the effectiveness of skills to a certain extent. I’ll imbue it to this next attack but first…

“[Switch: Gravity], [Pellet]! [Gravity Seizure]! [Pellet]! [Gravicoil]!”

I switched to my Gravity skillset and used the combination I could think of as the best method to bring this Glitch down for good. The first [Pellet] hits the Guardian and activated [Gravity Seizure] to make it flinch. Before it could counter, I hit it again with another [Pellet] and used [GraviCoil] to make it stay in one spot and safe to shoot.

“[Switch: Norm], [Ability Exhaust].”

Now that I landed on the ground, I gaze at the entrapped Guardian of whatsoever its name was and aimed at it with both of my palms opened. But I’m not using my regular Tech Gloves.

“Tech Gloves. Delta.”

It’s time for you to shine, my lovely trinket!

The Delta version is good for dealing with colossal Glitches like this one. I made it after the time fought against that Colossal Earth Golem back in Silver Island. During that time, I don’t have anything on me except painful experiences. I almost died there, after Dubes the Executioner appeared.

My regular Tech Gloves was replaced with a pair of gauntlets that could be seen as something medieval in style. It charges slowly, but my [GraviCoil] fixated this Glitch’s position, perfect for a target dummy.

“Burst Shot, one hundred percent!”

An orb came out from it, and upon contact, what I’ve seen is simply overwhelming. It was knocked back, and fell to the ground.

The Glitch shrieked in pain as it received my attack. For some reason, I got curious about what had happened to its stats when shot with my Tech Glove Delta.

GUARDIAN OF THE FALLEN BLOOD CURSE Level 1000

HP: 150/60 600 600 – 45 000 000 MP: Infinite

Strength: 25 000/74 000, [Ability Exhaust] in effect

Dexterity 130/500, [Ability Exhaust] in effect

Constitution: 2 000 200/9 999 999, [Ability Exhaust] in effect

Intelligence: 2 000 200/9 999 999, [Ability Exhaust] in effect

Skills:

[Conceal / ACTIVE]

- This conceals the user’s stats and skills, based on the user’s will. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Beam Force Barrage / ACTIVE]

- This is an evolved skill of Beam Force. The caster releases orbs and hits the opponent after a delay. It’s an AoE attack. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill was devolved back to [Beam Force].

[Life Siphon / PASSIVE]

- It is a skill that allows the skill user to drain the foe’s HP upon being hit by a basic attack or skill. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[False Strike / PASSIVE]

- It is a skill that damages the opponent if a basic attack or a skill doesn’t hit the target. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Locust Swarm / ACTIVE]

- A skill that summons a swarm of locusts to attack. It could also be used as a distraction. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Tentacle / ACTIVE]

- A skill that spawns a tentacle to deal damage to the enemy. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could now be cast in longer intervals.

[Doom Rage / ACTIVE]

- A skill that toughens the user but drains the HP gradually. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Self Destruct] / ACTIVE]

- A double-edged, last resort attack that obliterates everything and everyone within a certain area. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Shared Fatality / PASSIVE]

- When a fatal hit has been received, this skill grants a 70% chance to give 30% of the skill owner’s sustained damage back to the attacker. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Fallen Forge / PASSIVE]

- Each damage dealt with the bearer of the skill would be granted with extra defense.

[Fallen Sharpness / PASSIVE]

- Each damage dealt with the bearer of the skill would be granted with a boosted attack damage.

[Flames of Corruption / ACTIVE]

- This allows the user to cast flames that could burn the opponent. Anyone hit by this skill would receive additional damage from the next attack. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Light Barrage / ACTIVE]

- This skill ejects multiple piercing lights to the target. Each light ray deals damage. Additional damage would be applied according to ten percent of the caster’s intelligence. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[Light Maiden / ACTIVE]

- Summons light maidens. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

Status Condition

[THE CORE’S AID]

- The status would be doubled. [Ability Exhaust] in effect: This status condition is no longer accessible by the user.

[EXHAUST]

- Stats and skills are now affected. This is an unavoidable effect.

What’s with that series of spammed restrictions!?

Okay. Calm down, Rylai. This is not real, right. Okay, let’s scrub your eyes a bit and see that the hallucination is down.

[EXHAUST]

- Stats and skills are now affected. This is an unavoidable effect.

No…it’s not working! One more!

Scrub your eyes…scrub your eyes.

[Ability Exhaust] in effect: This skill could no longer be used by the user.

[EXHAUST]

- Stats and skills are now affected. This is an unavoidable effect.

This is…!?

What’s happening. This is wrong.

Sure, I’m happy that it’s now down. But isn’t that too easy to be true?

Oops, I’m straying away from my mission. It’s to defeat this guy first, then eat a lot of good stuff later! For the sake of my passion for eating!

“I’ll never allow you to take the freedom I love to have! For that, you need to go…down! [Switch: Death], [Death Scythe]!”

I used the maximum point I could give to create the best scythe I could have. It appears to be simple. It’s just a simple rod with a curved blade attached to it. I grabbed it with both hands and sliced the incoming [Tentacles].

“Well, I guess this is the end. Huh? Tch!”

As for why I reacted in such a way, someone just came here and tried to grab me from behind. I was able to evade him (or her) and shot the person with a Burst Shot. The man (or woman? Either way, I don’t care) was blown away, and…turned to confetti? What’s that, a kid show? Well, anyway. At least the threat is gone.

Ah, did I just raise a flag?

“Hey.”

“Kuh!”

I swing my [Death Scythe] to the stranger but he turned into a freaking pile of confetti. Seriously, I have coulrophobia or fear of clowns, so please don’t reveal your face if you’re a clown or something! Especially if it’s a horror-themed clown! AHHHHHHHH!

But of course, I need to do my poker face. B-but, I’m scared!

“Who are you?”

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Did I just go vibrato!? So embarrassing! Thank goodness Miss Ferni, Sven and the others aren’t here!

“Hah…it seems that you’re still the same Rylai Lux I knew.”

“Huh? Did we ever meet before?”

What’s this? I feel something nostalgic just by looking at the guy. He’s someone with the same build as Sven’s. But he’s wearing a mask, hiding his identity.

“Am I that easy to be forgotten? Ah, yes. We met a long time ago. Well, at least, I could see you again. You’re even strong enough to defeat that Glitch. It’s in the process of regenerating though.”

“I’m about to kill it and yet you came and interfered. Who are you!?”

“Let’s say that I’m also a Fallen like Queen Licht and her lover Nexus Vanguard. I’m sure you’ve met them already.”

A Fallen like Queen Licht and Nexus Vanguard, huh? I knew Queen Licht but I don’t have any recollection of knowing a Fallen person named Nexus Vanguard.

“Not because I knew that they’re good Fallens, that just means that you are too. Show me your proof.”

No, I need no proof, I’ll see your stats right here, right now.

REME ARRAY Level 137

Mantle: Techno HP: 51 000/51 000 MP: 20 450/25 000

Strength: 1 403

Dexterity: 2 210

Constitution: 1 800

Intelligence: 5 320

Skills:

[Blink / ACTIVE]

- A skill that teleports the user to a short distance.

[Confetti / ACTIVE]

- A skill that shoots out confetti.

[Upgrade / ACTIVE]

- A skill that enhances a technological device.

[Downgrade / ACTIVE]

- A skill that removes any enhancements of a technological device.

[Techno Drill Strike / ACTIVE]

- This skill allows the caster to create a drilling punch to the enemy. Upon impact, the virtual drill changes to a projectile that knocks back enemies before it explodes.

[Hack / ACTIVE]

- A skill that seizes control to a skill.

E-enough [Soul Read]…

I don’t want to believe it. Is this guy…?

•••

After knowing that the Maiden’s Shroud City is under attack, I did my best to come here as soon as possible. A short teleportation technique named [Blink] is all I have, and I’m in the other continent north of Lecrucia, so it took me a while before I came to the place.

As soon as I got here, the final phase was about to end. A giant disgusting dragon-like creature is seen even from a kilometer away, eating something like a gigantic dog. Perhaps it’s the Cerberus. Glitches eating other Glitches is not that uncommon. It has various purposes like strengthening their stats, removing status debuffs or immunity, or mutation. Among those three, the first reason has always been the priority of Glitches when they spawn in this world and spotted fellow Glitches.

“Damn it, am I late? I hope they’re alright.”

Seeing that there’s a pale green shield covering the castle. That’s Nexus’ skill, [Absolute Barrier]. There’s no mistaking it. That just means that this has turned into a dire situation. But at least, those survivors who are behind his shield clearly mean that they’re safe, as long as they remain inside, that is.

Hmm?

“Huh? What’s that? Why is the city enveloped in a purple sphere?”

From a distance, I found that the city was engulfed in a purple sphere but then shrinks after a brief moment. Is it something that I must be aware of?

What I saw next is a person falling after the orb minimized its size. Is she the one who cast that skill? That’s…incredible. As for why I have thought of that, I found out what happened after I teleported myself on top of a wall. Her skill wiped out every Glitch here, saved for that disgusting creature. I stared at the person, a woman, and was about to [Blink] my way to her when I recognize her.

“This girl. You always astonish me every time you show up.”

It’s Rylai Lux.

Seeing her getting so powerful is something I must be proud of. You’ve grown so much that after not seeing you for years made me feel that I’m the stagnant one. You could even overpower me with your sheer strength that’s even enough to damage the head of the creature you’re fighting just now with just a mere ax kick. And most importantly, you kept on tinkering things that we always do for fun back when we’re still kids.

I’m so proud of you.

I’m always been.

However, seeing myself as a Fallen, she might not believe me anymore.

What am I thinking?

The battle finally ended with Rylai’s overwhelming victory. She was about to kill it when I appeared just behind her to surprise her like we always do, but she immediately swings the scythe she’s holding. I use [Blink] and put some [Confetti] in place. Yes, I have that skill, suitable for children’s parties and celebrations. It seems useless and I even came to the point that I hate it, but it’s Rylai that changed my perspective. Since then I used [Confetti] and loved it.

Just as I expected, she freaked out when I left some confetti on the spot where I’m supposedly at. She’s someone who freaks out whenever there’s a clown nearby. It seems that she’s still associating confetti and clowns (even I don’t know how she thinks of that) since we’re kids.

“Who are you?”

Eh? Did she just go vibrato? That’s hilarious. Well, perhaps it’s time for me to stop teasing her.

“Hah…it seems that you’re still the same Rylai Lux I knew.”

“Huh? Did we ever meet before?”

Hmm? I guess she wasn’t able to identify me due to my mask.

“Am I that easy to be forgotten? Ah, yes. We met a long time ago. Well, at least, I could see you again. You’re even strong enough to defeat that Glitch. It’s in the process of regenerating though.”

“I’m about to kill it and yet you came and interfered. Who are you!?”

“Let’s say that I’m also a Fallen like Queen Licht and her lover Nexus Vanguard. I’m sure you’ve met them already.”

Well, sorry about me interfering with you who’s aiming for the kill. But I need to speak with you.

“Not because I knew that they’re good Fallens, that just means that you are too. Show me your proof.”

It was at that moment that I removed my mask. It’s already dark and my face couldn’t be seen that easily, but after seeing her reaction, I guess she could see it as clear as day.

She covered her mouth with both hands and started to sob.

“Reme…? Is that really you? You’re not impersonating as him, right?”

“Yes, yes…I’m Reme.”

“T-then…tell me one thing that only the two of us know”, she said while staring at me intently, waiting for my response.

“Tech Gloves. Tech Boots. We used to tinker those two before, with you tinkering the gloves, and I tinkering the boots. We often argue about how we should construct things and then my father comes and separate us for a bit. Then there’s—”

“Please, stop. It is indeed you. It’s you. It really is you”, she said as she fell to the ground, still crying. I guess she’s that happy to see me.

She continued to sob and talked once more.

“But why didn’t you tell us…at least our parents, that you are alive?”

“I can’t afford to take the risk and communicate with my loved ones, especially due to the fact that I’m a Fallen. What if my parents or even you would be threatened after being known by the public as someone who was affiliated with a Fallen? I can’t afford to have your lives be in danger. That is why, I keep myself some distance, and haven’t heard nor seen anything about my father and mother. The only one I got news from is you since you’re well-known as the five-star informant. Even the Fallen knew about your name.”

“I feel flattered. HA HA.”

“You really hate it when you stand out huh?”

“Of course I do. You know I abhor being famous. Anyway, I need to kill that Glitch.”

“Ah, about that Rylai…would let me—”

“You want to get the experience points, right? I don’t mind, but may I ask why?”

“The truth is, I wanted to gain some levels to level up more, to fight against the Lost Order.”

“The Lost Order? Is that the name of the organization?”

“It’s not just the Fallen, Rylai. We’re talking about international order. You knew about the four continents of the world, right?”

“Aside from Lecrucia, the southwest continent, we also have Vinz, the northwest, Alave, southeast, and Opaque, northeast. Why?”

“The whole Alave continent is under the Lost Order’s rule for a year already. I don’t have much time to explain, but knowing that the Fallen are one of the members of the group, I think you got the picture of how vile they could be.”

“That’s truly dire.”

“I wish it wasn’t but…that’s the case. I’m in Vinz to try and hinder the plans by acting as a messenger. I need to see Licht and Nexus. Where are they? I need to tell them about something.”

•••

“It’s been a while, you two.”

“It’s you! Geez, don’t scare us like that”, Licht said as she chuckled.

“Have you been well?” Nexus said as he stared at me, worried.

“Come on, don’t be like that. As you can see, I’m okay, okay? More importantly…Rylai and party, would you allow them to enter?”

“Of course. She’s my friend as well as my savior. Rylai and her companions are welcome.”

I opened the entrance to the secret chamber of the throne room and from it comes Rylai, Sven, Wenn, Miss Ferni, Sen, and Edward.

“Are you alright now, Licht?”

“Ah yes. I am well, thanks to you. Now, the lingering pain and regret were gone. Even a million thanks won’t be enough compared to your efforts to save me.”

The two started conversing with one another with a friendly tone. That alone loosens up the tense atmosphere inside, with Wenn staring at us with pure hatred, Sven cautious of me, Ferni doubting our credibility as their comrades.

“Miss Ferni, guys…the reason I asked of you to come here is to listen to Reme. This deals with the sake of the world.”

“Then Rylai”, Ferni slightly raised her voice. “What if they’ll betray us in the end?”

“They won’t. I’m pretty sure of it. Licht is the proof of it. Licht, if it’s okay…could you…?”

“Ah, yes. I guess I need you guys to see this.”

She revealed her chest by unbuttoning her clothes and displayed a crystal clear blue crystal.