GLITCH

Facing the Bosses

I marched on, killing every Infernal Wolf I could counter with my great sword. The city is in shambles, and it could no longer be recognizable as the ever-beautiful grounds of the prestigious Maiden’s Shroud City. The wolves burned the city with their presence alone. However, they’re insignificant compared to the upcoming Glitch. From the skies, its flames dyed the field red with its scorching flames, its intensity comparable to hell.

It is one of the most disastrous Glitches anyone would face. This is the same enemy that destroyed anything in its wake. As its paws touched the ground, it turned everyone and everything around it to cinders. With a single roar, it brings grievous damage to my ears.

This is a sight to behold.

A majestic yet fearsome beast clad in infernal fire appeared.

It’s the Cerberus, a three-headed creature that obliterated a group of Glints a long time ago.

“It’s here! Everyone, in your positions, and don’t let this vicious beast destroy this place further! Let’s do our best to minimize the casualties, you hear me, you lot?”

Ferni, a high-ranking officer of the Anti-Glitch Association, raised her voice amidst the turmoil of the battlefield. Several cries of morale could be heard, sparking the initiation of a bloody battle.

“I’ll take charge. Sven, I need your assistance!”

“I’m on it!”

I am Sven Fleming, a 17 years old, physically fit, white-haired, blue-eyed individual. I am sent here after being notified by someone from the Anti-Glitch association about what's happening here.

I stormed right through a large pack of Infernal Wolves approaching me with their fangs. I slashed diagonally to kill the Glitches and started sprinting towards the big boss. Several wolves approached my left but they were bashed with a shield by Ferni. It’s a skill that knocked me away during that practice session I had with her. If she went all-out during that time, I would’ve wounded up being unconscious. I’m glad she’s on her side.

“Let’s go, Sven!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

We continued sprinting as we paved our way as fast as we could. We killed the wolves coming at us. The rest of the Infernal Wolves proceed to the other Glints, and the onslaught continues.

The Glints forged on, killing and avenging their fallen comrades. Some died, others were injured. Screams of pain reverberated in the air, and the blood soon flowed from the dead, covering the once peaceful grounds of the city.

And yet, the Cerberus is still not even moving an inch. The heat is almost unbearable, but I need to proceed and do my best to beat this Glitch despite the huge disadvantage.

“Sven, are you alright?”

“No, I’m not. That’s for sure, ma’am. However, I can’t just stand this. If that Glitch continues its havoc, thousands of lives would be lost. As a Glint, I bear the responsibility to protect those who need to be protected!”

“I could see that you’re someone that taken the oath of becoming a Glint by heart.”

Ferni, the one who taught me the essence of what it means to be someone who protects the people, breaks through the pack of wolves with another hit of her shield.

“Go, Sven! I’ll hold them off! I can’t leave the other Glints by themselves!”

“But—”

“No buts, just go! Distract that giant dog and stall us some time! The Glitch loop already ended, yet there are Infernal Wolves still in large packs! Go!”

“Y-yes ma’am!”

I hasten my movements, hacking every wolf coming at me. They seem to know that I’m trying to neglect the rest and headed straight to the boss.

A large came and shoots fireballs…!

Shoot!

“What did I say, Sven? Did I tell you to stop? I didn’t, right? Silly you, just go already! Come at me you wretched fools! [Taunt].”

She used her skill that removed the wolve’s focus on me, swarming in large numbers. The next thing I saw is a majestic dance amidst the bloody presentation. She sliced through fiercely yet it is imbued with elegance. It’s a marvelous display of confidence in skills.

Ah, crap! I was mesmerized by her movements that I forgot to go on!

I continued running, forcing myself to wipe out that bashful moment of mine.

I ignored the incoming packs, Ferni wiped them out for me.

Thank you, ma’am!

I’m coming for you, Cerberus!

•••

What the heck did that boy just…did he just stopped and watched me here?

I am Ferni, the Valkyrie.

I just glanced at the boy with the corner of my eyes as I deal with the mob. The Glints are desperately fighting them too. With me around, they’ll have more time and space to breathe. Sorry, Sven. I know you can’t handle it by yourself. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have the capabilities, but I’m sure that this will serve as a valuable experience.

Stall for time, for now, Sven. I know you can do it.

I know this is something next to suicide and neglect of my part as your trainer.

But the most dangerous yet greatest teacher is a fight for life or death.

That version of Cerberus is weaker than the previous spawns about it. I only feel a fraction of its real power. Is this Glitch premature perhaps? It doesn’t matter anyway. Premature or not, it must be eradicated immediately. I need to figure out its unique ability too.

The most notable feature is the first. It has been recorded that the first Cerberus can absorb water-based and nullify earth-based spells, which is essentially an overpowered skill given the fact that out of all elemental-attributed skills out there, water and earth attributes have the capabilities to finish off fire-based Glitches.

I hope it’s not the same unique ability. Also, I hope that the casualties we gained are not more than 75% of all the Glints who have come here to assist.

I lived long enough to meet a lot of people, and perish before my life depletes completely. I’m near-immortal, given that I am a guardian of a goddess. It’s not that it’s not painful, but I’m getting used to seeing my companions on their funeral, sleeping peacefully in their caskets, and were about to rest eternally six feet below the ground.

This is depressing, but I must press on. This is for the sake of a world with less danger from the Glitch, I’ll do my best. For the goddess!

“Get out of the way! Hah!”

I kicked the wolf away and bashed the other with my shield when I feel a strong bloodlust coming behind me. I immediately turned around and covered my before blindspot with my shield. Just in time, a fist came through a wolf and hit my shield. The force coming from that strike is enough to send me flying few meters away from my initial point.

I suddenly remembered what Rylai had said to me before during that incident involving her and members of a famous guild fighting against a golem.

“Uh, I don’t know his name o who he was at first. Then I saw his stats and he’s a Fallen. I kind of forget his name though. I’m the type of person who forgets names anyways. Maybe I could remember his name in due time. That aside, he’s some rage dude who’s mad at me for killing Cassiopeia, his lover, or something. He almost killed me actually, if it weren't for a stranger to come and rescue me. Ah, he went away afterward, so I don’t know him too. Haha.”

“Eh, what’s with that?”

“I don’t know. I will tell you all the details if I ever remember all of it. Haha.”

“Okay?”

“Hey, Ferni.”

“What’s up?”

“I’m starting to wonder why am I starting to forget stuff easily. Like, yeah… I got that part that I forget names, but it feels weird for someone like me to forget things especially during battles.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you out on that. For now, just travel the continent.”

“Can’t I travel the world and the Hollow Earth too?”

“That would consume more than a year, you know? You already said that you’ll only go for a year.”

“Ah, I did say that. Sigh. Ah! I know! Let me select my own students!”

“Huh?”

“Allow me to select my own student…is that not good?”

“No. I won’t mind actually. Will you be fine?”

“Of course! I may lack the capabilities needed to become a teacher, but I’ll do my best.”

Is this guy the one who almost killed Rylai? If that’s the case, I’ll be cautious as well.

“Ma’am Ferni! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, don’t butt in our fight. I’ll consider anyone who’ll do just that as my enemy, got it? He’s too much for you to handle. Handle the rest of the Infernal Wolves.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“May I know who you are? I know you are a Fallen.”

“You know that already, funky lady? Then I have nothing more to say. Die.”

I guess that Rylai’s been right about this guy being a “rage dude”. He’s visibly pissed off. We just met, yet he told me to drop dead.

“If you think I would falter just by mere words, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“HAH! Glints like you should die. You turds destroy this peaceful place!”

“Which part of this mess is peaceful by the way—”

Before I could finish my statement, he immediately dashed towards me. Talk about being rash.

“I don’t wanna argue with some chick. Die!”

“Be my guest, then.”

“What the…?”

I made him surprised by appearing in front of him and strike at his head with the shield’s side. He grunted as he knocks back. Though, he stood up quickly and put some distance from me.

“You almost killed someone I knew, and knowing that you almost killed her, I’m aware of you and your skills. She has yet to grow, and I’ll see to it that she’ll become strong.”

“Huh? I almost killed someone—oh, I get it. Do you know that murderer? How about you tell me where she is right now and I might spare your life.”

“I’m sane enough to not give you that information. It’s YOUR life that needs sparing, not mine. I’m not even using more than two skills, but I was able to hit you with my shield.”

“Oh yeah? THAT. WON’T. HAPPEN. AGAIN.”

The air around him changed. His smug face is gone.

“I WILL KILL YOU AND SHOW THAT MURDERER THE SEVERED HEAD OF YOURS!”

Tch. Sorry, Sven. I can’t help you right now.

I ready myself as I run towards this insane enemy.

•••

“Kid. Are you alright?”

“You again? I’m sorry but can’t you get out of my mind?”

“Ah, no. I’m not inside your head. I’m just using [Telepathy]. I can’t manifest in here. I could only send my consciousness here. I’m glad that you’re able to—”

“Please save that for later. Sorry for being rude, but it’s time for us to go further inside. That giant door or giant gate or whatever it is called is open and free to traverse through.”

Licht’s lover and I (I don’t know if he’s really with me or just looking from afar though) proceed to enter that guarded damn door and saw a pitiful display of an imprisoned Licht.

“Is this how all of you Fallen are? Bounded for infinity just for power?”

“I know that it’s wrong. However, you can’t blame us for grabbing this power. I’ll tell you soon, but for now, let’s get closer.”

“Sure thing.”

We walked towards an unconscious Licht when suddenly a strange sensation tingled.

“What was that just now?”

“Lass, get back!”

I quickly did as he yelled. In an instant, the spot where I was is now covered in some green flames (why green though?).

“Where did this came from?”

“Look above you.”

“Huh? What is that hideous thing?”

Calling it “hideous” is a huge understatement. I’m not even sure how to describe it. Er, to put it simply, it has a rotten body of a dragon and the face of Licht. It’s depicting how Licht would be seen if she…blurgh, never mind.

To think that this uh, grotesque being also bears the skills of that being I just killed earlier, is bad. What’s worse is that it’s also bearing some of Licht’s skills. It’s stats, well…dangerous.

As for its identity, the name says it all.

GUARDIAN OF THE FALLEN BLOOD CURSE Level 1000

HP: 60 600 600 / 60 600 600 MP: Infinite

Strength: 74 000

Dexterity: 500

Constitution: 9 999 999

Intelligence: 9 999 999

SKILLS:

[Conceal / ACTIVE]

- This conceals the user’s stats and skills, basing on the user’s own will.

[Beam Force Barrage / ACTIVE]

- This is the evolved skill of Beam Force. The user releases orbs and hits the opponent after a delay. The target style is areal.

[Life Siphon / PASSIVE]

- It is a skill that allows the user to drain the foe’s HP upon hit by a basic attack or a skill.

[False Strike / PASSIVE]

- It is a skill that damages the opponent if a basic attack or a skill doesn’t hit.

[Locust Swarm / ACTIVE]

- A skill that summons a swarm of locusts to attack. It could also be used as a distraction.

[Tentacle / ACTIVE]

- A skill that spawns a tentacle to deal damage to the enemy.

[Doom Rage / ACTIVE]

- A skill that toughens the user but draining the HP gradually.

[Self Destruct / ACTIVE]

- A double-edged, last resort attack that obliterates everything and everyone within a specific area.

[Shared Fatality / PASSIVE]

- When a fatal hit has been received, this skill grants a 70% chance to give the 30% of the user’s sustained damage back to the opponent.

[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 an extra offense.

[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.

[Light Barrage / ACTIVE]

- This skill ejects multiple piercing lights to the target. Each light ray deals damage. Additional damage would be according to ten percent of the intelligence.

[Light Maiden / ACTIVE]

- Summons light maidens.

Status Condition:

[THE CORE’S AID]

- The status would be doubled.

Is my death inevitable this time? This will be a long, tedious fight. I hope I could make it here alive. I'm sick and tired of fighting non-stop.

•••

“Kid. Are you alright?”

“You again? I’m sorry but can’t you get out of my mind?”

“Ah, no. I’m not inside your head. I’m just using [Telepathy]. I can’t manifest in here. I could only send my consciousness here. I’m glad that you’re able to—”

“Please save that for later. Sorry for being rude, but it’s time for us to go further inside. That giant door or giant gate or whatever it is called is open and free to traverse through.”

How did she able to kill that being that easily? Even I would be having a hard time beating it. She just touched it, and everything ended after that. She got a lot of wounds and yet she’s still alive and well even before intaking medicine.

She’s someone who shouldn’t exist for she destroys the balance of power, yet here she was, defeating an unknown Glitch and proceeded to help my love.

Who exactly is she?