Path Of Timeian

Chapter 3

Tom: And then, we will visit the village, and demonstrate our strength.

Vampire girl: Are you sure? Humans are armed and ready to fight.

Tom: If required, I am ready to annihilate the entire settlement. Inir, please start explaining.

Lakru: My lord, please use your throne.

Tom looked at the wooden chair in the middle of the hall, and walked to it then sat down. 

Inir: So what would you like to learn first, my lord?

Tom: What is this respawn thingy that Kakru said?

Inir: As we have already told you, there are two types of beings. First, who automatically respawns, these are, for example, the wolves you have seen. They will respawn after a given time, but, it requires some dungeon money.

Tom: Sorry to interrupt. I do hope it is not called something like DC or DM.

Inir: No, it is gold, but the money humans use is not the same as in dungeons.

Tom: I see, and how can we attain gold?

Inir: There are two ways we can do, at least for now. We can kill humans, and depending on their strength, skills we gain gold. The other way is our economy. 

Tom: Interesting. Is there some sort of interface for the dungeon and or something similar?

System: Master, would you like me to enable them?

Tom: Of course.

System: Master, there seems to be some kind of error!

Tom: What are you saying?

System: Your current level is two, and your power has been decreased. 

Tom: I don't know why, but I have expected that similar problems may occur. Let me guess I have to kill in order to gain EXP.

System: There is another way.

Tom: Finally, something new. Tell me what that other way is.

System: There is a strange hierarchic system in this realm. To advance to a higher position, you have to defeat your "Lord". And while doing so, you should dominate dungeons on the same rank.

Tom: And what will happen if I gain a higher position?

System: The greater your dungeon's domain, the more EXP you gain on a regular basis.

Tom: This world is getting more interesting. I like it.

System: Master, let me open your stats for you.

A blue window appeared in front of Tom. It contained his name his HP, MP, Rank and basic stats.

Tom: Level 2, 1240HP, 1500MP, Tier1 Overlord. My stats are; strength 23, speed 40, magic 20, defence 43, luck 18. I feel these numbers are quite low.

System: Master, your stats are super high.

Tom: What?

System: These stats can only be upgraded by level up, and when you levelled up, you can increase one of them by one. An average person on your level would have at most two on each.

Tom: I see. What about my HP and MP.

System: Your first opponent had about 53 max HP, and he was almost at level four.

Tom: What role do these stats have? I mean, I don't think that my power would only be tenfold of an average person's.

System: You are right. These stats are multipliers.

Tom: Inir!

Inir: Yes, My lord?

Tom: You said there was another type of beings, like us. What did you mean by that?

Inir: You see, we are different. We are one step above them. Lakru, that vampire girl and I used to be no other than those that I have mentioned. You could say we have evolved.

Tom: Evolved?

Inir: When a monster gains enough strength, they evolve and gains a human-like body, and it dramatically increases its potential. This evolution also happens when a creature is given a higher rank. That is how I became what I am. I was chosen to be the overseer of this dungeon until an overlord was summoned.

Tom: I guess I understand now. So it really is a hierarchic system.

Inir: What do you mean by that, my lord?

Tom: My current rank is tier one overlord. So let's say that I became a tier two overlord. That means I can have tier one overlords under me.

Inir: Unfortunately, I don't know if it is true. 

System: It is true. And by gaining a higher position, you also gain more significant stats, and it also applies to the humans.

Tom: Now that you mention it, what about them.

System: They have villages, small towns, towns, counties, country, Empire, and there are a few more.

Tom stood up, and a smile appeared on his face.

Tom: I love it! 

Tom extended his left hand, and the sword of the dead adventurer darted into his palm. The weapon was designed for an adult, so it should have been massive for a four years old kid, yet Tom lifted it up. The other three girls jumped back as Tom grabbed the blade.

Tom: I forgot to ask your name.

Tom looked at the vampire girl. The girl was trembling in fear. She felt like a monster was looking at her.

Zilara: My lord, my name is Zilara.

Tom: Zilara, what are your plans?

Zilara: What do you mean, my lord?

Tom: I mean you would rather stay or leave.

Zilara: I have no right to decide that.

Tom: What makes you say that?

Zilara: I am in your territory. That means I am an intruder. You are the only one who can decide that.

Tom: Then answer my question. What are your plans?

The girl started sweating and looked at to floor.

Zilara: If I give him a wrong answer I am done for, but I don't know what his intentions are. I can feel his eyes on me. I am terrified. It feels like he is looking directly into my soul.

Tom: I am waiting.

Zilara: M-my lord, I-I don't think I am allowed to leave. I feel like I will be tortured for trespassing.

Tom: Is that so?

Zilara: Crap. I am dead, he will kill me, I must think of something. I know he won't let me leave this place, so the only way I can survive is if I become his servant, but will he be so kind to me? 

Tom: What is up with her? She looks so terrified, is this rusted sword that horrifying on four years old child's shoulders?

Tom rose the sword and gave it to System.

Zilara: f**k! I made him wait so long, he will definitely kill me.

Tom: Tell me, Zilara.

Zilara: My lord, please allow me to be your loyal servant.

Tom: Very well. I everyone agrees then from now on you shall be part of our dungeon.

Tom looked at the others, and they looked just as terrified as Zilara.

Tom: So, what are your thoughts, girls?

Inir: We will do whatever you say.

Tom: Lakru?

Lakru: My lord. I am just a soldier. My word has no weight.

Tom: Who said your word is meaningless?

Lakru: I am a mere soldier. I don't think I have the right to say anything.

Tom: Since I am the overlord, I declare that everyone's opinion is equally important.

Lakru: But...

Tom: I said equal. I don't want to argue.

Lakru: As you wish. 

Lakru took a deep breath and looked directly into Tom's eye, and she stepped back.

Lakru: I think she could stay, but we should see if she really can be of use.

Tom: And what about you, Inir.

Inir: I have already told you. I will do whatever you say.

Tom: And I have told you that you must tell me your opinion.

Inir: If you insist. She might be a burden because we have no food left. Everyone in the dungeon is starving, so an extra person wouldn't be so beneficial.

Tom: If that is your conclusion, then what would you do with her?

Inir: Since she wants to be of use, we should use her as food. That way, our wolves can regain their strength, and we can fight against intruders.

Zilara: What? You want me dead?

Inir: You are an intruder. You are currently no more than a prisoner. You would be a perfect meal. 

Tom: Inir has an exelet point.

Inir: You see, our lord areas as well.

Zilara: P-please, m-my lord, have mercy.

Tom: However, we have two corpses and another human. Killing Zilara would be a waste.

Zilara: What are you going to do with me?

Tom: System?

System: Looking at her, she didn't eat for a few days, so she is weakened. Eating her wouldn't be efficient. Se would be barely enough for a smaller wolf.

System planted the sword she was holding, into the ground and walked closer to Tom.

System: Fortunately, she can be fed in one other way.

Tom: And that way would be?

System: Blood.

Inir: What?

Lakru: What?

System: The more colossal the power difference between her and the owner of the blood she consumed, the greater the effects of the plasma is.

Inir: You expect us to give her our blood? She could consume half of my blood and wouldn't be full.

System: No, you are wrong.

Inir: Wrong? How so?

System: She would only require 16.352% of your blood to be full. However, if we are talking about master Tom's blood, it would take a drop of his blood. Zilara would not only be well-fed for a whole month, but she would also get much more forceful. 

Inir: And you expect our lord to sacrifice his own blood for her?

System: Of course not, however, I said my opinion.

Tom: It sounds interesting. Let's try it out.

Inir: What? My lord, please reconsider this.

Tom: A drop of blood is not that big deal.

Tom walked to Zilara and put his left hand onto her shoulder, and she instantly kneeled down.

Zilara: My lord. I am not worthy of drinking your blood.

Tom extended his index finger on his right hand, and the sword floated next to it, and cut it a bit. Then the blade fell down, and Tom pushed his finger in Zilara's moth. Zilara opened her mouth as much as she could, not to touch the blood on Tom's finger.

Tom: Drink it.

Zilara shook his head and refused to drink it. Tom gazed into Zilara's eyes, and she instantly closed her mouth and swallowed the blood, and Tom pulled his finger out.

Zilara: What just happened? My body moved on its own. Lord Tom may look like a human kid, but he is something else.

Zilara stayed on her knees but soon her eyes filled with tears and her face turned red, and she lowered her head.

Tom: What happened.

Zilara: My lord, I have become addicted to your blood.

Zilara looked at his lord, and she was smiling but looked like as if she was drunken.

Tom: System? I need an explanation.

System: Since she drunk much more than a single drop, she became addicted to it. It is partly right and partly wrong.

Tom: In what way can it be useful?

System: She can not be manipulated.

Tom: What do you mean by manipulated?

System: SHe can not be brainwashed or controlled by others. She sees you like her one and only master, no matter what.

Tom: And what is the unfortunate side of it?

System: You are the only food source for her.

Zilara: My lord, please let me stay by your side all the time.

Tom: Why would you want that.

Zilara: You gave me some of your precious blood. I shall protect you even if it costs me my life.

Tom: I have an idea. Inir!

Inir: Yes, my lord?

Tom: During my absence, you shall take over my place. So from now on, you are the deputy overlord. You will be making the decisions.

Inir: Are you sure?

Tom: Indeed.

Inir: As you command.

Tom: Lakru!

Lakru: Yes?

Tom: You will be in charge of both the defence and the economy.

Lakru: But the only thing I am good at is fighting. 

Tom: I know you can do it

Lakru: I will try my best.

Tom: Last but not least, Zilara. You will come with me. We will pay a visit to the village the intruders came from.

Inir: My lord, why don't you change your cloth before you go there?

Tom: Do we have a dress in my size?

Inir: Erm. No.

Tom: Then Let's go.

Tom left the room, and the sword flew after him.