Ascension of the Master Assassin

"God damnit. I should have known. Whether it be reality or in game, whenever a female approaches me, it probably means that they have an ulterior motive and want something from me. That is the constant truth of the world. How could I be so gullible? To think that I thought she was different." Venn was annoyed at himself as he cursed inwardly.

"No matter how realistic the game is, this is just an illusion. Let's just treat this as a game." He reminded himself.

It took him a while to accept the ugly truth, but he was able to take it in stride afterwards. Clenching his fists, he hardened his resolve.

"Just like you are using me as a tool to achieve your aim, I shall do so in return as well. For the sake of Rena, I will do anything. I will clear this quest!"

"Now, is this another test from the game? What would happen if I managed to endure it?"

Clenching his teeth as a natural response from the intense pressure that he suffered, Venn continued to endure silently. 

The unknown skill that was unleashed by the Shuten Granny did not cause any damage or pain to the others surrounding her. Rather, it was a skill that attacks the willpower of the others by inflicting debuff to their statuses, and lowering their will to put up a fight. Venn knew of the existence of such a skill from the past by watching videos that were uploaded to the forum when players confronted a wild boss, but it was the first time that he had encountered it himself.

"This is probably an area of effect skill like intimidation, but of a much higher rank." He thought to himself, and focused his mind. He knew that the only way to get away from the skill is to interrupt the user from channeling the spell or tough it out, and unfortunately, he could only do the latter.

Time passes by slowly.

Seconds turned into minutes. 

During the entire duration, the in-game notification was pinging like crazy. Every time his knees were on the verge of buckling under the pressure, he would bite his teeth to recover his stance through sheer willpower, not allowing himself to kneel and submit to the pressure.

[Ding]

[You are suffering from "Daunting Presence".]

[Calculating success rate by taking into account player's wisdom stats.]

[You have lost the will to fight.]

[Through sheer willpower, you prevented yourself from kneeling down.]

[Ding]

[You have lost the will to fight.]

[Ding]

[Ding… Ding… Ding… Ding]

[You are suffering from "Daunting Presence".]

[Calculating success rate by taking into account player's wisdom stats.]

[You have successfully defended yourself against a mental attack.]

[Wisdom increased by 2 points. (+2 WIS)]

"Puah...hah...hah… finally."

Venn couldn't help but be completely exhausted after enduring the entire duration of the mental attack. His eyes were half-close from the overexertion. 

Although the spell only lasted for 3 minutes, it felt like hours to him. Cold sweats were flowing down his back, and he found his clothes to be almost drenched.

As a level ten player, it was a miracle for him to endure through the mental attack. If it wasn't for his luck and the extra experience that he gained previously from undergoing the Dragon Emperor's trial, he probably would be joining the others in the tent and knelt down on his knees with his heads bowed towards the Shuten Granny by now.

Now that he had broken away from the spell, he was able to take a look around the tent. Majority of the people in the tent were either struggling to stand or had fallen into the granny's submission. Ysera's sister was one of the struggling ones, however the elders and individuals like Ysera and General Brugvun were unaffected.

"Have you had enough fun, Kiare Shuten? What can you achieve by doing this? I know it's hard for a genius like you to accept, but your era is over. You have grown old and weak. But don't you worry, you can safely pass the responsibility of safeguarding the future of the clan to us."

"Hahaha!" The elders burst into laughter. For too long were they overshadowed by the brilliance of the Shuten family.

"Uncles! Ysera had something to say! Please allow me to lead the Shuten family troops to battle. As the daughter of the patriarch, it is my duty to avenge my father's death!" Right at this crucial moment, Ysera spoke. Her earnest request was reasonable and it was difficult for Nigyo Brugvun to find an excuse to reject her. Nonetheless, he still had to try.

"Nonsense! As the fiancee of my grandson, it is your duty to prepare yourself for the upcoming wedding after the war. The battleground is a dangerous place and it is too risky for you to join!"

"If you refuse Ysera's request, then Ysera will take it that you are insulting me and my honor. In that case, the next thing that I will slice with my sword will be my neck." Ysera showed a bitter smile and said while she wielded her sword and cut off her high ponytail.

Her beautiful silky hair scattered everywhere on the floor and she was left with a refreshing look with her shoulder length hair.

Faced with an ultimatum from Ysera, Nigyo Brugvun was stunned. Ultimately, he reluctantly approves her request on the condition that she and the Shuten family troops she commands would follow his order in the battlefield.

***

"With that being said, I shall reveal the plan that we will be undertaking to eradicate the goblins once and for all. Eight days later, we will be launching an all-out assault on Blackwater Castle where the goblins are holding themselves in. Anyone have any questions about the plan?"

After calming Ysera down, Nigyo Brugvun briefed the main commanders of the troops. They had formulated the plan in the past meetings among the elders. And at least for now, everyone in the clan is united against a common enemy.

Venn's ears perked up when he heard the plan. He had been waiting for this for a very long time.