The Grand Duelist

"A Mythical Class player..."

Abyssal Flame Master whispered.

"What? You're concerned about someone that's a mere half-step to a god? He is not even a god, yet. You don't have to concern yourself about him. Once we have accomplished our goals in this Empire, you will ascend into something that's more than him!"

A voice that sounded between a mixture of a man and a woman rang within Abyssal Flame Master's mind.

"Shut up! Just tell me your objectives already! If you want me to fully cooperate on what you want to happen, then you must tell me what the hell is going on! Why are you letting me grant classes and quests on these NPCs? Are you going to kill them all once you are done with them?"

Abyssal Flame Master angrily replied.

"Kill them all? Why would I do something so barbaric? And also, did you already forget about what is the foundation of a god? A god can only become a god through the power of faith!"

"So, are you saying that you are trying to convert them into your believers?"

"Hehehe, it seems like you are quite smart after all... As expected from someone whom I chose to be my vessel. I really thought that you were a foolish man. To choose that dark daddy up there and become his Apostle is basically becoming a slave..."

"Now that you're with me, don't you love the freedom that you have right now?"

"I'm not constantly giving you tasks like that dark daddy and unlike him, I am not that demanding..." 

"Shut the fuck up... Did you really think that I was willing to become your Apostle?"

"No!"

"You forced this into me!" 

"You're even worse than the God of Darkness, Vell!" 

Abyssal Flame Master gnashed his teeth in anger.

The voice in his head replied once again, "Oh? Did I force you?"

"Hehehe, in that case then you are free to go..."

[The Demon of Deceit and Temptation has offered your release.]

[Do you want to be released from your contract with the Demon of Deceit and Temptation, Gelial?]

[Yes/No?]

Abyssal Flame Master stood in shock while staring at the system notifications.

He wanted to be released but he didn't expect that everything would be this easy.

He stretched his hand out, but his hand stopped several inches before the Yes button.

What?

What is going on?

I'm about to be released, and I'm supposed to be happy that I'm free, yet...

"So, you finally realized it?" The voice said and excitement could be felt from it.

Tears streamed down Abyssal Flame Master's cheeks.

He didn't know what to say.

"You finally realized that without me, you are nothing..."

"You have no direction in life, you have no home to go to, and you have no friends that care about you. Even if you die right now at this moment, no one will grieve for you..."

"But why?" 

"You should know the answer to that question..."

"You're the only one that knows about it, after all..."

"You're just denying it, you are only being in denial that you are a worthless human being."

The voice turned strangely amorous once again, but the words that the voice said struck right at Abyssal Flame Master's chest, causing him to stagger backward as he gnashed his teeth once again and exclaimed.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything... I don't want... I don't want to... hea-"

"Then, you are going to run again?"

"Are you going to keep this up forever, Abyssal Flame Master? Or should I call you, Jason?"

Abyssal Flame Master's eyes widened in shock, "You... How did you know about my name?" 

"Heh... Knowing someone's name is quite easy for a Demon at my level... You don't have to worry about that, I'm bound by the Laws of Causality and I can never share your personal information with anyone apart from yourself."

"But what do you think?"

"Do you believe me now when I told you that I know you more than anyone in this world?"

The seductive voice sounded incredibly inviting. Abyssal Flame Master had to bite the tip of his tongue so that he wouldn't get swallowed by the lust that was slowly overcoming his body.

The ability to incite lust from any living being in this world was an ability unique to the Demon of Deceit and Temptation.

It also couldn't be turned off.

"But you... You're a Demon! Why would I want to cooperate with y-"

"Hahaha!"

The voice interrupted Abyssal Flame Master's rant. 

"I'm a Demon?"

"Hahaha! That's right! But do you really think that I am the "Demon" between the two of us? Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? This is really too funny. To think that a guy that literally has nothing would call me a "Demon"..."

"Every living being in this world has something that they can call as their own. It obviously differs from one living being to another, but my point still stands."

"But how about you? Of course, you also had something or even someone that you called as your own!"

"But that is in the past, you have nothing anymore..."

"But why?"

"Have you ever thought about the reason why you have nothing right now?" The voice grew strong and it seemed to echo deep within Abyssal Flame Master's mind as if it was an imperial decree that could never be rejected nor denied. 

Abyssal Flame Master's face was as pale as a sheet of paper.

His body was constantly trembling. Images flashed across his mind of the moments when he was less than a human. Images such as the time when he stole some money from others when he was a child, just so he could supplement his growing addiction to playing video games.

Back then, he thought...

Wow, that was easy... I never thought that earning this much money was actually this easy... That bastard father of mine, why does he not give me any money when it's this easy to earn money?

Jason was just a nine-year-old child at that time.

With the instant gratification and satisfaction of earning a lot of money in a short amount of time.

Jason quickly grew addicted to stealing.

He skipped his classes just so he could steal and supplement his addiction until he eventually stopped studying and estranged himself with his father until...

His father's health got worse.

At that time, Jason realized that he had neglected his father for too long.

He tried turning into a new leaf, but he got into a scuffle with his mother that had just returned from disappearing and fast-forward today...

Jason really didn't have anything that he could call as his own.

Apart from the money that he got from his mother, he had nothing.

He was an empty person who only used the world of Victory to escape the harsh reality of society.

He wanted to reconnect with his friends back then, but he was too afraid that they'll judge him negatively.

After all, all of his friends knew that he was an internet addict.

Yes, an addict.

Only an addict could possibly turn himself away from his family and even stop his studies just so he could continue playing games. 

But Jason back then was actually quite confident that he could earn a living through stealing.

But he realized several years later when he was finally captured by the angry residents that he had been far too naive. 

Jason had been stealing a lot of money on the same street for several consecutive years.

It wasn't strange that anyone would be on guard against him on that street.

Thinking about it right now, Jason felt that he was incredibly stupid and naive.

But well, he was just a young man who wanted some quick buck...

But despite being captured, Jason never stopped his habit of being a pickpocket and using all of that money that he stole for playing games.

Eventually, the time for him to change had arrived, but it was already too late.

He was already kicked out of the house, disowned, and had nothing to return to anymore.

"My fault... Everything was my fault... If I wasn't... If I had just remained as a good kid... Everything wouldn't have... Everything wouldn't have come to this... Now, everything is over... I have nothing... I really have nothing..." Abyssal Flame Master's knees collapsed and he kneeled there on the ground.

Tears streamed down on his cheeks as he kept on trying.

But then a voice suddenly spoke in his mind.

"Nope, everything is not over, yet... You may have nothing right now, but remember that everything started from nothing... Without nothing, everything would be nothing, and nothing would be everything."

The voice spoke in clear words, yet when they were connected with each other...

Abyssal Flame Master couldn't understand the underlying message beneath the cryptic words.

He could feel that the voice in him was enticing him to do something and the offer of that voice was incomparably good to him, however...

"No... You're a Demon... How could I possibly..."

"You are rejecting me again just because I am a Demon? Hahaha... Let me ask you this, Jason... Who said that Demons are bad, and who said that the Gods up above there are good? Who said that the good is right, and the bad is wrong?"

"No one!"

"What is good may not necessarily be right, and what is bad may not necessarily be good!"

"Remember that!"

"Now, embrace me..."

"Accept this gift that I have for you, oh... Poor little Jason..." 

[Contract Terms Transfer has been requested by the Demon of Deceit and Temptation.]

[A new contract offer with new terms has been offered.] 

[Please check the contract properly and do not be hasty about signing! Your answer regarding this contract can irreversibly change your way of life in the world of Victory so, please be careful about signing!]

Abyssal Flame Master opened his eyes and found himself standing in an incredibly dark space that had nothing in it.

However, at the distance was an incredibly gorgeous woman.

The woman was clad in a dark dress and she seemed to be smiling at Abyssal Flame Master as she approached him with steady and firm footsteps. 

Abyssal Flame Master stood up and the woman eventually arrived right in front of her.

"Don't hold back..."

The woman's dress was ripped, revealing everything about her underneath.

Then, as if he was in a trance.

Abyssal Flame Master pushed her onto the ground and the woman underneath him suddenly chuckled in excitement.

"Ahhh... The fruits of the union between a Demon and an Immortal Being... I wonder..."

"I wonder how powerful it would be!"

...

"Eli, what the hell is wrong with you? Why did you wake me up? It's still dawn for fuck's sake. I still have a lot of work to do after that sleep... What's worse is that you didn't even explain why you want me to come here as soon as possible, making me needlessly curious..."

Mar barged in the room carrying his anger with him. 

"Ray? So, you're here too?"

"Bloody hell, you should be the one that ordered Eli to wake me up! Explain everything to me right at this instant!" Mar directed his anger to Ray since he's probably the reason why Elizabeth was too adamant about forcing him to come here this late at night.

Ray turned to look at him with a smile, "Can you calm down for a second, Mar? Do you really think that I would wake you up so late at night if the news that I have for you isn't even worthwhile or interesting enough?"

Mar stared at Ray in doubt: "What could be more interesting than the concept of proper regenerative sleep?"

"It's the King's Trial!"

"Oh? It's just the King's Trial? Damn, what nonse- wait!"

"Just what did you say? The King's Trial?!" Mar was someone who could read along the lines so he quickly caught up on what Ray was hinting at, "Could it be that it has been activated? Who activated it? Don't tell me it's that brat, Joseph, again?!" 

Mar exclaimed in anger when he saw the confirming smile on Ray's lips.

"Pffft..." Elizabeth chuckled at the side.

"What are you laughing at, Eli?" Mar swept his gaze at Elizabeth.

"Nothing..." Elizabeth was holding her stomach right now as she laughed, "You said that same words as sir Ray said earlier when I told him that the King's Trial has been activated..."

Mar scratched his head, "Damn, that guy... He really brought us another headache once again..."

Mar deeply sighed, now that he was curious as to how Joseph could complete the King's Trial...

There's no way that he could still sleep knowing that the King's Trial that he designed with Ray for six consecutive months has been activated.

He turned to look at Elizabeth and ordered, "Eli, get me the strongest coffee you have available. Give me that version of coffee that doesn't make me crash. You know about what brand of a coffee that was, right?"

Elizabeth straightened her back.

No matter what, Mar was still one of her immediate superiors she must comply with his orders: "Yes, sir! I'll be back!" She then walked towards the door and exited the room, carrying the orders that Mar and Ray had for her.

"Now, that she's gone. I think we can finally talk about some things pertaining to that King's Trial..."

Ray said to Mar.

Mar shook his head and chuckled, "As always you really are such a tight ass when it comes to rules, aren't you? Even though Elizabeth is already under an NDA you still don't trust her when it comes to trade secrets, eh?" 

Ray lightly smiled, "Of course, did you already forgot about who is the reason why the development of Victory got delayed for at least several years? Did you already forget about that incident back then?"

Mar took a seat beside Ray.

He took a bottle of water from the nearby table and drank it. Afterwards, he replied, "How can I possibly forget about that incident... That woman, she really dealt you such a heavy hand. Perhaps, she's the reason why you are so in denial towards Elizabeth's feelings to you?"

Ray revealed a shocked expression when he heard Mar's words.

But Mar merely chuckled and continued, "Hahaha, look at you looking so shocked like that. Did you really expect that I wouldn't notice that you have the same feelings as she has to you? Why else would I adamantly endorse her to you if you didn't like her in the first place?"

Complicated emotions flashed across Ray's face: "Let's just set that matter aside for now... I don't even know if I can still let go of the past. For now, let's just watch how that punk can surpass the King's Trial..." 

Mar nodded his head and the two raised their heads to stare at the monitors.

At this moment, Elizabeth finally returned with everything that Ray and Mar needed for their so-called observation. 

"That was quick..." Ray praised Elizabeth.

Elizabeth revealed a light smile, "Yes, I already prepared everything beforehand. It was just a matter of fetching them and coming back."

Ray nodded his head and he didn't say anything anymore.

The room turned silent, but it was soon broken by Elizabeth who asked. 

"Uhmm... Since I am going to accompany you, sir Ray along with sir Mar on observing Player Joseph regarding his King's Trial. Is it okay for me to ask about what the King's Trial is and how it works?"

Despite having the authority to read system notifications...

Elizabeth's authority as a mere Secretary wasn't enough for her to read through the files of P.H Works.

This was the reason why even though she knew about the King's Trial.

She didn't know its specifics.

Ray looked like he didn't want to answer, but then he received a pat on his shoulder from Mar...

He sighed and replied, "The King's Trial is basically a trial that needs to be surpassed by the challenger for them to acquire the true qualifications to be the King. However, surpassing the trial doesn't mean that the person will immediately become a King..."

Elizabeth frowned, "Is that a difficult trial, sir? You and sir Mar made that Trial for six consecutive months so I reckon that its difficulty would be far too hard while the rewards are far too little. Wouldn't that frustrate every player that surpassed it due to the bad rewards?"

Ray turned to stare at Elizabeth and chuckled, "The rewards on surpassing the King's Trial isn't something that can be measured right away since it isn't an animate object..."

"The rewards are actually something ethereal, something that only the winner can understand and utilize. It is a concept after all, and everyone can interpret a concept, differently from others..."

"A concept?" Elizabeth asked in doubt.

Mar chuckled, "Hahaha, you don't have to worry about it, for now, Eli. Come here, sit there and just watch with us. This King's Trial would sure be interesting especially since that brat is taking it..."

"With how many miracles he had performed so far, I'd really be disappointed if he wasn't able to pass this King's Trial..." 

Elizabeth nodded her head, she didn't say anything anymore as she sat down on the nearby couch. 

Since she was in the presence of her immediate superior, Mar.

She had her back subconsciously straightened and Ray instantly noticed it as he said.

"Elizabeth, you don't have to be so tense..."

"This old geezer would prefer it if you make yourself feel at home."

Elizabeth gave a wry smile and complied.

She drastically relaxed as she raised her head and stared at the monitors.

"Oooh... It looks like our Joseph is about to get into some action..."

Mar commented and even whistled.

Ray had a look of amusement on his face.

Elizabeth's expression became filled with red to the extent that she looked like she was a tomato.

But why?

It was because there was a particularly amorous scene within the monitors.

Back in the King's Trial, Joseph was staring at the stark-naked woman. 

He subconsciously gulped a mouthful of saliva when he saw her body.

However, remembering his depressing fate earlier.

Joseph almost immediately calmed down as she stared at the woman.

[information about the person has been made available.]

[Name: Queen Emily Jane

Your wife and the Queen of your Kingdom. She's currently pregnant.]

Oh! So, she's actually my wife! Wait, she's pregnant? Why is she so aggressive? 

The woman leaped onto the bed and straddled onto Joseph.

Fuck! P.H Works, what is this? Is this some kind of a lewd bonus or something? Wait, get off me! I already have Alice!

Joseph tried on struggling against the woman and his hard work paid off.

He managed to push the woman away from the bed, but when the woman fell directly onto the floor.

She strangely didn't cry out in pain.

In fact, she was actually laughing.

"Ku ku ku ku ku... So, you actually noticed what I was doing, Your Majesty?"

The woman stood up and gave an evil smile.

Oh fuck...

Joseph inwardly uttered.

Sharp pain inundated his chest and filled his sense. Taking a look at his chest, he found that there was a thin needle stuck right into his heart. 

"Why... You're my wife... Why did you..." 

Guah!

Joseph coughed a mouthful of blood.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty... With you sitting on the throne, there's no way that this Kingdom can prosper..."

"From now on, I'll do everything myself... I'll still be the Queen and as for who will be the King? Hehehe... It will be the father of this child!"

Joseph's pupils constricted. 

"The King will be the father of the child? Are you saying that... Are you saying that the child in your womb is not mine?!"

The woman didn't reply, a sneer surfaced on her lips as she said, "When I first met you I already thought that you were a foolish person, Your Majesty..."

"I thought that you'd change once you become the King, but I was wrong!"

"You became even more foolish and now this Kingdom..."

"My beloved hometown is now on the brink of bankruptcy and a famine!"

"That is why..."

"That is why you cannot blame me, Your Majesty..." 

"Everything is your fault..."

"That is why..." 

Joseph's consciousness darkened.

"I had to do it..."

"Everything is your fault..."

"Your Majesty." 

[You died!]

[You lost 2 out of 5 chances that you have in the King's Trial!]

[Don't worry, you still haven't lost, yet!]

[Keep on fighting! You can do it]

[Sincerely,]

[P.H Works.]

Joseph's consciousness was abruptly pulled out of the state of death once again and when he opened his eyes.

He found himself standing before a desk.

Several dozens of papers were stacked right in front of him and his right hand was holding his seal for signing these documents.

[You should've noticed by now that you can't trust anyone in this Kingdom!]

[Your objectives in the King's Trial has been updated.]

[Weed out all the traitors and squash all the problems and potential troubles of the Kingdom!]

Joseph dismissed these system notifications and took a document from the desk.

The document read...

[Request For an Advice Regarding the Upcoming Famine]

Upcoming Famine? How did the author of this request know that there's an upcoming famine?

Joseph furrowed his eyebrows.

He fell into deep contemplation as to how he could answer the question in this document.

But after only spending a few moments on the problem.

Joseph facepalmed and inwardly criticized himself.

What the fuck am I doing trying to solve this problem by myself? I'm not even that smart...

Joseph shook his head and chuckled. 

Since I don't know the answer to this question then all I need is to ask!

But who am I going to ask?

The Ghostbusters?

No!

It's Mister Google!

Joseph then opened up his Main Menu and used the Integrated Browser to find his answers on google.

1. Non-Disclosure Agreement.