My Demons

Chapter 2

As I giggled and chuckled, a melodious sound echoed through the room,

[A new hero has joined. You can either shake hands and become allies or fight to the death.]

A stunningly beautiful blond boy with delicate features materialized before me, adorned in the attire of an elemental mage and wearing a resplendent silver crown.

Uh, what? I stammered, taken aback.

Hadnt I secured the room while I was looting? Was this a glitch?

[Trickster: Bring it on.]

[PkApplyMemo: How did you get in?]

[Trickster: Come and fight.]

[PkApplyMemo: Did you use a hack?]

[PkApplyMemo: Ill report]

[Trickster: Its not a hack.]

[PkApplyMemo: But thats your primary character, isnt it?]

[Trickster: What does it matter?]

[Trickster: Just come and fight.]

Are you serious?

Trickster.

Arguably the most renowned character among Dark World players, not only in our country but possibly across the globe.

Upon examining the character information.

Trickster

Level 100 Elemental Mage

Creation date: June 28, 1999

Coincidentally, June 28, 1999, marks the release date of Dark World.

In other words, this Trickster, the elemental mage character, has existed for over 20 years since Dark Worlds inception.

And it has been an enduring journey in hardcore mode!

Whats even more astounding is the play log of this character.

Defeated heroes: 10,000

Keep in mind that PvP in Dark World is restricted to duels only. One cannot unilaterally ambush an opponent or engage in combat with an unwanted user.

Consequently, these 10,000 kills signify that 10,000 users who possessed unwavering confidence in their dueling skills were vanquished. All at the hands of this single Elemental Mage character!

Now, this formidable character has challenged me to a PvP encounter.

[PkApplyMemo: Didnt you retire that character?]

[Trickster: Your account record, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine kills? Dont you want to reach 10,000 kills?]

[PkApplyMemo: So youre willing to lose your 10k kill character? Are you just trying to get me to join the 10k kill accounts?]

[Trickster: Lose? What are you talking about? Im going to win.]

[PkApplyMemo: But, but, but Youve gotten rusty, everyone knows that. Wheres this confidence coming from?]

Having been around for a while, I had known the Trickster old man for quite some time.

I started Dark World when I was in the third grade of elementary school, and started playing hardcore mode when I was in high school.

If I recall correctly, it was in my second year of high school when I recklessly began challenging the Trickster. Wow, its been over ten years since then.

Even now, my teeth grind at the memory of the characters I lost to him in my early days. I must have suffered defeat more than twenty times.

Oh, but.

[PkApplyMemo : Dude]

[PkApplyMemo : How do you know my account has 9,999 kills?]

[Trickster: You can find it by searching.]

[PkApplyMemo : : Not the character play log, but the total play log o o]

[PkApplyMemo : : You cant see others]

Whats with this guy? Why isnt he responding?

[Trickster: Just fight.]

[PkApplyMemo : Are you really going to permadeath?]

[Trickster: Yeah.]

[PkApplyMemo : Youre really insane] 

[PkApplyMemo : Planning to bury your character and kill yourself?]

[Trickster: I wont commit suicide, so stop worrying.]

I hesitated for a moment, but soon a grin spread across my face as I pounded the keys.

[PkApplyMemo : Dont cry when I take your items]

A 10,000 character kill?

Glancing at Tricksters kill log, I noticed that his last duel took place a decade ago.

Thats why they call him a has-been.

On the other hand, me?

In Dark World-related communities, Im renowned as a Blood Artisan. Among the current players, Im one of the most successful PvP players.

And above all, there was a time when my ultimate goal in playing Dark World was to defeat that character, Trickster.

I cant back down and run away when such a great opportunity presents itself.

Huh.

I shook off any apprehension and cast a full buff. Then, with speed, I switched my amulet in the equipment window.

This should provide full resistance against ice and electricity. Its risky, but I have no other choice.

Of course, achieving full resistance doesnt guarantee victory.

The opponent possesses a 20-year-old character with 10,000 kills. The damage capable of penetrating resistance will be enormous.

[Trickster: Are you ready?]

[PkApplyMemo : ]

[Trickster has requested a duel.]

Huh.

With a light sigh, I clicked the accept button, and in an instant

Whoosh.

The Elementalist unleashed the Frozen Earth skill.

It was the ultimate frost skill, causing immense damage that spanned thirteen times the size of the screen.

I took sudden damage, but there was no need to panic.

I knew well that this character was an Ice-Lightning mage, specializing in frost and lightning magic.

I had anticipated that he would immediately employ his ultimate skill at the beginning of the duel.

So, as if I had been waiting for this very moment, I activated the Blood Descent skill.

Swoosh.

My Blood Knight transformed into a mist of blood, swiftly soaring towards the Elementalist.

Zap.

The frost damage was substantial. If I hadnt changed my amulet, I would have lost half my health.

But thankfully, thanks to the effects of my equipment and the passive skill Boiling Blood, I remained unaffected by slowing or freezing effects.

My Blood Knight materialized right in front of the Elementalist.

Without delay, I unleashed a barrage of Blood Thorn, Blood Whip, and Blood Winda few of the Blood Knights long-range skills.

CRACK, BANG!

To my surprise, I managed to shatter the Ice Armor, stripping it away.

Just as I was about to exult and swing my Blade of Blood to finally crush him, the monitor flickered.

Ah, my eyes.

Boom!

With a resounding sound effect, a lightning bolt struck the Blood Knight. It was Thunder Strike, a powerful attack that inflicted significant damage accompanied by paralysis.

Hmm, the damage is quite substantial even with my full resistance. His stats are insane.

Well, I suppose its fortunate that I didnt get paralyzed or stunned?

Just as my momentarily paused Blood Knight prepared to charge once more

[Alamos!]

The Elementalist chanted a spell and transformed into a lightning spirit, swiftly flying away.

Ah, that bastard

What followed was a tiresome pursuit.

The Elementalist continued to launch various magical attacks while fleeing However, one of my Blood Knights nicknames is Blood Wheel, indicating my confidence in endurance.

I strategically utilized the Blood Knights few long-range skills whenever their cooldown was up, siphoning life force with each strike.

Amidst enduring the Elementalists onslaught, I internally kept track of the spells he cast and their frequency.

Chain Lightning, Frost Dagger, Ice Armor, Cold Cloud, Thunder Strike, another Frost Dagger, White Storm

It was a chaotic mix. But by now, his mana should be nearly depleted, and the hindrances to my mobility should have worn off.

Nows the time!

Hwoong!

Harnessing the effect of my shoes, my Blood Knight surged forward, enveloped in wind.

The Elementalist scrambled to retreat, but

BAM

Calmly, I employed the Blood Grasp skill, seizing the fleeing wizard by the neck.

Its over!

I whispered triumphantly, swiftly executing the ultimate combo.

I created a clone with Embryo and released a Blood Mist, scattering droplets of blood. Then, using the Red Ice skill, I froze the Elementalist, setting the stage for the ultimate move.

Swooaaang.

A crimson storm whirled around the Blood Knight. It was the Vortex of Vampirism.

In addition, I unleashed rapid basic attacks to maximize damage.

The Elementalists life bar was slashed in large chunks.

In contrast, my Blood Knight, with only around 10% of its life remaining, started rapidly replenishing its health.

But then, in that critical moment, the wizard began to chant a spell. I initially brushed it off, thinking his mana should be depleted

[Draconis!]

Hwaruruk!

What, what is this?

Above the Elementalist, trapped in the grasp of my Blood Knight, a crimson dragons head materialized, spewing intense flames.

Wait, this Its insane, it defies logic!

Dragon Breath?

The ultimate fire skill, Dragon Breath.

Typically, its an area-of-effect attack, but since the two characters were in close proximity, the flames concentrated in a single spot.

Ah, ah-ah!

As I screamed, my character, lacking sufficient flame resistance due to an equipment change, was reduced to ashes in an instant.

This, F@ck!

[PkApplyMemo has died. His bravery will be remembered forever.]

As the screen filled with red letters, I let out a scream.

Ughaaak!

To Trickster: You hack-using bastard

To Trickster: Using Frozen Earth, Lightning Spirit,

To Trickster: And even Dragon Breath?

To Trickster: Do you get 2 skill points per level up?

To Trickster: F@cker?

[>Trickster: .

To Trickster: .Sounding the same, you hack-using bastard

To Trickster: After getting old,

Trickster: Come in first.

I accepted the invitation message the guy sent with a smirk.

[Hacker Bastard: Hey, you hack-using bastard]

[Trickster: Calm down.]

[Hacker Bastard: Calm, you say]

[Hacker Bastard: Where do you live, you f@cker]

[Trickster: Calm down.]

Ughaaak!

Overwhelmed by anger, I forcefully slammed my desk and let out a piercing scream.

As I mentioned earlier, if I were to line up all the characters Ive lost in Dark World, they could march around a military parade ground five and a half times.

I wouldnt have been so infuriated if I had lost fair and square.

Sure, some might argue that I have no right to complain because I used tricks like equipment swapping. But thats just an in-game strategy, not a hack like manipulating skill points, right?

In the midst of venting my frustration in the chat, Trickster approached and proposed a trade.

[Hacker Bastard: Whats this?]

The items that appeared in the trade window were the equipment I had been using.

Half of PkApplyMemos equipment consisted of Soul Bound Equipment, which vanished upon character death, but the breastplate, belt, shoes, and accessories remained.

I silently accepted the trade but continued to converse in the chat.

[Hacker Bastard: Whats this?]

[Hacker Bastard: The demon sword]

[Hacker Bastard: The all-resistance shield]

[Hacker Bastard: The 3-skill helmet]

[Trickster: Im sorry it turned out this way.]

After venting for a while, my head started to cool down. I sighed and tapped on the keyboard.

[Hacker Bastard: So, middle-aged guys are resorting to hacks now?]

[Trickster: Its not a hack.]

[Hacker Bastard: Its not my ass.]

[Trickster: I told you its not.]

[Hacker Bastard: Then what is it?]

[Hacker Bastard: What is it?]

[Trickster: .Its like a hidden quest.]

F@king Bullshit

I muttered in annoyance and took a gulp of water.

A hidden quest? In a game thats been around for 20 years?

[Hacker Bastard: So, while I was grinding thousands of low-level characters, I didnt know about this.]

[Hacker Bastard: Tell me too, lets try playing like a true warrior after maxing out the class.]

[Trickster: I cant tell you.]

[Hacker Bastard: Of course, its probably full of viruses, a hack.]

[Trickster: Its not a hack.]

[Hacker Bastard: Then what is it, you parrot?]

[Trickster: Theres no point in telling you. Its not something you can complete.]

I really want to kill him 

I gritted my teeth and typed furiously.

[Hacker Bastard: Why cant I complete it?]

[Hacker Bastard: Stop with the bullshit about a hidden quest.]

[Trickster: Its not something you can find easily. You need to receive an invitation.]

[Hacker Bastard: What invitation? An invitation to a hack club?]

[Hacker Bastard: Send me one too, lets play making a fraudulent character.]

[Trickster: Do you want to be invited? You might regret it.]

[Hacker Bastard: F@ck Regret]

[Hacker Bastard: I regret having a duel with a hacker bastard.]

[Trickster: Alright. Ill send it.]

[Trickster: It will arrive before the day is over.]

Whats he talking about?

I tried to type a reply, but he had already left the room.

This bastard

In my rage, I sent an angry note filled with profanity, but

[The player does not exist.]

Huh?

I furrowed my brow and double-checked the name.

T, R, I, C, K, S, T, E, R, Trickster. Thats right, isnt it?

[The player does not exist.]

Huh? What?

I attempted multiple times, but in the end, the message failed to send.