Volume 3: Rise of the True Gods
Exile frowned at the announcement as it arrived. ‘Has Arthur already reached the next Tier?’ That thought frightened Exile. ‘Hopefully, the threshold isn’t level 20. If it is, I’ve fallen way behind Arthur.’
He could only guess it was Arthur that had reached Tier 2 since the last time he saw the rankings, Arthur was in the number one spot. ‘The celebrations are still going on in Eraldsfen, but I’ll have to alert Ania and Thovok that I’ll be unavailable while the maintenance is happening.’
Exile sighed as he stepped outside of Valheim’s temple. He knew he would have to speak with Harik before he had to log off. However, he did not want to spoil their celebrations. ‘Valheim’s getting busy.’
He passed by large crowds of people who had only just ascended according to their chats with other players. The streets had become busy since the announcement as everyone tried to find out who had reached Tier 2.
“I swear! The developers are being so unfair! Those who joined the beta test are so far ahead! How are we meant to catch up?”
“Don’t be an idiot. That’s what the skill test was for. To make sure you can survive in this game the test is based on the pros invited to the beta. They obviously had to get in first so the developers could make a comparison.”
“Yeah, but don’t you think they should have reset them?”
“They’ll have their reasons.”
Exile shook his head as he listened to several other conversations along those lines. He knew there was bound to be friction with the new waves of players over that. ‘Things are going to get busy. I’ll have to look through those applications to join the Pantheon. It’s time to increase our numbers again.’
When Ragnarok became a Tier 1 Pantheon, the number of members it can hold increased from twenty-four to fifty. Of course, one of those spots was reserved for his brother. The extra manpower would put Ragnarok in a league of its own among the Skardian Pantheons.
Eventually, Exile reached Jarxos’ store. ‘It’s been a long time.’ He sighed. He opened the door and stepped through the barrier to discover a well-stocked store. ‘The players have been busy.’ He chuckled as he eyed the wares on the bottom floor.
“Exile! It’s a pleasure to see you again!” The will of Jarxos announced as he manifested out of thin air. “I have to thank you for my latest wares. I trust Midas passed along my gratitude.”
Exile nodded as he spotted several pieces of Sommerdan armour and weaponry on display. ‘I hope he got a good deal on them. We’re going to need the funds.’ Exile made a mental note to question Midas about the state of the Pantheon’s finances.
“Have you gained anything interesting lately?” Exile asked.
“Hm, not really. Except for some information.” Jarxos showed a predatory grin that made Exile roll his eyes.
“What kind of information?”
“There are two things that might interest you. One of them is about a prison that held an ancient power, and who breached it recently. The other is about a concerning development outside of Valheim. Are you interested?” 𝗼𝐯𝗹．𝐞𝘁
“How much?”
“80 Gold for both.” Jarxos gave a sweet smile as Exile sighed.
“Fine.”
“Pleasure doing business with you.” Jarxos made the gold coins offered by Exile disappear as he hummed. “Well, the prison was invaded by a dwarf king. What’s interesting is the prison was concealed beneath the city of Alleviam in Stormcrown.”
Exile frowned when he heard that. ‘There’s only one dwarven king this can be referring to. Is King Bargrux hiding something from me?’ Exile groaned at the thought. It could harm the Pantheon if they were to lose the support of the Dwarves because their interests did not align.
‘I’ll have to approach this one carefully.’ Exile shook his head when he wondered how he should broach the subject with Bargrux.
“What’s the other piece of information?” Exile asked once he digested the first.
“Hm, Gods have been dying outside the walls of Valheim. But not by the hands of simple divine beasts.”
Exile cocked an eyebrow as he heard that. Jarxos chuckled when he saw the interest on Exile’s face.
“Nar’Kozz the devourer and his brood have been coming above ground. I suspect Valheim will come under siege soon.”
Exile’s eyes went wide at the memory of the boss monster that had killed him. ‘We were only at the start of Tier 1 when we last faced it. We’re stronger now, and if we put up a united front we should be able to deal with it.’
‘I’ll have to use that chance to explore the tunnels.’ Exile had not forgotten that Jarxos had hinted a piece of the First Flame was likely somewhere in the boss’ lair. He knew he had to claim it before anyone else could find it.
‘It seems I have even more work to do as soon as we can rejoin the game.’ Exile sighed as he thanked the will before browsing the rest of the store. However, there was nothing useful to him at his current level.
everyone realised that it had not been him.
“No. It wasn’t me. Which means we have to step up our game.” Exile bellowed to the silent room. Exile said goodbye before heading back to the bar. He contacted Ania to let her know they would not be available for some time and gave her a message for Harik. Naturally, she was upset about not being able to contact him, but she knew it had to be for a good reason.
Before long, the members of Ragnarok started to appear in the bar. They were chatting with some excitement before they realised Exile was waiting for them. However, Exile did not know what to say when they all suddenly cheered!
“Congratulations!” Clay laughed as he nudged Exile’s shoulder. “You must have reached the second tier, right? We all got the stat points so we figured it had to be you!”
Exile’s face turned slightly red as he shook his head. That gesture killed the enthusiasm in the air as everyone realised that it had not been him.
“No. It wasn’t me. Which means we have to step up our game.” Exile bellowed to the silent room. “There are a few things we have to discuss and set in motion before we log out. First off, we’ll be receiving new members soon. So Midas, I want you to prepare some funds to arm them.”
Midas nodded before Exile continued. “Clay, prepare some players to act as Captains to take the new players to level up.”
Clay nodded solemnly when he realised something serious was happening.
“Winter, talk to the other leaders and have the other NPC leaders start building defences along Skardia’s coasts. They may not listen since the High King has not been chosen yet. But you must make them prepare.”
“Beans, work with Old Un to get some of our followers to focus on deep sea fishing. I want to start stockpiling food and other resources in case another war breaks out.”
“Do you really think that will happen?” Beans asked as she gasped.
“We can’t say for certain, but we have no idea what the other races are doing. We’re bound to start meeting more of them soon. I don’t think the game will go through many peaceful periods.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Exile’s evaluation. So far it always seemed the game had something to throw at them.
“Then I need everyone to get the word out to prepare to defend Valheim. Some point soon we’re likely to see a boss monster attack the city.”
Loud gasps came from the players as they asked what boss it was and how he knew that. Of course, he explained he purchased the information and revealed it was a boss most of them knew well. Loud curses filled the bar as the players remembered the terror of those battles.
“I don’t know the exact details or when it will happen. So let us use all the time we have to be prepared for it.” Exile bellowed over the raised voices. “I suggest you all upgrade your equipment if you can and grind for levels. If you can’t afford it, speak with Midas. We’ll offer all the help we can but remember that the new players will have priority. Otherwise, they won’t be of much help. Now, I suggest you all get to work!”
The bar became a hive of activity after that speech. Players hustled to do what they felt needed to be done. Meanwhile, Exile suddenly received a notification.
[Your Oracle, Ania Eraldsen, is trying to contact you…]
Exile connected with her mind as he wondered what it was about. However, he received a pleasant surprise.
[Lord Exile, there is an Oracle here saying his God needs to speak with you. I know it’s ridiculous, but he’s claiming his God is your brother. How do you want us to handle it?]
Exile could hear Ania scoff in her mind. However, that only made Exile chuckle which startled Ania.
[I do have a brother, Ania. The question is if it’s really him. What’s the name of the God?]
Exile doubted it was anyone else pretending just to speak with him. Though he was surprised his brother had made it so soon.
[He says his God’s name is Mikari.]
Exile could hear the hesitation in her voice as a wide grin appeared on his face. ‘That’s definitely Mike.’ Exile recalled that his brother had come up with that name after mixing his own name with that of a legendary game company.
[That’s him. Treat his Oracle well as a guest. I’ll be there soon.]