Leveling up the World

Chapter 273: Missing Achievement

Shield, open a crack! Dallion shouted as the shield sphere flew down towards the sand.

It wasnt the fact that they were falling that worried him. Rather, it was the things that followed. At present, the shield and Luxs help inside were enough to absorb the force of any fall. However, neither would be able to deal with what followed. Should the obsidian dragon decide to bury Dallion beneath the sands, there was nothing he could do except surrender.

The armadil shield opened up slightly

Lux, carry the shield, Dallion ordered. Keep us above the sand!

The firebird chirped, then flew out of the protective cocoon, causing Dallion to drop against the inside of the shield. A second later, the ball sprouted wings, slowing its descent to the ground, then reversing it.

A loud roar sounded outside, followed by a crash that knocked Dallion to the other side of the interior of the ball.

Also, avoid any attacks, Lux! he shouted. A series of seesaw movements suggested that the firebird had once again understood his order literally, driving like a maniac in an action movie. Clearly, this was no way to fight, but Dallion didnt want to fight. This was a time to think about his next moves.

He only needed one more good hit. Now that the dragon was aware of the capabilities of the harpsisword, though, getting near it wasnt going to be as easy. Dallion could easily order Lux to guide his weapon through the air, like an intelligent homing missile, but that wasnt the approach he wanted to take. While there was every chance that such a strategy would earn him a quick victory, it was going to harm him in the long run. The way things were going, he would have to face chainlings and other creatures in the near future, possibly even other dragons within items.

Any advice you could give me, Nil? Dallion asked.

At present, either approach would work. Earning a quick victory, even if with your unorthodox methods, wouldnt stunt your development. Doing it the proper way, though, would definitely give you experience for the next flying creature you face. In the end, its all up to you.

Its always up to me, Dallion thought.

Your echoes, Gen suggested.

What?

Echoes, like during the trial against me. Remember how Aspian attacked with an army of clones? Why not do the same? They might not be as good as you, but theyre pretty close, and you can easily make four, or even five.

Five echoes against an obsidian dragon. None of them would be able to fly or have a real Nox dagger, but Gen was rightthey would be skilled enough to confuse the enemy and even do some imaginative attacks on their own. That was one of the huge advantages of echoeswhile they had all the memories and thoughts of their original, they also created their own.

Lux, get me above the dragon! Dallion said. Shield, when we get there I want you to return to normal.

No one said a thing, suggesting that either Dallion was on the right track, or everyone was just curious to see what he would come up with.

There was a loud pop outside, accompanied by a thrust. A second later, the shield returned to its standard shape, leaving Dallion in the air, twenty feet above the dragons head.

Without hesitation, Dallion concentrated. Four identical echoes jumped out of him, each heading in one of the cardinal directions. In that fraction of a second, Dallion saw each of them summoning their weaponsdartbows, swords, even a harp in one instance. While their weapons appeared to be like those Dallion used, he knew them to be simple versions linked to the skill. However, the dragon didnt.

A cloud of obsidian sand emerged above the dragon, protecting him like a shield.

Nox, rip it! Dallion shouted. Lux, grab me!

One of the five Dallions gained wings, as the crackling emerged. Paws extended forward, the cub sliced through the protective layer, like a cat clawing down a silk curtain. All of Dallions echoes turned and twisted, holding their shields in front. Dallion didnt, plunging through the opening Nix had created.

MINOR WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 5%

A red rectangle emerged, as parts of obsidian scarred Dallions cheeks as he passed. The pain was very much real, but he ignored it.

Thrust me to the side of the head, he instructed Lux.

A new layer of black sand emerged, rising like a wall.

Harp, I need your help! Dallion unsummoned the shield and held the harpsisword in both hands.

Darude slash! he shouted.

The term wasnt something anyone would have recognized, but the harpsisword did. As Dallion did an arc attack, a slicing line of destruction was released, cutting through not only the protective layer, but part of the dragons wing as well.

Dallion didnt stop, though, making a second slash, then a third.

Red rectangles filled the air, indicating a series of minor hits that had been done as a result. The number alone was impressive, even if they barely reduced the guardians life total. Weithing in pain, the obsidian dragon let its guard down for a split second, instinctively turning its head in Dallions direction to breathe a sandstorm.

Thrust! Dallion shouted.

This was the moment. Propelled by the firebird, he flew forward like a dart towards the bulls eye. His minds eye could see the tip of the weapon reach the remaining red eye of the dragon, and after a fraction of a second prediction became reality.

FATAL STRIKE!

Dealt damage is increased by 500%

The much cherished red rectangle appeared.

Clever, the dragon muttered in a deep voice, as one would expect coming from a dragon, before bursting into a cloud of particles that disappeared in the air.

The moon vanished, replaced by a bright sun, marking the first day in the sphere item. Dallion had succeeded.

MIRROR Level 3 has been cleared.

You have fulfilled the MIRRORs destiny.

Your attack skills have increased to 45.

That wasnt the skill Dallion wanted to increase, but he couldnt argue that was the one he had used the most.

Lux, land me gently, Dallion said. Meanwhile, three of his surviving echoes landed on the ground with a thump and a roll.

Firm sand beneath his feet, Dallion continued staring at the clear sky, waiting. Several seconds passed, then several more. And as they did, fear wormed its way into his being under the form of a dull stomach ache.

Feeling the tendrils of mild panic, Dallion looked about in the hopes he had missed something.

Its not there, one of his echoes said. It didnt sound all too happy, either.

No! Dallion thought. It has to appear.

Thats how Nox had become his familiar, and Lux as well. Dallion had followed the exact same steps. The result had to be the same.

Obtaining a familiar is rare, Nil said in a fatherly tone. Thousands of awakened have tried their entire lives to obtain one without success. Its already extremely impressive that you have two.

There was a lot that Dallion wanted to say. What was the point in being a favored by the Moons if he couldnt save a single creature? He had felt a connection with the guardian, he was so certain that once the item was cleared that an achievement would appear.

In his mind, he imagined the moons looking at him with disapproval. Had he become too arrogant? It was said that this world ran by their rules, but he didnt know what the rule was, rather, he had assumed hed have the power to help her. Whose fault was it then? Was it the Moons or his own? Right now, Dallion didnt want to hear the answer.

It was a good plan, one of his echoes said, going closer to him. All of it, not just the dragon.

Dont forget that she felt joy for a moment, another said.

Besides, things arent what you think in the awakened world. Theres a lot you dont know. All I can say is that its not as bleak as you fear.

Yeah, right. Dallion tried to smile. He half suspected that the echo was just saying that to alleviate his fears. Even so, the notion that the shardfly could be out there in another realm, made him feel somewhat better.

One by one, Dallions echoes poofed out of existence. He, however, remained for over ten minutes, still looking at the sky, as if hoping that against the odds a rectangle would appear. It didnt.

Its best we get back to the real world, dear boy, Nil said. Theres nothing you can achieve here, and you have some preparation to do before tomorrow.

I dont feel like leveling up right now, Dallion said.

I wasnt talking about that. You need good food and rest, not to mention all the other trivialities of the day. I know how you feel, but you still have to earn your place at the tournament. The Star is still plotting something, remember?

How could I forget

Also, I would strongly recommend you convince that despicable character to give you the dryad shield. Linking him to your realm would be far more beneficial than leveling up.

That was true. Being able to talk with the armadil shield through thought would undoubtedly make battles a lot easier, not to mention having another guardian protecting Dallions realm.

Give me a minute, Dallion said.

When the minute was over, the realm of the mirror disappeared, returning Dallion to the guildhall. He was back in the lobby, less than a minute after the meeting with March. The rest of the team had already left. Even Estezol was off, checking paperwork.

You can go rest a bit at the inn, if you want, Nil suggested. As long as you have a meeting with the general today, it doesnt matter when

The more I delay the more difficult itll become, Dallion replied, and left the guildhall.

The crowds were starting to pick up, making going through the streets even more difficult. Given what had just happened in the mirror, though, Dallion didnt care much, slowly making his way towards the generals club.

Just so that you know, the mirrors ability is to capture light, Nil said. Capture and release, so to speak. No doubt the goal was for it not only to act as a glamour mirror, but also release that glamor on other objects, like a glamour torch.

Dallion just kept on walking, paying little attention. Time and distance had become insignificant. Next thing he knew, he was at the all too familiar building in the generals neighborhood. The crowds surrounding the building were non-existent, possibly because there were a number of guards placed in front, making sure that there was a comfortable cushion of space around the building. One look was enough to tell that the guards were privately hired. Their uniforms had nothing in common with those of the city guards. Also, Dallion could tell that they were of a higher level.

Mercenaries, Nil said with a sigh.

Are a lot of them hired for the festival? Dallion asked.

More than youd think. The nobles dont need protection, but the wealthy dont want to risk anything to hurt them. Anyone with a bit of money hired outside help. The common shop and innkeepers rely on the city guard.

Dallion nodded. Raising his head high, he made his way towards the entrance. He half expected the guards to try and stop him, but they didnt move an inch, observing the people behind him instead.

Is this supposed to happen? Dallion asked Nil, continuing forward.

Before he could reach the entrance, the door swung open. The female fury that assisted the general stood at the threshold.

Good morning, sir, she said with a slight bow. Im extremely glad to see you. This way please, the general has been expecting you.

Expecting me? Dallion arched a brow.

He didnt like the sound of that. It was exactly like what had happened during the game of Dallions trialthe general was flexing his resources, trying to intimidate Dallion before the discussions could even begin. However, Dallion wasnt the same person from a few levels ago.

Of course, the fury replied. Hes waiting for you in his usual room. Would you like some refreshments before you go join him?

No, no thanks. I doubt Ill be staying that long.

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