The Lich's Master

Chapter 16: The Top Ranker

About a second passed in silence before Kyle let out a cry. “For god’s sake, I’m NOT A BOSS!” His shouting was probably loud enough to be heard from all the way at the base of the hill. “I’m a player!”

He felt the blade pressing against his neck move slightly as the owner of the hand holding it flinched.

“You can’t trick me,” The woman said, though he could already hear it in her voice: Doubt.

“I can prove it!” He cried out, hurryingly opening his stats panel.

‘Kyle – Lv. 20 Unclassed

INT 10 | WIS 10 | DEX 10 | STR 10 | CON 10

Available Points: 20

Achievements: Lich Killer

Player Kills: 6

Glory: 30’

“You can see this, right?” He asked in a hurry as the woman’s hand, and thus, the blade, moved further away from his throat. The hand on his neck let go of him, and he quickly backed off, and turned to face her. “Seriously, what the hell is it with players thinking I’m a hidden boss or something?!” He exclaimed with a hint of anger in his voice.

The woman had bright crimson hair. She was human, just like all other players were. She wore simple leather armour. The blade hanging from her hip was everything but normal though.

“Wait, hang on!” Kyle exclaimed, taking a few more steps back. “That’s the Sun God’s Heart!” He shouted, pointing at the blade. Now he knew where he’d seen her before. “You’re Igna!”

The blade on her hip was unique weapon. It was one of the most widely used promotional materials of the game, and everyone had been eyeing that ever since the launch. And for good reason too, all attacks it made were imbued with fire, and it allowed it’s user a free resurrection once a day. Not to mention how much damage it dealt.

It was aesthetically pleasing as well. The blade was flat, with one side sharp, and the other dull. Hieroglyphs were engraved on it’s clear white blade, and the hilt had Horus’ Eye on it. It always glowed, indicating the available resurrection.

Igna’s confused expression turned into a prideful smile. “I am, how did you know that though?”

Kyle continued taking small steps back. “The leaderboard.” He quickly responded. “It’s difficult to forget the top ranker who has been holding onto that title since the launch of the game.”

Igna’s smile widened. “You’d be surprised, actually.” She sheathed her dagger, then folded her arms and stepped closer to him. “So, explain to me. Why did that guy think you’re a hidden boss?”

Kyle threw his hands in the air. “How should I know?” He went right back to whining. “I was just minding my own business when he attacked me out of nowhere, then stepped onto a trap I laid against NPC enemies and died!”

Igna raised her eyebrows. “What about you summoning a Lich to kill him? How did that happen?”

Kyle blinked once with a blank expression before explaining with a flat voice. “He kicked me through a boss door, then proceeded to ignore the actual boss Lich, and attack me. The Lich made short work of him because of his own carelessness.”

Igna grinned. “And that’s how you got the ‘Lich Killer’ achievement? By stealing the kill?”

Kyle shrugged. “Well, yeah.” He muttered. “I tried to escape first, but the boss room’s doors were closed.” He then sighed. “Just to be sure – we agree that I’m a player, right?” He asked. “You believe me?

Inga tilted her head ever so slightly. “Explain the firestorm on the bridge.”

“The what?” Kyle’s mind drew a blank. A firestorm? On a bridge?

“He claimed you killed him by summoning a firestorm that devoured the bridge he was passing.” A smirk appeared on her face as she rested her hand on the hilt of The Sun God’s Heart. “Explain, please.”

Kyle had to search his memory for a moment. “Wait, does he mean when I cut the ropes of the bridge and threw a torch on the other side?” He exclaimed. “Over by the elves’ territory?”

Igna’s smirked turned into laughter. “You cut the ropes?” She muttered between breaths. “And you had a Lich kill him for you? And you had him fall into traps?” It took her a moment to regain her composure. “Tell me, ‘Kyle’,” She rolled his name around her tongue for a moment, almost as if she still doubted him. “Did you ever kill him in a fair fight?”

Kyle pressed his lips together. “I made him trip and fall, then I killed him.” He eventually muttered. “Look, I don’t even have a class yet!” He exclaimed, “How am I supposed to kill a god damned knight?! The guy’s strong too.”

Igna couldn’t help but laugh again. “He is abnormally powerful, though I can say his intellect seems to have suffered for it.” She admitted. She then furrowed her brows, still keeping her gaze on Kyle.

“…Right.” He took a deep breath. “So… can I go?”

Igna’s lips curled up. “Well… I believe that you’re not a boss,” She admitted, allowing Kyle a breath of relief. “But you see, you have quite the bounty on your head.” She swiped her fingers in the air and opened an interface. “See?”

‘NAME: UNKNOWN

TYPE: UNKNOWN

REWARD: 1000 Gold, Scale of the Locus God’

Kyle’s eyes widened. “A thousand gold?!” He exclaimed in shock. “Wait, hang on, the scale…” His voice died down as he turned his gaze to Igna. “You want the scale, don’t you?”

Igna smirked. “Of course, I want the scale. I’m supposed to stay competitive after all.” She grasped the hilt of her blade. “I wonder how rich that knight is in real life though,” She added somewhat absentmindedly. “A thousand gold and a rare item like that must have cost him a lot of money.”

Kyle gulped.

“I like you though,” She added with a grin. “No hard feelings no matter who wins?” She offered. Kyle forced a smile.

“No hard feelings, even if I escape then?” He asked in return. “None,” Inga said with a spark in her eyes.