Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure

The group walks through the small encampment. Despite Firenze’s assurance that they’ll be able to leave in peace, Alex keeps track of the Centaurs, scanning the camp for weaknesses.

80, 90… around 100! Why are there so many? I count at least 100 of them! Aren’t they supposed to have smaller numbers? Maybe some other tribes joined up with them because of the corruption.

Firenze leads them to an old, frail, and sickly-looking Centaur who, despite his obvious age, still commands a great deal of respect from the others, including Magorian.

Before Alex, Tereza, and Rishi can approach, Firenze turns and says, “Please wait a few minutes. I’ll speak with our leader and introduce you.”

The three of them stand in a small circle as countless Centaurs watch them—some with hostility, but most just curious.

“Judging by all this bullshit, I’d say we’re the first group to reach the Centaurs. What a great way to get punished for it—we have to do all the annoying stuff, while the next group can probably just exchange a few words and get access just like that. What a scam,” Alex complains.

“The way you convinced them earlier was pretty effective. I think there must be some advantage to reaching the Centaurs first and potentially allying with them. Teams without someone skilled in diplomacy might’ve ended up fighting them instead,” Rishi guesses.

“If things go south, just grab onto me and I’ll fly us out of here. I see the trees are clear above us, no Acromantulas nearby, so we could just escape into the sky,” Tereza says.

Good idea. This gives us a quick escape route.

Alex whispers, “Good job. If things go south, let’s leave them a few presents while you fly us out of here.”

He reaches out his hand, and his friends each take two small, invisible objects before quickly storing them in their inventories with knowing smiles.

Alex grins. “But honestly, what could go wrong? From a game perspective, they’re bound to accept us. This will be a cool and easy process. Trust me.”

“…That might not be the case. Be ready to escape and act like we just discussed, Alex,” Rishi says.

“I hate surprises. Tell us,” Alex demands.

Tereza nods. “Rishi, this isn’t your style. Spill it.”

“That Centaur, Magorian… I’m pretty sure he’s corrupted. I want to kill him right now before he can flee or take any sort of other harmful action against us,” Rishi says calmly.

“What the fuck?” Alex blurts out, trying his hardest to stay composed. “How sure are you?”

“Seventy-five to eighty percent,” Rishi replies calmly.

“It won’t be easy to kill him, and even if we do… we’ll make enemies out of the entire tribe. Are you sure that’s the right move? Is there no way we can expose him without taking such a huge risk?” Alex continues to question him.

“I don’t think Magorian will give us the chance. We need to do it now. I think the odds are acceptable, and Alex, you just need to finish him in a single Ko blow. You can do it. I’ll give you the perfect opening, and after that, we retreat into the air if they won’t talk to us. I’ll handle the rest.”

If it doesn’t work… we either escape, or the entire tribe comes charging at us; this sounds fun…

“…” 

“…”

“My plans are rarely well thought out, but this sounds like a pretty shit plan to me,” Alex comments.

Tereza nods. “Yeah, if we kill Magorian, how the hell do we prove our innocence? They’ll never give us a chance to argue.”

“I’ll tell them to take a good look at his fallen corpse. If I’m right, they’ll find something that will be enough to believe us. Centaurs are strong creatures; they won’t succumb to passive corruption like the wolves. If I’m right, it must have taken something more to corrupt someone like Magorian,” Rishi says.

“I see, that makes sense. But if it isn’t there… you’ll basically be admitting we were wrong,” Alex replies.

“I don’t get it,” Tereza says.

Alex simply takes out a [Gem of Corruption], tossing it into the air and catching it as it falls.

“I see… This sounds like a solid plan, then. Let’s risk it! If Rishi says seventy-five to eighty percent, that’s good enough for me,” Tereza says, looking optimistic.

Alex nods. “My LUK is good in situations like this—it’ll work out. I’ll conjure Mustrano shortly before your attack, Rishi, and risk it all on a Ko attack”

“Good. Remember, forty seconds after I give you the sign,” Rishi reminds Alex

“Why forty sec—ah… Wait, does that even work?” Alex suddenly realizes what Rishi is planning.

Guess he got a name and a face, huh?

“It should, and it will,” Rishi replies calmly.

At that moment, Firenze gestures for the group to step forward.

Constant stress… Let’s hope this works.

As they approach, the Centaurs in front of them part slightly, their watchful eyes following every step. The air feels heavy, thick with tension. The camp itself is rudimentary, hide tents stretched over wooden frames, simple tools hanging from makeshift racks, and a large bonfire at the center, its embers crackling softly in the background. A faint scent of wet earth and burning wood lingers in the air.

“Humans… You have only just graduated from being calves,” the old Centaur, Magor, speaks in a deep, weathered voice. His body looks frail, but his presence commands respect. “I hear you have taken steps to fight against the corruption. Firenze predicted this in the stars. If you are fighting against it, we will do our best to aid you. I will instruct my tribe to care for you.”

“Thank you, Leader Magor. However, I need to ask you something very important, and I need you to take my question seriously,” Rishi says, his expression uncharacteristically grave.

“You look serious, human. Relax. You are safe here. But ask your question, I will do my best to answer,” Magor replies, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

“Can corruption be cleansed once a being has been exposed to something like this?” Rishi asks, presenting a [Gem of Corruption]

Magor’s expression darkens. “No. If that happens, it is too late. Only his soul can be saved… but his body is lost.”

Rishi remains silent for a moment, then slowly takes out a black notebook. His left hand grips it carefully, making sure a certain phrase on the back remains hidden.

Without hesitation, he flips to the first page and writes a single word.

Alex watches as the name Magorian appears in clear, deliberate letters, as Rishi intently watches him.

Fuck—gotta keep track of the time!

Alex immediately pulls out his [Destiny Watch], glancing at it.

A tense silence falls over the group. Magor, Magorian, Firenze, and several other Centaurs watch them closely, the crackling fire the only sound breaking the stillness.

Damn, this is kinda sus…

“…”

“…Nice weather today, huh?” Alex blurts out.

Tereza rolls her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

“It’s cloudy. There is a large amount of moisture in the air, though the forest shields us from the rain. You humans have strange tastes in weather,” Firenze responds.

“Yeah, true. You know, Magorian… I get that you dislike humans, and honestly, with good reason. But could you take a look at this clock? I want to ask you something,” Alex says, turning his attention to the hostile Centaur.

“Why are you speaking to me, human?” Magorian snaps, making no effort to move.

“Guess I should ask Firenze instead. He’s more knowledgeable and leader-like, huh?” Alex replies casually.

“HUMAN! How dare you! I can answer your question as well!” Magorian snarls, stepping closer in irritation.

5

4

3

2

Magorian stops right next to Alex who constantly glances at his clock before decisively putting it away.

Alex takes a deep breath and, in a loud voice, declares, “There’s no other way. We are sorry about this.”

As his final word echoes through the camp, Alex instantly conjures Mustrano’s Malice Mauler lvl 4.

Magorian suddenly lets out a piercing scream, clutching his chest near his heart. His legs buckle, and his massive body collapses to the ground.

Alex instantly activates Ko, abandoning his initial plan to stab Magorian’s heart. Instead, he forms a sharp blade with his claw and executes a clean, precise slash, one of his mastered techniques, severing Magorian’s unprotected head in a single stroke.

You have dealt 155 x 3 = 465 damage to Magorian.

You have killed Magorian.

You received Chest (Purple).

Genius Conjurer’s subskill: Arcane Medieval Armory activating…

Analyzing battle, enemy, and host. Generating unique skill…

Magorian’s headless corpse sinks to the ground like a lifeless puppet. Blood spills onto the dirt, pooling beneath him. Every Centaur in the camp freezes, their wide eyes locked onto Alex in complete shock.

Alex, breathing heavily, stares at the lifeless body, his own mind reeling. 

A Purple-Quality chest and a new Conjuration? Nice, but no time to check it out! MOVE!

Without hesitation, he backs away toward Tereza, who immediately transforms.

Rishi steps forward, his voice ringing through the silence. “We did not touch that corpse! Whatever is on it, didn’t come from us! Look at it! Magorian was corrupted. The proof is in his body! We have no hostile intentions!”

The entire camp remains deathly still. No one speaks.

Alex glances around at the stunned faces, then mutters under his breath,

“…Awkward.”