On a brisk morning in the Dissidia Kingdom, the grand arena buzzed with anticipation. The finalists of the grand competition stood in neat rows, each belonging to different categories, ready to prove their mettle once more.
The crowd was noticeably larger than before, swelled by curious onlookers lured by the tales of the previous round’s uproar. Whispers of the incident attract spectators eager for another spectacle.
“I think those guys from the Ass Guild really blundered,” one said, shaking his head. “They aimed to bolster Princess Alora’s claim to the throne but ended up crossing swords with the royal guards instead.”
“Is it true they fought because they thought Broken was about to be swindled by the royal blacksmiths?”
The first man shrugged. “Something definitely went down between him and the royal blacksmiths, but the royals are keeping it under wraps.”
“Why does it feel like there’s no one here you can trust? Even within my own party, someone ran off with our loot from the monster raid.”
The first spectator chuckled. “What did you expect from an online game? It’s just pixels and code, after all. Don’t take it to heart. Enjoy it while it lasts, and don’t sweat the betrayals. They come with the territory.”
Broken stood at the far end of the line, flanked by the other blacksmiths. His spot was next to Lanceshot, who, due to his impressive rank and level, held the highest position among all the blacksmiths. Despite having the skill to top the leaderboard, Broken had declined to list his own name, choosing anonymity over recognition.
“Your luck ends today,” Lanceshot sneered.
Broken, unfazed, remained silent, his eyes forward as if he hadn’t heard a word.
“You’ll soon learn the hard way what comes from being so arrogant,” Lanceshot pressed. Inside, Broken scoffed at the absurdity of Lanceshot’s words. Sighing in annoyance, he dismissed the taunt, too weary to entertain such petty provocations.
Moments later, the arena erupted into cheers. King Alorik had arrived, accompanied by his daughter, Princess Alora, and four of his most esteemed knights-two Imperial Knights and two Knights Grand Cross. Clad in their regal finery, they made a striking entrance.
King Alorik and Princess Alora stepped onto the stage. They were followed by the knights, who took their positions at the edges of the platform. The king raised his hand in a gesture of respect towards the crowd, prompting a deafening cheer in response.
Despite his ninety-plus years, King Alorik still cut an impressive figure. His once mighty frame had thinned with age, but it bore the marks of a life filled with strength and resilience, a testament to his days as a formidable warrior.
“Good morning, people of the Dissidia Kingdom and esteemed guests from afar,” he greeted in a voice that resonated with calm authority.
As one, the entire audience rose to their feet, their applause a thunderous standing ovation, a tribute to their beloved king.
King Alorik continued his speech. “I stand here today to reaffirm that everyone in this kingdom shall feel safe and protected. To this end, I have personally ensured that the blacksmiths who attempted to commit fraud just days ago have received appropriate punishment.”
The king’s words validating the rumors that had been swirling around the arena. “This competition is of paramount importance,” he went on. “It’s a tradition handed down from my predecessor, King Elandorr. To honor his legacy, all participants will be treated to a grand banquet and shown the utmost hospitality. Moreover, the victor of this competition will receive a reward beyond compare, a prize that surpasses anything we’ve ever seen.”
Thunderous applause echoed throughout the arena.
A few spectators turned to each other, curious about the history behind King Elandorr.
“Who exactly is King Elandorr?” one viewer asked.
“King Elandorr is King Alorik’s grandfather.”
“I’ve heard he carried the Blessing of Sloth.”
“Isn’t the Blessing of Sins something the players possess?”
“If you don’t know these stories, what are you even doing here? The lore is a huge part of the experience.”
“I’m more into the gameplay than the lore. The world’s beauty is what draws me in.” “Before players arrived in this world, the Gods of the Sins granted their blessings to the seven major races of Yunatea: Humans, Elves, Dragons, Dwarves, Demons, Giants, and Fairies. When players began entering this realm, those blessings started being bestowed upon them too.”
“Why did they decide to give blessings to the players?”
“No one knows for sure. However, it’s clear that not all blessings remain with the original races. For instance, Dragons lost their Greed Blessing, and Humans no longer hold the Sloth Blessing, which was last held by King Elandorr.”
“Ah, that makes more sense now.”
“King Elandorr was a complex figure, wrapped in both triumph and scandal. He commanded numerous key wars, creating a legacy that some praise and others criticize.”
“I wonder what kind of prize King Alorik has lined up for this competition. It must be something incredibly valuable.”
“Definitely,” the other agreed. “This competition is intertwined with Yunatea’s main plot. I can’t wait to see who wins and what unfolds next. It’s going to make the game even more
thrilling.”
After concluding his speech, King Alorik was escorted off the stage by two of his loyal Imperial Knights. As he disappeared from view, all eyes turned to Princess Alora, who remained seated on the main stage, ready to witness the forthcoming competition.
In the stands, a spectator leaned in close to their friend and murmured, “Do you think the King will pass away soon? If he doesn’t, the ascension to the throne won’t happen anytime soon, right?”
His friend shot him a stern look. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Talking like that could get you killed around here.”
“I mean, the King still looks very strong. I bet he can still fight, don’t you think?”
His friend nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard he’s still a match for two Imperial Knights.”
“Really? So he’s that powerful?” freeweɓnovel.cѳm
“Yes, especially when he wields the Sword of Dissidia. With that weapon in his hand, he becomes almost invincible.”
“The Sword of Dissidia must be extraordinary. I’d love to know more about that legendary
blade.”
“It’s said that only the ruler of Dissidia Kingdom has the right to wield it,” the friend explained. “If Princess Alora succeeds her father, she’ll inherit not just the throne but the
sword as well.”
“So, if Princess Alora becomes the new Queen, she’ll be an incredibly powerful figure?”
“I suppose so,” his friend replied thoughtfully.
They both turned their gaze toward Princess Alora. Her beauty was captivating, drawing
admirers effortlessly.
“I can’t wait for that to happen. I truly idolize her.” He continued with admiration, “Just look
at her. Her beauty is remarkable; I could sit here for days, simply gazing at her.”
His friend agreed. “You’re right, but her path to the throne won’t be easy. There are many factions opposed to her, causing tension among the top guilds.”
The first man nodded. “Yes, those top guilds are only interested in the rewards for
themselves.”
His friend looked thoughtful. “Indeed, and seeing the Ass Guild currently supporting Princess Alora, I’m concerned about the outcome of this great struggle.”
Morbit and Max strode confidently onto the stage, their presence immediately electrifying
the crowd. As they made their way to the center of the platform, all eyes were fixed on them.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!” he exclaimed. “We’re thrilled to be here today to kick off this incredible event!”
“But before we get started,” Max interjected smoothly, raising one hand to capture their attention, “let’s take a moment to go over some important details for the next round.”
Each contestant would be tasked with crafting an item using blueprints or recipes provided by the committee. Participants would select their preferred blueprint or recipe based on their ranking from the first round, with the highest-ranking contestants choosing first. Morbit elaborated, “Each participant will select a blueprint or recipe in order of their ranking from the initial round. You’ll then have a set amount of time to craft your item.” Max chimed in, “If you successfully complete your item within the time limit, you get to keep
it. However, if you fail, you must return whatever remains, and you won’t take anything
home.” Morbit nodded in agreement. “The champion of this round will receive all the promised rewards. So, make every moment count and put your best skills to the test.”
Max addressed the crowd once more. “I’m sure you’re all excited to hear this news. Are you
ready?” she exclaimed.
***
Author’s Note: Dear readers, let me know if you enjoy glimpses of the MC’s real life, or if you’re only interested in the game world. There are many storylines I want to explore in this tale, so you might find a lot of interconnected elements.