NOVEL FROG Chapter 56: Silver Crown
“The fuck chief! You just left without even saying anything,”
Zyrus was greeted by the one-eyed reindeer who acted like a mother scolding her teenage kid.
“Pipe it down, will you. It’s been like what, 5 minutes? And don’t call me chief.”
“5 minutes my hooves! Weren’t you having fun for a whole month?” the reindeer retorted while slamming his feet on what looked like a conference table.
“You knew?”
“I’m your companion, why wouldn’t I?”
Zyrus was speechless as he looked at Franken who was glaring daggers at him. He felt awkward about telling the reindeer that he didn't know how the companion system worked.
“You just thought of something rude, didn’t you? Did you think that I was like a pet?”
“A-ahem,”
“Humph, Nevermind… it’s all that pipsqueak’s fault. Make sure to check out the companion tab when you reach the second ring, okay? I can’t tell you anything even if I want to.”
“I see. By the way, where is everyone else?”
“Dunno. Somewhere in the other rooms, I guess?”
“Did you spawn here? Were there any messages about the crown hunt?”
“Yes and no.”
Zyrus scratched his head and walked towards the door. They were in a square office room which was illuminated by white gemstones.
Although the environment looked earthlike, it was fundamentally different. He knew their approximate location since he had been here once before.
‘But the timing isn’t right,’
The ‘Hunting’ part of the crown hunt would start in the final phase. Normally, they should’ve been teleported to the ‘City of Ruin’ once they were out of the pyramid.
There were four sectors in the city, east, west, north, and south. Finally, there was the central district where the tower of salvation was located.
Silver crown holders would be teleported to random areas in the four sectors to engage in a battle royale like setup.
“Can’t you sense them with the crown?” Franken asked as he strutted behind Zyrus. The windows were sealed by a thick film of energy, so they couldn’t see what was outside. Not to mention their perception was limited to the floor they were on.
“I can, they're below us.”
“Let’s go then!”
“No rush, soon we’ll be teleported once again,” Zyrus didn’t explain anything further and stepped into a lobby filled with lavish chairs.
The whole floor gave a very corporate vibe. There was a cafeteria as well, but unfortunately, it was empty.
*Pop*
“Want some?”
“Sure.”
Zyrus gulped down the chilled soda along with Franken and ate his lunch, or maybe dinner. It was the good old vegetable sandwich, but it tasted much better after spending a hellish month on earth.
“Are you a pig or a Sylvarix?”
“Shut up.” Zyrus threw the empty wrapper at Franken and ate his third ‘meal’ along with Exp potions. He was really hungry and besides, he knew that the next day would be a living hell.
“When will the fight start? I’m all ready to go!” Franken got impatient after Zyrus took out his fourth ration package.
“How long have you been here?”
“An hour or so,”
“Go sleep somewhere then. It’ll at least take a couple of hours,”
Zyrus had given up on learning about the time difference between sanctuary and Earth. Wormhole and time dilation could explain how billions of years passed on Earth, even though humans had only left for about a century.
When he went back for the first time, a second had passed in the sanctuary for the week he spent on earth. However, when Zyrus went back for the second time, a day had passed in the sanctuary.
Maybe there was a formula or a theory that could explain that. But as things were, Zyrus didn't have the time or energy to focus on this.
‘First things first, I'd better select a crown’s effect,’
Zyrus yawned and leaned back on the chair.
He had reached lv 15 when he was eating. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that he’d get his silver crown by eating sandwiches with Exp potion.
[Congratulations! You have obtained “Silver Crown”]
[Silver Crown]
Type: head accessory, quest item
Effect: Damage +10%, Health regen +20%, Mana regen +10%, for you and your subordinates.
Passive effect: Increases your charisma. When nearby, all allies will feel less fatigue and hunger.
[Congratulations! You can choose an ability for this tier as you have fulfilled the corresponding criteria]
Although Zyrus already knew about all of the abilities, he read them once again just in case there was any difference this time around.
<-< You can select any one of the abilities listed below >->
Radiance
Creates an aura field around the wielder of the crown. Allied forces will be strengthened whereas the hostile forces will be weakened.
-Field area = User’s level x 10 feet.
-Buff: All stats +2, HP +100
-Debuff: All stats -2, small chance to inflict ‘Fear’ effect.
-Note: Buff and debuff will be enhanced depending on the user’s level.
Relay
The wielder of the crown would be able to communicate with his subordinates regardless of the distance.
-The number of targets that can be simultaneously contacted will be the same as the user’s level.
Call of the crown
The wielder of the crown can call upon his forces anywhere he is.
-The number of subordinates that could be summoned would vary depending upon the user’s level and the target location.
Conviction
Those who stand against the crown should be eliminated. The wielder of the crown can designate any living or non-living entity as the crown’s enemy.
-All allies would be able to detect the marked enemy within a certain range. Detection range would increase proportionally to allies’ numbers, (1 member = 1m^2)
-Allies would gain stats and equipment based on their contribution upon eliminating the target.
Contract
The wielder of the crown can form contracts with those in the similar and lower tier.
-The contract will take effect when both party agrees willingly.
-Integrity of the contract will be upheld by the system, and it will act as a mediary for all transactions, deals, and punishments.
Crown’s fealty
None shall betray the crown. The wielder of the crown will be notified when any of his subordinates or allies act against his interests in any shape or form.
-Upon the user’s agreement, the betraying subordinates will be executed immediately.
Tariff
The wielder of the crown can impose taxes on gold, equipment, and materials earned in the sanctuary.
-With the increase in levels, it is possible to impose taxes on transactions involving the user’s allies and subordinates.
Appoint knights
A knight's honor is an unbreakable bond that shall not be tarnished. The wielder of the crown can appoint knights who will live and die by his side.
-Number of knights = 10 x user’s level
-Only those who are willing can be appointed as knights.
-The knights will get their special class upon advancement, and they will also gain a portion of the user’s traits, bloodline, and skills.
Crown’s protection
The crown is the light that wards off evil. The wielder of the crown can create ‘Safe Zones’ that will prohibit any hostile monsters from approaching.
-Safe Zone’s area = User’s level x 10 meters. One additional safe zone could be created with every 20 levels
-Safe zone will expel any roaming monsters with a 30-level difference. The monsters will be debuffed If the gap is greater than 30.
[All of the crown’s effects are absolute]
‘Phew, as amazing as always,’
Zyrus knew that this was the most important decision he would make in the first ring. The abilities he selected here would pave the road for his future journey in the sanctuary.
In his previous life, there were many who didn’t take this selection seriously. It was extremely rare to get any item which had the ‘Absolute’ effect.
Unlike others, Zyrus also knew that he would be able to get two more abilities after getting the golden crown. It wasn’t just a 1+1=2 scenario. The effects of these abilities had a lot of synergy with one another, and if you knew how to use them properly, your progression in the next rings would be easier.
‘Well, I’ve long since decided what I want,’
Zyrus didn’t hesitate to fix the mistakes he had made in the past.
[You have selected the “Crown’s fealty”]
Although there were other options that could make his troops strong, he didn’t need them. With his past knowledge and the cube he had enough cards to overcome any trials.
Zyrus knew about the main missions of the seven rings. These abilities were like seeds that’ll grow into a gigantic tree, big enough to shroud an entire world.
Regardless of how tall and sturdy a tree was, it could do nothing about termites that destroyed it from within. He could use a combination of other abilities or other gentler methods to prevent any backstabbing, but this was the most simple yet efficient method.
‘And it’s best for our troop composition,’
He didn’t just have humans under his command. The only reason Zyrus was able to subdue different species was because of his strength.
However, who was to say that others couldn’t do the same against him?
Zyrus felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. His worries about betrayal also faded with the screen's light. He wasn’t an emotionless person, and he didn’t like to doubt his subordinates either. Now, he could help them reach their full potential without worrying about any consequences.
He put his drooping eyelids to rest and slept without a care in the world. As much as he wanted to enjoy his sweet dreams though, time waited for no one.
[The final phase of The ‘Crown Hunt’ will now begin]
[Initiating teleportation…3…2…1]