NOVEL FROG Chapter 66: Onyx Crown
[Onyx Crown]
Worn by the last Sylvarix, this is a crown forged in the essence of midnight.
Type: Head Accessory
(Bound to Zyrus Wymar) (Unawakened)
Effect: Damage +20%, Health regen +30%, Mana regen +20%
Passive effect: Increases your charisma. When nearby, all allies will feel less fatigue and hunger. Their stats and skill damage will increase by 5%.
King’s Authority:
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.
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(Locked)
(Locked)
Zyrus held the raven black crown in his hand. Its jagged spikes were sharp enough to slice the scales in his palm.
“That’s quite something,” Franken focused his red eye on the crown that was absorbing all the light in the room. The 9 spikes made him feel a chill to his very bones.
“Indeed, I must say it suits me,” Zyrus curled his lips with satisfaction and placed the crown on his head. It felt alive as the onyx crown stretched its glassy surface to fit his head.
There wasn’t much written about the crown in its description. But the fact that it was Unawakened and it could have 5 authorities was enough to show how amazing a variant crown was.
‘First things first, I’d better select the skills, or rather, Authorities,’
Most of the new players would ignore the change in wording. However, Zyrus knew how big of a difference there was between a skill and an authority.
<-< You can select any one of the authorities 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]
Appoint Knights was a no-brainer. Be it his traits, bloodline, or skills, all of them were top-notch in the sanctuary. Although the appointed knights can only obtain a part of them via a special class, there would be hundreds of them in the future.
‘What would be most effective as the third authority?’
None of the abilities were useless. They had the power to change the entire power structure of the ring. Assassin organizations, information bureaus, merchant guilds, mercenary groups, and many such things can be created with ease if you use the correct authorities.
‘Tariff is useless for me, and I don’t need a safe zone. Contract is good to have, but I can do without it since I have crown’s fealty.’
Of the remaining four, Zyrus removed relay and call of the crown as well. With his strength and strategic planning he wouldn’t need to call emergency support. Thus, the only use he had for 'Call of the Crown' was in surprise raids.
As for relay, Ria could do a similar job on the battlefield.
*Knock*Knock*
“Speak of the devil,” Zyrus greeted Ria who came with Jacob and Shi kun.
“About time you woke up, Your Majesty.”
Ignoring her snarky remarks about how she had to deal with the troops, Zyrus asked the trio about which authority they liked. Both radiance and conviction were useful for the growth of his allies.
So, he might as well just ask them about it instead of wasting his time.
“Both are pretty good, but I like Radiance more,” Shi kun replied while scratching his bald head.
“I’m fine with whatever,” Jacob, as usual, didn’t give a damn about anything that wasn’t related to magic.
Zyrus once again set his golden pupils on Ria. He would’ve asked Kyle and Lauren but the two were nowhere to be found. So, the final decision depended on her.
“I’ll have more work to do if you select conviction, so choose radiance,”
“That’s one way to look at it,”
“What a lousy commander,”
“At least I’m better than a reindeer who only ate and slept for a month,”
“Humph! I was guarding my companion,”
“Did you have to? He’s more thick-skinned than you are,”
Zyrus ignored the prick in his consciousness and selected radiance as the crown’s third authority. And as if he was waiting for that moment, the voice of the administrator rang across the palace.
[Greetings dear players, and Welcome to the Temple of Order]
A suave voice resounded throughout the castle. All of the crown holders were given a personal medieval castle to rest for a month. Their resting areas were big enough to accommodate thousands of people. All of the facilities were free of charge and they could eat and drink all they wanted.
There was only one issue, they couldn’t leave the caste. Despite the comfortable stay many players were unable to relax as they felt like they were trapped.
[I know many of you are confused about the current scenario. But worry not dear players, For I, Anansi will explain everything to you]
A lanky man wearing a black tuxedo manifested in the sky above the players.
‘Showoff, he just wants to kick out the players so he could laze around,’
Zyrus scoffed at the projection of Anansi. However, he had to admit that the second administrator was doing his job properly unlike some pipsqueak.
[First of all, let me introduce this place to you. This is the one and only sacred ground in the Sanctuary, The temple of order]
Anansi waved his hand and grey mana surged from his white gloves. He was wearing all black except for his white gloves and fedora, and the contrasting colors deftly showcased his moves.
“The barrier is gone,”
“Is that a-”
“Yes, that’s a mountain.” Zyrus nonchalantly replied to dumbfounded Shi kun. His bedroom was located at the highest place, and they were able to see far ahead with their enhanced vision.
[Although you have passed the first ring, it only gives you the qualification to stay at the foot of this mountain]
Well, it would be a bit of a stretch to call it a mountain.
“Just how big is it?” Ria asked as she stared at the 'mountain' with wide eyes. The rocky surface of the mountain stretched across the horizon with no end in sight.
“Big enough to contain a world,” Zyrus replied in a nostalgic voice. He was also just as excited and awed by the sight when he came here.
‘Is my castle still up there?’
As the one who stood at the peak of the sanctuary, he was qualified to have a personal resting place on this mountain. It was a true castle unlike the shabby one he was resting at.
[You need not worry about this matter, as your stay at this place has ended at this moment]
“Get ready,”
“Wha-”
It was a bombshell announcement to players who were busy getting up from their sleep. But whether they were eating, sleeping, or dressing up, Anansi didn’t care.
‘Is teleportation their trademark skill or something?’
The players were, once again, teleported to a new location.