Ding!
[The Tyrant of Kentel: Dylan has awakened!]
As the system message rang in his head, Alex let out a brief chuckle.
"What is that?"
Not understanding the situation, Line asked.
The tall figure, way past two meters in terms of height, stepped out from the foggy mess.
He had dry, pale skin with dark obsidian eyes and wore a fully black outfit. Behind him, a black cloak with a red lining fluttered as the cold wind blew, putting the three veteran players in a tranche for a short instance.
"Haha."
As the atmosphere grew tense, Alex let out a brief chuckle.
Veronica glanced towards Line who was closely observing Dylan's every move.
Line wouldn't know but as they are now, engaging in a battle against Dylan was still risky.
If it was just Alex, Luke and Veronica, then they could probably kill Dylan without any of them dying; however, having to cover for Line while handling herself against Dylan was too much even for Veronica.
"Where is Yuki?"
Dylan's cold voice reached their ears.
His probing gaze was directed towards Line who, even before he stepped out of the fog, was already looking at him inquisitively.
'Amazing! Claire even gave him an A.I! This is it…this is definitely it!'
When Luke saw the wide grin plastered across Alex's face, he chuckled nervously,
'Is he seriously enjoying this? Freak.'
"I don't know and more importantly, you can talk?"
Luke stepped forward and stood in front of Dylan, a confident smirk formed across his face.
"...Where is Yuki?"
After a short pause, Dylan grunted then repeated his question.
'Now then, is he gonna be hostile or will we be able to talk to him?'
Alex wondered as he watched Luke and Dylan having a stare-off of sorts.
Originally, Dylan was and is a hostile Monster that'll attack a player the moment he sees them.
But now, either due to Claire adjusting his code to entertain Alex or a simple bug, he was not attacking Luke who was right in front of him.
'Or…maybe a Main cast with a custom-crafted Title by Claire is involved.'
Yuki's disappearance, the maintenance of the bridge's invisibility at Yuki's location, and now Dylan appearing three nights earlier than he was supposed to with a bit of change in his nature—if these events were done by a group of Main casts, then this was without a doubt the best course of event for Alex.
After all, control while still experiencing the joy of discovery—this hard balance would be achieved if that were the case.
"Luke, I think we should retreat. Quickly."
Veronica voiced her concern.
"Where is Yuki?!"
Dylan yelled with a raspy voice making Luke blink a couple times.
"Nevermind then, you dissapoint m-"
Before Luke could finish those words, Dylan swung his arm and landed a fatal blow on Luke which sent him flying towards Alex.
"You okay?"
Alex asked as Luke got up and stood near him.
"Nope, that was 50% of my HP. Good grief~"
A huge sword made up of gold and silver materialized with a red hue, into Dylan's pale right hand as he lunged towards Veronica and Line.
His strike was; however, parried by Veronica using a silver rapier.
Line immediately ran towards Alex and Luke as Dylan began trading blows and landing a few hits on Veronica.
While swinging his sword in a horizontal strike, Dylan suddenly disappeared from Veronica's vision.
"Luke!"
As she shouted, three projectiles landed on Dylan's rib cage. At the very least, this short moment of stun from a sudden attack gave Line— in front of whom Dylan had teleported— a chance to change his course and keep his distance.
"Then can I leave that to you?"
Having finished telling Alex a short summary of his plan, Luke asked with a serious tone.
"It better work."
"It's fine, my esteemed self will never fail."
Luke said confidently with a nervous smug smile then immediately leaped into the air using the Skill Leap, hurrying towards the foothill of The Guardian's Hill.
'Well, even if something goes wrong I can always just tell Claire to kill off Dylan.'
[You've equipped Rare D-rank
A sharp, white sword materialized in Alex's hand. The sword had a curve at its sharp tip— a feature different from the Normal Sword Alex had been using so far.
This Bone Blade was crafted from the Tusk of the Warthog he killed at the Plains, an Item that allowed any Weapon crafted with it to be enchanted with an Effect of the player's choice.
In Alex's case, the enchantment he chose was Lethargy.
[You've used {Aspect}: {Omniscient Thread}]
Two thin threads connected to Dylan and the blade, along with a third one that was constantly flickering.
[You've used Common D-rank
Alex's body charged towards Dylan, leaving behind a white trail as he did so.
Following the thread connected to his sword and Dylan's neck, Alex swung his sword.
—And missed.
Dylan stepped sideways, letting Alex continue charging straight forwards.
Stopping himself mid-way, Alex clicked his tongue.
"It'd be helpful if you guys have something that'll make him stay in one place."
He said to Line and Veronica.
"Sorry, I don't have that but…"
"I do. I have bullets enchanted with paralysis."
Line followed up and stood behind them.
'Something's strange.'
For some reason, Dylan was a lot less proactive to attacking than his original design.
Not only was he simply observing the three of them currently— as malicious and unreadable his intentions were— he also let Luke run off without even chasing him.
"...Can you land a shot?"
Alex calmly asked while Veronica blocked the attack aimed at her and Alex.
This time however, it didn't end with a simple sword swing.
The trajectory in which Dylan had swung his sword was followed up by a red wave of hue.
[You've been inflicted with Major Effect: 2nd Level Injury]
"Tch."
'Forgot about this.'
Alex even saw a thread connecting to him but, just because he could see an incoming attack, didn't mean he could always react in time.
"I'll try something."
Line shouted while keeping his distance from the battle where Veronica and Dylan were once again trading blows.
"What a clear answer."
Alex muttered.
[You've equipped D-rank
BANG!
The bullet landed straight into Dylan's right shoulder.
[You've inflicted Minor Effect: Bleeding]
[Class Special: 10% True damage had been inflicted]
'Finally dealt some damage.'
Just as Alex thought that, Dylan once again disappeared from both his and Veronica's vision.