Chapter 24: The Calm Before the Storm
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 62.1: Preparations For War Against Evil
A subtle change had begun to permeate the very atmosphere of the city itself. Though it wasn't immediately apparent to the casual observer, those with keen senses could detect the undercurrent of tension that had settled like morning mist over the cobblestone streets and ancient stone buildings. The transformation had begun the previous day when Count Gremory initiated his carefully orchestrated plan—a secret meeting convened between himself and the most trusted heads of the city's military and governmental apparatus.
The meeting had taken place in the count's private chambers, shrouded in secrecy and protected by the most binding of magical contracts. Each attendee had been sworn to absolute silence through a gag order that carried the ultimate penalty: should any word of their discussions leak beyond that sacred circle, their hearts would cease beating instantaneously. The magical binding would remain in effect only until the successful completion of their operation, ensuring that Baron Toffer would remain blind to their machinations until the moment of reckoning arrived.
This was no mere precautionary measure—Count Gremory had learned through bitter experience that half-measures and loose tongues could spell disaster for operations of this magnitude. If they were going to strike against the foreign envoy and his network of corruption, they would do so with the precision of a master swordsman and the overwhelming force of divine justice.
The count's demeanor had shifted dramatically from the diplomatic facade he typically wore in public. Gone was the affable nobleman who exchanged pleasantries at court functions; in his place stood a hardened warrior-lord whose steely determination radiated from every fiber of his being. The evidence presented by the mysterious figure known as the Blurred Devil had awakened something primal within him—a righteous fury that demanded immediate and decisive action.
The plan itself was as comprehensive as it was audacious. A city-wide declaration of martial law would descend upon the populace like an iron fist, sealing every gate and confining citizens to their homes for their own protection. The official proclamation would warn that anyone found wandering the streets would face immediate arrest, and any resistance following the first warning would be met with overwhelming force. This wasn't merely about maintaining order—it was about creating an impenetrable net from which their quarry could not escape.
The estate of Baron Toffer would become the epicenter of a carefully coordinated siege. Military units and city guards would establish multiple rings of blockades around the fortified compound, cutting off every possible avenue of escape or reinforcement. Once the noose had been properly tightened, Count Gremory would personally demand entry to the estate under the authority granted to him as the region's highest-ranking noble, citing credible allegations of heinous crimes that demanded immediate investigation.
Of course, the count was not naive enough to believe that Baron Toffer would simply submit to such accusations without attempting to destroy evidence or eliminate witnesses. The foreign envoy had proven himself to be both cunning and ruthless, qualities that had likely kept him alive through numerous political machinations in his homeland. This was precisely why the count had reached out to the one individual whose skills had made this entire operation possible—the enigmatic figure who had brazenly infiltrated his estate at night and told him of the horrific truth hidden beneath the foundations of the estate of Baron Toffer.
August's role as the Blurred Devil would prove absolutely crucial to the success of their endeavor. The count had witnessed firsthand the extraordinary abilities of this mysterious individual, who had managed to penetrate the Count's security measures without triggering a single alarm or alerting even the most vigilant of guards. During their clandestine meeting the previous night, Count Gremory had laid out his terms and requests with the gravity befitting such a momentous undertaking.
The primary objectives were twofold: first, to secure any and all documents that would provide irrefutable evidence of Baron Toffer's crimes, sealing the foreign envoy's fate beyond any possibility of political maneuvering or diplomatic immunity; second, and perhaps more importantly, to locate and secure the underground chamber where innocent victims were being held, hopefully rescuing any survivors before they could be silenced permanently.
"So what do you think of my proposal?" Count Gremory had asked, his voice carrying the weight of a man who understood the enormity of what he was requesting. "I'm confident in your exceptional skills, which is why I'm offering this opportunity to you. This entire operation hinges on your participation—without your unique abilities, we would be operating blind against an enemy who has had ample time to prepare his defenses. Of course, such services will not go uncompensated. I'm prepared to offer substantial payment for your troubles, or if you have other demands, I could accommodate them as long as they fall within my considerable power to grant."
August had initially intended to reject any offer of monetary compensation, but he quickly realized that refusing payment entirely might suggest ulterior motives or hidden agendas that could complicate their alliance. In truth, his motivations were far simpler and more absolute than mere financial gain. "I'll leave that decision to your conscience, Count," he had replied with characteristic directness. "Whether you compensate me or not, I will ensure this operation succeeds. Evil of this magnitude cannot and must not be allowed to continue unpunished."
The count had nodded approvingly at this response, recognizing in August's words the same burning sense of justice that now drove his own actions. "Very well then—your compensation will be arranged at a more appropriate time, after we have seen justice served."
With those words, August had departed as silently as he had arrived, leaving Count Gremory alone in his private office, appearing to any casual observer as though he had been speaking to himself all along.
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Day 62.2: A City-Wide Military Drill
To provide adequate cover for their true intentions and avoid arousing premature suspicion, the military command had received orders to conduct what appeared to be routine combat readiness drills throughout the city. While such exercises were disguised as standard training operations, their actual purpose was far more strategic—positioning key military units at predetermined locations that would allow for rapid deployment around the target's perimeter when the operation commenced.
The public announcement had been deliberately brief and unremarkable, designed to blend seamlessly into the established patterns of military activity that the citizens had grown accustomed to over the years. Such drills were not irregular occurrences; Count Gremory made it a point to order city-wide preparedness exercises annually, particularly given their position as the kingdom's first and most critical line of defense against potential invaders. Whether the threat came from hostile human kingdoms, organized bands of humanoids, aggressive demi-human tribes, or the dangerous beasts that dwelt within the depths of the great forests, the city's defenders needed to maintain peak readiness at all times.
The civilian population reacted with practiced indifference to the sudden mobilization, treating it as nothing more than another routine disruption to their daily lives. Brothers, husbands, and fathers who served in either the kingdom's forward military garrison stationed within the city or the local city guard reported for duty without question, accepting the cancellation of all leaves and rest days as an unfortunate but necessary aspect of their service.
Naturally, the common soldiers remained ignorant of the operation's true purpose. Only the unit commanders and captains who had been present at the secret meeting knew the full scope of what was to come, and they too were bound by the same magical contract that would claim their lives should they betray the trust placed in them. The revelation of their actual mission would come only at the moment when the operation officially commenced, ensuring that no premature actions or loose words could compromise their carefully laid plans.
Meanwhile, the elite soldiers who served as Count Gremory's personal retinue had begun their own preparations for what they understood would likely be a violent confrontation. These were not ordinary city guards or conscripted peasants, but seasoned warriors whose loyalty to their lord was absolute and whose combat effectiveness had been proven in numerous engagements. They were well aware that Baron Toffer possessed both the resources and the ruthlessness to mount a desperate resistance when cornered, and they prepared accordingly.
As the disguised military drill began to unfold across the city's various districts, casual observers would see nothing more than the organized movement of troops to what appeared to be randomly selected deployment points. However, anyone with access to detailed maps and the strategic acumen to analyze troop movements would quickly recognize that these "random" positions were anything but arbitrary. When viewed from above, the military units were systematically converging on and surrounding the fortified estate of Baron Toffer, creating an ever-tightening noose that would soon become impossible to escape.
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Day 62.3: The Night Before the Operation
As darkness fell across the city like a heavy shroud, August methodically donned his combat equipment with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned warrior preparing for battle. His two intricately carved wooden quivers were filled to capacity each containing 50 with specially crafted arrows, each one inspected for straightness and balance before being deemed worthy of inclusion in his arsenal. His collection of blades—ranging from throwing knives to his primary combat weapons—had been honed to razor sharpness, their edges gleaming with deadly promise in the flickering candlelight of his temporary quarters.
Every piece of his lightweight but extremely durable armor had been carefully examined for wear or damage, each buckle and strap tested to ensure it would not fail at a critical moment. Finally, he secured his distinctive beastly mask over his features, transforming himself once again from the unremarkable figure who moved through the city's shadows into the legendary Blurred Devil whose reputation had begun to spread through certain circles.
His destination was the fortified estate of Baron Toffer, where he would conduct the final reconnaissance mission that would determine the success or failure of tomorrow's operation. His primary objective was to assess the combat capabilities of the enemies he would face when the assault commenced, gathering intelligence that could mean the difference between victory and catastrophe.
Using his enhanced sensory abilities, August began to analyze the auras emanating from the various individuals stationed throughout the baron's compound. What he discovered was both concerning and manageable, given his current level of power and experience. Two individuals within the estate registered as Category IV - Masters, formidable opponents by any standard. One appeared to be approximately level 10 (representing a total combat level of 85), while the other seemed significantly more dangerous at level 25 (indicating a combat level of 100).
Additionally, he detected the presence of ten Category III - Experts, all of whom appeared to be at the higher levels of their classification. While these individuals would pose some challenge, they fell well within the range of opponents August felt confident in handling. The remaining personnel scattered throughout the compound barely registered on his enhanced senses, suggesting they were common soldiers or guards whose combat effectiveness would be negligible in any serious engagement.
While the presence of two Masters was indeed cause for concern and demanded careful strategic planning, August's current capabilities had grown to the point where he believed he could handle both opponents simultaneously if necessary. However, he had learned through bitter experience that overconfidence could prove fatal even against seemingly inferior opponents. Carelessness had claimed the lives of many warriors who possessed superior skills but lacked the wisdom to treat every enemy with appropriate respect and caution.
These assessments were based primarily on the strength of the auras he could detect, which provided reliable information about an individual's raw power level but revealed nothing about their actual combat experience, tactical acumen, or specialized techniques. Such knowledge could only be gained through direct observation or actual combat, making tonight's infiltration mission all the more critical.
Suppressing his presence to virtually undetectable levels, August activated his enhanced stealth capabilities combined with his newly acquired espionage capabilities—two sub-statistics that had proven invaluable in missions requiring absolute discretion. He was particularly grateful for the new espionage specialization he had gained upon reaching level 20, as it provided subtle but crucial advantages in situations exactly like this one.
His mission for the evening was threefold: first, to observe and memorize the patrol patterns of the guards, identifying potential weaknesses in their coverage that could be exploited during tomorrow's assault; second, to locate the most heavily fortified areas of the compound, which would likely contain either the baron himself or the most incriminating evidence; and finally, to begin searching for documentary proof of the baron's crimes before the main assault made such careful investigation impossible.
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Day 62.4: Confusion in the Enemy Base
Meanwhile, within the stone walls of Baron Toffer's fortified estate, reports of the ongoing military exercises had begun to generate considerable unease among the compound's defenders. While they acknowledged that such drills were conducted annually by the city's military command, something about the timing and execution of this particular exercise struck Baron Toffer as fundamentally wrong.
"Captain," he commanded, his voice carrying the sharp edge of growing paranoia, "dispatch one of your most reliable men to the city immediately. I want detailed intelligence on anything—anything at all—that seems out of place or unusual about current conditions. There's something deeply unsettling about these military drills that I cannot simply dismiss as coincidence."
"Yes, my lord," responded the man he had addressed—Captain Castro, a seasoned veteran of the Arwen sovereign state's military forces who currently served in an advisory capacity under Baron Toffer's direct command. Like many of the personnel stationed at the estate, Castro's presence served multiple purposes beyond mere personal protection. He and the soldiers under his command had received specific contingency orders to implement should their primary mission be compromised: they were to create maximum chaos and confusion within the city when the armies of Arwen began their eventual invasion and march toward the kingdom's heartland.
Several tense hours passed before the scouts who had ventured into the city returned with their intelligence reports. Unfortunately, their findings revealed nothing beyond the routine military activity that had been publicly announced. The streets showed no unusual civilian behavior, no signs of extraordinary military preparation beyond the stated drill exercises, and no indication that the local population was aware of any impending crisis.
Captain Castro dutifully reported these findings to Baron Toffer, but the nobleman's growing sense of unease refused to be quieted by the absence of obvious threats. A lifetime of political intrigue and survival in hostile environments had taught him to trust his instincts, and those same instincts were now screaming warnings that he dared not ignore.
"It could simply be paranoia manifesting itself," he mused aloud, pacing restlessly within his private chambers. "But a gut feeling of this intensity has never led me astray before. Such premonitions have kept me alive through situations that should have been fatal. We will assume the worst and prepare accordingly."
His next series of orders reflected this philosophy of cautious preparation. The estate's defenses would be strengthened immediately, with additional guards posted along the walls and patrol schedules doubled during the critical nighttime hours when any assault would most likely commence.
"Captain," he continued, his voice taking on a harder edge, "I also want you to double the guard contingent protecting the underground chamber. I will not tolerate any interference with my collection, and I want those responsible for the recent thefts found and eliminated. Any progress on locating my missing acquisitions?" The baron's casual reference to human beings as "toys" and "acquisitions" revealed the depth of his depravity and the complete absence of any moral constraints on his actions.
Captain Castro could only bow his head in acknowledgment before delivering his honest assessment of their investigation's progress. "Unfortunately, my lord, the count's forces have significantly increased their patrol activity throughout the city in recent days. This has severely limited our ability to conduct thorough searches without exposing the true nature of what we're seeking. We've been forced to adopt a much more cautious and time-consuming approach to avoid arousing suspicion."
"Damn them all to the deepest pits of hell!" Baron Toffer snarled, his composure cracking to reveal the savage fury that lurked beneath his civilized facade. "Whoever dared to steal from me will pay a price so terrible that their screams will echo through eternity as a warning to others!"
Neither Baron Toffer nor Captain Castro realized that even as they spoke, the gears of fate had already begun turning against their malevolent schemes. At that very moment, detailed plans for the coming assault were being finalized within Count Gremory's own estate, with primary strategies and multiple contingency plans being refined to account for every possible scenario their enemies might attempt.
The calm before the storm was rapidly drawing to a close, and when dawn broke over the city, it would illuminate either the triumph of justice or the continuation of unspeakable evil. The choice between these outcomes would be determined by courage, skill, and the unwavering determination of those who refused to allow darkness to triumph over light.
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INFORMATION PANEL: The World Classification System - (NON-GAME LIKE) System for STAT/SUB-STAT PROGRESSION FOR HUMANS (no mana/has mana), HUMANOIDS AND DEMI HUMANS
*(Visible only by the world system but not through regular beings)*
**Category-STAT/SUB-STAT**
*A/N: Stats and sub-stats are stackable from Category I to V.*
**Category I - Commons:**
- Humans (No Mana): Levels 1-10, (+5 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (Maximum of 50 STAT/SUB-STAT)
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-20, (+15 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (300 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-30, (+20 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (600 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
**Category II - Advanced:**
*All Types (With Mana Only):*
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-25 (+35 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (875 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-25 (+40 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (1,000 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
**Category III - Expert:**
*All Types (With Mana Only):*
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-30 (+45 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (1,350 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-30 (+50 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (1,500 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
**Category IV - Master:**
*All Types (With Mana Only):*
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-35 (+70 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (2,450 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-35 (+80 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (2,800 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
**Category V - Grand Master:**
*All Types (With Mana Only):*
- Humans (With Mana): Levels 1-40 (+125 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (5,000 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
- Humanoids/Demi-Humans: Levels 1-40 (+150 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL) (6,000 STAT/SUB-STAT PER LEVEL)
**Maximum Totals:**
- Humans (No Mana): Level 10 - Total STAT/SUB-STAT: 50
- Humans (Has Mana): Level 150 - Total STAT/SUB-STAT: (300+875+1,350+2,450+5,000) = 9,975
- Humanoids and Demi-Humans: Level 160 - Total STAT/SUB-STAT: (600+1,000+1,500+2,800+6,000) = 11,900
**The World Classification System:**
*(NON-GAME-LIKE SYSTEM) INTERFACE HP/MP VALUES FOR HUMANS (no mana/has mana), HUMANOIDS, AND DEMI-HUMANS*
*(Visible only by the world system but not through regular beings)*
**HP/MP VALUES:**
- HUMANS (NO MANA): +150 HP PER LEVEL
- HUMANS (HAS MANA): +200 HP/ +100 MP PER LEVEL
- HUMANOIDS/DEMI-HUMANS (HAS MANA): +250 HP/ +150 MP PER LEVEL
**Example Personal Panel:**
- NAME: [Example Character]
- LEVEL: 150
- AGE: [Variable]
- GENDER: [Variable]
- RACE: Human (Arkanian)
- CATEGORY: V - (GRANDMASTER)
- CLASS: Tanker +500 Defense (Damage Negation), +200 STAT/SUB-STAT
- TITLE: "STALWART DEFENDER" +1,000 Defense (Damage Negation), +250 STAT/SUB-STAT
- JOB: "SHIELDSMAN/MAIDEN" +250 Defense (Damage Negation)
- HP: 150×200 = 30,000 + 10,425% = 3,157,500 HP
- MP: 150×100 = 15,000 + 10,425% = 1,578,750 MP
- DAMAGE (ATTACK): 9,975 + 9,975% = 1,097,231
- DAMAGE NEGATION (DEFENSE): 12,175 + 10,425% = 1,291,419
- STAT/SUB-STAT: Base: 9,975 (Class/Title/Job/Equipment: +450)
= 10,425%