Anti-Mage

They’d looked for that damn human for the last hour. He should be dead yet he’d made them look like fools, Serena thought as she walked down the road to The Town.

“He must have teleported away,” Jerrick, the other Archer in their party said.

“Yeah, Ren,” Martof, one of the half-orc fighters in their party agreed. “What are the odds we’d run into a mage?”

“Whatever,” Serena finally agreed. Let's get to the tavern, get a meal, and then get some rest”

“You can get some rest, but Vrag, Martof, and I are going to have a little fun with the little bit of funds we have left, since we didn’t find anything today,” Rug, the third half-orc fighter said.

“Suit yourself,” Serena agreed as she looked at Jerrick who gave her a smile that promised her that he could make her feel better if she was willing. She weighed her options and then decided why not. She couldn’t always deny the Archer. Besides whatever weapon had blown that branch apart could have just as easily killed the poor guy. He’d been bait and almost died, he deserved a reward, didn’t he?

They made their way into The Town and walked into Herald’s Taven. As they took in the crowd, Serena glanced over at the Table Herald always saved for them, and froze. The man she’d shot earlier was sitting at the table right next their theirs. Back in the forest, she’d had a full minute to look at him and analyze his movements and she knew his face. Jerrick was behind her and noticed that she’d frozen in the doorway as the three fighters entered on their right.

“What is it, Ren?” Jerrick whispered.

“It’s him!”

“Who’s him?” Rug asked looking around the full bar/tavern.

“The man sitting by himself at the table right next to ours,” Serena said.

Jerrick looked over at the man who’d stood and waved to the bartender as he called out, “Hey Herald, the people you told me about are here. Get them some drinks and see to their meals, I’m buying!” the man called out as he pulled out two gold coins and held them up for Herald.

Serena’s mind froze. What was this man doing? She’d tried to kill him and he was buying their drinks and food? What was going on? She regained her composure and led her team over to the table as Herald carried over five mugs.

“Here you are Serena, courtesy of Anton,” the bartender said as he nodded toward the man she’d tried to kill. When their gazes met, he raised a glass to her in salute.

“Thank you, Herald,” Serena said with a forced smile.

“What is he doing?” Jerrick asked.

“I do not know,” Serena said.

***

Anton sat and drank his beer while he watched the room and his “friends” who were eating the dinners he’d purchased for them. When they were done eating and Herald had brought the five of them all another drink Anton stood and moved over to Serena, “Mind if I join you?”

Serena looked up with a smile, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll kill you?”

“Not at all,” Anton said with a cocky smile.

Serena gave him a disdainful look which caused Anton to smile wider.

Without warning the first Half-Orc sitting to her left drew his sword and tried to stab Anton through the chest. The other two half-orcs stood quickly which caused their chairs to fall over as they drew their larger weapons as well.

Anton was somewhat surprised when he fluidly drew both his long sword and short sword and parried the first thrust with his short sword while he waved the longsword at the other two which caused them to step back and take up a defensive stance.

“Hold!” Serena called out.

The three half-orcs immediately stepped back as Anton looked at them warily. He’d purchased the Skill Two-Weapon Fighting Style at Skill Level Rare Level 1. It had been almost too easy to parry the first half-orcs blow and push the other two back. Anton Analyzed the three Half-Orcs. It looked like his skill still wasn’t high enough to get all of their information but he was able to pull their names, classes, and levels.

Half-Orc: Vrag, Thug, Level 7

Half-Orc: Rug, Thug, Level 6

Half-Orc: Martof, Fighter, Level 8

No wonder their attacks felt pathetic, they were basic low-level thugs. Anton’s thoughts were pulled back to Serena when she asked, “Anton, is it? What can I do for you?”

Anton activated Analyze again and looked over Serena and the man beside her.

Half-Elf: Serena, Marksmen, Level 17

Human, Jerrick, Archer, Level 11

What the hell? Anton had checked the other partons in Herald’s Tavern while he’d waited. One person was above level 5. Everyone else was somewhere between levels 1 and 4 and had very common classes like Farmer, Woodcutter, Fisherman, Teacher, etc. There was even a Blacksmith but he was only level 2. It didn’t make any sense. If these people had been doing the job for a little while they should be at least level 10 or higher. Basic classes didn’t require as much XP to level after all.

Anton finished looking around the room and then focused on Serena who was looking at him. She looked a the half-orcs and then said, “Boys get another table, Jerrick and I need to talk with Anton here.

The half-orcs shrugged, sheathed their weapons, picked up their drinks, and moved to another table. Anton sheathed his weapons as Herald walked up, “Is there a problem over here Serena? Anton?” he asked looking back and forth between the two of them.

Anton shook his head as he pulled out two more gold coins and handed them to Herald, “No problem. Please make sure my new “friends”, he said as he nodded toward the half-orcs, “at the other table keep their cups full. Us as well please.”

Herald smiled at the coin but looked to Serena and Jerrick to confirm that everything was okay. Serena gave a quick nod and Herald smiled as he turned back to Anton, “I’ll see to it.”

Anton watched as Herald turned and went back to the bar. He moved his chair from his table over to the table with Serena and Jerrick sat down.

Before Anton could ask a question, Serena said, “Awfully generous with your coin, aren’t you?”

Anton nodded, “I earned these specific coins almost two years ago, they’re burning holes in my pocket. Might as well use them to make some new friends and maybe learn a few things about the places I find myself in.”

“Very generous indeed, Mr. Anton,” Serena said.

“It’s just Anton. Also, if it’s not too rude to ask, why is everyone here so low-leveled except for the two of you?

“Low leveled?” Serena said questioningly. “We are some of the highest-level individuals North of the City of Ancree, at least until you get to the other side of the forest. Also, you don’t seem to be that high of a level yourself,”

“Yeah, but where I’ve come from I’ve run into a lot higher level individuals than the people I’m seeing here, and that was only after a few months of integration into The SYSTEM”

“Integration into The SYSTEM, what do you mean by that?” Serena asked.

“You know, when The SYSTEM first turns on and everything changes,” Anton said.

“No idea what you're talking about,” Serena said. “The SYSTEM has always been here, since before I was born.”

“Still, everyone here seems to be quite low in levels. Also, if the half-orcs skill levels with their weapons are any indication, skill levels aren’t that high either,” Anton said.

“You’re quite sure of yourself Anton?” Jerrick said flatly

“Yep, it comes with dying so many times you lose track. Now there are two ways to continue. First, I continue to pay the tab and we have a friendly conversation because I’m new around here.”

“And the Second?” Serena asked.

“Well, I show you what the weapon that blew that branch out from under your feet does to the flesh,” Anton said with a self-deprecating smile. “I’d prefer to remain friendly if it’s all the same to you.”

“You realize that we do not take kindly to threats,” Serena noted pleasantly

“Nor, do I take kindly to being shot in the chest without warning,” Anton said as he held Serena’s gaze.

After a moment Serena relented and said, “Very well, what would you like to know?”

“First, why are there no monsters spawning in this area? This Town doesn’t have walls. I would have thought it would have walls since it isn’t a safe zone.”

“You really aren’t from around here are you?” Jerrick asked with a laugh.

“I am not. Serena?” Anton asked making it clear that he would like an answer.

“Ancree, The City south of us, has a very powerful Arch-Mage. There are no monsters because the Arch-Mage created The Crystal of Ancree which sits upon the highest tower. Any monsters that enter within its sphere of influence are annihilated.”

“Annihilated?”

“Truly, I’ve seen it once. If you travel to the middle of the forest where the Crystals range ends you can watch the monsters there. If they charge across the maximum range of the Crystal and enter its influence, they evaporate, like a log after it’s burnt to ash when you kick it. They just burst apart into flakes of ash which quickly evaporate. Nothing of them is left.”

“And the reason for everyone having low levels?” Anto asked.

“Any experience earned within the influence of the Crystal is heavily taxed by the Crystal and goes to the Arch-Mage or whoever he designates. It’s the cost of living in safety,” Serena said.

“That sounds oppressive,” Anton said.

“It is. The only reason we are the levels we are is because we earned them outside of the Crystal’s influence. Also, it seems that the Crystal’s radius is expanding,” Jerrick said.

“So why hasn’t anyone tried to remove the Crystal, or destroy it?” Anton asked.

A look of fright entered both Serena and Jerrick’s eyes. Serena leaned forward quickly and whispered, “Don’t even joke about that, the Arch-Mage can see and hear all within his domain. Comments like that get people struck down by the Crystal.”

Anton disregarded the warning but nodded along, “Very well. I take it the Arch-Mage runs Ancree?”

“He does. He also has dominion over everyone with the Crystal’s influence,” Serena said.

Anton asked a few more questions but soon learned everything he needed to know. Ancree, to the South, was the true hub of this region which was run by the Arch-Mage. There were merchants but all paid a very high tax to the Arch-Mage. Also, there was only one SYSTEM Shop that anyone knew of in the nearby area. It was only accessible from the Arch-Mage’s Tower at the center of Ancree. Otherwise, everyone had to use the merchants who paid their taxes directly to the Arch-Mage.

To Anton, it sounded like this Arch-Mage was a real prick that was lording it over everyone. If their XP and treasure were taxed so much that they couldn’t grow, never mind that he hadn’t known that he could tax XP as the owner of a Domain. Even if could tax people living in his domain, how were the people of this area going to grow and survive when a truly powerful monster appeared? A better question, was Anton going to do anything about it? He was American by birth and abhorred slavery and this sure felt like slavery but should he get involved? As far as he could tell everyone was safe from the monsters, weren’t they? He wasn’t the hero and if the SYSTEM wanted those people free, they’d be free.

SYSTEM QUEST!

Free the SYSTEM – You have entered a Domain where the SYSTEM has been curtailed by an unauthorized artifact. Remove the Artifact.

Reward: 10,000 XP and 10,000 million Credits.

Optional Condition: Destroy the Artifact

Reward: 1 million XP and 1 million Credits.

Ask a stupid question. Anton’s eyes lit up with mirth as he accepted the quest and closed the notification. He listened to Serena and Jerrick continue to talk about the local area and the various kingdoms outside of the Arch-Mages domain. The halflings had their town to the north. There was also a settlement of dwarves in the mountains even farther north of the forest about a week's travel away from the halfling town, though Serena wasn’t too impressed with the area. It was relatively low level and most of the quests that were offered related to mining in some way. Anton estimated that the dwarves were over 500 miles north, probably further

To the west, the forest extended for at least a month's travel, and the elves were known to live throughout the woods with a few other races. To the South of Ancree, outside the range of the Crystal of Ancree was another city that was, as Serena described it, weird. The SYSTEM was more volatile in that area though it was easier to level. She’d only visited once and she didn’t like it. If you weren’t Noble, you weren’t squat and you were treated as such. Most people that visited the city visited it because of the Dungeon under the Castle. Serena had never been to the Dungeon so couldn’t offer any information on it.

Anton talked with Jerrick and Serena while the half-orcs drank and flirted with the local ladies who Anton soon realized were working women. He wondered for a moment how that worked, both physically and if the profession was a class they gained levels and experience in. Then he decided he didn’t want to know, though if he could find a lady to dally with. It had been a long time after all. He had pissed off the SYSTEM, was in a new world, and had no idea how the culture was here. Yeah, that was a hard no, at least until he understood the environment a little more. For now, throw gold at it until it works. If that didn’t work then fight or run. That strategy had been working for him so far after all.

Besides, he had a quest from The SYSTEM and if he wasn’t mistaken doing what he did back on Earth had pissed it, or something that oversaw it off so he’d be a good boy for the moment and do what he was told, at least from the SYSTEM.

“You look lost in thought,” Serena asked as she took a sip of her beer.

“I am, though I have a question, how much do those girls get paid for their services?”

“Serena looked at the ladies and smiled, “It depends. They charge a silver piece but can make quite a bit in tips if they’re good at their craft.”

“You sound like you are someone who has utilized their services?” Anton asked.

“I have, and I do. Though not just the ladies. There are a few men too, but their upstairs and rarely come down. Also, because men in the business are rare they are a little more expensive,” Serena shared. Anton noted that her eyes were slightly glazed indicating that she was slightly intoxicated.

Anton stood for a moment, “I’ll be right back,” he said as he walked over to the table with the three half-orcs and the three ladies who were giving them all of their attention.

The half-orcs watched Anton walk up to the table warily but the ladies just smiled in his direction. Anton smiled back at the women as he produced 6 gold coins from his inventory. He set one coin in front of each Half-orc and handed one to each of the ladies. All six looked at him questioningly.

“Ladies, the coins are for services rendered to my ‘friends’ Please take good care of them.” Each of the women smiled as they pocketed the gold coins and cozied up to the Half-Orcs.

As Anton turned to leave the three Half-Orcs roared happily as each of the ladies made a point to adjust their position so they were sitting on their laps as they draped their arms around their shoulders and started stroking their heads. Anton smiled as he walked over to the counter and drew Herald’s attention to him. When he walked over, Anton placed 10 gold on the counter, which Herald quickly covered and then picked up.

As Herald pocketed the coins he asked, “What are these for Anton?”

Anton smiled and then raised his voice, “Everyone, Drinks are on Herald here. Enjoy yourself!”

A roar of applause went out and the 40-odd customers inside the tavern cheered. Herald just shook his head and smiled as Anton turned and walked back over to his table with Serena and Jerrick. As he sat down he pulled out two gold coins and set one in front of each of them.

“What’s this for?” Jerrick asked.

“I would appreciate it if you would make sure that anyone that goes after Herald for his money doesn’t ever have the opportunity to do so again?”

“What makes you think we won’t come after you for the money you have?” Jerrick asked with a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Just make sure Herald is kept safe, please. I may be back or I may not but what can it hurt, there’s no one here that I’ve noticed that can take the five of you on if you offer your protection to Herald he’ll be safe enough.

Serena nodded, “True, but we have expenses, how about 5 gold?”

“And you look after him for at least the next week,” Anton added.

“For a week?” Serena mused, “10 gold?” Serena said.

“Done!”, Anton said as he smiled and pulled out another 10 gold and handed them to Serena.

Serena smiled and pocketed the 11 gold Anton had given her. Anton stood, “Well, I must be off, things to do, places to see, and cities to free,” Anton said.

“Still not afraid we’ll come after you? Jerrick asked.

“Not at all,” Anton said with a smile. “You wouldn’t be able to catch me if you tried,” Anton proclaimed as he activated Specter and then Manifest which made it appear as if he’d flickered where he was standing. Then he shot straight through the ceiling. Once he was above The Town he deactivated Manifest and increased his speed as he headed South toward Ancree.

Ancree ended up only being 50 miles away from The Town. If he’d decided to walk the trip would have taken about 12 hours. In his Specter Form, he made it in under 3 minutes. As he came up to the city he noticed the giant tower at the center of the city and moved toward the top where he could see a giant glowing crystal. Anton adjusted course and moved toward the crystal.

Anton passed through a barrier that extended into the dimension he was currently in. It didn’t affect him though. Anton pulled up his Status Screen and looked over his ability Anti-Mage.

Anti-Mage – You are the antithesis of all magical spheres, including natural expressions of those energies, such as lightning and fire for example. Additionally, this ability allows you to break down all physical matter given enough time and will. You may break down one pound of physical material per hour equal to your willpower attribute. Energy of any type automatically dissipates within willpower inches from your body. Note: Soul, Spirit, and Mental attacks are unaffected by this ability.

He could admit to himself that he had forgotten about the ability to break down physical matter. Nor had he looked at the radius Anti-Mage could work at. He’d just set it to five feet, and that’s where it had stayed. Anton extended the radius out to its full range which was just over 22 feet so it would cover the whole platform the Crystal sat on.

Anton deactivated Specter and appeared next to Crystal. The Crystal hovered in the middle of a 30 x 30-foot platform with the human-sized light blue Crystal of Ancree at its center. Off to the side about 5 feet, there was a rectangular depression that ended up being a stairway that led down to the floor below where a door was currently shut.

Warning the Crystal of Ancree has been deactivated. Mana Flow and normal SYSTEM rules have been reinstituted.

There was a pop as a very pissed-off-looking man appeared at the edge of his Anti-Magic bubble. Anton watched as the look of anger turned to one of shock and then horror as he fell away from the tower. Must suck to have your teleport prematurely ended as well as all other magic that might help you fly, Anton thought as a huge smile erupted on his face. Yes, it would suck indeed.

There was a yelp and the man that had appeared dropped below the platform and out of sight. A moment later the Arch-Mage floated up outside the range of the Anti-Mage field Anton was producing and then over and Anton so that he was looking down on him, out past the edge of his anti-magic bubble.

“I command you to stop!” the man, who had to be the Arch-Mage said.

“Stop what exactly?” Anton asked.

“Stop Suppressing the Crystal!”

“This Crystals?” Anton asked innocently as he reached over, touched the crystal, and utilized his Anti-Mage ability to destroy the physical structure of the Crystal. The ironic thing about the Crystal, even though it was quite large there was almost no weight to it. As he watched the physical structure evaporate he noted that the Crystal contained all types of solidified magic, including undefined magic, or mana. Anton was pretty sure if he hadn’t done this inside his Anti-Mage field there would have been a horrendous explosion.

Anton watched as the mana unraveled into pure energy and then rushed into him. Anton activated Hyper Focus, Aura Sight, and Eagle Eyes as he tried to follow the energy streams that entered his body. He watched as the energy entered his Mental Refuge and then went deeper. There was a deeper? Anton couldn’t follow the energy but someone how he was able to watch the enter travel down what seemed to be a very long tube until it entered what looked like a solar system to him. Once in the solar system, the energy rushed toward one of the “planets” and disappeared into it.

Unfortunately, he had neither the skill nor the ability to hold his vision on that location indefinitely, and his sight of the energy and the planet faded. He found himself once more in his Mental Refuge. Immediately he was once again able to sense what was happening around his body and noted that the Mage was casting a spell. He also, noticed that he’d received a few notifications but he ignored those for now.

Anton deactivated Mental Refuge and looked up at the Mage as he cast his spell and called out, “Excuse me, are you just stupid?”

The Mage ignored Anton and continued casting his spell. Anton looked on and had a thought. He pulled out his Mossberg 590 Shockwave Shotgun and ensured that it was loaded with Armor Piercing Incendiary rounds. He was considering if Spectral Reach would let him do what he wanted to do when his thoughts were interrupted.

“And Now You Die!” the Mage proclaimed as a blue portal laced with gold and silver opened 100 feet above Anton and a bolt of Earth-shattering lightning shot down at Anton and disappeared 22.17 feet from the top of his head.

“Damn! That looked like it might have hurt,” Anton said to the mage who had been shocked into immobility.

“My turn,” Anton said as he activated Specter, floated up behind the mage, and activated Spectral Reach to push his hands through the dimensional barrier with his shotgun, which was aimed at the back of the mage’s head when he pulled the trigger

You have attacked Level 31 Arch-Mage for 240 points of Damage (Base 100 + 20 fire damage doubled due to a critical hit.)

240 points of critical damage to the back of the head. (+240% chance to be knocked unconscious. -71% for target’s Willpower attribute bonus)

No further defensive bonuses noted.

169% Chance to be knocked unconscious.

Arch Mage has failed Willpower check.

Arch Mage has been knocked unconscious.

Anton was more surprised by the fact that the Arch-Mage hadn’t died than at the fact that he’d been knocked unconscious, though the play-by-play the SYSTEM gave for the shotgun blast was informative. As he was checking those combat Notifications Anton failed to react as the unconscious mage fell from the top of the tower to slam into the ground taking even more damage.

Anton pulled the shotgun back through the dimensional barrier and stowed it in his inventory as he floated down to the ground and deactivated Specter. The Arch-Mage was alive, though he was still unconscious. Anton ended that problem by pulling his short sword and decapitating the Arch-Mage which was made easier because any magical defenses he had were automatically nullified by Anton’s Anti-Mage ability.

Congratulations! You have Slain a Level 31 Arch-Mage with a Coup-De-Grace

You have Earned 86,200 Experience Points.

You have Earned 431 Gold

You have Completed the Quest “Free the SYSTEM”

You have Completed the Optional Quest “Destroy the Crystal of Ancree”

You have Completed the Hidden Optional Quest “Kill the Arch-Mage of Ancree” Bounty amount currently 100,000 Credits. In addition to the bounty, you have also earned 100,000 XP.

Congratulations! You have Earned Level 22

Congratulations! You have Earned Level 23

Anton touched the body and the head and deposited them into his inventory before he activated Specter, returned to the top of the tower, and looked down on the city below. Hopefully the SYSTEM, or at least the prick that had thrown him into the void would get off his case for a bit. While he agreed that the crystal had to be destroyed because it hampered personal growth for the people in this area it also seemed that it had been keeping the people here safe. Now that the Crystal was destroyed things were definitely about to change for this domain.

Anton laughed. Serena and her crew had agreed to watch over Herald. After this change, Anton was absolutely sure he’d received the better deal because, with nothing to keep the monsters in check, those five were going to be very busy for the foreseeable future. Shoot him in the chest without even talking to him first would she? Karma was a bitch and she would come calling to those five, Anton was sure of it.