Seraphim Online: Afterlife

“Look who the drags have brought in! Howdy ladies, care for some refreshments? A plate of grub? A backrub? At Camp Deluxe, our visitors receive everything we have to offer!”

‘Called it… crazy people must have a thing for this forest.’

In a small yet cozy camp, far away in the Grasslands of Torr, me and Lena find ourselves conversing with a bandit leader. She’s definitely confident, I’ll give her that.

Practically flaunting herself in that skimpy and revealing outfit, it’s safe to say nothing is left to the imagination. At the right angle, I’m sure her two mountain peaks are showing as well.

The trip over here was uneventful and forgettable, an hour or so wasted just so we could spend the company of this leader who clearly sees herself as witty. It is odd though. Her tone may sound sarcastic, but there is a load of food laid out behind her.

In spite of all of this and Lena’s stomach just waiting to growl, only one thing plagues my mind. This pink bandit is really noticeable… and I’m not talking about her reluctance to wearing clothes.

Seeing someone with pink hair is rare enough, the fact it’s styled that way and her eyes are the same shade of pink as well. I’m sure I’ve seen her likeness before…

‘Hmm… I remember! Back in the palace, there was a maid.’

“You haven’t been to the kingdom recently? Or more specifically… the palace?”

“Yes! You look identical to that maid we saw!”

She seems genuinely surprised as she hops up off the table, still appearing to be playful but also a little stupid. In the process of getting down, we catch a glimpse of what lies beneath her petite skirt.

‘Another practitioner of commando-ism, I see. Think I might need to start wearing underwear.’

“Welp, guess you two bumped heads with my sister! She’s always been a sneaky rat, eavesdropping while sending reports for the cause. I tell you, running a bunch of idiots ain’t easy! You have to have eyes and ears everywhere.”

Knowing this woman likes the sound of her own voice, at least this works as a backstory. This forest is full of banditry, this group in particular are competent enough to have spies working for them.

“So… mind telling us what you want?”

I have to ask, even though I know I’ll come to regret the answer.

“There’s plenty of things I want! A volcano filled with gold, enough food and mead to feed a city, an endless flask, a diamond harp, a lover that can withstand the loving sting of a whip…”

‘Blah blah-, huh? What did she just say?’

“What I want with you two is simple really, an answer. Why did those incestual siblings send you our way? And how many knights are they sending?

This is what I was expecting, paranoia. Why else would you send for a couple of nobodies in the middle of nowhere? Other than this main hut, this camp is makeshift at best, only having that one building surrounded by a circle of fur tents. This small group couldn’t have been here for too long.

Before I can respond, Lena has plans of her own. Judging by her face, she’s disgusted.

“Eww! Is that what those two are into!?”

“The hell do I know! They’re never more than two feet apart, apparently even going to the bathroom togeth-, this isn’t what we’re discussing! Elf! Your companion is too distracting! Do they know of the location of this camp yet?”

‘Heh, I agree. Lena is distracting… as if that’s a negative thing.’

Breaking this woman’s flow a little, I can’t help but chuckle. Lena really had to ask that, didn’t she? To be fair, they were sharing a throne together, the sister was on top of her brother’s lap. Royals do have a history of keeping bloodlines pure…

“Heh, we know absolutely nothing other than the job we were assigned. Find a rumoured dungeon, then bring back information on it. Wouldn’t your sister be able to confirm this?”

“She would… but we only speak by bird once a week. The fact you two are here before anything arrived… it’s really suspicious.”

And here comes the facepalm. Once again, the both of us have forgotten just how much time we save flying everywhere. Damn this speedrunning mentality!

“Let’s get this right… it’s a complete coincidence you two are here? And you came for that taboo place? If I hadn’t sent my men, you’d have left?”

Both nodding in response to her question, the woman explodes with anger, tossing the table full of food outside into the forest. The funny thing, she seems to believe us.

‘What a waste of food… is that a tear on Lena’s face?’

“Fuck! As if those moronic bastards would send a pointy eared elf to spy on us! Of course it was a complete coincidence, this place was only set up last week!”

“Hrm… say anything bad about elves and you’ll have hell to pay.”

Surprisingly calm for a change with an aura that states otherwise, it’s safe to say Lena is a passionate admirer of elves. She loves elves, I love dragons, we connect like the ying and yang.

“Relax, pippy. We’re the true descendants of the forest and we’ve always been for equality. When the original empire collapsed, our ancestors raised us to treasure these values. The only enemy we have is oppressive humans… and orcs. Orcs should be killed on sight!”

‘Huh… maybe there’s some connection between these bandits and those mages. That journal mentioned something about orcs.’

While I’m thinking more into how the timeline of this world connects, mostly about the empire obviously being long before the kingdom, this woman is starting to piss Lena off.

“What cha talking about!? You’re thieves, outlaws, bandits! The kingdom may be terrible, but you lot make money off peoples suffering!”

‘To be fair, pretty much any civilization makes money off people’s suffering.’

Essentially stomping across the room, face to face with my partner, it’s safe to say she didn’t take that well.

“Hey, everyone’s got to make a living somehow! My bandits only target those with wealth, that’s fair, right? The way I see it, you bring a carriage into our lands, you pay a fee. It’s just taxes!”

Now pouting at the pink haired woman, I can’t say I blame Lena’s logic, especially when taxes are getting brought up. No one likes taxes.

The thing is… I’m a cynic at heart. No need to get heavily into it, but all civilizations are built off suffering in one way or another. Human beings and slavery, it’s a tale as old as time itself.

“Enough questions now, I’m bored. Your answer make sense… I’ll know if you’re lying soon enough…”

From a slight grumpiness to a full-on, almost aggressive aura, the woman looks me deep into my eyes, then says something I was expecting when we first met. This encounter was never going to go well.

“The thing is… I can’t let you leave. You must understand the position I’m in, it would be so easy for you to let those pompous nobles know where we are.”

This is what I was fearing, we’re loose ends. Ever since we entered this camp, my hand has been resting on my blade, just waiting for when things go wrong. Now, that moment is getting closer by the second.

“So, I’ll offer you my hand, join us in taking hold of the forest!”

…

A pause and a brief look to Lena, both confirming what we just heard. We’ve just been invited down the bandit route!?

“What did you just say? You want us to be bandits!?”

“Yeah, anyone able to survive a place like that must be strong! I’ve needed some new lieutenants for a while… help us make this forest a country! Then, we’ll raid the kingdom together!”

‘This is did not expect… is that a butterfly?’

[Butterfly Effect Achieved]

I’m really not sure what to make of this, we’re really being offered a chance to join a bunch of bandits. If there was some way of saving progress, I’d jump at this chance in a moment. The YOLO lifestyle doesn’t really suit my gamer mentality though.

The chance to become a bunch of merrymen, stealing from the rich and not giving it to the poor. It’s damn greedy, but then again, that’s what human nature is all about. I can see the appeal.

‘Eh… we really can’t. In another life, maybe. This one, we’re better than this.’

Just gazing into Lena’s eyes, realizing deep down she doesn’t want this by how uncomfortable she looks, this isn’t a good idea. She’d probably agree if I wanted to. The thing is, she clearly is a fan of crushing bandits rather than being controlled by them. Whether we can target the kingdom or not is irrelevant.

That leads me onto a next choice. Do we play this smart, accept the invite, then leave later? Or do we do things the dumb way?

“Lena… how many of these strong and capable warriors are here exactly?”

“At least nine, Sera.”

‘It's tempting. Lena can take nine bandits, right? That sounds terrible out of context.’

“Aye, the gang is much larger in other areas, especially our main HQ up in the north. We split up to avoid detection and cover more ground. If you two want to lead this group, just say the word!”

There is just one last thing I need to confirm, one last titbit of information before I decide if this really is the way.

‘Even in human form, most of Lena’s numbers are bigger. Screw it, this is going to take everything we have.’

Just one more gaze into Lena’s purple eyes before we do this, one last look at the dragon I love. Yep, I have complete faith in her. It’s time to dance with the devil.

“Lena… no EXP, okay? I’ll be going for your ears if you hold anything back.”

“Hehe, okay dokey, Sera, on one condition. You help me clean my teeth out after…”

With a smile that could be considered ruthless but also dopey, smoke engulfs the room. Seconds later, the wooden walls shake, splinters fly everywhere, and the roof showers us all in rubble. It’s time for a fight…

__________

“*Cough cough*… very intelligent, Sera. Next time… check surroundings before unleashing Lena upon the world.”

Twisting, turning and crawling my way through the wreckage, I finally see the sweet glimpse of the lowering sun glistening through the leaves of the trees. In additional to this, a tail of a dragon who is about to wreck shit up.

However, within seconds of returning to my feet, I’m surrounded by unsure bandits, all pissed off but not exactly sure who to direct it towards. Some are armoured, others wield bows and arrows, most prefer the sharp sting of iron smelted into a blade though.

“What the hell? That’s who we invited into the camp!?”

“This… is a real fight! Anyone know the price of dragon scales?”

“F-Fuck this s-shit, I’m o-out of here!”

“Is that a d-d-dragon? I only had two more robberies left till retirement!”

I’m practically ignored as they charge towards the elephant in the room, a couple flee yet most are up for the fight. It’s clear most are not willing or stupid enough to try attacking head on though.

To the back, spears and arrows are thrown and fired, yet Lena knows those are the few that must be dealt with first. In a flash, she’s on them like a rash, possessing that dopey smile and razorlike teeth.

Munch! Chop! Crunch! Blood flows and limbs are torn apart, bandits are tossed and ripped away like chunks of meat. The sight is grizzly, yet oddly satisfying, seeing Lena this excited over something. I knew what I signed up for when I started dating a dragon.

“Hahahaha! All of you, run or hide, I’ll still tear you apart!”

From the emerging chaos and fear that runs rampant around the camp, many try to flee, however most are unable to. From the remains of Lena spitting and chucking away her food, I find myself looking over a mauled archer who is barely clinging onto life.

‘Cheap kill, but it’ll have to do.’ [HP: 0/180] [-57]

My sword cuts deep into his neck, ending his suffering. Most still seem fixated on the rampaging dragon for obvious reasons.

I consider trying to sneak up those unaware. The thing is, this is no game with brain dead NPCs. They already know I’m here.

“Is no one going to take care of the elf!? Fuck! You lot help the others with that creature… I’ll take down the dragon fucker!”

“No fucking way am I doing that! We’ll take her down first, then pray some of our brothers are still living.”

Two bandits charge at me, one equipped with a sword and the other a dagger.

Adrenaline coursing through my veins, I and my blade is ready. I prematurely swing towards the guy with the dagger, keeping the distance between us and clipping his arm in the process. [HP: 91/110] [-19]

But this leaves me slow to react against the other attacker, my balance not set when my blade bounces off his arm.

I try to dodge it in the worst way possible, the tip of his sword grazing against the side of my face. My ability with a sword may have improved, but I’m still prior to these fuckups.

‘Shit! Need double slash, Guide, pronto!’

[Double slash is currently under cooldown, Sera. The dungeon didn’t reset the cooldown for abilities.]

‘Heh… isn’t that great? I’m guessing using the upgrade token will be useless?’’

[Correct, Sera. It will only half the timer from this current point in time.]

Slowly backing away while blood gushes from my cheek, I’m still too weak to hold my own. This is going to be hard.

Using their experience and confidence to full effect, both bandits rush at me again, not giving me a second to think or come up with some way to use the environment to my advantage. If I could get close to Lena, then things are bound to end favourably.

I dodge to the side, hoping once again to catch the weaker bandit with my increased range. And it works… to an extent.

[HP: 83/155] [-18] ‘Knew it… still not skilled enough to fight by my lonesome. Might have to flee in a minute if this keeps up.’

I may get that cut in, swiping against his hip as I dodge forward, but I receive damage again in return. His dagger just clips my passing arm.

“Say elf? If you give up now, maybe we’ll let you live!”

“Maybe our leader will go easy on you… might enjoy being a personal plaything. Think about it.”

I lunge at the weaker guy again, only for the stronger guy to step in and block the attack with his blade. My hands may sting but at least this time, I’ve prepared to retreat in advance. No point throwing away my life on a suicide charge.

Slowly backing away again, still fixated on the defensive, I simply don’t have the ability nor speed to be reckless here. The only way I can survive is to be as patient and cautious as possible, not letting my adrenaline get the better of me.

And thankfully, it appears Seraphim may be watching over us. Another bandit is lobbed from Lena’s mouth, crashing right into the path of my two attackers. [HP: 0/110] [-57] | [HP: 123/180] [-57] [HP: 66/180] [-57]

Sideways into the weaker bandit’s neck, blood oozes as his neck is cut. In the same attack, I clip the other bandit’s head, then return the blade to hit him again!

“Fucking elf, I’m bleeding here!”

Clash! My blade clashes into his own, the third attempt failing as he desperately retrieves his sword, blocking my strike. Still on his back however, I tower over him, not allowing him to recover any further.

Again, iron meets iron as he blocks another strike heading towards his head. Guess I’ll just have to aim elsewhere.

'That’s it, got him now!’ [HP: 28/180] [-38]

“Ooaf! This... won't be the last... of me...”

[HP: 65/155] [-18] [HP: 0/180] [-38]

As a last act of defiance before my blade impales into his torso, my arm is cut just as the tip plunges into his heart. Can I finally take a breather? Nope!

“Ahhhhh!”

The armoured bandit that was thrown like a bowling bowl returns to his feet, takes one look at what I’ve done to his friends, then charges at me with sword and shield.

‘No rest for the wicked… activate armour piercing!’

[Soul Smasher]

[HP: 31/130] [-38]

While ducking under his swing, I drag my sword out of that guy’s corpse and swing it backwards, into his back.

“*Wheezing*.”

Already weakened from Lena’s throw, my hit presumably winding him terribly, he falls to his knees, then frantically searches for air. With all that clunky armour on, including the shield attached to his wrist and the damage her already had, this fight was over from the minute it started.

‘Piece of cake. Armour really isn’t worth the hassle.’ [HP: 0/130] [-53]

My sword thrusts into the back of his neck, killing the kid instantly. Another down so which fucker is next!?

[Sera, level 9 has been obtained so would you like this guide to put it into HP?]

‘You’re really asking me that right now, Guide!? Just do what you have to do!’

My annoyance doesn’t come from the fact I’m under attack, I’m relatively safe for now as all those who aren’t dismembered have surrounded Lena. That’s where the real problem lies.

Like I’m tempting fate by viewing her status, another bandit is added to her mutilation tally, torn and tossed into the rubble. That should be good, except now she’s completely undefended from one side.

“Fuck! *Coughs blood*… I can taste my own spleen.”

Appearing from the bushes, one lunges for her tail, only to be hit by the swift movement of a wag, getting essentially impaled into a tree.

“I’ve got ya now, dragon!”

The other manages to avoid her swipe, leaping like a salmon from a tree stump, plunging his blade deep into her back.

“Get your paws off me, you dirty lowlife scum! That’s where Sera’s sits!”

“Not so tough with someone above, are ya?”

Panic and rage filles my heart as Lena’s ungodly strength turns into desperation, desperately trying to throw that bastard off her back.

Even as Lena rolls over, he still clings on, presumably not getting crushed staying in the spaces between her scales. I think this guy may have found a dragon’s biggest weakness, it’s back.

Surrounded in all directions, I can’t get close nor can I provide any real assistance. I could dive into the crowd, gaining their attention, but that still won’t kill the person on top of her.

My partner, my protector, my saviour, surrounded in all directions, with no help. I have to do something, even if it’s full of risk.

“Lena! Stop moving for a second! I’ve got this…”