Re: Apocalypse Game

"Monsieur Arnault, I am sorry, but there is nothing else we can do."

"Just tell me how long do I have."

"We think… one year or two at most."

The somber conversation echoed in Axel's mind, the verdict delivered by the best doctors in the world. Despite possessing limitless wealth, access to cutting-edge pharmaceutical technology, and state-of-the-art facilities, Axel was unable to escape his fate.

The ghoul disease had taken root, a malevolent force that gradually drained his cells while mercilessly tearing his skin apart. This affliction, considered a curse upon the Arnoult bloodline for manipulating human lives for centuries, now haunted Axel's final days.

Despite his efforts to keep this malady a secret, it took only three months before the truth surfaced. Greed consumed his cousins, seeking to claim their share of the family wealth. Axel's days were numbered, and he knew that his only potential salvation lay beyond the realms of this world. Thus, Axel spared no expense, hiring the best mercenaries to join the Apocalypse games.

His dual objectives were clear: accumulate enough survival points to purchase elixirs rumored to prolong life and enhance his physical abilities, providing a potential side benefit for any player who managed to survive the brutal game. In the face of impending doom, Axel was willing to pay any cost for a shot at an extended existence.

Hence, Axel began his ruthless pursuit of survival points within the confines of the Apocalypse game, backed by the full support of the French government and the formidable assistance of Black Sand mercenaries. Among these skilled individuals was Gabriel, the bishop—a costly but crucial asset procured to ensure Axel's survival.

As the information for the third round arrived, revealing the theme of "Undead," Axel couldn't help but find a twisted amusement in the situation. No longer motivated solely by accumulating points, he derived pleasure from witnessing the realistic NPC figures shed their mortal skins and resurrect as the undead.

Amassing 300,000 survival points from the first battle against the barbarians and nearly 1 million from the massacre of Britannia civilians, Axel set forth on his final mission. It was during this pursuit that he uncovered the existence of a coveted artifact—the [Book of the Dead].

With a desperate need for such a powerful relic, Axel made the bold decision to confront Morgana directly. Engaging her within a confined space, an arena that inherently disadvantaged spellcasters, Axel and his team faced a formidable challenge. Unfortunately, their efforts proved insufficient to overcome Merlin before they were compelled to make a hasty escape.

Axel and the surviving veterans hastily navigated through the tunnels until they reached the safety of the next open chamber, escaping the seismic chaos of Merlin's devastating spell. As the dust and smokes settled, a grim realization dawned—only 15 of them had emerged intact from the battle.

Bearing the weight of the casualties, Zencher's frustration found a voice in curses. "Huh, that fucking teacher, I will make him pay!!"

While the loss of 15 veterans might seem tragic, for Axel, it translated to a relative setback of 600,000 survival points—less than half of what he personally gained on this perilous mission. Though still a considerable waste, the French noble found solace in the acquisition of a powerful artifact:

[Book of the Death]

[Type: Other]

[Rarity: Epic]

[Attributes: Intelligence +1, Spirit +1, Endurance +2]

[Effects: When your HP reaches zero, you will regain 30% HP in the next 30 seconds. Cooldown: 24 hours]

[Equipment Rating: 42]

[Able to Bring Outside the Game: No]

[Remarks: A book that helps you cheat death]

Axel's elation overshadowed any disappointment, as the potential to cheat death now rested within his hands.

The [Book of the Death] proved to be one of the best life-saving artifacts in the game, providing Axel with the highly desired endurance boost he sought. However, there was an additional secret that unfolded with this item.

[Congratulations on unlocking secret job class]

[Job Class: Necromancer]

[Type: Epic]

[Endurance +3, HP +100]

[Prerequisite: Spirit D, Intelligence D]

[Active skill: Dead Magic]

[Able to use your own HP to resurrect corpses to do your bidding. The number of HP used and the level of undead depend on your intelligence and spirit.]

With his second job class still unclaimed and a surplus of attribute points invested in spirit, Axel made a decisive move to embrace the new job class. As he accepted the mantle of the Necromancer, his stats underwent a tremendous increase.

[Axel Arnault, Male, 29 years]

[Level 35:195250/200000]

[HP: 490/490]

[Stamina: 100%]

[Spirit points: 80]

[Strength: D]

[Agility: D]

[Endurance: B]

[Perception: E]

[Intelligence: C]

[Spirit: D]

[Survival Points: 682000]

[Jobclass: Necromancer, Acolyte]

[Unique Skill]

[Concentration: increase success rate for any task by 30%]

Axel revealed the newfound strength coursing through his body, the +5 endurance making him feel more robust and alive than ever before. Eager to put his recently acquired necromancer skills to the test, he led the survivors back to the surface, emerging into the eerie atmosphere of the midnight air. The group steeled themselves for the impending confrontation with the undead that awaited them outside the catacombs.

In the grim surroundings, Axel experimented with his necromantic abilities. Surrounded by countless corpses, he successfully summoned a zombie with 30 HP and a skeleton 60 of his HP Although his ability to summon undead was currently capped at 10, it marked a promising and significant stride in his quest for power.

What astonished Axel even more was his newfound influence over the undead. Whether it stemmed from his necromancer class or the mystical properties of the Book of the Death, Axel found himself capable of manipulating the undead, albeit not enough to fully control them. This ability proved invaluable as it created confusion among the undead ranks, enabling the veterans to dispatch them with ease. Even without the advantage of horses, the group skillfully navigated through the menacing sea of undead, making their triumphant return to Camelot city.

X x x x x