Full Crown

In the book of the church, The Book of Incipient, it is written that, the world was created by the power of the six Gods. Every land, every sea, every forest, every mountain, and every creature living in those places. Then they bestowed powers on these creatures in the form of what are called pieces. Each of the pieces represents a god and the power that each of them has blessed it with, and named them King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, and Pawn.

The Pawn is the most common piece, with limited power and strength but a lot of possibilities. It was a piece that was called the starting point of every species.

Next is the Rook. It is a piece that concentrates on sturdiness and strength. This piece is mostly used by Beastmen and Dwarves because of the nature of its power.

The Knight is a special piece that has a unique ability. It is said that to gain this piece, you should be someone who excels at something.

Then the Bishop. A piece that has a great sensitivity and connection to mana than the others. Mostly used by Elves and Fairies, because of their traits.

The fifth one is the Queen, one of the ruler piece. It is also a special piece because of the power it holds. It is rare to see someone with the power of this piece, and even if you encounter one, you wouldn’t be able to do anything.

The Last piece and also one of the ruler piece, the King. It is a unique and rare piece, which is even rarer than the Queen. Its nature is also quite unique and its power is really hard to gauge.

For a Pawn to move forward and become a different piece, there are two ways that one could do. First is to strengthen himself and be recognized by the gods through efforts. The other way is to find the blessed items that the gods scattered around the world.

“And that is the story of creation of the world and the power that we have. There are many more in this story but, this should be enough to explain what you need to know.”

The man in a clergy clothes explained. It is a story that I always heard everytime in an expedition. Preaching about that creation and giving lectures about the power bestowed by the gods. Making every expedition like a retreat and recruitment for new believers.

We are camping inside a forest, near the destination of our mission. We are waiting for the meeting to end. The plan and the decision going forward in this expedition were being discussed over the meeting.

“Do they really have to do that everytime?”

“Well, it is annoying for newcomers to always listen to that story. Eventually, you will learn not to mind them, since it will always happen on future expeditions.”

“You can just leave them be. It is part of the doctrine that they follow. Preaching the words written, giving hope for the weak, and using that to move forward.”

“You sure know a lot about them. Are you a part of the church?”

A group of men sitting around a corner, rattling their discomfort about the church. One man is displeased about what is happening, since he still has few dealings with expeditions. But then, a big bulky man interrupted them from their conversation.

“Hey. That’s bad manners, talking about something you shouldn’t have.”

“’’Boss!’’”

“How’s the negotiation?”

“It didn’t go too well, but we made them agree to raise our pay. Since they want us to guard them until the bottom part of the Labyrinth of the Dead, Gravis.”

“Oh. Vice-chief, you’re here too.”

“Well, I can’t just leave this musclehead alone. Everytime he negotiates for us, it will always result to be the worst deal ever.”

“Hey! Some of those deals are favourable for us! We even got a blessed item for promotion.”

“It’s just more work you moron! Getting more work for a low price is not favourable!”

“There they go again. It will take a while before they stop quarrelling.”

“Well, at this point, it’s just a normal occurrence to us.”

The two started to have a quarrel. The big bulky man who looks like a bear and wearing a light armor is:

Molaris (Half Bearman)

Adventurer Rank: Iron

Class Piece: Rook

Job Specific: Berserker

Weapon: Frost Cleaver

Class Skill: Power Charge

Job Skill: Fissure, Stampede

The Intelligent looking woman with sunglasses and wearing a robe, who is quarrelling with Molaris is:

Crystallis (Half Elf)

Adventurer Rank: Iron

Class Piece: Bishop

Job Specific: Buffer

Weapon: Grimoire of Enchantment

Class Skill: Mana Regeneration

Job Skill: Armor Body, Physical Boost

They are the leaders of the adventurer’s party ‘Brutes’, one of the party who accepted the mission of guarding the people from the church in an expedition. Molaris is not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to business and negotiations. But his talent when it comes on fighting is something else. On the other hand, his assistant and vice-leader Crystallis, is the brain of the party. She is good at negotiating and planning, and is also good at observing and giving orders. No wonder they were accepted to take a silver tier quest.

This expedition is actually formed by the church, to investigate the labyrinth that is said to have a ‘Crown’. Crowns are relics from the era of creation, which is said to hold an incredible amount of power. It is believed that it is a power that rivalled the power of a god.

“It is really lively to have them in this mission.”

“It’s more right to say that it is annoying to have them.”

“Don’t say it like that. This is much better than being stiff because of our destination.”

This laughing man, who suddenly talked to me and is enjoying the quarrel, is the leader of the ‘Ruby Wings’. Another party who accepted this mission. He is:

Rufus Crimson (Human)

Adventurer Rank: Silver

Class Piece: Knight

Job Specific: Scout

Weapon: Vampiric Twin Blades

Class Skill: Flash Blade, Image Reflection

Job Skill: Analysis, Blending, Flash Steps

He is an easy-going guy but is also a good leader. He is one of the veteran and also one of the most trusted adventurer in this mission.

“Well, you can’t blame him for being annoyed Rufus. Since he is a solo, and a bringer of death. Everyone who decided to party with him ended up dead.”

“It must’ve been nice to be an idiot who only knows rumors but don’t know how to fight.”

“What did you say you punk?!”

“Okay, stop. We are still on a mission so don’t aggravate each other. How about we stop here and just go on our way.”

“Tsk!”

“I know he is antagonizing you, but you should’ve let him be.”

“I have no intention making friends, especially with someone like that.”

“You sure hate people. I won’t ask why, but just don’t keep everything to yourself, Adrienne.”

“Mind your own business.”

Rufus left and goes back to his party. The idiot is scowling at me while also walking back to his party members. That idiot’s name is:

Cassius (Human)

Adventurer Rank: Iron

Class Piece: Pawn

Job Specific: Assassin

Weapon: Basilisk Claws

Class Skill: Poison Coating

Job Skill: Stealth, Swift Strike

He is the leader of a group of thugs causing problems inside the adventurer’s guild. Nobody is saying anything to them because, even though they have bad reputations, they are quite a strong party. They are called ‘Poison Fangs’, since all of the members are adept in using poison. As for me:

Adrienne (Homunculus)

Adventurer Rank: Bronze

Class Piece: Pawn

Job Specific: Fighter

Weapon: Darkness Knuckles

Class Skill: Iron Fist, Calm Mind

Job Skill: Aura Fist

I am a solo adventurer, since I don’t really trust anyone. They call me ‘Death Bringer’ since anywhere I go, death always follows me behind.