Lord Of The Lost

William never expected that the captain, of all people, would hold him in such high regard. It was a startling realization, but one that he quickly shrugged off with a chuckle. His first encounter with the captain had been a complete coincidence, and it still amazed him how much influence the man had gained in such a short time.

The nickname "Big Brother" was a creation entirely of the captain's doing. It started as a playful remark but had spread like wildfire. Before long, countless players were calling William "Big Brother" with admiration. Yet, in the more intimate circles, such as with the Forum Master and a few others, he was still called Wallace, a name that felt more personal, less adorned by the pedestal others had placed him on.

Despite the captain's sometimes boisterous demeanor, William found himself liking him more and more. The man was sharp, decisive, and proactive, with an undeniable aura of potential. Among the thousands of players who had climbed to level 7, the captain could easily rank within the top 100. That was no small feat.

"Have you awakened your talent yet?" William asked casually, testing the waters.

The captain nodded, his expression proud but tempered. "Yes, my talent is [Command]. It allows me to slightly influence reality with my words."

William raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. The variety of talents players possessed never failed to amaze him. Yet, this particular talent seemed challenging to evaluate in terms of strength; it was subtle, almost intangible. But in the right hands, it could be formidable.

Leaning forward, William gestured with a hooked finger, signaling the captain to come closer. Curious, the captain leaned in, ears primed for a secret.

"When you reach the border town," William whispered, his voice low and deliberate, "ask the Forum Master to lend you a prop called [Puppet]."

The captain's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. "Will he really agree to lend it to me?"

William smiled knowingly. "If you mention my name, he'll agree. Just make sure you don't lose it."

The captain nodded fervently, his excitement bubbling over. "Don't worry, Big Brother! I'll protect it with my life. Even if I die, it won't be lost!"

William chuckled softly. The captain's enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear he didn't yet grasp the true value of [Puppet]. Among all the props retrieved from the mysterious Shadow Castle, [Puppet] was the most suitable for players at this stage. It was leagues above ordinary fine-grade items and far more versatile than the weapons typically found in the region. Even Moonlight Village's blacksmith shop only had three such items, and most advanced equipment was monopolized by guards and patrols. For regular players, owning something of this caliber was almost a dream.

The arrangement between William, Metatron, and the Forum Master had been simple but strategic. While they hadn't officially joined forces to combat thieves, they had agreed to support the Forum Master's actions. On the forums, it had been decided that any non-consumable items obtained from Shadow Castle would remain under the Forum Master's jurisdiction. This gave him the operational flexibility to allocate resources where they were most needed. William trusted that the Forum Master, pragmatic and shrewd, would make good use of the items.

Yet, William saw potential in the captain. He was someone worth nurturing, someone who could contribute meaningfully to the alliance. Lending him [Puppet] wouldn't just help the captain; it would also strengthen the alliance as a whole. Besides, William knew that the Forum Master, in his wisdom, wouldn't deny such a request if it came from him.

The captain swung onto his horse, his face alight with excitement and gratitude. He waved energetically as he and the other players from Iron Mine Village prepared to set out for the border town.

"Thank you, Big Brother! I won't let you down!"

William stood there, arms crossed, watching him ride off into the distance with a faint smile. The captain's excitement was endearing, and William knew that the prop would undoubtedly bolster his capabilities. Whether it was the Forum Master's intent to win loyalty or simply strengthen the alliance, this move would accomplish both.

As the dust settled on the road, William let out a soft chuckle. "Let's see how far you can go, captain."

The sky above the border town was a breathtaking expanse of blue, its clarity unmarred by a single cloud. Yet, the picturesque scenery did little to lighten the weight of tension that hung in the air. The looming threat of thieves and werewolves cast an invisible, oppressive shadow over the town.

In the dense forest surrounding the settlement, an unremarkable bird flitted across the canopy, its silhouette barely noticeable against the azure sky. It landed lightly on the shoulder of a thief; a sinister figure with a missing arm and a menacing grin. The bird let out a series of crisp calls, its voice carrying the message of what it had witnessed. Moments later, more birds darted through the trees, each relaying the same warning: the players were mobilizing, converging on the border town in unprecedented numbers.

The armless thief's grin twisted into something even darker as he processed the news. The rustle of leaves and distant bird cries were soon drowned out by his gravelly voice, barking commands with a grim resolve.

"My brothers! Prepare yourselves for battle!" he growled, his tone laced with malice. "We will destroy every last living soul in that town. Leave no one standing!"

A low murmur spread among the thieves as they emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. The thief continued, his voice rising with unbridled ferocity:

"The commander-in-chief arrives in just a few days. Until then, we will bring ruin to this cursed town. Burn it to the ground! Spill their blood and leave nothing but ashes!"

---

Meanwhile, the players were gathering under the direction of the Forum Master, the leader whose reputation and wisdom inspired loyalty from all who followed him. The border town buzzed with activity as weapons and armor were distributed. Swords, bows, and shields gleamed in the sunlight as the Forum Master addressed the crowd, his voice calm yet commanding.

"Today, I make a promise," he declared, holding up a set of fine-grade equipment. "The gear you receive today will remain yours, no matter what happens. Fight with everything you have. Show no fear, no hesitation. Together, we will face the thieves and defend this town to the last!"

The players erupted into cheers, their morale soaring. This wasn't just another skirmish, it was a defining moment.

---

Elsewhere in the town, William arrived at the Magic House, his expression shifting to one of surprise as he took in the transformation. What had once been a modest western-style building now loomed like a grand castle. The balcony had been rebuilt into an opulent reception hall, its space open and filled with light.

On a perch near the entrance, Hall, a small, scruffy bird, dozed lazily. William tilted his head and called out, "Where's Calcifer?"

Hall opened one eye and, recognizing William, flapped a wing upward in a lazy gesture. Taking the hint, William climbed the stairs, his boots clicking softly against the polished wood.

"Calcifer! Calcifer!" he called, his voice echoing through the castle halls.

"Stop yelling," came an irritated response from above.

Grinning, William ascended to the rooftop, his anticipation mounting. The rooftop was a stunning sight, a lush green lawn teeming with exotic flowers and plants. A large tree stood proudly in the center, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. Sitting under its shade, cloaked in mystery, was Calcifer.

Calcifer lounged in a chair, his face obscured by a hood, his attention fixed on a crystal ball glowing faintly on the table before him. William approached, his curiosity piqued.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, peering at the crystal ball, though he saw nothing in its depths. "More importantly, is my magic equipment ready?"

Calcifer raised a hand in a silent gesture, directing William's gaze to the railing. There, hanging from a hook, was a gleaming badge.

The badge featured a black crow with its wings spread wide, its feathers meticulously detailed and impossibly lifelike. It swayed gently in the breeze, exuding an aura of dark magic.

William's eyes lit up with delight as he reached for it.

[Name: Black Crow Wings]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Additional Notes: A merciless killer once slaughtered an entire settlement of Black Crows, plucking their feathers to create this artifact through the hands of a skilled magician. The feathers now hold immense magical power.]

[Black Crow Curse: The wearer gains the power of the Black Crow, enabling transformation into a crow-like creature with black feathers and avian features.]

William turned the badge over in his hands, marveling at its craftsmanship. "This… this is incredible," he murmured, a wide smile spreading across his face.

Calcifer, still shrouded in his cloak, gave a faint chuckle. "I thought you'd like it. Just don't misuse it; magic as potent as this always comes at a price."

William nodded, his expression resolute. "Don't worry. I know exactly how to use it. With this, we'll have one more edge against the thieves."

As he secured the badge, a renewed sense of determination burned within him. The battle ahead would be brutal, but with allies like Calcifer and the power of the Black Crow Wings, victory felt closer than ever.