Martial Online. - Chapter 13: Dual Wielding

For the crimes he commited, Theo was executed by the exile to the outlands, beyond the limits of human civilization, where the S-rank monsters reigned supreme.Yet, rather than feeling despair, guilt or anything else... Theo was excited.He had no memory of comitting any of the crimes he was sentenced for. Or, to be more precise, he had no memory of doing anything in this world other than sitting in the prison-coach as it drove to the edge of the civilization.And how could he not, with the system prompt hanging out in the corner of his vision, promising to activate only once he set foot in the outlands?Turn the world into blocks... and mine them out. Craft whatever your heart desire. Construct, automate, explore and exploit!But when you hear the boss music kick in...Do you run, or do you stand your ground and fight?!And what if, while you play minecraft... Others play game of thrones?

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

Scream out.Awake and pour out the grudge left in you onto me.Then, I shall save you.

“I’m very talented, and I get twice the result with half the effort.”

“I am a genius that is rare to see in a hundred years, extraordinary in ten years, and holy in thirty.”

“My blood is against the sky, and I was born to be a king.”

Watching a group of geniuses arguing, Han Xu slowly closed his eyes and basked in the sun before falling asleep.

Diligence, perseverance, talent, resources, and opportunities are indispensable for the cultivation of others.

And he just needs to wait quietly for the skill to download.

A life without cultivation should be so unpretentious and boring.

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