Unfortunately, he was unable to figure Sphere out. The bitter taste of defeat haunted the ambitious developer. The game’s architecture was unique, its code written in a special language by a well-coordinated team across many years. Sometimes, Yoshito felt as if he had to reverse-engineer alien technology. Some principles were completely innovative, while others had fallen out of use decades ago. The complete absence of any reference data suggested that the information had been purged to complicate his team’s operations. However, he still managed to make an impressive number of findings, from a self-regulating generation system to associative AIs capable of emulating human behavior. Still, the generator itself remained beyond his understanding. All Yamato and his people could do was gaze at it in awe, like savages before a painted idol.
Take those “spiders.” What were they? Why did they exist? Where could they come from? Tao knew enough about Sphere to understand that they couldn’t appear out of thin air. Somewhere, something must be spawning those creatures. They had a purpose. To punish those who violate the Balance? Take the Crown from him? Or — that thought was especially chilling, as his actions might have caused what he feared the most — the wrath of the procedural AI against all players of Sphere?
Many things had changed. The Eternal Warrior archetype became unavailable after Ananizarte’s death, as the continental quest it was linked to was gone. All reports attested that the forces of House of Darkness, previously confidently conquering the southern lands, had stopped their advance, opening Great Pentagrams to return to the north.Draconic silhouettes flew past the dome, and many voices bellowed from below. Thousands of NPCs came to demand what belonged to their House.
Tao pulled out the steel band of the fallen goddess’ crown, trying not to cut himself against the razor-sharp points. The Crown of the House of Darkness — the one who could wear it would rule the most powerful faction of Dorsa. The requirements for such items, intended for NPCs, always included True Possession, max-out management and strategy skills, and a ruler’s bloodline. The PROJECT leader met all of them but the last, but he was about to change that.
“Tao, the elixir is ready!” Nestor climbed the bridge and carefully handed him a vial full of liquid darkness swirling inside the sealed container. The legendary potion of Racial Metamorphosis brewed from Divine Blood was going to grant him the power and might of a demigod.
The liquid was boiling hot, like molten lava. A wave of fire ran through his veins, filling his body with heat.
Attention! You have launched an irreversible process — Racial Metamorphosis! Character data calculation in progress...
Your race has been changed to Demigod!
New archetype unlocked! Revise your character data to identify it?
Identifying archetype...
You were assigned a legendary archetype: Devil! Congratulations! You are the first player in Sphere of Worlds to receive this archetype! Unique achievement unlocked: First Child of Dark Blood! You receive...
You receive... You receive... You receive...
Lines about new achievements, experience, and attribute points flashed in the log. Tao carefully studied the description of the unique abilities granted by his new race and archetype. His face lit up. Apparently, the game was worth the candles. He needed fifty points to max out the archetype; thanks to the ones he had just gained from the achievement and losing the Eternal Warrior, he had just enough. Good. He could use all of them unreservedly.
“Tao, should we assemble a raid?” Nestor asked his clan leader, who was frozen in thought. “Invincibility will run out in four hours...”
Tao shuddered. With a firm gesture, he put the sparkling steel crown he had been holding on his head. For a minute, he stood motionless, as if listening to his own feelings. Then, a spectral mist shrouded his body, transforming into a strange tight-fitting armor woven from darkness itself. Pulsating light glowed in one of his hands, suddenly morphing into a silver scimitar. Tao took a few experimental swings — the blade changed shape and size, appearing and disappearing as the wielder willed. Raghel, the legendary blade inherited by the leaders of the House of Darkness, had once belonged to Mesmer, then Ananizarte, and finally, him.
“No need for a raid,” Tao said with a vicious smile. “I’ll deal with this myself.”
Then he shot up, beyond the dome, toward the black shadows rushing to meet him. There was no need to fear. After all, as decreed by one of the Crown’s features, the one who held it ruled.
Interlude: The Watchers
Location: Dorsa, Dan-na-Eyre
“ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCES, the Pandas started hauling ellurite from the castles and outposts of their clans and allies. They’re leaving next to nothing, barely enough for one invincibility. Most likely, their supplies are running out.”
“Any indications how much they managed to scrape up?”
“About fifteen cargo ships — enough to fully load two hundred ships twice. They can hold one more offensive operation. After that, their entire astral fleet will collapse, paralyzed.”
“So the time has come. NAVY says they can hold the Bazaar for two, maybe three days, too. Let’s do it now.”
“Will they give us people?”
“Yes, everybody’s ready, including our troops. If it works out, it’s going to be a hell of a surprise.”
“Have you figured out a way to meet Captain’s demand?”
“There’s only one option: Cat and his sword.”
Chapter 20
EVERYTHING WAS on fire around the Weeping Devil.
