The need for advanced levels

Captain Abraxas soon arrived at Bloody Ice. Wrapped in heavy fur and cloth; he approached the quarters of the city’s Officer Henkoff. The other soldiers ushered him to the warm fire where he took the liberty of shaking off the bitter cold. Indeed, Bloody Ice’s weather was as unmerciful as its namesake.

“Ah, it’s a good thing you’ve come to visit, Captain,” Henkoff’s booming voice announced his presence in the room. His eyes were affixed at the parchment he held in his hands.

“Is there a problem, Henkoff?” He approached one of the wooden chairs near the furnace and sat down. He wanted to tell the officer of his recent discovery, but the way Henkoff kept his attention on the bit of parchment was unsettling. “What’s that you got there?”

Henkoff folded the piece of paper and handed it to Abraxas. Perplexed, the aged Captain glanced at the document. His eyes widened at the familiar wax symbol embossed on the parchment.

“This is a missive from the Master Core Alchemist!” exclaimed Abraxas.

Officer Henkoff nodded. “And we both know that the Master Alchemist rarely sends out anything official. So if he sent this missive, the news it bears is a matter of grave importance.”

Abraxas unrolled the parchment and scanned the document. His hands shook at the words he read. This breaking news diverted his thoughts from his original purpose of visiting Henkoff. Whatever confusion he felt before was replaced with a growing sense of anxiety and fear.

“The Nation War is upon us.”

Henkoff crossed over to where the Captain sat. “Yes. And we're now given the task to issue an edict to everyone to start aiming for higher combat levels. The Master Alchemist has given a suitable reward for those who will reach specific levels. This will be made effective after the Scheduled Server Maintenance of June 24 until July 8th.”

“And that would be...?” Captain Abraxas asked.

Henkoff pointed at the parchment, with which Abraxas looked curiously.

“They are basic alchemy cores but if the person who gets hold of these core enhancers would know how to use them then these will give him great advantage,” Officer Henkoff said. He rolled the scroll and put them in his drawer.

“I see. I'm sure that'd give them enough reason to grind harder,” Captain Abraxas nodded. “Even I have found many great uses for these enhancers, especially when crafting new items. They increase the probability of success when crafting or upgrading...really useful indeed.”

“Yes, yes. Anyway, about the matter that you came all the way here to ask me...” Officer Henkoff prodded.

Captain Abraxas coughed to clear his throat. “Oh, yes. Hmm...I'll be straightforward about it. I came to ask about the disc artifact that your clan has been guarding. Is it still with you?”

Officer Henkoff looked at the Captain intently. “By the way you look, it seems that you're on to something and it has something to do with the lost civilization.”

“I'm doing a study, that's all,” Captain Abraxas elusively replied.

“I see. My great grandfather lost the artifact a long time ago in Fort Ruina. As you already know, my family took refuge in that colony when civil unrest erupted here in Bloody Ice,” Officer Henkoff sighed knowing that the man in front of him would never tell him anything no matter what. “But you understand, right? Even if you find it, you won't be able to use the disc because the technology that created and makes it function no longer exists.”

“Of course, my friend. But that's what makes it even useful,” Captain Abraxas smiled knowingly. “Don't worry about it. Now that it's no longer in your possession, I guess I'll have to find another specimen.”

Captain Abraxas rose from his seat and bowed at the Officer. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You're always welcome here, Captain,” Officer Henkoff returned the courtesy. He followed Captain Abraxas as he headed out of his office.

“By the way,” Captain Abraxas paused on his tracks, “did you notice anything peculiar lately?”

“Peculiar? No, nothing at all. Why do you ask?”

“I see. Nothing of important, it just came to me,” Captin Abraxas smiled again, dismissing any more questions that the officer might bring out. He waved one last time to the Officer then set the destination code in his GPS. Hiding his grim expression from the man at the office entrance, he pushed the teleport button. The words on the screen blinked repeatedly and fast as the GPS began its transmission.

Destination: Fort Ruina