Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-210

210 Puzzle

The group found themselves in a quandary, with no clear path forward. If the previous round stop them with locked door that required a high-ranking lockpick skill, this one demanded an entirely different approach.

Players began to explore the chamber, their eyes scanning for any clues that might provide a solution. Their search led them to the altars at the far end of the room, where they discovered ancient writings etched into the stone. There were also mysterious markings adorning the sides of the huge coffin at the center of the chamber.

"I can't understand any of this!" exclaimed Cammie, her blue hair framing her frustrated expression.

Axel, the French noble who seemed to possess a deep understanding of the classics text, promptly identified the script. "It's ancient Britannia," he confidently declared.

He glanced at Alan, and knowing what the noble wanted, Alan called upon Merlin. As a Fey chief and a powerful wizard, the legendary NPC possessed the necessary expertise to decode the cryptic messages. However, such a task would require time and concentration.

In such situations, opening a chamber usually required a clue that could be obtained from another quest within the game. But the game's mechanics also allowed for alternative solutions, such as using selected NPCs to assist, as they were doing now. Unfortunately, such secondary paths often came with the trade-off of consuming additional time.

As they waited for Merlin to decipher the cryptic writings, Alan's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to approach the two Blood Patriot members, Marcus and Jason. He couldn't help but ask, "I thought the two of you had enough of taking orders from someone else."

Marcus met Alan's question with a sharp gaze, his expression serious as he replied, "I have my own reasons."

Jason, perhaps a bit more forthcoming, added to the explanation, "We don't particularly like it, but at least, unlike the government, the man is very generous." He went on to elaborate on Axel's offer, revealing that the French noble had provided them with an upfront payment of 50,000 survival points each, ensuring their financial safety in case they met their demise during the quest. Furthermore, if they managed to survive the dangerous game, Axel had promised them a substantial reward of 1 million Euro, in the real world.

Jason also shared an intriguing detail about the mercenaries. Apparently, they had received an even higher offer, knowing that the Arnebout family has previous collaborations with the Black Sand mercenaries.

Hearing about the substantial rewards and offers made to Marcus, Jason, and even the mercenaries, Alan couldn't help but let out a chuckle. The comparison between their motivations and his own circumstances was strikingly lopsided. While others received enticing rewards, he had been confronted with threats, making it feel borderline unfair.

However, his amusement quickly gave way to a deeper contemplation of the situation. In his past life, Alan hadn't been deeply involved with groups like the Blood Patriot and the Black Sand mercenaries. During his first game, he had been a simple soldier, relatively uninvolved in their complex dynamics. Nevertheless, he was aware of the longstanding rivalry and animosity between the two factions, stemming from clashes that had erupted during the second round of the game. These tensions had only escalated when they, along with the New York server, had seized control of the Britannia faction during the third round, effectively pushing out the French faction and placing them at the mercy of Captain Carter's command.

Alan couldn't help but acknowledge the significant impact he had inadvertently made on their current situation. His actions had not only averted clashes between the Black Sand mercenaries and the Blood Patriot in the previous round but had also indirectly paved the way for Axel and the French to gain the upper hand by taking control of the Britannia faction. The subsequent NPC massacres had enriched Axel with a staggering number of survival points. It was this newfound wealth of points that had made Axel's cooperation with elite veteran groups like the Blood Patriot and the Black Sand mercenaries possible.

In essence, Alan had played a crucial role in Axel's success, even though he harbored a strong aversion to the man. The complexity of the game's dynamics had led him to a begrudging realization: to survive the game and navigate its treacherous challenges, he needed the assistance of these elite veterans. His survival hinged on ensuring that they made it through the quest while making sure they wouldn't kill him in the process.

"Dammit... this rebirth really gives me a headache," Alan muttered to himself, a mix of frustration and resignation evident in his voice. As half an hour elapsed since they had entered the chamber, tension and anxiety had begun to mount among the group. Some had even grown so impatient that they considered drastic measures, like Cachellos, who had readied explosives to blast open the entrance.

"Can't you make the NPC do it faster?!" Cammie demanded, her patience stretched to its limit.

Merlin, however, had only managed to decipher two-thirds of the cryptic writings, and time was running out. Frustration lingered in the chamber, and impatience gnawed at their nerves.

Surprisingly, Axel, the French noble, after observing the writings for some time, decided to walked over to the markings on the coffins and began examining their surfaces. He manage to moved plates and revealed four panels, each bearing a different picture – four distinct swords. With a calm and deliberate touch, Axel turned each panel in sequence, and a series of clicks followed. Then, he discovered a concealed switch.

As Axel activated the switch, a series of events unfolded rapidly. The chamber quaked, and the stone wall behind the altar began to shift with a resounding boom, creating a new pathway for them to follow. The group watched in awe as the previously insurmountable obstacle was transformed into a passable route.

Zancher couldn't contain his excitement, and he voiced his admiration once more. "You are amazing, boss!!" he exclaimed.

Alan couldn't help but ponder the implications of Axel's actions. It struck him that for a player to break the puzzle faster than the NPC – in this case, Merlin – could suggest that Axel possessed his own special skill. It was entirely possible that Axel had access to a skill similar to the advanced job class Strategist's [Critical Thinking], an ability designed to increase the success rate for any intelligence-based task.

This realization led Alan to a deeper understanding of Axel's character. Despite their differences and personal animosities, he recognized that Axel was, in many ways, quite similar to himself. Both had chosen the path of intelligence to survive the game.

Was trying to put the skyrim refrence as marking of the puzzle but i found dolphin being too weird. so i retrun to my initial idea. thank you for reading, your support are much appreciated.

Avan