Re-Awakening: I Became a Pay To Win Boss Monster

"For starters, fuck you," Rael replied flatly. "Second of all, who even are you people? Are you affiliated with the Blazing Sun faction?"

Alcetas tilted his head and narrowed his single eye. "You know of us? Hmm... I suppose you do have a way of gathering information with that dimensional shop. So, do you know why we're here, then?"

"Not a clue." Rael shrugged. "But hey, can you remind me what exactly the Blazing Sun faction does? I seem to have forgotten what you people actually do."

The only thing he knew about them was that they were of the chaotic alignment.

But of course, it wouldn't be so simple.

Alcetas chuckled. "You're basically asking me to reveal my faction's secrets. Odd of you to assume I'd be stupid enough to do so."

"Well, you do want an ally, don't you?" Rael said matter-of-factly. "So convince me or something. Why should I use my skills for your benefit?"

"I believe you've already made your stance clear on the matter," Alcetas replied. "If you wish to go against us, I see no reason to keep you alive."

Rael's brows furrowed. Yeah, this guy really isn't easy to talk to.

Yet it felt like the more Rael talked with him, the clearer his mind became.

Because of that, Rael couldn't help but bring up a certain point.

"Say, is it an item you're looking for...? Or maybe a person?"

He had explored the majority of the Dralgur continent in the past. He was sure that if there were some ancient item with hidden properties, he would have found it.

But people? Rael never really paid attention to them. Sure, there were some hidden NPCs he had found, but none of them seemed important enough that a big-shot faction such as this had to descend and get them.

Aria was one such person. She could alter reality with her paintings. But even then, if these people wanted to, they'd have come and gotten her right away.

So whoever they're looking for is a person who's not on the radar... Rael mused.

After a moment of silence, Alcetas spoke.

"It's an interesting theory you've crafted. You were never known for your intellect, so I'm a little surprised." He chuckled. "It's indeed a person. But we're unable to track them by normal means. That's why we came here personally to find them."

Huh. Someone they can't find by normal means... I'll have to check out the premium shop after this. Maybe I can find something...

But first, he had to survive this encounter.

He couldn't cut the skill short because Alcetas seemed to have somehow taken control of it. Or at least, partially.

<Synaptic Hijack: Duration 60 seconds>

I just need to survive 60 seconds. Seems simple enough, Rael thought and dashed away as far as he could.

But not even a moment later, Alcetas reappeared in front of him. He extended his hand, trying to grab Rael's throat.

Before he could, Rael created a portal in the ground, teleporting himself to the other end of the mind realm, as far away from Alcetas as he could.

<Mental Integrity: 672% → 662%>

Although being a pussy wasn't Rael's motto, he didn't exactly want to die here. Especially against a guy who let it slip that there were multiple others who 'graced the world with their presence.'

Therefore, Rael played the cat-and-mouse game for as long as he could, his Mental Integrity draining rapidly.

And just as he was about to teleport again, Alcetas created a barrier, blocking the teleportation from happening.

<Mental Integrity: 662% → 621%>

<Alcetas Audagar's Mental Integrity: 952% → 901%>

"I'd give you a pat on the back if you were my subordinate," Alcetas remarked. "You have very high Mental Integrity, and yet... you have no clue how to utilize it. What's with these stupid portals? You could fight back and maybe even kill me. And yet you're running away like an absolute coward."

Rael shrugged. "It seems to be working."

He glanced to the side, noting how much time was left.

<Synaptic Hijack: Duration 32 seconds>

Nearly half a minute wasted. It wasn't bad at all.

However, from the glare Alcetas was giving him, Rael knew it wouldn't be so easy.

And he was right, since in the next moment, Rael's head twisted, and his body went limp.

But that feeling only lasted a second, as in the next, his eyes shot open, puzzled.

What just...?

<Mental Integrity: 621% → 521%>

<Alcetas Audagar's Mental Integrity: 901% → 881%>

"You died," Alcetas said plainly. "Just like that. The mind realm is just another battleground. Thinking it's just some mental warfare realm is an idiotic move."

Rael's brows twitched. But he decided to take Alcetas's advice just this once.

So with a mere thought, he imagined twisting Alcetas's head clean off.

At first, it seemed like it would work, however...

<Mental Integrity: 521% → 496%>

<Alcetas Audagar's Mental Integrity: 881% → 861%>

Alcetas countered the twist and only lost 20 Mental Integrity, whereas Rael lost 25. In the long run, he'd lose.

But he didn't need this fight to be long, just long enough for the skill to end. As for what happens when he was finally out, and Diederich was right in front of him? Rael was going to improvise.

Yet it seemed like his ideas were cut short as his body fell limp, meaning he had died.

It wasn't a single death. In fact, he seemed to have died three times before he could even realize.

<Mental Integrity: 496% → 396%>

<Mental Integrity: 396% → 296%>

<Mental Integrity: 296% → 196%>

<Mental Integrity: 196% → 96%>

What was more surprising was that Alcetas's Mental Integrity went up.

<Alcetas Audagar's Mental Integrity: 861% → 952%>

"Haha, this was an interesting fight," Alcetas remarked with a chuckle. "I can't say it was close, but at least I managed to catch a glimpse of the person who made our descent possible."

A moment of silence ensued, but it was soon broken by Rael.

"What do you mean?"