The sound of Iron clashing was the only thing Oblivion could focus on. It was a dull metallic sound that kept him at bay.
Though his class and sword were leagues above the shitty paladin, the thick armor plating which covered his body stopped him at every track.
As a high burst Assassin it was the worst match up he could have.
He knew the risk of kill stealing an elite level monster, but who'd guess they would chase him all the way back to the village.
Four out of the five party members had already died by his hands, but the last one was a walking anomaly.
Not only did he have a high constitution, but the bastard actually put a good amount of stats into agility.
"He's a tank for Christ's sake, who puts stat points in agility? Is he fucking stupid." Oblivion thought.
It was the stupidest point distribution Oblivion had ever seen, but he couldn't deny that he was actually losing to it.
Each strike that landed did minimal damage for both parties, but due to the Palidan's armor and speed he was slowly wearing down Oblivion.
Now that the both of them were back in Limillion village, Oblivion desperately wanted the fight to end.
He couldn't afford to be caught by the village guards, as they would throw him in jail for a minimum of 3 days.
Not only would it halt his progress, but with the 11 other anomalies on the loose it would practically end his career early.
"Ward"
A translucent dome etched itself into reality, covering the whole of the Palidin's body.
"The fuck?" Oblivion silently cursed.
He stood in shock not from the barrier but how instantaneous and fluid it had been cast.
Any skill not learned naturally held with it a certain amount of delay that showed its artificial nature.
It took months before players learned that they would lower those delays through dedicated practice and magic theory.
It was impossible for most players to know about the hidden function, let alone with that much efficiency.
The only player he knew with that level of efficiency was the Arch Witch, but she didn't exist in this timeline yet.
Oblivion looked back expecting to see a high level NPC, an arch mage, a witch perhaps?
Instead he saw a giant of a man, with blue hair, luxurious leather armor with metal plating and golden eyes.
He gripped in his right hand a spear, and an outstretched palm with his left.
Julian Ceasar, the first of the eleven anomalies Oblivion had noted down.
"So, what's the deal with him?" Julian asked.
"Stole an elite monster from his party. He's the only guy I couldn't kill." Oblivion sighed.
For the first time in the last 20 minutes he took the time to catch his breath.
His body was sluggish and unresponsive compared to what his mind remembered.
The discrepancy in his current body and his past was night and day.
"What's an elite?" Julian asked.
Oblivion looked back in confusion, it was a shock to him that someone with such great magical control knew nothing about elites.
"Is he not a regressor like me?" Oblivion wondered.
"It's basically a stronger monster with more health that gives more exp and loot." The paladin responded.
The paladin no longer bashed himself against the dome's wall, instead showing a smug smile at the pair.
"That's pretty much the jist of it." Oblivion added.
"Thanks I suppose?" Julian noted.
Though helpful, the smug smile on his face caused Julian to narrow his eyes in thought.
Oblivion walked over to thank Julian when the man's sudden shout caused him to rear his head.
"AGHHHH THEY"RE TRYHNA KILL ME." The paladin shouted.
As if in sync someone also shouted in the distance, "GUARDS THERE'S A FIGHT HERE!"
Both Oblivion and Julian looked back to see a horde of high level guards walking towards them in an orderly manner.
The both of them had been had. The paladin who was crying his heart out, was lying on the ground.
"Any chance we could run away?" Julian asked.
"Not a good one. The guard's have already seen us, they're level 40 plus so it's gonna be one hell of a run." Oblivion sighed.
"What if we bribe them?"
"Unless you got 20 gold coins in that card of yours, no deal." Oblivion denied.
"I actually do, but let me try something first." Julian countered.
"The fuck?"
By the time the two's squabble was over the guards had already surrounded the pair.
"Please put down the barrier and let us inspect the gentlemen inside." One guard asked.
"Fighting is strictly restricted inside the town's border, we do not take it lightly even if it's between two destined ones."
"For breaking the law, the two aggressors will receive 3 days in prison. I hope whatever petty thing you were fighting about was worth it."
"Do you even know who I am?" Julian responded.
"Am I supposed to?" One of the guards asked.
"Dude, the fuck are you doing??" Oblivion whispered.
"Just watch, trust me." Julian hushed.
"I believe I have something that your village head would love to see!" Julian grinned.
Out of his inventory Julian pulled out his letter of noble recommendation, something he had gained all the way back in his starter kit.
"Due to the Duke's order this village is to be transferred to the head of the Ceasar family. Aka me." Julian showed boastfully.
"This…" A guard stammered.
"I'll call over the head guard, to confirm the stamp is real. Please wait here till we've confirmed it." He sighed.
The simmer of gold flickered through the air, before being caught by the leading guard.
"Some money for your troubles." Julian commented.
The guard only nodded before ordering the letter to be brought to the village chief and head guard.
"Where the hell did you get a recommendation letter from the duke?" Oblivion asked.
"It came in my starter kit. I don't know." Julian shrugged.
"Either way, what are we gonna do with this guy?" Julian asked, pointing at the paladin.
A young guard who heard the question came up, "We can arrest him for interfering with a noble, sir!"
Julian looked over at the man who was currently quivering in his boots.
"Nah, let him go. He's had enough of a bad day. It was a reasonable crash out." Julian rejected.
"Understood sir!"
Oblivion wouldn't help but wonder what kind of talent and luck the man besides him had.
A genius at mana control, and the luck to receive a Duke's recommendation letter in his starter kit.
Not before long, another guard came back urgently whispering something to the lead guard.
"The village head wishes to speak with you. We're here to guide you and your companion sir!" He bowed.
"Sure! Lead the way." Julian smiled.
"You know I've always wanted to play the rich brat type." Julian whispered to Oblivion.
"I'm shocked the guards actually listened to you." Oblivion lulled.
"I had my plans." Julian said calmly.
***
"Nick! One of the twelve regressors is on the verge of being arrested." Eva reported.
"Is there any reference to this in the archives?" He asked back.
"Nope, each time it ends up with just wasted time."
"Alright, set up an escape for him." Nick sighed.
"Oh, nevermind the anomaly was able to clear the situation." Eva said curiously.
"The caesar guy?"
"Yup, that one." Eva confirmed.
"What'd he do this time?"
"He had a recommendation letter from a duke in his inventory. A claim to any beginner village."
"What are the chances of it showing up in a player's starter pack?" Nick asked.
"Zero percent. It shouldn't be possible."
"Alright, just let it be then. He's earned us enough points for us to look away."
"Just remember to keep a track of him and the other twelve, alright honey." Nick reminded.
"Mhm, already have been. Dinner's gonna be ready in a few minutes! Come out soon."
"Gotchu. Just finished reading my other self's plan. Be there in a few!" Nick assured.
Nick rolled back his chair, and rubbed the area between his eyes.
He had just finished reading a thousand page plan that covered just the basics of the 10 year plan for earth.
The tutorial, the portals, full galactic invasions. It was a huge pile of mess that wove together in an inconceivable way.
But through it all, one name remained missing.
"Just who the hell are you Ceasar?"