Protagonist faction and villain faction
"[Master, you are so cool,]" Sol complimented Astarion, admiration evident in its tone.
"Of course, I know I am cool," Astarion responded nonchalantly. He proceeded to wipe the blood off his sword using the shirt of the manager he had just killed.
Astarion's actions were driven by a couple of reasons. Firstly, he had allowed his intrusive thoughts to take control, and secondly, he simply felt like doing it.
Astarion laughed heartily, his back against the wall as he sat on the floor. His laughter echoed in the empty space, a reflection of how much he believed he had changed.
Before Sol's connection, he considered his past self somewhat pathetic. The change was monumental, and he found humor in the drastic transformation.
"Master, since the apocalypse has started earlier, the protagonist and villain factions will soon be established. I suggest we act quickly to execute our plans," Sol advised, its voice reverberating in Astarion's mind.
"Yeah, I can't wait to tear those bastards from the protagonist faction apart," Astarion replied, his thoughts swirling with images of the adversaries he yearned to confront. "Sol, could you please create a 3D live map of this city?" he requested as he rose to his feet.
"Of course, Master. Just give me a few minutes," Sol responded.
[Connecting to a satellite]
[Finding the city using satellite map]
[Creating the 3D live map]
[It will be completed in 5 minutes]
As Sol worked on the map, Astarion wandered towards the entrance gate of the tower, curious about the situation outside. The scene that greeted him was gruesomely satisfying.
Those left outside were now embroiled in a desperate fight for their lives against the zombies.
To Astarion, this scene was just like an circus show, albeit a deadly one, entertaining only to those who were safely removed from the danger.
"Should I also hunt the villain faction?" Astarion pondered, his eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield below.
In the game of eternal apocalypse, society was primarily divided into two main factions: the protagonist faction and the villain faction.
However, these were not man-made factions but rather categories to describe the characters within the narrative.
The protagonist faction consisted of the main characters, heroes, heroines, and their allies, often portrayed as naive, foolishly brave, and excessively self-righteous, arrogant pieces of shit.
In contrast, the villain faction consisted of the antagonists, characterized as the polar opposites of the protagonists.
The twist in the eternal apocalypse setting was that protagonists were not invincible.
They could be defeated by anyone more powerful, adding a layer of unpredictability to the survival game.
Even villains could decimate the protagonists, reducing them to mere ants, because, in the end, outcomes hinge on the actions one takes.
For instance, imagine a villain who has fought his way to the top encountering a protagonist who has merely been building a harem in the apocalypse with his cheat abilities.
The villain would undoubtedly win. The protagonist wouldn't just be defeated; he would also likely lose his heroines to the villain, and would have to wear a green hat for the rest of his life, assuming he survives.
While protagonists may possess cheats, villains hold their own advantages. Without their cheats, protagonists are essentially powerless, whereas villains boast potential and talent.
And while protagonists surround themselves with subordinates and friends, villains have their own entourage of bootlickers.
The best example of this dynamic is Astarion's transactions a few hours earlier.
Were a protagonist to attempt the same, he would likely be look don by others by others, only to then deliver a classic face-slap in response, then this would happen again, thus perpetuating a never-ending cycle.
"Master, the live 3D map of the city is ready," Sol announced. "Shall I display it now?"
"Yes," Astarion responded.
A 3D holographic map of the city materialized in front of him, displaying two types of moving dots: one blue and one red.
"What do these dots represent, Sol?" Astarion inquired, scrutinizing the map.
"The dots signify the living beings in the city, Master. The blue ones are humans, and the red ones are zombies," Sol explained promptly.
"Oh, that's quite a useful feature," Astarion remarked with a look of amusement. "I wasn't aware you had this capability, Sol," he added.
"But anyway, why are there almost no humans on the roads right now?" Astarion paused, pondering, then continued, "Have these zombies already eliminated everyone outside the buildings in just 20 minutes?"
"Master, let's not dwell on these insignificant matters," Sol suggested. "Shall we proceed to hunt down the first protagonist?"
"Not just yet. First, I need to plunder his luck, or I won't be able to obtain his 'golden finger,'" Astarion decided.
"Although you're correct, Master, I don't believe the 'golden finger' of the first protagonist will be particularly powerful or useful to you," Sol commented.
"Even so, I still want it," Astarion insisted. "I won't allow those damned protagonists to even have a decent death, let alone live like heroes."
"Sol, grant me ten years' worth of sword experience," Astarion commanded. "We can't stay in this tower forever; we have to venture out."
"Are you certain, Master? The last time you assimilated ten years of experience, the pain rendered you unconscious," Sol replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Just do it," Astarion demanded firmly.
"As you wish," Sol acquiesced.
[Searching the internet]
[Finding the experience of a swordsman]
[Found It]
[Transferring it to Master]
As the flood of memories inundated Astarion's mind, he immediately experienced an indescribable agony. The pain was so intense that words failed to capture its essence.
Soon His body also started to hurt like crazy, with leg cramps that felt dozens of times more severe than usual and his hands suffering from excruciating cramps.