"Cardiac arrest. Respiratory asphyxiation. Brain failure. Deoxygenation of blood. Liver failure. Internal trauma. Blood lose. With modern medical science we can prevent and cure each one of these things individually. Yet death comprised of multiples of these things eluded the science and knowledge of the World That Was. Researchers and scientists have spend centuries trying to cure death, but why try and cure death, when you can restore life?"

Tachyon leaned towards the player killing bandit whose hubris lead him to believe that he and a friend could easily slay what they thought to be a normal mage despite being a solid 30 levels under said normal mage. A "normal mage" who was currently holding him with a giant skeletal grasp and flanked by armored undead, lecturing him on the virtues of life and the wonders of necromancy. Even if he didn't have any <Fear> debuffs on him, it was clear that the bandit was scared a ghostly pale white.

"But alas, I do not have all day to spend here and neither do you. As such, I am going to leave you here, but not before first teaching you another thing about medicine and the human- err... elf anatomy. Do you know how long it takes for someone to suffocate after being buried alive?"

The restrained bandit frantically shook his head as skeletons dug a hole the ground behind Tachyon, desperate in the hopes his friend had respawned and was quickly running to his position to kill this madman holding him hostage.

"I've heard it can take anywhere up to three minutes for someone to suffocate, but that's presuming they don't have anything pollutants in their airways. I've always wondered if you can suffocate in this game now... Tell me about it later if you ever find me again and want to learn more about anatomy." with the man still firmly in his grasp, Tachyon walked over the the shallow grave and dropped the bandit it as his skeletons looked at him with dead, sunken gazes, already starting to rapidly pile dirt on to the bandit who squirmed as Tachyon's skeletal hand kept him down, "Until then, do have a good day. I hope your friend fines you quickly."

With a single sweep of the giant bony hands, the mound of dirt collapsed on to the open grave before the hand and the summoned skeletons along with it. Tachyon didn't bother to stick around much longer; he already knew how long it'd take him to suffocate underground.



A cold wind followed Tachyon wherever he went, as if he had just opened the stone door to a frozen crypt, as he walked back into town, holding an ominous bundle. Those who passed by him whispered what could such a dark looking man could be carrying with him. Perhaps skulls or flesh for some ritual, maybe ill-gotten golden gains, maybe some gems of dark magic. The fact that cloaked was wearing a tricorn hat that seemed to always cast a shadow over his face, obscuring it from view. No doubt the Landers were even more suspicious as mothers hurried their children past the figure and his gleaming scythe as it made its way to the marketplace, drifting in and out of shadows.

Splitting the crowds with his mere presence, the Adventurer stood in front of a stall selling a variety of alchemical regents maned by Landers although no one was current at the front. Onlookers nervously watched as they made their way past, the dark colors and unsettingly feeling of the man clashing with the brightly colored and vibrant stand, just inches away from the sharp edge of the scythe.

"Someone there?" An old gruff voice spoke from behind a curtain before walking out, towel in gloved hands. His face immediately lit up when he saw the figure in black, "Ahhh! Tachyon! I see you're returned from the bog! You find the things?"

"Yessir." the adventurer removed his hat and cleared his throat, dropping a skull sized burlap bag, "Crypt Fungus, Rotwood, Grave Grass, Feral Bone Dust, everything you said. Minus the Twilight Rose though, I couldn't find it even with the help of my summons. Sorry I'm late though, I ran into some trouble on my way back."

"Ahh don't worry about it, you've arrived just in time before closing time eh? Hah! Well, you've gone and done yourself a fine job sir. Here's you payment, sugared water and fruits. The work you've done for me and my family is honestly great. I don't think I could have gone in that accursed swamp myself to fetch these ingredients."

Suddenly, a flash of long blonde hair burst from the curtain and a young girl jumped up into the merchant's arms and saw Tachyon, "Daddy! Daddy! Is he the Adventurer you were talking about?"

"Yes I am." Tachyon put his hat over his heart and bowed slightly, "I've been gathering stuff for people these past few days. It gives me something to do besides sleep and do nothing. The fruits are just welcomed gifts. And who might you be little one?"

"She's my daughter, Anna." the old merchant tickled the girl who burst into laughter and flailing, "She sometimes tags along with me to work, ball of energy aren't ya?"

"Mhm!" Anna gave a big wide smile before putting a finger to her mouth and recalling, "Say, Mr. Adventurer, are you going to help the shrine lady too?"

"Shrine lady?" Tachyon tilted his head, a small spark of excitement igniting in him for a brief second before he was dragged in close by the man who let go of his daughter.

"Yup, she just came out not too long ago all worked up in a hissy and nearly passed out or so I'm told. Word traveled fast and they're calling for all Adventurers to rush to her aid. Apparently its something big about a demon seal or something. Or was it a demon walrus... Its something nasty."

"Well, why are all of you still here than?" Tachyon tilted his head into a bundle of dried flowers that instantly triggered a loud sneezing reaction before he pulled away, "Shouldn't you be heading to safety?"

The old man laughed, "We've got enough walls and Adventurers to keep us safe from a demon king! Besides," the merchant leaned forward and whispered, "With all the Adventurers getting ready to head out, this is the perfect time to raise some prices on things they might want before they head out and you can't make potions and poisons without ingredients m'boy."

Tachyon could literally see the glint of greed in the man's eyes but decided to try and ignore it as a bag of fruits and herbs landed in his arms, "Thank you for the stuff. I'll be heading off to see this Shrine Lady, might be interesting."

"No thank you m'boy! Remember, if anyone asks where to get alchemy ingredients, point them here!"

I'm going to point them the opposite way you price gouging bastard. Tachyon screwed up his face in mild annoyance as he melted into the crowd of adventurers amassing near the shrine. Melting as well as someone who gave off a chilling aura of death could at any rate.