Global Pawn Rankings.
This was the so-called global leaderboard that everyone seems to go crazy on, including Fran. In the first place, how does one become a Ranker when their characters die every time?
This was all due to Evanescence.
Or more specifically, the capturing of fragments of which evanescence is accumulated. However, it extends beyond just that. A character naturally accumulates "Evanescence".
What is Evanescence, then?
For Fran,
It is the essence on which the universe resonates. The cycle of life and death, as well as the act of breathing, can create evanescence. In short, it's how much causality you create in the world—and the intensity of the impact you have on beings. In human terms, it's like being popular.
"Heyyy!!! Listen to me!"
"...? Why are you bothering me...?"
"Hehe!"
Meanwhile, Fran was training as usual, increasing his stamina day by day by running around the cradle. His days were quite peaceful previously, until the interruption of Dorothy.
"You... are unusually strong. I heard you're a player? What was your username?"
Keeping up with his pace despite her small build, she looked at Fran with inquisitive eyes, as if trying to pry him open.
"GhostHunter1154."
"What kind of cringey name is that... I haven't heard of it, so how...?"
Fran technically did not lie, as this was his alternate account. He figured not saying anything here would only make him more suspicious.
"Little Fran!"
A shout resonated from behind them; it was Albert. The two stopped and went to the man who was calling for them, or more specifically, for Fran.
"This is bad, Little Fran, the new guy... he's gravely injured in the Inn."
"What!?"
"Hoho... another one of those cases."
<<----------->>
"Urgh..."
"Fran boy, take a look at this."
Vaclova set down an injured man on the table.
In front of them was a badly wounded Damon, who seemed to have received cuts and bruises all over his body. His natural blonde hair, slightly stained by his own blood.
"Aiyah... did he challenge the Fragment immediately..."
"It seems to be the case... he'll be alright since the Cradle has natural healing properties so long as you give him proper rest."
Fragments.
They are usually broken down into multiple stages, each with increasing difficulty than the previous. The first fragment that the cradle captures is usually set to three stages only, with the last one being the Fragment stage.
Fran had already cleared the second stage by himself.
It had a [Search and Kill] theme, which is considered to be the easiest theme in King's Cradle, as the difficulty is mostly applied in searching for the creature rather than its power.
"I've yet to learn healing magic, so I can't help here, sorry! In the first place, he shouldn't have been overconfident."
Dorothy clasped her hands together with one eye shut as if indicating she's apologetic, in contrast with her sarcastic voice.
"I can hear you shorty...!"
The wounded man retorted, and it seems he did not like that comment.
"Grr! How mean! Maybe we should just [Synthesize] him! Let's petition that to the King!"
Dorothy looked at Fran as she said that, as if getting him to agree.
"Synthesize...?" Vaclova asked.
"It is..."
Synthesize.
It was the scariest part of King's Cradle that Fran had never mentioned to anyone. Unlike [Rebirth], which allowed you to transcend your limits. [Synthesize] was mandatory on the orders of the King.
This was the reason why you can't slack off, because if you do, the King will synthesize you and turn you into Attribute Stones and EXP shards. These items will then be gifted by the King to a more deserving player and increase their stats and level.
Of course, Fran never planned to do it.
"You've got to be joking...! That kind of thing...! How about those freeloaders then...!?"
Damon cried out, his face clearly annoyed at Dorothy and the rest of the people at the inn.
Aside from them, there were four others who sat down at separate tables, watching the situation unfold in silence. That's right, these were the other people who got summoned.
It seems they refuse to fight and are sitting only in the corner, eating their dinner.
"Well-well, I'm sure the King can see your efforts."
Fran tried to calm him down.
[We have only a week left, King Fran.]
The task he was given, to capture the first stage fragment in two weeks, even Fran thinks is quite hard. However, it's not impossible; that's why he trained every day.
He thought maybe he was being naive, making sure everyone survives while he handles everything. His recent failure to prepare only further proved this point and left him devastated mentally and emotionally.
It had everything he hated the most: Sudden changes to his plans, loud noises, and fear of losing everything he had built up so far. Maybe that was why he had acted back then, he thought.
"Umm... can we help out?"
Two people approached Fran as the others were busy pointing fingers and minding their own business. They had matching pale orange hair, one had it braided while the loose and flowing. He knew these two were sisters, according to their statuses, and they didn't seem to hide it.
"We were only Farmers before we came and have no idea how to fight... however, we can't just do nothing."
The two seemed hesitant, their eyes saying, "I want to help, but I'm unsure if this is the right decision". Fran found himself smiling at their sentiment.
"Ah, alright, then you'll have to go to the Rift, I'll guide you there."
"Thank you..."
<<----------->>
[Is this really alright, King Fran?]
"What do you mean?"
[The state of the Cradle :| ]
It seemed that Axy had read Fran's worries.
"I have to admit, it's really disorganized, and people are just doing as they please. For players, even the idea of slacking on your first few days could already get you killed in the Cradle."
[That's right, I admire that you have taken a unique approach as expected of you, King Fran. However, I believe that you have to be a proper King.]
Fran didn't feel the usual atmosphere that every Cradle had. For starters, it was less competitive than the one he always had in the game. The environment didn't really foster any pressure or a sense of desperation in the people. Usually, people would scramble just to get the King's attention to gain rewards and progress further.
"If this goes on, we'll hit the Cradle limit with people who are afraid to fight and end up depleting the Cradle's resources."
[It's good that you're aware.]
The Cradle was not self-sustaining, as it gets its resources from the clearing of stages and fragments. In fact, a Cradle thrives the more active and competitive it is.
"Alright, I've decided. Tomorrow—"
"Ya-hoo! Earth to Mr. Fran."
Dorothy bobbed her head in front of Fran, who seemed to be in deep thought, sitting just beside the Rift portal.
"...? I don't remember us being properly acquainted."
"So cold! How can you say that to a young maiden?!"
She mimicked the action of removing tears from her eyes, exaggerating her reaction.
"So... What do you want?"
"Hehe! Let's take on the Fragment stage!"
"What...?"