In the real world, history has been made by people like Cube. It was his kind who toppled Caesar and the Roman Republic, his kind who precipitated World War I — thereby reshaping the world in the aftermath. In the real, assassins toppled whole armies, governments, ideologies. It was not so different in «ALT».

Within the complex political landscape of Car Magnaria, "Death Dealers" were held in high regard. They helped maintain the balance of power in the massive kingdom. They kept rivalries in check. A Viceroy could easily hire Dealers to take out a neighbor who has declared war on him. On the other hand, a slain ruler's allies could send Dealers to hunt down the player who ordered his death. Often, the strength of a territory or alliance does not depend on how many players it can field for its army. It depends on the caliber of Dealers it can hire. With the threat of mutually-assured death, rulers are compelled to think twice before acting rashly.

Because of their special skillset, Dealers were paid very handsomely. As he whooshed down, Cube watched his account balance on the HUD increase by more than half a million Ules. It was but for a moment, as he tore his eyes away to focus on the ground rushing up beneath him. 

Around his armored form, the surroundings quickly melted into a pitch black mass, rendering him nearly invisible. It was as if the spell he had cast temporarily erased the sun, earth, and trees from the game's code.

But the sudden darkness alerted the army below. "Dealer! Protect th—"

Before the NPC lieutenant finished his sentence, a blade of light sliced him clean in half. His skeleton body disintegrated in a shower of bright sparks, bouncing against the shiny coat of the Viceroy's chariot.

In response, fire suddenly erupted from the pumpkin's empty eyes. With a flick of his scepter, an orange stream shot out to meet the free-falling silhouette.

The Dealer's spear caught and deflected the attack. The force knocked Cube off-track, however, and he landed in the thick of the infantry. Around him, the skeletons brandished ivory-white swords and spears.

"Heh, pretty impressive," Cube sneered at his target. "Looks like all that Vitamin A worked wonders on your eyes, «PUMPKIN JACK»."

The gruesome image remained still. A soft, almost lazy voice asked, "Who sent you?"

"Friends of the «IRON HAMMER»."

The flaming avatar snorted. "That guy. Even discrowned, he sure is persistent."

As he spoke, his army charged frantically. Within seconds, most of them had been reduced into glittering polygons. As expected, Cube thought, this guy had not poured in enough skill points to his army. What a half-baked—

A sudden fireball broke through his thoughts, forcing him to dodge to the left. When he looked up from his roll, the target was up in the air above him, scepter ablaze and headed for his skull.

"Not so fast, you rascal!" Cube shouted as he parried.

"Not so fast yourself, are you?" The droning voice irritated him. "You've got some nerve trying to ambush me by your lonesome. But then again, that's your trademark. Isn't it, «COSMIC ASSAULT»?"

Cube leapt back to put some distance between him and his quarry. Around them, the invisible forest floor was already starting to catch fire from the earlier attacks. The remainder of the Viceroy's minions stopped attacking, standing motionless as if watching the duel.

"I'm flattered you've heard about me, but that moniker sounds a bit too pretentious. You may call me Cube — perhaps after you've created a new avatar!"

A window appeared in mid-air between the two players — «Cube_3_0409 HAS FORCED A PERMADEATH MATCH!»

The target's head tilted in surprise. “Too sure of ourselves, aren't we? I don't think you realize what you've gotten yourself into.”

“Username, Pumpkill_x35x. Friends call you Jerry. Sign up date, November 17, 2061. Became a Viceroy on February 27, 2062. Mainly an AGI-INT-CRIT build, and spells are mostly of an active-obstructive type. Cracker, sadist, and former Dealer. How's that sound?”

Jerry was silent for a second. Then, a hearty laugh echoed across the field. “Looks like you did your homework.”

“That's half the battle.”

“I have deleted 53 people from this game, and 7 of them were Dealers like yourself. I guess you have a deathwish.”

"We'll see about that," Cube said as he shifted his weight. Around him, the effects of «ECLIPSE» were wearing out. He had to act fast or he will lose advantage.

"Come, «STELLAR SPEAR»!"