The Arena's Call

by Tao Wong

  “To me!” Omrak roared, taunting the group with his Champion of the North Skill. Forced to attack Omrak, the Orcs turned away from reaching Asin and attacking Daniel, instead focusing their attention on the Northerner. Within seconds, blood began to flow as Omrak was unable to stop all the attacks.

  The break, however, gave Asin a moment to recover, a break to charge down and use Backstab combined with Bone splitter to stun an Orc, dropping the large monster to its knees. Already, Asin crouched over it as she moved to finish it off. Daniel, offered a reprieve, triggered Double Strike as well, attacking his own distracted opponent. As the dread-wearing Orc recovered and swung back to Daniel, the Adventurer twisted and struck his shield against a late arrival, this Orc finally having put out the lingering flames from before. Unfortunately, the shield-bashed Orc did not take the bait, instead continuing to focus on Omrak.

  A block and riposte by Omrak opened up an opponent’s chest, a counterattack that cost Omrak as the tank struck his head with its sword. The Northerner fell back, blood streaming from a deep cut as he waved his sword to ward off the other Orcs. All around the Northerner, a deep red light pulsed, a sure sign of the damage he had received even as blood ran down his legs.

  Roaring in Orcish, the tank and his three compatriots rushed Omrak, the giant’s blade caught and held by one of the Orcs as the others came to stab him. Instead of flinching, Omrak flashed the monsters a blood-soaked grin as he triggered the Lightning’s Call, electricity dancing forth from his body to strike all four of his opponents.

  Having beaten his own opponent into the ground, Daniel turned a little too late. Caught unaware, clad in iron, Omrak’s Skill jumped to him, electrifying the healer and dropping him to the ground. In the corner of Daniel’s eye, he saw Asin hiss in frustration before she jumped onto one of the shocked Orcs.

  By the time Daniel recovered, all but one of the Orcs was down – the giant tank. But instead of Omrak facing the red-skinned monstrosity, it was Asin. Omrak was lying on the ground, clutching his chest and turning blue. Casting a Minor Healing (II) again on his friend, Daniel pushed himself to his feet, only to see Asin receive a backhand blow across the body that sent her bouncing off the invisible arena walls.

  “No…” Daniel sprinted forwards, tucking his head down low as he tackled the monster across its knees just before it swung its blade down. Even then, he heard a scream of pain from Asin before the pair crashed onto the ground together.

  Soon, the two were struggling for control, Daniel’s smaller and compact body, clad in armor, pressed down upon the larger and stronger Orc. Still, the lessons provided by Angie came in handy, his new meager skills sufficient to stall the Orc from rising to its feet. Strength beat skill however, and Daniel was eventually tossed aside, the giant with one hand on the ground as it searched for its weapon.

  Hissing, Asin appeared from behind, plunging her knife into the top of its palm and pinning the monster down. Another knife sought its throat, but the tank punched Asin aside, sending the Catkin sprawling. It was enough time for Daniel to recover, enough time for him to lash out with a Perin’s Blow and then a combination of other Skills against the trapped monster. Finally, finally, the monster died as Daniel raised his shield to strike again.

  With a sigh of relief, Daniel slumped to the ground, exhaustion overtaking him. Too many uses of his Skills wasted without thought in those last few seconds. A foolish move anywhere else but the arena. As Daniel’s breathing slowly returned and the thudding of blood in his ears subsided, the Adventurer realised that the waves were roars, roars of approval.

  “We won,” Omrak said as he limped over, one leg – the wrong leg – dragging behind him from a cut and his hand clutched over his ribs.

  “Yes,” Asin replied as she struggled to sit-up. Along one arm, a deep cut still bled as she held it close, the blood pooling and dripping from her fingers. With a grimace, Daniel poured more Mana into his healing spells, casting it on Asin first before beckoning the two closer so that he could touch them and cast the Healer’s Mark.

  Once again, Daniel reflected, as they slowly staggered out of the arena to the screams of delight and roars of approval of the crowd, he had managed to escape the majority of the damage. Perhaps they should invest in greater armor for Omrak.

  Chapter 11

  “I’m sorry,” Jules said once he entered the party’s waiting room where the group had returned to pick up their discarded equipment. Too exhausted to carry it for the award ceremony, the trio had discarded their equipment here after repeated assurances of care and a promise to clean and even repair the equipment. It had been too good an offer for the party to decline and so, they had attended the ceremony unarmed and unarmored.

  “You were very close. But the other five teams that were ahead of you clinched it. While two are ineligible after today’s fights and you were the third,” Jules shrugged. “Well, there are only two spots. And both teams have used Major Healing potions to ensure they are completely uninjured. Which, I fear, cannot be said for you.” At the last, Jules sent a fixed look at Omrak who flushed under the scrutiny. “Still, you managed the best showing of any Red ranked team. I understand you’ll be upgraded the moment you return to the Guild.”

  “Thank you,” Daniel said, doing his best to hide his disappointment. It was not the ringmaster’s fault. He just ran the games after all. Still, missing out on the entrance by such a minor margin stung.

  “You can expect a large number of guilds to be after you now,” Jules said. “After such a performance, I dare say any of you could join any guild you wish. On very generous terms, in some cases.”

  “I know,” Daniel said, waving the words away.

  Jules lips compressed for a moment. “Well, you are welcome to wait a little longer for your equipment, but once it arrives, we’ll be grateful if you could vacate the premises. We do have two other tiers to finish.”

  “Of course,” Daniel said. With a few more goodbyes, the ringmaster left the trio to sit in glum silence. A frustrated, glum silence.

  Later that evening, Nicole found the trio of adventurers seated, nursing their drinks with the addition of a new Catkin. The guild mistress sighed, gesturing for Emma and Sara to follow her along. Emma grimaced, but Sara bounced over to give Omrak a consoling hug. Immediately the Northerner brightened visibly at her presence.

  “Cheer up,” Nicole said, dropping into the seat beside them. “You still got your prizes, didn’t you?”

  “Fifth place,” Asin said, wrinkling her nose and making her whiskers twitch.

  “That was your placing,” Emma said bitingly. “You were third-in-line to get a spot only because the other two teams were too injured.”

  “We know,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “It’s just disappointing.”

  “Of course, it is. Especially when you decided to showcase your gifts.” Emma sniffed. “Cheating healer.”

  Nicole’s eyes narrowed slightly as she noted the way Daniel and Omrak twitched at the mention of the words gifts, but they both recovered almost immediately. It was so quick that she might not have noticed it if she hadn’t been looking.

  “We weren’t the only ones,” Daniel said, frowning. “I counted at least seven other teams…”

  “Eleven,” Nicole said. “There were eleven teams in the third tier that had healers. Of which three were Shamans and Physicians who can speed up but not magically heal.”

  Daniel nodded at her words while Omrak, seated by the side, had eyes widened in shock. Asin snorted slightly, curling her head into Tevfik’s broad chest once again and rubbing her cheek against it.

  “It’s what we told you before, Daniel,” Tevfik growled out softly. “Healer’s are rare. Priests are the best, of course, but so few of them are part of an Adventuring order. Those that are available are often added to higher ranking teams immediately.”

  “Exactly,” Nicole said. “It’s why you should join a guild. We could add you to our secondary team immediately, and you’d get a chance to
visit Artos. Even if you aren’t at the right level, I’m sure we can convince them.”

  “And my party?” Daniel said, glancing at his friends.

  “Well, they can’t come to Artos, but afterwards you can join them. We’ll want to add other members to your team then, but it isn’t that big a deal, is it?” Nicole said with a smile. “We have really promising Adventurers including a mage that joined us this year.”

  “Yours isn’t the only guild with great candidates,” Tevfik butted in, shooting a glare at Nicole. “We’re not a small, insular guild like some. And you already have friends in ours. We’ll even let you choose if you want more people on your team. We just ask that you help with some of the serious injuries. The guild master says we can do either a salary or piece work for your aid.”

  “You’d be a fool to take any of these small guilds,” Gadi interrupted the group, hands on his hips. “The Seven Stones is one of the largest guilds in the country. Unlike some, we actually have branches in other cities. That means free or cheap housing, training facilities, discounted purchases with affiliated merchants and smiths and even an emergency fund. Why don’t you ask your friends how much they can offer?”

  Both Nicole and Tevfik fell silent at Gadi’s list of benefits, looking down at the table or away from Daniel. That was answer enough for the young Adventurer. But before he could say another word, a lazy, almost indolent voice interrupted.

  “Oh, come now, Gadi. It’s not as if the Seven Stones are the biggest guild.” The speaker emerged from behind Gadi, who unconsciously stepped aside for the older man. Clad in a vest, a shirt with large, floppy sleeves and tight leather pants, the speaker sported a goatee and a grin as he offered first Asin and then the rest of the team his hand. “Monsieur Labeau. Guild master of the Burning Fields. You might have heard of us.”

  “Guild master of the Silverstone branch,” Gadi muttered.

  “Oh, yes, obviously.” Labeau shot Gadi a contemptuous glance. “I’m sure Daniel and his friends understood that.”

  “We did,” Daniel said, suddenly finding his throat dry. His friends were little better, their eyes wide as they stared at Labeau and the glowing, enchanted badge on his vest. Even their guild badge was better, more ornate. It was hard to miss talk of the Burning Fields, the largest, most famous guild in Brad. They had more Advanced and Master Class parties than any guild. They had cleared the Necrotic Fungus Dungeon and the Bones Layer, mapping and sussing out the floors to write the definitive guides. They were the guild that hosted the Legendary warrior Hernando Masquez and the mage Cher.

  “Well, I must say, I was impressed by your showing. You have guts and some understanding of your Skills. With proper training, support and equipment, I’d expect you to develop quite well,” Labeau said. A hand dipped into his pouch, pulling out a small wooden chit in the same design as his badge. “I’d be happy to speak with individuals as gifted as you all. Just show this badge when you arrive.”

  “Thank you, Hero Labeau,” Omrak rumbled, taking the chit and pocketing it. Labeau smiled at them all before turning away to walk out. As he left, the group deflated slightly, the Adventurer’s sudden actions leading the group startled.

  “Not going to pitch them anymore?” Emma called mockingly to Gadi as he turned away to leave.

  “What’s the point? The damn Burning Fields are interested. Everyone goes to them,” Gadi said and screwed up his face to spit. He stopped when he caught sight of Erin, making sure to swallow carefully. “Just be careful. Big guild like that, someone talented like you gets lost real easy.”

  “Isn’t that our line?” Tevfik said with a half smile as he watched Gadi stomp off. A few moments later, Erin arrived by their table, carrying mugs of ale.

  “You’ve got a lot more visitors, but I have them stalled. Figured you’d want some peace and quiet, but their calling cards are all behind the counter. I’d recommend you start talking to them soon – I run an inn, not a social house,” Erin said, smiling.

  “Thank you, Erin,” Daniel said, echoed soon after by his friends. “We just want to drink in peace. For today at least.”

  “Well, that, we can help you with,” Nicole said, grinning. “Well, a bit. We’ve all got our own matches soon.”

  Omrak stared and then made a face, nodding to the guild members. “Our apologies. The matter slipped our mind, but it is true. We wish you the best of luck.”

  “Thanks, Omrak,” Nicole said, echoed soon after by the others. Sara, curled up around Omrak’s arm, just giggled slightly.

  “A toast then, to future victories!” Tevfik offered, holding out his mug.

  “To future victories.”

  “Victories.”

  “Hear, hear!”

  Daniel smiled slightly as he quaffed his mug and set it down, staring around the table. Perhaps it was not so bad, losing. They had friends, offers and yes, two dungeons still to finish. Perhaps it wasn’t so bad after all.

  Later that evening, when the others had left, and the team had returned to the loft to rest, Daniel found Asin staring at him with those large, jade eyes.

  “What?”

  “Go. Artos,” Asin said, pointing at Daniel.

  “I’d have to join a Guild,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “And that might mean leaving you guys.”

  “Maybe,” Asin said with a shrug and then pointed outside. “Orange team. No healer.”

  “Ah…” Daniel paused, considering that. It was true. And that team had four others. Perhaps they’d take them on as an addition. Still, something bugged Daniel. “You don’t want to join Tevfik?”

  Asin froze, her tail even stopped swaying. Slowly, it began again as Asin answered softly. “Nice. But Daniel friend. Gift. Daniel choice.”

  “That’s…” Daniel stopped, suddenly feeling embarrassed at the trust offered to him. “Thank you.”

  Asin’s shrug was all the answer she gave, the Catkin heading for the curtained corner to change. Daniel sighed, lying back down as he pondered her words. With a gesture, Daniel finally took a look at the notifications he had accumulated through the day. The first few were only mildly interesting, skill increases through a wide variety of combat skills. Better shield, mace and combat sense options, better dodging. Frustrated, Daniel twitched his hands as he discarded them all before he found the final notification. As he had expected – he had gained a Level. With a smile, Daniel adjusted his attributes and reviewed his Skills. Next Level, he’d gain another Skill.

  Name: Daniel Chai (Advanced Rank Adventurer)

  Class: Level 11 Adventurer (02%)

  Sub-classes: Level 7 (Miner) (2.5%)

  Human (Male)

  Statistics

  Life: 311

  Stamina: 311

  Mana: 229

  Attributes

  Strength: 29

  Agility: 25

  Constitution: 31

  Intelligence: 24

  Willpower: 20

  Luck: 16

  Skills

  Unarmed Combat: Level 8 (07/100)

  Clubs (Novice): Level 6 (37/100)

  Archery: Level 3 (01/100)

  Shield (Novice): Level 4 (24/100)

  Dodge (Novice): Level 1 (17/100)

  Combat Sense (Novice): Level 2 (48/100)

  Perception (Novice): Level 2 (19/100)

  Mining: Level 7 (78/100)

  Healing (Novice): Level 2 (98/100)

  Herb Lore: Level 3 (48/100)

  Stealth: Level 2 (34/100)

  Cooking: Level 4 (13/100)

  Singing: Level 2 (14/100)

  Skill Proficiencies

  Double Strike

  Shield Bash

  Perin’s Blow

  Find Weakness

  Mapping (II)

  Inventory (Adventurer Special)

  Spells

  Minor Healing (II)

  Healer’s Mark (I)

  Gifts

  Martyr’s Touch—The caster may heal oneself or others by touch and concentration, sacrificing a porti
on of his life to do so. Cost varies depending on the extent of the injuries healed.

  Daniel sighed, looking over his gains. It seemed so slow but considering it had only been a few months since they had left Karlak, it was a decent amount of experience. It would unlikely be possible for him to continue this kind of progression – the Dungeon bonus from Peel, the new monsters they fought, were all short-term gains. Now, it would be back to the slow grind. Thinking of the grind, and Artos, Daniel slowly drifted off back to sleep. Perhaps. Perhaps they could find a way in…

  Chapter 12

  “You’re the healer, aren’t you?”

  It had taken Daniel half a day to track down the group the next morning. It was not that they were particularly hard to find, just that the city was particularly large. The fact that there were three inns called the Bent Copper had not helped. Daniel was footsore, tired and just a little grumpy after having gone to all three inns in his search for the group, so having the slightly portly leader of the group speak to him like that flared his temper for a moment.

  “I am,” Daniel said.

  Once more, he eyed the group and considered what he knew of them. Gerardo Buchanan was the portly brunette leader, a melee fighter who fought with sword and shield. Like Daniel, he too had an enchanted weapon, but his froze monsters on contact. It was his blade and their ranged fighter – Casey– who had dealt with the Salamanders. Casey’s bow was enchanted as well, able to do a variety of enchanted damage but was rumored to cost Mana stones to power. Silently watching the interplay was a swarthy man, dressed in robes with a pair of long, thin swords by his side. Daniel had seen Farhad wield those swords in the arena, leaping and jumping as he struck. It was just too bad that they weren’t enchanted, though it seemed that his robes at least were.

  Rita was their scout, the team’s version of Asin. Of the group, the Helbing was the friendliest, flashing a smile at Daniel as she sat on a raised stool, tiny legs kicking idly. The Helbing was about the size of a human toddler with slightly greater strength and significantly more coordination. While Helbings were uncommon in the general populace – finding living in human and Beastkin built cities uncomfortable – they made a surprisingly large minority among Adventurers. Large at least compared to their population.