by Rick Scar
RAVen found himself lying on the floor. Health bar was at 5%; his eyes were almost completely dead; he couldn’t hear, and he could barely move.
“Unique quest complete! You’ve made the impossible!
You are the only person who completed it on max sensitivity settings. For showing exceptional persistence, you get the reward:
+500 Influence points
+100 Will points
+30 all stats
+20% Physical resistance
+20% Magic resistance.”
“Awarded the title: Adamantine.
Your Spirit is strong and undefeatable.
+60% Mental resistance
+10 Main attack against ethereal type targets.
“Soul Cry. Unique skill. Active (Apprentice).
Produces a wave to attack enemies in your vicinity. Causes piercing damage and ignores all armor.
Damage: 350-400
Attack range: 33 feet
Sets the effect Dismay. Affected target can’t move.
Duration: 30 seconds
Energy required: 250
Cooldown: 2 days.”
Chapter 15. Radermin
“In the Face of Death. The spell is cast on you. Your wounds are healing.
Regeneration: +35%
Duration: 1 hour.”
Will read the message, but he was completely exhausted. Maximum sensitivity was no joke. The machine was right about the reward—it was too generous. Nonetheless, he wasn’t sure he would ever do it again. The pain felt too real. Shivers were running down his spine, every now and then, paralyzing his entire body, for a short period of time.
Two hours later, when his vital signs went back to normal—the spell was, apparently, no less than legendary level—the executioner spoke.
“How are you holding up?” asked the man, as if he knew Will could hear.
“Do you really want me to answer, Radermin?” asked he disrespectfully, “That’s right, I saw your name, before my eyes exploded, you bastard.”
Radermin was as mad as he was impressed to hear this. Not showing the latter, he said,
“RAVens are bringers of either change or bad news. Which one are you?”
“I’m the one that can help. I’m no clairvoyant, but I know you need me.” Will staggered toward the other chair and sat in it.
The hunter gave a groan of disapproval at Will’s actions, but he already knew that his own fate depended on Will.
“You didn’t answer.” Radermin paused, and then continued, “You’re not as tough as I thought you’d be. Your body is weak, but your spirit is like that of a dragon—gets tempered in battle. I have a mission to offer. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, but we’re running out of time. A sorcerer from Taargada Forest has a box, that belongs to me. I can’t trust you the details, but all you have to know is that I need it back. You’ll know what I’m talking about, when you see it.”
“Do you want me to kill the sorcerer?”
“Hahaha! You? Kill him? He will end you in a blink of an eye! Even I with all my powers couldn’t kill him. He tricked me, and took my last chance… I mean, he took my box. You’re a rogue, aren’t you? So, I want you to steal it. If you bring back what’s mine, I’ll thank you.”
“You’ve earned Radermin’s approval by demonstrating your will power.
Pandora’s Box (Epic quest chain part I).
Find the sorcerer and locate the box. The sorcerer must not know anything about your mission, otherwise you will never get to the box. You have three months.
Reward: +11000 XP
+100 gold
+15 Approval points
Also, you get to ask Radermin one question to get one answer.”
“No pain, no game.” said Will, and gave the hunter a crooked smile.
Generally, Epic quests were not single player quests, unless stated otherwise, of course. But three months? That didn’t sound like a lot of time to Will. He tried to imagine what level the sorcerer might have been.
“Accept? Yes/No.”
Chapter 16. Sis
With a bitter smile on his face, Will accepted.
“You’ve accepted the quest. The countdown starts now. Good luck!”
Seated in the chair, he leaned on his elbow and addressed the hunter,
“Radermin, you said, I was weak, and that we were running out of time. Does that mean getting this box is a pressing matter to you?”
The hunter narrowed his eyes. His voice was quiet, but threatening.
“Don’t you forget who you’re talking to, boy. You may be a messenger, but you’re mortal. Where are you going with this? And don’t lie to me! The time is short, but I can wait for someone, who would do it three times faster.”
“I wasn’t going to lie. I was going to ask you to give me some of your friends there, to hunt.”
“My friends?” Radermin asked and looked at the dog.
“Yes”
“You’re too impudent. I’m not going to help you. You’re on your own. Think of it as another test. But I’ll tell you what, if you can get me what I need within six months, I’ll give you one pup.”
“A task is added to Pandora’s Box.
Retrieve the box within six months to get a Smoke Hound puppy from Radermin.”
Well, it was worth a try.
“How long are you going to sit around?” The aura around Radermin was getting thicker, and it looked like he was ready for round two.
“I’m going, I’m going. One more question, though.”
“What?”
“Where do I find you, when I get the box?”
“I’m not going anywhere. But… you never know, right? Here. Bring it back with my box.” Radermin fished a small dog shaped figurine out of his bag, and tossed it to Will.
Inspect.
“Item: Forerunner (Unique).
When activated, the item emits a howl to locate Radermin on the map.”
Outside, Will felt very tired. A lot of things had happened. He looked the dogs, then at the clock, and felt like taking a break.
The reality welcomed him with the sound of running water. Either dad was back, or sister came to visit. Will got out of the capsule, stretched his back, and went to the kitchen. It was Leah.
“Hey, little brother,” she said, without turning around, and continued to wash vegetables. “You hungry?”
Will’s stomach started growling. He rubbed the back of his neck, and smiled.
“I’m sorry, how long will you be staying?”
“Couple days. They’re staging a play at school, and everyone who’s not in it, gets a couple days off.”
“I see. How is school, by the way, you hanging tough in there?” He stood next to her, and started peeling onion and carrots.
“As always, don’t worry,” she said smiling. “So what’s your plan? When are you going to tell me?”
“Not today, sorry. You spoke with dad recently?”
“Like, yesterday. Told him I was going to see you.”
“How is he?”
“Fine.”
Darius Thompson was practically living out of a suitcase, working for a small refrigerator selling business. He had a reputation of a good, reliable, hard-working man.
“Are you done with your game for today?”
“Yes, I think, I am.”
“Good, because I missed you, just so you know. It’d be great if we could spend some quality time together.”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I was really busy lately.”
Over the dinner, they were sharing latest news, laughing; Leah was telling funny stories from school, and Will listened. He just kicked back and listened, recharging for what lied ahead of him.
Chapter 17. Planning a kill
The following morning, when Leah was still asleep, Will got up, washed his face, had ramen noodles for breakfast, and turned on the computer.
The online auction was linked to the game—purchased goods as well as money went straight to a player’s perso
nal storage. Anyone could get a storage, if they were renting a piece of real estate, like a room in the tavern. Renting a safety deposit box was pricier, but safer. Those were the so called provisional storages. To get a permanent one, a player was supposed to actually own realty.
Will wasn’t sure if he wanted to auction off a level 40+ helmet. He was concerned it might draw unwanted attention. Hoping nothing bad would come out of it, he set the starting price at fifty gold as anonymous seller.
“Rat Grin (Gold).
A helmet in the shape of a giant rat’s chaps. Its damage-proof fangs are perfect for protection against slashing attacks. But beware thrust damage, daggers, and crossbow bolts.
+110 Physical resistance
+48% Protection against slashing attacks
+15% Protection when Stone Pillar is activated
-20% Protection against thrust attacks
Skill: Cursed Hit (Active).
When activated, grants 33% chance to cast either Weakness or Fear spell on the target upon successful attack.
Cooldown: 3 minutes
Level requirement: level 45
Class Requirement: Warrior.”
Meantime, the sun came up in Ascension. RAVen reappeared right where he had left off. The hounds were on alert, and, when they saw him, they bared their teeth. RAVen didn’t want to tempt them, so he started walking, thinking how he wanted to hunt those dogs. He took a long way back to the village, avoiding every possible danger, in a hope to find a monster he could kill. Three hours later, he did spot a suitable candidate, near small rocky hills. An anthropomorphic monster holding a huge pick hammer was standing at the entrance to a cave in the hill, from which measured rumble was coming.
Apprentice level Inspection skill worked only within 40 yard radius. The monster was, at least, 60 yards away. Will picked a bunch of rocks, and started throwing them at the monster. The first rock landed thirty feet away from the target. The monster looked around searching for the source of noise, and muttered something, but didn’t move. Will threw another rock, closer to the monster. This time the monster bought it—he grabbed the pick hammer with both hands and went to see what it was.
Will went stealth, but wasn’t going to risk. Knowing the distances, he retreated to a better position to study the area. The ledge over the entrance didn’t look very promising. Plotting against the monster, RAVen couldn’t help but feel, there was something wrong about this. The one on the lookout seemed ugly enough for a monster, but monsters don’t do mining.
RAVen didn’t want to blow the 40% XP, in case he was wrong, neither was he going to waste precious time. He took off his gear, which, in case of death, he didn’t want to lose, and, having plucked up the courage, went straight to the monster.
“Rargh! Stop, human!”
Will was already close enough to inspect, and to have a good look at the guy.
“Lekhor: level ???
Health: ???”
An eight foot tall Lekhor had pale skin, slightly bulged out eyes and strong body. His tongue was showing when he spoke, and it was forked, lake that of a snake.
“Me say stop, stranger!”
“I’m sorry, I heard the rumble, and came to see. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“No step forward more, or you dead!”
“I gotcha,” RAVen nodded. “Can I ask a question before I leave?”
“Hrr…” Lekhor looked around and gave Will a funny stare. “Me see you alone here walk. No danger. Ask question.”
“What race are you?”
“We Horghs! We best miners!”
Chapter 18. In the right place at the right time
Will decided to put the killing part of his plan on the back burner, and asked,
“What about Dwarves?”
“Ghrr… You not mention measly rats in Lekhor presence, or you suffer!”
“Fine, you win. You’re the best… But why are you alone out here, and who are you on the lookout for?”
Will wasn’t going to keep his word—he was asking question after question, thinking the monster wasn’t too bright an interlocutor.
“You ask many question. You not tell truth.”
“Huh! This world is full of surprises,” murmured Will, “No, no, I’m just glad to know, that such strong warriors are in charge of mining works around here, not those pathetic dwarves. I just wanted to know more about your noble race, that’s all.”
RAVen shrugged and was going to leave. He wasn’t sure if flattery was going to work, so getting prepared for fleeing, was a smart move.
“Ghrr…” Horgh was tilting his head left and right in confusion, watching the stranger leaving, “Stop! Walk here.”
The expression on Lekhor’s face resembled a smile. There was no way one could tell the meaning of it, but the way he was waving his pick hammer implied friendliness. RAVen smirked, and turned around. He didn’t know what good could come out of talking to the monster, except learning something about the location.
“What your name, stranger?”
“White RAVen.”
“Rav-aghr-ah. Ghrr. Me, Lekhor. You beat small beard too?”
“Sometimes.” prevaricated the young man, “So, what are you guarding?”
“Monster snoops here around, small, but nimble. Bad for work, attack sudden. Me guard.”
“Hmm, can I help Lekhor?” said the rogue, smiling deviously.
“Ghrr… You weak, stranger, but me like you say we strong warriors. You not die first fight, we fight together.”
“Brave Warrior Help Defend.
Help the horgh to protect his fellow miners until the end of the shift.
Reward: +23000 XP
+30 gold
+6.5 lb Marts ore
+4.5 lb Emerald stone
Accept? Yes/No.”
“I’m in! It’s an honor to fight side by side with a mighty horgh!”
Will was truly glad, when the opportunity presented itself, but he wasn’t really going to participate. The plan was to look busy during the fight, maybe place a couple hits in the very end, to gain more XP. The only flaw with this plan was that the game might not approve of Will’s inaction.
Two hours after Will accepted the quest, the monster appeared. It was thin, and looked like a mosquito with two long cords for wings.
“Blood runner: level ???
Health: ???”
“Time to go viral.” said Will, and entered stealth.
Record video.
“Beware, weak stranger! Beware cord and needle sting!” cried Lekhor, and attacked the parasite.
By needle sting he obviously meant the proboscis (the word, apparently, lacking in Horgh vocabulary). The mosquito was nimble indeed, and fast too. It was using its cords to push off the ground, and to swiftly change its body orientation; its moves were sudden and unpredictable. Those things on its back were particularly handy, when the gnat tried to get behind the horgh. But Lekhor was no rookie himself—he saw that maneuver a mile away. He rolled over to the side, and swung his tool, nailing one of the cords to the ground.
Bloodrunner shrieked, and yanked its bloody limb. RAVen seized the chance, and threw his dagger, aiming for the back of mosquito’s head. It was Will’s lucky day—the five second stun followed the attack, but, since the monster was way higher level than RAVen, these five turned into one. This one second was enough for Lekhor to smash the monster over the head with his pick hammer. That blow to the head was lethal—Bloodrunner collapsed and started shaking its flattened head. In the meantime, the dagger returned to Will, and he attacked the monster from the back. The damage from RAVen was too small compared to Lekhor’s heavy attacks, so it physically couldn’t trigger aggro. RAVen was successfully evading the attacks from wounded monster. He even pulled Twilight Walker, hiding in horgh’s own shadow. Eight minutes later, the Bloodrunner was dead.
Chapter 19. A new place for Leveling
It was fast. He sighed heavily, remembering how long he had been fighting with 40 level rats. Nobo
dy could help him there. Even if the locals had had a warrior, much like Lekhor, whom you could have recruited, it would have been impossible because there had been plenty of them to find a suitable applicant. But he managed on his own.
“Level Up…
Level Up…
Level Up…
Congratulations! You have killed a monster 50+ levels above you.
Awarded the title: David and Goliath V level.
+8Strength
+9 Stamina”
“Awarded the title: The Irrepressible for killing high level monsters.
Got the rare skill Giant Aura
Description:
Passive (Apprentice). The mysterious aura proceeds from you. Monsters, your level and below, will not attack you if you do not attack them.”
This fight, won only because of the horgh, presented two levels and a good passive to RAVen. He got from the message that the Monster was nearly 85 level. It did not scare a novice rogue but made him think about mobs gradation on the floors.
The lowest level he had seen was 40, and what was the limit even if a non-elite boss was above 80? He would get the answer, when he saw the figure of his gate.
Having scattered the awarded points of characteristics, he enclosed a skill point in Dodge, then he cleaned out that corpse and continued to expect the enemy.
“Gr-rkh. Your not coward person. My respect you.” The horgh approached and tapped the rogue on his shoulder while he was nearly to fall down.
“Great, so you're some crazy genius. I don't stand a chance, nice son of the tribe. Your pick-axe bears death to any enemy.”
“Gr-ro-ho-ho”,- after these words Lekhor hurled the pick-axe on his shoulder, putting on airs, struck his great abs with his left paw. – “My like you speech! I to invite your in the tribe house.”
“You’ve won the affections of the horgh with flattery and behavior in the fight.