Player Reached the Top

by Rick Scar

  An elf was on one of ledges of the big mountain. There were some loud sounds of blows from somewhere below. He approached the edge, sat down, and stuck his head out carefully. Either two monsters or NPC were fighting down the mountain. They often faced and jumped away from each other. A man with black short hair was standing not far from them and watched. Then he bent down as if looking out for or preparing for something.

  “Who’s that?” thought Dey-Grey. “I‘ve to write back to the Leader.”

  He opened the mail, described the situation with the scroll and kept watch over developing events down, meanwhile he checked their level.

  The distance to them was less than forty meters, but due to the battle and the fact he was on top, they did not pay attention to him. At least, the young man very much hoped for it.

  “???Level???

  Health???”

  There was no information about both of them. It sent a chill down his spine.

  “White RAVen 6 40 level

  Health:1220”

  “So little health? I see his level unlike two others. Is he NPC or a gamer? Damn, it is too far to make out an identification ring".

  While the elf was thinking about, he capturing it on video, suddenly the events down began picking up steam pretty quickly. The guy, who was standing aside, darted sharply off and appeared near white-skinned NPC. He stood still for a moment, like making sure and then he probably activated one of his skills.

  What occurred further was similar to some nonsense. Dey-Ghard who was completely plunging into the world of game perceived everything very close. Some monster was getting visible behind the fighter with a pick axe. His poorly visible figure started to be condensed, forming a mosquito like monster. For the sake of future audience the elf activated identification right there.

  “???Level???

  Health???”

  The young man, who had exposed something, stepped back and started to sink into the shadow. The elf had been play different games for a long time but he had never met such a skill before. The monster was nearly to kill the guy who was morphing into a shadow, but he was rescued by the second fighter in time.

  After five minute fighting, the fighter with the pick axe joined them. The beast was reeling off, so were the white skinned fighters. But everything came to its end, curiously enough, by the gamer’s dagger, which was thrown into the making a rush at him monster. “It definitely will add glory to my channel on "Videoworld"

  …

  Alteya was reading a letter, which she had received lately. So it is possible to get on the other floors not only through the gates. Sensible players could benefit from it but for a short. She and her team were in the clan “Rollin’ Dice” , so she wrote back to her clan leader.

  The found dungeon with the simple name Grotto of slugs could be visited by one grout at once. When the group was there, nobody could come in. After an hour there were gamers of Alteya’s clan with the one task: to farm the teleport scrolls.

  Nobody knew how many times they had to kill Mother Slug before they could get a scroll. As likely as not, it was a single loot, and next time it should be expected absolutely in the other place.

  Alteya answered Dey-Ghard that she with the team went to the decay gorge located near Lucky-An, but from the North side.

  Actions of «Rollin’ Dice» drew attention of their rivals, and those began to nose out information. But their attempts failed one by one. The credible players were sent to the grotto, and Alteya’s team was ordered to be silent about it. The only thing that enemies got to know was the place and name of the dungeon. The clan Rollin’ Dice definitely reserved this "little table".

  Chapter 25 . Owe

  It was possible to adjust the notification for one or several players in options of rating. The option was generally useless, being made at the request of those who planned to monitor progress of the professionals they liked in order to avoid monitoring the rating every time. Or watch a perspective newcomer. But it was impossible to look for that uncut diamond among millions.

  Kingmaker had never thought she would use a similar function. But a mention call of the chosen player’s changes had disturbed her more than five times for the last two days. It was the sixth time.

  She closed her eyes and kept thinking only one thing: “One, two or three levels… hm … I'm betting on two. … Damn! Only one?”

  “Is he relaxed there?” - whispering with sarcasm, she asked herself.

  “But 41 level… Crimson Berserker is only 29 level. Where are you, “monster”? Where…?

  “Congratulations! You’ve killed the monster of a baron class. Your actions became decisive in this fight!

  Awarded the title: "Single".

  You fight desperately, without looking at the enemy’s level, and come out the winner.

  +3 Luck

  +7% Chance to stun high level enemies for 5 seconds.”

  “Awarded the title From Baron to Viscount

  You’ve killed Baron and Viscount rank monsters, 40+ levels above you , by small forces

  +5 %Physical resistance to Baron rank monsters

  +3% Chance of unique drops when killing Baron”

  Without hesitating, Will dipped hands into a corpse and withdrew contents. Ghikor's voice did not allow him to look through that he had got.

  “Your actions to be brave, RAVen saved horghs.” Looking at the young man, he handed him the sword, which was held of the blade. “To take in your hand, hold it.”

  At first Will thought that the horgh presented it for help. But after communicating with Lekhor for the last two days, he caught the meaning of what was said. The guy was keeping the Sword's hilt while the horgh was passing his palm across the blade. He wounded his hand a bit.

  “You to take voluntarily my blood by my sword. It is a ritual. Now I to you owe with the size my life. I to pay back it till I to die.” It was the first time when Will looked at the digital personage seriously. Once his army friend had made a similar oath. There had not been any rituals but words. The words being told after he had walked him out of the hot zone.” I owe you”.

  The sense of this phrase was clear to both of them. But the service passed, and they, who did not want to shed more blood of people, returned from that war.

  He did not tell his family about it. But when a larger sum than one, being paid to ordinary soldiers, aroused their interest he said that he had served in the special troops.

  As a result the friend repaid the debt not life, but work. Thanks to him Will could get a job in a really good company and support the sister.

  “How humanely it is”, thought RAVen.

  “I’ve heard you, the fighter from the horghs tribe.

  “You owe me and once I’ll come back to collect. Be careful, don't die before this day!” - Then he smiled and gave the sword back.

  Lekhor did not stand aside too, the guy did not understand how he managed to cut a hand with a pick, but did it and made a similar oath.

  “You’ve saved life to soldiers and miners from the tribe horghs. If you need help during your difficult travelling, they will not forget the oaths.

  Current relationship with the horghs tribe 45/100 neutral.”

  Until the evening monsters did not attack any more. During this time Will managed to look that had dropped out from the crimson runner. Useful items were ten gold and gloves, unfortunately, not for his rank.

  “Crimson trace (gold)

  Description: The gloves were created by Lagaonius the vampire rejected by a nest. With their help he could suck blood of his victims, merging with their aura.

  + 102 physical resistance

  Regeneration +12 %

  +30 Stamina

  +6% Chance to block one physical attack

  Skill “Merge”

  Active, allows the owner to merge with other people and to withdraw health from them at the moment of vital danger.

  Duration: 3 hours

  Cool down: 3 days

  If these gloves are see
n by the vampire from the former nest of Lagaoniusa, you will not manage to avoid his attention.

  Requirements: 65 level

  Class requirements: Warrior ,Berserker, Vampire.”

  “I will put the price hundred twenty gold. It is unlikely somebody can afford them, but I am able to wait … He-he".

  While he was thinking his own thoughts, waiting for being attacked the elf, of whom he did not suspect, kept sitting at the top. He was considering whether it was worth going down or not. His curiosity haunted him, but his care constrained his rush to look for a way to go down.

  He was already dreaming of what furor will be created by video. After hearing the sound of a received message, his face became wan and drawn at once.

  “Dear Dey –Ghard,

  If you‘re shooting video, I exactly know you are, I’m for you, but be informed that Kingmaker warned us to keep silence. You understand to share video is the worst that can be done. In addition, she asked to send all the material you’ve filmed. Yours,

  Alteya”

  “What on God's earth? » The elf swore quietly and inhaled heavy.

  “I got it…” – wrote he back.

  Chapter 26. Welcome to Latakhorgh

  Glancing at slowly floating clouds, the sun that without hurrying slid off down the sky, Will was considering his further actions. It was true that he leveled up quicker than the other gamers. Thanks to the successful combination of circumstances, the error of system and the suspicious shelter in the warehouse, he came in top place. But whether for a long time? According to his initial plan, he had had to move to the deafest places and there, after leveling, to start grabbing lands depending on circumstances. When by word and deed, and when by force and money.

  From the very beginning he wanted to settle on the land chosen by him and develop it. And Will perfectly knew that this process would take neither a month nor two months. A year at least. And now he was one step closer to his far purpose. At that moment he had the highest level, an epic chain of tasks (which in the long term would give a lot of bonuses), and an opportunity to become one of the adepts of the Shadow Order and get a specialization. RAVen did not know yet how he would achieve it, but if only a ring had such surprising skills, what would he expect from being an adept?

  As a result, the young man decided to remain with horgh to level up to the forty fifth, and move further towards the Alvian Mountains.

  “White Raven?” the guard interrupted his consideration.

  “What’s up, Lekhor?”

  “We soon go home. Do your want at our place?”

  “Well, why not?”

  “Plans are perfect, but to get support of the tribe of strong soldiers never will damage.”

  “The tribe like your , I assure you.” The horgh slapped his stomach to confirm the words he told.

  ***

  The group of horghs and the rogue were walking towards the wood located almost in two miles. Gikhor was ahead of them, scanning the area for regarding danger, while RAVen and Lekhor were keeping a lookout back. After coming in the forest, suddenly Will got a message.

  “You are welcome in Taargada Forest.

  “Congratulations! You are the first gamer to visit this place.

  +4% Luck in that area for 30 days;

  +1% Speed.”

  “Taargada?! Is that so huge?”

  Opening the map, RAVen looked at the open areas he had visited and, having orienting, drew a mental line from the village of Skiavra to the wood he had seen earlier seen near it, and later from that point to this place. The view of the alleged territory aroused fear. And he wouldn't dare to get his hopes up for the happy end of it. Out there in the darkness of the map he had not opened, something much more extensive was waiting for him.

  “How is it there? Should I find a casket in Taargada forest? I think, the adepts of a Shadow Order cannot wait for me in the nearest future..."

  They had been walking for twenty minutes before when there were high stone walls more than 150 foot. Estimating their extent, Will gave a whistle quietly.

  “Is this fortress your place?” - turning to Lekhor, he specified.

  “Our home! Our tribe! We to defend our family from any monster. To build wall that for many years.”

  “I get it, I get it. You are the best and so on. Right?” - The guy grinned, entering the opened gate after them.

  “Congratulations! You are the first to visit Latakhorgh.

  +25 Influence points

  +2% skill

  +1% Speed.”

  His first opinion on the tribe changed as soon as he entered inside. He had imagined tents, huts or dwellings from clay. The town turned to be a full-fledged one with stores, the central square and even some educational institution. To the left of the gates there was a barracks, in the yard of which young horghs comprehended military art. Shouts of their veterans reached even him.

  “White Raven,” Lekhor knocked Will on his shoulder. “Go to take hot drinks and also fill in to yourself. Me and Gikhor to go the shaman.”

  “You’d better tell me where I can rent a room.”

  “Of course, yes! “Pick and mountains" steps hundred directly.”

  “Thanks. See you later.” And the guy walked there.

  While he was walking he concluded that other races besides the horghs lived also there. Without understanding why so, he decided to ask about it some translucent being standing behind one of the counters. His body reminded a human being, but instead of hairs there were small snakes, and his pupils reminded those of a snake. So did his lower jaw.

  “Excuse me…”

  “To buy anything or to sell?”

  The voice of that being was phlegmatic, and his unemotional face suggested an idea that the dealer was there against his will.

  “No, thanks. I’d like to know why other races also live here besides the horghs.”

  “Well, that’s-s it. S-so, they aren’t proh-hibited. S-s-so, if you aren’t gonna buy nor s-sell, leave us-s, don’t dis-sturb.

  “Thank you for this information. But do not consider my question to be roughness what race you belong?”

  The dealer punched himself in the face, shaking his head.“I'm just s-so s-sick of this-s. I am a Nag. Is-s it all? And I as-sk you to go away.”

  Will understood this being nevertheless-s-s can experience emotions-s. “Oh, yea. I’m very obliged to you.”

  The hotel Lekhor had told about was seen nearby. He entered, rented a room, went upstairs and opened the chest.

  “Your money was sent from the account to your storage. For further use of the storage, it is not obligatory to visit the same room. Any rooms you rent or buy will provide automatically you access to it. It is possible to look through more detailed information on the website, in the section: "Personal storages and their use".”

  Having thrown off all the reagents in the chest, he laid down on a bed and clicked "output".

  Chapter 27. Hidden in the depth

  Having left the capsule, Will auctioned off the gloves and, making some noodles, went on the forum.

  “The continent in the North (the 1st floor)"

  “Prompt where can I find the hermit Nort?"

  “I saw the guard! (The second floor)"

  Will immediately clicked on the last one.

  “We were leveling up near Vataskoriya's ruins yesterday (where there are different udeads - for people from the other floors, ours know what I mean=)), so we were leveling up, suddenly a neighing horse came up from the air, sitting on which a headless type was dashing through the walls somewhere forward! I managed to scan him!

  “Dullakhan (Guard): Level 42.

  Health: 7100.”

  That’s it!! Remembering that wild dragon from the first floor, I think that they are constantly travelling around the map to kill them, it is necessary to be given a task from someone. It’s impossible to catch them other way. The floors, you know, incredibly big huge.”

  “As always it's tremendous fun…”

/>   After reading some more of those, Will was engaged in exercises, dispersing blood and putting thoughts in order, and hour later returned to the game.

  ….

  Coming out the hotel, he saw Lekhor waiting for him.

  “Who are waiting for, the strongest warrior?” smiled RAVen.

  “To wait for yours the shaman, to call to himself. To go, I to see off White raven.”

  “The shaman? What does he want?” The young man, following the horgh, tried to find out the reason of the shaman’s interest.

  “The shaman also strong is wise. To protect ours the tribe hundred years many times. He not to speak about the decisions with someone.”

  …

  Lekhor brought him to a low building surrounded with the fence, at the gates some horghs, equipped from the head to toe, were standing.

  “White raven?” barked one of them.

  “Yes, I am,” nodded Will.

  “Yours to be being waited. To go!

  RAVen passed by them, leaving Lekhor behind. The doors were open, and there was multi-colored light from within. The shaman looked young, but something in his shape reminded a sadder and a wiser old man. And the most important was that he did not belong to the tribe of the horghs. Will did not know what race the sitting in front of him was. The guy was going neither to ask about it directly nor to scan his name and level. After that time he tried to use this skill only for identification of monsters.

  There were several candles around the shaman; each candle was burning in a different color. In air it smelt of a mix of herbs and aromas. The shaman was sitting on his knees in the center of the room, holding a book in the right hand, and a bottle with bright red liquid in his left hand.