Class-A Threat (Disgardium Book #1) LitRPG Series

by Dan Sugralinov

  But I had to hurry. Battle mode was still active, and I needed to lose the curse or hide far away before the Dementors got back. I still hadn't decided.

  I walked around the wolf and grabbed him by his fearsome furry snout. He made a vain attempt to break free, his huge teary eyes squinted and his tongue lolled freely out of his mouth. He raised a paw and placed it on my chest. His colossal claw left a scratch, taking some scraps of skin and flesh with it, but it wasn't damage, just a visual effect. The claw got caught on a rib and stuck. The bone didn't break, but my legs shuddered under the weight. Then he licked my face. What?

  I nodded, stroked the wolf's ear... and slammed his wet black plate-sized nose with a Hammer. My vision was fully occupied by system messages. But before reading them, I looked into my bag, pulled a couple of the cheapest greens out and threw them to the ground, making room for the loot from the boss.

  You have critically damaged Crusher: 47!

  Crusher is dead.

  Experience points received: 500.

  Experience points at present level (4): 310/2100.

  You are now level 4!

  5 free attribute points available!

  Achievement unlocked: First Kill: Crusher!

  Of all the players in your sandbox, you were the first to kill this local boss. Crusher, a titanic level-15 wolf, was once alpha of the Gloomwood wolf pack. While a pup, he was touched by the fell breath of a Sleeping God. With time his judgment grew cloudy and one day he killed his entire pack, including his own cubs. That gave him new powers: the ability to summon his former pack and Ghastly Howl, which strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies.

  Now you have laid Crusher to rest forever but, before he shuffled off this mortal coil, he inadvertently transferred you a modicum of his power.

  Reward: active skill Ghastly Howl.

  Ghastly Howl

  Active skill.

  Current level: 1.

  When you howl, your enemies are filled with fear. The blood turns to ice in their veins, their soul sinks into their boots, their hair stands on end and they run away in panic.

  This ability works on all enemies, however, the higher their level, the higher their chance of ignoring it.

  Duration: 10 seconds.

  Active radius: 30 feet.

  All hail the hero!

  Would you like to make your name public? Doing so will give +100 reputation with the city of Tristad and +5 fame.

  No! No matter how much I wanted easy rep with the city, the unwanted attention was less desirable. Nope, nooope. I refused the privilege.

  Attention all sandbox players!

  An anonymous player has successfully made the First Kill of the Gloomwood boss Crusher! Residents and visitors of Tristad, hats off to an anonymous player! All hail the hero! All hail an anonymous player!

  Less than a second passed and I was inundated with friendship requests from Crawler, Bomber and Infect. Messages poured in from Tissa:

  "What the heck?"

  "How?"

  "Tell me that wasn't you!"

  "Actually no, tell me it was you!"

  "We'll be right there!"

  I accepted friendship with the guys and Tissa's contradictory messages were joined by direct ones from them:

  "What dropped?" Crawler wrote. "Scyth, damn, what the crap?"

  "The loot belongs to us!" Bomber claimed presumptively, adding some friendly threats. "Sheppard, I'll strangle you! I'll knock your head off! I'll drown you in a urinal in school! I'll smear you!"

  "Wait!" Crawler again. "Scyth, god damn, how?"

  "Don't do a thing! Wait for us! Guard the cloak! Pick up the loot and hide! Run away! Don't go anywhere! Better just die! An epic? An epic! Come on, answer! I'll break your neck!"

  Reading these erratic messages, I imagined what was happening among the Dementors. They had a common goal and they didn't even consider that I might have my own opinion. They imagined that their higher level gave them the right to order me around. It looked very much like what happened in the real world with citizenship statuses.

  Oh well, they'd see they were wrong. It wasn't that I wanted to keep all this stuff necessarily, but talking to me with that tone? They should have had some respect. I mean, I was a hero! First Kill! I smiled sarcastically, but then rushed off because I couldn't stay where I was. A pair of green eyes were glimmering from behind the trees and, to be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect.

  The attribute points from level-up were placed into endurance and strength. And I did it as I ran up the river, ignoring everything Ed and company wrote. I answered only Tissa: "I didn't touch your stuff or the loot from the boss. It's green. It isn't safe, so I had to leave."

  The curse would pass in three minutes so I jumped into the river and took broad paddles to the other bank, not even noticing the frothing Stone Grabbers. I discovered the swimming skill and, clearly, that helped me reach the other side faster.

  From there I had to be very careful. Curse of the Undead was gone, and the stuff in my bag made me want to avoid any fights. So I crawled cautiously, staring into the darkness until my eyes hurt and avoiding any mobs, which leveled Stealth and Night Vision by three points each.

  Coming out of the forest, I could see the glow of Tristad. The city wall was patrolled by guardsmen with torches. My goal was close at hand. I figured I could enter the city, catch my breath, then throw this stuff in my chest. And I had plenty: beyond the blue and three chopped-up monsters in my bag, I had loot from Crusher.

  Locket with a Girl's Portrait

  Unique quest item.

  This dull, dingy bronze locket seems to have been chewed by a very powerful set of jaws. It contains a portrait of a smiling young girl who lived in Tristad several years ago. Nevertheless, the one who once loved her can barely recall her face.

  Someone remembers this locket. Find them.

  It was a quest item, but had no information about rewards. And I didn't get an actual quest. But all my theoretical experience said a unique quest item taken from a boss wasn't going to lead to recovering five stolen chandeliers from some kobolds for one copper or one experience. Basically, I was not going to give this locket to anyone if I could help it.

  And any player in the sandbox would sell their soul for the thing in my bag’s last slot.

  Whistle of Summoning

  Legendary

  Unique item.

  Single use.

  When activated, permanently summons mount: Legendary Spectral Wolf.

  Requires level: 40.

  The road to the city was deserted. As much as the players loved this game, everyone in the sandbox was at school. And the night before a weekday was not the best time to be in Dis. Every kid got no more than three passes per semester, with demerit points on the citizenship tests given for any beyond that. While in school, it wasn’t a hard choice. Dis wasn't going anywhere, and the chance to get good grades came only once in a lifetime.

  I made sure the road was clear and quickly walked up to the city gates. Just fifty yards remained when an alarm rang out – enemy near! I glanced at the mini-map. Red dots for Crag, Vista and Rashidos were approaching me from three different directions, cutting off my path to the city.

  Aw nether! I began to fret, but quickly got myself together. My gear? It was all digital items, just ones and twos. At level twenty I wouldn't give a damn about this old crap. Sure it was a shame to lose the mount, but maybe I'd be able to do better than a blue. Better to lose it than reveal myself as a threat.

  Crag walked up and raised his hand in a gesture of peace. His hangers-on were standing to my side with their weapons drawn.

  "Scyth old buddy! I've missed you! We’ve been waiting so long! We combed the whole town! Yesterday, today... We even had to get in touch with your parents to make sure you were actually in Dis!" The warrior chortled. "Don't be surprised if your mom mentions your new friend Tobias, by the way. You never know, your mommy just might ask about me..."

  "End him, Toby!" Vista excl
aimed. Why was she acting so bloodthirsty? Was this all over that torn dress? Or had she gotten a taste for easy money?

  "Calm down, babe," Crag looked at her unhappily. "Why would we want to kill him right away? So we have to chase him around the whole sandbox later? He'll give us what we're after, isn't that right, lil’ Scythy?"

  "Of course, Crag," I nodded. "You win. I admit it. Dying really hurts. I spent two days in the woods to stay away from you but, as you can see, it was no use. So why should I get jumpy? I suggest we all go to the tavern together. I'll take the blue belt out of my chest and give it to you."

  "Good boy," said the warrior. His lips stretched back into a smile, but his eyes didn’t look friendly. He was pointing the sword at me and slashed it in the air a few times in front of me, making a whishing sound. "Not trying to be rude, this is just payback. For making us wait. We'll see you at the tavern..."

  And he swung his sword.

  Chapter Nineteen. Gankers and Dementors

  A SKY FULL of stars lit up the wasteland beyond the city wall. The illegal traders were gone and I didn't see anyone who could might to my aid.

  If Crag thought my agreement to give up the rare Corrupted Scale Belt automatically meant I would let him just kill me, he was mistaken. What was more, it no longer made any sense to give him anything.

  He could have taken the easy way. We were on our way to settle it! But now, I guess it'd have to be the hard way. All these thoughts flashed by in an instant while I looked around for the button to activate Ghastly Howl. At the same time, I ran toward Vista, dodging Crag's sword as it cleaved the air. The lupine howl echoed off the city walls and rolled to the edge of the forest but, to put it lightly, it was not an impressive sight.

  Crag shuddered, Rashidos's jaw hung down in incomprehension. It only worked properly on Vista. She screamed and ran away in panic, which gave me an opening. So I beat it...

  ... but didn't consider that my opponent was a warrior. He made a charge in front of me. His powerful armored body slammed into me, throwing me a few yards and taking a quarter of my health. I somersaulted aside and jumped to my feet. But Rashidos was already flying at me, waving his club. But an instant before he hit I put my Stoneskin on and held out a hand in defense. And I used my other hand to land a Hammerfist.

  You have damaged player Rashidos (Oleg Dmytryk): 61.

  The skill ignored some of his armor stat and left a dent in his chainmail. He stumbled back. Unfortunately, that took less than ten percent of his health. I had to start ramping up my strength as soon as possible. I took the opportunity and ran a wide curve toward the city gates.

  A half-second's squeal of cloven air presaged another charge. Another quarter of my health down, I was lying on the ground. Vista's wailing grew more distant, but the other two gankers were next to me as soon as I got to my feet. One was behind, and the other right in front.

  "You've really stepped in it now! Stand up straight!" the warrior ordered, preparing for an attack. "I'm gonna teach you a lesson..."

  "You aren't gonna touch him," Crawler came up to us. His epic red cloak was fluttering gently despite the lack of wind. "He's with us."

  All three of us, me Crag and Rashidos turned our heads toward Ed in surprise. The other Dementors were standing behind him: Hung bared his teeth, Malik walked out of stealth for show, Tissa frowned, warming a ball of light in her hand, a Nergal's Palm.

  "What the heck, Crawler? Since when do the Dementors let in noobs?"

  "Ever since we kicked out all the dumbasses, dumbass," Tissa said.

  "You know, he doesn’t exactly look like a Dementor," Crag snorted distrustfully. "What, you couldn't even get him equipped? And no clan emblem..."

  "He doesn't have a clan emblem because he hid it, douche!" Hung said, baring his teeth. "So he thinks he's big and strong now? How about a duel? Warrior versus warrior, even-steven!"

  Tissa hushed my gaze of incomprehension. I gave a very slight nod. We'd handle it later. Vista froze ten steps away. She knew the drill and was keeping her distance. "Get lost!" the priestess of Nergal threw out with just her lips and her trail went cold. She just exited Dis.

  "Found the idiot," Crag grumbled. "You're three levels higher. You already have Destruction, one hundred percent. And better equip!"

  "Aw nether, what idiot?" Tissa exclaimed. "So the fact that Alex is level four and totally naked didn't throw you off?"

  "What about it?" the ganker didn't understand. "He's a noob and a victim, you gotta milk that. Or I should have..." he corrected himself. "But no matter what he owes me a blue! We agreed on that before you took him!"

  "What blue?" Infect asked, on guard, his voice ringing out from behind Rashidos' shoulder although he was cloaked. "What could possibly have made him want to give you a blue, if he doesn't even have any gear, and walks around Dis in his underwear?"

  "Scyth?" Crawler raised a brow.

  "I had two options: never stick my nose out of the city again, die or give up the blue. I got it in the temple crypt from the Cursed Lich. I can't wear it yet, I wanted to hold onto it but then this guy," I said, nodding at Crag, "noticed and forced me to sell it to him. I refused, then they took me down in the forest while I leveled Cooking. And now they found me again, so I had to let them have it."

  "So this is who you were running from? When you fell in the river?" Ed asked, just about catching me in an inconsistency.

  "No, that was someone else."

  "I see. Well, all items of quality higher than unusual are property of the whole clan," Crawler declared to the gankers. "We can decide what to do with that blue. You're free to go, you degenerates!"

  "Got it?" Crag took a step forward, but Bomber took a step to meet him. He was a head taller and a good deal beefier.

  "Questions?" Hung spit at Tobias's feet, knocked his plate-armored hand on his head then gave him a light head-butt. A dull metallic clang rang out. Crag walked back and Bomber shrugged: "No questions."

  "This isn't what we agreed on, guys," Rashidos said. "This isn't fair! You're gonna have big..."

  The sound of daggers cutting through chain mail interrupted him. He began to twitch. The thief’s curved blade stuck out of the ganker's mouth. Meanwhile a hand with another dagger appeared from the shadows and ran under his chin. Crag's partner collapsed and headed to respawn. Malik hid his weapon, looked at Crawler, nodded and took all the loot.

  "Come on, what the heck?" Crag whined, looking around nervously. "At least give back the gear! I’ll let it go, I have no problems with you! Not Scyth, or you, or the blue."

  "Good," Ed agreed easily. "If you so much as look at him wrong again, you or your loser friends, we'll put you all on our KoS list. And you just know half the clans in the sandbox will join us. Jackals like you need to be bled out. Is that what you want?"

  "No," Crag whispered barely audibly.

  "Alright, get out of my sight. Tissa, slap him with a Palm if he's still in range in five seconds..."

  Stomping noisily, the warrior ran into town. The guard at the gate blocked his path and said something. Crag stashed his sword. Clearly, he also had an unsavory reputation in Tristad.

  "Okay, Scyth. Now tell us what actually happened with Crusher," Ed said, leading his gaze over Crag.

  I was ready for this. And with my mouth already open to recite my answer, he raised a hand in warning:

  "Just so you know, we've studied the mechanics of Dis very well. Infect died last and saw that the boss had more life than you would have been able to take down. Even considering the DoTs still on him – burning and poisons – you couldn’t have taken him down even if you had all epics on. The difference in level is just too high."

  "Yeah Alex, tell the truth," Tissa supported her leader. "You know how important Crusher was to us. It was our chance to take First Kill. But you not only got it, somehow you made the boss transition into its next phase. And don't say you didn't take the achievement! There was no one else around!"

  "I took the achievement, but that st
ays between us," I admitted. "But as for the next phase... What do you mean?"

  "Just what I said," Crawler answered. "When we went back, the boss's body was gone. We took that green you left there to trick us, but then we had to run. And you know why? You do and should have warned us!"

  "Sorry, what?" I shouted, pretending not to understand.

  "Crusher was back. But now he isn't a boss, just a normal elite mob. Punisher. The same level, looks almost the same. But now he's like... not exactly alive," Ed started chuckling hysterically, but quickly got himself together.