Bob drew his sword as he came to stand by my side. Rhyno appeared on my other, looking like he grew an extra head as Bek peeked out of his armor neckline. The gladiator was grinning as he brandished his oversized weapon. Kuzai started to chant; Kilpi, shining in his glassteel armor, readied his shield along with the rest of the melee bosses; and Yulli raised her bow. The players scrambled to stand behind us.
The knight captain spearheaded the charge, steel-clad and furious. Even with our boss’s special ability, it was doubtful we’d be able to stand the impact. An instant before he hit our rank, a flash of pink came over our head to meet him. The level 92 golem did what the lower-level Ogres could not. Metal tentacles wrapped around the horse and knight and two fire rods unleashed a torrent of flames at the entangled mass as they all came crashing down.
The following elites didn’t hesitate or slow to help their commander. Their eyes were set on their target – us. They bellowed a battle cry as they charged into us, ignoring the shadow web I’d summoned that had already crumbled apart under the full sun.
They were met by Yulli’s stream of arrows and the line of entrenched bosses. Horses whinnied and went flying, and metal shields bent from the clash. Then we were full into the melee.
Heavy sword strikes landed on our forces, shaving off a significant amount of health from the bosses, while even their casual blows dispatched the scattered soldiers who charged them.
Then my eyes met Ragnar’s. “You!” I hissed, sending a volley of drilling arrows his way.
He laughed as he raised his glowing scepter, and my arrows winked out of existence as soon as they touched the area of light. “Gonna need ‘ya to try harder than that, fugly.”
“You got it,” I snarled. I split my consciousness into my shadow clone, froze one of the enemies outside the scepter’s light, and summoned Shadow Hound. The area around the fighters was suddenly filled with creatures of darkness.
“Well, it’s about time you did tha’,” Ragnar said maliciously and raised his scepter again. The light intensified then burst in a blinding rush, covering everything in a ten-meter radius around the player.
The hounds I summoned fell apart, and my shadow clone winked out of existence, thrusting my mind back into my own body, freeing the frozen soldier in the process. But that wasn’t the worst of it.
Light burst hit you for 420 damage (base 280 +50% damage from light vulnerability).
The bastard was level 28 already.
All around me, my elite force of bosses groaned and shrank as the holy light seared their flesh. Their health bars nearly bottomed, putting them on the defensive.
The light didn’t seem to reach the golem, but four of the enemies were bashing at him with flails that were oozing acid, methodically breaking apart his beads.
I exposed bloody teeth in a feral grin.
“What’cha so happy ‘bout, fugly?” Ragnar taunted. “Can’t wait for me ta kill ya?”
I turned my eyes to the player. “You’ve gained some levels since we last met.”
He opened his arms. “What canna’ say? Killin’ beasties is a rewarding job.”
My grin widened. “You might be stronger, but you overplayed your hand. You should have saved up that light for the killing blow.” I teleported right into the middle of my force’s line. “Now!”
The drastic damage they sustained triggered all the bosses’ special ‘last-ditch’ abilities, mine included. I triggered Blood Wrath, sending out a concussive force of nearly two tons to crash into the enemy line, forcing them back and halting their momentum. I followed through with a Heal Followers spell, just for good measure.
Next to me, Kilpi shouted in rage as his whole body vibrated. He bashed a soldier with his shield, sending him flying away. Rhyno likewise turned into a whirlwind of death, his powerful blows battering the enemy despite their level advantage, and his bestial roars invigorated us into a frenzy. Yulli’s arrows assumed a menacing purple shine, passing through armor and shields like they weren’t even there. Kuzai leaned forward, opening his mouth, sending a swarm of wasps to engulf three warriors. His victims cried out in pain as the corrupt insects crawled into their mouths and ears, eating them from within. Bob twisted his fists, and spiked vines erupted from the ground, engulfing, piercing, and crashing into several others.
Our sudden comeback gave us the advantage, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. Bosses were able to use last-ditch bursts of power to shift the odds in their favor, but it was just that – a burst. It wasn’t enough to win battles on its own. We had to capitalize on our advantage before the enemies recuperated. Despite the damage they’d sustained, none of the enemies were killed, and most still had over half their health remaining.
I glanced at the golem. Aidanriel was in trouble. The fight had drawn him and the knight away from us, and his four attackers were causing some serious damage to the golem. Already, the knight was back to his feet, struggling to free his weapon. I couldn’t allow him to do that; the knight captain was too dangerous. Before I could act, there was a burst of shadows, and Lirian appeared out of thin air, her sword already in full swing.
“Lirian, no!” I cried, feeling a pit of consuming fear open in my gut. I could barely breathe … but I needn’t have worried.
Lirian’s dark Outrider sword cleaved completely through one of the most wounded soldiers and continued to strike another. Before the remaining three could retaliate, my daughter teleported away and cast Shadow Web over them. The web wasn’t strong enough to hold the high-level soldiers for more than a few seconds, but it lasted long enough.
Roaring with rage, Lirian’s guards, Skullscorch and Flamebreath, came crashing in, weaving flames and gigantic maces through mana-infused muscles. The distraction allowed Aidanriel to concentrate his attention on the knight captain who’d drawn his sword. The two clashed against one another, flailing limbs crashing against gleaming sword.
With the four other guardsmen occupied, the two higher-level opponents seemed evenly matched. Deciding their battle would drag on for long enough, I focused on the next most dangerous target.
Ragnar snarled as he took in the falling Novenguard soldiers. The glow of his scepter was slowly building up again, and I could tell it would fully recharge soon. I couldn’t allow that, and with so many dangerous enemies still nearby, it was too risky to go for a capture.
“Take him out!” I shouted, pointing at the hated dwarf. I summoned my shadow clone once again, noting that my mana pool had dipped below 50 percent, then sent two combined drilling arrow volleys at him.
Yulli’s arrows changed course toward the dwarf, Bob’s vines shot out like snakes, and even the players answered my call, sending arrows, spells, and one angry half-dragon against the dwarf.
The dimmed light of his scepter seemed to partially counter our attacks, but despite being weakened, my 10 drilling arrows impacted the dwarf, their rotating heads burrowing through his armored body, while a torrent of arrows pierced him all over.
Ragnar stumbled back and bared his bloody teeth at me. “Your pets make for some good leveling. Next time we meet, it ain’t gonna be that easy.”
Then Nero reached him, his claws rending armor and flesh, finally sending the hated foe for a respawn and taking the oppressive light with him.
With my two bodies, I summoned more hounds, healed my allies, and froze enemies. The higher-level soldiers found themselves on the defensive as the army’s reinforcements started to arrive en masse, drowning them in a sea of blades and arrows.
Finally, the last soldier fell, leaving only Aidanriel grappling with the knight. My golem’s tentacles were wrapped around the standing captain who was futilely trying to pry them open.
“Oi,” Aidanriel shouted with glee. “Check this out! I’m riding this puppet. Hey, Vic – I got a steed now too!” His tentacles contracted, mercilessly crushing the man. I could sense Aidanriel channeling more mana from his core to his limbs, forcing them to close with the strength of an industrial press machine. The k
night’s arms weakly tugged at the tentacles holding him. Then, with a wet ‘pop’ his head burst apart. “Whoopsy!” Aidanriel said cheerfully.
Discharging my clone, I looked around me, taking in the carnage. Only two of the bosses had died – Blemtoff and Ryker – but as tier 1 bosses, they would respawn on their own in about half a day along with the slain Ogre Mages.
But there was more devastation farther away. Before the entire army tightened around them, the enemy soldiers had killed many of the solitary hobs that charged them. Over a hundred dead hobs lay on the ground along with half of our Infernal Ogres. It was going to cost me. But that wasn’t important. What was important was that we’d withstood a daytime attack and took out the entire town’s elites in a single clash.
There was a burst of shadows, and Lirian appeared at my side. I nodded at her. My wild daughter had proven to be an incredible warrior – strong, intelligent, and capable of using her spells and martial prowess in ways I couldn’t hope to copy. And she was getting stronger, already at level 20.
I put my arm around her shoulders and addressed our forces. “The enemy attacked us with their best. They thought they could take out the leaders, but we took theirs instead.” I looked down and kicked one of the corpses. “They’re dead, and our casualties will soon rise. When night falls, we will storm the town and claim it as our own. To the GreenPiece Clan!”
“To the GreenPiece Clan!” the army cheered around me.
“Loot the bodies,” I ordered my men. Then I took a moment to pore over my notifications.
Soul discipline level increased to 28.
Faith discipline level increased to 35.
Dark Mana discipline level increased to 45.
War Party Leader skill level increased to 40.
As usual, using my spells and skills against higher-level opponents was paying off. It was at a much slower rate than my early days as a goblin, but every discipline level improved several spells at once.
I approached the hated dwarf’s body next. His corpse was already disappearing, indicating he’d respawn soon. But as it disappeared, something gleaming stayed behind. I smirked when I saw what it was.
Mithril Vest
Description: An exquisitely made armor, as light as cloth and hard as steel. Provides excellent protection to the torso.
Runecraft Viability: 7
Type: Armor [body]
Rank: Magical
Durability: 170/200
Armor: 50
Effect I: +50 max HP
Effect II: +20% lightning resistance
Ragnar’s precious mithril armor was left behind. He must have run out of luck – having been killed several times in rapid succession – to incur such a severe death penalty. And as it just so happened, I was in the market for new armor. With a satisfied smile, I replaced my degraded Pyrolith armor with the new vest. It felt light and cool against my skin and didn’t hamper my movements in the slightest. It was a bit unfortunate it didn’t confer the same substantial fire resistance as my previous armor did, but the lightning resistance was nothing to scoff at. Mithril also had a high affinity for magic, and I was eager to see what sort of enchantment it could hold.
I looked up at the city. Its people had given us their best shot and failed. In a few hours, it would be night again. Then it would be our turn to strike. And I planned on it being the final blow.
***
“No!” The guard’s face was pale. “The commander is dead, they’ve failed!”
A muffled cheer came from the distance as the monsters howled at their victory.
“What’s happening?” a soldier on the ground asked with a shaking voice.
“They’re …” the guard gulped, “they’re looting the dead. And … the corpses of their dead are disappearing, and new monsters are streaming in from the Badlands.”
“We’re doomed!” a civilian in uniform whimpered. “Nothing will stop those monsters.”
“Don’t spaz, boy,” a vicious voice said. “Ragnar’s here to save ‘ya.”
The guards gaped at the dwarf who somehow seemed beefier than before.
The Agent of Light cracked his fist and a feral grin appeared on his lips. “Killing monsters is a good sport.”
“What are we going to do?”
The dwarf’s grin grew. “Go kiss your mamas, and have a last romp with your sweethearts, ‘cause tonight we’re gonna be elbow deep in beastie blood.”
***
Having spent another 30,000 energy to resurrect our fallen troops, I stood once again at the head of the army. Though the death toll was substantial, all my lower-level troops had leveled up from the encounter, with the lowest of them reaching level 9.
I had enough EP left to raise my entire army one more time. It was finally the moment for the final attack – a decisive strike that would either win me the town or turn us away. We had one shot at it. And I wasn’t planning on squandering it. “General, are the soldiers ready?”
“They are, Chief,” Bob replied.
“Zuban?”
“The three new war camps are operational, Dire Totem.”
I looked at the players. “Everyone ready with their squads?
Kyth cleared his throat. “I would still like to know our plans after we win the battle. What are you going to do with the civilian population?”
I felt all eyes turn to me.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But we can’t leave them behind to rebuild and become a threat. I’m open to suggestions if you have them.”
The players looked at each other grimly then shook their heads.
“Oi, why the long faces, mates?” Aidanriel came over. The fight had cost him more of his beads, dropping him to a mere level 60.
“Trying to figure out what to do with the town once we conquer it,” Malkyr answered shortly.
“What’s the big deal? Just demolish the place.”
“We’re trying to find a way to deal with it without having to massacre a whole lot of civilians, Aidanriel,” I said.
“You misunderstand me, mate. You always had a choice to either take control or demolish conquered settlements, remember? Well, just go for the demolition option this time, since you won’t be allowed to assume control. It will exile the population and give you the ability to freely plunder all their resources.”
I sent out a thought. Vic, can you confirm?
My companion sent me back a mental shrug.
That was good enough for me. “There’s your answer, Kyth.”
The gnomblin grimaced. “Doesn’t sound all that great of an alternative, but it beats having to slaughter women and children. I’m ready, Chief.”
“What about the rest of you?” I looked at the other players.
They nodded grimly.
“Then let’s end this thing.”
28 - Final Round
“Oh-damn-oh-damn-oh-damn.” A young bowman was visibly trembling from his high perch on the town’s wall at the sight of the approaching horde of monsters.
A junior officer put a hand on his shoulder. “Take it easy, recruit. Breathe.”
The frightened defender gulped. “Take it easy? The knight captain is dead – along with a quarter of our garrison! We’re all going to die!”
“Keep it down!” the officer snapped, glancing around. Losing morale was the last thing the town needed right now. “The monsters were lucky. They only won skirmishes in open terrain. The only time they tried to assail the walls directly, they took incredible losses.”
“Then why did the captain go out to meet them?” The youngster’s voice rose an octave.
The officer shook his head. “He made a mistake. He thought he could kill the enemy leader and prevent further casualties on our side. I tried telling them that, but the higher ranks wouldn’t listen to me. So take it easy, we’re safe behind these walls. We can handle a force four times our size.” He put his arm around the youth’s shoulder. “Especially when brave men and women like you stand
together.”
“I only went through a three-day crash course in bows,” the recruit said. “I can barely shoot over 40 paces.”
“That’s why you and the rest of the militia are stationed along the perimeter instead of being with us guards at the front wall,” the officer explained patiently. “If some of those monsters try to cross the river, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to shoot them full of arrows. Alright?”
The recruit swallowed. “Al–alright.”
“That’s a good man,” the officer said approvingly. He got to his feet, meeting the eyes of a fellow junior officer inspecting another group of nervous drafted civilians.
Their grim expressions said it all.
***
The sun had finally set, bringing in the nighttime.
Our time.
“Ogres and tanks to the front. Scouts at the back. Traveler squads, take flanks!” Bob ordered. He had taken to the role of a general like a goblin to a brawl. The entirety of my army, over 1,300 strong, stood in orderly rows just beyond Novenguard’s bow range.
The defenders saw us coming. There was no way they could have missed it, despite the growing darkness. Horn blows and alarm bells rang across the town as the defenders amassed onto the walls. Even from this distance, I could see the rows of hundreds of soldiers along the wall’s kill zone. They had brought their best to the front to stop us. But more people were visible all along the walls around the city. It looked like the city watch had put a bow in the hands of anyone capable of holding one. Both sides knew this was the final clash and pulled out all stops. One side was going to lose. And I sure as hell didn’t plan on it being us.
Life Reset: Human Resource (New Era Online Book 4) Page 45