“Yeah,” he agreed. “That’s some seriously armored shell for a low level monster.”
He walked over to the bodies and looted them.
You receive Hive Beetle Eye.
You receive Hive Beetle Carapace.
“Beetle Carapace?” Mika questioned as she saw the loot message and Jace examined it.
Hive Beetle Carapace
Type: Crafting Item (Armorsmithing)
Level: 1
Wt: 4 lb
Description: Part of the carapace from a giant beetle. A craftsman can use this to create unique armor.
“It’s a crafting item,” Jace told the group. “If we had the Armorsmithing skill, it looks like we could use it to create some armor. Too bad none of us have the skill.”
Mika looked thoughtful but didn’t say anything else.
***
They spend the rest of the morning killing beetles. The fights were long and boring, but that’s why players called it grinding. To gain levels, players should kill monsters hour after hour to gain experience and loot. Even Jace had been forced to grind many of Mordred’s levels, not for hours, but for days or weeks at the higher levels.
It was mind-numbingly boring, but it did work. By noon, each of them had gained a level. Jace was now a level 9 Rogue. Mika had hit level 6 in Fighter and then switched back to Priest, while Diana had hit level 6 in Mage early on and was now almost level 7.
Tired from their last fight, the three of them were laying back on the hill, letting their Stamina regenerate. Luna was nearby stalking butterflies with the same level of intensity they’d had fighting the beetles.
“How many did we kill?” asked Diana.
“36,” replied Mika before Jace could mentally count them.
“Is that all?” Diana groaned. “It seems like we should have wiped them out by now.”
Jace was about to answer when they heard a scream. “Boss!”
Sitting up suddenly, Jace glanced around to find the source of the scream. Scrambling to his feet, he gestured to the others. “Come on! That might be a queen beetle.”
Not waiting for the others, Jace scrambled to the top of the hill just as the rude were-bear player they’d seen earlier came bounding over the crest.
“Boss!” the rude player screamed as he ran past.
Before Jace could do anything else, an enormous beetle came clattering over the crest of the hill. The thing was twice as large as the ones they had been fighting with clicking mandibles that were as large as his arm.
It was only second behind the werebear and he considered whether he should help the rude player. Before he came to a decision, it was made for him. The werebear tripped going down the hill and the beetle was on him in an instant.
Jace watched as the creature bit into him several times before the werebear could regain his feet. The werebear did manage to finally regain his feet and then turned to run again but another bite from the enormous beetle and the werebear collapsed in a heap.
Immediately after the werebear died, the enormous beetle swiveled towards his group and hissed loudly. The thing snapped its mandibles and charged them. Jace barely had time to check out the thing in his HUD and cast his Air Armor spell before it was on them.
Hive Beetle Queen
Level 6
Jace thought the thing was coming for him, but Diana was a few steps closer. Before he realized he wasn’t the target, the thing rushed the Mage and bit into her side with its gigantic mandibles.
Hive Beetle Queen bites Mizzlethain-galliegarde for 9 damage.
Diana screamed as her abdomen was punctured by the creature and Jace felt sorry for her. Like him, her sensory feedback level was permanently set at maximum. They felt pain as if it were actually happening.
“Fight me!” he Taunted, and the thing immediately spun and hissed. It snapped its mandibles at him menacingly and then attacked him.
As it did, Mika took a swipe at it with her sword.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 6 damage.
The blow connected with the beetle’s legs and did some damage but that didn’t stop the queen. During the fight with the smaller beetles, Jace had swapped out his dagger for the longsword he carried. Now, he attacked with his longsword and rapier, slashing and stabbing the thing’s head.
You stab Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
You slash Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
Like the smaller beetles, his weapons found no openings in the beetle’s armor and simply slid off. Then the queen’s mandibles closed on his arm and Jace flinched.
Hive Beetle Queen bites YOU for 0 damage.
His armor held and Jace unconsciously let out a breath. The thing was huge, but hopefully its hiss was worse than its bite.
“Grabthar's hammer!” he heard from behind him and he glanced back to see the red-headed dwarf. “I needed that thing for a darn quest!”
The dwarf probably had the same quest they had. His group would no doubt do more damage than he could, so they’d get credit for the kill and he’d have to wait for the next time a beetle queen spawned.
He looked at Charlena’s empty spot in the group and made a quick decision. He targeted the dwarf and sent him a group invite.
The dwarf looked surprised for only a moment. Then he grinned broadly and Jace saw the system message.
Thedrir Stronggut has joined your group.
“It’s clobberin’ time!” Thedrir bellowed and charged the beetle.
“I got us some help for this fight,” he yelled to the others.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 7 damage.
Mizzlethain-galliegarde burns Hive Beetle Queen with Flame Bolt for 0 fire damage.
Thedrir Stronggut slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 0 damage.
The dwarf growled with frustration as his axe bounced off the queen’s thick shell. “You want me to tank?”
“What’s your Defense?” he asked the dwarf. If the dwarf did tank, Jace would be free to get behind it and backstab.
The queen didn’t seem to care about the new addition and focused its attention and attacks at Jace.
Hive Beetle Queen bites YOU but you Block.
Seemingly moving of its own volition, his left arm moved to block the blow with his buckler.
“8 Defense,” the dwarf said proudly. Jace realized that was actually a very good Defense score for a low-level player.
“Mine’s 11,” Jace replied and took a certain amount of joy in the dwarf’s reaction.
“11! How the heck are you getting an 11 Defense?” the dwarf roared as he and the other members of his group got in their attacks.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 0 damage.
Mizzlethain-galliegarde burns Hive Beetle Queen with Flame Bolt for 0 fire damage.
Thedrir Stronggut slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 0 damage.
This time, none of his companions' attacks hit and Jace got in his own attacks.
You stab Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
You slash Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
Jace ground his teeth in frustration. In some ways he felt almost overpowered, like his Defense, but in other ways he felt subpar.
“If you’re going to tank,” the dwarf yelled, taking a step back. “I’m going to go full DPS!”
From the corner of his eye, he saw the dwarf put away his one-handed axe and shield into his inventory. In the next instance, the dwarf was holding a larger, two-handed axe. “For the honor of Graykeep!”
Hive Beetle Queen bites YOU for 4 damage.
He had been glancing at the dwarf so the mandibles piercing his leg came as a surprise and he couldn’t stifle the involuntary gasp of pain that came out. The pain shot from his leg, up his spine and into his head.
The dwarf looked his way and must have seen his Jace’s face screwed up in pain. “Turn your input down idiot!”
“Can’t,” Jace said through clenched teeth.
He barely caught Thedrir muttering something and rolling his eyes. Then the dwarf rai
sed his weapon to the sky. A glow infused the two-handed axe and the dwarf struck out at the same time as his other companions.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 8 damage.
Mizzlethain-galliegarde burns Hive Beetle Queen with Flame Bolt for 0 fire damage.
Thedrir Stronggut smites Hive Beetle Queen for 14 damage.
Jace recognized the move from other paladins. It was their Smite ability and did double damage, much like a Rogue’s critical strike. Once again, he was reminded how subpar the base classes were compared to the premium classes. The Fighter class had no equivalent ability to Smite and instead was focused almost exclusively on Defense and tanking.
Clamping down on the pain, Jace struck out as hard as he could at the beetle, hoping to get some small amount of revenge for the burning in his leg.
You stab Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
You slash Hive Beetle for 0 damage.
Unfortunately, he was once again left disappointed as his weapons failed to penetrate the queen’s carapace. That’s when he noticed the creature’s thorax shaking. They must have hit some threshold, probably 75% of health, and activated a special ability.
“Special attack!” he shouted. Having no idea what might be coming, he used some of his mana to pop his Evade ability even as he backpedaled away from the huge insect.
After only a moment, huge wings popped out from underneath the beetle queen’s shell. Before he knew what was happening, the beetle leaped up and came straight down onto him.
Hive Beetle Queen uses Crushing Attack on YOU but you Evade.
One moment Jace was where the queen was going to land and the next thing he knew, he had rolled several feet backwards to avoid the blow.
The wings retracted back underneath the beetle queen’s carapace and it seemed to resume its normal attack pattern.
Hive Beetle Queen bites YOU for 4 damage.
His companions had backed away several yards and now rushed back to attack. They continued to rain blow after blow on the queen until Jace saw the thing start to open and close its mandibles over and over again. Another special attack was coming.
Chapter 20
“Special attack!” Jace shouted. He realized they must have hit 50% of its health and it was going to use its special attack again. He used his Evade again and took several steps back.
He saw his companions moving away as well and he waited for the queen to jump at him again. Too late, he remembered that this wasn’t what the queen had done before. Instead of bringing out its wings, the creature opened its mandibles wide.
Hive Beetle Queen uses Dissolving Spittle on YOU for 12 acid damage.
A spray of viscous green liquid shot from the open mandibles of the queen. An instant before it hit him, he realized this was an AoE (area of effect) attack. His Evade wasn’t going to protect him!
The green liquid struck Jace in the chest and arms. Where it touched, fiery pain exploded and as his skin dissolved away. Unable to hold back, Jace screamed as he fell to his knees.
“Jace!” he heard Mika yell.
Thieves Guild Jerkin has been destroyed.
Thieves Guild Bracers have been destroyed.
Netherlight has been destroyed.
Longsword has been destroyed.
The unbearable pain wracked his body what seemed to be an eternity before it subsided in a golden glow. Jace opened his eyes to see that the acid had dissolved the blades of his weapons, along with most his bracers and jerkin.
Then he saw the queen looming over him as the thing resumed its normal attack, biting at his head. Somehow, his buckler had survived, and he managed to get it up to help ward off the attack.
Hive Beetle Queen bites YOU for 5 damage.
The queen’s attack dug into his arm and he consciously clamped his mouth closed to stifle another scream. He stood up as the thing reared back and hissed.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 6 damage.
Thedrir Stronggut smites Hive Beetle Queen for 8 damage.
He saw Mika and Thedrir resume their attacks, but Diana no longer attacked at all. She was out of mana and her wand attacks weren’t doing any damage at all to the queen. She stood back behind the beetle staying out of the way of danger.
The rest of the fight was grueling for Jace. He was still reeling from losing not only two pieces of Thieves Guild armor, but also his two best weapons. The loss of Netherlight was especially painful for him. Not only was it the only real magical weapon he had possessed, it was something he’d carried with him since Crystalburrow. Now it was gone. Destroyed in an instant by the special attack of some random boss.
The loss of armor also meant his Defense dropped from 11 down to 10. It was still a formidable score, but it seemed like more and more of the queen’s attacks got through and he could do nothing except soak up the damage.
Mika and Thedrir finally managed to get the giant insect down to 25% health and Jace breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw the queen’s thorax wiggling. That meant another crushing attack and he used up the last of his mana to pop his Evade.
This time, Jace had been right and the queen once again let her wings come out and was about to pounce on Jace. Before it did, he heard battle cries from Mika and the dwarf as they rushed in to attack the softer, exposed wings.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 10 damage.
Thedrir Stronggut smites Hive Beetle Queen for 16 damage.
Jace barely had time to see the messages before the queen pounced on him and his Evade moved him out of the way.
Hive Beetle Queen uses Crushing Attack on YOU but you Evade.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 14 damage.
Thedrir Stronggut smites Hive Beetle Queen for 15 damage.
Mizzlethain-galliegarde shoots Hive Beetle for 2 magic damage.
Jace saw his companions, even Diana, had attacked again before the queen had managed to retract its wings. Their attacks appeared to bypass the carapace’s armor and do regular damage.
Once the queen’s wings were hidden, their attacks went back to doing reduced damage as they hammered on the beetle’s carapace. However, with the extra damage they’d done to the wings, it only took a few more minutes before the thing collapsed under their continued onslaught.
Raajoget slashes Hive Beetle Queen for 0 damage.
Thedrir Stronggut smites Hive Beetle Queen for 10 damage.
Hive Beetle Queen dies.
You gain 600 experience.
“Yeah!” the red-headed dwarf cheered when the beetle spasmed and dropped to the ground. “Take that you oversized insect!”
Jace backed up from the beetle and then closed his eyes and collapsed onto the ground. His Stamina had been getting low and that translated into a general feeling of fatigue. More than that, all of the pain he’d had to endure had exhausted him mentally.
“Are you okay?” Mika's voice asked.
Jace opened his eyes and forced a smile. “Just great.”
He saw the dwarf lumber over to him. “That was some good tanking there… uh… Ded… um… Deadrur… ah, darnit… how do you say your name?”
“Call me Jace,” he smiled, this time genuinely at the dwarf’s attempts to pronounce his monster name.
“Jace,” the dwarf nodded. “Much better. That was good tanking. But why the bloody hell do you have your sensory input turned up. Either that or you have the best acting skills I’ve seen.”
Struggling to his feet, Jace shook his head. “Not acting. It’s at full.”
The dwarf’s eye grew large and opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again and then closed it again. It was almost comically and if he’d been feeling better, Jace probably would have chuckled.
Finally, Thedrir seemed to find his voice. When he spoke, his voice was incredulous. “You took all those hits - even that acid - at 100%?!”
Jace nodded tiredly.
“Are you insane?” the dwarf asked. Thedrir looked around from Jace to the girls and seemed to come to
some conclusion. “Ah… you’re those hardcore players, right? That’s why you’re all human. I didn’t know you guys played on 100%! That’s brutal!”
He was too tired to argue or explain things to the dwarf, so he just shrugged. “Something like that.”
The dwarf grinned. “Wicked. Well, I need to get logging soon but thanks for inviting me. It was nice meeting you ...ah… Jace and… ah...Ra..ra… Oh geez, do you all have such crazy names?”
Mika smiled at him. “I am Mika, and this is Diana.”
The dwarf smiled broadly at the two girls. “A pleasure ladies. Good journeys!”
Thedrir Stronggut has left your group.
He started to go but then Thedrir stopped and turned around. “Oh, one thing… my brother’s band - Dwarven Thunder - is playing on Friday night at Twisted Tankard Tavern, in the Merchant District. I run the door so if you want to stop by, I’ll get you in for free. It’s a lot of fun - especially if you like Celtic music. Plus, it’s your last chance to come. This is our final week here in Whitecliff.”
From his inventory, the dwarf produced a hand drawn flyer on a piece of parchment. “Here you go! One of our flyers. A fan did all the artwork.”
Jace took the flyer and saw that it contained a cartoon style sketch of four dwarves holding mugs and musical instruments riding a thunderbolt.
Jace handed it to Mika, who was trying to peek over his shoulder. “We’ll see what we can do.”
The dwarf grinned. “Music starts at 8pm pacific time and goes until they’re too drunk to play!”
With that, Thedrir turned and hurried off back to the Whitecliff gates and they watched the dwarf disappear over the hill.
“He was nice,” Mika said when he was out of sight.
“And kind of sexy,” Diana added. Then after a moment, the woman added, “though a bit short for my taste.”
Veil Online - Book 2: An Epic LitRPG Adventure Page 13