by Mars Dorian
Our new fowls blitzed along the path and reached speeds up to 75 km per hour, even without feeding them any booster krauts. L’ocean eased the controls over her fowl’s reigns. “Just a reminder—we have to be careful talking to the Preshaar. As you’ve heard on the market, they’re not fond of our race and might be sensitive.”
Beast men babies.
Probably the worst combination possible. But unlike in the real world where sensitive folks tended to be loud but physically weak, their hairy counterparts almost doubled my size and sported muscle power. Not to mention the mechanized bracelets and claws they carried around their finger and feet.
“Why does Balzac want us to ally with them? Seems like an unnecessary risk.”
I aimed the question at either Yumi-D or L’ocean, but Rokkit answered first. “A, because they’re war machines who can break Sunbleeder bones like rice crisps, and B, this is a game. Streaming yourself sitting in your safe space isn’t going to rock anyone’s viewerships.”
True. But the longer I played in Fourlando, the more real the experience became. I often felt like living in a real world where the same rules as the offline version applied.
We soon reached a guarded entrance that fed into a valley carved into the mountains. Hundreds of meters up ahead, a guard tower protruded from the rugged ground. It consisted of a wooden-frame coated with metal scraps and plates, like a giant matchstick construction. Two slender Preshaar with crossbow weapons on their back climbed around the frame. They stopped and pointed their projectile-firearms at us. I worried less about the tower and more about the wall separating us from the valley. It offered no entrance, not even a single hole. How in the world were we to step inside?
“Slow down everyone.”
Rokkit screeched his fowl to a halt and unsheathed his blade.
“Hold your hands, big boy,” Yumi-D said. “If we piss them off now, our quest will be in vain. Au revoir rewards.”
“You do know there are multiple ways of winning a quest.”
Yumi-D grinned. “Let’s try the peaceful version first.”
We glued our eyes to the watch tower. A wall created from scrap metal shielded us from entering the village. One of the tower guards yelled at us. “What do you want, humans?”
For some reason, I answered first. “We’re coming from the Cloudkiss Village and seek to speak to your great leader Kharra.”
“What for?” the other guard asked with force.
Yumi-D released the deadwood scroll from her gear pack and held it high.
“We have a message from Balzac, the leader of the Blue Flame. I can assure you the visit will be worth your time.”
Even with Yumi-D’s delicate phrasing, the two beast men grunted. They either sucked at diplomacy or didn’t care. They waved us off from the tower but kept their yellow eyes focused in case we misbehaved.
“It will only take a couple of minutes,” Yumi-D said.
“Waste of time,” Rokkit said in a low voice only we could hear. “We should wipe them out and sneak into the village.”
Both Yumi-D and L’ocean gazed at him with wide open eyes. I wasn’t sure whether Rokkit was serious or just pulling another one of his jokes. Instead of waiting, I stepped forward and raised my right arm. “How about a little deal?”
“What deal?” the right beast man said.
“I give you a neat gunsaber, and you let us in. Even if the great leader doesn’t want to speak to us, you get to keep the weapon. It’s win-win for you either way.”
They whispered to each other. This far away, I couldn’t hear a thing, but mumbling was still better than a flat out ‘no’.
“Show us the gunsaber.”
I produced the item from my inventory and held it high. The two tower Preshaar grunted. Their strange noises sounded less threatening this time. The taller guard yelled something to his kinsfolk below. Metal clonks sounded, followed by the unleashing of a chain. The two iron doors of the gate parted like the red sea. L’ocean, Yumi-D, and Rokkit expressed unified confusion. “How in the hell?”
It was really simple. “Didn’t you spotted the clues at the bazaar?” I said. “These beast men love deals and bargains.”
“Don’t tell me you actually pay attention to game psychology, Boltzmann.”
“I believe I just showed you the answer.”
The two guards grounded and waved us in like cattle.
“Well done, Dash,” Yumi-D said.
I spearheaded the walk and behaved as the leader of the party. We stepped from our fowls and pulled their reins. At the gate, dozens of Preshaar guards wearing customized armor and pikes glared us with squinted yellow eyes. Their protection looked rather thin and consisted of tiny plates connected to each other, similar to the armor plating of ancient Samurai. This setup proved useful against long-range projectile damage, as the impact energy would be evenly dissipated across the material to avoid hurting the flesh underneath. My mind already conjured battle strategies in case the beast men decided to attack us. Their low armor would result in massive critical and bleed damage, but their muscular and slender limbs assumed agility. Hitting them in the first place was going to be a challenge.
The guard I recognized from the tower stomped forward, his claw-like blade ready. “Where’s the saber?”
I handed him the gunsaber that had outlived its use many, many quests ago. A minuscule price to pay for entering this exclusive space. “Keep it, you’ve earned it.”
The Preshaar’s face lit up when he held the ancient weapon in his hairy claws. The wonderment lasted for two seconds, before his yellow eyes returned to me. “Walk on.”
The digital update flowed into my vision.
Preshaar ‘Beastmen’ Village
Location: Western Crescent, Northern Killa Kanyons
Population: 746
9
“Where’s your leader?” Rokkit asked.
“We will guide you to her.”
While watching their arms and behavior, I glanced at the architecture of the village. The houses looked more like multi-level towers crafted from red clay. They had window-sized holes and banners hanging from the ledges. Ropes hung from the spires and connected with other buildings in the village. They looked like telephone wires but consisted of either cotton or flax. Beast men crawled out of their window holes and climbed along the slots of the facades like spiders on indoor walls. The second a beast man villager spotted us, their yellow eyes stayed glued to us. Not a single human, neither NPC nor player, resided in this village. Far behind me, the massive gate closed again, locking us in.
I whispered to my co-players. “If these NPCs become hostile, we’ll die in no time.”
“Looks like you need to behave then, Dash,” Yumi-D said.
We reached a spacious plaza reminiscent of an arena. Above our heads hung more thick ropes that connected the tower-like buildings to each other. A few, smaller beast men crawled along them like acrobats. One of the guards stopped us in front of a fortified tent. It looked massive but paled in comparison with the spires. And yet, the delicate decorations and banner symbols looked important.
“Wait here,” the guard said before he treaded inside. Seconds later, he reappeared and ushered us in. I stepped inside first and heard my heartbeat hammered.
A beast man sat in lotus position, with both hairy legs crossed and the finger-claws resting on its knee-caps. Beast creatures doing Yoga? Why not. Everything was possible in Fourlando. I was no Preshaar expert, but judging by the expensive-looking attire and the many ornaments and colorful fur, this creature had to be a high-ranking member. The guards around the leader posed in a protective stance, ready to jump in.
“Never seen dwarfs come into our village. You must be desperate,” the sitting beast man said.
“Are you the leader of the Preshaar tribe?”
“I am Kharra, daughter of the wise one. What do you want from us?”
Quest update: you have found Kharra, the chieftain of the Preshaar. Hand her Balzac
’s scroll and convince her to join the rebellion.
Yumi-D stepped forward and offered a half-bow. “We have brought a message from Balzac, the leader of the Blue Flame.”
Kharra moaned. “Is he still fighting his little battle against the Sunblood?”
“More so than ever.”
A guard took the deadwood scroll and passed it to the leader. She opened it and scanned the letters with a dismissive glance. At least she could read our language.
“You’re fighting the Syndicate?”
“It’s the greatest threat our continent has ever seen,” L’ocean said. “They invade territories, oppress townships, and harvest Reepo crystals.”
“I know what the Sunbleeders do,” the leader said.
She stood up, stretched her athletic limbs, and released a moan that caused my chest plates to ripple. Seriously.
“We don’t care about dwarfs killing their own. The fewer, the better. We Preshaar define fate with our claws.”
Whatever the heck that meant. The leader stepped forward and played with her long, sharp fingers, enhanced by mechanical plating. “So your little rebellion needs our help?”
“We’re strong. We have well educated fighters, advanced weapons, and a tight network, but we’re outnumbered by the Syndicate,” L’ocean now said. “They own literally thousands of soldiers and powerful machinery.”
“Even airships and mechs,” I added, trying to prove some value to the conversation.
Kharra moaned. “What does it have to with us?”
“The Syndicate wants total domination. It’s only a matter of time before they invade your territory.”
“You can tell me the stars are blue without showing any proof.”
She moved around us and sniffed our faces. I tried to stand still but feared getting my head bitten off. Even the female Preshaar stood almost two head taller than our male characters. Kharra hissed. “Prove your worth, naked dwarfs. Maybe then I listen.”
An update entered my HUD.
New quest: Fight for your right to parlay
Type: Duel
Description: The chieftain of the Preshaar tribe doubts your words. She wants you to prove your worth in a duel. Only one member of your team is allowed to fight.
Reward: Affiliation+ with Preshaar
Do you accept? (Yes/No)
“Who’s the blessed one?”
No one dared to step forward, not even Rokkit. His big mouth had given way to dead silence, and I knew why. None of us had ever fought against a Preshaar. We may have stood a chance in team-based combat, but not one-on-one. And that was exactly what the leader was looking for.
Yumi-D used the group chat. “This trial could end in permadeath.”
“What choices do we have? Our quest is to ally with the Preshaar.”
Rokkit shrugged. “We don’t even know who the other fighter is. That’s suicide.”
We whispered on and on. The chief of the tribe moaned in dramatic annoyance. “I get the feeling you’re not serious about your cause.”
L’ocean quickly jumped in. “We are, it’s just—”
I stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”
“You?” Kharra said.
She looked genuinely surprised. Her glance traveled to Rokkit. “I was backing on the Lancer.”
Rokkit shrugged with a smile. “Knock yourself out.”
I already regretted my decision.
The guards led us outside where a crowd of beast men and women had gathered around. Looked like the half the village came to watch one of us fight. The crowd went wild when Kharra stepped outside. Her voice roared with strength. “A human wants to ally with our proud tribe. But only the strongest warriors get our attention. The naked dwarves must proof themselves. They must show if they’re worthy of our help.”
The crowd roared in unison.
Kharra focused on me. “See? They want to see your fighting style.”
“What do you want me to do?”
She pointed toward a nearby tower. A slender figure tiptoed along the rope then somersaulted in the air before its claws landed smoothly on the ground like a cat—a beast creature almost twice my size with enhanced arm and leg gear.
No pressure.
“Meet Grezz,” Kharra said, rolling her R. “Your sparring partner.”
“Her weapons look pretty real for a sparring partner.”
“Every training must include the chance of death. Otherwise, it’s a waste of warrior force.”
Sounded like the Preshaar lifestyle was reduced to survival and pain. I was about to step into the ring when Yumi-D pulled me to the side. “Do you even know about the Preshaar fighting styles, Dash?”
I hated to answer that question. After my abysmal screw-ups in the beginning of the game, I had drowned my mind in class and game mechanics. I did not however study the other races. There wasn’t enough lifetime to learn every detail of the Crystal Crusade.
“I had no idea we were going to fight our potential allies.”
“Semi-solid excuse. You should know that everything’s possible in Fourlando. As in, everything.”
I flicked a glance at the chieftain to make sure she didn’t hear what we were saying.
“Well, I know they’re big, slender, and agile. They are both long-range and melee fighters. They crawl along surfaces that make Spiderman jealous and ditch Reepo-based summoning for traditional fighting styles.” I paused and inspected the strange technological gear embedded into their limbs. “They also use some kind of mechanical enhancements on their legs and claws.”
“What about their core ability?”
“They eat their victims?”
Yumi-D rolled her eyes. “Their core skill ability is Bloodrage, which intensifies their fighting when they either cause or receive critical damage.”
“What do you mean by intensifies?”
“Higher damage, attack rate, and even new moves such as Stormclaw, Shred Armor, or Wolf Jump. There are countless logs on their specific abilities.”
Sounded vicious and chaotic. According to the explanation, the Preshaar turned into berserkers with high damage output in exchange for accuracy and control. Since no clone existed in this world, every Preshaar would enact on the ability in a different way. Chieftain Kharra eyed me with a glance sharper than the biggest blade in my arsenal.
“dwarf, if you don’t have the will to fight, just say so. We don’t kill cowards, unless they hurt us.”
“Just give me a minute, Chieftain… I need to focus my mental energies.”
Yumi-D doubled her talking speed, which proved challenging to listen to, considering her normal pace already rivaled a semi-automatic.
“As you can see, Grezz carries light armor with anti-projectile protection. Deflect her attacks and wait for an opening, but try not to go in close-quarters combat until she is stunned or staggers. Keep her at mid-range.”
Words fired like pellets. I made a mental memo of her advice.
Kharra hissed. “Stop wasting my time, human. Step into the arena or leave our tribe.” She whirled her right claw. “Or I’m going to beat your butt like a pig stickler.”
Cheers from the feral audience. Apparently, threatening small humans with beatings was considered prime time entertainment.
Judging by the ferocity of her words, Kharra was high on bloodrage already. I ignored her heated mood and focused my eyes on Grezz, who posed ten meters in front of me with her impressive weapon arsenal wrapped around her slender and furry body. She licked her sharp teeth with her arrow-shaped tongue. “After I have killed you, I’m going to rip your spine from your corpse and turn it into a necklace for my brethren.”
“Too stingy to buy them presents, eh?”
“Shut up and fight.”
10
My analyzer kicked in.
Enemy: Preshaar veteran warrior
Type: Beast woman
HP: 5740
Armor: Light Adaptive Plating (+3)
+75% dmg reduction from light
-to-medium
projectiles
Weakness: Medium-to-heavy melee thrusting
Special: ???
Okay, okay, I was dealing with a strong melee fighter here. And even though Grezz used no class like us human players, she seemed to be a Lancer/Stalker hybrid. She had crossblades made of sharpened bones, a handful of dagger-sized thorns around her pouches and cylinder-shaped containers. Explodas? Better not.
I unsheathed my BlitzBlade and held it in deflect stance. The crowds around me clapped and shouted in unison. They stomped the ground in rhythm. The earth vibrated below my boots. My co-players stood near the chieftain and expressed different emotions. Yumi-D and L’ocean wished me good luck with worrying grimaces; Rokkit grinned. “See you in the afterlife, Boltzmann.”
I pictured my digital epitaph—Dash, WarTech, killed by a furry during a sparring quest.
Yeah, not gonna happen.
The chieftain whistled. The fight began.
Grezz circled around me and selected her weapons. Her raptor eyes focused on my passive stance. When she spotted an entry, her beast body stormed forward with insane speed. Without a shield, I failed at parrying her attacks. I was decent with my blade, but not fast enough to deflect her fast bursts. The furry wind was slicing me, and she was furious. My HPs dropped, and only the armor prevented my char from sudden death. When Grezz slowed down and stepped back to recover from her stabbing frenzy, I tried to retaliate. I had to keep Grezz at a distance. Whenever I motioned for an attack, she dodged my blade strikes with joyful elegance. I couldn’t even stun her with the electrical damage.
“I’m going to turn you into a meat sandwich, human.”
“Don’t let her taunt you,” L’ocean said from the sidelines. “Use your WarTech skills.”
Grezz danced around me and evaded my attacks with ease. She even found enough time to glance at her cheering audience. “The human dwarf wants to play.”