by Jason Cheek
MIXING IT UP
BOOK TWO
OF
THE WORLD
Copyright 2018 Jason Cheek
Published by Jason Cheek on Amazon
Cover Art by Leonardo Black
ISBN-13: 978-1727123784
ISBN-10: 1727123786
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Amazon.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Note from the Author
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Glossary
About Jason Cheek
Other books by Jason Cheek
Connect with Jason Cheek
A Note From The Author
I hope you enjoy the story and apologize in advance for the grammar and proofreading mistakes that are sure to be a part of this work. Being an ‘Indie Writer’ typically means that you do not have the extra money to pay for a professional editor or proofreader and end up doing all of the work yourself. While I do the best I can to find mistakes, I know well my lack of ability in the proofreading, spell-checking and editing arena. At the same time, I have done my best with the tools available to clean up the story for publishing to the best of my ability.
This series came from reading great LitRPG works from my favorite authors like Aleron Kong and D. Rus. I hope that I have done them justice as I’ve taken the experiences from my group of friends and our online adventures and turned them into the series you’re now reading.
As you enjoy this story, I ask that if something does stand out grammatically that you let me know so that I can make the necessary corrections needed to make this book as enjoyable to read as possible. Also, if you enjoy the story, please make sure you post a positive rating on Amazon. Only in this way does this let us ‘Indy Writers’ know that our stories are appreciated and helps to motivate us to write more, besides enabling new readers to find our works.
Also, I’d like to give a special shout out to Mike and Cole, who have been helping with me correcting the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes out of the kindness of their hearts. Without your help the series wouldn’t be in as good of shape it is now. Also I’d like to thank any other fans who made comments that allowed me to go back and correct the more notable mistakes that needed to be corrected.
Chapter One
(Tuesday, April 22nd/Day Two of The World)
Welcome to Delonshire Mine Entrance’s Local Chat
Delonshire Mine Entrance Local Chat: Pty 4 looking for healer.
Delonshire Mine Entrance Local Chat: LFG Arch lvl 18.
Delonshire Mine Entrance Local Chat: Targen is a ninja looter!!!
Delonshire Mine Entrance Local Chat: LFG warrior lvl 15.
Automatically I triggered my interface to ignore the scrolling text of the local chat window. It was my automatic response to general chat in every game I’d ever played. Even if I was looking to buy or sell an item, I never opened general chat unless I had to because the game had no auction house, but nowadays every game had an auction house to assist players in selling items to one another. I paused for a moment thinking back to the game forums. Had I ever heard anything about The World having an auction house? Frowning, I dismissed the random thought for something to research later.
Standing up straight, I shrugged my shoulders to loosen up the tension that had been slowing building as Tinyr stood beside me calling for the rest of the team to come on over and join us. Focusing on the individual players scattered about the area, everyone mostly looked to be in the fifteen to twenty level range, if I were judging the Hit Points and Mana bars I saw correctly. I figured the best place to start was the glowing red crystal in the center of the chamber. If I was right, the crystal was probably a warp for the dungeon. Hearing the approaching sounds of footfalls and scuffing steps as the rest of the team joined us, I spoke in a hushed whisper.
“Looks like there’s a bind crystal for the instance in the center of the room. Let’s make our way over to the device and then decide what everyone wants to do. Just keep close together until we know what kind of crowd we’re dealing with.” Not waiting for a reply, I confidently stepped out into the center of the cavern tucking my hand-axe into my belt to have a hand free to cast if needed.
I felt everyone’s eyes settle onto us as soon as we stepped out into the chamber as all conversation momentarily stopped. Meeting the stares unconcerned, I led my little group towards the pulsating crystal in the center of the room. Groups like this always had multiple personalities. There was always a certain dick measuring attitude amongst many gamers in situations like this. Players were always looking to see who had the best weapons or had managed to pick up the special boss drops from a dungeon. Mostly this was a positive thing since everyone liked to show off their skills and gear to a point, so I wasn’t exactly expecting trouble by the attention. Although, after the running into two different Syndicate groups causing problems for the average player, I wasn’t about to assume anything at this point.
Quickly, I went over my character sheet as we walked. Seeing my Frost Magic skill level was 17, I dug into my bag and pulled out the scroll I’d bought earlier for my next skill up. As soon as I opened up the parchment, a golden glow surrounded me as a system window briefly popped open in front of my eyes.
Congratulations! You have learned a new spell: Flurry.
Cast Time: Instant cast
Mana Expenditure: 60
Hurls a flurry of ice shards at target that strikes enemy three times for a total of ((400% of spell power) * 3). Each shard slows target by 50% for 5 sec. Requires frost magic skill level 15. Range 40 yards.
Looking at the spell’s stats, I grinned to myself at the damage boost to my already overpowered build. Basically, 360 points per hit right off the start. Too bad it didn’t give me double damage against frozen targets like Ice Lance, but overall it wasn’t bad a bad upgrade. Not bad at all. Just as I was finishing up, I heard the same leveling up sound behind me as Yun upgraded to his next spell level in Frost Magic using his own set of scrolls that he’d purchased earlier at my directions. Seeing the surprised looks from the crowd of players in front of us, I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my lips. Having a second Frost Nova for our group would definitely come in handy.
Although the interest in our small group was somewhat unsettling, so far everyone had seemed friendly enough. Several players had returned my head nod as they stepped out of the way to let us pass by as we headed towards the center of the room. We were about fifteen feet away from the red crystal when a group of eight players spread out in front of us blocking our way.
“What in the hell do you noobs think you’re doing here?” A rogue looking player named Snufu Sevenfive said angrily as the rest of his group spread out to either side of him chuckling at his words. “These noobs think they can just follow our group through the maze without having to pay for our blood, sweat, and tears.”
Coming to a stop ten feet away, I looked over my shoulder at the rest of the team giving them a ‘Get ready’ look, before facing the idiots blocking our way. Before I c
ould reply, I heard a woman’s voice call out from behind us.
“Leave them alone, Snufu. It’s not their fault they came through after your team did.” A female player named Kyarina Valkyrie yelled out in a shrill voice. “Stop being a bully, or you’ll never get a healer for your group.”
“Why do you think I went ahead and brought my people down this time?” Snufu raged back. “Because idiots like you think you’re too good for the rest of us.”
“Come on man; we already explained that we have a full team. Seriously, why don’t you lay off the newbies for once?” A warrior-looking, male elf named Vardrid Valkyrie called out next to Kyarina.
“You Valkyries are always putting your noses into other people’s business where it doesn’t belong. Fuck that shit! You guys don’t like it then do something about it. Otherwise STFU.” Snufu said flipping Kyarina’s and Vardrid’s group off as he continued ranting.
“Freaking noobs always trying to skive their way to the entrance behind players who know what the fuck they’re doing. They could have paid to be escorted or even helped out in clearing the mobs, but nooo they’re too good for that shit. We lost good people because of them, so I’m calling them out on their bullshit. Pay up, or we’re sending you back to the graveyard. You chumps ass mother fuckers.”
Looking at the faces around the entrance to the dungeon, I could tell no one wanted to get involved. Most players usually preferred to watch out for their own people. I was actually impressed that the Valkyrie group had even bothered to say anything at all, even if they were now arguing amongst themselves about whether or not they wanted to stop Snufu’s group. I didn’t blame them on one level. Once you got on some fucktards radar, then you always had them messing with you throughout the game. Few players had the hatred for bullies that I did. As the words continued to spew from Snufu’s mouth, a nasty smirk spread across my face.
“I’m glad you explained your own rules for escorting newbies to the instance. I guess that means you and your buddies owe us some money then, chump.” I said loud enough for everyone in the immediate area to hear. “I don’t want the escort money for just you eight, but for the entire fifteen of you that tried to get through behind us.”
For a second no one said a word as they looked at me in shock. It was one thing to be a noob that was a victim but another to be one that started talking shit. Even if it was going to be your death, either way, you didn’t mouth off to higher level players in a new area. Turning red, Snufu promptly stepped forward with his chest pumped out.
“Who you calling a chump, chump?”
Instead of answering the punk’s question, I simply drew my new Cruel Bastard Sword from behind my back as I nodded at Tinyr and Sarka to do the same. Getting an idea of what I wanted, Tinyr also pulled out the new Elite Goblin Taskmaster whip he’d acquired with a wry grin.
“I’m sure you were somewhat confused when you came to the main cavern, and it was clear of mobs. Obviously, Y ‘all thought it was clear all the way to the entrance of the instance and that, I expect, was the mistake that cost seven members of your little raid their lives.” Seeing the sinking look on Snufu’s face, I continued with an even larger smile.
“You see, Snufu. None of us exactly knew which tunnel led to the instance, so we had to check all of them until we found the right one, which is why we had to clear out the entire main cavern.” I shrugged my shoulders casually. “It was just easier that way.”
“N … no … no one clears out the main chamber.” Snufu stuttered, his eyes growing round as he glanced between the three of us. All around the cavern you could have heard a pin drop as everyone listened in shock to my words.
“Ahhh, I guess you’re going to tell me next that no one kills the Elite Goblin Taskmasters in the center of the room either,” I said with a sardonic grin holding up the bastard sword for everyone to see, before sheathing the blade on my back again with a thoughtful look. “Not too shabby for a backup weapon though.”
“So how are we going to do this?” I said, seeing Snufu sudden frown as he realized what I meant to say before the words left my mouth. “Is the going rate two silvers per person or is it two silvers per escort per person?”
“Two silvers per escort per person!” Snufu flinched as someone in the back of the watching crowd shouted out behind him. Grinning nastily, I drew my Jagged Bonesplitter Axe and gripped it in my shield hand.
“Normally, I would have been more than okay with helping a body out if yea know what I mean. I really get into that whole ‘Pay it Forward’ thing, but, in this case, I think you boys need to cough up the money, or I’ll have to send y ’all on a short trip to the graveyard and collect at least part of my fee from your dead corpses.” I said trying to curb the southern accent that always seemed to come out when I was losing my temper.
“What a noob! You’re going to try to take us all on when it’s eight to five?” Snufu said shaking his head with false bravado as he struggled to get ahead of the situation. “The rest of your team isn’t even close to our levels.”
“Not the rest of the team, Snufu. Just me.” I knew his type. The little shit would never back down. Not until I shoved his own shit down his big fat mouth. Now, all that I had to do was embarrass him enough in front of his peers, and he’d attack me on his own.
“You know what I have to say about that?” Snufu asked as he casually looked over his shoulder at his friends and laughed. I watched all seven players tense as Snufu casually brought his hands to the hilts of his daggers, before turning around to face me. This was a game I knew all too well. Before Snufu had completely turned around, he was drawing his daggers and leaping at me screaming like a maniac. “Fuuuck youuu!”
The Frost Nova blasted out from me in a wave of ice as all eight players were frozen instantly in their tracks. Snufu’s situation was almost comical as he was locked in midair unable to move. The blast also hit each player dropping them down 30 points of health. Although the spell wasn’t much damage-wise in the overall scheme of things, it did what I needed it to do which was lock everyone down for my Flurry spell. In six seconds I blasted all six players dead with single headshots, before double tapping the tank in the last two seconds.
All the whole while Snufu’s eyes were trying to pop out of his head in horror as each of his friends’ bodies shattered behind him into bloody chunks of ice. As the Frost Nova’s freeze broke, my hand-axe was already in my main hand swinging. The jagged edge caught Snufu in midair and slammed him onto his back as the blade sank deep into the middle of his chest. Pulling the hand-axe free with a swift kick to the wannabe rogue’s face, I lifted the blade high over my head and slammed it almost completely through his neck.
Snufu had thought he'd be slick and pulled himself back to his feet with the backswing of my hand-axe, but as soon as he was yanked up, my Shield Bash sent him sliding across the ground to the base of the Bind Crystal in the middle of the room. Honestly, it was a pretty slick move, but I wasn’t in the mood for shenanigans. Kicking the rogue to his back, I stepped on Snufu’s neck and looked him in the eye.
“Dude, all that you had to do was be nice. If you’d have just shown a little bit of common courtesy, we’d have been good. But no, you had to be a dick. You threatened me. You threatened the members of my group.” Seeing Snufu grab two hidden daggers to stab me with, I shook my head and put more pressure on his throat. The added weight instantly forced him to drop the blades to grip my boot to stop his throat from being crushed. Hefting the hand-axe to my shoulder, I looked down at the panic-stricken thief struggling to breathe.
“Next time I see you griefing newbies, I’ll slaughter you before you know what hit you. Do we have an understanding?” Seeing Snufu nervously shake his head up and down, I gave the rogue a cruel smile as his life’s blood ran out onto the floor of the cavern. “Good!” The word left my lips as I chopped down with a one-handed Execute before his Hit Points could hit zero. “Then we won’t have to have this conversation again.”
Standing up
straight, I looked around the cavern at the horrified faces staring back at me and gave a friendly salute with my bloody hand axe before sheathing it again at my waist. Stepping forward, I tapped the red crystal as a bind registered in my system window. Turning around, I looted the corpses on my way back to the team and told everyone to touch the crystal and bind to the instance, before making my way to the less crowded side of the room with everyone’s eyes following me silently.
“Hey, sorry about that guys,” I said to the group slightly embarrassed.
“Dude, you’re a menace,” Yun said in a low voice, before clapping me on the back as he laughed at my frown. “Seriously, no issues here with what you did. The guy was being a complete tool and threatened all of us on top of that to boot. The only thing that has all these people’s panties in a knot is how quickly you wrecked them in less than ten seconds. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If anything, it should make people act a little nicer to each other around here.”
“Yea, only because now no one knows who can take their ass out like a chump,” Tinyr said with a grin at the embarrassed look on my face. “As Yun said, we’re all good man. Just next time, how about saving a few of them for the rest of us.”
“What can I say? I have a huge thing with bullies.” I said rolling my eyes before looking over at Tinyr. “I know you guys can pull your own weight. I don’t want them teaming up against any of you later on when I’m not around. I’d rather they just remember me.”
“Naw man, we’re both okay with that. Don’t forget we owe some of these pricks from earlier.” Tinyr fervently said as his wife gave me an excited smile of agreement. I raised my eyebrow in surprise at the glint in her eye. It was always the quiet ones you had to worry about. Unalia didn’t say much and so far had been a good teammate to have in a jam, besides being easy on the eyes which was always appreciated. Not that I was looking to get with his wife. I just enjoyed being around pretty women. Who would have guessed she was bloodthirsty too?