by Jason Cheek
As soon as the spell’s stun effect wore off, I lurched into motion as the Frost Nova’s freeze popped releasing the troop of Goblins. Immediately Yun locked the mobs down again with his Frost attack as another wave of ice flashed across the room. With another eight seconds now available, I used my Flurry spell to blast two Goblins to death and then closed into melee range as I swung my new Iron-reinforced Defender off my shoulder and drew my Brutal Skullsplitter blade, before lunging the closest Goblins. For fourteen seconds, Sarka and I worked together to corral the mobs away from the rest of the team as our blades wove together in a dance of death.
Again my Frost Nova spell flared out from me in a frozen wave as I stepped back and burned another two guards down while Yun burned down a third. Eight seconds later, five of the seven frozen mobs rushed me as one as I fell back kiting the elite Goblin Guards around the edges of the room. I saw Tinyr up and back in the fight as he worked with his wife to burn down the Goblins that Sarka was battling while Yun joined the fray with his sword.
The fight went pretty smoothly after that. My spirit kept my Mana regeneration up enough that I could cast Frost Blast whenever my cool down popped. Throughout the fight, Yun and I continued locking down the mobs. Yun kept the rest of his Mana reserves for healing and Frost Nova, so the fight basically turned into an endurance run of hacking and slashing. For sixteen seconds I’d fight one mob balls to the wall, and then I’d fall back in a controlled retreat blocking, parrying and dodging for another fourteen seconds. Luckily with their new levels and equipment, the rest of the team burnt down the two elite Guards they were battling within two minutes and were able to give me a hand taking down the rest of the Goblins in short order. Less than six minutes later I was casting my heal spells as Sarka plopped down next to me while Tinyr and Yun began looting the dead.
“So I guess we need to work on our coordination?” Sarka asked, looking up at me with an embarrassed grin.
“Guess who’s going to learn how to pull next?” I replied back with a smile in-between healing spells. Sarka grimaced at my words, but it was all done good-naturedly. As I went over Sneak and Backstabs Attacks and their bonuses, the slight frown quickly left her pretty face. By the time the guys were finished gathering the loot, we had a plan ready to go, and I’d raised my Light Magic another level.
The next battle went-off like clockwork. This time Sarka, Tinyr and I crept up to the intersection twenty feet in front of Unalia and Yun using our Stealth skills. Once again there was a squad of seven, level 25 elite Goblin Guards standing watch. This time I pointed out everyone’s targets and used hand signals to countdown the start of the attack as Tinyr and I both synchronized our attacks to coincide with Sarka’s Sneak Attack. Our first dual strikes dropped the mobs’ Hit Points down to a sliver as our follow up Backstabs finished them off a moment later. As all three mobs collapsed to the ground dead, I locked the rest of the Goblins down and started knocking them down with my Flurry spell as Tinyr and Sarka held the enraged Guard at bay. By the time Yun’s Frost Nova popped, we were down to only the Sergeant whom we took down together without a problem.
“Why the hell didn’t you teach me those skills yesterday?” Sarka swore angrily as soon as the Sergeant collapsed at our feet. “I almost killed that elite Goblin with my first strike.”
“Well, when we first met, I didn’t want anyone to know a double Sneak Attack was even possible. Not until I knew if you guys were cool or not.” I said, giving her a smirk. “By the time I knew you guys were cool, everything was happening too fast for me to switch everyone out to learn how to sneak up on a group and pull. Which reminds me.” I said turning to Unalia. “You should learn how to pull too.”
“Me?” Unalia asked, looking up startled. “I usually use my bow. I don’t see how much that could help me.”
“Why’s that?” I asked studying Unalia’s face. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t learn how to utilize Stealth and Pulls. Hell, you might even be able to get a Sneak Attack in at the start of a fight with just your bow. Although for your first time, I’d say learn the skill with your new Marauder Warblade and then try to repeat the attacks with your bow and see what happens. Worst case scenario is that you only use the special attacks when the shit truly hits the fan, like if you’re stuck being spawned camped by a PKer. At the very least it would at least give you an extra attack that might help pull you and Tinyr’s asses out of the fire. Best case scenario is that you suddenly learn how to do Sneak Attacks and maybe even figure out how to get extra crits like a Backstab with your bow. Mixed that up with your Quick Shot and that could be a game changer.”
“Alright, I’m game.” Unalia bashfully said, meeting my encouraging smile with one of her own. “I just figured no one could really teach me anything since I’m the only hunter in our group.”
“Our only hunter?” I asked in surprise. “Why do you say that?”
I went over the specifics that I’d picked up of learning skills, abilities and crafting on my own. Things like Stealth and Sneak Attack and how a player could learn those abilities. How just by trying out different attacks or crafting within The World would give the player additional skills. The system was automatically set up to award knowledge to players that tried using specialized attacks or crafting skills on their own, that got around the need for utilizing some of the in-town trainers. As we got moving, Tinyr went over the rumors they’d overheard from some of the other players talking this morning over breakfast at the Ugly Warthog Tavern. Supposedly Kharborg Bonebreaker, the shaman of the attacking horde, was down the corridor to the left, while Vorgak the Brutal, the Orc War Leader, was said to be at the end of the middle corridor, while they hadn’t learned specifics, just knowing the possible location of the bosses was a plus.
The corridor of the dungeon started changing around us as large mushrooms started appearing in small clusters, growing along the floors and the walls. Silently I made my way through the widening corridor with Unalia at my side, followed by Yun and Tinyr working with Sarka. Instead of having one group scout ahead in stealth while the rest of the team followed behind, everyone was learning the skills needed to move silently and attack from Stealth. Seeing another squad of elite Goblin Guards guarding the entrance to a closed door, I unlimbered my bow and drew an arrow motioning for Unalia to come to my side as the rest of the team crept forward.
The tactic was pretty straightforward. The guards were standing around in a loose circle talking animatedly to one another, which left at least three of the seven with their backs towards us. Signaling the team to stay in place, I silently inched forward with Unalia at my side. At ten yards out, we split to either side of the corridor as I motioned for Unalia to prepare for her Sneak Attack and pointed out the Goblin she should target first. Spreading my hand out wide, I signaled to attack on the count of five as we both knock arrows to our bows. Five seconds later our bows twanged in unison.
Immediately arrows started flying as the first guard Unalia, and I targeted had their Hit Points plummet from the Sneak Attack bonus that landed successfully. My first arrow had only done 200 points of damage, while the huntress’s shot and dropped her target’s Hit Points down by 600 points. The difference in damage was unsurprising. My bow had a base 20 points of damage while Unalia’s did a base 60 since her bow and arrows were much higher quality than mine. Catching Unalia’s giddy grin from the corner of my eye, I chuckled to myself as she continued using her Quick Shot skill to send a steady stream of arrows at the elite Goblins who were beginning to respond. The crits we’d both received on our follow up attacks were pretty impressive, even if they weren’t as high as a melee Backstab bonus.
Sprinting across the corridor towards Unalia, I shouldered my bow and unlimbered my shield as my blade cleared its sheath with a metallic ring. Instantly the corridor filled with the guttural shrieks of angry Goblins as they charged us drawing their weapons. Catching the first two blades on my shield, I released a Frost Nova as I fell back to engage the closest Goblin with my Flu
rry spell just as the rest of the team silently sprang out of the darkened corridor from stealth. Immediately the rearmost Goblins Hit Points dropped from Sarka’s, Yun’s and Tinyr’s Sneak Attacks. Their follow-up Backstabs dropped all of the targets but one which was finished off in short order. By the time my Frost Nova popped, there was only the Squad Leader left standing. Taking a step forward, I caught the Goblin’s lunge on my shield as the rest of the team closed in behind the mob. Within a minute, we’d burned the Squad Leader’s Hit Points down finishing off the fight without any damage being taken.
“Thanks for making Unalia feel part of the team, man,” Tinyr said in a hushed whisper as we looted the dead.
“No problem. Glad I could help out.” I said giving his shoulder a friendly clap. “I’m just sorry I didn’t think of it earlier.”
Passing through the doorway, we headed deeper into the dungeon. The mushrooms here were much bigger with groups of four to eight reaching nearly shoulder height. The tunnel changed from their chiseled smoothness into a natural roughness that grew wider the farther we moved down its length. I could see an exit at the far end, but the clumps of oversized mushrooms nearly blocked it. By now, the scurrying sounds of animals moving around in the darkness became much more prominent as we slowly came to a stop. Unsure of how to proceed, I signaled for Unalia and Tinyr to move towards the rear as I shouldered my bow and unslung my shield.
The foreboding atmosphere was making me all the more nervous by the second. The heavy shadows under the clumps of mushrooms made it nearly impossible to see what kind of mobs we faced. Ahead of us, the clumps of mushroom began to shake as the creatures pushed their way through the stalks heading towards us. As the mobs approached, all that was visible were pairs of glowing red eyes. Looking around warily, I heard Tinyr’s wavering voice crack in fear.
“Why the fuck don’t these things just attack?”
“Because they’re trying to freak us out?” Yun replied in a steady voice.
“Well, they’re doing a good job at it.” Sarka angrily snapped as she slowly rotated in a half circle with her shield and sword held at the ready.
Before anyone else could comment, a ringing screech rang throughout the tunnel as the sounds of claws scrabbling on stone filled the air as the mobs charged in mass. As the dark shapes entered my Darkvision range, they quickly resolved into waist-high, hairy creatures with claw-shaped bony hands and fang-filled maws. There was something humanoid like about them that made my skin crawl as I choked down the bile that rose in my throat.
At once I released my Frost Nova spell as a wave of ice froze the horde of monsters in place just a few feet away. Immediately the name of the creatures appeared over their head as I got a clear look at the mobs: Large Rat, level 25. Without hesitation, I began blasting the nearest filthy creature with my Flurry spell as all around me the rest of the team chose their target and attacked.
The battle was furious. While the Large Rats had low health and were easy to kill, the ferocious creatures were numerous and fast as hell. It took only one Flurry blast to kill one Large Rat, but once they got in range, they launched themselves into the air like rabid Pitbulls. In the first 16 seconds, I’d slaughtered 16 of the creatures, while Yun took out another eight as Tinyr, Unalia, and Sarka took out two of the creatures each. Unlike the other fights before this, once the Yun’s freeze spell broke, we were swarmed under a pile of biting, clawing, coarse-haired bodies.
The damage each of the Large Rats dished out individually was unbelievable. If not for my Marauder Armor I would have lost an arm or a leg from the mobs’ nasty, yellow fangs. My sword felt nearly useless, and I fought to hold the overwhelming waves back as I wordlessly screamed flailing at the creatures in terror.
It was one of the scariest fight’s I’d experienced yet in the game. On par with my first wolf pack attack at night. Enraged rats streamed out from under the clumps of mushrooms all around us for five minutes as we fought back-to-back for our lives. The only thing that saved us was Yun’s and my Frost Nova spell and the entire team working together. With each blast of ice, we were able to break down the wave into manageable units, although at the time it felt like we were drowning in the mobs’ reeking stench. When the last of the critters finally fell, we collapsed to the ground where we stood.
“I think I’m going to be sick again,” Sarka complained as she began trying to wipe off the worst of the blood and guts strewn across her gear. Without saying a word, Unalia stood up and hurried to the far end of the tunnel dry-heaving.
“Yea, I’ll be with my wife.” Tinyr choked out, stumbling to his feet and hurrying after Unalia looking green.
“You sure you don’t want to skin any of these rats. Seriously, that’s a lot of hides you’re passing up.” I called out after Tinyr as he urgently sucked in a breath and waved ‘no’ to me over his shoulder. “How about the meat. Need any rat meat? Could be some good grilling there.” Turning around to look at me in horror, Tinyr clutched a hand over his mouth and fled.
“You’re really not going to skin and dress up all these rats for later, are you?” Yun looked at me incredulously as I just gave him a wink and looked over at his wife as I climbed to my feet.
“I don’t know. Most MMORPGs always have some tasty grilled rat meat that people are eating in town. You know, I might be on to something here.” I said laughing. As soon as Sarka heard ‘tasty grilled rat meat,’ she turned green and jumped to her feet rushing after Tinyr and Unalia without saying a word.
“Sometimes you’re such an ass,” Yun said giving me a fist bump before slowly following after his wife while I watched them go shaking my head.
There was nothing to loot on the rats and, despite my reputation for being thrifty, I had no desire to collect up the putrid rat meat. I did toss around the idea of skinning the fuckers, but I had no desire to wear fetid, rat skin coats and pants. How much of a hit to Charisma would that cause? Searching the clumps of mushrooms, I did find some Dark Thistles and Blood Roots to pick for my herbalism. I only found them because I noticed the red highlighted plants in some of the darker shadows under the mushrooms. Both plants were ingredients for Antidote and Health potions, both of which could be useful against the Boss, so I decided to level up my skill some.
I also ran across the remains of a rat nest, which I picked through looking for loot. I called out for the rest of the team to give me a hand, but no one else was interested in picking through the stinking piles of bones, rat shit and old leather. Whatever. With a shrug I continued sifting through the fetid garbage, turning up 450 silver pieces and a Minor Ring of Monster Power.
Ring of Monster Power
Item Quality: Good
Item Type: Uncommon
Slot: Ring
Weight: .04 kg
+3 level increase to all Summoned Creatures
Without saying a word, I put the ring on my finger as I began searching more diligently. I ended up with a couple of lower level Goblin blades and some boiled and crude Goblin armor pieces which all went into the bag. Thankfully, by the time I’d finished searching the corridor for herbs and loot, Yun had gotten Sarka up and moving.
“I can’t believe you looted the rats,” Tinyr said with a shake of his head as I walked up to the waiting team.
“I didn’t loot the rats, just their nest and hunted down some herbs.” I clarified holding my head up high as I tightened and imaginary tie.
“I’m surprised you didn’t skin them, you cheap bastard,” Tinyr said with a grin. “Seriously, all of the premium rat hides just lying there going to waste.”
“I know right! There’s only one problem; I just don’t like wearing ratty underwear.” I replied with a wink.
“Oh man, that was just weak,” Tinyr complained, silently gagging before turning serious once again. “Sooo, find anything good in the rat’s nest?” I didn’t say a word as I posted the silver and my new bling in group chat.
“Ugh, you suck!” Tinyr said, throwing his arms up in the air. Turning aw
ay, he strode through the opening at the end of the corridor in a mock huff.
“You’re welcome to the free loot as long as I don’t have to pick through any rat shit,” Sarka added following after Tinyr when she suddenly paused looking at me questioningly. “You did have to pick through rat shit for that, right?”
“Yes, a ton of rat shit there was,” I said in my best Yoda voice as Yun pushed his wife ahead of him. Hearing my comments on the rat’s nest, Unalia turned green again racing ahead as I followed.
The wide corridor opened up into a massive chamber that looked to be the size of a soccer field with a small river running through the center. The fungus that lit the walls and ceiling in conjunction with our Darkvision gave off enough light for us to easily see the small forest of mushroom trees that filled the space when the screeching cries from many rat voices suddenly filled the air. I saw the look of horror on everyone’s but Yun’s face, which made me wonder if half the challenge of the shaman Boss was just reaching the freaking bastard.
Ignoring the heebie-jeebies that ran over my skin, I got everyone back into the mouth of the corridor with Sarka and me in the lead, and the rest of the team spread out behind us. Giving Sarka the go-ahead, we both began smacking our swords and shields together. The plan was pretty simple, have the rats come to us across the semi-open field before the tunnel’s entrance. Hopefully, we could freeze them in place and then take them out in smaller groups. It seemed easy enough and would be a lot easier than trying to fight the rat bastards at point blank range.
The rustling noise of hairy bodies pushing through mushroom trunks filled the air as the sounds of skittering claws on stone rang throughout the cavern. The mushroom stalks shook from the approaching mass of mobs as if a stampede were making its way towards us through the forest. This wasn’t anything like the forty rats we’d just fought off. It was something else altogether.