The girl darted forward and kissed him. “For luck! Don’t die!”
Jace heard the pirate crew cat calling and making other rude comments but he ignored them. He took a mead bottle from his inventory and downed the entire contents. He threw the empty bottle at Drakkar’s feet and then put a mockingly apologetic look on his face. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you want a last drink?”
He gave the pirate captain a genuine smile, but not because of his Taunt. The smile was from the system message that had accompanied him drinking the antitoxin he’d put into the mead bottle.
You use Mild Antitoxin.
You are immune to poison for 5 minutes.
“Let’s dance, you and I,” Jace taunted, drawing his own blades. He enjoyed the look of disgust Drakkar gave him when he unsheathed the Kraken’s Claw. “Oh yeah, I’m sure you remember your sword. Or, should I say, MY sword.”
Snarling in rage, the pirate captain launched himself at Jace and the fight was on.
Chapter 8
As soon as he’d seen Drakkar rush forward, Jace had cast his Air Armor spell, bringing his Defense up to 17. He wore level 10 chainmail shirt, leggings and coif. The rest of his armor was leather. Unfortunately, none of it was magical, but just armor he’d looted from the orcs he’d fought in Whitecliff. The combination gave him the best armor value while also utilizing the Deft Warrior II and the Stalwart Defender II abilities.
Kraken Claw was in his right hand, humming with power. In his left hand, was a non-magical saber he’d looted. As he’d leveled up rogue to level 10, he’d gotten not only his hide skill up to rank 20, but also most of his other combat skills as well. While he hadn’t needed those in the palace, it seemed like they would be put to good use now.
Just before Drakkar reached him, the former guildmaster disappeared. Jace guessed he had used Vanish to get into position for a Backstab. At level 21, the pirate’s Backstabs were going to hurt. He quickly blew 4 mana and used his Evade, just as Drakkar appeared behind him.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU but you Evade.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
His evade had managed to prevent the damage from Drakkar’s saber and the man’s dagger hadn’t penetrated his Defense.
Jace used another 4 mana to use his own Vanish. He intended to do his own Backstab on the pirate. As he did, he realized he’d forgotten that his Backstab was still only Backstab I. It did three times the damage, which was the same amount of damage as his Critical Eye II ability he’d gained with Rogue level 10. He could have just done a Feint. Instead, he’d just wasted 2 mana.
Then Jace noticed that Drakkar was turning with him, as if the man could see him rolling. That shouldn’t be possible since Jace should be invisible to him for the next couple of seconds. As he came out of his somersault, instead of facing the pirate’s back, Drakkar was facing him. It was so unexpected, Jace didn’t even follow through with his attack.
Drakkar just grinned and gestured at his eye patch. “Even though my left eye can’t see normal things, with the patch, I can see things that are hidden.”
With that, the former guildmaster grinned and disappeared again. Getting over his shock, Jace blew another 4 mana on Evade.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU but you Evade.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Jace dodged the pirate’s first attack with his Evade only to see that Drakkar had switched up his attack order. He had attacked first with the dagger to eat up Jace’s Evade and then attacked with his saber, which did much more damage. Luckily, it had skidded off his chain mail shirt but next time he might not be so lucky.
“I know your tricks, boy!” Drakkar mocked. “This time will be different!”
Considering that the man was adapting to his technique, Jace was actually getting even more worried than he had been about being able to defeat Drakkar. He didn’t usually leave opponents alive and learning that if he did, they learned from their mistakes was troublesome on many levels.
Ignoring the pirate’s taunt, this time Jace did a Feint. He guessed that Drakkar might try and Evade as well, so he switched up his own attacks. After all, turnabout's fair play.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but he Evades.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar for 33 damage plus 18 acid damage.
“First blood goes to me Drakkar!” Jace taunted.
The pirate captain grimaced in pain as Kraken’s Claw caught him in the gut. “I see you’ve learned some new tricks too. But they won’t help you!”
Once again, Drakkar disappeared and Jace had no choice but to use his Evade again. He could have used Block. It effectively did the same thing as Evade, but force of habit with his assassin made using Evade second nature.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU but you Evade.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Once again, his Evade caught the dagger strike but also he lucked out again and the saber bounced off his buckler. He had been lucky. But could his luck hold out?
Jace used his Feint, intending to Critically Strike the pirate but as he did, Drakkar grinned and blurred. Jace recognized the rank 30 ability, Shadowy Double. It was something he’d used when he’d played Mordred. He didn't much care to see it used against him.
Where Drakkar had stood a moment ago were now three Drakkars. The two doubles moved to intercept Jace’s blades, and neither hit the pirate.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
“Still think you’re going to win, you little upstart?” Drakkar sneered. “Today I pay you back for Crossroads and Whitecliff!”
Drakkar Vanished but Jace didn’t even bother using Evade. He didn’t think the dagger could penetrate his Defense, so there was no point in wasting the mana. He was down to almost half mana now and he needed to conserve.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
As he thought, the dagger hit him but couldn’t penetrate while Drakkar’s saber slid off his chain mail again. Jace smiled as he realized the pirate captain was having a bad day with the random number generator. Too bad for him.
Feinting again, Jace lunged at the Drakkar again but the pirate managed to get his Shadowy Doubles up in time to absorb both the blows.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
That earned a growl of frustration from Jace but Drakkar just gave him a smile. When he spoke, the pirate’s voice dripped with condescension. “Problems hitting me… BOY?”
Once again, the pirate disappeared and Jace tried to turn to meet his Backstab, but without being able to see him, it was impossible. Drakkar appeared behind him and once again switched his tactics and attacked with his saber first. Unfortunately, this time it penetrated his chain mail and glanced off one of his ribs.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 18 damage.
You are Poisoned.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Poison damage suppressed.
Jace gasped in pain as the point of Drakkar’s saber punched through his armor. Seeing his agony, Drakkar snickered. “Finally got through your defenses I see. Then you’re in for a very special treat!”
No doubt, Drakkar expected the poison to turn the tide in his favor. Little did he know Jace had taken Antitoxin. He considered taunting the captain with the knowledge but decided to keep it to himself for now.
Using the pirate captain’s moment of gloating against him, Jace Feinted and struck out with both sabers. Unfortunately, Drakkar was still fast enough to get his Shadowy Doubles up.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
“
You’re beaten,” Drakkar mocked. “You just don’t know it yet.”
Drakkar disappeared and this time, Jace did use Evade. He guessed that had been the captain’s reason for switching it up. To keep Jace using Evade and keep him using his mana.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 18 damage.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Poison damage suppressed.
Drakkar had gone back to striking with the dagger first and managed to catch Jace’s Evade with the dagger strike, while leaving him open for the saber thrust. Luck, or the random number generator, was with Jace and the blow slid off his chainmail leggings.
Jace started to attack Drakkar but stopped as soon as the Shadowy Doubles appeared. He cast a Flame Bolt, that was absorbed by one of the doubles, then Feinted. With his regular saber, he took out the other double. Then he lunged with Kraken’s Claw.
You burn Dainard Drakkar with Flame Bolt but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar but Shadowy Double absorbs the blow.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar for 42 damage plus 18 acid damage.
His magical saber penetrated his chest and Drakkar screamed, but it wasn’t enough to kill him. The pirate captain danced back and spat. “You have learned some new tricks.”
He meant to press the attack, but Drakkar Vanished and Jace was forced to use another Evade. This time, he had to draw on Luna’s mana. She was his familiar and he had the ability to pull mana from her when needed. But he needed to be careful. If he pulled all of her mana, she would be dismissed, and he’d need to resummon her.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU but you Evade.
Dainard Drakkar Backstabs YOU for 0 damage.
Poison damage suppressed.
Jace silently thanks the random number gods as Drakkar’s attack didn’t generate enough damage to penetrate his Defense. The captain snarled and Jace began waving his hands like he was going to cast another Flame Bolt.
This time, Drakkar didn’t immediately cast his Shadowy Doubles and Jace Feinted and attacked, hoping to get his attacks in before the man could get them up.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar for 27 damage.
You critically hit Dainard Drakkar for 33 damage plus 18 acid damage.
A shocked look came over Drakkar’s face as he looked down at Jace’s two sabers sticking out of his chest. Then Jace saw the system message.
Dainard Drakkar dies.
You gain 210 experience.
The life faded from Drakkar’s eyes and his body slumped to the deck of the ship. Jace had done it. He’d beaten Drakkar. Finally, the man would haunt him no longer.
A cheer went up from the crew of the Sea Tyrant but Jace barely noticed. Instead, he was captivated by a series of new system messages that popped up on his HUD.
Congratulations! You have killed the captain of a pirate ship in one on one combat and unlocked a special class.
Prestige class Swashbuckler has been unlocked.
A Swashbuckler prestige class? Jace had never heard of that prestige class before. But prestige classes were more powerful versions of classes. There were the base classes, or original classes as they were called. Then, there were the newer premium classes which were slightly more powerful versions of the base classes.
Prestige classes were the next level. They were generally more powerful than premium classes and offered some abilities that couldn’t be found with any other class, like the assassin’s Assassinate ability. Whatever Swashbuckler was, it was most likely stronger than any of the classes he currently had access to.
Unfortunately, he would need to reach level 11 in Rogue before he could switch classes again, so Swashbuckler would have to wait.
Jace looted Drakkar’s body and got several items but didn’t take the time to look at them. Instead, he turned to the crew of the pirate ship and held up his swords. “I am now the captain of the Wyvern’s Tail. Are there any who wish to challenge me?”
The crew looked around, seeing if there were any who dared, but no one came forward. “Make ready to set sail. We leave soon to go find your treasure!”
With that, a chorus of hoots and cheers went up from the pirates and they began to scramble around the deck.
Luna and the girls came over to stand behind him as he turned to address Captain Yehmee. The racoon-kin was looking at him and shaking her head. “I honestly didn’t think it would work.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” he replied and smiled.
“I knew it would work,” Mika chimed in from behind. “Jace is awesome!”
The captain held out her hand and Jace clasped it. “Good luck, Captain.”
“Watch yourself with those pirates,” she told him.
“I will,” he said and released her hand. He turned to the girls and motioned towards the pirate ship. “Come on girls. Our crew awaits.”
Chapter 9
Jace started across gangplank to board what had been the enemy ship just a few minutes ago. He had defeated Drakkar, and he thought doing so made him captain. But with a crew of pirates, he would have to watch his back. Luckily, he had Diana, Mika and Luna to help him with that.
As his foot touched the deck of Wyvern’s Tail, new system messages and prompts appeared on his HUD.
Vessel Wyvern’s Tail is unbound.
Take possession of Wyvern’s Tail? (Yes or No)
He’d never owned a ship in the game, or anything other than a horse really. A ship cost hundreds of thousands of gold and he’d always found it easier just to pay for a teleport - faster too. So this prompt was new to him, yet seemed obvious. He answered Yes.
Wyvern’s Tail is now bound to you.
Title gained: Captain
New menu available: Vessels
Wyvern’s Tail is currently designated as a pirate vessel. Do you wish to change the designation? (Yes or No)
That was an interesting development. Jace had only thought briefly about the implications of becoming the captain of a pirate ship. Honestly, he’d been more concerned about not dying at the hands of Drakkar. But now he was forced to think about it.
Would he inherit the crimes the ship had committed? Or would he only be guilty of any future crimes? He also wondered how this would affect his title as Baronet. If the authorities found him guilty of piracy, would he have it stripped away? Or, because he was a player, would he keep it?
He wished he had access to the forums. Someone would surely know. For the moment, Jace was just going to take his best guess and hope for the best.
Jace chose Yes to change the designation.
Choose designation for Wyvern’s Tail:
Cargo (Unavailable)
Passenger (Unavailable)
Pirate (Current)
Privateer
It didn’t appear he could turn a pirate ship into a cargo or passenger ship, so those options weren’t available. He wondered if other players had fleets of passenger or cargo ships and made a passive income with them. He guessed you had to have money to make money.
The only option available to him, other than leaving the ship as a pirate ship was privateer. He focused on the option and a description appeared.
Privateer - attack enemy ships for crown and country. Your ship may attack and be attacked by enemy factions but not by friendly factions.
Warning: Your ship is still subject to attack by pirates, sea monsters and natural disasters.
He considered the two options. One, he could remain a pirate and prey on ships from the good faction, or any other faction for that matter. Or, he could switch to privateer and only attack, and be attacked, by enemy ships.
Considering their current predicament, the last thing he needed was to be chased by navy ships. Privateer seemed the safer option. Hoping he was making the right decision, he chose to switch to privateer.
Wyvern’s Tail now designated as Privateer.
Choose Faction:
Eastern Alliance
Central Coalition
Western Syndicate
It surprised Jace that he could choose a faction he wasn’t a member of. The Central Coalition was the rough confederation of the animal-kin islands nations considered the neutral faction. The Western Syndicate was a tense union of the evil nations. It was the faction that Jace’s old character, Mordred, had been a part of. Since he was part of the Eastern Alliance, he thought that was the safest choice.
Wyvern’s Tail now designated as Privateer with the Eastern Alliance.
“You okay, Jace?” Mika asked from behind him and he realized he had stopped mid-stride on the gangplank. Since neither Mika nor Diana could see his prompts, to them it must seem that he had stopped for no reason.
“Sorry,” he turned and gave them a smile. “Apparently, I just gained the vessel, and the game was prompting me for some information.”
“Oh?” Diana raised an eyebrow. “What kind of information?”
“For one,” he replied. “I just changed us from pirate to privateer.”
“What does that mean?” Mika asked, a look of confusion on her face.
“It means Jace just turned us from all from regular pirates and cutthroats to discriminating pirates and cutthroats.” Diana smirked.
“Basically,” Jace nodded. “We can attack other factions but not our own.”
Stepping onto the ship’s deck, Jace moved out of the way and let the two girls come aboard. Once the three of them and Luna were on the ship, a sailor came over and took the gangplank away. Other sailors on both ships then removed the lines connecting the two boats.
With a wave, Captain Yehmee ordered her sailors to hoist their sails, and the wind began to slowly move the Sea Tyrant away. Jace wished them well. Belatedly, he realized he should have asked Yehmee to keep things quiet about him and the Wyvern’s Tail.
Veil Online - Book 3: An Epic LitRPG Adventure Page 6