Fantasy Shiva (Fantasy/Sci-fi)

[TKhan]

Update 03

Tower of Sol

[Do you think they’ll really come?] The man’s voice in the communicator line was hoarse, as if he’d been on a fight that required him to use his neck as a shield. +

As Thorn sat on his Victorian chair in the middle of the plainly designed room facing a large window, the vast orange plains filled his eyes as the dancing flowers moved with graceful waves that pulled his reply with a solid tone.

“They will. There is no reason to doubt that they will not use this chance to get what they wanted.”

The man on the other line let out a sigh of an old man. There were movements on the speaker receiver and his voice echoed after a sound with the impression of something with a liquid hitting a glass table. [But if they actually do that, will that only add up to their problems? Worst case, they may make TGG and Sylphs their enemies.]

“That’s also part of the situation that we don‘t want to happen. Imagine, if they succeed, then no one else, even the combined forces of the TGG and the Sylphs can match them. As of now, all I can say is that we are still in the disadvantage so moving on with our plans will have to take some few adjustments.”

[Then I will also prepare for their coming.]

Thorn put a hand on his left temple as he use that hand to support his head. Then he let out a sigh after a moment and minded a large winged monster landing on the veranda on his right side.

“Will you not join us this time?” He asked with pure and honest concern.

[Not now. Especially since my crew are hot on the trail of our failed quest last time.]

Thorn made a smile as he remembered that quest. He put a hand on the hilt of the sword resting on his chair’s right arm rest and played with his thumb on its tip. The clear bluish outline of the blade matched the bright orange light coming from the window. Thorn felt a sudden chill as his smile vanished and so stood up and went towards the window, stretching a hand as to touch and open the glass.

The fresh smell of nature entered his nose and that helped greatly to relax him. But that sensation was far from being real. It was just a bunch of electric signals that was created by the computer server and is directly fed to the brain to replicate the sense of smell.

But even though he knew that, the texture, the smell, the sight, the realism of the world called Virtual Reality was something that can be dubbed as the freedom that every person in the world so desperately seek out.

“You really won’t stop until you get it huh? You just remember my warning, Ronin, he is an unpredictable existence and I feel that he will become some sort of a moving gear and a blockade on our plans in the future.”

[Got it. But may I ask, why are you so cautious of a single man? If he really becomes a hindrance to our plans, you can always team up against him, right?]

The same sound of something moderately heavy in the hands echoed again in his ears and Thorn had an urge to get thirsty as he knew that Ronin was drinking wine again on the other line. But he just brushed it off as he went towards the veranda and stroked the head of the large monster who was waiting for him there.

Then at one corner of the room, an attractive woman appeared wearing what could be called an Elf’s outfit as seen in the LOTR.

He nodded at her and waved a hand as the woman made a Japanese gesture of bowing to a superior officer of a military organization. She took out a panel and the same appeared with a pop up sound on his vision.

Thorn studied it for a quick moment and nodded on the woman as he returned his attention to his dialogue.

“If he’s an enemy, then I will not hesitate. But right now, he’s still in the grey zone. Even so, something is telling me that he is moving in a world much different than ours. But that’s just me and my premonitions.”

[I don’t get you.] On the other line, Ronin drank with a long sip as the sound of glass hitting the table echoed back on his ears. [But I‘ll take your word as real warnings. Oh, by the way, I just saw the video for the launch of the Tower of Sol. Congratulations. You guys are now an official guild.]

This time, Thorn’s smile was natural. “Thanks. But I feel like I just added more pressure on them now that we are officially a Guild. I am worried that the enemy will make their move on the members.”

[Don‘t worry. I feel that nothing of that sort will happen since you have built your reputation long before you actually launched.]

“Heh. Reputation. Why do I feel like you’re just in a mood for sweet talks? Is the wine getting on your head now?”

[Hahaha…Yeah.]

“Well then, I’ll be looking forward for your update of the recent developments in the East. Can you do that?”

[Sure will, leader.]

“Heh. Good luck.”

[Yeah you too.]

As the line was cut, Thorn leaned back to see the red dressed woman waiting for him.

“Leader, the Union have finished their meeting. The news of the launch had spread throughout the Netizens just the way you planned it.”

She said while still bowing. Thorn put a hand on her shoulder and made her rise. He walked passed her and went for the Sky Wyvern that waited for him in the veranda. And while he worked on the straps on the neck and body of this 20m long monster, he spoke to her using a military commander’s tone.

“Alright. So what’s the Union’s general verdict?”

“The same with your overview. They recognized the threat of the brotherhood and the danger the Masked Organization wielded. A collaboration to retaliate is not far from happening now.”

Thorn faced her and smiles as she bowed her head to hide her reddened face. “Good work, Moonfang. Now what’s left is to prepare our forces.”

As the words echoed in the silent room, Thorn put his gaze back on the hologram panel that she gave him earlier. In it is a report of the incoming war videoed from the sky. It was the TGG’s forces’ report. A count at the bottom of the screen could be seen, 80000+, and the numbers were still rising

It was the number of their forces, rallied all over the world. Mercenaries consisted almost 30% of their force and some are from the forces from their allies. +

This war, as the video’s audio report said, was going to be one that will surely put a mark in the history of online gaming, and of course, in the history of Terroa. A grand view from above of an army of the same size gathered inside the walls of the greatest fortress of the Sylphs also told of the same threat to the Titans.

The reporter, the famous Kathleen Brew, logged in as a player reporter while riding a smaller Sky Wyvern with a white flag.

War preparations of the two groups are reaching their critical limit and who knows just how long until the real war actually begins. She had interviewed many famous players for their comments in this. She even did a special episode in the TV channel Terroa Day Today where the famous players expected to take part in this war shared their views and reactions.

The video in front of Thorn who now took his stance to ride the Sky Wyvern was just recorded a few minutes ago. Meaning, as of now, it’s just been broadcasted.

“I’m heading out to Dakar.” He told the woman as he boarded the creature. “You go get Cramer and the others and tell them to meet me at the base later.”

“What about Loni? She’s still investigating him.”

“Don’t mind her. I sent her on a mission.”

Moonfang bowed and retreated to the shadows and it wasn’t long before her presence disappeared. A silent cold wind crept over his skin as he ordered the creature to fly over the cliff facing the sea. The sight of their HQ that was a large castle overseeing the Clover Fields and Western Pacific Ocean came to his vision and he then circled around the tower where he came once and set course to the snow capped mountain range down south.

***

With a grand smile, FlowerLord waited for her very precious weapon to be finished with its last adjustments in the NPC shop in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, a country founded by the first human settlements from Earth after the War of the Braves.

In Terroa, she was one of the few respected dignitary because of her unique style of snipe to melee combat maneuvers. In general, she was one of the strongest Engineers in the game.

She use Tier-2 AOE Ice Magic to hold back enemies from a distance, then quickly converts to sniping them with her S-ranked bow to finish them off.

When the enemies have high enough INT to at least cancel out a few points of the freezing effect, she then switches on using her Ceres to cut them down.

Her fighting style is one of the very first to actually start the trend of the Engineers who doesn’t have any specialty. She had many fans and followers. Her beauty is said to even match those who actually came from the Apollo Race and had 40% or more distributed points to their CHARM stats. But FlowerLord is just plainly a free spirit who, by chance, had a knack for fighting and is very observant of her surroundings, and not at all matched her “warrior” build.

She is a soloist, meaning she doesn’t actually go out with groups. She only have a few friends and those so called friends of hers are by no means weak players. +

Since she was one of the first 100,000 players from all around the world, FlowerLord was also considered a relic from the very few surviving first generation semi-hybrid users. Her circles are all superstar players and of course that means that she is too. By now, she’s waiting in line for the Shop Keeper of the NPC Shop in the Production District of the city of Dakar to give her back her Ceres.

She made this place her base only six months ago because a new dungeon here was discovered that gave a lot of Alien artifacts as loot that was good as equipment modifier and enhancer. That said, after five months of hunting down the Boss-level alien, Cryptos, the Ceres who already reached the last stage of improvements as an S-ranked weapon now had a special privilege to add another stage on its improvements.

Of course, who wouldn’t be excited with this?

So when the Shop Keeper, a beginner user, took out the package from the opening that came from his side, he stared at the face of the owner and asked curiously.

“Where did you get this item?”

“Hm?” FlowerLord looked at him with a frown. “I hunted down Cryptos.”

“You mean that super hard mission from the kid in the Market Place?”

“That’s right.” She said with a smile and stepped out of the shop. Though the guy called out to her, she just ignored him along with the stares of the people waiting in line on the NPC Shop.

She went towards the direction of the plaza and read the new specs of her weapon.

The Ceres, her very own invention, is now officially an artifact and its various changes in properties proved to be worth the time and effort on going all out to get it.

Before, Ceres is a weapon she so desperately tried to improve into becoming an invention with at least a few or just a single magical attribute. She tried to create a part in the blade’s core from talisman materials but she failed countless times, wasting away effort, materials, and money along the way. +

That’s because once a finished product is tried to be improved but the procedure fails, the whole weapon becomes a scrap equipment. Not only it looses a lot of durability, its damage output also drops significantly.

She had experienced it many times and learned a lot of lessons in them. But she still pursued and improved the designs until finally she landed on the design that would improve Ceres beyond her imagination.

The only thing left is an H-class item Black Ball that only commander level Type-1 aliens give out as loots for a few specific quest or missions. And considering its rarity, Black Ball is an item given only to those who are worthy of its gifts and surpassed the challenge.

The game’s system decides that.

As reference, Type-1 aliens are devils. Human sized, black skinned, snake eyed, sharp claws, two horns on the head, an arrow tip tail, dark wings, and a hunting difficulty of “Dragon”. Yes. They are as strong and as cunning to hunt as dragons. But, in all respect, Dragons are still the most feared creatures in Terroa.

Because even if Type-1 aliens are considered on the same difficulty as dragon hunts, the mere fact that a Dragon’s size and its reptilian muscular physique are few of its weapons itself, that proved to be a large variable compared to hunting down aliens.

For this goal, FlowerLord hired Players and NPC Mercenaries to help her hunt the alien.

She had invested an incredible amount of Zentra in the past six months just to be where she is now. So, it made her one of the very few who actually achieved the almost impossible task of improving an already rare S-ranked weapon to another level called Dark Weapon.

The Black Ball is an alien Dark Technology item and its only purpose is to improve already maxed out gears and armaments to becoming Dark Weapons —that gives out the magical ability of controlling Dark Matter —the aliens’ main weapons technology’s material. +

Now, her Ceres can kill monsters much easily. Its we is now lesser, she can command it to change into its hybrid form, the Dark Spear, that she can control even without touching it, and do piercing strikes and AOE damages —in exchange for a staggering manna and stamina cost, as normal.

It was this boost in abilities that made Alien Hunts coveted in the game. But alas, the reason why only few players actually go for them is because not only the rank of the mission is ridiculously high, the fact that it was a mission in itself was actually worrying. Only players brave enough to stake losing everything they have can actually go against that mission. But in exchange for the trouble, the reward is really hefty.

As she reached the Plaza, FlowerLord saw the still on going recruitment of the TGG in their upcoming war against the Sylphs.

Honestly, she doesn’t care about these wars and such that players dig since what she desired ever since she played Terroa is to go on adventures and collect rare weapons and treasures.

But when she looked at the window in front of her again, a smile emerged on her lips from the idea that she just thought.

Practice.

There is no better practice than the real deal.

So she went on to the guy from the TGG wearing a white and red themed uniform and informed him that she’ll be joining their mercenary ranks. But the guy only did a fleeting glance at her equipment and replied that he only accepts strong enough players.

Offended, she equipped her Ceres and converted it to its hybrid form, Dark Spear.

She stabbed the ground and the tip of the black spear pierced the ground between the man’s legs. The guy staggered from fear and shock and the commotion bid a few audience that attracted more people.

“I offer my help to your cause and you decline me?! I sincerely hope that with the level of your arrogance and stupidity, your guild would win the war!”

Then she waved her hand as the Dark Spear tremble and vanish like water that evaporated in summer.

A moment passed and she was already fifteen meters away from the man when he called out to her, offering his apology. But she vehemently declined and continue walking without as much as a glance. The guy persisted to his apology, even offering to double the mercenary fee to her. This made FlowerLord stop.

Her plan succeeded.

Dark Spear wielders are players who can hold high respect wherever they go. Authority really is a powerful weapon against anything.

But she won’t waste this chance in just double the pay. She lost significant amount of money after all, she must take it back at all cost. In any case, her salary on her job as a Med-Tech in a hospital in the real world wasn’t enough to cover for her playing expenses. And so she faced the man with a wicked smile.

“One million Zentra per week. Z100k per head that I take down. All expenses free. VIP accommodations. 50 NPCs under my command. Take it or leave it.”

The man was dumbfounded. That was five times the offer he’s been giving out on normal players.

But he wouldn’t let this chance slip by. To win the war, strong players such as her is a big chunk of rolling fire against the enemy, the Sylphiadora Guild.

“Wait. I’ll contact my superiors.” He quickly dialled on his communicator with his hand and not soon after that he was talking to someone over the line. Then, his eyes widened and sweat flowed from his temple down to his cheek. She saw this and she felt that something was amiss but then the guy ended the call and faced her wearing a serious expression.

“So?” She asked to confirm.

“Z2M per week, VIP accommodations, Z175k per every head you take down, 200 NPC Soldiers and 100 A-ranked players from our guild under your command. We accept your offer with a condition.” +

She was utterly shocked. Not only her offer’s been doubled, the conviction on the soldier was also a bit far from his initial reaction. But then, something else hit her thoughts.

Condition?

As the word came to her, she tilted her head and narrowed her eyes as she ask, “What’s the condition?”

“You will be in the front lines.”

The condition was a simple one, she thought, it was something befitting the might she just displayed.

“I agree.” She said with a strong diction and then the TGG member swiped a finger in mid air as a hologram panel appeared in front of her. The contract that they just talked about was written there and so she pressed the (Yes) button that confirmed the deal.

But the guy wasn’t finished talking yet.

“Do you happen to know people as strong as you?”

She paused for a moment before answering, “They still don‘t have Dark Spears but they are definitely as strong as me, actually, a lot stronger.”

“Well, fair enough.” The TGG member said as he smiled. “Same offer. Can you contact them?”

FlowerLord, considered the weakest on her circles, smiled as she replied, “Sure” that made all the people around them flock towards the TGG member, trying to be recruited under the FlowerLord’s command.

 

[TKhan]

Update 04

War

[I’m here in Buendia Valley live, bringing you the latest update on the pre-war preparations of the two guilds that’s slowly rising in power in the continent of Espada.]

Kathleen Brew, now a Mage from The Naturals, the Human Race, was riding a small sized Sky Wyvern with a white flag of MEDIA on the tail. She was circling around the Mooran Fortress, the stronghold of the Sylphiadora Guild forces and was capturing the grand, majestic image of their armies.

It’s been six days since her last report and from then until now, the forces of the Sylphs had actually tripled from around 80k to 230k+.

It was a sight to see.

Above the castle wall that stood 100m high were five floating warships the size of six ten-wheeler trucks.

Golgoda-class.

Hydra-class.

Missouri-class.

Osiris-class.

Prontera-class.

Large assault cannons protruded on their hulls above and below. Black, red, orange, white, and blue, their color patterns are the indication of the allied guilds that they belonged to. Floating around them like sesame seeds in a large bun were Cyclones modified and fitted with Vulcan Shanks.

Winged elements —players with Mechanical Wing Sets, flew to and from all around the fortress premises.

And as much grand as their numbers are, they are all just decorations in the sky compared to the grandness of the forces down below.

Large mammoth tanks lined one after another. A pair of catapults on their decks, a ball cannon on each side, caterpillar threads powered by mechanical gears and not fueled engines. These tanks, though classically poor compared to modern tanks, are a Hammer of Thor if ever compared to C-rank players and their beastly rides.

And yet these players with their horned monsters as horses, are of extreme importance as the tanks.

The infantry that assembled in the castle walls all had their bows and cannons, catapults, crossbow bolts, muskets, culverins, and some artillery weapons lined in a defensive matrix.

Kathleen broadcasted these videos, LIVE, in the TV channel, Terroa Day Today, that solely broadcasted information and happenings regarding Terroa.

On the other hand, Brad Goldoni was also airing the same scenario as Kathleen on the Titan Goliath Guild’s side, thirty kilometers away from the wall. Those three menacing layers of frontline mammoth tanks, five aerial mean machines with the tiny Cyclone escorts and some flying knights and players, large tamed monsters by those advanced Apollo Race players with the special ability, Domesticate, that they made into carriers…

Every bit of second that passed, every day that these silent winds carried the chilling frigid presence of the upcoming war, the tension of the two side slowly arises as their forces slowly but certainly accumulated their awing numbers.

Kathleen could only gasp as she herself beheld for the first time how a war develops from the conflicting ideals and goals, to this grand sized event that could change the flow of history.

[As you can see, I…I…don’t know what words to say now… but this…this war between the TGG and Sylphs had brought forth not only the whole of Terroa, but actually the whole world!]

Her Sky Wyvern flew higher, around 4km above ground and she just couldn’t help but be astounded how vast the sizes of their armies really are.

As of thirty kilometers away from the walls of the Mooran Fortress, the grand size of the TGG army bid a cold sinister omen on the chill winds hitting the solid grey walls. She flew steadily on the breath taking view overlooking the clouds and the valley, and Kathleen is sure that just a few days from now, the largest war the whole of Terroa had ever seen since its release will be witnessed by the whole world.

The wings of her Sky Wyvern waved on the winds that nested beneath them and its shadow overlapped the sol that shone from behind her. She dived down and landed on the edge of the valley.

And it was here that she said the last words to end her shift’s reports. The small metallic ball that was the camera hovered in front of her and she wore the fondest smile she could muster at the time.

[RPG: Terroa now brings you the greatest event the whole world had ever seen. It is what all action gamers crave for. And this time, it is here in Terroa that you will see what gaming action really is. This is Kathleen Brew reporting live from Buendia Valley.]

And cut.

***

There was no light to where they rested. No sound, just the low tune of their synchronized breathing.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Then, the one seated up front of a crowd of players like a King towards his subjects waved a hand in midair to summon his character window.

Then he swiped, configured, swiped, configured, and finally confirmed the settings that he wanted.

He took out his communicator device and the sound of static echoed in his earpiece. After a while, his line connected to a person and his breathing changed as he spoke in a gruff, scary tone.

“How is it?.”

The person on the line sounded intimidated as his voice trembled on the private chat line.

“It’s just in a few days now, sir.”

“Good.” And the line was cut.

The man opened his eyes, the room slowly dimmed, and the entirety of his crowd that was composed of just eleven people looked at him as they all waited the one absolute order that will ignite it all.

“Shall we start the forest fire then?” Asked the one on his direct right.

“No.” He answered, “Not yet.” and turned around to face the wall behind him. The wall suddenly lighted up and became a corrected computerized Real@D view of the place overlooking the Valley of Buendia. Based from the shadow’s direction, they were located high above in a place where there are trees, somewhere in the southwestern side of the plains.

Then, each of the panel around them that acted as the wall lighted up the same way the main view did and it in turn brightened up the entire room, changing the impression into that of a ship’s command bridge.

Panels lighted up on each of the seats and the eleven people around the round table all began to move as the part where it served as part of the table converted into consoles with a lot of hologram panels indicating the functions and operations of their ship. Everything inside this command bridge was of the highest and most expensive technology available in Terroa.

The Garuda started to hum and the captain stood up with his hand on his back waist to face his crew with a calm commanding voice.

“Start launching procedures.”

On his command, the optic camouflage of their ship began to disintegrate and a large battleship that nested above the forest began to take shape.

It was a 220m long black and red ship with wings and thruster engines that could easily outmatch a Prontera-class in its speed output.

In reference, the Prontera-class, who was, in reality, the first of its class, was actually considered the fastest ship ever designed since the game was launched. And yet, the Garuda’s specs and performance output easily surpasses that record in all aspects.

In short, in terms of engineering, whoever the player that designed the Garuda could only either be a genius or a fanatic since its shape easily was originated from the “Garuda” that was seen on a 1990’s TV5 show Five Man. But this Garuda is a more modern and generally monstrous version of the TV5’s docile bird-type. More like, this Garuda is its dragon version.

It has ten firestone powered missile pods on both sides that was missile armed —equipped with talisman imbued with the Seeker magic spell, the 15m sized Basilisk magical rerebrace —the same concept as Samara’s Morrigan cannons (only with plate armors for the protection of the base), on the upper deck lined in groups of 6—in groups of 3 at the bottom, a wingspan of around 380m with 3 large thruster pods on each wing, folded as if looking like a predator about to go on a dive to its prey, and the general outline was actually that of a large monster.

The head that which looked like a dragon’s had an opening for the Cyclones to launch to —a magnetic catapult on what looked like shoulder cannons, and its eyes are actually the same Morrigan cannons, only 10x bigger, and was intended to take down enemy warships upfront.

This is the Garuda, owned by the strongest guild in Terroa, Alcides Guild.

They are feared and was respected to be the first ever players that actually broadcasted their Alien Hunts. And not one of their hunts ever failed.

Their guild’s core is composed of 12 members, but these twelve are all administrators of Dark Technology. They are the stars of RPG: Terroa, always featured in TDT’s shows, and even made it to becoming Panorama Corporation’s lap dogs as the game’s face.

In their almost two years of playing the game, and actually making it this far after six in-game years, it would be no doubt that some, if not all of them, are already rich people from all the paid contracts they had.

Probably, the only feat they haven’t actually done is to hunt dragons. Which would mean they’re already defeated before they even thought of it.

But what are they doing here?

As their ship slowly arise from the covers of the tall trees, with their Optic Camouflage that costs Z100M in the NPC Underground Innovation Shop, slowly diminishing into thin rays of octagonal shaped light reflecting elements, the sound their thruster engines made began to reverberate and fill the surroundings.

Though they were far away from either the TGG or the Sylphs to see, and especially detect them, from where Kathleen Brew was standing, the sight of a dark shadow arising from the forest did not escape her view.

And from there, the sensor on the main screen of the Garuda caught sight of her looking at their direction.

Their leader paused to stare at her face.

She was as magnificently beautiful as she were in TV and he just can’t help but to admire her beauty. But alas, he was in the middle of a mission and he can’t afford to be seen in the scene of the crime.

“Let’s go.”

On his command, the adjutant on the left side pushed a few buttons on his console and the ship stretched its wings, turned around, and with a sonic boom that seem as if thunder from afar brought their ship to escape the Buendia Valley.

***

A group of six people with some in SWAT dresses led by a casually dressed old man with no weapons nor armors, watched the large ship flew from 500m away.

Then he turned around to face the leader of the SWAT team with a smile.

Seeing him smile made the young warrior reluctant.

“You’re really enjoying this huh?”

“Not really.” Janus replied and continued to walk. “I find it amusing to actually see this kind of scenery.”

As he spoke, the SWAT team followed him. A few bush and some hills after, with an ostensibly endless stamina, the old man stopped atop a hill and the SWAT team followed him.

The first to arrive was their leader with a sword but fitted with a gun with a long barrel prepared in case of monster ambush strapped at his back.

He let go of an amazed reaction and the rest of his team all got curious as they rushed to see the view their leader was seeing. And when they did, they too, let out their own amazed reactions.

The Buendia Valley is a peaceful place with a water fall that’s as high as the Angel Falls.

On their left was the direction where the coal mining city of Xargoal-6 was located, the sixth Xargoal city of a network of 11 all around the world.

A few kilometers from there, the Fortress of Mooran was located where a force of over 200,000 players were gathered for the war, hidden within in a flux of river, forests, and ridged plains.

They were located in between two rock ledges, with the river down right below, the Angel Falls on the left, steep cliff up front and the green forest and a mountain range on the horizon, and the high protruding hill on the right where they came from, this angle of the view could only be called a miracle of nature. It was hard to imagine that it was born from a bunch of data, patched together to spell the color of the land, texture, and this overall world, most specifically, this beautiful view.

But this, the place and the angle, how it was created far exceeds any imagination. The feel of Virtual Reality vanishes with this grand image. The SWAT team, with all its members being young adventurers, couldn’t help but to freeze time by taking its picture, preserving it in that rectangular image forever.

“Go.” Janus told them and the kids all looked at each other as they happily unequipped all their weapons and changed them into hover boards.

They all had one hover boards except for Janus.

“Where are we going to meet again?” Asked their young leader.

Janus smiled and brushed his head, his unkempt hair got tangled like a bush and Janus and the rest chuckled as they understood the fatherly image he had on the kid.

“He’s coming in this place.” He just said and they all knew who he was talking about.

The five let out happy exclaims as they spoke of his feats and excitedly shouted. The men bumped fists and exchanged high fives while the girls chuckled and did that BFF cheer from Reese Witherspoon’s movie, Legally Blonde.

“But sir Janus, where should we meet him?” Asked one of the girls.

“Well, I doubt he’ll meet you when he comes since there is a big chance that he might get tangled with the upcoming war.” At his reply, the teen SWAT group all had this sorrowful look in them so Janus immediately followed, “But at least you get to come here right?”

At that, they all exchanged looks and the mood took a direct U-turn as the smiles on their faces emerged.

“Well, you’re right. There are other chances that we can meet him.” Said the leader.

Then the second girl followed. “But I’m surprised uncle, how did you know of all those things that you’ve taught us? About the moonstone, the secret monsters, designing secrets, and even these beautiful places…?”

“Hohoho…” Janus stepped up towards the cliff and on his feet materialized a hoverboard. “Well, I only came across this place a few months ago when I was lost trying to find a certain place.” And then he pointed to the area down the steep cliff. “Also, down there…”

The teen SWAT team followed his finger and saw an empty brown land that stretched around one kilometer from the valley’s edge, towards the forest.

“What’s there?” Asked the second guy and which the third followed.

“Is that a dangerous place?”

Janus smiled at his question. “S-rank dangerous.”

The teen SWAT team gulped and took their distance from the edge of the cliff. But then Janus laughed and he stepped even closer to the edge, saying,

“Don’t worry. With these hover boards, they won’t even know that we’re riding on them?”

“Them?” Asked the group’s leader.

“Worms.”

““Worms!””

The SWAT team exclaimed and so Janus jumped off the edge that made their hearts skip a beat. What crazy thing would it seem if they told anyone about an old man on a hover board dancing with Worms?

They followed him with a glance and the 300m drop easily ended since the steep cliff was inclined at 60 degrees towards the peak and 45 degrees at the bottom.

To the brown colored land with nothing but soil and some darker colored areas, with lumps of ground and a few tiny sized hills, old man Janus threw a bomb at one point of the field and a chain reaction happened.

The tiny sized hills trembled and those that actually went at least 30m high emitted a sound that could only be traced to something big and angry.

As if not contented, Janus threw another bomb at one side of the field, circled around, did it again, and repeated the same routine for the next two minutes. Up above the cliff where he left the SWAT armored teens, they could only watch as the lumps of ground became a sea of red headed, pink skinned Worms.

Their mouths had four sets of jaws that opens up into a four sided beak. Blinded as they are, their heads are the hardest part of their body as almost all of the hard and precious monster scales are concentrated there.

Whenever open, those mouths could stretch as wide as 15m in diameter while their body is as long, as soft, and as pinkish as a girl’s lips.

Not that it’s a good reference but old man Janus took it as something of a sports as he glided through their bodies as effortless as possible. Seeing that the moving skate park had this calm yet dangerously alluring waves on them, the SWAT armored teens all looked at each other and nodded on a consensus of boiling excitement.

They all jumped off the cliff with a smile, some even used the inclined rocks a means to launch themselves to the worm’s back.

They laughed and enjoyed the ride, as if not aware of the level of danger these monsters are.

But still they enjoyed.

They each summoned a camera ball and let it flew to take their pictures. They did exhibition rolls and turns, flips and glides, jumps and poses. Their laughing sound echoed all around the area and the commotion brought upon by the roaring sounds of the awoken sleeping worms reached the ears of the court-side reporter.

Kathleen Brew flew over, watching the reason why the worms were active during the day. And when she saw the crazy stunts of those young users, she couldn’t help but feel worried. But then again, the sounds of the laughs and giggles overpowered the roars of the worms and she found herself watching them with a smile. She couldn’t afford to pull out the camera, and she actually, unconsciously, wondered why.

The laughter and fun in this world wasn’t limited in the endless fighting and war that she was ordered to cover as part of her work.

She wondered why she hasn’t thought of it.

Then, she was surprised when one of the six crazy worm riders came towards her and stopped.

It was an old man who wore an intelligent smile.

“Why are you not joining us?” He asked her and she was literally lost for the right words to say.

Why indeed?

She asked herself. Then she said, “I don’t have any hover board in me.”

“Hahaha…that’s not a problem.” The old man said and gave her the hover board he was carrying.

“B-But…”

“What? You don’t know how to use one?”

“It’s not that. But what about you?”

To her confused reaction, Janus summoned another hover board and smiled as he spoke,

“You were saying?”

He took off first and kick flipped to ride the nearest worm and he used it to propel himself towards the sky, a hundred or so meters upwards. And during his hang time, he did different poses unbefitting of an old man and the SWAT teens all laughed hard including Kathleen who never realized that he was trembling.

Why am I trembling?

As she asked herself again, she immediately found the answer. It was given to him by the old man and she was already holding it on her hands.

And so she stopped thinking and rode her board, using her Sky Wyvern to gain momentum and launched herself towards the sea of worms.

“Hey look! It’s Kathleen!” screamed one of the girls.

The rest of their team greeted and welcomed her as they all did their tricks at the same time.

This is fun!

Kathleen thought and joined their fun while smiling and actually enjoying the game for the first time in a very long while.

 

[TKhan]

Update 05

The Two Powers

On the night of a full moon, the sound of drums bade a marching storm. Roars of monsters echoed, hums of soldiers loomed. The night was filled with the sinister coldness of an incoming force that was sure to shake the entire colony inside the fortress named Mooran

The horns blew.

The unified songs of the NPC mercenaries echoed.

In their frontlines were the beast tamers and those people who was paid a price to kill a lot of numbers. Included in them was the now infamous FlowerLord, probably the first girl user next to the Alcides member, Isis, to ever wield a Dark Spear.

She led the ranks with her Company under the 1st frontline division with the plan to surprise and flank those enemies that will come their way.

On both sides of her Company were two of her best in-game friends, the twins, Paak and Waan, sexy Korean badasses with gun passion, also leading the companies under their names. Since most of her friends circle are away on missions or currently undertaking a very hard quest, she was still lucky to share this so called practice with two of her best in-game friends.

Virtual Reality has this one purpose as well. People from all over the world can meet and become friends, bridging the gap of language using technology.

And who would have thought?

The once frail player who walked out the city of Eos for the first time to see the world of Virtual Reality and only her curiosity the only thing that pushed her, was now leading the ranks of players towards something that she really enjoyed in the game.

Thrilling practice.

Making her name has been her next big goal and now, she have that chance.

As the continuous sound of the drums, along with the roar of the monsters carrying and pulling the large catapults continued, FlowerLord raised a fist and the people under her all stopped in unison. Then the catapults came and started to crawl their way towards the wall of Mooran, 1km away.

The catapult ranks on monsters and mammoth tanks passed through the gap in between platoon and their large sizes bade a feeling of tremendous fright. In the walls of the fortress, the Sylphs started to gather and their forces all looked like they’re really ready for war.

The horn sounded on the other side and at the same time was the appearance of the large ships hovering above them. Those ships started to climb in height and in their shoulders and mouths, with the sesame seeds that surrounded them, the modified Cyclones began to take their defensive measures.

Being the frontlines, the TGG Cyclones began to fly out towards the fortress and flew passed their heads, leaving bombs on their wake inside Mooran walls.

These small crafts fitted with Vulcan Shanks and magic blast turrets flew at 300km/hr that enabled maneuverability and instantaneous change of direction possible.

But the aerial defense of the wall wasn’t to belittled.

Two kilometers above them, their warships started to release their escorts and the Cyclone versus Cyclone aerial battle began.

Missiles from the warships imbued with the Seeker, a Tier-1 magic spell, began to fire off from the floating warships. These missiles, engineered using the fusion of Terran in-game technology, magic, and real earth technological designs became a large variable in the past war. The third Guild War in Terroa that happened just a few months ago was the first to ever use the missile technology inside the game.

Such weaponry moved the tides of war towards that war’s victorious guild and the losing guild was forced to pay the price of being the loser. Not only they were forced to submit to the winner, they were also forced to pay all of the expenditures to point of disband. +

And now, with all those months of preparation, the war event that’s been waited for by the whole world has finally began.

The warships of the defense began their move.

The Golgoda-class warship was their tanker. It had three layers of ironwood + blackrock frame defense, amplified by the mages inside casting Tier-2, Spell of Reduction. At the same time, it used its thrusters and began to move forward, slowly increasing its speed of 170kn (knots) to 250kn (approx 300kph to 460kph).

It doesn’t have as much firepower as the Hydra-class who just remained at the furthest back on the line of defense and kept its bombardment and missiles, or the speed of the Prontera who could reach up to 500kn, but the Golgoda-class, the first of its concept design, is like a raging bull who took down everything and anything that blocked its path.

The Hydra released seeker missiles and the targeted Cyclones had no choice but to change course, escape from the Hydra’s range, or, engage in full flight speed escape from the Mach-2 traveling seeker missiles.

But alas, since these Cyclones are modified and was fitted with the heavy Vulcan Shanks, their speedup dropped to 20% that made them snail moving targets for the missiles. And so, the Hydra became a menacing existence in the sky, feared by the attacking Cyclones, together with the solid defense of the Golgoda-class.

To match them up, on the TGG’s side, three flying tubes that looked like an inverted version of the Hydra, with ten linear long-barreled versions of the Basilisk cannons placed below the hull, hovered above them on a height of 12km, just a few kilometers more until the edge of troposphere.

Those cannons began to release bombardment fires towards the Hydra and so the Hydra had no choice but perform evasive maneuvers.

The Cyclones of both forces that looked like flies in the sky exchanged their combat fires. Their Vulcans that can pierce through the armor plating of the other Cyclones demonstrated why they’re called the fastest maneuverable machines in the sky. The pursuit and the contest between similar units became an awing sight as seen from an angle on the ground.

Their movements were so fast that you just have to applaud how good their pilots are.

Dodging assault fires of other Vulcan fitted Cyclones are a feat itself, especially the act of actually getting close to their large warships.

Basic design of Cyclones have smaller wings if it’s compared to the current units used in this war. Since considerations for instantaneous variation on speed and direction (agility) of the Cyclones were considered when they were created, their designs were modified to focus not on speed but to the expansion of its wings and having ailerons, a rudder, and the more “jet-ish” concept on it. In a way, it opened a path to the new-Gen of aerial combat and Cyclone designs.

Skilled pilots used Basic Fighter Maneuvers to drive or outrun their opponents while those commanders of their fleet that’s skilled enough to perform advanced BFMs displayed their might in an aerial dogfight.

The three tubes that flew so high above are special warships of the TGG, (1) Amaya, (2) Ayala, (3) Acala, dubbed as the Three Sisters for they are fundamentally similar to each other.

Almost all of their armaments were fitted below the hull. And on their upper decks, for defensive purposes, are four layers of concentrated armor platings and the pods for sky diving infantry units and Cyclones with jet powered engines. These three are not made for battles that happens at a height of less than 5km. They are, in few words, the snipers of the skies at 15km high.

At that, the Captain of the Missouri warship on the Sylph’s side, Captain Nash, a senior student at PANMS (Pacific Aeronautical and Nautical Mastery School) in Oregon, had staked his pride and honor on his area of expertise as he maneuvered his ship to shield the Hydra using his very peculiar ship design. +

The Missouri, a warship solely designed for battles within the atmosphere, does not have the aeronautical aspects and symmetrical measurements of those using the wind resistance as means to take flight.

Since there was the hard to find and expensive, but really useful hoverstones, him and his friends designed Missouri to be a blitzkrieg aerial slugger.

Its portside (left) is pumped with five layers of armor platings, also plied with Mages that utilized defensive magic. So while its left side received the damage, a single burst from a side thruster engine will change its course instantly to switch to a position for counter fire.

This would allow for the starboard (right) side that was equipped with the long-barrel cannon, Lambda Sword, to launch a quick counter fire.

Lambda Sword has the same concept as Samara’s Morrigan Cannon that uses Lightstone Disbursement Technology to fire a pure volley of condensed sunlight traveling in sub-light speeds, except that it was bigger and has an indubitably larger LD-Core for increased damage output —thankfully the engineering on this Weapon Tech was just a push of a button during design stages for it doesn’t actually exists in the real world.

The weapon itself wouldn’t be of much use if it’s a single directional weapon and so Nash designed it be able to fire at a 320 degrees angle all over the ship.

In a way, the Missouri actually looked like a knight from the medieval ages with a shield on one arm and a long spear on the other. And it just so happens that the idea was adapted to the warship and not only that, but on the main deck of the Missouri, too, are smaller types of battery that deals anti-air suppressive fire to all the flying Cyclones that brazenly try to challenge it.

As it happened, a strong light pillar brightened the dark sky and the moon surrounded by rings of colorful lights was dyed in it. The bluish white blast of energy, created by the Lightstone Disbursement Technology hit where the middle sister was. But then, something that resembled a force field protected the ship and from the Missouri’s command bridge, that one phenomenon was something that shouldn’t have happened.

The place it hit was filled with a field of mist that expanded from where the damage should have been but when the mist had finally subsided, there was a flat shaped ship that resembled a reverse field that covered the Ayala.

It wasn’t just any ordinary ship, Nash knew it, it was the pirate ship Nicholas who’s the base of the Maurice Martin Clan (Guild). In terms of size, Nicholas is as big as a football field, or slightly larger, and it was said that next to the Garuda of the Alcides Guild, it was the second heaviest ship ever to be designed by a player.

And at that, Nash knew that this aerial war of theirs will be on their disadvantage from now on. So he clicked his tongue as he gave out commands, trying his best not to lose focus and throw away his composure.

“Aim at the gap between the Nicholas’s wings! We have to take those sisters out!”

“Captain! Incoming transmission from Prontera!”

“Patch it through!”

On his command, a video call popped out on the main screen of the command bridge and the mercenary NPC Captain, Nidus, spoke with a stern expression.

[Captain Nash. I have come to help.]

Nash nodded on his timing. “Captain Nidus, we have to take down the Three Sisters but the Nicholas is on our away. Can you maneuver to flank their side?”

[I can. But I need cover and diversion.]

“We’ll provide it.”

[Then I will contact you later.]

As their call was cut, Nash then shouted on their bridge. “Where is the Osiris?”

“It’s fighting the Nebuchadnezzar!”

“Damn it!” On the main screen, the sight of a white warship in a deadlock with a red and blue one, the Big Bad Boy of the sky, the Nebuchadnezzar, was making Nash’s nostrils burn with irritation.

The two spiraling ships were locked with each other, firing off their cannons, dodging, countering, and doing a what could only be called a classic fight between two warships. Their cannons were those old fashioned ones, projectile types like the Basilisk, but with a touch of the modern (in-game storyline) human technology, Hyper Magnetic Propulsion System (HyMaProS).

Morrigan cannons just like the ones Samara used were also present on their decks and their bigger sizes meant meaner problems.

The lag between consecutive fires were longer and with the volleys of missiles going on their way, the two ships were locked in that unmoving stalemate of whoever’s better at finding the right opening on their battle of attrition shall win the fight.

In the end, for the defense of Mooran to succeed, and also for the aerial superiority to go to their side, their winning key relied on the mission the Prontera had. No matter what happens, they had to take down the sisters.

In terms of numbers of aerial units, the Sylph’s defense force were outnumbered 5 to 1. The Hydra is the only strong wall they had that was stopping the aerial assault of the TGG forces. And so as much as he doesn’t want to admit it, Nash’s Missouri really had no choice but to be stuck defending the Hydra. And this, in Nash’s opinion, is the worst Shogi game that he ever had.

Looking below, the forces of the TGG had entered their first defensive zone and they were fighting off the first line of defenses composed of the tanks, to monster riders, to the first until the fourth infantry divisions.

But even with that, seeing flashes of light here and there that would literally gnash out some forces on their side and push them back, warned him that a problem of bigger proportions are going to be on their way if he do not succeed on the plan.

Nash punched the armrest of his seat in frustration.

In the game of Shogi, once you ran out of plans, your King and your generals shall fall almost immediately as you stumbled. Also, in terms of war, according to all of his studies before this big event, what wins a battle is not just pure brutality, but actually wits and the soldiers that follow the command.

“ThinkTwice.” He yelled and sat on the captain seat.

The mentioned person was the Comms Officer and his surprised face was clearly seen behind his Harry-sized spectacles. “Y-Your orders, Captain?”

“Contact the Prontera. Tell them to coordinate their movements to my command. The situation demands that we slightly changed our initial plans.”

Hearing this, the crew in the bridge all had worried faces and Nash’s first officer spoke in behalf of them.

“Captain. The order has been given earlier. Prontera will enter enemy firing range in just a minute. Are you planning to sacrifice them here?”

“I am not so fool as to sacrifice my comrades!” Nash shouted as he pointed a finger towards the Weapons Officer. “You. Prepare the Longhorn!”

“But Captain! The Prontera, its…” Cried his deputy.

“Just do it!” He yelled and insisted. “Give me full visual range of Nicholas. Synchronize the location of the Prontera with our locator chart. Transfer all power to the Longhorn’s reactor core! Deputy, move the ship on the location that I will specify and give me the controls to the Longhorn trigger.”

“Transferring energy initiated!”

“Synchronization complete!”

“Captain! Prontera is currently taking damage from heavy assault fires from the Acala!”

“On my signal, move the ship three degrees, north-northeast.”

“Readying on your signal!”

“Prepare for full speed thrust after the one minute cool down! Fire volley missiles to Nicholas’s direction! Target their engine! Spend them all to cover Prontera!”

“But we don’t have a lock sir!”

“Just do it! Use manual targeting of the Seeker spells to predict direction and location coordinates. What is the Prontera’s situation?”

“They don’t have shields sir! Armor is down to 60% and still falling!”

At that, Nash hammer pressed a green button on his console. “Golgoda! Protect the Hydra!”

[We’re on it!]

Then the weapon’s officer reported.

“Longhorn charged at 89%! 90%! 20 seconds until firing capacity sir!”

“Deputy!”

“Setting course to three degrees! Angle correction synchronization initiated! Thruster Engines are now offline, sir! The ship’s all yours, captain!”

“Captain, the Prontera is suffering from Nicholas’s bombardment fires!”

As Nash sat down on his Captain’s chair, his whole body had been slightly inclined with a head support that fastened his neck in place on the backrest. A head gear in Real@D bluish lines acted as a reticule for an electronic scope for a sniper rifle and on his right eye was the vision of the crosshair for the Longhorn.

“Captain! They’re flanking behind the Prontera!”

Hearing the report of the Radar Officer, a strand of sweat flowed down on his cheek. The tickling sensation it had somehow made him focus more on the single chance of this sniper shot.

“Captain!” The first officer beside him screamed but Nash ignored and focused on the reticule in his eye as he forcefully slowed down his heart rate and calmed down his breathing.

The large base of the Nicholas filled the entire vision on his scope and the burst lights of its cannons could be seen lighting up the dim sky.

Nicholas was a rectangular, blitz designed warship, just like the Missouri, only bigger and had full artillery placed on the main deck. In general, it was a Cruiser-type hull and so to place such numbers of Tomahawk cannons meant that its design only focused on three dimensions: Blitz, bombardment, and base protection, that maxed out everything else that its modification slots had.

Basically it was a warship that has superior shielding placed at the base and focused bombardment cannons at the main deck. When it’s on its Plundering Mode, it will spread its supposedly flat reflector shields from two sides, amplified by their Mages’ Tier-2 Spell of Reduction magic to decrease attack damages, while the rest of its pirate crew plunder the towns and castles it had targeted. After all, Nicholas is owned by pirates.

It doesn’t sit well on pursuit missions and so could only use stealth as travel means from place to place.

Hence, it doesn’t have to meet the Prontera who had a mission to take it down, waiting for it until it goes into firing range was one of its strong points. But Nash only needed for it to go out of the way so that he could fire the Longhorn, the Missouri’s main cannon in the main deck of the ship to break the Three Sisters’ tri-angular bombardment formation.

A little more. A little more.

The angle of the fire entered his vision and he could barely see the target on sight.

“Prontera armor, down to 35%! They had a breach!”

“Longhorn charging complete!”

“Captain!” Again, his first officer called for him!

Nash continued to ignore them as he solidified his will, “Prepare the Armadura!” He yelled back and did a last exhale as his mind, finger, eye, and heartbeat had become one in that single moment where everything slowed down until he pulled the Real@D rendering of the stock and trigger on his right shoulder. “Mages, bare with it for a while.”

As he spoke on the online communicator, the voice of the ship’s Mages commander spoke. “Aye, Captain.”

In the Navigation System console of the ship, a Red Bar Indicator showed that all power from the ship had been transferred and so he smiled in satisfaction.

Then…

Kaboom, baby.

He pulled the trigger.

 

[TKhan]

Update 06

It Begins

It was actually an unexpected timing. Kathleen Brew jolted from the cave she’s made her temporary camp and immediately mounted the Sky Wyvern that she had rented from an NPC store.

The sound of the horn woke her up on a comforting sleep where she was actually dreaming of her fun with the SWAT teens.

She quickly summoned ten silvery metallic camera balls the size of a small fist from her inventory and then programmed them to take pictures and videos of the war at the same time.

Then she flew, but kept her distance. She maintained a minimum altitude and started to scatter the camera balls on different locations. When she finally got to see the sight of the war, she couldn’t help but be amazed of its scale.

It was definitely bigger than the last siege war.

She couldn’t fly really high since she might be swept up with the fight of the warships and the cyclones. So flying in an altitude of just 500 meters high form the battlefield gave her just the balanced view of the sky battle and the fights below.

The first camera ball have sent her the video feed. It was angled to see a division from the TGG clashing with another division from the Sylphs.

Divisions are composed of around 10,000 members and so when she saw two divisions from each parties clash with one another, thinking of seeing a medieval warfare with a touch of technology made her smile. She wondered if this was an after effect of the short meeting with those kids but dismissed the thought.

Arrows from a whole group of archers rained from the sky. The moonlit ambience reflected on the blade’s tips added a dramatic effect as those unlucky enough to receive its damage screamed in pain.

Even though its night, with the fire Mages lighting up their spells every now and then, the surroundings still became a visible battlefield.

Then from another angle, Kathleen saw a familiar user who she had interviewed once.

It was Helion who took part as mercenary from the TGG. He was a soloist but he was once a member of the now disbanded guild, Paradise Farms. The reason that the PFG had disbanded is because its players have become to strong that they already forgot how to follow orders from their guild leader and so each one of them went on their separate ways.

But with all that said, Helion was the person who’d excelled the most since he was a rare ability holder.

He had exposed his ability but not his build. And his ability greatly helped him to attain the stage where he is now. His arrows’ hits easily chunks away 20% of any target’s health and that was like fighting a C-rank mob and getting hit directly, naked.

Then at one point was the also familiar face of TGG superstar, one of their generals, Kratos, who was a very varied player.

He doesn’t have a fixed playing style, befitting of his Engineer title. His melee weapon was adapted to that once very famous videogame, God of War, with every aspect of it copied to the very detail. He called it Saga because he had been using the same weapon since he was a beginner.

It was a peculiar battle, on Kathleen’s opinion, since his sword can be used as a midrange weapon.

He can throw it.

There was an attached chain on the hilt, then he’ll imbue the it with fire magic that whenever it touches any player, friend or foe, the blade will explode.

It has become an S-rank when it was last modified using Hell Dust materials. Hell Dusts are monsters that is a version of the C-rank monster, Heron, the T-Rex look alike monster with two strong hind legs and a big jaw capable of even chomping the head of a conceited B-rank monster.

His opponents were four players who were all Sword Mages. And since they can’t get close to Kratos, it only meant that they’re either depleted of manna, or that the ability they had were all impact types of magic. +

The monster tamers had their own monstrous horses attack the enemy forces. The TGG third division who was comprised 60% entirely of monster tamers and their gallery of beasts led the attack on middle right side of the battlefield.

Swordsmen became the target of magical attacks and so the party of magicians tried their best to cast protective magic upon their allied swordmages.

Archers became active on raining down countless numbers of arrows that blocked the moonlight in the sky every now and then. The Engineers who had the same Morrigan Cannons as Samara used the lag within their rate of fire to punch the melee fighters and their damages, though small, was enough to put the enemy on hold.

The TGG was advancing. Their forces had moved in inside the Sylph’s defensive line and it was all thanks to the air support their aerial units were giving.

The bombardment of the Cyclone Division and the sniper blasts of the Three Sisters 8km high up in the sky helped greatly on their advancement. What more, the exhibition of the Dark Spear wielders that flashily displayed their abilities is something to be seen.

Alone, they can defeat ten players.

Though it wasn’t a secret how much the TGG had invested to buy these strong players’ cooperation in this war, it was still a bewildering thought just how much they actually had.

Usually, guilds gain their wealth through taxes to the people of the land they protect. But TGG is just a medium sized guild, and not even a year old, so it was a wonder how much effort they really exerted to have the money to pay all these people.

Even if they include their allies’ support here, or the money they gained on their hunts, a guild with only just 50,000+ members is still not enough for the impression of the rich enough status to handle this vast war. And so if it was to be put in words, there really is a dark force behind their sudden climb in wealth and power.

Nevertheless, it was understandable that no matter if there really are a backer or none at all, the fact that a Special MOD was stolen from them is still enough to push them to go this far.

It’s because if they win this war and take back what was stolen from them, the Special MOD and whatever its ability is will be used to easily gain back what they have invested.

And so, with vigor, the TGG side really went all out against the Sylphs as they rummaged through their forces. Magical spells flew one after another, hitting on whatever was on their path. Arrows were released and blackened the sky wave after every wave. The melee fighters appeared on the front line, their wizardry may not be that much powerful but since Swordmage is the trend on Terroa, they are still a sword wielding threat.

Kathleen was seeing all these fights and had a tensed expression as she maintained her distance and height.

She looked up to the sky.

A trail of smoke from a falling Cyclone making a bright orange line were crashing straight to the ground. Behind it was another Cyclone and even though it was already unable to fight back, the one on the back still continued to fire volleys of bright orange shots from its Vulcan Shanks.

Its automatic shots continued and every five bullets, a tracer bullet would shot off until there was nothing left of the Cyclone but scraps of metal.

She caught it all on video.

Then at an even higher location was an even grander fight where super big warships with cannons and builds of armors and engineering showcased it all in their brawl for the supremacy in the sky. Her hairs stood up as she watched.

Whoever are the people inside those ships surely are not just intelligent people, they are all geniuses.

It’s because to actually build a warship, even using the weapons database, or the downloadable spec design in the internet, or to actually think of a master concept is already hard enough. Not to mention that materials and resources to build one are actually very hard to hunt down one by one. +

Lasers?

—No.

Laser tech in RPG: Terroa hasn’t been thought of. A clear reason for this is because there was already the high damaging Lightstone Disbursement Technology.

And if Laser Technology is actually to be discovered or invented, it would actually be just a whole cheating weapon in general. After all, if the advanced players are the only players that could have them, then the pyramid of power that every user of Terroa had desperately tried to escape from in the real world could also be brought here. And that’s something that no one wanted.

Still, even the existence of these warships are also in a sense, considered a cheat. If they were to be used on all of the war starting from now, then the direction the world of Terroa is taking now really is going fast.

Not only fast, but the fact that users are only going aim to strengthen themselves by hunting, or even going as far as the monopolization of hunting grounds just to get rare resources is also a threatening possibility.

It’s because if that were really to happen, then the sense of adventure and freedom that the VR world first wanted to give the users will be lost.

And while thinking about all of these possibilities, Kathleen realized that meeting those kids earlier really had sparked something in her. Something that should be kept….something that should be preserved…to be enjoyed.

But what is it?

She had been playing Terroa since its first month of release and she had seen many places here that can give a nostalgic feeling. Even the Worm’s Territory, she had seen many of those before, including the largest worms that’s like land version of dolphins jumping from the ground as if it was water.

But what was different from that time?

She asked herself this question over and over but landed on no conclusion as one ship she saw changed its course on a collision towards another warship. Her attention was snatched from the thought.

A large scoop!

Her wyvern ride, a resemblance of eagle but the beak is instead a scaly mouth version; wings that gave the impression of eagle —only bat like, had dark brown to blackish grey scales, definitely lizard-ly in general, and a tail that came from Godzilla of the Times Square, had its wings expanded flapped to a better angle, gliding on the now damp air tainted with the smell of tar.

Even though it wasn’t a live broadcast, she still did it as if it was and held her mike as she started reporting. +

The camera ball gleamed with blue light, recordings on her database inventory are now being transmitted to their office’s IT Department. And from there, the show of the greatest war in Terroa as of yet had finally began.

***

Overlooking the valley, above an inclined rock about two kilometers away from the actual battlefield, The Tower of Sol members looked down on the infantry of the TGG.

They were all hidden behind a natural shield of trees and rocks, the Angel Falls not to far from them let out a loud roar of the water breaking the sound barrier.

Out of nowhere, a man in black cloak and wearing a mask sneaked in from his right and knelt down.

“Sir. I have returned.”

Thorn look at the man along with his two companion who was also looking down on the battlefield. +

“Are they here?”

“Yes. Just as you have predicted, they won’t waste this opportunity to strike. They are moving now sir.”

Hearing those words, Thorn looked back to the main battlefield and then faced all the men behind him.

“On your feet! The enemies have come before us!”

“And so our war begins.” Smiled Fuma, summoning a floating bag and took out a wand. The wand shone with a strange hue and he hid it on his garb with a grin.

At that, Thorn walked passed through Henna and Cramer who stood in front of a group of archers. Then he jumped on an inclined rock as he addressed his Guild’s members.

“Listen up! This war is going to be a massacre of the innocent users, a few minutes from now! As concerned citizens of this world, we are obliged to stand against such evil who’s trying to desecrate our peace with their greed. So no matter what happens, we must stop them!”

““Hooo!””

The people all replied with a vigorous scream, lifting their weapons and fists at the same time.

Colorful armors reflected the moonlight, giving the sense of solidity and security along with the luminous emblem of a tower behind an eight beamed sun on their left chest. That’s the Tower f Sol. The tower that signify the power of the unified hearts of the users, caring and protecting for the world that gave them the freedom that they desperately craved for in the real world.

This war is just one way to express their gamer soul and so to protect this sacred event, they will not allow those enemies to defile the purity of this freedom.

“Stand…” Thorn’s knights and archers all lighted up their weapons, Inventions imbued with the power of the elemental stones. “Bear your fangs…” The mages had began to chant and buffs of different kinds embraced their allies with aura and lights. Then Thorn raised a palm as if Son Goku summoning a spirit ball, only, this time, Thorn was giving them a signal.

Behind the shadows of the trees and the rock ledges, through the dusty wind that blew from afar, the bright colors of their auras and weapons scared away all of the nearby monsters.

Regardless of their hunting difficulties, if this much number of high ranking users yelled a unified scream, even dragons might turn their heads around.

Then a shadow loomed above, covered in breaking up octagonal layers of optical camouflage. It’s a white ship with red and orange paintings and designs. On the left side of the floating ship was the name Archangel, written in luminous grey and white.

On its base came a light, dim and bright at the same time, showering the 600+ people below with radiance. +

And so as it all happen, another man in black ninja clothes appeared out of nowhere and urgently reported the situation he had gathered.

“The enemies are coming from the Southeastern part of the battlefield sir! Their numbers are around 500.”

“Alright.” He nodded and the two men in black bid their bows lower and disappeared. Then Thorn faced all the men waiting his orders. “This is the day the Tower of Sol fulfill its calling —the day that we hit them the sword of justice! We will strike them down with our thundering roars! Unite, my fellow warriors! Because today is the day we shall bring them their apocalypse!”

Thorn turned around, struck his sword down, and the light from the base of the Archangel came with a blast that carried them towards a certain location.

***

On the black sky lighted only by the moon, the white pillar of energy gave light to the ambiance of war.

Warships fired, dodged, maneuvered, and countered with their cannons. The sound of exploding Cyclones and the assault fires of the Warship hitting the enemy echoed all over. The sky was filled with bright orange lights of the Cyclone burners. It was a sight to see as countless numbers of those created a dancing party of fireflies as seen below.

But what made it all vanish was a solitary, bright, pillar of light that came from the Missouri, blinding everyone near it and burning everything on its path.

“Prepare yourself from intruders! Defend the ship!”

Right after Nash fired the trigger, he pulled a red lever from below his seat and his Captain’s chair along with everything on its base fell down on a chamber that led to a lighted pathway towards a dead end.

The chair collapsed into parts that sank on slots on the end of where he fell, but he remained standing as he ran towards the other end. There, a black box the size of his body awaited him and he took it with no faltering or what-so-ever.

He put his hands on the hands indicator in the box, pressed a button inside the hole, and the box began to crawl on him as it changed into a full body armor. The outline in between joints and the edges began to emit a green light, an indication that it was an invention. He wasted no more time and reached for the latch on the left side, pulled another red lever, and the hatch opened towards the cloudy daybreak of war.

“Captain!” His first officer’s voice rang in the ear piece on his full face helmet. “Sky divers are inbound from Nicholas. They are heading this way!”

“Armadura!”

“Sir!” On his call, voices rang on his communicator.

“Squad two to four, take down anyone that lands on our ship. Squad one follow me. We’ll show these guys who’s the kings of the skies!”

After his speech, he pressed a button on the side of the opened hatch and dived down as the hatch closes behind him. After a second, Nash straightened his body and the now dark silver colored, green lined armor, as if given an order to transform, attached itself together like Lego. +

His feet joined together in a straight line, his hands stretched like superman, and his vision with his head’s angle, though not actually looking straight, still had the wide view of everything in front of him.

Not a moment later, actually, just in the blink of the eyes, the custom-made mechanical wings on his back expanded and the mechanical turbine engines on his feet, legs, and back exploded to thrust him forward.

Behind him, seven more guys with the same kind of invented armors followed him in a V-formation.

And though there are the chaos and the still on-going aerial dogfights of Cyclones and Winged Elements from both sides, against the pull of gravity, they flew to meet the sky divers, who, somehow had the same concept of invention like them.

“Pirates!” He shouted on the communicator line and leaned back to meet their gazes. “Break formation on my signal! Kill every enemy on your sight! Don’t let them get to the Missouri!”

““Oh!””

And after that, the 500m between them and the sky diving pirates became 50m in less than ten seconds.

“Now!”

On his signal, he immediately changed back to his human form and materialized his sword to slash down an enemy on his vicinity. The unknowing pirate victim could only scream as his left shoulder to his chest were cut down instantly. Next, he changed his gear to a rifle-like crossbow and fired a mid ranged energy-type arrow towards a red themed same armored pirate.

The arrow grazed the enemy’s right shoulder for the pirate is a skilled evader. He tried to go around him, firing an arm based Gun weapon, several times faster than his crossbow. +

Shit.

Nash clicked his tongue and kicked the air. He used the thruster burners on his leg and back, powered by the combination of the Tier-2 spell, Burst, the improved version of Burn, and a chamber made up of bluerock that once it makes contact with fire creates an explosive phenomena enough to push him 15m in a second.

Supposedly, majority of Tier-1 spells has 10 seconds cool down and three seconds casting time. Tier-2 spells have 5 seconds casting time and 15 seconds cooldown phase, while Tier-3 magic spells have 8 seconds casting time and a 20 seconds cool down period. And that’s the majority of them. There are still those with a bit “rare” affinity in them that differ on their respective casting and cooldown times.

Tier-1 abilities are single cast magic, meaning, they are magic spells that cannot be sustained. But in Tier-2 and so on, in exchange for the difficulty and hardship a player must endure to be able to create one, a special privilege of the Sustained Ability can be achieved.

One talisman, one magic spell. That was the system of the magic spells. Tier level is determined just by the talisman’s quality alone, meaning, the higher the magic Tier one wants, the higher the level of the talisman he or she must create. That’s how upgrade of magic spells work in Terroa. And of course, the gap between the power of a Tier-2 spell from a Tier-1 is incredibly big that any two magician facing each other, even if the other has two or more Tier-1 magic spells can easily be defeated by a Mage with a Tier-2. Depended, still, on the element, type, or nature of the magic spell. This is dubbed as the Attribute Compatibility.

But then, there is a cheat on this, or rather, a way to increase Tier-1 functionality. It is by the means of the so called Accessories through the Junction technique.

Any player has a limit of 15 Accessories that can be worn at the same time. That’d be either an amplifying accessory or a talisman to junction magic spells and abilities. Regarding that, anyone can create their own three default sets of equipments along with availability of one’s maximum of 10 abilities. It means that he/she had a total of 45 different sets that can be junctioned with each other to incorporate and work together with one or more from his 10 abilities.

Simply put, through Attribute Compatibility, the user should find a compatible “phenomenon” and integrate that “phenomenon” to work together on a given kind of circumstances, or in Nash’s case, his armor‘s primal function of using the opposition of water element and fire element from each other to create the explosion that in turn was used to his instantaneous air jump.

Thus, Nash’s Armadura armor’s quick air maneuvers are all products of combined efforts from the thruster burners incorporating the junctioning of his abilities.

Casting the Burst spell into one part of the armor, at which the spell’s casting time was literally reduced to zero by 5 time reducing accessories, will create the “fire” necessary to power up the bluerock chamber.

But the “fire” won’t be dragged to the chamber that easily without the Transfer skill —which is basically his armor’s Tech Ability. And so by “junctioning” all these in one swift thought, instantaneous air jumps, and his Wace Rider form’s thrust, is achieved.

But Nash knew that this isn’t going to end with just his lucky strikes and movements. Every time he used the evasive maneuver, his manna pool decreases by 30.

That’s because even though the “junctioning” of the abilities is a very useful technique, it can’t be ignored that each individual spell and ability still costs the normal amount of manna and stamina needed. It was a life saving and advantageous ability but the cost in return was also staggeringly large. And so he must look out for his manna pool because he may luckily ran out of manna gems and potion stocks. +

At that, he changed form to the Wave Rider form and flew his distance while releasing arrows towards the unknowing winged pirates. It’s a seemingly one-sided ambush, but their numbers against the seven of them is enough to make up for it, actually, even more than enough.

It was already hard enough to dodge their guns but these pirates were also matching up with their skills.

Looking around, the explosions of the Cyclones and the burning debris of the remainder of the Ayala were all falling down on them and the damaged Nicholas who got one side burned and destroyed kept on pouring its pirate crew.

Nash knew that the prologue had just ended and that everything around him now is just part of the big event that would soon set pages in the history of this planet.

 

[TKhan]

Update post

 

[TKhan]

Update 07

Commander Elsass

[Unidentified heat signature detected!]

The warning not only alarmed the TGG command’s operators and console officers, it also sent problematic shivers on their Guild Master’s spine.

The 160m large intimidating blue and orange themed flagship of the TGG, the Camarilla, had five guardian fleets with seven escort warships leading them. It was hovering at a height of 27km from the ground, above a lake, 130km away from the main battlefield, and was surrounded by countless Cyclones in their jet fighter forms. When seen from afar, they looked like sprinkles of sesame seeds above a large rectangular bread.

Inside this large ship, the command bridge located in the belly of the hull, attached to the mainmast that took a cannon on its upper tip, was a spacious room that had four divisions of panels in a diamond formation, with a partition of only the Real@D image of the on-going war. Back faced from the ship’s captain, 6Er0n1m0, was the operators typing many things and confirming messages on their respective consoles.

Reports came and 6Er0n1m0 confirmed them all except for the last one, who, the person elevated 2ft from his captain’s podium, sitting in the Commander’s Chair behind him, who faced the 180 degrees all-view window with a frown listened with antagonistic aura.

6Er0n1m0 felt that he was being pressed down by a giant hand just from the glare of the Commander on the Real@D images of the war.

[Location 135! Distance, 270km. Estimated speed is 150kn and dropping! It’s headed towards the battlefield sir!]

“Is it the reinforcement?”

6Er0n1m0 asked and put a firm downing glance at the console operator who leaned his head to the captain at the middle of the diamond console formation.

The operator felt like melting as he bowed back to his console and replied to him with a trembling voice.

[Un-Unconfirmed sir. Its ID signature says that it is a ship under The Union’s flag. This identification came from the ones we received from the sponsor, sir.]

“Weapon scanners.” The Commander, Elsass, the Guild Master of the Titan Goliath Guild ordered and his firm tone and stern expression, paired with the ever calm suppressing demeanor was enough to put even the esteemed captain of the Camarilla to cower back.

[Six Bloodymary Cannons detected! Referencing in the database confirmed! It’s the Miranda!]

“Miranda?!” The name actually surprised Elsass, “In what heaven’s name does that Witch have to do with this war?” who made all the NPC and User operators to feel the changing of the sides of their war.

[Sir! Incoming transmission from Rogue.]

And now that man? Elsass felt like punching the captain for an unknown reason as he ordered for the Signal Officer to patch the transmission on the main display window.

[Commander Elsass.] A dark figure of a man in a dark background spoke with an edited gruff voice.

“Rogue.”

[I see that you are still in good shape.]

“Enough with the pleasantries. The Miranda came from the Sylph’s side of the horizon. I would actually assume that you also something to do with this until you tell me that you, again, have nothing to do with it.”

He tried to be as intimidating as he can but the mien of this Rouge person doesn’t seem to be affected by it at all. Instead, he looked like he was having a smile in that dark shadow with only his human outline seen.

[You are right to assume, but with the wrong point. I have nothing to do with it. Actually, I called because if my sources are correct, it would seem that you’ve just let the Ayala sunk. Didn’t I say that you have to deploy every ship you have and destroy that fortress as soon as possible? It only needed you to take one single order and yet you still did not heed my advice. Or am I not so clear enough about the price of disobedience?]

The last remark made everyone who was hearing the calm gruff voice gulp in the degree of hostility coming from the Rouge. Actually, its calm and steady tone was what added to the feeling of enmity from its authority and it was even a wonder just how Guild Master Elsass could remain composed.

“It’s not that easy. If I deploy everything I got in one shot, it would leave the Camarilla defenseless and who knows what traps the enemies had set in anticipation of that decision.”

[Commander Elsass.] The tone this time was solid and painted with the threatening feel one would feel when facing a lion in the wilderness.

The feeling passed through from the silhouette on the screen into the chest of every person hearing it and from its gruffly calm tone calling the name of their Guild Master, the sense of danger that defied the feel of a game vanished.

[I gave you one order. You just have to follow it. Is it not hard for you to understand that? Or are you just suggesting that the Sylphs who stole your precious MOD and killed your girlfriend’s oh so precious avatar are actually so strong that it was a mistake to avenge her?]

“You do not use her name like that!”

The shout from the commander’s chair echoed from all sides of the spacious room and the startled operators all looked at him with eyes of understanding.

It was just a few months ago, in a hunting quest from the fourth prince of the Kingdom of Romania, to find a lost NPC adventurer, the prince’s friend, Elsass’s best team along with his girlfriend who he met online, set out to complete it. The adventure was broadcasted live in national TV in ORB for the next three weeks, and after the part where the team defeated an S-ranked monster to advanced forth, his girlfriend was gifted by a Special MOD.

But then, just a few moments after, in some oddly, devastating turn of events, an ambush team from the Sylphiadora Guild came and wiped out the exhausted members of the TGG’s hunting team.

The broadcast was cut and the quest failed.

Right after that, the prince who had sent the errand for was so angry to receive the death of his friend and ordered that the Titan Goliath Guild be branded as the traitors who let his friend die.

One mishap led to another after that failure and they even came to the point that they lost the trust of their clients who was asking and even begging them before to be invested upon to go into adventures and discover new places to build as a tourist destination.

Bad luck, as the members called it, but to him, it was a huge catastrophe. They lost their home base, their castles were overrun by opportunists, they lost precious members, and there were also members who quit the guild with some even quitting the game.

Then, the worst blow of all was that his girlfriend never contacted him again. Not once. Right after what had happened to that quest.

Elsass was so devastated that he swore revenge to the Sylphiadora Guild.

And at that moment, a certain Rogue lent a hand and offered to rebuild his lost and devastated pride in just a simple exchange of doing what he ordered him to do.

He immediately accepted the deal and signed the contract that had the conditions of limitless power over strong NPC troops, access to underground markets run by Black NPCs, and even learn of certain information about the game that was not available through normal kinds of players. Rogue gave him the life of a supreme ruler and his image as a strong player slowly aroused to the point that he was considered one of the Powers.

The TGG began to stand up again, recruitment of strong players aroused other users to join the cause that revolved around the idea of “revenge” to the culprit of their guild’s demise.

As TGG’s power grew even stronger than before, old and new members of their guild started to gain the spotlight. Tourist companies began to hire them again, and they eventually earned another base in the Central Continent of Espada, establishing a stronghold as large as half of the country of Romania.

They waged war against those who took everything away from them. The guilds who was once their enemy had become their most trusted allies and those that are once feared by the other large Powers accepted the strong arm that TGG offered. They defeated all their enemies, gained back their lost castles, and through all of their profound victories, Elsass had gained what he had formerly lost. Yet still, his girlfriend never called him. No emails. No phone calls. Not even a poke.

In all corners of the world, the Titans were feared and respected. Elsass won back his pride and began to stand tall with his head held high.

And yet, with all of his greatness, the TGG is still secretly under the orders and commands of the Rouge.

Then, when he was about to burst in anger and bite the hand that fed him, the Rogue who gave him the chance to have everything he had now finally gave a go at his most awaited target. The Third Power of the Eastern Continent, the Sylphiadora Guild.

And from there, one fortress after another, all of the things that led at this moment, Elsass was feeling a bit intimidated by the pressure that the Rogue gave.

[Elsass. I think you are forgetting your place.]

And at that moment, the Rogue’s eyes shined gold as if a monster and his teeth as white as light beamed in the dark shadows of the video.

[Commander, I only have one wish of you and that is to destroy the enemy you’ve always wanted to destroy in your whole career. Is it not already a gift that you’re blessed with a strong military force and loyal comrades, or are you going to destroy their trust by holding back and letting them die?]

Elsass pursed his lips and secretly cursed the fact that he had to follow a suicidal command.

But the price of disobedience, as stated by their contract is not only going to put the shame to the TGG but would actually put everyone under his command to also share the price of his pride.

And with this, his lips almost bled as he replied to the image of the man, “Yes.” wearing a pained face and a shattered pride. “I will commence the all out attack.”

The Rogue smiled and his white teeth beamed a cold and sinister feel. [Good. I’ll await your results.] then the line was cut and the screens returned to the images of the war.

Elsass fell down on his Commander’s Chair and the person beside him, the TGG’s Second-in-Command, 6Er0n1m0, stood up from his captain’s chair and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Should I give the command to move out?”

Elsass looked up and sighed as he held his head.

“This is suicide. Even with our numbers, victory is still not assured.”

“But they made Victoria quit and abandon you.”

That comment really hurt and had a sting of reality with a punch of truth along with it. Elsass sighed again and had a pained expression when 6Er0n1m0 left his side and returned to sit down on his Captain’s Chair.

And when he was about to give a command, “Wait.” Elsass stood up with a dignified look.

His firm expression made the NPCs and Users in the command bridge feel excited. Their hearts beat fast as they saw once again the person dedicated to the rise of the once fallen Titans have that same determined look that made them follow him without questions.

“What’s your orders, Commander?” 6Er0n1m0 asked in a proper subordinate manner.

“Broadcast this message throughout our forces.”

“You heard the Guild Master! Connect all our lines to the open channel! Make even the dreaded liars the Sylph was hear who the Titans that they challenged really are!”

The operators’ hands moved, their consoles became livelier, the Signal Officer who had three subordinates on his command became the busiest group as they tried to patch their communications line to connect with the enemy’s. They set up multiple firewalls as a security measure and then summoned a camera ball.

“Ready?” 6Er0n1m0 asked Elsass and the latter nodded that bid a countdown to the main Real@D screen up front. Close eyed, Elsass awaited the count to finish and he firmed and fixed his bearing to fit the proper dignified intimidating image of a commander.

5...4...3...2...

When the red dot on the camera ball became green…

Elsass opened his eyes and began.

“To all Titans out there…” Elsass paused and the crew in the command bridge panicked as the words came into an abrupt stop. They all looked up but then sighed, because what they saw wasn’t a face that came into a defeated realization, but instead, it was a face full of bloody spirit and eyes that really meant war. “To all the Titans who was belittled and lied upon! I call upon you all to FIGHT and defend your honor! Defend your pride! YOU ARE a TITAN! Do not spare their lives… TRAMPLE THEM TO THE GROUND!” Elsass materialized a staff then hit the ground in a hard stomp and along with a cry, the sound of endless machines echoed like a loud thundering roar. “FOR VICTORY!”

 

[TKhan]

Update 08

Four Sided Back Stroke

Ratings sky rocketed on every Terroa cable channels the moment the Flash News on every basic TV channel around the world indicated that the War Of The Two Powers had officially began.

And through them, Terroa Day Today, as Panorama Corp’s exclusively owned Terroa game channel, had the highest viewing ratings of 48.9%, a world record.

RPG: Terroa’s official website also came up with an idea of a simultaneous video broadcast so as to cater and actually know the people’s reactions impromptu.

Of course, thanks to Kathleen Brew who came first on the scene since she had decided to never log out and actually sleep inside the game that day.

The first movie she had posted earned the ratings, picturing how vast the Two Powers’ forces really are.

[The war had started!]

[Hoorah! Look at those battleships!]

[That’s a large sized army they got there…]

[Check out the monster riders!]

[Dude those Cyclones are way too cool!]

After going through much preparation, flying in the dark skies, into the Valley of Buendia from the line of dark brown and greenish blue fields, the fight the whole world has been waiting for had officially started!

[That’s the Hydra!]

[Wow! It looks more dangerous than the pictures.]

Ships hit by the missiles from the Hydra warship is taking down one after another. Though there are still those excellent pilots with real abilities to maneuver their Cyclones and dodge the missiles, those that aren’t able to do so are still many and they fall, burning, towards the ground.

Even so, despite the Hydra having overwhelming superiority in terms of fire power, the defense forces of the Sylphs are still taking in a bind.

Monsters, ships, Cyclones, soldiers, NPCs, users, the battle royal was happening in real time and sparked the viewers’ excitement. They don’t care about who wins and who doesn’t, what they’re after was the amusement of seeing a movie-like war in real time. The fact that it was happening in real time means that they are seeing it live, as the war progresses.

[Where’s the infantry?]

[I want to see PVP actions!]

[The TV program is a little late than the internet.]

[It’s wiser if you open many windows on different sites so you could watch from different angles.]

[Good idea!]

[Yeah. Let’s try that.]

Some got bored of the sky fighting and so did what was said. The internet traffic clogged up, slowing down the browsing and pixelized the images of the video. It’s expected since multiple open window of live streaming can cause the other site to battle out for the connection data.

And as such, Terroa.com immediately followed the flow of the viewers’ demands and changed their site’s live video broadcast into multiple angled ones, like a CCTV screen, only, those with the Real@D on their houses could actually enjoy its 3d experience.

They uploaded Kathleen’s videos without editing it, only improving the quality of her voice as she reported.

But then, as the sky battles of the warships became more and more dramatic, down below, the fights of the strongest players took the spotlight and turned Netizens to be glued on their seats.

Magic castings bid a glow of blue and red. Swords hitting swords lighted up orange colored sparks as the arrows kept on coming, blocking the light of the blue moonlit sky. Rage, hate, agony, excitement, and sorrow of the players filled the hearts of those watching from their chairs. Some even went as far as to buy, or cook some popcorns as if watching a movie.

“Ah! This is so exciting!”

“I wish I could join in too.”

“Should I buy the console for Terroa then?”

Home viewers all exchanged texts and calls. Phone companies became busy with the data traffic and for the first time ever since they have improved service to the Real@D data package, they were caught in what was called The Buzz —which only those born in the early years actually understood its excitement level.

As the war progressed, in the once beautiful valley now flooded with field-wide smokes, fires, and the dead bodies of the fallen users and NPCs, the awaited battle between strong players came to be the highlight.

The first person to stand out amongst the early recorded broadcasts gained attention. TDT even cut out regularly airing programs just to show this part from one of Kathleen’s camera balls.

It was Kratos and his in-game playing style that was a combination of magic and swordsmanship —a trait of Terroa’s mainstream fighting style, Swordmage.

He trashed down two strong Swordmages from the Sylphs using his Saga, throwing them in the air and catching them again and slamming them hard towards the ground. That one massive attack caused substantial damage on them but the act alone required for Kratos to cast three different kinds of magic spells.

The first is the Levitation Spell (Tier-3), to lighten up his enemies’ weights. Then using his Gonn Race given strength and character build, he’ll throw them up to the sky with the Saga’s Tech Ability, Chain Stretch, from a few distance away. As those enemies poised to shield themselves, Kratos’s heavy attack will make them fly and thus the opening for the highlight attack.

The second skill is Bind (Tier-1) magic, at the very moment the target had reached the apex of their ascent.

Saga’s swords would act as a pendulum, the Bind magic will tie any part of their body that touched the blade and when that’s done, he will immediately use the third spell, Gravity (Tier-3), along with the chain’s retraction and pull them hard to the ground to deal the massage damage.

He’s been doing that for those intermediate players with average to early advanced equipment set. Since advanced players on his level can easily dodge or parry the attack with their experience. After all, such attacks are only possible to those who are still inexperienced on fighting quick moving S-ranked monsters.

It’s because majority of the players of Terroa only rely on their equipment’s damage output when fighting monsters rather than actually going out experiencing the fight and finding monster weaknesses themselves.

And so, with such mindset already predicted by the game’s creators, A-ranked and S-ranked monsters have been modified to test one’s mettle. This way, they have limited the game’s advanced players and actually set up a standard for players if they want to reach the top.

Appropriately, once a player actually gets experience on such levels of combat, fighting against other players becomes as easy as breathing.

Hence, Kratos’s fights really just looked like the one in the video game.

He’s been taking out players one after another., only pausing for a short while to use Manna Gems or Manna Potions to replenish his Energy.

It really felt like experiencing the action movie using the Real@D Video Technology. It’s far more than just 3D experience, it was as if you were really there.

The sight of his rampage excited viewers, as paired with his war cries like “I am the God of War” or “None shall defy me” that filled reminded the viewers of the action scenes from the original.

The forums went active with posts and comments. It was so alive that a single post would need five pages of surfing through before actually getting reviewed.

People were fired! It was 2 in the afternoon on the countries that’s part of GMT+8 time zone. But from the opposite side of the globe, the 12 hours gap seems as hot as it was there. Yet for these people, time was not much important since the time at the scene they wanted to be right now was approaching dawn.

[Oh man, oh man! I want to play Terroa too!]

[Ships! They have spaceships taking part in a war!]

[He’s like Kratos!]

[But that guy’s actually Kratos!]

[He’s just a cosplayer who fights like Kratos!]

[Everything is possible in Terroa!]

[Yeah, you can be the person you wanted to be.]

[Even become as great as Mari Jane?]

[Yep!]

[Awesome!]

[Why can’t my game be like that cool?!]

[I’ll transfer my avatar and start over!]

[Me too!]

[I’m going too!]

As the dawn approached, the players forgot to track down time as well as the people who watched them online and in their TV sets.

TDT continued to broadcast the videos live from the scene itself.

Mages blasted their enemies with unrelenting spells and those advanced Mages even had Tier-3 magic that deals an AOE effect. Be it a single cast magic or a spell that was a product of a collaboration of two or more, it was still a sight to see since not everyone can do that.

—No video game in Earth gaming history actually done such a massive event like this.

[Look that’s Merlock!]

[What?! Merlock took the TGG’s side!]

[Damn! The Sylph’s doomed!]

[That’s one monster Mage in that battlefield!]

[No dude, he’s not alone in there!]

[Oh sick! He’s facing Darna!]

[She’s one hell of an archer man!]

The match between the two became a hot trending topic in the forums and other chat rooms. The female archer, Darna, who was known to be a respected merc had her prided arrows bouncing off as if it was nothing.

In turn, Merlock, the famous Arch Mage who never associated himself with weak characters, released a big magical attack that took care of five B-ranked players on the Sylph’s side. The Tier-3 fire spell, Crimson Overlord, was his prided ability and it has an AOE over 20m in diameter.

The casting time is normally 8 seconds, with a very massive manna consumption of 25mp. But in return, the Crimson Overlord magic spell has an added effect of “burning” whoever was the person on their AOE.

Again, the area where Darna was standing became a red dyed ground and she jumped and used an ability to quickly escape. It was just at the right time as the spot where she stood exploded like a mini volcano.

She was safe but it took out three players from her allies added that a few debris scattered randomly and hit her back side.

Raising her head once more, she felt the ground she was lying began to take the same color and she did the same movement, but this time, pulled an arrow and directly shot the Mage instead.

The arrow flew and made a bright line on the bluish dimly lit battlefield.

And seemingly positive that he could parry the arrow with his barrier, Merlock did not budge as he continued to wait for the spell to take effect. But then, as soon as the arrow made contact with the barrier, a split second instinct told him to dodge as the arrows pierced through his anti-arrow barrier defenses.

The attack made him stagger as it grazed through his left shoulder, hitting another Sylph in the back. That Sylph guild member’s back were dyed in black and he fell down dead immediately on the ground.

The viewers immediately knew that it was not an ordinary Poison Arrow because it pierced through the barrier. As such, the camera caught sight of a smiling Darna as they all saw a weird aura emanating from her body.

[Darna’s a MOD weilder!]

[Holy moly!]

[Blue aura! That’s a special Mod!]

[Man, remind me not to mess with her in the future.]

Exclaims and reactions exploded, comments flowed in on the forum threads. The look on Merlock’s face couldn’t be much more surprised than what it is now.

His eyes widened and he froze on his feet for a few moments, watching as the archer with the blue aura pulled another arrow as if to finish him off. At that, he finally got a move and his face was filled with anger as he screamed.

“Don’t be too cocky!”

His shout was as loud and was filled with rage that the enhanced audio along with the Real@D video quality surprised the viewers back on their homes.

At that, Merlock changed his equipment to a white staff with gems and gold and mythril, as bright as any golden tome, as long as a sword, but twice as powerful as any magical talisman and artifact. The moment the staff materialized in a nanosecond on his right hand, his body was immediately engulfed with a blue aura, expanded like an exploding star, seeping from his legs to his shoulders, extended like a steam in a sauna bath.

Merlock stamped the ground with the staff’s other end as Darna released the arrow. The two abilities clash and an impact dome made up of electrical sparks and external currents extended up to twenty meters from the point of collision before exploding and cancelling each other out.

Then, Merlock raised his left hand, open palm, and the ground beneath Darna’s feet became dyed red in an instant.

Her mouth moved, “Oh shit!” her expression grim, and she started running.

She jumped and pulled an arrow, the land exploded and Darna got blown off as soon as her arrow flew. The arrow traversed and though Merlock was prepared for it, his reaction was slow and the arrow grazed his neck.

The sight of that great action in just a few moments made the viewers stand since its quality was so good, thanks to the Real@D that they felt they were also part of the on going battle.

Around them, other renowned players had their own fights. A Witch from the Tekz Race who used hammer when she’s out of manna was fighting a Swordmage in a CQC. Their fight was one of the rare sights in Terroa since a PVP of two melee fighters were actually rare that it can be compared to a dragon.

Then there were also a high speed fight between two S-ranked Archers. Dodging while firing arrows, these two exchanged fires and did acrobatic movements as if they were filming a Hollywood movie.

All of these filled the TV screens and the Real@D users on their homes were smiling in excitement and even ignored nature’s calling.

It’s because every detail of this war was as exciting and as thrilling as any roller coaster ride, or any other man made videos, or any action movie Hollywood had ever seen.

At that, on one of the Kathleen Brew’s cameras came her beautiful face with a grim expression.

The sight of her in such a reaction baffled all the viewers, but more importantly, the sight behind her and her words made them think that what the direction of this war was going now is towards more chaos.

[Oh my gad! Ladies and gentlemen, if you are seeing this, please stay tuned and don’t change your channel, no, don’t stand where you’re sitting! Don’t even go to the bathroom! Hold your breath, because right at this moment, a third party had emerged from the Southeast Side of the battle! Out of nowhere, a warship with the logo of the notorious Dark Guild, Masked Organization, had started attacking players!]

The camera focused on the sight of a band of players with varying armors and costumes, and with a few of them emitting auras in different lights. Orange, blue, green, those lights were all danger signals to all the players, and those close by have began to retreat.

They killed and attacked players of both sides. It was a clear warning that they came just to enjoy the killing of the war.

But then somewhere close by, another ship appeared in the area near Kathleen Brew.

Above the forest, a transparent bird-shape began to take shape. Its edges began to emit electric sparks, the body started to give an intimidating presence, and until the whole ship began to take form, the logo of a white mask with red eyes and a wicked crescent smile shone with a bright silver design on the ship’s side.

Then, in the next moment, another group of people came clad in the same fashion of armors and clothing of those from the Masked Org.

[Oh my gad! This is unbelievable! The Masked Org. had conducted a flank attack! But wait…wait…ladies and gentlemen, oh my…it seems that the Masked Organization is somewhat trying to target those players with the same auras as they are! They are targeting the players who wielded…Kyaaaa…]

Kathleen did not finish her report as a massive AOE magic spell was cast near her location.

It was a magic spell that was only seen in Terroa until now. The magic spell had the same radial effect as the Crimson Overlord but instead of fire, it froze the area of its effect. Everything in its AOE had turned into ice statues and although there are those players that still had life on their eyes, some of them immediately died.

On the camera that took third person images behind Kathleen, she was thrown aback from a large white ship that passed just a few tens if meters above her.

The white ship surprised her so much that she lost her balance and fell on her behind.

And with everything like that, even the viewers in their houses almost jumped on their seats because of excitement as they read the name written on the side of that flying ship, Archangel. It hovered close to the now stiffed Kathleen and the ship began to descend near the edge of the battlefield.

The Sky Wyvern where Kathleen stood, kept distant from the white and orange ship. The floating box with majestic wings designed for atmospheric flight kept on lowering until a glassed area in the middle of the belly of the ship leveled with her sight.

In there, standing at the front of the command bridge, with a sword in hand, stabbed towards the floor as if a cane, was a man in a brightly themed armor with his helmet held on his side.

[This is breathtakingly unbelievable! It’s Thorn of the newly established guild, Tower of Sol! They have come to join in on the War Of The Two Powers!]

The people near the edge where Kathleen was taking the command over her camera balls all raised their head to see the Archangel’s descent. Even the members of the Masked Organization froze on the sight of it.

The ship, as seen from 400 meters away, was as big and as menacing as what the stories told.

Archangel, the legendary battleship-class that led the Terran defense in the War of the Braves, 50 years ago, according to Terroa’s storyline. The files on the game’s history logs stated that it was one of the four surviving warship since that great war that had the original design and concept of the real Terrans.

It was different from the user designs that only need the appearance, wanted specs (total number of installed weapons, number of boosters and the places for it to be installed —for speed specifications, defensive specs, and other(s)…), type of the hull (either its a frigate, a cruiser, or a battleship), its special function(s) (space, atmospheric, amphibian, or all of it), and of course the materials and the name of the ship itself. Archangel is, in general, an item which is a reward from an S-rank quest that has something to do with the game’s history.

As told by old NPCs and written in the files, it has both the capability of being used in the atmosphere and in space…

…is a special cruiser hull that had a speed of normal frigates (near 167.9kph or 90knots in amphibian mode, Mach 2 as a Wind Rider, and 1495km/minute in space) but had the armaments of a medium armed battleship.

…is a ship that held a secret that made the Terrans won the almost impossible to be won war at that time.

…is a ship equipped with the Mega Particle Cannon from the age of the Unknown Technology.

With its reputation alone, it was enough to actually make the members of the Masked Organization tremble from fear. That’s because they knew that the people who had announced their war against them was the ones who won the Archangel from that S-ranked quest.

And as they cower and slowly stood their grounds with their masked allies, a bright light came from the base of the white colored ship and at the next moment, along with the silence that came with their arrival a voice rang from the ship’s loudspeakers.

“FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM!!!”

It was a loud cry. And from the blast of light that hailed from the base of the ship came the light armored players along with their magic spells cast out on such frightening speeds.

 

[TKhan]

Update 09

Fast Domino


Fast Domino

FlowerLord was utterly surprised when she saw two masked people appeared out of nowhere and attacked her. Since she’s been using her Dark Spear fighting off two S-ranked players from the Sylphs, the fatigue that befell on her body also became doubled.

Not to mention her manna and stamina have been depleted due to usage of her abilities.

Thankfully, it was a three way fight and the two men from the Masked Organization faced one on each after they arrived.

“What are you doing here?” She gnarled at the man in front of her. “Answer me!”

But the masked man, with his whole face basked in a mask that was a depiction of a murderer, kept silent as he raised his hand.

In an instant, three fire balls appeared around him and it all flew straight towards her direction.

“Multiple talisman?!”

The fireballs the size of basketball was as fast as a baseball hit by a major league batter. It was so fast that it was impossible for her reflexes to dodge it.

So in turn, she crossed her arms and the Dark Spear changed its form to flat disks and met the attack.

An explosion occurred and she was thrown a few meters away. But as she raised her head, the masked man was already upon her, ready to poise an attack to her throat with a short metallic sword.

“Your dark matter is mine!”

The gruff voice was obviously a result of the mask covering the face but the attack from the short sword is a simple but very deadly and effective attack. So she leaned her head to the side as she stepped back, pouring her best effort to keep her distance away.

The short sword reached her hair, cut a few strands, but the following kick of the man was as quick as his attack and she had no choice but to be blown again for the second time.

She regained her balance and used the now normal Ceres and raised her head to glare at the enemy. “Damn it! Why the hell are you here you shameless bastards?”

“Why else?” The masked man jeered. “This is our harvest moon.”

The man pointed a finger upwards and she saw two battleships on their bombardment against the warships on the TGG and Sylph’s. But what actually the man was pointing at was the moon and anger sprouted at her chest as she lowered her gaze back.

“You’re meddling in my job you know.”

“I know.” The man chuckled and his shoulders shrug on every laugh as his left hand covered his face. “And I intend to do more than that.”

The man raised his hand on elbow level again as if to fist pump and clenched it hard, crushing air. Then three fireballs bid the same terrifying attack speed almost in the same moment that they appeared.

Though it was just a Tier-1 magic spell, Burn; three of them at the same + the speed of summoning + the increase in damage and the increase in its attack speed, everything that was abnormal here can only be imputed to the advanced level accessories in this man’s arsenal.

It was a frightening thought.

Any level of magic, when boosted by an accessory that’s even at the basic level such as 1% increased damage, could spell danger on every enemy that that Mage opposes.

It’s because even if talismans are very hard to create items, they have huge benefits that actually eases out all the hardship one has to go through to create it. An accessory which boosts one’s attributes with pluses is an amplifier of those magical abilities.

The system was designed that every starting player has 100 points on all of his basic stats:

STR:100INT:100

AGI:100VIT:100

STA:100MNA:100

DEX:100CHR:100

SPR:0LUK:0 (0%)

There is also the 100 free stat points to be given to every starting player to enhance their basic stats. From how they use the 100 free stat points to distribute to their stats is what makes the difference and actually separates hybrid players to specialized users.

Stat structure can be seen in a spiral cloud, with STR at the top, going clockwise, followed by AGI, STA, DEX, INT, VIT, MNA, and CHR, like eight rays of sun and a corona of rainbow colored sphere in the middle with the word Spirit (SPR) written in a clear but transparent font. But on every character window, there is only the eight basic stat points, along with avatar’s name, current active quest (or mission), additional (if there is any) attributes, the three randomly accessed equipment settings, the currently equipped items, and the achievement window which appears as an external window behind the Character Information Window.

Player abilities differ from how they managed their point distribution and a player can’t leave their starting city unless he’d fully distributed those free stat points.

It was set so that players will learn the importance of planning, at least that’s how they were interpreted.

After the distribution, that’s actually how they will get their Initial Ability that they will carry on until their avatar reached the advanced level. There, they can alter the initial ability by means of advanced level talismans and accessories so the so called “development” that a video game should have can be justified.

This is telling on the Mage’s side.

Swordsmen often uses these accessories to magnify the effect of their abilities, which is usually inclined to physical augmentations like instantaneous movements, improved defense, increase in stats, or enhanced attack power and damage output.

In her case, she was one of the Unique Players.

Initially, she was an archer, but then she immediately switched into becoming a Swordmage and enjoyed the Special ability, Strike, that allows any attack that was initiated by her hands to cause substantial damage.

It was an ability from the 70% DEX stat distribution.

She doesn’t have the normal stats of normal players, or, if she had to put it in words, her avatar is special.

Her DEX stat is in its advanced form, CON, which only few users knew of. And FlowerLord who had her DEX transformed into CON (Constitution) knew that her opponent from the masked organization is also a player from the “unique” class.

Any wrong move from either of them could instantly spell doom.

She knew this principle and had proven how big its difference was from her experiences.

Therefore, the rapid summoning, meteoric velocity, improved damage output, and the massive size of the enemy’s ability could be traced as a product of such advanced stats and improvements, with the addition of advanced accessories.

She instinctively knew that so such threat, though a threat of an alien was still greater, made her shiver and her arms instinctively moved to protect herself.

The Ceres on its normal S-ranked weapon mode got the full impact and with it, FlowerLord got pushed off again towards a crowd of Sylph players.

“Shit!”

The alliance indicator above her head was red to the eyes of the Sylphs, and thus, they automatically saw her as an enemy and poised to attack, not waiting for her to stand up and regain her footing.

But as soon as she was about to be subjected to their assault, the masked man appeared again with his short blade and from up above them, his image appeared in a stabbing position. The Sylphs looked up as they saw where her eyes were looking and FlorwerLord used this chance to use up all of her manna to initiate a last-ditch attempt and summon the Dark Spear.

While still lying down, she raised her right hand to the masked man and above his head materialized a dark spear, darker than the night, emitting a repulsive aura.

A few inches to her head, the masked man’s short sword froze with her eyes looking at the blade. The man stopped moving, the life that was seen on his eyes vanished and the Sylph warriors all took their distances away. And while she lied there for the next moments, no attack came since the players were frightened by the sight of the Dark Spear.

The Dark Spear was stabbed on the masked man’s throat, all the way through to that small space on the FlowerLord’s left armpit.

“S-Safe…” She sighed in relief with a silent laugh.

The masked man’s body fell down on top of her as the Dark Spear ate up all of her remaining manna and reverted back to the Ceres on her right hand. She then pushed aside the lifeless body and took a bluish gem on her Quick Item Pocket.

Ignoring the information window that popped out on her vision telling her of the loot she got by defeating the S-ranked assassin from the Masked Org., she tried to steady herself as she kept the Ceres’s feel on her hand as firm and as soothing as before.

Her antagonists all looked at her with scared faces as they waited for her to crush the bluish gem on her hand.

In her vision, the [MP: 0] indicator became [MP:1] as the bluish gas escaped from the crushed gem. She then took another item on her QIP on her left waist and this time it was a bluish liquid inside a clear crystal vial with intricate designs.

She drank the liquid and threw the vial and her MP count became 51 which was enough for a one minute bout with the Dark Spear. And the latter appeared on her left with a single thought command.

“Ah, you should’ve attacked me when you had the chance, you know.”

The scared men, low level frontline players, all took out and raised their weapons as they tremble and brace themselves for a collision. But then another group of masked men appeared on their left and those men was obviously aiming for her this time.

But instead of frowning, she smiled instead.

“You got me off guard earlier.” She murmured and the Dark Spear split up into ten thin dark mini spears as she took out another manna potion from her QIP and drink it. “But this time, I’ll be the attacker.”

A light came from somewhere but she started to run, completely ignoring it. It’s a sin, after all, to ever take your eyes out from your opponent during a fight. Most especially during a war. Soon after, someone’s voice cried out:

“FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM!!!”

The loud cry echoed from behind her and everyone who heard it, maybe at the nearest one kilometer of the battlefield, may have froze for a moment to check it out as a bright light came along with it. Then the bellowing of a unified roar came next that reminded everyone of an S-ranked monster ready for the snack who came to challenge their territory.

The light that exploded like a supernova vanished and she returned her gaze to the masked people up front rushing towards her.

Some of them continued to attack her, some stopped and changed targets.

All those she noticed targeting players with MODs never bade attention to the scream and only showed a sense of professionalism to their known image.

The Masked Organization, a group that knows no bounds and shame when it comes to MOD hunts, was so obviously targeting the players with the MODs.

One after another, they came at those players with murderous intentions, attacking in groups, but actually lacked teamwork. She wasn’t an exception. Or more like, she had the greatest problems compared to the others since her Dark Spear was an obvious sight.

Gamer knowledge, she instinctively knew that these users have been watching them and marking their target ever since the war began. This ambush was one proof of their hideous aim. It was this image of them that actually forced the MOD wielders to keep themselves a secret to everyone else and would actually only use their MODs on dangerous times. And thus, it wasn’t hard to imagine that they waited at the right time when the MOD wielders are pushed to the limits so that they can be marked and attacked.

A simple but very effective trap.

Because if a player used his MOD, or the equipment that had the MOD, the Aura of Category that indicated their class will announce what kind of MOD they have.

Green for Rare MODs.

Blue for Special MODs.

The colors for Legendary and Unique MODs haven’t been publicized and so no one knew until maybe a player emerge with one.

Putting that aside, in place of MODs, the Black Balls that gives the ability for players to upgrade their S-rank weapons into Dark Weapons can also be dropped when the owner dies. It doesn’t base on LUK, but Black Balls will detach itself from the weapon as soon as the owner of the weapon dies.

But aside from that, everything else in her inventory and equipment slots are all items that’s also subject to being looted.

LUK is acquired from the stat with the highest stat distribution points, meaning, FlowerLord’s LUK will be acquired from her DEX (now CON) which has 70% distribution. The system would take half of the total number of that stat and converts LUK from half of it. That said, her CON is currently 170. Half of it is 85. And half of 85 is 42.5 with an approximate conversion to LUK as 10.5%. According to this, for every player she kills, she has a 3.4% chance to get better items from her victim.

But those loots are subject to standards as well. The players that have already lost to FlowerLord were all mostly a rank or two lower than her. They were from B-rank up to S-rank.

Defeating S-rank players, the same as her, will give her 3.4% chance of looting the best item on one of each of their target’s equipment, talismans, weapons, accessories, and 20 random inventory items. It is like a roulette spin where her winning chance is 3.4%. But on a rank lower than her, her chance goes up by 5%. Two ranks below her, it increases by 15%. On the third, it increases by 25% and so on…

But then, in the case of those players who defeated a player whose rank are higher than theirs, though their hunter rank won’t increase, but whatever their LUK percentage is, it will increase by 15% on a rank higher than theirs. Two ranks higher than their own will gain a climb of 30% chance to loot better equipment from the defeated player, and three ranks higher than their own, a climb of 45% additional chance to loot the enemy’s equipment will be given.

It was made so since it was practically very hard to do such a feat, though not really impossible. And for such, there are still a few exceptions.

The fact that the enemies that are coming towards FlowerLord right now are weaker opponents, means that these players aren’t novices. Their equipments and gears may seem to tell her so but just like the last opponent, they may hide some incredible skills and abilities in their sleeves.

But what’s also surprising is the fact that they are all experienced fighting off players. Their reactions are not dull unlike the war participants, more like, they were all polished as if they only fought players all these time and haven’t really been hunting monsters to get better resources and items to be stronger.

Weird.

She thought as she dodged and took a distance from six attackers. Behind FlowerLord was the battling TGG and Sylphs and in front of her was the six people who had masks with a single theme of a smiling murderer.

“Drop the weapon down…” Hissed the one looking the strongest right at the middle. “We won’t torture you if you follow. Hehehe…”

“Hehehe…that’s right, you will only die instantly.”

“Come on now…”

“Just give us the Dark Spear…”

The people on their group spoke with a mocking hiss one by one. They raised their light weapons in a teasing manner and seemed as if to purposely threaten her.

FlowerLord’s eyes moved on the upper left corner of her vision and an MP countdown indicator displayed the remaining time she can use the summoned the Dark Spear. She pursed her lips as the two numbers dwindle and she glared towards the enemies as spikes of small Dark Spears floated around her.

The black colored spears launched as arrows and the two elements in front of the six shielded the other four behind them. They used a normal shield to block the attack but what surprised her was the fact that they’re alright as if nothing happened.

Not even a scratch on their shields.

“Perhaps Dark Spears aren’t that scary after all.”

“Is it a mistake that we are targeting this one?”

The two talked with each other as FlowerLord felt the mocking grins behind those masks. She gritted her teeth and balled her fist. She took a potion from her QIP, drank the contents, and then started to cast magic.

She needed only 5 seconds to cast Ice Path and as a distraction, while casting, she lunged headlong that which two masked men from the back took the bait.

The two were obviously enjoying it as she could clearly hear the chuckles behind their masks. The one coming from the left was an Archer and the other was a Swordmage as the two activated a skill that matched a rare projectile ability.

An arrow from the Archer became four while the other’s swung sword created a ripple in the air and started to come at her like a bladed wind.

FlowerLord used her right hand to use Ceres’s Tech Ability, the Firewall, and both attacks were instantly erased. And then, she waved her left hand in a side arc and a wall of ice ate up the falling players from mid air.

There weren’t even screams coming form them nor their allies as if they were just like bait for the big fish to arrive.

But she didn’t waste time and switched her weapon to the Perseus Bow and started sniping them down with quick powerful arrows. She did not put any tech ability on the bow, like any other experienced archers would, as it will hinder the string’s maximum durability and the bow’s own stability. Instead, what she used to finish them off was her Initial Ability from the special ability list, Strike, aimed at their heads to maximum damage output.

The ice kept the two frozen and the two arrows that cost her 30 manna did a critical hit and brought the two masked enemies into their demise.

But she wasn’t finished yet. Immediately switching back to Ceres, she used the Dark Spear on its pure form and held it on her hands. She felt the cold metallic chill of it as the spear that looked like just a lump of pure energy forming a black colored two bladed spear made her skin tense. She had only once heard all the stories about Dark Spears but she now is experiencing what they called the “repulsive aura” that was coming from its blades.

She poised to throw the spear towards the direction of the other four as the ice wall had a ten second time limit before melting down. As the limit approached, she timed the throw and at the moment it became water and fell to the ground, the spear pierced through and stabbed the leader of the masked group.

Now there was a scream of pain as the leader of the group got pierced with the repulsive weapon on his chest. The weapon’s blackness spread like a plague that crept from his chest to his body and finally devouring all of him until he became a dark statue.

“W-What…”

“Shit!”

“Dark Tech ability!”

“I’ll kill you!”

FlowerLord did not wasted time as her own time on using the Dark Spear was slowly diminishing.

She ran all the way and cut the 40 meters distance, did a long jump, summoned back the sword when she got close to it by 10 meters and modified its form to a very long sword and sliced another player half from his head.

The other players had caught their bearing, screamed in anger, and began to use their abilities to attack. One summoned two fireballs, Burn, but not as fast as the first one. One used the same arrow clone ability of the dead frozen archer, and the last one used Manna Blade, a Tier-2 melee-class magic spell.

The Manna Blade wielder attacked first using zigzag moves, jumping from an inclined rock, down to her direction, while the archer fired her arrows along with the same timing as the Mage.

Four arrows were, of course, faster and FlowerLord used the Dark Spear to shield herself away. The arrows hit and bounced but the explosion created by the Burn magic spell upon contact pushed her a few feet back that gave the B-ranked Manna Blader the opening to attack. She stepped aside and turned, but the masked man seemed to already know what she’s gonna do as he just twisted his body, switching the sword to his right hand and delivered a bone shattering massive slash.

The force of the attack pushed her back but as her experience had taught her, she slightly jumped back as a last resort while using the Dark Shield form of the spear to receive the attack.

Again, fire balls entered her vision while she kept her guard up for the incoming arrows.

As I thought.

She mumbled bitterly.

“You guys aren’t monster hunters.” She spoke as the attacks were blocked then lowered her shield to meet the enemies. “You’re just cold blooded man hunters!”

 

[Siraj Patel]

Thread Title Changed On Ts's Request..

Regards :- Siraj Patel

 

[TKhan]

Thread Title Changed On Ts's Request..

Regards :- Siraj Patel

Thanks