He knew that based on the symbol displayed on the barbarians breastplate that he was a lieutenant for this particular Nevermore gang.This meant he was at least a level 10 adventurer, and he could feel his middle aged bones ache at the thought of joining this fight.He looked on as Jordan charged forward, hoping he could stick to crowd control.


    For this maneuver to work, he couldn’t give his opponent any time to think.The massive scimitar in the elf’s left hand swung powerfully at the approaching arrow.Upon making contact, it exploded in a surge of frigid magic, as the sword was now covered in a thick layer of ice.


    The elf roared as his room temperature scimitar in his right hand began crackling with den, and he charged at Jordan with fury. He recognized the barbarian skill Storm Might, as the electricity from around his sword began to envelop his entire body.This ability greatly increases the power of the user’s next attack once a day, and considering both the size and speed of his opponent, that attack would take Jordan out of the fight immediately.


    The crackling blade pierced the air next to Jordan, and he unsheathed his dagger as he attempted to leap on his opponents back.


    “Gotcha” he said as he swung the frozen blade with unnatural speed.Despite the added weight of the ice, it appeared the barbarians striking power was unaffected.Just as Jordan was about to be hit, an explosion of light blinded the combatants.Jordan shielded his eyes, missing his target and landing hard on the floor.The distraction had caused bandit to barely miss his head, the chill of the ice breathing down his neck as it had passed.He looked over and saw Vince, holding out a hand and smiling.


    His expression darkened, and his normally friendly and bright eyes were filled with intense anger.Bryn had seen that look only once, and while he understood Jordan’s frustration, he still felt bad for the poor cleric.


    Sit… Down.” Jordan said, his voice filled with a calm yet terrifying authority.Vince looked visibly shaken up and stepped back, the barbarian roaring as his vision returned.


    As the ice shattered and the sword remained intact, Jordan had to admire its craftsmanship for holding up to a level 2 additive.


    Another arrow launched toward the barbarian, the den crackling around him yet again.However, the blue color indicated what Bryn had been afraid of: the Pile On Skill, a barbarian ability that greatly reduces damage from a weaker opponent temporarily.Bryn changed the settings on his Arsenal Watch as the bandit dashed toward Jordan yet again. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    “Help me I’m scared!” He screamed, flailing his arms wildly.Bryn cringed at the scene before him, though he had to admit it adequately confused their opponent for a moment before he resumed his attack.As the pair approached him, Bryn began to throw a punch to his right.


    A blade coated in a potion of the users choosing shoots out at the push of a button.This allowed Bryn to take the fight to his opponents, though even with the enhanced reflex potions he took, it was still relatively easy for a seasoned adventurer to dodge his strikes.


    Over their time adventuring and strategizing together, Jordan’s fighting style and preferences were ingrained into Bryn’s mind as much as if they were his own.So when Jordan began his flailing, Bryn knew what to expect:fake left, before a hard commit right, and use the remaining animal spirit to disengage.When those exact motions happened before Bryn’s eyes, he stood still, his arm out as Jordan passed by.The moment he passed, Bryn pressed that button, extending the blade and scraping against the barbarians exposed side as he chased after Jordan.


    Jordan had leaped onto a lamppost, perching on the top as if he was actually the bird he had borrowed power from.He leaped down and landed on the barbarians back, a pained wheeze leaving his mouth.


    It’s not as good of a way to make friends as you might think” Jordan said, crossing his arms and nodding his head as if he was being philosophical.


    “This potion only lasts for 23 seconds” he said in monotone.


    “Another job well done, you want to go to the tavern down the road?I bet if we take some of the Toad Trip Juice we can ask them to put it in our drinks and have just a weird night.” Jordan said as he pulled his arrows from the dead bandit.


    Vince had pushed his way between the two of them, and proceeded to get up in Jordan’s face.


    Look Vince I’m a pretty chill guy, I’m pretty laid back.But you really hit a sore spot for me.Just because you have an adventurer’s boon doesn’t mean you know what to do with it.You threw a blinding spell into the middle of a combat situation with 2 people on your side that you didn’t communicate with.” Jordan said as if lecturing a child.


    He looked down, and sighed deeply before pushing away Vince’s hand.


    The one you saw me use was for Peregrine, which allows me to increase my speed.Pretty nifty right? What’s unfortunate is you didn’t get to see the coolest part.I can switch between animals as long as I have den, and one of those animals is a slime.Slime’s can’t be hurt or do damage, so when the sword would have made contact, I was going to switch so I wouldn’t be hurt.” Jordan said, as Vince began to look slightly flustered.


    “Yeah I figured you weren’t watching the whole battlefield, you were only watching the fight in front of you.If you had been paying attention, you would have seen me rushing in.The moment that barbarian would have landed that strike on Jordan, I would have been in position to inject him with the paralysis draught way earlier.” Bryn said, holding up his Arsenal Watch.Vince looked at both of them, stuttering and unable to think of what to say next.


    As Vince fell silent, Jordan spoke calmly yet seriously.


    You chose a support class, so hit the books.” Jordan said, brushing past Vince as he looked down in shame.