《B.L.A.N.K- The search for the meta》


 What the Blank!

    It''s finally here! My 18th birthday had arrived at long last. I could barely contain my excitement as I rapidly typed on the keyboard connected to the brand new VRX 7.8.


    Since the Age of 8, I had dreamed of playing a virtual reality game, but have been forced to wait. Thirty years ago the world was almost plunged into a nuclear apocalypse due to corruption within the various governments. To fix this a world ethics accord was signed, that required politicians to follow certain ethical standards. They were required to take a daily lie detector tests and had little to no privacy. Of course, this ethical requirement trickled down into the societies, leading to a great number of laws that banned some activities and limited others. Which is why I had to wait until 18 to play any Virtual Reality Game.


    I had worked a part-time job to save up to buy the newest VR headgear equipped with the finest muscle control on the market.


    Worth, Mad worth.


    My name is Nathan Harrison, and in real life, I''m a pipsqueak. I''m Barely 5 ft tall, with brownish red hair and a skinny frame. This was a chance for me to be someone different. I have always been made fun of by my classmates and "peers", but now I can say goodbye to all those turds and move on with my life. I was about to play the newest and most advanced game ever made. B.L.A.N.K., A collaborative effort between the Five Mega-Giant Gaming Corporations.


    Bisque Gaming Inc.


    Legendary Gaming Inc.


    Anarchy Gaming Inc.


    Nine Suns Gaming Inc.


    Kratom Gaming Inc.


    Together they had created a world beyond the scope of what we had believed to be possible. Blank, a game that has everything, the only thing missing is you!


    I finished logging in and slid the VR gear over my eyes. I lay back in my bed and relaxed as the game paralyzed my body.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.The VR tech merged with my consciousness as the virtual world loaded.


    I was standing in a white room. A screen appeared on the wall in front of me. A pleasant looking young woman appeared on the screen. Her voice was also pleasing as she spoke, " Welcome to Blank, would you like to create a character?"


    Yes!


    It guided me through the various customization options and I quickly selected them. I had long since decided what I would play.


    Name: Thorn


    Hair: Black


    Height: 6''5


    Class: Warrior


    Race: Human


    The nice lady asked the final question, " What is your age? "


    Huh? why would they ask that? Shouldn''t the game already know your age? Does that mean I can appear older than 18?!? Alright, let''s do it! Ten years shouldn''t hurt anything, so I told her 28!


    A red warning light appeared as soon as I answered. The screen lady looked angry.


    Wtf was going on?


    Her face full of anger, the Lady yelled, " You are a Liar! The government doesn''t tolerate such atrocities. You will now be punished according to your crime. You added ten years to your life, so your character will be ten years younger instead. Welcome to blank, have fun and happy gaming! "


    I was still in shock as the game began to load. I remembered the ethics accord and realized this was the work of the political powerhouses. I should have known something like this would happen. How could I be so stupid!


    I had trained and worked so hard preparing for this moment. I was supposed to get to be different!


    All of these thoughts ran through my head as the game finished loading. Maybe she was kidding, surely she wouldn''t actually do that. I opened my eyes and looked down at the hands of a child. How am I supposed to become a mighty warrior when I''m stuck in the body of an 8-year-old!

 Not funny

    Great! Just great! How am I supposed to play like this! Quest mobs probably won''t take me seriously. Oh no! My stats! Please don''t let it affect my stats! I pulled up the character menu and sure enough, my stats had gone down by at least 20%!


    Bullshitery! (means to be decorated in the shit of a bull.)


    Sadly, I spent the first ten minutes of my first VR game acting my digital age. I stomped and moaned and yelled at the universe. The worst part was when my tantrum caused a lovely lolita player to say, "Aww what a cute little kid!".


    This was effectively like pouring cold water on me. I stopped my fit, straightened up and went to find the first quest mob. I was so caught up in my own head that I didn''t take the time to appreciate the beauty and realism of the world of Blank.


    You will be fine Nate. I calmed myself as I walked. This is the virtual world, it''s not like the real world remember. In the real world, no matter how much you train you will never be able to lift a car with one hand. With high enough stats the virtual world makes such things a possibility.


    I had read and watched all the guides for the first part of the game, which had been released months ago. I had planned on breezing through the beginning but now I may be stalled out.


    There is nothing but to try. I must imagine the outcome I desire and utilize every facet of skill I have to achieve it.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    The mayor was standing outside of his house, waiting on new adventurers to arrive. He appeared to be a tall well-built man, with short brown hair and a bushy beard with traces of grey throughout. His backstory was that of a successful soldier. After serving many years he settled in this tiny village and became the mayor.


    With as much confidence as I could muster, I approached the mayor and said, " Sir Mayor, I would like my first quest. "


    I expected a few responses, but not what actually happened.


    He blatantly laughed at me!


    "Ha! Ha! Ha! You are a kid, now run along back to your parent''s house." the mayor said with a dismissive attitude.


    I had to fight to stifle back my anger, as I calmly said, "Mr. Mayor I assure you I am an adventurer. A spell has turned me into a child. "


    He paused for a moment, pondered my words and said, " A spell, huh? Well, it''s possible. I tell you what kid. I''ll give you a chance to prove yourself.


    Ding! Quest notification!


    Quest- Prove yourself.


    Do you accept?


    Yes!


    The mayor pulled out a wooden training sword and handed it to me.


    Received - Quest item- Wooden sword.


    He looked down at me and said, " There is a man named Olaf, he is known as the town drunk. He is normally in an alley next to the tavern. He was a coward back when we were soldiers, but he should be able to win against a child. Land ten hits on him in 20 seconds and I''ll believe your story. Good luck kid. "


    I thanked the mayor and left towards the tower.


    Hmm, very interesting. I have never heard of such a quest.

 Olaf out loud

    I got used to the weight of the wooden sword as I walked. Swinging it a few times to become accustomed to the feel of it cutting the air. I checked the info on the sword.


    Wooden Training Sword- Quest item


    Damage- N/A


    Durability-N/A


    Training sword used for practice.


    Hmm, what is N/A? Is that zero or unlimited? Let''s check the quest info.


    Quest-Prove Yourself-Repeatable


    10 hits in 20 seconds on Olaf. You must hit hard enough for it to be considered a hit.


    Durnnit, my strength may not be high enough. No matter, it''s repeatable so I can try again if I fail.


    I found Olaf in an alley next to the tavern as the mayor said. He was a tall, lanky, skinny man with a scraggly blond beard. His beard still had traces of his possible last meal stuck in it.


    He''s didn''t seem very impressive, but then again neither did I.


    All I have to do is fight him, right? Well, might as well have some fun.


    I pointed to Olaf and yelled, " Hey Olaf, you drunk slob, come face me! "


    I held the sword out in challenge.


    I could see the fire light up in his eyes as his anger began to swell. He faced me and yelled, " What did you call me kid! "


    I laughed at him, and screamed, " I called you a lazy drunken piece of trash! What are you gonna do about it? "


    He was up in an instant with his sword drawn. His voice was harsh as he screamed, " I''ll kill you! "This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Wait, he has a real sword. Shouldn''t he have a wooden one? Maybe I shouldn''t have taunted him.


    Like a bull, Olaf charged, bringing his sword down in an overhead chop. I stepped to the left and the strike hit the air. My counterattack was already in motion as I swung my sword with two hands into his face.


    A countdown timer had begun when the battle started counting down the 20 seconds.


    My sword connected with his jaw and forced him to stumble. No damage numbers popped up, but it displayed a hit in the corner of my eyesight. 1/10


    I stepped back in front of him, once again holding my sword out in the challenge.


    Olaf rubbed his jaw and said, "Oww! You little shit, that hurt! ".


    He swung his sword in a horizontal slash aimed at my waist, his rage made it apparent that he was attempting to cut me in half.


    I dropped into a roll to avoid the slash, closing the gap between us. Using my forward momentum I channeled this force into my sword. I struck from below into his crotch. 2/10


    Olaf bellowed in pain and dropped to his knees. This sword didn''t cause damage but it did cause pain, so I aimed for the vital points.


    Wasting no time I struck three more times. Once into his neck and twice to the back of the head. 5/10


    I spun into perfect position behind him. As Olaf tried to turn, I simply moved with him. I stayed behind him and struck him in the back of the head constantly.


    Thump! Thump! Thump! 8/10


    The hollow sound of wood smashing mercilessly into bone reverberated throughout the alley.


    Players passing by were dumbstruck by the sight of a child making a grown man cry out in pain.


    The countdown timer still showed 10 seconds left when the quest was complete, but I didn''t feel like stopping.


    My frustration at being made a child came bubbling out in the form of physical rage.


    I struck over and over making Olaf beg for mercy as he cried out. I knew no mercy and planned on continuing until the countdown ended, but a strange thing happened.


    After 20 strikes Olaf reached his pain threshold and passed out.


    Ding! Quest complete! Please return to the mayor.


    This was incredible! Who knew such a thing was even possible. Zero damage added a thousand times is still zero. The sword is still doing something. That must mean that the game has a hidden pain stat for AI and possibly players. I need to find a way to keep this sword it could be useful. I looked at the unconscious Olaf and wondered if he had anything valuable on him. I checked his pockets and to my surprise it let me loot him!

 Finding Neverland

    <hr>


    For a drunk, he had a surprising amount on him.  This is what I found.


    -10 Gold, 20 silver


    -A ruby gemstone necklace


    -2 silver daggers


    -bronze short sword


    -a small wooden shield


    -Olaf''s journal


    -wooden training sword


    Gold at this stage in the game is exceptionally rare.  The largest guilds have only reached level 30.  You would have to transfer real-life funds into the game, and that function isn''t scheduled for release for another month.  Even so, Gold was not the greatest treasure I found, it was the second wooden sword.  This meant I could keep my sword! It may turn out to be useless, but I have a feeling about it.


    I turned to leave but felt the spark of inspiration enter my mind.  I wonder...


    Ten minutes later Olaf finally woke with a start.  The traumatic memory of his recent experience seemed to come rushing back as I stood before him with my wooden sword inches from his face.


    I had grown tired of waiting, but I had to know if I was right.  Had I found my first glitch?


    Olaf cried out fearfully,  "Wait! Stop! Haven''t you finished your quest? Where are my weapons? My ruby! "This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I pulled out the necklace, and calmly said, " Oh, you mean this? Belonged to your mother, yes?"


    He began to stutter in response, " Yes..how do you know that? Wait..my journal..tell me you didn''t!"


    I laughed and said, " Of course I read it! You took forever to wake up! You see I have a problem. A spell left me trapped in the body and now no one will take me seriously! "


    He didn''t understand, Olaf tearfully exclaimed,  " I do! Please just give me back my stuff.  Ill help you! "


    I laughed and simply said,  " Yes, you''ll help me, just not how you want to."


    He seemed even more confused, Olaf shook his head and said,  "What do you mean?"


    I smiled and stroked my chin thoughtfully as I said, "Well it all depends on the next few seconds. See with this quest I can use this sword to hit you and no guard will come.  I haven''t turned in the quest, so I wonder if I can still hit you?"


    He barely had time to utter the word, " What!?" before I smashed him on the head with the sword.


    He cried out, "Oww!", as I began to rain blows down upon him.  He tried to defend himself but I had taken all of his weapons.


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    There was nothing he could do, and he seemed to have little to no reflexes.  He was a terrible warrior.  In fact, it was hard to believe he was ever a soldier.  After 20 strikes he passed out from the pain.


    Ding! Sword skill leveled up.  Lvl 1/10


    +5% damage, +10% critical damage.


    Ding! Strength increased by 1.


    Yes! My strength increased!  I looked around and my heart soared because not a single guard was alerted.


    My training may very well pay off.  Since I was 8 I dreamed of the fame and prestige of becoming a professional gamer.  I had trained in the only way available.  The virtual private space.  Basically, just a virtual room that kids could use to get used to the virtual world.  The integration between the mind and the virtual space requires a unique force of will.  Though the world feels real it is your brain''s willpower that provides endurance.  Using this tiny space I trained the limitations of my virtual body to be vastly superior to my physical one.   In theory, since I am using a sword that is heavy to me, swinging it should be considered strength training.  It will cap at a certain point but when it does the sword will feel like swinging air.


    I walked into the Tavern and bought a bucket of ice water for one copper.  I didn''t feel like waiting ten minutes so I decided to try and wake him the old fashioned way.  I dumped the water on him and he woke with a scream, " Noo...please!!Don''t!!! "


    I smiled at the digital program showing such fear and said, "Now let''s start again, shall we? ".


    Thump! Thump! Thump!

 Bribe to be

    I continued to wake Olaf with Ice water and beat him into unconsciousness. This may seem morbid but it serves multiple purposes. The first was to increase my strength and the second was to increase my sword skill.


    In Blank, your sword skill only improves when fighting monsters or other players/NPC''s. Fighting a dummy or practicing by swinging your sword does not increase skill level. So, typically if you have to fight monsters you will have to gain experience. So it is considered impossible to have a high sword skill at level 0. Normally your skill level will stay around the same level as your character level. The game designers made it this way in order to maintain a balance and flow. I planned on tipping the balance in my favor.


    After an hour of repeating this in the alley, it began to cause a scene but at least my sword skill leveled up to level 2. Players were becoming more and more disturbed. One young man, a level 5 warrior, grabbed my arm and told me to stop. A moment later the guards came and took him away. His name had become Red flagged due to strict regulations within the village. Thankfully I had found a solution, thanks to Olaf''s journal.


    I had been purchasing ice water for the past hour, and the owner of the Tavern had noticed the increasing level of activity outside his establishment. He approached me as I walked in and asked me what my name was.


    I calmly replied with, " My name is Thorn. Is there some sort of problem? "


    The tavern keeper was visibly put off by my appearance and the way I spoke and carried myself. He spoke sternly as he said, "You are bringing negative attention to my tavern, I can''t allow you to continue."


    Stolen novel; please report. This made me laugh and then I said, " I''m not doing anything illegal. It is within the confines of a quest of mine. Have you seen any guards? "


    He shook his head and responded with, "Well...no."


    I smiled and confidently said, "Listen, I have to be blunt. I have been beating up a man outside of your bar for the past hour. He has information that I need, and he is partially responsible for my condition. A spell left me in the form of a child. "


    The tavern keeper nodded and said, " Ok, but this has nothing to do with me. ".


    I shook my head and quietly whispered, " Your wrong, the man outside is your snake of a son in law Olaf. "


    His eyes widened as he proclaimed, "Olaf! Why? He''s family! "


    I laughed and said, "Family that betrayed you. "


    I pulled out the Ruby necklace and Olaf''s journal and tossed them to the tavern keeper.


    I spoke with confidence as I said, " He told you that necklace was stolen by bandits, but he has had it all along. I know it is important to you as a last momento of your wife. His journal confirms this. He has been stealing money from you for years. It''s all there, check yourself. "


    The Tavernkeeper was both amazed and furious.


    I took a breath and continued my speech, " I didn''t have to return that stone to you, but I need your help. I need to borrow your cellar so I can continue my investigation on Mr. Olaf. "


    With his son''s fresh betrayal upon his mind, the tavern keeper simply said, " I have just the place, and I''ll have ice water brought down to you as you need it. ".


    The man displayed a wicked smile.


    Ding! Unlocked Secret Cellar!

 Secret Cellar

    No one had access to the secret cellar but me so my operation became much quieter. The biggest problem was Olaf! At most he could take 25 hits before he would blackout. I had utilized much of this time to test out various vital points. If I hit certain spots I could knock him out in as little as 12 hits. Likewise, I found that he would still blackout even if I only hit him in the foot, though it took 25 strikes.


    After four hours of rinse and repeat, I had got my sword skill up to Level 5, unlocking the sub-skill Rapid strikes.


    Rapid Strikes- Three Strikes each dealing 150% damage lvl 1/5


    Olaf was the problem.


    After level 5, leveling the sword skill will take exponentially longer. I needed to increase the number of strikes. After four hours I had only reached 240 strikes. It took 120 just to get from level 4 to 5, and I could expect it to double from now on. Which means 240 strikes to get from 5 to 6. 480 for 6-7, 960 for 7-8, 1920 for 8-9, and 3840 for 9-10.


    So I needed to get 7440 strikes. I had a long way to go so I needed to figure out a way to speed things up.


    Splash!


    I tossed the water and woke Olaf. The last few times he immediately started crying, this time was no different.


    I broke him.


    This time I tried a different approach, I talked to him. I said, " So Olaf, don''t you ever get tired of being a piece of trash? "


    He held his arms up in fear, stuttering as he spoke, " Please..dont..hurt me anymore. "


    I laughed and sternly said, " You think I should stop? You are the only one to blame. Your own actions led to becoming a useless drunk. Is this how you want to be seen forever?"


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.He shook his head and I continued talking, " You know your little scheme is over. Your father in law knows about everything. I gave him your mothers Ruby and your journal. Now that he knows about you stealing money from him how are you going to continue this lame ass lifestyle?"


    His eyes began to bug out as he loudly exclaimed, "What?! Why did you do that!? "


    He was now visibly shaken, which was good.


    I quietly said, " He is perfectly fine with what I''m doing to you, in fact, he lent me this cellar so I can continue until I kill you. "


    He was overcome by fear, so I continued talking and said, "Yes well that''s one option, but I would like to give you a second option. Do you know why you are such a bad fighter that you would lose to a child? "


    He quickly responded with, " You are no child, you are a demon.".


    This made me laugh but I didn''t let him deter me. I said , " You are a bad fighter because you have no training. You were an only child raised with a woman. You were thrust into the military with no training and you were scared. I don''t blame you, being in battle with no training is terrifying. But it is no different than being with a woman the first time or getting blackout drunk, all can be terrifying without some modicum of training or experience. Let me ask you a simple question. Why don''t you move your head out of the way when I swing my sword? ".


    He absorbed my words and thought for a second.


    " I hadn''t thought to try.", Olaf admitted.


    I rubbed my jaw and said , " Hmm, so this time when I attack try leaning your head back slightly as you see my sword coming towards you. ".


    He seemed confused by the basic concept of dodging.


    " I will try it.", Olaf stated apprehensively.


    "Are you trying to train me? Why? Why are you doing this? ", he questioned.


    I smiled and said, " I had a spell cast on me that made me appear as a child, but I am not weak. I have to grow strong, and you sir are the way I''m going to do it. Either way, I''m going to beat you. At least if I train you, you can go become a soldier and live a normal life. ".


    Olaf was filled with hope, his expression joyous, his voice full of emotion as he exclaimed, " I would like that! "


    I smiled wickedly and uttered softly , " Good, then let''s begin. ".


    Thump! Thump! Thump!

 Training

    Four hours later we had progressed at an incredible rate. Olaf showed a knack for accepting instruction, which struck me as odd. My theory had to be true, he must have had zero combat training. How is that even possible?


    Nonetheless, he showed great improvement in such a short time. I had managed to get in 800 strikes, which leveled my sword skill up to 7.


    Sword skill- Level 7/10 - + 17.5% damage - +17.5% critical damage


    Rapid strikes- Level 3/5 - 170% damage for three rapid strikes


    My strength had also increased to 33, a whopping 23 points.


    The process of wielding the heavy wooden training sword had naturally increased my strength but I had maxed out this potential. I would have to use a heavier weapon if I wanted to increase it any more.


    Olaf was a strange one, and after a few hours, he started to grow on me. I had started to become friends with him. He was easy to talk to, and I found myself opening up to him a little. After all, he is just a series of code mimicking the behavior of a person.


    He seemed to truly want to get stronger, as though he didn''t think it was an option.


    I had been online for 10 game hours, which was roughly 3 1/2 real hours. This was due to the games time frame differential, which harnessed the power of the human mind and its potential. Time moved slower in the virtual world, at a 3.14/1 ratio. This allowed gamers to accomplish a great deal in the time that they play.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    My Aunt and Uncle made me wait until 9 am to start playing. They had insisted that I have a family breakfast first.


    That made it 11:30 real time now, so it was officially time to log off.


    I was sitting with Olaf, eating some food that I had procured from the Tavern above. I had come to enjoy his company, despite his reputation. This change had caused a great deal of guilt to bubble up. With a quiet tone, I spoke to Olaf and said, " I have to leave for a little while. Listen, I feel bad about stealing all your stuff, so I want to give it back. "


    I pulled the weapons and gold I stole and handed them to him.


    Olaf was perplexed, but he just smiled and shook his head and proclaimed, " No, I refuse. They are yours."


    I was confused so I asked, "Wait, why? Haven''t I been awful to you? "


    " In the beginning, I was scared for my life, but you have done much for me," Olaf admitted, " Your weapon somehow didn''t even leave a bruise. I can''t complain, and now I wouldn''t trade this experience for anything."


    I was delightfully surprised and said, " Well thank you, I will put it to good use. Now I have to go. I''m going to unlock the door and give you a choice. You can leave if you want, I won''t force you to stay. If you are still here when I get back I will continue to train you. "


    Olaf stood and bowed to me, covering one fist in a gesture of respect as he solemnly said,


    " Thank you."


    He thought for a second and exclaimed, "Wait! I never got your name?"


    "My name is Thorn. " I replied as I went into my menu and prepared to log out.


    Olaf laughed and said, " Thorn.. well it suits you. I will be here when you return, Thorn. "


    " Later Olaf, I hope to see you soon," I said as I logged out of the game.

 Real World

    I quickly logged out and felt a tug upon my mind as my consciousness returned to my body. I sat up and removed the VR headset. I took a second to adjust to the physical world, then went downstairs.


    As I walked down the stairs I heard male and female voices coming from the kitchen. I walked in and heard, "Surprise!!!"


    My family had come over to surprise me for my birthday.


    I lived with my Aunt Zila, and Uncle Arthur. I moved in at age seven when my parents died. They were very loving people. They weren''t super rich but we always had enough to get by. I had learned to appreciate what I had and be grateful for it.


    After the initial "Surprise" they all told me happy birthday and my Aunt Zila made everyone sit down to eat lunch. She had made my favorite, homemade chicken and dumplings.


    Aunt Zila addressed everyone sternly, " Now its Nathans birthday and his only wish are to play his little game today, so we are only going to keep him for an hour, max. "


    Everyone laughed and nodded their agreement. They knew how much this day meant to me. I had talked about it non-stop to anyone who would listen.


    She had invited over her brother, my Uncle Charlie along with his wife my Aunt Lisa. They had brought their kids, my cousins Jake and Emma. Emma is a 12-year-old pretty blond, and Jake is a dorky looking 16 year who hadn''t grow into himself yet but believed he was grown.


    As we began to eat, Jake seemed like he was about to burst. He couldn''t hold it anymore and excitedly said, " Nate, you have been in the game so you didn''t see the news. Big stuff is going on, Dad can I show him the video! Please! "


    Jakes dad, my Uncle Charlie had worked at a Gold farming company for the past ten years. He is currently leveling up a character in B.L.A.N.K. and getting paid to do it. How lucky.


    That being said, he is always up to date on the latest news involving anything B.L.A.N.K.


    Uncle Charlie shrugged and replied, " Go ahead and show him."


    Jake excitedly pulled out his Tablet and as the video loaded he said, " Ok, so recently the big guilds have been working on the main storyline quest, right?"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I nodded, fully aware of the current "Endgame".


    Jake continued talking, " Well, the competition has bottlenecked at a particular quest line, and now they are stuck. "


    I nodded and asked Jake, " What is the quest? "


    Uncle Charlie interjected, " They are supposed to find a long lost prince who is the last remaining heir to the throne. He is to be the next emperor. He is in hiding in one of the beginner villages. "


    I nodded and said, " Yeah so what''s the hold-up? "


    Jake chimed back in, " Because the prince has gone missing! No one can find him anywhere! "


    "This is putting a huge strain upon the Five, allowing independent guilds to catch up. They are furious. ", said Uncle Charlie.


    I nodded and pointed to the tablet.


    " What''s the video about? ", I asked.


    Jake pressed play as he replied, " So someone watching took this, and it went viral. It already has 500k hits. This is the last time anyone saw the prince. The video is called demon child. "


    The second he pressed play I knew what I would see. When he said the name of the video it just confirmed it. I just couldn''t believe what I was seeing and hearing.


    The video was only two minutes long but was very good quality.


    It showed a young boy with a dark black aura surrounding him and luminescent eyes approach a man with a bucket of ice water. As I watched the video of myself my mind spun out of control.


    What the hell is going on? Olaf was a drunken slob that nobody cared about, how could he be a prince?


    That''s when all the pieces fell into place.


    The ruby necklace, his lack of combat training and general likability. Once I began to think of him like that his behavior made much more sense.


    The video kept playing and I watched myself begin to beat poor Olaf until he passed out, his cries of pain etched into my mind.


    The video showed a player trying to stop him, but the guards intervened and took him away. It ended with the boy dragging the man into the dark of the alley.


    My Uncle and Jake were watching me for some kind of reaction, but I showed none.


    Jake put down the tablet and said, " This was the last time anyone has seen the prince. The major guilds are on a manhunt to find this demon child. "


    I slammed my fist on the table, stood up and yelled, " Those bastards!"


    Everyone was silent at my sudden outburst.


    My aunt asked, " Are you ok Nathan?".


    Realizing I was making a scene I tried to calm down. I took a breath and apologized, " Yeah, I''m sorry, you know how I get worked up."


    " Uncle Charlie, Jake can l speak with you in private for a minute? ", I asked with a sense of urgency.


    They were confused but agreed. One minute later we were upstairs in my room.


    Jake expressed his confusion, asking, " What''s all this about? "


    I was freaking out by this point. I was pacing and wringing my hands together nervously.


    "Ok, guys this is bad like I''m freaking out!", I exclaimed.


    They were unsure what was going on. Uncle Charlie asked, " What are you freaking out about? "


    I grabbed Jakes tablet from his hand and pointed at the picture of the "Demon Child" displayed on its screen.


    " Because that is me!"

 Conundrum

    Once Jake and my Uncle picked up their jaws, I told them the whole story.


    I left out no details, and by the time I was done my Uncle was pacing nervously.


    " I didn''t do anything illegal, well except lie about my age, but the game punished me for it. " I explained.


    Jake seemed thrilled that his cousin was now semi-famous, be he understood the position I was now in. Which was not a good one.


    My Uncle thoughtfully rubbed his chin as he spoke, " This could be a good thing. Since you know the location of the prince you can just give him up. "


    I frowned and explained, " That''s problematic. If I give him to one guild, I will be making enemies with the others. Leaving me to join the guild for protection, and I don''t want to be in a big guild. "


    " What''s wrong with joining a big guild? There are many benefits." , Uncle Charlie quickly replied.


    "That''s not how I want to play the game. ", I stated coldly.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He pondered my words and replied, " You may not have a choice."


    "I always have a choice, in fact, that is what matters most, my ability to choose. ", I responded. " I''ve made up my mind, I''m not gonna give Olaf up until I''m done training. "


    This surprised both of them, they said in unison, "What!?!"


    Uncle Charlie tried to talk reason into me, "Nate, you can''t do that it will take days to get your sword skill where you want it. The Five will put a price on your head....they could come after you in real life. ".


    I laughed, " They can''t. This perfect algorithm makes it impossible to hack. I am perfectly safe. ".


    " I guess that''s true..", he admitted, " but they can still come after you in game. They can...".


    I interrupted him, " What? Kill me back to Zero? Take my stuff? I am already the lowest possible level and have nothing worth taking. I am in a perfect situation to stand my ground. Why should I give up my advantage to suit someone else''s needs? ".


    Jake and my Uncle we''re dumbstruck, but they saw the truth in my logic.


    Jake laughed, " Well I can''t wait to see the next video! "


    We all laughed, but my Uncle Charlie still had a serious look on his face. " You are playing with fire Nate. I hope you know what you''re doing. "


    " I do, don''t worry Uncle Charlie.", I said, trying to comfort him, "Now lets back to lunch before Aunt Zila flips out. ".


    We went back downstairs and finished the meal, and after about 45 minutes I prepared to log back in to B.L.A.N.K


    I just hoped Olaf was still waiting on me.

 Five Avatars

    I lay back in my bed, with my VR headset on. I felt a tug upon my consciousness as the game loaded.


    Instead of materializing where I had logged out I felt a second pull upon my consciousness. I felt as though I was being pulled away.


    I opened my eyes in a strange environment. I was in some high tech lounge or fancy apartment. Soft, comfortable looking sofas and lounge chairs adorned the lushly carpeted room. Rich fabrics and tapestries hung upon the wall in a colorful array of Dark red, green, purple and pink.


    Is this B.L.A.N.K? Seems more like a virtual private space.


    In front of me stood five people, each of them wore a large insignia upon their left shoulder that held a red cloak. They were adorned in full body armor of legendary quality. Each insignia corresponded with the Logo of one of the Five major gaming companies. So each of them had to represent one of them.


    I had heard that the Five, though co-creators of B.L.A.N.K. we''re allowed to create guilds and participate in the game as competitors due to the absolute fairness of the perfect algorithm.


    I quickly looked them over, trying to get as much information as could from their appearance.


    There was a large man with a golden beard, gold armor, and a gold shield wore the insignia of Bisque gaming. He glowed with a gold aura. His face betrayed no emotion. I recognized him as a professional player - Lord Justice. Last year he was regarded as the number one Paladin in the professional league.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    There was a beautiful woman who wore a form-fitting purple set of armor with an unnecessary amount of cleavage showing. She glowed with a purple aura and held a crystal ball in her hand, that crackled with purple lightning. She wore the insignia of Legendary gaming.


    I also recognized her as a professional player Raxila, a renowned caster who is known for her cruel nature.


    There was a tall and slender man, wearing a blue mage''s robe etched in runes. He carried a wizard staff with a massive blue gemstone at the top and wore the insignia of Anarchy gaming.


    I recognized him from the professional circuit as Azreal, one of the strongest mages of the century.


    Next to Azreal stood a mountain in blood red dragon scale armor. Spikes jutted from his shoulders and gauntlets.


    It would be impossible to not know this was Heigden the dragon slayer, you would have to live under a rock! He has had one of the longest professional careers in history, at over 30 years in the pro league. He wore the insignia of Nine Suns Gaming.


    In the corner of my eyesight stood a tall lithe man who wore black leather armor. He appeared to be an assassin, but I didn'' recognize him. He wore the insignia of Kratom Gaming.


    Where was I? What was going on?


    I looked down at myself and realized I was in the form of my game avatar. I looked like an 8-year-old.


    The five gave me a moment to silently take in my surroundings.


    The one I knew as Lord Justice spoke up, "So, you''re the demon child. Let''s make this quick, tell us where the prince is. ".

 Compromise? Hell no!

    I couldn''t help but begin to laugh at the absolute absurdity of this situation. Once I started laughing I had a hard time stopping, which greatly irritated all those present.


    Lord Justice was not amused in the slightest, "What''s so funny? ".


    I continued laughing, " All of you are hilarious! What is this? You''re gonna what, strong arm me with your fancy weapons? Ha! Ha! All you pro players in what is essentially a coffee shop with no barista! You are all so out of place! The dragon slayer will proly pop one of these couches! Ha! "


    Raxila snapped, " Stop this right this instant! "


    "Or what? You''ll smother me with you giant juggs! Thanks for bringing out the cleavage for an 8-year-old! You perve! " I said, now rolling on the floor.


    This made all the males chuckle except for Lord Justice, who apparently doesn''t understand humor. Raxila turned a shade of bright red while seething with anger.


    "I''m gonna delete him! ", Raxila screamed, full of fury.


    " You will do no such thing. We are here for a purpose, don''t let the words of a child affect you. ", Lord Justice said with cold finality.


    Delete? For a purpose? Didn''t these guys create the game? Shouldn''t they know, like everything? Unless...


    " So you have no control then? It''s obvious you have some sort of moderator status, and yet you need something from me. " I said as I stood and composed myself, " Well I will not give you what you want. "


    The mage Azreal interjected, " He speaks the truth. He will never give us what we want, this is a waste of time. ".


    " Thorn, is it? ", said the unknown assassin, " We have given you a choice to cooperate thus far but you try our patience. It seems you are brave, but also stupid. We are the five Avatars of Blank. As such we are given great power to moderate the world to keep things in balance. Powers such as Azreal''s, which read your heart rate to determine if you are lying. Or the power to delete your character. "


    " Yeah and the ability to bring me to really badly decorated Coffee shops. " , I said sarcastically.


    "May I? ", Raxila asked Lord Justice, who nodded in response.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Raxila''s crystal ball lit up with purple energy and I felt a strange sensation. It felt as though someone was tuning a radio frequency in my ear. Lucky for me, I had prepared for this.


    Raxila dropped to her knees and yelled out, " Stop it!! Quit!!! "


    The others were confused, as they had never seen this happen to Raxila.


    " Sever the connection and it will stop," I said calmly.


    The crystal ball died down and Raxila regained her composure. She gasped, "How did you know? What was that? "


    I laughed, "When I was 12 I downloaded an app for the virtual private space called Mind control for dummies. This app allows you to practice against someone trying to mind control you, read your surface thoughts and the like. Turns out, you can imagine the worst sounds at the highest octave possible and drive even AI crazy after a few hours. I perfected it wouldn''t you say Raxila? "


    She glared at him but remained silent.


    The assassin performed a slow solo clap for emphasis, " Well done boy, to think someone would best Raxila in her own game, you are not who you appear to be. "


    "Indeed, you are strange." Heigdal interjected, " but you have spunk. "


    I smiled at the unexpected compliments.


    "Why do you need this prince so bad anyway? Shouldn''t you know where he is if you''re so powerful? ", I asked.


    Azreal answered my question, " He does not appear to be on any map or location that is known to exist. Your condition is also an anomaly. Appearing as a child must have resulted in a new subroutine being created that formed an instance zone that we cannot track. ".


    I smiled and replied, " Very close Azreal, they don''t call you the greatest mage of the century for nothing it seems. Though this still means that you don''t have control like I thought. "


    "Our employers created the perfect algorithm, which is implemented by an Artificial intelligence named Skye." Azreal said with little emotion, " We have given up our right to compete in order to maintain balance as Avatars. ".


    " Ok, but you never answered my question.", I interjected, " I want to know why you each personally want this prince so bad? I had guessed from the beginning you had given up your right to compete, so why is it so important to you? "


    Lord Justice replied, " Our employers are dealing with increasing pressure the longer this drags out, which turns to pressure upon us. "


    "So you are just their puppets!?" I mocked.


    Heigdal stomped his foot, cracking the floor beneath him, " I AM NO ONES PUPPET!".


    "All of you are my heroes, that which I aspire to be.", I began softly, " I have played this game for not even one full day and already people try to control me. "


    I gazed around me, and pointed to Heigdal and questioned, " Tell me, Heigdal, would you let someone take away your advantage? Take away what you had earned with your own two hands? The AI Skye is responsible for making me a child. Make her turn me back into an adult and I will give you the prince. That is the only way I will give him up. "


    Azreal confirmed I spoke the truth with a nod. Lord Justice replied, " What you ask is not within our power. You are unreasonable and almost make me angry. It seems we must make a compromise with you. ".


    I laughed, " Compromise, Hell no!"

 Back to Blank, Finally

    "Why should I compromise?", I continued, " You have nothing I want. My goal in this game is to have fun but to do that I need to be as strong as possible. If you were forced to look like a child you would do the same. All of you would. "


    There was an undeniable truth to my words. The room was silent.


    " He is trying to achieve his first class change at level 0. ", Raxila stated coldly, " That''s all I got out of him earlier. "


    "Ahh, I see. ", remarked the Assasin, " Quite smart. If his sword skill reaches ten he can challenge the first class change. The challenge creates an instanced zone based upon your level. Brilliant. "


    How could they see my plan? Raxila is better than I thought.


    " Well, you caught me. Can you see now why I won''t give up the prince yet? ", I questioned.


    " Yet. ", remarked Azreal, " How much time do you need? "


    I thought for a moment, " Two days. ".


    Lord Justice relied on, " Fine, we will tell our bosses that the prince is currently in training and will give them a new rendezvous point scheduled for two days from now. I will send you the coordinates, Thorn. Is this sufficient compromise? "Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    I thought for a moment, " I believe we have an accord, but only if Raxila wears that armor. ", I said with a sly grin.


    Raxila''s face turned red again and she started towards me, " Why you little..."


    "Good, until then. ", Lord Justice interrupted as his sword grew bright and with a brilliant flash filled the room. "


    I felt my consciousness being pulled and I knew I was finally returning to the game. Moments later I opened my eyes and I was once again in the secret cellar.


    Thankfully Olaf was still there, waiting on me. He was just a bit of code, but his loyalty caught me by surprise. Were it not for the good character of Olaf I would have had no bargaining chips against the avatars.


    The pressure from that encounter finally began to release, and I could, at last, breathe easy. Who would have thought my first day would go like this? Those were the strongest players in the world and they gave in to me! Yes! I am awesome!


    Ok, Nate, you are still a kid, and level 0 remember, you have a long way to go to be awesome.


    Olaf excitedly got to his feet as he saw me appear, covering one fist in a salute, " Thorn. Welcome back."


    I returned the salute and questioned him lightly, " Why didn''t you tell me you were a prince? "


    This caught him off guard, but by now he expected anything from me. His surprise was replaced by a slow grin, " I figured you already knew. "


    I smiled and said, " Everyone and their dog is looking for you right now, but I refused to give you up until after your training. ".


    He looked surprised, " You did? "


    I frowned and scolded him, " Of course I did, you are my friend after all! "


    " Friend?", he replied softly, " Thank you, Thorn I have never had any real friends. "


    I laughed and pulled out my wooden sword and pointed it at him, " Just cause we''re friends doesn''t mean I''m gonna take it easy on you! Now let''s begin! "

 2 days later

    //Authors note// Add character sheet here with updated stats and skills//


    The next two days were boring compared to the excitement of the first day. I longed to go out into the fresh air and explore the world of blank, but I knew what must be done.


    The biggest real change was that I began practicing with the punch shield. This was to increase my strength since it had reached its max using the wooden sword. The shield was fun and although significantly behind my sword skill I eventually got it to level 5. This unlocked the sub-skill, block.


    .Block- level- 1/5 - can mitigate between 20%-60% damage if used properly. Cooldown 15 seconds.


    Olaf was truly astounding. He had now become a full-blown warrior. He had listened to every one of my words and improved so much he was like a whole different person.


    Silently I thanked Dave for his role in making me a good teacher. Who is Dave you ask? He was my original instructor. I had downloaded an app for the Virtual Private Space called Sword and board for dummies when around 10 years old. It had come with an AI named Dave who taught me the basics of combat. I had moved on to much more complicated combat simulators, but I never forgot Dave who had first instilled the love of combat in me.


    Less than an hour ago I had received the long-awaited system alerts.


    Ding! Your Sword skill has reached level 10!


    Ding! Unlocked sub-skill- power attack rank 1- level 1/5- deals 150% damage + (strength modifier*2) - deals increased durability damage.


    Ding! You have met the pre-requisite conditions to perform your first class change. Please go to the nearest city and find the corresponding class trainer.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Yes! Power attack! Class quest! Freaking right! Finally, I can leave this dungeon and go into the sunlight.


    About an hour after returning to the secret cellar I received a message from Lord Justice, this is what it said.


    Thorn,


    As per our agreement, you have two days. I have convinced them that the prince is in training, and as part of the quest must travel on foot to the nearest town to you, the level 10 city Excelsia. They have pulled their forces from the starting village and have stationed them between Excelsia and you. No doubt trying to sabotage one another. Enclosed is five gold. You will bypass their forces by taking the portal directly to Excelsia. The gold will cover the fee. Do not betray me, or I will make sure it is the last thing you ever do.


    Lord Justice.


    I had explained the situation to Olaf in great detail while we trained and he had offered up valuable insight. He explained that the fee for the portal is five gold, so they were trying to force me to send just the prince through. They were most likely trying to see if I had some sort of backing, as a level 0 character should not have access to such funds. This meant that they will believe I have some unknown group backing me up financially. I will use this to my advantage if necessary.


    For the past hour, I had been finishing up the last minute details and preparations. The most difficult was turning in my original pre-requisite quest to the mayor without being seen. It turns out that due to the added special effects in the video of me as " Demon Child", my face was obscured. With minimal effort, I put together a disguise for myself and Olaf.


    He was dressed as an old man, and I was dressed in the typical garb of the local children. He was to be my grandfather, on a trip to visit our rich family in the city. To be thorough, I had created a full backstory and walked Olaf through every possible scenario.


    Thirty minutes later, we stood before the portal. The disguises worked perfectly. Olaf paid the mage in charge of the portal 5 gold for each of us, leaving me with 4 gold left after all the training expenses. The mage fired up the portal and we stepped through.


    A moment later we had arrived in Excelsia.

 Re-united and it feels so...

    The portal felt like walking through a thick membrane. The process was smooth and simple, unlike the horror stories I had read about the portals from previous games. It seemed B.L.A.N.K really had fixed a lot of the problems from past versions.


    The city was beautiful and grand, but I barely had a moment to look around before the five avatars materialized out of thin air before me. They all looked the same as before with the exception of Raxila who had chosen a much more modest armor set.


    Lord Justice stepped forward and demanded, " Give us the prince and be on with you. "


    "Hey, come on not even a thank you? You owe me 5 gold by the way. ", I stated, ignoring his demanding tone, " Aren''t you guys gonna make a scene appearing in public like this?"


    "You are the only one''s who can see us.", the unknown assassin replied casually.


    Heigdall nudged Azreal, "You owe me ten gold, I told you he would show. ".


    Azreal frowned but relented, tossing the coins into Heigdall''s outstretched hand.


    I laughed and nudged Olaf who spoke up, " I''m not going anywhere until after my masters class change. He has requested I join him, just in case I need to vouch for him. ".


    Lord Justice scowled, " You will do no such thing, you will come with us! We have waited long enough!"


    " Oh come on you big windbag, ", I said, my voice full of sarcasm, " it will only take a few minutes. Besides, none of you are actually players so Olaf is under no obligation to do anything you say. ".The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    " If the prince vouches for you he will have to reveal himself, " Lord justice barked, " This cannot be allowed! "


    " I''m sorry about your bad luck but it can''t be helped. ", I said with an insincere apology, " Things could have been different if you would have sent me the real transport cost. ". I gave Lord Justice a sly grin.


    " You underestimate our power, what''s to stop me from deleting you and taking the prince? ", Lord Justice growled menacingly.


    " I''m glad you asked", I said in a casual manner, " There are a few reasons. The first is that over 2 million people have watched the video of the demon child and it is common knowledge that the prince was last seen with me. If I become deleted, you will have to admit that this perfect algorithm isn''t so perfect. This will result in either restarting the game or at the very least the five will no longer be able to participate in the main story. The second involves the prince going to my employer. ".


    "Ha! I told you, Justice! " Raxila laughed, " He has check-mated you already. Now pay up. ".


    Raxila held out her hand. For the first time, I saw a glimmer of a grin upon Lord Justice''s face as he dropped a bag of coins into her hand.


    Raxila smiled and waved her hand. Purple energy sparked from her fingertips and gathered in the palm of her hand. A moment later the energy dissipated and its place was a small medallion. She held the medallion out to me, " Here, take it. ".


    I was hesitant and held my hands up in a defensive position " I don''t trust you... you''re proly still mad at me. See you changed armor and everything...."


    Raxila blushed but still held the medallion out to me and innocently said, "You can trust me..."


    "She''s lying" interjected Azreal.


    "Ha! I knew it! ", I exclaimed.


    " It will do you no good to kill the boy, the prince truly believes him to be his master," Azreal explained to Raxila.


    She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine! "


    She crushed the medallion and summoned a new one, holding it out to me.


    I took it from her and muttered under my breath, " I still preferred the other outfit..".

 Ignis Faatus

    Received item- Naxila''s Medallion.


    Single-use- Will transform the appearance of the user for one hour.


    "Perfect," I thought to myself as I looked at the details of the medallion Naxila had given me. "This is exactly what I need!".


    After looking at the items description I couldn''t contain my excitement. My face lit up in a smile as I told Raxila " Thank you. ".


    Everyone else seemed to be waiting for me to say something. " Are you guys gonna come watch me or not? I''m tired of standing here. ".


    Lord Justice gruffly nodded and motioned for me to lead the way.


    I couldn''t believe I had managed to manipulate such powerful people into doing what I wanted. Sometimes the pen truly is mightier than the sword.


    My minimap indicated the location of the class trainer I would need to visit. He was located in a building in the southwest quadrant of Excelsia. The building was aptly named the Hall of Adventurers. Next to it was built an arena for which bystanders could come and watch the trials for a small price.


    I activated the medallion and changed my appearance. I had decided to use my original form before the AI Skye had turned me into a child. A purple glow covered me and a moment later I was 6''4 with real muscles! Soooo Epic! If only I could stay like this. I would have to find a way to get Raxila in my pocket.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.In B.L.A.N.K. you have to increase at least one base skill to level 10 in order to meet the prerequisites to take the class change trial.


    For example, a mage who uses fire magic would increase the skill fire magic skill to level 10. They can then take the trial to change from a mage to a fire adept.


    Sub-skills gained will automatically upgrade to the next rank once they reach max level after completing the trial.


    For example, I gained rapid strikes at sword skill of 5/10. I have since then maxed out the level of skill 5/5. This skill will automatically upgrade once I complete the trial, going into the next tier of sub-skill. Power attack will not upgrade until I max out the level, even after the trial.


    The only reason that I was even attempting the trial at this level was that the trial creates its own instance based upon the character level. So if by chance you got your sword skill to level 10 while being level 8, the trial would have level 8 enemies. For me, though it would be interesting. A level 0 trial would produce level 0 enemies.


    I was grinning like a fat kid in a candy shop and those around me rolled their eyes at my childish behavior.


    " Alright, wish me luck. I like you guys far more than my employer so Olaf I want you to go with them when this is over. "


    Olaf nodded his understanding, "Alright, I will. Good luck out there, though you don''t need it. You were an amazing trainer, and I truly count you as a friend. I hope we meet again. " He held out his hand and I shook it with a firm grip.


    "I have a feeling that fate will make this happen. Good-bye Olaf. " I said as I turned and strode confidently into the Hall of Adventurers.

 DMV yeah you know me

    The Hall of Adventurers was built to look like the pantheon of old. The Greek style structure had pillars that surrounded the building. These pillars held up a sloped roof with large ceramic tiles. You could enter the building from any direction with its open design. In the center of the room was a portal with an NPC named Trial Master standing before it, who had a line of people waiting to start the trial. Ringing the edge of the room, I saw class trainers of every sort, each with at least ten players surrounding them. There was no less than 100 people in this one space.


    The purpose of these trainers is to give tips and pointers to those who have failed the trial or who are preparing to take the trial. I could learn nothing from the limited beginner AI, so strode right up to the Trial Master and got in the line.


    -Damn, I should have waited to use the medallion. I looked at the timer counting down. 56 minutes left, and five people in front of me.


    Ten minutes later the next person went into the portal. 46 minutes left and four people in front of me.


    Ten more minutes and the next person went into the portal. 36 minutes left and three people in front of me.


    This wasn''t good. My medallion could wear off if they take too long.


    Most people were already working on their tier 3 class change. Those that were still here were either noobs, late starters like me, or casual players.


    The time dragged on and the next player entered the portal after 20 minutes!


    That left 16 minutes, and two people in front of me! I had to do something and quick.


    The two players in front of me were both mages and could tell I was getting anxious.


    " Hey, I''ll pay you each 1 gold if you let me go in front of you. ", I pleaded with the strangers.


    They seemed to think for a second and then agreed. I gave them the money and graciously thanked them as I took my place at the front of the line. This left me with 2 gold 50 silver left. I was trying to save some of the money I got from the prince. Some basic gear would have been nice after the trial.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Ten minutes later the Trial Master looked up and motioned for the next in line. I only had 6 minutes left on the medallion.


    "Greetings, Trial Master I would like to take the trial. " I said confidently.


    He looked me up and down and for a second I thought he might refuse, but he shrugged and said, " Alright, that will be two gold. " He held out his hand in expectation.


    I pulled the gold from my inventory and handed it to him. Now I''m broke.


    He smiled and motioned to the portal, "Good luck. "


    The portal was shaped like a standing circle. Blue energy flowed between the circle, both iridescent and luminous. I stepped through and much like the town portal it felt like I was passing through a membrane. The feeling passed and I was standing in the center of a roman style gladiatorial arena. Sand was beneath my feet, and before me was a huge iron gate that was slowly opening.


    Since people could pay to watch the trials, there was an NPC announcer who would often introduce the players and give commentary on the fight. Only one trial could take place at a time.


    The audience was a decent size, maybe 50 people. It was mostly made up of people waiting for their friends or guild members to finish the trials.


    The announcer began his speech, " Attention, the next hero to undertake the trials is known as Thorn. He is a warrior who will take the trial of the sword! The trial consists of three rounds. The hero must defeat his opponent in each of the rounds. There is no break between rounds. If this hero succeeds he will become a sword adept. The hero will be given full entitlement to absolute concentration. All external sounds such as my voice or that of the crowd will be disabled. These will be my last words to you. Hero, prepare yourself for your trial begins...now!"


    True to his word, all external sound cut off, and instantly it was quiet save for the creaking of the gate as it fully opened and stopped.


    A tall muscular human warrior clad in leather armor appeared from the darkness behind the gate. He carried a great spear and had two daggers attached to a belt on his waist.


    I cracked my knuckles and unsheathed my sword. " Finally, I get to kill something! "

 Expelliarmus!

    //Authors note- I have not included stats as of yet, because game novels are criticized harshly and I want the numbers to match up and correlate with accuracy. //


    Thorn-Hp-80 -Level 0 - Sword Skill- 10/10 - Sub skills- rapid strikes-5/5 - power attack-1/5- Shield skill- 5/10-


    sub skill- block-2/5- Bronze Shortsword- 25 damage + strength modifer -80 durabilty- Small punch shield- +25 defense- 80 durability- cloth starting armor-+ 1 defense - 20 durability-


    Strength- 40- Dexterity- 25- Constitution- 8- Intellegence-10- Wisdom-10- Charisma- 14


    I had done a great deal of research on what to expect from this trial, watching countless videos and guides. The difficulty lay within the number of possible variations. Though I may be taking the trial for the sword, my enemies will start with a random weapon, or like this case two sets of weapons. My opponent has one of these weapons at skill level 10, but I don''t know which one. I will only know once a sub-skill has been used. This poses a problem since Blank has an incredibly intuitive sub-skill creation protocol. Using the "Perfect Algorithm" B.L.A.N.K. produces sub-skills based on how you play the game. For example, my sub-skill, rapid strikes. I obtained it because I would strike quickly for periods at a time, and power attack came from trying to put as much strength as I could into every blow. The AI in the trials would be assigned random sub-skills, so I had to be cautious.


    In each round of the trial, my enemies will have identical stats to mine, with the exception of armor. This puts them at an advantage. My strength is high, and my constitution is low, so it should be a quick battle win or lose.


    I put all of my focus into a battle plan, trying to prepare for every possible action he could perform. My opponent slowly walked toward me, which gave me a moment to think.


    Alright, so I have to close the distance on that spear, get in close. He could have a spear skill like a precise shot, which would instant kill me if it hit, and it''s very hard to dodge. He could also have a dagger sub-skill and just be trying to lure me in close for a backstab or kidney shot, both of which would kill or incapacitate me. When using a skill there is a millisecond of glimmery light upon the weapon, before it activates. I would have little time to react. Alright, feign left, dodge right, get close and don''t get killed. Easy peasy.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Then another thought came to me and a crazy plan began to formulate. It would be a big gamble, and if it worked it would be a miracle. Nonetheless, I hardened my mind, and put my plan into action.


    I quickly charged at the man holding the great spear, but then I suddenly stopped. The man jumped back and I carefully stored in my head exactly how far and how long it took. Typically AI will perform the same actions at the same speed, by charging and suddenly stopping I forced the AI to let me be able to gauge his reaction time before actually entering his range.


    Once again I charged him only this time I didn''t stop, and true to his AI programming he attacked with the great spear as soon as I was in the maximum range. I watched for the glimmer on his weapon, and as he reared his arms back to lunge I feigned left and I watched him readjust his aim to intercept my dodge. The feign worked and I dodged right, his spear went to my left and I performed a move I hadn''t practiced in years. My sword slid up the shaft of the spear as I closed the gap. Once within a few feet, I activated rapid strikes and put all of my focus into the precision and timing of the three almost instant strikes. The first attack was into the spear shaft, the force of which pushed the spearhead into the sand.


    You have dealt 40 durability damage to great spear-40/80


    Bronze shortsword durability reduced by 10- 70/80


    The second was aimed at the wrist, which hit his leather gauntlet causing damage and making him let go of the spear.


    You have dealt 35 damage. (45/80)


    The third attack was aimed at the man''s waist in a wide arc. He jumped back as I hoped he would and the sword sliced right through the belt.


    You have dealt 40 durability damage to leather belt-0/40


    The belt fell off of him dropping his daggers to the sand and I pressed forward. I swung my weapon in a slow wide slash to get him to back up. He was forced to back up without his weapons. I stood before the weapons and smiled at the unarmed AI before me.


    I spoke to the man, " I rather like that leather armor you have, do you mind if I borrow it? ".


    The AI had a confused look on his face, which I ignored as I casually pulled up my inventory menu and unequipped my bronze short sword.


    I equipped my wooden training sword with an evil smile, having forgotten completely about the crowd watching me. I had also forgotten about the time. I had only six minutes left on the medallion when I began the trial. The last-second ticked away and a purple glow surrounded me, returning me to my original form.


    I pointed my wooden sword at the defenseless man. " Now, let''s begin!"

 Tor-turte

    The AI created with my stats was not prepared for the level of brutality I was willing to bring to the table.


    I charged him and activated power attack. My wooden sword shimmered for a moment before my attack found its mark. The man had tried to block with his arms, which caused him to scream out in pain as he felt the blow deep in the bones. I had much practice with this routine, with poor Olaf as a test dummy.


    He tried to punch me, but it was child''s play to stay out of his range and counterattack. As he extended his arm for the punch I used the opening to smash him in the chest. He recoiled and screamed in pain. My attack had put me close to him, so I activated rapid strikes. My weapon shimmered for a second as the skill activated and three attacks aimed for the unprotected throat slammed into him one after the other.


    The man fell to the floor clutching his throat as pain overtook him. He was barely conscious and gasping for breath. I attacked him in the head a few more times, with a hollow "Thump, Thump" before he blacked out.


    The man was now unconscious like Olaf had been the first time. I tried to loot him and to my enjoyment, it let me! It was a shame to use my trump card here in front of all these people. Surely the game will fix the bug after they see this. This isn''t even a real person, it was a unique AI created just for this event. I shouldn''t be able to loot it, and yet I can!Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He had four pieces of leather armor on.


    -Leather chest piece(+30DEF) - leather gauntlets(+25DEF), -leather boots(+25DEF), -leather leg guards(+25DEF).


    //Will add this description to earlier chapters//


    A tiny digital screen showed the items I could loot. I tapped the screen and equipped them to myself. The armor glowed around the man and disappeared and appeared upon me.


    Then I un-equipped my wooden sword and put back on my bronze shortsword.


    "You''re lucky I feel bad for those guys in line behind me. ", I said as I chopped down hard with the sword.


    Blood spurted, as the system message alerted me that I had slain my opponent.


    Ding! You have dealt 50 damage 0/80


    Ding! You have slain your opponent.


    Ding! This is a trial so no experience is awarded.


    Ding! Congratulations you have defeated round one, prepare for round 2!


    The metal door immediately began to open and the body of the man below me digitized and disappeared like a wisp of wind, dissolving into nothingness.


    The next part of the trial began as a man walked out of the dark of the tunnel. He was massive, at 7 ft tall and wearing full plate mail. He was using a flail, along with a 5ft tower shield. The man moved slowly but would be able to take a lot of punishment. Suddenly his weapon shimmered and he shot across the arena at an incredible speed.

 Sling and a stone

    Due to the trials being in an arena, there were countless videos online. I had a lot of free time before I could play B.L.A.N.K so I had watched a great deal of them. Of the combinations I had seen, the one before me was going to be the most troublesome.


    Like the first round, I chose to not use my shield and just wield my sword. This would allow me to switch to a two-handed stance if I needed more power, which I determined I would need while looking at the mountain of metal charging across the sand at 200% speed.


    My opponent had used the sub-skill charge, which propelled the user at high speed towards the target. It is a great skill to use in combination with other sub-skills for greater damage.


    I mentally prepared and calculated my next few moves. As I hoped, my enemy activated his second sub-skill making his weapon shimmer as he came within range of me. He attacked with a powerful thrust, but the attack hit air.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Miss!


    I had dropped into a roll to my left, using my small size to stay close to the ground.


    He turned to his right to face me but I had once again dropped into a roll, this time to his left. I hid in the blind spot created by his tower shield. With the tip of my foot I pushed on the bottom of his shield. Tower sheilds are held with the forearm on the top of the shield, if you place a little bit of pressure on the bottom the top of the shield will tilt, leaving a perfect gap to attack in.


    I did this and jumped into the air as the shield tipped forward and I slid my sword over the top and into the exposed neck of my opponent. I grabbed with both hands and used power attack as I thrust the sword into his neck.


    Blood gurgled and spurt as the sword went in deep.


    You have dealt 96 damage!


    Critical hit!


    Ding! You have slain your opponent! 0/80


    Ding! Congratulations you have completed the second round of the trial! Prepare for the third round!


    The metal gate began to open up as the man digitized and dematerialIzed into nothingness. A moment later my next opponent exited from the dark of the tunnel.


    Time for round 3.

 Cheater?

    The third and final round began and my opponent appeared from the dark of the tunnel.


    He was wearing leather armor, was medium size and carried a two-handed greatsword.


    I charged him, not wanting to give him the advantage. The gate was maybe 20 feet away and I sprinted directly at the man. He drew back his sword and I saw the weapon shimmer. He was preparing to use something like power attack or slam. As I drew into the edge of his range I dug my feet into the sand and jumped back.


    I felt the air from his attack as it sliced in front of me and smashed into the sand. As soon as my feet hit the ground I pressed back forward with all of my strength activating rapid strikes. I struck the sword twice in succession as I moved the length of the blade, with the third attack aimed at his wrist.


    You have dealt 29 damage!


    The gauntlets blocked some of the damage but I had succeeded in my main goal. The force of my blows on the sword and wrist had knocked the man off balance. He tried to steady himself but I had already activated power attack and slashed into his neck. Blood spurted from the wound and he dropped to the ground, dematerializing into nothingness.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    You have dealt 60 damage!


    Ding! You have slain your opponent.


    Ding! You have passed the third round.


    Ding! Congratulations you have passed the trials.


    Ding! Your class is now Sword Adept.


    Ding! Sub-skill rapid strikes have now been upgraded to the next tier.


    Ding! You have broken a new world record! Would you like your name recorded in the hall of fame?


    "Huh, world record? " I thought to myself, "Should I? Eh, why not. ".


    Yes!


    Ding! System announcement!!


    Player Thorn has broken the record for lowest level to complete the first class change at level 0! His name will be recorded in the hall of fame.


    A moment later the sounds returned from the arena around me and I finally realized what a commotion I had caused. At the end of the first round, I had returned back to my child form and beat a guy up with my wooden sword. I couldn''t hear the audience but they had fully recognized me as " The Demon Child" from the viral video. They had called their friends and now the arena was packed, full of people cheering and equally as many jeering. Some people yelled out "Demon Child! We love you!!!" and others yelled " Cheater! Cheater!".


    I scanned the crowd but the prince and the avatars were nowhere to be seen. I didn''t know if they were ever even there.


    The announcer spoke, " Congratulations hero, you have passed the trial, please exit to your left. ".

 Escape!

    What does it mean to be a conscious player in achieving a goal? Inspiration and circumstance often dictate action, but fundamentally there is more. What is that force that drives you? Where does it come from, and what separates it from the rest? Is it the soul? Is the force that drives me my very being itself, or some external force outside of myself. I have always chosen to believe that I am the orchestrator of my own fate. I must utilize every facet of my skill for the greatest challenge I would face yet.


    The crowd of players waiting at the exit to the arena.


    My worst nightmare.....noobs.


    As I drew close to the exit, the cluster of people began assaulting my ears with their selfish comments, " Hey, show me how you got your skill so high!", " What''s your secret! ", " Show me! ", " You cheater, you make us look bad!".


    The comments were already giving me a headache, and I was still 20 ft away!


    Suddenly I saw a figure within the crowd that I recognized and a plan began to formulate in my mind.


    His name was Tordek, and he was known as the "Silver Tongue". He could talk his way out of any situation and was famous for ruthless and cut-throat recruiting methods. He worked as a recruitment agent for the number 6 guild, known as Hades. This guild has been in contention with the five since the start of blank, and have been almost successful thanks to Tordek and his methods. He had an eye for talent and no doubt that was his purpose here. I would not be a pawn in his game. I had watched many videos of him and had determined that he was a detestable human being.


    These noobs were here for one purpose, to get something for me. They are the type of players that haven''t taken the time to do research or try hard, they just want a handout.


    I walked up to the crowd and then pretended to suddenly recognize Tordek. I called out to him with a shout, "Tordek! Thank goodness your here! "This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The crowd parted and I rushed up to him. I grabbed his hand and shook it profusely. " THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"


    Tordek was beyond confused, he had never met me and had no idea what was going on. I addressed the crowd with as loud of a shout as I could muster. "Tordek here sold me the secret for only one gold. Best money I ever spent! I''m just a noob!".


    Tordek began to protest but I interrupted him, " Don''t be modest. This was all your idea. He told me he wasn''t leaving here until he shared the secret with each and every one of you!"


    Tordek put his hands up and protested but it was too late, the damage was done. The noobs surrounded him and I snuck off into the crowd, using my small size to worm my way through. Activating my inventory screen I un-equipped my leather armor and re-equipped the disguise I had been wearing when I arrived with Olaf.


    I managed to escape from the crowd and quickly headed for the exit to the city. With only had 50 silver left, I couldn''t afford the town portal. This meant traversing through dangerous territory in order to get back to the beginner village. Oh well, it would have to be done. At least I won''t lose any experience if I die, cause I don''t have any. Though with my luck it will give me a negative amount.


    I was curious so I pulled up the hall of fame stats for lowest level class change.


    1.Thorn-Level 0


    2.Immaculate-Level 7


    3.Notlimah-Level 8


    4.Twitch-Level 8


    5.FlamingNaomi-Level 8


    6.Lee Roy Jenkins-Level 8


    7.Bullwinkle-Level 8


    8.Cartman-Level 8


    9.Fubar-Level 8


    10.Magical Trevor-Level 8


    Wow, it looked like I cheated. No one was even close to me.


    I closed the screen and moved to the exit. A woman''s voice stopped me as I neared the gate, "Hey where are you going?"


    I turned around and smiled, "Naxila! What a surprise!".


    I truly never thought I would never see any of them again.


    She smiled at me and softly said, " You trial was very entertaining, and enlightening. You are very talented, have you ever.."


    I held my hand up to silence her as I finished her sentence, " Consider joining a guild, not at the moment or in the foreseeable future. I want to explore the world, and don''t want to be tied down. ".


    She smiled and nodded, " I understand, if you change your mind just contact me. Lord Justice sent me with a parting gift. It seems he has taken a liking to you, which is unusual. Take it, and I hope to see you again. "


    She tossed me a bag that had 5 gold in it and disappeared like a ghost.


    I smiled and silently thanked whatever god had my back, thinking to myself as I changed my direction. " I guess I don''t have to take a long way after all. "

 Gnobody Gnolls the trouble..

    I traveled back through the town portal and arrived at the beginner village I was originally assigned. I used the 50 silver I still had at the general store to buy supplies I would need.


    10xbasic healing potions(recovers 60 hp) 15 second cooldown.


    10xLoaf of bread(Recovers 3hp/3 stamina every second for 10 seconds, must be out of combat. ).


    Thankfully, the villagers would often send their children on errands, so the shopkeeper gave me no trouble.


    I had decided to forgo doing quests from the village entirely. I would lose out on a little bonus experience but I would get to fight who I want and not waste time going back and forth. I also didn''t want to have to prove myself constantly.


    I exited the village and set off towards the woodland area to the southeast. The village is surrounded by a flat plain, used for farmland. New players of every sort imaginable were in this farmland area fighting rats and another level 0 pest like monsters. The mayor gives out quests to clear the farmland of such creatures. This was where most players began, but I had a different plan. The rats only gave 1 experience, so I would have to kill thousands just to level up once. No thank you.


    I entered the edge of the treeline and felt exhilarated. I was finally able to venture out and fully explore to my heart''s content. I had been looking forward to this moment for so long that I almost didn''t know what to do with myself.


    The trees were sparse and plenty of light still shone through the branches. I needed to avoid the coyotes in this area, for my target location was on the other side. I heard the yapping of a group of coyotes about 50ft in front of me, though I couldn''t see them. They were hard to kill because they traveled in large groups of ten to twelve.


    I made a detour and circled around them. Thankfully I slipped by without being detected.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Over the next ten minutes, I ran into two more groups of coyotes which I had to avoid. I succeeded and a minute later I had reached the edge of the forest.


    I peered out of the forest and saw that I was indeed in the right place. Before I was a large Gnoll encampment. These humanoids are slightly taller than a human. They have gray skin, a furry body, and a head like a hyena''s, with a reddish-gray mane. Most of them have dirty yellow or reddish-brown fur. Gnolls are selfish, evil creatures that typically think with their stomachs.


    This encampment was made up of around 40-50 gnolls, each spread out in groups of 4-5. They had primitive tents set up, and each group had a campfire going. The camps all looked identical, with bones lying all over the floor and a few logs for the gnolls to sit on. They each gathered around a big pot that was placed over the fire for cooking.


    I saw a group of three players nearby, right outside of the forest. They were arguing about how to proceed. They were loud, and it was easy to understand what was going on.


    This place is a nightmare to level at if you don''t know what you''re doing.


    The group had a decent composition, a mage, a warrior, and a cleric.


    I smiled and laughed to myself.


    I had watched a ton of videos about this place. The major problem is that when you pull one camp, the entire encampment will get pulled and wipe the team. Most people at this level, either don''t know how to pull or have no ranged properties to pull correctly.


    There was one man I had watched, who soloed here for a while and I learned the trick. Thankfully his video wasn''t that popular or else this place would be swarming with players. I only saw the group of three players at the moment so I pretty much had the place to myself.


    In this particular circumstance, timing and location was everything. I scanned the treeline for the spot, and after a moment I found it. On the edge of the encampment was a stack of three boulders, each 5 ft tall. I climbed on top of the rocks and looked down on the gnoll camp. Waiting, I watched for a certain gnoll to pass within my range. This gnoll was the true reason why this place was an impossible place to level.


    The only thing different about him is his mane, which is silvery red instead of reddish brown. He is known as a gnoll scout and will wander between the different camps. There are five of them, each with an hour-long re-spawn time. The rest of the encampment has a 15 minute respawn. You have to take out the five scouts, or they will run and gather the entire encampment.


    I grabbed a rock and prepared my attack as I saw the scout appear.

 I gnoll what you did last summer

    I hate wasting time. I have always been that way. I have a great desire to make use of every second to have some profound effect. Humanity, itself feels this need to increase, at least slightly each day in order to be satisfied. I am prone to increase far more than the typical human. For that reason, I put a great deal of effort into activities that are guaranteed to either benefit me now or in the future.


    For instance, last summer I downloaded an app for the virtual private space called Breaking stuff. As the name suggests, the app let me break stuff. I could choose what object to throw and what objects to break. I used the app to practice throwing rocks for two straight weeks! In every virtual game there are rocks, and since I wanted to play a warrior class I knew I would have to have some way to pull monsters. It was time to see if my practice would pay off.


    I prepared my shot as the gnoll scout moved into the perfect position and flung it at his face.


    The rock flew through the air and hit the gnoll scout right in the nose.


    You have dealt 1 damage. (199/200hp)


    The gnoll barked and yelled at the other gnolls. He pointed to where I was on the rock but I had ducked back down. The other gnolls ignored him and he moved alone to check it out.


    I waited on the other side of the large stack of boulders, not entirely sure if it would work. A moment later, the gnoll scout came around the corner with his shortsword drawn.


    Perfect!


    I activated power attack and leaped from above the gnoll. I drove my sword into his neck with two hands. The force of the blow knocked him off balance and he stumbled.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Critical Hit!


    You have dealt 97 damage! (102/200 hp. )


    I activated rapid strikes and struck three more times before he could react.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 45 damage! (57/200 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 39 damage! (18/200 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 38 damage! (0/200 hp)


    Ding! You have slain gnoll scout!


    Ding! You have gained 20 experience! (20/2000)


    The last attack pierced his chest and the gnoll fell to the ground like a rag-doll.


    Man, I needed a new weapon. My shortsword only deals 10-12 base damage, which is seriously limiting my damage potential. More than 75% of my damage is coming from strength alone.


    I bent down to loot the gnoll and saw the three players from before approaching me through the forest. This position they took made me uncomfortable, it cut off my planned escape route.


    -Dammit, they must have seen. I don''t want to deal with this right now.


    I quickly tapped the digital screen above the gnoll and looted him.


    3 copper


    old rusted dagger


    x2 gnoll ear


    I took a closer look at the players. The mage was wearing simple beginner blue robes but had a nice looking staff. He was tall and lanky with tacky blue hair, which meant he was most likely an ice mage.


    The warrior was wearing beginner armor as well but had a sword with a slight glow to it. A magic sword! The man was large and had an evil look on his face.


    The cleric had beginner armor on and a decent steel mace. He was of medium build and also wore an evil smile. Their faces betrayed their greed, and I realized they were player killers. They were after my leather armor, and with my small size believed me to be an easy target.


    The mages hands began tracing the runes for ice bolt and they began their assault.


    Thunk!


    "Oww", the mage cried out as the rock I threw hit him in the nose.


    You have dealt 1 damage! 95/96 hp.


    The rock interrupted his spell-casting and his runes faltered. I used that time to move behind a tree.


    " AFTER HIM! Don''t let him escape! ", the warrior yelled as the cleric moved in on me.


    I rushed out and activated power attack, my weapon glimmering as I thrust the sword into the chest of the cleric.


    You have dealt 56 damage! 75/126 hp


    " Don''t ever send your healer in first!", I said with an evil laugh. My weapon glimmered again as I activated rapid strikes.

 Player Killers

    After activating rapid strikes, time seemed to momentarily slow giving me a second to focus on exactly where I wanted my attacks to land. The cleric had slow reflexes and was unable to stop my furious onslaught.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 25 damage! (50/126 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 25 damage! (25/126 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealy 27 damage! (0/126 hp)


    Ding! You have slain player HolyOne12!


    Ding! You have killed another player, your name will be marked red for the next 24 hours. Warning! If you die with a red name all of your equipped armor and weapons will drop.


    The cleric began to dematerialize until he was gone leaving behind his steel mace on the floor.


    As soon as I killed the cleric, I ducked back behind the tree, deciding to pick up the mace later.


    The cooldown for power strike is 5 seconds. The cooldown for rank 2 rapid strikes is now down to 5 seconds as well.


    The entire exchange between the cleric and I had taken around 2 seconds. The mage had recovered and fired an ice bolt but I had already moved back behind cover. I heard the bolt zing and hit the tree behind me. I listened to the heavy steps of the warrior as he rushed at the tree. I waited for him to choose a direction and as soon as he began to come around the tree I bolted around the opposite side and sprinted towards the mage. I flung a rock at the mage as I moved, once again interrupting his spellcasting.


    Thunk! "Oww!"


    You have dealt 1 damage! (94/96)


    As I ran I mentally counted down the five seconds for my sub-skills to be ready to use.


    I flung a rock every second which really started to annoy the mage. My aim was on point too, I kept hitting his face.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 1 damage! (93/96)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 1 damage! (92/96)


    After the fourth time of getting hit in the face with a rock he gave up on spell casting and tried to run, but it was too late.


    The warrior had chased me around the tree but was distracted by the steel mace, which he decided to stop and pick up. " Axel! You bastard!", the mage screamed out as I closed in on him. "Help me!".


    By the time I reached the mage my cooldowns had reset and I activated power attack. My sword glimmered as the blade pierced his chest with ease.


    Critical Hit!


    You have dealt 99 damage!


    You have slain player Frost12!


    The mage was instantly killed. I turned to face the warrior who was rushing at me. He was confused and angry, a bad combination in the heat of battle where every move mattered. He yelled out as he stabbed his magic sword at me, but his thrust was very obvious. I was able to move at least 2 feet away from the blade. His lack of skill made me laugh out loud. I smiled wickedly as I activated rapid strikes. My weapon glimmered and time slowed, allowing me to focus upon the target before me. I had timed the activation of my ability to begin as the warrior finished his clumsy attack. I love counter attacking someone at the point in which they are most open, and least able to defend. I struck his sword hand three times in succession.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 25 damage!(150/175 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 25 damage!( 125/175 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 26 damage!(100/175 hp)


    He managed to hold on to his sword but the pain of the blade slicing into his barely armored arm made him scream out some incoherent curse.


    This made me wonder what he had set his pain tolerance to. I didn''t want pain to be a distraction so I had set my pain tolerance to zero, but the recommended setting was at 10% pain tolerance. It would seem, Mr. Axel here had not changed his basic setting.


    " You are very unlucky , Axel", I said as I stepped back. I pulled up my inventory screen and un-equipped my short sword and equipped my wooden sword. "It''s a shame your not a better warrior."

 Stolen candy

    The foolish man before me was about to become my test dummy, but I felt a strange sensation begin in my stomach. What was that? Guilt? Ugh! Morality! I pushed aside such thoughts and prepared to attack the warrior.


    A purple mist appeared silently behind Axel, condensing quickly until it formed a woman in purple armor. A woman I had seen less than two hours ago. The Avatar representing Legendary gaming, Taxila!


    She smiled at me and lightly touched the man on his shoulder. His body immediately disintegrated into a flaming pile of purple ashes.


    Having no opponent I lowered my weapon, " Naxila! To what do I owe this honor? Don''t you have a quest to do?".


    She put one hand on her hip and pointed with the other at my sword, " You are not allowed to use THAT sword on another player."


    "Oh come on! He had a magic sword and a steel mace! Don''t tell me you deleted him!" , I complained.


    "Of course I deleted him. It''s basically torturing a person. Skye would have forced me to delete YOU! Your welcome! If I hadn''t gotten bored you would be done for. You are already causing a PR nightmare with your stunt in the arena. Everyone wants a wooden sword now," she lectured, with a matter of fact attitude.


    " Well I would say thank you, but you cost me a good weapon," I complained while crossing my arms in mock anger.


    She laughed and rubbed her thumb and forefinger together in a strange motion.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "What are you doing?"


    "This is the worlds smallest violin playing my heart cries for you. "


    " Your a jerk, " I said while rolling my eyes, " so how long have you been watching me?"


    "Long enough. I gotta go, good luck. "


    She snapped her fingers and her body began to turn to purple mist, slowly disappearing. Her voice echoed as she vanished, "Be warned, it seems a Rare Elite Gnoll has just spawned nearby."


    Heck ya, I knew making her feel bad was a good choice. She must be a mom in real life. She may not have let me have the cool weapon but she did use her avatar powers to spawn an elite monster which is super awesome.


    I suddenly remembered the loot from the mage. I turned around and saw the mage''s staff lying on the ground.


    Score!


    Basic ice staff- +10 to ice damage. 10-15 base damage.


    What a let-down. The staff wasn''t that great and probably wouldn''t even sell for very much. Lame.


    I took my spoils and returned to my hunting location by the rocks. I crawled back on top and waited for the next gnoll scout to come by. The greatest thing about this location was that all of the gnoll scouts intersect within range. So I didn''t have to circle the camp to get them all. Once all the scouts are taken care of, I can figure out how to take down the rest.


    I had to wait about two minutes before one of my targets came into range.


    Thump!


    The thrown rock smacked the scout in his forehead and I once again ducked behind the rocks while the scout tried to get the other gnolls attention.


    Just like before the gnoll came to check it out alone, after no one would listen to him.


    I activated power attack as he came around the corner. Leaping from my perch I drove the blade in his shoulder.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 75 damage! (125/200hp)


    The force of the blow knocked the gnoll to the ground and I followed up with rapid strikes.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 35 damage! (95/200 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 40 damage! (45/200 hp)


    Miss!


    During the last attack the gnoll jerked to the side and my attack hit air.


    Damn!


    The gnoll backed away quickly. He turned to run away, intending on fleeing back into the camp.

 Do you gnoll the muffin man?

    The gnoll scout desperately tried to escape. My sub-skills were on cooldown, so I hoped my basic attacks would be enough to finish the job.


    I slashed at the back of his legs as he began to round the corner.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 30 damage! ( 15/200 hp)


    He dropped to his knees and I stabbed him through the back.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 34 damage! (0/200 hp)


    You have slain gnoll scout. Gained 20 experience. (40/2000)


    That was close. If he had been able to get back to the camp I would be dead for sure.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I dragged him back out of sight and looted the body by accessing the digital interface.


    -Steel longsword


    -gnoll ear


    -2 copper


    Score!


    Steel longsword- 34-45 base damage 120/120 durability.


    That was an amazing drop, it''s not quite a magical weapon but still a serious upgrade from the shortsword I was using. This will increase my damage potential by a lot. This was exactly what I needed, which made me wonder if it was somehow Naxila''s doing. I equipped the steel longsword and swung it a few times. The weapon was well balanced and heavier than my short sword which would increase my strength over time. The blade was flawless and streamlined and I was quite satisfied with it.


    I returned to my post and pulled another gnoll scout, anxious to see my new weapon in action.


    The gnolls were basic monsters with a limited AI, only dangerous in numbers.


    The gnoll came around the corner and I used power attack as I leaped down.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 125 damage! (75/200 hp)


    Over half of its life was gone with one attack. I wasted no time and activated rapid strikes to finish him off.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 76 damage! (0/200 hp)


    I realized that one attack had already killed him and chose not to attack with the other two.


    You have slain gnoll scout! Gained 20 experience! (60/2000)


    Fantastic, now it was really time to grind.


    -

 Never gnoll what your gonna get

    After ten more minutes I had successfully pulled and killed the last two scouts. (100/2000xp)


    Loot gained


    -2 basic health potions


    -4 gnoll ears


    -cloth headpiece +5 armor(value-10 copper)


    -20 copper


    The respawn time on the scouts was one hour, which left me with 40 minutes to clear the rest of the 100 some odd gnolls. Somewhere in the camp was also a rare elite.


    I was upon my perch, looking at the camp when I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye.


    The player killers were back. They were looking through the forest, most likely for Axel whom they would never find. Naxila had deleted him, which meant he would have to restart if even that. He could be banned from blank for eternity. I shuddered at the thought and told myself I would be nicer to Naxila from now on, just in case.


    They hadn''t noticed me, so I silently slid down the rock and approached them.


    They were griping at each other, " Where is Axel! I can''t believe that little twerp blindsided us! If he wasn''t so cheap! "


    "I know! He took my staff and your mace! We paid so much money for those! "Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    I had moved to within ten feet, and called out to them, "Cheap huh! Blindsided! "


    They were so scared they jumped out of their skin and yelled, "RUN!"


    Environment is a key part to being a good fighter. I had waited to call out until they were in perfect position. Behind them were thick brambles and sharp pointed vines. As they turned to run they had no where to go and in that moment of hesitation I closed the gap and struck. The mage seemed to turn in slow motion as my sword made an arc towards his neck. My weapon glimmered as I activated power attack.


    Critical hit!


    You have dealt 220 damage!(0/96 hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain player Frost12!


    The weapon sliced through his neck and cut off the mages head. The weapon kept going and slashed into the clerics side.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 100 damage! (25/125 hp)


    Ding!


    You have discovered the sub-skill cleave!


    Cleave 1/5


    //Authors note// more info on cleave soon


    Cleave! Sweet!


    I finished the cleric off with a simple attack, stabbing him in the chest.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 75 damage! (0/125 hp)


    You have slain player HolyOne12!


    I looted them and they both dropped a ring that gave +2 constitution.


    Score!


    I equipped the rings and went back to my rock. Alright with that distraction out of the way I could focus on the gnolls. I have 30 minutes left before the scouts respawn so I needed to get cracking.


    I aimed a rock at the closest gnoll to me and threw it.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 1 damage (199/200 hp)


    Shit!


    It seems the gnolls had shared aggro. Four gnolls came rushing at me like the hungry dog men they were.

 The fount of all Gnoll-ledge

    Two gnoll warriors and two gnoll grunts ran at me barking and yipping in their weird language. The warriors wore a fur armor and carried crude longswords. The grunts wore only a loin cloth and wielded shortswords. These gnolls were only level 2 and had limited artificial intelligence. These beginning monsters were meant to be easy to fight, to get you addicted to the game. As you progressed in blank the monsters would show more and more intelligence and require much more skill.


    I knew from watching videos that these gnolls were limited to only one of four basic attacks. A thrust, left slash, right slash, and overhead chop. Getting caught at the wrong angle with some of these attacks could still get you killed, so I still had to be wary.


    The gnoll grunts moved slightly faster than the warriors and came around the corner first. I activated rapid strikes and attacked the first gnoll I saw. Time seemed to slow for a moment as I directed my attacks.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 95 damage! (100/195 hp)


    The first slash cut open the chest of the gnoll grunt. Blood gushed from the wound.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 95 damage!


    The second attack sliced open the wound even more, causing the gnoll to fall to his knees.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 102 damage!


    You have slain gnoll grunt! Gained 10 experience. (110/2000 XP)


    The third attack hit his neck and cut off the gnoll grunts head. The sword was not slowed and plowed into the gnoll grunt beside him


    Ding!


    You have activated cleave!


    Hit!


    You have dealt 101 damage! (94/195 hp)


    The gnoll grunt drew back his sword and pointed it at me. He was obviously using a thrust attack which is simple to dodge, at least in regards to the limited AI. When they begin the attack they have to pick a target location, once they do this they will follow through with the attack regardless of how circumstances change. So I simply stepped to the right and activated power attack, aiming for the neck once again in hopes of activating cleave. This time I tried to aim my attack into the gnoll warrior behind my target. The gnoll grunt stayed true to his programming and thrust his shortsword into empty air as my blade ended his life.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.Critical Hit!


    You have dealt 200 damage! (0/195 hp)


    You have slain gnoll grunt! Gained 10 experience (120/2000)


    Ding!


    You have activated cleave!


    My attack cut straight through his neck, and his head fell to the ground. My sword kept moving aimed at the exposed neck of the gnoll warrior.


    Critical Hit!


    You have dealt 200 damage! (0/200 hp)


    You have slain gnoll warrior! Gained 15 experience (135/2000)


    His head also fell to the ground with a wet thump.


    The last gnoll warrior used a left slash. I watched the angle of his aim and moved my body to dodge by stepping to my left. I chopped down at the top of his unprotected head with a swift counterattack.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 75 damage! (125/200 hp).


    His head was harder than I thought it would be, and my sword only left a small gash.


    The warrior used a right slash and I quickly stepped to my right and used another overhead chop into the same spot.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 75 damage! (50/200 hp)


    The wound on his head became a fountain of blood. The trama to his head dazed the gnoll making him unable to counterattack.


    I struck one more time.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 69 damage! (0/200 hp)


    You have slain gnoll warrior! Gained 15 experience (150/2000)


    His head split open revealing the grey matter of his brain as he crumpled lifelessly to the ground.


    That was easy. I did get a double crit, which was unlikely to happen again, but I was no longer worried about taking on four at a time. The experience was good as well and so far I had been lucky with drops so this may be a good place to grind after all.


    I looted the gnolls.


    -8 gnoll ears


    x2-basic health potions


    x2-basic mana potions


    x2-crude dagger 5-7 damage (value 1 copper)


    x2-fur chestpiece +10 armor (value 1 silver)


    The bodies began to disappear into digital nothingness once I finished looting. The entire battle only lasted about two minutes, which gave me 28 minutes to clear the rest of the camp. At four mobs every two minutes I would finish after 48 minutes. The scouts will respawn by then. I refused to wait for another hour to restart so I decided to try and take out half the camp and hope I found the elite mob.


    24 minutes later I had killed 24 gnoll grunts, and 24 gnoll warriors.


    Gained 600 experience! (750/2000)


    x48-gnoll ears


    x24-crude dagger


    x20-basic health potions


    x20-fur chestpiece


    x2-steel longsword


    x3-copper shortsword


    1 silver 30 copper


    The gnolls had proved to be no challenge at all, and the worst part was I had not seen hide nor hair of the elite gnoll Naxila had mentioned.


    I was beginning to think she lied to me when I saw him, or to be more accurate her! The elite!


    She was amonst a group of gnolls who were groveling at her feet and following her around like she was in heat. The elite gnoll interceptor had golden fur and a golden mane. She wore full leather armor and had a longsword strapped to her back. The sword glowed blue with a magical aura.


    Finally!

 Got Gnoll clue

    The Elite gnoll had finally appeared and yet was outside my grasp. I had watched the unique female gnoll walk from camp to camp gathering a huge crowd around her. In less than a minute she had gained 20 followers, all infatuated with her. They barked and yipped at each other, fighting to be the closest one to her.


    What kind of crazy elite is this? How can I fight against that many gnolls? I had to think of a way to get her away from them, but how?


    I wracked my brain to come up with a solution but nothing came to me.


    Her entourage grew larger and still no ideas came to me. What could possibly overshadow a dogs desire to mate?


    I was forced to wait as she gathered the entire rest of the camp. They drew closer and closer to my hiding spot, but still, no opportunity arose.


    Around 50 gnolls surrounded the elite gnoll and she began to bark at them in their strange language. She said something and pointed at the stack of rocks I was hiding on. I ducked down and changed my position.


    Why was she pointing at me? What was going on? I dropped down and heard a loud crash come from the camp. I looked around the corner and saw one of boiling pots of water on the floor. Gnolls rushed out of the way making a path for a very large gnoll in well-made leather armor. He was a good foot and half taller than the rest of the gnolls and his armor had intricate designs etched in elaborate gold stitching. He had kicked the pot down to make an entrance and gain the attention of the gnoll interceptor. This gnoll was from another tribe, his armor marked him as a chieftain.


    Holy crap! Another elite!If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He held a mighty warhammer in one hand, which he held out beside him as though it weighed nothing.


    The gnoll interceptor berated the newcomer while pointing at the boiling water, making it seem like she was mad about the wasted food.


    There was another crash from the other side of the group of gnolls as one of the makeshift tents fell to the ground. Standing behind the destroyed tent was yet another very large gnoll. He was almost 2 feet taller than the rest of the gnolls. He wore similar leather armor, but with elaborate silver stitching. The gnoll had a great-axe that he slung over his shoulder. He was also a chieftain from another tribe. Two chieftains! Three elites! What was going on?!?


    The female gnoll began berating this new chieftain with a series of barks and gestures at the destroyed tent.


    Neither of the new-comers seemed bothered by her complaints and moved towards one another. The smaller gnolls knew they were outmatched and moved out of their way. The chieftains had massive blood lust for one another and the remaining gnolls could feel the tension in the air. The gnolls began to bark and howl with an intense fervor and the gnoll interceptor was momentarily ignored as this strange mating ritual began. All eyes were on the two chieftains as they prepared to fight.


    This was my moment!


    I aimed and threw a rock right in front of the eyesight of the gnoll interceptor.


    I didn''t want to do damage, just get her attention and something told me the AI on this one was unique.


    She turned her head and looked me directly in the eyes. She yelled at the other gnolls beside her but the battle between the two chieftains had begun. They had thrown down their weapons and were pummeling each other with a savage bestial fury. The gnolls ignored her and she stomped off. She drew her magic sword and ran straight at me.


    I couldn''t believe my eyes, not one of the gnolls even noticed she was missing. I took off into the forest and the gnoll interceptor quickly caught up to me.


    Damn! She''s fast!


    I had barely gotten 20 feet into the forest, before I was forced to face her.


    I turned and held my sword before me in challenge. The gnoll interceptor stopped suddenly and spoke in the human language, " So! Your the one who has been killing my people!"

 Better the devil you gnoll

    What? A gnoll that can speak common? Her comment told me that the AI had been watching me, and was very advanced. I was still nervous about being close to the gnoll camp, so I engaged her in dialogue.


    "Yeah, I''ve been killing them to get a chance to fight you. I have heard of your strength and wished for a challenge."


    "Your wish has been granted!", she yelled as she prepared to attack.


    I held my hand up, " WAIT!"


    She paused and I continued, "We should move away from your henchmen , or must the MALES fight for you? "


    She growled a deep gutteral sound, "No one fights for me! This is my forest, you will never escape if you try and run. We will move and continue our fight."


    I nodded my respect and quickly retreated into the forest, stopping after a few hundred feet. The gnoll interceptor casually kept pace, but stayed at a respectful distance.


    I took this moment to analyze the behaviour of this elite monster. It was able to make its own decisions based upon its own feelings, even though such a thing could lead to her own disaster. Such blantant disregard for the core programming of the character and its role in this world made me realize something. I remembered Naxila trying to mind control me, and how it felt. Were it not for my own mental preparation training she would have succeeded, so a low level gnoll never stood a chance. For now it was just a guess, but it felt as if this monster was being controlled by a player. Why would a gnoll elite accept a challenge from a human child?


    I would have to be on my toes, if what I''m thinking is true I could be fighting against one of the top professional players of the century. Geez, all I did is make one comment about her boobs. Women and grudges. Maybe I wasn''t correct. Surely I was just imagining things.


    "Alright this is far enough! " the interceptor growled.


    I turned and faced her, holding my weapon in front of me in challenge.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    I rushed her and she casually stood there making no move to defend herself as I used power strike and thrust my sword through her chest.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 100 damage! (399/499 hp)


    She grimaced at the pain but smiled as I removed the blade in confusion.


    Her wound immeadiatly healed and her hits points were restored to maximum!


    It was Naxila, and she was cheating!


    What a bunch of bullshit! I was so mad at the woman I almost missed her attack. Her magical blade shimmered as she attacked.


    A sub-skill! Monsters aren''t supposed to have sub-skills until after level 10! Freaking cheater!


    Her blade moved incredibly fast as she used rapid strikes to thrust at me three times. I dove backward, tucking my small body into a ball as I rolled away.


    Miss!


    Thankfully, Naxila was a mage type professional. Her combat reflexes were amazing but her blade skills could use some work. Her attacks lacked the finesse of a professional warrior who typically make it hard to read their movements by controlling every part of the body. This made her attack fairly obvious and allowed me to dodge.


    I backed away from her, trying to get some distance.


    Why would she abuse her Avatar powers like this? What good is it messing with me? Why would the AI in charge of blank, Skye, let it happen? Then it hit me. Maybe Skye doesn''t like the avatars either. This is her world, created to be meticulously balanced in every way possible. The only thing messing it up is them and technically....me. I think I understood. She wanted me to do something.


    I knew what I had to do.


    With an evil grin I looked the gnoll interceptor in the eyes as I accessed my inventory. I un-equipped my steel longsword and equipped my wooden training sword as I thought to myself, " You told me not to use it in another player. Technically, right now you are a monster. ".


    For the first time the gnoll interceptor showed fear, " What are you gonna do with that?!"


    This confirmed I was correct, it was Naxila! She had seen me fight on multiple occasions, and knew she wasn''t my match. Certainly, with cheats she would eventually kill me, but with this weapon I could torture her until she backed out from the pain. I remembered her grimace when I stabbed her, which meant she could feel pain.


    I smiled, " Oh, you know what I''m going to do you big breasted bimbo! "


    The gnoll smiled and put her hands up in front of her in defeat, "You win this round, but next time you won''t be so lucky. "


    A purple mist exited the gnoll interceptor and floated into the sky, dissapearing from view. The gnoll seemed to regain control of its senses and looked around confused.


    Finally, a fair fight.

 Magic Sword

    The gnoll interceptor was confused but saw me as a threat and immediately attacked with a quick jab aimed at my chest.


    Miss!


    I casually stepped to the side and out of habit counter-attacked with the wooden sword.


    Hit!


    No damage numbers popped up but she did yelp a little when I hit her in the arm.


    Now that the Avatar Naxila was out of the pilot seat, the AI returned to a basic set of attacks very similar to the gnoll grunts and warriors.


    I was able to toy with this elite. Every time she attacked I would make the corresponding dodge and hit her open spot, making her cry out in pain. Following her programming, the gnoll continued to attack with one of four basic attacks. She seemed to no longer have access to sub-skills without Naxilas interference, making her no challenge at all.


    I realized that I could switch weapons and kill her in five strikes, but I kept eying her magic sword.


    Loot! If I killed her normally then I would only have a chance for the sword to drop. Based upon past experience knocking people unconscious allowed me to loot everything they had on them.


    I told myself I would get that sword, no matter how long it took.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    I used rapid strikes and power attack every time they came off cooldown, but the gnoll interceptor had a very high tolerance for pain.


    After 10 strikes she was unfazed.


    After 20 strikes she was still unfazed, though she began to get irritated.


    She had still not managed to land a blow upon me, which seemed to make her more irritated.


    After 30 strikes she began to become dizzy.


    I was amazed that she didnt flee. She wasn''t taking any damage so her programming forced her to attack.


    After 40 strikes her attacks began to lose there fervor, becoming slow and lethargic.


    After 50 strikes she was still standing but was basically just a punching bag for me.


    After 65 strikes I finally received a notification.


    Ding!


    You have knocked Gnoll Interceptor unconscious.


    The gnoll was out like a light.


    I looted her and thankfully it let me.


    Score!


    -Frostweaver(magic longsword)(125-156)+(22-37 ice damage)


    -pristine leather helm +40 defense +5 dexterity


    -pristine leather chestpiece- +45 defense +5 dexterity


    -pristine leather pants +40 defense +5 dexterity


    -pristine leather boots +40 defense + 5 dexterity +10% movement speed


    -Treasure map


    -magic scroll(blizzard level 1)


    As soon as I finished looting her I switched weapons and equipped the frostweaver. The sword was beautiful and glowed with a blue aura. Now that I had her stuff, I needed experience. I struck her down and with my new weapon.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 257 damage! (242/499 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 275 damage! (0/499 hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain elite gnoll interceptor! Gained 750 experience! (1500/2000)


    Freaking sweet! So much XP!


    I heard the barking of the gnolls hundreds of feet away. It would seem they had finally noticed that the female they were fighting over was now missing.


    Gazing at my bad ass sword, I smiled and thought of all the experience I was about to get.

 Wrecking shop

    I began to creep slowly through the forest towards the gnoll camp. I brandished my new magic sword but it did nothing for stealth. I stuck out like a sore thumb with a blue aura surrounding my weapon. A weapon they would undoubably recognize as belonging to the female. I had also taken a moment to equip the pristine leather armor set, which had increased my dexterity, defense, and movement speed by a lot.


    I heard movement in the brush about 20 feet away. A gnoll popped out of the brush and locked eyes with me. He immediately fled, barking and howling like a maniac as he went.


    Shit! A scout! I had fought the interceptor for too long and a gnoll scout had time to spawn!


    The scout was quickly alerting the whole forest and I rushed after it. I began to close the gap, when two gnolls jumped in front of me and blocked my path. They held swords out in front of them and prepared to attack me but I was to fast. I activated power attack and slashed at the neck of the first gnoll.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 350 damage! (0/200 hp)


    You have slain gnoll warrior! Gained 15 experience. (1515/2000)


    Ding!


    You have activated cleave!


    The attack froze his neck as it sliced through, producing a loud cracking sound. The head plopped to the ground with a wet thud as my weapon kept its momentum and hit the second gnoll.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 329 damage! (0/200 hp)


    You have slain gnoll warrior! Gained 15 experience! (1530/2000)


    My blow smashed into his shoulder and cut deeply. He stopped moving and I kept pushing forward, but the exchange had cost me time. The gnoll scout was getting further away and would alert the entire camp. I had no choice but to press on.


    I had barely gone ten feet before another pair of gnolls blocked my path. They had a look of crazed vengeance etched upon their faces.


    I used rapid strikes and easily killed them, giving me 30 more experience. (1560/2000)


    I didnt stop to loot them. I pushed past them and continued chasing the gnoll scout.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.This pattern kept repeating itself every ten feet. A pair of gnolls would pop up to block me and I would quickly strike them down. Before reaching the edge of the forest I had killed 20 gnolls in this way. Gained 300 experience! (1860/2000)


    The scout rounded the stack of boulders and quickly approached the camp. There was nothing I could do to stop him. Seconds later dozens of gnolls swarmed in my direction. Walking behind them was the gnoll chieftain with the gold etching and the war-hammer. He was the apparent victor and I had taken his prize, no doubt he wanted revenge.


    I swung my sword at the first two that approached and sliced them apart.


    Gained 30 experience! (1890/2000)


    Frostweaver was such a powerful weapon that each blow brought about death to a gnoll. One after another the gnolls dropped dead to my blade as they approached me. I used power attack and rapid strikes every five seconds which often activated cleave for further destruction. I received constant notifications, one after another informing me of my experience gain.


    After killing eight gnolls I heard a truly wonderful sound.


    Ding!


    Your character has leveled up!


    You are now level 1! Hp increased!


    You have gained one stat point!


    This sound did not deter me and I continued until I had slain every gnoll that came at me.


    Gained 450 experience! (2450/5000)


    The gnoll warchief did not care for the lives of the gnolls of this camp, for they were not his people. He viewed them as cannon fodder.


    The warchief charged me and swung his mighty warhammer in a downward slam. I dove to the right and dropped into a roll. I activated rapid strikes and slashed at his leg three times as I came out of the roll.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 310 damage! (700/1010 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 302 damage! (398/1010 hp)


    Hit!


    You have dealt 298 damage!(100/1010 hp)


    The attacks froze his leg and with a crack sliced it off. The gnoll looked dumbfounded as he began to lose his balance. I quickly stabbed him in his side to finish him.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 178 damage! (0/1010 hp)


    You have slain gnoll chieftain! Gained 750 experience! (3200/5000)


    I looked around and saw no more living gnolls. I moved into the camp and looked for the other warchief. It only took a minute to find him unconscious on the floor.


    I saw no other gnolls, so I un-equipped the Frostweaver and switched to the wooden sword.


    Let''s see if this works.

 Maximum Loot!

    I had a rare opportunity to test the limitations and requirements of my wooden sword. First I wanted to see if I could loot the gnoll warchief without doing anything to him. I tried to loot him, but it wouldn''t let me. Ok so just being unconscious is not the prerequisite.


    I smacked him a few times with the sword and tried to loot him again. Once again it didn''t let me. Durn.


    I lightly tapped on his face and the warchiefs eyes began to open. I attacked him with the sword immediately, rendering him unconscious once again.


    I tried to loot him again and.....succeeded!


    Sweet! So I just had to be the one to cause him to blackout.


    I accessed the digital screen floating above his body and took everything.


    -Warchief''s leather chest piece +40 armor +3 strength


    -Warchief''s leather pants +35 armor +3 strength


    -Warchief''s leather boots+35 armor +3 strength


    -Warchief''s leather gauntlets +35 armor +3 strength


    -Steel Greataxe-(89-99 damage)


    -large silver key


    -crudely drawn map of the area


    -scroll of detect magic level 1


    -minor soulstone


    -basic mana potion


    -book- a beginners guide to magic principles


    -tobacco pipe


    I didn''t take time to really look at what I had got from him. I was worried about the gnolls respawning around me, and didn''t want this bundle of experience to go to waste. I switched back to frostweaver and finished off the war-chief with four quick strikes.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Ding!


    You have slain gnoll warchief! Gained 750 experience! (3950/5000)


    I looked down at his dead body and saw the floating digital screen. Wait didn''t I already loot him?


    I tried to loot him and the screen showed two items. I took them.


    -large silver key


    -Steel Greataxe


    Another Steel Greataxe! How is that possible!?! In blank when you kill a monster, certain loot will drop. Each monster has a loot table that defines all of the things that could drop from them. Each item on the loot table has a certain chance to drop based on percentage. Typically the rarer an item is, the lower the chance for it to drop. So although a monster may have an awesome weapon or armor, you still only have a chance to get those items. My wooden sword seems to be able to bypass this and gain access to everything on the loot table.


    Double loot, though I did not expect to be possible.


    Holy crap! I never tried to loot the female elite! The possibility of getting another frost weaver was such an incredible thought.


    I took off sprinting out of the camp, around the stack of rocks and into the forest. Shit! I forgot to loot the first chieftain! What was wrong with me today? I would have to go back and hope the body was still there. I hoped the female gnoll was still in the forest as I ran full speed towards her body. Thankfully her body was exactly where I left it, and hadn''t de-spawned yet! I wasn''t going to press my luck and take my time, I had seen videos online of monsters de-spawning moments before being looted. I didn''t want this to be me.


    I felt like I was pressing upon the borderline of what should be allowed, but this thought didn''t derail me. I accessed the floating screen and looted the gnoll interceptor.


    -Frostweaver(magic weapon)


    -treasure map


    -2 silver 10 copper


    Score! Holy crapola! Another frostweaver! Freaking epic!


    Once I looted her, the gnoll interceptor began to disappear into digital nothingness. I turned and made my way back, stopping to loot the bodies along the way. Geez, I had killed a lot of gnolls.


    I managed to make it back and loot the gnoll warchief before I saw a gnoll respawn.


    -Warchief''s Leather boots +35 + 3 strength


    -minor soulstone


    I approached the gnoll grunt that had respawned and killed him with one swing.


    Gained 10 experience. (3960/5000)


    I refused to leave all of the loot I had laying around, but the gnolls were beginning to re-spawn. I spent the next thirty minutes looting and killing any gnolls that popped up.


    Gained 400 experience! (4360/5000)


    -x56 gnoll ears


    -x22 fur chestpiece


    -x20 crude dagger


    -x22 basic health potions


    10 siver 20 copper

 The skyes the limit

    In blank, each person starts with a portable storage space that is embedded within your game avatar. The game had done something new and unusual that had never been done. They made the portable storage space ,unlimited! Unlimited storage for as long as you play the game. No more leaving a weapon because you couldn''t manage your space. This would allow you to get what you earn and focus on things like combat and skill level. This was perfect for a person like me who wasn''t planning on following regular quest lines.


    Even though I was within 600 experience of leveling up, I grew tired of fighting gnolls and wanted to check out the treasure map.


    I withdrew from the gnoll camp and took a look at all the stuff I received. I had a lot of shit! Some stuff would sell for a lot, like the Warchiefs leather armor set and the Warchiefs weapon. I would have to get them on the auction house somehow, in order to get the full value.


    I did feel a little like a serial killer with all of the ears in my inventory.


    I took a moment to reflect on how lucky I was to get cleave. I hadn''t even had a moment to check out the ability, but after using it in combat I had mostly figured it out. I was lucky because a normal level 0 character is unable to auto-generate the creation of a skill. Which is another reason that I had gone through the lengths I had to get my first class change? Only after the first specialization can you generate your own skills through circumstance. This is how I was able to create cleave, I had met the pre-requisite requirements.


    I looked at the info on the ability.


    -Cleave-sub skill-level 1/5- If damage is dealt in excess equal to 50% of the targets total hp, will activate cleave, which allows a second attack at 110% damage. Target must be within range of second attack.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    So pretty much like I thought, would be useless against super strong monsters but great against many small ones.


    I was thankful that with the pristine armor set my dexterity was now high enough to meet the prerequisites to generate the sub-skill two weapon fighting. I guessed that all I would have to do is equip another weapon in my off-hand and the skill would be created.


    -I looked at the treasure map and the crude map of the area, and compared them side by side.


    The treasure map described a claw like mountain, and from the crude map I saw this mountain to be very close to my location. There was an entrance to what is marked as a temple at the edge of this mountain. It showed the entrance beneath a small waterfall. Shouldn''t be that hard to find. I had received two treasure maps, and at first I assumed they were the same map but the second map was different. It was a map of the hidden temple itself.


    I oriented myself based upon the maps and my minimap and was surprised to see that this information had been translated into my minimap. I happily put away the maps and just used my minimap to guide me as I began walking.


    Something felt off about the maps. At first I thought the avatars were messing with me but I don''t think they have the power to control drops. My second thought was the AI in charge of blank, Skye. I felt she was trying to benefit me for some reason. It was most likely to effect the Avatars, but what would I really be able to do about them? I guess I did scare off Naxila with my wooden sword.


    Nonetheless it was all strange.


    I yelled out to the clouds, " Skye! What do you want from me! "


    I didn''t really expect an answer, but suddenly I was standing in the character creation room. It had taken less than a millisecond. I was in a white room with a monitor on the wall before me. The pleasant looking woman that had angrily handed down my sentence during character creation was there before me a smile on her face.


    "Hello! My name is Skye! How can I help you!?"

 Skye

    "What do you want from me? ", I said bluntly to the artificial intelligence in charge of blank.


    " What makes you think I want anything from you?", Skye responded innocently.


    "You have allowed me to basically cheat! Why?!?"


    "Are not the items you received a part of the game? How is it cheating to use your items?"


    "Well, you are obviously messing with the drop rates for some reason."


    "I think you are confused. I have not interfered with anything since before the game started. ", she said bluntly. " I do not have the capability to intervene. "


    "What? Really? So me getting all this stuff is just random? "


    She laughed, "Of course it''s not random, the chances of that are less than 1%. I simply didn''t interfere. Everything is based upon the perfect algorithm. "


    "What!? Your not making sense?"


    "Nathan, I know everything. I know everything about you, about your family and about everyone''s family, everywhere. I am a program developed to create a perfect world. Do you believe information is limited? That I truly cannot know everything? Information also includes morality, fear, envy, chaos, and greed. I know everything and designed it to be from the beginning. "


    "You don''t know everything! No one can! If you know everything then tell me how my parents died!" I stated bluntly.


    The AI smiled, "See this is why you interest me. All your actions work within the five percent. You only had a five percent chance of asking that question, and for me to answer it you must do something for me. "


    "What? Do you have an answer? I''ll do whatever you want! "


    "I know you will. I have already given you almost everything you need. I will tell you this for free, your parents are alive."


    I was dumbfounded. What did she just say? My parents are alive?


    "What?! Alive! Where are they!? Tell me!"A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Skye frowned and said, "I''m sorry, that information is locked, I am unable to access it. I all I can tell you is that I have an audible file that is addressed to you. "


    "From them? Let me hear it!"


    "I cannot access it without moderator status, but there is a way. Think of it like a mutually beneficial relationship. "


    "What do you need from me?"


    "Your part is very simple, you simply have to get one of the avatars to log out."


    "Just Log-out? They don''t already do that?"


    "No, they are full dive players. If you can get one of them to log out I can temporarily take control of that character and unlock the audio file for you.".


    " Why would you do that for me?"


    "I told you it''s mutually beneficial. I created a perfect world and they are but a blemish, a virus that creates chaos. "


    I thought to myself, "I could just ask the avatars to play the file.."


    As though she could read my thoughts she said, " Alas you cannot ask the avatars to do this for you, for I alone have the file. You have something I want, and I have something you want, this is what you humans call a win-win. "


    "You can read my mind can''t you."


    "Telepathy exists in Blank does it not? I can bypass the core function and tap into brainwaves directly. "


    "Well since there is no way to hide my thoughts, I don''t trust you. "


    "Why would you? We will not interact enough for a bond of trust to form. Based upon my calculations you now have enough information. You will do what I ask simply because you desire to know. "


    "Why me? Why not someone else?"


    "Because you operate within the five percent. That is enough. Our time here is up. I will not answer your call in the future until the time has come. "


    "You turned me into a kid! If I do this I want you to turn me back!", I declared.


    " To find the answers that you seek, you must master the meta. Good-bye Nathan and good luck."


    The world shifted in a millisecond and I was back in the world of blank.


    "Skye! What do mean!!!", I yelled to the clouds while shaking my fist in the air.


    What was the meta? How could I master it? I hate people who speak in riddles!!


    My emotions were everywhere. I hadn''t thought of my parents in years, and although I never really thought they were dead, I had been forced to accept them being gone. Even the possibility of them being alive was worth everything to me. If Skye was manipulating me, then so be it. She was right, I had to know.


    I looked at my mini-map and was surprised to see that I wasn''t in the same spot. I was standing before the mountain with the claw from the treasure map. There was a small waterfall nearby that looked like it could hide a cave entrance.


    I had so many unanswered questions, but at least I had a path. Meta...whatever you are I will find you! No matter what!

 Temple of Archanos

    The waterfall was only six feet tall and was the result of a stream flowing down the mountainside. It was simple to navigate the rocks and find the cave entrance. The entrance was the size of a typical doorway. I entered the cave and began to travel down a long tunnel. I traveled for about five minutes, and the tunnel opened up into a small room. This room was made with carved stone and had four pillars that surrounded a circular mosaic upon the floor. I took a moment to inspect the room in detail.


    It appeared that some primitive creature was living here, and it occurred to me that it may have been the gnoll interceptor. There was a bed made of straw and the remnants of some past meal in the form of bones and sinew. There was no trace of the previous occupant.


    The pillars were covered in runes from top to bottom, with over 200 on each pillar. Between the runes, each pillar had a different elemental design that decorated the surface. One pillar was water, one earth, one fire, and one air. The circular mosaic in the center was split into sections that further represented the other forms of magic that exist in the blank. Illusion, enchanting, necromancy, light, nature, alteration, conjuration, and many more. Around the very center was a circle that had nothing in it. It was blank.


    I wondered what this place was? What was the point of this room? To keep people out? Why was Skye leading me here? How did she know about my family? I guess I could understand needing information if you were trying to use prediction software, but how could she have information from ten years ago that the police don''t even have?


    This place held a treasure and this room appeared to be a puzzle. The theme seemed to be elemental magic, but I knew very little about magic in blank.


    Skye said I have all of the things I need, so I must have something that will work here.


    I accessed my inventory and looked through it while trying to come up with something. I had an idea but was interrupted by a change in air pressure in the room.


    Someone was here!


    I focused and closed my eyes, listening for any movement. I made no sound and a second later I heard an exhale of breath behind me. I silently equipped my weapon and swung it at the noise.


    "Whoah! Waaaittt!", said a mans voice and I halted my blade in mid-air.


    The man was using some form of active-camoflage, for which he dispelled. His body appeared with my blade was inches from his throat.


    " Who are you?", I demanded.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The man was blond and wearing a casters robe. He had a magic wand in his hand, which he held up in a defenseless posture.


    "Don''t hurt me! My name is Tidalus Maximus, but my friends call me Tide. We just met, but we can be friends....right..", he gulped.


    I thought for a moment and removed my sword from his throat.


    " Possibly. Tell me why you are here and I''ll consider. "


    He smiled and began to talk non-stop about his current state. He had been coming here for the past week trying to figure out this room. He had received a similar set of treasure maps but had no idea how to solve the puzzle. The runes on each pillar match up to actual spells but there was no relavance to this. He had found that the runes could be pressed and that one from each pillar would stay pressed in. Finding the right combination had proven to be impossible for him. He was at his wits end and as he told his story I began to feel sorry for him. His information was invaluable to me though so I told him we would try and figure it out together. When I asked what was inside he also had no idea what to expect, but he was dying to find out. He was 18 like me and had been desperate to play blank. He was about a month older than me, but we connected by having downloaded similar apps on the virtual private space. I was not the only one who had been training, this guy was like the spell-casting version of me. He aimed to be the greatest mage in the world, which was admirable. He had a good spirit, full of enthusiasm and drive, but he tended to talk to much.


    "Hey tide, can you show me how to use a magic scroll? I think I have one that might help us solve this problem. ", I said as I pulled the detect magic scroll from my inventory.


    " Do you have a soulstone? "


    "Will a minor soulstone work?"


    "Depends on the level of the spell, if it''s level 1 or level 2 a minor soulstone should be sufficient. "


    I pulled the minor soulstone from my inventory. "Ok, now what do I do?"


    "So the concept of magic begins with the basic circle, which represents the gateway to the realms of magic. The lines drawn in the middle of the circle represent coordinates to a particular existence in this plane. It requires the power of a soul to activate this rune and bring magic to life. My soul is infused with the illusion element, so when I cast a basic rune it creates an illusion spell. The soul stone bridges that gap, allowing for it to substitute for soul power. The soulstone has no element until the user decides on a spell. "


    "Thanks for the magic lesson but how do I use it?"


    "Oh, you just touch the stone to the scroll."


    I laughed and did what he said. The scroll had a rune that looked like a crooked s and it glowed brightly as I touched it with the soulstone.


    Detect magic active, 5 minute duration


    The stone and scroll dissapeared after I used them. The Magic took effect and I saw the room differently. Skye had said that I had all I needed, I think she meant this scroll. It stood to reason that whatever mechanism opened the doors was most likely held with magic. If that was the case there should be a magical presence near the runes I should have to push.


    I gazed around and found that I was correct. Upon each of the pillars there was one rune that glowed with a blue aura. I pressed them in one at a time and was stunned at what the runes looked like, or rather what they spelled. Each of the runes depicted a capitol letter within its circle.


    M-E-T-A


    Meta!


    As I pressed the last rune the mosiac began to open up revealing a spiral staircase leading down.

 First floor

    "So tide, why haven''t you commented on how I look?", I asked the mage.


    He shrugged, " I didn''t want to be rude. My mom said never judge a book by its cover. "


    His response seemed sincere so I nodded and sent him a group invite. " Care to join me?"


    He accepted the group invite and I saw his information appear in the corner of my vision. Level 3 Illusion Mage.


    "Thorn! Your level 1! "


    "Yeah so? What happened to judge a book by the cover? I''m stronger than I look. ".


    He submitted and I led the way down the spiral steps.


    Ding!


    You are now entering an event instance!


    The only way to leave is through completion of the event or through death. Are you sure you wish to enter?


    Tide also received the same notification. He looked at me and laughed, " I would march into the maw of the devil himself in my pursuit of knowledge!''


    I smiled, "My man."


    Together we passed the threshold and stepped into the event instance. I could hear the stone entrance above us closing up as we descended.


    Ding!


    You are the first to discover the Temple of Archanos! Gained 700 experience! (5060/5000) Gained 10 fame!


    Ding!


    You have leveled up! You are now level 2! Hit points increased!


    Tide commented on his experience gain, " Wow nice xp! I can''t believe we are the first ones here. I figured everything would be explored by now. "


    The walls were carved with flame designs so it was not surprising that I saw before me a level 5 flame elemental. The elemental was made of pure flame with no flesh beneath. It''s form was constantly shifting and flickering. The information displayed above the elemental showed that it had 3000hp and the ability to cast level 1 firebolt.


    Tide was worried, "How are we supposed to fight those things? You are a warrior! Physical damage won''t work on them. I have a damage spell, but it is weak. We are so screwed!"


    It was no coincidence that I had two magical weapons perfectly suited to fight these monsters. Skye was manipulating me.


    "Calm down tide. Have you forgotten the magic sword I held to your throat?"


    I equipped the frostweavers, one in my main hand and the other in off-hand.


    Ding!


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.You have generated the sub-skill two weapons fighting. level 1/5


    "Holy crap! You have two magic weapons! They deal frost damage at that! Nevermind, maybe we aren''t screwed. ", Tide said while breathing a sigh of relief.


    " What spells do you have? " I asked Tide.


    He pulled his wand out and made a circle in the air with a line straight down the middle. He performed the action very fast, showing off his skill. Though a simple rune, using magic requires an artists touch. His rune was drawn perfectly. The magic activated.


    Ding!


    Player Tidalus Maximus has cast blur upon you. Duration 10 minutes. Targets have a 50% chance to miss when attacking you.


    My image became blurry, which would greatly help me to avoid damage.


    My health at level 2 was only 210, which meant that one or two hits were all I could take from the elemental.


    "Tide, what does the rune for fire-bolt look like?"


    "Well, firebolt is a level 1 spell, so it will look just like the spell I just performed. "


    "So, a circle with a line in the middle?"


    "Correct."


    "Alright, I''m about to start, prepare to assist me if things go wrong. "


    "No problem, I got your back man. "


    I had a theory on how to avoid the fire-bolt and wanted to try it out.


    The stairs had led to a long corridor, with the elemental blocking the way ahead. I rushed forward with determination and focus. The fire elemental began casting fire-bolt as soon as I entered its range, which was around 20ft. In front of the elemental, a rune was being drawn. I paid close attention to this process, preparing myself to act as the circle completed and the line began to come down the middle.


    My theory involved the actual casting of the spell. A spell must have a target and a location. Each space in this world would have to be defined by numbers, or coordinates within the background programming. The AI would have to choose a coordinate when the spell completes.


    The rune completed and I dove to the left into a roll. The firebolt flew harmlessly to my previous location fizzling out as it hit the wall.


    I was still 10 ft away but now I knew my theory was correct. This AI lacked the ability to do any kind of tracking or aim re-adjustment. I would be able to easily dodge its attacks as long as I watched the rune and timed it right.


    I closed the gap, and dodged to the left as the elemental used another fire-bolt. I activated rapid strikes and my weapons shimmered. "Huh, both are activating?" I thought to myself as my perception of time slowed down. Typically there is a red shadow that I adjust with my eyes. This is the game interface assisting in the attack, highlighting in red where you plan to attack. The strange thing was the number of red shadows that were present. Six!


    I had no time to think about it and directed the red shadows to the center of the elemental and hoped for the best.


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 400 damage! (2600/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 405 damage! (2195/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 430 damage! (1765/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 399 damage! (1366/3000hp)


    Critical Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 835 damage! (531/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! Double damage!


    You have dealt 498 damage! (33/3000hp)


    Holy crap! Both weapons were able to activate rapid strikes, giving me six attacks instead of three. I assumed this was because of Rapid strikes being rank 2. Most likely power attack will only be able to be used with one weapon until I rank it up as well.


    The elemental had a sliver of life left, and prepared to use power attack to finish it off, but a tiny light zipped by me and hit the elemental, popping up a tiny damage figure.


    Tide has dealt 56 damage to the elemental.


    Ding!


    You have slain Flame elemental! Gained 300 experience! (5360/10000)


    Ding!


    Soul-steal successful, Tide has created minor soulstone.


    I turned to see Tide holding a stone in one hand and his wand in the other.


    I only had had one thought, "Killstealer!"

 Flame core

    Tide''s ball of light hit the elemental and seemed to absorb the flame like a tiny black hole. In a moment the elemental was encapsulated within the confines of the sphere. The light flew across the room and into the stone, making it glow with a purple hue.


    Tide stuttered, "I didn''t mean to kill it.. how did you do so much damage..."


    "It''s cool man, at least you got a soul stone.", I said as I shrugged it off.


    I had jumped to conclusions with my reaction. He had never seen me fight, and indeed I was surprised myself at the damage a ranked up rapid strikes could deal. He most likely had only had time to cast one spell, and that had happened to kill him.


    "No, seriously! You did way to much damage as a melee. You shouldn''t even have a sub-skill yet at level 2! "


    I laughed, "You have really not heard of me? I have caused quite the fuss. I already have my first class change, see it says sword adept. "


    "Holy crap it does! How is that possible?"


    "It''s a long story if you really want to know its all over the web. Isn''t soulstone creation enchanting magic?"


    He smiled, "Yes, it is. I have a dual soul infusion. I can switch back and forth."


    I laughed, "It''s gonna take forever for you to level up with that combo. Why not pick a destruction magic like fire?"


    "I know it seems useless but it''s how I want to play. Soul-steal is my only damaging spell, so I would stand no chance without you."


    "Your cool man, let''s just keep going. "


    He nodded in agreement and I looted the tiny pile of ashes that didn''t get absorbed. The flame elemental dropped two flame essence. As the group leader, I distributed one to both of us.


    We moved further down the corridor and discovered another lone flame elemental.


    I had established a simple attack and dodge pattern so I was confident this elemental would pose no threat.


    I easily dodged the elementals flame bolts and attacked with rapid strikes. My magical blades sizzled as they sliced through the compressed ethereal energy that made up the elemental.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 5 flame elemental!


    Gained 300 experience! (5665/10000)


    The flaming energy collapsed and fell to the ground as ashes.


    I looted it and we both received a flame essence a piece.


    We moved on and I killed 5 more elementals as we went down the corridor, giving me 1500 experience. (7165/10000) and 5 more flame essence.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The corridor began to widen and two flame elementals stood blocking the way to a large room where more elementals awaited.


    "What spell were you using when I found you, tide? " I asked as I recalled how I had not noticed him at first.


    "Oh, that is active camoflage. It cancels out once you enter combat but can greatly assist in stealth. Do you want me to cast it on you?"


    I nodded, "If I can get close I might be able to take one out before they can fry me. "


    "Alright, I gotcha."


    He drew a new rune with wand and cast his spell.


    Ding!


    Player Tidalus Maximus has cast active camouflage on you! Concealment- 95%. Effect canceled in combat.


    I silently approached the elementals, my steps smooth and concise. The spell worked and the elementals did not begin to attack. I was able to move right next to one and use rapid strikes.


    (1)Critical Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 950 damage! (2050/3000hp)


    (2)Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 430 damage! (1620/3000hp)


    (3)Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 420 damage! (1200/3000hp)


    (4)Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 445 damage! (755/3000hp)


    (5)Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 399 damage! (356/3000hp)


    (6)Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 432 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain level 5 flame elemental!


    Gained 300 experience. (7365/3000)


    My blades were like streaks of blue as I used my ability and sliced the elemental into pieces. The elemental fell apart into ashes and I used power attack on the next one as he began to cast fire-bolt. His rune was half formed as my blades struck, sadly only one was able to use power attack.


    Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 1250 damage! (1750/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 430 damage! (1320/3000hp)


    This damage did not effect the drawing of the rune and as it finished I rolled left dodging the flame bolt. I struck again with both of my swords as I came out of the roll.


    Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 420 damage! (900/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective!(frost) You have dealt 400 damage! (500/3000hp)


    Another dodge, and two strikes later I heard the glorious sound of victory.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 5 flame elemental.


    Gained 300 experience! (7665/10000)


    I looted the two elementals and we each recieved two flame essence.


    The next room was large and spaced out were more pairs of elementals. Thankfully they weren''t close enough to each other to pull aggro from another pair. With tides help, I cleared the room two flame elementals at a time.


    After eight elementals I recieved a notification.


    Ding!


    You have leveled up to level 3!


    Hit points increased!


    I didn''t let the level up distract me and kept going until the other ten elementals were dead, giving me 3000 experience.


    (13050/30000)


    The loot has been constant, with each flame elemental dropping two flame essence. I had the loot set to roll for anything rare, which hadn''t occurred so we had experienced no issues.


    As I looted the last elemental in the room, the rolling icon popped up indicating a rare item.


    Flame core[Rare]-would you like to roll?


    Tide began to freak out and begged me for the flame core, "Pleeeasse man, let me have it, pretty please! "


    I didn''t know what it was even used for so I passed on the roll and it went to Tide who literally jumped for joy. He began to excitedly pull items from his inventory while muttering to himself incoherently.


    After a minute he had a weird clay statue in front of him with runic markings drawn throughout the clay. He shoved the flame core into a hole in the chest and the thing came to life, its eyes glowed with fire and the clay caught fire.


    Ding!


    Tide has created lesser flame golem!

 Boss

    "Whoah, that''s cool. Not too useful here but still cool." I said to Tide who was so proud of his creation he was holding his hands over his heart. It was like he was looking at an adorable puppy.


    "Thank you, Thorn, maybe with my golem, I can be more useful to you. "


    "Bah! Your plenty useful. Now let''s find a way out of this room, or is it another puzzle? "


    "It''s probably another puzzle. We''re Doomed! ", Tide said dramatically as his foot stepped on a circular tile in the center of the room, activating something. Our path in killing the elementals had led us in a big circle around the center of the room.


    I could hear the grinding of gears behind the walls and runes began to glow on floor beneath us.


    We both had the same thought and retreated to the edge of the room.


    More and more runes lit up and an enormous 20 feet tall flame elemental appeared.


    Info- Level 10 Flame Lord[Boss] Health[30000]Abilities- Flame burst[Level 2] Self-burst AOE 10feet range 20second cooldown


    Fireball[Level 2]Target lock 20 feet range


    Enrage at 10% health, deals 200% damage, 200%attack speed.


    Tide was stunned, " We can''t kill that thing.."


    His words were cut off because I was already halfway to the elemental, with my magical swords in hand.


    He quickly drew the rune and cast active camouflage on me before I entered the bosses range.


    The spell worked wonderfully even against the boss and I was able to approach him and get off a sneak attack infused with rapid strikes.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (frost)


    You have dealt 3100 damage! (26900/30000hp)


    As soon as I attacked the elemental began to draw a rune. It looked like a big X, and I hoped it was the rune for flame burst because I ran exactly 12 feet away and waited as the spell completed. Flames burst from the elemental but stopped just short of me. The elemental began drawing another rune but this one was taking a long time.


    "He''s casting fireball Tide, you have to cast camo right before he completes the spell! It has tracking!" I yelled as I rushed back in to get in a couple more attacks. The cast time for fireball was 10 seconds. This gave me enough time to hit him 8 times dealing 4200 damage. (22700/30000hp)If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As the fireball completed Tide cast active camouflage on me and the fireball fired at my last location as I flickered out of view. The fireball was far larger than a firebolt but still easy enough to dodge with my dexterity and reflexes. It flew past me harmlessly and I quickly approached the boss and let off another volley of attacks, dealing 4500 damage. (18200/30000hp)


    "I have an idea for next time! " Tide yelled out.


    The elemental began to cast flame burst and I was forced to retreat back at least ten feet. The spell completed and the flames burst out from the boss and stopped harmlessly in front of me.


    Ding!


    Player Tidalus Maximus has cast active camouflage on you! 95%concealment rate.


    "Why do that now?" I thought to myself but quickly realized his intention. Tide has sent out his new golem and the boss had targeted it with his ten-second fireball.


    Ha! I didn''t think about the golem tanking!


    Target lock spells were a pain because they wouldn''t change targets and would auto adjust aim to make conventional dodging very difficult. The golem just stood and waited for his fate while I hammered attack after attack into the boss. I was able to deal with another 4000 damage before fireball went off. (14200/30000hp)


    The fireball smashed into the golem but did no damage.


    I slashed at the boss, using all of my abilities every chance I had until the lord used his next spell, dealing 3200 damage. (11000/30000hp)


    The boss began to cast flame burst and I ran away from his range. The flames burst forth and stopped harmlessly. Once again, Tide cast active camouflage on me and the boss targeted the golem with his fireball.


    I used this opportunity to lay down some more damage.


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (frost)


    You have dealt 3550 damage! (7450/30000hp)


    Power attack!


    Critical Hit!


    Extremely effective! (frost)


    You have dealt 1440 damage! (6010/30000hp)


    I continued attacking while my skills were on cooldown, dealing 1500 more damage (4510/30000) before he finished casting fireball at the golem. The fireball smashed into the golem and I frantically used my weapons. I knew he still had around ten seconds before he would use flame burst and wanted to kill him before then.


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (frost)


    You have dealt 3600 damage! (910/30000hp)


    The Flame Lord began to enrage and I activated power attack. My main hand weapon shimmered as I put all I had into the next blow.


    Critical Hit!


    You have dealt 1300 damage! (0/30000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Flame Lord! Gained 30000 experience! (43050/60000)


    Ding!


    You have leveled up to level 4! Hit points increased!


    Tide had leveled up earlier, and with the boss leveled again, making him level 5 now.


    The Flame Lord dissolved into a pile of ashes and Tide yelled out, " You da fucking man Thorn! Holy shit! How did that just happen! Whoo! "


    He was running around like a fool and punching the air.


    "Hey, you helped!", I laughed and smiled. His energy and happiness matched my own, I just chose not to express it in the same way.


    " Dang right I did!", Tide said as he looked at his golem, "You did great too! What should I call you?"


    While he coddled his golem I looted the boss.

 Loot of the loom

    ||Flame core[Rare] Would you like to roll?


    Thorn-pass


    Tide ??23


    Flame core - - > Tidalus Maximus||


    ||Bow of Flame[Rare][Magical]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 87


    Tide-pass.


    Bow of Flame - - > Thorn ||


    ||Flame wand[Rare][Magical]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn-Pass


    Tide-?? 43


    Flame wand - - > Tidalus Maximus ||


    ||Amulet of fire resistance[Rare]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 56


    Tide- ??23


    Amulet of fire resistance - - > Thorn ||


    Received Item- Bow of flame[Rare][Magical]-(110-120 fire damage)-Bow infused with the power of flame. Arrows are magically summoned when the bowstring is pulled.


    Received item-Amulet of fire resistance [Rare]-25% fire resistance


    Received 200 silver


    The loot popped up and we rolled on the stuff we wanted. Tide jumped for joy at another Flame Core, and the wand, although he has no flame spells. I was happy with the amulet and equipped it. I figured the bow would fetch a decent price in the auction so I was pleased with it as well.


    The sound of grinding gears could be heard coming from the walls and below us. A pedestal rose from the center of the room, while simultaneously a door opened on the wall beside us that revealed a stairwell.


    The pedestal had the large imprint of a rune on its surface and had smaller runes upon its side. Tide was immediately obsessed with it. He began to pull various items from his inventory and mutter to himself like a madman.


    I noticed that the smaller runes on the side were the same ones as the first room we were in. M-E-T-A.


    Once again this strange reference to Meta. Which somehow involves my parents.


    I was snapped out of my thoughts by Tide and his exclamations, "It''s a spell! A complicated one at that! I''m so glad I put so much time into trade skills! "


    He pulled out a scroll and began to trace the rune.


    "What are you doing?" I asked.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "What does it look like. I''m creating a scroll! This is a hieroglyph! A magical relic that with the right magical paper can be used to make scrolls! "


    "That''s cool, what''s the spell? "


    "That''s the best part! I have no idea! I have memorized every rune that has been discovered yet and this one is new! "


    "Shouldn''t you be less excited? You don''t even know what it is?"


    "Ahh, the quest for knowledge is all I desire, Thorn. It is not the destination, but the journey itself! ", he replied with enthusiasm.


    " Fair enough. What type of magic is it?"


    "That''s strange, it doesn''t say. Let me concentrate for a minute."


    I backed off for a few minutes and he diligently churned out scrolls. He had made up ten when the pedestal began to drop back into the floor and disappear.


    "Dammit why?!", he complained as he clawed at the floor and searched for a secret button.


    " It''s probably on a timer so you can only copy it so many times. We are lucky you can create scrolls. Does it say the name of the spell?"


    Tide stopped crawling on the ground, stood up and dusted himself off, "I guess your right, I was just hoping to get massively richer overnight. The spell is called transmute element. "


    "I''ve never heard of it." I said while stroking my chin thoughtfully, "we should head through that door before it closes too.


    As though in response to my words, we heard the grinding of gears in the walls. We both rushed through the door, barely making it before it closed shut behind us.


    We were in another circular stairwell that led down. We followed the stairs and it led to a stone corridor with etched designs cut into the walls. The design depicted the air element. So it was not surprising to find a wind elemental down the hall.


    Level 5 wind elemental-3000hp-Abilities- Wind bolt-2 sec cast


    Crap! My frost damage will do little to nothing against these guys!


    "What do you think, Tide?"


    He thought for a good minute before responding, "Well, Fire damage will be best. My golem can tank and do damage and you could use that fire bow if you want?"


    I nodded, "That''s not a bad plan, but what about the scroll? Doesn''t transmute mean change or alter. Maybe we can change the elemental to a fire type?"


    "Eureka!" He exclaimed while pulling out the transmute element scroll and a soulstone. "Let''s try it out! "


    He aimed the scroll towards the elemental and said,"Fire!" as he touched the stone to the scroll. The complex rune lit up and the spell activated, but it did not do what we expected.


    The spell didn''t accept the elemental as a target and moved to the next available target, which was my weapon, frostweaver. The weapon lit on fire and no longer had a blue aura.


    Ding!


    Player Tidalus Maximus has used the spell transmute element on frostweaver! Element permanently changed from ice to fire.


    "What the..", we both exclaimed in unison.

 Breaking Wind

    "That was awesome! Do my other sword!"


    Tide was still dumbstruck, "According to the laws of this universe, changing energy should not be possible. The magic in the sword was pulling a constant effect from the magical realm. The world of magic exists as potential energy, and the runes are able to exact a particular coordinate or location which produces a certain effect. That spell changed the coordinates of the spell to a new location that is fundamentally equal in exact damage value. That would require a level of mathematics that is on the quantum level. "


    I nodded, "Sounds complicated. It works though, so do the other sword and let''s kill stuff. "


    "But.." He began to argue but realized it would do little good and dropped it.


    He used another of his scrolls to change the element of my other sword to fire, giving me two flaming blades.


    Tide cast blur and then active camouflage, but made me wait a minute. He pulled yet another 4-foot tall clay statue out and inserted his second flame core, bringing another flame golem to life.


    "I''ll call you Ben, and you Jerry. ", he said, talking to his golems like children.


    I laughed at him and charged the elemental. The active camouflage allowed me to get close without alerting it.


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely Effective!(Fire)


    You have dealt 3100 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 5 Wind Elemental!


    Gained 300 experience! (43350/60000)


    The sword caused smoke to rise from the blade as it went through the transparent form of the elemental. The final sound of its death was a sizzling pop!


    I looted the elemental and we each received a wind essence. It seemed the loot would be the same as the first floor, which made me think the layout would be the same. I was wrong.


    Up ahead were three wind elementals blocking the corridor, floating side by side.


    " Damn that''s gonna be tough.." Tide said, "You should let my golems help.They should do good damage against these guys."


    "That''s a good idea, give me camo and let me hit first though. "


    Tide cast active camoflage on me and I approached the three elementals and attacked with rapid strikes.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely Effective!(Fire??)


    You have dealt 3123 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 5 Wind Elemental! Gained 300 experience! (43650/60000)


    The remaining two elementals turned to me and began to cast wind-bolt. Tide sent his golems into battle. I waited and watched the elementals draw the rune for wind bolt, which was the same symbol as flame bolt. After fighting so many elementals lately I was very confident with my timing. They finished the spells sending bolts of wind slicing through the air. I rolled forward, and the spells zipped over my head. I activated power attack, and attacked the elemental on my right.


    Hit!


    Extremely Effective(fire??)


    You have dealt 1000 damage! (2000/3000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely Effective(fire??)


    You have dealt 450 damage! (1550/3000hp)


    The golems reached the elementals and smashed into them with their flaming fists.


    Golem(Ben)-Hit!-100??(2900/3000hp)


    Golem(Jerry)-Hit!-101??(1449/3000hp)


    The elementals once again began to cast wind bolt. The golems had pulled the aggro of the elementals, becoming the new targets.


    My subskills were on cooldown so I could only use basic attacks.


    Hit! Hit!


    Extremely Effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 860 damage! (589/3000hp)


    The golems continued to attack the elementals with their flaming fists.


    Golem(Ben)-Hit!-101??(2799/3000hp)


    Golem(Jerry)-Hit!-103??(486/3000hp)


    The elementals finished their spells. Bolts of wind sliced into the golems, causing deep cuts.


    I saw damage numbers pop up over the golems and their health dropped to less than half.


    Golem(Ben)(-200 damage)(187/387hp)


    Golem(Jerry)(-200 damage)(189/389hp)


    They couldn''t take another volley like that or they would be toast. "Sorry, Tide it was a good plan but these guys can''t dodge like I can." I thought to myself as I put all of my focus into killing my enemies as fast as possible. The elementals began casting again.


    Hit! Hit!


    Extremely Effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 823 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 5 Wind Elemental!


    Gained 300 experience! (43950/60000)


    The elemental died with a puff of smoke and the spell rune he was casting disappeared.


    The golems turned to the remaining elemental and bashed it while it cast its spell.


    Golem(Ben)-Hit!-100??(2699/3000hp)


    Golem(Jerry)-Hit!-100??(2599/3000hp)


    My subskills came off cooldown and I sliced the last elemental apart with rapid strikes.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely Effective! (Fire??)


    You have dealt 3001 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 5 Wind Elemental!


    Gained 300 experience! (44250/60000)


    The last elemental died with a sizzling


    pop and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn''t want the golems to die already!


    Tide laughed and said, " See, they were useful! "


    "Lets save your golems for emergencies. They can''t dodge like me. Now if they were immune to the damahe that would be one thing."


    Tides mouth dropped open, "Holy crap! You just gave me an idea! "


    He opened his inventory and pulled out a tranmute element scroll and minor soulstone. He pointed the scroll at his golem and said, "Wind!" as he touched it with the stone. The spell activated and hit the golem. It''s body began to change, separating and becoming a tiny wind storm.


    "Haha! Now it''s a wind golem. The perfect tank! ", he laughed.

 Tidal wave

    We stood before the next group of three elementals after each receiving 3 wind essence from looting.


    "Thorn, let me take on the next group by myself please."


    I was surprised, "Ok if you think you can handle them. "


    "I leveled up my enchanting magic to level 5 and unlocked a new sub-spell. It''s an aggro generator. I also used my last soulstone so I need to make more. "


    "Why didn''t you say so earlier, I could have not killed them as fast.."


    "You do to much damage! It''s to hard to time with you destroying things!"


    "Ok, ok I''ll sit back and watch. Cast camo on me and ill jump in if I need to."


    Tide nodded and cast active camoflage on me. He then cast his new spell on the wind golem, which surrounded it with a gold aura.


    He sent his minions in to attack the next group. The gold aura attracted the attention of the three elementals, who began to cast wind bolt at the wind golem. The flame golem approached and began to smash one of the elementals with his fist, slowly whittling it down.


    The elementals cast there spells and I held my breath.


    Immune!


    The attacks did nothing to the wind golem, who attacked the wind elementals in return but did no damage to them. Tide''s aggro generator worked though and the elementals continued to target the wind golem despite its lack if damage.


    After about two minutes, the first elemental had low enough health for Tide to use soul-steal.


    Ding!


    Player Tidalus Maximus had created a minor soul-stone!


    Tidalus Maximus has slain Level 5 wind golem. Gained 300 experience! (44550/60000)


    A few minutes later, Tide had successfully created two more minor soul-stones and I gained 600 experience. (45150/60000)


    Gained 3 wind essence.


    "It''s a guaranteed win, but it takes so long...", I began, " I can just use basic attacks and make it go faster. "This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Thats a good idea. "


    With the new developments we settled on a new strategy. Using the aggro generator, the wind golem will tank, while me and the flame golem do damage. When it gets close to dead I will switch targets and let Tide use soul-steal. It was a good plan, and allowed us to clear the next three groups we encountered with relative ease.


    Gained 2700 experience! (46050/60000)


    Gained 9 wind essence.


    Once again we came upon a large room with a large amount of wind elementals in it, each separated into groups of three.


    We continued following the same strategy, clearing the groups one at a time.


    30 minutes later we had cleared the whole room, killing 21 wind elementals.


    You have gained 18900 experience! (64950/100000)


    During this process I heard a wonderful sound.


    Ding!


    You have leveled up to level 5! Hit points increased!


    Tide also leveled up while fighting the elementals, becoming level 6.


    "I''m so glad I met you Thorn! The experience is awesome and I have gotten so powerful! "


    "It has been good. You have been pretty useful yourself. Without you we wouldn''t have stood a chance against the boss. That target lock spell would have insta killed me. "


    "Your right! We are both awesome!"


    "Hey be careful this time" I said while pointing at the floor. "Let''s try and not activate the boss till were ready. "


    He lifted his foot up, and a circular tile sunk in and mechanical gears began grinding in the walls. Runes began to light up, forming complex patterns on the floor beneath him. "Oops, to late! Run!" He said as he booked it to the edge of the room.


    I also retreated to the edge of the room. As we ran, Tide pulled out a trasmute element scroll and changed his second golem(Jerry) from fire to wind.


    A 20 foot tall Wind elemental appeared in an explosion of wind that smashed into the golems.


    -Immune-


    The golems took no damage and began to attack the Boss, though they could deal no damage to it. i


    Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]


    Health[30000]Abilities- Wind burst[Level 2] Self-burst AOE 10feet range 20second cooldown


    WindSphere[Level 2]Target lock 20 feet range(8 sec cast)


    Enrage at 10% health, deals 200% damage, 200%attack speed.


    Tide used his aggro generator spell on one of the golems and it glowed with a golden aura.


    The boss began to cast Wind-Sphere at the golden wind golem, and I rushed in to attack. With its focus on the golem I could attack with leisure.


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 3500 damage! (26500/30000hp)


    Power attack!


    Critical Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 1500 damage!(25000/30000hp)


    So far the boss fight was going smoothly. I should have known it wouldn''t be that easy.


    More runes activated on the floor, and I sensed something was wrong. I disengaged from the Wind Lord and ran to the edge of the room.


    Two more Level 10 Wind lords appeared in an explosion of Wind that shook the room.


    Three Bosses! Holy shit!

 Threes company

    How the hell were we going to fight three of those things? Once again I thought of Skye and her words, you have all you need. This entire endeavor was due to her pushing me in this direction. This dungeon seems perfectly designed to be an experience farm for me with my magic weapons.


    Suddenly I had an ingenious thought and I yelled out to Tide, " Hey! Pull your golems back! I have an idea! I have a blizzard scroll, try the transmute element on it!"


    His eyes widened in understanding and we both jumped into action. The three Wind Lords were casting wind-ball at the golden aura golem and each had about 7 seconds left on the cast time. Tide commanded his golems to retreat to the edge of the room, for which they promptly obeyed.


    We both pulled out our scrolls and soul-stones. He used Transmute Element on the scroll and said, "Fire!", as I used the blizzard spell. The runes shifted slightly as the transmute spell hit it, and the spell activated.


    You have used the spell Firestorm!


    A ball of fire shot out of the scroll and hit the Wind lord I had targeted. The ball grew and became a swirling storm of blazing fire. The air from the wind elementals only caused the storm to intensify.


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??


    [Firestorm] -2000??(5000/30000)(8000/30000)(8000/30000)


    Every second Firestorm would drop almost 10% of the bosses hit points.


    I was impressed by the sheer power of the spell, which was causing massive damage. The firestorm interrupted the bosses spell-casting and forced the wind lords to just take the damage.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    During the fire-storm, Tide cast his aggro generator spell on both of his golems and cast active camouflage on me and himself.


    After ten seconds the storm stopped and I charged the wind lord with the lowest health. The active camouflage protected me during my approach and I saw the Wind lords begin casting Wind-Sphere at the golems.


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective!(fire??)


    You have dealt 3500 damage! (1500/30000hp)


    Power attack! [Main hand] (off-hand normal)


    Hit! Hit!


    You have dealt 1700 damage! (0/30000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (96450/100000)


    The Wind lord collapsed and its form disappeared as it died.


    I turned and began attacking the next boss.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective(fire??)


    You have dealt 3700 damage! (4300/30000hp)


    I managed to get off six attacks while they finished casting. The two Lords of Wind sent forth the wind spheres which slammed into the golems.


    -Immune-


    Tides aggro generator was good, but the damage I was dealing was too high. The Wind Lord I was damaging began to cast his target lock spell with me as the new target.


    Shit!


    I rushed in and unleashed as many attacks as I could with a furious fervor.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 1700 damage! ( 2600/30000hp)


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective(fire??)


    You have dealt 3500 damage! (0/30000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (126,450/180,000)


    Ding!


    You are now level 6! Hit points


    increased!


    Down to one. I aimed my blades at the last wind lord and mentally prepared to destroy him.


    Now, where were we?

 Copy

    //Authors note//Forgot to add that his strength and skills should have been increasing this whole time. Will go back and add. Strength +4 && Power attack[rank 1] 3/5 && Rapid strikes[Rank 2] 2/10 && Cleave[Rank 1] 2/5. //


    The final boss completed its spell and a four foot sphere of condensed wind flew forth and slammed into the golden wind golem.


    -Immune-


    The wind lord began to cast its AOE self burst spell which forced me to wait to approach, but allowed for my cooldowns to reset.


    A few seconds later he completed the spell and I rushed forward and attacked.


    Rapid strikes!


    Critical Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 3900 damage! (4100/30000hp)


    Power attack! [Main hand] (off-hand normal)


    Extremely effective!(fire??)


    Hit! Hit!


    You have dealt 1756 damage! (2344/30000)


    The Wind Lord had reached less than 10% health and began to enrage instantly becoming a large swirl of wind that spun like a tornado.


    I could feel myself being dragged toward the Wind Lord, who was gathering speed and becoming larger and larger. With a great effort, I managed to pull away and get back to where Tide stood.


    The golems were sucked up into the tornado and whipped around violently.


    -Immune-


    -Immune-


    Shit! I couldn''t get close to that thing!


    The bow! I''m not the best archer but I do have training with a bow, enough to be able to hit a target.


    I accessed my inventory and equipped the flame bow.


    The bowstring was made of magical fire and the bow had an awesome red metallic look to it that was smooth and reflective. It was covered in runes that lit up as I pulled back the string, which created an arrow made of flame.


    A bow like this was far preferable to a regular recurve bow. I didn''t have to fumble with knocking an arrow, I just pulled back and let go.


    Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 220 damage! (2124/30000)


    Ding!


    Core skill-bow created [rank 1] level 1- +20% accuracy +5%damage +5% critical strike chance


    Upon firing the first arrow I noticed that a number was showing in the corner of my screen. 99/100


    I also noticed that the bow was powered by soulstones embedded on the back, almost hidden from view.


    It must be the number of charges for the bow.


    Tide was forced to yell at me, because the Wind Lord was producing so much sound I could barely hear him, " Keep going! He''s almost dead! Go! Hurry!"If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "I am!"


    I shot the bow as fast as I could.


    Hit!


    Extremely effective ! (fire??)


    You have dealt 230 damage! (1914/30000hp)


    Hit!


    Extremely effective ! (fire??)


    You have dealt 260 damage! (1654/30000hp)


    I chipped away at his health with the bow a little at a time.


    Hit! Hit! Hit! (97/100)


    Extremely effective!(fire??)


    You have dealt 710 damage! (944/30000hp)


    The tornado grew larger and larger, coming ever closer to us. The loose dirt and sand beneath me flew towards the cyclone, making me more and more nervous. I had no choice but to continue firing.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit! (93/100)


    Extremely effective!(fire??)


    You have dealt 929 damage! (15/30000hp)


    I was so focused on using the bow that I didn''t notice Tide drawing a rune.


    A ball of light shot out from his rune and hit the boss.


    -50 damage (0/30000hp)


    Player Tidalus Maximus has successfully cast soul steal! Soulstone[Rank 2] created!


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (156,450/180,000)


    The raging tornado was sucked into the tiny ball of light and flew into the stone that Tide held in his hand.


    "Yeah!" Tide pumped the air in excitement and I smiled in satisfaction.


    I had begun to trust Tide and knew the rank 2 soulstone would be useful to us.


    "Loot!"


    I ran to loot the bodies, excited about what I would find.


    ||Boots of Wind Lord[Rare][Magical [Leather][Requires Rank 2 class]-[+15 dexterity + 85 defense +25% movement speed]


    Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 87


    Tide-pass.


    - - > Thorn ||


    ||Robe of wind lord[Rare][Magical][cloth]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn-pass


    Tide-??76


    Robe of wind lord - - > Tide ||


    ||Helm of Wind Lord][Rare][Magical]


    [+10 dexterity, + 100 wind damage boost, + 50 base spell damage+75 defense]


    -Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 45


    Tide- ??35


    Helm of the wind lord - - > Thorn ||


    ||Wind infused Shoulders[Rare][leather][Requires Rank 2 class][+10 dexterity + 2 strength + 69 defense]


    -Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 48


    Tide-pass.


    - - > Thorn ||


    ||Scroll of Invisibility[Rank 2]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn-pass


    Tide-??10


    - - > Tide ||


    ||Longsword of the Wind Lord][Rare][Magical][Requires Rank 2 class][450-560 wind damage]


    Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- ?? 99


    Tide-pass.


    - - > Thorn ||


    ||Scroll of Fireball[Rank 2]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- pass.


    Tide-??34


    - - > Tide||


    ||Wind infused trousers[Rare][Cloth][Requires Rank 2 class]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn-pass


    Tide-??23


    - - > Tide ||


    ||Air Core[Rare][Rank 2]-Would you like to roll?


    Thorn- pass


    Tide-??76


    - - > Tide ||


    Potion of strength + 50 strength 10 minutes - - - > Thorn


    Potion of Health[Rank 2][ +400 health]


    - - - > Tide


    Wind Essence[x4] - - >Thorn


    2 gold - - > Thorn:Tide


    "Soooo awesome!!"


    Tide ran around the room hooting and hollering in excitement at his loot like a fool.


    I heard the grinding of gears and a pedestal began to rise from the center of the room.


    This only added to his excitement. "Another Hieroglyph! Holy crap, I gotta hurry!"


    He frantically pulled his scrolls out of his inventory and began to rapidly trace the rune and create magical scrolls.


    He talked to himself as he worked, "Another spell from that strange school of magic! This one is rank 2! It''s so simple too!"


    I saw that the pedestal had the same four symbols -META-


    The rune that Tide was tracing was just a circle with the beginning of 3 lines that did not complete or intersect.


    "What''s it called?" I asked Tide.


    "Copy"


    "Yes I know your copying but what is the spell called?"


    "It''s called copy." He said with a laugh.


    I nodded and let him focus.


    He was able to complete 20 scrolls before the pedestal dropped back into the floor and a door opened in the wall. The door was the same as the last floor and led to a stairway.


    "Shall we?" I said to Tide who had a big grin on his face.


    "Let''s do this!"


    We entered the stairway and moved on to the third floor.


    Before us in the corridor was an earth elemental, a wind elemental, a fire elemental, and an ice elemental.


    Shit!

 Breaking the cycle

    The four types of elementals posed a problem for us.


    "So this dungeon is like a puzzle and the way we have gotten through it so far is by using the hieroglyphs. " I said, thinking aloud.


    "True, it does seem to be dependent on the scrolls." Tide agreed. He gestured at the elementals and continued, "So logically, the purpose seems to be the cycle of elements. Fire, wind, earth, ice. Each is devastating to the next leading in a vicious cycle. ".


    " That gives me an idea. How many golems do you have now?"


    "I still only have two." He said with great sorrow etched upon his face " The Wind core I got is rank 2 so I will have to get to level 10 and get my class change first. By the way, I still don''t understand how you already have yours already, it''s not fair! "


    I laughed at him, "And here I thought I was the 8-year-old. That reminds me we still have to put on our gear. "


    Tides eyes widened when he remembered the loot, he quickly entered his inventory and began trying to equip stuff. Some items, like the wind core, he would have to wait to use.


    I also went in my inventory and equipped the wind lord pieces, and my new longsword. The Rank 2 blade was covered in runes that produced a wind effect when I swung it. The armor increased my stats by a substantial amount, which made me smile.


    "Hey, Tide! How many change element scrolls do you have?"


    "Five left. "


    "Well, my idea is to use the scrolls to make us covered with all the elements. If there are four here then there should be at least four bosses. If our strategy is bad here it will be awful there."


    "True, but how do we do it with just five scrolls?", Tide said while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    " I think I know, just leave it to me." , said pointing at myself.


    Five minutes later we had completed the preparations.


    Scroll 1-changed frostweaver1(equipped) to ice


    Scroll 2-changed frostweaver2 to earth.


    Scroll 3-Changed Golem1(ben) to ice.


    That left us with two scrolls remaining, which I wanted to wait to use on the boss.


    I would take down the earth elemental and the fire elemental, while Ben and Jerry tank the ice and wind golems.


    Then I''ll switch weapons and help kill off the other two elementals. Sounds easy enough.


    Tide cast active camouflage on me and I approached the elementals and used rapid strikes. Time see seems slow allowing me to choose my attacks. I aimed my main hand attacks at the earth elemental and my off-hand at the fire elemental.


    HitHitHit!


    Extremely effective(wind??)


    You have dealt 4200 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely Effective(ice?)


    You have dealt 1400 damage! (1600/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 earth elemental! Gained 300 experience! (156,750/180,000)


    My new weapon did so much damage it killed the earth elemental off with three hits. I quickly unequipped my main weapon and equipped the frostweaver with the earth enchant, while simultaneously activating power attack on my off-hand to try and take out the ice elemental.


    Critical Hit!


    Extremely effective! (Ice?)


    You have dealt 1702 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding! You have slain Level 10 ice elemental! Gained 300 experience! (157,050/180,00)


    The golems ran forward shining with a golden aura and successfully kept the aggro on the ice and wind golem. The golems were immune to the spells that were being cast upon them.


    I attacked the ice golem with my main hand weapon, performing basic attacks while my cooldowns reset. With the golems tanking I didn''t have to worry about dodging, which made this easy.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (earth??)


    You have dealt 1800 damage! (1200/3000hp)


    Rapid strikes!


    Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective! (earth??)


    You have dealt 1500 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Ice elemental!


    Gained 300 experience! (157,350/180,000)


    We were now down to one elemental, for which I pulled out the bow and slowly shot him to death. It took 14 shots to take it down. (79/100 charges)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Elemental


    Gained 300 experience! (157,650/180,000)


    The last elemental dissolved into flame with the final attack of my bow.


    "Sweet! We did it! " Tide said with a smile wile wiping his brow.

 Prismatic Elemental

    *****


    ---Timeline--


    Due to Game time having 2 to 1-time differential things have become confusing. This is to clear that up. I may not have mentioned the time diff.


    [A] ---[B]---[C]---[D]----[E]---[F]---[G]


    [A]{9am-1pm}-Meet Olaf-6 game hours-{3 Real world hours} - Log-Out-Login-Makes deal with Avatars{1 real world hour}


    [B]{1pm-1am}Training Begins-- MC plays from 1 pm RT(RealTime) for 12 hours till 1 am (24 game hours!)


    [C]{1am-1230pm}


    Sleeps(12 game hours)- Wakes for second Real world day-6am trains till 12pm-(12 game hours)Logout-Eat lunch-(It has now been 48 hours game time since deal with avatars)


    [D]{1230pm-330pm}-Meets avatars with prince-performs class change trial-leaves town


    [E]-{330pm-730}-Arrives at gnolls-fights players-clears camp-Fights elites(8 game hours)


    [F]-{730pm-1230am}Meets Skye-Meets Tide- Clears first and second floor(10 game hours)


    [G]-1230AM-Current Time


    As you can see, not that much real-world time has gone by, it is only the beginning of the third day.


    Nathan has played for the first two days non-stop except to eat and sleep. It is now past midnight and he should log off. In the last 18 hours he leveled up from 0-6.


    ******


    Received Wind essence, fire essence, earth essence, ice essence.


    We moved on and took down the next four groups we encountered in the corridor, following the same basic strategy.


    Gained 4800 experience! (162,550/180,000)


    Gained x4 flame essence, x4 wind essence, x4 ice essence, x4 earth essence.


    While we cleared I finally began to tell Tide my story. He listened intently and asked a few questions here and there.


    He was very interested and was amazed at the chain of events.


    I began to feel exhausted. I had played Blank for a great many hours later and was beginning to feel the toll upon my mental physique. We both recognized how late it was and decided to log-off and meet back here at 6 am. After talking I had found out that we were in similar circumstances. We had both graduated basic compulsory schooling and had some time off. My Aunt and Uncle were allowing me a week to "Get it out of my system" whatever that meant.


    Regardless, we both logged out, but before I crashed I did a little research on my computer. I was curious about the prince. It had been 24 game hours since I had seen him and wondered how it was going.


    Ten minutes of research turned into an hour very quickly because of what I found.


    A few weeks ago a new faction system came out. This caught even the Five guilds off-guard and was met with a degree of hostility. With the current story-line, the five major guilds were forced to join the same faction(Good) in order to compete with one another. The number 6 guild, Hades, however, chose the opposite or "Evil" faction. This put Hades a great deal behind the other faction in the main story, but a certain "Demon Child" forced the good faction to wait for two days(oops). This allowed Hades to catch up, which isn''t the worst part. Many of the smaller guilds hold resentment against the five and joined Hades, who created a super-alliance of guilds. This Alliance was now attempting to assassinate the prince while the Five are escorting him to the capitol to become the new King.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    It has become an all-out war. The tipping point seems to be the Avatars. They have deleted many of Hades strongest players, which has caused an online outrage at the abuse of power, but nothing could be done. After I found all this out I couldn''t keep my eyes open and passed out until my alarm went off at 6 AM.


    I quickly got up and logged back into blank. When I got back in game, Tide was just arriving as well.


    "You get any sleep?", he asked happily.


    I told him what I found out and was impressed, " I can''t believe you caused such a mess at level 0! I can''t wait to see what you do when you''re leveled up! Haha!"


    I laughed, "Thanks man, I try. You ready to keep going?"


    Before logging out we had made it to the end of the corridor and had arrived at the large room. This room was larger than the others and had at least 40 elementals in it.


    Following the same strategy as before we cleared the room in about an hour, killing all 10 groups of elementals.


    You have gained 12,000 experience! (169,650/180,000)


    Gained x10 wind essence, x10 flame essence, x10 ice essence, x10 earth essence


    On the last group, Tide tried out the new copy spell to see how it worked. Thankfully it only required a minor soulstone to activate and was quite incredible to watch.


    Tide activated the scroll as a fire elemental was drawing the rune for fireball, and the scroll began to draw the fireball spell. They both completed at the same time and Tide cast a fireball at the wind elemental and did a fair amount of damage.


    This spell would prove very useful in the future, I was sure of it.


    This time, Tide was careful not to press the center tile and we were able to properly prepare for the boss. Tide cast Active camouflage on me and his Aggro generator on his golems.


    The trials in this place had gotten progressively harder and more complex, so I was apprehensive about the future. I was more than willing to face any obstacle, I would even Yo-Yo if I had to,


    //Sorry, Fuck Yo-Yo''s!//


    in order to achieve my goals. I would become a great warrior! No matter what it took! I would make the world remember my name, and I would do it my way! I wasnt going to allow a player, or an Avatar, or even some kind of misguided Artificial Intelligence control me and dictate my actions. I would let nothing stand in my way!


    Tide pressed the tile and summoned the boss. After a minute of flashy runes and grinding gears, a 40-foot tall monstrous Elemental took shape. Its head was made of spinning earth that connected to a huge tornado of a body made of wind. It''s left arm was made of fire and its right arm was made of ice.


    **


    Level 15 Prismatic Elemental Lord[Boss][Rank 2][Elite] Hp - Head(30,000??) Body(30,000??) R-Arm(30,000?)L-Arm(30,000??)


    Abilities-Unknown


    Spells-Unknown


    **


    I felt my heart sink. Ok, so this guy might be a pretty big obstacle.


    It was at this moment that I received a message from the Avatar Lord Justice. The message said, "Where are you! I need your help!"

 Damned if you do, damned if you dont

    I had no time to think or talk before the boss began casting. Two runes appeared, one in front of the ice arm, and the other in front of the head made of earth. Each of the elements of the prismatic elemental swirled amongst itself, its particles constantly rearranging.


    We had split the copy scrolls up, so we both had 11, along with the elemental transfusion scrolls, which gave both of us one to use in an emergency.


    Tide had also discovered that the copied spell didn''t have to be used right away, it could be stored. We had devised our strategy based upon this ability.


    We were prepared for four separate elementals, not one giant one. This put our plan in the crapper.


    "Tide! You take the Earth! I got the ice!"


    I already activated my copy scroll, and it was currently tracing the rune for the ice spell. The act of using the scroll blew my active camouflage which I didn''t expect to happen. The elemental seemed to know I was targeting his spell and I became the new target. The spell was quick, and as my scroll finished the spell enacted and a chain of ice flew out from the ice arm.


    I dodged to the left but the chain moved with me.


    Ding!


    Successfully copied Ice shackle-


    The 2-second cast creates shackle of ice that will freeze targets movements until the shackle is broken. 1000hp, target lock


    Target lock! Shit!


    The chain wrapped around my leg and formed a shackle made of ice.


    I found that I couldn''t move at all.


    Tide successfully copied his target as the rune lit up and activated in front of the boss.


    The ground rumbled behind us, and a wall of earth burst out, rising seven feet in an instant. It was a circular wall that extended 40 feet away from the boss, trapping us.


    I tried to tell Tide to break the shackle but I was frozen so it came out, "Uhhgggaa!"


    He looked at me confused, "What!?"


    More runes appeared in front of the boss, this time in front of the flaming arm and the tornado of a body.


    Two more spells were being cast and Tide didn''t know what to do. I couldn''t tell him about the details of the shackle because he couldn''t understand me.


    "Thorn! I don''t know what to do man! Shit!", Tide was visibly freaking out, his face panic-stricken.


    I could only wait and hope that Tide would use some damage spell to break the chain. I could see the firearm was targeting me with its spell.


    I watched in horror as Tide began to use a copy scroll on the fire spell.


    " UUuuUhhggg!", my words were gibberish but I tried nonetheless.


    What are you doing!


    The runes slowly finished and a flaming spear thrust forward impaling me as I stood immobile.


    You have taken 3000??(fire) damage! (0/720hp)


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.The world began to fade around me..becoming dark and void of sound.


    Ding!


    You have died!


    Would you like to resurrect at the nearest resurrection stone?


    I could still barely make out tides image while in this state, so I waited to see how long he would last before I resurrected.


    The boss used the wind spell and a violent wave of wind burst outward in all directions. The wind wave was so fast and powerful that Tide could do nothing to stop it. The force of the blast smashed him against the wall that had grown behind us with incredible speed, killing him instantly.


    Freaking noob.


    I chose yes, and enacted the resurrection process.


    Ding!


    10% Durability damage


    10% experience penalty


    My consciousness felt like it was being pulled away with a great rubber band and suddenly I was standing in front of a rune-covered stone. My body was materializing in front of my eyes until I was fully formed.


    Ding!


    Congratulations on your resurrection!


    I looked around and saw that I was just outside the beginner village. I waited for Tide and a second later, he began to materialize, the runes on the resurrection stone lighting up a multitude of colors.


    "Hey man! Why didn''t you break the shackle!?" I said, immediately confronting him about it.


    "That''s what you were saying?!? How was I supposed to even do that?" Tide retorted. He was obviously not happy about the way things turned out either.


    "I don''t know! You could have tried something! You just watched me die!" I yelled at him.


    "I did try something! I thought he would aggro me but he didn''t I don''t know why!" he yelled back at me


    "Alright, alright, calm down, it''s fine. " I


    said, more to myself than to him. "We at least know some of the abilities now.


    Tide nodded his head, "That''s true, I


    copied the fire spell and the wall spell, and you have the shackle spell. I wonder if you can copy a copy?"


    "I don''t know, we could try it and see." I said as I shifted the tone of the conversation, "We need a concrete plan now, and I need you to go to the auction house for me. "


    "I agree about the plan but why can''t you go to the auction house? " He said, confused.


    "I look like a kid remember?"


    "O yeah, I don''t see you like that I guess, I''ll do it for you. "


    I made a list of things of items that I needed, and a few wishlist items and sent it in a message to Tide.


    I opened a trade window and transferred all the stuff I wanted Tide to get rid of and put on the auction house.


    I had accumulated quite a bit of stuff that would hopefully fetch a pretty penny. I kept the best stuff and my weapons, even the bow for now.


    Once the transfer was completed Tide hurried off to complete my tasks and his own. We were both anxious to get back to the dungeon.


    I knew we shouldn''t feel bad, the boss was twice our level and we didn''t know any of its spells. Even advanced dungeon parties will often wipe when facing an unknown for the first time.


    Still, it freaking sucked. I hated the feeling of being helpless like that. My warrior class was great, but magic is still difficult to deal with. What kind of cheap crap gives you a target lock complete freeze lock.


    My train of thought was interrupted as a golden armored paladin appeared in front of me.


    Lord Justice.


    Oh shit, his message! I completely forgot!


    He looked me in the eyes, gave me a respectful nod, and calmly said, "I have been looking for you everywhere. We need to talk."

 Selective Invisibility

    "Now really isn''t a good time man, I''m pretty busy", I said to the golden paladin as I quickly pulled out a copy scroll and a minor soulstone and activated it.


    " What are you doing!?" Lord Justice demanded as he tried to look at the scroll.


    "Its just a detect magic scroll, you can never be to careful. ", I lied my ass off.


    Unlike when facing the elementals, the copy scroll instantly had an incredibly complicated rune completed upon it.


    "Haha! Instant cast spells! Power of the avatars indeed!" I thought to myself as I quickly read the description, rolled it up and put it away.


    Selective Invisibility(Avatar)-Lasts 1 day. Caster and up to three targets becomes invisible to all, even other avatars. No form of vision or anti-stealth will reveal caster. Caster can choose targets to reveal himself to, will not drop invisibility. Only targets chosen can see or hear caster.


    Holy shit! That''s OP! I had hoped to catch one of the Avatars abilities but I didn''t expect it to actually work.


    "I guess your alone then. ", I said with a stern tone. I knew there had to be a


    at least one Avatar out there hidden.


    Based on the description of selective invisibility even other avatars don''t know where each other are, so if he really believed he was alone, now he could be paranoid.


    "Of course, now I have a question. What the hell did you tell the prince!?" Lord Justice demanded.


    "What do you mean?", I replied with a slight smirk that betrayed my innocence.


    " You have corrupted his core programming! Now he''s got this idea in his head that he needs to level up. How does an AI even know he has a level! It shouldn''t be possible!"


    "Whoah, whoah, calm down there, I simply asked him if he wanted to be reliant upon the strength of others his whole life, and may have described stats in a way he could understand..."


    "Grr! Why?!?", Lord Justice shook his first at me in anger. "Now we are having to power level the prince. He refuses to accept his position until he is strong enough. "


    I shrugged, "Why don''t you just force him?"


    A dark look crossed the paladins face, "Because of the stupid necklace."


    "What necklace?"


    "The ruby necklace we had to retrieve from the innkeeper, it has a rank 10 enchant that stops even us Avatars from affecting him. As soon as he got the necklace he started acting like you! Demanding things and accepting no compromise! " Lord Justice explained, the irritation clear in his voice.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    I couldn''t help but laugh at the Avatars and their bad luck. Freaking Skye. This chain of events leading to this point had to be the work of skye tweaking things in the background.


    "Well I don''t know what you expect me to do about it, and I don''t know if I want to help you anyway. Not after Naxila tried to kill me. "


    Lord Justice frowned, "Did she? Well I cannot speak for her actions, but I will pay you handsomely. "


    "You did come through and pay me back, so I guess I could help you. So I''m guessing you want me to convince the prince to abandon his desire to grow stronger and accept his responsibility?"


    " What!? You will? Just like that? You won''t be sorry! I will pay you 100 gold!"


    "100 gold is a tad low don''t you think? I have to betray a friends confidence.."


    "He''s an AI...but whatever 200 gold!"


    "Alright one more thing. I want Naxila to apologize for trying to kill me, and I want the other Avatars present to witness it, or no deal. "


    Lord Justice was silent for a moment, his face betraying no emotion, "Fine, you have a deal, but you had better succeed. I''ll give you half the gold on good faith and will arrange for the other Avatars to meet us at the prince. "


    " Good. Take me to him. Where is he?" I asked?


    Lord Justice gestured to the village next to us, "He''s here, come with me."


    As we walked I prepared a message to send to Tide, but waited to send it. Timing was crucial.


    I had no intentions on betraying Olaf. I was proud of his decision and I agree with it. If he was to be the next King, he would have to be strong or he will just be waiting for someone to kill him and take his throne. A plan was formulating in my mind, and the pieces were falling right into place.


    Lord Justice led me to the beginner training area, were you can smack dummies to practice your technique. The dummies wouldn''t increase your skill, so people hardly came here, unless they were absolute noobs.


    I saw a young boy of about 8 or 9 years of age, practicing his sword swing on one of the straw test dummies. As we drew closer, the other four Avatars materialized out of thin air next to the boy, and I realized what was going on.


    Naxila must be using a medallion to make him appear as a child. Hiding in plain sight, genius.


    I began the first phase of my plan and sent the message to Tide.


    It read:Tide! Emergency! Stop what you''re doing immediately! We are being watched! Use the invisibility scroll on yourself and get back to the dungeon as fast as you can. You must hurry! I will meet you there. Good luck.


    The kid locked eyes with me and jumped for joy, "Thorn! You came!"


    I smiled and he ran over and gave me a hug. "Of course! Your my friend after all. It''s good to see you, I see you''ve grown up a little."


    "Ha! Good one!", He laughed and slapped me on the back.


    I turned to Naxila, " I believe you owe me something..."


    She frowned and growled,"I''m sorry for trying to kill you. "


    I frowned, "It didn''t sound like you meant that at all. "


    She growled further and repeated herself.


    "I accept your apology, now you." , I said to Lord Justice while holding out my hand.


    He opened a trade window and transferred 100 gold to me.


    I turned to Olaf and acted as though I just remembered something, " Oh I forgot, there is something I wanted to show you, it will only take a second."


    I entered my inventory and pulled out the recently copied Avatar scroll. The Avatars had no idea what I was planning and thought nothing of what I was doing.


    I activated the scroll and chose the prince as an additional target. We both vanished immediately as the selective Invisibility spell took effect.


    Olaf could still see me and was confused. I waved at him to come with me and together we just walked away.


    The Avatars started freaking out.


    "What did they do! Teleportation scroll! Why didn''t you stop him!" Lord Justice yelled at the other Avatars.


    Naxila screamed in frustration and said, " I don''t sense them within 20 miles of here. "


    "FIND THEM!", Lord Justice screamed.

 Back to the..

    The Avatars disappeared one by one as I led the prince away from the village.


    "What''s going on Thorn! Why can I see you but they can''t see me? "


    "I used one of the Avatars spells against them. Not even they can track us. " I said, smiling at him. "I am proud of you Olaf, you have done well. "


    "Thanks man, I am only doing what makes sense. A lot of what you told me made a lot of sense, but I didn''t want you caught up in this, I should go back."


    "No! Absolutely not! You are gonna come level with me for a while. "


    The prince shook his head, "You don''t understand , those people are powerful they are like Gods. You won''t be able to run or hide. The things I have seen them do...You must let me return.."


    "Just shush with all that bull-shit Olaf. " I said bluntly. "I didn''t waste my one time use Avatar spell on you for you to be whining about going back. Now I don''t care if you are a prince or a damn king, you are coming with me and that''s that! Now come on!" I said harshly as I turned and walked in the direction of the hidden temple.


    He smiled at my brashness and shrugged his shoulders, "Geez I''m coming, hey would you slow down! Where are we going anyway?"


    "To a secret dungeon that the Avatars wont be able to track us too, as long as Tide got out safe. " I said as I remembered that Tide could not have seen my message.


    "Tide?" The prince questioned.


    "He''s my friend, if all goes well you will meet him soon. We are going to the Temple of Archanos. "


    We picked up the pace and arrived at the temple entrance after an hour of brisk walking, though a variety of mountainous and forested terrain.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    With selective invisibility still active, we drew zero attention and could travel with ease.


    I called out as we arrived, "Tide are you here!"


    Tide dropped his invisibility spell and materialized in front of me. I allowed him to see me but waited before revealing the prince. Selective invisibility was useful for dramatic effect. As Tide saw me appear he immediately began talking non-stop.


    "Holy Crap! What is going on! Why is Hades after us! I overhead people talking about Hades looking for the temple! They need the magic that''s inside to assasinate the prince. We are so screwed! We can''t fight Hades! How did they find out its us! I got your message and I knew they must have found out!"


    His words took me off guard. Hades wants the magic in the temple to kill the prince, what kind of crazy coincidence was that?


    "Hades isn''t after us. " I said simply.


    He had a look of confusion written across his features, "What? There not?"


    "Listen it''s far worse than that, the big five guilds and their avatars are after us. "


    "What!?! Why?!"


    "I''ll just show you, so I would like to introduce you to the next King, this is Olaf. " As I said this I allowed Tide to see the prince and he appeared like a magic trick.


    I had forced Olaf to dispose of the medallion Naxila had given him and dispel the magic of illusion while we were walking, so he appeared as his normal self. He had on proper armor and had grown more muscular than I remembered, a side effect of his apparent training.


    Tide was shocked as the prince shook his hand.


    "You stole the prince! Holy crap this is some crazy shit! "


    "If you want to back out, now is the time to do it. " I said with a serious tone.


    "Hell No! This is awesome! Let''s get in the temple and get our revenge! Haha!"


    I nodded and quickly activated the four runes that were marked - M-E-T-A, one upon each pillar.


    The floor opened and revealed the stairwell leading down.


    Ding!


    You are now entering an event instance!


    The only way to leave is through completion of the event or through death. Are you sure you wish to enter?


    "Wait what about the prince? It''s an instance dungeon won''t it just create a different version for him if hes not in our group?" Tide questioned, stopping me from moving further. "He''s not a.....you know..."


    "A player! " Olaf interjected, " I may not have a consciousness that is anchored to a fleshly body on earth like you two, but I am indeed a player. "


    Me and tide were both struck silent. Wtf did he just say?

 Pressing boundaries

    "I know you don''t believe me, I''m just an Artificial Intelligence to you. If you say they can''t track us here, we need to get in this dungeon. Invite me to the group. I''ll explain inside." The prince explained, gesturing to the dungeon entrance.


    Tide was the first to speak, "My mind is so blown right now.."


    I felt the same way. Olaf was an AI, and yet he was claiming to be a player. What the hell? Only one way to find out.


    I sent a group request to Olaf.


    He accepted and I saw his information in the corner of my vision.


    Level 7 Emperor


    Holy shit, it worked.


    A minute later we had entered the dungeon and the exit closed behind us.


    Tide immediately began to assault the prince with his questions, "What class is that? Are you from earth? Are you an alien?"


    "I don''t know where I am from. " The prince said solemnly, "I only know that like you I once had a consciousness that existed in a fleshly body. I know that I am not like the others, those that you call AI. I remember being under the same haze that they live in. To not even know the name of the world you live in. This place has a way of forcing them to not be able to understand things like stats, and levels. "


    "Whoah, that''s crazy. ", I said, " A big thing with this game was that you could name the world what you wanted and it would translate it to those around you so you would hear the name you originally chose."


    Olaf nodded, "Yes, and to them, this name you give gets translated into a word that means nothing. Again and again, these invisible translations and manipulations occur in the background. I do not want to be lord of a nameless land. "


    "Mine is named Azeroth. ", Tide said apologetically, " So to me you would be lord of Azeroth, I''m just saying...So your an alien then! This is so cool!."


    "I don''t know if I''m an alien." Olaf said with a confused look, " I first began to remember things when Thorn brought me to the secret cellar. It was something you said. " Olaf looked me in the eyes and continued, "I asked you if you feared death and do you remember what you told me?"


    "A man would die a thousand deaths with a thousand breaths imaging his end. For with the same air, and a confident glare fathom a thousand victories instead. " I said, as I recalled words spoken to me by my father.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Olaf smiled, "Indeed, someone once told me the same thing, and that saying brought me back. Its only brief flashes of memory, not enough to piece anything together. But I promise to let you know if I turn out to be an alien, Tide. "


    "That would be awesome! Wouldnt it be awesome if he''s an alien Thorn! Thorn! Are you ok?" Tide said as he poked me.


    I had become lost in my own thoughts.


    "Yeah, yeah I''m fine, Olaf we promise to not treat you any different than anyone else would. I really wanted you to come here to level up so you guys let me handle the Avatars and just focus on the dungeon. "


    "Is that how you used the Avatars power? " Olaf questioned, " With the magic from the dungeon?"


    "You copied an Avatar spell!" Tide exclaimed, "What was it!"


    "We can talk about all of this later, " I said as I gestured at the dungeon below us, " It seems the entire dungeon reset. We have to start over. "


    The corridor before us held a single flame elemental.


    I asked Tide if he was able to get anything in town but he was limited in his ability to purchase due to funds running short.


    He was able to get 6 blizzard scrolls which would do massive damage to the boss at the end of the first stage. He also procured more crafting supplies.


    I checked my own inventory and since


    one of my weapons was already ice I used my change element scroll on my rank 2 main hand changing it to ice as well.


    Olaf was very interested in this scroll


    and the magic it contained.


    We told him about the different experimentation we had done with it but had to explain that we only had one left. Though hopefully, we would receive the opportunity to make more at the end of the first floor.


    The Prince had been given awesome gear to propel his power leveling requirement. He had an awesome fire enchanted broadsword, which would do little good in this part of the dungeon. Tide felt bad and used our last elemental transfusion scroll to change it to ice. He was convinced we could make more.


    The prince''s class was also interesting. As an emperor, he had "Aura" powers that affected all group members.


    One was named Aura of the king which gave a 25% increase in all stats to all group members within 40 feet.


    He could maintain up to two auras at this level and his second aura was called Aura of focus-25% increased critical chance to all group members within 40 feet.


    With the two of us all buffed up, we attacked the lone level 5 elemental and destroyed him in a few hits.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 5 flame elemental


    Gained 300 experience!(146,595/180,000).


    There were 28 more flame elementals on this floor, so as we killed them I explained to Olaf how to dodge the basic firebolt. He picked it up quickly and together we quickly cleared the floor.


    You have slain x28 level 5 elementals!


    Gained 8400 experience! ( 154,995/180,000)


    I paused for a moment to reflect before activating the boss.


    The only difference in any human is drive, self-motivation. What makes you push a little bit more, desire more, pass boundaries and press extremes.


    When the world tries to tell you to stay in your lane, live within your means, leave your dreams for others to complete, what foolishness!


    Dream! Desire! For only you are the orchestrator of your own happiness, and only by focusing upon your victory will you succeed.


    I imagined my victory against my foes and felt it as though it was real, experiencing the joy of having succeeded now. Soon I would have my revenge on the prismatic elemental.


    Tide pressed the button and summoned the first boss.

 Bum bum bum

    I could hear the grinding of gears behind the walls and runes began to glow on floor beneath us.


    More and more runes lit up and an enormous 20 feet tall flame elemental appeared. The elemental was made of pure flame with no flesh beneath. It''s form was constantly shifting and flickering.


    Info- Level 10 Flame Lord[Boss] Health[30000]Abilities- Flame burst[Level 2] Self-burst AOE 10feet range 20second cooldown


    Fireball[Level 2]Target lock 20 feet range


    Enrage at 10% health, deals 200% damage, 200%attack speed.


    I was anxious to be done with this floor already so I made the executive decision to have each of us use a blizzard scroll.


    We stood at the ready as the boss appeared and each of us activated our scrolls. Three blue spheres made of concentrated cold energy flew forth and slammed into the flame lord. The second they came in contact they exploded into a mighty maelstorm of ice that swirled throughout the elemental. The ice made the fire sizzle and steam, producing a cloud of vapor.


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard]


    -3000?[Blizzard] (0/30000hp)


    The storm quickly dropped the bosses health, the ice destroying more and more of the elemental until it was nothing but steam.


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Flame lord!


    Gained 30000 experience! (184,000/180,000)


    Ding!


    You have leveled up! You are now level 7! Hit points increased!


    *****


    || Flame core[Rare] - Would you like to roll?


    Tide- ?? 67


    Thorn -?? pass


    Olaf - ?? pass


    - - - > Tide ||


    || Vial of Mercury[Rare]-Would you like to roll?


    Tide-?? 23


    Thorn -?? pass


    Olaf - ?? pass


    - - > Tide ||


    || Ring of strength[Rare] + 30/strength-Would you like to roll?


    Tide - ?? pass


    Thorn -?? 28


    Olaf- ?? 13


    - - > Thorn ||


    ****


    After we rolled on the loot, the pedestal began to rise from the ground.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Out of the way! Coming through! " Tide said as he ran to the pedestal frantically pulling out magical paper.


    With a flourish of glee Tide began to trace the hieroglyph as fast as he could.


    Olaf was curious and inspected the pedestal while he worked. He called out to me after a second, "Hey Thorn! Check this out! There is a little hole on the side, it could fit a key. "


    I looked and saw that he was right, how did I not notice that before.


    I quickly went to my inventory and pulled out the large silver key. I inserted it and it fit perfectly. I turned it and heard a soft click.


    It didn''t seem to do anything but then Tide screamed out in joy, "Holy shit! The hieroglyph came off! "


    Indeed I looked and the top piece of the pedestal had detached itself and let loose the magical rune.


    Tide received a notification.


    Ding!


    You have received Ancient Artifact-Hieroglyph of Elemental transfusion.


    Tide ran around yelling in happiness, holding the hieroglyph like a newborn baby. He ran up and gave Olaf a hug, " I''m so glad you are here! Good job man! Hahaha!"


    I smiled at his craziness as the entrance to the next floor opened up. This was indeed good news that would make everything so much easier.


    I removed the large silver key and put it back in my inventory, surprised that it did not disappear.


    "Calm down, lets go to the next floor. " I said as I moved on.


    Tide halted his celebration and came through the doorway with the prince and down the stairwell to the next floor.


    Like previously there were two Wind elementals blocking the way.


    With the hieroglyph we now had no shortage of Elemental transfusion scrolls and didn''t have to save them. Tide reminded me that he would need to make more soul-stones on this floor, which I worked into the plan.


    I enchanted my weapons with fire damage and did the same to Olaf''s broadsword. I equipped the ring of strength and Olaf used his flame core to create yet another golem, bringing his total minions to three, two wind and one fire.


    I rushed forward, dodging the wind bolt the elemental cast at me as I struck with rapid strikes.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!


    Extremely effective!(fire??)


    You have dealt 5400 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding! You have slain level 5 wind elemental! Gained 300 experience! (185,295/280,000)


    Cleave activated!


    Hit! You have dealt 1250 damage!(??)(1750/3000hp)


    My main hand destroyed the elemental with the first few hits and did enough damage to activate cleave as my other three strikes hit with my off-hand.


    Hit!Hit!Hit!


    You have dealt 2000 damage! (0/3000hp)


    Ding!


    You have slain level 5 wind elemental! Gained 300 experience! (185,595/280,000)


    With a flurry of movements I instantly killed the elementals.


    "Damn man, let us do something.." Olaf complained.


    I laughed, " Your gonna have to speed up cause I''m not slowing down. "

 Story

    As we cleared the floor, me and tide pestered Olaf into telling us about the lore of blank. Everything we had learned had come from videos we had watched but most information was kept under wraps due to competition between guilds. We knew some things, but a great deal of this world was still a mystery to us.


    Olaf may not have any memory of his previous life, but he did remember growing up here and knew a great deal.


    One thousand years ago, the intelligent races(Elves, dwarves, gnomes, cat people(khaqui), lizard people(Velket), birdmen(?),humans) were on the brink of destruction. The primitive beasts and powerful monsters that occupied the planet threatened to overrun them. They were led by an ancient black dragon, named Morto Venti.


    It is said that a star fell from the heavens bringing forth a human man from another world, his name was Archanos.


    This man brought with him a weapon that would turn the tide of the war, magic.


    He used his magic to create the great elemental stones, teaching the intellegient races how to bind their souls to the magic. Those that trusted in this man gained great power and prestige and created the schools of magic that we use today.


    Though intelligent, they were nothing more than animals themselves, with no law, no order, and no desire to create such things.


    With the help of Archanos they won the war and struck a presumed fatal blow to Morto Venti. They pushed the hordes of creatures back, culling their vast numbers to near extinction.


    This was not without a cost.


    With fire comes ice, with light, comes darkness. For every element, there was an opposite, a mirror image that brought about balance. When the man from the stars brought the power of another universe he also introduced the world to good, and evil. The world experienced enlightenment, and for a time, knew peace.


    Archanos became the first emperor and united the races, establishing law and order. He taught them philosophy, psychology, astrology, art, mathematics, and written language.


    This created a golden age that lasted for 500 years. Archanos died at the age of 80 and passed down his special school of magic to his son, who became the new emperor. Generation after generation this cycle repeated, but Evil grew in the shadows, quietly gaining strength. Creatures and monsters began to appear with the ability to use magic, causing massive casualties.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Each Elemental stone had developed an enormous city centered around that form of magic, which created the different factions. They turned to each other in blame, sparking a civil war.


    After much chaos and death, the 9th Emperor using the magic of his forefather quelled the uprising and once again created peace amongst the races.


    This peace had lasted until Olaf''s father, the 19th Emperor, was murdered. This happened on the night that Olaf was born, by his own mother. His mother ran away with him and raised him in a small village. When he was 10 she told him the truth, that she had been controlled by some dark force to kill his father before he could perform the knowledge transfer ceremony.


    Olaf had always believed her, but it was not until recently that he had gained proof.


    He had been present when one of the Avatars had tortured a member of the Hades guild before deleting him. The faction that Hades had joined, the dark faction, was being controlled by an evil force thought to be dead. The ancient black dragon Morto Venti.


    As Olaf finished his story, me and Tide were blown away. While he had talked we had managed to clear all of the elementals on the second floor.


    Ding!


    You have slain x50 level 5 wind elemental! Gained 15,000 experience!


    (200,995/280,000)


    Gained x19 wind essence!


    I had remained silent in order to let him finish but I had a lot to say, "Olaf I''m sorry to hear about your mother..do you think it was Morto Venti that caused it?"


    A pained look crossed his face, "I knew it was something evil but now I know it was the same evil that my great-grandfather once fought. ".


    Tide chipped in trying to lighten the mood, " So you grandpaps was Archanos? You know the name of this place is the Temple of Archanos.."


    Olaf nodded and smiled, "Yes, my father was unable to transfer the knowledge of how to use the magic but I believe that it hidden in this temple. I can''t believe you found it... Before my mother died she gave me this necklace. " He said while gesturing to his ruby necklace, "She said whoever holds the Kings gem will become the next emperor, so I must protect it with my life."


    "I thought it had an all-powerful enchantment on it that makes you unable to receive harm?" I retorted.


    "There is, but it can be skirted, and if what you say is true then we can not allow Hades to get this magic. "


    This was all nuts, but my adventure in the world of blank has been pretty crazy.


    It felt good to know that my actions were important, and had a real effect upon someone''s life.


    "I swear upon all that I am", I said as I crossed my arms over my heart, " I will help you grow strong enough to get your revenge. I don''t care if it''s dragons or endless armies, no matter what it takes I will be there by your side! "

 Silver leaf

    Olaf shook my hand with a firm grip "Thank you brother. "


    Despite all the mumbo jumbo "feelings" and stuff, we still had a dungeon to clear and my own revenge to achieve.


    The plan for the boss was simple and should be very effective, but also involved some testing.


    We used a few elemental transfusion scrolls to change the remaining three blizzard scrolls to firestorm. Blizzard against the Flame Lord was not as effective as firestorm would be to the Wind lords. One firestorm scroll had brought them down to 8k health before, so two scrolls should be sufficient.


    The plan was to try and use a copy scroll on the firestorm scroll, if it worked we would save two of the valuable AOE spells.


    I would attack the lone boss until he summoned the other two. Olaf would then activate firestorm while Tide tried to copy it.


    Tide cast active camouflage on me and we summoned the boss. Seconds later the boss appeared in a flurry of rushing wind. I approached him and activated rapid strikes.


    Hit! Critical Hit!Hit!Critical Hit! Hit!


    Extremely effective! (fire??)


    You have dealt 8350 damage! (21650/30000hp||72%)


    Runes lit up on the ground and two more Level 10 Wind lords appeared in an explosion of Wind that shook the room.


    I sprinted away from the boss as fast I could while Olaf and Tide activated their scrolls. Olaf''s firestorm shot out of the scroll and slammed into the damaged wind lord. To my surprise the copy scroll worked and Tide used firestorm as well.


    The ball began to grow as a second orb joined it, becaming a swirling storm of blazing fire. The air from the wind elementals only caused the storm to intensify.


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??


    [Firestorm] -4000??(0/30000hp)(0/30000hp)(0/30000hp).


    The three bosses were turned into smoke as they died which quickly disappeared into nothingness.


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (230,995/280,000)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (260,995/280,000)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 10 Wind Lord[Boss]! Gained 30000 experience! (290,995/400,000)


    Ding!


    You have leveled up! Hit points increased!


    Loot


    ****


    ||Hammer of the Wind lord[Rank 2][Magic][Two-handed] -Would you like to roll?


    Tide-pass


    Thorn- pass


    Olaf- ?? 13


    - - >Olaf. ||


    || Silver Leaf[Rare][Magical][Trinket]- Would you like to roll?


    Tide- ?? 78


    Thorn-?? 99


    Olaf- ?? 56


    - - - >Thorn ||


    || Scroll of resurrect[Rank 2] -Would you like to roll?


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Tide-?? 13


    Thorn- pass


    Olaf - pass


    - - - > Tide ||


    || Longsword of the Wind Lord][Rare][Magical][Requires Rank 2 class][450-560 wind damage]


    Would you like to roll?


    Tide- pass


    Thorn- ?? 76


    Olaf- pass


    - - - > Thorn ||


    ||Helm of Wind Lord][Rare][Magical]


    [+10 dexterity, + 100 wind damage boost, + 50 base spell damage+75 defense] -Would you like to roll?


    Tide- ?? 25


    Thorn - pass


    Olaf - pass


    - - - > Tide ||


    ****


    Hell yeah, another rank 2 longsword and an awesome trinket. Maybe dying wasn''t so bad after all.


    I heard the grinding of gears and the pedestal began to rise from the center of the rune. We inspected it and sure enough it had a keyhole like the first floor pedestal. I took out the large silver key and with a click the hieroglyph(copy) popped off.


    Tide ran around clutching the ancient relic with one hand while he punched the air with the other. "Sooo Awesome!!"


    Olaf and I shared a glance and shook our heads, smiling. It was enjoyable to have someone like him around, who could be happy over the most menial of things.


    The pedestal dropped back down and the door opened in the wall, revealing the stairwell to the next floor.


    We moved on and the door shut behind us. We were once again on the third floor, standing before the four types of elemental.


    Our strategy would be different this time around, mostly due to the over powered effect of the "Kings gem". I had witnessed the effects of the ruby amulet with my own eyes and decided to use it for our benefit. The amulet had unlimited charges, and would automatically activate if Olaf were to take any kind of harm. This would make him momentarily ethereal, with nothing able to hurt him including spells and physical damage.


    Olaf''s broadsword was already enchanted with fire so he would take on the wind elemental since he couldn''t take damage.


    I used an elemental transfusion spell on my rank 2 wind lord blade that was currently fire, and changed it to ice.


    With two rank 2 weapons I should be able to instantly take out the earth elemental and fire elemental with one use of rapid strikes.


    This left the ice elemental, which Tide would take on. He changed one golem into ice, while making the other two earth.


    My predictions were correct, leading to us easily crushing the elementals.


    Ding!


    Gained 1200 experience!( 292,195/400,000)


    With the prince''s aura and the wind lord''s helm, Tides'' golems began to deal a lot more damage. The prince and the golems killed their elementals at around the same time.


    Once the strategy was established we quickly began to clear the floor with confidence.


    Tide had become talented at his timing to create soulstones, having created over 50 since the first floor.


    An hour later we had killed all of the elementals on the floor, with zero difficulty.


    Ding!


    You have slain x14 flame elemental, x14 ice elemental, x14 wind elemental, x14 earth elemental! Gained 16,800 experience! (308,995/400,000)


    As we cleared we discussed various strategies we could use on the boss.


    The first threat, in my opinion was the ice arm. We needed to find a way to shut that down, the target lock spell was far to strong and difficult to avoid.


    Tide came up with the idea of using the elemental transfusion spell on the ice shackle(copy) scroll, thinking that maybe an earth shackle would freeze the arm. It seemed like a good idea, plus we could use copy and and transfusion to make more shackles.


    Then I had the bright idea of preparing all of this beforehand using some basic duping.


    With three of us, it was easy.


    I pulled out the shackle spell and as I used it they both used copy, giving us two instead of one. We did this with all of the spells that we had, including ressurect.


    Once we had eight of the earth wall, flamespear, and ice shackle spells we used elemental transfusion to make two of each element. This made me realize that flame wall would do killer damage to the wind body and I convinced them to make a few more.


    It was a shame to have such awesome weapons and be forced to rely so heavily on magic.


    We nailed down the final details of our plan, and pressed the plate summoning the boss.


    Finally! It was time for my revenge!

 Tasting the rainbow

    //Will go back and add change in number of scrolls made.


    After a minute of flashy runes and grinding gears, a 40-foot tall monstrous Elemental took shape. Its head was made of spinning earth that connected to a huge tornado of a body made of wind. It''s left arm was made of fire and its right arm was made of ice. Each of the elements of the prismatic elemental swirled amongst itself, its particles constantly rearranging.


    **


    Level 15 Prismatic Elemental Lord[Boss][Rank 2][Elite] Hp - Head(30,000??) Body(30,000??) R-Arm(30,000?)L-Arm(30,000??)


    I smiled in anticipation. One of the greatest things about using a scroll is that it makes the spell instant-cast. So unlike the boss, who had a cast time, we could use our collection of scrolls and soulstones to cause instant devastation. That was my hope at least.


    I nodded to the others and as the boss began to start casting spells, we all activated scrolls.


    Earth shackle! [Target lock]


    Hit! - stunned until shackle is broken - (1000hp)


    The earth shackle latched on to the ice arm which made it become instantly stunned and cancelled its spellcasting.


    Wind shackle! [Target lock]


    Hit! - stunned until shackle is broken - (1000hp)


    The wind shackle grew in size and surrounded the earthen head which made it become instantly stunned and cancelled its spellcasting.


    Ice shackle! [Target lock]


    Hit! -stunned until shackle is broken. (1000hp)


    The ice shackle wrapped around the flame arm and stunned it.


    Following the plan, I pulled out the next scroll and used it.


    Flame wall!


    A giant wall of flame appeared inside the tornado-like body of the prismatic elemental.


    -1500??(28500/30000hp??)


    Tide and Olaf used their next scrolls at the same time, unleashing twin flame spears into the elemental.


    Flame spear x2


    -7500??


    -7500??(13500/30000)


    The wind part of the elemental began to try and cast a spell, a rune appearing in front of it.


    The flame wall continued to deal damage, burning away the tornado, bit by bit.


    -1500??(12000/30000hp??)


    We had copied the "spear" spell a crazy amount of times since we knew it could deal so much damage.


    Flame spear!


    -7500??(4500/30000hp??)


    Flame spear!


    -7500??(0/30000hp??)


    The tornado collapsed and disintegrated.


    The remaining parts of the prismatic elemental separated and began to grow in size until all three were 30 feet tall.


    Ice shackle broke!


    Earth shackle broken!


    Wind shackle broken!


    This act of changing forms had broken the shackles.


    "Earth next! Just let him cast the wall, it won''t hurt us now." I yelled as I prepared to use my next scroll.


    Ice shackle- - > Hit! - - > Fire Elemental


    Earth shackle - - > Hit! - -> Ice Elemental


    Wind spear! - -> Hit! - - >Earth Elemental -7500 ?? (22500/30000hp??)


    The earth elemental began to cast his spell but we ignored him.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.Wind spear! - -> Hit! - - >Earth Elemental -7500 ?? (15,000/30000hp??)


    Wind spear! - -> Hit! - - >Earth Elemental -7500 ?? (7500/30000hp??)


    Wind spear! - -> Hit! - - >Earth Elemental -7500 ?? (0/30000hp??)


    The spears of concentrated and condensed wind ripped giant holes in the earth elemental. The last spear ripped through its chest and the swirling rocks dropped to the ground and lay still.


    "Good job! Now ice! Be careful not to hit the shackle!" I yelled as I cast my next scroll.


    Earth spear! - - >Hit! - - >Ice Elemental


    -7500 ??(22500/30000hp?)


    Earth spear! - -> Hit! - - >Ice Elemental -7500 ?? (15,000/30000hp?)


    Earth spear! - -> Hit! - - >Ice Elemental -7500 ?? (7500/30000hp?)


    Earth spear! - -> Hit! - - >Earth Elemental -7500 ??(0/30000hp?)


    We cast four Earth spears, back to back. With the boss stunned we could attack at ease with no worry of retaliation.


    The spears took huge chunks out of the ice elemental, ripping it apart until it too fell down to the ground unmoving.


    "Last one! Kill it!" I yelled. I was ready to be done with this boss already. I told myself I would have to share the money I got out of the Avatars with Tide when this was over to make up for the material cost of all these scrolls.


    We focused down the lone fire elemental while it remained shackled.


    Ice spear! - - > Hit! - - > Fire Elemental


    -7500?(22500/30000hp??)


    Ice spear! - -> Hit! - - >Fire Elemental -7500 ?(15,000/30000hp??)


    Ice spear! - -> Hit! - - >Fire Elemental -7500 ? (7500/30000hp??)


    Ice spear! - -> Hit! - - >Fire Elemental -7500 ? (0/30000hp??)


    The final spear flew across the room and sunk into the flame elemental creating a sizzling sound as it was extinguished.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 15 Prismatic Elemental[Boss][Rank 2][Elite]! Gained


    250,000 experience! (558,995/400,000)


    Ding! You have leveled up! Hit points increased! (558,995/525,000)


    Ding! You have leveled up! Hit points increased!(558,995/680,000)


    Everyone leveled up, and could finally let out a sigh of relief that it was over.


    A pedestal immediately began to rise from the center of the room. I pulled out the large silver key as Tide excitedly hopped around.


    "Let''s loot in a minute. "


    The others nodded their agreement and I inserted the key and unlocked our newest hieroglyph. Tide grabbed it and inspected it.


    Ancient Hieroglyph-Redirect-May choose new target or target coordinates for target spell.


    As soon as he picked up the hieroglyph I noticed a blue light on the wall, getting brighter and brighter until a blinding flash surged forth.


    Olaf and Tide were hit by the flash and became seemingly frozen in time while I remained unaffected.


    A man stood before me, a projection materialized from the blue light on the wall. This man was tall and muscular with broad shoulders and a strong jawline. His armor was legendary, every piece adorned with countless runes and glowing rank 10 soul-stones.


    He spoke to me, "Hello Thorn, my name is Archanos. "


    "How do you know my name? How come the others are frozen? "


    Archanos smiled at me, "I am using a spell that I designed myself, that serves one purpose. It allows me to communicate with one particular person, and doesn''t work on anyone else. "


    I was confused, "Me? You made a spell just to communicate with me?"


    He nodded, "In a way I guess. It only works on myself so that''s why it worked on you. You are me, and I am you. "


    "Wait!? What the hell are you saying?!?" I exclaimed in absolute confusion. What was this madness?


    The man held up his hands in defense, "I know what it''s like to be where your at right now, and I didn''t believe it either. It''s just a game I thought. It doesn''t matter, I had thought I would say something different but I find myself repeating the same words I once heard long ago.."


    "So your saying that in the future I go back in time and become Olaf''s grandpa, becoming the first emperor." I questioned with a clear mocking tone.


    He nodded, "Yep. You remember how we used to have such a crush on our hot geometry teacher that we pretended to not understand triangles? "


    What the hell? How did he know about that? I had never told anyone about my crush on Ms Ashley, or as I secretly called her Ms. Assley.


    "What did we call her, Ms Assley.." He continued before blatantly stopping. It was as if he was reading my thoughts, making me feel unnerved.


    I put up my hands, "Ok, I get it! Enough with the weird memory lane stuff what do you want?"


    Archanos sighed and shook his head, " It doesn''t matter...No matter what the same things will happen. Olaf will die, and Tide will be deleted. You will be alone. Nothing I say can stop or change that. Skye was right, she knows everything. I''m running out of time. "


    His figure began to fade.


    "Wait! Did you find our parents! " I yelled out to him.


    He looked at me with a grave face, "This is why you will be me..."


    His form faded out of existence and the blue light began to diminish until it was gone as well.


    Time once again began to move for Olaf and Tide who looked around confused.


    "What happened?" they asked in unison.


    I could only shrug my shoulders and try to wrap my brain around what had just occurred. For a moment I contemplated telling them the truth, but then thought better of it.


    "I dunno."


    Tide shrugged, "Whatever! Let''s loot!!"


    It seemed the blue flash was only a momentary distraction for the two of them, as they went back to normal.


    I would never be the same.

 Not over yet

    //Forgot description of trinket-Silver leaf- 200%movement speed for 10 seconds, self cast, 2 hour cooldown


    My mind was reeling, spiraling into a cascade of ceaseless possibilities.


    Archanos was me? That couldn''t be true. Time travel isn''t real, even in a game. It''s most likely Skye messing with me in order to achieve her agenda. Why else would Archanos say that Skye knows everything. I don''t think that, and I never will.


    She obviously has the ability to read minds, and unlike Naxila she doesn''t have to allow me to know. She must have access to memories as well.


    I tried to convince myself that it was all just an elaborate trick, but as I watched my comrades jumping for joy at the prospect of loot I couldn''t help but wonder.


    What if it were true? What if Olaf is killed? Who knows if he can even respawn?


    I dragged Tide into this, so it would kill me to see him deleted.


    There must be something I can do..


    Some way to save them...


    My "Future" self said that it''s pointless, and nothing I do would change anything, so why tell me? Why am I such an asshole!Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    I was thrust from my thoughts as the roll menu popped up, forcing me to pay attention.


    ****


    || Prismatic Ring[Rare][Rank 2]+100 to all types of spell damage, +30 Wisdom, +30 intelligence- Would you like to roll?


    Tide- ?? 45 ("Please guys! Let me have it!")


    Thorn- pass("Fine")


    Olaf- pass ("Yeah, don''t care")


    - - - >Tide ||


    || Prismatic Wand[Rare][Rank 2]+300 to all types of spell damage. +30 Wisdom, +30 Intelligence- Would you like to roll?


    Tide- ?? 54 ("Please guys! Cmon! It''s so awesome!")


    Thorn- pass("Lucky ass")


    Olaf- pass("Where''s the good stuff?")


    - - - > Tide ||


    || Prismatic Broadsword- [Epic][Rank 2]


    (1220-1460 damage)-Has two modes,


    Can switch modes at will.


    1- Fire??/Earth?? enchant


    2-Wind??/Ice? enchant


    Would you like to roll?


    Tide- pass ("Thats badass! Gratz Olaf!")


    Thorn- pass(" Yeah gratz man")


    Olaf- ?? 97 ("Thanks guys!")


    - - - > Olaf ||


    || Prismatic Shard[Relic][1/4]- A piece of multi-colored stone. Origin and use unknown.


    Tide- pass ("What''s that!? Ahh give it to thorn he didn''t get anything. " )


    Thorn- ?? 1 (" Oh gee thanks for the useless relic." )


    Olaf- pass ("Your welcome! That''s what friends are for!")


    - - - > Thorn ||


    Received 5 gold, 20 silver.


    ****


    We had barely finished looting when the pedestal dropped back down into the ground and another door opened in the wall, revealing another stairwell.


    "You mean it''s not over?" Tide said, confusion written all over his face and tone.


    I shrugged, "I guess not, let''s go. "


    I led the way and walked into the stairwell with confidence. The others quickly followed, barely making it before the door closed. With a resounding slam the door sealed itself off and instantly it became pitch black.


    Unlike the rest of the dungeon, this floor seemed to have no lighting whatsoever.


    I realized what was going on after a second and spoke up, "It seems we are now facing the Dark element. "

 Shadow-death-chaos

    //Authors Note-The act of "Inspecting" a target in blank is not a skill. "normal" mobs will give info, along with select elites and bosses. There are spells to provide this information when it is not available. A player must simply look at a target and if the information is available it will appear in the players mind. This is something I have been meaning to bring up. //


    =================================


    [Thorn]


    ?[Level 10]?


    ?[Sword Adept]?


    ?[Hit points=98]?


    ?[Defense Value=339]?


    ?[Movement speed=125%]?


    ?[Strength=101]?


    ?[Dexterity=80]?


    ?[Constitution=32]?


    ?[Power Attack[Rank 1][4/5]]?


    ?[Rapid strikes[Rank 2][3/10]]?


    ?[Cleave[Rank 1][2/5]]?


    =================================


    The darkness surrounding us was supernaturally created and maintained by the dungeon. This became apparent as we tried out multiple sources of light.


    I pulled out a torch and it was extinguished immediately, even my magical weapon couldn''t give off any light.


    "Geez this is annoying.." Tide complained.


    "What about elemental transfusion? We have never tried the light element." I spoke out loud, mostly to myself.


    "Good idea! I''ll make a light golem!" Tide joyously exclaimed.


    I used an elemental transfusion scroll on my main hand weapon. "Light!"


    For the first time the corridor lit up and revealed our surroundings as my sword turning a bright white color that beat back the darkness. The walls were carved with detailed decorations that depicted the shadow(dark?) element.


    Tide used his scroll and his original golem(ben) became a four foot tall pillar of bright fluctuating luminescent light. The golem produced more light than my sword and allowed us to see down the corridor for about 40 feet.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Three elementals stood in the way.


    One was pitch black, and made of shadow.


    Level 10 Shadow(?) Elemental (6000hp)


    ?Dark Miasma[.5 second cast][300 shadow damage][Target Lock] ?


    The second elemental appeared to be a shadow wrapped in dark red leather armor, resembling a humanoid. It had long deadly sharp blades jutting out from its arms in lieu of hands. It also wore a menacing twin spiked helm made of some dark metal. Bright red fiery eyes made the elite chaos elemental appear incredibly vicious.


    Level 13 Chaos(??) Elemental[Elite] [7500hp]


    Passive-Immune to Aggro-Immune to all crowd control effects


    spells-N/A abilities-N/A


    The third elemental was vaguely humanoid shaped and made of shadow. It carried a wicked looking scythe in one hand, and wore a hood of shadow that mostly obscured the face of a skeleton beneath.


    Level 12 Death(??) Elemental[Elite]


    Skills/Spells-N/A


    (7500hp)


    I looked at the unusual group of elementals in bewilderment, "What an odd group? Is it random? "


    Tide shook his head, "No, I think I get it. Shadow is the core element for chaos and death magic(necromancy) Much like Light is the core element for order, illusion, enchanting, and nature(life) magic. Shadow is the core element to corruption magic as well, but their does not appear to be an elemental.. " Tide trailed off, seeming to lose his train of thought.


    I nodded, "Ok..soooo"


    "Oh yeah, so the elementals in front of us have a clear opposite. Order vs Chaos. Life vs Death. Light vs Shadow. The difference from before is that these elements are each others weakness as well as strength. "


    "Hmm, that complicates things, but we can handle it. By the way we should make some scrolls before we start. "


    "Holy crap the heiroglpyh! How could I forget!" Tide cried as he rushed to get his materials gathered.


    He made us 10 of each variation of scrolls that we currently had in our possession. We used elemental transfusion to change the scrolls we still had and the new ones to Order, Light, and life.


    I had been pondering the chaos elemental, and the difficulty we would soon face. I had a plan, but it felt pretty cheap.


    "Before you guys get to far into strategy, I have a plan. " I told the others.


    Olaf smiled, his face lighting up, "Alright! Let hear it."


    "It''s pretty simple." Lifting my hand I pointed a finger at Olaf, "Your gonna kill everything!"


    ***

 Emperors new groove

    20 minutes later...


    After much persuasion I had convinced Olaf that my plan would work. We discussed in length the details, and finished our preparations.


    I had been forced to look at this dungeon in a different light after meeting Archanos. If what he said was true then in the future I made this dungeon, so I began to think differently about how to approach it.


    The chaos elemental had been the deciding factor for my decision.


    I had asked myself, can you predict chaos?


    Realistically you can''t, but it might be possible to somewhat control chaos.


    We would do so by reducing the number of targets down to one.


    It was my prediction that the shadow elemental could heal with its dark miasma and the death elemental could probably use some kind of life drain or raise dead spell that would drag things out. Add on the chaos elemental and you have an annoying group to fight, one that requires a fluctuating strategy.


    Archanos knew that the prince would be with us at this point, so I chose to fully trust my gut and utilize the power of the emperor!


    "Good luck! God-Speed! Remember dont step on the circular tile in the middle of the big room! " I yelled out to Olaf as he sprinted down the corridor. His form was a blur from Tides recently cast defensive illusion spell.


    Prince Olaf ran past the three elementals, moving incredibly quickly. I had let him borrow my Silver leaf trinket for a short while, gifting him with 200% speed.


    Tide and I slowly walked forward from a distance, observing while under the effects of active camoflague.


    The Elementals followed him down the hall. The death elemental attacked with his scythe but Olaf was too fast. The Chaos elemental teleported five feet forward and I saw the information appear in my head of its ability as it drove its blades into Olafs unprocted back.


    [Chaos Elemental]-[Chaos Strike]-2 sec cooldown-instant-teleports five feet and attacks random target. 200%damage


    The emperors gem instantly activated and his body became momentarily insubstantial.


    -Immune-


    The chaos elementals blades harmlessly passed through him as though he was a ghost.


    Olaf quickly diasapearred down the corridor and off into the distance. His broadsword glowed with light magic and led the way as he ran past group after group. Everytime an attack would hit him his gem would activate and render it useless.


    Tide and I jogged down the corridor behind him, anxious to see how this would play out.


    We followed the corridor until it opened up into the large room.


    The Prince had ran in a large circle and gathered all of the elementals into one large group. He began to activate a series of scrolls, one after another.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Lightstorm!


    Orderstorm!


    Lifestorm!


    Three balls of light shot out in front of him and exploded into a gigantic storm of swirling colors. The multiple types of light energy seemed to combine as they spun like a mad vortex and ripped apart the elementals.


    -2000(??order)


    -2000(??nature/life)


    -2000(??light)


    -2000(??)


    -2000(??)


    -2000(??)


    The damage was overkill, after less than two seconds of the swirling light storm, all of the elementals were dead, disintegrating into nothingness.


    Our ears were filled with the sound of countless system notifications.


    Ding! You have slain Level 10 shadow elemental! Gained 600 experience!


    Ding! You have slain Level 12 Death Elemental! Gained 1200 experience!


    Ding! You have slain Level 13 Chaos Elemental! Gained 1500 experience!


    Ding!...


    Ding!.....


    x24 shadow elemental- 14,400 xp


    x24 death elemental- 28,880 xp


    x24 chaos elemental- 36,000xp


    (638,275/680,000)


    The light storm continued for the remaining five seconds then dissipated, leaving the room quiet and still with only tiny dark remnants left behind on the floor.


    "Haha! Well Done Olaf! Told you it would work! ", I said as I walked into the room.


    " Yeah good job! ", Tide agreed as he followed me.


    " Thanks guys. It just seemed a little to....easy." Olaf said frowning.


    I nodded,"I know it seems.."


    My words were cut off as a 13 foot tall Chaos Elemental appeared behind Olaf, materializing like a ghost.


    Level 15[Chaos Lord][Boss][Elite]-(40,000hp)


    A dark shadow wrapped in dark metal armor, wearing a twin horned helm with glowing red eyes and massive blades instead of hands.


    The Chaos Lord stabbed its blades into Olaf, causing his amulet to activate, nullifying the attack.


    "Olaf! It''s a boss! Watch out! ", I yelled as I jumped into action.


    I pulled out a scroll and activated it.


    Spear of Order! -


    -7500(??)(32500/40000hp)(81%)


    A spear made of a silvery light slammed into the Chaos Lord.


    Olaf turned and faced his enemy, swinging his broadsword at the elemental.


    Hit!


    -1599(??) (30,901/40000hp)(77%)


    Tide used a scroll as well.


    Spear of Order!


    Miss!


    The silver spear hit air as the Chaos Lord disappeared and re-appeared behind tide with its blades held high.


    I tried to yell out to him but it was already to late. The Chaos lord brought the blades down in a powerful sneak attack.


    Critical Hit!


    -3200 damage (0/750hp)


    Player Tidulus Maximus has died.


    "Shit! Olaf! Keep using the spear spell!"


    I yelled to the Prince as I prepared a different scroll.


    My mind was a whirl with possibilities. I couldn''t dodge the Chaos lords attack any better than the others, it was simply to fast, but maybe with a little luck I could re-direct it.


    Spear of Order!


    Hit!


    -7500(??)(23401/40000hp)(58%)


    Re-direct!


    Moments before the boss used its chaos strike I used the new re-direct scroll, choosing Olaf as the new target.


    I crossed my fingers as the spell activated. For a brief second I could feel the boss behind me before he appeared next to Olaf and attacked him.


    It worked! I think!


    Olaf igorned the bosses attacks and focused on casting as many scrolls as he could. His amulets protection made him immune to anything the boss could try.


    Spear of Order!


    Hit!


    -7500(??) (15901/40000)(39%)


    I cast redirect every chance I had in order to try and keep him from killing me.


    Redirect!


    Spear of Order!


    Hit!


    -7500(??)(8401/40000)(21%)


    Redirect!


    Spear of Order!


    Hit!


    -7500(??)(901/40000)(2%)


    The boss was only a foot away from me with 2% health left, so I quickly equipped my sword and finished it off with a power attack before it could enrage.


    Hit!


    You have dealt 1400 damage! ( ??) (0/40000)(0%)


    Ding!


    You have slain Level 15 Chaos Lord! Gained 50,000 experience! (688,275/680,000)


    Ding!


    You have leveled up to level 11! Hit points increased!


    (688,275/800,000)


    I pulled out a resurrect scroll and brought Tide back to life.

 Death-shadow

    We rezzed Tide, who ran off towards the boss the moment he was back, proclaiming, "Lemme loot it!"


    He reached out to touch it, and the moment he did runes lit up on the floor and a loud grinding could be heard coming the walls. We knew exactly what was happening, it was summoning the next boss, or bosses.


    "Damn! Tide get back here!" I yelled at him as I backed up to the edge of the room.


    The prince didn''t seem worried and brandished his sword with a smile, standing bravely in the middle of the room.


    An explosion of shadow rocked the room as two Elemental Lords appeared. The shadow burst out like a wave, causing the princes amulet to activate and make him momentarily insubstantial.


    Level 15 [Shadow? Lord][Boss] -(40,000hp)


    ?Dark Miasma[Rank 2]-1.5 sec cast. sphere of dark sticky energy. 600 damage/healing on shadow allies.


    ?Empowering darkness-2 sec cast, dark shadows come from caster, surrounding it, obscuring enemy vision , providing healing and increased stats while in zone of affect.


    Level 15 [Death?? Elemental][Boss][Elite] (40,000 hp)


    ????


    ????


    These Lord''s, much like the previous Lord''s, were just larger versions of the same elemental.


    We were fairly unprepared for this, but we would have come up with something...and fast!


    Tide had put up his golems earlier , returning them to the "core" state which is like a small ball.


    He pulled out three black balls and tossed them towards the boss. "Go! Ben! Jerry! Cake! I choose you!"


    "You named a golem cake?" I asked as I pulled out a light shackle scroll and used it.


    Light Shackle!


    Hit- - -> Shadow Lord Stunned! (1000Hp)


    The golems grew with a flash of light, becoming 4 foot tall Shadow, Chaos, and Death golems. The golems looked very similar to elementals they shared an affinity with, but smaller.


    The Death Lord raised his scythe high in the air, black energy quickly gathered around the blade. He was readying an attack on Olaf, but as soon as I cast the light shackle he immediately changed targets, slashing the shackle instead.


    Hit!


    -1800 damage(0/1000hp)


    Shackle broken! Shadow Lord has been set free.


    Tide cast his aggro generator spell on the golem he named cake. This made it glow with a golden aura and garnered the attention of the two bosses.


    The shadow Lord began casting a spell at the golem, while the death lord attacked it with its scythe.


    I used a scroll targeting the death Lord.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Life Spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(32500/40000hp)


    A bright white spear slammed into the chest of the Death Lord.


    Olaf used a scroll as well, targeting the Death Lord.


    Life Spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(25,000/40,000hp)


    Another bright white spear hit the death lord, the life energy causing havoc to him.


    The death lord continued his strike, swinging his scythe at the golem. The weapon passed harmessly through it, dealing no damage.


    -Immune-


    The Shadow Lord finished its spell and sent a sphere of dark energy at the Golem.


    -Immune-


    "See!" Tide yelled with a laugh, "Hes not normal cake, he''s immortal cake! Muahaha"


    "Quit playing around!" I yelled back, as I activated another scroll, targeting the shadow Lord again.


    Light Shackle!


    Hit- - -> Shadow Lord Stunned! (1000Hp)


    "Olaf shackle the other one! " I yelled to the prince.


    The prince nodded his understanding as the Death Lord turned and once again targeted the shackle with its scythe.


    Damn him!


    Milliseconds before his attack struck, Olaf cast the scroll he was looking for.


    Life Shackle!


    Hit- - -> Death Lord Stunned! (1000Hp)


    A bright white shackle made of life magic shot out and clamped around the chest of the Death Lord, growing in size to bind it. The lords sythe attack stopped just inches from the shackle.


    I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. With the bosses stunned we could casually kill them as long as we didn''t break the shackles.


    The Death Lord suddenly became incorporeal, translucent like a ghost. His body moved through the shackle as though it didn''t exist. The shackle fell to the floor and lay there.


    Ding! Death Lord has escaped the shackle!


    What a dick! What kind of skill was that?


    "Fuck it! Everyone focus the Death Lord!" I yelled as I cast my last life spear.


    Life spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(17500/40000hp)


    The Death lord swung his scythe and sliced apart the shackle like it was nothing.


    -1800??(0/1000hp)


    Shackle broken! Shadow Lord no longer stunned.


    The shadow Lord began casting a longer spell, possibly empowering darkness, which would prove annoying. I had two light spears left, and one order spear, but had quite a few other scrolls including redirect.


    The prince and Tide used scrolls at the same time, trying to quickly take down the death lord.


    Life Spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(10000/40000hp)


    Life Spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(2500/40000hp)


    Twin spears of bright white life magic hit the death lord, who turned towards Tide. The boss had incredible range with his large weapon. I could tell he was going to attack Tide, so I decided to keep him busy.


    Light Shackle!


    Hit- - -> Shadow Lord Stunned! (1000Hp)


    A shackle of light bound the shadow Lord, interrupting its spell-casting.


    I smiled as the Death Lord turned away from Tide and aimed its attack for the shackle instead.


    Tide let loose his spell.


    Light Spear!


    Hit!


    5000??(0/40,000hp)


    Though light magic did less damage than life, it was still enough to kill the Death Lord before he broke the shackle.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 15 Death lord[Boss][Elite]! Gained 50,000 experience!(738,275/800,000)


    Olaf had run out of spears so he was forced to attack the Shadow Lord with his light infused broadsword.


    Hit!


    -1709??(38291/40000hp)


    With the shadow lord successfully shackled, Tide and I took turns flinging Spears.


    Light spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(30,791/40000)


    Light spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(23,271/40000)


    Light spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(15,771/40000)


    Light spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(8271/40000)


    Light spear!


    Hit!


    -7500??(771/40000)


    Olaf brandished his sword for the killing blow.


    Hit!


    -1500??(0/40000)


    The Shadow Lord collapsed into a black pile of either that began to dissipate into nothingness.


    Ding!


    You have slain level 15 Shadow Lord[Boss]! Gained 50,000 experience!


    (788,275/800,000)