Humblebrook Village glowed under the late afternoon sun. Cobblestones reflected gold as shadows stretched across the market stalls. Players moved through the streets, trading items, comparing loot, and discussing the realism of Ascendant's VRMMORPG world. Even small details—the rustling of leaves, the shimmer of water in fountains, the way sunlight caught the edges of armor—made it almost impossible to distinguish game from reality.
Kaelen moved through the crowd, ignoring curious glances. His recent auction had left him with enough gold to prepare for the Silver-tier bosses. He opened the market interface, quietly purchasing Iron Swords from players who had acquired them through starter packs—offering double the price. Most passersby didn't understand why anyone would buy such mundane gear, but Kaelen ignored them. These swords weren't intended for standard combat—they were ammunition for his skill [Coin Toss]. With his trait, he bypassed the usual inventory limits, carrying far more than any ordinary player could.
If I'm going to fight the Silver bosses head-on, this is the way to do it, he thought. Keep them at a distance, chip away at their strength, and let Luna handle the heavy hits.
He stocked enough swords to fill every slot and piled health potions high, ninety-nine per stack. Every item mattered; with Silver-tier bosses, even a single misstep could be fatal.
Luna perched beside him, golden eyes sweeping the bustling market. Kaelen didn't speak; words weren't necessary. Through their connection, he could sense her readiness. She flexed her wings subtly, muscles rippling under white-gold scales.
Gods, even at level ten she's a nightmare, he thought. I just need to keep her alive while she shreds whatever comes our way. Any other player would be squashed instantly by her stats.
With preparations complete, Kaelen left the village and approached the valley. Mist clung to the trees along the path, weaving shadows that danced with the faint sway of the wind. Groups of players gathered, whispering strategies and trading items in anxious murmurs. Some hoped to be recruited as bait for a Silver-tier boss; others simply wanted to witness history unfold.
"Isn't that… the one who soloed the first Bronze Boss?" one player murmured.
"Yeah," another replied. "First Dawn. On the first day. By themselves."
Kaelen smirked. It's not that impressive. Just timing, luck, and Luna. Most players don't even grasp the advantage of a controllable dragon from day one.
Still, everyone here acted like kings of the world, flaunting numbers and gear, thinking they could waltz through Silver-tier bosses with brute force. Kaelen navigated past them, ignoring all offers. His plan had already taken shape: lure the flying boss—the Steel-Claw Eagle—away from the others, chip its health with ranged weapons, and let Luna strike when the timing was right. The other two—the Corrupted Tiger and Corrupted Lion—could be handled individually later.
Grind levels? Sure. But that's slow. Too many players will be ahead by then. I need a faster solution.
The valley entrance emerged through the mist. Shadows moved unnaturally among the trees, twisting with the wind. Kaelen counted the players assembled—most were spectators, a few desperate to make a name early, hoping to survive or make history as cannon fodder.
Through the haze, massive silhouettes appeared: the Silver-tier bosses. Kaelen pulled up their stats mentally.
[Corrupted Tiger] Level 20 Silver Boss — massive, sinewy, claws ready to crush anything beneath them.[Corrupted Lion] Level 20 Silver Boss — regal, brutal, eyes burning with predatory intelligence.[Steel-Claw Eagle] Level 20 Silver Boss — wings spanning wide, talons gleaming, eyes surveying everything in the valley.
His pulse quickened. Luna has higher attack than any of them. Defense is decent, but I need to be careful. The Eagle—that's the one I lure first. Flight gives her mobility and range. Separate it, and I might stand a chance.
He crouched behind a boulder, hands tightening around Frostbite Blade, thinking through strategy. Throw weapons, keep it airborne, limit its attacks, and let Luna dive in at precise moments. Timing is everything.
The Steel-Claw Eagle spotted movement, screeching as it flapped its wings. Each beat stirred the mist into spiraling currents, debris scattering. Kaelen signaled subtly to Luna, shifting his stance, and she responded immediately, muscles tensing in anticipation.
Now or never, he thought, heart hammering.
The Eagle descended in a blur, talons outstretched. Kaelen tossed the first iron sword with [Coin Toss], aiming to slow it, force it into predictable arcs. Sparks flew as it struck the creature's flank, drawing an angry screech.
Luna reacted instantly, leaping into the air and striking with her tail, deflecting the Eagle's swipe. Kaelen ducked just as talons slammed into stone behind him, sending dust and fragments flying.
It was fast, relentless—but not random. Patterns emerged. Each flinch, each pivot, each dive could be anticipated if he stayed sharp. He sent another sword spinning, this time hitting the Eagle's wing, forcing it higher into the air. Luna followed in perfect sync, diving for a counterstrike that made the ground tremble.
The Eagle's screeches filled the valley, echoing off cliffs and rocks. Kaelen crouched behind a boulder again, chest heaving, eyes tracking every beat of its wings. Its fury was building, muscles coiling like springs. Soon, it would enter rage—a moment when patterns could break and danger spike unpredictably.
Halfway there… once it hits full rage, it'll be chaos. I need to anticipate everything.
The mist swirled thicker, mixing with dust kicked up by wingbeats. Players at the edges of the valley watched in awe and fear. Few could comprehend the precision and synchronicity between Kaelen and Luna, let alone predict the Eagle's next move.
Kaelen readied another sword, shifting slightly to bait the Eagle into a dive. Luna mirrored his movement, tail poised to strike at the right moment. The air vibrated with tension—the kind of charged stillness that only came before life-or-death combat.
This is it, he thought, exhaling slowly. Every step, every toss, every beat of her wings counts. One mistake, and we die. But if I keep my focus, we can win.
The Eagle screeched again, talons extended, wings slicing wind like blades. Kaelen's arm flicked, hurling another iron sword. Luna leapt, twisting midair, tail connecting in a precise, devastating strike. The boss faltered, but it would recover—he knew it. They couldn't rely on brute force alone. Strategy, positioning, and timing were their weapons.
The fight was far from over. Each second demanded attention; each choice held consequence. Kaelen's mind raced, calculating distance, trajectory, wind currents, and Luna's stamina. The valley seemed to shrink around them, a crucible of mist, stone, and motion.
We've started the storm, he thought, feeling adrenaline and anticipation blend into clarity. Now let's see how far we can push it.