The carriage pulled out of the city with great haste and very soon the high walls of the city were falling below the hills in the horizon.
"I had no idea this world was so beautiful." Kal shared loudly in the carriage as he was taken aback by the landscape beyond Taluria.
Whether it was your first time or your 100th time, this world always had a way of drawing you in. The vermillion sands of the desserts, the floating islands with raining falls and a purple sky filled with jewels of vast sizes.
Looking at the group had me smiling before I collected myself.
"Everyone, listen up. Based on the people that are in this party, I think I have an idea for a strategy."
"As crazy as it sounds, I'm going to need you to hear me out" leaving the driver's side and joining them in the carriage.
Their shocked faces were expected. It was far from a typical plan but considering their strengths it was the best strategy I could come up with, especially if we're going up against a drake.
"I'm in. Let's go for it" Vestralia was the first to jump in. Her passion is something I don't think I'll be getting used to anytime soon.
The rest of the group had their reservations, no one wanted to lose their EXP but they were already on the way so an option to turn around wasn't really on the table.
"Sure, fine by me, if it wasn't coming from the higher level player in the group I would have shot it down but we're already in this, why not see it through." The grumpy Rogue, Weiss, was surprised by Hailey's response who was happy to have him on board.
'Hmm, I already have two on board. I wonder how the rest will react.' I waited for a response from the rest of the party as I leaned against the carriage.
Weiss exchanged a few glances with Kal and Dan, who both reacted the same. As though they didn't want to upset him
"Well for now, it's not a bad plan. So I'll say this, if we come up with something better, we'll stick to that" he answered me.
'That's better than a no. I'm going to have to get stronger if I want to take on more Quests by myself. It'll just make things easier in the long run' I thought, before giving him a nod.
Though I couldn't tell if he was happy with this decision but for now, this will have to do.
"I'm going to take a quick nap, let me know if something comes up." sitting back as the vision of my character turned dark, the audio of the game turned muffled as the only thing left in my FOV was a clock counting down.
Hitting zero, my eyes opened up revealing the image of the inside of the carriage. Finding most of the players amongst themselves in discussion as it was pulled over near a clearing off the road. The driver informed me that we would be camping for the night as I got off the carriage.
"All right. Well if any of you want to take a break, you do it now. You can even get an EXP boost if you take a long rest" I told them as I approached the camp they had set up.
"Sure but who's to say you don't stab us in the back and take all our gear in the dead of night?" Weiss quipped as they sat by the campfire cast by the driver.
"We're still a part of the same party, friendly fire would only make the Quest harder for me if I did."
"So if you could handle the Quest on your own then it wouldn't be a far off thought?"
"...." my pause might have had the rest of the party sit up with all but one of them bearing a scowl the longer I held my tongue. Though it was not out of malice.
"...This...is only the second time I've partied up. The first time playing with strangers. It's all just new to me. If you are worried that I'm planning on robbing you, then you can rest easy. I won't. Dark blood or no, paying kindness with kindness, that's what I believe. And right now, that is the same for my party."
"Inspiring speech, but you can relax. I was just asking. However, something you said has piqued my interest"
"About what exactly?"
"You said Dark blood or no."
"Ehh...sure. You guys should check out the Helper's Guide. There are a lot of neat tips and tricks. But to keep a long story short: Races of Ulgree can be separated based on the karmic affinity they lean closest to. Dark bloods are those with an innate negative alignment while Bright Bloods are those with an innate positive alignment."
"Of course, they don't impact your personality but they do affect how the game world perceives you. According to the in-game lore, the lands closer to the Glass Sea are more welcoming to the Dark bloods while those closer to the interior offer better treatment to the Bright bloods."
"Sure, but you spawned in the Middle Kingdom, no?"
"Yes, guess the Devs didn't have any qualms with dropping players in potentially hostile territory."
"Alright then, so what's your race?"
"That is a story for another time…"
"Come on, don't keep us waiting."
"Look I have to make a call, you guys can take the time to get some rest, we'll be leaving at dawn."
Walking away from the camp, I opened my menu. Finding that my old party mates were on their way to the Southern Border towards Anathael, having made good progress.
'I'll have to make double-time after completing the Quest. Entering the town by tomorrow means we shouldn't waste any time.'
Returning to find most of them were already asleep, I waited...looking at my gear and checking the items.
'A crazy plan is better than no plan' I thought as the nightly breeze bit into me.
Dawn brought on the rising sun's heat, with the carriage already heading off, travelling to the town.
By the time everyone had woken up, it was already in view.
"Brave Adventurers, up ahead is the town of Mynil"
"Bout time, I've been itching to get started." Dan said as he tightened his bracers.
"Let's get us some coins," Weiss added, barely looking up with his arms crossed as though he was resting.
"Time to see what you guys can do," the Berserker added.
When we arrived in town, we found the mayor waiting alongside a group of guards. With the carriage coming to a stop. After thanking the driver for the trip, he took off.
"Brave Adventurers. We received word from the Adventurers Federation that our request was accepted. Please we need your aid. A drake has been terrorising our town, stealing our flock and burning our crops. Please, bring an end to this threat and you'll be graciously rewarded"
"Will do." Responding to him, the quest acceptance prompt pinged for all members for the new quest:
Bounty Quest. Slay the Mynillian Drake: Objectives.
Retrieve the Key of Audrake Manor. Save the trapped guards. Slay the Mynillian Drake before its next assault.
"The guards must have been the ones who tried to fight the beast when it first attacked, but the Key of the Manor. What is it?" I asked the mayor.
"The Manor holds a great many treasures hoarded by its previous owners and further filled by the beast that now nests in it. Bring us the key at any cost sir Adventurer. Those riches will greatly aid our town as we try to rebuild"
"Let's get going, Winn, we have a dragon to slay," Vestralia said.
"Hmph, all right. C'mon" we made our way out of town towards its northern edge, where the Manor sat overlooking the rest of it. But before we could get any further, we found our first encounter.
Skeletal warriors had been wandering along the road to the Manor.
Undead Warrior: Level 3
"And they're all over the place" by the time we noticed them, more had begun to stagger out of the nearby brushes.
"We can take care of this, Kal, cover me!" Before I could suggest anything, Weiss took off.
Rushing in before Kal charged ahead of us and cleaved through one of them with an overhead strike.
While those in front were slowly drawn to the Berserker, the rest gathered behind us.
Drawing closer to Hailey, they tried to take a swing at her, when Weiss stepped up and used Smokescreen against them, with Kal rushing in and knocking away the straying foes before he moved in granting the spectators only a glimpse of several flashes as the dust cloud cleared.
"Good work. I take back what I said" Weiss scoffed as she sheathed her weapon.
"Well obviously, look at me. You think those things would stand a chance?" the Berserker asked.
'Well then, at least they can handle themselves.' I let out a slight breath of relief.
"So, are we going to keep sitting on the sidelines?" Vestralia tapped me on the shoulder before joining the group up ahead.
With all of us joining the fight, it wasn't long before we arrived at the Manor door, a prompt was spawned.
"Subjugation Event. Beyond this point, you will not be able to leave the area before the prey has been hunted"
"Well threaten me with a good time" Kal pushed the door open, and instantly the group was teleported into the building.
Far from the ornate and aged masonry that was expected to greet the party, the innards of the Manor seemed to be crumbling with part of it opened up to bleed in the sunlight creeping foliage, and resting beneath the tattered banner of the Audrake House was the scaly behemoth.
"Mynillian Drake. Level 8"
"Title: The Sword of Winter [Deal 10% extra damage to Frost Chromatic Beasts and Draconic Beasts]" A prompt appeared below the visual of the beast's level.
Seeing a beast with such a believable level was a breath of fresh air since my arrival to this world
"All right first blood—" Vestralia called to Kal, before she pulled back the Berserker by his belt as she pointed to me. My expression must have shown my frustration with what they were about to do.
"Remember the plan. And stick to formation"
"Formation, strategy, plans... let's just get to smashing things"
"Look, if my plan goes out the window, then you're free to go crazy" I said, with the response being something that most could get behind.
Getting as close as possible, I used my Frost Effect Skill, starting the battle.
"Frost Effect status, resisted. The monster will only receive weakened Frost status ailments"
"Well it's not like I expected to freeze it solid."
The Frost status effect slowed the beast's starting attack, giving Kal enough time to tank it, opening the beast to an assault from Vestralia, where she charged, sword and shield in hand.
Slashing at the drake's throat before running through the gap between its legs.
With her cooldown reset, I called Weiss to use her Smokescreen, blinding the beast that started to thrash wildly while Kal and I backed out of its range.
In our place, Dan moved in and delivered a devastating blow knocking the drake off-balance and into one of the weathered walls.
With a moment given to Kal for Hailey to heal him, they moved into the fray once more taking the beast's tail swipe.
Blocking the brunt of the attack granted Dan a chance to avoid it. In their delay, I rushed in but unfortunately the next attack would be the last I was hoping to encounter. Seeing the flame lit in the beast's maw, I pulled out a scroll.
Scroll of Morning Dew temporarily offered fire resistance but burned up after its use. After which, I pulled out a Gas Vial, and I called on Hailey to use Enhance Defense buff on the group.
"S-sure!" she answered, with some shaking in her voice.
Accepting the order with a nod, they got into position and used the spell.
As the drake's blast shot out, I threw the Gas Vial, breaking open when meeting the flames and igniting it in a vast explosion.
Tossing me to the side, with the shockwave blasting past the group. Who last saw getting swallowed by the flames of the explosion. Through the smoke cloud, I tried to call out to them.
"Don't lose focus, Winn's HP is still in the green!" Vestralia assured the group.
Dashing out of the smoky veil with steaming garbs, the cool down for my skill was done, using the Frost Effect skill once more, the beast's rage was stalled.
Moving on its delay, I called on Weiss to join me, delivering a series of slashes at the beast before the skill began to wear off, prompting her to once again use her Smokescreen.
With the two of us leaping out of danger, we watched as the creature thrashed about the black mist.
"Well, that was my limit. I won't be able to use that skill again for the rest of the day."
"That's fine, just be ready to go attack on my mark. Kal, you'll cover us, and Dan you'll make an opening. Vestralia, Hailey will buff you, and you'll fight off any counterattack from the beast. Once it's weakened, we'll go in for the final strike." reviewing the plan beside everyone.
"We can only pull this off about two times before I'm out. Here" I tossed Vestralia and Hailey the mana potions before taking a Lesser Healing Potion and handing the other two to Kal and Dan. Finally I took aStamina potion and made sure that Weiss was good to go with both potions.
'She's the only other DPS alongside myself. Which means I'll need every single hit she can dish out'
"Mynillian Drake Level 8"
"Right, this is the final stretch." Getting into position, Kal made off alongside Dan, as the beast readied another flame volley, though this time I threw both a Pitch and Gas Vial. Breaking against the beast and binding its jaws for a moment before it released its blast creating a massive explosion.
"Scroll of Fairy Step" might have cost a pretty penny but let's hope it was worth it.
Running after them as we all ducked from the sudden tail swipe knocking the crumbling pillars that would have struck Hailey had Vestralia not leapt into the way with her shield.
Instead she was sent back into what remained of the broken down wall, the beast maw's filled with an amber light before belching all around the room.
The lava-like spew splattered all over the place forcing everyone to head for higher ground up the mounds of rubble. With the cool down still running for my skill, I wasn't left with many options. So I had to take a chance..
As part of the magma spew cooled, I leapt onto the cobblestone floor and equipped the Mask of the Reviled, before using its skill.
"Aura of the Reviled. All monsters in 30m will be drawn to you for 30 seconds"
Instantly catching the eye of the beast that crawled up along the wall over its spew as it chased me down.
"When you see a chance, knock it off its feet" I gave the order while I used my speed to evade the beast's attacks. Using the scattered ruins as cover to avoid its tail swipe.
The group split up as the rearguard pulled themselves together. With Hailey helping Vestralia to her feet, her healing spell worked to bolster her strength.
Dan stepped in as the drake tried to get at me between a hole in a broken wall, knocking the beast off balance and leaving it open to an attack from above by Kal, with his hammer landing a heavy strike on its unarmoured flesh.
The blow was fierce but the drake carried on with the last of its HP. Vestralia was finally up and ready to attack, her charge was now covered by Hailey's assault of ice spikes, giving them time to avoid the beast's attack and landing one of her own.
The beast fell against the blow while Kal got Vestralia out of its way.
By this point my skill cool down was over, and that meant it was time for my gamble.
Using the Frost Effect skill…but not against the drake, instead turning the chilling power on my sword.
The rime crawled from the hilt to the tip of the blade, and with a ringing time, the entirety of the sword was frost touched, as though a piece of blue glass was cut into the shape of a blade.
"Frost Effect. Your sword will temporarily have the Frost Affinity, increasing the chance of inflicting the Frost status effect with each strike" a prompt appeared in my HUD.
"Weiss, it's time"
"Well then, make sure to keep up" I pushed on as she joined my assault, avoiding the beast's laboured attacks, as each strike we brought down on the beast was true.
A unique truth around any draconian beast is that the only parts of them that are actually fireproof are those covered by their scales. Which means their insides aren't so much. A note that remained firmly affixed in my mind as the freezing blade pierced the flesh beneath frozen and cracked scales.
The beast tried in a valiant effort to bite at us, thankfully the spell cast from the Scroll of Fairy Step granted an automatic dodge for a single attack once activated.
Allowing me to leap out of danger's grasp.
With the beast's final breath, the amber light in it's maw began to grow as the group waited...until
Bounty Quest Objective Complete: Slay the Mynillian Drake
Rewards:
Drake Hide(x6) Drake Fangs(x4) Drake Claws(x4)
Skill gained: Drakeblood Whip. Level 1(Active. 10 seconds cool down)
"Launch into a long range, unarmed strike. With the strength of a rampaging drake, knock your opponents off their feet"
Skill gained: Drakeblood Maw. Level 1(Active. 10 seconds cool down)
"Launch into a fast, close ranged, unarmed strike. With the strength of a rampaging drake, knock your opponents off their feet"
Skill gained: Drakeblood Slash. Level 1(Active. 25 seconds cool down)
"A fast double slash, inspired by the ferocity of an enraged drake. This skill can be used with a delayed second strike for increased damage"
Level Up —> Level 9
Mynillian Bounty Quest: Objectives.
Retrieve the Key of Audrake Manor. Save the guards.
"We did it, can't believe we managed—"
"Stay alert…The Quest isn't over yet…" I took the time to catch my breath while everyone stood stunned.
"...Eh. Hey man, I think we just won…" said Kal as he helped me up, still shaking from the ordeal.
"We still have the other two objectives before we're done with the Quest." Weiss let out as she approached Hailey, asking for her to cast her healing spell.
Not too long after the beast was felled, all our HP returned to max.
"We can at least start the search around the Manor." The group got up from their short rest and moved out, covering the entirety of the demolished room, they found a hole that was in the previously inaccessible courtyard of the Manor.
Heading down the gap and landing in knee-high water, those without the ability to see in the dark stumbled about. Until Hailey summoned a ball of fire hovering above. The entire space was lit, with a surprising shine and glimmer coming from the room.
"This…this looks like a horde…wooo!" Kal cheered after witnessing the vast riches sprawled across the room.
Bounty Quest Objective Complete: Find the Audrake Manor Key
The prompt appeared on my menu. Though looking around the horde, it's clear that this is what the town's mayor was really after. Not an actual key but more like a way to get to the drake's treasure.
Still, that's only two out of the three objectives. So where are the guards?
Race: ?? Class: Sword-Wielder Level: 6.
Derived Class: Swordsman Level: 3
HP: 170
MP: 100
Blessing:?
Vitality: 20
Strength: 25
Agility: 33
Endurance: 20
Intelligence: 15
Dexterity: 30
Wisdom: 20
Luck: 0