Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
Lv 12 - Low Class
Traveller’s Proficiency – Passive. 10% increase to STR, END, and AGI when out of combat.
Mountain Wind – Active. 30 SP cost per round. Recover HP equal to 10% of your END. Splitter – Active. 20% SP cost. Perform a powerful vertical strike. Damage is doubled against inanimate objects, such as terrain or equipment.
Birds cawed and grass moved like a thousand legs chittering on the rocks. The sky heavy with the dense cloud while the cold wind blew from multiple directions. And the ground is just like a reflection of the sky above, carrying this grayish color and having a similar texture to ashes. There are nooks and crannies where unfamiliar noises echoes. Sudden screams blasted through the thick grove. And already, Klein is fiddling with his thumbs, hoping no one would jump scare him.
To be honest, Klein was never a man of horror. He could play gore, enjoy it even when seeing the fragility of the flesh being displayed on the screen. He had a few good scares when comes to cannibalism and zombies. But the day when the Ring get remodeled into VR for consumption and Klein decided to buy it? He was so glad that he did not watch it together with friends nor anybody in his room that day. For he wet the floor. Shit scary. Nuff said.
And this place reeks of that traumatizing experience. So, with his head low and weapon in hand, Klein decided that he would tiptoe through the grove to find any oni or reanimated warriors. There maybe some spirits that have a great bounty on their head, but Klein doesn't want to clean the VR suit in real life so he takes the easy way out.
"Should have look for more guides... " Klein whispered before continued his tiptoeing journey into the mist, determined to find some reanimated warriors or oni and not pee his pants. Preferably the latter.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
"Yes, I was looking for a mixture between single hand and double hand? Like something that deals normal damage with one hand and extra damage when equipped as two-handed? Or something that allows me into a bloodlust state? If it also comes with gradually destroying the enemy's armor over a certain amount of hit would also be great? It would be even greater if the weapon is in some sort of set?"
Klein paused, stroking his avatar's beard, feeling its roughness poking against the tip of the fingers before adding more to his request.
"And can I also buy a set of armor from the Gakui-Re? Something that raises their relationship to positive?"
The orc rubbed his jaw. "Those er sum fancy words yer using. Gimme a moment or two, ye? Gotta warn ye ahead of time though. Those bloodlusting weapons ye looking for? Bad news to be dealin' with."
He strode off then, motioning Klein to follow. While much of his stock were simple products, common weapons for new adventurers to buy and gauge their interest in, the products over here had more care and polish put into their construction. Greataxes with a gleaming edge, halberds with armor-breaking spikes, masakaris of ensorcelled jade. The price varied, uncommon weapons fluctuating at 10,000 rishi, while rare weapons floating at 50,000 rish.
"As fer armor...dunno why yer set on em, but the Gakui-Re don't have their own brand, y' know? Not the same way those other clans do."
“Can you be more specific about the bloodlust?” Klein asks the orc, confusion clearly shown in his eyes as he picks up the great ax to test its weight. “Like shouldn’t the bloodlust go away after sometimes?”
The orc smith breathed, then pulled out a pipe to smoke from. "The nature of weapons is empowerment and extra abilities. Some enable you to cast bolts of lightning, others make your attacks more powerful. When a barbarian rages, their rage comes from within. It is something that they are a master of. But when the weapon pushes into its wielder such emotions, cursing them in some way? That's when a weapon is demonic, pulling their wielder to ruin."
A puff of smoke escaped between the orc's lips.
"Only came to Horogi recently myself, but there are stories of cursed weapons all over Gala. Heard even, that within Erid, Sin-Eaters use them specifically to lay waste to their foes. Deneb has their Dark Knights too. For the common warrior though? It's just a liability."
Klein thinks about what the man said, placing the great max between his feet and then use its pommel as a resting point for his elbow. The Caco reason and warrior’s belief for cursed weapons are interesting, to say the least, although not completely alien. Usually, in most games, you can either make the devil or curse to go away, or at least able to neglect the curse by doing some quests. But in this case, Klein wonders if his demon, his passive, can improve through the consumption of these cursed items.
One thing for sure, that passive thing. Whatever he conjured every time Klein entered death's door? Felt very real. He could still remember its warm embrace, its chaotic eyes every time its aura dance upon his skin. And it’s something. Not hunger. Not thirst. Just something there every time it is called to manifest. Summoning his status page, the info about his passive confirms his suspicions. This was but a first stage, meaning there has to be more.
“What can I get for 14000 rishi?”
And after giving some options, Klein decided to take the cleaver.
Brutal Cleaver - 12,000 rishi Uncommon Weapon +10 STR After hitting an enemy, reduce the damage of their next attack against you by 20.
Although it wasn't what he expecting when getting into the store, at least Klein got his first weapon, Klein thinks as he felt the cleaver that is neatly covered in a brown paper sheet. About 60 cm from tip to handle, or 42 cm for blade portion only. The weapon, as the Orc introduced, was too long to be a cooking material, yet somewhat too short to be used as a sword. And even then, it would not be an effective weapon for its blunt tip and thick blade. Suitable for chopping through armor and slicing bones, not very much to display a feint or flowery moves which most Immortal seems to be after. On the decorative aspect, the brutal cleaver is not that eye-catching. While it does have this dark and brutish vibe as one would expect for such a barbaric weapon, like the curved spine and rustic color for the blade, it is very normal in a sea of broody and gothic-like weapon. Hell, there is even a weapon that bleed... Like a fountain level of blood, which makes sense why there is a bucket beneath it...
Wait, why did he get this again? Klein thinks as he started to wonder whether buying at this smithing was the correct option. But the "no refund" board outside was enough to stop Klein from demanding the refund from the orc.
And with his newly bought weapon in hand, Klein walked back to the Keystone Plaza to get his first-class. And as he placed his hand on the rock, a message popped up on his vision.
[Class: Mountain Man]
+5% HP | +10% STR | +5% AGI | +10% END
Max END equal to or greater than 10. (Current: 17)
Consume 5 Monsters without preparation. (Current: 22)
Sleep in the wilderness.(Completed)
Requirements fulfilled. Would you like to accept this class?
Yes
No
Of course, Klein clicked yes. Now, all he needs to do is wait for his status updated.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
While the grinding was successful for others, it was not so much for Klein. He has no item. He still doesn't have the class yet, although its requirement had been fulfilled like ages ago. And while he is not angry about others' item distribution, he was malding for the fact that he only gets Goblin Warpaint. And judging from the text, they even keep playing with others without inviting him.
Of course, he understands why they wouldn't want to play with him. Comparing to others, his addition to the group was more recent. He was invited by Amulak when the group first hit the newly released FPS. And while Klein thinks he had exceeded the acquaintance part, his "friend" status is still a little bit flimsy. He didn't understand the incident 3 years ago, nor the references being made in the group chat. And, to be honest, he just felt a little bit lost.
That was why Klein did not want to respond with others after he exits the game yesterday. And although Ames was kind enough to offer him the halberd, Klein is giving some thought whether or not he should take an offer. But still, he is going to set up an emergency fund for Ames should he needs some money.
Now scanning the items between the shelves in the Orc's Smithing, Klein is hoping he could his first weapon from here. While the market could offer cheaper price items, he doesn't want to place a bet on others' reliability. Especially after the talisman thingy that sucks XP from others. Besides, perhaps the smith would have a set of armor that gives some positive relation to the Gakui-Re clan. After that, finally getting his darn class. If he isn't wrong, the class should be able to activate through the starting stone thingy. That, or the game just rigged.
"Excuse me, do you have any war ax. The one that fit for my size?"
Klein asked the orc smith before picking a normal ax up. While it would be a fit size for someone shorter than 6 foot, the ax is something laughable as a main weapon. Not bad for a surprise. But it is for sure does not utilize his range as an 8 feet tall human.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
Half dead and...
Nah, crossed that. Barely alive and after eating a mouthful of dirt, Klein couldn't help but to feel very conflicted about what the frogman just did. A part of him was so happy just for the fact that he is still here and not himself 3 hours earlier. But on the other hand, there was this greed in the back of his mind, saying that if the group are just a little bit more committed into the frogman, perhaps they could have all gain a set of rare items from this. Speaking of rare items, Klein grabs the tiger plate beside him before handing it to each of the group members to inspect.
"Maybe some kind of rare jobs?" Klein said as he handed out the item. The group theory on the talisman was very interesting. The fact that it could possibly drain xp leaves Klein to wonder why would the talisman owner do it? Or, perhaps, did not give them any warning about it? And to be honest, returning to the village would be the best option for Klein right now, seeing how his passive is barely holding on its own. Perhaps he will rest in the village and go out at night, just before the village close its gate to the outside world. He just need to survive the wilderness for a night to get the mountain men class. To be honest, is it even worth it at this point?
Klein can't imagine a group of newbies, with no class, can kill a kappa, let alone 2 of them. And already, he had lost like 4-5 levels. Kinda huge if you are in here to get some early fame. But he ain't here to voice his opinion about class diff. So, it is whatever. Beside, he is more of a late bloomer anyway.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
It took Klein's brain a second to process the loss of gravity. A quarter of another second to notice how gradually he is climbing. After that, 2 whole seconds mixed between awe and fear as he freeze mid air, noticing how small his friends has become. If it wasn't because of Magpie's area of control, how insignificant this battle would be in the grand scale of thing? Klein asked himself before staring to presumably where the starting village is. But before he could take anything into details, the gravity slowly dragging him down, increasing faster and faster in velocity and the imminent impact.
This is when he started to notice about Ames's growing head and how fast it is approaching him. And if his Agility was higher, perhaps he could change direction mid air, maybe even move in the air. But... what he can do but to warn Ames from their imminent impacts? But, just as he is about to shout for Ames to watch out, Magpie just grab him mid air, flipping him so he would fall head first, and launch him toward the frog man.
All Klein could do is clutching the spear tightly around his chest, and hope that his passive carry him through this impact.
After spending a few seconds admiring the craftsmanship of their team symbol, Genor quickly added the item into his pocket before listening to the group of strangers, who he will spend the next few months, probably a year at least, fighting side by side. Saul, Ioxeia, Petra, and something something... To be honest, there were too many faces and so few minutes being spent to remember them. But, that is something he will work on in the near future. What more astonishing was their "positivity." It is too bright. Too beaming for his own liking, a clear contrast from his nihilistic brooding.
But still, when all of these puppies eyes lock on him with excitement and thrill of the adventure to come, Genor couldn't help but to force a smile on himself. Maybe a grimace? Maybe he is just showing how red his gum is? Who knows?
"Genor." The soldier stopped, scratching his chin to think if there is something cool to share about himself. "... Yep. That is pretty much it." He shrugged.
And as the group divided itself into more menial tasks, where the mumbling prayers can be heard and the snores in between the hush voices, Genor decided to hit the canteen and eating something late. The bread was exquisite and the corn was great. The ale was... decent and the atmosphere can't be of any complaint. Still, he didn't sleep very well that night.
It is not because of the future's uncertainty that kept him stirred at night, nor was it the sense of being wronged by Gods gnaws at him. Something stuck in his teeth. And all night, the sound of his tongue working meticulously around the teeth, trying to get this thing out from the space between his canine can be heard.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
He needs to breathe, that is what his brain said to him when Klein felt that kick in his throat. And although it was only happening in mere seconds and in a simulation no less, the suffocation was sudden enough to force Klein to let go of the frogman, dropping his spear in the process while choking for air. Such a weird experience. To both gasp and to scratch your throat. To open your mouth like a fish. To be a fish on dry land.
But still, he had it better than some of his subordinates. Turning to his right side, where a guy with his whole face sunken inside his skull, Klein couldn't help but grimace at how... real the injuries looks like. His broken and lack of cartilage nose. The golfball size eyes. The unnaturalness of his upper jaw, how sunken it is. Even as a fan of gore and blood, Klein couldn't help but shuddered at the sight, the only way he can express his sympathy.
"Take a rest ok?" Klein said, patting his friend's still shoulder before picking up his spear and take another charge at the frogman. This time, he aimed at the wounds he dealt not so long ago.
He is probably gonna fail.
They are probably gonna all die.
But good mental change lives, Klein reminded himself before picking up pace, charging toward the frogman.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
Despite being a simulation, Klein's brain reacted just as if it was hurled across the sky. Act on its own will, his body curled into a ball, bracing for the imminent impact against the ground. And while a part of him wants to see how much damage he would take, his hands had already covered most of his face, deeming the sacrifice of these limbs a good trade-off in order to ensure his protection.
But such trade-off was never needed as Klein found himself being caught by Ames.
"Wow, my hero," Klein says jokingly to Ames, who just waste his channeling time to save Klein from getting a few more scars. But just as he was about to crack some more jokes, a gust of winds blew across his face, reminding him of the dire situation they currently in. Well, maybe not too dire in the sense that they can redo it as long as they want. But the thought of just wasting 3 hours without save sends chills and disappointment down his spine.
But without a lack of understanding of what Raime's trying to accomplish, Klein just assumed the human missile is doing something impressive. And it is Klein's duty as a tank to give his teammates the opportunity to do so.
So, grabbing the spear that was knock off from him not so long ago, the barbarian begins to run after the humanoid wind. But this time, instead of getting into the proper forms and stuff, he just ran to build up some momentum before lunging to the air and try to grapple the frogs from behind. In Klein's imagination, both of his arms would go under the frogman's arms before raising the spear under its jaw, strangling it from behind. Meanwhile, his legs would lock himself onto the frog, preventing him from being thrown off of its back.
"Kill it," Klein shouts, knowing full well that the more damage he took, the stronger his passive become.
Type Arms-Guard, First Stage +20% HP, +20% STR, +10% END A set of tattoos branded upon your skin, which calls forth a flaming demon to your assistance when certain conditions are met.
Retaliation on the Brink
Activates upon receiving fatal damage. Survive attack with 1 HP, remove all status effects, and summon [Ashwatthama] with HP equal to the total amount of damage dealt to you by the attacker. All attacks and skills targeting you will target the [Ashwatthama]. Upon vanquishing the creature, recover HP equal to double the remaining HP of the [Ashwatthama].
To be honest, Klein should have played more defensively against the frogman. He should have stick with the squishy while the boss's abilities and capabilities are still an enigma to the whole group. And looking at how Raymond is literally squirming on the ground right now, Klein had just made a very large mistake. Still, the attack reveals some pieces of information about the boss. Firstly is its ungodly amount of strength. And secondly, its dexterity and athletic. While he knew that Magpie had reached the strength equivalent to 5 grown man combine, he was still under the notion that the crater was something not even 5 men could achieve in a single punch.
Underpower and heavily out-levels, Klein decided to position himself just in front of Amulak and Raymond. His stance is low. His right leg plants in front, declaring this small 3 to 3.5 meters circle to be Klein's ground. His spear places in front of him, raising upward to the oversize opponents, instead of over the shoulder for a strike, fully embracing his defensive role in this position. And with the frogman turning its back against him, Klein throws some thrusts toward its back. Left shoulder and right shoulder were the targets for the first two quick strikes before following with a lunge at the right hip and thigh.
As the lines decrease and the chatter grounded to a halt as people found their regiments, Genor found himself to be more excited for the prospect of his name simply an error to the bureaucrat system. It was not the first time a cook was assigned to the front line nor was it the last time a priest accidentally take the position of a commander's servant. And the more he thinks about it, the truer it becomes. The exit light seems to grow brighter, and the atmosphere less hostile as he grew to accept the fact that he will not be draft.
And with that fact in mind, Genor decided to take a look around himself, simply gazing the few remaining "lucky" to satisfy the curiosity of a survivor. A plague doctor. 2 priests. A man with very prominent split chin. Looks funny actually when seen up close but Genor himself isn't any better so he paid him no mind. A lancer, and a girl with whatever in her hand? A peculiar group.
And another figure came, asking them to follow him, so Genor did. But in his mind, what need to say is already spoken.
"We are sincerely thank you for your time and efforts in aiding the Fifth Crusade. But, as it stands, your services are currently not needed. This is not to say that your effort was in vain and the time you spent to reach Zion was unnoticed,..."
"You may be wondering why you aren’t in a large group like the others... You are all here because you were chosen-- Abaddon, the announcer, and the sergeants already knew who their team was before the crowd was even assorted and I too knew as well," said the man in white. Their lieutenant.
Now that sentence is what Genor didn't expect. The lieutenant should have come and said that there are no need for them, perhaps even thank them for enrolling. But saying that they were chosen for a specific task, a group of no-name fodder with close to no cooperation, was out of this world.
So, as others pledge their allegiance and how "God wills it" for them to be the first group, Genor just said "Yes Sir" without much sign of protest. In fact, somewhat at ease if things need to be put in perspective.
Having some personal issue. If I am due for something, know I do not wish to ghost. My sincere apology nevertheless
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Having some personal issue. If I am due for something, know I do not wish to ghost. My sincere apology nevertheless</div>
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