ARTHROPOD ONLINE: CHAPTER 5 ~ O_O; ~
Jack had left the craftsmen's dome and walked out of the southern gate once again. In order to familiarize himself with the halberd he went directly to where the crabs had been. Imitating the tactics of Kali Jack opened fire with his submachine gun to draw the crab out from underground. As it drew near he lowered the fulcrum of his hammer-head. With a resounding bang the weapon made contact and knocked the crab down. With it's legs sprawled out the crab attempted to get back up but to Jack's pleasure it couldn't rise before he brought the hammer-head down again. Useful but I doubt I can do this to anything bigger... or anything without legs like those.
-You have slain a Young Crustmal
*ding*
A new Skill has been generated: Polearm Mastery
Skill NameSkill RankSkill LevelSkill ExperiencePolearm MasteryInitiate123%Increases attack power with any polearm by 10%
Increases attack speed with any polearm by 3%
Increases critical strike rate with any polearm by 2%
Jack went about collecting crustys for his cooking and after a while decided to allow them to wear down his armor a bit with the smaller claws. Using his repair tool as much as possible Jack spent a few hours this way before returning to town and logging off for the night.
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When Aaron woke up the next morning he hurriedly prepared a large green smoothie. Various greens and fruits, mixed with carrots and beets. After downing the smoothe Aaron checked his email, sent his father a bitter reply and deleted the video his sister linked him to without looking at it... he'd seen enough funny animal humping videos or weird live action videos. Aaron chuckled ruefully while remembering one video that started looking at a fridge, when the fridge opened there was a fat naked man sitting inside it drumming insanely fast all over himself... I was not expecting that.
A few moments later Aaron lowered himself into the pod and logged on.
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Jack decided that his first order of business would be cooking up all of the crab and selling it to a vendor. As usual he carefully dissected and prepared all of the meat while prepping his gear. Jack wasn't comfortable enough to sell the low quality food to players directly but he had no problem selling it to an npc.
Dexterity has been permanently increased by 1
Dexterity has been permanently increased by 1
Dexterity has been permanently increased by 1
Skill NameSkill RankSkill LevelSkill ExperienceCookingInitiate853%Increases cooking speed by 18%
Slightly enhances the flavor of cooked dishes.
Enhances the flavor of any food prepared using a pot.
Enhances the flavor of any food prepared using a skillet.
Less ingredients are required during cooking.
Jack smiled at his level of progress and made his way towards the central area of Luther 7. Upon his arrival he was greeted by the jovial merchant... craftsmen's clan leader Marcus. "How have things been merc?"
"Marcus, did I forget to introduce myself?"
The man laughed, "I won't hold it against ye', mercs tend to be in a rush when they first arrive."
"I'm sorry for the late introduction, my name is Jack."
*ding*
Familiarity with Marcus has increased.
"So Jack, how have things been for you since the last time we met?"
"I've started cooking..." he looked a bit down
Marcus raised an eyebrow, "How is it?"
"So far it's been an uphill battle." he admitted while removing some of the boiled crab leg from his inventory "This is about the best I've been able to cook as of yet."
Marcus timidly accepted the boiled crusty, "Safe to eat?" he joked while devouring the meat. Marcus made a perplexed expression "That's a little odd but I can't believe it's actually a bit tasty."
Jack grinned, "Mind vending the rest of it for me?"
"Not at all Jack, I've always considered myself a bit of a merchant."
"Thank you, Marcus."
After the exchanges were done and Jack carefully watched how Marcus went about business he was rewarded with 1500 credits and promptly gave Marcus 250 for his help. Marcus nodded in approval.
*ding*
Familiarity with Marcus has increased. You have become friends.
"Thank you for all the help Marcus, introducing me to your craftsmen was a very, very good thing." Jack was actually very happy with the results of what had happened in the red in white dome.
Marcus grinned, "Most people chide me about Letia."
Jack looked a bit annoyed, "She's a bit troublesome but in some odd way I enjoy her antics... she seems to enjoy mine that's for sure."
*ding*
Familiarity with Marcus has been greatly increased.
Marcus gaped, "I'll be, you're the first merc to like my daughter!"
"It's an acquired like, she rubs off on you after a while." Jack chuckled ruefully
-Sati has logged in.
Jack looked a bit excited. "Something just came up Marcus, I'll see you around."
"Take care of yourself out there Jack!"
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After leaving the central area Jack activated his gps and located Sati who wasn't very far north. Wonder if she's anything like Kali. Jack mused silently while dodging through a crowd of mercs and making his way north. As the crowd thinned out Jack made his way into some less populated alleyways to find an avatar with the name Sati standing on top of a table.
Jack approached her, "What are you doing?"
"...who are you?" she asked
"I'm Jack"
"Our personal chef!"
Jack nearly fell over, I see how it is. "So Kali told you about me?"
"She did, sis said you suck right now but in a few weeks we'll be eating like queens." she claimed nonchalantly as Jack drooped his shoulders and let out a sigh of anguish
He looked up at her, "What are you doing?"
"Oh right, I was making myself easier for Jack to spot..." she blushed "I'll get down now."
Jack snickered and took a closer look at Sati, "Identical twins?"
Sati nodded, "We didn't bother changing anything, our being the same means a lot to us in real life so we didn't want to lose that here."
"What's the large metal case on your back?"
Sati puffed up her chest and spoke proudly. "An ammo capacity booster for my little friend!"
Jack stifled a laugh, "What do you mean li..."
*DING!*
Public quest initiated!
Northern Defense
A large horde of bugs is attacking from the north, make your way to the wall and defend Luther 7 at all costs!Quest rank: PublicRequisitesChose a profession or attained level 15.RewardsIncreased familiarity within Luther 7.
Rewards will increase depending on contribution.
Renown
Experience
Sati gave Jack a rather unpleasant wide-eyed grin, "Sis said you're really weak, did you choose a class?"
"I did"
"Then we can join the public event!" she claimed excitedly "Don't worry just stay behind me, I won't let them eat you Jacky!"
Jack easily kept up with Sati as she rushed towards the north. Jacky? What have I gotten myself into with these twins?
As Jack silently contemplated the meaning of life they arrived atop the northern wall. "What do we do now?" he asked
"Well the wall isn't about to fall any time soon so maybe we should do what they're doing." Sati explained while pointing at a bunch of mercs as they rushed down the platforms past the gate and into the northern zones.
"Sounds good to me."
When the pair arrived at ground level they walked a short distance and found a large number of people setting up fortifications.
"I guess we can just take up a spot behind them and get some kills that way." she said a bit disappointed "If I was alone I might just stand point and open fire."
Jack felt a bit bad that he was holding her back. "What level are you?"
"I'm a level 13 Demolition Specialist." she answered proudly
"I'm a level 9 Nonspecialist" he claimed with even more pride as Sati began to laugh
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"What kind of class as that?" Sati asked choking back her tears
"A healer"
Sati's eyes became wide and the most evil grin he'd ever seen was plastered across her face in moments. "We're going to the front." she didn't doubt Jack for a moment
I need to learn to shut up...
Jack and Sati stood at the vanguard as nearly a hundred players readied their weapons. *Ka-pow Ka-pow* Snipers had already started to pick off enemies. "Sati what is that?" Jack asked pointing at a small tower that was north north-east of their current position.
"That's an unmanned turret." she explained
"Why is it unmanned?"
"Nobody can use them, it takes 100 intelligence." she explained flatly
"... the bugs would beat us to it if we rushed out now right? I mean with your heavy armor and all."
Sati gave him a perplexed look. "They would... you don't!?"
"I do" he answered honestly
Sati grinned ear to ear, "That sounds like fun! Let's go for it!"
Sati charged off full speed with her minigun lugged over a shoulder and once again Jack chased after her as players shouted at them from behind.
I really, really need to learn to shut up...
Jack was beginning to feel the tension. "It won't be long now..." Sati called out "..about 30 seconds." she claimed while glancing back at Jack and doing a double take "It looks like some people realized what we're up to!"
Jack also looked behind them and now saw about 50 mercs following the pair. "Oops"
"Keep my armor intact and I'll get you to that turret Jack!"
"I'm looking forward to it." Jack grinned as his blood started to boil
The horde of bugs passed by the turret tower as Jack and Sati came to a near halt. Some of them were easily 6 feet tall and just as wide, while others were sleeker with dangerous looking limbs and malicious maws. Sati spoke up as she began to steadily march forward. "If you use the smg any aim for the flyers, they spit acid and that eats up my armor."
"Got it, I'll keep a lookout."
Sati revved up her gatling gun, *eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* as the bugs got within 10 meters other mercs had started to catch up to the pair. *BRA-TATATATATATATATATA!*
Jack silently admired the brutality of the weapon as it fired countless inaccurate bullets into the horde of bugs, cutting them down with brutal effectiveness. Just as Sati claimed flying bugs had begun to show up and Jack was attempting to take them out with his submachine gun. A few moments later he turned to repair Sati's armor. "Focus on the flying bugs!" Jack called out to the nearest mercs who began to prioritize the acid spitting insects.
It was an odd sight for the mercs who had stayed behind. Instead of the usual defense an arrowhead of players was cutting a path through the approaching horde of insects. "Are they going for the turret?"
"Looks like it."
"We should go, we'll be left out at this rate."
Sati's gatling gun began to glow as she shouted out, "Amp!" Jack took note of the higher level looking mercs who were also activating various powers. Any bug that looked like it would come directly for the vanguard was cut down by Sati and everything that attempted to halt their advance was removed by the following mercs who hadn't tried to get in her way.
"DIE DIE DIE!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! DIE DIE DIE YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE PENGUINS!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA DIE DIE DIE!!! FALL BEFORE THE MIGHT OF SATI YOU SPINELESS INSECTS!!!"
O_O; Jack continued to repair Sati's falling armor while staring at the shouting woman who was now laughing maniacally. That's certainly eccentric...
As their progress slowed Jack looked around Sati and saw the reason, a large beetle bug had started advancing on Sati and her minigun rounds weren't penetrating the shell. Sati cursed under her breath as Jack moved closer, "Try not to shoot me in the back" he said as Sati gaped Jack dashed forward and unsheathed his polehammer. Before he could strike a flying bug nearly took his head off while exploding. Regaining his senses Jack stepped in and swung horizontally full force effectively toppling the huge insect. He turned and dashed back towards Sati who had already begun to fire her weapon again. *BRA-TATATATATATATATATA!* In seconds the bug was dead and the turret tower was within reach.
"All yours Jacky!"
"Right" He moved to the tower and climbed atop the massive turret. The controls looked simple, four large gatling guns were operated with a singular control on each side of the cockpit. Jack quickly took in his surroundings after examining the turret. Instead of advancing on Luther 7 the horde had surrounded the mercenaries and people were dropping like flies. Jack activated the turret and within seconds rained countless bullets down upon the surrounding horde. Using the footplates to rapidly rotate the tower he prioritized any areas that were being overrun. Mercs continued to fight but could only stare after dozens of bugs were eliminated in seconds right before their eyes. Everytime he took aim bugs were instantly annihilated... Jack audibly thanked his intelligence attribute as he took aim at the main horde that had begun to retreat. *BRA-TATATATATATATATATA!*
*ding*
Public Quest Complete!
Level up!
Level up!
Familiarity within Luther 7 has greatly increased. You have become Renowned.
Renown + 50
The title "Turret Specialist" is now available.
Turret SpecialistYou've show that you are more than capable of handling a turret with deadly effectiveness.
Renown + 50
Turret damage is increased.
Turret heat generation is decreased.
That could come in handy considering what just happened.
Jack looked down the ladder at an absolutely beaming smile, "What level are you now Jacky!?"
He took a second to look at his status screen, "Level 17, you?"
Sati looked a bit miffed, "... 16"
Jack chuckled, "Back to town?"
"Yeah..."
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As they were approaching town...
-Kali has logged in.
"Oops"
"What?" Jack asked
"I forgot to get off so we could decide where to meet up, we'll have to use the mini-map. I'm pretty sure I know where she's at."
"Give me a second." Jack activated his gps bracelet as Sati gave him a flat look "What?"
"How did you buy a 50,000 credit gps bracelet when you just started a few days ago?"
Jack nearly fell on his face, "50,000!?" Sati nodded "Well I got in lucky with the leader of the craftsmen's clan, he told them to give me one."
"Lucky" she gave him an appraising glance
"I know right."
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Jack stopped short and shook his head absently, These twins...
"You can get off the table sis, he's got a gps." Sati called out
"What!?" Kali retorted as Jack just shrugged and let Sati explain
"I'm glad to see that you get along alright." Kali was now smiling happily at her squadmates.
"You lied sis" Sati said a bit sourly
"About what?"
"You said he's a weakling chef..." she claimed while pointing at Jack who just chuckled ruefully
"Well he was a level 6 with no class, no knowledge and a submachine gun... lithe armor. Isn't that basically weak?"
"When I met him he was level 9 with a class and a healer with over 100 intelligence... not to mention he toppled a herculean beetle with one blow from that polearm." Sati explained as Kali's expression continually distorted until her jaw was on the floor.
Kali looked at Jack, "Was level 9?"
"We did a public quest and I gained... eight levels from it."
"How'd you do that!?"
"100 intelligence" Sati said plainly
Kali nodded in understanding, "I wish I could've seen that."
"We can go back right now if you want." Jack offered
"The turrets are locked most of the time." she explained
"Oh"
Kali grinned at Jack, "What'd you think of Sati so far?"
Jack gave her a flat stare, "I think you got the names mixed up."
Kali giggled as Sati blushed. "You must've gotten her real excited to see that."
"It was surreal." Jack claimed with a vacant expression as Sati smacked him over the head.
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