Chapter 78: Saving Our Bacon

The Fisherman class is one which is often derided by players who choose the combat classes. They do not understand the practicality of the class or what it may lead to upon future contracts. True, this class is not made for fighting monsters, but it has been the path to many who wanted to become rich in Esem. Starting off with only a simple fishing rod this player spends his early days in Esem fishing from piers and beaches for his daily catch. Each fish gives the player experience points, and so they will grow in their levels. Besides the buffs to Agility and Dexterity, the Fisherman can enjoy two abilities which make this class quite interesting.

The first ability is Bendy Lungs, which allows the player to hold their breath far longer than a normal player. This ability can also be trained, and I have met players who can stay beneath the water for over 15 minutes at a time. The other ability is, perhaps, the most terrifying and powerful ability any player can unlock for a first contract. It has been known to defeat players who have multiple contracts and there are even a few famous examples of OP players falling to this (nearly) broken ability. _

Summon Shark.

Yes, this ability allows a Fisherman to call a shark to aid him. Though often used for sea monsters, whilst a player is in the water with this ability all they must do is call upon their watery friend in order to be saved from whatever predicament they are facing. Though it is limited to large bodies of water, only a fool would challenge a Fisherman whilst they are in the water._

Imagine, you are a Fisherman and there is one or more players or monsters after you for whatever reason. All you must do is swim or sail out into the sea and then use the Summon Shark ability. There has never been a verified observation of the Shark Spawning, but the beast will appear nearly instantaneously to aid you. The shark always come ravenous and full of fury and has been known to sink small ships. Of course, the great weakness of this Ability is that one must be within the ocean or a large sea, but the raw power behind it is nearly unmatched by the other early classes, and not one to turn your nose up at.

Of course the Fisherman also gives way to the Sailor class, but the more interesting class (in my opinion) is the Merchant class. Nearly every player who ever became rich either had this class or had a Merchant within their guild.

On the Fisherman Class, Esem Survival Guide, Nosterly Quarter

“Attack!” Shouted Bill. His sword was in his hand but instead he pointed a finger at the monster. His finger tip grew bright hot and then a laser fired at the monsters head.

In a puff of smoke the monsters head vanished. What had been a smoky face of ash with read eyes suddenly disappeared. the monsters arms failed wildly to either side.

“I got it!” Said Bill excitedly.

There was a chuckling across the clearing as the monsters head resembled itself. A pair of red eyes appeared once more and then the rest of its dark flesh was soon returned to it’s shoulders as though it had never left. A dark maw ripped open upon its face as it spoke.

“Interesting,” said the monster, and again sounded as though dozens of people, men and women, were speaking in unison. “I’ve never seen that ability before.”

“That ability won’t work, Bill,” said Ethan. He leveled his blade at the monster. “Astor, make sure the prisoners don’t escape. Bisper, Bill, we need to attack this thing with everything we got.”

Astor did not look happy but quickly began to motion to Claire and Amelie. Perhaps the monster thought he meant to attack them, as it suddenly lunged.

“What the-!” Astor screamed.

The monsters arm had extended to over twenty feet, and grabbed the red haired man. It’s hand grew until it encompassed Astor’s chest and, like a person slapped a fly, it raised and crashed Astor to the ground.

“I don’t think so,” said the monster. “You’re fight is with me.”

“So it is,” said Ethen. He suddenly returned his sword to his scabbard. “Lads, stay back.”

Ethan’s hands began to glow, but not with the ethereal light which Bill had used earlier. This light was fire, and it burned so intensely that Chase could feel the heat from where he was standing.

“Inferno!” Shouted Ethan. He made a pushing motion with his hands and the fire sprayed out of his palm, engulfing the monster with flames. The entire clearing became illuminated and even Xemnara’s enchanted lights paled before the spell. Chase had to throw his hands before his face, and he shouted for his guild to get down.

“AAAAAAAH!” Bellowed the monster. It writhed in agony within he flames. Chase glanced up and saw their savior jerking this way and that within the fire. Parts of it’s smoky body seemed to be disappearing as the fire raged upon it’s body. The monster shrunk in size until it was the size of a regular human.

“There,” said Ethan. He ended the spell and suddenly the fire was gone. Chase could only see the after image of the fire and it was a moment before his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

What was in the monsters place was now a person, though still smoky and red eyed. It appeared to have been scorched to a stupor, and it’s red mouth hung over stupidly and it’s eyes dropped down it’s face.

“Nice one, Ethan,” said the man with the scar on his face. He returned his sword to it’s sheath. “I thought for a moment there we were going to have some trouble.”

”Heh heh heh heh heh.”

“It’s not dead!” Said Astor.

“Not bad,” said the monster. Suddenly it’s eyes glowed brightly and it inhaled a large breath. As it exhaled it’s body grew to its original size. “But I known a pyromancer far more talented than you, Ethan the Incorrigible. I made sure this potion wouldn’t fall to such a gregarious spell.”

“You know my name,” said Ethan. He was breathing heavily, as though the spell had worn him out. He drew his blade once more and leveled it at the creature. “Who is it that we have the honor to fight?”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Honor?” Said the monster, sounding disgusted. “There is no honor in fighting. My name is unimportant to such fools as you. Joining with such a dark NPC was the worst mistake you ever made.”

“Very well,” said Ethan, nodding his head. “Though I would like to know the name of the one who would kill me, if that is to happen.”

“It is,” said the monster. It roared and Chase saw Alex and Brent cover their ears.

“Claire, Amelie!” Shouted Chase. “Come over here!”

But it was too late. The clearing suddenly became total chaos. The Followers each fired their lasers from their hands and the beams shot through the monster. The monster, unfazed, knocked Ethan away and then lunged for the Bisper and the man with the scars on his face. Both tried to slash at it with their blades but the swords merely passed through the monsters body.

“Ah!” Cried Bisper as the monster’s hand curled around his body. Just then, Astor was trying to get to his feet, having come to after being slammed on the ground.

The monster dragged Bisper into the air. He tried to fight back from the monster squeezed it’s grip. Chase heard a crunch as bones broke, and then the monster hurled the man at Astor. Both crashed to the ground, soundly unconscious.

“Leek!” shouted Ethan.

The man with the scars on his face fired another laser blast at the creature, which also passed through it with no damage. The monster was nearing him and panic was on his face.

“What?!” Shouted Leek.

“We gotta go! This thing is too much for us!”

“But, Lady Xemnara—.”

“Want’s us alive!” Said Ethan. He leaped towards Markon’s body and placed a hand upon the fallen leaders chest. “Do it now, leak!”

Leek dodged the creatures blow as a smoky fist crashed into the ground. He rolled and then came to his feet. Then he sprinted to his fallen comrades and threw his arms around them.

“What are they doing?” Said Alex.

“Now!” Shouted Ethan. “Back to our base!”

A light consumed the Followers. It resembled the lasers but instead of shooting away it appeared to devour them. The last thing Chase saw was Ethen frowning at him, his brows punching together.

They disappeared.

The clearing was quiet now. Chase slowly got to his feet and helped Alex and Brent, all the while keeping his eyes on the monster. It appeared to be flustered and swiped at the ground where Ethan and Markon had been before they teleported.

“Excuse me?” Said Amelie.

“Huh?” The monster turned it’s terrifying face toward Amelie.

“Are you going to be attacking us, too?”

“Of course not, Amelie.”

“I see,” she said, smiling shyly. “Well, thank you for saving us all. I really wasn’t sure we were going to make it through this one. Do you have a name?”

“Name?” The creature looked confused. “Oh, sorry. Give me a moment.”

The monster closed it’s eyes, the red lights vanished and suddenly it’s body began to shrink as the smoke rose into the night sky. It was as though someone had poured a glass of water upon a fire. The monster sizzled as it grew smaller and suddenly, instead of a monster, 15 feet tall, was a slender woman standing before them.

“Christie!” Said Amelie. She threw her arms around her.

“You’re okay, now,” said Christie. She seemed surprised by Amelie’s hug and awkwardly patted the young girl on the back. “I guess I came just in time.”

Chase watched in shock as his guild crowded around Christie. They seemed just as amazed as he was that they were alive, and had been rescued. Alex beamed uncharacteristically while Brent managed pull himself up to his feet despite his pain and run over to her. Amelie was gushing over their savior whilst Claire, the one clearly with the most sense, was working on Thomas’ bonds to free him.

Since when did she have that up her sleeve? Wondered Chase. He had seen her potion monsters before, but never something which covered her body. It was as though she had transformed into the monster itself.

“Chase,” said Christie, nodding at him when he came over.

“Christie,” said Chase. “How did you know how to find us?”

“Well, when Claire missed her match I got worried,” she said. “But I didn’t think much about it until I ran into Meredith. She told me you guys seemed to be marching to your deaths.”

“I guess we thought we were,” said Alex.

“So, what exactly happened?” Said Christie, looking around the clearing. “Please don’t tell me I interrupted a friendly game of baseball.”

Everyone tried to speak at once, but finally Alex got control of the story and began to tell her the story in minute detail. As he spoke, Thomas came over, massaging himself where the ropes had been.

“She really saved our butts,” muttered Thomas to Chase.

“That she did, Tommy,” said Chase. He patted the boy on the shoulder, and then, feeling a sudden guilt, knelt down far enough to look his thief in the eyes.

“What is it?” Said Thomas, a stranger look crossing his face.

“I’m sorry,” said Chase. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you from Markon and Astor.”

“It’s okay I—.”

“I mean it, Thomas. I failed you guys today.”

Thomas shuffled his feet, and then shrugged his shoulder.

“Not much you could have done, really. Those players were way too strong for us.”

“It doesn’t change the fact of what happened.”

Thomas looked him in the eyes, and must have seen his sincerity as he patted him back on the shoulder.

“Yeah, alright, Chase. The way I see it you already saved me in Moon town so I it’s fine. Just…stop looking at me like that.”

Chase laughed, stood back up and had to wipe his eyes. He looked at his guild mates and felt a sense of relief that he had never felt before. Christie was listening intently as Alex told her everything beginning with Markon at the inn. When he got to the part about Argo Chase wanted to give him a signal to skip the last part but Alex missed it.

“And so Chase broke his neck and left him in the stable.”

“Broke his neck?” Said Christie. She glared at Chase, one eyebrow cocked. “What a strange thing to do. You break a lot of necks?”

“Sometimes,” said Chase, trying to change his voice slightly.

“That’s a very specific skill.”

“I read about it and thought I would try it.”

“Right,” said Christie. She turned back to Alex. “Continue.”

Xemnara’s enchanted lights were gone, and so eventually Amelie cast her own spell, and illuminated the small group. When finally Alex’s story was over, all were quiet for a while as Christie thought about his words.

“I’ve heard of these so called Followers,” said Christie. “I thought they were just some new guild looking to make a name for themselves. I had no idea this Antagonista event was apart of them. Players joining NPCs, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“It is quite strange,” agreed Amelie. “Of course, we are all newly spawned. So we weren’t really sure.”

“But why,” said Christie, ignoring Amelie’s comment. “Did they choose you guys to do this to?”

Chase cleared his throat. The others had glanced at him, unsure how to respond. He figured that a bit of honesty would go a long way after she had saved them.

“I can answer that,” said Chase. “We were the ones in the paper. The ones who beat her at her own game. She was seeking vengeance.”

“You’re the Seven Stains?”

“No,” said Chase, shaking his head. “The Seven Banes. They got that part wrong.”

“Impressive,” said Christie. “I would like to hear that story.”

“I can tell you—,” began Alex excitedly.

Christie raised a hand.

“There’s no time,” she said, looking grave. “Brent. In only a few hours you have someplace to be, don’t you?”

“Me?” Said Brent. “I don’t think I really can now.”

“Nonsense,” said Christie.

“Where does he have to be, exactly?” Said Claire.

“The tournament,” said Christie with a small smile. “Don’t you want to compete, Brent?”

“I mean, we’ve been up all night,” spluttered Brent. “And…well…”

He left he last word hanging. Instead of speaking, Christie only crossed her arms and waited for his response.

“Yeah, of course I want to go,” Brent said finally.

“Then that’s that,” said Christie. She clapped her hands together. “Since I took over the tournament from that Markon guy, I have become quite invested in it’s outcome. I was robbed of seeing Claire fight, but I won’t be robbed of yours.”

“There isn’t much time,” said Thomas. “We’re pretty far from Birchtown.”

“So we go. NOW,” said Christie. She pointed into the forest where the path was. “Maybe on the way you can tell me all about the Antagonista, Alex.”

“Sure I can,” said Alex.

“Actually.” Christie spun around to face Chase. “I think your leader should.”

Chase sighed internally. This was going to be a long march.