Haru: Acolyte, Level 3/20

Optifex: Initiate, Level 3/20

ErcuEmu: Legionnaire, Level 4/20

Alara: Apprentice, Level 6/20

Tacito: Novice, Level 4/20

Haru rested on one knee, in recovery mode, watching Alara targeting the mini-boss lingering on the road ahead. The acolyte was at 40% mana by the time the mage’s ice bolt slammed into the drake. Haru clenched her teeth, wondering why Alara didn’t wait for her to recover to maximum first.

The moment the mini-boss locked onto the mage, she spun around and dashed back toward the group. The drake slithered as it rushed forth, its hiss echoed throughout the town.

Haru panicked, watching Alara come to a stop not but a few steps away from the still-recovering acolyte. She wondered why the mage ran all the way to the back line while still having full enmity.

As the drake reached the intersection that was between it and the front line of the party—Emu, Opti, and Taci, the legionnaire used Line Breaker, the level 1 charge ability, on the drake.

The enemy stopped in the middle of the road as the stun procced the moment Emu collided with it. In the second it was dazed, the rest of the front-liners in the party closed on the beast and initiated their auto-attacks. Despite the opening blitz, the drake was still at 85% HP.

Another tick brought Haru’s mana up to 50%.

The giant lizard recovered from its stun and turned to focus on Emu. It curled its tail. With a snap, it hit him, shedding 25% of his health. The dragonlings in the area were only doing 10% damage to the legionnaire.

Then it turned to look at Opti.

In response, the legionnaire used his charge again. This time, the stun didn’t land. But upon striking, the drake turned its attention back to him.

“Why did he do that?” Haru stood up at 70% mana, ready to cast Mend.

Alara launched another ice bolt and then took a knee to recover. “Because it’s the only way he can keep enmity. He doesn’t have any of his other hate-holding skills.”

After the next round of attacks, the mini-boss was down to 70% HP. Three red orbs of energy appeared and spiraled around the giant lizard. Then it halted movement and began to vibrate. It was charging an ability.

In a panic, Haru started to cast her healing spell on Emu.

The drake’s tail launched up and over its head and crashed into the ground, striking like a scorpion. Chunks of the road burst upward from where its tail burrowed and slammed into Emu, knocking him back. He was at 10% HP.

Then Haru’s Mend spell landed on Emu, putting him back to 100%. She breathed a sigh of relief.

As the giant lizard recovered its stance, the beast’s auto-attack triggered and hit the legionnaire, immediately putting him back to 75% health.

“Ooh, you got lucky.” Alara hushed out. “That would have been bad if your Mend landed at the wrong time.”

“Good heal, Roo!” Emu called out as he readied Line Breaker again.

As the legionnaire’s charge connected, Opti rushed forward with a pummel. It missed three times and landed once. “Dang it!” The Initiate grit his teeth and followed up with an auto-attack.

Without any abilities to use, Taci continued to keep himself behind the drake and swing away.

Alara stood up, launched an ice bolt and then returned to recovery mode.

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Haru watched her and took note, seeing that it could be a good idea to immediately bounce back into recovery mode after casting a spell. The only downside to doing that was it took about a second to exit the animation. During that time, nothing could be done, not even move. It was a risky tactic, especially if there were AoEs being slung around.

Still, though she didn’t know if the tail stab move was the monster’s only ability, Haru followed the mage’s lead and went back to recovery, despite having over 50% mana.

The recent round of attacks brought the drake down to half health.

As the party fought, stray players began to form a crowd to watch Haru and her friends take down the mini-boss. While other parties roamed to take down the dragonlings that spawned around the intersection, calls for requests to group up were traded for clamoring about the five that engaged the drake.

The first few players who commented thought it was a mistake, that Haru and her party accidentally agro’d the beast and decided to fight, rather than run. But other players refuted it, saying they saw Alara willingly attack from afar. Because the drake had already claimed so many players in passing, people couldn’t believe it and decided to go watch.

The giant lizard smacked Emu and the party’s auto-attack round came after. But then unexpectantly, the drake attacked again. Its auto-attack speed increased as the beast’s health decreased.

Haru stood to heal Emu. In short order it had taken him from 75% HP to 25%.

The group got the beast down to 20% when it summoned more energy orbs, this time six, twice as many as before. A deep rumble filled the area.

“Flamethrower, run!” Emu shouted at everyone. “It’s going to crane its neck and blast fire everywhere!” He shouted to the bystanders.

Haru’s Mend landed and healed Emu to 100%.

Alara fired an ice bolt. Emu used Line Breaker. The stun didn’t take effect. Despite all the melee auto-attacks, the beast was still at 5%.

“I need three seconds for Pummel.” Opti groaned.

“Not enough time.” Emu shook his head. “Let’s get out of here.”

Haru looked at the sword she still had equipped. Sure enough, every job could use it. Which meant she could auto attack. Without a word, she dashed forward and charged down the drake. She targeted the beast, its orbs spinning faster and more violently.

As the melee line disengaged to run away, Haru charged in. It was still agroed to a party member, despite charging an ability. Her auto-attack triggered.

The orbs dissipated. With a horrid cry, the drake stretched upwards on its hind legs. Its trembling grew more forceful.

Then the drake’s neck fell limp, and the beast collapsed.

A cacophony of victory fanfare filled the intersection as Haru’s entire party leveled up all at once.

Haru gained 2 levels.

Opti gained 2 levels.

Emu gained 1 level.

Alara gained 1 level.

Taci gained an incredible 4 levels.

“Ding?” Emu looked around, still wincing. Confusion was apparent on his face. “Ding!” The tension in his body eased and he smiled.

As the noise from the level up music faded, the uproar from the crowd suddenly cheering and emoting fist pumps echoed throughout the town.

Upon the drake’s body, a golden shaft of light extended upwards into the sky.

“Oh! A rare drop. I didn’t even know this mob had one.” Emu approached the corpse. “I wonder what it is.”

The five formed a circle around the dead drake. From the light, a glowing silvery mote appeared and began to orbit the group.

“It’s going to select who gets the loot.” Emu watched the platinum orb spiral around the five.

As the particle slowed, it began to hop over each party member’s head. It stopped for a moment over Alara’s head.

“Yes, pick me. I’m the best DPS.” She tapped her fingertips together and grinned.

The mote darted over to Opti. Alara sighed, depressed.

“I didn’t even get to pummel it a second time.” Opti stared at the drake, disappointment laced every word as he nudged the corpse with his toe.

The orb then hopped to Haru’s head.

“Will it be something that can help us?” She thought out loud.

The particle lingered for a moment, then darted over to Taci. The mote burst into tiny specks before disappearing into the shadowy sky. RNG decided he was the one to receive the item.

Looking around nervously, he shook his head. “I didn’t mean to steal your loot.” Taci walked over to Emu and opened a trade window. “Here.”

The legionnaire laughed. “You earned it fair and square.” He leaned forward to inspect the item. “This seems neat.”

Everyone crowded around them.

“What is it?” Alara was far too short to see over Emu’s shoulders. She bobbed and weaved to glance around him to no effect.

“It’s a Skulldugger’s Bow.” Taci spoke mildly.

“That is a nice bow. One of the few that the Footpad can use. An early bow is good to have. It can help get that weapon skill up high quickly.” Emu nodded and canceled the trade. “Good to know where to get it.” He looked out toward the other side of town. “Speaking of which, we should continue your quest line and get you to job selection.”

Alara grumbled. “So much running…”

The group did just that, they led Taci to the dragonling quest turn in and helped him find the next two quest givers. With him accepting the quest at the watchtower, everyone in the party was now at the same spot in the main story quest line.

They all headed through the valley back to the job selection quest obelisk. Taci accepted and began the trek up the mountain to light the three braziers. The rest of the party stood near the obelisk, waiting for him to return.

As Haru stood and watched, a raven suddenly landed on her shoulder.

“You know,” its voice was familiar—Oracle. “One must wonder how much play is too much.”

Her voice was too lighthearted to take the statement seriously. A chirpy cackle convinced Haru it was said in jest.

“Let me not get carried away. I have grave news.” Oracle’s voice grew solemn.