Devastation spread around him for miles. Dead NPC and avatar bodies were lying everywhere - some with their armor on, others with their bodies bare to the sky. The vicious carnage was so gruesome and realistic that he again had to remind himself that the scenes he was experiencing weren’t real.
He wondered what sort of battle had taken place that had left this place charred and smoking. Blackened skulls lay against the wall, dotting the streets as though they were decorations. Whoever had done this had done so to leave a message. Everything looked bleak. The once beautiful city now lay desolate and its people burned alive. He could still hear the echoes of their screams.
Using the live data from his HUD, he checked the stats of the inventories available but it appeared that most of the good stuff had already been picked clean. Step by narrow step his feet took him, not worrying about what danger lay ahead. A glint of metal then caught his eye.
Could it be?
He trudged over to the fallen player's avatar, and a prompt appeared.
Opportunity Alert
Do you wish to loot this fallen player's inventory?
***Disclaimer: only unlocked items are available to loot (item locking is a service only available to Premium Members)***
Loot Body | Leave Body
He eagerly selected 'Loot Body', and let out a cry of victory when he saw the green icon of a sword.
Yes! Finally I can ditch this pitiful spear!
New Weapon Acquired: Claymore Sword
Length: 140 cm. The wielder of this sword is granted the ability to hew down opponents with dexterity and ease. Chances for Instant Kill are 70%. Greater chances for instant kill increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 7, Strength > 9, Agility > 4, Intelligence > 4
He hefted the sword into his hands, and was surprised by its weight. It would definitely take some getting used to. He then stored the spear in his inventory, unsure if he would need it again at a later point in the game.
Premium Member Alert
You have acquired [Claymore Sword]. As a Premium Member you are granted the ability to lock a limited number of items to your Avatar. Do you wish to lock this item?
Yes | No
Allan selected ‘Yes’ and continued his trek through the wasteland. His hands held the large sword, ready to strike at a moment's notice. As he approached another fallen soldier, the same prompt appeared.
Opportunity Alert
Do you wish to loot this fallen player's inventory?
***Disclaimer: only unlocked items are available to loot (item locking is a service only available to Premium Members)***
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Loot Body | Leave Body
Allan selected ‘Loot Body’ again and a broad smile beamed on his face. He selected the two available icons and added them to his own inventory.
New Weapon Acquired: Steel Bow
The wielder of this bow is granted the ability to target and take down opponents from afar. Chances for Instant Kill are 90%. Greater distances and accuracy increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 5, Strength > 9, Agility > 4, Intelligence > 3
***Disclaimer: This weapon requires a quiver of arrows, otherwise the weapon is rendered ineffective***
New Gear Acquired: Unlimited Quiver
The carrier of this quiver is granted an unlimited supply of arrows, delivered 10 at a time. If all ten arrows are used in rapid succession, a down time of ten minutes is required before the quiver automatically refills. Down time decreases with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 5, Strength > 9, Agility > 4, Intelligence > 3
The now- familiar Premium Member alert also appeared.
Premium Member Alert
You have acquired [Steel Bow]. As a Premium Member you are granted the ability to lock a limited number of items to your Avatar. Do you wish to lock this item?
Yes | No
Allan selected ‘Yes’, but another alert appeared instead.
Warning!
You have insufficient storage to lock this item to your inventory. You must gain additional XP or purchase additional storage to proceed. Do you wish to purchase additional storage at this time?
Yes | No
Allan sighed.
There’s always a catch. Oh well.
Knowing he had already depleted his savings to purchase the monthly membership, he selected ‘No’. An identical Premium Member alert popped up immediately afterwards for the Unlimited Quiver, which he declined as well.
Cautious, he moved ahead. There wasn’t a soul in sight. His sword at the ready, he carried forward as though all the carnage in the world wouldn’t make him turn tail and run. He remembered something his father used to tell him: bravery is but accepting fear as a friend and embracing it; cowardice is seeing fear as an enemy and running away from it.
He moved ahead, preferring to go straight than take any turns. Just as he was ready to step over a mutilated corpse, a large humanoid jumped in front of him with crimson dark wings at his back. Every other feature of the creature was human except for the hands, which burned with a bright red fire. His teeth however, were blood red as became evident when he snarled.
Allan didn’t feel terrified. Rather, he stood with his sword held high, its point towards the monster. He had a smile on his face, challenging the humanoid to attack him. For some reason, the monster didn’t step forward.
Strange.
No monster had ever stayed away from the fight. Every creature he had met was aggressive, unlike this one. The humanoid acted in a defensive manner. Though his snarls and growls indicated otherwise, his other features were relaxed and calm. Yet Allan knew if he moved forward, the creature would defend itself.
To test his theory he took a step forward, which made the humanoid flare his eyes. A loud growl sent him staggering; the force of the wind coming out of the creature’s mouth was strong enough to make him retreat involuntarily.
With such defenses in the creature’s inventory, he had no idea how to fend off the creature. Wind and fire both were strong elementals. Fighting them seemed above his present skillset. Yet, he knew if he wanted to go forward, he needed to defeat this creature. But how?
“Intriguing creature, isn’t he?” a familiar voice spoke. The voice seemed to come from behind him. He turned and saw Brad walking towards him, red blood still dripping from his sword.
“Fancy seeing you here.” Allan smiled, “Where’s your girlfriend?”
“Vickie fought hard in that last battle, but unfortunately she suffered an in-game death.” he pointed with his sword, “I’m guarding her avatar’s corpse until she’s able to respawn.”
The body was hardly recognizable in its charred state, and he cringed. Seconds later a blinding flash of light erupted at their feet, and Vickie’s charred corpse disappeared.
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