The Encampment of the Barbarian clan, Virford Mountain

“Great... now my name is painted in red,” Anissa said sarcastically.

NAME: EMPRESS

CLASS: PETVEN’S APPRENTICE

Level: 14

Health: 143/174 (20)

Mana: 119/157

Stamina: 106/135 (50)

Strength: 30

Endurance: 22 (10)

Vitality: 1

Dexterity: 1

Agility: 36 (15)

Intelligence: 10

Spell power: 2

Spellcasting: 11

Charisma: 1

Anissa just executed a member of Virford Mountain. She knew that because all of the locals were shown to her as enemies of the respective faction.

Here is what happened. After Anissa designed her first spell, the whole party trusted Shir’tana’s amulet once more. To their surprise, they got split between Ephra and the Barbarian encampment, part of the six great clans.

It was a curious event. Still, nothing dangerous yet. Later though the amulet flashed from Shir’tana’s hand and landed on a giant rock memorial. That rock was the symbol of the six clans’ unity and might. The amulet began to shine and radiate energy. The amulet did so until the memorial was blown by an energy explosion. The amulet then returned to Shir’tana on its own…

The Petven clan has declared war to Virford Mountain

“No way...”

Anissa saw that message and couldn’t believe it. The players from Virford Mountain saw it as well.

It was sudden, unexpected, “and FUCKED UP,” Anissa was about to meet a pincer attack.

In other cases, she would rather dash and deal with one of the threats instantly, but then she would leave her self-promoted little brother unprotected. Shir’tana was also part of the Petven clan, the single piece of the puzzle she was hoping to solve.

“Stay between your shield and my body!”

She kept turning her head to follow the whole picture. On her side she was facing a spearman and on the side of Shir'tana the enemy was holding a mace. At least that worked for her - she wouldn’t like to deal with a long-range weapon from the back.

*SMASH*

“Sis...” The mace was smashed at the wooden shield.

Anissa felt the impact as Shir’tana’s body was pushed onto her. Now was not the time to turn though.

“On my command, you will thrust your spear with all you've got,” she said while preparing to dodge another attack.

The spearman already had the advantage of range. He stepped close enough to thrust his attacks, but still far away from her daggers.

You have been damaged

Health 125/174

“This motherfucker...” She was expecting an attack towards the chest, instead, her leg got stabbed.

Another faint thrust originally pointed at her eyes began to sink towards the stomach.

Anissa thought she had to gambit her way out of the unfavorable situation. She slightly twisted her body; in return, she minimized the impact.

Health 106/174

Warrior's chain mail durability has dropped to 18/25

“I got her, finish the little guy and help me!”

The spear stabbed the side of her stomach. However, the weapon couldn't be pulled this time. Anissa intentionally let an opening to grab that pesky spear. She then pulled it together with its owner.

At the same time, another person from the crowd dashed to assist the spearman.

“We got her, Steven, hold on!”

Already in melee range, Anissa made a clumsy-looking attempt to punch the spearman. Still holding her dagger, her fist traveled in an awkward arc.

The punch suddenly dipped down until it almost reached towards the ground, not landing on the enemy's face.

The spearman seemed to hold his laugh.

“SHIR’TANA, ATTACK NOW,” she shouted.

Her ability exploded in a small circle.

Wizard's punch is now on cooldown.

"Huh?"

Three bodies levitated above the ground.

A powerful wave was sensed around the invisible target the punch had landed on.

"Arghh, this little bastard!"

"Nghh…" Shir'tana's palms were left bruised, he had invested his entire body weight behind that thrust. "I-I stabbed him, sis." Anissa's words were absolute for the lonely kid.

Wizard's punch (Spell description)

A melee knockup spell. Physical power is converted to spell push force. It has the potential to knockup its targets. Knocked up targets are briefly stunned. The ability’s Spell Power is set to 1. 120 seconds cooldown.

Spell mechanics.

Throw a physical punch to unleash a spell force in a narrow area of effect. Strength is required to execute a powerful blow and the corresponding spell push. Agility is required to provide sharpness and balance to the punch motion; It benefits the intensity of the spell push.

Spellcasting is required to effectively discharge physical power as a spell force. Spellcasting provides a short time-window to control the knocked up objects in the area.

The cast speed depends on Agility.

The knockup effectiveness and the following control depend on Spellcasting.

Intelligence can further develop the complexity of the ability.

The effectiveness of Wizard's punch can be highly reduced against targets with high vitality, moderately reduced against targets with high endurance, slightly reduced against targets with high strength.

Requirements to cast:

40 mana

20 stamina

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The enemies were knocked up and stunned.

“You better learn my name, shithead,” she swung at the spearman’s head once again, her fist didn’t drop this time. A sound of flesh collision echoed. “Empress!”

“My nos-”

Slice on the neck. Lips that moved but had no words coming out. Knees that hit the ground.

Her dagger was dripping with blood.

“This war will not be won without sacrifices by your side,” she said to the enemy who joined last, then she swiftly advanced towards him.

The daggers were gone, she had a two-handed hammer in her hands instead.

Her opponent was free from the spell effect, but could not recover his confidence to fight. He stepped forward, aiming a sword at her chest.

Anissa nonchalantly kept the hammer high above the head. She made it obvious to all she's ignoring the incoming attack.

Health 69/174

Warrior's chain mail durability has dropped to 17/25

A sword had exploded against her chain mail.

"Grr.." She followed the slash like it was a signal to attack. Her arms guided the hammer's metal head with terrific force. *Crunch*

“Kuh...” A nasty sound of breaking bones.

“I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR SHIT,” the hammer was over her head again, “FUCK YOU, FUCK THE WAR, FUCK THE QUE-,” she stopped after the third smash with a glance of curiosity, “huh, you died already?"

In a full out duel, blunt weapons were nothing to joke about. Few solid hits were enough to end anyone, unless he had some solid defence and health pool.

She turned head just to see the frightened faces of Shir’tana and his opponent.

Anissa walked casually in their direction. They, on the other hand, were both pretending to be stone statues.

There was something traumatic in the short-haired girl in front. Sprays of fresh blood from the recent hammer beating were all over her face. Her indifferent, piercing eyes were harsh to meet.

“You did well, little brother,” Anissa patted Shir’tana on the way to the third foe.

'Ha, Shir'tana got him good,' she thought.

When she stopped next to the guy, he was sitting on the ground with an open wound.

“Y-You... tha-”

“Get lost,” she said, then placed the bloody hammer on her shoulder again, “I’m losing patience here...”

The guy was injured by Shir’tana. However, he stood up with a groan, then begin dragging his feet away. For him, one hour ago, this was the virtual game Brave New World, a place to have fun. Now, his brain was giving him signals this looks pretty damn real. It was fear.

His rapid heartbeats, his confused thoughts, his bloody virtual body. He carried all of that with him, far away from this dominating presence.

The fear was contagious. The spectators were left silent. Nobody attempted anything on Anissa anymore. Alone in the snake’s pit, Empress felt distant, dangerous, unstoppable even.

Dozens of Virford Mountain users saw the ruthless girl schooling three punks who attacked her and the kid simultaneously. She put them down with style. She wasted no dignity in petty fighting with the third guy, she simply told him to fuck off. Empress walked away with her head high.

Respect could be seen in the local’s eyes, admiration even.

Shir’tana was nervously moving his short legs next to her. He understood they are on the enemy’s territory, but he also had infinite trust in his sister.

Anissa pretended to wipe blood on her face; she drank a health potion instead.

Small health potion

Restores 50 health points in the next 60 seconds.

The effect cannot be overlapped by another health potion.

The effect can be replaced and improved by better health potion.

Joyride - private chat room

Empress: Boys, the situation here is extreme. I am trying to slip away with Shir’tana, direction Ephra.

Pavel: We need less than 10 minutes, Anissa!

Josh: Ani, every player from Virford faction received a quest to execute you...

‘I could get that much, Josh…’ She thought.

Empress: As I told you earlier, we are in a war. What’s Shir’tana’s status?

Josh: He’s just a random kid who’s with you. Presumably, he’s a low-level mage.

‘So he’s just a random orphan, even if he’s Petven by blood? A mage, huh...’

Carlos: Are we supposed to lead a war against Virford Mountain?

Brian: Naturally, we will.

Empress: Calm your horses, boys. First things first.

Anissa pulled off a daring performance and caught the hearts of the spectators. Even so, she couldn’t match an entire faction. She could have been cleaner against the trio, but she thought a spectacle was needed.

However, one person in the crowd believed more in his abilities than he believed in Anissa’s bluff. That person was James Rodriguez. He had lost a bet with Archi and Sofia, so he had to return to the encampment to sell materials and buy potions.

He walked in a way to intercept Empress. James didn't care for the quest’s origin, “The Seventh Clan” or anything. Experience, rewards, fame was all he cared for. Why would a solo player drop out of nowhere in the lion’s den? Also not his concern.

“That’s James Rodriguez, guys,” Chika pointed at the person closing Empress.

“Eh, It’s about to get interesting then,” Kintaro raised his eyebrows.

“The girl took some damage, and whatever ability she had used back then, it’s bound to have a cooldown,” Baron guessed correctly.

“Hmm…” Chika had a smirk.

‘Brave motherfucker...’ Anissa’s eye twitched.

She threw a cold glare at James but he kept walking with confidence.

‘That’s some aura he has...’

“Shir’tana, you will absolutely not deal with that guy,” she whispered to him with her palm over her mouth.

Shir’tana nodded.

James’ walk suddenly seemed more like jogging, then it became a sprint.

Anissa had her daggers back, she felt confident in 1v1 fight with them.

“But for how long it will be a 1v1…” she mumbled to herself.

James drew a slim, curved sword out of his scabbard. The drawing itself was an attack, aimed at Anissa’s head.

‘Fast!’ She ducked, but it wasn’t enough.

*CLANK*

The curved edge followed her motion, Anissa had to parry with both daggers in the last moment to protect her neck.

They traded a few more attacks. James was always on the winning side - stronger and faster.

‘He’s a higher level than me.’ Anissa thought.

James was indeed at level 17, but he felt even stronger because his stats were split in Strength and Agility, with a modest investment in Endurance.

‘This duel is the worst.’ Anissa noticed that the struggle inspired the previously hypnotized crowd. Her invincible image was cracking rapidly. More people looked ready to join the hunt now. ‘This is bad, I will get swarmed…’

In no time she was in the middle of 8 people. Shir’tana was protecting her back with the wooden shield in his right arm and was holding to her belt with his left hand. The situation was grim for both. Several weapons were swung at them.

Then something unexpected occurred. 

“Arghh,” James got stabbed from the left side.

“Ugh,” a person got kicked at James from his right side.

It was an attack from within. A sudden realization - the hunters were many, but the prey was just one. An unexpected panic hit the players. This was a competition before anything, not a lynch.

Someone shouted that only he has the right to execute Empress. Others blamed him for attacking his own out of greed.

The panic was actually caused by Chika, Baron, and Kintaro. They pretended to hunt down Empress, but their plan was to cause a disruption.

“You have a friend request!”

‘Chika Yoruba?’ Anissa had not hesitated to accept.

Chika: I and my friends will try to save you; regardless of the outcome you owe me an interview.

Empress: DEAL! Four more will join us soon.

‘Ha, more people, this plan might succeed then.’ Chika began to believe. The faces of Baron and Kintaro also brightened after she shared the news.

Anissa noticed the disturbance area, so when her Wizard’s punch was ready she jumped in the opposite direction to avoid friendly fire.

The ability worked better with the players stacked close. This time there was no drama for the crowd, only a ruthless massacre. Two were eliminated in a flash by her. The stun effect was brutal.

LEVEL UP!

+8 Life, +4 Mana, +5 Attribute points

‘Leveling up by killing players, huh…’

A nearby female player was not affected by the knockup. ‘Hmm, high vitality?’

Anissa failed to parry her attack.

Health 51/182

‘Five points to distribute. Better weapon handling or extra health, think quick...’ She knew the benefits long ago.

“Dexterity...”

Improves tasks performed with hands. Improves basic crafting abilities. Increases accuracy with attacks. Increases slightly base critical strike chance with attacks. Dextrous stages. Finesse.

‘Or.’

“Vitality...”

Increases health pool by 5 for each point. Improves health regeneration. Reduces the effect of status ailments. Body stages. Overflowing heart.

‘More than anything I have to stay alive, and I am afraid 5 dexterity would not be enough to overcome this crisis.’ She invested 5 points in Vitality.

Health 78/207

‘Plus 25 HP, it’s good to see that the health potion is hitting as well.’ Under different circumstances, she would love to speculate over ‘Body stages’ and ‘Overflowing heart’. Sadly, it was not the right moment for that.

“You are not stealing my quest,” Baron shouted. He made it look like he cared about the quest. His only goal was to interrupt the closest enemies of Empress.

The hunt turned into a brawl. It was not clear who’s fighting who. Several people declared their intention to kill Empress. Others seemed determined to sabotage the quest for the rest.

‘Chika is extremely helpful,’ Anissa thought and checked on the kid. ‘Hold on little guy...’

Pavel: Anissa, we can see you in the middle of that fight. We are looking to open a corridor for you!

‘Great timing, boys!’

Empress: We have a few fellows undercover, careful with the violence. Make it look like your intention is to kill me!

She then shared the profile of Chika Yoruba. The boys were impressed she had made an ally in that messy situation.

More and more people joined the brawl. Some wanted to prove themselves, others looked to snatch gear from the dead. There were enthusiasts who just loved fighting.

The execution of Empress was under no question for the majority of the locals. At the same time, none of them had the opportunity to reach her.

“How is it possible for all players around Empress to suck so much!?”

“She’s just that strong!”

“They are fighting each other for the kill!”

The frustrated players were partly right, everyone around Anissa sucked in killing her. That was simply because they only pretended.

Anissa was sneaking out of the battlefield, surrounded by friends and allies.

It was not clear when, because not many cared at this point; but Empress just vanished for everyone. Until someone noticed...

“Heey, she’s over there,” he pointed in the distance.

“Several people are chasing her, they will finish the job!”

“Fuck, I never had the chance to even close her!”

“But why is that big lad carrying the kid while chasing her?”

“You are all a bunch of morons,” James was mad, he realized the trick. He was kicking and punching in anger. His HP was already at 30% from the pointless fighting with randoms. “They've escaped...”