Chapter 27: Wyrnwoods (I)
At Odin's summons, the group slowly gathered around the stables of Fullbaz, a busy area filled with players preparing for their quests.
The smell of hay and the sounds of horses whinnying and merchants shouting out their goods gave the place a lively yet chaotic atmosphere. Using a hooded cloak to shroud himself from too much attention, Odin stood leaning against a wooden post, his arms crossed, silently observing as each of his party members arrived.
Elyse was the first to arrive, her red hair shimmering in the sunlight. She wore a new mage set that perfectly complemented her fiery locks, a sleek, dark robe adorned with faintly glowing runes. Her staff had been replaced with something more refined, enchanted with faint sparks of fire crackling at its tip.
"Nice timing, Guildmaster. What do you think of my new set?" Elyse asked, doing a small twirl to show off the elegant robes.
Odin gave a nod of approval. "Looks good. Should help with your mana regen too, right?"
Elyse grinned, pleased with his response. "Yeah, it's got a decent boost to my Magic Power and Casting Speed. Plus, the defense isn't half bad for a mage either. You know how it is, the difference between level 10 Magician Equipment and level 70 gear is night and day."
"As long as you've got deep pockets," Odin remarked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Hehe, well..." Elyse's smirk turned mischievous. "I may have tapped into one of my Sugar Daddy's credit cards to exchange for gold. Xoroth was quick to send me the gold by mail."
Odin raised an eyebrow at Elyse's casual mention of her "Sugar Daddy," shaking his head in amusement.
He then found her reaction more amusing. Elyse grinned, completely unfazed by that 'disappointed' look. "Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Besides, it's not like I'm swindling anyone. They offer it! And it's all for the guild, right?"
"Right..." Odin smirked, a playful gleam in his eyes. "You could at least use your own money. Maybe leave the poor guy with something for himself."
"He'll survive. Trust me, it's not even a dent in his account." Elyse winked, flicking her red hair back.
Odin leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "So, since you used our Leviathan Gold Selling Services... Have you left a review? We have a reputation to maintain."
Elyse rolled her eyes but smiled. "Of course! Five stars all the way. I was practically drooling over the speed of the service. Xoroth even threw in some bonus blessed enhancement stones as a thank you."
"You're really milking this membership, aren't you?" Odin teased, his eyes narrowing slightly in jest.
"Well, why not? It's a great investment! I mean, I never thought a guild would offer something like this. Selling gold, gear, and even services? And when 'LaunchBox' told me about the Gear Sellers? I almost fell out of my chair. I used to think being in a top guild was just about grinding, but Leviathan's basically its own Shadow Empire inside Satisfy."
Odin's grin widened as Elyse continued to praise the guild's infrastructure, it did play a bit with his Ego. "That's one of our goals inside Satisfy, but it's still a long way to go."
" I swear, the more I find out about Leviathan's internal market, the crazier it gets. I never bothered checking in the past since I enjoyed spending time in the Mansion cosplaying as a maid with Alysha… and of course, serving you coffee."
"Uh-huh. Sure."
Elyse shrugged with a cheeky smile. "But since you logged out, and being stranded inside Fullbaz with a bunch of morons, I started reading our official website, from the rules to the privileges and services we as guild members could tap onto."
Her tone shifted slightly, more thoughtful now. "I realized we have so many things at our disposal, but they aren't obvious unless you really dig in. It's like you designed this guild to have layers upon layers, and of course, reward the players who care enough to look."
Odin nodded, appreciating Elyse's feedback, but she wasn't the first of the hundreds of customers. "That was the idea. Most players just focus on leveling up and chasing loot, ignoring the quest-related content. But the ones who invest time in learning the system, mastering their class, and understanding how to use the guild's resources? They're the ones who'll rise to the top."
Elyse smirked again. "Speaking of investments, I think you should consider raising the prices for the VIP subscriptions. With everything we get access to, it feels like it's almost too good a deal. A little scarcity might make it feel even more exclusive."
Odin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think so?"
"Absolutely. Think about it. The more perks we unlock, the more people are going to want in. If they feel like it's a premium service, they'll be willing to pay more. You've already got people hooked. Now, make them crave that next tier of exclusivity."
Odin leaned forward, considering her words. "I'll take that suggestion into consideration. I'll bring it to the Aesir for discussion. The VIP system is still a work in progress, after all. As we expand in Satisfy, we'll keep adding more benefits. The guild's influence is only going to grow."
"Similarly, the larger the guild grows, we too should evolve along."
"My main principles for the success of the Guild are based on the great works of past philosophers, from Machiavelli's The Prince or Sun Tzu's The Art of War… Ah, pardon me. I'm starting to get excited and I would wander off topic."
"What you need to remember is that we will continue to grow. We're a Leviathan inside Satisfy. Until we don't wrap the whole World tightly, we'll not stop fighting."
Elyse gave a small salute with her staff. "Guildmaster, I can't complain. With the Diamond Card, I'm practically swimming in perks. It's insane that I'm even allowed to have something this good. Seriously, if you raised the price, I'd still pay for it."
"That's what I like to hear," Odin replied approvingly. "Keep your fire burning bright."
Just then, Malfurion arrived, his new leather armor catching the light as he stepped up to join the group. Elyse shot him a teasing look. "Finally done playing dress-up?"
"My gear is only Rare, I only spend around 80 gold coins, instead I bought some tools for Druids."
"If you ask me, why am I so cheap? I figured that just raising my survivability enough to not be an inconvenience would be of help in avoiding a few more hits. Not to mention, it blends in well with the forest. Perfect for a Support Caster like me."
Elyse smirked, adjusting her staff. "We'll be fine. Those goblins are nothing to my new spells I've got from the guild."
"Sure, but there's nothing worth being proud of as a P2W Whale."
Elyse shrugged, her playful grin remaining. "Just supporting our guild economy, like a good little mage."
Time flew by as the trio waited at the stables, and a participating player was missing.
It reached the point where Odin was prepared to ditch the Tank and ride the horses outside Fullbaz, but Purphoros made his grand entrance from behind, strutting toward the group with a wide grin. "Oi! Elyse! Malfurion! Check this out!" he called, waving his shortsword around dramatically.
'Leave my sheep's alone, man.'
The blade, a +7 Raider Shortsword, gleamed faintly, a small but noticeable enhancement glow emanating from it.
Purphoros puffed out his chest as he proudly displayed the weapon to the group. "Spent a fortune getting this thing to +7. Enhancement stones are so expensive that I was always praying for success at the blacksmith."
Elyse raised an eyebrow, giving Purphoros a bemused look. "It's… shiny, I guess."
"Shiny?" Purphoros repeated incredulously. "This thing's a powerhouse now! You'll be jealous when you see the damage I can deal with it. That little twig of yours can't compare."
"Oh yeah? "My 'twig' can incinerate half of the Wild Beasts you tanked in Madelaire."
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She flicked her wrist, and her Magic Stave began to glow with a subtle but unmistakable intensity, its runes pulsing in sync with her movements. "This, my dear bumpkin, is what an actual weapon looks like. Epic-grade. Designed specifically for a Fire Mage like me. You can keep your little sword. I'll be over here incinerating entire mobs."
[Flameweaver's Ember Stave +6]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 170/170 | Magic Power: 195~335 | Casting Speed: +7%
* Increases Fire Spell damage by 15%.
* Reduces Mana Consumption of Fire Spells by 10%.
* Grants the skill 'Fireweaver's Burst': Unleash a wave of flame that deals 380% of Magic Power as AoE damage, igniting all enemies within a 10-meter radius. (Cooldown: 90 seconds) - Consumption: 850 MP
* Increases Mana Regeneration by 10% when out of combat.
A staff crafted from the bones of an adult fire wyrm, its core infused with ember shards that pulse with flame elemental. It grants its user mastery over fire, allowing them to unleash devastating spells with enhanced speed and precision. Perfect for a mage who seeks to dominate the battlefield with the raw power of flame.
User Restriction: Mage Class - Level 70 or higher.
Weight: 120
--
Odin saw some advertisements on the Guild Chat, and he could presume that it was spread around the Forums about this Epic-rated Magic Stave. It belonged to 'RedHorizon' , one of the guild's Top Fire Mages, who was currently level 156.
'Good stuff, RH even enhanced the staff, so he could sell it for a higher price. Did he fail his enhancement at +8 that it dropped to +6? Probably.'
Meanwhile, Purphoros blinked at the stats and even the enhancement that didn't show any effects so far. Users could get those cosmetic effects only from +7 going onward. His grin faltered. "That... that's pretty solid, I guess,"
'Damn, Epic-rated Items have such busted effects and skills.'
"Your +7 sword, it's cute, too."
Malfurion barely suppressed a laugh when he watched the Tanker's sour expression. "Looks like Elyse wins this round."
Purphoros scratched the back of his head, clearly trying to come up with a comeback, but instead just muttered, "Yeah, well… it's not all about big numbers, right?"
"You lost the exchange, Purphoros," Odin said, his tone flat but firm, leaving no room for further debate. "Get over it and focus on the task ahead. We have bigger things to handle than whose gear glows brighter."
Purphoros opened his mouth as if to argue but then shut it again, realizing there was no point.
Odin's words were final.
Instead, he grumbled under his breath, kicking at the dirt, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Malfurion, standing off to the side, chuckled softly, still amused by how easily Elyse had taken the win.
Elyse herself just smiled, the smug satisfaction radiating off her as she twirled her staff like some military gall.
With the tension simmering down, Odin shifted his focus. "Alright, enough of that. We need horses for the journey to Talonspear Mountain. Purphoros, quit sulking and help gather supplies for horses from the market."
"Malfurion, you and Elyse, make sure you're ready for combat and have plenty of MP potions. It's a long trek, and I'm not in the mood for delays."
The group nodded in unison, but Purphoros still looked left and right as if missing someone from the group.
"Ah, I have a question, Boss. Isn't Miss Eve joining us today?"
"Eve will meet us later. She has her own business for now to take care of."
With that settled, Odin led the way toward the stables. When Odin approached, the Stablemaster, a grizzled old NPC with salt-and-pepper hair and thick, calloused hands, was busy tending to a few mares.
The man barely looked up as Odin approached, giving him a nod of recognition. It was a sign that his game was on. The Stablemaster had 'Friendly' favorability with him.
"Looking to rent some horses, eh?" the stablemaster asked, wiping his hands on his apron.
"You've come to the right place. Got a fine selection today. What're you after? Speed, endurance, or something in between?"
"Something reliable. We've got a long ride ahead of us, so speed's important, but we'll need endurance too."
The stablemaster rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I've got just the thing. A good balance of both. Should make the journey easier on you and your friends."
"How much are we talking for four horses?" Odin asked, not wanting to waste time haggling but knowing it had to be done.
The Stablemaster scratched his chin, looking at the Adventuring Band in front of him formed out of 'Chosen One', more at the red-eyed lad. "I'll give you a deal, cause I heard of your feats, red-eyed Knight."
"For four? That'll be 250 gold for the rental, or 400 if you're looking to buy outright."
Purphoros, overhearing the conversation, whistled. "That's a lot of gold for some horses. With that sum, I can get my shield to +7 or higher. Maybe we can just walk?"
Odin shot him a cold look, reminding him to keep his mouth shut.
"We're not walking. We've got enough to cover it."
Purphoros grumbled under his breath but didn't protest further. "As long as I'm not paying."
Elyse smiled knowingly. "Walking would take us half the day, and by the time we get there, we'd be too tired to fight. We're getting horses."
The stablemaster chuckled, nodding. "Smart decision, lass. I'll get 'em ready for you."
As the stablemaster prepared the horses, Odin returned to his party. "Once we've got the horses, we'll head straight for the Talonspear Mountains with a short break in Madelaire. Everyone stocked up on supplies?"
Malfurion tapped his bag. "Got everything I need. Potions, arrows, the usual."
Elyse nodded. "I'm ready."
Purphoros shrugged. "I've got my sword and shield, that's all I need."
Odin nodded in satisfaction. The group was well-prepared, and he knew they could handle whatever challenges awaited them in the mountains. Just as he was about to speak, the Stablemaster returned, leading four well-groomed horses with a proud grin.
"These here are the finest steeds in Fullbaz," the Stablemaster said, his pride evident. "They'll get you to Talonspear in no time. But remember, treat 'em right. I don't want to hear about any accidents."
Odin met the man's gaze and gave a firm nod. "We'll make sure your horses come back in one piece."
His tone was respectful, but there was an undeniable air of authority that made it clear of his actions and promises.
Odin handed over the necessary gold, and within minutes, the group was mounted up, ready to head toward Talonspear Mountain.
The group mounted their horses with the gold handed over and the deal finalized. Holding the reins of a sleek black mare, Odin glanced at his team one last time before setting off.
The Stablemaster watched them go, tipping his hat again as they disappeared. "Safe travels, Chosen One,"
--
Initially, the travel time on foot from Fullbaz to Madelaire was about 35-45 minutes. While mounted, it was cut to 10-15 minutes, making the mounting travel the best choice for players who couldn't afford the costs for Portals from City to City.
Even then, renting or buying a horse was also expensive for the casual players who couldn't afford the high cost.
As Odin and his party approached the outskirts of Madelaire, the landscape shifted from dense forests to sprawling farmland.
The low stone walls of the village bordered fields that were scorched and churned from constant battles, the signs of recent skirmishes evident in the trampled earth and broken fences.
From atop his black mare, Odin's sharp eyes caught the movement of players battling in the distance. Various groups of adventurers and chosen ones clashed against Mutated Wild Beasts and Dire Beasts, the monsters continuing to respawn in waves after 35 minutes, but they no longer overwhelmed the players who grew as they fought.
In the open fields, players of all classes worked in tight formations.
A few players paused momentarily to drink potions, their health bars refilling before they returned to the fray with renewed vigor.
Odin slowed as they passed through the village of Madelaire, wanting to make sure that no NPC soldier was in trouble because their worth was far higher than a disposable player.
His presence was not unnoticed. Some players, lazing from the fight, turned their heads, noticing the by-now iconic Red Energy of the Legendary Player and whispering among themselves.
"Is that Odin?" one young archer asked, lowering his bow for a moment.
"Yeah," his companion, a rogue with daggers glinting in the sun, replied. "The King of Aesir, himself. What's he doing here? Thought they'd be fighting something bigger by now."
"Maybe it is related to a quest? Maybe he does a hidden quest we don't have access to."
"Look at those horses! High-level stuff… they must be heading toward Media Kingdom or some higher level hunting ground, cause those beasts are muppets to them," a nearby swordsman remarked, his sword dripping with the blood of a freshly slain Dire Wolf.
As Odin and his group rode through, the players parted slightly to make way, some bowing their heads in respect or raising a hand in silent greeting. Others simply stared, their eyes wide with a variety of emotions, from awe to envy.
"Say, Malfurion, did you get any new notification from your Quest?" Odin's voice was calm, but it had an edge of curiosity. He had a vested interest in his party's growth, and Malfurion's unique quest, Nature's Resurgence, had the potential to offer great rewards for the guild.
They could see the making of a second Legendary Class.
Malfurion rode beside Odin, his eyes scanning the farmlands, only to shake his head later. "None, since I have completed the first phase of the clear condition."
Odin nodded thoughtfully.
"What was the second part again? Cleansing the Corrupted Water Source, right?"
"Yeah," Malfurion confirmed, recalling some information he read online from other Druids who dealt with Demons in their Dungeons, giving him a simple solution to purifying the water source around Fullbaz.
"I had bought all the necessary herbs for the antidote related to demonic corruption."
Odin glanced at him "We'll have to wait and see. Still, it's great that you are prepared."
Malfurion's frown eased, and he gave a small smile. "You're right, Guildmaster. Do you think that when we go to the Goblin Zone that we will find a corrupted water source?"
"Honestly? No idea. It might be with the Hobgoblins or it might be with a far more dangerous being."