Nubram had a really bad feeling in tonight's gaming session, especially after what happened between Mana and Pras earlier today. It was kind of baffling that the two decided to both show up for today’s gaming session.
Tier logged in much earlier, almost at the same time as Nubram. Both actually had the same intention to meet with Steven first before going with their supposed plan to the Farenoth continent to continue their levelling because they all had passed level 65 and it’s recommended to go to Farenoth onwards.
Currently Tier is their highest levelled member at 70, followed by Manna and Macepaw at 68 while Nubram is the lowest at 66. He didn’t worry much since he was rather confident he could reach level 80 before the end of the month.
The queue to meet Steven was long as usual in Grandar. Fortunately, Steven seems to be in a rather good mood. He even greeted Tier and Nubram in a cheerful tone when their turn arrived in contrast to Tier who seemed to keep losing himself in his own thoughts.
“I knew it was going to be about custom abilities,” Steven said even before Tier nor Nubram got the chance to talk. “Your [Overclock] and [Spellbreaker Force] are ready, dude, we just need you to finish the requirements before being able to use that. You also need to upgrade your scholar profession for that, dude..”
“I got it. Soon I’ll raise up to scribe,” Nubram nodded. “Bakrugan’s Pristine Horn and Azure Drake’s Crystallized Heart, right? From a level 78 dungeon in Farenoth?”
“Yes, and you’ll need to be ready. Though it’s written as a level 78 dungeon, it is advisable to test it at level 79,” Steven confirmed lightly. “Also, knowing you, definitely you want something else?”
“I want a new ability, something that can silence an area of enemies,”
“Something plausible to be performed by a wizard who is taking Enlightenment, taking the scribe profession, and already taking the [Disruptive Shock] bonus. Under one condition, though ....”
“What is it?”
Steven glanced to the sky for a moment, he seemed to ponder some stuff before answering, “If you want this ability, it will have to share cooldown with [Disruptive Shock]. Letting two separate silencing abilities commence is just too much.”
“Fair enough.” Nubram nodded.
Steven then began roughly typing on his semi-transparent keyboard and said, “Cool, then expect several days for it to complete.” He then turned to Tier. “Don’t be so agitated, my dude. [Primal Unleash] is done.”
Tier groaned, clearly still annoyed by whatever happened earlier today. He explained, “No, I uh… actually….”
Steven stared blankly at Tier, looking bored. “What? Decided on your final custom ability already?”
“Y-yes, uh… some kind of ambushing ability for my companion beast.”
“How original,” Steven chuckled cynically, “Definitely for a catlike companion beast, huh?”
“Yes, snow jaguar, specifically.”
There was a clear sign of interest in Steven’s eyes due to Tier’s answer. He grinned widely as he said, “Oh, daring today, aren’t we? I’m all ears.”
“Perhaps.” Tier shrugged. “I saw videos of how the beast fought, it had some kind of ability to disappear then hit someone with a rocket like dash, barely making a noise. I would want something like that. The jaguar will dash rapidly a long distance then pounce on someone, locking them on the ground for several seconds. I’ll leave the damage scaling on whatever you guys think is fair.”
“And the name?”
“Uh… [Silent Break]? Because it will dash silently, so not exactly an ambush ability though.”
Nubram scratched his bald head. He was rather confused with how something could move so fast but cause no noise. “How?” he asked. “Shouldn’t something that moves so fast cause a huge noise? Like jet planes?”
The question seemed to make Tier realise there was something completely wrong with the idea, at least in laws of physics sense. However, Steven was clearly giggling.
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“It has its secrets, duuude,” he chuckled. “And Tier, this ability would be usable only after you truly tamed the beast and unlocked its full potential. Though, it won't take long to finish it. Are you okay with this? You will lose an ability slot if you fail to tame the specific beast and are not able to unleash its full potential.”
“Yes,” Tier firmly answered without the least amount of hesitancy. “Even if I fail to unlock its full potential, I can always work on unleashing it.”
“Dude, it might jeopardise your chances for Clashing Realms. Incomplete characters are a no go.”
At first, Nubram thought that Steven’s statement would bring no effect to Tier. Yet, the hunter fell silent. He was clearly pondering on the choices and chances. All this time, despite the facade that he put on, despite saying that he didn’t want to go to Clashing Realms, Tier seemed eager to play along with his friends.
At least, that is what Nubram always felt. And now, Nubram saw the clear hints of it.
It took Tier a while to consider until some people in the waiting line started murmuring their protest. “No problem,” Tier finally decided. “I-I d-don’t really want to go to Clashing Realms anyway.”
“So be it, my dude.”
“Thanks, Steven.”
Tier hastily leaves the scene towards the port, followed by Nubram. The latter realised how Tier’s words had a slight change to them. Which would affirm Nubram’s suspicion of his friend’s intention. Nevertheless, it might be even more fun to have Tier around. After Tier could overcome his insecurities of course.
“Are you really sure about that, Pras?” Nubram asked as they reached the docks. Surprisingly, none of their friends had arrived yet. Perhaps this was some kind of karma since Nubram was often the one who was late.
“O-of course,” Tier answered hastily. He looked around to make sure none of their friends had arrived, then walked towards the southern end of the docks where some players hang out and test their skills in duels. This area is actually outside the borders of the city and thus people could have some duels without risking the guard NPCs disturbing them.
“But, isn’t that thing hard to tame?” Nubram asked again. He gazed at Tier’s visage, eyeing for a reaction.
“I’m a lorekeeper,” Tier nodded calmly. He was watching the duels happening there. “I had a timer add-on installed recently, so I know when it will spawn.”
“How about the secret?”
“I have some ideas, but I can check on them later. What’s important is to tame it first.”
Nubram chuckled, “I just hope Lyra will be busy disturbing other players then. Therefore you’ll have plenty of time.”
Tier’s expression turned grim. He rubbed his chin as he explained, “I’m actually more concerned. Arkengrad mentioned that lately Lyra’s modus operandi had changed. She seemed to resume her activity as a mercenary and actually took more interest in securing items or creatures for other people to take.”
“What? Why would she do that?”
“Beats me.” Tier shrugged. “Either Arkengrad actually made some sense to her, or she was in for the money while having the luxury to smack others with a rather justified cause.”
“You think they would aim for a snow jaguar?”
“Probably.” Tier smiled in a weirdly cynical fashion. “That beast would be listed at a high price.”
“Damn…” Nubram growled. “When’s the next time the beast will be available?”
“I’m in!” seemingly ignoring Nubram’s comment, Tier waved his hand at a human warrior named Rondag. The two talked as if they had known each other earlier then started duelling.
The fight was rather intense, something that Nubram didn’t expect since a human warrior was a rather powerful class and race combination, unlike the massively unpopular rakhs hunter. However, Tier managed to weave around his opponent with traps and poisons - although Nubram still thought it wouldn’t be enough to defeat Rondag.
Then, it happened.
A flash of killer whale’s silhouette appeared briefly above Tier, along with the weird change in stance. The silhouette was quickly replaced by that of a raging rhino, one which strangely didn’t disappear. Tier also assumed a crouching stance, completely confusing Rondag and threw the human’s attack pattern out of balance.
But, that was not all. After Nubram took a more keen look into the fight, the human warrior’s attack was actually being hampered by [Mimic: Rhino]. The knockback might not be much, but Tier seemed to keep shooting his arrows at Rondag’s limbs, especially on the pivot feet. Such an attack would throw anyone out of balance, giving the hunter ample time to take more distance or unleash a nasty strike - namely yeeting a massive steel staff using [Eagle Aim].
That exact move was the one that ended Rondag’s struggle. The two fistbumped joyly afterwards, and talked a bit before accepting further challenges from similar levelled players.
Nubram saw clearly how Tier's attitude and visage changed during such fair PvP fights. It was subtle, but there was enough hint that he actually enjoyed doing PvPs. It was always the same even in RTSs and the arcade flight simulator thingy. There was a flare of life that sparked in Tier’s eyes no matter the situation. Though he ranted or grumbled when cornered or losing, Tier seemed to enjoy it all.
Yet, he was not the only one.
Nubram had been itching for a fight, a fair one. The thoughts of facing many great players later in Clashing Realms had his adrenaline pumping. Heck, it would be presumptuous if he said that he was the only one similar to Tier. Rushvatte and Manna seemed to have those tendencies as well. As well as Renma and Flick though they are not as fiery in these things. Perhaps even Macepaw is into the thrill of PvP just for the sake of messing with people.
For now, Tier’s and Rondag’s duel had Nubram’s blood boiling. And since his friends have not arrived yet, he entered the fray - starting his first duel today against Rondag. If Tier could defeat this warrior, surely Nubram would be able to as well.