Noah gasped for breath on the unforgiving terrain, feeling the immense shadow of the behemoth looming over him. He was alarmingly aware of the beast’s furnace-like breath gusting over him.

As he stared up at the monstrous entity, its colossal foot poised to deliver the crushing blow, he felt an all-too-familiar feeling gnawing at him. I’m lagging... always one step behind the others... his thoughts jeered, a cruel reminder of his struggles in-game.

In the world outside, he was nobody—a shadow lost among countless others. But here, in this realm where code gave life to ambition, he was a hunter, and a hunter he would be.

The game before him was not merely a game; it was an opportunity. Legends within this digital domain earned not just accolades but riches, cryptocurrency that bore the power to transcend the virtual and change reality itself. And it was the riches he sought, the tangible evidence that he was more than a forgotten whisper in the world. He yearned to become a legend, to earn enough to transform his real-world life.

I will be a legend. He promised himself.

Noah rolled, narrowly avoiding the Urhzig’s huge hooves. The ground trembled, and dust and debris flew, forming a brief, hazy veil. The taste of dirt filled his mouth as he coughed, blocking the loud crashes of falling rocks.

In the captivating game world, reality and fantasy merged due to the stunning graphics, immersive sounds, and the advanced full-body haptic suit that made the experience feel alive.

“Roh, watch out!” a woman yelled. A strong vibration hit his legs in the real world, matching the Urhzig’s tail attack in-game. Noah flinched at the bearable pain—it was an illusion created by the game’s hardware, but it felt incredibly real.

Earlier versions of the kit used electrode headsets for pain simulation, but they were costly and cumbersome. Now, Roh’s experimental kit relied on smart dust, a neural nanotechnology, for a brain-computer interface that safely and legally imitated pain sensations, under the company’s advertised claims.

Noah glanced at the health indicator above his in-game character, Rohgar. His hit points had dropped to only fifty percent, while his stamina wavered at ten percent.

Exhausted and knocked down twice, he knew another hit would mean defeat. He desperately looked for a way to change the situation. As much as he enjoyed taunting and tanking with his Barbarian build, aggroing the Urhzig to protect and take the heat off his squishy allies, Arkie and Florrie, he had to prioritize his own defense.

The massive creature lifted its tail, but he dodged, rolling to safety. He stood up, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

“That was close!” Florrie, a teammate, called from a distance. Kneeling, she aimed her crossbow at the beast’s soft underbelly. Taking a deep breath, she concentrated, knowing she couldn’t afford to miss. Florrie shot a [Tranq Bolt].

Tranq Bolt

Tranquilizer ammo that sedates the target for 90 seconds.

Caution: There is a 20% chance of triggering a hallucinogenic side effect whereby the target enters an enraged, trance-like state known as Bestial Rage, increasing attack damage by a hundred percent.

The Tranq bolt darted towards its target at a surprising speed that left the beast with no time to react. It hit true, piercing into the left flank of the Urhzig. The quadruped dropped to the ground, asleep.

Florrie exhaled deeply, no doubt relieved by both her accurate shot and the fact that her Tranq Bolt’s side effect had not been triggered. Moonweave Elves, like Florrie, were known for their incredible accuracy, so precision was rarely an issue for her. She’s not the only one that’s glad the Tranq Bolt’s side effect didn’t trigger. Otherwise the Urhzig would go ape shit crazy on us right now.

Roh gave her a thumbs up. “Thanks, I owe you one!”

He analyzed the motionless monster with his [Analyze Species] ability while he tried to recover from the earlier attack.

Analyze Species

This ability allows players to receive a detailed report on the creature, including its name, difficulty rating, weakness, strengths, weak points, resistances, and other important information.

The information displayed on the HUD under the ‘Party Log’ tab, available for the entire party to view.

Urhzig - Level 10 (Difficulty Heroic)

The Urhzig is a ground-dwelling, rock-encrusted monster. It has high armor and defense against physical attacks. With its camouflage, its appearance always resembles the stones around its habitat and surrounding territory, making it difficult to see until you are too close to it to escape.

Species: Terra Behemoth

Element Affinity: Terra

Role: Omega - it is lowest in the hierarchy and a solitary beast.

Strengths: High Armour, High Defence & Camouflage

Weaknesses: Low Agility, Astral & Tempest

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Resistances: Shock, Blaze & Torrent

Weak Points: Head (Breakable) & Tail (Severable)

Roh’s mind raced with strategies and plans, knowing that this knowledge was the key to defeating the massive creature. Finally, they had the upper hand against the Urhzig. Just what we needed to take this damn beast down. Now we can exploit its weaknesses. Excitement surged through his body, ready for the fight ahead.

“I’ve got you!” Darian’s half-orc voice boomed. Roh saw him charging, clad in plate armor that signified his paladin dedication. The armor’s aura of strength and protection boosted the party’s resolve.

Darian’s appearance was as imposing as his voice. His striking top knot was complemented by an undercut and subtly faded sideburns, while his locks cascaded in a rich shade of black. A faint aroma of incense and holy oils wafted around him, no doubt a remnant of one of his bolstering AOE (area of effect) abilities.

His eyes were intense, a deep amber hue that seemed to gleam with a fierce determination. They were set deep in his angular face, framed by prominent cheekbones and a squared jawline.

As he helped Roh up, Darian’s armor seemed to come alive, the polished metal reflecting the light. It covered his forearms and spread up to his biceps, depicting intricate engravings and bold designs. Its polished metal and intricate engravings contrasted sharply against his pale green skin, signifying his membership in a proud and ancient order of holy warriors.

Despite his intimidating exterior, there was a warmth to Darian’s touch as he steadied Roh. His presence exuded a sense of safety and protection, as if he were a natural leader among the group.

Roh managed to rise to his feet, despite the pain coursing through his legs. Darian’s brawny arms provided much-needed support, allowing Roh to find his balance and steady himself. Sensing Roh’s discomfort, Darian deftly placed a healing pack on the ground.

The small, glowing healing pack, shaped like a metallic circle, emanated calming blue and green hues, along with a gentle hum. As Roh stood close, shimmering particles enveloped him, their warmth easing his pain and mending his injuries.

Darian continued, “Since we now know its weakness from your analysis, we know the best weapon attack would be your Astral Axe.” As if on cue, the Urhzig awoke from its slumber, letting out a deafening roar that echoed across the canyon. Its massive head swung towards Roh, its eyes narrowing in anger and determination. The behemoth was a titan of the desert, an ancient force of nature that had long ruled over the barren wasteland.

Roh gazed up at the Urhzig. The creature’s massive body was easily twenty feet tall and equally long, with four thick legs that could trample anything in its path. Rough and scaly, the hide resembled the parched, cracked earth beneath its massive feet.

The creature's rough, textured hide matched the desert landscape, providing camouflage and shielding it from harsh conditions. Mineral veins wove through its exterior, enhancing its adaptability and appearance.

Roh could feel the heat radiating off the Urhzig’s body, making the air around it shimmer like a mirage.The colossal creature’s deep growls rumbled through the ground, vibrating in Roh’s bones. Its massive claws scraped against the hard-packed sand, sending up a plume of dust that filled the air with a gritty, acrid smell. The behemoth’s breath was hot and fetid, like the blast of a furnace.

Despite the Urhzig’s intimidating presence, Roh and Darian stood their ground. As the behemoth moved, its massive shadow stretched for miles across the desert, darkening the landscape like a looming storm cloud.

Darian charged towards the mountainous creature, swinging his hammer with all his might. The Urhzig let out a roar of pain and fury as the hammer struck its tail, causing a significant amount of blunt damage. The titanic beast thrashed its tail, trying to shake off the pain and attack Darian in return. However, Darian was quick on his feet and managed to dodge the Urhzig’s attempts to strike him.

“My turn!” said Arkie, their last group member appearing from the shadows using [Shadow Step] and jumping onto Darian using his [Aero Flip].

The skill-specific information was displayed on the HUD’s Party Combat Logs.

Shadow Step

Allows a Shadow Gunslinger to swiftly teleport over short distances by utilizing the shadows. This ability allows them to disappear from view and reappear in a different location, catching their enemies off guard and gaining the upper hand in combat.

Aero Flip Skill

Allows players to use behemoths, the environment or even other players as a makeshift springboard.

Arkie leaped onto the Urhzig, gripping its armored crevices. Despite its thrashing, he clung on, anticipating its moves. Seizing an opportunity, he drove his dual blades into the beast’s back, using one to anchor himself securely.

Roh’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Wow, he made it look so easy. It’s no wonder, considering his natural agility as a Drow elf.

The beast roared, rearing up. Unfazed, Arkie stabbed its underbelly. It reared again. Arkie slid down, reaching for its tail. Unleashing a frenzied four-hit combo, he aimed to dismember. Swiftly, the tail fell, crashing with a sickening thud. Blood spurted, the beast roared.

Arkie stood defiantly, blades at his sides, as the colossal beast stumbled back and collapsed, its gash dripping. Arkie wiped the blood off his blades. “That’s how you do it!”

Roh felt a pang of envy. Arkie was naturally gifted and had honed his skills with countless gaming hours, while Roh... He shook his head. Despite the awe Arkie’s performance inspired, it also served as a stark reminder of the gulf that separated them. Will I ever be that good?

This was the first time he had seen Arkie be so exceptional at close quarter melee attacks, when his usual specialty as a Gunslinger is ranged attacks. I guess that’s the good thing about multi-classing. Arkie and Florrie love to multiclass. They swear by it. I may have to try it out one day. Although how can I expect to be great at multiple classes when I already suck at just one?!

Arkie, the Shadow Gunslinger, stood tall and lean, his lithe figure poised and ready for action. His piercing, jade eyes glinted in the dim light, revealing an intense focus hidden beneath his calm appearance. He moved with a fluid grace that suggested a lifetime of training in the art of combat.

As he bent down to collect his spoils, a few strands of his side swept hair brushed against his pale skin. Despite the harshness of his surroundings, Arkie maintained an air of elegance and refinement, as if he were born to command attention.

The smoky black garb that he wore clung to his body, accentuating his every movement. The high-collared coat with its smooth texture and utilitarian design suggested that it was crafted for both style and function. But even so, Arkie wore it with a sense of style and confidence that spoke to his mastery of his craft.

As he stood back up, Arkie tucked the Urhzig tail into his pack and adjusted his holster, ensuring that his guns were within easy reach. His senses were keenly attuned to his surroundings, and he remained ever-vigilant. For a moment, all was still. The Urhzig lay motionless. The wind howled through the barren desert, stirring up great clouds of sand. The sand whipped past the motionless behemoth, coating its massive body with a fine layer of gritty particles that clung to its rough hide.

The wind's relentless force continued, its ferocious power tearing through the sparse, battered vegetation, bending and snapping branches as though they were mere matchsticks.

Arkie, his voice nearly lost in the wind's roar, shouted to the group, "I need to log out now!" His tone conveyed urgency, a desire to escape the escalating situation.