“There’s four members in Kors’ party,” Noah said, quickly sketching it out in the back of his tome as they walked. “First up, Kors. He’s the party leader, and a swordsman of some sort. He’s really fast and flexible.”

“High skill, high speed. It’s a good build, and hard to deal with, but if he hasn’t invested much into strength, we can use that against him,” Vivian mused, a hand on his chin.

“Then there’s Lewis. He’s a defensive player. Shield bash, that stack. He doesn’t carry a weapon, but he can kill with his shield as easily as anyone can kill with a sword.”

Vivian nodded. “Strength and defense. It’s annoying to deal with, but it’s so classic that it’s pretty easy to handle. A lot of monsters have that build.”

Noah licked his lips and continued. “Jane is a Martial Artist. She’s strong and fights bare-handed.”

“That’s usually speed and strength, or skill and strength. Martial Artist… that’s a tough class,” Vivian murmured thoughtfully. Martial Artist fades at higher levels with its low strength growth, but at low levels, they’re some of the worst Players to face as a fellow player. They’re tough, good at dodging, and strong, plus the [Endure] skill means it takes a lot of damage to put them down. I’d rather not face her.

“The final member is Renee. She’s a bard. She mostly does support, but she also carries a gun,” Noah said.

“A gun? Guns don’t work in the Tower,” Vivian said.

“Hers does,” Noah retorted.

Vivian frowned. Bard… guns… I feel like I’ve seen this combo before. A hazy image swam before his eyes, a man with bandoliers crossing his chest and an oversized blunderbuss in his hand. “A magic gun?”

“I don’t know,” Noah said.

“Magic guns work inside the Tower, but they shouldn’t work outside it… but then again, you live inside an Exclusion Zone, right? So that makes sense,” Vivian said. Magic guns are kind of shitty medieval guns, but then again, Bards aren’t great at combat. Magic guns make up for the Bard’s general lack of direct combat ability by being… a gun. It’s weird that she’d enter the Garden alone as a Bard, but at the time, the Lost Ones weren’t proc’d.

On the other hand, it might indicate that she’s high enough level that her class’ lack of combat ability won’t hinder her ability to take down the Lost Ones. I can’t let my guard down.

Noah nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Vivian nodded. He closed his eyes, consulting his map again. Red dots moved closer to him and Noah. Listen. Are those Lost Ones or Players?

Footsteps echoed over the cobblestones. Vivian opened his eyes. He threw his hand out. “You stay here. There’s a Player just around the corner.”

Dammit, the other red dots turned away. It’s like they know we’re trying to corner a Player. Vivian took a deep breath. Whatever. Can’t get the ideal Player-distracted-by-Lost-One roll every time. Sometimes, we’re going to get suboptimal situations. Still, Player alone is better than us getting besieged by a Lost One as the Player shows up.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Noah backed away. “Got it.”

Vivian drew his clippers. He took a deep breath and set his face to neutral. Turning to the hedges, he brushed the clippers near the hedges, but didn’t actually clip the hedges. I don’t want to waste my poison. I’m not sure if clipping the bushes would count as my one-time use of poison, but even so, let’s not try it.

Lewis or Renee would be ideal. Pass me a softball for my first fight! A slow high-defense Player who probably hasn’t invested into Poison Resist! A Bard with nothing but guns going for her! Come on! Vivian prayed silently as he turned the corner.

A muscular woman peered at the flowers, bored. She flicked the petals of the rose, then straightened abruptly when she saw Vivian. Her eyes narrowed. “A Gardener… Wasn’t that Noah kid running with a Gardener?”

Holy shit! They know? How long have they been following this kid? Damn! My best advantage, immediately wasted!

Not only that, but that’s got to be Jane, the Martial Artist. I really got the worst roll right away.

Wait. Play it cool. She doesn’t know I’m the Gardener who’s helping Noah. Play it cool! Vivian kept pretending to clip the hedges without responding to the woman. Slowly, he grew closer to her.

“Hey. You. Gardener,” Jane called.

Uh, do I respond? Do Gardeners generally talk to Players? Vivian looked hard and deep into his heart, seeking out his inner Gardener. Talk to me, Gardener memories! What would the NPC Gardener say in this scenario?

Vivian turned stiffly. He gazed through Jane, his eyes blank. “These Ghost Roses can be used to create an SP potion.”

Jane frowned at him. She patted his cheek. “Hey.”

“These Ghost Roses can be—”

“C’mon. I know it’s you.”

“—used to create an SP potion.”

Jane scoffed. She turned away. “Dumb NPC.”

The second her back was turned, Vivian slashed the clippers at her.

Jane jumped back, dodging the blow. She laughed. “Idiot. I knew it was you.”

Vivian backed away, keeping the clippers between them.

She circled with him, raising her fists. “Let’s dance.”

Vivian watched her quietly, waiting. She’s going to close the distance. In a moment, she’s—

A fist slammed into his gut. Vivian staggered back, falling into the bushes. Rose thorns prickled his skin as the yew branches stabbed into him. All the air went out of him. His stomach lurched, and he retched. Pale, acrid fluid ran down his chin.

Jane laughed, already back where she’d started. “Weak.”

I didn’t even see her move. Fuck! She must be nearly level twenty. Vivian raised the clippers again, hefting himself to his feet. He put the clippers between her and his gut.

Jane darted in. Her fist slammed into his chest and lifted Vivian off his feet. Something cracked. Vivian fell into the bushes again. He gasped for breath.

I was underestimating Players. And now I’m going to die.

Dropping back, Jane hopped in place. She grinned. “Pathetic. Did you really think you could beat us?”

“These Ghost Roses—” Vivian wheezed, struggling to catch his breath. Every breath hurt. His solar plexus and ribs both burned.

“That’s right. You’re an NPC. You can’t think,” Jane said. She darted in again.

Vivian closed his eyes. Gardenational Awareness!

Time slowed. Jane’s foot slammed down on the cobbles. He felt it slip slightly on the mossy stones. Her fist rushed at him, disturbing the leaves of the hedge behind Vivian.

I can’t move fast enough to dodge. I can’t take another blow. I can’t fight back.

But I don’t need to do any of that. All I need…

He adjusted the clippers, turning the blade toward her oncoming fist.

The clippers dragged past her calloused palm, then dug into the flesh of her forearm. Blood ran down her arm.

Her fist smashed into Vivian’s head. His head snapped back, and the world went black. He sagged into the hedges.

Jane snorted. She lifted her arm and rubbed it. “Ow, fuck. Motherfucker got me with his clippers. That stings.”

[Poison Resist] Activated