****
*
"So let me get this straight." I said seriously. "You found a dungeon around here?"
"Yes, yes I did." Tante casually replied, grinning.
"And we are going there to explore it."
"Of course. The fame and extra experience should not be turned down, especially if you consider your large infamy rating."
"Please don't remind me."
"Of course."
"Do you not realize that there is just the two of us? We will need a larger and better equipped party than this if we were to complete this dungeon." I pointed out, seeing an out to this current situation.
"Actually, we also have this guy." Tante said, holding up what looked like a monk with a wiry build by the collar of his neck. His hair was shaved nearly bald, his arms looked quite thick and sinewy, and he had an impressive physique so it only stood to reason that that guy must have been a monk or a martial artist, right?
Despite his large size, it did not stop Tante from being able to lift him easily and drag him around.
"Yes, I still don't quite get why and how he suddenly showed up around here alone." I remarked. One moment he was just dashing down the pass, the next moment he ran pell-mell into one of Tante's Spirit Warriors, and then Tante absentmindedly grabbed him by the collar and dragged him along.
"Well, if he was alone, he must be strong." Tante replied. She turned to the monk/martial artist dude. "You are strong, aren’t you?"
"W-who are you?" The monk/martial artist dude seemed pretty scared and nervous. I would be if I were suddenly kidnapped by a gently smiling girl dressed in armor in the middle of nowhere.
"Uh... Tante, I think you might be scaring him." Tante snorted, but ultimately just set the monk on the floor, where he sat there nervously quivering on the spot.
I thought over my words a little bit, and then spoke in what I hoped was a kind and gentle voice: "Please tell me what you are doing here."
Unfortunately the monk took one look at me, and then turned away quickly as though he had just seen a demon. What? Was there something on my face? Or did I get my voice wrong?
"Uh..." Tante pointed at my forehead, and then dug around in her bag, bringing out a small hand mirror and handing it to me.
I took a look, and found a red diamond mark there. I looked up at Tante and asked: "Did you get creative with a red marker while I was in that state?" I rubbed the mark furiously, but to no avail. "And it won't come off!!"
"Of course it won't come off, that is the mark of the murderer you got here. Recall those 4 buffoons you offed the other day?"
"Oh right, those. I did recall seeing a comment saying that I have received something known as the Mark of the Murderer..."
"That's the one. It's something given to Player Killers, and it marks them out with a red diamond mark on the forehead. In addition, it causes the name to appear over the PKer's head in bloody crimson." She nodded at the mark and continued.
"It's not so easily removed, but if you kill a large amount of monsters, complete many quests, or perform acts of community service, you will be able to remove it. Alternatively I hear that you can wait for the mark to wear off but it takes a really long time. However, for now it's generally a bad thing for you since players and NPCs tend to shy away from players with that mark."
"Uh, Tante?" I stopped her midway through her long and very informative lecture. "It is nice for you to tell me all this, but I do believe you are scaring him even further." The monk/martial artist dude was surreptitiously shifting himself further and further away from me.
"Am I? Well then, mister, you shouldn't be scared of this guy. Despite his fierce looks that scream 'I want to murder you in cold blood', he is really just a pussy cat." Tante replied.
"Right, I am perfectly harmless." I decided to play along for now, but added in an undertone: "I swear I'll kill you later..."
"Oh? Then I will welcome your challenge with open arms." Tante muttered back, and then spoke to the monk/martial artist dude cheerfully: "I decided that you look strong, so allow me to couch this invitation with a sincere heart: we have discovered a dungeon and we just need a third member to expedite our little trip. Be a dear and join us for this dungeon raid, will you?"
Tante... Knightly speech and the tone you are using don't exactly mix... Nevertheless it seemed that it had an effect on the monk dude, who was blushing, if only a little.
**
Wisp looked at the young woman with the golden hair and ornate armor with warm eyes.
At the temple, where it was all about manly brotherhood, filled to the brim with testosterone and machism... There had been quite a noticeable lack of the fairer sex.
When he had first gotten out of the temple, despite his rigorous spiritual training, he had quite a bit of trouble resisting his carnal desires. No wonder priests had it hard.
Fortunately, he didn't have much opportunity to interact with women, nor did they want anything to do with him. Or was it unfortunate? He had thought that with his more than impressive build, he would have to fight off the ladies with a broom. Apparently he was severely mistaken.
Either way, his chosen career as an assistant martial arts instructor didn't give him much chance to interact with women.
And so he lived in relative peace, free from any threat to his sworn celibacy. And now an attractive young woman was talking to him, asking him out even. You could imagine what kind of effect that had on him.
He ignored the man that was with her, having noticed the terrifying killing aura that emanated from him. Although it laid dormant, docile for now, there was a good reason why that man received that red Mark on his forehead. It was though he had laid eyes on a vicious predator that saw him as nothing more but food to be eaten, fodder for the slaughter. So he hid his presence from young man, like a prey that froze in place, hoping that the hungry predator wouldn’t notice it, focusing instead on the sweet and heartwarming sight and event that was opening up before him.
It was interesting how people often block their minds from seeing what they do not wish to see.
He was about to reply when his mind, which had been lagging several paces behind due to the antics and impressions of the pair, finally caught up, and he managed to catch himself in time, his hand forming the Karana Mudra, which was the Buddhist symbolic gesture of expulsion of demons and negative thoughts.
"Think pure thoughts..." Wisp desperately thought in his mind as he regulated his breathing and rearranged his expression to what he hoped looked like a serene smile.
***
I looked at the monk who was now smiling serenely despite his ordeal a couple of minutes ago.
"You know... I think he likes you, Tante. Either that or he has got a screw loose in his head."
"Oh, be quiet." Tante's expression didn't change, but I noticed that her ears were reddening.
The monk seemed to have gotten over his fright, and now bowed respectfully, hands clasped together in greeting.
"Peace be with you. I sincerely apologize for my unsightly bearing from earlier." His voice seemed almost melodic. "But I must also apologize, for I must decline your invitation. I have to make due haste, for I hope to reach the next town or village by sundown."
That wording confirmed my suspicions that he was a monk dude, but the martial artist part was still a possibility. A warrior monk then?
"Why is that?" Tante asked.
"I have hoped to make it to the next town to resupply. I had... an unsuccessful economic venture due to circumstances beyond my control. Such is fate. Amitabha." He performed another hand gesture. So wait, a businessman warrior monk dude?
"Huh.... I suppose we can accompany you to the next town so that we can prepare properly for our dungeon hunt...." I began to ponder over that possibility, but was elbowed aside by Tante.
"If it is food and drink, we can help you with that, but I would like to head into the dungeon now, please."
"Tante... It's my supplies that we are talking about." I pointed out but Tante ignored me.
"Still, I would rather head to the city to prepare adequately. The werewolves that we are likely to come across in the dungeon are much higher leveled as compared to what we can find outside. Not to mention that they are under the leadership of a Lycanthrope." The monk dude spoke in a rational voice, his calm and cool expression a far cry from his earlier appearance. Somehow, that first impression still flashed in my mind, which warped my current impression of him a bit.
Tante was swayed by the monk dude's words, anyways.
"You do make some sense..." Tante frowned and thought over it for a moment, but eventually sighed and nodded her head.
"Forgive my rashness then. We shall accompany you to the nearest town or city so that we can prepare for the dungeon raid properly. There is safety in numbers after all."
Tante manipulated a game interface that I was unable to see, and a message appeared in front of me with a *ping* sound.
[Combatante has invited you to her party. Accept? Yes/No]
I accepted, and another message appeared, as well as the party interface.
[You have joined the party.]
“Party stats window!”
[Combatante Level 74]
[Howard Level 54]
[Wisp Level 65]
"Now that we are in a party, allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Wisp, Level 65 Shaman, Nature Alignment. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The Monk dude, now known as Wisp, clasped his hands together in the standard Chinese salutation. Dude, this isn't a martial arts film.
"Howard, level 54 Spearman. Likewise." I bowed in reply.
"Combatante, Level 74 Flag Bearer. My friends call me Tante." Tante spoke cheerfully.
"Well then Ma'am, might I have the privilege of doing the same?" Wisp bowed in respect as he spoke.
"Of course." Tante replied, and added in an undertone to me: "He is quite the gentleman. Not like some uncouth battle-crazy spearman I know."
"Shut up." I muttered back, but I hoisted my haversack and straightened up, stretching my protesting legs.
"We best get moving then. With a bit of luck we can get through the pass before sundown. Even all three of us can't take on an entire pack of night-strengthened werewolves."
*****
We actually made good progress, and reached the end of the pass just before the sun began to set. Wisp had a store of stamina which didn't lose to either Tante’s or mine, and we set a distance-eating pace, as we jogged and ran down the pass.
And suddenly, immense walls came into sight, which blocked out a large part of a city, but from the distance I was able to catch a glimpse of a tall spire which threatened to actually pierce the heavens. (Alright, I had to make the joke somewhere, but you know what I meant.)
"The Kingdom of Knights... Kallamore." Tante mutter under her breath, awestruck by the sight.
I attempted to recall what I had read on the primer about the Kingdom as I took in the view before me.
Kallamore Kingdom was one of the stronger kingdoms in terms of military prowess. Being attacked by demons and monsters on a regular basis, Kallamore Kingdom was forced to adapt to the hostile conditions and hence put a lot of effort into bolstering their military capabilities. Their military might used to be at the forefront of all kingdoms until their strongest knight Kolderim suddenly disappeared one day, and they had faced a decline since then. Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Knights was still a force to be reckoned with.
From what I recalled, they also had a long-lasting rivalry with the Kingdom of Haven but that bit wasn't all that important to me, since I had little intention of becoming Emperor.
We made our way to the gates, where we were stopped by the guards stationed there.
"Halt, who goes there?" The guard called out. Unlike the guards back at the Sleepy Fortress, this one seemed to be equipped in strong and functional armor, and a half helmet finished the look. He was also armed with a spear and a shield, and a short sword hung from a scabbard around his waist.
Good grief, he is not armed for a quiet night out, more like he is going to war or something, I thought to myself, but I kept my tongue in cheek and replied: "Travellers. We wish to enter this fine city in order to recuperate and restock our supplies."
In order to not draw attention to my Murderer status, I draped myself in a cloak, which obscured most of my features. On hindsight however, I think that just created even more suspicion among the guards. Perhaps I should grow out my fringe or something?
"Hmmm..." The guard looked suspicious, but considering the constant threats faced by the city, he had the right to be vigilant. Moreover, he had the advantage over us. A guard house was just stationed nearby, where a troop lay in wait for invaders.
Eventually the guard came to a decision, having noted his tactical advantage over us,and said: "Alright, it will cost 1 silver to pass. There's three of you, so that will cost you 3 silver."
"I will pay for it then." Wisp volunteered, but it looked like it hurt him to do so.
"No, Howard shall do it, won't he?" Tante grinned wickedly at me as she said this.
I grumbled to myself as I dug in my money pouch and dug out 3 silver coins. While it was a pain, I didn't actually mind paying the toll. Apparently PKing had been more lucrative than I thought. Troublesome perhaps, but it certainly had its merits. Besides, my most recent kills had been in self defence, right? It wasn’t my fault that these nice people wanted to run at me and give me all those nice money and experience. I would accept and cherish their gifts most wholeheartedly. As such, I had amassed a considerable amount of money, which I hoped to use for equipment upgrades.
"Here." I passed the three silver coins to the guard.
"Hmmmm..." The guard regarded me suspiciously, but seemed to think nothing of it. I guess my infamy wasn't that high yet, which was a bit of a relief.
Stolen novel; please report.
"You may pass. Please make sure you stay out of trouble. I promise to hunt you down if you do." The guard said, and moved aside to let us pass.
"You heard the man." Tante was still grinning.
"Oh, shut up." I muttered back in reply, and I raised my head in order to take in the sights offered by the new city.
Tante can be surprisingly abrasive at times.
The road led down to a square, where the many stores and shops set up there were closing for the day. Nevertheless, smoke could still be seen coming up from the chimney on the place where I wanted to go - which was the blacksmith.
“We’ll split up for a bit. There’re a couple of things I want to pick up and settle as well. We’ll meet up at that inn over there.” Tante pointed out a building in the west part of the square. “Howard, get some better gear. You’ve been using the same chainmail and leather gear since we first met. I dare say it’s actually threatening to fall apart.” Tante briskly took out her money pouch, weighed it carefully, and then set off in another direction.
“Good grief, where’s your sense of sentimental value?” I shouted after her, but really, she was just reminding me of what I have been wanting to do for the past month or so. That set of armor had actually been with me since I first graduated from the Warrior Guild’s training program. I never really had a chance to perform upgrades, only patching my equipment up with the repair skill when the durability was about to run out.
Moreover, my Ash White Spear Shaft had a lot of durability from the unbreakable rune carved onto it, and was a growing-type equipment, hence I did not find a need for a weapon upgrade.
The once shiny chainmail was now cracked and falling apart in several areas, and the leather armor was badly frayed and looked worse for wear. If that wasn’t a sign that you should be changing your gear, I don’t know what might be.
As part of an MMORPG, equipment upgrades were an essential portion. A certain piece of equipment could last a player about 20-30 levels, and then it would have to be replaced or upgraded if you wished to keep up a certain level of performance. In my case, the chainmail and leather gear had lasted me for a whopping 50 levels or so, and I had grown rather attached to them, as though they were a part of me. As was my Spear Shaft.
Sadly however, sentimental value has little use in a game like an MMORPG. I did level to 100 at one time in another game equipped with only the beginner equipment and focusing on weapon upgrades only though.
I entered the Blacksmith Store, and was greeted by the sight of the many blacksmiths hard at work. Metal was being heated, beaten, dunked into water where they sizzled and steamed, heated and beaten some more... Erm, I mean, being worked with careful and industrious hands.
The clerk who was at the counter bowed deeply in greeting.
“A customer! Please, come in and have a look at our work... oh...” She looked at my badly damaged and frayed equipment with distaste.
“Yeah, I’m about due for an upgrade.” I said. “Do you think you have anything for Level 50 and higher?”
“Are you sure you can afford it?” She asked, which was pretty understandable. Even I would turn away a person who looked like he is under his luck or something.
“We shall see.”
The clerk nodded, and headed to the back room. A few minutes later, she reappeared, lugging several pieces of Iron, Bronze and Steel Equipment.
“I would recommend that you pick up the black steel equipment, steel offers much better defence and would last longer as long as you avoid wet places, since they rust like nobody’s business. It would cost a little extra if you wish to put an anti-rust enchantment on it, but you’ll have to seek help from a dwarf. Alternatively, if rusting is a problem, the bronze offers a much longer durability but has lower defense. From the looks of it, you don’t need a shield.” the clerk helpfully supplied without pause. I listened to her lecture with a blank look.
“Most informative. Please catch your breath while I have a look.” I nodded and started looking at the steel equipment offered.
NameMal's Black Steel Half HelmetStatsEquipment Type: Half Helmet
Defense: 18
Durability: 95/95DescriptionMade by a retired Knight of Kallamore, this Helm offers great protection from demons and monsters. The blacksmith is often at odds with his brother Hal over which helmet is superior, and this helmet was designed with all the qualities of the half helmet in mind.
Due to the material used, it rusts easily.RestrictionsLevel 48
150 STR
Warrior/Knight variants only.Options+ 10 STR
+ 5 VIT
+ 5 END
+ 7 HONOR
+ 10% Earth Affinity
Durability lowers every 3 hours in damp conditions.
A skilled Blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameHal's Black Steel Full HelmetStatsEquipment Type: Full Helmet
Defense: 20
Durability: 95/95DescriptionMade by an promising blacksmith for his Knight brother to help him survive the war. This Helmet has never been worn in any actual fight, owing to the fact that the blacksmith and his brother has often been at odds over the superiority of either helmet over the other. This helmet has been forged with the qualities of the full helmet in mind.
Due to the material used, it rusts easily.RestrictionsLevel 50
170 STR
Warrior/ Knight variants only.Options+10 STR
+ 5 VIT
+ 5 END
Relationships with older brothers +5%
+ 10% Earth Affinity
Durability falls every 4 hours
in damp conditions.
A skilled Blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameHard Black Steel Chest PlateStatsEquipment Type: Chest Plate
Defense: 25
Durability: 75/75DescriptionMade by a young apprentice Blacksmith. The tempering is poor, reducing the durability, but it is otherwise well-made.
Due to the material used, it rusts easily.RestrictionsLevel 50
200 STR
Warrior/ Knight variants only.Options+ 15 STR
+ 10 VIT
+ 10 END
+ 10% Earth Affinity
Durability falls every 4 hours
in damp conditions.
A skilled Blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameHardened Black Steel ChainmailStatsEquipment Type: Chain mail
Defense: 23
Durability: 110/110DescriptionMade by a young apprentice Blacksmith. Due to low skill proficiency, the defense is low.
Due to the material used, it rusts easily.RestrictionsLevel 48
180 STR
Warrior/ Knight variants only.Options+ 13 STR
+ 8 VIT
+ 8 END
+ 13% Earth Affinity
Durability falls every 4 hours
in damp conditions.
A skilled Blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameHardened Black Steel GreavesStatsEquipment Type: Leg Armor
Defense: 25
Durability: 100/100DescriptionMade by an apprentice Blacksmith. The piece isn’t particularly flawed, but not exceptional.
Due to the material used, it rusts easily.RestrictionsLevel 48
180 STR
Warrior/ Knight variants only.Options+ 13 STR
+ 8 VIT
+ 8 END
+ 13% Earth Affinity
Durability falls every 4 hours
in damp conditions.
A skilled Blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameHalk's Stainless Steel GauntletsStatsEquipment Type: Gloves
Defense: 20
Durability: 90/90DescriptionMade by a wandering blacksmith, this gauntlet is designed for solid defense against fire. The premise is promising but not suited for practice, owing to the fact that metal heats up like nobody’s business next to fire. Nevertheless, it is a tough piece of equipment and has good blocking power.
Due to the material used, it never rusts.RestrictionsLevel 50
180 STR
Warrior/ Knight Variants only.OptionsCan be used to parry an attack
Never rusts
+ 10 STR
+ 5 VIT
+ 5 END
+ 10% Earth Affinity
+ 10% Fire Resistance
A skilled blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
NameRam's Combat GlovesStatsEquipment Type: Gloves
Defense: 10
Attack: 10
Durability: 90/90DescriptionMade by a wandering Blacksmith, this glove is designed for use by martial artists, and is able to augment the power of fist attacks. Also grants the wearer intimate knowledge of the signature move "Viper Chop".RestrictionsLevel 50
170 STR
Warrior/Knight/Monk variantsOptionsGrants the use of the skill "Viper Chop" while equipped.
+ 10% damage to fist attacks.
+ 15 STR
+ 10% Earth Affinity
A skilled blacksmith might be able to enhance this.
NameOle' Fazz's Steel Toed BootsStatsEquipment type: Shoes
Armor rating: 12
Durability: 90/90DescriptionDesigned by a wandering blacksmith, this pair of shoes is good for marching through hellfire and brimstone in pursuit of a unrequited love. Disclaimer: May melt in fire. Still good for travelling and kicking people in the nadgers though!!RestrictionsLevel 50
150 STROptionsAble to moor a boat with those boots.
Grants the user the use of the skill "Chicken Run" while equipped.
+ 50% damage to kicks.
+ 15 STR
A skilled blacksmith may be able to enhance this.
I looked at the offerings and grinned.
"I will take this... and this and this and oh, that one as well." I took everything except the half helmet (I wouldn’t want to meet Mal at this point.) and the gauntlet and counted out the gold coins, stacking them in piles of 10. The clerk's eyes widened at the sight. "I believe this might cover it all?"
The clerk's jaws had already dropped at this point. She closed them and swept the coins away into the counter in front of her, bowing and constantly saying "Thank you for your patronage.". If I am not mistaken, she gets a cut of the profits as a commission, so she had good reason to be doing this. To the clerk, it could well be a windfall.
I grinned; it was good to be rich. I weighed the money pouch carefully. Hmmm... I still have a bit left. I raised my head and asked: "I believe I noticed a certain option that stated that the equipment can be enhanced further?"
"Ah." The clerk's face fell at that question. "I believe you will want her help for that." She pointed out a woman with long auburn hair tied into a ponytail, who was beating industriously away at a piece of molten metal. "She is the best blacksmith here, as well as the Smith's owner. It won't be too easy to persuade her to help you though; she tends to keep to her work quite a bit."
"I see...” I looked at the woman again. She was beating at the metal like a person possessed, muttering under her breath as she did so. Next to her was pieces of completed equipment. Unlike the previously shiny, I noted that the equipment had a more... organic feel to it. The iron scales actually look quite real... almost as if it was a skin of a drake or something...
“It’s actually consisting of Monster Drops that are incorporated into the metal. I’m not exactly sure how it works, but the drops confer additional attribute to the metal.” The clerk noticed my interest and helpfully supplied input. I nodded at that information.
“It seems that she’s awfully busy though.” I noted. The clerk nodded (we are doing an awful lot of nodding, I realised).
“She’s recently come into ownership of the smith. She suddenly appeared after 2 years in seclusion with that lost art. That technique sort of disappeared with the last owner of the smithy. Since then she has gained quite a bit of interest from our customers, but she always spurns their advances.” The clerk nodded yet again as she continued: “She always seemed to be leaving for Howler’s Pass at night however, and comes back the next day with injuries and a broken set of equipment.”
“Oi, you at the counter, if you have time to gossip, at least help clear up the place a bit.” one of the blacksmiths working at an anvil scolded.
“Yes sir!! Please come again!!” the clerk scurried off, and I sighed.
The clerk was a helpless gossip, and the information seemed to be an important piece. I took a look at the woman working at the equipment enhancements again, and noticed a chestplate lying next to her. Slash marks scored the surface of the chestplate, and it seemed to be made by a beast of some sort. A pretty large beast, by the looks of the size of those slash marks. Strong too.
Seeing that there was nothing else to be gleaned from this area, I left the Smithy.