Email: From, Lead Developer Blade

Dear all incompetent staff,

It has come to my attention that a player on the leader boards named ??????? has already reached level five. Who the fuck sanctioned that?

What happened to his name? If any of you have anything to do with this, there will be hell to pay!!!!

Players should not be hitting level 5 until the allotted time. As discussed in our many, MANY meetings, this game is meant to be slow to keep player engaged for a much longer time. Think money people! Ugghh.. Who is this guy? I’ve told the players on the forums that everything is working as intended but I have no clue who this douche-nozzle is.

In other news,

Someone has activated the worldwide quest that wasn’t supposed to be triggered from another month... Probably not connected. Either way, I’m bringing the PVP tournament ahead and I’m putting Developer Claud in charge of the event. (Make sure to find the level 5 and invite him…)

The rest of you… Just try not to suck so much...

To: Developer Bob, Developer Claud, Developer Shaun, Developer Mark, Developer Jono.

Unsure of the ring's value the barmaid plonked down a third ‘on the house’ cup with a broad smile, explaining that the wondrous drink was called Shanada, and that it had a reputation for being one of the world's strongest drinks.

Desmond sat in comfortable silence as he slurped down his third Shanada. Outside the tavern, the town was literally buzzing with activity, yet Desmond completely ignored it. Right then and there, he was taking the time to enjoy the smaller things in life, like the sensation that was currently tingling his lips, that somehow also affected the tips of his ears and fingers.

What Desmond didn’t know was that the locals knew very well the hidden potency of the barmaid's drinks and knew to stay far away. They’d even come up with a rhyme for her glorious golden drink:

One Shanada, two Shanada, three Shanada Floor! Comes from a bucket, made for the poor.

He raised his hand to admiring the rusted ring on his finger with a smile on his lips and enjoyed another sip of the delicious beverage, quite oblivious to the bustle of the people outside.

What Desmond Puck didn’t know that on the other side of the wall, in the bustling streets of Lowesome, was a particular adventurer who was right at this moment giving orders to everyone to complete as many quests as they can. Having understood, thanks in part to a hefty leak on the forums, that towns were designed to be upgraded depending on the activity and effectiveness of the local region.

If one hundred percent of quests were completed by an overwhelming large influx of new players, something amazing was bound to happen. The tiny little digital nanobots created to terraform an entire planet would work their magic and poof… The little town of Lowesome would never be the same.

Lowesome status

Population: 670%

Activity: 1379%

Progression: 99%

System Notification: Lowesome upgraded.

Desmond remained blissfully oblivious; his attention was completely absorbed by the enchanting effects of the Shanada swirling in his belly. The world around him seemed to blur as he revelled in the delightful sensations coursing through his body.

However, a strange sensation prickled at the back of Desmond's neck, as if he was being watched. His hazy mind tried to shake off the feeling, but curiosity got the better of him. There was indeed a set of strange eyes staring at him. In his drunken stupor, he stumbled towards the mysterious figure who had seemingly materialised out of thin air.

The man sat huddled in the corner, hidden beneath a dark hooded cloak. He seemed to be deliberately avoiding attention, blending into the shadows of the tavern. Desmond's curiosity grew, compelling him to approach the stranger.

Desmond cleared his throat, his words slurred as he spoke. "Hey dere, strangerrr. Mmmind if aye join ya?"

The cloaked figure turned slowly to face Desmond with eyes hidden in shadow. Their voice was low and filled with an air of overly dramatic mystery as they responded, "Sit if you must hero, but be warned, for the path you tread is filled with secrets and dangers untold."

Desmond, still under the influence of the Shanada, simply shrugged and plopped down next to the stranger, oblivious to the warning. His intoxicated mind was more intrigued than cautious, eager to uncover whatever secrets this mysterious encounter held.

The unusual circumstances within the nearly empty tavern rendered the stranger's attempts at blending in quite pointless. With only a solitary barmaid, a tipsy Ph0en1x, and as a dubious cloaked ruffian present, the ruse fell flat.

Pointing an unsteady hand towards the man, Desmond couldn't help but voice his confusion. "Hey, you! Why’re ya starrring like dat?" he slurred.

As if following a programmed script, the man stood up abruptly, his movements disjointed and mechanical. The barmaid recoiled, retreating behind the safety of the bar, her eyes widening at the scene.

In a voice lacking any hint of emotion, the man spoke with an almost robotic tone. "You have been selected to join the tournament of Fanswald!"

Desmond stumbled backward, surprised by the unexpected proclamation. His footing faltered, and he struggled to maintain his balance. "You what?" he mumbled, his mind struggling to process the sudden turn of events.

Before he could fully comprehend the situation, a bright red box materialised in front of him. With a clumsy misstep, Desmond lost his balance completely, crashing through the box and onto the wooden floor with an audible thump. The world around him seemed to spin, and he found himself lying flat on his back, staring up at the flickering red box hovering above him.

Grand Tournament of Fanswald!

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Accept the invitation? Yes/No.

With a surge of newfound courage, Desmond mustered the strength to pull himself up from the floor. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he eagerly pressed his hand over the "yes" button. In response, the cloaked man bowed in another jerky and disjointed display.

“By the light of the moon!” he shouted.

Suddenly, in a poof of black smoke, the cloaked man burst into countless shimmering pixels. Desmond stared at the spectacle, perplexed and wondering what he’d just done.

As if enchanted, the effects of the Shanada drink and the mysterious encounter took hold. Desmond's eyelids grew heavy, and his head drooped towards the floor. Within moments, his head rested gently on the wooden floor as he succumbed to the effects of Shanda and passed out.

Local event warning: Player who launched event, Clemiticus.

Bandit incursion

level required: 3

Difficulty grade: C

Timer until event 2 hours 59 minutes

All players within town auto accept on timer.

As nap time enveloped Desmond, his mind danced, transporting Desmond to a magical tower. He looked down and found himself clothed in a magnificent wizard's robes that shimmered azure as he moved. His pockets overflowing with sparkling gold and precious jewels he was the very picture of wealth.

By his side stood the barmaid, her radiant smile never fading as she served him one glorious drink after another. In this dream realm, Desmond basked in the adoration of two familiar Elven faces who surrounded him, singing praises of his apparent greatness. It was a world filled with whimsical impossibilities.

Chat:

GreenDragon: Um, wake up dumb ass…

GreenDragon: Lol the timer is still ticking!

GreenDragon: You're going to die if you don’t get out of there!

GreenDragon: Bah! What ever… good luck.

Viewers online: 1

User has left the channel.

A light flashed, and a bell rang out, stirring Desmond from his perfect dream. In his groggy state, he couldn’t understand what was going on. Above his head, he could see a set of red numbers ticking down.

00:26

"Um, okay," Desmond mumbled, his slightly sobered-up brain attempting to comprehend his surroundings. A sharp throbbing pain pulsed behind his eyes as he squinted at the ominous glow of the red text.

Shaking off the remnants of his drowsiness, Desmond pulled himself up from the ground and took in his surroundings. It became clear to him that he had unwittingly passed out right in front of the barmaid, who had likely witnessed his unflattering display.

"Whoops," Desmond muttered under his breath, feeling a tinge of embarrassment for his less-than-graceful display.

00:19

Feeling rather guilty, he was about to walk out of the pub when he realised that the sounds outside had completely changed. No longer did he hear the deluded mutterings of the frenzied players trying to complete menial tasks. Those voices had been replaced with something quite different. Something disconcerting.

As he stepped outside, his gaze swept across a transformed scenery.

“What the…” He couldn't believe his eyes. The quaint little cottage-style town he’d entered only a few hours ago had undergone a complete transformation. In its place now stood a formidable walled fortification, encircling the entire area. The once normal, ordinary villagers he’d seen earlier had been replaced by armed militia preparing for an imminent battle.

Desmond's heart skipped a beat as he took in the scene.

00:10

As he watched the armed villagers, their determined expressions etched upon their faces, Desmond realised that he had unwittingly stumbled into something. His mind raced, trying to figure out what that something was.

00:04

In the distance, Desmond spotted a familiar set of pointy ears attached to the smug face of Clemiticus, the crazed adventurer who had now seized command over the local militia. With authoritative flair, Clemiticus barked orders, directing the farmers and low-level players, waggling a repaired stick into the air for effect.

"Get ready!" Clemiticuses' voice echoed in the distance. The once-happy villagers now stood side by side, their expressions shifting from innocence to resolve as they heeded Clemiticuses' every word.

Desmond's heart raced with a mix of emotions.

00:01

00:00

EVENT: Bandit incursion HAS BEGUN!

"To the east! The first wave is coming from the east!" shouted a panicking villager.

Desmond followed the swarm of villagers and players racing towards the walls, eager to see this so-called first wave for himself. Climbing up the ramparts alongside the crowd, he finally reached the top, where a confusing sight waited for him. With a baffled expression, he watched as a solitary figure in tattered clothes approached the town at a leisurely pace, showing no signs of hurry or menace.

Hovering above the figure, words appeared:

Bandit level 1.

"Oh no, the bandits are here!" cried out an alarmed villager.

"Will someone save us?" pleaded another, in fear.

Desmond shook his head in disbelief. There were at least thirty heavily armed militia members standing on the walls, their gaze fixed upon a lone bandit. It seemed like an overly dramatic response to a solitary, uninterested foe.

"I will save us!" declared Clemiticus, his heroic voice booming as he leaped off the wall, charging towards the lone bandit. The villagers, putting down their weapons, erupted into applause, while a few other players who had stuck around joined Clemiticus in his brave charge. Desmond couldn't help but feel unimpressed, a sentiment shared by Melly, who appeared at his side, arms crossed.

"Oh hey there," Melly called out, nonchalantly.

Desmond grinned and nodded at the elf, but his attention was drawn to the other side of the village as a warning message materialised on the western walls.

"Um, what's that?" Desmond asked, pointing towards the looming message.

Melly looked in the direction he pointed, tilting her head in confusion. "What's what?"

Desmond's confusion grew, realizing she couldn't see what he was pointing at.

BANDIT WAVE!

"Damn it," Desmond muttered, determination igniting within him. He swiftly ran down the wall, sprinting towards the opposite side of the village where the sounds of clashing weapons grew louder and louder. Melly caught up with him, swearing under her breath as she ran.

Closing in on the sound of clashing weapons, Desmond's ears were filled with the echoes of steel against wood. As he reached the top of the wall, he saw it. A group of ten level two bandits relentlessly attacking the sturdy wall, wielding heavy hammers and axes.

Realisation dawned. The solitary bandit on the other side had indeed been a calculated distraction. It was a cunning plan, aiming to weaken the defences and create an opening for the bandits.

"Shit!" Melly spat, clutching a rock in her hand. She was poised to hurl it at the bandits. Desmond, reaching for the Soul Wand that floated by his side, tightened his grip on its handle. It was time to test his weapon at a safe distance.

With a quick nod to Melly, Desmond flicked the wand, and in unison, she threw her rock. A burst of sparks erupted from the wand, knocking back the nearest bandits a few yards. While the attack didn't harm the bandit, it certainly left them bewildered. Desmond repeated the action on another bandit, yielding the same result. The bandit flew a few meters, with no visible harm done.

“Damn it,” he said disappointedly.

Melly's well-aimed rock, on the other hand, found its mark, striking a bandit square on the head and rendering the man unconscious almost instantly.

Melly has defeated Bandit level two.

"Wow!" Desmond said, impressed by Melly's perfect aim. "You've got quite an arm on you!"

She smiled, searching for another rock and realizing there was a pile conveniently placed behind them on the ground far below them.

A sudden plan sparked in Desmond's mind, and he grew excited. "Stay here," he instructed Melly hurriedly. "I'll send the rocks up."

She looked at him briefly, then realisation dawning upon her as he leaped over the edge, landing safely in the town among the piles of rocks.

"Open minor portal!" Desmond commanded.

-15 mana.

A pink portal materialised, both on the wall and a short distance away from Desmond. Instantly, he rapidly pushed as many rocks as he could through the portal, watching them disappear and reappear on the other side right beside Melly.