The Elemental Brawler
Chapter 4 : Underground Road
Part 1
as JB got to the agreed place, he was welcomed by a guy a little taller than him.
"hey, David. Got any sleep last night?"
"hi JB. I bet i got more than you"
"probably true. So, is the gang here?"
"yeh, only Stephane isn't here yet."
"as usual... let's get in for the drink, he'll catch up with us".
"yep, it's 12, so if he's late, too bad for him."
And they both went in and headed for the booked tables. Not like they really had to book them, since they were them in all but in name. The owner would give those table to other customers only if he was sure the gang wasn't coming.
They were pretty famous around here. All with their own specialty, each a kind of original but with just money enough to make people around think their way was the way.
Only that wouldn't give them the right for their own table. But there was JB. As usual, he sat back to the wall on the chair that allowed him to see the whole room. In some movies, you could identify this kind of guy as a mob boss. In reality, JB was just extending his professional trade on his off time. And the restaurant owner could only be glad, since that meant his others customers could eat free of worries.
JB, at work, was doing security in a department store that in one building had everything from clothes to perfumes and of course, snacks and bars. And usually, the customers in those were the targets of the pick-pocket. Usually, since the store reputation wasn't kind with the thieves.
Even if some were not caught on the moment, JB was always able to get some record of a camera to make a pic for himself or the cops and catch them later.
When he was in the restaurant, even while eating, he would gaze around and check on the room, eventually noticing suspects and going to catch them if they used their skills. Since his friends were usually helping him in those cases and were, let's say rough, that made the reputation of this restaurant, bad for the thieves, so they were avoiding it and the owner was an happy man.
At the table, were already siting 6 persons, 2 guys and 4 girls.
"Oh! Miracle! The bear got out of his cave!" shouted Isabelle when seeing JB coming along David.
"yeh! Truly a miracle." added the 3 others girls, Selene, Magalie and Nicole, in unison.
"yeh, yeh... You all know gatherings aren't my thing. I guess that make my appearances all the more worthwhile. And I'm here regularly."
To that, Fabrice, one of the guys already sated, answered:
"And each time I still wonder how he move through the door with a head that big."
*everyone laughing*
"true... I'll have to ask the owner to enlarge the door." retorted JB.
"well, let's ask for our drinks while we wait for Stephane." said David.
"sure... he will be 5 to 10 minutes late, as usual... just what we need to enjoy a fine alcohol." Selene added.
On that note, the waiter took their order and came back a few minute later with each personal favorite drink.
As they were savoring their drinks, Stephane finally arrived.
"and here com our resident tardy!" shouted everyone as they saw him pass the door.
"well, sorry, I was farming for a quest."
"as usual... but you could make an effort... even JB got here on time."
"even him? Damn, must really correct myself then."
"HEY!" shouted JB at this jab.
Stephane sat and finally, everyone could pass their order to the waiter. As they were eating their dish, the conversation turned to the main subject, RR.
(JB) "so, how is everyone faring yet?"
on those words, David pulled a little device from a bag and put it on the table. It was a small glass-like cylinder, 10cm height and 5cm wide.
(David) "starting sequence!"
"...*bzzzt* .... hello master, what can I do for your pleasure today?" answered the device with an anime-like voice.
(Dav) "open RR files 1.05, voice recognition protocol, collect data and arrange them by owner."
(device) "yes master."
(Nicole) "you watched really too many anime and developed strange fetish, I see..."
(Dav) "like you all can talk..."
(everyone else) "true... but at least we didn't made an AI slave"
(Dav) "well, the personality I programed is one thing, private. What matter is her efficiency."
(Daniel) "tsss, I bet you make her research kinky stuff on the web..."
(Magalie) "make a girl look around the web for his porn? How hentai!" she said with an exaggerated disgust tone.
(Dav) "what do you think, I'm perfectly capable to look for porn myself if I need to!"
(device) "master, should I record that as your new preference on my web browsing?"
(everyone but Dav) "ewwwwwwwwww"
And everyone burst in laugh.
(JB) "ok, let's get back on the subject... Magalie, how that is for you?"
(Mag) "well... I'm currently lvl45 and I'm in the middle of my specialization quest to become a fire wizard."
(JB) "good... how's the leveling?"
(Mag) "better than expected... as soon as I login, I get group invites all around."
(JB) "told you so... being an attractive girl and a wizard, you will easily get groups."
(Mag) "yes... hey wait... what's this macho comment?"
(JB) "simply the truth... you're are attractive so many guys will want you close to them... and since you're a feeble wizard, they will protect you while you deal tremendous damages."
(Mag, with an unconvinced tone) "hum... yes... you pass... for this time...
(JB) "okay... Isabelle?"
(Isa) "archer lvl32... I'm still looking for the place where I can finish my quest for the bow... that hold me back a little..."
(JB) " 'k, I'll look into it and send you the info I'll find."
(Isa) "thanks, I appreciate it."
(JB) "no problem, either way, we will have to wait on each other once we reach lvl120, so we better help you if you're stuck for lack of info. Fabrice?"
(Fab) "I currently try to complete the conditions to learn a new skill, feign death, so I can't hunt as much as before, but I finished my second grade monk apprenticeship and I'm lvl42"
(JB) "feign death? Going to be useful this one if you train it's mastery... Daniel?"
(Dan) "lvl52 warrior... but I have to upgrade my armor for an expedition I got mandatory enlisted to as part of the warrior guild."
(JB) "well, equipment upgrade is the permanent downside of the warrior. This expedition, you're stuck with for how long?"
(Dan) "we have to travel for 1 week in-game (IG) and then scout the area and suppress the forces there, so I guess 3 weeks IG and then have to travel back. I estimate I can gain something like 15 to 20 level in the process and some gear upgrade if I'm lucky enough."
(JB) "Okay, keep us informed of your status. I'll try to hold on some warrior equipment the next time I find some."
(Dan) "thanks, but should be lvl50+"
(JB) "that shouldn't be a problem. David?"
(Dav) "well, I graduated from squire to knight last week, but if the earl provide an upgraded gear, I too am stuck with some mandatory quest... I expect to be busy with it for 2 weeks at least and then maybe a second part for 2 others weeks, but that should allow me to raise about 20ish level. I'm currently lvl55."
(JB) "same as above, I'll try to save some suitable gear for you if I find some. Keep us informed of your status and when you can leave your earl."
(Dav) "gotcha!"
(JB) "Selene?"
(Sel) "as for me, I finished my quest and I reached lvl42 as from now on, an enchantress."
(JB) "we never doubted that our little moon was an enchantress."
(Sel) "arrrrgh stop it, if you don't plan to invite me for a date, stop with the sweet words!" she answered with an increasing blush rising on her face."
(JB) " okay okay... less sweet words more dates for Selene... noted."
(Sel, with and embarrassed tone) "T...Th...That wasn't as if I asked you for a date! Through, if you ask me for one, I may be able to free a little time, an hour, or two... or a whole evening..." she continued with decreasing volume and increasing red on her face.
(Dav, with a low voice to JB but so low as everyone couldn't still listen) "I'll send you a reminder note about that... recurring"
*everyone but Sel and JB snickering*
(JB) "or you could let us deal with that ourselves and date your IA?"
* everyone laughing *
(JB) " Okay, Stephane... gulp that pizza part down and tell us about you."
* gulping hastily then drinking his glass of water because he was smothering himself *
(Steph) " teu euh heu... excuse me.... arrrh.... okay theuuu.... I'm...reuhhh, I'm wandering on the dark path... "
(JB) "ooookay... so you're what? An assassin?"
(Steph) "yes... but as you know, apparently the necromancer class may be unlocked soon?"
(JB) "what... do you intend to reroll? Surely you don't mean to convert to necromancer from assassin... your Int and Wis will be too lacking... and here I wonder if it's only IG..."
(Steph) " no no... I just figured that if the necromancer path was to open, maybe some secret class would too... I look for some kind of shadowknight class..."
(JB) "ok, let me guess... your pseudo is Thanatoceles, again?" (It mean something like death surveyor, but you would have to ask Stephane for the exact meaning)
(Steph) "How did you guess..."
(JB) "how couldn't I? You're lucky only your friends know you so well... well, what's your current level?"
(Steph) "61... I think i beat you all..."
(JB) "we'll see... but good job... now... Nicole, what about you?"
(Nic) "I'm lvl38, priest..."
(JB) "lvl38 only? What happened? And don't you mean priestess?
(Nic) " no no, I'm a priest for ... some reasons... I got delayed..."
(JB) "okay, I understand the delay... but what about your genre?"
(Nic) "it's a complicated story... not interesting enough to bore you with it..."
(Isa, chuckling) "heheheh... it isn't boring... that's funny stuff..."
(Nic, angry tone) "shut up Isa!"
(JB, nosy tone) "now I'm intrigued... tell me more..."
(Nic, shy) "but, it isn't interesting at all..."
(JB, inquisitive) "Nicole... to plan for the future, I have to know what keep you down..."
(Nic, stubborn) "I will not say!"
(JB, turning to Isa) "Isa, explain please..."
Isa glanced at Nicole and seeing her resigned, answered.
(Isa) "well, as you know, she's as pretty as she's shy..."
(everyone) "yeh, we know that... that's a shame through..."
(Isa) "well... she created her avatar using her appearance... and got swarmed by guys... and couldn't make one step without being accompanied by them... so she rerolled as a guy..."
(JB) "okay... that explain the delay and her genre IG... no big deal..."
(Isa, chuckling even more) "well, she created her male avatar from her appearance... and since she was being nice to the girls, now they warm her as she was a bishounen..."
(JB, chuckling) "now, that's funny, but she can repel them by being a little macho, no?"
(Isa, totally bursting) "that's the thing!... she did so, she got mean with some of those drone... and... they were like: *he's soooo manly ... kyaaaaaaa*. So now she's got a whole swarm of fangirls following her around... and she can't say she's a girl too, she fear to attract unwanted attention from some girls!"
(everyone but Nic, laughing madly) "that's too much! muahahaha"
(JB, evil schemer tone and grin) "hmm hmmm... keep your slave-to-be army around, we may get some use for some peons, mainly if there are some crafter in the lot"
(Mag, annoyed) "humf... of course you would want to keep a harem around!"
(JB, falsely apologizing) "nooooo... just thinking ahead... what good use we could have for a myriad of servant"
(Mag, furious) "That's what you take female for? For your servant??"
(JB, chuckling) "seriously, you can't hear a joke?"
(Mag, furious then embarrassed) "Are you joking with female dignity? A joke? A JOKE!? Damn you, we can never know when your serious..."
(JB, teasing) "that's you who can't recognize when I'm joking... and as for Nicole, I'm pretty sure that once we head all together to some high level places, the drones will have to let their queen bee, I mean their bumblebee, go..."
(Nic) "geeeez... do you really have to tease me like that?"
(JB, sarcastic) "hey, NicolAS, now that you're a guy, grow a pair and be more aggressive!"
(Nic, sulky) "not funny!"
(everyone but Nic) "hahahaha"
After everyone calmed, Fabrice asked:
"so, your turn, JB, how does that go your plan to make a melee wizard?"
(JB, embarrassed) "erm... there is a little setback..."
(everyone, very nosy) "uhhhhh? What happened?"
"hmmm, the wizard grandmaster was a jerk... apparently, the manner I fight was too messy, so he banned me from the city wizard guild."
(everyone) "Hey???????? what are you going to do now?"
(JB, open then secretive) "well... I could always try a join a wizard guild in another city, but I have a lead for a new job I need to check first... that make me a non-classed lvl66... sorry Stephane, I beat you."
(Steph) "damn you... can't you take it easy sometimes... wait, lvl66? How did you do that?"
(JB) "got two dungeons to clean out, solo and as discoverer."
(everyone) "wtf / so lucky / always him who get the fun stuff / solo, of course, you bear!"
On those comment, JB laughed and David closed the recording. He was to put all the data in some table and give them to JB. David was the resident computer scientist and as so, was in charge to arrange the data gathered as well as create the group website and other programs needed. He was also training everyone on blade fighting.
Fabrice was the group martial art instructor and as so, teach them all kind of weaponless strikes that could prove useful IG.
Magalie was the grappling instructor and used her sessions to make the guy remember to be nice with girls...
Daniel and Isabelle were in charge of their general physical wellness as they were fitness instructors.
Nicole managed everyone menu as a dietician.
Stephane was usually the IG guinea pig. He, with Selene, was also managing the group public relations IG. When a strategy needed other people or guild cooperation, they were in charge to make a deal or to recruit.
JB, was the data gatherer and the resident strategist. His ability to find information on the web, IRL or IG was astonishing. And his cunning mind always gave birth to clever plans that profited the group. Too bad it sometime involved the downfall of some other groups. Not that he was especially looking for other misfortune, but when he was planning for his allies, he didn't take into account the well-being of the possible collateral victims. Since he was pretty good at noticing the small advantages, his game play was really powerful. On the downside, as it was stated before, he could be very vindictive with his enemy. On some other games the group played before, he planned strategy that for some coincidental reasons, got some of his personal enemies trampled in the middle of guilds war... that made his allies really eager to have the group on their side, if only to not have them helping the opposing side.
The meal finished, the info sharing the same, everyone left after again, promising to gather when they were all lvl120+.
The point to do that was to cultivate personal force and not rely on the group power. Playing without your usual group helped to raise your avatar and class control, and so, to be really useful for the group later.
And each could make contacts all around the continents that would prove useful later.
Done with the socializing ritual, JB headed back to his cave, ermm, I mean his apartment.
There, before getting back in his capsule, he checked on his mailbox and connected to a chat-box. As he could see that David was up there too, he called him using a computer phone software.
“hi David... got back safely?”
“yep. I'm currently uploading the data gathered today on the charts.”
“Good. And on the support side?”
“It look good, I already recruited five persons from the casual group. They weren't so hot to be in the support group, but when I did show them the progression chart you planned, they were interested. That was genius to think about making use of the stats they would gain with their craft on a combat job. So, we already have two blacksmith-warrior to be who will rely on hammers for their fights and two tailor-needle assassin. And Cindy seemed really interested in your idea for an alchemist-wizard. But are you sure they will be able to get those secondary jobs?”
“yep, from the data I could gather, once a blacksmith has reached a certain level of mastery, he can deal a lot of damages with a mace. And they will train their mace fighting mastery even as they make stuff in the forge. And as a bonus, as blacksmith they'll know the armor weak points just from looking at it. Easier to deal critical damages. Same for the tailors, they can make use of their needles handling agility to get some sort of acupuncture skill and work as assassin. As for the alchemist, the use of accelerant combined even with weak spells will be really efficient. Did you find a sculptor to be?”
“no luck on this side... they all know by now how much work is needed to be successful in this trade and let’s face it, it isn't a job for casual gamers.”
“yep... I guess so. Not like we could be lucky... For the non-mainstream crafts, we'll have to recruit IG.”
“well, if we propose them a good deal, we'll find peoples.”
“yep... okay, I'm going to see where the lead I did talk about get me.”
“okay, good game.”
“the same to you, bro.”
And on those words, JB closed the call, set his computer to message him IG each hour with the current time and headed to the capsule, curious of what his three npc's friends had in their bag for him.
* * *
Loging back in the game, Cilerius pondered a few seconds about who he would go see and as Desmond was the closest and the friendliest to him of all three, he headed there.
But as soon he reached the library clerk, he realized on his next words that whoever he would have headed to, it was the same since Desmond told him they were going together get the training hall guard first then Sigismon.
And so, 15 minutes later, they were all four walking in the city, getting in streets and then alley more and more narrower. So that they were soon in an blind alley with just a not so engaging door.
Sigismon knocked on the door and after a few moment, it partially opened, a really not charming head appearing in the open space, saying a few words so discretely that Cilerius who was 2m away at most, couldn't hear them. The same, he couldn't hear what Sigismon answered, but it seemed suitable since the door opened fully and its keeper signaled them to enter.
Inside, only a few torches were lighting up the passage and the stairs that were going down. After a 15 minute walk in this tunnel, they got a room that seemed to be an antechamber for bigger spaces. Here, it's the training hall guard who did go talk to a bulky guy. The guard seemed to point Cilerius, making his interlocutor look at him. As the words: “Are you sure?” answered by a nodding sign of the guard, were heard, the discussion seemed to conclude.
“so, I hear you may be interested in a special job?” asked the bulky guy.
“yes, I'm currently looking for a new job that will make use of my physical prowess and my cunning.”
“that we have... that we have... if you insist, I may introduce you to a new career path.”
Trusting his three NPC friends, Cilerius was confident:
“yes, please, I'd like to engage on a new path.”
!Ding!
Test of the sand arena.
You will be tested to see your worth.
Difficulty: variable
Reward: unlocking a secret job, depending on your worth.
Do you accept the test?
“yes, of course.”
Quest accepted!
You can't now reject this quest.
You are now to proceed to the arena and fight the opponents that will face you.
You are to win at least a fight to unlock a job.
“what the hell?!?! hey, guys, what the fuck you got me in?” shouted Cilerius turning to see his three friends who just at this moment seemed to register for some bets on a ledger laying on a table.
“you will be okay... don't worry...” answered Desmond as he was putting coins on the table.
“are you betting on my fight, seriously?”
“hum... no, it's just a registration fee so we can watch and cheer for you.” “so the cote was 4 to 1, right?” that part was addressed to the bulky guy who answered with a nod.
“some friends I have here...” breathed Cilerius, with a dejected look
“so how am I to fight? What are the rules?”
“in the next room, there is a sand arena, you go there a fight the guy that will come against you. Only one rule: you only fight with what's in the arena and with this loin cloth on you.”
“nothing else? You sure?”
“nothing else.”
“okay... no rules that mean everything is fair. Going to be fun”. “May try to make a profit too... oh, dude... can I bet on myself?”
“as long you don't bet against yourself and rig the fight, it's okay”
“so here are 137 gold, on me... 4 to 1 that is?”
Again the guy answered with a nod.
And Cilerius, after removing all his equipment and wearing the loin cloth, headed to the next room, who proved to be a very large hall with packed bleachers all around a sand circle.
At the sight of his body, that had been sculpted in the training hall and hardened in the gnoll burrow, many spectators cheered and began to argue with their neighbors and then place bets. As a newcomer, his cote was low, but his trained body seemed to foster expectations for a good fight and maybe some gains by betting on the dark horse.
As he reached the sand circle, the cheers were at their loudest yet and then everybody shut up.
“coming first as a challenger, here is Cilerius, lvl66 non classed.” Shouted an announcer. And he go on:
“facing him tonight for his first fight, Baldork, lvl72 warrior. You already know him and he come, with his 3 fights, 1 victory 2 defeats record.”
As the announcer said that, from the opposing side, a big guy was coming down. Big, beefy… really beefy.
At his sight, Cilerius immediately formed his fight plan.
‘this one invested everything in the strength stat. if I stay fast on my feet, I’ll never have to eat one of his punch that would really hurt. It may be a good occasion to try some of Magalie teaching…’ he was thinking.
When this Baldork arrived in the circle, Cilerius could gauge the difference in size, both in height and width. This guy some 30cm higher and 1m broad.
‘no way it’s his real body, he really messed with the modification options at the creation of his avatar… that or he abuse steroids in real life (IRL).’
But this kind of body wasn’t bad news for Cilerius, because controlling efficiently an excessively altered frame proved difficult. If one wasn’t too chocked by the appearance, he could deal easily with this kind of opponent.
As the announcer finished with his speech by closing the bets, cheers resumed as he left the circle.
“No rules, no limits, FIGHT!” he shouted even louder as he got away.
At this very moment, the warrior used his battle shout skill:
“I’ll crush you flat!!!! I’ll make you in pudding! You’re dead!” he screamed with a gnarling face.
Beside trying to intimidate his opponent, he buffed himself a little while de-buffing Cilerius.
!war cry! You are under the effects of an adversary war cry.
Physical attributes -10% life point regeneration -10%
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Your fighting spirit is higher than the opponent and reduce the effect by 50%.
‘I guess I can’t ignore his professional skills… that going to be a pain if he diligently trained them. But my fighting spirit being higher than his despise how low level it is actually, lessen this worry.’
Baldork charged him while screaming. Cilerius just made a side step, pushing down and away the arm of his aggressor while crocheting his feet, making him sprawl on the ground and eat a mouthful of sand.
“You bastard! Fight fair!” howled Baldork while spiting sand.
“yeh, sure, I’m certain you’d like to turn that to arm wrestling but that’s not my strong point… so come, little one, I’ll teach you.”
Enraged, Baldork charged again, and again, and again as Cilerius played with him like if he was a torero facing a mad bull, sometimes tripping him, sometimes just dodging. As a last playful move, he used a judo shoulder throw using Baldork charging momentum and projecting him hard on the ground.
Baldork was a little knock out from this and he raised difficultly, just to see Cilerius make an astonishing move. Cilerius was jumping at him, legs first. He winded around his arm, using legs as a lever and soon, a big loud crack resounded in the hall, shortly followed Baldork shrieking and the audience cheers and the sight of his released arm hanging, dislocated.
From this point, the fight was almost concluded. But Baldork had to either drop out, pass out or die.
Cilerius, seeing Baldork stubbornly standing without a hint about resignation, or that he was to groggy to realize the fix he was in, decided to finish him. That, and using more fighting moves would increase his pankration proficiency. That wasn’t a shallow motive, because since the fight opening, his skill already raised a little in 3 occasions, for some of the moves he performed.
After a few second pondering how he would perform this feat, he settled for a sleeper hold, using the dislocated arm. And so, he quickly moved behind Baldork, catch the arm with his and used it as if it was a necktie, slowly tightening the hold, making his victim shriek from the pain of his arm, then fall, silent, on the ground, unconscious.
Cheers erupted even louder from the bleacher and the announcer came back on the sand.
“And we have a winner, Cilerius, after a 5 or so minutes, made Baldork fall in the sand unconscious! A superb performance! Please applaud him, he deserve it.”
“and now, for the next fight….” were the words Cilerius could hear while walking away to his friends.
There, he saw them as they were counting stake of gold pieces and welcomed him heartily as he entered the room. Not dupe for the reason of their warm welcome, he turned to the bulky guy who handed him his gains.
“so, did I perform with enough worth for the test?” Cilerius asked.
“of course, it was worthy enough… but do you understand that the reward worth may increase if your worth do too?”
“what do you mean? Do I have to fight again?”
“you may collect your reward now, but the more you prove your worth, the higher value the reward you collect will be. Do you want to conclude the test now?”
Cilerius wavered a few seconds then asked:
“if I was to continue, would I lose the previous achievement?”
“no, what you already accomplished is recorded as a success. Further achievement will only add to that, not negate it.”
“and how many fights do we talk about?”
“as long as you win, you can keep fighting again… and there are 9 more possible fights. Evidently, the opponent strength increase as you keep winning.”
For Cilerius who was far from having exhausted his stamina and used all of his tricks, that wasn’t a bad deal… and the 548 gold pieces newly acquired were weighting heavy both in his pouch and his resolve.
“ok, let’s see how far I can go…” he answered with a sigh, only to see his friends rejoicing and placing more bets.
“can I bet again? What’s the rate?”
“3 to 1 this time. You aren’t nameless any more and more people will bet on you.” He answered while rubbing his hands with a satisfied smile that remembered Cilerius of a merchant who had concluded a profitable deal.
“ok, banko! I bet those 548 gold.”
“a pleasure to work with you!” said the bulky guy as he received the said amount with a big grin. “ your next fight will be happen after the one ongoing and the next one. So you have some time to rest.”
“thank you. I suppose I can’t have information on my next opponent?”
Rubbing his hands with a greedy smile, he answered:
“information is a currency that worth gold. But I can’t answer immediately since your opponent isn’t decided yet.”
“so I can go and watch his fight then…”
“of course, if you pay the entrance fee, that is worth much too…”
“of course… never mind, surprise is part of the fun too.” He didn’t say it out loud, but paying would spoil all the cheerfulness he had now.
And so, he waited while talking with his 3 friends till he was called for his next fight, 15 minutes later.
This time, he was the second to come in the circle. Descending there, he could look at his new opponent, who was far from being a beefy guy this time. He was slender but still muscular. Everything in his appearance creamed that he was an agility fighter.
Soaked by the rain of cheers coming from the audience, Cilerius walked down to the circle while thinking about how to fight this time. His opponent watched him approach with attention, probably wondering what were his capabilities.
The announcer was shouting the slender name at this moment:
“here already on the sand, Snake! Lvl71 with an assassin job, 1 victory on his debut fight, facing now Cilerius, lvl66 non classed, 1 victory on his debut fight too.”
The announcer waited for Cilerius to get in the circle, then go on:
“as it’s for both of them, their second fight, we will provide as a reward, two weapons for them to use.”
On those word, he did throw on the sand two bumbles wrapped in leather. As they hit the ground, they opened, revealing their contents. One, closer of Snake, was 3m long chain with a sickle on one side and a metal weight on the other side. The second, closer to Cilerius, was a pair of clawed knuckles.
Cilerius had no clue if this kusarigama was Snake weapon of choice but the knuckles weren’t too far from what he, Cilerius, would use. And since he wasn’t used to the chain weapon, he intended to use the weapon the closest to him, even with their downside, the delay needed to equip them in comparison with the chain that was usable as soon one picked it.
“As I announce the fight start, you can begin, either attacking immediately or picking the weapon of your choice. Are you ready?”
On the agreeing nods from both sides, he shout in the middle of a yell downpour:
“No rules, no limits, FIGHT!”
At this signal, Cilerius dived for the knuckles and could see Snake doing the same for the chain that he equipped fast and was already balancing the weight as Cilerius wasn’t on his feet yet.
‘Right! If this guy isn’t used to this weapon, he’s a good comedian!’
With the long reach of the weight part when throw, the sickle as a slashing or piercing weapon when in contact and even the chain that could be used to strangle one who came too close, this was, in trained hands, a lethal weapon.
The clawed knuckles were only potent as a close combat weapon and eventually as a protection of sort.
Cilerius still had some hidden cards up his sleeves, but he clearly would prefer to keep them hidden as long as possible, even more if he was to fight many more time in this arena later.
Cilerius was standing and trying to properly equip the knuckles when he saw the weight coming his way, fast and heavy and then, leave the same way as he had dodged the throw. As he had to dodge the weight many more time while finally getting ready himself, he was now sure that if the kusarigama wasn’t Snake main weapon, it was at least one he used often and so, was proficient with.
‘let’s hope the way to deal with this weapon I saw in a few movie fights, will be efficient here.’ He was thinking. But, from theory to practice, there is a long way.
Watching the chain and not only the weight for the first rule. The weight move too fast and can change direction abruptly almost without warning, but his movements are leaded by the chain and the hand handling it.
Once he got used to the weight movements and so, was able to dodge with more ease, he started to plan his approach. The fastest way was to stop the weight then to run to its user. To do so, Cilerius did know of two methods. First was to put his foot on the chain and block it on the ground if the weight happened to come low. Second and non-dependent of a restricted trajectory, was to make the chain wrap around his wrist. With the kind of knuckles he was equipped, that were reinforced clawed gauntlets with a little protection on the wrist, it was the method the most viable.
And so, watching attentively the chain and dodging the weight, Cilerius waited for the opportunity, IE for when the weight would come from the side on not from the front. To succeed, patience was a must because hurrying the move would both warn the opponent of what he was trying to do, hence allowing him to either use trapping moves or to stop using the catchable throws, and may result in a bad catch with induced damage. Lucky for Cilerius, patience was a quality he didn’t lack.
After a few minute of this game, he saw the weight coming from his left and just before the hit, so Snake couldn’t react, in place of dodging, he extended his arm, cutting the trajectory about 30cm behind the weight, he made the chain wind around his wrist and immediately after grasped the chain.
Obviously, Snake wasn’t prepared for this move and was shocked. Now, Cilerius had to approach while making sure he never release the chain.
Snake did try to make Cilerius let go the chain by pulling suddenly after giving slack, but he was holding to it like there was no tomorrow.
Slowly, each time winding the chain a turn around his wrist, he approached, step by step.
In fact, this method had a triple advantage. He was neutralizing the weight throws of course, but the chain too as he wrapped it around his own arm, and even lessening the sickle treat as by pulling on the chain, he was hindering the sickle part that was attached to it.
Realizing how his weapon was rendered almost useless, Snake let show on his face many emotion, fear and vexation among them. He clearly expected to have the upper hand as soon he spotted this weapon, but was proved wrong and began to fear, since his opponent, Cilerius, had to be fairly skilled to pull a trick like that. And as they came nearer, the claws seemed more and more scarier.
As the distance, between the two, shrank to 1m, Snake did try to slash Cilerius, but he was now using his chain wrapped arm as a shield and so, protecting himself efficiently. After a few more failed slashing attempts and the length of the free chain now reduced to 50cm, Snake relinquished the sickle and receded suddenly. 2m away, he took a fighting stance that made his hands seem like they were blades.
Seeing that, Cilerius did think that he had some sort of hand to hand fighting skill, probably focused to strike weak points and so, efficient.
‘must be part of the assassin skill package. Could be fun to test it.’ Was the thought in his mind as he was releasing his arm from the kusarigama chain. Once he was done, he throw away, outside of the circle.
Cilerius, in turn, took a fighting stance designed to protect the center vertical line of his body, were the weak points are situated. Crotch, solar plexus, Adam’s apple, chin, base of the nose, nose bridge between the eyes and middle of the forehead. Both his hand on the middle line, like about to claw, the left one in front and a little down and the right one closer to his face, his eyes looking at his adversary torso and not on his eyes, so to see all of his movement with the peripheral vision and not focus on his gaze. From real life situation, Cilerius learned about the power of unfocused peripheral vision that allowed him to react faster than a focused stare. That is because the unfocused vision rely on instinct while the focused stare rely on conscious thought and so, take more time to give a response. As a bonus, an unfocused gaze didn’t give indication on where you plan to strike.
The effect of that wasn’t really evident for fights against monsters, but he thought it efficient against player opponent and soon was proved right as Snake, each time he tried to strike, saw his hands intercepted by the knuckled hands, damaging himself in the process.
Slowly, exactly like a feline stalking a prey, Cilerius approached the slender guy. And just as Snake withdraw a jab-like strike, Cilerius dived under his now flexing arm and tackled him at the waist, making him tumble down on the ground. In a mounted position, equipped with claws, Cilerius was in an overwhelming advantageous position. Even if his opponent was almost defeated since he couldn’t even properly use his strikes, Cilerius decided, as the fight already was going on for 10 minutes and Snake could have a trump card too, to finish him immediately.
And so, Cilerius stroke, slashing with his multiple claws, the throat of his opponent and then, got up and moved away, as blood was springing from the jugulars and blood foam pop out of his mouth. He was three, drowning in blood, dying from the blood loss and his brain cut from all alimentation. Cruel, yes… cruel but efficient.
This fight was concluded and as a system window popped, the announcer shout:
“and after a 10 minutes fight that finished in a spectacular blood shower, we have a winner: Cilerius obtain his second victory. This feat deserve commendations, please express them while we clear this mess!”
And Cilerius, while leaving the circle and going back to the waiting room I middle of loud cheers, read the message from the system window:
You have gruesomely killed Snake with but one strike.
You gain fame +20 for your kill.
As the victim is a notorious assassin, listed as criminal, your infamy is reduced by 20.
If you report this kill to the officials with a proof (the head could do), you may gain additional reward.
You gain much xp.
Level Up!
After a long observation followed by a lightning like attack, you pulled a crushing victory.
Pankration mastery raise: +7%
‘not much chance to rack the additional reward, it isn’t like they’d let me cut his head… Oh well! It’s already a good deal. Ok, let’s head back to my so called friends… and to my gold’. On this last thought, a big, greedy, grin emerged on Cilerius face.
And once again, he was welcomed warmly by his three friends who obviously were happy with the fight ending and had made substantial profits. Gold had the power to hide most of the misdeed and the secrecies made by his friends weren’t different in the face massive gold gains.
“here are your gains for this bet” told him the bulky guy while handing him multiple stacks of gold amounting to a total of 1644 gold pieces. An amazing fortune for a low level player such as Cilerius. The effect of particular circumstances.
He continued:
“if you want to continue, your next fight will begin in about 30 minutes, I guess? And the betting rate goes to 2.5 to 1 now…”
That was a good incentive if Cilerius needed one other than trying to get the best reward for his job test.
“I’ll try another round, should stay under the gutter when it’s raining luck… and gold.” Cilerius was already thinking about the potential gains for the next fight.
The next fight was delayed for about the time he told, so he could rest and prepare.
This bout opposed him to a well build man. Once again, weapons were throw on the ground. Well, more like, ONE weapon was throw on the ground, a staff. And so, the fight began with furor, as the two battled to grab the staff that would mean a big reach advantage. Finally, after a special strategy that included crushing balls, Cilerius got possession of the staff, only to see his opponent “throw the towel” as he was already incapacitated before the staff was put to use. At the peak of his strategy, I mean when he crushed his opponent balls, cheers that were the moment before resounding in the arena, were replaced with a big gasp as everyone hold their breath… this lasted till they saw the unfortunate fighter walk slowly away, knees on the inside, hands on his crotch and bent. Then the cheer resumed.
It’s strange how we seem be able share some pains that happen to others. This one is probably the perfect example of the placebo effect: feel the imaginary effect even if the origin didn’t really touch you.
Cilirius, he, could feel the real effects of his third win, in the form of 4110 gold pieces.
He was informed that a fourth fight would happen soon after and then probably just after, the fifth. Then the night events would stop as the night itself was nearing its end and the spectators had other things to attend to on daytime.
And so, the fourth and fifth fight happened, concluded each with a victory and without much to say about it but that his opponents weren't that skilled and he could only play with them for a short time before his toys broke. That or he was overpowering them with his stats and skills despite a level difference up to 15. Dirty tactics absolutely didn't matter. No no, I assure you, they didn't. Surely, his solo adventures in dungeons were good training to adapt fast to a new situation.
It seemed that this night was some sort of qualifier to join on the next event and Cilerius emerged crowned of it. His pouch, on its side, was crowned with 12330 gold pieces. Desmond, Sigismon and the training hall guardian were all in very good disposition and ready for more. But they voiced warning to Cilerius about how the next night wouldn’t probably as easy.
“tonight was like a warming and the opponents weren’t much to speak of, actually… so we didn’t worry about your wellbeing but next night isn’t going to be as easy. So rest well and maybe, hold on some of your gains.” Told him Desmond.
“yes, we know you have some trump cards, let’s be frank, your opponents next night are not on the roster without right. They probably all have very special abilities. You better prepare.” Added Sigismon.
“you already accomplished good feat for the test, but I’m sure you’re able to do even more next. Rock them up!” finished the training hall guardian with thumbs up.
“this vote of confidence please me, but I’m sure if I watch how you bet, I’ll know your thoughts.”
“right… a friend is something… gold is another…” they answered in unison.
On those meaningful words, Cilerius parted from them and after spotting the secret arena location and getting the password for the following night, left the city and got to the forest surrounding it.
He needed to unleash his magical power to loosen himself as well as to train the skills. Since his return from the gnoll burrow, he almost didn’t use his magical skill and felt a little rusty. His fingers and hands were longing for the magic contact. And once you get the habit to leave ash and desolation in your trail, you become addicted to this power.
And so, using trees as targets, Cilerius cast spells, fine tuning his control over their power, his aiming and the trajectories.
When he finally left, there was a new clearing created in the dense forest, lined with ash.
Cilerius came back to the narrow alley with the entrance to the underground arena and camped there to log out. He was planning to be the closest possible of the place of his night appointment upon reconnecting later.
* * *
Back to the real world, JB rushed out of his capsule, checked the time and go take a shower then grab some food. He then sat in front of his customized computer and launched the experimental browser, Minerva, that he was currently testing.
Even if his computer skills weren't enough to do programming, his insight and his data gathering skill earned him the attention of the browser developer who hired him for its pre-alpha test to see the improvement to be made and the reliability of the answers. His earning for this work? To be sure he would get the complete software suite free of charge and even more, free of advertisings. In an era when almost all the software were either sold as premium with monthly fee or filed with advertisings, it was a luxury worth more than a salary.
Even in the pre-alpha version, the browser was promising even if JB had submitted a few ideas for improvement that were soon included.
And so, he imputed his query:
“++ Royal Road +underground arena +pvp death-fight”.
Many answers were provided containing the three key words and he opened a few links before reading their content.
JB had set an alarm to warn him when in game, the sun would set and so, it would be time to head to the bloodbath again.
Meanwhile, he read the different subjects provided and found what he was looking for. That was an instinctive idea that lead him to make this search and he was right.
As he could read, the emergence of the VR lead to changes within the fighting world. Just a few months after RR launch, the then third pro fighting company in term of earning, and that meant it was really far behind the top two, had, under its boss, invested in RR to the point that the real world fights were mostly advertisings and warming before showing death match IG. Since, with VR, one was able to see, hear, smell, taste and touch as if it was real, since they were always peoples avid of brutal fights, since wealthy peoples were always seeking new sensation and since real death match were difficult to organize often, the boss devised to create an underground fighting system that wealthy peoples could enjoy.
They were to pay normal fee to come in the real life arena to watch the match IRL then on screens and premium fee to be able to enter the IG arena and watch the fight live.
The company even created an IG transportation guild so their guests would be able to move from one city to another fast, for an additional fee.
The game permitted to show more extraordinary fights and to satisfy blood thirsty crowd. To not spoil anything, since it was a game, even the losers were able to come back and fight again once the 24h IRL penalty was purged. Even weak fighters were welcome since there were peoples who liked punching-meat (punching bag + meat-bag) take a beating, again and again.
As there were also betting, the company also took a little commission on those bets and so, earned even more.
All that made this company now the leader in the segment and, to insure a monopoly IG, they paid guilds worldwide to protect their business and destroy IG all competition.
The company even paid a salary to the most successful fighters just to keep them underground.
'that could be nice as a side earning. I'll have to seek more information on the subject later.'
If one was to win often in those fights, he would earn monetary and skills gains. That could be a secret “training hall” totally unattached from the IG basic, beginner, intermediate and advanced training hall. That is, if one won constantly and didn't suffer the dying penalties.
JB recorded the data so gathered for further use and then, looking at the time that was getting close of the alarm setting, put it off and headed to his capsule. It was time to once again, show the world that devious minds, free from the real world civilization shackles, were really powerful.
* * *
edited to correct mistakes