Conspiracy and Musical Instruments
> Dungeon. You are the first to discover The Tomb of the Dwarf who loved instruments.
Bonus: Fame increased by 200.
Double experience and chance of loot.
The first killed monster loses loot of better quality.
-"WoW!"
-"Incredible!"
-"We are the first!"
The Quartet rejoiced as never before in their life. Their level was higher than the average level in the game, but most of the experience they have extracted killing and plundering. Therefore it was the first time they had discovered a dungeon.
-"Drive up here!"
The Dvici impatiently loitered at the entrance waiting for Mapan to secure the cart. Originally they just wanted to explore the canyon and find the entrance, but after arriving and finding 'rabbits' their enthusiasm was burning incredibly hard.
-"How good we drove past here. Right, Weed?"
Mapan, too, was rejoicing. As a merchant, he tried to profit from every situation.
Weed staying silent, nodded his head.
< The bandits wanted to lure us here. >
Now he began to gradually understand the actions of the bandits. It explained everything, like their strange behavior and persuasion to descend down into the Canyon.
< They never intended to cross the Barkhu Mountains. Their journey ends here. Still one question remains: why do they need us? >
It was strange. There was no reason to involve a third party here. Apparently everything will soon resolve itself.
-"What amazing luck. It's all thanks to you guys, Gran. It's difficult to gather experience as a sculptor and here there is a gain..."
-"Yes, I can believe that. Not for nothing, it is exactly the pleasure of hunting and exploring the world, that attract so many people into the game.", Gran said, chuckling.
The wagon was secured and the Quartet went ahead, deeper into the cave. Weed and Mapan slowly followed from behind.
-"Rrrr. The enemy!"
-"Enemy detected!"
-"Humans in the den, humans in the den."
A flock of werewolves!
Not far further into the cave a fire was burning illuminating the werewolves spread around it. A bunch of monsters chose this tomb as a den.
Werewolves were common all over Barkhu, therefore it was not surprising that some of them had made a lair out of the spacious cave. Every werewolf inside started transforming, preparing for battle.
-"What. Only dogs?"
-"What a disappointment."
Taking out their swords, the Quartet moved towards the werewolves. The level of the monsters lay somewhere above 130. Gran and Lewis were disappointed.
< They are strong. >, Weed mused while watching the fighting bandits.
And the credit didn't belong to the level only. They possessed splendid reflexes and tactics. Bandits have something important - the knowledge of where, how and when to hit. Of course, their movements also had a tactical background, otherwise they would have lost.
-" Four players...4. Quartet. The Dvici?"
Once upon a time, he looked through a lot of videos and collected information about the game. One such video was posted by a player in the hope of revenge. Until this moment he forgot all about the video, till he saw the movements and style of battle of the bandits. Weed sighted. He recognized them.
< For that player the bandits were too tough. >
The first killed monster in a freshly discovered dungeon, drops the best loot he has. Therefore it was preferable to avoid or kick weak monsters, without killing them and lure out the monster-boss.
The Quartet had not thought about it, the bandits simply battled and got drunk on their supremacy.
The profit of a discoverer was lost.
-"Well, you critters, attack!"
-"Or lay down with your bellies upward and we might spare you!"
The foursome laughed senselessly and pointlessly demonstrated their superiority over the werewolves.
And yet, seeing their battle, Weed couldn't help but pay tribute to their combat skills. When compare to ordinary players, the murderers were more prepared. Constant fights with players, some at a higher level, sharpened their skills. Without taking into account their special abilities.
At the same time they did not understand the value of money. The price for a bottle of Mana or Health lied at 5 gold, the bandits however gulped them down like plain water, even in not especially critical situations. The stolen loot messed with their attitude to gold.
A simple player collected copper to copper and rejoiced at accumulating a couple of gold.
The bandits though didn't even pick up copper coins!
Weed got even more annoyed, seeing as they let loot lie what could be sold for solid silvers!
Weed encountered a completely different relationship to loot than his vision of the world.
< Maybe I should also change my strategy and become a killer? The piles of money are tempting, but there is the reputation... >
Mapan watched as Weed collected the remaining copper items after the battle with amazement. He did not understand. At this time the Quartet swept through the monsters and appeared far ahead.
-"Oh Lord! Werewolf... ", Mapan shouted seeing the approaching monster.
Looking at Weed, he expected salvation since he had seen many fights where the one had slain monsters easily.
The werewolf was approaching!
When the monster comes a bit closer, Weed will surely slay it. He will let out a cry and the thunderstruck wolf will become easy prey.
When a sword broke during combat and couldn't be replaced, Weed fought with his bare fists and intellect. There existed no situations where he couldn't fight. Perhaps from the sidelines it looked weird, but the monster had a different opinion.
Hence Mapan felt completely safe. His faith in Weed was unshakable.
But for all that what happened next send the merchant into shock!
Weed was so afraid that it left Mapan completely dumbfounded. The body of his companion was shaking uncontrollably in a fit of unimaginable terror and his face had a bluish pallor.
-"Aaa... Weed?"
A swaying hand stopped him from further words.
-"Do something or we will die?"
-"..."
Mapan was at a loss for words. He absolutely did not understand that was happening.
The monster attacked!
-"Kha-aaa-jaaa!"
The werewolf jumped toward the merchant, but Mapan miraculously escaped the impact, dropping and rolling along the ground. He was lucky that the wolf was shot down by a roar. And he got double lucky when the monster chose Weed for further attacks.
Lying on the ground Mapan watched Weed miraculously remaining alive. He flew and rolled on the ground, made incredible movements, trying to avoid the monsters attack. The werewolf on the other hand focused on capturing the bouncing booty.
Weed, covered in mud all over, but still uninjured, was running away headlong. Fortunately, the Dvici came back and dealt with the raging monster.
They even apologized:
-"Guys forgive us. We were too engrossed and forgot all about you. It was a big mistake."
-"Don't sweat it. We stayed alive after all. Thank you for the rescue..."
Hearing Weeds words, Helmen chuckled:
-"Don't worry. There are a lot of people like you around."
-"Any weapon in the hands of these guys turns useless when they meet real danger." Lewis said quietly to his comrades, so the merchants don't hear.
-"Yup. Even if their level is high and they got good weapons, they still have no idea how to use it.", supported Helmen.
-"They are like kids with toys!", Gran concluded.
Finally the Quartet stopped watching them. They didn't realize, that Weed, ever since he started suspecting them, tried all means to show his helplessness. He was waiting for this moment.
Werewolf!
Weed saw how one werewolf out of the flock escaped the battle.
It seemed coincidental that one of them escaped the battle and rushed toward the defenseless traders.
Given the fighting skills of the Quartet, they wouldn't have much difficulty stopping all the werewolves. Consequently, the Quartet had deliberately missed the monster.
They assessed their reaction. And Weed deceived them.
Kvarg!
Bak!
Wjiikk!
-"Aaaaaaa!"
Without meeting strong resistance from the monsters, the party still faced the problem of traps.
During the journey they've already met a dozen. Kernel, arrows, sand - traps were everywhere. Sometimes they stood in pairs, avoiding one, you ended up in another. Some were visible in advance, others remained hidden even after a throughout inspection.
-"Damn! I can't believe it got me!" Helmen shouted, watching as a flow of blood spilled out of the body. The stripe of life slowly dwindling.
The grave of the dwarf had two floors. After the squad found a ladder down, Gran inspired by the loot went ahead.
-"Ha-ha, Lady Luck smiles on us!", boasting, Gran shouted.
Weed found the laughter to be unfounded.
Second floor.
All dungeons had only one rule: the further inland, the more dangerous the enemy. And although lycanthropes were rarely seen, the group was met with a huge number of traps.
Bum!
Oil flowed from the ceiling and at the same time a fire broke out. Wounded by another nearby trap, Helmen couldn't move fast. Only ashes were left after the killer.
Mapan and Weed, walking in back, were safe.
-"Darn... It was a double trap?"
The remaining Dvici didn't mourn the death of their comrade. By the laws of the pack, the survivors were promised a greater share in such situations.
< Tree remaining. I and a couple of competitors. >
< Even if someone else were to die, I will prevail... >
< I will be the only one left alive. >
They didn't care about each other.
The death of Helmen only ignited the flame of greed in the others. And it was time to involve the merchants in the game.
-"But...", Gran began, "it's not very fair that only we are exposed to danger."
Marcus and Lewis looked at him with astonishment.
-"Gran, what are you going on about?"
-"You forgot? About the lightning. Or did you come up with away to avoid it?"
-"Watch and learn. I have a hunch since we only need one." - already quieter answered Gran so the merchants don't hear.
-"I beg your pardon?", awkwardly asked Mapan.
Gran smiled in response.
-"You heard what I said. We need to share the risks. One of my friends was killed. Don't you feel responsible?"
-"Then, what do you want from us?"
-"I want one of you to go ahead. So we, at least, will split the risk in half."
Mapan was confused. He thought it was better to leave the dungeon altogether before they all die here. But after the death of Helmen, he couldn't get his mouth to work, he will be misunderstood.
It wasn't worth it to stick their nose in here!
< But I owe Weed so much... >
At that moment Mapan firmly decided to volunteer.
-"I'm gonna go ahead." Weed spoke up at that moment, removing the burden of choice of the merchants shoulders.
-"Since I'm a sculptor, my fighting skills are low, but even I have a life. Follow me."
-"Oh, thanks for the insight."
After that, Weed walked as the head of the group. Although even in the strictest sense, they couldn't be called group, as every member had their own agenda.
Weed and Mapan were not invited into the group, for the bandits were unwilling to share even a tiny bit of experience. Weed was only left with the option of collecting the dribs and drabs and loot that the Quartet had ignored.
Killer players couldn't visit big cities due to their bad reputation. By a particular bad reputation even village guards attack the killers. There also was a chance to meet a past victim. Thats why, when killers robbed, they took all the things except for those they couldn't sell.
< What an interesting place. > Weed thought. During the game he had examined many dungeons with monsters. Crowds of monsters with dangerous bosses, such as the Death Knights - all of those, but traps he encountered for the first time.
< I have to be very attentive and focused or I will perish. >
The road ahead consisted of red and blue tiles. Surely a trap, with no way to test the hypothesis, as neither a thief or adventurer were observed in the group.
-"Hey, Weed, you need to move on.", Gran insisted from behind.
Weed took extremely slow and gentle steps so to the event of danger to respond to the threat quickly.
Step on the blue. Nothing happened. Relief.
Step onto the red. All is quiet.
This was just the beginning with more than 50 meters ahead. There wasn't one hint as to which direction the treat would come from.
< Blue tile. Red tile. Blue. Red. He went ahead, nothing happened. Could stepping on every other color tiles be a way to disarm the trap... ? >
Weed decided to stop it. He stepped on blue tiles twice in a row. However, nothing happened.
He got even more cautious.
< Theory of alternation collapsed. Well he had a hunch it wouldn't be that easy. But if not, it means... >
He started to look even more closely.
< There... >
Weed noticed an almost invisible thread ahead at the level of ankles. If not for his concentration, he would have never noticed it. The red and blue tiles perfectly disguised the thread that executes the trap.
< It will clearly hurt the person who triggers it. >
Weed continued to move forward slowly. Gran followed him in a short distance. Ten steps after walked the rest. Mapan was at the very end, more secure that anyone else.
Gran also saw the thread. Although the movements of Weed only changed for a moment, this was enough to alarm Gran and detect the trap. Weed calmly crossed the thread and moved on.
< Hmm, a trap. Was it only thanks to luck? Or... >
Gran crossed the thread. He said nothing to his companions. The bandits walking in the back, will soon become aware of it.
Clap!
Lewis carelessly going ahead stumbled across the thread. Instantaneously the walls on both sides of the bandit opened and the squad saw some pipes.
-"Kwak! Kwak! Kwak!"
Lewis was struck by innumerable arrows! The only thing he could do was scream.
-"Help! Help me!"
While Lewis screamed, all stood and watched. Only at the end, when he breathed his last breath, the remaining Dvici commented:
-"Idiot."
-"Fool, to die in such a place."
Marcus took off a valuable breastplate of his companions body. After his death there was one less competitor for the treasure. Marcus and Gran met eyes and smiled at each other.
The four members of Dvici met at the start of the game. The group was founded for entertainment and murder of ordinary players. There was no friendship nor promises involved.
Clap!
Blast! Blast! Kwak!
The party had to overcome many traps before arriving before a new obstacle.
This place in the dungeon didn't hide the danger. The only way in the underground cavity was underneath a lightning storm. Bolts hit the trail in a mess. It was a very beautiful and very deadly place.
Weed didn't detect any patterns in the bolts. He looked back:
-"How do you think I can pass through here!?"
Gran pulled out a little stone.
-"We are lucky. Coincidentally I have a stone that attracts lightening in my possession. With it, you can go through. Here."
-"Huh." Weed said in surprise.
Taking the stone, he immediately identified it.
> Lightning Stone:
Durability: 100/100
An extremely rare stone with high content of iron. With its power the stone draws electricity.
Capacity: 99% protection from electricity. It has the ability to attract electricity.
Because Weed saw the work description of the stone, Gran and Marcus laughed gloatingly.
< We will cross. But he will be dead already... ! >
< Just a little bit more and there is the treasure. >
But a sacrifice was needed to cross the magical trap. Although the stone insisted on protection, with this number of lightning bolts, even one percent sufficed to die.
-"Hey, go on already, Weed. You will die of course, but the rest will remain unscathed."
The masks were off. Dvici laughed evilly.
-"Alright, I die. You cross the road. Just... ", Weed hesitated.
-"What?"
-"How do you get back?"
-"... !"
Marcus and Gran looked in each other in surprise. Expecting the other to answer. All this time they only thought about the treasure. The question of how to return just escaped their attention.
-"Uh..."
-"Blast! Can't be!"
They only had one lightening stone! It means that they won't be able to return and everybody dies.
Gran unsheathed his sword.
-"That's it. My patience ended. Useless, dirty bastards. Prepare to die!"
Gran screamed, spit flying in all directions. His nerves gave in and he lost his reason.
-"Dirty bastards..."
After the bandits words Mapan backed away. He still had an ace up his sleeve - Weed. The Ace was ready for battle. The observation of their battles was enough for him to devise a strategy to fight. However Weeds face still expressed fright. In this situation with bandits on each side of him, he couldn't do anything. Even pull out a sword.
< Why? Why is Weed staying idle? He should platen them like pancakes with meat.. >
Gran started to move. Mapan and Weed prepared to die, when another participant chimed into the battle. It was Marcus!
-"Die! Gran, you knew that sooner or later it will happen!"
Gran turned sharply toward the new danger.
Marcus thought it all out. He will be able to kill the merchants later at any time. Gran as a threat had to be addressed first. They did not trust each other and a stab in the back was the easiest that could happen.
The battle between the Dvici began.
-"Sword of Fire!"
-"Blade of Ice!"
Fire and ice. Gran majored on fire, Marcus on ice. Both killers preferred attack skills to protective ones. All skills were selected for prompt and undetectable attacks.
The battle was short. Through a cunning trick Gran removed the sword of the enemy and wounded him in the shoulder. The weapon dropped to the floor.
-"Nice try, Marcus.", he said.
-"Dammit, I was close! Another moment and the treasure would have belonged to me..."
-"No longer will." Gran hit the former mate with the sword in the throat. -"Hahaha, now the treasure is mine!"
Dead Marcus fell under the feet of his opponent. The shield behind him issued a farewell with a ring.
-"Weed, Mapan, You two goo ahead. One of you will hold the stone. The other a shield. Take it of off Marcus body. The requirement of the shield - level 200 or above. The one with the stone dies. The survivor takes the treasure and hiding behind the shield, comes back here. Quickly choose who goes with what. I promise to leave the survivor alive."
Gran finished the calculations in his head. You need to sacrifice one person and get the treasure.
Dvici, in his mind already rejoiced, anticipating the reward.
Wee started to act. The clay sword gently left its sheath.
Gran shut up and the smile became even wider. He found it amusing to see the merchants try to resist before the inevitable. They showed disrespect to him!
-"What? Are you planning to fight me? Mapan is enough for me. Of course, if I have to go with him, I will get injured, but the treasure will be mine. So that resistance is futile. Come on, attack. I will give you a head start of 3 seconds."
-"Thank you."
Tree seconds. Hahaha. Weed never denied such gifts.
-"It's your right, Gran. Sculpting Blade!"
The sword shone with light and something flashed in the eyes of Gran.
-"Useless, you say?"
Weed easily struck Gran with the sword, as the Dvici didn't even imagine that Weed can wield a blade.
-"Sculptor...", the bandit said, dying.
Just one missed attack and the stripe of life got reduced to zero.
Mapan sighed happily. Lately he got very unnerved and now, finally, it was over.
-"What now? We go back?", he asked.
-"We came such a long way to simply turn back? No, we need to at least find out, what lies over there. Though all this blather about it is questionable."
-"But how? If we head inside, there is no way back. Those bandits specifically led us here for us to die for them!"
-"Not necessarily to die. Those bandits were newbies to dungeons, they even had a hard time finding the entrance. Each rule has an exception. Even in this trap."
-"Like?"
-"Flying."
Weed used a spell and huge white wings grew on his back. The secret of his confidence in crossing the mountains lied in the wings. His secret weapon.
In the tower of Mirakena in Lavias. For the fee of 10 gold, you learned a spell that allowed you to fly for a month.
Flapping his wings, Weed took off into the air and flew forward. He virtuously avoided the falling lightening bolts and landed at the end of the road. There he saw a note and a musical instrument. A harp.
Cherish it. was written on the paper.
Weed picked up the harp and it was like he was shocked by electricity.
> Harp of the Dwarf Wino:
Durability: 20/20
Wino was a small and fat dwarf. And to his demise, he fell in love with a human girl. The girl would never return his affections since people despised dwarfs. Wino despaired. Until he heard about music. Music contains beauty that could attract the girl to him.
Capacity: 30% increase of attractiveness to female NPC's.
Upon reading the description Weed's eyes became wider more and more. In the end he broke down and laughed.
-"Aha-HA-Ha-Ha!!!"
Helmen, Marcus, Lewis and Gran. All these schemes, intrigues and conspiracies that led to their death! And what for? Just a harp. The map didn't lead to strong weapons or armor, but to an instrument that attracts women. Attracts women!
Bonus: Fame increased by 200.
Double experience and chance of loot.
The first killed monster loses loot of better quality.
-"WoW!"
-"Incredible!"
-"We are the first!"
The Quartet rejoiced as never before in their life. Their level was higher than the average level in the game, but most of the experience they have extracted killing and plundering. Therefore it was the first time they had discovered a dungeon.
-"Drive up here!"
The Dvici impatiently loitered at the entrance waiting for Mapan to secure the cart. Originally they just wanted to explore the canyon and find the entrance, but after arriving and finding 'rabbits' their enthusiasm was burning incredibly hard.
-"How good we drove past here. Right, Weed?"
Mapan, too, was rejoicing. As a merchant, he tried to profit from every situation.
Weed staying silent, nodded his head.
< The bandits wanted to lure us here. >
Now he began to gradually understand the actions of the bandits. It explained everything, like their strange behavior and persuasion to descend down into the Canyon.
< They never intended to cross the Barkhu Mountains. Their journey ends here. Still one question remains: why do they need us? >
It was strange. There was no reason to involve a third party here. Apparently everything will soon resolve itself.
-"What amazing luck. It's all thanks to you guys, Gran. It's difficult to gather experience as a sculptor and here there is a gain..."
-"Yes, I can believe that. Not for nothing, it is exactly the pleasure of hunting and exploring the world, that attract so many people into the game.", Gran said, chuckling.
The wagon was secured and the Quartet went ahead, deeper into the cave. Weed and Mapan slowly followed from behind.
-"Rrrr. The enemy!"
-"Enemy detected!"
-"Humans in the den, humans in the den."
A flock of werewolves!
Not far further into the cave a fire was burning illuminating the werewolves spread around it. A bunch of monsters chose this tomb as a den.
Werewolves were common all over Barkhu, therefore it was not surprising that some of them had made a lair out of the spacious cave. Every werewolf inside started transforming, preparing for battle.
-"What. Only dogs?"
-"What a disappointment."
Taking out their swords, the Quartet moved towards the werewolves. The level of the monsters lay somewhere above 130. Gran and Lewis were disappointed.
< They are strong. >, Weed mused while watching the fighting bandits.
And the credit didn't belong to the level only. They possessed splendid reflexes and tactics. Bandits have something important - the knowledge of where, how and when to hit. Of course, their movements also had a tactical background, otherwise they would have lost.
-" Four players...4. Quartet. The Dvici?"
Once upon a time, he looked through a lot of videos and collected information about the game. One such video was posted by a player in the hope of revenge. Until this moment he forgot all about the video, till he saw the movements and style of battle of the bandits. Weed sighted. He recognized them.
< For that player the bandits were too tough. >
The first killed monster in a freshly discovered dungeon, drops the best loot he has. Therefore it was preferable to avoid or kick weak monsters, without killing them and lure out the monster-boss.
The Quartet had not thought about it, the bandits simply battled and got drunk on their supremacy.
The profit of a discoverer was lost.
-"Well, you critters, attack!"
-"Or lay down with your bellies upward and we might spare you!"
The foursome laughed senselessly and pointlessly demonstrated their superiority over the werewolves.
And yet, seeing their battle, Weed couldn't help but pay tribute to their combat skills. When compare to ordinary players, the murderers were more prepared. Constant fights with players, some at a higher level, sharpened their skills. Without taking into account their special abilities.
At the same time they did not understand the value of money. The price for a bottle of Mana or Health lied at 5 gold, the bandits however gulped them down like plain water, even in not especially critical situations. The stolen loot messed with their attitude to gold.
A simple player collected copper to copper and rejoiced at accumulating a couple of gold.
The bandits though didn't even pick up copper coins!
Weed got even more annoyed, seeing as they let loot lie what could be sold for solid silvers!
Weed encountered a completely different relationship to loot than his vision of the world.
< Maybe I should also change my strategy and become a killer? The piles of money are tempting, but there is the reputation... >
Mapan watched as Weed collected the remaining copper items after the battle with amazement. He did not understand. At this time the Quartet swept through the monsters and appeared far ahead.
-"Oh Lord! Werewolf... ", Mapan shouted seeing the approaching monster.
Looking at Weed, he expected salvation since he had seen many fights where the one had slain monsters easily.
The werewolf was approaching!
When the monster comes a bit closer, Weed will surely slay it. He will let out a cry and the thunderstruck wolf will become easy prey.
When a sword broke during combat and couldn't be replaced, Weed fought with his bare fists and intellect. There existed no situations where he couldn't fight. Perhaps from the sidelines it looked weird, but the monster had a different opinion.
Hence Mapan felt completely safe. His faith in Weed was unshakable.
But for all that what happened next send the merchant into shock!
Weed was so afraid that it left Mapan completely dumbfounded. The body of his companion was shaking uncontrollably in a fit of unimaginable terror and his face had a bluish pallor.
-"Aaa... Weed?"
A swaying hand stopped him from further words.
-"Do something or we will die?"
-"..."
Mapan was at a loss for words. He absolutely did not understand that was happening.
The monster attacked!
-"Kha-aaa-jaaa!"
The werewolf jumped toward the merchant, but Mapan miraculously escaped the impact, dropping and rolling along the ground. He was lucky that the wolf was shot down by a roar. And he got double lucky when the monster chose Weed for further attacks.
Lying on the ground Mapan watched Weed miraculously remaining alive. He flew and rolled on the ground, made incredible movements, trying to avoid the monsters attack. The werewolf on the other hand focused on capturing the bouncing booty.
Weed, covered in mud all over, but still uninjured, was running away headlong. Fortunately, the Dvici came back and dealt with the raging monster.
They even apologized:
-"Guys forgive us. We were too engrossed and forgot all about you. It was a big mistake."
-"Don't sweat it. We stayed alive after all. Thank you for the rescue..."
Hearing Weeds words, Helmen chuckled:
-"Don't worry. There are a lot of people like you around."
-"Any weapon in the hands of these guys turns useless when they meet real danger." Lewis said quietly to his comrades, so the merchants don't hear.
-"Yup. Even if their level is high and they got good weapons, they still have no idea how to use it.", supported Helmen.
-"They are like kids with toys!", Gran concluded.
Finally the Quartet stopped watching them. They didn't realize, that Weed, ever since he started suspecting them, tried all means to show his helplessness. He was waiting for this moment.
Werewolf!
Weed saw how one werewolf out of the flock escaped the battle.
It seemed coincidental that one of them escaped the battle and rushed toward the defenseless traders.
Given the fighting skills of the Quartet, they wouldn't have much difficulty stopping all the werewolves. Consequently, the Quartet had deliberately missed the monster.
They assessed their reaction. And Weed deceived them.
Kvarg!
Bak!
Wjiikk!
-"Aaaaaaa!"
Without meeting strong resistance from the monsters, the party still faced the problem of traps.
During the journey they've already met a dozen. Kernel, arrows, sand - traps were everywhere. Sometimes they stood in pairs, avoiding one, you ended up in another. Some were visible in advance, others remained hidden even after a throughout inspection.
-"Damn! I can't believe it got me!" Helmen shouted, watching as a flow of blood spilled out of the body. The stripe of life slowly dwindling.
The grave of the dwarf had two floors. After the squad found a ladder down, Gran inspired by the loot went ahead.
-"Ha-ha, Lady Luck smiles on us!", boasting, Gran shouted.
Weed found the laughter to be unfounded.
Second floor.
All dungeons had only one rule: the further inland, the more dangerous the enemy. And although lycanthropes were rarely seen, the group was met with a huge number of traps.
Bum!
Oil flowed from the ceiling and at the same time a fire broke out. Wounded by another nearby trap, Helmen couldn't move fast. Only ashes were left after the killer.
Mapan and Weed, walking in back, were safe.
-"Darn... It was a double trap?"
The remaining Dvici didn't mourn the death of their comrade. By the laws of the pack, the survivors were promised a greater share in such situations.
< Tree remaining. I and a couple of competitors. >
< Even if someone else were to die, I will prevail... >
< I will be the only one left alive. >
They didn't care about each other.
The death of Helmen only ignited the flame of greed in the others. And it was time to involve the merchants in the game.
-"But...", Gran began, "it's not very fair that only we are exposed to danger."
Marcus and Lewis looked at him with astonishment.
-"Gran, what are you going on about?"
-"You forgot? About the lightning. Or did you come up with away to avoid it?"
-"Watch and learn. I have a hunch since we only need one." - already quieter answered Gran so the merchants don't hear.
-"I beg your pardon?", awkwardly asked Mapan.
Gran smiled in response.
-"You heard what I said. We need to share the risks. One of my friends was killed. Don't you feel responsible?"
-"Then, what do you want from us?"
-"I want one of you to go ahead. So we, at least, will split the risk in half."
Mapan was confused. He thought it was better to leave the dungeon altogether before they all die here. But after the death of Helmen, he couldn't get his mouth to work, he will be misunderstood.
It wasn't worth it to stick their nose in here!
< But I owe Weed so much... >
At that moment Mapan firmly decided to volunteer.
-"I'm gonna go ahead." Weed spoke up at that moment, removing the burden of choice of the merchants shoulders.
-"Since I'm a sculptor, my fighting skills are low, but even I have a life. Follow me."
-"Oh, thanks for the insight."
After that, Weed walked as the head of the group. Although even in the strictest sense, they couldn't be called group, as every member had their own agenda.
Weed and Mapan were not invited into the group, for the bandits were unwilling to share even a tiny bit of experience. Weed was only left with the option of collecting the dribs and drabs and loot that the Quartet had ignored.
Killer players couldn't visit big cities due to their bad reputation. By a particular bad reputation even village guards attack the killers. There also was a chance to meet a past victim. Thats why, when killers robbed, they took all the things except for those they couldn't sell.
< What an interesting place. > Weed thought. During the game he had examined many dungeons with monsters. Crowds of monsters with dangerous bosses, such as the Death Knights - all of those, but traps he encountered for the first time.
< I have to be very attentive and focused or I will perish. >
The road ahead consisted of red and blue tiles. Surely a trap, with no way to test the hypothesis, as neither a thief or adventurer were observed in the group.
-"Hey, Weed, you need to move on.", Gran insisted from behind.
Weed took extremely slow and gentle steps so to the event of danger to respond to the threat quickly.
Step on the blue. Nothing happened. Relief.
Step onto the red. All is quiet.
This was just the beginning with more than 50 meters ahead. There wasn't one hint as to which direction the treat would come from.
< Blue tile. Red tile. Blue. Red. He went ahead, nothing happened. Could stepping on every other color tiles be a way to disarm the trap... ? >
Weed decided to stop it. He stepped on blue tiles twice in a row. However, nothing happened.
He got even more cautious.
< Theory of alternation collapsed. Well he had a hunch it wouldn't be that easy. But if not, it means... >
He started to look even more closely.
< There... >
Weed noticed an almost invisible thread ahead at the level of ankles. If not for his concentration, he would have never noticed it. The red and blue tiles perfectly disguised the thread that executes the trap.
< It will clearly hurt the person who triggers it. >
Weed continued to move forward slowly. Gran followed him in a short distance. Ten steps after walked the rest. Mapan was at the very end, more secure that anyone else.
Gran also saw the thread. Although the movements of Weed only changed for a moment, this was enough to alarm Gran and detect the trap. Weed calmly crossed the thread and moved on.
< Hmm, a trap. Was it only thanks to luck? Or... >
Gran crossed the thread. He said nothing to his companions. The bandits walking in the back, will soon become aware of it.
Clap!
Lewis carelessly going ahead stumbled across the thread. Instantaneously the walls on both sides of the bandit opened and the squad saw some pipes.
-"Kwak! Kwak! Kwak!"
Lewis was struck by innumerable arrows! The only thing he could do was scream.
-"Help! Help me!"
While Lewis screamed, all stood and watched. Only at the end, when he breathed his last breath, the remaining Dvici commented:
-"Idiot."
-"Fool, to die in such a place."
Marcus took off a valuable breastplate of his companions body. After his death there was one less competitor for the treasure. Marcus and Gran met eyes and smiled at each other.
The four members of Dvici met at the start of the game. The group was founded for entertainment and murder of ordinary players. There was no friendship nor promises involved.
Clap!
Blast! Blast! Kwak!
The party had to overcome many traps before arriving before a new obstacle.
This place in the dungeon didn't hide the danger. The only way in the underground cavity was underneath a lightning storm. Bolts hit the trail in a mess. It was a very beautiful and very deadly place.
Weed didn't detect any patterns in the bolts. He looked back:
-"How do you think I can pass through here!?"
Gran pulled out a little stone.
-"We are lucky. Coincidentally I have a stone that attracts lightening in my possession. With it, you can go through. Here."
-"Huh." Weed said in surprise.
Taking the stone, he immediately identified it.
> Lightning Stone:
Durability: 100/100
An extremely rare stone with high content of iron. With its power the stone draws electricity.
Capacity: 99% protection from electricity. It has the ability to attract electricity.
Because Weed saw the work description of the stone, Gran and Marcus laughed gloatingly.
< We will cross. But he will be dead already... ! >
< Just a little bit more and there is the treasure. >
But a sacrifice was needed to cross the magical trap. Although the stone insisted on protection, with this number of lightning bolts, even one percent sufficed to die.
-"Hey, go on already, Weed. You will die of course, but the rest will remain unscathed."
The masks were off. Dvici laughed evilly.
-"Alright, I die. You cross the road. Just... ", Weed hesitated.
-"What?"
-"How do you get back?"
-"... !"
Marcus and Gran looked in each other in surprise. Expecting the other to answer. All this time they only thought about the treasure. The question of how to return just escaped their attention.
-"Uh..."
-"Blast! Can't be!"
They only had one lightening stone! It means that they won't be able to return and everybody dies.
Gran unsheathed his sword.
-"That's it. My patience ended. Useless, dirty bastards. Prepare to die!"
Gran screamed, spit flying in all directions. His nerves gave in and he lost his reason.
-"Dirty bastards..."
After the bandits words Mapan backed away. He still had an ace up his sleeve - Weed. The Ace was ready for battle. The observation of their battles was enough for him to devise a strategy to fight. However Weeds face still expressed fright. In this situation with bandits on each side of him, he couldn't do anything. Even pull out a sword.
< Why? Why is Weed staying idle? He should platen them like pancakes with meat.. >
Gran started to move. Mapan and Weed prepared to die, when another participant chimed into the battle. It was Marcus!
-"Die! Gran, you knew that sooner or later it will happen!"
Gran turned sharply toward the new danger.
Marcus thought it all out. He will be able to kill the merchants later at any time. Gran as a threat had to be addressed first. They did not trust each other and a stab in the back was the easiest that could happen.
The battle between the Dvici began.
-"Sword of Fire!"
-"Blade of Ice!"
Fire and ice. Gran majored on fire, Marcus on ice. Both killers preferred attack skills to protective ones. All skills were selected for prompt and undetectable attacks.
The battle was short. Through a cunning trick Gran removed the sword of the enemy and wounded him in the shoulder. The weapon dropped to the floor.
-"Nice try, Marcus.", he said.
-"Dammit, I was close! Another moment and the treasure would have belonged to me..."
-"No longer will." Gran hit the former mate with the sword in the throat. -"Hahaha, now the treasure is mine!"
Dead Marcus fell under the feet of his opponent. The shield behind him issued a farewell with a ring.
-"Weed, Mapan, You two goo ahead. One of you will hold the stone. The other a shield. Take it of off Marcus body. The requirement of the shield - level 200 or above. The one with the stone dies. The survivor takes the treasure and hiding behind the shield, comes back here. Quickly choose who goes with what. I promise to leave the survivor alive."
Gran finished the calculations in his head. You need to sacrifice one person and get the treasure.
Dvici, in his mind already rejoiced, anticipating the reward.
Wee started to act. The clay sword gently left its sheath.
Gran shut up and the smile became even wider. He found it amusing to see the merchants try to resist before the inevitable. They showed disrespect to him!
-"What? Are you planning to fight me? Mapan is enough for me. Of course, if I have to go with him, I will get injured, but the treasure will be mine. So that resistance is futile. Come on, attack. I will give you a head start of 3 seconds."
-"Thank you."
Tree seconds. Hahaha. Weed never denied such gifts.
-"It's your right, Gran. Sculpting Blade!"
The sword shone with light and something flashed in the eyes of Gran.
-"Useless, you say?"
Weed easily struck Gran with the sword, as the Dvici didn't even imagine that Weed can wield a blade.
-"Sculptor...", the bandit said, dying.
Just one missed attack and the stripe of life got reduced to zero.
Mapan sighed happily. Lately he got very unnerved and now, finally, it was over.
-"What now? We go back?", he asked.
-"We came such a long way to simply turn back? No, we need to at least find out, what lies over there. Though all this blather about it is questionable."
-"But how? If we head inside, there is no way back. Those bandits specifically led us here for us to die for them!"
-"Not necessarily to die. Those bandits were newbies to dungeons, they even had a hard time finding the entrance. Each rule has an exception. Even in this trap."
-"Like?"
-"Flying."
Weed used a spell and huge white wings grew on his back. The secret of his confidence in crossing the mountains lied in the wings. His secret weapon.
In the tower of Mirakena in Lavias. For the fee of 10 gold, you learned a spell that allowed you to fly for a month.
Flapping his wings, Weed took off into the air and flew forward. He virtuously avoided the falling lightening bolts and landed at the end of the road. There he saw a note and a musical instrument. A harp.
Cherish it. was written on the paper.
Weed picked up the harp and it was like he was shocked by electricity.
> Harp of the Dwarf Wino:
Durability: 20/20
Wino was a small and fat dwarf. And to his demise, he fell in love with a human girl. The girl would never return his affections since people despised dwarfs. Wino despaired. Until he heard about music. Music contains beauty that could attract the girl to him.
Capacity: 30% increase of attractiveness to female NPC's.
Upon reading the description Weed's eyes became wider more and more. In the end he broke down and laughed.
-"Aha-HA-Ha-Ha!!!"
Helmen, Marcus, Lewis and Gran. All these schemes, intrigues and conspiracies that led to their death! And what for? Just a harp. The map didn't lead to strong weapons or armor, but to an instrument that attracts women. Attracts women!
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