CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

A strong defense is more than just a number on a screen

~

~ Name: Pebble ~

Title: Protector

Class: Tank [lv4]

HP

[18]

MANA

[12]

ATK

[21]

INT

[9]

DEF

[64]

SPD

[10]

A boy whose confidence was shaken by the recent fight

Even with a hero’s heart, he lacks a hero’s might

It may not yet be time for him to be a hero yet

But what he’s done was brave and something this god won’t forget

Pebble’s god had always been a little cold and curt

And that was fine with Pebble, since the words had never hurt

His efforts were rewarded just like any would expect

But Pebble worked harder than most to earn his god’s respect

He went home that night with some deep cuts and a broken arm

But when his parents saw him it didn’t raise much alarm

His father was a giant man, his mother much the same

And for his father, Boulder was a very fitting name

~ Name: Boulder ~

Title: Hero

Class: Tank [lv210]

HP

[278]

MANA

[63]

ATK

[204]

INT

[23]

DEF

[434]

SPD

[86]

A man whose strong defensive skills are known throughout the land

Known once to have closed a small portal with his bare hand

But for his toughness, he still has much he must teach his son

It’s clear his job as a teacher has only just begun

Pebble was the second of three sons that Boulder had

But both his brothers were much stronger, and it made him sad

For though he was as brave and selfless as his great father

It was clear he was much weaker than his young brother

“Your mother and I have been tanks since very long ago

How strong a tank must be out there is something we well know

You still need much more training if you’re going to survive

Even with blessings, you need abilities to thrive”

“But I’m not like my good friend, Sky, whose goddess is so kind

Blessings come to her so easily, it blows my mind

Sure I’m not like Twig, whose efforts amount to nothing

But how come my guardian won’t rush my strengthening”

His mother snorted at the boy’s complaint and poked his chest

“You big baby, blessings aren’t what make young Sky the best

What you need to learn from her is how she trains her skill

Your blessings only multiply your skills by the gods’ will”

~ Name: Crystal ~

Title: Stone Wall

Class: Tank [lv103]

HP

[145]

MANA

[102]

ATK

[263]

INT

[72]

DEF

[376]

SPD

[82]

A loving mother, first and foremost, but a fierce fighter

Stats alone are hard to utilize to describe her

Threaten those she loves and the last thing which you will see

Is her fist delivering you to eternity

“But what does all that mean, I train but level up so slow

And as a tank there’s only so far my training can go”

Pebble strained his brain to find an answer to his woes

But then his father laughed and pinched the troubled young boy’s nose

“This is just the fate of tanks who focus on defense

It might seem unfair now, but it still does make perfect sense

Higher levels do increase your own abilities

But the gods can’t give you infinite power with ease

True power is in experience, and that you lack

And tanks level up most when they survive a strong attack

That means that until you’ve trained with enough at home

It is far too dangerous for you to start to roam”

“You’re saying that I cannot follow Twig out when he goes?

But what dangers await him out there, heaven only knows

He’s my friend, and I would die to save him if I could

If you were in my position, you both know you would!”

Achievement: Noble Defender

I feel your words are true and though you are frustrated now

You must train until you can increase your strength somehow

Let your parents guide you until you can stand alone

Otherwise you’ll face more than a scratch or broken bone

Pebble grimaced as a suddenly stat increase occurred

Since he was already tired, the young boy’s vision blurred

But he began to understand that he was still to weak

There was still too much power that he had yet to seek

~ Name: Pebble ~

Title: Defender

Class: Tank [lv4]

HP

[18]

MANA

[12⇨ 13]

ATK

[21]

INT

[9⇨ 10]

DEF

[64⇨ 65]

SPD

[10]

Take this time and trust that fate will be timely and fair

Even though the times are strange, we both must still beware

There’s a natural order that binds us to our path

If I help you more than this, I’ll face the system’s wrath

“You heed our words, we have a lot to teach you from today

Once you’re ready, neither of us would stand in your way

Brace yourself though, you won’t just be lifting weights from now

You’ll be learning ways to fortify your soul somehow”

~