Chapter 21 “Before the storm.”

-hahahahaha.

Arthur’s grandfather laughed at him over the phone.

“I knew this would, happen.”

Right now, Arthur was taking a short break from the game. When Refrain’s party ended, Kotori used the book called memories of two-handed fighter and fainted soon after. Well, she would probably faint regardless as she was ‘not holding herself back’ during the party. In the end Arthur had to pick her up and carried her to bed, naturally by using ‘princess carry’ method.

After using the book, it should take her around two days to wake up, which was around 9 hours in real world time, so Arata had some free time.

As for others, Gerald already lead them for the exping marathon so they can regain their levels and also catch up to Arata. Loki also went somewhere and disappeared without saying anything. So in the end, there was no reason for Arthur to wait inside the game so he log out.

At some point, he decided to seriously think about what he should do with Kotori’s training. He knew that it is impossible to learn how to fight in three days but some teaching would naturally be better than no teaching at all. That’s why, to solve this problem, he called his grandfather, to ask for advices from the master in the subject. So far, Arthur told him all surrounding circumstances but then, when he mentioned the book, he was soon met with laugher.

-I asked seriously.

Arata had enough of that laughter already so he decided to stop it.

-you being serious about something is already suspicious enough. You don’t need to add any fairy tales. Really, you didn’t call even once for three weeks after moving out, and now that you finally do you tell me something like this.

-what, did you get lonely? Do you want me to call you each day?

-no, if you did that you would just be a bother. After all, I am finally free from you… .

-yes, yes.

-so grandson. How is the living?

Arata’s grandfather would joke about it but he still was worry about his grandson.

-good I guess.

-that’s all you have to say?

-do I need to add anything else? I am bother after all.

-hahaha.

-anyway the thing I asked about.

-you mean, the book that would teach someone how to fight over the night without picking up the sword… do I really need to answer that?

-well, I know that it’s a fraud. You don’t need to tell me that. But did you perhaps heard about anything similar to that?

-well I actually did.

-you did?

“Oh, I thought it was complete fraud but maybe there is something behind it.”

Arthur’s grandfather sounded serious for a second so Arata got interested but then second later.

-you know, in my times there was a movie that showed something similar…

“Movie?”

-the main character would get various abilities without any training. All it took was a single click on the mouse. The character learned how to fight, speak languages, or even jump from one building’s roof to another. Not that it’s really that hard, I still don’t understand why did they make such big deal out of it? Anyway in that movie all the character really needed for those abilities was to take the right pill, so I guess your situation is kind of similar. Hahahahaha… .

-… .

In the end Arthur was simply made fun off.

-by the way Arthur. You don’t spend all your time playing the game are you?

-not all of it. Although you said that as long as I enjoy myself its fine.

-you actually enjoy yourself? That’s some good news. Still one day you will have to think about the future.

-yes, one day.

Arthur was definitely not trying to think about it right now.

-haha, you probably have completely no idea what to do? Fine, fine do what you want. I have enough life experience to know that anything that humans do in their life is kind of meaningless anyway.

-very encouraging to actually do something.

-don’t follow any standards and live the way you want, that’s the best advice that I can give you. Although Arthur, do remember that you have the duty to stop our line from dying in your generation.

-yes, yes. Anyway let’s move towards the topic I wanted to discuss in the first place. I will be teaching someone how to fight with sword.

-you? Well… I guess you are able to do that. So did you come up with some plan already?

-that’s why I called. Also it’s not exactly full teaching as there are three days limit for it. Rather than teaching, I need to do give someone instructions on how they should train on their own.

-it looks like something complicated. Still, it’s impossible in three days. Anyway, if you have someone who really wants to learn the sword send him to me and I will teach him until he give up or become the master of art.

-well, it’s not something that serious. It’s just for the sake of the game.

-you know that I won’t teach those who are not aiming for the top.

Arthur’s grandfather was master of his art and didn’t teach just anyone but not just because he was arrogant or wanted great pupils. Arata commented.

-in the past you did. It wasn’t that long ago either. I still remember it, last year. You throw away from dojo everyone who was training for fun or just to be healthy.

-well, I had my reasons. If they want to be healthy there are many less treating sports from them to do.

-that’s wasn’t like usual you. Didn’t you want to have army of students who would praise your name?

-that was my goal. But something happened and I open my eyes to that. I didn’t tell you about it yet as you already know cruelty of the world, well enough.

Arthur’s grandfather never explained it why he changed his mind towards training everyone into those who were serious. Also Arthur never asked but now to his words he said.

-I am fine right now.

-hmm… I see that you don’t waste time in this game after all. Still, it’s not something I will just spill out especially when it’s also involving someone you know. And that person wouldn’t like you to know about it.

-it’s not like I need to know.

Felling that he shouldn’t pry to deep Arthur left the subject. His grandfather returned to main topic.

-so about your friend’s training. Tell him to do it seriously or don’t do it at all…

Arthur’s grandfather gave him final conclusion.

-still now that we talk about it. Why does one need to know how to fight for playing the game in the first place?

-well, it would be hard to explain it properly as you never tried it yourself…

“And if I did you would start laughing at me again.”

-but yes, knowing how to fight there is useful. It’s like fighting simulator in which you can’t get hurt.

-but if you can’t get hurt it’s not really a fight.

-anyway do you have any good advice at all? I simply want to help her in any way I can.

Because it was going nowhere, Arthur decided to ask one last time. When he did that though, with one word, blow up his cover immediately.

-her? Your friend is a girl?

Grandfather asked, but it was clearly in slightly different tone than usual.

-is that really something to be surprised about?

-hoho, so I see that our line won’t die that easily…

The voice, become really irritating for Arata.

-it’s good to know that you really doing fine. You are grown up man so I won’t tell you anything, although I will give you a warning. Our seed is strong so be careful.

-… .

-ah, I wasn’t expecting to live to see my grand grand children but how they say. The apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree. Hmm, won’t you be soon reach the age in which your father… .

-can you please stop it. Not to mention that you were even faster than him.

-those were different times though. Anyway that training thing, for starter, I would suggest telling her to swing the sword until she faints. After that she can learn the techniques. You know them so just teach her that and it should be enough. You said it is nothing serious, so the training should be light.

Swinging the sword until someone faints was actually light when compared to some of training that Arthur ‘survived’ through.

-but once again we won’t have more than three days for practice. When I am supposed to show those techniques, not to mention it’s nearly impossible to repeat them after seeing them once.

-well, I already said it’s impossible to learn in three days, it can’t be helped. But why is it only three days?

-after those three days we do different thing and then go separate way for some times.

-ah so you want to test yourself by being separate?

Arthur didn’t want fall into any of those traps and spoke like nothing.

-no, we are forced to do this by game system.

-well, I don’t know what it is about but without a teacher around, there is no way for her to learn it the right way.

-then there is nothing I can do?

-no just find her a teacher and it will be fine.

There were much logic in it but.

-and where would I find one? You know anyone in Rokaran city.

-that’s where she is living? That’s not that far from you, you are lucky.

-yes I am. So do you know anyone?

-hmm, I don’t think so but I already have another good idea.

-you have?

-yes. You see, one of my students is teaching people with use of internet. It’s like virtual dojo, and it isn’t that bad. He told me that somehow, people in this era found a fighting spirit and wanted to learn how to fight. Right now he has filled schedule and doesn’t take more students but if I ask him, he will do it right away. If your girl wants to learn that would be perfect for her. You said she doesn’t need more than basics of basics right? That’s what his dojo actually specializes in, the basic for people who want to play some game. He really is making a lot of money on it.

-well that’s some idea. I will ask her.

-great then it’s decided. Tell her to contact me and I will connect her with my disciple.

-but I still didn’t ask her.

-doesn’t matter, even if she refuses, tell her to call me regardless.

-why does she even need to call you?

-this number is fine. Anyway I have to do go to dojo now, bye!

-hey!

-… .

The call ended.

“He ran… Oh well. That wasn’t the worse idea ever. Still I don’t think that Kotori really wants to learn how to fight with swords. Even since the whole business started she was not really interested in any of that. Anyway, she should be waking up soon so I should hop back to the game.”

As calling grandfather was the last thing on his list, Arthur went back to his room and log in to the game.

Arata appeared inside the Refrain’s guild house. Right away he was welcomed by Kotori.

-you are late!

Those were not really welcoming words.

-I thought you will be asleep for another hour or so.

-I actually after a break already. I woke up day ago and seeing that you are not here I took a short break. I thought you will appear right away so I was rushing myself and log back as quickly as possible just to see that you still didn’t log back.

-technically, I still two hours before you should wake up. Also rather than waiting you should have called me.

-I thought you will be faster.

-sorry.

-well it’s not like I was bored. I have new class with many skills to read through. Even if I can’t use them, yet.

-oh, then are you all fired up for training now?

-not really.

“I hoped for better answer.”

-didn’t you want to be like best player or something.

-me? I only wanted to be best healer who could heal up anything that is possible to heal.

-still it would be a waste not to use second class.

-that’s why I even agreed to all that, but tell me Arata, would I ever use that second class when important things happen? I think I won’t, as in those times I will need to focus on healing anyway.

-now that I think about it if you sell all that stuff you would get a good price.

-maybe but I wanted to try wearing that armour because it looked quite nice even if it doesn’t suit me at all.

Kotori commented and gave him her reasons, although Arata saw through long ago. He couldn’t agree to that comment though.

-I rather thought that it was made especially for you.

-well it’s true that I look nice in practically everything I wear but some things are simply not for me. In the end I think that the only advantages from that class are few spell that I got from it.

-then what about the training. Do still want to do it?

-nah, let’s just leave it alone.

-that’s not very like you Kotori.

-you were the one that said that three days training has no meaning anyway.

-but even if it small help, you would usually go for it or at least try. So what is wrong?

-what’s wrong. What could be wrong Arata? Please tell me.

Kotori was clearly sulking.

“If it is because of any reason the only thing I can think off is this.”

-its sucks that we have to be separated.

-right!? What is wrong with this game? Shouldn’t MMO games be about making friends and play with them any time you want!

-this game was never really user friendly. Still it’s the same for everyone.

-even if it’s the same for everyone, I still don’t feel any better.

-in the end though worrying about it will do no good. There is no reason to worry about things that you can’t do anything about.

-ah, you are too easygoing about it.

-although it definitely sucks.

Even if Arata tried to make her feel better about it, he can’t do it as he also has his regrets. Seeing it, now Kotori wanted to feel him better.

-okay, so let’s make the use of the time we have.

-right. So what do you want to do then? Go around the city and slack off?

-no, let’s go with that training thing.

-but didn’t you just?

-yes, I said that I don’t want to do it but that was for slightly different reason. I already thought about it carefully before deciding to take that second class yesterday before the party. No matter how I think about it my second class will come in handy, especially if I going to solo play. Right now I can’t stand the idea of gathering new party that would be filled with newbies.

-and this game is filled with them.

-Arata, you don’t even know how bad it is. You never even tried to look for party yourself, did you? You said that right after you finished beginner’s city and arrived in Loris, you were scouted by Gerald, right?

-yes, just like that. Although, I did saw all those ‘boar hunters’, so I have a good idea on how good an average player is. Really, for what punishment would I be ever forced to play with people like that?

-haha.

-so we are training, right?

-yep but Arata, how effective that training will be?

-not that much I am afraid. It’s impossible to learn much in just three days.

-and what about that book?

-I don’t have too much hope for that, but do you feel like any difference.

-nope.

Kotori answering without even thinking about it was the best proof that the book was a fraud.

-it would be better if we started right away. But even then it won’t be nearly enough.

-then even though I want to learn, is there even a reason to do that training?

-well, I can at least show you the basics of basics of basics.

-what are we going to do?

-first two days, you will just swing the sword as many times as possible.

-and how will that help?

-you will get comfortable with attacking. Day three would be sparing, I will attack you and you will try to parry those attacks or dodge them.

-if it’s just all that I don’t think it will be any of use.

-it will still be better than improvising. Also as I said it’s impossible to learn how to fight in three days.

-then once again, why we even try? In the first place, even in solo play I will just stay with attacking from the distance.

The conversation really went around in circles.

-sure you can do that. But healer dps is low. So should you know how to use your second class, it would be better.

-but using the class that you know how to use and using class that you have no idea what to do with, is quite a difference.

-what you need to do is to combine those two classes and use them at the same time. But if you want to combine them you need to know how to use both of them separately.

-but you said that three days are impossible so why should we even try.

Yet another loop.

-you have few wrong assumptions there. You don’t have to learn it right away but small steps should lead you to knowledge eventually.

-but I have only three days.

-who said that you have only three days for it?

-after that we are going for exping with everyone right? Gerald said that we won’t waste single second until we ding 99 level and go for the challenge.

-then what about after it?

-after that you will be at second end of world as I don’t believe that we end up in the same spot.

-that would be too much to ask for. Still you can train then.

-you telling me to train on my own?

-that would be the start.

-but you know in this game everyone is training on their own. Sure they will get better eventually but they won’t be that good. I mean, no one after training like that would ever defeat you in pure swordsmanship, right?

“If one could learn everything by himself there would be no reason for teachers even existing.”

-Kotori how good you want to get then?

-if I do something, I want to be at least above average.

-fine I get it.

-you have an idea?

“I didn’t want to resort to this but.”

-what you want is someone who would teach you and give advices right?

-yes, and that someone would have to be a real deal.

-you really serious about it?

-nope, around 50%.

-hey!

-I can’t be that serious about my ‘off spec’, can I?

-well, if you are not serious and give up half way, it’s fine as well I guess.

-if I enjoy it, I won’t give up half way. Still I plan to remain healer first and foremost.

-okay, here is the deal. I spoke with my grandfather and he said that if you want to learn how to fight he knows someone who can help you.

Arata finally explained even if he didn’t know how it will go.

-I don’t really want to know how to fight in real you know. Just in the game.

Kotori really had no determination.

-it’s not what you think. Grandpa’s student opened a virtual dojo or something like that. He teaches there how to fight and give instructions. You can enter there any time you want by using VR capsule. It was probably made for people who wanted to fight in VR games anyway.

-that’s sounds nice… So with this method, how long would it take to get as good as you for example?

Although Arata didn’t want to dishearten her he answered.

-I had five years of training which included numerous of styles. Should you focus only on one it should be easier. Also if you keep using it in game it will also help. Still I don’t want to brag but I don’t think that virtual dojo would reach the level of training that I had. Grandpa tough me by himself and while doing it, he also said that I had somewhat talent for it. ‘My blood flows through you after all’ was what he used to say.

-you are legendary Arata after all. Oh, well I wasn’t asking seriously, anyway how do I sign up to that dojo?

-if you want then you have to call my grandpa and tell him that you are the girl I told him about.

-what!?

Kotori’s eyes went wide. Arata misinterpret it.

-well that was just his joke. I will get the number of that dojo master and tell you when you cans start.

-no! I like first version better. Your grandfather wanted to talk with me right? And you already brag about me, right? Then give me his phone number!

-I don’t know about that.

-I won’t embarrass you.

-you will, just by the fact that you call him, but that is not the issue.

-then… is your grandfather so unapproachable that simple human like me can’t talk to him?

-no he is actually really friendly. But should you really just call him out of sudden?

-it’s not out of sudden. You will tell him before I make call. And this time you will properly explain who I am.

-I already did.

-hmm and what was that description?…

“Friend from a game that wants to learn how to fight.”

-it probably was not the entire truth. Still know that if you don’t explain, I will. And also, I will add some details that… .

Arata didn’t even want to know what came to her mind.

-okay, okay.

-but it will have to wait until we are done with all things here. So let’s begin that training Arata. First and foremost I wanted to be taught by you.

And so three days have passed on sword training. Kotori’s progress was small just like three days training would give one. She was not bad at it but at the same time she didn’t have huge talent either. Being half serious about the whole thing and Arata being the teacher didn’t help her in keeping motivation to swing the sword either. In the end there was more playing around that actual training.

After those three days, just as Gerald said, he and others returned. They were all deadly tired but they all somehow managed to reach 85 level. Although Arata was surprised that it took them so long. That was because in secret dungeon they got at least five levels for one challenge. Each of challenge took about two hours to complete which meant 15 levels in 6 hours. From the group, only Yuki had 15 levels to ding as after dying she went down from 77 to 70. Others had even less to get. Still it took them five days together. Although, that showed how great secret dungeon was for leveling as well as how hard it is to get one level from here on. And it was going to get much worse.

With another break that lasted a day it was finally the time for Arata and Kotori to join up leveling. Gerald’s plans also involved something else, apart from leveling that is. At first it didn’t look suspicious. Following Gerald they arrived at dungeon. The enemies were of human type. They were all kind of type. Warriors, archers, mages, healers. Although Gerald himself didn’t take part in fights as it would lower experience gain, it still went really fast. After all they had balanced party with tank healer and four dps. With use of high-damage AOE spells they destroyed anything in their way. The tactic was: Arata, Yuki and Odin going around the dungeon and pull everything on their way when Anari, Zen and Kotori who also had two AOE spells, finished them of. The dungeon ‘Fortress of blue lions’ was for 85-95 level so they were just enough. It was normal well known dungeon.

There were other parties walking around and fighting. At start, they all thought that Refrain’s group is crazy bunch of people that doesn’t value their life. Later on, they still thought that but they had no chance to look at them anymore as it was way too dangerous to get close to them. After two parties got catch in a way of pulled mobs and died, most of players decided to wait till ‘crazy people’ are gone or go somewhere else. The dungeon was big enough for people not to worry about others interrupting them but if someone just pulls packs of enemies and they ran all around the place it was better to just go somewhere else or wait till it becomes more peaceful. With that the whole dungeon was in hands of Refrain’s group. Still it didn’t take them long to clean most of enemies and gain three levels each. The moment they all reached level 88 it was time for the boss. There were more than one boss in this dungeon but Gerald told them specifically that they come here just to meet this one.

Archmage Antonidus was the boss class monster that could be found in the eastern corner of the third floor inside the fortress. The room was no more than 6 meters diameter wide. What was big was the distance from the floor to the celling. According to the map eastern corner of the fortress was one of fortress’s towers. It explained why this room was so different to previous rooms and why there was so much space in it. The walls were filled with bookshelf and books on them. There were few chandeliers with long chains which would hand about seven-ten meters over the floor. The chain was about 6 meter long and it reached the celling.

After opening the door they could find Archmage Antonidus at the opposite end. Wearing a purple robe and strange hat he was standing with their back reading a book.

-haha, finally some items for me.

After seeing the guy, Zen was ready to storm him right away but Gerald stopped him and explained their purpose in coming here.

-okay, it’s time to tell you why we bothered in coming to this dungeon.

-good items?

-lots of gold?

-hidden quests?

It wasn’t even a question but everyone had high expectation that they voiced out. That was not the real reason though.

-well, in the first place, in the current times, you could say that every quest in this game is hidden. Then, you need to do some work to get a good amount of gold. But anyway no, there also won’t be any items as we are not killing this boss.

-why did we even bothered to do this dungeon then? I want some items! I mean we have some hard challenge ahead of us right? Sure I don’t need it but small bonus would make my victory even greater.

Zen had a lot of sense here. After all they had 100 level challenge waiting for them. Gerald on the other hand looked like he didn’t care at all.

-you don’t have to worry about items. Who needs them?

-Gerald, you seem to forget the purpose of RPG games. Getting items and killing monsters. No matter how you think about it that’s all there is to it.

Arata joined the talk as well. At the moment the only item that would be near his level was his class item black sword Kuroi. Everything else belonged to category of low level items. Arata’s second sword was not that bad as it was also from the dungeon but clothes bought in Rodrigez smith were definitely way too low. Lastly, the black coat is the item that Arata got from city of beginners on level 8. Even if it had good stats and it served him well till now, it was only this far.

-items come and go, but skills always remains. What do you want? Learn something new or get new items?

Gerald still didn’t waver after what Arata said and he asked everyone the question. The answer to that question was rather simple though.

-I want items.

-me too.

-who is in for ditching Gerald’s strange ideas and go for all bosses in this dungeon. After that we will go for other dungeons as well.

Zen came up with good idea and everyone began to move inside to defeat the boss. But then Gerald started.

-but you really don’t need any items from this boss. Truth to be told, I know a very good spot for farming items, I was going to show it to you when you reach 99 level because that’s the level you need to enter the place but if you want some low level items from here then go ahead. I am sure that you probably know better. Who needs places where epic class items drops from every single monster. You guys are right, where is a fun in that?

Everyone stopped immediately after hearing that.

-it’s sounds really fishy but never mind…

Thing about class items dropping from every mob was probably a lie but considering that Gerald had a plan for them to get gear in high level dungeons later on they were satisfied. Arata asked.

-so what are we doing here?

-to learn and practice something. You know, one of most common ways to die for good players are as follows. You get destroyed by a boss in a dungeon because you didn’t know what he can do. Like when you entered somewhere blindly, by mistake or you just found a new dungeon and no one know the boss skills. All those situation leads to unavoidable deaths as you can’t run away because of barrier or the doors that closes. I am going to teach you how to deal with this problem.

Arata experienced it once before, and indeed he could use good idea then but that still didn’t fully explain why they come here.

-in that case, wouldn’t any boss? I mean, if it’s only something you can do in specific place it won’t help much.

Odin asked as indeed there wasn’t any difference in which boss they would try it on. If it was a method that helps only in specific circumstances it couldn’t be called a good method. Still after that question Gerald reassured them

-most bosses will do. Sure there are few on which that method won’t work but it’s still better to know it. As for the reason we come to see this boss in particular, there is another thing that you need to learn and this place is perfect for it. There is one way that leads to dying and it’s hard to avoid no matter what level you have or how good you are. You still won’t be able to do a thing when you came across it unprepared.

-and the thing is?

Zen asked.

-falling damage. Namely crushing into the ground with the force of gravity. You will have to come up with a way on how to deal with situations where you are sent flying to the sky or just fall from a high place. If you start thinking about it while falling, you probably won’t come up with anything because it’s freaking scary…

“I know something about that.”

-still there are methods that can help you avoid it. Some skills your class have or ideas that you can come up with. Sometimes using your strongest skill just before hitting the ground is a good option. Try to come up with something and thanks to this boss you will be able to test your idea right away.

-and what if it won’t work?

Anari asked.

-well, you should be still alive even after the fall and I can just heal you up then.

Gerald had some healing spells which he even demonstrated once.

As Refrain stood right now Gerald was probably its best dps, healer and tank at the same time, he could even preform all those functions at once should he wanted.

-so it will hurt?

Yuki commented.

-only if you came up with bad idea. Anyway as everyone knows Archmage Antonidus has a mechanic that you need to know about if you want to kill him. Once every five minutes he cast a spell on player that will make every party member fly to the roof if that player move from his position. Opposing that is simple, that player just don’t have to stay put, that how it normally goes, still because we want us to fly up, when one of you get marked you have to move. Easy enough right?

-so you are teaching us that we should go against the common tactic?

Kotori commented.

-exactly that! Anyway I will block off all his attacks so you have 5 minutes to come up with something.

With that said Gerald rushed right before the boss. He poked him with fingers at the shoulder in a way to make him realize that he has guests.

-I will teach you that you should not interrupt the elders.

With that said Archmage started to fire up numerous of spells but they were all disappearing at Gerald’s barrier. For a note after poking the boss Gerald was just standing there without doing anything.

Given that Arata already experienced flying few times he had a solution already. Should he use black dash few meters before hitting the ground he should be fine. Still because he had a try to check things out he thought that he should come up with a solution that he could use in an instance that he couldn’t use black dash. Like when he was completely out of stamina.

“Still to do something like that without assist from the system will be hard. Hmm, something that would work like parachute would be cool still I have nothing of that sort.”

Arata started to look around for something that could be used as parachute. But he didn’t find it.

“I guess that I can’t use that. What else… oh.”

His eyes stopped on the chandelier.

“I good thing I bought a new one two days ago.”

Arata crossed his fingers and confirmed that he have specific item in inventory.

“It’s worth a try. If it won’t work I can still black dash right before the ground.”

After coming up with idea all that’s left were to wait. A blue mark appeared right under Odin. As instructed he moved right away and then everyone were sent flying, Gerald included.

-aaaaaa!

-wawaaa!

Odin was the one who was send flying the farthest as it was probably because the one that moves which normally is the bad thing should be punished with most painful experience. The rest was flying about the same height. Gerald for one, the moment he fly up by few centimetres disappeared and appeared in the same place a second ago with a small red dot appearing right before that.

While flying up Arata opened his equipment menu and took out the rope. He could do that before he start flying but he wanted to test how fast he would be able to do that. Being about five meters above the ground he already had a rope in hands. He then he threw it at nearby chandelier in a way that it got stuck at chain. Because this rope had a hook at the end he managed to do it on his first try.

Holding the rope Arata stopped flying up and stopped. Then he started to fly down but two meters later he stopped once again. Then he started to get down.

“Perfect. Although, I can use it only if I have something to graph with rope. Still it should be useful in most of the cases. But I don’t want to be in situation where I have to use it. And how the others are doing?”

Arata looked around. Everyone apart from Odin already started to fall down as well.

“What they are trying to do?”

Yuki and Kotori had swords in their hand. Arata could understand Yuki doing it but why would Kotori do it as well. Kotori hold a wooden sword that they used at the training. She was heading head first with sword like rocket. When she was few meters above the ground the sword started to spin and then send out waves of wind at the ground. Ground got cut a little but the attack managed to slow down Kotori enough and she managed to land without serious damage. After landing/crushing she managed to get up without a problem.

As for Yuki it was not that well. The moment she was close to the ground, her sword send out a block of ice which made toboggans. In a spiral, she started sliding. Her speed did decrease and there was no big fall anymore but when she reached the end of her toboggans she naturally still had some speed and she ended up flying towards the bookshelf into which she crushed into. It didn’t seem like a safe landing but Yuki wasn’t really hurt by it.

Also, since arrival in Triangle, Yuki has been using her spells like normal. Although there were some strange mystery around it, that made Gerald forbid her to do it, at some time he said that she needs to use it after all and that won’t change much in a long run. Even if at the beginning it eats Arata curious, right now Yuki was just sword-fighter with ice powers. He for one had no idea what her class name was but in the end it didn’t really matter to him.

The following those two, the guild’s mages did pretty well. Mages always had a numerous of spells that were useful in different circumstances, later on they would even get a skill called slow fall that would do this training completely meaningless, still they did a good job.

Zen just before landing on the ground use teleport and without any problem, appeared on the ground like nothing. Then there was Anari who used something, Arata did not know what but she just started to slow down before ground as if she already had that ‘slow fall spell’.

Arata was still going down the rope nearly everyone landed with more or less success. Then after reaching the ground Arata look up to the last person who was still missing.

-wraaaaaa!!!

Falling from the top Odin was screaming. But it was not a scream of fear but rather some kind of battle shout. Arata did not know if it was some skill that could help survive him falling down or just a way to stay focused while falling down at great speed. Either way it was a loud shout.

With shield before him Odin was getting more and more momentum. As a warrior or some tank class, he shouldn’t have probably didn’t have anything useful for landing.

But then two meters above ground the shield started to shine in red color.

“This is bad.”

Odin crashed into the floor but not only that as he also went through it to lower floor.

-hey you are alive?

Zen shouted to his friend through the hole that he made.

-I lost about 5% of my HP but everything is fine. The problem is how I can get back? Do I need to go all the way around?

The most surprising thing was that nothing really happened to him. System interpreted what happened as fast attack no falling to death.

-you probably need to go around. Or wait. Arata give that rope for a minute.

Zen asked as it was good idea for Odin to just climb back with Arata’s rope. But then Gerald interrupted them.

-he doesn’t need to come back. Rather everyone jump down through that hole. I will explain in a second.

-if you say so.

Zen answered back and jumped right away. Arata soon followed. It was four meters height so he lost 5% of HP while doing so.

-Arata! Catch me down there.

Kotori shouted it from above and jumped down. Catching someone did more damage than falling on your own but Arata cached her anyway without complain.

-me too Onii-chan!

He did the same thing with Yuki. Anari for one jumped without saying anything and just like before she just landed without trouble.

-hey Anari how are you doing it?

-basic magic, I always use it for falling. Remember I even helped you one time at our guild’s trial.

-that didn’t help much, but thanks for info.

“How is she doing it I don’t know? I completely forsake using it at all.”

Arata also had once ambition to use it as well but he gave up as it didn’t work well but it looked like Anari was constantly training it. The lessons that she didn’t hear from Gerald but in city of beginners from someone whom she could call a mentor, she still remembered them well. Her mentor always was saying that with basic magic everything is possible. Unfortunately the number of people that actually could use it was low and it was an unknown art available only for those with talent. Arata with his minimal talent for basic magic that was close to zero did not think that this was the correct way for him to get stronger so he wasn’t that focused on it. In the end basic magic was something that mages should focus on, and in EOA, Arata’s heart was that of the swordsman.

A red dot appeared near them. It burst in flame then Gerald appeared at that place.

-you guys did a good job at the first try. Especially you Anari. Anyway because everyone did more or less okay we won’t have to repeat this. No need to waste everyone’s time as all you really need to do in cases like that is to keep a clean mind and focus on what you can do. As you can see there are numerous ways of surviving the fall and if you really have no idea what to do, just smash the ground with some skill, that works just as well, while doing it you can aim for minion with speed from falling the damage is unbelievable high. Now then, with all that done we will once again go back to leveling up. There is a dungeon that gives a lot of experience nearby. The problem is that there will be many players there as well but I will just suggest them to leave until we are done. I am good at persuading people to be gone from the places I wanted them gone.

“It probably has nothing to do with persuading.”

-leader, you said something about running from the boss before.

Anari reminded Gerald about this.

-but who needs that, I don’t plan on running away. I will simply kill anything that stands before me.

Zen didn’t consider that advice to be useful though.

-if you could just kill it there wouldn’t be that many deaths and I wouldn’t even mention it. There are naturally many ways in which you can die but I am mentioning those that are most often. Anyway about how to get out from the room that is blocked by the barrier. We just did it.

-you mean going through the floor?

Odin asked?

-exactly that. As you know there are barriers or doors barricading the entrance. But on the other hand there is nothing protects walls, floor or the celling. Windows are best option to escape if you ask me. But if you know you have open space somewhere behind the wall just smash through it. In underground dungeons go for the celling.

-can we smash through the barrier or at least door as well?

Zen asked.

-that’s the one thing that you can’t go through. Doors have same immunity as barrier. Well naturally it is possible to break through it but you would need to get a little bit stronger before that. Still no one said that you can’t smash the wall that right next to it. That’s also one of good places to break through.

-ah, such simple technique.

Kotori commented.

-it is simple yet many people does not know about it. Well that’s because we invented it with my group and didn’t give it away that easily. Information is a weapon itself. I naturally wouldn’t be telling you about if you weren’t in my guild. Yey! Yupi! Another advantage of joining our guild!…

Arata didn’t want to admit but there really were a lot of merits in joining Refrain.

-ah right, try not to tell it around to just anyone and also be careful while using it as sometimes bosses or their minions will come out into the open and bad thing can happen if they do. You know… there was once a time that I released the dragon from his lair and he then fly out from it burned three villages on his way and then went somewhere. I don’t have idea where it went but from time to time I can hear a tales of black dragon flying around and destroying everything on his way. Because AI monsters also can experience up and it happened long ago, right now he really is a monster to be feared of. No even before when we set him free my group couldn’t hold a candle to it. And afterwards we tried many times to capture him just to get destroyed by him.

-you mean miracle team?

Kotori asked she knew the name in which that team was going around.

-we don’t really like that name but yes it’s the team I told you about. It’s quite interesting tale. Remember when I told you not to hunt dragons, unfortunately we were pioneers of EOA and, no one told us that. We were at about 180 level back then. One of us got information from her…

Gerald grow silent for some time. Arata get him back from daydreaming.

-yes?

-right, so we got information about location of dragon lair, it already connects to other tale as it was the lair in which Loki appeared in…

“Yes there was that.”

-so what we did was of course go straight for that lair to gain great achievement of being first to slay a dragon in EOA. But unfortunately dragons are not meant to be fought at that level, if they are meant to fight at all in the first place. Especially that one. Well, in short we were obliterated. When half of us died we decided to use our new developed technique that I just thought off. At that time we didn’t knew that monsters can come out of their location. I was the one to make the hole in the wall. It was a small human size hole but when we left the dragon’s lair, the dragon destroyed the walls and went after us. In the end he killed most of us apart from two who are good at hiding then flew to burn villages and exp up.

-so you let that monster free and now he brings havoc on everyone.

-well, it happens from time to time…

Gerald didn’t feel guilty about that, he continued the story.

-we also tried to repair the damage and get rid of him when we leveled up. There were few tries at level 199, then there was one at level 250 and there was even one when we all dinged level 299. At that time our party was nearly completely separated but we still had this one unfinished business to do so we gathered once again as it was our fault after all but even then the beast was not in our reach. For a note, currently each of us could take the average dragon on their own and even at level 199, we managed to kill two other dragons so it is not that dragons are completely devastating but simply that the black dragon is. What is worse he grew too strong and nothing can stop him at this point.

-is there really that we can do?

After hearing the whole tale some people went quiet but then surprisingly Yuki ended up asking. Still to that question Gerald gave her a quick answer.

-no, there is not. But anyway, you should all know that there are few dragons that also appeared in the skies and are flying around freely so it’s not uncommon now days.

-you mean that there are more people who set the free?

-probably, or maybe they are now able to go out on their own, who knows. If you ask me then I will tell you that it’s the dragons that got out, are looking for their friends and are helping them get out as well. AI monsters in this game are really intelligent, and those of dragon class are more intelligent than humans.

-then, isn’t it kind of bad?

Arata asked as it seemed that Gerald did not care much.

-naturally it would be better if someone hunt them down before it goes out of hand like with our dragon but who is supposed to do that? Right now only two best guilds would probably be able to do it and they are busy with their stuff. Also it was always that players and humans were weaker than monsters around them, I mean you should see it for yourself especially here in newbies lands. It gets better pass 100th level barrier but not by not that much. Anyway the lesson is don’t set dangerous bosses free.

Gerald finished the story with the moral.

-and what about the boss above us?

-well naturally there are types that move out and types that don’t. This one probably won’t come out because I blocked all of his attack without doing much so he got scared.

-can bosses get scared?

-all minions work like NPCs in a way so sure they can. Especially, humanoid types. Also while I was talking about letting dangerous bosses free, naturally there are bosses like that that are moving freely on their own. Well, this is quite big topic in general and we took enough time here, so learn the rest on your own. Time to go there are still eleven levels to go after wards. Well, with that dungeon it shouldn’t take more than day or two and we don’t even have to rush ourselves.

-and after that dungeon for items?

Zen added the question.

-relax, you will get them one way or another, anyway let’s go!

Getting last eleven levels was easy thing. With similar tactic that at Fortress of blue lion only on bigger scale, numerous of enemies fall to the hand of Refrain. They didn’t include only normal monsters but also some bandits as Gerald called them even if instance had no humanoid monsters. Still within two days Arata finally saw the message.

[You have gained a level. Current level 99.]

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