“They’re suicidal!” Yanesh muttered, the group holed up in one of those open concept hotdesk offices.

They had been lucky to find it, what with the ability to actually see down the clear glass hallway leading to the offices and the open space within it. No people inside, and the emergency lightning within was not good at all; but at least the lights from offices which were still functioning gave them some illumination.

“The gnolls?” Lance rubbed at his shoulder gently, peeling off blood. “Just a little.” He paused and then asked. “What floor are we on?”

“Tenth,” Matt answered immediately from where he and Keeley were cuddled up together on a loveseat, cups of water laid on the nearby table.

“And the damn thing is on the what? Seventeenth?” Lance said, closing his eyes and running the scenario over in his mind. “We’re likely going to have more of them the closer we get to the top.”

“Yeah,” Sarah said, frowning at her spear.

“We need to change up our tactics.” Neil said, frowning. “I’m good but…”

“You’re not good.” Matt said, waving his blood streaked arms around. “You need to get those Thorns to stop attacking your friends. I got scratched more than a few times, trying to shoot around you in there.”

“You’re right. Sorry.” Neil’s face grew tight. “I’ll look into it.”

“Well, good news is, the gnolls give more coins each. Ten per head now is pretty damn nice,” Yanesh said.

“It is. So get buying,” Lance said, clapping his hands together and wincing. “I’ll keep watch for the moment.”

The group gave a nod, falling silent as they started browsing options. Lance knew what he needed, in theory. After that showing in the staircase, he realized he couldn’t just rely on his bow and arrows or even his arms for this fight. If he was going whole hog with this Mana Manipulation thing, he needed to add to it too.

“Not sure I want magic though… not like them….” Lance muttered to himself. Something that would fit his build without forcing him to become a full out magic slinger would be his preference. If it worked with his current build and focus on Mana Manipulation, it would make sense too.

Untargeted.

Pressing his lips together, Lance started filtering for Mana attacks. His eyes skipped over them, everything from the eponymous Mana Bolt to Mana Arrows to Mana Blossoms and more came across his eyes. He just scanned, unsure of what he wanted, what he needed till his eyes fell on a single line. A push of his intent and details unfolded.

Mana Disruption (Basic)

Single target, line of sight attack. Reach into the Mana flow of the target and disrupt it, causing damage to target. Damage dependent upon Mana resistances, control of internal Mana flow and level of Mana within target.

Requirement: Mana Manipulation (Basic)

Cost: 250 Coins

“Huh.” Lance exited his review of the shop for a second. There had been no time to test his Mana Manipulation ability, but now he reached out, sensing the world around him. It took him long seconds of squinting into the distance before he felt it, the pulse and twist of Mana through those around him. It was different for Yanesh and himself, theirs had a regulated flow – the Meridian they had bought. The others were just using it through their body unconsciously, even though he could tell there were slowly collecting into their own areas.

Perhaps… it might be possible to create Meridians personally? Without the aid of the Shop? It seemed the beginning formation flows indicated where everything should go, naturally. So if he concentrated the energy himself, following it in his own body, he could carve it without cost.

Then again, the idea of carving energy flows through his own body without the Shop healing him afterwards sounded dangerous and painful.

Very painful.

After a second, Lance shook his head and bought Mana Disruption. Whatever thoughts he might have on this matter, they had a dungeon to clear and while his body had finally finished healing thanks to repeated blasts of healing energy, it was time to get going.

“Ready?” He called out.

“I am,” Sarah replied. To his surprise, she had changed out her larger boar spear for a much shorter one, barely five feet tall. It had a much longer spearhead, almost like a blade and she held it one-handed while a new glittering arm guard lay in her other hand.

“Friend-or-Foe targeting purchased,” Neil said a moment later. “This is going to hurt.”

“What…?” Keeley said, looking up.

Before anyone else could object, they all felt the twisting cut of thorns across their flesh. Then, just as suddenly it was gone, leaving little traces of blood across their arms and face.

“What was that?” Matt said, furious.

“Targeting. The Thorns needed your blood to mark you and ensure it didn’t hurt you next time,” Neil said. “I also bought a slowing poison for it.”

“Next time, warn us!” Matt snapped, nearly vibrating with anger. He glanced down at Keeley who placed a hand on his arm and he breathed out, before stomping away from them from the office, heading for the exit. Neil frowned for a second, then shrugged.

“More warning. Seriously,” Lance said, recalling his friend’s temper. It only flared once in a while, but when it got going, the Scout had a tendency to really rage. It was one of the reasons they didn’t let him drink too much when they hit the club scene.

Huh.

No more bars, at least for a bit maybe. He hoped not. A good drink after a long day at work would be good. Then again, he never needed to check in at the warehouse again which, you know, was a-okay with him.

“Whatever. We better catch up before he gets himself killed,” Neil said, ducking his head and hurrying off.

Lance narrowed his eyes, noting the lack of an apology. Damn it, having inter-group politics and drama was stupid in a raid online, in real life it might get one of them killed. He turned, shooting Sarah a glance and she offered him a tight smile.

Later. He’d deal with it later. Waving the others to follow along, he hurried after the pair, grimacing. He guessed he’d find out what everyone else’s upgrades were on the fly.

Adapt and overcome. Or something like that.