I climbed out of the capsule and headed straight for my bedroom. I didn’t want to think about what just happened for a few hours. I went straight to sleep. When I got up, I took the time out to make myself a fairly good breakfast before I ultimately had to get back to the game. What the hell was that guy? Why did he kill us? It wasn’t like we had all this great gear, I mean, we were still wearing some starter gear. Was he just crazy? No, all these questions are irrelevant, I don’t need to understand him, just deal with him.

I headed back into my game room, hopped on the computer, and looked up everything I could about the man named Erasion. Apparently, this is the first game anybody’s ever heard of him in. But he’s swiftly gaining a reputation as the most fearsome player killer in the game. He was the first to kill anyone in the game, and had killed around a hundred people since.

There was a trend though. Every party he attacked had at least one person with a title in it. I get it now, he wasn’t just killing. He was hunting! He’s looking for people with talent, he wants his prey to fight back. This was all for amusement. I want to say that its sick, but really, we’re all playing the game for amusement. Some of us kill monsters, and some of us kill people. That’s the only difference.

But I gotta say, the guy was talented. I’ve rarely seen people move like that, he’s gonna be a legend for sure. Few people can pk a whole group by themselves. Now the real question is: what do I wanna do about it. I know the others are going to want vengeance, but is it what’s best for the team? I think not.

We are going to be weaker than we were after we resurrect, and he’s only going to be stronger. Even if we grind up to match whatever level he is, there is a definite talent difference that we just can’t overcome yet. Besides, I’m fairly sure the guy is kinda psycho and would never let it go if we killed him. He’d hunt us forever.

Well, until we can all log in again, I might as well use this opportunity to learn more strategies. The ones I came up with myself weren’t bad, but I have a lot of room for improvement. With my offensive and supportive abilities the way they are, this is the only way I can majorly contribute.

Most of the stuff the internet teaches me are about large war stratagems, but I don’t have to worry about that for a long time. It seems that African and Chinese armies were the ones who focused on small units, all the rest are pretty much useless to me at this point. I study them anyway though, never hurts to have a head start.

Wow, it feels like I’m in school again. All this learning is wearing me out, this is why I didn’t go to college. Well, I’m having a lot of fun with this game, even if it does give me headaches. So I keep reading for a few hours.

Then I turn my attention to the game website, and start looking for information. There’s alot of pretty good info here. Quest tips, skill tips, all kinds of tips. I absentmindedly click around. Wow, I haven’t been taking advantage of the analyze skill properly. According to this, you can even [analyze] people to get more details than just the pop-up info. But only if there is a low level difference, and your [analyze] has a high enough proficiency.

Clicking around some more, I find out the first hybrid class had been created. Sorcerer-Swordsman. Apparently, the guy kept on switching between the two classes and bothering the tutors so much, the tutors came together to give him a hybrid class. He was THAT annoying. I smirked as I continued my aimless net journey.

Oh, it looks like his title is ‘Dualist’. He claims that as long as his STR and WIS remain equal, the effects of both are risen by 50%. That’s really formidable, I mean later in-game, he’s gonna be so OP. I wonder what the other titles do, cause mine sucks in comparison, like all it does is make my spells silent. It seems like there’s a whole list of people with titles.

Titles That We Know Of (list may be altered by trolls)

1. Violent One: Goliath

2. Eagle Eyes: Agenor

3. Nympho: Lorelei

4. Silvertongue: ????

5. The Swift: ????

6. Born Leader: Nicolai

7. First Murderer: Erasion

The list goes on and on, with around a thousand entries. Ooooo it looks like I’m on it, around line 80 or so. The Whisperer:????. Looks like my game name is unknown. That’s actually quite surprising with how many people were there when I revealed my title like an idiot. Oh I have my own subtopic.

Lolihunter11: Yeah I remember this dude, he was creepy af. He would just walk through, silently killing things.

ByeFelicia: Really? What city is he from?

LyLy: Lonbourg. I remember seeing him and his party in the tavern once.

Phalanx: Yeah, he parties with a bunch of lamez tho lol

LyLy: Yeah I heard that too. Why doesn’t he upgrade?

You know, I would be mad about the fact that people are talking about my team, but you know what? We’re good, maybe not great yet, but good. I know were good, my friends know they’re good, and that’s all that matters. As a matter of fact, if my team are lamez, I want more lamez! Wait… I might actually be able work that out. Let me make a screenname really quick. Ok, how do I wanna do this? I gotta be cool, cool and in charge. Like… like batman! Apparently they already think I’m kinda creepy anyway…

TheWhisperer: Looking for the ones who made my Woodland Armor

Lyly: no way, is that really him?

ByeFelicia: Probably a fake

TheWhisperer: Think what you want. Spread the word though, that I want the Woodworker who made the Woodland

Armor to come join me on my quest. He can find us in the forest village north of Lonbourg. He has 12 real hours.

LyLy: I think it is him! Hey dude what class do you have??

TheWhisperer: Mind your business.

Phalanx: Yeah man, that’s a rude thing to ask, u know that! Hey man, other than the woodworker guy, you looking for other players? I’m a lvl.13 Guardian.

TheWhisperer: Yes.

ByeFelicia: How many people can come? I’ll find this woodworker guy and keep him safe if youre real.

TheWhisperer: 8.

Lolihunter12: wait, is there a level requirement? What kind of quest are you doing?

TheWhisperer: No lvl req. If you can make it in 12 hours youre in. D Rank.

Killurselfie: Whoa whoa whoa D rank? Most people are only getting F Rank if theyre lucky! Count me in

LyLy: @killurselfie dude who tf are you? We were here first!

Killurselfie: I’m a lvl 15 Archer, don’t get rekt bro.

TheMoxx: bossman what the hell? Are you recruiting? Why?

Shit, I think thats Moxxie, she’s the only one who calls me that. But why is she even here? There are only like 50 people on my subtopic chat. Wait why am I even worried? its not like recruiting is a bad thing. It’s not like I wasn’t going to ask the groups opinion on who we let in. And damn, my kinda-batman really sucks...

TheWhisperer: Yes.

TheMoxx: Ok, now the why part?

Phalanx: you being replaced n00bs!

TheWhisperer: Shut up.

Phalanx: Dude it was a joke…

TheMoxx: I don’t think bossman found it funny 

LyLy: yea man stfu

ByeFelicia: Rude ass

Lolihunter12: hey can we call you bossman too?

TheWhisperer: No.

TheMoxx: Is it to help kill Erasion? I don’t think we’ll need 8 more people…

Happyko: Oh yall got killed by Erasion? Feller got me too.

Phalanx: oh shit that’s Happyko! Happyko ‘the Massacre’

Happyko: Don’t gotta worry bout that vermin no more, he got bored and headed west towards another starter city, Croy. Up and challenged Goliath, he did, and got knocked on his ass. Three times. The last time, goliath got tired of him and just killed him, I hear.

TheMoxx: Thanks, then that means we don’t need any of these people

TheWhisperer: we do.

Lyly: Who the hell is this chick anyway?

The Whisperer: My 2nd in command

LyLy: oh

TheMoxx: Exactly bitches.

TheWhisperer: There may be a lot of enemies where we’re going, and gaps need to bbe filled. Only 8 for now, no more.

TheMoxx: I get it, I’ll let the others know.

TheWhisperer: Good. I’m leaving.

I close the group chat. Just as I was about to log out, I got a private message from Moxxie.

TheMoxx: I’m really 2nd in command?

TheWhisperer: Of course, wouldn’t have anyone else Moxxie.

TheMoxx:Umm

TheMoxx: Here, it’s actually Marilynn

I took a sharp breath. Why did I do that? I’m… oddly nervous. I pause for a second, thinking about so many different replies before finally typing back the simplest one

TheWhisperer: I’m Clark