HEY I'm soo sorry about the wait, real life happened, and yeah.... well here you go!

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Mox... Marilynn and I talked for hours after that. I found out she’s a college student, enrolled at a school not that far from here. She’s a total animehead though. Me personally, I never got into it that heavily, sure I loved DBZ as a kid, who didnt , but the new stuff I just don't know about. anyway, she said we should hang out sometime, she would put me on some new anime or whatever. I’m kind of excited though, I mean honestly, last time I was with a girl, I was taking Jennie Wilkinson to prom and we ended up having drunk sex behind the bleachers. Not that I want to have sex with Marilynn behind the bleachers. Not that she isn't sexy or anything but... nevermind

Anyway after talking to her, I looked up a few more things online. apparently, there is a gold to cash service coming to the game next week. Apparently, you’ll be able to convert gold to cash and vice versa. That will come in handy later on, when I get strapped for cash.

After looking up a few more things, I noticed it was almost time to log back in. I hurried back to the capsule. I was excited to see if people actually showed up. In a flash of light, I resurrected at the town square. huh, I had read that when you resurrect it's at the church... must be because this town doesn't have one.all around me, there were six more flashes. I see the familiar faces of my teammates. Before anything else, I checked my status to see the damage.

LindermanLevel16PrimaryClassChannellerHealth1000Mana1000Fame200Title(s)The WhispererLeadership45Charisma10Strength30Agility10Wisdom60Intelligence100Stamina150Vitality100Luck10

The damage wasn't too bad. I lost a level and the ten stat points that I had with it. I hear it gets alot harsher in some games. Leaving my status aside, I greet my friends. It seems they’ve been briefed on what's going on... but not as well as I had thought.

“So we’re recruiting people right? to take down Erasion?” asked Secundus wit a devious smile on his face.

“No, we’re recruiting people because we have spaces that need to be filled. We’re not going to seek vengeance.” I replied.

“What?!?! that bastard killed my doggies! We have to kill him!!” shouted Vy.

“No we don't. Think about it, We’re all weaker than we were when we fought him the first time, and he’s had four days to get stronger. Not only that, but do you think he would just let us get away with killing him, if we some how managed it? No, hes a bit too crazy for that, It would be a never-ending battle.” i said

“Is that cowardice I hear, Linderman? Thats not the kind of attitude people in charge should have is it?” Secundus asked me steely.

“No, it's wisdom you idiot. Everything he said is true and you know it. Besides, that guy is on another level from us, and I’m sure you know that too. It's best to leave him be, he probably doesn't even remember us, were just more faces in the sea of people he's killed. Besides, he’s dead for the moment anyway, Goliath apparently punched a few holes in him.” said Raknar.

“Truly, it would be folly to chase after him and wait for him to revive. We have to work on ourselves more so. We all have things we could have done better in that fight, But we also have things that we ourselves can't do. This is why we must bring in others.” Dave said.

“Enough, we have people to meet. Now lets go, we're done with this, understood?” I said, with as much authority as I can muster.

Truth be told, I WAS kind of scared to fight Erasion again. That wasn't the main reason I decided to avoid him, but it was a reason. But I know I can't allow this... this questioning of my authority to stand. when I asked if I was understood, only he didn't nod. I go over and stand directly in front of him. He tenses up. I know I can't take him in a fight, but I shouldn't have to. He looks me in the eye, glaring. He knows exactly what I want to hear, and after a few seconds, he says it.

“Yeah, I get it.” he grumbles, looking away.

“Good.” i say, smiling. he grudgingly smiles back as I put a hand on his shoulder.

“Now, let us meet our new recruits!”

Well, this is unexpected... there are two dozen people waiting at the front gate. Upon seeing my party, there we're grumbles about there being even more competitors. but then someone shouted in surprise. A group of five people jog towards me. two look like mage types, in flowing robes, two are warriors, wearing heavy armor, but one is different, he's wearing... clothes. There’s an axe on his back, slightly chipped from use.

“Oh my god you’re really wearing my armor! This is so exciting, no one ever buys my stuff... well you did! I'm Plank, the woodworker by the way. so tell me, what do you think? Oh by the way, this is the Druid, Drywood. He's my partner, he helped me make your armor. The rest of these people brought me here, but anyway, back to-” Plank the woodworker said before being interrupted.

“I'm Phalanx from the chat, umm, we brought this guy here, so you’ll let us in the party right?” This ‘Phalanx’ asks me. I rose an eyebrow.

“Depends.” I say, “Plank, will you and Drywood join my party? I want to be able to have my armor repaired, and we can protect you while you chop wood or whatever you do to level up.”

“Definitely! Oooo this is so exciting, we’ve been contracted Drywood! It's like we’re private designers!” The young druid known as Drywood nodded emphatically at this. He doesn't seem like he talks much. Wait, I never said anything about contracts... well whatever, Ill just leave it alone.

“Our turn! You already know I’m phalanx. The chick on my left is Leai and the guy with the spear is Logan.”

“Logan the spearman, good to meet’cha. We technically met in the chat, I’m ByeFelicia.” the man said. He was tall, around my height in-game, which was around 6’4. He wore a scale mail hauberk, but cheap leather everything else. Ahh, the pains of being poor. But I must say, I was expecting a girl with the name ByeFelicia...

“I-I’m Leai, the thaumaturge. It’s uh, nice to....” The girl stopped talking and hid behind her male companions, who also had nervous faces. I turn around only to see Moxxie staring at the little thaumaturge pervertedly, emitting a powerful predatory aura. I sighed loudly, then glared at her. she stopped... whatever that is she was doing, and looked away as though it didn't concern her.

Honestly, this woman... we spoke about this offline. I told her she can't molest the ‘lolis’ in the group. I was unfamiliar to the term, until she explained it to me. Leai looks completely different, but her mannerisms and height are almost exactly like our Thelia’s. The thaumaturge barely fits the qualifications for a loli though, loli’s can't be curvy can they? Ugh whatever, moving on. I add the group of five to my party. I look at the 19 people left, and address them.

“i have three slots left for my party. Looking for mage types.” I said. There was a whole lot of grumbling and disappointment, but 9 people stepped forward with triumphant smiles. They introduced themselves.

“Jamz, lvl. 15 Sound mage, I can disperse sound and make us silent. I can also make distractions. ” One mage said. He was a short, long haired blondie.

“ Hired.” I said, immediately. I had been looking for someone like this.

“Wait Linderman, wouldn't it be wise to consider a bard or minstrel for such a role?” Dave interrupted.

“Bards offer buffs that I can't, yeah. but their sound based attacks are weaker. plus they can't muffle your sound, so they’re useless for stealth.” The sound mage explained, glaring at Dave. I don't think they're going to be friends now, but at least this guy seems competent. I wave my hand at the next contestant.

“Infernatius, lvl. 18 Pyromancer, the supreme offensive class. I can bust up anything in your way, just point me at it then BOOM!” He shouted. This one seems a little over confident, but his claims regarding pyromancy’s magic are somewhat true.

“Aquarinarius, lvl.17, Hydromancer and that idiot’s brother if you can't tell from our matching faces. I combine offensive power with crowd control. By the way, we’re a package deal. Both of us or none of us.” And they're out. I don't like being forced to accept anyone. I turn my gaze to the next person in line. A woman dressed in all black, with all black hair, black eyes, and pale skin. When she stepped forward, all eyes were on her due to her incredibly shapely body. There’s no way that’s natural. Her… assets, were large and yet seemed to be perfectly proportioned, her waist was slender but not unnaturally so, and her hips… let me stop before I get excited.

“I am Sibylla, the Dark Mage. I am lvl. 14 and excel in all things curses. I can also make poison, and have powerful dark magic.” I’m pretty much sold on her, and not, as you may be thinking, for her... physical attributes. if she can make poison, our front liners can coat their blades with it. plus curses are always helpful, and no one else on the team can really debuff. I’ll wait to make my decision though, discuss it with the others. The next person approached.

“Name’s Locke, Geomancer extraordinaire. Lvl. 13, but my skills are almost to intermediate. I’m defensive by nature, can handle both magical and physical threats, though i prefer the latter. Oh and I take orders, and don't talk much.” he said with a slight smile on his face. Honestly, I want us all to be friends, I mean that's how a team should work, right? But someone who will follow orders, I don't know, that sounds valuable. I think I want him.

The next four went by like a blur, seeing as I wasn’t really interested and had made my mind up already. I believe they were Light Mage, another Druid, A wizard, and an Augmenter, which is actually more of a physical option anyway as they use mana to augment their bodies. They are the magic equivalent of a monk. I discussed it with my guys, and we we're all agreed, so we took in Jamz, Sibylla, and Locke. I checked my party window.

Party WindowLeaderLinderman-lvl 16[tr]MembersMoxxie-lvl.15 Dave-lvl.16 Vy-lvl.15 Raknar-lvl.15 Thelia-lvl.14

Secundus-lvl.16 Plank-lvl.13 Drywood-lvl.15 Phalanx-lvl.17 Leai-lvl.14

Logan-lvl.16 Jamz-lvl.15 Sibylla-lvl.14 Locke-lvl.13

“Alright, that’s everyone I need, time to move out. Thanks everyone, for coming out today, send me a friend request, and I’ll message you guys next time I have something.” I say to the 16 I didn’t take. There we're plenty of complaints and grumbles, people talking about I wasted their time. Just as I was getting a bit annoyed, Raknar stepped forward.

“I thought something like this would happen, so i took precautions. Hey Everyone! Listen, 2 days down this road, there's a crossroads. We're heading straight, but if you head right, you can find your way to a forest glade where a sub boss of the forest is, the lvl.20 Hobgoblin Boss, and he and his minions drop some pretty good items. If you head left, you can hit an abandoned copper mine. be warned, there are imps infesting the place, but if you can take the first floor, you can make some pretty good money I think.” He said smiling. the other users thought about it, and began chattering positively. Raknar looked over at Moxxie.

“If I keep being more useful than you, then you won't be 2nd in command forever, you know?” he said with a smirk.

“Oh you sly bastard, you’re coming after my position huh? You think this changes anything? Hmph!!!” Moxxie said, with mock annoyance.

“ Wait you told people about that?” I asked Moxxie. She looked away.

“Indeed she did. Truly, I believe myself to be of a better stock for this sort of thing, I’ll have you know.” Said Dave.

“Treachery!!! Treachery on both fronts! Fine, I’ll show you all who’s number 2!!” Said Moxxie.

“Wait, it's a competition? I’m all in!” Said Secundus

“I-I’ll do my best!” said Thelia

“Sooo are newcomers eligible?” Phalanx asked.

I sighed. I should probably put a stop to this, but hey, maybe the competition will be good for them? We got some last minute supplies, and hit the road, leaving the forest town behind us.