Executioner (3)
Griffin Nest entrance. A huge flock of baby griffins had gathered here due to Damian's party showing up. Easily over 200 of them. They wandered aimlessly, having lost their target.
Thud.
Suddenly, someone appeared before the baby griffins. Armor embedded with intricate gold patterns on black plating. A black mask covering the face. It was the executioner pursuing Damian.
-Kikirik!
-Kieeeek!
The baby griffins charged all at once. But the executioner ignored them, merely crouching to examine traces on the ground.
"Over there."
A woman's voice leaked from behind the black mask. Having found the mana traces, the executioner confirmed the path Damian's party had taken.
-Kieeeek!
Whoosh.
At that moment, one baby griffin lunged. But in an instant, the executioner's figure vanished. She'd used Stealth.
-Kirik?
-Kiririri...
The baby griffins looked around in confusion at the sudden disappearance. But only for a moment.
Slash!
The throats of the milling baby griffins were slit. In that instant, the executioner, who had vanished like smoke, swept through the area at tremendous speed.
Slash! Shashashasha!
Over 100 attacks in a split second. The executioner, fading like mist, dispatched the griffins in no time.
Swish.
Once they were all down, the vanished executioner reappeared. It had taken just one minute to wipe out 200 baby griffins.
I was already on my way to deal with that tamer bastard... and they pull this stunt right on cue.
The executioner headed for the village first, to deal with Damian and the other sinner.
A griffin hovered in the air. The under worm cried out at the sight.
-Kiaaaak!
The griffin moved first. It circled the under worm before diving with its sharp talons extended.
Slash!
It raked in an instant and soared back up. But it wasn't enough to pierce the under worm's thick shell.
The under worm immediately reared up its long body and clamped down hard on the griffin's retreating foot.
-Kieeeek!
The griffin thrashed to escape the jaws. But the under worm slammed it down to the ground with even more force.
Boom!
A massive shockwave rippled out. No wonder, with a beast that size smashed into the earth.
As the griffin hit the ground, the under worm burrowed into the soil.
Squelch, squelch.
Then it happened. The griffin's chest heaved violently, and it spewed green fluid from its beak.
Sizzle.
-Chi, chieeeek!
The under worm's body melted where the green substance touched. The griffin had spat acidic bile.
"...That's the attack that gave the tanks so much trouble."
Kethar recalled the game at the sight. When no one knew much about griffins, many tanks tried blocking with shields. But the acid melted even those. Shield-bearing tanks often died on the spot. This under worm had taken a big hit from it too.
-Chiaaaak!
Despite the agony of melting flesh, the under worm counterattacked. It burst from another hole in the ground.
Boom!
The griffin couldn't dodge and was smashed into the earth again.
Thus, griffin and under worm traded fierce blows.
Time to jump in.
"Teison, April. You two hit the griffin. Kethar and I will take the under worm."
Airborne for the ranged fighters. Ground for me and Kethar.
"Sharrarara!"
"Ri maseri no!"
April and Teison unleashed fire. Normally it wouldn't do much damage, but against one tangled with the under worm, even this would be lethal.
Ssssh!
I attacked the under worm too. Targeting the melted spot. The acid had exposed its inner flesh. I focused there.
Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!
Seventeen weapons slashed and vanished repeatedly. I carved relentlessly while it was busy with the griffin.
Whoosh!
Kethar closed in too. Using Shadow Step, he stuck to the wound and raked with sharp claws.
-Chieeeek!
-Kiaaaak!
Our attacks made them screech. But they couldn't target us. Their natural predator loomed right in front of them.
We attacked leisurely, under no threat.
Boom!
Thud!
Acquired 3,500 EXP.
Acquired 3,500 EXP.
The under worm collapsed its long body to the ground from our attacks, and the griffin plummeted from the sky. We'd taken down two field bosses at once.
I snagged the killing blows on both, since I'd been targeting them. The others contributed damage too, so they'd get EXP shares.
Kethar's hit level 12, and April reached 19 since entering the griffin nest.
They were leveling almost as fast as me. Especially Kethar—nothing like solo grinding.
Griffin should drop April's staff, under worm some armor.
Griffin: staff for Ignition Mage. Under worm: general-use armor.
...Nothing. What the hell?
But nothing dropped. In-game, loot auto-spawns on kill. Well, this is reality.
I sliced open the griffin's belly with a weapon. Guts spilled, and something clunked out.
Guess reality's more realistic. Kinda gross thinking it's from their innards...
Same for the under worm, then.
Slash!
Sure enough, slicing its belly revealed armor. I checked the stats right away.
◈ Item Tier: Grade 3
◈ Two-Handed Staff
◈ Attack Power: 160-230
◈ Mana +30
◈ Transfer power greatly increased.
◈ Transfer range greatly increased.
◈ Transfer enables all attributes.
A massive two-handed wooden staff. Options all geared toward Transfer skill.
The big one: third line. With this, April can transfer not just fire, but all attributes.
Useless for me. Tailored to Transfer. But for Ignition Mage April?
This staff changes everything for her.
But I'm not handing it over easy. Even if April wouldn't betray me, gotta prepare for her leaving.
I infused my mana first.
Shimmer.
Owner of Staff of Transfer has been set.
Heroic grade locks ownership.
I'm the owner. But I can still give it away. Infuse April's mana, and I get options. Temporary transfer, revocable anytime.
"April. Use this from now on."
"For real? Heehee. First staff ever! They never gave me one at home... Thanks, oppa. Best decision teaming with you! I'll repay this favor!"
...Technically, I basically own the item. Whatever, she's thrilled. Good enough.
Next up.
◈ Item Tier: Grade 3
◈ Chest Armor
◈ Defense: 300
◈ Strength +15
◈ Vitality +15
◈ Vitality +10%
◈ Defense +10%
◈ Usable: Roar of Steel Lv. 3
Just what it sounds like: under worm shell. Tough enough that even acid barely pierced it. Plate-mail quality, probably.
Tank armor options through and through.
No brainer. Perfect for Kethar. My set effects make swapping armor iffy anyway.
Plus, to build Kethar as a tank, he needs proper gear.
Tanks prioritize defense above all. Though I plan to leverage his other traits too... Extra defense never hurts. And the Roar of Steel buff skill is handy.
"Kethar, this suits you best."
"...Can I take it?"
"I've got armor already."
"Th-thanks. We took it down thanks to you. I owe you."
Debt talk again. He's got a stubborn streak. Owe him, and he'll bust a gut repaying.
"...I'll repay this debt."
Not really a debt, but whatever.
Anyway, Kethar etched the dropped armor into his bracelet tattoo.
Handy even in reality.
Tattoo artist trait: items as tattoos, auto-fitting any form. Werewolf wears plate now.
"Whoa, amazing! First time like this!"
Teison buzzed excitedly.
"This city life?"
Guy doesn't care about gear. I wouldn't share with outsiders anyway.
"Anyway, boss down. Time to save the kids."
Mission accomplished. Just finish the quest now.
And... Executioner should be here by now.
Time to face her.
We headed straight to the east nest. The kidnapped kid was fine, just knocked out briefly.
"You really saved the children. Thank you so much."
Quest rank increased.
Reached Silver 2 rank.
Quest performer's shop rank increased.
Grade 3 items now purchasable.
Quest done, rank up on the spot. Silver 2 now. One step to Gold. Then Grade 5 items easy.
"Gah, gaaaah!"
Then—a scream from outside. I knew whose.
...As expected.
Stepping out, I eyed the center. The tamer from the church tumbled across the ground, repelled from it.
Black-armored figure loomed before him, sword drawn.
"For toying with people using abilities without Avalor's permission. Receive your punishment."
"Wh-what nonsense! What power did I use?!"
Crowds gathered.
"You're the tamer, right? Tamed the griffin."
"Wh-what are you saying?"
"Tamer... controls monsters? So the griffin was tamed?!"
"Th-that means...!"
People pieced it together. Their "god" was just a pet.
"Thought we wouldn't notice without the tamed monster around?"
"N-no... misunderstanding! I-I...!"
Swish.
Executioner pressed a dagger to his throat.
"Don't compound your sins."
"Th-that! You bi—!"
The man gathered mana for a last desperate move. But before he could.
Whoosh! Slash!
"Guh, guhk!"
Black smoke rose from the executioner. It grazed the man, vanishing—his head rolled.
The level-50+ tamer executed for abusing powers on villagers. Effortlessly.
...She's watching me.
Execution done, she looked up, glaring. She'd been waiting.
Predicted my path perfectly. Now she approached.
"...Executioner's coming."
Kethar muttered, voice shaky. In-game, executioners were absolute. Facing one for real? Terrifying.
"Kethar, stay out no matter what. April, use your new skill when I signal."
"A-against an executioner? Even they are..."
"It's fine. I have a plan. That guy's coming soon too."
"Huh? Wh-who...?"
Whoosh!
The approaching executioner vanished. Stealth again.
Not directly tied to Orion, so same as game.
Stealth duration's short normally. Using from afar means she's closing fast. Boosts movement speed.
If it works, buys time.
I can't beat her. All executioners over level 90. But land one hit, intrigue the watcher.
Swish. Whoosh!
She's right in my face now. Fast.
I dodged back, creating distance. Stealth didn't fool me—purple glow leaked from her gear.
"Damian, individual quest receiver."
She recited my crime. Felt like a condemned man.
"By Avalor's order, I execute you. The rest... do not interfere."
Woman's voice warned. Polite, but a threat. Interfere, you die too.
"Th-they helped me. You can't—"
"Foreigner? Don't know the rules? Interfere more, you're next."
"Teison, it's fine. Like I said, no intervening."
Whoosh!
She vanished again. Probably stays stealthed except attack moments.
Behind!
I read direction from gear glow.
Whoosh! Clang! Clang!
"Weapon summoner?"
Her surprised voice. Wondering how I tracked her, and my attack style.
Clang! Clang-clang!
She lunged again, probing. Glow still visible to me.
Quick right flank, then charge.
Visible means predictable attacks. I lined weapons along her path.
Result: four or five weapons spawned continuously, blocking her.
Then two behind her. Look On ensures hit from any angle.
Whiiir!
The rear weapons arced wide for her back.
Clang! Clang!
Thought she'd slip. She spun, deflected easily.
"No idea how you're reading me."
Anger rising. Time for full power. Speed upped—movement and attacks.
Visible, but too fast to match. I raised Sword Wall.
Thud!
"......"
Wall between us. She stared, dumbfounded.
"Humiliating."
Shimmer! Boom!
Her dagger blackened. Thrust spread dark light across the wall. Rare Dark attribute weapon.
Hit by that...
Corrodes on contact. Even sturdy blades weaken instantly. Don't underestimate—greatsword power.
Executioner lives up. Favorable matchup, yet I'm just dodging.
Whoosh! Slash!
"Kuh!"
Arm gashed. Armor sliced despite wearing it. Lucky Corrode hit armor, not flesh.
Without Dark, arm gone. Pure luck...
Whoosh!
Attacks relentless. Dagger for my throat.
Clang!
Summoned rectangular shield instinctively. Blocked throat-hit, but shield shattered.
"Not supposed to move like that."
She halted before shield shards, puzzled.
Whatever. Can't just block forever.
-Kaaak!
Werewolf Kethar leaped in. Told him not to, but couldn't watch me get beaten.
But...
"Interfering?"
Thwack! Boom!
-Kragh!
Kethar flew back from her punch. Insane power.
"Resuming execution."
Brushed him off, glared at me.
Yeah, no more stalling. Land that hit.
Swish. Floated Descartes' staff beside me. Black mage exclusive... except one option.
Crackle! Whoosh!
She's in my face in steps. Dagger straight for throat.
I cast Darken instantly.
Shimmer.
"... Darken?"
Dagger passed through me. Never expected it. Black mages only.
Now! Next: Brilliance Blade.
Flash-flash-flash!
Crack!
Brilliance Blade for Continuous Strike. Shattered her armor.
Then summoned shamshir.
Stab!
Dual shamshirs slashed her. All linked near-simultaneously. Weapons manifest instantly now.
Bleeding triggered.
Bleeding procs immediately.
"April!"
"Got it!"
Whoosh!
Signaled Injection Explosion with her new staff.
Bleeding attribute attack enhanced.
Planned combo activated. Perfect.