[Bleary Mirage: How are you guys doing?]
[Silver Blade: Still need some time.]
[Radiant Shield: I am aiding villagers and vanquishing demons. I am above asking for rewards, striving to improve the world little by little.]
[Balm: So you got sidetracked?]
[Radiant Shield: ...yes.]
[Silent Acacia: Haha, Shield, if you delay too much even Bloody Edge will finish before you.]
[Bloody Edge: No need to worry. I am still toiling for the Blood Manor.]
[Quickstep: Do you need help?]
[Bloody Edge: I graciously decline. I do not wish to hold you back.]
[Quickstep: Alright, just let us know.]
[Cyclone: Expert, are you done already? You are moving too fast! I only managed to find the alliance now. I still need to clear an entire quest.]
[Watchful Eye: I also need some more time.]
[Fortune: Same.]
[Bleary Mirage: Yes, I just got my class. If you guys still need time, I plan to level up.]
[Cyclone: Jealous!]
[Bleary Mirage: Haha, see you later!]
After a brief chat with his friends Liam left Winged Mountain. He visited the guild headquarters, coincidentally meeting Trey. His friend was called AtopThePeak in the game, also ATP for short although Liam couldn't get used to calling him that. He chose a powerful warrior class which would get stronger in battle, quite suitable to face strong boss monsters. Thanks to the previous event, AtopThePeak made quick advancements, already reaching level 42. Usually, his equipment would have been lacklustre if it weren't for Liam's advice.
AtopThePeak was not part of Dream Avenue, but he had made some friends in the guild. Especially Varge, the berserker Liam and his friends had discovered during the federation tournament, had become close with ATP as they went on some quests together. Although AtopThePeak was not a member of Dream Avenue, he was not unrelated to the guild either. The core members were considering making him the guild leader of the first sub-guild. As Liam's close friend he would warrant the necessary trust, however his gaming experience was somewhat lacking. The discussion was still ongoing.
Except for Trey, Serena was also present. The three conversed for a while. Trey was slightly melancholic because of the sudden changes in his life thinking it was quite amazing that the three friends could play together like this, something he only dared to dream about in the past.
After the brief conversation Liam was in a good mood. He left the guild headquarter and considered where to go for levelling now. His goal was only to reach level 60, thus he didn't need some intricate plan. He teleported to Duabalis Harbour and paid a ship to bring him to Mal'ca Island.
Five minutes later Liam arrived at his destination. He stepped off the ship and took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. The cries of seagulls rang through the air. In front of Liam was a small town, mostly inhabited by fisherman and rather strong warriors.
Mal'ca Island belonged to the territory of the original nephilim. Its landscape was almost paradisiacal with a colourful jungle, majestic waterfalls, and golden beaches. Unfortunately, it was home to strong monsters, starting at level 58. Everything above level 50 was considered elite in the world of Crunaboul. A level 50 NPC was at least a strong soldier in an army protecting a nation. Thus, Mal'ca Island was sparsely populated. There was no big city, and towns stayed close to the coast as the sea in this region offered some valuable resources.
To the players the island would soon become a popular spot for exploration as there were many secrets to discover and treasures to unearth. And doing all of this while enjoying the paradisical landscape, what more could one ask for?
Liam had similar thoughts. He didn't come here because the island was a prime spot for levelling, but simply to enjoy the scenery while fighting. Thus, he mounted Reen and left the town, diving into the jungle. Liam didn't come far before the first monsters attacked him. Three green snakes hung from the trees like vines, lunging at him in a surprise attack.
Of course Liam knew what to expect. He didn't get flustered, directing Reen to dodge by shifting behind a tree while briefly inspecting the three monsters.
[Old Vine-Patterned Snake
Rank: common
Level: 59
HP: 46.000/46.000]
After fighting against multiple bosses, it was almost cute to see common enemies. Liam waited for a moment until angry hissing sounds came from the other side of the thick tree. At that moment he nimbly swerved around the tree. Three pairs of surprised snake eyes appeared in front of him, sticking closely together. Liam swung his swords in a wide arc, hitting all of them.
[-2844!]x3
[1422!]x3
Together with the damage varying amounts of Holy and Dark Marks were applied randomly. Liam focused on the snake at the centre, which was afflicted with two Dark Marks. He used one of his newest skills called [Darkened Sky]. A cover of darkness blocked the sunlight above the trees, throwing an eerie shadow on the jungle. Liam disappeared from the spot. The snakes looked around in confusion, unable to understand where the enemy had gone.
Suddenly there came a rustling sound from above. The snakes looked upwards and watched in shock as a dark figure plunged to the ground like a falling star, bringing with it a mounting pressure.
Boom!
Laim, clad in darkness, crashed into the central snake's head and from there into the ground. A dark shock wave spread towards the surroundings, hitting all three snakes, applying one Dark Mark to every enemy, and two to the main target. The central snake hissed in pain and pulled her head back as the darkness around Liam dissipated and the sky returned to normal.
[-1497!]x3
This skill didn't deal too much damage but offered a high utility and didn't have a high cooldown at just 45 seconds.
At this moment an eerie feeling came from Liam's chest plate. It streamed towards his head, gathering in the form of a cackling ghost head above him. This was the Devil's Curse which could finally play its role after Liam now gained reliable means to deal dark damage.
[Wisdom of the early nephilim+2
Category: Rare, Set
…
Three-piece Set effect: Dealing dark damage afflicts you with a stack of Devil's Curse. Devil's Curse reduces all your resistances by 5%. After gathering 3 stacks of Devil's Curse, you can share your stacks with any enemies of your choosing. After gathering five stacks, everyone afflicted with Devil's Curse will be attacked by the curse and all stacks will be used up. (stack duration: 12 seconds) (cooldown: 190 seconds)
…
...their earliest successes.]
Three ghostly heads swayed above Liam thanks to the AOE attack. His eyes focused on the central snake. With a thought the three heads suddenly appeared above her as if they had ever been there, creating an extremely eerie sensation.
At this point the snakes finally found chance to retaliate. Their mouths revealed their sharp fangs like poisonous daggers as they snapped at Liam. The latter didn't escape and instead dodged forward towards the central snake. The unintelligent monster didn't know any suspicion and was instead delighted. But just as it wanted to bite its prey to death, it was met with a sword engulfed in terrifying black air, chilling the surroundings.
Liam grinned. His [Dark Strike] squarely hit the snake's head, causing its eyes to cross. The vice-like grip of its tail loosened and it slipped from the branch it clung to, dropping to the ground. The four Dark Marks it had accumulated struck its body, reducing all its resistances by 20%. This even included its resistance against stuns, which allowed [Dark Strike] to unfold its full power, keeping the snake immobile for 3,6 seconds.
[-4596!]
[-1713!]
The other two snakes hissed threateningly but one could see the vigilance in their eyes. Liam didn't care for them. He wouldn't waste his chance as long as the snake was weakened greatly. He crossed his swords in front of his chest as he activated the enhanced version of [Cross Slash], [Slash of Light and Dark]. An illusionary image of two glorious swords overlapped with his body, one shining in sacred light and one engulfed by darkness. Liam slashed out with his sword and the illusionary image rushed forward, crashing into the snake, wildly shaking her body.
[-6157!]
After suffering such a severe reduction of her resistances, the snake now took more than six thousand points of damage instead of the 4267 points if would normally be. Liam was quite satisfied with this effect. One could only image what would happen to the poor monster if Liam's friends were here together with him. Their attacks would profit as well, probably obliterating the snake in one rotation.
From this brief fight Liam could feel the potential of the [Chaotic Tempest] class. He was quite satisfied. He landed another normal attack before the other two snakes aimed for his back, forcing him to dodge. Finally, the central snake recovered. It used its tail to support itself, hissing angrily at Liam as it swore revenge.
The veteran only laughed lightly. He jumped into the fray, his gorgeous sword dance bringing despair to the three snakes.