"Let's go! Let's go!"
Cyclone was the most eager, but everyone else was curious as well. They approached one of the pillars which listed all the cable car lines with their accessible stops.
"We need to take line four."
"Four… oh damn, it leaves in two minutes! Hurry up!"
Immediately the friends started to run, their current expressions quite fitting for the surroundings. However, Laim quickly held them back, reminding them:
"Guys, don't forget to buy tickets."
"Tickets?! Why do we need to buy tickets in a game?"
"Why wouldn't you?"
Liam's retort left everyone speechless. They knew he was right as they noticed some dwarves standing at the doors, controlling everyone. The friends wondered if they were only this strict because of the recent chaos but no matter the answer it wouldn't change the current situation. The friends hurried to the side of the spacious hall where there was a line of ticket booths. However, their expressions faltered when they noticed the long queues.
Left without a choice the friends were forced to obediently wait in line. Five minutes passed at an agonizing pace. When the friends reached the front of the line, they had already resigned themselves to wait for the next cable car. However, as they turned around with their tickets in hand, they realized that line four hadn't left yet.
"The train is delayed! Hurry!"
It was like a rollercoaster of emotions. The friends dashed through the hall, running below the cable cars, rushing up the stairs, and actually made it in time. They showed their tickets, stepped into the cable car and found enough empty seats for everyone.
"We… we made it. Great.", spoke Cyclone between breaths.
The friends began to chat about the cable car, marvelling at the ingenuity of the dwarves. After another two minutes they finally began to move. The cable car entered a dark tunnel only illuminate sparsely by a few crystals.
With nothing to see the novelty swiftly wore off. For a few minutes they were slowly moving without any excitement. Until the cable car finally sped up.
"It's getting bumpy…"
"Are we driving upwards?"
"I don't know, I don't see anything…"
There were a few other players in the same car. They looked at Hotpot and offered some kind advice:
"Hey, is this your first time here? You better hold on tight!"
"Why?"
Cyclone received an answer to her question. Everyone felt the cable car tilt forward. The view opened up. An enormous mine got revealed, with dwarves working everywhere, wooden mine shafts serving as paths, and gorgeous metal veins decorating the walls. And glancing below one could see cable cars rushing through the mine at breakneck speeds.
"It's a rollercoaster!"
Just as this realization hit everyone, the Cabecar speed up again, rushing downward at an exaggerated speed. Everyone shouted and cheered. They grabbed onto handles next to their seats, holding on tightly. With the strength of players there was not really much danger even if they were to let go and crashed into a wall but the experience would definitely be embarrassing.
The cable car rushed downwards before entering a series of turns, throwing the passengers left and right. They raced past hard-working dwarves who remained undisturbed by the deadly threat. Left and right, down and up. After a while the car slowed down again, entering the next stop. Some passengers got on, and cargo was loaded onto the car before it continued its trip.
After a few more exciting twists and turns the cable car reached the station close to Eyoal Kir. The friends tumbled out of the car on wobbly legs and with dizzy eyes. Yet bright smiles were on their faces. Cyclone shook her head, recovering in a moment, shouting happily:
"Let's go again!"
"Let's not…"
Everyone chuckled hearing Radiant Shield's hoarse voice. Although Silver Blade had a good time on the rollercoaster, she still reminded Cyclone:
"We still have a treasure to find. Perhaps we can use the rollercoaster on the way back."
"Hmm, ok…"
The friends reluctantly left the rollercoaster behind them, putting their attention back on the original goal. They studied their surroundings, finding themselves in a large tunnel. Yet despite its size the tunnel didn't have much traffic. Judging from the bored guards and the old wooden structures around, this station had seen better days.
There was a sign on the wall pointing towards Eyoal Kir. Simply following the tunnel was enough.
Cyclone tried if it was possible to summon mounts and succeeded. Thus, the friends were able to advance quickly. They entered a net of tunnels, always following the main one. After a while there were no signs of other living beings left. The noise of footsteps and pickaxes was left behind. Only the occasional luminous crystal showed that this was still within dwarven territory.
Suddenly a cold breeze blew through the tunnel, causing everyone to shiver. The friends looked around with furrowed brows, fearing something bad was about to happen.
Boom!
Suddenly the wall exploded. Amidst a cloud of dust seven dark figures broke into the tunnel, obscured by the dust. Although unable to clearly make out the enemies, Silver Blade and Radiant Shield reacted professionally.
The first to move was Radiant Shield. He was eager to present his new class [Sacred Inquisitor] to his friends.
"Shield of Faith!"
The burly tank even shouted the name of his skill out of excitement. A tall, illusionary shield bearing the crest of the goddess of life appeared in front of him. Its sacred aura was the nemesis of evil spirits and demons. The shield rushed towards the front, squarely hitting four of the enemies with the might of a moving train, causing them to stagger backwards and drawing their aggro to Radiant Shield.
The wind brought by [Shield of Faith] blew the dust cloud away, revealing the enemies to everyone. They were seven black beetles. Six of them were the size of a big dog, but one wasn't smaller than the average human, with sharp horns on its head which could easily drill through the most solid rock.
[Black Drill Beetle
Rank: Elite
Level: 57
HP: 46.000/46.000]
"Level fifty-seven? Easy!"
Cyclone laughed dismissively but her sentiment was shared by the others. Silver Blade directed her basilisk to take a step forward and activated [Luring Barrier]. This skill hadn't changed much to before. Only that the damage it blocked would now count double to Silver Blade's passive. Even her passive skill largely remained the same, transforming the magical damage Silver Blade blocked or endured into 'Bulwark Energy', which could now be used to enhance certain skills.
A magical barrier appeared in front of Silver Blade, protecting a large area, emitting an aura of extreme sturdiness. The beetles which hadn't been affected by Radiant Shield earlier were now attracted to Silver Blade, including the elite.
The oversized beetle let out an angry screech as it stabbed its legs into the ground, drawing on the power of earth to unleash a yellowish beam from its horns.
Beam and barrier collided, producing a fierce wind. Silver Blade tensed her muscles and stood her ground.
[-2230!]
The damage was easily blocked by the barrier, leaving Silver Blade unharmed.
"Even a beetle knows how to play with magic? Hmpf. Watch me!"
Cyclone was already giddy to prove that her new class [Missionary of Thunder and Lightning] was the strongest. This class didn't differ too much from her old one. Her skills dealt slightly less damage, which was the price to pay for shorter cast times and cooldowns. This allowed her skills to better harmonize with her passive:
[Dominant Lightning (passive)
Effect: Every time you deal lightning damage to any enemy you have a 35%+bonus(LCK) chance of paralysing them. Paralysed enemies will attract lightning every time you deal lightning damage, receiving 10% (MDMG) as lightning damage. Paralysing an enemy decreases the cooldown and cast time of all lightning related skills.
There were two changes to the passive. On one hand the chance to paralyse enemies increased, and on the other, paralysing enemies now decreases cast time and cooldown, which was obviously a very potent addition.
And Cyclone was fully ready to show its power. As soon as the enemy appeared she had begun her cast. Now it was already finished. She waved her wand and a terrifying lightning bolt erupted, causing the air to crackle with sparks. It crashed into the first beetle but didn't stop. [Chain Lighting] travelled from enemy to enemy. Amidst the densely packed beetles it could unleash its full might, jumping up to five times, paralyzing two monsters including the elite beetle, causing even more frightening lightning to jump between them.
It was a great spectacle as the purple lightning lit up the cave with flickering light.
[-3979!]
[-1972!]
[-3645!]
[-1783!]
[-3310!]
[-1927!]
[-2676!]
[-1245!]
[-377!]
[-2341!]
[-1057!]
Cyclone wore a mad smile as she watched the lightning jump between the beetles, every cell of her body brimming with excitement. Thanks to her equipment, her lightning damage was increased and there were some other buffs, which increased her damage even more.
But it was not only Cyclone. The others were amazed as well. However, no one thought their class was any worse. And they were ready to prove it!