Liam happily narrated the game's lore on the way. Some, like Silver Blade listened with rapt attention, soaking it up like a sponge.
Others, like Silent Acacia, focused on the game, even scouting ahead of the group.
Soon the hunter returned.
"Mirage, I've found the bridge."
"Right, let's hurry up."
The party adjusted their minds, changing from a peaceful stroll to a purposeful jog, knowing that a fight was right around the corner.
Quickly a provisional bridge came into view consisting of three stable tree trunks laid across the river.
Radiant Shield sighed in admiration:
"What looks simple hides deep meaning. Transporting such massive trunks is no easy feat, proving the power of orcs."
Meanwhile, Fortune was squatting on the ground, seeking a perfect angle. She tried to capture the impressive scene of this bridge above a broad river, with some mountaintops far in the distance peeking out from behind the surrounding trees.
Quickstep rolled her eyes.
"Can we continue, please?"
"One second… done!"
Fortune smiled brightly as she followed the party, climbing onto the bridge.
"Careful guys!", warned Silver Blade, feeling the slippery wood covered in water.
"My friends, how about I wait on this side?"
"M… me two."
Silver Blade stared at Radiant Shield and Cyclone with a frown.
"Don't tell me you get afraid from this little bit of height, Radiant? And you as well Cyclone?"
"How is this only a little bit?!"
"I'm not afraid of heights, I'm getting seasick. Major difference!"
The rest of the party looked at the two incredulously. They didn't even try to convince them, directly grabbing them and dragging them across the bridge.
Arriving at the other side, Cyclone was still alright since the wood didn't move, but Radiant Shield trembled all over, his eyes focused on the sky.
"Hey, if you want to become a pro player you really have to overcome this fear."
"Pro… You're right. I…I'm fine."
Radiant Shield took a deep breath, steeling his mind. His skin remained pale but at least he was ready to fight.
Liam nodded at him before turning towards Silent Acacia, Fortune, and Cyclone.
He didn't talk, instead pointing with his hands. The three ranged attackers nodded in understanding.
They silently counted down before attacking three places up in the trees.
For a moment the forest remained quiet. But suddenly three figures jumped out of the thick leaves.
They had green skin, thick and leathery. Their height would be a head taler than Liam if their backs weren't bent. Their bodies were covered in rough leather armor decorated with bones and other trophies from their hunts.
Savage red eyes glared at the party from their fierce faces dominated by two prominent tusks.
Seeing that the orcs reached for the bows on their backs, Silver Blade hastily called out:
"Radiant! We need to get aggro! Don't let them attack!"
Silver Blade moved swiftly despite her heavy armor, clashing with the first enemy while checking his status.
[Bone Crusher Tribe scout
Rank: Common
Level: 21
HP: 2900/2900]
Liam had warned his party beforehand about the importance of getting rid of those scouts. They were a hidden trap making it more difficult for players to wreak havoc in hostile territory.
If someone dared to invade the orc territory those scouts would let them pass while simultaneously sending a hunting party after them.
Thus, Liam and his friends had no choice but to fight the higher leveled enemies.
"Don't hold anything back!"
Liam's reminder rang out as Radiant Shield slammed his sword against his shield, a wave of holy light hitting two enemies.
They immediately turned towards the tank, staring at him with grim eyes.
The last scout was taken care of by Silver Blade, who slammed her shield into his chest.
At the back Fortune immediately began chanting and Balm kept her eyes on everyone's HP bar.
At this moment Cyclone was radiating confidence, swinging her wand eagerly.
"My time has come! Watch the might of my Apostle of Lighting class!"
Cyclone almost erupted with emotions. She had been holding back from revealing much the entire way so she could finally amaze everyone in one go.
She flourished her wand, sending a thick lightning bolt at one of the scouts.
The lightning shot through the air, exploding right on the enemy's chest. Lightning could be seen flashing on the orc's skin.
[[[[[-230!]
[-99!]
"Damn, Cyclone!"
"Nice damage!"
Cyclone beamed hearing the compliments coming towards her. They others were even more amazed when comparing with their own damage.
Liam swung both his swords, striking the same scout fiercely.
[-80!]
[-40!]
The veteran could feel Cyclone's smug look behind his back.
But the other physical attackers didn't fare much better. Silent Acacia's arrows as well as Watchful Eye's staff didn't deal much damage either.
The same couldn't be said about the orc's retaliation, however.
They readied their bows, firing at Radiant Shield and Silver Blade at point blank range, sending tremors through their blocking shields.
[Stance -32]
[Stance -32]
[Stance -36]
"Damn, where do those numbers come from?"
"It's the level difference."
"We need to be careful, I can only bloke twice!"
"I'm already at my limit!"
The party felt the urgency as they listened to the tanks' conversation. Radiant Shield, who was forced to take on two enemies was already low on stance.
"Don't let up! Attack!"
Liam solemnly warned his teammates as he directly used his ultimate skill, beginning to quickly stack holy marks.
Suddenly Silver Blade's shield let out a mysterious reddish glow. It spread to the surroundings, bringing a soothing feeling to the party members.
"What's that?"
"Aura of ranged protection. It enhances your defense against ranged attacks!"
"Sweet!"
Subsequently more skills were exchanged. One of the scouts dropped below one thousand HP before the three opponents attacked again.
"Stun them!"
Silver Blade give out a decisive order. Her, Liam, and Radiant Shield used their [Brutal Strike] at the same time. However, due to the level difference only Radiant Shield's stun worked.
At least Liam was able to trigger his holy marks before the scouts released their arrows. The huge damage almost brought one of the orcs to fall.
However, Radiant Shield's stance was broken as well.
[-640!]
The tank's body shook heavily as an arrow crashed into his shield. He was forced to retreat a few steps to offset the momentum.
A comfortable energy immediately fell on Radiant Shield. It was the regeneration skill used by the anxious Balm.
[+284!]
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
At this moment, Fortune had finally completed her chant. The tip of her staff lit up in a mystical blue light as bolts of pure magic shot at the orcs.
The gorgeous woman gritted her teeth and focused her mind, doing her best to control the chaotic magical attacks.
Yet, she still only managed to land five of them, split between the three enemies.
[-250!]x5
"Noo!"
The already badly damaged scout let out an unwilling scream as he dropped to the ground.
"One down, two to go!"
Silent Acacia wasn't perturbed at all. He immediately switched targets as he used flurry, fighting bow with bow.
His eyes lit up brightly as he landed a critical hit, dealing considerable damage.
"Well done babe!"
Quickstep praised happily. She flourished her swords, engulfing an orc in a small whirlwind.
Meanwhile Radiant Shield and Silver Blade did their best to defend against the scouts. Arrows stabbed at their chests, dealing large amounts of damage, only slightly dampened by Silver Blade's aura.
Radiant Shield checked his status, watching his dwindling HP with worry.
>>> <<<
Name: Radiant Shield
Level: 12
Race: Holy Nephilim
Class: Warrior
Primary Attributes:
STR: 34
INT: 15
AGI: 1
HP: 1713/2812
Fury: 24/73
(show more)
>>> <<<
"Friends, we need to fell these monsters."
"On it!"
The party focused on the orc facing Radiant Shield. Fortune and Cyclone were both casting, diminishing their damage output.
After two more exchanges Silver Blade and Radiant Shield both were critically low on health.
At this moment, Cyclone suddenly let out a comically evil laugh.
"Haha, despair under the might of my lighting!"
Her blond hair levitated under the energizing mana gathered around her. Cyclone swung her wand, pointing it at the sky.
Dark clouds gathered immediately in an area above the orcs. A bolt of lightning stroke, shattering the earth with a deafening sound.
Cyclone's lips twitched slightly as she realized how difficult it was to control a powerful spell. She gathered her focus, not wanting to waste any more of her precious ultimate spell, [Raining Thunder].
Subsequently the lightning fell in quick succession. The third bolt finally landed on one of the scouts.
[-324!]
Electrical currents ran along the orc's skin, causing his muscles to convulse. This was the sign of Cyclone's passive skill triggering, paralyzing the enemy.
Paralyzed enemies would receive extra damage every time someone was hit by lightning damage.
Thus, when the next bolt hit the other orc scout, lightning could be seen jumping between the orcs.
[-324!]
[-32!]
The party members watched in awe as Cyclone poured out enormous damage.