9 Participating on the wrong side of a boss battle (1/2)
”Moira, you are playing Freedom Online too? I thought you said you couldn't afford to play it.” Her guy friend Kenneth asked as the two were walking home.
She smiled at her average looking classmate. ”My brother got it for me. Apparently something good happened for him. The game is a lot of fun!”
The bleached haired pre-teen smiled. ”I'm glad. I have wanted you to be able to play video games with you for a long time. What is your in-game name?”
”Dancing princess.” She replied. ”What is yours? If we hang out, you can see how wonderful my brother's music is!”
Kenneth inwardly groaned as she mentioned her older brother like a fan-girl, again. ”My in-game character name is Huntsman Ken. I've been polishing up my archery and survival skills. I'm a bit behind the experts who do nothing but play the game. I've finally reached level 20. You probably aren't very far into the game yet. I'll take you around hunting sometime. What is your starting town?”
”Trillith, and thank you for the offer Kenneth, but my brother and I have a goal to play the game without hunting down monsters.” She tried to politely decline.
”What?” Kenneth was floored. He had never heard of anyone trying to level up this way. ”What level are you?” He finally had the courage to ask.
”Level 4” She smiled.
”Then your highest skill tier?”
”Oh, my dancing is already rank 3. Most of my normal skills are still at the beginner stage. My brother is super awesome though; his music skill is already rank 5!”
Kenneth's mind felt overwhelmed. ”How…” He shook his head a few times. He knew Moira wasn't lying. She was honest to a fault.”
The boy's Genius-Watch 9 sent him an alert. He pulled it up. [Vextor guild has posted a video on the game Freedom Online's bug forum requesting an explanation from the gaming company. I've attached the link. – Alexander]
”Looks like someone found the first in-game glitch; Moira, want to watch?”
Moira looked over to her friend. ”What's a glitch?” She inquired.
”Ah, I forgot, you never played games in the past. A glitch is where the game's data has an error causing unusual effects. Sometimes a glitch can make things difficult to proceed and other times it is something that if used can create something for someone to use to get stronger faster. It is sometimes called a bug.” He explained, showcasing his knowledge.
”Oh, so you are saying this group has found one of these glitches and is asking for the game company for an explanation? Why ask for an explanation?”
”Well, sometimes, in games, a glitch isn't really a glitch but instead an in-game hidden event. The guild asking for an explanation is probably because they are unsure. We would probably understand if we watched the video.” He moved the holographic screen so the two of them could watch.
The scene unfolded as the group of six fought a large water elemental and lost. Strange music that Moira instantly recognized was playing in the background.
***
Earlier that day…
Jericho found himself summoned to a chaotic fight. Multiple short notifications flooded his vision rapidly as he tried to get away from the battle. [You have been summoned into battle.] [You have obtained a new quest. Help Elemental Llyn be victorious in defending the lake.]
[Due to being a water elemental in combat, Form-Shift has been temporarily locked. It will be unlocked after combat is over.]
[Due to being registered as an in-game creature you are bound by the agro system during combat. As you do not possess the skill (Flee) you cannot leave combat until either combat has ended or character death.]
An arrow hit Jericho the water elemental. [-15] appeared in front of him. Jericho moved as fast as he could to hide behind Llyn. Two more arrows hit him. He felt a slight regret for a moment about not investing stat points into agility.
{Jericho?} Llyn asked in shock as he felt the small arms of a lesser water elemental clinging to his leg.
{You summoned me here, but I don't like fighting.}
A few 'lucky' hits from the team of six hurt the distracted elemental.
{Absorb into me. I'll keep you safe.} Llyn ordered focusing back onto the fight.
Jericho activated the ability [Merge/separate] and temporarily merged into Llyn's body. The tiny elemental didn't feel very safe. He watched as Llyn was taking hit after hit. {I've got to do something.} He voiced from inside the other elemental.
Llyn slashed at the hunting party knocking the shield-wielding user back a few feet. {Then partially separate from me and use your music. I will do my best to keep you safe.}
{Right!} Jericho didn't want to fight but this was to protect himself and his current allies.
A small face and arms emerged from the back of the giant water elemental. The arms mutated into a violin. {First we recover everyone's health.} He started to play The Storm (Rain) part 1.