Aria's Tragedy II
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Unknown, Aria's Mine, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Friday, April 12th, 1:39 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Age: 19 Years)~~~
A large goblin-looking creature takes a huge bite out of a human leg. I hear the crunching of the bones and the squishiness of the flesh as it chews. A foul and wretched smell waffs over me as I enter the boss room.
*CRUNCH*
*CRUNCH*
*CRUNCH*
The sounds of the bosses chewing echo around the circular chamber. I don't know what type of goblin this guy is, but it's a variant of the normal kind. Large, better armor and there is a look in his eye.
He notices me and sends a sickening smile my way. Brandishing the blood-soaked teeth with strings of human meat between them.
Many games in the past have pushed the boundaries of violence shown in VRMMORPGs, but this is something I've never seen before. It's pure brutality. Lancer Inc. outdid the market with this game.
Not wasting a moment, I use the fact that the boss goblin is still sitting down as a chance to get in some early damage before he stands up and starts moving. I rush forward and use [One-Handed Slash] with the axe I picked up earlier.
I take the goblin boss by surprise as he nearly tumbles off the wooden and bone throne. I use the skill three separate times, getting in good chunks of damage.
[Target has suffered 25 damage.]
[Target has suffered 22 damage.]
[Target has suffered 29 damage.]
The boss goblin creates some distance between us and pulls out a long handle with a large jawbone attached. What's going to make this boss fight difficult is not knowing how much health the boss has left.
Since no player has an inspect-type skill yet, we can only free-ball what we're looking at. And based on what I'm seeing, there is a lot of health left for me to chew through. Who knows how long this will take...
The large goblin dashes at me with alarming speed, and I'm barely able to roll out of the way. A large sweeping attack like that means he's got plenty of strength.
He's about one and a half times my size and has around 350 pounds on me. Yet, he's able to move like a cat. I'm forced back again as I have to dodge an overhead attack this time. As the jawbone connects to the ground of the cave.
Large spider web cracks form, and the circular room we're fighting in shakes. Dirt and rocks fall from the ceiling a few times.
The boss doesn't have a care in the world about what happens to the room. Too bad you don't get EXP for just using a skill. This tanky boss could help me level up the two skills I've got. Sadly, I need frags to get EXP for my skills.
"RAAAWWWW!!!!"
His roar shakes the room, and I have to roll under him and through his legs to get away from the wild attacks he's throwing my way.
Time to get to work; he's not gonna die on his own.
~~~(POV: Sir Rehan)~~~
~~~(Location: Office, Guard Barracks, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Friday, April 12th, 2:02 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Age: 41 Years)~~~
I was told the kid left before the squad we're sending out to Aria's Mine had left. They're on their way. I was hoping one of these new shitheads showing up would prove to have a spine, but it looks like the kid was like everyone else.
Disappointing, he looked like he had promise.
*KNOCK!*
My eyes open slowly as a knock on the door to my office wakes me from my thoughts. A small sigh escapes me. I really don't want to deal with any paperwork. I never would've agreed to take this job if I knew I'd spend more time in my office than outside.
"What are you waiting for!?"
After a second, the door opens, and I'm met with a younger-looking face. He's a newer recruit to the guard forces, but I don't remember his name. If he survives initial training, then I'll take the time to remember him.
"Sorry, Sir. I was told to tell you if any complications developed with the squad you sent to clear Aria's Mine."
My blood pressure shoots up at the thought of the paperwork I'll have to do if they all die. It's an easy dungeon; even a guard who's finished training could clear it. How did so many experienced vets already die?
"Gods above, what's happened this time?"
The annoyance and frustration aren't hidden as I speak. The trainee steps forward and clears his throat.
"We've received a message from the squad leader the dungeon is already in progress. Someone is inside, preventing the guards from entering."
Just great!! I had to approve the funds to send them out!! Now I have to explain why they returned without clearing the dungeon!!
"Do we know who it is?"
I do my best to hold and suppress my anger. It's leaking into my words through my gritted teeth. It's a long shot that we know who it is, but I'd like to know who to blame.
"No, Sir. We don't know who it is."
Nothing can make this day any worse!!
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Unknown, Aria's Mine, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Friday, April 12th, 2:11 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Age: 19 Years)~~~
*Huff* *Huff* Huff*
The goblin boss falls down with blood pouring from open wounds all over its body. I fall to my knees and lean over. Doing my best to catch my breath. I'm on the edge of death, and my stamina is near the point of exhaustion.
But the many system messages tell me that I've done what I came here to do.
[Congratulations! You've cleared (Aria's Tragedy) solo!]
[You've cleared (Aria's Tragedy) while under-leveled!]
[The quest (Goblins Nest) is completed!]
[Return to Sir Rehan and turn in to receive EXP and rewards]
[Bonus step to quest (Goblins Nest) is completed! You'll receive enhanced rewards and EXP from Sir Rehan!]
[+5000 EXP toward your player level for soloing (Aria's Tragedy) while under-leveled!]
[+3000 EXP toward your player level for being the first player to clear a dungeon!]
[+7000 EXP toward your player level for being the first player to clear a dungeon solo!]
[You've raised your player level 15x times!]
[You've received unassigned stat points!]
[You've unlocked the ability to complete and change classes!]
[Over the course of the dungeon, you've leveled up (One-handed Slash) and (Thrust) 3x times!]
[Items have been added to your player inventory!]
[You've unlocked a new title! Check your player inventory for more information!]
[For more detailed information, check your player interface!]
I slowly stand up and dismiss the many system messages. Taking a short moment to catch my breath.
[Would you like to return to the outside entrance? Y/N]
Not wasting a second, I click on Yes, and with a dim flash of light, I'm brought out of the dungeon. As I do, my health and stamina slowly start to recover.
"What the hell?"
Before I can open my player interface and see what's changed, my attention is caught by the sound of a female voice. I turn to see who it is, and it's the guard squad I was supposed to come here with.
I scratch the back of my head awkwardly as their helmeted heads stare at me.
"Damn it! Now we can't clear the dungeon!!"
A random guard in the squad says something that confuses me. I turn around to look at the entrance, and I see a timer.
[29:23:58:31 are left until the dungeon cooldown is lifted.]
Wow, a 30-day cooldown before people can rechallenge the dungeon... This is valuable information. Dungeons inside AG have a cooldown timer.
Now that I know one of the reasons the guards are upset with me, I slowly turn around and look at them. Giving a half smile as I do. Not one showing cockiness or disregard. Just the one you give when something happens.
"Um, at least you guys don't have to clear it now..."
A short chuckle escapes me as I say that. I can tell that's not helping in the slightest. One of the guards steps forward, and takes off his helmet.
Or should I say her.
Brown hair falls like a waterfall as the armored helmet is removed. Brown eyes look into my blue ones.
"You were supposed to come with us. But looking back, no one said you couldn't clear the dungeon on your own. I suggest you talk to Sir Rehan as soon as you return."
I have a quest to turn in with him. One that has enhanced rewards. Knowing I must travel out of this forest after all that work makes me groan just a little, but I've got a group of guards to walk back with.
In the meantime, I should check out everything I've got from the dungeon. It's a good walk back to the town, and it's time to learn more about AG while I've got the chance.