Veil Online - Book 2: An Epic LitRPG Adventure

by John Cressman

  Jace was tempted to take advantage of the offer, he was a guy after all. But part of him resisted. Even if he was interested in Diana, he doubted the older woman would say anything. Well, he might get teased about it, but she didn’t seem the judgmental type.

  Charlena would not understand nor easily forgive him, despite the fact that they’d never really said they were even boyfriend and girlfriend and she’d made her thoughts on game marriage clear. To her, it was just that: something she did in the game.

  Mika was different. He was attracted to her physically. But that wasn’t all. She had a sweet innocence and a silent strength that spoke to him. Together, they made her hard to resist. Still, he knew she would wait for him to make the first move. Maybe. Sometimes, her boldness surprised him.

  “So, now what do we do?” Diana asked in a sultry voice. “Or is this going to be the most boring wedding night ever?”

  Chapter 45

  Since none of them actually required sleep, the trio decided to go murder some more beetles. Once they killed a dozen of the things, they realized the beetles were no longer a challenge for them - especially with Luna helping. Despite this, the experience had elevated Diana to 7th level in Priest. She was now higher than Mika in the class. One more level of Priest and the older woman could switch back to Mage.

  Pleasantly surprised, Jace noticed immediately that the system messages were using their new names and it made it infinitely easier to read them. If for no other reason, the marriage was worth it just for the name change!

  Since the beetles hadn’t proven to be a challenge, they went to the lower level orc area. It was now past midnight on the east coast, so they hoped there wouldn’t be as many players this late. They were right. His group was able to easily find a spot to pull and kill the orcs.

  Unlike the other orcs they’d fought, these orcs were only level 15. They were one tier below the level 20 orcs, and it made a huge difference. They quickly adopted a strategy of letting Mika be main damage dealer, while Diana saved her mana for healing and attacked with her bracelet enhanced wand. Combined with Luna’s damage and Jace’s own DPS, they were easily able to kill the lower level orcs.

  As they were resting in between kills, Diana looked around. “What will happen to all of this if the dragon comes?”

  Jace glanced around the area and to the palace, visible off in the distance. “I don’t know. There’s a very real possibility the dragon could raze the city and everything around it.”

  “So, your house and title…” she trailed off.

  “Will be worth nothing,” he sighed. He’d thought about that too since the werebear had told him about the dragon. If the city was destroyed, all the stuff he had would be gone. Maybe not the money, but he needed to get clarification on that.

  A few hours into their camping the orcs, Jace reached 9th level in Mage and Mika gained her 7th level in Rogue. Only a few thousand more experience until he was level 10 and had access to the next tier of weapons and armor. That would make fighting and tanking the monsters much easier.

  He was thinking about where he could get next level armor and weapons when a huge orc stepped out of the forest and let out a deafening bellow. The thing came running towards his group and Jace quickly examined it in his HUD.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord

  Level 17

  It was the orc warlord from their quest, and it was huge. It was eight or more feet tall and built like a bodybuilder. Worse, Jace could see the thing was waving two huge axes through the air. They were large enough to be two-handed weapons, but this thing was wielding them like they were normal axes.

  Jace cast his Air Armor and prepared to meet it when a shout came from his left. It was a taunt and the orc veered sharply towards a group of four players that had come running over when the thing appeared.

  “Did they just steal our orc?” Diana huffed.

  “They did,” Jace growled. “But whoever does the most damage gets the experience. Let’s go.”

  His group didn’t hesitate but followed him to wear the orc had reached the other group. There was a dwarf, a nephilim, a halfling and a gnome - the stereotypical good faction party. Jace brought them up in his HUD, so he could see their levels.

  Jurguth Goldenguard

  Race: Dwarf

  Class: Paladin

  Level: 11

  Alalad Spiritgazer

  Race: Nephilim

  Class: Cleric

  Level: 12

  Bixur Richtrack

  Race: Halfling

  Class: Scout

  Level: 12

  Mumkan Shortmaster

  Race: Gnome

  Class: Wizard

  Level: 13

  Their levels were all in the teens, which meant Jace and his group would have a difficult time out damaging them. Difficult, but not impossible. Especially since Jace wouldn’t be tanking and could use his backstab ability.

  His group reached the orc just as it got to the other group. They fanned out in semi-circle around the back of the orc, mixing in with the members of the other group who were moving into place.

  “Hey,” snarled the dwarf. “This is our mob!”

  “Because you stole it from us,” Mika snarled.

  The gnome laughed. “What are you all, human? And you’re not even level 10.”

  “Yeah,” chuckled the halfling. “Go back to the baby area and kill beetles or something.”

  The orc growled and attacked the dwarf, bringing both axes down at the much smaller dwarf. They bounced off the paladin’s armor, but the player had a worried look on his face. “Geez! They’re both two-handed axes!”

  “I got you,” the cleric told him and cast a healing spell.

  The halfling slashed a dagger at the thing’s back while their wizard casted a larger Flame Bolt at the orc that set the thing on fire. No doubt the gnome’s attacks gave him the Burning quality, which would continue to do fire damage for a few seconds.

  “What the heck?” the halfling spat. “This thing’s Defense is high. My dagger didn’t do anything.”

  “My Flame Bolt hurt it,” the gnome grinned.

  Of course, since none of the opposing group was part of his group, he couldn’t see their damage, or the damage inflicted on them by the orc warlord. But he did see his own group's damage.

  Mika Burton slashes Ironfist Orc Warlord for 5 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord is Bleeding.

  Diana Burton shoots Ironfist Orc Brute for 4 magic damage and 2 acid damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna bites Ironfist Orc Warlord for 2 damage.

  Jace frowned at the damage his group was doing. The halfling had been right. This thing’s Defense must be high, and it would be a struggle to damage it, except by magical means. Then he stepped forward and drove his saber into the things back while slicing across the back of its leg.

  You backstab Ironfist Orc Warlord for 22 damage and 9 acid damage.

  You slash Ironfist Orc Warlord for 1 damage.

  Jace grinned when he saw his backstab damage. He’d been the tank for some time now and it had been a while since he’d been able to backstab a monster. And with the Kraken’s Claw, he could do some serious damage. Maybe they had a chance after all.

  The orc cried out when Jace stabbed him, but it focused its hatred on the dwarf because of his Taunt. The thing sliced both of its enormous axes at the dwarf’s head. Both blades bounced off the dwarf’s shield or his helmeted head.

  “Ouch,” the dwarf said but there was no real pain behind his words. Jace guessed, like most players, his sensory level was set low for combat. He probably got 10% of the pain, if that.

  A little jealous of the dwarf’s ability to take a blow without feeling every little muscle fiber being severed, Jace and his group attacked.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord Bleeds for 3 damage.

  Mika Burton slashes Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.
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  Diana Burton shoots Ironfist Orc Brute for 5 magic damage and 2 acid damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna bites Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  You backstab Ironfist Orc Warlord for 11 damage and 6 acid damage.

  You slash Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Jace cringed as he saw how poorly his group had done. He could only hope the other group was doing just as poorly, but judging by their comments, they weren’t.

  “Hey,” the gnome said, as he noticed Luna. “How do they have a giant cat helping them? Is that even fair?”

  “Maybe it’s a pet?” the cleric yelled.

  The orc didn’t care about pets or how much damage each group was doing. It only seemed interested in killing the dwarf. It attacked again with both axes as if it were trying to hammer the paladin into the ground.

  The dwarf grunted as he caught the first blow on his shield but then the second one struck his shoulder and whistled. “That was a good hit… 16 damage. And that’s through my 11 Defense.”

  The paladin and the rest of his group attacked the warlord and then Jace and his group attacked.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord Bleeds for 3 damage.

  Mika Burton slashes Ironfist Orc Warlord for 2 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord is Bleeding.

  Diana Burton shoots Ironfist Orc Brute for 7 magic damage and 2 acid damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna bites Ironfist Orc Warlord for 3 damage.

  You backstab Ironfist Orc Warlord for 13 damage and 6 acid damage.

  You slash Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Once again, his group didn’t do as much damage as he was hoping. Even Mika’s critical strikes were only occasionally making it through the warlord’s armor. Of course, those thoughts fled his mind as the creature suddenly reared back and screamed.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord goes Berserk.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” he managed before the thing spun and attacked him.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord Bleeds for 3 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at YOU for 6 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at YOU for 4 damage.

  He caught the blows on his buckler and his shoulder, but they hurt. Jace grimaced and wished he could adjust his own sensory input.

  “Haha!” the dwarf laughed. “It’s attacking them now!”

  “Is he roleplaying the pain or something?” the cleric asked.

  “Weirdo,” the halfling chuckled.

  The group was trying to position themselves behind the orc when it spun again. This time, the axes came down on Mika.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord Bleeds for 3 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at Mika Burton for 12 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at Mika Burton for 13 damage.

  Mika screamed behind her ninja mask as the blades cut into her. Jace wanted to rush over to help her but he knew there was nothing he could do except try to Taunt it.

  “Fight me!” he cried out, but the orc ignored him.

  “Did he just try to taunt the orc? Duh, Mages can’t do that,” the gnome snickered.

  It became clear that the Berserk ability of this orc was causing him to attack random targets, so everyone stopped trying to position themselves and just continued attacking. Except for Jace. He rolled behind the creature, came up and backstabbed it again.

  Mika Burton slashes Ironfist Orc Warlord for 4 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord is Bleeding.

  Diana Burton shoots Ironfist Orc Brute for 6 magic damage and 2 acid damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna bites Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  You backstab Ironfist Orc Warlord for 4 damage and 9 acid damage.

  You slash Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  “Keep attacking newbies,” the dwarf yelled. “You’re just helping us kill it quicker.”

  Jace ignored the dwarf but guessed the paladin was probably right. But Jace hated to give up.

  “Pour it on!” Jace encouraged but then the orc spun again and came down on Mika again.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord Bleeds for 3 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at Mika Burton for 8 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord slashes at Mika Burton for 4 damage.

  The blows weren’t nearly as bad, and this time Mika didn’t cry out. Instead she Vanished and attacked the creature even as the other group attacked.

  Mika Burton slashes Ironfist Orc Warlord for 5 damage.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord is Bleeding.

  Diana Burton shoots Ironfist Orc Brute for 7 magic damage and 2 acid damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna claws Ironfist Orc Warlord for 0 damage.

  Luna bites Ironfist Orc Warlord for 1 damage.

  You backstab Ironfist Orc Warlord for 12 damage and 9 acid damage.

  You slash Ironfist Orc Warlord for 2 damage.

  His entire group at least did some damage and judging by the sour faces from the other group, only the dwarf and wizard did any real damage. But before he could celebrate, the warlord spun again.

  This time, the axes came down on the gnome, who flinched but otherwise didn’t react to the blows. Then his eyes went big. “Oh man! It just took out half my health. Healer! Medic!”

  His group and the other group attacked at relatively the same time and the creature went down. As it fell, to his great surprise, Jace received a system message.

  Ironfist Orc Warlord dies.

  You gain 900 experience.

  The other group seemed to all pause, possibly waiting for their own system message. After a moment, they realized it wasn’t coming.

  “You cheaters!” yelled the halfling. “How the hell did you outdamage us?”

  “What the -?” muttered the dwarf.

  The gnome was still yelling for a medic and didn’t seem to even realize the warlord was dead.

  “Freaking noobs,” the cleric muttered.

  “Sorry gentlemen,” Diana purred. “We beat you fair and square.”

  “Hah,” barked the dwarf. “None of you are even level 10! And what’s with the same last name? What are you, like brother and sisters?”

  “We are his wives!” Mika said proudly.

  The other party went quiet.

  “Wives?” asked the halfling.

  “Yes, dearie,” Diana cooed as she went over to Jace and draped herself over him. “We’re two of his wives. The third one had to logoff or she’d be here too.”

  Mika seemed to catch on to what Diana was doing and threw her arms around Jace. “Yes, he is a very good man.”

  “Three wives?” the gnome said, giving Jace an appraising look.

  Diana pulled on Jace’s arm, leading him back towards Whitecliff. She looked back towards the other party. “All this fighting has gotten me a bit... hot. I think we should go back to the house. What about you Mika?”

  Mika bobbed her head but Jace could see some color in her cheeks. “Yes, let’s go back to the house!”

  The girls were leading him away and he suddenly remembered something. Momentarily untangling himself from the women, he ran back to the orc’s body and looted it. Then he waved to the other group who was looking at him with unabashed admiration.

  “Sorry, I gotta go,” he smiled. “The girls are waiting.”

  As he rejoined the girls, he heard the cleric behind him. “Three wives?”

  Then another voice just as he walked out range. “Must be a rich son of a...”

  Chapter 46

  The trio headed back to the gates, where they turned in the repeatable quests for the orc sashes, as well as the quest to kill the warlord.

 
You have completed the quest, “End The Warlord’s Rage”

  You gain 450 experience. Experience to next level 1,480.

  You gain +50 faction with Whitecliff City Guard

  It wasn’t as much experience as Jace would have liked, but every little bit counted. He had hoped he might reach 10th level before morning, but it didn’t seem to be in the cards. It was only 3am, a little too early for breakfast. They walked past the Dwarvish Fork Inn and Jace paused.

  “I guess we should continue eating breakfast here,” he said as his two wives followed his gaze. He glanced at his timepiece. “Once it’s breakfast time.”

  “Well,” Diana said. “This is where you told us all to meet. Whether or not the others you freed will make it here is another thing.”

  “Yes,” Jace agreed. “I’m guessing there are no caravans from the west since that’s the direction the dragon is coming from. I doubt any caravans from the east want to come here right now.”

  “Because we have an acid breathing dragon about to destroy the entire city!” Mika agreed.

  “There’s that,” Jace smirked. “I think I’d postpone my travel plans if the itinerary involved becoming dragon bait.”

  “What are we going to do about it?” Diana asked. “Please don’t tell me we’re going to sit here hoping that support helps us before the dragon gets here.”

  Jace shook his head. He knew from experience how long fixing a complex issue could take. It could be days or even a couple of weeks. Hopefully, they’d put as many people as possible on the problem, but you never knew with WorldCog. No, they couldn’t just wait here like lambs to the slaughter. “After the party, regardless of whether or not we find the Help Desk, we should leave. We have enough money, we can board a ship and sail for one of the other capitals.”