by Rick Scott
We quickly buff and wait for Gilly’s TP to top back up before we enter the arena.
When we do, the Kappa immediately starts casting, kanji runes encircling its body.
And then it disappears.
“What the heck?” I glance about me. “Where did it—?”
A sharp thud hits me in the back and my hitpoints all but disappear.
Your Awareness increases by 0.7!
Kappa Shadow Master uses backstab.
You take 87 damage.
“What!” I quickly turn about to see the creepy frog dude behind me and duck just in time to avoid a double swipe from its katanas. This thing is way faster than it lowly brethren we just cleared in the gardens. I stab back with a double trust from my knives and take it down 5%.
This won’t be an easy fight.
“Don’t heal me yet!” I shout, side stepping another stab. “You’ll get hate.”
“But you’ll die!” Gilly shouts.
I remember Aiko’s words. 100% or 1% it’s all the same.
Just don’t get hit!
“Wait till I get it down some more,” I say. “The regen will top me up.”
My nerves are on edge as my mind strains with focus. Don’t get hit. Don’t get hit. I keep whittling down its health, but half my attacks are missing as well. It becomes like a game of high speed chess, both of us prompting reactions that will hopefully force the other into a mistake.
The Kappa hops backwards and starts casting again.
Oh crap!
“Top me up now Gilly!”
Two heals wash over me, filling up my HP bar, but the Kappa doesn’t disappear. Instead a vile purple mist shoots from its hand and sprays all over me.
Kappa Shadow Master casts Shadow Mist
You are poisoned.
You are slowed.
You are paralyzed.
“Oh geez!” Gilly says panicked. “I’m on it! I’m on it!”
My HP slowly starts to tick away two points at a time while the Kappa closes in on me. I can’t move. I can’t dodge! It slashes my chest. I drop to 75% hp! Gilly then casts her spell and a blue aura surrounds me.
Gilly casts Cure Ailment.
You are no longer paralyzed.
Whew! I can move again, but I’m still losing HP and when I try to evade, I’m so sluggish I get hit by one of the attacks. I’m down to 60% HP now.
Gilly casts Cure Ailment
You are no longer slowed.
I can dodge freely again, but it’s a moot point. The Kappa is no longer attacking me but hopping toward Gilly!
“No!” I toss my knife at it, but it bounces ineffectively off of its shell. “Ah Crap!”
“Reece!” Gilly shouts and casts a heal spell to top me up. “Don’t die!”
Those are her last words as the Kappa cuts her down in two quick strikes.
Bastard!
I grab my tossed knife and charge into him with a surge of attacks, fueled by revenge. “Die you stupid frog guy!”
I get him down to below 40% but take a hit myself and our HP bars are suddenly equal. Except mines is still slowly being drained by the poison.
“I’ll respawn and come back,” Gilly says and her corpse disappears.
I have no idea if she’ll even make it back in time. The poison is draining me fast and it’s a long run from the entrance. I focus on my opponent instead, studying its attacks to carefully dodge each one. I get another two hit combo on the Kappa, taking it down to 30%.
Then it flips backwards and casts something.
Oh no…
But nothing seems to happen. Then the Kappa charges at me again and I sidestep it’s blades to land two more slashes. The body of the Kappa collapses in upon itself with the force of my hits and suddenly vanishes with a puff of smoke.
What the heck? Did I kill it?
I see I’m still engaged with the Kappa and it’s at 27% HP. But I can’t see it! I check the log to see what spell it had cast.
Kappa Shadow Master casts Decoy Shadow
Decoy Shadow
Create a decoy of yourself that absorbs 50% damage from your next hit and grants you invisibility.
Oh crap….
My heart slams against my ribcage in panic. It’s going to backstab me again. And a backstab right now, will kill me instantly! I have no idea what to do. I close my eyes and try to sense where it is. Where is it going to attack me from? I hear a quick shuffle behind me to my left and I spin about with my knives.
Your Awareness increases by 0.7
Level up! Your Awareness is now 4
You parry the Kappa Shadow Master’s attack.
Congratulations! You have unlocked a new ability “Parry”
Parry
Attack at the right moment to deflect an enemy’s attack, stunning them.
Kappa Shadow Master is stunned!
Woo hoo!
The Kappa is slumped groggily in front of me. I see the permissive for my backstab go active and I thrust both my knives into its chest for a massive critical hit.
You backstab the Kappa Shadow Master
-157 HP
The Kappa lets out a final gurgle before dropping to the arena floor dead.
You defeated the Kappa Shadow Master.
You gain 1500 experience points.
You detect a strange aura from the Kappa Shadow Master’s Corpse.
[Offer one of the Shadow Master’s talismans to complete the quest.]
My heart is still thundering in my chest from all the adrenaline. I then notice that my HP are still dropping, in beat with my pounding heart.
11/87 HP
9/87 HP
7/87 HP
Crap! I’m still going to die and fail the quest!
5/87 HP
3/87 HP!!
A heal spell pours over me, bumping me to full health, followed by a cure that removes the poison for good. I look over my shoulder to see Gilly, my sexy savior in silken lingerie.
She jumps up and down excitedly. “You did it, Reece!”
“We did it!” I say, unable to take my eyes off her. “You saved me in the nick of time.”
She runs over and gives me a celebratory hug and kiss. “Way to go you! You made it! You’re a ninja now.”
“Not yet. Still need to do one more thing to complete the quest. Says something about offering a talisman?”
“Oh yeah! Check the corpse. It should give you four options.”
I do so and a menu screen pops up.
Which of the Shadow Master’s Talismans will you offer as a tribute?
Battle Worn Tekko
Knotted Scarf
Rusted Shuriken
Moth Eaten Scroll
I tell Gilly the options I see. “Which one should I choose?”
I can see her eyes go unfocused for a second as she checks on something. “Okay, got it. This is a really important part of the quest. Depending on which item you choose it gives you a permanent twenty point skill bonus.”
“That sounds like a lot.”
“It is!” Gill says. “The Tekko gives Katana skill, Scarf is evasion, Shuriken is throwing and scroll is shadow magic.”
I almost wish I can ask Aiko which one I should pick.
I blow out a breath. “Well if I’m going to be a dodge tank, I might as well go min max.”
I pick number 2 from the list.
You have chosen the path of the Untouchable Shadow.
You receive +20 to evasion.
Congratulations! You have earned the title: Untouchable
Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Trial of Shadows
You receive 1000 experience points.
You receive 1000 credits.
When the final prompt appears I have a grin on my face from ear to ear.
Congratulations! You can now become a Ninja.
Chapter 19 Shadow Copy
After a few minutes of celebration, Gilly and I fork up the 1k credits to fast travel back to Swifttide. For a second I consider staying in Bangō
r to level up, but I have a surefire way to fast level now, thanks to Aiko back in Adderrun. And I have great impetus to do it.
The Scroll of Shadow Copy, the thing that started this whole journey, is now burning a hole in my virtual pocket. A few Seagulls and a Dockworker and I can be level twelve and finally use it.
I can barely contain my excitement as we materialize on the pier and I finally switch to Ninja.
You change your class to Ninja.
[As an advance class you innately have access to the following subclass abilities:
Warcry, Double Attack, Dual Wield, Backstab, Hide, Sneak, Awareness]
Holy cow! I have access to all this at level one? I can’t wait to test this out! I check my stats next.
Class: Ninja
Level: 1
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 20
Agility: 47
Intelligence: 4
Mind: 6
Vitality: 8
HP: 21/21
Stamina: 27/27
TP: 25/25
“Level one again,” I say, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. “But for the last time.”
“And only two days in,” Gilly says with a nod. “Not bad. And not a bad outfit you got going on there either.”
I grin at her because I’m buck naked again save for the two level 1 Katanas I picked up in Kuze. My level 1 leather armor is up for auction and I can’t wear the level 15 set I had bought earlier. “Wearing it just for you, babe.”
“Let’s see what you can do then.” Gilly un-parties with me. “Go Go!”
I wield the two katanas in a reverse grip since it feels more natural for some reason. Perhaps they’re designed that way. They look similar to the ones Aiko use, but that’s in form only I’m sure. These have very little damage, about the same as my starting daggers but as I test with a quick swipe to the air, their speed seems faster.
I stalk behind a seagull sitting atop one of the bollards and hit it with a double katana backstab.
You defeated the Seagull!
You gain 300 experience points.
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
You are now level 2.
You have gained 1 attribute point.
Gilly giggles and claps. “You’re totally overpowered now!”
I take on another gull using my regular attacks. I get two strikes in to take it to half health and easily avoid its hooked beak with my evasion. Two more slashes and it’s dead.
You defeated the Seagull!
You gain 300 experience points.
Kill chain x1. You gain 150 experience points.
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
You are now level 3.
You have gained 2 attribute points.
I dump my new attribute points into agility to raise it to 50. I’m eager to see what attacking at double speed will look like. I take on one more gull and I slash twice with each blade, performing four attacks in quick succession.
You hit the Seagull for 13 Damage.
You hit the Seagull for 14 Damage.
You hit the Seagull for 12 Damage.
You hit the Seagull for 13 Damage.
You defeated the Seagull!
You gain 300 experience points.
Kill chain x2. You gain 250 experience points.
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
You are now level 5.
You have gained 3 attribute points.
Gilly claps again. “Wow! It never even got a chance to attack you!”
I literally can’t wipe the grin off my face. I feel so powerful, even in my underwear. It’s hard to believe I’ve come all this way in only a few days. And with how fast I’m leveling, hitting 85 doesn’t seem like an impossible task anymore.
Nothing does.
We head to the back of the warehouse and Gilly watches me as I perform my stalker routine on one of the Dockworkers. It still takes me a little while but I manage to get a couple of regular attacks in after each backstab due to my 50 agility. In about ten minutes the moment that a few days ago seemed impossible finally happens.
You defeated the Strong Dockworker!
You gain 8700 experience points.
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
Congratulations! You have gained a level!
You are now level 12.
You have gained 11 attribute points.
You have learned a new ability “Active Dodge”
Use your dodge skill to negate the damage of an oncoming attack.
Activation: Instantaneous
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Cost: 20 TP
Gill cheers for me. “Woo hoo! Way to go, Reece!”
I smile back at her and ready the scroll. I can’t believe I’m now able to use it!
Scroll of Shadow Copy
Teaches the Ninja ability Shadow Copy
Level 12 Ninja Only
Create a copy of yourself using shadow magic that absorbs your next hit.
Cast Time: 1 Second
Recast: 15 seconds
Part of me almost wishes I did have a stream going to share the accomplishment. I’m about to activate it, but then stop. I might not have a stream, but it doesn’t mean that this moment can’t be shared.
“What’s wrong?” Gilly says when she sees me hesitate.
I’m not sure how she’s going to react, but I tell her anyway. “None of this would be possible if not for one person, Gilly. And I think it only right that she be here when I use this.”
She sighs. “Got to make sure your boss is here, huh?”
“Gilly…”
“No, it’s fine,” she says. “I understand. Call her. I don’t care.”
Her last words leave a sourness in my stomach. She cuts her eyes and looks away, but she doesn’t storm off or anything. I decide not to push it any further though.
I send a PM to Val Helena: Hey, Val. I’m level 12 and I’m about to use the scroll. Would mean a lot if you’re here to witness it. (:
Her reply comes a few seconds later: brt
A few minutes go past without Gilly and I saying anything to each other. She doesn’t look mad or anything, but I can definitely sense a rift has formed between us. I’m still confused as to why. I explained everything Val Helena did for me and still she holds this weird grudge. Maybe it’s a female rivalry thing that I’ll just never understand.
Val Helena finally arrives in her paladin outfit, but she’s not alone.
She’s brought the entire guild with her!
I have an odd sense of déjà vu as they file in behind her and into the warehouse, reminiscent of the first time I saw her, leading the charge into Gruzug’s cavern.
Zeke, Silvi and Thanus are there as well as a bunch of other players I haven’t officially met yet, in the flesh so to speak. But I have seen them communicating on the guild chat while I’ve been leveling.
There are the three Dwarf dudes on the warrior team named Stan, Vic and Rollo, who are all friends in real life. Collectively they’re known to the guild as Team SVR. The exact definition of the acronym can change however depending on the day and if they screw up or not. There’s the thief, Jax, who helped me find the thief quest. He’s a human dude with a goatee that kind of reminds me of Robin Hood. There are two other elemental mages that look nearly identical to Thanus. One is named Thorin and the other is a female named Jess, but she still looks like a little old dude to me. Finally there are the two other celestial mages that back up Silvi. One is a female dwarf named Molly and the other is a really tall male elf named RickJr, who everyone calls JR.
They pile in with shouts of congratulations and I
’m a bit overwhelmed by it all. Val Helena stands next to me and slaps me hard on the back. “So there you have it folks. Level 12 ninja in less than three days. I think this guy has got what it takes.”
That stirs up more hoot and hollers.
“Let’s see it, Reece,” Silvi says. “Come on!”
“Yeah!” Zeke shouts. “Stop stalling man! Use the scroll!”
I laugh. “Okay, okay, but first I just want to say thanks to all you guys. Val told me what you all did to get me over to Bangōr. So really, thank you for making this happen. And to Val...” I turn and look up at her. “…none of this would have been possible without you. For a lot of reasons. So from the bottom of my heart, thanks.”
She nudges me. “Okay, okay, let’s not get too sappy. Come on, read the scroll!”
“All right,” I say smiling. “But before I do, there’s one more people I’d like to thank. And that’s someone who has had my back from the very beginning and still does. So last but certainly not least, I want to say thanks to you, Gil…”
My words trail off as I fail to find her in the crowd.
My heart sinks. Did she leave? My face flushes red with embarrassment as the whole guild grows silent staring at me. I’m at a loss for words and don’t know what to do. I try to send her a quick PM.
Me: Gilly?
That player is no longer online.
“I think I saw her disconnecting,” Val Helena says to cover for me. “Must be from all lag in here.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Must be…”
“But, to Gilly!” Val Helena shouts raising her first in cheer.
“To Gilly!” they all shout together and I echo them half-heartedly.
I then read the scroll and it disappears in my hands.
You use a Scroll of Shadow Copy.
You have learned the spell “Shadow Copy”
