The Secret of the Dark Forest ( (The Way of the Shaman: Book #3)

by Vasily Mahanenko

  "Will you tell me what you're up to?" Anastaria asked me in the morning, having interrupted me in the middle of another masterpiece. "This doesn't look like jewelry and, judging by your groggy eyes and level of Energy, you've been working all night. Spill the beans because I've got nothing, except the gradual clearing out the mobs."

  "Let's wait for Donotpunnik, then I'll tell both of you all about it. I have just a couple of pieces of ore left, so I'll make one more blade, then you can hit me with any question you like. You're right – I do have an idea. It just remains to be seen if it's actually doable ..."

  "It might just work!" exclaimed my Azure Dragons deputy advisor, when I described my plan and showed him the result of my nightly labors: twenty thee knife blades – which lacked handles, but still represented completed items – and around thirty small, marble, pinecone-shaped figurines. I had a new recipe to show for it too: Marble Pinecone. I had also discovered that Jewelers were able to make throwing weapons, which would cause physical damage depending on the strength of the thrower.

  "What's their radius?" asked Anastaria straight away.

  "For that we need a victim," I told the happy news to my advisors. "We have to go to the castle and check. I'm not at all sure that a Rogue carrying a Blessed item will be able to sneak inside, even under Invisibility, so we have to be clear from the start that the victim would end up going for respawn."

  "Should we cast lots?" proposed Donotpunnik, "Because, aside from you and your three fighters, no-one would volunteer to lose 30% of the Experience Progress Bar. Trying to send a Priest to get the volunteer back up ... would mean sacrificing the Priest. But for you the loss of Experience would be negligible by comparison."

  "I agree," Anastaria said after some hesitation, "the optimal choice would be Leite, as the one with the lowest level. But we should still draw lots ..."

  "No, we shouldn't," I put an end to these deliberations. "The decision has already been taken – I'll go. This was my idea, the stones and the ore were mine and I should be the one to carry it out. Due to my penalties, I'm not much of a Shaman for the next two weeks anyway. And I'm somewhat curious too. It's not every month that I have the opportunity to visit a castle with level 350+ mobs. Plinto! Let's go. You'll get to tape the raid leader being sent for respawn ..."

  "Hold on," Anastaria stopped me, "let's at least ask the others, just in case anyone else wants to take the risk. Remember, if this idea works, we won't wait for your respawn and attack straight away. There's little point in the raid sitting on its hands for 12 hours straight. Two hundred Vampires, Elementals and Mages ... with your current 82nd level, you're almost guaranteed to hit 90 after this. Are you prepared to lose that much Experience?"

  Hmmm ... I hadn't really thought about my respawn from this perspective. It's like I’d started to perceive myself as some great hero, unbeatable and unstoppable. Oh! I recalled a rather suitable word for this: bigheadedness ... was I really suffering from it? And where do you place the thin line between luck and letting things go to my head?

  "I'm against sending the low-level players now," Donotpunnik said, completely ripping my plans to shreds. "I had another look at Plinto's report and finally understood that there's nothing they can do there. As you can see, the gates may be open, but there's around twenty meters to cover between them and the nearest tree. There are two towers by the gates with 250-level archers, which means that any low-level player would be dropped in an instant. So the question arises: what would be the point? You can't throw a bubble over him, because then the mobs would go for the rest of the raid. Mahan doesn't have any defense either, since he can't even summon his Spirits."

  "So you want to check it out then?" Plinto, whom I’d called over earlier, didn't go anywhere and was now looking thoughtfully in the direction of the castle. "You won't be able to run under the noses of the dark mobs with Blessed items on you, you'll be discovered immediately ... give those to me. I'll go pay those castle campers a visit. If the plan works, don't forget to get me back up – I can wait for three hours or so. Time I began to work off that investment you made in me, right? And Mahan, a little word of advice for the future: you can't do everything yourself in this Game, you have to delegate, otherwise you'll burn out all too soon. That's it – I'm off. Fogger! You're with me as cameraman. Lanterius! You come along too: you'll film it from the other angle. What am I doing?"

  "Here," I handed Plinto several items. "Your task is simple: you have to block the entrance into the castle by throwing these items along the gate, about a meter from each other. The Fallen must get locked inside so the raid can walk right up to the castle and Antsinthepantsa can gradually free the Vampires. There's no need to attack anyone. You may even throw some of the cones and knives inside, which will cut the Fallen up into several groups. All in all, do as you see fit, but the main aim is the gate."

  "Gotcha. Then give me everything that you've made. With Haste and Cloak activated (-40% damage for 10 seconds), I'll run across the castle and make their day. That's it; I'm off. Send me a postcard." The Rogue took all the Blessed items from me and headed off to the castle.

  "Stacey, how do you know him?" said Donotpunnik slowly, gazing after the departing Plinto. "To be honest, I always thought that he was one of those spoiled bratniks, but now my whole understanding of reality has been demolished: Plinto, whose name has even given rise to the special term – 'to plint it' (that is, to do something without switching on your brain first) – turns out to be a completely reasonable guy."

  "Don, why ask meaningless questions?" smiled the girl, "You know full well that I won't be answering that, so what's the point? Hmm ..." Anastaria turned to me and in all seriousness said: "When you offer Donotpunnik to join your clan, take me along too. You don't know how to bargain properly and Don here is an expert in the field. He'll have you for dinner; you’ll think you’ve done him a favor and before you know it, you’ll end up owing him instead."

  ."..?"

  "You still don't get it? Our normally quiet and calm Death Knight, who’s barely been visible behind Undigit's back, suddenly starts to show his real self, and in your company, no less. This is nothing short of self-promotion." Anastaria turned to the Death Knight and continued, "Don, let me disappoint you straight away. I'm in Seathistles temporarily. In three months' time, just before the clan championship I'll return to Phoenix. There is a chance, of course, that I’ll stay, but it's so tiny that it isn't even worth mentioning."

  "Typical," uttered Donotpunnik in feigned offence, "the moment you decide to join another clan, some reason is bound to pop up to make it totally impossible."

  "You really think you have it all figured out," I parried, "what makes you think that I'm in such dire need of either of you? Anastaria and Donotpunnik, you are legends in your own clans, so that's where you belong. You will return in three months' time," I looked at Anastaria, "and I'm certain that I won't be wasting my wish on getting you to remain in the clan. I'll think of something really interesting instead. As for Donotpunnik," I turned towards the young man, "please don't take this personally, but I hadn't even met you before all this and don't really know who you are. Why would I need you? You could be an agent, just like this pretty lady. So you can relax and stop trying to sell yourself. I'm not buying."

  "Overinflated ego?" Donotpunnik looked at Anastaria.

  "I don't think so. He's just too certain about forgoing all the bonuses that would come with our presence. Doesn't seem like him."

  "Guys, stop speaking about me in the third person in my presence. I've laid out my position; it doesn’t contradict any of the existing agreements. With all due respect, I really don't need ... "

  'The Cleansing of the Dark Forest' quest has been completed. Please contact the Guardian for your reward.

  The Tear of Eluna, the source of the taint, has been removed and soon the Cursed Forest will again revert to being the Dark Forest.

  The quest is 65% complete.

  Reward: +200 with all encountered faction
s, +40 to any main stat, +10 character levels.

  Quest 'Restoration of a Holy Relic, Step 3: The Return of the Stone of Light' has been completed.

  Please contact the High Priestess of Eluna for your reward.

  The Stone of Light has been found.

  The quest chain is 75% complete.

  Reward for completing Step 3: +1 Level, +200 to Reputation with the Priestesses of Eluna, +50 to Reputation with Goddess Eluna.

  Reward: 3 flasks of the Water of Life.

  Ding! You've received 6822 new messages. Do you wish to view them?

  When I realized what Plinto had done I wanted to howl. The second part of the Guardian's gift was as good as gone! We’d failed to complete his one request – the full cleansing of the forest from the taint. From the very start the Oak had said that if the Fallen were chased out of this forest they would just go and occupy another one, spreading their taint elsewhere. Plinto ... what have you done?!

  "And that's it?" asked Anastaria in surprise after reading the messages, "Did they just decrease the Reputation reward without any further penalties? They didn't dock any stats or levels ... . Hmmm ... something isn't right here. '65% complete' ... I simply don't get it. What did we actually lose?"

  "I did it!" Just a minute later a smiling Plinto ran up to us, holding the Tear of Eluna and the Stone of Light in his hands. "Both quests have been completed, we can leave now. The Fallen have been locked inside the castle, they can't get out! They've started trying to break through the wall, but according to my estimation, it will take them a couple of weeks. Pity about the Reputation reward dock, but that's not the end of the world. The main thing is that our levels and stats are intact, both in the first and the second quest. ... I don't get it, why the long faces? Didn't I just complete the quest?"

  "You failed it!" I said, unable to restrain myself.

  "What do you mean?" Plinto froze, staring at me.

  "Exactly that!" I was shouting now, "We just had to block the entrance and change all the Vampires! But you went and ..."

  "Mahan," Undigit interrupted my angry rant, "the quest has been completed and I see no sense in dying to mobs just for Experience, so the Azure Dragons clan thanks you for access to the quest and, if you get anything similar, do write – we'll negotiate a price. Donotpunnik, let's go, we still have a lot to do."

  "The Heirs of the Titans are also going back." This came from Etamzilat: "I agree with Undigit. There's no First Kill on the books and there won't be much Experience gained just from mobs alone ... we're going. If you get another quest like this, let us know, we'll talk it over ..."

  In just a few minutes twenty-seven people packed up, got on their mounts and sped away towards the Guardian's glade.

  "The quest is finished, Mahan," said Ehkiller, who was suddenly standing next to me. "I agree with Undigit and Etamzilat; there's nothing left for us to do in this forest. I understand that it is important for you and your clan to gain levels, so I offer you a two-month-long boost at our base. For free, for your entire clan. We'll write it off as 'payment for incomplete quest in the Dark Forest'. We're taking in recruits at the moment and the training should start in three days, giving us just enough time to get to Anhurs if we open a portal now. We'll be able to protect you from the Dark Legion, which is still out for your blood, and Plinto won't be going anywhere either. By the way, how would you like to complete our obstacle course?" Ehkiller asked the Rogue, "It would be interesting to see the results."

  "Whatever the clan leader says," was Plinto's short reply, but I could see from his eyes that the idea caught his interest. It was easy to guess why: it would mean completing the obstacle course of a clan which had been a long-time, bitter rival and showing their Rogues what incompetent and altogether rubbish players they were. ... From where I was standing, though, it looked like Ehkiller was blatantly trying to buy everyone off ... and quite thoroughly at that ... .

  "In any case, whatever Mahan's decision is," the leader (or the shadow leader, I was beginning to lose track who this guy was) of the best clan in Malabar continued, "Phoenix, is leaving the Dark Forest. I'm grateful for your invitation and if you get another quest like this, I'm prepared to discuss the price of our taking part. Hellfire!" Ehkiller shouted, "Get ready, we're off to hand in the quest and then return to Rastrum! Mahan, Anastaria," 'Killer nodded and headed off towards the gathering players.

  "Hold on!" I stopped him, trying to get a handle on my emotions, "Do please take all of my guys and send them for training once they hand in the quest. To what level will you be boosting them?"

  "The course is designed for leveling up from the twentieth to a hundred and twentieth level. What about you? Aren't you coming with us?"

  "No. I'll stay here for a bit – spend some time strolling around by myself, watch those mobs breaking down the walls ..."

  "I don't see any sense in stubbornly respawning again and again." Ehkiller looked at me, surprised. "You won't be able to do anything on your own. You can't do anything as a Shaman for another week and I believe Plinto when he says that the castle will be open again in two weeks' time. Can you tell me what the point of you staying here is?"

  "What's the difference? Everyone got what they wanted and no-one owes anyone anything. The raid is finished, and all obligations have been met. Plinto," I turned to the Rogue, "I have a special job for you. Show Phoenix how to complete that obstacle course properly. I would be very disappointed if you don't set a new record – both in speed and the number of attempts."

  "Consider it done, boss." A smile flashed across Plinto's face. “I realize what I've done by bringing these damn stones here, but no point crying over spilt milk. There's no time limit on playing, so things are bound to work out for you sooner rather than later. But you're right about the chickens ... it would be sheer pleasure to show them the proper way of playing the Game. Thank you!"

  "So, is this it then?" When Plinto left to get ready and describe the task at hand to Eric, Leite, Clutzer and Barsina (incidentally it was interesting to note how quickly they all accepted him as their leader: for them Plinto was the second in terms of authority after myself – at least I hoped that he was the second ... ) Antsinthepantsa came up to me. "The quest is finished and everyone's leaving ... Mahan, I'll go too ... I understand that not everything is finished here and the forest is yet to be completely cleansed, but I have a strong feeling that there is nothing more to be done here. To keep respawning just to clear out the mobs ... I think I'll pass. So, my sincere thanks for inviting me and if you get another quest like this, do give me a shout. By the way, Kalatea has decided to meet you in person and will fly to Anhurs in a week. It turns out that Harbingers may only teleport freely within their own continent. Try not to be late."

  Why is everyone repeating the same thing: 'thanks; if you get another quest, call us and we'll come'? And yet no-one has any inclination at all to help finish off the crowd of enemies still remaining ... I was left quite speechless. ...

  "You know, I will probably stay": Anastaria shared the happy news after all the gathering was done and what was left of the raid headed back to the Guardian to hand in the quest. "There's nothing for me to do in Anhurs and I can hand in the High Priestess's and Guardian's quests any time, so I'll stay with you for a bit. The tent is big enough and it wouldn't be right to leave you alone with just Slate around, would it?"

  "Stacey ..."

  "What?

  "Why don't you go, eh? I don't really feel like talking right now ... I might just lose it and scream my head off at you only to regret it later. ... I had such a great plan all laid out, came up with these pinecones and daggers ... and it was all for nothing. ... I need some time alone, to scream it all out at the trees or something ..."

  "What did you expect? You made the most common mistake of any manager: failure to give clear instructions to a subordinate. If you told Plinto that he should not touch the Stones under any circumstances, this situation wouldn't have arisen. Experience, Mahan. You need experience
in managing people. I'm prepared to stay with you and deconstruct our raid in detail, figuring out where we went wrong and why, and what we got right. And anyway, abandoning a clan leader, all alone in a forest ... well, no point beating about the bush ... I think that you may still manage to do something with the castle and I too want to get the full reward for the quests. I'm not a fan of half-hearted solutions."

  "You think?" Could Anastaria also have a habit of following her intuition?

  "Either way, you've managed to get it right so far, perhaps you'll get it right now too. I leveled up only recently, so respawn isn't much of a threat to me. I'll stay with you and help you stave off the boredom. You still won't be able to summon Spirits for a week, right? So we can wait for that. I'll wander around the forest, try to find the Patriarch and have a chat with him. ... The Fallen ones are trapped in the castle in any case ... and you haven't told me about the Prince yet. ... I'll find things to keep me busy, don't you worry."

  "All right, stick around then ... although I don't see the p–"

  "It's a deal then," the girl interrupted me, "I'm off to scout out the forest. I'll be back soon and then we'll have that chat about the raid. Don't get bored now."

  After finding myself alone, I tiredly sat by the tent and let out a subdued howl, not wishing to disturb Slate. How could it all start out so well and end so stupidly?