World Tree Online: The Order of Epic Grinders: 4th Dive

by M. A. Carlson

  “Uh, no, none of those things,” Olaf replied. “I’m recruiting for my party. We need a ranged damage dealer. My party decided a spellcaster would be the better way to go.”

  “I see,” Stephanie said, looking a little disappointed. “Oh, well. Anyway, not sure the University is the best place to be recruiting. People here are here to level up their ‘Enchanting’ mostly. There is one weirdo working on ‘Runology’, but everyone knows that’s just a waste of time.”

  Oh, if only she knew. Olaf shook his head and let out a small sigh of disappointment. “I see. I suppose I should just start asking around then.”

  “Nope,” Stephanie replied. “You want to go to the Mage’s Folly. It’s a bar where Mage’s for hire like to congregate. They are mostly mercenaries, but you get the occasional Mage in there looking for a long-term party.”

  “That sounds perfect,” Olaf said. “And where can I find that?”

  “Head back to the southern spoke and follow it north to the fourth ring. Once you’re there it’s not much further. It’s on the main street, so you can’t miss it,” Stephanie answered.

  “Thanks a lot, the help is much appreciated,” Olaf said.

  “Happy to help and good luck finding someone to fill your party,” Stephanie said.

  Olaf found the bar exactly where Stephanie said it would be. It was filled with robes, wands, and staffs. Everything a Mage could ever want. There was even a quick draw competition for fastest wand going on and a flyer boasting a tournament in a few weeks with valuable prizes, including a rare spell for the winner. Though the hundred gold signup fee probably more than covered the cost.

  Olaf started at the bar by ordering a drink.

  When the beer was set down in front of him, Olaf asked the bartender about anyone looking for a permanent party. To which the bartender said he didn’t know if anyone there that night was looking. Though he pointed out several mercenary groups. They weren’t formal Orders, just parties of Mages that hired out. Olaf even talked to a few, but they were way too expensive.

  With that first night a bust, Olaf started again first thing the next day . . . except the bar didn’t open until mid-afternoon bell, around 3:00 PM. Not willing to waste the day, Olaf returned to the crafter’s ring, intent on leveling his professions rather than wasting time blindly asking anyone wearing a robe if they were looking for a party . . . which could get him into a lot of trouble if he worded it wrong.

  Olaf sauntered back into the Mage’s Folly a little after 4:00. It was sparsely populated, but that was okay in Olaf’s book. It meant the bartender got him his beer faster. The bartender was only able to point out a level 35 Water Mage that he knew was looking for a permanent group or an Order to join. The Water Mage, was a nice enough woman, though she made it clear she wasn’t interested in helping a group that was almost ten levels below her.

  After that, Olaf approached a number of other Mages that were sitting by themselves or with a small group. Unfortunately, none of them seemed to be interested.

  Eventually, Olaf ended up back at the bar, drinking more beer to take the sting out of striking out for a second night in a row.

  “Well, if it isn’t my old buddy, Olaf Crushhammer,” said someone Olaf recognized almost instantly.

  Turning around, Olaf looked at the source of the statement just to confirm what he knew. Upon seeing the man who called him out, an idea struck him. A small devious smile crossed his face as Olaf mumbled, “Bye-bye really isn’t going to like this.”

  Chapter 11

  I yawned as I sat down across from a bedraggled Heath in the dining room of the Doghouse Inn. “Morning,” I said.

  Heath grunted.

  “Rough night?” I asked.

  “Sergeant Butters,” Heath complained as if it would answer everything.

  “Did you go drinking with him or something?” I asked.

  “No, I went to him to learn to use my axe,” Heath replied.

  “Oh, yeah?” I asked, interested to hear how it went.

  “Yeah,” Heath said, not sounding happy about it.

  Not happy with the short answers that lacked any detail, I tried prompting him, “Sounds like there is a problem, care to tell me about it? Maybe I can help?”

  Heath sighed. “So, it’s like this. My axe is an instrument which means it’s not an axe. But to learn to actually use my instrument as an axe, I need to learn how to use a two-handed axe.”

  “So, you need to buy one?” I asked.

  “No, the Sergeant was kind enough to lend me one,” Heath said. “That’s just the start of it. According to the Sergeant, I need to level my ‘Two-Handed Axe’ skill to rank II. Then I can sacrifice the skill to learn ‘Instrumental Weapons – Battle Axe’. I was up until who knows when swinging an axe at a dummy and I’m still twenty-two levels shy. It’s ridiculous, mate.”

  I tried not to laugh. A lot of things seemed to come easy for Heath, so when I got to listen to him complain about actually being required to do some work, it amused me.

  “Stop laughing, mate, it’s not funny,” Heath protested. “Rose, tell your boy toy to stop laughing at me.”

  “Yeah,” Rose said slowly, “I’m not going to do that.”

  “Do you even know why he’s laughing at me?” Heath asked.

  Rose shook her head and with her own laugh, she gave a quick, “Nope.”

  Heath was about to argue further when a woman’s voice interrupted us, “Excuse me.”

  The three of us turned to see a small, winged woman in white robes, Her nameplate read .

  “Hello,” I said politely, giving her a friendly smile. I didn’t expect her to blush so fiercely. “Can I help you with something?”

  “I . . . I-” she stammered.

  Rose interjected, quickly losing her patience, “Spit it out, girl, Jack doesn’t bite.”

  The girl swallowed once and finally said, “I’m Arch Angel. I met Olaf Crushhammer in Root City. He said you needed a healer.”

  “Oh, Ollie sent you,” Heath said. “Good, good. We need an actual healer who will keep more than just Rose alive.”

  “Hey, I did the best I could,” I protested.

  “I don’t see the problem,” Rose said.

  “Yeah, you lived, now didn’t you?” Heath asked.

  Rose just stared at him blankly for a moment before her composure broke and she started laughing.

  “What is this? Pick on Heath day?” Heath complained.

  “Every day is pick on Heath day as far as I’m concerned,” Rose said.

  “Are you still angry about the gorilla thing?” Heath asked.

  I cringed at hearing him say that. The first time Heath met Rose, he said something rather foolish and Rose laid him out for it. When Heath woke, he claimed he was attacked by a gorilla.

  Unfortunately, Heath’s sense of self-preservation seemed to have fled him when he added, “Or was it because I thought Baby was your daughter?” He then wisely chose to vanish into ‘Stealth’ having successfully shut Rose up and managed to make her angry.

  “We’ll be heading out to work on that quest in thirty-minutes,” I said aloud, not expecting Heath to reply. I assumed thirty-minutes would be enough time for Rose to calm down. Or I hoped it would be.

  The clearing of a throat drew my attention back to the small, winged girl.

  “Right, sorry, I’m Bye-bye Jacko and this is Rose Thorns,” I said, offering my hand to her.

  Arch quickly took the hand with both of her small hands and shook vigorously. “It’s a real honor to meet you. I’m a huge fan,” she gushed, not letting go of my hand.

  At the same time, Rose and I both asked, “Fan?”

  Arch nodded. “Oh yes, I saw the footage from what posters are calling the Mountain Valley War. You were amazing. That leap from the tower was just . . . wow. And the way you foiled that surprise invasion of Hammerton . . . It was just . . . It is such a pleasure to be able to work with you. I hope I don’t disapp
oint,” she finished with a small head bow.

  I was stunned. What was she talking about? I looked to Rose for a little help, but she had already gotten out her Book of Otherworldly Knowledge.

  “Oh my God, Jack, you’re famous,” Rose said. “Just listen to this.”

  Rose started reading aloud, “Who is Bye-bye Jacko? Is he the next Titan Beast? Or is he destined to be someone even greater? Prior to the event that is now being called the Mountain Valley War, it was believed that quests were a rare and special thing in the World Tree. Then along comes a player who does something so obvious, most veterans simply asked why they didn’t think of it sooner. He talked to the NPC’s. Not demanding a quest. Not looking for some kind of symbol over their heads to tell us that a quest was just waiting for us if we asked. He had a conversation.”

  Rose smirked a little before she continued reading, “Now, even I can admit I was slightly skeptical at first. Then I tried it. I got shut down immediately and rudely. So, I thought it was a hoax. Until I heard others talking about how well it worked. Come to find out, Charisma actually matters. Who knew? Bye-bye Jacko certainly did. Once I raised my Charisma and started talking to the NPC’s, the quests began to flow in. And they weren’t all the simple go here, do this, or go kill a million of these monsters’, kind of quests. Some of them were so engaging and entertaining that I couldn’t believe I had leveled up as much as I had without them.”

  Rose continued, “So, I’ll ask you all again, just who is Bye-bye Jacko? Is he a plant from Seed Inc. to help players progress? Or is he just the smartest man in the room? No matter who he is, the only thing I can say, is thank you Bye-bye Jacko, you’ve made an amazing game into something even better. Signed - Wicked John.”

  Rose looked up from reading to stare at me slightly wide eyed. “There is also a whole bunch of footage attached. You’ve got almost a billion hits.”

  Suddenly, I felt very much like going to hide in my room. Maybe it wasn’t too late to become a rogue or a thief and just hide away. Vanish into obscurity. Do anything but be in the World Tree.

  “My life is over,” I groaned.

  Arch quickly protested. “But you’re famous. Your life can only get better.”

  Oh, if only this little girl knew. Here she was thinking me becoming famous was a good thing, because people will know me and want to help me. What she didn’t know was that Epic would not appreciate it. Jinn Sade would really not appreciate it. I was suddenly very thankful my body was safe and sound in Seed Inc, behind multiple layers of security.

  “What? What’s wrong?” Arch asked worriedly.

  My face must have given away my fear . . . my dread.

  “Jack, there’s nothing to be done about it,” Rose said, grasping my hand and trying to reassure me. “We’ll handle it, just like everything else.”

  I was lucky to have Rose in my life. So incredibly lucky. I squeezed her hand and tried to give her a gentle smile, but I doubt I succeeded.

  Rose let go of my hand and punched me in the arm playfully, then said, “Now, stop moping, we’ve got a proper healer and a quest to dominate. Let’s party up and get this show on the road.”

  The thought repeated, I was really lucky to have Rose.

  I invited Rose and Arch to a party and sent a mental invite to Heath, hoping the sneak was somewhere nearby. When all three showed up in my user interface with health, mana, and stamina bars I knew we were good to go.

  “Everyone ready to go?” I asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Arch almost shouted.

  “Easy there, fangirl,” Rose chided. “Focus on keeping us and yourself alive first.” Glancing at me, she couldn’t help but slip in a little, “You can stalk Jack later.”

  I frowned at the grinning Rose and said, “You really shouldn’t be encouraging her to stalk me.”

  “Fine, fine,” Rose said placatingly. “We should get going. Kirlan should have my armor all repaired by now.”

  “I haven’t even eaten yet,” I complained.

  “Oh, right, food,” Rose said, looking for Dogson.

  “Care to join us Arch?” I asked, motioning to the open seat across from Rose.

  “I wouldn’t want to impose,” Arch said, looking longingly at the open seat.

  “Sit, eat with us,” Rose insisted, one of her arms waving to flag down Dogson.

  “Did you get a room in the Inn?” I asked, trying to have a normal conversation with Arch. Hopefully, if she saw I was just a regular person, she would stop with the hero worship.

  “Oh, yes, I did. I arrived yesterday, but Mr. Dogson didn’t know where to find you. He said you usually come down for breakfast though, and that I should look for you then. I came down earlier to wait for you,” Arch explained.

  “So, tell us about yourself, Arch,” Rose said, apparently having gotten Dogson’s attention for breakfast to be brought over. “What kind of healer are you?”

  “Oh, I’m a Priestess of Eir, one of the Valkyrie Goddesses of Healing,” Arch answered.

  “Very nice. We’ve done some quests related to the Norse pantheon,” Rose said. “You have much experience with group healing or dungeon healing?”

  “A little. It’s usually easy to find a group as a healer. Or it used to be when everyone just grinded monsters to level up. I suppose it still is pretty easy to get a group to heal. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to quest as a pure healer,” Arch began. “Once the quest craze began, I needed to change my approach to how I played. I was almost level 17 when I learned the trick to earning quests. As you can imagine, being a small race with penalties to Strength, Dexterity, Stamina and Endurance, I was forced to figure something out fast. I tried to go pure holy damage caster but that didn’t work very well. Sure, I could fly to avoid getting hit, but I ran out of Stamina from flying too much and ran out of Mana from constantly casting spells, and once those two ran out, often at the same time, I was a sitting duck, and that was only if my enemy couldn’t also fly.”

  “How did you work around it?” I asked. All of this was new to me. After the Mountain Valley War, everything in my life went completely crazy. I suppose I didn’t really do anything with the forums or try to do any online research before logging back in, at least, nothing beyond talking to the other players at Seed Inc. It seemed most of them avoided any online news about the game during their down time, the same as I did. When you become the character you play in a video game, the last thing you want to do is more research on that game.

  “Well, just because I’m small, doesn’t mean I can’t get stronger. I’ll just forever be half as strong as most players. Anyway, I decided I needed a weapon. Wands eat up too much mana. Melee weapons defeat the purpose of being able to fly. But a bow and arrows, that I could do . . . if I could get strong enough. I worked really hard to max out my Strength, Stamina and Dexterity, getting them all to my level 17 cap of 85, and then I learned to use a bow,” Arch explained.

  “Doesn’t that just eat through Stamina faster with the flying?” Rose asked. Baby was also a flyer, so Rose knew well enough how much SP it ate up.

  Arch answered, “Not as much as you’d think. As long as I don’t use many special shots, the cost to fire a single arrow is just 5-SP. Flying only eats up 5-SP per second if I do more than hover, so I can do quite a bit of both before I need to rest . . . or that was the case when I first learned to use the bow. Probably would have remained the case if I weren’t a Priestess of Eir. As I mentioned, she’s a Valkyrie. I don’t know how much you know about the lore behind Valkyries, but they used to fly over battlefields, choosing who would live and who they would escort into the afterlife. When I became a Beginner Priestess, I was allowed to choose a spell that was unique to the Priests of Eir. I chose, ‘Refreshing Wind’, a buff spell that recovers my SP every time I heal someone, so I can fly over the battlefield and choose who will live and who will die . . . not that I’ll let any of you die of course . . . at least, not on purpose. As for my ‘Refreshing Wind’ spell. I knew just how benefi
cial it would be to me if I ever wanted to solo quest and I leveled it up to Rank IV, so my SP recovery is amazing if I do say so myself.”

  “That sounds like a great buff,” Rose said. “I can’t wait to see what it does for my recovery.”

  Arch sighed and shook her head. “Unfortunately, it’s self-cast only. Otherwise, I would have had it up to Rank X already by casting it on everyone I saw. Anyway, I can solo quest okay now. But back to your original question, I have only run two dungeons so far and it was only because I happened to be in the right province at the right time. Most dungeon groups recruit in Root City then plan to stay in the province with the dungeon for a couple weeks farming it over and over again, until they out level it and then they move on to the next dungeon and do it again. I suppose that is a good way to level up and get loot, but kind of boring in my opinion.”

  I nodded along. I was surprised by how quickly the girl got comfortable talking about herself.

  “Not bad,” Rose said, she then went on to explain our quest. “Well, things should be pretty easy with your healing and dealing a little ranged damage with that bow of yours. These enemy groups are fairly large, larger than we’ve seen in other provinces anyway. They range in size from eight to eighteen monsters. All undead. Mostly, Undead Wolves around level 17 and Undead Condors around level 22 and higher. Occasionally, there is a Drakeling or two with one of the larger groups, those are all around level 28. Jack pretty much handles them one on one. We have another quest now that requires we kill a lot of the undead, probably more than our quest calls for. The Priestess Trinico says she has a way to find the source of the undead, but she needs a lot of their essence. And according to Jack’s Goddess, that quest is actually significantly more important than we originally thought.”

  Arch nodded along in understanding. “I’ll do my best to keep up with you. I haven’t had the best luck getting drops from monsters.”

  “Don’t worry about that too much. Jack, Heath, and I all have a decent level with our ‘Scavenging’ skill,” Rose reassured her. “Any questions?”