Sora, Blossom, and LeeLee were all standing at the entrance to a large cavern. The cavern had two entrances and there were stalagmites everywhere on the ground. The boss was sitting on a treasure chest, polishing his sword. Sora had fought this boss before in his previous life, the stalagmites are used to hide behind when the boss does an AOE attack. There were five rows of stalagmites with six in each row, every 5 minutes will trigger his AOE ability, dealing enough damage to one shot most people and also crumbling the stalagmites that were hit. This means that the group had 35 minutes to kill the boss before a complete party wipe and a 24 hour timeout before you can revive. He had another ability too but it was just a buffed basic attack, they didn’t pose too much of a threat.

“By the way, what abilities do you two have?”

“I’ll share their information.”

“Me too.”

Blossom showed her skills first.

[Shoulder Bash]

Cost: 10 mana

Cooldown: 10 seconds

Requires: Greatsword

-Deals 50% of Strength as damage and pushes the target back 3 meters.

[Savage Pounce]

Cost: 15 mana

Cooldown: 20 seconds

-Pounce onto a target or target area up to 10 meters away dealing 100% damage. Can be recast for free 1 time for 5 seconds after original cast on a new target.

[Overwhelm]

Cost: 25 mana

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Requires: Greatsword

-Deal 200% damage to target. If target is below 10% health, deal 300% instead.

[Shoulder Bash] was a good disrupting skill, that’s the skill Blossom used to interrupt the skills of the last boss, it didn’t do very much damage but it help control the battlefield. [Savage Pounce] excelled in quick movement between enemies, it will turn Blossom into a nightmare for enemies that require distance to deal damage. Just imagine fighting against a group of players when suddenly a greatsword wielder jumps to your healer, kills them within seconds, then recasts the skill to jump back to the frontlines. [Overwhelm] was a skill that received a lot of attention in his previous life, it would decimate anything with a high health pool when they fell below 10% health. Blossom had a fairly decent set of skills already, she had a disrupter, a mobility, and a damage skill. Next was LeeLee.

[Accurate Strike]

Cost: 5 mana

Cooldown: 5 seconds

Requires: Dagger

-Next basic attack ignores 50% of target's defense

[Shimmer]

Cost: 50 mana

Duration: 10 seconds

Cooldown: 2 minute

-75% chance to evade incoming attacks.

[Barbed Strike]

Cost: 15 mana

Cooldown: 10 seconds

Requires: Dagger

-Attack that deals 100% damage + makes the target bleed for 100% damage over 10 seconds.

[Hidden Weapon]

Cost: 0

Cooldown: 0

Requires: Phantom Assassin Class

-Freely store and deploy 2 daggers and a mask.

[Accurate Strike] was a basic skill that any dagger user should have, it was effective against bosses and tank players. Although it wasn’t special, it still had utility in almost every situation. [Shimmer] was good for stalling out fights, buying time, or even escaping an enemy. The high cooldown made it a one time per fight skill for the most part but the moment it was used would greatly turn the tides of battle. [Barbed Strike] could keep a DOT effect on the target, it gave consistent damage that didn't seem like a lot but would add up over time. If a fight were to last 30 minutes and the target had the bleed effect the entire time it would add up to the amount of one hundred and eighty basic attacks. The only bad thing was the mana cost, to keep the bleed up for just a minute would cost 95 mana. [Hidden Weapon] was only really good for fighting players, when weapons can instantly be deployed it can throw the enemy off and make ambushing almost useless. LeeLee didn’t have as great a skill set as Blossom, but it did have more damage potential.

Sora quickly went over the battle strategy with Blossom and LeeLee. The basics were to let Sora hold aggro while the two girls did damage. LeeLee was in charge of letting everyone know when the 5 minute mark was approaching so everyone could make it to a stalagmite before the boss uses his AOE. If Sora falls too low then it was up to Blossom to take aggro while he recuperates. With a plan set, the group positioned themselves on different sides of the cave and Sora led the charge. He opened up with a basic attack followed by a [Slash].

-115

-289

His [Slash] was a critical hit, firmly locking the aggro onto Sora. Blossom used [Savage Pounce] to close the gap between her and the boss while also dealing damage, she used [Overwhelm] every now and then but tried to make sure her mana was above 50% at all times in case of emergencies. LeeLee was the highest damage dealer and had to carefully watch her aggro, with the bleed effect constantly generating aggro it was hard to find a good rhythm. She had [Shimmer] if needed but would like to refrain from using it if possible.

“We are at 4 minutes 30 seconds, get ready to run.”

“10...9...8”

LeeLee was spot on with her callout and just as she hit 0 the boss started casting his AOE skill while everyone was already in cover. The boss let out a roar as he started to spin wildly.

“I’ve killed people like you hundreds of times! You will suffer for your over confidence!”

The boss had created blades of air that wreaked havoc on the surrounding stalagmites. Just as the skill ended the stalagmites that the group was using as cover crumbles to pieces. Sora once again charged in and started dealing damage, he had only taken a few hits before the boss used his AOE which resulted in being left with about half his health but after the break behind the stalagmite he was able to recover up to about two thirds. Right after the group engaged again the boss had already fallen to 75% health. He let out a small grunt before his sword glowed brightly and landed a hit on sora dealing a large chunk of damage. Sora quickly drank a health potion and continued to hold aggro.

“Mister fisherman, I’ll take aggro at ten seconds and use [Shimmer] so you can fall back early to recover more.”

“Alright, I’ll leave it up to you then.”

“15...14...13”

LeeLee had saved Sora a lot of health by taking the aggro, he was able to fall back and rest a moment while the boss kept missing his attacks against LeeLee. In the end only one attack hit before the boss started to use his AOE. They engaged once again and was able to bring the boss down to 50% health about half way through the next damage cycle. Sora was starting to feel the pressure of the boss when he unleashed another glowing sword, nearly taking Sora’s life. Blossom reacted by taking the boss’s aggro while Sora drank a health potion. Because Blossom didn’t have a parry dagger she ended up taking quite a few hits, also falling into the red zone and having to drink a health potion. LeeLee once again took aggro and used [Shimmer] to avoid his attacks before the boss used his AOE. Sora was able to fully recover as they began the fourth attack cycle, they should be able to bring the boss down to 25% in the fifth cycle and kill him on the sixth at this rate.

The party continued to fight, Sora held the aggro most of the time but Blossom and LeeLee would sometimes need to take it so Sora could recover. One time LeeLee took aggro and used [Shimmer] but the boss got lucky and hit her all three times before he used his AOE, forcing her to drink a health potion and leaving her with a fraction of her health. On the fifth cycle they had already brought the boss down to 15% health.

…..

At one entrance of the cavern a group of players had walked in, their party was the basic party format that consisted of a tank, a healer, and three damage dealers. When they saw Sora and his group fighting the boss they all looked at eachother with a smirk. They had already decided to steal the boss from the trio. The group rushed in with the healer behind and the tank in the front.

Sora glared at the group before asking what the timer was for the AOE of the boss. A devious smile appeared when LeeLee reported only a minute before the boss would use his AOE. Sora was calm but Blossom had already blown a fuse when she saw the players trying to steal the kill away.

“What the hell do you think you guys are doing?”

“Ah, well we saw how small your party was and decided it was best to help you out so you don’t die.”

“Bullshit! This is plain robbery! I’m suddenly having a hard time figuring out if this guy is the bandit boss or you are!”

“Hehehe, since you already know, why are you still here?”

“You-”

LeeLee interrupted Blossom with her countdown, the boss had it’s aggro taken by the other party since Sora and LeeLee stopped attacking, knowing what would happen to them. Blossom had simply forgot to attack due to how mad she was. LeeLee hinted towards Blossom.

“Blossom, why not play leapfrog with their healer?”

“Hehehe, that sounds like a fun.”

Blossom used [Savage Pounce] to go directly in front of the healer, followed by a basic attack and [Overwhelm]. The healer was instantly dead, she then used [Savage Pounce] again to jump behind a stalagmite. The party was confused as to what happened, their healer died in less than three seconds and Sora, LeeLee, and Blossom had all hidden behind a stalagmite. The leader of the party suddenly had a bad premonition and called for his party to retreat, it was too late.

“I’ve killed people like you hundreds of times! You will suffer for your over confidence!”

The boss started to spin rapidly as wind blades cut through each of the party members, after the AOE was over there was only the tank of the party who survived due to his high defense, and a warrior who had probably put a lot of points into Constitution. The boss swung at the warrior one time and finished him off, the tank turned around to flee but was instantly pounced on by Blossom, the [Savage Pounce] was enough to kill him in one hit since his health was so low, so Blossom used the next cast to engage the boss. The boss only had 5% HP left and was easily dealt with when Blossom used [Overwhelm] on him a couple times, doing 300% damage due to the boss having less than 10% health. The boss fell dead, with only a key necklace dropping.

[Level up]

[x1 Kev’s Key obtained]

-Used to open Kev’s treasure chest

Sora picked up the key, walking up to the treasure chest the boss had originally been sitting on. He inserted the key as a small clicking noise was heard and the chest flung open, revealing various pieces of equipment that was glowing green and blue. Sora started with the green equipment.

[x1 Darksteel Gauntlets obtained]

Rarity - Uncommon

Durability - 45/45

Defense - 8

Requires - Level 30 - Heavy Armor Class

“Gauntlets forged from steel that has been mixed with a small amount of obsidian.”

+10 Constitution

+5 Strength

Now that the trio had classes the loot could be distributed easier, anybody in a party that used heavy armor would use a system where they could roll a random number from 1 to 100. The higher number gets the loot.

“Blossom, let’s both roll for it.”

“Eh… it would be better if you-”

“It’s only fair to roll, don’t try to push everything you earn onto me.”

Blossom couldn’t argue when he had such a serious look on his face, Blossom thought that Sora had interpreted her trying to give away the loot as her saying that he needs it more. She felt a little disappointed in herself after she thought of it that way and rolled obediently. Sora didn't think in that way at all, he simply just wanted everyone who worked for loot to have a chance to get it. Blossom rolled first and was left speechless when a perfect low score of 1 appeared. Sora had rolled a 13 but still won due to Blossoms incredibly low score. Sora continued to distribute the loot this way.

[x1 Frost Lion Leather Leggings obtained]

Rarity - Uncommon

Durability - 40/40

Defense - 9

Requires - Level 30 - Medium Armor Class

“Leather leggings made from the hide and fur of a Frost Lion. The leggings also provide a mysterious warmth when worn in cold climates.”

+10 Dexterity

+5 Constitution

Sora and Blossom both passed on the leggings, they didn’t use medium armor so the leggings went straight to LeeLee. A joyous smile could be seen as she switched her leggings, the fur was white with a small hint of blue and they didn’t look too bad, even with a mismatch of other pieces of armor.

[x1 Frost Lion Leather Boots obtained]

Rarity - Uncommon

Durability - 35/35

Defense - 5

Requires - Level 30 - Medium Armor Class

“Leather boots made from the hide and fur of a Frost Lion. The boots also provide a mysterious warmth when worn in cold climates.“

+15 Agility

Another piece of loot that went to LeeLee. The only thing left was two swords that glowed with a blue light, one was a normal longsword and the other was a greatsword. Sora looked at Blossom who seemed to be praying as he pulled out the greatsword first. As soon as it came into view Blossom had whispered what sounded like ‘Thank you Goddess Lucia’.

[x1 Serrated Bloodsteel Greatsword obtained]

Rarity - Rare

Durability - 75/75

Damage - 75-93

Requires - Level 30 - Greatsword Class

“A greatsword with a serrated edge, the steel has a deep red color and seemed to be made from blood.“

+25 Strength

+5% chance to make the target bleed for 50% weapon damage on hit

Blossom was so excited that she forgot she was the only greatsword user, she rolled the dice and ended up with another pathetic 1. Just as she was about to have a mental breakdown Sora passed on his roll and it suddenly clicked in her head. She equipped the greatsword and started to swing it around frantically while laughing cheerfully. At one point she even hugged it close to her body. Sora finally looked at the last glowing blue sword, this would be the sword that helps him take down the cocoon boss.

[x1 Artifact Sword obtained]

Rarity - Rare

Durability - 65/65

Damage - 63-72

Requires - Level 30 - Sword Class

“The sword looks to be made of an ancient material, although it has lost it’s edge, it still hums with a faint magical energy that assists in cutting.“

+15 Strength

+5% chance to ignore defense on hit.

Sora instantly took out his Vicious enchantment and applied it to his sword. It was impossible for him to get a better sword before he fights the cocoon and wanted to power level for the last few days he had. He applied the enchantment on the sword, leaving the rune on the center of the blade.

[x1 Vicious Artifact Sword obtained]

Rarity - Rare

Durability - 65/65

Damage - 73-82

Requires - Level 30 - Sword Class

“The sword looks to be made of an ancient material, although it has lost it’s edge, it still hums with a faint magical energy that assists in cutting.“

+15 Strength

+5% chance to ignore defense on hit.

(Enchantment Effects)

+10 Strength

+10-10 Damage

The trio left the cave and went back to the small village, Blossom and LeeLee wanted to know how he added the rune to his sword so he let them borrow his enchanting supplies to make their own out of the essence they had. Blossom enchanted two pieces of armor with the Hardened Essence and LeeLee enchanted one piece of armor with Hardened Essence and her boots with Quick Essence. Sora decided used the essence he collected when fighting in the undead battlefield to buff his gauntlets and boots.

[x1 Hardened Darksteel Gauntlets obtained]

Rarity - Uncommon

Durability - 60/60

Defense - 8(+5)

Requires - Level 30 - Heavy Armor Class

“Gauntlets forged from steel that has been mixed with a small amount of obsidian.”

+10 Constitution

+5 Strength

(Enchantment Effects)

+15 Durability

+5 Defense

[X1 Quick Scaled Boots of Water Walking obtained]

Rarity - Uncommon

Durability - 50/50

Defense - 5

Requires - Level 5 - Fishing Skill of 5

“Boots that have been made from the scales of a Bronze Snub Fish. Fins have been added to the sides to help traversing water!“

+5 Agility

+Can take 2 steps on top of water with no penalty

(Enchantment Effects)

+10 Agility

+10% Movement Speed