Chapter 460

Achievement Unlocked – Get Stitched… B**** - Defeat the Special Summon version of Patches the Stitcher

Reward- 5,000 xp, 100 gp, new title

Title- Super World Boss Slayer (1)*

Super World Boss Slayer- While this title is equipped, gain an additional 5% damage to World Bosses, as well as a 5% chance to receive Rare or higher items from World Bosses. This buff stacks for each unique Special Summoned World Boss you defeat.

James sighed as he closed out of the achievement. All around, players continued their celebrations, many high fiving each other, trading their contact info and such, and even creating new parties for their continued third floor adventurers. James, on the other hand, wasn’t feeling in that big of a celebratory mood.

“Cheer up,” Fel said as she noticed his sour expression. She slapped a hand on his back, which sent a large chunk of swamp gunk flying from his gear. She smirked, and he simply glared. “It’s just a game.” She added with a knowing smile.

“I know that.” James grumbled, though in reality, it was more than that to him. DCO was his life now. Everything within DCO, was his life. And the humiliation he’d just gone through thanks to Patches, hit too close to home. He’d been bullied a lot in the real world, and now, in front of all these players, he’d been yanked into a freaking swamp by a zombie doll. If not for Alex’s quick thinking, he’d have likely died during that battle. Luckily for him, Alex had burned his racial cooldown immediately, and used his devilkin form to cut James free, and pull him to safety.

“Then act like it.” Fel whispered, her voice firm. “You’re a developer, remember. Don’t let them see you like this.”

James sighed, knowing full well she was right. Still, it was a hard pill to swallow. Even more so, considering the fact the fight had nearly cost him Ifrit. Had his summon died during that battle, James would have been devastated. Sure, he could always resummon the Djinn, but then they would have to resume farming up kills and experience for the Djinn, and he doubted Ifrit would appreciate dying, even if only temporary.

“You’re right.” James said with a heavy sigh. “It’s just,” he ran a hand over his head, slinging more of the stinking swamp gunk everywhere. It had been funny, when he’d imagined adventurers falling into the putrid, brackish waters. But now that James had to experience, he couldn’t help but hate himself. Maybe the swamp was a little too real.

“just what?” Rue asked as she stepped up beside the two. She’d been off giving an earful to a few of the adventurers who’d originally abandoned the World Boss fight, only to return at the last minute to land a few extra hits so they could get credit. Rue, in her typical fashion, had berated the poor souls so much that James was pretty sure she’d convinced them to relinquish the loot they’d received to the players who’d actually put in the work. Leave it up to Rue, to look out for the others.

“Nyx here was just saying how badly he stinks.” Fel said with a chuckle, the sound of which brough Alex over. His form was covered in swamp gunk as well, but it didn’t seem to bother him. Then again, his soiled gear was a sign of his heroism, while James’s was a sign of his failure.

“Dude, right.” Alex said with a laugh as he wrung out a bit of his drenched cloak. “I’m totally taking a dip in the water on the fourth floor.”

“Damn right you are.” Fel said. She looked Alex up and down, and wrinkled her nose. “Till then, I’d suggest you just take off your gear.”

“And what, run around in my underwear?” Alex asked incredulously.

“If you have a pot for him to wear,” Rue piped in, “we could let him solo Grandma Jenkins.”

All three looked towards Rue, and the vampire healer shrugged. “Never mind.” She said with a sigh. “Seriously, players these days are so uncultured.”

“Speaking of Grandma Jenkins.” Alex cut in. “We’ve got Trogdor to tank, and a few of the players here actually showed interest in joining us. I told ‘em we were taking you guys to the fifth floor. Seems some of these guys haven’t had the chance to get there yet themselves, and they’re wanting to help out as much as they can too. Seems they want to pay you back,” Alex looked approvingly at James, “for helping plan the defeat of the World Boss.”

“I didn’t do anything.” James grumbled, feeling his shame once again. “Really, my DPS was negligible. And I needed to be saved.”

“Bullshit.” Alex said, shaking his head. “Your djinn was awesome. It tanked Patches for a good thirty seconds, giving us time to clean up mobs to be able to better focus him. If not for that, Trogdor wouldn’t have been able to help keep the horde off our players, and we would have wiped for sure.”

“So it was Ifrit that was helpful.” James retorted. “Not me. Hell, the only reason I even stayed alive, was thanks to you. If anyone deserves any credit, it’s you two.”

“I had a score to settle with Patches.” Alex said simply. “But that wouldn’t have happened, without you Nyx. Really.” He glanced at Rue. “Are all developers so moody?” He said it with a smirk on his face, and James couldn’t help but feel his own lips sneak upwards. Alex had that about him. That easy going, lighthearted nature, that just put everyone around him at ease. It was the type of charismatic, popular guy, that James had always wanted to be.

“If you think he’s bad now.” Rue said, without missing a beat. “You should see what happens when he loses a fight against me.” She flashed her fangs in a large smile. “You’d think the world was ending.”

The group broke into laughter, which doubled as James tried to protest Rue’s statement. With the mood improved, James felt his angst subsiding. He was here to have fun. He was here to experience DCO as a player, and yeah, that meant some awkward moments. He’d be a hypocrite, really, if he let this get to him. Especially considering all the misfortunate things he’d put players through…especially groups like The Knights Who Go Ni, and Alex. A moment of guilt doubled back on James as he remembered what he’d done to Alex with Patches the last time. The irony of Alex saving him from a similar fate, was not lost on him.

“Alex, Fel.” Trogdor’s voice drew their attention to the approaching Dragonkin, who similarly, was covered in swamp gunk. “Ya’ll want some dicken before we take on Grandma Jenkins?” He held out a literal bucket filled with Fried Dicken. On the side of it, it read ‘Our Dicken’s Kickin.’” James couldn’t help but silently chuckle. Alex’s family was definitely winning in their advertising department.

“Yeah, no.” Fel said dryly. “No one wants your dicken Trogdor. Especially considering Grandma Jenkins has pie.”

There were a few additional murmurs of agreement from the players within earshot, a few of whom seemed to be the ones Alex had mentioned. They were all waiting, it seemed, for James to give the word for the party to continue forward. Which meant, no more time for him to feel sorry about himself. And, as Fel had reminded him, for all the players knew, he was a developer. He needed to act like one.

“Right,” James said, clearing his throat as he tried his best to sound confident. He saw Ifrit watching him, the massive Djinn choosing to stay floating lazily above the swamp water, rather than near all of the players he didn’t know. “Who’s in the mood for some pie?” Cheers erupted, as their party grew a moment later from five, to ten. Then, with half a raid party formed, the group went on their merry way, towards the old shack in the woods, where Grandma Jenkins waited. The poor third floor boss, at level 50, didn’t stand a chance.