Welcome to Abarrane [Part 1] Read online

  *Roy Rogers has invited you to a group.*

  I said, “accept.”

  In the top right corner of my vision it showed a Roy Rogers followed by a red, green, and blue bar. I selected Roy Rogers.

  Roy Rogers

  Level 10 Human

  Agility: 10

  Strength: 10

  Charisma: 10

  Endurance: 10

  Wisdom: 10

  Perception: 10

  Luck: 10

  Racial Traits: None

  Another notification appeared.

  *Kraznick Gemcutter has joined the group*

  *Charlotte Widowmaker has joined the group*

  I decided to peek at their stats as well.

  Kraznick Gemcutter

  Level 2 Mountain Dwarf

  Intelligence: 5

  Agility: 2 (1.6)

  Strength: 20 (30)

  Charisma: 2

  Endurance: 10

  Wisdom: 5

  Perception: 3

  Luck: 1

  Racial Traits: Strength of the Mountain: Strength increased by 50%.

  Short and Stout: Agility reduced by 20%

  Treasure Hunter: Able to detect gems and rare metals within 20 meters.

  Charlotte Widowmaker

  Level 4 Childkin

  Intelligence: 18 (27)

  Strength: 5 (1.25)

  Charisma: 2

  Endurance: 2 (.5)

  Wisdom: 10 (20)

  Perception: 5

  Luck: 5

  Racial Traits: Forever Young: Immune to Decay Magic.

  Wisdom of the Children: Wisdom increased by 100%.

  Thirst for Knowledge: Intelligence increased by 50%

  Strength of the Children: Strength reduced by 75%.

  Frail Body: Endurance reduced by 75%.

  I closed the interface to see everyone doing the same as I was, hands waving, staring at the invisible information.

  “I can’t believe two of you are immune to magic types. That's overpowered. I should have chose a different race.” Roy looked at my frightening face and down to the girl that will never age. “Then again.”

  Kraznick walked off and picked up the flail one of the horsemen had and cast it over his shoulder. Roy began to dig through his backpack, “here we go.” He pulled out a bone handle hand axe and handed it to me. Sorry it’s all I have. “Took it off a goblin I came across.” I took it thankfully. “Sorry girly, I don’t have any magical weapons for you.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need any weapons and don’t call me girly.”

  “Well if that's everything my new recruits, let’s go kill the Mayor.”

  Chapter 7

  We arrived in the dingy rustic village that stank of cow manure around dusk. The dim orange glow cast long shadows from the wood shingled homes. The mud of the street squeezed between my three toes, so I moved to a less traveled grass and weed covered path. The streets grew darker and the oil lamps that hung weren’t lit. The village appeared empty and quiet, the only exception was a cacophonous chatter further down the street. The tallest building, a town hall or a church glowed with yellow beams of light through its stained-glass windows. While guards wielding blazing torches patrolled the near black streets for troublemakers.

  Roy pulled a bow and quiver filled with arrows from a small sack. An impossible feat, the bag was the size of a large coin purse. I made a mental note to ask him about it at a later date. He told us, “If you want to talk use group chat, activate it in your settings. To outsiders we will look like a group of mutes. Think of it as group telepathy.”

  *Group Chat is Now On*

  We all began to wave our hands through the interfaces. “Can you hear me?” I thought. “Yes.” Charlotte thought in reply. “Roy knows a lot. I hope he’ll teach me more before the group separates.” I thought. “Why thank you Mr. Troll.” Roy’s boasting voice sounded in my mind. “Wait, you can hear all my thoughts?”

  “Yes, so if your mind starts to wander into naughty territory I recommend using the mute function.”

  We walked down the final alley, the Jail entrance was across the well-lit street. There were two guards standing and smoking self-rolled cigarettes and chatting about something I couldn’t make out. “Stay here,” Roy ordered as he disappeared in a puff of black smoke. We all waited in anticipation, I could hear Kraznicks heavy breathing and thoughts, “I’m gonna kill him.” Which he said over and over. As I was about to ask him to mute himself an arrow took flight, apparating from thin air. The leftmost guard grabbed his throat, spinning to run away. A transparent combat log appeared two feet from my stomach, turned upward at a 45-degree angle towards my face.

  *Roy has struck level 11 Jail Guard with a critical strike, 67.5 piercing damage. Jail Guard has died.*

  *You have received 60 experience points*

  *You are now level 2*

  The Jail Guard fell to his knees and toppled over. The other guard looked in Roy’s direction, now visible in the well-lit street. The guard tried desperately to unsheathe his sword, but before he could, Roy released another arrow that glanced off the guard’s leather shoulder armor.

  *Roy fired a glancing shot. Hit level 12 Jail Guard for 1 damage.*

  Roy fired again in a panic.

  *Roy fired a wild arrow, miss*

  The guard was sprinting at Roy, sword overhead as Roy fumbled with the arrows in his quiver, pulling out too many and dropping them to the floor. His mind rambled in fear, “oh my god, oh my god, stupid arrows, pick up, get into my hands you stupid arrows. I’m gonna die. What are those damn noobs doing? Save me. Help me.” He reached down quickly to grab one, but the guard was in range. A green and black glowing orb zoomed past me and exploded on the guards back.

  *Charlotte struck level 12 Jail Guard with Death Bolt, 67.5 death magic damage. Jail Guard has died*

  *You have received 65 Experience points*

  The guard tumbled onto his face. Roy pulled a small dagger from his boot and stabbed the downed guard in the back.

  *Roy struck Jail Guard for 45 piercing damage. Critical Strike. Overkill!*

  *Roy struck Jail Guard for 45 piercing damage. Critical Strike. Overkill!*

  *Roy struck Jail Guard for 45 piercing damage. Critical Strike. Overkill!*

  *Roy struck Jail Guard for 45 piercing damage. Critical Strike. Overkill!*

  “You okay?” I asked Roy. “Yeah, of course.” He got up wiping the blood from his face.

  “Probably because we could hear you whining like a little girl the whole damn time. No offense lass.”

  “You’re a short ugly dwarf. No offense.” She replied. Kraznick chuckled. “Next time you’re about to die, hit the mute button and die with some dignity. Ain’t like you never died before.”

  “I have never died before!” Roy thought incredulously.

  “Really? That's actually impressive. The Mayors killed me and the girl three times. Got Joe once as far as I know.” I nodded to affirm his statement.

  “Let's not sit in the lit street in front of a jail with two dead bodies boys. Drag them inside,” Charlotte said.

  “What will ye be doin lass, while the rest of us are working?”

  “You made it very clear I’m a dainty little girl and couldn’t possibly be bothered to lift a finger doing such unladylike manual labor.” He smiled at her and grunted as he threw one of the guards over his shoulder.

  “Don’t the guards disappear? Or fade away? Or respawn?” I asked.

  “No, now get over here and help. Not all of us have freakish strength modifiers like Kraz over there.” Roy whined.

  After tucking the bodies away in a nice dark alley Roy vanished and scouted into the jail. While he scouted Kraznick and I extinguished the four lamps and waited for Roy in the shadows. After minutes of waiting a trio of guards patrolling the streets noticed the darkened street, placing their hands on their hilts as they proceeded. Kraznick readied his flail while Charlotte summoned another black and green orb that illuminated her face in a gh
astly glow. “Joe, get ready.” Charlotte whispered. I held my axe near my leg, as I rubbed my thumb feeling the smooth bone of the handle, Charlotte released an orb straight at the center guard, exploding on his chest in a deathly moan. Launching the center guard onto his back and pushing the two others away and to the side.

  *Charlotte hit Level 10 Village Guard for 45 death magic damage. Level 10 Village Guard has died*

  *Charlotte hit level 11 Village Guard for 15 death magic damage*

  *Charlotte hit level 12 Village Guard for 15 death magic damage*

  *You have received 55 experience points*

  *You are now level 3*

  All three of the guards regained their footing and rushed us. “Charlotte what are you waiting for, throw another one,” I thought panicking. “I can’t, it has a two-minute cooldown.” My legs began to tremble. I looked at Kraznick, he was grinning like a mad man spinning his flail. He charged the guards alone his flail overhead. I took my axe an threw it at the middle guard hoping to give Kraznick a one on one fight, but it arced left splitting the guards. They watched it pass by, and as they did Kraznick slammed his flail into the left guard’s leg and I heard the cracking of bone. The guard screamed, but only for a moment.

  *Kraznick hit level 11 Patrol Guard for 69 blunt damage, level 11 Patrol Guard has died*

  *You have gained 60 experience points*

  The clank of chains on steel rattled me.

  *Kraznick blocked level 10 Patrol Guards attack*

  I found myself already moving, towards the fray weaponless. The far-right guard was lunging at Kraznick and I speared him with my body full bore. We both tumbled to the ground.

  *You have struck yourself for 5 blunt damage*

  *You have struck level 11 Patrol Guard for 10 blunt damage*

  *Level 11 Patrol Guard is breathless for 10 second*

  This gave me a chance, I grabbed the guard’s sword off the ground and swung with all my strength down onto his skull. I could feel the blade dig through flesh and bone, I dropped the sword only to see it stuck in the guard’s head. I bent over and dry heaved. My long tongue stuck out hoping something would satisfy my bodies need to vomit. It tried over and over again, nothing came.

  *You have struck level 11 Patrol Guard for 40.5 slicing damage, critical strike, Patrol Guard is dead*

  *You have gained 60 experience points*

  Kraznick held the handle and ball of his flail as its chain was taut, holding back the guard’s sword. Kraznick’s face was bright red as he pushed the guard backwards, causing him to trip over his comrade and fall onto his back. The dwarf lifted the flail and I turned away covering my ears. It didn’t stop me from hearing the crunches of solid iron against brittle bones. After seconds the screams died and Kraznick was leaning on the jails stone wall, heaving.

  *you have gained 55 experience points*

  *You are now level 4*

  Still nauseous I discovered splatters of blood on my face and tunic, I opened my mouth in disgust only to let some drip onto my tongue. It tastes, good. Like the juice of a rare steak. I started licking my fingers, rubbing it down off my face and onto my lips.

  *You have gained 0 health from eating human blood. Health is already full.*

  “What the hell am I doing?” I thought. And shut off the combat log.

  “You’re a monster race Joe. Trolls eat humans, it's no surprise it tastes good to you.” Charlotte said in group chat without looking at me. “The same reason Kraznick loves the thrill of battle. Our races change our temperaments. That’s why I’m addicted to books. The Childkin are known for having a voracious appetite for knowledge. That's why I read every book I pick up cover to cover.”

  “Well that one doesn't sound so bad.” I said in shame.

  “Your right, but these side effects are going to help us survive.” I nodded to her. Kraznick grabbed two guards by their ankles and I followed his lead, hiding the bodies in the same dark alley as the others.

  Chapter 8

  Roy peaked out from the jails heavy wood door, his breathing laborious, “it’s all clear, recruits.” We entered to see two guards dead, the first slumped in his chair, blood trickling from a gash in his throat and the other in the middle of the room, with multiple stab wounds in his torso. Roy was bleeding from a slight cut on his left forearm. Charlotte began going through desk drawers and pulled out papers, quills, bottles of ink, and a single iron key. I tried to open a blackened wood storage chest that was up to my neck, then I noticed the lock. Charlotte pushed past the dwarf and opened the chest. The top shelf was lined with tear drop shaped bottles filled with glowing red, green, and blue liquid. “Jackpot,” Charlotte said handing one to Roy. He popped the cork and took a few sips. The slash on his arm began to form together under the blood. He wiped the drying blood away to see it healed. She handed the red and green potions out, but kept the blues for herself. No one argued since she was the only caster in the group.

  The second shelf contained a leather pouch filled with small daggers, a fancy wood stick, and what Charlotte told me were glaives. Metal circle throwing weapons that were dull on the inside for grip, but bladed on the outer rim. “These are between you and Roy. Roy, do you want the glaives or the daggers?”

  “I’m more of a bowman, any arrows in there?” She shook her head as she handed me the pouch and the two throwing weapons. She picked up the stick and walked to the corpse on the floor, “back up, I don’t know what kind of wand this is.” We all did what she said, after seeing her orbs she was far more powerful than her tiny frame pervaded. She flicked the wand at the corpse and lightning shot out, wild and uncontrolled, setting the chest and limbs aflame. “Oh crap,” Roy rolled the body over, smothering the flames. Charlottes ear to ear grin was scary, she had become the strongest person in the group with that tiny jagged stick. “Come on, tell me there’s a shield in there for me.” Kraznick said. I opened up the bottom shelf and there was a wrapped tarp and something underneath it. I set the tarp on the desk and unfurled it, there sat three swords, a long curving scimitar, and two matching shiny iron short swords. Roy launched at them, holding them high in the air. I picked up the scimitar examining it. It reminded me of something straight out of Arabian Nights. The handles mixed metal was a red bronze color with finger guards and the blade curved back. “I guess this is mine.” Behind me all I could hear were heavy moans of pleasure, “Oh yeah, my new baby. My precious little girl.” Kraznick seemed to be petting an animal in his arms, he turned and we saw what brought such tones of joy to his voice. A steel warhammer. The handle had leather wrapped around it all the way up to the head. The head was squared and flat on one side and the other side had a rounded weight that extended out into an obelisk like spike. “Isn’t this kind of convenient, right before we go into the jail we get loot? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?” I asked, putting the belt on that was attached to the scimitars sheathe. Roy put his hand on my shoulder, “don't ask questions about good luck Joe. You had enough bad luck, don’t question the Lady when she sees fit to help us.” It didn’t answer my question, but it was enough to shut me up. I jerry rigged a hook to my belt to carry the glaives and threw the satchel of what Roy later confirmed as throwing daggers over my shoulder.

  “Everyone ready? Let’s go free the prisoners, then kill the Mayor.”

  “Wait, I’m not ready. I’m level four and I haven't assigned my attributes yet. Also, can we turn group chat off now? All the voices are giving me a headache.”

  “Sure.”

  *Group Chat is now off*

  Charlotte spoke over Roy’s reply. “Get your perception to five, your agility to 10 and then get your strength to 10. All those weapons will benefit from agility. We can go over it more in depth after we kill the Mayor, but if you level up again tonight, put them all into agility.” I did as she said.

  Joe Axe, Level 3 Blueblood Jungle Troll.

  Attributes:

  Intelligence: 5

  Agility: 13

  Strength:
10

  Charisma: 1 (.5)

  Endurance: 12 (21.6)

  Wisdom: 1

  Perception: 5

  Luck: 5