The World Of Skill

Wind Hawk

At the top of a small hill near the Veloz plains, a group of people can be seen. They are adorned in a red cape and moved together organized. There is a flaming red fire mark patched to their right shoulder. At the front of the crowd, a man with a long scarf covering his mouth and nose is putting one hand over his eyes trying to block the sun while looking at a distance.

“Ghann, stop fooling around and stay in formation. The wind hawk should have spawned at this time and we should be ready for a battle anytime.”

A valiant looking man carrying a shield on his left hand reprimanded Ghann who is moving individually.

“Danbin, don’t be too rigid. Besides, I am doing my job to scout the surroundings. I already found our target and it seems that other guilds haven’t come. We could definitely get the boss kill for today.”

Ignoring Danbin reprimand towards him, Ghann moves further away by himself and he noticed the commotion.

“Well well, look at what we’ve got here. I think our little birdy has some itself some appetizer.”

Ghann’s class is a thief that is focusing more on trap dismantling and scouting. Because of that he also has an F rank skill 《Owl’s Eye》 which is the lower rank version of Eagle’s eye. He can see further than the rest of his guildmates and found their target the wind hawk chasing after a player.

“There’s a lucky newbie over there who already took your place as a bait Danbin. Should we thank him and let him do his job or you will take over his place?”

Looking at Ryu’s outfit, the players can see that he was just a newbie that by chance walked to Veloz plains at the time when the boss respawned. As a field boss, the wind hawk will be respawned every day at a 24 hours interval after it is killed. Ghann and Danbin’s guild already managed to kill it yesterday and they are already here to monopolize the kill again.

Killing a boss of an area sometimes becomes a bloodbath for many guilds. Aside from the loot from the boss which is precious rare materials, the experience gained from killing the boss is only granted to the last person who managed to land the last blow. Unlike normal monster experience which is counted per percentage of damage dealt, the boss monster is designed to build competitive spirit among players.

While Ghann looked like he enjoyed the struggle on Ryu’s face while being chased by the wind hawk, Danbin is giving a more nonchalant and doesn’t really care about what is happening around him besides from following orders and maintaining the team formation.

From the back of the group, a man covered in a green robe suddenly gives out a command. 

“Ghann, get into the position. Danbin, ready to unleash your 《provoke》 and tank the boss. We’re from the Flaming Blaze guild isn’t like those weaklings that like to ignore others in need.”

“Tch, Kadlir. You and your excessive sense of justice again. I wonder why you choose to be a druid instead of a paladin like Danbin. You guys should swap profession since it will suit your personality better.”

Ignoring Ghann remarks, Kadlir is observing the situation while Danbin is already raising his shield forward.

“Flaming Blaze team 3, ready for battle!”

“Ha!”

***

Ryu can only leave it to fate as he looks at the approaching wind hawk. Swearing to himself that he will eat fried chicken again tonight if he dies to the big bird. He closes his eye, preparing for pain but suddenly a roar from the distance forces him to look in that direction.

“《Provoke》!”

Danbin raises his shield and lets out a roar. At that moment the wind hawk’s aggression was directed towards him and forced to change its target.

*swish*

Pushed back by the gust of wind, Ryu used one of his hands to block the sand while his Eagle’s eye grants him the ability to look at the situation. A group of twenty men, the maximum number of people for a party is setting up their formation in the distance.

In front of the group, a valiant looking man with a solemn expression is raising its glowing shield. Preparing for incoming impact from the wind hawk. His firm stance is like a rock ready for bracing the wave.

Kadlir raised his wooden staff and directed his spell towards Danbin in the front.

“《Nature’s blessing》.”

A warm green light covered Danbin as he feels that his status is raising further.

*Clank*

Danbin who is standing in front of the formation received the wind hawk’s attack and was forced back but he still maintained his shield in front of him. The wind hawk is already flowing upwards again and preparing to launch another strike.

“Ghann!”

“I know, I’m just waiting for the right time!”

Danbin took the brunt of another wind hawk’s claw and unleashed another skill.

“《Reflect》.”

Reflect is one of shield-bearer's most popular skill due to its versatility of usage and giving the defense focused class to make an offensive retaliation.

The damage is reflected back to the wind hawk and afterward, it staggered for a bit because of the pain.

“《Sand Toss》.”

Ghann who is bidding his time to launch his skill won’t miss the chance.

The sand toss perfectly thrown at its face causing the wind hawk to be blinded for some time and it fall to the ground. Rolling around trying to wipe his eye with its wing in the process.

“《Entangle》. 《Firebolt》. 《Sword Bash》.”

The party followed up with their attack after the wind hawk is immobilized for a moment. Their teamwork is smoothly flowing like water. Clearly, it wasn’t their first rodeo as the health of the wind hawk is declining at a fast pace.

*Scree*

Finally, the de-buff from the sand toss is gone and the wind hawk raged and flew up. Looking at the group of tiny ants that annoyed it, the wind hawk flapping its wing and stayed still in the sky maintaining its stance. Its head moved back for a bit and its beak split open.

“It’s going to unleash 《Wind lance》. Team, spread out!”

Kadlir calmly assessed the situation and give commands. They are already familiar with the wind hawk and its attack pattern so they are prepared and quickly dispersed.

A bolt made out of wind appeared in front of the wind hawk and it is launched towards Danbin as the provoke skill is still taking effect. The sand quickly hindering anyone’s sight as the skill landed on the ground. Danbin’s figure who is crouched down on the ground after taking the attack is quickly covered with white light from 《heal》.

Ryu can only watch all the scene unfurling in front of him with awe. This is his first time seeing a party of 20 people fighting together against a monster. Not to mention they come from the same guild and the monster is a boss.

Various skill cast one after another flying across the battlefield like shooting stars in the night sky. His eyes are now glittering with lights. Like a child seeing his dream toy inside his Christmas present.

“They are so amazing. I wonder if I can be like them.”

Ryu is already imagining himself fighting with those people against the wind hawk. Where he gallantly released his arrow and inflicting a fatal wound to the enemy and changing the tide of the battle, increasing his team morale to finish the enemy quicker.

With no other guild interfering with the wind hawk boss, the Flaming Blaze team 3 quickly finished the battle. The wind hawk falls towards the ground as it releases its last cry powerlessly.

The team quickly loots the corpse and Ryu can see the group is now walking towards him.

As the leader of the team, Kadlir speaks up.

“New player?”

Ryu nodded while still disbelieving that the group actually strike up a conversation with him. Not to mention this unassuming thin mage covered in a green robe was looking so fierce in the battle before giving commands to his teammate.

“That must be scary for you. I still remember the first time I encounter a boss when hunting. I know that this game has a monster but the size of the 「Mountain Bear」 is really live up to its name. As big as a mountain. I lost all the ability to move and died with just one attack.”

“haha, look at this boy. He clearly wet himself there and get scared to death. He couldn’t even say one word.”

Ghann who is the most mischievous of the group is laughing out loud until Danbin shoved his side with his elbow to make him shut up.

“Ugh, my sides…”

Kadlir only gives him a side glance before looking back again at Ryu. Examining that his beginner equipment is still the most basic one and he is carrying a bow, his look is now filled with pity.

“Where are you going? Do you need us to escort you along the way?”

Ryu shook his head and quickly return to his sense.

“I am going to Lind sir. You guys look so amazing earlier. I couldn’t believe that you guys managed to kill it effortlessly.”

“Hahaha. Is it your first time seeing a guild team? Save your flattery boy, we’re just team 3 of the Flaming Blaze guild. Not to mention the main Raging Blaze guild, I think you will become an i***t when you look at our Flaming Blaze guild team 1.”

Once again Danbin shoved Ghann side and silenced him while holding his side in pain.

“You’re going to Lind? Hmm. It is still quite far from here. Are you planning to travel there on foot? Why don’t you just follow us back to Veloz and use the teleport service?”

The offer seemed good but that is only if Ryu wanted to use the teleport service. He already decided to walk until he reaches Lind so he has money to treat girls, how can he change his decision now.

“Thank you for your offer sir but I think I will just walk until I reach Lind. I already decided that I want to hunt and enjoy the scenery along the way. Once again, thank you for saving me earlier.”

“Alright then if that is your decision. You’ve got some spirit to stick on your principle. Maybe one day you can become one of us when you’re strong enough.”

Leaving Ryu alone, the Flaming Blaze team 3 quickly disappeared from the Veloz plain.

“This is so amazing. I couldn’t believe what just happened in front of me. It was like watching an action movie. Not to mention skills keep on flying around. I really want to have that kind of skill. My 《power shot》 can hardly raise any wind around me. I wonder why I become an archer now. I should have become a mage instead. Ah right, the wind from my 《power shot》 might be able to flip some skirts. Anyway, no point in fretting over it now.”

Looking towards the west, Ryu stands up and walks again with a smile.

“Girls in bikini, here I come!”