Cyberserk & Vampiress

"Do you remember your first impressions of the wonderful town of Grossroads? Now you have a smile on your lips. I can understand. The sudden appearance of a variety of creatures before your eyes can stun you more than a strike to the head with a big ax. Cute and a little sassy elves. Rustic and rough orcs. Pretty and sympathetic vampires. Meeting with these creatures makes the heart beat faster and the eyes light up with the conviction that the miracle is somewhere near. Magic will happen at any moment!" "Yummy! I look for you and look for you, but you hide and hide. Come to me my delicious, give me a drop of your blood," Koreima's shrill voice silenced Tom and looked back at the vampire girl. "Dan I have to go, I have things to do. I'm in a hurry to meet our elf girl. I'm going to the Black Forest," the phantom quickly muttered an excuse and ran off. The cheeky clown left his friend at the mercy of the insatiable Vampiress. Dan shook his head. That's why Tom didn't mention humans and gnomes. Without humans and gnomes, this town might have been cleaner and brighter. The charming brunette walked over and hugged the young man by the waist and sniffed the air loudly. "You smell so good my darling. Don't be frightened. I was kidding. I scared that fool on purpose," the girl let go of the young man but stayed standing very close. So close that Dan could easily hear her whisper. "I'm in distress. I'm in trouble. I need help." "That's what friends are for," laughed Baron Raven and offered his hand to the beauty. He offered her a walk. "Come, I cannot satisfy your thirst in the street. I must take care of my dignity." "Lord Baron I accept your offer," laughed the vampiress and put her hand on the baron's arm. The pair went to their favorite establishment. At Snotty Mouse's, you could talk without worrying about being overheard by all sorts of insolent and scum. The town of Grossroads continued to live its usual life. The little orcs chased the nimble little elves with loud shouts. Baby gnomes did not participate in silly games. Children with dignity walked beside the adult gnomes and carefully assessed all those they met. The gnome is always looking for someone who will bring benefits. People were diluting the freshness of the city's morning life with their loud shouts. "Trout for sale! Ten fish for one gold!" "Snake meat from the b****y Mountains location. One gold for a bundle. There are snake skins." "Herbs! Valuable herbs from the Valley of Shadows. 1 gold for a bundle!" The old-timers of Grossroads town had long ago nicknamed the insolent and impudent humans by the amusing word Goldie. It was an offensive and unpleasant nickname. Orcs and elves, vampires, and gnomes knew perfectly well that any one human could be bought for gold. But there were a few exceptions to this rule. One of those exceptions walked into Snotty Mouse's establishment with his vampiress acquaintance. The owner took his pipe out of his mouth and pounded his fist softly on the bar. "Snif, get a bottle of Elvish wine and two clean glasses for the Lord Baron. Greetings Dan, greetings baby Koreima," Snotty Mouse nodded his head and shoved his stinking pipe in his mouth again. "I'm not a babe! I'm taller than you," the Vampiress hissed back. "I'm a mouse. Don't exaggerate your height," snorted the host and let loose a club of stinking green smoke with streaks of purple in the direction of the sassy girl. "Ugh! I don't want to talk to you," the vampiress snorted and hurried after Dan. The young man had already taken his usual seat against the far wall of the establishment. He sat down with his back to the wall so he could see the whole room. In the city of Grossroads you can't relax. Even in a decent establishment, one must remember to be careful. Baron Raven winked at little Snif, who had already come running with a tray and deftly set the table. Mousey was embarrassed by the Baron's familiarity. He couldn't get used to Dan Raven acting like a commoner sometimes. Dan pulled a special little dagger from his inventory and incised his left palm. He filled one glass with blood and put the knife away in his inventory. Then the young man took a bottle of crimson elfin wine from the table. He filled his glass. At this time Koreima approached the table. The girl sat down and immediately licked her lips. For a moment the vampire's neat, sharp fangs appeared. The girl took her glass. "Let's drink to having everything. And that we don't pay for it anything," said the toast Dan. Pretty vampiress raised her glass and brought it to her lips. Her brown eyes turned red and she breathed in the smell of fresh human blood with pleasure through her nose. The girl took a sip and set the glass on the table. "I was pressed by the Clan. The old bloodsuckers have sucked all my brains out. They want me to take the exam to get into the Grossroads Academy of Magic," the vampiress whispered. "And what's the problem? What's wrong with the Academy?" Dan put his glass on the table, too. "I don't want to be stuck in the damn walls all day! The old bastards aren't happy with my progress. They recognize and respect my power, but they're not happy with my status. Without my Academy degree, I'm an incomplete mage," the young vampiress expressed her problems in a sad voice. "I respect your orders. But I am far from the path of a mage. I don't understand the ultimate benefits of an Academy degree. Status? That's ridiculous. A mage's power dictates his status. Access to rare spells? Don't be ridiculous. To get a rare spell, you have to kill rare monsters and bosses in closed locations. You can buy a high-level spell with gold. I don't understand the Clan's desire to shove you into the Academy."  "Stupid. Delicious but stupid," the girl shook her head. "They don't like my connection to your squad. The Black Flame causes envy and irritation to most of them." Dan Raven waved his hand and took a glass from the table to enjoy the taste of fine wine. "It's temporary nonsense and nothing. The serious players don't pay attention to us," Dan rubbed his chin and added. "Gnomes don't count. Those self-serving runts won't soon forgive me for my way of earning gold bypassing the Smith Guild." "Gnograb is a dangerous gnome," the girl reminded him. "l**t is a dangerous sin," the young man agreed. "Gnograb is a common self-serving gnome. He can't get a share of the profits from my blacksmith shop. He's angry but he's not dangerous." Dan squinted his right eye. A gnome entered the establishment. Everyone disliked gnomes, but Dan had a particular disagreement with these folks. Raven had reason to be wary of the professional blacksmiths and bankers of this city. The gnome looked around the place. He trimmed his beard and walked leisurely toward the table where Den and Koreima were sitting. "If you sit long enough on the riverbank you can see your enemy's s**t floating past you," Dan grinned. "Ugh! Nasty nasty! I drink blood, but you ruined my appetite," the indignant vampiress put her glass on the table. "That's the one who ruined our appetites," the young man managed to snort back. "Greetings, Baron," the gnome turned his gaze to the young vampiress. "Long night to you daughter of clan Kor. My name is Gnogno and I wish to offer the glorious adventurers a very profitable assignment." "Hello Hagrid," said Dan quietly. "I am not a hagrid, I am a gnome," corrected the gnome player. "Hello Gandalf," the young man changed his greeting. "I am neither hagrid nor gandalf. I am a gnome," the gnome shook his head. "Do not compare me to your strange human creatures." "You are the stranger who brought me the quest. You want me to begin a dangerous mission. I do not care who you are, Hagrid or Gandalf. What concerns me is that you are a gnome who offers me a dangerous quest. Did you say profit? Greater profit is greater trouble and greater danger. You are a gnome of the Clan Grab? Do you work for Gnograb?" Dan leaned back in his chair and ended the conversation. "I choose my quests in the Adventurers' Guild. I'm too young and inexperienced to risk my life on a gnome quest." "There is no need to diminish your virtues, Baron. You have shown the city of Grossroads your good fortune and unprecedented courage. Hear me out before you turn down an interesting and very profitable adventure," the messenger did not attempt to sit down at the table. He stood with the proud look of a solid and confident gnome. The messenger was so sure of himself that he didn't even touch his beard. The gnome put his hands behind his belt, where he hung a large purse. "Tell tell me, I'm interested," the Vampiress nodded her head. Dan shook his head. He thought Tom had been wise not to confront the fiery vampiress this morning. Her impulsiveness and desire for adventure were constantly causing problems for the team. "The quest concerns the Castle of the Fearful Dragon. I am confident that the Black Flame squad can handle the Fearful Dragon who has taken over the castle. My guild is willing to pay a handsome reward for killing the dragon. Are you ready to accept the quest?" Dan Raven realized that the gnomes were serious. An official offer appeared before the player's eyes.   [Warning. Green Rank's Kill the Dragon quest is available. Quest Details: Kill the Lord of Fear dragon and clear the castle of Zangar location. Bring the head of the dragon as proof of your victory. Quest Condition: Players must be at least level 14. Reward: Unknown. Do you accept the quest? Yes/No]    Dan carefully read the description of the quest. An interesting task for the team. The level of the members of the Black Flame team qualifies for the quest. This was the only information that was clear to Dan. The player turned to a more experienced expert in this world. "Koreima what is the danger of the dragon Lord of Fear?" "A Fearful dragon is capable of casting a Fear curse spell during combat. Afflicted by fear, the opponent is unable to act. This is worse than paralysis. Paralysis doesn't stop a mage. A mage is a disciple of the Mind. The power of the mind cannot be stopped by the curse of paralysis. The curse of fear plunges one into a state of complete inactivity. The dragon will devour devour us! We refuse this assignment," the vampire looked proudly at the gnome. Koreima was proud of her knowledge. The boring hours spent in the clan's dull library studying nasty books sometimes brought a reason to be proud. Next to a human who was new to town, the young vampiress often enjoyed a sense of her importance and worth. "I'm waiting to hear from the commander of the Black Flame group," smiled the gnome. It was the unpleasant smile of a predator who had put a huge piece of cheese in a mousetrap. "The law of the three moons. Don't chase the unicorns away! We have time to make a decision," the vampiress frowned her eyebrows and looked at the gnome with dislike. "Thank you beauty, always you helped me with the important decision," Dan smiled. He looked at the gnome with a smile. "I'll give you an answer within three days." "You said and I heard your words. I am satisfied with the beginning of our cooperation. Don't forget that we will discuss the question of reward if you accept the assignment," the gnome stroked his beard and turned to leave. "Gnogno means gnomish gnome. Would it be difficult to find a more respectable name to hide one's persona?" Raven could not refrain from one last mockery in his conversation with the unpleasant type. The gnome who concealed his name did not linger and waste time with conversation. He had a lot of important things to do that could bring in a lot of gold. "Are you willing to fight this dragon?" Dan took his glass and finished his wine. "The law of three moons," the vampiress whispered. She, too, reached out to take her glass to finish the blood. "I have to think about it. This is a dangerous assignment. Dangerously dangerous." "Calm down, girl. No one dares reproach you for being cautious. I have to find our orc and elven girl," the player got up to go in search of his friends. "You want to fight this dragon?" Koreima looked at the young man with an attentive look in her scarlet eyes. "Yes. I want to take this quest," Dan Raven answered honestly. He knew very well that the nastiest thing about this quest was the participation of the whole team. The nastiest part is hiding his Phantom skill and all the Tom-related secrets from his new partners.   The Black Flame squad gathered at the inn where Dan Raven was staying to discuss the dangerous assignment. The members of the adventurer team had a couple of hours before the meeting to make an initial decision about the dangerous assignment. The young orc immediately expressed his disagreement. Dhroll snatched his ax from behind his back and thrust it into the floor. "A dragon is too dangerous a prey! It takes special weapons and magic to kill a dragon. The great shaman of the tribe will not help me or tell me the spell that will help defeat the dragon. The tribal elders will laugh at me. Everyone will say that Dhroll is young and stupid. Dhroll agrees that he is inexperienced and the experienced warriors of the tribe have the right to laugh at me," grumbled the orc. "But I am not as stupid as a human! I am an orc. And I know that a dragon is a fearsome opponent. I don't want any part of it." The lovely blonde elf girl smiled like an angel. But everyone felt uncomfortable when her voice murmured a sneer. "Stupid insolent little human. The Lord of Fear curses all adversaries in his sight! We can't all do anything and the dragon will devour every one of us," grinned the elf girl. Her blue eyes stared intently into the young man's eyes. "I was wrong about you Dan Raven. You are not special. You're just like all humans. You're as greedy as a gnome. And stupid as an orc. I refuse to be by your side during this suicide." "Suicide is my middle name," laughed Tom. "I'm in! Gotta check out that dragon. What's the reward for the quest?" The vampiress shook her head. "Algrin's right. All humans are insane. Weak humans are greedy like gnomes. Strong humans are sassy and stupid like orcs. And they're looking for ways to get more gold everywhere, too." "Dhroll is not stupid. Dhroll is strong and smart. Smart enough to sense the stench of mortal danger," roared the orc and plucked his ax from the floor. Dhroll grinned at the vampiress. He gritted his fangs anticipating a good fight. Algrin took out her dagger long ago and carefully trimmed a nail on her finger. The elven assassin was ready to begin the duel at any moment. Koreima tapped the palm of her left hand with her bone dagger, which acted as a magic wand. The vampire licked and her eyes glittered with a scarlet light. She threatened the orc with the dagger and said tenderly. "Little Dhroll miss my fangs? Does the little orc want to feed me blood?" "I am not little and I am taller than you. You don't have to bite me. Bite your human. My blood is not tasty," Dhroll froze and frowned. Then he consoled his pride. "Orc blood tastes good, but human blood tastes better." Dan looked at these wonderful creatures with a smile. An honest and trustworthy young orc. A dangerous and cunning elfish assassin. A very dangerous and wise sorceress vampiress. He has a great squad. It is all right that this time not everyone will be able to increase their reputation in the Guild of Adventurers. "So it's just the two of us taking the quest. I'm sure Tom will help me kill the dragon," Dan said. "It's a gnome trap," the vampiress whispered. "It is the insidious Gnograb who wants to ruin you. Introduce me to this cursed smith and I will drink his blood!" "Master Humhum is a kind and good smith," roared the orc. "Master Humhum made this ax. I am pleased with this ax. It will never break. And I don't have to repair it after every battle. Gnomes are bad. Gnograb is the worst." "Gnomes are gnomes. There are good ones among them, and there are bad ones," the elfess poked the tip of her dagger in the vampire's direction. "I agree with the bloodsucker. Dan are you blind? Can't you see the trap? Your familiar blacksmith needs to have his throat cut. He's as stupid as all humans. You can't be good to everyone. He's guilty of incurring the wrath of the Blacksmiths' Guild of Grossroads. I've already taken the task of killing him. Thirty-three gold coins is a great price for the head of a stupid insolent human." "I took the quest to kill the Humhum Blacksmith, too," smiled Tom. "But that bastard demonstrates humanity's greatest strengths. He is cunning as an elf and devious as a vampire. He is greedy as a gnome and cowardly as a rat. No one can catch this cowardly scoundrel to punish him for disrespecting the traditions of the city." "I wasn't allowed to take the quest to kill him," Dan sighed. "They're right. I get gold from him every week. I should never have sold him the drawing of that damned blacksmith's ability!" "It's not a cursed ability. It's a very good ability. But what you did was foolish, Den Raven. Dhroll, if I were you, would have taken the drawing to the elders of the tribe. Such important things should be decided by the wisest orcs," the orc deftly put his ax behind his back. "Do not go to Zangar Castle. Death awaits you in that castle. Dhroll will be sad after your death." "Don't be foolish Dan. I will miss your blood," the vampiress whispered. The blond elf laughed a haughty laugh and mocked the vampire. "I don't care don't care about you human!" Algrin put the dagger away in its scabbard. The elven girl rose from her chair and walked out of the hotel room. Dhroll muttered curses and shook hands with Tom and Dan. The young orc felt bad. He felt that he had betrayed the insolent and foolish humans. Then Dhroll left the room. "Instead of taking care of me, you want to stick your head in the dragon's mouth yourself," Koreima hid her artifact in a special pouch on her belt. She stood up and said goodbye to the humans. "Tom you are a very mysterious and dangerous man. You will manage to survive this time as well. Find me if you want to tell me how Dan Raven died." The partners were left alone. Dan squinted his right eye and looked intently at Tom. The clone rubbed his chin and quietly spoke his opinion. "Not much information on the type of monster. It's a level 14 boss. We haven't killed any dragons yet." "Then it's time to kill our first dragon," laughed Tom.