Too Weak
1043 Words
RagingInferno’s hit points dropped drastically. Though he did not die by the time the poison’s effect lifted, his hp was down to at least ten percent. Unfortunately, the health potion he has in his inventory is no longer sufficient to make him last a few rounds during experience grinding. Jayson had to go back to the safe zone to replenish his potions.
Liwan and company proceeded with leveling after making sure they’re all ready to take on the mob of monsters. The spot that Liwan has chosen is a territory of armored green goblins. They’re small, about half a foot and a half in height, with green skins covered in mismatched armors. They looked like a rag tag bunch of small emerald soldiers, elbowing each other as they vie for the first attack on the enemy.
The goblin’s tenacity totally made up for their size. And their battle screams as they swung their weapons agains Liwan’s company, it’s enough to give them headaches. One hour of constant hacking and slashing against the goblins made Liwan’s temple throbbed. He clicked on the “C” key on the keyboard to see his character’s level. His bar is lit up to fifty two percent. Blade is gearing for level twenty five.
Liwan pursed his lips. The auto-helper is unlocked at level sixty. He has a long way to go to enable that feature in game. Auto-helper is permanent once a character unlocks it. One has the choice to pilot his character manually of automatically. It’s a big help in grinding experience and automatic picking of loots.
“These bastards are easy to kill but their spawn rate is just too ridiculous!” Denver complained.
Jason agreed with a click of his tongue.
“This would be a lot easier if we have a healer Sidhe with us who could provide us damage buff. Li, why won’t we recruit one?”
Liwan smiled to himself. “We’ll have one. I’m just waiting for the right person.”
“When?”
“In a week,” Liwan replied calmly.
“You have a player in mind,” Jayson stated.
“Hmm.”
“Who is it?” Denver asked.
“Not telling you yet.”
“Aw, man. Stop with the suspense, will you? Ever since you fell from that tree trying to be a cat hero, you’ve been acting strange.”
“Strange how?”
“You talk in riddles and I hate it. My brain has a limited capacity to process information, why don’t you say things outright? And you don’t talk like you used to.”
“How did I talked before?”
“Like Old Martha. In fact, in terms of speed in spitting words, there’s no doubt you’ll be the successor to her crown.”
Old Martha is a gossip monger in their side of town. She sits on a wooden stool all day under the shade of a tree in her backyard that overlooks the street. She has with her a crooked cane by her side within arm’s reach. Gossiping is her favorite activity and knows a lot about everyone. If you want information, Old Martha is the right person to ask. Surprisingly, her information is accurate. How the old woman gathers her information is beyond Liwan.
“Let’s just say that fall was some sort of eye-opener,” Liwan said. “I could have died, you know. That’s some distance from the top.”
“And you didn’t tell us that because---” Jayson interjected.
“Because it’s irrelevant. I decided to live my life a little different from what I used to be. Seriously man, they say your whole life flashes before your eyes when you’re near death. I think it did happen to me that time because I saw mine like a movie. So yeah, I’m all for a little change.”
“Oh, now we’re talking about life. So poignant, Mr. Caliente,” Denver teased.
Liwan chuckled. He couldn’t tell his friends he’s not the same sixteen-year old Liwan. He doesn’t know what happened to his sixteen-year old self. Maybe he did really die, allowing his twenty-four year old soul to occupy the body. Whatever was the reason why these are all happening, Liwan decided to make the most out of it. Not everyone is granted the same unique chance to start all over again.
“You seemed to grow old and knows a lot of things.”
“I know a lot of things, Jayson. I just lacked the motivation to do better. And I’d like us to take our studies seriously,” Liwan added.
Sure, they graduated from college eight years in the future. But their grades were mediocre at best, unattractive to employers. Considering how many new graduates are there each year, they found it hard to land a job. As time stretched on, their peers flourished, leaving the three of them behind. The three of them stopped attending class reunions because of the mockery.
“Hey, Jayson. What have you made him eat? I’m having goosebumps!”
“That’s the problem, man. Nothing. I’ve never been to his house today because my mother was giving me hell for flunking the pop quiz yesterday,” Jayson replied.
“Guys, watch out!” Liwan warned.
“Wha---s**t!” Jayson exclaimed.
“What the f**k!”
Liwan found himself at the center of the town square. Jayson and Denver followed suit.
“What was that?” Jayson asked.
“A golden goblin.”
On their screen, a system message flashed across the top of the screen, glowing in gold.
Gold Force Invasion. Kill golden monsters for rewards.
“Oh, wow! What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Denver got excited.
“Impossible.”
“What? Why?”
“If it’s a regular green goblin, they’re easy to kill. But a gold monster?” Liwan’s character shook his head. “Their damage and defense alone will take us an hour to kill one. That is, without us dying. But we’re too weak. We can’t take down one yet.”
Jayson sighed. “Bummer. We could make use of the reward that gold monster drops.”
“At what level are we capable enough to take them on?” asked Denver.
“One hundred.”
“It seems to me we’re enable to do a lot of things when we hit a hundred,” Jayson observed.
“Yes. Intermediate skills are unlocked at the same level, too. And by that time, we’re strong enough to take on bosses for equipment farming,” Liwan supplied.
“Really?”
“Yes, Denver. So be patient and concentrate on your stacking up points for your stat upgrades for now. Haste make waste, ever heard of that?”
“I know what you’re saying, man. I’m not an idiot.”
“Oh. But Liwan needs constant reminders that you aren’t though. You see, your action doesn’t technically reflect your personality.”
“Shut up, Jayson. As if you’re better than me.”
Jayson snickered.
“I didn’t say anything.”
- Writer
