Breathless and vulnerable, Noah lay sprawled upon the jagged terrain, the suffocating heat and fetid breath of the behemoth bearing down on him, a harbinger of the impending doom for him and his comrades. His heart thundered in his chest, a wild storm raging within as he stared up at the gargantuan beast, its colossal foot poised to extinguish his very existence.
In a flash of desperate agility, Noah rolled aside, narrowly evading the cataclysmic force of the Urhzig's titanic hooves. The earth quaked beneath the impact, and a maelstrom of dust and debris erupted around him, momentarily shrouding the world in a murky haze. The bitter tang of soil invaded his senses, and he coughed violently, shielding himself from the relentless barrage of tumbling stones and rocks that crashed to the ground, their deafening thuds drowning out all other sounds.
In the gripping realm of the game, the line between reality and fantasy blurred, thanks to the breathtakingly vivid graphics, immersive soundscapes, and the state-of-the-art full-body haptic suit that brought the experience to life.
"Roh, look out!" a female voice cried out in alarm. But before he could muster a response, a powerful vibration coursed through his legs in the physical world, echoing the brutal impact of the Urhzig's barbed, stone-crusted tail as it crushed his character's legs in the game. The blow was devastating, causing a tolerable amount of pain. Fuck that hurts, thought Noah. The pain wasn't real but an illusion crafted by the game's hardware.
In previous versions of the kit, the illusion of pain was delivered by transcranial direct current stimulation using a headset of electrodes. However, this method proved costly, cumbersome, and finicky. In the latest experimental version, which only a select few, including Roh, were fortunate enough to obtain, the kit employed smart dust—a form of neural dust nanotechnology—to provide a brain-computer interface that simulated sensations of pain within a safe and legal threshold.
Noah's eyes darted to the health indicator hovering above his in-game avatar, Rohgar. His hit points had plummeted to a mere fifty percent, while his stamina teetered at a meager ten percent.
His head was still ringing from the intense blows he had received in the battle. He had already been knocked out twice and now, down to his last vigor, he knew that one more hit like that could spell failure for the hunt. He had to be more careful, more defensive. He couldn't afford to let his guard down again. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to come up with a plan, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide of the fight in his favor. As much as I love to aggro and taunt the Urhzig with my Barbarian’s tanky build to take the heat off the others, I need to play more defensively in order to survive because if I go down then the others won’t stand much of a chance especially Arkie and Florrie. They are far too squishy.
The giant creature lifted its tail, ready to finish him, but he expected this and rolled backward out of the monster’s reach. Sweating profusely and with his heart racing, he scrambled to his feet.
“Damn! That was a close one!” cried the voice again from an outcrop some distance away. “Good thing you moved when you did.” It was his party member, Florrie. She crouched down and lowered her crossbow, aiming at the enormous beast’s underbelly. It was the only part of the beast that was exposed and not covered with rock-plated armor. She closed one eye and took in a deep breath as she wielded her weapon with expert precision. She couldn’t afford to miss her target. Florrie pulled the trigger and unleashed a [Tranq Bolt].
Tranq Bolt
Tranquilizer ammo that sedates the target for 90 seconds.
Caution: There is a 20% chance of triggering a hallucinogenic side effect whereby the target enters an enraged, trance-like state known as Bestial Rage, increasing attack damage by a hundred percent.
The Tranq bolt darted towards its target at a surprising speed that left the beast with no time to react. It hit true, piercing into the left flank of the Urhzig. The quadruped dropped to the ground, asleep.
Florrie exhaled deeply, no doubt relieved by both her accurate shot and the fact that her Tranq Bolt's side effect had not been triggered. Moonweave Elves, like Florrie, were known for their incredible accuracy, so precision was rarely an issue for her. She’s not the only one that’s glad the Tranq Bolt’s side effect didn’t trigger. Otherwise the Urhzig would be going ape shit crazy on us right now.
Roh gave her a thumbs up. “Thanks, I owe you one!”
He analyzed the motionless monster with his [Analyze Species] ability while he tried to recover from the earlier attack.
Analyze Species
This ability allows players to receive a detailed report on the creature, including its name, difficulty rating, weakness, strengths, weak points, resistances, and other important information.
The information displayed on the HUD under the ‘Party Log’ tab, available for the entire party to view.
Urhzig - Level 10 (Difficulty Heroic)
The Urhzig is a ground-dwelling, rock-encrusted monster. It has high armor and defense against physical attacks. With its camouflage, its appearance always resembles the stones around its habitat and surrounding territory, making it difficult to see until you are too close to it to escape.
Species: Terra Behemoth
Element Affinity: Terra
Role: Omega - it is lowest in the hierarchy and a solitary beast.
Strengths: High Armour, High Defence & Camouflage
Weaknesses: Low Agility, Astral & Tempest
Resistances: Shock, Blaze & Torrent
Weak Points: Head (Breakable) & Tail (Severable)
Roh’s mind raced with strategies and plans, knowing that this knowledge was the key to defeating the massive creature. Finally, they had the upper hand against the Urhzig. Just what we needed to take this damn beast down. Now we can exploit its weaknesses. Excitement surged through his body, ready for the fight ahead.
"I've got you!" Darian's voice echoed across the terrain, its deep and resonant timbre revealing his proud half-orc heritage.Roh looked up to see Darian running towards him. As a stalwart member of the party, he stood firmly by Roh's side, his sturdy plate armor encasing his form like a second skin. Its shining surface was a testament to his dedication as a paladin, and it exuded an aura of strength and protection that seemed to bolster the resolve of those around him.
Darian's appearance was as imposing as his voice. His striking top knot was complemented by an undercut and subtly faded sideburns, while his locks cascaded in a rich shade of black, reminiscent of the midnight sky. The scent of leather and metal seemed to emanate from him, as if he had been diligently maintaining his armor and equipment for days on end. Additionally, a faint aroma of incense and holy oils wafted around him, as if he had recently completed a religious ceremony.
His eyes were intense, a deep amber hue that seemed to gleam with a fierce determination. They were set deep in his angular face, framed by prominent cheekbones and a squared jawline. His gaze was piercing and seemed to take in every detail of his surroundings.
As he helped Roh up, Darian's armor seemed to come alive, the polished metal reflecting the light. It covered his forearms and spread up to his biceps, depicting intricate engravings and bold designs. The armor was a shining symbol of his devotion, reflecting the light and exuding an aura of righteousness. Its polished metal and intricate engravings contrasted sharply against his pale green skin, signifying his membership in a proud and ancient order of holy warriors.
Despite his intimidating exterior, there was a warmth to Darian's touch as he steadied Roh. He effortlessly supported the injured man's weight, his presence exuding a sense of safety and protection, as if he were a natural leader among the group.
With Darian's unwavering assistance, Roh managed to rise to his feet, despite the pain coursing through his injured legs. Darian's strong arms provided much-needed support, allowing Roh to find his balance and steady himself.
Sensing Roh's discomfort, Darian deftly placed a healing pack on the ground.
The healing pack was a small, circular device with a smooth, metallic surface. It emitted a soft, pulsing glow in a range of soothing colors, such as blue and green. As Roh stood within the radius of the pack, he could see small, sparkling particles swirling around him. These particles seemed to be drawn into his body, disappearing as they came into contact with his skin. The pack also emitted a soft, soothing hum, like a low-frequency hum or buzz. As Roh absorbed the health emitted by the pack, he could feel a warmth spreading throughout his body, easing his pains and mending his injuries.
Darian continued, “Since we now know its weakness from your analysis, we know the best weapon attack would be your Astral Axe.” As if on cue, the Urhzig awoke from its slumber, letting out a deafening roar that echoed across the canyon. Its massive head swung towards Roh, its eyes narrowing in anger and determination. The behemoth was a titan of the desert, an ancient force of nature that had long ruled over the barren wasteland.
Roh gazed up at the Urhzig, its towering height making him feel small and insignificant.The behemoth towered above the desert landscape like a colossal monument to some long-forgotten deity. The creature's massive body was easily twenty feet tall and equally long, with four thick legs that could trample anything in its path.
The creature's hide was rough and scaly, like the parched, cracked earth beneath its massive feet.
Its rock armor was rough and textured, designed to blend seamlessly with the environment and protect the creature from the harsh elements of the desert. Roh could see the veins of minerals that ran through the creature's armor, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance.
Roh could feel the heat radiating off the Urhzig's body, making the air around it shimmer like a mirage. Its body was a fortress, impervious to all but the most determined of foes. The colossal creature's deep growls rumbled through the ground, vibrating in Roh's bones. Its massive claws scraped against the hard-packed sand, sending up a plume of dust that filled the air with a gritty, acrid smell. The behemoth's breath was hot and fetid, like the blast of a furnace.
Despite the Urhzig's intimidating presence, Roh and Darian stood their ground. As the behemoth moved, its massive shadow stretched for miles across the desert, darkening the landscape like a looming storm cloud.
Darian charged towards the mountainous creature, swinging his hammer with all his might. The Urhzig let out a roar of pain and fury as the hammer struck its tail, causing a significant amount of blunt damage. The titanic beast thrashed its tail, trying to shake off the pain and attack Darian in return. However, Darian was quick on his feet and managed to dodge the Urhzig's attempts to strike him.
“My turn!” said Arkie, their last group member appearing front the shadows using [Shadow Step] and jumping onto Darian using his [Aero Flip].
The skill-specific information was displayed on the HUD's Party Combat Logs.
Shadow Step
Enables a Shadow Gunslinger to instantly teleport short distances through the shadows. This ability allows them to disappear from view and reappear in a different location, catching their enemies off guard and gaining the upper hand in combat.
Aero Flip Skill
Allows players to use behemoths, the environment or even other players as a makeshift springboard.
Arkie launched himself into the air, vaulting onto the back of the Urzhig with a graceful twist. As he landed, he dug his hand into the crevices of the beast's armor, seeking purchase to steady himself. The Urzhig bucked and snarled, trying to throw Arkie off, but he clung to its sides, analyzing its movements to anticipate its next move. Spotting an opening, Arkie drew his dual blades and plunged one into the Urzhig's back, the blade penetrating through the armor with a satisfying crunch. With the blade embedded in the monster's flesh, he hooked his hand around it to secure his grip and prevent himself from being dislodged.
Roh’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Wow, he made it look so easy. It's no wonder, considering his natural agility as a Drow elf and the countless gaming hours he's dedicated to practicing and improving his skills. His fluid movements and impressive abilities in the game are truly awe-inspiring.
The beast shrieked and reared upwards, but Arkie held on. He shifted his body to the side to reach the Urhzig’s underbelly and stabbed at it. The Terra Behemoth reared up a second time. Arkie pulled the blade from its back and slid down. When he reached its tail, he let loose a frenzied four-hit combo attack on it, where he sliced manically with his dual blades in an attempt to dismember the tail. In one final swift motion, the Urhzig's tail was severed and it crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the behemoth let out a deafening roar of agony. Arkie stood defiantly, blades at his sides, as the colossal beast stumbled back and collapsed, its gash dripping.
Arkie wiped the blood off his blades. “That’s how you do it!” His eyes were gray, as was his mood. Emotionless.
Roh couldn’t understand how Arkie could be so indifferent. Those moves were awesome! I’d be euphoric. Roh was in awe of Arkie’s maneuvers. This was the first time he had seen Arkie be so exceptional at close quarter melee attacks, when his usual specialty as a Gunslinger is ranged attacks. I guess that’s the fantastic thing about multiclassing. Arkie and Florrie love to multiclass. They swear by it. I may have to try it out one day.
Arkie, the drow elf and Shadow Gunslinger, stood tall and lean, his lithe figure poised and ready for action. His piercing, jade eyes glinted in the dim light, betraying the intense focus that belied his calm exterior. He moved with a fluid grace that suggested a lifetime of training in the art of combat.
As he bent down to collect his spoils, a few strands of his side swept hair brushed against his porcelain skin. Despite the harshness of his surroundings, Arkie maintained an air of elegance and refinement, as if he were born to command attention.
The smoky black garb that he wore clung to his body, accentuating his every movement. The high collared coat with its smooth texture and utilitarian design suggested that it was crafted for both style and function. But even so, Arkie wore it with a sense of style and confidence that spoke to his mastery of his craft.
As he stood back up, Arkie tucked the Urhzig tail into his pack and adjusted his holster, ensuring that his guns were within easy reach. His senses were keenly attuned to his surroundings, and he remained ever-vigilant, poised for whatever danger might come his way. Despite his fearsome reputation as an assassin, Arkie exuded a sense of cool, collected confidence that could put even the most hardened warrior at ease.
For a moment, all was still. The Urhzig lay motionless, as if it had been defeated. The gusty wind howled through the barren desert, stirring up great clouds of sand that swirled and danced in the air like a wild, frenzied dervish. The sand whipped past the motionless behemoth, coating its massive body with a fine layer of gritty particles that clung to its rough hide.
The wind was relentless, buffeting everything in its path with ferocious power. It tore at the tattered remnants of nearby vegetation, bending and snapping the spindly branches like matchsticks. The sound of the wind was like a constant roar, a deafening symphony of whistling, howling, and rustling that filled the air with an ominous, haunting melody.
A sudden movement caught their attention. The Urhzig, with a mighty effort, began to stir. Its rocky body shifted and groaned as it pushed itself up off the ground, using its powerful legs and sturdy frame to heave its massive bulk upright. The sight of the behemoth rising from the ground was a truly awe-inspiring sight, a testament to its overwhelming strength and resilience.
Slowly, steadily, the Urhzig rose to its feet, its head held high and its eyes glinted like polished stones. Despite being knocked down, the creature refused to give up. With a long shriek, it began its retreat to the cliffs. The behemoth moved across the sand dunes like a ship cutting through the waves of the ocean.
As the Urhzig fled, Florrie raced towards Roh with a determined grace. Her eyes were not just light blue in color, but they were also tinged with violet and held a mystical quality that seemed to pierce through Roh's soul. Her pointed ears added to her ethereal beauty, twitching slightly with every movement.
Her skin was like that of a mystical realm - ethereal and enchanting, moon-kissed and sparkling in the light. Every inch of her seemed to glow with a natural radiance that made it impossible for anyone to take their eyes off her.
Her long, ashen wavy locks bounced with each stride, as if they had a life of their own. The sweet scent of her perfume enveloped Roh, taking him on a journey to a world of sweet flowers and gentle breezes. Her hair framed her face like a halo of fiery gold, adding to her otherworldly beauty.
Florrie's outfit was both practical and elegant, befitting a mystic ranger. Her white tunic flowed around her, allowing her to move and fight with ease, while the silver trimmings added a touch of sophistication. The deep purple leggings hugged her curves, accentuating her long legs and enhancing her agility. Her boots were crafted from the finest elven leather, soft and supple, providing comfort and protection for her travels.
In addition to her delicate silver earrings, Florrie's fingers were adorned with intricate rings of silver and moonstone that glinted in the light. As she smiled at Roh, revealing her row of pearly white teeth, he couldn't help but feel as if he was in the presence of a mystical being, embodying both beauty and power. His heart skipped a beat, and he felt a flutter in his stomach as he struggled to meet her gaze.
Her voice was melodic and soothing, like the gentle rustling of leaves in a soft breeze. “You’re looking a little less worse for wear”. His stomach knotted and, to avoid her gaze, he looked over at Darian, with his usual beaming smile. Nothing ever phases him. I wish I was like that. Roh turned back toward Florrie as he forced a half-smile in response to her kind words.
The wounded Urhzig limped across the scorching desert sands. As it moved in the distance, it seemed to merge with the desert itself, becoming one with the arid landscape. It was fast, belying its size and injuries. It knew it was in dire need of shelter and rest. The mammoth creature had been badly injured and was struggling to keep going. Despite the pain and exhaustion, it trudged on, determined to reach the safety of its lair.
As it moved across the desert terrain, each step leaving a deep imprint in the sand, the Urhzig left in its wake a gruesome trail of blood, saturating the ground with a dark, crimson stain that seemed to seep into the very earth itself.. The creature's wounds were severe, and it could feel its life force slowly slipping away. But it refused to give up, knowing that its lair was the only place it would be able to recover and heal.
“Dammit it’s getting away!” Darian pointed at the Urhzig. “Let’s not lose it.”
“This must mean its health is getting low. We don’t want to give it a chance to retreat and heal up,” added Roh.
Roh and his party were in hot pursuit of the Urhzig, but the relentless heat was taking its toll. With each passing moment, their stamina depleted at a faster rate, and the unforgiving landscape offered no respite. A group of pale, dead trees clawed at the sky like the fingers of a giant skeleton, offering a bleak reminder of the harshness of their surroundings.
As they trailed the Urhzig, Roh and his party kept a close eye on the wounded behemoth, careful not to lose sight of it. "We need to stay vigilant," Arkie warned. "The Urhzig's cries of pain and rage may attract the attention of other dangers lurking nearby."
Roh surveyed his surroundings, feeling increasingly vulnerable and exposed on the open plains. Fortunately, the perimeter looked clear, and the party crouched behind a large rock, scanning the desert sands for any signs of movement.
As they huddled behind the rock, the Urhzig's cries echoed across the desert. Suddenly, the ground shook beneath them, and they heard a low growl. Peering over the rock, their breaths caught in their throats. There, just a few feet away, was a pack of beasts Roh made use of [Creature Recognition] as [Analyze Species] was still on a cooldown.
Creature Recognition
This ability allows players to recognize and identify the name of the creature they are facing, but would not provide any detailed information about their abilities or stats.
Name of creature: Sandstalkers
These Sandstalkers were a sight to behold. Their bodies were made of sandstone, their fur coats made of fine desert sand. Their eyes glowed like embers in the dim light, and their sharp teeth gleamed in the sun.
The hunting party focused their gazes on the Sandstalker pack's faces. They had pointed ears, long snouts, and sharp teeth. But there was something otherworldly about them, as if they were creatures born from the very essence of the desert.
The Sandstalker pack's fur coats rippled and shifted as they moved, blending seamlessly with the desert sands around them. The hunting party could barely make out their forms, but they knew that these were powerful predators infused with the power of nature.
They watched as the Sandstalker pack prowled through the desert, their movements fluid and graceful. They seemed to move without making a sound, and the hunting party was struck by how perfectly adapted they were to their environment.
As they watched, the Sandstalker pack suddenly sprang into action. They leapt into the air, their bodies twisting and turning as they darted towards the Urhzig.
The Sandstalker pack was truly a sight to behold, a powerful force of nature that perfectly embodied the resilience and adaptability of life in the harsh desert environment.With hunger gleaming in their eyes, they circled the Urhzig like a swarm of vultures, their movements fluid and sinuous as they closed in for the kill. Though dwarfed by the behemoth's immense size, their numbers and tenacity more than made up for it, making them a deadly threat to be reckoned with.
Arkie instinctively crouched down and raised his right arm as he gestured to the others to stop. “Everyone hold back. This could prove an easy kill if we just stand back and let them finish the Urhzig off.” He did not need to lower his voice in fear of alerting the predators since his voice was always low and smoky as an assassin.
“I’m not being funny, but they could be far more dangerous than the Urhzig,” said Roh, hunkered down beside Arkie.
Arkie rolled his eyes. “Not if we stay out of sight and wait for them to disband.”
Roh didn’t like how Arkie always looked down upon him and spoke to him in a condescending manner, but he held his tongue and simply nodded in response. It was how their friendship had managed to survive this long.
The Urhzig, though wounded, was not about to go down without a fight. It let out a mighty roar and charged at the predators, its massive bulk sending them scattering. Its roar echoed across the desert like thunder rolling across the sky.
The predators attacked from all sides, snapping and snarling at the Urhzig. The Sandstalker pack was relentless, their movements fluid and graceful as they darted in and out of the behemoth's range.
With lightning-fast reflexes, the Sandstalkers leaped at the Urhzig, their sharp teeth sinking deep into its flesh. But the behemoth was a formidable opponent, and it fought back with fierce determination.
Despite the Sandstalkers' coordinated attack, the Urhzig managed to hold its ground. Its thick hide protected it from their sharp teeth, and its massive strength allowed it to fend off their attacks.
The Sandstalkers worked together as a pack, using their numbers to try to overpower the Urhzig. But the behemoth was too strong, and it fought back with equal ferocity using its powerful limbs and sharp tusks to fend off the predators. It launched its strike with bloodthirsty abandon. As the Sandstalkers closed in on the colossal beast, one of the predators leaped at the massive creature, its jaws wide open and sharp teeth bared. But the behemoth was ready, and with a swift movement, it brought its massive horns crashing down upon the predator.
The horn pierced through the Sandstalker's body, skewering it and lifting it into the air. The Sandstalker let out a howl of pain as it struggled to free itself from the Urhzig's grasp.
The other Sandstalkers circled around, snarling and snapping at the Urhzig in an attempt to distract it and free their fallen comrade. But the behemoth was unmoved, and it held the Sandstalker in a vice-like grip.
Despite its injuries, the Sandstalker continued to fight. Its sharp claws raked across the behemoth's hide, drawing blood and causing the massive creature to bellow in pain. However, its massive body was as unyielding as the desert itself, as though it had been carved from the very rocks and sand that surrounded it.
With a final, crushing blow, it ended the Sandstalker's struggle, tossing the limp body to the ground and roaring triumphantly.
The other Sandstalkers watched as their packmate was felled by the Urhzig's massive horns. They knew that they were no match for such a powerful creature, and they retreated, their tails between their legs, having failed to bring down their prey.
As the predators retreated into the shadows, the Urhzig let out a triumphant roar. It had survived against all odds, and it would not be defeated so easily.
“Guess we will have to finish the Urhzig ourselves,” said Arkie. “On the bright side, they have slowed it down and helped damage it further,” said Darian, all smiles, tapping Arkie’s shoulder. Arkie stood with his arms crossed and his eyebrows raised. A look of sheer skepticism in his face.
Florrie stood tall and proud, her hands glowing with magical energy. She faced the Urhzig, deep wounds and gashes covering its body, its eyes filled with hatred. It roared and charged at her, but she was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a bolt of magical energy flying at the monstrous creature, striking it in the chest and causing it to stumble. The behemoth roared in pain and lunged at her again, but she was too quick. She danced around the Urhzig, launching wave after wave of magical attacks at it. Each one hit its mark, chipping away at the behemoth's armor and weakening it. Finally, with a mighty roar, Florrie unleashed her most powerful spell, a blast of pure magical energy that exploded against the behemoth and sent it crashing to the ground. With labored breathing it slowly pulled itself back up. Its thick, heavy breaths sounded like gusts of hot wind.
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” exclaimed Florrie, exasperated and out of breath. The magic had consumed all her mana and left her feeling drained.
“Surely it has got to be really low on health now,”said Roh.
The beast got back up and made another attempt at fleeing.
“It’s trying to get away again!” yelled Florrie. “Everyone attack!” The entire party chased after the Terra Behemoth and surrounded it, watching their positions, being careful not to get trampled. In quick succession, they all attacked it. Roh watched as the Urhzig head-butted Darian, knocking the wind out of him and flinging him several yards away.
“Oh Shit!” said Roh. “It’s got its second wind. Seems the Urhzig is running on pure adrenaline now and fighting even harder than before. Whereas before it was territorial, it is now fighting for its life.”
“Guys, a little help here,” said Darian as he got back up.
“We need to do something before it charges at him and finishes him,” said Roh, keeping some distance away from the gigantic beast who appeared to be ready to lunge at Darian.
“I’ll use my combo attack to take aggro,” said Arkie. Moving in at astounding speed, he interrupted the Urhzig’s attack as he targeted its hind leg with his dual blade combo attack.
The Terra Behemoth now focussed on Arkie.
“Nice one, my man!” said Darian as he joined up with the group and emoted a high-five.
Arkie left him high and dry. “Oh fuck! My blades are losing their sharpness!”
“Don’t worry,” said Florrie. “It’s almost down as it’s doing its ultimate move where it shakes boulders off its bac—”.
Massive rocks raced through the air all around them. One of them, the size of an average boulder, missed Roh’s face by mere inches. “Whoa! That was too damn close.”
Arkie pulled out a whetstone and glided the blades along its edge until they sang. “Ah, my beauts.”
“Roh, you hit the final blow while we cover you,” ordered Arkie.
“On it!” said Roh as he sprang into action with a sense of urgency, unslung his Astral Axe and held it firmly in his grasp. The bearded axe gleamed with a mystical aura, pulsing with an otherworldly indigo glow that was studded with luminous particles. The intricate runic markings along the haft seemed to vibrate with a latent power, as if they were eager to be unleashed.
Roh steadied his grip on the Astral Axe as the Urhzig charged towards him, its armored head lowered for the attack. As the creature closed in, Roh took a deep breath and focused his energy, channeling the mana he had been reserving for this very mana heavy ability. With a burst of astral power, he swung the axe with all his might, unleashing an [Ethereal Strike] that reverberated through the air like a thunderclap.
Ethereal Strike
This ability channels the power of the Astral Axe, enabling the wielder to phase the weapon in and out of reality with tremendous force. As the Astral Axe strikes its target, it leaves behind a trail of shimmering light that seems to cut through the very fabric of reality. The impact is supernatural, slicing through even the most heavily armored opponents with ease,
The blade of the axe seemed to phase in and out of reality, leaving behind a trail of shimmering light that sliced through the air like a phantom. With a cutting force that seemed to transcend the physical realm, the axe struck the Urhzig's armored skull, cleaving through it as though it were mere air.
The creature let out a final, pitiful cry before collapsing to the ground in a heap. The ethereal energy of the Astral Axe pulsed through the air, illuminating the surrounding area with a soft, otherworldly light. Roh couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he surveyed the scene, his weapon having proven its mettle against a formidable opponent.
A sudden tremor shook the earth beneath them, and a massive cloud of dust erupted into the air, obscuring their vision. The sand swirled and churned, making it difficult to see anything clearly. However, as the dust slowly settled, they could make out the hulking form of the Urhzig lying motionless on the ground, its colossal body still and silent.
The aftermath of the battle was a scene of utter destruction. The ground was scarred with enormous craters and deep furrows, marking where the Urhzig had charged and slammed its titanic bulk in ferocious attack. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of blood.
Yet, the most eerie aspect of the aftermath was the unsettling silence. The Urhzig's deafening roars were now replaced by an ominous stillness that seemed to echo across the desolate landscape. Even the once-gusty desert wind had died down, as if paying solemn tribute to the fallen behemoth and the devastation it had wrought.
“Great job guys!” said Roh.
Arkie merely nodded his approval.
“Yeah, go team!” Florrie displayed a thumbs up.
“That was Ace!” said Darian. “Now to get me some loot!”
As Roh stood over the fallen Urhzig, he gazed upon the massive creature with a sense of awe and respect. It had been no small feat to bring down such a beast, and he was determined to make the most of its carcass.
Taking out his trusty stone carving knife, he began to carefully carve into the thick hide of the felled beast. With each precise cut, he exposed the internal organs that lay beneath. Roh chose to hack the skull in particular as he hoped to gain an Urhzig nasal bone which had a higher chance if carved from the skull. He needed that bone material to craft an Urhzig crossbow that enables players to shoot forth rock bolts which were handy at stunning behemoths or any of the other fauna hoping to hunt Roh as their next prey.
Despite his skill, the task was not an easy one. The Urhzig's skull was thick and sturdy, and it took all of his strength to saw through the bone. Sweat poured down his face as he worked, but he did not stop until he had reached the brain.
Once the skull was opened, he reached inside and carefully extracted the Urhzig's organs, one by one. He placed them in his pouch, taking care to preserve as much of the precious meat as possible. Roh could feel the weight of the creature's organs in his hands as he carefully removed them from the body. The organs felt warm and slippery with heat radiating from them.
As he worked, he couldn't help but think about the many uses for the behemoth's organs. The heart would provide him with a hearty meal, the liver would be used to make a potent tonic, and the brain would be dried and ground into a fine powder for use in potions and elixirs. After several seconds of hard work, he had harvested all of the Urhzig's organs that he could before it disappeared.
Triumphant fanfare bellowed. Instinctively, Roh looked up as the pop-up displayed for the victory screen in golden lettering among a fireworks display.
Urhzig Defeated.
Mission Complete – Victory!
Battle Results
Rank: B
Points Earned: 10,036
Time Taken: 57 minutes and 13 seconds.
Damage Dealt: 32,000
Damage Taken: 74% (TWICE KNOCKED OUT + ADDITIONAL DAMAGE)
Stylish Points: A - Atomic! Executed varied moves, a combo, good flow and timing.
Bonus Points: +5000 for defeating the behemoth with style and grace.
Bonus Points: +1000 for defeating the behemoth in under 60 minutes.
Bonus Points: +500 for attacking it’s weakness
Bonus Points: +200 for executing a perfect dodge during the battle.
Bonus Points: +100 for performing a stylish finishing move.
Total Bonus Points: 6,800
Bonus Items: +1
Rewards: 7000 XP & 1500 Gold
Behemoth Trophy: Urhzig Tail Part
Weight:50 lbs
Bonus: +10% Gold when strapped to your mount’s saddle or mounted on a wall in a building owned by either the player, the player’s party or the player’s guild.
(Note: The effect from identical trophies cannot be stacked)
It was a sight to behold, and Roh couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him.
Yes! Finally defeated the Urhzig! And Rank B is a pretty good rank. It took us a bit longer than I hoped, but I'm still glad we managed to defeat it in under 60 minutes and get those bonus points. It was a tough battle, and I took some pretty heavy damage, but I'm just glad we managed to pull through and defeat it with style and grace.
Those bonus points are no joke! 6,800 extra points is a huge boost to the overall score. The perfect dodge and stylish finishing moves that Arkie performed were definitely worth it. Plus me attacking its weakness really paid off too.
And the Behemoth Trophy is a nice touch by the developers! The Urhzig Tail Part is a pretty hefty trophy, and I can't wait to see how much extra gold I'll be able to get when I display it. It's too bad that the effect from identical trophies can't be stacked, but it's still a pretty sweet bonus.
Each party member gained an equal portion of the total rewarded XP and gold automatically.
Inspecting the loot, Roh noticed that he had received two Urhzig Pelts, three scales, and one eye.
Wonderful, like I don’t have seven Urhzig Pelts already. I guess it’s to be expected from a beta test. They need to balance the spawn rate for when they release the game. I just need one more Urhzig nasal bone. We will need to do another run.
Roh checked the time displayed on the HUD at the top right corner of his periphery.
In-game time: 1:27 pm
Real World Time: 3:15 am
“Should we have one more go?” asked Darian.
Crestfallen, Roh looked down at the ground. “I want to, but I can’t believe it’s so late. Going to have a big day at work with an early meeting, so I can’t afford to be late. I better go get some sleep considering it’s 3:15 am and I’m going to feel like crap in a few hours.”
“That’s alright we can always do it tomorrow night. Same time?” asked Darian.
“Yeah, sounds good to me,” said Roh.
Arkie logged out.
“Okay… bye then,” said Roh.
“Don’t take it personally. You know what he is like. A man of few words. Unless it’s about gloating, of course, then he can’t shut up,” said Florrie.
“I guess.” Roh turned to face Darian. “I had fun. Can’t wait until later so I can get my crossbow and we can move on to the next behemoth. At least it will be the weekend, so I won’t have to worry about work.”
“Same here, see you then,” said Darian.
Darian logged out.
Oh, great… alone with Florrie. Could they make it any more obvious?! I swear they always log out quickly on purpose, as they know I’m so nervous around women.
“That was so much fun. I can’t wait to play again,” said Florrie.
“Yeah… same,” bumbled Roh, followed by an embarrassing silence that seemed to last a lifetime. He was at a loss for words. He was really fond of Florrie… as were the others. They had mentioned it to him many times in the past. It was hard not to be when she had such a warm demeanor and features that matched her in-game avatar. But ever since his heart was broken five years ago, and his world forever changed because of it, he found it impossible to allow himself to be vulnerable again.
“Good luck with your meeting at work,” said Florrie, breaking the silence.
“Oh thanks,” said Roh, turning back to face Florrie as his insides knotted.
“See you later!”
“Uh… yeah… see you then”. He felt his stomach lurch and his hands get clammy.
Florrie logged out.
Noah logged out, turned off his kit, and removed his VR headset and his haptic suit.
It felt like he had only just laid his head down and closed his eyes when his alarm wailed. The sun shone through the edges of the curtains. Noah groaned as he got up and got ready for work. He hurried out of the house at 6:30 am to avoid the early morning traffic.
The day was uneventful, the same old grind, only with a boring meeting to start it off. He returned home at around 7 pm, having been stuck in the late afternoon traffic for over an hour.
Oh, the joys of work and commuting.
He hated his job, but he stuck with it as it was a stable job compared to his dream job of becoming a videogame designer. Society seemed to glamorize risk with all the success stories of those that grew into power from humble beginnings. He knew all too well how risk could destroy lives.
Noah shoveled some leftover pizza in his mouth and was ready to continue the virtual reality MMORPG ‘Age of the Behemoths’ from where he left off the night before, or rather the early morning hours. However, his eyes felt so heavy and his body ached. As much as he was dying to play the game to escape his long, monotonous day, he was too tired to focus on anything. I won’t be much help to the team today. I better login just to let them know I’m skipping a nigh—.
***
Feeling a sharp pain, Noah opened his eyes, not realizing he had ever closed them. His headset was resting sideways on his chest, digging under his chin. Oh crap! I must have dozed off. What time is it?!? Checking his watch that he still had on, he noticed it was 5:55 am Saturday.
Damn it! I better try to log in. Don’t want to let the team down.
Please enter your username and password.
Noah entered his username.
Sorry, the username “Roh” does not exist.
