Ambush Read online

  “Calm down, man!” Matt said, placing his hands on his shoulders. “They cower for a good enough reason.”

  “Cowardice is cowardice, mate! And I believe one can change. I changed you, didn’t I?”

  Matt raised his brows at his remark. His friend clearly knew nothing about modesty.

  “Let’s go!” he ushered his friend towards the village. “Whoever will want to will follow.”

  @doomsday shrugged his shoulders and moved forward, sword ready in hand, wiping the dust off the armor, allowing his steel to shine. On the other hand, he clutched his spear tight and walked slowly behind, still feeling a slight pain on his side, a reminder that the wound had not fully healed. Though, he could feel the effects of the potion working. The muscles were getting sewn up.

  They reached the bleak palisade of the village in very little time. It hadn’t been as far from the crossroads as he had thought. Once at the borders of the now broken village, they heard a loud roar that made him think of a lion. Yet, it wasn’t a lion. Something more.

  “What kind of beast could make a sound like that?” he asked. “A griffin?”

  “You wish!” his friend twitched his lips. “Another crossbreed creature.”

  “Griffins are…”

  “Hybrids! But these are… you’ll see.”

  “And do you know how to kill them?” Matt asked, clutching his spear tighter.

  Loud footsteps behind told him that a few villagers had decided to join the fight. They held wooden sticks in their hands and bent, ready to strike at whatever came at them.

  He doubted whether wooden sticks would do them any good, but as a famous adage said, “something is better than nothing.” He hoped the adage would serve them well.

  “Ready?” @doomsday16 asked, brows raised, a smile on his face that said he was about to do something crazy.

  Matt shrugged. There was no other choice.

  Circling the spear in his hands, he rushed forward, eager to do away with the monsters. Just as he had reached the walls, ready to scale it, the palisade broke nearby and out rushed weird-looking demonic beings, their mandibles sporting teeth that made his innards tremble. When they opened their mouths, he could see their pink forked tongues hanging across an abyss-like darkness that made up their throats. Threads of saliva bridged the jaws, their tonsils shaken by their roars.

  On the outside, their bodies were pitch black with red spots all over, their legs so burly and thick. He doubted he could best them at his level. Yet he had to try. He had to save the village from its fate. Perhaps this would be the most difficult raid he had ever been challenged with.

  To his side, @doomsday16 had disappeared. He frowned. It was unlike his friend to run away from battle. It was more likely he had some other plan in action, but he had left their flank vulnerable to the monsters, whatever they were. Some of them walked on their four legs towards the gathered villagers, who looked more afraid than ever but stood their ground. He, however, saw a couple of them moved towards him. He held the shaft of his spear tight and pointed it forward.

  Threat Detected: Level 5 Gorepit

  HP| 500/500

  Strengths: Thick legs and arms allow for smashing through solid objects and pulverizing of prey. Gaping mouth allows the ability to swallow prey whole. Red splotches on the beast’s dark hide are poisonous to the touch.

  Weaknesses: Unknown

  One of the monsters loomed near him and he struck at it with force, wounding its legs.

  [-20 HP]

  It shrieked and wailed, but he didn’t stop. He moved his spear deftly in his hands like never before, balancing the weapon with grace.

  [-10 HP]

  [-10 HP]

  [-10 HP]

  He stabbed at its eyes and it retreated for a moment.

  [-30 HP]

  It was excruciatingly frustrating that his silly spear could only deliver minimal damage. At the rate he was going, it would take him all night to fight off these demons!

  Where is @doomsday16?! Why did he take off like that at the beginning of a fight?

  Matt quickly realized that he was no match for the Level 5 Gorepit creature, having only delivered a total of 60/500 Hit Points (HP) in his attacks, so he retreated in search of his friend.

  Matt watched from a distance as the NPC villagers mimicked his actions by striking at their foes in their eyes, making them retreat. He smiled. Though overwhelmed by the sheer number of monsters that kept pouring out, they fought on.

  Contrary to his original expectation however, the number of NPC villagers that turned out to fight had doubled in number. They had been joined by the survivors who had fled the opposite way. Far in the distance, he sighed in relief to see that @doomsday16 had returned to the fight and waved his sword with much gusto, drawing blood from his enemies.

  From behind, a series of high-pitched shrieks sounded. He grunted as he saw the Aracken from the crossroads making a return. Angered, he dove towards the remaining monsters that had stumbled through the village, his shouts alerting the villagers to the dangers that lurked behind them.

  Running with his spear, he stabbed a Level 1 Gorepit demon in the face and spilled its green blood.

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+30 XP]

  The spurt of blood narrowly missed him, but he gave it no thought. As the monster fell down to the ground, he felt empowered when his augmented screen lit up with the large number of low level demons that comprised most of the herd.

  That's it! The only way I'm going to win this thing is to leverage my new HeadStab Skill, and hopefully learn some new skills along the way.

  Matt moved to the next creature. It was a bit elusive, but after parrying a bit he quickly got him into the perfect position.

  HeadStab: Medium

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  Interesting...

  Matt realized in that moment that he’d gain higher Experience Points (XP) based upon the difficulty level of the kill. Even more interesting was the fact that last week when he was a Level 1 player he could only gain a measly 5 XP for Easy Kills, 10 XP for Medium Kills, and 15 XP for Difficult Kills. It was nice to know that the more he leveled up in DarkForce the more XP he'd gain for each kill.

  He continued on to the creature on his immediate left.

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+30 XP]

  And then on his right...

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+30 XP]

  He smirked as their limp bodies stumbled to the ground. His own arms bled because some of them had managed to claw his skin, but he numbed out the pain.

  HeadStab: Medium

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  Suddenly a chime sounded from the sky.

  LEVEL UP!

  +1 Agility

  Matt beamed. He was on a roll, and just achieved Level 6! There were only two more Level 1 Gorepit monsters that stood in his path, as well as the weakened Level 5 that he had retreated from earlier.

  I got this!

  He took out the low level monsters quickly, one after the other.

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  He smiled in content at the black blood oozing on the ground. The increase in XP gained from those Easy Kills were a nice pat on the back. His smile faded quickly however when he stood face to face again with his earlier foe.

  Threat Detected: Level 5 Gorepit

  HP| 440/500

  Strengths: Thick legs and arms allow for smashing through solid objects and pulverizing of prey. Gaping mouth allows the ability to swallow prey whole. Red splotches on the beast’s dark hide are poisonous to the touch.

  Weaknesses: Lower levels are susceptible to HeadStab Instant Kill attacks, but accuracy decreases with higher level opponents.

  Matt gritted his teeth a
nd charged. The Gorepit however was far more intelligent than its weaker comrades, and deftly dodged his attack. He lost his balance, and accidentally bounced his shoulder off the beast’s hide. Seconds later a searing heat burned his flesh, and Matt screamed out in pain. His eyes widened in horror as he saw skin and muscle boiling and sloughing off his avatar’s body. It didn't matter that this was Augmented Reality. The game sensors were so in-sync with the player's body that it easily confused virtual pain for real pain, triggering the same pain receptors in the brain.

  Even though DarkForce was only a week old, thousands of mixed reviews had already been posted. Many wussy noob players had expressed their distaste to the game developer CyberBolt Entertainment regarding how intensely immersive the game was, meanwhile many others raved about it for the same reason. Meanwhile as Matt tried yet failed to convince his brain that the pain wasn't real, he quickly downed a spare healing potion @doomsday16 had given him earlier to help curb the false-pain effect.

  Spinning back around to face his foe, he suddenly launched backwards fifty feet in the air as one of the Gorepit's massive fists struck its intended target. The wind had been knocked out of him, at least out of his avatar anyway. Wheezing in reaction to the attack, he knew this was a mind over matter situation. Matt closed his eyes and focused using a method of meditation. Within seconds he was able to clear his mind and resume normal breathing.

  Skill Unlocked: Rapid Rebound

  Meditation, when properly practiced, allows a player the ability to rebound from the effects of an attack at a rapid rate. Chances of Rapid Rebound during the middle of an attack is 25%. Greater chances for Rapid Rebound increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 6, Agility > 4, Stamina > 5, Intelligence > 4

  Now that's a neat skill to have!

  Matt snapped his head to attention as the Gorepit raced closer with his latest charge. He reacted quickly by burying the end of the spear in the dirt behind him, and crouching a foot behind the tip of the extended spear. He was going to use the beast's momentum against him.

  The Gorepit closed the distance in seconds, then bellowed a roar of intense pain as it impaled itself on the spear.

  [-350 HP]

  CRITICAL HIT!

  Lifebar: < 18% >

  The beast rolled to a stop several feet away, and Matt followed suit to retrieve his embedded weapon. The spear tip however was stuck in the beast's thick flesh. With a grunt, Matt twisted the spear and dislodged it.

  StabTwist: Difficult

  Instant Kill

  [+60 XP]

  Skill Unlocked: StabTwist

  Delivers an Instant Kill when you stab your weapon into an opponent's chest, and twist while withdrawing. Chances of Instant Kill are 90%. Greater chances for Instant Kill increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 6, Strength > 9, Agility > 4, Stamina > 5, Intelligence > 4, Willpower > 4

  Having finally killed off the last of the Gorepit monsters, Matt took a moment to check his stats.

  DarkForce: Player Stats

  Name | @Andrex

  Class | Warrior

  Level | 6

  Experience | 740

  XP to next level | 160

  HP | 320/600

  Mana | 100/100

  Strength |Total: 9 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 0 | Bonuses: 8

  Agility |Total: 4 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 2 | Bonuses: 1

  Stamina |Total: 5 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 1 | Bonuses: 3

  Intelligence |Total: 4 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 1 | Bonuses: 2

  Willpower |Total: 4 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 2 | Bonuses: 1

  Matt frowned at his dwindling Hit Points (HP). He didn't have any more healing potions, so he'd have to be careful while taking down the remaining Arackens in the area. He wasn't very impressed with his overall stats either. He'd been gaming every night for a week, having worked the exact same shift as his colleague @doomsday16, and yet his friend was more than double his current Level.

  What gives?!

  He wanted nothing more than to level up quickly to earn some decent armor. This loincloth nonsense was getting ridiculous. He'd have to have a word with his friend to find out his secret.

  Chapter Three

  The BOSS

  Once the Gorepit monsters had been killed off, he raced towards the struggling villagers. The Aracken from the crossroads were proving difficult to counter. They had taken out a fraction of the defense already.

  Threat Detected: Level 3 Aracken

  HP| 300/300

  Strengths: Long black tentacles allow for easy subduing of prey. Mouth is full of smaller spiked tentacles, and sport two sharp tusk-like teeth on either side.

  Weaknesses: Thin flesh in the underarms pose vulnerability to flesh wounds and/or possible severing of appendages.

  Screaming in rage, he jumped off a protruding stone onto the spider-like creature and jabbed at it with his spear. Then with one swift circular move, he left a gash in its armpit and across its chest.

  ChestSlash: Medium

  Instant Kill

  [+50 XP]

  Skill Unlocked: ChestSlash

  Delivers an Instant Kill when you slash your weapon against an opponent's chest. Chances of Instant Kill are 60%. Greater chances for Instant Kill increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 6, Strength > 9, Agility > 4, Stamina > 5

  As it fell down, he barreled forward and stabbed a nearby Level 2 Aracken in its eyes with the point of his spear, and with his momentum he rolled to the ground and stabbed another in its belly and twisted the spear on its way out.

  HeadStab: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  StabTwist: Easy

  Instant Kill

  [+40 XP]

  Two monsters down, he found himself face-to-face again with the same Level 4 Aracken that he had stabbed and retreated from back at the crossroads before @doomsday16 had saved him from certain in-game death. It stared at him with so much indignation that it made him feel queasy inside.

  Threat Detected: Level 4 Aracken

  HP| 390/400

  Strengths: Long black tentacles allow for easy subduing of prey. Mouth is full of smaller spiked tentacles, and sport two sharp tusk-like teeth on either side.

  Weaknesses: Thin flesh in the underarms pose vulnerability to flesh wounds and/or possible severing of appendages.

  He returned the monster's gaze with a glare of his own. Kicking forward with his legs, he hurtled towards the beast. He collided with it, surprising the creature as they rolled down a rough slope. Pebbles made bloody dents in his skin, shrubs with pointed twigs took a bite at him. Some of them, he knew, were carnivorous. They often ate birds and insects, but they didn’t hesitate in taking a pound of human flesh if any came unwittingly near. He wondered absently how they had been allowed to grow in such proximity to the village. But the shrubs were the least of his concern.

  [-20 Damage]

  The creature had regained its foothold. A tentacle came at him lashing, but he managed to jump over it. It lashed out again. He made a second jump and stabbed the creature, attempting to twist on withdrawal but failed to properly do so.

  [-40 HP]

  A groan escaped his mouth. He was already getting tired from the battle. His avatar's bones complained and wanted rest. He knew that if he gave in and got himself killed in the game, he would have to wait the penalty period of 24 hours before he would be allowed to respawn. The whining of his bones could wait. It was about survival now -- more than anything else.

  Matt gained a good stance and stabbed at the creature five times in a rapid succession.

  [-20 HP]

  [-20 HP]

  [-20 HP]

  [-20 HP]

  [-20 HP]

  The tip of the spear sported green blood that oozed down the shaft, making it sticky. He turned his face away at the ick factor, but couldn’t do it completely. The creature snarled and made its tusk-like teeth visible. Matt spun and aimed at one of the creature's armpits, but missed and slashed h
is spear across the beast's torso instead.

  [-100 HP]

  The Aracken wailed in pain. From his HUD Matt confirmed the creature was now down to 150/400 Hit Points (HP), and could easily fall in his next strike. He was now only 30 XP from Leveling Up, which would not only improve his stats but would refresh his dwindling health bar to 100% as well. He was confident that killing this beast would give him enough XP to attain Level 7.

  Caught up in the heat of the battle, he let out a roar as he rushed forward to launch his kill strike... only for the creature to cry out a loud wail, and it fell down as a sword jerked out of its wriggling body. From behind the mass of the creature’s dead corpse stepped out an armored man, his eyes sharp upon him.

  Who is this guy?! He just stole my victory!

  Threat Detected: Level 12 Boss Mage

  HP| 1,200/1,200

  Strengths: The Boss Mage class is granted the unique ability to control a host of creatures to serve as minions to do their bidding. Higher levels allow for greater numbers of creatures to control under their influence.

  Weaknesses: Human flesh is weak and susceptible to severing, stabbing, slashing, etc. Higher levels allow for thick plated armor to protect this weak flesh.

  @Killyou40times smiled at him and said, “Having fun killing off my monsters, eh? You won’t get very far. This village is mine now. Besides, how long do you think you could possibly survive with that lame getup?” He looked at him up and down. “...or lack thereof? A loincloth can’t help you, friend.”

  The last word he spoke with disdain.

  Matt twitched his lips. “I have taken down far worse things than you.”

  At that, Matt struck at the newcomer with his spear, which his rival’s sword parried. Jab. Stab. Parry. And then jab again. The man was good. A couple of times he did manage to hit him, but the point of his spear only scraped his armor, making a retching sound.

  Punch. Kick. Swerve. Matt hit the butt end of his spear atop his dueler’s head. The man was smiling. It seemed as if he was only playing with him until now. In not more than a brief moment, his smile faltered and turned into a serious, determined expression. The latter made an aggressive move, making him hard-pressed to hold him off. Clang, the spear rang with the sword after every parry.