"What about that weapon you're making for Jangles?" Ringo asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Going to finish it today for the xp boost." QJ entered the Keep and headed towards his workshop. "Give me a few minutes to wrap up some loose ends, and we'll find something to do."
Ringo nodded. "I'm going to have a chat with our gypsies. I thought we could add another black market outlet in Junebug."
"Great idea. If they agree, I'll tell Avira to give them some space on the ground level."
QJ entered his workshop, his eyes feasting on the weapon he made for Jangles. He carefully strung the instrument and then sat back, waiting for the inevitable announcement.
A handful of seconds passed, causing QJ to glance at his HUD. The seconds passed into minutes as he spent the time drawing up the plans for stock weapons.
[OP: Ringo] I thought you were finishing that Guitar for Jangles.
[OP: QJ] It's been done for ten minutes. Still trying to figure out what's going on. Maybe I broke a rule, or they've converted to the new system and aren't set up for this anymore.
[OP: Ringo] What does that mean? You have to wait two days to receive your xp?
[Guns and Gore Announcement] All Servers: A Magnum Opus has been created By Sandhealer Faction Leader QJ.
[Please Name your Magnum Opus.]
"Maestro," QJ replied.
[System Message] Your World Reputation has been increased by 100.
[Exodus Station Announcement] All Games: Bask in the Glory of a Magnum Opus.
[Maestro] Guitar-Gun (Divine Artifact) Magnum Opus
Description: This replica of Jimmy Page's Double Necked Gibson features 12 strings on the top and six on the bottom. Maestro can be used in two different modes: Burst or Auto.
Burst Mode: 10-round instant burst focusing on increased accuracy and chord play.
Auto Mode: Firing at an astounding 500 rounds per second, this mode is exclusive to cover fire and sonic slow.
Created by famed Grandmaster Gunsmith QJ, this weaponized instrument has been labeled Priceless by the Exodus Gaming Commission.
Additional Description: The damage modifier of this weapon
is based on whichever skill is highest, guitar or needlegun.
+ 300 Accuracy
+ 300 Range
Critical Note strikes may apply [Blindness]
[Divine Artifact Weapon Modifier] All critical hits do 2.2x damage.
Battle Rating: 12 (Persistent) Compliant GnG, TAP, Civil Unrest, Iron Mount, and Martial Law.
[Maestro Musical Chords]
Armor Breaker
Arterial Bleed
Sonic Slow
Cover Fire
*Ding Level 65*
[OP: Ringo] Holy crap... What the hell is that thing?
[OP: Breeze] That is playing Exodus wide!
[OP: Sato] Priceless? Let's sell that bad boy!
QJ's HUD buzzed, and he answered with a swipe of his hand. A familiar face grinned at him. "Hey, Uncle Jangles."
Jangles's smile widened until it seemed to split his face. "Twelve-month trial-based lease on the property. I'll take thirty percent off the top, and you assume all costs.
QJ raised an eyebrow. "Twenty percent, and you pay for two journeymen gunsmiths."
"Twenty-five, and I'll pay for the journeymen," Jangles countered. Something caught his attention off-screen, causing him to frown suddenly a moment before Jinn's pretty face pushed into the picture.
"Hey Jinn," QJ smiled, knowing her appearance was good for him and bad for Jangles.
Jinn returned his smile. "Twenty percent and the two journeymen are paid for."
QJ bit his lip to keep from laughing at the sour expression on Jangle's face. "Done!"
Jinn winked and left, leaving Jangles in her wake.
"We can keep negotiating," QJ could tell Jangles was unhappy with the deal.
Jangles shook his head, letting his frown slip into a tight smile. "There's no way I could do that. Send me the axe. I can't wait to play it. I'll clear the shop out, and you can set up in two days."
"Perfect, that's when the new lifestyle patch goes live." QJ sent the Guitar Gun to Jangles and quickly closed his hud.
A knock on his shop door drew his attention from his notebook. "It's open."
The door swung open, revealing an attractive middle-aged woman. Her light brown hair was worn up in a bun, and she was dressed in a light blue business suit. "May I help you?"
The woman nodded. "You're Mr. QJ? My name is Shinzi Jala."
QJ brought up the guild status, noting that Sam Trahern was currently in Basara. After learning that Shinzi was on the Orion server, he asked Ora Zun to arrange a meeting for himself, Sam, and Shinzi at the Songbird. "Did I misunderstand the meeting arrangements?"
"No," Shinzi gripped her hands nervously, glancing around the workshop. "I wanted to talk with you."
QJ stood and motioned for Shinzi to come in before walking to the couch, which he kept near the open double doors that led to the balcony. "Sure. Can I get you something to drink?"
Shinzi shook her head. Sitting on the edge of the couch, her posture was impossibly rigid. "I hoped this day would come, and yet I dreaded it."
QJ noticed the resemblance; it was in the eyes and cheekbones. "You're worried about something. I'll help you if I can."
Shinzi let out a long breath. "What did you tell my daughter about my occupation?"
"That you're a bartender on the Orion server." QJ understood immediately.
Shinzi stared at the floor for a long moment before meeting QJ's gaze. "That's all?"
"Yep," QJ affirmed. "Whatever else you choose to say is none of my business."
"I..." Shinzi's eyes shone with unshed tears. "What will she think if I tell her the truth?"
"I'll back up whatever you want to say," QJ smiled warmly. "I know Sam pretty well. I can tell you that telling her the truth is the way to go. However, like I said, whatever you want."
"Okay," Shinzi glanced through the opened doors. "Is she living well?"
QJ nodded. "Very well. She works for OP as a Train Engineer and is my companion. She lives at Briar Rose."
"Briar Rose?" Shinzi's expression showed her confusion. "Is that a hotel?"
QJ laughed. "Sometimes I think so, but no, it's my estate. Why don't we change the meeting place to Briar Rose?"
A short while later, after sending for Aji to pick up Shinzi Jala, QJ finally exited OP Hall.
[OP: QJ] Who's in?
[OP: Ringo] Sato, Breeze, and Enju.
[OP: QJ] Lotte can't make it?
[OP: Ringo] She's on a quest with Chainy, Plush, and Shonie.
OP: QJ] Were you able to get Dessi's wolf?
[OP: Ringo] Of course. Meet at the OPC platform.
QJ waved to the group when they came into view.
[OP: Ringo] Where are we headed?
[OP: QJ] Ravenwood, to meet with Yaya Silverleaf and Nuna.
[OP: Ringo] Both from TAP.
[OP: QJ] Yep...
The group arrived in the Ravenwood courtyard a few moments later. Nuna was arranging five separate piles.
[OP: Sato] Jetpacks? We aren't going to GnG?
[OP: QJ] Nope, someplace more fun... Iron Mount! Gear up, and I'll brief everyone as soon as Wu comes online.
QJ equipped his jetpack and waited while the rest did the same. Nuna supplied flashbangs, grappling bracers, and stealth rings for everyone who needed them.
"QJ!" Yaya exited town hall, her face lit up when she spotted him. Although reserved with most people, she hugged QJ tight, favoring him with a warm smile before handing him an item. "Remember the time limit."
QJ nodded. "Thank you, Yaya."
[OP: Ringo] That's the [Box of Everything].
[OP: QJ] Yep.
[OP: Ringo] Aren't we planning this with TAP and the 2nd years?
[OP: QJ] This is separate from that. Just a short scouting trip.
[Wu] I'm online and monitoring the live feed from the Yucatan guild. They've started the raid. They are still clearing the trash mobs, so you have about forty minutes.
[OP: QJ] Switch to group chat, and I'll brief everyone.
[Group: QJ] We are heading into Iron Mount to wipe Yucatan. Our [Red Player] token will transport the five of us to a neutral zone near the city of Basalt, where our target is attempting the Eternal Doorway raid.
[Group: Ringo] How'd you pick this target?
[Group: QJ] Dad recommended it. He and Hashtag did this raid dozens of times when they were Strikers. There's a particular portion where the smallest mistake will result in a wipe.
[Group: Sato] We're going to help them screw up?
[Group: QJ] Yes... And we're going to rob the Dwarf King. Stand by for the Eternal Doorway brief.
[Eternal Doorway]
Six sub-bosses surrounding the fortress need to be killed in a specific order. While these sub-bosses are dealt with, a portal will randomly spawn trash mobs. Three guild members are usually tasked with guarding the portal. It was my dad and Hashtag that found the shortcut to this raid. In the past, the sub-bosses would be killed, and then the Dwarf King would be defeated outside the city. However, if the order of kills is wrong, the Dwarf King's Consort will spawn from the portal, wack the group guarding it, and then sound the alarm, resulting in the raid wiping.
[Group: Ringo] Did this happen to Q and Hashtag?
[Group: QJ] Yes. We disarm the consort and exit the city with her. Whatever you do, don't pick up the sword she drops.
[Group: Sato] Don't pick up the sword. Got it.
[Group: QJ] Once we are outside the city, we'll be met by a party of elves who will reward us for freeing the consort.
[Group: Ringo] The consort is an elf?
[Group: QJ] Correct... The blade she is carrying is cursed, and we find out she has been a prisoner of the Dwarf King.
[Group: Enju] We're going to be heroes?
[Group: Breeze] Sounds like it.
[Group: QJ] When the alarm goes off, the entire fortress empties to find the culprits responsible. This is where the [Box of Everything] comes in.
[Our Mission]
Team One will disarm and capture the consort, and Team Two will sneak into the fortress. Even the guards patrolling the vault will be called away when the alarm goes off. Activate the box of everything and steal whatever they have.
[Group: Sato] Holy crap. Has this been tried before?
[Group: QJ] Taking the consort is the standard part of the raid now; it cuts the raid time in half. However, stealing from the vault will place a permanent Kill Order(KO) on our heads, ruining our character if we were Iron Mount players.
[Group: Ringo] So Iron Mount players don't dare rob the vault.
[Group: QJ] But we will. I'll be on Princess rescue; my Glide ring enables me to outrun any pursuit. I'll need one person with me for backup.
[Group: Sato] Class preference?
[Group: QJ] You or Ringo. Breeze might be needed for tanking if we are exposed early. If that's the case, Enju will have to heal her.
[Group: Sato] In that case, I'm with you.
[Group: Ringo] Dream on... You're with the vault team.
[Group: Sato] Right, I'm with the vault team.
[Group: Enju] What's our retreat plan?
[Group: QJ] Once we meet up. Our [Red Player] token will evac us to the exit gate.
[Group: Sato] Is that how those bastards from Yucatan were planning on leaving when they came to Junebug?
[Group: QJ] Yep. This is payback, plain and simple.
[Group: Breeze] Payback rocks... Pizza is on me if we pull this off.
[Group: QJ] Everyone turn on streaming. We'll have Wu piece something together from the footage once we're done.
[Wu] You guys got this!