Noah ducked then rolled as the Urhzig's colossal hooves crashed down right next to his face. The ground shook and a cloud of dirt erupted from the earth like a geyser. He covered his face as debris and small rocks hurtled down around him. Noah could feel all the vibrations from his full-body VR haptic suit.
"Watch out!" called a female voice. But before he had a chance to move he felt a stronger vibration on his legs in the real world as the Urhzig's spiny, rock encrusted tail slammed down on his legs in the game.
Critical Damage Taken.
Noah checked his health points on his indicator bar above. His health was down to 50/100HP and his stamina was down to 10%. Another hit like that and he could actually fail this hunt. The giant creature lifted its tail ready to finish Noah, but he anticipated this and rolled backward out of the monster's reach.
"Shit! That was a huge blow!" cried the voice again from and outcrop some distance away. It was his party member Florrie. She crouched down and lowered her crossbow taking aim at the large beast's underbelly. The only part of the beast that was exposed and not covered with rock armor plating. She closed one eye and took in a deep breath. She couldn't afford to miss her aim. Florrie pulled the trigger and unleashed a Tranq bolt.
Tranq bolt
Instant Damage: 35
Damage Over Time: 90
Effect: 80% chance of tranquilizing target for 15 seconds.
The Tranq bolt hit true, right in the left flank of the Urhzig. The beast instantly dropped to the ground and fell asleep. Noah analyzed the motionless monster while he tried to recover from the earlier attack.
Urhzig - Level 10
Species: Terra Behemoth
Status: Asleep
Element: Terra
Weakness: Astral
Resistance: Shock, Blaze, Poison
"I've got you!" called his friend Rye while he helped him up and placed a healing pack on the ground. Noah moved within the radius of the healing pack to absorb the health being emitted. "Since we already know its weakness from when we tracked and researched it, we know the best weapon attack would be your Astral Axe." The Urhzig started to wake up. Rye moved forward towards the beast and swung his hammer pounding the Urhzig's tail.
Rye hit the Urhzig for 150 Blunt Damage!
"My turn!" shouted Arkie, their final group member jumping onto Rye using his Aero Flip.
Aero Flip Skill
Allows players to use Behemoths, the environment or even other players as a makeshift springboard.
Arkie then dived down onto the Urzhig's back and straddled the beast as he tried to keep his baRye so as not to fall off. The Urzhig tried to buck him off, but Arkie used his thighs and knees to squeeze the monster's sides in order to gain extra grip. He watched the beast's movements carefully in order to counter them. Then finding the opportune moment he drew out his dual blades and thrust one of them into the back of the Urhzig to create an improvised hook in order to hold onto with one hand so as not to fall.
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 75 Pierce Damage! (x 0.25 Added Multiplier)
The beast shrieked and reared upwards, but Arkie held on. He then shifted his body to the side to reach the Urhzig's underbelly and stabbed at it.
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 114 Pierce Damage! (x 0.90 Added Multiplier)
The Terra Behemoth reared up a second time. Arkie pulled out the blade from its back and slid down. When he finally reached its tail, he let loose a frenzied 4 Hit Combo Attack on it, where he sliced manically with his dual blades and dismembered the tail.
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 105 Pierce Damage! (x 0.75 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 105 Pierce Damage! (x 0.75 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 105 Pierce Damage! (x 0.75 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 105 Pierce Damage! (x 0.75 Added Multiplier)
"That's how you do it!" spat Arkie. His eyes as dark as his hair and the garb he wore.
Arkie Picked Up Severed Urhzig Tail.
With a long shriek, the mammoth creature began its retreat to the cliffs. Florrie came running over, her long auburn curls bouncing as she strode over to Noah. His stomach knotted and to avoid her gaze, he looked over at Rye who followed closely behind with his blonde hair glistening in the sunlight and his usual beaming smile. Noah responded with a half-smile. Nothing ever phases him. I wish I was like that.
"It's trying to get away!" yelled Florrie. "Everyone attack!" The entire party chased after the Terra Behemoth and surrounded it, watching their positions so as not to get trampled. In quick succession they all attacked at it. Noah watched as the Urhzig head-butted Rye, knocking the wind out of him and flinging him several yards away.
"Guys, a little help here," said Rye, as he got back up.
"We need to do something before it charges at him and finishes him off," said Noah keeping some distance away from the gigantic beast who looked about ready to lunge at Rye.
"I'll use my combo attack to take aggro, said Arkie. Moving in at great 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.
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 78 Pierce Damage! (x 0.30 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 78 Pierce Damage! (x 0.30 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 78 Pierce Damage! (x 0.30 Added Multiplier)
Arkie hit the Urhzig for 78 Pierce Damage! (x 0.30 Added Multiplier)
"Nice one my man!" said Rye 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. "Look it's almost down as it's doing its final behaviour pattern where it will shake rocks off its ba—".
Massive rocks raced through the air all around them. One of the, the size of an average boulder missed Noah's face by mere inches. "Whoa! That was too damn close," exclaimed Noah.
"Noah you hit the final blow while we cover you," ordered Arkie.
"On it!" said Noah as he unslung his Astral Axe and held it at the ready. The weapon etched with tribal markings along the haft of the axe, emanated an ethereal indigo glow with bright luminous blue celestial particle effects.
The Urhzig lowered its head to the ground, ready to charge at Noah. Its eyes narrowing as it leapt towards him. With a hefty forward swing, he struck a finishing blow against its skull.
Critical Hit. Multiplier Applied.
Noah hit the Urhzig for 174 Physical Damage! (x 0.85)
Noah hit the Urhzig for 250 Elemental Damage!
Bonus 250 Damage from Astral weakness.
As the monstrosity plummeted to the ground, the earth beneath them trembled and a large cloud of dust arose as if suspended in the air for a short delay.
"Now to get me some loot!" said Rye.
Noah pulled out his carving blade and carved the felled beast's skull as he hoped to gain a Urhzig nasal bone which had a higher chance if carved from the skull. He needed that bone material in order 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 Noah as their next prey.
Noah Picked Up Urhzig Pelt
Without even looking at it, Noah threw it in his pouch. Great, like I don't already have 7 of them. I guess it's to be expected from a beta test. They really need to balance the spawn rate for when the game is finally released. I just need 1 more Urhzig nasal bone. We will need to do another run. Triumphant fanfare bellowed so Noah instinctively looked up as the popup displayed for the victory screen in golden lettering among a fireworks display.
Mission Complete – Victory!
1300XP gained.
150 Copper Coins gained.
Materials Gained:
2 x Urhzig Pelt
3 x Urzhig Scales
1 x Urzhig Eye
Time Taken: 57 minutes and 13 seconds
"Should we have one more go?" asked Rye.
Crestfallen Noah looked down at the ground. "I wanted to, but I can't believe it took so long. I 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 already 3am by now and I'm probably going to feel like crap in a few hours anyway."
"That's alright we can always do it tomorrow night. Same time?" asked Rye.
"Yeah sounds good to me," said Noah.
Arkie logged out.
"Okay?! What's that about?" asked Noah.
"Don't take it personally. You know what he is like. A man of few words. Unless it's about gloating ofcourse, then he can't shut up," said Florrie.
"I guess. I had fun. Can't wait until tomorrow so I can finally 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 Rye.
Rye logged out.
"Yeah can't wait and good luck with your meeting at work," said Florrie.
"Oh thanks," said Noah as his insides knotted.
"Bye," said Florrie.
"Bye," said Noah. He felt his stomach lurch and his hands got clammy. Why am I so bad at talking to Florrie? No time to think about that right now. I need to sleep.
Florrie logged out.
Noah logged out, turned off all his kit and removed his VR headset as well as his haptic suit.
It felt like he had only just laid his head down and closed his eyes when his alarm bellowed and the sun was shining through the edges of the curtains. Noah groaned as he got up and got ready for work. He hurried out the house at 6:30am to try and avoid the early morning traffic.
The day was uneventful, the same old grind only with a boring meeting to start if off. He returned back home at around 7pm having been stuck in the late afternoon traffic for over an hour.
Oh the joys of work and commuting.
Noah shovelled some leftover pizza in his mouth and was ready to continue the game VRMMORPG '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 anyway. I better login just to let them know I'm skipping a nig—.
Feeling a sharp pain, Noah opened his eyes not realizing he 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 that it was already 5:55am Saturday.
Damn it! The team's going to be mad at me. I better try login.
Please enter your username and password.
Noah entered his username.
Sorry Noah does not exist.