Akiol and Wrock spent the past few days preparing for the competition. The rest of the party joined every now and then to do an occasional dungeon. Leveling up was slow, so on the third day they both agreed leveling would come to a temporary stop.
Instead they vouched for equipment, Wrock needed some new armor. Akiol felt like he should fill the rest of his accessory slots. They browsed the auction, yet there wasn't anything that really caught their attention.
Accessories were rare, anyone who obtained them wouldn't choose to put it in the auction immediately. Even if they did it would be bought immediately. Either by guilds or rich players.
So they were stuck, the only way for them to obtain equipment stronger than their current ones was by defeating a boss. Yet they couldn't just stroll outside and find one.
They browsed the forums, trying to find job requests given by players for equipment. Yet the only ones there gave Gold or cash in exchange, neither they required.
The blacksmith didn't sell top quality equipment, they didn't sell accessories at all either.
Left no choice they continued to do dungeons, hoping equipment dropped would be sufficient. This continued to the fifth day. They hadn't obtained anything they desired, and was close to giving up.
They did quests, hoping to come across something to satisfy their wishes. They explored the lands and met players. Yet try as they might they couldn't find anything.
Currently they were walking back from another unsuccessful adventure. Discussing ways to obtain more items.
"We could try the arena." Wrock recommended.
Akiol was unfamiliar with the place, "The arena?"
"It's a player versus player place. You fight for points and aim to be the top. You can exchange the points for materials, but with enough you could purchase an item box."
"And this item box?"
"It depends on which you pick, you could get a weapon or armor box, you can even get an accessory one but those are massively expensive. It works like a loot box, you gain a random item fitting the type. The only way to obtain these are by the points, and they are bound to the player."
Akiol stopped in his tracks, "You're saying we could have been doing that this entire time. . . ?"
". . .Yeah."
"Why haven't you said anything about this?"
"Because I bought one of the item boxes and got something worthless."
Akiol held up a finger, "Do you have an accessories?"
"Just one."
"Don't you think another would be better? Regardless on how bad it is?"
Wrock sighed, "I get what your throwing here. I am sorry, if we spend the rest of the time I am sure we can obtain enough points to get one box each."
Without further ado the two went towards the arena. The arena was available in any city, players could choose any number of teammates up to a maximum of five.
Except for duels, any team could come be sent to battle with another team. Regardless of the player count. The team with less players would obtain far more points if they win, and lose less if they lose.
The battles were randomized, however it would select those with higher points with other higher point teams.
Skill cooldowns wouldn't carry over into other battles. Letting players use their high cooldown skills a lot more.
This place was a haven for pvp fanatics and players aiming to train themselves. For Akiol and Wrock? A farming place.
The two entered as a duo, hoping to challenge high numbered teams for more points. Were they underestimating their opponents? Most likely, Akiol had only come across one player who could beat him, Wrock hadn't found any.
The match searching was successful and they were teleported into a randomized arena.
Their opponent was a trio, the map was based around a jungle. Trees covered the area along with various plant life.
Akiol and Wrock stood still, waiting for any sign of the enemy team. There was a shuffle and their eyes locked at the origins.
A thunderbolt descended from the sky, Akiol and Wrock noticed the change and moved away. The thunderbolt landed in between them, dealing no damage.
Akiol sensed the air moved behind him, he spun and sliced through the origins of the movement. His sword sliced the cheek of a player, who had just turned visible.
It was a thief, most likely planning one stabbing the back of Akiol. Sadly their plan fell short, within a small timeframe they were finished off and sent out of the arena.
Dark clouds appeared above the two, a thick thunderbolt descended rapidly. This thunderbolt was extremely large, easily the size of a silo.
With its speed the two would be unable to dodge, so Akiol used [Reflective Edge] on the attack. The thunderbolt curled upwards and slammed into the sky barrier.
This was something strange about [Reflective Edge]. Instead of sending attacks back towards the opponent, it sent attacks back to its origins.
Since the thunderbolt came from the clouds, it was sent back to the clouds instead of the caster.
"You should probably just destroy the forest." Akiol suggested.
Wrock shrugged and used [Mastered Basic Punch] the shockwave tore through the trees leaving a clearing for the two.
The arenas weren't large, but they weren't small either. Wrock's one move cleared a little less than a fifth of the arena.
On the edge of the clearing was movement. The two dashed forward, not intending to let their opponent escape. It wasn't long before they were spotted.
Akiol used [Chilling Aura] stopping them in their tracks. Wrock left an afterimage, appearing in front of the two remaining players.
The afterimage was the same move he used when he fought Existence of Disease. It was called [Intense Speed]. Unlike its name it did not increase his agility, rather it acted like a teleport. A move Wrock definitely enjoyed.
Wrock made short work of the two opponents. They received their points and began searching for another match.
This continued for a while, the only time the two had even a bit of trouble was when the fought five sorcerers. As they all used AOE type moves Akiol and Wrock were forced to teleport close and beat them.
This continued until the end of the sixth day, after a lot of time of battling they had enough for one accessory box.
Whilst battling they had received a bit of a reputation, players began spectating the matches and some videos were uploaded to the forums. Additionally with their names matching the ones who defeated the Land Guardian, their popularity began to rise.
It was because of this that some of their matches were immediately forfeited by the opponent, saving them time and giving free points.
The two remained blissfully unaware of their rising reputation, instead spending all their points on a singular box.
The two took a breath before opening them. Inside Akiol's box lay a ring, it was golden with extravagant etching. A bright green gem lay embedded.
Wrock's box held two orbs, one blue and one purple. It was then they read the description of their equipment.
[Ring of Promises]
A once very rich and prosperous noble gave this ring to his daughter. With it he promised that he would forever protect her. This promise was later broken when the nobles family was assassinated.
When Equipped Receive:
+20 to all stats
Extra Skills:
{The Promise: When activated gain a shield that absorbs all incoming damage. After three hits it will shatter.}
Akiol was pleased with the ring, it wasn't top tier but it provided him with stats that he wanted.
[Orbs of Eveolyn]
A once skilled elf crafted these orbs for her trusted friend. However, they were lost in travel. They hold the trust of Eveolyn in them.
When Equipped Receive:
+30 to all stats
Extra Skills:
{Orb of Eternal Twist: The user's right fist (or Equipped weapon) holds the wind element. Enhancing their damage by 10% and causes bleeding.
{Orb of Eternal Flame: User's left fist (or Equipped weapon) holds the fire element. Enhancing their damage by 10% and causes burning.}
Wrock was also pleased with the accessory, it increased his stats and damage. With the additional effects his damage would increase further.
The two bade farewell and went their separate ways, the next day would be the competition. Akiol went to the postal office and checked his inbox.
There was a letter, Akiol read it and inside was the coordinates of a location. Along with some instructions.
Akiol stored the letter in his inventory and logged off, he wanted to be well rested for tomorrow.
After doing some necessities before bed he browsed through the group chat for a bit. The rest of the party had been doing their own thing while Akiol and Wrock were preparing, aside from the times they cleared dungeons.
There wasn't anything major going on so went to bed. He was quite excited for tomorrow, who knows what hidden abilities his opponent may have?
It was going to be quite eventful.