The system brought them to the Arsenal where they check their character's specs and equipment builds. Their character appeared on the right side of the screen on top of a copper pedestal and can rotate as the mouse hover their character. The left side is where their equipment appears in an array. Markus' team had filled half of the screen of their equipment but the enemy's arsenal had already filled 3 pages of equipment array.
Tsk. Markus ticked his tongue. His team appeared on the top corner of the map thus, their orientation on the buffs is on the right side. Each of their characters appeared like a summoned being from another world where a surge of swirling air engulfs their own bodies. The summoning area is behind their team's tower and draws power from it. The tower is a 10-foot tall marble sculpture of the goddess Aegis with glowing wings (Red for the team on top and Blue for the team on the bottom). Glowing stones of the same colors surround the goddess and shoves enemies away. Their area has only one entrance protected by an erected stone that shoots enemies with lasers and is surrounded by thick and tall walls.
Woah. Brent thought. He stared at the screen for a moment in awe. "Is this the new patch update, Marky?" he asked.
"Yeah, it seems so," Markus replied. "They've done the updates last night on the server's time."
They found themselves in a swampy arena where almost all you can see is green. From the roots to the trunks, to the leaves of enormous gigantic trees and wet soils surround the whole area. Birds chirp and unknown animals hiss around the surrounding.
"I see..." Brent sighed and leaned his back on his seat.
Stein Wolf, Brent's avatar, is a water mage with an appearance of a furry grayish wolf-man with blue carvings(tattoos) in his body symbolizing the monsters he's killed to obtain power. His half-naked body is only covered with a blue tattered coat made from their alpha's hair, Haar, giving him +5 passive defense and +10 passive offense. He is also equipped with a Wolfgang armor that can radiate defense on teammates and steal enemy life stat. With proper builds, this mage is capable of healing himself and others without the use of magic tools. His basic attack is melee combat scratching his opponents with his sharp claws, Unguis.
Grun Leech, Ken's avatar, is a spirit archer with an appearance of a male elf wielding a bow made of roots from the elves' ancient tree, Baum, which is also responsible for the elf kind's agility in Swamp areas. His arrow is made up of his own mana that deals with +15 basic passive attack effect and -8 enemy life steal. His basic equipment is the Helios boots that can fasten attack speed and enhance agility in aerial combat.
Bairn Crow, Markus' avatar, is a Wight in a black tattered cape wielding a double-edged sword, the Teilt, that can split into 2 katanas when given the exact amount of mana needed for the split. It was carved by dwarf-kind in a forest near Baum and a user-defined weapon. His black cape is capable of stealth and a +20 passive defense. His basic attack is in melee combat hitting enemies with his sword. He can also do range attacks where he can throw the 2 swords that act like a boomerang if the spilt happened in between clashes. His basic equipment is a Brimstone mask that stuns the enemy for 0.8 seconds when activated after 5 basic critical hits.
"Whoaa, these kids are pretty serious, huh." One of Kirk's friends said. "They leveled up in a span of 2 weeks just to challenge us."
"Oh really? What a sore loser. Not that they can beat us in our levels even if they leveled up. Because if they did level up, we leveled up as well. How was that?" Kirk's friend said.
"We're Exorcists, you know." Kirk sourly said. "2 Templars and an untitled makes no difference in our game." he added.
"They should have checked the manuals when they asked to play with us." they continued.
"Just let them be," Kirk replied. "They're just kids anyway. Templars are weaker than Exorcists in any way you look at it. We have to carve that in their minds. Levels make a huge difference."
The game counted down on queue as flashed on their screen.
"And here they start that biased game again." a bystander muttered behind them.
"They're just kids with Templar levels. How can they beat those high school guys." another man said. "Not to mention their equipment are not that as high-end as Kirk's"
"I bet they didn't know the difference of stats in ROA."
Markus heard them and muttered in his brain.
Shut up, people. I know the ranks and all, I've read the manual 4 times and made a strategy on how to outwit these guys. While it's true that Templars are weaker than Exorcists, the only difference between them is the number of weapons you can equip your character, which you yourself customized using the account card.
Markus didn't know that he was not just thinking it but saying it in the real world. The bystanders felt awkward with the kid explaining the ranks.
When we reach the character level 10, we are ranked as Templar.
Level 20 - Exorcist
Level 35 - Archivist
Level 50 - Quaestor
Level 75 - Protector
Level 85 - Harrier
Level 100 or higher - Serville
We'll stay on that rank until we reach the different rank range.
The bystanders stood in awe and silence. They exchanged looks and surprised faces as they heard those words from the kid.
Currently, I'm a Templar and I can only equip around 10 percent of the character's full equipment build. That's my handicap. this time, I'll beat them with skill.
The game of 3-on-3 on ROA (Reign of Aegis) started.
"It is a strategy game where the team had a tower where their treasures are and to protect it with the equipment they have. The goal is to destroy the enemy's tower and loot their treasure." the bystander behind Markus started to say.
"But, the true goal of this game is to spawn the Aegis (the great goatskin shield) when a certain amount of mana is gathered to perform the spell in the middle of the field. You have to bring it to your tower and raise it on top to be recognized as the winner."
"If the Aegis is destroyed by the enemy when in your possession, it will take time to respawn at the same place again, with the use of the same amount of mana."
"Thus, you have to fight with the enemy for 2 reasons, to get their loot and destroy their tower, and to spawn the shield to raise it on top of your own tower."
"Pretty complicated, right?" the man said. "That is why you need strong teamwork and good equipment builds for this game."
"But ROA still has another feature. "
"Yeah, it's 3 basic clusters, the 1vs1 Brawl battle, and this 3 on 3 adventure. But the Quest is still on beta testing. I guess it'll be out in a few months tho."
"Oh, I see. I can't wait to play that."
Markus heard the comments on his back but he remained focus on his game.
At first, the bystanders thought those kids were gonna fall to the traps laid by both their enemy and the game itself and finish the game in a short time but they have passed through it.
Amazing, are they really just grade-schoolers? They didn't fell into that trap laid before them. Great! A bystander commented.
They're definitely putting up a fight with those high schoolers. They passed thru that obstacle with a cheat. These kids are learning. Another person said. This fight is getting exciting. I kinda root for those kids, especially that Templar with 2 weapons.
"I guess, we're gonna make this through, Markus!" Brent exclaimed.
"Ahh, just continue on the offense, I'll take care of the rest..." Marks replied.
"Please do!" Ken replied
They have pulled through until the half of the game but an unfortunate thing happened.
"Oi ya?? These kids are damn serious about defeating us boys. Let's show them what we're made of." Kirk said and they hit keys and entered codes. "We can't be humiliated, right?"
Twin Horns, Kirk's avatar in the appearance of a medieval knight in black armor wielding a spear and a horned helmet is suddenly boosted with mana and coins where he immediately bought equipment for an upgrade.
His teammates, Great Sage(a minotaur specializing in melee combat) and Mega Mind(A cowboy marksman) also did the same and in an instant, the game ended.
"What happened?" Ken said very confusedly that he stood from his seat, throwing himself away from the keyboard.
The crowd made a commotion and suddenly complained. They were both in shock and in excitement since they saw an awful defeat.
The kids were also having a hard time accepting what has happened.
"I don't know, ne, Markus, what was that?" Brent added mystified at what had happened.
"That was..." Markus said but their opponents continue what he is about to say,
"Absolute Defeat... haha!" Kirk laughed at them with glaring eyes. He went to their units and leaned his arm on Markus' monitor. "Allow me to explain, when you started to advance in our territory, you were so focused on reaching the Aegis in our possession after we spawn it after you crossed the river at 13:32 minutes. You failed to count our defenses and lost track with our other comrade. We circled your team and your fell right straight to our trap where our brawler waits for your arrival and our MM to hit when you try to escape. Hahahaha, that was hilarious."
Markus just stared at the guy with regret. He can't even say a word back. He clenched his fists and grit his teeth. "You cheated."
As if you didn't!!! one of the crowd shouted and laughed.
Ken and Brent tried to look for who said that but everyone laughed out loud. They were laughed at.
Kirk took a deep breath to shake off his laughter, clear his eyes from tears, and said "That was a child's play anyway. Do you think you can just win by charging upfront?! Nah! It was more fun to toy with the opponents, kid. Next time, you should bring a bunch of cheats and buy gears for your lengthen survival. You're still too weak to face the Exorcists at your level. That was the level of our power. You can never defeat us in just a nick of time."
"It will take you years before you can stand on our ground, not two weeks, Moron!" Kirk's friend added.
Markus and others were being laughed at and Ken was about to cry when Markus butted in,
"Ken, don't cry. We have fought well, and for a second I thought we're gonna win. But that was my bad. I have underestimated those thugs. I'm sorry,"
"It's not all your fault, Markus. I have made mistakes, too." Brent said with a teary eye.
"You know what, stupid brats... don't stand in front of us when you can't even standstill. But, I know you can still try again and again, but the result will be the same." Kirk said confidently standing on top of the chair looking down at the kids.
Markus eyed the thug and he eyed him back saying "I don't like the looks on your eyes, would you like a different kind of fight, Damn kid?" Kirk replied in a whispering manner.
"No, I'm just eying the wall that I must destroy to grow better," Markus replied. "Not that I'm referring to you."
"Ain't that good to know?!" he said and immediately throw a punch on Markus' face, flying from where he stood.
They're way older than them. Every single thing about Markus and the thugs is way too far. They're 5 years older than them, taller and stronger than them, and smarter in terms of experience than them. No wonder that after that petty fight will result in much more damage on Markus and his friends.
A rumble has begun as they dragged the kids outside the Sunny-Go.
Hey, stop that!
Look, there's a fight!
Go for a hit! Hit him hard.
The crowd gathered outside the cafe and the attendants felt the need to call for authority.
"You think you can fight with us, huh?" Kirk grabbed Ken's collar and punched him in the gut.
Kirk's 2 friends also grabbed Brent and pinned him on the wall. His wrists are throbbing from their grip and his mouth is covered with their hands.
"Don't hurt my friends, you rascal!" Markus landed a fist on Kirk's jaw and he fumbled on his knees, freeing Ken from his grip.
"You bastard!" Kirk brought Markus on the ground and rained punches on him.
Markus struggled to defend himself as Brent and Ken took the corner to avoid combat.
"Hey!! You all stop that fight!" the owner of Sunny went outside, shouting at them.
Everyone evaporated and left the 3 beaten kids on the ground.
"Markus!" Ken exclaimed as he went to Markus, lying on the ground.
"Still playing the hero, huh," Brent said while helping the poor kid to stand.
"Are you kids alright?" the owner said rushed to their aid. "I should get the medkit and treat that wound immediately. You stay here".
"No need, Mr. Owner. I'll just clean this up when I got home." Markus replied.
"No, we have to treat it immediately... Good Lord, those thugs were real trouble to any net café here in town. They always cause a ruckus like this and I've received various reports, too. Now, they've picked up a fight with you guys. I should rush the police to catch those guys."
"It's alright, we are kind of to blame with that fight." He said to the owner, then he faced Ken and Brent "You two alright?"
"No... I saw from the cams, they were the ones who---"
"It's okay, Mr. Owner. We'll just go home now." Markus said. "Sorry for the trouble."
They walked away from the alley where they fought and left the owner standing, watching them leave.
"If you need help, just call me right away, okay?!" the owner exclaimed.
Markus just waved his hand without looking at the old man. He looked at the two and asked again, "Are you two really alright?"
"Yeah, thanks to you, Markus," Ken said with a trembling voice. His hand holding Markus' elbow is as cold as an iced tea.
They stopped walking and Brent said, "Of course, you have taken all the blows for yourself, you selfish brat!" poking his friend's head.
"Let's go home?"
"I thought you won't say that," the two said in unison.
Markus took a step but lost his balance. Brent caught him and made him lean on his shoulder thinking he's just fainted but he was wrong.
Markus lost consciousness so the two began to tremble in fear.
"What should we do?" Brent asked.
"We... we should bring him to the hospital..." Ken replied in a trembling voice.
They looked around for help and fortunately, they saw an open garage with lights all on and immediately went towards it.
"Please help us!" the two exclaimed.