They get back onto the elevator and head down through several subterranean floors. The scene of a large laboratory opens up beneath them, with many scientists and technicians running about!
"We've already been working on the next level of virtuality gaming." Ahana states as they walk by various rooms. Some are running simulation combat with players, some are recording data on their reflexes pre and post a session, while others can be seen modifying or tinkering with untested models of the virtual helmet. Tara's eyes immediately catch and remember what they see, hearing bits of conversation and statistics she doesn't understand as they pass.
"This is our current crowning achievement, a full dive pod, that I built after watching many overexertions take one too many." A deeply pained smile graced her lips with regret in her eyes. They are presented with a human sized pod made of sleek light gray and orange metals.
"That's a story for another time, however. With Blueriver's core members as a control group having been drinking Tempo for some time, we've recorded their abilities in our standard helmets. Then we compared several hundred experts from eager Super Guilds using a 70% synchronization full dive pod."
Ahana pulls out two stacks of tests which Tara breezes through instantly. Karuna sees many names of players she's recognized over the years, both locally and globally.
"After using a more potent form of Tempo to nurture a person's body and enhance their mind while utilizing virtuality, we found these Super Guild members matched Blueriver's bottom line. Would you like to give it a try?" Ahana asks carefully. She sees Kaurna hesitant between her own curiosity and stopping Tara from doing something dangerous, but Ahana would not insist if it would harm her grandchild.
Tara simply nods in excitement to test it.
To have a Super Guild's expert match the strength of a Tempo cultivated member of Blueriver, how could she not after experiencing the tea's effects?
"Then by all means get in the dive pod, Tara." Ahana chuckles, the pod opening with a soft hiss to reveal a comfortable padded interior.
***
Gorgeous hazel eyes look up at the cloudless blue sky of the Missing Cloud Forest. Lilac lightning flashes behind them. A sigh parts from naturally full lips as the sun kisses her warm brown skin that's etched in dark purple lightning flowers. How does she end up in these situations, Lilac Alexandrite wonders to herself as she observes her nearly twenty kidnappers. They were the assailants who got the drop on her, her brother, and their charges for the Escort Quest. These people had somehow killed the Artisans they were supposed to be protecting and then took the siblings captive.
"When I get free, it's over for you guys!" A rugged and handsome teen snarls, thrashing against his bindings. Even though she's 3 years older, her baby brother towers over her both in this world and the natural world. The one standing closest to them, a twenty-something Leohaia Infantry with twin short swords that their hip, cackles as they squat in front of him.
"You Ruby Blade punks aren't that great. It's a wonder why some Artisans would let you escort them." They say, mane ruffling from laughter while mistaking the two's identity.
"What? We're not-" Livid guffaws as Alexandrite rams her elbow into his ribs. She may be a Witch but she's still his sister. If they mistook them, Alexandrite could use this to her advantage for some information gathering.
"Why are you targeting Ruby Blade? We just joined there's no way they'll show--"
"Oh they'll show! We posted about this on the Continental Forums with a livestream and everything. If they don't, their reputation will be shot and their newest members like yourselves will scatter. What does it matter if they've cleared a few Dungeons if they don't have any loyalty?"
"Arrogance, quiet." A Gigantis Forefend wearing the Frostwolf Set with a lance for a weapon chides her companion without turning her back. Out of everyone who had attacked their group of 10 Artisans previously this person had stayed behind to merely watch. They must be the leader, Alexandrite surmised.
"Okay Boss," Cutting Arrogance gives a two finger mock salute before sending a private message. Alexandrite flinches as she reads it and hopes Ruby Blade doesn't come: We're doing this because it's fun.
Millions of viewers were indeed watching the current event. These people had placed a magical item called Recording Stones in various places in the trees around the clearing for a full 360 view. Some viewers are streaming from within Renovel, others from their computers, even more from their local news and gaming stations!
Ruby Blade had raised such attention with their recent rise to fame that many are curious about them but even more are eager to see them fall. Their opponents are unidentified but clearly strong by the fact that they are wearing full sets of level 15 Obsidian Equipment from various popular and well known Dungeons. Just acquiring a single set for one person takes hundreds of runs of a Hard Mode Dungeon!
Having twenty such geared people meant one of two things. Firstly, that they are powerful enough to fight Hard Mode multiple times. Or secondly, they used the quantity method of first-rate and above, which is having numerous teams run Hard Mode. Either way this made them formidable and eye-catching.
"Eyes up, everyone." The Forefend leader, Chasing Glory, barks at those under her. Despite not seeing anyone approaching the clearing they are in, the other nineteen members straighten their posture and grip their weapons. Soon enough several people can be seen in a V formation as they approach.
At either end are two Summoners, the left side Summoner having an Infantry next to her while the right Summoner has a Pugilist. The group only has a single Mage out of casters, their book in a holster.
The crowd online goes wild in the comments. How could Ruby Blade only send six people to face a group of twenty? Only experts from Super Guilds could do such a feat in equal equipment. These newbies are just lucky nobodies as far as the higher powers are concerned.
"Wait! Take a closer look at the Summoners! Something's off?" An attentive person points out. Soon everyone realizes the Lightning Essence is sparking off Opal Bat passively as Ice Essence forms rings around Storm Kitty.
It is known that Essence is only visible when someone is either focusing immensely or activating a Skill. This is neither of those judging by the relaxed look on the two Summoners' faces. Just what grade of Equipment can cause such an atmospheric reaction?
Alexandrite's attention is actually on the figure in the front. Wearing a full set of polished onyx black armor, they looked intimidating and dashing. A menacing glaive is strapped to their back as they stride forward with unhurried and confident steps.
"Are these kids looking down on us?!" Cutting Arrogance roars furiously. They go to move forward but the heavy glove of Chasing Glory presses on their shoulder.
"Match them." Chasing Glory says. Two trios--one set of Vanguards, another of Pugilists, and two Dagger Infantry each--rush forward. The dagger wielders vanish with their Stealth ability. To this group's surprise, however, only Dark Avenue and Straw Monkey run to meet them. Vanguards to Avenue with Pugilists to Straw.
The two Vanguards run in crisscross pattern. One of the offending Vanguards swings a great ax at Dark Avenue's head when they get close while the other one attempts to strike her blindspot behind her with a spear. Avenue doesn't even attempt to dodge the ax nor does she unsheathe her weapon to block the spear point. This elicits gasps and cheers from the spectators.
Avenue steps slightly to the left so the spear strikes her claymore's carrier. The spear Vanguard feels vibrations up their arm as if they just hit stone. The ax Vanguard finishes the swipe at Avenue's head only for the massive blade to be met with some unseen resistance.
What happens next frightens the two Vanguards and silences the cheers of those watching.
[-75]
This would not be that big of a deal if it weren't for several factors. Though there is a public leader board when it comes to levels in cities, it is not something many players advertised. Be it hiding their strength or to avoid bullying by those stronger, the only instance when a player's level would be force revealed is during a confrontation in the Field. This is in order to make both sides have a better understanding of whom they are dealing with.
Both Vanguards are on the level for first-rate and above organizations at 16. Both are wearing Obsidian grade gear and welding Obsidian grade weapons. They can do a couple hundreds of Damage together to Common Mobs of the same level, slaying some instantly, and half of that to Common Bosses.
"How can she be level 18?!" Cutting Arrogance utters somewhat stupefied. Chasing Glory's eyes widen slightly before glancing at Straw Monkey who is also the same level. Interesting.
"My turn then?" Avenue asks cheekily.
The two Vanguards don't even see the afterimage of Avenue's weapon when she brandishes a full circular sweep pushing them a couple meters away. Horizontal gashes with red blood are visible underneath their armor. A staggering [-400] appears overhead in white--it wasn't even a critical which doubled damage in black lettering--which is a vast difference from the damage Avenue had taken a moment ago.
"She combined Annulet with Cleave?" Arrogance recognizes the distancing of the Annulet and the Bleeding effect of Cleave. They are Skills both Vanguards and Infantry can learn but Arrogance hadn't thought of using the two moves in tandem like that. "Is that how she was able to bypass their armor?"
"No, there's more to that. Why else is the damage so high?" Glory's analysis is mostly correct. Avenue's Gleaming Nightjar Claymore has a chance of Refracting damage in order to ignore defenses completely. The Lunar energy empowers the weapon with Light Essence and her Prowess happens to be Penetration, both aspects allowing for a high base damage.
The two Vanguards begin to keep their distance as they circle around her like wolves. Avenue smirks as she holds the handle of her claymore in one hand, reaching out quickly with her free hand as if to grab something. A muffled cry is heard as the hidden Infantry is revealed before being tossed at the circling Vanguards, slamming into one of them.
"She even caught onto Stealth? Could she be a half-Expert?" Arrogance's eyes shine with competition and a thirst for battle. Glory says nothing about this for she isn't sure. Like in Renovel where combat standards are based Physique and Mentality the natural world has its own dividers when it comes to fighting ability.
While Avenue certainly displays training from youth in her movements, Glory's eyes do catch a hesitance in her actions. Something told her that whatever force is reducing Avenue's taken damage is also aiding her spatial awareness.