Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, there was no egg. However, it dropped 50 coppers. After Tom skinned and gutted it, Quackers seemed a lot calmer this time. There were another 2 feathers and 1 duck meat. John drank a couple of potions, restoring most of his health. He relied on natural regeneration to fill the last bit of health before the next fight. It was not easy, and John had made a couple of mistakes that could have easily resulted in his death. But he also learned an important lesson: the best-laid plans go out the window the moment battle starts. He needed to learn to think faster on his feet. Keeping this in mind, he got ready to step out and fight the next duck.
Two hours later, John hit level 4. Tommy shared his XP with Quackers, who had just hit level 3 and grown to the size of a fully grown mutated duck. However, Quackers still needed another kill to hit level 4. So, they went off to kill one more duck before attempting to tame one. They finished off the last duck. They had done this so many times now, and their stats were much improved, making the fight a brief one. They brought the next duck down to as close to 30% health as their judgement could bring it. With no clear markings on the health bar, it was now time. John had worked hard for this. They had made sure the surrounding area was clear. John pulled out his whip, cracking it towards the duck. A silver thread came from the end, surrounding the duck like a lasso. It tightened, and the duck struggled against the bonds. This lasted for a full 10 seconds. John and Tommy both held their breaths. Then, the duck lowered its head, and the silver thread was absorbed into the duck. {Level 4 Mutated Duck successfully tamed}.
** **
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Name companion
Y/N
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**
Clicking yes, John thought for a moment and settled on the name Webby. He clicked confirm with a triumphant punch in the air. This was the start. Webby was the first in his beast army but would not be the last. Quackers and Webby eyed each other for a moment before a quack-like understanding was reached. The pair quickly shared Webby's profile with Tommy, who checked it out.
** **
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Name:
Webby (common)
Level: 4
Xp 0/600
Stats:
Strength: 14
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 10
Constitution 10
HP: 60
Mana: 100/100
Defense: 10
Skills:
Beak stab: LV1 0%
Damage 15-20
5% chance to course bleed losing 5hp per second for 4 seconds
Cooldown: 0
Wing slash: LV1 0%
Damage 25-30
Cooldown 20 seconds
Mana: 30
Charge: LV1 0%
Charge foward coursing 110% damage and 10% chance to stun for 3 second
10 second cooldown
Mana: 10
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** **
The first thing they noticed was John's mutated duck was of common grade, whereas Tommy's was uncommon, with a clear difference in the stat points. Quackers, one level behind, had higher stats. The next thing they noticed was that there was nothing about sharing XP, so it must be a different system than theirs. Quackers, at level 3, still only had the one skill, whereas Webby had all three skills the ducks had used. Would a companion gain all the skills while a pet had to learn them? Could new skills be learned? John's first companion just added further questions. Putting his questions aside for later, tired, he and Tommy's equipment and supplies in need of repair and restocking, the pair decided to make a return to town. Maybe kill a few rabbits on the way; the drops for health potions were pretty decent. Discussing this, they heard the sound of combat off to their left. "You twat, why did you steal my kill, motherfucker?" Approaching, keeping to the bushes out of sight, John and Tommy arrived at the battle site, a small clearing. Standing with two short swords drawn, instantly he recognized Steelheart. And across from him, a face he would not forget – that sneer and condescending look – it was Sniddy Steve, the assassin who killed Tommy unseen. John quickly explained his plan to Tommy, and sent Quackers and Webber to circle around Steelheart. Steelheart started to step back slowly, Sniddy Steve stalking him like he had all the time in the world. "Trash," familiar words leaving his mouth, when suddenly two ducks came out of the trees behind him. Distracted and ready to flee, Sniddy Steve prepared to use stealth and leave Steelheart to deal with the two ducks. Just as he entered into stealth, an arrow hit him, breaking his stealth, and a stun icon appeared above his head. He stood in place, unable to move or comprehend what had just happened. John and Tommy walked out into the clearing, a look in John's eyes that sent an instinctive shiver down his spine. "There is no escape." John smiled. The last thing Sniddy Steve saw was two ducks stabbing into his back and two swords stabbing into his front. His body dissipated as his soul returned to the temple in town. "Mate, what luck bumping into you here. That swine had me pinned down. And wait, those ducks, wait, you're Silverback? Maaate, you're a legend in town. Everyone's trying to find out about pets and where you found them. Mugs, you've got one also? Dam fellas."
Steelheart rambled on, Tommy fully engaging him. The two instantly clicked. "Anyway, I was up here looking for a steel vein. I was just slowly clearing out the ducks. I was just about to finish the last one and then mine some iron in peace," pointing over at a rock outcrop. "If you don't mind waiting, it should take about half an hour. We could head back to town together, and I can make the arrowheads we need." Tommy quickly agreed, and the pair, John had no objections. He needed Steelheart's arrowheads, after all. So, while Steelheart mined, John searched for suitable arrow shafts, and Tommy did his thing on the dead duck Sniddy Steve had stolen from Steelheart. After half an hour went by and a few wandering ducks, Quackers and Webby fully taking care of them, the trio was finished and ready to head back. "Why don't we grab a few rabbits on the way back, get some health potion drops and some skins? They may be worth a bit of money," Tommy suggested. Steelheart looked at Tommy confused. "The drop rate is so poor. Grinding for potions, ain't that a bit of a waste? Hardly anyone has reported even finding a single potion," John told him. Their tally from this morning shocked and not fully believing, the pair could doubt it no longer. After spending 20 minutes rampaging through LV1 rabbits, keeping Webby and Quackers back in their sole space to avoid attracting attention, Steelheart looked down at his share of six health potions and two mana potions. What just happened?
Previously, he had gotten a single health potion from these mobs. Now they dropped like regular loot. After slaughtering their way through the rabbits, they got back to town. After dividing the loot up, they all headed off to deal with their respective business. John went to buy glue, one stack (10) for one copper. John paid 10 copper for 10 stacks, putting them away in his inventory. All he needed now was to wait for Steelheart to contact him about the arrowheads. With little to do in the meantime, John decided to look at upgrading his weapon. He had 2 silver now, not a small amount. Heading off next to the weapons store, John walked into a shop called Brawl-Mart. Various common grade weapons lined the walls, with what he assumed to be better weapons locked away in cases. Walking up to the counter, he asked a burly bald man for a look at his inventory of bows.
A system screen appeared in front of John, showcasing various bows, both attainable and unattainable. One caught his eye:
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English Oak Longbow (uncommon)
Damage: 25-30
2% crit chance
Range: plus 10 yards
Price: 1 silver 60 copper
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This would clean him out, leaving just enough for repairs and buying the arrowheads. But it had higher damage, 2% crit chance, and an increase from 20 yards to 30 yards range. It made it a worthy investment. After spending 6 coppers to repair his equipment and selling his old bow for 3 coppers, he was left with 78 coppers. This was enough to pay for arrowheads and little else to do. He headed out of the city. As he was leaving, an old man stopped him.
"Excuse me, sir. Sorry to bother you, but you look like a strong hunter. Please, sir, I beg of you. My son was outside foolishly thinking he was an adventurer. He was killed by a giant rabbit. But not just any giant rabbit. Those that survived said it was more savage, stronger. It is a king amongst giant rabbits. I don't have much to offer, but I will give you all I have if you will help me."
{Ding}
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World Quest: D Ranked
Kill Rabbit King and return to the old man with the Rabbit's foot as proof.
Rewards:
- 3 silver
- Intimacy with the old man
- xp 200
This quest is sharable.
Accept?
Y\/N
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Accepting the quest, John promised to gain revenge and bring this foul beast to justice. He said his goodbyes and left the city. Opening up his system map, the area with the Rabbit King was highlighted not too far away. He decided it was best to wait for Tommy. Maybe Steelheart? He could tame one more beast and if this rabbit was not above Lv4, he could attempt to tame it. Was he ready to expose his class to someone?