Chapter 7 : 3 Horns Bear
The scene that unfolded before the onlookers left them utterly shocked and astonished. Never before had they witnessed such a display of skill and power in their vicinity. The Battle Mage known as "Straight" had emerged as a force to be reckoned with, a virtuoso whose abilities transcended the norm.
The onlookers were a mix of low-level players, seasoned adventurers, and even some high-ranking guild members. To them, this forest was just a starting point, a place for newcomers to gain experience before embarking on greater challenges. The 2 Horns Bears were monsters that were challenging for them was like a walk in the park for this spearman.
Yet, Straight had turned this seemingly ordinary area into a stage for an extraordinary spectacle.
The sight of Straight brandishing his Lambasting Spear and unleashing a myriad of devastating spells left a lasting impression on everyone present. The finesse and precision with which he dispatched the Chief ranked 2 Horns Bears were mesmerizing.
One thing was clear for them—they all wanted to know more about this player named Straight.
Some of them had tried to search up this name after logging off the game just to see who was this fellow and where did he come from. But the only results they got was nothing at all. It was as if this expert had appeared out of thin air.
Some thought that they probably had not searched enough, cause there were experts who acted in secrecy, or also those who were developed in secret by guilds. But maybe there was another thing that could be a possibility.
Could this possibly be the birth of a top tier expert? A debut for a new player that soon would be a top tier expert? Some of them had this kind of thought inside of their mind.
...
As the dust settled from the intense battle, Trevor, Lara, and Marcus found themselves in deep discussion. They were still reeling from the shock of witnessing Straight's incredible display of power and skill. None of them had ever heard of a spearman by that name, and the sudden appearance of such a formidable player had piqued their curiosity.
"I've been in the game for years, but I've never heard of anyone named Straight," Trevor mused, his brows furrowed in thought. "His skills, his equipment—it's all seeming so impressive. We should find out more about him."
Lara nodded in agreement, her eyes still fixed on the area where Straight had vanished from sight. "Agreed. He might be a new high-skilled player from a big guild, or perhaps he's been flying under the radar all this time. Either way, he's someone we should keep an eye on."
Marcus chimed in, "I'm curious about his skills. We should find out if it's from some rare item or part of his class abilities. Cause I'm damn sure that his class is not the usual class that we see around."
Trevor's eyes gleamed with interest. "Indeed. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We'll observe him in action more and gather information discreetly. If he truly is as skilled as he appears to be, it might be beneficial to have someone like him in our network."
Amidst the murmurs and speculations, Trevor, Lara, and Marcus kept their thoughts to themselves, keen on keeping their observations discreet. With a nod of agreement, the trio decided to bide their time and observe Straight from afar.
As Trevor, Lara, and Marcus continued their discussion about "Straight," their attention was suddenly diverted by the sound of hurried footsteps. They turned to see a young man running toward them, his eyes wide with fear and panic. His breath was ragged, and his face was etched with distress.
"What's going on?" Trevor asked, confusion evident in his voice.
The young man barely had time to catch his breath before he blurted out, "A 3 Horns Bear! It's chasing me! I stumbled into its territory, and now it's after me!"
Behind him, the ground trembled with the heavy footsteps of the enraged beast. The 3 Horns Bear emerged from the foliage, its imposing figure commanding respect and fear. Its three deadly horns glinted menacingly in the dappled sunlight, and its roar echoed through the forest, sending shivers down the spines of all who heard it.
As the 3 Horns Bear revealed its true rank as a Commander, a hushed silence fell over the onlookers. The atmosphere grew tense, and a palpable sense of fear washed over the players. The forest that had once seemed familiar and inviting now felt like a treacherous realm filled with untamed dangers.
The panel status of the 3 Horns Bear appeared before their eyes, confirming their worst fears. It stood at an imposing height of 6 meters, with a staggering 300,000 HP—far beyond anything they had encountered before. The bear's strength and ferocity were evident, and it emanated an aura of primal power that sent shivers down the spines of those who beheld it.
"Run!" someone shouted, and the word seemed to resonate through the crowd like a wildfire. Panic and urgency spread among the players as they hastily retreated, seeking to put distance between themselves and the formidable beast.
Fear etched itself onto their faces as they realized the danger they were in. The quest to rescue the old man's son suddenly seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by the daunting presence of the 3 Horns Bear.
"The bear is too powerful! We can't take it on!" another player exclaimed, and the sentiment was shared by many.
In their hearts, the players knew that facing a Commander-ranked monster was not a battle they were prepared for. The sheer difference in strength and power was overwhelming, and the prospect of challenging such a formidable foe was beyond daunting.
With a collective sense of defeat, the players decided to abandon the quest and disperse, each seeking safety in their own direction. The allure of the treasure that lay behind the quest was now eclipsed by the instinct for survival.
Getting killed would get one to be pinaltilized, by dropping items and also lowering experiences or levels. Instead of getting rewared for attempting the quest, they would be punished for it! How could they choose to stand here and wait for the slaughter to happen?
As Rylan observed the situation before him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity and excitement. The 3 Horns Bear's ability to acquire additional horns and grow stronger even within the Commander rank was a phenomenon worth investigating.
A Commander rank monster was below Chief ranked monster. The previous 2 Horns Bear had the Chief ranks attached on their status, while this 3 Horns Bear had the lower rank one. How could he not be surprised? He had encountered many powerful creatures in his virtual adventures, but this bear's unique progression intrigued him.
"Alright... Let's see what I can do with this," Rylan, now known as Straight in public, murmured to himself as he tightened his grip on the Lambasting Spear. His mind raced with ideas and strategies, seeking to capitalize on the bear's vulnerabilities.
In an instant, he propelled himself toward another player—a fellow adventurer who was caught off guard by the bear's imposing presence and was about to get hacked. Straight's swift movements left the onlookers stunned as he positioned himself right in front of the Commander-ranked 3 Horns Bear, catching the bear's off guard from the sudden interception.
With a quick series of movements, Straight unleashed a combination of skills from his Battle Mage arsenal of skills. He began with a "Frost Chain," sending icy tendrils that encircled the bear's massive legs, slowing its movements. The frosty chains constricted tightly, creating an opportunity for his next move.
[Frost Chain]
Skill Type: Frost
Skill Level: 5/10
Mana Cost: 50 MP
Cooldown: 15 seconds
Effect: Summons icy tendrils that encircle the target's legs, slowing their movements for 5 seconds. The slow effect increases with higher skill levels.
Capitalizing on the bear's momentary distraction, Straight channeled his arcane energy and invoked the power of "Arcane Chains." Ethereal chains manifested around the bear's body, binding it in place. The combination of frost and arcane chains momentarily stunned the 3 Horns Bear, freezing it in its tracks.
[Arcane Chains]
Skill Type: Arcane
Skill Level: 7/10
Mana Cost: 80 MP
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Effect: Manifests ethereal chains that bind the target in place for 4 seconds. The duration increases with higher skill levels.
[Arcane Blast]
Skill Type: Arcane
Skill Level: 6/10
Mana Cost: 100 MP
Cooldown: 25 seconds
Effect: Unleashes a powerful blast of arcane energy upon the target, dealing 300% damage of the caster's weapon attack. The damage and area of effect increase with higher skill levels.
Seizing the chance, Straight unleashed a powerful "Arcane Blast" point-blank into the bear's flank. Arcane energy erupted in a dazzling display, dealing massive damage and causing the bear to roar in agony.