Alex moved like a phantom, swift and silent, an unseen presence trailing the unsuspecting bandits. The cover of the dark night and the dense trees allowed him to approach undetected.
As the bandits reached a secluded spot in the forest, their makeshift hideout came into view—three houses enclosed by a log wall. Alex observed from the shadows, a sly smile forming on his face.
"Hoping for some leather armor drops," he mused, drawing nearer to the camp.
Realizing that taking on all the bandits simultaneously wouldn't be wise, Alex checked their levels from a distance.
[Bandit: (LVL 17)]
Two levels above him, but with the formidable Umbra Blade in hand, Alex pondered the effectiveness of their defenses.
Approaching the camp, he aggroed one bandit who confronted him with a curved sword.
"Why are you here, boy? Lost, are you?" the bandit questioned, ignoring the potential threat Alex posed.
Curiosity about why the bandit didn't alert his comrades crossed Alex's mind, but he dismissed it, focusing on the imminent threat. Gripping his black sword, he transformed it into a katana and assumed a specific stance, preparing to unleash his ability.
[Shadow Strike (LVL 1): A powerful strike using your Umbra Blade, infused with the power of shadows. It deals 80 Damage + 100% of your DEX and 230% of your LCK. If a Lucky Hit procs, the skill will CRIT, dealing 220% of the Damage.]
The Umbra Blade swathed in shadows, Alex delivered a precise blow to the bandit's stomach.
[190 Damage Dealt]
While the expected damage was around 245, varying resistances among enemies accounted for the slightly lower figure. The bandit, now at approximately 45% health, groaned in pain, revealing the vulnerability Alex sought to exploit.
The damage output wasn't disappointing. Alex himself was taken aback by the efficiency of his strike. Facing a higher-level adversary, he found a surge of confidence. "Let's farm this armor set and level up! Others cannot catch up with me!" he thought, determined to maintain his lead.
However, the bandit swiftly retaliated with an attack that Alex, despite his agility, couldn't evade.
[-70 Health Points]
"70? Having no armor sucks!" Alex grumbled.
The damage inflicted by the bandit was more substantial than anticipated, exposing his vulnerability due to the lack of armor. Undeterred, Alex pressed on, delivering another lethal Shadow Strike. The bandit crumpled before him.
[Enemy 2 Levels Higher]
[20% Bonus EXP]
[700 EXP + 20%]
[840 EXP]
Alex inspected the fallen bandit, a momentary unease washing over him. The realism of the corpse struck a chord, a reminder that the virtual world wasn't without its visceral impact. No loot accompanied the dead bandit.
"A shame, but the EXP is good too!"
Opting to let his Health Points regenerate before provoking the next bandit, Alex took advantage of his vampiric passive, providing him with a quicker recovery. Once his health was restored to full, he ventured forth, engaging one bandit after another in his quest for experience and potential loot.
Alex was like a nocturnal predator, relentlessly dispatching one bandit after another. The bandits were powerless against his onslaught.
At one point, two bandits confronted him simultaneously—a miscalculation on Alex's part for not drawing them out one by one. Yet, employing additional skills like the Doppelganger, he skillfully extricated himself from the predicament, overcoming the challenge without significant difficulty.
The bandit camp, once strewn with lifeless bodies, began to see the effects of in-game respawn, repopulating with living bandits who promptly met their demise at the hands of Alex.
His efficiency in dispatching enemies was exceptional, even factoring in the brief intervals between each engagement. Just two hours before the server shut down for the day, Alex had successfully acquired an entire set of armor:
Leather Helmet (Common)
Type: Medium Armor
Defense: 30
Leather Cuirass (Common)
Type: Medium Armor
Defense: 45
Leather Gloves (Common)
Type: Medium Armor
Defense: 20
Leather Pants (Common)
Type: Medium Armor
Defense: 30
Leather Boots (Common)
Type: Medium Armor
Defense: 20
Full Set Equipped
Set Bonus: +5 DEX +3 LCK
The enhanced defensive capabilities provided by the newly acquired armor significantly improved Alex's survivability during confrontations with bandits. Even after assembling the full set, he continued his relentless onslaught, only ceasing when he achieved yet another level.
[Level Up!]
Now at level 16, Alex's progression continued to captivate the player base, sparking debates and discussions in the game forums. Unbeknownst to him, his exploits had even garnered attention on TV shows, elevating his fame.
However, Alex wasn't the sole focus of the gaming community's attention. Other players were also rapidly ascending in power. In a bold move, FriedBaconInTheMorning, a notable player, issued a challenge on the forums just five minutes before the server closed for the day.
FriendBaconInTheMorning: I'm 78% to level 10, and once I hit that milestone, Shadowborn, I challenge you to a meeting in the city. Do you accept?
In his secluded spot near the road, Alex patiently awaited the automatic disconnection as the servers prepared for the shutdown. Nestled against a tree, he strategized his return to the city once the servers were back online, blissfully unaware of the challenges and debates unfolding in the game forums. As the system gracefully logged him out, Alex readied himself for the adventures that awaited upon his return.
*
The room lay in silence, with the game helmet resting on the tousled bed. Alex surveyed the untidy space around him, contemplating a cleanup that would have to wait until the following day when time permitted. As tranquility enveloped the room, he found himself immersed in thoughts of both virtual and real-life endeavors.
After an invigorating shower, Alex emerged with a towel draped casually over his shoulders, using it to dry his hair. The memory of the fast food treat from Director Louis crossed his mind, but tonight, culinary duties fell upon him. In his fatigued state from an extended gaming session, he concocted a makeshift sandwich, gathering whatever ingredients lay within arm's reach.
Sitting on the bed, he devoured his hastily assembled creation. The weariness from the day's adventures began to take its toll, and Alex, in preparation for the significant changes the next day promised, nestled into his bed, embracing the quietude that surrounded him. Sleep descended, wrapping him in a cocoon of anticipation for the unfolding future.