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Chapter 82: The Colosseum (1)
🕑 Added 2024-06-24 04:51:27 +0000 UTCWorld: MSS - Loading...
***
One of the time old arguments on the forums.
Build Design… AKA: Which Items to use for endgame content and most importantly, which Cores to take.
In MSS, there were thousands of Cores with drop rates that made me tear my hair out after 50 hours or punch my screen after 500 hours. So it gave birth to the question: Are the Cores in a build a must? Can’t they be replaced by something else?
This gave birth to my theory of ‘Non-negotiable Cores’, those Cores which made up the quintessence –or the identity– of the Build or Class, versus those that were not as important. For example, when I made the Corpse Archer build, there were six Cores that were non-negotiables –Seven if you were playing as an Elf. The rest of the slots, you fill it with whatever best fits your playstyle or whatever would strengthen your party the most.
Each playthrough was different and you couldn’t expect the same dungeons, same NPC companions or even the same quests. So what do you do?
In MSS, the ability to be flexible was just as important as being able to plan ahead. Both required deep intimate knowledge of this game.
So when I came upon the [Royal Oni (おに)] Core, I took it without hesitation.
I had been planning to take the [Kamaitachi (鎌鼬)] Core, a Grade 5 later on.
“But I only chose Kamaitachi because it’s a monster that’s easier to farm; they’re all over Ragnia Mountain near the entryway to the peak. Whereas Royal Oni, I’d have to go dungeoneering all over the continent.”
In the time that I took to farm a [Royal Oni] Core, it was better to farm the [Kamaitachi] and invest in another party member with the time left over. But since the [Royal Oni] popped up here…
I’d be crazy to pass it up.
In terms of functionality, the [Royal Oni] was much, much better.
“Why’re you smiling like that? It’s creepy.”
I peered at Stole, feeling around my mouth to see if I really was smiling. Perhaps I had been.
After I came out of the Sarcophagus, Dorocian Kojisan and Gurran Turian were gone. Judging by the expressions on Stole’s face, it hadn’t been a friendly farewell. Shara’s expression had been serene though. My guess? Oung used Shara to say something to Dorothy and Gurran. Of course, I didn’t need to know what the words were, simply that it had been unpleasant enough to piss off the two.
Stole and Shara offered me lodging in the Beastman Village for the night but I declined. But I did mention that I was waiting for a friend who had business in the village and was waiting for him. The three of us had decided to head to the village together. After walking for another hour or so, the village came into view.
“Lady Shara! Stole! Where have you been?!” One of the guards at the gate, dressed from head to toe in steel armor, came out to meet her. Judging by his looks, a canine-type beastman. He looked back and forth between the two sisters and me.
“We were-”
“Out on a stroll.” Stole finished for her sister. “This man helped us. We’ll vouch for him.”
The guard’s lip half-curled to growl at me but the man caught himself. He cleared his throat. “The chief ordered-”
“He saved our lives.” Stole muttered, peering at me from the corner of her eyes.
…I did?
In my opinion, she and Shara were the ones who did all the saving. But I decided to keep my mouth shut.
“...Ok then. Please make sure to visit the Elders first. They had the guards searching the entire Village.”
Stole rolled her eyes. “Gosh, ok,” She gestured towards me to follow, “Come on then, Mister. I’ll make sure to keep you safe until we meet your friend.”
The beastman village was… pretty normal. In MSS, the Beastman’s Culture seemed to be modeled after a combination of the Middle-East and East-Asia. And by Culture, I mean things like Architecture, Food and even the strange Warrior Code that most of them followed. The buildings were a mish-mash of rectangular brick-made buildings combined with wooden pillars and tile-roofs reminiscent of pavilions. Other small houses that I’d seen in the distance surrounded me on either sides and from the look of things, these housed younger adventurers.
The larger mansion-looking houses didn’t have their doors closed, on the contrary the estates were open. I got the distinct feeling that anyone could walk in and out and indeed, I saw numerous Beastman of different tribes doing so. I asked Stole and Shara if this was true.
“The houses belong to the bigwigs. The ‘heads’ of each of the Tribes in Jayu.” She made quotation marks with her fingers.
It was nice to see a gesture from Earth make its appearance in MSS.
“The door is open to show that the Tribe is still doing business. Accepting requests, sending out requests. Hiring adventurers from other Tribes depending on the need.” Shara explained.
Hm. Interesting.
“Are these guys the Elders that the guard at the front mentioned before?” I asked.
Shara nodded wordlessly. “No doubt, you will meet some of them. Word has already spread of our arrival I imagine.”
“Your arrival, you mean.” Stole whispered.
“Lady Shara! Stole!”
A group of guards came walking towards us and I studied them out of reflex, gauging their strengths. Ultimately, I decided that none of them were worth my time except the one in the front.
He was from the dog-tribe, evidenced by the half-folded ears on top of his head. He had short green hair, reminding me of someone from the military. The guard was dressed in armor, a combination of leather and metal. No weapons that I could see but his steps were quick and confident; someone used to violence and always ready for it. His alert blue-eyes studied me up and down.
“Captain Lace.” Shara greeted.
“The Elders require your presence, Lady Shara.” He said without preamble, stopping in front of the young shrine maiden.
“I see. Can it wait? I wanted to make sure to take this man to his destination. He’s looking for his friend.”
Damn. Just the look of this guy told me he was bad news. One of those characters that was the typical type-A student. Adhering to the letter of the law, wary of outsiders and simply hard to negotiate anything with. The type who was either 100% Good or 100% bad, no middle ground. For me, that all translated to not wanting to get involved with him.
So I spoke up quickly. “Shara, I can find my way from here.”
“You will call her ‘Lady’ Shara, Adventurer.” No growl. No threat. Just a simple order.
I hated how my instincts were right.
Mixing more words with him meant getting dragged into his rhythm so I ignored him. “I thank you for everything.”
“But-”
“Relax, Sis. I’ll take him around.” Stole looked at me as if saying ‘Got a problem with that?’
I smiled at her, shaking my head at her.
“If that’s solved, Lady Shara. You will need to come with me.”
Shara gave me a deep bow. “May the goddess light your path.”
“I hope not.” But I didn’t voice my opinion.
Right before they left, Lace looked once at Stole, rather pointedly at her armor. “...We will talk of this later.”
As soon as the captain and Shara disappeared into the distance, Stole clicked her tongue and spat. “Fucker.” She whispered, then turning to me, said, “Come on, Mister. I’ll lead you to your friend.”
We walked for a bit. The Beastman Village of Jayu had alleyways though none of them were shadowed or unoccupied. There were magical lamps flickering to life at every corner as soon as the Sun started to stretch the already long shadows and I saw the white moon –not shining just yet– in the sky. People hurried their steps, eager to get their jobs done before the sun completely set and evening came. Seeing as how it seemed that we would be walking for awhile, I decided to make some conversation.
“No love lost between you and Captain Lace?”
“With that fucker?” She scoffed. “I hate that guy.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn't like me adventuring.” Stole spat. “He thinks I should be like my Sister, doing my best to serve the village in my own way. A couple of the Elders think that too.”
“Is that why you’re adventuring while underage?”
She flinched.
Stole stopped walking and turned to face me. “You knew?”
I nodded. “It was obvious.”
She narrowed her eyes and I continued.
“Your armor. There’s signs of wear and tear, beyond what you’d see from a Sniper like you. With your skills, you really shouldn’t fight monsters up close and even if you did, I’d see wounds near the back because you’d be running away.” I explained, keeping eye contact. “But I see wounds on the forearms, shoulders and even the chest piece. That kind of wear can only be explained by an adventurer who fights up close. Your gear is second-hand.”
She said nothing for a bit.
“That’s it? You think I’m underage because my gear is second hand?”
“No. You also look young.” I pointed out. “And your inexperience in traveling with a party is evident. If you were a registered adventurer who was of age, even if you hunt monsters alone, you should have enough connections to have had someone else with you in that dungeon. But you didn’t.”
The number of people passing us by dwindled until it was just us two and the sun set; lightning the village in a glow of bluish-white magic. “You’re playing with fire, kid.”
Stole was silent for a moment.
“Well, it won’t matter.” She turned and began to walk again. I jogged a little to catch up to her.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what that means. They won’t let me become an adventurer.” Stole declared.
“Why?”
She snarled at me. “You… are asking too many questions, Misters. Don’t make me rethink my opinion of you.”
Damn.
There was a reason why I was pestering her with questions. Maybe if I could get to the bottom of her problem, why she was adventuring alone while underaged and her position in the village, I thought I could help her somehow. Help her now, get her to owe me a favor and then a year or two later: Bam, I have a super talented Pioneer in my party.
But it seemed I was pushing it too much.
“I’m sorry.” I said. “I just wanted to see if there was any way I could help. That’s all.”
“Just drop it, alright?”
“Done.” I said.
Then we walked in total silence.
She broke it first.
“Is that it? That’s all? You’re not curious about me at all besides why I’m an adventurer? How about what being the sister of the single most important person in the village is like?”
“Uh…” I hadn’t thought that far. Yeah, I know. I’m awkward and have people issues. I also realize that I promised to treat people like people. But Stole literally told me to drop the issue that I was interested in and there had been a tone of finality to it. Like she didn’t want to talk anymore. Yet, she was complaining that I had stopped talking.
Wondering if it was a teenage thing or a girl thing (probably both), I did my best to make conversation. “What… is it like being the sister of the single most important person in the village?”
“It sucks.” She said, rolling her eyes and sighing at the same time. “Is the most important thing in your life adventuring?”
“No. It’s my Comrades.”
She tilted her head back in mild surprise and I did too. The answer came out automatically, like a reflex and it was true. Right now, the most important things in my life were Kyrian and Skaris; making sure those two grew strong enough to continue adventuring with me.
I knew better than anything how strong I was getting. Growing my leaps and bounds, I was no longer the helpless Slave who was being punched around by Orcs back in Samak, nor was I even the same person who came to the Jayu States. I’d taken risks and come face to face with situations, all of which I had come out on top for the better.
As a result, Skaris and Kyrian were now falling behind.
The right choice… was to replace them.
But I couldn’t even imagine doing that. No, I didn’t even want to think about it.
Hence, I needed to spend time getting them stronger. So that they could continue traveling with me. So that all the things I got myself involved in, rebuilding the Orc Village for the refugees, finding Arrosh, Becoming a Stronger Adventurer, hunting down Bosses, the Colosseum Fight and even the [Player’s Guild] at one point, I could leave my back to them.
It had to be them. I didn’t want to entrust it with anyone else.
Coming out of my thoughts, I saw Stole studying me.
“What is it?” I asked, clearing my throat.
“Nothing. Just that…” She trailed off, mumbling.
Without the [Lucky Beckoning Cat], my [Sight], [Hearing] and [Smell] stat had been lowered. “What was that?”
“I said it’s nothing! Look, we arrived at the place where you wanted. I’m heading off. See you, Mister!” Stole waved her hands and ran off before I could even say anything.
Tch. I really wanted to recruit her.
I was about to knock on the door of the unassuming house when it opened and Skaris stumbled out.
“Ssslaveborn?”
Skaris’ accent made me smile. Adventuring with the other temporary party had been fun but I had missed my friends.
“Skaris.” I clasped his forearm and he returned the gesture. “Did you get everything done?”
“Yes. I am now on the Path of Fire. I have already taken two Steps.”
Meaning Skaris was at Stage Two of [Evolution].
“Congratulations.”
“Ssslaveborn. You… did you enter a Dungeon? Your armor…”
“Long story. I’ll explain as we head home.”
Skaris and I turned, leaving towards the Slums.
***
“Are you sure you’re ready, Young Master?”
“Yes.”
“Anything you need? Could I get you anything to drink, Sir?”
“No.”
“Stop bothering the Young Master! Out with you! Out!”
Yousef practically chased the server away like a mother hen, waving his arms about and his jewelry.
Today was the day of my fight with Dorocian Kojisan.
After returning to the Slums, I had put up the [Tortured Kris] for sale and had the proceeds split evenly for the people that I owed money for, except Kyrian and Skaris. Still, I had a bit more to go until I could pay everyone back but the initial payment should help in laying their fears to rest about me never paying them back. Then Skaris, Kyrian and I took a few days to rest and now…
Now I was at the Colosseum.
It reminded me of the Colosseum back on Earth. An enormous display of architectural prowess, the amphitheater pierced the skies; surrounded by mountains on all four sides. Just getting here had been an ordeal and luckily, Yousef had covered the travel fees. There were no real words I could use to describe the sheer size of this event; I’d never been part of something like this.
The crowd outside of the Colosseum, surging like a living tide and filtering in through the entrances. Coins exchanging hands and disappearing in people’s palms, only to appear moments later to press bets. The ever-present chatter that rose in volume, ebbing to build up tension and exploding in a roar as blood spilled out on the sands. The thousands, tens of thousands of people seated around the whole stadium, jeering, booin, cheering, crying, laughing.
Gods, it was enough to give me anxiety.
As a first-time fighter, I shouldn’t have had my own room but Yousef had pulled some strings. He had gotten me a mid-sized room and currently, I was in here with the Merchant Dwarf and my two comrades: Kyrian and Skaris.
Skaris looked out the window, his eyes alight with interest. He was wearing his usual armor, his spear stowed behind him. He hissed and chuckled, watching the fights happen below.
“Master Skaris, anytime you become interested in fighting in the Colosseum, please be sure to let me know.”
Skaris nodded.
Compared to the scaled warrior’s easygoing attitude, Kyrian was worried, fussing over me.
“She’s a Kojisa… I don’t understand how you could allow this.” He shot a glare at Yousef, who stuck out his chest in pride.
“I trust in the young master.”
“I trust in Lock too. But a Kojisa… Bastard or not, she has the Blood of the Great Houses flowing through her.” Kyrian shook his head. “Lock, I’m still not sure about this.”
I didn’t answer, keeping silent as the mage and merchant continued to bicker.
I was focused.
Dorocian Kojisan.
A summoner who used three wolves and possibly more, but from what I saw, she was the type who fought along her summons. Summoners could be separated into two broad archetypes: Those who stayed back and buffed their summons and those who fought alongside their summons. Dorothy seemed to be the latter, except she preferred to use ranged weapons.
I hadn’t seen much of her Core abilities except her summoning the wolves and returning the weapons to her hand. But Kyrian was right, she was a Kojisa. A member of one of the Great Houses and I was sure that she had a few tricks up her sleeve.
So I delved deep into my mind, reaching the place where no one could reach me.
Within my mind, I concentrated.
I remained calm.
And I waited.
Because I’d been thinking about how to find Arrosh.
I needed to get into the Black Market or into parts of society closed off to regular adventurers. I needed to get more involved into the deep inner workings of Adventuring, those reserved for the truly powerful. Then I could access information, people with unusual abilities that could find the my master. And to do that…
I needed to make a statement of Strength. Of Power.
So that those who wanted to use me would be come to me. Attracted to me like flies to a jar of honey.
And I would need to use them in return.
Within the walls of my mind, I went over Arrosh’s teachings. My Sword. My Cores. My Strengths and my weaknesses.
Someone shook me and I came to.
It was Kyrian’s worried face.
“Lock. You’re up next.”
Standing up, I left the double-sided doors, leaving my comrades and Yousef behind.
“Good hunting, Ssslaveborn”
“I believe in you, Young Master!”
I walked through the corridors, heading down the stairs. This floor was reserved for the fighters and I saw messengers, servers and general staff members walking to and fro. I paid them no mind as I headed towards the entryways for fighters.
As I rounded a corner and started down the stairs, a group of five people all dressed in cloaks passed by me. Their faces were obscured by a spell of some kind so I couldn’t see them. But…
A flash of pink.
Tanned skin with pointed ears.
Blue-eyes flecked with Gold.
I whirled in a fury, my heart threatening to thump straight out of my chest.
But the group was gone.
No, It couldn't have been. I must be mistaken, my nerves getting the best of me.
Shaking my head, I descended the stairs.
I shoved all thoughts of Clover, L’teya and even Arione out of my mind.
I had a job to do.
Dead or alive, I was going to find Arrosh and this was going to be the first step.
Just wait, Master. I’m coming.
***
Comments
Joseph Phoenix
Another banger chapter🙏🏽
Draddock
I think it would have been nice to see what the Royal Oni core gave again.
