[Character Status – Zack | Priest | Level 3]
HP: 390/ 390
MP: 435 / 435
Magic Attack Power: 192.5-199.5 | INT: 65
Stats:
INT: 65
Agility: 5 (Wind Boots buff: +20 agility for 20s)
Physical DEF: 27
Magic DEF: 10(default for priest)
Experience: 4,770 / 10,000
Zack ventured further into the swamp, his thoughts racing. Would other chest tiers offer titles too? Or just loot? The question lingered, but he pressed on without hesitation.
Carefully navigating around twisted roots and shallow pools, he delved deeper into the Silverflow Marshlands.
As Zack moved ahead, the fog thickened, enveloping the marsh in its depths. His boots made soft splashes through the shallow puddles, ripples expanding under the pale green glow of the swamp.
Before long, he stumbled upon a small group of players resting by a crumbling stone marker.
Their armor was caked with mud and their weapons remained drawn. One of them, a swordsman, waved at him.
"Solo, huh? You've got guts coming this far alone" he said with a grin.
The party members exchanged quick glances, lowering their voices.
"Must be an Assassin " one whispered. "Only they'd come here solo at this level"
Zack smiled faintly. "Trying my luck"
"Wish we could invite you" the man said, glancing at his full party list. "But we're capped at five."
"No worries" Zack replied, giving a nod before moving on.
Further ahead, the mood changed. Two other parties lingered near the swamp's edge, eyes sharp as they noticed him passing alone.
One of them, an assassin with a dark hood, muttered something to his team and the next instant, arrows and spells flew his way.
"Tch.. really?" Zack rasped, darting sideways as a fireball exploded behind him. Poison mist began to close in, the sound of pursuit echoing through the reeds.
The sigil on his boots flared to life.
Adrenaline Rush and agility +20
Zack shot forward like a blur, weaving through the swamp's uneven terrain. Roots and sludge barely slowed him as he leapt across shallow pools, spells exploding harmlessly behind him.
"He's too fast!" someone shouted from behind.
But by the time they became aware, Zack was already gone, slipping into the remote areas of the Silverflow Marshlands.
The air grew dense there, the ground darkening beneath swirling fog that glimmered with a strange, otherworldly light.
He breathed out slowly, his gaze sharpening. "Whether they seem friendly or not, no one out here is trustworthy" His voice lowered to a hushed intensity. "I'll be quicker on my own, anyway"
Zack wandered deeper into the swamp. A faint buzzing filled the air, an indication that more formidable creatures were prowling nearby.
He proceeded carefully, scanning his environment and occasionally gathering herbs that faintly glowed in the marsh light.
After a little while, the sounds of clashing swords reached him. He lowered himself behind a fallen tree and watched through the mist.
Activating [Detect].
Red outlines shimmered through the fog.
Not far ahead, a group of four players had surrounded two others — a priest and an assassin, clearly outnumbered.
Zack narrowed his eyes. "Player killers again…"
Kreg (Lv. 3 – Fighter) HP: 280 / 280
Nisa (Lv. 3 – Mage) HP: 220 / 220
Dorn (Lv. 3 – Assassin) HP: 240 / 240
Rel (Lv. 3 – Priest) HP: 230 / 230·
He recognized the posture — the four weren't grinding monsters.
A few meters away, the Assassin and Priest duo continued fighting Marsh slimes, unaware of what was happening just beyond the mist.
Their teamwork was flawless, quick bursts of coordinated strikes, heals landing at the perfect second, aggro perfectly managed.
But they didn't notice the danger.
Someone was already eyeing them, weapons drawn, waiting for the right moment to strike.
IrisVale (Lv. 3 – Priest) – HP: 240 / 240
Haze (Lv. 3 – Assassin) – HP: 270/ 270
The mist in Silverflow Marshlands was dense, with mud clinging to their boots as the sounds of combat resonated throughout the swamp.
As soon as the pair lured a couple of monsters for farming, the Player Killers sprang into action.
In this game, when players are defeated, there's a slight chance they will drop items, crafting materials or even skill scrolls from their inventory.
However, for players marked as red names, the drop rate increases significantly, making PvP a risky endeavor.
The twist? Assaulting red names comes with no penalties; since they initiated the aggression first, players are free to hunt them down.
Zack hesitated for a moment, contemplating his choices. The PKers were occupied attacking others, the ideal moment to act.
Given that the game had only just started, most players were still poorly equipped and their stats fell far short of Zack's enhanced attributes.
He could easily eliminate their backline in a single strike. And perhaps score some valuable loot from them.
Zack thought for a while, then resolved to assist the duo and if things turned out well, he could join forces with them later to farm for more experience points.
The two victims worked in perfect harmony.
Haze (Lv. 3 – Assassin): aggroed the Fen Howler.
IrisVale (Lv. 3 – Priest): Meanwhile, the priest hung back, offering healing and buffs from a secure position.
The PKers moved with the intent of predators.
***
The mist ahead shifted, and Kreg's keen gaze caught sight of two figures traversing the swamp.
Kreg: "A priest and an assassin duo, easy prey. Should be less complicated than our last job."
Nisa: "The healer is probably drained. Hehe."
Rel: "Stay vigilant— one mistake and they will escape."
Dorn: "Relax. I'll move around and surprise the assassin. Let me initiate the fight."
Kreg, Nisa, Rel, and Dorn moved in close formation, their shapes cutting through the fog like wolves on the hunt.
Fueled by the excitement of their previous ambush, they advanced cautiously through the mist, ready to pounce at any moment.
The pair had been farming together for some time, their routine occasionally interrupted by light-hearted conversation.
IrisVale: "Hey… you weren't actually considering that marriage proposal, were you?"
Haze maintained her pace.
Haze: "No. I have no desire to marry for someone else's benefit."
IrisVale's avatar tilted its head, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Even for him? Your father… he seemed serious about it."
Haze's gaze swept through the fog, alert for potential threats. She spoke slowly, with intent.
Haze: "Serious or not, it makes no difference. I choose my own path. And truthfully… I didn't like him. Something felt off."
IrisVale's priest floated closer, a subtle, knowing smile in her voice. "Off in what way?"
Haze's daggers danced in her hands, tearing through another slime before it even realized she'd closed the distance.
Haze: "Everything. His movements, his speech… I didn't trust him. I won't waste time pretending to care about things that don't concern me"
IrisVale's lips formed a slight smile. "I must say, that's impressive bravery"
Haze didn't look her way. She hurled a dagger, slicing cleanly through a slime.
"Brave? Maybe. I see it as practical"
The swamp around them fell into an eerie silence for a brief moment. Even the squelching mud seemed to still.
IrisVale: "And your father… didn't argue?"
Haze's voice stayed steady, cold and composed.
Haze: "He tried. I declined. That was the end of it. I control my own choices. I always have."
The three avatars maneuvered through the mist,
Haze: "Something is moving. Not a monster. Stay alert."
IrisVale gripped her staff tighter, her heart racing.
IrisVale: "Maybe… another player's?"
Haze didn't respond. Her eyes searched the fog, every sense heightened.
Haze: "We'll discover it soon enough."
The swamp seemed to close in on them, thick with fog, silence and the sensation of being observed.
From the fog emerged three figures. Their stance was relaxed, almost inviting yet Haze's gut was telling her danger was near.
Kreg: "Hey! Looks like you two have been busy. Do you mind if we join you for a while?"
Rel: "Don't worry, we're not here to cause trouble. We thought some extra hands could be helpful."
Haze narrowed her eyes, her daggers poised. She didn't believe their smiles.
Haze: "We're fine on our own, thanks."
IrisVale adjusted her staff, cautious yet gracious.
IrisVale: "We appreciate it, but we can manage."
The trio of PKers grinned wider, their smiles sharp and knowing.
Kreg: "Come on, don't be shy. It could be fun. I promise we're friendly."
Nisa: "Yeah, just a little gathering, maybe share some loot. Teaming up for a bit won't hurt, right?"
Rel: "We won't disturb your grinding."
Haze's instincts heightened and the red names hovering above their heads served as a clear warning, yet she remained outwardly composed.
Haze: "We don't need assistance. You should move along."
But as soon as the words escaped her mouth, Dorn suddenly lunged.
The once-friendly expressions of the PKers had transformed into something malicious.
Before she could fully respond, a figure emerged from the mist — an assassin they hadn't noticed. With incredible speed, the concealed attacker surged towards Haze's back, blades aimed for a fatal blow.
Backstab — 160 damage
Haze instinctively twisted, deflecting the follow-up with her daggers. Sparks flew as metal clashed, the hidden assassin's strike narrowly blocked.
Before Haze could regain her equilibrium, Nisa unleashed a fireball. Flames erupted around her but at that precise moment, IrisVale cast Holy Ward and Heal +120 HP.
Haze absorbed most of it, taking 60 damage while her 100-damage shield shattered. She quickly retreated, positioning herself protectively near Iris.
Haze's gaze locked onto the hidden assassin, who wore a lewd, overconfident grin. Every instinct screamed that this one would resort to underhanded tactics.
But she continued to move precisely and kept her thoughts clear.
Haze thought to herself "Focus. One at a time."
The assassin sprang forward, daggers whirling in a flurry.
[Shadow Strike] — 90 damage struck against Haze's defenses.
Haze rolled backward, mud splattering against her boots and retaliated.
A normal slash — 60 damage, then she followed up with a skill.
[Piercing Thrust] — 130 damage
The hidden assassin staggered back from Haze's strikes but before she could capitalize on the opening, a soft golden light surrounded him.
Rel: "Hang on, I'll take care of you"
Heal — 140 HP restored
The assassin's wounds healed immediately and his wicked grin returned, sharper than ever.
Assassin: "Did you really think you could finish me? Not a chance"
Haze's eyes darted towards the fog, where she spotted faint red names cutting through the mist, the rest of his team had already arrived and the assassin positioned himself to guard her escape while others flanked them.
IrisVale's hands shook slightly as she quickly cast a Heal over Haze, her voice urgent yet low.
IrisVale: "Haze… I don't have much mana remaining. You should use stealth and escape. It's for the best."
Haze's gaze scrutinized the swirling fog, watching for the PKers next move.
Haze: "Flee now? And let them ambush you?"
Iris shook her head, noticing Haze's determination to fight for her instead of retreating alone.
IrisVale: "No, we can't face them now. Let's withdraw, form a party and return for revenge. You should go ahead"
Haze's expression softened for a moment but she shook her head. Even if it was just a game, she wasn't the type to leave a friend to deal with trouble alone.
If she had to go down with Iris, then so be it.
She steadied her breathing. As she prepared to slip into Stealth, determined to take at least one of them down with her, a blinding bolt of lightning suddenly tore through the fog, shattering the tense quiet.
A streak of lightning surged violently through the mist, first hitting the mage, then ricocheting to the priest.
The two PKers had no time to react. The priest screamed as the electric surge hit, incinerating her instantly, leaving only a faint burn mark on the mud.
Haze: "…What—?!"
IrisVale: ".…"
Before anyone could respond, another spell struck the fighter. Zack's Ice Lance hit perfectly, freezing him solid before shattering him into tiny fragments that scattered across the swamp.
Even the assassin's grin faltered, his eyes widening with astonishment. In an instant, he activated stealth, disappearing into the fog before Haze or Iris could respond.
The fog of Silverflow Marshlands twisted thickly around them, still heavy with the aftermath of the ambush.
Haze and Iris froze, daggers and staff raised, when a sudden motion in the mist drew their attention.
Haze's mind raced, her senses kicking into overdrive. She had only caught a brief glimpse of the newcomer, appearing unexpectedly, obliterating the PKers with calm, precise, lethal intent.
A figure emerged, calm with a residual crackle of magic surrounding him. At first glance, his clothing resembled typical assassin gear — sleek, black and crafted for agility, blending nearly seamlessly with the shadows of the marsh.
Each action was intentional, measured, radiating authority and quiet strength.
Haze's eyes scrutinized the shadowed figure, her daggers at the ready, every muscle tense. Her voice was cautious yet low, cutting through the dense fog.
Haze: "Hold on… who are you?"
The figure stepped forward slightly.
His hood and cloak obscured most of his face, the glimmer of a dagger shining from the aftermath of magic spells.
Then, almost humorously, he raised both hands in a non-threatening gesture, speaking with quiet assurance.
"Relax… I'm a Priest."