Floor 3
December 20
The Wondercolts lifted their glasses into the air in a toast. They had worked hard all week. In a few hours, the second strategy meeting in Zumfut would begin. They were in the village Dessel, just coming back from clearing a large part of the 3rd Floor Labyrinth. It was very rewarding.
Since the 3rd Floor had been unlocked, they had all run on limited sleep, grinding away for XP and fighting in the Labyrinth to clear it. It had come with new equipment all around, multiple levels gained, and the official creation of the Wondercolts after they completed the guild creation quest. They had a lot to celebrate.
Somehow in between it all, Diemond had also been able to make them all new uniforms. Blue with gold trim, and stamped with a horse head. Thunderborne, Astro, Doombunny, Knightstar, and Kiefer had matching light leather uniforms, Bladescape had her own uniform to fit her Leather Equipment Skill, while Lessa, Joltron, and Diemond had matching sets of light armor. For now, Backbreaker just had a Wondercolts Cloak that wrapped around her chest as a sash before being pinned over as a cloak. The pin was a horse head as well. Diemond would soon learn heavy armor forging and then she could make matching armor for Backbreaker.
Kiefer, Lessa, and Joltron were getting closer to their level as well. Bladescape had worked them twice overnight to raise their levels. They were true Wondercolts now. It also gained Bladescape a level on her own.
After some calculations by Knightstar, she noticed something about Doombunny. Knightstar bought some information from Argo where she found out about Battle Regeneration. It was a followup skill from First Aid that allowed for automatic healing over time while in battle. First Aid was prioritized for everyone as soon as they got the next skill unlocked.
They were not the only players struggling to keep up with Lind’s Dragon Knights Brigade and Kibaou’s Aincrad Liberation Squad. With size also came money. Still, they made some serious money from Knightstar selling her calculations and a few personal consultations. Agil even sold them AFCK’s two-handed axe for a personal consultation.
The Wondercolts all arrived at the strategy meeting early with their synchronized uniforms. Nerius the Evil Treant was the name of 3rd Floor Boss. They were quickly eclipsed by the other two guilds.
Lind and Kibaou soon began trying to sort out who should lead. They were being petty about the whole thing. It went back to a coin toss.
Bladescape swiped the coin out of the air. “Both of you need to calm down. Flipping a coin to choose who leads is stupid.”
“Hey, lady,” Kibaou said poking Bladescape in the chest. “I’ve got the biggest and strongest guild-”
Lind snorted, issuing a glare from Kibaou.
“And I didn’t get it because I am some chump. I know how to lead.”
“And so do I,” Lind snapped.
“QUIET!” Bladescape order, slamming her hand on the table between them. “You two fighting won’t get us anywhere. I get that we need to clear this game as fast as possible, but neither of your guilds can do that on your own. These boss raids mean a lot to the players, for a variety of reason. They shouldn’t be forced into one or two guilds to get in on them.
“Look around, you two are not the only guilds here. And there are a lot of players from other groups, solo or not, here. You two don’t automatically deserve the boss chambers. These raids need to be split from the different guilds and players. Equal opportunity as much as possible.
“Loot, XP, Col, and such that come from Boss Raids is certainly valuable. But you two will choke out other players from wanting to clear this game, and in the end, cause it to spiral out of control as you two stall. The rest of us won’t have the power to catch up, at least, not easily.
“I’m not power hungry, but I want a piece of this so that we can all get out. I won’t let either of you bully the rest of us around, because I have seen where that got me in the past. I gained a lot more once I got rid of that and chose friendship, and to work together. A whole lot more.”
Bladescape stepped back from the table and out from between the two of them. It had shut them up at least, but it had not calmed them down. With Bladescape backing the rest of them, Lind only got two groups, and so did Kibaou. The Wondercolts took up another group, Agil lead another, and the fencer Asuna was picked to lead the last.
The time was set, the strategy determined, and while Lind gave a closing speech to rally everyone, it was Bladescape’s words that rang in every player’s heads as they left. They knew she had their backs.
Bladescape walked out with the rest of the Wondercolts. They went straight to the Teleport Gate without saying anything. Dessel was where the raiding party was set to meet and it was where they had rented rooms. Once in their room, they spoke.
“That was so brave of you,” Doombunny said first. Quietly, but first.
“Absolutely amazing, darling,” Diemond said. “Both Lind and Kibaou are nasty.”
“Their anger will cause further division,” Knightstar added. “That is, until one of them steps too far out of line and fails. You helped dissuade others from joining them, and forced the fleshing out of guilds. Even guilds of five and six can make a difference now. We need more guilds to diversify the players and stimulate them to compete. Friendly competition that is. Not what those two have.”
“And you put us at the front,” Astro grinned. “We took the place of those failed Legends Brave guys. At least we won’t scam anyone.”
“Don’t forget about Rarity’s armor!” AFCK said with a jump. She used I.R.L. names far too often. “We made a real impression with them. Their eyes were all like Boink! And there mouths all like Blah!”
“All of you made it happen,” Bladescape said, cutting AFCK off before she made any other weird faces. “If we were not as strong as we are, I couldn’t have stepped in. And that strength comes from inside each of you, and what you do for the Wondercolts.”
“Who else is going to join us?” Backbreaker asked, setting the conversation on the original intention.
This was the moment that defined the guild, and one Bladescape had been dreading.
“Look, I know how this will define the guild,” Bladescape started.
“In what way?” Thunderborne asked.
“Well,” Knightstar said, trying to adjust her glasses. She had gotten used to not having them, until moments where she was really nervous. “Only 6 of us can go to this fight. The choice we make will show who we think is capable of clearing a boss, and who isn’t. We can all be front line fighters, and are. We all were clearing the Labyrinths, but as Blade and BB know, there is a big difference between teaming up in a dungeon, and a boss battle, especially a Floor Boss. Their attacks are stronger, faster, and it takes a lot more time to clear them than other bosses. Endurance is a key factor.
“Obviously we are sending in Blade and BB. They were selected before because of their teamwork and their skill. Statistically speaking, they are our two strongest players. BB and Blade are above our levels. And yes, Thunderborne, you are out of that running. You have won the fastest player award though.
“Oh…” Knightstar’s cheeks flushed as she realized she stated they had leveled up above the others. “Oops.”
“It’s alright,” Bladescape said with a reassuring smile. “At some point the others were going to learn we had separated from them a bit. It's really pointless to hide it from our friends. But personal levels need to stay private. It is dangerous information for others to know. It gives them a way to gauge you, and you don’t want them to do that off a simple number. Actions and abilities are what you want the other players to gauge you off of, not stats.”
“So what level are you then?” Thunderborne asked.
“14,” Backbreaker shrugged.
“15,” Bladescape said.
Even Backbreaker was shocked at that. She didn’t know Bladescape had leveled up above her.
Bladescape shrugged and then explained the extra level. “I gained at least one helping Kiefer, Lessa, and Joltron on the overnight trips. And I have been grinding when most of you are resting. I’m often cutting my sleep down to a four or five hours, rather than the 8 hours we determined.
“I’m going to be the strongest I can be for you all. The stronger I am, the stronger I can help you be, and the better I can protect you all. Diemond, you will be making a lot of equipment and selling it, Knightstar is already selling her calculations, and it won’t be long before AFCK cracks the code to cupcakes and sprinkles, where she will probably build her own bakery. All three are valuable to the guild and will help keep us going in the field, at the head of the pack. But while they focus there, I prefer to focus on the sword and becoming the best I can be.”
“Hard core,” Astro praised. “And I thought I was a good player.”
“Well, it won’t be us three out there,” Kiefer said, referring to Lessa and Joltron along with himself.
“I’ll pass too,” Doombunny said. “I don’t think I’m ready for a Floor Boss yet. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.”
“No shame in that darling,” Diemond said. “Do we want both tanks?”
“Knightstar,” Bladescape sighed. “Do you want to come? I’m only going to offer it to you because as our statistician, it might be valuable to have you along with us. You are a good part of the reason I’ve slid up to Level 15, and the reason the rest of us have come so far in such a short time.”
“I think I can,” Knightstar nodded. “If I am coming, then we should definitely bring Diemond. I’ve been working well with her the past few days.”
“And this is when I wonder if I should get a shield,” Astro said.
“You are fast,” Knightstar said. “I still think you are fine as long as you can keep that speed up.”
“Well, is it going to be AFCK or Astro joining us?” Thunderborne asked, inviting herself.
“I’ve seen a lot faster of a Rapier than yours Dash,” Backbreaker warned. “I can’t even see the tip flash she is so quick, and she has exceptional speed and agility too. Faster strikes than I have ever seen you deliver.”
“But, I am the best!” Thunderborne exclaimed. “Always!”
“Not this time,” Bladescape chuckled. “I’ve seen your work, and I’ve seen hers. BB can back me up.”
Thunderborne huffed in defeat.
“I don’t think either of them can beat you in foot speed though,” Backbreaker added. “And your agility is probably better too. But that’s raw, not in combat. You still are extremely impressive though.”
“Send in AFCK,” Astro shrugged. “Her Martial Arts skill will be invaluable. Those combos she is unlocking will be crucial.”
“Hmmm?” AFCK asked, looking up after hearing her name. She had a sweet roll she had baked stuffed in her mouth. She swallowed what she had in her mouth and pulled the rest free. “Why me? Dash and Astro have Armor Pierce, I don’t.”
“But your fist can come in handy,” Bladescape said.
“I want to upgrade my spear a bit more before I go for boss battle,” Astro stated, skirting out of the conversation. “Let’s settle it there. With what you guys can get from the boss raid, maybe that can happen. Besides, I can take the others to start that Elvish quest while you do the battle. Get us a jump start on that since it is a multi-floor quest. Its probably going to be quite valuable as we go up in floors.”
“Alright,” Bladescape nodded. “But you are not out of the running for Boss Battles.”
“Oh,” Doombunny exclaimed softly before she sighed. “Now I get why you were afraid. There is a clear division between us.”
“Sugar Cube,” Backbreaker said puttering her hand on Doombunny’s shoulder. “You are on the front lines with us, clearing this game. That’s what matters. I was in that last boss battle. I almost ran out of HP. Its not for everyone. You can be a clearer and not fight the bosses. Those are just as valuable. Besides, we can only really take in seven or so teams, that means hundreds of other players never get to fight that boss. That is part of what makes this a game. It is fair in parts, but unfair in others.”
“I guess you are right,” Doombunny smiled meekly. “Being a clearer is what matters. I will do my part to clear this game! For the animals!” Doombunny giggled. “And all of you of course.”
“Then it’s settled then,” Knightstar nodded. “Now, we need to get to sleep.”
Bladescape (SS): Lvl 15– Two-Handed Sword – Search – Weapon Defense – Leather Armor
Knightstar (TS): Lvl 13 – One-Handed Sword – Shield – Equipment Appraisal – Parry
Thunderborne (RBD): Lvl 13 – Rapier – Sprint – Agility – Armor Pierce
Backbreaker (AJ): Lvl 14 – Shield – One-Handed War Hammer – Extended Weight Carry – Heavy Metal Armor
AFCK (PP): Lvl 13 – Two-Handed Axe – Parry – Cooking – Weapon Defense – Martial Arts
Diemond (R): Lvl 13 – Shield – Mace – Tailoring – Light Metal Armor Forging
Doombunny (FS): Lvl 13 – One-Handed Dagger – First Aid – Hide – Search
Astro (PS): Lvl 13 – Two-Handed Spear - Purchase Negotiation – Armor Pierce – Acrobatics
Kiefer: Lvl 11 – One-Handed Curved Blade – Parry – Weapon Defense
Lessa: Lvl 11 – One-Handed Sword – Shield – Light Metal Armor
Joltron: Lvl 11 – One handed Axe – Shield – Light Metal Armor