Floor 62 - Front Line - Floor 65
July 11 - Year 2 - 9 A.M.
Backbreaker came out of her rotation to find the training analysis report from Knightstar waiting for her. Knightstar was on sleep rotation, but whether she was asleep or just resting at mid-morning was unknown to Backbreaker as she looked it over.
It was day ten in the field. So far, things were looking good. The goal was Level 75. The girls in Geigi Clan had starting levels between 58 and 62. The guys in Geigi Clan were between 63 and 64. At this point, everyone was above Level 70, but they still had multiple members who needed to hit the quotas.
The Original Wondercolts had been leveling up as well. Thunderborne had gone from 75, to 84. AFCK had gone from 75 to 82, having been out of the field cooking too often to get higher. The same thing had happened to Diemond; she had gotten herself from 75 to 82, and stopped there to get back to making the rest of the Wondercolts' armor. Doombunny had stayed in rotation as much as possible to train Fencer since it was her only defensive skill. It had not only paid off, with Fencer being raised a good deal, but she had gone from 78 to 89. Astro had been off a few days to deal with the furniture being delivered, but she had made up for it in the following days as the new Wondercolts were taking more of a break; making it from 75 to 83. Kiefer had pushed hard to make a good impression as their training Lieutenant, making the leap from 73, to 83. Lessa had been working hard as well, pulling herself up to 81 from level 72. Joltron had bashed his way from 75 to 84. Knightstar hadn’t moved from Level 69 when she left the Wondercolts, but had gotten herself up to 79. Kamishi was now up to 82 and Lobelia had gotten herself to 81.
Backbreaker had been getting into the rotations as often as possible, usually overnight. Most of her fighting was with Martial Arts, since her shield and war hammer were maxed. She had sweated her way from 78, to 87. It wasn’t as many levels as she wanted, but she had done a good job considering she was leading the training exercise. And she still had time.
Bladescape was the only one not recorded. She had been at least Level 80 when they had started. She had skirted around giving out her level details, and she still was off the record. But she was certainly above all of them by a good deal. Backbreaker had a feeling that she had pushed herself over Level 90.
A commotion outside turned Backbreaker’s attention to their camp’s perimeter. They had guards set up since it was not a safezone, and the entire area was fenced off as well, allowing for only one way in and out. Something was happening by the “gate” along the main path to the pubs.
Backbreak didn’t equip her shield, but her hammer was on her waist. As she got to the location of the noise, it was clear what was going on. A small party of 6 were trying to enter, but they were being blocked by Mjolna and Koco.
“What’s goin’ on here?” Backbreaker asked.
The party was furious and the leader yelled back, “What right do you have to stop us!”
“This is a Wondercolts operation,” Backbreaker stated. “We’ll clear out of the area in a few days.”
“Are you hoarding a spawn point?” he accused.
“No,” Backbreaker replied. “We ain’t monopolizing any spot. We’re here for a few days, and will be moving on after that. You can come back then. For now, we’re running an operation that requires our full presence.”
“This isn’t very friendly or helpful of you!”
“Go lodge a complaint with someone who cares,” Backbreaker fired back.
There was no one in Aincrad to hear that complaint.
“And if we push through?” he challenged, moving his hand to his sword.
“We will force you out,” Backbreaker stated. “Do y’all think y’all can take even just me on and not get your hides tanned?”
He stared her down, and then adjusted his grip on his sword, but he didn’t draw it. After a long staring match, Backbreaker moved her hand to her hammer, going as far as to unhook it from her belt. She didn’t have the ability for a quick draw like he did. She kept it loose, by her side, but down. Nothing more provocative than that.
Backbreaker tried to break the stalemate. “I can afford a few days of orange to send y’all packin’ if I need to.”
He snarled in response, trying to decide how far he could push her, and if it would work.
Backbreaker looked around his head. A new person was coming down the road. This one she didn’t mind seeing. It was Kirito.
Kirito walked right up to them, only giving the group a brief glance. He nodded to Backbreaker. “Is Bladescape here?”
“No,” Backbreaker replied. “Back at the HQ dealin' with a drop off of somethin’ special. I’m in command of the area right now. Astro is here, but the others will be here soonish.”
Kirito gave a nod. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” Backbreaker said with a nod. “The command tent is there.”
“You’re letting him in!” the player yelled.
“He’s a…friend,” Backbreaker replied. “Bladescape Kaisho knows him and he has business with her. Now go before this gets ugly.”
“You are really willing to push it that far,” he replied. “An illustrious Wondercolt going orange?”
“Not the first time one of us ended up orange,” Backbreaker snorted. “Like I said earlier, go lodge a complaint with someone who cares.”
He drew his sword.
“Fine,” Backbreaker spat. “Beat me in a duel, I’ll let you in. Fail, and you scram!”
Backbreaker sent the duel request. It was a half loss duel, not a first hit duel.
“So, you think a duel makes this okay,” he challenged.
“Better than me bashing your face in and getting an orange cursor,” Backbreaker retorted. “Like ah said, we're doin' a full guild operation. It doesn’t concern you. Your choice.”
“Fine,” he growled, hitting accept.
Mjolna and Koco took a step back. So did the others. Backbreaker held her spot in the center of the gate. It forced him to take a step back to gain the distance he needed. Backbreaker didn’t equip her shield. She would beat him without the Floating Bulwark on her arm.
The clock counted down and buzzed. He leaped forward, Vorpal Strike keyed up. It was a high-level Sword Skill. It was really good against monsters, but it was very predictable against another player. Backbreaker was quite familiar with the strike.
As predictable as it was, Backbreaker didn’t move. She stood still, hammer at her side, as he ran her through the chest. He was shocked as she didn’t even flinch. He was even more shocked when it barely dented her HP.
Backbreaker threw a left hook, socking him in the face with her Martial Arts Skill. He lost his grip on his sword and stumbled back. Backbreaker pulled the sword out of her chest and tossed it at his feet.
This time she raised her hammer as he looked at her. He was scared. Her punch did significantly more damage to him than her being skewered by his sword. He was right to be afraid. But Backbreaker didn’t advance. She just kept her hammer up and ready.
He bent down slowly and grabbed his sword and stood up.
“Next strike'll really hurt,” Backbreaker warned. “Are ya' sure you want to face me?”
“Yes,” he spat. “I won’t let you be a bully.”
“Fine,” Backbreaker shrugged. “You were warned.”
He never saw the strike coming as Backbreaker closed the distance with a speed and agility she couldn’t perform with her shield. It was a two-combo strike. The first one landed square on his head, the second had Backbreaker spin around and then the hammer was pounded into his chest. He was tossed back, hard. The duel canceled as his HP dropped down into the orange. Backbreaker was declared the winner. She adjusted the grip on her hammer as she looked at his friends. She was ready for them to do something stupid.
They were ready, but they backed down and grabbed their friend. They pulled him to his feet and began to quickly leave the area. They didn’t want to stick around any longer.
Backbreaker’s Battle Regeneration Skill topped off her HP. She walked back to the command tent. Kirito was snacking on a cupcake while he was waiting.
“What brings you here?” Backbreaker asked him.
“Well, I needed the next training location,” Kirito explained. “Argo wouldn’t sell me the next one, yet, but she would sell where you were. I figured, since I heard that you had a lot of new members join, you would need to train them to your standards. So I just followed you here.”
“Well, that was smart,” Backbreaker admitted. “Argo agreed to hold this place for fourteen days for us, so we could catch them up. Ten days in, an' we're almost done with the quotas. They've pushed hard, in rotation most of the day, goin' overnight, and been greatly rewarded for it.”
“Impressive,” Kirito said with a nod. “You merged with Geigi Clan. What level must they get to?”
“Everyone will be over Level 70,” Backbreak said, holding out on some information. “Back up into the top curve for the clearers. Not everyone'll be on the front lines all the time, and we're not addin' in any new boss raiders, but we’ll be better at clearin' the Floors for a variety of reasons, and we have a few support only members too, who didn’t want to continue to fight. They're makin' it possible for us to be out clearin' like we will be.”
“They were giving you some trouble,” Kirito commented, not actually asking the question.
“We don’t hoard, we don’t hide,” Backbreaker asserted. “For once, just once, we need a place to hit and train our members up to the first quotas we have ever needed.”
“I get it,” Kirito said. “The DDA has done worse. The KOB certainly has their secrets. Every single top guild has their go-to spots they keep quiet, except you. We can always find you rather easily. I think you are entitled to this spot for a few days.”
“That was our opinion,” Backbreaker replied.
“So, just you right now?”
“Astro is sleepin',” Backbreaker replied.
Thundering hoofbeats paused the conversation. A moment later they heard Bladescape calming Plaudit down. She entered the command tent shortly after.
“Hey,” Bladescape greeted them. “Any reason why I got a nasty look from six players as I rode in here?”
“Just a bit o' trouble,” Backbreaker replied. “I took care of it.”
“Kirito, what has you here?”
“Following you, to find the next best training ground,” Kirito replied.
“Smart move,” Bladescape said. “BB, how are the quotas?”
Backbreaker passed the report to Bladescape. She quickly looked through it.
“We are doing well,” Bladescape stated. “Better than projected. Kirito, I need you at the top of your game. You are welcome to join us. In our rotation of course.”
“It’s worth it?” Kirito asked.
Bladescape chuckled. “Oh yes, it is.” Bladescape picked up the rotation chart. “We can get you in with us in... two hours. We have a team that will have two open slots, so we can both join that party. It will require you to be in a party. I know you will handle the combat fine, but this place is unique.”
“How so?” Kirito asked, reserving himself to joining a party for this training location.
“It’s an all-out bar brawl,” Bladescape explained. “Once you start, they just keep coming. Fast respawn, low health, low attack, chump change, and it all adds up to hot and fast action with no stops but substantial ending XP yields. We are currently on three-hour rotations. Our members are tired. We are not taking any risks for them being as tired as they are. They have made an admirable push. With a full load of six, it will have its short lulls though.”
“Sounds good,” Kirito replied.
“And we have plenty of food out here, so feel free to get something from the chow tent there.”
“I was already given a cupcake,” Kirito said. “But I will probably grab another.”
Bladescape and Backbreaker both chuckled.
“That reminds me,” Bladescape said, pulling up her menu. “I have food sent by AFCK.”
Multiple picnic baskets popped out onto the table. The three of them grabbed them and brought the baskets to the chow tent. Others were there, eating and preparing for their upcoming rotation.
“Kirito,” Bladescape said. “Meet Kate, Pell, Shintia, and Yori. They are going to be the other four in our rotation party.”
They happily greeted Kirito as their sixth party member. Six was better than four in the bar brawls. It meant less work and was safer. It also showed to have the best XP yields for the party. Having a player like the Black Swordsman with them only increased those factors.
Backbreaker pulled Bladescape aside while they had time before their rotation. “It's done?”
“Yes,” Bladescape nodded. “Lobelia, Kamishi, and Shikiku are performing all of the ceremonies, but the shrine was successfully installed. It is beautiful, and traditional. Small, but still a very good place to commemorate the dead. I suspect something big will happen once we are done with the training, but for now, it's all being taken care of.”
“What would that ceremony look like?” Backbreaker asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” Bladescape admitted. “I also don’t think I could attend. My focus has to be forward and up; The Ruby Palace. Just being there while it was being installed... I was losing focus. I made a less than smooth exit to get here. It made me want to quit. I was remembering all we have been through, and most of it hasn't been good.”
“Hey, they'll understand,” Backbreaker assured her. “They all will. We need you focused, so you can keep us focused. So get in there, and focus back on keepin' us livin'.”
“Thanks,” Bladescape smiled.
Bladescape (SS): Lvl 94 – Two-Handed Sword – Search – Weapon Defense – Leather Armor – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Sprint – Acrobatics – Blade Throwing – Extended Weight Carry - Greatsword - Rend
Thunderborne (RBD): Lvl 84 – Rapier – Sprint – Acrobatics – Armor Pierce – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Leather Armor – Weapon Defense – Extended Weight Carry – Search - Martial Arts
Backbreaker (AJ): Lvl 85 – Heavy Shield – One-Handed War Hammer – Extended Weight Carry – Heavy Metal Armor – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Fishing – Search – Martial Arts – Acrobatics - Sprint
AFCK(PP): Lvl 82 – Two-Handed Axe – Parry – Cooking – Weapon Defense – Martial Arts – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Light Metal Armor – Thrown Weapon – Musical Instrument - Rend
Diemond (R): Lvl 82 – Heavy Shield – Mace – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Heavy Metal Armor – Tailoring – Light Metal Armor Forging – Heavy Metal Armor Forging – Jewelry Making – Extended Weight Carry - Rend
Doombunny (FS): Lvl 89 – One-Handed Dagger – First Aid – Hide – Search – Listening – Battle Regeneration – Fighting Spirit – Familiar Communication (Colorra) – Drug Mixing – Reveal -- Fencing - Sprint
Astro (PS): Lvl 83 – Two-Handed Spear - Purchase Negotiation – Armor Pierce – Acrobatics – First Aid – Light Metal Armor – Battle Regeneration – Weapon Defense – Parry – Extended Wight Carry - Search
Kiefer: Lvl 83 – One-Handed Curved Blade – Parry – Weapon Defense – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Light Metal Armor – Slash Weapon Forging – Katana – Martial Arts - Search - Armor Pierce - Sprint
Lessa: Lvl 81 – One-Handed Sword – Shield – Light Metal Armor – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Equipment Repair – Metal Equipment Repairing – Armor Pierce – Search - Acrobatics - Wood Carving
Joltron: Lvl 83 – One handed Axe – Heavy Shield – Heavy Metal Armor – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Metal Refining – Cooking – One Handed Weapon Creation – Two Handed Weapon Creation – Extended Weight Carry - Acrobatics
Knightstar (TS): Lvl 79 – One-Handed Sword – Shield – Equipment Appraisal – Parry – First Aid – Battle Regeneration – Light Metal Armor – Search – Armor Pierce - Purchase Negotiation