Mark 2

The second chapter

Mark 2

    We walked into the local guild. It had all sorts of groups. Knights, Mages, Priests, and there were also some Thieves. Vlay insisted we find 2 more members for our party. We walked over to the reception and filed a party request. I had Vlay order us some food while I looked at the bulletin board. We often took C rank quests since it's both mildly difficult and mildly rewarding. Vlay came back with food and some new people. There was a tall slender man in robes who carried a large hammer, and a short female with eyes of passion I didn't want to deal with. I really hope these people won't hinder my research if they are to join us.
    "I take it those are our new members?"
    "Yeah. Go on and introduce yourselves guys"
    The tall man spoke first.
    "I'm Gamma, the Priest Class. Silver Rank. I hope you don't hinder me."
    A priest with a hammer? That's certainly interesting. I wonder if he specializes in combat.
    "You're certainly a man of words my friend"
    We started to eat. I reserved the window table as to see if something would happen outside.
    The short woman spoke next.
    "I'm Ashleen Rank Bronze, sir! The greatest Thief you could ever meet, sir!"
    She was so bright... It hurts my eyes. Crumbs dropped from her mouth as she talked.
    "Do you not carry a weapon?"
    "I devote my body to martial arts, sir!"
    It was another odd thing to see. Most Thief Classes carry daggers or ninja equipment.
    "Alright then. I'm the leader of this party. I am called Cilufer. I am Gold ranked."
    "Gold rank, sir!? I have never had a friend who was a Gold rank, sir!"
    I wonder if she is going to keep that "sir" speech up.
    "Vlay happens to be gold as well you know."
    "It's not something worth mentioning"
    "No way, sir! Gold is one of the highest ranks there are! Umm... There's Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Master, sir!"
    We finished our meal and I showed them the job I decided to take.
    "What sort of tedious job did you get this time Cilufer?"
    "You wound me Vlay."
    "Let's see... B rank quest: The Prism Gem... You don't normally see high ranks on these scavenge quests. Is there something else they're not telling us?"
    "Is our little Vlay cowering?"
    "Shut up and let's go."
    We left the guild and went to the Gate. I held up the request paper and we were transported to our destination. We entered Crystal cave. There were gems everywhere, truly one of the most beautiful places in our kingdom, Kardria. I told Gamma and Ashleen to demonstrate their abilities at the first enemies we spot.
    "I'll show my worth."
    "Leave it to me, sir!"
    The first enemies we spotted were 3 Gem Golems. Quite sturdy these monsters, and their ability to use gems elemental powers make them a tough foe. Perfect for analyzing our new teammates.
    Two Golems threw boulders at Gamma to which he caught with his bare hands. Impressive. One of the golems charged at him at full force. He smashed its head with his fist.
    "A nice strike. I didn't think we'd get competent teammates."
    Finally he pulled out his hammer and he... threw it!? It hit with a strong force enough to push the golem's stomach farther than his back! He stomped on the golem to finish it and put away his hammer. He sat by us to watch Ashleen in her fight.
    She was also doing well. Her martial arts involved what she calls "animal spirits". She changes her form, stance and style for each animal. The Golem she was fighting shot out an electric discharge. She changed her form into the fox and dodged all the currents on the tip of her toes. Snake style. She was quite flexible in this form and was able to take some jabs at the golem. Next it tried to strike her with its arm. Swallow form. She launched herself into the air.
    "Tsubame Gaeshi!"
    It was a solid kick so swift that the golem split cleanly in half as if she cut it with a sword. Vlay was as impressed as I was.
    "Hey with you skills shouldn't your Class be a Martial Artist?"
    "For once I agree with Vlay."
    "B*****d."
    There was a large grin on Ashleen's face.
    "Nope, sir! Take a look at these, sir!"
    She opened here hands. She held out a large quantity of gems. Since when did she get them? My eyes couldn't even see her use Steal.
    Suddenly we felt tremors. From the darkness above a giant Golem came crashing down. We all dodged the landing impact.
    "There's your answer to why the quest is so high ranked Vlay."
    "What are you spouting now?"
    It must have been because she was a Thief, as Ashleen understood immediately    .
    "Take a look at its head, sir!"
    "That must be the Prism Gem right?"
    "Well now, let's get to work!"
    Gamma yelled as he charged in. He smashed The Golem's stomach with his hammer. Unfortunately it didn't even crack it.
    "Tch... That's some tough armor."
    He took the aggro and led the Golem around so we could hit it. Vlay slashed at the giant's head to no avail. It smashed the ground with it's feet causing debris to fall from the ceiling. At that moment an idea hit me.
    "Ashleen I need your assistance."
    "What is it, sir? I'll do anything and everything I can!"
    " I need you to survey the ceiling. It's too dark to see anything from down here."
    She jumped from wall to wall, going further up.
    "Well now. I guess I should start..."
    I began setting my strings up.
    "Cilufer, sir! There are a buncha gem stalactites up here!"
    I snapped my fingers.
    "Bingo! Vlay! Gamma! Start attacking the legs!"
    They did as told and I had them do it until its leg were barely holding.
    "Head above to the ceiling! Vlay when I tell you, use your Slash! Gamma remain on standby near him! Ashleen, with me!"
    He jumped up and pinned himself to the wall.
    "I see where you're going with this."
    I had prepared my strings in a sort of circle around the whole area.
    "Ashleen I need to to charge him. Don't stop until he's knocked down!"
    "Got it, sir!"
    She began striking him endlessly. I waited until the Golem was about to attack. I activated my strings and had them close in on the Golem's legs. They got cut cleanly and with Ashleen's attacks, it was knocked down.
    "NOW VLAY!"
    "Flame Cutter!"
    He slashed all the stalactites hanging from the ceiling. I knew just that wouldn't be enough.
    "Gamma! Hammer them!"
    He was able to quickly strike down four stalactites to increase their speed and force. All the stalactites struck and stabbed the monster all over its body. The reason I had to have it knocked down first was so the Prism Gem on its head didn't take any damage. I managed to pull it out and I had us teleported back to town.
    We turned in the quest and were able to make 10k gold. We decided to take a stroll to the market.
    "We did it, sir!"
    "I guess joining this party wasn't a mistake."
    Our two new members were both smiling.
    "I do have to say though... I have never seen anyone use strings in combat before."
    "I'm the same, sir. I forgot to ask. What Class are you, sir?"
    I stopped and paused.
    "My class? I'm the Marked Class."

End 2