Chapter 67: Sherpa

Name：The Heart is a Void: Ashes to Ashes Author：
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Chapter 67: Sherpa

"Your knowledge of this area is impressive. So you're saying that there's a better minor dungeon slightly to the North?" DicingDevil said to Starfighter.

"Yes, but it requires a slightly higher level. At least 4 or 5 guys some way over level 50. It's the same as the dungeon you use, but a bit obscure. I guess they forgot to add it to the map, and to set the entrance up correctly," Starfighter replied.

"They probably aren't in much hurry now, too many other issues," Crucis said. "Well, why doesn't our group set off there? Dicing, you mentioned that minor dungeons allow for six players, he can tag along with us and show the way."

"Yes, a good plan. I'll tell the others," DicingDevil replied.

DicingDevil and Grisier set off towards a small crowd of DeathGang players.

In this game, most dungeons were divided into two kinds, which players designated as 'major' and 'minor.' 'Major' dungeons were dungeons which featured a succession of boss battles, and often had the party adventuring through a fairly large area with its own lore. 'Minor' dungeons were just a succession of battles with large mobs, and were typically shorter, easier, and less rewarding. Players were allowed one chance per day at each type of dungeon, although some large donors had been granted a 'VIP' status which granted them an additional major dungeon.

In addition to these basic dungeons, there were also dungeons designated as 'trials,' like the 'Battodo Trial,' which were generally limited to attempts once per week and tested the player's skill by measuring how far they could survive against progressively more difficult challenges.

Eventually, major dungeons would become difficult to complete for groups of Assassins. Minor dungeons, however, seemingly got easier over time due to higher-level players being able to clear mobs comfortably with strong area-of-effect attacks.

As the DeathGang players were conversing, Crucis hid away and drew out the golden string which had tied Jack's letter in the last dungeon. He placed this string around the [Pendant of Silence], and saw that this crafted a [Sacred Deathbringer Necklace]. While the effect of this necklace was similar to the [Holy Deathbringer Necklace], it added an additional effect named [Xiezhi], which gave your first two attacks a 5% chance of ignoring half of the opponent's Constitution stat, if you ambushed them and were using some form of the [Figure Blur] effect. While Crucis generally felt that an ambush from [Stealth Cloak] was more secure, an attack which ignored a large part of the opponent's Constitution stat could be potentially devastating because it would bypass the enemy's main defences.

While the opponent's Dexterity and Agility could still be used to parry, mitigate or dodge the blows, Crucis figured he would generally have an advantage in those areas. However, he suspected that players like FGRT might still be immune, because they had unnaturally high resistance to damage which was not linked to their CON. But that couldn't be helped. The [Xiezhi] effect was still quite valuable. Crucis wore this [Sacred Deathbringer Necklace], but it was hidden under the shinobi shozoku and hence the DeathGang members would not see it.

They were all hopeful skeletons.

Beside Brendaen, Lusray died under a steady assault of neck-bound slashes from Starfighter. Lusray's neck was left a mutilated mess. Although Lusray had managed to push Starfighter away slightly, any hope of fighting back was snuffed out as Akshel tangled Lusray's arms and head in a firm grip, and left the warrior at Starfighter's mercy. The remaining enemy was killed swiftly by DicingDevil, with Grisier assisting in slowing the enemy's movements.

"That's not like any Arch-Knight I've seen," Akshel said, surprised at Starfighter's fierce assault of Lusray.

"He knows da wae of using a sword," Crucis clicked, light-heartedly.

"Well, most Arch-Knights paid to unlock the class early," DicingDevil said. "I think this guy is free, like us, so he probably couldn't take the usual tried-and-true Arch-Knight approach of walking in and showing off ballet moves with sword props."

"He shut down a much larger player, as well," Akshel remarked.

"He used the Arch-Knight's speed and physicality to shut down his opponent directly and target their weaknesses, it's a good strategy. The haladie was a nice touch," Crucis said, as he climbed back on board his Mount. "Where did you get it?"

"Ah, there's a village to the North-East where they make it," Starfighter replied. "I nearly ran into a level 120 beast on the way there, though, so be careful."

"Alright. Anyway, let's make our way North," DicingDevil said.

Starfighter led the group further North, into an empty and quiet area. Going up to a boulder, he swept away some moss along the ground, and they saw a minor dungeon entrance leading to a underground tunnel. They thanked their guide, then invited Starfighter into the party for the dungeon.