TTMF 3. Bandits, Berserkers, and Bars

Luka stepped forward just as the effects of [Stun] wore off. With a roar, the bandits rounded on him and Nico. Raising his arm, the nearest bandit smashed a rough axe at Nico’s head.

Nico stared it down without flinching. He threw out his hand. “Luka, protect me!”

[Danger Boost] +1 EXP

When your [Lord] is in danger or commands you to protect them, your strength is boosted!

Luka charged forward, swinging the narrow end of the bat at the axe’s handle. The bat slammed into the axe, and the axe went flying. Disarmed, the man threw his hands out and went for a bear hug. Meaty arms closed in around Luka.

Luka dropped and braced against the floor. The man’s arms tightened around nothing. Carried by his momentum, he stumbled forward and tripped over Luka. He sprawled to the ground at Nico’s feet.

Nico stomped the man’s head. “And stay down.”

[Ruthless Finisher] +2 EXP

Your enemy was down, but now they’re down for good! Strength boosted on finishing moves. The more ruthless and unnecessary the finisher, the more your strength is boosted.

Wielding a primitive spear, one of the women charged Luka. He stepped back and twisted, dodging. With the same neat motion, he tucked the bat away. Luka grabbed the spear by its shaft and yanked. The woman staggered toward him.

“Nico, if you would,” he requested.

“Hmph.” Nico whirled around and roundhouse kicked the woman in the back of the head. The woman’s head knocked forward, and she went limp.

Luka spun the newfound spear, feeling it out. The balance isn’t bad. “Appraise.”

[Primitive Spear]

Price: 1G

Barely even worth being called a spear. You’re going to have to clean your gloves after handling this. Inelegant to the extreme.

Luka snapped it over his leg. “Worthless.”

Seeing Luka and Nico destroy the attackers with ease, the bar’s patrons rallied. Letting out a cheer, they charged the remaining raiders. Flanked by Nico and Luka on one side and the patrons on the other, the raiders fell back, backing toward a shattered window.

One of the ragged men screamed. Red energy burned around him, and his eyes began to glow. His muscles bulged, tearing his filthy clothes at the seams. He rounded on Nico and Luka, face twisted in rage.

“Nico, berserker!” Luka shouted.

“Back up, back up!” Nico returned.

The berserker laughed, stomping toward them. Legs as thick as tree trunks left the floorboards trembling. “Pitiful children. Born into the Tower, your chance of receiving a combat class is low. Lament that you were born here. Lament that you were not Chosen, that you do not truly deserve the Tower’s blessing. Before the might of one such as me—”

Luka coughed. “I was Chosen.”

“You? What is your class?” the berserker asked.

“Servant,” Luka returned evenly, reaching into his coat. He drew out a long whip, its handle carved with enchantment runes, and flicked it. A blue glow lit the runes, travelling down the length of the whip.

“Servant?” The berserker threw back his head. Raucous laughter escaped his throat. “To think, even a Chosen could be so unfortunate!”

“I don’t consider myself unfortunate,” Luka said. He flicked his eyes to Nico.

Nico checked his watch and gave Luka a short nod in return.

The berserker stopped laughing. He cracked his knuckles, glowering down on Luka. “Then let me show you the true power of a Chosen, and lament your weakness in the bare moments before you die.”

Before the berserker could attack, Luka lashed out. The whip struck his side, and blue sparks leapt from the metal surface to the berserker. The berserker laughed, stomping toward Luka. Luka backed up, pushing Nico back with him. As he backed away, he continually struck the berserker, but the berserker shrugged off his blows.

“A mosquito bite would hurt worse than this,” the berserker rumbled.

Nico’s back hit the door. He shoved it open, and Luka jumped through, letting the doors swing at the berserker’s face.

Growling, the berserker raised his arms and charged through. Eyes locked on Luka, he sprinted forward, muscles bulging. “Enough!”

“Men, fire!” Nico shouted, grinning.

Men in suits ringed the bar, each one holding a bow or crossbow. As the berserker charged, they fired. A rain of arrows closed in on the berserker as Luka retreated, rolling neatly through a gap in the ring.

[Young Master’s Orders] +10 EXP

When you directly command an attack of overwhelming force against a lesser opponent (in strength, level, or numbers), all attacking units’ strength is doubled. [Young Master] must be within fifty feet of attacking units for buff to apply.

The berserker howled. A ring of red light burst from his body, knocking the arrows away. Half the men shuddered and took a step back.

“Battle Cry?” Luka murmured, wincing against the attack. His hands shook slightly, and his body locked in place, momentarily unable to move.

Nico stepped forward. He clapped his hands. A burst of blue light emanated from Nico’s hands, wiping away the red light. “Again!”

[Commanding Voice] +5 EXP

Once a day, wipe away negative status effects by rallying your underlings with a direct command. Chance of success diminishes with level of opposing status effect. Style and sternness of command boost chances of success.

Half of Nico’s men stood upright and notched another arrow. The tension gripping Luka gave way as well, and he climbed to his feet.

The berserker scowled. He took a deep breath.

Luka lashed out with his whip. “Not so fast!”

Startled, the berserker dodged backward, releasing his breath. That moment was all Nico needed. He jabbed his hand forward. “Fire!”

Again, a rain of arrows closed in on the berserker. This time, he had no counterattack. The arrows pierced his body, and he staggered, barely standing on his feet.

“Fire!” Nico shouted again.

The surrounding men drew arrows again. Another rain pierced toward the berserker.

Waving his hand, the berserker managed to knock a few arrows out of the sky, but most of them struck him. He scowled. “This is no way to fight. You will never be a warrior!”

“Ha, that’s right. Because I’m a Young Master,” Nico returned, a brilliant grin on his face. He raised his hand again. Again, the men drew back their bows.

Nicolo Ambrosio

Male/18/Lv. 10

Class: [Lord] Subclass: [Young Master]

HP: 10

STR: 5

AGL: 10

SKL: 25

DEF: 8

MDEF: 7

Luka stepped forward. “Sir, allow me instead.”

Holding his hand in the air, Nico nodded.

[Dirty Hands]

Don’t let your [Lord] dirty his own hands. It’s your job to do the dirty work. Strength powerfully boosted as long as you take the final blow from your [Lord].

The berserker scowled. He forced himself to his feet and pointed his fists at Luka. “At least I can go down like a warrior.”

“I don’t think so,” Luka returned. He smashed the whip down on the berserker’s head. The berserker shuddered and fell to the ground, motionless.

[One-Sided Combat] [Passive] [Young Master Only]

Two times the EXP from combat if you dominate the fight one-sidedly!

Nico dusted off his hands. He nodded at the men. “There’s still a few left inside. Finish them off.”

The men nodded at him and hustled inside, swapping their bows and crossbows for clubs, swords, and short polearms. The sounds of brutal violence emanated from within.

A few strands of hair had fallen in Luka’s face. He pushed them back, then flicked the whip, coiling it into his hand. “Angela’s Bar is near the edge of town, but the bandits aren’t usually so bold. I wonder what’s driven them in this far.”

“That’s right. Usually, the bandits focus on climbing the Tower and hunting monsters. Sure, they attack the city, but usually the very fringes. Specifically attacking a bar this far inside the city…” Nico put a hand on his chin thoughtfully.

“Why don’t we ask the lady herself?” Luka suggested, nodding.

Nico looked up.

The woman who’d been healing a man behind the counter walked out of the bar, her hands on her hips. She scowled at Nico. “Took you long enough. Makes me wonder what I’m paying protection for.”

“Angela! How goes it?” Nico asked, stepping forward, turning his usual radiant smile toward her. Luka fell in behind him, a hand to his chest as he gave her a short but polite bow.

Angela laughed, but her face quickly turned somber. She nodded toward the bar. “Come inside. This might take a while.”