FB: Chapter 24 – New Title

Divine Slayer
Awarded for killing over 100 monsters more than 100 levels higher than your own, on your own in one battle and a boss monster.
+15% Physical Damage
+5% Magical Damage
+5% Stats
+1 Title Slot

I looked at my new title, Divine Slayer. It was beyond an amazing title and was a bit broken. The physical, magical, and stat increase didn’t change in the slightest from Unstoppable Slayer. Instead, I got an extra title slot, which was beyond priceless.

I had never heard of someone having more than three titles. Now I could have four. That was huge. Thank you QAI for not being an asshole. I didn’t even know what my fourth title would be. I had already planned out my three titles, a fourth one. Well, that changed everything.

I would either get a Luck or a poison related title. I just wasn’t sure which yet. The other thing I had earned were Invisibility skill shards. I had gotten 8 from the Mega Oozes. They were very rare and very valuable. Even for just a junk skill shard, the cost started at gold coin and could easily hit 10 gold coins.

Before I used them, I would need to think a bit about my build beyond what I had already planned. That could wait for now. I made my way to the airship port and purchased a flight back to Murk Town for one gold.

I logged out and I would be left in an inn in the town if I wasn’t online when the airship arrived since there was no airship port for the town. There was some risk, but not much. Since the airship would land right outside the town gate and I would be under the Eye of Vigilance as my character robotically made their way to an inn room.

My avatar would just respond to players by saying they are busy or focused on something else right now. I wasn’t worried though. I was just glad that my crazy plan had worked.

I still couldn’t believe it. I exited my capsule in my bunker and went right into my shower, blasting my body with hot water. I just stood there for a while, to help my nerves and nausea settle. After ten minutes, I exited and wiped down my capsule, which I had forgotten to do.

Once that was done, I put on a robe and got my food and went to my computer. I sat in my chair and turned up the volume. The website I went to was the 24/7 news channel covering all things Exponential and a major source of drama. Exponential News Network, or ENN. I turned up the volume to listen while I slowly ate.

“That is why folks, you shouldn’t never store up your experience. Over five million lost, isn’t that right Rebecca?”

“Exactly right Fred. Everyone is primarily focused on the coliseums and the race to the Champion title with 100 straight wins to take part in the Tournament of Champions a month and a half from now. Right now there are only three people so far who have managed this feat. Any thoughts on the next one Fred?”

“Hmmm, well Hammer Crusher is definitely a fan favorite with his huge war hammer and loud personality, but he only has 67 wins so far. The closer you get to the magic 100, the more people try to bring you down. Anyone you favor Rebecca?”

“I would say that Cat Dance, is quite a contender. Already 57 wins on her first run with no signs of slowing down. Her graceful movement clearly sets her apart. It is good to see some female representation in the coliseum.”

“Well, we will be keeping a close eye on all the contenders. In the next hour we will have several fights with detailed commentary from Dave our expert on all things combat,” Fred said.

“Now onto interesting clips. The first one is man stuck half eaten by a Gulper Toad,” Rebecca said. The man’s legs were kicking out of the monster’s mouth.

“One might say he is in a sticky situation. Since that monster spits out a glue-like substance to trap people,” Fred said.

“Our next clip is a bit longer. We see this woman in a gray beginner’s robe and a huge sphere being carted. Any guesses Fred?”

“She is going bowling maybe. Oh wait, that is in Hole City. She is going to descend into the Bottomless Pit. The monsters start at level 60, so a quick way to level up maybe?” There were always people keeping an eye out and ready to record things. I had neither the time or inclination to give away more information about myself than I wanted to, but this was planned.

“Almost Frank. This part gets a bit spicey.”

“Why is she stripping and changing?” Frank asked. “Well, she looks good, definitely a nine in my books.”

“Perhaps a model or a dare devil. The hatch is being put on. We are speeding up this part, since the NPCs wait around for five minutes with nothing happening. Now they push the sphere into the Bottomless Pit.” The person recording went to the edge and saw the descent sphere disappear into the darkness.

“Something like that had to have cost at least 10 gold. Also, that pendant she was wearing. I know I have seen it before. Give me a moment,” Fred said. “Got it. A Pendant of Divine Intervention. Unless it was a fake or replica. That is another 10 gold. Someone is willing to throw a lot of money around. Wonder what is at the bottom of the Bottomless Pit or if she is still falling.”

I smiled at that. I was watching the show. I pulled up the network’s number and turned down the volume. I called in to the general tipline of the network. Time to start making public moves.

“Reception, ENN. How can I help you?” a woman asked over the phone.

“I was just shown in a recent clip on your network. I am the woman who got into the descent sphere and went into the Bottomless Pit. I would be open for conducting an interview in Exponential.”

“One moment, I will put you in touch with a production manager.” I was put on hold for a minute and then another woman answered the phone.

“This is Marla Strep, production manager for ENN. You are claiming to be the woman in the clip going into the Bottomless Pit?”

“Yes, I reached the bottom, of the Bottomless Pit and survived. I have screenshots of the impact site at the bottom.” Marla quickly sent me an e-mail. I sent one of the photos I had taken.

“I have more and better shots, I would be willing to do an interview in three days at Fang City in Exponential along with all the screen shots. Free use.”

“You aren’t asking for an appearance fee?” Marla asked me with a bit of surprise.

“I plan to make a coliseum run and would appreciate the attention. Also, a guaranteed interview once I hit 50 wins.”

“I can agree to that. But if you don’t make it in your first run, all bets are off. What is your in game name?”

“Foxy Blight.”

“Catchy. Alright. Send the rest of the screen shots and we will send you the meet up time and location in Fang City.”

“Thank you, Marla. I look forward to working with you.” After goodbyes, I set the phone aside. I smiled since the person I had paid to record me entering the pit had pulled off the job flawlessly. I needed maximum hype and momentum for my coliseum run to get the viewership and betting as high as possible.

Also, it was the Bottomless Pit. Everyone wanted to know what was at the bottom. The top level players would either take a peek themselves or get a memo about the information. Or maybe I was thinking too far ahead in the future when things were much more corporate with memos and intelligence reports. Still, it was human nature to be curious about such things, which would only benefit me.

Well, it was time to start my coliseum run since it was getting close to the Tournament of Champions. One could only have ten regular coliseum matches per day, which is why it would take so long. As long as I didn’t lose and earned the title of Champion, everything would be fine.

The real headache would come in the last 10 matches as competition slots were traded or bought out by people looking to stop me from reaching Champion. My build was really good later on, but right now it had some key weaknesses that would make things quite difficult. I would have to hope my knowledge and ability was enough to offset those weaknesses in my build. Once I had better skills those gaps would be plugged, but that would take time.

But to get those better skills I needed unique items and a skill specialist. Neither of them were cheap or easy. After I got the title granting me an additional title slot, I would have to try and get another title before the Tournament of Champions. Winning the first one was possible with a bit of surprise, but I wanted to keep winning the tournament going forward if possible, to build as much possible momentum for myself and my guild. The last title I had earned gave me hope of another title beyond Grand Champion.

It went Contender at 10 wins, Champion at 100 wins, Grand Champion for beating 10 Champions in a row and winning a grand tournament. If I won multiple tournaments in a row, would there be another super title? My guess was yes, and I wanted that title no matter what with the goal of getting another title slot.