Vol.3 Chapter 14

Clarissa’s PoV

“ROOOOAAAARRR.”

The frost wyrm let out a deafening roar, sending a shockwave of icy air that nearly knocked us off our feet.

The dragon's scales shimmered like frozen diamonds, each reflecting the faint light that filtered through the cavern's ice-covered ceiling. The effect was mesmerizing, casting a dazzling array of glimmers and sparkles throughout the chamber.

Its eyes glowed with an eerie blue intensity, like twin sapphires lit from within, and were filled with ancient malice that sent shivers down my spine. The malevolent gaze was so realistic that it was easy to forget that the creature was composed of mere bits of data from a VR game.

Ancient Frost Wyrm

HP: 8%

“Need some healing over here!” our tank, Jytil, exclaimed in panic.

Jytil - Level 75

HP: 21%

“Wait a minute; I’m channeling right now!” our healer, Sylvestia, cried out.

Sylvestia - Level 73

HP: 71%

“I’ll handle the frontline for a bit!” our swordsman, Vint, declared.

Vint - Level 75

HP: 64%

We’ve been battling this boss for over half an hour now, slowly chipping away at its health points while ensuring none of us bite the dust. We’re finally getting close to taking it down.

It definitely helps that our team setup is pretty solid for this fight. We’ve got a pure tank, a healer mage, and a fighter who can tank while dealing a bit of damage, and then there’s me dishing out most of the damage.

Thankfully, I’ve been doing my part pretty well.

“P-please stand back! I will release a spell!” I gave my teammates a heads-up.

“Roger.”

“Alright!”

“We’re counting on you!”

They all reacted right away, backing off from the Wyrm. Even though this was our first time partying together, they followed my command without hesitation. It definitely helped that I was the highest level by a long shot, and even if I didn’t want to, it pretty much made me the default leader of the group.

“Inferno’s Wrath!” I shouted the name of the spell.

A blazing inferno erupted from my wizard’s staff, surging toward the dragon with unstoppable force. The flames engulfed the creature, melting its icy exterior and searing through its ancient hide. It was a direct hit, on top of being its weakness element, dwindling the dragon’s HP to zero.

Ancient Frost Wyrm

HP: 0%

The massive form began to break apart, shimmering and flickering as if it were made of pure energy. Slowly, the dragon’s body dissolved into countless motes of data, sparkling like tiny stars in the cavern’s dim light. The motes of data floated upwards, dispersing into the air and fading away.

Seeing the monster slowly vanish, I gave my silent prayers to the dungeon boss of this cave.

Sorry, Mister Frost Wyrm, but it had to be done.

My party members let out a collective cheer, their faces beaming with triumph at our hard-fought victory over the boss. It made me feel good to have made a huge difference since I’m the one who did most of the damage. Well, they did commission me for my help, so this is the least I could do for them.

Speaking of commission. As if on cue, I received all the commotion rewards from the system after it acknowledged that I met the requirements for the quest.

You have finished a guild quest!

All rewards received!

Guild Reputation + 10

Well done! That was some perfect spellcasting! I’ve never seen any mage play as flawlessly as you!” Jytil commended.

“W-well, it’s only cause I have a great mentor,” I replied abashed.

Although Novo has been teaching me from the very beginning, it was only recently that I became her official in-game protégé after she surpassed level 90. That milestone, where we formally solidified our bond, was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments in this game for me.

“Humble and skilled, a rare combination,” Vint, our swordsman, chimed in.

“And super cute to booth!” Sylvestia joined in, which made me blush and look away at her teasing.

“I agree! You’re just my type! Want to party up after this? We could grind or something!” Vint suggested.

“U-uhm, I have something to do after this… S-sorry,” I rejected the offer as gently as I possibly could.

“Cut it out, Vint. She’s nine levels ahead of you, so don’t tease her too much, or else you’ll suffer the same fate as that boss,” Sylvestia came to the rescue.

“Oh! We’ve got good drops, guys!” Jytil, who was already checking the loot, caught our attention.

I sighed with relief. The interruption was welcome since I'm not really into being in the spotlight.

We all headed over to check out the loot. Even though I wasn't getting a share because they hired me for the boss hunt, I was still curious about what dropped.

I saw a couple of purple weapons for levels 75-80 and a bunch of the crafting materials they were after, like the Frost Wyrm scale. They mentioned earlier that they needed it to craft their gear.

“Oh, would you like to take a pick? I think it’s only fair for you to have a share in the loot with how you basically carried our asses. Isn’t that right, guys?” Jytil made a suggestion, which garnered nods of approval from his friends.

“T-thank you, but the commission fee and the guild reputation points are more than enough,” I respectfully declined.

“Alright, we won’t force you. Still, I would like to hire you again if the time comes,” Jytil said amicably.

His response made me happy. It would really help increase our Guild Reputation points if they kept coming back for more commissions. I have to do my best for Novo’s sake… and also for the rest of the guild.

"That would be wonderful! Please feel free to request a commission from our guild anytime you want!" I said, flashing them the brightest smile I could.

They all turned away at the same time while pinching their noses. I asked Novo once why it kept happening, and she said that it was not a big deal and that I should just ignore it. It’s probably the norm for the players of this game. Besides, I’m quite used to it by now, too, so I easily shrugged it off.

After grabbing all the loot from the fallen boss, the portal to the dungeon exit appeared. We took a moment to catch our breath before stepping through one by one, with me being the last to exit.

The familiar sensation of being transported washed over me. We ended up on the frigid slopes of a mountain, where the dungeon entrance was. A couple of players were also outside the dungeon, most likely preparing for a dungeon run of their own.

Even though my commission for the boss hunt was done, I decided to stick around for a bit. We all had the same destination: the nearest teleportation point. It made sense to travel together, and besides, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy their company.

After a few minutes of walking and chatting about the boss fight we just had, we ran into three players. We would’ve just ignored them if they were normal players, but the orange highlights on their names gave them away—player killers.

One was a tall, lanky dagger user dressed in dark leather armor.

Blade – Level 74

HP: 100%

The second player was a huge man who wielded a scary-looking massive battle axe that looked like it could cleave through anything.

IronFury – Level 75

HP: 100%

The third player wore a hood, so it was a bit hard to discern her features. But from what I could tell, she was a support mage based on the white-golden glow on the orb of her staff.

Enchantress – Level 74

HP: 100%

They were probably waiting to ambush people who had just finished the dungeon and headed for the nearest portal, given their timing and position. And we were the perfect targets.

“Stop! We don’t want any trouble,” Jytil shouted warily, trying to defuse the situation.

The lanky rogue chuckled darkly, his grin widening.

“Hehe, that won’t cut it. Don’t take this personally. You guys just got unlucky,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The burly warrior hefted his battle axe onto his shoulder, a scary smirk playing on his lips.

“Yeah, it’s just business,” he added, his tone casual but his intent clear.

The mage remained silent, but her sinister smile spoke volumes. She raised her staff, and the arcane symbols began to glow brighter, readying a supportive spell.

Without further warning, the two melee fighters rushed towards us, their intent clearly evident.

“Careful, guys!” Jytil exclaimed as he went to intercept the two with his massive tower shield.

I panicked. But before I let fear hinder my movements, I desperately tried to recall what Novo taught me about how to react in these situations.

First and foremost, I need to stay calm. If I lose my cool here, it’s game over for all of us.

Then, I need to analyze the playing field and predict what the opponents will do. Our opponents are two level 74 and a level 75. Something doesn’t add up, though. They seem confident even though we outnumber them.

My teammates are all at the level 74-75 range. I am also ahead by many levels, sitting currently at level 84, which is a huge thanks to Novo boosting me. I wouldn’t even be here if I didn’t take the commission since this place is way above my level range.

Still, even though we are not in good shape due to our recent dungeon run, it doesn’t explain their confidence with how outmatched they are… unless…. Oh no!

“They're just a distraction! It’s an ambush!” I cried out for the whole party to hear.

As I frantically scanned our surroundings for any sign of backup, I spotted a glint of metal out of the corner of my eye. An arrow was speeding towards me at an alarming rate. Instinctively, I threw myself to the side with an embarrassing yelp, narrowly dodging it.

The arrow struck a nearby rock with a loud thud, and a split second later, it exploded in a burst of fiery shrapnel. The force of the explosion sent fragments flying in all directions, and the shockwave rattled my bones.

Explosion arrows. That was close! I sighed in relief.  It was fortunate that I had anticipated their ambush, which saved me.

I quickly took in the ambushers. From what I could tell, their backup had three members: two melee fighters and an archer who was level 80. No wonder they felt so confident—they had the numbers, plus a strong player among them.

We’re at a huge disadvantage.

Logging out isn’t an option either. There’s a one-minute timer that starts when you try to log out during a battle outside cities or other safe spots, and it takes that long for our in-game avatars to completely disappear.

This feature is designed to prevent players from abusing the log-out function to escape from certain death scenarios or extremely difficult boss fights. Unfortunately, that one-minute window is enough time for looters to kill our avatars and take our items, which would drop upon death.

In short, we have no choice but to fight our way out.

As I quickly scrambled to my feet, I felt the familiar warmth of the spell I had channeled earlier coursing through me.

“Flame Wall!” I cast the spell.

In an instant, a tall burst of flame erupted from the ground, creating a blazing barrier between us and the ambushers. The intense heat and roaring flames forced them to halt in their tracks, unable to press forward… unless they wanted to throw away their precious HP.

“Miss Sylvestia, can you cast a blinding spell on my mark?” I silently conveyed my plan to our support mage.

The sudden turn of events had clearly taken her by surprise. Her eyes widened as she processed my command, and I could see the shock slowly giving way to determination. With a resolute nod, she began to channel the spell.

Meanwhile, I zeroed in on my spell. I had to dish out some serious damage while the ambushers were stuck behind the Flame Wall. If they managed to surround us, we'd be toast.

While we were channeling our spells, I saw Vint and Jytil diving into the fray, taking on the dagger and axe users head-on. Vint’s agile movements kept him dancing around the rogue’s swift strikes, while Jytil’s powerful swings clashed with the warrior’s heavy blows.

In the midst of the chaos, the enemy support mage was busy casting buffs and healing spells, trying to keep their teammates in the fight.

After what felt like forever because of the urgency of the situation, my channeling was finally complete. I wasted no time putting my plan into motion.

“Fall back!” I shouted, giving the signal.

With a burst of motion, Miss Sylvestia unleashed her blinding spell. A brilliant flash of light erupted from her hands, spreading outwards in a dazzling wave.

I closed my eyes and looked away momentarily at the perfect moment to avoid getting blinded. I’m quite accustomed to the timing, as it was a spell that Novo often used against player killers who tried to gang up on us with sheer numbers.

The ambushers recoiled, their eyes squeezed shut against the sudden brightness. Jytil and Vint pulled back from the melee after hearing my signal. Our time spent partying together at the dungeon run earlier contributed to our coordinated movements.

At the same time, I unleashed my most destructive AoE spell.

“METEOR!” I cried out, my voice echoing through the battlefield.

Above my intended target, a rip in space and time opened, swirling with cosmic energy. The fabric of reality seemed to tear apart, revealing a portal to another dimension. Through the portal, I could see a massive, burning rock hurtling towards us with unstoppable force.

The meteor descended with terrifying speed, its surface glowing with intense heat. Flames licked at its edges, and embers trailed behind it like a fiery comet. The ground trembled as the meteor neared its target, casting a shadow over the battlefield.

BOOOOOOMMMM*

With a deafening roar, the meteor collided with the ground, exploding in a cataclysmic burst of fire and debris.

It was a direct hit, killing all of the blinded foes who were unable to react in time. Our level difference ensured the damage was enough to reduce their HP to zero.

The Flame wall dispersed just in time for the ambushers to witness their teammates disappear into blue motes of light, leaving behind some of their gear.

“We can’t handle their mage! R-retreat!” the level 80 archer, who was probably their leader, commanded.

“Phew,” I sighed in relief as I witnessed them scurry away.

From what I’ve seen, the countless times Novo easily beats them, these player killers often run away after seeing a strong display of power and skill.

I bet on the fact that they would likely retreat if we showed enough force and put all the remaining MP I had into that last attack. It was a risky move, but thankfully, it paid off.

But as Novo would always say, no risk, no reward.

“Wow! That was insane!” Sylvestia applauded.

“That’s right! You saved our asses back there even if it wasn’t your job to do so. Thanks!” Jytil commended.

“Come, guys, look at this, they dropped some loot!” Vint, on the other hand, was already scouring the remains of our defeated foes.

This is why people hire bodyguards. The higher your level, the higher your chances of dropping loot. It’s the same reason people hire assassins, as Novo said—either to acquire some gear from their enemy or simply out of spite.

Honestly, the PvP aspect of this game is even more challenging for me than the PvE. That’s probably why this game is notorious for being particularly challenging for newcomers.

“Don’t touch any of the loot, Vint. Give it all to Miss Clarissa. She’s the one who did all the hard work after all,” Jytil said, stopping his friend.

“Ugh… Alright, that’s fair, I guess.” He turned to me with a grin. “You can take it all as a token of our thanks!”

“N-no, I don’t really need it. You guys can have all the loot,” I said, shaking my head adamantly.

It doesn’t feel right to take what isn’t mine. Just the thought of doing so leaves a bad taste in my mouth

“Really? Then more for us!” he said cheerfully, while both of his teammates sighed at his antics.

“We owe you one. Can you add us to your friend list, please?” Jytil suggested.

“A-alright!” I said, happy to have made three more friends.

After arriving at the teleportation point and saying my goodbyes to my newly made friends, I made my way back to the guild base via teleportation. It feels good that I can help people in need through commissions and contribute to our guild at the same time.

I never considered how broad CoA really is and how many people I could meet playing this game. Novo and I focused on leveling, so we always grind on the same but most efficient spot in our current level range.

Even though it can get a bit repetitive, I never get bored with Novo around since she’s always teaching me new things. Because of that, I’m already level 84 in just over two months, which is insanely fast according to what I’ve read in the gaming guide forums.

Sadly, with Novo being our new guild leader, she is often preoccupied with her responsibilities. Although we still occasionally go on quests together, her duties have made these moments less frequent. I understand that everyone needs her now, and I can't be too selfish.

Thankfully, my brother joins me from time to time on guild commissions. It's always great to spend quality time together while completing quests. But, like Novo, he’s also busy, especially with his professional career. As a result, there are times when I find myself finishing quests on my own, like right now.

As I approached the sturdy gates of the guild base, I observed familiar faces going about their usual routines. Stepping through the gates, I felt a comforting sense of returning to a place where I belonged—a kind of second home.

As I walked through the hall, several guild members acknowledged my presence with nods of recognition and friendly smiles. Some were even chatting in groups, their laughter and conversations creating a lively backdrop.

It was normal for the base to be bustling on the weekends, with members taking advantage of their free time to catch up, practice their skills, or simply enjoy each other’s company. The sense of camaraderie and community was palpable, and it always filled me with a sense of belonging.

As I made my way through the base, I passed by the training grounds where a group of guild members were sparring with each other.

Finally, I reached the heart of the guild base, the guild leader’s room, where Novo was usually found nowadays.

I knocked on the door, my knuckles rapping lightly against the wood. After a moment, I heard Novo's voice from inside, calm and composed.

"Come in," she said politely.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the room and saw Novo sitting in a high-backed chair, her posture confident and authoritative. She was so calm and graceful! Seeing her gallant figure made my heart skip a beat.

I almost squealed at the sight of her, but thankfully I managed to hold it in… just barely. Instead, I composed myself and reported my finished quest.

“Novo! I’ve finished the commission you gave me!” I said with a proud smile.

Even though guild members don’t really need to report everything to the guild master, I always did it as an excuse to see her often, especially now that she’s so busy.

“Good work,” Novo said, giving me a soft smile that instantly made my heart flutter.

I felt my cheeks heat up and tried to hide my blush by looking down. I doubted I could hide anything from her perceptive eyes, but I hoped she would just chalk it up to my shyness about receiving praise, rather than the effect her smile had on me.

“Did anything else happen in your quest?” she asked curiously.

“Oh! You won't believe this—we got ambushed by player killers on our way back from the dungeon run! Thankfully, I remembered what you taught me and managed to drive them off!” I bragged, my chest swelling with pride.

Novo’s eyes widened with interest as she listened attentively. I recounted the events of the ambush in vivid detail, describing how I had almost been caught off guard by an ambush and how we had fought back. Her attentive gaze never wavered, and I could tell she was hanging on to every word.

“You handled it well. I’m impressed.” As I finished my tale, Novo nodded thoughtfully.

“T-thank you,” I said, enjoying the praise.

Then after deliberating for a moment, she continued. “I think it’s time for you to get promoted to an officer.”

For a moment, I doubted my own hearing. Me, a Guild Officer? Guild Officers have the responsibility to accept more dangerous missions that give higher rewards and enjoy additional perks that normal members don’t have. It was a significant step up in rank.

I had heard stories of jealousy and envy among guild members when someone got promoted, especially if they were perceived as rising too quickly through the ranks.

My brother had once told me that Novo herself had faced an altercation because she advanced rapidly. Thankfully, the troublemaker was kicked out of the guild, but the thought of facing similar hostility was intimidating.

“N-no I… I don’t think I'm capable yet…” I tried to reject her offer.

“I believe you may be underestimating your abilities. You are an exceptionally quick learner, the fastest I have ever encountered. You have absorbed everything I have taught you with remarkable efficiency,” she acclaimed.

Her words made me pause and think. I know she’s just saying that to make me feel better, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Sensing that I was not yet convinced, she continued.

“Additionally, the fact that this is the first game you have played means you have no pre-existing habits to overcome, which has undoubtedly contributed to your rapid progress.”

“B-but I… don’t know if I can handle being an officer..." I said hesitantly.

“You need to be more confident in yourself. You’re my protégé, after all,” she said, her voice filled with warmth and encouragement.

I looked at her eyes, feeling a rush of emotions. That’s right. We share a bond. If Novo could rise to the rank of guild master, I also needed to push myself to match her. I didn’t want to be left behind.

“Alright. I accept,” I said with newfound determination, my heart swelling with resolve.