NEW Quest: PK part 4

His gaze lingered on his party members, each one a potential stepping stone on his path to dominance within the game. But as he pondered the implications of his decision, he realized that certain choices carried heavier consequences than others. In a moment of calculated ruthlessness, Klent selected his target.

He knew that eliminating the healer and the tank would expedite the party's demise, but he also understood the importance of keeping other players alive to maintain the effectiveness of his newfound passive skill. If there were no surviving party members, the skill's advantage would be nullified.

With a cruel grin, Klent settled on his victim: Kuonh, one of the swordsmen. It wasn't an arbitrary decision; First, Klent contemplated eliminating Trey, who shared a deep understanding of games akin to Klent's expertise. However, as he weighed his options, a chilling realization settled upon him.

Klent had assessed the situation and deemed Kuonh the greater threat if left unchecked. However, he also recognized that taking down both Kuonh and Trey, another formidable player, would be a daunting task.

"Kuonh," Klent whispered to himself, savoring the anticipation of his impending betrayal. He raised his staff, his fingers trembling with a mixture of excitement and treachery. The incantation for his chosen spell danced on his lips as he aimed his staff squarely at his unsuspecting target.

In the midst of the frenetic battle, Klent hatched his sinister plan to eliminate Kuonh, believing it would restore his waning sense of power and superiority. He cunningly devised a way to orchestrate an "accidental" attack.

"Die, newbie," Klent hissed, releasing a blazing fireball with chilling precision.

As Kuonh skillfully engaged the arcane, Klent seized an opportunity to strike, unleashing his magical assault in tandem with Kuonh's own assault on the monster. However, to Klent's astonishment and dismay, Kuonh displayed a remarkable prowess, effortlessly dodging Klent's attack while continuing his onslaught against the arcane.

"what the?"

Klent's confidence waned as he realized that Kuonh was no pushover. The direction of his attacks began to subtly shift, becoming increasingly focused on Kuonh rather than the arcane. "oraoraora" fireball one after another flies towards Kuonh and the arcane.

Klent know that If he persisted, it wouldn't be long before the rest of the party grew suspicious of his intentions. But his burning desire to eliminate Kuonh start clouding his judgment and his plan starts to crumble.

But fate, it seemed, had a different plan. The arcane, in a desperate final act, lunged at Kuonh and clamped its teeth onto him, rendering him immobile and vulnerable. Klent saw this as his last chance. Without hesitation, he began to chant a formidable incantation, summoning his most potent attack. A colossal fireball materialized before him, crackling with destructive energy. With a swift, ruthless motion, Klent unleashed the inferno, directing it squarely at Kuonh and the arcane.

The blaze roared to life, hurtling toward its unwitting targets, an ostensibly accidental act of betrayal in the heat of battle.

**

*BBOOOOMGS*

A colossal explosion rocked the battlefield, sending debris flying in all directions. Fiery remnants scattered through the air, casting an ominous glow over the forest. The shockwave rippled through the clearing, knocking the party members off balance.

Then, it happened.

Achievement notifications began to cascade onto their interface screens:

[Level up]

1 ARCANE killed

Receive: +1170 exp + 400 silver

Item: +1 Grim Arcane claw

[Level up]

[Level up]

Klent's evil grin stretched even further as he believed his treacherous act had borne the fruit he desired—an infamous title and global recognition. He eagerly awaited the unique skill that would accompany his newfound notoriety.

But as he waited, nothing happened.

" . . . . . . . ."

"guh!" 

Klent heard a voice coming in front of him. As the smoke gradually dissipated, revealing the aftermath of the explosion, Klent's wide-eyed horror mirrored the scene before him. 

In the midst of the chaos and destruction, a towering figure moved with lightning speed. Andy, the stalwart defender of the group, came in clutch to rescue Kuonh. With his massive shield, he intercepted the deadly fireball, using his body as a barrier to protect his fallen comrade.

Klent's triumphant grin faltered as he realized that Kuonh had not met his end in the explosion. His heart sank like a stone in his chest. His grand scheme to eliminate Kuonh had crumbled before his eyes.

A surge of frustration and dread washed over him as the skill and recognition he sought remained tantalizingly out of reach.

Kuonh, though spared from the full brunt of the blast, bore the wounds of the battle. His body was battered and bruised, multiple injuries etching his form. However, the party could not afford to lose their skilled swordsman. Naida, the party's healer, swiftly went to work, channeling her restorative magic to mend Kuonh's injuries.

"You will be fine Kuonh!" gently said by Naida.

Gradually, the wounds began to close, and Kuonh's health bar steadily rose.

"!!"

With his treacherous plan foiled and the party's trust in tatters, Klent's desperation pushed him to a final gambit. He gritted his teeth, his face twisted in a twisted display of anger and frustration. Turning toward Kuonh, he unleashed a furious roar, attempting to shift the blame onto his surviving comrade.

"What the hell, Kuonh! Why did you get in the way?!" Klent's voice was laced with venom as he berated his fellow player. He needed to deflect attention from his own betrayal.

"Andy, our tank almost died protecting you! You're supposed to get out of the way when the long-range throws their strongest skill! You really are a newbie!.... right, Trey?"

Klent's accusatory gaze turned to Trey, seeking validation for his claims. It was a desperate ploy to divert blame and sow discord among the party members, hoping that his deceit might yet bear fruit.

Trey's expression turned deadly serious as he fixed his gaze on Klent, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"You're the wrong one here, Klent," Trey retorted, his words filled with a potent mix of frustration and anger. "The arcane had him pinned down with its bite. Kuonh couldn't move out of the way even if he wanted to. It's your fault for not assessing the situation before you used that skill. So shut the fuck up."

Trey had reached the limits of his patience with Klent's deceit and attempts to shift blame. He wasn't about to let Klent's actions go unchecked, and his stern words were a clear declaration of where he stood in this fractured party.